"Oh, Dad."
"You're my blood, baby girl. Rule this pack well."
"Rule?"
Her father nudged her with his cold nose so she looked up at Vincent. The black wolf had him on his back. Marija touched both of their necks, speaking for the spirits. “From this day forward, you are no longer leader. You have disgraced the pack and me. You let your sister and your nephew die. No one deserves that. By right of blood, I call back everything I gave you. No longer will you change. No longer will you call yourself a wolf. From this day forward, you are exiled to live as a human.” Marija looked at the pack and then at Alena. The punishment her uncle spoke of was something whispered about in the dark, but nothing ever enacted, only talked about, a last resort if a wolf did something horrible.
A chill went through the entire pack. “You can't do that! I'm a Born wolf. You can't take away what I was born with,” Vincent yelled.
Alena saw Marija's eyes. They glinted blue in the moonlight. Power radiated out of her. “I have the power to take what was given.” Her voice was layered, and whatever entity the gypsy was channeling was pissed. “I gave the wolves form, and I alone can take it away. My children sing to me when the moon is full, and I hear their cry when they are in pain. I can take and give what I see fit. In this place, all is possible. All gifts given to those by this one are rescinded. If his bite made you slip your skin without the moon, then that gift is taken away as well. All born and bitten."
The gypsy raised her hand. A beam of moonlight hit the center of her palm and radiated outward, hitting everyone who Vincent had bitten to give them the power to break the sway of the moon. Finally, the light hit Vincent's chest, and he let out another scream that started off as a howl and then died down until finally the body that was under the black wolf was no longer there. The connection Alena felt to the pack leader fell away as easily as a severed spider web. Because he was human, he was no longer welcomed in the sacred ground. Marija turned her eyes onto Alena. Her eyes were still glinting blue since she channeled the entity who ruled over the wolves. The werewolf reached out and touched Alena in the center of the chest. At the touch, she felt a zing move through her and her wounds heal, including the one still oozing on her hand caused by the silver switchblade. A playful smile played over her lips.
"Didn't I tell you birds of a feather?"
"Morrigain?"
"Morena here. Rule the pack and rule it well. I expect good things out of you two, and if Darius ever tries to put you in your place, remember who wears the pants in the family. Deal?"
"Deal."
Marija caressed the side of her face as her eyes returned to normal. “You have to tell me what she meant by that!"
"Long story."
The white wolf yipped and jumped up on her chest and licked her on cheek. She ruffled his fur and watched him bark at his brother wolf. The rest of the pack stayed silent and stared at Alena. All of them, born, bitten, young, and old formed a line and filed past her, stopping to pick up her hand, catch her scent, and then bite the left side of her neck lightly showing her they accepted her as pack leader. Each who filed past her didn't meet her eyes. Even those Vincent initiated himself she didn't feel any hatred in their minds for her. Finally, Marija came and stood before her. The rest of the pack was gone only leaving Charlene and the vedma.
"You are pack leader now. It is rare a female is ever chosen as leader. Will you protect the pack, even if it means your life?” Marija asked ceremoniously.
"Yes."
"Will you treat all those wolves fairly who come to you for advice?"
"Yes."
"Will you lead our hunts and protect and expand our territory?"
"Yes."
"Then as vedma of the pack, I name you pack leader. On this holy ground, our ancestors and Morena have heard your oaths. If you break these, may the wolves tear your heart out and let silver thread through your veins."
At the final worlds, Alena felt a weight settle on her mind. Suddenly her mind was seared with the connections to the pack. She could trace the wolves with a single thought. Each thread of their consciousness was attached to her like a large tapestry. But it wasn't until she thought about them they became prevalent if not they sunk down into the cloth of her thoughts and became quiet. Her eyes flicked to Darius who stood watching the ceremony. She reached out her mind to him and sensed his awe at the events and his pride of her. Their union seemed more cemented in her mind than anything else.
"You were magnificent."
Alena blushed and let her eyes travel to the two wolves still left in the graveyard. The black wolf approached her and stared deep into her eyes. She didn't have to touch him to be able to hear him. "You will take care of the pack and bring them to new glory. I have faith in that."
"Thank you, Uncle."
"There is no thanks necessary. I wanted to apologize for what happened between us."
"There is no need."
"I should never have treated you the way I did. I know that now. You are a glorious wolf and take after my brother." With that, the black wolf turned and ran into the cemetery with the mist swallowing him whole as it was beginning to eat up the graveyard.
"Your uncle is right. If you ever need me, I'll always be here for you." Her father turned, stopped at her mother, licked her on the cheek, and then trotted off into the mist, leaving them alone.
Darius walked over and handed Alena a dark coat. He smiled and still said nothing while Alena slipped the soft material over her naked form. Growing up, nudity had been acceptable, but since she had been involved in a different life, she was a little uncomfortable being naked. “So what happens now?"
Charlene walked over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Now I go back to my pack."
"But you can't leave, Mom. I mean you just came back."
"Alena, you don't need me anymore, and if you do I will be there, but my pack needs me. I promise I'll know if you're hurt. Besides, you have to break your mate in.” Her mother wiped the tears from her eyes as well as Alena's. Through her mind, Alena felt the eternal and deep love her mother had for her. To have that feeling wash over her mind and to know her mother was there for her whenever she needed her was amazing.
"Thanks.” Alena gave her a hug and then let her go.
"Well, I think we should get going.” Marija motioned for Charlene and Darius to go ahead of her. The Raven Warrior said nothing and walked ahead of the two women. As he did, he slipped his fingers through Alena's. She stopped and stared at him, but his face didn't reflect anything. He was still stubborn. The new pack leader and her mate strolled out of the cemetery, and once they reached the gate, they walked through the entrance and reappeared back in the woods near the compound with Marija behind them.
"I have something to do in the kitchen. Alena, when you're ready there are some things we need to discuss about you being elevated and how it happened.” The gypsy smiled and then walked off. Finally, she and Darius were alone.
Alena turned and looked deep into her mate's eyes. He looked at her intensely, studying her. He brought their entwined hands to his lips and kissed her fingers lightly. “Thank you for helping me, Darius.” She leaned in closer to him so their mouths were only inches from one another. Her muscles ached from slipping her skin, but her body burned more with desire for him right now.
"I would do anything for you, Alena. I would give my life if I had to,” he murmured. His free hand traced her lips. He seemed infatuated with them.
"So you don't mind having a werewolf as a girlfriend?” she teased.
Darius smiled. His thumb grazed her sharpened teeth playing with the tip of her tongue. Even the small touch was making her hot. She wanted to drop him on the ground and have her way with him right now. Her fingers unwound from his and ran the length of the bulge in the front of his pants. He was hard already just from looking at her and playing with her lips.
"Not if you don't mind having a birdbrain for a husband."
Alena shook her head and
let her lips touch his. A moan escaped his throat and his hands slipped inside the jacket, clutching her bare ass. He pulled her as close as he dared so her naked flesh was pressing against his body. His lips were sweet and full pressing against hers in a gentle meeting of their mouths. There was nothing of the frenzy which had been between them before. His mind opened to her like a vast expanse with no walls to hold anything back from her. This time, she could feel his emotions and sense his thoughts. Her new power made them closer. Alena wound her mind around his making sure Darius felt her desire for him. She traced her fingers lightly over the fabric of his sides, running furrows in the cloth. With her keener hearing, she listened to their hearts syncing up a like a drum beat. Hers hit first and then his. Darius shivered when she tickled him. Alena wanted to get his clothes off and take advantage of him now they were free. Sensing the change in him was amazing, considering just a few short days before he was gruff and full of spite. Now his heart was healing from the barbed wire he had guarding it. There was no apprehension in him. He would not turn into a raven when they were together, and the love for her radiating from him warmed her like a thousand suns. Finally, she pulled away.
"Alena, I want you. Let me have you,” he whispered. She saw and felt his need for her.
She turned and slipped off her coat walking backward into the cabin. A devilish smile turned up the corners of her lips. “Come and try to tame me."
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Twenty-Three
Darius did not need any more encouragement when Alena dropped her coat and sashayed into the cabin. Walking in, he noticed how her body had changed when the wolf merged with her. Her body was more defined, longer leaner, making her a better hunter. He realized he didn't care what she had become or what she looked like. He loved her no matter what. His mouth watered and his cock strained to get free, but he also felt in no hurry. This time, he would not turn into a raven or have to worry about Alena also. They finally had forever.
She was his. All his. That was something he never thought he would have. Just a few days ago, he would have hardened his heart against her. Hell, six months ago when he was on that building watching the werewolf chase her, he never would have thought Fate would bring them together again. Back then, he thought she had deserved to be chased by the big bad wolf, but he had been so wrong. He understood that now. Darius should have reached out and helped her then. Maybe if he had touched her life then he would have sensed they were meant to be together. Or maybe he had to go through what he did to make him understand what loving again meant. He finally understood what Caleb meant about making love to a woman instead of just fucking her. He had done that while being human. Cycling through women as if they were possessions, and he knew he had done the same with Marija. He had been a dick and deserved to be cursed. But now, he had a heartmate, a soul mate, and she was as powerful and stubborn as him. Hell, she had refused his help when she went up against a centuries-old serial killer. Darius loved that about her. He worshipped everything about her. And now he could show her how much he cared for her.
Shaking his head, he closed the door to the cabin and walked into Alena's room. She was there, waiting for him. Her eyes had normalized with gold flecks highlighting the wild blue. Her dawn streaked red hair spilled on the pillow like tendrils of soft silk enticing him. She was a beautiful, wild, amazing creature who had found her place in the world and would never leave him.
"Alena—"
"Come to me, Darius. I'm yours to be tamed."
He began to unbutton his shirt. “Ahh, fuck it.” He waved his hand, and he was as naked as she. He crossed the room to the bed and straddled her. His hard length rested against her soft thigh, inches from her moist depths, inches from the secret place of which, with a flick of his tongue, he could drive her mad. “I don't want to tame you, beautiful. I want you just the way you are. Wolf and all."
The smile on her face beamed at him and made his heart lift. She sat up not answering him. Instead, she took his length in her mouth. The feel of her wet lips on his shaft made him moan. Alena's sharp teeth caused friction on his sensitive skin while her tongue worked him, tickling as Alena started sucking him in all at the same time. He hadn't felt anything like this in his existence. Already his muscles were clenching and getting ready to come inside her mouth. She tortured him slowly, letting her luscious tongue flick over the sensitive head while one hand clutched his ass and the other his balls.
"Please, Alena. Stop now.” He clutched the sheet and plunged himself past her lips, forcing her to take as much of him as she could take. The way she was using him was agonizing. Slowly dragging her teeth along his member, she made him quiver.
"Why would I want to stop when you look like you're having so much fun? I feel what you feel, Darius. I know how much you want to let go. I know how much you desire to be inside of me. Only I'm in control."
Her wicked laughter danced along his thoughts while his hips bucked, pushing him further into her mouth. For emphasis, she squeezed his butt cheek harder. The pain shot up his back, and he hated to admit he liked the combination. His knees shook from the effort of holding back until he finally let himself fall so he was on all fours. “Please, baby. I can't take it."
Alena was toying with him on purpose, and when her hands cupped his balls a little harder he realized two could play at this game. Trying to concentrate, he gathered his power and sent his unspent emotions at what she was doing to him into her mind. He felt the onslaught rake over her soul. The bite of her nails breaking the flesh of his backside brought him back from the brink a little. That was the one good thing about pain. Pain made him able to think. He scooted down Alena. She was arching under him and grasping the bed sheets from the waves of desire he inflicted upon her. While she was vulnerable, he let his tongue slide along her soft fold, parting her nether lips to reveal the one spot he knew would make her howl. His eyes met hers. For a moment, the wolf was in her gaze, and then the beast was gone. His tongue touched her gently in a single flick. She jumped.
The Raven Warrior opened his mind to his heartmate, winding his thoughts and emotions around hers until they were so tight he wasn't sure where she began and he ended. Darius settled his mouth on her clit and began to torture it mirroring what Alena had done to him. Each small thrust of his tongue made a small whimper tumble from her lips. He nibbled on her like a sweet treat. Each time he did, her back arched and she cried out. He laid his palm on her stomach to hold her down and tickle her at the same time. His manipulations of her were reverberating back on him, but he could control them and focused the feelings of lust and wanting back on her, making her whimper. He let his tongue travel down to her deeper well and tasted her. She lost herself then and started thrashing on the bed.
"Darius. Can't. Hold on."
He smiled within the confines of their combined thoughts. Alena was on the brink. Her muscles were so tight she was ready to tumble over the edge. "I know, baby. Come for me."
He slid his tongue along her inner folds slowly, learning every secret place she had. Alena cried out and fell into orgasm. Her ecstasy washed over his mind as he lapped her. God, he loved doing this. He loved having her at his mercy, showing she was his body and soul.
"You taste so good, Alena." He savored one last taste and met her panting lips with his so she could taste herself on him. Their mouths met. Alena's legs wrapped around his waist, locking her to him. His hands felt the globes of her breasts while he pinched the nipple just to hear her cry out in pleasure.
"I need you, Darius.” Alena breathed into his ear.
"I need you, too. I've always needed you. You broke my curse and gave me back my soul. I love you.” He searched her eyes, willing her to believe him. But the answer he got back from their combined thoughts was one of such profound love it floored him, and he knew no matter what happened they would always be together. At that moment, he let himself slide into her wet pussy, letting out a long pent-up groan. Being enfolded in all aspects of his heart
mate felt so good. Alena's lips met his and he pushed himself to her depths.
"Harder, Darius."
He obliged her and pounded into her. His strokes were firm and slow, but he gave her what she wanted. Each time, he almost pulled himself out, the teasing look on her face made him dive right back in each time. Plunging his cock inside of her felt so right. They fit together, as if cut from the same mold. A sweat had broken out on both of them, and Darius was near coming. Their combined passion was pushing him over the edge. Alena was there too, trying desperately to hold on. He pumped against her again. Her teeth bit into the meat of his shoulder. That did cause him to lose it. He cried out, spilling his essence deep inside of her.
He shuddered a moment, and his fingers dug hard into her back. He felt Alena licking the wound on his shoulder as he gently laid her down. Reluctantly he pulled himself out of her and settled down beside her in bed. “Thank you."
She looked at him quizzically. “For what?"
"For changing my life. For giving me a reason to have a soul again. To find love after four centuries."
"You never had that before? I thought you and Marija—"
Darius shook his head. “Me and Marija? No. She loved me, but in my eyes, she was convenient. I never knew about our child until I came here. She was coming to tell me she was pregnant, but I was finding comfort in the arms of her sister. She had every right to curse me. You made me see the error of my ways. I understand now why Tremain fought so hard to hold onto Linnea."
"Tremain is another Raven, right?"
"He is. He found his heartmate last year in Boston and did everything he could to keep her, and she braved our queen and the anger of Morrigain to bring him back to her. I would do the same for you."
"Darius, I don't think you have to. Besides, the worst thing you're going to have to worry about is keeping me happy. Just to let you know. Werewolves have a voracious appetite for everything. Do you think you can keep me satisfied?” Alena smiled. Her hand reached down between his thighs. At her touch, he already felt himself harden.
Fur and Feathers [A Raven Saga Book 2] Page 22
