by Susan Bliler
“Don’t look at me like that,” Modess snarled, glaring at his Beta.
“Come on, man!” Bull responded. “It’s not that hard to figure out. You fucked up. So what? Go to Shadow Wolf and drag your woman back here.”
“I would if she were even remotely willing to come back, but she’ll fight it, which means I’ll have to fight the whole damn pack to get her out.”
Christian shrugged, “So what’s the problem? Fight the whole pack.”
Modess’ lip ticked up in a snarl. “I just saved that fucking pack and she was grateful for it. You think I can go barreling in there now and tear into them just to get her back? She’d hate me more than she already does.”
“She doesn’t hate you,” Bull tsked.
Shooting him a dark look, Modess lowered his hands and started pacing again. “Bull, bring me five enforcers. They, and you, will accompany me to Shadow Wolf.”
Bull shoved up off the couch, rubbing his hands together excitedly. “Now, that’s more like it. Let’s go kick ass and take names. I’ve been itching to get my hands on those Shadow Wolf fucks since Simone arrived and told me how she and Hillary were treated.”
“We’re not going to fight.”
Bull stilled at Modess’ words. “We’re not?”
“No.” Modess tilted his head from side to side cracking his neck before a wicked grin took his lips. “A member of the Shadow Wolf pack stole from this Alpha. There will be a reckoning. If we go in with a show of force, Michael’s going to give us what we want. He doesn’t want trouble and he certainly can’t afford the level I’d rain down on him. He’ll give her to me.”
Bull stood and crossed to stand directly in front of Modess, hands fisted. “And Simone?”
Nodding, Modess clapped his Beta on the shoulder. “We’re keeping her too.”
Bull’s shoulders slumped as if they weight of the world had just been lifted from him.
“Let’s go get it done,” Modess declared.
***
Hillary jerked awake when the door to her room slammed open and banked off the wall. Her heart went from zero to sixty in a blink and fear filled eyes landed on Lee and Dalton as they entered her room.
“What did you do?” Dalton snarled.
Lee answered for her. “You stole from the Blood Lust Alpha! I knew you were crazy, but this…” He shook his head.
Stole? What? Oh God! His truck. “No, it wasn’t like that.”
“Save it.”
They were on her in a second, each grabbing an arm as they lifted her off the bed and carried her out of her cabin as she protested. “Stop! Wait!”
Pulled out the front door, she jerked her head to the side while lifting a hand against the blinding light. Exhaustion must’ve kept her down longer than she’d anticipated because it had to be near noon. It had taken longer than she’d expected for Modess to come for his truck.
“Hillary!” Michael snapped.
When she lowered her hand, she recognized the fury registered on his face. “You stole from the Blood Lust Alpha? After all they’ve done for us?” He paced to her, “You ungrateful…”
His hand jerked back and her eyes rounded in fear as she braced for the hit she knew was coming.
“Don’t!”
The one word growled so viciously had Michael’s hand stilling mid-air. He turned and looked over his shoulder, but Hillary didn’t need to look. She’d recognize that voice, that crack of authority anywhere.
Modess!
Lowering his arm, Michael motioned toward her stepping back. “Would you like to punish her yourself, Alpha Wilder?”
Hillary lifted her eyes and they locked on Modess where he stood flanked by his enforcers.
“No.” He gritted out. “And your men have two seconds to get their fucking hands off her.”
Without waiting for an order from Michael, both Lee and Dalton released Hillary’s arms causing her to stumble to the ground.
No one moved except Hillary, who peeked up from the ground to stare at Modess. She was trying to decipher just how pissed he was and right now, he was off the charts.
“We apologize for any slight her actions may have caused.” Michael bowed his head. “Please, take your truck and know that she will be punished once you’re gone. I assure you, this infraction is one she won’t ever make again. If there is anything else I can do or offer to you and your pack in exchange for both your aid in battle and to make amends for this idiot’s thievery, speak it.”
Hillary swallowed hard when Modess tore his eyes from hers to pin them on Michael, rage simmering in the murky depths. “You see that mark on her neck?”
Michael blinked lamely before turning. He gripped Hillary’s chin, forcing her head to the side before gripping the front of the pullover she wore and ripping it down the front. Still wearing her satiny nightgown beneath, her shoulders and the swell of her breasts were exposed as Modess pullover dropped to her elbows. The bite on her shoulder was revealed, and when Modess snarled, Michael quickly released his hold on her chin.
Michael stepped back. “Is that…”
“A claiming mark,” Modess supplied.
Face pinching in confusion, Michael looked from Hillary to the men on either side of Modess. “But who?”
Hillary watched as Modess stepped forward and stopped directly in front of Michael before declaring loudly. “MINE!”
Oh shit! Pulse pounding, Hillary scrambled to her feet.
Michael bent and swept his arm in an almost regal bow. “By all means. Take her.”
Looking directly at Hillary, Modess’ one word had Hillary’s heart stopping. “No!”
Slowly, Michael rose. “But I thought she was yours.”
“No,” Modess shook his head, not breaking eye contact with Hillary. “She’s her own.” He took a step toward her. “You’re your own, Hillary. You decide. You didn’t get the chance last time. You get it now.” He swallowed hard looking almost uncertain before asking. “Me or him, Hillary? Blood Lust or Shadow Wolf?”
Holy shit! She’d expected him to come in here and do what he did best. Take! Instead, he was doing the one thing she’d wanted all along. He was giving her the option. That was good enough for her.
Licking her lips she spoke firmly. “You. I chose you, Modess.”
Chapter 29
All the way back to Blood Lust, Modess didn’t say a word to her. Biting her lip, Hillary peeked over at him, but he just kept his eyes pinned to the road, his white-knuckled grip tight on the steering wheel.
She’d tried to talk to him, but he hadn’t responded to anything she’d said, not even when she’d apologized for running from him and taking his truck.
Glancing over her shoulder, she felt relieved to see all of her plants sitting neatly on the back bench seat. She’d half-expected Modess to drag her from Shadow Wolf. Instead, he’d had her lead him to her cabin where he’d demanded she get dressed while he had his enforcers carry her plants to his truck and the rest of her things to the other trucks they’d brought. He might be acting upset, but his actions spoke louder than the scowl marring his brow. Plus, she knew Modess now. While she was feeling all wobbly inside because he was upset with her, she was more elated that he’d come to Shadow Wolf and declared she was his. The looks on the faces of Michael, Lee, and Dalton had been priceless. For the rest of her days, she’d store that image away for when she needed cheering up.
In front of his house, Modess pulled to a stop. He turned off the truck and then rested both forearms on the steering wheel. Without looking at her, he directed. “Go on up to the room. I’ll have the boys bring in your stuff. You’ll have to show them where want everything.”
She didn’t move. Turning, she looked at him imploringly. “Modess, I…”
“Not now, woman.” He jerked his door open and climbed out. As he stalked toward the house, she wondered if she’d wounded him by running. She’d have to figure it out later. Bull’s truck pulled up beside her, Christian’s pulled up beside his befor
e enforcers poured out and headed her way.
Climbing from the truck, she double-timed it to the house and then upstairs. The next few minutes were a blur of getting her plants and things situated and thanking the enforcers for their help. They left one by one. All except Bull who lingered.
Alone, he glanced at the door and then bluntly declared, “He loves you, Hillary.”
The words had tears flooding her eyes and all she could do was nod numbly. “I messed up.”
“He did too, but you’re both new to this. You guys are going to have to start fresh. Start today. Everything that’s happened in the past had to happen to bring you both to this moment. He claimed you in front of your pack and his enforcers. He’s trying and that means something, because he doesn’t try for anyone else besides Wanda. Give him a break.”
She nodded again and whispered, “We both messed up.”
“And you both wanna fix it. So, fix it.” Without another word, he turned and left. Hillary felt a little of the pressure lift off of her. He loves you, Hillary. She replayed Bull’s words and prayed they were true as she heard the distinct weight of Modess’ steps carrying him up the stairs and then down the hall to their room.
He entered and closed the door behind him and then just stood and stared at her.
It took some courage, but Hillary forced herself to walk to him. She nervously lifted her hands to his chest and then tilted her head back, eyes closing, as she waited for his kiss. It was an offering, an apology. She was showing throat and giving him control.
“Uh-uh.”
Her eyes snapped open in time to see him shake his head. “Ain’t happening like that. Don’t want there to be any accusation this time.”
Feeling rebuffed, Hillary lowered her arms and backed up a step but Modess caught her wrist, forcing her to stop.
“Don’t run from me, woman. Not again. No more running.”
Uncertainty shone in her features when she shook her head. “I-I don’t know what you want.”
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the necklace he’d gifted her. With intent eyes on hers, he lifted it and locked it around her throat. Eyes never leaving hers, he began stripping out of his clothes. Hillary’s eyes didn’t leave his, but once his shirt was pulled off, her eyes dipped to where his abs bunched and flexed as he unfastened his jeans and stepped out them. His boxers came off next. Her cheeks flared with bright heat as she lowered her gaze.
Grinning, Modess backed up and lowered himself onto the bed before reclining back onto his elbows. Cock pointing straight up at the ceiling, his heated gaze found Hillary’s. “This time I’m going to make sure you’re the one doing the taking. No confusion.”
Pink little tongue darting out to wet her lips, Hillary’s appreciative gaze slid from his and down his frame. She stared so long that he thought she’d refuse. Finally, she toed off one shoe and then the other before meeting his eyes and unbuttoning her blouse at a torturous pace.
He wanted to groan at how absolutely fucking sexy she was right now. Just a hint of uncertainty beneath all that need. He was certain she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
Minutes later, Hillary was bare, except for her elk ivory necklace, and it was his turn to admire her body. He hadn’t really gotten the chance their first go around and now he looked his fill, his cock jerking in eager anticipation.
Eyes shifting back to Hillary’s when she just stood there, he could see uncertainty swimming in those gray pools he adored. That wouldn’t do.
Relaxing all the way back on the bed, he crossed his arms behind his head and directed. “Cupcake, if you see something you want, come and take it.”
She hesitated only a moment before her eyes hardened with resolve. Watching her strip out of her clothes was hands down the sexiest thing he’d ever seen. Here at Blood Lust, Hillary was growing into a confident head strong woman and he loved it. He loved that she spoke her mind and wasn’t afraid to tell him what she thought. Everyone else was too afraid to tell him what they really thought, but not her. It’s like she was made to compliment him. Where he was hard, she was soft. Where he tended to come off as cold and uncaring, she was warm and nurturing. She was everything he knew he needed and right now, he simply needed her.
Naked at the end of the bed, he felt Hillary’s eyes boring into him. Tearing his eyes from the exquisite sight of her body, he let his gaze drift up to meet hers. Her trepidation was back. She bit her bottom lip as her uncertainty perfume the air. Nope! The only thing he wanted to smell was her desire and fierce need, a need that only he’d ever fill.
“Come here,” he commanded, leaving his arms behind his head.
Hillary climbed on the bed and when she tried to sit on her legs near his hip, he shook his head. “Climb on top of me, Cupcake.”
A single blink was her reply before she straddled his body. The second her legs parted, the scent of her honey filled the room and had a snarl tearing its way up his throat. Hillary tensed and to make sure she didn’t try running, he quickly pulled his hands from beneath his head and gripped her thighs. “Fuck, you smell amazing,” he growled, unable to help how raspy and animalistic his voice had gone.
Leaning down, Hillary kissed his nose, but when she moved to press her lips to his, he caught her chin in a firm grip.
“Before you go any further, know this.”
Delicate brows dipped down as she stared at him questioningly.
“If you take from me tonight, Hillary, you’re taking all of me. If I take you tonight, I’m taking all of you. I will fuck you. I will mark you. I. Will. Keep. You. If that’s not what you want, you’ve got two seconds to get off of me and out of this house.”
An unknown emotion tore through him with the declaration and it took him a second to place that it was fear. He was afraid she’d say no, that she’d run from him again.
She didn’t move. Her frown still in place, she just kept right on staring at him like he hadn’t even spoken.
“Did you hear me?”
Her eyes dipped to his lips. “Are…are you going to love me, Modess?”
The worry in her tone shredded him and it sucked even more because that was on him. He hadn’t told her yet. He hadn’t told her how much she meant to him. He hadn’t told her how hard he planned on loving her, how long he planned on loving her. He hadn’t told her that he refused to fail. He would be the mate she needed, the mate she deserved. It’d be done if it killed him.
Forcing her chin up until her eyes met his again he let sincerity ring in his tone as he declared. “I already love you. Only you, Hillary. You’re it. My one. If you’ll have me, I’ll spend the rest of my days working to be what you deserve.”
Tears flooded her eyes and when she blinked they spilled over. Pure horror washed over him. She’s going to say no. His body tensed and he swallowed hard as he watched her.
Finally, mercifully, she grinned. “I don’t want you…”
Her first four words gutted him. He felt all the blood drain from his face, but she continued quickly. “I don’t want you to spend the rest of your days trying to be what you think it is I deserve. I just want you, Modess Wilder. Just as you are. Big, burly, snarly, ornery, Alpha wolf. You’re perfect the way you are. You’re perfect to me…for me.”
His heart was racing double-time now and he asked with all seriousness, “You in this with me, Hillary?”
Leaning down, her nose was an inch from his as she looked deep into his eyes. “I’m in this with you, Modess.”
Slowly, a grin took his features and his arms lifted to wrap around her. Hillary squealed against his chest like they’d just gotten away with something and he laughed. “Tell me, woman.”
She peeked up. “Tell you what?”
He smirked. “You know what I want to hear.”
Her smile dipped and she pulled her arm from where it was trapped between them to reach up and cup his cheek. “I love you.”
And there it was. Three little words and all in his world was right.<
br />
***
Holy hell! Was this actually happening? It felt so surreal and Hillary was struggling to stay present because she couldn’t believe what had just happened. Modess had declared his love and his intention to claim her. HER! Of all the women in all the world, and he was picking her! Elation was making her feel all floaty and when Modess hugged her tight and rolled them over, her stomach dipped. Being pinned beneath him was quickly becoming her favorite place.
“Cupcake,” he growled.
She expected him to just slide into her and disappointment hit hard when he didn’t. He started kissing her neck, which she decided was a doable consolation prize, but when he started pecking soft smacking kisses down her body, she tensed.
Collarbone, kiss.
Swell of her breast, kiss.
Nipple, kiss.
Ribs, kiss.
Soft swell of her belly, kiss.
Hip bone, kiss.
“OOOOOOH!”
That fast, his head was nestled between her legs, his tongue sluicing through her folds and holy fucking shit, it was divine!
Unsure what to do with her hands, but needed something to hold, Hillary buried them in his hair. She couldn’t keep from curling them into tight fists when he started lapping at her.
This! This is what all the hullabaloo was about! “Modess!”
A throaty growl was filling the room and vibrating against her and if he didn’t stop soon, she was going to….
“AAAAAAGH!”
Too late. Of their own volition, her thighs tried to slam closed but Modess’ big body kept that from happening. An orgasm stole through her, unfurling in her limbs like ribbons of exquisite ecstasy as her hips continued to rock against his mouth, drawing out the aftershocks.
Modess continued to lap at her and when he finally pulled back and crawled up to cage her body beneath his, he was still licking his lips.
