Page 37 of Wanted by the Wolves (The Last Shifters #2)

Chapter 36

Dex

M ilkshake lets out an undignified moo as I loop the lead around her neck and get her situated in the wooden chute for milking. I strap her in and wash her before attaching the milking machine.

It’s early, the drama of Mother Clucker and her hen house tucked away in the rafters. Later, this place will be a wordless soap opera, the hen holding high court and Cluck Norris strutting around his roost.

While Milkshake is in the chute, I muck the roost. It’s messy work but a necessary part of living here. I’m a hunter, but I have to admit I like taking care of the animals and the property.

At first, the animals were wary of me. The bull still keeps his distance. The animals can feel my predator, and it puts their instincts on edge. But after a month here, we’ve come to an agreement of sorts. They still prefer Nova, but I can’t blame them for that.

I wash up and finish with Milkshake, who is in much less of a hurry now. It takes sweet-talking and cooing in her ear before she lets me lead her back to her area of the large barn.

The courtyard is next but only requires light shoveling. Snow has held off for a few days, giving us a reprieve. I catch sight of Nova through the kitchen window as she dances around, her fuzzy socks making her slip and slide along the floor.

She’s fucking radiant, my own personal sun. It’s never gonna get old that she’s here and mine. It’s like I’ve found a missing part of myself. Around her, I feel whole.

I stare like a creeper, watching her for so long that she must feel my gaze. She looks my way, and a slow smile spreads over her lips. Her flour-covered fingers curl in a wave. She blows me a kiss before going back to the dough. I couldn’t keep the grin off my face if I tried, but I force myself to get moving so I can get back to her.

By the time I finish the remainder of the chores, the itch under my skin has become too much to ignore. The moon is a hazy dot in the bright afternoon sky, its power seeming to shimmer in the air.

My wolf is eager for it to reach its zenith. He’s ready to share my skin, to sink his teeth in and claim our mate. I hurry back to the cabin, just as ready.

Nova is still in the kitchen, her cute ass in the air as she bends to take a tray from the oven.

The place looks as if it’s been covered in omega confetti. Soup bubbles on the stove, and the kitchen island is covered in small moon cakes and loaves of braided bread. She’s been nesting today, not only in her actual nest but throughout the house.

My alpha rumbles his approval, enamored with our omega and her den. Mako told me once that an alpha will never know a better home than with their omega. I thought he meant the house. I can admit that I longed for the physical place as much as the mythical person. A home meant a place where Briggs and I belonged. Even in Mako’s house, I never felt like I do now—settled deep inside.

It isn’t because of the cabin or the fact that Nova is cooking for us. It’s not even from the comfort of the lush blankets in her nest. Briggs and I have lived on our own for most of our lives. We know how to build a house, hunt, cook, and clean. That wasn’t the kind of home Mako was talking about. I get that now.

She’s home . It’s Nova—nurturing, kind, bold, sexy. So fucking brave and fierce but also tenderhearted and in need of so much care. I love her. Now, I need to find the words before I’m lost to the moon.

Talking is easier with her than it’s ever been with anyone else. With Briggs, the littermate bond means that I don’t have to find words, but with Nova, I want to share them. I just don’t think words will do her justice.

Nova sets a batch of cookies on the counter and wipes a hand across her forehead. Her cheeks are flushed, and sweat beads on her brow. If the scent of apples and cinnamon is any indication, the moon must be riding her already.

“How are you feeling, sweetheart?” I ask, making my way into the kitchen and washing up at the sink.

“Like there’s something I’m forgetting.” Nova makes a disgruntled sound and tosses down her oven mitt. She leans against the island, mumbling as she takes inventory.

I survey the space with her. “Looks like plenty enough for a feast to me.”

She cuts her eyes to me. “It needs to be right.”

“What does?” I plant my hands on either side of her hips.

Her teeth sink into the side of her lip, and she looks up at me nervously. “Today. Tonight. I’m trying to remember everything for the full moon, but I feel like I’m forgetting something important.”

This clearly matters to her, though I don’t understand the significance. I caress her cheek with the backs of my fingers. She’s warm, her freckles hidden under the lush bloom on her cheeks. “All right. Tell me about it, and I can help.”

She licks the seam of her lips, those wide eyes studying me. “In the village I grew up in, before… the full moon started with a pack run, then a bonfire feast. After, the kids were carted off with the elders for stories and games while everyone else spent the moon in the packhouse or at home with their mates. I was trying to make the traditional dishes for us…”

I sling an arm around her hip and swipe a space clear on the counter with the other before lifting her. Nova lets out a startled meep, clinging to the front of my flannel. She’s tiny, and even sitting on the counter, she still isn’t at eye level with me, but it lets me get closer.

“It’s perfect even if it’s not exactly the same.” I step between her spread knees. “It’s the thought that makes the ritual, yeah?”

Her shoulders slump. “Maybe. But I figure we can use all the help we can get.”

I eye the round moon cakes decorated in white icing. I had those once at a full moon ceremony in a village we were passing through. They were damn good. “Those cakes will help. I’m sure of it.”

Nova giggles. The sound is so sweet it makes my chest ache.“The moon cakes are to celebrate the return of light.”

“And the others?”

Nova points at the golden oblong loaves. “The pack bread is savory and a little sweet. It’s got herbs and flowers added to the dough, each signifying something for the mating union. This is my first time making it by myself, so it might be awful.”

“Never,” I promise her. I’ll eat every damn thing she makes, no matter what it tastes like.

She eyes me as though she’s on to me. “It’s supposed to be good luck for all mates to eat from the same loaf. The same thing for the soup.”

“It’s perfect and thoughtful.” I smack a kiss on her lips. “Like you.”

“Maybe try it before singing my praises,” she says with a cocked brow. She grabs the nearest moon cake and steals a piece, holding it up for me.

I indulge her, taking the offered bite and managing to suck the icing off her fingers in the process. It’s good—the lemon in the icing bursts with sweetness on my tongue. Her eyes darken, and her nipples pebble at my moan.

“Delicious.” I kiss her palm. It’s true—she is. The cake too, but I’d rather have my mate.

She rolls her eyes, clearly seeing my meaning, but her scent gives a little burst of cinnamon sugar. “I’m on to you, Dex. You’re a sweet talker.” She gives me a stern look, daring me to contradict her.

The idea that I’m a sweet talker is ridiculous. I’m known for being silent and dangerous. “Maybe.” I shrug. “With you, I can’t help it.”

“Good, because I like it.” Her floured hand scratches along the scruff of my jaw. The comforting gesture makes my wolf purr.Nova sighs, stress bleeding into her scent. She rests her forehead against my chest.“What if this isn’t enough?”

I rub her back, my purr ratcheting up to meet her anxious energy. “It will be because you are. You’ve already given me more than I ever thought to ask for. The only thing we need for our bonding and this moon to be perfect is for us to be together.”

Nova makes an amused sound as she plants a kiss on my chest. “Total sweet talker.”

This time, I can’t help but chuckle. “If you say so. I was only speaking the truth.”

Nova looks up, searching my face. Her small hand cups my jaw. “I do love you, Dex. You make me feel happy and safe. I haven’t had that in a long time.”

I lick my lips and try to swallow around the massive boulder lodged in my throat. She beat me to it, but damn if her declaration doesn’t make my pulse drum and my heart squeeze.“I’m crazy in love with you, Nova. You’re everything to me, and I’m honored you let me show you that.”

Her smile is bright as I lean in to steal a kiss. I lick the seam of her lips and sweep my tongue against hers. It’s slow and savoring, a simmering heat that warms my blood.

I rip myself away from her mouth before I can get carried away. “Why don’t I start a bath? You can soak while I clean up. Then we’ll be ready to hunker down in the nest.”

“A bath sounds nice. I’m sweaty and covered in flour.” Nova’s eyes are a little glazed as she wraps herself around me and lets me cart her toward the bathroom. We get halfway down the hall before she wiggles, trying to get down. “Turn around. I remembered what I need.”

“What?” I ask, continuing my journey. Whatever it is, I can get it while she relaxes.

“Gage never brought me the lavender and sage for the nest.”

“I’ll grab it before I clean up the kitchen.”

Nova cuddles back against me, scent marking my neck. “Will you join me in the bath? After?”

“Yeah, just let me finish up.” I set her on the tile floor and start the bathwater.

“Deal,” she says, bouncing on her toes in excitement.

Gods, she’s so fucking cute.

I add some of Gage’s oils and bubble bath to the water and turn my attention back to my omega. “Arms up, little wolf.”

She gives me a coy smile as I lift her sweater and reveal miles of soft skin. I kneel, taking my time undressing her slowly. Each inch I reveal as I peel off her leggings gets a kiss so that by the time she’s standing naked before me, the room is thick with the scent of her arousal.

“Dex,” Nova says, my name sounding like a plea on her lips.

I’m fucking feral for the way she says my name. “Just a taste, baby girl. I need it,” I growl into her skin, nipping under her breast.

I spread her legs, lifting one delicate foot onto the tub ledge so she’s on display for me. Her pink pussy glistens, wet and inviting. My big hand looks monstrous against her spread thigh as I trace her smooth skin and down her slick center.

“Please.” She shivers, her hips tilting into my touch.

I can’t ignore the temptation. I bury myself between her legs. The first taste isn’t enough. I don’t know that it ever will be.

I drown myself in her honey, tonguing her clit. My finger slips into her tight heat, fucking her to the knuckle in fast strokes. The sounds of her wet heat are deliciously dirty, the squelching making my dick throb with the need to be inside her.

Nova latches onto my hair, her nails digging into my scalp and her hips rocking. I let her grind her sweet little pussy on my face, rolling her clit between my lips until she trembles and comes on my fingers in soft moans.My alpha is at the surface, ready to claim, but I force him back. I can wait. I want all my cum trapped in her sweet pussy, filling her up over and over under the moon.

I wrap my little orgasm-drunk omega in my arms, letting her stabilize herself as she rides out the waves of pleasure. When her breathing returns to normal, I shut off the water and help her climb into the tub.

“I’ll be back soon,” I promise her, forcing myself to back away.

She gives me a lazy smile, her fingers dipping into the water. “Hurry.”