“Excellent. So where are the Nauru now? And Reena?”
“Safely hunkered down with some of the villagers inside the walls.”
“And the trainees who have not yet been turned?”
“Also inside the walls, but ready to fight if needed. By the way, there are at least two dozen trainees who still want to go through with the transformation.”
“Two dozen out of over a hundred is a fair number…and it will finally be their choice to make when the Council is re-established…as long as the witches volunteering to perform the spells don’t have to give their lives for it.”
Liam nodded. “Fair enough. It’s been a long time coming, old friend.”
“It has,” Xander agreed.
“So, are you hungry? We can spare maybe a half hour before they get to shore.”
Xander stood to full height, stretching his arms up. “Are you sure there is time?”
Suddenly, one of the polar bear shifters in the water climbed up onto a rock about one hundred feet from shore. He roared out their signal.
“Hold that thought,” Liam added.
Xander threw off the towel that wrapped around his waist, and lowered to the ground to take on his polar bear form. He returned to his hind legs just in time to see a few ravagers leap from the water and dive back in, still heading to shore almost directly in line with four large enchanted traps already waiting for the creatures. Reena’s concoction was sure to stun the beasts long enough to give his shifters time to kill them with the long spears placed near each trap.
“Your troops are all prepared. Shift, Liam. Now!” Xander ordered in a roar that all shifters understood. “Be ready if any of them deviate around the traps or aren’t affected by the wild indigo.”
“Yes, sir,” Liam said calmly, transforming to his bear almost as fast as his clothes came off.
Dozens of their shifter soldiers skulked out to the water’s edge, ready to meet the handful of foes. Some were slightly disappointed there weren’t enough of them to fight, but too few ravagers, well that was nowhere near as bad or bloody as too many.
“Do not take them on in the water,” Xander commanded. “We need to test these new traps and the spells.”
The first creature to step into a trap did not know what hit it. More than twelve spiked spears sprang upright at high speeds from several different directions, impaling the beast’s heart and several other major organs. It was killed instantly. Blood splattered out from everywhere. Xander smelled it in the air. His soldiers would be in overdrive now, instincts rearing to strike.
Two more ravagers charged onto shore, stepping around the first one that died. Xander gave a primal roar and pounced onto the back of the one closer to him. He snapped his jaw shut along the ravager’s spine, and put all his weight on his hind legs, making the monster lose its balance. From the corner of his eye, Xander noticed that Liam had shifted back to human form, grabbed a longsword that was buried close to the trap, and lopped off half of the ravager’s massive head in one clean, fluid movement.
“Looks like the wild indigo spells are working,” Liam announced, stepping to the other side of the beast to finish the job. He lived for swordplay. “Last year it would have taken me four good swings to kill one this size. Either that, or the blacksmith who gave my swords a damn good sharpening this year. Did I mention I’ve been itching to do that since last winter?”
“Focus,” Xander barked, releasing the dead ravager to help the four shifters working on the third ravager. “While you’re strutting around on two legs, can you get your hands on some of the wild indigo powder Reena left? We should see how it works when we apply it directly on the skin for the rest of those nasty buggers when they come on shore.”
“Yes. Good idea.” Liam stepped over to his clothes and retrieved a flat, covered metal jar. Opening the lid, he picked up a pinch of the powder and smeared it on the ravager’s back. A split second later, it dropped to the ground with a thump. “Looks pretty effective to me. Step aside, soldiers,” he ordered, and stabbed the sleeping creature.
More ravagers came to shore, but they were no match for the shifter soldiers and improved traps, swords, bludgeons, maces and other weapons of choice. None of the creatures took any action that led Xander or his men to believe they sensed the traps, the wild indigo, or the infused spells. There was still the entire winter left to test whether the ravagers would adapt, though, but Reena’s findings were promising.
After some time, the monsters stopped coming ashore, and the shifters in the water gave the all clear signal. Their first ravager attack of this winter was over. The roughly two dozen ravagers that had managed to reach the shore were dead. None had made it to the outer walls, let alone climbed into the village. For the first time in nine years, there were no human or shifter casualties.
“How many will we leave to patrol the west?” Liam asked.
“There is still the task of securing the rest of the sector and re-doing the spells on the outer walls.” Xander considered the best way forward for a moment. “Split them into five teams, including the members of the Nauru who are willing to accompany each group. Reena may want to return to the fortress to produce more of the powder. One platoon will go back to the central village with me. She can come along if she likes. Station one group here, and the other three can fan out across the Sector, starting at the priority areas.”
“Sounds like a plan. Today almost felt too easy,” Liam muttered, still staring out at the water.
Xander shifted back to his human form and looked for the spare clothes he received when he arrived earlier. “Don’t go getting overly confident,” he told Liam as he got dressed. “There are thousands upon thousands of those monsters out there, and they learn quickly. Always be ready. I will return to the fortress and help the Council get back on its feet. Once I know for sure that Minassus is no longer a threat, we can meet and develop a rotation of soldiers so everyone can get back to a base that is closer to their families. All in good time.”
“Sounds good to me, boss.” Liam nodded thoughtfully, and rubbed his scruffy beard. “I wouldn’t mind putting in a request to be closer to the fortress, or wherever the feisty little botanist witch ends up.”
“That’s completely up to you. Just keep your pillow talk to your damn self,” Xander joked, heading back toward base camp outside the walls of the village.
23
Kiera
Three Weeks Later.
Kiera finally had Xander back again, inside the fortress and alone in her bedroom. She had hardly closed her door and he was on her. Her eyes fluttered closed as Xander’s low bass growl permeated into her bones. Was it her imagination or did his voice grow even deeper? His rough, hot fingers traveled down her neck, stopping for brief seconds around her throat as his heavy palm rested on her collarbone.
“You want me to live here? With you?” he asked, still contemplating her earlier invitation.
“Well yes. In time, perhaps.”
“I’m not too sure about that. Do you remember what’s down in the dungeon?”
“What and who,” she reminded him.
“Right. Minassus.” Xander grinned. “How is he doing down there with front row tickets to his three ravager bunkmates?”
“He is not a happy ex-Regent, that is for sure.”
“Someone needs to remind him that he’s safer down there than with some of my soldiers.”
“Like Liam?”
“Exactly.”
Kiera tried to steer the conversation back to the idea of living in the fortress. “Really Xander, we would do well here. Plus your mother loves it,” she added, giving him a wink. “And someone has to live in the fortress.”
“True, but I believe the Council can decide. We can open this place up for all, the way it was before. Plus…” he smiled. “My mother and me under one roof? Uh-uh.”
“But she’s so kind to me.”
“Mom is awesome, and I am happy that you enjoy spending time with her, Kiera, but�
�no. Just no. Besides, I’m not sure I could live here.”
“Why not?”
He wrapped his arms around her waist. “I want you all to myself, pretty little witch. Trust me, you would want it that way too.” The last four words were not quite out of his mouth when he picked her up, carrying her to her bed. “Admit it.”
“Perhaps,” she breathed out in a whisper.
Xander smiled. He bent forward, sprawling them both out on her bed with all his weight pressed between her legs. He teased that spot near her collarbone again, anchoring his fingers in the roots of her hair as he pulled her head to the side. With better access to her tender flesh, he blew a heated breath against her skin, and her core tightened. She whimpered, relishing the wave of goosebumps along her back. Taking hold of his muscular biceps, she did her best to hang on while he devoured that spot with his lips, tongue.
“I have wanted you since I first saw you, Kiera,” he growled against her ear. “To have you completely, to own you…and protect you…and to love you.” She froze at his words, and he lifted his head to look into her eyes. “You heard me. I love you, Kiera.”
Kiera could not catch her breath, but managed to whisper, “I know.”
“You read my mind, didn’t you?”
She smiled softly. “No, but do not think I won’t do it one day,” she joked.
“I’ll try to remember that.”
“I love you, Xander,” she told him, no longer able to hold out on admitting how much she cared for him.
Smiling, he kissed her gently, sliding his hand down to tease her breasts. The unexpected contact had her bucking her hips eagerly. He massaged her nipples, and growled out a chuckle when she squirmed beneath him in response.
“You love that, don’t you? Me on top of you, trapping you under my weight so you can’t move.”
She gave him a weak nod, reaching her hands around to his back as he ground his hips against hers. Arching up, she rolled her hips into his thick, throbbing manhood through her clothes. All that teasing contact made them both groan, and her need overtook every other thought or emotion. Closing her eyes, she gave in to him…her man. “Yes. I need you, Xander.”
Pulling his weight off her body again, he shrugged off his coat and removed his clothes. She got up and did the same, then stepped up to him. The look of adoration in his eyes made her breath hitch. She expected him to swallow her whole this very second, but it was time for her hands to finally touch every gorgeous inch of the chiseled masterpiece that was Xander’s naked body. The man was exquisite, and although she could not wait to have all of that lean muscle between his legs deep inside her, she needed to finally touch him. Her hands stretched up to his shoulder at first, slowly trailing down his immense biceps, ripped forearms and back up until her fingers were splayed out on his chest.
He moaned, but did not move when she caressed his abdomen. That was enough of a go ahead, so she continued, reaching her hand down his body, past his hips and thighs. Without breaking eye contact with him, she dropped to her knees as her hands moved all the way down to his feet, and back up his legs. Keeping her eyes fixed on his, she wrapped her fingers around his shaft. Xander growled at her touch, but she did not stop, sliding her hand slowly but firmly up and down his length.
He swore under his breath, and Kiera smiled with satisfaction, enjoying the power she had over him like this. She turned her attention to his cock, chewing on her bottom lip as she gazed at it, in awe of his size and width. Positioning her hand at his base, she parted her lips and took the velvety tip into in her mouth. She moaned, unable to fathom how her core contracted as though he was inside her right now.
She could barely breathe when she looked up at his darkened, affected eyes as she took more of him in her mouth. Pulling back, she licked a trail from the tip right up to where her hands held on to him. Xander gripped the back of her head, burying his hands in her hair as his hips rocked forward. She took him in her mouth again, floating forward as far as she could go, then back, getting into a rhythm that had her dripping wet with need.
“Fuck,” Xander moaned out through clenched teeth, legs shaking.
She relaxed her jaw, taking him deeper inside each time, licking and tasting, picking up the pace until Xander pulled back. His hand covered hers and he lifted her up to her feet, cradling her in his arms. But there was more she wanted to try. She turned to face the bed, bending forward at the waist. Looking back at him, she gave him a wink, confident that he would get the hint and take her just like this. A smile curled up his lips and he stalked toward her. She had not ever heard him rumble out such a low, raspy, primal growl before. Xander pressed up against her ass a second later. He leaned forward, cupping his hands over her exposed breasts. She arched her back from the sheer bliss that flooded her core, leaving her breathless before he had even entered her. His fingertips circled the stiff peaks of her breasts for a few more moments, then he moved his hands to her hips.
Kiera whimpered from the need flooding her center in anticipation. The heat of his chest touched her back, and his lips nipped the back of her neck, though she did not expect the mind-blowing mix of pain and pleasure when he bit down hard on the spot. Oh God, she was certain sparks went off in her head when he did. That was sure to leave a mark, but she couldn’t wait for him to do it again. Opening her eyes, she stared hazily out toward the window as he licked the spot with tender flicks of his tongue.
Ready for more, Kiera pushed her ass back against his hardness and took his hand from one side of her hips, stretching it forward to her mound so he could get to work. His fingers skimmed over her flesh, teasing along her folds. She shut her eyes tight, letting out a sigh as she gave herself over to the moment.
“Kiera,” he whispered, making her shudder as two of his fingers slipped past her folds and entered her wet center. Full of raw need, she rolled her hips into his thick, rough fingers, forcing all the contact her own movements would allow. He huffed out a short chuckle. Slowly pulling out his fingers until they were on her sensitive bud, he positioned his cock against her opening and filled her completely.
For a heartbeat, every thought escaped her and her mind went blank. Xander rocked his hips, pulling back and then burying himself inside of her again. Kiera bit down hard on her lip, sure that if he kept this up she would soon forget her name. Goosebumps trailed down her legs, making her knees weak, and her stomach twisted in knots. She licked her lips, sliding her palms along the softness of her sheets, taking everything he was giving.
Adrenaline tingled at the base of her spine, and her toes curled as he swirled his hips in short, clipped circles around her tightness. Her muscles went taut, eyes wide from such unimaginable pleasure. He continued thrusting deeper, and she moved her hips back and forth to accommodate him. Little whimpers escaped past her lips when his firm, rough fingers massaged her sensitive bud, forcing her to open more to his course yet gentle touch, and triggering an overload of ecstasy that crashed down on her nervous system when she came.
“Oh my God,” she cried out, voice cracking as her inner walls trembled and pulsed and squeezed tight.
Her thighs shook for a while, and when her knees buckled, Xander lifted her up and turned her to lie on her back. He kissed her forehead, and his firm hands anchored her to the mattress. Still weak as she stretched out on the sheets, she waited, and smiled dreamily when Xander tightened his fingers along her hips and scooted forward, positioning himself. She couldn’t help reaching her hand up to his jaw, and their eyes locked briefly.
He plunged forward, deep into her soaking wet core, filling every inch with a force that made her mind go completely blank. She bucked her hips for more and Xander let out a constricted groan from the back of his throat, hands now roaming up her body to her shoulders. He gripped on tightly again, and eased backward, then lunged forward again. Kiera clenched her fists around the sheets as he moved in and out of her like a man possessed. She was overcome with desire. Her body trembled beneath him as he gave in and took her hard
, driving her to another peak. He leaned forward and took her mouth with a hungry kiss, changing the angle once more. Kiera flexed and cried out from the way her inner walls fluttered around his length as another wave crashed down around her core, pulsating through her. She was vaguely aware that Xander did not stop. Each and every stroke sent a surge through her, stretching out her climax until every last muscle in her body resonated, and a moment later she was certain the loud scream she had just heard came from her own mouth.
Xander’s movements became uneven, and not long afterward, he shuddered through several firm, punishing thrusts and followed her to his release. Lowering to her chest, he kissed her cheek and wrapped his hands around her chest, resting with their legs still entangled. After a few breathless minutes, he pulled apart, relaxing on his back next to her.
She closed her eyes, taking in his scent that was still fresh on her skin.
Pulling her close, he whispered in her ear, “Like I said, I want you all to myself.”
As a light sleep came for her, she had to agree.
The End
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About the Author
Bella Love-Wins love writing steamy, high-action romance stories about firefighters, billionaires, shifters, and alpha males who know what they want and aren't afraid of laying claim to the women who catch their interest. She enjoys a happy ever after ending, and is a fan of reading, hiking, the countryside, and traveling to destinations unspoiled by commercial tourism, like Las Vegas. :)
Mystic Storm: An Adult Paranormal Witch Romance: Othala Witch Collection (Sector 2) Page 17
