Wounded Wolf

by Moxie North

  The fates found him the perfect mate that also didn’t make any tones that his damaged ears couldn’t handle. She could scream her head off and it wouldn’t bother him. Actually, that sounded like an acceptable challenge to him and his wolf.

  He knew it was going to take all his control not to bite her. His resolve toward keeping her at arm’s length was fading fast. He was a selfish bastard; he’d always known that about himself. Having a mate, his instincts telling him to keep her as close to him as he could, was a relief.

  He was raised knowing it was always a choice in bonding with your mate, more so when it was a human. Shifters felt the pull, but often it came at such a shock, one or both parties needed a little time to come to terms with their change in, well, everything. Others were so infatuated, so in love at first sight that they bonded immediately.

  They were both okay. There wasn’t a right or wrong way to do it. Mav was torn at waiting over a week when he could have had her in his bed, and giving her the time to come to him.

  Now she was here, setting up house like she was June Cleaver. He didn’t look in all the dresser drawers, but he wouldn’t have been surprised if some of her clothes were in there.

  Her cute little “well then” came out like she didn’t know what else to say and it twisted his heart. To say he loved her was an understatement. He wasn’t sure there was a strong enough word for what he was feeling in that moment. Infatuation, lust, need, desire, possession, even ownership. He owned her future happiness, her future comfort, and damn straight he owned all her future orgasms. They were his.

  Love at first sight was a phrase that he thought was just for romantic movies. Now he got it.

  “Catch your breath?” he finally asked her.

  “Hmm?”

  Pru’s eyes were closed and she was lying under him limp and flushed.

  “Pru…”

  He saw her eyelids crack open and her pupils were big and her eyes soft.

  “Yeah?”

  “You okay?”

  “Dandy,” she said with a sigh.

  “You need anything else?”

  Maverick would have stopped right there and left himself in a serious state of distress if she was out for the count.

  “Need anything?” she asked, blinking a few times. “I thought we were having sex. We not doing that anymore?”

  “What do you think that just was?”

  “Warm-up. Now I want you.” She said this as she pulled his head towards her. Mav was happy to kiss her, mixing her sweet juice with the taste of her mouth. It made him want to come right there, but he had more control than that. He wouldn’t disgrace himself by coming on her stomach from a kiss. It had been years since he was a young pup more eager than practiced.

  Mav kissed her long and deep, his hand sliding between them as he gently flicked over her swollen folds. Her body twitched under him, telling him she was sensitive but still very eager. With his one hand, he brought the end of his dick to her opening. Using his fingers to spread her open, he breached just through her lips when he paused.

  Pulling back he said, “Pru?”

  He didn’t have to wait more than a second when she said, “Yes.” She knew what he wanted and needed.

  Maverick slid his length into her, pushing past the hot wet flesh to bury himself inside.

  “God, that gets better every time,” he said, trying to hold himself still for a moment of reflection.

  Pru gasped and clutched his biceps. “Well then, I can’t imagine what fifty years from now will be like.”

  Mav didn’t say anything to that. It was exactly what he was thinking. Could it get any better than this moment? The answer was yes. He could bite her and bond them together forever. That would make a lot of things infinitely better. But it had to wait.

  He watched Pru’s face to make sure she was still okay. After her initial gasp, her face relaxed and her mouth spread into a smile. Fuck him if he ever saw a woman smile when his cock was in her. That was for sure a first and he fucking liked it. Every smile, every moan, sealed her to him. She had no idea that his resolve was shattering.

  His eyes stayed on her as he began to move. He dragged his cock out of her, letting her muscles pull and grasp at him. Her pussy wanted him, craved him, didn’t want to let him go. Watching the play of emotion and pleasure changed her beauty. She didn’t try to hide what she was feeling. Her responses to him were all honest and open. It was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen, and his wolf kept reminding him she was all theirs. No one else would ever get to see her beauty but them.

  He was able to keep his pace slow and pleasurable for a while, touching, tasting, but all the time watching his mate. Her eyes would open and see him and her smile would get bigger before he found a spot that made her gasp. He thought he wouldn’t be able to go slow, wouldn’t be able to make this last. But fast fucking wasn’t what he wanted. He wanted to make love to his mate. Show her that he was worthy. That trusting him with her future was a safe option. He wouldn’t let her down, and would make her happy and satisfied for the rest of her life.

  Eventually his control faltered as Pru’s hands shifted from his arms to his neck, then his back. Her nails scored trails down his flesh as he pumped into her, his pace picking up as her sounds got higher and faster. The legs that had been wrapped around his thighs moved up to his waist. She locked her ankles at his back, pulling him closer each time she tilted her hips up to meet him.

  After that, Mav’s wolf took over. His body went from enjoying the sensations to actively seeking all he could get. He let his ears and other senses open, waiting to feel and hear Pru’s orgasm. He was determined for them to finish at the same time. His rule was she came first, then she came again. No woman should expect less than two orgasms out of her man during sex. More was preferable, but two was the base to build on.

  “Mav, Mav….”

  He heard her words turn into a long moan. He felt the first flutter of her pussy around his cock and he was ready. Her sharp scream turned into a long low moan as she came, clutching his cock as he felt the first spurt of cum shoot out of him. His body bucked and coated her, marking her from the inside. His vision blurred as he came hard in his mate. He knew there was a chance he could impregnate her. It was a point from which there would be no return and he almost hoped that his seed did take root. Their bond would be more than a bite then. It would be another heartbeat in their world that belonged to them.

  Mav felt Pru’s arms loosen their grip and start to slide off his back as her body relaxed. He could feel the scored marks from her nails already starting to heal. He wished they would scar and leave him something as a reminder of the pleasure he could bring her.

  Carefully he rolled them to their sides, tucking her back against him. He buried his face in her neck and breathed her in. He wanted to howl, wanted to run, wanted to do something to show how over the moon he was. Instead, he pulled her tighter and whispered, “Sleep.”

  “Stitch, you need to take a run today with Cluck.” Ranger found Stitch lounging with a lost girl on his lap in the mess hall. It was noon and the man looked like he hadn’t been to bed yet.

  “Why me?”

  Stitch had his hands on the woman’s ass and she was giggling and whispering into his ear. Ranger could hear that she was offering to blow both of them. Her name was Myra and she was one that Deacon hoped would make a different choice in her life. Ranger wasn’t so sure what he saw, but he didn’t question his Alpha on those things. Other things, yes, he had plenty of input on. Lost girls—that was Deacon’s territory. She had potential, but like too many of the women that showed up at their camp, she didn’t have any direction and didn’t want any.

  “Because I said so. That’s all you need to know. Take Rocket with you. I want him to learn how to tail. This is a load going to Spokane. I need it gone and I want you gone too.”

  “What the hell did I do?”

  “Besides not using that tiny brain you have? I don’t need you around here getting Ma
verick riled up. He gets riled up, then our President gets riled up. Makes the whole place a ball of stress. Plus, it puts Lulu off her food. I like peace and quiet and by damn, I’ll have it.”

  “Why is he getting to slack off? Just because he found some new pussy to distract him? Not my fault he forgot how to use it and needs to practice.”

  Ranger let out a growl that had the woman on Stitch’s lap jumping. “Watch yourself. You are talking about your Sergeant. You either toe the line or expect to get beat down again. Deacon told you he won’t stop him next time. You’re supposed to be setting an example for the new guys.”

  “So now I’m the club babysitter too?”

  “Like I said, toe the line or I’ll put you on permanent Lulu duty. And if you think Maverick is a dick, you fuck that dog up and I guarantee you the club won’t take kindly to it.”

  Stitch didn’t say anything. Ranger assumed he was trying to control his face so he wouldn’t bring down any more on his head. Deacon tried to see the good in everyone. Give these guys the second chances they needed. Ranger had thought from the beginning that Deacon had made a mistake with this one. He wasn’t a team player. His wolf wasn’t even a team player. It’s like they were a knot in the club chain. Not making the pack stronger, just causing friction.

  “I want you to stay away from Latch too. He needs positive influences. I can only imagine what kind of shit you’ve been filling his head with,” Ranger said, turning to leave.

  “Just the truth, Veep.”

  Ranger gave Stitch a hard look, his wolf shining through his eyes.

  “Myra, don’t you have somewhere else to be?” he called out as he stepped back into the sunshine.

  He heard her scramble off of Stitch’s lap and start walking behind him.

  “Why won’t you give me a shot, Rangy?”

  “Don’t call me that, Myra. You know I don’t like it.”

  “Ahh, sugar. It’s just a nickname. It’s supposed to be sweet.”

  “When a man tells you not to call him something, it usually means it pisses him off. Most people wouldn’t want to piss me off.”

  “Oh, you’re not that scary. I’m trying to figure out why you haven’t given me a try? The other guys don’t seem to mind me.”

  Ranger stopped and turned around. Myra was pretty, or could be. She was probably in her mid-twenties. She had bleach-blonde hair with hot pink tips on the ends. Her makeup was too heavy, her Metallica shirt too tight. Her belly was showing above her jean skirt, a ring through her navel flashing with a cheap fake stone. She wore a pair of scuffed Doc Martens and her legs looked cold. Even in Oregon summers weren’t that hot. The only sign that she wasn’t as confident as she seemed were her fingernails that were chewed down to nubs on her hands.

  “I’m sure they don’t. I’m not looking for what they are. I don’t mind you being here as long as you follow the rules. But helpful hint, stop trying for me. It’s never gonna happen. You’re not my type.”

  Ranger turned and walked away. He heard her stomp her foot on the hard-packed dirt and shook his head. Myra was trouble, but like all the lost souls that came to Redemption, most people treated her like she was disposable. He didn’t want to be another one that did that to her. She was doing that to herself well enough.

  “Why is he such a dick?” Myra asked when Ranger had walked off.

  “Because he’s the Vice President,” Stitch replied from the doorway.

  “He acts like I’m trash.”

  “Aren’t you?”

  “Fuck you! You didn’t think I was trash last time I let you fuck me.”

  “I fucked you because I was drunk and you were horny. Doesn’t mean I don’t think you’re trash. Deacon’s got a soft spot for you girls. I don’t get it. Most of you like treating yourself like cum dumpsters. No skin off my nose. I’ll use you for what you were meant for anytime you offer it up.”

  “You’re an asshole,” she said angrily.

  “Never said I wasn’t. But at least I’m an asshole that lets it all hang out there. I don’t try to pretend I’m all high and mighty. I get kicked around by my Pres and Sergeant at Arms. If I have to suck it up and take it, so do you. I will warn you, though. You think you’re not being treated fairly now? Wait until the new girl shows up.”

  “What new girl?”

  “Maverick has an old lady now. You might be top bitch when it comes to being on your knees. His bitch—she’s going to rule the roost around here and every fucking member is going to treat her like she’s the shit. Wouldn’t be surprised if Deacon starts thinking having you girls around isn’t such a great idea.”

  Stitch was riling her up and he knew it. He didn’t give a flying fuck about Myra. Then again, if she started to cause a little trouble for Maverick and his new mate, Stitch wasn’t going to stop her. In fact, if he did it right, he might be able to help her out a bit without getting his neck ripped out by his Alpha.

  Chapter 23

  Prudence knew she was dreaming. There was no other explanation for waking up in Maverick’s arms. The sun was shining through the windows, and she realized she must have fallen asleep after they had made love. Made love—it sounded so amazing to her. She could have said that she’d made love before, but clearly she didn’t understand what it really meant. Maverick took his time, didn’t rush her or himself. It was like he wanted it to last, just like she did.

  And then when he rolled them over, he cuddled her! Really cuddled, full body, skin to skin. All sweaty with his cum still inside her. Not something that she would have ever done. She was anti-wet spot and did her best to avoid that. This time, she didn’t want to get up. Didn’t want him cleaned out of her. She wanted all of him, inside and out.

  He didn’t make any moves to clean her off himself. His arms locked around her and he must have fallen asleep like she did. They were in the same position she remembered, but the sun was in a different position in the sky. That mean their nap was longer than she thought.

  She started to turn her head when she heard, “You’re awake.”

  “Sorry, did I wake you?”

  “Wasn’t sleeping,” he answered.

  “You didn’t sleep? How long have I been out?”

  “About two hours.”

  Pru shifted to see him better. “What did you do for those two hours?”

  “Watched you sleep.”

  Pru frowned at him. “Most people would think that was rather creepy.”

  “Not when the person watching is making sure his partner is happy, warm, and content enough to sleep. I wasn’t bored if that is what you are worrying about.”

  Prudence turned so she was on her back and grabbed for the sheet to cover herself.

  “Don’t, don’t cover up around me.”

  “Mav, people don’t lie around naked.”

  “We do.”

  Pru raised her eyebrow at him. “Oh we do, do we?”

  “I like you naked. Why wouldn’t I want to be able to see you when you still looked like you’ve been fucked sideways?”

  “I don’t think that is an actual look. You couldn’t point someone out and say, ‘they look fucked sideways.’”

  Mav gave a short laugh. “I’d give you a mirror so you’d know in the future what I’m talking about, but I’m not ready to get up yet.”

  “I’ll take your word for it this time. I do need to get up and use the bathroom, maybe take a shower. Actually, no maybe about it, I definitely need to take a shower. Also, I’m starving, so we need to take care of that unless you have some food stashed in your nightstands.”

  “Did you rifle through them? I’m not sure how long you were here. You could know all my secrets by now,” he said.

  “What other secrets could you have? I mean I think we covered the shifter and biker parts. Is there more?”

  Mav pushed her hair back from her face and ran his thumb over her cheekbone. “Not secrets, just history. A lot of it. Things I’ll tell you someday.”

  Prudence thought that was
fair enough. She probably knew more about him than she would have dating a human for months. It was like she got a crash course in Maverick. There was a lot of information to process, and she figured taking a few days wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

  “Okay,” she whispered back to him.

  “Okay,” he said. “How about you get showered up first. I’ll get coffee started, then we’ll trade.”

  “What time is it?” she asked, sitting up.

  “Still before noon. We can call it brunch. I saw there was more food in the fridge than when I left. Something in all of that you could make?”

  “Bikers have brunch?”

  “Is there another name for the meal between breakfast and lunch?’

  “Elevensies?”

  “I’ll stick to brunch. You don’t know biker mayhem until you see those fuckers fight over our cook’s French toast on Easter. Assholes will sit down to plates of honeydew melon and bacon like they’re fairy princesses.” Mav got up and used his crutches to go to the dresser. He pulled out a pair of boxer briefs and another faded pair of jeans.

  Prudence was lying on the bed giggling at the mental visual of bikers eating melon all while committing to memory the view of a naked Mav standing across the room.

  “I’d love to see that. Give me ten minutes and I’ll be down.”

  Prudence gave him a quick kiss and rolled herself out of bed. She felt Maverick’s hands linger on her a little as she moved away. She liked that he didn’t want her to go. Her gamble seemed to pay off. He wasn’t mad she was there; in fact, he seemed relaxed, content even. This to her was a sign that she’d made the right choice.

  Since she was naked and not that confident to stride around with her ass hanging out, she quickly headed to the bathroom and shut the door. She used the facilities and turned on the shower. There was a knock at the door and she grabbed a towel from the rack to wrap around her.

  Pulling the door open just a crack, she saw Mav there standing with his boxers on now but nothing else.