by Aline Hunter
Shane's breathing changed, becoming much louder, his ragged inhales and exhales drowning out all other sounds in the room. He was trying to calm himself but doing so was taking time.
She didn't say anything more, waiting to see what he'd say or do.
"You were afraid to tell me this." Not a question but a statement. The male seemed to know everything without being told. She sensed his fury and wanted to duck for cover. "You'd have kept it to yourself if you thought you could." She didn't say anything, and he growled, "Why?"
"I don't want you to be hurt because of me."
"Listen to me closely, Luna." He went from completely outraged to stern, his voice a low rumble, causing the hair on her nape to rise. "You don't know me very well. At least, not yet. So I'll tell you this. I've been around a long time, and I've faced my fair share of Alphas. I've put more than one in the ground for pulling stupid shit with me, and their transgressions didn't come close to something like this." His tone changed, becoming dark. "Your Alpha knew you were in contact with your mate. He should have done the respectable thing and stayed the hell away from you, especially since he lacks impulse control. If he'd fucked with a lesser male, he might have gotten away with it. His ignorance and arrogance sealed his fate. He didn't respect you, me, or our mating. If I let this go, it'll reflect poorly on you, me, and our pack. Your family will lose any respect they have for me, which is unacceptable." He got closer, the heat of his breath caressing her face, and it took everything within her not to cringe. "I have a right to address this, and you know it."
She did, which was why she worried about telling him. "You're going to confront him?" He didn't respond, and she started to panic. What was he thinking? What was he feeling? "Shane?"
"I'll take care of things when we visit your parents, but I don't want you to stress over it," he informed her, speaking calmly even as anger oozed from his pores. "I suspected something was wrong when you told me how you were introduced to shifting. You never should have been kept from the pack, and you should have been guided through the transition as soon as your Alpha knew you'd be able to shift. Halflings have to be handled with attention and care. From the sounds of things, he's going to get what's coming to him." He softened his tone, and the tips of his fingers caressed her cheek. "You don't have to worry about me. I'm nothing like the Alpha you're used to. I'd be dead by now if I were. I don't rush into things without thinking them over. When I face the son of a bitch, he'll know he fucked with the wrong female."
That didn't surprise her.
From the start, he'd revealed he considered everything when making decisions.
"You'll tell me before you do anything?" she asked, trying to seem as submissive as possible. "You'll let me know what you're going to do?"
"You won't dissuade me or change my mind. I'm the one who decides how to handle the bastard, and that's non-negotiable," he answered, maintaining calm and control despite his apparent fury, "but I'll tell you everything if that's what you want."
What she wanted was to move on with her life. "I never want you to keep anything from me."
"Then I won't, and I expect you to do the same. I'll tell you what I'm planning before we visit your family. If there's anything you think I should know, don't hold back. You tell me."
The conversation went about as well as could be expected. What Dice had done wasn't just an insult to her. It was an insult to Shane. Alphas were notoriously territorial, making their claims evident, ready to fight to the death if challenged or insulted. Even if Dice hadn't known she'd mated with one, he'd crossed a line.
There was no way Shane would let that slide.
"Before that happens, I'm going to make you mine, Luna. I want to make it clear to any and all males that you belong to me. No one in their right mind will ever come near you again. I'll tear them apart if they try." He stroked a hand down the side of her head, his fingers gliding through her hair. He inched closer, his warm breath caressing her face. "Are you ready for that?"
Despite being nervous, she was.
He was everything she'd hoped he'd be and more.
Still, lingering doubts assailed her. "Are you sure you want me?"
"I told you," he growled, his voice a low rumble, his anger resurfacing, "I'll have no other."
Neither will I.
After clearing her throat, she responded, "Then dinner can wait."
"Come here, mate."
He picked her up with ease, and she wound her arms around his neck. She took a deep breath, drawing his clean and tantalizing scent into her nose, feeling the weight of it settling in her chest. The wolf appreciated the gesture, growling contentedly in her head. She was a combination of light-headed, uncertain, and insecure. He carried her up the stairs, bypassing the bathroom. When he lowered her, and she felt the mattress beneath her, her heart raced, anticipation flooding her veins.
The time had come.
Her wait was finally over.
Chapter Seven
Shane struggled to contain his wolf, focusing on his female. He'd deal with the bastard that hurt her in due time. The male wouldn't get a chance to corner another female. He'd be too busy pushing daisies. There were conversations to be had, things he had to work out. He'd have to approach things strategically.
None of that mattered, not here and not now.
He made sure his attention remained where it belonged.
His eyes rested on the glorious female fated to be his mate. She was a thing of beauty, lean but curvy in the right places. He'd kept his lust in check when he'd told her to shift, but his cock had been hard as hell since then.
He wanted her like nothing else.
He let her go and stepped back, deciding to remove his clothing first. She'd gotten to know his face with her delicate little fingers earlier. Now she'd have the chance to do the same with his body. He hoped she liked what she found, because he meant what he'd said.
She was stuck with him.
If someone wanted to separate them, they'd have to kill him.
He finished undressing and stood nude before her.
Grasping her hands, he helped her to her feet. She seemed puzzled until he placed her palms on his bare chest. He didn't have to instruct her. Her fingers traveled over his pectoral muscles, over his collarbones, and slid over his shoulders. When she made it to his arms, she flattened her palms and glided them down to his wrists.
"You're hard everywhere."
You have no fucking idea. "Maybe not. Keep going."
Her hands drifted to his back, and she moved closer, touching every square inch of flesh, stopping only when she reached the curve of his ass. Her hands swept up and down, traveling along his spine. "Your skin feels different here."
"That's the ink," he groaned, awash in sensation, wishing she'd explore the front of his body. He curbed his frustration as she petted him, stroking her fragile fingers along the markings etched in his flesh, grateful she was touching him at all. "It's a tattoo of Fenrir."
"Hmm. It's impressive." She hummed, tracing her fingers along the design, taking her time before returning to his chest. Her fingers drifted to his abdomen, tracing the muscles and contours, teasing the hair that formed a treasure trail to the area below. She stroked the fine slathering of hair. "You really did lie to me earlier."
Fuck me. "Did I?"
"You absolutely did. You feel perfect."
"You sure?" He'd sworn he'd let her learn the shape of him at her own pace, but his cock was stiff and pulsating, his need for release undeniable. The succulent aroma of her arousal wasn't helping matters. "There are places you haven't touched yet."
She placed her nose against his chest and inhaled. "Do you want me to keep going?"
Her teasing tone had him grinning like a schoolboy. "Pretty please."
He remained still, keeping his arms at his sides as her hand drifted down. She didn't have to reach for his cock. He was fully engorged, the tip rising toward his belly button. He watched as she moved, aware she'd figure out so
mething important soon. The swollen head eventually brushed against her wrist.
Her breath caught, and she froze. "Shane?"
"Easy, baby. That's only me you feel. And every bit of me belongs to you." He nuzzled the top of her head, making sure not to crowd her. She was inexperienced—that was obvious the first time he kissed her—and would obviously feel uneasy and nervous. "I'll never hurt you, and I'll never lose control. You're safe with me. Go ahead. Keep exploring. Right now, I'm yours to command."
She didn't grasp his cock, careful as she brought her hand to his erection. The tips of her fingers drifted over him, and he ground his teeth together. Keeping her grip loose, she coiled her hand and ran it from the crown to the base. When she repeated the motion, he slammed his eyes closed, trying to maintain control of himself and his beast.
She didn't need a crazed male coming at her.
This moment was the most important one of their lives.
Her head lifted, and he immediately shifted back.
Those glimmering eyes of hers couldn't see him, but he knew she wasn't afraid, the potent and spicy scent of her desire slamming into him. By now, her pussy had to be drenched. He lowered his head, going for her mouth, taking his time. When their lips met, she groaned and opened her mouth, taking part in the kiss he gave her, giving as good as she got. Her tongue touched his, swirled around, and darted away before it returned. He followed each swirl, letting her lead the dance.
She whimpered, inched closer, and grasped his cock.
This time she didn't hesitate, gripping his erection firmly.
Finally.
"Feel what you do to me?" His jaw clenched when she tightened her fingers, applying more pressure as she pumped her hand up and down his length, stroking him in a way that would make him come if he wasn't careful. He was fully aware of the tingle in his gums. The urge to mark her was getting stronger. That was an impulse he couldn't prevent. "Do you have any idea how much I want you?"
"Probably as much as I want you," she answered, her voice changing as her wolf joined the fun and rose to the surface. Good. He wanted that precise thing. "It's like the mating heat."
She had no idea. Unlike the heat she experienced before, remaining in agony without him to ease the symptoms, this time she'd get the relief she needed. Considering what she'd endured, he wanted to make tonight entirely about her.
He moved his hands then, clasping her ass.
This kiss was different. The woman and animal had merged.
Both wanted him, eager to receive him in whatever manner he chose. They were anxious but ready to see what he had in store. He built the heat, taunting her with his tongue, becoming harsher with each plunge as she fought for breath.
"Your turn," he rasped, pulling back, eager to remove her clothing.
She didn't let him go right away, not that she had to. If she asked him to slow things down, he would follow her request. He'd take all the time in the fucking world if that's how she wanted to approach things.
The first joining only happened once in a lifetime.
Mating was a tricky thing, something that had to be done correctly and with patience. A fuck-up the first time around could ruin everything. He didn't encourage her to return to the mattress while he'd removed the upper layers of clothing, unhurriedly stripping away each garment, absorbing every last inch of her body as she came into view. After he removed her shoes and socks, he made sure she was right there with him.
"Do you want me, Luna?"
She nodded, but that wasn't enough. His female had to say it. This would happen on her terms when she wanted it to.
"You have to tell me. I need to hear it to be sure."
Seconds lapsed, her stinted breaths filling the room. "I want you."
"Let's get you comfortable, then," he growled, grasping her hips, moving her cautiously. She didn't fight him, but he sensed the wolf and woman paying close attention to his every movement. "You felt me. It's my turn to feel you." He put her where he wanted her, making sure she was in the center of the bed. "Steady, lovely. I'm going to touch you all over."
He unbuttoned her jeans, tugged them down her legs, and tossed them on the floor. His chest heaved as he took her in, staring at what was his and his alone. She was covered by simple yet sexy underwear. Nothing fancy, not that she needed anything like that. He'd never seen anything like her in all his life.
Fuck me.
He was greeted by alabaster skin, every square inch of her flesh smooth and perfect. His eyes darted down, and his cock pulsed. Dark curls and cream waited for him, the cotton hiding her mound visibly wet. She'd drown him when he went down on her, and he'd do that soon. He wanted to lap at her pussy, discovering how she tasted. He'd take his time, making sure she knew she belonged to him and him alone, rewarding her for accepting him by revealing a devotion of his own.
Ripping his eyes away from the temptation, he started at her chest.
He whispered his lips over her collarbones, breezed them down her sternum, and took in her unique and tantalizing scent. She was a mixture of earth, lavender, and dandelions. He nipped, lapped, and teased every precious inch of her, avoiding her breasts, gliding his mouth along her ribcage as he brought his hands to her hips.
"Damn." He bathed her skin with his tongue, swirling it around in circles, giving her soft nips here and there. "You smell good."
"So do you." She brought her hands up, placing her palms on his shoulders, and caressed him. She gently scraped his skin with her nails, running them up and down his biceps. Her touch had gotten bolder, her movements slow but intentional.
There you go.
Feel me. Know me.
He didn't dare rush, wanting the moment to last, enticing her to partake in the petting session. Her skin was soft and sleek, her body a thing to behold. For several minutes they merely stroked each other, exploring unknown places, enjoying the feel of one another's bodies.
When she parted her legs, he accepted the invitation.
He shifted his torso, settling his weight between her thighs, bringing his heavy length to the moist haven between her legs. He moved his hips, ensuring the broad head rubbed against her vaginal lips. She responded perfectly, arching her back, creating friction between them.
Son of a bitch.
"Let's take this off." He slid his arms behind her, unclasped her bra, and carefully pulled the straps from her arms. He tossed the flimsy material on top of her jeans and turned his head to study her.
Her breasts were just like her—absolutely fucking perfect.
He started with the left, teasing the hard point with his tongue before sucking it into his mouth. When she started squirming, he gave her a playful nip and moved to the right. It appeared nipple play was just her thing, which was something he was more than happy to engage in. He had her writhing and whimpering in no time. It wouldn't take much to make her come.
He absolutely fucking loved that fact.
She groaned, twining her fingers in his hair, thrusting her hips."Are you trying to torture me?"
"Not at all. I'm just warming you up."
"I'm more than warm enough."
"I want to make sure you're ready for me." It was her first time, and he didn't want to move too quickly. "I don't want to hurt you."
"You won't hurt me," she exhaled the words, pulling him closer. "I'm more than ready."
She wasn't the only one. "Are you sure?"
When she nodded, he lifted away and grasped her panties.
Right about now, he wanted to talk dirty, letting her know what he had in store, informing her he wanted her pussy to be soaked when she took his cock. Since everything was new to her, he decided to keep that to himself.
The next time around, he'd introduce her to his filthy mouth.
"Then brace yourself," he whispered, taking in the sight, noting how pink and swollen her pussy was. "I want to make sure you're nice and relaxed. To see that it happens, I'm going to use my mouth and tongue to make you come the first time."
He slipped the underwear from her body, got into position, and used his shoulders to keep her thighs apart. He'd waited long enough. He was about to learn what kind of sounds she'd make, eager to see her come as he went down on her.
"Hang on, lovely. I'm going to enjoy every second of this, and so are you."
* * *
Oh dear God.
Luna fisted the comforter beneath her, fully aware of where Shane was and what he was about to do. At this point, she didn't care if she was exposed. Her insides were molten, her breasts feeling strangely heavy. The agonizing pulse between her legs had only increased with each kiss and touch. It felt like she was hot and cold at the same time. If he didn't do something soon, she thought she'd lose her mind.
As slow and teasing as he'd been before, he was all business now.
She squirmed when she felt his fingers part her folds, trying to steady her breathing, telling herself to be still. He gave her a firm lick, his mouth hot and wet. Before she could bask in the sensation, his tongue was in motion, gliding up and down her sex, rubbing against her in a way that had her curling her toes. He eased a thick finger into her, wiggled it slightly, and slowly withdrew. On the second pass, he moved until he found a sweet spot on the inside, one that had her thrusting her hips and gasping for breath. When he returned with a firm pump of his hand, he sucked her clit into his mouth.
Pleasure erupted with the attention of his exceptionally talented tongue and fingers, the amazing feeling building up and bursting from her core to her body in a matter of seconds. She released the bedding and clasped his head, riding wave after wave of bliss, never wanting it to stop. The sensation was more than relief, lifting an enormous burden she hadn't realized she'd been carrying. Even as she struggled to inhale, coming down from the high, she wanted more.
Ours.
The thought in her head came out of nowhere.
