Ryan almost smiled.
“I smell fire. And food. What’s going on?”
Stopping, Ryan turned to her. He couldn’t remember ever feeling so awkward. “I wanted . . . I wanted to do . . . something nice for you. I remembered you talked about an outdoor movie festival and . . .”
The guy was turning her insides to mush again. He looked uncharacteristically self-conscious, and it was just adorable. Makenna slid her arms around his waist. “You didn’t have to do anything for me. But thank you.” Her wolf was charmed by it.
He scowled. “You don’t have to thank me.” She was his mate. Obviously he’d do things for her.
Smiling, she rubbed her nose against his. “So grouchy. Come on, I’m hungry.”
Threading his fingers through hers, he led her through the tall trees. “The clearing’s up ahead.”
The closer they got, the more scents hit her: fire, popcorn, beer, marshmallows, nachos, and sausages. Stepping into the clearing, Makenna was surprised to see some unfamiliar wolves. She guessed they were from the Mercury Pack, since Shaya and some of her security team were also present.
“That’s a lot of people,” said Makenna. Some were gathered around a hissing, crackling campfire where Trick and Gabe were toasting marshmallows and sausages while Dominic whined that he wanted a turn. Some sat on fallen tree trunks, chatting and drinking. Others were settled on the blankets that were sporadically laid out with pillows and cushions; all faced a large white screen that Kye and a little girl with blonde curls were sniffing and poking.
Spotting Makenna, Zac hurried over, eyes gleaming. “What do you think?”
She smiled. “I think you guys must have had a really busy day.”
Jaime and Shaya appeared, wearing huge welcoming smiles. Then they both pulled Makenna into an unexpected hug as they greeted her.
“I’m so glad you’re finally here! Let me introduce you to my mate.” Shaya linked Makenna’s arm and went to lead her away . . . with absolutely no success. Ryan held Makenna’s hand tight, scowling at Shaya.
The redhead rolled her eyes at him. “Can’t you spare her for just a few minutes?”
Ryan yanked Makenna to his side. “No.”
“I’m sure you’ll find this great news,” said Jaime, smiling, “Greta won’t come. She said she won’t be part of an event that’s being held for ‘the loner.’”
Makenna’s mouth pursed. “That’s funny, because she’s right over there by that tree.” Arms folded, the old woman was huffing and humphing and snarling at the whole setup.
Shaya snickered. “She probably came because she’s scared of missing anything. What a shame.”
“Ryyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaan!” Kye ran to the enforcer and scrambled up his body. “Look what I’ve got.”
Ryan frowned at the object in Kye’s hand. “I don’t think that’s yours.”
Shaya sighed. “That’s because it’s Nick’s.” She held her hand out, but Kye didn’t give her the wallet. Just as she opened her mouth to speak again, a little blonde toddler crashed into her leg. “Hey, angel.” Shaya scooped her up. “This is my friend, Makenna. Makenna, this is my daughter, Willow.”
Makenna lightly tapped Willow’s cheek. “Hi, cutie.” The toddler smiled, the image of her mother.
“And the blond with Trey who’s heading for us is my mate, Nick.” Shaya smiled at him as he draped an arm over her shoulders and kissed Willow’s hair. “Nick, this is Makenna.”
Nick inclined his head. “Nice to meet you, Makenna. I’ve heard—Hey, that’s mine! Hand it over, pup.” Kye just stared at him. “Stop trying to outstare me,” Nick ground out, which made Trey chuckle.
“This again?” laughed a brunette with almond-shaped green eyes.
“Makenna, this is Ally, Derren’s mate,” said Shaya. “She’s a Seer.” Which meant she had visions of the future and was very empathetic.
Ally smiled. “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard about the work you do at the shelter. I think it’s awesome. I came very close to choosing the lone shifter lifestyle myself once. Fortunately, the Mercury Pack gave me sanctuary.”
“And now we won’t let her leave,” said Shaya.
Ally snorted. “If I wanted to go, I totally could.”
Derren came up behind Ally and wrapped his arms around her. “Nah. I’d never let you.” He nodded at Ryan, who grunted.
Tired of sharing Makenna, Ryan handed Kye to Trey and then guided his mate to the collection of blankets. He chose one that was near a thick oak—far away from the blanket that Greta had claimed while no one was looking. He sat with his back against the tree and Makenna snug between his legs. “Comfortable?”
She burrowed deeper into him. “Yep.”
Brushing her hair aside, Ryan licked a mark he’d left on her nape. It had almost completely faded. He’d have to fix that. Later.
As Grace and Lydia passed around snacks, Makenna asked him, “What are the funniest famous last words you’ve ever heard?”
Lost, Ryan just stared at her. Why did her brain constantly spit out nonsensical questions?
“Fine, be boring.” She turned to Jaime, who was sprawled on the neighboring blanket, and repeated the question.
“Lightning never hits the same spot twice,” said Jaime. Everyone laughed. “You know any?” she asked her mate.
“Pull the pin out and count to what?” said Dante.
Dominic plopped himself on the ground next to Zac. “I got one: Hold my beer while I do this.”
Taryn raised her hand. “Hey, what does this button do?”
“This doesn’t taste right,” said Marcus.
Bracken, a Mercury Pack enforcer, spoke. “It’s just a flesh wound.”
Ally offered, “No, dummy, that’s a dolphin fin.”
“What’s that red dot on your forehead?” said Makenna.
Amused in spite of himself—it was, after all, a completely pointless conversation—Ryan kissed her temple. He remained mostly silent while everyone talked about various things, and he noticed that his pack made a point of involving Makenna in conversations. The tension soon left her, satisfying both him and his wolf; they wanted her to be relaxed and happy here.
It pained Ryan that she had been a loner for so long. Pack should be everything to a wolf, and he wanted Makenna to have that. Wanted her to feel as secure and safe with these people as he did.
Grace clapped, getting everyone’s attention. “Right, let’s get this movie started.”
Since Kye and Willow were present, the movie had to be something “age appropriate.” So everyone munched, drank, and laughed as they watched Disney’s Toy Story. Dominic seemed to be enjoying it the most. Ryan couldn’t claim to be all that stimulated by talking toys, but then he’d never really been stimulated by normal toys. Still, he wasn’t bored; he was content to be with his mate—holding her, breathing her in, and listening to her laugh. It was a soft, melodic sound that played over his skin.
When the movie was over, the fire was put out and everyone cleaned up, packed things away, and headed back to the caves. Fingers knotted, Makenna and Ryan then walked to his room. “Tonight was a lot of fun,” she said as they reached his door. “I didn’t realize how much I needed to wind down until just now. Tha—”
“Don’t thank me,” he growled, drawing her into the room and closing the door.
“Why does my gratitude offend you?”
“I don’t need it.” He nipped her lower lip. “What I need is you beneath me.”
“I’m totally down with that plan.”
He backed her against the wall, sipping at her mouth. “Then open for me.” The second her lips parted, Ryan thrust his tongue inside, sweeping it against her own. She responded instantly, nails digging into his shoulders. The kiss was hot and hungry. He was hot and hungry. Drunk on the taste and scent of her.
Bunching the bottom of her dress in his hands, Ryan peeled it from her, revealing every luscious inch of the perfect little body that was all his. A body he’d soon
be possessing. His cock was thick and full and hurting like a motherfucker. Cupping her breast a little too roughly, Ryan took her mouth again. He claimed and consumed it with his tongue and teeth as she clawed off his T-shirt.
Makenna tried to pull back, intending to tell him to take off his shoes and jeans, but he wasn’t having any of that. A growl rumbled into her mouth as one hand spanned her throat. The dominant move didn’t ruffle her wolf in the slightest. Maybe it was that the animal trusted him, or maybe it was just that she was in a good mood. Makenna, however . . . her natural defiance rose up fast.
She bit his lip, breaking the kiss. But before she could order him to release her, he snarled and reclaimed her mouth, squeezing her throat just enough to be uncomfortable but not enough to choke her. Then, his mouth still on hers, she was turned and forced to take backward steps to the bed.
“Lay down,” he rumbled.
In general, Ryan’s tone never changed. But in bed? That was a whole other matter. Right now, his tone was authoritative and brooked no argument. But she liked to argue. Another male might have engaged in a battle of wills with her. Ryan? He just pushed her down and pinned her there with his hold on her throat. She should not like the way he just maneuvered her where he wanted her.
Sliding his hand down to palm her breast, Ryan grazed her throat with his teeth. One day, he’d leave his irrevocable brand on that very spot. “I’m going to lick your pussy until you come on my tongue, Kenna. Then I’m going to fuck you. Come inside you. Mark what’s mine.”
Growling at the proprietary comment that dared her to object, she went to fight him.
“Don’t move.”
That assertive rumble made her freeze. Which pissed her off. Since when was she so submissive? Makenna bared her teeth. “For someone who doesn’t like talking, you’re awful fucking chatty in bed.” The bastard blew over her nipple, making it tighten painfully. Then he flicked it with his tongue before latching on tight. Her eyes fell closed.
Ryan licked his way down to her navel and flicked her belly button ring with his tongue. “I want your eyes, Kenna.” They opened, blazing fire at him.
“You want a lot.”
He slipped off her shoes and then snapped off her panties. “I want everything. I won’t accept anything less than everything you are and everything you have to give.” He took a step back and grabbed her thighs. “Everything, Kenna.” He tilted her hips toward him and then swiped his tongue between her slick folds. Her taste exploded on his tongue. She made that sound. God, that fucking sound. It was throaty and breathless and held a hint of demand.
Makenna fisted the sheets as he licked and ate at her pussy like it was his job. Lapping and nipping and pumping his tongue inside her. The friction built, winding her tighter and tighter. When his fingers dug into her thighs so hard she knew she’d bruise, that bit of pain sent her over. But Ryan didn’t stop. Merciless in his assault, he threw her into a second orgasm. Still, he didn’t stop. Her clit was sensitive enough to make her wince, but the friction still built once more. And when he pulled his wet finger from her pussy and pushed it into her ass, she came again. It was like her body didn’t belong to her anymore. It was giving Ryan what he wanted. She felt powerless, vulnerable. And she didn’t like it.
“Ryan, stop.” His head very slowly lifted, his features savage and predatory. She froze at the danger there. “I want to be on top.” The position would give her some measure of control. He was taking it all from her. Her libido was quite happy to roll over and show its belly.
“No.” Ryan suckled on her clit.
“It’s too sensitive.” He ignored her. So, in one swift, sneaky move, she pulled one thigh free and kicked his chest hard. Not that it appeared to have hurt him, but it did make him stagger backward.
“You kicked me,” Ryan growled. “That wasn’t nice.” She slid off the bed and onto her knees, tackled his fly and pulled down his jeans—which took him off-guard for two reasons. One, she seemed pretty pissed with him. Two, dominant females weren’t quick to deliver oral sex. They took their sweet time about it. When her eyes flicked to his and he caught the calculating glint there, he understood.
Fisting a hand in her hair, Ryan held her head in place before she could put her mouth on him. “No. You don’t want to suck me off, you want to take control.” He slowly shook his head. “Not happening. When you want my dick in your mouth, you can have it. Until then, you’ll wait.”
She snarled. “Who says you get to be in control?”
“I do.” He never ceded control. “Get up.” She just stared at him defiantly. “Get up, Kenna.”
The power and dominance in his tone made her pussy quiver. She relented and stood . . . but she licked his cock from base to tip as she did so. Makenna winced as he tightened his hand in her hair hard enough to make her scalp prickle.
“Careful, Kenna. Or don’t you want to be fucked?”
She licked her lower lip. “Do it.”
Releasing her hair, he slid his hand down to close around her breast. “Do what?” Her eyes narrowed, once again glinting with a defiance that made his cock throb. “If you want me in you, you have to tell me.” He punctuated that with a pinch to her nipple.
“You know I want you in me,” she ground out.
Ryan sucked on her earlobe and lightly tapped her ass. “Turn around and bend over. I want your head down.” Ever so slowly, she obeyed him. The graceful arch of her spine made him groan. “Good girl.” He kicked off his shoes and jeans, and shoved them aside. Splaying one hand on her back, Ryan slowly sank into her, groaning. She had the tightest pussy he’d ever fucked. It was hot and wet and rippling around him. Balls deep, he flexed his cock. “See how well I fit? That’s because you were made for me.” He thrust hard. “Only for me.”
Makenna gripped the sheets as he rode her hard, caught up in the sensations. His fingers biting into her hips. The burn of his cock, full and thick and long, stretching her pussy. His balls slapping against her ass.
She hissed at the sharp prick of his claws, but he didn’t sheathe them. “Claws,” she reprimanded. He paused and withdrew them, which made her frown. Ryan wasn’t so easily handled.
“You don’t want my claws branding you?”
It was a casual question, but something in his tone made the hairs on her nape rise. “No.”
Ryan covered her body with his, sliding his hand around to possessively cup her breasts. “Such a little liar.” Locking his teeth around the fading bite on her nape, he brutally hammered in and out of her. Because he could. Because she was his. Her pussy squeezed him tight, showing him she loved it. His pace was feral and unrelenting, and she pushed back to meet each ruthless thrust. He growled his approval.
“Ryan, I’m going to come.” The feel of his teeth digging harder into her skin sent her tumbling into an orgasm. She screamed, arching against him as her pussy clamped down on him. He slammed into her one final time and pulsed deep inside her again and again and again.
Ryan laved the fresh bite on her nape. “You’re mine, Kenna. You’re running out of time to accept it.” Panting and shaking beneath him, she raised a hand. And flipped him the finger. He almost smiled.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
A few days later, Makenna woke to the sound of voices. Lots of them. Shouting. Chanting.
She groaned, wondering if the noise was responsible for her pounding headache. Forcing her eyes open, she saw that Ryan was gone from what had become his spot on her bed. She wasn’t surprised. Sleeping over at her apartment didn’t stop him from rising at the crack of dawn to go begin his enforcer duties. His scent lingered, tickling her senses and pleasing her wolf.
Rolling onto her back, Makenna stretched. And winced. Ryan had been exceptionally rough with her the night before. Not that she was complaining. She didn’t mind those little aches that reminded her he’d been there.
She did mind all those damn voices.
God, she needed some Advil or something.
With a huff, Makenna sli
d out of bed and pulled on her robe. In the bathroom, she opened the cabinet. No painkillers. Fucking grand. Turning on the faucet, she jerked back as the pipes groaned and water spluttered out in three short bursts. Then nothing. “You’ve got to be kidding me!”
Silently, she grumbled as she brushed her teeth—which was not a pleasant experience when she had no water to dilute the toothpaste. And when she dropped the roll of toilet paper into the toilet, she was more than a little pissed. Her wolf found it kind of amusing.
By the time Makenna returned to the bedroom, her headache was worse and she was seething. And those voices were still yelling. She marched into the living area. Halfway to her tiny window, she halted. She didn’t need to look outside to know what was happening. Not when she could now clearly hear the words they were chanting.
“We won’t be an animal’s mate. Exile all shifters before it’s too late. In the name of God, we stand and yell, ‘Shifters must return to hell!’”
Her wolf’s good mood fled. Oh, fuck. Anti-shifter extremists. Not just any extremists, but the religious nut jobs—better described as people who’d been deprived of oxygen at birth and turned loco as a result. They were completely unhinged. Religion had nothing to do with why they did what they did; it was simply something they latched on to and used as justification.
Could her morning get any worse?
It couldn’t be a coincidence that they were outside a building wherein a lone shifter lived. Someone must have tipped them off to the whereabouts of a local loner. Prejudiced humans often sold the identities of loners to extremists.
She doubted the extremists knew what apartment was hers or they would have smashed her tiny windows by now—maybe even have tried to get inside. A few months ago, she’d chased off a lone shifter who had been bullying a human female outside the building. That meant that some of the human tenants knew she was a loner. If the extremists offered enough money to them, one might be persuaded to point the extremists in her direction.