Chapter 42

A few days later, at the earliest point of twilight that Katsuro could comfortably be outside, I gathered with him and the other guys, Aurora, and Nimbus and looked at a property. It was thirty acres that backed up against the forest. A creek meandered across the lower part of the property, and we stood on higher ground outside of the flood plain.

“This is where the house would go.” Davin gestured toward the ground at our feet, a very golden retriever feeling coming from him as he excitedly showed us the property.

“It’s not too far from the coffee shop.” That was important to me. If nothing else, I wanted to easily be able to hang out there. That was also Katsuro’s home, and Oliver lived very close. Bridger was the only one who lived out of town, but we couldn’t do too much about that. Though I hoped to convince him to spend the majority of his time at my new place. We’d see.

“It looks perfect,” Katsuro replied as he stared out over the expanse of land, a gentle breeze playing with his dark hair.

Bridger wrapped his arms around me from behind and pulled me against his chest. I leaned back and let him hold me.

“I have no objections,” the hunter said.

Oliver glanced at Aurora before adding, “It is quite acceptable.”

Nimbus grumbled happily and bounded down the incline, tail waving jauntily over his back.

“Perfect. Katsuro and I will sort out the property purchase and get in touch with the local builders. We’ll have your home built in no time, Hannah.” Davin grinned like a puppy who’d just been given a bone. I had no problem letting him handle all of that. Especially as excited as he was about it. Ever since we’d bonded, he’d had a ridiculous grin on his face, and it made me happy every time I saw it.

“If you’ll excuse us?” Katsuro bowed toward me ever so slightly before lightly touching Davin’s arm and leading him away toward the vampire’s SUV. He did, occasionally, drive.

Oliver gave my arm a gentle squeeze then headed off toward the forest with Aurora. Nimbus gave me a quick glance before bouncing off after them. He pounced on the sun dog, before dashing off. She took off after him fast as a sunbeam, and it wasn’t long before he was chasing after her instead.

I laughed and turned in Bridger’s arms until I faced him.

“It occurs to me that you and I got interrupted the other day.” I kissed him lightly on the lips. “I think it’s occurred to everyone else, too.”

The hunter smiled. “I had noticed, believe it or not. However, I felt your priorities were straight and didn’t feel I should complain.”

He said it so deadpan that it took me a moment to burst out laughing. He chuckled and pulled me tightly against him.

“Survival is kind of a pressing need.” I grinned at the hunter.

“So, barring another attack, your place or mine?” He brushed a bit of hair out of my face.

“Your place,” I said. “If nothing else, it’d be nice to have a little more space.”

“Sounds good. Do you want to follow me out, or drop a vehicle off somewhere?”

“I’ll follow you. That way, you don’t have to drive me back.”

“I never mind driving you around, Hannah, but that’s fine.”

Hand in hand, we headed for the parked cars. I’d finally gotten mine back from the werewolves. After it had been tampered with so that the handles would drug me, they’d wanted to go over it with every type of cleaning ability they had, and the thing smelled like a new car. I’d still felt a little hesitant the first couple of times I’d driven it, but the wolves hadn’t found any other traps, and I’d gradually relaxed back into enjoying the vehicle.

Nimbus appeared in the passenger seat as I pulled away from the curb.

I ruffled his ears. “You could have stayed with Aurora.”

He carried on for a few minutes, and I nodded along.

“Well, I’m glad you’re here.”

Nimbus woofed in agreement.

It didn’t take overly long to get to Bridger’s place. It wasn’t as quick as getting to some of the spots in town, but the drive wasn’t awful, either. I hadn’t been out here since it had been repaired, but they’d done a good job, and I wasn’t actually sure what had been damaged.

When we got out, Bridger opened the door for me, and we went inside his bunker-style home.

“What would you like to drink?”

“Water for now, thanks.” I followed him to the kitchen and leaned against the counter while he got me and Nimbus both something to drink.

The water here was so fresh. I knew he was on a spring well and it tasted better than any city water. Nimbus lapped his up before trotting into the kitchen. The refrigerator door opened, and something floated out of it.

I glanced at Bridger, but he only smiled and kicked the door shut after the cloud dog had taken his prize.

The low feeling of anticipation and arousal centered in my groin was building to a needy roar. I needed Bridger, and I didn’t want to wait long to have him. We were already bonded, and I had to have that physical connection too.

“Do you think you will still take Katsuro’s and Davin’s bonds now that the danger has passed?”

Bridger shrugged. “Maybe. I’m not in a hurry.” His sense didn’t change to discomfort through our bond, so I suspected he was okay with the idea, just not in a rush as he said. “So, how’s being an alpha of a werewolf pack?”

“More meetings than I expected.” I laughed. “Though they don’t expect me to be a real werewolf or anything. I’m more of a figurehead, I guess.”

“That will change as you learn more, I suspect.” Bridger came around the counter and held out his hand.

I took it and he pulled me to him. His lips met mine. A feeling of completion fell over me. Bridger backed me into the wall by the counter and cupped the back of my head with his hand, his other going to the small of my back. I dug my fingers into his ass, pulling him closer. Being pressed between him and the wall filled me with all sorts of ideas, and I ran my leg up his.

“So, want to show me your bedroom?”

“Yeah, I really do.”

He led me down the hall, pausing to push me up against the wall and make out with me, or tear off a piece of clothing, leaving a trail behind us from the kitchen to his room. By the time we made it into the bedroom, all I had left were my panties, and Bridger just had a pair of boxers on. The back of my legs bumped into his bed, and Bridger went to his knees, taking my panties with him, then his hands went to my hips and his mouth went to my pussy.

Groaning, I spread my feet, giving him more access. He worshiped my clit for a while, sending tremors down my legs. I used his shoulders for balance until I was barely able to stand. Then we adjusted so I was laying back on the bed, legs spread wide while Bridger worked me with his lips and fingers.

“Oh, fuck,” I gasped out. “Yes, just like that.” I shattered, and Bridger made a happy sound before he stood and slipped out of his boxers.

“You have birth control, right? Do you want me to use a condom?”

“Yes, and it’s up to you. Last test I took was clean, and I’ve only been with the others since.”

“Yeah, I’m clean, and it’s completely up to you, Hannah. I’m okay either way.”

“Then no, I don’t want you to use one.”

“Got a position you prefer?” He helped me get all the way onto the bed and lay next to me, fondling my breasts while we spoke.

“I am fond of quite a few and always willing to try others.” Mostly, I just wanted him inside me.

He grabbed my hips and rolled me until I was straddling his legs. “How about this?”

I hadn’t expected him to want me on top for the first time, but I wasn’t going to complain. I ran my fingers down his velvety length and enjoyed the way it twitched under my fingers. He sucked in his breath in pleasure. I teased him, and myself, until he was even harder, and precum dripped from his head.

“Ready?”

“Yeah,” he breathed. He helped position himself at my entrance, and I slid down on his length.

His eyes shuttered as he groaned. “Feels so good,” he murmured before grabbing my hips and thrusting into me.

It took a moment for us to find our rhythm, but once we did, the combination of the feeling of him moving inside of me, and the pleasure through our shared bond had me floating with ecstasy.

“I’m close, Bridger.”

“Yeah, me, too,” he replied, voice thick with lust.

We came together. Now that I’d had all four of my men, I felt complete. Soon we’d have a place we could all share, and I’d really make Beechworth my home.

***

The next day after a long night of sex and cuddling and a delicious breakfast that was almost lunch, I’d left Bridger’s house. He’d promised to swing by tomorrow, so it wouldn’t be long before I saw him again, but I still wanted him closer. I wanted all my men closer. The house idea was feeling even more right for our situation than it had when Davin had brought it up.

Raindrops pattered on the windshield, giving moments of warning before the skies opened up. A sharp flash of lightning crackled across the sky, followed seconds later by booming thunder.

“Okay, it was cloudy this morning, but I hadn’t expected a storm like this.”

Nimbus perked up, glancing around, head tilted as he stared into the storm. The wind kicked up, and a branch fell across the road. I slammed on my brakes. Nimbus rooed, tail wagging like crazy.

“Buddy, what is it?”

He vanished and reappeared outside. When I didn’t follow, he turned and barked at me then reappearing in the passenger seat. The cloud dog gripped my sleeve and tugged before vanishing again.

Grumbling, I turned the car off, pulled out an umbrella from the door pocket where someone had thoughtfully stashed it for me and got out. The wind tugged at my umbrella and my hair, and fog misted my glasses as I followed Nimbus into the storm. He wouldn’t have pulled me out here if he didn’t have a really good reason.

We threaded our way through the trees for a few minutes before he sat down next to a tree and wagged his tail so hard I thought he was in danger of spraining it.

“What is it?” I kneeled and saw a tiny puppy. “What the…?” This pup was just barely old enough to be away from its mother. Eight weeks old maybe? “Little one, what are you doing out here all alone in this storm?”

I grabbed the puppy and tucked him into my shirt. He was soaked, hair thick and fluffy like Nimbus’s but more of a grayish color. It hit me… “Twister?”

The little dog gave a soft roo, and this time I couldn’t see because my eyes were full of tears.

“Oh, buddy, you said I’d see you again and here you are. Let’s get you inside and warm. I’m so happy you’re here.”

The little guy squirmed around until he could lick my nose.

I gave Nimbus a quick hug, and then we trudged back to the car. Even with the umbrella I was soaked, but home would be warm. I couldn’t wait to text the guys and tell them all about Twister. I wondered if he’d have the same powers as Nimbus or different ones.

Still, while I’d felt complete before, it was as if the last puzzle piece had fallen into place, and I could truly call Beechworth home.