by Lola Kidd
There was no way she was going to be able to comfortably sleep anywhere near Cross in this condition. And she needed all the sleep she could get. She could just imagine herself nodding off as they rode and falling to the blacktop when she lost her grip. She was very attached to her skin and wasn’t about to let that happen. Since the cold water had failed, there was only one option left.
She slipped her hand between her legs and closed her eyes. In her head, she pictured Cross opening the bathroom door and stepping into the shower with her. She wouldn’t question him. She would just watch the warm water cover his body and raise her hand to trace the outline of his chiseled abs. He would smile back at her and take her hand in his. She would look at him questioningly, but he wouldn’t say anything. Instead, he would take her hand and put it on his cock so she could feel how hard he was getting.
Rory rubbed her finger in lazy circles around her clit. She was only just getting started and really wanted to enjoy this scenario. The Cross in her mind didn’t talk and that was so much better than the one in real life.
She could see his cock so clearly in her mind. The flimsy sweatpants he had on really didn’t make that too hard. She knew he was big for sure and he would be heavy in her hands. The thought of his hard cock in her hand made her even wetter. She dipped a finger inside herself.
In her head, that was Cross’ finger probing inside to find her sweet spot. He was on his knees in the shower and his face was pressed between her legs. He was lapping at her clit and working his finger in and out. She was so close!
She moaned as her orgasm built. She should have been quieter, but the water was on and it just felt too good. She was imaging Cross turning her around to face the wall. She was just about to get to the good part when there was a loud knock at the bathroom door.
“Are you hungry? I could go out to get something if you are. I think I saw a convenience store a few miles back,” Cross asked through the door.
“I’m fine!” Rory answered. She was pissed. She was just about to orgasm. Now that she had been interrupted she would have to start over again and the water was starting to get cold. Plus, Cross was going to start getting suspicious if she was in the shower any longer. She angrily turned off the water and got out.
***
He couldn’t believe it. That little witch was getting herself off in the shower!
He thought he was hearing things when he heard the first moan, but by the third time there was little doubt as to what was going on. Cross’ cock was getting hard just listening to her. It was one of the few times he wished his hearing wasn’t so great.
He couldn’t let her finish. She wouldn’t be anywhere near as horny if she released some of that sexual tension. It was fucking hot as hell to listen to, but he had to put an end to her playing.
He knocked on the door and asked her if she wanted to eat. The tone of her voice when she answered told him that he hadn’t been too late. She was pissed. He was going to have to keep a better ear on her the next time she showered. She was going to be begging him to give it to her by the next night.
Nine
They were at a greasy spoon in Sienna having dinner. Rory had gotten up after only four hours of sleep and woke Cross to start riding again. There was no way she was spending another night in a hotel room with him.
She had slept terribly, as expected. Thanks to his stupid knock, she hadn’t been able to get herself off. The desire sat heavy between her legs. All night, she was painfully aware that he was sleeping less than two feet away. Even worse, he was wearing nothing but those damn flimsy sweatpants. It would be so easy to just sneak under his sheet and satisfy herself. There was no way he would say no or try to stop her. But she couldn’t. It would be a major mistake.
He had wanted to date her before any of this Sun Rider mess had started. If they slept together, he would want more from her. It would be torture to have to be cooped up him in a mountain retreat. At the least, he would expect more sex to happen. Worse case scenario, he would want to seriously date her and that was not an option. The coven would lose their minds if she came back hand-in-hand with a werewolf.
No, she was going to make sure none of that happened. So she had urged him to get into Sienna by nightfall. It had been a hard ride and her bladder had been ready to burst when they had stopped for each of the two rest stops. It was well worth it because they had made it in time to get dinner and supplies before heading up the mountain.
The minute they got closer to the town, she was so glad she had packed light. It was blazing hot. Thankfully there was barely any humidity, but the heat was oppressive. No vampire would dare to come this far west. Even as a human, she didn’t understand how people lived in the desert. She had to stay in pants because they were on a bike and it had been awful. She had wiped herself down as best she could in the bathroom when they got to the restaurant.
“After this, we can grab some breakfast stuff and head up to the cabin,” Cross said while he looked at his menu.
“Sounds like a plan,” Rory said. “What’s this place like?”
“The cabin is pretty big. It’s two floors with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. You won’t have to worry about bumping into me.”
“That’s a relief. I’ll cast a few spells once we’re there, but I think we should be safe. I’m not getting any odd vibes right now.”
“Good. What are you going to order?”
Rory hadn’t even looked at the menu yet. “I’m going to get a burger. These places usually make the best ones. You?”
“I was thinking about the Cuban. And you’re having meat?” Cross asked. “I thought witches were vegetarians.”
Rory wrinkled her brow. “Why would we be vegetarians?”
“I don’t know. You worship the Goddess and stuff. I never thought about why you all were. It’s just what I heard.”
“Nope, that isn’t even a little true,” Rory told him. “And we don’t exactly worship the Goddess. We pay respect to all deities. Each one provides us assistance when we need it.”
Cross nodded. “I see. Good to know.”
“Is it true that werewolves kill all their female children?” Rory asked.
“So we’re doing a mythbusters kind of thing, huh?” Cross put down his menu and leaned forward. “No, we do NOT kill female children. We give them up to their mothers, though. Most females can’t shift or bear young so they aren’t worth much to the pack.”
Rory’s mouth dropped open. “That is so sexist! All women are good for is having babies?”
Cross shrugged. “And sex. It’s not like I said all women can do is be barefoot and pregnant and make me a sandwich. We’re werewolves. It’s all about having the healthiest pack.”
“What about companionship? I know that wolves mate for life.”
“That is true.”
The waiter came back at that moment to take their orders, interrupting Cross. They both ordered and waited until the waiter was out of earshot to continue their conversation.
“Like I was saying,” Cross said, eyes on the waiter’s retreating form. “We do mate for life, but that doesn’t mean we live with our mates. We only stay close when it’s time to have pups. Besides that, men and women live apart. Close, but apart.”
“What if something happens?”
“Like if our mates are in danger? We know. Kind of like you get funky feelings when someone is trying to harm you? We get that, except much stronger.”
Rory nodded. “That must be part of the little magic wolves have. It’s still very strange.”
“How so? You don’t allow men into your covens. Wizards have to hang out by themselves.”
“That’s different,” Rory said, indignant. “The energy of a witch versus a wizard is very different. Our magic is usually stronger when we practice apart. Plus, a wizard could join a female coven if all the witches agreed.”
“It’s the same for us. A woman could join a male pack, but most choose not to,” Cross said. “I want to know what h
appened to your head witch, Elena.”
“We don’t know yet. She was murdered, though.”
Cross’ eyes widened. “And you didn’t think to mention this sooner? How did the Sun Riders kill a witch like her? No offense, but even you were able to stop them.”
“None taken. She was much more powerful than I am. That’s a fact.” Rory bit her lip. “The coven doesn’t think it was the Sun Riders, though.”
The waiter came back with their order. The food smelled delicious but neither of them moved to eat.
“And why is that?” Cross asked through clenched teeth.
“Because Elena told us it wasn’t them,” Rory said, looking down.
Cross let his head fall back. “You talked to her ghost. How the fuck could I forget about ghosts? Who did it?”
“She stuck around for as long as she could.” Rory paused. “I don’t think I should be telling you this, but she thinks it was dark fae.”
Cross’ eyes bulged. “Dark fucking fae? Which ones? Kern? I think I heard something about them on my last gun run.”
“The Lost Tribe,” Rory said quickly. Cross didn’t say anything for a long time. Rory picked up her burger and started eating. She wasn’t going to let her food get cold while he mulled over her admission.
***
His wolf was about to break free of the hold he had on it. They were in a public place and that would be the worst thing possible. This had never happened to him before. He was always able to keep his wolf on a very tight leash. He was the master of the animal within. But this was different.
The Lost Tribe. He had heard about them, like every other supernatural being in existence. They were the worst of the dark fae and had been banished to another dimension hundreds of years earlier. They had been responsible for the deaths of hundreds of supernatural creatures, possibly even thousands. There was no way to know. They had used their power, not just to make life for humans hell on earth, but to hurt their own kind. There was a reason humans called fae like them demons.
In the United States, the biggest target of the Lost Tribe had been witches. It really wasn’t too hard to see why. No other supernatural creatures had the power to stop them. Had they succeeded, they would have been able to make their presence known and rule over humanity with an iron fist. They were a seriously bad bunch.
And now they were killing witches in Cleary. Witches close to the one who was his mate. There was no doubt about that anymore. He couldn’t just laugh her off as a fun piece of ass to have for a night or two. No, Aurora Silver was his mate. His wolf had claimed her long before his human consciousness had even started to get a clue. From the way his wolf was reacting now, she must be in serious trouble.
The two things had to be related. The Lost Tribe murder and the attack on Rory. The particulars didn’t matter. He knew it was true deep in his bones. So, an ancient, mega-powerful, and evil tribe of fae were out to kill Rory and they were either working with the Sun Riders or the Sun Riders also wanted to kill her. Perfect. That was just fan-fucking-tastic. He had just found his mate and now she was in mortal danger.
What was really bothering his wolf was that there was no way he would be able to protect her on his own. Hell, even with the help of all the Moon Brothers and their allies, the Golden Bears, the East Coast Pride, and the Fury Pack, there was almost no chance of defeating even one Lost Tribe fae. They were that fucking powerful.
He tried to calm himself down, but it was no use. He was a ticking time bomb at this point.
“Get a box,” he told Rory.
“What?” She had ketchup on her lip.
“Get. A. Box,” he said again. “We need to leave. Now.”
“I’m not done eating and you haven’t even touched your…” She looked at him this time. Really looked at him. His distress must have been obvious because she got up and got the boxes. She boxed both of their plates up herself.
When she was done, he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the restaurant with him. He looked around. There was nothing for him to hide behind but the other cars in the parking lot. There weren’t many, but that was the best he was going to be able to do at this point.
He led her as far away from the diner windows as he could and prayed no cars would drive in when he was shifting. It was dark outside so it would be hard to see him anyway. He hoped it was enough.
He held his wolf in as long as he could. The second he hit the car he had been seeking, he let his wolf go. The shift was almost painful it happened so fast. It felt like all of his bones were liquid and his skin burned away. In less than the blink of an eye he went from towering over Rory to being eye level with her shoulder.
All he wanted to do was snap Rory up and run. Where didn’t matter. He just needed to get her away from the danger. Only there was no place safe. The Lost Tribe could come from anywhere if they were able to use inter-dimensional portals. He paced back and forth in front of her. In wolf form, he could feel all the magic surrounding her much more strongly.
The coven must have cast a dozen different cover spells. It was like a thick fog surrounding her. This magic didn’t even include her own yet. Maybe it would be enough. His wolf started to calm a little. She was much more powerful than she thought. That had been obvious the first time he had seen her through wolf eyes. She wasn’t even at her peak form yet. Her potential was greater than that of any of the other witches in her coven, even Elena’s.
The pool of magic she could draw from was deep. It was a shame that she hadn’t trained more before all of this happened. He sat at her feet. He was still shaking from the adrenaline, but he would be fine soon. His wolf was satisfied that there were no immediate threats to his mate. Seeing as that was the case, now it only had two objectives. Keep Rory safe and mate with her as soon as possible.
It was going to be really hard to play it cool from now on. He wished she hadn’t even mentioned the damn Lost Tribe. Now that he knew she was his mate, it was going to be extremely difficult to not claim her fully. His wolf was going to be demanding it every moment he was near her until he complied. He was going to have to change his plan. He needed a clear mind if he was going to keep her safe and the only way to ensure that was bedding the witch tonight.
Ten
She stretched next to the bike as Cross opened the door of the cabin. From the outside the place looked great. It looked like something that belonged on a postcard. The perfect cabin for the mountains. As long as it had two bedrooms, though, she didn’t care if it looked like a crack house.
Cross had been acting very strange since his little outburst. One minute he was pacing in wolf form and the next he was back to being himself. He hadn’t said anything about it beyond, “You should have told me this sooner.” That didn’t explain why he had shifted so suddenly. He had almost broken the number one rule of were-kind. No shifting in front of humans. If he had been seen, his pack would have torn him apart. Son of the alpha or not, there were some lines you couldn’t cross.
Rory was having a very similar problem. Seeing Cross shift and act all angry and alpha had only turned her on more. She hadn’t thought that was possible, but he wasn’t the only one trembling after his outburst. She had only rushed their arrival into Sienna so she could get away from him. The second they got into town, he had gone all alpha wolf on her. It excited something deep and primal inside of her.
It was very different than how every other guy affected her. She had never felt desire this strong. Not even with other were-creatures, not that she had much contact with those. It wasn’t like Cross’ friend Ozzy did anything to her.
Actually, now that she thought about it, neither had Cross until they had gotten into Sienna. Not until he had gotten angry at the diner. Before that, she had wanted him, but not the same way. This was almost uncontrollable. Her body was begging her to lie down at his feet and let him have his way with her. It was a marvel her pants were still on her body.
The feeling reminded her of what she knew about the mating ritual wit
h werewolves. The male’s wolf would claim the female and if she was his true mate, her wolf would act accordingly. She had overheard some witches talking about it at one of the Gatherings when she was a preteen. The group had been drunk and were talking about the intensity of were-mating. As a preteen, she had been both disgusted and titillated by the talk. Remembering it now, she was mostly just disgusted.
“Hey!” She went over to Cross and shoved him against the door. “Did you fucking claim me?”
“Whaa…” His mouth hung open, but he quickly recovered. “What the fuck? Have you lost your mind, witch?”
“I don’t think I have,” she said angrily. “The way I’m feeling right now, all this lust and need to submit. I think this is part of werewolf claiming. This sure as hell isn’t how I felt about you before.”
Cross narrowed his eyes. “What are you talking about?”
“After you shifted back there? Ever since then I’ve been filled with this…longing. This desire,” she said, searching for the words to describe it. “I didn’t feel that way before and now it’s overwhelming. You claimed me, didn’t you?”
“A wolf can’t claim a witch,” he said, and turned to go inside the house.
She shoved him against the door frame. “You didn’t answer my question! You did! You fucking claimed me. You son of a bitch!”
She moved to hit him in the face, but he caught her wrists and held her against the other side of the door. “Even if my wolf did claim you, that’s only for wolves and humans. Other supernaturals are immune.”
She tried fighting against him, but his grip was too tight. “You keep saying that and I don’t understand why.”
“Why what? And would you please calm the fuck down? This really isn’t the time to be fighting each other.”
“I can’t calm down,” she said. “I can’t believe you did something so utterly stupid at a time like this.”
“First of all, if you knew anything about werewolf mating like you say, you would know it isn’t a choice,” he said, letting go of her wrists. “Mates are destined. It’s not something you can do consciously. Second, I’ll repeat, wolves can’t claim a witch. That isn’t how it works.”
