Winter of the Wolf (48 page)

Zeb was right. She was a little female, and she had no chance against his cahir-size and weight. Ignoring her protests, Shay walked across the clearing and down to a level area on the stream bank. He flipped the blanket onto a level area on the stream bank. He flipped the blanket onto a patch of soft grass and turned.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Her eyes flashed in the starlight.

By the God, she was lovely and she was his. With a sigh of relief, he gave in to the pul. Within a heartbeat, he was harder than granite. Growling, he yanked her into his arms, startling a yip out of her before he kissed her. He took and took, tightening his embrace until there wasn’t a smidgen of space between her soft body and his.

Her stomach pressed against his erection and, with his tongue deep in her mouth, he tucked his hands around her round ass and squeezed.

Her head spun. He hadn’t stopped growling even as he kissed her so thoroughly her knees buckled. The growly noises of her own grew as he rubbed his cock against her and she felt how hard he was.

When he tried to raise his head, she grabbed his hair and dragged him back. Not leaving her—no, he couldn’t. He kissed her again, exploring her mouth, fondling her bottom, before he puled away with a tight chuckle. “Lay down, mo leannan.”

When she didn’t move, he swept her up and sat her on the blanket. Standing over her, he stared down, his face in shadow. His musky scent was like a blast of testosterone and lust. “Rol over.”

lust. “Rol over.”

With a shiver of need, she complied, lying facedown on the rough fabric.

“Spread your legs.”

The air chiled her exposed private parts as he knelt between her legs. He gripped her hips and yanked her onto her hands and knees. She fisted the blanket as his knees pushed hers outward, opening her more.

One hand tightened on her hip, and he slid his erection through her increasing wetness. Up and down, brushing over her clit, teasing until every part of her sweled with need. She whined and tilted her bottom up.

With low snarl, he sheathed himself in one hard thrust. She gasped. He was huge, thick. Her insides convulsed around the intrusion as his groin pressed on her buttocks. With his shaft deep inside her, he lowered himself until his chest rubbed her back.

“Shay?” she whimpered, not knowing what she wanted.

More, she needed more.

He gave her more. Even as his teeth closed on her shoulder, his fingers tugged and roled her nipple. The pains were sharp, sending heat straight to her groin. Her pussy clenched on his cock, and he groaned.

His first movement, sliding out, moving between her slick puffy tissues made her gasp. He bit her again, pinching her breast at the same time. Electricity shocked through her as if breast at the same time. Electricity shocked through her as if he’d nipped her clit instead.

He puled his cock out. Thrust it in, inch by inch. The slow slide was so exquisite, she moaned.

In, out.
Need more
. She throbbed, her nerves screaming for speed. She rocked against him, trying to direct his movements. His free hand curved over her hip, forcing her into his rhythm, his control.

“Nooo,” she moaned, “I want more.” Her core coiled like a fist, each relentless stroke sending more urgency through her.

“Stay with me,” he rumbled in her ear. Thrust after thrust.

He grew even harder inside her. Bigger.

She panted, almost sobbing, fighting his grip. Her thighs quivered. Her clit was so tight.
I can’t take this
.

With a low laugh, he nudged her legs apart farther, opening her to his touch. His fingers settled right next to where her need was the greatest, and he traced circles around her clit. She wiggled uncontrolably. But his arm pressed against her side, and his teeth gripped her shoulder, holding her in place for his thrusts. Harder, deeper.

His fingers worked her clit, ruthlessly driving her upward.

He growled when she whimpered. The pressure in her lower body increased, and with each slide of his finger, her clit grew more swolen, more sensitive.

Everything inside her tightened, then clamped down on Everything inside her tightened, then clamped down on him. Her whole body turned rigid, poised on the edge, and waiting for…just…

His cock slid deeper, a sensuous impalement, and his finger flickered against the bal of nerves, directly on top.

Somehow, she tightened even more, and a firebal of pure sensation blasted through her body.
Oh God, oh
God
.Pleasure boiled through her veins, sending every nerve ending to tingling. Smaler explosions kept her spasming around him until he finaly came himself with a low roar.

As the aftershocks receded and he softened inside her, her head drooped between her quivering arms.

After easing out, he roled onto his back and settled her beside him. She pilowed her head on his chest, enjoying the springy hair under her cheek. His arm was tight around her, and she slung one leg over his and pressed herself closer.

Contentment seeped into her like the steady inrush of the tide.

He touched the gashes on her neck, shoulder, and forearm. “It’s good that we’re shifters,
mo chridhe
. You’l heal fast.”

Good, since she was starting to hurt. After the fight, the bleeding had stopped quickly, and the excitement of her victory and the run had kept her from feeling much of the aftermath. She’d undoubtedly feel every bite tomorrow.

“When you chalenged Thyra, I feared for you.” He

“When you chalenged Thyra, I feared for you.” He snorted and added, “By the God, you terrified me. But like my brother, I am very proud.”

She was proud too, but mostly just happy. The men were hers now.
Mine to nibble on, to kiss
. She licked his shoulder, tasting salt, and he hummed his pleasure. The scent of sweat and musk sent a thril through her.
Mine
.

He paused. “I’ve never seen such canny fighting though.

Where did you learn that?”

With her fingers, she circled his pectorals, then the tiny nipples under his golden chest hair. “Angie, Jody, and Bonnie gave me lessons. Oh, and Vicki brought me a deer to practice on.”

“Even without being alpha, you’d won over the top females in the pack.”

The satisfaction in his voice warmed her, yet stil… Worry kept bubbling up. “Did you mind losing Thyra? Would you rather I hadn’t fought?”

When his other arm came around her and crushed her to his side, she wouldn’t have traded the uncomfortable position for any other in the world.

“I don’t like Thyra,” he said bluntly. “But the ties binding the alphas—you’ve felt them now.”

“I understand. You didn’t have any choice.” She tried to keep the jealousy out of her tone and didn’t succeed.

“Just so you know, the bond is much stronger between

“Just so you know, the bond is much stronger between you and me. I never mated her, Breanne.” He laughed under his breath. “But with you? No power in this universe could have kept me from taking you tonight.”

He roled his heavy body on top of hers, pinned her hands over her head, then nipped her chin. “As no power wil keep me from having you again.”

Chapter Thirty-four

Bree was late getting to Angie’s the next day and a bit grumpy as wel. She might heal faster, but between the lack of any sleep and al the bites and slashes and bruises from the fight, her body felt as if she’d been dragged down a mountainside.

The last of the breakfast crowd was leaving as she walked in. “You gonna make the cherry chocolate cake today?” one old-timer asked.

She looked at his hopeful face and revised her menu.

“Sure.”

He gave her a grin displaying a gold center tooth and hurried after his equaly decrepit friend.

“In the corner,” Angie caled from behind the counter. She picked up two cups and a pot of coffee.

picked up two cups and a pot of coffee.

Bonnie and Jody were already at the table. Dressed in office clothes, Bonnie was probably on break from her dispatching job. Jody was in her usual jeans and T-shirt, smeling faintly of cleaning solution.

“I didn’t see you two,” Bree said, hugging them tightly.

“You won!” Bonnie squeezed her hard. “I’m so proud of you.”

Jody studied Bree’s face and laughed. “You have a bite mark on your chin, beard burn on your cheeks, and you look like you didn’t get any sleep.”

Bonnie giggled. “I take it Shay was pleased with the new alpha female?”

“That’s quite a blush,” Angie commented, pouring two cups of coffee and sitting down. “Must have been some night.”

Bree settled at the table, took a sip of coffee, and admitted, “I didn’t realize how strong the bond is between alphas.”

Angie leaned back. “Shay wouldn’t have tolerated Thyra for a second unless something was compeling him. I’m sure he’s wagging his tail today.”

“We both are. Al three of us, actualy,” Bree amended, thinking of Zeb’s extremely carnal kiss when he’d found her in the kitchen.

She looked across the table at her friends.
Friends
. “It wouldn’t have happened without your help.” Her eyes filed wouldn’t have happened without your help.” Her eyes filed with tears. “Thank you so very, very much.”

“Oh, hel, don’t do that.” Tough Jody was the one whose eyes turned shiny.

They al turned to their drinks for a moment.

“Okay, now that I’m alpha-girl, what in the world am I supposed to be doing?” Bree asked lightly. “I know Shay has certain jobs as alpha. Do I have some?”

“Yep,” said Jody. “Not that Thyra ever bothered.”

“Shay tends to the whole pack, with extra attention to the males. Your job is the welfare of the females and children.” Angie motioned to the women at the table. “For example, you can assign females to help out new mothers and with watching over the pups.”

“You make sure the cubs are safe during pack activities,” Jody said. “In my other territory, the children came to everything, and wolves would share the cubsitting.” She sighed. “I miss having pups in my life.”

“It reminds us of our purpose, that there’s more to the pack than just hunting and howling,” Bonnie said softly.

Bree nodded. “Keep going. I want to hear it al.” She saw what Shay had been saying; the pack lacked its center.
I can
help fix this
.

* * *

Anxiety burning a hole in his gut, Zeb folowed Shay into the Wild Hunt. The tavern was quiet before the evening rush started. A lone dwarf at the corner table gave a spare bow.

The two foresters playing pool nodded.

Carrying dirty mugs and humming to George Strait, little Jamie grinned at them, then two-stepped her way to the kitchen. She was sure a bouncy cub.

Behind the bar, Calum looked up. “I hear you have a new alpha female. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Shay slid onto a stool.

Unable to relax enough to sit, Zeb stood beside him.

Would the Cosantir agree?

“Can I get you a drink?”

“No.” Shay leaned an elbow on the bartop. “Cosantir, we want to run something past you.”

“Go on.”

“My brother and I want to stay in Cold Creek,” Shay said.

My brother
. Hearing it stil warmed him, Zeb realized.

Would that someday he’d hear
my mate
, from a little female.

“Nothing would please me more,” Calum said, dragging Zeb’s attention back. “You’l continue with the Wildwood?” Zeb nodded. “We wil.”

“And more. We’re no longer oathbound, but Zeb and I feel as if we’re leaving a job undone. The demonkin are everywhere, and cahirs wil die trying to kil them.” everywhere, and cahirs wil die trying to kil them.” Zeb figured it was his turn to step in. “Together we’ve taught cahirs how to fight the helhounds in Rainier Territory and now here.”

Calum nodded. “You both are remarkably good instructors.”

Having expected an argument, Zeb could only stare at him in surprise.

“So,” Shay said, “would you alow us to teach out-of-territory cahirs how to fight helhounds?”

“We could house them at the Lodge,” Zeb said. “And use the forest for a training ground.”

Calum said slowly, “That’s an excelent idea. The techniques you’ve acquired so painfuly can save lives.” He nodded. “The idea wil be welcomed by other Cosantirs—

and you have my support.”

In the parking lot a few minutes later, Zeb exchanged a grin with Shay, feeling lightheaded. “That’s that, then.”

“Aye. We’re now in the training business as wel as lodge-keeping.” Shay rubbed his face. “I’m headed for town to get that hardware order. You going home?”

Zeb nodded.

As Shay headed for his pickup, Zeb turned toward the lodge. Toward the female they hoped would be their mate.

His stride lengthened as he took a deep breath of air, scenting the coming of spring.

scenting the coming of spring.

* * *

Flat on her back on the weight bench, Bree pushed the bar up and groaned. “Nine.” One more rep. She could do it, darn it. She might be the littlest alpha in wolfy-land, but she intended to be the strongest.

And hey, she’d already had her aerobic exercise for the day, thanks to her stupid, unreliable car.

Arms trembling, she lowered the bar to her chest—she shouldn’t have added the five-pound weights—and inched it back upward. Halfway there, her muscles wimped out, and the bar stopped as if someone had sat on it. She pushed, feeling her face turn purple.

Criminy, the guys would find her someday, dead on the bench with the bar across her chest.

When scarred fingers wrapped around the middle of the bar, Bree startled.

Zeb lifted the bar a fraction of an inch. “Push, little female.” He made her work, easing only enough of the weight so the bar kept rising, inch by inch. When she finaly dropped it in the rack, al of her was shaking. Her arms flopped off the bench. “I don’t know whether to thank you or curse you.” He chuckled and walked around to kneel beside her.

She started to sit up, but he put a big hand on her chest, She started to sit up, but he put a big hand on her chest, right between her breasts.