Shimmers in the Dark (Rainier Pack Book 1)

by Bethany Shaw

  The palm of his hand slid inside the cotton robe and he growled, finding her naked, plump breast. His fingers kneaded her tender flesh, eliciting a gasp from Enid.

  Alex’s other hand roamed over her smooth, soft thigh towards her core. He grinned against her kisses. She wasn’t wearing any panties either. His fingers skimmed the outside of her pussy before he sunk one digit into her wet folds. Enid whispered something he couldn’t understand against his mouth as she spread her legs wider for him.

  Alex pumped his finger in and out of her, loving the way her hips rolled in time to his thrusts. He pulled back and sunk down so he was sitting on the cool floor that did little to simmer the fire burning inside him.

  Enid drew in a deep breath, leaned her head against the back of her chair and spread her legs further, already anticipating his actions. He blew a warm breath against her pussy, beaming when she squirmed in her chair.

  Her fingers threaded through his hair, drawing him closer. Alex flicked his tongue over her core and tasted her sweet juices.

  It had been too long since he’d tasted a woman, but no one had ever tasted as wonderful as his Enid. She was his and always would be.

  Her fingers grasped his hair, tighter, pulling lightly at the strands as her hips began to thrust against his mouth. Alex ran his thumb down her belly and placed it on her clit. He rubbed her sensitive nub as he lapped the juices up from her center.

  Enid’s cries grew louder and her thighs trembled against his arm. She was close. He wanted to taste everything that she had to offer. Flicking his tongue one last time as he gripped the inside of her thigh with his free hand, he held her to him as she came.

  Her sweetness flooded his mouth and he sucked harder, not wanting any of what she had to offer to go to waste. She mumbled his name over and over again as her fingers pulled him impossibly closer to her.

  She might not be willing to admit her feelings—yet—but he knew they were there. Love like theirs never went away. He’d stay here for her. The first time he’d walked away from Enid it had nearly killed him. It was a regret that haunted him for years. There was no way he’d be doing it again, especially now that he knew she was alive. Enid was his and he was nowhere close to done with her yet.

  He placed tender kisses to the inside of her thigh as his fingers fumbled with the knot binding her robe together. Once undone, he shoved the fabric aside and looked up at her glorious body. She had more curves than he remembered, but they suited her well. Her breasts were plump, fuller and he couldn’t wait to nuzzle them.

  His cock strained against the confines of his jeans and he stood up. Enid peered at him through hooded eyes as she shrugged the cotton robe off of her shoulders. She stood up and strode bare across the room to her bed, laying herself out on it. Her finger curled as she motioned him forward.

  Alex strutted forward as he worked at his belt. “I don’t have any protection,” he warned even though he could already tell she wasn’t fertile. She’d been specific about not wanting any kids and he wouldn’t hurt her like that.

  “I know. I take a supplement using the plants in the area. It keeps my heat cycle at bay,” she explained patting the bed next to her.

  He didn’t need any further encouragement. Without a heat cycle, the chances of her getting pregnant were unlikely.

  Alex slipped onto the bed as Enid rolled to her back, blinking up at him. He nestled between her thighs and rubbed the tip of his length over her glistening folds.

  Enid moaned and wiggled her hips. One of her hands went to her breast as she squeezed the nipple, turning it into a tight bud.

  “I love it when you touch yourself,” he admonished as he nipped at her other breast.

  He stared down at her as he picked up a strand of her silky hair and wrapped it around his finger before letting it spring away.

  “So you like it when I do this?” she questioned as she slipped her other hand down her body. She slid two fingers inside her core and closed her eyes as she bit her lip.

  “You drive me crazy,” he told her as he licked her bud.

  “Show me,” she breathed.

  Alex grasped her wrist and moved her hand away from her center. He pressed the tip of his cock against her entrance, watching Enid as he pushed inside.

  Enid arched her back and drew in a breath as he stretched her. She was so tight, sheathing him like a snug glove. “You feel fantastic,” he told her as he dipped down to capture her lips.

  Alex rocked against Enid as his mouth explored her jaw, neck, and collarbone. He licked her earlobe, loving the way she hissed and moaned as he stroked her.

  Her nails scratched up and down his back as she wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him deeper.

  “I’ve missed you,” he whispered into her ear between nibbles on her lobe.

  She sighed as her nails dug deeper into his back. He’d have marks later, but he didn’t care. Enid was his and he belonged to her. Any marks she left on him he would wear proudly.

  “Alex,” she panted as her hips ground against his harder.

  Alex put his hands on Enid’s hips and flipped them over. Enid gasped, her eyes widening as she sat up. She splayed her hands over his chest as she rotated her hips. Her head tilted back and her eyes fluttered shut as she moved up and down his shaft.

  Her body trembled and her cries grew louder. Alex grasped her sides tighter, pushing up into her as she crashed down on his cock. Her breasts bounced as she moved urgently against him.

  “Come for me, Enid,” he coaxed with a growl. His muscles tensed as his length began to pulse. He was going to come, but not before her.

  Enid screamed as her juices gushed from her center and her inner walls milked his cock. Alex growled as he pumped into her two more times before following her into bliss. She collapsed on top of him, panting as she pressed her sweat-slicked forehead against his.

  “I’ve missed this,” he told her again.

  She smiled and closed her eyes as she rolled off of him. “Good night, Alex.”

  He pushed her matted hair back from her face to place a kiss to her temple. “I’m staying the night,” he informed.

  “What about Cori?” she mumbled.

  Alex paused. He’d never left her alone before. She was safe, tucked away in their cavern. Cori had been sleeping when he’d left. Even though she was curious, she’d never leave the room in the middle of the night.

  “I’ll leave first thing in the morning,” he told Enid.

  “Okay,” she whispered as he wrapped an arm around her.

  She stiffened and then nuzzled closer, throwing her arm around his waist and one of her legs over his.

  Alex closed his eyes and inhaled Enid’s scent. He could spend every night like this for the rest of his life. Fourteen years had changed his lover, but deep down, she was still the same girl he’d fallen for. Once he helped her through the pain of the past, taught her how to let go, but not forget, she could begin to heal.

  “I’ve missed you too,” Enid whispered as she snuggled closer.

  Alex smiled, but didn’t move in case she thought he was sleeping. It was a baby step. The first of many he hoped.

  Chapter Four

  Alex rolled over and reached out for Enid, but all he felt was the chill of the bedding beside him. He peeked one eye open and then the other. Alone. Enid was gone. He sat up, letting the blankets pool around his waist. His eyes darted around the room. Empty.

  The thick cave walls made it impossible for him to tell what time it was. If he had to guess, he’d put it at early morning—real early. He yawned and sighed as he ran a hand through his hair.

  Where was Enid at this hour? Who in their right mind would be up if they didn’t have to be?

  He kicked the blankets off his feet and gathered his clothes from the ground. Tossing them on, he jogged out into the tunnel and towards the main cavern.

  He inhaled and picked up traces of her scent as he walked. Why had she left? He already knew the answer. She’d shut off her
emotions to keep from getting hurt. He couldn’t blame her he supposed.

  The packs talked amongst each other and he’d heard through the grapevine that her mate, Carter, had passed due to a hunting accident. Then the Wolf Flu had come along almost a year later. If he’d lost his entire family he’d probably feel the same way.

  “You’re up early,” Darren’s voice grunted from behind him.

  Alex grumbled under his breath annoyed with himself that he’d let the other man sneak up behind him.

  “Have you seen Enid?” Alex asked as he turned around.

  Darren inhaled and let it out through gritted teeth. His eyes narrowed into tiny slits as his lip curled up.

  Alex hadn’t bathed since yesterday and there was no doubt he was covered in Enid’s scent. The corners of Alex’s mouth tugged up and he swallowed, biting his lip to keep from grinning. The other wolf had a thing for Enid. She was Alex’s and always would be. “You’re the one who wanted people to mate,” he reminded as he lifted his brow in challenge.

  Darren’s hands fisted at his sides. If the wolf thought he could best Alex in a fight, he was sadly mistaken.

  Alex took a step forward, pinning Darren with a lethal glare. “I know it was you who told my father about Enid all those years ago. That’s the only time our fathers worked together to make sure their two children didn’t bond any further than they already had.”

  Darren’s eyes glistened as he growled. “My only regret is when she came home to the pack she didn’t choose me. I should’ve imposed my rule about mating sooner. I never anticipated that you’d show up.”

  Alex chuckled at the irony of it. “Enid’s always been a good judge of character. Whether I showed up or not, I doubt she’d have chosen you. She’s extremely stubborn and she doesn’t do anything unless she wants to.”

  Darren opened his mouth like he wanted to argue, but closed it. If Darren knew anything about Enid, then he would know Alex was right.

  “I’ve called a meeting with a few other people. Join us,” Darren ground out as he brushed past Alex, jamming his shoulder into Alex’s as he passed.

  Alex huffed and flexed his hands as he reigned in his anger. He turned on his heel and marched after Darren. His pack would always have his back. The rest of the residents here he wasn’t sure about. If it came down to a fight for control, his pack would be greatly outnumbered. He would have to win over the residences of Mount Rainier before he could claim the title of alpha. It looked like he would have to play nice for now.

  He stood several feet away from Darren as he followed him down the winding corridors of the caverns. The hushed voices of people waking for the day faded and were replaced by the drip, drip, drip of melting ice.

  Where are we going?

  Alex wiggled his fingers, allowing his hands and nails to partially shift. He wasn’t paranoid, but the deeper they went into the caverns the more he wondered if Darren was somehow leading him into a trap. If he was, Alex wanted to be prepared.

  Voices echoed in the distance, one of them sounding like Enid’s. Alex retracted his claws and picked up his pace. They rounded another bend before entering a wing of the tunnels he hadn’t been in yet. The ceiling was raised well over one hundred feet tall, and long, thick icicles dangled down from it.

  Rays of light flitted in through the ice, casting the room in a dark blue. It was eerily beautiful and he could see why Enid loved these caves so much. He let his eyes roam over the rest of the occupants, three men and one woman, but he only recognized Enid.

  Enid met his eyes for a moment before they darted away to meet Darren’s. The acting alpha leaned against the rock wall and Alex mimicked his movements, tossing his arms over his chest as he quirked his brow in question.

  “As I’m sure you’re aware, we listen to radio transmissions whenever possible,” Darren began to address the room. “We picked up an incoming call late last night. A few witches are coming back to Eatonville. They are going to the Apothecary.”

  “Why?” Enid interrupted.

  “I don’t know,” Darren admitted. “But that store is where everything started. If they are going there I want to beat them to it and see if we can find what they’re looking for.”

  “I’ll do it,” Enid volunteered.

  “Enid, no,” Alex objected, pushing off the wall and glaring at her. Is she crazy?

  “I know this town better than anyone else in this room,” Enid argued.

  “She’s right. Enid knows the most about the witch, Chloe Sullivan. If anyone has a chance at finding whatever it is that she had, it’s Enid. I don’t want her to go alone either,” Darren interjected, causing all eyes to dart back to him. “It’s dangerous. I do want you to take your gun, Enid. This could be an opportunity to take out some key members of our opposition.”

  “You want her to assassinate the witches,” Alex realized with a growl. Killing in combat was one thing, but assassinating...that was something completely different.

  “We’ve never had an opportunity like this before,” Darren replied. “Enid never misses her shot.”

  “I’ll do it,” Enid said again.

  “Just like that?” Alex questioned.

  “These witches have been hunting us for eight years, Alex. They are responsible for both of my sons’ deaths. Yes. I’ll do it,” she exploded.

  “I was hoping you’d accompany her, Alex,” Darren said, turning to him.

  Ah, so that’s why I was invited here today and why he hasn’t given me a job yet. If I didn’t know any better I’d think he’s trying to get rid of me.

  “I can’t just leave my daughter,” he argued. “She’s a twelve-year old girl and I’m the only family she has.” At the same time, he didn’t want Enid going out alone. He didn’t trust anyone but himself to keep either of the women he loved safe.

  “Surely someone from your pack will look after her,” one of the other guy’s spoke up.

  Of course there were people who would look after Cori, but that was beside the point. If he didn’t come back...he couldn’t think like that.

  “Your daughter will be safe here. In fact, if we complete this mission successfully, she’ll be that much safer. Enid is the best shot and you by far have the most training in combat,” Darren pointed out.

  He’s using my alpha training against me. Not to mention, my love for Enid. Bastard!

  “Parker and Martin, I’d like the two of you to go as backup. Enid knows the town and will go to the store; the two of you will provide cover fire if needed,” Darren ordered.

  The two men nodded their obedience.

  “Are you in?” Darren turned to him.

  Alex stared at Darren. “I’ll need time to think about it,” he admitted. I can’t leave Cori, but I can’t leave Enid in the hands of two men I don’t know. I thought she was dead once. Now that I know she is alive, I won’t lose her again.

  “The team leaves tonight. I’ll need an answer by lunch in order for us to be prepared,” Darren instructed as he shoved off the wall. “Meeting is dismissed.” He didn’t wait for any replies before he left the room.

  The remaining occupants filed out after him without a word, leaving Alex and Enid alone.

  Enid combed her hair with her fingers as she stared at the rocky, muddy floor.

  “Isn’t it customary for the person who stays over to do the skipping out super early in the morning?” he teased in an effort to break the tension.

  Enid smiled as she met his eyes. For a second, the woman he’d loved fourteen years ago was back. Good. I’m making progress. “I couldn’t sleep and I didn’t want to wake you. You looked peaceful. I didn’t realize Darren planned on inviting you to this meeting.”

  Darren probably didn’t think of asking me here either until he saw me, he told himself. That’s not important right now. Alex took a step forward, brushing long strands of hair away from her face. “Who says I would’ve minded if you woke me?” He twirled one of her curls around his finger as he stared at her.

 
; Enid bit her lip as her hands came up to rest on his chest, gripping his shirt and tugging him closer. “We’re both awake now.”

  Alex cocked his head to the side as he grinned at her while listening to make sure everyone was gone. He’d take that as a challenge and from the sounds of things they shouldn’t be interrupted.

  He captured Enid’s lips with his as he backed her against the wall. His hands roamed down her sides, stopping at her sweats. One of his palms slid inside, reaching around to cup her core.

  No panties again, he mused.

  “You’re already so wet,” he mumbled as he slipped two fingers inside her folds.

  She hissed, silencing him with a kiss. Her tongue darted into his mouth, gliding along his as her fingers worked at the button on his jeans. The fabric loosened at his waist and her hands shoved at the garment, pushing the jeans and his boxers down.

  His cock sprang free, alert and ready. Enid wrapped her hand around his shaft, pumping it slowly as she rolled her thumb over the tip of his cock. She always knew how to touch him and if she kept that rhythm up, this interlude would be over too quickly.

  He withdrew his fingers causing Enid to pout as he stepped back. Lifting his fingers to his mouth, he sucked her juices off of them and grinned. “I love the way you taste, Enid,” he breathed.

  She batted her eyes at him as she rolled her sweats down her petite, toned legs, exposing her creamy flesh. Then, she went to her hoodie, unzipping it and sliding it off her arms, leaving her in her white tank top and a lacy, red bra.

  Alex reached behind her, smacking her ass and grinning as she gasped at the contact. He grabbed her bottom and lifted her into the air as he pressed her back against the wall. Enid squealed in surprise and gripped his shoulders to support some of her weight.

  He positioned his cock at her entrance and thrust into her tight, wet heat. They groaned together as she pulled him closer. He pressed her against the wall, only allowing her to move as he thrust in and out of her.

  Enid clasped his waist tighter with her legs, gripping him like a vice as her nails dug into his shoulder blades. Alex groaned as she left her mark on him, moving his tongue against hers in time to his thrusts.