Authors: Virginia Cavanaugh
When she exited the bathroom she was thankful to see a skirt
and a blouse lying on the bed. While she and Tyra were about the same size in
the waist, there was definitely a difference in their heights. This would keep
her from having to roll pants legs up several times.
She dressed in a hurry and gave one last glance in the
mirror. Bruises and scrapes decorated her face in a few places and she didn’t
even have any makeup to hide them. Really she’d become an expert in covering
such wounds while with Ivan. But alas she would just have to sport them today.
Luken on the other hand didn’t have a mark on him. He’d told her it was part of
being a werewolf and while she didn’t plan on being hurt all the time, she
would like that perk after her change—if she changed. Funny how a few hours had
her wobbling on that choice.
She left the bedroom and headed down the hall. The white
textured walls were unadorned. Luken, in essence, had the definition of a
bachelor pad. The heat from her earlier embarrassment started to fill her
cheeks again. Hopefully no one would mention what they heard moments ago.
As she passed the kitchen she heard voices, but as she
rounded the corner and entered the living room everyone stopped talking and
looked at her. Wow. So much for slipping in unnoticed. Konrad sat on the sofa,
his dark hair only slightly longer than it had been when she’d met him at
Harry’s bar. He was definitely easy on the eyes and she could see why Tyra was
attracted to him. But he wasn’t Luken. She gave a small wave. “Hello.”
Tyra stood up. “Hey, Julie. It’s good to see you. I’d ask
how you’ve been but Luken has kinda told us what is going on.”
Julie’s gaze caught on the abdominal swell beneath Tyra’s shirt.
It wasn’t huge but it was definitely there. “You’re pregnant?”
Tyra’s hand covered her belly and she smiled. “Yeah.”
Konrad reached out and grabbed her free hand, pulling her
onto his lap. His hand went to her belly as well. “I can’t wait to see them.”
Them
? Since she was a wolf did that mean she’d have a
whole litter? Hell, it would probably be rude to ask.
Tyra laughed, pushing the strands of her dark hair behind
her ear. “You should see the look on your face right now, Julie.”
Julie gave herself a slight mental shake. “I’m sorry.
Everything is just so new and I sure don’t want to ask a stupid question.”
“Ask away,” Konrad said. “How else are you going to learn?”
Luken walked up and took her hand, escorting her to the
loveseat. “We won’t bite. Well, I might, but I don’t think you’ll mind too
much.”
She sat down and cast a quick glare at Luken, who still wore
that devilish smile. He had to bring up the biting. And why did he have to look
so damn sexy when he smiled like that? She turned her attention back to Tyra
and Konrad. “When are you due?”
“Sometime in March. We just found out that we’re having
twins a week ago though.” Tyra smiled up at Konrad and he nipped the air in
front of her lips.
“So I’m guessing for the most part pregnancy is the same for
wolves?” Julie asked.
“Sort of,” Tyra replied. “There are a few differences. Most
female wolves only go into heat once a year in the fall and winter months. This
pregnancy is one of those oddities because I’m such a young wolf. For the first
five to ten years that a younger wolf goes into heat it can be sporadic and
more than once in a year. It’s our animal and human sides at war if you will.”
Tyra laughed. “Sorry if I’m rambling. I just learned most of this myself.”
Julie leaned forward, anxious to hear more. “No, you’re
fine. But may I ask how old you are? Did Konrad change you?” It would be nice
if the answer was yes because then she might be able to get Tyra alone and pick
her brain about the whole thing.
“No. He didn’t change me. I was born this way, but I lost my
pack young and so I also lost out on a lot of information I would have
otherwise learned. But I turned twenty-five last month.”
“Damn, Konrad, you mated a pup,” Luken said with a laugh.
Konrad flipped him off.
Julie felt a little deflated. But Tyra’s words brought on
another question. She turned to look at Luken as he sat down beside her. “How
old are you?”
“Forty-seven.”
Julie felt her eyes open wide.
Holy shit
. She hadn’t
been ready for that. He didn’t look a day past his upper twenties. Her mouth
opened and then closed. She didn’t know what to say.
Luken cupped her cheek in his hand. “Don’t freak. We freeze
in the aging process when our bodies are in their prime. I’ve not noticed any
change in myself since around twenty-eight.”
“But if you don’t age then…”
Immortality
?
Hell,
she wouldn’t complain about not having to invest in wrinkle cream, but never
dying
?
“We don’t die of age, but we can certainly be killed if our
wounds are severe enough,” Luken said.
So much to take in. The possibilities of this were
astounding. One could easily see multiple generations in their blood line born
and watch them grow. And history. She’d always liked history in school, but to
have seen all the things that some of these wolves have seen? She could
question them for hours. Her head whipped toward Konrad. “And you? How old are
you? If you don’t mind me asking that is.”
“Not at all,” Konrad replied. “I’m pretty old.
One-hundred-fifty-two.”
A laugh escaped Julie. “Wow. I guess that would make him
your old man, Tyra.”
Everyone laughed.
“I hate to bring everyone down,” Konrad spoke, “but we need
to talk about this Arik guy. Luken was telling us what happened, but we need to
know more about him.”
Julie snuggled into Luken’s side as he put his arm around
her. “What do you want to know?”
“Do you think he’ll try to find another set of wolves to
change him and his men?” Luken asked.
Julie pursed her lips in thought. “If he can, yes. I don’t
know Arik all that well. I didn’t want to. But he and Ivan are distantly
related, like fourth or fifth cousins, and they think a lot alike. When they
get their minds stuck on something they will pursue it. He seemed pretty
interested in being turned so I’d have to place my bet on that. But how many
other packs are there? Jasmine said last night that you have a pack, Konrad,
but how many more are there? Can’t y’all warn them?”
Konrad huffed out a breath. “Several. Too many for us to
have any influence. Good thing is they are hard to find. We can sense each
other, but not many humans know about us as a whole. For instance, you didn’t
have a clue about this other side of things and you worked alongside Tyra for
nearly a year.”
“But that doesn’t mean he can’t find an alpha to change him.
It will just be more difficult,” Luken added.
“That’s true,” Tyra said, turning her gaze to Luken. “So how
big of a threat do you think this poses as a whole?”
“Right now, his hard-on is for us,” Luken replied. “And
while Arik will most likely be fixated on getting changed, I’m afraid Ivan will
try to come for Julie again regardless. So right now my pack is going to focus
on her protection. Time will tell about the rest. We’re notifying any packs we
can think of, but hell, there is no way we’re going to find them all.”
Konrad huffed out a mirthless laugh. “And some of them will
be too bullheaded to listen.”
Luken nodded. “Ain’t that the truth.”
“But let’s not all dwell on the bad,” Tyra said. “I haven’t
seen Julie in a while, so I figured you alphas could go handle business and let
us chat for a bit.”
Konrad growled low.
Julie jumped slightly against Luken. Why did Konrad get
angry? Did he not like her or something?
“It’s not you, Julie. He doesn’t like leaving his mate alone
with the new threat that Arik poses because she’s carrying his young.” Luken
turned his head in Konrad’s direction as Tyra popped him in the arm.
“Good Lord, it’s not like anything is going to happen to me
in the next hour or so in Luken’s house. Now go.” Tyra gave Konrad a push as
she slid off his lap. “Men. Especially wolves are so damn protective.”
Konrad’s lips thinned as he looked down at his mate.
“Oh don’t give me that look. I have claws too and I’m
completely capable of handling myself.”
Julie smiled at Luken who let out a laugh.
Luken slapped Konrad’s shoulder in a friendly gesture. “You
better come with me before your mate gives you that smack down I’ve been
waiting to see.”
“Fine. Have it your way, but I’ll be back in an hour,”
Konrad conceded.
Tyra smiled. “Hopefully in a better mood.”
Luken walked behind Konrad to the front door. “We’ll be back
in a little while. Help yourselves to whatever.”
Julie watched him until the front door shut then turned to
Tyra, who smiled warmly. “Wow.” She really didn’t know what to say.
Tyra laughed. “Wow is a good word. This is probably blowing
your mind right now, but I’m glad you’re here. Well, I wish it was under
different circumstances, but I’m still glad nonetheless.” Tyra moved across the
sofa, closer to Julie. “So spill.”
Julie folded her hands together and placed them on her lap.
Where to begin? So much had happened in the last couple of weeks. “What do you
want to know?”
“Well, I guess I already know that you and Luken hit it
off.”
Warmth blossomed in Julie’s cheeks. “Yeah, I guess you do.”
“So are you going to let him change you?”
Julie shrugged. “I really want to, but I’m a little scared.
And I kinda told him last night yes, but this morning I’m kinda freaking out
about the whole thing.”
Tyra placed her hand on Julie’s knee. “It’s a big decision.
One that I don’t think you’ll regret making, but you have to be sure. What’s
bothering you the most?”
Julie laughed. “You would think it would be the whole biting
and changing part, but I’m more worried… What if we don’t work out?” She hung
her head, feeling stupid for worrying more about her relationship with Luken.
“It might sound crazy, but I think I might be developing feelings for him, and
I don’t know what happens if it doesn’t work out.”
“The whole mating process can be a little straining. But I
don’t think you’re crazy. If it makes you feel better, you would be welcome in
Konrad’s pack if something went wrong.”
Julie looked up at Tyra. “So I wouldn’t have to stay here?”
Tyra sat back. “Nope. We could negotiate for you. I just
want you to be safe, and with everything going on I know you’d be stronger and
more protected as one of us.”
Deep down Julie knew she wouldn’t back out, but it was nice
to know she could leave if necessary. “Thanks, Tyra. I’m pretty sure I’m going
to go through with it. I really want this. I’m just a little scared I guess. But
Luken’s been wonderful to me even though I’ve brought danger to his pack. Do
you think others here will hate me or be mad at me for that? I really didn’t
mean to bring this drama here. In fact I thought maybe I’d finally outrun my
past.”
Tyra shook her head. “No one will blame you. And as for
outrunning your past, I have to say sometimes that is impossible. My own past
came back to haunt me months ago, but Konrad and my pack stood beside me and we
got through it. You’ll get through this.”
Julie hoped Tyra was right.
“I don’t have any money.” Julie hadn’t even thought about
grabbing her purse when they’d fled last night.
Luken wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “And even if you
did, I’d still insist on paying.”
Julie looked up again at the sign on the store front. Kele’s
Boutique. “I don’t know if I’m comfortable with you buying me clothes. Maybe we
could try to go back to my apartment and—”
“No.”
Julie pursed her lips. He didn’t leave much room for
argument. “Fine. But only a few things. I get paid next week and then I can buy
more.” Maybe she could stop by the bank and report her purse stolen so that she
could get replacement cards and checks. But with them unable to return to her
apartment without fear of another attack, she would have to kiss the extra cash
she had stashed there goodbye. Hell, most likely Arik’s scum had already
ransacked her house anyway, which only increased her need to call the bank.
“Julie, let me spoil you.” Luken leaned down and brushed his
lips against hers.
She sighed as he pulled back from the kiss. It would be easy
to let him spoil her, but it probably wasn’t a good idea. “I mean it. Just a
few things.”
He rolled his eyes as he walked with her toward the front
door. “If you say so.”
A tall woman with spiked short black hair looked up from the
magazine she was reading as the bell above the door chimed. “Hey, Luken.”
Julie watched as the thin tall woman stepped from behind the
counter and joined them. Her jeans and top were both a similar shade of blue,
but her neckline pitched to the side and hung off one shoulder. Julie stepped
slightly to the right as the woman hugged him. Jealousy started to worm its way
through her heart until she noticed the bite mark on the back of the woman’s
shoulder. A mate’s mark. Tyra had told her a little bit about the mating
process, or the wolf version of marriage. They didn’t wear rings like humans,
but instead marked each other’s skin. When they were mated, Tyra had said their
saliva would produce an enzyme that would allow their bite to scar their mate,
which resulted in the mark. This happened at what she’d called the claiming. So
this woman was already spoken for. According to Tyra, the mate bond was special
and wolves mated for life.
Luken stepped out of the woman’s embrace and pulled Julie
back to his side. “Julie, I’d like you to meet Kele.”
“It’s so good to meet you,” Kele said as she moved forward
and wrapped her arms around Julie.
Julie was taken a little by surprise, but quickly recovered
and returned the hug. “It’s nice to meet you too.”
Kele pulled back and smiled. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Julie looked up at Luken, puzzled.
“Oh not from Luken. Javin came by earlier and said that
Luken had a new human girlfriend.”
Luken growled.
Kele laughed. “Did you really expect Javin not to spread the
news? Besides she’s beautiful. So are you going to make the switch tomorrow?”
Julie nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Luken hugged
her tightly to his side. She was still nervous as hell, but she did feel better
about her decision since talking to Tyra.
“So, what can I get you today?” Kele asked.
“I need just a few things to get me by,” Julie said.
“She doesn’t have a stitch of clothing to her name right now
that isn’t ruined.”
Julie glared at Luken as Kele rushed in to give her another
hug.
“You poor thing. Well, we have it all here. I will get you
set up in no time.” Kele pulled back and swept her gaze over Julie. “You look
to be about a size five.”
Before Julie could say anything Kele was roaming around the
store, snatching things from shelves and racks. Her gaze moved from Kele back
to Luken. “You knew this would happen, didn’t you?”
Luken laughed, pulling her body flush with his and nipped at
her lower lip. “I told you that you’d be taken care of. You’re pack now.”
A thrill of excitement ran through her veins. Pack. It had
been a long time since she’d had a family unit that wasn’t broken, but she
wouldn’t take advantage of these people. “But you and Kele don’t have to do
this. I make money. I don’t want to be a burden on anyone.”
Luken kissed her thoroughly. “You’re not a burden. And this
is small. No big deal. And if you’re so damned determined you can try to pay me
back.”
“I will pay you back.”
Luken laughed. “Try was the key word. You can try all you
want to, but you will have hell getting me to take the money.”
Julie rolled her eyes and smiled. “What am I going to do
with you?”
He nuzzled the side of her neck. “Oh I have plenty ideas
about what you can do to me. And even more ideas about what I want to do to
you.”
Desire kindled in her lower belly and Luken growled low, his
chest rumbling deliciously against her chest. He took in a deep breath through
his nose and knew he was taking in her scent. It would have changed with the
response he’d created in her. This had her pulling back quickly, sucking in her
own rushed breath. If he could scent her desire then so could Kele. “Um…I
should maybe look around or something.”
Luken chuckled.
Julie made her way over to the counter where Kele deposited
a whole pile of clothing. Her eyes widened as she took in the items there.
“Wait. This is too much. I just needed a few things.”
Kele waved her hand in dismissal. “Pfft. This is barely
enough for a week. I still need to find you some shoes.”
Tears burned at the corner of her eyes as her vision swam.
Kele didn’t even know her. Why would she want to do all of this? Julie fingered
the silken material of one shirt. It was the same color as her eyes. Kele had
been thoughtful in every selection that lay on the counter.
“Oh stop,” Kele said, moving across the room, a pair of
peep-toe sling-backs dangling from her fingers. “There’s no need to cry.”
Julie closed her eyes and leaned back as Luken ran his
fingers down her nape. Her back settled against his chest as she inhaled a
steadying breath. “I’m sorry. I just don’t understand why you would want to be
so nice to me when you don’t even know me.”
Kele looked at Luken then back at Julie. “Because I see what
you mean to him.” Kele smiled. “And that’s enough for me to know that I would
give you the shirt off my back. My alpha is a great judge of character.”
Julie didn’t resist the hug from Kele this time. She wrapped
her arms tight around the other female. “I’m grateful for what you’re doing for
me.”
Kele released her. “Don’t mention it. Now, I know it’s been
a rough couple of days, so why don’t you take her back to your place, Luken,
and I’ll have this stuff sent there.”
“Thanks, Kele.” Luken wrapped his arm around Julie’s lower
back and escorted her outside.
They were only a few blocks away from his house. Julie
scanned the area, thinking about how brilliant it was all set up. Most of the
businesses that were wolf owned were nestled into the inner core of their
community. Sometimes humans would wander in, but most of them were out of the
way enough that only other wolves did business there. They ran a whole
population and government inside their pack. The entire area was pack owned. As
they passed people they waved and smiled. Julie waved back, wondering how she’d
ever missed this race of beings mixed in with society.
“What you have here is beautiful,” she whispered.
“I think so. We’re not as big as some packs, but we’re just
starting out. Things will continue to grow and we’ll prosper. We’re not weak by
any stretch and we’re strongly allied with Konrad.”
Julie looked up at Luken. He’d left his hair down and the
slight breeze had it playing at his shoulders. “What if I’ve brought disaster
with me? What if Arik finds an alpha to change him? He might not come back
after me, but Ivan is a different story. He’s obsessed. He’s cruel. I don’t
want to be responsible for people getting hurt.”
Luken guided her around the corner and onto the next street.
“I think you’re worried for nothing. If he comes back I’ll kill him. You don’t
have anything to be worried about.”
Julie shook her head as she looked down at the pavement.
Luken sounded so sure. And she knew he was strong and powerful. It wasn’t as if
she doubted his ability but it still didn’t ease her fears completely. She
looked back up at the side of his face. “I’ll try not to worry, but I’d feel
awful if something happened to even one member of your pack.”
“Our pack.” He glanced down at her with a smile.
She leaned her head onto his biceps. “Our pack,” she
whispered. It still didn’t seem real. Maybe after the change tomorrow things
would feel more tangible, but right now it was as if she were living in a
dream. One she didn’t want to end, no matter how crazy things seemed.
They walked up the path leading to his front door. She still
couldn’t get over the fact he left it unlocked. For the last year she’d been
turning deadbolts, letting the metallic slide of the lock help her feel secure.
But really, how secure had she been? It wouldn’t have mattered the other night
how many locks she had on her door. If Luken wouldn’t have been with her… She
shuddered as she walked into the house.
Luken closed the door behind them. “What’s wrong?”
Julie turned to look at him, her gaze meeting his and
noticing the concern written in his expression. She didn’t want to think about
the
what ifs
anymore. She was here—safe—and she’d be damned if she let
Ivan or his memory taint any more of this time with Luken. She smiled as her
fingers sought the buttons on her top. Slowly she pushed each green-colored
disk through the small hole. A wicked smile spread across Luken’s lips and damn
it made her feel sexy.
She watched as he gripped the hem of his own shirt and tore
it over his head. Muscles rippled and Julie licked her lower lip as she thought
about running her tongue over each hard contour of his chest and abdomen. The
man was sexy, his body hard and chiseled. She trembled with the memory of being
pressed up against all that muscle.
Her nipples puckered into tight buds as she peeled back her
shirt and dropped it to the floor. Her lacy bra did little to hide her
reaction. Luken let loose a low growl as his hand unfastened his pants. Julie
smiled, pushing the skirt down to pool at her ankles. She stepped free of her
discarded clothes and sauntered in front of him as he freed his erection from
his jeans.
Her gaze held his as her fingers stroked the head of his
cock. The velvety soft skin became moist with pre-cum. Luken hissed in a breath
and she stroked her fingers lower, softly gliding them down the length of his
shaft. Her own arousal climbed as his dick pulsed beneath her touch. Such
thick, hard heat. Moisture coated her labia as she bit into her lower lip. She
wanted to taste him.
Sinking to her knees, she smiled as Luken’s moan filled her
ears. Her gaze shot to his cock. The head glistened from his arousal. She
slowly licked the opening. His hands speared into her hair, cradling her head.
His salty taste coated her tongue.
“You’re so damn beautiful,” Luken said on a husky moan.
Julie teased him with light flicks of her tongue until he growled
in frustration, then she took his cock deep into her mouth and he roared. Her
pussy creamed and she moaned around his flesh. His hips pumped in a slow,
sensual fashion and she gave him control, trusting he’d be easy with her. She
squeezed her thighs as the familiar pulse started in her core. Head tilted
back, she let loose another moan as he continued to fuck her mouth.
“Your lips around my cock is so fucking sexy.” He pulled
himself free.
She gasped at how fast he moved. One second she was on her knees
giving him head and the next she was on her back and her nipple was being
sucked into his hot mouth, lacy fabric and all. Now her hands were buried in
his hair as she held him to her breast, not wanting him to stop.
His teeth skimmed her nipple and a cry of pleasure tore from
her lips as the sensation traveled from her breast to her womb. Her clit
throbbed and tingled, causing her to buck her hips, seeking the pressure of his
cock against her needy flesh.
e
He let loose a
mischievous laugh as he pulled his hips back. “Not so fast. I have plans that
involve my mouth on your pretty little cunt before I fuck you good and deep.”
A shiver of desire racked her body and she sighed as his
lips crashed down on hers. There was nothing gentle about the kiss. Tongue and
teeth played a savage and erotic game as he plundered her depths. Every nerve
ending began to tingle in her body as her arousal climbed to a higher level.
Her panties were soaked and her pussy ached for release. She tore her lips away
from his on a breathless plea.
He growled, gripping the center of her bra and giving a tug.
The seams gave and her breasts sprang free. Skilled fingers found her nipple
and gave a sturdy pinch. She whimpered.
Julie sighed as his hand left her breast and continued a
slow caress down her abdomen. Soon her panties were history too. She laughed
softly. “Maybe you should have to buy my clothes since they don’t seem to get a
lot of wear before they are ruined.”
He leaned in and kissed her bellybutton. “Or you could stop
wearing them all together. Then I could kiss and lick you at will.”
She laughed harder, and then sucked in a lungful of air as
his heated breath fanned against her wet pussy. A whimper escaped her lips as
he placed a featherlight kiss to her pubic bone. She spread her legs, draping
them across his massive shoulders, and lifted her hips. “Please.”
Luken made a slow pass with his tongue from anus to clit.
Her body trembled as she moaned. The low thrum of arousal coursed through her
pussy at the contact. Damn she wanted to come so bad. And then the contact was
gone and she groaned in frustration, looking up at his smiling face.