Taming Her Heart

by Marisa Chenery

  Maggie opened the door and walked out into the hallway. She then proceeded down it and to the room Cydney had said was Chris’. Not sure if he’d be there or not, she didn’t bother knocking before she went inside. Her gaze landed on the barely covered figure on the bed.

  As she crossed the room, Chris came awake, shot up into a sitting position and yanked the sheets up past his waist. “Maggie, don’t you knock? I’m naked under here,” he said groggily.

  She leaned over the bed and gave him a hug. She straightened, and said, “Cydney told me about you being a werewolf, and it doesn’t matter.”

  “You might not think it does, but I do. If Dolf sees you in here with me like this, he’s liable to beat the shit out of me.”

  “No, he won’t, not if he wants to keep on my good side.”

  Chris tucked the covers tighter around him and scooted back until he leaned against the headboard. “So Cydney told you about me, huh?”

  “Yes, she did. Are you okay with being turned?”

  He gave a short chuckle. “It wasn’t as if I had much choice in the matter, now did I? But yeah, I am now. Having Dolf find me was the best thing that could’ve happened to me since I’d encountered that werewolf. Everything had been so confusing.”

  “When did you get bitten?”

  “Not that long ago. This past full moon was the first time I’d shifted. It was a good thing I was living alone, since I was home at the time and had no control over it.”

  “Cyd also said you’re different from the others of your kind.”

  Chris went on to explain how he was more like the warriors than Fenris’ get. How he retained the ability of speech and his human thoughts while in werewolf form, and how he didn’t crave flesh and blood like the warriors’ prey. While he spoke, Maggie sat sideways on the bed, facing him.

  He nudged her knee. “Since I can’t smell any fear on you, and you’re sitting here calmly talking to me, even though you now know what I am, I guess you’re not afraid of me.” Chris met her gaze. “I know what happened to you, Maggie.”

  She smiled. “At least, I won’t have to tell you. I try to avoid thinking about it as much as I can. Until yesterday, I would’ve probably run from you in sheer terror, if I’d known what you were.” Maggie took a deep breath. “Being with Dolf last night really helped. And I can’t leave out Brand’s method of getting me over my fear.”

  Chris chuckled. “Cydney told me about that too. Dolf’s a great guy. I’m happy you two managed to work things out. Does this mean we’ll be roommates soon?”

  “At some point.”

  “I can’t see Dolf letting you stay at your parents’ for long. Plus, the mansion is safer. Tiw protects it.”

  “I have a feeling you’re right, and I know it is. It’s just a big step to take. The immortality and all of it.”

  Chris squeezed her hand where it rested on the bed. “Dolf loves you, Maggie. I can’t see that ever changing. The guy doesn’t do anything halfhearted. Believe me, I know. Being trained by him, I feel as if I’ve been run over by a huge lorry by the end of each session.”

  “Cydney told me the same thing about Dolf loving me.”

  “How do you feel about him?”

  “I like-like him. Can I see myself falling in love with him? Definitely. It’s just too soon for me. I barely know him.”

  “Then I suggest you get out of Chris’ room and spend some time with me, so we can rectify that,” Dolf said behind her.

  Maggie stood and turned to look at him. He didn’t seem upset or worried about what she’d said. He just held out his hand to her. Once she put hers in his, he pulled her into his arms and gave her a short kiss. She had to admit it felt good having Dolf hold her. To have his strength surrounding her and to know he’d do anything in his power to keep her safe.

  Then she remembered she’d been ticked off with him before. She pulled back a little so she could see his face. “You and I have to have a little chat.”

  “Let’s go back to my room.”

  She shook her head. “No.” She glanced over at Chris before she said, “Chatting will be the last thing we’ll do in there. Some place less tempting.”

  Chris laughed. “Dolf, take her out of here. Maggie, I’ll see you later.”

  She didn’t protest when Dolf took her hand and walked her out of Chris’ room. They strode down the hallway, didn’t stop at his bedroom, but continued to the end of it, then took the flight of stairs to the lower level.

  He didn’t take her to the living room, which Maggie had thought he would. Instead, Dolf towed her through the house and out to the massive back garden. Just like the front of the mansion, the yard was professionally landscaped. At the very back of the property was a stand of trees.

  Dolf didn’t stop their forward progress until they were close to the trees. Standing still on the manicured lawn, he turned to her. “Just so you know, at the tree line, that’s where Tiw’s protection stops. Something to keep in mind if you’re ever out here alone after you move in.”

  “We have to talk about that, but first, I want to tell you I’m not exactly thrilled that you didn’t mind using Chris to try to have me get over my fear of you.”

  Dolf sighed. “I figured you wouldn’t be. I’ll admit I was desperate. I was ready to try anything. The last couple of months haven’t been easy on me, Maggie. Knowing you were my mate, and I couldn’t come near you, it ate at me. So maybe using Chris wasn’t the smartest plan, but at least you can say I didn’t cause things to get any worse.”

  “I’ll give you that. In a way, you did Chris a favor, so I can overlook this. Now as for me moving in with you, I don’t want to rush things.”

  Dolf stepped closer and cupped her face in his large hands. A thumb stroked her cheek. “Maggie, you carry Tiw’s mark on your skin. I saw it this morning after I woke up. We’re mated. I want you here with me.”

  “It’s all moving so fast. I have my parents to think of as well. They don’t know anything about your world. They’ll think I’m rushing into a relationship with you. When Cydney moved in with Wulfric, both my mum and dad had thought she’d made a mistake. Since she isn’t their daughter, they didn’t say anything to her about it. That won’t be the case with me.”

  “Then make something up. Say we’ve been secretly seeing each other.”

  Maggie wrapped her hands around Dolf’s wrists and laughed. “I don’t think that’ll work. I haven’t really been out much since Stephen took me. They’ll know I’m lying.”

  Dolf kissed her, a gentle meeting of their lips. “We’ll have to make your mum and dad understand. Part of what drove me crazy these last few months was the fact you weren’t here under Tiw’s protection. With Stephen still out there somewhere, I don’t trust the bastard.”

  She knew deep down inside Dolf was right. And she had to admit being at the mansion, knowing full well there was no way a werewolf could get past the Anglo-Saxon god’s protection, she hadn’t jumped at the slightest noise, thinking Stephen had found her again. Something she tended to do a lot while at home.

  “You’re right,” she finally said.

  He kissed her again, this time taking her mouth with more passion, causing her blood to heat and her body to ache for his. Once Dolf pulled away, they were both breathing heavier.

  “I know you’re not ready to say it in return, but I love you, Maggie. I promise to make you happy and keep you safe. We can even wait to have Tiw make us true mates.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay with that, if I don’t want to become immortal right away?”

  He gave her such a blinding smile that had Maggie thinking she couldn’t have asked for a more handsome man to be her mate. “I’m sure. With Tiw’s mark, you’re now protected against a werewolf’s bite. And if you move into the mansion, I’ll be able to sleep better with you safely tucked into bed next to me. You’ll still be mine.”

  She rewarded Dolf with another kiss. “Then let’s go talk to my parents. And I think we should bring Chris
along with us.”

  “Why?”

  “He can be very convincing when he puts his mind to it. And it might help my mum and dad to know Chris will be living in the mansion as well, besides just Cydney. My father’s always said he thinks Chris has a good head on his shoulders.”

  “Fine, we’ll take him with us. But once I get you back here, you’re all mine.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  Dolf released her face, laced her fingers together with his and walked them toward the mansion. “Time to get the sluggard out of bed and get this chat with your parents over with so we can start our new life together today.”

  * * *

  Twenty minutes later, Dolf ushered both Maggie and Chris outside to his Porsche, and they were soon on the road to Maggie’s parents’ house.

  Luckily, Chris hadn’t gone back to sleep and was showered and dressed when Dolf had knocked on his door. He’d also agreed to accompany them.

  “I still don’t think you need me to tag along, Mags,” Chris said from the backseat. “Your parents might surprise you and be fine with you moving in with Dolf.”

  Maggie turned her head to look around the seat at Chris. “Maybe, but you’re my backup plan.”

  Dolf listened to Maggie and Chris talk over what arguments would work the best. Hearing Chris speak, Dolf had to agree with what Maggie had said about the other man being convincing. Chris seemed able to put a spin on things that even had Dolf agreeing, that was, if he were to have any doubts about the whole thing.

  They were halfway to Maggie’s parents’ house when Dolf pulled to a stop at a red light. The street they were on mostly had warehouses on it. A few were older buildings that looked as if they’d been closed and boarded up.

  From the backseat, Chris suddenly stopped talking and growled low. Dolf met his gaze in the rearview mirror. “What is it, Chris?” he asked.

  “I’m getting that sensation when a werewolf is close by, except this one’s different. It’s stronger. I feel drawn to it more.”

  Dolf didn’t question what Chris felt. After last night, there was no doubt in his mind that Chris was right. And there was no question the both of them were going to follow it up.

  “Which direction is the sensation stronger?” he asked.

  “Over there.” Chris pointed to one of the empty warehouses.

  Once the light turned green, Dolf drove to the building, then around to the back of it, where he parked. He turned to Maggie. “I want you to stay in the car. Chris and I will deal with the werewolf. You should be safe enough here. Just keep the doors locked.”

  Dolf waited until Maggie silently nodded, then got out of the car with Chris. He followed the other man to a door. On closer inspection, he saw the lock had been ripped off. They slipped inside the building, as quietly as possible.

  As they traversed a narrow corridor to the main section of the warehouse, Dolf picked up a scent he’d memorized, and hoped to pick up while he hunted every night. The werewolf pack leader, Stephen, was inside the building. Dolf willed his sword onto his back and drew it just as Chris’ steps slowed, then stopped altogether.

  Dolf skirted around until he was next to Chris. Stephen stood in the middle of the warehouse, talking to two other big men. They both had the same cruel look about them that the pack leader did. And their scents screamed werewolf.

  Using the element of surprise while they still had it, Dolf ran into the large, open space. The two werewolves with Stephen turned in Dolf’s direction before each one took on his werewolf form. Dolf did the same, his sword still in his hand.

  “Kill him,” Stephen yelled as he stepped out of the way.

  The two thugs launched themselves at Dolf. Even though they couldn’t have been turned that long ago, since he and his fellow warriors had first taken down Stephen’s flunkies at the pack den, they were tough and fought dirty. The thugs took turns coming at Dolf, drawing him to strike out with his sword, only to move out of the way before he could follow through.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Dolf saw Chris, who’d taken on his werewolf form, move into position to confront Stephen. Too busy to stop him, Dolf only had enough time to yell, “Don’t. It’s Stephen.”

  But his call came a little too late. Chris met the pack leader head-on, both now shifted. Dolf turned his attention back on the beasts that attacked him. He had to take them out quickly. There was no way Chris would be able to fight against Stephen and be able to walk away alive.

  Dolf growled as one of the thugs got in a lucky strike, claws raking across his ribs. He heard loud growls as Chris and Stephen fought, but he couldn’t afford to look over to see who had the upper hand.

  Little by little, Dolf started to gain some advantage on the beasts he fought. They soon bled from small cuts where his sword had made contact with their skin. About to push his blade home through the heart of one, he heard a yelp and saw Stephen take off at a run and out into the corridor.

  A wave of terror washed through Dolf. Maggie was just outside. Distracted by that thought, it allowed his attackers to rush him at the same time, taking him down to the floor. As he fought to get free, he yelled, “Maggie!”

  He’d thrown off one werewolf in time to see Chris, bleeding from numerous claw and bite marks, take off after Stephen. Dolf hoped like hell the other man would be able to hold the pack leader at bay long enough for Dolf to come and finish him off.

  The sound of Maggie screaming in fear reached his ears just as he sank his sword into the heart of one of the beasts. Free of the second one, he left him behind as he chased after Chris. It seemed to take far longer than it should have for him to reach the outside. When he did, what he saw made his blood run cold.

  Stephen had punched through the passenger side window of the Porsche and had a hold of Maggie by the front of her shirt. A quick glance showed Chris was on the ground, bleeding from a head wound.

  Maggie screamed again when Stephen punched another hole in the window with his other hand and reached inside to unlock the door. At the same time, Chris seemed to gather himself as he sprung to his feet. He was also much closer to the pack leader than Dolf was. Doing what he would’ve done if he were fighting with any of his fellow warriors, Dolf tossed Chris his sword. Deftly catching it, the other man jumped toward Stephen. On the way down, he sank the blade into the left side of the werewolf’s back. Chris had to have hit his heart, because Stephan dropped dead at his feet.

  Dolf rushed to the car and yanked opened the door, pulling Maggie out and into his arms. Anxious to see if she’d been hurt, he at first didn’t notice the other werewolf from the warehouse running toward him.

  “No,” Chris bellowed, moving between Dolf and the attacking beast.

  Much to Dolf’s amazement, the thug came to an instant standstill. That was when it hit him—Chris had killed Stephen, the pack leader, which in turn meant Chris had become the new one. All of Fenris’ get would now be compelled to follow any orders Chris gave them, without question.

  Dolf turned to look at Chris. “You’re pack leader now. Take my sword and finish him off. You can tell him not to move, he has no choice but to obey.”

  The other man nodded, then limped over to the other werewolf. Dolf shifted to human form and dragged Maggie into his arms. Her whole body shook as she clutched onto him.

  “It’s okay,” he said in a soft voice. “It’s over. Stephen’s gone.”

  Maggie lifted her head and looked at him. “I love you,” she whispered.

  “What?” He wasn’t sure he’d heard her right.

  “I love you,” she said a little louder. “When Stephen came at me in the car, all I could think about was that he could kill me and I’d never have the chance to tell you those words. And that what I feel for you is the real thing. I thought I’d never see you again.” A tear dripped from her eye.

  Dolf whipped the wetness away with his finger. “I love you too. I told you I’d never let him get you again.” He gave her a crooked smile. “Thoug
h it would seem Chris was the one who made the killing blow.”

  “Is he going to be okay? He looks to be in bad shape.”

  He turned in Chris’ direction and saw him standing over the body of the werewolf he’d just taken down. “Once he shifts to his human form, he’ll heal.”

  Maggie rested her head against his chest. “Take me home, Dolf. To our home. I think it best that we skip the chat with my parents for now.”

  “I agree.”

  “And once we’re back at the mansion, you can contact Tiw about making us truly mates.”

  He tightened his arms around her. “Are you sure?”

  She nodded. “Yes. I want you, and I want that forever we’ll have as well.”

  Dolf tilted her chin up and kissed her with all the hunger he had for her. “I’ll make you happy, Maggie. I promise.” He took her mouth again, then groaned as he released her lips. “You have no idea how bad I want you right now.”

  “I feel the same way.”

  Needing to be with his mate, to reaffirm the bond between them riding him, Dolf made short work of calling Tiw’s blue god-fire to take care of the werewolf bodies. Once that was done, he had the three of them back on the road for home.

  At the mansion, he left Chris to make his own way inside as Dolf swept Maggie into his arms and carried her through the front door and all the way upstairs to their bedroom.

  He kissed her, his need for her increasing by the second. Maggie seemed just as desperate for him, since she tore at his clothes. By the time they reached the bed, both of them were naked. Dolf picked her up and placed her on the mattress. She made mewling sounds as she pressed her body against him, her hips cradling his.

  She took hold of his hard cock and rubbed it against her wet pussy. Dolf growled with pleasure, wanting nothing more than to bury his shaft deep inside her.

  “Now,” she panted, “take me.”

  Dolf pushed into Maggie, her inner walls closing around his dick with each inch of him she took. Once he was sheathed to the hilt, she reached down and grabbed his arse to urge him even deeper.

  He pulled back, then thrust back into her. They moaned in time with his strokes. Dolf fucked her harder, faster. This was going to be over quick, but he couldn’t stop. His release was building at a rate he’d reach the point of no return in no time.