38. Thirty-eight

thirty-eight

"I'm going with you."

I'd taken Kendal outside and we walked silently deep into the woods. I tried to prepare arguments against her statement, but I couldn't seem to think of any.

The truth was, I wanted her by my side.

I nodded. "Of course."

She stopped and stared up at me. "I thought you'd fight it."

I carefully cupped her cheeks in my palms. "Unless the risk is too great, I want you with me, always."

Zeus, Bull, and Wasp left hours ago. Society council's next meeting was in two days. Enough time for me to see the building site Kendal picked for us, and explore our new home.

It was surreal. This property, this haven, was ours. We would pay Zeus back as we could by helping him with cases which called for our unique talents. Zeus assured us he needed no payment, but we wouldn't feel right not giving back.

Even now security fencing was going up around the perimeter of the preserve. The fence kept humans out, but allowed wildlife to roam freely. The forest behind Kendal's apartment wasn't even half the size of this one.

I'd spent most my life in a small, translucent box, being watched. No privacy. No autonomy.

Freedom was overwhelming.

Kragen and Cavi adjusted well. Quin masked every emotion with a hefty dose of humor, so it was hard to tell what his true feelings were. Thurl and Roul struggled. Their singular purpose was aggression. They both were learning a new way of living. It wouldn't be an easy transition for them.

That night I would tell Roul about Isabelle. Zeus cautioned against it, but my brothers and I didn't keep secrets. Whether it helped or caused further hurt was yet to be seen. Either way, we would stand beside him.

Going from captivity to this wide-open space was jarring. I expected at any moment for it to be taken away. Nets to fall from the sky, tranquilizer darts to fly from all directions. I knew it would take time for it to feel real. Even longer for it to feel safe.

I hoped Kendal would ease my way.

It might be unfair to put such a burden on her.

"I rely on you, perhaps too much."

Her brows came together. "What do you mean?"

"I see you as a lifeline. As a tether to the reality of freedom and safety."

She wrapped both arms around me and pressed her cheek to my chest. "You are my lifeline, too. You rescued me and have kept me safe." Her inhale shuddered. "You are my home."

I nuzzled her neck and she giggled.

"Cold nose."

I swiped my tongue along the curve of her collarbone, up to trace her jaw. She sighed and leaned into me.

"No one's around, right? None of the others are close?"

I tilted my head and listened. "No, they aren't close."

"Good." She grabbed the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head, then pushed her pants and underwear down. She shimmied out of her bra and stood naked in front of me, like a wood nymph queen.

"You are stunning." I whispered with reverence as I stalked closer. "I am not worthy of your affections."

"But you have them, anyway."

She ran her hands up my belly and back down, gripping my swollen cock.

"I don't know which ‘parent' gave you these spikes, but I need to send them a fruit basket or something."

She bent at the waist and sucked my tip into her mouth. I managed to strangle out "dragon," before speech became impossible.

I buried my claws in the nearest tree to keep from sinking to the ground as her mouth worked magic. I watched as the tip of her tongue flicked the spiraling row of short spikes, sending repeated zings of pleasure through me.

It was a delicious sort of torture.

I was vibrating with the need to sink myself into her.

I succumbed to the impulse and lay her back on the ground. She gasped when I shoved my nose between her thighs, bathing my muzzle in her honeysuckle scent and lapping at her entrance.

She writhed and moaned as I worked her until I nipped at her clit and she cried out.

I watched the walls of her pussy clench.

"So greedy."

She made a soft noise as she came down from her orgasm, which turned into a moan as I pushed inside. Her warm heat wrapped my cock and sent my eyes rolling in my head.

"I'm not sure I can be gentle."

She grabbed my nose and pulled my eyes to hers. "Good. I want my monster to fuck me. I want to feel that you're here, safe, with me."

I trembled with the depth of emotion coursing through my veins. I loved this woman more than life itself. I had killed for her, and would again. My entire world was this small, soft female, urging me faster with her heels.

I couldn't get close enough, deep enough, to satisfy my need to possess, to mark, to leave no doubt that she belonged to me.

I sank my claws into the earth on either side of her head, careful to keep the sharp tips away from her as I pounded her body.

I came with a roar and gathered her into my arms. When I'd caught my breath, I sighed into her ear, "I cannot lose you."

She squeezed her arms around my neck. "I can't lose you either."

"I will eliminate every threat against you."

"I will stand at your side while you do it."

I felt her smile against the ruff of my fur.

"Let's tear these assholes down."