Chapter 16

Shay had woken early that morning to another nightmare. Only this time, it hadn’t been about Ana or Kane. It had been about wolves. More specifically it had been about Jaxson and Jake. She had been on one of her usual runs, only this time it was at night. The moon was full, illuminating the trails enough for her to see.

Everything was going fine until the fog rolled in. She didn’t notice it at first, but then it got so heavy that she could barely see two feet in front of her. Then the air turned unseasonable cold, and it was the middle of July. She could feel her panic rising as she felt like the fog was closing in on her. She lost track of where she was because she couldn’t see any of her normal landmarks.

She thought she heard the sound of water running and thought maybe she could find the river and find her way back home. As she slowed to a walk, her pulse began to race, and her heart thundered in her ears. It was eerily quiet for the middle of the night. There were no sounds of the wind in the trees, or owls hooting in the night.

She could see every breath as she desperately tried to make her way out of the dense fog. And then she heard it. The sound that made her blood run cold. A howl. There was something sinister about the howl, not the typical braying at the moon. This was menacing and purposeful. And it was close. Shay’s intuition kicked in, and she knew she had to get out of there fast.

Adrenaline had her legs pumping faster than she’d ever run before. Somehow, whether it was pure happenstance or instinct, she made it through the woods and out of the fog. She ran onto a dirt road that split between the woods she had just come from and a large field with waist high grass. It looked vaguely familiar. But, she didn’t have any time to consider why she recognized the field because she heard another howl. It sounded if it was right behind her.

She glanced frantically around trying to find a place to hide. If she stayed on the road, the wolf would see her immediately. She couldn’t go back into the woods because the fog was the heaviest there and that’s where he was. She didn’t know how she knew it was a he, but she did. The wolf was hunting her. She had no choice but to duck into the field of tall grass and hope she could get far enough in to hide.

She thrashed her way through the tall grass and weeds. Thick brambles tore at her clothing and scratched her face and arms drawing blood. But she kept going. Soon she heard another loud bay and then large paws crashed through the woods behind her. She had barely made it 100 yards into the field. But this would have to do because he was coming. If she didn’t try to find a place to hide, he would hear her.

She ran a few yards more, but then the noise stopped. She could no longer hear the wolf crashing through the brush, only the sound of her loud breathing. She immediately crouched down low until she was flat on her belly. She couldn’t see the road anymore, but that also meant he couldn’t see her. She held her breath as she waited in anticipation for his next move. She hoped he would go on down the road.

Seconds ticked by and panic began to rise in the back of her throat as the silence stretched. Surely, she would have heard him by now. She had to suppress the urge to rise up and try to look for him. She had watched enough horror movies to know that was a mistake. But, she knew she was a sitting duck if she waited here. She began to slither slowly on her belly careful not to disturb the weeds and grass around her. Thankfully, they weren’t as thick where she was so she could maneuver around them.

She had made it maybe ten feet when she heard the laughter. Shay froze. This wasn’t the sound of a wolf; this was a man. But, not just any man. It was Jake.

“Come out, come out wherever you are!” He taunted. “I know you can hear me. I can smell your sweat; it reeks of fear.” He laughed maniacally. It was clear to Shay that he was insane. “Why don’t you make this easy on yourself and just come to me.” He paused for effect. “Because trust me, I’ll enjoy the hunt so much more.

Shay had two choices. She could stay here and hide, knowing that he would eventually find her. Especially, if he switched back into wolf form, he could just follow her scent. Even she could begin to smell herself as the sweat rolled off in torrents. Or she could make a run for it. Shay had lived in fear long enough when her relationship with Kane turned physical. She would be damned if she would play the victim again.

Slowly, she began to rise up into a crouched position. She could still hear Jake talking, taunting her, trying to get her to respond and give away her position. That was fine. She needed him to keep talking because it gave away his position to her. She could tell by the way his voice was fading away that he was headed away from her. She made the quick decision to raise up high enough to see if she could spot him.

Careful not to disturb the weeds around her, she raised her head up just high enough to get a view of the road. At first, her heart dropped because she couldn’t see him at all. But, then he started calling to her again from her left. She swiveled her head and could barely make out his human form. Something about him being naked made him all the scarier. Thankfully, he had his back to her. This was her chance.

It was now or never. She bolted upright and sprinted as fast as she could in the opposite direction of him. She didn’t dare look back to see if he noticed her. She just kept running.

She knew the moment he spotted her because he let out a wild whoop that quickly changed into a horrifying howl. She didn’t stop to turn around to see if he was chasing her, she could hear him coming. She had a bit of a head start, but he was closing fast.

Faster and faster she ran, panic and adrenaline pushing her beyond her limits. She flew over the damp ground, leaping over fallen logs and hopping over rocks and stones. Vaguely, her path began to look familiar. She began to recognize certain landmarks. This was the way to Jaxson’s place. With renewed vigor, she raced for Jaxson’s house praying that he was home and that she would make it in time.

Her breathing was labored, and her lungs screamed, but she didn’t dare quit now. She broke through the tree line and onto the path racing past the horse barn. She made the mistake of glancing over her shoulder and nearly stumbled. Jake had closed the distance rapidly. He had just been toying with her before. He was within five yards of her and gaining fast. She did the only thing she could think of. She screamed her head off.

“JAXSON!!!! JAXSON HELP ME!” Her screams ripped through the night.

That only seemed to exhilarate Jake more because he began to snarl at her. He was mere feet behind her, his large jaws snapping at her heels. He took a swipe at her leg with one large paw and missed, but it was enough to make her stumble. She screamed as she went sprawling in the dirt. She tried desperately to scramble to her feet, but she felt a large paw in the middle of her back shoving her down.

His razor sharp claws tore through her thin t-shirt and dug into her skin. She cried out in pain. The pressure from the weight of him was almost unbearable. She thought her ribs would crack at any moment. She could hear his panting as he leaned in close, his muzzle right next to her ear. Drool dripped down his sharp canines and dribbled down her cheek. She was too frightened to be disgusted.

She closed her eyes waiting for the bite, waiting for him to snap her neck with his powerful jaws. Instead, he took a long slow sniff of her hair and howled. It was as if he was calling to someone. Oh God, please don’t tell me he’s calling his brothers. Shay wanted this to be over quickly. She couldn’t handle if they tossed her around like a play thing between them or worse.

She felt the weight of his paw lift, and he backed up. Confused she opened her eyes. Was he leaving? Was he letting her go? She rolled over and scooted up on her elbows. No, he hadn’t left. He was still there, larger than life, standing beside her. He took a growling step forward, and she scooted back. He only closed the gap.

He snarled at her, his amber eyes glowing red at the edges. He was definitely not in his right mind. He looked at her then threw his muzzle back and howled again. Then he looked over at Jaxson’s house. He did this two more times before Shay realized what he was doing. He was calling to Jaxson, taunting him with her.

After the third bellow, she heard an answering call. Somehow she knew it was Jaxson. He was coming.

“No! Jaxson don’t!” She screamed trying to warn him, but it was cut short when Jake slammed his paw on her chest pinning her in place and stealing her breath.

She could do nothing but watch in horror as Jaxson came bounding around from the side of the house in wolf form. Jake growled low in his throat, and Jaxson snarled in return. Shay struggled futilely against Jake’s massive wolf to no avail. She knew that Jaxson would never make it in time to save her. He was playing right into Jake’s hands.

Jake waited until Jaxson was just a few yards away before he lunged at her throat. The last thing she saw was his gaping jaws and sharp canines descending on her.

**

That was the last thing she remembered as she had jerked awake, a scream caught in her throat. She sat there in bed unable to breathe, shaking uncontrollably. Her body covered with a thin sheen of sweat everywhere as she tried to control her breathing. She could still feel Jake’s powerful jaws on her throat as if they had been real.

She looked out her bedroom where the sun was already starting to pour in. She looked at her clock. Only 6:30 am. It was early, but there was no chance that she was going to be able to fall back asleep. Not after that nightmare. She got out of bed and took a long hot shower to erase the last of the chills from the dream. After she toweled off and got dressed for the day, she padded into the kitchen to make a fresh pot of coffee.

She stepped out onto the porch and sat on the swing enjoying the aroma that wafted in front of her nose and the sounds of the birds chirping. The quietness and serenity helped ease her mind. She took a sip of coffee when her eyes landed on the top step of her porch. There was a white envelope that had one single red rose lying on top of it.

Curious, she walked over and picked up the rose and then the envelope. She sat back down on the porch swing, bringing the rose to her nose and inhaling the sweet scent of the red petals. She laid it down beside her and then opened the envelope, pulling out the small piece of paper. It was handwritten with a mix of cursive and print.

Shay,

I’m not very good at these kinds of things, but I just wanted to say how very sorry I am. I never meant to hurt you. That is why I stay away from people. I’m used to being alone. It’s easier that way.

Jaxson

Shay folded the paper and slid it back in the envelope and clutched it to her chest as a slow smile crept to the corners of her mouth. She finished her cup of coffee and decided after she had her morning run she would pay Jaxson a visit. He couldn’t keep hiding anymore. That was no way to live.

She didn’t care what it took, but she wanted this man with every fiber of her being. She wanted to be the one to take away his pain, in the same way; he took hers away when she was with him. She felt safe and secure wrapped up in his arms. He had elicited feelings in her like no other man had before, and she wasn’t going to just let him slip away. She just had to figure out how to convince him there was more to life than just wasting away alone.

She had her long dark hair pulled back in a tight ponytail as she ran down the trail by the river. She didn’t know if she was just so excited to see Jaxson or if she was still feeling a bit anxious about her dream last night and pushed the pace a bit too hard because she was still uneasy about being in the woods, but she had to stop and take a breather halfway through her run. The beads of sweat rolled down her forehead as she steadied her breathing.

Instead of finishing her run, she opted to just walk the rest of the way on the covered path that led to Jaxson’s property. As she made her way along the trail, a sudden noise caught her attention. She stopped dead in her tracks and whipped her head around scanning the area for the origin of the noise. Images from her nightmare flashed in her mind, and she quickly pushed them away. No sense in making herself scared when there was no need to be. Besides, it was broad daylight.

That thought gave her some comfort, so she continued walking until she heard again. She stayed where she was and strained to listen for any sound. There it was again. It was a faint thumping sound, but there was no rhythm to it. Then she thought she heard footsteps and a stick breaking. She stood there silent for another minute but didn’t hear it again. Nothing but the sounds of the forest; chipmunks and squirrels chittering and birds chirping.

Refusing to be overcome by fear and paranoia she turned and continued, finally reaching the field and then the front yard. She walked up to the front porch and saw that even though the screen door was closed, it wasn’t latched and the front door was open. She knocked on the frame of the screen door and waited. But, nobody answered. She peered through the screen door trying to see if there was any movement but it was quiet. Then she heard a loud cracking noise similar to the sound she had heard in the woods on her way over. It was coming from behind the house. She looked around the porch to the backyard.

Another loud crack.

She walked around to the backyard where she saw Jaxson standing by a large pile of lumber and cutting wood with his ax. He was wearing only a pair of shorts. They seemed to be his outfit of choice. From the looks of it, he had been at it awhile. His back glistened in the sun from the sweat that covered his body. His hair was pulled back into a low ponytail at the nape of his neck, and he had a blue bandana tied around his forehead. His legs were so long and threaded with muscles that never seemed to end. She sat down on a tree stump, watching him, taking in every inch of his athletic body. She loved the way the muscles in his back and shoulders corded when he swung the axe. She smiled when he finally turned around and saw her sitting there watching him.

“Jesus Christ Shay!” He exclaimed dropping the axe at his feet. He danced out of the way as it fell to the ground.

She laughed at his bewildered expression, “What’s wrong? Did I scare you?” She stood up and walked over to him. He just stood there still baffled by her presence, so she made the first move. She perched up on her tip toes and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling his mouth down to hers. He was too surprised to protest. Emboldened she slid her tongue along his bottom lip, nipping gently. When he opened his mouth to speak, she plunged her tongue in between his lips, trying to explore every crevice.

His passive shock quickly turned into heated desire as she felt his arms envelop her waist pulling her in tighter. He took control of the kiss. His kiss was raw and demanding as he welcomed her mouth; his tongue teasing and tasting hers. It’s like they were in a battle for dominance and she was thrilled to let him win this war. When she finally broke away a few moments later, she was breathless. Shay looked up at him and said, “Thank you for the rose.” His eyes were intense, like the color of malachite. She could see a glint of warmth in them as he stared down at her.

“Well, that was a hell of a way to say thank you.” He joked. Then he became quite and quite serious. “Shay...” He said trying to find the right words. “I’m really sorry about your daughter. I had no idea.”

Shay looked up into his emerald green eyes, and she could see the sincerity in his words. Her hand slid up to his cheekbone, and she let her fingers slowly trace down to his jaw line and then said, “Jaxson. Don’t apologize. You had no way of knowing. It’s not like I have been very forthcoming with my demons either. I have been running away from it for a long time.” Shay said as she continued to stare deeply into his eyes. “You were the first man I have been with in a really long time, the first person that I’ve let in since her passing. I’m not about to let you run away. Being with you, the time we spent together…that was the first time since Ana has been gone that I actually felt alive— human again. I don’t want to lose that feeling Jaxson. And I don’t want to lose you.”

She watched the tiniest smile play on his lips at her revelation. Without warning, he picked her up in his arms and carried her into the house. He threw open the screen door with one hold, while still managing to carry her across the threshold without dropping her. He walked with determined steps to the master bedroom and laid her gently on his bed. He covered her with his body and reigned tiny kisses across her face and down her neck. His fingers slowly brushed her hair as he stared at her intently.

Shay could tell something was on his mind. “What is it?” She asked gently.

He hesitated before speaking. “I’m not very good with words or with expressing how I feel. I’m used to bottling them up.” Shay could see the emotion in his eyes as he searched for the right words. “But, I felt the same way you did. The other day was very special to me. It’s been so long since I have felt anything for anyone since Jillian died. You made me feel alive again Shay.” He lowered his head and gently kissed her lips. “I have been alone for so long I don’t know how to be myself. I had forgotten what it was like to share a part of me with someone. It’s still all very new to me.”

Shay looked up at him and ran her fingers through his long dark hair. “Well, how about you let me help you with that?”

“Ok.” He whispered, his voice filled with emotion. Then he crashed his lips onto hers as his hand trailed down her neck, past her belly and roamed the insides of her thighs.

Shay spread her legs to allow him access to the most sensitive part of her and grasped the back of his head devouring his very essence. He stroked the inside of her thighs and teased around the edges of her panties that were already damp with her arousal. The excitement and anticipation flooded through her every nerve making her needing him that much more.

"I need you Jaxson." She whispered into his ear as he kissed and nipped at her neck. She ran her fingers through his hair and then traced the contours of his face committing each feature to memory. He was so beautiful. “Please” She begged.

Jaxson needed no more encouragement, and he started to peel off her clothes. Taking his time, he drew out the experience to build the anticipation. Before they had been hot and heavy from the start, but he wanted to take his time with her. First, he slowly dragged her shorts down over her thighs, kissing the skin as it was exposed. He drew them past her calves and let his hands lightly trail down the sensitive skin. He was pleased when he saw goosebumps on her skin.

Next, he helped raise her up and peeled the tank top up. He paused when the tank top covered her eyes and pinned her arms up. He slowly grazed his lips over her, just barely touching. He enjoyed the way her breath caught, and her lips parted slightly wanting more. He finished removing the tank and reached for her bra.

He grabbed the elastic band at the bottom of her sports bra, letting his fingertips graze the underside of each breast, caressing the soft, supple skin slowly. She could feel her nipples hardening at his touch. He raised the fabric up, exposing her breasts. She was so beautiful, her amble breasts spilling out. They just begged to be kissed. Without waiting to remove the bra completely, he bent his head down and took one nipple into his mouth. He licked and tugged the tiny bud until it became large and hard and sensitive. Then he moved his attentions to the other one. He enjoyed the way she gasped and squirmed beneath his attention.

He pulled his mouth from her breasts and chuckled softly at the petulant look she gave him. He lifted the bra the rest of the way over her head tossing it in the corner of the room. Now she was completely naked before him, and he raked his eyes over her entire body. He loved her athletic figure. It was a mixture of soft and curvy and muscular and firm in all the right places.

Their eyes caught and he could see the arousal in her eyes, her normally bright blue eyes were a dark storm of desire. His own eyes sparked with lust at the intensity of their gaze. He lowered his head once more; his tongue flicked out against her skin softly. Shay moaned, leaning into him as he took a nipple into his hot wet mouth again. This time he wasn’t as gentle as he sucked, licked and nipped at the already hardened peaks.

His hand slid down her belly and found her warmth between her thighs. He toyed with the opening already slick and ready. He slowly dipped one finger and then two in the warm damp heat. He loved the way her walls immediately clenched around him. She arched her back as he caressed her inner walls with two thick fingers, pumping her hips in time to his strokes. He teased her by changing the depth and speed of the strokes, first slow and shallow and then hard and deep. His other hand played with each breast, kneading the soft mounds as he stroked the fire within her. He could feel the orgasm build as she pumped her hips faster and her walls squeezed him tighter. He responded by squeezing a nipple and pinching and rolling it between her fingers to heighten the sensations.

"Oh god!" Shay moaned gripping his neck tighter. She could feel the orgasm building as he continued to pump his fingers deeper and faster into her pussy. She couldn’t wait any longer. She wanted to feel him inside of her. No, she needed to feel him inside of her. "I need you know Jaxson. Please!" She begged.

Jaxson could sense that she was wild with need. He wasted no time as he pulled out his fingers and stood up quickly. He slipped out of his shorts and boxer briefs in one motion allowing his rock hard cock to spring free. Not wanting to leave her for too long, he quickly lifted one of her legs onto his shoulders as he grabbed his hard throbbing cock in one hand. “Open your legs for me, Shay. Let me see you.” He instructed. She obeyed without hesitation. Jaxson teased her entrance with the head of his cock, sliding the tip up and down the sensitive wet folds of her lips. She writhed beneath him lifting her hips, trying to force him inside of her.

"You're so fucking wet Shay." He growled. She opened her eyes to stare into his. She could see a primal need grow within him as he pushed his hard full length inside of her in one full stroke. She moaned in pleasure as she felt each delicious inch stretch her tight walls. His cock completely filled her. He began with a few slow strokes, allowing her to adjust to his size before he began to thrust harder and faster as the momentum built.

Without warning, Jaxson grabbed Shay by her waist and flipped them both over onto the bed, so she was sitting on top of him. He somehow managed to keep their connection, which was rather impressive.

Shay reveled in being the one in control. Before Jaxson had always been the one to control the tempo and pace. He looked up at her expectantly, waiting for her next move. She slowly rocked her hips back and forth and felt the friction of his hard shaft massage her inner warmth. She saw his eyes widen and darken as she became bolder with her movements. It was her turn to feel heady with the power of knowing she could affect his desire. She felt like a wild seductress, a wanton siren burgeoning with her newfound confidence.

She gripped his hands and placed them on her chest as she arched her back, pressing her breasts into his hands. She gripped them tighter encouraging him to squeeze and knead her breasts as she continued to undulate her hips. She felt the fiery heat building throughout her inner core as his skillful hands stroked and teased her sensitive mounds.

Overcome with desire, she opened her eyes and leaned forward. Wrapping one of her hands around the back of his head gripping the hair at the nape of his neck. She tugged gently as she pulled him into her chest, feeding him more of her flesh. He greedily suckled on the flesh she so wantonly offered. Devouring her breasts and nipples in a torrent of kisses.

As he ravaged her breasts, she rose up on her knees and rocked up and down on his cock. This angle allowed for full penetration and his cock bottomed out inside of her. She felt the tip of his cock bounce against her cervix sending shockwaves of pleasure against the sensitive nerves. She alternated between rocking her hips and driving her body down on him and holding herself there for a few seconds, letting her tight walls clench around his hard shaft.

She experimented with flexing her muscles with Kegel exercises and was rewarded with a sharp groan from Jaxson. She continued to torment him with the frantic pace, alternating between Kegels and hip thrusts until they were both wild with need.

When she would gyrate her hips against him, the walls of her pussy gripped him tightly the entire time, and when she slid back up to the tip, it seemed like her walls were reluctant to let him go. She was breathing heavily, gasping for air, panting with her lips open. She closed her eyes and tipped her head back as she began to ride him harder. She lifted and dropped her body down onto him, increasing her pace and jerking once forward and once back with each full insertion before rising up and doing it all over again. Jaxson couldn’t hold the moans back, and he had to let her breast fall out of his mouth so he could take one big heavy gulp of breath. He grabbed her ass, and his strong hands dug into her flesh again and again while she bounced up and down, he began to drive his hard cock up into her.

“Oh God!”

He slammed into her so hard that his pelvis made contact with her swollen clit. The sensation sent tiny little explosions throughout her body, and she screamed out his name, and he did it again and again.

“Oh, Jaxson! I’m coming!”

He felt it. He felt the walls of her sopping wet pussy convulse and grip him even tighter, milking him as her entire body went rigid and she made unintelligible sounds in her throat, and her body jerked up and down. Jaxson didn’t stop to wait for her to finish. He just gripped her hips tighter and kept going, taking control of the rhythm. He didn’t even slow his pace, just continued his relentless thrusts deeper and harder. He fucked her through her orgasm ripping it from her body as he rapidly approached his.

He grabbed one tit with his hand squeezing and massaging the tender mound as his fingers deftly manipulated the nipple. He pinched, rolled, and squeezed the nipple between his fingers as he thrust his cock into her as deeply as it would possibly go. He felt his balls begin to tighten up as the first waves of the orgasm began to build. He felt all the nerves in his body tingle as he crested the wave and he felt himself being hurtled towards the climax. The orgasm crashed into him like a tsunami.

“Jesus Christ! Fuck!” He cried out.

Jaxson came hard unleashing his seed. He gripped her hips tight crushing her to him as his cock convulsed inside her. With one last guttural moan, Jaxson released her hips. Shay collapsed down on top of him, both of them breathing hard with the exertion of the orgasms. The feeling of those beautiful breasts crushing into his hard chest made his not quite soft cock jump, and he knew it would not take him long to be ready to go again.

She rolled off to the side, and they both laid there trying to catch their breaths. Once she got her breathing under control, Shay curled up into the crook of Jaxson’s arm resting her head on his shoulder. He reached around and pulled her tighter to him, placing a kiss on the top of her head. He stroked her long dark hair as his other hand traced lazy circles on her arm that was flung across his chest. They both lay quiet for several minutes, just being content to enjoy the afterglow of the incredible sex. It had never been like this for either of them.

Rising up on her elbow, she looked down into his soft green eyes. She smiled softly as she placed a tender kiss on his lips.

“That was incredible Jaxson.” She said voicing her thoughts. “It’s never been like that for me with anyone else before. Only you.”

Touched by her words, he stroked her face and returned the gentle kiss. “Me either.” Then with a wolfish grin, he rolled her over, pressing his erection in between her legs. She gasped in shock that he could be ready to go again this quickly. She felt desire clench low in her belly as her walls began to quiver in anticipation. “But, I’m not done yet.” He whispered as he entered her in one full thrust.