by Gordon, Eva
Ulric shot her a roguish smile. “It is your touch that healed me.” He stretched his arms out as Gaius inspected the barely visible, once lethal wounds.
The physician nodded, “Without Cassia there would have been no hope. Not with your punctured lung.”
Guilt tore at Ulric’s heart. “Did I cause you to have a fit?”
She shook her head. “When I touched you, I had no pain, only the fatigue of a healing. Nothing more. I guided your inhalation until your lung repaired and we breathed as one.”
Gaius applied an ointment along Ulric’s reddened but fading scars. “It appears that a Valeria Luperca can heal her mate without harm to her body.”
“And I am only partly claimed at that,” said Cassia with a flirtatious smile.
Ulric’s length stirred. Her womanly scent signaled she desired the coupling as much as he did. Soon she would leave. Before she did, they must mate and seal their bond for all time. Tonight. During the full moon. His wolf demanded it. The danger of pregnancy immaterial, since wolf maidens became fertile only in early spring.
Gaius interrupted his carnal thoughts, “Return to Macula before nightfall.”
Cassia frowned. “I beg to differ. His wounds nearly killed him. Macula would be suspicious if he returned as healed as he is, and he might develop a miasma.”
He threw her a fatherly look. “Cassia, your healing touch cleaned him of all such corruptions. But true, we must not raise suspicions.” He turned a frown at Ulric. “The full moon will cloud your judgment.”
Ulric stiffened. A boulder ready to crush the man who stood between him and his mate. Fur sprang along his back. His fangs emerged and he growled in warning.
Cassia scowled at him. “Ulric, do not threaten Gaius.”
He obeyed and relaxed. He tempered his demanding tone. “I will not leave until Cassia is claimed.”
Gaius did not back down. Instead he turned to Cassia. “I plan to meet with an acquaintance in the basilica. I shall stay with him for a few days. It will be best if you accompany me.”
“No. I stay with my mate.” Her tone turned worried, “Not senator…”
Gaius lowered his voice. “Enough said.”
He wanted the senator’s name kept hidden. Was it for political intrigue to seek vengeance for the death of his lover?
Gaius sighed and gazed at him then at Cassia. “Ulric, can you be gentle with Cassia despite the waxen moon’s pull?”
“I would never hurt my mate. I vow she will be treated like a sacred urn of Feronia.”
Cassia’s face reddened and gave them a chastising glance. “Men! How could you think we women are not built for strong love?” She turned to Ulric. “I will have our slaves bring you a meal to be served in the gardens. The sunlight will enhance your healing.”
Ulric smiled. “You, beloved, are my sunshine.”
***
Alone with Gaius in his office, Cassia paced around him as he wrote a letter. She whirled and laid her hands near his parchment. “Tell me you do not plan to give up the journal of Emperor Titus’ physician to Senator Hosidius Didius.”
He put his stylus down. “Would you not want revenge for your mate’s death?”
She whispered, “Yes, but do you really think Rome cares that Domitian killed his own brother years ago? Besides, Titus deserved death.” Domitian’s older brother bore responsibility for Jerusalem’s destruction and the death of her pack. She plopped on her chair. “Domitian will be impossible to touch. The army supports him. Nothing short of assassination will bring down the tyrant.”
“You are right, but more fear him than not. Like a great wall he must be torn down bit by bit before a brave soul takes it upon himself to kill him. Consul Clemens and his wife Flavia Dominica, his own cousin, is against him. His Roman generals grow weary of his foolish campaigns. Many, especially some in the Praetorian Guard, long for the days of Titus’ rule.”
Guilt overwhelmed her. Should she not also rally behind him to defeat this monster who killed so many innocents? “Promise me. Nothing happens to you. I want you by my side when Ulric and I take our wedding vows before the Lupercal.”
“I’ll return in a few days, my little street orphan.” He gritted his teeth as if finding his next words difficult. “If anything happens to me, give Stephanus the real copy of the journal, which is sewn and hidden in your winter cloak.”
Her brows arched. “Stephanus?”
Gaius nodded. “The Lupercii holds my utmost trust. He knows about you and will seek you out if things go bad.”
Her despair rose at the thought of his death. “No, you will return to us. Promise.”
“That is my plan. Bless you and Ulric.” He stood and embraced her.
She sighed, now somewhat placated. “I hope I can endure the claiming.”
He smiled. “Lusna the goddess gifted wolf maidens with painless intercourse during the tearing of the maidenhood.”
She flushed and turned away. “Gauis, please, for modesty’s sake.”
“Apologies. I just wanted you to know.”
She remembered how Ulric feared hurting her. “Do you think Ulric knows this?”
He shrugged. “The poor gladiator appears to know little about his own kind. Before I leave, I will talk to him. I’m more concerned, he will crush you or squeeze too hard, forgetting his own strength.”
She shuddered at the memory of how he had killed the thugs who attacked her. How after their deaths his eyes had the look of a wild beast, hungry for prey. He had not been trained to control the influence of the moon, but rather to use it to kill for the delight of Roman spectators. Yet he had always been gentle, even when he claimed her with his bite. She lifted her chin and looked Gaius squarely in his eyes. “You know as well as I do that an alpha will never hurt his mate either intentionally or unintentionally.”
***
Ulric paced in the atrium. At dusk, the moon influenced him to think dark carnal thoughts. He fretted more about taking Cassia’s maidenhood than he had when he had faced the twenty soldiers in the arena. Gaius advised him to nibble her wolf mark first. The gentle bite would pleasure her to ecstasy and allow the tearing of her barrier to be painless. Yet would his size rip her regardless? Even Gaius worried about his towering frame. Cassia’s delicate build reminded him of a fawn. Yet the prostitutes he bedded survived and even desired his rough sex. Tanfana, otherwise known as Feronia, always chose life mates wisely. He had to trust the goddess that Cassia was made for him and him for her.
The gate opened. Ulric snarled and flared his nostrils. He stalked forward, ready to kill anyone who threatened his mate.
Gaius mounted his horse and Cassia handed him a sac, which he slung over his shoulder. Something of great importance was hidden within the dilapidated old sac. Ulric sighed, gladdened Cassia had decided to stay with him and not go with the physician. Trouble with the Emperor meant danger for his wolf maiden. Cassia watched the physician ride off, her face drawn as though she would never again see Gauis. Under the light of the night torches and with a mild wind, her flowing tunic accentuated her soft curves. He called, “Cassia, join me inside.”
She half turned and awarded him a smile. Her full lips made him ache for her. She ran to him. He picked her up and gazed at her lovely face. Satisfied he set her down and admired her exquisite body. The embodiment of Venus, Goddess of love.
She laughed lightly, “We are alone.” So trusting.
Earlier they had sent off the two kitchen slaves for a few days. The new slaves took the blood vow and because of it lived in fear. They were more than happy to stay in the streets during the full moon. He gently brushed his knuckle on her sweet cheek. “Our meal is warm.”
She sniffed the air like a hound. “Beef?”
He nodded. “Gaius knows how to please a lycan.”
They entered the triclinium. The table was set with an array of fine foods from spiced olives to chunks of mostly raw meat. Well-cooked chicken legs were meant for her. She reclined on her couch and at
e slowly, daintily, while he ate hurriedly. The pull of the moon made him fight the beast within that desired to grab her, push the trays to the ground, and ravish her on the table. Only she could satisfy his hunger. He never had bedded a human during the waxen moon. If he succumbed to his wolfen nature, he might harm her.
His fangs emerged, long and curved. Dangerous. Perhaps he should leave. He was a gladiator and slave. Not like his father who had been a brave warrior with a vast territory. And she, the rarest of wolf maidens, a Valeria Luperca. A woman meant to be a queen. The fates played such malicious tricks. His mood darkened as the beast within took control. He stood, turned his back to her. “We cannot!”
She set her cup of wine down and joined him at his side. “Ulric, what’s wrong?”
He shuddered at her gentle touch. He felt at ease, her nearness succor to his soul. He gritted his teeth, “Gaius is right. I must wait until I am free. I will not complete the claim while I’m a slave.”
She walked around to face him, her face fierce with fire. “You are no slave! You are Ulric, son of Chattian Wolfen Alpha Drogo and Rohesia, Wodan’s Maiden.” Her hands clasped his chin. Unblinking she stared into his eyes. Into his soul. Her chest heaved as if she had just run across the forum. “Listen to me, Lycan Gladiator. I am proud to have you as my mate.”
That was the signal he needed. He lifted her and took her into the gardens. The sweet aroma of fresh herbs failed to mask her overpowering sweeter aroma. He removed her cloak and set it on the soft ground beneath a grape vine canopy. His voice husky, “I will claim you beneath the light of the full moon.” The chirping insects added music to their love nest. He unpinned her hair. It cascaded down in waves of thick luxurious tresses. She gasped but stilled as he took his claw and ripped her tunic off, exposing her under the moonlight. He gazed at her soft round breasts and supple curves. His voice still human, “You are the most beautiful woman I will ever lay my eyes on.”
She tugged at his tunic skirt. “Am I to be alone in wild nakedness?”
His fur prickled on his back and he emitted a deep growl. He removed his garment and it fell at his feet. Her eyes widened as his phallus grew in unabashed arousal. He sensed slight apprehension mixed in with her feminine wetness. “Cassia, do I frighten you?”
She threw him a teasing dimpled smile, “A handsome gladiator armed with such a powerful sword and I without my shield.”
He laughed ruefully, “My sword needs only to be sheathed.”
She smoothed her finger from his heart to his navel and he quivered. “Are the rumors true that Ulricus the Gladiator craves virgins?”
“Nothing could be further from the truth.”
“Oh?”
“There is only one woman I crave. You, my beloved Cassia.” He drew her in and ravished her mouth with his. She tasted better than the expensive beef Gaius had obtained for him.
She gripped his face with her hands and held onto him. If he could, he would swallow her. She bit his lower lip like a she-wolf. His clawed hand moved to her round bottom and firmly grasped it making his erection throb in eagerness. His other hand moved to her hip. The mark of the wolf, hot to his touch. She moaned in pleasure as he squeezed it. Just touching it sent her into rapturous bliss. And he had only begun. His voice was low and beastlike, “On your knees.”
She obeyed and raised her exquisite bottom for him in complete submission. He stood and gaped at her, a thin drool escaped his lips, hungry for her taste. He growled. Did she think he would enter from behind? Like a wolf? He kneeled behind her and circled his claw over her wolf mark. She shuddered like a filly flicking a fly from her hide.
Her breath, rapid, but her voice sultry, “Ulric, claim me before I die of sheer want.”
His fangs gently dug into her wolf mark, gently biting as he did the first time during his initial claim. Only this time, he bit deeper, readying her for penetration. Soft skin beneath his canines. Her taste, scent, and sweet whimpers maddened him. Mine. Beloved. Mate. Mother of his future children.
“Ulric!” She writhed in pleasure. Lost in ecstasy, Feronia’s blessed mark sent waves of pleasure throughout her body.
Watching her round pale bottom wiggle tempted him to mount her and relieve his own need. No. He wished to gaze at her beautiful face. He turned her on her back. His eyes basked in her glorious body. Her luscious breasts were to be his dessert of honeyed dates. He circled his finger around each nipple until they hardened in invitation.
She arched. “Oh, sweet torment.”
He licked his lips and captured a nipple, suckling until she hissed in bliss. He moved to the next nipple and she spread her legs.
“Please, Ulric,” she begged.
His growl reverberated, “Not without licking the rest of your body.” He kissed, licked and bit every inch of her.
When his tongue reached the apex between her legs, she sat. “Ulric, what are you doing?”
He gave her a wolfish grin. “Lie down, my sweet virgin.”
She obeyed. “But I thought…”
“Shh. Do not think that your sheath is just for my sword.” He lowered his head to her nether lips. His tongue swirled around her pearl and he growled in pleasure at her taste. Sweeter than the God’s nectar.
“Oh, Ulric, oh!” She bucked her hips beneath him and cried out as her body shuddered over the edge.
He released her and smiled in triumph as she calmed. He commanded her, “Expose your neck.” A reminder of an alpha male’s dominance over his human mate during coupling.
Cassia complied with utmost eagerness. She tilted her head back revealing her sweet pulse. So trusting. “Ulric, I am yours.”
His wolfish eyes gazed at the rush of blood within her artery. The temptation to bite down and taste fresh blood was subdued by his need to protect. As his mate, she was safe from the lethal bite he could easily inflict. He gently bit her exposed throat. A wolfish kiss, showing her she was his and under his protection. Satisfied he let go and kissed the nape of her neck.
Her fingers dug into his mane. “Don’t make me wait, gladiator. Claim me.” She caught her breath. “Please, I need to feel you inside of me.”
He quirked a brow at her. “Cassia, your desire to sheath my sword is indeed a pleasant surprise.”
She laughed lightly, “I had not expected to be so pleasured…I only thought…oh never mind.”
“You thought I would plow into you like a maddened wolf?”
“Well…yes. Believe me this is beyond my desired expectations.” She threw him a mischievous grin. “I look forward to the maddened wolf.”
He smiled, “I’m glad not to disappoint.” He braced his arms above her soft body so as not to crush her. He kissed the hollow of her throat. Adjusting his weight, he gripped her inflamed mark with two clawed fingers. As she moaned in feverish rapture, he speared his rock hard phallus inside, ripping her maidenhood with the force of his first thrust. She cried out, but continued to ride another wave into climax. Her virgin blood spilled out with her wetness. The scent of her fluids awakened his wolf. He threw his head back and howled at the hovering moon.
Her eyes widened. “Shh! Ulric, we are not in the forest.”
He gave her a wolfish grin. “I love your voice, and your quickened pulse.”
“Perhaps a kiss will silence the wolf.” She swirled her tongue over her swollen lips in invitation.
This undid him and with a deep growl he engulfed her mouth. Gods, she tasted good. Satisfied, he whispered in her ears, “Prepare for the maddened wolf.” He plunged deep into her wet channel. “Dear Fates,” he groaned. Pleasurable sensations surged through his body. He released her mouth and sank his fangs into her neck, careful not to bite down. As his pleasure built, he let go of his hold around her throat and enjoyed the sensation her sharp teeth gave him as she bit into his shoulder. He grunted in primal satisfaction at the feel of her warm tightness. He pumped into her, his need demanding. “Mine. Claimed. Forever.” Blood roared in his veins like a beast released from his shackl
es. His thrusts turned powerful as he joined her in riding wave after wave of climatic rapture. “Cassia!”
She arched and purred. “Oh, Ulric, my alpha.”
Spent, he collapsed on his back.
A pleasured she-wolf seeking fervor, she climbed on top of him. Kissing and licking, hungry for him. She bit his nose and teased, “You are mine, gladiator.” Her lips brushed his throat.
He laughed. “By the gods, woman, will you ever be satiated?”
From atop she playfully growled, “I want to know your body, every waking second before we part.”
She bled but it did not deter her from wanting him again. He laughed, “Lucky for you, I’m wolfen and am ready to ravish you again.” He lifted her and placed her on the ground. “On your knees.”
She obeyed and lifted her exquisite bottom. “I’ll never tire of the maddened wolf.”
He gripped her hips and slammed into her as she cried in pleasure with each thrust. He filled her with his hot seed and together they moaned in blissful pleasure. He turned her around and gave her a chaste kiss.
She gazed at him and sighed. “I don’t want this night to ever end.”
Together they lay in each other’s arms and watched the moon where Lusna rejoiced in their union. Feronia too would smile, at last soul mates brought together. He dismissed thoughts of the danger they would incur if their union were discovered. All that mattered was this night with Cassia in his arms. Beloved of his heart.
The night air grew chilled and though warmed by his body, Cassia shivered. He lifted her and took her inside.
She sighed in bliss. “I love you, Ulric, for now and always.”
Ulric fingered her luscious hair and then kissed her lovely lips. “And I love you, my beloved goddess of the grove.”
He propped himself on his elbow and gazed at her naked form as she slept on her back. Her beautiful creamy breasts rose with each soft breath. Her nipples delectable. He licked his fangs anxious to nibble and taste. No. She needed sleep. He brushed a strand from her perfect face, that of Venus, goddess of love. His glance roamed down her body. Dear fates, her goddess curves. His senses memorized everything about her. Her sweet aroma. The soothing sound of her heartbeat that placated the beast within. His heart ached. This night might be their last time together. She would leave for the safety of her northern pack; and he, return to the arena and survive long enough, until Petronia, leader of the Lupercal, returned to free the omegas.
