CHAPTER TWO
The walk to the car is silent. I wrestle with my emotions trying to get them under control. The bastards are as slippery as a body in oil. Ridge’s beast calls to the wildness instilled in me from birth. I’ve tried to do serious relationships before. It never worked. Somewhere between the third and the fourth date, an invisible noose looped around my neck. Every day that passed, it would tighten a little more, until I ended up choking. It took a special kind of man to handle women like me. Raised in a matriarchal society, I went against the grain of the world's motto that men were in charge.
Most men were intimidated by me or intent on kissing my ass, neither bode well in a romantic relationship. I didn't' feel that way with Ridge. I should be scared, but instead…I'm excited and relieved. I open the car door and slip behind the wheel.
My mother does the same. The passenger door shuts. She turns to me and leans across the console. “Well?” she whispers.
I turn the engine on, pull away from the curb and grin. “I suggest we get busy, because were going to have a wedding in a week.”
“Oh. My. God! My baby is getting married. To a shifter, no less.”
“Mom, you knew that was going to happen.”
“No. The two of you have always been different. Trying to get a bead on your timeline is like trying to hold a moonbeam. You’re every changing and equally capable of going left as well as you went right.”
“I will always do my duty.”
“Yes, but I worry about the cost.”
“Mom, don’t worry. Everything is going to be fine. Ridge and I have come to an understanding.”
“Is that what they call it these days? The chemistry between you too was off the charts. What I’m worried about is what’ll happen after the announcement is made.”
“Some will accept it and others will challenge. It’s the wild, wild, west out there. Together, we’ll be strong enough to deflect any attacks that come our way. I doubt a clan of shifters would want to go head to head with Ridge after what he did to unite the Southern states.” I keep my voice even, wishing I felt as calm as I sounded. This gamble could end bloody if enough people protest.
“They called him Dracula. Because he left bodies piled up on the fields as a reminder,” my mother whispered.
“Rivers were said to have run red with the blood of his enemies,” I added.
“Do you believe the stories?”
I didn’t want to tell her what I felt when he touched me. Raw power tightly locked up in a cage, he alone had the key to. If I doubted his ability to take multiple forms previously, I wouldn’t now. “Yes.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
I could hear the concern in my mother’s voice. She knew as well as I did I was in too deep to pull out. But I got it, that she wouldn’t stop from worrying like any mother worth a grain of salt would. “I don’t plan on betraying his trust, so I figure I don’t have anything to worry about.”
“Hmmm.”
“Look at it this way, Mama. I’ll never be safer than when I’m with him.”
“You have that much faith, so soon?”
Trust me Mom, I'm just as shocked as you are. “He has that much power.” I leave out the part about our connection. It's too personal and new.
“I knew the man who caught you would have to be something. But this is even more than I imagined.” She shakes her head.
I can feel her brooding. “You should stop furrowing your brow before you get wrinkles.”
“Too late for that,” she mutters.
I snicker. I always loved my mom’s sense of humor. It’s one of the many traits I’ve gained from her. I huff. “You’re beautiful and you know it.”
“Well, thank you daughter. You’re quite gorgeous yourself.”
I laugh, happy to burn off some of the excess stress. The meeting took a turn I hadn’t expected it to. He’d infected me with a disease that has set my body on fire and the only cure is his lips and his hands. I shiver just thinking about the endless possibilities we’d soon explore. The rest of our lives didn't sound like a punishment anymore.
“So, when and where will this glorious event take place?”
“Where else, but the Mardi Gras ball.”
“Ah, ma belle. This will be one hell of a reintroduction to Mardi Gras.” Mom clapped her hands together.
I glance over and see her smiling face. It's been a long time since she's been this carefree. Already something good is coming from joining our people. It's a good sign. One I needed to see. “That’s what we’re hoping. We want to bring back hope and a bit of happiness. We figured that should be our focus right now. It’s what people need more of now. Peace, hope and a chance to feel joy again. Hell, I know I could use it.”
“Looks like we need to take a trip to the swap meet.” The glee is evident in her voice. Setting mom free to barter was akin to giving a toddler free reign in a candy store.
“Ma, I don’t even know what the theme is, or how much we can get our hands on.”
“Nonsense, you let me handle this. You want to give them Madi Gras? That’s what we’ll do.” Her voice takes on a determined tone.
I know already, nothing short of a strong spell, a chair and rope is going to stop her.
“You are going to be the most beautiful Queen anyone in this city has ever seen. There will be purple, gold and green as far as the eyes can see. Like a Mid-Summer Night's Dream meets the Big Easy.” She sighs. “It’s perfect. We’ve been collecting beads, flotsam and jetsam others have kept or recovered.”
“I think you're more excited than I am,” I say.
“Because you were planning on eloping. Don't think I didn't know that.”
I never put much stock in marriage or what my ceremony would be like. I figured when the time came, I’d have a small handfasting with close family and friends. I’d get married in my backyard in bare feet, wearing a dress my mother made and a crown of flowers. The total opposite of the spectacle where I was about to make my vows. “Good thing I don’t hate purple, non?”
“Oui, Your Grand’Mere and I will make the dress of course. Who will stand with you?”
I sigh. I’ve lost so many friends to the war and the darkness. Black magic had a serious lure. It's power without limits. Nothing could stop you from getting what you wanted. In a time when everyone was turning a blind eye to morality, crossing the line became even easier. “I think I’m all right with just having the best man.”
“Eloi will love that. That boy will be preening like a peacock.”
I laughed. “Good, it’ll take some of the pressure off me.”
“My sweet Bebe, always wanting to fly under the radar.”
“Easier to do whatever I wanted without all eyes on me. It’s bad enough, I could never hide anything from you or Dad.”
A moment of silence falls in the car.
“I wish he could be here for this,” I whisper.
“Me too, my love.”
I reached over and squeezed her hand. The war took more than small freedoms. If another daughter never had to lose her father like I did…All of this will be worth it.
By the time we made it home, the back seat is so fullm I can barely see out of the back window. Prickles run up my arms. I sense someone has been near my land. I focus. Wolves.
It’s clear not everyone likes our arrangement.
And so it begins.
* * * *
“Are you actually going to go through with this? Dirty our bloodline with that swamp witch?”
I turn and growl, baring my teeth. “Watch yourself, Fern.”
The petite blonde, who’d never been told no, huffed like a debutant.
It would be amusing if I weren't irritated enough to take her head off.
“You bare your teeth at me?” She thumped her chest. “I am the best stock in this pack, and you know it. Now, is the time to maintain our purity! We must remain the strongest. This will only be diluting it.” She spat on the ground.
“I am low on patience.” I snarl.
“Well, you certainly weren’t a few months ago.”
“You were a warm body for a few cold nights. Why you think that gives you a place beside me on the throne, I don’t know.”
“It’s what everyone expects. You think everyone in the pack is happy about your little announcement?”
Her petulant pout makes me growl. I crack my neck and stride forward toward her.
She steps away. Her back hits the massive oak that rests in the clearing in the center of the forest, pausing her retreat.
“I am their leader. They don’t need to like what I do, only accept it.”
“You’re making a huge mistake.”
The malice in her voice raises red flags. “Are you threatening me?” I ask, unable to believe her gall.
“That swamp witch-bitch is nothing,” she continues to chatter, too vapid and inflated with self-importance to realize she’s crossed a line she should be backpedaling from.
I let her dig her own grave.
“So what, if she hocus-pocused and helped put up the veil. Nothing more. What worth will we gain—?”
I wrap my hand around her throat and lift her entire body up against the tree, killing the rest of her rant.
Her hazel eyes bug out of her heart shaped face.
“I said, watch how you talk to me. You will always be just another bitch in the litter, wishing she had an alpha male who was higher up in the pack. You don’t have the grace, the nerves or the intelligence to back up a man of any importance. I will not tolerate anyone talking about our Queen. It is my choice to make and I’ve done so. We should be honored they would mingle their bloodlines. Their magic is rumored to be as old as the swamps themselves. I’ve witnessed the feats they can perform. You are nothing but a scared little girl, looking to get by on her back with her legs spread wide open to anyone she thinks will benefit her.”
Tears turn her eyes glassy.
I ignore the overplayed hand and continue my rant, “This is your last warning, because I’m fair and I want to make an example of you. If you ever even think of disrespecting Delta again, and I catch wind of it, you’ll be banished. Providing, I don’t slit your belly open and offer the entrails to my mate.” I toss her roughly onto the ground.
She whimpers like a kicked puppy.
“Let me show you what happens to pups who step out of line.”
“N-No, please.”
I ignore her pleas and let my power rise. Focusing on the core of her being, I metaphysically wrap my fist around her power and yank. She changes in an explosion of shed skin, blood and goo. Her strangled cry breaks the silence of the night. It’s painful to turn this way, without giving your animal any warning.
She bows her head and lays on her belly, silently begging my forgiveness.
I peel my lips back from my teeth and growl low in my chest. My body vibrates with anger.
Delta has more class and power in her left pinky than Fern has in her entire body. Doted on by a wealthy father and mother, Fern was indulged to the point of spoiling. Now, there was nothing left but rot at the center of what appeared to be ripe fruit. The past few years have been a rude awakening for her.
I thought it'd changed her. I can see now, she has much to learn.
Her recovery will take hours in this state and I want her to remain where she lay, a warning to those who wish to oppose me. I lean my head back and release a howl, sharing my displeasure. Soon, they’ll come and watch over her. Desperate to see my mate, I shift to the sleek form of a gray wolf and lope through the forest, suddenly fearing for her well-being. I wouldn’t put anything past, Fern. The wind rustles my fur and the night are fills my lungs, cooling my boiling temper.
Anger makes you sloppy and slow.
I stick to the back roads and forestry until I come to the edge of her land. I feel the magical barrier and skid to a halt in front of it. She’d warded her space and I’m not certain I’m welcome. I lift my paw and nudge it gently. My paw slips through the invisible shield. It feels like jelly. The magic is thick and clingy, but not unpleasant. I bound through and come out on the other side unscathed. I approach the house at a more sedate pace.
The front door opens and Delta steps out—a sexy vision in a slinky, black nightgown. “Miss me that much, Ridge?”
I like the way my name sounds rolling off her tongue. I’ll like it even better when it’s being screamed while she quivers with heat for me. I open my jaws and laugh in the way only a wolf can.
“I hate to disappoint, but I can’t be little red riding hood tonight. Had I known you were coming, I would’ve worn red.”
Her humor relaxes me. Some people can’t handle the shifter aspect. It’s okay in theory, but once they see it, the way they look at you changes. I want to get that out into the open now. It’s part of being honest.
She slips out onto the porch and leans against a pillar. “I’ve heard you can take any form you wish. I’m a seeing is believing kind of girl. Show me,” she challenges.
There’s something sultry in her voice. I lift my muzzle and sniff the air. Yes, there it is—desire. Inspired by her scent, I picture a Puma and make the change. I leap, stretching my legs, and land at the bottom of the stairs below her.
“Amazing.”
The Awe in her voice is an aphrodisiac to me.
She walks over and sinks down onto her knees. She runs her fingers through my fur and I purr. “Look at you purring like an overgrown pussy.”
I push the air through my nose.
She laughs, cups my face and nuzzles me, then butts me gently with her head.
Her scent floods my nostrils.
She's bunting. Somehow, Delta understands cat behavior. It’s the equivalent of a hug and offers anything from comfort to affection. “Such a pretty kitty.”
I hear the humor in her voice. I shake my head from side to side, breaking her hold and head butt her chest gently.
“Okay, okay, I get it, Mr. Alpha.”
I bob my head.
“Can you really change into anything?”
I nod my head. Inside, I’m a mixture of man and beast. I have the survival skills of the animal I represent and for the most part, the reasoning of a man. Some things blur while other things are universal. I step back and let my imagination run wild. If I can hold the image in my head and understand the workings, I can make the change. Muscles shift, sinew binds and I emerge a black bat.
Delta tosses her head back and laughs, applauding.
What I can do has been a cause for fear, envy and greed. Aside from my mother, I’d never had someone take such pleasure from it. I shift back to human form.
She eyes me curiously.
“I’m a shifter born to werewolves. I don’t need clothing every time I change.”
“Pity.”
I smirk. “I think arrangements can be made if you’re that interested.”
“I’ll bet. Not that I mind, but what brings you here?”
I frown as the incident came back. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
She stands up straight. All mirth disappears from her face. “What happened?”
“One of my pack thought they’d express their dislike of our arrangement. She’s usually full of hot air, but there’s little I’d put past the vindictive bitch if she thought she could get away with it.”
“Do you have a trail of vindictive bed buddies I should be worried about?” She arches an eyebrow.
“No…” I open my mouth and close it, unsure how to continue.
“You thought I’d fly off the handle because you have a past?”
“Maybe?” I answer, realizing she's unlike any woman I've ever known.
“Oh, honey you’ve been dating children.”
“I haven’t been dating at all,” I counter.
“Lucky me to be the one to break you in, proper like, then.” She winks.
“You think you can tame me?” I ask.
“I don’t want to tame you. I want to go for a ride.”
“You always this flirty?”
“If I can’t flirt with my fiancée, then who?” Her lips quirk up.
I stare at her upturned lips, longing to taste them.
“You do know I’m capable of taking care of myself, right?” she asks.
“Yes, but a perk of marrying the Pack’s Alpha is that you don’t have to.”
“What’s happening between us?”
I move to her. “The bond between is being formed. It began after I tasted your blood.”
“How do we complete the bond for your people?”
“You drink from me, so the same blood runs in our veins.”
“Sounds vampy.”
“We’re both supernatural beings, Delta. Is it that surprising?”
“Yes. Your kind keeps all their secrets closely guarded.”
“We’re safer that way. I wouldn’t call you forthcoming.”
“We all lookout for ourselves the best way we can.” She tilts her head to the side. “Now, that you know I’m okay, what comes next?”
“That all depends.”
“On what?”
“You.” I stalk forward, monitoring the rapidly rising smell of her arousal. Her breathing quickens. I stop in front of her and inhale. “Do you know how good you smell right now?”
“No...” Her voice warbles.
“Better than a fresh batch of beignets from Café Dumont.”
“That good, huh?”
“Better.” I reach up and wrap one of her curls around my finger. Her hair is soft, thick and holds the aroma of tropical fruit, just like I thought it would. She leans toward me. I snake an arm around her slender waist and pull her body flush against mine. She moans. Her eyes burn with lust. My dick swells in my blue jeans. She wraps her arms around my neck. Our heads move together and I place a gentle kiss on her lips. Her lips are an immediate ambrosia. She opens her mouth and I dive inside. I learn her curves with my hands. I linger on her hips and move down to her firm ass. She rolls her hips and I hiss. She sucks my tongue into her mouth. A growl rumbles in my throat. I squeeze her ass and rock against her.
Delta pulls back. “I want you. Out here, under the sky.”
She’s appealing to the beast and the man. I slip my hand under her silky gown and graze my knuckles over her wet panties. “First, I want my taste, Cher’.” I drop to my knees, shove the nightgown around her waist and flick her clit through the silk.
“Oh, Ridge,” she gasps.
“I’m just getting warmed up, Bebe.” I blow against her heat and she bucks. I push her underwear to the side and lick a path up her slit. Her sweet tang coats my tongue. I’ve never tasted anything so good. She threads her fingers through my hair and tugs. I suck her puffy lips into my mouth and gently nibble everything I can reach. Her body trembles. I pull back and circle the swollen clit protruding from her shaved pussy.
“More,” she demands.
Her nails dig into my scalp. The beast inside me paces its cage, hungry and excited. I suck her bundle of nerves and ease two fingers inside her tightness. Her sticky heat coats my fingers and runs into my mouth. Her walls cling to my fingers. I work them inside and she takes it all, rolling her hips like she’s in heat. I angle my fingers and hit her g-spot.
“Ridge.” She pulls my hair tighter.
I continue to flick her clit as I work her over. Her walls clamp down and she explodes. Her nectar squirts out and I remove my fingers to lap it up. I gulp it down, then sit back on my heels.
She grips my shoulders. “So good…”
“It’ll be even better when I’m inside you.” My dick is about to burst through my jeans. A sticky circle forms where the head is leaking with pre-cum. “You ready to ride me now, Delta?”
“Fuck, yes.” The words roll off her pink tongue.
Dammit, it’s all I can do not to tongue fuck her. I quickly pop the top button to my pants and pull down my zipper.
My pants are halfway down when she sits on my thighs. “I can’t wait.” She frees me from my boxers and pumps my cock with her hand. “So thick, long and wet. Is all this for me?”
I groan. “Can that tight little pussy take me?”
“Oh, yes.” She squeezes her fist around me.
I moan as she teases my tip, lowering over me a half inch while stroking my erection up and down. I growl in the back of my throat.
“So impatient. “ She clucks her tongue. “You’re just as ready for this as I am, aren’t you.”
“Don’t tease me, little one. You might not like what it gets you.”
Without warning, Delta slams herself down, taking me in one swift movement. The breath leaves my lungs and my eyes are full of her delicate features. She grips my shoulders, digging her fingernails into my flesh as she rides me hard. I let her set the frenzied pace, holding her hips to keep in time with her undulating body. It’s like she’s made for me. The way her walls fit me like a glove. It’s an erotic, heat filled dance. We fall in sync. I thrust my hips up, meeting her stroke for stroke. My balls draw up tight. “I’m close, Delta, I want you to drink me down. Take me into your body,” I force the words out through gritted teeth.
She narrows her gaze and leans in closer.
A streak of fire runs across my neck as my flesh rips. I feel the blood trickle down my skin. I throw my head back and roar out my pleasure, allowing the beast to express his happiness. My hips snap upward.
Delta places her mouth over the small wound and takes my life giving substance in. I come apart, filling her with thick ropes of my seed. She shudders and milks the remaining dregs. My wounds heal over and peace settles my hackles.
We’ve solidified our agreement here under the stars.
It’s intoxicating, addictive and more than I ever imagined having.