by Moxie North
The family tried to keep up a light banter, everyone ignoring the fact that Conner was markedly absent.
Mackenzie insisted on heading out to the base camp with Dax. They both scoured the area, trying to pick up the scent of Tony. They got nothing. Wyatt offered to take them up to the current cut site and Dax agreed that they were getting nowhere at the current location.
The drive up the mountain was helpful. Mackenzie rolled down the window and let the fresh pine-scented breeze wash over her.
“Wyatt, where is a good place to run? My cat sure could use a break,” she asked.
“Anywhere around our cabins is good. We have two hundred acres that butts up against government land. There is no hunting out here, but I’d be careful just the same. It’s not unheard of for someone to poach out here,” Wyatt warned.
“We’ll go together, huh sis,” Dax said looking back at her.
“Sure, that’d be nice.” Heading off for a hard run with Dax did sound nice. It was something to look forward to later.
“It’s nice here, smells good,” she remarked.
“I’m sure California is nice too,” Wyatt offered.
“Oh it’s nice all right. But sometimes it all feels a little too….” She searched for the right word.
“Tame?” Dax offered with a knowing smile.
“Yes brother, tame,” she said with a small chuckle.
“Oh, I see, so you’re the wild one in the family?” Wyatt teased.
“Hmm, not so much wild as unwilling to be squashed into a mold not of my making,” Mackenzie offered.
“Ahh, very diplomatic response. Mother would be proud,” Dax snarked.
“Speaking of mother, oh great and mighty Alpha, have you called her?” Mackenzie decided to poke the lion so to speak.
“No, and I’m not going to. I decided that until you two were settled, there was no reason to involve her,” he said formally.
“Chicken shit,” she muttered.
Wyatt thought that was pretty funny, he broke out into a barking laugh.
“Oh great and mighty Alpha, I’m going to have to remember that for Cage,” he quipped.
“So when is Cage going to take over? I’m sure his uncle would be happy to retire,” Dax asked.
“Well, Uncle John said whenever Cage was ready, they would have the formal ceremony. I think he’s waiting until we have this mess figured out. And waiting until he has Sophie tied to him in every way. The life of an alpha’s mate can be daunting. I mean bears are pretty easygoing, unlike you high drama cats. There are the usual disputes to mediate among family, nothing too serious. But still it’s a lot of work and added stress,” Wyatt said.
“Can’t really deny that, although I should kick your ass for saying it out loud,” Dax warned.
“Hmph, go ahead and try it,” Wyatt egged him on.
“For pete’s sake,” Mackenzie moaned in the back seat.
The bantering continued as they made their way up the mountain. Pulling up to a number of trucks parked along the road, the three shifters got out and started towards the semi-trucks lined up waiting their turn to be loaded.
“Yo, Jake!” Wyatt called out to their foreman.
Seeing them, the foreman spoke to someone close by him and then turned to walk towards them. As he got closer, he stopped when he didn’t recognize Dax or Mackenzie.
“Don’t worry, Jake, they aren’t from any government agency,” Wyatt laughed.
“Whew, sorry about that folks. I don’t do well when the pencil pushers show up. Coming up here aggravatin’ me.”
“I understand, I’m Dax and this is my sister Mackenzie. We are family friends of the Rochons,” Dax explained.
“Well then, nice to meet you both,” Jake said, offering a hand for them to shake.
“I thought I’d show them around a bit. They’ve never seen an operation like this. Don’t mind us, we’ll stay out of your way,” Wyatt promised.
“Sounds good, we’re busy today. Trees are coming fast and clean, just the way I like it,” he said, tipping his hat to them before turning back the direction he’d come.
Wyatt gave them both a nod and they all started walking around the cars and machines near the road.
Coming up to a large machine that looked a bulldozer but with a forked blade on the front, Mackenzie stopped. She turned to look at the machine, her cat growling in her head, urging her closer. She strode forward scenting the air as she went, something was familiar. Moving through the layers of sawdust, sap and fresh earth, she smelled something else. Something dirty, unwashed, something she had smelled before.
“Dax!” Mackenzie called out, turning to see her brother running towards her. Dax took in the golden eyes and went straight towards the large machine.
Coming up behind them, Wyatt said, “That’s a brush piling cat, scoops up the slash, the junk left on the ground after a cut.”
“I smell him,” Mackenzie said, knowing Wyatt could see her cat in her eyes.
“Me too, Tony has been here,” Dax warned.
Wyatt got down close to the tracks and scanned over the area. “Get Jake for me, will ya?” Not taking his eyes off where he was looking. Not sure what he was looking for, he examined every part separately.
Dax called out to Jake and waved him over. Jake ran up, “What’s up boss?”
“Help me go over this, look for anything wrong or out of place. I have a bad feeling,” he offered as explanation.
The two went over it, top to bottom, finally Wyatt called out, “Here, the hydraulic line is cut. We’d never have seen it this far under.”
“Son of a bitch!” Jake called out.
“At least this wouldn’t hurt anyone,” Wyatt offered some solace. He was mad someone touched their gear again too. But this kind of sabotage didn’t get anyone killed.
Once Wyatt arranged with Jake to have the equipment fixed, he called into to Cage to let him know that Tony was still around.
Pulling into the base camp, the three left the truck and headed towards the office. As they approached, the door slammed open and Conner stomped down the steps. Catching site of Mackenzie he came to a halt and sucked in a lung full of air. Taking a few steps closer, he scented again. His eyes were shining and without a word, he turned and headed for his Jeep. They watched as he peeled out and didn’t look back.
Sighing, Mackenzie turned to her brother and said, “I think I’m going to head back to the cabin. Can you catch a ride with Cage?”
Nodding, her brother offered her a sympathetic look and a lethal glare in the direction of Conner. Wyatt just tossed her the keys and smiled reassuringly at her.
Mackenzie got back into the truck and aimed it towards the cabins. Parking in front of the main house, she knew Connie and possibly Sophie were inside. She wasn’t up to seeing them right now. Walking behind the house, she went far enough into the trees so the house was just visible in the distance. She stripped out of her clothes and left them piled neatly next to a fallen log.
Taking a breath, she asked her cat if she wanted to run. The resounding roar had her laughing, she let her cougar push forward, unfolding out of her skin in a shimmering sparkle.
Her cat was average size for a cougar, or mountain lion or puma depending on where you lived. Mackenzie’s animal even looked like her, curvy and athletic. A tan colored coat with flecks of gold shining through it. Giving a long exaggerated stretch, she wanted her cat to have fun, and pulled back, letting her have the lead.
The cat took the opportunity and took off at a dead run, jumping over fallen logs and scattering the small animals ahead of her.
They ran for hours, even tracked a bunny down for a snack. Mackenzie was not a big fan of raw meat, but it kept her animal happy and they were one. It was happy, she was happy. Or relatively speaking.
Realizing it was getting late, her cougar knew it was time to head back too. They took it slower making their way back to the cabin. By the time she could see the faint glow of the cabin in the distance, she
’d slowed to a walk.
Her cat suddenly hunkered down in the brush. Mackenzie hadn’t been paying that much attention, but now knew there was something else out there. Scanning with their excellent night vision, she saw a lumbering form trotting towards them.
Her first thought was they should run the other way, but as the direction of the wind changed, the scent of her mate floated over her. It made her damn cat purr, frisky tramp.
The huge grizzly stopped in front of where they were crouched down and let out a ridiculously loud roar.
Oh no he didn’t.
Chapter 9
Mackenzie pushed her cat back and let her human form take shape. “You did not just roar at me Conner Rochon,” she screamed.
The mountain of a bear stood on his hind feet and growled, at almost seven and a half feet, he was impressive. Then the bear shrunk before her eyes as a blast of sparks swirled and Conner was standing in front of her, huffing, scowling, and looking pissed off.
“I’ll sure as hell yell at you! What the fuck do you think you are doing out here in the woods? You don’t know this area. We have a psycho out to hurt our families and you go gallivanting off on your own,” he continued to yell, taking a step closer to her.
“I was just fine on my own! I’m a grown woman and in case you forgot, I’m a fucking cougar! I can defend myself against a measly human with a grudge. Why are you even out here? Shouldn’t you be home, being single, watching football, or scratching some random body part,” she snipped, taking a step towards him. Two could play this game.
“I’m out here looking for you! When your brother couldn’t find you, he said you probably went for a run. I came out here to find you and bring you home.”
“Well, as you can see, I was just fine and clearly don’t need any help from you!” She screamed back at him, standing on her tippy toes to get close to him.
Conner realized how close they were and took a step back. He also realized that they were both standing naked in the woods yelling at each other.
“Fuck me,” he said, running his hand through his hair in frustration.
“Gladly, bend over,” she shot back.
Raising his eyebrows at the crass come back he couldn’t help but laugh. “You talk to your mother with that mouth?”
“Yup, and she hates it as much as you do I bet,” she said, putting her hands on her hips. It was then that she realized she was naked. Being naked wasn’t a big deal around your pack or clan. It was part of life and a general sense of don’t see, don’t tell was the custom. Standing naked in front of your mate was a totally different kettle of fish.
Mackenzie took the opportunity to take in Conner Rochon. Over six feet tall, he was broad. Wide shoulders with a perfectly carved chest. Tight abs that tapered his waist down to a narrow V that aimed perfectly at his rigid erection. Good to know he liked her, she thought.
Conner saw her taking him in and he took the chance to look his fill too. Starting at the bottom he worked his way up a pair of firm tanned legs, she had thick rounded thighs. Her waist was tiny above her heavy hips and a pair of perky full breasts pointed straight towards him with dark rose-colored nipples, budded and tight, he couldn’t help but lick his lips.
Noticing he was quietly assessing her, she saw him lick his lips and her pussy flexed at the sight. She could feel her need building. Her mate was standing naked in front of her, his cock hard and looking so damn perfect she wanted to lick her lips too. She gave in and did.
Conner groaned, as her sweet arousal filled the air between them. Her looking at his dick and licking her lips was the last straw.
Closing the space between them, he wrapped his hands around her neck, pushing one up into her hair. He grabbed a handful of her curls and gripped them tight. He heard a purring sound from her throat. Fuck him.
“No biting, you hear me?” He growled, his bear so close to the surface his eyes were shining in the darkness.
Looking up at him, her eyes reflected in the light, telling him her cat was right there too. “No biting,” she whispered. She needed her mate and she’d take what she could get.
Conner took her acceptance of the terms, sealing them in a fiery kiss. Her mouth opened under his, Kenzi’s tongue meeting his to finally taste her mate. Mackenzie grabbed the sides of Conner’s waist and pulled him closer so their hips met. His cock trapped between them, hard and pulsing. Conner growled into her mouth.
His bear was clamoring to seal their union, he wanted more of her. Wanted her taste, her smell, and most importantly her blood. Conner was going to do everything possible to deny him that. Sex was one thing, mating was another.
Mackenzie’s animal was yowling in her head, straining to touch as much skin as she could. It wanted Conner’s scent imprinted on her fur.
“Lay down for me,” Conner said, breathing heavily. He didn’t want to take his time, he didn’t want to think this through too far. He just needed to taste her.
Mackenzie slowly knelt in front of him, keeping her glowing eyes trained on him. As she made it to the ground, she could see his straining erection bobbing next to her face. She reached out and with a long wet swipe licked him from root to tip.
A resonating rumble echoed through the forest as Conner let his head drop back at the electric contact of her tongue along his cock. It was a fucking tease, and he loved it.
“How do you want me?” Mackenzie purred at him. She liked seeing that she could get his fur in a bunch so easily.
“On your back, legs spread. Show me,” he ordered.
God, she fucking loved strong men. Nothing her kitty liked better than to hiss back at someone trying to dominate her. Her cat was sly, it knew how to play the game. Appear to acquiesce just to gain the upper hand.
Mackenzie lay back on the soft mossy ground, she kept her knees tight together until she had Conner’s eyes back on hers. They had started trailing her from the toe up, looking for something sweet. She denied him a bit longer.
She cocked her head to the side as she slowly, ever so slowly, spread her legs apart. She dared him with her eyes to not look down. Not break the emotional contact of their eyes seeing nothing but each other.
Conner took the challenge, he stared deep into his mate’s eyes. The world grew smaller as he stared at her. His focus was a pinpoint, he could see through her, to her cat, to their goddamn future. Cubs or kittens, a family, a life.
He wanted to look down, see that sweet wet core she had opened to the coolness of the night. Her delicious aroma wafting up to him, making him want to purr like a damn cat. But he didn’t lose her eyes as he knelt between her legs. He put his hands on the ground under her bent legs, kept looking at her and then took one long slow lick up the middle of her dripping pussy.
That’s all it took. Her taste couldn’t even be described; it was the most delicate flavor to ever cross his tongue. He let his head drop to her belly as he shook it back and forth. He was so screwed.
Looking back up to his mate, she gave him a wicked smile. She knew, she had him. But he also knew that there was no way he was going down without a fight. Deciding to play her game, he gave her a wink and dropped his eyes down to the treat in front of him.
Using his thumbs, he spread her lips wide so he could kiss her. Letting his tongue rim the sweet opening to her, then dipping his tongue inside. Just a bit, not enough, before retreating.
Mackenzie growled, demanding more without saying it. He repeated his slow tonguing, a little deeper this time, using his nose to press against her swollen clit. He pulled back and latched onto that tight bud and sucked it into his mouth. Mackenzie bucked her hips off the ground.
Damn, that was the spot, she thought. She wanted more, wanted him to move faster. She also knew the more she demanded the slower he would go. This game had clear rules and she wanted to come. She’d get there faster if he thought he was winning.
Conner liked the growl, wanted to hear it again, so he ran his finger up through her pussy, back and forth before plunging it in
to her. He sucked hard on the bud in his mouth at the same time. He got his growl.
He continued delving into her as he lapped at her sweetness. Adding another finger, he kept his pace even, he wanted it to build. He wanted her to fall over the edge for him, he wanted it on his tongue as she fell.
“You have something for me, Kenzi?”
“Wha…what do you want,” she panted.
“I want what you have. I want to see you come, I want it in my mouth and on my tongue. I want your sweet cream just for me.”
Mackenzie allowed herself complete freedom to feel. She took every spark, every shock and channeled it towards her goal. She reached up for her nipples and pinched both of the taut crowns between her fingers. The extra stimulation shot down to her already throbbing clit.
Conner glanced up to see her cupping and squeezing her breasts and he growled into her core. The vibration adding to the building climax.
“Thatta girl, you want more don’t you? What if I don’t give it to you? What if we stop right now,” he taunted.
“I’ll always want more. I’ll always want you. Inside me, under me, in me,” she promised.
This earned her another growl that was clearly frustrated. He broke eye contact and continued building her higher. He didn’t want to look up at her, he wanted to keep his eyes focused on anything else. But the pull was too much, his gaze darted back up to her.
Mackenzie looked down, catching Conner’s eyes as she felt her core start to tighten. Conner felt her wrap tight around his fingers and he pulled hard on her clit, sucking it back into his mouth, scoring it with his teeth.
Mackenzie kept her eyes open as the first tidal wave of pleasure coursed through her. She bucked her hips up greedily as the immense painful bliss contracted her body off the forest floor and she yowled into the night.
She came hard, her pussy gushing arousal into Conner’s mouth that he savored. It was the best meal he’d ever had. He kissed and nuzzled her down as the spasms started to subside. Mackenzie let her eyes fall shut as the tremors continued slowing to a warm buzzing inside her. She let her hand wander down to Conner’s head, cupping the side of it and running her thumb down his jaw.
