Blissful Agony

by Rivers, Brandy L

  “Thought you could get away from me?” Axel sneered. “Got news for you, you’re mine.”

  No sense in arguing. She knew how he would react. Death was the only escape, though Edenton would have given her a cleaner end.

  Axel’s hand tangled in her hair as he lifted her. She made it to her knees, while being jostled back-and-forth, trying to blot out the pain and failing miserably.

  “What? Did coming face-to-face with the boy who didn’t want you give you a conscience?”

  She didn’t bother explaining it was his treatment of Gina that woke her conscience. He wanted Ava subservient, but she was done playing games. She’d endure her punishment in hopes that death would carry her away.

  He slapped her across the damaged side of her face. Squeezing her eyes shut, she took the abuse without a sound.

  “Still want to be mated?” he hissed.

  No, not a chance in hell at this point.

  “Nothing to say?”

  He struck her again and her breath caught. She couldn’t see through the black webs in her vision, dappled with gray, and shooting bright white sparks.

  “I won’t kill you.” He snarled, shoving her to the floor. “The moment I think you’re worthy, you try and replace me, or fucking leave. Maybe it’s time I let the beasts out to play with you.” He settled back to watch her. “There was a time I thought you would be the perfect mate. I almost changed my mind about not fucking you. Then you went and turned the beautiful boy we couldn’t break. I figured if he didn’t want you, then you shouldn’t be wanted at all.”

  Jealous? He’d been jealous? Asshole had fucked every single one of the females in the pack. Even the broken girl who couldn’t protest.

  Watching how he’d treated Gina is what finally changed her perspective on Axel. She realized he couldn’t love. He’d never see her as anything more than a weapon.

  Chapter 19

  Clint threaded his fingers through Emily’s as he led them inside the house. “She has no memory?”

  “No. Not anything solid, but she fears Axel. Whatever he did left her with a healthy dose of terror.”

  He looked out the living room window. “He left me with a healthy dose of terror. Though nothing half as bad as Ava.”

  “Soon you and your pack will eliminate them both.”

  He nodded absently. His mind kept wandering back to Gina—both the girl he knew and the woman he didn’t. Still delicate with a sweet smile, but there was more to her now.

  With dinner on his mind, he looked over his shoulder. “Steak?”

  “Sounds good.”

  “What do you want with it?”

  “Why don’t you let me worry about that while you get the grill ready?”

  Clint kissed her lips softly before grabbing utensils and a package of meat he took to the back porch. After the grill was lit, he leaned against the rail, facing the woods. Normally he’d have shifted and run for a bit, but he didn’t want to leave Emily unprotected.

  He jumped when soft hands slid under his shirt, roaming up as she massaged.

  “Didn’t mean to frighten you.” She lifted his shirt over his head, and placed a kiss between his shoulder blades, before her hands went back to their task.

  “It’s okay, Em.”

  “What are you thinking about?”

  He sighed. “I want to run, but I don’t want to leave you.”

  “We can run.”

  “No, I mean as my wolf.”

  She let out a soft laugh. “You may be faster in wolf form, but I can go forever.”

  “Why do you run so much?”

  Her forehead pressed against his back. “Helps blot out the memories. Sometimes I go until I’m exhausted and then I fall asleep easier. Usually that keeps the nightmares at bay.”

  He turned to pull her into his arms. “I understand perfectly.”

  She kissed the space over his heart and smiled up at him. “Well?”

  “You want to run with me?”

  “If I get to pet you.” She winked.

  He grinned. “We covered the fact I like your hands on me, right?”

  She giggled. “I’ll do more than put my hands on you tonight. Maybe I’ll leave some marks.” Her nails dug into his chest before scratching down.

  His cock jumped to attention. “Fuck, Em, that feels amazing.”

  Her tongue ran up the tender mark, causing him to groan.

  “Tell me you need me,” he pleaded, wanting to forget dinner.

  “I do, but start the steaks. After we eat, we’ll go for a run. Do you have a small backpack? I’ll bring a few things.”

  “Oh?” His brow arched. “That so?”

  She nodded, desire darkening her brown eyes.

  “In my closet.” He couldn’t resist a kiss that started slow and gentle, but she pushed him into the railing, threading her fingers into his hair as she pressed against him.

  His head dropped back. “Food, you said food first.”

  She nodded, backing away with a smirk at his fly. “You affect me the same way.”

  “Anticipation might kill me.”

  “You’ll survive. I’ll make it worth your while.” Emily waved before disappearing inside.

  Grinning, he threw the steaks on the grill. His phone rang as he set the tongs aside.

  Slater’s name came up on the screen and he hit talk. “Bad news?”

  “Yeah. Ava’s gone.”

  “How the fuck did that happen?” he growled, his mood taking a dump into the shitter.

  “She grabbed Simons’ gun and tried to blow her brains out, but he jerked her forward and she fucked up her jaw instead. Someone grabbed her when he took her to meet Dakota at the hospital. I assume she’s back in Axel’s hands.”

  “Fucking hell. Poor bitch. Axel’s going to destroy whatever’s left of her soul for screwing up.”

  “They couldn’t track her fast enough. We don’t know where they went. With all the wolves in and out of the hospital, Preston’s having trouble finding her specific essence.”

  “And the scouts haven’t talked?”

  “Elm Wood has moved from the location they knew.”

  “I wish there were something more I could do. They’re going to make a move, and I don’t know how to help, other than be around. But if they target Emily—shit, they’re going to have hell to pay if they come after her.”

  “They have hell to pay regardless. For you. Gina. The wreck. Elias. That kid...” Slater let out a sigh. “He didn’t deserve any of this shit.”

  “How is he?”

  “Adjusting. I think he likes it here. I certainly hope so. Jess wants him to stay real bad. And I like the kid.”

  “Anything I can do—you know I will.” Clint flipped the steaks. “If you come up with a plan, include me.”

  “Don’t worry, we all want them to pay.”

  “Keep me posted.”

  “I will. And we’ve stepped up security, looking for any sign of them near us.”

  Clint sighed. “There are two possibilities here. Axel will torture Ava for a bit, then make her help. Or he’ll torture her until she breaks before killing her.”

  “As soon as I know something, you will. You two keep out of trouble.”

  Clint grinned. “We’ll try. I’m going running with her in a bit.”

  “Don’t leave Edenton.”

  “The woods behind my place.” He sighed. “I’m shifting, she’s running. Trust me, the woman can run for days.”

  “Goodnight.”

  “You, too.” He hung up and pulled the steaks off. She liked hers closer to rare.

  * * * *

  Emily watched Clint all through dinner. His body radiated tension after Slater’s call, but he didn’t offer any information. Instead, she’d texted Robert and he filled her in briefly. She understood why Clint was concerned.

  She planned to distract him, get his mind off his old pack, if only for a while.

  As soon as he set his fork down, she took the dishes to
the sink and quickly filled the dishwasher. After changing into shorts and a tank, she grabbed the backpack and headed out the door.

  Her brow arched as her lips quirked. “Strip and shift.”

  His light green eyes darkened with desire. “Yes, mistress.”

  Oh god, she wanted to pounce and take him right there on the porch, but needed to run some energy out of him before giving him a night to remember.

  Clint was naked in seconds, his dick half-hard, and once again Emily considered skipping the run and jumping right to dessert. He growled softly as his eyes slid shut. “Smell so damned delicious, Emily.”

  “You like the way I smell?”

  “Fuck yes, I want to lick your cunt until you scream.”

  “Running first,” she answered breathlessly.

  He nodded, then his body contorted as fur flowed over him. In seconds, she was staring at his gorgeous wolf.

  “Come here.”

  She ran her hands through his coat with a smile. Crouching down, she looked into his eyes. “You’re the first man to make me feel safe.”

  He nuzzled her face with a soft woof.

  “Come on, let’s go.” She stood up and started a brisk pace, determined to follow the trail until they were far enough from houses, and anyone who might hear them. She couldn’t track like Preston, but she could sense anyone within a mile or so radius. She’d go until they were the only two around.

  Clint fell in beside her, keeping up with ease. She didn’t push. Instead she went over her plan.

  Everyone had dropped off her mental radar and she took in her surroundings. Near the lake to her right, she found the perfect grassy clearing with a fallen tree. She led him to it and pulled off the backpack. “Shift.”

  Obliging, Clint stood, his body melding into the man she couldn’t resist.

  “You prefer silver, but with an entire pack after you, and living dangerously in the middle of nowhere,” she waggled her brows, “I figured rope would be better, in case something goes wrong. You can break out of rope, right?”

  “You bet your sweet little ass I can, which is the biggest reason I prefer silver.”

  She licked her lips, her head tipping to the side. “But rope works?”

  He nodded, a wicked glint in his eyes. “It does.”

  She unloaded the sheet, rope, and nipple clamps.

  His eyes darkened as a sexy rumble escaped. “Em, do you see what you do to me?” He stroked his length slowly, a single drop of crystal fluid beaded at the tip. Kneeling before him, she licked the crown and gently nipped.

  “Fuck, don’t do that if you want me to last, Sunshine.”

  “Lay down.”

  He did, and she took her time winding the rope around each wrist and the gnarled branches, tight enough he couldn’t move and the bark would be uncomfortable at the very least.

  “Where’d you learn to do that?”

  Her eyes closed as she blocked out the memories. “Never mind.”

  He looked away. “Did he tie you up?”

  “No.” She drew a slow breath. “Can we forget about it for now?”

  “Yes.” His spring green eyes bored into hers, searching for understanding. “Do you like tying me up?”

  A smile graced her lips. “Yes. Your reaction alone turns me on. I promise, no one has tied me up.”

  He looked up at her with a soft smile. “One day, I hope you’ll trust me with everything.”

  “I do, but talking will kill the mood. Right now, I want to fuck your brains out.”

  His eyes hooded as he groaned. “God, you can talk like that anytime, Em.”

  Her eyes went wide as she slapped her hand over her mouth. “Did I just say that?”

  He nodded, licking his lips. “You did. I like it.” His eyes drifted over her slowly.

  Clint inspired her inner-seductress. She wanted to give him what he needed, fulfill his desires, and take her pleasure while she was at it. Never before could she have done any of this.

  Once he was secured, Emily stood and pulled her clothes off. A blush heated her skin and she glanced back at the trail nervously. “I probably stink from that run.”

  He shook his head slowly. “You smell like my favorite dessert, so bring that sweet ass up here and let me devour you.”

  “Is that an order?” She smirked, letting her hands run up her stomach to cup her breasts.

  He groaned as she pinched her nipples like he did.

  “Shit,” he panted, shifting his hips, his length bobbing with the movement. “Not an order. A desperate plea.”

  “Need my taste that bad?”

  “Worse. Don’t worry about me right now. I want you to come on my face before you go down there. I’ll never last otherwise.”

  She knelt over his chest, and clamped his nipples quickly.

  The hiss that escaped his lips shot a thrill through her. She screwed the clamps tighter, doing her best to not imagine the pain.

  “Yes,” he whispered, his head falling back.

  Licking her lips, she took in the erotic expression on his handsome face. Gorgeous, and all hers.

  She scooted up, placing a foot on either side of his shoulders, and settled herself over his lips, holding onto the same sturdy limb she’d tied him to. Hot, wet, his tongue flicked over her bundle of nerves. Pleasure shot through her as she clasped his hands.

  “Need, need,” she begged.

  Climbing toward ecstasy, inhibitions forgotten, she ground herself over his skilled lips and tongue. Then he gently bit down. She threw her head back with a cry of bliss.

  His tongue entered, thrusting into her, but she needed more. She moved down his body and gripped his shaft, then slid over him with a relieved gasp.

  “Need you so bad.” She rose and fell over him, one hand on his thigh, the other gripping the chain between the clamps, tugging with every stroke as she rode him.

  “Close, god, so close,” he panted, his hips thrusting at her rhythm.

  She yanked the chain hard enough to pull the fasteners off. He cried out with his release, pulling her with him. She fell forward, breathless. With a last burst of conscious thought, she reached up to the rope and dissolved it with a spell.

  Free, his fingers delved into her hair, lifting her face to kiss her lips. Her muscles clenched and his hips drew back to slam into her. So sensitive, she could only lay there, letting him take the lead from beneath her.

  Sitting up, he gripped her ass, guiding her body over his as she wound her arms around him. “Em, no one else does this to me. Never.”

  She bit down where his neck met shoulder as she flew over the edge a third time. He slammed into her, his release joining hers. He held her against him, their chests rising and falling, frantic heartbeats crashing together.

  Chapter 20

  Clint rolled her to his side, curling around her body. She gave him what he needed and more. With Emily he wasn’t a broken mess. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for her.

  She took a slow breath, and looked up at the sky. “Liz nearly killed James. He was a scorched husk when I found him in the burning warehouse. I saw an opportunity to rehabilitate him, maybe redeem him. I took him home, locked him in his head, and tried to heal him.”

  She met his gaze with a sigh. “James was too strong. He kept trying to surface, so I started tying him to the bedframe to keep him away from me when I slept. That’s how I learned to tie knots.”

  “If it makes you uncomfortable, you don’t have to do it anymore. With you, I don’t need to be bound. Everything is different when we make love. I’m not afraid of hurting you.”

  “Why were you?” she whispered against his chest.

  He squeezed his eyes shut. “Both Axel and Ava used to order me to beat whoever pissed them off. Werewolf alphas have something called alpha voice. They can command a werewolf and it’s impossible to resist—usually. They’d chain down whoever they wanted punished. Then they’d command me to beat them senseless while they couldn’t fight. After a few times, I
learned to do it without questions. Sooner I followed the order, the sooner it was over. One day, I couldn’t obey anymore. I ignored the command. He seemed impressed at first. I think he wanted me to feel safe, but it was a trap, because he found me that night with Gina.”

  “You didn’t do it by choice.”

  “No, but the memory of hurting her is there. In control or not, my hands and teeth are what destroyed the girl I knew.”

  “How did you two meet?”

  He rolled to his back, looking up at the sky. “Knew her since we were kids. I didn’t have an easy childhood. When my mom died, my dad left. Packed up his shit and drove away.” He rubbed at his face. “House was paid off, so I stayed there, started working, gave up school. Somehow, I managed to keep the bills paid, and food in my stomach. Gina helped me through some hard times, and refused to let me go.”

  “The chains and rope, even the pain, is all because they made you do worse to others?”

  “Yeah. It makes my fucked up head clearer, takes away the fear. But you smile at me and that fear evaporates. The trust in your eyes warms the cold, dark part of my soul. I can’t hurt you because my soul would never allow it.”

  She leaned into him, placing her mouth over his for a kiss.

  He smiled against her lips. “Why out here?”

  “You were tense when you showed up at the clinic, and worse when we got home. I wanted to get you out of your head, especially after that call you received. So I brought you far away from everyone to make love, give you what you wanted.”

  “It worked.”

  “Tell me, do you still like being tied up?”

  “Love it. Though, if you’re ever uncomfortable, I’ll be happy without the other stuff. I just need you, any way you come.”

  “With you, I can give up control. I like you over me, loving me, showing me how special I am. But I also enjoy your reaction when I dominate you. I want both.”

  Clint smiled over at her. “You’re more than special, Emily.” He took a slow breath and pulled her hand over his heart. “Gina was a bright spot in a dark past, but you burn away all the dark memories, bathing me in sunlight.”