Offered to the Werewolves (Shifters of Shadow Falls Book 1) (6 page)

Chapter 13: Ari

“I asked you one question and you still haven’t answered it.”  His words rumble from his chest and I lean into him even more.  I nuzzle under his chin and resist the need to nip at him.  The temptation is nearly overwhelming and just the thought fans the low flames igniting my core.

“And what was that question again?”  I really don’t remember.  I’m still tired and this day feels like one giant blur of raw emotion.

“What do you know about werewolves?”

“Oh yeah.”  I swallow and pick at the ends of the throw.  I shrug against him.  “Not much really.”

“And what is ‘not much’?”

“Well, I know you shift into a wolf.  You’re good at smelling and hearing.  You hate vampires.”  I bite the inside of my cheek and try to think of more.  “I
now
know that you all have silver eyes and you’re fucking huge.”  I put the throw down and lean back into him.  “That’s pretty much it.”

“You’re right; that isn’t very much at all.  And half of it’s wrong.”  I scrunch my nose up and feel my brows furrow.  I pull away from him to stare into his piercing silver eyes.  He’s teasing me again, isn’t he?

“Nuh uh.  What did I get wrong?”  He chuckles at me, but I’m dead fucking serious.  I don’t like being wrong.

“We’re not all huge.  We don’t all have silver eyes.  And lastly we don’t hate vampires.”   What the hell?

“Yes you do.”  The words come out accusingly.  “That’s why we have the treaty.  You keep them away.”

His brows pull together, but he nods.  “They stay away because we asked.  But that doesn’t mean that we hate them.”

“You just asked them to?”

“Well no.  We have an understanding.”  I raise my brows, willing him to continue.  “They stay away or we kill them.” 

“But you don’t hate them?” 

He shakes his head.  “Why is that so hard to believe?”

“I was always told you came to Shadow Falls to hunt them because they’re your natural enemies.”  He scoffs.

“Not at all.  A mate to one of the pack members was in danger.  We had to protect her.”

“A mate?  Who’s mate?”

“My uncle’s.  Her name was Sara.”  I swoon, but then realize his wording.

“Was?”   

“She died giving birth years ago.”

“That’s so sad.”  He slightly nods his head.  “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be.  I was young at the time.  I left the pack shortly after.”

“I don’t understand.  This is the same pack, isn’t it?” 

“We’re part of that pack.  I fought their alpha for the territory after forming my own pack.”  I raise my brows needing to know more.

“Tell me everything from the beginning.”  I cross my legs in his lap and watch him intently.

He outright laughs at me.  “I will, sweetheart.”  He shakes his head, “not today though.”  I pout in disappointment. 

  I stretch out my arms and yawn.  I’m so fucking tired.  It has to be two or three in the morning. 

“I’m happy you seem more relaxed now.”  His words are soothing as I hum a response into his chest.  He smells so fucking good.  Like a masculine, woodsy pine.

“You’re like a drug.”  The words slip past my lips effortlessly. 

He leans down and runs his teeth along the shell of my ear, causing a chill to run through me while his hot breath tickles my skin.  He whispers, “I love that I’m your drug.”

The shiver morphs into a spike of need and I rub myself against him.  Just barely containing my moan.

“Ariana.”  His tone is a warning.

I purr into him seemingly innocent, “yes?”

He puts his hands on my hips and stops my movements.  I pout again.  “But I need you.”

His head rolls back at my words and he whispers, “fuck,” to the ceiling.

“Please fuck me.”  I have no shame this time.  I want him.  I’m throbbing against him with desire and I have no intention of being denied.  I place my splayed hand against his chest and push against him.  With little resistance, he leans back into the chair, his hooded eyes finding mine. 

I lean into him and place my lips at his ear.  “I want you.  And you better not fucking deny me.”  He groans and takes my head in his hands.  His lips crash hard against mine.  His wet tongue runs along my bottom lip and my lips part for him.  My tongue dances with his as he struggles to release his hard dick from his jeans.  I clench my pussy with heated anticipation.  He nips at my bottom lip making me moan.  I can feel him stroking himself and that knowledge makes my skin heat even more.  I need him inside of me.  Caressing my walls and stretching me with his girth.

I position myself so that the head of his dick is at my hot entrance.  He stares into my eyes with his lips parted as I gently glide down his massive cock.  I moan at the heavenly feel; it’s so fucking good.  There’s a hint of pain and I’m sore from earlier, but the fullness makes my body sing with pleasure.  I move a few inches up and down and then sink all the way down his length, whimpering as the mixed sensation of pleasure and pain causes my limbs to tremble.  I still as his dick hits my wall, pushing against it, and let my tight pussy relax around him.  My head falls onto his shoulder as the hot sensation overwhelms me.  He takes my head in his hand and kisses me sweetly.  I lick against his lips and he gives me his tongue to suck.  I moan into his mouth as I pick my body up and then glide down his length, my arousal makes the movement effortless although his girth is still stretching me.  I lean back and pick up my speed while my hands rest on his muscular pecks.  Riding him at my own pace. 

His hands stay at my hips, but he doesn’t control the movements.  His head leans forward and he takes my nipple into his mouth, bites down and pulls back.  I arch my back at the spike of pleasure and wanton heat in my core.  He relaxes against the chair watching my pussy move over his dick with a hungered look in his silver eyes.  His heated gaze of adoration sends yet another surge of arousal through me. I’m soaking wet and dripping onto his thighs as I continue riding him.  My clit hits against his pelvis every downward stroke and the moisture that’s gathered there makes my pleasure all the more intense.

I stop my movements and stare at him.  He’s letting me ride him.  He’s given me control.  But it’s false control.  I find myself wanting him to fight for it.  I want him to
take
me.  It takes a moment for him to look up at me.  He bucks his hips against me, causing me to moan as his eyes find mine.  As we both catch our breath he asks, “What’s wrong sweetheart?”

I pause for a moment before admitting the truth, “I want you to fight me.”

Before I can blink, he’s spun us around in the chair and then crushed my body against the wall with his.  His lips crash hard against mine before he spins my body around, pinning me against the wall.  My legs are on either side of his with his hard dick nestled between the folds of my pussy.  Both my wrists are captured in one of his hands and held above my head.  My breasts are pressed against the wall with his heavy chest pushing against my back.  I gasp in shock. 
Holy fuck!
  My heart races in my chest.  His speed and strength are terrifying and invigorating at the same time.  His other hand slips between the wall and my body, and he starts circling my clit with heavy, unrelenting pressure.  The feeling is so intense I try to move away, but I’m trapped.  I can hardly move any part of my body. 

He whispers into my ear, “you questioning my dominance, sweetheart?”  My pussy clenches at his words, feeling empty without him inside me.  I shake my head slightly the best I can. 

He slams his dick inside of me to the hilt and I scream out his name while my orgasm rips through my body.  He groans into my neck.  “I know you love me destroying your cunt, you’re fucking strangling my dick.”

His words bring me that much closer to yet another release as he starts rutting me from behind.  I love every bit of what he’s doing to me.  I can hardly take it, but at the same time I want more.  I want all of him.  I need all of him.  My heart clenches in agony.  I find myself wanting to beg, but I don’t know what for.  His lips kiss over the skin of my shoulder and neck hungrily.  I feel his fangs skim across my neck and I push myself into them. 
Yes!

He nips my ear and sucks on my neck, quickening his pace.

The sound of his hips slamming into me fuels my need to cum.  I try to push against the wall, to move away as the feeling becomes too much.  I try everything to escape, but I’m pinned.  I can’t get away from the intensity of need running through my body, heating and numbing every inch of me. 

“No no, sweetheart.  You wanted me to fuck you like this, remember?”  The danger in his voice is intoxicating.  I was a fool to think I could fight him.  “Take it sweetheart.”  His growl makes my pussy clamp down and just as I’m about to cum all over his dick again, he roughly pinches my clit making me scream.  I’ve never cum so hard in my life.  I pulse on his dick as my body trembles uncontrollably.  I feel him release at the same time.  Heightening my own pleasure.  His dick throbs inside of me, filling me with his cum jetting inside me in waves until it’s leaking down my leg. 

“Fuck.”  He breathes into my neck.  “Tell me you felt that sweetheart.  Tell me you feel our connection.”  He breathes heavily and his words come out with desperation.  “I’m not letting you go till you do.”

              I can’t lie, “Yes.”  I answer him as quickly as I can and I feel his body loosen against mine, but he still cradles me against him.  I catch my breath, “I promise I felt it.”  Thankfully I stop myself before the next words slip out.  My heart clenches and tears form in my eyes. 
I love you Devin.

Chapter 14: Dom

              Caleb takes a deep breath at her bathroom door before looking at me, “You ready man?” 

              I clear my throat.  Honestly, I don’t know if I am.  My wolf hurts being away from her, but it’s bearable compared to the pain I feel when she rejects me.  The east wing is all set up so we figured we’d get our little mate settled. 

She wasn’t in the guest bedroom.  A small part of me hoped she’d be in bed waiting for us, but I should’ve known better than to be so naïve.  We can’t hear her crying anymore, but she’s still hiding in the bathroom.  She probably fell asleep in there.  It fucking hurts that she’s avoiding us, but I’m not going to lay down and just take this shit forever.  She’s my mate, and I’ll be damned if she’s going to refuse me. 

              “Come on; stop pussy footing around.  She’s probably asleep anyway.”  He reaches for the door before I’m even able to respond.  It’s locked.  That’s not surprising.  He jiggles the handle and it pisses me off.  He’s too fucking loud.  He’s gonna wake her up and I’d rather he didn’t.  If she’s asleep I can at least hold her without having her beat the shit out of me.  It’s the only reason I’m really looking forward to doing this right now.  I grit my teeth and push him out of the way.

“Knock it off.  I swear to God if you woke her up, I’m going to break your fucking hand.”  He snorts and all out smiles at my threat.

“You may be a big motherfucker, but I can still take you Dom.”  Not many in the pack like to spar with me anymore.  The idea of the two of us going at it makes me smile.  I take a credit card out of my wallet and slip it between the lock and the door frame.  I’m not as good as some, but I’m sure I can jimmy this lock. 

“Put your money where your mouth is, Pup.”

“Pup?  I’m 6 months younger than you!”  I chuckle.

“Still younger.”  As I say the words I hear the lock clear and I twist the nob.  We’re in.  I breathe in for a second before pushing the door gently open as quietly as possible.  I silently step into the room, but she’s not here.  My brows furrow and Caleb pushes past me.  I take a second glance around the large bathroom, but she’s nowhere to be seen.  Adrenaline spikes through me and my heart beats frantically, pounding against my rib cage. 
My mate’s gone!
My throat closes and I struggle to take in a breath.

As I’m having a God damned break down, Caleb pushes the shower curtain open.

“Calm the fuck down; she’s right here.”  I release a breath I didn’t know I was holding and walk silently, but quickly to my mate.

She’s curled up on the bottom of the deep soaking tub; her neck is at a weird angle laying against the cold cast iron.  That’s got to fucking hurt.  She could’ve at least grabbed a towel for a make shift pillow.  That now-familiar pain creeps up in my chest.  She’d rather stay hidden and cold then to attempt any kind of comfort.  Shit, we left her alone in the bedroom; she could’ve slept there.  I breathe deep, letting the disappointment and guilt run through my body.  She doesn’t trust us. 

I lean down to sit on the edge of the tub and brush her soft, blonde hair away from her face.  Her cheeks are tear stained and black shit is smeared under her eyes, but she’s still impossibly beautiful.  Her little frame only takes up about half of the tub, making her look even more fragile.  Her deep, even breath confirms that she’s out cold.  She’s still in her skimpy dress; I can’t help it as my eyes linger on her plump breasts that are in danger of being exposed.  The bottom of her dress isn’t even trying to cover her ass.  I tilt my head so I can see a bit of a cream lace thong.  I close my eyes and bite back a groan.  She’s fucking gorgeous.  I sure as hell don’t deserve her. 

I consider undressing her and putting her in something more comfortable, but nix that idea as soon as it pops into my fucked-up brain.  She doesn’t even want me to hold her hand; there’s no way she’ll be alright if I undress her.

              Caleb picks up her heels on the other side of the tub and looks them over.  “It’s a wonder she hasn’t broken her damn neck wearing these things.”  I snort.  Her toenails are hot pink like her dress.

“You think pink’s her favorite color?”  I don’t know why I ask; the words just slip out.

“Judging by all the pink shit we just brought here, yeah.”  I nod my head idly wondering what else she likes.  I want to know everything about her.  My eyes skim down her gorgeous body. 

“I grabbed this to cover her up.”  I turn around to face Caleb.  I have to look up at him since I’m still seated on the edge of the tub.  He’s holding the comforter from the bed she could’ve easily slept in.  I nod and breathe out deep while I stand.  I didn’t even realize he’d left the room.

“Alright, let’s wrap her in it so we can get her to her room.”  I move out of his way.  “You think Alpha’s gonna have Ari sleep with him tonight?”  I’m still debating on sleeping with Lizie.  I’ll wake up before her anyway, so I can slip out before she has a chance to freak the fuck out.  He huffs, giving me a look like I should no better.

“I think he’d like to, but he’s not gonna have much of a choice.”  I tilt my head and give him a side eye.  He just shakes his head and reaches down to collect our mate.  “You really think Ari’s gonna want to sleep with him tonight?”   I frown and shrug.  I don’t understand why our mates are so difficult. 

Caleb stands in the tub, draping the cover over her body.  I bend down with him to help gather the blanket around her tiny body.  As I tuck the blanket under her arm, her blue eyes spring open and stare straight into mine, scaring the shit out of me.  I stumble back a bit, caught off guard.  My action halts Caleb and he follows my gaze to our mate’s eyes.  I hear her heartbeat pick up, but outwardly she shows no signs that she’s coherent.  Her body is frozen in place and her face shows no emotion.  She reminds me of an animal playing dead, waiting for her predator to strike. 

I raise my hands to show her that I don’t mean to harm her.  “You alright, little one?”  I keep my baritone voice as light as I can, trying to calm her.  She doesn’t answer.  Her eyes shift to my hands and back to my face.  I can hear her heart beating chaotically, but her body remains rigid and tense.  Something about her expression has changed though.  She’s no longer the wounded animal; the hint of silver in her eyes sparks in a way that makes me aware that she’s waiting to strike.  She wants to fight me.  As much as that thought makes my dick hard, she’s not challenging my worthiness as a mate.  I wish that were the case.  I’d pin her ass down so fast and fuck her ruthlessly till she had no doubt who she belonged to.  But that’s not what this is.  The smell of fear, not arousal, that permeates the air is so strong it’s practically suffocating. 

“Liz baby, you fell asleep in the tub; we were just going to move you so you were more comfortable.”  Caleb slowly steps out of the tub as he talks to her, but Liz’s eyes don’t leave mine.  She shows no sign that she’s heard him.  I part my lips to say something, but I don’t know what the hell to say.  She’s obviously scared out of her mind.  She’s looking at me like I’m her worst enemy.  What the fuck did I do to put her on edge? 

“Lizie, you okay?”  Still no response.  If I could just touch her, then I could calm her down.  I know I could.  I could make her
feel
this connection, this electric pull between us.   My thoughts give me the push I need to move towards her.  I slowly reach down with the intention of stroking her arm, but she silently rears back and scrambles to get away from me.  I pull back and put my hands up again, showing her that I won’t reach out to her.  The cover restricts her movement as she struggles to get up.  Her feet slip, caught up in the blanket and I’m too fucking slow to stop her from bashing the back of her head against the spout. 

“Fuck!”  Her eyes wince as both of her hands shoot to cradle the wound on her head.  The smell of blood reaches me instantly.  I reach down for her again, wanting to help her,
needing
to help her.  I know that shit hurt.  But as my large hand palms her chin she screams, kicking furiously against the covers as her nails dig into my forearm and her teeth sink into the flesh of my hand.

“Fuck!”  I pull back before her teeth release me, spilling more blood than necessary.  God damn that hurt!  Blood seeps from the two large scratches she left on my arm.  I stare at them open-mouthed before turning my eyes back to her.  My blood lingers on her lips and her sharp blue eyes stare back at me full of hate.  My gut drops and I swallow the lump forming in my too-tight-to-breathe throat.  I can only hope that the look on my face conveys how fucking torn up I am. 

“Hey now, baby girl you’re alright.”  Caleb moves in front of me to catch Lizie’s eye sight.  She ignores him, continuing to stare at me with hate.  “Dom’s just trying to help you baby.”  He kneels on the tub without reaching for her.  “It’s okay.  I promise we aren’t going to hurt you.”

Her small voice hisses her words dripping with venom, “don’t let him touch me.” 

At her words, I feel my soul shatter into jagged pieces as my wolf howls in agony.  And then I hear something I shouldn’t.  It takes me a moment in my despair to realize that it came from my mate.  Caleb looks at me with disbelief, giving me confirmation that he heard it as well.  I stare into those icy blue eyes and will her to speak again.  But she doesn’t.  Her wolf is silent.  But I know I heard her whine in pain.

Our mate’s a werewolf. 

I scent the air, but I can’t smell her wolf at all.  If Caleb hadn’t heard her also, I would be doubting my sanity. 

I push Caleb to the side to get in front of our mate.  He doesn’t resist at all.  He’s looking at her with a look of pure confusion.  “Where’d your wolf go?” 

A look of dread crosses her face.  I see her swallow as she pushes her body as far away from us as the stall will allow.  All traces of anger have dispersed leaving only fear.

“Why are you so scared, little one?”  I hold up my arm for her to see.  “It’s okay.  I’m not mad.”  Her shoulders start rising and falling as her breath becomes erratic.

“It’s okay baby girl,” Caleb finally speaks up.  “What happened to your wolf?”  She shakes her head violently.  Why the fuck is she terrified of us?  More importantly, how the hell is she hiding her wolf like that?

“I’m not a werewolf.”  The rushed words barely have any sound as they leave her lips.

My eyes narrow at her.  “Don’t lie to me, little one.”  I try to keep the threat out of my voice, but it’s still there.  The moment I hear the admonishment, I regret it.  She’s fucking terrified.  I shouldn’t be giving her more reasons to fear me.

“She left me,” our scared little mate whimpers.  “I’m not latent anymore, she won’t come back.”  She gasps for breath as her body shakes.  “Please, she won’t come back.”  I feel my heart hollow out and crumple as my wolf whines in distress. 

“Please what, little one?”  My heart lurches up my throat in a feeble attempt to escape.

“Please don’t beat me.”  Her sad blue eyes burrow into mine as she begs, “please don’t hurt me again.  I swear she won’t come.  She’s dead.  I can’t shift.  I swear I can’t shift.”  Her words are barely coherent, but I’ve heard enough that I understand her terror.  I close my anguished eyes.  I understand why she hates me and it shreds my insides.

If I could bring my father back to life, I would. 

The first time I killed him for me, this time I’d torture him for her.

“It wasn’t me.”  I choke the pitiful words out.  I was just a child, just a pup, but I knew.  I knew what he did to those kids, but it took years for me to gather the courage to fight him.  Years of listening to their tormented screams.  He videoed everything as proof of their identity when he sold them on the black market.  As I got older he made me watch.  First the recordings and then in person.  I’ll never forget their haunted eyes as my father and uncles beat them mercilessly, pushing their animals to the surface.  His large hand on my shoulder kept me grounded as he made me watch.  Even as I vomited in revulsion he insisted, I needed to see it to be a man.

The day he handed me a weapon was the day I fought back.  I bludgeoned him with the bat he used to break his victims’ bones.  By the end of our battle, we’d both shifted and he laid in front of me coughing up blood with what little life he still had left.  Before he could heal, I ripped his throat out; his dirty, hot blood gushed into my mouth before spilling onto the floor.  The only regret I ever had was not stopping him sooner.  If I hadn’t been so scared of death myself, I could’ve saved nearly a dozen children.  I never once had any remorse over killing him. Not until today.  I wish he was still alive so I could kill him for her.  So she could watch as her tormentor took his last breath.

Caleb’s consoling hand on my shoulder brings me back to reality.  Back to my sobbing, shattered mate.  She’s so fucking damaged.  My heart aches for her.  I reach my hand to her, but she backs herself into the corner like a scared animal.  Her head bashes against the wall, though she doesn’t seem to notice.  Her rejection feels deserved as I drop my head in shame.  I take a deep breath and square my shoulders.

Now that I know, I can make this right.

I meet Caleb’s eyes.  “Bring her to the bedroom.”