CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER FIVE

Throughout the remainder of the drive to his territory, Eli launched dozens of questions at her, wanting to know more about his little mink: What did she do to unwind? What was her favorite movie? Had she read any books recently? What places had she traveled to? Was there a particular place she’d always wanted to visit? What trend did she struggle to understand the existence of?

As they crossed over the border of Mercury Pack land, she frowned at the building on their right. “Why does a motel sit on the edge of your territory? Does it belong to your pack?”

“Yes. After our neighboring pack fell apart, we claimed the land. Instead of moving onto it, we kept it separate and built the motel there. My human pack mate, Gwen, runs it with the help of a mated couple, Kent and Caleb. My entire pack wanted to be present at dinner to meet you, so some Phoenix Pack wolves are manning the motel reception desk tonight. Their pack is very closely allied to mine.”

“I’ve heard plenty about the Phoenix Pack, particularly that the Alphas are a special brand of crazy.”

His lips twitched. “They’d be the first people to tell you that’s true.” Reaching the parking lot outside the main lodge, Eli whipped the SUV into a free space and switched off the ignition. “We’re here.”

“That’s not a lodge, it’s more like a rustic mansion.”

“So people often say.” He squeezed her hand as a flicker of anxiety traveled down their bond. “You don’t need to be nervous.”

She shrugged. “I want them to like me,” she gruffly admitted.

Warmth bloomed in his stomach. He liked that this was so important to her; liked that the opinions of the people in his life mattered to her. He got the feeling that Casey rarely let the opinions of others matter. “Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.” She slid out of the vehicle and stared up at the lodge.

Rounding the SUV, Eli took her hand in his and led her up the porch steps. Entering the kitchen moments later, he saw that everybody was gathered at the long table.

Everyone other than his mother, he realized a second later.

They all stood as one to greet Casey, staring at her with avid interest. No one would like to be under that kind of scrutiny, but she didn’t squirm or fidget or avoid anyone’s eyes—not even when his Alphas approached. She stood at his side like she had every right to be there, which she did.

Eli draped an arm over her shoulder. “Casey, these are my Alphas, Nick and Shaya.”

“It’s good to meet you both,” said Casey.

Nick inclined his head. “My brother’s been waiting a long time for you. I’m glad you finally found each other.”

“Eli’s been brooding all day because he wanted to go see you,” said Shaya, her eyes twinkling.

Eli frowned. “I was not brooding.”

Shaya snorted. “You were. A lot. It was sad.”

“Let’s get the rest of the introductions out of the way,” said Nick.

Casey kept an easy smile on her face as the Alpha male gestured at each of his pack mates, stating their name and what—if any—position they held within the pack. She received smiles, nods of the head, and little waves. All seemed welcoming enough. One person was suspiciously absent: Kathy.

Her mink pushed to the surface, taking the measure of each of the strangers. Slightly distrustful, the animal kept her muscles bunched tight, coiled to spring. Although she was impressed by the power that pulsed from the Alpha male, it also made her antsy.

Once the introductions were over, Willow turned to her mother. “Can we eat now? I’m starving.”

Shaya stroked her daughter’s curls. “Sure, let’s eat.”

Casey soon found herself sitting at the table, wedged between Roni and Eli. He scooped various foods out of the bowls and platters to pile them onto her plate, ignoring her comment that she could do it herself. Conversation came easy, and there was a lot of teasing and laughing. Still, a sharp tension filled the air … as if everyone was bracing themselves for something. Like Kathy charging into the room, raring to spout shit.

Personally, Casey didn’t think the woman would bother. Kathy had clearly wanted to communicate her disapproval, and she’d done that just fine already.

“I heard you’re an enforcer,” Ally said to Casey. “That’s good. If you move to our pack—and I’m hoping you will—we’ll have another enforcer in our ranks.”

Nothing like a bit of pressure to make a girl feel awkward. Casey just smiled.

“I’ve never met a mink before,” said Jesse. “But I heard lots about them. Do your inner animals really do a war dance like weasels do?”

Casey pursed her lips. “Well, that depends.”

“On what?” asked Jesse.

“On whether we’re in the mood to toy with our food,” said Casey.

Madisyn chuckled. “My cat kinda likes playing with hers.”

Bracken nodded. “Especially voles, although she kills them before she plays with them. Usually.”

Shaya lifted her glass, studying Casey. “You’re not full shifter, are you? I can always tell.”

“I’m half shifter, too,” said Harley.”

Casey looked at the margay cat. “I recognize you from the Velvet Lounge. You perform there, right? It’s a nice place. A little bluesy in style.”

Gwen raised a hand. “I said the same.”

“Yes, I play the electric violin,” said Harley. “I also run the place.”

“Does your pack own any businesses other than the club and motel?” asked Casey.

“No.” Shaya sipped water from her glass. “I’ve been trying to convince Nick that we should open a salon next to the motel. Maybe also a diner. A movie theater would be good, too. Me and the girls went to see the new James Wan movie last weekend.”

“I went to see that with my friend, Emma,” Casey told her. “It started off slow. But then things began to move a little faster and the tension built, so I was wound tight. Nearly screamed at one point. And the climax was pretty good and …” She trailed off as she realized just how that had sounded. And no, she didn’t miss the smiles that people were struggling to hide … or that her mate was shaking with silent laughter. “I’ll just stop there.”

Ground, swallow me.

It didn’t.

Walking inside Eli’s lodge a short while later, Casey felt her brows lift. Nice. Although it was only one-story high, it appeared to be pretty spacious. And it definitely had that rustic look going on. Oak flooring. Weathered, log furniture. Wood-paneled walls. Wooden beams on the high ceiling.

The leather recliner near the brick and stone fireplace had been angled toward the large TV. There was also a leather sofa that, like the recliner, was such a deep brown it was almost black. The soft hunter-green cushions and fake fur rug gave the place a cozy feel. A mix of white and different shades of gray, the rug made her think of a wolf’s coat.

The folded, dark brown faux blanket resting on the arm of the recliner caught her eye. Not just because it looked luxuriously soft, but because it was the typical color of mink shifter fur.

Pointing at the blanket, Casey turned to Eli. “When did you get this?”

He stalked towards her. “I’ve had it for about two years. Shaya bought a bunch of different colored faux blankets and offered them to the pack. I was going to pick one that matched my rug, but then I saw this and had to have it—couldn’t even explain why.” He framed her face with his hands. “Maybe some part of me knew what you were.”

Eli rained soft kisses all over her face, loving how her body molded itself to his. She fit right there against him, like that groove had been made just for her.

His wolf relaxed, satisfied that his mate was in his domain. Content that she was where she belonged. The animal would be pissed when she left; wouldn’t understand why she hadn’t simply moved in. For now, though, he was at peace.

“Haven’t stopped thinking about you all day.” Eli sipped from her mouth, lightly flicking her tongue with his own, taking her taste inside him. “The things I could do to this mouth …” He speared his fingers into her hair, fisted it tight, and snatched her head back. “I want it wrapped around my cock, Casey. I want to blow my load right down your throat.”

She let out a sigh as he kissed along her neck. “It’s good to have dreams.”

His lips curled. Yeah, he knew dominant female shifters gave oral sex in their own sweet time. He righted her head and nipped her lower lip. “Those dreams will become reality one day soon, Casey.”

“Oh, I see you’re back in Eli’s world, where everything goes your way. Cute.”

“You’re my world, baby.”

Casey just about melted at that. Yep, that puddle of goo on the floor was her. Even her mink was touched, and the animal was a hard-assed bitch. Casey splayed her hands on his chest—it was packed with so much muscle she almost shivered a little in delight. “I’ll bet no one would believe me if I told them you could be sweet.”

“I wasn’t being sweet. I was being honest.”

“Which was sweet.”

“Not sweet. Just frank. I’m determined to make sure you never doubt how important you are to me.”

“Like I said, sweet.”

He playfully snapped his teeth at her. “You’re going to be a pain in my ass, aren’t you?”

She shrugged one shoulder. “It’s only fair, since you’ll be a pain in mine.”

“In a number of ways,” he agreed, palming her tight little ass. “There’s a good chance I’ll drive you crazy.” Like his wolf, he was a territorial bastard, so he’d always known he’d be uber possessive of his mate. Known he’d hold her close, determined not to lose her the way his mother had lost her true mate. No dominant female would fail to bristle at that kind of behavior. Casey would be no exception.

She was far too dominant and independent to let him wrap her up in cotton wool and tuck her away someplace safe, where the world could never harm her—and yeah, he’d do that in a heartbeat if he thought she’d let him get away with it. Perversely, he liked that she wouldn’t. Liked that she’d refuse to allow him to steamroll her.

“Drive me crazy?” she echoed. “Why?”

“I don’t have to tell you that I’m not an easy man, Casey. I’m pushy and stubborn and selfish. I’ll want more of your time and attention than I’m entitled to.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You’re warning me that you’re going to be clingy.”

“Clingy? No. Overprotective and all up in your space, demanding everything you’ve got? Yes.”

“So, clingy.” She circled the claiming bite on his neck with her fingertip. “Just know that I’m no pushover, Eli. I might cede some control during sex, but I won’t do it outside the bedroom.”

“Believe me, I like that you’re someone who’ll push back. Like that you’re strong, confident, and know exactly who you are. It means I don’t have to worry that I’ll crush you.”

She tilted her head. “And why would you ever have such a dumb worry?”

“I told you, I’m not an easy man. There was once someone … It didn’t end well, Casey. I was too much for her.”

Her nose wrinkled, and he got the sense that she didn’t want to hear about the females in his past. “Or she just wasn’t enough for you. Whatever the case, it doesn’t matter. What happened between you and her … that was then. This is now. And I’m not her.”

“No, you’re not.”

“I’ll be no easier to handle than you’ll be, you know.”

Oh, Eli had no trouble believing that. He kissed the hollow beneath her ear. “You were a good girl for me last night. Gave me your throat. Came when I told you to. Followed almost every order I gave you. ‘Almost’ is fucking astounding when the female in question is as dominant as my baby is.” He took her mouth, need rising inside him as memories of their claiming flashed through his mind.

Her own hunger rose to match his, spicing and warming her scent, inciting his wolf. Eli slowly peeled off her top and tossed it aside. “I’ll give you a tour of the lodge later.” Right then, he needed to touch and kiss more of that soft skin.

Eli perched himself on the wide arm of the sofa. “Come here.” He saw the struggle on her face, knew her natural instincts would be prodding her to challenge him. She took a long, deliberate breath, and the tension in her shoulders fell away. His wolf rumbled a growl of approval.

Eli hummed as she came to stand between his spread thighs. “That’s my good girl.” It took serious strength for such a dominant female to fight that reflexive urge to challenge orders, but she’d done it. He loved that she wouldn’t defy him for the mere sake of it.

Flicking the front clasp of her bra open, he brushed the cups aside and filled his hands with those silky-soft breasts. “Perfect.” And so very his. He latched onto her nipple and sucked hard.

Inhaling sharply, Casey grabbed his hair and arched into him. Damn, but he was good with that mouth. A mouth that felt even better when pleasuring … other places. She put a slight pressure on the top of his head. “Heaven is further south, Eli.” He let out a deep, throaty chuckle that made her stomach clench.

“I’m happy where I am. For now.”

Gripping his shoulders, Casey held on as he licked, flicked, bit, and suckled her nipples. Sparks of pleasure shot to her clit, which only made her pussy burn for more. She gasped as he raked his teeth over one taut bud. “Would you stop playing with my tits!”

He lowered the zipper of her slacks. “They’re not yours anymore, baby. They’re mine. Just like this”— his hand delved into her panties and cupped her hard— “is mine. There’s not a single cell in your body that doesn’t belong to me.” He bit down on her nipple just as he sank two fingers into her pussy. “Hmm, nice and wet.”

Casey moaned as he pumped his fingers in and out of her. The heel of his hand rubbed her clit with each thrust, winding her tight as a drum. He hooked his fingers and stroked her sweet spot, and she felt her orgasm bubble up. Then the fucker slowed his pace. She hissed. “Eli—”

“What do you need?”

“Your cock.”

“Where do you want it?”

She jerked as his finger pressed on her sweet spot. “My pussy.”

“Then that’s what you’ll have.” Eli withdrew his fingers. “Strip. Now.” He whipped off his own clothes as she shed her own. “Good. Get on your hands and knees right there on the rug.”

The order made her stiffen slightly, but she battled the drive to fight him and did as he asked.

“So good for me.” Eli kneeled behind her and draped his body over hers. He caught her earlobe between his teeth. “Have you missed my dick, baby? Do you want it inside you again?”

“Yes,” she hissed.

“Then what are you gonna give me?”

Casey bit back a curse. It was such a simple physical movement, but there was truly nothing simple about giving someone your throat. It was a complete surrender, an offer of trust. And although Eli had her trust, it still wasn’t so freaking easy to push past her dominant instincts—instincts that balked at the very idea of her submitting in such a way.

Honestly, her mink didn’t like it much either. The whole thing hadn’t been so hard during her claiming, because the mating urge had taken hold, sucking rational thoughts and inhibitions from her head.

He scraped his teeth over the back of her shoulder. “Casey.”

She sucked in a sharp breath as she felt the thick head of his cock pushing inside her. Stretching her. Causing the most delicious burn. Yes, she needed this. Needed—

He pulled back. She hissed, curling her fingers into the rug. “Eli.”

“You want my dick back? Then show me just how bad you want it. Remember how this works: If you make me wait, I’ll make you wait.”

Casey swore, sensing he meant it. With a grind of her teeth, she tilted her head, exposing her throat.

He slammed his cock home, knocking the breath from her lungs. Fuck, she’d forgotten how thick he was. He didn’t give her a second to adjust. Just pounded into her like he was caught in a frenzy, his fingertips biting into her hips. His snarls and grunts mingled with her moans and the sound of flesh smacking flesh.

No one had ever fucked her the way Eli did. They’d never been so forceful or unrelenting. Never taken her with such raw sexual aggression. Even as he ruthlessly rammed his cock so deep it hurt, Casey threw her hips back to meet each thrust, wanting more.

“That’s it, give me that pussy.”

A burning hot tension coiled inside her—a promise of divine pleasure that was so close yet so far. One touch to her clit would be enough to set her off. She couldn’t wait, couldn’t take anymore.

Seeing her hand reach toward her clit, Eli brought his palm down sharply on her ass. “No. When I want you to come, I’ll tell you to come.” He spanked her again when she would have argued with him, loving the way her ass turned such a pretty shade of pink.

Planting one hand on the floor near her own hand, he draped himself over her, still slamming hard and deep. He growled low in her ear. “Do you know how hot it is being inside this pussy, knowing it was made for me?” He wrapped her hair around his fist and pulled hard. She hissed, and her pussy rippled around him. “You like that? You like how I fuck you?”

She only groaned, throwing her hips back even more frantically.

Eli mercilessly hammered into her, feeling his control beginning to shatter. His senses were filled with Casey—her raspy moans, the sway of her tits, the succulent scent of her need, and the tight, scorching hot clasp of her inner muscles. It was all too much, and it left him feeling drunk. Drunk on her.

As her hot pussy tightened and superheated around his cock, Eli knew he couldn’t hold on any longer. “Now you can touch your clit.” Her hand slid down her body, and then a moan flew from her mouth just as her inner walls fluttered around him. “Come, Casey. Come all over my cock. Yeah, that’s it.”

Even as a scream tore from her throat, Eli locked his arm tight around her stomach and pounded harder into her rippling pussy again and again and again. Then his release pulled him under. He bit out a harsh curse as he jammed his cock deep one last time, shooting jet after jet of come inside his mate.

Breathing hard, he pulled out of her and lay on his back. She instantly melted into the rug, her eyes closed, shaking with little aftershocks. He dragged her on top of him and kissed her hair. “You good?” He got a soft grunt in response that made his mouth quirk.

Happy to simply lay there with her, he danced his fingers up and down her sleek back. He’d already committed every line and curve of her body to memory. He loved touching her, loved having her all warm and limp and sated against him.

He also loved that his pack mates had taken to her so easily. He was pissed at his mother for missing dinner with the pack, though—well-aware that she’d done it just to express her discontentment. He was also well-aware that she was expecting him to seek her out and confront her, but Eli wouldn’t credit her shitty behavior with any form of attention.

“I’m gonna fall asleep if you keep on petting me,” Casey slurred.

“We can hit the sack soon.” Watch TV in bed, relax, and then he’d take her all over again before they settled. “But I have a request first.”

“What?”

He nuzzled her hair. “I want some time with your mink.”

“Do you have protective gloves lying around?”

“She won’t hurt me.”

“Much.”

“She won’t. Just as I’d never hurt her.” He squeezed Casey’s nape. “Come on, you’ve had time with my wolf. Let me see her.”

Casey lifted her head. “You certain? Because, honestly, I’m not sure how she’ll behave toward you. She sees you as hers, and she acknowledges that she’s yours. But, well, she’s a moody little bitch, Eli. She can be vicious as hell. I truly can’t guarantee that she won’t bite you if you make a wrong move. And no, I can’t say what constitutes a ‘wrong move’ to my mink. It all depends on her mood, which changes every hour.”

“I already know minks are temperamental creatures. I won’t touch her if it doesn’t look like she’ll welcome it. I just want to see her. She’ll never feel truly comfortable with me if she and I don’t build up a level of trust, will she?”

“Well, no, but I don’t want you to lose a finger.”

“I’ll be careful with her. I promise. And then afterward, I’ll let my wolf out so they can have some time together. She’ll like that.” He patted her ass. “Come on, I want to meet her.” She stood with a sigh. And as Eli got a good look at his mate’s body, his cock jerked. “Or maybe we can wait until I’ve taken you again.”

Casey snorted. “One-track mind. You, um, should probably put your pants on. She has a habit of climbing people’s legs, and I don’t think you want her getting close to your bare cock.”

“Fair point.” Eli rose from the rug and pulled on his jeans. “Ready when you are.”

“Good luck.” And then Casey shifted.

Mouth curling, Eli stared down at the little mink. Sleek and short-legged, she had a long, slender, muscular body covered in the most luxurious fur. He wanted to know if her rich, glossy, blackish-tawny coat was as silky as it looked, but he didn’t dare invade her space. That would only earn him some nasty bites.

He very slowly crouched down and murmured, “Hey there.”

Her small dark eyes locked on his, and she was looking at him … well, like he was prey. He wasn’t gonna lie, that unblinking, unwavering stare was somewhat unnerving. She seemed calm enough, though.

“Cute little thing, aren’t you?”

With a low hiss, she lashed her black-tipped tail. The move wasn’t so much aggressive as a message that he’d better tread carefully.

“I wouldn’t hurt you,” he softly assured her. “I want to stroke you. Pet you.”

She slanted her head, blinking. He wondered if Casey was communicating what he wanted to the little mink.

“I’ll let my wolf out so he can play with you. I just want to give you a little stroke first. You’re safe with me.”

A bit of the starch left her spine—probably at the promise that she’d get some time with his wolf. Yeah, he’d figured that might spur her into giving Eli a chance. She bounded forward three steps. Honestly, she moved so fast, he almost jerked in surprise.

“Closer, gorgeous.”

She leaped onto his thigh and stared up at him, nose wrinkling.

“That’s it.” He gave her back a gentle stroke, and she arched into it like a kitten. “So soft.” He petted her with long, soothing swipes of his hand from her neck to her tail. All the while, he whispered sweet nothings to her, injecting a little purr into his voice.

She made little clucking sounds, seeming content. So he blinked in surprise when she suddenly jumped down and looked up at him, expectant.

“Oh, I’ve had my allotted time, have I? Fair enough.” He stood, shed his jeans, and then opened the front door so that their animals would be able to go outside. “Please don’t lay waste to the wildlife.” Because, yeah, minks would kill for sport.

Eli pulled back, allowing his wolf to surface.

The mink sniffed at the large gray-white wolf. Purred as she recognized his scent. He circled her, gently rubbing against her. She scrambled up his back, gave the back of his neck a playful nip, and then leapt to the ground. She scurried outside with a clucking sound. The wolf followed.

They spent hours exploring his territory. The mink bounded and zigzagged across the ground with a darting speed, easily keeping pace with the wolf. He kept close even as she climbed trees, swam in the river, darted into burrows, or raced into tunnels in pursuit of prey.

When it was dark, they returned to the lodge. Feeling the pull of sleep, the mink curled up on the rug. Just as tired, the wolf curved his powerful body around hers, keeping her warm. Protecting her as his instincts demanded.

It took mere minutes for them to fall asleep.