by Lori King
Jace shook his head. “It’s not your fault.” He joined her on the couch and reached out, hesitating for a moment before touching her hand. “It’s the wolves’ fault. Not yours. You did great. Because of you, I am alive. You saved me twice today.”
She used her free hand to swipe at her eyes. “I could have done more. I should have done more tonight, and that night too.”
“You did plenty. We’re both alive, aren’t we?” He regretted the words the moment they came out.
She winced, pulling her hand out of his. Her fingers wiggled. She stood and walked to an end table where she picked up a sopping wet photo. “I haven’t been this alive for so long. It took me years just to figure out how to touch inanimate objects. Something as simple as reading was a project. But I figured it out – eventually. You can stay the night, Jace. However, I am retiring to my room. I can’t be around you. It’s too painful a reminder of what I cannot be and what I cannot have.”
It was obvious she was hurting, but he couldn’t just let her walk away. They had to figure this out – before midnight. Intuition told him that if magic was at its peak today, they needed to mate before the stroke of midnight. “Do you believe in fate?” he asked as he moved to stand in front of her.
She shuffled her feet. “I used to.”
“How much do you know about wolves?”
She lifted her brow, but said nothing.
“What if fate brought me here tonight? What if fate has kept you in this house for so many years? What if it was waiting for me to come?”
“Why?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Werewolves have true fated mates. You’re mine, Eva. I’m sure of it. The moment I saw you, I knew I had to protect you, I had to get to know you…”
She shook her head, sending tendrils of her dark hair over her shoulders. “You’re wrong.”
“I was drawn to this house even though I should have run away. Coming here made no sense tactically. When I saw you in trouble, I had to protect you. I know it. My wolf knows it. We’re mates, Eva.”
She blinked and met his eyes. “I knew I had to help you, too.”
He nodded. “Because we are fated mates. Somehow, some way, we must find a way to help you and then get out of here – together.”
“How? How can we get out of here?” she asked, swallowing. Her bottom lip trembled and hope shimmered in her eyes.
“If you’re willing, we try to complete the bond. Then hopefully we can bust out of here and send the wolves running long enough for us to make a run for it. My pack is on their way here as we speak. We’d only have to hold on a little while longer.”
Eva closed her eyes. “No. I can’t do that. I know enough about wolves to know once you bond, you’ll never mate with another again.” She took a few steps back. “I’m dead. I have been for a long time. Stay as long as you need, but this fated mates – it’s not possible. I can’t even leave this house, never mind the fact that I’m dead. You… you can go back to your pack and find some pretty werewolf woman to have children – have a family with. I can’t give you that.”
Jace opened his mouth, but she turned on her heel and disappeared into the air before he could say anything. He slapped his hand over his face. That hadn’t gone the way he’d wanted it to at all.
4
Eva reappeared in her room. She turned and swiped her hand, causing the door to shut and the lock to turn. Her other hand went to her chest as her eyes closed. What if Jace was telling the truth about her being his mate? Why would he lie? She believed him. But she couldn’t deny the solitude she’d endured the past ninety-five years. If she were to give in to her desires, he’d be forced to live in solitude, too. The pair of them could be trapped in this house for an eternity. What would happen when the house finally crumbled – or if someone ever came to tear it down? Where would they go? No. I’m not going to take these risks with his life. I wouldn’t wish this turmoil on anyone.
Her gaze went to her spell book. Steeling herself, she marched to it and flipped through the pages. She’d gone through it hundreds of times, but she’d never looked at the werewolf section – at least not the werewolf history part of it. Why would she? She already knew how to kill a werewolf, and it wasn’t with a spell. Her telekinesis would work just fine.
If his plan works, I’d be free. I could leave. We could end Atticus forever and live in peace.
It was foolish to get her hopes up, but maybe, just maybe there was hope for her and Jace. She flipped through the pages and stopped at the beginning of the selection to read.
A soft knock on her bedroom door drew her from the words. “Eva?” Jace asked from the outside.
She sighed, looking at the words, then back to the door. Reaching out, she undid the lock with her telekinesis and swung the door open.
Jace blinked at her before stepping over the threshold. “I’m sorry if I upset you.”
She licked her lips while blinking back tears. “It’s not your fault. I feel it too…this connection that’s brewing between us. I know enough about werewolves to know what finding your mate means for you. I also know what it’s like to be truly alone. That’s not the life I want for you. I couldn’t bear it if you were forced to live out your days alone.”
Jace took a few steps toward her. “It’s not well known, but there is an extra step to the mating that can be done.”
She frowned, waiting for him to continue. Whatever he was talking about wasn’t in her book.
“If I bite you, and we share blood during the mating, our life forces will join.”
Eva swallowed, her eyes widening at the idea. That could work, or it could go horribly wrong for him. “I can’t let you take that risk. I’m dead – a ghost. What if it doesn’t work the way you intend and you… you…” She couldn’t finish the sentence.
“But what if it does work?” he insisted, closing the distance between them. He took both her hands into his. “I’m willing to take the risk. Either way, we’ll be together.”
“What about your pack? Aren’t they expecting you?” she asked.
“One of the guys I was with sent out a distress text before he died. They know we were in trouble. Knowing my alpha, they’ll come in at full force.”
She mulled over the information a bit. “But won’t they be looking for you?”
“They’ll be looking for all of us,” he admitted. “But I don’t need to tell them the negotiations didn’t go as planned. They already know that.” He gripped her hands tighter and pulled her into him. “I’m sure that binding our life forces will work favorably.”
“How can you be so sure?” she asked. She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth to keep it from trembling. Was it possible? Did he know something she didn’t?
“I have faith.”
It seemed like such a simple answer, but when she looked at him, she could tell he truly believed what he was saying. She wanted to tell him yes, to trust that he knew what he was talking about.
Jace reached out, cupping her face. “Trust me.”
He was a stranger, but the urge to believe him was innate. She wanted this as much as he did. If there was one thing she’d learned never to question, it was magic. Somehow magic always found a way. Maybe it was fate that had brought them together tonight. There was only one way to find out. “Okay.”
A grin spread across his face, and she couldn’t help sharing it. He leaned in, pressing his lips against hers. She marveled at the contact. It had been so long since she’d felt another person, let alone so intimately.
His full lips moved gently against hers. She moaned, opening her mouth to his. His tongue slipped inside and gently caressed hers before traveling along her teeth.
Jace’s hands wrapped around her until she was flush against him. Breathless, she pulled back and blinked up at him. Hunger brewed in his gray eyes, and she shivered at the intensity. “Are you sure?” she asked, still unable to shake the idea of something going wrong. He had everything to lose, while she
had everything to gain.
“Absolutely.” His hand snaked up her back until he cupped the back of her head. “This isn’t too fast for you, is it? I don’t want to push you.”
She swallowed. This was very forward by her standards. She’d known him a few hours at most, yet there was no denying what her body wanted – what her heart wanted. “No. I want this – you.”
He grinned and captured her lips again. One of his hands went to her waist, and he guided her backward until her knees hit the bed. His hands went to the button at the back of her neck, flicking it loose. He undid the zipper, lowering it inch by inch until it stopped at her rear.
She pulled back, breaking the kiss so she could slide her arms out of the dress. It fell to her feet, leaving her in her shift.
Jace’s eyes roamed over her. “I’ve never seen lingerie quite like this before.” He skimmed his hands over the fabric. “This is kind of sexy, but I can’t wait to get it off you.”
Did women not wear garments like these under their clothes anymore? If not, then what did they wear, and how did she go about finding it?
His hand went to the strap of her shift. The pads of his fingers trailed down her arm as he dragged it over her skin, exposing her breasts. “So beautiful.”
Eva closed her eyes as he lowered her shift to the floor, leaving her bare to him except for her panties. Both his hands went to her breasts, squeezing and pinching her nipples until they were tight, hard buds. She gasped at the feeling as her body came alive for the first time in decades.
“Lie down for me, Eva. I want to taste you and see your beautiful body.”
She shivered at his words as she sat down. Scooting back, she lay against the pillows and blinked up at him.
The trousers he wore were tight against his thigh, giving her a good view of his throbbing cock through the material. He looked so big. The idea of him filling her sent heat coursing through her, and she licked her lips with anticipation.
Jace put one knee down on the bed, then the other, causing it to dip beneath his weight. He nestled between her thighs. Leaning in, he pressed his lips against hers, offering her a long, languid kiss before nuzzling her neck then her ear. His lips moved down her body to one breast and then the other before he traveled to her navel.
One hand crept beneath the hem of her panties. His palm cupped her sex before he pressed two fingers inside of her. She clasped the bedding in her hands at the feel. No one had ever touched her like this before. Her husband had been gentle, but never this attentive. I think I’m going to like this. She purred as his fingers touched her clit. Her body was overly sensitive after so many years of neglect.
“You’re already so wet for me, Eva.” He kissed her belly before catching the fabric of her panties with his teeth. Using his mouth, he peeled them away from her core. She lifted her hips, watching as he rolled the fabric down her legs.
Goosebumps pimpled her skin as anticipation consumed her. She wondered what he was going to do next.
She didn’t have to wait long. His lips went to her mound and then to her apex where they suckled her core. Her hips bucked up off the bed and she stifled a scream at the feel. He was so warm. Each nibble sent her closer and closer to the edge.
If Jace kept up his ministrations she was going to come. She wasn’t ready for this to be over, but she didn’t want him to stop either. One night was not enough. She wanted this every night for the rest of her life. This is going to work. I can feel it. A chill zipped down her spine at the realization. She closed her eyes and threaded her fingers in his thick hair, holding him where she needed him to be.
His tongue flicked against her folds, and she inhaled as sweet release washed over her. She shook from the intensity of her orgasm. Jace continued to suck her core until every last drop had been devoured.
Her eyes fluttered open, and she glanced down to see he was grinning up at her. Heat crept over her cheeks as she met his gaze.
“You taste delicious. How do you feel?” he asked as he stood.
She put one hand on her brow and laughed. “Good.”
“Just good?” One brow shot up in question. “We’re going to have to do something to remedy that.”
Heat gathered at her apex again at the implication. She watched as he undid the bindings of his trousers and slid them down his tawny legs. His thick shaft jumped to attention to greet her.
Eva shuffled on the bed, staring at his member. Precum drizzled out of the tip and she swallowed, wanting to lick it off.
“You okay?” he asked, looking at her intently.
She nodded, not entirely sure she could speak at the moment.
The bed shifted beneath his weight as he climbed back on. He took his cock and guided it to her entrance, swiping the tip up and down her folds.
She wiggled her hips, eager for him to fill her – ready to see if they could truly bond.
“Wait!”
Jace stopped, leaping back from her like she’d slapped him. “What’s wrong?” he asked, worry etching his face.
“Nothing. I mean, I’m sorry… I just…” She stumbled over her words as heat clawed its way over her cheeks. “How does the bonding work? I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.” She closed her eyes and shook her head. This was coming out all wrong. “How do we combine our life forces?”
He smiled as he nestled back between her thighs, placing his throbbing length back at her entrance. His lips found hers. She sighed against his mouth as his tongue danced alongside hers.
When he pulled back, he trailed a hand down her chest to one breast, stopping to play with her nipple. “I’ll initiate it when the time is right. The bond is magic. We’ll each have our canines elongate to points, sharp enough to penetrate the skin. When we bite each other, our life forces join. It’s a one-time thing. I promise your teeth will return to normal.”
She giggled. “I don’t know, there’s something funny about the idea of biting you.”
He wiggled his brows at her. “I’m sure we can find a way around it, and please feel free to bite me anytime you want. Are you ready?”
Eva wrapped her legs around his waist, locking her ankles together at the small of his back. She drew in a deep breath, eager for him to sink into her core.
Jace pushed into her and she screamed with pleasure as his length filled her, stretching her wonderfully. He waited a moment, giving her body time to adjust to his thick cock. When he began to move, she got lost in the rhythm as she met him thrust for thrust.
* * *
Jace set a steady rhythm while using his palms to explore her breasts. They were supple, fitting perfectly into his hands. The more he pinched her nipples, the louder she moaned.
He wanted to know what more he could do to turn her on. Lowering his mouth to her ear, he nibbled on her lobe. Her legs grasped him tighter around the waist. He flicked his tongue over her ear, loving the response he got with the action.
Eva released her death grip on the sheets. Her nails ran up and down his back, hard enough to leave marks. He grunted in approval. The whole world would know she was his and he, hers. He would wear the marks with pride.
His tongue flicked out against her ear again, then traced down her neck. He peppered kisses up her jaw until he stopped at her lips. Timing his thrusts in time with his kisses seemed to please his mate. Throaty moans got lost in the back of her throat, and he growled against her lips in approval.
Her hands went to his butt, pulling him even deeper as she lifted her hips to meet his movements. He was buried so deep in her, he couldn’t tell where she ended and he began. They were truly one. Mates.
There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for Eva. From this day forward they would be together until one of them perished. He just prayed that wasn’t for a very long time. It had taken him years to find his fated mate. There was no way he was going to lose her now.
He pumped against her harder, causing her to cry out. Her heels dug into his back as she clung to him harder. He buried his face in the
crook of her neck, enjoying the way her silky folds sucked him in, milking his cock to perfection. She was wonderfully tight. Her core welcomed him like it was meant for him. It was. She was his mate.
His gums ached as his orgasm started to build. He grunted, feeling his incisors growing until they pressed against his lips. His cock throbbed, pulsing and ready to release.
Eva moaned, her eyes blinking up at him as she stared at him. He held her gaze for a long moment, watching her expressions as he made love to her. She panted and her fingers gripped his shoulders as her movements became erratic.
Jace leaned down, kissing her neck once before biting into her flesh. For a moment, he wondered if she even had blood, but then the warm liquid hit his tongue. That had to be a sign the mating was working, right?
Eva cried out, and he groaned. Her blood tasted like warm honey. He lapped it up, loving the taste of it. A few seconds later, he felt the euphoric prick of her teeth on his neck. The action sent him spiraling over the edge. A growl vibrated in his throat as he continued to share her life force. Her core sucked him in deeper, milking his cock until his seed was spent.
Blinding white light surrounded them. He peered down at Eva, watching as it seemed to be floating mainly around her. It was working. Tiny white specks of magic floated over her neck, healing the bite mark and leaving a tiny scar – his mark – in its wake. He threaded his fingers in her hair as she opened her eyes.
Her breath came in soft pants as her eyes widened.
“Did it work?” he asked, wanting to make sure his earlier thoughts were indeed correct. His fingers drifted to her neck until he found what he was looking for. A steady thrum pushed against the pads of his fingers. She had a pulse. Eva was alive. It had worked, and they could be together.
Her hand went to her chest. “My heart. I can feel the palpitations in my chest.” Her breath quickened as she laughed happily.
He cocked his head to the side and placed it on her chest. It was beating erratically and quickly from their lovemaking. He looked up at her and cupped her face. “It worked.”
