Mated (Dark Ties Book 2)

by A. Vers

  I look at Tanner and his head dips in an almost human nod.

  My jaw drops.

  It can’t be that simple.

  Right?

  Except, the night of the full moon, running through the trees of Silver Rock caused the dark mist to swirl around me. And every time I give in to Tanner, to the need he causes or that alpha side of him, I can feel the beast inside me. Railing and wanting to get out.

  I stare at Tanner and his silver irises gleam.

  “Does it hurt?” I ask.

  His head cocks.

  “I think that means it depends,” Caine says softly as he approaches me. I peer over. “I have heard from many shifters that the ache of the change depends on how much they fight it. If you give in and let it roll over you, it isn’t as bad.”

  My teeth worry at my bottom lip. “So … Just give in?”

  He smirks. “I can offer a … way to ease your mind. If you like?”

  “Huh?”

  “Try getting on all fours,” he remarks. “If you are to turn into a beast, let your body already be in a familiar stance for your mind to follow.”

  “Oh. Okay.”

  I lower myself down on my hands and knees. The grass is sticky but cool under my skin. Tanner sidles closer, nose inches from mine. He huffs, but his silver eyes are locked behind me.

  My head starts to turn and agile fingers slip along the seam of my body.

  I jolt. “Caine.”

  He slips two long digits into my core and my eyes flutter. “When your mind is on sex, kitten, are you worrying about control?”

  I shake my head.

  He pumps his hand and I am surprised that after earlier with Tanner I can react at all. But pleasure sings through me under his practiced ministrations.

  “Focus on the feel of your body, kitten,” Caine croons as he leans over me. “Feel the way your hands dig into the earth. The smells. The feel of the breeze on your breasts or how my fingers feel inside you.”

  My toes curl.

  Tanner’s dark head nuzzles the side of my face, bringing with it the scent of fur and cat. Musk.

  Spice.

  It adds to the growing warmth in my body and I inhale his scent in strong pulls.

  Caine makes a sound. “Good, kitten.” He turns his hand and his knuckles dig deep into the rough patch of skin just inside my opening. Every pump makes pressure build inside me.

  Tanner moves his cheek along my shoulder, my side. His big body is hot and so soft. Solid.

  I rock back on Caine’s hand, wishing it was Tanner filling me.

  He stops pacing in front of me, those silver eyes commanding me to change. To come.

  I whimper and Caine works me faster.

  “That’s it, kitten. You want to join him, don’t you?” I nod, frantic as the pleasure inside of me builds. “Then let go.”

  I start to shake my head, but Tanner leans into me.

  His silver irises spiral and his mouth opens. He roars again, the sound defiant and fierce.

  I shake.

  “Again, cat,” Caine commands. His fingers fuck inside my core and the first rippling wave rolls through me.

  My core clamps like a vise over Caine’s hand and I scream as pleasure soaks my thighs.

  Tanner sits on his haunches, tilts his head back, and roars in one long spine chilling wave as the world falls away under dark mist and shadow.

  Chapter 43

  Tanner

  Nisha disappears into the changing mist and Caine rocks back on his heels, his crimson eyes glowing with lust and a hint of pride.

  I circle the dark cloud to stand at his side. He rubs her scent all over my fur, making my lips peel back in satisfaction.

  As much as I hate to admit it, watching Nisha get off with the demon is nearly as good as taking her myself.

  I doubt I could ever let anyone else touch her, but Caine?

  My body tilts and I rub along his side.

  He shoves me off, but I don’t miss the way his fingers linger in my fur. “Go on. As soon as she comes out, you need to be waiting.” His eyes gleam. “Alpha.”

  My chest warms.

  Only an Alpha can call a shifter into their second shape. And watching Nisha’s eyes glow gold as I roared told me all I need to know.

  I’m her Alpha in truth.

  Not Callus or anyone else.

  If I call, she will come, and it has been so long since I had a real pack. A fellow shifter to run with. Hells, it damn near makes me giddy.

  There is a low snarl and a blur shoots from the mist.

  I crouch.

  Nisha’s tawny skin is gone under a pattern of near golden rosettes. She prowls across from me, her smaller head lowered between her shoulders and those glowing golden eyes riveted on me.

  Smaller than me by nearly a foot, she is sleek, agile. And I bet she is fast.

  I stalk toward her, teeth bared in a warning to stay still.

  She hisses in answer, shrinking down to make herself smaller as I approach. I snarl back, the tone pitched low enough that her ears flick.

  Easy, I want to say. It’s me.

  But I remember my first change. The disorientation. The noise and light. I lower my body and slither over the grass toward her. Her hiss sounds again, this time softer. Less sure.

  The wind shifts and her wonderful scent reaches my nose. It’s laced with my spice and I know she can smell us both on herself.

  A purr rumbles from my chest and she quiets entirely.

  I lay down in front of her, rolling a bit on my back and scooting closer when I dare.

  Her tongue lolls out and she pants, those gold eyes wide.

  But there is no return of her aggression as she slowly drops to her belly in the grass. I climb slowly to my feet and lean down.

  There is another small hiss, and then her hot breath flows over my face as she scents me too.

  An answering rumble spills from her lean body and the sound makes my own purr louder.

  I nuzzle the side of her face.

  Her wet, rough tongue scrapes over my cheek and everything in me shakes.

  She’s in there. More human than beast. The relief I feel is profound.

  It’s more than just her making it through such a hard change. It’s knowing that despite her attack, she retained her humanity. She will have good days and bad days, but with guidance, she will be a strong shifter.

  Maybe even an alpha in time.

  I plop beside her and toss my paw over her back. She huffs but abides it as I clean around her soft ears. When she grows antsy, I urge her up and we roll and tussle in the grass.

  Caine lounges at the base of a tree nearby as he watches us, his lips curved in wry amusement.

  I was right in my first assessment. She is fast. Swift.

  It doesn’t take her long to learn to pounce or run in short bursts. Though I consider leading her into the trees to find a snack, she may be a bit too human for any game that would be nearby.

  So we laze and play. And slowly, oh so slowly, all the years I have been away from the pack begins to fall away. I remember the joy of being beast and not just the necessity of it.

  But I also remember why I had to walk away.

  The pain is sharp and like a lance through my chest. It makes me stumble, and Nisha is just there, her warm side pressed to mine as those gold eyes glance sidelong at me.

  I nudge her with my head, reveling in the feel of her. Her heat.

  Soon that is a conversation we will need to have. Why I left the pack.

  But for now, as the breeze flows through the clearing and birds chirp a long ways off, I can hold off my past for a little while longer.

  Chapter 44

  Nisha

  I step from the trees with Tanner many hours later. There are sticks and leaves in my hair and my skin is dirty. But I almost miss being on four paws as we climb in my Jeep and Caine walks to Tanner’s truck.

  T reaches over and tugs another blade of grass from my skin and smirks. “You
’re taking half the forest with you.”

  I snort and start the car. “Don’t care. My stomach is gnawing at my backbone and our first destination is a drive through.”

  He laughs. “We could have had squirrel.”

  I make a face and pull out after Caine. “Cheeseburgers are good too.”

  “Eventually you will hunt with me, Nisha. Mark my words.”

  I can’t help the thrill at the notion.

  I remember every damn second in the clearing. How playful he is in cat form. How warm. The man and the beast are quite the amazing package, and I will gladly take more time in his presence.

  “You look like the cat that ate the canary,” he mutters, and I can feel his gaze on the side of my face.

  I flush. “I had the most amazing sex of my life, I changed into a damn jaguar, spent five plus hours playing with you, and now I get days off to do more of that? You bet your ass I’m in a good mood.” I glance at him and his face is stained pink.

  “What?” I ask, confused.

  “The most amazing sex of your life, huh?”

  Shit.

  I growl softly. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

  “Too late.” He shifts and my eyes dip to find his jeans tented. Desire washes through me.

  “Do you ever grow tired?” I ask, mouthwatering as I force my eyes back out the window.

  “As long as I eat regularly and sleep like I did last night, my sex drive keeps up pretty fucking well.”

  My thighs clench. “So food, shower, sex?”

  His gaze is like heat. “Or food and then sex in the shower?”

  I shiver and my phone rings loudly in the center console. Tanner picks it up and thumbs the answer button before holding it up with it on speakerphone.

  “Hello?” I ask and can’t quite hide the cheerful but breathless lilt to my voice.

  “Nisha Kelly Rawlins. Where the hell have you been?” Mom’s voice whips through the car and I wince.

  “Hey, Mom.”

  Tanner grimaces comically beside me and I let go of the wheel long enough to flip him off.

  “Don’t you hey mom me, young lady. I have been calling you for days. Why haven’t you answered me?”

  I grip the wheel and grind my teeth. “Because I’ve been in the bed with two men for the last four days and left my phone in the Jeep.”

  Tanner chokes and looks at me fast. “Really?” he hisses. “That’s how you introduce me?”

  “Nisha?” Mom asks. “Who is that with you?”

  I grin. “Mom, say hi to Tanner. Tanner, say hi to my mom. Lydia Rawlins.”

  “Hi, Mrs. Rawlins,” Tanner says with fake cheer as he glares at me.

  There is silence then, “Well you don’t sound like a deadbeat that would keep my girl holed up somewhere for sex for four days without ever introducing yourself to me first.”

  His face turns red and I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing.

  He arches a brow at that. “Thanks. I think.”

  “Well, Mom, we were going to go grab something to eat so—"

  “Nisha. You bring that boy here for dinner and let me meet him.”

  I stiffen and even Tanner has gone rigid in the seat next to me. “Mom—”

  “No arguments, young lady. I’m making chicken and greens. Dinner is promptly at seven, do you hear me?”

  Damn it.

  “Yes, ma’am,” I mutter.

  “Good. I’ll see you then.”

  The line clicks and Tanner slowly lowers the phone back into the console.

  I look at him. “I’m sorry, Tanner. She’s kind of old fashioned and—”

  His hand slips into my hair. “Kitten, it’s fine.” The endearment washes over me and my stomach gives an odd flip at hearing him say it. “We need to shower and change, but you’ve met most of my people.” His thumb scrubs over my cheek. “I think it’s a good idea for me to meet some of yours now.”

  I glance at him. “Really?”

  He smiles and the motion lights up his face.

  God above.

  He leans over the console and his breath is warm over my ear. “Besides, that means we have to take a shower first.” Gooseflesh flows along my body and my nipples peak. “And I figure we can save time and water if we shower together.”

  Heat spirals through me and I swear I have no chance when it comes to Tanner. I want him over me, under me, behind me. Just all the ways I can get all that glorious naked flesh against mine … I want it.

  So I lick my lips and moan one word. “Yes.”

  ***

  Tanner walks up the old stone steps beside me, his body clean and his dark, wet hair combed back from his face. The shirt over his torso is a short sleeve button up borrowed from Caine in black silk, and the jeans are damn near poured on.

  He’s so damn mouthwatering that all the time we spent in the shower feels like days ago. I tremble and knock on the door.

  Soft steps sound over the hardwood inside, the gentle creak of the old floors familiar.

  The door opens and mom looks at me with a beaming smile before her gaze tracks to the man beside me and stops.

  Her darker green eyes hit Tanner about mid chest and then flow up.

  I wait, barely breathing, as a slight flush of color stains her tan face. “You’re a tall drink of water, aren’t you?” she finally manages.

  Tanner extends his hand. “Tanner Faust, Mrs. Rawlins.”

  She takes his hand in hers, her eyes still locked on his face. “Lydia. Please.”

  He dips his head as they step apart.

  Mom seems to shake herself and she steps into the doorway, holding the panel wide. “My goodness. Come in. Come in. Dinner is about done. I figured we could eat on the patio.”

  We ease inside past her and she closes the door with a soft snick. The finality of that motion echoes in my ears.

  Tanner’s arm brushes mine as we trail her deeper into the house toward the kitchen.

  The smaller room is balmy from the heat of the stove, but every ounce of steam is mouthwatering and my stomach grumbles.

  “Cornbread, too?” I ask, sniffing.

  Mom rolls her eyes. “Yes. Now go take some plates out to the table.”

  I grab a few from the cabinet and show Tanner where the silverware is. We slip out the open sliding glass doors onto a shady patio of aged red brick. The table has already been cleared save for a few citronella candles, and their aroma is another familiar scent.

  Especially in the South.

  I peer up at him as he follows behind me, laying out each silver utensil on a napkin. “Well?”

  He snorts. “Ask me that when we leave.”

  My face flames and I cradle the last plate to my chest. “That bad?”

  He turns to me fully, his eyes somewhere between hazel and gray. One of his large hands flows over my neck, holding me. “It’s been a long time since I had to deal with parents, kitten.” Again that damn endearment sinks into me with heat. “But even if she hates me, I’ll endure a lot worse.”

  There is so much honesty in that statement. So much force.

  I stare at him, lips parting.

  He growls and drops his head to mine, lips warm and hungry. I arch up on tiptoe and kiss him back, just as needy for his touch. His scent.

  When he eases back, our breathing is harsh in the space between us and I know my face is red. But god. Somehow I want him more than I have.

  He rubs his nose along mine, the motion cat like. Sensual.

  “Nisha?” Mom calls from inside.

  I break apart, legs quivering. Tanner grins down at me, and I know he can scent my need.

  Because I can damn sure smell the spice of his.

  I lay down the final plate and step back into the kitchen.

  Mom raises a brow but merely jerks her thumb at the dishes already on the counter. “You going to help carry these heavy things or kiss your boy?”

  There is a stilted cough from outside, and I flip Tanner off behind my ba
ck. “Sorry, Mom.”

  She clicks her tongue, grabs the platter of still hot fried chicken, and walks to me. Her darker eyes glitter in the warm amber glow of the kitchen. “That one is trouble, Nish.” She glances back out the doors. “But so very pretty.”

  My face flames and I choke. “Mom!”

  She chuckles and moves out onto the patio. “Just speaking the truth, girl. Just speaking the truth.”

  As I grab a large plate of cornbread squares, I can’t help but watch Tanner through the glass and sigh.

  Well. She isn’t wrong.

  Chapter 45

  Tanner

  Nisha’s warmth is soft against my side. With her hand in mine and her head pressed to my shoulder, I could damn near fall asleep in the fucking little swing. It’s been a long fucking time since I was this calm. This … sated. At ease.

  Inside the house, Lydia is visible as she finishes tidying up the last few things in the kitchen. No matter how many times I offered to help, she would have none of it. And I’m starting to understand where my kitten gets her stubborn streak.

  My kitten.

  My gut flips and grows warm.

  Despite the shower and all the fresh air, my scent is still all over Nisha. But I want to mark her again anyway. To fill her body over and over.

  It’s territorial and dangerous. Not to mention all kinds of fucked up.

  Nisha isn’t property. She isn’t a possession. But I want to possess her. I want to make her mine in every damn way I know how.

  It’s been fucking days and I’m already contemplating asking her to come to Lock Lake. To come meet Markus and Raina. To see where we work and train.

  I want to show her my life. I want her to be a fucking part of it.

  But I can’t.

  Not yet.

  “You’re quiet,” she murmurs, her breath warm over my chest.

  I run my thumb over her knuckles and listen to her heartbeat skip. My lips curve. “Thinking. I guess.”

  “About?”

  “Little of this. Little of that.”

  She rolls her head back and peers up at me. “Anything bad? Because I don’t know about you, but it’s pretty fucking hard for me to have bad thoughts right now.”