“Put your hands on the bed rails, and leave them there,” she ordered, still moving against him. “When you do, I’ll ride you. I’ll make love to you. Call it an act of faith,” she finished softly. Her eyes glowed again, the rich, warm gold.
Taking his courage in both hands, he did as she ordered, but he closed his eyes.
“Open your eyes, darling. See how much I enjoy touching you,” she said and followed it up by swirling her fingers over his nipples.
He opened his eyes, and keeping her eyes focused on his, she leaned down, tongued first one nipple then the other, and his cock jumped in response. The tension built in him as she kissed her way up, and he watched as her mouth came closer and closer. When her lips met his, wild abandonment replaced the gentleness of before. Her lower body undulated against him, and his cock glided through her juices across her clit and back. Faster she started rocking, and their tongues met, thrashing against each other in the same movement as her hips.
Her hands met his on the rails, and she laced her fingers through his at the same time she arched her hips so that his cock entered her on the down stroke.
He groaned against her mouth as her tight sheath clenched around him. With each movement, she pushed herself farther onto him until he’d fully impaled her. Then she sat back more so that his cock went in even farther, and just moving her hips while still holding his hands on the railing, she rocked his world.
Back and forth, her hips moved over his dick, her hands clenching his. Her breathing quickened, and his followed suit. The look of love combined with lust caused a welling of the joy he’d felt earlier until he thought he’d burst with it. Faster she rocked, little short sounds of pleasure emanating from her. The faster she went, the quicker her bursts of mewls came out. All at once, she called out, and her pussy clenched his cock, shattering the last bit of reluctance.
He clenched his ass cheeks and surged upward into her, and she moaned louder. She used his hand and the railing for leverage and moved her pussy straight up then back down, her juices slicking the way. He groaned loudly. Slowly she moved, up and back, then more rapidly until she bounced up and down on him, her breasts shaking.
His pleasure became so intense at the sights and sensations roaring through him that he took his hands off the railing, put them under her ass, and met her thrust for thrust. Now her grunts became louder and stronger. After making her come again, he moved his hands to her breasts, gently rolling and pinching the nipples. Lance put one hand around to her back and pulled her closer. Lifting himself partway, his mouth latched on to her nipple and sucked, still rocking in her.
Again her mewling sounds of pleasure hitched up in tempo and pitch. He slid one hand down between their bodies and found her clit and stroked. Round and round in the little circles he’d used earlier. Her pussy started clenching again.
“Yes, Lisa, yes,” he groaned, losing her nipple as his focus moved to his throbbing cock. “I’m close this time. Please, baby,” he begged.
Their bodies slapped together as both of them closed their eyes—first her, then he joined her. “Lance, please. Come for me,” she whispered.
Those words ignited the last bundle of resistance until it had burned to ashes, and he lost himself in her, in her love, her warmth, her body. Crying out, he put both his arms around her and drew her in so their bodies touched everywhere he could make them touch.
One pump, two, and he couldn’t move, couldn’t think—just spilled his seed into his mate as the hardest orgasm he’d ever felt ripped through him. Her cries echoed his, and they slumped together on the bed. Lethargic, but remembering someone might come down, he pulled the blankets up. Later he’d get dressed. For now, he just wanted to hold his aswan, his miracle.
“So that’s what I’ve been missing,” she said with a little laugh. “I guess neither one of our loads of baggage can stop us, can they?”
“No, the baggage isn’t going to stop us.” Affectionately, he stroked her hair. “I always thought you were a beautiful wolf. Now I see you’re also a gorgeous woman with a bright light for a soul. I’m fortunate that one such as you is my mate.”
In response, she snuggled up to him. “Damn right you are. Now let me get some sleep,” she said then yawned. “But don’t think you’re off the hook. We have to figure something out. I’m not living the rest of my life, or even a significant amount of time, under a microscope like a bug or hiding from my duties.”
He groaned. “I thought women liked to cuddle after these things.”
“We do. I am. Doesn’t mean I’ve lost my ability to think,” she said and winked at him.
“You might not have, but I did. We’ll talk more later. Just go to sleep.”
Her eyelids fluttered again then stayed shut. A fierce sense of loyalty went through him. She was worth waiting for, fighting for, even dying for. Now he knew she was worth living for. A plan started forming that would get her away from the hospital. Now to get Nolan’s approval.
Chapter Eighteen
“You want to take her to a city and hide?” Nolan said incredulously.
Lisa didn’t blame him as she could hardly credit the idea, either. But Lance had insisted that it was the only way to give her some freedom and keep her safe.
“It’s Lance’s idea,” she volunteered. “I’m worried about our pregnant females.”
“As am I,” Lance said. “But all your regulars can wait to see you for a few weeks. Or we can make surprise visits, house calls if you will, and check on them. But it would have to be kept secret.”
Part of her wanted to pout and push for a return to normalcy, but a part of her thrilled at the idea of being alone with him, away from what they knew, their responsibilities, the pack. And, it would give them a chance to get to know each other more.
“They’d expect us to go into hiding in the restricted areas,” Lance explained.
Lisa saw Nolan and Alex both nodding, and exchange a look. They couldn’t be seriously considering Lance’s idea?
“I can’t be away from the mothers,” she argued again. “And what of my duties as Elite Guard?”
“And what of your gift?” Alex said softly. “What if others try to harm you or kidnap you because of your gift? These are not normal times. Lance is right. We need to hide you. You can visit the women. Don’t tell anyone but Nolan or I when or where.”
“When the time is right, we’ll bring you back,” Nolan added. “Until then, take this chance to love and laugh. Lance needs it as much as you do. And,” he said, raising his hand as she started to protest, “Roxy wants him dead as well. He played an integral part in helping me win. He used his visions and her power against her, and she fully realizes it. You saw a taste of her in the clearing. You can protect him, and he can protect you, as is proper for mates.”
“What do I tell my parents?” As much as she’d like to be alone with Lance, all of this overwhelmed her.
“Tell them you are on a retreat or at a conference or something, but don’t tell them until you’re on your way out of town. How often do you speak to them now?”
“About once a month. They don’t understand why I haven’t married yet,” she said quietly. “It’s about time to do the daughterly thing again.”
“Perfect. You can introduce them to Lance then head out of town.”
“But—but—” she sputtered.
Then she looked down as Lance’s hand enfolded hers. “Is it so bad, the idea of being alone with me? Are you afraid of me?” he asked.
His words crushed the remaining rebelliousness. “Yes, I am. Afraid of what you make me feel. I’ve ran from it so long that I was doing it again without realizing it. I’m sorry. Of course, I’ll go into hiding with you.”
“Then it’s settled,” Nolan said. “Only Alex and I will know where you’re at. Here’s where I want you to go.”
Lisa listened as Nolan gave Lance an address—why did he have one?—and directions, but part of her pondered it all. With everyone having stronger powers than
the pack could remember for the past century, did that mean there was something big in the horizon? Were the pack’s survival instincts kicking those old powers into gear because they were needed again? Or had the packs just become indolent and lazy, the gifts there all along?
“Just one more thing,” Lance said, suddenly turning to her. “While in the city, let’s get married. Just a civil ceremony at first and a grand formal wedding when this is over—whatever this is.”
She stared at him. What?
His face became darker as he flushed, and she smiled. “I’ve gotten ahead of myself. I’m so sorry, Lisa.” His eyes closed then opened again.
The smile that flashed across her face was missed by him, but she couldn’t help it. That he had flustered himself, told her it meant more than words to him. By the time his eyes were open again, she’d controlled the smile. Let him squirm a bit.
He took her left hand in his right then knelt before her. The tears started coming before she’d even realized it. “Lisa Marie Sanchez, will you be my wife in this crazy werewolf life? I can’t promise to be perfect or to give you the world, but I can promise to love you every minute of every day. To show you that love and protect you with the best of my ability. I promise never to abandon you, to be by your side through the good and the bad. Will you marry me?”
With his other hand, he pulled a jeweler’s box out of his pocket. “I’ve had this hidden. I bought it when I met you the first time. I don’t know if it’ll fit, but...” He let go of her hand to get the ring. “I’ve had it inscribed on the outside. It says, ‘For my Hope. Always.’ The jeweler thought your name was hope. I couldn’t tell him I didn’t know your name, but I just knew you were the one.”
“I—”She tried to speak past the tears but had to swallow a couple more times. “I will.” And the tears flowed, and she sobbed in happiness. When she remembered Nolan and Alex and looked to see their reactions, they were both beaming at her and Lance.
“My family is traditional. You will have to be a part of a huge Catholic wedding, and do the priest counseling, the whole bit. Are you sure about this?” she asked of him.
“I will do whatever it is you want, not what your family wants. If you want to do it that way, then I am all yours.”
“I like the sound of that,” she said shyly. Why the shyness overwhelmed her now when they already had carnal knowledge of each other, God only knew.
“Good. Then it’s settled,” Alex said with a clap of her hands. “Let us know when you’ve reached your destination and when the nuptials take place. There will be a huge celebration here when the two of you are ready.”
Lisa felt her smile stretch and would have sworn from the way she felt that her teeth had to be shining bright like a television commercial. All of a sudden, it felt less like running in fear and more like going on vacation.
There was a little more talk about the details then she and Lance left. First to her house to pack, then to the store to get a few items, then to her parent’s house. She didn’t know what the future held, but she would be glad of showing her parents that she’d moved on. They knew something bad had happened with Joseph—whose name they knew, but not the details—and had worried over her.
The wedding announcement would have to wait until later as her parents would be upset if they announced it at the same time they met him, but not long. No, not long, she grinned again. Things would work themselves out, and whatever political intrigue was going on between the packs, she figured they’d all forget about her. After all, she was just an aswan. How important could they possibly think her to be?
***
“I hope we’re right about this,” Alex said anxiously. Since she’d been a child, she’d had a soft spot for Lance.
“It’s the best way, but I don’t know if there’s a good way.” The grim line of his lips told her as much as his grave voice that the situation didn’t make him happy.
“What she did in the clearing...” Alex trailed off. It had been one of the most incredible—and scary—nights of her life. Joseph’s life blood oozing into the ground, the red haze she swore she saw in people’s minds, then Lisa and the miracle.
“Miracle is the right word,” he said, hearing her thoughts, as usual. “And did you feel the evil in the air? I didn’t get a good look at who was with Roxy as they’d been fleeing to the trees, but I have a bad feeling. And the clearing? I checked it out again.”
“Damn it, Nolan, why? You should have taken someone.” Would he ever realize how much he meant to her? What would happen if she lost him, particularly while her mother was missing?
“I took Kamiakin, Moriah, and one of our pack members from tribal police. Joseph’s death had to be addressed.”
“Oh.” That deflated her. Of course it did. “What did tribal say?”
“That Joseph shouldn’t have been out alone in the middle of winter with no protection. Wolves and wildcats get hungry.”
“I see.” At least it wouldn’t lead back to pack.
“Then he said, looks a lot like what killed your pregnant weres. I think it should be added to your serial killer’s numbers.”
“What?” That was major news to her.
“Somehow, during the fight, someone clawed him over the knife wounds. Which helps confirm a human is involved with the serial killings, although it was assumed before. By human, I mean non-animal. I always knew it was a were.”
“What does that mean for the packs?”
“It means, we’re going to have the FBI involved. And soon. When this report is filed by tribal, a case will be opened. Plus, he’s bringing in the FBI officially before that.”
“He who?”
“Matt Turok. It’ll help catch Roxy. She forgoed pack justice and will either be killed during a fight or incarcerated under human laws. That makes this sticky as hell for all of us in law enforcement.”
“Matt’s a fair guy. But bringing in the FBI could expose the pack.” Alex didn’t want to imagine their lives if it became open hunting season on weres.
“We have no choice. Roxy did this when she decided to go on her killing spree to bring me low. And the worst part is, from the rumors I’m hearing in law enforcement and what we see in the were chat rooms and other places, the were community is split as to what should be done and if Roxy is in the wrong or not.”
Alex sucked in air in astonishment. How could they be split? The killing of pregnant weres should have been an automatic death sentence for Roxy. “I don’t understand.”
“Some are using this to create their own power and agendas and go back to the old ways. I should have killed Roxy after the first one. That I didn’t, makes me look weak.”
“You can’t seriously believe that. You weren’t even sure after the first one. You can’t go around killing lupas on suspicions.”
“I don’t believe it. It’s what’s being said. There are too many in the were community who want power. There’s even more of them tired of having to hide from the humans, and the ones who want the power are using the latter sentiment to get the former.”
“Oh shit, honey,” she said and walked into his arms. “What are we going to do?”
His arms came around her and the comfort she always felt with him seeped into her. “Try to catch Roxy before this all blows up in our face. Hopefully, that’ll make the other stuff die down as well. Otherwise, we’re going to end up with a war on our soil. And one that can’t be hidden from the humans,” he said then kissed the top of her head.
“That’s what I’m afraid of.” She touched her stomach a moment before returning her arm to holding onto Nolan. She’d wanted to try to have kids. But with Roxy still at large, she didn’t need to provide herself as the next target of those killing pregnant weres. Nor did she need to be unable to shift with all the trouble in their area. “I want to get married. Have a kid or three.” Tears were near the surface. Wasn’t it enough that she’d lost her mother? Did she have to lose her chance to have children as well?
“We
’ll find your mom, love. I promise.”
This in-and-out of each other’s minds made for interesting conversations. And sometimes made things easier as she didn’t have to explain what was in her heart. “I know you will, but will it be in time?”
Chapter Nineteen
Lisa nervously wiped her hands on her long overskirt. Although she’d not been back to a con since being betrayed by Joseph, she’d kept the clothing. And today she’d worn some of it. Today, she felt it represented who she was and that she could accept being a part of the supernatural community. So the leather, medieval-style vest with black leggings completed her semi-goth, semi-period outfit. Her parents were used to her wearing these clothes. Maybe it would help them see she was happy. Still, the butterflies in her stomach wouldn’t go away.
Lance took hold of her hand. “It’ll be fine,” he said.
“It’s just—” she started.
“Shhh.” He kissed her softly on her cheeks then her lips. “It’s just a lot of things, but through all of them, we’ll face it together.”
She grinned. This love that grew within her felt so good, so rich. And to have it returned by one with the courage and heart of Lance? That was something better than any fairy tale.
Before she could say anything else, the door opened.
“Lisa!” Her mom’s excited squeal and rush of Spanish endearments caused guilt to well up. Why had she let herself pull away from her family so much? Werewolf or not, they were her family and loved her even though she was more different than they could imagine.
“Momma,” she cried, tears of joy, fear, and love flowed freely.
Her mom pulled back, her petite but strong hands holding Lisa’s shoulders. “What is it, child?”
“I, there’s so much. First, can we come in? I’d like to introduce my fiancé to the family.” Her smile widened at the look of happiness on her mom’s face.
“Oh blessed be,” she said, then more rapid-fire Spanish.
Lisa looked over to see how Lance fared, but she needn’t have worried. He smiled at both her and her mother and nodded his approval.
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