Grayslake: More than Mated: Make Her Howl (Kindle Worlds Novella) (7 page)

Marc felt the wood of the table splintering beneath his hand. He had to stop touching her, to take his hands off her, but her soft skin beneath him sent lightning bursts of desire through him. He could see her nipples straining the fabric of her dress and he wanted to know what those sweet berries would taste like on his tongue.

The primordial call of her wolf's need was screaming through him. He desperately tried to control himself, to pull his hand away from where it rested on her chest, but he couldn't. Her lidded, smoky eyes dared him to keep going, but once he started? He's not stopping until she's beneath him and coming.

Magda's lips parted and she practically whispered the word, "Please."

It's all the encouragement Marc needed. His hands slid under the edge of her dress until he finally captured the hard nub of her nipple between his fingers. Her head fell back and her groan echoed down his spine. His cock swelled and begged to plunge into her already, but he intended on making his tease pay for pushing him so close to the edge.

He leaned towards her, finally releasing the edge of table with his other hand. He rested his hand on her knee as her legs widen to give him access. The silky material beneath his hands drove him upward and he gritted his teeth when he discovered the lacy edge of a stocking. He traced the line of the garter belt to her bare inner thighs and when she started to move her hands to reach for him, he growled.

"No." She froze. "Don't move. This is your punishment for teasing me." She nodded and bit her lip. She squirmed a little under his hand.

With one hand still teasing her nipples, he finally let the other find the heat between her legs. The lacy scrap of fabric hid nothing from him as he softly stroked her until her legs trembled and her knees fell open. He finally found the edge of her panties and slid his fingers between her soft, soaking petals. He gritted his teeth when she cried out and arched against his hand.

She was hot and wet and Marc wanted nothing more than to pick her up and slide her down his cock. His thumb circled her hard nub while his fingers sought out the deeper warmth of her sheath and as he plunged into the slick heat of her core Magda sucked in a shaky breath.

He let her get used to his invasion while teasing the sensitive bud at his thumb. When she writhed against him, he moved in response, delving deeper into her with each stroke. He let the tempo build as he watched her face.

Her eyes were closed as she lost herself completely to his touch. The muscles in her arms and the cords in her neck stood out as she gripped the chair arms. Her hips moved hard against his hand and her cries grew louder.

He could feel how close Magda was as he relentlessly ground against her. Her whole body grew taunt and her entire body arched, then convulsed into a chain of spasms around his fingers as she wailed out her cataclysmic release. Marc withdrew gently and sat back in his chair.

Magda slumped against the chair and her eyes fluttered open. "Wow."

"We're not done yet." He was relishing every moment of the anticipation.

"I hope you don't expect me to walk anywhere just yet." Her smile towards him was soft and dreamy. "I don't think I can move."

Marc smiled at her, filled with the satisfaction of satiating his mate. "I wouldn't dream of it." His eyes locked on hers. "I was thinking that I needed dessert." He lifted his fingers to his mouth and licked the sweet nectar.

She damped her lips with her tongue, mirroring his action, then bit her lip. Magda let out a sharp gasp when he stood and walked over to her. He eased her chair away from the table and dropped to his knees in front of her.

Marc couldn't resist, and stole a hot, sweet kiss from her mouth. When she started to move her hand, he caught it and pressed it back onto the chair arm. Her lips were trembling under his and he caught her lower lip in a gentle nibble that made her moan.

He rained kisses from the edge of her mouth down her neck. Marc paused at the junction of her clavicle. His wolf begged him to bite down and claim her, but he clamped that impulse down. She wasn't ready and he needed her intoxicating nectar on his tongue.

Marc put his hands on her waist and moved up her ribcage, finally getting to cup her bountiful orbs. He gently squeezed the plump mounds. He couldn't resist lowering his mouth to the still pebbled tips, wetting the silken fabric of her dress until her hands gripped the chair arms.

He sat back on his heels and moved his hands down her soft belly, sweeping the lush curves of her hips and thighs, down the outside of her legs to her ankles. He lifted one leg, dropping a kiss on her ankle.

"These are hot as hell." He admired the sky high stilettos and the delicate strap around her ankle as he rested it on his shoulder and slid between her legs.

The skirt of her wrap dress split open, falling to the side and leaving her open to his gaze. He grinned and said, "God, I love a wrap dress. You are so fucking sexy."

The red lace of her scant panties highlighted the neat, dark curls of her mound. He licked his lips in anticipation as he hooked her other leg around the chair.

The delicate lace shredded beneath his needy hands. He tossed the remains to the side as he buried his face in the sweet warmth between her thighs. Magda pulled in a lungful of air as his tongue swept up to the sensitive bud. Her hips lifted and he slid his hands under the rounded curve of her bottom.

He feasted on the sweet honey he'd briefly tasted before, delving deeply into her molten core. She rocked against him, driving him into frenzied motion as he tried to drive her higher, yet again.

Her ragged gasps guided him until he felt her sheath clench again, recognizing her approaching climax. He drove harder until her strong thighs clasped him tighter, then she screamed and shuddered in ecstasy. Spent, she slumped in the chair.

Marc gently unwrapped her legs from around him, then sat back and drank in the vision before him. His mate, satisfied.
Again
.

Magda could barely move as Marc stood and picked up his wine glass. He tossed back the drink and set the glass back down. He leaned down and scooped her up into his arms.

Magda squealed, worried that her ample figure was too much for him, but when he easily held her to his chest, she melted against him.

He said, "I meant to have the candles lit, rose petals spread around." Marc set her gently on the bed. She sat up on her elbows, watching him as he slowly stripped off his shirt.

For a doctor, he was surprisingly well built. Magda couldn't wait to run her tongue down his chiseled abs. His pants hung low, highlighting the sharp V leading to the bulge in his pants. He loosened the button and Magda couldn't wait a moment long, reaching out for him. His skin was soft and the muscles hard under her hands. She pulled herself up and ran her tongue down the center groove of his stomach.

His moan emboldened her and she ran her hand down the front of his pants. The thick bulge throbbed in her hand and she needed to see him, to taste him. She pulled his zipper and let his pants drop to the ground. Marc's hands twined in her hair as she nibbled her way down to the edge of his boxer briefs.

Magda hooked her fingers under the edge of the waistband and tugged them down, releasing his thickness. Her eyes went wide as she got her first look at him.
So thick and perfect
. Her tongue flicked out grazing the tip. His hands tightened as she stroked his velvet length. She looked up at him as she wrapped her lips around his cock. His eyes were glazed with desire as he looked down on her.

She only got to enjoy him in her mouth for a few moments before he stepped back, his thumb swirling over her lips.

"If you keep doing that, I'm not going to last but a moment, and I need to feel you wrapped around me."

She couldn't keep a smug little smile off her lips as he pressed her back onto the bed. His hands made short work of her dress, loosening the ties that kept it on, until he could toss it to the side. Magda sprawled back on the bed, while he knelt between her legs, staring at the lacy bits of lingerie she still wore.

He reached behind her and unhooked her bra, flinging it over his shoulder. Then, Marc ran his hands down the outside of her legs, the silk of her stockings holding the warmth of his fingertips for a moment, until he reached her ankles. He slipped her shoes off and tossed them to the side. His gaze feasted on her lush curves, his fingers dancing gently over her body until she was shaking with need.

Magda was helpless under his spell. He was everything she'd fantasized about.

His wandering hands paused at the snaps to her garter belt and he said, "You look so exquisite, but unwrapping you is even more fun." He loosened the snaps and slowly peeled her silken stockings off. Her skin was so sensitized that she was moaning with need by the time he got them both off. The garter belt was quickly tossed to the side.

Magda writhed against him, pulling him into the cradle of her thighs. She needed to feel him. His hard length moved against her slick, wet heat until he found her waiting entrance. He moved against her, easing into her core, pausing to let her body accept his erotic invasion.

She writhed against him as he began to move in slow circles. As passion overtook them, he went from steady, measured movements to wilder, more frenzied motions. His body delved deeper into her until the he finally drove her to a shattering explosion, her body spasming around him driving him over the edge until he joined her in ecstasy.

Marc collapsed next to Magda, wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her hair. She drifted in and out of sleep in the warm comfort of his embrace. Magda must have fallen more deeply into sleep because the ring of the phone startled her fully awake.

Her first instinct was to find her mate. He pulled her into his chest as he sleepily answered the phone.

She blinked in confusion.
Mate? Her mate was long dead.
Dawning fear filled her. She tried to push through the confusion, to pretend that her body hadn't felt comfort and relief when he touched her, soothed her.

If he wasn't her mate, she could have stayed. But the cold stone in her pit told the truth, he was her mate and to stay with him would destroy them both. Now, if she stayed as his mate, he would bite her, claim her and she would have to be part of the pack, to bend to the Alpha's will.

Eventually, he would have to choose between the pack and her. And he would choose the pack. Even if he didn't initially, time and again, the pack would call him and he would have to answer.

The shifter world could be cruel and capricious. At the end of the day, they were animals, inside. At her own daughter's wedding, she’d wanted to shift and kill Reid.

She clung to Marc, not really listening to the call, wanting to remember that this was the last time they would touch, that she would feel his body pressed against hers.

He flung the phone over his shoulders and pressed his lips against hers, branding her as his for all time.

The fire of desire lit inside her again, but he pulled back and chuckled. "God, I can't believe how much I want you right now." She twisted and wrapped her legs around him, pulling him tight to her body.

She needed him again, to take her, make her forget she had to leave. He stirred, thickening against the burning flame against her core.

He groaned, "I shouldn't. I have to go." But when she ground against him, his hands tightened on her hips. "I don't have time to make it good for you."

But with a tilt of her hips, she captured him and pulled him deep into her waiting core. She ground against him as hard and fast as she could, her legs locked around his waist. The words tumbled out of her, "fuck me hard and fast."

He flipped her on back and pounded into her. Passion and rage mixed in Magda's body as she accepted all he could give her and gave back as much as she could. Thrusting wildly, his body stiffened and she was swept away in a wild flood of frenzied passion, her body shuddering with wave after wave of pleasure as his molten release joined hers.

They collapsed on the bed. He lay there a long moment before throwing himself off the bed and staggering to the bathroom. She curled up, grateful to have had such an incredible night with him. She listened to the water flow in the bathroom.

She watched him step back into the bedroom with sleepy eyes. It would be so easy to drift back to sleep and pretend for a little while longer. He dropped a kiss onto her forehead before he slipped into clothes.

"I'm sorry, but I need to go to the hospital. They are short staffed and the on-call surgeon came down with food poisoning." He paused at the door and looked back at Magda. "I hate that they woke us, but my god, that...that was memorable. Make yourself at home, I'll be back as soon as I can. Keep the bed warm."

Magda flopped back as he left burying her face in his pillow, inhaling his scent. She was trying to brand everything into her memory. Tears slipped down her face and she wailed. She was going to lose love again. Finally, she dried her face and slipped out of the bed.

The drive back to her house was uneventful. It felt so big and scary for her, but the town was quiet. The B&B was dark as she pulled up.

Magda slipped into the house and up to her room. It didn't take long for her to pack. She stared at the bags, her heart flipping. It was shockingly similar to the night she'd left Grayslake the first time. Except this time, she regretted leaving her mother.

Magda wondered if she should wake her and say goodbye. If she left without saying anything this time, her mother would be distraught. But the decision was made for her when she heard a soft knock at the door.

She opened the door and her mother stood on the other side, her hands crushing her robe lapels. But Grace's voice was calm when she said, "Is there anything I can do to help."

Magda stared at her mother with tears in her eyes, finally falling into her mother's warm, loving embrace while she sobbed. Magda finally whispered, "I have to go, Momma. I have to leave Grayslake. Will you forgive me?"

Her mother couldn't cover up the quiver in her voice, revealing her fear and sorrow. "Oh baby, I will miss you so hard. Will you let me know where you are? Or that you're safe?"

Magda wasn't entirely sure what she was going to do, other than that she had to leave, she couldn't see Marc again. Magda wasn't strong enough to resist him if she saw him again.

"I promise. I just, I have to go. I'm sorry."

Her mother's hands were warm on Magda's cheeks. "My sweet girl, I love you. I'll be here, waiting, if you need me." She picked up one of the bags and helped her down to the car.

Magda gave her mother one last long hug and got into the car.

Grace grabbed the door frame, her voice tight, and said, "I won't tell him, them, anything. I made that mistake before, doing what I thought was right."

Magda was flat and cold. "Do you really think they'll ask?" She wasn't part of the pack and was only peripheral to the Grayslake Clan. "I'm sure in a few days, any interest will die down."

Grace's head shook side to side and gave a sad sigh. "Oh Mags, you have no idea do you? Are you sure you don't want to sleep on your decision?"

Her mouth had a wistful turn, but Magda shook her head no and whispered, "Bye, Momma," as she backed away from the house.

Tears nearly blinded her as drove down the road. She grabbed a tissue and scrubbed at her eyes, pushing down her feelings and focusing on the road. The silence of the car was overwhelming, but she let the whir of the wheels on tarmac be the music she drove to.

Long minutes passed and she realized she'd unconsciously chosen the same route out of town they'd used all those years ago. The same section of road she'd very carefully avoided since she came back. Her foot eased off the gas pedal and her heart beat faster.

As she came to the stretch of road where her mate and her youthful dreams both passed away from her, Magda's throat tightened. Before she could think too hard or long, she pulled to the shoulder and stopped the car.

A deep, shuddering moan escaped her lips and she flung the car door open. The headlights illuminated the side of the road and she walked forward. How could this ordinary, boring stretch of road bind her so tightly.

Magda realized there was a plinth in front of her that she didn't recognize. She stepped forward and realized there were words engraved on the black stone. Her fingers traced them as it took a moment for her brain to process the words. The world fell away from her as her vision tunneled in on the simple words.

It was a memorial. For Stuart and Lira’s father.

A shaft of ice drilled through her heart and her ears rang. Was this something Deidre did? Why else would it be here?

A wooden crack in the underbrush broke the mood and scared her. She shouted, "Is someone out there?"

A dark shadow broke away from the trees and Magda growled. Fur sprouted on her arms and her claws began to push out from her hands. Her lips stretched to cover her fangs and the taste of blood combined with her fear started to push her shift out of her control. Her bones were twisting, and if he was human and saw her shift, she'd have to kill him.

Besides not wanting to kill a potential innocent, it would force her to stay in Grayslake until she could report it to Ty. And she could face punishment.

A scent carried to her, it was familiar, but she was starting to lose control. She growled a warning, telling the other shifter something was wrong. She still couldn't visual identify who it was, but he stopped and his scent washed over her.
Reid
.

Fear and rage and the deep pain at losing Marc took hold of Magda's mind and she saw only red. He was going to force her, like they'd tried to force them years ago. Right here, where she lost Stuart, she was losing everything again.

She gave into the blind rage and released the chains on her wolf. She shifted and leap at him, screaming out her defiance. She would not go back in chains.

He twisted away from her, shouting words that the wind whipped away. She sprung back towards him. As he danced away, he got a hand on her ruff and suddenly she was human again. Her wolf was shoved rudely into the back of her mind and she landed heavily on the ground, the wind knocked out of her.

His foot was on her back and she waited for his killing blow, but he stood there for a long moment before he finally said, "You done? Didn't mean to scare you, thought you would recognize my scent."

"You'll have to kill me, you can't force me to go back."

Reid stepped back and said, "I realize I have a fairly well deserved reputation, but why the hell would you think I would kill you? Or drag you anywhere?" He seemed insulted. "I am a happily mated wolf and even if I wasn't, I would never force a woman."

The panic of the moment faded and Magda rolled over on her back. "I don't understand anything right now."

His eyes were sympathetic. "I scared you, your mind was already full of the past, and I've been bugging you about pack bullshit." He extended his hand down to her. "We've all panicked before. Sorry about forcing you human. Evelyn would not have you over for dinner if you ripped my throat out."

Magda accepted his hand up and dusted herself off. She said, "How did you find me?"

Reid shrugged and said, "Van saw you tear away from the B&B, in tears. He was on the phone with me and worried." He swung a bag from over his shoulder, and pulled out a thermos. "Then Evelyn saw you driving away from town and told me. As to this location? I guessed."

"But I didn't plan to come this way, I was distracted..." She trailed off, her voice getting small.

"Yeah, the angry lizard brain takes over sometimes. At least, mine does." He hopped up on the hood of her car and cracked open the thermos. "Evelyn thought if I caught up with you, you might like some tea."

Magda's confusion left her silent and she simply accept the hot tea from Reid. The warmth of the cup felt good against her chilled hands. She wanted Marc to show up and pull her against his chest. But that wasn't what was going to happen.

"This is where the accident happened."

Reid's bald statement made Magda flinch. "It was no accident. We were run off the road and they were killed."

"Was it intentional?" He was very matter of fact.

"Yes. No. I don't know." She sighed, she did know. "No, he was trying to get in front of us. To stop us from leaving. Reid, you don't understand, they weren't going to let us be mates and have a happily ever after. They were going to kill the humans who knew our secrets." Her long suppressed rage and fear started burbling out again. "He thought he could beat me into submission."

He leaned back and looked at the stars. "But you left again."

She stared up at the cold moon. "After the accident, the alpha came to the hospital. Said he was only sorry he hadn't gotten to do it himself." She flinched from Reid's growl. "Deidre heard, we were still together. We left that night, no one expected us to have any fight left."

"But Deirdre was pregnant."

"Reid, we were both pregnant with half shifter babies."

"There's another kid?"

"No, in the aftermath of the accident, I lost the pregnancy. My heart broke all over again. That's when I swore I would never, ever come back here."

"How'd that work out for you?"

She had to laugh at his laconic drawl. "Well, Deirdre was very, very good at getting her way."

"So, what does all of this have to do with you and the good doctor? Did he hurt you?"

"Did he hurt me?" Magda was confused by the question and by Reid being, perhaps not gentle but as gentle as she thought was possible for him. She shook her head, "No, but you don't understand. I can't stay here, not without hurting him."

"Hurting him or you?"

"Does it matter?"

"Sure, cause you're fleeing town like you robbed a bank."

"He's devoted to the pack. And it won't be right away, but eventually, he'll have to choose the pack over me. Over something important."

"So you think he'll love the pack more than his mate?"

She flinched away from the truth of his words. "In a word, yes. The alpha's word is law and must be obeyed. If he wants something bad enough, his strength overrules everything. And I can't, I won't accept that."

Silence hung between them before Reid rubbed his hand across his forehead. "Magda, I can't lie and say that doesn't happen, but the pack isn't about the Alpha being a dictator in charge of everything. Sure, one person makes the decisions, but a good Alpha will take everyone into account."

"It's still the whim of one man."

"Not really. Bates answers to Southeast Alpha and have you met your mother? Whatever she learned from the old Alpha, she has a spine of steel now. Besides, the pack is there to help everyone. We're supposed to work together, to help each other."

"Like how?"

"Magda, the Southeast Alpha no longer recognizes me as pack. I’m clan now. And the Southeast Itan took me in and forced me to take over Evelyn’s clan. Forced. You think I wanna lead a bunch of pussy, whining bears?” His expression showed disgust but she heard a thread of pride in his tone. “If I was a power hungry despot, don’t you think I would have killed my way to the top by now? I could. But I haven’t. Might be fun though.”  He murmured the last words and she wasn’t sure if he was joking or not.

"No, I guess not. But, regardless, he can't be my mate."

"You stink of lies when you say that. Does he feel like your mate?"

She nodded miserably.

"And you think if he's your mate, you have to be in the pack."

Magda nodded again.

"Well, since you’re mates, you're gonna want to be part of his life."

"Exactly, and the pack is his life. And the pack will side with him against me, if something happens."

"The pack whose Alpha said he was not going to make you join.” He quirked a brow. “Seriously, has anyone in the current pack acted badly?"

"Besides you?"

"Yes, besides me," Reid said, testily. “And I’m clan now.” He said the words with disgust, but there was no missing the underlying thread of happiness.

Calm now, Magda ran through her time in Grayslake. Everyone had been kind and welcoming. Bates and Zoey had helped make sure Lira's wedding was pulled off without a hitch.

So why didn't she want to accept Marc? She stared at the memorial and stood abruptly. Magda strode over to the somber black plinth and rested her hand on Stuart's name.

"I'm afraid I'll be dishonoring him."

Reid didn’t ask which
him
she was talking about. "Didn't know the guy, can't say what he would of thought, but I know how I feel about Evelyn. If I kicked it? I'd hate to think she spent decades miserable and alone when she could have found happiness again."

"You would be okay with her being with another man?"

"Fuck no. I'd hate it. If I were alive, I'd fucking kill him for even looking at her. But the point is, I wouldn’t be alive. She would be and I love her more than I hate. Plus, I’d haunt them."

"I hadn't thought of it like that."

"Don't let your past destroy your future. You can thank my fifth therapist for that one. At a certain point, you have to live for you."

Magda dropped her head to her hands. Thoughts tumbled and twirled in her mind. "I have to think about it, I don't know what to do."

"I'm just an asshole trying to reform for my mate and I’d fucking kill for a cigarette right now. You probably shouldn't listen to me. But how will you feel if you run because you are scared?"

"I'm not running away."

Reid grunted. "You were driving away in a car full of suitcases for fun?"

"I guess I was running away."

"Finding your mate makes you do crazy shit, even in the best of times. Maybe you should sleep on it."

Magda nodded. "Yeah, maybe that's a better idea than whatever I was doing."

He held his hand out to her, "Gimme your keys." She hesitated and he rolled his eyes. "Or drive yourself. Except you said you've had a lot of day. I
feel
it will be safer if I drive."