by Caris Roane
She rocked her head slowly, forcing him to bite down harder. As he did, he felt her grip his cock with her sex. It was unholy and one of the best sensations in the world.
Waves of power began to flow from her.
His gaze was drawn up through pine branches. Another flash of lightning and roll of thunder. Something within his chest began to burn hot as though it called to the storm. He recalled what it had been like when he made love to Kiara the first time.
He was so close, but he needed more, just as he had in her bedroom grotto.
He released her neck, withdrew from her slowly, then rose up.
Her eyes were wide as she looked back at him. “What is it, Warren?” Her dark eyes flashed with need and desire.
“Levitate, but on your back. I know you can do it and I want more from you. Right here in the middle of the forest. Right now.”
Her dark eyes shifted from brown to silver, like the lightning that flashed in the sky above. He’d heard stories of wolves changing eye-color in the heat of passion, but not witches.
Who was this woman?
He guided her to the position he wanted her. He was right. She fully supported herself by the levitation power she bore. Her long hair floated around her. She extended her arms. Arcs of electricity passed between them.
He entered her again, this time facing her.
He wanted her witch power flowing into him as he came, and he wanted his storm power covering her at the same time.
As if on cue, the monsoon broke above them with more flashes of lightning, more thunder and a torrent of rain on his back.
He buried himself deep inside then stretched out on top of her as though they shared a bed.
He began to thrust steadily. With so many sensations pummeling him, passion built swiftly. Her moans urged his hips to go even faster.
When she rolled her head back, exposing her throat. He opened his mouth wide and took as much of it in his maw as he could.
She cried out. I’m so close. The rain. Your storm. Oh, God, Warren.
He knew what he needed to do. He sped up his thrusts even more and as he did, he let his storm roll through him, powerful waves of electric pleasure that pulsed through his cock and into her body.
Through the din of the rain and thunder pelting the forest, he heard her screams of ecstasy. Her pleasure brought his and he began to come in the most intense orgasm he’d known.
He slowed his hips, savoring the exquisite pleasure. But he knew he wasn’t done. What they could create together was astounding.
She lifted her arms and surrounded him so that he felt the current arcing from one hand to the other.
He released her throat and moved into her in deep, heavy thrusts.
Her lips were swollen, her silvery eyes gleaming.
“Kiara.”
“Oh, Warren.”
He crashed his lips down on hers as another roll of thunder tore through the forest. Another downpour. Another baptism. All the battle’s grime was being washed away.
He released a second time with Kiara’s arms wrapped tightly round him. His storm rolled once more and sent sparks everywhere, which the rain carried harmlessly away and into the pine needles of the forest floor.
As he began to come down from the heights, the rain lessened. He felt worn to the bone but so relaxed he never wanted to leave her.
One of her hands grazed his back in a gentle back and forth motion.
“That’s nice,” he said.
“So is your cock buried inside me.”
He loved how she talked to him. She was unashamed, appreciative, game. She was open.
The warm monsoon rain diminished rapidly then ceased.
“Warren.” Her fingers still trailed over his back.
“What?” He’d almost said, ‘What, my love?’ But he’d caught himself in time.
“I know this is a stolen season,” she said, “But it’s amazing, isn’t it? I mean, we’re doing this together, right? The storms and the waves of power and pleasure? It’s not just you or me?”
He lifted up, levitating so he stayed connected. He wanted to look at her. “Yes. It’s both of us. How we are together.”
“What do you think it means?”
He grinned suddenly. “We have chemistry.”
She laughed. She’d never looked more beautiful. Her eyes were brown once more. He’d come to love their color.
She touched his face. “We should stay blind, you know. Not see too much, not think too much.”
He knew what she meant, what she was suggesting. He could feel it in his bones that if either of them mentally deciphered what was happening right now, they’d both walk away.
He didn’t want to. At least not yet. “We’ll take our stolen season.”
Chapter Seven
Kiara stared down at the stacked-up leathers and tanks, the latest send-over from Mary-via-Fergus. She was especially struck by the pile of socks and three pairs of boots. “What is all this?”
Warren chuckled. “Mary’s hand again.”
Kiara touched the socks. “They’re so soft.”
“Cashmere.”
She turned to him, and felt her brows lift almost to her hairline. “For battling?”
“Why the hell not?” But he was smiling. “It’s a superstition. I was wearing them when I got hurt. Tonya always bought them for me.” He shrugged, but didn’t say anything more.
“I get it. It’s a way to remember the good parts of your life. The human part.”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way, but you’re right. It’s also a talisman.”
Kiara had brought Warren back to her burrow apartment within her invisibility spell. Fortunately, no one had been within the foyer to see the front door magically open and close. She’d never made this part of her witchy skill-set public knowledge. Of course, after recent events, everyone would know.
Wolves were nervous enough around witches as it was. The severely damaged women she brought into her refuge didn’t need yet another reason to distrust their surroundings.
Warren had showered while she’d climbed into the grotto pool and floated off the remains of the battle. The storm had gone a long way to cleaning them both up.
“How are Ralph, Susie and the wolves settling in?” he asked.
She’d been on the phone earlier to check in. “Good. My main therapist has talked to each of them individually and they’ve shared a meal. It’s a beginning. But what happened at the club was a severe, traumatic event. They’ll need time.”
He glanced around. “I still can’t believe all this exists.” He swiped a hand through the air. “Your refuge, I mean.”
“I’m sure you’re still getting used to the idea. Though, right now, I’m grateful I had the foresight, both for your sake and theirs. You’re all safe here.”
His hair was almost dry as he lost the towel and started getting dressed. She took a step back and watched him.
He smiled as he met her gaze. “See anything you like?”
“You’re a god, Warren. Everything about your body is beautifully balanced.”
Another smile teased the edges of his lips.
“And you definitely don’t do that enough.”
“What?” His brow furrowed as he zipped up his leathers.
“Smile.” She wanted to kiss him, but didn’t dare. She knew his alpha-mating cycle was peaking and it seemed to take so little to get either of them going. “So, when is Fergus heading over here?”
He narrowed his eyes as if considering. “Twenty-three minutes and counting.” That’s when she saw it. His damaged eye was open even more. Was it her imagination, or were the silvery scars on his face thinning as well.
She drew close, touched him then gasped. “Have you seen your face, your eye? It’s open even more. Can you see better?”
“I did notice the scarring, that it had flattened somewhat. And yes, I can see better.”
She had a towel wrapped around her body. His gaze fell to her chest
. He touched one of her scars. “It’s the same for you, isn’t it?”
A panicky sensation jolted her. “But how is this possible? It’s as though we’re both being healed.”
He shook his head. “Like everything else that’s going on, I don’t want to think about it too much.”
She turned away from him and headed to the bathroom. “I have to dry my hair. You can head to the dining room for a bite. I talked to the staff.”
“Thanks. I will. I admit I’m starved.”
She was grateful he didn’t insist on staying with her. She needed the separation.
Once in the bathroom, she pressed herself up against the tile wall and forced herself to breathe. She hadn’t expected this or wanted it. She knew they created some kind of magic together, but mutual healing? Somehow, despite all the miraculous things that had happened, the thought they were healing each other was a breaking point for her.
She’d been a fool about this man. She’d thought on some stupid level that she just wanted to share his bed for a while. Nothing permanent. A stolen season.
“Hey.”
Suddenly, Warren was there, in the doorway. “What?” She barked the word.
“What’s wrong? I could feel your distress in waves while I was putting on my socks.”
When he stepped toward her, she lifted a hand. “Don’t. I can’t—” But nothing more came out.
He lifted both hands. “Kiara, it’s okay.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t do this. I can’t. I didn’t sign up for this. I didn’t mean to objectify you, Warren, but I just wanted to sleep with you and now we’re healing each other. What the fuck does this mean?”
He laughed. “Did you just say that?”
“I did.” Some of the tension eased out of her.
“Relax. Seriously. You can’t be my alpha-mate so there’s nothing to think about. We can be fuck-buddies.”
This time she chuckled. “Go get your steak. I had a moment, is all. I’m better.”
“You’re not better. You’re great.”
At that, she glared at him. “And you’re not helping.”
He laughed once more and slapped the doorframe. But before he left, he said, “And please, objectify me all you want.” He growled softly then disappeared.
It was the growl that did her in. Her knees buckled, she slid straight down the wall and landed on her ass.
He’d given her permission to objectify him.
If she focused hard enough, maybe she could hold the line with herself, take the pleasure of the moment, then leave when it was time.
He could never take a witch for an alpha-mate and there was no way in hell she wanted that kind of permanent bond with any man, not here, not in the wasteland known as Five Bridges. There was too much death all around her. If she got too close to Warren, and anything happened to him, she didn’t think she could bear it.
~ ~ ~
While Warren ate his thick porterhouse, burned on the outside and blood red within, he kept his gaze fixed to the wolf who’d saved his life so many years ago. Fergus had gone back to his compound and cleaned up as well. His hair was still damp though held back in several braids and a clasp.
He peered at Warren’s face. “I can’t get over this change. Both eyes are open. Your scarring looks better, too.”
Warren set his knife down and rubbed the formerly scarred lid. “Kiara’s been having an effect, being this close to her, I mean.”
“She’s healing you?”
“It seems to be a joint effort. Some of her scars look better, too. Neither of us knows what’s going on.” He picked up his knife again and went back to work. For all that they’d been doing, especially engaging his storm power, he needed food.
Fergus shook his head. He looked bewildered as he glanced around the dining room. “This is some set-up she’s created here, in Savage, without any of us knowing. I can’t fathom how she did it and I’m not sure I like the secrecy.”
“I don’t either, but I can hardly argue with the results.”
“How many wolves has she rescued and shuttled out of the territory for rehab?” Fergus had taken a meal with his men at the Gordion compound.
“Over three hundred to-date.”
“Jesus.”
“Exactly.”
His fellow alpha, leader of the Gordion Pack, then relayed the latest recon on Warren’s compound. The number of Julio’s spies had now doubled since the battle at Ralph’s club. “He’s still after you. Everything in order at Caldion?”
Warren sipped his beer then nodded. “Spoke to Alessandro before you arrived. He’s got it locked down. No one in. No one out.” Warren then smiled. “Except for your men to pick up my socks, apparently.”
But Fergus didn’t laugh. Instead, he was scowling. “Good thing you built a fortress over there.”
His comment sobered Warren. His severe introduction to Five Bridges and facing death within the first week of his alter transformation had given him an equally tough view of their world. A fortress seemed a given once Warren had become alpha of the pack.
Now Julio was making a play for the entire territory. If the Gordion Pack fell, it wouldn’t be long before Julio managed to take over all the packs. “The situation with Julio has gone on long enough.”
“I agree. My pack is feeling the threat as well. Many of my wolves wake up in the middle of the day howling. But I have a question for you. What’s with the invisible thing? I’m happy as hell Kiara possesses a skill that saved so many people, but what else has she been doing? Has she been spying on all of us and how many other spellcasters from Elegance can do this?”
“Not many.” He chewed slower. “We both think a wizard has backed Julio’s play.”
Fergus drummed his fingers on the table. “That would explain a lot.”
“Yes, it would.”
“So, why would a wizard be here? What’s his game? This is Savage Territory, not Elegance. The Tribunal wouldn’t let a wizard set up shop permanently in another territory.”
“He could if he remains invisible and Julio makes a superb puppet.”
“Bastard.”
“You got that right.”
Warren huffed a sigh then focused on his steak once more. In between, he sipped his beer.
Five Bridges had always presented problems, but after Fergus had defeated a powerful witch and a snake-like wolf a few months ago, he’d hoped they’d turned a corner. But the drug cartels were more active than ever. When the economy in the human part of the United States suffered, the call for drugs increased. Too many people wanted an escape.
“What I know is this,” Warren said. “Julio and his wizard buddy are after me. They both know if they can kill me and my pack falls, they’ll come after you next with the same incapacitating power they conjured before. Here’s the million-dollar question: Do we know yet how they were able to take over the last two packs?”
Fergus shook his head. “My intel is the same as yours. All we know is that a bizarre wave went through the compound, an energy blast of some kind. The alphas were captured and probably executed, though their bodies were never found. What I don’t get is with so much power, why haven’t Julio and his wizard taken on another of the lesser packs? Why have they gone after you specifically? Why not my pack or anyone else?”
Warren sliced off another chunk of the tender meat. He appreciated that Kiara had seen to his needs in this way. His staff at his compound would have done the same thing. Wolves, especially after battle, needed meat, the bloodier the better. “I don’t know, but I’m beginning to suspect Kiara might be a target as well.”
Fergus scowled. “What do you mean? You’re not suggesting she’s in league with Julio’s wizard.”
“No. God, no. But it would make sense that a man of his power would be aware of Kiara.”
“You think he’s trying to get rid of her?” Fergus asked.
“If she’s protecting me, I think it’s a possibility.”
At that, they both
fell silent.
After a moment, Fergus glanced at the wall next to the table. “She’s used a lot of stone in her burrow. I like it.” He blew the air from his cheeks. “All right, what’s our next move?”
Warren smiled. “I think we get off our asses and go after these pricks.”
A very wolfish growl left Fergus’s throat. “I’m in.”
“In what?” A familiar, feminine voice floated across the dining room.
Warren turned toward the doorway. He was seated with his back to the kitchen, so he could see whoever tried to enter the dining room.
Without thinking, he rose to his feet which caused Fergus to leap to his. A very different thought had him telepathing, You look beautiful.
Her brow puckered slightly. You’ve surprised me, but thank you.
She turned to Fergus. “How’s Mary and your pack? I hope all is well at your compound.”
“Holding steady. I want to personally thank you for what you’ve done for so many wolves and for braving the firefight at Ralph’s club.”
She smiled. “I’d do anything for that wolf. But please, sit down.” She glanced back at the doorway. “Speaking of Ralph, I just had a talk with him and there are a few things he wants to share with you. Is it okay if he comes in? He didn’t want to disturb your conversation.”
Warren nodded. “Of course. But first, how’s Susie doing?”
“She’s good. She’s actually getting her wolves situated. She always served as a counselor to them at the club. The losses they suffered will take some time to process. No question.”
“Sounds like things are progressing well.” He gestured to the door. “Go ahead and bring him in.”
Warren felt her extend her mind toward Ralph. He glanced up at her, wondering again at his connection to the witch. The word ‘profound’ came to mind.
He felt reluctant to sit, though not for reasons of protocol. It occurred to him in another blinding strike of awareness that he was aligned with Kiara in ways that were astounding to him. He drew closer as well.
