Page 31 of Heartless Wolf (Wolf Moon Rejected #1)

CHAPTER 31 - DASH

Dinner at Liv’s place and a movie. Date night. Laptop perched on her porch table screening a fucking chick flick. My Lunar mate turned me into a pussy. A willing pussy if we were together.

Arm slung over her shoulder, I dragged her deeper into my chest and stroked the side of her cheek, indenting the pizza box on my lap. Liv snuggled harder into my pec, lips greasy with cheese oil, breath scented with garlic, tomato, and salami. The more time we spent together, the closer we got, my steady and careful grip on control slipping, edging me nearer to claiming her, thrusting us deeper into danger.

I lifted her chin with my finger, and she glanced up from the movie. Umbra Hester ordered me to return her by dusk and remain on her cabin’s porch if I wanted to be near her. One of few rules I obeyed for my mate’s sake.

The guard he posted out front lit up a cigarette, the smoke fanning away from us in the crisp summer night breeze. Wary of the soldier’s objections to my presence inside, we set up our date night outside to avoid further penalties. Nothing, not even her father, was keeping me from her.

Losing her scared me more than any consequence to the pack or the club. How fucked up was that? For four years I built up the riding club into a position to transition into a business, simultaneously learning the reins with Father to take over Pack Lumbry. Everything I worked so hard for felt insignificant when it came to her.

My alluring mate smiled, emphasizing her slick lips, and I leaned down, taking them with mine, brushing over her mouth to drink down her delicious taste. After our time in the forest this afternoon, I couldn’t get enough of her, taking her straight back to my room, where we spent most of the day.

“Wait,” she murmured, trying to pull away. “Let me pause it. I’m gonna miss it.”

I inched her mouth back to mine. “Who gives a shit?” I was here for her, not some dumb movie called 27 Dresses .

She rolled out of my hold. “Brian’s over there. He’ll report to my father.”

I huffed out a laugh. “I played by your father’s rules. I’m out on the porch where a dog belongs.”

Only for another twenty-seven days. Then she’d be mine. Father wouldn’t interfere in my relationship once we were mated, though he could reprimand me with sentinel duty for a month to keep me away from her.

She shoved at my chest. “Don’t say that.”

I urged her face closer and kissed her, biting her lip to silence her protest. “Bring out your inner bad girl and dance around them with me.”

The husky laugh that vibrated her throat had me instantly hard.

I pressed her palm to my heart. “How ‘bout we give old Brian a show?”

She snorted into my chest. “You corrupt me more every day.”

No, I was the catalyst to make her own choices. The inspiration to take what she wanted with no apologies. Fuck what her father thought. Heat soured my belly that she let her needs come last, behind her father’s cowardice to stand up to TJ, her duty to her pack, and at exiling her heart from mine. The culmination of events post-Lunar Ceremony pushed her to the breaking point. My mate was powerful in her own right, smart, practical, and more than fucking capable of making the right decisions for the future of her pack, just like I was.

Our fathers were the stubborn assholes who refused to listen and compromise on ideas to better the pack and fortify security.

Brian took the hint and gave us space, adjusting his position another hundred feet away, sucking down his cigarette, admiring the last rays of peachy sunlight in the purple sky. Beau joined him, the two chatting about football and bikes, before my enforcer led the Hester soldier over to his Cruiser.

I brought Beau along as added protection in lieu of Steele, who had to get home to his kid, Abby.

The movie droned in the background as I selected another slice of pizza, feeding it to my mate, savoring the way she hummed at me, her teeth sinking into the crust and tearing off a piece. The way her lips pressed together when she chewed and smiled at me. The way she only had eyes for me. My throat revved like my damn bike, my wolf content with caring for his mate, sated from all our all-day sex marathon.

I leaned over to the outdoor table to grab my cider and lifted it to her lips. She accepted the drink, wrapping her fucking sweet, luscious mouth over the bottle head, and fuck me, I hardened in memory at her sucking my dick several times this afternoon. The woman knew how to work her mouth, her talented damn tongue, suggesting she had plenty of practice going down on a guy.

I had to hold back my feral wolf from punishing her for granting another man’s cock passage between her lips. I pushed those thoughts aside now that I had her back. And the looming threat of the witch or TJ fucking Malice taking her from me.

I never went to these lengths with any other woman. Dates, feeding, cuddling, sexy whispers in their ears. Those women meant nothing to me and didn’t hold a candle to the one draped in my lap.

Steele surprised me by showing up at half past eight, and my instincts went to Code Red alert. I prodded Liv off my lap to meet him at his bike. “What happened?”

“Relax.” Steele gave me a light punch to the shoulder to calm down. “Abby’s staying with the grandparents.”

I glanced back at his bike, his sleeping rucksack secured with straps, and my heartbeat dropped off fifty beats.

I rucked my hair. “I thought you were going to say the Malices got out or some shit.”

“Nah.” Steele’s gaze drifted to the cabin, beyond Liv curled on the outdoor sofa waving at him, to the window glowing with soft golden light. To Heather, legs outstretched on a recliner chair, fingering the pages of a book.

I clued on to where this was going. Something happened back at the clubhouse earlier this morning. A private chat with Heather, perhaps. Serious enough for him to abandon his post of guarding our mates. Alcohol wafted from his breath after, but I didn’t pull him up on it or check in with him. Didn’t get the chance when my mate begged me for a run. The cock took over after that. Sex all afternoon kept me busy.

Longing replaced the shame burning in his eyes. Days ago, he wanted to dig a hole and bury himself in it for being a heartless asshole. He could deny it all he wanted, but him coming here wasn’t him following an order, he wanted to be closer to his mate. Guilt ate him up and he wanted to atone for his mistake. My best friend never went to this much trouble over a woman besides his wife. A spark of hope flamed to life inside me that he found his way back to Heather.

I missed the gruff, happy man, who used to smile every day, even more when his daughter burst into the world. Now all I had to hold onto were fleeting glances of sunlight between storm clouds.

“I’m gonna scale the perimeter.” Steele gave me his classic grunt, tipping his head up, gesturing for me to return to my mate.

“Why don’t you go inside?” I rubbed his shoulder. “There’s leftover pizza.”

“An order’s an order, pup .” The asshole reminded me of Umbra Joe’s insult to remain outside and I gritted my teeth. “She doesn’t want me inside anyway.”

He thumped me on the shoulder and moved away, stalking around the side of the house to conduct his boundary inspection.

An hour later, Steele returned, and Liv took pity on him, taking the leftovers and offering them to him. He grunted a thanks and took it down to Beau, who set up camp by his Cruiser, keeping watch. The two of them tucked into the pizzas like starved wolves.

Liv and I stayed up another hour watching some dumb-ass action flick with plot holes and ridiculous action sequences so far out of reality I had to suspend my disbelief. We ended up mocking it and making wisecracks at how stupid it was.

By the time 20:00 rolled around, I patted the side of her ass. “Time for bed, Mooncrack. I don’t want your father roasting my ass and banning me from seeing you at all.”

“No, I’m sleeping out here with you,” she groaned, sliding off me, picking up the tartan woolen blanket, flicking it and unraveling it, and settling it over our reclined forms. “Your toes stick out.”

I pinched her side and she wriggled. “Can’t help it if I’m too tall.”

“I love how tall you are.” She realized her mistake with the L word and buried her face in my chest, depriving me of her eyes. “The stars are clear and beautiful tonight.” Cover-up conversation.

She had nothing to be ashamed of. The woman owned my heart and could tell me she damn well loved me all day long. I felt like I died all over again at her lack of trust in me. That she couldn’t bring herself to say it when I knew she felt it. The tug of our hearts, our wolves, our souls, entangled forever.

“How would you know? You can’t see it when you’re perving on my chest.” I pried her face from my nipple with my forefinger, lifting her head up.

She giggled and my wolf purred. “I got plenty of examination of your chest today.”

“Yeah?” My finger swiped her appled pink cheek. Discontent with one sweep, I circled her cheekbones, relishing her smooth, flawless skin.

“Yeah.” She accepted another sip of cider before she pushed me away. My wolf whined at her rejection when he was happy to feed her all night. Happy to snuggle, stroke, kiss, nip, lick. Anything she wanted.

I rolled her over, adjusting her so that her back rested against my chest, letting her watch the midnight sky and crescent moon. Unable to keep my hands off her, I stroked her sides, arm, belly, and thigh, cheekily nudging my hand between us to cup her decadently round and ample ass. Electricity crackled on my fingertips the instant I snuck under her shirt to connect with her skin. Her eyes closed and she moaned, leaning back into me, bringing my cock to full attention. I ignored the horny bastard. Today was plenty. She was still sore from how much and how hard I fucked her. And yes, I earned that squeak of her name, several times over.

The Lunar goddess dressed the onyx sky with luminescent light from a meteor shower. A replica of the shooting stars raining down over the wolf of our Lunar tattoo.

Liv murmured in appreciation, and I kissed her neck.

“Sleep, my mate. You had a big day today.” I played with her hair, brushing it from her shoulder, stroking along the back and sides of her head.

She giggled again. “Is that a euphemism for your giant cock?”

Cheeky thing. This was the woman that haunted my dreams. Slowly she let down another wall and came back to me. I slapped her ass. “It’s here if you want more.”

Her sleepy smile said she wouldn’t say no, but my wolf yawned, indicating I should let her sleep. I wrapped us in the blanket and set her head under my chin.

“Goodnight, beautiful.” I kissed behind her ear. “We’ve got another big day tomorrow.”

She fisted my shirt. “Define big. Does it entail cock?”

I laughed, nibbled her neck and tickled her sides, getting the cute little squeak I quickly came to love. “Someone has cock on the brain.”

She got in a quick kiss of my throat before I pulled back to look at her. “I’m gonna take you for a proper ride.”

“One that doesn’t involve kidnapping?”

“Smartass.” I bit her neck hard enough to leave a bruise and won a squeak. Fuck, I loved that damn squeak. “No. I promised Castor, another of the Bathurst Jackals, to get a rare flower from the Newnes Plateau as thanks for getting the Malices locked up for longer.”

She groaned, grabbed the sides of my head, and pushed me back.

“Business with pleasure.” I licked a slow, long line from her collarbone to her jaw. Bad move. Woke the cock again. “I want to show you around my home.” I stroked her chin. “Your home.”

The pleased smile she granted me felt like shooting stars raced through my chest, and I leaned down to kiss her nose and tuck her to me.

Warbling birds and the crack of light on the horizon woke me the next morning. Liv murmured in my arms, and I buried my face in her neck, breathing her in, grateful Umbra Hester afforded me this luxury. Waking up with her in my arms was the most addictive feeling. Better than riding a hundred miles down an empty road on my bike. Better than hunting in my wolf skin.

The scent of sausage and eggs lugged me out of my reclined position where I rested Liv’s head in my lap. Banging inside suggested Heather got up early to make breakfast. I smiled, assuming she and Steele had a heart-to-heart last night. Fucker better not have raised attention if he snuck inside.

My second-in-command rose from his spot beside his bike, lifting his head, motioning with his hands and mouth for breakfast. I gave him a nod and he climbed to his feet, breaking the distance between us and the cabin, taking the steps two at a time. Right as he lifted his fist to knock on the door, it swung open and Heather emerged from the cabin, carrying a tray full of plates.

She smiled shyly when she set the coffee pot, mugs, cream, and two glasses of juice down in front of him. Him, not Liv. Peace offering. Omelet with chorizo, mushroom, spring onion, parsley, and cheese. Fuck, it smelled good.

“Coffee or juice?” Heather asked him.

“Coffee.” Steele’s usual grunt came out softer.

“Coffee, please, Nimble,” I interrupted their little moment, grinning like a smartass at the nickname.

Heather picked up a slice of chorizo and threw it at me. It hit my shirt and rolled onto Liv, startling her awake, and she pushed off my lap, sitting up, rubbing sleep from her eyes. I growled at her sister, and she gave me the middle finger.

“Sleep well, Moonshine?” Steele murmured. Fuck, the name was adorable. Even I had to admit it.

Heather lit up at the use of it, picking up a plate and burrowing it her lap, picking at her food with her fork. “Not with you sniffing around my window all night.”

I blew a breath out of my rounded lips to stop myself laughing at my best friend’s antics prowling around restlessly last night. Someone cared more than he let on. Rejected mate, my ass. This was his way of showing her he was sorry when he didn’t use many words to express himself.

Steele broke into a rare smile, warmth thawing his tawny gaze. “Gotta protect my mate.”

She sniffed at that. Sassy little thing threw chorizo at him. He caught it, smiling proudly as he tossed it into his mouth, chewing it like he won an Olympic medal.

Ice splintered on our bond, falling away from his heart, showing me those two stood a chance. My best friend had a lot of work on that front if he wanted her back.

I passed Liv a plate and scooped food from it and fed her.

“You two!” Heather squealed and clasped her hands together.

Steele pretended to barf. Those two were polar opposites. Romantic versus caveman.

They both went to grab the coffee pot at the same time. Steele snatched it and poured them both a drink. “How do you take it, Moonshine?”

“Cream and one sugar, please.” She dipped her head to hide her thrilled smile.

Liv squeezed my thigh, and her delight spilled across our link.

Steel dutifully prepared his mate’s coffee, and my wolf thrummed at witnessing him pussy whipped once more after years of cold emptiness.

“Thank you.” Heather beamed at him, thick, dark lashes sweeping over her cheeks as she glanced down at her steaming mug.

Steele began to rumble, and her gaze snapped up.

“Do you guys need a room?” I gave Steele the hint to make his move and apologize.

Liv slapped my leg and elbowed my stomach.

Cheeks flushing pink, Heather dove into her drink and didn’t look up again.

Steele’s jaw ground and he flicked me an irritated glare.

I was just playing love match. Those two needed a little nudge. Or maybe they didn’t. They seemed to warm up in their slow burn admiration of each other.

Steele ruined the moment, jumping to business with, “Alaric’s meeting us at the club at 13:00,” before throwing back half his caffeine. He always reverted to a common topic when put on the spot and didn’t know what to say.

“I’m taking Liv for a ride to Newnes Plateau first thing. You and Beau want to come for a ride?” Take the hint, asshole.

Steele’s gaze cut to Heather. “Want to come for a ride, Moonshine?”

That’s my man.

She shook her head, fingers going white from her grip on her mug handle. “I don’t like bikes.”

We’d have to change that if she eventually became Steele’s.

Liv rubbed at her knees to signal to Steele the reason, and he nodded, gaze hardening as if contemplating how else to win back his mate. Kudos to him for trying.

“Another time.” Steele busied himself with eating to elude talking when he wasn’t much of a conversationalist… unless you got him drunk or on a topic he was mad about. Sports, bikes, boats, his kid.

I widened my eyes at him, hinting at him not to give up so easy and try again, but he didn’t look at me despite repeated prods on the bond. Steele was rigid like his namesake sometimes and couldn’t be moved. Fuck. Let them deal with it. My time as a love matchmaker came to a short end.