Wolf from the Past: Salvation Pack, Book 4

by N. J. Walters

  “We’re all alone.”

  “Oui, but you need to rest.”

  She nodded her agreement. “I do need to rest.” He narrowed his gaze as if not trusting her easy capitulation, proving once again he was a very smart man. She placed a hand on his chest. His heart was racing and she felt his erection nudge her thigh through the sheet.

  “Of course.” His voice was deep and slightly hoarse. “I’ll let you rest.”

  “No, don’t go.” That was the last thing she wanted. When she’d thought she was going to die, she’d made herself a promise. “I want you to stay.”

  “That’s probably not a good idea, mon ange.”

  “Why do you call me that?” she asked. “My angel.”

  He cupped her chin in his strong hand. His blue eyes were almost electric as he leaned closer. “Because that’s what you are to me. My angel. Returned from the dead.” He pressed a light kiss against her trembling lips.

  “Oh, Gator.” She sighed when he eased back. “I really thought I wasn’t going to make it this time.”

  “I know. I know.” His muscles hardened beneath her hand and a hum of tension surrounded him.

  “I made myself a promise when I thought I was going to die.”

  “What was it?” he asked. He brushed her hair away from her face. She knew it had to be a mass of tangles but didn’t care.

  “That I wouldn’t hide from life anymore.” She’d come to a lot of conclusions about herself when she’d faced certain death for the second time. “That’s what I’ve been doing since I faked my death and ran away. Existing.”

  “No, chère. No.” He kissed her forehead and cheeks. “You were healing. You needed time to recover physically and emotionally from everything you’ve been through.” He kissed her again, this time a little more forcefully. “You’re so brave, so strong.”

  Her? It was difficult for her to see herself the way Gator did, but it was illuminating. It made her proud. It also made her want to live up to the promises she’d made herself.

  “Did you mean it when you said I was your mate?” Her question was blunt but she needed an answer.

  Gator’s expression was as serious as she’d ever seen it. There was no sign of levity and he was so still. All the energy that usually vibrated around him was missing. “Now and forever.” He rubbed his thumb over her cheek and then across her lower lip. “When I thought you were dead, I knew I’d never mate. My heart was empty. And then you came back to me.”

  Her eyes filled with tears. One escaped and rolled down her cheek. He caught it on the pad of his fingertip. “Don’t cry, Sylvie. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

  “That’s the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me.” Gator made her feel special, made her feel as though she was enough without having to change a thing about herself. After living with two men—a father and mate—who had both made her feel totally inadequate and useless, that was the most precious gift of all.

  “It’s true. You’re it for me.” He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips, kissing her knuckles. “You’re my woman. My wolf recognizes you and so do I.”

  “I want to make some changes in my life.” Her heart was racing and she was sweating. Just the thought of making such a commitment was almost sending her into a panic attack. But she held the panic at bay. This was Gator. She trusted him more than she trusted any man. She couldn’t imagine being naked and sexually attracted to anyone else.

  Gator was her miracle and she was about to claim him.

  “What changes, chère? What can I do to help?”

  This was it. There was no turning back from here. Everything in her life had led her to this man and this moment. Deep in her heart, she knew it was the right thing to do, what she wanted to do. This was her choice, not someone else’s.

  Sylvie pushed away and he let her go. His eyes narrowed as he watched her shove the sheet down to her feet, leaving her totally naked. Her skin grew warmer beneath his fiery gaze.

  Feeling sensual and powerful, she sat up and then carefully turned over until she was on her hands and knees beside him. She watched him, not wanting to miss his response to her actions. Gator’s nostrils flared and his pupils dilated. His cock was hard as steel and flexed toward her. His reaction was even better than she’d hoped.

  “What are you doing, mon ange?” His voice was so deep it was almost guttural. His wolf was struggling to take control.

  She shivered and almost faltered, but she’d come too far and she wanted this. She gave him what she hoped was a come-hither smile. “I thought it was obvious. I want to mate with you.”

  Gator was certain he must still be asleep. This had to be a dream. Either that or an alternate reality. Sylvie couldn’t be here on her hands and knees, calmly asking him to mate with her.

  “Why?” His wolf howled in displeasure, his cock throbbed and a voice in the back of his head screamed at him to shut up and just claim her. As much as he wanted to, Gator knew he couldn’t. Not until he knew for sure what was motivating her.

  “Why?” she parroted. The expression on her face said it all. Clearly, he’d lost his mind.

  He knelt beside her and ran his hand over her slender spine, loving the way she arched into his touch. “Don’t get me wrong. This is what I want. What I’ve always wanted.” And that was why he didn’t trust it. It seemed too easy.

  “Then why are you hesitating?” Sylvie sat back on her heels and Gator wanted to howl in frustration and anger. What was wrong with him?

  He raked his fingers through his hair. “I just don’t want you to do something you’ll regret, chère.”

  Her expression softened. “Oh, Gator.” She picked up his hand and brought it to her breast. He swallowed hard when the soft mound pillowed against his hard palm. “I could never regret you. Us.”

  Of its own volition, his hand moved and his thumb circled her taut nipple. She moaned and he could smell her heat, her sensual perfume. Sylvie was aroused.

  “We don’t have to do this now. We can wait until you’ve had time to really think this through.” It was killing him to be noble but she was worth it.

  She caught his face between her hands, forcing him to look her in the eyes. “I’m sure.”

  He swallowed heavily and his cock swelled even larger. Every cell in his body screamed for him to claim her. He wanted to believe her.

  “I love you.”

  Those three words blew his mind and destroyed what little control he had left. All thoughts of being noble fled beneath the onslaught of primal emotions. Mine. That word pulsed in his brain and in his dick. His wolf howled, the sound echoing in his brain.

  He growled aloud. She didn’t look away and met his gaze before returning to her original position on her hands and knees.

  Slow. Take it slow. The reminder flashed across what few brain cells he had remaining. He dragged himself into position behind her, making a place for himself between her spread legs.

  He wrapped a hand around each slender thigh and pushed them wider, exposing her pussy. She was plump and wet and he scented her arousal. He groaned and licked at the damp folds. She moaned his name. That was the sweetest sound of all.

  Had to claim her. Had to mark her.

  Basic urges were driving him hard. He wanted to mark her before someone took her away from him. He growled again and slid two fingers into her tight, wet sheath. Her inner muscles closed around the thick digits, drawing a moan of pleasure from deep inside him.

  He thumbed her clit and was rewarded with a soft cry. Her pussy clamped down harder around his fingers. His balls tightened as though being squeezed in a vise.

  He shook himself when his jaw began to crack and lengthen. He couldn’t shift. Not now. But his wolf was tired of waiting.

  Gator withdrew his hand from between her thighs and moved closer. His cock slid between her thighs and he
moistened himself on her cream. She moaned and rubbed her pussy over his cock, stimulating her clit on his shaft.

  He growled and fitted the head of his cock to her opening. She tried to press back but he caught her hips and held her away. “Are you sure?” He’d lost his ever-loving mind to be asking such a question at this moment, but he couldn’t stop himself.

  “Don’t you dare stop,” she told him.

  “I love you.” He said the words as he pushed his cock into her warmth. Home. That was what Sylvie represented to him, home and a future. Her pussy closed around him, welcoming him with her moist heat.

  He gritted his teeth to keep from coming. He swore he saw stars. Nothing had ever felt this fucking good in his entire life.

  Her slender back and neck was exposed to him. Silvery lines crisscrossed her back, old scars, reminders of her past pain. He leaned down and kissed them all one by one, and her pussy contracted around his cock. She’d put herself in the most vulnerable position a woman could. And she’d done it for him.

  Gator felt like the king of the world. No, too tame. Supreme conqueror of the universe. Yeah, that had a better ring to it. Her trust was a powerful thing and he promised he’d never do anything to give her one moment’s doubt about her decision.

  They were both panting hard. His lungs ached with the effort it took to breath. His brains belatedly kicked in and reminded him that Sylvie still wasn’t well. As much as he didn’t want to rush things, this couldn’t be easy for her.

  Claim her, fuck her and feed her.

  Gator had a goal now, a plan.

  He eased back until only the head of his cock was inside her. A heartbeat later, he plunged forward. Sylvie moaned and rocked with him. He leaned over her, planting his hands alongside hers on the bed. His bigger body covered hers.

  He’d protect her forever.

  Her neck was marked, a reminder that another male had already claimed her. The scars were jagged. Andre had hurt her when he’d claimed her. The bastard.

  Gator growled and bared his fangs. She belonged to him now. He kissed her exposed nape and then slowly sank his teeth into the tender flesh.

  Sylvie tensed when Gator placed his hands alongside hers. As much as she trusted him, old fears goaded her. He was so much bigger than she was. Stronger. Then he rocked his hips, drove his cock deep and blasted her fears into dust. This was her Gator and he would never hurt her.

  Her skin tingled with sensation. Every inch of her was alive in a way it had never been before. It would have been so easy to let her wolf out. It was similar to how she felt when she shifted but slightly different.

  She was aware of everything—the slight warm breeze that occasionally wafted in through the window, Gator’s breath on her skin, his arms alongside hers, his cock pulsing thick and hard inside her.

  She quivered in anticipation when he growled. She braced herself for the pain to come, telling herself it would be worth it when it was done. She wanted to mate with Gator and join their lives together. Whatever happened in the future, she loved him and she was tired of being afraid. She wanted this.

  But he didn’t bite into her neck, ripping at the flesh. His lips pressed a tender kiss to her nape, and then she felt the prick of his teeth as they sank into her. It wasn’t like Andre’s claiming at all.

  She immediately banished all thoughts of her former spouse. He had no place here. This was for her and Gator.

  He raised one hand and slid it between her legs. His clever fingers found her clit and began to rub it. She gasped and pressed into his touch. He growled and began to thrust his hips. His strokes were hard and fast, pushing her toward orgasm.

  Claiming was both primal and beautiful. It hadn’t been that way for her the first time around.

  He fucked her harder. Her pussy clutched at him, not wanting to let him go. He varied his touch to her clit, rubbing it firmly and then barely feathering it. He sank his teeth deeper into her neck and she gasped.

  Her orgasm slammed into her like an out-of-control freight train. Her pussy spasmed and she felt the hot flood of his claiming as he found release. He removed his fangs and called her name. His hips never stopped slamming into hers. She had no idea how long her orgasm lasted. Everything got a little fuzzy around the edges.

  The next thing she knew, she was lying flat on her stomach, Gator’s cock was still buried deep and he was on top of her, with his upper body angled off her back so he didn’t crush her.

  Both of them were breathing heavily. Sylvie wasn’t sure if they’d be able to pry themselves apart, but she decided not to worry. She felt replete and exhausted. Gator licked at the wound on her neck. She knew it had already stopped bleeding, but she liked the way he tended to her, was concerned about her wellbeing.

  It was something she’d never take for granted.

  He wrapped his arms around her and rolled them both so they were on their sides. He made sure she wasn’t lying on her injured side. Not that she felt any pain at the moment.

  He kissed her shoulder. “You okay?”

  “Mmm.” She’d meant to say something. Really, she had, but that was the best she could manage.

  They stayed there for the longest time. Neither of them was in a hurry to move. Finally, he eased his cock from her and rolled her over until she was on her back with him looming over her.

  “You won’t regret this,” he told her.

  Her poor Gator, always so concerned about her and never worried about himself. That was okay. He had her to look after him now. “I know.” She touched his face, marveling that this special man belonged to her. Inside, her wolf stretched and preened. But Sylvie knew exactly how her wolf felt. She wanted to do a little preening of her own.

  “I love you, Etienne.” It was important for her to use his given name. To let him know she loved all parts of him.

  He swallowed heavily, leaned down and kissed her. “I love you, Sylvie.” When her stomach punctuated the romantic declaration by growling, he smiled. “I think it’s time to feed you now.”

  That was so Gator. Always looking out for her. She laughed and rubbed her nose against his in a loving caress. “I think that’s a fine idea.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  In spite of Gator’s determination to feed her, it was hours later before they actually ate. She’d fallen asleep earlier, her body needing the rest more than the food.

  It was now past midnight, and Sylvie sat at the table eating roast-beef sandwiches, potato chips and milk. It was simple fare, but the best meal she’d ever eaten, and all because of the man she was sharing it with. Her mate. She rubbed the back of her neck and felt his mark overlaying the much older one.

  He set down his sandwich and reached for her hand. “Does it hurt?” His concern made her smile.

  “No, it doesn’t hurt at all.” And that still amazed her. He’d claimed her and all she could remember was the pleasure of his big body covering hers. Now she knew how it was supposed to be. She squeezed his fingers and released him.

  “You sure you’ve had enough?” As always, Gator was trying to feed her.

  “Plenty.” She ate the last bite of her sandwich and then pushed the plate away. She washed it all down with the remains of the milk and sighed.

  Gator’s plate was already empty and he was watching her. She was wearing her bathrobe with nothing under it and her skin began to tingle.

  He gave a low growl and then laughed. “Enough of that.” He stood, lifted her out of her chair and sat back in his own with her in his lap. “I promised myself I’d give you time to recover from your wounds.” He kissed her nape. “All of them.”

  “I’m feeling fine,” she told him. She was feeling remarkably well in spite of everything.

  His gaze narrowed and his brow furrowed. “I’m not taking any chances.” She recognized the stubborn set of his jaw and the thinning of his lips. He would not be swayed
, at least not right now. Maybe later.

  She ran her hand over his bare chest, lightly playing with the smattering of hair there. He’d only pulled on a pair of jeans before escorting her to the kitchen to get something to eat. And Gator in a pair of jeans was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen.

  She traced her fingers over his tattoos, following the dark ink. He grabbed her hand, brought it to his mouth and kissed it. He was always touching her. Small caresses that made her feel cared for and loved.

  Sylvie tried to relax and enjoy the moment, but other worries pressed at her.

  “What is it?” he asked. When she raised her eyebrow in silent question, he shrugged. “You tensed up, so I know you’re thinking about something that’s bothering you.”

  Amazing. The man missed nothing. She walked her fingers up his arm. “I’m wondering what Armand and the others will think.” They hadn’t even asked the alpha if they could mate, as was customary.

  Gator snorted. “They’ll think you’re crazy for tying yourself to me and that I’m one hell of a lucky bastard.”

  She laughed. She couldn’t help herself. His dry tone and wicked grin were infectious. Then she sobered. “You don’t think Jacque will be angry?”

  He frowned and shifted her slightly on his lap. “Why would he be angry?”

  He truly didn’t see the problem. “He’s the alpha,” she explained.

  His expression cleared and the corners of his mouth turned up. “That’s not how things work around here. Trust me, he’ll be happy for us.” His smile widened. “And if he isn’t, I’ll use my secret weapon.”

  It was Sylvie’s turn to frown. “Secret weapon?”

  “Gwen.” Sylvie laughed as he continued. “She likes me and I know she likes you. She’ll want us to be happy. And that means Jacque will want us to be happy.”

  “It’s very complicated,” she teased. Once again, she was discovering just how different this pack was from her old one.

  “It is, but that’s okay. You have me to guide you.” He said the last with a serious tone.

  She laughed again and he lifted her fingers to his mouth and nipped at them. “You dare to laugh at your mate?” She grinned and nodded. “I don’t get any respect,” he muttered.