Changed: 2 (Wolf's Den) (13 page)

She’d wondered why he hadn’t removed her panties. “I don’t
want to wait.” Even when she said it, she knew it was true. Everything had
brought them to this moment. Her clitoris throbbed, vaginal muscles
contracting. “I need to feel you inside me.”

“Rachel…” He sounded torn but she could see the eagerness in
his eyes.

“All talk and no action.” Thrusting her hips up, she said
the only thing she could think of to taunt him. “If you want me, prove it.”

His growl frightened her, his irises flashing gold. His
weight came crashing down and the length of his cock nestled against her mound,
their skin divided only by the thin cloth barrier. He grasped her wrists in his
hands and thrust them over her head. It felt like her heart was going to burst
from her chest. Yet even in panic she felt an enormous thrill of excitement. A
stirring in her head—that of the wolf—told her to up the ante. Instead of
fighting the animal that had grown stronger, she welcomed its presence.
Instantly the tension drained from her.

Tempt him. Accept him.

“Rachel.” He didn’t sound torn now, he sounded completely
wrecked. He shook his head, his entire body shaking. “Don’t move. Give me a
minute. I need to get in control.”

He’d told her how hard this had been on him. This is
precisely what she’d asked for in provoking him. What she hadn’t expected was
him to pull back and try to be strong for her.

I’ve been so blind.

She wasn’t sure why she hadn’t noticed it before. Maybe it
was because she’d been too concerned for her own well-being. Now, with a
newfound clarity, she knew everything he’d done had been for her. His patience.
His determination to give her time. But that wasn’t who he really was. Not
entirely. He hadn’t wanted her to see the wolf, only the man. While she’d been
hiding a part of herself from him, he’d been hiding a part of himself from her
as well.

They couldn’t truly be together if they lived a life under
rose-colored glass.

“It’s okay,” she whispered, knowing she’d pushed him over
the line. “I want this.”

“No,” he corrected sharply, his fingers tightening around
her wrists.

“No more lies, Declan. No more deception. Only the two of us
the way we are.” She hooked her legs over his waist and felt his muscles flex.
His shoulders tensed, the veins in his arms bulging. “I want to see you for who
you are. I’m not afraid. Stop hiding from me.”

“You don’t understand,” he rasped, the tips of his canines
longer than usual. Portions of his dark hair had mussed around his temples,
framing his eyes. “I want to give you more. This has to be perfect.”

Her heart went out to him, something inside her breaking.

Why hadn’t she been able to see how much she’d hurt him by
denying him over and over again? No wonder he was so close to losing control.
He thought if he didn’t do things in a certain way she’d turn him away. She’d
done a better job of snubbing his advances than she’d thought.

She yanked her hands down, trying to get them from of his
tight grasp. The right one slipped free. Before he could stop her she rested
her palm against his face.

“It is perfect.”

“Be sure, baby.” His eyes slid closed, a growl seeping past
his lips. “Be very, very sure you mean that.”

In response she shoved her free hand between their bodies.
He snarled when her fingers wrapped around his cock. She tried to maneuver her
hips and push her panties aside. Then he lifted, giving her all the space she
needed. She let him go, hooked her finger in the side of her underwear and drew
the garment down her thighs. It seemed to take forever—so much wiggling and
squirming—seconds ticking by like minutes. Once free of the hindrance she
parted her legs and grasped the stalk of his cock.

She slid the head up and down her slit, getting it wet. The
tip lodged at the mouth of her pussy. He pumped his hips, penetrating her sex
the teeniest bit.

“You want me like this?”

She studied his face, waiting until he opened his eyes to
say, “I do.”

The fingers at her wrist loosened and he let her go. He
lifted onto his elbows, resting his hands on either side of her face. He pushed
his hips forward, claiming her inch by slow inch. She gasped, arching her back,
trying to welcome him. Even though she’d done this before it hadn’t felt the
same. Declan was built differently than the men she’d been with. The
mesmerizing man was bigger—and better—in every way.

“Finally,” he whispered, the intensity of his stare nearly
too much to take. “Mine.”

It was a tight fit, his cock so thick he wasn’t able to go
in all the way. “Declan.” She hated the fear in her tone but couldn’t prevent
it. If he didn’t go slowly it would hurt. There was already so much pressure,
the fullness taking her breath away.

“Right here, baby. Relax, beautiful girl. Let me in.”

He pulled back and pumped his hips, working himself in and
out. With each thrust he went a little deeper. It also seemed that the more of
him she took, the more control he gained over himself. She was more than wet
enough, her excitement easing his way.

“That’s the way. Fuck you feel good. I knew you’d be like
this.”

His head dipped and hot suction surrounded the nipple he’d
neglected. She cupped the back of his head and another flood of wetness aided
him as he worked his way inside her. The wolf—no longer so foreign in her
mind—seemed to growl in contentment. His thighs brushed hers, the hair on his
legs teasing her skin. She shifted her hips, wriggling beneath him.

The movement allowed him to press the rest of the way into
her.

It was too much. Stretching her wide. Yet it felt right.
Perfect.

His groaned “fuck” matched her softly moaned “yes”.

He didn’t move, staying lodged deep within her. Grinding his
pelvis, he breathed against her breast, his lips resting over her nipple.
“You’re tight as hell. I’m almost afraid to move.”

She tried to move for him, needing pressure on her clit. He
pulled back, easing his way out, his cock touching all sorts of wonderful
places inside her. He paused when only the head remained, the thickness
stretching her. Holding her breath, she waited for him to plunge. He didn’t,
rising above her, gazing down. The lust in his eyes shifted to adoration. For a
moment she thought he was looking at her with a sense of wonder. She exhaled
softly, stroking his arms. They stayed like that for several seconds, staring
at each other.

“You are beautiful,” he finally said, easing his way back
into her.

“I am?” It wasn’t easy to think, her thoughts driven to the
feel of his cock.

“Hell yes.” He pressed forward, parting and filling her.

He bottomed out, the tip of his cock pushing against her
cervix. Although it sent a shock through her, the feeling wasn’t entirely
unpleasant. The wolf returned—writhing beneath her skin. It told her what to
do, preparing her for what was to come.

Offer him what he wants.

She resisted the compulsion to roll over and present her ass
to him. They were too connected like this. Instead she rolled her hips and
turned her head to the side, baring her neck. Chloe had scars on her shoulder,
clearly done by sharp teeth. Rachel had never asked what it meant. Now she
knew. It was a permanent claim, a brand of possession. A small tendril of fear
returned—a concern he might harm her when he bit down—but she fought it back.
Her life had never been easy. But she’d always been a fighter. Now, with Declan
by her side, she’d never have to face things alone.

His gaze left hers, eyes resting on her shoulder.

To her shock he lifted his head.

His hands clasped her hips, pushing her away as his cock
left the haven of her body. With a swift thrust, he pulled her back. His growl
made her wetter, calling to the wolf that continued growing inside her. Skin
slapped skin, the head of his cock nudging her womb. One of the hands against
her hips vanished. Then she felt his fingers on her clit, thrumming the bundle
of nerves as he pistoned in and out of her pussy. Heat built in her belly,
tingles rushing over her skin.

“Come, baby,” Declan commanded, plunging hard and fast. “I
want to watch your face. I want to see how you look. Show me how good it
feels.”

The pressure in her stomach multiplied, a heaviness building
up. She met his thrusts, searching for what she needed. His cock rubbed the
best places inside her, his fingers working her clit masterfully. When the wolf
rose she welcomed it, riding the high. They merged, thoughts becoming one.

Ours. All ours.

She screamed as she came, her limbs shaking, muscles
quivering. The warmth in her belly spread through her torso, her pussy rippling
with the intensity. He moved faster, hammering in and out of her. His fingers
didn’t stop teasing her clit, the touch just enough to keep the sensations
going.

He rested over her, his head dipping to her neck. “My sweet,
beautiful mate.”

His teeth sank deep, causing her to whimper. She smothered
the sound, not wanting him to stop. It burned like a brand, so hot she wasn’t
sure she could stand it. His fingers moved harder over her clit, applying more
dizzying pressure. Pain merged with pleasure, aftershocks of ecstasy trickling
over her. He moved faster and faster, his cock hammering in and out of her
pussy.

With a soft sigh she gave herself over, going limp beneath
him. Her muscles ached, no longer able to keep up Declan’s relentless pace. He
gripped her hip, keeping the movements going. His breathing changed, a growl
vibrating against her skin. Then he tensed, his body going tight. She felt his
cock jerk and a flood of warmth spread where they were connected. He kept
moving, as though he was marking her with more than his bite.

Her nose tingled, a tantalizing fragrance drifting to her
nose.

Declan.

The wolf knew his scent and because of that so did she. Then
she understood he wanted to mark her skin with his teeth and coat her body with
his scent. With one final thrust—one that wedged him so deeply inside of her
she knew she’d be sore for days—he stopped moving. His teeth eased from her
abused flesh and she hissed in pain. Immediately his tongue was there, soothing
the sting.

“Let me take care of you,” he whispered, lapping at the
wounds. “Just relax and rest.”

Good idea. Right then she didn’t think she could move if he
asked her to.

As he lifted away and his cock slid free, she felt empty.
She reached out for him, afraid to see him leave. Despite her wolf’s
reassurance he wasn’t going anywhere she wasn’t so certain. He looked into her
eyes, studied her for a moment and his face smoothed in understanding.

“I’m going to run you a bath,” he said, stroking her hair.
“Then I’m going to make you something to eat. You’re mine now. I meant it when
I said there’s no going back. You’ve given me the greatest gift imaginable.
It’s only fair that I show my appreciation.”

Sweat trickled over his skin, his hair slick at his temples.
Each time he touched her his muscles flexed, his tattoos shifting and
stretching. For an instant she remembered how good it had felt when he’d
finally entered her, how hard and thick his cock had been. She wanted that
again. She wanted it more than anything. He was the most gorgeous thing she’d
ever seen.

How had she possibly resisted him for so long?

She struggled to talk, suddenly shy and aware of herself.
“Appreciation?”

He bent down, placing a kiss to the top of her head. “I’m
going to spoil you rotten, beautiful girl. I’m going to spend the rest of my
life showing you how special you are.”

Another scent came to her, reminding her of cotton. It was
new and she couldn’t place it but her wolf easily did. Tears burned her eyes.

Sincerity.

“You rest,” he ordered and pulled away from her. “I’ll be
back for you.”

She closed her eyes before her tears could fall, trying to
keep her emotions in check. As he walked away she felt every step, the distance
nearly too much. She took comfort in his scent, latching on to the smell of
pine and forest. If this was how Chloe felt she could understand her best
friend’s constant need for Jackson.

It was as if a part of her vanished in Declan’s absence,
leaving her incomplete.

She’d only felt like this once before—right after her father
had died.

The puzzle slid together, pieces falling into place. Her
eyes flew open and she stared at the ceiling. It couldn’t be possible. It had
happened so fast. Too fast by human standards. In mating with him, she’d given
him more than her body. She’d given him her heart.

Heaven help her.

She loved him.

Declan watched Rachel from the kitchen, not wanting to
intrude as she got to know the pack. After her bath he’d called Chloe and
invited her over, thinking it would ease any apprehension Rachel might
experience. Although the wolf in him wanted to keep Rachel by his side—greedy
and eager for more of her sweet, lithe body—he’d denied the creature.

She’d done so well so far.

He wasn’t fucking things up now.

Chloe had agreed but indicated it was best to introduce
Rachel to the pack right away, before any hesitation might build. The full moon
was coming, granting them little time, and she felt her friend needed to be up
to speed with the pack before she changed. He’d reluctantly agreed. After all,
though he adored his mate, Chloe—to his regret—knew Rachel far better than he
did.

For now.

“My car is a hunk of junk,” Elise—Clint’s mate—told Rachel,
easing into amiable conversation. Chloe had talked about Rachel numerous times
with the pack so they knew a lot about her. It made things a tad easier. “Maybe
you could take a look at it.”

Rachel’s eyes quickly darted over the room before she asked quietly,
“What’s wrong with it?”

He moved immediately, striding to the couch. The pack had
taken his mating in stride, congratulating him and Rachel, but he’d wanted to
give his female breathing room. Sadly she was nervous again, her worries
overriding her newfound liberation. He rested his hand on her shoulder, giving
it a comforting squeeze. When he bathed her he’d learned she ached to be
touched. Any kind of contact seemed to settle her. The muscles beneath his palm
immediately relaxed and she leaned into his hand.

“It’s got a steady miss. Drives me nuts,” Elise said,
shooting Declan a hateful look.

You deserve it. Think of all the times you gave Clint
shit about her.

Back in the day he’d have met Elise’s venom with a smile.
Now that he had mated he felt a sliver of shame. It wasn’t easy to smile at her
but he tried, wanting to make things right for a change. He hadn’t intended to
be a smartass all the time. He just hadn’t known how deeply his words had
affected Elise on occasion. The heat in the female’s gaze faded, her scowl
vanishing.

“Have you changed the sparkplugs?” Rachel asked, fidgeting
as she sensed the tension in the room. Until she changed she wouldn’t
understand why she reacted in certain ways. A wolf always felt emotion, using
the ability to sense feelings as a weapon. “That could be the problem.”

“No, she hasn’t,” Clint interjected, placing his hand on
Elise’s neck. “The car is a hunk of junk because she doesn’t care for it
properly. She thinks all she has to do is feed it gas and oil and all is well.”

Clint’s eyes lifted and met Declan’s. A rush of relief swept
through him. If anyone understood, it would be Clint. His mating with Elise
hadn’t been entirely easy. The female had given him hell prior to their mating.
Clint had always been a ladies’ man. Elise hadn’t forgiven that. Prior to
dreamsharing he’d actually turned his back on his mate. She’d been too young at
the time, nowhere near mature enough for him. But she’d felt an awareness that
Clint hadn’t. She’d known something had been going on between them. So when the
years passed, Elise neared her season and Clint finally got wise to the
situation.

Elise hadn’t given in to the mating without a fight.

A knock came from the door and the room went quiet. An odd
thing since there were twenty people inside the space. Rachel’s shoulders
tensed again, her gaze going to Chloe. Jackson leaned down and kissed the top
of his mate’s head before he walked to greet their guest. The night had gone
well so far but the good mood might not last. With everything that had
transpired it was important to talk to Gavin—Chloe’s father—before they made
any important decisions.

Chloe hadn’t seen the male since he’d given her the letters
her mother had written to him years ago. Before Chloe had been born her father
had been forced to turn away from her mother—his true mate—in order to maintain
his arranged mating. As far as Declan knew, Chloe had yet to forgive him.
Desiree Benson hadn’t made things easier, either. Once she’d learned about
Gavin and Chloe she’d gone crazy. Gavin had banished her from his pack, which
had brought them to this point in time.

Jackson opened the door and greeted Gavin. “Come in.”

The heaviness in the room increased, the pack uneasy. Chloe
shifted in the loveseat, staring at the ground. When he thought Rachel might
rise and go to her friend Declan applied weight to her shoulder, keeping her
where she was. She peered up at him, a spark of anger in her eyes. He accepted
the anger, knowing soon Rachel would understand. Chloe couldn’t appear weak in
front of the pack. By rushing to support her friend, Rachel would imply Chloe
couldn’t handle the situation.

Gavin walked in, a near mirror-image of his daughter—blond
hair, green eyes, similar facial features. He stopped just inside the room, his
gaze resting on his child. Declan felt sorry for the male. The love he felt for
his daughter was apparent. He didn’t move closer, waiting for her welcome.
They’d spoken on the phone but Jackson hadn’t told the pack how the
conversations had gone.

“Rachel,” Chloe finally said, lifting her head, “I’d like
you to meet my father.”

Rachel tensed, her muscles drawing tight beneath his hand.
Just as Chloe knew Rachel better than him, Rachel knew far more about Chloe’s
feelings toward her father than anyone else. Declan didn’t move, waiting to see
if the fury he’d seen earlier in his mate resurfaced. Hopefully she wouldn’t
cause a scene.

“Hello, Mr. Worthington.” Rachel, brisk and a tad cold to
the man.

“Take a seat.” Jackson motioned to an empty chair. “We’ve
got a lot to talk about.”

Gavin wanted to go to Chloe—that much was obvious—but he did
as instructed. Sliding into the chair, he leaned forward and rested his elbows
on his knees. “I appreciate the invitation. You know how much Chloe means to
me.” He gave his daughter a small smile before he looked at Jackson. “What have
you found?”

“The snitch is telling the truth,” Shane responded before
Jackson could, shoving away from the wall. “I visited him tonight to make sure.
No one could stand up under the strain I put him through. He’s not lying.”

“So he’s still alive?” Gavin asked. “You still have him?”

“We do,” Jackson answered, narrowing his eyes. “Why?”

Gavin’s gaze rested on Chloe. “I’d take him to the hunt.
Bring the male before the packs prior to the full moon. See if he can identify
the person responsible for my daughter’s attack.”

“A female is responsible,” Jackson growled and crossed to
Chloe. He stood beside the loveseat and she shifted closer to him, sliding her
hand around his leg.

“Desiree?” Gavin asked.

“She might be involved. There’s a chance.” Jackson drew his
fingers through Chloe’s blonde curls. “Right now all fingers point to Simone.”

“Simone?” Gavin’s laugh was cynical at best. “That female is
dumb as a brick. There’s no way she could pull something like this off without
help.” His laughter abated, his voice lowering to a growl. “Desiree could
though. With a little assistance.”

“Our source didn’t see Simone but he said he could point her
out by scent,” Shane said. “The rogue behind the attack apparently got a bonus
when he agreed to help. Seems the female was more than happy to seal the deal
with her body. After it was over his friend decided to brag about his conquest.
Our rogue got a good dose of her scent coming from his acquaintance. He thinks
she tried to mask it with perfume.”

“We all know who does that.” Declan entered the
conversation, his fury rising.

Most werewolves avoided cologne as it clogged the nose but
not Simone. A few times in her youth—when she tried to dip between the sheets
with various males—she’d attempted to hide what she’d done using the stuff.

“You can’t place the blame on someone with something as
simple as perfume.” Gavin took a deep breath and appeared to be getting his
emotions under control. He steeped his fingers together. “If you bring this
before the packs Ward Wilson won’t take it kindly. He adores his daughter.”

“I want this shit over and done,” Jackson snarled, pulling
back his lips. Rachel backed up, moving closer to Declan. “My mate will not
live in constant fear. As one of the Alphas in this area I’m demanding action.
The others need to rein in their wolves before someone gets seriously fucking
hurt.”

“I’ll back you up, you know that.” Gavin sat back in the
chair with a sigh. “But things in my pack have been unsteady since I denounced
Desiree. With Ward offering her sanctuary some might think this is being done
out of pettiness on my part. I could cause more harm than good.”

“So what do we do?” Chloe asked quietly. “Nothing?”

“No, we have to do something.” Gavin rose from the chair. “I
suggest you bring the informant to the hunt but don’t tell the Alphas what’s
going on. Arrive early and ask for a gathering. They know about the attack.
They’ll have to listen.” His gaze drifted to his daughter. “I’ve spoken with my
wolves. Most of them are willing to accept the mating between you and Jackson
and unite our packs. Those who aren’t have been given my blessing to leave. I’m
offering—right here and now—to step down as Alpha and let Jackson assume the
position if that’s what it takes. I want you to be safe.”

Everyone shut up then. What Gavin had just offered was
enormous.

In essence, he’d just handed his pack to Jackson.

Everyone with a wolf’s nose could scent Jackson’s reaction.
He was shocked and panicked. Jackson didn’t want a large pack, not being keen
on the dynamic. Shit happened in bigger numbers. He’d have to control more
people than he felt comfortable with. Everyone had joined Jackson because of
that. They preferred his pack’s smaller size as well.

Declan felt torn, knowing he also would have to step up to
the plate.

Shane had agreed to be the second-in-command but only for so
long. Rachel would have to accept a hell of a lot more than she already had.
There was no way he could force Jackson to face the challenge alone. If he did
the wolves were likely to rebel and the males would start fighting for pecking
order. Things were shitty already. With five unmated males in his pack, Jackson
had already been dealing with his fair share of testosterone.

“That’s a lot to consider.”

“I know it is,” Gavin replied. “But it’s one way to keep
Chloe from harm.”

“I need to talk to speak to my mate before I make a
decision,” Jackson eventually said. “I’ll also need to consult the pack.” The
Alpha’s gaze went to Declan and Rachel. “Why don’t you and Shane meet me in the
office? I’ll meet you there after I speak to Chloe.”

Declan reached down to pull Rachel from her seat.

Damn it. Motherfucker.

Things had gotten better only to become worse.

Everything was turning into shit.

Rachel couldn’t describe what she was experiencing. Somehow,
in some strange way, she could
feel
Declan’s uneasiness. She tried to
force aside her own worries, needing to support him.

After all he’d done, how could she do any less?

He stepped in beside her and she wrapped her arm around his
waist—the first time she’d touched him in front of his pack. She felt his
muscles shudder beneath her palm, his body warm and firm. For a moment her mind
skipped through time, taking her back a few hours.

Declan had run a bath, put her inside the steeping water and
had then gone to cook her breakfast. He’d fawned over her. Doted on her. Adored
her. She hadn’t been able to focus, finding his presence distracting. To her
shame she’d felt the most profound lust—her wolf wanting her to climb on his
lap and ride him to completion. She hadn’t been able to stop staring at his
shoulder, tempted to bite and mark him in the same way he had her.

“Easy, sweet girl,” Declan whispered and bent down to murmur
in the shell of her ear. “We need to take things one step at a time.” Another
horrible lick of embarrassment chilled her blood, cooling her ardor. The pack
could easily smell her desire. He must have felt it because he added, “I’m as
eager as you are. Don’t think for a second I’m not.”

Determined not to stumble, she kept walking, taking his
words at face value. Again she felt his wariness. Something wasn’t right. She
didn’t have the luxury of worrying about herself. Each time she thought of
Declan her heart literally ached.

For him she’d do anything—be anything.

She’d brought it on herself, of course.

So this is how love feels?

“You two go ahead.” Shane opened the door they’d ventured to
and stepped aside. “I’ll wait out here. Jackson and Chloe might be a while.”

It felt like fire branded Rachel’s face. She didn’t dare
look at Shane as she entered the room, realizing he’d been able to smell her
lust. Declan ushered her in and followed, closing the door behind them.

“Doesn’t it embarrass you?” she asked, mortified.

Declan seemed unfazed, guiding her to a chair behind the
desk. “What?”

“Me!” she snapped, trying to shake him off. “They know how I
feel. They can smell it!”

“Good,” he countered and surprised her when he didn’t put
her in the chair but reached for her jeans. He popped the top button open and
lowered her zipper. “I want them to know how much you want me. It makes me hard
as hell.”

“What are you doing?” Attempting to slap him off didn’t
work. He ignored her, sliding his hand beneath her panties. A tremor shot
through her, the desire she’d kept tapped rising up. “Declan…”

“I’m going to make you feel good.” He pressed two fingers
into her slick pussy, sending her on her toes. “You shouldn’t be embarrassed.
What you’re feeling is natural. It’s like this between newly mated pairs.”