Chapter Seven

 

Grey wasn’t there when her shift ended, and he wasn’t at his campsite. She refused to let her insecurities get the better of her, so she headed to her hotel. Nothing too extraordinary happened on her shift after that woman showed up. Wayne stopped by to complain, whining about the police and park ranger telling him he couldn’t trap or kill the wildlife. It was one small step in the right direction.

Although the spring weather had been gorgeous lately, the crisp blue skies had been replaced with ominous, dark gray clouds. The distant rumble of thunder had her picking up the pace. It felt more like dusk with the sunlight blotted out by the increased cloud cover. A few sprinkles of rain landed on her cheeks, and she hoped the worst of the storm held off until she was under cover.

A couple minutes later, there was a sharp crack of thunder above her, making her yelp. Then the gateways opened up and it poured. She was soaked within seconds, and she still had quite a while to walk. Her predicament was too miserable to be upset, and she started to laugh. Rain wouldn’t kill her.

Her vision blurred, the road ahead a static mist. She kept trudging through until a shadow ahead made her pause. She wiped her forearm across her eyes, trying to get better focus.

It was a black wolf. Huge by wolf standards.

She froze in place.

The wolf stalked forward, slowly, inching its way closer. Its hackle wasn’t up and its fangs weren’t bared. She wasn’t sure how much they were like dogs, so she wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. When it was close enough that its fur brushed against her leg, her heart raced so fast she grew light-headed. Caroline wasn’t sure where she’d heard it, but she believed it was best not to look a feral animal in the eyes. Of course, she looked right at it. Its dark eyes were kind, intelligent, and familiar. All the puzzle pieces started joining in her head, but she still couldn’t convince herself that she knew this wolf. The caged one had lighter fur and was smaller.

This beast was a presence.

It nudged her hand with its nose, but she was too paralyzed in fear to pull it away. It sniffed her, circling her body. Then it started shaking, lowering its head as its body contorted. Caroline wasn’t sure what she was witnessing, but it wasn’t natural. Its fur receded and its bones elongated. Within seconds it was more human than wolf. Then it stood up straight, towering over her.

She gasped and took a step back.

“You said you’d understand,” Grey said. He took her hands in his.

Her mind tried to wrap about what she’d just witnessed. Part of her knew something was up with the wolves and Grey, but to see him change from wolf to man with her own eyes was indescribable.

“What are you?”

“A shape-shifter.” He shrugged. “Werewolf?”

“How is this possible?”

He wiped the rain from her face. “Humans just don’t know about us. You can imagine, it’s a very important secret to keep. I don’t want you to be afraid of me, Caroline. I’d never hurt you, and I’m no different than any other man.”

Grey was very different. The rain washed over his hard, naked body. Thunder cracked above. He was toned to perfection, and even with her shock she wanted to touch him. He claimed to be loyal, devoted, and protective. What more could she ask for?

“And you’re interested in me?”

He smirked. “Only you.”

She had so many questions, but they didn’t matter. Not right now. Caroline needed to be close with Grey, to know their new relationship wasn’t going to fade into nothing.

“You’re shivering,” he said. “Come on, my truck’s just ahead on the side of the road.”

He held her hand and led her forward through the mist and heavy downpour. Once inside the truck, the static of the rain sounded all around them.

“I’ll get your truck all wet,” she said, gathering her heavy hair to one side.

“I’m not worried about my truck. I want to know what you’re thinking.”

She bit her lip. “Well, my boyfriend’s a wolf man.”

“Shape-shifter,” he corrected. “And I’m not your boyfriend. I’m your mate.”

“And that’s different for you?”

He reached out and touched her love bite. “We mark our mates. It’s a lifelong commitment I take very seriously.”

“I think I like the sound of that.”

“I’ll answer any questions you have … tomorrow.” He leaned toward her seat, and she joined him in the middle. They kissed, the rain mingling against their lips. “I want you, baby. Not here. At the cottage.”

“Yes,” she murmured against his lips.

They drove off, through the narrow paths up the mountains into the deep forest. The roads were slick with mud, so Grey turned on the 4x4. She felt a little thrill growing inside her. Her life had never been this exciting—in a good way. Caroline was mated to the hottest man she’d ever seen, and he was a wolf. She never had to worry about anything—not the dark, wild animals, or criminals. A man like Grey could protect her from the world. That sense of security was gratifying after living such an uncertain life.

The cabin was dark, but Grey easily led her to the entrance. The rain hadn’t let up. Once he slammed the heavy wooden door shut, he leaned back against it. The elements had been closed off, leaving them in a dark, quiet room. All her senses were magnified.

It smelled of black earth, rain, and musk.

“Take your clothes off,” he said.

She could only make out his shadow, but his wolf eyes shimmered. A chill raced up her spine, from the cold or her desires, she wasn’t sure. Caroline peeled off the sopping layers, and they dropped heavily to the wooden floor.

“Can you see me?” she asked.

“Of course I can see you,” he said. “And I can smell your desire.”

“No, you can’t.”

His chuckle was deep and rich. “Remember, I’m not like you. My senses are magnified. And I have a lot of skills your human males don’t have.”

“Such as…”

She stepped forward, running both hands down his chest. He felt so good, so warm.

“I don’t need a break after sex. If you want to keep going, I can fuck you all night long.”

Caroline raised an eyebrow. “That could come in handy.” She reached lower, wrapping her fingers around his hard cock. He grunted, and she loved the masculine sound. Loved that she could affect him.

“I want to christen the cottage, make it ours.”

“Really? Do you want to live here?”

“I have a mate now. A human one. I don’t think you’d like to sleep in a house of mud and bracken, do you?”

“Maybe not.”

He leaned over and kissed the mark on her neck. “I have to stop living in the past. I know that. This home is special. I want it to be our home.”

“I love this place. That would be a dream come true.”

Caroline had only ever lived in cramped apartments, and she’d only dated losers. One moment she was lonely and defeated, the next mated and about to move into a little piece of heaven. Was she dreaming?

“You’ve changed everything for me, baby. I’m going to make all your dreams come true.”

He kissed her and she melted. She even had the urge to tell him she loved him. Their connection was unreal, and werewolf or not, she wasn’t going anywhere.

Grey scooped her up into the cradle of his arms. She wrapped an arm around his neck as he carried her toward her bedroom. “For breakfast, I’m eating you on the kitchen counter. I’ve been thinking about it since last time you were here.”

She wasn’t going to deny him, not when his skills were off the charts.

He settled her on the bed and climbed over her like a predator. Her pussy throbbed, knowing exactly what was coming. She was still slightly sore from the morning sex.

Grey parted her legs with his thigh, then stretched out beside her. He rubbed circles over her clit, then dipped one finger into her cunt. She licked her lips, bracing herself for more. He fucked her with his finger, then added a second, pumping faster. Heat began to build deep inside her, spreading out to her extremities. She forgot all about being cold and wet, only focused on her animal of a man—literally.

“Do you like my fingers inside you?”

She nodded.

“What about my tongue?”

“Yes.” She breathed out the word on a sigh as she was already floating away.

He rolled to his back, leaving her achy and wanton. “Come sit on my face. I’ll give you what you want.”

Caroline had never done anything kinky. She’d already had so many firsts with Grey, and she had a feeling there were a lot more to come. She got to her hands and knees but it still felt awkward to sit on his face.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“Baby, you have no idea how dirty I can get. I want to eat your pussy until your begging me to fuck you.”

Oh God. She straddled his face and he wrapped an arm around each thigh as his wicked mouth found her clit. She held onto the headboard as he devoured her. He wouldn’t give her a reprieve, lapping and sucking until she was a complete mess. He teased her asshole with a finger, unleashing a firestorm of sensation she never expected.

She came on his face, her clit pulsing on and on and on. Caroline panted and gasped for air as the orgasm tore through her body. Before she could get her bearings, Grey flipped her onto her back and forced his huge cock inside her. “Grey!”

He felt like heaven filling her, exactly what she craved. Her cunt was still sensitive so the sudden fullness nearly made her orgasm again. He pumped inside her like a piston, never tiring, never losing strength in his arms. The man was made for sex, and he was all hers.

When she came again, she screamed Grey’s name and felt his hot cum fill her, joining them. Maybe they’d even have a family of their own one day. It was something she never bothered to entertain in the past. Now everything was different.

He pulled her into the crook of his arm and kissed her temple. “I love you,” he said.

She believed his words. Savored them. It felt good to be wanted.

Their breathing slowly settled, the rain on the roof like a lullaby. She felt safe, cozy, and home. “You were right,” she said.

“About what?”

“Fate. I think you’ve made me a believer.”

“Just wait until the full moon.” He tickled her sides and made her giggle. Caroline wasn’t sure what he was talking about, but she was excited to find out.