Racing The Alpha (Dirt Track Dogs #1) (6 page)

Ella slipped her pants over her hips, bending to push them down her legs. The cool air hit her skin, sending chills skittering across her body, but it did nothing to cool her down. Heat licked at her core, flaring to her fingertips. Even her lips felt molten hot. She knew only Drake could douse this fire.

She straightened, silently begging him to touch her, but he only touched her with his gaze. Starting from the top of her head, he scoured her, his eyes hitting on her most intimate places.

“Take off the rest.” The quiet dominance in his voice was like a whip snapping her into action.

Reaching behind, she unhooked her bra, letting it fall from her shoulders.

The hunger in his eyes was feral. Ella squirmed under his scrutiny. Hell, she was going to combust when he finally put his hands on her.

“The rest,” he murmured, shifting from one foot to the other as if he could barely hold himself back.

Hooking her thumbs in her panties, she shifted her hips, sliding them down and then stepping free.

Drake nodded, zeroing in on the aching spot between her legs. “I’m going to devour you. Do you understand that?”

Her breath caught in her throat. “Yes,” she rasped.

In the moment, she wanted that more than oxygen. In fact, if he didn’t do
something
quick, she was going to go crazy.

He ran a hand over his mouth as if he was imagining his lips on her. “Just so we’re clear.”

Before she could answer, he broke the leash on his control, charging forward, falling to his knees and wrapping his arms around her waist. He buried his face in her belly, licking and sucking. She gasped and moaned at the surprise of his lips against her skin. He didn’t start at the top of her body and work his way down like she’d expected. No, instead he gripped her behind with both hands, bringing her right where he wanted her to be: centered over his hungry mouth.

The first lick of his tongue against her sex made her cry out.

“Fuck,” he hissed, before diving in for more.

Ella squirmed, but he held her in place for his assault. And what a beautiful assault it was, his soft and urgent tongue lapping at the wetness he’d drawn from her. Her breath came faster the faster he moved, the heat building to an explosive level.

“D-Drake?”

He paused to look up at her, but the expression on his face was brutal, like she’d interrupted something of the utmost importance. “What?” he snapped.

Her legs trembled worse than a leaf in a thunderstorm. She was so close to coming. She just needed…

Drake got a wicked gleam in his eye, and before she could utter another word, he fell backward, taking her with him to the ground. He landed flat on his back, with her legs straddling his head.

Ella yelped, trying not to sit on his face, but he just chuckled.

“There,” he husked. “Comfortable?”

Comfortable? Not exactly. She was spread wide open, hovering right over his mouth. It was a position of pure honesty. She couldn’t squeeze her legs together to escape him. She couldn’t hide any of her flaws or lessen his attention. But then she realized she didn’t want to.

Drake didn’t wait for her response. He just went back to kissing her most intimate spot. His hand on the small of her back pressed her closer to his working mouth.

Ella cried out. Inside she felt like she would shake apart. Wolf… wolf… wanted…

She could feel the animal inside clawing to the surface. So close, but something was holding it back.

Drake’s hand moved between her legs to tease her opening while his mouth tortured her clit.

“Oh,” she groaned as he carefully slid a finger inside.

Oh god. This was different than she remembered. All the times before, she’d never felt like she was going to fall into oblivion and explode at the same time.

“Fuck,” he whispered against her tender flesh. His hot breath grazed her lips as he spoke. The scruff of his five o’clock shadow scratched the insides of her thighs while his finger pumped in and out. It was all so erotic. It almost felt like a dream.

She felt the absence of his hand, then heard the zing of his zipper and his tortured sigh.

“I’ve never been so hard in my life. I need to mark you so bad.” He delivered another long lick. “Keeping these pants on,” he muttered almost to himself. “Just need a little relief.”

Ella started to scoot down. She’d show his body the same respect he showed hers. But his fingers gripped her thighs.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“I want you in my mouth.” God, that sultry voice was back again. She felt like a sex kitten—or… sex wolf? Whatever.

“I want that too.” His voice was strangled. “But if you go anywhere near my cock, this’ll be game over. We need your wolf to come out to play.”

He was right. She wasn’t thinking straight. Damn it. “Okay.”

“Now get your sweet ass back up here. Your mate wasn’t done licking.”

Drake was famished, and his mate was fucking manna in the wilderness. The scent of her heat called to him even more than before. Her body wanted his seed, wanted his young. And damn every fucking consequence, his wolf wanted to give it to her. Give her everything.

He lapped at her wetness, feeling her thighs quiver against his cheeks. She was close, but having trouble letting go. No doubt, her wolf was raging inside, making things even crazier.

For a split second, he let doubt creep in. He’d never done this before. During his transition from young to adult, he’d been trained in how to please his mate. The Cedar Valley pack had taken great pride in the sexual prowess of their males. But as far as actual experience, he had none.

But then her nails dug into his arm, and he knew he was giving her pleasure. Could scent it. Could taste it on his lips.

He had to do something to push her past the barrier. Something that didn’t involve his dick, because if she so much as breathed on it with her sweet, hot breath, he was going to explode.

His wolf snarled as Ella moved her hips against him.
Mine
. Fucking
mine
.

Forgetting about the hard ground, he flipped her onto her back. She gasped, but Drake saw the satisfaction in her eyes. This is what would push her over. This was what she needed. To be dominated. Taken. Claimed, even if he couldn’t fully mark her.

And fucking hell, he needed it too. Needed the skin on skin contact with her body. Needed his scent all over her.

He ripped his t-shirt over his head, tossing it on the bank of the creek. Ella’s eyes flared as she stared at his chest. Fuck, he liked her looking at him. Her eyes scouring his body made his cock throb. And there was nowhere else for the damn thing to go. He’d already released the zipper.

Shit.

“More. Please,” she begged, tossing her head from side to side, catching fallen leaves in her hair. She looked wild and unkempt in the sexiest way. He’d do anything—fucking anything—to keep her. Being the one to see her like this day in and day out was a gift he would never take for granted.

They just had to take care of this shade thing first.

Head in the race, Drake
.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, brushing his fingers over her throat until he reached her breasts.

There wasn’t a more perfect body for him. He circled a hardened nipple with the tip of his finger before brushing his thumb across it, eliciting a whimper from his mate.

He bent low, nipping at her jaw. “This body is
mine
,” he declared.

“Yes.”

“No one touches it but me. No one makes you feel like this but me.”

“God,
yes
.”

He drew back to watch her eyes flutter back in her head before he took a hard nipple between his lips, sucking and tapping with his tongue. Ella’s hands flew to his head, pulling his hair hard.

Drake increased his attention, dragging his hand down her body until he was buried in her wetness. He slid between her folds imagining it was another part of his body taking pleasure in hers.

She began to shake, trembling all over. “Drake?”

“It’s okay, baby. Let it go.”

“I… I can’t,” she wailed.

“You can. There’s no room for fear. Not between us. I won’t let you be afraid of what you are.” He moved to her other breast, squeezing and licking.

But she didn’t have her release and she didn’t shift. The urge to plunge inside her became stronger and stronger. A thing he couldn’t ignore. And didn’t want to anymore.

Instinct was too strong. It was overpowering logic, both hers and his. Their wolves weren’t letting them do this any other way.

And fuck everything, Drake was done denying them.

“I need… I need…”

And that was all it took for him to give up his plan of not marking her. She
needed
him. His mate was in need and he’d throw all caution to the wind to meet that need.

He rose up, kissing her lips slow and sweet, promising her forever with that single gesture. He wanted to spend more time there, but it would have to wait until later.

“I’m going to make everything better,” he whispered, against her vibrating skin.

On his knees, he jerked his pants down, releasing his erection.

Ella looked between their bodies. “Yes, yes, yes,” she chanted. “
Mine
.” Her eyes lit up while her body hummed with power.

Drake swallowed, gripping his cock and guiding it to her entrance. He let out a hiss of pain laced with pleasure when his hardness made contact with her wet heat. But he didn’t push into her yet.

She screamed, bucking and twisting, making it harder and harder not to sink into her and thrust away until they were both sated.

“Fuck.
Fuck
, baby, come for me.” He pressed his thumb against her clit. This was it. He was going to take her. Hard and fast and furious. One thrust. That’s all it’d take and she’d be his…

And then he felt it. Her release. It shook her entire body, making her spasm uncontrollably. All he could do was hold still and absorb her pleasure as she bucked against him.

He stared at her coming undone beneath him, and his chest ached with longing. There wasn’t a more beautiful sight than his mate losing herself to pleasure he’d given her.

“That’s good, Ella,” he urged through clenched teeth. He was going to bust. With nothing else to push him over besides her body jerking and her moans of pleasure. “Your release is so sweet, baby. Now let me have your wolf.”

She brushed against his cock once more and he gave up trying to hold back. He tightened his grip, pumping once before releasing his pent up orgasm onto her belly.

A strangled sound burst from her throat as her wolf struggled free, but she wasn’t fighting it. He could sense how hard she was trying, how badly she wanted to be one with her animal.

And then it happened.

He blinked.

Her eyes peeled wide.

They both went still, their mutual pleasure forgotten.

Skin became fur. Teeth became fangs. Fingers became claws.

Drake stared down at Ella’s new form. She was beautiful. She took his breath away. Her fur was dark like her hair had been. She was slender but strong, her frame covered in lean muscle. Staring at him with wide eyes, she whimpered.

He smiled. “Hi, baby.”

Still poised above her, he shifted, finally letting his animal off its leash.

Wolf nuzzled his mate’s neck, imprinting her new, stronger scent. The heat was still upon her, but they were temporarily satisfied. It was enough for now.

She rubbed her snout against his, trying out her new body.

He drew back, letting her stand on four legs. Taking a small step, she stumbled, but caught herself. Inching toward the creek, she bent her head and drank from the stream.

When she looked back at Drake, there was a teasing twinkle in her eye.

She was going to run. His mate wanted to play. A growl rumbled past his chest daring her to run from him. Those legs were new; he’d win that race.

Ella let out a playful bark and then shot around him, heading in the direction of his cabin.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Blister snapped. He wasn’t taking this all too well. Drake would have to be blunt.

“She’s your fucking niece. Freeman. Her last name is Freeman. Charles is her father’s name. Bridgette was her mother.”

“Bullshit,” Blister breathed.

“It’s true. Why do you think you aren’t slobbering over her heat?”

He shook his head, shrugging. “Because I’m too fucked up.”

“No, Blister. It’s because she’s of your line, and family lines don’t cross.”

Blister pushed off the fence. “This is bullshit, Drake, and you know it. That girl ain’t related to me. My line was wiped out, and it’s going to stay that way.”

He circled Beast’s car pretending to do pre-race checks. Beast and Ella were both running to qualify tonight. Which was a motherfucking disaster for so many reasons.

One, none of the dogs could be within a hundred feet of her without losing all sense. Except Blister.

Two, Drake’s wolf was riding him hard to claim her. He’d been in a constant state of arousal for four days now. And no matter how many times he pleasured her, or she him, it didn’t satisfy that primal urge.

Three, Ella was distracted by all that had happened to her. Newly shifted
and
in heat. It was a lot to handle.

Pride filled him, thinking about how well she’d adjusted so far. His mate was a total badass when she needed to be. There was still so much healing to be done, but they’d get there.

“Blister—”

“This conversation is over.”

“No, it’s fucking not.” He knew this was a touchy subject for the wolf. They all had their demons, and Blister’s lay in that blazing piece of history that wiped out his family.

All but one.

But Drake was still his alpha, and he wouldn’t let him be an asshole.

“Her mother’s name was Bridgette.” Drake stood in front of Blister, making him stop short. “She lived in the mountains near Milton. She died in the fire of ’94. And her daughter is a fucking shifter. How can you deny it?”

Blister’s scarred face screwed into a deep frown. “Because,” he spat. “I can’t have family. Family leaves. Family gets taken away. Even this, the club, it’s breaking. Beast wants out.
You
would’ve walked away in a blink for your mate. Family doesn’t last.”

“What do you mean Beast wants out?”

Blister shook his head. “Forget it. My point is, I don’t want anything to do with family.”

They stood there, glaring at each other until Beast and Surge walked up.

“When is this going to be over, Alpha?” Surge asked, looking nauseated. Constantly fighting their animal’s instinct to satisfy Ella’s heat was taking its toll on the pack.

“Soon. It’s her first time, so it shouldn’t last long. Stay strong.”

“Why don’t you just claim her,” Beast ground out.

Drake watched Blister stalk away before he answered. “I can’t give her young yet. I have to wait until her heat passes. Then I’ll mark her and you won’t have to deal with this again.”

Surge nodded in agreement. “Carrying young would be hard for her, being so recently shifted. It wouldn’t be fair. Our tiger needs some time.” He brushed a rough hand over his face. “I’m going to check the numbers. See you at start.”

Drake watched Beast as he checked his car. His second in command was definitely on edge. But they all were. It had been a crazy week.

“You solid?” Drake asked him.

“I’m fine.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Beast looked at him. “My wolf is fucking jealous. Wants his mate.”

Drake stiffened. “But Ella’s not yours.”

Beast shook his head. “No. But it’s still eating at me.” He zipped his jacket and grabbed his helmet. “It doesn’t matter though. I love my pack. I love you. You deserve to be happy. My wolf can go fuck itself.” He pulled the helmet over his head before Drake could respond.

Drake watched as his buddy strapped in and revved the engine. He offered a fist bump through the window and Beast pounded it before pulling out to get in line. His turn was up, so Drake went to stand with the guys at the fence.

“Think he’ll qualify?” Diz asked, rubbing the back of his neck like it was on fire.

“Beast? Yeah, he’s a fucking shoe-in.”

“And Ella?” Her name was barely a breath on his lips.

Drake dug his gum out of his pocket and popped a piece. “Of course. But just to be sure you’ll be around to see it, why don’t you stick to calling her Tiger. Or at least until her heat passes.”

“Shit. Sorry,” Diz muttered.

“Me too, man. Me too.” The guys were handling the situation better than he’d expected. It just made him respect them even more.

Drake peered across the oval at his mate. She stood with her crew, which consisted of Metal Head and another woman he recognized from Red Cap. DTD should be taking care of her car, but with the heat upon her, it would have to wait.

Ella caught him looking. She slipped him a smile that made his heart flop. Damn, she made him feel so much. He’d probably chew his gum to death during her run. Only the fact that she was a shifter, made it possible for Drake to watch her race. With his help, she could be healed if she crashed.

It was flag time.

Beast was already pacing, but when the flag came down, he mashed the throttle sending dirt flying and pushing his car to the front.

Surge climbed the fence halfway up and let out a howl followed by one of his trademark cackles. “Yeah, son! Get it!”

Drake grinned. His boys were going to be alright. Everything was going to be alright.

***

Ella stood at the fence with Annie and Punk, her eyes glued to white 23. Beast was killing the track. He’d qualify, no doubt. A sense of pride filled her. He was one of hers now. Him winning would be almost as satisfying as her winning. Almost. But not quite.

“Damn. He’s good,” Punk shouted over the rumble of engines. She gripped the chainlink fence as Beast took a turn, spraying dirt in a wide arc and coming through the straight.

“Going to get a Coke,” Annie mouthed.

Ella nodded and turned back to the race. There was only one more lap to go.

Coming around the bend, Beast was sandwiched between two other cars. But he had good speed. He still had control. He’d pull through it—

“Shit,” Punk screamed.

Oh.
Shit
.

No. No, no, no.

The car on the left spun out, his rear hitting the barrier and setting the scene for a pile-up.

But Beast was going too fast. There was too much power. That stalled car was only going to act as a ramp.

Everything seemed to slow. Ella’s brain took in every horrid detail. The crunch of metal. The screech of tires against the bank. The smell of smoke and exhaust.

But the real horror happened when Beast’s car flew into the air, flipping twice before sliding up on the very fence designed to keep bystanders safe. The fence she and Punk were standing behind.

There was a moment of suspended time where the car rested on its side, the fence straining under the weight. So close… so close Ella could feel the heat coming off it, even if she couldn’t see for the dust.

“Punk!” she screamed, jerking her friend backward.

But it was too late. The fence gave way, crashing down on top of them.

A sharp pain pierced Ella’s leg, but when she tried to move, she realized she wasn’t pinned. In fact the car was gone and just the fence was on top of them.

People and dust flew everywhere. Radios screamed.

Ella looked around for Punk and found her in a heap a few feet away.

“Ella!” Drake’s terrified scream was nothing short of horrific. “Outta my way! Ella!”

She crawled through the dirt to Punk’s body, ignoring the weight of the fence. There was blood in her hair and it fell in droplets to the ground. Her foot was turned all wrong.

“Punk!” she cried.

A moan made its way past her throat, and she tried to move.

“No, no. Stay still.” Ella tried to lift the fence but it was too heavy. “We need an ambulance,” she screamed.

“Fucking
move
!” She heard Drake’s threatening command, and then the weight of the fence lifted.

“Shit,” Surge sputtered, kicking debris out of the way, and kneeling next to Punk.

“Ella? Shit, Ella.” Drake fell to the ground, taking her face in his hands, and urgently sweeping her hair back. “Are you hurt? I can heal you. Damn it, answer me!”

“Drake,” she yelled to get his attention. “I’m okay. Punk is hurt. And Beast… god, Beast…”

“He’ll be fine. Surge will take care of Punk. I need to fucking know where you’re hurt, understand?”

She met his eyes and saw the fear there. She understood it. Being scared out of your mind that someone you love is hurt. Her stomach cramped, wondering if Punk was going to be okay.

“My leg,” she said.

Drake pulled back to examine her. Her jeans had a fist sized hole in them and red tinged the edges. Using both hands, he ripped it open so he could see.

“Okay, there’s nothing in it. It’s just cut real bad. I can fix this.” He met her gaze, apologetic. “It’s going to hurt.” And then he covered the laceration with his palm.

His touch was scalding, and Ella locked her jaw against the pain. Seconds passed, maybe minutes, and then the touch turned warm and soothing instead of fiery. She almost moaned at the change. The relief from the pain was incredible.

“Better?” he asked.

“How did you do that?”

But as soon as she asked the question, her wolf knew the answer. Shifters could heal on their own, with time. But an intended mate could help the healing process along. It was the power within their bond. The power of two. And it was nothing short of magic.

Drake let out a harsh breath. “It’s because you’re mine. You and me, together…” He shook his head in wonder. “We can do amazing things.”

Sirens wailing brought her attention to the flurry of activity around them. Her gaze landed on Blister standing a few feet away. His eyes were wide with horror, his scar contorting in a terrifying way. She might not know him well, but she knew he was worried. Possibly even scared for her.

“I’m okay,” she mouthed.

He blinked, and she repeated herself to reassure him. Finally he nodded, running a shaky hand through his hair.

“This way,” Diz said, clearing the way for the paramedics. Immediately, they went to work on Punk.

Ella held her breath, silently begging whoever was listening from the heavens that her friend would be okay.

“Ella! Punk!”

Blister jerked his head in the direction of Annie’s hysterical voice. She pushed through the crowd, crouching down to examine Ella.

“Are you okay?” she wailed. Tears streamed down her face faster than she could wipe them away. “Tell me you’re okay.”

“I’m fine, Annie. Punk’s hurt.”

“No,” she breathed. Her gaze bounced all around in panic. The paramedics, Surge, back to Ella, Drake, Blister.

When her eyes landed on him, he turned his face to hide his scar.

“They’re going to take care of her.” Ella squeezed her friend’s hand. Damn it, she hoped she was right. She couldn’t lose someone else so soon.

Peering through the dust, she saw Diz helping Beast out of his mangled car. He ripped off his helmet and threw it before pacing a tight circle. He yelled something at Diz and gestured in the direction of the fence. He started their way but Diz stopped him with a shove to the chest. After a moment Beast nodded, conceding.

Drake was right. Beast was going to be okay.

Ella held Annie’s hand while the paramedics eased Punk onto a board and then onto a stretcher.

“I’m going with her,” Annie said. “Will you meet me at the hospital?”

Ella started to answer but hesitated. The hospital. It would be the first time since daddy’s death. The thought of walking those halls, smelling antiseptic, the blood, the needles and tubes…

Drake’s hand landed on the small of her back. His touch promised more than just support. It was her future, her healing, and full of love.

She could do this, and he’d go with her. He’d always go with her. She wasn’t alone anymore. She had her friends and her pack and her… mate.

Ella nodded. “Go,” she told Annie. “We’ll follow in Drake’s car.”

Even though she watched her friends pull away with sirens wailing, she took a minute to be thankful for all she had. She wouldn’t spend another moment in misery over what she’d lost. Not when she had gained so much.