What she failed to see is that her willingness to do so was enough to garner their respect. She still clung to the fear that they thought her unworthy. Convincing her otherwise was going to take a lot of time and patience.
In the meantime, his best course of action involved distraction.
Derrick began to untie the laces of her dress. It thrilled him to no end that she had taken to wearing the loose, comfortable shifts in the tower. He found them exceptionally arousing.
She hummed softly as he dropped his head and placed his lips against her tender skin. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she pulled herself around to straddle him, lifting only enough to let him free himself from his trousers. He palmed her breasts as she took him deep inside her.
Angelica rode him slowly, passionately. He allowed her to control their lovemaking. Typically, it was he who dominated, but he sensed her need to be in command of something now, when she felt like she had so little control over her life.
The angle of penetration was different, deeper, the inner muscles of her sheath rippling and squeezing like a thousand tiny fingers stroking him in a synchronized dance. All too soon, he was grabbing her hips and emptying deep into her womb even as she came around him with the softest of sighs.
At least I can do this, she thought, filling herself with her mate’s pleasure.
“Angelica,” he began, picking up her thoughts, but she was already lifting herself from his lap and cleaning him with edges of her shift. “Angelica.” God help him, he’d been an Alpha for more than half a millennium, but he had no idea how to fix this.
She smiled at him, a sad, tender smile. “It’s okay, Derrick,” she said, kissing the tip of his nose. “I think I’m just hormonal. I’ll get over it.”
Hormonal? The word sounded so foreign to him. Alien. He vaguely understood the feminine reference, but he was the first to admit he was rather clueless. He’d never had to consider hormones before.
Christophe? He called out rather desperately, focusing the communication to his healer.
Yes? Came the immediate reply. Is there something wrong?
What do you know of female hormones?
There was a long pause, then the unmistakable sound of laughter in Derrick’s head. Not nearly enough. Why do you ask?
Angelica suggests her malaise is hormonal.
Another pause, this one far shorter. Did she say anything else?
No, but her emotions are exceptionally strong at the moment. She cries easily and has been initiating intimate contact.
Christophe stopped laughing. Has her skin been hot to the touch?
Derrick considered the question briefly. Yes. Do you think she is ill? She has taken to wearing thin shifts in the tower. Perhaps she’s caught a draft.
A long silence stretched between them. I do not think she is ill, Derrick, Christophe said slowly. I think she might be entering her first heat cycle.
The words had the same effect on Derrick as a freight train hitting him at top speed. Heat cycle? He looked at his mate, at the soft radiant flush he attributed to their amorous play. What if it was more than that? What if her body was preparing itself? What if she were already pregnant?
Usually it took years for a mating to produce young. Then again, where Angelica was concerned, none of the usual rules seemed to apply. She was not only transformed with the blood of an Alpha, but initially sustained with the blood of a very old and powerful pack. She had connected with her inner wolf faster and more powerfully than any of them had expected. What if other things were progressing faster as well?
The strangest feeling came over him. He felt breathless and weak all at once.
Derrick?
I’m...fine, Derrick answered. Though, in truth, he felt anything but. Siring his own pups was a far-off dream, something he hadn’t foreseen happening for years. And with all of the uncertainty surrounding Angelica’s turning, he hadn’t allowed himself to hope.
“Derrick?” Angelica asked, her face concerned when she saw his color flee so quickly. “Are you all right?”
He nodded automatically, drawing in a steadying breath. He needed to get a grip; he was an Alpha, for God’s sake.
“You poor thing,” she said, cupping his face. “You have so much going on and I am only adding to your worry.” She kissed him with so much tenderness, it was nearly his undoing. Even when she was feeling lost and confused within herself, she worried more about him. “Why don’t you go out for a run tonight?”
He nodded again. Yes, a run was good, he thought as both man and beast seemed suddenly incapable of forming a coherent thought.
“You will come?” he asked absently, as he stood and fixed his pants.
“No,” she shook her head. “I think you need some guy time. After all, you’ve been spending every evening with me.”
Yes, he had. And he made the most of every one of those evenings, loving and branding his beautiful bride. He’d thought it was a result of the mating bond, but what if it was more than that? What if his insatiable desire was a direct result of natural changes in her body, his carnal beast responding to her body’s sexually explicit invitation to breed?
“Go, Derrick,” she encouraged, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing her head to his chest. “I’ll be fine.”
“If you’re sure...” he said hesitantly. He felt torn. His instincts were telling him to remain with his mate, that she needed him. The rest of him felt off-balance and anxious; he’d never had to deal with anything even remotely similar. A good, hard run with his pack might help him put things back into proper perspective. And with Angelica safely ensconced in the tower, he could address these issues with his pack. After centuries of living, surely they could navigate through this if they put their minds together.
Angelica petted him, her touch instantly soothing. “I’m sure. I’m feeling a little wiped out anyway. I think I’m going to take a nap. Wake me up when you come back?”
Derrick wondered what, if anything, fatigue might mean on top of everything else. Was it a good sign? A bad one? He would have to ask Christophe.
“You can count on it, love,” he answered.
Chapter 13
Angelica exhaled heavily once Derrick left. He needed this time with his pack. He was spending too much time cosseting her, and while she loved it, she had to accept the fact that, as Alpha, he had other responsibilities as well.
Perhaps that was part of the problem, she mused. Everyone had been very kind to her, but maybe, on some level, the pack resented her for taking up so much of their Alpha’s time. There was more to it, surely, but she’d come to see how close they all were, how connected. With her coming along and requiring so much attention, it only made sense it would negatively affect the pack dynamics.
Pack dynamics, she mused. How strange her world had become! A month ago, she had all but lost hope, nothing to look forward to but an imminent, painful death.
Then Derrick had suddenly appeared seemingly out of nowhere, joining her on the rocks that day. Power had radiated around him, drawing her in. They spoke little, but words weren’t necessary when his very presence was a soothing balm to her tortured soul. For the first time in her life, she had felt connected to another human being, and it was at once beautiful and terrible. How cruel was it for Fate to dangle such perfection before her, taunting her with what she could never have?
But apparently, Fate had other plans, plans she could not have foreseen, even in her wildest dreams. Her life had been a series of steps, all leading to this point, right here, right now. She made up her mind then and there. She was going to stop being so needy. This was a second chance, a gift, and she would not squander it. She was the Alpha’s mate, and it was time for her to start acting like it.
Her husband was her first priority, but their pack was a close second. She had to consider their needs as well, and right now, they needed their Alpha. If she could encourage Derrick to spend more time with them, they would recognize that she was not deliberately t
rying to come between them.
The more she thought about it, the better she felt. Yes, she was having some difficulty finding her place, but deep down, she had no doubt she would. Her life had become everything she had ever dreamed of, as well as a lot of things she’d never even dared wish for. A life free of sickness and aging. A gorgeous, hot, sexy husband who would be ever faithful. A close-knit family who had taken her in as one of their own.
Her wildly swinging emotions began to settle somewhat as she forced herself to concentrate on the positive. What was wrong with her, anyway? She hadn’t felt this emotionally out of control since she went through the first throes of puberty. So what if she hadn’t found her niche yet? She would. She would find some way to enhance the pack. It would just take a little longer, but that was okay. They had forever...
A warm, comfortable feeling settled around her like an embrace. Forever. Forever with a man she was desperately in love with, a man who would always be there for her. That was the last thought that crossed her mind before she curled up on the chair and fell asleep.
An hour later, Angelica awoke refreshed and in better spirits. A brief look out the window told her full darkness had descended. A pleasant breeze drifted in through the window, bringing with it the scent of sand and sea.
She touched upon Derrick’s thoughts, felt him running with pure abandon, and smiled. Yes, this was exactly what he needed. A little male bonding. Based on the positive buzz of feedback, the rest of the pack was enjoying this time, too. Whenever she had gone with them, they’d had to slow down for her because she didn’t know the island as well as they did. Tonight was their time to fly.
She nibbled at the dinner that had been left for her. Lightly breaded chicken, peaches, brown rice. Antoine had prepared it especially for her, his way of letting her know he was not upset. Normally, he would not create such a mundane meal, but she had confided in him that it was one of her favorites from childhood — something she and her mother used to make together a lifetime ago, when she was just learning how to cook.
Afterward, she roamed the suite, feeling rather restless. Unsettled. She looked out the window, wishing she could go for a run, too. It had been almost a week since she’d shifted and the beast in her wanted to come out and play.
Angelica bit her lip. The rest of the pack was out running and they probably wouldn’t be back for a while. Dare she try?
She closed her eyes and focused on her wolf, pleased when she felt the shift coming on. It was like a glorious stretch for tired, aching muscles.
She felt Derrick’s awareness in her mind. Angelica? Why have you shifted?
She cursed softly to herself. She’d forgotten Derrick could sense her so keenly. I’m practicing, she answered. And I needed a good stretch.
A wave of concern filled her mind. Where are you?
In our suite, she answered.
She felt him relax. I will be home soon, love.
Take your time, I’m fine. But I think I’m going to stay wolf for a little while, if that’s okay?
She felt his answering smile in her mind. Of course, love. He sent her a few images, suggesting maybe he’d stay wolf for a while tonight as well before shifting his focus elsewhere.
Some of the exhilaration he felt echoed in her mind and the urge to run grew stronger. She padded back and forth across the suite, but it wasn’t enough. She thought about how nice it would be to go outside. To feel the sand give way beneath her paws and the wind in her fur.
Derrick wouldn’t like it, her human part warned. She should wait until he returned. Then he or one of the others would take her out for a bit.
But her wolf was in control now, and didn’t like that idea. Besides, it wasn’t like she was going to go far, it rationalized. Just a quick romp to ease the compelling need. And she’d only be gone a few minutes. The rest of the pack was on the far side of the island. They wouldn’t be back for a while and she didn’t want to wait that long.
Gathering courage, Angelica slipped down the back stairs and into the tunnels that would place her near the series of cliffs on the eastern side of the island. By using them, she was limiting her possible exposure. She’d emerge only a hundred yards or so from a particularly rocky section of the shoreline, a section strictly off-limits to guests at all times.
Angelica’s anticipation grew with every step. When she reached the hidden opening, she poked her snout out and sniffed. The tangy aroma of salt and sea filled her nostrils and she closed her eyes at the beauty of it. How she had missed sitting out on the breakers for hours at a time, watching the waves, clouds, and sky as she lost track of time.
She wouldn’t do that now, though. She didn’t want to take the chance that the others would return before her and find her gone. Oh, she could just imagine how they would fuss! They would not be pleased in the slightest with her solitary jaunt. The thought made her smile and feel just the slightest bit naughty. She couldn’t remember the last time she had done something so impetuous.
A slight pang of guilt assaulted her. Yes, they went a bit overboard sometimes with the protection, but only because they worried about her. She shook her head, already feeling the compulsion to return.
But it was so perfect! There was just enough room for a quick sprint to the water and back. It would take all of ten seconds, and it would be such a shame to come so far for nothing...
A quick check confirmed Derrick’s mind was still fully wolf, joyously chasing prey with his brethren for the sheer sport of it. The logical part of her brain made one last ditch effort to remind her this was probably not a good idea. And if she really did insist on doing this, she should, at the very least, reach out to Derrick along their special bond and tell him where she was and what she was doing.
But the not so logical parts, the ones that couldn’t bear to sense even one more disappointment, kept her from doing so. Don’t disturb his run, they said. Don’t do anything else to make him question his choice of mate. Derrick would not approve. Both the logical and the not-so-logical parts were in agreement on that, and the thought of displeasing Derrick was not a welcome one.
A sea breeze reached in with invisible fingers and ruffled her fur, tempting and teasing as she struggled with her doubts. A slight break in the cloud cover placed a pool of silvery moonlight just beyond her paws, beckoning. Angelica’s wolf felt the pull of it acutely. She needed to do this. She would make it quick, an instant gratification her fledgling wolf could not deny herself. Then, later, when they were both back, safe and sound in his chambers, she would think about the consequences, which may or may not involve a lot of licking and groveling on her part.
As a matter of fact, she thought wickedly, there was something she’d been wanting to try with her wolf’s tongue that he might enjoy. She would definitely work on that later tonight when they were both loose and relaxed from their runs.
Angelica grinned as only a she-wolf could and ran headlong out among the rocks just as the clouds parted further and the moon transformed the sea mist into a silvery glow. She went out to the very edge, lifting her snout into the breeze and closing her eyes...
* * *
Carrow’s eyes widened as he rose from the surf with three others. Completely bedecked in night-camouflage thermal skin suits, they didn’t make a sound. From their boat, anchored far enough away from the shore to avoid detection, they swam into the hidden cove surrounded by the jagged rocks. He’d expected to spend the night doing reconnaissance, searching for the adolescent son of the captured shifter. The doc was willing to pay double for a young one.
If they could manage to take one alive, the pay-off would be substantial. Well worth the risk.
But he’d never in a million years expected to have one walk right up to him.
It was not the one they were looking for, of that he was certain. This one was much smaller than any he’d ever seen. And golden. He’d never seen a golden wolf before.
He could hardly believe his luck. He signaled for his men to stay back in the
shadows. Wolves never traveled alone; this one must be too young to know better. It had probably strayed away from the rest of the pack. Surely, they would notice it missing anytime now.
Carrow tensed, as did the rest of his men, waiting for the others to appear. Wolves were notoriously protective of their young. But as the seconds ticked by and no others came, Carrow began to consider the impossible: the pup’s absence hadn’t yet been discovered. If they acted quickly, they might just make it off this island before they even realized the whelp was missing.
* * *
Angelica hesitated a moment too long before turning back. She thought she’d seen something out in the water, the blink of a glowing light, but it only lasted a split second before disappearing. Cold terror suddenly gripped her heart as she turned and picked up the unfamiliar scent. She’d only taken a step when she felt the first sting in the scruff of her neck. A second later, she felt a second bite in her hindquarters.
Suddenly, her joyful little jaunt turned into a nightmare. It was like a bad dream — knowing she was being chased and trying to run away but her limbs would only move in slow motion.
Angelica! Derrick’s desperate shout reached her mind. No doubt, he’d felt her spike of terror. Immediately, she felt the push of the whole pack as they tried to invade her mind and determine her location.
Another step and she felt her back legs give out. She used her front paws to crawl, but they, too, were getting harder to move. She vaguely felt the sharp rocks poking into her side. It took her another full breath to realize she was no longer upright.
Derrick, she whimpered as the fast-moving shadows overtook her mind. I’m so sorry...I didn’t mean to...
* * *
Derrick felt her presence leave him. It was as if a light had suddenly gone out. He went totally feral, racing toward the cliffs he’d briefly glimpsed in Angelica’s thoughts. The pack moved as one, but they had nearly half the island to traverse.
Black Wolfe's Mate (Paranormal Shifter Romance) Page 9
