Untethered (Shifter Night Book 1)

by Charlene Hartnady

  “Winston!” Ana’s voice was laced with surprise and possibly a little embarrassment. “Put me down.” She kept her voice low.

  He began walking towards their home, taking big strides, careful not to jostle her too much.

  “Winston!” she yelled.

  “Where is he taking her?” Ana’s mother asked, sounding worried.

  “It’s all a part of the ceremony,” Ash said, he could tell that his friend was smiling. “They’ll join us a bit later at the celebration.”

  Somewhere in the distance, Edith and Doctor Brenner laughed their asses off.

  “Does he have to manhandle her like that?” Winston detected a hint of excitement in his mother-in-law’s voice.

  Ash chuckled, he said something back but Winston was too far away to hear what it was.

  “What are you doing?” Ana was wriggling. “Put me down.”

  Winston slapped her ass through all the layers of her dress. “I’m making you mine.”

  “What are you talking about?” He pushed the door open to their home and quickly made his way to the bedroom. “I am yours … Winston.” She growled his name. The way she said it had his balls pulling tight.

  “No, you’re almost mine. Almost.”

  “Oh!” She gasped when she realized why they were here. “We’re going to consummate our mating now. As in right now?” she gasped. “We can’t. What about our guests?”

  Winston allowed her to slide gently down his body. Her face was a little red from hanging upside down and her eyes were a bit dazed. “We should wait until after the—”

  “I’m done waiting.” He cupped her jaw. “I’ve waited long enough. Do you know how hard it’s been to be buried deep inside and not sink my teeth into you?”

  He watched the column of her neck move as she swallowed thickly. Ana shook her head.

  “I’ve had to deny every instinct.” He clenched his teeth. “I won’t wait. I’m making you mine and then we can head to the ceremony.”

  “Okay.” Her voice was breathy. “I love that you’re this impatient.”

  He spun her around, there were what looked like a thousand little buttons all along the back of the corset part of the dress. He growled, his big hands felt clumsy when trying to undo one of them. The buttons were looped through a tiny thread. “This dress is …”

  “Don’t tear my dress.” She glanced back at him as he unleashed a string of curses, all under his breath.

  “Fine,” he conceded, pulling the fabric down so that her breasts spilled out the top. “Much fucking better,” he sighed taking one of the pink tips into his mouth. Come to think of it, she was gorgeous in the dress. Her little tits pushed up high over the lace. Ana was the perfect combination of sweet and sexy. She moaned when he sucked on a plump nipple. Groaned when he nipped on her flesh.

  Then he grabbed her by the hips and placed her on the bed. “We’ll work around the dress.”

  “Okay.” Her voice had grown husky. A sign of how turned on she was.

  He pushed up all ten layers of chiffon and lace. Okay, there probably weren’t as many as ten layers, but it felt like it.

  Her pussy was covered in a tiny scrap of white lace. He could see her thin strip of fur. His mouth watered. Ana opened her legs and arched her back. The fabric was soaked through. Using one finger, he traced her slit softly. Ana squirmed. Then he closed his mouth over her clit, sucking on her right through the fabric. She whimpered. Impatient now, he pushed the fabric aside, enjoying the view for a few seconds. Glistening flushed pink. Her clit was swollen. He laved the bundle of nerves using the tip of his tongue.

  “Fuck,” his sweet mate cursed loudly. Ana had completely come out of her shell over the last few months. “God, yes!” she yelled when he laved her again. “Suck it,” she begged.

  Winston held back a chuckle. He did as she asked. Ana’s hips bucked as he closed his mouth over her clit. She gripped his hair, rocking against his mouth. “Oh yeah! Oh!” He inserted two fingers and pumped them in and out of her. Winston knew he should take it slow but he was too damned impatient. He had meant what he said, his patience was all but gone. His canines felt sharp against his tongue. He sucked, licked and continued to pump those fingers. Ten seconds later and she was flying apart with a hard yell.

  “You are so good at that,” she said, panting.

  Winston smiled, his face felt taut and his dick all out fucking throbbed, as did his gums.

  “It’s why I mated you. You’re fabulous in bed.”

  “Is that the only reason?” he asked.

  Her eyes glinted and her mouth twitched. She shook her head. “And because you have a big cock.” Her eyes dipped to what could only be a huge bulge in his suit pants.

  “Really now?”

  She nodded. “And because I love you so very, very much.” Her eyes misted. “You’re everything to me.”

  “Fuck!” he snarled, trying not to sound like an animal … and failed. “Sorry.” He squeezed the back of his neck. “My instincts are riding me hard right now.” He pulled on the lace covering her sex, it shredded apart. “I need to fuck you now … seriously fuck you. I need to make you mine, Ana.” He looked from her pussy to her beautiful face.

  She swallowed thickly and nodded. “I can’t wait to be yours.”

  “I’m going to bite you.”

  “I know.” A flash of fear crossed her face.

  “It’ll feel amazing, I promise.”

  “I trust you, my love.”

  “Good.” Another low growl caused his chest to vibrate. “I’m sorry, I’m just so turned on. So desperate to mark you.”

  Ana reached up and cupped his jaw. “You don’t ever need to apologize to me. I told you, I love your wolf. I love how beautiful your eyes look right now. So golden and glowing. I love how sharp your teeth look and how desperate you are for me. I feel the same way about you.”

  “Good.” He reached down and unclasped his belt. His hand actually shook as he undid his pants. Instead of taking his cock out, he moved to his shirt and undid the buttons, loving how greedy Ana’s eyes had become. Loving how she licked her lips as he pulled down his zipper. His dick sprang free. It was like the horny fucker was trying to get at her. Couldn’t say he blamed it one bit.

  “You ready?” he asked, his gaze raking over her body. Her beautiful little breasts spilling over the corset. Poofy dress bunched up around her hips. Glistening pussy and ripped lace between her thighs which were splayed for him. All for him.

  Ana nodded. She threaded her hands around his neck and pulled him onto her.

  “Wrap your legs around me.” His voice was a rough rasp, tight with need. She did as he said, so hot and so wet. He couldn’t fucking wait to push inside her. Face-to-face. Chest-to-chest. He wanted to watch her come. Wanted to feel her shake beneath him as he bit down into her.

  Forcing himself to calm the fuck down, he kissed along the column of her neck. He sucked on her ear. Ana moaned. Then he took her mouth and kissed her. So good he could hardly breathe. He pulled back, watching her face contort in pleasure as he sank into her. Slowly. Oh so slowly.

  Ana whispered his name. Balls deep. Her pussy so snug, so damned wet. “You feel amazing.”

  “So do you.” She was panting.

  He pulled her thighs high, sinking in deeper. Ana moaned. “Love you,” he growled as he began to move. Hard, slow thrusts that had her shouting out from the word go. His balls were already tight. So close to coming it was scary.

  Winston sucked on the tip of a finger and slid his hand between them, quickly zoning in on her clit. Her eyes widened and her groans became deeper. He kissed her and moved backwards to look at her, and then kissed her again. Loving how the pleasure enhanced her beauty. Eyes wide and glassy, cheeks flushed. Jaw tight as her little fingers dug into his back. Her heels did the same. Her yells grew louder, deeper. He sounded like a fucking beast. Grunting and groaning. His teeth felt huge. Thankfully, they didn’t seem to scare her. The opposite seemed true.

>   Her gasps grew short and choppy. She tightened around him and then she was letting go. Her jaw turning slack as her pussy clamped the hell out of him.

  Winston ground out her name as his own orgasm hit. Careful! Easy! Take it slow! He leaned in as she was coming down. Softly! Using every ounce of willpower he possessed, he bit down on her neck.

  Ana’s whole body stiffened and then she screamed. Loud and shrill. Her pussy clamped down so hard, it hurt. His orgasm reignited and his dick felt like it was exploding. Winston released her neck as his eyes rolled back, he groaned so loudly his throat hurt. The spasms around his cock turned to flutters, he eased his thrusts until he stopped moving all together, careful to keep his weight off of Ana. He could taste her on his lips. Utter joy coursed through him.

  Her eyes were closed. She was breathing deeply. He placed a kiss on her lips. She moaned, her eyes fluttered. Winston brushed the hair from her face.

  “You okay?”

  She made a noise of affirmation.

  “Is your neck okay?” The bite had broken the skin as was required. Winston licked the wound. Ana moaned and she shivered.

  “You killed me,” she murmured. Her voice a bit slurred. “Too good.” Her eyes were still closed.

  “The sex will get even better.”

  Her lids cracked open just a little. “No way.” She shook her head.

  “Yeah, when you bite me back.” He brushed another kiss on her lips. He chuckled. “Have a power-nap and then we’d better get back to the ceremony.”

  Her eyes widened but they were hazy. “Oh … oh flip.”

  “Sleep for a few minutes,” he urged. “We haven’t been gone that long.”

  “I want to do that again.” She gave him a drunk looking smile.

  “Later.”

  “Promise?” Her eyes were already closing. Her breathing deepening.

  Winston chuckled. “I promise.” Easiest promise he had ever made.

  26

  One week later …

  They walked in silence, a group of six, all spread out. It was only he and Ash who walked side by side. They were on their way back to the village. They’d just shifted back into their human form. In a mile or two they’d be able to see the smoke. It was early yet, almost everyone would be sleeping.

  “I can’t believe you left your new mate to come on security detail. You must be desperate to get back to Ana.” Ash glanced his way. “You’re lucky I’m on this assignment or I would’ve kept her warm for you.” He winked, making his meaning clear. Fucker!

  “Don’t even go there,” Winston growled, even though the edges of his mouth were curled in a smile. He knew that his friend was messing with him. “We all have a role to play in keeping our village safe. I’m not going to shirk responsibility. Besides, we’d been holed up for a week. I left my female unconscious. I’m sure she’s slept for two days solid. She needed the break.”

  Ash smirked. It made him look feral, something from a nightmare. “I’m sure I could’ve roused her.”

  “Fuck you, dickhead,” Winston chuckled.

  His friend did too. “So …” Ash turned serious. He lowered his voice since the other males were close. Not that anyone was particularly interested in what they were saying to one another. “Is it everything you thought it would be?”

  “What, being mated?”

  Ash nodded. “You look happy.” His face became pinched, his eyes dark. Winston was sure he saw longing there. Was it longing for his lost mate or longing for real companionship? Probably both.

  “It’s everything and more,” Winston’s voice was thick with emotion as his mind moved to his female. He stopped walking. He could hear the footfalls of the others continuing ahead. The pine needles crunching beneath their feet.

  “Yes,” his friend sighed. “It’s a gift and a curse.”

  Ash turned. Winston touched his friend on the arm. “I wish you would consider …”

  “Nah, fuck …” He ran a hand through his hair, which was already an unruly mess. “I had a mate and I lost her … lost so much …” He shook his head. “I have my son, my pack. I’m happy. Very fucking happy.”

  “I hear you’ve been sniffing around the same female. Are you sure you—”

  “The best fuck I ever had,” Ash interjected. He looked angry. “That’s all it is.”

  Winston choked out a laugh. “Seriously? Here I was thinking that you might be ready to—”

  “Don’t you dare say it.”

  “You and Ana have so much in common. She knows what you are going through. That’s why you guys get along so well.”

  “She’s easy on the eyes and knows how to cook a steak. What’s not to like?”

  Winston couldn’t help the growl that escaped. “Stop with the bullshit comments. Ana has had a difficult time and yet she was able to move on. It doesn’t mean she forgot her mate or the child she lost—”

  “Enough,” Ash snarled. “I will never take another mate. Never! I may have spent the last few Shifter Nights with the same female but it doesn’t mean a thing. In fact, I’m done with her.”

  “Look, it’s your life.” Winston put up both hands. “You need to decide for—”

  One of the males growled. Winston’s hackles went up.

  “Look at this!” he yelled.

  “What the fuck?” one of the others snarled.

  He and Ash ran over to where the males were. They were looking at the ground.

  “What the hell!” Winston mumbled. “What the fuck is that?” he added.

  Ash leaned in close, he sniffed. “Nothing. I get nothing.” The male scouted the area. “Nobody move.” He scratched his head and sighed. “That’s it. One fucking print.”

  “It’s huge.” Winston said. “What the hell made it?”

  “Fucked if I know.” Ash shook his head.

  “It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.” Kane cocked his head, still staring at the print. “Bigger than a bear’s but more like a … fuck … like a cat. Look at the claws and the pads of the paw. That’s feline for sure.”

  “There’s only one,” Cody snarled, looking around them. “How is that possible?”

  “We’re only two miles from our village,” Ash spoke low.

  Winston shifted. It took him less than a second. Adrenaline coursed through him. His fur bristled.

  “Try to stay calm.” Ash looked him in the eyes. “Whatever made this is long gone. You can see how the wind has blown the edge. A leaf is lying in the center. I’d say at least,” he pursed his lips in thought, “four, maybe five hours. I don’t scent blood or …” he let the sentence die when Winston growled. “Let’s head back. I need to speak with the alphas.”

  Blinding fear iced his veins. So much so that he was struggling to concentrate on what Ash was saying.

  “You can go back to your mate.” Thank fuck! Winston howled as his claws dug up the earth. He ran at a flat-out pace to the village, shifting as he made it to their front door.

  Winston barged in, slammed the door behind him and dug himself under the covers, wrapping his arms around Ana.

  His mate made a noise of contentment. “You’re freezing.” Her voice was laced with sleep.

  “We might need to put our baby-making efforts on hold,” he blurted, adrenaline still coursing through him.

  She turned to face him, a frown marred her beautiful face. “It might be too late for that.”

  His heart beat faster. “Are you saying?” He frowned. “Are you …?”

  “I’m not sure but my breasts feel a little tender and I was sick yesterday. I … maybe … Are you saying you don’t want to be a dad anymore?”

  Winston felt his eyes prick. “I’d like nothing more. I’m worried though.” He told Ana what had happened.

  “It could be anything. A bear?”

  “It was one of them. It was one of the things that hurt Ward. The same fuckers that are scaring our game. It was right here … just outside our village.” He pulled Ana close. His chest rising
and falling quickly. Adrenaline spiked once again.

  “Breathe,” Ana kept her voice low. “In through your nose and out through your mouth. Slower … that’s it.”

  Winston chuckled. “How the tables have turned.” He pulled back, kissing her softly. “Do you want to know? I’m bursting to find out.”

  “Find out what?” She frowned, looking adorable.

  “If you’re with child.”

  Ana’s eyes widened. “Would you be able to tell? It’s too soon. I don’t think I’d be more than a couple of days ‒ a week at the most.”

  “I might.” He smiled. “A week is a long time for a shifter baby.”

  Ana nodded. “I would really like to know.”

  Winston pulled the covers away exposing every inch of her beautiful body. He slowly moved down her until his nose was in line with her belly. It was flat and smooth. He buried his nose against her and sniffed, then he put his ear against her skin.

  It was so soft he almost missed it. The tiniest pitter patter. He laughed. “You’re right, it’s too late.” Then he sobered up a whole hell of a lot. He gathered Ana into his arms. “I’m going to take good care of you. I won’t let you out of my sight.”

  Ana was smiling. “I take it I’m …” She chewed on her lower lip. A tear rolled down her cheek. “I’m pregnant.”

  “Yeah, sweetheart, you’re going to be a mom. A fucking amazing, beautiful … sexy mom.” He touched her belly. “I can’t wait until you swell with child. Until your breasts fill with milk.” He suckled on one.

  She hugged him back.

  “You have nothing to worry about.” He couldn’t keep the growl from his voice.

  “Who said I was worried? I’m not. You will protect us. I feel completely safe with you, my love.”

  Winston had to work on keeping his breathing even. To keep from panicking. There was something out there. If he was right, there was more than one. They were big and they posed a threat. He growled low in his throat.

  “Stop that,” Ana giggled. “Your heart is just about beating out of your chest. I think,” she wrapped her legs around his waist, “that you should make love to me. Pregnant women are exceedingly horny.” She fisted his dick and, despite his raging fear, it hardened in her hand. “It’ll take your mind off of things.”