His hands cupped the sides of her face. “If you don’t love me, Julie, then I will let you go. But you have to say it.”
Tears tracked down her cheeks. She couldn’t say it. Damn it hurt so much and she couldn’t say it. “You know I do.”
His mouth crashed down on hers and she clung to him, gripping his powerful shoulders as she kissed him back, the taste laced with the saltiness of her tears. Hands roamed and clothes seemed to disappear in their urgency.
She loved him. That love may well kill her in the end, but damn it she loved him and she wanted him. Now. Forever.
Luken released her lips and nibbled his way down her neck. Julie let out a yelp and then sighed as his teeth dug painfully into the flesh of her shoulder. And then he nipped her ear.
“I want to mark you. And I know it’ll fade, but I don’t care if I have to do it every damn day. You’re mine. Fuck fate. No one will take you from me.”
Her arms wound around his neck as he lifted her from her feet and started toward the bedroom. She found his lips once more and pushed her tongue passed the seam and he welcomed her, sucking her tongue deeper into his mouth and nipping at her lips.
Contact broke as he deposited her on the bed in a rush. She barely had time to suck in a breath before she felt his hot mouth caress her pussy. She moaned, spearing her hands into his thick black hair. The glide of his tongue across her clit had her sighing and arching her back. His answering growl rumbled seductively against her sensitive flesh. Moisture rolled from her cunt and he lapped it up. The torturous slow motion of his tongue drove her mad. She wanted release. She wanted his big cock buried inside her. She tried to move against his mouth but he pinned her hips to the bed with his hands. His teeth grazed her clit and she screamed as ripples of ecstasy danced through her core. She was so close to orgasm and he knew how to hold her there.
“Please, Luken. Make me come.”
He sucked the sensitive nub into his mouth and lashed it with his tongue, driving her over the edge. The walls of her channel pulsed as her muscles jerked with fine tremors. She fisted the comforter in her hands and bit into her bottom lip as he continued to manipulate her pussy with tongue and teeth.
Her pussy became drenched as she continued to come. Breaths erupted in a frantic pant from her lips as her cunt tingled madly from being overstimulated. She tried to push away from his mouth, but her legs felt like jelly. Apparently Luken got the message though and stopped his wondrous assault.
Julie didn’t fight as he flipped her over onto her stomach. Damn, her pussy felt so swollen with desire and throbbed like crazy. If he entered her now she didn’t know if she could take it. Never had she been so ramped up on pleasure that it became a form of sweet torture. “I…can’t…too much.”
“Shhh, Julie. I know.” Luken ran his fingers up her slick folds. She whimpered. He coated her ass with the moisture. “That is why I’m going to take you here.”
She groaned into the softness of the mattress as he lifted her hips higher from the bed. He’d been stretching her over the last month with his fingers, and now just the thought of him penetrating her ass made her want to come again.
A moan left her as his cock glided through her labia. She knew he was coating himself in her wetness to ease his entry. The touch had her shaking as her pussy contracted. And then she felt the blunt head of his cock against her ass.
“Breath slow and deep for me, Julie.”
She took in a deep breath and as she released it she felt him push against her entrance. There was a sharp pain and she stiffened. His fingers came around her hip and found her clit, pinching it. Ripples of pleasure had her relaxing again and he continued to stroke her clit as he pushed forward. Once she got past the brief pain it started to feel really good.
“Damn, Julie. Your ass is so tight I don’t know how long I’m going to last.”
Julie spread her legs farther and stretched her arms above her head, ready for him to fuck her good. “Please move. I need you to move.”
And damn if he didn’t. He fucked her ass slow as he caressed her clit and finger-fucked her pussy. Soon she screamed as her cunt creamed. Growls and moans filled the air and she wasn’t sure who released what. Her claws came out and she dug into the pillow as another blissful wave of orgasm washed through her. A cry tore from her throat. Pain from pleasure. She now knew what it meant to hurt so good.
Luken’s fingers dug harshly into her hips and she felt the spasms of his cock inside her as he released with a shout. His body pitched forward and his warm, sweat-slicked skin covered her. He rolled, bringing her into the curve of his body.
The bond was still absent, but her heart was full. “I love you, Luken.”
He placed a sweet lingering kiss on her shoulder. “And I love you.”
Chapter Thirteen
The next day Luken smiled as he walked into the control room in the heart of the den. Last night he’d nearly lost Julie, but he was glad she’d stayed. The bond being absent bothered him too, but he knew what he wanted. She was it for him. He could only hold on to the hope that the bond not forming was due to her recent change. Maybe her wolf was still testing the waters.
When he’d realized why she was upset last night, it felt as if someone had driven a hot poker into his chest. It took all he had to not panic. How in the hell could he and his wolf feel so possessive of her and her not be his mate? It was baffling. He had come to need her like he needed air. And if he had to prove that to her every day to keep her with him then he would. Because he would be damned if he let another have her.
“Why ya growlin’?”
Luken snapped his gaze in Javin’s direction and plastered a smile on his face. “No reason. Don’t you have somewhere to be?” He wanted to laugh when Javin made a sour face and gave a vague nod of his head.
“You suck, you know that?” Javin replied.
This time Luken gave in and let the laughter flow free. “Hey, you deserved it.” Javin had been taking Kendall twice a week to Brock’s den to visit his lady love.
“You know, at first it was funny as hell to watch her shoot Kendall down, but now it’s just fucking depressing.”
“Ah. So he hasn’t made any headway with the girl, I take it.” Luken felt sorry for the teen. He knew how much it sucked to wait on that damn bond to form right.
“Yeah. Today is her eighteenth birthday and Kendall supposedly got her something good. Hell, maybe she will be in a better mood when we go today. Girls usually like presents. But then again she has walked off and left any other gifts he brought her. So who the hell knows. If there is anything worse than dealing with a woman it’s dealing with a teenage one.” Javin gave a mock shiver. “All those damn hormones.”
Luken laughed harder. “Good to know. If you act like an ass again, I can assign you to watch the teenage girls. Maybe you can go get your nails done with them or some shit.”
Javin flipped off Luken as he walked out the door.
* * * * *
Ivan led a group of wolves toward their target. In the last month he had put aside his own wishes and helped his cousin build an army. They had quickly dealt with the alpha’s pack who had turned them. Some of the weaker wolves had fallen in line and sworn allegiance to Arik.
After that they had taken down a few smaller packs. Their numbers continued to grow as wolves came to them, but Arik wanted more. He wanted to raise up an army from birth. Train them to be lethal killers from the get-go. One of the older wolves was quick to let Arik know that breeding season for most females would start any time. In fact, the wolf named Marco was a preverbal fount of information, wanting to stay in the good graces of Arik. Ivan couldn’t stand the ass kisser.
Arik had given the order to raid dens close by for females, but Ivan had been sick of waiting to seek out Julie. So he convinced Arik to send men this way as well. That he would lead them and Arik could work more in the north.
For two days he and his men had watched this area in the Ozarks, and he was pleased to fi
nd that no fewer than four packs occupied the area. It only took a matter of a few phone calls and Arik sent more men, or wolves. Damn, it was hard to think of himself and his friends as something other than human.
A smile pulled at the corners of his lips. It was time to make their move.
* * * * *
Julie stared at herself in the mirror. The bite mark on the skin between her shoulder and neck had almost healed. She tried not to be sad as she pulled on a T-shirt. Luken loved her, and if she were human, love would be the best thing she could hope for from a man. And she was honored to have his love, but she couldn’t help but hold out for the mate bond.
In her mind she knew Luken believed all he’d said last night about not leaving her regardless, but she couldn’t help to fear the outcome of his finding a mate in someone who wasn’t her. Tyra had said she could go into Konrad’s pack if things didn’t work out between her and Luken, but it might be smart to actually talk to Konrad about it. She needed a contingency plan in case, because she sure as hell wasn’t strong enough to sit back and watch Luken with another woman.
Julie dressed quickly, wanting to get out of the house for a little bit. She didn’t have to go into the boutique today so she planned on surprising Luken with a picnic lunch. The weather had turned colder, but she still enjoyed being outdoors. Once she had everything packed and ready, she shot him a text and couldn’t help but smile when he accepted.
Basket in hand, she started for the park next to the control station. The sky had become overcast and the bite in the wind suggested snow was forthcoming. Before the change she would have needed a winter coat, but now a light jacket sufficed most of the time. Her body heat seemed to stay regulated with more ease.
As she walked down the sidewalk she smiled and waved at a few people who were busy putting up Christmas decorations. It had been a long time since she’d strung lights and put up a Christmas tree. Ivan had always paid someone to decorate the house. Couldn’t let the neighbors outdo anything. Holidays had quickly become about rubbing elbows and climbing ladders. Damn sure no reason to be jolly. But things were different now. This whole new life Luken had given her came with a new sense of belonging. Family. Finally excitement came with the thought of the approaching holidays. She made a mental note to ask Luken what the pack usually did for Christmas. She couldn’t imagine that they would not do something as a whole at least one night. Also she wanted to ask him if they could get a tree for the house. Being a bachelor, he might not even have decorations, and if he didn’t they could pick out some together.
Something white skimmed across her nose, and Julie tilted her head up. Small white flakes danced through the air, swaying gently as they headed for the ground. Only a few flurries, but there wasn’t any guarantee it wouldn’t get worse. She’d hoped they could have eaten outside, but from the looks of it they would be eating in his office instead. But that was okay, because the door had a lock and she had an idea about what they could do on his desk.
The howl that pierced the air had a cold shiver shooting down her spine. It was far away, but soon it was picked up by others. Julie glanced down the street, her pulse rate climbing and then her gaze darted back to the family a few houses down. Terror was written on the woman’s face as her husband shifted on a whirl of color. The lady recovered quickly and shooed her son into the house as the wolf joined others in a mad dash down the street.
Julie’s cell phone chirped and she jumped in a rush to pull it from her pocket. She touched the screen to answer. “What’s happening?”
“Where are you?” Luken asked.
Julie couldn’t keep her eyes from darting around as chaos ensued. “About two blocks from the control station.”
“Get here. Now!”
The line went dead and Julie didn’t waste time. She dropped the basket and beat feet the last two blocks. When she entered the front door she stopped, searching the faces of those in the reception area. But she never saw the face she sought. Some were on phones speaking excitedly as others paced in their wolf forms. She reached out and grabbed hold of a slim teenage boy as he tried to speed walk past. “What is going on? And where is Luken?”
The boy opened and shut his mouth with a slight stammer. “We’re under attack, ma’am. Our alpha is with the others. Fighting.”
Julie dropped his arm and her hand floated to her stomach as a wave of nausea struck. Ivan. It had to be. Who else would do this?
“Julie!”
She spun in the direction of her name and spotted Jasmine. The blonde strode across the room.
“Julie, Luken said to wait here.”
“What in the hell is going on?”
“From what we can tell, another wolf pack is striking against all the other packs in this area. They have some serious manpower with them. I have to go. They need extra people on the west side to hold that line.”
Julie swallowed hard and watched as Jasmine ran out the door. Each person seemed to have a job to do. No way was she going to sit back and do nothing. Not while Luken and the others were out there risking their lives. Jasmine said they needed wolves on the west side.
Her hands found the hem of her shirt and she jerked it over her head as she headed for the door. Shedding clothes as she went, she made for the west side. She made a small pause as she shifted. It had become easier to take on her new form, but still required an initial boost of concentration.
Four paws slapped against the pavement as she ran. The rush of voices filled her head. Above the chatter she could hear Luken issuing orders. The heaviness in her heart lifted some. He was alive. And as long as she could hear him she knew he was safe.
Julie, what in the hell are you doing? Get back to the control station.
I’m fine, Luken. I am going to go help on the west side.
Damn it, Julie, you’re not ready for this. I don’t want you out there.
The words that filled her head weren’t a command from her alpha but those of a concerned lover. I’ll be careful, Luken. But I can’t just sit back while my pack is out here risking their lives.
Damn. All right.
He went back to giving commands to the others and Julie continued her fast pace west. The snow fell in earnest now, and the grassy hill she climbed became covered in white. Cold wetness bit into the pads of her feet, but she pressed on. Nothing could prepare her for what she saw when she entered the dense cover of the trees.
Wolves locked in battle. Bloodstained teeth dripped as they ripped through flesh. Growls, snarls, whimpers and yelps sounded throughout the area. Her pack had begun to push the enemy back.
Some had been injured badly enough that they no longer held their wolf forms. She scanned those that were injured looking for familiar faces. She spotted Rodney, Kele’s mate. His long blond hair was streaked red, and a nasty-looking bite marred the skin on his left thigh.
Not wanting to do more damage, Julie shifted so that she could pull him out of harm’s way. What a way to get comfortable with my nudity, she vaguely thought as she gripped his arms and pulled him back the way she’d come. A scream pierced the air, female if the shrill note was any indicator. Julie’s gaze shot to the tree line. Things sounded as if they were getting rougher in that area.
“I’m good, Julie.” Rodney grimaced. “Help the others.”
Julie swallowed hard as she looked down at Rodney and gave a stiff nod. Without another word, she turned and headed back into the trees. The wet flakes burned cold against her bare skin, and the rough ground cut into the soles of her feet. But it didn’t take long for a familiar numbness to take the place of the pain, and she was able to move quicker as she looked for survivors from her pack.
She tried really hard to ignore the tightening and pain in her chest when she would see a familiar face lying in the snow, devoid of life. There would be time to weep for those who had fallen, but for now she had to concentrate on the ones she could save. She took comfort in knowing that just as many of their enemy had also fallen.
After p
ulling a few more members to where she’d left Rodney, she was happy to see someone had brought a few trucks to load the wounded and carry them back to the control station for medical attention. But as she forged on, looking to help where she could, she found herself closer to where the fighting was taking place. For safety she went ahead and shifted, ready to do battle if needed. She’d taken a few classes on defense, but she wasn’t anywhere near as good at fighting as these soldier wolves.
Something caught her eye and she took a closer look at the person lying on the ground. She recognized him. Ashok. His eyes were closed. Her gaze scanned his golden-brown skin, looking for any injury, but only found a small dart. She pulled it from the large toned muscle of his thigh with her teeth and spit it out onto the snow covered ground. Her nose picked up a sick, sweet scent. Tranquilizer? She could see the steady rise and fall of his chest and his pulse thumped at his neck.
This was definitely a game changer. Over the next hill the battle raged. Her gaze went to the rise of the hill as she heard someone approaching. Her heart rate accelerated as she caught sight of a stumbling Jasmine.
Julie watched with horror as Jasmine’s hand shot out as she steadied herself against a tree and then pulled a similar dart from her shoulder. Fear made it hard to hold her wolf form, and on a wave of color she found herself kneeling in the snow next to Ashok, holding Jasmine’s gaze.
That’s when a large-muscled male with a skull trim came bursting through the tree line and grabbed Jasmine, tossing her over his bare shoulder. Fury had Julie charging their direction. No way would she stand by and let that brute carry off her friend.
But before she reached her target she was hit from the side. Her back hit the hard ground and her breath whooshed from her lungs with the painful impact. Spots of darkness permeated her field of vision. She struggled to draw air, but her lungs wouldn’t cooperate and she gasped like a fish out of water a few times before she recovered. As the dots became more like sparkles, and her line of sight cleared, the first thing she noticed was blond hair. That, accompanied by a familiar evil laugh, had her stiffening beneath the body covering hers.
When Lust Rules Page 13
