Ava seemed to sense the other Guard was about to help, and she barked a warning. Even Sophia could understand that it meant don’t leave Sophia’s side. Diana and Darla moved closer to Sophia. They brushed so close to her legs, they almost toppled her over. She held the bat in a tight grip, poised to strike anyone that might come flying up from the dark.
She didn’t have long to wait. Two new beasts came running and launched themselves straight at her. Diana or maybe Darla caught one in the grip of her powerful jaw, and the two of them plunged to the ground. Sophia ducked the other wolf, and it went straight over her head. She readied her swing, but the second sister was all over the enemy.
Fights broke out all around her. She’d wondered where everyone went seconds ago, and it seemed that they reappeared, fighting for their lives. Her eyes adjusted to the dark, and she noticed several wolves lying on the ground and not moving. She prayed with all her heart one of them wasn’t Sebastian.
A lone wolf howled from somewhere on the property, and every other wolf stilled. She couldn’t believe the way they all stopped cold. Before she could make sense of what was happening, a man ran up to them. He wore nothing more than dark, ripped slacks. At some point, he’d lost his shirt and his shoes and socks, and there was a gash on his right arm that looked like it needed stitches. She supposed it was already on the mend.
The man dropped to one knee in front of Sophia, and her eyes widened. He bowed his head and waited, but she didn’t know what to make of him. He wasn’t one of Sebastian’s men, at least she didn’t think so. Yet, neither Ava, Diana, nor Darla moved to stop him from getting close to her.
“What is it?” Sophia said, curious.
He looked up. “Mistress, I’m here to escort you to our alpha.”
“Our?” She looked at Ava.
Ava changed back into her human form and unselfconsciously put her clothes on. She appeared calm, but Sophia sensed a suppressed excitement in the woman. When she was done, she faced Sophia. “They all are.”
“Are what?” Sophia didn’t get it.
“They’re all under Sebastian now. He’s defeated the other two alphas.”
“How do you know?”
Ava didn’t appear to want to explain. She started walking and gestured for them to follow. The man stood, but he crowded Diana or Darla out of her position so he could walk next to Sophia.
Sophia extended the bat ahead of her and poked Ava in the back. The shifter spun around and glared at her. Sophia frowned. “Well?”
A longsuffering sigh. “We heard Sebastian in our heads. He spoke to all of us at the same time.”
“Wasn’t Alex saying earlier it was too much energy for Sebastian to contact everyone?”
“There are ways to increase his strength.”
“What ways?”
“Enough! We need to get to him.”
“Look, I haven’t cracked anybody over the head since we got out here, and I’m itching for it. Don’t tempt me, Ava.”
Her Guard cast her a sour look, but she didn’t say any more.
“How is she your protector, mistress?” The man at Sophia’s side couldn’t scrape the ground anymore and kiss her butt any harder. “If I were a Guard, I wouldn’t let anyone near you.”
Maybe he could scrape lower. She stood corrected. “My name is Sophia. I’d appreciate you not calling me mistress.”
“Of course.” He grinned, and she noted the big horse teeth. Other than his oversized smile he was handsome from what she could see in the dim lighting. He was as big as Sebastian’s Guard, and he had a certain presence. If only he weren’t a brown-nose.
They moved into the trees and strode a short ways. A path soon opened, and Sophia caught her breath. This was where most of the shifters were, in a circle, some in human form and some in animal. When her group approached, those closest turned and seemed to recognize her. The crowd parted, and she walked on. In the center of the group was her husband.
Sophia tossed the bat aside and ran to him. She didn’t care who looked on as she threw herself into his embrace. Sebastian’s arms came up, and he crushed her to him.
“You shouldn’t be out here.” He leaned back and cupped her nape to bring her in for a kiss. She surrendered every inch of her being to him. By the time he raised his head and released her lips, relief and joy flooded her system. That didn’t stop a tear from escaping the corner of her eye. Hurt rippled in Sebastian’s expression, and he stroked her cheek. “What’s wrong?”
“Someone said you were in trouble, in danger of dying. I tried my best to hold it together until I saw you. Oh my God, Sebastian, I never knew how much I love you until I thought I wouldn’t see you again.”
“Baby, I love you more than you can imagine. Nothing happened to me, and I’m not going anywhere. Come on. We’re going back to the house.”
She let him lead her the way she came, but she took in what she could of their surroundings. His Guard were close as usual, but Alex and Michael looked spent. She didn’t blame them after almost a full day of fighting. Regardless, their faces stood out against the pale moonlight as though their blood were drained away. Hell, she would have thought they were vampires if she didn’t know better. She knew they were tireder than anyone else when Diana and Darla moved up to them to be a shoulder to lean on. Alex, being the proudest man she’d ever met, resisted at first, but when he stumbled and almost fell flat on his face, he gave in to Diana’s assistance.
“What’s wrong with them?” Sophia asked Sebastian, nodding to his two closest men.
Sebastian didn’t answer, but she had the feeling he felt shame and wondered why. Surely he didn’t think he should have had their back more during the fight. Even as a newcomer, she knew the enemy shifters would have been gunning for the alpha. To think he should have protected his Guard more was preposterous.
They arrived back at the mansion, and Sophia was surprised that the house flooded with people. Every available spot was taken from the formal room to the hall to the living room. They spread out everywhere, even taking to camping on the steps leading to the second floor.
“I don’t think we have enough bedrooms for this many people,” Sophia muttered.
“They’re not staying,” Sebastian said. “I’m just doing some restructuring.”
She listened in fascination as he outlined how things would be going forward. “Normally the alpha whose pack wins the fight absorbs all the wolves from the other packs into his own. I’m not going to do that. You guys will still lead your own people, but you will answer to me.”
There were agreements all around. Sophia couldn’t believe how they changed their tunes so quickly. Just from a fight? They were certainly different.
“I’m going to visit each of you in the coming weeks to check over your lands and learn how you live and work. We can talk in detail then about the future. Thank you for following me.”
Sebastian dismissed them. Every person and wolf bowed their heads with respect and then filed out of the house. Sophia was left in awe and confusion. She turned to Sebastian when the door shut behind the last person. “You want to tell me what just happened? Correct me if I’m wrong but just a few hours ago I had some serious enemies. Why does it look like all their attitudes have changed?”
Sebastian took her into his arms and kissed her then walked her toward the stairs. She followed him up to their bedroom, and they shut the door against the whole rest of the world. She didn’t protest when he invited her to climb into the bed with him after a refreshing shower to wash off the day’s battle. She curled into his side, and Sebastian’s gaze heated up. He seemed to forget her question upon seeing her naked breasts.
“Sebastian? Hello?”
“I need to be inside you.”
“You have to be tired.”
“Energetic actually.” He leaned down and bit her thigh gently. She screeched and laughed before smacking his arm.
“How can you be anything but dog tired after this day?”
A single
eyebrow rose, but he didn’t address the dog comment. “To save lives, I did something I’m not proud of.”
“What?”
He hesitated.
She wrapped her arms around him and brought his face down to her chest. “Don’t be afraid to tell me, Sebastian. I’m in it now. I’m not going to run away from you anymore, even if what you tell me scares me. I’m your wife, and I’ve made that lifelong commitment to it in my heart.”
He moaned. “You’ve made me the happiest of men hearing you say that. I don’t want you to be afraid by what I tell you. I will never do it to you. In fact, I can’t.”
“Do what?” Her stomach clenched with nerves despite her earlier assertion.
“I have the ability to take strength from my men.”
“You mean emotional support? Yeah, some people feel like they can do that. I think it’s all mental, like getting your second wind just knowing someone’s on your side.”
He grinned, and then it faded. “No, I mean literally. I can take strength from my men—” He choked on emotion for a second and then continued. “—willingly or by force. I can heal myself using their energy.”
Her mouth fell open.
“I assure you, Alex and Michael as well as a few others were willing. They knew that I could end the conflict if I wasn’t injured.”
She swallowed. “But Alex said they couldn’t heal you. I asked him before.”
“Not normally no. Not without this method and not without risk.”
“How?”
“It’s why I needed the strength, Sophia.”
“How?”
“In the same way I can know whether my men are loyal to me. I pressed upon every wolf on my property and let them feel the extent of my power. When the other alphas realized they couldn’t beat me no matter what they tried, they surrendered. After that, their men caved and pledged allegiance to me.”
She couldn’t find words. Not that she blamed him, but a man shouldn’t be that powerful. She’d felt it from the start when she first learned of his abilities. “Is there anyone in the world as strong as you?”
“There are plenty. These weren’t. If any of their men were, they would have been alpha instead of the current leaders. Sophia, I didn’t come to this conclusion lightly. It took all day to decide to do it because I don’t like forcing my will on others.”
“I believe you.”
“I also didn’t do it alone. My men willingly gave me their strength so I could heal and do what I did. They went into the fight today knowing it might be something I asked of them.”
“Are you saying Alex and Michael won’t recover?”
“They’ll be fine after a few days of rest. This was my way of stopping the killing and getting my people to accept you.” He stroked her arms. “Tell me you understand. I know our lifestyle is a shock for you, but I hope you can come to see how we are and accept it.”
“I haven’t exactly accepted it, but I understand what you did was a last resort to gain peace, and for me. Thank you.”
“I love you, and I would go farther for you.”
“I don’t need to know that.”
Amusement brightened his beautiful eyes. “All right. We’ll let the subject go for now.”
Chapter 14
Sophia let out a little yelp of surprise when Sebastian rolled onto his back and took her with him. She stretched over his length, feeling the hard plains and valleys of his incredible body. Her own system ignited with desire just lying on top of him. Without thinking about it, she spread her legs and brought her heat in contact with his erection. His dick strained against her, struggling to find its way inside. She wriggled a little to accommodate him, but he stilled her with hands at her hips.
“I thought you were ready,” she murmured, looking into his gaze.
“Not yet. Let me look at you.”
He studied her face, and his fingers spasmed on her hips as he looked. It was as if he wanted to memorize the color of her eyes, the fullness of her lips, and the curve of her jaw. The passion in that stare stole her breath. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine meeting a man who loved her with such abandon. She believed him when he said he would go as far as necessary for her, break every law and every rule.
“I never have to wonder if you truly love me.” The words came out on a pant because he overwhelmed her.
“No.”
She bit her lip, and he took in the movement, letting it mesmerize him. The man was killing her looking at her like that.
“But I mean, it could wear off, or I could do something to make you change your mind about me.”
“Every man who came before me was a fool.” He sounded firm. “I won’t change my mind, and if I have to spend my life convincing you of the fact, I will. You understand, don’t you, baby?”
“Understand?” She knew what he meant, but she was becoming a glutton for hearing the way he spoke about her, the way he described their relationship.
He narrowed his eyes and pierced her with his gaze. “You are mine. Mine.”
The word didn’t come out sounding like the ranting of a recalcitrant child. No, his voice rumbled, and she thought she could hear a little of the wolf, maybe even see it beneath the surface of his expression. This was a possessiveness that was so strong it couldn’t be denied. Her heart jackhammered in response, and she drew in a deep breath.
Without warning, he pushed her up so that she straddled his hips. His hand moved over her belly, and he cupped the area with fondness. “I’m going to put my baby in you.”
She gasped. “I thought we’d wait a couple years to get used to each other.”
“The sooner the better.” His eyes glazed over as if he could already see her belly protruding and her hips widening. She had always dreamed of being a mother, but the getting fatter part not so much.
“Do I get a say in this?” she snarked.
“Do you intend to deny me?” At his words, his dick jumped beneath her. It had a mind of its own, and it apparently wasn’t playing that denial game.
“I’m not saying that.”
“Every time I put my dick in you, I release with the intent to get you pregnant. Tonight, I’m going to take you until I’m sure it’s done.”
“There’s such a thing called ovulation, sir.”
“And practice makes perfect,” he quipped in response. A slow grin spread over his face. “Don’t worry. Your alpha knows your body well, and he knows when you are ready.”
She blinked at him. “Seriously?”
He leaned forward and breathed deep toward her center. A curl of white-hot desire shot through her system. She was joking when she mentioned the ovulation because she was pretty close now. In fact, it wasn’t impossible for her to get pregnant that night. Sebastian must have been counting days along with her.
“I know,” he insisted and breathed deep in and out again.
“You smell it?” Her voice cracked a little.
He seemed to be intoxicated off the scent of her come. “You’re driving me crazy, baby. You smell so good I need to be inside you.”
Sophia would have discussed the timing of having babies more, but he raised her up and brought her down on his shaft. She forgot everything in an instant. Wiggling her hips, she worked to get him deeper, and he hissed his pleasure at her movements.
“Just…a…second.” His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he shut his eyes. She’d never seen him look like he would lose control. Every time they made love he held himself in sharp command, holding his orgasm off until he was ready to release.
She arched so that his dick slid out just a little and came down on him again. A cry of delight escaped her, but his fingers dug into her sides. She smirked. Her husband wasn’t in control at that moment. She was. Being on top for a change was great. Perhaps it was her weight driving him deeper than ever before that was driving him mad. Whatever the case, she was going for what she wanted.
Bringing her knees up, she reached behind her and held onto his thig
hs. Bouncing carefully up and down, she began to ride his dick. Sticky come flooded her channel, and she rode harder and faster.
“Oh, hell,” Sebastian grumbled. He might be stronger than her, but he couldn’t seem to make her stop. She ground more, working her hips in a circle before driving forward and back. His cock drove in and out of her, all slick and wet. He was so fat, it hurt a little, but she loved it so much. Soreness could be dealt with in the morning, but tonight was all about getting hers.
She slid one of the hands on his thighs upward and found his balls. A gentle squeeze set him off. His hands fell away from her hips, and he thrashed about.
The big bad wolf is being conquered by little old me. That will teach you.
Another squeeze and she teased that delicate spot beneath his balls and before his rear exit. Her husband shuddered. She reared up and came down on his cock. Sebastian shouted. He bucked, bringing his pelvis into contact with her swollen clit. She clenched her teeth because she didn’t want to come yet. A little more teasing and she was sure she could bring Sebastian to a head, all in her control.
The whole time she worked him with her body his eyes were closed. They popped open, and she gasped seeing the golden hues. In an instant she knew she was up against the wolf, and there would be no besting him. He sprang up, grabbed hold of her and flipped their positions. Sophia found herself flat on her back with her man pounding into her.
She came with an intensity that threatened to take her sanity. Sebastian jerked out of her and moved down her body to push two fingers inside her. She shook from head to toe as he licked her clit and groaned his pleasure.
“I can’t, I can’t,” she whimpered. She was wrong. The aftershock was stronger than the original orgasm. When she settled down just enough, he leaned up, flipped her to her belly and plunged into her heat from behind. This was the wolf man. One didn’t play with the wolf and expect not to get just what one deserved.
The bed rocked and creaked. He drove her into the mattress and crushed her with his weight. She was so wet he had an easy entry. He thrust into her again and again, slick and moist, his pelvis slapping against her ass. She arched her back, gripped the pillow beneath her head, and took him over and over. At long last when she had no more strength, he drove in and stilled. Hot come engulfed her core. She lay still, unable to move, and Sebastian panted through his release. Oh, yeah, she belonged to him, and there wasn’t anything she could do about it. Nothing she wanted to do about it—except surrender.
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