His Untamed Desire (8 page)

“Try and get rid of me.” She knew she probably looked goofy with the giant grin plastered on her face, but knowing he wanted to bond too filled her with awe. It was the ultimate sign of love for shifters. Unlike mated shifters, who could eventually walk away if they chose, much in the way humans divorced each other, bonded mates were separated only in death. And couples could become bondmates only during a full moon when the male took the female from behind, sinking his canines into her neck, marking her.

“So that's a yes?”

She rolled her eyes and nipped his bottom lip with her teeth. “Like you even have to ask?”

With that, his mouth was on hers, hungry and needy. One second they were standing in the middle of the bathroom, the next they were in his giant granite and glass shower enclosure.

Hot water rushed around them as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Her inner walls were desperate to be filled by him but she didn't want to tear her lips from his. Never wanted to stop kissing him.

After what felt like an eternity he drew his head back, his breathing ragged, his eyes bright with hunger. Water rolled down his face and chest as he rubbed a hand over his damp hair. “I need you now.” The words were ragged and unsteady.

Just how she felt inside. Without another word, she turned and placed her hands on the slick, cool tiled wall. Everything about this moment with him was erotic and sensual. Her entire body was shaking as his big hands curved around her hips.

He flexed his fingers as he slid a knee between her legs. Spreading them farther apart, she tried to grasp the wall but there was no give.

One of his hands slid up her waist and cupped her breast, strumming her already hard nipple as he pushed his hard length into her. The intrusion was welcome but still a shock. Her inner walls stretched to mold around him. Little tremors erupted throughout her body as he pushed all the way inside her. She couldn't believe it, but she was ready to come again. All he'd have to do was move a few times. She was already trembling with the need to climax for a second time.

Still buried deep inside her, he leaned down and she felt the sharp tips of his canines raking against her neck. He didn't puncture the skin, just grazed it. As he did, he pulled almost all the way out of her, then thrust back in.

She moaned as he started moving inside her in a steady, yet barely controlled rhythm. He filled her in a way she hadn't known was possible. She could feel his need and energy pulsing off him in waves, but he was holding back until she came again. When he pressed his canines against her neck, she lost it.

The orgasm that ripped through her this time was nothing compared to the others he'd given her. She let out a primal shout, not caring how out of control she sounded as she came.

It was then that he pierced her skin. For a brief moment it stung, but that quickly gave way to pleasure and when she felt his own climax, she pushed harder against him as he thrust into her.

He growled her name as she wrung the last vestiges of his orgasm from him before wrapping his arms around her and tugging her against his chest. Still half-hard inside her, he gently nuzzled her neck where he'd marked her.

Satisfaction spread through her. Now all supernatural beings would know they were taken because of their scents. And when they bonded, he'd receive a tattooed mark somewhere on his body, proclaiming to the whole damn world that he was hers. She couldn't wait.

“I love you so much,” she whispered. Even with the water rushing over them, her words seemed to echo.

“I love you too.” His words were harsher than hers and when he turned her around, the love she saw shining in his eyes floored her. Most of all, it thrilled her.

He kissed her, his strokes teasing yet still hungry and when she felt his insistent erection against her stomach, she realized they were just getting started for the night. That was fine with her. There was nothing she'd rather do than spend the night loving her mate.

Three days later

Daphne opened the door to her and Hector's home and hung up her keys on the hooks she'd put up. Since his place hadn't been tainted with any craziness from Troy she'd decided she'd rather move in with Hector than the other way around. Plus now she was a lot closer to school.

Saul and a few packmates had decided to move into her previous home and she could only imagine that they'd already turned it into a horrible bachelor pad.

Exhausted from a full day of classes, she headed into the kitchen, ready to open a bottle of red wine, but froze when she saw Hector sitting at the table with his head in his hands. She'd known he was home but now that she was in the kitchen a sour, lemony scent assaulted her at once. Grief.

“Oh, shit,” she muttered before she could stop herself.

He looked up, his face etched with pain. “Leta's been taken,” he said, his voice broken as he looked up at her.

The words echoed hollowly inside her. Daphne dropped her purse and covered the distance between them in seconds. Tears were already falling down her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around Hector. He buried his face in her neck and she felt his own tears on her skin. “What happened?” she asked hoarsely. She'd just talked to her friend that morning and everything had been fine.

Hector pulled his head back but tugged her into his lap. “She and Cesar were out to lunch. She went to the bathroom in a
public
fucking place and”—his voice broke but after a few moments he wrestled his control back and continued—“she never came back. It's not just her, though. Imelda from your pack was also taken. Your entire pack is going insane right now.”

Daphne tried to digest all his words. She'd turned her phone to silent while she'd been in school all day so she could only imagine she had dozens of missed calls. Shit, shit, shit. More tears fell freely. Leta was truly missing. How could that be? Her mate, Cesar, had to be tearing himself up right now. They needed to be with him. “What did Angus say?”

“We're going out on a search party in half an hour. He's getting everyone together, but . . .” He shook his head, his normally bright eyes dull and filled with agony.

He didn't need to finish. New Orleans and the surrounding areas were massive. If someone was taking pregnant shifters there were so many places to hide them and clearly whoever was behind these kidnappings wasn't afraid of the Campbell pack. They'd been targeting felines up until now, but today they'd taken not only a feline, but a
lupine
. And Imelda was incredibly loved by the pack. That was a ballsy move. “We're going to find her and everyone else.” They had to. Daphne refused to believe they were dead either.

Hector ran a hand over his face. “Angus said the newest enforcer is on the way. She should be here tomorrow.”

She?
Daphne had heard rumors of a new enforcer appointed by the Council, but she'd wondered if it had been bullshit. Now she was incredibly grateful for an enforcer's presence. They lived by their own set of rules, and as far as she knew, an enforcer had never failed a job. Maybe those were bullshit rumors too, but right now she'd hold on to that hope.

“We're going to find her,” she repeated again, stronger this time, needing to say the words for Hector as much as for herself.

He tightened his grip around her for a long moment, then stood, a mask of anger and determination covering his face. The rage pulsing from him chilled her. “You're right. We will. And when we find out who's behind this, they're going to die.”

PRAISE FOR

MATING INSTINCT

“Katie Reus creates a vivid world filled with sexy shifters, explosive danger, and enough sexual tension to set the pages on fire. A fabulous paranormal romance!”

— Alexandra Ivy,
New York Times
bestselling author of
Fear the Darkness

“With scorching chemistry . . .
Mating Instinct
's romance is taut and passionate. Add to that a fast-paced suspense plot and a deftly built paranormal world, and Katie Reus's newest installment in her Moon Shifter series will leave readers breathless!”

— Stephanie Tyler, national bestselling author of
Surrender

“Reus brings us another alpha male hero with whom we can fall in love. Combine that with an edgy plot, a strong and conflicted heroine, even stronger, hair-raising suspense, and a clear mystery at the story's center, and you're left with one good read. Once again, Reus delivers another clever page-turner.”

—
RT Book Reviews
(4 stars)

“A sexy, well-crafted paranormal romance that succeeds with smart characters and creative world building.”

—
Kirkus Reviews

“I love picking up new books in this series because I know I'm going to have all my paranormal romance needs satisfied with a sexy and dangerous alpha, a heroine who can make said alpha beg, and an action- and drama-laced story all brought together with some great writing.”

— Paranormal Haven

“A great read with complex characters, serious political issues, and a world I am looking forward to coming back to.”

— All Things Urban Fantasy

“An absolute treat full of sexual tension and danger,
Mating Instinct
is not to be missed!”

— A Book Obsession

“This book is full of action and drama . . . sure to keep you entertained from beginning to end.”

—Under the Covers

“If you're looking for a sexy shifter series, heavy on action and romance, Katie Reus's Moon Shifters is definitely worth taking a look at.”

—Vampire Book Club

“
Mating Instinct
gives the reader an outstanding plot and more importantly unparalleled romance. This series keeps getting better and better.”

—Joyfully Reviewed

“Katie has built a nice world with her characters and I fall in love with a new couple with each installment.”

— Urban Fantasy Investigations

“
Mating Instinct
does not disappoint. Katie writes with an intensity that can be felt right down to your soul. There is plenty of action, suspense, steamy sex, and a little bit of humor to keep everyone smiling.”

—The Reading Cafe

“I could not put this book down. . . . Let me be clear that I am not saying that this was a good book for a paranormal genre; it was an excellent romance read, period. . . . The story was a completely enjoyable and poignant read. . . . I loved the book.”

—All About Romance

PRAISE FOR

PRIMAL POSSESSION

“Reus's world building is incredibly powerful as she seamlessly blends various elements of legend and myth while laying groundwork for future plot points. Her characters manage to both charm and frighten, but the romance between a shifter and human is the real highlight—it's lusty, heartfelt, and shows that love can conquer all.”

—
RT Book Reviews
(4 stars)

“
Primal Possession
is like a summer blockbuster. It has all the right ingredients: hot couple, evil villains, and a killer action-filled plot. . . . [The] Moon Shifter series is what I call Grade-A Entertainment!”

— Joyfully Reviewed

“This book has mystery, suspense, and a heart-pounding romance that will leave you wanting more!”

—Nocturne Romance Reads

“If you like your romance hot with plenty of buildup and a plot that sucks you right in,
Primal Possession
is simply a must read!”

— A Book Obsession

“A page-turning, action-packed rush brimming with intense
primal
desire.”

— Book Lovers Inc.

“The romance is hot and heavy with cosmic attractions and loaded consequences. . . . It actually reminded me of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and its Lessers. . . . These books have a brilliant balance of steamy romance and intriguing plots filled with action.”

— Vampire Book Club

“Another exciting storyline in Katie Reus's Moon Shifter series. . . . There is rarely a moment to breathe between scenes.”

— The Reading Cafe

PRAISE FOR

ALPHA INSTINCT

“Reus has an instinct for what wows in this perfect blend of shifter, suspense, and sexiness. Sexy alphas, kick-ass heroines, and twisted villains will keep you turning the pages in this new shifter series
. Alpha Instinct
is a winner.”

— Caridad Piñeiro,
New York Times
bestselling author of
The Lost

“
Alpha Instinct
is a wild, hot ride for readers. The story grabs you and doesn't let go.”

— Cynthia Eden,
New York Times
bestselling author of
Deadly Heat

“Reus shows great promise and you'll look forward to visiting this world again soon!”

—
RT Book Reviews
(4 stars)

“Reus crafts a fast-paced action story . . .
Alpha Instinct
is awesome, an engrossing page-turner that I enjoyed in one sitting. Reus offers all the ingredients I love in a paranormal romance.”

— Book Lovers Inc.

“Prepare yourself for the start of a great new series! . . . I'm excited about reading more about this great group of characters.”

— Fresh Fiction

“A well-plotted, excellently delivered emotional and sensual ride that grabs hold and doesn't let go! . . . Ms. Reus delivers mystery, suspense and a romance nothing short of heart pounding!”

— Night Owl Reviews

“If you're looking for a new shifter romance to sink your teeth in, then look no further.
Alpha Instinct
is action-packed with a solid romance that will keep the reader on the edge of [her] toes! . . . Highly recommended for fans of Rachel Vincent's Werecat series.”

— Nocturne Romance Reads

“
Alpha Instinct
is a strong book full of mystery, intrigue, and a new world to explore. . . . I thoroughly enjoyed this one as I suspect lovers of the paranormal romance genres will do as well!”

— Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind