Page 26

The summer work is underway. It’s our first experience working the cabins, ski jets, paddle boats, and all the other equipment used for the summer activities. The twenty-car parking lot isn’t enough, so Larc and the other men work hard to expand the area into a dirt lot for the time being. They’ll pour the concrete after the summer crowds diminish. Declan and his family occupy one of the cabins, and all the others are booked through August.

Because Larc doesn’t want me away from him all day, Maggie’s been manning the store in town most of the time, switching with Amanda on occasion. I work at the garden center in the mornings and help at the paddle boats in the afternoons. Of course, this rotates every week from paddle boats to cleaning the cabins to the visitors’ restaurant. There isn’t one person in the community that isn’t running ragged all day into the evenings. It’s hard work, but I love watching everyone come together as one, humans and werewolves for the sake of our village.

The grueling week has me smiling into my coffee mug on this cool Friday morning. I beat the sunrise as I sneak out of bed and curl up on the patio couch, covered with a blanket. My eyes close, smelling the aroma of beans, and when I open them, the sun is peaking over the distant forest. My wolf-charmer shuffles around the kitchen, bare chested, pouring his own cup, and comes out to snuggle next to me.

Draping an arm over my shoulders, legs stretched out next to mine and resting them on the table, his gravely voice says.

“Good morning, love.”

My head falls back to smile up at him.

“Good morning, my love. Did you sleep well?”

“With you next to me, never better.”

We sit quietly in the stillness of the early morning. Through our relationship, we’ve never experienced an uncomfortable silence. Larc and I are in tune mentally and physically. I lift my legs to cover his thighs so I can cuddle closer to his side. The sun warms our faces, and our coffees warm our limbs. Well, it warms my limbs. The heat emanating from Larc’s body all year round is like a mini heatwave. He takes my foot in his large hand, sliding his thumb to the arch to massage it—a sweet gesture that has me sighing.

His eyes look off into the distance with an occasional nod, which tells me he’s mind-linking someone.

He lets out a sigh and takes a sip of his coffee.

“Kyle just told me we have a group of men coming for a few days and a young couple. The guy never sleeps.”

“Kyle takes his job seriously.”

A low rumble comes from his chest.

“That’s an understatement. It’s going to be another busy day.”

His hand slides up my leg between my thighs, and I gasp, donning a surprised smile.

“And you’d like to start it out with a bang?”

Larc’s thumb runs between my swollen lips, wiggling it by my opening, then running it up and down again. This causes my eyes to close. My hips search out his thumb, wanting it to give my little bundle of nerves some attention. He ignores my desire by continuing the slide and wiggle. This man has recovered one hundred percent with a sex drive still through the roof.

He frees my hand of the mug, positioning my back against his chest on his lap. Both large hands knead my inner thighs, while thick fingers part my lips. Larc’s cock runs along my wet folds, and my head falls onto his shoulder as I moan. It’s early morning, so I’m not worried someone will come around the back of the house, which faces the forest. Besides, our noises will alert anyone within the vicinity. My hips rock into his cock nestled between my lips, the movement and his pelvis in sync. His hands move to my breasts, squeezing them, and rolling my nipples between his fingers.

“Larc…”

I hear the smile in his voice when he asks, “Yes?”

“More.”

“My little sprite is too greedy. You’ll have to work for it.”

Gasps spurt from my wide mouth, the rocking picking up, until he stops. I whimper from the sudden inactivity, so he flips me onto my stomach on his lap, placing his leg over the back of my thighs.

His hand glides over my ass cheeks. A finger lightly brushes along the crack. The gentle continuous motion doesn’t prepare me for the slap on each cheek he gives me, causing me to squeak out an Ow.

Over my shoulder, I narrow my eyes at him.

“What was that for?”

“Greed. I need to make you humble again.”

His hand smooths over my burning skin, and then his face drops to a serious scowl.

“Did I hurt you, Ivy?”

He already shifts me onto the couch on my back when I say.

“No. It’s okay.”

“I apologize. You’ve grown so strong that I forget all the things you’ve been through.”

My arms reach for him, dragging him on top of me.

“Larc, nothing you do to me would ever, and I mean ever, fall into the same category as what those devils did to me. I trust you with all my heart.”

He swallows the lump in his throat as he presses his forehead to mine.

“Ivy. I don’t know what to say to that. I’m so captivated by you. The strength, resilience, and hard work you embody is astonishing.”

Tears spring from my eyes.

“Look what you did. You made me cry.”

Larc gathers me in his arms, hauling me onto his lap, and burying his face into my neck.

“This is what I dreamed of when I thought about my mate. Quiet mornings, cuddling and talking, making love during sunrises and sunsets.”

My head shifts so I can see him.

“Am I what you pictured?”

He snuggles me closer.

“There’s no way to picture perfection. I had to see it for myself.”

My face presses into his chest and I inhale.

“Dammit, Larc. You say and do incredibly kind things.”

His rumbled laughter vibrates against my face. The sliding door opens, and Kyle comes outside.

“Sorry to bother you.”

Larc grabs his mug and gestures toward the inside.

“Before you bother me, fill this up and help yourself to a cup. Ivy, you want more?”

“No.”

Kyle disappears inside, and when I try to get up, Larc pulls me down.

“Don’t leave.”

I kiss the tip of his nose.

“I’m jumping in the shower. You two relax and share some guy time.”

Cleaned and dressed, I leave Larc and Kyle discussing the upcoming work schedule. The morning sun heats the garden center to the point of drenching my hair and shirt, so I stop at home to change and spruce up my appearance before preparing the cabins for today’s newcomers. In jean shorts and a red tank top, I move around the cabin, swiping a cloth over the already clean countertops and shelves. The clean folded sheets are on the bed. I make the bed, tossing the patch quilt over the sheets for the finishing touch. While I straighten the quilt, I hear the door to the cabin open and close.

I step out into the living room to find the nasty piece of work, which has me stepping back into the door. His mouth curls up on one side, letting out a half-hearted laugh.

“I had hoped to run into you here, but I didn’t think it would be this easy.”

“You’re not welcome here, Ben. I suggest you turn back around and leave before Larc finds you.”

He barks.

“We paid for the cabin. Besides, I’m here to serve as a reminder that I haven’t forgotten about the money and you. ”

“Leave Ben.”

He takes precise steps toward me.

“I guess I didn’t break you enough. You’re quite bold to speak to me in this manner. After all these years, my bitch whore hasn’t learned to shut the fuck up.”

Rounding the couch, I sidestep to the other side.

“That’s right, run, because once I catch you, your whore mouth will be sucking my cock like a pacifier. Then, you’ll do the same for my friends until I put you out to pasture. This time I’ll sell you direct or slit your throat.”

Ben lunges for me, but my fighting instincts kick in and I silently thank Shayna for her training. In quick succession, I put weight on my back right leg, step forward while rotating my right foot, throwing my fist at his face, and twisting it a bit before contact. It connects with his jaw, causing him to stumble back, eyes widening in surprise. He spits out the blood from the split I gave him, and an evil smile glides over his face.

The punch shocks me too, and I find myself glancing at my hand, which was a bad idea. Ben grabs the back of my neck, yanking me to the couch, and bending me over. He kicks my feet apart, fighting with the button and zipper on my shorts. My legs are immobile, so I reach backwards, punching and scratching at him.

I scream when he starts to lower my shorts. “Stop!”

Shaking hard with the hand on my neck, he laughs and mocks me.

“Stop. If you don’t shut up, whore, I’ll fuck your ass so hard I’ll shred it, and your colon will fall out.”

I’m panting, tears wetting my cheeks.

“You do this, and you’ll never make it off the property.”

His fingers twist into my hair, jerking me up to where my back is flushed with his front.

In a low menacing whisper, he says.

“Ivy, my whore. My slut. I’m untouchable. I could hang you upside down, let the vultures fuck every hole of yours, and leave you for dead, and nothing would happen to me. You’re a lowlife whore, and I’m—”

“Dead, if you don’t let her up.”

We turn to see Kyle standing in the door, hands clenched into fists at his sides. His eyes switch to an amber color, and when he opens his hands, thick, long claws shoot from his fingertips. If I didn’t know Kyle, I probably would have lost control of my bladder.

Ben’s eyes widen as he witnesses these little changes. He faces Kyle, keeping me in front of him like the coward he is.

“We were just having a little fun.”

Kyle steps forward and his piercing eyes shift from me to Ben.

His voice drops to a deep hiss.

“Release her or I’ll fucking tear you apart and use your skin as a rug.”

Ben steps back, pulling me along.

“If you harm me, this place will be swarming with the FBI and other government officials. They’ll shut down this fucking place faster than you can shift.”

He laughs out loud.

“All I have to say is I rented the cabin with my buddies, and you attacked me.”

Kyle is an inch away from me.

“I’ll fucking kill you faster than your buddies can make it in here. We’ll bury your body so far into the woods, your memory will no longer be spoken.”

His large, clawed hand wraps around my arm.

“Let. Her. Go.”

Ben’s fingers loosen from my hair, and I take the opportunity to slink behind Kyle. Sweat drips from Ben’s temples.

“Now round up your friends and get the fuck out of here. If you think I’m scary, you’d shit your pants if Larc finds you. What I’d do to you is nothing compared to his wrath. Consider this a friendly warning, because next time there won’t be one.”

Ben stands with his fists at his side.

“I’m here, because Ivy’s mine. None of you have a right to keep her from me, especially since I fucking lost three million dollars on her.”

He lets out a sardonic laugh.

“Call the authorities.”

“Don’t tempt me. I can have this place swarming with the police and FBI. Your little community of animal werewolves will be exposed.”

“Try it, Ben. I’ll even wait until your phone is out of your pocket before I attack.”

Ben doesn’t turn his back on Kyle while he steps toward the door.

“This isn’t over.”

He leaves and Kyle follows, watching Ben and his friends fold into their cars and drive off.

He glances over his shoulder and asks.

“Are you okay?”

My hands rub up and down my arms.

“Yes. Thank you.”

Kyle nods and as he’s walking away, he says.

“I’ll make sure they’re off the property.”

He runs toward the forest, stripping off his shirt, and then I can’t see him anymore.

Standing in the doorway, I rest my side against the doorjamb, arms folded in front while tears trail down my cheeks. Declan comes jogging over and abruptly stops when he notices my appearance.

“Ivy! What happened? Was that Ben Conway?”

I nod. “Yes.”

I wipe the tears away, gazing out at nothing.

“He came for me.”

Declan steps closer.

“Why did he come for you?”

My eyes meet his.

“To make me his whore again until he can sell or kill me.”

He clenches his teeth together and breathes out of his nose. I can see his body quaking from anger. Declan reaches for me but thinks twice and drops his arm.

“Did he…did he hurt you?”

I let out a shaky breath.

“Kyle arrived just in time.”

My thoughts return to Ben lunging at me, and me punching him in the jaw. This has me smiling.

“But I did get a punch in.”

“Let me get Larc.”

My hand shoots out to stop him.

“No. Please. Ben’s gone. Larc has too much on his plate. He doesn’t need to know about it.”

Declan shakes his head.

“I can’t keep this from him, Ivy.”

He looks over his shoulder to see Kyle coming toward us. The two of them acknowledge each other before Kyle takes a powerful stance next to him.

Kyle says.

“Ben and his friends are off the property, and the pack is forbidden to let him in again.”

Declan says to Kyle.

“We should tell Larc.”

“I told the pack not to mention it to him. If he finds out, he’ll turn into a tsunami without thinking it through.”

“I disagree. He approached me about Ben, asking if I’d help. At the time, I told him I didn’t feel comfortable being a part of Ben’s death.”

His eyes lock on Kyle’s and then mine.

“Now, I’m all in.”

I cut Kyle off and say to Declan.

“We can’t ask you to do that. I can’t ask you. This could jeopardize everything you’ve worked hard for. Jeopardize your family’s well-being.”

“I don’t care…”

He stops talking when Larc comes jogging over.

With his hands on his hips, smiling at us, Larc asks.

“What are you slackers doing?”

His smile fades when he sees how serious we look and the dried tears on my face.

Declan says to Larc.

“We’ve gotta talk.”