by Unknown
Malcolm. His brother’s angry face the last time he’d seen him hovered in his conscious. He’d vowed the clan would regret pushing him out.
“Holy shit! Why didn’t it come to me sooner?” Banishing Mal had been the worst thing he’d ever had to do as Guardian. The guilt had eaten at him for months, nearly driving him to leave the clan himself.
It had been five long years since that fateful day. Some of the pain and guilt of loss had faded but Malcolm had not been forgotten or forgiven.
“Lucas, what the hell are you talking about? We’ve got to go.” Kane demanded.
“It’s Mal. The entire time I was held prisoner there had been a subtle but familiar scent I couldn’t place.” Lucas scrubbed his face with his hands. “I hadn’t been sure about Lara or her motives and had pretty much concluded she had an accomplice. I could tell someone was masking but every time that bitch got too close I would get the tiniest hint of a smell I couldn’t place until now. Now I know.” His voice dropped dangerously low. “He’s the one responsible for my capture, it has to be. Who else would know how to get near us?”
“C’mon, Lucas. There has to be another explanation. Malcolm is an ass but you really think he would kidnap you? Why? What would have have to gain?”
Kane was right. It didn’t all make sense yet. But it didn’t have to. His instincts were spot on. “I don’t know all the details yet but I’m positive it was him. And that means that my mate’s near death adventure with that witch Lara rests squarely on our brother’s shoulders.”
Chapter Seven
Kira came awake with a parched throat and an aching body. She groaned and rolled to her side. What the hell happened?
Reluctant but curious, she opened her eyes and stared at the space in front of her. In all of two seconds she recognized Lucas’ bedroom. How she’d gotten here she had no idea. Releasing a long breath, she rolled back over and stared at the ceiling. Part of her wanted to jump up and investigate and the other part didn’t care anymore. If she was dreaming again then so be it.
The seconds ticked by in her head and nothing happened. No voices, no angry alpha standing over her ready to ream her up one side and down the other. If she wanted to know how she’d gotten her she’d have to find out on her own. Kira attempted to sit up but halted when a piercing pain stabbed through her shoulder. Puzzled, she reached to rub the spot and came in contact with a bandaged wound. Struggling, she stood and walked across the room to the mirror attached to the bureau. A sick feeling in the pit of her stomach warned her she might not be ready to face what she would see. Too bad she never listened. She peeled the tape from her skin and gently lifted the white gauze, crying out when her worst fears were realized. There were two puncture marks in the middle of her mating mark.
Oh, God. No!
Kira called to the Tallan to help her remember what had happened. She fell to her knees as vivid and detailed memories flooded her brain. Images of her being fucked by Lucas and Kane together and of Lucas biting her while she whimpered for more crowded her mind.
She’d been completely out of control when they found her, unable to function in a normal capacity. Her body had demanded the mating from Lucas. Instincts had taken over and she’d been given the greatest ecstasy of her life. When Lucas’ canines pierced the mark, her body had exploded in pleasure like nothing she had ever experienced before. The overload of sensations had splintered her body and soul, every nerve ending rippling in bliss. The orgasm had washed over them with shocking intensity. Even now, electricity from their joining still coursed through her veins. Her pussy heated and swelled at the memories, preparing her for another wild bout with her mate.
Her body. The betrayer. Every scheme and idea she’d worked on had failed. She now belonged to a man.
Speaking of betrayal, where the hell is Lucas?
She reached for his touch and found him close by on the front porch, sweat pouring off of him.
His mind swirled with angry emotions as he repeatedly punched the hell out of his heavy bag. She started to push further and stopped.
No, she wasn’t quite ready to see the hatred that must surely burn there. He’d somehow found out and saved her life. Now his regret would kill her.
Unfortunately for her, she remembered everything she had said and done when her mind broke down. What she had done in the woods to Kane, the secrets she had spilled to the sheriff, even the unfounded fear she had experienced from Lara’s death. She had betrayed her kind. And more importantly, she had betrayed Lucas.
Sweat beaded on her clammy skin as the stress and tension of the last few days tried to escape. Hands trembling, she pushed against the floor trying to get off of her knees. She gripped the edge of the short bureau and hauled herself back up. Damned if she wasn’t going to pull herself together and face him. Lucas had mated them and now they were stuck. Ironically, she was now mated to the man she loved. Yes, she could finally admit she had fallen in love with him. How could she not? Besides the sexual chemistry they shared, she’d fallen for his unwavering devotion to his family and clan, the fact his intelligence rivaled her own, and in some quirky way, his tendency to want her out of harms way charmed her. Unfortunately for her, he would never love her back. She’d gone waaay too far. And now her powers were linked to his will. The one thing she had feared the most.
Wiping away the lone tear that threatened to fall, she stood up tall and stiffened her spine. She had to face him, find out what his intentions were regarding her. If he thought to use her for her powers, well, he had another thing coming. If her abilities were now incomplete without him, so be it. She couldn’t live out the rest of her extended life with a man who didn’t love her. She had sworn to not be weak like her mother. There was still such a thing as free will. She hoped.
Checking her reflection in the mirror, she smoothed her hair, straightened her shoulders and declared herself ready. She might look a bit pale but she was more than ready to take on one overgrown house cat.
She yanked the door open and skidded to a stop. Lucas stood there, waiting.
“Going somewhere, darling?” he sneered. He must have been listening to her thoughts because he looked pissed off. Pissed, but damn gorgeous. Her eyes raked over his body. His chest was gloriously bare and covered with a light sheen of sweat from his workout. The golden, sun browned skin was covered by that layer of fine hair that she knew would tickle her nipples when she rubbed up against him. His workout pants were loosely fastened and rode dangerously low on his hips. So low in fact, the curve of his groin muscle distracted her. A soft, betraying moan came from her throat and her fingers itched to reach out and pull the flimsy string that held his pants up. She wanted to see more of his glorious body.
Saliva pooled in her mouth. She yanked her head back up, shaking it back and forth, forcing herself to look away to keep from drooling all over the place. She needed to get a grip. They would get nowhere if she couldn’t stop thinking about licking him from head to toe. Ugh.
A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest. “Are you planning to eat me alive?” His smartass attitude was as effective as if he’d dumped a glass of ice water over her head.
“I was on my way to find you. To demand some answers.” His eyes hardened like chips of ice and, just like that, the easy laugh disappeared.
Fine, it would be easier for her if he stayed cold and distant. Just seeing him like this made her want to drag him down to the floor and grind her body on his cock. She didn’t know much about riding him bronc style, but how hard could it be to learn?
“You sound a little tart for a woman who just woke up from one hell of a destructive bender.”
She winced at his not so subtle accusations. He had every right to be angry with her. She should have just told him what was happening to her. Instead, her pride had demanded her silence and now she would pay the steep price.
“Why, Lucas? Why would you mate with me after everything I’ve done? Was it some sort of warped sense of obligation to save me? That’s exactl
y what I didn’t want to happen. Knowing you felt sorry for me enough to sacrifice yourself makes me sick.” The acid in her stomach came to life, making her statement a churning reality. “I need to get away from here and get back to my life.” She knew it was the right thing to do, even if she had to pay for the sacrifice everyday for the rest of her life.
“Damn, woman, you are the most stubborn female I have ever met. We’re you going to let me get a word in during that tirade?”
She opened her mouth, about to fire off a retort but his hand came up and pressed against her lips. “My turn, Kira.”
Whatever. He could take his best shot. She nodded.
“It’s true that I couldn’t bear to let you die that way. What kind of person would I be if I did?”
Emotion clogged her throat at his words. He was a warrior just like her, and to people like them, sacrifice would never be too high a price for another’s life.
“Don’t you get it? You’re my mate just as much as I am yours.” He grasped her shoulders and pulled her up against his chest. “Do you even understand the implications of mating with a shapeshifter? There are good reasons why we don’t mate very often.”
As confusion bloomed inside her, he crushed her mouth with his lips. Spearing his tongue into her mouth, she could taste his anger and frustration along with his healthy lust. “It’s impossible for you to leave me now, or I you. We can no longer survive without each other.”
She couldn’t really process what he said while he stroked her skin. His rough hands abrading across her flesh sent shivers down her back. Her senses heated up and she wanted nothing more than to lie back and beg him for more.
What had she been about to say? She couldn’t remember. Couldn’t think. Only wanted more. Rubbing her hands up his chest, she flicked his flat nipples lightly. His sharp intake of breath was a glorious reward and she flicked them again. He growled and bit her lip. The pleasure/pain sensation shot straight to her pussy as her juices flowed to her thighs.
Moving over to Lucas’ ear, she showered him with soft kisses before biting down. She didn’t know what was with all of the biting, but it felt good and right. The two of them panted and their hearts raced in beat together. She didn’t care. Her only thought was of fucking. She needed him and needed him now. Dropping to her knees, she pulled the damn string that taunted her earlier and pulled the sweatpants from his body. His cock bounced up and against his belly, before rebounding right against her lips. She flicked out her tongue and captured it to her.
He growled again. “Yes, baby. Put it between those lush lips of yours. I need you to suck it so bad.” His words heightened her need even further as she wrapped her hands around his shaft, guiding his erection to her eager mouth. The satiny smooth head pulsed against her. Oh, she wanted more. She hungrily engulfed the entire length of his cock, caressing the sensitive underside with her tongue. His skin tasted of salt and spice. Delicious.
It still wasn’t enough. Her clit pulsed, aching for touch. She released one hand from his cock and slid her hands inside her own shorts in search of her pulsing need.
“Yes, baby, that’s perfect. Suck my cock while I watch you touch yourself. Show me how much you need me.” He fisted her hair and fucked deeper into her mouth. His hips began a nice, even thrusting as her fingers stroked her clit with the same rapid rhythm.
He rocked faster. “Kira, it’s too good. You’re going to make me come.” She sucked harder—wanting it, begging for it. After a few more shallow thrusts, he pulled his cock from her suckling mouth. She mewled in protest.
“No, baby, I’m not coming yet. I have to taste you. Your new scent is about to make me fucking crazy.”
“New scent?”
“Oh, yeah. You’re marked now and every cat around will know it. You carry my scent as well as yours. It calls to me.” Flipping her onto her back, right there on the soft throw rug, he spread her legs wide and inspected her sex. “Look at you, so beautiful and hot. Making me crazy with need.”
Slowly, way too slowly, he licked her slit from her opening straight up to her protruding sensitive knot of nerves.
“God, Lucas, you’re torturing me.” She tried to wiggle harder against his tongue but his hands held her legs tight enough to keep her in place. He wasn’t about to give her the control she so desperately wanted.
Her need began to border on pain as he delved one finger inside her pussy. More. She wanted more. She wanted him to fill her and make her scream. She grabbed his hair and pulled hard. “Lucas, if you don’t fuck me right this second I am going to kick your ass!” In retaliation for her outburst, he bit at her clit and added a second finger to the first, further stretching her tight channel. Her eyes rolled back in her head.
“Maybe that’s just what you need, sweetheart. A little ass whipping. And I’m just the man to give it to you.” Withdrawing his fingers from her clenching pussy, he flipped her onto her stomach and pulled her up onto her knees. Before she even had a chance to respond, she received a hard, stinging smack right on her ass.
Too stunned by his actions to speak, her body flamed from the pleasurable sting. With each subsequent blow, the heat made her clit pulse harder. “Lucas, please I need you so bad,” she begged. She couldn’t help it. Her body was in control, not her mind. The only thing she wanted was his cock filling her pussy right now. She reached for her aching flesh, desperate for relief, but he pushed her hand away.
“No, only I get to touch it now.” He smacked her ass again, simultaneously filling her sex with his hard, thick length.
She screamed out. Oh God. The stinging of her ass combined with his dick stretching her blew her mind. Her body shook.
Before she could take another breath, his hands grabbed her cheeks and spread them wide.
“Kira, I’m going to take you here, too, baby.” The words were spoken as a given not a choice. No one had ever taken her that way, but here in this moment she didn’t care. Caution and worry were gone, replaced by a driving, frenzied need as she pushed harder against his cock, striving for deeper penetration. She belonged to Lucas heart and soul and would give him whatever he wanted.
“Yes, Lucas—” Before she finished her plea for more, he pressed the tip of his finger into the ultra tight hole. Dark spots waved in her vision as she instinctively pushed back driving both his hard cock and long finger deep inside her. The intense sensations sizzled through her blood as her muscles clenched around him in an explosive and unstoppable release.
He roared his satisfaction, pumping hard inside her body. He added a second finger to her ass, further stretching her opening. Just when she was sure he was nearing his own orgasm, he pulled completely from her body. The shock of his sudden departure made her legs tremble, too weak to look back to see what he was doing.
But she didn’t need to see, she knew what was coming.
His fingers delved into her, dipping in and out and covering them with her juices. Like in her dreams, those fingers moved up to her ass, pushing into the tight hole and rubbing them around.
He was lubricating her. Preparing her for his cock. She shuddered, somewhat frightened by how much she wanted it.
Then his cock was at the opening, prodding her to open and then pushing past her tight ring of muscles, forcing it in. Her body tensed when she started to burn, a soft cry escaping her lips.
“Relax, Kira, trust me, baby. It will hurt less if you relax. In a minute you’re going to be so surprised.” As he pushed his cock ruthlessly inside, he sparked against unexplored pleasure points. He pressed further and the combination of pleasure and pain threatened to throw her headlong into another abyss.
Finally seated, he bent across her backside whispering into her ear. “Do not come, Kira. Not until I say so. Do you hear me?” Her heart raced and her body shook as she tried to control the flash of heat building within. “Kira?”
“Yes, okay, I’m trying.” Her were words breathless from the struggle.
“If you come before I say so, I’ll be forc
ed to punish you and start all over again.” She didn’t have time to heed his warning. He slowly pulled back, swamping her with a dark pleasure that burned out of control.
“Oh God, Lucas, it’s too much, I—I can’t take it.” Sweat beaded on her body as she continued the fight, holding back the explosion.
“No! Not yet.” Lucas slammed in and out of her ass harder, forcing her orgasm to the surface.
“Please—please,” she begged. Her words died as she lost the fight for control.
“Come now, mate.”
One more drag and her body splintered, flying apart. Her screams filled the room, long and loud. The climax hit her so hard and strong all she heard was the blood roaring in her head.
“Yes, baby. You’re mine now, Kira. I’m coming.” Heat flooded her ass, pushing her farther than she thought possible. More screams filled the room.
Time passed as they bucked and thrashed against each other, unable to quell the sensations. Pleasure, warmth, and most of all love flowed between them as their bodies stilled.
Lucas collapsed over her as he slipped from her. He mumbled something to her but she didn’t hear what he said. He’d worn her out, and she needed more sleep. Her last thought before succumbing was despite everything she had put him through she couldn’t give him up. He belonged to her now.
Chapter Eight
While Kira lay sleeping, Lucas caressed her hip, marveling at the beauty of her shape. It still amazed him how every curve of her body fit perfect against his.
She’d passed out after sex and he worried if he’d gone too far with her. He couldn’t bear it if she looked at him differently when she woke. Still possessed by anger, he’d wanted to claim her in his own way as well as punish her for what she’d done to him. Would she understand that had soothed his soul as well as satisfied the cat?
She’d been incredible. Not only had she submitted to his darker desires and needs, she’d embraced them with a wanton desire of her own.
