Running with the Pack: Cannon Pack, Book 3

by Beverly Rae

  “Fuck me. Now.” Her body trembled from the multitude of climaxes racing along her body, her mind closing down until only the primal part of her consciousness remained. She shut her eyes and reached out, fighting to find his manhood, desiring him deep inside her. His tongue, his wonderful tool of torture, left her spent, yet ready for anything.

  Lowering her, Daniel rubbed his shaft against her, wetting his tip, taunting her to make her plead even louder, longer. Unashamed, she did, adding the plea to her eyes. “Daniel, please.” The ache in her tone couldn’t match the yearning inside her.

  Daniel rested her buttocks on the tops of his knees, massaging her weak legs. Licking his upper lip, he helped her wrap her legs around his waist. “Now?”

  “Are you freakin’ kidding me? Yes, yes, yes!”

  Daniel shoved into her and Lauren screamed in joy, energized by his attack. She thrust her pelvis upward, her wall to his battering ram. She grabbed his hands and placed them on her breasts, urging him to fondle them. He groaned, keeping his eyes locked with hers. They moved as one, each reveling in the pleasure they gave each other.

  “Play with yourself, Lauren.” He glanced down, his body tense, sweat running down the rivulets of his chest to the toned abdomen and, finally, into the valley their union formed.

  Using her middle finger, she toyed with her swollen nub, taking joy in the way he watched her hand move. She tried to hang on, to keep the delicious agony going, but his thrusts were too much. Nothing else mattered except the sensations coursing through her, the heat making the sweat seem almost cool against her skin. She watched his face, a study in restraint, and pushed against him. Another climax wracked her until she was sure she would pass out. “Oh, God, Daniel, I don’t know how much longer…”

  “Lauren, I have to…”

  She couldn’t think, not with him deep inside her. “Have to…what?” He stopped, the abrupt cessation shocking her. “No, Daniel, don’t stop.”

  Daniel opened his mouth. Fangs, sparkling in the bright sunlight, slid from behind his lips. “Lauren, do you want me to? Quick. Tell me. If I go much further, I won’t be able to stop.”

  “Do it, Daniel. Make me yours.”

  Howling, he shook his head, his features changing seconds before he bent over her and sank his teeth into her neck.

  She felt his fangs tear into her skin and panic seized her. Yet before she could even rethink her decision, she succumbed, clutching the back of his head and hugging him close. A liquid burn, hotter than a branding iron, spun into her neck, into her veins to scorch down her body. She screamed, her body bucking under his, and still she held on.

  At that moment, his body tightened, and his features changed, returning to the Daniel she loved. Howling again, he gave into his release, taking her along with him, his shudders smoothly flowing into hers.

  Daniel lay next to Lauren, his eyes closed, enjoying the cooling breeze flowing over his love-worn body. Her shoulder grazed his, tantalizing him, awakening another burst of desire. If they didn’t move soon, he’d take her again. Not that he wouldn’t love to do exactly that. But they needed to address other matters first. “Lauren, are you all right?” He peered at her wound, already beginning to heal.

  Eyes closed, she snuggled in the crook of his arm and ran her hand over his chest. “Hmm?”

  “Do you know what just happened? What that bite meant?” Had she understood? Or had he been mistaken?

  “You marked me.”

  Did she sound angry? She didn’t look angry. In fact, she seemed very relaxed, satisfied, even happy.

  “Yes, I did.” A bee buzzed between them, the only sound disturbing the silence. Wouldn’t she act upset if she hadn’t wanted him to mark her? “I know neither one of us has mentioned this what with all the problems going on. Then John, the hunters—”

  “Daniel, just spit it out.” She was suddenly alert and, propping her chin on his chest, arched her eyebrows at him. “What is it?”

  Her hair felt like silk in his hands. Did he dare ask her? If she turned him down, could he stand it? “I know your life is in the city, but would you ever consider—”

  “Yes.” She laughed, then buried her face against him. “I’m sorry. I know I should’ve waited for you to ask, but you’re taking way too long to get to it. So I figured I’d help you out.”

  “How do you know what I want to ask you?” His heart lurched at the idea. What if she didn’t know? What if she’d assumed incorrectly?

  She sat up, her eyes wide. “Uh, I guess maybe I don’t. And maybe I should’ve kept my big mouth closed.”

  He tried to get her to look at him, but she turned away. “You? Keep quiet? Come on.” He winced, fearful that he’d made a mistake when she didn’t laugh at his joke. “Lauren, we’ve gone from enemies to…”

  When she turned to seek his eyes, he found he couldn’t meet them. When had he ever gotten tongue-tied? But the question he had to ask was too important. If he didn’t ask her the right way, she might refuse him. Hell, she might refuse him anyway.

  “What are we now, Daniel? I thought since you marked me, that made us…together.”

  He sensed she wanted the same answer he did, but fear made his words stumble from his mouth. “You’re right. We’re, I mean, we’re good together.” He took her nod as a positive sign. “Uh, not sexually—I mean, not just sexually—but…” He studied her, readying for her reaction. “You do realize that you’re going to change, right? That you’ll become one of us?”

  She smiled and ran her palm along his cheek. “Yes, I know. And I’m happy about it.”

  He relaxed a little. “Good. But I want you to know that just because you’re going to change, it doesn’t mean you have to come with me. You can still choose.” Why couldn’t he get the words out? “Lauren, I’m trying to ask you if you’d go, I mean, come. Oh, hell, I’m not saying any of this right.”

  “For the sake of the pack, man, will you just ask her?”

  Daniel followed Lauren’s stunned gaze and found Tucker standing at the edge of the picnic area. She gasped and hid as much of her body behind his as she could, reminding him of the other time at the mansion. Talk about déjà vu. “Tucker, what the hell are you doing here?”

  Tucker’s grin said it as well as his words did. “I’m watching a terrific show. In fact, I think you two should make a video and submit it to one of those amateur porn websites.”

  Daniel heard Lauren’s quick intake of breath, felt her bump against him as she hurriedly pulled on her clothes. She remained behind him, probably hiding from embarrassment. “How long have you been standing there? And why didn’t you let us know you were there?”

  “What and cut the show short? If anything, I’d like to see more.”

  Daniel held back his anger, knowing Tucker would take it as a sign to further bait him. “Did the others take John?”

  “Yep. The rest of us are escorting the hunters to the edge of town. Minus their guns and cell phones, of course. Devlin’s escorting the big white hunter to his trial with the council.”

  “Good. Then you can get on your way, too.” He flicked his hand at Tucker, motioning for him to leave.

  “Hell, no. I want to hear her answer.”

  Daniel gritted his teeth. “I haven’t asked her anything.”

  “Shit, man, why are you such a slowpoke? I can’t wait around here all day. Lauren, darlin’?”

  Daniel glared at Tucker, but that didn’t intimidate him.

  “Yes?” Lauren’s tone was soft, tentative.

  “What this clod is taking his god-awful time asking is this: Will you come home with him? You’re his mate now. You’re one of us now. Of course, that also means you’re stuck with this tongue-tied clod, but, hey, at least you’ll get to run with the pack.”

  Daniel longed to wrap his hands around Tucker’s neck but, in order to do so, he’d have to move, exposing Lauren.

  “So even after I said yes to your bite, you’re still afraid to ask me to live with you?” Sh
e arched an eyebrow, her lips pulled into a smirk.

  Daniel held up his hand, silencing Tucker. “Yeah. But only if that’s what you want. I don’t want to pressure you.” Much less kidnap her. Would she hold that against him? He doubted it, but who knew? The silence, however, was deafening.

  Tucker, however, wasn’t finished mouthing off. “Say yes, darlin’, and you’ll gain an instant family, too.”

  Aw, hell. If he’d wanted to strangle his friend before, now he wanted to skin him alive, then boil him in oil. His and Torrie’s children were the great joy of his life, but that didn’t mean Lauren wanted a ready-made family. Especially a ready-made shifter family. He’d planned on easing into the topic of his children, but Tucker had blown his plan apart more effectively than a block of dynamite. Now he’d have to forge ahead and hope for the best.

  “You have children, Daniel? Torrie’s children?”

  He had to see her, to interpret her emotions before she made a decision. Facing her, he studied her expression, her eyes, her body language. She stayed close to him, meeting his frank perusal with her own, her body tucked into a tight ball. “I have two great kids. A girl and a boy.” He couldn’t help it. Just thinking about his children always made him smile. “Lance, he’s six, and he’s all boy, all shifter, and loves to stay in wolf form. Tracey, who’s three, is just like Torrie. She’s beautiful, caring, loves everyone and everything which, of course, worries me.”

  She touched his hand, giving him the reassurance he needed. “You’re afraid she won’t see danger when it comes at her. Like her mother.”

  “I know I should have mentioned them before I marked you, but…”

  “I understand. We both kind of jumped into this.”

  “In a way, but I’ve wanted to make you mine for a while now.” He choked, relieved that she understood. “They’re great kids, Lauren. But I understand if you don’t want to get involved with someone with children. If you want me, if you want to come with me back to hills, then you’ll have to accept them, too. It’s like they say: We’re a package.”

  Her eyelids fluttered, waving her lashes at him. The simple unconscious action zipped lust into his abdomen and, if Tucker hadn’t been watching, he would’ve pushed her on her knees and had her again.

  “They sound terrific.” She bit back a giggle. “I’d ask to see photos but, under the circumstances—” her gaze fell below his stomach, “—I doubt you have them on you.”

  Her light joke spurred him on, hope filling him. “I don’t need photos if you decide to come home with me. Once you meet them…” Could he really expect her to fall in love with them that fast?

  “I’m sure I’ll love them.” She saw into his very soul with that one look and said the best words he could ever hear. “If they’re anything like you, I’ll love them. But will they like me? Will they accept me?”

  He had to warn himself not to shout his happiness to the world. “In time. How could they not?”

  “Damn, you two are getting downright lovey-dovey.” Tucker shook his head at them. “I’m getting the hell out of here before I upchuck from all this sticky sweetness. Daniel, I’ll see you later for sure. Lauren, as far as I’m concerned, you can run with the pack anytime you want. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some hunters to boss around and a lady friend to take home.” He tossed her a grin and strode away.

  Daniel’s joy exploded and he pulled Lauren on top of him. “So, just to make sure I’ve got this right, you’ll come with me and be my mate? I marked you, but that doesn’t mean you have to go. But say the words, Lauren. I need to hear the words.”

  “Yes, Daniel Cannon, I’ll come with you. I love you, ya big wolfman.” She tugged her shirt over her head and tossed it away. “However, I’ll only come with you on one condition.”

  He struggled to tear his attention away from her breasts and failed until she tilted his head up to meet her sultry expression. “Yeah. One condition. Name it.”

  “I’ll come with you and I’ll be your mate, if you make love to me again. Right now. Right here.”

  The breeze blew her soft curls, making her seem like an angel in flight. Pulling her down to him, he nuzzled his face in the curve of her neck. “You’ve got a deal.”

  Epilogue

  “Lance Cannon, if you pull your sister’s tail one more time, I’m going to give you a consequence you won’t soon forget.” Lauren made her “mommy’s mad” face and pointed a finger at the precocious werewolf. His pretty sister, Tracey, giggled and pointed her own finger at her brother.

  The young werewolf shot her a fang-filled grin, wagged his tail and sat on his haunches, the picture of innocence. He cocked his head, reminding her of Daniel’s gesture, his question silent but unmistakable.

  “You’re wondering what the punishment is, aren’t you?” He nodded, sticking to the silent routine. “If you pull your sister’s tail again, I’ll make you stay in human form for the rest of the week.” She almost laughed at the horrified expression on the young shifter’s face. “Have I made myself clear?” Lance yelped, then twirled around twice, pretending to chase his tail. Lauren chuckled, knowing he played the fool because she thought his antics were funny. “Now off to spend the night with your Aunt Sydney. Both of you.”

  Strong arms slipped around her waist. Recognizing the familiar scent, she leaned into Daniel, liking the way he supported her weight. “Ah, there you are.” She sniffed again, loving one of the perks of being a shifter. Soon after coming to the pack’s home in the mountains, she’d gone through the Change. She loved staying in the magnificent caves where most of the pack lived. “Where have you been?”

  As if she didn’t know. She could smell Tucker’s aroma on him, knew the two men met every day to discuss pack business. But she could sense they’d discussed more than the everyday matters of the pack today. She’d known something was up ever since the council had made their decision about John, sending him to Chicago to face whatever happened to him there.

  “Talking with Tucker.” Daniel turned her to face him, buried his hands in her hair and kissed her deeply, lovingly. “But I figured you already knew that.”

  She sighed, contented and blissful. “Uh-huh. And what kind of trouble are you two brewing up?”

  He feigned shock, but she knew better.

  “Well, if you must know, nosy woman.” He ducked away, narrowly missing her playful swipe at him. “Tucker wants to go out on his own.”

  She’d suspected something different about Tucker in recent days, but she hadn’t expected that. “What do you mean out on his own?”

  “He wants to start his own pack.”

  A werewolf starting his own pack was rare and dangerous, especially in an area that already had several packs. Most pack leaders wouldn’t hear of it, would consider it a challenge to their authority, but did Daniel? “And what did you say?”

  “I told him to go for it.”

  Her mate never failed to surprise her. “You did? Aren’t you worried for him?”

  “He understands what’s involved. Besides, he’s leaving the area.” Daniel played with a strand of her hair, a sure sign he wanted sex.

  “Where’s he going?” Tucker was such an integral part of their pack that she had a hard time thinking of the pack without him.

  “He wants to see what Oklahoma is like.”

  The surprises just kept on coming. “Oklahoma? Why does he want to go there? Are there any mountains, any forests there? Daniel, has he really thought this idea through?”

  He lifted her, carrying her toward their cave, and she locked her hands behind his neck.

  “He wants a city pack. But they have enough unoccupied land that they can run when they want to.”

  She slapped his hand away from her breasts, intent on finishing this conversation first. “Daniel, stop. Talk first. Then sex.”

  He dropped her, exasperation showing in his features, in his demeanor. “Fine. Let’s get this over with. Tucker is going to Oklahoma and I support him.”


  “And your brothers? Do they support him, too?” Jason would more than likely go along with the idea, but Devlin didn’t like losing pack members.

  “I’ll talk them into it.” He paused, waiting for her next question. “Are we good now?”

  She nodded, figuring she shouldn’t push too hard. “For now. But we’re going to talk again later. Okay?”

  “Anything you say, my love.”

  Easing her onto their bed, she watched as her sexy mate quickly lost his clothes, then removed hers. Her gaze slid hungrily down his chest, over the hard stomach to rest on the object of her lust. “You’re just saying that to shut me up, aren’t you?”

  His answer, however, was muffled as he dove between her legs.

  About the Author

  To learn more about Beverly Rae, please visit www.beverlyrae.com. Send an email to Beverly at info@beverlyrae.com or join her Yahoo! group to join in the fun with other readers as well as Beverly! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Beverly_Rae_Fantasies/.

  Look for these titles by Beverly Rae

  Now Available:

  Wild Cat

  I Married a Dragon

  Cougar

  Dance on the Wilde Side

  Howling for My Baby

  I Married a Demon

  Magical Mayhem

  To Fat and Back

  Wailing for Love

  Touch Me

  Coming Soon:

  Wild Things

  Magical Sex

  She’s a real wild cat…in and out of bed.

  Wild Cat

  © 2010 Beverly Rae

  Wild Things, Book 2

  Alexandra’s brother has changed since his mate’s death, but she’s certain he’s no cattle killer. When she gets the chance to track down the real culprit, she jumps at the opportunity to clear the suspicions hovering over his head. And maybe ease her own grief.