CHAPTER ONE ELISE

The storm raged outside as I toweled off my hair, listening to the wind howl and rain lash against the windows. It was oddly comforting, even with the loud cracks of thunder rattling the windowpanes.

This was my favorite type of weather, when nature reminded us that we weren't always in control. The power of the elements dwarfed even the mightiest of creatures, and there was beauty in that reminder.

I heard the front door open and close, followed by the squelch of wet shoes on hardwood. Nico's scent drifted to me, a mix of rain and cedar that made my wolf perk up.

"In here," I called, poking my head out of the bathroom.

Nico appeared in the doorway, rainwater dripping from his clothes and hair. His eyes raked over my body, clad only in a towel, and a slow grin spread across his face.

"Like what you see?" I teased, cocking a hip.

He growled low in his throat, a sound that sent heat pooling low in my belly. "Always."

I leaned against the counter and returned the favor, drinking in the sight of my mate's rippling muscles as he stripped out of his sodden shirt. "Rough night?"

He caught me staring and winked before kicking off his boots. "Orion called. Brielle got caught in a wash-out. We had to haul her car out of the ditch."

I winced in sympathy. "Shit. Is she okay?"

"Shaken up, but fine." His jeans joined the pile of wet clothes on the floor. "What about you? Get caught in the storm?"

I nodded, gesturing to my damp hair. "I was at Claire's retreat when it hit. Ended up helping Kai secure a tarp on the roof of a storage shed. I guess that's where all the paintings go to dry."

His eyes flicked to mine as the only warning before he shook his head like a dog, sending water droplets flying everywhere.

"Hey!" I yelped, holding up my hands to shield myself. "I just dried off, you ass."

He snickered, clearly pleased with himself. I grabbed another towel and threw it at his face, unable to keep from smiling. My wolf reveled in the easy banter, in the playful, teasing nature of our relationship.

He was our home.

As I wiped away the new spatters of water, my mind drifted back to my visit to Claire's. Never in a million years would I have guessed anyone would want to journey to the asscrack of nowhere Mill Creek, but she was booked out for the next six months and thinking of squeezing in more available dates.

"Did you know Claire's place is getting a reputation?" I asked.

Nico paused in the act of scrubbing his hair with his towel. "What do you mean?"

"Word's spreading among shifters with an artistic streak, apparently," I explained. "It's becoming known as a good place for both their human and animal sides."

His brow furrowed. "Is that a problem?"

"Not exactly," I hedged. "It's just... while I was there, one of the guests asked about joining the pack."

A brief flash of surprise crossed Nico's face. "And what did you tell them?"

"That I'd consider it." I shrugged. "That we're always open to new members who'd be a good fit."

"Elise..." Nico's voice held a note of warning.

"I know, I know," I said quickly. My wolf padded through my head, ready to nip whatever objection he had in the bud. And then lick him to make it all better. "But it could be good for us. We could use the extra numbers, and you know I have a soft spot for giving lone wolves a home."

The corner of Nico's mouth twitched. "Oh, I'm intimately aware of your soft spot."

"Har har." I rolled my eyes, but secretly delighted in the innuendo.

His grin turned positively wicked as he dropped his towel and stepped into my space. His fingers traced along the knot of mine where it rested against my bare breasts, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

"We just took in those two from Idaho," he murmured, brushing his lips against my mate mark in a very familiar distraction attempt. "The pack's still adjusting. Adding more so soon could be risky."

"You don't think I can handle it." It wasn't a question. I gripped his hair, pulling his head back to meet my eyes.

"That's not what I said." Nico's growl rumbled through me, making my wolf prickle. "But rapid expansion comes with challenges. Integration takes time. Are we really ready for that?"

I leaned back with a growl of my own. "You think I'm being power-hungry," I accused. "That I'm just snatching up any wolf I can to add to my collection."

"Is that how you see us?" he asked flatly. Silver churned in his eyes. "Are we just things to be collected?"

"Of course not!" I snapped. "But that's how others might see it. Or think I'm shitting all over Rafe's leadership by changing things so quickly."

"Fuck what others think," Nico snarled, taking a step closer. "You're the alpha now. Act like it."

I bared my teeth, my wolf rising to the challenge in his voice. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means stop second-guessing yourself," he shot back. "Trust your instincts. If you think bringing in new blood is what's best for the pack, then do it. But don't let fear of what others might think hold you back."

We glared at each other, the air crackling with tension. Part of me wanted to lash out, to put him in his place for daring to speak to me like that. But another part... another part recognized the truth in his words.

He wasn't challenging me, just playing his role. Balancing me out. Being the infuriating voice of reason so I could argue from all sides—then make my decision.

Before I could respond, a deafening crack of thunder shook the house. The lights flickered once, twice, and then went out completely, plunging us into darkness.

For a moment, neither of us moved. The only sounds were the howling wind outside and our ragged breathing. Then, slowly, my eyes adjusted to the dim light filtering in from the window.

Nico stood motionless, his eyes burning like twin pools of silver fire. The shadows caressed his muscled form, making him appear almost otherworldly. Fierce. Wild. Dangerous.

My breath caught in my throat. Despite the anger still simmering between us, desire coiled deep inside me. He was beautiful, powerful, and all mine.

"Well then," I breathed, breaking the silence. "Now what?"

He leaned into me, closing the distance between us until there was barely an inch left. The heat of his body radiated against mine, and his scent filled my lungs. He dipped his head, his breath ghosting across my lips.

"What," he murmured, "do your instincts say?"

"Asking as my mate? Or my enforcer?" My voice came out low and husky. I tilted my chin defiantly, meeting his eyes.

His answering grin was pure sin. "Both."

I didn't bother to dignify that with a response. Instead, I reached up and tugged his head down, crushing my lips against his.

The kiss was hungry and desperate. Teeth clashed and tongues battled for dominance, neither of us willing to give in. His hands tangled in my hair, yanking my head back to expose my throat. His tongue trailed over my mate mark, sending sparks of pleasure skittering down my spine.

I groaned, arching my body into his. His hard length pressed against my belly, throbbing with need. I ached to feel him inside me, filling me, claiming me as his.

Thunder roared outside, shaking the foundations of the house. Lightning flashed, illuminating the dark bedroom through the doorway. My wolf howled, wanting nothing more than to give herself over to her mate and lose herself in his touch.

"Bedroom," I growled. "Now."

He didn't need to be told twice. We bounced off the doorframe, fighting for who reached the knot of my towel first. He won, and yanked the material from my body. Cool air kissed my heated flesh, my nipples pebbling in the sudden chill.

I shoved Nico backwards onto the bed. He fell with a grunt, his eyes never leaving mine. Another bolt of lightning flashed behind him, and a crack of thunder followed soon after. He was framed by the curtains, the rain pelting hard against the window panes, and his stare searing through me.

His gaze flicked down my naked body, sending shivers of anticipation dancing over my skin. The low rumble in his chest grew louder, more feral. The tension between us stretched tighter, threatening to snap at any moment.

I crawled over him and straddled his hips. His hands roamed over my thighs, my ass, my stomach. Everywhere he touched, goosebumps followed. Pleasure wound tighter, deeper, as I rubbed myself over his swollen cock.

But when he tried to flip us, I pinned his wrists above his head.

"No," I snarled. "I'm in charge here."

A shudder ran through him, his pupils blown wide with lust. "Yes, alpha," he breathed.

Satisfaction thrummed through me. Having this wild thing of a man beneath me, obeying my commands... Fates, it was intoxicating.

I bent down, tracing the line of his throat with my tongue. He tasted faintly of salt and rain, with an undertone of spice that was uniquely him. I nipped at his earlobe, earning a moan and an involuntary thrust of his hips.

"So impatient," I murmured, shifting my weight to grind against his cock. "What do you want, Nico?"

"You," he growled. His hands flexed under my grip, but he didn't try to break free. "I want to taste you. To fuck you. Now and forever."

Fire raced through my veins at his words. His desire was a palpable force, wrapping around me and pulling me closer. I rocked my hips again, gasping as the tip of his cock brushed my entrance. Fuck, I needed him inside me.

"Good boy," I purred. "So obedient for your alpha."

I leaned down and captured his mouth in a scorching kiss. He groaned, straining against my grip on his wrists. I could feel his need, his hunger, raging beneath the surface. But he obeyed, letting me set the pace. Letting me take control.

I broke the kiss and sat up, rolling my hips teasingly against his straining erection. "I think I'll take my time with you tonight," I mused, trailing a finger down his chest. "Make you beg for it."

Nico chuckled, a low sound that sent tingles down my spine. "Have your fun, alpha," he growled. "We both know how desperate I can make you when it's my turn. You'll be writhing and begging for my cock before I'm done with you."

Pure need flooded my system at the promise in his voice. Fuck, the things this man could do to me with just his voice. I bit my lip, trying to maintain my composure. "Big words, wolf. Let's see if you can back them up."

Slowly, torturously, I lifted my hips and positioned myself over him. His chest rose and fell rapidly, his whole body taut with anticipation. I locked eyes with him as I began to sink down, savoring every inch as he filled me.

"Fuck," I gasped, my head falling back as I bottomed out. His cock filled me perfectly, stretching me just shy of too much. My inner walls fluttered around him, savoring the sensation of being utterly full.

Nico's hands flexed under my grip, his jaw clenched tight as he fought to stay still. "Elise," he ground out. "Move. Please."

The plea nearly undid me. My body screamed for friction, for release, but I forced myself to go slow. I lifted my hips, dragging myself torturously up his length before slamming back down. A sharp cry tore from my throat as he bottomed out again, hitting a spot deep inside me that sent stars bursting across my vision.

Nico let out a string of curses as I repeated the movement, setting a steady rhythm of long, deep strokes. Pleasure coiled tightly in my core, building with every movement. I released his wrists and planted my hands on his chest, nails digging into his skin as I rode him harder.

He groaned, his hands coming up to grasp my hips. He pulled me down to meet each thrust, urging me faster and deeper. The pressure continued to build, threatening to overwhelm me. My breaths came in short gasps as I teetered on the edge of climax.

Nico's grip tightened, his fingers digging into my flesh as he urged me on. "Come for me, Elise," he growled. "Scream for me, alpha."

A shudder wracked my body, the pressure finally releasing in a flood of pleasure. I cried out, arching my back as waves of ecstasy crashed over me. Fireworks burst behind my eyelids, and every muscle in my body clenched as the orgasm swept through me. Nico fucked me through it, his hips rising to meet mine as I shuddered above him.

As the aftershocks faded, I became aware of the tension in Nico's body. He was still hard inside me, trembling with the effort of holding back. A wicked grin spread across my face as I realized just how much control he'd given me.

But now it was his turn.

Nico surged upward with a growl that was more animal than human. In a blur of movement, I found myself flipped onto my stomach, ass in the air. One hand gripped my hip, the other tangled in my hair, keeping me pinned beneath him.

"Nico," I groaned, pushing back against him as he buried himself inside me once more. "Don't tease, wolf. Just fuck me."

He laughed. That fucking laugh. Wild and free and filthy.

"What my alpha wants," he growled, withdrawing until just the tip of him remained inside me. "She gets."

And then he slammed back into me. Hard.

He set a punishing pace, driving me into the mattress with every deep stroke. There was no room for anything else in my mind—just the pleasure coursing through my veins, the sensations radiating through every inch of my body, and the sheer power of my mate.

We moved together, our bodies rocking in perfect harmony. He felt incredible, hot and thick and deep within me. I clutched at the sheets, crying out with every thrust. He claimed me with brutal precision, each stroke sending me spiraling higher toward another peak.

"That's it," he growled in my ear. "Take it. You're so fucking perfect like this, Elise. My beautiful, strong alpha."

I whimpered, overwhelmed by the praise. No matter how many times we did this, Nico's words would always undo me. The way he saw me, the way he made me feel, was unlike anything else. I wanted to be his and belong to him forever.

My mate. My perfect match.

I could feel Nico's control starting to fray as we hurtled toward oblivion. His movements grew rougher, more erratic, matching my own frantic desperation. The storm continued to rage outside, our cries drowned out by the pounding rain and roaring wind.

"Fuck, Elise," Nico groaned, his grip on my hips bruising. "I'm close. Come with me."

I shattered apart, my body bowing as another climax tore through me. This time, Nico followed right behind, spilling into me with a strangled groan. Stars danced across my vision, and my toes curled as pleasure engulfed every cell of my being.

Finally, the world began to piece itself back together. I collapsed onto the bed, panting and thoroughly spent. Nico sank down beside me and pulled me into his arms. I curled up against his chest, pressing my face into his neck as his scent washed over me.

Perfect. Utterly fucking perfect.

Nico hummed contentedly, planting a soft kiss on my forehead. "I love you, Elise," he murmured against my skin. "With every fiber of my being."

"I love you too," I replied, sighing happily. "Even though you're a pain in my ass."

He snorted. "Only sometimes."

Lightning flashed outside, lighting up the room for a brief instant. Thunder cracked, and the rain beat even harder against the windows.

I settled against him, cocooned in his warmth and strength. Here, in the safety of his embrace, I knew I could handle anything. The pack. Our enemies. Even the tricky process of integrating new members. With my mate by my side, I was ready to conquer the world.

Or at least Dusk Valley.