I used the fistful of hair to angle her head back, sucking at the skin on her neck until it colored up to my liking. As well as the claiming mark, I planned on leaving a whole host of other marks on her skin, so every fucker that laid eyes on her knew she was my mate. Mine.
Wren’s arms wrapped tightly around my neck as she ground herself against me in my arms. She was fucking soaked and ready for me — I could feel it against my skin — but I was determined to draw this out. This was the shifter equivalent of a wedding ceremony, but with a lot less clothes. I wanted to make it count.
Chapter 22
Wren
Archer was moving like a man possessed. He was possessed in a way — consumed by the urge to take, give, claim.
Scraps and ribbons of fabric clung to my arms and around my ankles where Archer had shredded my clothes.
Never mind. The important bits were out.
I didn’t want those clothes anyway. I’d gotten blood all over my jeans when I cracked that guy’s nose. What a waste.
My back slammed into the bed, Archer climbing over me like a predator about to devour his prey. As his mouth clamped around my nipple, his other hand kneading my breast with aching intensity, I returned the clothing favor by ripping his t-shirt clean off his body.
“I liked that shirt,” he growled against my breast.
“I like your body,” I shot back. “Lose the pants.”
He grinned briefly and pulled my nipple taut with his teeth before standing to strip off his jeans.
There was no doubt in my mind that our future would include plenty of fights, plenty of fuck-ups — more his than mine, obviously — and lots and lots of makeup sex. For all our flaws, I was confident we’d never have a problem working out our frustration between the sheets.
Plus, there’d be some love and laughter and all that mushy stuff. Post-sex snuggles. Nights on the couch, sharing a blanket, watching movies. Playful disagreements in the cereal aisle. Babies.
An entire lifetime of memories to look forward to.
An entire lifetime of loving each other. When I’d been pinned to the ground, infuriatingly helpless, and Archer had shown up, the overwhelming rush of love I felt for him almost took my breath away. It was so intense, so obvious, I didn’t know how I’d missed it before.
I fucking loved him like crazy. Maybe more than the first great love of my life.
Coffee.
Archer groaned, his heated gaze running over me from head to toe. “It’s not fair that you look like that,” he muttered, kneeling on the bed and pushing my knees apart.
“Likewise.”
“Yeah?” He glanced up at me, looking genuinely surprised.
“Like you don’t know you’re insanely attractive,” I scoffed, trying to hook my leg around his waist and yank him closer.
Before I could blink, his huge hands had both my ankles pinned to the bed, and he was looming over me, eyes burning hot with lust.
“I wasn’t sure if you knew that, baby. Feel free to remind me though, my ego is pretty fragile.” He grinned, and I bit the inside of my cheeks to stop myself from smiling.
“Your ego is astronomical. If you want a compliment, earn it.” I writhed impatiently on the bed, a not-so-subtle hint for him to get the fuck on with it.
To get the fuck on.
“I can take a hint.”
He pushed my ankles up the bed until my heels touched the back of my thighs, and held them in place while he settled his face between my legs.
“So fucking pretty and all mine,” he practically sang. I bucked up against him in irritation. His mouth finally, blessedly, settled over my center and my eyes rolled back into my head in relief.
“Nuh uh, baby,” Archer growled, the vibrations lighting up my nerves like fireworks. “Eyes on me.”
I happily complied, propping myself up on my elbows so I could watch the master at work.
And, oh, he was a master.
His lips, teeth and tongue tortured, stimulated, and devoured me, keeping me on the precipice of an orgasm but never letting me reach it.
As if he could read my mind, Archer’s grip on my ankles tightened before I could kick him in the head.
“Any… day… now,” I panted, trying and failing to keep the whine out of my voice.
“We’ve got a lifetime, little bird. Stop rushing me,” he replied, cool as a cucumber.
My hand shot out, taking him enough by surprise for just long enough that I was able to shove his pretty face off me.
“If you can’t get the job done, I guess I’ll have to take care of it myself,” I taunted, moaning as my middle finger circled my clit. Archer’s growl was part man, part beast. He captured both wrists and pinned them with one hand above my head, leaning down to deliver a punishing nip before sinking his tongue into my mouth. Tasting myself on him brought out something very primal in me. He should always taste like me.
In one smooth motion, he drove forward, his cock filling and stretching me in the most delicious way. My climax hit me like a tornado, ripping me apart from the inside. Every nerve ending sparked and glowed, and I half expected the bed to catch fire with the liquid heat that was cascading through my bloodstream. My back arched and my mouth opened in a silent scream, too overwhelmed to make a sound.
“Hands off,” Archer breathed in my ear as I drifted back down to earth, nipping at my earlobe. “If you need relief, you come to me. Your orgasms are mine.”
“Ditto,” I snarled, wrapping my legs around his hips and digging my heels into him, urging him to move faster. Harder. I was ready for more. I wanted us to reach that peak together, fall over into bliss together.
Sink our teeth into each other, together.
Archer’s pace picked up, the headboard banging obnoxiously against the wall as he fucked me like it was our first and last time. He snarled as I tried to pull my wrists free from his grip and I snapped my teeth at him in warning. I enjoyed being pinned down more than I thought I would, but I wanted to mark him. Needed to see my marks on his skin. Archer moved his shoulder closer to my mouth and I immediately bit down, relishing his satisfied groan.
It wasn’t the bite I needed though. Archer changed his angle so his pelvis rubbed against my clit and I moaned in ecstasy.
“Come with me, baby,” he murmured against the crook of my neck, his teeth raking teasingly over the spot he’d chosen to mark me. “Now.”
Archer’s teeth sunk into my neck and my orgasm crashed over me like a wave as he stilled, emptying himself in me. My head felt heavy, clouded by bliss, but as my canines elongated I forced myself up and sunk my teeth into his neck. I could taste the strange sweetness of my saliva as I licked over the mark, sealing it. It was a chemical reaction that occurred to seal the mark — the crucial difference between biting someone and claiming them.
I’d claimed Archer Ellery.
Archer Ellery had claimed me.
My head fell back onto the pillow, but Archer quickly rolled us so I was draped on top of him, my head resting on his chest, him still inside me.
Through my post-orgasmic haze, I felt the bond between us flare to life.
“Your wolf is happy. It makes my wolf happy,” Archer mumbled sleepily.
The bond was between our wolves, not our human halves. Through my wolf, I could feel the smugness emanating from Archer’s wolf. No matter how far apart we were, our wolves would always be connected. If I needed him, Archer would know about it. I was surprised at how much that settled me. I’d be on my own for so long that it seemed natural to rely on myself.
We should celebrate… tomorrow.
“You make me happy,” I slurred, letting my eyes drift shut and the darkness take me.
✽✽✽
“Merry Christmas, Archer,” I yawned, burrowing myself into the cozy bedding.
“Little bird,” Archer began slowly. I was lying tucked against him with my head on his chest while his fingers played with my hair. Our legs were tangled together under the heavy blankets, r
elying on each other for warmth in the unheated cabin, the first rays of sunlight filtering through the windows and reflecting off the fresh layer of snowfall outside.
I didn’t mind Archer’s bachelor pad, but the heating would be an issue.
“Shhh. You’re going to say ‘little bird, we need to go up to the Alpha House and tell the pack our exciting news and pledge your allegiance to Audax’, et cetera, et cetera,” I said in a deep voice.
Archer’s fingers stilled in my hair. “Almost word for word, though your impression needs work if I’m honest.”
I snorted. “Let’s just stay in our bubble for a few more minutes, okay? Between the craziness of pack life and living with Miles in Carson, I want to make the most of these moments where I have you all to myself.”
“You want me all to yourself?” he asked, surprised, despite the smugness of his wolf. I loved the insight into his emotions.
“I wouldn’t be mated to you if I didn’t,” I said wryly, shifting so I could look up at him. “As much as I’d love to stay in bed all day and see who could get the other to orgasm fastest, our wolves are eager for their first run together,” I sighed.
“Fucking hell, we’re putting a pin in that idea though, baby. You’re a genius. I knew I mated you for a reason.”
I scoffed, moving back and shoving him towards the edge of the bed. “I’m not getting out of this warm bed until you find me some clothes. You should probably stop shredding my stuff.”
“You should probably keep spares here so I can shred to my heart’s content,” Archer countered amiably, pulling out two sets of sweatpants, t-shirts, and hoodies from the drawers for us. “I’ll go get the shower warmed up and come back for you. We can get in a practice round for our orgasm challenge.”
We walked to the treeline together. Me, annoyed that Archer had got me to orgasm twice in the shower. Him, smug that he’d got me to orgasm twice in the shower and supremely sexually frustrated.
Good. He played dirty.
“When we get back to Carson, I’ll show you the shortcut so you can get into the woods in your fur from the backyard,” Archer said, stripping out of his clothes.
I hummed noncommittally, pulling the enormous sweater over my head as an excuse to avoid looking at Archer as my face burned.
“That’s a very sheepish wolf you’ve got there,” Archer remarked, voice laced with humor. My wolf huffed indignantly. Sheepish. How rude.
“I’ve already been through the hidden panel in the fence in my fur. The first day of winter break. You weren’t there, obviously.”
“Really?” Archer asked dubiously. I could see why, I hadn’t known who he was to me then.
“I went into the woods to shift for the first time since I’d left Azymus Pack, and my wolf went straight to your house. I didn’t understand why at the time. Anyway, she was sad you weren’t there and curled up to have a little nap in the backyard.”
Archer dropped his pants and bundled his clothes together for his wolf to carry. I crouched down and followed suit.
“I find it weirdly comforting that your wolf was pining for me too,” Archer mused. “Come on. Let’s let them play.”
My wolf didn’t need any encouragement, she was desperate for a run with her mate. I relaxed into the shift, the discomfort of my reforming bones and stretching muscles less obvious to me now. The burn was actually kind of satisfying.
My front paws hit the ground with a thud. I reminded my wolf to pick up my clothes with her teeth, before looking up through her eyes to see bright blue ones staring right back at me. Fates, he was huge. Archer’s wolf towered over me, but it didn’t intimidate me. His commanding presence was comforting. I knew he’d always have my back.
I expected my wolf to nuzzle him, maybe scent-mark him a little, but she surprised me by immediately bowing her front and swishing her tail.
She wanted to play.
That’s all the warning she gave before darting off into the trees, Archer’s wolf yipping excitedly before scooping up the bundle of clothes and giving chase.
It would have been nothing for him to catch me, if he wanted to. He was bigger, stronger and faster than I was. Instead, he let me lead, playfully bowling me over to remind me that he could, and herding me when I drifted off-course.
We broke through the trees into the main pack clearing and Archer’s wolf dropped the clothes, yipping again to encourage me to stop. After a quick nuzzle, our wolves gave way to our human side as we let the transformation take hold.
“I didn’t expect your wolf to be so playful,” Archer laughed, pulling on his clothes.
“Honestly, me neither,” I replied, panting a little and annoyed that he wasn’t out of breath. I could smell pack members nearby and quickly shoved my limbs into the clothes I’d borrowed from Archer. “She’s never really had a chance to socialize with other wolves before.”
“Well, that will be changing from now on,” Archer growled, his tone reflecting his wolf’s agitation. They didn’t like that my wolf had been lonely.
I linked my hands through his to soothe him, and we strode through the interspersed cabins together until we reached the main thoroughfare outside the dining hall.
“I smell mated wolves,” Flynn sang, dancing out of the way as Archer moved to cuff him over the head.
The Audax Pack wolves crowded around us to offer their congratulations, Flynn’s announcement drawing everyone’s attention.
Archer’s arm banded around my waist, keeping us pressed tightly together. We smelled the same to each other, but our scents wouldn’t be as enticing to other shifters. That fact reassured my wolf, and made his wolf practically delirious with relief.
The crowd parted as their Alpha approached. Samuel’s beaming smile as his eyes took in the claiming bites on our necks made my throat thicken with emotion. Samuel Ellery hadn’t had a lot of reasons to smile lately.
“Thank the Fates for that,” he teased. “Now is as good a time as any, shall we make things official?”
I nodded, laying my palms atop the Alpha’s outstretched hands. We’d have to fill him in on the drama with the Azymus Pack eventually, but it could wait.
“What name do you want to use, Wren?”
Archer had moved back ever so slightly to give me some room, but his hands remained firmly glued to my hips. I felt his fingers flex slightly at his father’s question.
“Ellery,” I replied decisively. “Wren Ellery.”
It wasn’t like I had some burning desire to hold on to the surname that tied me to my useless parents. Archer’s rumble of approval made the pack members around us chuckle. His wolf was practically strutting around like a peacock.
“Wren Ellery. As Alpha of this pack, I invite you to join the Audax family. If you accept, pledge your loyalty.” Samuel gave my hands a brief squeeze before releasing them. I hadn’t witnessed an initiation since I was a kid, but I remembered the gist of it.
I dropped to one knee, resting my forearm across my thigh and looked up at the Alpha. Archer took half a step back, giving me space to do this on my own, but staying close enough to let me know he was there.
“Thank you, Alpha. I accept your invitation. I pledge my loyalty to the Audax Pack, and to you, Alpha. I swear my allegiance to this pack above all others.” Gritting my teeth, I tipped my head to the side, fully exposing my throat. It was a gesture of trust, submission to the Alpha, and good faith. Samuel rewarded me with a beaming smile.
“Audax wolves! We have a new packmate!” he boomed. I stood, wincing slightly at the deafening hollers of approval.
“Eat! Drink! Celebrate!” Archer yelled, taking over. “Without us! I need some time with my mate!”
Archer threw me over his shoulder to resounding cheers, impervious to the beating I was giving his back with my fists. Apparently, the cabin was too far away because he strode purposefully toward the Alpha House, carrying me the entire way like a sack of potatoes.
“Do you mind?” I hissed as Archer kicked the front door shut
behind him.
“Not even a little bit,” Archer replied smugly. “What I do mind is that we’ve never done it in this house before. That is a fucking travesty.” I rolled my eyes.
Archer swatted me on the ass as he started up the stairs, not sounding even slightly out of breath.
“What was that for?” I asked indignantly.
“I felt you roll your eyes,” he chuckled. I buried my grin against his back.
“Go on then. Ravish me in your childhood bedroom.”
Archer groaned. “I love it when you talk dirty to me, little bird.”
Chapter 23
Wren
Six months later - Seattle
Archer and I loitered in the foyer, leaning against a wall, waiting for my cousins to arrive. A bunch of shifter councils had booked this Seattle hotel on neutral ground out for the leadership event, designed for young shifters who seemed likely to be part of an Alpha or Beta pair one day. It was strange to be surrounded by so many shifters from different packs.
Well, strange for me. Archer seemed to know everyone already.
I smoothed my hands over the simple dark green tank top and denim shorts I was wearing and pulled my ponytail tighter. Archer gave me a knowing look and rolled his eyes playfully. I wasn’t nervous. I just wanted to make a good first impression. Sadie, Alec and I had messaged a lot, but today would be our first time meeting in person. As much as I wanted to go back to Fortis Pack territory and spend some time with my mom’s side of the family, we hadn’t had the chance yet. They’d been the ones to suggest we attend this event and Samuel had been all for us going, even if it took Archer, Miles and I away from the pack for a few days over summer break.
We’d spent most of the summer on Audax Pack territory and gone back every weekend during the semester to help Samuel. Archer was taking a more proactive role in learning the Alpha ropes with his dad, and I was taking on increasingly more Luna duties. Claudia was happy to hand them over — the Beta pair were usually better suited to the practical, day-to-day running of the pack. I thought I’d prefer that kind of role too, but I found I enjoyed the personal nature of the Luna role. I loved spending time with pack members — comforting them when they needed comfort, fixing problems that needed fixing.
Fire & Gasoline: A Shifter Romance (Audax Pack Book 1) Page 26
