3

Fallon

Stupid wolf.

Stupid fluttering heart.

And stupid hormones making me this needy.

I didn’t want to give in so easily. If it wasn’t for my brother’s pleading eyes and the chaos of the rest of the season, I’m not sure I’d have allowed myself to get swept up in the mating run.

But here we were.

My beast’s paws trudged through the frigid water of the stream while Aspen’s wolf continued at our side. At least one of us seemed to be holding it together. Aspen made a good Luna. Ranger was an idiot for thinking she needed more time. She had natural leadership abilities and didn’t take any shit. McCaw Pack–my pack–would be lucky to have her.

I couldn’t believe I was about to leave them.

It should’ve been a relief that my brother would be taken care of and that I was leaving McCaw in good hands. But all I could focus on was the pounding of my wolf’s heart and the soul-deep song of her desire. Her excitement at a new future with John was terrifying.

What if we were making a huge mistake?

That stupid male was infuriatingly perfect, which meant there had to be something wrong with him. I didn’t trust his laid-back attitude and macho “we’re going to be fine” vibes. I was used to anxiety. Fighting for scraps. Even after Ranger took over as Alpha of McCaw, I’d learned to play the political games of pack leaders so I could always be watching his back. Every wolf shifter I’d ever met had deep secrets and a hidden agenda.

Except for Aspen, maybe, but that was beside the point.

John’s perfection couldn’t be real.

It was a trap; one I couldn’t stop my beast from getting caught up in.

He’s our mate.

I know.

Why are you fighting it?

I’m protecting our heart.

If you’re scared, just say that.

I forced my wolf to stop walking, asserting dominance through our connection. Because I wasn’t scared. Was I?

Screw it. Start the chase… again.

I knew you’d give in. She turned her snout to the sky and howled. I gave one last long look at Aspen, sending a silent prayer that she’d take care of my brother. Though I knew deep in my bones that she would.

My wolf leapt out of the creek and started running, heading back to our nest. We didn’t bother to drag out the hunt or hide our tracks. If any other male dared to come upon us in this state, he wouldn’t be left with the equipment to finish the season or any other after. And we didn’t doubt John’s capability to chase us down.

My wolf followed her instincts back through the forest, stopping when she heard the rustle of brush from up ahead.

Cindy’s large ruby-colored wolf came trotting between the trees like a monster of myth.

My beast held her ground despite the shake in her limbs. Cindy had never been a problem for us, but I was on Aspen’s side and prepared to defend her if necessary.

The massive she-wolf moved past without noticing us. The determined look in her eyes gave me chills. That was a woman scorned and she knew it. I pitied the bastard she was bent on finding.

But I had my own problems to contend with.

My wolf picked up her pace, taking the long way back up the side of the mountain and following the moon to where our nest lay beneath it.

She made it to the clearing where I’d torn out the surrounding cameras just as the male howls of the chase began.

There was still time to leave.

To bolt the doors and hide.

I knew this and yet…

I waited.

*

The human steps sounded outside the shed a few minutes after I’d quickly dressed. My heart beat faster as I heard him closing in, but I’d long ago learned to keep any trace of fear from my face. I needed to stay in control of the situation. Be the boss. Set ground rules. When he charged inside, I’d be ready to throw down.

But he never came.

I rose slowly from the chair. He was probably waiting outside the door, dragging this out to increase his sense of power over my impending need. Most women would be nervous and anticipating the closure to the hunt, but I was fine. It was only the stupid hormones making my palms sweat.

I brushed my hands on my pants and pushed open the door. John was not where I’d expected him to be. He squatted a few paces away from my nest, moving rocks over to build a firepit. I watched him work for a second, wondering why he hadn’t continued the chase straight into my front door.

“What are you doing?” I finally asked, breaking the silence when he didn’t acknowledge me.

“Making sure we have everything you’ll need.” He finished arranging the rocks but stayed down, surveying the area. “I’ll have to mark the border, but I’ll need to hunt further out for food anyway. There isn’t much game on this ridge.”

“I don’t need you to hunt for me.” Why? Why was he doing this?

Because he’s our mate.

John looked at me over his shoulder. “Okay. Then I’ll hunt for me and you can have the leftovers.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

When he stood, I took an unconscious step back. He was so damn big. A massive Alpha beast. But he didn’t prowl or charge forward. He didn’t need to. His presence was commanding enough.

“The way I see it, our wolves claimed each other for a reason.” He rubbed his chest as if in pain, but there was a twinkle in his eye as he spoke, making his next words not so heavy. “We owe it to fate to give this a chance.”

“Your wolf didn’t choose me,” I tried to keep my voice playful and failed.

“He chose you the moment he caught wind of your scent.” John grinned. “Says you smell like the moon and he can’t wait to make you ours.”

“With a line like that, what are you waiting for?” I laughed it off despite my heart fluttering faster. Stupid hormones.

“No need to rush.” John put his hands on his hips as he looked around the campsite he was setting up. “I’ve got a few things to take care of first.”

*

It’s time for us to take control.

Already did. Now it’s his turn.

Since when do we care about turns?

Since we met our mate.

I was going crazy arguing with my beast while John seemed totally relaxed as he meandered around the outside of my nest breaking branches for firewood and pissing on almost every tree.

Alpha males and their unhealthy obsession with marking everything they claimed as theirs.

In this case, my wolf was smelling roses as she watched John calmly prepare the area around our nest. I’d been in heat five times already and taken lovers both male and female to scratch the itch, but this was the first time someone put in so much effort to anticipate my needs.

I wasn’t sure what to do with it. “We should lay ground rules.”

John dropped the stack of wood next to the fire pit and turned to me, waiting.

“What are your rules?” I prompted when he didn’t speak.

“I don’t have any.” He shrugged.

“Okay.” This was fine. I was used to taking the lead. “What are your hard limits?”

“Hard…” His eyes lit up in understanding as he licked his lips. “Don’t have any of those either.”

Sure he didn’t. Everyone had some.

“Pegging is okay?” I asked innocently.

“Maybe. I’d be willing to try most anything once.” John shrugged again with one shoulder, shocking the hell out of me.

“Well… I… How about…”

“How about you come over here and we finish what we started earlier?” John held out his hand as an invitation.

I grabbed it without thinking, still taken off guard as he pulled me close. His masculine scent was all leather and fresh like handmade soap and it swirled around me, making me feel safe. I shook my head to clear it before realizing what was happening. John tilted my chin up, looking down into my eyes.

I felt my breath catch, anticipating the feel of his beard against my face again. It was softer than I imagined. I’d never dated anyone with a beard. My core heated, thinking of the way it’d brush gently between my legs if he ever decided to eat me out.

I really hoped he enjoyed that because it’d be a sad future for me if he didn’t.

“You’re thinking of more than kissing me.” John’s nostrils flared as his lips hovered inches above mine.

“The heat is riding me hard,” I said. There was no shame in a woman’s body or her needs.

“I’m going to pretend it’s me that’s got you this turned on.” The teasing lilt of his tone had my thighs clenching. Before I could come up with a sarcastic response, he captured my mouth with his.

And I forgot how to breathe.

It was an aching need that pulled me in. The earthy, rich taste of his masculinity invaded all my senses. As a rule, I didn’t date dominants because they took up too much of my space–needed too much in return. But I could already tell his strength was a quiet sort, just by the way he kissed me. Like he was a man drowning and I could save him, all while he swept me off my feet.

Our tongues danced as our wolves howled. My body melted and I clung to John’s solid form. His strong arms held me up. It wasn’t enough. We weren’t close enough. I dug my nails into the lusciously soft hair at the back of his neck and pulled him closer to me as I tasted him fully, moaning into his mouth.

Oh Goddess, I wanted him inside me.

John laughed softly. The sound was a rumble in his barrel chest. I ached to drag my nails down his skin. To dig in and make him feel me.

He pulled his lips away, leaving me gasping as I chased them with my own.

“What about your rules?”

“Screw the rules,” I said as I leaned back, pulling him with me. “Let’s go to my nest.”

The way his eyes lit up should’ve been my first clue that this was going deeper than I intended. “Are you sure?”

“Never been less sure of anything in my life,” I panted, trying to move the immovable boulder of a male.

“Wait. That doesn’t sound like consent.”

I’m sure.

“My beast consents.” I forced myself not to roll my eyes. “And I’m on board with what she wants.”

“In that case…”

There was a moment of hesitation where John scratched his beard, looking me over with concern. Just as I was about to bite into him about not being one to beg, the air rushed from my lungs as he lifted me off my feet.

“What are you doing?” My eyes widened in shock as he carried me in his arms like I was weightless. Bridal style. That’s what they called this.

And I was not sure that I liked it.

“Shh.” John pressed his lips to mine as he walked us both to the shed. “Give me this. I’ve never been in a female’s nest and I want to do it right.”

“You’ve never been–”

He silenced me with a kiss.

I tore my lips away, breathless. “In a female’s nest?”

“Never wanted to before,” he rumbled, capturing my lips again in a toe-curling kiss.

And he’ll never be in another’s.

“ Mine,” my whole body was screaming as John’s massive frame filled my sacred space.

I didn’t have time to worry or think. Every inch of my being was craving the feel of his skin against mine. It was the only thing that mattered. Getting him as close and deep as possible so I could soothe this aching pull that demanded I take him inside of me. Now.

We were a fumbling mess of hands pushing clothes and bumped teeth and moving parts. Later, I’d replay this. Slow it down and make it last. Once I scratched the itch, it’d be easier. It wouldn’t always be this frantic. I’d be able to stop kissing him. To regain control.

John broke the kiss long enough to lay me on the soft blanketed floor pad. He hovered above me with his massive shoulders glowing in the candle light. I panted, shimmying my underwear off and grabbing his thick cock in my hand between us. He groaned as he pressed his lips to the base of my throat. I explored his length with my fingers. He kissed his way down my chest, unhooking my bra, while I stroked.

Oh Goddess, yes.

The size of this was going to be fun.

“Is that…” John’s breath fanned across my breast as he pulled his mouth and my bra away. My nipples tightened in the sudden chill. His eyes gleamed in the amber light as he took in the sight of my piercings. “Nipple rings?”

Technically they were bars.

“You can play with them.” I nodded, still breathless and trying to move so I could line up his cock where I wanted it posed at my soaking wet entrance.

John’s moan was primal, guttural, as his dick pulsed under my fingers and his teeth skimmed the bar on my nipple.

White hot pleasure shot through me and I rubbed his tip against my clit.

“Is that pierced too?” He slid his hand between us as he moved his mouth to my other breast.

“It’s too sensitive.” I moaned as he pulled my hand away, replacing the head of his cock with his thumb.

I cried out as he ran his tongue over the bar and then dragged his teeth in little nips along my breast, all while rubbing my clit.

“Fuck,” he drawled. “You’re so beautiful.”

“Too much talk, not enough action.” I rocked my hips forward with a demanding thrust.

“As you command.” John met my force with the pressure of his cock, slowly entering as he gazed down at me with reverence in his eyes.

It was too much. Too intense.

I stretched and burned and clawed at his back, needing more as he bottomed out.

“I know.” He pulled out a bit, reading my thoughts like he was waiting in my head. That should’ve terrified me more than it did.

But I was already so close. Right there on the edge. A few more strokes and I’d tip over. All I needed was to come down, then I’d draw the barriers back up. Just as soon as he filled this ache.

“Harder.”

“Yes ma’am.” He set a brutal pace.

I matched it, losing myself in the frenzy.

We climbed fast together and crashed hard together, clawing and screaming as my orgasm milked his along with mine. His teeth sank into my shoulder. He growled my name possessively, claiming. Pain and pleasure burned through me. The intensity of our blood mixing with the rush of the climax still pulsing through my bones was my final clue that I was screwed. Nothing would ever hit like this. It was vicious and all-consuming. His knot was too thick to escape, stretching me wide open and locking us in place.

The candles burned brighter as a fuzzy golden glow surrounded my bliss, floating me back down to the soft carpet and enhancing the heady sensation of his masculine heaviness pressed down on top of me.

A blanket of safety cocooned us as warmth settled and my chest cracked wide open, begging to be filled again. I didn’t understand.

The bond is cementing.

What do we do?

Accept it.

Something snapped into place, making my heart swell with the feeling of fullness. Buried in John’s arms, I inhaled his scent as he breathed in mine. The golden cord between us solidified, proof that the impossible was possible, and my wolf rested in contentment.

Fate.

But I didn’t have time to process it all.

The delicious ache between my legs was already fading. Fast. Too fast. It was pulling me under, teasing and taunting. John’s worried brow hovered above me as he tucked a piece of sweaty hair back from my face and his knot started to shrink.

An animalistic whine came from my throat.

“It’ll be okay,” he promised as a new wave of need washed over me, drowning out my senses and taking all self-preservation with it. “I’ll always take care of you.”