My Mate's Embrace

by Caryn Moya Block

  “God, Laurel. Are you sure you’re ready? You’re killing me here.”

  Stepping back, she pushed his pants down his hips and smiled when she noticed he didn’t have any briefs on. His member jutted out, and unable to resist, she ran her fingers lightly up and down its length.

  “Don’t you want me?” Laurel asked with a pout. She knew without a doubt that he wanted her, and it filled her with power. She was pushing him, and she knew it.

  Growling, Anton grabbed her close and kissed her. “You know I do.”

  Before he could kiss her again, she held up her hand. “Get on the bed, Anton. I’m not finished seducing you.”

  “Detka, Baby, you seduce me anymore, and I’m not going to last.”

  Laurel smiled as she pushed him back on the bed. He didn’t resist, and she again felt the power she held over him. But even while reveling in her power, she wanted to please him.

  She reached up and untied the laces on her dress before slipping it off over her head. She heard Anton’s hiss of breath as he saw the lace bra and panties she wore underneath.

  “Wait,” Anton said when Laurel reached up to unfasten the bra. “Come here, Detka. I want to take it off. I want to unwrap you like the gift you are.” He held his hand out, and Laurel put her hand in his, letting him draw her forward and onto the bed.

  Laurel was driving him crazy with her seduction, and he loved every minute of it. She was so self-assured and comfortable with her body that it only made him harder as he watched her. His wolf was clamoring for its mate. He was fighting to keep control of the passion that threatened to overwhelm him.

  He pulled her slowly onto the bed and leaned up to kiss her. He coaxed and teased as he licked at her lips before plunging his tongue into her mouth to find her taste. She didn’t hold back, and soon their tongues were tangling in a duel as old as time. Grabbing her around the waist, he guided her down by his side, his mouth never leaving her lips. Then leaning over her, he continued his efforts. Licking and nipping at her lips, he let his mouth wander down her cheek to her neck and shoulder.

  Laurel groaned in approval as he licked at her neck where it met her shoulder. He felt his canines pulse with the need to bite, to mark her as his mate. But not yet, first she must be carried away with pleasure. Anton reached for the mating bond and pulled the link tight, merging his mind with Laurel’s, sharing each moment of desire he was feeling. Moving farther down, he nuzzled her breast, pushing the material off her nipple so he could taste her there. Licking her skin, he circled the little nub. Laurel moaned and pushed up, begging him to take it in his mouth. Unable to deny her, he sucked it deep. Pulling on it, he set a rhythm that he could feel echoing down in her womb. He lifted her up into his mouth as he undid the fastening of her bra and pulled it off her arms.

  The shared pleasure only heightened her response. Anton didn’t know whether he or Laurel was experiencing more enjoyment, as he licked his way to her other breast and sucked it. Laurel moaned and ran her fingers through his hair, releasing it from the leather thong. She pulled him closer, demanding that he take her deeper in his mouth. He pulled hard on her nipple, and she arched her back trying to get closer. He released her with a pop.

  “Are you wet for me, lyubov moya?” he asked, his fingers finding their way beneath her panties to her warm heat.

  He swirled his fingers in her juices and then brought them up to show her, before sucking the moisture off. “Sweet, Laurel, you taste so sweet.”

  Anton looked at the dazed look of pleasure in Laurel’s eyes, her kiss-swollen lips, and lower to her nipples, standing erect and begging for his kisses.

  “More, Anton, I want more,” Laurel said.

  “What is it that you want, Detka?”

  “All of it, all of you.”

  Anton felt himself grow larger and harder. He couldn’t wait much longer to take her. But Laurel was a virgin, and he wanted to do right by her. He reached down and grabbed her panties, yanking the material and pulling them from her body. He enjoyed seeing the moisture glistening on her auburn curls, covering the treasure that belonged to him alone. He scooted down between her legs, sliding his arms under her thighs he lifted her higher.

  You are so wet for me, he sent, switching to the more intimate form of communication.

  He needed to taste her again. Lowering his head, he swiped his tongue through the moisture. Laurel gasped, her fists clenching the sheets.

  Easy, Baby, let me give you pleasure, he sent, moving his arm across her thighs and dipping his tongue in for more. He swirled his tongue around her clit and pushed a finger into her channel. She was so hot and tight, her juices running down his finger and into his hand.

  Afraid of hurting her, he pushed his finger in deeper and then pulled it out. Laurel moaned and tried to push her hips up. But Anton held her still as his tongue continued to plunder her depths. He added a second finger to the first and licked at her clit as he scissored his fingers inside her. She tasted so good, so hot and sweet. He continued to work his fingers inside her, stretching her and preparing her for his entry.

  Hurry, Anton, take me please. It burns. I’m on fire, Laurel sent into his thoughts, feeding her need and desire through the link. She didn’t think she could take any more. The pleasure was consuming her. She was so hot. Her body began to tremble and more liquid gushed from her core. Laurel knew from their shared dreams that she was on the edge, just one little push and she would come.

  Anton sucked her clit into his mouth and a wave of pleasure crashed over her. Her muscles clenched and then she was flying apart, the only steady thing to hold onto was Anton.

  I’ve got you, Detka, I’ve always got you, Anton whispered in her thoughts as he moved up her body and kissed her lips.

  Laurel could still taste herself on Anton’s lips as he kissed her. Then he dipped back down to her breasts, pulling the nipple into his mouth and sucking it deep. Her body continued to tremble. She wasn’t finished. Anton was raising the level of pleasure, pushing her to continue the climb.

  He rubbed his staff through her juices, teasing her as he nudged it between her legs. Laurel wanted him inside her. She wanted their bodies to become one. Reaching down, she guided him into her depths. But he refused to plunge into her. Laurel tried to raise her hips, but Anton wouldn’t allow it. He continued to tease her, entering her, an inch or two and then pulling out.

  I don’t want to hurt you.

  Dammit, Anton. Take me now.

  Laurel wanted to scream in frustration. She wanted this, wanted him inside her. He pushed a little deeper until he reached her hymen.

  This might hurt, Detka, his voice whispered in her thoughts.

  Anton could feel Laurel’s frustration and didn’t know any other way to finish it without hurting her. He hated that he was about to cause her pain. He pulled almost totally out of her and then lifted her hips, so she could take him deep. He swirled his fingers around her clit and pinched at it, driving her pleasure back up. Then he plunged through her barrier.

  Laurel cried out, and Anton froze inside her. Tears leaked from her eyes. He could feel her pain as if it was his own. He accepted it and tried to shelter her thoughts. When he felt her body growing more comfortable with the invasion, he moved out just a little, before sliding back in. She was so hot and tight, his member gripped in a fist. The feeling was amazing, and he fed his desire to Laurel.

  Her muscles relaxed even more as the craving built, and with each pull Anton retreated a little more, before sliding all the way in. His wolf rose to the surface, wanting to go faster, to drive himself so deep inside Laurel that he would never be apart from her.

  She moaned and pushed up into his next thrust, encouraging him to go deeper. He felt his excitement rising. This was his mate. She belonged to him. The pleasure built, bouncing back and forth between them, building until it was a tidal wave of need.

  The wolf fed the flames of passion, and Anton lost his control. He pounded into Laurel’s sweet embrace, feeding her the pleas
ure of each stroke as his need became hers and grew brighter. Anton felt Laurel’s body tighten and her muscles clench down on his staff as she cried out his name. His balls drew up, and then with a final push, he was flying to heaven with his release, Laurel connected to him, sharing his thoughts.

  Anton felt the throbbing in his canines and leaned down to the soft flesh where Laurel’s neck and shoulder met. He bit down, breaking the skin, and then licked at the wound to remove the sting. She was his. The mating bond was finally cemented into place.

  “I take everything you are into my keeping and give everything I am into yours.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Laurel dreamed of wolves. As she watched them run and play and chase through the moonlit trees, she wanted to join in the fun. They ran and pounced, then ran again.

  “Wait for me,” she called. “Let me come with you.”

  She called the change to her. Wanting to be one with the wolves, she felt like running and playing with them. Sparks of light coalesced around her figure, and Laurel felt her bones start to transform as hair burst from the surface of her skin and ran down her body.

  Then, she stood on all fours, a female wolf. Strong and svelte, she admired her coat and held up her big paw. She looked around her, but the other wolves disappeared.

  Feeling sad and alone, she began to whine. Why did they leave her?

  Anton heard whining and blinked his eyes open. He reached for Laurel and buried his hands in her thick pelt. Her pelt? Sitting up, Anton turned to see his mate. She was a gorgeous auburn-and-white wolf. She opened her eyes and looked at her paws. Then barking, she sat up. Anton could see panic in her blue eyes. How was this possible?

  Laurel? he sent into her thoughts, their minds merging. Detka, don’t panic. When Asena said you would have all the gifts of her own, I didn’t realize she meant you would shift.

  Anton, what should I do? How do I change back?

  I’ll show you. It’s going to be okay. But before you change back, let me show you what it’s like to run as a wolf. You’ll have fun, I promise. This was going to be great. Laurel would be able to run with the pack. She would have the superior strength and speed of the lycans.

  Anton rose from the bed and walked down the hall to the front door of the cottage. Then, he unlocked the door and swung it open. Laurel padded down the hall after him, her ears lifted and tail wagging.

  “Did you notice the door handles are all levers?” Anton said. “That’s so you can open the door in your wolf form.”

  Laurel nodded her head. He stepped outside and listened to the sounds of the night. They had a couple of hours before daybreak. There would be enough time to play with Laurel and show her the amazing feeling of being a wolf.

  “Use your senses, Laurel. Notice how well you can see in the dark. Listen to the night. Smell the air. Feel the earth as she communicates to you and welcomes her children. I’ll be right beside you, there’s nothing to worry about. You’ll love being a wolf.”

  Anton called the change and felt his body transform. He noticed that Laurel watched carefully as the process took a few moments. Then, he was standing next to her on all fours, a large silver-and-gray wolf. He licked her face and laid his head over her back. He nudged her shoulder toward the trail leading deeper into the forest.

  It wasn’t long before Anton picked up the pace. Laurel kept right behind him on the trail. Feeling playful, he began to run, jumping over fallen trees and letting the wind blow through his hair. He circled a large tree and came at Laurel from the side. She dodged and leapt away, running down the trail a little way before stopping and wagging her tail.

  Anton reached for the mating bond, merging their minds as he leapt after her. He felt her amusement and heard the quick laughter in her mind as she sped away. Anton followed, giving chase. She ran through the woods, turning and dodging, keeping out of reach.

  Laurel couldn’t believe how alive she felt. She could hear the whisper of the wind in the trees and the scratching of little creatures moving around in the underbrush. The odors of various plants and animals flooded her senses, but with a little concentration, she could differentiate each smell and follow its trail. The earth beneath her was alive, and she could feel the vibrations of the animals hiding deep in their burrows. The information available to her was amazing. It seemed as if the earth was talking to her and sharing its secrets.

  Running and playing chase with Anton was exhilarating. Laurel felt more connected to her body than ever before. She knew just how to jump far and run fast. Each muscle was strong and sure. What a wonderful gift Asena had given her. There was so much joy in being a wolf. Laurel felt carefree and happier than ever.

  Trying to stay ahead of Anton was difficult, but challenging. Wanting to achieve an edge, Laurel turned to the pathway up the mountain. The trail was smaller and wound around boulders as it climbed higher. She hoped that her smaller size would give her an advantage. She gained a good distance in front of Anton, then paused to look back down the path.

  The rock next to her head exploded. Granite projectiles hurtled through the air. The sound of a gun was loud in her ears, while at the same time Laurel heard Anton’s telepathic shout. She automatically ducked and dodged, letting her wolf senses guide her. Finding her way between two boulders, she dove off the path and behind a small pile of rocks.

  “Dammit, I missed. Hope nobody heard the shot in the village.”

  Laurel heard growling and a shout, before the sound of a man’s scream ripped through the air, then was suddenly cut off. She crouched behind a boulder, shivering. Her mind had merged with Anton’s. She knew who had shot at her, who had been standing upwind on the trail. She knew who now lay broken off the side of the mountain. Anton was calling for the pack to come, sharing telepathically with the Alpha what had happened. Still, she couldn’t move.

  Strong human hands grabbed her and pulled her into Anton’s embrace. He held her close and buried his face in her ruff.

  “I’m so sorry, Detka,” he said, petting her back. “I was so worried for you. I jumped out in front of him, and he stepped back off the side of the mountain. He’s dead. Your stepfather. Can you ever forgive me?”

  He held Laurel close, trying to ease the panic in her mind. She was trembling and in shock, trying to come to grips with what had happened. The pack patrol was on the way. They would see the body removed.

  Anton could still feel the rage and horror of knowing that someone had been shooting at Laurel. His fear of losing her had been terrifying. They were finally mated, tied together, heart, mind and soul. Losing her would have destroyed him. Driven to assure her safety, he had raced up the mountain.

  He hadn’t known it was her stepfather. They were close to the edge of the pack’s territory. He thought it was a hunter wandering onto pack lands. When Anton jumped out at the man, he thought he would have to worry about getting shot. He was trying to scare the man, to drive him off pack property. The property line was clearly marked with no-trespassing and no-hunting signs.

  But it was Laurel’s stepfather. He looked a little worse for wear, covered in dirt and had smelled of alcohol and drugs. Raising the gun in his hand he stumbled backward, and had fallen off the side of the mountain. Anton heard the sound of the man’s last breath leave his body after landing on the rocks below. He had accidently killed Laurel’s stepfather. Would she forgive him?

  Anton never would have thought the confrontation with her stepfather would happen like this, a freak accident ending his reign of terror over Laurel. He couldn’t feel sorry about it. Now Laurel was safe.

  Laurel, it is done. You are now free to follow your destiny.

  Both Anton and Laurel looked up to see the ghost of her mother floating over them.

  Mother?

  You have found your protector and your divine mission. I won’t appear to you again. I am guiding Charlie to the other side. I hope you can forgive him and move freely into your future.

  I’ll never see you again?

  I
am always close to you. If you seek me out, I will come. I love you, dearest Laurel.

  Laurel gazed at where her mother’s spirit had disappeared. Still shaken from her stepfather’s attack, she couldn’t begin to think of losing her connection to her mother. But maybe that’s not what her mother meant. Her mother had said they were always close, but that she wouldn’t appear to her again.

  Shaking her head, Laurel looked up into Anton’s silver-gray eyes. He seemed to be waiting with bated breath to hear if she was going to forgive him. She wished she could wrap her arms around his neck and kiss the look of worry from his face. He was her future, her mate. His embrace sheltered her and made her feel safe. She wanted to let him know how much she loved him. She wanted him to feel safe in her arms.

  There is nothing to forgive, lyubov moya. It was an accident, Laurel sent.

  Sparks of rainbow and white light coalesced around her wolf form . . .

  Epilogue:

  Laurel reached for the shift and let the sparks of rainbow and white light coalesce around her body and transform her into a wolf. Finally, standing on all fours, she glanced around. Anton should be coming any moment. Flipping her tail up in the air, she sauntered down the trail to meet the rest of the pack. Asena’s amulet rested around her neck like a collar.

  They were hunting for meat this afternoon. Winter was quickly approaching. The freezers needed to be filled to feed the pack through the coming cold. Before joining in the hunt, Laurel had asked Asena for blessings in their pursuit.

  Laurel was getting quite good at flushing out prey, even giving Alena a run for her money.

  Fortunately, the males took care of it from there. Laurel didn’t think she could actually kill a deer in her wolf form. But she understood the need. The pack needed to eat.

  Laurel had started her online medical research courses from Oxford University. Once she completed the courses, she and Anton would begin the search for why the pack wasn’t having enough children. Where the search would take them, she didn’t know. But as long as Anton was with her, she knew they could find the answers.