by Zoey Indiana
"That's part of the problem. He can't get the key to me before the tracks run out and the station hits dead air." A quiet sniff came through the phone.
"What happens if it does?"
"He'll fire me."
"I'll be there as soon as I can." I still wasn't sure how I could help her, but I'd figure something out, even if it was convincing her to quit. Grabbing the lock picking tools from my gear, I shoved them in a pocket. It was a damn good thing whatever we wore changed with us as we shifted. I didn't know everything behind how shifters had come about, but I'd heard it had to do with the magic used to create us.
"Thank you." I heard the line go dead.
Stepping to an open space in my living room, I called to the beast. Releasing my hold on our form, he burst out of my skin. Stretched wide, my arms shrunk while my fingers elongated until they morphed into thin black skin. Before my feet shifted, I jumped into the air. My wings gave me the lift I needed to fly to the top of my house, and then out of a specially designed bat door. Out in the open air, I pushed my speed while letting my mating bond direct me to Luna.
My animal form wasted no time in locating her. He didn't want to feel the wind gliding along his wings. He wanted to save our mate. That was one benefit about flying, we could more or less go in a straight line. I swooped down in her line of sight, then turned so I latched onto a branch with my feet. She saw me land and hopped over to me on one foot.
"Felix?" I flapped my wings a few times, reaching out with my thumbs. She chuckled and moved closer. Letting go of the branch, I used my claws to hold on to her shirt. I climbed higher until I was looking up into her beautiful eyes. Luna's gentle hands played in my fur before tracing the long bones in my wings. "Oh my god, you're adorable."
Wasn't that what every male wanted to be called. Adorable. I mentally sighed. At least my beast was happy with her hands all over our body.
"And you're huge!"
Now that was a compliment I liked. I nuzzled my face over her breast, my beast showing his affection for her. Her finger slipped behind my ear, gently rubbing. Turning my head, I licked her hand.
"You even have those puppy dog eyes. I don't think I can handle your level of cuteness right now."
Carefully unhooking my thumbs, I leaned back into a falling shift. By the time my feet hit the ground, I was in human form again. Extending my legs, I straightened to my full height until I looked down into her eyes.
"Your hero has arrived." I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close, giving her a deep kiss.
"I don't think I'll ever get over how amazing it is you can change forms like that. Even though I knew you'd keep your clothes, is it bad if I admit I was hoping you'd be naked when you shifted?" Luna pulled back. "Wait, does this mean I can call you my bat man?" The smile teasing her lips told me she couldn't help herself.
"Only if you let me save you, then you can see me naked while my face is between-"
Her hand clapped over my mouth before I could finish. "Not right now." Luna gave me a hot look before it disappeared. "For some reason when you said you were a bat… flying fox, I imagined you as one of those tiny bats like you see on tv. I don't think you'll fit through the window now that I've seen your animal form."
"Then it's a good thing I'm a badass at picking locks."
7
This notice serves as your only warning.
Once Luna was inside, and everything was under control again, the rest of her shift went quickly. I spent most of the time in my animal form, watching her from a tree branch. She'd promised me she would come home with me tonight so we could talk about the future and our expectations.
I watched a car pull up and park next to hers, then a human male got out and went into the building. A few minutes later, Luna came out. I dropped from my branch as I shifted, landing on my feet. I made it to her care before she did.
"Here, I'll drive." I opened her door for her, loving how she let her hand linger in mine after she sat. Then I climbed into the driver's seat. Adjusting my seat, I got comfortable then pulled out of the parking lot. She was silent for most of the way, so I decided to start a conversation. "Why isn't it your voice on the radio?"
Luna sighed as she ran her hand up my thigh, sparking a deeper heat in me. "I have a knack for technology and a degree in communications, but a voice that could bore the masses to sleep."
My beast snarled at her words, and I agreed. I'd kill the person who shamed her for her voice. I loved it. Could probably listen to her talk all night. Pulling the car into my driveway, I put it in park and turned to her.
"Who told you that? Tell me and I'll readjust their attitude." Luna gave me a soft smile, then patted my leg. She was trying to distract me with the promise of pleasure. I wasn't having it. "I'm serious, tell me who it is. No one talks to my mate that way."
"Wow, Ellie was right. The protectiveness kicks in right away." She cupped my cheek and placed a kiss on the tip of my nose. "After they hired me, but before they let me on the air, they did a survey from the listeners. My voice ranked last. So one of the conditions of my employment is that I'm not allowed to talk on air. All my lines are prerecorded."
"I didn't see anyone there with you tonight, but I heard a male named Apollo. Who's that?"
"Right, that. Since they recorded all my lines for me, they got the idea to hire a man's voice too. That way they could get a little interaction without having to hire another host."
"Why did you agree to that?"
"Because I was fresh out of college and needed a job. It wasn't great, but it helped pay the bills. It was supposed to be temporary, but somehow it's been years. I guess time flies."
"But-"
Luna's phone rang, cutting me off. I resumed driving down my long driveway. When I'd bought the property, I'd designed the house to sit far from the road. Didn't need people asking questions or trying to shoot me down in my bat form. Pretending like I couldn't hear what the male was saying on the phone, I parked Luna's car in front of my garage and turned it off. By the time she hung up the phone, she had tears in her eyes.
"I'm sure you heard all of that." She shoved her phone into her bag and wiped her eyes. "I think I should go home. After everything that happened today, I won't be good company." She dropped her face into one hand and pressed a thumb against her forehead, between her eyes. A soft sob shook her shoulders.
Her pain and frustration shot through me. Taking the keys out of the ignition, I slipped them in my pocket then went around to her side. Opening her door, I knelt next to her. "Luna, you're my mate. I'll never want to be apart from you." I slowly reached out for her leg, giving her plenty of time to refuse my touch. When she didn't, I stroked my hand up and down her shin.
"But I'm jobless. I screwed up and got fired." She cut herself off as another sob wracked her body. "I'm sorry I'm ruining everything."
I gently gripped her chin, turning her until she faced me. "Never put yourself down, not to me. We have the mating bond, so I'll always see the real you. You are my mate, my forever, and I'll want you on the good days and the bad. Now come inside so I can make you some food."
I stood up, holding my hand out to her. After one last sniffle, she took it and stood, but she must have forgotten about her ankle because a small whimper broke through her lips. Scooping her into my arms, I used my foot to close her car door, and carried her to my door. A cream envelope taped to the door came into view as I walked around the side of the house. Luna pulled it off the door and slipped it into my back pocket for me.
Once we were inside, I positioned her on the couch and made her a snack. We sat in silence while she ate, then I resumed our conversation. "If you could do anything you wanted for work, what would it be?"
"I don't know." Her hands fiddled with the hem of her shirt.
"Don't think about money because I make more than enough for both of us." I kissed her nose, lingering for a few seconds to rub my cheek against hers. "Think about something you'd enjoy doing."
"I'd like to do more of
the speed dating events." Her words sent heated jealousy through me. She must have seen the expression on my face because she quickly clarified. "Not for me. I feel our mate bond. I know that means you are the one and only fated to be with me, but my friends don't have that. When they go home at night, they wonder if they'll ever be lucky enough to find their soulmate, and it's even worse for them since they know its happening to everyone but them. It's why we formed the group in the first place."
I thought about it for a bit, knowing other shifters like Jaden felt the same way. It only took a second for me to decide. "Then that's what you'll do. I'll support you anyway I can, just tell me what you need and I'll make it happen."
"Felix, you can't be serious. Hosting events isn't cheap."
"If it makes you happy, I'd pay anything. Besides, you could set up a cover charge. Plenty of shifters would be willing to pay for the chance to meet their mate."
"Thank you." Luna wrapped her arms around me, giving me the hottest kiss of my life. My fingers tangled into her hair, keeping her in place. Her hands slid down my sides until I heard the crackle of paper folding. When she pulled away, I let her leave my embrace.
Pulling the cream envelope from my back pocket, I winked at her as I opened it. Unfolding the paper inside, a heavy weight sank into my gut. It was from the Northwestern Shifter Council.
* * *
Mr. and Mrs. Fox,
This notice serves as your only warning. Events such as the one tonight at Wolfsbane are expressly forbidden. Our kind has taken numerous steps to keep our society secret from the human public, and tonight put that at risk. You will immediately cease and desist any future public events unless you've applied for and received a permit. Failure to comply will result in immediate arrest.
Sincerely,
Zandia
* * *
"What does it say?" Luna's sweet voice eased me from my furious spiral.
"Don't worry about it mate." I folded it up, but she snatched it out of my hand before I could react. She read it quickly.
"What the hell are we supposed to do now?"
8
"Wait, did you just say pups?"
I went over the notice several times, looking for a loophole before it slapped me in the face. "It said 'immediately cease and desist any future public events'."
"Yeah…" Luna moved closer, her side flush with mine.
"It doesn't say anything about private events." Her finger ran over the words as she read under her breath. "All we have to do is make the next event invite only and hold it on private property, and we should be clear."
"Do you really think we can get away with that?"
"Maybe, but even if they shut it down, we have a decent argument. The council likes to take rules literally instead of how they were intended. If nothing else, we could get one more event before we'd have to get real creative."
"You're a genius. When can we start?"
"I only have one condition, you have to complete the mating ritual with me before arranging an event for unmated males. I'd probably get arrested by the council for killing every male that tried to get your attention."
"It's a deal. I know this mate thing is new, but I can feel the bond already and wouldn't change it. I sought you out, remember?"
"Oh, I'll never forget." The memory of Luna straddling my lap while blindfolded sent a wave of desire through me.
"I just don't know how to do the claiming."
I smiled at her words. I got off the couch and spread her knees so I could kneel between them. "Well, first you have to accept the claiming in front of another shifter which you did at Wolfsbane." I trailed my hands up her thighs, loving the soft gasp of desire that came from her lips. "So all that's left is actually mating which means we both have to initiate sex one time each as a sign of mutual consent, then a third time completes the bond."
Instead of responding, Luna grabbed my head and gave me a deep kiss. Her teeth nipped at my bottom lip, begging me to give her more access. I loved how she went for what she wanted. The kiss deepened as I slid my hands under her Artemis tunic until I cupped her breasts through her bra. She gasped into my mouth the moment my thumb slid under the fabric, teasing her taut nipple. I needed to taste her. Pulling her tunic up, I unhooked her bra, and licked the tempting pink bud. The sounds she made as I played with her made me rock hard. Her hands held me in place as she begged for more.
Sucking a nipple into my mouth, I gently rolled it between my lips, pulling a bit until her breathing grew deeper. My hands grabbed her shorts and slipped them down her legs. Her panties came off with them, leaving her gorgeous and bare. I pulled back, admiring every inch of her.
"I have to admit, having half of my soul as a bat, there is one desire I can't seem to hold back."
"What's that?"
"I want to taste you, to lick you for hours until you can't hold back your orgasm for a second later. I need to feel your legs wrapped around my head while you scream my name." She made a strangled noise. "Luna, please let me taste you. I'm dying to find out if you're sweeter than the nectar from my favorite flower."
Instead of responding, her hand pushed my head toward her pussy. Hooking my hands behind her knees, I pulled her closer until her ass sat on the edge of the couch. Fingers sliding along the inside of her thighs, she sighed as they neared their destination. Pushing them apart, I saw just how wet she was.
Leaning forward, I ran my tongue between her lips, the delicious nectar of her filling my senses and exploding in my mouth. Oh gods, she tasted so sweet. I slipped my tongue inside of her, taking a few minutes to fuck her with it. Moving back to her clit, I sucked and pulled on it until her hips began to thrust against me. Her fingers clutched my hair, holding me exactly where she wanted me. I slipped a finger and then two into her hot core while my tongue continued to bring her closer to bliss. Her walls clenched around my fingers as she teetered on the edge.
I couldn't wait… I needed to feel her pleasure as she came in my mouth with her legs wrapped around my head. Next time, I promised myself, I'd lick her for hours. Right now, I needed to mark my claim on her. Increasing my rhythm, her body tensed before her fingers dug deeper into my hair. She rode my face until the shivers of her orgasm subsided.
Now I needed to hear her pleasure. Sucking on her clit, I reached down and released my cock, letting my pants fall to the floor. Giving her one last long lick, I raised up on my knees. Luna's gaze went to my hardness as she bit her lip. I stroked myself a few times, gently squeezing below the head until a drop of liquid beaded up. Glancing back at her, I watched her lick her lips.
"You want to taste me, like I've tasted you. I can see it in your eyes."
"Please."
Using my thumb to wipe the liquid off, I held it out for her to taste. Luna's eyes closed as she licked the drop off the pad of my thumb. A low moan preceded her sucking my thumb into her mouth. Bless the old gods and the new, she was a dirty girl, and I loved it. She liked how I tasted. After a moment, I rubbed the tip against her wetness, then sank my length into her warm wet pussy. Her body only needed a few seconds to adjust to my size before she started rocking against me. Grasping her hips, I stopped her movement.
"Felix, please. Please give me more. I'm going to die if you don't fuck me right now."
"Patience my demanding little mate."
Luna grabbed at my hands, trying to get out of my hold, but I wouldn't let her. Instead, I wrapped an arm around her back, pulling her against my chest. In one smooth motion, I lifted her then sat on the couch with her straddling me. She spent a second positioning her legs and grabbed onto the back of the couch before she ground into me. Clenching her hips, I pushed her to ride me faster. Gods, her breasts were seductive bouncing in my face. Sucking a nipple into my mouth, I slipped my thumb between us until I found her clit again. Matching up her thrusts with my movements, I felt her walls clench around my cock.
"That's it mate, ride me until you find your own pleasure. I'll join you afterwards."
Luna's head fell back as her orgasm tightened around me. Wrapping my free arm around her waist, I held her tight while I pounded into her. Her cries of pleasure turned to screams as I pushed her further into bliss. Seconds later, I roared my own pleasure as my balls tightened. My cock jerked as I filled her with my essence. I felt our mate bond strengthen from our joining. She finally made me feel something. I didn't need the mating bond to know I loved this female and wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. Oh, and she sure was sweeter than the nectar from a Spider Flower.
Luna jerked in my arms. "Did you just call my girl parts a spider flower?"
"I didn't say that!"
"I heard it, so you must have." I thought over the words, confident they never left my lips.
"Felix?"
"Yes mate?" She could ask anything of me right now and I'd do it, even though I didn't want to leave the warmth of her body.
"Am I hearing your thoughts?"
I rubbed my beard against her breasts before I answered. "It's possible. Some mates develop the ability to feel each other's emotions, and if the couple nurtures their mate bond, in rare cases it can evolve into thoughts."
"But I just heard yours."
Hopeful in his heart, he sent his thoughts to her. That's because the gods knew we were perfect for each other, so they blessed us with the strongest of mate bonds. I rubbed my hand on Luna's belly, dreaming about the pups that would soon grow there.
"Wait, did you just say pups?" The look of shock on her face was adorable.
"They'll be in human form while they're in your womb."
"Then I can't wait to have your pups!"
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