“My wolf wants to touch you.”
Laughing huskily, he kissed her.
His taste and the texture of his mouth made her want more.
With a frustrated groan, he lifted her and placed her back on the couch beside him. “Dominique will be here in a few minutes.” He took a moment to control his breathing and then continued. “I’m sorry you cannot go with me to the challenge. I will declare you my mate after I kill Zeb. The bond won’t completely seal until we join our bodies but that is for us and not the pack.” He looked intently into her eyes. “I am leaving a key to the door with Dom. I will not trap you inside but I’m asking you to stay here. The challenge cannot be broken. If it is, the challenger has a right to fight the wolf responsible. You’re not ready for a fight and I want you safe.”
There was a soft knock on the door and Brandt rose to let Dominique into the room. She was carrying a large bag with handles. Casting Emily a shy smile, she took the sack into the kitchen.
Brandt took Emily’s hand and guided her into the bedroom. Once there, his movements showed a single minded purpose. He removed his t-shirt and sweatpants then put on a pair of faded jeans that hung low on his hips. The muscles on his arms bulged and his chest undulated with his movements.
His eyes were almost black when he turned her way. Suddenly, his mouth came down hard on hers and his tongue invaded savagely.
His scent, which filled the room, was strange. She could feel electrical energy blanketing his skin. It almost hurt. She opened the link to her wolf and immediately the sparks arced between them. It wasn’t pain---it was power.
Finally, he broke the kiss. Holding her away but gripping her firmly, shadows rolled over his eyes. For just an instant they softened. “I love you.”
He walked away without looking back. The front door closed solidly behind him.
Dominique’s hand slid the key into the lock, securing the door. Her fingers trembled. She dropped the key in her pocket.
Emily heard her inhale before Dominique turned in her direction.
“I know this is difficult but I brought a few things for you. The first is hot chocolate and I think you will like it.” She smiled shyly though her eyes were downcast. “I brought you a dress and some other things so you can be ready for your mate’s return.”
Putting her hand out, Emily took Dominique’s fingers into hers and instantly felt her own panic recede. Walking to the kitchen, Dominique showed her how to make the hot drink.
It tasted like liquid cake.
When finished, the two made their way to the bathroom, Dominique carrying the bag from the kitchen.
“Take off your clothes.” Dominique wouldn’t look at Emily but her voice held a small bit of command.
Emily thought this funny, and followed orders. She knew the timid she-wolf was helping to keep her mind off Brandt.
Shimmery red silky material fell over Emily’s body, hugging her curves. The low cut V-neck accented her cleavage and the hem stopped just below the crease where her bottom and thighs met. Feeling odd, she tried to walk past the other wolf to look in the larger mirror in the bedroom but Dom stopped her.
“No, you can’t look until we’re done. Please?” Dominique’s voice was excited. She plugged in a cord with a long thing at the end. “I’m going to curl your hair and then put makeup on your face. Your mate needs a reward for winning his challenge tonight.”
Emily stood still under the onslaught of attention. She could see herself in the bathroom mirror and saw the changes take effect. She wondered if Brandt would like it. When Dom completed her tasks, they both walked into the bedroom. Emily slowly turned in front of the looking glass.
Completing a second slow circle, the electrical spark she felt on Brandt’s skin earlier multiplied and painfully charged through her body.
Dominique dropped to her knees, her hands coming up to her head making her distress evident. She struggled to get her words out so Emily would know what was happening. “It’s the call of the alpha. Brandt is telling the wolves that he is our leader. The battle will start soon.” Dominique was breathing heavily.
Emily’s entire body focused on Brandt’s call; his fury, his need. It was need for her. She could feel it coursing through every nerve in her body.
Rage grew thick in the room and Dominique tried to run. A steel grip landed on the terrified wolf’s arm and deadly blue eyes flashed. They drilled into the woman holding the key to the front door.
The red haze Emily knew so well was closing over her eyes. Control; she could not hurt Dominique. Breathe deeply in, out. She steadied herself enough to speak, “Get into the closet, and stay there. I don’t want to hurt you.” She released Dominique and walked out of the room placing distance between them. With each step her rage grew. A dining room chair flew across the room; the splintering noise only feeding her frenzy. The table landed with a louder crack. Pieces of wood splintered and shot through the room while the larger pieces fell to the floor. Nothing appeased her overwhelming need for blood and methodically one by one, each piece of furniture flew from her hands.
“Brandt.” Her scream was lethal. She charged into the living room and picked up the table in front of the couch, she threw it into the door that was keeping her from her mate. The door didn’t budge. Her hands lifted the side of the couch.
“Having a temper tantrum are we?” Cheri appeared a few feet away.
Emily’s breath was leaving her lungs in hard bursts. “I didn’t hurt her.”
“I know that or you would be dead.”
Rage shot from Emily’s eyes locking on the deadly vampire.
Cheri’s calm voice broke into her wolf’s hot fury, “I think it would be best if you attended the challenge. You cannot interfere which means you will control yourself.”
Emily slowly lowered the heavy piece of furniture and watched Cheri hold up the key. The two women walked out the front door and Cheri led her to the ring. Emily’s feet were bare but she hardly noticed. She had to see her mate.
She could smell the wolves’ diverse odors and walking closer she could see the clearing.
Taking her hand in a forceful grip, Cheri squeezed so Emily would control her emotions.
She found Brandt through the red haze.
He was lighting during a storm. His body naked, power rolled in thick waves calling to her wolf.
She didn’t at first notice the man standing opposite her mate.
Brandt suddenly launched himself into the air and attacked.
The hand on Emily’s became a vise.
Brandt’s wolf exploded out of human skin. Sharp claws tore skin and muscle from his enemy’s side. Blood flew. Brandt’s teeth savaged the other wolf. Zeb tried to scramble away. Black fur flowed to human skin and his shoulder muscles strained. He wrapped his arms around the other man lifting him from the ground. Then, threw Zeb flew across the ring. Brandt seamlessly became wolf and he followed. This time Brandt’s large jaws went around Zeb’s throat. A vicious jerk and blood sprayed the surrounding wolves until the death gargles faded. Large jaws unfurled and fangs glistened with the blood of his enemy. His head tilted back. The cry was savage and again the waves of power resonated through the clearing.
“Shit, he’s calling the pack to change. Emily, don’t remove your clothes. Fight it. You are his equal.”
The words sounded in her ear from a distance. The alpha’s call was brutal for the pack wolves but Emily only felt an irritating sensation. After years of isolation and hiding her beast, this was nothing. Wolves writhed in pain and dropped to the ground around her. She stood tall, unruffled.
The howl tapered off. Breathing hard Brandt shifted to human. He stood naked, his power rippling, hot molten lava smothering everything in its path, destroying but promising rebirth. He was alpha.
Emily walked blindly, her wolf needing to play with fire.
Every fiber of his being felt her presence, from the moment she entered the clearing she was his beacon.
Her gentle arms
went around his midsection and her supple body leaned into his.
Energy merged.
His hands came up, peeling her arms away and brought her forward, reversing their positions. He whispered in her ear, his voice filled with aggressive intent, “You are mine.”
His gaze; hard and lethal, looked out at his wolves. Death punctuated each word, “If you choose to challenge, your blood will flow into the ground, your body will burn on a funeral pyre, your family will mourn, and I will relish the taste of your death.” He let his words sink in and continued, “Emily is my mate. She was strong enough to withstand my call and she is strong enough to fight and kill beside me. Go home. If you wish to die, challenge tomorrow. Tonight is mine.”
Chapter 15
Zeb’s brothers carried his body away and the wolves dispersed into the surrounding trees.
She turned in his arms and his palms trailed down her sides and then to her backside cupping her bottom. Sinking to his knees, with Zeb’s blood streaked on his face, he tilted his head forward resting against her stomach and the cool silk of her dress. His body trembled beneath her fingers. She feathered them softly through his sweat dampened hair.
“I couldn’t think straight without you here. My focus was on the mate bond. I needed you and here you are.” He slowly drew air in through his nose, breathing in her scent.
Tipping his head back, his black irises matched the now dark outer color and met hers. Strong arms pulled her closer. He inhaled deeply, again.
“You no longer have a table and chairs,” her words were hesitant.
Rough, choked laughter spilled past his lips. She was his. He’d waited lifetimes. A thick growl came from deep in his throat. “I have an idea. Let’s destroy the bed.”
Standing suddenly and scooping her into his arms, his long muscular legs carried them swiftly to the cabin. He leapt onto the porch, bypassing the stairs.
He pushed open the door letting it slammed against the inner cabin wall. He left it standing wide and carried her to the bedroom but then stopped. Back-tracking he entered the bathroom.
“Zeb’s blood scent is coming off.”
Slowly, releasing her legs, her body drifted downward. The silk of her dress glazed over the taught muscles of his abdomen and then his jutting arousal. A deep growl vibrated through his chest.
His hand found the cold water nozzle and turned then found the hot. Hitting the knob to activate the spray, he stepped into the tub before the water adjusted and let cold ice hammer his body before it turned warm.
Leaving the shower door open, Brandt watched the soft mist spray outward soaking the front of Emily’s dress, molding it to her curves.
Lathering soap over his flesh, her eyes changed from ice blue to deep cerulean and followed his hands. Her tongue came out and traveled the contours of her lips.
Impossibly his erection swelled larger. He rinsed and then shut off the water, his expression dark, his wolf barely contained.
Unease suddenly flared in Emily’s eyes and her feet carried her backwards.
Brandt didn’t grab a towel. He stalked forward with infinite slowness.
The cool hallway wall stopped her movement.
Corded muscle, a breath from her head, flexed with tension. His large hands landed on either side of her head. So close. Hot breath swept her face causing shivers to course through her body.
“I need you Emily, don’t run from me.” His words whispered out on hot breath. His nose ran along her neck to her shoulder inhaling deeply.
Her fear receded and scalding desire replaced it.
His hands traveled to the front V-neck of her dress. The tear started at her breasts. Agile fingers parted the material like tissue paper.
Feasting on her body, his eyes lowered and devoured every inch of uncovered flesh. The sides of his lips tipped up. She wore nothing beneath the material which now pooled at her feet.
His palms smoothed over her hips, across her back ending at the soft globes of her bottom. His fingers splayed and lifted her to his waist.
Her legs secured at the small of his back, her eyes drowning in his.
Turning, and with determined strides, he took them to the bedroom. He stopped when his knees touched the side of the bed. Bending, he gently sat her down on the soft mattress. His hands went to her ankles, releasing them and placing her feet flat, her knees bent, arms remaining around his neck.
His palms cupped her face, fingers splayed into her hair and his thumbs rubbed her jaw line. Going to his knees, his face now even with hers, he grasped her hair in a steel grip, bringing her mouth to his.
Texture, taste, scent, it burned through their bodies.
His hands slowly traveled. He released her mouth and gently pushed her upper body back into the bedding. He nudged her legs farther apart, his shoulders sliding between soft thighs. His hands cupped her bottom. Sinking back farther on his calves, he slid her forward to his mouth. His lips, moist from her kiss went to the center of her desire.
She moaned; deep, low, sweet. It reached his soul.
He licked between the delicate folds. A low growl began rising from deep in his throat and vibrated through every part of his body.
Seconds, minutes, time stopped. Her body bucked, his hold tightened. Withholding bliss, he kept her from going over the abyss, licking, nibbling gently , but the hard nub waiting for him remained untouched.
“Brandt.” She screamed his name.
“Shhhh baby.” Stopping his sweet torture, he looked up past her glistening sex, meeting her eyes. “I want you.”
Gliding up her body he flowed onto the bed covering her. His lips came forward claiming hers. He settled between her thighs, the tip of his heat finding her soft welcoming entrance. Brandt leaned his upper body away and gazed into the blue depths of her eyes.
“Please.” Breathless anticipation escaped her lips.
His hips surged forward and in one stroke he sank fully into welcoming burning softness created for him. Her back arched, a scream tore from her throat. Sharp fingernails drew blood digging into his sides and back.
He discovered heaven deep inside his mate.
Withdrawing and then slowly sinking back into paradise, he began a sensual steady rhythm.
Her legs tightened around him, her fingers sank into the muscles of his butt urging him to move faster.
The little control he had finally snapped. His teeth sharp and deadly sank into the curve of her neck, drawing blood. It streamed through his cells, traveling, expelling sparks of white hot energy that careened straight to his groin. Their release exploded and her cries mingled with his.
His claim final, she was his mate.
Breathing hard, hands holding tight, the scent of sex filled the air. He rolled, bringing her on top, and running his fingers through the curls Dominique arranged in her hair. Its texture soothed. He drew a section to his nose and inhaled. Her stomach made a small rumbling noise. He grinned.
“I’m hungry.”
With a short playful growl he rolled again trapping her beneath his weight. “I’m going to have a cooler of food placed by the bed so you can’t leave for a week.”
Her smile was playfully shy, “You make me hungry.”
His eyes, starved with further need gazed back. “We need you well fed to keep up with me.” She gave a playful squeal when he picked her up and carried her over his shoulder. Her hair tickled his rear and he gave her a playful slap because he could.
Depositing her on the kitchen counter, he fixed a quick meal, stopping to kiss, nibble, and touch her ever few seconds. She laughed when he wouldn’t let her help.
Finally, when he came back within reach, she wrapped her legs around him and he obliged with a quick searing kiss.
“You ARE going to be my death.” He groaned, swinging her down from the counter, twirling her around the small kitchen area until they were both laughing again.
“I’m still hungry.” She said when her giggles faded.
He kissed her nose, “T
hen let’s eat so I can take you back to bed.
His eyes followed every movement of the fork making its way to her lips. She licked the side of her mouth where a small crumb lodged. His growl rumbled up from deep in his throat but he let her finish.
She took a last delicious bite and looked up. Her voice low and throaty but conveying curiosity, “I feel odd, tingly everywhere.”
“Hmm.” He said standing and then walking behind her. His hands landed gently on her shoulders, whispering low in her ear. “I’m alpha. You are my mate you get some of the magic that makes me stronger.” A light kiss pressed to her neck. “You are also alpha and you’re magic has combined with mine. I feel the same way but I also feel complete, it’s the mate bond.” His teeth ran over the side of her jaw and then nuzzled her hair.
Her words came out on a sigh, “Will it keep feeling this way?”
“For a few weeks, maybe even months. Our wolves are more aware of one another and they need to settle. We will be jealous.” He bit the lobe of her ear, “And possessive.” He gave a small jerk to her hair tilting her face sideways so he could reach her mouth. “Cheri and the pack know and understand this.”
His lips met hers, hot, intense, seeking.
They didn’t make it to the bed until much later.
At four A.M. he carried her outside. She was tired but he insisted she change. They ran through the still dark forest. Small mice scurried out of their way. When Brandt caught one he snapped its fragile bones and then dropped it using his nose to push it her way.
“No. Did you need to kill it?” her distressed words entered his head.
“Yes, I did. They taste good.” With that he picked it up and with one swallow it was gone.
“I can’t believe you did that. No more kissing tonight.”
He grabbed her haunch with his teeth and she let out a sudden yip. She turned and attacked trying to nip him back. He managed to stay a hair’s breadth away from her jaws.
His voice, filled with mirth sounded I her mind. “We’ll hunt with the pack and find a large buck for you.”
“And a buck is?” her breathing became labored. He turned them back toward the house. “A buck is an extra-large rabbit.”
Fang Chronicles: Emily's Story Page 10
