by V. Vaughn
I watch the red VW bug drive away and sigh. Plates clatter in the kitchen as my mother rinses them, and I go help load the dishwasher. She asks, “So are you feeling better about this now?”
“A little. I don’t know. I think I need to go for a long run and process my thoughts.”
“The lake?”
There’s a bike trail that goes around Silver Lake, and it’s always been one of my favorite places to exercise. I answer, “Yes.” I grin, because there’s no reason why I can’t jog by Berch’s house while I’m there.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Alongside the Silver Lake paved bike trail is a dirt path for runners. My feet thump at a steady beat as I begin to jog. Like my thoughts, my body feels out of sorts. My knee is sore from my fall in the Elks Club parking lot, and my hamstrings stretch tight as I extend my legs. But as I warm up, the little aches and pains subside, and I focus on my jumbled emotions about my future with Berch.
I wonder if this is a case of “be careful what you wish for,” because I can have the man I’ve always loved. We’re true mates, which means he’s always loved me and always will. The only glitch is that in order to be with Berch forever, I have to become a werewolf. And I’d have to give up on my dream of being an investment broker in New York City.
A bike bell jingles behind me, and I turn to see one of my former teachers. I offer a wave as he passes by.
My breathing is heavy now, and moisture covers my skin as my body attempts to cool itself. Katie told me that changing didn’t hurt much, and Devon assured me being a wolf is as amazing as I imagine. It shouldn’t be hard to give up my fantasy job in the city, so what’s my problem?
I become aware of a runner coming up behind me and hop up on the asphalt to let him pass. He calls out “Raven.” And my stomach sinks. Parker.
I continue to jog on the bike trail. “Hi.”
“Now I know how you keep in shape. You look good.”
“Thanks.” I slow my pace, hoping he’ll pull ahead and leave me alone.
Parker matches my stride, and I notice he’s barely breathing heavily as he says, “I meant what I said about us getting together. How long are you in town?”
“I’m not sure.” I guess he’s not going to give up unless I’m blunt. “Look, I’m flattered you’re interested in me, but I’m dating Berch.”
Parker snorts. “Berch? Seriously, Raven, what on earth do you see in that dweeb? He teaches science.”
His words remind me of how judgmental he was in high school and that he bordered on being a bully. “You’ll be surprised to hear I find smart guys sexy.”
Parker grabs my arm and stops me. A cyclist is approaching, and he tugs me onto the dirt so I’m inches from him. “You used to find me sexy. Give me a chance to remind you why.”
He hasn’t let go of my arm, and the heat transmitted through his fingers tells me he’s a werewolf. Suddenly I’m afraid of what he’s really getting at. Parker’s gaze is intense, and I resist the urge to squirm. Does he want to make me his mate? I pull my arm away. “I’m sorry. I’m really into Berch.”
Parker just nods, and I say, “I’m going to continue my run. Bye.” I take off in a near sprint and dart off the trail to a narrow path that leads into the woods. It also goes by where Berch lives, and I run faster, because I have a sudden need to be near him.
I slow my pace once the cover of the forest hides me. But within a few steps, the desire to get to Berch as quickly as possible makes me speed up again. I can’t explain it, but my senses tell me I’m in danger. I listen to my gut and scan my surroundings as my panting fills my ears and my lungs begin to burn with the hunger for oxygen.
My phone is in my back pocket, and I slow down enough to pull it out. Berch put his number in last night, and the contact window is still open when I manage to punch in my passcode. I hit call and glance around once again. Movement catches my eye, and a streak of black comes toward me. What the hell? My split-second reaction is to drop and roll out of the way.
Sharp pain bursts in my shoulder, and I scramble to my knees as a low growl sounds. Shit. A wolf is standing on the path in front of me, and I freeze in place. Where is my phone? I yell, hoping Berch has answered and can hear me. “Stay away from me!”
The wolf sits and tilts his head like a dog who doesn’t understand. Wonderful. I’m being an idiot. I realize he’s not going to attack me. It’s probably a friend of Berch’s, and he thinks I’m just some stupid human. I say, “I know what you are. I’m sorry I freaked out. You surprised me.”
The wolf lowers himself to his belly and splays his legs out like a playful puppy, and I walk toward him slowly as he gazes at me. He’s a beautiful creature with mostly black fur, and I raise my hand, as I’m tempted to stroke it. But I’m not up on werewolf customs and don’t know if that’s an insulting thing to do, so I drop my arm and stop moving.
A small whine comes from the wolf, and I ask, “Did you want me to touch you?”
He reaches his head out in a gesture that make me assume he does. As I reach forward, his lips curl up, and the wolf lunges toward me. Heavy paws land on my chest, and I fall back. I squirm and roll, trying to get free of the skunky stench of his breath. It’s no use, because he’s got me pinned. I cringe when his snout lowers. Oh God, he’s going to bite me! I squeeze my eyes shut to prepare for the pain.
A deep growl rings out, and the black wolf is struck and thrown off of me. I sit up quickly to discover another wolf, and the angry snarls and snapping jaws of the two fighting make me jump to my feet and run. I move faster than I thought possible to the safety of Berch’s home.
My feet pound up the steps to his deck, and I yank at the glass door I pray he hasn’t locked. It swishes open, and I yell, “Berch!” I slam it shut and bend over to place my hands on my thighs and catch my breath. He’s not here, and when my heart rate returns to normal, I turn to look outside. Torn clothing is scattered on the porch. Berch’s shirt.
The glass is cool under my palm as I place it on the door and realize Berch must have been the wolf that saved me. I recall the vicious snarls and snapping teeth. Oh, no. I begin to pace. What if he gets hurt? How can I help him?
Footsteps thumping on the deck make me race to the door, and I watch the wolf I saw earlier as he becomes Berch. I am on the deck before he finishes. My heart is racing as I move my hands all over his body searching for injuries. “You’re okay.”
His breath is warm in my ear, and Berch threads his fingers through my hair as he says, “Are you?”
His question barely registers as I move my hands down his arms pressing for broken bones. He stops my movements by grabbing my wrists lightly. “Did he hurt you?”
I step away. Berch isn’t hurt. Relief slows my pulse as I process the questions he asked me. I shake my head as I scan my body. My knee is bleeding again, and now that I’m not afraid for my life, I feel pain. I wince as I roll my shoulder. “I think I did more damage to myself than he did.” Who would attack me and why?
Tears prick at my eyes as Berch comes toward me. “Raven.” He scoops me up in his arms and carries me through the door and to the couch. He sits me in his lap and strokes my hair. Concern is etched on his face as he says, “I was afraid Parker wasn’t going to let this go. But I never expected him to take things this far.”
“What do you mean? The black wolf is Parker?”
“Yes. And he was trying to make you his mate.”
I stare at Berch while I comprehend what he’s saying. To become mates, the male bites the female and turns her into a werewolf. And then he has to—Parker planned to rape me once he turned me? I jump to my feet. “That asshole!”
Berch’s eyes get hard, and he lets out a low growl. “I was thinking something much worse.”
My body begins to tremble, and I wrap my arms around myself as if I’m cold. “Where is he?”
“He’s gone.” Berch pulls me against his chest, and I inhale the scent of him. “But he’s going to come back. He didn’t take kindly to losin
g a fight with me.”
I pull away quickly and scan Berch’s body again. There are no signs of injury, and my insides twinge at the naked specimen standing before me. “You don’t even have a scratch. Wow.”
“Parker doesn’t spend much time as a wolf. Football training didn’t transfer very well.”
I place a hand on Berch’s chest and trace along the edge of his well-defined arm. “Maybe you’re just that good.”
He chuckles and takes my face in his hands. Before he lowers his mouth to mine he whispers, “Maybe I am.”
CHAPTER NINE
After Berch warmed me up with his kiss, he went to the laundry room to find clothes. I make my way to the kitchen to start coffee. I’m still shaken up and think the hot drink will help. The aroma of dark roast floats toward my nose as I scoop grounds into the metal filter already in the machine.
“You look good in my kitchen.”
I turn to Berch’s smile and give him a pout. “And you looked good naked.”
He raises his eyebrows at me as he slinks in my direction. “I’ll bet you do, too.”
I grin and shake my head before flipping on the water to fill the carafe. “I’m not sure what to do with the flirty version of you.”
Hot breath tickles the back of my neck, and he leans down to whisper, “Anything you want.” He plants little kisses on shoulders that are mostly bare with just my tank top.
What I want? I thought it was a super-successful career, but that was before Berch said he wanted me. He could have died today. And if he had, I would have wanted to die along with him. Even if I returned to the city and got a fancy investment job, would I be happy without the love of my life? No. What I want is Berch.
Berch’s lips flutter over the back of my neck, and I shudder with desire. “Bite me.” I whisper.
Berch freezes, and I turn to face him with the coffee pot full of water in my hands. “Bite me. Make me a werewolf and then...” A flush rises to my cheeks, and I twist away to finish making the coffee. I turn back to Berch leaning against the counter with his arms crossed and an evil grin on his face. I ask, “What?”
“I’m imagining you doing this every morning. Would you like that?”
I nod and walk toward him slowly. “I would prefer you make me coffee every day, but yes.” I place my hands on his chest and gaze into the icy blue eyes that make me sigh. “I would like it very much.”
A low sound comes from Berch’s throat, and he takes a deep breath. “Come with me.” I squeeze the hand that takes mine and follow him as he leads me up the stairs to his bedroom. When we get there, he releases me and lifts a painting off the wall to reveal a safe. He asks, “Guess what the combination is?”
I shrug. “Your birthday?”
“Close. Yours.”
My eyes fill with tears at how sweet he is. The door of the safe clicks open, and he pulls out two boxes. He hands me a small cardboard container that you would get from a costume jewelry store and says, “I’ve had this one since we were seven. You had lilacs in your braids, and I almost asked you to marry me, but I didn’t have a ring.”
I open the box and find a plastic ring with a red stone.
He says, “I got that in a box of caramel popcorn a few days later and kept it for the next time I dared.” Berch takes it from me and says, “Let me.” He slips it on my little finger, and I wonder why he didn’t ask me anything.
“But—”
A finger lands on my lips and he says, “Hush.”
Berch drops to his knee before me, and I inhale quickly. He takes my hand and says, “Raven Lynch, I’ve waited decades to ask you this. Will you marry me?”
Hot moisture rolls down my face, and my voice shakes when I answer, “Yes.” Cool metal slides over my ring finger, but my vision is too blurry to see it clearly, and I forget about it the moment Berch kisses me.
Our mouths turn from tender to hungry, and I break away to work my way down his neck. Cotton wads up in my hands as I grab his shirt to lift it up, and he yanks it off in a quick motion. I sigh at the sight of his chest. “You are the sexiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
I want to taste all of him, and knowing Berch probably has the same idea, I don’t give him the chance to make the first move. I lower myself to my knees as I nibble my way down the trail of hair on his lower belly. Tugging on the elastic of his waistband, I reveal his thick cock and let out a little moan before swiping my tongue over the head.
“God.” Berch hisses and palms my head. His body is quaking when I suck him into my mouth. His salty essence melds with his musk as I memorize the flavor of my true love.
“I hate to ask you to stop, but I want so much more from you, babe.”
I sit back on my heels to gaze up at him, and he groans as he grips his cock. Berch says, “I need you to take your clothes off.”
I strip in front of him and revel in his reaction. His pupils dilate, and he grazes a finger over my nipple, making my head fall back as I arch in response. Berch’s mouth takes in a breast. He sucks and nips, drawing my arousal forward so that I moan in appreciation. Tiny hairs on my body stand up as he moves down my stomach, licking as he goes. When he reaches my sensitive slit, I flinch as he laps at me. “Oh.” I grab on to his shoulders, and he pushes me back to fall onto the bed.
Berch lifts my thighs to rest on his shoulders and gazes at my moist folds. “So incredible.” I cry out when he sucks on my clit and stimulates me with his tongue. At the point I’m about to come, he stops and drags me up onto the mattress as he climbs over me. His voice is low when he says, “I’m going to bite you now. It will hurt, but only for a moment, because when I thrust into you, the pleasure will drown out any pain you experience.” Berch slips a finger into me, and I lift my hips for more. “You’re so wet for me. When you scream, it will be in ecstasy.”
I nod and fight the fear of his teeth. Turning my head, I close my eyes, offering myself up to the man I love. His scent intensifies. And the sharp puncture I feel is quickly followed by his thick, hard length pushing in to fill me. Sinewy muscle flexes under my hands as I grab his butt to bury him deeper when he pumps. Warmth rolls over my neck, and Berch licks my wound as his moans reverberate through me.
Heat from where he bit me travels through my body and lights my nerve endings on fire. The orgasm that explodes from me is a sensation so multiplied I fear I’ll black out, and my screams fade as I slip from consciousness. But Berch’s voice crying out my name as he comes keeps me present.
Sweat is slick on our skin when he collapses on me, and our bodies heave as we suck in air. I say, “Wow.”
Berch speaks against my neck. “Uh-huh.”
A wave of exhaustion washes over me, and I snuggle into his embrace. “Feel free to save me like that every day.” I let my sleepiness take over and close my eyes.
CHAPTER TEN
Berch’s voice saying my name wakes me, and my voice is hoarse when I ask, “What time is it?”
“Around five thirty. How do you feel?”
I stretch my arms out, and my shoulder is stiff, but nothing aches. My hand darts to my neck when I remember Berch bit me. My skin is smooth, and I wonder if it was a dream. But the moment I wiggle to sit up, the dampness between my legs makes me break out in a grin. “It wasn’t a dream.” I glance down at the sparkling diamond on my finger.
Berch’s hand strokes my cheek. “No, babe. It sure wasn’t.”
My stomach growls, and he says, “I called your mom to say you’d be staying with me for a while.”
I raise my eyebrows, about to ask what else he told her, but he says, “She knows I changed you. And you’re going to need time to adjust.” He chuckles. “And I’m sorry, but I had to tell her we’re engaged, because she asked if I put a ring on it.”
“That sounds like my mom.” I rub my neck again and marvel at my new speedy healing abilities. “So what happens now?”
“You shower, I feed you, and then I’ll teach you how to shift.”
Even though
Katie told me shifting doesn’t hurt much, nerves make my stomach flip. I notice Berch has that excited look in his eye that reminds me of the little boy he used to be. “What?”
“It’s a full moon tonight. You’re going to have so much fun.”
I grin at him. “Do I get to howl?”
“Of course.” He whips the covers off me. “Now get into the shower while I go make your dinner.” His gaze drops, and Berch licks his lips. “On second thought...”
“So that’s how it’s going to be?” I throw a pillow at him and get out of bed. When he lets out a growl, I squeal and run to the bathroom.
Berch’s bathroom is gorgeous, and I’m beginning to wonder how he managed to build this house on a teacher’s salary. I step into the glass stall and notice dual showerheads. I’ll definitely have to play out a few fantasies with those. Water rushes at me when I turn one on, and the warmth makes me sigh in pleasure. The light scent of the soap I use makes me think of Berch, and my physical reaction makes me think maybe I shouldn’t have run off so soon.
By the time I get downstairs, steam is billowing out of a pot, and the scent of garlic wafts toward me as Berch stirs something on the stove. The terrycloth robe he set out for me has sleeves that are too long, and the cotton is thick in my hand when I roll them up. My bare feet step onto cold tile as I walk over to the saucepan. “Alfredo sauce? You’re going to make me fat.”
“You’re going to do a lot of running tonight.” Berch lifts the spoon toward my mouth, and I take a cautious taste while he adds, “Besides, you’re too thin.” He grabs my butt playfully. “I like something to hold onto.”
Creamy cheese flavor coats my tongue, and I let out a sigh. “In that case, I’ll take a large serving.”
Berch points with his spoon toward the counter. “Sit.”
I slide into a high leather bar chair and settle back on the plush cushioning. The granite countertop is cold under my arms when I lean on it. I say, “Katie and Devon said that the pack will treat me like gold, because I’m the key to providing the next generation. Tell me more.”
