Page 24

After the fight, I limp back to our home with Larc. He’s weak, so we hobble and laugh at our battered bodies. Larc asks about my war comment, to which I tell him I mean if and when danger trickles into our community. He lets it go for now, congratulating me regarding the fight. He’s so proud of me, which warms my heart. I wanted to surprise him, yet I worried he wouldn’t support it. With his possessiveness, I thought he’d lose it and punish Shayna. She feared the same. Instead, my wolf-charmer is enamored with my skills.

This has me laughing while showering away the dirt and blood. To be honest, I surprised myself. Shayna is as fit as they come. For me to ask her to train me, and to fight her, was kind of na?ve of me. I’m not clueless to think Shayna didn’t go easy on me, which she definitely did. If she hadn’t held back, I would be in the hospital or lifeless. Still, I did put up a good fight. I’m ready as anyone to go to battle.

In my pajama shorts and tank top, I’m preparing food for Larc and I, while he stands behind me, kissing my neck. God, I’ve missed this man. The simplest touch sets off a tingling domino effect. It ripples from head to toe. My earthy smelling wolf-charmer’s large hands massage my breasts, rolling my nipples between his fingers. His lips and tongue graze over the side of my face, ear, neck, and shoulder.

“If you keep this up, we won’t be eating any time soon.”

In his low baritone growl, he responds.

“I’ve already got my meal in my arms.”

I place the wooden spoon down, turning to face him. “Love.”

He rocks to the side, losing his balance.

“Okay, you’re sitting down and resting.”

I usher him to the chaise lounge. It’s my favorite piece of furniture in our place. We cuddled for the first time on it. Larc is sweating, wiping at his eyes from pure exhaustion. He’s been immobile for over a month and he’s not allowing himself to gradually get into things…such as me. I throw my head back in laughter, and he’s asking what is so funny.

Bringing him a bottled water, I kiss his forehead, and say.

“Nothing, love. I’ll set your food up over here.”

“No. I can eat at the island.”

My hand smooths over his incredible chest, sliding and circling his abs, and returning to his pecs. You’d never know this man was in a coma because he hasn’t lost an ounce of muscle mass. I rub his chest to settle his anxiousness.

“I’m sure you can, but I’d like you to relax here.”

He pulls me onto his lap, straddling his thighs.

“Just because you won a fight against Shayna, doesn’t give you bossy rights.”

I cackle.

“Bossy rights? What are bossy rights?”

“The right to be bossy, silly woman.”

My butt rests on his powerful thighs as we stare at each other. It’s been too long not to admire his exquisite face and icy-blue eyes. His hands rest on top of my thighs. I’m not sure what he’s thinking, as he tilts his head and gives me a seductive smile. My guess is it has something to do with sex.

Larc hauls me against his chest, burying his nose into my hair. His thick arms fold around me, hugging me so close there’s zero space between us. My arms lock around his neck, resting my head on his shoulder. This position is as intimate as it is home. I could close my eyes to the warmth of Larc. My senses absorb his manliness. Everything I’ve been through has brought me to this point. To this man. In his arms. I’d do it again a million times over just to find my wolf-charmer to live out the rest of my life. He’s done wonders for my soul, emitting whispered contented sighs, soft pulses, and a myriad of purring mantras.

Larc pets my hair as he whispers in my ear.

“I love you, Ivy. Your tenacity, growth, and strength are otherworldly. No amount of words can describe or capture how proud I am of you. How much I respect you.”

I turn my head, kiss his neck, and respond.

“The combination of the moon and stars could never shine as bright as you, Larc. You’ve pulled me from the depths of human depravity, and breathed life and love into my heart, which gave me the resolve, growth, and strength. My triumphs stem from you. Without Larc, there wouldn’t be an Ivy.”

He takes my face in his hands, and for the first time, his eyes glisten with tears. Pressing his lips to mine, he silently thanks me for my love. Our mouths get reacquainted until the embers inside us catch fire. Larc’s trembling hand works at his jeans.

Placing my hand over his, I pull from the kiss and tell him.

“Larc, you’re too weak—”

“Fuck, Ivy. I have to be inside you.”

“Okay, I’ll lead.”

He rests his hand on my thigh as I work his cock out of his jeans. It’s hot, throbbing with a light line of silver squiggling along the top. My hand glides up and down his shaft, watching my wolf-charmer dissolve. His head falls back. I stop, strip naked, and proceed. While I’m working his hardness, I run the head of his cock between my swollen lower lips, causing him to groan. I’m not wet enough yet for someone his size, after not having it for a while.

I lean forward, still working his cock, and I nip at his earlobe to whisper.

“I’m going to get some lube upstairs.”

He moans an okay. I’m just as anxious to have him in me as he is, so I shoot up the stairs in record time and come back down. Larc’s head remains resting on the chaise lounge. I work him out of his jeans, smiling at the fact my wolf-charmer isn’t wearing underwear, and straddle him again. A glob of lube drops into my hand, and I rub them together to work his cock while the other hand massages his heavy balls. My poor love is horny and exhausted.

The head of his cock is at my opening, and I slowly lower up and down while reaching behind to massage his balls and perineum. He lifts his pelvis in response, and grips my hips. I’m sweating to seat him all the way inside me, and when I do, I stop to catch my breath. Larc’s half-lidded eyes lock on me. We move in unison at a sluggish rate. When I come down, I grind into him, grazing my clit to create more lubrication. As we pick up speed, our breaths do too, until I’m practically bouncing on his cock. His large hands cup my jiggling breasts, and it isn’t long before we both come. It was a much-needed fuck. Still inside me, I lay on top of him, head over his heart, listening to our quick breaths even out.

Larc kisses the top of my head.

“Thanks, love.”

Not long after, he’s fallen asleep. I toss a blanket over his waist and legs, dress, and finish what I started to prepare, periodically glancing at my wolf-charmer. My phone pings with a message from Shayna. By now, many pack members have my number so they can get ahold of me.

Shayna: You busy?

Me: Preparing food. Come on over and we can barbecue. Door is open.

Shayna: b there in 5

After the salad preparation, I grab some asparagus and several steaks to sit at room temperature. I head out onto our small patio to plump the pillows and dust off the table. When I come inside, Shayna enters the kitchen carrying a bottle of wine right when a loud snore ignites from Larc. We both laugh, holding our fingers to our lips. We hug, and I thank her for the wine. Grabbing a couple of wine glasses and the opener, we head outside so we can talk on this beautiful sunny day.

Shayna pours the wine.

“My Goddess, Ivy. You’re face looks like it hurts.”

I laugh and respond.

“It does! I don’t have werewolf blood in me to heal quickly.”

We hold our glasses up and I continue.

“Thank you, dear friend, for training me. For having faith in me. I will be in your debt.”

Teary-eyed, she clears her throat.

“To the best student and friend I’ve ever had. I’m so glad you came to our community.”

We compose ourselves before the sliding doors open and Maggie walks out.

“Ladies, do you mind if I join the celebration?”

I jump up and hug her.

“Not at all. Let me get another glass and some appetizers. I’m starving.”

The three of us talk about how things are going in the community. We’ve prospered a lot in products and profits. Our store brings in a nice amount of money, seeing as it’s a tourist town. With the money we make on the rental properties, the store, and Larc’s missions, the three of us believe a larger school is in order. Most werewolves teach at their homes, but the community continues to grow. There’s already a couple in love who are pregnant. She lives in the women’s bunkhouse, and he lives in the men’s. We’ve also considered talking to Larc about building some townhomes for these situations.

I’m buzzed by the time my wolf-charmer wakes and joins us on the patio. A barefooted, shirtless Larc comes outside with his adorable messy hair. Dressed or shirtless, the sight of Larc curls my toes. He kisses me, sits in my chair, and sips my wine while he rubs his eyes. For a massive man, my wolf-charmer is adorable when he’s relaxed in a lazy kind of way. I bring out the prepared steaks, and Larc is ready to grill.

Maggie says.

“Larc, why don’t you rest? One of us will grill the steaks.”

He pivots on his bare feet to face us.

“I’m in charge of grilling.”

The doorbell rings, so I run inside to answer the door to Kyle.

“Perfect timing.”

I grab his arm and tell him to head out back.

Kyle says hello to everyone, while I retrieve a beer for him and Larc. They talk while us women continue our conversation.

Maggie asks Shayna.

“How has the other pack been doing?”

“Good. They’re finally returning to normal. They lost about twenty thanks to the wolfsbane. Some of our pack scoured their forests to search for more, but we haven’t found any. It’s strange.”

I have loose lips when I drink, and comment.

“I wouldn’t doubt it if Ben and his psychos contaminated their woods.”

The four of them turn to me, mouths open, surprised by my comment and the fact they hadn’t thought of it themselves. I gulp my wine as they exchange looks. Or maybe they’re mind-linking.

Waving my hand in the air, I announce.

“Hey, hey, no mind-linking in front of me.”

Shayna giggles.

“Sorry. Your comment about Ben caught me off-guard. The more I think about it though, the wolfsbane happened over a year ago. At the time, you were still with Ben.”

Larc sits.

“And now that I’m awake, looking at my battered mate, my thoughts are back to your comment. What did you mean about war?”

I place my glass down, resting my forearms on my knees.

“Well, I figured after what Ben did, we’d go after him and all the psycho friends he’s connected to.”

He holds his hand up.

“First off, I’m not dragging the pack into this situation. This is my fight. Second, I’ll never let you close to Ben again.”

“Wait a minute, Larc. I trained for this very thing. Ben destroyed me, and he tried to kill you. We’re both part of the pack, which means they should go to war with us.”

Larc growls as he shoves his face an inch from mine.

“Listen here, little sprite. I love that you trained to fight because you wanted to do it for me and the pack. But that’s not happening. I’m going to talk to Declan about a plan; one which won’t involve him too much.”

I’m about to argue, except his towering presence has forced me on my back on the outdoor couch, staring up.

“Then I’ll snatch Ben, find out the names of all the others who hurt you, and kill them.”

Shayna cuts in.

“This doesn’t sound right. I agree with Ivy. We’re a pack. The pack works and fights together. Plus, you’re our Alpha. If something happens to you, who’s going to lead the pack?”

Larc sits up to face her.

“Like you said, I’m Alpha and I call the shots. Nothing will happen to me because they won’t see me coming. I’m not risking anyone else’s lives. If there was an attack on the pack, we’d all go to war, but this is about me and Ivy.”

Now Maggie is irritated, shoving a finger at him.

“And you listen to me. Alpha or not, you’re my son. The silver must have knocked the sense out of you. I will not remain silent about your plans or risk an ambush by those despicable people. Even if you only choose a handful of pack members, at least you’ll have reinforcement, which is important.”

His eyes narrow on Maggie, nostrils flaring, so I sit on his lap, rubbing his chest.

“Look at me.”

A second ticks by before his head turns to me.

“When we came to live here, you told us we were part of the pack.”

My hand cups the side of his face.

“As a pack, love, we’ll go against Ben and Capitol Hill, if warranted.”

Larc’s voice cracks and he draws out my name.

“Ivy. I don’t want—”

“You don’t want me near him. I get it.”

I give him a peck on the lips.

“Whatever plan we come up with, I’ll be sure to stay clear of him. How’s that?”

His chest rumbles from frustration, holding me against his chest, smelling my hair. My wolf-charmer’s nerves are splintering, and since he can’t shift for a run, it’s boiling over.

My lips hover near his ear, and I whisper.

“Later on you’ll have full reign of my body.”

Shayna and Maggie both giggle, because of course, I forget about their wolf hearing.

Shayna mumbles.

“Damn, I need to get me some.”

Maggie pipes in, “Me too!”