by Lacey Thorn
Jess shook her head. “Abby’s right. You hit hard when you fell. You need to rest. I’m afraid we’re going to poke and prod you over the next few days as we try to figure out what’s going on and how to help. I can see how concerned Abby is. Derrick can deal with whatever comes this way. He’s not alone. He has one from his alpha pack with him. Someone is always on guard here.”
“Alpha pack?” Abby asked and lifted her brow when Jess blushed red.
“I’ll tell you all about it later,” Jess assured her then stepped around them to lead the way. She stopped and opened a door. “Go ahead and sit on the bed. I’ll just grab what I need out of my bag to get those blood samples and head down to the lab.”
“There’s a lab here?”
“There’s everything here,” Jess said with a laugh. “Dad had it built for me, in case I ever found my dreams. Turns out my dream came with its own lab.”
“Jess, about Professor Mueller…” Abby took a deep breath as she tried to hold back the tears that threatened to fall again.
“He’s fine, Abby. Promise.” Jess gave her a funny look as if she didn’t know what Abby was talking about.
Abby shook her head. “There was an explosion. I called his office on the way here.”
“I didn’t realize you knew. He wasn’t inside.” Jess sighed and looked sad. “My mate and his pack have some pretty serious enemies. When those enemies found out I was with the pack, they tried to threaten Derrick’s pack by using my family.”
“Your dad?”
Jess nodded as she began prepping Tah’s arm to take blood. Only Abby noticed the way he flinched at Jess’s touch. “It was the only way to save him. Derrick had the other two members of his pack take care of stuff and get Dad away. If they think he’s dead, they won’t come after him. He should be here tomorrow if all goes well.” She finished up with Tah and turned to do the same to Abby.
“I was so worried,” Abby admitted. “I thought it was my fault.”
“Oh, Abby.” Jess looked so sorry, but then Jess knew how much Abby blamed herself for her parents’ deaths. “I didn’t think about you blaming yourself. This was all arranged before you even got in touch with him. I was planning to find you after we got Dad set up here. I never thought you might call the office, or that they would say anything. I’m so sorry.”
“I got the impression the girl who answered the phone was young, and she’d just learned about it herself. She seemed pretty shook up.” Abby heaved a sigh and smiled. “I’m just glad he’s okay.”
“He’ll be here wreaking havoc and sticking his nose in things soon enough,” Jess stated with a soft laugh, as she pulled the needle from Abby’s arm and placed a cotton ball on the puncture wound.
Abby had done her best to hide the shudder of displeasure she felt at the other woman’s touch.
“We have so much to talk about. But I can see you need to see to your mate right now. I’ll start some tests. Come see me as soon as you can, Abby. It’s really important.”
“I will. I promise.”
Jess hugged her close, squeezing Abby as if she couldn’t believe she was finally there. Abby bit her lip to hold back a groan as her skin crawled from Jess’s touch. Then with a look that conveyed to Abby just how much Jess needed to talk to her, Jess turned, gathered her things, and headed to the door.
“I’ll speak with the one who carried Tah in,” Jess said.
“Logan,” Abby offered.
“I’ll have Logan watch for Derrick, Reno, and Diane. I’ll let you know if we need you. Relax. Rest.” She cast a glance towards Tah, and Abby could see a touch of confusion in her eyes. Something about Tah was concerning Jess. It made Abby worry even more.
“I’ll find you as soon as I can,” Abby promised, as she shut the door after Jess.
“Lock it,” Tah ordered as she turned around.
He was already stripping out of his clothes. She licked her lips as she felt moisture coat her sex. She had no idea how her body wasn’t exhausted by all the sex they were engaging in, but it wasn’t. She wanted him again every time he turned to her with need in his eyes. The word “no” never once entered her mind.
She flipped the lock on the door and began stripping as she walked toward him.
“We should take a shower,” she offered as she stepped out of her jeans.
“After,” he growled. He stroked one hand up and down his erect shaft as he stood before her naked. “I need you.” He grunted the words, and she sensed he was struggling to let her walk to him and not just take her.
She shoved her panties down and kicked them off before reaching back for her bra and tossing it aside. She knew what he wanted, how he wanted her. She climbed on the bed, letting her knees rest on the edge and spread her thighs as wide as she could. Arching her back, she offered her wet folds to him, letting him see how ready she was for him.
“Abby.” Her name was a moan of pleasure as he moved behind her and brushed his cock against her cunt.
He ran the head through her folds, coating it with her juices before lodging it against the opening of her pussy and pressing in. He kept going until he was completely inside, and she felt the taut sac of his balls against her.
“Tah,” she cried out as pleasure rocked through her.
“So perfect,” he purred. “My salvation.”
Then he began fucking her. Each thrust swayed her forward on the bed. Her fingers were clenched in the comforter, her nipples brushing over it as she tried to use the bed to stifle her screams of pleasure. Tah’s hands gripped her hips as he fucked hard and fast. And his cock! Jesus, his cock was even thicker, each protrusion raised and rigid as they rubbed along the walls of her pussy.
“Too good,” Tah growled. “Feels too good. Don’t want it to end. Want to always be inside you.”
“Yes!” She agreed with him. “You feel so good. Don’t stop. Please! Don’t stop. Fuck me harder. Oh, God, just like that. Just like that.”
He slid one hand along her belly to her clit and rubbed over it. Pleasure exploded inside her, sending her flying into an orgasm. Her pussy rippled and tightened around his shaft, gripping it in an attempt to milk his release from him as well.
Tah leaned over her with a roar. His hand slid from her clit up under her chest and lifted her up enough for his teeth to find the spot he favored and bite down. Another orgasm ripped through her as the pleasure of his bite threw her even higher. She could feel his cock almost locking inside her, due to how swollen the protrusions were just before the first blast of his semen filled her. Again and again, he filled her, and each time sent off another round of tremors, as her womb sucked up the heat of his release.
He was still locked inside when he lifted her against him and moved them up slightly on the bed. One hand rested against her stomach now as he eased them onto their sides. She shuddered anew at the slight pull against her inner walls with each movement. His cock wasn’t leaving yet, and she swore she felt another small release of ejaculate as they settled onto the mattress.
“Tah?” she questioned.
“I don’t know,” he admitted, and she could hear so much in his voice. “We need to talk to your friend or this Diane person she’s waiting on. See if they have any clue what the fuck I’m doing to you.”
“You’re not doing anything I don’t want you to,” Abby assured him softly.
“My cock is locked inside you to the point I couldn’t pull it out if I wanted to. And I don’t want to. I want to start fucking you again as soon as it loosens up enough to let me.” He laughed bitterly. “I just had you and my damn dick isn’t happy. I’ve been hard all day. Every time we’ve had sex today, I swear it’s only made my hunger worse.” His hips began thrusting slowly, his swollen cock tugging but moving. The friction was incredible. “I need you, Abby, to the point I can’t stop myself. I’m terrified I’m going to hurt you.”
“You’re not hurting me,” she moaned. “I want you just as much as you want me. My body is just as ready to keep going as y
ours is.”
“And that scares me even more,” he admitted. “For some reason, I’m changing your body to force it to accommodate mine, and I don’t even know how the fuck mine is changing. You should run from me. As far and fast as you can.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” she vowed as she lifted her top leg and slid it back over his hip, opening herself wider for each thrust.
“I’m going to destroy you,” he said as he turned them, so she was lying underneath him.
“I’m the one who pulled you into this,” Abby murmured huskily. “I’m destroying you.”
“You’re saving me, Abby. Every time I touch you. Every time I sense your presence. You’re the only thing capable of soothing the beast inside and giving me a moment of peace.”
“Tah!” His name was a cry as his thrusts increased, coming faster and harder. His cock was still swollen, each rub along her walls stroking her higher and higher.
“God help me, I need you, Abby, and I’m scared this need might just kill us both.”
There was so much Abby wanted to say to reassure Tah, but all thought left as the pleasure increased with every thrust. He had her flying into another orgasm within minutes. She knew his cock had locked inside her again when he came.
She had meant to discuss this new development with Jess after Abby and Tah took a shower. They were both so exhausted, but Tah surprised her by taking her again under the warm spray of water. Her legs were weak when he lifted her over the rim of the tub. He grabbed towels and dried the two of them off. She was barely awake when he carried her to the bed, and she was out as soon as her head hit the pillow.
He reached for her three more times during the night, and her body was always ready for him. There was no possible way they should be able to make love as many times as they had in the last twenty-four hours and not be incredibly sore. But they had, and each time seemed better than the last.
It was the heat that woke her late the next morning. Tah was burning up. No matter how she shook him, he didn’t wake up. Not this time. He mumbled. He growled. But his eyes never opened. She pulled his shirt on and ran out the door. And her new prayer ran through her head the whole time.
Please don’t take him from me. Please don’t take him from me.
Chapter Twelve
From the journal of Abby Lane
I had another dream tonight. I was in the woods again, but the lion wasn’t with me. I was running and the fear I felt stayed with me even after I awoke. My heart was beating so fast I thought it might burst. I don’t remember much, except the terror that still has my hands shaking as I write this.
All I know is the lion was gone…and somehow it was my fault…
* * * *
“Whoa, Abby? What’s going on?” Reno caught her as soon as she turned down the hall. He must have been waiting outside.
“It’s Tah. He’s hot, Reno. Burning up. And I can’t get him to wake up. He won’t wake up.”
Reno nodded and for the first time it dawned on Abby that though his hands gripped her arms, they weren’t causing her any discomfort.
“I’ll go grab Derrick and the doc. You go back to Tah. You should be with him.”
She nodded and turned to follow his advice. She wanted to be with Tah. Obviously Reno had arrived at some point, and things must be okay, since no one had come in to tell them otherwise. Right now, all she could focus on was Tah.
She moved back onto the bed with him and made sure the sheet was up around his waist. He wouldn’t care, but she did. How silly was that? But she didn’t want anyone coming in and seeing him naked. At least his cock was finally flaccid. She’d been wondering if it would ever rest. Come to think of it, she wasn’t as horny this morning either. She’d met him every time he turned to her last night and matched him lust for lust, need for need. This morning? She was content and energized, which was really bizarre. She should be exhausted.
“Tah. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.” She stroked her hand up and down his chest while she used the other to play with his hair. “Reno went to get Jess and Derrick. We’re going to figure out what’s going on and make you better. I promise. We’re going to figure this out and you’ll be good as new.”
“He’s fighting it.”
Abby glanced up at the new voice and met the emerald eyes of a man she’d never seen before.
“I’m Cody.”
“You’re part of Derrick’s alpha pack?” Abby remembered Jess saying he had someone here with him.
Cody nodded as he moved toward the bed. “He’s running a fever. How long has the beast been awake inside him?”
Abby thought back. “Not long. It hasn’t even been a full week yet.” Funny, it felt like it had been months, years, a lifetime. She’d known him for a year, watched and wanted him. But it had only been a week since Harlan had taken them and shot Tah with a straight dose of adrenaline.
Cody leaned in and inhaled. “Not a great week for this to happen. But it’s all worked out. He just had a little too much to deal with at once. Doesn’t help he’s still fighting.”
“What do you mean?”
He sighed and shook his head. “I should probably wait and let Jess or Diane talk to you.”
“Just tell me.”
“You were ovulating.” Jess’s voice carried to Abby from the open door as she and Derrick entered the room followed by Reno, Logan, and a woman that must be Diane.
“I was what?”
“Cody noticed it as soon as he smelled you,” Jess stated with a shrug. “It’s one of his many talents.”
Cody turned and grinned at Jess as she came to stand beside him. He reached up and rubbed her cheek, making Abby’s mind explode with questions she’d get to as soon as she knew Tah was okay.
“So I was ovulating. I’m not now?”
“I’m pretty sure you’ve conceived. Your scent’s changed.” Cody laid his hand on Tah’s brow as he spoke. “Jess told me you’re all new to this. I’ve read up a little on cats, thanks to Diane.” He nodded toward the woman, confirming Abby’s suspicion that she was Diane.
“Do you know what’s going on?” Reno asked the question, and Abby was thankful he was there. He’d moved to her side of the bed as if offering her his strength. She needed it. Her mind was spinning. Tah was fighting, and she was pregnant. Her hand fell to rest over her belly. She was pregnant?
“I’ll do my best to explain what’s going on with your mate. I’ve seen it happen many times.” Cody’s voice was a beacon of calm to Abby.
“Cody’s a doctor. He works exclusively within the wolf packs, though. I asked him to stay with Derrick and me, instead of going to get my dad, because I thought we might need his help. I’m glad I did,” Jess told her.
“Not every man or woman gifted with a spirit from the wild is aware of it. I’ve seen those born with the knowledge, and I’ve seen those too afraid to accept it. I’ve watched some flourish, and I’ve watched some die.”
“Oh, God,” Abby moaned.
“Tah’s not going to die,” Reno stated.
“Fuck no, he’s not,” Logan agreed.
“Right now, your friend is fighting a battle within himself. He and the animal both want control and neither knows how to merge and share. This is what’s tearing him apart. The battle. The man’s had little time to learn of the beast and even less to understand him. The beast has awakened and claimed a mate. Abby. For some reason, he’s claimed you, and the fact that you were ovulating increased his demand for dominance over the man.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re his. How did your mate’s spirit awaken?”
“We were taken. They chained him to a wall and beat him. Oh, God, they beat the hell out of him then used a knife to cut him. Then they plunged a needle filled with adrenaline into his chest.”
“Jesus!” Jess exclaimed. “He could have died.”
“He should have died,” Diane countered, joining the conversation.
“The beast was already awake,”
Cody stated. “What happened before they chained him?”
“I woke up locked in a cell with him. I tried to wake him up. I’d heard two men talking and knew we needed to get out of there. I begged Tah to wake up. I said…I said if there was ever a time I needed him to be the Tau of the paka watu, it was now.”
Cody nodded. “You called forth the beast. He sensed your fear and your need of him. You awoke him when no one else even knew he was there. The lion claimed you that day. He fights to keep you. I’m guessing you had sex multiple times yesterday.”
Abby blushed and nodded. Reno and Logan knew, and she was pretty sure Jess knew why Tah wanted to be led to the room last night.
“He wanted to plant his seed in you, to bind you to him,” Cody said.
“So it’s not Tah who wants me, who needs me?” Abby whispered the question as she felt her heart breaking. “It’s the lion?”
Cody shook his head. “It doesn’t work that way. The lion can’t mate without the man agreeing. Just as the man can’t mate without the lion agreeing. I’m betting he’s turned to you many times since this started. Probably told you, you’re the only thing keeping him sane.”
She looked up at him startled. “Yes.”
“That’s because you’re the only thing they both agree on.”
“So what do we do, Cody? How do I help him?”
“I’m going to let the doc here take a look at him,” Cody said as he moved aside and Diane stepped closer with a bag in her hand. “Derrick, you were able to reach him after the shift?”
“Yeah, I know he heard me in his mind. I didn’t realize how it would affect him though. Jess said he passed out cold after I left. I knew his animal was strong. I didn’t realize the battle waging inside him.”
“I’m so confused,” Abby murmured.
“Yeah, right there with you, Abs.” Logan sighed as he agreed. She felt a jolt at the way he shortened her name. It made her feel accepted, like part of the family he, Reno, and Tah obviously were.
