by Grosso, Kym
Carefully, he moved in and out of her, taking care to make sure she was enjoying every stroke. Sliding his hands around her belly, he pulled her upward until they were both up on their knees. His chest against her back, he held her breasts, pinching her nipples into firm nubs.
She released a groan, overwhelmed with the feel of his hands on her, the fullness. “Tristan, I love you,” she moaned.
“Love you too, baby. Feel us.”
Logan was about to burst at the sight of them together, so beautiful. Tristan eyed him, willing him to remain in contact. With his free hand, Logan pushed a long, thick finger into the slick wetness of her arousal, thumbing her clitoris.
“Oh my God, I…I…” She ecstatically shuddered at yet another touch to her body. Tristan pushed in and out of her rosebud as Logan pressed inside her core. Sinfully delighted, she hurtled toward her orgasm. Screaming Tristan’s name over and over again, a frenzy of convulsing waves rippled throughout her whole body. Tristan held her tightly, as she thrashed back and forth, crying out in reckless fervor.
As she spasmed, Tristan groaned low and hard, stiffening in release. “Ah, I’m coming!” He held tight to her body as the fiery culmination of their explosions continued to rack their bodies. Logan grunted, a hard climax rocking him, his seed jetting upon his rock hard abs.
For a long minute, the trio rested in their respective positions, unable to move. Slowly, Tristan pulled himself from Kalli, scooping her up into his arms. Taking her over to the shower, he turned on the warm spray, carefully washing her body as she laid her face against his chest.
The night could not have been more perfect, Kalli thought as she clung to Tristan. As if she’d been born again, she’d breached the curtain of apprehension and fear that had plagued her life. She was wolf and woman, inside and out. Her Alpha. Her pack. Grateful for her awakening, she whispered, ‘I love you’, before finally submitting to the gratifying exhaustion that took over her body and mind.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The birds serenaded them from the tree branches as the streaks of sun burst through the skylights. Kalli could have sworn she’d died and gone to heaven after the magical night she’d spent running with Tristan, and then making love to him under the stars. Not even Logan’s participation felt awkward in retrospect. It all was as Tristan had said it would be; natural and loving.
She felt like the luckiest woman in the world. After the years of abuse and hiding, she could finally embrace her wolf and everything she was. True, she was still a well-respected veterinarian, who would continue her work at the university and shelter. But it was as if a huge piece of her being had been discovered: lover, mate and pack member. For the first time in her entire life, she felt complete.
“Hey, what are you thinking about?” Tristan asked sleepily.
“How do you do that?”
“What?”
“Know what I’m thinking?” she laughed.
Tristan kissed the top of her head. “It’s not that I know exactly what you’re thinking. I can’t really explain it except to say that I bond with every single pack member. I feel them and they, to some extent feel me. I can push forth feelings, power, for lack of a better word. It can cause excitement or calming; things like that. Intimidation, if challenged. It’s hard to explain; it’s just part of me.”
“And with me? What do you feel?” She trailed her fingers along the contours of his chest.
“Ah, with you I feel every emotion tenfold, as if it’s magnified somehow. I sense how you are feeling, what you’re thinking. It’s all part of me claiming you and you claiming me. Our bodies and minds work in preparation for our mating, so that we get used to working as one, leading as one. As my mate, you’ll have status within the pack. But the dominance you demonstrated over Mira yesterday, as wolf, well. Let’s just say, tongues will be wagging instead of tails this morning.”
“And how does the pack feel today?”
“They feel good about the stability of me taking on a mate, something they’ve wanted for a long time but never thought they’d get. And frankly neither did I. But now that I have you, I’m not letting go.”
“About that…our mating. I don’t know…I mean I never had a female to explain it to me. I’ve met mated wolves but never really understood how…the details.”
He smiled, remembering her naivety. “Not that complicated really. I mean technically we’re halfway there, having claimed each other and all.” He traced her mark with his forefinger. “We just have to declare our commitment to each other while making love and then exchange, you know, bites. But a little harder this time, so that we have a blood exchange. Of course, afterward, we’ll formally announce our mating in front of the pack. We can hold a more traditional reception if you want. It’ll be beautiful, like you. And from then on, we’ll be mated, be able to have children. So, how do you feel about that?”
“It sounds wonderful,” she responded, mentally paused on the thought of children.
“How do you feel about children?”
“Honestly? I never gave it a thought before I met you. But watching you the other day at the funeral, playing with the pups… I really would love to have your children someday. You’d make a great Dad.”
“And you’d make a great mother. Seeing you with your puppies…makes me want to have a whole litter,” he halfheartedly joked, hoping not to scare her too much.
Tristan’s heart had constricted on hearing her words. She wanted his children. He’d never thought he’d mate, let alone have kids until he saw her that day in the shelter, caring for all the animals. He laughed to himself, taking note of the one-eighty he’d made over the past week. He had always subscribed to the idea that one should not mess with Mother Nature. And boy was she ever teaching him a lesson.
Changing the subject, he inquired how she felt about last night. “So how do you feel today? About your run? About our mad lovemaking session in the hot tub?” He laughed.
“You get right to it, don’t you?” she giggled. “I feel amazing. A bit sore in all the right places, but I am just feeling so whole. So complete. Shifting with you last night, was the single most phenomenal thing that has ever happened to me. Well, aside from what we did afterward. That was pretty awesome too.”
She quieted in a serious manner, cupping his face and gazing directly into his piercing amber eyes. Unprecedented emotions rose in her chest; tears threatened to fall. “I just…I want you to know how grateful I am to you. And no, don’t even say it’s nothing. Everything you’ve done for me, I’ve never had this before…you’ve made me…you’ve made me whole. I can’t even say ‘whole again’ because I’ve never felt like I belonged or even felt comfortable in my own skin. Then all those years, being terrified. Because of you, I’m safe, true to my nature and most importantly, loved.”
Tristan leaned in, kissing her tears, and just held her. He loved her so much. He knew she didn’t want his pity. She just wanted to say thank you, and he welcomed her appreciation with love.
The sound of the phone ringing broke the moment, and he reached over to pick it up. “Tristan,” he answered.
Holding the phone to his hand, he addressed Kalli. “Janie wants to know if you can look at one of our mares. She’s sick. Doc Evans checked her a few days ago but Janie would feel better if you came by to check on her again today…since you’re here and all.”
Kalli nodded, smiling in agreement. Secretly, she was thrilled that someone from the pack would think to ask her for help. Even though she and Tristan would only be up the mountains on weekends, she’d be happy to help care for the horses in the future.
“She can make it. I’ll drop her off in about a half hour on my way to the clubhouse. Later.” Hanging up the phone, Tristan stretched slowly, wrapping his hands back around her. “Well baby, as much as I’d love to stay in bed all day, you’ve got a date with a horse and I’ve got an early meeting. We’re running through the plan for when we go to South Carolina tomorrow.”
Nearly jum
ping out of the bed, Kalli sat straight up and shot him a questioning look. “South Carolina? When are we going? Did they find him?”
Tristan returned her look with a serious expression. “You, my lovely little wolf, are not going anywhere. And yes, we’ve found Gerald. I expect the wolf who killed Toby will be with him, or he’ll know his location. Logan’s got all the intel, and we’re flying in tomorrow night on the jet.”
As much as Kalli wanted to see Tristan rip Gerald’s throat out, she still held a healthy fear of the man who’d wanted to hurt her. All things considered, she should be happy that Tristan didn’t want to take her with him. But her protective streak couldn’t let him go alone.
“Tristan, here’s the thing, I know that place. I know how to get around in the woods, where they hide, the wolves. I can help,” she suggested, trying to convince him to let her go.
“Not an option, baby.” Swinging his legs off the bed, he strode across the room. There was no way in hell he was putting her in danger.
“Please. Just think about it. Gerald, he’s ruthless. He doesn’t play by the rules.”
Tristan turned before going into the bathroom. His eyes narrowed into the predatory scowl she’d seen at the Summit. “There won’t be anyone left when this is done, Kalli. I’ll spare the women and pups, but subordinates who support him will die. I’ve got this. As for you, you’re staying here. End of discussion.”
Kalli’s stomach lurched as she thought about Tristan, Logan and the others going after the Wallace pack. Merciless, they’d go for the kill every time. While she was confident that Tristan could best Gerald one to one, they played dirty, often employing human weapons that could injure wolves, weakening their prey. Maybe Tristan thought her going wasn’t an option, but losing him wasn’t an option either. Quietly, she resolved to try and talk him into taking her after she checked the horses.
“Stop worrying,” Tristan ordered as he pulled the car in front of the barn. “Seriously, you’ve got to let it go and trust that I will handle this. I’ve got news for you; it’s not my first time to the rodeo. I won’t be able to do my job if you’re there with me. It’s literally impossible to concentrate when I’m within five feet of you.” He gave her a small smile. “Now go take care of my baby…my big four-legged baby, that is.”
“Baby, huh?”
“Jellybean’s the one who’s sick. She’s a sweet girl, picked her out myself. And yes, she’s my baby. So go give her a look, would you? Janie can give you a ride back if you want.”
“Nah, I think a walk back to the house would do me good. I’ll take the path you showed me yesterday. Should only take me about ten minutes, right?”
“Yep, the cabin’s open. I should be done in a few hours, okay?”
Kalli leaned over, giving him a brief kiss on the lips. As she contemplated kissing him more deeply, she ran her tongue across the seam of his lips. He reluctantly resisted, softly laughing.
“If you keep this up, I swear I’ll have you up in that hay loft within five seconds. I don’t think Janie would appreciate us going like rabbits in her stables.”
She smiled against his lips. “Later. You owe me,” she teased seductively.
With a peck to his cheek, she opened the car door, shut it and walked into the barn. Janie, a pixie-sized woman with red cropped hair, waved her over. Looking around, Kalli considered maybe taking a ride, but regretfully, she hadn’t thought about it when dressing in a pair of shorts. She admired the neatly kept facilities. The stable already housed around twelve horses, and it appeared as if it could easily hold twelve more.
“Janie?” Kalli asked, extending her hand.
“Kalli?” They shook hands and she quickly ushered Kalli toward Jellybean’s stall. She was a beautiful palomino American Quarter Horse, standing fourteen hands high with a small refined head and strong muscular body.
Slowly approaching her, Kalli flattened her palm, letting the horse sniff her before gently stroking her neck. “That’s a girl. Now what seems to be wrong? You a sick baby?” she crooned.
Janie shot her a broad smile. “You really are Tristan’s mate, aren’t you?”
Kalli nodded, smiling in kind. “Yes, I am. Or, I should say that I will be. Why?”
“They’re his babies too, you know. I’m glad to have you in the pack. He needs a good woman,” she offered. “And I couldn’t be happier now that we’ve got ourselves a pack veterinarian.”
“I’d love to help with them when we’re here, but I’m more of a generalist. Not a lot of expertise with these big babies, I’m afraid. But I’d be happy to check her vitals. What did Dr. Evans say?”
“He said she was doing better. She had been diagnosed with influenza. She seems all right, but I get worried, ya know. She’s been on stall rest, isolated. I figured since you were here, you could give her a looksee.”
“I’d love to. Got a stethoscope handy?” Kalli happily opened the stall and began her exam.
After checking all of Jellybean’s vitals, she was happy to report that the big girl was making a speedy recovery. Janie and Kalli talked horses for over an hour before she decided to get home. Promising to return later in the day for a ride, she took off toward the path.
Enjoying the warm afternoon, Kalli took her time on the trails, thrilled that she actually remembered her way through the forest after their run. Approaching the spring, she sat on a rock, trying to decide the best way to convince Tristan to take her with him to South Carolina. She was sure she could help him, even if she agreed to stay in the car. Perhaps if she remotely assisted via a wire, she could feed them information about location.
Deep in thought, she heard a branch snap. Her lupine senses, having returned to normal, didn’t detect any kind of animal or wolf. She sniffed into the air again, wondering if perhaps she was mistaken. The altogether familiar scent of a human wafted into her nostrils. She knew that sometimes humans came onto the compound to bring in supplies to the clubhouse or help with the horses, but was also certain that none should be in the forest.
Like a deer on alert, she stilled, scanning the trees. Seeing nothing, she decided to shift. At the very least, she’d get home more quickly. At worst, she’d outrun any human predator. Crouching down into a defensive stance, she readied to shift, calling her wolf to the surface. But as she went to lift her shirt in an effort to strip, a dark covering fell over her. Struggling to remove it, she hissed in pain. Laced in silver, she’d been effectively blinded and trapped. Strong arms wrapped around her as she fought to escape. The silver restrained her from shifting, weakening her entire body. Screaming for help and writhing, she jerked as a sharp needle pierced her thigh. Tranquilizer. Mouthing Tristan’s name in silence, she hit the forest floor, enveloped in darkness
They’d spent hours reviewing intel, including maps and names, in preparation for their attack. Logan, in charge of weapons, had worked with Declan to load the plane and procure the necessary bulletproof equipment. While Tristan normally didn’t do weapons, he was aware that Gerald liked guns. And he planned on taking him out by any means possible.
‘Do you know where Kalli is?’ buzzed across his cell phone screen as he finished up with the wolves. The text from Janie didn’t automatically send him into a panic, until he realized it was nearly five o’clock in the afternoon and he’d been gone for four hours.
Tapping Janie’s mobile number, he waited. “Where is she?” he barked when Janie picked up the line.
“I don’t know, Tris. We were supposed to go for a ride hours ago. I tried calling the house, but no answer. I was hoping she was with you.”
“Lock up the barn, Janie. Lock all the doors until Simeon comes for you.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Just do it. Don’t let anyone in. Grab the shotgun in the office and wait for Simeon now.”
Ending the call, he yelled over to the group. “Logan! Kalli’s missing. Simeon, over to the barn, now! Take Declan. Go wolf when you get there, start running the property. Something’s wrong. I
feel it. Logan, car! Let’s get over to the cabin now. Call Mira; tell her we’re on lockdown. All wolves need to be inside and ready to shift.”
Running out of the building, Tristan and Logan jumped into his car and sped up to the cabin. By the time they got there, Tristan was furious. They tore through the cabin, but he could tell by the scents that she hadn’t been home since the morning. She was gone.
Tristan began pacing like a caged tiger, working through where she could be, who’d taken her. “Goddammit, Logan. How’d they breach our property? There’s no way in hell any foreign pack could make one step on our land without someone scenting them. The only way anyone could have gotten in is as human. What deliveries did we have today?”
“There was a scheduled food delivery early this morning, but if anything had been wrong, the food service manager would have called us. But you’re right; a human has to have done this. The wolves would know if another wolf breached our property. And if someone did go after her, why wouldn’t Kalli shift? She should be able to shift on demand by now…after last night,” Logan reasoned.
“A human. A fucking human. Or…” He stilled as the horrifying possibility ran through his mind. “A wolf pretending to be a human. The CLI. No one would have scented them. They could have taken her over the fence just about anywhere. We’ve gotta run the perimeter. Fuck!” He pounded his fist into the wall in frustration.
“And if they silvered her, maybe drugged her, they could stop her shift,” Logan added.
Tristan felt as if someone had reached into his chest and pulled out his heart by its bloody roots. They’d come into Lyceum Wolves and taken her. His blood pumped in rage. Stripping off his clothes, he instantly transformed, sprinting off across the yard and into the field. Logan followed in pursuit. By the time they reached the furthest boundary, they’d almost given up hope, but soon Tristan screeched to a dead stop and shifted back to human. Running over to the fence, he peeled off a small scrap of red flannel. Holding it to his nose, he breathed deeply, memorizing every last molecule of its odor.
