by Sadie Carter
“You sure you want to do this?” asked Dusty, her voice skeptical. “I mean, going and speaking to each of them is just the first step. Then they’ve got to agree to a meeting, a meeting that we’ll have to provide all the security, entertainment, and accommodation for, not to mention try and keep a tap on all those egos.”
Cooper shrugged. “It’s the only way we’re going to get anywhere. We can’t remain segregated, cut off from humans for the rest of our lives, and expect to prosper. And if we want humans to accept and trust us, then we need to work together, not fight amongst ourselves.”
The others broke into a discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of Cooper’s plan before he brought them to silence with a raised hand.
“So,” Cooper spoke again. “We’re all agreed. Reed will tackle half of the Alphas, and I’ll meet with the rest. Jesse and Jay will go with Reed, Marcus, and Josiah with me, and the rest of you will stay and protect the pack. Justin, you’ll be in charge here.”
Justin nodded.
“Good, then I think that’s all.” He moved over to Reed, both of them looked intense as they spoke quietly. Laney waited until everyone had left except Cain and her brothers, before turning to Cooper.
“You move quickly.” Part of her had hoped it would take him longer to organize everything. That she would have longer to get used to the idea of being here without him.
He grinned at her. “Shocked, sweet? Did you think I was just going to sit around on my sexy behind ordering everyone around?”
“Well, no.” That was all Zachary had ever done, though. Well, that and make the lives of those around him utterly miserable. “What were you talking to Reed about?”
“Paterson is on his list to visit. I want him to do a bit of searching around while he’s there. See what he can find out from Paterson’s pack.”
Cooper looked at her, his face displaying concern.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay here by yourself?” He looked down at her worriedly as she tried to hide her sudden surge of fear at being alone with the pack, no Cooper, none of her brothers to hide behind. Cooper had asked her to go with him, but she’d declined, the thought of traveling around to different packs, dealing with all those Alphas—it was more than she could handle right now. But had she made the right decision? Suddenly she wasn’t so sure.
If the mere thought of being alone was terrifying, could she survive the reality? So far, she’d kept her interaction with the rest of the pack to a minimum. But if Cooper brought the other Alphas here, they had to present a united pack.
To do that she had to overcome her fears. Working with the counselor was helping, but it was going too slow. So, she would stay. She needed to conquer her fears of her own pack first. Maybe then she’d be able to deal with a bunch of strange Alphas. “Uh-hmm.”
Cain pulled their attention, and she looked up to find him leaning against the doorway. “I’ll go tow Laney’s car back here. But you’ll want to get it looked at.”
Cooper frowned. “What happened, sweet?” His hand came up to massage the nape of her neck, and she leaned into him, unaware of how tense she’d been.
“My brakes failed coming down Horse Hill.”
“What?” he barked.
Shoot, she should have eased into that, but she’d been distracted by his touch.
“Your brakes failed coming down the hill? How far down were you when they went?”
“Umm, at the top.”
Cooper’s eyes narrowed dangerously, and she felt his concern beating at her through the mating bond.
“She did a good job of slowing it down, weaving across the road, even driving through the gravel to slow herself down.”
Laney stared up at Cain, surprised by his defense of her. He winked at her, and she bit back a smile.
“You could have been killed,” Cooper snapped, although she sensed his anger level had dropped slightly.
“But I didn’t, I’m fine, Coop. My car probably just needs some brake fluid.”
“Take it to the junkyard,” Cooper ordered Cain.
“What? Cooper, no! You can’t do that. That’s my car!”
“I’ll buy you a new one.” He dismissed her protest, rising to walk Cain to the front door.
“I can’t just buy a new one. I need one now.”
Cooper turned around. “I said I would buy you a new one. In the meantime, you can use mine. Thanks, Cain, I owe you.”
“No thanks needed. Just glad I was there.” He nodded briefly to Laney before he walked out, followed closely by her brothers.
“Cooper, you had no right to do that.” She nearly stomped her foot in frustration as he turned his back on her, ignoring her protest. Damn, he made her so mad sometimes!
“Cooper!”
He turned to her swiftly. “What were you doing in town today, Laney?”
“I told you, I was doing some shopping.”
“So where are all your bags?”
Damn, he had her there. “I didn’t find anything I liked.” Pretty pathetic, but it was all she could think of.
Cooper took a step toward her. “You’re lying.”
Laney bit her lip nervously as she took a hasty step back from the force of his predatory glare.
“So, I’ll ask you again. What were you doing in town today?” She just shook her head.
“If you won’t tell me then I’ll have to tease it out of you.”
Her breath quickened as he reached for her, dragging her toward him for a heady kiss. Her head spun, her senses reeling as he kissed her, holding her tightly against him. Conquering her mouth with his tongue, he pressed his hard body tightly against hers as she struggled to keep up with him. She felt sluggish, drugged, as he pulled away, stripping her quickly until she was completely naked.
“Cooper.”
“Lay over the back of the sofa.”
She wanted to protest. Ahh, who was she kidding, no she didn’t. He pushed softly on her shoulders until she dropped over the back. Her feet left the ground as her hands landed on the plush cushions. A long shiver raced through her body as his hands traced their way up her thighs, pulling her legs apart, opening her up to his touch.
Laney glanced up over her shoulder to find him watching her intently, his gaze heavy-lidded, masculine, arrogant. There was no doubt of who was in charge right at that moment, and her traitorous body obeyed him without question, weakening to his touch, arousal an out-of-control fire that she knew only his possession could extinguish.
Cooper stroked his fingers between her legs, softly massaging her swollen lips. Breathless, her hips twisted urgently as one thick finger thrust into her damp sheath.
“What were you doing in town, sweet?”
She was panting, arousal riding her so hard that she could barely think, let alone speak. All she could do was shake her head
Two fingers now plunged in and out of her slick channel. Arching back, Laney cried out as his thumb teased her clit. He drove her higher and higher, not allowing her any chance to catch her breath, to think.
She came, screaming aloud, her passage pulsing endlessly, pleasure swamping her. Coming back to earth, she lay on the sofa, exhausted, sated, so relaxed she felt boneless. If she ever moved again, it would be too soon.
The rasp of a zipper set her body on high alert, and impossibly she found herself stirring in interest. Then Cooper’s hard cock was at her entrance, and she groaned as he entered her with one long, smooth stroke.
“Cooper,” she moaned.
“Shh.”
The pleasure rushing through her veins was so intense she felt overwhelmed. “It’s too much,” she cried out as his thumb returned to her engorged clit, stroking it, massaging it gently as he thrust in and out of her needy passage.
“Work through it. Don’t think, just feel, just enjoy.”
Arousal stirred deep within her as Cooper drove his cock over her sweet spot, again and again. Moaning, she clenched her muscles on his shaft, but just as she was about to exp
lode, he pulled out.
“Cooper!” she yelled in protest, but he just chuckled before slowly driving his shaft back into her sheath. Slowly, torturously, this continued, he pulled out just as she was about to come, then inch by agonizing inch slowly pushed his way back in. It was driving her insane!
“Cooper, you’re making me nuts,” she cried out as she wiggled her way backward, pushing him in farther.
“Stay still. I’m trying to be good here.” His voice sounded tight, strained.
“Don’t be good, just fuck me! God, Cooper, just fuck me. Please, please!”
She screamed as he entered her fully, finally thrusting harder, faster. In and out he pumped, rubbing his thumb over her clit until she came again, screaming as she felt his essence shoot up inside her.
Laney lay like a wet rag over the sofa. She barely moved as Cooper dragged her up into his arms and carried her to the bathroom. Running the water, he stepped into the shower, holding her against his chest as he washed her quickly. She was too sated to feel embarrassed as he washed her intimately.
Watching as he washed, Laney admired the symphony of muscles as they played beneath his smooth, tanned skin. He was sleek, well-defined, and if she’d had any energy left she’d have jumped him then and there. Before she could gather up the energy needed for more play, though, he lifted her back into his arms and stepped out of the shower.
When he grabbed a towel, she stood still and relished the feeling of being cherished as he dried her off. Once again, he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom where he dropped her lightly onto the bed, sitting down beside her.
“What were you doing in town, Laney?” She rolled over, away from him, but he simply pulled her back around to face him.
“No, Laney. Tell me.” She stared up into his determined face, aware he wasn’t going to give up until she answered him. She sighed, glaring up at him.
“You are demanding sometimes.” She grimaced. “You know, you won’t always get your way, Cooper.”
“But I will tonight, won’t I, Laney?”
“I was job-hunting, okay? I was trying to find a job in town.”
Cooper frowned. “Why, for God’s sake? You’ve barely begun to settle in, why would you want a job?”
She looked at him in disbelief. “Umm, because I need the money?” She spoke slowly as if he was a little slow.
He ran a hand through his hair. “Laney, I realize this is something we haven’t talked about, but there’s no need for you to work. I have enough money to support us both easily.”
Laney just stared straight up at the ceiling before sighing and turning to look at him.
“But that’s your money, Coop. I need to have my own money.”
“Actually, it’s our money, and why do you think you need your own money?” She grimaced, aware that he wasn’t going to like her answer.
“Because you think this isn’t going to last, that’s it, isn’t it, Laney? When are you going to realize that this is forever, Laney? We’re true mates. You aren’t ever going to leave me. Nor would I ever leave you.”
“You say that now.” Tears entered her eyes. “But you don’t know what will happen in the future. What if you get sick of me? What if something happens to you? Or to our mate bond? It hasn’t fully formed yet. You just don’t know, Cooper!”
His hands grasped her cheeks firmly. “I know that I will never get sick of you, and I am going to do my damn best to make sure nothing ever happens to me. But if it ever did, Laney, you will be well taken care of, do you understand me? If I die, you get everything I have.”
She gaped up at him. “I don’t want things. I want you!” Tears ran down her face as he growled softly, leaning down to kiss her gently.
“This is forever, woman. We are forever. And the sooner you learn that, the better. A mate bond lasts forever. Ours will fully form, you just have to be patient. Your body knows that it is mine. Your wolf knows that it is mine. You belong to me just as I belong to you. You cannot deny that.”
She nodded her head. “I know, just sometimes my brain has a hard time believing it.”
“Remember your promise to me.”
“I won’t leave.” She couldn’t. She loved him too damn much.
“Good.” Leaning down, he kissed her on the forehead. “I will transfer some funds to your account, okay? Then you will have your own money. But I’m also going to get you a card for my account, and you will use it. I want you to promise me that when you need something, no, scrap that, when you want something you will use that card to buy it.”
“But—”
“Promise me, Laney. I am not taking no for an answer on this.” She stared up into the stubborn set of his jaw, sighing loudly.
“Oh, all right,” she said grudgingly as he grinned widely.
“That’s a good girl,” he praised her. “What can I do to reward you, hmm?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I guess you’ll think of something.”
“Really?” His gaze roamed her naked body. Five minutes ago she’d thought herself too exhausted to feel anything, but the sizzling promise in his voice had her skin tingling in anticipation. He moved his hand to cup her breast, squeezing slightly.
“Maybe something like this?” he asked, using his thumb to flick her nipple.
“Maybe,” she replied.
“Or this?” Dropping his mouth to her nipple, he sucked hard, and she groaned, arching up.
“Perhaps,” she panted.
“Or maybe this.” Suddenly he was kneeling between her spread legs. Pushing her knees toward her chest, he plunged his tongue into her passage. At the same time, he flicked her clit with his thumb, his movement firm and sure.
“Yes,” she screamed, soaring toward her reward, stars bursting behind her eyelids as she reached heaven. Floating back down to earth, she cried out again as he moved his tongue to her clit, lapping at it firmly, sending her off into a tailspin of pleasure. Her orgasm hit her hard, had her jolting in shock.
But once more he gave her no chance to recover before his delicious assault began all over again. And then again.
It was a reward she wouldn’t soon forget.
Chapter Ten
Laney walked tiredly through the house, her feet dragging as exhaustion pulled her down. She wished Cooper was home, but he’d left yesterday to visit the other Alphas. She’d spent the afternoon with Jesse’s waspish mate and her equally bitchy friends. What had she been thinking when she’d agreed to afternoon tea at Samantha’s house? Had she actually thought that they might have grown up a little? Become less bitchy?
No such luck. She’d spent the afternoon ignoring barely disguised barbed insults. There was nothing more tiring, she’d discovered, than having to be polite to a bunch of nasty-minded, prejudiced women.
Samantha had even found a prodigy. Jayda, one of the younger girls, had spent most of the afternoon glaring at Laney, a sneer on her face. Laney knew she would have to do something about such obvious disrespect. But not today, she was exhausted, she was grumpy, and she was missing Cooper something fierce. Climbing out of her clothes, she decided to forgo dinner in favor of sleep and quickly yanked back the sheets.
Screaming aloud, she jumped back, slamming heavily into the wall behind her. She slid slowly down the wall, terror stealing her ability to think, to move. She was paralyzed, watching in horror as spiders, hundreds of creepy, hideous spiders crawled over her bed.
She’d always hated spiders, ever since she was a child and Zachary would lock her in the basement in the dark. Her breath caught, frozen in her lungs then erupted out of her in a hideous scream. Her screams continued on and on until she was hoarse. But she couldn’t stop, couldn’t find her way free. She batted at her arms and hair, certain they were crawling all over her.
“Laney! Laney, damn it!”
She didn’t feel the arms surrounding her, lifting her, carrying her away. Her mind was back in that basement.
“Laney, come on, kid, snap out of it.” The word
s didn’t penetrate her horror. She was lost.
“Fuck. Honey, if you’re not going to snap out of it yourself, then you leave me no choice but to call Cooper.”
Cooper, Cooper, the name echoed in her head. There was a reason not to involve Cooper. “No,” she croaked out, wondering why her voice was so hoarse. “Don’t, please.” She looked up pleadingly into Cain’s dark eyes. “I-I’m all right.”
“He needs to know about this, Laney,” Cain objected, but he returned his phone to his pocket and moved back to crouch in front of her. Laney licked her lips nervously, looking around in surprise to find that she was no longer in the bedroom. Cain must have carried her into the living room and placed her on the sofa.
“He needs to concentrate on convincing the other Alphas to join the new council, not on me.”
Cain frowned. “I’m guessing you don’t know how all those spiders got in your bed?”
Laney shuddered, working hard to keep her mind from drifting back into the nightmare. “No. No, I don’t.”
“They weren’t poisonous, so they weren’t put there to harm you, not physically anyway.”
“No, not physically,” she whispered, trying to clear her voice. He immediately rose and brought her a glass of water. She smiled her thanks before swallowing it down in a few desperate gulps.
“W-what are you doing here?”
“I came over to ask you why someone would tamper with the brakes of your car.”
The glass fell from her nerveless fingers, landing with a crash as she gaped up at him.
“What are you talking about?”
He sat on the coffee table in front of her, drawing in a deep breath. “Someone tampered with those brakes, kiddo. The brake line was slit, causing it to leak fluid. Any guesses who would do that?”
