He kept his teeth embedded in her skin, hammering his cock into her pussy with enough force to shake the mattress. His skin itched, his wolf so close at hand he balled his fists to keep from shifting.
Fucking hell. It had never been so difficult to remain in charge.
Over the years his beast had learned its place. As an Alpha he had to maintain the balance. Sometimes shifters were known to mate in their fur—when they were both in animal form—but he’d never been turned-on by the idea. Sadie likely wouldn’t be either.
Back off, he snarled at the damn thing.
His strength ebbed, the muscles in his arms and legs growing weak. He tried to keep going, thrusting for all he was worth. His dick might be hard but he couldn’t complete the act without stamina. He’d done this long enough to know he could go a double round if so inclined, without any serious issues. The tugs against his throat were a stern reminder of Sadie’s demands. Taking so much had left him drained. He couldn’t keep going if she continued. With his luck he’d end their first encounter with a whimper not a bang.
Like a fucking pussy.
“Not quite,” Sadie’s voice appeared in his head again. “Not even close.”
A burst of magic seared through him, beginning at his neck and winding down his body. His lethargy vanished, a newfound energy suffusing his muscles. Pressure built in his sac and another climax crashed over him. He released her shoulder, stars flashing before his eyes. A sharp, electric current crackled up his back, shooting through his arms and legs. It felt as amazing as it felt awkward. He’d never come that many times so close in a row.
Son of a fucking bitch.
Her pussy flexed around his cock as she came, her moan throaty and deep. Her fangs slid from his neck, the swipes of her tongue tender over the wounds. She kept him close, her thighs tight around his waist as she pumped her hips. He kept up the pace, wanting to extend her release. She kept shaking, enjoying the pleasure he gave her. He wished it could last forever.
Eventually she went soft beneath him, her quiet exhalation one of satiation and bliss. His gaze drifted to her shoulder as he backed away from her.
As she’d warned, his mark had vanished. There wasn’t as much as a scratch or bruise marring her porcelain skin. The wolf, who had found satisfaction in their pairing, didn’t approve. A growl crept up his chest, a prickle of fury washing over him. His scent would serve as a threat to any shifter who crossed her path but he wanted his dominance openly displayed.
She was his.
No other would ever have her.
“It doesn’t matter,” he warned, staring his mate in the eye. She licked the corner of her mouth, collecting the last traces of his blood. “With or without the mark, you know who you belong to.”
He expected a lot of things—for her to tell him to fuck off or inform him he didn’t have a say in the matter—but he hadn’t counted on her letting him go and stretching her arms over her head. She sighed, happy as a lark. Whereas he was livid, she was totally at ease. A smile tugged at her lips, her blue eyes darkening a shade.
“If you say so,” she purred, arching her back like a contented cat. “Barbarian.”
Before he could respond someone knocked on the door. He wanted to curse his shitty fortune. True, they’d had time for nothing more than a quickie. He’d done what he needed to do, marking Sadie with his scent, acknowledging what she meant to him. But he wanted more. It wasn’t supposed to be like this—wild, crazy and rushed. He’d waited centuries for this woman. A romantic he wasn’t but he’d imagined things differently. Didn’t women like sweet words whispered in their ear?
Maybe you’ve found a woman who won’t put up with your shit.
“Trey,” Emory called through the door, “you might want to hurry it up.”
He started to tell Emory to kiss his ass when Sadie paused. Her eyes went cloudy, as though she were listening to something Trey couldn’t hear. In a split second her eyes became cognizant. She scrambled away from him, scurrying back from his body. It was like she couldn’t get away from him fast enough. He frowned, confused at her behavior. She didn’t waste time, jumping from the bed to collect her clothes.
“That girl—that vampire—you left out here is freaking the fuck out,” Emory informed him, yelling loud enough for the entire house to hear. “Mary and Ava can’t calm her down. You need to get your mate,” he emphasized the word sarcastically, “out here right now.”
“Shit,” Sadie spat, tugging on her underwear. “I shouldn’t have left her.”
Rising from the bed, he yelled, “We’re coming.”
“Right now?” Emory quipped. “I’d hoped you’d gotten that far already.”
Smartass.
“Emory?” he yelled, wanting to strangle his sibling.
“Yeah?”
“Fuck off!”
“Don’t thank me. You’re welcome, shithead,” Emory snarled. “Don’t blame the messenger.”
The floor creaked as Emory walked away from the door. Trey didn’t bother with his socks or shoes, sliding into his jeans. Sadie had gotten dressed in record time, working on her boots by the time he’d shrugged into his shirt. She started to rush for the door and he stopped her, grasping her elbow. At least he knew it wasn’t personal. She was rushed but it had nothing to do with their mating. Her mind was evidently with her friend.
“You need to calm down.”
“Easy for you to say,” she hissed, narrowing her eyes. “That’s my vampire out there, not yours.”
Damn Emory. The bastard had to shoot off at the mouth and get Sadie riled. He smoothed her hair with his other hand, straightening the blonde strands tangled around her shoulder.
“If you don’t act like you’re in control, everyone’ll think you’re weak. You don’t want that.” He waited until the anger drained from her eyes to add, “Diskant doesn’t trust the weak. He never has. You have to prove you can keep Leigh in check. Otherwise Nathan won’t be able to do squat to keep her safe. Diskant will want her gone.” He let the words sink in, giving Sadie a few seconds. “Do you understand?”
She broke eye contact, turning her head. “I understand.”
The situation was all kinds of fucked up. His mate didn’t have many choices. The weight and responsibility had to be killing her. If she didn’t walk the line carefully, Leigh’s fate wouldn’t be up to her. Diskant would take any measure necessary to protect Ava and the pack, even if it meant taking the life of an innocent woman. If it wasn’t for Nathan the Omega probably would have already eliminated the threat.
He cupped Sadie’s face, trying to reassure her, skimming his thumbs across her cheeks. She turned her head and pressed a kiss to his palm. Such an innocent and sweet gesture that was sad in a way. He wanted to tell her everything was going to be okay but he wasn’t going to lie. They’d finally found common ground. Telling her things to make her feel better—even if he had her best interests at heart—would destroy the tentative truce between them.
“I’ll be with you,” he said, struggling for the words. Proving himself worthy had never been so difficult. “If you need me…if you want me…”
Silence followed. Then—so softly he had to strain to hear—she replied, “Thank you.”
It wasn’t what he wanted but it was a start. He led her to the door and opened it. He waited until she’d stepped outside to follow. The die had been cast. From this moment forward, nothing was certain.
Yet, strangely enough, he experienced something he hadn’t felt in a long time.
Hope.