Carol bit her lip. “It was that bad?” Sorcerers who became doctors often had to deal with mana drain. They would pool their mana together, forcing it into the patient to relieve the symptoms. Too much mana loss would result in death. And to involve Rose, who didn’t even use mana but the ley lines, adding foreign energy into the mix?
No wonder Tanya was upset. Jonah really had almost killed them.
Tanya nodded firmly. “Yes. Ian got someone to help him carry you both to the car and then drove you both here.”
“Why not a hospital?” Carol attempted to sit up, but Jonah stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
“You are in a hospital, sweetie.” Tanya smiled, but the expression was strained. “The doctors couldn’t get you to accept their animus, so it was thought that family would be better. They believe your wolf was behind the rejection because of your strong link to Jonah.”
That made some sense. Her wolf considered Jonah their mate, so none other than family would do. If Sawyer, her brother, had been there, he might have been able to help, but he would have needed assistance as well, since he was also a familiar.
Now that her senses were beginning to work, she could smell antiseptic and sickness all around her. “This room is really nice for a hospital.”
“Only the best for my son’s familiar.” She glared at Jonah, making the man hunch his shoulders against her displeasure. “You take better care of your familiar, you hear? You know better than to pull too much magic from her. You could have damaged her wolf.”
“Yes, Mom.”
“Don’t yes, Mom me. Do you want the House to forcibly break your contract?” Those caught abusing their familiars often got sanctioned. One of those sanctions would be breaking the familiar contract, either with or without the familiar’s consent.
“No!” Despite the pain, Carol sat straight up. She growled, her wolf coming out as she hopped out of bed and pushed Jonah to the ground. She crouched over him, growling fiercely.
No one would take him from her. They could die while trying.
Tanya backed up, her eyes wide. “Oh.” She held up her hands. “I’m not the one who will do it, but the doctors will report this.”
Carol snarled. Fuck that shit. If she claimed Jonah, no one would be able to separate them, not even the House. She leaned down, sniffing at his neck and licking a line from his Adam’s apple to his chin.
“Hey, little wolf. Can you let me up now?”
Growling again, she stared right into his pretty hazel eyes.
“I guess that would be no?” Warm, golden light surrounded her, attempting to soothe her.
The threat of separation was too great. Her wolf refused to back down, not on this, not ever.
“Jonah, don’t move. I’m getting your father.” Tanya slipped out of the room.
Carol huffed and sat on Jonah’s midriff.
“Oof.” Jonah dug his hands into her fur, scratching her behind her ears. “Who’s a pretty girl.”
Carol chuffed. She wanted to be miffed at the term, but the skritches behind her ears were just too good.
“Think you can get off me? I’m having trouble breathing.”
Nope. She liked being on top of him too much to move, but she could compromise. Carol moved down his body until she sat on his thighs.
“Or you could do that.” Jonah sat up, smiling widely. “Goof.”
Carol lay down, her head at his crotch.
“Watch the teeth, Cujo.” Jonah sat up, leaning over her as he petted her back. “Don’t worry. No one will take me from you. I swear.” His power pulsed, growing stronger as it swirled around her, mingling with her own. “When we closed that hole, our magic became one. We’re bonded now.” He tapped her paw, right where her tattoo was. “Change back, and you’ll see.”
Carol did as told and lifted her head. Being that close to Jonah’s package while in wolf form was one thing. Being that close in human form was just asking for trouble, especially since she could already sense Tanya and Benjamin coming down the hallway. She glanced down at her wrist, wriggling in delight.
The House symbol was gone, replaced by two crossed wands with a howling wolf beneath. Under the wolf was Jonah’s name.
It was something familiars only dreamed of, a fairy-tale come to life. It was like winning Willy Wonka’s golden ticket.
She clenched her hands to keep from wrapping them around him. She was afraid if she did, she’d never let him go. “We’re one.”
Jonah grinned. “Yup.” He put his arms around her waist. “So, no more talk of us being separated, right, Mom?”
Carol jumped, peeking over Jonah’s shoulder to find Tanya and Benjamin staring at them in shock. “Hi.”
“You’re soul-bonded?” Benjamin whistled. “I’ve heard of that, but it’s so rare that I’ve never met a soul-bound couple before.” He entered the room and knelt at their side. “Welcome to the family, Carol.”
“Thanks.” She caressed the mark on her wrist. “He’s my mate.”
“I kinda figured.” Benjamin winked at her. “Especially when Tanya told me how you reacted.”
“I had no idea,” Tanya huffed. It was obvious that if she’d been in her eagle form, her feathers would have been ruffled. As eagles were apex predators, not much could throw them off their game. Finding out her son was soul-bonded seemed to be one of the few things that could. “I thought soul-bonding was a myth.”
Benjamin waved his hand at Carol and Jonah. Carol startled back. If not for Jonah’s arms around her waist she would have fallen off his lap. “Meet the myth.” He frowned thoughtfully. “I wonder... Could your proximity to Terra Noctem while closing the rift have caused this?”
“Who knows? It’s not my field of expertise.” Jonah chuckled, then tapped Carol on the nose. “Think you can stand?”
“Maybe?” Her headache was fading, so that was a good thing. “I did as a wolf, anyway.”
“Let’s check out if you can do it as a woman.” Benjamin stood and held out his hand. “C’mon, kiddo. Once the doc clears you, we can take you home.”
Carol took his hand and allowed him to pull her to her feet. She wobbled a bit, but Benjamin helped steady her.
Jonah pulled her tightly to him the moment he was on his feet. Carol didn’t want to protest the change. Cuddling with Jonah was on her top ten list of favorite things to do.
It even beat out makeup shopping.
Speaking of which, she needed to call her bestie and tell her what had happened. Stacey was going to flip her lid once she found out. She should also double-check with Jonah if that was all right. She didn’t want to jeopardize either his career or the investigation. “Can I tell people about this?”
Again, Benjamin appeared shocked, but Jonah merely smiled. “Shout it to the world if you want. Hell, tattoo it on your forehead.”
“Will that affect the investigation at all?”
Jonah frowned as if that thought hadn’t occurred to him. “No, but we might become very attractive targets to blood mages.”
“Or less attractive,” Benjamin interrupted, his tone far more thoughtful than Jonah’s near growl. “It will be damn near impossible to drain Jonah without also draining Carol and vice versa.” He held up his hand before Jonah could give him the reply Carol could practically envision vibrating through him. Jonah didn’t like that thought one bit. “However, together you’re stronger than apart. I think any sorcerer attempting to drain you would be in for the shock of their lives.” The evil grin that crossed Benjamin’s face made Carol take a step back. “And I’d dearly like to witness what happens to them if they try.”
It seemed Jonah’s alpha tendencies came from his quiet father, not his predator mother.
Chapter 34
“Mm. Mine.”
Carol was nuzzling him, nipping at him playfully. She was squirming against him, definitely making him think of things other than dead bodies and soul bonds. If she kept this up, he’d be fucking his new mate in his parents’ home in two
seconds flat. “You might wanna stop that.”
“Stop what?” Her tone might be innocent, but the hand she snaked toward his dick wasn’t.
“I don’t want to fuck in my parents’ house.” He might have said that, but for some reason, he found he couldn’t stop her from kneeling at his feet. It might have been her innocent yet wicked gaze or the way she gazed up at him so lovingly.
Or it might have been the fingers nimbly pulling down his zipper and fishing his cock out.
Yeah. That might have had something to do with it.
Jonah muttered something under his breath, releasing the magic to lock the bedroom door and put up a “No Trespassing” feel around it. He didn’t need his mother knocking...
His...
Holy shit, she could suck cock.
Carol had wrapped her lips around the crown of his cock, driving all thought from his head other than more and mine. He grasped her head, holding her right where she was, showing her without words just how much he was enjoying her ministrations.
“Mm.” The vibration of her moan shivered through him, making him tighten his grasp on her. She didn’t complain, didn’t pull back, just sucked harder. Her tongue caressed the underside of his cock, stroked the head, keeping his attention firmly fixed on her.
A bomb could go off, and he was pretty sure he wouldn’t care. If he even noticed it.
When the teasing licks and sucks became too much, he began to thrust, keeping it shallow so as not to choke her. He kept his hands buried in her curls despite the need to see her naked.
And why couldn’t he? He was a fucking sorcerer after all. What was magic for if not to make his mate naked whenever he wanted?
Jonah grinned and chanted, almost laughing as her eyes went wide in surprise. The suction on his dick stopped for a brief second before resuming, allowing him to enjoy the sight below him.
Pale and pink, perfect for him in every way, Carol embodied everything he’d dreamed of and more.
Part of him wanted to spill into her mouth, let her love on him until they were both satisfied, but that wasn’t what he needed. He had to be buried inside her, had to feel her clasping him as she came. Watching her as her orgasm overcame her was becoming one of the greatest delights of his life. He mustered the will to stop himself from overindulging in her soft, warm mouth. “On your feet.”
Carol pouted but let him go, standing in front of him without an ounce of embarrassment in her expression. She tilted her head, waiting for him, for his command.
He quivered, anticipating what he would do once he got her on the bed. “Lay down on the bed, but keep your legs over the edge.”
She seemed confused but obeyed, draping herself almost exactly as he wanted her. He tugged on her legs, pulling her until she was just the way he wanted her. “Perfect.” Kneeling, he kissed her pussy, eager to taste her once more.
Having her come apart under his mouth was his first goal of the day.
He started gently, just licking her in smooth strokes. After a few moments, her hips began to gently rock, her hands drifting over her breasts to play with her nipples. Her eyes were closed, but he could sense that all of her attention was on him, on what he was doing to her body.
It was odd, but the pleasure slowly building inside her echoed in his own body. It wasn’t as intense as receiving head, but it was good, so good, that he found himself eagerly pushing his pants off. If he began stroking himself, he’d come when she did, and it would be all over.
He lifted his mouth from her body long enough to remove his shirt, then dove back in. Her soft sighs and moans drove him on, her chants of “yes, please” and “more” telling him when and where to lick and suck to drive her mad.
When she came, he felt it, his dick throbbing with the need to fuck her and find his own release. He held back, wanting more than a quickie. He wanted her to moan under him again the way she had when he’d cast that spell.
Oh, the spell. He should use it again, see how it felt now that their souls were joined. He whispered the words to form the mist, allowing it to flow over both of them instead of just her. He wanted just as much as she did, and he’d indulge himself this time.
Her anima flowed over him, golden and pure, mingling with the darker gold of his until it glowed amber. For a moment, he almost lost control as tendrils of magic wrapped around his dick. Tiny fires licked along his skin, driven by both of them to fulfill their desires. He blew out a breath, bringing himself slowly back under control.
Carol was crying out, her body bowed as the magic crawled along her skin. Her fingers pinched at her nipples, her hips moving erotically, enchanting him. He needed inside her, had to fuck her this instant.
He positioned himself over her and sank into her body, groaning as she came around his cock. Her spasms were so strong he had to hold back, only the tip of his cock in her body. He gritted his teeth. The spell was so much stronger now, so much more intense than he’d anticipated.
“Should I stop it?” He would, if it was too much for her.
“No.” Her claws dug into the bedspread. “Don’t you fucking dare.” She bared her teeth—no, fangs—at him and snarled. “I will end you if you do.”
He was in no mood to disobey. “Yes, ma’am.” For once he’d let her run the show, allow her to be the one in control.
Her teeth receded, becoming human once more. “Good boy.” She shifted, drawing him deeper into her warmth. “You can fuck me now.”
The evil leer she shot him was belied by the laughter she was barely holding back. “Definitely my treat,” he replied, finally sinking all the way in.
She was so tight, so hot, he had to close his eyes. Tendrils of magic drifted over him, making him gasp. When he opened his eyes, hers were wolf-gold, enticing him closer.
He kissed her, not caring whether or not her teeth were human or wolf. He was so deep inside her his balls were pressed up against her, not a millimeter between them. “It’s gonna be quick and hard.”
She nodded, panting, her breasts already covered in a fine sheen of sweat. She gave him a shaky thumbs-up. “Go for it.”
He couldn’t help but chuckle. Even now, when they were both so turned on that he could barely see straight, she managed to make him laugh.
Jonah grabbed hold of her thighs, lifting her legs up so he could anchor himself in her. He stood, pulling her to him as he fucked her hard and fast, driving them both closer and closer to the edge. He sunk into her over and over again, the slap of flesh and their moans filling the room. Amber magic stroked his skin, directed not by thought but by instinct. He bent forward, putting his hands on the mattress, her legs moving until they rested on his arms. He couldn’t think beyond the overwhelming necessity of fucking this particular woman. He had to come inside her, fill her, listen to her scream his name until the whole world understood just who she belonged to.
Carol grabbed hold of his forearms, her nails digging into his flesh, stings that were wiped away by the climax that hovered just out of reach. His legs nearly gave way when she cried out, her whole body tightening around him, squeezing him tight. He grunted, his orgasm ripped from him by hers, thrust after thrust, spilling inside her until there was nothing left of him but his peak.
“I fucking love that spell,” Carol panted. At least he thought it was Carol. He couldn’t quite see yet, and hearing was optional.
“Science rocks,” he replied, smiling at his own breathless voice. He nuzzled something covered in soft curls, pretty sure it was her head.
“We need to experiment more often.” Warm arms encircled him, holding him tight.
Jonah opened his eyes. “There you are.”
She shook her head. “Silly man.”
He cocked a brow at her, some of his senses returning now that the incredible climax was over. “Silly, huh?” He tickled her side, earning not only a giggle but a firm clasp from her pussy.
Jonah groaned. “Jesus, woman. Are you trying to kill me?”
“Nope.” She kissed him
softly. “Just love on you.”
“Mm.” He tugged on one of her curls. “Mine.”
Unexpectedly she sighed, her gaze dreamy. “Yours.”
Chapter 35
Once downstairs the following morning, Jonah stretched. Last night had been unbelievably good. They might not have made any more progress on the campus killer case, but making love to Carol was nirvana. He’d been able to experience everything she did through their bond, making the whole thing that much more intimate. He’d taken her twice last night, talking softly in between bouts of mind-blowing sex about anything that popped into their heads.
Turned out they both loved playing fantasy-based video games. Jonah was a chocolate chip ice cream lover, while Carol loved cherry vanilla drizzled in hot fudge.
And she had a beauty mark on the back of her thigh that made him crazy.
He needed to call her House and register their bonding. Carol was officially off the fucking market for the rest of their lives. If he had his way, she’d be his even in the afterlife.
He’d never been so possessive of someone before, but he couldn’t help it. She’d rocked his world, and now he wanted to hand it to her on a golden platter.
“Jonah?”
He turned to find a sleep-rumpled goddess gliding down his staircase. “Good morning, sweetheart.”
She smiled, so shy and cute his teeth ached. He wanted to leave his mark on her in some way like she had him. The spot where she’d bitten him had already begun to scar. His shirt kept brushing against it, making him more than aware of its presence. Every time it happened the sensation that his mate was touching him distracted him. He’d need to learn to work with it, as it would be impossible to ignore it.
Carol glanced toward the kitchen. “Please tell me you made coffee?”
He whimpered. “Oh, god. Coffee.” Right. That’s what he’d been planning to do before he got distracted by thoughts of his new mate.
“I’ll take that as a no.” She moved past him into the kitchen. She was wearing a pair of sleep shorts so small the bottom of her delectable ass was practically hanging out. Her tank top moved as her breasts bounced underneath it. Even her bare feet demanded his attention. She’d painted her toenails a bright metallic purple.
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