Page 17 of In the Mouth of the Wolf (Of Wolves and Kings #1)

17

MARLOWE

M y heart raced as we pulled up to the front of the hotel. “You can just drop me off here.”

Elias put the car in park and reached over, grabbing my hand. His bergamot and pepper scent washed over me, followed by a fresh wave of my own guilt. Another man’s smell shouldn’t simultaneously calm me and turn me on like this. When had I become such a horny, unfaithful monster?

“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay and wait?” he asked.

I really did, for some reason. But I didn’t think Mike would appreciate having my dad’s very attractive lawyer acting like a chaperone.

“No, it’s probably for the best you don’t.”

He gave my hand a final squeeze before letting go. “I understand. You have my number in case you need anything, right? I’ll just be right down the road.”

I took a deep breath, steeling myself to leave. “I… I don’t even know what to say.” Even after I convinced Mike I was alive and apologized enough to make up for the torture I’d put him through, I still needed to interact with Elias and Camden regarding my dad’s inheritance. Knowing these feelings existed between us was going to make it impossible.

“You don’t need to say anything. Take your time, and we’ll deal with your father’s will when you’re ready. Even if you need to return home first for a while. We’re not going anywhere.”

I couldn’t explain why, but I was having trouble getting out of the car. “Nolan offered to set me up with a pack of beta females in California,” I blurted in an attempt to continue our conversation.

His eyes lit with amusement. “Did he, now? But why would you need a pack of beta females if shifters don’t exist? What did you call us, ‘delusional LARPers’ or something to that effect?”

I let out a small laugh. “Yeah, something like that. Hypothetically speaking, if shifters did exist and I was an omega, I’m still unbonded. And if I want to walk freely without an escort for the rest of my life, I need to find a pack, right?”

He rubbed his chin with his thumb, watching me carefully. “Yes, you would. But I actually know a very nice pack right here that happens to have an omega position available, if you’re interested. And I think we might be able to offer you a bit more protection than beta females.”

I studied his face, the way his blonde hair curled ever so slightly at the ends and fell into his green eyes. He sported a scruffy beard from days of not shaving, and his lips looked kissably soft.

My breath hitched and his nostrils flared.

“I want to marry Mike,” I said. Was it to convince myself or Elias? “And I don’t think he’d be okay with the type of relationship an omega would have with a pack of alphas. And I can’t sentence you all to a life of permanent blue balls, either.”

Elias sighed, looking out the window. “Marriages fail all the time, California. But pack bonds are for life.”

His scent saturated the air, heating my core. Shit, was I actually wet? I still had to meet Mike. This wasn’t good. Why was my body still reacting this way?

He turned around quickly, his pupils dilating as he looked at me. “Archer didn’t want me to bring it up, but I have to,” he said. “You’re attracted to us. I can smell the arousal on you. And you want to claim us. You turned feral today at the sight of another woman just touching Nolan. You can’t deny it when the evidence is overwhelmingly in our favor. I know you love your fiancé, and I’ll respect whatever decision you make. But really think it over. Don’t just choose out of obligation or convention.”

I clenched my thighs together. “I’ve been on pills that have suppressed my shifter hormones since I was a teenager. At least, that’s what Archer thinks. If I go back on them, these urges will go away, and I’ll stop…”

“Stop what, being who and what you are? Is that really how you want to live your life?” I felt my heart leap up my throat as he continued, his chest heaving. “It suited you well enough when you thought you were just a human, but now that you know you’re not, how can you refuse this integral part of your identity? You’ll be living a lie, constantly in fear that one day the meds will stop working and you’ll have to explain to your husband why you need him to fuck you for four days straight as you descend into a heat. Why strange men are beating down your door screaming about knotting you when your scented slick attracts every shifter in the city.”

I placed my hands over my ears and dropped my head. His words cut like glass, leaving me bleeding in my seat. Maybe he was right, maybe he wasn’t, but I wouldn’t know until I saw Mike. Would I feel relieved? Disappointed? I was torn in a million directions and each one would mean leaving someone in pain behind me.

“I have to go,” I whimpered. I opened the door quickly before Elias could stop me, leaving my bag in the trunk. I would get it later. I just needed Mike.

I sprinted inside and pushed the call button for the elevator, double checking the room number he’d texted me, and knocked on the door once I arrived. He opened it in a flash, his face wracked with worry. He picked me up by my thighs and cradled me into his chest as I wrapped my arms and legs around him. Then he closed the door and walked me over to the bed.

“I was so scared. Don’t ever do that to me again,” he said, his voice shaking.

I sobbed into the crook of his neck, wordlessly nodding. He didn’t have a natural musk like the alphas, but he smelled like home. How could I ever have even considered leaving him?

He laid me down on the bed, his hands holding my cheeks. His violet eyes carefully inspected my skin while his fingers ran up and down my neck like he was searching for an injury. “Has anyone touched you? Hurt you?”

My face flushed. “No,” I replied, even though it felt like a lie. “I’m fine. It’s just been really hard dealing with all my dad’s shit.”

He closed his eyes, breathing hard as his hand crept around my throat, gripping it softly. “I was afraid I’d lost you. I would tear the world apart for you, my Lunessa. Without you, I am nothing.”

His mouth crashed into mine, angry and relieved and claiming. We separated only briefly to take off our tops, and the familiar sight of his chiseled chest released my slick, as the alphas had called it. Mike’s eyes darkened and he panted. “Your pills – you haven’t been taking them.”

How did he even know, and why was he reacting like a shifter? Was I really so potent even humans could tell when I was turned on? “Sorry, I…”

“Shh…” he placed a finger on my lips. “It’s fine, just let me fuck you. I need to be inside you before I can think clearly again.”

“Shouldn’t we use a condom?” The haze of lust wasn’t so thick I’d forgotten that at least.

He unbuckled his belt, pulling his pants down and releasing his hardened cock. “I’ll pull out.”

Before I could object, he’d tugged my leggings off, using them to tie my hands above me. Once we were both completely naked, he sat on top, straddling my waist. “You’re mine , Marlowe.”

I’d never seen Mike like this before. He’d always taken a more dominant role in the bedroom, however this was ferocious. Frenzied, even. I was a little scared but also excited, wondering what exactly he was going to do to me.

He grabbed my throat again, tighter than he had before. “ Mine .”

“Y-yes, Mike.”

His mouth lowered to my neck, kissing and biting gently down my chest until he reached my breasts. He took my nipple between his teeth, pressing down until I yelped in pain. His cock twitched at the sound of it, and he groaned as he lowered himself further to my sex, wrenching my legs apart.

His eyes bored into mine, and the first lick sent me straight into oblivion, my back arching in pleasure.

“You taste so sweet. You have no idea.”

His tongue lapped me greedily, circling my clit and delving into my pussy. I moaned, struggling against the ties that kept my hands together. I wanted to run my fingers through his thick, soft hair, but that was off the table tonight it seemed. He wanted to be in control, likely from feeling so not in control since I’d left. I would let him do whatever he needed to and would enjoy every second of his delicious torment.

My breath quickened as my orgasm neared, a high-pitched whine escaping my lips. I was so close, just...

Suddenly, Mike leapt over, grabbing my chin and forcing his tongue into my mouth. I vocalized my disappointment, but enjoyed the kiss, leaning into him until he pulled back roughly. “You think it’s going to be that easy? No, you won’t come until I allow you to.”

He crawled up further until his cock was in front of my face. He leaned against the wall behind the bed with one arm for support, the other gripping the base of his shaft. His corded muscles twitched in the faded light. “Open.”

I did as commanded, and he began easing himself inside my mouth. Slowly at first, watching in awe as my lips enveloped him, hissing from the feeling of my tongue running along his skin.

He started thrusting faster, ignoring my grunts as his girthy length triggered my gag reflex and sent tears to my eyes.

“Take it, Lunessa. Your body was built for this. For me. You’re going to take my cock wherever and whenever I want to fuck you. Do you understand?”

He pushed himself up until his balls slapped my chin, then grabbed my hair roughly. “I asked you a question.”

I nodded, another stream of slick running down from me as he continued. I’d never known this kind of treatment could be such a turn on, but being the object of his desire was thrilling. I couldn’t believe I’d almost let a passing limerence, or four, come between us.

He didn’t stop punishing my mouth with his cock, going faster and faster until he groaned, thick ropes of cum exploding down my throat. “That’s a good girl,” he cooed. “Swallow it all. That’s your reward.”

I batted my eyelashes and nodded, doing as he instructed, licking my lips as he pulled himself out, his cock still pulsing.

“Fuck, you’re so perfect.” He kissed me again and backed away, his hand kneading my breast and pinching my nipple sharply. It slid down my abdomen back to my clit, rubbing it gently. “You’re so wet for me. You missed me, didn’t you?”

“Yes,” I moaned, writhing from his touch.

“Did anybody else touch this pussy while I was away?”

Why did it feel like he knew something strange had happened to me? He’d never been so jealous or insecure before. If we went to a bar or party and someone tried to hit on me, his reaction was usually to laugh because he was so confident that I would never leave him.

“No,” I breathed. It wasn’t technically a lie. Archer hadn’t touched me directly, at least.

His fingers slid inside me, circling my walls and pushing against my G-spot. I bucked my hips, desperate for more.

“Good, because who does this pussy belong to?” He whispered, his breath caressing my ear, his tongue running up the outer shell.

“You!” I cried. “Please Mike, fuck me!”

He chuckled, shoving his fingers in deeper. “Begging for more of my cock already? That’s why you’re special, Lunessa. You’re insatiable. And luckily for you, so am I.”

Then he flipped me over, my hands twisting in the leggings, and pulled my ass up into the air. He positioned himself behind me, clicking his tongue as he ran his hand down my back. A sharp crack on my ass cheek elicited a muffled scream as I buried my face in a pillow, and he soothed the pain by rubbing the skin with his palm.

Mike had jokingly spanked me in the bedroom before, but never like this. I clenched in anticipation of the next slap, yelping when it came swiftly after.

His fingers pushed inside me again, and he took my slick and applied it where he’d struck me. “This turns you on, doesn’t it? Getting punished for your bad behavior. You’re normally such a good girl and I don’t have to resort to such lessons, but perhaps it’s time for you to misbehave a little more often. Within reason, of course.”

He slapped me again and the slick ran down my leg in a steady stream. “Mike, please…” I begged. I knew this wasn’t my heat – I still had all my faculties, but for how horny I was, it might as well have been. My pussy was achingly empty, and I arched my back further.

“You’re so desperate for my cock, aren’t you?” He rubbed the head against my entrance, and I tried to push back into him. He tsked and slapped me one more time.

“I’ll decide when you’re ready, Lunessa. I am your master, and you will obey me. Tell me you know this now.”

I turned my head, gripping the leggings desperately that bound me. “Yes!”

His hands wrapped around my hips and his cock speared into me with such force my head almost hit the headboard. His thrusts were angry, hard, and fast, but exactly what my swollen, wet pussy needed. I whined in pleasure, his fingers digging into my skin so hard I thought they might leave bruises.

He lost himself to the sex, no longer speaking as he fucked me thoroughly. My climax hastened, and my inner walls clenched around him as the euphoria built. My finally orgasm tore through me, and I panted my release with soft, desperate cries.

Finally, he slowed for a moment until he thrust one more time, coming inside.

“Wait!” I breathed. “Mike…”

He grunted, pulling himself out once his dick stopped pulsating inside me, flipping me over again and crawling over my body. “I told you, you’re mine . That means when I want to come inside you, I will.” He then headed to the bathroom, closing the door behind him and going straight into the shower.

I laid there, stunned, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. Mike had never come inside me when I asked him not to. And he’d never just abandoned me like this after sex. I had enjoyed the roughness of him, but only because I thought it would be followed by cuddles.

This was simply punishment. Cold and cruel.

I finally wriggled my wrists free from the knot of leggings, and sat up, reaching for my phone so I could look up the closest pharmacy to get the morning after pill.

When I touched the screen, I realized I’d grabbed his by mistake, but the text that popped up made me pause.

Jen: We miss you, get back your Lunessa so we can be whole.

Why was Jen using that word? What did she even mean by “we?” There was a video in the next text from her, and I opened his phone to see what it was.

Jen and some woman I didn’t know were fucking. Begging for Mike to return.

On our bed.

Bile crept up my throat as I scrolled through their text history. How could he do this to me? Nude photos, videos of them having sex, of Mike and I having sex, and him and other women, punctuated with messages about wanting to fuck them and me, too.

They went back months. He’d been fucking his coworker and so many others, and they knew about me. Wanted me to join them.

My whole world turned upside down, the blood draining from my face. This wasn’t just cheating. There were so many layers to this betrayal, I couldn’t count them all.

I held back the vomit as I got dressed, pulling on my stretched-out leggings and throwing a sweater on top. I didn’t even bother with shoes, I just needed to get out of there.

I grabbed my phone and ran out of the room, tears blurring my vision as my trembling fingers tried in vain to type my passcode. I had to call Elias. I wanted him to hold me and take me back to Maiingan Hollow. My gut, my heart, knew I would be safe with my guys.

My pack .

I heard the door slam open and Mike rush down the hall, calling my name as the elevator doors closed in his face.

“Marlowe, it’s not what you think!”

I held myself, heaving and sobbing until I reached the lobby. I stumbled out, looking for a place to hide and wait until Elias could get me, and my breath stopped when I saw him pacing by the windows. He looked up as I approached, growling at my disheveled and distraught appearance. Quickly making up the distance between us, he pulled me into his chest, his scent creating a perfect bubble of comfort around me while I cried.

“I had a weird feeling. I couldn’t leave. What happened? Did he hurt you?”

Before I had a chance to speak, the elevator dinged and Mike ran out, calling my name.

There were a handful of people around, some parting for him while others looked at him in disbelief and disgust.

He found me in Elias’s arms and hissed. “Let go of her!”

I felt the power surge out of Elias’s muscles as he yanked me behind him, snarling. “Bloodsucker…” he seethed.

“Mutt,” Mike spat back.

Chaos erupted, as half the staff began to crouch into battle readiness, the other half running in terror. Mike cracked his neck and bared his teeth, his canines elongating and sharpening.

My face paled. Bloodsucker? Mutt? Did they know each other? “Elias,” I whispered. “What…”

“Vampyr trash,” he bellowed. “She doesn’t belong with you. She’s one of us.”

Vampyr? Like… vampire? What the fuck was going on?

Mike’s eyes scanned the room, watching as the shifters tightened around him. “I’m not here to fight. I’m here to take my fiancé home. We live as humans, and we don’t bother anybody. Come, Marlowe.” He gestured for my hand.

Grabbing Elias’s shoulder for support I yelled back at him. “I’m not going anywhere with you. You’ve been cheating on me!”

The rage that emanated off Elias was palpable, and the other shifters growled in response, circling closer and closer. Unbonded or not, it seemed shifters stuck together as one in the face of outside threats. And Mike, my shitty, cheating fiancé, was a threat.

“If you’d let me explain, Lunessa…”

“Lunessa?” Elias asked incredulously. “You mean to force her into a servaglio? An omega ?”

Mike hissed again, “Don’t pretend like you know anything about them. My servaglio and I worship her.”

Lunessa . I’d always thought it was just a cute pet name, but all this time, it had a much deeper meaning. And I wasn’t sure I wanted to discover what that was.

I ripped the ring from my finger and threw it at him. “We’re done, Mike. I don’t want anything to do with you, or Jen, or whoever else you’ve been fucking. Just go home!”

He winced at the sound of the ring bouncing off the floor, then picked it up and sighed. His face softened as he looked into my eyes. “ Lunessa, my love, you don’t mean that. Come, let’s talk about this back in the room .”

His words washed over me like a warm, gentle breeze. All the anger and fear left my body, and I felt happy. At peace. I dropped my hand from Elias’s shoulder.

Of course I didn’t mean it, Mike was my fiancé. I loved him. He would have a very reasonable explanation about this whole thing.

I took a step back towards him when a dominating bark brought me back to my senses. “Marlowe, stop !”

My tunnel vision cleared, my wrath returning. “What the hell…”

“You think you can compel your way out of this?” Elias asked, facing Mike. “I should rip you limb from limb, but for Marlowe’s sake, I will give you ten minutes to gather your things and leave. You will never bother her again, do you hear me?”

“I’m not leaving here without her!” Mike yelled back. He ran towards Elias, fangs bared, as Elias started towards him.

“No!” I screamed. My heart was beating so hard I thought it might burst through my chest. Pain shot through my limbs, and I collapsed on the floor, my body contorting and my bones breaking, bending, reshaping. I felt my face grow outwards, and hair cover my skin as my clothes ripped apart at the seams.

My tail twitched, and I raised myself on four shaky paws. A whine escaped my snout, the people around staring at me in awe.

“Marlowe…” sighed a male. He smelled familiar, smelled safe. But the male behind him reeked of death and danger.

I whimpered, then ran straight out the door, and into the snowy woods beyond.