“Tell me,” I say. “What happened. How am I still here? Are they all dead – the vampires?”
“They're all dead. You set off the bomb, which wiped them out,” Luca says. “But as luck would have it, there were so many vampires on top of you, that it incinerated most all of them first. They took the worst of the heat. You got lucky. For the most part.”
“It took a while, but Evan and I were finally able to go in,” Neesa said. “We found you under the pile. You'd been badly burned and we thought you were dead. But when I touched you, you moaned. You were in pain.”
“And they managed to get you here without killing you,” Luca says. “Another miracle in and of itself.”
“Wow,” I say, sitting back against the pillows and running my hand through hair a little longer than I remember it. “I – I don't even know what to say.”
“You can promise that you'll never do something that stupid again,” Neesa says.
I nod. “Swear it.”
“You can also tell me that you love me again,” she says. “Now that you're not looking at your imminent death.”
As I look into her eyes, my heart fills with emotion. And it hits me that I'm getting a second chance. With Neesa. We have the opportunity to build a life together. The life we want. Together.
“I love you,” I say.
Neesa leans forward and presses her lips to mine. And it's the sweetest sensation I've ever felt in my life – something I know that I want to feel for the rest of my days.
“On that note,” Luca says, “I have some news. Now that you're almost back to your normal self.”
“News?” I ask. “What kind of news?”
“Asher is making your status as Pla'qitay permanent. Both of you,” he says.
“But the threat is over,” I say. “The vampires are dead.”
“Here,” he says. “The vampires here are dead. But like Mariana told us, these things are nomadic. There are very likely other nests out there. As Pla'qitay, you both will be charged with finding the nests and wiping them out. Where ever they may be. You are no longer bound to Black Salmon Falls and can go where ever the job takes you.”
It's then that I realize what Luca is doing. What he has been doing this whole time. Rather than having me go Rogue and be excommunicated from the Clans, he worked behind the scenes to give me my freedom – while still keeping me connected to the Clans.
“Anyga signed off on this?” I ask, not believing that my Clan Chief would so easily give me up.
Neesa smiled. “She said she's going to be glad to be rid of you,” she giggles. “Said she doesn't have to worry about you looking over her shoulder all the time – especially when she wants to bring a man home.”
I sit in stunned disbelief. I don't know what to think, let alone say. Actually, I do. I look at Luca and extend my hand to him. He takes it and gives it a firm shake.
“Thank you, Luca,” I say. “I just – thank you.”
He smiles. “I told you that you two make a great team,” he says, his smile wide. “I saw it that first night I saw you two together. That spark. That chemistry. Hell, I saw it before you two did.”
“That you did,” Neesa says.
“You're both great people,” Luca says. “Look out for one another. And live happy lives. Live them to the fullest”
“We will,” I say.
“Oh, one more thing,” he says. “Don't be a stranger. Make sure you come home now and then. I know that Olivia is going to want to see you again. And Emily will want to meet the both of you.”
I nod. “Absolutely. Thank you, Luca.”
He smiles and then turns and leaves the room, leaving me alone with Neesa. Leaving us alone with a clean slate and a chance to make a fresh start – a chance to build our life together.
Chapter Twenty-One
Epilogue
One Year Later...
I hear the sound of Neesa's growling floating to me through the darkness. I can also hear the sound of harried footsteps coming my way. Since it's my turn, she's flushing them straight toward me. When I hear them getting closer, I quickly shift into my bear form and step out from behind the thick tree trunk I'd been sheltering behind.
The two C'latha running from Neesa stop short when they see me. They open their mouths, their high-pitched keening filling the swampland around us. I roar as I stand up on my hind legs. With one powerful swipe of my paws, I take both of their heads off.
Shifting back into my human form, I look at the bodies and feel a little disappointed.
“You know, this used to feel more sporting,” I say.
Neesa steps into the small clearing, the moon glinting off her naked body, making her skin glow. I roll the bodies into the swamp and watch them float along the surface for a moment. But then the water around them begins to churn and both bodies quickly disappear below the surface.
“It's the wonder of nature,” Neesa purrs. “Just consider it your act of giving back. You're feeding the wildlife. Alligators have to eat too.”
I smile and pull her close to me, relishing the feel of her naked body pressed to mine.
“You know I love you,” I say.
“And I love you,” she replies.
Leaning down, I kiss her. Our kiss is full of fire and passion and I can feel myself growing hard. I run my hands through her hair and along the supple skin of her body. We've been together a year and I find Neesa every bit as attractive and alluring today as I did on the first night.
I push her back up against the smooth bark of the tree and keep kissing her. My hands find their way to her breasts and she lets out a yelp when I give her nipples a nice little pinch. She pulls back and smiles at me, her eyes glittering in the moonlight.
“You sure you don't want to go home first?” she asks.
I shrug. “It's the wonder of nature,” I say.
“You naughty boy.”
I slide my hand down her stomach, slipping it between her thighs. I kiss her as I circle her clit with a finger, the feel of how hot and wet she already is, is driving me crazy. Neesa's hand finds my cock and she squeezes it tight at the base and starts to slowly stroke me. I slide two fingers into her wet little opening, driving them in nice and hard. She gasps as I finger her and tightens her hand around my dick.
I fall to my knees and put her leg up over my shoulder. Her hands are in my hair as I lick and suck on her clit, working my fingers in and out of her. Neesa gasps when I drive my fingers in deep at the same time I give her clit a little nip.
I slide my tongue deep into her wet little opening, savoring the taste of her. Her body trembles as I lick her, suck on her, and finger her good and deep.
“Yes, Jackson. God, yes,” she moans.
I bury my face into that hot, wet center of her, licking and sucking on her with absolute zeal. The night is clear and sultry and something about being in the swamps with Neesa is driving me crazy. When I saw her beautiful, naked body, stepping out of the bushes, I knew I had to have her right here and right now. My tongue is deep inside of her and my fingers are teasing her clit when Neesa's body tenses. She cries out, her voice echoing around the swamp as she comes – and comes hard.
Neesa grabs my hair and pulls it tight as she grinds herself down on my fingers and mouth. Her body is spasming and her voice stutters as she comes. It takes a few moments for her to ride out the waves of pleasure and when she does, she's out of breath.
I stand up and see the absolute desire and hunger on her face. She leans forward and with the tip of her tongue, licks her juices from my mouth and chin. I didn't think it possible, but I'm harder now than I think I've ever been.
Neesa grabs my cock and smiles, running the tip of her tongue around her lips. “I taste good.”
“Yes, you do,” I say, my voice husky.
“You do too,” she says and starts to sink to her knees.
But I hold her up and she looks at me with a look of disappointment. There will be time for that later. The fire inside of me is b
urning so hot and so bright that I have to be inside of her right now. Picking her up, I press her against the tree as she wraps her legs around my waist and her arms around the back of my neck. I guide my cock to her wet little opening and with one hard thrust, sheath myself inside of her.
I start to pump my hips as she moans and groans, my hard cock filling her up and stretching her open. Wave after wave of sensation rolls through me as I fuck her. And I revel in the feeling of being so deep inside of her.
Neesa throws her head back and cries out, her nails digging into the flesh on my shoulders as I pound my cock into her again and again. My hands are under her firm, tight ass, holding her up and I lean down, sucking on her stiff nipples.
“You feel amazing, Jackson,” she says, her voice low and throaty. “Jesus Christ, you feel amazing.”
I drive my cock into her harder and faster, unable to get enough of her. Wanting to be even deeper inside of her. Neesa drives me crazy in ways she doesn't even realize. And some days, when I look at her, in that moment, all I want is to be inside of her. Want our two bodies to be one as we make love.
I set her down and take a step back, wiping the sweat from my brow. She gives me that sultry look as she takes my cock in her hands. It's slick with her juices as she tightens her grip and strokes me. She jerks me nice and hard, drawing a moan from my lips.
She turns around, looking back at me over her shoulder with that naughty smile on her lips. She leans forward, placing her hands against the tree trunk and bends over, giving me a perfect view of her absolutely perfect ass.
“Fuck me, Jackson,” she says. “I want it. Give it to me hard, baby.”
I step up behind her and grab my cock, guiding it to her tight little opening. Holding on to her hips, I thrust forward and she cries out as I bury my cock deep into her. I feel her pushing back against me, taking me even deeper, as I drive myself into her again and again, harder and faster.
“Yes, baby,” she cries out. “Just like that.”
Sensations coursing through me, I throw my head back and call her name as I keep driving myself deep into her. I grab her hair and pull it hard, pulling her head back and making her cry out again. Leaning forward, I cup her breast with my other hand, squeezing it and giving the nipple a firm pinch.
I feel her hand moving down between her legs. She grabs hold of my balls and gives them a firm squeeze as I pound her from behind. I moan and groan, the sensation of her hand on my balls and my cock utterly amazing. She wraps her hand around the base of my dick, squeezing it tight at the same time she squeezes my cock with her vaginal muscles.
I lose my rhythm and feel like an idiot. The sensation is almost too much and she almost made me come on the spot. Looking back at me over her shoulder, she grins. She meant to do that. I stand her up and turn her around, pulling her to me. I kiss her, putting every ounce of fire and passion inside of me into it.
I lay her down on the soft earth beneath us. She parts her thighs as I climb on top of her and then locks her arms around the back of my neck. I look her in the eye as I thrust my hips, sheathing my cock deep inside of her. Holding myself up on my arms, I start to thrust my hips, driving my dick into her. Neesa screams as she writhes beneath me, arching her back and thrusting her hips in time with my own.
As I give her one long, hard thrust, I feel her body tighten up for a moment before she cries out again, digging her nails into my arms, and comes for me. Her body shudders and she grits her teeth, a sound that's half-moan/half-growl escaping her mouth. Her orgasm is powerful and leaves her speechless – and breathless – for a moment.
But then she recovers and looks at me. “Your turn,” she says. “I want you to come for me, Jackson.”
I give her a grin and start to pump my hips, moving my cock deep within her. She moans and cries out again as I bury my cock inside of her. I feel the pressure in my balls and know that I can't hold out much longer. Neesa feels my cock swelling inside of her and smiles at me.
“It's your turn, baby,” she coos.
I feel her tightening the muscles inside of her as I give her a long, hard thrust. It puts me over the edge and my breath catches in my throat as my cock begins to pulse hard. I feel myself explode deep inside of her, feel my hot, sticky come filling her up. Neesa closes her eyes and smiles, seeming to relish the sensation of my hot seed spilling out inside of her.
We ride out the waves of pleasure together and when it's over, when we're both spent, I lean back against the tree and she puts her head on my shoulder. I look up at the nighttime sky overhead and smile.
“A year ago, did you ever think we'd be here?” I ask.
“In Louisiana?”
I shrug. “Together,” I say. “But yeah, together in Louisiana too.”
Neesa laughs. “Never in a million years.”
After finishing my recovery, Neesa and I said our goodbyes and hit the road. We lived in California for a little while. And then went to Utah. For the first six months or so, we did nothing but enjoy life. We played tourist and just got to know each other on an even deeper level. During those six months, Neesa and I fell even deeper in love.
Eventually though, we knew we had to do something to earn our keep with the Clans. We were after all, granted the powers of the Pla'qitay. We did some investigating and started to find nests of the C'latha here and there. And then we hunted them, wiped them out, and moved on.
We've become incredibly efficient in wiping out the nests. To the point that it's almost boring now. But, it is our duty. And if there is one thing Neesa and I agree on, it's that we take duty very seriously. So, when we move to a new area, we do our duty and then spend the rest of our time there enjoying our lives together.
I look up at the sky again and stare in wonder at how things have worked out in my life. For so long, I was lost. Alone. Directionless. I had no fire. No passion. And then Neesa came into my life – or rather, I opened my eyes and actually saw her – and everything began to change.
Neesa brought a fire and a vibrancy to my world I hadn't felt in forever. She makes me feel alive. She gives me purpose. She gives me direction. And she makes me feel like I'm no longer alone. Neesa fills a big hole inside of me – one I never knew even existed until she came along.
Who would have thought that two people who are so different – bear and wolf – could overcome those differences and find love together? I never would have believed it. Not until it was happening to me.
It's been a long, strange, winding road, but I finally know what true happiness is. I know what love feels like. And I'm never going to let them go – I'm never going to let her go. I finally understand what Luca meant all that time ago when he spoke about Olivia – Neesa has become my world. And I won't have it any other way.
I look at her and smile, feeling my heart swelling with joy. She looks back at me, her lips curling up into a smile.
“What is it?” she asks.
“Just thinking about how lucky I am,” I say.
“Damn right you are,” she replies. “And don't you ever forget it.”
“Believe me, I won't,” I say and place a soft kiss on her forehead. “I love you.”
Her smile is warm and sincere as she puts her hand upon my cheek and holds my gaze. “And I love you,” she says. “I love you with everything in me.”
THE END
Optorio Chronicles Collection
Provided by Ruth Anne Scott
Optorio Chronicles Box Set I – Sons of Optorio
Book One – Sons of Optorio
Chapter One: Baz
I was glad to have some time to myself, away from the pressures of my father and his advisors. I knew he was dying and that his time would be coming soon. Which meant that my time would, unfortunately, be coming soon as well. No, I wasn't dying, but given the fact that I was to be trapped in a life I didn't want, I thought I might as well be dead.
I walked along the rocky shoreline, listening to the thundering crash of the waves. Looking out across the sea,
I marveled at the deep red color of our ocean. It seemed to glow beneath our twin moons, almost pulsing with an inner light, providing a breathtaking view.
Every time I walked along the shore or strolled through the forests that surrounded the palace, I was reminded of just how beautiful my home world of Optorio truly was. Of course, whenever I wandered through the halls of the palace, I was reminded of how much of a prison I existed in and how much I hated it.
Beautiful or not, I wanted to leave Optorio sooner rather than later.
I closed my eyes and turned my face up into the gentle night breeze. The taste of the salt from the sea in the air was heavy and it was pleasant. My people were originally a water-born race. We lived in grand palaces below the sea, in harmony with all of our planet's marine life.
At least, that's what the myths and legends of my people all say. I wasn't sure I believed those legends in their entirety, but I did know that my people were tied to the ocean. We had a physiological need to immerse ourselves in the waters of the sea from time to time. Our bodies craved it. Needed it. I wasn't a doctor or a scientist, so I couldn't explain it. All I knew was that if I went too long without immersing myself in the waters of the sea, it had a profound impact upon me physically.
Those who were doctors and scientists said that if we did not attend to the needs of our bodies and immerse ourselves, we would eventually die.
That was another thing I didn't know to be true. I'd never known anybody who'd actually died from not allowing their bodies access to the sea. But then again, I knew how I felt when I went too long without immersion. Call me selfish, but that wasn't a risk I was willing to run.
As I stood on the shore, listening to the waves and feeling the salt air caress my skin, I felt the pull of the ocean. And the pull was strong. My body cried out for me to strip naked and dive into the waves. It hadn't been all that long since my last immersion – in fact, given that I had my own private immersion pod, I soaked almost every night – but my body craved the sea continually.
As much as I would have loved to indulge and dive below the surface, I couldn't. I did not have the time. My father was expecting me – as always. As the heir to his throne, my father expected many things of me. Too many things, given the fact that I had no desire to assume the throne after his passing. My heart was not in being a leader of my people. My heart and my soul craved adventure and exploration. I wanted to spend my days seeking out new worlds, new people, and new cultures. I wanted to travel the length and breadth of this galaxy and a million others.
Mated to a Bear (Legends of Black Salmon Falls Book 3) Page 14
