Page 29 of Diners, Damsels & Wolves

Nine Weeks Later

Running through the trees, Clarissa laughed. Her hair was loose, dancing around her face. She twisted her body to smile back at him. The air was full of July warmth, making her face glisten. The sheer pink negligee she wore pulled around her hips as she ran from him.

Tom’s maroon wolf chased her, nipping playfully at her heels. He was full of her. Her scent—sweet sweat mixed with peonies and her arousal—filled his senses. The way her body moved, teasing him for the chase. It drove him wild; he couldn’t wait any longer.

Kicking up dirt, he darted to the side. Circling around her he blocked her path. Too fast for her to react, she slammed into his chest, still laughing.

Wrapping his arms around her, he lifted her from the ground and nuzzled her with his snout. She leaned back with a moan as he breathed her in. The scent of her arousal was stronger this close. It made his dick twitch.

One hand resting on her back, he held her weight. The other hand on her shoulder steadied her. She spread her legs, inviting him in. He hesitated.

She shot him a look. “All of my stitches are out, and my cast is off.” She brandished her now free right arm. “You promised .”

He growled. Why had he made her that promise? He knew better; he was too large for her.

Why, why had he been that careless? Oh yeah … it was supposed to feel amazing, and you couldn’t get a woman pregnant in wolf form.

Clarissa had been adamant she didn’t want children, at least for a while. She’d spent so long being a caretaker, she didn’t want to jump into parenthood. He was more than happy to oblige her wishes and this was one guaranteed way. Once more, after she’d heard about it, she pleaded with him using those large hazel eyes. He’d said yes to placate her, hoping she would forget. She hadn’t.

He was going to kill whoever in the pack told her about this. Sure, they all did this with their mates or just for fun, but honestly. Most of them were with other shifters who were stronger and healed quickly. Not only that, but his wolf was almost ten feet tall when the rest of them were all under eight.

He looked between them. His erection was as wide as the space between her thighs. The tip reached her navel. It throbbed. She wanted this, she’d been begging him, and he wanted it too.

It was more than the heightened feel of the orgasm. It was the closeness, it was marking her as his in the most primal way, and it was symbolic. Clarissa not only accepted him as a supernatural being, she embraced it.

Kneeling, he laid her on the ground. Grumbling in protest, she tried to get up. He pressed a hand to her chest.

Nuzzling between her thighs, he licked her vulva. Swirling his tongue over her puckering hole, then her entrance, he went up to her swollen clit. He flicked it once. Gasping, she wrapped her legs around his neck.

He pressed his tongue inside her. Pushing in further, exploring, the taste of her excitement sent shivers down his spine. The hand on her chest teased her nipples.

She whimpered and writhed under his ministrations. Moving his broad, wet tongue in and out, her breath became ragged.

“Tom,” she whined.

Pulling out, he left trails of drool over her wanton opening. Moving up, he attacked her clit, swirling over the swollen nub until her body contracted, screaming his name.

Phasing back to human, he trailed kisses up her leg. She was dripping with his saliva.

“You promised,” she said.

“So impatient,” he muttered.

Getting to his feet, he lifted her off the ground. With one hand supporting her back, he pushed inside her. She was slick and dripping wet. Placing his other hand firmly between her breasts, he looked into her eyes.

“Hold still,” he said.

He phased as slowly as he could, careful to keep only the tip inside her.

As his body grew, he felt himself expanding inside her. Fixated on her face, he watched her eyes close, her mouth going slack.

He paused, giving her time to adjust.

Panting, she looked at him and nodded.

He slid her further down his erection. Head falling back, she arched into him. Moving her up and down, he started slow.

Mouth agape in a silent scream, whimpering cries escaped her lips. Her eyes rolled and her legs went slack.

Spurred by her reaction, he moved faster, thrusting his hips with the movements. Her skin covered with sweat; the sheer pink fabric of her negligee clung to her hard nipples as her breasts bounced. The ruffled lace edges bunched over the part in her legs, soaking in the juices of their connection.

Moving his hand from between her breasts, he held her neck. She clutched at his forearm; panting and crying, her tongue lulled out. His fingers flexed. He was close. The pressure was building, his dick started to swell, stretching her to her limit.

Jolting upright, Clarissa screamed his name. Body going rigid, she clenched around him. His knot, fully formed, held her fast as his tip exploded. His hands flexed around her neck.

Panting and yelling, she continued to jerk her hips as one orgasm chased another. He felt himself pulsating inside her as his knot continued to pump, filling her with him.

Clutching at his chest, she cried and gasped, her legs spasming uncontrollably. He held her through it all. She was breathtaking, yelling his name in the throes of passion, taking everything he gave her. He wanted all of her.

Her passion, her love, her sex, everything about her consumed him as he claimed it all for himself. Filling her to the breaking point as she clenched around him, screaming his name—nothing else in this lifetime would ever compare to it.

It felt like an eternity of pleasure before his knot started to subside, taking his erection with it.

Phasing back to human, he slid out of her in a gush of cum.

Laying her on the grass, she let out a tired whimper. She was stretched out more than he thought possible, his juices still spilling out.

Laying down, he pulled her onto his chest. Brushing the hair back from her sweat-slick face, he kissed her forehead. She hummed contentedly. Her face, her spirit, everything about her was glowing. Her hand rested against his chest, her sapphire engagement ring catching stray rays of sun. He never wanted this moment to end.

“Told you it would fit,” she said.

He chuckled. “Can you even walk?”

“Not yet,” she said.

“I think we need to shower before the ceremony,” he said.

She grumbled in response. He kissed her and let her rest a bit longer.

Getting up, he helped her to her feet. Her knees gave out. Scooping her into his arms, he knit his brow.

“Are you sure you’re not hurt?” Tom asked.

“Extremely sure,” she said. “We are definitely doing that again.”

Laughing, he carried her to where they left their clothes.

“What was with the nightie?” he asked as she pulled a sundress over the sheer pink negligee.

“You know in the movies the girl is always wearing her nightgown as the monster chases her through the woods. I thought it would be fun.”

“It was, but I think I prefer you naked.” He kissed her.

Moaning, she pressed her body into him and nipped at his bottom lip.

“Oh no, we are going to be late. Besides, you can hardly walk.”

“What’s your point?”

“What am I going to do with you?” Tom lifted her into his arms again.

“I can give you a list, if you like.”

Laughing, he carried her back to the house. Laying her head against his chest, her nimble fingers lazily traced the outlines of his tattoo. Black ink twisted and wound over his left pec, over his heart, weaving into a peony encased by Celtic knots. He’d gotten it two weeks ago and it was already fully healed. Feeling her caress it made his heart swell; he gripped her tighter in his arms and kissed the top of her head.

Once she and Rachel were released from the hospital, they both moved into the mansion. He convinced Clarissa to reduce her hours at Donna’s Diner and to start taking art classes at the community college again. Clarissa had tried to mask it, but he saw how eager she was for this change. Donna happily cut her hours and hung up some of her graphites for sale in the dining room.

Sleeping next to her every night, seeing her every day, having her scent fill his room, he’d never been happier. Although, he had to have a serious conversation about how much bleach she used to clean after she unintentionally burned everyone’s noses. She happily switched to using vinegar, which was unpleasant but less abrasive.

At first, he was worried about her acceptance of the supernatural underground and living with the pack. But she’d shocked him with the ease at which she’d acclimated to this life.

Making friends, she’d gone out on girls’ nights and hosted movie marathons. Attending pack meetings, she took every oddity thrown at her in stride. Once more, he’d discovered she was highly adept at mediation. She’d become an integral part of pack arguments and discussions, helping soothe disagreements before they became fights. The selfish part of him was relieved he finally had someone at his side to share the burden of pack duties. She seemed happier than he’d ever seen her. It made his heart sing.

He’d done, and would continue to do, everything in his power to make her happy. His Clarissa. His mate.

* * *

“You look beautiful, aunty,” Clarissa cooed from her chair as she watched Mary add the finishing touches to her hair. Crystal flowers decorated an elaborate up-do similar to her own.

“I can’t believe this is actually happening.” Rachel dabbed at her eyes.

The spell impacting her memory had been fully lifted six weeks ago. They’d explained it to the non-supernatural people in their lives by saying it was an undetected infection found while she was in the hospital recovering from the fire. They were able to get rid of it with a set of IV antibiotics administered by a doctor at their home. No one questioned it.

Rachel had confessed to Clarissa she remembered all of her bad days. She’d cried and apologized profusely for what she put her through. Meanwhile, Clarissa had cried tears of joy and relief at having her aunt back.

Clasping a delicate necklace onto Rachel, Clarissa rested her chin on her shoulder. “You ready?” she asked.

“As I’ll ever be,” Rachel said.

“Chin up, you’ll go far, girl.” Clarissa held her hand as they got up and made their way downstairs.

Picking up her bouquet of white roses, she handed the other to Rachel. The wedding march sounded from the back lawns. The porch doors opened to reveal the whole pack, her fellow diner workers, and the entire Fairville precinct sitting in rows of white chairs.

Beaming at her new family, she walked down the aisle. The balmy summer air kissed her skin. The navy blue satin dress she wore matched the sapphire ring settled on her left hand. It was oval and set in a halo of diamonds, and absolutely perfect, because of the man who’d given it to her.

Her dress was strappy, long ribbons crisscrossing down an open back. For the first time, she didn’t mind showing off.

Standing next to the flower-covered arch, she watched Rachel come out of the house next. She was stunning in a vintage-cut white satin gown. Her eyes swam as Tom walked her down the aisle to where Sheriff Greg stood waiting. He and Tom looked dashing in their black tuxes, the vests and bow ties navy blue.

Stopping at the arch, Tom kissed Rachel on the forehead and sat in the front row.

Tears spilled down Clarissa’s face as she watched her newly revived aunt get her happily ever after. She couldn’t think of anyone more deserving.

Two hours later, Rachel and Greg were married, and everyone had a lovely feast provided by the army of chefs in the pack. Music now echoed under a giant white canopy. Tom had taken his jacket off, rolling up his sleeves to enjoy the party. He held her close as they swayed on the dance floor under the awning.

Clarissa switched between people watching and staring helplessly up at Tom. Guests were making their way to Rachel and Greg, offering congratulations. Some of the younger pack members were making fools of themselves dancing wildly. She loved every minute of it.

Being in Tom’s house, the pack’s house, she was constantly surrounded by people. People who asked nothing of her other than for her to be herself. Spending weekends baking with them, staying up late to watch movies with a group of rowdy teens. She didn’t feel alone, and she’d made more friends than she’d ever had before.

Maria and Sam sat together, their newborn cradled in Maria’s arms as Sam held her. A healthy baby boy, who she’d conceded to name Levi.

Even Thressa was there, in a black velvet corset dress, her raven hair pinned up, her lips painted blood red today. Over their time working out the spell, she and Rachel had become unlikely friends. She went up to Rachel and kissed her full on the mouth, offering her congratulations. After shaking Greg’s hand, she went back to dancing with various men and women in the pack.

Clarissa was happy to see the witch was well again. Her face was full and her eyes bright. Maria had explained spell casting took more than energy from the caster. The last time Clarissa saw Thressa, her face was gaunt and worn, and her hair looked brittle and dull. She idly wondered how witches replenished themselves.

Jeff and Eugene swayed in small circles next to them. Every now and then, Sara and Nathon twirled by in dramatic, graceful spins. Sylvia and her husband danced with their children, holding hands in a circle.

Tom pulled her in closer. Cupping her face, he pulled her in for a kiss. Warmth spread through her. When she first left the hospital, Tom was cautious and guarded around her. Treating her as if the slightest thing would break her or send her running. It took a lot of late-night conversations and consistency before he relaxed.

He was her rock, her protector, and the love of her life. She had no intention of going anywhere.

“How did I get so lucky?” She held his face, brushing her thumb across his cheek.

“Funny, I was just thinking the same thing.” He leaned in close. “I love you.”

“I love you more,” she said.

“Not possible.”

Laughing, she lifted up on her toes and kissed him again.

The End