Snow Wolf: Wolves of Willow Bend (Book 9) (15 page)

They found their rhythm by the second stroke, two wild beings straining to join together. He wrapped one hand around her breast, then dipped his free hand do her pussy. With two fingers, he began to stroke her clit and she came apart beautifully in his arms.

Once.

Twice.

And as a third set of tremors shook her, his world narrowed to a single focus as everything boiled down to the way his cock drilled into her. He bit her a second time and she came, the hot sweet nectar of her orgasm filling the room with its perfume as he followed her over the edge. His spine went white-hot as he melted from the inside out.

He barely caught her as she collapsed, and he went to his knees, still deep within her as his own orgasm continued to wrench free.

His wolf wanted her, demanded they take her. Their will, their dominance could overwhelm her. They could subsume her pack bond, stealing her once and for all to be at his side forever. Yet the man resisted his more bestial side.

No had been a complete sentence. It needed no explanation or justification. She’d taken him as a lover. They would dance.

The chase was already on.

I
t took
a full hour before they let go of each other long enough to step into the cabin. Diesel wore a smirk, and she couldn’t really fault him for it. She’d never orgasmed so much or so forcefully. While she could blame her limp on the small remnant of her ice cut foot, she didn’t bother. The sensual soreness left her wanting to strut. Still, she dragged on her abandoned clothes—which the cleaning fairies had folded neatly for her in their absence—and turned to watch Diesel, only to find him eyeing her with same kind of hunger.

“Oh no,” she wagged a finger at him. “We have to go back to work now.”

“The pack is safe.” An easy declaration, since he’d summoned them all. But as much as she wouldn’t mind dragging him onto a bed to play, she didn’t think she was capable.

“I need a time out.” She smoothed her shirt down. “Need to let my muscles recover long enough to go for round four.”

“Five,” he corrected with a smug smile.

Delighted, she burst out laughing. “Five. Until then, you wanted to see to your pack and I’m rather hoping you’ll explain what you saw on the body.”

His proprietary grin faded a notch. “The tattoos he wore are similar to the other wolves who attacked. They tell me what clan in Russia he hails from and more…they told me his rank.”

Using her fingers to comb through her hair, she padded closer to him. “Significant?”

“Enough.” He touched a finger to her cheek, a simple yet terribly intimate gesture. The door to the antechamber opened to admit seven wolves, a family group from the look of them. She glanced at the new arrivals, and they gave her a smile in passing, each reaching out to touch Diesel lightly as they split around him like a stream flowing around a rock.

Diesel nodded in acknowledgement, but he didn’t remove his touch from her cheek nor did he look away. When the grouping disappeared down the access stairs to the sanctuary, he said, “The wolf was a lieutenant. The foot soldiers would likely have taken their directions from him.” Another group passed through and, like the first, they gave her wide, friendly grins. The tension around their eyes eased as they each touched Diesel on their way through.

When that lot were on their way downstairs, she studied her partner curiously. “Do they all touch you each time they see you?” Wolves were tactile creatures. They needed the regular contact for comfort and bonding.

“They are unsettled,” he told her, though she understood that. “It is rare that we abandon our wolf form this early in the year.”

Fresh curiosity spearheaded through her, more questions she wanted to ask. They would wait for a quieter time. “You know, you have this reputation at home—the back woods Alpha, primitive, aloof…but you’re not like that at all.”

His eyebrows rose a fraction in response. “No?”

“No,” she grinned, dropping to sub vocal as the hatch began to swing inward again. “You’re an Alaskan teddy bear.”

He didn’t respond verbally, but he didn’t have to. His eyes held the promise of retaliation later. Once that lot went through, she added. “I think I shall call you Bear.”

This time, he did laugh then bent his head and kissed her. He held captive with just the sweet taste of his lips on hers when the next wolves streamed past them and while she wasn’t sure whether they smiled or not, she didn’t mind.

For two hours, they stood there, not saying much as his pack trickled in—some groups large, other groups small. Only when the numbers trickled down to one or two, did he nod toward the door. “Time to descend.”

Before he even opened the door, he caught her hand in his. “The additional population will strain resources and energy, so the hallway…”
Was dark.
She glanced down the long stairs, the light from the antechamber not truly penetrating all the shadows below.

“Fun.” The tension knotting her gut tightened, but Diesel squeezed her hand.

“I am with you,” he promised. “We’ll descend together.”

Trusting him on his word, she held fast to his grip as they took the steps. A distant part of her mind counted the number. It might help if she ever had to take these steps in the dark without him. Her gut clenched at the very idea, but she didn’t stop counting or walking down.

By the time they reached the door to the underground village, sweat left her skin damp. The cool air on the other side offered a welcome relief, along with the lights.

Pausing, he turned to take her other hand in his and faced her. “I have to meet with Montana and the Sentries.”

Understandable. “I can find my way back to the rooms or somewhere else, if you think I would be more useful…”

He considered her a long moment. “You are welcome to join me at the meeting.”

The invitation carried too much inherent promise on her part. “Thank you,” she said, finding she meant it. “I think it’s too soon for that.”

“As you wish.” He lifted their joined hands then kissed her knuckles. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to show you much of my land yet. I’ll take you out again, as soon as we’re able.”

“I’d like that…and, Diesel?” She squeezed his hands, trying not to make too much of how her voice cracked slightly. “I mean it. If I can be of use, put me to work.”

“I will. For now, stop and see Chowder on your way to our rooms. I’ll send food to you—”

“I can manage with what you have in stock,” she interrupted, returning the affectionate kiss to his knuckles. “You’re bringing in a lot of mouths to feed, let them all settle.”

“Very well. See Chowder about your foot.”

“It’s not that—you know, he’s on the way.” At the stubborn set of his jaw, she simply amended her protest. It wasn’t a lot to ask. “I’ve got one more question.” It was one she almost didn’t want to ask.

“Speak,” he kept his tone even, but a hint of impatience crested beneath the word. To be fair, he’d told her to always speak her mind.

“I need to check in with Mason.” She showed him equal respect and kept her tone calm and even. “Is there anything you don’t want me to share?” It was utterly disloyal to ask the question, and she grimaced. Yet—she’d been privy to the inner workings of his pack, to the resources they had. The conflict between what she’d learned and who she told—she didn’t want to betray him. A wolf couldn’t be loyal to two Alphas.

“I trust you.” The absolute sincerity in his simple pledge left her blinking back tears. He touched a finger to her lips. “I’ll see you soon.” Then he was gone.

Awareness of his absence swept through her. Fast on its heels was the acknowledgement that not only had he
said
he trusted her, he’d shown it. No escort waited to follow her back to their rooms. The only order he’d given was that she stop and see Chowder. Flexing her right foot, she felt a twinge. It stung a little, but it didn’t hurt.

Of course, he’d drowned her in pleasure so maybe she could have amputated her foot and it would barely have hurt. She was still grinning at the idea when she reached Chowder’s quarters. She paused and considered the panel to find a button that would alert him she was outside.

After depressing it once, she glanced around the courtyard. It really was rather lovely. If she didn’t look up and see the enclosed ceiling, the combination of plant life, trickling water and natural light had her half-convinced she was outside.

Even the vague emotional discomfort she associated with traveling through dark places like the steps had passed. The door opened behind her, and the healer’s chamomile and mint scents tickled her nose.

“You’re one more courtyard over,” he said with a grin as she faced him. Then he paused, and his smile grew even wider. “Hot damn. Go, Diesel.”

If the absolute joy hadn’t shown in his smile, she might have blushed. As it was, she grinned. “You know I could absolutely have been the one to jump his bones.”

Folding his arms, the healer leaned against his open doorway. Still smiling, he said, “Well, then hot damn. Go, Ranae.”

Another laugh burst from her, and she shook her head. “You’re a terrible man.”

“Oh, I have my charms. What can I do for you?” Even as he asked the question, he glanced at her bare feet. “Why do I smell blood?”

“I think I broke it open on the walk here,” was all she managed before he tugged her inside and urged her to sit. In short order, he’d poured them both cups of coffee before he sat in the chair opposite her and pulled her foot into his lap. Next came the cleaning with saline then betadine. She managed to endure it without hissing. “Hmm, it’s not deep and your shift seems to have helped, but you did reopen it. I’m going to give you a bit of a boost on the healing and put a light bandage on it.”

“I think that’s a lot of fuss for a cut.” Still, she didn’t pull her foot away and let him patch her up.

“We’re allowed to fuss.” Chowder gave her foot a gentle squeeze. “I’m just going to grab you some clean socks for now.”

“Like you said, I’m one hall down…”

The healer pointed at her. “Stay. I’ll only be a minute.”

Ranae scowled after him. “Sit, Ubu, sit. Good dog.”

“I heard that,” he called back. “Just remember who was barking the orders night before last.”

“Touché.” Despite her grumbling, she couldn’t help but grin. Yes, they had fought a Russian wolf. Yes, it had interrupted her exploring. But they’d won the fight, she’d had amazing sex, and Diesel offered her his trust and given her freedom to be herself.

All things told, it had been a pretty damn awesome day.

D
iesel’s office was full
. In addition to ten senior Sentries, Fluff, Grinder, and Montana were also present along. That left over a dozen still on patrol outside sanctuary.

The conversation in the room halted at his arrival. Montana stood from her perch on the corner of his desk and eyed him as he strode in to face them. Most had passed him on the way inside and had already given him shit-eating grins. Dove’s scent clung to him, and it settled his beast even though she had declined his invitation to attend at his side.

Eyeing his wolves, he had to admit she was probably right to decline. He could await Dove’s decision with patience. His agitated wolves, however, needed action.

“We have a problem.” He got right to it. “All the evidence suggest the attack was a preemptory strike. We have issued one response.” He spared a glance at Grinder for his permission.

“Bobbin and Tock are en route with the coolers. We found a great way of getting them over there using organ donation.” He bared his teeth as though mimicking a grin. “What do you want to do with our most recent catch?”

Preoccupied with Dove, he hadn’t fully decided what course he would take with the lieutenant. “Remove the tattooed fingers and carve away the tattoo on his right pectoral muscle. Box them up for transport.” He would send them to the Moscow pack with a bottle of whiskey, and a promise. The last he’d heard, Alexandrovich still ruled Moscow. He would not enjoy the gift.

“I’ll take care of it,” Fluff offered.

Grinder gave her a long look, a wordless tension hanging in the air between his Sentries. Diesel left them to sort it out. If it proved problematic, he’d involve himself. Grinder nodded then jerked his thumb toward the door. “Go now. If the temperatures drop much more; you’ll need an ice pick. Boone, back her.”

Fluff scowled at the offer of a backup, but Grinder didn’t relent.

“From this point forward, all Sentries move in units of two or more. I prefer three, but we’ll work with what we have.” Even as he made the statement, Grinder shot him a quick look. As security measures went, it had a sound foundation.

Diesel nodded his approval. “For a time, we will all experience a certain level of discomfort as we break with our normal patterns. It is for the good of the pack, and it is a sacrifice we can all make.”

His wolves didn’t disappoint him. A resolute Fluff touched a fist to her heart before she left with Boone to deal with the issue of the lieutenant.

“Head count?”

Montana rested her fingertips on the edge of his desk. “Nearly everyone has checked in. We have some family groups who migrated deeper into Canada. We’ve left messages for them at their way stations. Do you prefer to call them home or let them continue to roam?”

The distance provided a double-edged sword. They were not in the immediate vicinity the Volchitsa seemed to be targeting, but they were also beyond direct assistance.

“If they’re close to Willow Bend territory, send them in that direction. I’ll handle those arrangements. For those in the more remote regions, give them a choice and explain the situation.”

His second made a note. “We’ll also have issues with supply and energy if you keep the bulk of the pack within sanctuary for longer than a week.”

Zipper raised a hand. The youngest of his senior Sentries, he’d only been promoted to his current position the year before.

“We don’t raise our hands, dumbass,” one of the wolves behind him hissed, and Zipper shrugged. Not much got under the wolf’s skin.

“We made some arrangements for laying in extra stores for Amaruq if the winter proved problematic.” The wolf continued. “It’s mostly dried goods and freeze-dried emergency supplies.”

Montana drummed her nails. “That’ll do, in a pinch.”

“I don’t expect us to require them,” Diesel assured them. “For now, I want to be certain our young don’t have a bloody winter to remember.” Quiet finality echoed in the room. “Patrols will continue. Grinder will assign you to quadrants. I want to be certain we have no more surprises waiting out there for those who prefer to return to their roam.”

“Forgive me, Diesel.” Montana shifted her attention to him. “Does that mean you won’t be returning to
your
roam?”

Silence rippled across the room, and the weight of his Sentries’ regard came to focus on him. “Not immediately,” he said. “I have other concerns I need to address.”

“Is she your mate, then?” Zipper’s enthusiasm flooded the question. Blade, the wolf nearest the young Sentry, slammed an elbow into his side.

Diesel slowly began to smile. His cheeks ached from the possessive grin he wore then he laughed. The shock on his wolves’ faces told him exactly how long it’d been since he showed such humor. “She is mine. That’s all I have to say on the matter.” Once Dove accepted his pledge, he would declare it before the whole pack.