“And Kal knew about this?” Iso asked. Nova nodded, and Iso’s face fell further. “But how?”
“How else?” Jaden asked, stony faced.
“Who’s to say it wasn’t the human girl?” Isiah snarled, eyes staring daggers through Amara. She couldn’t even muster the energy to be offended.
Nova’s eyes flashed, filled with rage, but Nemoy quickly intercepted him. “Stand down, Nova.” He looked to Isiah. “Pick your words carefully, Isiah Levens. Next time I won’t stop him.”
“It wouldn’t make any sense,” Neveah intervened. “The girl was at her own wedding when the Valley wolf was set free.” She gazed forlornly at Amara’s vaguely lost expression. “And plus, can you not see how his escape has affected her? A specter haunts her eyes the likes of which cannot be faked.” She looked to Isiah with an emboldened glare. “The human had nothing to do with Kal Vann’s escape.”
“Neveah…” Isiah gasped. “Since when did you side with these…” his face contorted as he tried last minute to find words that wouldn’t get his throat torn out.
“Okay, I think that’s enough for now,” Nemoy announced. “It’s clear we’re all anxious and exhausted following tonight’s events. For now, let’s all get a few hour’s rest. I’ll reconvene once the rest of the dispatched Protectors are satisfied with their patrol. Maybe then we can discuss this with a bit more of a level head.” Murmurs of agreement filled the Chamber.
“Dammit,” Nova swore. “If only I’d have remembered sooner, we could have tortured the answer out of him when we had the chance.”
“I should have put a bullet in his brain the moment he followed me from the bar,” Amara murmured. All eyes turned to her, and suddenly she felt a bit embarrassed. “The night Nova saved me for the second time. I had Kal right at the end of my shotgun. I could have… but I let him run.” She clenched her fists tightly on her lap. “If I had just pulled the damn trigger, none of this would be happening.”
“No, Amara, no, no, no,” Nova comforted, once again cradling her cheeks in his strong hands. “None of this is your fault, you hear me? None of it. This is all Kal’s doing. And that coward will pay for all of his crimes soon enough. I swear it to you, okay? Then he’ll never be able to hurt us or your family ever again.” One tear slid down her cheek as she nodded.
“Get her to bed, Nova,” Nemoy said softly. “And get yourself some rest, too. We have a long night on our hands.”
Chapter 5
Nova led Amara to his cabin with the gentle care one would use when handling a porcelain doll. Her expression had lessened from lost to just blank, and even he was having issues deciphering the full extent of the emotions swirling through her mind.
His mother’s words flashed through his mind about how he couldn’t feel Amara’s pain, and immediately anger surged forth once more. The innate bond between them was supposed to be the easy part! Why was it proving so difficult for him? For a fearful moment, he thought that maybe they weren’t so compatible after all, but he waved the assumption away. Amara was his everything; there was no denying that. When he called her his mate, the truth of it sang through every cell in his body. It must be something else, another reason. He’d be sure to ask Nemoy about it once the tension lessened. For now, all that mattered was Amara. He glanced back at her blank face and sadness filled his heart. This wasn’t how weddings were supposed to end.
When they got to the cabin, Nova took a brief moment to unlock the door. As he swung it open wide, he looked down at his wife, lover, and mate for life. “Welcome home, Mrs. Lowery.” The faintest of smiles crossed her lips. It was fleeting, gone almost before he could notice, but his heart soared. He was making progress.
She took one step towards the doorway, but Nova stopped her. “Whoa, wait. That’s not how this is done, love.” She looked up at him in mild confusion, and he grinned. “The groom is supposed to carry his wife across the threshold, remember?”
She looked from the doorway back to Nova. That faint smile reappeared, and this time it stayed. “Okay.”
With a joyous smile of his own, Nova lifted Amara effortlessly in his arms. She curled her arms around his neck, pulling herself even closer to him and nuzzling her face into the bend of his neck. Nova let out a shuddering contented sigh. This was what they needed. Not war or strife, not panic or fear. Only each other. Always each other. Without further hesitation, he took the first step into their home.
Nova placed Amara gently onto the bed, and immediately began to undress. The events following their wedding had left his ensemble disheveled and unkempt, and he wanted nothing more than to strip down and put on something more comfortable. As he was undoing the final buttons on his dress shirt, he noticed Amara staring intently at him. She was quite engrossed, and it was a moment before she rose her eyes to meet his.
A slow smile slid across Nova’s lips. “Like what you see, Mrs. Lowery?”
She gave him an embarrassed smile and shrugged. “Guilty.”
He chuckled reveling in the light of her smile. It felt like an eternity since he’d last seen it. “Well,” he said leaning down over her as she sat on the bed, “allow me to remind you that you can do a lot more than watch.” He laid a soft, playful kiss on her lips. “I’m yours for life, Amara Lowery.” Another, deeper kiss. “No guilt necessary.”
With a moan, Amara snaked her hands around his neck, pulling him into a hungry kiss. Their tongues explored each other’s mouths, frantic and fevered in their eagerness. Amara nipped Nova’s bottom lip between her teeth, drawing forth a husky growl from his throat. He crushed her body against his, broad hands splayed across her tiny back, as if he could absorb her body into his and make them one in every sense of the word. He wanted no space between them, but it wasn’t enough.
He pulled away from the kiss long enough to gasp, “If we don’t get this dress off of you, I’m going to tear it to shreds.”
“Zipper. Back,” Amara panted. She traced kisses and nibbles along his jawline as he worked with shaking fingers to undo the gown.
He let out a successful gasp as the dress finally fell away, revealing her beautiful perfect body to him. Without preamble, he enthusiastically took one breast into his mouth, pinching and playing with the nipple of the other. Amara threw back her head, moaning in ecstasy. She shuddered in time with his nibbles and squeezes, letting out small, encouraging sounds that kept him going. She ran her fingers through his hair, releasing the band that tied it into a low ponytail. The little tugs on his shoulder-length locks as she spasmed made his heart race. Suddenly, he was back at the altar, feeling a hunger and a need that even an audience of his peers and family couldn’t halt. He needed her, all of her, right now.
Regretfully, he pulled away from her breasts, and she let out a desperate whimper. He undressed as quickly as possible. Finally naked, he stretched out over her, slowly pushing her down onto her back. His kissed her hungrily, nipping hard on her lips as he pulled away. “Take off the rest of your gown.” Without hesitation, Amara pushed the remainder of her gown down around her hips, kicking it into the floor. Nova looked down the length of their bodies; he was completely naked, and Amara was only in lacey panties and heels. The sight ignited something feral within him. He let out a haggard moan and crushed his pelvis against hers.
Amara let out a cry in pure euphoria. Nova drowned her whines in deep, ravenous kisses as he rubbed his hard cock against the barrier of her panties, over and over until he could feel how ready she was through them.
He pulled back, and before she could beg him to return, he plunged his mouth between her thighs. She cried out his name to the ceiling, back bending into an exhilarated arch. He pulled the thin fabric to the side, dipping his tongue deep into the wet, hot center of her, repeating the motion until she could take no more. Moving his tongue to play over her clit, he slid two fingers deep inside her, pressing insistently within her, rubbing eagerly over and over until she released an intense climax around him.
Nova rose above Amara, rubbing her juices from his
lips and cheeks as he admired her. She was shivering from aftershocks and he could see the quick fluttering of her heart as it rode wave after wave of residual pleasure. He ran his fingers over it, and the thrumming vibration against his fingertips made him feel at home.
Amara shuddered beneath his touch. “You didn’t…” she whispered.
“I know, love. Trust me, I will. I just needed a moment to… savor you.” He ran his fingers from her heart to the top of her breast. He pinched down on the nipple between two fingers, and an excited noise hissed past Amara’s lips. “You’re so beautiful,” he breathed.
“I love you, Nova,” Amara gasped, their eyes meeting in an intense and loving gaze.
“I love you, too, Amara. More than the world itself.” He smiled, still teasing her hard nipple. Her head lolled back as she relished in the sensation.
“Please, Nova, put your cock in me,” she moaned desperately.
Nova gasped, surprised at her words. “Yes, ma’am,” he complied, amused. Without further ado, he tore the thin panties to shreds. Before Amara could show surprise, he was sheathed deeply within her. She threw her head back in a frenzied scream. Nova bit down on her bared throat, thrusting hard in and out of her. Amara bucked and ground her hips into his, aggressively digging the heels of her shoes into his hips as she met each thrust with her own. The bed shuddered and rocked to the rhythm they were creating, and every moan that escaped Amara’s throat, every whispered gasp of his name drove Nova to the brink of insanity. His thrusts grew panicked and uneven, the pleasure nearing its peak as it surrounded them in an erotic embrace. Amara cried his name once more, shuddering around him and he unraveled, finally allowing the waves of climax to overtake them both.
Nova flopped sideways, falling beside Amara. They were both gasping and drenched in sweat, basking in the afterglow of sex.
“You’re so amazing,” Amara sighed, content.
Nova chuckled, nuzzling the sweaty crook of her neck. “I do my best.”
She shivered at his touch and giggled. “No wait, I don’t think I’m ready for another round yet.” She sat up slowly and arched her back in a stretch. “In fact, I think I might need a shower.”
He gazed up at her lazily, still laid back on the bed. “You know where everything is.”
She smiled and leaned down to give him a quick kiss. “See you when I get back?”
He nipped her lip softly. “I’d never leave you.”
Her chuckle rumbled against his mouth. “I love you so much, Mr. Lowery.”
As she sauntered naked out of the bedroom, Nova called, “I love you, too, Mrs. Lowery.”
And he did, with everything in him. Amara Lowery undid him in every way possible, and it never ceased to surprise him. How could one woman unravel him so fully and completely? Should he be afraid that one being had such a profound dominion over his body, mind, and soul? He would die for her. He would kill for her. He would raze lands and move mountains to ensure her safety and happiness. Everything he was and ever would be was hers to command. Did she understand just how much she meant to him? Just how powerless he was against her? He doubted it; there was no way to properly convey how fully he belonged to this woman.
He loved her, but the true emotions that lived deep underneath that love had no words to describe them, no feeling that could be accurately conveyed to anyone else. It was love, but it was also so much more, and it was his goal every day to make her understand those emotions were for her, and would always only be for her until the end of time.
When Amara returned to bed, her hair was still damp and smelled of cinnamon. As she lay down in bed with Nova, he noticed that something had changed. She wasn’t back to the way she was when they’d arrived, but long gone was the glow of post-sex euphoria that normally lasted until she dazed off into sleep.
Nova pulled her close to him and gave her a light kiss on the shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
She sighed, and this time it wasn’t content. “I’m… I’m scared Nova.” Her voice had a slight tremble to it, and he could tell she was trying to remain strong.
“I know. And I don’t blame you. Kal is manipulative and cunning, but he’s also a coward. We’ve dealt with him plenty of times before, easily enough. We only need to kick his ass one more time, then we’ll be done with him for good.” He gave her a loving squeeze around the waist. “As long as we have each other, there’s nothing we won’t be able to overcome.”
“You think so?” she asked tentatively, peeking hopefully over her shoulder.
“It’s just you and me, baby,” Nova assured with a wink.
The tension that sang in Amara’s body suddenly gave way, and she sank easily into his embrace. “Thank you for always being here for me,” she whispered. Sleep tugged gently at the ends of her words, slurring them.
“I always will be,” he replied. He kissed the damp hair on the back of her head and she snuggled closer. Without another word, she drifted off into slumber.
Nova waited until Amara was fully asleep before silently slipping out of her grasp. He had a million thoughts racing through his head; he couldn’t sleep if he wanted to. He had to get out, get some fresh air. His restless worry was making him anxious, and he needed a clear head for whatever was going to happen next.
As he put on a pair of sweats and a light t-shirt, he never took his eyes off Amara. The moment he slid from her embrace, her brow had furrowed in confusion. He wondered what she was dreaming about. Maybe he should stay in case she woke up needed comfort? His body screamed yes, but his mind needed air. He was suffocating under his own stress, and if he didn’t remedy it soon, he wouldn’t be of any help to Amara or anyone else when the time came. With a stubborn shake of his head, he finished dressing.
As he exited the room, he cast one last forlorn look at Amara. She tossed herself onto her side once, and then seemed to calm. Taking that as a good sign, Nova slid soundlessly outside.
Chapter 6
Nova wandered aimlessly, taking in the cool night air that came off the mountains. The compound had grown quiet since he and Amara had arrived earlier in the evening. In a way, he thought it was worse than the panic. Normally he could grant a passing nod or wave to a fellow Protector or guard, or possibly shoo a few mischievous pups home before they were scolded by their parents.
But now, there was only complete silence save for the wind at his back. His Protectors were still out scouting the area and keeping Strathford safe. Everyone else was too exhausted to be awake right now or too terrified to think of stepping outdoors. By now, Jaden had probably spread his gospel about the traitor within the pack far and wide, so everyone felt like they had a target on their back. No one knew who to trust.
Everyone was an enemy.
Nova suppressed a frustrated groan. This was his fault. He should have known. He knew Kal from childhood, better than any other Mountain Clan wolf. He knew how he thought, how he operated, what his scheming process what. Every in, every out. But not this time.
When Kal let slip that one pack secret, Nova should have been on high alert. Sure, he was perplexed at how Kal knew, but he didn’t press further, he didn’t pry. He didn’t take the opportunity to coax the proper information out of him before all of this shit happened. He’d grown complacent. He’d gotten sidetracked. He took time out of his duties as head of the Guard and Protector of the pack to fall in love. Amara became his everything, and while he was distracted, Kal had slipped through their fingertips.
Again.
“Damn it!” Nova roared to the sky, slamming his fist into a nearby tree. The trunk groaned under his blow, showering leaves and twigs down on him. Agony stung his knuckles and pain radiated up his forearm, but he welcomed it. Anything was better than feeling such crippling regret.
Amara wasn’t to blame for this. He should have known better. He should have been able to balance his love for her and his duties to the pack, but he didn’t, and now both sides of this unbalanced scale were hurting because of it.
He�
��d make it up to them. He had to. If he let Kal or any of the Valley Clan get away with anything else, if he allowed them to hurt what was his even one more time, then he was not worthy of either pack or mate. He’d end this once and for all. And if he failed…
He’d exile himself.
Without thinking about it, Nova ended up at the doorstep of Nemoy’s cabin. He had no idea why his body had led him here. Perhaps deep down he needed someone to vent to, and he knew that his brother would listen. A quick peek through the front window confirmed that someone was home, the lights deep into the cabin dimly illuminating Nemoy’s study.
Nova tried the door, and was surprised when it opened easily. He didn’t expect his brother to be so carefree with a traitor on the loose. As he closed the door and locked it behind him, he could hear the steady running water of the shower in Nemoy’s bathroom.
Assuming Nemoy was inside, Nova walked purposefully to the bathroom door. As he raised his fist to knock, he heard faint murmuring on the other side. He couldn’t tell what was being said, but he automatically knew the voice was his brother’s; he’d recognize it anywhere. Nemoy spoke again softly, and this time it was followed by a giggle. Ivanah. Slowly, Nova lowered his hand, feeling more than slightly intrusive. There was another, throatier giggle as he turned to walk towards the study, and he smiled. He wasn’t the only one that needed the touch of a loved one after tonight.
Nova closed the door behind him as he entered Nemoy’s study. The desk inside was riddled with crumpled paper in various stages of inscription. Nova picked up the nearest one, working to smooth out its wrinkled edges on the edge of the desk. The top of the page, scrawled in Nemoy’s stoic, blocked handwriting read, “Callahan Vann, Alpha of the Valley Clan.”
Nova’s blood ran cold. In the back of his mind, he figured that this whole mess regarding Kal would eventually include his father, but so soon? Callahan was ruthless, sociopathic, and on an entirely different level of cruelty than Kal. What could possibly be so pressing that Nemoy felt the need to write about this immediately. Nova read the note further, but it didn’t expand further than Nemoy’s introduction and a single mention of Kal before a violent scribble was struck through the middle of the page, ending the draft.
Mountain Wolf Protectors Complete Series: Books 1 - 4 Page 32
