by Cara Wylde
“No,” she blurted out. “No.”
For a second, Aiden didn’t know how to answer to that. What was he supposed to do now? Swear he was telling the truth? Show her pictures of werewolves? Videos of men shifting into wolves?
“That can’t be,” she added, and finished her glass of wine. She’d need another if Aiden kept throwing such nonsense at her.
“I knew this was a bad idea,” he murmured. “I shouldn’t have gotten you involved. It’s too dangerous.”
The fact that his voice sounded even more serious than before, made Skye doubt her conviction. If this were a harmless joke, he would have burst into laughter by now, right?
“Rogue werewolves are rare,” Aiden continued. He was half talking to her, half talking to himself, as if he was trying to put his thoughts in order. “Usually, wolf-shifters live in packs. Few things can cause one to be banished or leave his pack, but when it happens, you can be sure that wolf is dangerous, especially to humans.”
“Oh my!” Skye pushed her chocolate pancake away. Suddenly, she didn’t feel like eating anymore. “You’re not kidding, are you?”
Aiden looked straight into her eyes.
“No, Skye, I’m not kidding. I should have told you earlier. I should have told you when I asked for your assistance, but I had to be sure you were ready. I had to be sure you were a genuine witch who was ready to find out about the other paranormal people living amongst us.”
“A werewolf!” She was starting to process the information. “A werewolf killed those three people? In Misty Falls? In my own town? Oh my God! This is awful!”
“Shh…” Aiden looked around them. It was a good thing the table next to them wasn’t occupied. “You don’t want anyone to hear you, all right? This is classified information.”
“I… I had no idea the FBI was dealing with such things,” said Skye. Then, she realized how silly that sounded. A minute ago, she had had no idea such things even existed.
“Well… who else?” He gave her a small smile.
“Are you… are you equipped to face a werewolf? I mean… he must be absolutely ferocious, right? If they’re anything like the werewolves I know from fiction, then a human would never be able to take him down.”
Aiden was taken aback by her concern.
“Of course I am. Don’t worry about that.”
“But… but normal guns don’t count, do they? Normal bullets, I mean.”
“No, they don’t. If I do find him, I will use silver bullets.”
“Silver bullets? You have that? I truly had no idea the FBI…”
“We do. It’s fine, Skye. Everything is under control. We just have to find him.”
He could see she was confused, but at the same time, he could also see that she was starting to question the validity of what he had told her about himself and the FBI’s involvement. Maybe this was the perfect moment to tell her that he himself was a wolf-shifter?
“I can’t believe this,” she said. She wasn’t looking at him anymore. Her gaze was fixed somewhere out the window, at the tall peaks of the Great Smokies. “Such a terrible beast roaming the forests and streets of Misty Falls. No one is safe.”
Aiden swallowed heavily. On second thought, her reaction to the news about the existence of wolf-shifters wasn’t the best. The fear in her eyes told him she wouldn’t exactly appreciate finding out she had just had dinner with one of them. Or worse: that she had had sex with a werewolf the night before. It was clear this was already too much for her, so the big reveal about his true identity would need to wait.
“Skye…” He reached over the table to take her hand in his. She didn’t pull away. “Skye, everything is going to be fine, I promise. We just need to find him. Soon, before anyone else gets hurt.”
“Yes, that’s exactly what we need to do.”
“Will you help me?”
She turned to him and bit the inside of her cheek. What had she gotten herself into? He was human too, sure, but at least he was prepared. She felt weak and useless. How could she possibly help him find the rogue werewolf when not a drop of magic ran through her veins? Nina was the one Aiden really needed. She chased the thought away. No, she would never allow her sister to get involved with something so awful and dangerous.
“Yes, of course I’ll help you. I’ll do my best. No werewolf will hurt anyone in my town again.”
When she squeezed his hand back, warmth grew in his chest, and his wolf howled happily. They were a team. But how long would they last? Probably, until Skye found out he could be just as dangerous and ferocious as the beast who had been terrorizing Misty Falls.
***
This time, Aiden was the one who wasn’t sure how they had ended up in his hotel room. Again. After dinner, they had taken a long stroll and talked for what had seemed like hours. It was incredible how much they had in common. They liked the same movies, read the same books, and had the same horrible opinion about vanilla ice cream. Skye’s cheerful laughter had filled the night and made Aiden forget there was one thing which canceled all the others they had in common: he was a werewolf, and she was a witch who despised werewolves. Nothing new under the sun, sure, as it was a known fact in the paranormal world that shifters and witches couldn’t stand each other. He had hoped, however, things would be different if the witch didn’t know the first thing about the witches’ history. He had been wrong. Apparently, witches had the hate for shifters in their blood, or something, because even knowing what had happened between witches and shape-shifters along the ages, Aiden had been able to detach himself and keep a neutral attitude.
Skye lifted herself on her toes and captured his lips in a deep, demanding kiss. She had never been attracted to a man like this. Her hands traveled up and down his chest, rubbed his bulky arms, scratched at his taut abs… Her fists squeezed the hem of his shirt as if she wanted to tear it apart. Instead, she broke the kiss and pulled it over his head. She was still completely dressed. The tips of her fingers followed the Norse runes below his collarbone, the edges of Thor’s Hammer on his arm, the ridges and valleys of his entire upper body.
“Skye,” he whispered, eyes closed, when her hands started pulling at his belt. It was undone in a second, as was the zipper of his tight black jeans. “Oh, Skye…”
She drank the sound of her own name off his lips. He was an incredible kisser. A tattooed bad boy, an FBI agent, a man who could take down a werewolf… she was sure Aiden Ashwood had had many women before her. She was sure no woman could have ever refused him. She was usually feisty and in control of her own body and emotions, but with Aiden, all that went out the window. She was so wet and ready that it was starting to hurt. Her hand dug inside his jeans and found her prize. She wrapped her fingers around his thick cock, and smiled when she heard him take in a sharp breath. After a few minutes of rubbing his length and massaging his heavy balls, she fell to her knees and pulled his cock out completely.
Aiden looked down at her, his fingers entangling in her long, black hair. He tried to control his breathing and calm down the wolf that was growling and howling inside him. Once again, he struggled to fight the urge to take her hard and bite her neck, make her his forever. She wouldn’t turn into a shifter, as shifter bites were not the same as vampire bites, but she would become his mate. There was nothing in this world, or any other possible world, that could ever undo the bond.
Skye licked the pink, engorged head, and moaned at the taste of his pre-cum. She wanted more, much more. She started taking him in her mouth slowly, carefully, opening her throat as best as she could. She didn’t stop until her lips rested against his balls, but it took her some time to figure out how to control her gag reflex. She had deep-throated her lovers before, but Aiden was something else entirely. When she began moving up and down his length, she felt tears gather at the corners of her eyes. Oh, how she enjoyed this! His reactions were completely worth the effort. His abs tensed, his breath accelerated, the moans coming from his lips intensified, and his fingers started pulling
lightly at her hair.
“Baby, if you keep going like that…”
She wanted him to come in her mouth, but at the same time, she needed his cock inside her. Her walls clenched and unclenched when she remembered the orgasms he had given her the night before.
Aiden could smell her juices. The simple thought of her wet, tight pussy almost made him come on the spot. He bit his lower lip and pulled his cock out of her mouth. She moaned in protest, but followed his lead. He pulled her up, undressed her quickly, then claimed her mouth in a passionate kiss. Their bodies pressed against each other, Skye’s soft curves molded perfectly over Aiden’s hard, chiseled muscles, and they both moaned at the sweet sensation of becoming one. He guided her to the bed, but was surprised when Skye resisted him and broke the kiss.
“No, Mr. Ashwood. I’m afraid it’s my turn to be on top.”
Aiden laughed and let her do as she pleased. He appreciated a woman who was strong and confident enough to take control. He hadn’t met many in his life.
Skye pushed him on top of the covers and straddled his hips. She took her time to rub her soaked folds up and down his length, teasing him until she could see it in his eyes that he was about to explode. She gave him a mischievous smile and positioned the head of his cock at her entrance. She lowered herself slowly, eyes closed, completely focused on the amazing sensation of being stuffed full.
Aiden grabbed her hips, his fingers digging into her skin until he left deep, white marks which would later redden. When she started moving, tentatively at first, he helped her build a rhythm. Every time, he met her halfway, driving his cock deeper inside her pussy, making her scream louder and louder. Soon, the bed was creaking under them, and Skye had to straighten her back and use his knees for support. In the new position, Aiden had the best view of her big, round breasts bouncing freely, and he had to grab them, had to squeeze them in his hands and pull at the hard nipples until she whimpered.
“So close,” she whispered.
Without his hands guiding her, Skye’s rhythm became more erratic. She bounced on top of him as fast as she could, chasing the orgasm that was building inside her core. She opened her eyes and looked down at him, determined to see his face as he came inside her. To her delight, he was looking at her, too.
“You’re wonderful,” he said. “You’ve no idea just how beautiful you are right now.”
His words threw her over the edge. Her walls clenched, and her whole body trembled. She released a long moan and held onto his knees for dear life. When she felt his hot streams of seed coat her walls, her pussy squeezed him again, as if it wanted to milk him of everything he had.
“Oh yes! Come inside me,” she whispered. “Come inside me.”
He grunted and released the last drops, never taking his eyes off hers.
When they were both done, Skye collapsed on top of him. She couldn’t have moved even if she wanted to. Her whole body felt like delicious mush, and all she wanted was to stay like that forever, fall asleep in his protective arms, and wake up only when all the madness with the rogue wolf-shifter would have been dealt with by someone else.
Aiden kissed the top of her head.
“My Skye,” he murmured into her hair.
She didn’t react, so he wasn’t sure she had heard him. It was better if she hadn’t. This was only their second night together. He didn’t want his clinginess to make her run away from him. Not before the news about his true nature did, anyway.
***
Skye was dying to tell Nina about the rogue werewolf she and Aiden were hunting, and also about all the other paranormal creatures that, apparently, existed. Unfortunately, Aiden didn’t let her go home the next day. Once again, he insisted they took a shower together, and Skye knew her clever trick wouldn’t work the second time around. Then, he dragged her to breakfast. She didn’t even have time to call her sister, not that the news she had could be given over the phone. She just texted her to let her know she was all right, and followed Aiden onto the streets of Misty Falls.
“Who are we interrogating today?” she asked.
“You tell me.”
They stopped on the sidewalk. He looked around for a minute or two, until Skye got impatient and demanded to know what he was doing or waiting for.
“I’m waiting for you to use your extraordinary abilities and take us to someone who might actually give us some valid information about our rogue wolf.”
“Oh!”
Skye felt like her heart had just jumped up into her throat and gotten stuck there. She gulped down, but it didn’t seem to help. She had expected something like this, but she wasn’t ready. Nonetheless, she closed her eyes and slightly tilted her head to the right, as to give the agent the impression that she was doing something, that she was tapping into the unseen energies in the air, not thinking about the breakfast she had just had and wondering if she’d be able to keep it in her stomach for the next couple of minutes. She furrowed her brows and focused hard. Maybe she shouldn’t have had that second chocolate croissant. Nope. It had been a bad idea.
Aiden studied her with a smile on his face. Skye looked amazing in the clear morning light. She hadn’t had her entire beauty kit with her, so her make-up was the most natural he had seen on her so far. Her smooth forehead made a small, cute crease when she furrowed her brows in concentration, and her pursed lips looked so adorable that he could forget about anyone who might have been watching and ravish them right on the spot. His wolf agreed. Aiden took a deep breath and reclaimed control over his body and emotions. A painful erection was threatening to grow in his tight leather pants, and he couldn’t afford such a huge distraction when there was work to be done. He had to let Skye do her thing, if he ever wanted to solve this case.
Skye released a breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding, opened her eyes, and turned to him.
“I’m sorry. There’s too much… interference.”
Aiden cocked an eyebrow. “Interference?”
She nodded and started walking, although she couldn’t know if it was in the right direction.
“What sort of interference?”
She was silent for a moment, then she cleared her throat and said in a small voice: “I’m not sure. It’s weird… I don’t… I don’t quite feel the energies from here. It’s not the best spot.”
Aiden caught up with her. He stared at her profile, blinked in confusion, then shrugged. If the witch said there was interference, then who was he to contradict her?
“Well… where can we find a better spot?”
Skye studied their surroundings. They were headed towards the old center of Misty Falls. She didn’t particularly like that part of the town, being more of a fan of modern buildings, but she couldn’t turn around now. She, at least, had to try and give the impression that she knew what she was doing.
“I know a place,” she said.
Aiden seemed to be pleased with her plan, as he followed her obediently, never saying a word. The time for small talk was over. It was clear he was offering her space to focus and find those energies they needed, so Skye put on a serious face, kept her brows furrowed, and made sure to stop once in a while and tilt her head to the left or right, as if in deep thought. She had no idea if what she was doing was even remotely similar to what a real witch might have done in her place. She wondered how many witches Aiden knew, and if she could get away by saying she had her own technique.
Aiden stopped when she stopped, made sure to leave some distance between them, and studied their surroundings while she was doing that weird listening of hers. He had met, and even worked with, many witches before, but he had to admit that this thing she was doing was new to him. What was she listening to, anyway? The wind? She looked like she was trying really hard. Naturally, any witch should have had something for him by now, but she was young and inexperienced. He had to give her time and, more than anything, he had to trust her abilities.
Skye shook her head and resumed walking. When they reached the fount
ain in the center of the square of Old Misty Falls, she stopped and sat down on the edge. The cold drops of water landing casually on her arms and shoulders made her feel a bit better. Her breakfast had decided to stay in her stomach, so she smiled and fixed Aiden with a gaze which said she finally had something. She had nothing, of course, but she had had enough time to come up with what could resemble a plan.
“We must see Harriet McBride,” she said in a matter-of-fact voice.
Aiden’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Harriet McBride? Isn’t she the one who killed her husband?”
“Yes.”
“Shot him with his own rifle, right?”
“Yes, she’s the one.”
He sighed. “What does she have to do with our case? Everyone I interviewed felt the need to mention her, and now you? I thought the townspeople insisted on her story so much simply because it’s the most exciting thing that has happened in Misty Falls in the past few years.”
Skye laughed. “That, too. Obviously. But, I’m telling you: we must see her. I mean… I’m not the one telling you. The energies…” She motioned vaguely to the old buildings around them, then shrugged as if to show him she had no choice. She was just doing what her witchy skills were pushing her to do.
Aiden nodded. “All right. Let’s do that. Where do we find her?”
“The mental hospital.”
“Oh great! My favorite place in the world!”
Skye chuckled, jumped off the edge of the fountain, and took his hand.
“Come on. It’s this way.”
Aiden stared at their joined hands. He couldn’t believe what was happening. Skye Watson, the woman who had treated him like an insignificant fling just yesterday, was holding his hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. What had made her change her mind? Would the truth break this strange relationship that was growing between them? Would the closing of this case mean the end of it? So many questions that he couldn’t ask her… Not now, and maybe not ever.
