Dawn (The Dire Wolves Chronicles Book 3) (11 page)

“Possibly. I think it’s all a misunderstanding.”

Denny let out a loud laugh. “Oh, isn’t that something. A misunderstanding?”

“Apologize to her.” I glared at him. “She doesn’t deserve your mocking.”

“I’m not mocking her.” Then his face fell. “Ok, I was. I apologize, but your hopelessly naïve. It isn’t your fault, but it also isn’t my problem.”

“Then what other ideas do you have?” She crossed her arms.

I put a hand behind her chair. I stayed quiet. I wasn’t going to step on her toes.

“I don’t have any others.”

“Exactly.” Genevieve took off her sweatshirt, revealing a black t-shirt with a smiling pug.

“Appropriate.” Denny nodded toward her.

“What?”

“Your shirt. It’s a dog.”

“Oh.” Understanding crossed her face. “That wasn’t intentional.”

“I figured it wasn’t.”

“So we’re really going to do this?” I asked as I got a whiff of raw meat. Carl had moved fast.

“I guess so. We have no other choice.” Denny let out a slow deep breath.

“Let’s hope we don’t regret it.”

M
y life was
from the pages of Moby Dick. At least that’s how I felt as I rolled around on the ancient mattress in the room above the bar. I’d read the classic when Hunter gave me his copy to borrow, and I couldn’t help but think I might as well have been in a rented room in an inn from the nineteen century for how old the furnishings appeared. However, unlike Ishmael, I knew the man sleeping next to me.

“You okay, babe?” Gage whispered in my ear.

“I’m fine. Sorry I’ve been rolling around so much.”

“Don’t apologize.”

I rolled over so I was looking at him. “Do you think Genevieve is okay?”

“She’s with Denny. She’ll be fine.”

“Was I a bad person for taking her up on the offer to stay with you?”

“No. Absolutely not.” He kissed my forehead.

“And you’re not saying that because you wanted alone time with me?”

“Nope. You really didn’t see it, did you?” He ran his hand down my arm.

“See what?”

“Come on, Mary Anne. The two have been ready to jump each other since they met.”

“Wait. You don’t? You think she wanted to spend the night in a room with him?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know for sure, but she seemed perfectly happy to offer.”

I laughed. “I totally missed that.”

“That’s okay. I love your innocence.”

“I think you took my innocence already.”

“Hey, I didn’t take your virginity.” He ran his lips down my shoulder.

“I wish you had.” It would have been far better than my first experience.

“I wish you would have told me how you felt sooner.”

I swatted at him. “No fair. I had no reason to think you shared the feelings.”

“Can’t turn back the clock, so focus on the positive. I am the first Dire you’ve ever slept with. Or the first non-human for that matter.”

“That’s true.” I ran my hand down the side of his face. “I’m in bed with a man who’s not human. I guess that makes you even more exotic than Queequeg.”

“Then who?”

“It’s a character from Moby Dick.” I realized how ridiculously nerdy I sounded, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t embarrassed in front of Gage anymore. He seemed to embrace all my weird quirks.

“Should I ask why you’re thinking about that book right now?”

“It’s just the ambiance.”

“Okay…”

“But that doesn’t matter. I’m glad we get some time together.”

“Met too.” He brushed his lips against mine.

“We aren’t in a bed together very often.”

“Not nearly enough.”

I took his hand in mine. “This bed isn’t the best, but it’s something.”

“It’s not our sleeping bag.” He laughed.

“No, nothing can beat that.”

I ran my hand up and down his bare chest.

He let out a deep breath. “Your touch feels incredible, but it’s also torture.”

“Why is it torture?”

“Because I want you so bad it hurts.”

“And that’s a problem because?”

“I guess it isn’t right now.” He slipped his hand underneath my shirt. I was only sleeping in a t-shirt. I needed a break from my jeans.

“It’s dark in here so I won’t be reminded of how creepy and old this room is.”

“I assure you, I’ll make you forget.” He pulled my shirt up over my head and left it with the sleeves around my wrists.

“You’re really good at that.”

“I know I am.” He kissed my neck and moved his lips down over my chest, stopping at the spot between my breasts. “I’m really good.”

My body pulsed with excitement. I let everything else go. The stress and fear fell away, and I focused on the feel of his lips. I waited anxiously as he unclasped my bra. He pulled it up to join my shirt. I felt more exposed than usual with my hands trapped inside my sleeves.

His lips claimed one of my breasts, his teeth lightly grazing my nipple. I moaned.

His hand slipped down over my stomach and he slipped a finger inside the waistband of my underwear. Without releasing my breast, he slid down my underwear agonizingly slow. I kicked them off as soon as they reached my feet.

He laughed. “A little anxious are you?”

“More than a little.”

He moved up over me. “I’m always anxious for you.”

“I want to touch you.” Having my arms over my head felt sexy, but I wanted to touch him.

“Not yet. I’m not ready.” He slipped his free hand between my legs, and I eagerly opened up to him. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back. I moaned again.

“Still want to touch me?” His lips brushed against my ear. I opened my eyes, surprised he was so close.

“Yes.” He released my hands and slipped off my shirt. I immediately ran my hand down his chest before taking him in my hand.

He groaned. “Mary Anne.”

“Two can play at this game.”

He laughed again. “I’ll play this game anytime you want.”

I stroked him until he stilled me. “Are you ready for me?”

“I always am.”

“Good.” He positioned himself over me, and I waited with bated breath.

“I love you.” He thrust inside me. There was nothing gentle about his movements, and I urged him on. I wanted him to fill me. To make me forget everything and everyone. In those moments there was only us, and we were fused together as one.

He sped up his movements faster and faster, and I held onto his back. His lips moved down to my neck. I moaned as he found a sensitive spot.

“Mine.” His lips tightened on my neck.

I felt an intense sting followed by a burst of euphoria like nothing I’d ever experienced. I could feel, see, and taste it. I pulled him closer, needing more.

“Mine,” he repeated his possessive word, and I didn’t mind. I was his. I’d always been his, only he didn’t know it until now.

He moved his full length inside me harder and faster until I could barely hold it together. “Gage!” I yelled out his name without thinking about the thin walls and our friends on the other side. I couldn’t think about anything other than the sensations surrounding and filling me completely.

He pushed me over the edge, and moments later he shuddered, reaching his own release. I felt it. Not just in the way he pulsed inside me. I felt it in my veins. I moaned. It was like another orgasm all of its own.

I opened my eyes to find him staring into mine. “Gage?”

“I didn’t mean it.” He was still inside of me, but his face was a mask of shock. He gently stroked my neck.

“What do you mean? Did you give me a hicky or something?” I touched my neck where his hand was. It was slightly sore.

“Not exactly.”

“What do you mean?” I asked even though reality was dawning on me. I’d felt his orgasm. We were connected in some weird new way.

“I claimed you, Mary Anne. I made you my mate.”

“Like that? You did it just like that?” I touched my neck again. We’d mated? We were really connected in that kind of official way? I felt another wave of euphoria. This was right. Everything was going to be okay.

“I’m so sorry.” He started to pull out.

I stopped him and pulled him back down on top of me. “I’m glad.”

“Why? Now you’re stuck with me.”

“Stuck with you?” I cupped his face in my hand. “I was with you for good before this. Now it’s simple. You can’t get rid of me.”

“Hunter. What’s he going to say?”

“Are you really going to worry about that now? We’re about to break him out and end the hunt.”

“We are.”

“Glad you finally agree.”

“You’re mine now. Hunter can’t have you.”

He also might not change him. That thought briefly flittered through my head, but I pushed it away. That was impossible. All I had to do was end the hunt. If only that was simple.

He kissed me before pulling out and rolling on to his side. “How do you feel? I should have asked that first, but now is better than never.”

“I feel wonderful.” Despite my nerves with Hunter, I felt great. I felt whole in a way I’d never felt before.

“Good.” He kissed me lightly. “Then I should probably let you get some sleep.”

“Only if you hold me.”

He pulled me into his arms. “As if I wouldn’t.”

I closed my eyes and snuggled against him. We might not get another night alone together for a long time. I was going to enjoy every last second of it.

I
was still
on a high the next morning when we sat down for breakfast. Carl had fixed large plates of eggs for Genevieve and me, and raw meat for the Dires.

Genevieve picked at her food, but I didn’t notice any signs she’d had an eventful night. I wondered if there was any truth to Gage’s suggestion after all.

We all ate silently, but Gage and I kept exchanging glances. Mating with him had changed things. I felt so much closer.

“Thanks for the food and housing.” Denny broke the silence to thank Carl when he walked over to check on us.

“Yes, we appreciate it.” I set down my fork.

“No problem. Don’t be such strangers.”

Denny nodded. “Hopefully next time we won’t in this kind of situation.”

We left the bar to head over to The Boot. I was starting to regret eating my whole plate when my stomach began doing somersaults. The combination of the food and nerves wasn’t a good one.

This wasn’t going to go well. I might have been the one pushing for the meeting, but that didn’t mean I was ready for it. If we’d had another option, I would have eagerly jumped on it. I wasn’t sure what I was most afraid of. The king might try to take Gage, or Gage and Denny might do something to upset the king and undermine everything. I trusted Gage, but he was temperamental. I wasn’t sure how much of that was being a Dire and how much was that he wasn’t fully changed. I hoped it was the latter because it meant it was only temporary.

“Are you sure she said to meet here?” Gage asked suspiciously as we neared the bar. “This doesn’t exactly look like the type of place royalty would hang out.” It was a simple red building located right off Tulane’s campus without much to say for it. From the outside it appeared deserted.

“I’m sure. It sounded strange, but I assumed they wanted to do this on the down low.” That was the only explanation I could come up with. It also explained the random time.

“Or it’s a trap. One or the other.” Genevieve shrugged. “Impossible to tell.”

“You are one of the strangest humans I’ve ever met.” Denny shook his head.

“Thank you, I think.” Genevieve stopped right near the entrance.

“You are thanking me for calling you strange?” Denny raised an eyebrow.

“Yes. That shouldn’t surprise you.”

“Maybe I’m wrong about human women.”

“Oh I’m sure you’re not wrong. Most aren’t like us.” She gestured to me. “I’m sure you already know Mary Anne is as strange as me.”

“I didn’t notice, but then again, she does like this guy.” Denny pointed a thumb at Gage.

“I think we were both insulted.” Gage slung an arm around me.

I snuggled into his comfortable embrace. “Sounds like it.”

“If anything goes wrong, you run.” Gage locked eyes with mine. “You understand?”

“The same goes for you.” I was worried about his safety more than mine. I didn’t know the king and queen well, but I doubted they’d hurt a human without a reason. At least the queen wouldn’t.

“You know I’m not leaving you behind.”

“Then why should I leave you?” I wasn’t going to let him throw his life away. It was just as important as mine.

He groaned. “We’ve been over this. One of us has a guarantee at life, the other doesn’t.”

“Then let’s focus on getting you that guarantee, okay?”

“Let’s focus on everyone staying alive and together.” Genevieve moved her zipper up and down the zipper track of her sweatshirt.

“Perfect plan.” I was increasingly more grateful about our decision to bring Genevieve in. I didn’t like that she was in danger, but she made everything easier. It was selfish, but I also truly believed Genevieve was glad for the excitement. Evidently she’d been craving excitement more than I thought.

I took a deep breath and walked over to the door. Gage pulled back on my shoulder gently as if to stop me, but I shrugged him off. I was the one who set up the meeting. I was going in first.

The door opened easily. The bar was completely empty. No one sat at any of the wooden tables, and there was no bartender stationed behind the bar top that spanned the entire back wall of the room. If they were going for quiet and private, they were going to get it. I was positive that was exactly what they wanted.

“You think they’re going to show up?” Gage asked as his eyes scanned the room in the same way I had.

“I think so.” I was already worried that we’d stepped into a trap. Denny eyed the door, and I knew he’d be ready to pounce at any given moment.

A door next to the bar opened and Allie walked in with Levi right by her side.

“You showed up.” She gave me what I assumed was supposed to be a reassuring smile, but it didn’t help. I felt like a wobbly pile of gelatin.

Gage pulled me against his side, probably stopping me from falling over then and there on the floor. Despite everything we’d gone through, this was the confrontation I was dreading most.

“Welcome.” Levi smiled in an alarmingly bright way. “I hope you don’t mind the location, this seemed like a quiet place to talk.” He was relaxed and dressed far more casually than when I last saw him in the courthouse. He’d changed his suit for a collared shirt and a pair of khakis.

“This is fine.” No one else was talking so I decided to do it. I was surprised Genevieve wasn’t taking over again. She was completely silent by my side. The king seemed to be intimidating her more than the queen.

“And you must be Gage.” Levi held out a hand to him. “I understand you’ve had quite a busy few days.”

“You could say that.” Gage warily accepted his outstretched hand.

Levi returned his hand to his side. “I’m glad you could make it.”

“We didn’t see another choice.” Gage looked him square in the eye.

“You want to get your Alpha out.”

“I want to protect Mary Anne, and I can’t do that if I’m dead.” He pulled me even closer to him.

“You’re newly changed.” Levi stepped toward Gage. “I had no idea an Alpha Dire could still do that.”