Changed: 2 (Wolf's Den) (5 page)

Shane had shown everyone he was worthy of their trust over
time but Declan still had his doubts. The man was strong enough to be a
Beta—hell, perhaps even an Alpha—so why had he come here?

What is he running from?

“I know enough.” Shane rested his elbows on the counter,
leaning forward. “This isn’t about you. Keep that in mind. You have to make
decisions based on the needs of something more important.” There was gravity to
the statement, as though he was trying to send Declan a silent message.

Growling, Declan forked the bacon onto a plate. “My patience
isn’t going to last forever,” he warned Jackson and slipped the pan into the
sink. “I’m going into my bedroom in the next five minutes. Like it or not.”

“Rachel, wait!” Chloe’s quietly hissed order would have gone
unnoticed among humans but Declan heard her loud and clear. He’d tried not to
eavesdrop, wanting to give Rachel some measure of privacy, but in this
circumstance he wasn’t leaving anything to chance. He listened in, attuned to
their conversation. “You can’t leave,” Chloe whispered. “Where do you think
you’ll go? What do you think you’ll do?”

Lifting his head, Declan met Jackson’s gaze. The Alpha had
obviously heard the exchange as well.

“I’m going,” he growled, tired of being tethered in his own
home. “Don’t try to stop me.”

After a moment, Jackson gave Declan a nod.

About fucking time.

He walked from the kitchen, taking a deep breath. His heart
pounded, his wolf itching to get closer to its mate. He tried to collect
himself as he neared his bedroom, shaking off his doubts and anger. Shane was
right. This wasn’t about him. Rachel needed him to be confident yet
understanding. Anything else would confuse her. Entering the hallway, he
detected the acrid stench of Rachel’s fear. No wonder she wanted to get the
fuck away. Whatever Chloe had said had petrified his female.

“Time’s up.” He addressed Chloe as he entered the room but
had eyes only for Rachel. His mate had moved from the bed and stood across from
him. “Jackson’s waiting for you in the kitchen.”

Chloe’s gaze darted from Rachel to Declan. “I’m not sure
that’s a good idea.”

“Go,” he commanded softly, watching his mate.

Rachel had torn through his drawers looking for clothing.
She looked sexy as hell in the button-down shirt Chloe’d dressed her in, the
edges of the garment skimming over the tops of her thighs. Rachel met his gaze
and her eyes clouded, the cock-rocking fragrance of her arousal merging with
the scent of her fear. She took a step back, staring at him.

“Declan…” Chloe hesitated, wringing her hands.

“Don’t make me call Jackson,” he growled. Chloe wasn’t
human, so he knew she was also capable of judging the shift in Rachel’s
demeanor by the change in scent. “You’ve done all you can. It’s my turn.”

“Your turn? Hell no,” Rachel snapped, turning around, giving
Declan a glimpse of her ass as she rummaged through his dresser, “I’m not
sticking around. As soon as I find some clothes I’m calling a cab and going home.”

Chloe shot Declan a sympathetic look. He could tell the
Halfling was torn, hating to leave her friend. “Go,” he mouthed, making sure
not to speak. Chloe needed to leave, the sooner the better. Rachel would remain
conflicted so long as she didn’t understand and accept her nature. It was time
to introduce her to what she’d become, offer her a taste of what she could
expect.

With a parting glance to Rachel, Chloe slipped from the
room. He closed the door, placing his body between Rachel and her only means of
escape. His wolf tried to fight for dominance, wanting to mark Rachel in its
scent. With another deep breath he soothed the beast, ordering it to take a
step back. Damn he hadn’t thought it would be this hard. He’d never wanted a
woman this much, aching for the relief only she could give him.

“Think about what Chloe said.” He took a step to the side
when Rachel tossed a shirt over her shoulder and it flew at him. “Say we let
you leave, what will you do when the change comes? Where do you think you’ll
go? You don’t know what to expect. You need to understand what’s happening to
you.”

“You’re only saying that because you think you own me.” She
ripped the bottom drawer open, dug through the clothing and she snagged a pair
of sweatpants. “Chloe might’ve been fine with all this craziness but I’m not.
I’ve seen how she’s become since she met Jackson. You’re not taking control of
my life.”

“You think Jackson controls her?” How little Rachel knew.
Chloe could ask Jackson for anything and he’d do whatever it took to give it to
her. That’s the way it was between mates, a constant give and take. “Have you
actually
watched
the two of them together?”

He’d planned to talk and give her space but when she started
to pull on the oversized pants he knew it was time for action. One touch was
all it would take. Born werewolf females dreamshared with their mates prior to
their first moon heat. However the first actual touch sealed the deal. Rachel
had bypassed puberty, going straight to adulthood. As soon as their skin
connected she’d feel the difference. The wolf inside her would reveal itself
little by little. She’d need him even if she didn’t fully understand the
reason.

She ditched the pants and tried to run, racing toward the
bed. He caught her before she made it, snaking an arm around her waist. Before
she could kick or release a scream, he tugged her close and placed his free
hand on her throat. The air inside the room sizzled, his wolf reaching out for
hers. The beast inside his mate was new and weak but he felt it respond. She
gasped, resting one arm on top of his as the other rose to clasp his wrist. Her
back rested against his chest, the softness of her ass flush against his
hardening cock.

Fuck.

“Don’t be afraid,” he murmured into the shell of her ear,
trying to force aside the lust pumping through his veins, “I want to control
you but not in the way you’re thinking. It’s more complicated than that.” He
released her neck, bringing his hand down her torso until he cupped one of her
breasts. Brushing his thumb over her nipple, he felt the nub harden beneath his
touch. “A part of this is physical, Rachel. I won’t deny that. But it’s also
much deeper and more profound. The moment we met I knew there was something
special about you. It wasn’t until you appeared in my dreams that I understood
what the feeling meant.”

“Your dreams?” She trembled at his touch, her inhalations
stinted.

“Our dreams,” he clarified.

“Chloe had dreams… She told me about them…I thought…”

For a second she seemed ready to dart away. He plucked her
nipple between his fingers, keeping her focused on her body and their growing
bond. “She had dreams of Jackson. It’s normal. Her wolf knew it was time to
find him.”

“Chloe was born to be like you. I was
bitten
.” She
tried to swipe at his hand and squirm out of his arms. Even while doing so, he
could scent how aroused she was. “You’re lying. I couldn’t have shared dreams
with you.”

“The last dream was the best.” Instead of letting go, he
held her tighter. “I had you, Just Rachel. After all that running I managed to
catch you. You were all nice, soft and warm. I thought I was finally going to
kiss you. So when you vanished and I woke up I decided it was time to step
things up. Do you have any idea how hard it’s been for me? I’ve gone to bed
every single night as hard as a baseball bat, wishing for a hint of your scent.
You’ve tormented me for weeks.”

“I didn’t know.” Her voice lowered an octave, becoming
husky. She rubbed her back against his chest. “You smell
really
good.
What cologne do you wear?” Shaking her head, she mumbled, “I feel so strange.”

She wouldn’t shift until the full moon but she was
transitioning, her body preparing for the changes to come. Right now, he
imagined, she wouldn’t be able to find peace in her own skin. She needed to
relax, letting her mind and chaotic thoughts take it easy for a while.

Thankfully he knew what would put her at ease.

“Easy, sweet girl.”

A couple of steps and he had her beside the bed. He turned
her body, bringing them chest to chest. Then he bent his head, breezing his
lips over hers as he lowered her to the bed. He wouldn’t take this further than
she’d allow. As a mate, he couldn’t. She had to accept him, telling him she
wanted the same thing he did. If he didn’t start things off on the right foot
their mating would be damned from the beginning.

“I’ll tell you everything you want to know,” he whispered,
nipping at her lower lip. “I’ll share all I know with you and find answers to
things I can’t explain. I willingly offer you everything I am. All you have to
do is ask.”

He fought his own desires, holding back his beast. Fuck she
smelled good, sweet and radiant. Cupping the back of her head, he deepened the
kiss. Her lips opened, the tip of her tongue daring out to touch his. A groan
ventured from his throat, the air swept from his lungs. She had no idea what
she did to him. Such a tiny little thing turned him on and got him hot. Like
this he’d be whatever she wanted, no matter what it cost him.

“I ache,” she exhaled into his lips.

“You won’t for long,” he vowed, releasing her neck.

He gentled his touch, fingers gliding from her sternum to
her stomach. Her breath caught and he could feel her shaking. He moved slowly,
giving her a chance to stop him if she changed her mind. Inch by inch he moved
his hand, taking his time, until his fingers skimmed over the top of her cotton
panties.

She parted her thighs, thrusting her hips upward. “More.”

It was an order. Not a request.
Good
. “Whatever you
want.”

With a simple motion, he slid his fingers beneath her
underwear. He expected curls or to find her trimmed. He hadn’t thought he’d
find her pussy bare and smooth. Just Rachel obviously had secrets she’d have to
share with him in the future. He’d enjoy fulfilling each and every fantasy
she’d ever had.

Son of a bitch.

Her seam was good and wet, her vaginal lips hot and swollen.
Turning his wrist, he carefully eased his middle finger inside her, hissing at
how hot and tight she was. Perhaps if he’d had more time he’d have known more
about her sexual history. He didn’t like thinking of her with lovers but he
didn’t want to hurt her either. Slow was the way to go. He had to make sure she
was ready for him.

“More,” she gasped, writhing beneath him. “
Please
.”

Time to take the edge off
. “Hold on to me, baby.”

Her hands rose, fingers curving around his biceps. She’d
relaxed, her head arched back against the mattress. Through the shirt he caught
a glimpse of her breasts—small yet firm, capped by luscious pink nipples.
Without preamble, he bowed his head and sucked at one through the thin
material, growling at her soft cry. She strained up, welcoming his attention.
Ready to give her relief, he searched for her clit with his thumb. He found the
nub and applied pressure, rubbing the bead as he thrust his finger inside her
depths.

“Yes,” she encouraged him, moving in harmony with each
plunge. “Oh yes.”

Eager to be inside her, the rolled his hips and thrust his
cock into the softness of the bed. Soon he wouldn’t have to imagine how
perfectly her pussy would glove him, wrapping around his length like a second
skin. Each passing second brought her wolf closer. He could smell it now. There
was no denying her change. Any werewolf would identify the marked shift in the
once-human woman, her transformation occurring faster than usual.

His own wolf surged beneath his skin, nearly getting loose.
He could have taken her then and there. She’d have let him. Yet he couldn’t do
it. Something held him back. Just Rachel wasn’t a werewolf, not yet. Likely
she’d resent him for taking things too far. She’d run from him in her dreams,
needing space. If he destroyed the small level of trust he’d gained from her in
the last couple of weeks he’d never get it back.

Damn it.

Shit.

His cock pulsed, the slickness in his jeans a reminder of
how close he was to losing command of his beast. Sex wasn’t supposed to be this
hard. Normally he wouldn’t have been so concerned. His kind weren’t known to
love. It wasn’t that simple. Until a mate came along monogamy was laughable.
They went from partner to partner, no strings attached. Mating was the ultimate
commitment, making the mortal notion of love pale in comparison.

But he’d never wanted a woman like he wanted Rachel. He was
determined to mark and claim her as his. Until that happened he wouldn’t be in
a rational state of mind. He considered popping open his jeans and taking his
dick in hand, stroking himself off as she came. At least then he could try to
think clearly, without raw lust clouding his vision.

This isn’t about you
. Shane’s warning returned to
taunt him.
Keep that in mind.

Like he could fucking forget. “I want to watch you come,” he
snarled, lifting his head to see her face. “Right now, baby. Come for me.”

She did and he knew that he’d never seen anything more
perfect. Her back arched, breasts straining against the shirt, parting the
buttons wider. Her pussy clasped his finger, her body quaking as her
high-pitched wail of release carried through the room. To make it last, he kept
manipulating her clit, thrumming it softly. He didn’t look away, studying her
face, groaning at the ecstasy etched in her delicate features.

Within seconds she sighed and went soft. He lifted his
thumb, keeping his finger buried inside her. It was hell to not pull away and
lick away her sweetness, knowing he’d finally know how good she tasted if he
did. Instead he played at being a gentleman for the first time in his
existence, hoping that his efforts would be worth it.