“Pietr sent you, didn’t he?” Selene asked.
“Yes. You are newly turned. If you go into distress only your mate will be able to soothe you. He wanted to make sure you were all right and give you your space,” Lauren explained.
“All of you expect me just to lie down and accept this?” Selene said, voice rising.
“No,” Beth said, her voice soft. “We expect you to give it a try. You don’t have to make any promises, but you have to understand your life is different now. You aren’t human any longer. If you left you could hurt someone, even someone close to you. You don’t understand the need.”
“Give your mate this time. If at the end you want to walk away then your strength of will is stronger than us all. But at least let him teach you what you need to know so you can go back to your old life. Give him that at least,” Lauren piped in.
“What could it hurt? Contact your friends. Let them know you’re okay. Call in from your job for a while, if you have one. Give yourself this time to learn,” Adelis said.
What the women were saying was reasonable and, if she thought about it, wasn’t much different than Maddy or Sasha would have told her. They would have probably been jumping for joy at the chance to be someone’s mate. Especially Maddy, her romantic-thoughts inclined friend. Maddy would have been besotted with the world around her. Maddy had a penchant for the paranormal and this all would have been right up her alley. Selene smiled to herself, thinking of her friends. They were probably worried sick about her.
“Any one of you got a phone? Mine seems to have disappeared.”
Chapter Eight
“Thank God! I’ve been calling you for hours. Where the hell are you?” Sasha screeched over the line. Selene held the phone away from her ear, cringing.
“I’m fine. I thought you wanted me to have a good time last night,” Selene teased.
“Yeah and tell me the details. I didn’t think you’d fall off the map. When Maddy said she’d given your hunk your number and he’d left right after you I figured he’d caught up with you. Jesus but the man is sex-on-wheels!” A growl rumbled through Selene’s throat when she heard Sasha’s words. Pietr was hers. No other woman needed to talk about him like that.
“He’s mine,” she grumbled into the phone, fingers curling around the armrest of her chair.
“It’s nothing,” she heard Beth whisper, rubbing her hand. When she looked down she saw that her hand had shifted and her claws were digging into the upholstery.
“Of course he’s yours,” Sasha was saying, oblivious to anything. “I was just saying you got a good catch. Maddy has been just as cagey as you. I guess I won’t be getting details out of any of you,” Sasha said, sighing.
“It’s too bad. William turned out to be a bust,” Sasha said.
“What happened?”
“Nothing. That’s the problem. He was a perfect gentleman, but he didn’t move me. I found myself bored later. He was intelligent, good looking, and attentive, but…oh I don’t know. After seeing the way you and Maddy acted with your guys he just didn’t fit the bill,” Sasha continued.
“I see what you mean,” Selene answered, thinking of the heat she and Pietr produced, and that quickly she was lost. She felt her body tense, her pussy grow moist. She wanted him again, now, inside her. She could smell him in her nostrils, feel his cock inside her like a phantom touch, but it wasn’t enough.
“Is there some kind of cat at his house or something because I’m hearing a lot of purring?” Sasha asked.
“Yeah,” Selene answered absentmindedly. Lauren got up and disappeared from the room as Beth, Drea, and Adelis stood around her.
“Anyway, I just wanted to let you know I was breathing but I think I’m going back for more,” Selene said.
“That’s my girl! Call me later. I love you.”
“Love you too.” Selene disconnected and called her job to tell them she’d have to take the next two weeks off unexpectedly. Corporate law wasn’t as demanding as criminal so she could afford the break. They’d be fine without her for a time. She dialed Maddy last.
“Hello,” a gruff voice answered.
“Where’s Maddy?” Selene asked without preamble. She had her sights set on getting back into Pietr like the next thing smoking. She couldn’t understand her headlong pitch into wanting him again, but the fear was gone, and what her koaurteto explained to her made more sense now.
“Hello?”
“Hi Maddy.”
“Selene,” Maddy said. Something in her voice, the hesitancy stopped Selene cold.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Just a lot on my plate right now.”
“I heard who’s on your plate,” Selene said with a laugh.
“Mine,” Maddy growled and Selene froze. She knew that tone, had used it herself moments before with Sasha.
“It’s nothing,” Selene said soothingly, using the words Beth said to her. “I was just saying I understand.” There was some ruffled speaking over the phone.
“She’s his what!” Maddy yelled excitedly to someone. “God yes, then you understand,” she said into the phone.
“I think I do,” Selene said cautiously.
“You know that guy, Connor, from last night?”
“Yeah, I remember him.”
“Girl, I’m lost now,” Maddy said with a giggle.
“Let me guess. You’re his mate?” Selene asked, knowing the answer.
“Yes, and I hear that you are Pietr’s?” Maddy asked.
“It would appear so.”
“Right out of a damn book!” Maddy said with an excited squeal. Selene had known she would take this a lot better.
“You never cease to amaze me, Maddy.”
“It is what it is, that’s what I say. Selene, how did we ever get so lucky?”
Maddy’s words echoed in her head, even as she hung up. How did we ever get so lucky? Was she lucky? Had she been given the gift of exactly what she wanted? What was that saying about looking a gift horse in the mouth? Maybe, just maybe, God had given her exactly what she wanted. Maybe God had given her what she needed. It may be that he wasn’t human, but shit, neither was she now. He was the man who had saved her, protected her in her darkest moment, and now he was offering something priceless to her, if she would just take it. Like a vision Pietr came into the room, larger than life. His scent reached her nose and everything in her softened. Her body went pliant as Beth, Drea, and Adelis moved out of his way. Lauren appeared behind him with a smile on her face. She must have gone to get him.
“Thank you for taking care of my mate, but I think I can take it from here,” Pietr said and lifted her into his arms. He didn’t speak as he carried her back to their room. Their room. This was her man. If she’d accept him. Take him and all he had to offer.
She held onto his neck as he kicked the door closed behind him. It slammed with a resounding pound. He didn’t stop until he reached the bed. He let her slide down his body, his arms coming around her waist to hold her in place. He looked deep into her eyes, and she felt like he read something in her gaze. Saw some sort of acceptance there. His shoulders relaxed, she hadn’t even known he was tense. His hands, gentle, oh so gentle, framed her face. He pulled her up, as he bent to meet her, and his lips touched hers. This kiss was different, a claiming. He pulled her tight to him in his arms, turning his head so that he could kiss her more deeply. Her mouth opened on a gasp and his tongue slipped in between her teeth. He licked her mouth, from roof to bottom. She sucked on his tongue. He groaned into her mouth, his cock hardening against her stomach.
His hands became rough as his fingers clenched in her hair, turning her head so he could get closer. He did nothing more than kiss her and yet she was aching, pulsing with need for him. His scent enveloped her, his body crowded her. The leopard trapped within her purred her delight, rolled inside of her skin, happy to have her mate’s hands on her. This time Selene didn’t fight, she gave in. She gripped his shoulders, clenching when his ha
nds left her hair and lifted her slightly. He ground his cock against her mons. She moaned, pulling him tighter. She wanted him closer, deeper. She wanted him so deep they were as one. She reared away from him, breaking the kiss, to tell him. What she saw stopped her words. His face was a stark mask of desire. Sharp, pearly white canines protruded over his bottom lip, dangerous, erotic. His jaw was firm and his eyes dilated. This was him. This was real. Her fierce protector, her leopard, and he was all hers. Every single bit of him.
She leaned forward, her tongue snaking out, and traced his canines with her tongue. His fingers clenched into the muscles of her back and he purred, a deep throbbing sound that vibrated through her, directly to her clit. She nipped at his lip, traced his teeth again with her tongue and pulled him tighter to her. He stumbled and fell with her in his arms, catching them with a hand braced on the bed with lightning fast reflexes. She wrapped her legs around him, grinding against his cock. She was mindless. She clawed at him, hearing fabric shred under her fingertips. Before her desire could disappear he roared his pleasure, grinding against her harder.
“I will claim you. There is no going back. No more hiding,” he roared at her and her head swam. She didn’t want to get away. She didn’t want to lose him. In that moment her heart stuttered and ran away. She was lost. Irrevocably his.
“I’m yours.”
Chapter Nine
“Let me taste you,” he said and lay Selene on her back on the bed. Her shirt had risen up from their fall. He unbuttoned it slowly and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He kissed the soft flesh of her neck, nipping there, and then lifted them both. He pulled her top off and tossed it to the side of the bed. She was bare from the waist up before him. Stiff nipples the color of Hershey Kisses beckoned him to take a bite. He lifted one toward his mouth and sucked it in.
“Oh,” Selene gasped beneath him, burying her fingers into his hair and pulling him closer to her body. His hand trailed down her form until he could slip it into her jeans and underwear and play with the curls guarding her pussy.
“Do you want your underwear?” he asked.
“What?”
“Do you want your underwear?” he asked again. “Because I’m going to rip them off of you in about five seconds.”
“Go ahead,” she whispered, smiling seductively at him. She was so beautiful. Priceless to him. She was his mate, his heart, his soul, his everything. He’d waited so long to find her. Hadn’t even realized how empty his life had been without her. But now there would be no barriers between them. Now he would claim her, mark her so that all would see. He gripped the edge of the thong in a sure hand and ripped it away from her skin roughly. It parted at the seams and he threw it. His hand found her pussy once more and felt the wetness leaking from her.
“You like that. Your pussy is crying for me. Weeping.”
“Please,” she urged. His fingers swirled her clit, dragging moisture from her core to ease his touch.
“Please what?”
“Inside. I want you inside,” she begged.
“I will be. But first I want my taste.” He lay her back on the bed and kissed his way over her breasts and her stomach. He loved the scent of her. It was heavy and rich. She was so beautiful, all dark planes and silky curves. The contrast of his much lighter flesh against hers was the sexiest thing he had ever seen. He nipped his way over her thighs and moved until his broad shoulders were pushing her legs wide open. He gazed down at her pussy and it was the prettiest thing he’d ever seen. Her lips were full and plumb, chocolate hiding the moist pink center. Her clit poked out of its little hood.
“Do you want to come for me? Do you want to fuck my face until your head explodes? Tell me,” he commanded.
“I…please, Pietr.”
“Tell me.”
“I want to come for you.”
“And?” he demanded.
“I…want to fuck your face until my head explodes.”
“Good girl.” He spread her pussy with his thumb and then slid his tongue from her ass to the tip of her clit. She tasted so good. Like spun sugar and desire. He wrapped one arm around her leg and used those fingers to keep her pussy lips open as he sucked on her clit. He used his fingers inside of her. First one slid in and then another. Her hips rose off the bed and pushed her pussy harder into his face. He curled his fingers upward with each outward pull and she groaned, body twisting on the bed to get closer to him.
“Grab my hair. Anchor yourself. Place both feet on the bed and lift your ass up.” She did as he asked and he watched as she trembled, as her body shook under his mouth.
“That’s right,” he said and then sucked her clit back into his mouth. Her hips ground into him in a circular motion as he pumped three fingers deep inside of her pussy and flicked his tongue over her clit. She moaned and withered against him. His cock was so stiff he could barely breathe. He pumped his hips into the bed, looking for some relief as she rode his face as he told her to with every stroke of his tongue.
“Oh God Pietr. Like that. Like that.” He pushed his fingers harder into her body, lifting onto his knees so that when her climax shattered over her he could slam in with his cock and soothe the fire that was there with her juices.
“Yes,” he growled against her flesh. He nipped her clit with sharp teeth and she screamed as her body locked and moisture spilled into his mouth. He had never tasted ambrosia before her. He swallowed it down, lapping at her until every drop was on his tongue. He sat up, aligning his cock with her pussy before he leaned down to wrap his fingers with hers.
“God, you taste so good, agape mou. So good,” he whispered against her mouth and slammed into her body.
She cried out and her nails scored down his back. He moaned and rested his forehead against hers. He clenched his teeth, battling the urge to come as he moved within her. He took her steadily, easy. Each glide took him deeper and deeper into her body. She opened for him, her tight tissues parting under his onslaught. She clawed at his back, and he felt the skin give under her claws, but he didn’t stop. The bite of pain only ignited his passion. He curled around her, wrapping his arms around her waist and forcing her body to slam against him. She cried out, body twisting under him. He held her tighter. Every scratch, every scream, propelled him faster. He slipped from her pussy, ignoring her cry of pain, and flipped her over. He forced her to her hands and knees. With a rough hand he pushed her chest to the bed. He sank into her again, hissing.
“So tight. So fucking tight. Take that cock. Take all of it,” he urged, moving harder.
Her claws ripped at the sheets below her. She bucked, slamming her body back against his. She panted, her breath rough and fast. It sounded perfect to his ears against the sound of slapping flesh. He shifted, lifting off his knees slightly to bury his cock deeper inside of her. She screamed. An urge as old as time called to him. He felt his canines lengthen, become wickedly sharp. The flesh at the curve of her neck tempted him. He bent over her, blanketing her body. He fingered her clit, circling the hard nubbin until she was crying incoherently, needing release. As her body began to quake and jerk he struck, his teeth sinking into her shoulder. Her pussy gripped him tighter than a fist as she crumbled. He could feel it. Her body went slack in his arms and she cried out brokenly. He held her with his teeth, pushing her into submission, and felt her leopard roar to the air in triumph. So blessed he came, shooting come deep inside her as he held her tight.
“I love you, agape mou. S agapo,” he whispered, shattered along with her.
“I love you too. It shouldn’t be possible, but by God it’s there all the same.”
Chapter Ten
The months went by quicker than Selene could have imagined. She was a wereleopard. It had taken some time to get used to that but her mate had eased the way. Of course giving her positive reinforcement every time she did a good job by taking her to bed would make anyone strive to do better. She’d become more understanding, relaxed, and used her newfound skills in her profession. Who knew that a l
ie had a scent? She’d made more money for her job than she had in a while. She’d be leaving soon enough. She would take over the legal affairs for her leap, under Karen’s request. That was fine with her. She had everything she needed right here in the Katafygio.
Maddy and Connor had moved in. It was funny to have a wolf among the leopards. No fights had broken out yet, surprisingly. Pietr was a perpetual shield at Connor’s side. Maddy was one of Selene’s best friends, and anything that hurt Maddy would piss Selene off, and Pietr wouldn’t have that. And so Connor, the lone wolf who could be alpha, lived with them in peace. Maybe one day they would leave, start their own pack, but for now everything was quiet. Even Sasha had come to the compound a few times. She hadn’t been let in on the secret of who they were, but it seemed a certain leopard gave her a wide berth whenever she came around. Selene had a feeling that Cirro was interested in her friend, but, after Pietr had explained his fear to her, she didn’t think he was quite ready to take a chance. Perhaps it was better that way.
“Earth to Selene,” she heard behind her and turned to see her koaurteto coming up.
Beth, Adelis, Drea, and Lauren, her constant companions, curled on the couch around her. They were never too far from her either and she found that the four women had forged a bond with her that was beyond their duty. She didn’t know what she would do without them at her side. Beth had turned into her stalwart confidant, the human-turned-leopard who understood her questions when she had them. Lauren was always cheerful and knew how to make her laugh, no matter how irritated Selene was. Drea was her wildcat, the one who’d turn the music up loud, dance around the house with her, and sang like a song bird. Adelis was a mystery. She had a nearly sisterly influence on Selene. More often than not she’d stopped Selene from stirring up a hornet’s nest with her smart mouth. Her friendship pool had grown immensely and she couldn’t say she regretted a second of it.
“I was just relaxing,” Selene said.
“Happy now?” Beth asked.
“Yes. More than I thought was possible.”
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