Cade squeezed her hand. He had to be the one to deal the final bit of news. “Katerina is Mara’s sister.”
“Fuck!” Liam leapt up, but Cade growled at him, the wolf pulsing under his skin. He wouldn’t shift. Couldn’t. But he could still assert his dominance.
“Sit back down. Now,” he ordered. “She didn’t know and she saved my life. No one touches Mara or even raises their voice to her. Understood?” He met each of his wolves’ eyes and one by one, they all nodded. “Livie?”
The blond wolf straightened up and took Shawn’s hand. “Mara’s cool. She’s on our side. I didn’t much like it either when I found out, but she’s not interested in helping the bitch any more than I am.”
Heavy breathing, stifled growls, and Mara’s heartbeat were all Cade could hear. He held her tightly, prepared to beat every single member of his pack to protect her, but desperately hoping he wouldn’t have to. He was their alpha and they needed to remember that.
“Bloody hell,” Liam replied with a small shake of his head. “We’ve been up for more than a day. This is not the time to discuss the elemental and Mara’s tie to her, much as I’d like to. Ya goin’ to call a pack meeting tomorrow?”
“First thing.”
“Then I’ve only one more question for ya tonight. How did ya escape?”
“Luck.” Cade recounted his good fortune when either Katerina or her earth elemental let the charm on the ground lapse. “They were gone, I think. I couldn’t be sure, but I dug for three nights and no one came. I tested that fucking dirt every few days—whenever she’d come to feed me—and that was the first time I could stand to touch it.”
“And comin’ back from your wolf?” Liam asked. “Seven months with the animal in control shoulda driven ya mad.” The accusation that undercut his words was vague, but Cade bristled at the tone.
“It did. Mara brought me back. She saved my wolf and then she saved me. I can’t explain it to you, Liam. I don’t think anyone can understand what it was like to shift back and be unable to speak or even move.”
Cade looked at his wolves, strewn about the room. Shawn rested his head in Livie’s lap. Christine’s body bobbed forward and she dropped her empty bottle of beer. Her cheeks flamed red and she grabbed the bottle. “Sorry.”
Mara caressed Cade’s arm. “There are air mattresses in hall closet and I have extra blankets in my room. They’re all exhausted.”
“You look pretty tired yourself,” he replied, brushing his thumb under her right eye. “I don’t like seeing these dark circles back.”
Liam stared at them, green eyes bloodshot, a muscle in his jaw throbbing, and his hands clenched on his thighs. “I’m going for our luggage,” he said with a snarl. “I’ll be right back.”
“What’s his problem?” Livie asked, yawning.
“He’s been on edge since we lost Cade,” Shawn replied. “He hated Ireland as much as the rest of us. More even.”
“Why?”
Every werewolf turned to Mara and stared at her. Drawn eyebrows, hard, cold eyes, and thin lipped frowns on everyone had her shrinking into Cade’s arm even further. Peter replied, “It’s personal.”
Mara looked up at Cade, confused. He didn’t disagree with Peter that it was Liam’s story to tell, but Mara was one of them now—or would be if Cade had anything to say about it. “Liam loved once,” he said, keeping his answer vague. He’d give her the details later. Or ask Liam to do so. “She lived in Ireland. He lost her and he’s never settled over it.”
“Oh. I’m sorry.” The emotion contained in her words touched him.
The door opened and shut with a slam and everyone flinched. Cade stood, tucked Mara against him, and addressed his pack. “I’ll be back in a few minutes with the air mattresses and blankets. Bathroom’s down the hall. We’ll talk more in the morning. Livie, are you going to patrol again?”
“Yep. With that bitch so close, I’m not taking any chances and unlike the rest of them, I slept half the day.” She got up and headed for the guest room. “Shawn, come with me. I want a couple of minutes with you before I go.”
Cade led Mara into her bedroom and shut the door. “I’m sorry for their behavior.”
“I can’t blame them. Not really. If I was in their shoes, I wouldn’t trust me either. Should I go to Lil’s for the night? I could give you time with them.”
The idea of being without her, even for a few hours, gave him a throbbing headache behind his eyes. He clenched his jaw. “No. You’re staying here,” he said, bringing her to the bed and pulling her down next to him. “I need you, Mara. The mating is driving me fucking insane. I want to tear your clothes off. Taste you. Hear you say my name when I bury myself inside of you.”
A throaty laugh escaped her lips and the scent of her arousal wafted over him. “Well, then get going. Blankets are in the closet. Deliver them and maybe I’ll find something you can rip off me.”
Cade raced over to the closet and found a stack of blankets and sheets for his pack. As he left the room, Mara pulled off her sweater to reveal a black lace bra. He nearly turned around right then, but forced himself to keep moving. She’d be there when he came back and he’d have her.
Mara fell asleep waiting for Cade to return, only to roll over when her bedroom door clicked open. Cade’s tall form filled the doorway.
“What time is it?”
“Ten.” His voice was gritty and rough and sent a shiver down her spine.
Mara threw back the blankets, revealing the tiny slip of silk that barely covered her mound. She’d bought the chemise on a whim, never daring to wear it. He moved towards her with silent determination. His eyes glowed and there was a storm within them that only she could quiet. She shifted her hips to the accompaniment of a throaty groan from Cade’s lips. “Mine.”
His hands ran up her thighs, over the green silk, and rested at her waist. The warmth of his fingers seeped into her skin. Time stopped as his lips brushed against hers. Velvet heat lapped against the corner of her mouth, his teeth nipped, and his whole being vibrated with need.
Parting her lips, she let him in, reaching out to grasp his arms. Cade growled and pinned her wrists to the bed. “No. You. Don’t. Move.”
“Cade.”
Mara saw the alpha wolf in his eyes. He guided her arms up over her head curled her fingers around the brushed iron bars of the headboard. “Hold on.”
She did as he demanded, her belly quivering. The cool metal warred with the fire within her as Cade’s hands traveled down her arms, cupped her breasts, and brushed over her nipples. Her lids lowered, fluttering in time with the tremors that wracked her body.
“Kiss me,” she begged, forcing herself to look up at him. “I love how you kiss me.”
With a wicked grin, Cade stretched his body over hers. She was a tall woman—five-foot-seven—but Cade had half a foot on her. He planted a teasingly gentle kiss on her parted lips and pulled away. “You love that?”
“No.”
He laughed, deep and throaty, and leaned in again. This time the pressure was firmer and insistent. All too soon he moved back. She immediately missed the feel of his unshaven face against her soft skin. “That?”
“A little better.”
He cocked a brow. She wanted to reach for him. If she didn’t get more in the next few minutes, she wasn’t sure she’d survive.
“Then maybe this.”
Hands threaded through her hair, lifting her mouth to his. The crushing pressure of his lips, the all-consuming hunger as his tongue played with hers, the sharp nip of his teeth, and the needy, guttural rumble in his chest were life-sustaining. His scent—male, woodsy, and musky—filled her nose. His erection pressed against her and she ground her hips as best she could under his weight.
His teeth scraped along her lower lip, shooting sparks all through her. “That?”
“Yes,” she panted. “Goddess, Cade. How can I need you this much?” She was drenched with arousal.
“We’re mating, honey. You’
re not a wolf. You never will be. But maybe whatever part of you isn’t human recognizes the process.”
Too many words. Why was he still talking? Mara strained to reach him, a low whine accompanying the slight movement. “Please,” she whispered.
He had mercy on her and lifted her hands to the back of his neck. She grasped fistfuls of his hair, tightening her grip until he growled at her. “Mine.” Rough hands pushed up the thin chemise to find her naked and ready for him.
Mara pulled at his sweatshirt. Over his head it went and she dropped it to the floor. Goddess, he was magnificent. She ran her hands over the well-defined pectoral muscles, and the soft curls of golden hair that dusted his chest. Distinct ridges of a hardened six-pack passed under her fingers. Below his navel, another patch of sandy hair blazed a trail down into his jeans. A sexy v of muscle angled towards the bulge of his erection and Mara hurriedly flicked open the button and zipper.
Her eyes were well adjusted to the dim light of the single bedside lamp. When he shed his pants, his cock was ready for her. The scent of his essence hit her tongue as she gasped. She grinned at him, wondering what he’d do if she let her own desires take over.
“What?” He rolled, pulling her on top of him. The room was warm, but the air coaxed gooseflesh from her bare arms.
“Hush, shaggy man. Now it’s time for you to hold still.” Mara wriggled out of his grip and lowered herself between his thighs. He called her name as she lowered her lips to brush against him, swirling her tongue around the head of his cock. “Shh.” Her breath whispered over the moistened skin and he groaned, fisting his hands in the sheets and jerking his hips slightly.
“Marrrr . . .”
Licking her lips, she took him slowly and firmly into her mouth. He was hard, hot, and needy. Blood pounded through the thick vein on the underside of his length and she traced it with her tongue. She’d only done this twice before and wasn’t exactly sure what she was doing, but she knew she wanted nothing more than the taste of him filling her.
Something raw and primal drove her on. Her lips tired, her jaw ached, but the discomfort barely registered. Cade’s spasms and quiet growls encouraged her. “Can’t hang on,” he muttered. She reached up and cupped his balls, rolling them slightly and scraping her fingernails along the sensitive skin. The heat of him scorched her. A hoarse cry escaped his lips and he jerked as his seed filled her. She fought not to gag, swallowed, and savored the intimacy growing between them.
Gently, she drew her lips off of him, wriggled, and laid her head on his hip. His scent surrounded her. Fingers brushed her hair back from her face. He was panting weakly, his stomach muscles trembling.
“Come here,” he said quietly.
Mara blinked hard to clear the haze that had settled over her. She was spent, sated, and he’d barely touched her. When she didn’t move, he grasped her under the arms and tugged her up so her head was against his shoulder instead of his hip.
“Better.”
She looked up at him. Lines had deepened around his eyes and his lips. The hand that stroked her shoulder was bruised. He’d had to hit someone. His eyes were closed and his breathing was slow and steady. A sheen of sweat covered his skin, lending a deep maleness to his scent that comforted her. Forcing herself up, she grabbed the sheet and the blanket and drew them over their intertwined bodies.
“No,” he protested. His speech was slurred and tired. “Want you.”
“I know. But you’re exhausted. What took you so long?”
“Ollie and I got into it. He wanted the pack to leave. And he wanted me to go with them. I had to remind him that if he wanted to stay in my pack, he was going to listen to me.” Cade rolled slightly and pulled her closer. “He owes you an apology in the morning.” A yawn spread his jaws, filled his lungs, and ended with a hum.
“Get some sleep, stud.”
Hours later, Mara woke with a slight headache. Cade’s body draped over hers. The scent of them—together—filled the room. Cade’s pure male strength, a hint of the woods he’d been such a part of before his capture, fresh rain, and a note of coconut. Mara inhaled deeply and licked her lips. She needed water. Her element was weak. She recognized the signs now. A glass of water would help, would hydrate her enough to pull some water from the air and strengthen her.
Cade groaned quietly as she shifted his warm weight off of her body. “Shh, shaggy man. I’ll be right back.”
“Marrrrra,” he growled, then settled when she pressed a kiss to his full lips. Her fingers trailed over his hair, savoring the silky locks.
“Sleep,” she whispered. “I won’t be long.”
Cade’s sweatshirt was crumpled on the floor and Mara tugged it over her head. It smelled like him. She snuggled within the warmth and crept quietly out into the hall. Snores from her living room raised the hairs on the back of her neck. She ran a bit of water from the sink and filled a glass, staring out into her starlit backyard while she sipped.
A growl raised the hairs on the back of her neck. Fear crashed over her in a drowning wave. She turned slowly. Standing in her hall, easily four-and-a-half-feet tall, with black and reddish fur and glowing green eyes, was a wolf that could only be Liam. He advanced. Glistening teeth bared, paws clicking against the hardwood floor. A deep vocalization she didn’t understand came from his throat and moments later, the entire pack—save for Livie, Shawn, and Cade—stood behind him.
“Liam?” she squeaked. “You’re all scaring me.” Liam growled again.
“How did you find him?” Ollie asked. A bruise darkened his right eye. He was a large man that looked to be at least fifty-years-old. His hands were clenched into fists and twice the size of hers. “We don’t trust you, elemental. Cade loves you, but we don’t. Why should we believe that you won’t hurt him?”
“Because I won’t,” she said. “I care about him.”
Christine slipped between Peter and Ollie. She touched Liam’s neck and the wolf sat down on his haunches. “Mara, we’re concerned about your sister and whether we’ll be safe here. We lost Cade once. We won’t lose him again. We want him to leave with us. Go back to Ireland where we know he’ll be safe.”
A stab of fear lanced her heart. If Cade went back to Ireland, she’d lose him. “Cade’s your alpha and he said he wanted to stay here.”
“Cade’s blinded by his feelings for you,” Peter said. “Your sister nearly killed all of us.” He yanked open the collar of his shirt to expose a neck of red scar tissue.
Liam growled again and advanced. Mara pressed her back against the counter, shaking with fear. The wolf sniffed her legs, her torso, and his vocalizations grew louder. When he bared his teeth and snapped at her, Mara screamed.
Christine and Ollie raced forward. Liam’s wolf pushed Mara harder into the counter when a door banged open.
“Get the hell away from her!” Cade roared, flying towards her. He wrapped her in his arms. He was naked, and the heat of his body seeped in through the sweatshirt she wore. “Shift back. Now.”
Liam shrank away, sat down, and howled in pain. Popping, cracking, and groaning followed. Dark, silky red hair sprouted from his now-rounded head. He was a massive man, corded muscles lining his arms, his thighs, and his calves. Mara looked away from his groin after getting way more of an eyeful than she bargained for. She buried her face in Cade’s neck, forcing deep breaths through parted lips.
Cade’s voice vibrated through his body. “Would you like to explain why you were threatening my mate? Or would you prefer to leave?”
“I heard something,” Liam offered, shrugging his shoulders. “I thought it was outside and I shifted so I could see better. Mara surprised me. I overreacted. Blame the moon.”
“And you think that’s a good enough explanation? I told you earlier. She’s mine and no one frightens her. What about the rest of you? What the hell were you doing?”
“We had questions,” Christine said.
“Questions you had to ask her without me. In the middle of the night. With Li
am snarling at her. Pack meeting. Now. We’re not waiting until morning. Mara, honey, look at me.” Cade took her by the upper arms. His bright blue eyes held hers. “Apparently they’ve forgotten what it means to have an alpha these past months. You can bet damn sure I’m going to remind them. Painfully if necessary. Can you give me an hour? I need to do this alone.”
“Don’t shut me out,” Mara whispered.
Cade led her back into her bedroom, sparing his pack one last lingering glare as he went. He tugged on his jeans. “I’m not shutting you out. Give me an hour to kick their asses and then we’re all going to talk. They’ll air any grievances to your face, with me at your side and if anyone so much as raises their voice to you, they’re gone.”
“They’re your family. You’d really choose me over them?” She sank heavily onto her bed, overwhelmed at the thought.
“You’re my mate. There isn’t any choice for me.” Cade knelt in front of her and cupped her cheeks. His lips brushed hers and she couldn’t help herself. She slid her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Whatever happened with his pack, she cared for him and wanted him to stay with her.
Reluctantly, she drew back. “Go.”
Cade stalked out into the living room. Liam, now dressed, sat on the floor with his head hanging between his knees. Peter and Ollie had the occasional chairs and Shawn and Christine sat on the couch.
“Livie’s patrolling. Do you want her here too?” Shawn asked.
“No. I don’t have any beef with her. Only with the rest of you.” He paced back and forth, his bare feet making quiet slapping noises on Mara’s hardwood floors. “You want to tell me what the hell you were doing to her?”
“We had questions,” Liam said.
“Then you should have come to me. Instead of waiting six hours, you had to attack my mate in her kitchen. In wolf form. You were touching her. I could kick you out of the pack for that alone.”
Liam lumbered to his feet. “I don’t mean to challenge ya. But you have to admit, this all sounds a mite convenient. The sister of the elemental who nearly killed ya is the one to save your life? What if she was waiting until your pack was all in one place to strike?”
A Shift in the Water Page 25
