“How? I’m not a healer. He’s unconscious and can’t shift.” Brenda glanced at Granger, a physical ache pressed on her chest.
“I can give you the gift of healing, and you will become like Laurel, who you met in Paris. You will be my handmaiden, always in my service. Once given, it cannot be undone.”
“And if I don’t agree?” Brenda asked. Could she handle being the living vessel of a goddess? Never knowing when she might be called upon?
“Then I will take Granger to the next dimension. You will be alone for the rest of your life. The other half of your soul missing.”
“What if I take his place? You can take my life and spare his,” Brenda begged. She couldn’t let Granger die, not if she could help him. He was so good. He had so much to give to the world with his art. She was nothing in comparison.
“Granger needs you in the same way you need him. Even if I took his memories of you, he would feel the missing part of his soul. It would slowly drive him crazy and he would take his own life.”
“Then I have no choice,” Brenda said, the sour taste of defeat in her mouth.
“You have three, but to become my handmaiden takes the most courage. You would live and so would your mate. Is it that hard? You can be of service to the lycan race and in return live a long and fruitful life with your mate at your side. Time is slipping away. If we are going to save Granger we must act now.”
“Do it. I won’t let him die.” Brenda took a deep breath. She didn’t know what to expect.
“Remove the limb from his shoulder,” Asena said, her tone falling like music.
Brenda quickly obeyed. Already she felt stiff from the cold and she realized the bubble was an illusion. She and Granger still existed, in the car, in the middle of a snow storm.
“Put your hands over the wound,” Asena instructed.
Brenda did as told. She bit her lip as blood began gushing from the hole in his shoulder. Please don’t let him bleed to death. At least any remaining debris would be washed out.
“Hold his spirit to you,” Asena reminded Brenda.
Brenda held tight to the light that was Granger’s spirit. “Don’t you dare leave me!”
Brenda felt Asena’s hands on her shoulders and then heat began to flow through her as Asena’s spirit filled Brenda’s body. Brenda sighed in relief as a wave of peace flowed over her. Energy ran down her arms into Granger’s body. His skin glowed as white lights coalesced around him. Then he shifted and a huge gray wolf sat on the seat beside her. His shaggy head stuck through the neck of his dress shirt, while his front legs wore shirt sleeves. Brenda quickly unbuttoned the torn and bloody garment so he could step out.
Brenda wanted to laugh. But her lips were chapped and even smiling was painful. Her teeth ached and her skin stung. She took off Granger’s jacket, then calling the shift, she became a gray wolf. Once transformed, she, too, healed. She leaned over and licked Granger’s muzzle.
He blinked his large amber eyes at her and then thumped his tail. “Did I hear you yelling at me?” he asked, telepathically.
“Yeah, that would have been me. You better get used to it if you want to be my mate.”
“If I want to be your mate?” Granger asked, incredulously.
“You heard me. Now let’s get out of here and go home.” Brenda turned to look for Asena. The lycan goddess was gone. When she moved, Brenda felt a heavy silver chain around her neck. She looked down to see a large amulet. On its face was the head of a wolf.
Chapter Seven
Jared and Mathis threw a rope down the side of the mountain, and Granger, in human form, made a sling using his coat. Neither of them could climb up the slope being so slippery. He gritted his teeth from the cold and looped his arm around her wolf form before wrapping the rope around his hand.
“All right, pull us up,” Granger sent telepathically to the rescue party above.
Granger grunted as the men began to pull. He braced his body to walk up the embankment while maneuvering Brenda’s wolf body so she wasn’t injured.
Strong hands finally grabbed them and finished hauling them over the top. Jared handed Granger a blanket and guided him to the snow cat sitting by the side of the road.
Granger got into the back and reached for Brenda. She didn’t wait, but jumped into his lap. Jared climbed into the front with Mathis in the driver’s seat.
“You both gave us quite a scare,” Jared commented. “Thank goodness you were able to shift and heal, Granger. The smell of blood was strong in the air.”
“I didn’t call the shift… Brenda somehow managed to get me to shift. I woke up after the transformation.” Granger ran his hand down Brenda’s back and felt the chain around her neck. “What’s this, Brenda?”
Brenda shook her wolf head and then licked his face. Granger felt her telepathic thoughts flow into his mind.
“I assume it is a gift from Asena. I am her new handmaiden, the price for saving you.”
Brenda replayed her encounter with Asena, and Granger broadcasted it to Jared and Mathis. Granger hugged Brenda to his chest. She had accepted him, finally.
“Welcome, Asena’s handmaiden. You and Granger are now considered above the pack hierarchy. You belong to all packs as Laurel and Anton do,” Jared said.
“Yeah, she kind of mentioned that. Only, I’m supposed to be her handmaiden for Canada. I have no idea what that means,” Brenda sent.
“Whatever it means, we’ll figure it out together,” Granger said.
Brenda thumped her tail and licked his face. Mathis had backed up the snow cat and then pushed the tree down the hill so no one else on the road would run into it, not that they expected anyone out in this weather. Once the snow cat turned towards home, Brenda laid her head on Granger’s lap. Granger continued to caress her as they made their way to the Alpha’s lodge.
“I think you and Brenda should stay here tonight. I called one of the pack members to close up the cottage. The way Brenda flew by to rescue you, I figured she didn’t think to lock up.”
“Thanks, Jared.” Granger rubbed his hand down his mate’s back, enjoying the thickness of her fur. Brenda sat up and licked his face. “Brenda, honey, we’re here.”
When he opened the door, she jumped out. Granger hurried to follow her inside. When he opened the door to the lodge, she bolted up the stairs to the guest rooms.
Granger decided to let her go, for the moment, when Esme came running down the hall and hugged him. “We were so worried. I’m glad you’re okay.”
Jared came up and put his arm around Esme. “Don’t do that to me again, Granger. I don’t want to relive that moment I first saw the sedan down the mountain. I smelled your blood. I thought we’d lost you.”
“Believe me, I don’t want to. If it wasn’t for Brenda, I’m not sure I’d be here.”
“Asena is the one who healed you. She just used me to do it,” Brenda said, walking down the stairs. Her hair was damp from the snow, and she wore a pair of knit pants and a sweater. Granger felt his wolf rush to the surface. He couldn’t wait to get Brenda out of those clothes.
Granger held his arm out and Brenda slipped under his shoulder. She fit perfectly. “Thank you for saving me.” He leaned down and kissed her. Brenda wrapped her arms around his waist, her hands fisting his jacket.
Granger’s body immediately responded, a wave of desire hit him hard. Ignoring the Alpha pair, Granger lifted Brenda. She wrapped her legs around his waist and put her arms around his neck. Still kissing her, he climbed the stairs, and found the nearest guest chamber. He kicked the door closed behind him before lowering Brenda to the bed.
“I need you, right now. I can’t wait,” Granger said, reaching for her pants and slipping them off with the underwear. Brenda sat up and reached for Grangers jacket. She didn’t bother to unbutton it, instead she ripped it open using her lycan strength. Buttons flew through the air.
“Then don’t wait.” Brenda reached for the zipper on his pants and pushed the offending garments from his
body. “I want you, too. I thought I was going to lose you. I didn’t like it one bit.” She leaned up and nipped at his chest.
Granger reached for the hem of her sweater and lifted the garment off. He paused a moment and looked at her. Her body was long and lean, her legs going forever. He reached for the perfect handful of breast and massaged the soft flesh, before leaning down and licking her nipple. She moaned and combed her fingers through his hair, pulling his head closer, demanding he give her more. He obliged by first nipping, and then sucking, her nipple into his mouth. The little bud hardened, and he released it to blow air over the quivering flesh.
“More, Granger.” Brenda tugged on his hair pulling him to the other breast.
“Is this side feeling neglected?” Granger asked, before sucking her nipple into his mouth.
Brenda’s breath quickened. She rubbed her long leg up along his. He licked at her nipple, until it grew hard as well, then released it to kiss his way to the valley hiding her heart.
“Granger, I thought you needed me now? Stop teasing.”
“Are you ready for me?” Granger asked, slipping a finger into her core. Moisture flooded his hand and he pushed up hard. “You are ready. But I want to go slow, so I can get to know every inch of you.”
“Later. You can explore, later. Less talk, more action,” Brenda grabbed at Granger’s shoulders pulling him over her.
“You are a bossy little thing,” Granger said, chuckling. He positioned himself between her thighs and rubbed his shaft along her slit, letting her juices coat him before he pushed the head inside her. “Is this what you want, sweetheart?”
“Now, Granger, or I’m going to kill you,” Brenda complained, her head thrashing side to side, as she wrapped her legs around him, trying to pull him closer.
“Look at me, Brenda. Let me see those beautiful eyes,” Granger said.
Brenda turned to look at him. Granger tugged the mating bond, flooding it with his feelings and erotic desires. Brenda’s eyes widened as her desires flowed into the telepathic link. “I claim you as my mate.” Granger pushed in deep. “Everything that you are, I take into my keeping and give everything I am to you.” Granger pulled out and then pushed in again.
Brenda rose to meet his thrusts, her body on fire. She lifted her head and licked at Granger’s chest, nipping and kissing. He continued to fill her completely before pulling out and filling her again. Sweat dripped from their bodies. Brenda ran her nails down Granger’s back.
“More, Granger, give me more,” Brenda cried. She was going up in flames.
Granger picked up the tempo and Brenda met him. Both poured desire into the mating, the feelings of pleasure, a fire building. Brenda was so close, she needed just a little more.
Granger leaned down and licked at her shoulder. Then he bit down, hard. Lightning shot through Brenda’s system. She exploded into the ether, taking Granger with her. He moaned and licked at her wound. Fire flooded her system as Granger released his seed into her waiting womb. They collapsed, limbs wrapped around each other, one heart, one body, one soul.
Brenda lay completely spent and listened to their combined heartbeat. Granger was now her mate, the heartmate bond cemented into place. She ran her fingers through Granger’s blond locks enjoying the silky softness.
Granger raised his head and looked down at her. “You all right?”
“Perfect, except for one little thing,” Brenda replied.
“What’s that?” Granger asked, in confusion.
“This.” Brenda reached up, pulled Granger down to her, and bit his neck where it met the shoulder, her teeth sinking deep. She licked at the bite and then smiled up at him. “If I have to wear your mark, you have to wear mine.”
Granger smiled and Brenda felt a curious warmth in her chest. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
§
Brenda crept downstairs to the kitchen, her stomach growling with hunger. She never did get any dinner, and then with running around like crazy, and saving Granger, she was starved.
She turned on the light and opened the fridge.
“Well it’s about time you two got it on. So how was it? Is he as scrumptious as he looks?” Susan asked from the hall.
Brenda’s face heated and she wanted to disappear. She grabbed a bowl of something that looked a lot like bread pudding and turned around. She opened the wrapping and sniffed the wonderful aroma of raisins and cinnamon. She found a fork and sat at the table.
“I’m not giving you a blow by blow description, Susan. Frankly, it isn’t any of your business.”
“Too bad, no good, huh? What a pity. It sure sounded good,” Susan said, walking into the kitchen and turning on the coffee maker.
Brenda felt her face warm. Lycan hearing made privacy difficult. “I didn’t say that. Stop putting words into my mouth.”
“So, he was good. I thought he would be. With the noises you were making it sure sounded good. Aren’t you glad you decided to go for it, finally?” Susan opened the cupboard and pulled down two mugs.
“Susan, would you stop? I am not discussing my sex life with you.”
“You’re no fun, Brenda. How am I supposed to find the perfect mate if you and Esme don’t share your experiences with me? Coffee?” Susan asked.
“Yes, please,” Brenda answered. “I’m sure the perfect mate will come along, Susan.”
“Really? Let’s see, Esme had to get shot, and you had to go through excruciating pain and be transformed into a lycan, before you both found your mates. I have to tell you, I’m not interested in going that route. Besides, I already did the pain thing and no heartmate bond snapped into place for me.”
“Maybe your perfect mate was too far away to feel your pain. Jared didn’t feel Esme turning into a lycan.”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better. If your theory is correct, I’ll have to tour the world looking for him.”
“Susan, give it a rest. Maybe, your perfect mate will find you.”
§
Granger awoke with a start. Brenda was gone. He grabbed his pants before making his way downstairs. Feminine voices led him to the kitchen. He smiled when he heard Susan grilling Brenda for information. That girl was a spitfire. He shook his head and entered the kitchen. Both women shut up and turned to look at him.
“Did you leave anything for me to eat?” he asked.
“The refrigerator is always full,” Susan said, giving Granger’s bare chest a look of appreciation. “I think I’ll go read a book, maybe a romance where the heroine finds her perfect mate.” Susan glared at Brenda and marched out of the room.
Granger chuckled and opened the refrigerator. “Can I get you anything?” he asked while scrounging inside. He found a dish of left over spaghetti and put it in the microwave.
“No, thanks. I ate a bowl of delicious bread pudding. I’ll have to ask your mom for the recipe. When does she get back?”
“She and Dad will be back in a couple of days. I’m sure she’d like that.”
The microwave dinged and Granger sat at the table to eat. Brenda sat cradling her cup of coffee in her hands. Just looking at her made him want her again. He took a bite of his food without tasting it. All he could see were Brenda’s long fingers wrapped around her mug. The way her bathrobe gaped open giving him a glimpse of creamy flesh. Her lips touching the side of the cup as she took a drink of the warm liquid. Then the tip of her tongue licking her lips as she lowered her hands to the table.
Brenda looked into his eyes. She shuddered. “Don’t look at me like that,” she whispered.
“How am I looking at you?”
“Like you want to gobble me up.”
“Ah, but I do want to gobble you up.” Granger pushed his now empty plate to the side. He rose and leaned over the table. “I want my tongue inside you, licking up all that luscious cream…”
“Granger, you can’t say things like that to me,” Brenda said, rising from her chair and backing slowly away.
“It’s the truth,”
Granger said, stalking her around the table. “I want to make you scream my name in pleasure.”
Brenda backed up farther, her eyes sparkling, her face flushed.
“Run,” Granger said, licking his lips. He sent erotic pictures floating in his mind telepathically into her thoughts. “Run,” he said, taking another step towards her.
Brenda’s eye widened. Then she whipped around and ran out of the room heading for the stairs. Granger ran after her, smiling. He couldn’t wait to have her again.
Brenda laughed as she made it to the top of the stairs and into their room. Granger followed her inside, slamming the door behind him. He expected to see her lying on the bed waiting for him, but the bed was empty. He stopped, puzzled, and turned around. A bundle of warm woman, hit him squarely in the chest, and he fell backwards onto the bed. Brenda landed on top of him.
She leaned down and licked his ear. “I think it’s my turn to make you crazy.”
“Baby, I’m already crazy for you,” Granger said, smiling. He reached for the tie around her waist and then pushed the robe from her shoulders.
Brenda shrugged the robe to the floor and then reached for the zipper on his pants. He sprang from the binding, already erect with want. She pushed the material down his legs so he could kick it off.
She sat on his thighs, her gaze alight with humor. “Now, where should I start?” Brenda tweaked a nipple with her fingers. “Here?” She ran her fingers down his chest and then to his stomach, scoring lightly with her nails. She followed the line of hair down to his groin and twirled the hair around with her fingers. “Or here?”
Granger grew harder with each swipe of Brenda’s fingers. She drove him crazy, though he would never admit it to her. He ran his hands down her sides, feeling her soft skin and the indentation of her waist.
“Aren’t you going to answer me?” Brenda asked, with a little pout.
“I am yours, sweetheart. My body is your playground. Drive me crazy,” Granger said, running his hands up to her breasts and cupping the soft globes in his hands. He rubbed his thumbs over her nipples and felt them begin to harden. Brenda shivered.
Beta's Mate (Siberian Volkov Pack Romance Series Book 8) Page 8
