The Snow Leopard's Christmas Surprise

by Emilia Hartley

  Tess watched the cabins burn with satisfaction as the truck trundled down the bumpy old road. For miles she saw the thick ashy smoke rise over the horizon. With Connor in her arms, she allowed herself the opportunity to relax. It was over, for now.

  CHAPTER 17

  “Not so rough!” Connor shouted.

  Tess knew how to sew. Although she’d never worked on a person’s leg before, how hard could it be?

  “It needs to be closed properly. Otherwise it won’t heal right,” she said. She was glad to be able to take a moment with Connor. Considering the intimate place where he’d received the wound, it only made sense that she would be the one to sew it back closed.

  She still felt the tears behind her eyes. Everything felt so surreal. Connor saved her, and they’d made it back to the den already.

  “Done!” she said as she snipped off the last of the thread with her sewing scissors. “It’ll heal fine. Maybe in a couple days you’ll be out and around. I guess my dad will have to keep things together for a while longer.”

  Connor took her hand while she was putting everything away. He pulled her close, planting a kiss on her lips.

  “I’m fine with taking some time off,” Connor said.

  “Oh, are you now,” Tess said, tapping his leg with her hand. He winced from the pain. “It’s a good thing that wound isn’t a little bit higher. Otherwise I’d be stuck without a man to ride.”

  His boner pressed against the waist of his shorts. It had been so long since they’d had sex that Tess was starting to wonder how long she would have to wait.

  “I guess some things never change,” she said. Her heart thumped in her chest. She wanted to reward her savior. Seeing him stroll through the fight, risking life and limb to save her, she couldn’t wait to jump into his arms.

  Connor took her by the shoulders, planting a delicate kiss on her lips. She couldn’t contain her joy any longer. She was greedy for more. Her hands ran from his neck, down the valley between his pecks, over his rock hard abs, and pried his cock from his waistband.

  She grasped, barely fitting her hand around it. She worked along the length of his shaft and he shuddered.

  “I’m glad you have enough energy left for this,” she said.

  “Alpha males are known for their legendary stamina,” he replied.

  “Let’s find out,” she replied. Connor hooked his fingers under the edge of her shirt and lifted it over her head. Her perky nipples poked out to greet him.

  He took one in his hands, kneading the nipple. Her sensitive tips responded, sending a shiver down her spine. Connor pulled her in close, locking his lips with hers. This was what she wanted. Her mind was alight with excitement and it showed in her nethers.

  She felt the warmth of her body get ready to accept her partner. With haste, she tore off her leggings and cast them aside.

  “I want you,” she said.

  She felt his dick tense when she said it, then pulled her panties aside, letting the tip of his cock play with her wet, inviting slit. She toyed with his cock against her excited clit. She inhaled sharply at the little bolts of lightning that spread through her body.

  Still she wanted more.

  She lined him up his cock with her wet hole and eased herself on top of him. He juices poured down his chick member, allowing him to slide in with ease. Inch by inch she squatted lower, letting her man fill her completely.

  His hand still massaged her breast; she cupped his hands with her own, letting the pleasure take her. She started working her hips, letting his thick penis withdraw before coming back down.

  She was slow at first, being careful to not injure him further. But, when he started to moan with delight she chanced going faster. As he drove into her over and over she could feel an orgasm start to swell inside of her. She concentrated on it, holding it at bay as long as she could.

  Up, down. The bed squeaked as she bounced. She closed her eyes and bit her lip to hold on just a moment longer. Connor took her by the waist, assisting with his powerful biceps. She wrapped her hands around them.

  Connor worked her as he wanted. She was just along for the ride now. Within moments, she felt his dick tensing inside of her, as it did; a sudden wave of release took her. Tess threw her head back. She would have screamed but her entire body clenched tightly. Connor held her on top of him as they both came.

  Satisfaction took her over. She slumped over beside her man, both of them now spent.

  “Glad to have you back,” she said.

  “Glad to be back,” he replied. He rolled over; his arm pulled her in tight. She rested against his chest, taking in the sounds of his heartbeat. It was all that she wanted, and she was glad to have it.

  CHAPTER 18

  “Can I trust you with this, Alex?” Connor asked.

  “Let me get this straight. You need me to go up the mountain, to the Cliff Walker den, and tell them to prepare for the fight of their lives? How hard can that be?” Alex shrugged while rolling his eyes.

  “I’m serious now, Eli knows where they are. He’ll be coming.”

  “I know, I know,” Alex said, “I just wish I could go with you to the bear den. Wolves don’t go there so I’m curious as to what it looks like.”

  “You’ll get your chance,” Connor said, “Hell, you’re friends with Samantha, right? I’m sure she can take you there whenever.”

  “I guess,” Alex replied.

  Tess stood beside Connor while they all chatted in the kitchen. It had only been a day since they got back. Marcus was still acting as the pack leader while Connor dealt with other matters.

  “Tess, I want you to go with your brother. Cliff Walker den is still much safer than keeping you here. If the bears decide to attack here again there’s a good chance we’ll lose.” He was sure to keep his voice down so the rest of the pack wouldn’t hear.

  “No!” she replied.

  “You’re going and that’s final,” Connor said, “I don’t know what I would do if I lost you again. We might have Torque to help us get in the front door at the den, but once we’re inside there’s no telling what will happen to us.”

  “So you can’t stand the thought of losing me? Well, I can’t stand the thought of losing you. If you go, we’re going together,” Tess replied, adamantly.

  Connor leaned against the table with one hand and rubbed at the bridge of his nose with the other. Why did he have to be in love with the most spirited woman alive?

  “Fine,” Connor replied. He sympathized with her, but was still frustrated that she wanted to willing go into harm’s way. She’d only just escaped death narrowly last time and already she was looking for a chance to leap back in front of the gun.

  “Good!” she replied. She gnawed at the remains of her breakfast. The aroma of cooked eggs and bacon still lingered in the air. Connor had never seen Alex eat so fast in his life, earlier.

  “Samantha. You, Beth and Greta will come with me. The least I could do is get you back home,” Connor continued.

  Samantha gave him a thumbs up; even Beth managed a smile while Greta blew bubbles with her mouth.

  “Alright, rule number one for everyone, come back safe. If you get into trouble, you run. Get back here and Marcus will take care of you.”

  Tess’s father Marcus stamped his walking stick on the ground as a sign of approval.

  “I think that’s it,” Connor said.

  “Have you guys thought of a name for the baby?” Alex asked.

  “What?” Connor wondered, straight faced.

  “You know, the baby that Tess is going to have in a few months? Have you guys thought of a name?” Alex explained.

  Again, Connor rubbed at the bridge of his nose.

  “I seriously doubt this is the time to start thinking about that. Come on, man. We have at least … 6 more months and we don’t even know if it’s a boy or a girl,” Connor replied.

  “And, on that note, I’m off!” Alex said. He took Cynthia by the hand. They saddled up on Alex’s motorbike
and disappeared down the road in a cloud of smoke.

  “Let’s go.” Connor said to the group. The bears were the first out, they piled into the truck. Torque wiggled in the back, his ropes were tied tightly over his hands and feet. There wouldn’t be any easy escape for him. A gag held his mouth shut, but he still bit at it anyway.

  Tess hopped in the passenger seat. Connor joined her in the driver’s seat. The mostly working truck sputtered to life. One more adventure to be had before it could retire.

  CHAPTER 19

  “Stop there,” said a tall, burly man. He was easily taller than Connor.

  “We’re here to talk to the alpha,” Samantha said.

  “Sam, what the hell. Why are you with these wolves?” the guard asked.

  “It’s a funny story, actually. I’d love to tell you sometime,” she replied.

  “The boss would have my head if I let you in,” he said.

  “I can tell you right now that would be a mistake. You see, this guy…” Samantha lifted Torque’s head up in the back, “happens to have some information that the alpha might just want to hear.”

  The guard thought for a second. Connor turned to look at Tess, he was clearly nervous this might not work out. His eyes screamed for Tess to run but she stayed planted in her chair.

  “Alright, you can go,” he said finally. Tess and Connor breathed out a collective sigh as the truck bounced through the dark wood.

  They were in a part of the forest that Tess didn’t even know existed. Thick branches formed a canopy above them that was almost impossible to see through, around the truck Tess could see movement; bears. More than she could count. She was beginning to regret coming.

  The road came to a halt in front of an old house, well preserved. It blended in almost perfectly with the color of the surrounding trees. It was larger than the farmhouse, standing over two stories tall. Out front, a solid oak door was shut tight with a pair of guards in bear form to protect it.

  As the truck eased to a stop, Samantha leapt out the back. Beth and Greta stepped out but didn’t join Samantha. Instead, Greta just played while Beth watched on.

  The door to the house swung wide as Connor yanked Torque out of the back. A man that Connor was all too familiar with stepped out to the wood patio that stretched past the front door. He had a patch over one eye; a snappy striped button up shirt covered his chest tucked into a pair of clean jeans. A pair of cowboy boots clanked along the wood of the patio with each step.

  “You must have some kind of a death wish to come to my house. Pretty sure I’m going to have to teach that guard at the gate some manners,” he crossed his arms and stared at Connor with his one good eye.

  “You’re lookin’ for the man who killed your wife,” Connor said. He tossed Torque to the floor in front of the alpha. “This man knows who did it. I’ve seen him, and if you want my help, I’m here to offer it to you. This needs to be made right.”

  The alpha glared at Connor, then at Torque who watched on with wide eyes.

  “Now, what makes you think I even want to make a deal like that?” He waved a wrinkled hand which caused one of the bears at the front door to take Torque away.

  Connor was silent.

  “He isn’t lying, grandpa,” Samantha said.

  Grandpa?

  Connor and Tess both turned to Samantha, their mouths agape.

  “They’re just trying to make it right. They almost died trying to get him out. You wouldn’t let that go to waste,” Samantha continued.

  The alpha rubbed at his scraggly chin. The wheels were turning in his head. He was close to seeing their point of view and Tess decided she’d try to double down on it.

  “The bastard is our enemy, too. He almost killed me,” she showed the scars on her neck from where Eli’s knife had cut into her skin. “For the sake of your wife’s memory, end the fighting with the wolves so we can go after the one person you really want.”

  The alpha scratched at his chin as he walked to the edge of the patio. He looked down on the trio of adventurers that risked life and limb for the sake of their families. He exhaled the fire from within his chest.

  “You all are lucky that Samantha likes you. Let’s talk,” he said. The alpha disappeared into his house, but left the door open for them to join him.

  If Tess had a tail she’d be wagging it. Talking was better than fighting any day. Connor lifted her hand and kissed it.

  “Good girl,” he said. Connor and Tess walked hand in hand into the house, following close behind Samantha. The worst was behind them now.

  Alpha Wolf Champion

  Alpha Wolf Series Book 3

  Emilia Hartley

  CHAPTER 1

  “Papa Connor!” Greta shouted. “Got you!” She leapt on Connor’s leg, grasping it tightly. As she did, he screamed then fell to the ground playfully. Greta’s laugh was infectious. The two rolled around on the fresh cut grass of the field.

  So cute!

  Tess could barely contain herself. Seeing Connor taken down by such a small bear cub was funny no matter which way you looked at it. His shirt was getting dirtier by the second. Going from a light grey to any shade of green you could imagine. She could see him rolling around with his own child like that someday.

  Greta was so tiny compared to him. He was well past six feet tall with a v-shaped torso that would make any woman squirm in her seat. His bulging pecs were barely contained inside his shirt, even when he kept the top two buttons closed. Tess had to wipe away some drool from the corner of her mouth as she watched him. That was the man she was lucky enough to have for a mate, the alpha of the pack, Connor.

  Greta barely came up to his knee; her short, brown, shoulder-length hair danced around her round face. Beth, her mother, watched the little scene unfold; allowing herself a moment to be happy for the first time in days. She’d gone from bad to worse, then to rock bottom.

  “They’re cute together,” Tess said, breaking the silence between them.

  “He’s a good man,” she replied, “Make sure you don’t let him go. It’s a dangerous world.” She continued to watch, but it was clear to Tess that she was distant. Her mind had wandered off in the moment.

  “It’s over, Beth,” Tess said, “She’ll be safe. Your husband made sure of that.”

  “I know,” she replied, “It’s just.” Beth couldn’t hold back her tears. It had only been a few days since her husband died before her eyes. Her face was still red from mourning her loss.

  Tess threw an arm around the woman, but her gesture was turned down.

  “I’ll be alright,” she said, “I just need some time.” Beth turned to keep her flowing tears from Tess’s prying eyes. Hastily she walked back toward the house behind them.

  Tess let her go without a word. There wasn’t anything that needed to be said. Beth just needed time to grieve. The least that Tess could do is keep an eye on her daughter, Greta.

  “Tess help!” Connor shouted. Greta had Connor lying face first in the grass. Greta stood triumphantly on her conquest, stamping muddy footprints all over Connor’s back.

  Laughing, Tess joined the pair, taking Greta by the hand. She led her off Connor’s back.

  “I think it’s time for some lunch,” Tess said, she bent at the knee and squatted low to the ground to meet Greta face to face, “Are you hungry?”

  “No,” Greta said, she was already eyeing Connor who was just getting back to his feet.

  “Does that no mean yes?” Tess asked.

  “Yeah,” Greta replied. She wiped at her nose which was dripping with fresh snot. Tess pulled an old kerchief from her pocket to wipe her nose clean.

  “There you go,” she said, “next time you need to keep that nose clean you just come to me. Okay?” Greta nodded. “Let’s go inside,” Tess continued, “Race you!”

  Greta got excited, sprinting toward the house without a second thought. Tess didn’t even need to run to catch her. She stayed back with her man to talk.

  “Seriously, gross,”
he said.

  “What, wiping up snot?” she asked heartily. They followed Greta back toward the house but took their time walking. “You know, when you’re a father, you’ll have to do all the gross stuff, too.”

  “Isn’t that your job?” he asked, knocking some loose dirt off his shirt.

  “I hope you’re joking,” she replied.

  “Yes?” he laughed awkwardly. Tess puffed out a breath of frustration and stopped in her tracks.

  “Connor, I love you. But, if we’re going to be parents we need to be in this together. Through dirty diapers, and even through the first shift. You know what that was like,” she said.

  Connor stood beside her, scratching at three day old stubble.

  Dammit, he’s so sexy with that stubble.

  “I’m in this, with you, together,” he said. He held out his arms as a peace offering. Tess looked him up and down, he was filthy from playing but she was never one to turn down one of his hugs. He was so warm. His hard body cradled her softly. She could have stayed there the whole day.

  “Dammit!”

  Together they loosened their grasp, turning toward the source of the commotion. On the patio of the house stood the bear alpha talking to another one of his pack; he looked ready to murder someone.

  “How the hell did he get out?!” he continued.

  Connor and Tess half-jogged up to the patio. Tess could just make out the topic of conversation.

  “I don’t know what happened. Went to bring him lunch and he was gone. The lock was still there, someone must have slipped him the key,” the bear said.

  There was only one prisoner right now, Torque, the bastard that led the biker gang that almost killed Connor. Tess threw a hand up to cover her mouth from the surprise.

  “He can’t have gotten far,” the bear continued, “I already sent out a bunch of guys to look for him.”