“Our warriors are on their way. Leave now, or face more trouble.”
It was adorable that he thought this was trouble. He was nothing more than a pesky gnat, easy to swat away. I stepped right up to him, invading his space, and wrapped my hand around his throat before he could take another breath. “This isn’t trouble, and they’re already too late. You’ve wasted your last chance.” My voice dropped low and menacing as I squeezed, my claws extending and digging into his skin.
“I am your Alpha. I don’t like repeating myself, and I won’t tolerate disobedience. Call Dean. Let him challenge me himself. It’s a shame you won’t get to see what happens to insubordinate fools like you.” A low growl rumbled in my chest, my Alpha aura radiating outward, making it impossible for him to refuse, even if he wanted to.
The first light of dawn was just beginning to seep through the horizon as I finally made my way inside. The warrior who had accompanied me stopped at the front door of the packhouse, nodding a silent farewell before turning towards his own home. My wolf form melted away, shifting back into my human self. Both of us were utterly drained, our bodies smeared with dirt and streaked with blood. Yet, despite the exhaustion, it felt worthwhile**only a handful of skirmishes and fewer than a dozen casualties. Most of the pack remained completely unaware of the chaos that had unfolded.
I moved quietly toward the largest guest suite, the one adjacent to Edward’s room. I had no intention of displacing him from his rightful space; after all, I had just taken control of his pack. I had my own place here, my own domain. Edward could continue to live out his days in the main quarters of the packhouse, where he belonged.
The shower was a welcome relief. As the hot water cascaded over my aching muscles, washing away the grime and fatigue, I began to relax for the first time in hours. My mind started to drift, compiling a mental checklist of the tasks awaiting me. Then, a cool breeze brushed against my skin, carrying the unmistakable scent of artificial roses. I grimaced, startled by the intrusion. Turning sharply, I caught the girl who had slipped in behind me by the throat. Had it been a man, he wouldn’t have lived to see the morning. Perhaps that made me a chauvinist**I wasn’t perfect, and I didn’t care.
Her eyes were wide, but not with fear. She had been sent here, and she knew exactly what to expect.
“Alpha Edward thought you might want some help unwinding,” she said in a high, nasal tone that grated on my nerves. But her naked body was a distraction I could tolerate. Dark hair tumbled down her back, stopping midway. Her ample breasts would have bounced beautifully with movement, and her curves were perfectly placed. “I can help, if you want, sir.”
There was no hesitation or coyness in her voice, nor did she seem to be after power. This was simply part of her role in the pack. The idea of a pack harem for visitors left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I pushed the thought aside and went with it. It had been a while. I nodded and guided her down to her knees in front of me, using my back to block the flow of the water.
I watched her carefully. I wasn’t a complete monster**if she didn’t want this, I wouldn’t force it. But she had come to me, fully aware of what I expected. Her hand wrapped around my now-hard cock, stroking with varying pressure and speed, never once breaking eye contact. I inhaled deeply, savoring the sensation of a touch that wasn’t my own. When I was ready, I gently threaded my fingers through her hair, guiding her face forward. Again, I said nothing. Words were unnecessary. Talking only bred attachments that never went anywhere.
She opened her mouth wide, flattening her tongue as I slowly slid inside. I moved in and out steadily until I reached the back of her throat, eliciting a soft moan that sent vibrations through me, making me even harder. I was too long to fit fully in her mouth, so she used one hand to grasp my base. I released her hair and braced my hands against the wet walls on either side, letting her take the lead**licking, sucking, swirling her tongue expertly along my shaft. She knew exactly what she was doing, and it felt incredible.
Eventually, she pulled back, never losing contact with her hand. “I want you to fuck my face, sir. As hard and as deep as you want,” she breathed, her high-pitched voice grating but the invitation enough to keep me going.
That was all the permission I needed. I wrapped one hand tightly in her hair and drove into her relentlessly, hitting the back of her throat repeatedly, making her gag as I took what I needed. She clutched my thighs but didn’t slow me down or try to stop me.
“Rub your clit. I want to hear your moans. Don’t come until I say so,” I commanded.
She followed instructions well, and the added vibrations and purring noises pushed me closer, but it still wasn’t enough. I closed my eyes. She wasn’t my type**not even close**but my imagination was vivid. I pictured the perfect woman I’d held in my mind for as long as I could remember: pouty lips, light blue eyes locked on mine, golden blonde hair tangled in my fingers. No one else compared.
That’s why I only allowed brunettes to pleasure me**because the only blonde I desired was the one in my dreams. No matter how attractive or skilled the woman before me was, I couldn’t reach release without picturing her.
Meanwhile, the girl kneeling before me was nearing her own climax. Her moans grew higher and more erratic. She hollowed her cheeks, sucking harder, signaling she wanted me to give her the command to let go. A few more thrusts later, I groaned as I spilled into her mouth.
“Come hard for me,” I growled.
She trembled and screamed around me, riding her own wave as she swallowed every last drop. I hadn’t given her a choice. I’d learned the hard way that some of these girls were dangerous. Once, after a blowjob, I’d come on a she-wolf who then tried to collect and insert my semen herself, hoping to get pregnant despite not being in heat. I wasn’t sure what she thought would happen, but I wasn’t taking any chances again.
When I was finished with her, I helped her to her feet and turned back to the shower to rinse off the remaining soap. She left without a word, understanding the silent dismissal. I didn’t offer anything in return**no kisses, no lingering, no cuddling. I took what I needed and accepted what women were willing to give. It never went beyond that.
I tried to return to my mental list, but a strange sensation buzzed beneath my skin**something unrelated to Edward’s pack or the girl who had just left. I’d been feeling it for days now, and I couldn’t decide if it was good or bad. It wasn’t anxiety or danger, just an unplaceable distraction. Something I couldn’t afford to have right now. Maybe a few hours of sleep would settle it.
Kennedy
I could feel myself gradually surfacing from the depths of sleep. Without a doubt, I had rested well, though I suspect it was because all the guys were crowded around me in the car**and there was something about Rayna’s presence that brought a calming effect as well. The guys have always been my sanctuary; as a group, they somehow ground me, keeping my mind steady and focused. It’s strange, though**I’ve never had a woman soothe me enough to drift off like this, not even Aunt Beth. Maybe it’s because she’s connected to Jer, a living extension of the bond we share through the mate connection. Who really knows? Just when I think I understand the nature of werewolves, something always crops up to challenge my assumptions, especially when it comes to mates.
Given the terrifying nightmares that plague me when I’m alone in my bed, you’d think I’d have some kind of PTSD while riding in a vehicle. But strangely, there’s never been any hint of fear. It’s baffling.
My eyes snap open as the SUV begins to slow down, and I catch a new scent lingering in the air around me. “Ben?” I ask, my voice rough as I sit up slowly, rubbing the sleep from my face. “Where did you come from? I could’ve sworn Jason was my pillow when we left.”
Ben offers a rare smile. “I think you finally got the rest you needed, Ken. We’ve been driving for almost four hours now. Each of us took a turn being your pillow, and you didn’t move a single inch.” He glances over at Rayna, who’s sitting diagonally across from me, and adds, “Even Rayna stayed with you.”
I glance at Rayna, who smiles warmly. “How did I not notice all of you giant guys moving in and out of the seat? I can understand Rayna sneaking back here without me seeing, but the rest of you? No way. Did you drug me or something?” The third-row bench doesn’t have doors, so I imagine it must have been quite the squeeze for them to slip back there.
“No, nothing like that,” Ben replies. “But clearly, you needed the rest. Do you feel better?” His concern is evident in his eyes. I wish he wouldn’t look at me that way. I know he cares deeply, but sometimes**like right now**it feels like more than just friendship. He has a mate out there somewhere, and I’m not about to get tangled in that complicated mess.
I shift my gaze toward the window, wanting to steer the conversation away from myself and my sleeping habits. “Yeah, thanks. Where are we now?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.