Page 13

Meeting the pack isn’t such an unpleasant experience. There are some wary of me, but for the most part, everyone is cordial. Larc periodically glances at his mother and Kyle, and I can tell he’s hurt they haven’t accepted me with open arms. It bothers me too since they’re important to him. I’m about to go over to Larc, who is talking to the other man who seems significant in the pack, when Louisa takes my hand, guiding me over to the far end of the room where Tara and Mandy are sitting. Becky and a couple of women are nearby.

Louisa says in jest.

“Sit. You’ve got a lot of explaining to do, young lady.”

Their large eyes are on me, waiting to hear what I have to say. A blush colors my face because there’s no hiding my feelings for Larc. When I was with Ben, I can’t even remember experiencing my insides pulsing like fireflies. With Larc, my whole body buzzes in his presence, and when we’re alone, I surrender to his will.

Louisa’s laugh snaps me out of it.

“It’s that good, huh?”

I cover my mouth to hide my smile. “What?”

“You’re glowing.”

Tara, Mandy, and now Becky have moved closer, and Tara asks.

“So, how did this happen?”

I explain to them about how we’ve been drawn together from the start, about mates, and a werewolf and human matching isn’t the norm. They’re engrossed in the details. My nightmares are gone in his presence, which prompts Louisa to touch my arm for a tender approval. When I tell them we’ve slept together, they gasp, and then smack the table with excitement.

Louisa pipes in.

“Damn, girl. That man is gorgeous.”

“You’re not repulsed after all we’ve been through?”

“Absolutely not! I’ve been a prostitute for years. I’ve been beaten and raped, and no man has ever cared for or protected me like Larc has. I’d never put him in the same category as the monsters I’ve encountered.”

Her comment has me thinking about Larc being a werewolf, so I ask.

“And you don’t think it’s weird we’re together?”

“No! For someone as massive and daunting as Larc, I owe him. We owe him so much for saving us. And the man is breathtaking. I’ve never come across anyone remotely as yummy as Larc.”

This causes us to laugh. We talk about Larc and slide into conversation regarding the community. How safe and happy we’ve been since living here.

It’s at this moment that I realize how fortunate I am to have Louisa, Tara, and Mandy in my life. To have had them at the trafficking site with me. Coming back to the mess hall to face everyone frightened me, but these three eased my anxiousness. They’ve sat with me after my nightmares, forgave me for keeping Larc’s secret, and overall, supported me. High school was the last time I had girlfriends, and I can honestly say I’m extremely fortunate for having them.

Moving onto other subjects, people are finishing their meals and exit the mess hall to continue their duties. We’re no different. Mandy and I are expected at the garden center, so as I’m putting on my coat, Larc comes over, hugging me from behind.

He places a kiss on my cheek and whispers in my ear.

“I’ll see you at the house later.”

“What time?”

“Is four good? Remind me to give you the code later, so you can come and go as you please.”

I swivel in his arms to face him, giving him a peck on the lips.

“Four is fine. Sybil usually lets us out earlier when the weather is good.”

Larc opens the door for Mandy and I and takes off in the opposite direction.

As we’re walking to the center, Mandy says.

“You seem very happy.”

The corners of my mouth lift, thinking about him, as I respond, “I am.”

I look over at her and notice her scanning the area.

“Are you looking for someone?”

Mandy laughs.

“How did you know?”

“Just a guess. Did you ever meet that guy?”

“Simon. Yes.”

She hugs herself.

“He’s so hot.”

We walk the rest of the way, smiling, caught up in our own thoughts. For being lost when I first came here, I enjoy working at the garden center. Sybil is knowledgeable when it comes to botany, and I’ve learned much from her. Today, she tries to give me something simple to do. I assume it has to do with her learning that I’m Larc’s mate, so I ask her to please treat me the same as she has been. She tasks me with tending to the tomatoes and cucumbers at the far end of the center, which keeps me busy until she lets us go at four.

It's dark out when I arrive, and the door is unlocked. Larc is mind-linking someone because I see him frowning and shaking his head. When he sees me, he motions me over, hugging me while he continues his conversation. My face presses into his chest, breathing his scent, and it relaxes him.

He cups my face, gives me a heated kiss, and asks.

“How was work?”

I place my hands over his.

“Good. Who were you talking to?”

“My mother.”

My chin rests against him.

“She doesn’t like me.”

“It’s not that, mate. Her concern is for the pack, yet she’s letting her initial judgment of you cloud her view.”

He glances down.

“Nothing for you to concern yourself with. It will all figure itself out.”

“Is there something—”

“Nope. We’ll get there.”

He smooths his thumb over my lips.

“No need to worry, Ivy.”

It’s been three days since moving in with Larc and I’m loving it. We live well together, setting the table as the other cooks, and sharing in the cleanup. Some meals are at the mess hall, but we’ve taken advantage of our alone time, which is mainly talking and fucking. I have a sex addiction from years of sexual abuse, but with Larc, I’m hungry for the pleasure and a little pain. His dominance and perfection allow me to lose myself in the sensations he sparks from every cell in my body. After hours of discussions, I convince him not to stop halfway inside me. I want to feel him so far into me that our souls meld together, even though Larc says our souls are already fused. He has gradually opened me up with his cock and nestles himself inside. The first time he got all the way in, he refused to move, and we fell asleep with him still hard inside me. Swaddling has become our favorite thing after sex.

Larc’s house is far enough from the rest of the community to drown out any noise. From what I gathered at dinner today, some people are going into town to the local bar, which is understandable for a Friday evening. Larc has explained that if we want or need to go into town, someone or several people will accompany us in the vans and SUVS parked near the entrance of the community. Since arriving, I haven’t stepped foot outside of this area, and I’m okay with it.

Background music plays. The fire is burning, and Larc has me cuddled into his side, stroking my arm. I’m so absorbed in our closeness. Listening to his breathing. Savoring his touch. My eyes drift close, remembering when I first saw the group of wolves. They were magnificent in stature. Their coats glistening from the winter frost.

I snap my eyes open and lean away from Larc.

“Wolf-charmer.”

Larc grins.

“Wolf-charmer?”

I straddle his thighs, run my fingers over his scruff, and respond.

“You call me little sprite, so you’re my wolf-charmer.”

He rests his hands on my waist.

“I love it.”

“You know what? I haven’t met your wolf.”

“You’re right. Would you like to?”

“Yes. Now!”

His eyebrows rise and lower as he winks at me and pats my thighs.

“Sure. Get dressed.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m going to shift here. You’ll climb on, and we’ll go for a run through the forest.”

My smile is so big it has Larc wrestling me to the couch, kissing me all over my face as he says.

“You’re so fucking adorable.”

“Won’t I be too heavy to ride your wolf?”

He pretends to gnaw on my neck and growls.

“You’re never too heavy to ride me or my wolf.”

Larc’s playfulness has me laughing.

He stands, bringing me with him, and pats my butt.

“Dress in something warm and come back down.”

Without arguing, I run upstairs for a thick pair of leggings, wool socks, and a sweater. Downstairs, Larc leans his shoulder against the wall and inspects me.

He motions for me to come closer and says.

“This is how it’s going to play out. I’ll shift in the house. Once I do, I won’t be able to talk. When I lower myself, it’s a gesture for you to get on to lay across my back, your head by my neck, wrapping your arms and legs around me. Make sure they’re not too close to my legs, which will impede my running. Questions?”

A gamut of emotions floods me, making me speechless. Scared. Excited. Watching him shift will be scary enough, and then I’ll be in the same room as his wolf. I don’t want to insult Larc by asking if his wolf will attack. I mean, I’m assuming it’s still him in there, like Amanda.

Don’t be so scared.

I’m juggling apprehension and want, not noticing Larc brushing the back of his hand across my cheek.

As if he senses my questions, he says.

“Ivy, my wolf isn’t going to hurt you. You’re his mate, as well as mine. And I’ll still be in there, like Amanda was when she shifted. But we don’t have to do this now if you’re not ready.”

“No, I am.”

I press my cheek into his hand.

“Let’s do this.”

Larc gives me a minute to settle, kisses me, and walks into the living room. He pulls his t-shirt over his head, tossing it on the floor while toeing off his shoes. His belt buckle hits the ground, followed by his jeans. I could never tire of a butt naked Larc, marveling over the strength rippling from his muscles. Skin smooth and tanned like cinnamon. A heavy cock tucked between powerful thighs.

I didn’t realize my eyes remained on his cock until he jokingly says.

“Up here, little mate.”

His sexy smirk is irresistible. “Ready?”

I give him the go ahead, and instead of dropping to all fours like Amanda, he stands. Black hair seeps from his pores. Bones crack, causing me to cringe, watching his feet and hands grow thick nails, biting through his skin. He drops to all fours and his spine curves. His nose and mouth elongate into a snout. When the transformation finishes, the largest, most incredible wolf stands before me, shaking out his fur, which is darker than a moonless night sky. The ice-blue eyes I’ve grown accustomed to are now an amber color.

He snorts, takes a step toward me, and out of instinct, I step back. This stops him and he retreats. I stare at his immense body, engrossed and astounded by this change. My wolf-charmer turned wolf.

As ridiculous as it sounds, I talk to his wolf when I move closer.

“Is it okay if I touch your fur?”

His head bobs, and this makes me smile. I’m next to him, my hand petting his soft coat. Wagging his tail, I round behind him, letting the fur sweep over my face, and I laugh at the sensation. When I’m back at his side, he turns and licks my hand, nuzzling his snout into it. I take it as an indication to pet his head, which I do.

“You’re as gorgeous as a wolf as you are a human.”

This has him backing me up to the couch and slobbering all over my face.

“Okay, don’t let it go to your head.”

He moves to the door, so I put on my hat and coat and open it. We exit, and I punch in the code, looking around to see if anyone’s nearby. There’s faint laughter on the other side of the valley. He trots toward the forest near his house and stops for me to catch up to him. The starlit sky sheds some light in the area. My breath creates puffs of fog in the air. His wolf lowers, which is my queue to climb on, wrapping my arms and legs around him, and remembering his words about not hindering his legs. He stands and jogs into the forest.

I whisper.

“This is unbelievable.”

His wolf carries me like I’m weightless, trotting into the forest, and then picks up speed. He turns his head, nudging my arm, which has me tightening my hold. We’re running and dashing between trees, splashing through streams, jumping over boulders, and each new experience has me squealing in delight. I’ve never been freer. The chilly wind reddens my cheeks, but I don’t care. I never want this elation to end.

He slows and stops near two trees bent in opposite directions from one trunk, as if doing the splits. Lowering, my wobbly legs find the ground, and I rest my hand against one of the trees for balance.

Within a minute, the wolf transforms into my wolf-charmer, sporting an erection. Larc takes a hold of my jaw and kisses me hard. It’s a possessive and hungry kiss. When he pulls back, vapors fill the air from our heavy breathing.

In a deep, gravely voice, he commands.

“Up against the main trunk of the tree.”

This is the first time he’s ever been dominant toward me. Even though I’ve dealt with it all my life, Larc’s commands are well received, making my pussy throb. It’s the pull I’ve felt from the beginning to please him, but not in a coerced way. This is us, continuing to learn and explore each other, and I’m eager to satisfy both our needs.

I rush to the trunk, and he bends me over the split between the trees, lodging me in place with my arms secured under me. Larc doesn’t waste any time working my leggings down to mid-thigh. He hovers over me, his large fingers sliding to my front, slipping between my wet lips. I moan when he dips a finger inside me, and I push back, producing a growl from him. My fingers dig into the bark, biting my lip to avoid shouting into the dark and empty woods. Larc pushes another finger inside me, and I groan. I’m on tippy toes, but I roll my pelvis over his hand as he pumps faster. When I come, his name echoes through the forest.

He positions the head of his cock at my entrance, rocking into me at a slow pace. I’m begging him for a hard thrust, except he ignores me. His hands clasp onto the tree trunk on both sides of me, pelvis driving forward and retracting until he’s buried deep inside me. Larc stops, wraps his arms around my upper torso, mouth near my ear, and then he fucks me hard. It’s intense and wonderful.

He whispers depraved things into my ear.

“Little mate. Your pussy was made for me.”

He growls.

“I’m going to make you come so hard, the international space station will hear it. Don’t hold back. I want the forest animals to scatter when you come undone.”

My body jerks with his thrusts. Between my clit grinding against the tree, and him deep inside, I lock up, holding my breath, and release a scream that wrenches out my orgasm. It’s so powerful, my cries ricochet off the trees, sending the birds squawking into the air. Tears cascade down my cheeks until they fall into the snow. Larc shoves inside one last time, holds, and squirts inside me. The warmth fills me and overflows down my leg. His face snuggles into my nape, and he places soft kisses to it.

Larc pulls out, reaches between my legs, and wipes them down before pulling up my leggings. His large hands cover the sides of my head as he bends down to give me the sweetest kiss.

“You all right, mate?”

My voice cracks from screaming. “Yes.”

“I’ll get you home, so you can take a long bath.”

Holding his wrists, I respond.

“Will you join me?”

“That’s a given.”