by Kyle, Celia
“You sure, sweetheart?” he murmured. Standing there naked and wanting, he still gave her the opportunity to change her mind. Instinct drove him to claim her, yet he gave her a choice.
When it wasn’t a choice to her at all. There was only one way forward and that was with Drew as her mate.
“Claim me.” Chloe opened her arms to him, legs still spread as he’d left her.
He moved without hesitation, his massive body coming to rest on the mattress. He knelt between her thighs, her legs lifting in preparation to wrap around his trim waist.
“You’ll be mine.” His eyes flared amber. “No one else’s. Only mine.”
“Yours,” she readily agreed, only too happy to be claimed by the fierce wolf.
He leaned over her, hips canted with the blunt tip of his cock teasing her sex lips. She spread her legs further, opening fully to the sexy wolf. Opening enough for his cock to find her core with ease.
Then he was pushing into her, thick length stretching her virgin entrance with his hardness. He slowly eased into her, a slight burn but nowhere near the pain she’d imagined for her first time. This was simply right. Glorious. Perfect. In no time, Drew had made her feel at ease and… loved. The more he possessed her, the more she craved.
He slid into her slowly, inch by inch, until their hips met. He was inside her, consuming her, his body surrounding hers as he leaned down. Enveloped by him, she’d never felt safer or more loved. The warm sensations rippling through her body from his thick shaft coupled with the feel of his arms caging her made her feel blissfully whole—safe. Protected.
Drew rocked back and forth, the thrust and retreat of his hips slow and sensual. Her body stretched taut to accommodate him, the burn continuing until it changed—morphed—into something so delicious. He captured her mouth with his, tongue delving into her and mimicking the movements of his cock in and out of her wet pussy. He explored her mouth, plundering her and adding to the pleasure of his possession. Each new sensation increased the gathering bliss inside her, the pleasure mounting with every twitch and flex of muscle.
Soft rocking soon grew into rhythmic thrusts, a heavy pounding of his hips into hers. Drew’s hard cock slid in and out of her throbbing pussy until their lovemaking transformed once more, turning into the smooth and natural pace of powerful rutting. The slap of their bodies filled the air, lewd sounds of their coming together echoing off the walls. It was rough and hard, yet so beautiful in its need.
Then came that familiar tension, the anticipation building up once again, and his flushed face coupled with the ever-increasing pace of his hips told her he was close too. His hips bucked into her ferociously, and while he kept his lips on hers, he held her hips steady.
Chloe felt that powerful, empathic bond stretch between them again, and she opened her eyes to look at her mate. Only to find him staring at her in return. Their wolves devoured one another through their minds, amber eyes meeting amber eyes.
Then that pinnacle came, jolting through her in a blinding rush of ultimate pleasure, indescribable bliss, and never-ending ecstasy. His cock pulsed inside her while her body went taut, the delicious sensations stealing all hint of control. Almost all control. Her wolf still retained part of her. The part that was desperate to claim Drew as her own.
They reached for each other together, fangs bared, gleaming white teeth exposed, and canines elongated and desperate for flesh. Together, they bit, fangs tearing through flesh and sinking beneath skin with ease until teeth were buried in shoulders.
The flash of pain added to the pleasure, driving her release to rise high once more. It skyrocketed, stealing all semblance of restraint.
His hips jerked and then jerked again, his cock pulsing within her sheath as he emptied himself into her. Pulse after pulse and they were tied together in a mess of bliss—a mess of blood and cum, and she’d never enjoyed getting dirty more than that moment.
She didn’t know how long they remained in that position, their bodies interlaced and her mind glowing with her release. At some point, he finally softened, slipping free of her pussy, and then rolled to his side. He scooped her into his arms and held her close once again, nuzzling her and lapping at the wound on her shoulder. She occasionally did the same, relishing each snippet of his blood that she gathered on her tongue.
“I… I never knew it could be like that.” She breathed and released a soft sigh.
“There’s a lot I haven’t expected in the past few days,” he murmured in return.
“And now there’s so much to plan for.” She turned into him, nuzzling his chest and making sure he was bathed in her scent. “We live in different towns, so you have to move here or I move with you. I would have to wait until the end of the school year and don’t you have your own practice? What about—”
Drew placed a single finger beneath her chin and encouraged her to lift her attention to his. “Don’t worry about any of that right now. Enjoy the moment, sweetheart, and as soon as you recover, we’ll enjoy it again.”
Chloe couldn’t help but return his grin and look forward to making love once more. Maybe twice. Could they go for three or four? She wasn’t sure, but thinking about sharing their bodies was easier—and more enjoyable—than thinking about the future. She’d let the future take care of itself.
Chapter Thirteen
Chloe sprinted down the steps and into the kitchen. Tearing the handle from the cradle of her ancient avocado green wall phone, she answered it with her last breath.
“Yeah?” she panted
“Nice way to answer the phone, sis,” Zeke drawled. “I thought Mom taught you better manners.”
Before Drew had swooped into her life and turned it upside down, the mere mention of her mother would have sent her into a spiral of depression. Now she just rolled her eyes, even though Zeke couldn’t see.
“I ran in here to catch the phone before the answering ma—Oh, wait. You broke my answering machine,” she deadpanned.
“Hey, consider it a favor. Who doesn’t have voicemail these days?”
“Call me old school. Now, what do you want, Zeke? I’m busy.”
Zeke snorted. “So busy you can’t seem to answer your phone. I’ve called three times this morning alone.”
“Hey, I’m packing. What the fuck do you want from me?”
Silence echoed through the line and Chloe had a hard time keeping herself from laughing.
“Whoa,” Zeke breathed. “Who replaced my sister with a potty-mouthed sailor?”
She giggled, despite herself. “I guess I held in the cursing for so long, it’s all bubbling out now that I’m not a teacher anymore.”
“Fair enough.” He released an amused snort. “I just wanted to make sure you’re still planning to drop by the pack house on your way out of town. I boxed up some of Mom’s things I thought you might want.”
The pain of her mother’s passing still burned like fire, but she no longer cried at the drop of a hat. While Drew had helped her pack up her house over the past few days, she’d occasionally burst into tears for no apparent reason. But he knew the true cause, and he never failed to hold her until the storm passed. Thankfully, her outbursts came fewer and farther between. Maybe by the time they got settled into Drew’s house on Blackwood pack lands, they wouldn’t come at all.
“I already told you I would. We’ll be there in about an hour.”
Drew poked his head around the corner and motioned for her to hurry up. She rolled her eyes again and mouthed her brother’s name. He nodded and bounded upstairs, taking the steps three at a time.
“Okay, just making sure. See you soon!”
“Hey, Zeke?”
“Yeah?”
“Shitpissfuckdamnhellcuntcockpussy!” She slammed the phone back in its cradle and doubled over laughing.
Drew’s chuckles followed him back down to the first floor as he carried a huge box in his arms. “You just can’t get enough of cussing. Can you?”
She followed, grinning, and then stood
on her tiptoes to give him a peck on the cheek. “I really can’t. I held it in for so damn long and it feels so damn good. Does it bother you?”
“Not in the slightest. Would it matter to you if it did?”
She slapped him on the ass to get him moving again and then smiled, “Not in the slightest.”
He waggled his eyebrows in an overly suggestive manner and then jerked his head upstairs. “This is the last of it.”
“Okay, I’ll just make one more pass to make sure and meet you outside.”
He moved to leave but then turned his attention to her again, his expression concerned. “You know, my offer still stands. After I help Lucy give birth, I could move to Tremble. Move in here, set up a new vet clinic, beat Zeke at pool every chance I get.”
Love for her mate came in dizzying waves. He was so kind and thoughtful and generous. After a lifetime of bitter disappointment, Chloe had won the mate jackpot. Reaching up to touch his cheek, she smiled softly.
“I already told you, the only reason I came back to Tremble in the first place was to be near Mom and Zeke. Now that Mom’s gone and Zeke’s alpha, no one here needs me anymore.”
“Your students?”
Chloe shrugged. “I’ll miss them, and I hope they’ll miss me…just a little. But kids are resilient. I’m sure my replacement will do just fine. Honestly, it’s like a dream come true. I’m finally free to do as I please and moving to your pack lands would please me greatly.”
Drew grinned and gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek. “The Blackwood wolves are going to love you. Mark my words.”
Chloe leaned against the doorframe, watching as he walked down the hall carrying the heavy box. Nice view! Only once he was out of sight did she sigh happily and take a quick tour of the kitchen, checking every drawer and cupboard. She’d left one of her student’s drawings tacked to the fridge for the next renter, assuming her landlord didn’t throw it away.
Home Sweet Home
As much as she liked her little house, it had never truly felt like home. Not even the pack house had that feeling. Since returning after college, Tremble and the Soren lands had always felt a bit like a “home away from home”—only she’d had no idea where to find her true home. Now that she had Drew, she knew it was at his side.
After checking every room in the house, Chloe closed the front door behind her and locked it for the last time. Dropping the key in the mailbox, as her landlord had requested, she bounded down the porch and into Drew’s waiting arms. He spun her around before setting her back on her feet and cupping her face gently. Happiness and contentment—and maybe a dollop of desire—sparkled in his eyes before he kissed her.
The spark that set her lips alight would never grow old. Tendrils of passion wrapping around her happy bits wouldn’t either. Nothing about Drew and how he made her feel would get boring. Even if life became steady and comfortable, it would never be boring. Her limitless love for him would see to that.
“Ready?” he breathed as if he’d just run a marathon.
She pressed her body into his, shifting her hips from side to side to make him groan and swell even larger. “Are you?”
Drew laughed and pushed her out to arm’s length. “If you don’t stop that, your neighbors will get quite a show on the hood of your car.”
“Eh,” she shrugged. “Fuck ‘em.”
A low, jealous growl rumbled up from deep inside her mate. “Nuh-uh, that’s my job, forever and always.”
Her smirk faded, and she opened her soul to him with a soft gaze. “Forever and always,” she repeated.
As Drew drove them to the Soren pack house to say goodbye to Zeke, Chloe tried to take mental pictures of everything in town—Wolf’s Lair Bar & Grill, the Lupine Inn, Canine Cafe, and her favorite little boutique, In Sheep’s Clothing. Once they passed Wolf Woods, she sighed and turned a bittersweet gaze on a puzzled Drew.
“What’s with the frown?” she asked.
“It’s just…your brother kidnapped me at night, and the last few days have been so busy getting the moving truck packed that I never noticed…”
“What?”
“All the goofy shop names. What’s up with that?”
A slow smile spread across her face. “Oh, that. Yeah, some human thought they saw a werewolf once—“ they shared an amused look “—so the town elders decided to capitalize on it. You know how Salem is famous for witches? Tremble is kind of famous for werewolves. My dad even named his and Zeke’s construction company Full Moon Construction.”
Drew burst out laughing. “Who says wolves don’t have a sense of humor?”
They spent the rest of the ride in companionable silence, holding each other’s hand and simply enjoying being together. As they pulled up to the pack house, Chloe was surprised to see dozens of pack members standing around the lawn, watching the car’s progress. She recognized some older wolves she hadn’t seen in years, and at the front of the pack stood Zeke, grinning like a lunatic.
She glanced at Drew, who shrugged as he parked. Cracking open the car door, Chloe was assaulted by the roars of a hundred wolves.
“Surprise!”
Zeke jogged up and pulled her into a tight hug, kissing the top of her head fiercely. Chloe hugged him back and then gave him a playful shove.
“What the fuck is going on here?” she demanded, enjoying the flash of surprise in his eyes at her bold swearing.
“It’s a going away party.” He spread his arms at the smiling crowd and they cheered in response. “As if we’d let you slip away without saying goodbye.”
Drew sidled up next to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Well, isn’t that nice.”
It really was, though Chloe suspected most of the people in attendance had only attended to appease their new alpha. Still, she appreciated the effort.
“Listen, sis.” Zeke’s tone grew somber. “I just need you to know how much I—”
“I know, Zeke. Me too.”
They smiled at each other as only those who shared parents could.
“I just don’t know how you’re going to survive without me,” she teased and poked him in the ribs.
“As long as Mayor Calhoun doesn’t go back on our deal to keep Wolf Woods free of development, I think we’ll be fine. But just in case he decides to be an asshole, I reserve the right to beg for you to come back and read him the riot act with your new saltiness. What do you say?”
She grinned at her big brother, already missing him. “Fuck yeah!”
He stepped aside to let others wish them well.
“I’m gonna miss you, girl.” Trina gave her a bear hug that lasted a lot longer than Chloe expected.
She’d never been particularly close to Trina, even though she’d spent a lot of time at her and Warren’s house before the accident. Deidre and their mother, Gabby, had been best friends, so it was only natural. Of course, that was when Warren developed his crush on her. As Warren’s little sister, Trina had been typically annoying, and then after the accident… Yet there she was, holding Chloe’s hand like they were BFFs.
Levi Walker, Zeke’s enforcer and leader of the sentries, wandered over and pumped Drew’s hand as if he had something to prove. “Hey, bro. No hard feelings?”
A muscle in Drew’s jaw clenched as he pumped Levi’s hand just as hard. He clearly wasn’t Levi’s biggest fan.
“Is that an apology for jumping me outside my office and jamming a bag over my head?”
Levi’s cheeks reddened, and he mumbled for a moment before giving Chloe a curt nod and wandering away. He always was a bit of a blow-hard.
When Warren approached, Chloe shot a quick glance at her mate. He seemed relaxed and not at all jealous, but their new connection as claimed mates allowed her to feel his rising tension. She breathed a sigh of relief when Warren didn’t try to hug her but shoved his hand at Drew.
“I would like to apologize to you both.” The beta’s voice was quiet, expression thoughtful and somber. “Dr. Cooper, I’m sorry we kidnapped y
ou like that. I know it’s a lame excuse, but I was only following orders.”
Drew visibly relaxed and accepted Warren’s hand. “Call me Drew. And apology accepted. While I wouldn’t recommend you get in the habit of kidnapping people, I can’t be too mad. After all, it brought Chloe and me together.” He pulled Chloe close, showing Warren he had no hope with her anymore. Poor, downtrodden Warren then turned to her.
“Chloe, I’m so sorry for… everything. You made it clear back when we were kids that you didn’t have feelings for me. I should have respected that and moved on. It was selfish of me and I’m so embarrassed. I hope you can forgive me.”
Chloe’s instinct was to give the guy a hug, but there was too much history between them. He seemed genuinely happy for her, and she appreciated that, but she also didn’t feel comfortable consoling someone who’d overstepped her boundaries so freely.
She settled for a sympathetic smile. “Thank you, Warren. And I wasn’t blowing smoke up your ass the other day when I told you that you’d find your mate one day. You’re a good guy, and I know you’ll make whoever she is very happy.”
“Thanks, Chloe. That means a lot.” He nodded at Drew. “Take care of her.”
“You can count on it.”
“Warren Trudeau Edgecomb,” a woman blocked by Warren spoke up, “please stop hogging the mates of the hour.”
Gabby Edgecomb shoved her son aside and beamed at Chloe. She spread open a quilt she carried and wrapped it around Chloe’s shoulders before hugging her tighter than anyone else so far.
“My dear, you’re practically glowing! I know your momma would be so happy to know you found your mate.”
Tears pricked at Chloe’s eyes for the first time that day. “Thank you, Gabby. I’m happy to say she did know. I had enough time with her before she died to give her the good news.”
Gabby’s eyes filled with moisture and she clutched Chloe’s shoulders. “I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to hear that. She loved you so, so much.”
“I know.” She could no longer hold back the tears. Looking down, she examined the small quilt. “What’s this?”
