Emerald Flame: A Paranormal Romance (The Flame Series Book 6)

by Caris Roane

  “Does she know you when you visit?”

  He released a heavy breath. “She knew me last week for about a minute. She held my hand and kept apologizing. She wept. Then her mind slipped back into unreality. For a moment, though, I saw the woman I’d fallen in love with.” His lips curved, but it was the saddest smile she’d ever seen. “We got married on the beach in Doheny, in California. She loved to surf. She had fair skin and always wore a lot of sunblock. There’s not much left of the woman I once knew.”

  Kiara had long since made peace with her alter witch state. In fact, her ability to recover from her recent incarceration and torture was because of the acceptance she had for her life in Five Bridges. But even she wasn’t sure how she could have borne seeing someone she loved living a half-life in an alter asylum.

  She didn’t know she was shaking her head and staring at the rocks in the path until he caught her arm. “What?”

  She looked up at him, at the scarred face that had become so dear to her. “Thank you for telling me. I know it wasn’t easy.”

  He looked away. “Not sure why I did. We’ve been through some stuff the last couple of nights, though. It felt right.” But he was frowning.

  She grabbed his hand. “Let’s get out of here.”

  His frown deepened to a scowl. He glanced toward the house then back to her. “What do you mean? Shouldn’t we see to your wolves?”

  “I have a competent staff that is taking good care of them. How would you feel about shifting right now? And running? I’ve heard some wolves are so powerful, they can carry a passenger.”

  His brows rose and something like hope darted through his green eyes. Without giving it a thought, she leaned up and kissed him on the lips, a quick, firm kiss.

  Still holding his hand, she nodded and smiled. “Come on, Warren. Let’s do this. Just a little bit of fun in the middle of all this nightmare stuff. I can hide us both in my spell and you can run anywhere you like. No one will see either of us. And, frankly, I’d like a ride. I’ve been wanting one for ages.”

  This time, he smiled for real and the frown eased from his brow. “You sure you want a ride?”

  “Hell, yeah.” It was odd to think she’d had this particular fantasy about Warren. It wasn’t the usual thing, to climb on a shifter’s back and enjoy his run. Of course, in the privacy of her bedroom fantasy world, a jaunt on Warren’s back usually ended in a bout of wild, wolf sex. But she wouldn’t tell him that.

  Instead, she knew this was what he needed, to let loose and go wolf for a while.

  He planted his hands on her hips which gave her permission to ease her palms over the swell of his biceps. She tingled head-to-foot just touching him and his wolf-storm scent rose to fill her nostrils.

  She knew he was teasing her with his ‘ride’ quip, but she wanted to make sure he knew she was game. She lowered her voice and held his gaze. “Take me for a ride through the forest, then I want the other ride on my bed, or anywhere else for that matter. How does that sound?”

  “What if it rains?”

  “I don’t care.”

  His smile angled off to the side. “Then I’d say it sounds perfect.”

  “Let me get us cloaked.” She closed her eyes and this time she could feel he was completely relaxed.

  As she invoked the spell, summoning her witch power, she felt the air rearrange itself around her. The density felt just right.

  She opened her eyes, her hands still fixed to his warm arms. She met his gaze. “No pain that time?”

  “None.”

  “Good. You’ve definitely figured it out.”

  When he started to rise into the air, she joined him, grateful her levitation ability matched his.

  She switched to telepathy. Do you have a favorite place to run?

  I do, but there will be wolves everywhere.

  It shouldn’t matter.

  He caught her around the waist and guided her up through the security spell.

  Wait a minute. Warren, you didn’t have any trouble at all, did you? Passing through my spell I mean. Could you see it?

  I could. It has a faint purple-and-green aura.

  It does, and I’m amazed. Your warlock abilities are growing.

  His smile grew crooked. Looks like it, but mostly I’m a wolf. And you’re sure about that ride?

  More than anything. He held out his arm. She hopped onto his booted foot and let him take her away from the security spell.

  Once more, Kiara’s heart pounded heavily in her chest. She suddenly understood exactly what was happening between them because Maeve had shared her recent bonding experience with her. Maeve, very much a witch, had discovered she was alpha-mate material so that when she rescued Braden from the Graveyard, her proximity to the powerful wolf had ignited Maeve’s capacity to become an alpha female to Braden’s wolf.

  Somehow, Kiara hadn’t considered she might have the same make-up as Maeve and as Fergus’s bonded mate, Mary.

  As he flew toward the east, and well above the treetops, her mouth suddenly went dry. She hadn’t thought her relationship with Warren would ever be more than a brief love affair.

  What is it? Warren’s voice was deep even within her mind. I can feel you’ve grown tense.

  There was no way she was going to discuss something as serious and overwhelming as being a wolf’s mate. It’s something I’m mulling, but I’ll let it go.

  He slowed then hovered in the air, his arm still tight around her waist. She was ridiculously in sync with him as he pulled her against him. How can I help? He searched her eyes. You’ve shown me kindness in taking me out into the forest. Let me do the same for you?

  Her breath caught and her throat suddenly ached. She planted her hands on his chest, loving the feel of his muscular body beneath her fingers. The part of her that was becoming wolf especially loved the sensation. Her nostrils flared as she drank in his musky-storm scent once more.

  Can you trust me right now, Warren? Because I really don’t want to talk right now. She let a smile touch her lips. I need you to shift and to let me ride you as you run. That’s all.

  His concerned expression gave way to a grin. Holding her tight, he angled them both toward a break in the trees. His voice pierced her mind again. Before Julio made his move this year, I often ran this track at dawn. I’ve missed it.

  He landed them both in a small clearing where a couple of trees had been cut down to stumps. He released her, but wasted no time. He held out his hands and let his wolf come.

  The shift was seamless as his alter body transformed even absorbing his clothes. He was so beautiful in his wolf form with buff fur. He was larger than a normal wolf which was what had made her think of doing this in the first place. He glanced back at her and yipped then set his muzzle toward the running path. He waited for her to take up her position.

  In the distance, she could see other wolves racing along.

  She smiled because she knew his animal instincts would have him pushing to overtake the wolves.

  She leaped onto his back and using levitation, pressed her body tight against his. He lifted his neck and arched then let out a howl.

  The sound cut straight through her, sending a thrill the length of her body. She gripped the fur at the base of his neck near his shoulders and held on.

  As Warren began to run, it took a few bumpy strides for her to get used to riding him, just as she could tell he wasn’t accustomed to having a passenger. But when they synced up, the experience was just as she’d hoped. She became one with each fluid stretch of his legs as he began to race down the track. The path was made of crushed granite and gave him an excellent footing.

  Kiara let her worries go and gave herself fully to the moment. She felt the humid night air on her face, but his speed made it cool and delicious. The pine scent flew into her nostrils and spread feel-good through her brain. The sensation of Warren’s wolf-body, as he ran hard, was an experience that made her feel like she was riding on the back of a steam locomotive. Each ga
thering of his fore then hind legs was like a machine that couldn’t be stopped.

  He quickly closed the distance between the three wolves racing through the forest in front of him. He leaped suddenly into the air adding a powerful thrust of levitation to his forward momentum. She gave a cry of sheer delight as he sailed through the air.

  When he landed on the hard path once more, he eased back into his stride, then glanced behind her. She did as well. But the wolves Warren had passed gave no indication they’d seen them.

  By now, Warren had reached the southernmost edge of the forest and slowed to take the turn. Once more, he raced along the mile track that would take him to the western edge.

  ~ ~ ~

  Warren felt the rush of air over his muzzle. In his wolf form, his eyes were perfect. No scarring of any kind marred his coat.

  Though he used the running track in his compound every day, there was nothing like being in a forest and smelling the fresh pine scent. Though it was night, his vision saw everything in a glow of light. Each pine needle was in perfect focus, every ant crawling on the ground appeared as though ten times its size, and the rough bark of the trees were ridged with a clarity his human form could never see.

  Scents were brighter, sharper. He could smell the squirrels and prairie dogs hiding in their burrows and dens or beneath piles of needles and other leaves. The forest was gaining an undergrowth as well. Not all of it needed to be removed, but some was kept clear to make sure fires didn’t take hold.

  What surprised him was how much he loved having Kiara clinging to his back, her fingers locked in his fur, her knees gripping his ribs. For her, he went faster, stretching out his forelegs, breathing hard, his lungs straining for more air.

  Damn, but it felt good.

  Kiara pressed herself closer using her levitation. He felt her breasts against his back. She moved with him, a fluidity of motion that got him going. What was it about Kiara that seemed to flow with him like no other woman before her?

  He wanted to make love to her but not a neat, tidy kind of sex. Something raw and real.

  Something here and now.

  How invisible are we? I need to know.

  You have something in mind?

  I do, but I need proof no one can see us. Can you do that for me?

  He began to slow his pace until he was just loping. His lungs worked like bellows. He’d been pushing hard.

  There’s a bar not far from here. Head over there.

  He knew the one she meant. It was tucked away in the middle of the forest and had a dominance sand pit inside. He trotted the rest of the way and once he arrived, she slid off his back.

  He quickly returned to his human alter form. For what he wanted to do next, he no longer needed his wolf.

  He took her hand and headed to the entrance. A number of wolves milled around outside, most of them with a bottle of beer in their hands. Savage had different rules than the human world.

  A female wolf was crawling all over a male and he was giving as good as he got. He could smell the verge of sex and his cock stiffened.

  She squeezed his hand. Your scent is getting stronger and I’m liking it, Warren.

  He glanced around the various wolves and walked her toward the largest group. They were ignored completely. From across the yard, a wolf whistled at one of the wolves and called out a few choice names.

  The wolf responded by hurling a beer bottle in a trajectory that sent the bottle flying at Warren’s head. He had to dodge to keep it from connecting.

  Warren turned at the resulting yip as the bottle struck home.

  He was convinced. We are invisible.

  A brawl erupted.

  He caught Kiara up in his arms and hauled her straight up into the trees.

  He paused above the building and watched the fist fight for a few seconds. Ordinarily, he’d stay and savor the rough encounter. He might even have suggested it. But Kiara’s mouth found his throat and she bit hard, then she sucked.

  The course was set.

  He had a place in mind and slowly levitated, letting her taste him as he flew. That she didn’t mind the grime of battle or his sweat was exactly what he needed right now. In this moment, she was more wolf than witch.

  He carried her to a dark, heavily wooded spot in the middle of the forest. Shrubs formed a circle and created a private space. Somewhere above him, an owl hooted.

  When he had her on solid ground, he warmed his vision up, so he could look at her. She petted the scars along the side of his face and his head. He loved that she touched him where he’d been wounded. She wasn’t afraid of how he looked or how damaged he was. He cupped her face and kissed her then slid his hand to the back of her neck.

  When she parted her lips, he drove his tongue inside. She tasted sweet and womanly. His body hummed with need. The recent run had relaxed him, yet wound him up at the same time.

  “I want to make love to you here.”

  She lifted her arms and he thought she meant to protest. Instead, she swept off her tank exposing her bra. In the shadows, the pale mounds of her breasts were beacons.

  He dipped down and kissed each of them in turn, taking his time and thumbing the peaked nipples through the fabric. She buried her hands in his hair and pushed on his head. Using his fingers, he drew her breasts from the low-cut bra and took her left nipple in his mouth. He felt her flex, trying to create more contact. He took as much of her breast as he could and suckled hard.

  She moaned heavily.

  He felt her hands shift to the waistband of her jeans. He started to pull away, but she protested. “No, please, don’t stop. Keep going. Your mouth feels so good.”

  He went back to work. His cock loved how much she wanted him at her breasts.

  She did what she could with her clothes then once again sank her hands into his hair.

  With one hand on her back to keep her pressed close, he suckled harder, savoring her moans. Using his free hand, he began working her jeans over her hips.

  The moment he could feel her ass, he released her breasts then turned her to face away from him. As he got her shoes and pants off, he dropped to his knees and settled his mouth on her bottom. He kissed his way along her curves.

  I want you on all fours, Kiara.

  She growled softly, very wolf-like. She dropped to the ground without hesitation, put her jeans beneath her knees and planted her palms on her shirt.

  When her sex was fully exposed, he began to play with her. He touched her with his fingers and caressed her folds. He licked her and blew against her until she was moaning heavily.

  With his erection trapped he was starting to feel some pain. Stay just like that. Don’t move.

  I won’t.

  He used some clever levitation and got his boots the hell off then his pants. He wanted to be able to maneuver.

  He tossed his leathers on the pine needles and sank to his knees once more. He was hungry for this female, for the juices that ran from her sex. Her sweet freesia scent hardened him even more.

  He grabbed her hips and began to taste her in earnest. He drove his tongue deep into her sex and pummeled her. He wanted to be inside her, but it was hot as hell to be lapping at her sex, tasting her and driving into her.

  Warren, I want to suck you. Bad.

  His turn to groan.

  As he rose to his feet, she pivoted on her knees to face him. She took him in her mouth, swirled her tongue and moaned the whole time. She rose up slightly and rubbed her breasts over the crown.

  When he was in her mouth again, she began to suckle him. She used her hand to pump his cock, but he was too damn close to let her continue. When his hips began to jerk, he gripped her shoulders. Stop. Oh, God, what you’re doing to me.

  She released his cock and looked up at him, her doe eyes on fire with need. How do you want to come, Alpha? How do you want me?

  He spoke aloud as he also dropped to the ground. He gathered up their clothes. “I want to bite you. Hard. Right here.” He caressed the back
of her neck.

  She turned her face toward his hand and kissed his palm. She swept her long dark hair over her shoulder then positioned herself on her hands and knees. She kept moving bits of the clothing around until she was comfortable.

  He moved in behind her, his cock a spear and ready to take her. “Spread your legs more.”

  She obliged him, but she shifted her hips slowly then arched her pelvis and rocked. The movements were so sultry, he groaned all over again. He bent over her and guided his cock to her entrance.

  She pushed back, moaning. He responded in kind by driving into her. She was so slick that with two thrusts, he was fully seated inside her.

  He began to pump. As he did, he leaned over her and kissed his way up her back. It was a trick to keep his hips rocking as he made his way.

  He nipped at her in-between kisses. Each time, she jerked and moaned which gave his cock a tug. God, he loved doing this with Kiara.

  Her freesia scent was ripe in his nostrils.

  As had happened before, he began to experience waves of power coming from her. His storm had already begun a prickling sensation over his skin. He shoved her hair aside and opened his mouth wide.

  He snuffled her nape. Saliva dripped. He was part beast in this moment, an alpha wolf calling to a mate.

  For a sudden, stunning moment, he realized his body was close to releasing the bonding hormones that would make her his alpha female. That was ridiculous of course. He would never bring a witch into his pack, not even a good woman like Kiara.

  Still, the drive to mark her and to bond with her was an overwhelming sensation. His balls kept tightening with the need to release. His jaw ached to bite down.

  Do it, Warren. I need to feel your wolf-teeth holding me tight, pinning me so that I can’t move. Please.

  She was begging for it as well. He couldn’t do it all, because he wouldn’t put his pack in harm’s way. But, he could take them both to the edge.

  When he struck, she let out a wolf-like yip, then a soft howl. The witch’s wolf qualities were getting to him.

  He rocked his hips faster now, plunging in and out as he held onto her with his teeth. He grunted and groaned. Pleasure flowed over his cock in waves, teasing him, pushing him toward the summit. His storm rippled up and down his arms and legs. Overhead, he saw the first flash of lightning then a distant rumble of thunder.