chapter eighteen
Two full days he’d kept her waiting and still had yet to face her. Kallie’s heartache turned to confusion then rage—bouncing back and forth and wreaking havoc on her appetite. What had changed since they mated as wolves and he’d so tenderly taken her hand? How could he be protective of her one minute then abandon her the next?
Through overheard conversations, she learned that he had returned to the river caves. To his human.
“What do you think they’re doing down there in the caves all day and night?” a shifter named Carter asked Wiley.
“Taking turns.” Wiley thrust his hips back and forth with a crude laugh.
Kallie’s fingers curled and hands shook. She wanted to punch them both. Worst of all, she felt a sudden urge to hit Wolfrik. Shame sickened her stomach like spoiled meat. How could she even think such a thing?
Done with waiting and spending another day torturing herself, she shifted at midday and ran toward the caves, taking breaks along the way. She’d timed it so it would be evening when she arrived, too late to turn back to the glade or den. Wolfrik would be forced to face her and explain himself, and she’d finally meet the human.
Long before approaching the caves, Kallie lifted her head and howled. She waited and listened for an answer, but none came, meaning Wolfrik and Aden were probably in human form. She trotted forward—longing coursing through her wolf’s senses. If only she was reuniting with her mate rather than confronting her wayward lover.
She hadn’t even made it to the caves when Wolfrik shot through the trees in wolf form and skidded to a stop in front of her, blocking her way. She didn’t have much time to sniff him before his fur receded, fangs and claws retracted, and he hunched over the ground in his human body.
Kallie made the shift, full color returning to her sight as she blinked through human eyes at the male directly in front of her. Wolfrik helped her up then drew his arms back and frowned. Kallie noticed he had trouble meeting her eyes.
“You shouldn’t be out here. It’s not safe.”
Anger flared up Kallie’s spine. “I didn’t have much choice, did I? You told me to wait. I waited—and waited.”
“I’m sure Raider was thrilled to see me gone,” Wolfrik answered sullenly.
Kallie’s forehead wrinkled. “Did he say something to you again?”
Wolfrik ground his teeth and crossed his arms. “No, but I found out the truth. You had feelings for him. Too bad he’s mated now. Too bad you had to lower your standards. Too bad you had to throw yourself at me when there was no one else.” He threw the last words at her face.
Kallie planted her hands on her hips and dug her toes into the smooth dirt trail where she stood as steadily as she could. “Which is it, Wolfrik? Did I use you or settle for you?”
“Both,” he said sullenly.
“You’re a fool, you know?”
Wolfrik growled.
“Don’t snarl at me when you know I’m right.” Kallie glared into his contorted face. “If you don’t let the past go, it will eat you alive. And I mean all of it—yours and mine.”
“I know that!”
Wolfrik swung his arms in the air as he kicked a stick across the forest into a nearby tree.
Hilarity bubbled up Kallie’s throat. It seemed so out of place it made her want to laugh harder. Wolfrik’s head jerked up, and his expression softened when he looked at her.
“Feel better?” she asked.
“Hardly.” He shrugged.
Despite his answer, Wolfrik’s shoulders relaxed and the fight went out of his face.
“Will you return with me to the glade tomorrow?” Kallie asked.
He glanced in the direction of the river. “Sparrow’s my responsibility. I can’t just dump her on Aden. And Sasha said she’d make sure patrols were added to the den. I knew you’d be looked after.” Wolfrik avoided her eyes and sighed. “Look, Kallie, I’m a lone wolf. Damaged beyond repair. I’m not good for you.”
Kallie gritted her teeth. “You think you’re the only one who has suffered? I, too, lost my parents—lost in love. I, too, have physical injuries that will never fully heal. That doesn’t mean I’m going to tuck in my tail and give up when life throws me a bone.”
Wolfrik snarled and met her eyes. “I’m not tucking tail.”
The ferocity in his gaze made Kallie shiver, but she didn’t back down. “Yes, you are.”
Wolfrik smacked his arms roughly against his sides, only to lift them back up and punch at the air. “Fuck, female! Why can’t you leave well enough alone?”
Kallie took a step closer, unafraid—emboldened. “And why can’t you listen to your wolf? Didn’t purebloods use to let their wolves choose their mates before elders began interfering?”
Wolfrik threw his head back and laughed. When he lowered his head and locked gazes with her, his eyes glittered like stars in a cold winter sky. “You want me for a mate? Are you mad?”
Kallie tossed her hair back. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my whole life.”
“Think you can tame the wild beast, do you?” Wolfrik looked her up and down with a sneer.
“I wouldn’t want to,” she fired back. “I love the beast.”
Wolfrik went still. He blinked, and the next second his gaze turned hooded. He started toward her, and still she held her ground. The trees were too far from the trail to offer support, and she feared she’d topple over before she ever reached them.
When Wolfrik reached her, his lips closed over hers instantly. Moon above, she loved the way he kissed. She never would have taken him for a male who kissed and caressed, but it seemed to come as naturally to him as breathing. His tongue stroked hers while his mouth consumed her, causing warmth to spread down her entire body and curl her toes.
Kallie answered his kisses with her own hungry lips.
His hand cradled her neck and pulled her in as he deepened the embrace. He shoved his tongue into her mouth and she moaned, imagining that same tongue much lower, thrusting inside her. A callused hand slid down her hip, cupping her between the legs and the liquid heat gathering at her core. There was no hiding her excitement from him. She rocked into his hand shamelessly, mewling for more.
When he kept up the kisses, she broke away and nipped his neck in silent demand. She wanted him to take her here and now.
Wolfrik’s shoulders shook as he chuckled. “I’m the beast, and yet you’re the one who bites.”
“I’ll bite you again if you don’t make love to me soon,” Kallie said.
“Make love?” Wolfrik raised his brows.
“Yeah, you say ‘fuck’ too much. That’s not what this is. Not anymore.”
Cocking his head to the side, Wolfrik looked her over with consideration before shrugging. “Call it what you want, Kallie.”
Love. She called it love. She’d never seen it coming, not with him, but once her eyes were opened there was no closing them again—when she did, all she saw was him.
He turned her around gently and pulled her against his groin—the hard length of him entering her. Strong arms circled her abdomen, holding her securely against his chest so she didn’t pitch forward while his hips pumped. He moved steadily, feet planted apart on the ground, Kallie secure in his embrace.
She pushed back against him in a taunting motion to get him to go faster, but he merely gripped her harder and kept up his exquisite and excruciating pace. She whimpered, desperate for release.
Kallie thrust her hips back. Wolfrik’s hands settled on them. One drifted south until his finger reached her clit. When he stroked, her whimpers turned to shrieks of pleasure that silenced the birds.
Could the human female hear them from the caves? She hoped so. She wanted the bitch to know that Wolfrik was hers.
She leaned back against him, loving his solid strength and knowing that as long as she was in his arms, he’d never let her fall.
“Take me,” Kallie yelped.
“Not yet.” His voice was as firm as his hold. There was satisfaction in it. He had every right to be proud of himself. He could turn a woman into sap in his arms.
Kallie squirmed. Wolfrik’s arms roped around her torso. He squeezed her against him as though she were trying to get away and practically lifted her off her feet on the next thrust.
Shooting stars exploded in Kallie’s vision as her insides went supernova. Her entire body convulsed with the orgasm, and then she went as limp as a rag in Wolfrik’s arms. If his hold hadn’t been so tight, she would have crumpled to the forest floor.
He paused briefly and inhaled deeply as though her pleasure held a scent. Then he jackhammered inside her like a madman.
Kallie didn’t think there was anything left in her, but his urgency set her body buzzing, toes curling, and pulled moans from the recesses of her throat.
Wolfrik’s hands slipped momentarily and Kallie pitched forward, but he caught her again and gripped her hips, bumping against her back, and entering her again and again with each stroke.
Wolfrik slammed into her one final time and roared his release. His body jerked back as his chest and head lifted to the sky. Then he pitched forward and fell against her, nearly knocking them both to the ground. Wolfrik recovered just in time to catch Kallie and pull her up to a standing position.
Once steadied, he drew back gently. A shiver rocked through Kallie’s body as Wolfrik pulled out. She caught her breath, turned to face him, and placed a hand over her racing heart.
“Wow. That was—” She shook her head, lost for the right word to describe the experience that was Wolfrik.
A smile stretched across his cheeks. “Would you call that fucking or making love?”
“I’d call it incredible.”
Wolfrik laughed and pulled Kallie into his arms. He drew her close and kissed the top of her head, murmuring, “You are so cute.”
“Cute?” She wrinkled her nose even though her heart jumped.
“And sexy—but mostly cute.” Wolfrik kissed her head again.
“You’re all sexy,” Kallie spoke in a teasing tone while inside her heart was bursting with happiness. It scared the crap out of her. Wolfrik was more than sexy—and more than a wild beast. He was a tender, caring male, and he had a sensitive side that stabbed at her heart.
He’d told her to stay away because of his past, then he’d left her waiting in the glade because of the way she’d used him to get the message across to Palmer and because of her past feelings for Raider.
How soon until he pushed her away again? How many times would she run after him? How many second, third, fourth, and fifth chances would she give him?
She cared deeply for this wild wolf, but he still had to learn how to trust.
Kallie stepped back and cleared her throat. “So, are you going to introduce me to the human?”
Wolfrik grunted. “Not a chance.”
“Are you going to send me away—alone in the dark?”
“No. Our wolves are going to find a place to sleep for the night. There’s a dry trench lined with moss not far away.” Wolfrik started down a path, leading away from the river.
Kallie held back. “Don’t you need to tell Aden?”
“He’s used to me coming and going.”
Kallie suppressed an exasperated sigh.
Guess I’m not the only one he pulls the disappearing act on.
Wolfrik led Kallie through the woods, not far, to a sloped area of the forest that dipped into a cozy trench.
Kallie raised her brows. “It’s too early to turn in, and I’m hungry. Any food at your little camp by the caves?”
Wolfrik flashed her an amused smile. “Never give up, do you, Kallie? I was wrong when I said you were playing with fire. You are the fire. A spitfire woman who will burn me alive if I’m not careful.”
Kallie tsked. “I’d do no such thing.”
“I’ll shift and catch us dinner.” Wolfrik jutted his chin forward.
“I’ll help you.”
He pursed his lips and regarded her with a look tinted with skepticism.
Kallie lifted her chest. “I can still take down a small animal.”
The smile returned to his lips. “Kallie, dear, of course you can. You already took down a beast.”
Wolfrik spent his nights with Kallie in the den after that. Apparently, Aden had volunteered to guard the human night and day.
“Better him than me,” Wolfrik had said.
Nearly three weeks had passed, and there were no reports of human sightings from the hollow’s lookouts. The den and glade remained undisturbed—no wandering strangers, no mad wolves or vulhena, and no sign of the black wolves Wolfrik and Kallie had seen on the clifftop.
“The quiet before the storm,” Emerson muttered in line for stew.
A distant howl arose as though in answer to her ominous projection.
Everyone in the glade went still, including Kallie. She wished Wolfrik were there, but he’d left on foot to bring jars of stew and porridge to the human. On the days he resupplied the hollow’s captive, he didn’t return until after super—often crawling into Kallie’s shelter, exhausted, after dark.
As the howl echoed away, Raider removed his pants and handed them to Jordan to hold while he shifted.
The howl came again. Raider answered with his own piercing wail then shifted back, taking his pants from Jordan as he stood up. “Ford’s returned,” he announced.
Conversations started anew, and the line moved steadily toward the cauldron and smell of cooked meat and vegetables. By the time Kallie dished up and settled on a log with her friends, Ford was loping into the glade.
Jager approached their returned packmate and stood, hunched to one side, waiting as Ford shook out his fur then slowly shifted, taking twice as long as Raider had. Once human skin covered the length of his body, he swallowed a couple times and blinked his eyes, crouched as tightly as a newborn baby just coming into the world.
Jager twisted. “Someone fetch him food and water.” He turned slowly back to Ford. “Are the den mates okay?”
Ford nodded as he got to wobbly feet. “They’re all safe. Once we got settled, I shifted and ran the rest of the way back to the hollow.” He looked around the glade. “Any changes here?”
“No activity yet,” Jager replied.
“Maybe the humans won’t come,” Ford said.
Jager wrinkled his nose. “Wolfrik insists they will.”
“Where is Wolfrik?” Ford didn’t hide the sneer from his tone.
Kallie’s lips lifted over her gums as she glared at the insolent den mate. Before she could snap at him, Sasha planted her hands on her hips and came forward. “He’s checking on the prisoner.”
The evening after Ford’s return, Sasha called a council meeting with the five remaining members.
Maureen had struck the gong, but Sasha wanted to meet before supper, so the council converged in front of Jager’s hut where the old man sat on a stump sipping brew and smiling.
Raider sat beside the elder and blatantly ignored Wolfrik as he strode in. Wolfrik ignored him back, lifting his chest a little higher. He took a spot right across from Raider and silently congratulated himself when the ape turned his head sideways to Jager. Maybe Raider would get a neck crick by the end of the meeting. Dumbass. Wolfrik smiled smugly to himself.
“Why did you call us here, Sasha?” Emerson asked, flicking her blond hair over her shoulder.
“Just a quick meeting to discuss the upcoming full moon. Please have a seat.” Sasha took hers beside Wolfrik, and Emerson settled onto the stump next to Raider. Once seated, Sasha placed her palms on her thighs and straightened her back. “As you all know, the full Sturgeon Moon is tomorrow morning, about an hour after the morning gong. Tabor and I would like to excuse ourselves from patrol duties for several hours to try for a pup. As long as there are no signs of the humans overnight, I’d like the council’s blessing to mate during the full moon.”
Jager hiccupped and grinned happily, bobbing his head. “Procreation is as much a duty as patrol. Tell that mate of yours we’re expecting results.”
Wolfrik scowled, enjoying the topic of debate about as much as a chunk of week-old meat.
“I thought Raider and Jordan might also want the opportunity,” Sasha said.
Jager swung on his stump and patted Raider on the back. Wolfrik looked at the ass long enough to see him wince.
“Jordan and I are holding off.”
Jager’s mouth fell open. He closed it and wagged a wrinkled finger at Raider. “No sense waiting, my boy. If it’s not humans today, it will be some other trouble tomorrow. You can’t put your life on hold for the perfect timing. So long as we breathe, we will face dangers.”
Sasha nodded.
Raider’s jaw tensed. “It’s not that. We’re waiting.”
“Waiting?” Jager blasted. “For what?”
“None of your business, old man,” Raider gritted out. “We’ll mate when we’re good and ready, and we won’t be asking permission or making an announcement to any of you.”
Wolfrik smirked, enjoying Raider’s irritation. This topic was turning out to be slightly more amusing.
Emerson, who had been twisting her hair around her finger, stopped and grinned, showing a set of mostly straight teeth. “Which reminds me. There’s supposed to be a new claiming before each full moon and, as you already know, I want to claim Gina.”
Jager hissed, all his earlier elations draining like an overturned cup. “We’re not discussing this now.”
“Why not? Did you or did you not tell the pack you wanted one new claiming every full moon for the next year? I, too, am just trying to do my duty.”
Jager’s eye twitched. “You know very well the purpose of new claimings is to repopulate the hollow, and two females cannot serve that purpose together. It’s not fair to the pack.”
Emerson folded her arms. “It’s not fair to Gina and me. Maybe we should leave Wolf Hollow so we can live our lives the way we choose.”
“No one’s going anywhere,” Sasha said. “Our pack was decimated by the vulhena, and now we’ve temporarily lost our den mates because of the human threat. We need to stick together. Once the humans are dealt with, you and Gina have my full support.”
“It will have to be put to a vote,” Jager grumbled.
“No, it won’t,” Sasha said. “We don’t vote on mate claims.”
No one looked at Wolfrik. He was surprised to find how much it rattled him. They’d wanted to reintegrate him into the pack when he first returned and prepare him to take a mate. Now that he’d found a female, they ignored the relationship, along with the possibility that it could turn into a true claiming.
Raider had warned Wolfrik away from Kallie, and even Sasha, in her own way, had done the same. Somehow those two seemed to work in tandem—always sure they knew best and could make decisions for everyone else. The council had rubbed off on them too much. Wolfrik’s life wasn’t theirs to influence.
He knew Jager wanted him to breed and pass on his pureblood genes to his offspring, but what about Kallie? Had they written her off? Wolfrik knew what it was like to be discarded. When he’d returned to the hollow, he’d come upon Sasha and Tabor and known at once that they were more than just patrol partners. He’d scented the half-breed all over her naked body and been struck with the realization that not only had Sasha moved on, she’d given up on him entirely. His stomach had hardened to rock—the way it was tightening now. It had been too crushing to accept, so he’d walked away from her.
He wouldn’t blow his chances again, and he wouldn’t allow Raider or Sasha to interfere. If the pack needed a new pairing, it should be him and Kallie.
Wolfrik didn’t realize he’d growled aloud until he noticed everyone, including Raider, staring at him.
He opened his mouth to speak, but only a snarl emerged as though his face had shifted. He lifted his hand and touched his jaw. Still human.
Emerson squinted at him then leaned back and folded her arms. “Fine. I’ll wait, but I won’t wait forever. I don’t expect you and Tabor to wait.” This last part she fired at Sasha.
The pureblooded female inclined her head—an indication that she understood and had nothing more to say on the matter.
Wolfrik didn’t trust his own voice to convey feelings that he, himself, was still coming to terms with. Only one issue was decided. Sasha and Tabor would breed at the height of the full moon.
They had no idea how lucky they were to make their own choice.
“Happy full moon,” the shifters around the glade called to one another at supper, despite the cancellation of the ceremony.
Wolfrik found Kallie sitting on a log beside Camilla, Olivia, and Rosalie, eating stew. The three females ran quick glances over him before resuming their conversation. Kallie got up, looked into her nearly finished bowl, then back up with a sheepish grin. “I can never be certain that you’re coming back.”
Wolfrik shrugged, feigning indifference. “No sense waiting—never know how long those meetings will drag on.” He started toward the cauldron, Kallie limping alongside him. Wolfrik stopped but didn’t face her. “You can finish with your friends.” When he started walking, Kallie kept beside him.
“I’d rather be with you.”
The heat from the cauldron radiated over Wolfrik’s face as he approached, but it was Kallie who warmed him on the inside.
After dinner, their usual group met in the den. The drums started up with gusto, and this time the females got up and danced. Kallie folded her hands in her lap and watched with a look of sad longing. Wolfrik leaned his arm against hers, and she pushed a smile to her lips that soon drifted away. He had no desire to dance, never had, but he hated to see Kallie miss out on anything.
Before Wolfrik could summon his courage to lift her and lead her to the fire—and dancing—they heard loud whooping in the distance and were soon joined by Hudson and Chase, who strolled in carrying large mason jars filled with liquid. Their wavering steps and ridiculous grins suggested they’d taken sips of the brew along the way.
“We heard there was a party going on in the den,” Hudson said with a sly wink.
“Mind if we join you? We bring liquid satisfaction,” Chase added.
They waltzed up, not waiting for an answer. Wolfrik’s jaw tightened. He wasn’t thrilled to see the jokers. They were an unwelcome interruption to a friendly—calm—group he’d slowly become used to.
Zadie stopped dancing and planted her hands on her hips. “We don’t need your brew. We’ve got music to move us.”
“And no dance partners,” Hudson said, his eyes pointing at the four females standing around the fire.
Maureen, Heath, and Alec kept beating their drums from their seats, not allowing Hudson and Chase to interrupt their rhythm.
“We don’t need dance partners,” Zadie informed them.
A smug smile lifted Wolfrik’s lips. He was liking this group more and more.
“Do you speak for your sister?” Hudson asked.
Nudara looked at him and laughed. “I speak for myself. Okay, Hudson. Put down the brew and let’s see if you can keep up.”
“I can keep up.”
“Really? I haven’t seen you on your feet during ceremonies in a long time.”
Zadie snorted. “More like on his ass or passed out.”
Hudson’s eyes narrowed. “Here,” he said, shoving the mason jar into Chase’s free hand. “I’ve got a challenge to accept. We’ll see who tires out first.”
Nudara and Zadie looked at one another and laughed. As soon as Hudson reached Nudara, she shimmied in front of him, her eyes as feisty as a cat playing with a mouse.
“Chase, you can dance with us,” Jolene called out.
Chase grinned and set the mason jars on the ground carefully before joining Jolene and Lacy.
Wolfrik shook his head. “Damn intrusion,” he grumbled to Kallie.
She chuckled softly. “At least they didn’t come empty-handed. Want to hand me one of those jars?”
Wolfrik frowned, but did as she asked. He snatched up one of the jars, nose wrinkling as the acrid scent reached his nostrils. He handed it to Kallie and settled back on the ground beside her. She tipped the jar back and took a deep swig.
When she lowered her head and tried to hand the jar to Wolfrik, he shook his head. “I prefer to keep my senses sharp at all times.”
“Good for you,” Kallie said approvingly.
Wolfrik thought maybe it would make her think twice about consuming the liquid poison, but she drank from the jar again. As he watched her throat ripple, sadness washed over him. In his mind, he saw Jager, staggering around because of his injuries, dulling the pain with drink. He didn’t want Kallie to end up the same way. She was too young, too lovely, too full of life.
He could see the sadness in her eyes. Underestimated. Cast aside. She was missing out.
He didn’t want her to miss out anymore.
Wolfrik stood. Kallie’s head followed him up. Her hair tumbled down her back, and the shine in her eyes made his heart skip a beat.
It wasn’t too late for either of them.
“Dance with me,” he said.
Kallie’s eyes expanded. “But—”
“I’ll hold you.”
Kallie’s lips trembled, and tears glossed over her eyes. She set the jar aside and held her hand up to Wolfrik. He hauled her up and brought her to his chest.
“Are you sure about this?” Kallie asked softly.
Wolfrik jutted his chin in Hudson’s and Chase’s direction. “I can’t be any worse than those two fools.”
Kallie chuckled, a grin lighting up her face. “Well, you can always use me as an excuse for not pulling out the moves, though I used to be quite the dancer, you know?”
“Oh, really?” Wolfrik asked, voice turning husky.
“Yep. Regular performer in the mating dance.” Kallie turned gently in his arms, brushing against his chest. When she thrust her ass against him, Wolfrik’s groin responded instantly. A low, pleased growl escaped his throat.
Maybe this dancing thing wouldn’t be so bad after all.
It was Kallie who ended up leading him to the small group around the fire. The other shifters had become blurs and flashes in his peripheral view, like dancing flames. He was too distracted to notice them.
Kallie leaned her back against Wolfrik’s chest and slid up and down. The friction made his groin throb with strained pleasure. She turned and rubbed her breasts against him, her hands sliding down his hips and circling around to his buttocks. She gripped and pulled him against her. A rush of air left Wolfrik’s lips. Then heat filled his cheeks.
“Is this how you danced with other males?” he asked in a low, dangerous voice.
“Yes,” Kallie answered.
He pulled her against him roughly, relishing her delighted gasp. He gripped the back of her head and brought her mouth to his, thrusting his tongue in without any kind of buildup. Kallie wrapped her arms around his neck and held on as Wolfrik lifted her off the ground. She wrapped her legs around him.
“Mine,” he wanted to announce to the group. “All mine.”
Everyone knew he and Kallie were sleeping together, but he wanted them to really understand that this female was his, and he’d rip out the tongue of any shifter who dared get his dirty mouth near hers—or bite off a finger if anyone else tried to touch her.
The heat of the fire scorched Wolfrik’s skin. He carried Kallie away from the burning light and thumping drums. He walked past her shelter and hauled her into the woods. He hadn’t taken her far before he set her down briefly to unfasten his pants and step out of the cumbersome clothing. He lifted her again and hiked her dress up to her hips before plunging inside her, giving a growl as he did.
The warmth between her legs was better than any fire. It welcomed him inside without burning him up. Pleasure spiked up his spine. He threw his head back and growled. She’d worked him up so much with the dancing; he didn’t know how long he could hold on.
“Wolfrik,” Kallie gasped urgently.
He rocked into her, feeling as though he would soon lose consciousness.
“Wolfrik,” Kallie said with more clarity. “The full moon will be at its apex soon.”
Wolfrik cared more about reaching their own climaxes than the moon at the moment. A warning cry went off in the far reaches of his mind, but he was too excited to listen. The needs of his cock came first.
“Wolfrik, we need to—”
He gripped Kallie by her bare ass and shoved her onto his dick to silence her protests. It worked. She shrieked, and his name on her lips turned to whimpers.
“Wolfrik. Oh, Wolfrik. Oh, sweet mother, I’m coming. I’m coming!” Her back arched and breasts heaved when she threw her head back and gasped.
Wolfrik left himself go at the same time, releasing inside her with a tortured groan.
Once he’d finished, Kallie’s legs slid down his thighs until her feet hit the ground. She held onto his arm for support, breathing deeply.
Kallie glanced between his legs, where he was still hard, with flushed cheeks. “We better spend the rest of the night apart,” she said.
“Why?” Wolfrik frowned. He’d gotten used to spending the entire night sleeping by her side.
Kallie’s eyes expanded. “Because of the full moon.”
“It’s still hours away.” Wolfrik glanced into the sky and shrugged a shoulder. A female was most fertile at the exact moment of the full moon. The seconds and minutes surrounding the full moon were just as fruitful, but after an hour, her chances of conceiving went away quickly.
“What about in the morning—when you wake up beside me?” Kallie raised her brows.
Wolfrik ran his tongue over his teeth and smiled. He made a habit of making love to her every night before bed and first thing every morning before rising. It had become a natural part of his routine. Nothing came before her. He started and ended his days between her legs.
Wolfrik licked his lips. “I’ll use my tongue, instead.”
Kallie shivered, and her nipples poked through her dress.
Wolfrik grinned, pleased by her reaction. “Still think we should spend the night apart?” he asked huskily.
“I’d rather be with you,” she said, “but I just want to make sure we play it safe.” She glanced up and frowned at the moon.
Wolfrik bent down for his jeans and forced them over his hips, leaving them unzipped. He’d have them off again when they reached her shelter.
“Come on,” Wolfrik said, taking Kallie’s hand in his. “Let’s get some sleep. I’m already looking forward to morning.” He ran his eyes down the length of her body and grinned.
“Such a tease,” Kallie replied. “Why wait until morning?”
Wolfrik’s smile lifted into the corners of his eyes. “I appreciate the way you think.”
Kallie tucked her hair behind her ears. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll get an opportunity to use my tongue, as well.” She glanced at his open fly.
Wolfrik chuckled, warmth spreading over his chest. “Have I told you how much I like you?”
It was the closest he’d ever gotten to saying “love.” The sadness reappeared briefly in Kallie’s eyes. Then she blinked it away and smiled at him. Perhaps she’d recognized the tenderness in his voice. Love was just a word. Anyone could say it for any purpose. Feelings mattered more than words, and his feelings for her transcended all letters in the human language.
“I like you, too,” she said softly.
He couldn’t figure out why she did, but he preferred to enjoy her affections rather than ponder them.
They linked arms and walked the short distance back to the den and the thrumming drumbeats within. The rhythm sounded different, more chaotic than hypnotic, and they soon saw why. Hudson and Chase were slapping the instruments while Heath and Alec danced with the girls.
“What a ruckus.” Wolfrik groaned.
Kallie chuckled. “They can’t keep beating on those things all night.”
If they were all lucky, the boys would soon tire themselves out or, better yet, pass out.
Wolfrik forgot about the rest of the group as soon as Kallie got onto all fours to crawl inside her shelter. He stiffened.
Right as I was beginning to fit back into my jeans, he thought.
Oh, well, clothing was overrated. He shucked the constricting pants off and left them outside the shelter. It’s not like he’d have any use for them inside. While he was at it, he lost the shirt.
Kallie was sitting upright inside. When she saw him, her mouth opened slightly.
“Oh.” A look of appreciation shone in the gaze she ran over his bare chest.
Wolfrik crawled to her and, once he was close enough, lifted her dress over her head. “I like to feel your bare skin against mine.”
He lowered her gently to the blanket and gathered her into his arms. She fit so perfectly against him—better than any clothes. If he could have gotten closer, he would have. Having her near brought him comfort and peace. He’d never felt this way around another female, not even Sasha.
Despite his coarse promises, he wanted only to lay awake holding her through the night. Trouble was he felt so comfortable that, before long, he began to drift off.
It was the full moon that called to his wolf early in the morning. It led him out of the shelter as though pulling an invisible leash at his neck. He crawled over the ground and shifted outside. He lifted his head and howled. Once the echo of his call left the den, he heard a rustle inside the shelter. His ears twitched, and his wolf lips grinned.
Kallie crawled out and faced him in human form, blinking rapidly as though the sun were shining directly into her face. They were eye level, and they regarded one another in silence.
Wolfrik turned and trotted into the woods. Not long after, Kallie ran after him in wolf form. He led her past trees in the murky predawn light—the morning moon hovering above their heads. When they reached a small gap in the forest, Wolfrik stopped, lifted his head, and howled again. Kallie joined his chorus. It was his last call to the moon before his wolf mounted Kallie and humped her back without a single concern for consequences.
Damn animal. Cursed moon. And most of all, damned female who tempted him in the first place.
These were thoughts he’d have later, in his miserable human form. For now, the beast kept on humping through the height of the full moon.