“I don’t expect you to understand, human, and I don’t have time to explain it to you right now. I will take you back to Sweetwater myself. The sooner we leave, the sooner I will return to my mate and children. You have two minutes.” He held up two fingers, turned on his heel and strode down the walkway.
What the fuck?
Rushe was AWOL. Was he pissed at her for…seducing him? It’s not like she had planned it. Maybe he really wasn’t interested in more than just casual sex, which was exactly what she’d asked for.
It stung a little though that he couldn’t even say goodbye to her. Strings or no, that was the polite thing to do. That delicious piece of wolf flesh had fucked her from here to next week Wednesday and in every position imaginable. Her pussy felt tender as hell this morning. She was probably walking like a cowboy and certainly didn’t feel like sitting astride a wolf for the next few hours. She also wouldn’t be using magic for a couple of days…possibly even weeks, that was for sure.
She sighed, folding the last few items of clothing and putting them into her bag. They never did get around to her being on top and riding him like a bucking bronco, which was something that she’d decided she would do when he came to visit her in a couple of days. If that ever even happened now. Why did that leave her feeling disappointed?
There were more fish in the sea dammit. Pity none of them would match up to the very sweet, even hotter wolf shifter.
Becky had barely closed her bag when a knock sounded. She quickly pulled the zipper closed and shouted for the person to come in.
“Do you have any perfume?” Ward demanded as he strode into the cabin, his nostrils flaring.
She nodded.
“Get it out please and spray yourself liberally. We have to try and mask the scent of Rushe’s mark.”
“This is serious isn’t it?” Her heart raced.
Ward shrugged. “I don’t want Rushe in any more trouble than is necessary. It could be serious if anyone else finds out.”
“Is he mad at me?” There was a slight quiver to her voice, which she didn’t like.
Ward snorted. “It’s not your fault. He should’ve known better. Now spray the perfume and let’s be on our way.”
“That’s not fair, it takes two. It’s not his fault.”
Ward grunted in response.
She swallowed hard, unzipping the bag and finding the perfume. She sprayed her pulse points like always and was just putting the bottle away when Ward cleared his throat. “You need to spray down there.” Ward gestured on his own midsection, in the region of his man parts. “You need to try and mask Rushe’s scent and that is where it is most prominent.”
She felt her cheeks heat, but complied aiming the nozzle directly at the jean clad juncture at her thighs.
Ward wrinkled his noise. “That should hopefully do it if we are quick.”
She put the perfume back and zipped the bag.
“Good.” With that, he strode from the cabin with her bag in hand. Another male waited outside, he introduced himself as Sawyer.
Ward shifted right in front of her, causing her to gasp into her hand. She’d seen the males in their wolf forms when they brought her here, but she hadn’t actually seen them shift. Nor had she seen them in animal form since.
“Don’t be alarmed.” Sawyer said, placing a carrier onto Ward’s back. They certainly were imposing creatures, much bigger than normal wolves. Becky wasn’t afraid, but it was a sight to behold, watching a big man reshape before your eyes. Bones cracked, muscle and tendons lengthened. A snout and ears appearing from nothing. The strangest thing though was watching fur sprout from their skin.
Ward was black with green eyes. She remembered clearly that Rushe was a beautiful brindle grey and white. His legs and underbelly were mostly white and his face was almost entirely grey, making his eyes seem all the more blue. He was almost as big as Ward, which made him bigger than the others she’d seen.
Once the carrier was strapped in place on Ward’s back, Sawyer put her bag into it and removed his clothes. Since he didn’t seem in the least bit perturbed about being naked in front of her, Becky took in the impressive male from head to toe.
He had dark close cut hair, silvery blue eyes. Sawyer was built more like a swimmer. Long, lean, he also had an eight freaking pack. With shoulders so wide that she was sure he would have to turn sideways when entering a door. The shifter had a tattoo on his chest and around his right bicep. There was a time not so long ago that seeing a male like this would’ve left her feeling light headed, but not today. The handsome specimen in front of her had nothing on Rushe. Before she could think on it more, Sawyer shifted. His body changing into that of a brindle grey wolf, only Sawyer was more on the whiter side with flecks of grey rather than the other way around as Rushe had been.
The wolf knelt before her and she clambered on-board, really feeling her tender lady bits and inner thighs as they touched the wolf’s back. Thankfully their coats were thick with soft fur, so she shouldn’t be too uncomfortable. Sawyer sprang forward after Ward, who leapt in the direction of the forest. Becky yelped, almost toppling over backwards. She managed to clutch her fingers into his fur and squeezed with her thighs to keep from falling off.
Sawyer growled softly beneath her. It sounded like a warning. It looked like they planned on rushing to get her away from the village as fast as possible. Would Rushe really be in that much trouble if someone else found out about them having sex? She really couldn’t fully comprehend what all the fuss was about.
“Hey, Ward, hold up…” Someone called, she could only barely make out the words as the air rushed past her ears. It astounded her when they actually picked up speed, surging forward.
For more than an hour, they kept up the torturous pace. Her hands shook and her legs burned from holding on so tightly. The only positive was that it took them only three hours to reach the barn where the vehicle was parked. Ward blindfolded her before they got in the SUV, apologizing profusely over the inconvenience. It seemed that the wolves were much more polite and well-spoken than those pains in the ass, really rude and arrogant vampires.
As they drove, she refused to let her mind drift to Ross and his dark brooding eyes, with his easy smile which he almost seemed to save just for her. Vampires were total bastards, so she worked hard at banishing him from her mind once and for all.
“You will keep our secrets.” Ward seemed to be stating a fact rather than questioning her.
“As a doctor…a healer, I took an oath called the Hippocratic Oath. I agreed to a few very important things including the keeping of acquired knowledge, during the course of my duties as a healer, sacred and secret. I take my job very seriously and therefore I take my oath very seriously.” It was weird talking without being able to see the person she was speaking to. “I will not divulge any of your secrets. I swear.”
“No one can know that you rutted a shifter male.”
Okay, not divulging that shifters and humans were mating and reproducing was one thing, but not being able to talk to anyone about her awesome night of marathon sex was just too much. “Wait just a minute…We had sex. It’s not like we freaking mated or anything. Why can’t I tell anyone?”
“You just can’t,” he barked. “Especially not your human friends.”
“I can’t tell my best friend? You may not have noticed dude, but I’m a woman and we need to talk about things that happen to us. It is impossible to keep quiet.”
Ward sighed. “Please understand, we are not permitted to rut humans. Tanya is mated to the vampire kings. The shifters and vampires are on shaky ground as it is. It wouldn’t take much for things to fall apart again. I do not wish for war.”
No freaking way. “Are you telling me that a little friendly no strings fuck could cause an all-out war between you wolves and the vampires?”
“Yes,” Ward growled.
“Are you saying that those crazy ass bastard vampires have a rule book that specifically says our species can’t fornicate?
“Not exactly.”
“Well then, they must’ve at least specifically told you that they forbid sex between our species?” She huffed. “I can’t believe it.” She muttered under her breath.
“No, it is an unspoken rule.”
Becky chewed on her lip for a few beats. “That’s bullshit.” She shook her head. “Utter freaking nonsense. I can’t believe that you lot are following some unspoken rule. I thought you were done bowing and cowering to those bastards anyway.”
“We are,” Ward’s voice had grown icy cold.
“Doesn’t sound like it.”
“We do what we please. We prefer not to disclose our every move though.”
Becky had to laugh. Shit, she knew it was the total wrong thing to do but she couldn’t help it. When Ward snarled loudly, her laugh turned to a fearful cry. She folded her arms across herself.
“Do not be afraid. I will not harm you.”
“It doesn’t sound like it.” Her voice shook. “What was that all about?”
“Take off your blindfold. Here…let me help you.” His warm, calloused hands removed the material from around her head. “I’m sorry.” He did look apologetic. Her heart rate returned to normal and the cold clammy sweat that had popped up on her brow dried.
“It’s just that you are right and it irritated me.” He shook his head, his chest heaved and his jaw looked tense.
“Oh wow, a man that can express his feelings. Steph really lucked out when she snagged you.”
“I’m not a man.” His emerald green eyes regarded her carefully.
“You know what I mean.” She licked her lips, feeling thirsty after the long trip. Her stomach growled. Suddenly all she could think about were the delicious array of pastries waiting for her at her local bakery.
“Fine.” The wolf nodded his head. He muttered something to himself that she couldn’t quite make out, though she was sure that she had heard the word crazy.
“Fine what?” Becky glanced out the window, noticing that they were a few turns away from her apartment block now.
“You do not have to keep your rutting with Rushe a secret, but it is important that you not mention to anyone that he is your mate.”
Why would he say that when she’d just clarified that he wasn’t? “Hold up.” She threw both her hands up in the air. “Rushe is not my mate, so I won’t be telling anyone anything along those lines.”
Ward let out a relieved breath. “Good. Just checking. I would prefer that you not talk to the vampire queen, but if you have to then request that she not mention it to the kings.”
“Chill please.” Becky shook her head. “Girl talk is between girls only, no boys allowed. Not happening. No way, no freaking how. Having said that, I can’t guarantee they won’t find out.”
Ward held her gaze for what felt like the longest time. He finally nodded. “I will deal if they find out. I won’t be kneeling or cowering any longer. Trying to save our species by taking human females is nothing to be ashamed about.”
“Just be careful of saying something like that in front of the general human female population. It almost sounds like you are ashamed of us. Like we are a last resort to solving your fertility problem. Like we are some dirty secret.” Becky was appalled to find that she felt a little upset at where this conversation had gone. She had zero plans on mating a shifter…Rushe, but she still didn’t like the connotation.
Ward’s whole demeanor softened. “Our shifter males love human females. Do not misunderstand. You are not a last resort, I am sure that even if we did have more of our own females, some of our males would still choose you over them. Please do not be upset at my incorrect use of words.” He paused for a beat. “It is just that our cross mating between the species will cause problems with the vampires, who are more close minded about these things.”
“Talk about being a bunch of hypocrites since the kings are mated to a human.”
Ward choked out a laugh. “Yeah, well. Like our shifter males that have taken human mates, they love their human. Can’t get enough of her from what I hear, but all other males must stay away…” He shook his head. “You are right, Becky. The time has come to stop hiding, to take a stand for what we believe in. Thank you for pointing that out.”
She took a deep breath, feeling her chest swell. “Welcome.” After a pause she added, “Like taking a stand for cross species matings?”
Ward smiled. “Among other things, but yes that would be the main one.”
When she glanced out the window she realized that they were idling outside her apartment. “Oh…we’re here.”
“Thank you for all you have done for Stephany and the babies. For my family.” His eyes lightened up.
“It has been my absolute pleasure. Don’t hesitate to call if you need me. It sounds like the females at your village will be popping out plenty of babies. So you may need a helping hand.”
Ward smiled. “The need for a healer has increased, so I may need to take you up on that.”
“It was very nice meeting you,” Sawyer said once she exited the SUV. “Try and stay away from non-humans for a few days while Rushe’s scent is still strong. They will all be able to scent a shifter male on you.”
She shook her head slowly. “Seriously! Good thing non-humans don’t hang around Sweetwater much.”
“Rushe won’t be here in three days as promised.” Ward said as he rose from the vehicle. “He wanted me to let you know.”
Her heart beat faster. She had to work hard not to let her disappointment show. Either he blamed her somehow for getting into shit over their night together or he really wasn’t interested in a repeat performance of last night. It was probably for the best anyway. He was the kind of guy a girl could easily fall for and she wasn’t looking for a relationship.
“Okay.” She nodded.
“He might make it to you in ten or so days depending on how things go though.” Ward held her gaze.
“Fine.” She managed to squeak out. He would probably try and find a mate once his name came up and failing that, he would try and hook up with her for a booty call. “Whatever,” she muttered. Fine by her! She didn’t care either way.
Ward looked confused for a few seconds. “He will do his best, you need to know that the male really wants a mate.” Ward nodded once then said goodbye. He slid back into the idling SUV. And there it was. Rushe did want a mate and would try that avenue first. The disappointment tasted bitter. Becky didn’t trust her voice, so she just nodded. Why the hell did the knowledge burn holes in her gut? She shouldn’t care either way.
“Goodbye, Becky.” Sawyer said not waiting for her response before he slid in next to Ward and they pulled away.
Becky made a beeline for the bakery and bought a box full of pastries. It was a short ride up the elevator to her apartment.
As soon as her front door was closed, she poured herself a glass of OJ, ate three pastries one after the other and spread herself out on the sofa, feeling tired and achy. Sitting back up, Becky downed her OJ in three long gulps then wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Feeling human again, she grabbed her cell phone and dialed her bestie.
Her mind spun around in circles over Rushe. It bugged her that he had dropped her so quickly. Yet it shouldn’t…but it did dammit.
“You little freaking slut,” Tanya squealed.
“How did you know?” Becky heard the hesitancy in her voice. Maybe someone had scented her after all.
“What are you talking about?” Tanya asked.
“You calling me a slut, you cow.”
“I always call you a slut. I don’t mean it. Are you okay?” Her voice softened and there was a sigh on the other end. “I can hear that you’re not okay? Tell me about it.” Tanya made the noise she normally made when she made herself comfortable.
“I need you to promise not to tell your vamp mates.”
“Ohhhh…” Her bestie said. “A girl talk. Of course I won’t. Now out with it.”
“I kind of had sex with someone.”
“Kind of or did?
Becky sighed. “Okay, I did.”
Tanya squealed. “You didn’t!”
“I did. Lots of sex actually. All night freaking sex and it was hot.”
Another loud squeal. “Tell me all about it. Was it good? Bad? Please don’t tell me it was ugly? Only if it was ugly in a good way.”
“Shut up already, bitch. I can’t get a word in edgewise with you jabbering on like that.”
Silence.
“The sex was good. No, I lie…it was freaking amazing.”
A big, all out squeal. “You finally found a man that made you orgasm. You must be stoked.”
“Not exactly.” She could hear the hesitancy in her own voice.
“You orgasmed during freaking sex, after all these years, and you’re not stoked? What’s wrong with you, woman?” Her voice took on a hard edge.
“No…no…I am stoked about the multiple orgasms.”
“Multiple?”
“Yeah…” She gave another dreamy sigh, unable to help herself. “He’s ruined it for all men everywhere. My muscles feel crampy from how tense my body went when I came so freaking hard and my pussy needs a band-aid. We must’ve fucked at least ten times and in the weirdest most wonderful positions. He couldn’t get enough of me, Tan.”
“You freaking lie.” Tanya sounded truly shocked. “Not that he couldn’t get enough of you, but that you went at it so many times.”
“Well, we did and half the time he didn’t even have to touch my clit to make the heavens open.”
“Nooooo!” She dragged the word out. “No hands? Just using his—”
It was Becky’s turn to scream. “Yeah, he used his really huge cock and just so you know he wasn’t human…he was a wolf shifter.”
“Oh my God, Becky…you freaking had sex with a shifter? How the hell did that happen?” Tanya shrieked. “It must have happened when you helped out with Steph’s birth, right?.”
“Something like that.”
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