Forget Me Not (#2, The Mystic Wolves) (22 page)

It sickened me to hear her as she continued to grovel, and I released a snort of disgust. Mason turned his back, and Devlin came to stand in front of her, grabbing her chin roughly and directing her gaze to his.

“You will cease talking.” His tone was hypnotic and crystal clear. He was using his compulsion, and we were rewarded with silence. He tugged at her body, making her move with him, and casting a nod to Mason, he added, “I’ll call to let you know when the trial is scheduled. I’d say with the gravity of what happened, it’d be within the next day or two. The Council will want to settle this quickly.”

Devlin looked at me, and I mouthed
thank you
. Giving me a wink, he was gone.

Mason and I left the shack, the sounds of the woods soothing after such an emotionally charged confrontation. There was so much to say, but no one seemed to want to be the first. I nestled into him, not wanting to disturb the silence of the moment with talk of the past few days. Everything could go back to normal now, and Amber would be dealt with. I was eager to put it all behind us.

“Ready to go?” Mason’s voice was soothing.

“Can we stand a little longer like this? I missed you.” I took in a long breath, filling my lungs with his scent, savoring it. I felt the heat from his body under my touch, and it was perfect.

“Anything you want, sweetheart. In fact, follow me.”

I nodded, and entering into a thick copse of trees, we left the scene.

Chapter Twenty Four

No words were shared as we began stripping off our clothes. Mason was the first to shift, his beautiful black wolf form temporarily distracting me from my own change. He was magnificent—his body sleek and agile.

He stood there watching me as I gave way to the magic that governed me. Dropping to all fours, I felt my body transform, and my wolf brushed past me to the forefront. Assessing the area for danger and finding none, I maintained control and padded over to Mason.

I rubbed up against him, taking his scent deep into my lungs, and the action was reassuring. He circled about me, also bumping into my side. After a few moments of enjoying the feel of our furred bodies brushing back and forth, Mason paused and let out a howl.

Following his lead, I tilted my head back and joined him—the sound of our combined voices caused excitement to erupt deep within me. Holding one lasting note, he nudged my shoulder and nipped at me, signaling for me to pay attention.

Try not to fall too far behind, sweetheart
.

I nodded in return as Mason’s taunt flowed through our connection. He burst into action, turning quickly, and I raced to catch up. This was the amazing part of being a werewolf—the exhilaration of the chase, and I made sure to keep up.

Weaving through the trees, my paws set a steady beat as I jumped over fallen logs, stopping for a few seconds on some rocks before scampering after Mason. He had a destination in mind and as we started passing familiar landmarks, it dawned on me where we were heading.

We hadn’t been there since the day after Jasmine had died, and the idea of diving into the crystal water surrounding the waterfall caused a burst of energy to pulse through me. Suddenly, it was all I could focus on.

Breaking through the tree line, I wasted no time in reversing the change. Paws became feet, my fur retreating to make way for the smoothness of my skin. As the process came to an end, my wolf bayed, and I smiled. She wasn’t the only one who enjoyed the chance to run.

I didn’t wait for Mason, hurrying toward the edge of the pool before diving in. It felt like thousands of tiny pinpricks as the cool liquid hit my body, and I thrilled in how refreshing it felt after shifting. It warred against the heat of my flesh, and as I broke the surface I couldn’t help but let out a burst of laughter.

Mason was still standing on the side, watching me with a smile on his face. Waving for him to join me, I swam back as he dove in. I scanned the area, waiting to see where he’d pop up. Using my hands to circle around, I caught a glimpse of his body gliding under the water and wasn’t surprised by the tug on my leg as he passed by. Moments later, his arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me backward.

I didn’t waste any time. Turning, I raked my hands through his hair before leaning in and claiming his lips. My legs encircled his hips, and I held onto him as our mouths moved together. Whether it was from being suspended in the water, or the effects of his kiss, it was as though I was weightless, and I reveled in the joy I felt. We were together and everything was as it should be.

Mason broke away first, his breathing ragged, and I groaned as his lips lay a trail down my neck. His mouth was cold from the water, his tongue hot, and it caused the most incredible sensation over my skin.

“This feels so good,” I moaned, dropping my head back as he nibbled at the sweet spot where my neck joined my shoulder. Grazing his teeth, he placed one last kiss before raising his face to look at me.

“If it’s the same as finally having you in my arms again, then yeah … I have a pretty good idea.” Winking, Mason smiled, and I raised my hand to trace his bottom lip with my finger.

I pulled my body up slightly from his hips, relieving some of the pressure before relaxing again. The action caused a wave of pleasure to course through me over the slight friction. I wasn’t the only one affected as Mason let out a low growl. His eyes flashed with hunger and he leaned in for another kiss. This one was just as passionate as the last.

“I don’t mean to kill the mood, but Daniel’s not going to come crashing through the trees, is he? I didn’t see him at the shack,” I asked, not wanting to be interrupted.

“He isn’t. When I took off to follow you, he went to check on those protecting the perimeter of the property. He wanted to make sure it was fortified just in case.” Mason brushed aside wet strands of hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear. “We’re quite alone here.”

Smiling widely, I tightened my arms around his neck, and pulled him closer. “Good. It feels like forever since we were.” I placed my cheek on his, and whispered into his ear. “Let’s not do that again, okay?”

His chuckle resonated through his chest, causing butterflies to flutter in my stomach. I loved his laugh, and goose bumps rose instantly.

“Not if I can help it, Darcy. I want you by my side forever,” he whispered.

Lowering my feet so I could stand, I took a step away and gently held Mason’s face. “Then that’s where I’ll always be.” I stared into his eyes, my emotions so close to the surface.

He looked so good—tired but whole. I didn’t want to think about how close I’d come to losing him, and it triggered a question I’d had since he’d arrived at the shack. I’d thought he was under the influence of Amber’s obsession spell, but somehow he’d been able to fight it.

“You’ve got that look. What’s on your mind?” Mason asked, and without a word he navigated us over to the pool’s edge.

Nodding, I placed my hands on his shoulder as he lifted me with ease onto the rock surface before pulling himself out to join me. A slight breeze blew across my skin, balancing the heat from the sun, and I let my feet continue to dangle in the water.

“How is it you’re not bewitched? How are you still … you?” I took hold of his hand, and he returned my squeeze. Studying his features, they were relaxed, and I smiled as he kissed my fingers.

“My wolf saved me. He sensed what was happening as soon as I started feeling the effects of the spell. Instead of trying to fight it as a human, I shifted and together we kept the enchantment at bay. It was a struggle at first, but the more we stood our ground, the easier it was to resist. Before I knew it, the power Amber was using shattered, and I was me again.”

“I wondered what had happened. I couldn’t believe my eyes when you came and you were okay. I know it shocked Amber. She wasn’t expecting it.”

“Well, she underestimated the strength our wolves give us in times of danger. I have no doubt if I hadn’t shifted, I would’ve become enslaved.” Mason shuddered beside me and I inched myself closer to him. “It was the strangest feeling to have it warring inside me. All I could think of was doing whatever I had to, so I could break the spell’s hold, and come find you.”

“I’m just glad it all worked out, and she’s finally in the Council’s custody. We’re safe, the Pack’s safe, and as soon as the trial’s over, we can put all this drama behind us. I’m really looking forward to things becoming a lot quieter around here, aren’t you?”

“I’m ready for a lot of things, sweetheart.”

“Can we get started on that list then? I think it’s time,” I whispered. “Kiss me.”

He was slow to move, taking me into his arms as though I was the most precious of gifts. A peace settled within me, and as his mouth descended on mine, I stopped all thoughts of the past week and focused solely on him.

It was the softest of caresses, barely there as his breath fanned over my skin, causing me to relax in his embrace. I felt his finger brush through the strands of hair around my face, and as he repeated the motion, I instinctively leant into it.

My eyes had closed, but as I waited for him to return his mouth to mine, I opened them and found him staring intently at me. I wasn’t sure what he was thinking about—there was a war of emotions displayed. His gaze moved over my face as if he wasn’t quite sure I was real, and after a brief moment of hesitancy, he closed the distance again and kissed me.

This time it was firmer and the tip of his tongue traced the seam of my lips. The sensation of it caused tingles to erupt everywhere, but I wanted more—needed more, and I pressed against him harder. Hoping it would be the thing that caused a spark, the flash that would intensify the experience, Mason didn’t respond the way I wanted. Instead, he continued to brush his lips, slowly moving his mouth over mine. His arms tighten slightly, and I gave myself in to the almost reverent strokes.

His attention caused my body to slowly liquefy as his hand gently cupped the back of my head. We were together, and this was perfect.

When he pulled away, I kept my eyes closed, wanting to hold on to the sensations swirling around inside me. He traced along my bottom lip, the back and forth motion tender. I heard him move, and then he replaced his thumb with his mouth again.

I tried to deepen the kiss, but he was content with the pace he had set. Breaking apart, I took hold of his head, my own fingers rubbing the sides of his jaw. I brought my face close, and I looked him in his eyes.

“Is that any way to kiss your future mate, Mason O’Connor? When I asked you to kiss me, I had something like this in mind.” I leaned in, and nipping his lip between my teeth, I tugged on it slightly before letting go. I returned, this time with my tongue, and I savored the way his skin felt as I brushed the tip over his mouth.

I stood, immediately feeling the absence of his body, but it wasn’t for long as I pushed him back slightly the rock so I could straddle him. Placing my hands on his shoulders, I lowered myself into his lap, and was rewarded by him putting his hands on my hips.

“Repeat after me, Mason,” I said, adopting a stern voice. “I’m going to kiss you senseless.”

“I am?” he replied. His eyes lit up, a slow smile causing the corners of his mouth to curl. His fingers flexed, and the pressure felt right. I brushed his hair away from his eyes before letting them slip to the top of his chest.

“That’s not what I asked you to say.” I slapped him lightly.

His gaze travelled over my face. “I think we need to talk about our mating.”

“After you kiss me senseless,” I stated. “The words Mason. Kiss. Me. Senseless,” I ordered, placing a pause in between each word. Not caring that it hadn’t worked earlier, I slammed my love down through the connection we had, and I knew it worked as Mason’s body rocked back  with the force. “Don’t need to think. Need to be kissed. Now.”

That was all the invitation he needed. “I’m going to kiss you senseless now, Darcy.” He grinned, a smoldering heat firing up in his eyes.

“About time ….” I began to answer, but I was cut off by the weight of his mouth crushing down.

It was an instant explosion of sensation, passion igniting intensity and pitching me head first into a molten wave of power. With barely a chance to catch my breath, parting my lips to give him entrance, Mason’s tongue swept into my mouth, seeking mine.

The second it did, there was a detonation of flavor, a taste I knew I’d crave for the rest of my life, and I let go of the moment, allowing him to take control.

He was merciless, relentless in his pursuit, and the aggressiveness of his kiss was heady. It was raw, it was final, it was him staking his claim and erasing the events of the last few days. His hands tightened around my hips, but they didn’t stay still as they moved upward. I could feel the bunching of his fist in my hair, giving me no way to retreat from his onslaught. It was unnecessary—I was exactly where I wanted to be.

I gripped his biceps, a thrill pulsating through me as I felt them tense and strain under my touch. I found myself rising slightly from his lap, as I tried to get as close to him as I could. There had been too much distance, now was the time to remember what had pulled us together.

I pushed him backward, a small moan erupting from my throat, and our kiss ended abruptly.

“Now that was perfection,” I whispered, breathless and soft.