Primal Night

by Ally Parker

His heart hammered in his chest. His body shook with need. He had to do this right. He had to make up for all the ugliness of the situation and make her body rise with nothing but him to tether her to reality. She fell forward and whimpered a special little sound just for him. Blood filled his cock to a painful level. He was sure the thick vein running across his length was about to burst.

  “Ryker, more. I need more.”

  She pushed him away and pinned his arms above his head, kissing down his throat. Her teeth scraped across his skin and his balls tightened. A groan that turned into a growl tumbled from his chest. Nothing had ever felt so good. Nothing. And he wasn’t even inside of her.

  Cold, hard metal slapped over his wrists, and he pulled back, looking up to where his arms were restrained in cuffs. He gave a tug. Of course there was no give. The manacles were reinforced to stop their kind from escaping. His gaze swung back to Kali.

  “This is your plan? To tie me up?”

  Her lips tugged up into a sad smile, and the lines fanning from her eyes begged him to understand. He did. And just because it was Kali, it was hot as hell. Biting her lip, she scraped her nails down his chest. He hissed out a breath. This was going to fucking kill him not to run his hands over her skin, to feel the weight of her breasts as he cupped and caressed her.

  “I just thought it would… be safer.”

  She leaned forward, dangling the temptation of her breast within reach.

  Saliva pooled in his mouth; he was starved, and Kali was just the morsel to satisfy his appetite. “Jesus.”

  Safe for who? Not him. He was sure he’d lose his ever-loving mind before he’d even had a chance to rut with Kali.

  “I need your mouth on me.”

  Holy hell! Had he ever heard something so fucking hot? His stomach roiled with anticipation, and moisture beaded on the head of his cock and dampened the material of his jeans. The heat radiating from her skin was scorching. She was right there. If he stuck out his tongue, he’d taste her skin. The control was in her hands. It had to be. “Come closer.”

  Arousal deepened in the air, and his wolf edged closer. She inched forward and scraped her areola across his lips. He opened his lips and drew the nub deep into his mouth, flicking his tongue across her nipple. She moaned, running her hands through his hair and holding him close.

  What he wouldn’t give to trail his hands over her body to the folds between her legs. She rolled her hips and the sensation was both heaven and hell. He needed to be in her. The urge was more than just desire, he felt like if he didn’t sink into her within the next nanosecond his tether to his humanity would snap. Despite knowing he couldn’t claim Kali, his wolf had other ideas.

  “Fuck! Kali, you’re so damn hot.”

  A wicked grin split across her face and showed a hint of a dimple; he was sure he’d do anything in his power to make sure she smiled at him like that every God-given day. Her hands trailed down from his scalp, around his neck, and down his torso. She kissed across his glyph marks, swirling her tongue on the curve of his hip. His length thickened and poked out the waistband of his jeans. A second later, her hot little fingers brushed against his cock while she worked at undressing him.

  He hissed out a breath. Her touch had been feather soft, but damn if it didn’t zap him with a volt of desire. If his need heightened any more, he was sure he’d turn feral. He moved to help because he was sure the wait was going to kill him at any moment. The chains rattled, tugging at his arms, reminding him he had to use restraint. Their lives depended on his control. As Kali wrapped her soft, plump lips around the head of his cock and took her first sip at his length, he knew this union was trudging dangerous ground. His wolf didn’t care—didn’t understand—the burning need to bite and claim his female ate him from the inside out.

  Kali worked at him, laving his cock until he hit the back of her throat. He craned his neck and met her eyes, and she swallowed. Pleasure shot up his shaft, tightening his balls, and he groaned. “Fuck!”

  Nothing had ever felt so fucking good. His canines extended and dragged across his lip; his wolf prowled just under his skin, waiting for the opportunity to mark his mate. Kali was his. His female. His wolf demanded that he claim her so every other fucker would know. He clung onto logical thought, repeating the same thought over and over. Can’t bite. Can’t bite. God, don’t let me get her hurt.

  Kali cupped his balls and dragged her nails over his sensitive sack. His stomach quivered and he gritted his teeth, fighting off the urge to come. The scent of Kali’s arousal filled his lungs, the smell so potent he felt drunk. Exquisite pleasure hummed through his veins, and it clouded all thoughts. All he was aware of was the rhythmic sucking and the wicked desire building. “Enough. Get on me.”

  His cock popped out of her mouth and she licked her lips as if savoring his taste. Even that tiny action made both him and his wolf feral with need. He just hoped that when Kali sank onto him, he’d be in control enough to not submit to his wolf’s desire.

  Kali ached with desire. Her breasts needed Ryker’s tongue lapping at them; her center needed to be filled with Ryker’s thick cock. She rubbed her aching breasts and tugged gently at her nipples. Ryker growled, the vibrations coursing through her body, and a moan slipped out. He was the sexiest primal male she’d laid eyes on, and she had never wanted anyone more than she did right then.

  She crawled up Ryker’s body, running her hands over the curves and edges of his muscles. All shifters possessed muscle; it was in their genetics. Ryker was ahead of the rest—his muscles were bigger, better, and downright mouthwatering. She wanted to savor everything about this moment. It could be their last.

  Being with Ryker, smelling how much he wanted her, knowing he would back her always, made her almost forget their dire situation. It seemed he had that effect on her lately. Probably a normal effect for potential mates. She wouldn’t really know. She straddled Ryker, and he hissed out another breath when her center lined up against his length. Her arms braced forward, using his pecs for leverage.

  His hips bucked, his cock sliding right over her clit, and she shivered with pleasure. “More.”

  The persistent ache in her breasts demanded attention. She fell forward and fed Ryker her nipple. Her flicked his hot, wet tongue out and scored her flesh with bliss. Rapture shot down from her nipple and tugged at her clit with every lick and suck at her breast. The head of his cock continued to rub against her pleasure, and it felt like her world would explode if she didn’t have him in her right that second.

  Ryker pulled away and murmured between her breasts, the vibrations coursing straight to her center. “I can’t get enough of you. Could never get enough of you.”

  His eyes blazed with his animal, and her wolf ghosted under her skin, loving how untamed he got with each passing moment. She had done that, made him come unhinged at the edges. She fought the urge to tilt her head to the side and give Ryker all the access he needed to sink his teeth into her and seal their fate. Hell, she wanted him, ached to mark him back, make sure everyone knew that he was hers and she was his.

  Levering herself up, she reached down and wrapped her hands around his girth, guiding his cock to her entrance.

  Ryker sucked in a ragged breath, his chest moved unevenly. “Can’t bite. Can’t bite. Cannot bite.”

  His cheeks were flushed, and his eyes glowed vibrant blue. Fur crept across his skin and his teeth had elongated—ready to bite her? His words had been low, and she doubted he was aware that he had said them out loud. Which only made them hotter. Sweeter. He was trying desperately to remain in control. For her. Maybe she should be worried, but Ryker had protected her every step of the way. He may have doubted himself, but she knew better.

  Inching down Ryker’s length soothed the throbbing ache residing within her. She took him to the hilt and rocked back and forth testing, savoring the moment. She moaned and threw back her head, lost in the feel of him inside her. How could something feel so good? She’d slept with males before and nothing compare
d to being with Ryker. Nothing.

  The chains rattled, and Ryker tugged on his restraints. “Fuck. I want to wrap my hands around your hips and roll them down on me.” He wound the chain in his grip and yanked. Nothing. The metal, at least three inches thick, wouldn't be going anywhere.

  She wanted his hands on her too. Everywhere. Anywhere. To feel the rough pads of his fingers stroking, touching across her skin. Mimicking what he described, she whispered, “Like this.”

  He groaned. “Just like that, baby. Just like that.”

  His words conjured dangerous things. Hearing him whisper ‘baby’ in his rough baritone made her want to be reckless, want to be wild, want to be his. With each downward stroke Ryker’s cock grazed the epicenter of desire. Pleasure so profound billowed through her like a storm rolling across the coast. Pressure built second by delectable second until her only thought was to catch the next moment of bliss.

  Arching her back, she felt her thighs quivered. Her center spasmed around Ryker, and she bit her lip until she tasted the sharp tang of iron. It was all she could do from calling out her pleasure. She couldn’t tear her gaze from the man meant just for her. The chains rattled. Ryker growled, yanking at the manacles. The fixtures groaned and held steady. His body tensed, and all the muscles along his neck corded. Warm jets of his seed filled her, and he turned his head and sank his teeth into his arm.

  Sweat sheen reflected in the dim light across Ryker’s torso, and she love it. Her movements slowed, and she flopped forward just to feel close to her male. No matter what the future held, she would always hold onto that memory. It was special. Because Ryker was special, and he was teaching her that no matter what was going on he could make her feel special. It felt good and filled her insides with warmth. In that moment, the fact they’d just had sex in a cell under the worst-possible conditions didn’t matter. He’d still put her first. Still kept her safe.

  Her hand stroked over his markings and silently she vowed to save him just like he was saving her. Inches from where her fingers traced, heat scorched her skin. She pulled back and found a fresh glyph, dark as crushed dreams curling around the underside of his pec.

  No. It wasn’t fair. Ryker was a good male and didn’t deserve to be eaten from the inside out. Her mood detoured south. Their union may have been like nothing she’d experienced, but it came at a heavy price. Pain and sadness radiated from Ryker. The urge to mate must have been uncontrollable for him, and now he was one step closer to being lost.

  12

  Ryker was in heaven and hell, his body spent with the bliss Kali wrung from him. Being with his female had been the fucking hottest thing he’d ever experienced, and he hadn’t even gotten to touch her. And moon help him when he did. The residual burn of his new glyph frayed the tether to his humanity one strand at a time. Worry gnawed at his consciousness. Would he have enough time to do what was needed? He’d have to make sure he was the far away from Kali when his monster broke free. The last thing he wanted was for Kali to see him frothing at the mouth like a beast from the underworld.

  Despite having Kali’s body draped over him, he could feel the acrid touch of his monster shadowing another part of his soul, devouring him from the inside out. He clenched his jaw, letting the acceptance of his fate wash over him.

  “Ryker.”

  His jaw pulsed hating the way Kali’s voice softened and filled with an undertone of concern. Hells yes, it had been hard to enjoy the pleasures of his woman and not claim her. The urge to sink his canines into his mate and claim her fully had been undeniable. If Kali had been in biting range, he would have marked her, consequences be damned. His fate may have been sealed, but he wasn’t gone yet. This moment, the moment they’d shared, was his—theirs—and he would damn claim it.

  “It’s fine. Don’t let one tiny marking ruin what we shared.” They didn’t need any other darkness eclipsing their first time together. Courtesy of his father, they had a shit ton of reasons to go round. She opened her mouth as if to argue, so he quickly rushed on. “Plus.” He tugged at the shackles. “We have bigger problems to worry about.”

  True. All they needed was for guards to walk in and find him in the very position expected for Kali. Tied and utterly defenseless. The thought made him sick to the pit of his dark and twisted center. Leaning forward, she framed his face with the palms of her hands and whispered, “Only you could make being together in a cell the most amazing experience.”

  Her lips brushed over his in a tender moment that reached down and warmed some of the bone-aching coldness he wore day in and day out. All too soon, she pulled away. A slow grin grew and lifted the corner of Kali’s lips.

  “I think I can help with that.”

  Maneuvering off the bed she crouched and reached behind the head of the mattress. There was a quick rip and she dug around at the top of the bed. The bed springs squeaked, and the mattress flexed while she worked. His gaze shot to the door and he strained to hear any approaching threats.

  “Nearly there… Got it.” She held out her palm, holding a coiled spring.

  Interesting. There was so much he still didn’t know about her. Come to think of it, he had left her cuffed to his bed, back in his den, nice and safe. Yet here she was remolding a bedspring and bending the metal back and forth. His eyes narrowed, watching her. “Where did you learn that?”

  Her mask of determination stuttered. It had been the same look she’d given him back in his den when he’d asked about the pack she’d been with. One that said the subject was off limits. She continued to work at the metal until it snapped in two. Her lips pursed, and she edged closer to the right side of the bed and began probing the lock.

  She cleared her throat. “I haven’t had the most conventional upbringing.” She lifted one shoulder and her lips thinned. “I had a need for a certain skill set, so I acquired it.”

  He bet she did. Defeat wasn’t something he thought Kali capable of. Her history was sparse. He knew—he’d checked. Even with his vast resources it was like she didn’t exist except from the small pieces of intel he’d gleaned from Saint’s pack.

  “Just what kind of pack required you to possess lock-picking as a part of your skill set repertoire?”

  The smell of gray skies and bad luck thickened the air. Her reaction did bad things to his wolf. He craned his neck to loosen the muscles coiling on a razor’s edge. She wouldn’t meet his gaze, and he didn’t like it one bit that she didn’t want to let him into this part of her life. He didn’t care what her past held. His wolf could sense she was a good person, and that’s all that mattered to him.

  One lock clicked open and she moved to the other side of the bed to work on the last lock. She blew out a shaky breath. “It’s not something I like to talk about. I… It still hurts.”

  That was the last thing either his wolf or him wanted to do. Every molecule in his body screamed to protect Kali, even if that meant from the past that haunted her. “You don’t have to explain.”

  “I want to. You make me feel safe enough to go back to that dark place.”

  Her words did something to him. His chest felt tight, filled to the brim with something he couldn’t place. But it felt good.

  She sucked in her bottom lip, gnawing at her flesh. “My father had just established a territory; we were a new pack and our numbers were low. Too low.”

  Kali’s movements slowed, and her burnt honey eyes fixated on the cinder block wall behind the bed, and he knew she wasn’t really in the room anymore. And he wasn’t sure if he was glad she’d trust him with the nightmares or if he’d be strong enough to endure the steady increase of her pain that prickled his skin like the spikes of a cactus.

  “Back when I was a pup, this one day I was playing by the river trying to catch fireflies, and that’s where I first saw him. Jefferson.”

  A shiver shook her from the inside out, remembering that day. So many times, she’d replayed the memories and altered her actions—little good it had done. Her actions were done, engraved in time, and
she would have to live with that for the rest of her life.

  It had been the first learning point of her life. Sometimes nightmares existed. Sometimes, they played the lamb, all the while waiting for the right time to strike. Sometimes, men with a thousand-watt smile and dimples could harbor true evil inside of them.

  Even now, years after the dust had settled, she still could smell the copper tang coating the air on the spring breeze or the way Jefferson limped into the clearing clutching a wound that oozed between his fingers. “He was injured and all alone. I was just a stupid, dumb kid trying to do the right thing. My momma always taught me to help those weaker than us. I was a fool to think that Jefferson was weaker than me, even injured.”

  She laughed, shaking her head. Back then she’d been good, she hadn’t been molded into the person who would do anything to save herself—even at the expense of others. “Turned out doing the right thing doesn’t always pay off. I led him to my pack, straight to my momma so she could heal him right. As I learned afterward that scene was Jefferson’s usual M-O. He’d get roughed up by his pack and whimper into another’s territory, trying to gain entrance. Meanwhile, he’d be scouting and gathering information on their pack enforcers, scouting, and the goods he could claim.”

  If only she hadn’t taken him back into their territory. Her life would have been so different. Her parents would have been alive. Instead she’d damned them all. Only, she got to live with her sins, day in and day out. Taking Jefferson back to their den had been her first of many mistakes.

  “My momma fixed him up and he went on his way.”

  She paused from digging into the lock and looked down at her hands, hands that had been responsible for a lot of shit she wasn’t proud of. Ryker grazed his fingertips on her thigh. She blew out a steady breath and tightened her hold on the wire, determined to unlock the shackles and free Ryker the way she hadn’t been able to free herself.