“I’m in too much pain.” His touch pushed the pain back, but it wasn’t enough.
“I know. Just hang in there a bit longer. We waited too long, that’s why you’re suffering now.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “We’ll be back at the compound in a few minutes.”
She wasn’t sure she could last another second, let alone minutes to get back to her apartment. “Why am I in pain but you’re not.”
“I feel it as well, maybe not as strongly yet, but I was able to push mine down to focus on finding you.” Felix pressed her against his chest tighter before looking to Taber. “It’s going to take longer then she has for us to get out of here unless you carry Robin.”
“What?” Robin’s eyes grew large as she looked at Felix and Harmony.
“Wrap your arms around his neck and your legs around his waist. We’ll get out of here quick.” When she stared at him in shock, he added. “It’s either that or I claim Harmony here. It took us nearly ten minutes to get this deep into the woods, she doesn’t have that long. Not unless you want her to go through agony. Your choice.”
“He’s right. We can make it out of here within a minute without having to keep our pace slow for you,” Taber agreed drawing the attention to him.
“Please, Robin. I wouldn’t ask if…” Pain tore through her, stealing her words.
Robin grabbed her stomach and nodded. “Fine. Just don’t drop me.”
“You’re feeling her pain, too.” Taber knelt before her so she could wrap her arms around his neck.
“Yes, but not as bad as before. The tricks Ty taught me must be working some.” The pain was still clear in Robin’s voice as she wrapped her arms around Taber’s neck. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to hold on if the pain gets worse.”
“We’ll be back to the SUV before then.” Felix took off with Taber falling into pace next to him.
“I’m sorry I’ve caused so many problems,” Harmony whispered, placing her face against his neck.
“You haven’t. Everything is going to be fine.”
Felix’s words did very little to comfort her. She wanted to be a part of the Alaskan Tigers, yet all she was doing was causing more problems. Poor Robin suffered with Harmony’s emotions, nightmares, and pain. It seemed like all her life things had always gone wrong and that she had always made things worse when she tried to fix something. Would she ever be able to do something right?
Felix cuddled Harmony against him, his other hand resting on Robin’s shoulder, trying to ease the women’s pain while Taber drove like a mad man to get them back to the compound. It was all becoming too much, as they careened through the front gates. The moans of pain were quickly becoming screams of agony.
“Take care of your mate,” Taber said as he skidded the SUV to a halt in front of Harmony’s studio apartment. “I’ll get Robin home to Adam.”
“Update Ty.” Felix flung the rear door open, slipping out of the SUV before reaching back in to grab Harmony. “Thank you both.” He slammed the door shut just in time as Taber sped away.
“Felix…” Harmony cried out, her nails biting through his shirt.
“Almost.” His desire practically buckled his knees. He wanted to take her right then. Twenty steps, then you can claim her. He took a deep breath and forced himself forward. Fumbling with the door handle, he cursed and finally managed to push it open.
He kicked the door shut, his lips finding hers. He backed her against the wall, turning her so she was straddling his body. His fingers wandered her body, and his mouth never left hers. Their tongues danced in each other’s mouths, their beasts mixing growls with moans of desire. He trailed kisses down the length of her neck, his teeth nipping the soft skin where her neck and shoulder met.
The warmth of her place eased the chill and meant she could have Felix and the agony would finally be gone. “Felix, I need you.” The mating desire was nearing its breaking point. She needed him now.
“I know, love.” An arm wrapped around her waist, keeping her pressed against his body as he stepped away from the wall.
“Naked, now.” She reached up for him, her fingers closing around the buttons of his jeans.
He tugged his shoulder holster off and sat it on the nightstand, placing his cell phone with it. “Give me your gun.”
She slid her hip holster off, handing it to him with the gun still nestled safely inside it before turning her attention back to his jeans.
He pulled off his shirt, tossing it to the floor while she tugged down his zipper and slipped her hand inside the rough material. Her fingers wrapped around his shaft tearing, a growl from deep within him.
“Take these off.” She slid his jeans down his hips.
“Only if you get naked.” His fingers twisted around the material of her shirt, pulling it up and over her head. His beast was growing tired of waiting, wanting her body pressed against him. Yet he kept suppressing it, not wanting to rush the first time they’d make love.
“I thought you’d never ask.” She teased, rising up enough to unbutton her jeans before sliding them down her legs. Suddenly, all her apprehensions were gone—thanks to the mating desire. Hopefully they didn’t return with a vengeance later.
By the time she reached behind her to unhook her bra, Felix was out of his clothes. He pushed her down onto the bed, unhooking the bra himself as they fell back against the mattress. In one quick movement it was unsnapped and off her body. His lips circled her nipple, grazing his teeth over it until her back arched into him.
“Felix, please,” she moaned.
He tore his lips away from her breast, leaning up to look at her. “Please what? Do you want more? Less maybe?” Watching her, he waited for an answer.
“Felix!” His mouth on her breast felt so gentle and loving but suddenly sent horrific images through her mind of Henry’s torture. She pushed against his chest. She couldn’t do it. Not now, no matter how much agony she’d be in.
The moonlight peeked through the curtains, giving her the perfect glimpse of Felix, and her fears dissipated. All she could see was the man Felix was, not the man he reminded her of. Felix was her mate, completely different from his twin. This was her destiny, and she was going to claim it with both hands. She pushed the memories of her past away and pulled him to her. “Give me what I want, or I’ll roll you over and take it.”
“I’d like to see that.” He leaned over her, pressing his lips to hers for a soft kiss. When he pulled back, he let his lips hover above hers. “Stop rushing me, I plan to enjoy this.” He kissed her again, this time deeper, more passionately, stealing the breath from her.
He pulled his mouth from hers and kissed a path down her neck, breathing in the scent of his mate. Sensations collided and threatened to overwhelm him, but he pushed his beast away, trying to savor the moment.
He nodded, pressing his lips to hers. “You’re mine for now and always.” Laying her back, he kissed down her neck until he got to her breasts. Dragging his tongue in lazy circles around her nipples, he wanted her intently. Teasing her nipples gently, pulling them between his teeth until they stood to attention, he rested his weight on an elbow and used the other hand to explore the length of her body. Memorizing every curve.
He blazed a hot, wet trail of kisses across her stomach, stroking her thighs with his fingertips. With every touch, she arched her hips into him, demanding more. Desire coursing through him, he could wait no longer to claim her. His mind was in a sexual haze, and his beast lingered below the surface, speeding the pace.
He spread her legs further, giving him the access he needed. With his control nearly maxed out, he was thankful she was wet because he had nothing left in him to go slow. He slid his shaft into her warm, wet core before pulling it back out and thrusting in again, his manhood filling her completely. He went as slow as he could the first few strokes so as not to hurt her, but with each stroke, the tempo intensified another level until his hips where slamming off her, driving the force with each pump. The thrusts became deep
er and faster, falling into a perfect rhythm. Their bodies rocked back and forth, tension strained his muscles as he fought for the release he longed for.
“Felix!” Screaming his name, she arched her body into his as her release coursed through her, her nails digging into his chest and leaving deep welts and angry red scratches. He pumped once more and growled her name as his released followed.
He stayed perched over her with his shaft still buried deep inside of her, watching the afterglow fill her face. Her eyes were glossed over in ecstasy. The connection between them fully alive, her emotions were mixing with his, bringing a smile to his face. He collapsed onto the bed beside her and cradled her body tight against his, his fingers caressing her side in lazy strokes.
“I can feel your emotions.” Her fingers trailed along his chest, brushing over the cuts from her nails. “Sorry about these, I didn’t think I was that rough.”
“It’s heavenly to finally have that connection.” Felix didn’t add that if Henry hadn’t tried to make her his that they would have had it before. “As for the scratches, don’t be. I enjoyed the feeling of your nails digging into my chest.”
He buried his face in her hair, the sweet strawberry scent from her shampoo teasing along his senses. “You’re mine, and I love you.” Pressing his lips to her forehead, he kissed her tenderly.
“I love you, too.” She tilted her head to look at him. “This connection between us—I never expected it to feel like this. I can feel everything. Your anger over Henry, hatred for the people who have brought danger to your clan, especially the rogues, but I can also feel the love for your clan as if it was my own. It’s so much more than I ever expected.”
“The clan is my family, as you are. If anyone messes with any member of the clan, I’d fight by their side. I’d stand for those who couldn’t or shouldn’t fight for themselves. Women and children of the clan are protected at all cost, and I’d fight their fight for them.” He ran his hand along her arm. “You have to understand that I’d lay down my life to protect you and this clan.”
She nodded. “I know—and it’s admirable—but it scares me, too.”
“Hopefully it will never come to it, but it’s a risk you need to understand.” His fingers traveled down the length of her body until he pulled away. Using his arms to hold him inches above her body, he took in the sight of his naked mate.
The scars that marred her body tore at his heart. He knew they were from the torture she endured at Henry’s hand. The cuts along her sides had to be from knives since Henry had no claws. It took his mind a few moments to register the angry red burn across her stomach, just below her bellybutton. It looked like it was from a hot poker someone would use in a fireplace.
“Don’t.” She rolled away from him and pulled the blanket over her.
“Harmony.” He reached out for her, but she pulled further away.
“Don’t. Just leave. I’d rather suffer with the mating desire than see pity in your eyes.”
“I see what he did to you, and I hate myself, knowing that I could have stopped it. If I’d have done what I knew needed to be done years ago, none of this would have happened to you.” He sank onto the bed, just beyond touching her. “It doesn’t make up for what you went through, but I’m going to find him and make sure he’s no longer a threat to you or anyone else. I’ll see him dead for what he did.”
“You couldn’t have known this would happen. If my Alpha had been a true Alpha, he’d have never turned me over to him. This is more my fault than yours.”
“How can you say that? You did nothing to deserve this.”
She let her head fall back against the pillow. “You’re half right—I did nothing.”
“Oh, love.” He reached for her, and this time she didn’t pull away. Sliding his hand into hers, his thumb played gently over her knuckles. He fought the urge to pull her tight against his body and hold her there forever. “There was nothing you could have done. Though Henry cannot shift, he’s still dangerous. Anything you’d have done would have only made things worse for you. It was your Alpha’s responsibility to protect you, and he didn’t.”
“The burn was to teach me a lesson for trying to escape the first time. After that, things became worse. He was unpredictable. At some point, I realized if I didn’t get out of there, he’d kill me.” Her body shivered, but he suspected it wasn’t from the chill so much as the memories being brought to the surface.
“It’s okay.” He moved closer to her, drawing her in against his chest. “I swear he’ll never get his hands on you again. Unlike your former Alpha, I’ll protect you.”
“Right now, I just want to forget it all.”
When she remained silent, he held her close, letting his eyes drift shut. Thankful to finally have claimed his mate, he laid there enjoying the moment because he knew it wouldn’t last. Soon he’d have to find Henry and eliminate him if he wanted to keep his mate safe.
Chapter Ten
The sun was peeking around the curtains when Felix woke, Harmony still wrapped in his embrace. He never expected to spend the night at her place. He planned on moving into his room before they fell asleep, to be closer to Tabitha if anything should happen. With Henry flying into Seattle, he didn’t have time to lay there cuddling with his mate. He needed to find out why Seattle. What was there that would make his twin go there?
“What are you thinking about?” Harmony’s fingers teased along the lines of his abs.
“Work.” He caressed along her spine, watching her. “We received word last night that Henry booked a ticket to Seattle. I need to get with the team and see if they figured out why Seattle.”
She shot up, taking the sheet with her. She held the flimsy material over her breasts. “Seattle?”
He nodded. “Does that mean something to you?”
“It worked.” She tugged the strand of hair out of her face. “I wasn’t sure if it would, but it worked!”
He rose up on his elbow. “What are you talking about?”
“I figured if Henry knew I was here with you, I could get a message to him. I focused all my thoughts on Seattle, wanting to get him to meet me there. It was away from the clan, but close enough I could get back to you quickly if I made it out alive.”
“You were baiting him?” He glared at her, unable to believe what he was hearing. Was she insane? She had to be to bait someone that tortured her for months and threatened to kill her. Didn’t she realize how dangerous Henry was? Or did the safety she had now distort all she went through?
“I had to if I wanted to find him. It seemed like a better idea than sitting around waiting for him to attack the clan. Damn it, Felix, I couldn’t let him attack the compound. Not because of me. I couldn’t bring the danger here with everything else that’s looming. Don’t you understand that?”
“You should have come to me. If we realized there was a chance you could convey a message to him, we might have set up a sting operation with you baiting him, but doing it yourself was dangerous. You could have gotten yourself killed.” He ran his hand over his five o’clock shadow, feeling the stubble until he got his anger under control. “What matters is that you’re safe. Get dressed. I have to let the Elders know.”
“I think I’ll stay here.” She moved as if she was going to lie back down.
“Woman, you’ve got another thing coming if you think I’m leaving you alone. You’re stuck with me until we have dealt with Henry, or that spot where you climbed over the fence is monitored. You’re not getting away again.” He wasn’t willing to risk the safety of his mate, even if he could now feel her emotions and plans as if they were his.
“I’m not going to do anything stupid. Go, I’ll stay and keep the bed warm.” She raised an eyebrow at him, letting him know she wanted him to make it quick so they could continue where they stopped.
“You’re coming with me, and we’ll be staying in my room from now on. I need to be close to the Elders in case of emergencies. You might want to gather your stuff now so
we won’t have to come back. Then we can go straight to my room and pick this back up.” He scooted out of the bed, grabbing his boxers and jeans from the floor.
“At least can I shower?”
“Go ahead. I’ll call Ty and have him gather the team. It will take a few minutes to get everyone together, but don’t take long.” He watched as she slipped from the bed and padded naked toward the bathroom. His shaft rose and his body screamed for him to follow her, but he knew where it would lead. They didn’t have time, not with Henry already in Seattle.
A lump rose in his throat. For years he knew someday the time would come when Henry had to be eliminated, but now that the time was here, his emotions were all over the place. Anger that things had come to this, sadness for the knowledge if it wasn’t him that killed Henry it would be one of the guards he was close to, and pity for Henry.
Even with everything playing havoc inside his mind, he knew without a doubt that he’d kill Henry without an ounce of hesitation. After what he did to his mate and the danger he was—not only to the clan and his mate, but to humans—there was no other options. It saddened him that it came to it, but there was no other recourse. He snatched his cell phone from the dresser and hit the speed-dial number for Ty.
“What’s going on, Felix?” His Alpha’s voice was strained, and if Felix wasn’t mistaken, it sounded as if he had been up through the night, most likely trying to figure out the significance of Seattle before it was too late.
“Can you gather the team? I know why Seattle.”
“Tell me why and I’ll gather them.”
Felix grabbed his socks and shoes and dealt with those as he filled in Ty. “Somehow she conveyed a message to him, letting him know she was going there. She wanted to get him away from the clan to keep you and Tabitha safe. He has to know she’s with me now because I’ve claimed her. It destroyed the connection he had with her. He’ll come here, so we need to get a plan together.”
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