Bite of the Moon: Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance Boxed Set (73 page)

Chapter 16

The pack gathered around the Alpha pair. “You saved my life, and I’m indebted to you, Quinn.” Peg came and stood beside her. 

“No Peg, that’s just what friends do for each other,” Quinn told her.

Peg grabbed her hand and smiled. “Yes, yes it is.” 

Lennox and Cosmo dragged an unconscious Finley over and dropped him on the ground.  Lennox drew his sword, but before he could do anything with it, Peg, David, and Quinn all jumped in front of him. 

“No, you won’t hurt him.” Quinn stood, holding her hand out toward the Death Hunters.

“You’d condemn an innocent man?” Peg asked. Lennox stopped and stared at her.  “This is an innocent man, who like Arden’s father was condemned for his actions while under a spell. You saw with your own eyes that Finley wasn’t himself and was being controlled by the witch. If he dies then you might as well kill me too, because I’ll not stand for it.” Peg sat down in Finley’s lap and wrapped his arms around her. The whole pack loved Peg and David.  As they watched her forgive Finley, they all moved closer and gathered around Finley too, protecting him. 

“Shit,” Lennox muttered.

“Watch your mouth, young man,” Peg cautioned.

Cosmo’s eyes widened, and then he started chuckling. 

“Yes, ma’am.”  Lennox blew out his breath, then put his sword back behind his back and walked off. 

Arden walked up to Finley and put his hand on his shoulder. “Welcome to the pack.” 

*****

“I could have gotten you all killed,” Finley protested.

“But you didn’t, and you wouldn’t let her hurt me.  I could see you fighting that spell, and I knew you were going to help us,” Peg answered.  “The Alpha tried to kill too, but he fought it as well.  You’re pack, and you saved my life, Finley Egan. Admit it.”

Finley sighed and looked over at his dad, then back at Peg, “I guess I’m pack.”  The pack cheered, all coming up to him and patting him on the back and hugging him around the neck.

“No guessing, son; either you are or you aren’t.”  Deaton Egan walked up and put his hand on his son’s shoulder. “You’re my son and that will never change, but now you belong to something bigger and better.  I’m still here for you, Fin, and I’m proud of you.” 

“Pack.” Everyone stopped talking and looked at their Alpha. “Let’s get this cleaned up. We run tonight and celebrate our new family members.”  He walked over to Quinn, putting his hand on her arm.  “I’m not going to push you into mating with me.  I know you need time.”

“You don’t want me?”  Quinn asked.

“More than the breath I’m breathing, but I understand that it's got to be your decision.  I’m here for you.  I hope you’ll come and run with the pack.  No matter what, we’ve all agreed that you’re part of our pack.” Saying that, Arden kissed Quinn on the forehead and walked off. Quinn stood there, shocked that he’d just left without any demands.  He gave her the control.

“Come on, Sis, let’s get you home. You stink.” August held his nose. “Plus you’re naked, and that’s disturbing to me.”

Chapter 17

Jade ran up to the Alpha. “I am confused. Why you are letting her go?” Jade and Arden watched as August wrapped a coat around Quinn.

“Because it has to be her decision to mate with me.  I heard what you said about how her dad always took her control away, and I understand that.  I don’t want to be like her dad and make her feel that way.  I want her happy.”

“Wow, I’m impressed.  You look so calm,” Jade answered.

“Jade.” Arden stopped and blew out a deep breath. “I’m about to go nuts inside letting her leave, but if I don't do this then I’m going to lose her, and that is unacceptable.”

“Well, you’re making the right decision and I’m proud of you,” Jade told him, then hugged him and walked away. Arden sat down at the table as Bane came over to him with a smile on his face.  He knew the man would have something to say about Quinn.

“I can’t believe you were going to kill me,” Bane commented. 

That was a surprise, he thought. “I’m sorry. You have to know that it was the spell.  I was fighting it, but I couldn't stop.  I’m sorry, Bane, you know I love you like a brother.”

Bane snorted. “Yeah, I know, but this is going to cost you, my friend. I don’t know what yet, but I’ll ask for something and you have to give it to me.” 

“Anything.”  Arden laughed, then got up and hugged his friend.

*****

Quinn sat on her bed after her shower.  She didn’t have long before the run tonight.  What had her so upset was the fact that Arden just let her leave. She didn’t see that coming.  Maybe he really didn’t want her, and was trying to use this as an excuse to get rid of her.

She heard a knock on the door. “Can I come in?” August asked.

“Sure.” 

Her brother came in and sat on the bed beside her. “You going to the run?”

“Not sure yet. I don’t know if he really wants me to show up, or if he was just being nice to a new pack member,” Quinn answered, crossing her arms, but even to her own ears it was a stupid remark.

“Come on, Sis. That man is in love with you. He’s giving you control of the decision. Please tell me you’re not that stupid. I thought at least you had that much sense,” August joked.

“You think he loves me?”

August pushed her shoulder with his. “Yes, and you love him.” 

“I do, but what if he tries to control me like Father did?”

August rolled his eyes. “Look, Arden and our father are two different types of men. They don’t compare with each other. Father is an ass, and only looks out for himself, but Arden is an Alpha and he looks out for his pack.  I saw that firsthand, and so did you.  I don’t know why we’re still sitting here; I'm leaving you here and going to eat.  Besides, there are some fine-looking babes in your pack, too,” August joked. At least, she thought he was joking.  She watched as he walks to the door.

“Hey, August.”

“Yeah?”

“Wait up.”

*****

August and Quinn arrived at the pack run.  August made a beeline to the table full of food while Quinn searched for Arden.

She didn’t spot him when she looked around, so she approached Bane. “Have you seen Arden?”

“I think he’s already running.  You can put your clothes over there if you want to go and find him.  I think all the ladies have put their clothes there.” 

Bane watched Quinn’s smile fade. She looked over at the table, which had a bunch of clothes on it, ran over to it and started stripping. Then she shifted and ran off into the woods.

“Why did you tell her that the ladies’ clothes were over there? That has all the pups’ clothes on it, and that’s who Arden is with,” Tate asked.

“Some people need a little push, and that woman needed a big one,” Bane answered.

Quinn tore into the woods, seeking out Arden and the bitches who were most likely trying to steal him. 
Not today,
she thought.  She stopped and sniffed the air.  She could hear something, but she didn’t know what it was.  She hadn’t been a wolf long enough to know the difference in sounds and smells.  As she walked closer she came across a clearing where Arden was playing with a bunch of cubs, jumping over logs and rolling around in the grass.  She wanted to join in, but she didn’t want to mess up their fun.  She eased back, starting to head toward the party again.  She must’ve gotten turned around, though, because when looked up she realized she was lost.  Before she knew what happened, she was hit from the side, landing on her back. Alice had her pinned down, and was about to wrap her jaws around her neck when Quinn rolled, knocking her off. 

Apparently, the sound of two wolves fighting drew the pack in, forming a circle as they watched Quinn and Alice go at it.  Only one could be Alpha, and Quinn and Alice both knew this.

Alice had a lot of fights under her belt, but Quinn knew how to fight too.  She watched as Alice tried to herd her in the direction she wanted, but Quinn wasn’t having it.  She wasn’t going to let Alice control this fight. Jumping toward her, Alice nipped her hind leg, drawing blood.  She got back up and could almost see the smile on Alice’s wolfish face as she watched her limp around. 

She wanted Alice to believe she was hurt as she glanced up to see Arden watching from the side.  The look on his face said it all; he was worried that she wouldn’t win. 

Now it was time for payback—time for retribution for Jade, and the Outcasts.  

She gave her a sign that she was hurt, which sent Alice lunging forward leaving her left flank open. 
Big mistake, bitch.
  Quinn ducked and jerked around, sinking her jaws into the top of Alice’s neck.  Blood oozed from her mouth as Quinn held on and tightened her grip, driving her teeth further into Alice’s neck. 

She needed to end this, but Alice was a fighter and clawed at her, trying to maneuver her body and get Quinn to release her. What she did next was a shock to everyone; Quinn held on and flipped Alice’s body over hers, then wrapped her jaws around the soft part under her neck and sank her teeth in deeply, making Alice go deathly still.  She didn’t want to kill Alice, but if she didn’t give up and yield she would have no choice. The pack went silent as Quinn dug her claws into the underbelly of Alice’s stomach, making the wolf undergo more pain and humiliation.  Alice was done for, and she knew it. All Quinn had to do was yank and her throat would be ripped out. But Quinn’s wolf wanted to show who was Alpha, so she dug in deeper and continued to claw harder into her.

The whining from Alice’s wolf brought Quinn back.  She was so close that she almost jerked, sending a message to the pack, but Alice was yielding. Arden came over to her and put his hand on top of her fur. 

“She’s given up, Quinn. Come back to me, baby.” Arden’s sweet words were like magic to her ears.  All she wanted was to be with him.  Releasing Alice’s neck, Quinn backed off and licked Arden in the face, then shifted.   

Arden immediately picked her up and carried her away.  He didn’t say anything for a few minutes, until he asked, “Why were you leaving?”

“I was just letting you play with the pups.  I wasn’t leaving-leaving.  I can’t leave you,” Quinn whispered.

“What?  Did I hear you right?”

“Maybe.”

“Maybe. Well what if I told you that if you did leave then I would hunt you down...because I love you, Quinn Lamone.”

“Good, because I love you too, Arden Dixon.”

Arden couldn’t stand it anymore.  He needed his mate, desperately.  His desire for her made his actions harsh.  “All I want to do right now is fuck you.  I’m desperate for you, but I’m afraid of hurting you.” 

“Don’t be. I need you just as bad.” Quinn reached up and grabbed his neck, pulling him down to her lips. 

“Were you worried about me?” She asked.

“Yes. I was worried that you would kill her and then regret it,” Arden answered, then bent down and licked her nipples, biting down lightly.

“That feels so good.” 

“It’s going to feel better.”  Gently, Arden laid her down on the ground and opened her legs.  Rubbing his finger against her clit, he found that she was already ready for him.  “You’re so wet.” 

“Just for you,” Quinn whispered.

Arden grabbed her feverishly, flipping her onto her knees and pushing his erection against her.

“Mmm,” she moaned out. Pushing back, Quinn rubbed against him. 

“Quinn, I’m holding on by a thread here.” Arden gritted his teeth as his playful mate teased him.

“Then do it.” Quinn purred like a kitten. Her voice was music to his ears as he slammed into her.

Catching her off-guard, Arden circled his hips around, pushing farther inside of her. The sounds she was making were pushing him to want more and more from her.  He could scent their lovemaking and knew others were in the woods tonight and would smell it too.  He didn’t care; tonight he was making her his.  She was his mate, and he wanted everyone to know. 

He could feel everything inside him tense up as his orgasm raced forward.  Flipping her onto her back, Arden pulled her up against him and licked her shoulder.  “This is the place I’ll mark you and make you mine.”  He didn’t have to wait long before Quinn was screaming out his name, and Arden latched on and bit down into her warm skin.  Her blood flowed into his mouth, and it was sweeter than anything he’d ever tasted. 

Without warning him, Quinn grabbed his head, then turned it and bit into him.  Even though she was in human form, she had some sharp teeth as they sunk into his neck.  He pumped a couple times more inside of her, then cried out his mate’s name.  He could feel the bond snap into place and marveled at how solid it felt. 

Arden held on until she released him, and then he looked into her eyes.  “I love you.” 

Quinn’s eyes filled with tears, but he knew she loved him too.  He didn’t need to hear it anymore; he could feel her emotions as he pushed into her again.  He would never get enough of his mate.