To Save A Mate (A Western Shapeshifter Werewolf Romance): Somewhere, TX (VonBrandt Family Book 1)

by Krystal Shannan

  Kara opened her eyes and stretched. She peeked at the clock on her nightstand and growled. 7:22pm. She'd slept the whole afternoon away. It had been a restful sleep, though. The frustrations and emotional overload from earlier seemed better.

  A little guilt gnawed at her heart over what she'd done to Luke.

  She climbed out of bed and walked from her bedroom out into the living room. Slow steady breathing came from the couch, and she peered over the back. Luke hadn't left her alone, even after she'd been so hateful and confused. She'd practically tried to strip him naked earlier and ravish him. A small smile pulled at the corners of her mouth at the thought. He'd acted like sleeping together was a terrible idea, but something told her he was holding back... for something.

  His face was beautiful. A square jaw, strong mouth, and angular face accented his masculinity. His shirt had come untucked, and a trail of dark hair led her eyes down his chiseled stomach toward his groin. The hair disappeared beneath the waist of his dress pants, but she already knew what lay hidden beneath a couple layers of fabric. He was built like one of those gladiators in that popular TV show playing on cable. She licked her lips and had to stop herself from reaching out to touch him.

  Her stomach grumbled, and she turned away from the sexy man sleeping on her couch. Thoughts of caressing his features fled as her attention turned to her cramping stomach. She'd barely eaten all weekend and for once she was truly hungry.

  A quick perusal of the fridge produced some leftover BBQ from Pops. She warmed the sliced turkey in the microwave and toasted a couple pieces of bread. After spreading a little BBQ sauce on the bread she put together her sandwich, grabbed a ginger ale from the fridge, and took a seat at the kitchen table.

  The tangy scent of the sauce made her mouth water. She took a bite and sighed. It tasted good. Really good.

  Movement in the living room caught her attention. Luke walked toward the kitchen and leaned against the doorway. He raised his arms up above him, baring most of his lower torso and stretched, pulling first one arm behind his head and then the other.

  "Any left?" He eyed her sandwich hungrily.

  "It's in the fridge. Help yourself." She took another bite. "The bread is in the basket next to the toaster," she added after swallowing.

  "Thanks."

  A few minutes later he joined her at the table with his own sandwich and a beer from the fridge. He'd also grabbed a bag of potato chips from the bread basket.

  The salty scent of the chips made her mouth water, and she reached for the open bag. He pushed it closer to her and she whispered a thank you. She took a small handful and added them to her nearly empty plate. Her sandwich was all but finished.

  "Can I get you anything else?" he asked. "I think I saw some fruit in the fridge too."

  She shook her head. "This is good. Thanks."

  He nodded and leaned back in the chair.

  She could tell he wanted to say something, but again... something held him back. It was the same hesitant look he'd shown in the bedroom a few hours ago.

  "Why didn't you want to sleep with me?"

  A cough rattled in his throat and she swore his cheeks reddened a little.

  "It's not that I didn't, Kara. I just -" He looked away, staring out one of the nook windows into the back yard. "You've been through hell the last few days, and I just don't think it's fair to put even more on your shoulders."

  She ate the last chip on her plate and then leaned back in her chair, folding her arms over her chest. He was right. But she still wanted to sleep with him. In fact, it was the only thing she thought about when her mind wandered. Embarrassingly, it was all she dreamed about, too. Instead of being worried about how her life would progress as an orphan, she daydreamed about seeing Luke VonBrandt naked again.

  His hands touching her. His mouth tasting her. His cock filling her.

  It was enough to drive her positively batty, and she was balancing precariously on the edge of losing it already.

  "But you do want to sleep with me."

  He let out a long sigh. "More than anything. But, Kara, it needs to be when you want me. Not when you're trying to escape feeling." Leaning forward, his bright blue eyes caught and held her gaze. "I want you so much it hurts. But you weren't with me in there earlier. You were just going through the motions."

  She frowned. He was right - again.

  "Even so, there's something you aren't telling me."

  He rubbed his face and looked away from her again. Definitely hiding something.

  "I don't know if you noticed my mother's bond marks."

  "She has double bracelets, where I only have one." Kara had noticed and wondered at the significance. But everything about this family was so secretive. They'd lived in town for decades, maybe longer. They owned one of the biggest ranches outside of town, but didn't do anything with it. No cattle. A few horses. Mostly it was just forested land.

  "When we complete the bond the second set of bracelets will appear."

  "Complete, as in... oh." What was one more set of tattoos? That certainly wasn't a reason for him to run for the hills.

  "It also means that we will complete the link between us and our emotions will be tied together." His words slowed as he reached the end of the sentence.

  Emotions? "So if I'm sad, you'll be sad? God, how do you deal? I can feel physical stuff already, and the closer you are the stronger it gets."

  "The emotional tie will work very similarly. You won't be forced into an emotion, but we will be able to read each other's. The closer we are in proximity, the stronger the signal, so-to-speak." He paused, and she met his gaze again.

  "This is already exhausting. Sharing every physical pain. Did you feel my injuries after the accident? How did you move? I know I broke bones."

  "It was nearly impossible for the first few hours. I can't remember how many times I stumbled flat on my face that night."

  The idea that he'd felt every pain and injury she'd had from the accident was terrifying. To suddenly be incapacitated because of an injury someone else experienced... "Will it always be that way?" she asked.

  "Yes. But, if and when we complete the bond, you can be taught to tune some of it out, so it's not constantly in your head."

  That was good news. At least there would be a little relief, but not until they slept together. And if they did sleep together and completed the bond... what would happen if they ever broke up? How could you leave someone you could literally feel?

  "Something else," she paused and watched him carefully. "Why were you and your brother naked in the woods that morning after the accident?"

  His face flushed and he avoided her gaze.

  "Is your family part of some cult or nudist group?"

  "No, nothing like that," he answered. His blue eyes finally looked back up at hers, and she gasped. The irises were changing from sky blue to yellow gold. "My family is something more than human. It's why we have the bonding spell."

  "More than human? Meaning what? What are you?"

  "My father is descended from a long line of werewolves. The history of our pack stretches back to ancient Ireland."

  A giggle slipped from between her lips, and she shook her head. He couldn't be serious. Werewolves? The magickal healing spell had been a stretch, but left with no other explanation, she'd had to go with it. But now he wanted her to believe he was descended from a pack of wolves.

  "Prove it."

  Luke stood and stared down at her, his gaze still bright and yellow. He started unbuttoning his shirt and she watched, mesmerized as muscle after muscle of his torso was revealed. Then he pulled the shirt off and she licked her lips --washboard abs, thick muscular arms, and broad shoulders. Damn he was beautiful.

  Next went the pants and boxers. For a moment, he stood in all his glory. Then he got down on all fours, and she watched incredulously as bones shifted and his face changed. Fur sprouted all over his body and within the space of ten seconds, a large grey wolf stood in the middle of the kitch
en instead of Luke.

  "Oh my, God!" She stood, her chair clattered to the floor, and she backed toward the door that led into the back yard. Her heart raced inside her chest and breathing became difficult. She gasped for breath and fumbled behind her for the doorknob. Black spots invaded her vision, and the room started to spin.

  A moment later she opened her eyes, surprised to find herself stretched out on the family sofa in the living room. The wolf was gone, and Luke sat on the coffee table, his hands clasped together and his lips stretched painfully tight. His eyes had shifted back to their natural bright blue and were watching her expectantly.

  "I guess that explains why you and Noah were naked out in the woods together, huh?"

  The tiniest flicker of amusement crossed his face before blanking again and he nodded. "This isn't something we tell people, Kara. You can't ever tell anyone."

  That's why he looked like he'd swallowed a porcupine. He was worried she'd go and tell other people he and his brother could turn into wolves.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  He shifted on the table uncomfortably and waited. She was still just staring, as if contemplating his fate. Had it been a mistake to show her? Would she betray him and his family? What if he'd singlehandedly ruined his entire family's life? The only comment she'd made so far was about him and Noah out in the woods on Thursday night.

  "Even if I wanted to tell anyone, Luke, no one would believe me."

  He narrowed his gaze and glared, meeting her blue eyes straight on. She was being much more levelheaded about this than he'd expected. No running and screaming for the hills. She had passed out, though.

  "I'm not even sure I would believe me, except that I watched it happen." She sat up slowly and eyed him warily, like he might leap on her at any second.

  "I won't hurt you, Kara."

  "I believe you. It's just ... unsettling." She tucked her feet under her body and hugged one of the large throw pillows to her chest, creating a barrier of sorts between herself and him. "Do you recognize people when you are a..."

  "A wolf?" he finished for her.

  She nodded.

  "Yes, I'm aware, in control, and can understand every word you say."

  "Is everyone in your family able to change?"

  He shook his head. "My mother is human. The enchantment passes down from my father."

  Her breathing was even. Her heart wasn't racing anymore. She appeared calm. Hope soared in his chest. Maybe, just maybe, she wouldn't completely shut him out. He could dream. She was the only woman he'd ever wanted to share his secret with, and now that he had, he could only wait and hope she accepted him for what he was. Everything he was - wolf and man.

  His dad had been lucky to find mom. She'd been raised in a supernatural-friendly home. Her mother – Luke’s grandmother - was a witch, and knew more things about the world than anyone he'd ever met. His dad said Grandma Willows had known he was a werewolf the second he'd walked into their house. He'd never had to have this awkward conversation with mom. She'd grown up knowing about all the supernatural creatures that hid in plain sight among humans.

  Finding out his dad - Aaron VonBrandt - was a werewolf hadn't even been a bump in the road for his mom.

  It was different for him. Kara didn't grow up with any inkling that the world was anything more than what it appeared.

  The death grip she had on the throw pillow loosened and she placed it to her side. "So... I..." She paused.

  "You don't have to say anything," he answered, reaching for her knee. As his fingers brushed over her leg she flinched, and he cursed inwardly. She must find him repulsive. Some kind of freak. He was. Her rejection had haunted his dreams. Now it was happening for real. Jerking back his hand, he swallowed and looked down at the hardwood. "Sorry. I know I'm a freak of nature. I just -"

  Her fingers touched his face and slid beneath his chin, lifting his head to meet her gaze. He didn't see fear or disgust in her soft cornflower blue eyes. Instead, he saw desire.

  Life sparked in those beautiful eyes, and she leaned forward more, pressing her lips against his. She was purposeful, and he had no intention of stopping her this time. The wolf within him howled with pleasure as her sweet taste spread through his mouth.

  Moving with the grace of the predator he was, he lifted her from her seat on the couch and took her place, then placed her across his lap so that she straddled him. Her thighs squeezed on either side of his hips, and he slid his hands up her back beneath the loose t-shirt she wore. Her skin was so soft.

  A sweet moan growled from her throat, and she moved her mouth to his cheek, then to his neck, putting her neck against his face. Inhaling deeply, he took in her sweet female scent mixed with vanilla body wash. Goddess in heaven, she smelled so good.

  He licked her neck and then kissed the delicate skin tenderly, not wanting to leave a mark on her porcelain skin. A shiver fluttered through his body as she nipped at his ear, not taking the tender route with him. It was fine with him. She could bite and scratch all she wanted. He'd wear any mark she gave him proudly.

  Their tongues danced against each other, both fighting to go deeper. Harder. More.

  He tugged at her shirt, and she lifted her arms. One last tug pulled it over her head, and he feasted his gaze on her gorgeous breasts. Pink areoles and erect nipples were only inches from his mouth. He palmed one breast and pulled her closer, taking the other into his mouth. She threw back her head and arched her back, giving him even easier access.

  Her body was heaven for him. He swirled his tongue around her nipple, teasing and delighting in the shivers and moans his attention elicited. Even a little nip was met with a gasp of pleasure.

  She rocked her body up and down, rubbing her sex across the bulge at his crotch. His erection pressed uncomfortably against his pants, straining to be freed. Thoughts of feeling her warm sheath squeezing him filled his mind. She would be perfect. He knew she would.

  But his gut told him that wasn't the next step. She wasn't ready for the emotional bond that would come with them having sex. It would overwhelm her. He had to hold back and give her more time to come to terms with her loss. Honestly, he wasn't sure he was ready either.

  What he was sure of, was that he wanted to taste her. All of her.

  He switched hands and moved his mouth to her other breast, rolling the nipple he'd already tasted between his thumb and forefinger, applying just enough pressure to keep it hard and erect. The tiny mewls and moans from Kara were driving him insane. He needed more of her. Now.

  Scooting forward on the couch he slid both his hands behind her and gripped her shoulders, pulling her back.

  "What's wrong?" Her gaze snapped to his. Damn she looked so beautiful. Her strawberry blond hair was a little mussed and her lips were swollen and pink from kissing. He pulled her closer and stole a quick kiss.

  "Nothing's wrong. You amazing and I was planning to lay you out on the table and taste you a bit more."

  "I ... I've never." Her eyes widened, and she bit the edge of her bottom lip. "I never let-"

  "Will you let me?" He watched her contemplate his request for a moment before swiping his tongue over one of her pebbled nipples, reveling in the shiver that coursed across her body. "Please," he mumbled around her breast. "I want to taste every inch of your beautiful body."

  "Okay."

  It was barely a whisper, but he heard it loud and clear. Carefully, he laid her backward, resting her on the coffee table in front of him. He caught the hem of her yoga pants and pulled, taking the pants and panties together, leaving her completely exposed and bared to his gaze. She was so gorgeous. Her pussy was completely bare except for a small triangle of light hair on her mound. The swollen pink lips of her sex glistened, and the smell of her arousal made him even harder. Damn, it was going to be harder than he thought to keep himself in check.

  Tossing her clothes aside, he pushed her legs up over his shoulders and knelt to the floor between her thighs. She was tense and holding her breath. He ran his hand
s up her flat stomach toward her breasts and kneaded them until he felt some of her tension fade and her breathing quicken.

  His mouth was so close to her sex. He knew she could feel every breath. Her body trembled like a leaf. It gave him great pleasure to know he would be the very first to ever give her this.

  He pulled his hands back and slid them beneath her ass, cupping it and pulling her forward and up to his mouth. She tensed again, and he trailed his mouth along the inside of one thigh toward her sweetness, kissing and nipping gently until she was purring like a kitten.

  He pulled her close and plunged his tongue deep, curling it forward and dragging it slowly along her slit to the hard little nubbin peeking out from under a hood of pink flesh. She tasted like honey and woman. His dick twitched, and he took a deep breath, trying to reign in his excitement. This was for her. Just her.

  A gasp rasped from her chest and she clenched her heels into his back, pushing herself against his exploring tongue. He smiled and hummed against her flesh, loving the cries of pleasure that followed. Her hands found their way to his hair, and he winced as she jerked against him and gripped his hair tightly.

  He kneaded her ass with his fingers, lifting and dropping her just the slightest as he plunged his tongue in and out. The momentum gave him a little further reach. Her hips rolled and twisted away from his mouth.

  "Oh, no, baby. You haven't felt the best part yet." He pushed her up the table and leaned against her thighs, opening her even further. Latching onto her clit with his mouth, he sucked the swollen nubbin into his mouth and held it while he put his hands back to work on her nipples. He tweaked and rolled them as he did the same with her clit, and she arched beneath him, a wail tearing from her throat.

  He felt her soar into that place of bliss and dreamed of the moment when they would share a moment like this completely bonded. For now, he would enjoy her pleasure, thankful she'd allowed him to give her this moment. She writhed beneath his hold and whimpered as her body shuddered through wave after wave of an orgasm.