11

Fallon

Bits of green sprouted through patches of muddy snow that crunched under my wolf’s paws as she raced through the quiet forest. The morning sun peeked down past the branches overhead. My beast’s lungs burned deliciously with the exertion. She was fast–we’d had to be while growing up–and John’s wolf let her run ahead as he inspected the borders.

Despite these woods being different, the scent of our mate was everywhere. In his territory, we were safe to run and play and hunt without worry.

We were still coming to terms with how that felt.

It feels like fate. My beast yipped her joy.

Correction– I was still coming to terms with how that felt.

“So you grew up here?” I reached out mentally to connect with my mate.

“Born and raised.” John’s wolf leapt over a fallen log and trotted up beside my beast. For his massive size, he was surprisingly quiet and quick.

“But you left and joined the military?” I asked as my wolf pressed her body against his wolf’s body. She only came up to his shoulder. We weren’t small by wolf standards. John was just… Big.

“I only did one tour with the Marines,” John explained. It was the second time we’d spoken about this, and like the first, I got the feeling he had some resentment about it. Normally, I wouldn’t pry. There were some things you learned to keep your mouth shut about. But I wanted to know more about what made him tick. He was my mate after all.

“Are you more upset about your time in service or that it came to an end?”

His wolf chuffed as the sense of laughter rolled through me. I waited for him to respond while our beasts fell into a comfortable pace stalking the woods together.

“It’s strange, isn’t it?” John asked.

My wolf nudged his body with hers, telling him to go on.

“Having someone else inside your head. Someone who knows what you’re feeling,” he explained.

“A little. But you’re an Alpha. You wouldn’t know what it’s like to share your thoughts with anyone but your mate,” I said it like I knew what I was talking about, but honestly, the words just felt right. Alphas had to protect their packs from experiencing any dysregulation, so they were constantly on guard and trying to keep things stable. They didn’t have the luxury of sharing their darkest fears and desires.

John’s wolf stopped and looked down at mine. I swear I saw the pride of the human in his eyes. “Guess you’re right. It’s a good thing I have you, then.”

My wolf puffed out her chest a bit as she continued walking. Her tail did an extra swish in the air when she realized he was staring after her.

“Which one is it?” I asked, still curious.

John sighed as his beast hurried to catch up. “I didn’t want to be Alpha.”

“My brother didn’t either.” My wolf nodded. “Usually that means you’re a good one.”

John chuckled. “I hope so. But I wasn’t ready to settle down until I had to. Then I didn’t have a choice.”

“Grown and old before your time.” My heart ached for the burden John carried alone. It was good we’d found each other because I wasn’t planning on settling down yet. There was still so much work to do. “We’ll fix that.”

John’s deep laughter warmed my soul from the inside out. “You’re going to be trouble.”

“Not if…” I stilled as my beast turned her snout in the air. There was a tug. A sense of urgency. Like someone was calling my name.

John started growling as he spun to face me, but my wolf was already racing away.

“It’s Alice!” I told him, focusing on the strange sensation of fear flickering in my chest as my wolf ran toward the pup.

*

“Luna!” Alice stood in the tree fort, waving her arms like a windmill as my wolf came to a panting halt outside the perimeter of the children’s play area.

“What happened?” I forced my thoughts in her direction. John came barreling into the clearing behind me.

“There’s a mean lady with red…” Alice was saying as John’s wolf checked me over, making sure my wolf was okay.

“We’ve got company at the lodge.” He turned toward that direction.

I tried to will my heart rate to return to normal as I pieced out what Alice was saying, “She’s got red-painted fingernails.”

“Is that why you were screaming?” My wolf panted, wondering if this level of drama was normal with pups.

“You’re the only one who can handle it.” Alice nodded solemnly. “Your nails are longer than hers.”

*

I placed her scent as soon as I’d shifted and entered the lodge through the back door. The widowed Luna of Williams Pack. It was only a matter of time before she showed up. I pulled on one of John’s flannel shirts from the hooks in the mudroom and cinched it at the waist with one of his belts, grabbing my spare thigh-high black boots from the mat in the hall.

Reminder to self:

Leave more clothes easily accessible here.

Especially if we’d be hosting representatives from the neighboring packs at random times.

“Fallon.” John smiled at me as he came out of the bathroom. His eyes traveled hungrily up my thighs as I zipped my boots.

“Later.” I put my hand in his. “Do we know what Janice Williams wants?”

“Probably something about the debt from the show and my bargain with Chase.” A menacing aura pulsed around John that made my beast purr in delight. We hadn’t seen him in his dominant stance yet. He’d been mostly cinnamon roll around me and the pack. But this version of him was definitely getting explored in the bedroom at a future date.

“I’m assuming you want me to sit there and look pretty.” The sarcasm wasn’t very light from me today. Alice’s dramatic call still had my heart racing.

I wasn’t expecting John to open the door to the conference room and step aside, allowing me to enter first. I didn’t let the shock I was feeling show on my face as he pulled out the head chair of the table for me.

“Or you can look scary if you want.” He winked.

He learns quick . My wolf gave her approval as I kept my eyes on Janice Williams.

She remained standing in her white pumps. Her Burberry jacket was slung over her arm. The sleek ponytail pulled back her silver hair and her sharp gaze sized me up as one of the male shifters who flanked her pulled out a chair.

“Fallon. So good to see you, dear.” Janice smiled, waiting for me to sit.

“After you.” I motioned to her chair, letting out my beast’s dominance in the iciness of my tone. These little games were the bane of my existence, but each step screamed power and one wrong move gave the upper hand. I tried not to flinch as John sat beside Bryant and Tim at the table. He was an Alpha who knew better than to be lower than anyone in the room, which meant he didn’t see this as a threat.

“You underestimate her.” I kept my smile neutral as I watched to see what Janice would do.

Satisfied as she looked John over, she took a seat next to her guards.

“She’s not in a position to challenge me.”

Oh Goddess. He didn’t know the drama or just how vindictive women can be.

“You should probably let me do the talking.” I made a point of looking Janice in the eyes as I was the last to take a seat. “What brings you to our territory today?”

Bryant blinked. Tim started to speak, but after one glance from John, the old wolf coughed as if he’d choked on his own spit. John leaned back against his chair and folded his arms over his chest.

Janice’s smug grin twitched as she looked to the silent Alpha and then to me. “Forgive me, Fallon. It’s been a while since we’ve connected. How is your brother doing?”

The slight slip almost made me laugh. Of course that was her concern. She was testing to see if my connection with McCaw still stood. And if I didn’t have to beat around the bush, I wasn’t going to. “He’s well. I spoke to him and his mate yesterday. This season was a good one. For many of us.”

I paused to give John a real smile, loving his amused expression. Tim was still trying to catch his breath, as if he couldn’t believe I was speaking. That was fine. I could do underestimated all day.

I returned my attention to Janice. “But that’s not why you’re here.”

“No, it isn’t.” She glanced at John again as if he could save her.

He can’t. My wolf licked her chops.

“I came to see about making a new alliance.” Janice finally realized she’d be dealing with me for this impromptu meeting. “Since we’re old acquaintances, it’d be easier for us to work together.”

“No, what you came to do was undermine my mate’s authority,” I said, direct. “I’m assuming you don’t plan to honor his and Chase’s bargain if you can prove your son’s illegitimacy.”

Her gaze narrowed, but her smile remained plastered on. “Stepson. Arthur is my blood. He’ll be the next Alpha. If you want to go making deals, it should be with him.”

“See, that’s where you’re wrong.” I rested my elbows on the table so I could lean forward and stare her down. “A bargain was made. One that will be honored by whoever runs Williams Pack. I suggest you remember that when you go trying to clean up your own house.”

John arched an eyebrow, but still he said nothing. Tim was so red I expected him to burst. It was Bryant trying to hold back his grin that was almost my undoing. But I knew how to maintain a straight face.

“If you intend to be so rigid, we’ll need to discuss some new boundaries once this Alpha situation is sorted.” Janice smoothed down her skirt, trying to save face.

“Don’t you dare threaten me.” I stood, letting out more of my wolf’s inherent strength. It was enough to have Tim bend his neck and make a little whine slip from Janice’s lips. “And you’ll do well to remember that McCaw doesn’t take lightly to threats. Neither do the O’Neils.”

I had no clue on the last part, but I was willing to make the bet.

Tight-lipped, Janice rose to her heeled feet. “I see. It was nice chatting with you, Fallon.” She nodded her respect to John, who didn’t bother to rise.

“Sure it was.” I smiled sweetly. “Tell Kimberly I’ll be calling on her soon.”

“Kimberly?” Janice gripped the back of the chair.

“Chase’s mate, Kimberly. We met during the season and ran together. You should know that’s how strong bonds are forged.” I forced her gaze down as the promise of my intent raged within my glare. Eye contact was a funny weapon. One I loved to wield during situations like this.

“Of course, Luna. We’ll be happy to host you in Williams Pack.” Janice gave a slight bow as she slipped on her coat. Quicker than I expected, she and her team were heading outside and back to their waiting cars.

“Well. I didn’t think…” Tim looked around the room as he stuttered. “She just…”

“Come on, man.” Bryant laughed as he clapped the old man on the back. “Did you lose a nut or two back there?”

“I need you to leave. Now.” John growled.

Tim scrambled out the door.

Bryant sighed as he followed him. “We’re going to have to burn this table.”

“Out.” John’s Alpha strength washed over me, giving my wolf a heady rush as it mixed with my own power.

I gave him a seductive smile, practically tasting his pheromones and desire pulsing in the air. “What seems to be the problem, Alpha?”

“That was so fucking sexy.” He moved me over so I was standing in front of him, spreading my thighs apart with his knee. I was bare under the makeshift dress I’d made from his flannel shirt.

Bare and already aching with need.

His hand slid up between my legs and he groaned at what he found waiting there. “How did I get so lucky?”

“Ask the Goddess,” I teased, gasping as he pushed me back so I lay flat on the table.

He made quick work of the belt I’d borrowed, pulling it off and ripping the buttons of his flannel so I was wearing nothing but my black boots.

John leaned down over me. Love swelled in his eyes as the ends of his beard tickled my cheek. “Alright, Goddess. How did I get so lucky?”

“Goddess, hmm?” I moaned as he nibbled down the side of my neck, working his way to my breasts. He paused at each one to tug at my nipple rings with his teeth.

I arched into him as he did. “I think I can deal with being your Goddess.”

“Better than princess?” He gripped my thighs and spread them further, dipping his head between them. The length of his tongue lapped up my sex and came up to circle my clit.

“Better than princess,” I panted, needing more. He ate like a man starving. Devouring me. His beard rubbed my sensitive skin, sending me to new heights, as I climbed dangerously close to the edge.

Only he could bring me this far, this fast.

Then he sucked in my clit and I cried out my climax, shaking as my thighs wrapped around his head. Too much and never enough, all at the same time.

John pulled back and wiped my juices from his beard. That shouldn’t have been as sexy as it was.

The sound of his belt snapping brought me back to my senses as I rocked down from my orgasm.

“I’m not done worshiping you yet.” John fisted his cock, lining it up at my entrance.

I bit down on my smile as his fingers dug into my hips. “I like the sound of that.”

In one thrust, he forced his way in, claiming my body with his and capturing my mouth with his lips. He swallowed the sounds of my screams as I begged for it harder. John tore me wide open and touched places no one had ever reached, rearranging my molecules and heart just a little more with each thrust to make room for his beast to fit.

So deep, I didn’t know where I ended and he began. I clung to his broad shoulders as he claimed me again, each stroke taking me higher and higher.

“Come for me, Goddess.” He growled his command as every inch of me tightened and coiled around him.

I gave in. Gave up.

Let it all go and surrendered.

And I took him with me.