by Morgan Fox
“Zane,” she said his name on a gasp. Tears began to stain her cheeks. “I don’t know what to say.”
His gaze lingered on her face. His heart hammered like a freight train. She didn’t know what to say, he repeated in his mind a dozen times. If she didn’t immediately profess her love for him in return, then she didn’t love him at all.
“You don’t have to say anything, Tiffany.” He released her, lowering his gaze and stepping away from her. His claws lengthened, and his wolf screamed. His mate had rejected him. The worst form of punishment any lycan could face.
“Tiffany, it’s best that you go to your room and lock the door.” He exhaled hard. “Call for the others.”
“Why?” she asked, fear looming in her eyes.
His gaze shot to hers, his fangs biting into his lips. His voice was distorted as he explained, “If you don’t, my wolf is going to claim you, fucking and marking you in such a way you will never be the same.”
She sucked in a breath. “Zane, your eyes…they’re silver.”
Zane grasped the counter top at his side, arching his back as a deep, primal cry sprung from his lips. “Go, Tiffany!” he growled. “Go now before it’s too late!”
* * * *
But it was too late. Zane’s body was shifting. His wolf was tearing the flesh from his bones, clawing its way out. Tiffany charged for the doorway to the kitchen, hoping to get to her room before he completed the transformation. She ran, her legs pumping. She slid, unable to get traction, tripping over a kitchen rug. Everything around her seemed to slow to an eerie stillness. Her heart pounded so loudly that the sound left her deaf.
Clawing her way around the corner, she screamed, feeling Zane’s energy burn at the back of her neck. Quickly, she sprang to her feet and aimed for the backdoor, praying she would make it outside where she could use her magic. The elements would protect her. She knew it.
The door slammed against the wall as she shot like a bullet through it. Racing down the steps and into the welcoming night, she hit the ground. With all her might, she charged toward the thickening trees and brush. She needed cover while she figured out a way to tame Zane’s wolf.
What had she done? Why hadn’t she been able to resist Ryder’s kiss? None of this would be happening if she’d been stronger. None of this would be happening if her people hadn’t sent her away.
But then I wouldn’t know I was Zane’s mate.
The idea of mating with a lycan seemed insane. She’d never considered settling down with a were-anything. Certainly, loving one was never in her plan. But she couldn’t ignore the ferocious passions of the fierce beast at her back, chasing her down. Hearing Zane’s wild cries in the night, she couldn’t believe that was him.
My sweet Zane is preparing to rip me apart.
Dropping down to a crawl, she scurried underneath several thickening shrubs. A thrilling rush washed over her. Her heart raced so fast that she thought it would launch right out from behind her ribs. Nearly breathless with anxiety, she closed her eyes, trying to mask her scent the best way she knew how.
The sky suddenly opened up, dropping down a wall of water that quickly saturated the earth and everything around her. Then she heard him, and her fingers dug into the ground as if to anchor her in place. She lay flat, getting as low as she could, waiting for him to move on to search another area. She licked her dry lips, wondering how long she would have to wait, praying he wouldn’t hurt her, praying she hadn’t made a colossal mistake.
The next few moments felt like an eternity as she watched his large wolf shape move through the garden, sniffing the ground and air for traces of her. Slowly, he moved in the opposite direction, and for the first time she believed she’d dodged a bullet.
Luckily, her magic had done as she needed, and for whatever reason, she’d been able to hone in on the focus necessary to hide herself.
Exhaling, she closed her eyes and let her head fall onto her arm.
The ground beneath her was soggy, and her chest, stomach, and legs we’re coated in mud. She didn’t care either. She’d deal with whatever she had to, to keep herself safe.
Her thoughts quickly turned to the memory of Zane’s silvery eyes, eyes that were filled with a passionate darkness, a primal calling. Her skin felt tight over her bones as she considered his words, his intention to mark her. Instead of frightening her, the warning had stimulated her, turning her thoughts more carnal, more submissive. Zane had always seemed so gentle and calm, but the way he’d spoken to her and told her what he’d do to her haunted her, made her think she may have misjudged him.
The rain eased to a slight drizzle. The calm of security surrounded her. All she had to do was crawl out from under the bushes and run for the house. Judging the distance, she would have to call upon her magic once more to give her the strength to run faster or even fly with the help of the winds. Either way, she hoped Zane was far enough away not to notice.
Cautiously she began to creep out from under the shrubs only to be hauled back in the opposite direction. She screamed as something strong took hold of her ankles, effortlessly ripping her through the brush. Once she was clear of the shrubs, she flipped onto her back and blinked repeatedly. Staring up, she gasped.
Zane!
Within seconds he was on her, shifting back into human form, everything except his eyes, teeth, claws, and size. His damp body was swollen with muscles, ripped and powerful. Hovering over her, he was godlike, fierce and wild. She knew she should be afraid and maybe somewhere in the back of her mind she was. But the primal, heightened emotions swirling through her were too addictive and accepting of the promise of raw, lust-filled delight.
Zane’s chest widened as he arched his back to howl at the night sky. His arms outstretched and his claws sharp, he locked onto her once more, grabbing her by her arms. Unable to stop herself, she reached up and trailed the tips of her fingers over his damp flesh. The heat from his body seeped into her. The wild thoughts of his claiming filled her mind. Her pussy throbbed. Breathless, she pulled her hand away.
With a roar, he tossed her back onto her front. She gripped the ground beneath her, digging her fingers and feet into the earth, trying to move away. He held her, forcing her up onto her hands and knees.
Zane stripped her bare in seconds, tearing through the clothing with his sharp nails. She felt his hard cock at her back, his breath on her neck. Her nipples hardened as she waited for him to plunge inside her, waiting for the sharp sting of pain as he sank his teeth into the crook of her neck.
As if possessed, she arched her back, coaxing her ass higher, swaying from side to side. Instinctively her body wanted him, craved him as the wolf. She closed her eyes and held her breath. Letting go of all her fears, she braced for the pleasure and pain of their joining.
Suddenly the warmth of Zane’s body no longer pressed against her. Instead the cold sting of the damp night air embraced her. The sound of snarling beasts tore her attention in its direction. Two wolves battled, Zane and another. Megan and Reyes ran toward her.
Outside of covering her breasts with her arm and pulling her legs up to hide as much of herself as she could, she couldn’t move. Reyes draped a coat around her shoulders, and Megan helped her to her feet. The wild snapping of fangs and the spine-tingling sound of growls and snarls filled their surroundings.
Megan tried to lead her back to the house, but she didn’t want to leave Zane. For whatever reason, she didn’t want to see him hurt. Something inside her wouldn’t allow it. She reached out and grabbed Reyes’s forearm.
“Please don’t let Dominic hurt him.”
Reyes’s brow furrowed. “Dominic is protecting you, Tiffany. I can’t interfere. Zane will have to hold his own, and if he survives, he has a hell of a lot of explaining to do.”
Tiffany’s throat felt as if it were closing in on itself. She didn’t want Zane hurt. Everything that had occurred between them had been her fault, and yes, she cared about Zane more than she ever imaged possible. She hadn’t realized j
ust how much until she’d seen the hurt in his eyes. Hurt she caused. That was the sort of pain she never wanted to see again.
Jabbing her arms into the sleeves of the jacket, she shrugged away from Megan. Her eyes rolled back into her head as she glanced up toward the heavens. To protect Zane from Dominic, she pulled on everything she had from within herself. She wouldn’t be responsible for either of them hurting the other.
The ground at her feet began to vibrate as a pulsing energy surged up her legs, humming like an electrical current throughout her entire body. Her stomach rolled and her body tingled from the power filling her. Never before had she been able to control her magic, not at this magnitude.
Before she had time to screw it up, lose focus, or whatever else was possible, she set her sights on the lycans battling before her. With a scream, she shoved her hands forward, casting all the energy she had within her out in the direction of both Zane and Dominic. As if struck by a truck, the lycans separated, flying in opposite directions.
The moment the energy of her magic left her body, she smiled, knowing she’d finally done it. She’d finally been able to do something amazing with her abilities, but at what cost?
As if the air itself had been sucked out of her lungs, she couldn’t breathe. Her body grew cold, and her vision slowly darkened. Her body was shutting down. The last image Tiffany saw before slipping into the beckoning blackness was Zane rushing toward her.
Chapter Nine
Tiffany’s eyes fluttered open. Her stomach swirled with acid, and her body vibrated. Inhaling deeply, she did her best to gather herself. She’d used up all the strength she had to separate Zane and Dominic, and apparently it had been more than her body could handle.
I could’ve killed myself…and Brie.
She swallowed hard as Dominic stalked through the backdoor into the house. His entire body was coated in mud. Droplets of rain had left paths of tan, hard flesh exposed. His nudity forced her gaze to dart away. Megan passed her, carrying a towel. Then she heard a loud thud and turned immediately to see Zane kneeling on the ground at Dominic’s feet.
Naked and filth-covered, Zane breathed hard. Deep cuts were on his face, neck, and shoulders. His hands were balled into fists as they pressed firmly to his muscular thighs. Tiffany studied him, unable to look away. She couldn’t. Besides, it wasn’t like she hadn’t seen all his glory and touched it all before.
“You really need to stop fucking hitting me,” Zane muttered, a feral growl low in his voice.
“Stop making me,” Dominic said, curling his lip.
Megan handed Zane a towel. “What the hell has gotten into you?” Her eyes darted up to Tiffany’s, and the movement seemed to make Zane do the same. “Better question, what’s going on with the both of you?”
Tiffany bit her lip. She didn’t want to speak, and she hoped Zane held his tongue as well. Sharing the intimate details of what had transpired between them should remain private. No one needed to know just how selfish she’d been in regards to Zane’s feelings.
If I could do it all again, I’d never hurt Zane, and I’d figure out why I can’t resist Ryder.
Her chest constricted as shame and guilt pummeled her from the inside. Zane had protected her, cared for her, and rather than appreciate what she had, she’d been selfish about her magic. Discovering more about her power had been her driving force, her only concern.
And look where it got me? Why do I constantly find trouble at every turn?
“What? Did you both lose your ability to speak?” Megan asked, standing to her five-foot-ten height, shoving her hands to her hips.
All heads turned as Reyes cleared his throat, stepping through the backdoor to stand beside Zane. “From what I gather, Zane thinks Tiffany’s his mate.”
“What?” Megan said on a gasp. Her eyes shot to Zane. “Is that true? Do you really believe that?”
Zane stood, wrapping the towel around his waist. His eyes raked the floor. Megan grabbed his arm, but he shrugged her hand off instantly.
Growling, Dominic smacked Zane on the back of his head. “Seriously? Don’t make me kick your ass again. I can do this all day.”
Zane faced him, snarling as if to taunt Dominic. “So can I.”
Tiffany couldn’t take much more. Dominic was second-in-command in their pack and one of the most powerful of the werewolves she’d ever known. He could easily kill an untrained fighter. Zane wasn’t a warrior. He was a doctor, and even though he’d proved that he could protect her, she didn’t want him fighting Dominic. Not again.
Her belly twisted, emotions swirling, eating away at her. Zane’s behavior had changed, and it was because of her. “Zane, please,” she begged softly, reaching out to brush her fingers over his bicep. “No more fighting.” His gaze fell to her fingers, and for whatever reason, his body relaxed. This time he didn’t shrug away. This time he eased against her, leaning in her direction. She inhaled deeply, thankful that the energy between them still buzzed and surged. “I think we need to talk.”
“Not gonna happen,” Dominic said sternly. “I’ve got no idea why, but for some reason, hormonal wolf boy can’t keep his shit together around you. I’m not about to let him wolf out on you again.” Dominic folded his arms across his chest, his biceps bulging with strength. “Once you’re in Sebastian’s protection, you can do whatever you want, but right now you’re in mine, and that means no alone time with him.” Dominic jabbed his thumb in Zane’s direction.
Zane’s eyes rounded. Sensing his need to attack Dominic, Tiffany sent her energy into him, calming him as only she could do. She wasn’t even sure how she was doing it, but she was. Suddenly, Zane stepped away from Dominic and faced her, his eyes returning to their beautiful golden brown.
“I’m sorry if I frightened you,” Zane said, his voice husky. “I never meant to hurt you.”
She cupped the side of his face, and as she did, he brushed his cheek against her palm. On contact, a flowing tingle raced up her fingers and arm. She sucked in a breath, studying his reaction. His eyes widened.
Nothing like that had ever happened before.
“You didn’t hurt me, Zane.”
In fact, he had done just the opposite. When Zane chased her, tracking her into the garden, everything about the hunt felt right. The instinct to be caught, pleasured under the stars had infiltrated her to the core. At first, she thought she’d gone mad, but then she realized that it was just her magic welcoming Zane, beckoning him to be part of her and her a part of him. Maybe she did belong in this supernatural world, after all.
He shook his head and closed his eyes briefly. “I couldn’t control myself. I was so angry.”
Hearing that he’d lost control somehow aroused a spark of magic to flicker inside her mind. She knew the feeling well. The inability to control her power had forced her to remain alone. The prospects of intimate relationships were impossible since she never knew when her magic would surface. “I’m sorry, Zane. I wish I could take it all back.”
“But you can’t.” His gaze was cold, but honest.
Tiffany shook her head. “No, I can’t, but I can show you that it was a mistake. As much as I—” She glanced around. Dominic, Megan, and Reyes were listening. She swallowed hard, choosing a code word that only Zane would understand. “I wish I could explain why it happened. My hormones are a little wonky and made me feel a little—”
“Frisky?” Dominic blurted with a snicker. Megan elbowed him in the stomach. “What?” he asked, rubbing his belly where she’d poked him.
Zane cocked his head to the side, glancing back over his shoulder at both Dominic and Megan. “Are you sure we can’t have a little privacy? This might be a joke to you, but it’s not to us.”
Tiffany quickly added, “I’ll be okay, Dominic…and if I’m not, you’ll just be in the other room.”
Dominic started to shake his head, but Megan clasped her hand around his. “How about I take you to our room and help you get cleaned up? Reyes can hang out in the kitchen should the
y need anything.”
Dominic’s eyes flickered silver. The attraction he had for his mate was obvious. A blind person could see the longing he had for Megan. Tiffany couldn’t help but feel a little envious, but then she locked eyes with Zane and realized he was looking at her the same way. Her body quivered in response.
“Fine,” he said through clenched teeth, casting his gaze to Zane. “Don’t make me regret trusting you to be a good boy.”
“Before we leave,” Reyes said. “I’d like to know how long you’ve been practicing magic.”
The room fell silent. Zane gently squeezed her hand. She didn’t want to tell any more people about her powers, but sharing herself with Dominic, Megan, and Reyes didn’t feel wrong. They were sacrificing themselves to protect her. Sharing her secret, at least a small part of it, was the least she could do.
“I was born a witch,” Tiffany said matter-of-factly.
Without any further questions, Dominic, Megan, and Reyes left the room. Stunned that they hadn’t pried further, she kept her hand tucked in Zane’s.
“Why didn’t they ask me anything else?”
“You told them what they needed to know,” Zane whispered.
Squeezing his hand tighter, she couldn’t take her eyes off him. The warmth of their connection was alluring. Something made her crave Zane’s affections, his touch, his kiss. Everything about him was becoming a need unlike any she’d ever had. Feelings she’d started experiencing even before learning she was his mate.
Frustrated by her actions, she couldn’t figure out why her desire for Zane hadn’t kept her from kissing Ryder. Why hadn’t she been able to remain faithful to Zane? Now that Ryder was nowhere to be found, all she wanted was Zane. None of the passions she’d once felt for Ryder consumed her any longer. Zane was all she wanted, needed.
“Please believe me when I tell you that I care more about you than you could ever know.”
“But you don’t love me?”
I do.
Tiffany wet her lips, swallowing the dry lump in her throat. She had to figure out a way to explain things to Zane. Her heart wouldn’t let her do as her mind insisted she should. Her heart and mind were at war, and one of them had to lose.
