by Crissy Smith
She did what he’d asked until she stood before him bare.
He scratched his chin, faking deep thought. “Turn around so I can check for more injuries.” Kiley sighed but did as he requested. She jumped when he ran his hands over her lower back and down. Heat followed his touch and she trembled noticeably.
“Okay, come on,” he said and helped her turn to face him again. She took the hand he offered. He helped her from the bed before leading her into the attached bathroom. He lifted her and set her on the vanity before he turned and walked over to the large standing shower and turned the water on.
“Uh, Austin,” she called to him.
He tested the water before coming back to her. “Now, let’s see,” he said and gently took her ankle in his hands.
“It’s already better,” she told him. As shifters, they healed very quickly.
“My body, remember?” he told her sternly. “I’ll tell you when it’s better.”
Kiley rolled her eyes but let Austin run his hands over her ankle before he picked up a washcloth and got it wet. He cleaned her ankle, her knee, and the scrapes she’d picked up.
Kiley had never had anyone take such care of her before. She dropped her head to hide the moisture that came to her eyes. Austin’s hands were gentle and he pampered her.
“There now, all better,” he said, before placing a kiss on her once-hurt ankle. He lifted his head at the same time she did and their eyes locked. “I never want to see blood on your precious skin again.”
She nodded, lost in his eyes.
He let go of her foot and closed the distance between them until they were flat against one another. They kissed, slowly and deeply, until she had to break away to breathe again.
“Now let me wash this body of mine,” he murmured, pulling her off the counter.
Kiley let him lead her to the shower. He pushed her in and began to take off his clothes. She watched, mesmerised, as he revealed every inch to her. He stepped inside to join her and she reached out, grabbing his shoulders.
She kissed him this time. Hungrily devouring his mouth as her mind clouded. Her mate, her man, her love felt good in her arms. The wolf inside her, silent for years, began to make her presence known.
Kiley threw her head back and cried out as the lost part of her finally returned.
Her wolf had hidden deep inside her after years of being with Simon, the feeling of captivity too much for the animal to survive. Kiley had thought she’d lost that part of her until now.
“You okay?” Austin asked, concerned.
Kiley didn’t even try to hide her tears of happiness. “Yes! I’m great! Better than great…with you.”
Surprise flashed across Austin’s face before he slammed his mouth onto hers. Kiley tasted blood—hers or Austin’s, she didn’t know, and it didn’t matter.
She returned his kiss and ran her hands over his strong shoulders, down his back, pressing him closer against her body.
“I need to feel you. I need you inside me,” she begged.
“Yes, love…yes.” Austin lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Her back met the cool tile of the shower before he lined his cock up at her entrance.
Kiley sighed as he began to fill her, the feeling of completion and contentment rushing through her. Austin moved slowly, stretching as he entered her until he was buried deep. She grabbed a fistful of his hair and yanked his head back. The wolf was close to the surface now, and she didn’t even try to fight it back. “You’re mine now, Austin Winters. My mate.”
He growled and pulled out slightly before thrusting deep. Kiley gripped his shoulders once again as he began to fuck her hard against the shower wall. The sound of flesh slapping flesh and their moans filled the room. Kiley used every muscle she had to slam herself down and meet each stroke as he rode her. Her body tingled, tightened, before she threw her head back and howled. The orgasm raced through her body, as her inner muscles clamped down onto Austin’s cock, holding him prisoner, and she reached completion.
“We’re not done,” Austin told her through gritted teeth and started to plunge in and out again, each time faster and harder, going deep until she knew she would feel him afterwards. She wanted to—wanted to be able to remember this moment for all time.
“That’s it,” she encouraged her mate. “Take me…do what you want with me. Make me yours…”
She tilted her head to the side to show her submission to him.
“Fuck!” he cried out, slamming into her hard before his teeth came down on her neck and he bit.
Kiley screamed, the sound echoing in the room. Austin tore his mouth away and called her name as he fell over the edge with her.
Austin lifted his head from the pillow at the soft knock on his bedroom door. Beside him, Kiley remained sound asleep. Their lovemaking in the shower had been intense, and they had both fallen asleep as soon as their heads had hit the pillows.
Carefully he lifted up off the bed. He could smell Colt at his door as well as feel his Beta’s frustration. Something else must have happened.
He opened the door but put his finger to his lips so Colt would wait. Silently, he closed the door and gestured further down the hall. Colt didn’t even blink at his Alpha being naked in front of him. They shared a cabin at home, plus ran together in wolf form often, so they’d seen each other nude before. Still, some of Colt’s unease left and was replaced with amusement. Austin didn’t mind. He was proud of his time with his mate. It didn’t bother him in the least if others knew what they had been doing.
“We found an abandoned SUV just inside the city limits. It carried the same scent as your attacker, but it’s different than the one Kiley found behind the house,” Colt told him.
“You think he left town?” Austin asked, although he knew the answer.
“Wouldn’t make sense for him to leave. I think he wants us to think that,” Colt confirmed his suspicion.
Austin nodded.
“We found a cheap motel a couple miles down the road. We think he stayed there for a couple of weeks. He would have been there before we arrived,” Colt told him.
“So you don’t think he is after me,” Austin guessed. He was good at reading his people. And as close as he and Colt were, they could usually finish each other’s sentences.
“I think he is here because of Tony. Tony said he felt he’d been followed a few times as he went from Pack to Pack. He could never pinpoint exactly where or who, just more of a feeling,” Colt continued.
Austin watched his friend start to fidget, something he did rarely and probably didn’t realise he was doing. “We were planning to leave tomorrow. I still have some things to work out with Kiley, but I don’t think we should put it off for long. We only left a few guards at home. I would like to get back as soon as possible just to make sure everything’s okay. I already gave my answer to Lamont and I know they’re anxious to get Tony home.”
Colt frowned. “Tony refuses to go home.”
Austin was not completely surprised. “I see.”
“With your permission, I could stay with Tony until we find the shifter. Tony’s supposed to head to Grand Falls next. That’s not far from our territory, so I would be close enough to get there pretty quick if need be.”
Austin grinned. “I wouldn’t want you to make a big sacrifice.”
Colt’s eyes snapped to his and he blushed. Even better, Austin thought, amused.
“Umm…I don’t mind. He’ll recover fast but I don’t like the idea of him being out there alone with this kind of threat.”
“I think it’s a good idea,” Austin told him. If Colt wanted to talk about his feelings for Tony, he knew Austin would listen. There were no secrets between them. He knew about Tony’s preference for either sex. It didn’t matter to Austin. In fact, he encouraged the members of his Pack to explore their feelings for whomever they were attracted to. Several of his members had joined his Pack when they’d been kicked out of their own for their sexual preferences.
&
nbsp; Colt played the field… a lot. Still, Austin had never seen his friend so nervous. He’d been so wrapped up in finding his mate that he’d neglected his Pack member.
“Why don’t you talk to Tony and get everything worked out? We’ll discuss it further in the morning before you leave,” Austin suggested.
“You’re sure you’ll be okay?” Colt asked, now looking even more worried. “I don’t want to leave you alone either.”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine. We’ll head home as soon as we can. I’ll feel better having Kiley there. But I want to know who came after me. I know you want to know too. And I have a feeling you might need to work something else out too?”
Colt pressed his lips together before he smiled. “Thanks, Austin. I don’t know how I feel but I need to know he’s okay. I can’t explain it… This is just something I need to do.”
Austin pulled the man into a brief hug. “Any time,” he said sincerely. “You know you can call if you need to talk. I’ll be there for you.”
“I know,” Colt whispered in his ear.
They broke apart and Colt turned to head back down stairs. “You better go back to your mate,” he said without turning around.
Right then, his bedroom door opened and Kiley stuck her head out. “Austin, is everything okay?” she asked softly.
Grinning like a fool, he quickly made his way to her. She wore a sheet wrapped around her body, her hair mussed, and a sleepy smile.
“Yes, baby, everything is fine,” he promised.
She stepped back and he followed, closing the door quietly. “You should still be asleep.”
Kiley mumbled something he couldn’t hear. He grabbed her around the waist and flattened her against his body. “What was that?”
She huffed out a breath but tilted her head back to look at him. “I said I got cold without you.”
Austin bent and kissed her deeply. “Well then, I should warm you back up.” He picked her up.
“You gotta stop carrying me around,” she complained, but was giggling as he took several long steps to the bed.
“Never,” he stated and threw her on top of the bedspread.
She bounced, still laughing. “Animal!”
Austin pounced on her, holding her sweet, soft body under his. “Always,” he agreed.
He kissed her hard and demandingly, thrilled when she opened for him and wrapped her arms tight around his neck.
“Austin?” she asked breathlessly when they broke apart.
“Hmm?” he purred against her neck, kissing and nibbling.
“Why were you standing in the hall naked?”
Austin looked at her in surprise. Had that been jealousy in her voice? “Because, darling, Colt knocked on the door and I didn’t want to waste time having to dress then undress again to get back in bed with you.”
“You could have covered up,” she insisted.
Oh yeah, his mate was jealous. He loved it! “I promise next time to dress before answering the door.”
“Okay,” she agreed. “Austin?”
“Yes?” he was trying not to smile too widely but failing miserably.
“Get that look off your face and kiss me again,” she ordered.
“Gladly.” And he did kiss her again.
Chapter Nine
Kiley hugged Jesse for the millionth time in the last hour. She knew she needed to let go of the little girl but she didn’t seem to be able to. She had tried so hard not to get attached to anyone there but it hadn’t worked.
Jesse had yelled and argued when she’d found out that Kiley would be leaving. She’d calmed down a little when she’d learned she would be living with Austin’s Pack. Apparently she spent a lot of time there visiting. With the help of Austin and Tyler, they’d even made plans for Jesse to go down there in about six weeks.
Kiley had told her she’d need help learning the territory and since Jesse had been there so much, maybe she’d be able to show her around. The girl had happily agreed.
Kiley supposed she would have things a little better controlled by then. Oh, she’d known she would be going. Austin was an Alpha and he’d told her all about his Pack, but it hadn’t actually sunk in until he’d told her they needed to get home.
Home, she thought bitterly. She hadn’t had one of those in so long, she’d forgotten what it felt like. As much as she’d enjoyed the apartment she’d rented, it wasn’t the same as having a house, a place that was hers and her family’s, a place to be comfortable and feel safe.
She’d got so used to closing herself off that she hadn’t realised how much she had missed her wolf—until she’d found Austin. Now, for the first time since she’d left her family, her wolf wanted to play. Wanted to run and dance. Wanted to mate.
It was a good feeling.
But still her chest felt tight, and she could feel the panic wanting to set in. She’d sworn she would stay away from all Alpha-type men. Not only had she broken that rule, but she’d mated with an Alpha.
Now she was moving to a new territory she knew nothing about and found herself in a position of power.
Whether she wanted it or not.
Gray and Dominic stepped out of the front door and joined her and Jesse on the steps.
“We’ll miss you,” Dominic told her in his relaxing, deep voice. He didn’t speak a lot, except to Jesse, but when he did, it was a pleasure to listen to the cadence of his voice.
“I’ll miss you all too,” she admitted softly. She had to fight the urge to get teary-eyed.
“You’ll always be welcome, Kiley. Don’t forget that,” Dominic told her and bent for Jesse. “One last hug. Austin’s on his way out.”
The two females hugged each other. Finally Kiley pulled away and placed Jesse in his arms. “I love you, little cub,” she whispered to the girl.
She turned away quickly as she heard Dominic and Jesse leave. She wiped at the tears that had fallen.
“Kiley,” Gray said her name softly. She dropped her head—this was going to be just as difficult. She took a deep breath and turned back to him. The emotion in his eyes surprised her. They had spent a lot of time together and cared deeply for one another. Her heart broke a little at the look of loss on his face.
“Oh Gray,” she murmured, cupping his cheek. “I’m so sorry. I have been terrible to you.”
He shook his head but she wouldn’t let him argue. She hadn’t once stopped to think about how her finding a mate would affect him. Although they weren’t in love, they’d still been close. All the other had had, at one time.
“I am so sorry, Gray. I didn’t think…”
“Shh,” he told her, pulling her into his arms. “It’s okay. I’m just going to miss you like crazy. I can’t hold your own mate against you.”
His tone was kind, so Kiley believed that he didn’t blame her, but that didn’t make her feel any better. She vowed she would do something special for him. She’d make up for her awful behaviour one way or another.
She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly. “I’ll always love you,” she said sincerely.
“I know,” he told her as he released her. “I’ll always wish I was your mate.”
A tear slipped down her cheek. “You’ll find her,” she promised. “And I hope she’s ten times as stubborn as you say I am.”
He laughed like she’d intended. “Me too.”
With two fingers under her chin, he placed a soft kiss on her lips. There was nothing sexual about it—it was a goodbye to how they once were.
They smiled into each other’s eyes. That’s how Tyler and Austin found them.
Kiley was pleased with Austin’s reaction. While almost every other wolf she knew would have felt threatened and attacked, Austin didn’t. He calmly walked down the steps. Gray dropped his hand from her face, and when Austin offered his, the two men shook.
“Best of luck in your hunting,” Austin told him.
Gray nodded. “Thank you, Alpha. I won’t let the threat remain any longer. No one will ge
t to Tyler or Jesse.”
Austin turned to Tyler and shook hands with the other Alpha. “I’ll talk to you soon,” Austin told him.
“Be careful driving,” Tyler told Austin before addressing Kiley. “Just take what you want now. I’ll make sure everything else in your apartment is sent in the next couple of days.”
Kiley gazed up at him. She owed Tyler so much. He’d given her sanctuary in his territory without asking anything in return. He’d opened up his home and shared his family with her. She could never pay him back for everything he’d done for her over the last year.
“Tyler…”
He just grinned and spread his arms. Kiley carefully embraced him, holding back as much emotion as she could. She’d break down later—not in front of the others. She could hold on until she was alone.
Tyler hugged her and even kissed the top of her head. “We’ll see you in a month or so, kiddo,” he promised.
Kiley nodded, rubbing her cheek against his chest. She’d never touched him like that before but it made her feel protected. She managed to break away and, without looking at anyone, walked to her SUV.
Austin said something else behind her, then rushed up to catch her. He threw his arm around her but didn’t comment on her lack of control. It seemed like her mate kept seeing her at her worst. She had no idea why he wanted her.
When he stopped at a black Explorer and opened the passenger door, she just looked up at him blankly.
“Come on, baby,” he urged. “Climb in—we need to get on the road.”
She started to follow his instruction before her brain connected. She stepped back. “What about my car?”
“Tyler will take care of it,” Austin told her. He pressed his hand on the small of her back trying to get her to move.
“But I need it,” she argued, her feet firmly planted.
“Kiley,” Austin said as if he was tired. “Get in. We will get you another vehicle if you want. You can have this one. Or someone else can drive yours. I don’t care.”
“I need a way to get around,” she tried to explain. She wasn’t trying to be difficult.
