Connors Pursuit (Amber Woods Shifters)

by Rose, Arabella

  Standing in the middle of the circle she felt as if she was going to be sacrificed, the cold was beginning to creep into her, even though she was a wolf since being bound some of her abilities were lacking, which included temperature control. As the order formed a circle around her she had a sudden flashback, the memory of Duncan chanting his words, taking away the purity of her wolf, her very existence being contained. The memory so raw she could almost taste the hatred and bitterness, hear the laughter of Lawson as he enjoyed her fear. Her limbs began to shake as she relived the past. Movement to her right, caught Connor trying to get to her, with the three enforcers holding him back.

  “I’m ok, just a memory honey” she called out.

  Amber eyes locked onto her, she could see the anger and hurt deep within their depths.

  “Lizzy, we are ready to begin, I must ask that you do not cross these stones until the ceremony is complete”

  Samuel relayed that message to the enforcer’s also, waiting for their response of agreement before turning back to her.

  He asked her to close her eyes and focus on her inner wolf, watch how she grows from strength to strength, pushing her way to the surface. Words were spoken, so old, she did not understand what was being said, but she felt it. A slow burn began in her stomach, spreading through her body until her entire body felt warm, beads of sweat broke out on her forehead. Each time the burn ended at her fingertips, it started again in her stomach getting hotter each time. Come on wolf, come forward, I know you can, please come forward. Over and over she repeated the mantra in her head. She thought she heard her name being shouted loudly but it was too distant, like an echo. The burn was starting to become painful, she felt as if her body was going to combust. Instinctively she placed her hand to her abdomen, a simple gesture to calm the heat, which did not work. Breathing became ragged, her mouth dried up, words were being spoken louder and more aggressively and still she kept her eyes closed. Lizzy knew she could not take any more pain, it was excruciating, like someone ripping out all her internal organs. Then, an awful sharp searing impact shattered in her head. Screaming she grasped her head and fell to her knees, trying to gasp for air, she was sure someone had stuck a blade in her head.

  “No more, please…….”

  Her voice was raspy, as her silver eyes searched Samuel.

  “It’s nearly complete Lizzy, hang on in there”

  “You have to be shitting me, I cannot take the pain anymore”

  “Lizzy be strong, hang on in there”

  Her eyes rolled and caught the site of her mate. Luke, Tristan and Michael were rolling on the ground with him, trying to contain him, she could see he had partially shifted and the howls of anguish pierced her heart. Across the circle she called to him, her voice hoarse.

  “Connor, please, stay there, I love you”

  Connor roared as Lizzy fell to her knees, clutching her head, to hell with his promise he needed to get her out of there, every instinct was screaming at him to go to her, but his enforcers, as promised were not letting him go, and that just pissed him off even more. His wolf howled as she screamed again and then he heard her voice, faint but there. She loved him? For a second he stopped struggling, trying to process what she had just said.

  “Connor it’s nearly over, a little more time” Michael said.

  Silence descended in the clearing, as her hands dug into the snow. The pain had stopped and a new energy had begun, a one she recognised, her wolf. Gasping she stared as her hands transformed into paws, the unmistakable blond of her wolf. Her snout whipped around to see a furry blond tail. Holy fuck I have her back, your back she wolf! An elated feeling washed over her as she stood on all four shaky legs. Everything was so detailed just as she remembered and underneath that a strong bergamot scent wafted toward her. Her nose followed the scent to her mate. He was standing on the outside of the circle in awe, mouth hung open, just as a huge grin appeared on his face.

  “You are so beautiful Baby, you take my breath away”

  Okay so if she was in on two legs she would do the coy think and flutter her eyelashes at him, nibble her lip, but since she was on four legs the best she could do was sit on her hind legs and loll her tongue to the side, hardly the same, or attractive.

  “Lizzy you must not leave the circle yet you still have to shift back and this is when your suppressed power may come to the surface” Samuel asked.

  Shift back? I don’t want to shift back! Huffing she whined at Connor.

  “I know baby girl, but you have to listen to him, now you have your wolf back we can go for as many runs as you like, all our lives, but for now you have to shift back”

  Padding on four paws she resumed her place in the middle of the circle. Uh oh. She just remembered, her clothes were shredded, hopefully someone brought some spares. As an age old instinct kicked in she allowed her body to shift back, but as she did she felt an incredible surge of power scorch her within. Crying out she looked down at the ground she was human again, her hand pink from the snow pushing up between her fingers. The power charged through her to the point where she did not know how to contain it, static charges pulsed out of her skin. Chanting began again, she knew they were trying to ground her. Somewhere deep inside she wanted this power, needed it like her next breath, a darkness began to spread. Hazel eyes turned to silver as she looked to the sky, storm clouds had formed, every season swept across the winter sky. Strong winds echoed in the clearing, but all she could hear was a rhythmic energy pulsing around her, crawling through her veins, demanding to be released. As the gentle snow turned to a blizzard her eyes watched in amazement as the SUV rose in the air and then there was silence. Time stood still, every snowflake every tree branch, frozen in that moment. Am I doing this? Carefully she turned to the order who had lowered their hands to their sides.

  “Yes Lizzy, you are doing this”

  “Wait, I did not speak that out loud”

  “Yes but when your power released that energy acts as an echo to our order, we can only hear your thoughts when you are In this state of mind”

  “Oh, that makes sense……….I think” she whispered.

  Then the world when dark, the light went out as she felt herself fall to the ground.

  15

  “Fuck!”

  Connor raced across the clearing as he watched Lizzy in slow motion drop to the ground, even his wolf speed was not quick enough. Throwing himself to the ground he pulled her limp body into his arms, someone, somewhere draped a blanket over her, a gesture he really appreciated right now. Despite the cold she was burning up.

  “Lizzy, open your eyes, come on baby, wake up”

  He stroked her hair, gently shook her shoulders but she remained unconscious.

  “She will be ok in a few hours, that was an energy on a massive scale like I have never seen before”

  Samuel knelt down with Connor, he reached to touch Lizzy but stopped as Connor growled low in his throat.

  “I mean no disrespect, I am just giving her some of my energy to help speed up the healing”

  Connor glared at the leader, his canines had descended to the point where they hurt, he cradled Lizzy to him, careful not to hurt her with his sharp claws. Michael placed a hand on his shoulder.

  “Connor, this type of healing needs expertise, I have never seen anything like the power she had. Let him help her, then I will take over from there”

  Connor looked up at the healer, then to Tristan and Luke, all of who wore the same expression of what the hell just happened? Kissing her forehead he nodded once at Samuel.

  “Very well, but I am watching everything you do, if you harm her I will not hesitate to attack you”

  “Fair words Beta”

  Samuel smiled, showing that his canines had descended a little, but retracted them quickly as he lay his hand on her head. The sound of metal hitting ground startled everyone, all males crouching low ready for any attack.

  “Don’t worry guys, it’s just the SUV hitting the ground a
fter its maiden voyage” Luke laughed.

  Tristan stood and walked over to the car, scratching his head. His expression was confused as he faced everyone again.

  “Don’t ask me, but we will ask Lizzy, that was unreal”

  “NO! Luke. Not until she is fully rested, I do not want her upset at all, questions can wait”

  Luke nodded in respect.

  “Sorry Beta, I meant no offence”

  Connor sighed as he calmed a little, his claws and canines retracted. Samuel took his hand away and Lizzy stirred a little.

  “Baby?”

  “Too tired” she grumbled.

  Smiling with relief he stood with his precious bundle in his arms.

  “I know baby girl, let’s get you home”

  Facing the order, words were not enough, what they had done was make Lizzy complete again.

  “Thank you for all of your help, we are in your debt”

  “No we are in your debt Connor, to undo the damage that Duncan has done has healed us more than you can know. Lizzy will need help to control her powers and we are offering to do that. She could make a powerful seer if she wanted to be. When she is well again get her to ring us, this is not the end”

  Connor nodded, pulling the blanket tighter around her as he walked through the snow covered forest floor. Tristan held the passenger doors open and he climbed in the back never letting her go. Michael got in next to him, in case he was needed. Luke switched with Tristan to drive home. One last glance back and the order had vanished, almost like what had just happened was an illusion.

  Lizzy felt so warm and safe, somebody was holding her really tight. Her head felt like someone had been practising drilling in it. Groaning she touched her head, had she been on an all night bender again? Bloody hell her eyelids felt heavy, she really struggled to pry them open. Someone stroked her hair and spoke, she knew that voice.

  “Hey baby girl, try and get some rest we should be home soon”

  Warm lips kissed her mouth and she moaned at the contact, her mate, his scent, hers, nobody else’s. A dull ache started behind her eyes completely ruining the sentimental moment.

  “This pain is getting really bad, any more and I will definitely throw up in here”

  “Oh don’t worry, we will just book it in for a valet the same time we get the suspension fixed”

  Blinking she saw Tristan peering over the headrest at her with a big smirk on his face.

  “Oh no did I do that?”

  “Right after your little telekinesis display back there” Luke laughed.

  “Guys, remember what we agreed” Connor glared at them all.

  “What did you agree?” she asked

  “Nothing to worry about now. Michael, is there something we can give her for the pain?”

  She craned her neck to look at the healer.

  “Yes, hold on, give me a minute. Lizzy I can give you an injection of analgesia which will be quicker than tablets?”

  Right now she would take anything both legal and illegal if it would just shift this damn pain in her head.

  “Ok needle it is, but when I wake up again I want to know what you agreed on, if I don’t then I may just practice my new powers on you all”

  She smiled at the men as they practically shrunk away from her suggestion, yep maybe she had another new power, bringing males shifters to their knees. Well maybe just one in a very wicked way. Licking her lips, Connor inhaled, eyes switching to amber and a very prominent hard display pressing into her thighs. She was glad she was thinking of a nice place to be because seconds later she felt the jab of the needle. Wincing she tried to hold her arm still.

  “It’s ok baby, nearly over before you know it you will be tucked up safely in bed in amber woods”

  That sounded like a plan as she could feel her eyes getting heavy again.

  “Sleep Lizzy, I’ve got you, your safe, I won’t let anyone hurt you”

  Such soothing words and the rocking of the car had her slipping into the calming world of peace which she had not felt in many years.

  The sound of footsteps running toward the car was due to Brianna. Connor had only just placed one foot on the step of his house when he heard her.

  “Lizzy? Is she ok? What happened?”

  “She’s fine, but needs rest and yes it worked she has her wolf back”

  Brianna gasped holding her hand over her mouth so as not to wake her best friend.

  “Oh my god, I am so please it worked she must be ecstatic”

  “She will be when she wakes up. Sorry Brianna but I need to get her inside. I promise I will contact you when she wakes up”

  Another foot on the step and an alpha energy froze him to the spot. Marcus wrapped his arms around Brianna’s waist.

  “I am pleased you are all back safe and that Lizzy has her wolf back”

  “Thank you my alpha”

  “We will talk tomorrow, take care of your mate tonight Connor”

  Connor nodded once and continued into the house before someone else stopped him. The distant sound of his enforcers retreating though the wooden door meant he finally had Lizzy all to himself.

  For what seemed like hours he just stared at her sleeping form, the gentle rise and fall of her chest, almost meditative. His mind kept reliving the moment her wolf was freed, the beautiful blond wolf that had an almost ethereal glow surrounding her. His wolf had sat up immediately, wanting to get a closer look, but he had to take back control, just knowing that he could not step over the circle edge was torture, he knew just how his wolf felt. The flashing of the bedside clock showed that it was 4.am but he could not sleep, the need to be there when she woke up was paramount. Lying facing her, arms wrapped around her body he continued to trace a spiral pattern on her back. A soft sigh from her lips was all it took to caress his mouth to hers, the contact gentle but necessary.

  Lizzy was so content, slowly she was coming awake, as her eyelids fluttered open she was not surprised that Connor was there, offering divine kisses to her. As he pulled back smiling at her she nibbled her lip, well she could not do it in wolf form so she was making up for it now.

  “Hey how are you feeling baby?”

  “Better with you here. My head no longer hurts, I can think clearly and I have a new sense of positive energy that I have not had in years”

  “That’s good. I was so worried about you before. It drove me crazy watching you suffer like that”

  “If you had stepped into the circle when it was incomplete, it may have destroyed my one chance at getting her back. It was torture for me too, seeing you distraught, I called out to you but I don’t know if you heard”

  Connor rolled her beneath him, eyes searching her face.

  “Oh I heard baby, but just in case tell me again”

  Her hands stroked the line of his jaw, as his eyes closed feeling the contact of her touch.

  “I said I love you”

  Lizzy watched as his eyes quickly opened, she could hear his heartbeat loud and strong.

  “I love you too baby girl”

  “Then make me yours forever Connor”

  Pushing up on his forearms he was speechless for the first time ever. This moment was what he had lived for since meeting Lizzy, it was what made him get up in the morning and face whatever challenge was thrown at him.

  “You are sure?”

  Lizzy reached up pushing his long dark hair back so she could see his face clearly.

  “Very, please claim me Connor, I don’t want any other”

  “And you won’t have any other baby, you are mine”

  Goosebumps prickled her skin as the blanket was pulled off her, leaving her naked and exposed just for him. His naked form landed above her again as he kissed his way down her neck, to the valley of her breasts. Arching into his touch, his teeth bit her nipple gently before sucking and licking the gentle sting away. Sweet moans encouraged his exploration, switching to her other breast he repeated the action again, smiling when she gasped again, tuggi
ng on his hair. Wanting to mark her in every way his teeth dug gently into the side of her breast, drawing a little blood, before licking and soothing all over again. He licked a path to her inner thighs, biting gently as she writhed beneath him. The smell of her arousal was addictive as his hands pushed her legs wide apart. Placing his nose to her mound he inhaled deep. Intoxicating, luscious, divine, all rolled into one.

  “Baby you smell so good, need to taste you”

  Lizzy knew his wolf was coming to the surface, his voice had dropped into a gravelly sound that sent shivers up her spine. As his tongue took one long stroke she jumped off the bed, but his hands pushed her back down.

  “Connor, please”

  She begged, she pulled on his hair but it made no difference.

  “You will lie here and take what your mate gives baby, when I think you are ready you can have my cock, but not before”

  Her head smashed against the pillow as she listened to his commands. Again he tortured her with that wicked tongue sending her into complete meltdown. Just when she thought she could take no more, he pushed two fingers deep inside of her. Crying out she grasped the side of his head, bucking her hips against him. The feeling was heady and needy, he picked up speed, pushing deeper inside of her in time with the long strokes of his tongue. Unable to contain the pressure inside of her, ripples of pleasure echoed through her sensitive body. Connor took everything she had, feeding on her orgasm, making it continue over and over. Finally, she was sated as he crawled up her body, loving the flushed cheeks, rapid breathing and glazed eyes. Just as she was going to speak he flipped her over onto her stomach, pulling her hips in the air.

  “Now you are mine Lizzy”

  Gripping the sheets she cried out his name as he entered her hard in one thrust, taking her deep. He teased her, pulling out half way then pushing back in slowly, each time changing the angle of his hips to give her new sensations.

  “Connor, I swear to god if you don’t claim me I will find someone that will”

  “Not a fuckin chance baby, you will only ever have me inside of you”

  She felt his hands on her shoulders as he pushed her chest to the mattress, an unrelenting pounding followed, fingertips pressed into her skin hard. Something so primal and raw took over, she wanted more. Lizzy could feel him getting larger inside, could feel his wolf ready to pounce. As his heated body covered hers she turned her neck slightly waiting for that one bite that would bind them for eternity.