chapter twelve
“Hello, Kaaalllie.”
The way Wolfrik drawled her name brought goose bumps to her arms and legs. He was smiling. That was good, wasn’t it?
Her body shivered involuntarily.
Tonight. It had to be tonight, or Palmer would expect her to sleep with him. She silently screamed the thought of Palmer away. She couldn’t have him in her head right now.
When Kallie didn’t return Wolfrik’s greeting, his smile grew bigger.
“Were you waiting for me?” he asked huskily.
“Yes.” Her answer came out breathless.
So much for her earlier plan at seduction. Clearly Kallie was doomed to fail with that strategy before she could bat one eyelash.
Yet maybe her floundering intrigued the wild wolf; he stalked toward her. Kallie took a step back. When Wolfrik kept coming, she turned and half ran, half hopped, cutting onto a narrow trail leading to the communal cabin. Her heart pounded up her throat, and her breath came out in rasps.
Behind her, Wolfrik chuckled. “You think you can outrun me?”
Taking in shallow breaths, she pushed herself harder, though her muscles groaned and her foot throbbed. She was nearly at the cabin when Wolfrik caught up to her. He could have overtaken her sooner, but he’d held himself back, letting her run herself exhausted.
She fell against a tree and gasped, slowly regaining her breath.
So much for sexy. I look a ragged mess.
“I thought you knew better than to run from a wild animal.” Wolfrik hooked his thumbs through the loops around the hips of his jeans.
“You’re not an animal; you’re a shifter, and you like it when I run,” Kallie snapped.
Wolfrik stopped several feet in front of her and lifted his eyebrows.
There was no turning back. Kallie took a step toward him, narrowing her gaze on his. “You like the chase, but you’re afraid of what will happen when you catch up.”
Wolfrik’s smile dropped, and he stared at Kallie through slits. “I’m not afraid of anything,” he snarled.
“Prove it,” Kallie said, feeling emboldened. Her voice softened. “Catch me and prove it.” She sprang away as gracefully as she could and hurried the remaining steps to the cabin. With her heart pounding like ceremonial drums inside her ears, she couldn’t hear if Wolfrik followed.
She was steps from the door when he grabbed her arm and twirled her around to face him. His chest rose and fell rapidly, as though he’d been the one running with an injured leg. As soon as she faced him, he dropped her arm as though it were a snake, ready to strike. His jaw locked, and he glared at her.
Kallie’s heart turned to stone and plummeted to her stomach. There was nothing loving or sensual in his gaze. She’d pissed him off. They might have built a friendship that turned into more with time if she hadn’t rushed him . . . If she hadn’t been desperate.
Oh, sweet moon above, I can’t give myself to Palmer. I can’t.
Kallie’s body shook.
“What do you want?” Wolfrik demanded. “Am I some kind of pet project to you? You want to try and help me heal so you can spend less time thinking about your own injuries? Why don’t you do what I do and face the truth, Kallie? You’ll never walk or run normally again. Nothing you do will change that. No distraction. That’s all I am, right? A distraction from the sad state of your life.” Wolfrik looked down at her, lips curling in distaste.
Everything around them froze. There wasn’t so much as a rustle in the leaves or a scuttle in the brush.
Kallie’s blood burned through her veins and scorched every last one of her nerves.
When he’d wanted her to stay away from him, he should have said these words. They would have worked better than anything else.
“Screw you!” she screamed into Wolfrik’s face.
Tears pooled over her eyes and streaked down her cheeks as though her face wanted to extinguish the flames burning below. A sob burst through her lips.
Through blurry vision, she saw the expression on Wolfrik’s face change. His mouth hung open, eyes widened, and shoulders stooped. He took a tentative step forward. “Kallie—” he began softly.
“No,” she said, jerking back. She nearly fell, but managed to catch herself with a stumbling step and right her body once more. “You don’t get to comfort me. I don’t want your comfort.” She blinked back her tears and swallowed past the lump in her throat. “I know you’ve been through hell. I know Sasha was the love of your life. I’m not asking you to love me or fix me. I’m not asking you to claim me. I just want to be with you tonight. Is that too much to ask?”
Wolfrik’s nostrils flared. He stared at her heaving chest, his gaze turning lambent. He tore his eyes from her breasts and strode over to the cabin door and kicked it open, not bothering to close it as he backed Kallie inside.
Rather than lead her to the bed against the far wall, he maneuvered her to the table in the corner. There was a single candlestick inside a holder, along with a clay pot for water. With one swipe of his arm, it all crashed to the floor. He lifted Kallie onto the table, bunching fistfuls of her dress over her hips. She lifted her arms, helping Wolfrik as he pulled the dress over her head and tossed it onto the ground with the candle and clay pot. As he did so, she reached down and unbuttoned his jeans. Wolfrik yanked them down before she’d finished. The lower buttons popped open under his brute force. Once loosened, the jeans fell to his ankles. Wolfrik stepped out of the pants and kicked them aside.
She’d expected him to hesitate again, but this time he went after her as though she were an opponent in a battle to the death—one he planned to vanquish. An instant later, he was inside of Kallie. Her head flew back as she cried out with pleasure. There was no warm-up, no taking his time. Wolfrik moved like a wild animal running for all he was worth. The friction between Kallie’s thighs rubbed every nerve ending to life.
She panted and moaned out of control—delirious with desire and the need for more of him. She rocked against him, but it was difficult to keep up with Wolfrik’s frenzied pace.
Abruptly, he pulled out. Kallie cried out in anguish, but Wolfrik’s hands were on her hips in a flash, pulling her off the table. He spun her around, legs splayed, and arms outstretched over the tabletop.
As with before, Wolfrik didn’t waste time entering her.
She cried out louder than the first time, loving the way he slid in so easily and filled her.
Kallie thrust back, taking in every inch of him.
His tortured groan made her smile to herself.
“If you do that, I’m going to lose it,” he said, gripping her hips.
Kallie rammed her ass back again, just to torment him more.
Wolfrik growled right before losing control. He thrust in and out of her with such speed Kallie could no longer keep up. Her arms stretched across the surface, grasping for something to hold on to. The table banged against the cabin’s inner wall with each thunderous thrust of Wolfrik’s hips. A tempest was building between her legs, ready to explode into a million sparkling pieces.
“Kallie?” a voice thundered over her moans and the beating of the table against the wall.
She’d nearly forgotten her purpose for being at the cabin—for Palmer to walk in on her with Wolfrik. In her ecstasy, Palmer had ceased to exist.
Wolfrik roared in outrage. “Fuck, Palmer! Can’t you see we’re busy? Get out of here!”
Kallie had expected this moment would be an awkward but necessary act to force Palmer to leave her alone. She had thought it might shame her to go to these lengths, but with Wolfrik inside her, snarling at Palmer, she felt power surging inside her.
Wolfrik growled in warning. Palmer must have been standing his ground. Now that they’d stopped, she would have heard his footsteps if he retreated.
Wolfrik was still inside her, but the warmth of his chest left as he turned. Kallie continued facing the wall, smiling to herself. She couldn’t have picked a better shifter to chase Palmer away.
Wolfrik pulled out of her and moved toward the door, his heavy steps creaking over the cabin’s floorboards. “I said go.” He snarled.
A pair of footsteps retreated from the cabin. The door slammed shut. Kallie turned around in time to see Wolfrik give the frame an extra shove that rattled the hinges. He stood in place, lips pressed together tightly, listening at the door.
Kallie limped over, experiencing a moment’s shyness when she stopped a couple feet away from him. She glanced at her toes.
Wolfrik moved over to her and brushed her unruly hair over her shoulders. “Randy old bastard,” he muttered. “He’s still out there listening.”
Kallie wrapped her arms around Wolfrik’s neck, eyes shining as she lifted her gaze to meet his. “Then let’s give him something to listen to.”
Wolfrik smiled wolfishly. The animalistic desire in his eyes made the walls tilt all around her as her breath quickened.
He lifted her off the floor. She gave a little squeal, holding on tight. Wolfrik didn’t have far to walk over to the bed. Instead of tossing her onto the mattress, he bent down and ripped the blankets off and threw them onto the floor before lowering her gently on top of them. He stood on his knees while she lay back drinking in every inch of his body. Aside from his raw, red, brutal scars, his body was perfection. Muscular arms bulged from broad shoulders, and his six-pack rippled like waves across a pond—each one dipping into the next—drawing her into his powerful frame. His abs V’ed straight down to his groin, long and thick; large and beautiful like the rest of him.
Wolfrik followed her example, his eyes boldly perusing her. Warmth flooded between Kallie’s thighs. Her nipples tightened.
Wolfrik’s dick pulsed. He lowered himself down and nudged himself at her gently, sliding himself inside her inch by glorious inch.
He rocked his hips against hers, face contorting as though fighting to keep control.
Kallie’s eyelashes fluttered. Her breath rasped in shallow gasps.
Wolfrik brushed his thumb over her nipple. Kallie moaned her pleasure.
As Wolfrik dived deep inside her, she wrapped her legs around him. Her body felt weightless, buoyed atop bright wisps of ecstasy. Wolfrik thrust faster. Kallie shouted his name right before exploding. Warmth shot into her when Wolfrik emptied his seed inside her. He shuddered and collapsed, but not before throwing out his palms to keep from crushing her.
As soon as he recovered, he eased himself out and collapsed at Kallie’s side. They lay on their backs, breathing deeply, staring at the wood beams supporting the ceiling.
Eventually silence blanketed the cabin. Kallie waited for Wolfrik to say something or leave, but he surprised her by moving closer and turning her onto her side, her back in the hollow of his chest, and wrapping his arms around her. His body trembled as he squeezed her to his chest several times. Then he went slack and breathed the deep breaths of someone who had fallen asleep.
Kallie lay still, listening to Wolfrik breathe. She snuggled gently against his arms, not wishing to wake him.
She’d meant it when she told Wolfrik that she had no expectations other than sex, but when they’d mated, Kallie hadn’t felt disabled. She’d felt whole.
Light nudged its way through the cabin’s cracks early the next morning. Kallie lay still, though her bad leg was stiff from pressing into the hard floorboards all night. Wolfrik held her like he’d never let go. The few times she’d wiggled around, he’d nestled in closer, burying his face into her hair.
Reluctantly, Kallie, scooted away and stretched her leg, gritting her teeth to keep from groaning. She tried focusing on other parts of her body instead, such as the delicious ache Wolfrik had left between her legs. The groan that had been on her lips softened into a silent moan as she remembered Wolfrik inside her. Her eyes fluttered closed, and when she reopened them, Wolfrik stirred and blinked away the haze of sleep from his eyes.
He yawned then smiled up at her. “Is it already morning?”
Kallie nodded. “Yeah.”
Wolfrik sat up and stretched his arms over his head, closing his eyes as he yawned again. Kallie ran her eyes over his naked body, zeroing in on the engorged organ between his legs. She looked away as he reopened his eyes.
“You okay?” Wolfrik asked gently.
“Fine—leg’s a bit stiff, but that’s normal.”
Wolfrik scooted closer, pulled her foot into his lap, and began massaging her ankle. Her shoulders sagged in relief and eyelids lowered as she stared off in a daze.
Moon above, it felt good.
“You don’t have to do that. I’m not looking for someone to take care of me.”
Wolfrik frowned. “Right. You just want someone to fuck you.”
Kallie pressed her lips together, relieved when Wolfrik continued massaging her foot and ankle. He had a surprisingly gentle touch and a gift for applying just the right amount of pressure. Kallie’s eyes drifted closed, and her body went limp with relief. Wolfrik’s hands traveled up her leg, rubbing her calves, inching their way to her thigh. When he brushed his knuckle over her sex, Kallie’s breath hitched.
His fingers stretched over and rubbed her clitoris. Kallie gasped and pitched forward. Wolfrik guided her gently onto her back while his fingers remained busy, rubbing faster and harder. Kallie squirmed on the floor.
“I need you in me,” she rasped.
Wolfrik’s strokes deepened. “Not until you come.”
She moaned and arched over the floor, wishing he’d give her what she wanted, but he wouldn’t let up, not even when she panted and growled in frustration. The walls were caving in, suffocating her. A tempest was building inside her that refused to let loose.
Her chest rose off the floor, and she snarled at Wolfrik. “Fuck me.”
“Not yet.”
Her next growl was cut off by a shriek that jettisoned from her core to her head as an explosive orgasm rocked her body. Kallie’s shoulders pressed back to the floor. Her body felt as though it had turned to liquid and puddled over the floorboards.
Wolfrik nudged her legs apart and pumped into her, spilling his seed quickly, more like an animal marking his territory than a male taking his pleasure. Once he’d roared his release, he pulled out and got to his feet. “Come on, let’s get cleaned up,” he said, reaching a hand for her.
She let him help her to her feet then stumbled toward the cabin door. Wolfrik was at her side in a flash, bending down to drape her arm around his shoulder.
When Kallie opened her mouth to protest, he leaned in and smothered her in a knee-buckling kiss that ended with tongue. Kallie yanked her head back and gasped. This wasn’t how she’d expected Wolfrik to behave at all.
Amusement danced in his eyes.
“Thought I better cut you off before you insisted, yet again, that you don’t need or want my help.” Wolfrik grinned wolfishly. “I’ve found the perfect way to silence you, Kallie.”
If her heart wasn’t beating so wildly, she might have come up with a reply instead of staring back at him all dazed with her lips puckered.
“Fine,” Kallie finally said, threading her arms around his.
If she was going to accept his help, she’d do it arm in arm, not slung over him like an invalid.
The gong rang out over the forest as they took their time reaching the river and waded in together. Kallie crouched in the middle where the water was deepest and closed her eyes gently, enjoying the flow of water over her skin. She dunked her head under water and twisted her head side to side, sending her hair floating around her head until she resurfaced and it clung to her neck and shoulders. Blinking water out of her eyes, she ran both hands over her head.
From several feet away, Wolfrik rubbed a long, flat rock over his arms then chest, making his way down his legs.
After the rinse, they returned to the cabin.
“Ready for morning gruel?” Wolfrik asked as he picked his pants off the floor.
“I think I’ll skip the group meal.”
Wolfrik stepped into one leg of his pants then paused. “Want me to catch you something?”
She shook her head. “I can do it. I’ve got plenty of time without patrol duties.”
Wolfrik pressed his lips together in consideration.
“Do you want back on patrol?”
“It doesn’t have to be patrol. I just don’t want to spend my remaining days tending the community garden.”
Wolfrik snorted. “No kidding. Well, now that I’m on council, I’ll see if we can come up with something more satisfying.”
He finished putting on his pants and shirt while Kallie’s mouth hung open.
“You’re on council?”
Wolfrik grinned. “Got voted in yesterday before supper.”
Kallie wanted to smack him playfully, but despite sleeping with him, she didn’t feel close enough to joke around. Instead, she planted her hands on her hips. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“You know why.” Wolfrik’s voice turned husky. He appeared in front of her without causing one floorboard to creak.
With his lips now within kissing distance and his thumb circling her breast, Kallie’s breath caught. Wolfrik switched to stroking her nipple with the tip of his finger. It peaked and hardened under his touch. Wolfrik’s gaze turned hooded and hungry. “You have the most gorgeous breasts. I could play with them all day. Would that be a suitable activity for you?”
Kallie huffed in amusement. “I don’t think it would help serve the pack.”
Wolfrik’s eyes gleamed. “Not everything is about serving the pack.”
How different Wolfrik’s attitude was from Raider’s. Raider was all about responsibility. Wolfrik liked to break the rules and do whatever he wanted.
“They really let you on council?” Kallie asked.
“Can’t keep a pureblood off.” Wolfrik smirked and kissed each of her breasts. “Meet me here tonight?”
Kallie’s breath caught like tiny insect wings in a spider’s web. Whatever wall he’d erected before had come tumbling down, and she’d been the one to knock it over. It wasn’t just one night. He wanted her again. But for how long? Did it matter? She’d gotten what she wanted, and she could have it again.
Kallie’s gaze drifted to the floorboards demurely then back up to Wolfrik’s searching gaze. After she nodded, he broke out into a grin, wrapped his hand around her neck, and pulled her in for a kiss. His lips roved over hers, causing a sigh to build deep inside her throat. She wasn’t used to kissing. It was nice—and confusing. She wouldn’t have pegged Wolfrik as a kisser.
He pulled away and flashed her one last grin before leaving the cabin. Kallie waited for several minutes then walked over to the bed and sat down, staring at the rumpled blankets on the floor, her discarded dress by the table, and the items that had been tossed off. Her surroundings went out of focus as she remembered everything they’d done together—and would do again tonight.
Her breath quickened, and a throb built between her thighs. She squirmed over the mattress. She was ready for Wolfrik now.
First, she had to get through the day, and she was famished. She could make it in time to dish up the last bit of porridge before it was cleaned out if she dressed now and headed straight for the glade.
Her timing was perfect. By the time she limped into the glade, the shifters on duty had left and Maureen had started moving baskets of bowls to the trailhead leading to the river. She stopped what she was doing to serve Kallie a bowl of porridge with a smile.
“Thanks,” Kallie said when Maureen handed it over.
“Of course,” Maureen chirped. “Don’t ever hesitate to come over late. I always rinse out all the bowls first and leave the cauldron for last. I can even set a bowl aside for you.”
Kallie smiled gratefully. “I wish I could help you clean up.”
She would have happily helped out, but she knew she was more likely to stumble and break their limited supply of dishes, gathered from abandoned suburbs over time.
Maureen batted the offer away with her hand. “It’s no trouble at all.”
The friendly shifter looked happier about being on meal duty than going off on patrol.
“Feel free to help yourself to more while I’m at the river,” Maureen said as she picked up a basket and headed into the woods.
Kallie sat on a log and enjoyed the tranquility of the empty glade while she ate her porridge. After the workout with Wolfrik, a second helping wasn’t a bad idea. But when she stood and steadied herself on her feet, she caught sight of Palmer’s familiar stride into the clearing… headed directly for her.
Kallie gnashed her teeth and held back a snarl. Hadn’t he gotten the hint to stay away from her?
Apparently not, only now when he stopped and looked at her it was with a clenched jaw rather than a smug smile and lust-filled gaze.
“What happened at the cabin last night?” Palmer demanded. “Did Wolfrik force himself on you?”
Kallie snorted, her jaw loosening as she did. She planted one hand on her hip and shot Palmer a scathing once-over. “Wolfrik didn’t force anything. He was at the cabin because I invited him there. He was there because I offered myself to him. He was there because I’d rather bend over for every shifter in Wolf Hollow than be your third mate.”
Palmer flinched then, regaining himself, straightened and scowled. “This isn’t like you, Kallie.”
Her nostrils flared. She felt angry enough to breathe fire.
“You don’t know what I’m really like. All you see is a sweet, sad, injured she-wolf.” Kallie lifted her chest, feeling a surge of strength that had been missing for too long. Her eyes drilled into Palmer’s. “But maybe I’m not so sweet. Maybe I like things rough and dirty.”
Palmer’s nose wrinkled and she laughed, taking pleasure in his disgust and disappointment. She’d finally opened his eyes.
She’d chosen her bedmate wisely. Palmer wouldn’t dare get in Wolfrik’s way, and now that Wolfrik was on council, he could do more than hump her; when she was ready, he could support her position as the pack’s healer.