by Kym Grosso
Jake and Kai had traveled home in silence, and she’d immediately retreated to the bedroom, claiming she was tired. After they’d left the coven, Kai had shut down. As if her emotions were his own, Jake sensed her despair. The unfamiliar sensation overwhelmed him. He’d always known Alphas were in touch with the pack, able to gauge their state. But he’d never actually experienced telepathic empathy to this degree, let alone with someone who wasn’t wolf.
As he climbed the stairs, Jake’s mind churned as he tried to reconcile his developing connection to Kai. His wolf stirred at the thought of her, and he attempted to suppress the craving. He couldn’t understand why his beast sought her, but he suspected that his attraction to her was far deeper than just a happenstance meeting. He’d never heard of a pixiu, and the quick research he did turned up little information.
He padded down the hallway toward the bedroom, his thoughts broken as he heard her crying. He’d been fully prepared to drill her, to punish her for leaving, yet as he opened the door and caught sight of her sitting on the floor, her face in her hands, his chest tightened.
“Kai,” he said, softening his tone. “I know things seem bad but we’re going to find the Kris.”
Jake approached and settled himself in front of her on the cool hardwood floor. “It’s going to be okay.”
Kai stared up at him, her eyes reddened. “I should have told you everything when we met, but you must understand. I’ve been in hiding over a hundred years. I’ve avoided supernaturals.”
“Where have you been?”
“In Wyoming. I’m a geologist. I work alone. My sister, we think she’s a witch, but she doesn’t know how to use her powers. You wouldn’t even know if you met her.” Kai reached for his hand, locking her eyes on his. “I’m a pixiu. My parents were killed trying to protect me. After I came to America, my stepparents were killed. Every caretaker I ever had was threatened. Eventually, I left home and went to Ilsbeth. Her spell allowed me to live in peace. But when Shilan left…this is all my fault.”
“Look Kai, I don’t know who’s got your sister or how this is tied into what’s going on with Anzober Wolves, but you’ve gotta trust me. You can’t go running out of here like you did.”
“You wouldn’t let me see Ilsbeth. I had to go without you,” she insisted, shaking her head. “When I was with Samantha, I saw something. I’ve always known my beast existed. But dear Goddess, I saw her. Jake…I cannot allow this to happen. I don’t want to shift. I’m scared.”
“I’ll help you, sweetheart. But you’ve gotta tell me everything if we are going to do this, and that includes what you’re going to shift into. Now I know it’s not easy.” Shifting for the first time was never to be taken lightly. Given she wasn’t wolf, he didn’t know what complications could arise. “But you can do this and I’ll be here with you.”
“There’s something else I need to tell you, Jake.” Her eyes widened and she rocked her head in disbelief. “I…I heard something….I heard…I don’t know….but I swear, I think it was a wolf.”
“A wolf? Maybe you’re a hybrid?” If she had even a sliver of lupine blood inside her that would explain his connection, how he could sense her emotions.
“No, I don’t think so. I don’t think it was me.”
“Well then…” Jake couldn’t repress a small grin at her statement. “Who else ya got in there? Because I’ll tell you, I don’t think you could have two things. You shift into one thing or another. That’s how it works.”
“I’m not a shifter.”
“You’re gonna shift so yeah, you kinda are.”
“I’m pixiu. The energy others have. Their good fortune. I sense it. I absorb it. I even think I might be able to transfer it, but I’m not sure how yet. I have a book. My mother gave it to me. I didn’t spend much time reading it because I always thought if I did, then it would somehow break my spell, attract supernaturals. It scared me.”
“And where is this book?” Jake glanced to her hand, and turned it over, revealing her palm.
“I don’t know. I left it in the hotel room I was staying in…this was before I saw Kasdeya. It’s possible it got thrown away. Or knowing her, she might have it. If we could get it back, maybe it could help me. It’s stupid to think I’ll get it back though. It’s impossible.”
“Nothing is impossible, Kai. If we need the book, we’ll look for it. But why do you think you can transfer your power to someone else?” As he ran the pad of his thumb over her palm, a twinge of arousal danced through him.
“Samantha. It’s what she said. I don’t know where she heard this.”
“Heard what?” Jake scooted closer to her, taking both her hands.
“She said…” Kai averted her gaze and whispered, “She said I have a master.”
“A master? What the hell is that supposed to mean?” A shot of jealousy jolted through Jake at her revelation, and his wolf growled.
“I don’t know.” Her eyes flashed to his. “It can’t be true. I’ve lived alone for over a century. No being has ever had power over me.”
“Have you been around other supernaturals at all? I know you said you haven’t but it’s kind of hard to avoid.”
“Hunter Livingston. I’ve only met him once and that was eighty years ago when he took over the territory. After Ilsbeth did the spell, I went to university in Wisconsin. Earned my degrees. I worked remotely for a different university. Also did some work as an editor for a geological publication. Hunter, he knows I’m supernatural, but he doesn’t know what I am. If he did, he’s never said anything.”
Kai’s leg brushed his and his cock stirred. The beautiful creature before him had finally revealed her truths, trusting him with her secrets. His gaze drifted to her pink lips, tempting him to kiss her.
“I’ll make you a deal.” He smiled, and forced his focus to her eyes. “We’ll do this together. I’ll help you find your sister. But no more lies, Kai. Like you, I’m in the middle of a change. My wolf will not tolerate it. What you did today, sweetheart? I wasn’t kidding about that spanking.”
“You’re Alpha,” she acknowledged, in a soft voice. “I feel your strength all around me. I’ve felt it from the beginning.”
“I feel you too. You’ve got this energy…but this thing between us…” He paused, considering his words carefully. He craved her like no other, but she deserved to know the truth about their future and he couldn’t risk hurting her. “Kai, I don’t want to mislead you. You aren’t a wolf. You need to know that I can’t mate with you. So we have to keep things light.”
“As pixiu, I cannot mate with anyone. I can’t have children.” Sadness washed over her expression, and Jake cradled her face with his palms.
“I’m sorry. I just need you to know, because I like you. There’s this connection with us. I can’t explain it.” Jake’s lips brushed her cheek. He recalled how she’d come undone at his touch, and his cock hardened. “About last night…”
“Jake…you’re different than others…when I’m with you,” she breathed. “I’m free.”
Jake reached for her waist, and she gave a scant squeal as he slid her onto his lap. Her legs draped around his waist, and he buried his nose into her neck, scenting her. So familiar, yet not wolf. Confusion mixed with arousal as his lips grazed over her skin. His wolf rose, growling as it circled its prey.
“Your energy flows through me. Around me…Goddess, it feels so good…you feel so good,” Kai moaned as he trailed his lips up her neck.
“Something about you…my wolf…he…” He wants to claim you. Logic prevailed, and Jake shoved the errant thought away, aware it couldn’t happen. His palms slid up her back as he focused on his prize, memorizing every contour of her body.
“Please,” she begged, shivering as his warm breath danced over her skin.
As his lips crushed onto hers, his wolf howled, demanding he take her. She responded in kind, wrapping her hands around his neck. His fingers plowed into the back of her hair and he held her in place. Feral, he kissed
her with an urgent desperation. With one hand he reached for her dress, tearing down the flimsy elastic that held it in place. She gave a cry as he exposed her, and bit at his lip. His tongue swept into her mouth, exploring and tasting the creature who’d begun to turn his world on its axis.
He tore his lips from hers, their eyes locked in a heated stare. With a rough tug, he turned her head, and his wolf went wild at the sight of her bared neck. She is not wolf. Do not mark her. She does not belong to you, he told himself. Jake restrained the instinct to bite her, averting his gaze. His mouth went to her breast instead, and he sucked her perfect tip into his mouth.
A twinge of pain snapped at him as she dug her fingernails into his back, crying his name. Losing control, Jake reached under her thighs and pressed to his feet. Stumbling backwards, he steadied himself and pressed her back to the wall, gaining leverage. With one hand, he tugged down his jean zipper freeing his erection. As his other hand slipped under the pooling fabric of her dress, he quickly discovered she wasn’t wearing underwear. Holy fuck. Was she walking around all day like this? So tame yet so wild, she was a walking contradiction. Blood surged to his cock.
He reached between her legs, a thick finger sliding through her wet folds. Plunging it deep into her tight core, he lapped at her nipple, teasing it with his teeth.
“Ah, yes…” she cried at the erotic intrusion.
“Look at how fucking ready you are for me,” he breathed, trailing his lips along her delicate neck.
She quivered around him as he speared another finger inside her pussy. Her citrus feminine scent teased his nostrils, and his gaze locked on hers. His wolf growled in response, urging him to mark her and Jake again shook off the instinct. Jesus Christ, what is wrong with me? A twinge of regret stabbed at his heart knowing he couldn’t mate with her.
“No, don’t stop,” Kai panted as he set her on her feet. She blinked up at him, her lips swollen.
Jake lifted her arms above her head, and without a word, he gripped the dress and yanked it off her body. He tossed it aside, never taking his eyes off her, giving her a sexy smile before turning her around.
“What are you doing?”
“Keep your hands on the wall,” Jake instructed. He kissed her shoulder, resisting the urge to nip her skin. He blew out a breath, soaking in the sight of her full bottom. “You’re fucking perfect.”
Jake ran his palm over a globe of her ass, nudging her thighs open with a knee. Kai’s head lolled forward, and she shifted on her feet, nuzzling her cheek into his palm.
“Aw, sweetheart, I promise you we’ll do this properly later but right now…I gotta be inside you.”
Jake made quick work of shucking his pants onto the floor. Taking his cock into his hand, he rocked upward, grazing his tip through her wet pussy.
“That’s a girl, bend over for me,” he directed, pleased when she did as she was told.
As he plunged deep inside her hot core, her sexual energy slammed into him. Her tight hole contracted around his cock and he sucked a breath to keep from coming. Holy fuck. No, no, no. You’re not a teenager.
“Don’t move, don’t move,” Jake repeated, his body on fire with desire. His fingers gripped her hips as he fought his release.
“Jake. Now,” she told him, tilting her ass to take him deeper.
“Jesus, Kai,” he breathed, seized by her power. Adjusting to the sensation, he slowly eased in and out of her.
“I…Jake…I need to tell you…”
“No talking.” Jake slid his fingers down between her legs, brushing them over her clitoris. His little pixiu liked to give orders, and he wasn’t having it. “Listen sweetheart, you’re gonna have to learn I’m in charge, now. No more running.” He flicked the pad of his finger over her swollen bead, eliciting a moan. “Your pleasure. Your pain. It’s mine now. And yes, that spanking is coming.”
Kai’s eyes widened yet her hips kept rocking toward him, seeking his touch. “I don’t think…”
“After that stunt you pulled today, I’m thinking I’m not the only one who gets an apology.” The image of sharing her with Quintus flashed in his mind, spanking her in front of him, turned his cock to concrete. “I’m gonna enjoy your punishment, you know that girl? But right now,” Jake thrust up into her, holding her in place, “I’m goin’ to fuck you hard so you don’t ever forget me…” Who you belong to…you’re mine.
“I’ve never…” Kai lost her words as he rammed into her.
His fingers traveled up her back, his cock pounding into her tight pussy. He gripped her shoulders, bringing her upright. His mouth went to her neck, tasting her delicious skin. He resisted looking into her eyes, denying the instinct that curled in his chest. She’s not yours. Just fuck her. But his beast demanded her submission.
“You will obey, Kai. Do you understand?”
“What are you…”
“There can be no other way.” His wolf growled, urging him to claim her.
“Please…please, Alpha. Oh Goddess,” she cried as he circled her clit with his thumb until she trembled beneath him. His fingers danced over her swollen bead, leaving her shaking. Contracting around his stiff length, she panted his name.
Alpha, he heard her call to him, and he increased his pace. Reaching his hand around her neck, Jake tilted her chin and slammed his mouth onto hers. His ferocious kiss muffled her words. His wolf paced, but he still refused to mark her.
As she tore her lips from his, bracing her forehead on her arm, he held her tight to him. Jake gave a final thrust, exploding deep inside her. The heat of her back sizzled against his chest, the tendrils of his orgasm spearing through him.
What the hell is going on? She cannot be mine. She isn’t a wolf. Fuck. Jake slipped his cock out of Kai, turning her into his embrace. His mind spiraled with questions as he panted for breath. He glanced to the hallway; a sound emanated from downstairs. Quintus.
“Maybe we should leave her home?” Quintus suggested, setting the bottle of wine on the kitchen counter.
“I don’t want to bring her but there’s no way I’m leaving her with anyone else. No. She stays with me.”
“You could leave her at my place. I have wards. She won’t get out.” He extracted the cork and sniffed the rim. “Colore Del Testamatta. Goes well with dinner.”
“I’m not sure how she’d take to being locked up,” Jake commented. “She won’t be happy.”
“It’s for her own good,” Quintus told him.
“Yeah, I don’t think that’ll work.”
“It did the first time.”
“I have wards, too.”
“Not like mine.” Quintus gave a sly smile. “Glasses?”
“Upper right cabinet above the sink.” Jake picked up his cell and opened his text messages. He tapped on Logan’s. Status. Now.
Jake had called him before they’d left for the coven. The Alpha had insisted he bring Kai to the pack house, but Jake convinced him that after what had happened in the courtyard, Wynter and the entire pack would be safer with her kept at a distance.
“What’s up?” Quintus asked.
“Nothin’.” Jake pecked out a message to his Alpha. Ilsbeth’s a no go. Spell’s at Serpent’s Breath. Quintus & Kai in tow. He’d call him afterwards and tell him everything he knew about Kai’s nature.
“You know, trust is an important part of a relationship.” Quintus gave a half grin.
“You and I don’t have a relationship,” Jake countered. He peeked inside the takeout bags. The smell of jambalaya wafted into his nostrils and his stomach growled.
“We do have a relationship. You may have been a little irritating at first, but you’re growing on me.” Quintus set three glasses in front of him and began to pour. “Alligator Sauce Piquant?”
“That’s rich. Me growing on you?” Jake paused, not hearing what he’d said. “What about alligators?”
“Alligator Sauce Piquant? You like?”
“Sure do.”
“Lots of good things for dinne
r.” Quintus laughed, continuing to fill the glasses.
“Hey man, don’t take this the wrong way,” Jake retrieved the containers and set them onto the table. He ripped the end off a piece of French bread and bit into it, continuing, “But you’re a vamp. Shouldn’t you be craving blood?”
Quintus nodded, handing him a glass of wine. “Yes and no. It’s true I need blood to live. And some vampires, they prefer only blood. Purity of the race and all that bit. I, myself, I still embrace the comforts of my humanity. Life does not lie within my breath. It lies within the enjoyment of the day. Shrimp creole? Ah, well, that brings me enjoyment.”
“Fair enough.” Jake glanced to the large curved stairway, listening for Kai.
“You’ve tried to mark her?” Quintus asked.
“Mark her?” Jake exclaimed, spitting out his wine onto the table. He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Jesus, look what you made me do.”
“It’s happened, no?”
“I’m goin’ to give you the benefit of the doubt, Quint. But if you are as old as you say you are, my guess is that you know about the birds and the bees and how it goes with us wolves.”
“Yes. Of course I know how it works.” Quintus rummaged through the cabinet, looking for plates.
“Upper left. Next to the fridge.” Jake went to a drawer and opened it, retrieving utensils. “So then you know how it is. I already told ya. Wolves mate with wolves. We aren’t like vamps. I mean, I guess you can be a part shifter and it still can take. Dimitri’s mate was a tiger. But still, she was wolf. If she’d been all tiger, it couldn’t happen.”
“Kai is not a shifter?”
“Yeah, technically she is. Look, I’ll be the first one to admit that there are some differences. A pixiu? I don’t know what the hell all her powers are or what she’ll change into, but she says she can’t mate. Not at all. She also says she can’t bear children.”
“Pixiu. They can take a partner of sorts. I suspect you are hers.”
