An Everlasting Bite (16 page)

Rynn took a step away, gave him a chiding look, and leaned against the wall for support.

Hendrix lowered his head and sighed. “What do we do now?”

“We keep looking,” Valor responded.

Danika took a few quick deep, unstable breaths. “I thought they would know…”

Then, she sobbed. “Where is she?”

Hendrix wrapped his arms around his mate. “Quiet now, we will find her.”

“It sounds as if she is in no danger. Let that ease you.” Valor patted Danika’s back reassuringly.

Danika glanced to him, her face streaked with tears. “Why would one of our pack have her?”

Good question, Briggs wondered that himself. Colbat obviously wasn’t her lover, so that scratched that theory. Cashton had said that he looked to be her protector. Protector from whom? Could whoever had attempted to kill them also be trying to kill Kali? The idea just seemed too farfetched to be believable. It was just another theory. What they needed was something more substantial.

Hendrix removed his arm from his mate, took his phone from his pocket, dialed a number and then lifted it to his ear. “Find out who Colbat is.” He flicked the phone closed.

Sayer pointed to Hoby and Lanien. “What do you want to do with these two, Valor?”

“I have no qualms with them. They are yours to punish, Rainer.”

“Punish for what?” Rynn gasped.

Briggs looked at her, she was utterly repulsed by the suggestion. He wished he had the time to make her understand. He figured he’d fuddle it up. Instead, he told her the cold hard truth. “When wolves come into a territory they need to clear it with the Alpha first. By allowing these wolves to stay, they went against protocol. With that disloyalty, Rainer has the right to punish them as he sees fit.”

Rainer started toward them.

“Wait,” Rynn shouted and rushed forward to take a protective stance in front Hoby and Lanien. “This is what I want as my payback.”

Rainer gave her a look of unhappiness. “I already gave you that, if you remember.”

“Well I want more,” she said with a stomp of her foot, her hands out to her sides if she was going to stop this Alpha herself.

Briggs chuckled as he watched his mate’s determination and strength—she’d never looked so beautiful and he’d never been so proud. At her first introduction to the Alphas, fear ran through her, now she declared her position of power, even if she didn’t realize it.

“Your request then is that I spare these two?”

“Yes, that’s my request. After that, you’ll owe me nothing. Promise.” She even crossed her heart for added effect.

Rainer glanced at Nera and she nodded. When he looked back at Rynn, he wasn’t smiling, but his eyes were. Briggs could understand it. Rynn was different from other female wolves. Her wants were so unusual. As sweet as he found it, it also amused him.

“This young wolf just saved your life.” Rainer’s gaze turned cold as he looked at the men. “Best you make something good out of it. If I hear of any further trouble or disloyalty to me, you will not have her to save you. Am I clearly understood?”

Hoby and Lanien let out a deep breath and nodded. They both gave Rynn a smile of thank you. She let out a deep breath and smiled in return.

Briggs knew this was hard for her, to accept rules that were violent, but they enforced these rules because the consequences were severe and kept order. He wasn’t sure what she’d do when the option to avoid those rules weren’t hers to make. In time, he hoped she’d understand the need for such penalties.

Valor opened the door and headed out and the others followed, leaving Hoby and Lanien still shaking and sweating on the floor.

Rynn came back to Briggs, gave him a proud smile. He reached arm out and tucked her into him. That scent which enticed him came thick through his nose.

“So, where to now?” she asked as they exited the house.

“Nowhere,” Valor answered. “With the full moon tonight, it’s pointless to continue.

We’ll start again in the morning.” He looked around and met every pair of eyes.

“Agreed?”

Of course, everyone nodded. Even Hendrix did not argue. Truth was, the hold of the moon was impossible to control. None of them would be of any use here until the sun rose. Only Valor, whose mate had passed away years ago, and Dante—being a single wolf—would be unaffected. They also had nothing to go on. Waiting it out was the best idea.

As Briggs opened the car door, Rynn asked, “What happens tonight then?”

Briggs gave her bottom a pat as she made her way through the door. “You’ll just have to wait and see, darlin’.”

He could hardly wait and craved this as much as she did. Probably more in fact because he knew what was in store for them. Never being mated before, he’d never experienced the moon before, but he’d heard stories. The Alpha in him demanded her and anticipated a fun night ahead.

The sun began to set as Rynn sat on a patch of soft grass and glanced out to Medicine Lake. The night was very warm and quiet with only the sounds of bullfrogs around her. She finally tore her gaze from the splendid view and looked at Briggs. “Are you going to tell me what happens now?”

A sensual smile grazed his lips. “Our wolves will call to each other.”

“Call like how?”

“To mate,” he said, simply.

She hadn’t even considered that a possibility. Images of the worst sort flashed through her mind. “We’re going to
do it
as wolves?”

He shook his head, grinned at her. “As much as I would love to, we can’t.”

Okay, she wasn’t so sure she’d agree with him. The idea of doing anything in her fluffy form that had to do with sex just seemed ‘off limits’ to her. His reply confused her.

“Why couldn’t we do that?”

He gave her a knowing look. “You want a child?”

“No!” she exclaimed.

His eyes twinkled in amusement at her quick response. “Then, that’s the reason.”

For an instant, she swore she saw a bit of longing in his gaze. Did he want a child?

The idea hadn’t even crossed her mind. At only twenty-four, the idea of becoming a mother held no appeal to her, especially considering her circumstances before. But now, things were different. Briggs was older by four years, was this where his mind lingered?

He continued, drawing her away from her thoughts. “We procreate through mating as wolves—you cannot get with child in human form.” He glanced up to the sky, each minute that passed, growing darker. “The full moon is connected to your cycle.”

She was appalled at what he was suggesting. “So I’m ovulating right now?”

Briggs nostrils flared, his eyes burned with lust. “Aye, you are.”

“And you can smell that?” she gasped, mortified.

“You smell like fresh ripe woman to me, love.” He leaned in, his features fading against the dark skies and laid his lips across hers.

His words would have embarrassed her, if his mouth hadn’t drained all thought from her mind. The heat within her was almost cruel. Her body sizzled, simmered in need of him. She wasn’t the only one. Briggs’ mouth hardened against hers. The gentleness about him vanished, replaced by his enduring kisses.

He drew away, her mouth remained parted as she gasped. He chuckled and when she opened her eyes to meet his gaze, she laughed too. Good gracious, her body responded more like a horny teenager than a woman who had just been satisfied recently.

“Why didn’t I feel any of this during the last full moon?”

“We hadn’t mated then. The bond wasn’t completed.” He glanced up, the sunset created a glow along his skin. He looked back at her, his brow arched. “Now it is.”

Well, that made sense. When she experienced the full moon before, they’d only been united by the moon, but hadn’t yet sealed their bond. Pondering a moment, she realized not to question it. She was a werewolf now, the full moon and wolves just fit.

“Have you experience this before?”

“No, it’s only something shared between mated wolves.” He winked. “It’s quite intense.”

“Intense?” She chortled. “That’s saying it mildly.” Then, a thought occurred to her.

“So, after this I won’t feel like this anymore?” She prayed in fact. It was one thing to lust over the one you loved, but to be out of control every time he touched her, it wasn’t a livable state.

“Yes, you will not be as overwhelmed, but we’re newly mated and you’re new to lovemaking—I’d imagine we’ll stay lost in each other for a while.”

Wasn’t that just all types of sultry yumminess. Hearing it sent a wave of desire through her blood and settled in her gut. She took a deep breath, forced herself to have an ounce of control.

“Have you ever felt like this before—you know with others?” He’d never gone into specifics about his past and she never asked. A man like Briggs wasn’t likely to remain unnoticed by the ladies though.

Briggs smiled as if he knew the question was long overdue. “No.” He brushed his fingers across her cheek. “I am in love you, Rynn. I’ve never experienced that before with any other, nor have I been mated.” His fingers were deeper against her skin as he traveled along her jaw line. “It makes me want you in ways I’ve never experienced. You bring the Alpha out in me—that makes me want to ravish you until you can’t take more.”

She gulped, his deep husky tone seduced her as her gaze bore into his yellow eyes, which burned with lust. It sounded good—like
get naked now
good. She closed her eyes for a moment and settled herself.

The sun dropped lower and the sensual energy only grew. Briggs was right there with her. They no longer talked, only stared at one another, since that was all that was possible between them now.

It only took minutes for the sun to settle, and the moment the sky grew dark, Rynn’s shift was instantaneous. Surprised her really, since Briggs said they wouldn’t mate as wolves. The power took her so quickly, she couldn’t ask the
whys
and the
what happens
now
.

Briggs growled, low and deep in his throat. When Rynn’s gaze met his, his legs were stiff, tail erect—dominant Alpha in every regard. In a response that came from deep within her soul, she lowered her hips, kept her head low to the ground and a soft whimper escaped her mouth.

He growled again. Her body responded without thought as she lay on her back, exposed her throat and belly to him. It displayed her trust in him since the position was very dangerous for her to be in. The instinct lived right down into her soul that he needed to see this from her. She whimpered again.

Briggs howled loudly to the moon. When he lowered his head, his eyes shone of rightness, protection, and happiness. He leaned down, nudging her with his nose. But more than that, they showed playfulness. He nudged her side with his nose, nodded toward the forest.

She immediately caught his meaning. She jumped to her feet, returned the look of play and pounced forward. As she ran, she glanced back to see Briggs hitting the ground with his paws in anticipation and wagging his tail. She focused in front of her and ran as if her life depended on it.

His howl came loud, but far away. He let her have a head start, but as she rushed through the trees, she could hear him fast approaching.

She lunged faster, continued to run harder. Her paws barely touched the ground as her speed increased. Her ears twitched back and he began to close the distance. Briggs’

wolf was three times the size of her as a wolf. Needless to say, it didn’t take him long to catch up.

She had an advantage, though, her small size made her slightly quicker. She could weave through trees with impeccable speed while he had to go around them. He couldn’t catch her. He ran to her right, but she never looked back. She didn’t have to. His presence was there, and she could feel his playful banter coursing through her. For wolves, she suspected this was about as fun as it came, and she felt silly right along with him.

Suddenly, he moved faster—lengthened his stride.

Oh crap!
He was only humoring her that she could out run him. Before she knew it, he was behind her and gave her backside a little nibble. She skidded to a halt and glanced behind her. He rested, head down and rump in the air, tail wagging.

The wolf within her knew exactly what to do. She lunged toward him. He jumped out of the way to rest in the same position and waited for her attack. Even in his wolf form, his eyes were so amused. He enjoyed this and so did she.

He growled, the sound rumbled through the air as he called her forward. She pounced again, but this time she ended up right on her butt as he maneuvered away from her.

Determined, she crouched down in the position he displayed—the declaration of an attack. She lunged forward. This time he let her. When she collided with him, they rolled around within the leaves and dirt, nibbling at each other.

After a final tumble, she jumped away. When she met his gaze, his eyes were smiling. She couldn’t deny how fun this was. As wolves, this was happiness. She’d needed this. Just silly fun. No danger, only them.

She positioned herself with her rump up, tail wagging, and Briggs instantly did the same. Both let out low growls of excitement.

Rynn wiggled her rump once, then she pounced forward again, and it sent them rolling down a hill. Just so happened, at the end of that hill was a cliff. The moment she hit the edge, she soared off to see Medicine Lake resting below. Relief filled her. At least, it wasn’t going to be a hard fall.

As she fell, her legs kicked wildly. Then, she crashed into the water. The second she went under her shift came with it. Wolves apparently didn’t like water since fear consumed her at first contact and being under was in no way comfortable.

She shifted and respite came with it. She began to swim back up to the surface in search of air. Halfway there, Briggs’ hand reached down and pulled her the rest of the way. When she hit the surface, she sucked in a deep breath, and burst out laughing, as did Briggs.

The water was warm tonight. The night calm, quiet, which left the water so still that the only a ripple was caused from their gliding bodies.

He pulled her forward and brought her in close to him. “Did you like that?” he asked.

She wrapped her arms around him, brought her legs around his waist, while he ran his hands up and down her back. “I loved it.”

“Never has the Alpha in me been so playful.” He winked. “He likes it.”

The sensual energy hadn’t rescinded. If anything, it’d grown. Seeing her Alpha, all wet and sizzling with desire, just increased the burn. “My wolf likes when your wolf is playful,” she purred with intent. She couldn’t wait any longer. She reached down to his shirt and yanked it over his head. The moment it left his body, he pushed her away as they freed themselves from the rest of their clothes.

After a bit of push and shove, and some interesting swimming moves, she got out of her jeans and he pulled her close back to his body. He grabbed their floating clothes, and threw them to the shore as he took her mouth deliciously as the water rushed around their bodies. He pulled her even closer, holding her body tight against his, and gripped her bottom with his hands.

With all the tension that had built within her, she needed him immediately. Briggs read her message loud and clear. With a quick move, he slipped inside her. She squealed a little as the rush of water came with him.

She gripped her thighs around him as he swam closer to shore. Once there, he steadied his feet against the rocky floor, grasped her hips and rocked her against him.

“Oh,” she moaned. “Do that again.” He did, only harder this time.

He rocked her quicker, kept her body close to his so that the water would stay out.

The sensation of the hardness within her, beating the inside of her walls was enough to kill her.

He groaned deep as his hands tightened on her hips and rocked her firmly against him until she gasped out in pure pleasure. Her eyes watered from the force of his strength. The hardness within her touched every part of her. Shivers of an erotic nature coursed through her. He rocked her back and forth, swirled her hips, and she let him move her wherever he wanted to. His intentions created a whirlwind of sensitivity to her core. By the time she suffered one slice of bliss, he hit another part of her core that would make her only feel more and gasp out louder.

Diving toward her mouth, she became lost in him. The harder he rocked her hips, the deeper his mouth got against hers. She grabbed his face, hit back with an intensity of her own, and put a bit of oomph into her hips. It was exactly what she needed, her body tightened and pulsated. Her release was so very near, and goodness, how he got her there so quick.

Briggs growled. “Stop that, love. You’re gonna make me come.”

As if Rynn had a choice in the matter. The way his body slammed inside her, her body had a mind of its own, and without even a little hint of explosion, she blasted into orgasm. She buried her face in his neck and shuddered as her body soured with pleasure.

Feeling Briggs stiffen around her, he hadn’t lied about his earlier statement. His roar of completion was loud next to her ear, but she couldn’t look to him. Not yet.

It took many minutes to recover, and when Rynn finally had the strength to look up.

Briggs’ wore his mischievous grin that was sexy enough to make her want another round.

Judging by the hardness that still rested in her body, she wasn’t the only one.
Yee Haw!