ChangingPaths

by Marilu Mann

  “Nope.” He nipped at her shoulder, making her quiver.

  She tried for a stern tone. “I thought he was. I made all this food.”

  “Babe, you live with two shifters, it’ll get eaten. Where is Rain, by the way?” His rumbling laugh shook against her back.

  “Gone to the res with some of the girls. Another movie night, she said but I’m sure they’re planning to sneak out of the meeting hall to go running through the woods. At least that’s what the shifter kids used to do when I was her age. I went to the movies. She won’t be home until the morning.” Somehow the memory didn’t bring up as much pain when she had him with her.

  He slid his hands under her sweatshirt. For a moment he kept them there. She reveled in the warmth of his touch. Then she moaned as his skin slid against hers. He moved up her abdomen to play with the edge of her bra. “So…we’re all alone tonight?”

  “I can call Willow over if you don’t feel safe being alone with me.” She smiled as she leaned back into him, tilting her head so he could reach her neck better.

  “You might need to. I’m scared of what my mate might do to me. You almost killed me last night.” He slid one hand under her bra to cup her breast. His thumb played lazily across her already erect nipple. The other hand he stroked back down her stomach. His fingers splayed against her abdomen a moment. She felt her heart leap. They hadn’t talked about children of their own. Then he reached into the waistband of the soft yoga pants she wore.

  “Have I mentioned how much I love these pants?” He easily slid his hand beneath her panties. Her moan earned her a soft kiss on her shoulder before he started teasingly playing with her pussy lips.

  She laughed, reaching up to cup the back of his head with one of her hands. She reached back with the other to stroke his already straining cock. “I believe you might have said something along those lines once or twice.”

  “Have I mentioned how much more I love them when you’re not wearing them?” He stepped back long enough to yank the pants and panties down over her hips. She whined when his hard body pulled away from her back. He soothed her with a kiss on the small of her back. Then as he pushed her sweatshirt up as he stood, she found herself hot from head to toe. Unhooking her bra, she removed it then watched the lace flutter to the floor. Turning to face him, she toed the pile of discarded clothes out of the way. She loved the look on his face. That special expression that was meant for her and her alone.

  “I believe you might have said that a time or two.” Then she nodded at him. “You have too many clothes on, mister.”

  He pulled his own shirt off over his head then dropped it beside hers. He fumbled a bit, undoing his jeans, so she teased, “Gareth, dinner is ready.”

  “Later. I have a different hunger to satisfy first that only my mate can fill.” His jeans hit the floor just before he pulled her into his arms. Wrapping her arms around him, she kissed his chin as he stroked up and down her back. She breathed in deeply. The pine scent had entered that dark, lovely smell she now knew meant that he wanted her. As much as she wanted him he wanted her too.

  Emotion tightened her chest again. She drew back to look at him. To just see that beautiful face. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you too, babe.” He leaned into her for a scorching kiss, then backed up, leaned over to put his shoulder at her waist. Then he stood, slinging her over his shoulder. She smacked his ass as he turned. There was only one place they were headed now. She just barely grabbed at the crockpot to switch it off.

  “Hey! Put me down! I can walk.”

  “You say that now but I plan to make sure neither of us will be able to walk by sunrise.”

  With that promise—or threat—he tossed her on the bed. As the quilt bundled around them he stooped down to latch on to her nipple. Sucking hard and pinching the other one between his calloused fingers, he moaned. She lifted into his caresses, her hips undulating. As he moved onto the bed fully, she spread her legs, wrapping them around his hips. Her hands smoothed then fisted as he nipped on first one nipple then the other.

  She untied the string of his patch to toss it on the bedside table before threading her fingers back into his hair. He slid down her body, licking, biting, even sucking on his way to the juncture of her thighs. Her pussy was already softening, getting wet.

  Much like the first time they’d made love, her mate pushed her thighs apart to feast on her pussy. His tongue felt like velvet as he trailed kisses on her inner thighs. He used his fingers to hold her open—to hold her down. Teeth grazed her clit, dragging a shuddering near-scream from her as her first orgasm took her up and over.

  She rode the waves of sensual pleasure as he pressed his tongue into her. His hair covered her belly and thighs, so she indulged herself in stroking it as he continued to stroke her pussy with his talented tongue. Arching as much as she could, she urged him to go deeper, harder, faster. He refused.

  He knew now just how to touch her, just how to push her to satisfy her best. His fingers and tongue were everywhere. She held tight to his silky hair, pulling him tighter against her body as she bucked her hips under his tender assault. He lifted his head to smile at her as her pussy clenched and jumped from the second climax.

  “You. Are. Making. Me. Crazy.” The words clipped out on ragged breaths as she tried to reclaim some control.

  “I know.” That was all he said as he licked her sensitive clit. Her sobbing moan won her his laughter vibrating on her aching pussy. Then he softly soothed her for a few minutes with long, slow, delicious licks that soon had her begging for more. This man could have anything he wanted.

  He lifted his eyes, loving the sight of his woman, his mate as she tilted her head back onto the pillow. Her eyes were closed, her mouth open and her chin trembling as he thrust his tongue into the warmth of her body. Her taste filled his mouth as her sweet honeysuckle scent filled his senses. He wanted that scent all over his body. He wanted to stay in bed with her until the sun came up. He loved the way she jumped when his nose bumped her hard clit.

  Turning his attention back to his self-appointed task, he used his thumbs to open her gorgeous pussy. All pink and swollen, wet, warm and welcoming his attentions. He trailed his fingers down then into her body, pulling some of her moisture out, before covering her with his mouth. Licking sucking, even biting gently, he got her clit even harder until it throbbed in his mouth.

  He slowly pushed three fingers into her, curling them up to hit the soft, spongy spot. He focused on her G-spot as he stroked it, alternating between fast and slow, soft and hard. She squirmed under him, panting as she yanked at his hair. He loved that feeling. Loved that he could get her that much out of control.

  Sliding his thumb just inside her entrance to coat it with her moisture, he trailed that silky wetness down to her asshole. Sucking hard at her clit while thrusting his fingers deeper into her pussy, he increased his strokes as he slowly slid his thumb into her ass. She screamed out her third climax. Her juices flowed over his tongue. He growled as he eagerly licked her pussy.

  Gareth felt her body convulsing as he moved fast up her body. He growled again as his wolf rose to the surface to claim this woman, his mate, again. He shoved his aching, throbbing, rock-hard cock into her. The wet warmth very nearly had him coming before his first stroke. Pinching at the base of his cock, he fought off his own orgasm. He made shallow thrusts into her pussy until he knew he wasn’t going to spill like a pup with his first female.

  Rumbling low in his throat again, he moved both hands up to cup her face as he slammed his cock into her. “Open your eyes, Harmony. Look at me. Open your eyes, babe.”

  She lifted heavy lids to look at him, her gorgeous brown eyes glistening as she panted in time with his thrusts. He knew his wolf was close to the surface, knew his eye would be more silver now than blue as he fucked his mate, claiming her again and again. He wanted his scent all over her too. Wanted her to feel him tomorrow just as she felt him now.

  His cock pounded with his hear
t as he drove into her hot pussy. Mine. Mine. Mine. It was all his brain could think as she writhed wantonly beneath him. Her hands dug into his shoulders. The sharp, welcoming pain as her nails bit into him caused him to throw his head back on a guttural howl. It was her name. Just her name on his cry as his balls tightened. He claimed her mouth with his as he bowed his body. Nothing else, just this woman, his woman and hot, passionate love.

  They came together screaming into each other’s mouths. Bodies dripping with sweat, the two clung to each other. As the air settled around them he heard her very softly say, “I don’t want you to go.”

  He rolled over so she lay on top of him. Soothing his hands down her spine, he let her talk.

  “I know it’s selfish. I just can’t stand the thought of you being away from me. I’d beg you to take me with you if I wasn’t worried about Rain and…” her voice trailed off but she tugged at him to hold her harder, tighter.

  “I’ve got you, sweetheart. You’re mine. Rain’s mine. No one is going to hurt you ever again. I’ll be back before you know it. Promise. You’ve got that new project right? The dragonmouse?” He purposefully screwed up the animal. Rewarded by her laugh he tangled his fingers through her hair to gently lift her eyes to his.

  “Harmony Johnson, will you marry me?”

  She gaped at him. “What?”

  He grinned. “I never got to ask you. I mean, you were the aggressor. You took advantage of me.”

  Smacking his chest, she laughed. “You poor widdle wolf. I’ll turn myself into the Alpha. Tomorrow.”

  She dipped her head to kiss then bite the mate mark on his chest. He growled. When she glanced up a wicked grin danced across her face. “I’ll think about it.”

  “Think about it? Woman!” He levered his legs between hers to reverse their positions again. “Think about this.”

  As he drove his cock back into her, he marveled at how much he wanted her. It was as if he could never stay soft near her. Part of that was the mating bond, sure, but he was just as positive that no one else had ever felt about their mate the way he did about his.

  Later, as they sat in bed snacking on roast beef, warmed-up rice and gravy, he watched her. She took a bite of bread that he’d buttered for her. “What are you looking at?”

  “Well, right now, my mate with her mouth full of bread. There’s a bit of butter on your lips. I could—” he leaned forward as she laughingly dodged him.

  “Oh no. You get your own bread, mister. I’ll butter it for you. I’m not sharing any of this. I’m starving. Some sex maniac made me miss dinner.”

  He shouted with laughter. “Oh yeah? You should tell her to have more control.”

  As they finished up, she looked at him. “Thank you.”

  The soft words caught him off guard. “For what?”

  “For making me feel alive and wanted and,” her voice dropped into a whisper. “For making me feel safe.”

  He just wrapped her in his arms. “Put the plates on the floor, honey. We’ll get them in the morning.”

  He held her. Just held her, feeling her soft breasts push into his chest. Her breathing settled into a smooth, even rise and fall. When he heard the little snores she still swore didn’t come out of her mouth, he let himself drift into sleep as well.

  Morning came far too early. The sun stole through cracks in the curtains as if it were a criminal. He didn’t want to open his eyes. He felt his mate muttering something uncomplimentary about the glowing orb as she burrowed into him. Knowing they had to get up, he tickled her.

  She bolted out of bed. “Gareth. I warned you about that! No tickling.”

  He just laughed. “Guess I forgot. Babe, we have to hit the road early. Rion will be here…” His nose twitched. “Now.”

  They rushed through dressing with Gareth reluctantly showering. He wanted her scent on him all day. Rion would have just had to deal but he knew Rain would be home any time.

  Sure enough his twin stood on the porch. He’d parked the green car that had turned out to be his and not a rental. It faced the road. Gareth beckoned him in. “Let’s get something to eat first. She’s not ready for me to go.”

  Rion nodded. No other words had to be spoken. His twin knew how he felt about his mate. When Rain came in she hugged Rion first then her mom. But she laid her head against Gareth for a long time. Harmony had to remind Rain that Gareth needed to eat. The teen was unusually quiet as they all ate.

  Breakfast was over sooner than Gareth wanted. Harmony also hadn’t spoken much but had found every reason to touch him as often as possible. He leaned into her hand when she brushed his cheek. Rubbing against her he marked himself with her scent and her with his. Just as he decided he couldn’t go Harmony moved back to the sink. Her eyes filled with unshed tears.

  Before he could get to his feet his brother moved to her. “I’ll take care of him, Sister. Take care of yourself. We will be back before you know it.”

  Harmony wrapped her arms around Rion for a quick hug. “We? You’re coming back?”

  Rion nodded. “Micah has offered me a home here. I want to explore the possibilities. Besides,” he jabbed a thumb at his twin. “That one needs me to get him into trouble. He’s far too predictable.”

  Laughing at the now-familiar joke, she moved out of his arms. She slipped into Gareth’s embrace as he now stood beside his brother. Rain moved to Gareth’s other side, so he wrapped one arm around the teen. Rain quietly asked, “You will be home soon, won’t you?”

  The sadness she held back dulled her scent. Once again he nearly told Rion he wouldn’t go, then Harmony laid a hand on his arm. “Go. The sooner you leave, the sooner you’ll be home. Both of you. Rain and I will be waiting.”

  Her eyes turned serious as she looked at Rion. “Packmate, I charge you with keeping my mate safe. Do you accept?”

  Rion nodded then kissed her cheek and Rain’s. Harmony looked at Gareth. “If you get hurt I’m never forgiving you. I will hunt you down and hurt you worse. You hear me?”

  “Hey! Why does he get a Pack blessing and I get threatened?”

  She shrugged. “Because I love you, my mate.”

  Gareth dipped his head down to her to claim her mouth. They clung to each other for a moment then she stepped back to put an arm around Rain. “Now beat it. Go before I change my mind and throw myself under the wheels to stop you.”

  Her weak, shaky laugh told him she was only half kidding. He cupped her face with his hand one more time then scooped his bags up. “Love you. Rain, I love you too.”

  Those words held her on the porch as she waved until she couldn’t see the car anymore. Then she held it together until Rain left for school. Even then Harmony refused to give in to the pain. She decided to deep clean the kitchen. Her plan was to scour the house then throw herself into her new project so she could distract herself. By the time Rain got home from school Harmony had declared a minor victory on both the house and her own sadness. The last load of laundry lay neatly folded on the dryer. “How was the movie last night?” She quirked her mouth into a grin. “Tell me all about it.”

  Rain glanced away. She was the worst liar ever. “Uh, well, it was about this alien attack where these ships get trapped then have to fight their way out. Um, the good guys won. I’m hungry.”

  Knowing a redirect when she heard one she pointed at the kitchen. “Food’s in there. Your hands aren’t broken. Make yourself a snack then come help me put the laundry up.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Harmony put her pencils away, looking at the work she’d just finished. The fading light had told her it was time to stop. She was pleased with what she saw in the emerging artwork, laughing at the curious wolf she’d mischievously drawn peeking from behind a tree. Gareth would recognize himself.

  As pleased as she was she had a feeling the publishing house would be too. Which was good since she loved the work. Glancing at the clock, she stood to stretch. Rain would be home from her after-school job soon, probably with a few friends. Mor
e often than not Keme and a couple of the other kids wound up flopped on the sofa or scrounging in the kitchen for a snack before they all dispersed to their own homes. Seemed that being accepted in the Pack meant they would never lack for company.

  She smiled as she remembered how resentful Rain had been when they’d first gotten here. Hadn’t that changed in such a short time? Malls and “omg decent” internet had nothing on Packmates. Padding on sock feet into the kitchen, she checked the cookies she had baking then gave the simmering stew a quick stir.

  Olivia had stopped by earlier in the day with some venison from their freezer. They had spent an enjoyable hour or so before Olivia had gone back to the lodge. They’d compared stories about work, since Olivia was a photojournalist, and raising babies and just life in general. She knew she’d found a true friend there. Besides, who couldn’t love Koda and his adorable baby smells. Maybe she and Gareth…

  She sighed. Just his name had her aching. It was like some teen romance. Then she grinned to herself. She’d take teen romance with that hunk of male any day. She glanced at the clock again then rolled her eyes. “Snap out of it! He hasn’t even been gone that long. It’s not like you’ve been all alone. Just concentrate on the here and the now. He’ll call when they stop for the night. He promised.”

  She heard a car coming down the drive. As she moved toward the living room she scooped up the frying pan. Then immediately put it down when she caught her daughter’s scent coming in on the gust of air that blew straight at the cabin. Two car doors slammed then footsteps sounded on the porch. She barely had time to dash to the kitchen to ditch the pan before the lock turned and Rain came in followed by Keme.

  Rain flung her coat at the couch then turned back to Keme with her fisted hands planted firmly on her hips. “That’s not what I meant and you know it!”

  “Obviously I don’t know it because that’s how it sounded.” The normally calm youth had an equally mutinous look on his face but his hands were at his side. The rigid set of his shoulders radiated annoyance.