by Maggie Ryan
As I thought, her eyes went even wider, her fingers a bit tighter against my skin. “You… you can’t. I mean… you’re not…”
“Not what?” I asked. And while she paused, I didn’t—my finger beginning to slide back and forth in soft, slow thrusts. With a grin, I pulled out only long enough to add a second digit, pushing both steadily back inside her. When she only moaned, not answering my question, I decided to help her along. “I’m not what, Cassandra? A plug?”
A beautiful flush began to creep up her body, covering her breasts, running up her neck to stain her face a soft pink as she nodded. She released her bottom lip to whisper, “You’re bigger. You-you won’t fit.”
I smiled, my fingers withdrawing slowly, my eyes never leaving hers. “Oh, baby, I assure you I most certainly will.” Explanation over, I pulled her cheeks further apart and lowered my head. This time when my tongue began to rim her little opening, she didn’t protest but for the soft mewls that I loved to hear. My cock was aching, throbbing to be seated in her sweet, forbidden depths but I wanted this first time to be memorable. I took my time, tasting, licking, dipping my tongue as deeply inside her as I could before I finally lifted my head again. Her eyes were closed, her lip once again captured by her teeth, her nipples pointed toward the ceiling. It took me only a moment to reach for the lube I’d slipped into her bedside table’s drawer.
“Give me your hand,” I said, flipping the bottle’s top open.
Her eyelashes fluttered open. The fear I’d seen earlier was gone, replaced with a need that she’d find I was all too willing to fulfill. Her hand slid from my shoulder, palm up as if she understood what was going to be asked. I upended the bottle, allowing the lubricant to fill her palm. “Coat me well, and then ask me to fuck your ass.”
The blush returned, darkening and yet her slick palm curled around my cock, small fingers stroking up and down to coat my shaft while I applied the ointment to her pucker.
With the preparations made, I pulled her hand from my dick, lifting her fingers to brush a kiss across them before I pushed her legs up and open wider as I moved between them again. The tip of my cock nudged against her prepared hole that was quivering with expectation. I looked at her, waiting for her to obey.
“Please, sir. Please, fuc-fuck my… my ass.” Green eyes met mine, the words given a bit hesitantly, and yet, I had no doubt that she was not only ready… deep down inside herself, she wanted to explore this act.
Leaning forward, I began to press inside her, the head of my cock forcing her sphincter to open further than any plug she’d held. Her gasp, her moan of discomfort did not preclude her body’s surrender as I had every intention of taking her anal virginity tonight.
“Relax,” I said softly, pressing forward another inch. “Just breathe through the pain, let it guide you to the pleasure that is waiting.”
I was sure she doubted there would be pleasure as inch my inch I continued to bury myself in a place that had never been forced to accommodate something as thick and as long as my cock, and yet, she looked up at me and nodded.
“Oh… oh, God,” she said, her nails digging into me but not attempting to push me away. Finally, I was balls deep, the entire length of my shaft buried inside her ass. Fuck, she was incredibly tight. I just prayed I’d not embarrass myself by coming too quickly. I stilled completely, bending over to place a kiss on each of her nipples, the tiny points pulsing with her arousal.
“Deo… please… I-I need you to take me… hard,” she said softly, a little hesitantly, and yet I was so very proud. I might be the alpha, the dominant one, but that didn’t mean I didn’t appreciate knowing what she needed, what she wanted. Perhaps if she’d been as vocal before, we’d not have come to this.
Even as I began to pump my hips, my balls slapping against her ass with every thrust, I was shaking my head at that thought. Yes, we were facing danger, going down a path that I could only hope wouldn’t bring pain to those I loved, yet, I could not place all the blame at my wife’s feet. I’d failed her in not knowing what she craved but had been unable to voice. Lying over her, pressing my lips to the curve of her neck as she wrapped herself around me, I fucked her hard and fast and swore that never again would I be so blind as not to see what this woman needed, so deaf as to need more than just to listen to all those unsaid desires. She was mine… I was hers and I would spend the remainder of my life making sure Cassandra was fulfilled in all ways.
“Come with me,” I growled, pulling out almost completely before driving fully back inside with one thrust. “I want to feel your ass milking my cock.” Every thrust was deep, hard, filling her completely.
“Oh, God,” she cried, her head tossing on her pillow. “I-I can’t… it’s too much…”
She could… it was just up to me to prove that she was wrong. Dropping one hand, two fingers slid into her cunt, my thumb finding her clit, flicking the bundle of nerves, my fingernail scraping across it until I learned that what I’d thought was a tight channel could become even more constricting. The walls of her ass contracted like a vise around my cock as her eyes widened, her head arched back, and her lips opened to allow a primal scream of pure, animalistic bliss to escape. Holy shit! It was the most incredible thing I’d ever witnessed as she screamed and shattered. I found pain in the pleasure as well as I pumped despite the hold her body had on me until I nipped her neck and joined her in bliss, filling her with each thrust until I was empty.
Pulling from her slowly, I cradled her in my hold, rolling to my back, taking her with me. Fiery strands of her hair spread across my chest, her breath warming my skin with every exhale. Eyes the color of emeralds, glowing in contentment, looked up at me.
“I love you. I love you so very much.”
“And I you, my precious,” I said, stroking her back, watching her eyes close. Within moments, she was limp against me, deep in slumber. I didn’t rush, simply enjoyed holding her until I finally lifted her off me, settling her beneath the covers as I’d done already this evening. Brushing my lips against her cheek, I whispered, “Stay.” I probably just imagined it, but could swear I saw her lips curve in sleep and grinned. Her disobeying that order earlier had made all this possible, but as marvelous as it had been, it was time to rejoin Artem and plan for our future.
Chapter Fourteen
Deo
Another week had passed and the weather was changing. The new day brought a brilliant orange sun with it. The sunrise was burning red, but the air remained frigid. Snow had fallen through the night, clinging to the ground, covering the sparse grass in a pristine blanket of white.
I quickened my stride. There was much to accomplish this morning. Taking a steaming clay mug of coffee from a grumpy Margaret, I made my way to the library. The coffee, though delicious, had come with a long string of curses. No doubt, she had finally counted her cigars and found two missing. I laughed as I took another sip of the dark brew. Margaret could curse me all she wanted. What good would it do when I was already living amongst the cursed?
I sat down at the desk in the corner of the room. From my seat, I could gaze out of the window, at the courtyard below. Cassandra was engaged in hand-to-hand combat with Alekos. The low ponytail I had tied her hair up into that morning was swinging underneath her hat as she moved toward him. Alekos’ arm quickly blocked each of her anticipated moves. Cassandra’s face was pinched in frustration, the tip of her tongue protruding from the corner of her mouth.
Pulling the plans from the desk drawer, I smoothed the large white paper over the desk. Artem and I had painstakingly drawn them up, finishing just in time for me to go upstairs and rouse my sleeping beauty for the daily training.
My eyes roved over the black markings we had made over the castle layout. The plan was delicate, precise, and… hopeless. I sighed, pushing the papers away. If only spirits could be bought as men. Money solved problems, and the Ambrosias had piles of that. But curses could not be paid off.
If it were just us, just my pack fighting, I’d not wo
rry as much. But, with the ‘mankind’ we had added to our ensemble, there was no way of predicating an outcome. We had done our best to prepare them, but training was one thing. Coming face to face with evil, using those new skills in battle… well, that was totally different. I couldn’t help but wonder if there was more we could do.
Alekos was teaching the physical act of defeating the spirits. Andrew’s taekwondo skills were proving helpful, but to my brother’s chagrin, when it came to martial arts, Cassandra was hopeless. Though her coordination was excellent when dealing with blades, facing an opponent without a weapon made her flustered. Cynthia, on the other hand was doing well.
Baal had the undertaking of teaching the supernatural elements that we had in our arsenal. Blades were deadly, a direct hit bringing the spirit down instantly, to disappear with the handle. Then there were the crystals; the ones Cynthia had found so intriguing. You had to come close and be quick to use them. Cynthia had proved herself to be lightning fast, almost outrunning Baal in his human form. She had laughed when I had congratulated her, telling us she had been the track and field star of her Ivy League college.
Artem and Dolly had mostly kept to themselves during training, as they had no need for it. Dolly might not have the Ambrosia blood running through her veins, but her training had served her well—she’d proven herself worthy in combat before. Florida was not the whimsical place people made it out to be. The sunshine state ranked amongst the highest for murder, assault, and car crashes per capita. The unique pair could fight demons with their eyes shut, one hand tied behind their backs.
I was anxious for Xander’s return. The longer he was gone, the less I knew and more vulnerable the castle and its inhabitants. Of all of us, Xander was the most comfortable in his wolf form, preferring it even to his human.
As ‘protector of the pack’, Xander was tirelessly scouting circles around the castle, each day widening his radius as he completed a round, seeking, sensing if they were nearing, gauging when the first of the battles would commence. I would find the job trying, but Xander became restless if in one place, or as a human, for too long. I trusted his instincts completely; he was the best man for the job.
Emptying the last sip of coffee from my cup, I allowed myself a deep sigh. I knew the time had come for me to also take my wolf form, however briefly, and flex my animal muscles. I stood from my desk, gazing out the window, over the courtyard. It was empty, the group having moved into the dining room for breakfast.
I peered around the doorframe of the dining room. The family was seated around the table. Margaret shuffling, Alekos behind her, serving the tea and orange juice. Ah, how she had pained me having that ship filled, calling me every hour on the hour to add to her list, but I had to admit, the meals she served made every request worth it.
Sensing my presence, Draco looked up and our eyes met. Taking his napkin from his lap, he placed it onto the table, standing and excusing himself. He leaned down and whispered into Cassandra’s ear, to which she looked up to him curiously, even as she nodded. I turned and went to the door of the castle to wait for him.
After a moment, he approached. “Is it time?” he asked, a tight, knowing smile crossing his chiseled face.
“As good a time as any, I suppose.”
He looked over his shoulder at the dining room. “Will she be safe?”
“Cassandra knows she must eat. And as she picks like a bird, I assume we are safe for a bit.”
“I told her to stay put, but that one rarely does as she’s told.”
Though obviously hesitant to abandon his post, I could tell the guardian was eager to return to the forest. Draco opened the great oak door, gesturing for me to step outside.
A wintry gust caressed my face. I inhaled deeply, allowing the brisk air to fill my lungs. Though the sun had risen, the sky was dull and gray. The magnificent evergreens stood tall over the stone castle walls, snow powdered over their tips. It was a good day to be a wolf.
Making our way across the drive, we passed under the arch. Once we were outside the castle walls, Draco gave an unsettled look over his shoulder. This was the first he had been out of earshot of his charge.
“We must let her grow up, sometime,” I chided. “Surely our girl can make it through breakfast without getting herself into trouble.”
A chuckle rose from Draco’s chest. “Sometimes, I think not. That one seeks out trouble.”
The look of adoration in his eyes warmed my heart. I had allowed pride to become my jealousy. It was trivial of me and, now, my eyes opened to my mistake, I apologized.
“Draco. Cassandra is my life. You give your life to protect her. You are loyal and trustworthy. I owe you my most sincere apologies. I feel nothing but gratitude toward you, brother.”
“I understand. Should I have a life partner one day, I doubt I would feel differently if placed in the same situation. Know Cassandra’s well-being, as well as your own, is my only motive. In the brief time I have known her, I have grown to lov—” He abruptly stopped speaking, as if the realization of the word he’d left unspoken had come as a shock.
“She’s easy to love,” I offered. “Even though she will try the patience of a saint.”
Draco grinned and nodded. It was good to finally be relaxed in each other’s presence. “She is a minx,” he said, a grin spreading wide on his face.
Taking a deep breath of the wintery air, I placed my hand on my hips, staring into the thick forest. “Shall we?” I asked.
“Time is running out.” Draco crossed his arms, standing by my side. A break in the clouds exposed a ray of sunlight, glinting off the metal in my hand as we began to unlatch the buckles of our belts.
* * *
The tops of the eastern white pine trees swayed in the gray sky as the biting wind swirled around Draco and me. “Andrew told you this?” I asked, trying to mask the surprise in my voice as I conferred with Draco.
Draco was tired, dark circles under his eyes. He ran a hand through his thick chestnut hair. Leaning against the stone wall, Draco looked… defeated. “I can’t believe I wasn’t there.” He pushed away from the wall, his look one of disgust with himself. “Damn it, Deo. I knew better!”
“If anyone is to blame, it is I. You were unsure of leaving her.” I paced, cooling my anger. “She must be punished—again. Unbelievable,” I muttered. I looked up and felt something so strongly, knew without a shadow of a doubt that I’d finally recognized the piece of the puzzle had been missing. “You must chastise her, as well.”
“I am her guardian—”
“No, you are far more than that,” I said. “You’ve already admitted that you love her. The question is, do you love her as deeply as I believe you do?”
Instead of blustering, assuring me he’d give her life for her, something we both already knew, he said, “With every breath I take.”
I smiled and nodded, making a decision that had the power to change the very dynamic of not only our two lives, but Cassandra’s as well. Reaching out to place my hand on his shoulder, I said, “Then be my second. My co-mate. Cassandra needs more than I can give her.”
His eyes closed briefly, his breath seemed to momentarily stop, and yet I felt as if I was witnessing a moment of destiny when he opened his eyes to meet mine. No longer did he look defeated. They shone with a light, a promise, a hope that told of the depth of his love for the woman I loved as well. “Though nothing would give me more pleasure, fulfill me in ways I never allowed myself to imagine, the choice is hers,” Draco said.
I nodded. “I know, but she’ll never make that choice if we don’t let her know that we both wish to be hers, to love her, to protect her.” I paused and though I could not see Cassandra, I could so easily picture her standing, toes inward, awaiting what she had to know would not be pleasant. I smiled thinking that she’d also learn that something wonderful was in her future if she chose to accept it. “We will let her choose, but first, she will be disciplined for her disobedience.” Bringing the conversation fu
ll circle, I repeated, “You must chastise her as well—agreed?”
Draco’s hand reached to take my shoulder, his grip firm. “Agreed.”
“Meet me in the library,” I said brusquely. “I will retrieve our mate.”
It didn’t take long to find her. She was in the upper courtyard practicing her hand-to-hand combat with Alekos. My brother saw me first, lifting a hand to stop the drill. Giving him a nod, I said, “Cassandra, come with me.”
Recognition flared in her eyes. She knew why I had come. Without a word, she followed me into the privacy of the shadows of the wall.
I tempered my anger, controlling my trembling voice. “You dare to defy not only me, but your guardian as well?”
She looked at the ground.
“Did Draco tell you, ‘stay put’, young lady?”
“Yes,” Cassandra whispered.
“Then you shall be admonished, first by Draco, then by me.”
“Deo”—her beautiful face crumpled in mortification—“I couldn’t help it.”
“We will go to Draco. He will see to it that he makes clear the risks you took. You will offer your sincere apology for defying the command of the man risking his life to protect you. And then you will be punished.”
“It’s embarrassing. To be chastised by Draco when I know you are already going to spank me. Why both?”
“You disobeyed us both. You will be taught to obey Draco as you will obey me.”
“Please tell me he isn’t going to watch me being spanked.”
Looking down at her, I shook my head. “Even now you aren’t listening. Whom did you disobey?”
“I-I… my guardian… but—”
“There are no buts, just as there is no excuse. I love you, I do not wish to punish you, nor does Draco, but you leave us no choice. You won’t die of embarrassment, but you could very well die from blatantly disobeying rules meant to keep you safe.”
Tears were sliding down her cheeks. My heartstrings tugged for her shame, but there was no other way. I would not sacrifice Cassandra’s life for the mere fact that the discipline made her uncomfortable.
