TheTroublewithWolves Read online

  “You worry too much, son. Things are not the way they were thirty years ago. The pack has moved into the new century. The infighting rarely ever results in a challenge. The others have discovered they enjoy a peaceful life more than tearing one another apart over trivial matters.”

  Crossing his arms, he repeated, “I don’t want it.”

  Thomas’ fist slammed on the desk. “Dammit, enough already. What are you so afraid of?”

  “Nothing! I’m not afraid of anything.”

  “Okay, then. You don’t want the responsibility, is that it?” When he remained silent, Thomas sighed. “Sometimes you have to sacrifice your desires for the greater good. I’m getting older. I want to hand over the reins to my son. That is you.”

  “Sacrifice my desires?” He heard the bitterness in his voice and didn’t care that his father heard it too. “Dad, I have sacrificed more than you will ever know for the good of the pack.”

  His anger was growing by the second, his tone coming dangerously close to disrespect toward his father and insubordination toward his alpha.

  “Son, I do know. I also know that you weren’t the only one to suffer for the pack. Taylor sacrificed as well. Now it’s time for you to honor your brother, correct my mistakes and take your place as alpha.”

  “Taylor?” He hadn’t heard a word beyond the ludicrous idea that Taylor had suffered. “What on earth did Taylor sacrifice? He had Claire. My Claire. So tell me, what did he give up, Dad, and why the hell are you trying to force me into a position that will make the rest of my life one long, bloody sacrifice?”

  His father suddenly looked very tired, and much closer to his seventy years than he normally appeared. “Because you were meant to be alpha, not Taylor. Because he was firstborn, I spent his entire life trying to force him to be something he wasn’t. And, just like you, he used the law as his excuse not to tell me what he really wanted until it was too late.”

  “Dad, what the hell are you talking about?” He dropped into the chair in front of his father, feeling as if he were missing crucial pieces of the puzzle and wanting to understand what his father was trying to tell him.

  “Son, you were meant to be the head of this family. Taylor knew it and accepted it, but in my pride, I chose to ignore it. I made a terrible decision. One that hurt both my sons, and one I may never forgive myself for. Let me atone for that mistake by giving you your rightful inheritance. Take your place as alpha, according to the law and according to what’s right.”

  “I think you need to explain to me exactly what you mean, Dad.” He let his gaze bore into his father’s tired eyes.

  “That story’s not mine to tell, son. Talk to Claire. Then search your heart. I know you’ll do what is right.”

  * * * * *

  Golden light glowing from the windows greeted Claire when she returned home that night. The sound of Duran Duran flowed from the stereo, leading her into the bedroom. Her heart began to pound when she entered the room, which had been turned into an oasis of soothing sensuality, bathed in the light of dozens of candles scattered over every flat surface in the room.

  The feelings Nigel awakened in her terrified her down to her soul. She wasn’t one to easily panic; she prided herself on being levelheaded. He’d smashed that self-perception to smithereens with one kiss. But she’d spent the day considering the situation, and now she felt ready to face her fears.

  Strong hands cupped her shoulders, and she leaned back into his hard body. His lips grazed the base of her neck. The sultry melody of the song Come Undone filled the air, and Nigel’s hand moved to her hip, guiding her into a sensuous sway. Claire closed her eyes and breathed him in, his scent filling her head, his touch arousing her senses. They were doing nothing more than swaying to the music, and she was already primed and ready for him.

  She couldn’t stand not being able to touch him. She turned in his arms and let her hands land on the solid wall of his chest. Her fingers curled into the soft fabric of his shirt, and she whimpered as his cheek brushed hers. The subtle scrape of his day’s growth of beard abraded her delicate skin and she reveled in the heat it left behind.

  Firm lips ghosted along her jawline. His tongue traced the shell of her ear, the tip dipping inside.

  “I missed you, luv,” the deep rumble of his voice trembled through her body, making her even softer for him. Even wetter.

  Her smile was instant, but she didn’t try to speak. The moment was too perfect and her stumbling would only screw things up.

  Instead, she touched her mouth to the base of his neck. He murmured his enjoyment, and she opened wide and sucked at his skin, marking him like a teenager making out at the movies. She gripped the bottom of his shirt and he pulled back long enough to remove it. As soon as the material was free, she wound her arms tightly around his back, holding on for dear life as he moved in for a kiss.

  What a kiss it was. It began sweet and oh so tender, but quickly ignited into a desperate melding of mouths and tongues. Time and again they broke apart, struggling for breath, only to attack each other with renewed hunger.

  Claire had always thought the term “being kissed breathless” was a pretty exaggeration. Now she knew better. He stole her breath, giving his own in return. The intimacy was almost painful, and she finally had to pull away. Nigel gave her space while still holding her close. He cupped her face in his hands, his amber eyes glowing down at her with such seething emotion that her knees shook.

  In that moment, she wanted to give him everything. Holding his gaze, she knelt before him, fumbling with his leather belt. His eyes blazed when she finally managed to unbutton his fly and her mouth began to water in anticipation.

  Nigel stood frozen as he gazed into her pretty face. He ran his hand down the silky strands of her hair, wallowing in the pleasure of watching her eyes slide closed in enjoyment. Breathless, he watched her, waiting motionlessly for her next move, when every dominant instinct he had was howling at him to bend her over and mount her.

  He knew she was enjoying his torment by the little smile that tilted her rosy lips, and by the way she drew out each movement, taking things painfully slowly. Peeking up at him through her lashes, she hooked her thumbs into the waistband of his jeans and pulled them slowly down his legs, shifting back just enough for him to kick them aside.

  Still watching him, she leaned in to touch the perfect pink bow of her lips to the smooth skin of his hip. He jumped at the contact; it was pure sin the way her tongue felt, licking over his flesh. The electricity she induced was killer. She was his mate. His mind knew it, his heart knew it, and his body certainly fucking knew it.

  “Touch me, Claire.” Was that his voice so close to begging? He didn’t really care. All he cared about was how soon he would feel her mouth on him. She didn’t disappoint as her hands pushed his boxer briefs down and his shaft sprang free. She gave a little hum of approval as she looked at him. Her tongue darted out to slick moisture along her bottom lip and he felt his own mouth go dry.

  “Please, luv. I need you.” He’d beg if that was what it took. Pride and control meant nothing as her hazel eyes darkened and connected once again with his…

  She opened her mouth and took him in.

  His growl of reaction was louder than he meant, but it didn’t deter his woman. She just smiled and took his hard flesh deeper into her sweet mouth. Just when he thought his eyes might begin to uncross, she reached one small, strong hand between his legs to cup his balls, letting the tip of her forefinger venture back to test the satiny ridge directly behind them.

  “Oh fuck.” Her hands were diabolical, and damn but her mouth was like heaven. She moved slowly back and forth over his hungry cock, sucking hard on the upstroke and swirling her tongue along the ropy veins on the downstroke. His cock head was weeping pre-cum, and she lapped at it as if it were the sweetest cream. His hands combed through her hair, tugging and urging her to take him in more deeply, more fully.

  “Open up, luv.” His demand seemed to give her the little
push she needed and she opened her mouth, relaxed her jaw and took him to the root. He began a slow pumping motion between sweet, plump lips. Her mouth was so hot and wet and she swallowed at the end of each stroke, letting her throat caress the head of his cock until he was perilously close to losing it before he’d even had a chance to taste her. He closed his eyes, concentrating on each and every motion of her tongue, testing his control so he could feel one more stroke. When her bottom lip rubbed lusciously underneath his heavy crown, Nigel shouted and pulled her off him.

  He yanked her up by the arms, holding her with bruising force. His smile was feral as he backed her up until her calves hit the back of the bed.

  “Take off your clothes.” She raised her eyebrow and he continued, “I don’t trust myself not to shred them. Take. Off. Your. Clothes.” His eyes burned into hers. “Now.”

  She’d never stripped so fast in her life. She felt a moment of uncertainty when she stood naked before him and he just studied her, still as a statue.

  “Lie back on the bed and spread your pretty thighs for me, luv.”

  Claire smiled; she recognized that rumbling tone to his voice. Nigel was hanging on by a thread and it gave her a heady sense of control. She moved slowly to the bed, sliding back to sit near the center. Bringing up one leg, then the other, she moved her feet wide apart, letting her knees fall away. The devil in her dared her to play this dangerous game. Her finger slid around her nipple, rubbing the nub until it was tight and needing a harder touch.

  She placed both hands on her rounded tummy, moving them southward until she reached the top of her mons.

  Her eyes sparked when he reached down and gripped his cock. She watched in fascination as his hand wrapped tightly around his shaft, then moved up and down the thick length. The action made her wet and her knees shake.

  She’d known Nigel would be a fantastic lover. What she’d never guessed was exactly how sensual he was. He gloried in his sexuality, enjoying his body in a way most humans were too self-conscious to do. His lack of inhibitions freed her own.

  She let her fingers slide farther down, running along her slit, coating them with her slick arousal. His eyes narrowed; she smiled and circled her clit gently with two fingers. The sensation caused her hips to surge, and his body jerked in response to the show she was giving him.

  Emboldened, she moved her other hand to her pussy, sliding two fingers to her entrance and thrusting them deeply inside.

  “Fuck, yes!” His words burst forth in a gratifying, guttural groan. “Show me how you fuck yourself, luv.”

  She closed her eyes, letting her hands take over. She teased her body, bringing herself to the brink of orgasm only to back down at the last possible second. She tortured them both with slow, shallow thrusts. Her breasts thrust forward, tipped with hard, pink nipples. Her pussy was on fire, her body writhing as her eyes met his again.

  He snarled, pulling his lip back and looking like the wolf he was. He fell hard to his knees on the bed before her and grabbed her hand, pulling her fingers from her pussy. Bringing them to his mouth, he sucked slowly, thoroughly, one at a time.

  When each drop of cream had been licked away, he dropped her hand and leaned in, inhaling her scent. When his tongue finally made contact with her aching pussy, the intensity of the sensation ripped a scream from her throat. Her hand automatically buried in his hair, dragging him closer as her hips surged to meet him. He moaned against her in response, and his mouth began to work faster, licking in and out of her, fucking her with his tongue. He teased her endlessly, pulling his tongue from her pussy and gliding it up to circle her clit, only to slide back down and rim her ass. She’d never been touched so thoroughly, so completely.

  “Nigel, please. I need you.” She could barely recognize the ragged sound of her own voice.

  “You have me, luv.” The words vibrated against her labia, sending little shocks of pleasure rocketing the length of her body.

  “Inside me,” she begged. “I need to feel you inside me.”

  He gave a rough laugh but ignored her sobbing pleas, instead drawing her clit hard between his lips and sucking until her thighs clenched with the force of her orgasm. She screamed his name as her belly tightened and her cream bathed his tongue.

  Nigel drew away from the heaven between her thighs, though he could have stayed there for hours, lapping at her juice, giving her such intimate kisses over and over again. Taking his cock in hand, he pressed the head to her entrance, wedging through the tight muscles guarding her sheath. Clenching his teeth against the nearly overwhelming urge to rut, he braced his hands under her shoulders and slid home.

  He felt her all around him, clutching him so deeply he could feel his balls pressed up against the satin cushion of her ass. She hooked her legs around his back, and he stayed still, watching the emotions skitter across her flushed face. She whispered his name, and her muscles rippled the length of his cock; that was all he needed to let go.

  He thrust deeply, surging in and out, trying like hell to crawl in as far as he could, needing to be a part of her. His mouth branded her shoulders, her face and her lips. He couldn’t get enough of her, the way she fit his body, her soft skin welcoming him in.

  “How does it feel?” Her whispered question brought a smile to his face.

  He thrust forward slowly. “It feels wet.” He pulled back and pushed forward again. “It feels so warm.” Nigel was unable to stop himself; the words tumbled out with no filter. “It feels like all I ever dreamed of.”

  He didn’t give her a chance to respond. Instead he kissed her, a slow claiming of her intoxicating mouth. He coaxed her to open wider as their kisses deepened.

  Drawing back, he slowly pulled out, smiling a little at her cry of denial. He wrapped his hand around one ample hip, flipping her over to so that she was on all fours. He rubbed himself between her plump ass cheeks and waited. She had to know what he wanted. He was poised to take her as a wolf took his mate. He only needed her permission to do it.

  He’d leave the decision up to her, though his animal was howling at the delay. He wouldn’t force this upon her. It had to be her decision. She had to consciously accept her place as his mate, and his place in her life. She had to want this as much as he did.

  When she lowered her head to the pillow and lifted her ass, moving her legs farther apart, Nigel threw his head back, letting out a howl that shook the windows. He thrust hard, slamming full length into her creamy heat in one long thrust. Her pussy tightened around his cock, swallowing him and holding him deep within her. He leaned over, raining kisses over the mark he’d left on her earlier. He felt his canines elongate, getting ready to stake his claim on her once and for all.

  “This is your chance to back out. I can give you this one chance to tell me to leave, but know this—if I take you tonight, if I lay claim to you, you are mine forever. Do you understand what I am saying, luv?”

  She surprised him when she turned her head, her gaze penetrating straight through to his heart. “Damn you. How much longer do I need to wait for you?”

  It was all the answer he needed, and he clamped down on her shoulder, long, sharp wolf’s teeth breaking the skin. Her scream of ecstasy was music to his soul, joining his howl of triumph as his thrusts became furious and he rutted her in the age-old tradition of a wolf claiming his mate.

  His cock grew, thickened, and she tightened her inner walls, making him work for each thrust. The sensation was one of pure bliss. He reached around with one hand and found her clit, rubbing it until her moans vibrated against his chest.

  His growls turned into groans, rising in harmony with her pleasured cries. She met him thrust for thrust, until they were both slick, bathed in sweat.

  Nigel pounded harder into her, and her soft body welcomed his almost punishing movements, just like he’d imagined she would do when he used to dream about fucking her. His finger rubbed and circled the sensitive bud of her clit until she screamed, a long keening sound that pushed him over the edge. He shot
his seed deep in her womb, his mouth locking over his mark on her shoulder, biting even deeper as he pumped still more cum into her convulsing pussy.

  Claire fell to her side, her body throbbing with a delicious ache. She closed her eyes, just taking in the sound of his harsh breath at her back, the smell of sex that floated around them. His scent was all over her, would remain a part of her always, she knew, now that she bore his mark.

  He spooned against her, his arms wrapping tightly around her. His sleek body lay flush with hers in the silence. She sighed, savoring the tranquility of the moment. Silence was okay. Silence was good. No words were necessary after the claiming they’d just shared.

  She relaxed into his strong embrace. Closing her eyes, she sank farther into him and for the first time in her life, she wasn’t restless. She felt a strange peace steal over her.

  Nigel’s even breathing told her that he dozed. She gently kissed the arm thrown across her chest and let the sound of his slow, even breaths lull her to sleep.

  Chapter Seven

  Nigel awoke to the smell of coffee, the delicious aroma pulling him from sleep. He shifted his head on the pillow, inhaling deeply. Claire and sex slid through his heightened senses, and his dick stirred. He rolled onto his back and laughed, flinging his arms out to the sides. Four times he’d taken her last night, and apparently he was ready for a fifth.

  There had been no slow and easy lovemaking. All four times had been wild and heated. He wondered if the desperation for her would ever fade. It was almost as if, having been denied for two years, the wolf within was greedy and afraid of losing his mate again. Shaking his head, Nigel stretched and rose from the bed. Not bothering with any clothes, he walked into the kitchen, leaning against the doorjamb to watch her, much as he had yesterday morning.

  He decided he loved the sight of her moving around the kitchen. The way her ass moved beneath her long t-shirt was poetry in motion. He cock roared to life as his mouth watered.