by Olivia Arran
But her eyes widened even more, a shiver running down her spine. “No going back, for either of us…and you’ll be mine too, don’t forget that, sugar,” she said in a breathy voice.
As if I could forget. This petite woman owned me. Lock, stock, and barrel. Whether she realized it yet, or not — she controlled me. With a single glance, she had tamed me.
I took a step toward her, muscles bunching, eagerly anticipating the chase.
She mirrored me, taking a step back.
I growled, the sound low and filled with heat.
“Come catch me, sugar,” she said, turning on her heel and darting off into the forest.
I took another slow step forward, silently stalking my prey, watching with appreciation the way her rounded backside jiggled and flexed with each step. Teasing me, tempting me, calling me.
I threw back my head, releasing a deafening howl into to the darkening sky, then leapt forward.
The hunt had begun.
***
Lisa
Adrenaline flooded me as a deafening howl echoed through the silent forest, the sound declaring his intent to the world. Leaping over uneven ground, I circled to the right, eyeing the tall trees, looking for the perfect one. No need to make this easy for him, it would spoil the fun. And he was mating a cat, after all.
Grabbing a low lying branch, I threw myself up, landing lightly and then climbing up two more, balanced in a crouch. I could go higher, but then my wolf wouldn’t stand a chance. And I wanted to get caught, eventually.
I couldn’t hear him stalking me, but I could feel him — scent him coming closer — the air thickening with pheromones, causing my breath to hitch with every delicious inhalation. My fingers trailed down my chest, skirting the heavy weight of my breasts, and glided down my rounded stomach. I took another deep breath, taking him inside me, tasting him. My fingers threaded through my already damp curls, unconsciously seeking out the place between my legs that throbbed with need. My pussy was swollen, begging out for his touch, for the feel of him sliding deep, deep inside.
A loud moan from below snapped my eyes back open, but I kept my hand where it was, rubbing, building the ache.
His eyes devoured me, locked on the movement of my hand. Nostrils flaring, his mouth fell open on a silent groan, then he stalked to the bottom of my tree, never breaking eye contact.
“Come and get me,” I whispered, my other hand reaching up to cup the heavy weight of my breast, my thumb stroking over a stiff nipple.
Liquid gold flared, as claws sprung out.
With a feral growl, he grabbed the low lying branch, clawing at the bark, and pulled himself up. Looking up at me, he grabbed the next branch. “Spread yourself for me, I want to see what I’m getting,” he ordered, pulling himself up inch by inch.
Unable to resist his command, I parted my legs, my finger brushing my outer lips.
“More.” The command came out a hoarse plea.
I did as he asked, powerless, yet his immediate reaction told me that I held all the power.
“Nirvana,” he exhaled, and then he was there, throwing himself up the last couple of feet, pushing me back against the branch, caging me in his arms.
Skin met skin, as he claimed my lips with his, devouring my breath, and sending my mind reeling. I parted my legs, the thick weight of him nestling between my thighs, probing, finding my entrance—
The branch let out an ominous creak, protesting our combined weight.
Not breaking contact, Sean rolled, cradling me to his chest, and with a thud we met solid ground, Sean absorbing the blow.
In a flash he rolled me over, driving his cock deep inside me in one smooth movement. My back arched off the ground, pleasure careening through me, as he drew back, then thrust forward again.
Coming up to brace on his hands, his chest strained, sweat glistening, as his hips swiveled in movement, abs flexing and jaw clenched.
Shit! I was going to die by orgasm if he kept this up. Every cell in my body felt alive, as I greedily accepted him deep inside, his cock filling me, thick and—
A moan spilled from my lips, the sound seeming to spur him on, as he picked up the pace, tilting his hips to hit that secret spot, deep inside me, rubbing, back and forth, building the heat, the friction nearly unbearable.
Liquid fire raced through me, as I blindly reached for that peak, the ultimate relief that lay just out of reach, getting closer, and closer…
A wet tongue trailed across my nipple, swirling and tasting, then, sucking the sensitive bud into his mouth, he flicked his tongue, matching the driving rhythm of his hips.
I teetered on the edge, my nails digging into his firm ass, hips tilted to accept all of him, wanting him to consume me.
Releasing my nipple, he growled, “I take you, Lisa Shadowpaw, to be my true mate. I will run with you, live with you and love you — only you. I swear by the Mother of All!” His words were punctuated by his thrusts, as he continued to drive me toward oblivion.
“And I take you, Sean—?” I faltered, mortified that I didn’t know his full name!
He laughed loudly, cupping my heat stained cheek, before answering, “Colstone, I took the pack name.”
I laughed, my mortification fading on a moan, as he thrust forward forcefully.
“Starting again,” I gasped out. “I take you, Sean Colstone, to be my true mate. I will run with you, live with you and love you — only you. I swear by the Mother of All!”
And then he bit me, on the soft skin where the collar bone dips and the neck starts, sinking his teeth into the tender flesh, sealing the bond. A flood of emotion hit me, sinking into me, joining with my soul. The colors of Sean, I thought with wonder, closing my eyes and seeing the dancing rainbow of reds, blues, and the slightest tinge of green. Red for anger, hurt, and betrayal. Blue for his control, icy, and strong. Green for acceptance, blossoming hope, and calm. And, love. So this was what it meant to be true mates.
Turning my head, I reached up and sank my teeth into his neck, wanting to complete the bond more than anything I had ever wanted before. I wanted him to feel what I felt, know that he would never be alone again.
On a roar, his eyes squeezed tight, Sean tensed above me, his jaw clenching, hips thrusting even more wildly.
And I tipped over the edge, or rather I was forcibly shoved, hurtling into free-fall, the ground rushing toward me, back arching, as every nerve in my body clenched and shuddered, orgasming violently.
Sean let out garbled groan, his whole body tensing, muscles rigid like stone, then slamming forward one more time, he tipped over the edge with me, his cock twitching inside me, heat filling me as he came.
He collapsed on top of me, careful to brace on his elbows.
“I never knew,” he murmured, looking at me with open worship in his eyes. Worship that came spiraling down the fully formed bond, sinking into me, holding me tight.
“Neither did I.” My mate. My love. I sent the thoughts down the newly formed bond, the bond that now entwined us, heart and soul.
He grinned, face open and relaxed. “You make me lose control. Completely. Utterly. But it’s okay, because you’ve touched that part of me, buried deep down inside, the child my father destroyed—” his lips curled in disgust, “—and, you’re healing him. And his beast. I can’t explain…”
He broke off, his eyes full of wonder.
Lifting a hand, I smoothed the scar on his cheek, my heart breaking for the confused and angry boy he had once been. That boy had needed a father who loved him, not the angry bully he had been given.
He lifted my fingers to his lips, feathering the tips with kisses. “You negate the need for control, uniting me with my beast. I can’t promise it will be easy, I’m not used to letting him roam free, just below the surface.”
“You’re not alone in this, never alone. I love you and him. He just needed a bit of love, that’s all.”
Understanding dawned on his face. “So, all the hate?”
“Yeah, not
so good for building a working relationship.”
“I can’t promise to give up my control all of the time. It wouldn’t be good for the others, and you can’t always be around to—”
I silenced him by laying my finger over his lips. “You can continue to be the dark, tightly wound wolf around the others, as long as you promise to lose control with me, my-big-bad-beta-wolf. Then we’ll be juuuust fine,” I drawled, quirking an eyebrow at him suggestively.
He grabbed me, rolling so I straddled him, his cock already swelling again, thick and hard between my legs. “Now that can definitely be arranged.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Lisa
Creeping up the steps to the packhouse, I hugged the memories of the night to myself, reliving each touch of Sean’s hands on my skin, the feel of him moving inside me, joining, connecting.
“Keep thinking thoughts like that and we won’t make it inside,” the man who played the starring role in my fantasy growled from behind me, pulling me back against his hard body, his enthusiastic response tucked against my backside.
I sucked in a breath, lust pooling in my belly. This mating bond was going to take a little getting used to, but I could see already there would be certain benefits.
I groaned, pressing back against him, swaying in his strong arms.
“Ahem.” An amused chuckle sounded from the porch swing.
Sean’s arms tightened around me, tense and wary.
But, I would know my twin anywhere — even if I still couldn’t scent him. I’d have to ask him to get a hold of some of uncle’s suppressor for the pack. It might come in handy, especially with Gary and Bert still on the loose.
“Luis! What are you doing hiding out here?”
“Not hiding — waiting for you two, making sure you got back alright. But, I can see that I had nothing to worry about.” He wiggled his eyebrows comically. “Good. You deserve happiness, sis, after everything you’ve been through.”
“So, you approve?” I hadn’t thought I’d care, but surprise — I did. Just a little.
A low growl sounded in my ear, my mate staking his claim. A little part of me thrilled each time I called him that, even inside my head — my true mate!
“You don’t need my approval, you never have. But since you asked, hell yeah! You’ve claimed yourself one hell of a hot-hunky-wolf there, sis.”
“Glad you approve,” Sean drawled sarcastically.
“Hey, man. How could I not…” Luis pretended to check out the parts of Sean he could see, whistling through his teeth. Then he grinned, completely unrepentant. “They’re waiting for you inside, for your update. Macey and Cole have already gone. Macey was all mysterious, saying she might know of a way to pinpoint the last location of our mystery coyote, so they headed out, but the rest are still here.”
“Give us five to grab a shower, and we’ll be right down?”
“Five? Jeez, you disappoint, Sean—”
I whacked him around the shoulder as we passed. “Drag your mind out of the gutter, younger brother—”
“Pulling the three minute card again?” His words faded as we sneaked into the main house, hightailing it up the stairs. We had five minutes? Hmmm, maybe enough time…
***
Lisa
“No-good-rotten-teasing-beta-wolf,” I muttered under my breath, pushing open the door to James’s office in a huff.
Sean smirked beside me, his hand caressing my waist, sending shivers racing up and down my spine.
Five minutes had been just enough time for Sean to wind me up, then leave me hanging. That man had a way with his hands. He was so going to pay for that. I shot him a look that I hoped was filled with promises of vengeful retribution, but he just laughed, a loud, carefree sound.
Everyone in the room froze, their eyes swiveling to the doorway, open shock on their faces.
“So, it’s true then?” James was the first to speak, striding toward us, a grin on his handsome face. Grabbing Sean, he dragged him into a back slapping hug, then repeated the same with me.
It was then Kara’s turn to grab me, squeezing me tight, her joy palpable. I hugged her back, the sister of my heart. And, packmate now! Happiness threatened to overwhelm me, as I blinked at her through suspiciously watery eyes.
Eyes flashing molten gold, Sean abruptly tugged me away, propelled me through the room, and snagging an empty chair, pulled me unceremoniously onto his lap.
“What was that for?” I hissed into his ear, shuffling to get comfortable.
“I can’t stand to see you upset—”
“I wasn’t—”
“I know that. But, my wolf wants to kill anyone who puts tears in your eyes.”
Not beast — wolf, I noted joyfully. I snuggled closer, wrapping my arms around his broad chest and laying my cheek against his heart. “And, I love your wolf for it,” I whispered into his shirt, drawing his scent deep into my lungs.
My jaguar purred loudly inside my head. This was home. So long as I was with him, we could figure everything else out.
I could feel everyone’s eyes upon us. “Why is everyone staring at us?”
James answered before Sean got the chance. “Because we’ve never seen Sean this…”
I looked over at James. His face was screwed up in thought as he searched for the right word.
“Happy?”
“Relaxed?”
“Normal?”
“Not wanting to kill everyone?” Everyone chimed in, the last one being Luis, who was sprawled nonchalantly in the couch, looking right at home.
“Well, don’t get used to it,” Sean growled, his mouth set in a scowl.
“It’s an ongoing project,” I added, winking at him, kissing his frown lightly.
A slight movement caught the corner of my eye. I hadn’t even noticed Oliver slouched against the wall. He was staring intently at Sean, his eyes dark and filled with…Sorrow? Pain? No, I decided, finally putting a name to the emotion that swam in his eyes — envy. And, maybe a spark of hope? What was his story?
“Stop staring at Oliver…I can’t…just, it’s getting hard to…” Sean warned.
I wriggled in his lap, finding just the right spot. Payback time! “Yeah…it is, isn’t it, sugar?” I purred, feeling him harden beneath me.
I tuned in to listen to James. “…So, Macey and Cole have gone to speak with her contact—”
“Any idea who that is?” Sean asked.
“Nope, she wouldn’t say. But, she did say that there was a good chance they would be able to help.”
Sean nodded, shifting uncomfortably in his seat, a wince on his face.
I smothered an inappropriate grin.
James continued, “We’re setting out for Smithrock in the morning—”
“Damn! I knew there was something,” Sean shot upright in the chair, nearly throwing me off. “My dad—”
“Your dad?” The question from James was laced with shock.
“Yup, ran into him in the forest. Turns out he’s not dead,” Sean added bitterly. “He was warning me away from the Smithrock and Sunclaw packs. Said that we should all keep our noses out of their business. Somehow he is wrapped up in this whole mess. Fuck knows how, but knowing him…”
“He said something about replacing you?” I added, stroking his arm in comfort.
“Yeah, that I wasn’t the son he thought I’d be, so he’d replaced me.”
“If Bert is involved in the Sunclaw pack, then that might explain a few things,” Claire added from her chair. “How they’ve managed to thrive without an alpha…”
“He got away,” Sean’s voice was hollow.
“Only because he hurt me, and you stayed to—”
“Then, that was the right thing to do.” There was no censure in James’s voice, only approval. “I would have done the same. Don’t worry Sean, we will find him. We’ll find all of them, and they will pay for their crimes.” Sympathy on his face, he continued, “Sean, I know he’s your dad—”
“Not
anymore. I disowned him a long time ago, and seeing him tonight…well, I realize just how fucked up I am because of him. My ties and loyalty are to you, and this pack. And above all else — to my mate.”
I could feel his heartbreak, his resolve, and determination filtering through the bond. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pulled him down, laying a gentle kiss on his down-turned lips.
“We’re in this together, I promise,” I murmured, hoping he could feel my love and devotion through the bond.
On a groan, he deepened the kiss, spearing my mouth with his tongue, lips sliding, ruthlessly claiming.
Shifting in his lap, I pressed closer, all thoughts of payback, of teasing — gone, burned away by his warmth, the fire spreading through me.
Sean pulled away, the flames of his wolf dancing in his eyes. Breathing heavily he stood, dropping me to my feet, his eyes never leaving mine.
“Let me know what you want me to do in the morning. Lisa and I have…plans,” he growled, on the edge of losing control. Not waiting for an answer, he tugged me toward the door.
I followed willingly, shivering in anticipation.
In our wake, there was a scattering of laughter, followed by a lively discussion that chased us up the stairs.
Cubs or pups? That was a good question, and one I couldn’t wait to answer!
Read Amanda & Tarq’s story in Healed: True Mates Book 3 buy HERE
Recommended Reading Order
True Mates Series
Found: Book 0.5 (Claire & Adam) Standalone short Prequel - buy HERE
Promised: Book 1 (Kara & James) buy HERE
Taken: Book 2 (Lisa & Sean) buy HERE
Healed: Book 3 (Amanda & Tarq) buy HERE
Redeemed: Book 4 - Coming soon
The Everson Brothers (Standalone Bear Shifter novellas)
My Curse to Bear (Merrie & Craig) buy HERE
My Duty to Bear (Amy & Ryan) buy HERE
***Redeemed - True Mates Book 4 - Releasing early 2016***
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