by V. Vaughn
Sleep is close as I say, “I love you too, Paul.”
When we wake from our nap, Paul slides a large sweatshirt over my body. The cotton is thick and soft on my skin as I follow him downstairs for a late lunch. He pulls leftover pasta from the fridge, and the microwave beeps as he sets it to warm up our meal. I hop up to sit on the counter, and it’s cold on my legs as he says, “You must be starving. Your body just changed, and it needs food.”
My stomach growls in response. “When we finish eating, do I get to shift into a wolf?”
Paul steps between my legs as he wraps his arms around my back and tugs me to the edge. My sex is against his bare stomach, and amazingly, I think I could go another round. “If you want. I think you’re going to like it.”
My eyelids lower as lust threatens to take over. “I may have become a sex addict. Is it normal that I want you again?”
“It’s mating season, Caroline.” Paul slips his fingers into me and begins to work my clit with his thumb. “I told you that you’d be insatiable for a few weeks.”
“Well, yeah, but--” I gasp when he hits my g-spot before I croak out, “I guess I thought it was an alpha ego thing.”
Paul takes his hand away to undo his jeans. He steps out of them and pulls me off the counter. When he twists me around to bend me over the edge of the cold granite, he says, “This”—he thrusts his cock into me—“is an alpha ego thing.”
After one more orgasm and food, I think I’m able to think straight. We’re in the living room, where I’m going to shift, and Paul stands across from me, fully clothed. I’d laugh at the protective layer if I could, but his scent is so tantalizing that it clouds my mind. I shake my head to clear my thoughts.
Paul says, “To shift is easy. You need to focus on the wolf inside you.”
“Okay.” The idea a wolf is inside me is strange, and I frown as I think about the changes I feel. A strength I don’t recognize begins to fill me. “I can sense her, but how do I let her out?”
“Once you think about only her, she’ll come. Trust me, she’s strong.”
I nod and close my eyes. Once I shut out any other thoughts, my beast leaps, and my skin tingles with the sensation of stretching. I fall to the ground, but when I hit it, I realize I’ve landed on paws. I did it!
“You sure did,” says Paul. He’s stripping out of his clothes, and I watch in amazement as he shifts into a large black wolf with silver markings. I think about the tiny black kitten I almost got as his replacement. It must have been temporary insanity, because I can’t imagine I’d be anywhere close to happy without my mate.
“Now what?” I ask.
“We run.” Paul leads me through a swinging back door, and he launches off a deck to the ground below.
The impact of my jump radiates through my legs when I land, and my feet beat steadily as I gallop beside Paul. I’m a wolf! Oh my god, I’m a wolf! Trixie was right. I love it. I nip at Paul’s shoulder, and he falls back to return the gesture on my flank. If I were human, I’d squeal. And damn if my mind doesn’t return to the sex we had in the kitchen a half hour ago. I shake the thought as I race to keep up with my mate.
Paul takes us to a clearing, and he scrambles up a huge rock structure. I don’t think, and do the same. I manage to get up with ease, and I sit next to him to gaze out at the lake. Paul says, “This is our kingdom. What do you think?”
Pride weaves its way through a sense of power. It’s like when I was a child and would climb on something that let me tower over the world below. Only this time, it’s real. “I think being your queen might be what I was born to do.”
Paul leans against me, and I snuggle into his neck with my head. “I know it is, Caroline.”
I realize I do too.
Chapter 13
Conversation buzzes in the large room of the Silver Lake lodge. Delicious scents fill the air as my stomach rolls with nerves. This is my night to come out as a new werewolf and the alpha’s mate. But that’s not why I’m nervous. It seems there’s a competition among the women of the pack to have the best food dish. Trixie warned me, and I’m sure Paul is sick of curried shrimp, because I’ve made at least ten different versions to create the perfect recipe. With my new heightened sense of taste, everything is intense now. And my recent condition only makes it harder.
To make matters worse, I was told to make a lot, since every member of the pack will want to try mine. Talk about an initiation ceremony. Sweat is damp on my palms as I stand in line with Trixie. She whispers, “Stop worrying.”
I hiss back, “I can’t help it. Do you think they’d kick me out if it’s awful?”
Trixie chuckles. “Too late. The alpha claimed you; they’ve got no choice.”
I smile when I think about all the places and times Paul’s claimed me in the last month. I put my hand on my stomach. I took a pregnancy test this afternoon and discovered I’m about to make Paul a very happy werewolf. I can’t wait to let him know. I’m dying to share my exciting news with my daughter too, and it wasn’t that long ago she’d have been the first one I’d tell. But now that I’ve got a true mate, he’ll hear it before she does.
Paul’s voice sounds in my head. “Reports are coming in.” I search the room as he speaks. “The shrimp is a hit.”
I find him at the entrance with his beta, Warren. They walk toward the food table. I say, “There you are.” Paul had a leadership meeting before the dinner, and I haven’t seen him since this morning.
I hand my plate to Trixie. “Can you do me a favor and fill this with the food I must eat? I need to talk to Paul.”
My daughter glances at me and then down to my belly, where I’ve still got my hand. Her eyes widen, and I lift my arm to casually comb my fingers through my hair. “I’ll be right back.” I hurry away before she can ask me anything.
Paul greets me with a kiss and says, “Do you need a quickie to get through the night?”
I hit his arm in response but then drop my chin to gaze up at him. “Maybe.”
He chuckles. “I’m going to miss this when mating season is over.”
“There’s always next spring. But right now I need to tell you something.” I gaze into the face of the man I love. He’s more than a mate for me. He’s my partner, and in the last month, as we’ve learned the dance of being roommates and lovers, I’ve realized Paul makes me complete. Tears prick at my eyes, and I blink.
Paul’s fingers are strong as he takes my arms. “Caroline, what’s wrong?”
I smile as hot tears fall down my cheeks. “Nothing. I’m pregnant.”
“What?” He swoops me up by my waist and swings me around. Paul sets me down and kisses me as voices hush. His kiss is passionate, and I’m embarrassed that we’re making a spectacle. Not only can they see what we’re doing, but my desire is strong, and sensitive noses can detect it. I speak in his head. “Paul, everyone’s watching.”
“So they are.” He breaks away and gazes at the smiling faces of his pack. “Ladies and gentlemen. Usually we all eat before I make any announcements, but I can’t keep this news to myself.”
Paul pulls me to stand in front of him, and I lean back against his chest as he grips my shoulders and says, “Silver Lake Wolves, this is my mate Caroline”—he places his hands on my belly—“and we’re pregnant.”
Whoops and cheers sound as they clap for us. I find Trixie in the crowd, and my tears start again when I notice her swipe moisture off her face. Her grin is huge as she comes toward me. She hugs me tight as other people come forward to wish Paul and me well. Trixie says, “I don’t think I’ve ever been happier for you, Mom.”
“Thanks, honey.”
Paul orders everyone back to their meals and leads me to our table. He has my hand, and even when we sit, he doesn’t let go until he’s pulled my chair close enough for our thighs to touch. I think it’s his animal instinct to make sure everyone knows I’m his.
I gaze up into the face of my mate. The first phase of my adult life was devoted to raising a s
trong, independent daughter. I spent those years recreating the perfect man in my stories, when all along, fate had a plan for me. I reach up to place my hand on Paul’s cheek. A hint of stubble is rough like sandpaper on my fingers, and his strong jaw is firm. My alpha. My mate. “You’re my hero, Paul. I waited a long time for you.”
“I didn’t know it, but I waited a long time for you too, Caroline. I love you.”
I kiss him and say, “I love you too.” Finally, my very own happy ending.
* * *
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More Winter Valley Wolves:
As bundles -
The Lindholms
The Wakefields 1/5/2016
The Quinns 1/26/16
Or Singles -
Brindle
Bosun
Berch
Ergan
Ekton
Esher
Chosen
Fated
Destined
V. Vaughn also has a bear shifter serial - Called by the Bear.
Complete Edition
Called by the Bear Parts 1-3
Called by the Bear Parts 4-6
Called by the Bear Parts 7-9
Tempted by the Bear :
Tempted by the Bear - Parts 1-3
Tempted by the Bear - Parts 4-6
Tempted by the Bear - Parts 7-9
Tempted by the Bear - Complete Edition
Rocked by the Bear is Coming in February 2016
Andre
Adrian
Aleck
Aaron
Desired by the Bear is Coming Spring 2016!
About the Author
V. Vaughn lives in New Hampshire and spends winter weekends in the woods of Maine. She might have seen a bear, or two….
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