Reaching up, Warren brushed my hair away, pushed my head to the side, and placed his lips on my skin. He kissed my shoulder, the back of my neck, and just behind my ear.
“Are you sure?” He asked. “There’s no going back.”
“I know,” I whispered. “I’m sure.” I reached behind me to feel his soft, warm, skin. He moaned slightly, and I heard low-toned popping.
“Don’t be scared,” he said. His voice was deep, gruff, raspy. Not his normal tone. “I can control it now. I won’t shift completely, but I can’t mark you without fangs. Understand?” I nodded. Then, I held my breath, waiting. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my right shoulder. Sharp and deep. All the breath left my lungs in one large exhale. The pain was exquisite. Stimulating. Sensual. I closed my eyes and simply allowed my body to feel every moment.
A warm sensation trailed down my breast. I didn’t have to look to know it was blood. I didn’t care. My hands wandered down his body to the firmness of his dick. I wanted him inside me more than ever. I tugged at his underwear, letting him know I wanted them off. I felt him move and the material slide down his body. He followed by pulling my panties down which I quickly stepped out of.
Putting his hand on my upper back, he bent me over and pushed his knees between my legs. I placed my hands on the bed and gritted my teeth. I felt him rub the head against my wetness and I whimpered.
“You’re mine now,” he said, still teasing me, speaking in his normal tone.
“I’ve always been yours,” I said. I felt his hand in my hair, running his fingers through before brushing it from my back. My nipples hardened in response.
“But now you’re mine forever.”
“Oh, my god, Warren,” I whined. “You’re driving me crazy!” I rocked back into him, hoping he’d get the hint. He smacked my ass, and I relished in the sweet sting.
“Tell me what you want,” he said, running his fingertips down my back.
It occurred to me, now that we had no secrets between us, now that he shared everything with me, now that I knew why he left, our relationship was growing. It started here. Now. With this.
I chuckled mischievously. He smacked my ass again. “Okay,” I said. “I want you to stop talking and fuck me.”
I walked into the woods, head held high, surer of myself than ever before. I knew the white wolf – Officer Turner – was here. He had been seen here just a few days ago. I reached up and put my hand on my shirt, over the spot where Warren had bitten me. The wound healed in only a few days. One of the perks of being a shifter I’m told.
I could hear rustling off in the distance, footsteps, headed this way. Wanting to give the appearance of being distracted, I pulled my phone from my pocket and I looked down at my screen. The footsteps moved closer.
His scent grew stronger. Another perk of being a shifter. I turned around to see the white wolf was a few meters away. It growled. I took a step towards it. It showed its teeth.
“I know who you are,” I said. “I know what you are.” The wolf scrunched its nose, snarling. “Charlie. Charlie Turner. It’s not going to work.” The wolf lunged slightly, but I stood my ground. “I know what you want but I’m here to tell you, I will never be yours. I belong to Warren. I always have, and now I always will.” I pulled my shirt over to the side to reveal the bite mark shaped scar on my shoulder.
The white wolf snarled, growled, and lunged again. I didn’t falter. I knew I was safe. I knew that I was not in danger. I knew what was coming.
“Hold on, Charlie,” I said, putting my hand up. “I have more to tell you. You see, Warren found your old pack.” Branches cracked, and leaves rustled all around us as wolves of varying sizes and colors slowly emerged. “Once the local shifters told them what you have been up to, they all decided you needed to be stopped. None of them were very happy about you killing that young girl or turning a fourteen-year-old boy.”
The white wolf took a defensive position, puffing out its chest, showing all its teeth and snapping at the air.
“Good-bye, Charlie,” I said. I turned around, again, not worrying about my safety. Walking away from the white wolf, I made my exit from the trees, doing my best to ignore the growling, the barking, and the sounds of a horrific animal fight.
This is fucking crazy. I have a lot to learn.
Chapter Twenty-One
I was sitting in the restaurant where Warren and I had lunch, but this time it was different, I was different. I could hear more. Smell more. Sense more. It was almost overwhelming. I closed my eyes and concentrated on one thing, the way Warren had taught me. Mindlessly adding a third sugar packet to my cup of tea, I stirred and focused on the tinging sound the metal spoon made against the ceramic cup.
I looked at my watch, filled with an eagerness to meet those who had helped put a stop to Officer Turner’s actions. When I had chosen a table, I made sure to sit facing the door to allow myself to see when they entered. With each person that walked in, I rode the rollercoaster of hope and disappointment.
My attention moved from the door to the waiter as he approached the table. Wow. Dude. Lay off the body spray. “Can I get you anything else while you wait?” he asked. I looked down at the mess I had made on the table and felt slightly embarrassed. I had taken up one of his tables for two cups of tea and a pile of ripped napkin and empty sugar packets.
“Um, yeah, sure,” I said. “Can you bring me a chocolate chip muffin and an orange juice? And one more cup of tea.” He jotted on his small note pad, nodded and walked away.
“Hey, babe,” Warren stood in front of the table. I must have missed him walking in while talking to the waiter. He moved to stand beside me and placed a kiss on my cheek. Standing around the table were four very handsome men and one stunningly beautiful woman. “I’d like to introduce you to the leaders of the local area packs. Marcus, Branson, Lucius, Caleb, and Serena.” With each introduction, I was impressed, flattered, and touched.
“You’re a brave woman,” Marcus said. “You and Warren are always welcome at our home.”
“Thank you for all your help,” Branson said. “We are truly in your debt. If you ever need anything, please just let us know.”
“On behalf of the members of my pack,” Lucius said, “we’d like you to know that you will always have a home with us. Always.”
“Warren is truly a lucky man,” Caleb said. “You are a very brave woman. We’d be honored to have you join us for a meal, for a hunt, or for an extended stay.”
As I turned to Serena, she hugged me. At first, I was a bit shocked. But after a few seconds, I could feel her sincerity. “As all the gentlemen have stated,” Serena said, “we owe you a debt of gratitude. If we can ever be of assistance, please, just say the word.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I appreciate that. Please everyone sit. I’ll get the waiter and we’ll order some lunch.”
Warren pulled out my chair for me as Caleb pulled out Serena’s. “On a more personal note,” Serena added. “As a fellow woman shifter, I want you to know that I, more than anyone, understand what you are, and will be, going through.” She reached across the table and handed me a business card. “My personal number is on the back. Call me. We can get together, have coffee or lunch, and have a more private conversation.” She smiled and winked at me. I chuckled.
“I will,” I said, reaching back and tucking the business card into my purse. “And I can’t tell you how much that means to me. All of you, really. To be accepted. I’m honored.”
“Warren has done a lot for our kind,” Lucius said. “Even as rogue. He’s helped all those who were turned by Officer Turner, and he’s the one who tracked down his old pack.” Turning to Warren, I watched his face turn a soft shade of pink. I touched his cheek.
“He has a standing offer to be my Beta,” Branson said. “At this point, I don’t have one and have asked him to join me. He told me he needed to discuss it with you.”
Warren held up his hand. “We agreed this was to be a casual lunch,” Warren sa
id. “Remember? I just wanted to introduce all of you to Rose. And her to you. To let her ask questions.” Everyone nodded and agreed.
I flagged down the waiter. He approached with a tray of glasses, coffee mugs, a pitcher of water, a pot of coffee, and my muffin and orange juice. He smiled at me, happy to see more people at the table, hopeful for a larger tip He went around the table filling glass and mugs and taking orders. After thanking us, he quickly disappeared into the kitchen.
“So,” Caleb said, dumping a tiny container of creamer into his coffee, “what do you want to know?”
I scoffed, looked at my watch, and said, “You guys don’t have any plans today, right?” Everyone laughed and started chattering among themselves. Warren leaned over to me, grabbed my left hand, and kissed my index finger adorned by the engagement ring.
“So, babe,” he whispered. “You never believed in werewolves and yet here you are, seated at a table with them, about to share a meal. Are you ready for your new life?”
“Shifters,” I said, softly chuckling, then sweetly kissed his lips. “Fuck yeah, I am.”
About the Author
In addition to being an award-winning and best-selling author, Carma Haley Shoemaker is a nurse, wife, and mother of three. Living in North Central Ohio, she fills her days with writing mixed-genre romances, watching Supernatural reruns, and dancing around the living room like no one is watching. While she enjoys putting her characters through many hardships, heartbreaks, and angst-filled moments, Carma believes in fast-love, true romance, and HEA endings - however they come about.
You can find out more about Carma by visiting her on social media:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/writercarma
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/carmicwords
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/carmicwords
Fighting Fate
Wolves of Windsor Woods
Krista Ames
About the Story
Porter Rivers has hated his life since the day his brother Paxson found his mate. Not that it was really their fault but it was like salt in a wound every time they were around. Made him want to disappear into the woods and never come back but that wasn’t really an option. Why hasn’t it been easy for him to find his own mate? Is he really that much of a jerk that he can’t attract someone? Should he just stop fighting fate and live as a lone alpha?
Jordan Cross was not your everyday a-typical wolf. She didn’t belong to a pack and refused to follow the rules unless they were her own. She was making her way to Windsor Woods not by choice but because the last living members of her family were heading there to join a pack. A pack she would not be joining with them. She understood their need for protection but she could take care of herself. She would stay and help them get settled and be on her way.
When an unknown threat returns to finish the job started months ago, Jordan agrees to help Porter protect the pack no matter the cost. But would either of them realize they aren’t only risking their lives but their hearts as well?
Sometimes you can’t fight fate and you have to know when to take a leap of faith, as long as you’re doing what’s right for you…
Chapter One
“Why do I always get the shit jobs?”
“Just lucky I guess.” Paxson slapped his brother on the back and disappeared out the front door.
His brother was a smart ass. Always had been.
“Hey, get your ass back here, you need to help.” Porter grabbed the door before it slammed shut behind his brother.
There was a lot of work to be done before the annual pack meeting and Paxson was beta so he had to be there. It was pack law…and if it wasn’t officially, it would be soon. Even though he would try everything to get out of it. Just because he had a mate now didn’t mean Porter would let him skirt his duties. Yes, his mate was expecting their first pup but, she was an incredibly strong and independent woman and from what he’d seen, she didn’t need her husband to hover.
“Why do I need to help? I was heading back home to check on Piper.”
“I just talked to her and she said you were all mine little brother.”
“Figures, she never thinks she needs any help with anything.”
“Well she’s a hard-headed and strong-willed woman you’ve got there.”
“Tell me about it. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. She makes me a stronger person.”
“Yeah, thanks. I think I’ll puke now.”
“Hey, you mark my words right now, one day not too far away and before you know it, this’ll be you.”
“Nope, not happening, I’m fated to be alone.”
“Whatever, there’s no reasoning with you. Since I apparently don’t have anything else pressing, what do you need me to do?”
“We need to hang out here and clean up the bar for starters. The meeting is Saturday so that gives us two days to make things presentable. We have two new families that just moved into the area plus I managed to track down a few of our past members that would like to be considered for rejoining. I think we have a solid chance to successfully bring things back to life.”
“Well, that’s a good thing I guess. We’re just going to have to start acting like a real pack then.”
“Yeah, I agree, but that means you too. I know this pack doesn’t mean as much to you as it does me but it would be nice if you could take me seriously as the alpha even if you won’t’ take me seriously as a brother.”
“That’s not true, well maybe at one time but I have a wife and a baby on the way now, things change. And since when don’t I take you seriously, I’m here aren’t I?”
“Yeah but only because your wife said she didn’t need you at home. Otherwise you’d have booked out that door as fast as your little wolf legs would carry you.”
“Hmm.”
Paxson didn’t argue with him because he couldn’t. There was no point. Porter was right and they both knew it.
“Okay, how about we make a deal, or at least come to some sort of understanding.”
He changed the wording of that statement quickly when his brother started to complain, because deals weren’t his brother’s thing and he knew that. Porter might be the alpha but it wasn’t really fair to anyone for him to take advantage of his power and position to become a tyrant. While he did have the ultimate say in any given situation as far as the pack, he didn’t have to be an asshole. The better choice was to swallow his pride, admit when he was wrong, and make sure he made a solid effort to work as the pack he was trying to create. His brother was the beta so it was important for them to run the pack as a team.
“I’m listening, so talk.”
“I’ll admit, as brothers we have a lot of room to grow and I am totally admitting that I am just as much at fault as you are. Hold up.”
Porter raised a hand to stop Paxson from the tirade he knew was coming.
“Just let me finish okay? I know siblings fight, it’s natural and we do our fair share, well we always have. Anyway, what I’m proposing is that we at least try to support each other as far as pack mates and leaders, and maybe eventually the brother thing will fall in line as well.”
“Wait, are you telling me you can’t do it all by yourself?”
“You don’t have to be a smart ass all the time you know.”
“Actually, this time I’m being serious. Ever since mom and dad died, you’ve had this holier than thou attitude and made it pretty clear, at least to me that you were the alpha and it was your way or the highway. I just don’t agree with that. You are the leader of the pack yes, I’m not arguing with that, but, it takes more than an alpha to run a whole pack.”
“You’re right. It takes a team. Everyone working together toward a common goal. There is typically a chain of command in place for a reason though. Dad was an amazing leader and an extremely difficult position to fill but I think with your help, we really could make a go of it.”
“You really need a wife.”
“Jesus don’t start on that
shit. I may never have one.”
“Don’t say that. I think it would make your position stand out with the pack, more resilient and steadfast. That’s what mom did for dad, she had his back one hundred and ten percent.”
“That’s what you’re for, as the beta.”
“It’s not the same Porter, and you know it.”
Ugh, why is it so important?
“I know, I’m just not sure how significant it really is. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to have a mate for multiple reasons I don’t want to talk about but in the pack, why does it really matter.”
“I think we could be here all-day hashing this out and we have more important things to do right now. You can soul search on your own time.”
“Well damn, look at you taking the initiative.”
“I just want to get home, so if we’re going to work fine, if not I’m leaving.”
“Fine, why don’t you start with the floors. I can’t’ remember the last time they’ve had anything done to them so I think we should sweep, then do a hot soapy water mopping. They really need waxed. The last of it wore off so many years ago but I think the old floor gives the place some real character so we’ll leave it that way. What do you think?”
“I agree, I’ll get started now.”
“Oh my gosh, we are so happy to have you here.”
Jordan’s Aunt Meg greeted her at the front door and embraced her in the biggest hug she had had in a very long time. Any less strong woman would have shed a tear but Jordan fought that off. Her motto as of late was to show no emotion…for her it was the way to go.
Moonlight Mist: A Limited Edition Collection of Fantasy & Paranormal) Page 16
