Derrick laid his massive head in her lap.
She grabbed his head and nuzzled her face in his fur. “It was you,” she breathed. “That night on the beach. You stayed with me.” Her breath caught and her eyes started filling up with moisture again. He licked at her face, making her laugh, then stepped back once again and became human.
“Yes,” he acknowledged.
“Shifter? Or Were?” she ventured as he pulled on a black, silken robe, covering himself. He almost laughed at her look of disappointment. It was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the blossoming scent of her arousal.
He raised an eyebrow, surprised she had made a distinction between the two. “Do you know the difference?”
“No,” she admitted. “Only that I’ve heard both terms. Paranormal is really big these days. You can’t pick up a book or hit a theater without encountering a creature of legend.”
He sighed and gave her a martyred look. “Please do not tell me you were Team Edward.”
Her eyes widened, then she laughed. It was a full, rich musical laugh that had him grinning as well before he turned serious again. “But to answer your question, it’s a bit of both, actually. We call ourselves Weres, but we are not fully under the control of the moon, at least not beyond adolescence. It calls to us, feeds us, but we have the ability to shift forms at will.”
“It’s really true, then?” she said finally. “I am not having some fantastical dream about gorgeous men and magnificent beasts?”
Derrick’s eyes gleamed dark and possessive. “You dream of gorgeous men and magnificent beasts?”
“Well, no,” she said, offering him an apologetic smile, even as he saw the erotic shudder work its way down her spine and her nipples harden. “One gorgeous man, and one magnificent beast.”
The corner of his lips quirked. “Better,” he said, mollified. “Will you accept both of us, Angelica? The man and the beast?”
A deep rumbling purr echoed throughout the room. Angelica’s eyes widened when she realized the sound had come from her. “Yes,” she said, raising her fingers to his face, tracing along his jaw. Her touch sent bolts of desire coursing through his veins, making him even harder. Images of him mounting her, thrusting into her as a beast filled his mind. It made him want to claim her as a man every bit as badly.
“Will you mate with the man as you have the beast?” he asked, his lips suddenly kissing the underside of her jaw, licking and suckling the sensitive spot just below her ear. Her hands were on his shoulders, pushing away the silk that kept her from touching more of him. He had planned on waiting a while, but he found himself unable to do so. The needy call of his mate was impossible to resist.
“Yesss...”
A soft growl was the only warning she got before every scrap of material separating them was viciously shredded. Suddenly, he was above her, pressing his hardness into her soft body. It inflamed him, and he knew he could delay no longer.
“Open for me, Angelica,” he commanded. “Open for me and take the man inside you as you have the beast.”
Her knees parted, offering him the haven he so craved. He would not give her a chance to change her mind, nor think upon it. Reaching down with his fingers, he dragged them through her feminine folds, finding them already slick and swollen with need. He groaned, positioning the thick head of his erection at her entrance.
He pushed forward, swearing as he did so. Even as prepared for him as she was, her sheath was an impossibly tight fist around his cock, especially at this angle. He pushed forward, again and again, working himself into her inch by exquisite inch until he was fully seated within her. He panted from the effort, taking a moment to allow her to become accustomed to his length and girth, his balls resting against her searing feminine heat.
Her hands worked their way down his back until they found his ass. She began kneading him, piercing him with her little claws, in an attempt to get him to move. He laughed softly, taking the hint.
He began to move inside her, slowly at first. Her channel clenched hard and refused to let him go without protest, welcoming him back each time with slick heat and the promise of unparalleled pleasure. As wonderful as it had been to mount her as a beast, this was even better. He could feel every inch of her soft flesh pressed against his skin, her pebbled nipples and swollen breasts rasping against his chest. Her legs wrapped around his hips, her heels digging into his ass, begging for more.
He pounded into her, penetrating her body ruthlessly, lovingly, until she screamed his name. Then he pushed himself forward and emptied into her as a man.
He had no barbs in this form, but it didn’t matter. She gripped him so tightly, there was no chance of him slipping out before he was finished.
He collapsed to the side, breathless and in awe of her. This woman could bring both man and beast to his knees.
“You are quite insatiable,” he murmured some time later, as she lay spent and sated draped across his chest. They had spent nearly the entire day in bed, learning each other intimately.
She mumbled something unintelligible and the vibrations tickled enough that he lifted her up like a pup and brought her face to face with him.
“I said I am making up for lost time,” she grumbled.
“What do you mean by that?” he asked, intrigued by the way her skin noticeably pinkened. She tried to burrow back into him, sighing heavily. “I mean, I was a little behind in the sexuality department and now I’m making up for it.”
He hauled her up to his face again. “How behind?”
Her blush deepened. “A little.”
Realization dawned. He gently rolled her to the side and looked down between them to see the virginal blood staining the sheets. The fact that he had already taken her in her lupine form had no effect on her human body. He gripped her shoulders, awed and angry at the same time.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he growled.
Her eyes glowed with haunting innocence, the very thing that had captured his interest the first time he saw her. “You didn’t ask,” she answered simply.
For the first time in more than six centuries, words failed him. Instead, he did the only thing he could think of to express the overwhelming emotion he felt for his mate: he rolled her over and plunged deep inside her until she screamed out his name again and lost consciousness.
Chapter 10
“Well?” Antoine asked when Derrick appeared in the private kitchen a week later. Silas was there, as were Christophe and Steffen. Each of them looked up expectantly.
Antoine, the only one standing, peered over Derrick’s shoulders, making no effort to hide his scowl when he realized Angelica was not with him.
“She is watching videos with Dieter,” Derrick explained irritably. He’d been gone from his bed and his mate for less than an hour and he already felt an overwhelming compulsion to return to both. He frowned. “Angelica suggested I occupy myself elsewhere until the darkness sufficiently descends to venture outside.”
Silas raised an eyebrow, his amusement obvious. “And why is that?”
Derrick’s frown deepened. “She says I mutter through all the good parts. Dieter agreed.”
Christophe’s laugh resounded through the space. “I thank God for your mate, Derrick. Now the rest of us will not feel compelled to sit through those infernal movies with him.”
“There is that,” Derrick agreed, brightening.
“You will allow her to run with us tonight?” Steffen asked hopefully. Derrick sighed again, wondering exactly when his lethal pack mates had regressed into a bunch of adolescents. They vied for Angelica’s attention like eager pups. It also didn’t help that she lavished it on them, he thought, a bit grumpily. Then he felt a slight twinge of guilt. Angelica had confessed to him that she hadn’t had a large family. She’d been an only child, and her parents had died so young. He could not fault her for soaking in their attention like a dry sponge. And, in truth, he’d never seen his pack quite so...buoyant before.
“Yes. She
is ready.” Since her initial shift, Derrick had insisted she remain in human form most of the time. His reasoning was that it was easier to explain things to her that way, to teach her the things she needed to know, but there was far more to it than that. In her human form, Derrick could wring so much more pleasure from her body. He loved his wolf, but a man’s fingers and lips were better suited for exquisite seduction than claws and fangs.
Yet, even now, the beast stirred restlessly inside him. It wanted to mount her again in wild, carnal abandon. After a week of tender lovemaking, he was more than ready to fuck her senseless. The fact that she had confessed the same desire earlier solidified this evening’s plans. Darkness could not fall fast enough for either of them.
Except, as sentinel after sentinel gathered in the private room, he realized his entire pack planned to run with them. That they had accepted her as one of their own pleased him, but his beast was not happy to have to wait longer to have her in the way he desired.
On the other hand, the thought of claiming her in front of all of his men was rather pleasing...Derrick shook that thought away. He would not do that to Angelica, unless, of course, she wished to be claimed publicly. The beast let out an agonized growl from deep within him.
“It will be a good night for it,” Antoine mused. “I will prepare a special meal for her. One that will help her replenish her energy, non?”
Derrick’s eyes narrowed. “First packed lunches. Now a special meal. You are not flirting with my mate, are you, Antoine?”
Antoine snorted, but grinned. “I like her, mon ami, c’est vrai. I cannot wait to see her golden form. Silas, he says she is a very beautiful she-wolf.”
Derrick shot a glance at Silas, whose attention seemed to be concentrated on wiping a non-existent speck of dirt from his knee. Thus far, Silas had been the only one to see Angelica as a she-wolf. Perhaps it was a bit selfish of him, but he found that he did not wish to share her with the rest of them.
“Of course she is beautiful. She is my mate,” Derrick said, emphasizing the last two words, causing a few knowing snickers. He sighed again. His males used to have much more respect for their Alpha. He growled an audible and very clear warning. The smiles faded and they all averted their eyes.
Much better.
Derrick wrapped his arms around Angelica and pulled her tightly to him, craving the feel of her flesh.
“Are you ready to run, my sweet?” he asked, placing tender kisses in a line along her jaw. She tilted her head back to give him better access, threading her fingers through his hair. She loved playing with his hair. Angelica had a way of tugging on it in the throes of passion that managed to rip his seed from him without fail.
“Oh, yes,” she said breathlessly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Derrick’s heart swelled. Angelica was coming along beautifully. He offered up a silent prayer of gratitude to the powers that had placed her in his path. Under any other circumstances, he would not have considered her as a possible mate — believing her too small, too fragile, too weak.
Ah, how she had fooled them all.
As if reading his thoughts — something at which she was becoming increasingly adept — she stroked his face, subtly demanding his full attention. She held so much power over him. How could he have ever thought her weak?
“Why?” she asked quietly, her eyes searching. He knew she had indeed picked up on his thoughts. There was no anger or resentment in her tone as he had feared, just genuine curiosity. As if she, too, was surprised by the choices he had made.
He considered his answer very carefully, though, in truth, he had been preparing for this particular question for the past several weeks. Brushing the golden silk from her face, he sat upon the bed and pulled her into his lap.
“Because, my sweet Angelica, you are the only woman I have ever wanted to Make my mate.” She looked deeply into his eyes, hers so full of love it almost hurt to look at them. She believed him, but it was clear she didn’t fully understand what she meant to him.
He took a deep breath and attempted to explain. “I have lived for a very long time, and not once, in more than six centuries, have I ever been tempted by a human woman as you have tempted me.” He smiled. “And you have done so with nothing more than your presence, a quietly spoken word or two, and what might possibly be the most chaste kiss I have ever experienced.”
Angelica blushed deeply and tried to lower her head, but Derrick caught her chin with his fingers, gently lifting it until she looked at him again. “Yet, I still would have done nothing. You see, I had already convinced myself such a union was impossible. I had pledged to remain out of sight and mind so I would not be so sorely tempted. But when you conveniently placed your mortal life in my hands, I found I could do nothing else.”
“I was a poor choice for a mate,” she sighed. The words passed over her lips, but her thoughts revealed so much more.
Derrick was somewhat taken aback by what he heard through their burgeoning mental connection. Angelica worried she would fail him. He had done what modern medicine and all her wishing and praying could not. He had cured her of a terminal disease. Made her stronger. Given her a family. She wondered what she could possibly give him in return.
“You. Are. Perfect,” he said, punctuating each word with a scrape of teeth upon her tender skin. “I thought enduring my ardor over the last week would have convinced you of that,” he said, dipping down to nip at her breast. She arched in his arms, thrusting her breast into him, demanding he take more. “Although, it would appear, perhaps, you need the confirmation of the beast.”
She gasped slightly, a slight feminine sound of such need, he fought the urge to shift right then and there. Suddenly, his lungs filled with the scent of her heady arousal. A fresh wave of awe washed over him. She wanted the beast as badly as he wanted her.
He could feel his wolf growing ever more aggressive, but he resisted. First, they were to run with the pack. Then, he would take her. Apparently, she had other ideas. Her fingernails became tiny claws, scratching at him through his clothes. The pawing was not intended to hurt, but to garner his full attention. He would permit such boldness from no one but her — only she would be allowed to paw and claw at him while he remained passive.
She threw her head back, her fangs already lengthening. While he had the strength and experience to tether his beast, she did not.
He cursed softly as he released her onto the bed, allowing her the freedom to change. The air shimmered in gold and silver, and seconds later, she was a she-wolf, rising into a crouch. He stripped himself of his clothing and stood bare before her. She growled, ready to pounce, and he grinned in delight.
She swatted playfully at him, her soft, exasperated purrs sending shivers down his spine as he leapt just out of her reach.
* * *
Angelica was becoming frustrated. This man, this beautiful, perfect male, had chosen her as his mate. Why was he not changing to give her what she needed? She growled and clawed at him, but he denied her, looking...pleased.
She allowed her lupine eyes to rake him from head to toe. Oh, he wanted her. His manhood was thick and heavy with arousal, jutting out proudly. Abandoning the game, she whimpered softly, then inched forward. Lowering herself, she began to lick him with her raspy, pink tongue.
Derrick gasped, his hands cupping her head as she laved him. She felt his arousal building and increased her efforts. It didn’t take long for his beast to respond to her specific plea. He backed away just far enough to shift.
Seconds later, she let out a howl as he mounted her and slammed himself deep, fucking her hard and fast. That’s what she wanted. Her mate.
Her perfect Alpha mate, taking her, owning her, claiming her.
All too soon, she felt his barbs engage and knew he was close. His possession had been brutal and thorough, but this is what she desired most of all. The feel of his body locking with hers, emptying into her. At that point, they were truly one. The moment she felt the first pulse of his
hot seed, she gave in to her climax, clenching around him, rippling, milking. He growled and grunted in ecstasy as she coaxed every last drop from him.
* * *
Derrick nuzzled and licked her ear, a silent gesture of gratitude. She responded in kind. As much as he would have liked to forego the run and remain deep within his mate, he felt the push of the pack against his mind, anxiously awaiting their arrival.
Their joining had been necessarily quick, but it had taken enough of the edge off for Derrick to enjoy their run fully. His pack obviously enjoyed it, too. He couldn’t remember the last time they had all run together, nor when it had ever been quite so enjoyable. Usually when they ran, they did so alone or in pairs as a way to exercise their beasts. With Angelica along, they romped and played like pups — especially after the first time Angelica managed to elude them. She was so much smaller and lighter on her feet, she moved like lightning. Her tiny frame also gave her the ability to conceal herself in smaller spaces. It would have taken even longer for Niko to finally find her had he not heard her giggling, which sounded like a breathy, throaty pant in wolf form, and looked down into the small fissure to find a pair of glowing amber eyes staring back at him.
Exhausted and exhilarated, Angelica fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow, making Derrick glad they had shared some time together earlier.
Chapter 11
“She is a natural,” Silas said with approval as Derrick closed the bedchamber door behind him and rejoined his pack. Antoine offered him a drink with a wide grin. “That she is, mon ami.”
“Have you given any thought to her role?” Steffen asked thoughtfully.
Derrick turned his blue eyes toward the healer. “She is my mate. That is her role.”
Antoine laughed. “Surely you jest. You cannot expect a woman filled with so much joie de vivre to simply sit around and await your presence in the bedchamber. It is not like the days of old, my friend.”
“Good days,” Steffen reminisced with a nod. “But he speaks the truth. A woman like Angelica needs to feel important and useful.”
Black Wolfe's Mate (Paranormal Shifter Romance) Page 7
