CHAPTER TEN

 

 

Seth threw his car into park and killed the engine. It had been a long, silent ride home from the station, and he was ready for a breath of fresh air. As he reached for his door, Sara broke the silence, and he paused. She didn’t look his way. Rather she stared out the windshield with unfocused eyes as if watching a dream unfold in her mind’s eye.

“Despite what you may believe, I’m very aware that I may not survive the coming fight and as such may have a finite amount of time left on this Earth. If we’re meant to be, which the mating signs insist we are, then we deserve a little happiness. I want to live this day and any others I’m blessed with to their fullest. Like most people, I looked forward to getting married and starting a family. Being claimed by you may be the closest I ever get to that dream.” She fell silent again and then turned her head and looked him in the eye. “I fought against it, but I’m afraid I’ve lost the battle. I care for you, Seth Le Beau, deeply. And I claim you as my mate.”

He couldn’t breathe or look away from her gaze. His wildest dreams were there. A happy stretch of life he’d never expected to have. Sure she had acquiesced while on her sickbed and admitted she must become a shifter in order to fight the rogue. But now, if his ears did not deceive, she wanted him. She cared for him. Which was as close as she may ever get to saying I love you. But in Sara speak; she was saying just that, and he spoke fluent Sara Adams.

Seth brought her fingers to his lips and kissed them one by one. She was giving him the greatest gift—herself. “I want to make this memorable for you, mon amour. What I have in mind may be a pale substitute for a wedding, but if you are willing to give me twenty minutes, I would like to do what I can.”

She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue and instantly his attention was on her mouth, craving a taste. “I have to admit, I’m curious about what you have planned. How about, you do—whatever,” she waved her hand, “and I’ll see if I can find a couple steaks in the freezer. If we are going to do this, we need a nice dinner after. Dianne warned me that I may have a large appetite after the conversion.”

“Sounds like a plan. I promised I could be ready in twenty minutes, so we’d better get moving.” Seth rushed to Sara’s door and offered his hand. The moment she was clear of the car he swept her into his arms and ran for the door.

“In a hurry, much?” she asked as she laughed at his inability to unlock the door and snarling at the keys.

Seth managed to find the correct key and rushed into the house. He slipped her feet to the floor so she could reset the alarm as he flipped the lock into place. Then he spun Sara around trapping her between the door and his raging body.

Fang rumbled a possessive growl from his throat.

Tasting his mate’s sweet lips, drowning in her scent, was an all-consuming priority as he claimed her lips with his own. The brave woman in his arms was about to become his.

Soft moans, increased in volume as tongues tangoed and hands roamed.

After a long minute he lifted his head, and smiled. “You care for me.”

Sara blinked at the unexpected statement. She lifted a hand to cup his cheek. “More than I care to admit, wolfman. Despite efforts to avoid emotional involvement, I’m falling for you. And I can't seem to stop.”

His heart soared with a mixture of elation and hope. He placed his hand over hers and moved her palm to kiss the very center. “I’ve fallen for you as well.”

“I’ve…” she paused, closed her eyes, and took a shaky breath. Then she met his eyes again. “I’ve never felt this way before, and frankly, it scares the living crap out of me.”

Seth took her face in both hands. “You own my heart and soul, mate. There’s nothing to fear when it comes to our relationship.”

Sara exhaled and nodded. “I trust you, Seth.”

“Good. Now kiss me.” He kissed her deeply, then growled and kissed his way down her neck to the sweet spot where he would leave his mark, and nipped her lightly.

Fang’s stark need pushed him to complete the claiming immediately, but he wanted to savor their mate. “I better get a move on if I’m going to have everything ready in the time.” He made for the hallway and paused. “No peeking, mon amour.” Then he was gone from sight.

 

 

As promised, twenty minutes later Seth snuck into the kitchen where she was planning their dinner and scooped her into his arms. Marching toward his room, he stumbled when she kissed the spot where she would mark him, and she playfully bit down. Sara giggled when he growled and kicked the bedroom door closed.

She nuzzled his neck and whispered in his ear, “I kind of like the Neanderthal approach.”

“Good, because I’m feeling a little caveman,” he said huskily as he claimed her mouth, fusing lips to lips.

Seth’s incredible kisses were great, but she needed more. She laced her fingers through his hair, tilted her head, and deepened the kiss. Their tongues dueled and danced until their lungs labored for breath.

Sara pulled back when he stopped moving and blinked. She blinked again. “Incredible.”

Strings of white fairy lights ran from the walls to the ceiling light forming what looked like the peak of a sultan’s tent. Candles in every conceivable shape, size, and color flickered on the dresser, side tables, and windowsills. A huge bouquet of red roses graced the center of the dresser, with petals strewn across the bed sheets.

“Where did you get flowers?”

“I had them delivered.”

“When?”

“Ten minutes ago.”

She frowned at him. “We didn’t get a delivery.”

“Sure we did. I had them come to the window instead of the front door.”

“How did you get roses delivered so quickly?”

“With a little bit of monetary incentive, you can make anything happen.”

“You’re an incredibly sexy, crazy man, Mr. Le Beau.”

“Yes, I am. So, do I pass your romance test?”

“With flying colors,” she whispered against his lips and kissed him again.

After a minute, He broke the kiss and pressed his forehead to hers. “You’re one hell of a kisser, Miss Adams.”

Sara grinned and wiggled. “You ain’t seen nothing yet, Mr. Le Beau. Let me down, and I’ll show you.”

He cocked a brow and grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”

She pushed against his chest and backed him toward the bed. He followed her lead and stopped a few feet short of the mattress when she gripped the front of his shirt and claimed his lips again.

“Strip…for…me…wolfman,” she said between kisses.

Seth obliged by reaching between their bodies for the buttons on his shirt. One by one, his deft fingers worked them free. As the last button popped, his shirt fell open. Sara ran her hands up his bared chest and pushed the shirt from his shoulders and down his arms. It dropped to the floor, leaving no barrier between her seeking fingers and his warm flesh. Everywhere she touched tiny glimmers of light sparked.

“Mmm,” she hummed, retaining his lips, as he trailed his hands down her back and over her hips to tug her shirt free of her slacks. His fingers worked the buttons on her shirt, pulling the garment from her body as her hands dropped to the waistband of his leathers riding low on his hips.

“Sara,” he groaned into her mouth when she dragged her nails over his erection and popped the top button.

She popped the buttons stretched to capacity by his hard length one by one. Then ran her hands around his hips, palms against his bare skin. She reversed the direction of her exploration stopping just short of the prize. With a wicked grin, she hooked her thumbs in the waistband.

One last kiss and she began to free him of his pants. She slid them from his hips, down his thighs, and went to her knees to push them to his ankles.

Seth lifted his left foot free, then kick his leathers aside with his right. Standing above her with his glowing, hypnotic eyes, he presented a wicked temptation. When she licked her lips, his erection twitched.

“Sara,” he groaned again. “This isn’t a good idea.”

“I disagree.” She raised her eyebrows in challenge to make her point.

His muscles quivered and clenched under her light touch. The pads of her fingers skimmed his erection lighting off more tiny electrical stimulations, and his hard length jumped as he sucked in his breath. With every caress, his erection twitched, bouncing against her lips as she leaned in. She traced the length of him before closing her fist around him one finger at a time and taking him into her mouth.

Oh, God, mon amour. We must be careful.

I think you can control yourself while I have a little fun.

Seth moaned, thrusting his hips as she took him deeper.

Waves of electricity arched from her to his most tender area. Sara was intrigued by the fact that the tiny shocks weren’t painful, but more of a stimulating nature. Sweat bloomed over his abdomen and thighs warning her to ease off, or she would ruin the entire evening. She pulled back to give him time to catch his breath and gather his control.

When he opened his eyes and tried to pull her to her feet, she smiled and shook her head. She knew how to keep a man on the very edge and yet not tip him over. She brought him to the brink over and over again until he was reduced to whimpering.

Abruptly, his hands gripped her shoulders and forced her to her feet.

“Hey. I wasn’t finished.”

He kissed her softly and growled, “Perhaps not. But I almost was, and we can’t have that.”

He ran his hands down her arms and drifted up her rib cage. When he got to the edge of her bra, he followed it around to the clasp in the back and popped it. Kissing his way across her collarbone, he slid the straps from her shoulders and peeled the satin away.

He lifted his head to gaze at her half-naked form. “So beautiful, mon amour. So incredibly beautiful.”

His palms skimmed the outside of her breasts and trailed down her ribcage to her slacks. With the flick of his wrist, the button popped, and the zipper inched down. He ran his hands over her hips, inside her panties, and then pushed them, along with her slacks, down her thighs until they fell to her ankles so she could step out of them. His chest rumbled as he brought his mouth back to hers.

Our mate is perfection, Fang growled, licking his chops.

She most certainly is.

Sara squeaked as Seth scooped her up and carried her the rest of the way to the bed. He gently laid her upon it and watched her stretch out on the soft mattress. Then she took his hand and drew him down. He followed eagerly. Drinking in the sight of his mate, safe, healed, and in his bed.

Her skin was flushed with arousal, but he didn’t rush in to stake his claim. He had the rest of his life to rush if that was what his mate wanted. Right now, he wanted to paint the picture of this memory on his mind’s eye to savor over and over. He stroked the silky strands of her hair. The candlelight colored the strands a lovely shade of gold. Her eyebrows were two perfect arches over her soft, languid olive colored eyes. He ran a fingertip over her cheekbones. The shadows cast in the dim light accentuated them. Lower still, her lips were rosy from their kisses.

“What are you doing?” Sara asked, her voice husky.

“Hush woman. I’m committing your loveliness to memory. We will only do the claiming once, and I want to remember every detail.”

She smiled and ran her hands over his chest as his eyes dropped lower. “You truly are a romantic. I’m a very lucky woman.”

He ran his finger down the column of her neck to her breastbone. “I’ve been telling you that all along.”

“I like slow,” she whispered, tracing his nipples as he outlined her breast and skimmed her belly.

“Mmm, me too.” He slid his palm around her hip and over the curve of her shapely backside. “Tu es mon rêve, ma déesse. You’re my dream and my goddess. My Venus. And I intend to worship you.”

“I like the sound of that.”

Slowly, he worked his gaze back to her eyes and claimed her lips softly, lovingly. He tunneled his fingers in her silky hair. His tongue stroked and danced languorously with hers.

Sara felt Seth’s leashed passion in his gentle touch and caressing waves of deep emotion. Her heart stuttered and skipped a beat. He loved her. He truly did.

“I want you so badly I ache, but I’m going to try to take this slow,” he whispered against her lips, then trailed kisses across her jaw and down her neck.

She tipped her head and gave him full access to nibble and nuzzle to his content. Her neck, especially the nape, had always been an erogenous zone for her. He could kiss her there all day long as far as she was concerned.

She shivered when he ran his fang across her pulse point. “Mmm, I like that.”

“You’ll like it even more after the claiming. The bite mark will forever be a sensitive spot that when kissed or stroked is like the strongest aphrodisiac imaginable.”

Seth breathed in deeply. Exhaling warm moist breath over her sensitized skin. “Your caramel and vanilla bouquet drives me wild. All I have to do is smell you.”

“Your amber scent does the same to me. I catch one whiff, and I can hardly keep my hands to myself.” She rubbed her thigh against his, thrusting her breasts up in invitation.

He obliged by cupping one and stroking her taut peak.

Sara’s head pressed harder into the pillow, as she let out a little moan.

“I love that sound,” he said, moving his hand up to the other breast. “Make it for me again, mon amour.”

He rolled her nipple, and she moaned a second time.

“That’s it,” he rumbled, his chest vibrating against her side. “Sweet mercy, that pushes me to the very edge.”

With each caress, a tiny zing of electrical pleasure sensitized her nipples further. Sara clutched Seth's hair, pulling his mouth closer to her aching breasts, willing him to ease the need he’d fueled.

He rumbled with pleasure from her touch.

“Mmm...Perfection,” he murmured between licks and suckles.

When he followed her lead, and his mouth closed over her nipple, she strained upward toward the exquisite pressure. He gently sucked and licked, maintaining his slow assault on her body. Driving her into exquisite insanity.

It was hard to concentrate on controlling her gift when her mind was mush, but she tried. She didn’t want the excited electricity to ruin the moment.

Seth must have heard her thoughts. To her surprise, she heard him speak to Fang, something that hadn’t happened before.

Fang, can you harness her gift like you did last time?

I’m on it, a growly not quite human voice responded.

Sara sucked in a breath. “I think I just heard Fang speak. I wasn’t aware mates could hear each other’s wolves telepathically.”

Seth paused and raised his head. “You heard him?”

“Yes. He said, I’m on it.”

He cocked his head. “I’ve never heard of that happening. Just another oddity to ask Luperca about.”

Before she could question him further, he lowered his head again, and she moaned in pleasure. Damn the man had skills.

She was ultra aware of his every touch. The glide of his silky hair added another layer of delightful sensation. Then he scraped his fang over her nipple, and she cried out, “Seth!”

“Easy, mon couer.”

She opened her eyes just a crack as he switched to the other breast leaving small strawberries behind in his wake. Watching him feast on her was incredibly erotic. Who knew she was a closet voyeur. Wait a minute…were you a voyeur if you were watching yourself?

Seth swept a hand over her belly. Every muscle bunched and twitched beneath his palm. He smiled when shivers of excitement vibrated through her and tickled his lips. Nothing gave a shifter male more pride than pleasing his mate.

With one last kiss to her breast, he nibbled his way to her damp heat. His cock twitched and wept in anticipation, but he ignored it. He wasn’t done tasting his woman. He placed a soft kiss to her hip as his hands guided her legs wider.

“So wet for me,” he growled before lowering his head. He kissed her inner thigh and blew a gentle, warm breath against her most intimate flesh. He glanced up and held her gaze. Then ever so slowly dragged his tongue over her slick folds. Gripping her hips, he lapped at her and hummed deep in his throat, the vibration causing Sara to squirm and whimper.

“So sweet,” he murmured against her wet flesh. He parted her folds with his seeking tongue, stroking, plunging. The taste and scent of her burst through his senses. She writhed, panted, her legs trying to wrap around him as her fingers curled into his hair and pressed him closer. He set a sensual rhythm, as he teased her closer to the edge. Her hips moved in sync with his attentions. He took his time, plunging his tongue deep and alternating with small circles around her clit, almost bringing his mate off the bed.

“Please, Seth,” she begged.

Sara’s moans please him, but he wanted her to scream his name. Adding further stimulation, Seth sucked her nub and inserted one finger. He stole another glance at her face. “Let go for me, mon amour.”

He knew she was close. Her hips bucked wildly as she tried to find final release. He pushed her climax higher by adding a second finger and very lightly bit down. Her channel clamped down on him as she came hard and screamed in ecstasy.

He brought her down slowly, then kissed his way back up to her lips, and settled himself in the cradle of her hips. Good lord, he’d never been so painfully aroused.

He braced himself over his mate and slowly entered her hot, tight depths. He took his time, leaning down to kiss her sweet lips.

Sara wiggled impatiently. She wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled his pelvis flush to hers until he was fully seated.

A shudder of energy ran through her body and spread to him as her gift sparked between them. He had to hold himself back from taking her fast and hard.

“Sara,” he breathed, his voice so tight it was almost a whisper. “Your gift is trying to break free. We need to give Fang a minute to contain it.”

Ready bossman, Fang rumbled a second later.

Seth let out a breath and began thrusting in long deep strokes. He set a steady rhythm, taking and giving pleasure. Plunging, withdrawing. Lowering himself to kiss her, he slipped his hands under her shoulders, pulling her body flush to his.

Sara gasped as he stimulated a tiny patch of nerves. Seth smiled to himself. The angle was perfect.

After a few minutes, when he thought he couldn't last much longer, she tightened her muscles and gripped him hard. Seth hissed and pushed his orgasm down. “Hold very still, mon amour. I need a moment or the entire claiming will be ruined.”

“Sorry. I got carried away.” Sara relaxed her hold on him and waited in silence.

Finally, he let out a long breath and asked, “Are you ready to be my mate, ma déesse?”

“Yes,” she panted with complete resolution in her voice.

“When your sister told you about shifters did she ever recite the ritual words that are used?”

“She did better than that. She wrote them out and gave them to me. I’ve read them several times.”

“Good, then this should be easy for you.” Seth claimed her lips for one last toe-curling kiss and then began. The words came from his soul, not just his heart.

“Will you give yourself, body and soul, to complete this man and his wolf?

“Will you unite your life with mine?

“Bond your future with mine?

“Merge your half of our soul to mine, and in doing so complete the mating ritual?”

Seth and Fang watched her intently and waited for her to respond.

“I will give myself, body and soul, to complete you as a man and his wolf.

“I will unite my life with yours.

“Bond my future to yours, and merge my half of our soul with yours.

“I will complete the mating ritual with you,” she responded in a strong, resolute voice.

With that, he leaned forward and kissed her passionately. He danced his tongue sensually over hers and started a slow rocking of his hips.

“Look into my eyes, mon amour.”

Sara locked gazes with him.

“I claim you as my mate.” The candles flickered as a gust of magical energy whirled around the room.

“I belong to you as you belong to me.”

With each vow he uttered, the bond between them strengthened.

“I give you my heart and my body.

“I will protect you even with my life.

“I give you all I am.

“I share my half of our soul to complete you.

“I share my magic with you.”

Seth buried his face in her neck nuzzling and kissing the spot where he would leave his bite. His canines elongated in preparation. He lapped once, twice, a third time. His teeth sank deep. She arched against him in ecstasy, her hands buried in his hair, clasping him to her.

Sara quivered, and moaned. “Oh yeah. You can do that again anytime you want, wolfman,” she panted.

Seth chuckled as he lapped at the tiny punctures. Then he began to gently thrust again.

“I beseech the great Luna Goddess to bless you and your wolf guardian.

“You are my mate to cherish today and for all time.

“I claim you as my mate.”

A gust of magic circled the room and whooshed into her chest. “Good gracious. Even though I expected it that was freaky.”

“Can you feel your wolf soul settling inside of you?”

“I… think I can.”

“Perfect. Now, you need to repeat the words back to me, and bite me right here.” He tapped his neck and waggled his eyebrows. “I can’t wait for your little fangs to pierce my neck.”

Sara giggled. “Pervert.” Then her expression sobered, and she took a deep breath.

“I claim you as my mate,” she repeated, looking into his eyes.

His heart gave a small stutter.

“I belong to you as you belong to me.

“I give you my heart and my body.

“I will protect you even with my life.

“I give you all I am.

“I share my half of our soul to complete you.”

Seth sucked in a breath and Fang rumbled his approval.

Thousands of strands of magic wove them together soul to soul until there was a single shining bright white soul.

“Wow! I didn’t expect a sudden surge of happiness. I feel a little lightheaded.”

Seth chuckled. “I feel it, too. I haven’t felt so happy and carefree since I was a child.”

Sara cupped his cheek and whispered, “I share my magic with you.”

He bent his elbows and lowered his upper body so she could reach his neck. Then turned his head to give her access and declared, “Claim me as yours, mon amour.”

Sara took Seth’s amber scent deep into her lungs. Her head swam with his intoxicating cologne. She blinked a few times to clear her mind and then copied when he had done. She lapped at the spot he’d tapped, once, twice, and as she licked a third time, razor-sharp canines erupted. Instinct flared and she bit down, piercing his flesh.

Seth moaned, “Lord have mercy, that’s fantastic.” His forearms quivered as he held himself partially lowered so she could reach.

Sara chuckled and wiggled her hips.

Seth gulped another breath. “Damn woman, you’re killing me.”

She licked the mark clean and kissed the spot before he straightened his arms and rose out of reach. Gazing at her face, he watched her eyes glow with her wolf soul as she finished the ritual.

“I beseech the great Luna Goddess to bless you and your wolf guardian.

“You are my mate to cherish today and for all time.

“I claim you as my mate.”

The ritual words were completed, and he was ready to love her like the wolf he was. Seth bit the mating mark again, latched on, and thrust fast and deep.

Sara screamed.

He let loose a guttural growl as waves of erotic energy arched between them with every thrust. He pinned her to the mattress, owning her body, pleasuring his mate with wild abandon.

“Mate.” He snarled a rumbling, fiercely possessive sound. “Come for me. Now.” He pressed her clit with his thumb and sent her over the edge.

Sara’s climax exploded through her. Her channel clamped down on him as she came hard and screamed his name.

Seth was close behind, erupting with a roar that rattled the windowpane. Sucking great gulps of air he shook his head to clear his eyesight. Then he collapsed next to her not wanting to crush her.

Completely spent, Sara’s arms flopped to her sides. Tremors shook her body.

Gasping, he rolled onto his back and pulled her on top of him, a huge, goofy smile on his face. He’d never been so satisfied and blissed out.

Sara didn’t fight his hold. She just lay on his chest like a wet noodle with a wholly sated expression on her face. Seth felt a surge of male pride at putting it there.

“I can’t move, or remember my name,” she panted into his shoulder

“You’re welcome,” he teased.

Sara lifted one hand and gave him a weak swat.

Seth chuckled and kissed the top of her head.

“Are we mated now?” she mumbled.

“Yes, ma’am. You’re stuck with me.”

She tried to move but ended up right back where she started. “Maybe I should have thought this through more thoroughly. Can this be reversed?”

Seth bared his teeth and growled loudly.

Sara chuckled. “I’m only kidding.”

He narrowed his eyes at the back of her head. “Not even remotely funny.”

“Sure I am. Normally.” She took a breath. Then another. “I love you, Seth Le Beau.”

Seth cradled her head with both hands and lifted her face to kiss her soundly. “I love you so much Sara Adams, I feel like my heart is bursting.”

One kiss became ten, and soon he was rocking his hips against her again.

She smiled, shaking her head. “Your appetite is insatiable.”

His grin was unrepentant. “I’m a Le Beau, what did you expect?”