His chuckle of amusement gave Serena her answer before she got her question out. “They’re wolves, baby.” He opened his door, exited the vehicle, and walked around to her side, opening her door. “It’s okay, the only one who bites is me.”
Serena took the hand he offered, letting Connor pull her off the seat. He closed the door behind her, then caught her by surprise when he pushed her up against it with his body.
“I need a bite now,” he grumbled, taking her lips with his. His kiss was hot and needy, his lips moving over her mouth until she let his tongue slip between her lips. They both moaned.
Wolves howled in the distance, causing Connor to smile against Serena’s mouth. He gently took her bottom lip between his teeth, giving it a tug. Her breath caught, her nipples turned hard, and her pussy began to buzz. His hands glided around her body to cup her bottom, and he pulled her up sharply against his cock.
“You make me so damned hot,” he whispered into the night.
“What do you think you do to me?” Serena asked softly. “Until you the most important thing in my life was my work. Now all I want to do is…” She stopped abruptly.
Connor thrust his hard-on against her. “Say it,” he demanded with a low growl. “I want to hear the words on your pretty lips.”
Serena laughed nervously. “All I want to do is fuck you.” She ended the comment with a breathy whisper.
Connor lost control and kissed her roughly, grinding his cock against her. The sound of wolves could be heard, getting closer, but Serena wasn’t afraid. She felt safe with Connor, and instinct told her that the wolves weren’t a threat.
“Damn!” Connor swore, pulling away and leaning his forehead against hers. “You’ve got me so messed up inside.”
“Hey, you two!” A laughing female voice called out from the front door. “Are you coming inside or do you want us to bring dinner out to you?”
Connor chuckled, kissed Serena on the nose, and pulled back with a sigh. “We’ll finish this later.” He took her by the hand and turned toward the house.
Serena’s first impression of Rose, as she stood in the doorway with her arms crossed and a knowing smile on her face, was that she looked like an angel. The light she was standing beneath cast a halo type glow over her platinum locks and pale complexion. Serena wasn’t able to see her face clearly until they were closer, and then she was able to see how truly beautiful Rose was.
She had a pixie look about her, very petite, but curvy, in an elegant one-piece jumpsuit. The welcoming smile on her face revealed dimples at the corners of her full mouth, and a flickering twinkle in her blue eyes.
Brief introductions were made, and then they were walking into a warm house filled with the teasing aroma of something delicious. “Serena, I wasn’t sure if you were a meat eater or not so I made meatless lasagna.”
Serena was thankful of her consideration. “That was very nice of you. I am a vegetarian, but I do eat fish.” She didn’t miss the amused glances exchanged between Max and Connor. “Can I do anything to help?”
“Nope, everything is done. Should we enjoy a glass of wine before dinner?” Rose asked. She was tiny next to Max.
“How about you ladies enjoy some wine while we boys have a glass of something stronger?”
“I like the sound of that,” Connor added.
He and Max went straight to a corner bar, while Rose led Serena to the sofa. “You have a beautiful place.”
Rose laughed as she sat down. “Thank you. I can’t take the credit, most of it was done before I came into the picture. This was Max’s family home.”
“Here you go ladies.” Max handed them each a glass of wine. “We should probably eat soon if Connor and I are going to have time for a run.”
“Yeah, it’s bad enough we’re not going to have any meat for dinner. Don’t want to miss running with the others,” Connor joked.
“I saw them out there.” Rose took a sip of her wine. “They’ll wait.”
Serena sensed that they weren’t talking about jogging. Her gaze lingered on Connor as he drank from a tumbler. God, the man was dangerously sexy! His jeans were just tight enough to show the outline of his muscular thighs, and taut backside. His pullover sweater looked as though it had been poured over his hard body.
He gave her a smile and a wink when their gazes met. She smiled in response and then teased him by wetting her lips with the tip of her tongue. Connor’s grin disappeared and his eyes darkened as they narrowed on her mouth.
“I don’t know how much longer Connor can wait.” Max’s joking tone held a grain of truth to it. Serena couldn’t help but notice the amused look the two men exchanged.
Apparently Rose noticed it too. “You wolves!” She placed her hand on Serena’s to gain her attention away from Connor. “Next to sex the most important thing to them is the run.” She turned her gaze to Max. “And God help you if they don’t get either.”
Serena got the impression that she was talking from experience. Rose and Max held a lingering look. It was clear the two loved each other very much.
“God help the woman caught in the middle of that,” Max said after a while, gaining a soft laugh from Rose.
“Would you two like to finish this conversation in the bedroom?” Connor joked, downing the rest of his drink.
“Maybe later,” Rose replied, rising to her feet. She glanced down at Serena. “Come on, honey, let’s feed the beasts, and while they run we’ll become better acquainted.”
Serena got to her feet and they all followed Rose to the dining room. The harvest style table was set with a simple kind of elegance. A huge covered dish sat in the middle of the table, a basket of rolls on one side and a huge salad on the other. As she and Connor were seated by their hostess, Max poured wine for him and Connor. Serena shook her head no when he indicated adding more to her glass.
It was clear that the men had one thing on their mind during dinner, and that was to eat and then get outside to run. Conversation was kept at a minimum, and Serena and Rose found themselves talking to one another as if they were the only ones at the table. It amused Serena, seeing this side of Connor. He and Max were like little boys who couldn’t eat fast enough in order to get outside and play again.
At one time Connor glanced up from his plate and caught Serena’s gaze. The warmth in his smiling eyes flooded her, and she knew it was meant as much for her as it was for his anticipated run. Why had he waited until now, if he liked it so much?
“Rose, that was the best vegetarian lasagna I’ve ever eaten,” Serena praised as she finally pushed her plate away. She meant it. Rose had loaded it with fresh mushrooms, spinach, yellow squash, onions, and tomato.
“Thank you.” She shot Max and Connor a smug look. “All of the ingredients came out of my garden.” She placed her napkin over her plate.
“Since you lovely ladies are finished I think we men will head out.” They both rose to their feet and surprised Serena by taking up their plates and glasses and walking to what she assumed was the kitchen.
When they returned it was obvious that they weren’t going to linger. Max gave Rose a brief kiss. “Be careful, love.”
“Always,” he answered back.
Serena glanced at Connor, feeling a little nervous and a lot curious at what was about to happen. For all their talk about being wolves, she had yet to see anyone change their forms. It occurred to her that until that happened, she would remain skeptical.
As if reading her mind Connor said, “Do you think you’re ready to see me in my wolf form?”
Serena didn’t know how to respond to that. Without warning, movies she’d seen began to flash through her mind. Little Red Riding Hood, An American Werewolf in London, the Twilight series. She smiled to herself, never expecting in her wildest dreams to discover that werewolves truly existed.
She rose to her feet, as did Rose. “As long as you promise not to bite me.”
“Awe, but, sweetheart,” Connor winked, “I’ve already bitten you.”
>
Max’s brows shot up, and he and Rose exchanged a knowing look. “Then–”
“Not yet.” Connor cut Max off before he could finish what he’d been about to say. “Soon, though.” He brushed the back of his hand across Serena’s cheek, holding her gaze. “Come outside.” He chuckled. “Rose has rules against wolves in the house.”
Oh, God! Put like that, Serena wasn’t sure she wanted to see what was about to happen. Nevertheless, she followed Connor and Max outside anyway, thankful that Rose was also there. She didn’t know Rose that well yet, but Serena knew the other woman had been an outsider, too.
They stepped out onto the porch, the door slamming shut behind them. Connor kissed Serena tenderly, barely rubbing his lips over hers. It was so unlike the many other kisses they’d shared, yet her senses went into instant overdrive, recognizing her mate was claiming her in more ways than one. He pulled back almost reluctantly.
“I haven’t gone out in awhile, I don’t know when I’ll be back. Rose–” Connor looked over to where Rose was standing.
“Don’t worry,” she began, smiling in the face of his concern. “I set the guest room up just in case.”
He nodded, and then took a deep breath, making eye contact with Max. Without words, the two men walked down the porch steps, and without hesitation they both shot forward into the air. Before their feet touched the ground again their bodies had morphed into huge, beautiful wolves, their clothes left behind on the ground.
Chapter 11
Serena caught her breath, her eyes rounding with disbelief and mild shock. What she was witnessing before her eyes went beyond rational thought and explanation, yet she couldn’t explain it away. She’d actually witnessed two men turning into wolves. As soon as she saw the huge silver wolf, she knew that Connor was the one who’d saved her from the wolf attack the few nights before. Even though he’d admitted as much earlier, a part of her had remained skeptical.
Serena was vaguely aware that Rose had taken hold of her hand and was leading her toward one of the porch chairs. She let Rose direct her down into it without protest, her eyes glued to the rapidly disappearing wolves as they joined their waiting friends into the darkness. Then the night was filled with the sounds of howling and shrieking, until that too faded away in the black void beyond.
Serena shivered and glanced at Rose, returning her understanding smile. Inhaling deeply, she slowly shook her head. “I can’t believe what I just saw.”
Rose laughed softly. “It’s the same reaction I had the first time I saw Max, only I watched him change from a wolf into a man. You’ll get used to it.”
“How? When everything I’ve ever known about fairytales and myths tells me that werewolves are fiction and not fact?”
“I know it’s hard to take in, but doesn’t this explain some of the changes that you’ve been going through? The strong sexual urges and how intensely you and Connor are drawn to one another?” Serena looked at Rose, wondering how she knew that. “Max and Connor are best friends, they talk. Max talks to me.”
“Connor has said a lot of things to me, which I’m now thinking must be true considering the fact that he just changed into a wolf in front of me.”
“I know this is all new to you. I invited you here not only to get to know you, but to help you if you need me. I came from the outside too, and even though you were born Connor’s mate, you weren’t raised with the knowledge and beliefs of the culture as they were.”
Serena stared at Rose, almost afraid to ask what she was thinking. “Are you a werewolf?”
“Yes. You can’t live in Savage Hills and not be a wolf. I wasn’t born a wolf, though. Max turned me.”
“How?”
“With a bite during mating. That’s when their wolf wants to make itself known, but the man is trying to keep him away. And speaking of that, hasn’t Connor bitten you?”
Serena nodded. “Yes, just a small nip and it healed almost instantly.”
“It doesn’t take much. It won’t be long now and he’ll encourage your wolf to come out. I’m thinking the only reason he hasn’t taken you with him on a run is because you must be in heat.”
Serena laughed. “You mean Max didn’t tell you that?”
It was Rose’s turn to chuckle. “When a female goes into heat it’s hard to resist and can cause trouble among the males, especially if they don’t have a mate. It’s best to stay away.”
“Remove temptation?” Serena joked.
“Exactly,” Rose agreed. “Now I understand why Max was so wolfy after coming home from visiting Connor with you there.” The distant howl of a lone wolf caused them both to look toward the forest surrounding the house. “Huh, someone must have arrived late and is looking for the rest of the pack.” Rose turned back to Serena. “Wait until you go on your first run. There’s something magical about running through forests and mountains at high speed.”
Serena couldn’t imagine experiencing those things as a wolf, but something inside her yearned to be set free. What would it be like running alongside Connor? She found the thought stimulating.
“Would you like another glass of wine, or a cup of coffee?”
“No, nothing, thanks.” She tried to stifle a yawn, wondering what time it was. “I’m sorry. Wine makes me sleepy, and it’s so relaxing here.”
“Don’t apologize,” Rose was quick to say. “I suppose Connor didn’t warn you that you might be sleeping over. Sometimes they don’t come back until the early morning hours.” Serena shook her head, and Rose made a clicking sound of mild annoyance. “Men!”
“I don’t have much experience with men,” Serena admitted. “I’ve been so focused on my work. I was ecstatic when offered the position of lead veterinarian at the sanctuary.”
“Was?”
“I still am. My work is very important to me.”
“And Connor? I know you haven’t known him for very long.”
Serena thought about it for a moment. The image of them making love turned her blood warm. She had nothing to compare it to, but her sexual experience with Connor was hot, perfect, and thoroughly satisfying. It wasn’t one-sided, as she’d heard some of her girlfriends back home complain. They enjoyed each other’s bodies, and seeing to each other’s pleasure seemed vital.
In spite of their intense physical need for each other, Serena had to admit that there was something emotional going on, too. She felt a connection to Connor that went deeper than she could explain.
“Serena–”
Rose’s soft tone pulled Serena out of her musings, reminding her that Rose was waiting for an answer. “I was just think–”
“Serena.” Something in Rose’s voice and in the way she suddenly held herself brought a frown to Serena’s face. Something was wrong. “I want you to move casually to the door, like nothing is wrong, and go inside.”
Serena glanced around but didn’t see anything that would cause the concern that she detected in Rose’s tone. “What–”
Rose cut her off. “If I tell you to run, run like hell and don’t look back until you’re safely inside.”
That didn’t sound good. Serena was glad the door was only a few feet away. They both got up at the same time, but Serena was conscious that Rose’s movements were slower, as if she were placing herself between Serena and some unseen danger. The darkness surrounding the house was frightening. As Serena pulled the screen door open, Rose was suddenly behind her, pushing them into the house and slamming the door behind them.
“What’s wrong?” Serena watched Rose open a cleverly disguised panel next to the door, and quickly punch several keys. She couldn’t identify the slight noise that followed her actions, only that it was coming from outside the house.
“We were being watched,” Rose explained, closing the panel door. “I saw the shine of eyes at the end of the porch, just beyond the darkness. Then I caught his scent.”
“Was it a wolf?”
“Yes.” There was no hesitation in her reply. “A wolf I couldn’t ident
ify. But don’t worry, we’re safe now. The windows have retractable security bars and I just lowered them.”
Clive? Serena shivered, recalling how savage he’d been in his determination to get to her. Knowing he’d been exiled from Savage Hills didn’t comfort her, as she was sure it had been meant to do. If anything it worried her more. He already wanted to hurt her, and being banned because of her had probably only fueled his rage.
“I hope Connor’s cabin has them,” she commented after a while.
“It’s not often the bars are needed. Occasionally a werewolf from another area will wander through Savage Hills on the way home. Unlike fifty years ago, before the truce, he would have been chased off our territory. I just lowered the bars because the guys are gone, and it doesn’t hurt to take precautions.”
Serena couldn’t agree more. She hid another yawn behind her hand.
Rose smiled, catching it. “Come on, let me show you to your room. I have a nightgown you can borrow, too. I swear, what was Connor thinking? I know it’s been a while since he and Max have gone running from here, but when they do more times than not he crashes here for a few hours before heading home. He should have thought to mention that to you.”
Rose sounded like a mother hen as they walked up the stairs. “I think he was preoccupied,” Serena mumbled without thinking.
Rose halted halfway up the stairs and turned to give Serena a knowing smile. “I’m sure you both were. Don’t forget, I have my own werewolf. I know how sexual in nature they are.”
The bedroom she led Serena to looked like something you’d find in a Victorian bed and breakfast. The furniture was dark Victorian against the backdrop of walls painted a rich cream color. The bed was high off the ground, its overstuffed mattress covered with beautiful cream-colored linen decorated with tiny red roses. Except for a set of French doors, there were no windows.
It was a beautiful room, decorated tastefully with a mixture of old and new. Her gaze touched on the heavily framed oil paintings, wondering who the people in them were. One in particular bore a striking resemblance to Max, only his clothing indicated that it had been painted in a different era.
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