Reluctant Mate

by Diana Persaud

  Blood.

  Snarling.

  A loud growl.

  Soft whimpering.

  Then silence.

  The stench of blood and urine surrounded her.

  Cautiously, she opened her eyes.

  The alpha wolf lay on bloody leaves, his eyes unseeing.

  A large white wolf, covered in specks of blood stood by the alpha’s body.

  “It was the Tarchannen Tracker. He led me back to their pack. When the Alpha, Jordan, learned what happened to my parents, he took me in. He said I’d be safer with Tarchannen than with my pack.”

  “Were you happy there, Serena?”

  She thought for a moment.

  “I never wanted for anything. My Alpha was generous.”

  She lowered her eyes.

  “After all he did for me, I couldn’t do the one thing he asked of me—mate with Remington.” She looked deep into his eyes. “Does that make me ungrateful?”

  He shook his head.

  “I don’t understand why Remington didn’t choose his own mate.”

  “We obey our Alphas,” she replied.

  Robert stroked his beard again.

  How could she make him understand?

  “Rogues are everywhere, Robert, and they are dangerous.”

  She held his hand.

  “We need the protection only a pack can offer.”

  “And where will we find such a pack? Remington won’t protect you. What about your former pack?”

  She shook her head.

  “They won’t risk angering Remington by protecting me.”

  “Lucien doesn’t seem worried about offending Remington. At least not yet.”

  “Lucien is our only hope, Robert.”

  He got off the bed. He stood with his back to her.

  “That means I have to claim you, but I’m not a wolf, Serena. Not really. I’m a man.”

  “You are more like a wolf than you realize,” she informed him.

  He turned to face her.

  “How so?” he asked.

  “Your aggressive personality,” she replied. “Your protective nature.”

  “This can’t work between us, Serena.”

  “Why not?”

  “I’m not really a wolf. I don’t know what Jessup’s serum will do to me. Or to you.”

  “Nothing has happened to me yet,” she replied.

  “Your pack wants me dead,” he reminded her. “Actually, all of your kind wants me dead and their reasons are completely justified.”

  “I don’t want you dead. Neither does Lucien. Since I ran away from Remington, my pack wants me dead as well. You and I are not so different, Robert.”

  “I’m no good for you, Serena,” he stated simply before leaving the cabin.

  Chapter Nine

  Robert could hardly believe how quickly Serena’s wrist had healed. This morning it was discolored with a nasty bruise but she told him the pain from her wrist was gone.

  The pain from her wrist was gone.

  What other pain did she have?

  Before he could ask, one of Lucien’s wolves had driven up to the cabin. After ascertaining Serena was fine, he left.

  Then Serena had suggested they go for a walk.

  Why did she insist on teaching him about the forest? They should be trying to figure out a way for her to live with the pack without him having to claim her.

  The last thing he needed was a mate.

  A wife.

  Children.

  He sniffed the air. Serena’s scent enveloped him and his cock hardened.

  He could sense his wolf.

  Watching.

  Waiting.

  But for what?

  He followed her along the trail, half listening to her lecture about leaves and berries.

  She leaned over a blueberry bush and her dress rose, revealing a thin scrap of red lace.

  He moved quickly, pulling her up and forcing her against a tree. Holding her wrists above her head, he pressed into her, rubbing his trapped erection against her bottom.

  “I won’t be gentle with you, Serena,” he growled.

  Serena groaned in response.

  He shifted so he could lift up the back of her short dress. His finger slid inside the thin scrap of lace.

  “Only naughty girls dress like this,” he whispered in her ear.

  He tugged on it roughly, ripping it from her body. The delicate strap of lace separated and she was naked under her dress.

  “Are you naughty, Baby?” he asked, squeezing her bottom.

  She didn’t answer.

  “Naughty girls need to be punished,” he said, spanking her lightly.

  He alternated between spanking her and gently rubbing her bottom.

  Each time his hand landed on her right cheek, Serena gasped, delighted by the contrasting sensations of pleasure and pain. She closed her eyes, leaning her head back slightly, submitting to her mate. She could hear his hand move through the air as he swung, heard the slap against her skin seconds before feeling a stinging pain on her cheek.

  Her womb contracted suddenly, causing her to clench her cheeks.

  He paused long enough to unzip and withdraw his erect cock. He rubbed it gently along her reddened cheek, leaving a trail of sticky wetness.

  His sharp claws dug into her hips and she yelped. She pulled away from him and examined the bloody scratches on her skin.

  He stared at his claws then clenched his fists. Sharp claws dug into his skin.

  “Serena, I’m sor—”

  “Not until you can control yourself,” she said before walking away.

  He’d followed far behind as she returned to their cabin, his head hung low.

  Time seemed to drag on.

  He paced the cabin.

  His cock was still painfully engorged. Nothing seemed to help. He’d had several cold showers and his fingers were wrinkled.

  His cock was still hard.

  Throbbing.

  Aching.

  His wolf simmered just below the surface, adding to his misery.

  Serena set down her book and went to the dresser. She tumbled through it and found two silk scarves. She took his hand and led him to the bed.

  “Get on the bed.”

  He lay on the bed.

  “Hands above your head. Hold on to the headboard.”

  He held on to the headboard. She climbed on the bed. Using one scarf, she tied one of his wrists to the headboard. She straddled him.

  “Lower, Serena,” he pleaded.

  “Not yet, Loverboy,” she said.

  She tied his other wrist to the headboard then scooted lower.

  He jerked his hips, hoping to rub his trapped cock against her.

  “If you can control yourself, you will be rewarded,” she promised.

  “Rewarded?” he panted.

  “Mmmm. Rewarded,” she said, rocking her body over him.

  “Baby—”

  His eyes squeezed tight and he focused on controlling his wolf.

  Did you hear that? If you behave, she’ll give us what we want.

  He tried to reason with his wolf, but his wolf didn’t care. All his wolf understood was its mate was ready and nearby. He would claim her and there was nothing Robert could do to stop him.

  He could feel a wolfish growl building in his chest.

  Serena stopped moving.

  She unbuttoned her shirt slowly.

  He panted softly as she tossed her shirt aside.

  “You okay?” she asked.

  He nodded.

  She continued rocking over him, sliding along the front of his jeans.

  It seemed that an eternity passed before she stopped again.

  This time she removed her bra.

  “Let me suck your nipples,” he begged.

  “Uh-uh. You have to earn it,” she said.

  She sat on his belly and played with her breasts.

  His wolf eyes flashed.

  He blinked rapidly, forcing his wolf ba
ck.

  She leaned over and kissed him. Then she got off the bed.

  She took off her jeans then returned to her position on top of him.

  Her scent enveloped him and his claws protruded. He took deep breaths and concentrated on pulling his claws in.

  She moved off him.

  “Baby—please.”

  She unzipped his pants, freeing his cock.

  “Thank you, Baby,” he sighed.

  He relaxed against the bed.

  Her hot mouth enveloped his head. He jerked his hips, forcing her to take more of his cock. She pulled back but didn’t stop sucking. Her tongue swirled up and down his slit, teasing out his seed. A bead of sweat formed on his forehead.

  Take her now! his wolf demanded.

  Remembering how he’d slashed her hips the last time, he forced his wolf down.

  Cold air hit his cock and he gasped.

  Had he failed?

  She wiggled out of her panties and arranged herself over him. He licked his lips, admiring her bare bottom and glistening pink flesh.

  “Closer, Baby. I want to taste you.”

  “Your wolf has sharp fangs,” she replied before returning to his cock.

  She took more of him into her mouth, bobbing her head up and down.

  He strained against his bonds, desperately trying to reach her. Her sweet center, mere inches away.

  He wanted a taste.

  And he would have it.

  With a grunt, he pulled hard, breaking the wooden slats that held him hostage. Tossing the broken wood aside, he gripped her hips and pulled her toward him. She gasped as his tongue sank into her hot center. He lapped hungrily, a starving man finally given a meal.

  She moaned when she felt his tongue between her legs. His tongue flicked back and forth, seeking her sensitive clit. Her breaths came in short pants as he flicked his tongue against her clit.

  “Oh, yes!” she cried out when his tongue plunged into her channel. At the mercy of his mouth and fingers, Serena soon began to rock against him.

  Her body was tense, tightly coiled as her desire built. Her breasts were full and heavy, erect nipples painfully tight, needing a release only his rough fingers could provide.

  Her channel felt empty and she ached for Robert’s cock. She desperately wanted his mouth on her nipples.

  He pushed her out of his way, quickly moving so he was behind her. Holding her hips, he thrust, sheathing himself fully.

  Serena cried out as he filled her.

  Robert couldn’t keep his body still. Her silky sheath, wrapped tight around him was too much for him to resist. He moved rapidly, pumping his hips, enjoying the way her body caressed him.

  Grunting, she rocked against him, meeting each wild thrust.

  Her fingers dug into the quilt.

  Her thighs began to tremble.

  He pumped his hips, faster and faster, until she cried out his name.

  Wrapping his hand in her hair, he tugged hard, forcing her upward.

  “Mine,” he growled then bit her shoulder.

  His teeth sank in deep, breaking her skin as his cock filled her with his seed.

  She shivered against him.

  “I failed again,” he said, releasing her.

  “Failed?” she asked as she turned around.

  “I bit you. I—I couldn’t control my wolf.”

  She held his face.

  “Robert, you mastered your wolf. You kept him from rising.”

  He shook his head.

  “But I didn’t. He bit you. He—I hurt you. Again.”

  “You didn’t hurt me. You controlled your wolf and allowed him the satisfaction of marking me.”

  She placed his hands on her bottom.

  “It’s perfectly natural, Robert. Your wolf claimed me. Now we are mates.”

  ***

  George Tarchannen turned on the T.V. then took his place beside another Elder.

  Tory Whitfield, a local TV news reporter stood in the forest, squinting against the bright light from her news crew. The light shifted and she looked directly into the camera.

  “We are reporting to you live from the Last Hope Forest Sanctuary. This land was purchased over fifty years ago by the nearby town of Last Hope in an effort to preserve the forest and native animals. Earlier today, the peace of this sanctuary was disturbed by a brutal attack.”

  Tory glanced down at her notebook.

  “Forty year old Abraham Walker was attacked and killed while hiking with his thirteen year old son, Joshua.”

  Lucien growled.

  Bright yellow Crime Scene tape wrapped around a small section of Pine trees behind her.

  The journalist turned to the man standing next to her.

  “This is Mark Johnson, the coroner who was called to the grisly scene earlier this afternoon.”

  He nodded grimly.

  “Can you tell me what attacked and killed this man?”

  “Judging from the bite marks on his neck, he was savagely attacked by a wolf,” said the coroner.

  “A single wolf? I thought wolves attacked in packs.”

  “True, they are known to attack in packs. This was a lone wolf attack. This wolf may be damaged. Sick in some way. We won’t know until we capture it,” he said.

  “Capture?”

  “Yes. We need to capture it and run some tests. To make sure this wolf isn’t rabid.”

  A wolf howled in the distance.

  Tory glanced around, wide eyed.

  “As far as I know, U.S. Fish and Wildlife are on their way. They should be here by morning.”

  “Fuck,” Lucien swore.

  George shut off the T.V. and set the remote on the coffee table.

  “That abomination needs to be dealt with, Lucien,” George said.

  The muscle in Lucien’s jaw twitched.

  “I’m well aware of your prejudice against anything that isn’t a full blood wolf, George,” Lucien replied.

  His eyes flicked towards a photo of his daughter, Carina.

  “Robert fucked up. He wasn’t in control of his wolf,” Lucien said as he stood. “If you were suddenly changed into a different breed, would you be able to control yourself?”

  George snorted.

  “Tarchannen are always in complete control,” George replied.

  “You think too highly of your blood line,” Lucien said.

  “This human has been forced into becoming one of us. He deserves a chance to prove himself.”

  “What are you going to do with Doctor Jessup?” another elder asked.

  “We need to find those men he experimented on. If he was able to turn them into wolves—”

  “—They are dangerous criminals, Lucien,” George interrupted.

  Lucien raised a brow.

  “If you think you can do a better job as Alpha—”

  George swallowed then lowered his eyes.

  “I do not envy your position, Lucien. To order a Human’s death is not something any of us think you take lightly.”

  “How will you take care of this problem without calling human attention to our kind?” another Elder asked.

  “First we need to find them,” Lucien said.

  ***

  The next day, Robert felt calmer. While his wolf was nearby, it didn’t feel as if he were just below the surface, waiting for an opportunity to take over.

  Serena walked around their cabin in the nude.

  Teasing him?

  Testing his self control?

  He sighed.

  I admit it. I’m weak. When it comes to Serena, I have absolutely no self control.

  “Baby?”

  She set down the box on the small kitchen table.

  “How do I control this?” he asked, glancing down at his straining erection.

  Serena laughed and took his hand.

  “The old-fashioned way,” she said, leading him to their bed.

  “Serena, do all mated wolves feel this way?”

  “What way?”

>   “As if I’ve found a missing piece of myself. I feel whole.”

  “I’m not sure about other couples, but I feel a sense of contentment. Peaceful. As if, for the first time in my life, everything is perfect.”

  He got up and paced the room.

  “But that’s just it, Baby. Thing’s aren’t perfect. The things I’ve done—”

  “You were a different man then.”

  “Yes, I was.”

  He knelt on the bed and took her hands.

  “I want to make things right, Baby. I’m not sure how I can fix things, but I’m going to ask Lucien—”

  The satellite phone rang, cutting him off.

  He answered the phone.

  “Robert, do you know of any other projects Dr. Jessup was working on?”

  “Projects?”

  Why is he interested in Dr. Jessup’s side project? Could they be wolf related?

  “I did help him transport some convicts about four months ago. But they weren’t wolves. He would have told me if they were,” Robert replied.

  “Convicts?” Lucien asked.

  “Yes. I had to secure them when we picked them up at the prison and make sure they arrived at the hospital safely. These guys were on death row. Nasty bunch.”

  “You took them to a hospital?”

  “Yes. A small one in the middle of nowhere. Actually it was outside a small town, but it may as well have been nowhere.”

  “Do you think you can tell us exactly where it is?”

  “Why the interest in these convicts, Lucien?”

  “Dr. Jessup was experimenting on them. I want to see what he’s done to them and if they can be helped. If they are convicts, it complicates matters. We won’t be able to set them free.”

  “I’ll take you there myself,” he replied.

  “It could be dangerous. Shouldn’t you be spending time with Serena? Getting to know your mate?” Lucien asked.

  “I already know everything I need to know about my mate,” he replied.

  Chapter Ten

  Early in the afternoon, two days before Christmas, Zane drove a black SUV through a small town and down a long dirt road. Kane sat in the front seat and Robert sat in the back next to Dr. Mallory.

  She flipped through Dr. Jessup’s journal, hoping to learn what he had done to the convicts he had experimented on.

  Today I injected five test subjects with formula 6-Alpha-3. Within twelve hours, three of them had grand Mal seizures and died. The other two are comatose.