by Milly Taiden
Her mate was as big as a tree, but she could understand why the Russian was a champion fighter. Without clothes, his body looked artificial, not like a real body should. Whether he had taken enhancement drugs or it was natural, he seemed stronger than anyone she’d ever seen on TV or in a magazine. She glanced toward the front of the house.
She had to find a way to stall this lunacy.
The alpha announced, “Rules of the blood challenge tradition stand. Once begun, the fight doesn’t end until one is dead. As the challengee, Aitan Hansen, you may decide in which form to fight.”
Aitan stood thinking. Before he answered, she blurted out, “Wolf. Fight as a wolf, Aitan.” If Seriff was a human champion fighter, then her love would have more advantage in his other form.
Seriff growled. “Shut her up. She has no say.”
Dax made no movement toward her. “What say you, Alpha Hansen?”
Aitan nodded, watching her. “We fight as wolves.”
“Then let it begin,” Dax hollered.
“Wait!” she yelled. “Not yet.” Everyone looked at her except Seriff. He shifted and lunged at her man. Robyn pointed and screamed. Aitan ducked and rolled, coming up on four feet as a beautiful gray and white wolf. She was about to pass out from her heart beating so hard.
The animals circled one another as those gathered stood tense and watchful. This couldn’t be happening. This was so fucking stupid. Robyn wanted to scream at them.
With a sudden dart forward, mouths open, fangs exposed, the two went after each other. Dust whirled into the air from the dry ground being dug into with thick claws. How could she stop this? Make them wait a little longer?
With no warning, a gun shot rang out and her wolf yelped. The men at another part of the circle scuffled, taking down Frans, yanking a gun from his hand.
Robyn screamed with anger at the cheating bastards. Seeing blood on the hindquarters of her gray wolf, she ran for Seriff’s furry throat. She’d rip him apart with her own hands, the conniving bastard. Before she reached the circle, Alpha Dax grabbed her around the waist.
“No. You cannot interfere,” he said.
She twisted and hit at the hands holding her. “Are you kidding? Seriff’s man shot Aitan!”
The alpha nodded. “Yes, and the alpha can attack the man if he wishes. But the fight continues until one is dead.”
27
“But Aitan is shot, goddamn it! How is that fair?” Robyn screamed.
The alpha simply said, “If he wishes to heal himself, he will shift into his human form. That will fix the injury.”
“Right,” she screamed back, “and Seriff will tear his human throat out in a heartbeat.”
Dax nodded again. “Your mate must focus even more now. You should not get involved.”
Robyn settled and Dax released her. She wasn’t about to let the Russian bastard get away with cheating. If her wolf had to focus more then so would the other.
Aitan stayed on his feet, but blood had darkened his entire backside. Seriff grew bolder. From so much anger bottled inside her, she did the only thing she could: she picked up acorns on the ground and flung them at the brown wolf.
The small missiles did no damage, but hopefully they distracted him. She started rattling off every curse word and name she could think of, getting closer and closer. She blurted out everything she knew he did with the black market, including what she sold to him.
One of the pack moved toward her but backed off when Dax waved him away. This was her decision to help the one she loved. And by god, she wasn’t letting him down. If she had to fight dirty, then so be it. She’d gone against established rules to save every child she found in need and she’d do the same for him.
Snatching up anything she could find, including gravel-size rocks, she launched the tiny bullets one after another as the animals ripped and tore into each other. She glanced at the front yard again. An agonizing yelp grabbed her attention and she watched as Seriff bit into Aitan’s gaping wound.
“No!” Robyn raced forward and swung a limb she hadn’t realized she’d picked up. Seriff turned toward her and she slammed the wood into the side of his canine head. He rolled off the bloody wolf, the wound now a gaping flap of flesh exposing the hip bones.
Seriff flashed wild, non-human eyes at her, blood dripping from his maul. She ran toward the house, screaming for Aitan to shift. He had to heal himself or he’d be dead in minutes.
Glancing over her shoulder, she saw and heard Seriff’s animal chasing her. Behind him several of the pack members trailed, but none would catch him in time to keep him from killing her.
So be it. This was her choice, her way to return the favor to the man who saved her twenty years ago. For she was certain she would not have survived much longer on the street.
Someone not as benevolent as he and his parents would’ve taken advantage of her delicate situation sooner than later.
She screamed around the front corner of the porch. Slipping on the grass, she saw an SUV with a forestry symbol on the door sat in the driveway. Behind her, a snarling Seriff leapt off the porch, ready to tear her head from her body.
As she curled into a ball still bouncing on the grass, explosions blasted feet from her, hurting her ears. Gun shots, many more flying over her body. She felt and heard a heavy weight slam onto the ground at her feet.
Eyes squeezed closed and hands splayed over the back of her head and neck, Robyn continued screaming until her lungs gave out. She waited for the pain of a mouth full of knives, but it never came. The sound of crickets slowly crept into her consciousness.
“Ma’am,” she heard, “are you okay?” Her mind couldn’t comprehend what was going on. Was she dead and St. Peter was telling her to get up now? “Ma’am?” A hand touched her arm. “We got a call from a woman saying she was kidnapped. I’m Chief Ranger Watson with the state park.”
Robyn stuck her head up and glanced around. The brown wolf lay dead, splotches of red dotting its body. She thought the other wolves would come around the corner of the home any second, but they didn’t. Where were they? Where was Aitan?
She got to her feet and ran toward the back. The only human bodies there were Hans and Frans, each with their own fatal wolf bites.
28
Robyn snuggled on her sofa in the arm of her mate. She couldn’t believe how happy she was. She was about to turn the movie on when Aitan asked her to wait. He wanted to see the news. She set the remote on the table and cuddled closer. She’d been on vacation since the night of her abduction.
On their own, the rangers and local police found the painting with the men’s fingerprints all over them. Concerning the two dead men, Robyn said the men took her outside when a batshit-crazy wolf chased them. She didn’t remember much else.
With such clear cut evidence on the art work, the police would place blame for the robbery on the men. She was taken because she saw them getting away, putting her in the wrong place at the wrong time.
From down the hall of her high-rise suite, two giggling children ran in their new pajamas and jumped onto the sofa with her and Aitan.
She pulled Ellie into her lap. “Did you brush your teeth really well?” she asked the little girl. The young one smiled, showing off her small pearly whites. “Good girl.” Robyn kissed her forehead.
“And you, young man?” Aitan said to Elijah. He did the same as his sister, flashing his adult teeth coming in.
“Can we stay up and watch TV?” Eli asked.
“You can,” Aitan said. “We’re watching the news.”
The children groaned. “We’ll go to bed,” they said at the same time. They hurried off, giggling all the way.
Robyn looked at her love. “You think you can handle kids now?”
Aitan shrugged. “It’s just two. How hard can that be?”
Robyn smiled. “Maybe now, but what about when we have more, Mr. Hansen?”
He looked at her with raised brows. “Would you like to practice making more?”
> She straddled his lap. “Damn right, I’d like to.”
“Then let’s get this started.” He lifted her as she wrapped her legs around his waist to carry her to their bedroom. Then the news came on.
The news anchor said: “New York City Police have found the Cloustien Ruby Tiara stolen from the collection two weeks ago. Forensics identified prints belonging to Seriff Notham, a known Russian black-market dealer, on the jewels. Police are in search of him now. Two men known to have worked with him were found dead after the theft of a priceless painting they’d stolen two nights ago.”
Aitan looked at her. “It’s a good thing I have no idea what really happened with that painting.”
Robyn smiled. He knew what happened, but deniable plausibility was a great thing. He knew why she had done what she did. With information that mysteriously appeared at the police station, hopefully the other items that were on the market would be found and returned to the museums so people could stand around and stare at them again. At least some good had come from it all. Including two new adopted children to jump start their family.
“Now, where were we?” he said, turning back to the bedroom.
The news continued. “A couple nights ago at the opening for the Downton Abby exhibit touring the nation, Prince Aitan Hansen, crown prince of Cloustien, was in attendance to welcome the attraction.”
Robyn whipped around and stared at the screen. And yes, there was her gorgeous man in his tux rubbing shoulders with the elite in attendance.
“I’ll explain later,” he said as he turned her to the bedroom.
29
“Damn right, you will,” she replied. “But first you’re making love to me.”
Aitan carried his mate to the bed. His wolf pranced within. They were completing the mating tonight, binding their souls and lives together.
He stared into her eyes and glanced down when the tip of her pink tongue swiped over her bottom lip. He tracked the movement and without a conscious thought, leaned forward and crushed his mouth to hers. Passion overrode all forms of caution as he thrust his tongue into her mouth, tangling with hers.
She moaned into the kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing their bodies closer. A low growl escaped him. Awareness of her seeped into every pore of his body—her scent, her nearness, the heat of her skin.
Mine.
With another low, soft growl, he tore his mouth away from hers and trailed light kisses down her jaw to her throat. Her breath came in short pants as she clung to his shoulders, scoring his skin through the thin cotton of his T-shirt with her nails.
He laid her on the bed and stared down at her. His beautiful mate. Before he could move, she reached out and grabbed the waist band of his jeans. Rolling to her knees on the bed, she gave him a wicked smirk as she undid the button, then the lowered the zipper. When she wrapped her fingers around his thick cock, his hips jerked.
Fuck.
She stroked him in slow circular motions. Then she lowered her head and took him into her warm mouth. He hissed, sucking in a breath and released it on a growl. Fisting his hand in her hair, he rocked his hips, sliding his cock in and out of her mouth while she sucked.
God, her mouth felt good on him.
He was on the edge of an orgasm and started to pull, but she grabbed on to his ass and held him in place. At that point, he was too far gone to in the dizzying haze of desire to fight her. Every muscle in his body tensed and he growled deep as he came. His mate took everything he gave her.
“That was amazing.” He stepped back when she released him.
She stared up at him while she still sat on her knees. He ripped his shirt off and removed his pants. Then he moved to the end of the bed, grabbed her ankles and pulled. She fell on her back and laughed while he tugged her closer the edge of the bed. He slipped her shoes off, then crawled on the mattress between her legs. With a quick jerk, he removed her tight, black jeans, taking her panties with them. A half groan, half growl rumbled in his throat.
Her gaze locked with his, watching him. Without breaking the eye contact, he sank down between her legs and nudged her thighs apart. When he spread her lips, she sucked in a breath. “So wet.”
He licked from her entrance to her clit, savoring her sweet taste. His cocked filled again, hardening and ready for another round. Robyn closed her eyes, and he covered her sex with his mouth, sucking and teasing. Desire rolled through him with each pleasured moan coming from her.
Slipping two fingers inside her hot, wet pussy, he flicked his tongue over the bundle of sensitive nerves. Her hips moved in time with his thrusts and licks, telling him what she wanted. Picking up the tempo, he replaced his tongue with his thumb so he could watch her when she came.
“Come for me, baby.”
A scream ripped from her as the orgasm slammed into her and her body spasmed while her pussy squeezed his fingers.
Good gods, she was gorgeous when she came.
Robyn smiled like she had never done before. She thought nothing could top the first time they had sex. Oh, was she so wrong.
And they were just getting started. Her pussy ached and pulsed like it was begging to have his cock buried deep inside her.
“What are you thinking?”
“That I want you to fuck me and make me yours.”
His handsome, rugged face appeared in her line of sight, and her heart skipped a couple of beats. “I plan to do just that.”
She cupped his cheek and smiled. “You have a very talented tongue.”
A laugh burst from him before he nipped at her chin. “You taste divine.”
When she went to shake her head, he kissed her, hard and deep. Hunger rose within her again, building into a throbbing need to have him inside her. She tangled her tongue with his, tasting herself.
Snaking an arm around her, he lifted her and removed her shirt. With quick efficiency, her bra went next. The swish of clothing falling to the floor faded away when he flicked his tongue over one nipple.
Heat coiled in her belly, spreading throughout her body. Damn. The man was going to break her. No, he was going to ruin her for all others.
“Aitan.”
The single word came out needy, but she didn’t care. She wanted him inside her. Now.
With a soft growl, hunger lit up his blue gaze, intensifying her own. When he positioned his cock to her entrance, his eyes darkened, then shimmered. He nipped at her bottom lip as he thrust inside her, drawing a gasp from her. She fisted the sheet and dug her heels into the mattress. Pleasure raced through her veins and straight to her core, building.
He pumped his hips, slamming into her again and again. Without warning, he bit her on the shoulder where it met her throat. She cried out as the sharp pain transformed into pleasure and threatened take her into the void of darkness.
“You are mine. Open your heart to me.”
She heard his words in her mind and instantly opened. Her body, mind, and heart were all his. Just as his was hers. “I’m yours as you are mine.”
His body tensed just as her release exploded, dragging her over the edge. His orgasm followed, his hot seed spilling inside her.
“My heart has been yours from the moment we met,” she sighed. It was the truth. Her life was complete now that he was in it.
The End
Check out other HOWLS romances at: howlsromance.com
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
Hi! I’m Milly Taiden. I love to write sexy stories featuring fun, sassy heroines with curves and growly alpha males with fur. My books are a great way to satisfy your craving for paranormal romance with action, humor, suspense and happily ever afters.
I live in Florida with my hubby, our kids, and our fur babies: Speedy, Stormy and Teddy. I have a serious addiction to chocolate and cake.
I love to meet new readers, so come sign up for my newsletter and check out my Facebook page. We always have lots of fun stuff going on there.
SIGN UP FOR MILLY’S NEWSLETTER FOR LATEST NEWS!
http://eepurl.com/pt9q1
Find out more about Milly here:
www.millytaiden.com
[email protected]
Also by Milly Taiden
Find out more about Milly Taiden here:
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.millytaiden.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/millytaidenpage
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/millytaiden
If you liked this story, you might also enjoy the following by Milly Taiden:
Sassy Mates / Sassy Ever After Series
Scent of a Mate Book One
A Mate’s Bite Book Two
Unexpectedly Mated Book Three
A Sassy Wedding Short 3.7
The Mate Challenge Book Four
Sassy in Diapers Short 4.3
Fighting for Her Mate Book Five
A Fang in the Sass Book 6
Also, check out the Sassy Ever After World on Amazon
Or visit http://mtworldspress.com
A.L.F.A Series
Elemental Mating Book One
Mating Needs Book Two
Dangerous Mating Book Three
Fearless Mating Book Four
Savage Shifters
Savage Bite Book One
Savage Kiss Book Two
Savage Hunger Book Three
Savage Wedding Book Four
Drachen Mates
Bound in Flames Book One
Bound in Darkness Book Two
Bound in Eternity Book Three
Bound in Ashes Book Four
