Chapter Two
Kieran stopped by the closest fast food restaurant, picking up enough substance for Dakota and the teens. Sure, their office had a nutrition bar-cafeteria, but that food wasn’t what the shifters needed right now. Kieran knew how to take care of his lover and her new charges.
He stashed the food inside his backpack before pulling out onto the street.
As he swerved in and out of traffic, Kieran thought about what could be done with the three teens. They needed somewhere safe to stay and, from what he’d overheard earlier, the kids weren’t going to make it easy for them. It was lucky that Kieran had more money than he’d ever be able to spend.
Money had actually never been an issue. He hardly spent what he received from the Organization. On top of his salary, Kieran had family money. What he considered blood money, in every way. Shaking off those disturbing thoughts, Kieran needed to concentrate on the future, not the past. Instead of parking down the street as he preferred, Kieran drove up to the guardhouse, instead.
“Agent Kieran,” the man greeted. “Go ahead.”
Kieran didn’t have time to screw with the agent or he would have. Messing with the guards was one of his favorite activities, after all. He pulled into a spot right next to the SUV Dakota had driven. Her scent was still fresh, meaning he wasn’t too far behind. Hurrying to catch up with her, Kieran followed her delicious aroma up the back stairs. As he suspected, she’d taken the teens straight to the medical wing.
Ignoring the agents he passed, Kieran strolled down the hall. Before he could enter the room Dakota had gone through, he heard yelling.
“Don’t touch her!”
“Adam! Dean is only trying to help,” Dakota said quietly and steadily.
Kieran pushed the door open. The scene was a mess. Both male teens were covering the tiny scared female. Dean stood next to the window, holding up his hands in a calm down gesture as Dakota stood next to the bed.
Adam growled at Dakota. Kieran let the door slam closed behind him.
Everyone turned to him and Kieran raised an eyebrow. “What’s going on here?” he asked, his voice mild.
“It’s okay,” Dakota said. “Everyone just remain calm.”
Kieran sauntered from the door to the rolling table tray. “I brought food. Good food.” He began pulling the bags from his backpack. The scent of burgers and fries filled the small room and Kieran was glad to see he had the three kids’ attention. “I got plenty for everyone.”
“Kieran,” Dakota murmured.
“No,” Kieran said. “These kids need food. Then they can be poked and prodded.”
“I’m all for that,” Adam agreed. He was still eyeing Dean with suspicion.
Jeremy was nodding enthusiastically.
Dakota sighed.
“Did you get enough for me, too?” Dean asked.
“Yep.” Kieran held up a wrapped sandwich in each hand. “Burger?”
“Please.” Dean caught the package.
Adam and Jeremy sat next to Carmen. Luckily, the beds were made for extra-large shifters and the three of them could all lean against the pillows. Kieran smiled at them while passing out three burgers and large fries for each of them. Kieran then passed the food to Dakota. “Everybody needs to fuel up.”
“I don’t even know how you can surprise me anymore,” Dakota whispered. She started digging into to the fries. “But you do.”
Kieran waited until she’d shoved several in her mouth before taking some for himself. “I like to keep you on your toes. Besides, I told you that you needed to eat.”
“I know.” She grinned at him.
For several minutes, the only sound that could be heard was chewing and groaning in delight. Kieran took the opportunity to get his first good long look at the three teens. They were scared, that much was obvious, but they also had an inner strength.
It was no secret how much he despised shifters, but he couldn’t pull up any of those old feelings. Instead, Kieran felt some kind of kinship to them.
For years, he’d had no control over his life and what had been done to him. Away from home for the first time, with no one to guide him, Kieran had fallen into the crutches of evil men at eighteen. He couldn’t let the same thing happen to these youths. Damn, he could already feel the bonds tethering them together.
He almost left right then.
Didn’t he have enough complications in his life? Kieran was up to his eyeballs in problems and now he was considering adding in three children, who he didn’t even know? Yes, he was. He noted Carmen had started to drift off, with her food still in her lap. Fuck, yes, he was.
“Thank you for the food,” Adam said.
Kieran nodded. “Now, you have to let Dean check you three out.”
Adam eyed Dean warily.
“Hey.” Kieran walked up to the side of the bed to stand beside Dakota. “I know you don’t trust us. But Dean’s an okay guy.”
“Jeez, thanks,” Dean deadpanned.
Kieran winked at him.
“What are you going to do?” Jeremy whispered.
“Nothing that will hurt,” Dakota assured him. She glanced at Dean for confirmation.
“It won’t,” Dean agreed. “First, I’d like to examine Carmen. She should be healing, but I don’t want her to get an infection or anything.”
“I can stay with you the whole time,” Dakota assured the girl.
“Why don’t I show the boys where they can shower?” Kieran offered. Getting them out of the room seemed like the best scenario. They were overprotective of the small girl. Plus, Dakota was going to start asking questions soon. The teen boys didn’t need to hear the answers. Part of the examination included making sure no one had sexually abused the poor young lady.
“Good idea,” Dean said. “We’ll probably only need ten minutes or so. If Carmen wants, I might give her something to help her sleep.”
“Where are we going to be?” Jeremy asked. “She shouldn’t be alone.”
“I figured the three of you fitted in the bed just fine earlier,” Dakota said. “I can have some cots brought in, if you prefer.”
Adam and Jeremy looked over at Carmen.
She discreetly patted the bed.
“We’re fine. Just don’t try to separate us,” Adam warned.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Dakota responded. She nodded to Kieran.
“Let’s go.” Kieran motioned for the boys to follow him. Both appeared uncertain, but it was Carmen who motioned them away.
Adam glanced back at Carmen, though.
“I’ll be fine,” Carmen said. She peered up at Dakota. “I trust them.”
“Fine.” Adam rose from the bed, his movements reluctant. “But we’ll be right back.” He said it like a warning. That was actually kind of funny. Kieran was one of the most powerful beings in the world and this child was threatening him? Yep, funny.
“Come on,” Kieran ordered. He walked to the door, knowing the boys would follow him. They’d be curious enough for now. Hopefully by the time he got them cleaned up, he’d have some kind of plan.
Dakota was going to trust the Organization to help the teens, but Kieran still had issues with letting anyone else control things. Between his money and connections, Kieran just needed to choose the path he used.
Instead of taking the elevator, he went directly to the stairwell. The boys were in pretty good shape, especially with the recent meal, and didn’t complain. They also didn’t talk, not to him or each other. Still, Kieran felt the bond was strong between them.
He led them to the men’s showers. No one else was inside, which Kieran was grateful for. Not that he’d come across trouble, but the agents were nosy. Kieran stomped to his locker and used his key to undo the lock before pulling open the metal door. He grabbed his toiletry bag and tossed it to Adam.
Adam caught the mesh bag easily before glancing down at it.
“Go ahead and shower. I’ll find you both some clean clothes,” Kieran said.
Adam glanced toward the open tiled shower area. Jeremy was practically bouncing on his toes. Kieran had the feeling it’d been a while since they’d gotten a good shower. He knew how it felt to be dirty and street-worn.
“Take your time,” Kieran suggested. “Dean can wait to look you two over.” He hoped the boys would take advantage.
“Thanks.” Adam passed the bag to Jeremy and nodded for the coyote shifter to go. Jeremy didn’t waste any time. He rushed forward and had one of the showerheads on in an instant.
Kieran waited, since Adam didn’t follow his friend. “What’s on your mind?” Kieran asked.
“I’m wondering what you and your girlfriend get out of helping us.”
“Maybe we’re just good people?” Kieran quipped.
Adam snorted.
“Okay.” Kieran waved his hand. “Dakota is a good person and she really does want to help just because she can.”
“And you?”
Kieran sat on one of the long benches and motioned for Adam to join him. “I’ve been in your shoes. Neither of us see the good in the world. We know it can be hard and there are monsters out to get us.”
Adam nodded slowly.
“I’ve been powerless. It’s not something I ever want to feel again. I think I see a kindred spirit in you. Your friends trust you because you’ll die to protect them.”
“You saw that in seconds?” Adam sounded skeptic.
“I’m good at reading people.”
At least he got a smirk from the wolf shifter. “What are you?”
Kieran shook his head. Even some paranormals didn’t know about his kind. The ones who did feared Kieran. “Another time. For now, take your shower.”
“Fine.” Adam rose and followed Jeremy. Kieran watched the young shifter go.
It felt strange to Kieran that he had all these feelings bubbling up inside him. He blamed Caspar for making him come here, Remy for being the first person he connected with and Dakota for making him fall in love for the first time in his life. It would be so easy to just walk out of the door and never look back. He didn’t have to watch his back any longer. The shifters who had tortured him were gone. He had money and connections. If Kieran wanted to, he could disappear.
Kieran lifted his head and glanced toward the two young shifters.
No, he would be walking away from his life.
Dakota was the person he’d spend the rest of his life with. Even though it was still hard to admit just how much he loved her, Kieran hoped his actions spoke for him. He might not ever deserve her, but no one else would love Dakota like he did.
And this was fucking ridiculous. He didn’t ponder his thoughts and feelings. With a growl, Kieran stood. He needed to get the boys some clothes and thought about the agents he worked with. After walking over to one of the lockers across from his, he wrenched open the door, busting the lock in the process. He grabbed what smelled like clean clothes from a gym bag and yanked them out. They should fit Adam and Jeremy and give him the chance to fuck with one of the humans. That thought made him grin. If Kieran didn’t screw with someone at least a couple times a week, people might think he was going soft.
It took hours, but Dakota finally had all three shifters in a large room sound asleep. They’d all passed the medical evaluations and would physically be just fine. She wasn’t certain about emotionally, though. They seemed to have formed a tight bond, which worried her. Shifters weren’t known for embracing different species.
Adam would be the easiest to place. Dakota had worked with the Alpha of the local Pack before and knew Damon would be able to help a lost wolf shifter. Felines were more solitary creatures than wolves, but there were a couple of big cat organizations that helped transition feline shifters into productive members of society. Jeremy, the coyote shifter, would be the hardest to find a home for. Coyote shifters lived in Packs, but they didn’t normally accept another outside their family. The bloodline was very important to the coyotes and, if Jeremy didn’t have family, he might always be alone. She needed to think more on what to do for him.
She’d ask Kieran his thoughts, but her wayward mate had disappeared. Shit, she had to stop thinking of Kieran like that. They might be living together and in love, but no way was Kieran ready to discuss mating. She didn’t know if he’d ever be.
Dakota struggled with the need to claim him. Her jaguar wanted to mark her man so that all others were aware he was taken. After what Kieran had been through at the hands of other shifters, Dakota had doubts on how much further their relationship could go.
Stop thinking about it, she scolded herself. Ever since they’d moved into a permanent suite in the hotel that Kieran’s best friend Jackson owned, she’d been feeling like something big was right around the corner. Dakota just wasn’t sure what. Hadn’t they been through enough? When would things settle down and give them a chance to just relax and live their lives? She pushed open the door, exiting out into the parking garage. She stopped, spotting Kieran leaning against his bike. “Hey,” she called. “I thought you’d left.”
Kieran stood. “I was waiting on you.”
“You’re not even on shift and yet you spent the entire night here,” she complained. It wasn’t that she minded really, but Kieran needed to spend some time away from the Organization.
“You were here,” he stated.
Comments like that were what kept Dakota hoping for more from him eventually. Kieran was trying to give her what she needed. If she wasn’t certain about where they were going, she at least knew where they were right then.
“Did you feed?” she asked in a whisper. When left on his own, Kieran didn’t take blood the way he needed. He hated having to rely on the blood.
“I will.”
“Kieran.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You have to take care of yourself.”
“I’d rather take care of you.”
The way he ran his hands down her back to cup her butt and lift her was familiar. If Dakota let herself, she’d get lost in his embrace. It wouldn’t matter that they were in a public space where one of the other agents could come across them at any time. “Kieran…”
“Just one taste,” he purred against her lips. “Please.”
Like she’d ever turn down that request. “Just one.”
Dakota lowered her mouth to seal her lips to his. The spark was instant. A zip of electric current that ran between their bond. She still didn’t know if that was unique to them or how it worked.
Closing her eyes, Dakota gave in to the feel of her mate. Kieran ran his tongue over hers in a sort of dance. This wasn’t just a simple kiss. Instead, Kieran devoured her. She lost everything except for him. Tightening her arms and legs around him, she started to hump against him. His hard erection was trapped between them and he groaned.
“Shit!” he said when he pulled his mouth away.
“I told you we shouldn’t do this here,” she panted.
“Get on.” He nodded toward his bike. “I want to take you for a ride.”
She gave him a wicked grin. “Oh, I like taking a ride on you.”
Kieran snorted. “You bad girl.” He slapped her ass before he let her legs go so she could drop her feet to the ground.
Dakota ignored the warmth in her butt from his hand as she climbed onto his motorcycle behind him. It’d been a while since they’d taken a ride together. She wrapped her arms around his stomach, burying her hands under his leather jacket. Pressing her face to his back, she took in the heady scent of leather. Scent was important to shifters. It was how shifters could tell friend from foe and what was going on around them.
Walkers didn’t have a scent, though. Everyone else at least picked up odors from their surroundings. Whether it be what they ate, where they walked or a natural aroma. Kieran didn’t smell like anything. It was the lack of scent that let her know what he was.
Kieran started his bike and revved it up a few times before taking off. She held on tight as he drove out of the parking lot and onto the street. Instead of taking the back streets that led to the hotel, Kieran turned toward the bright lights of the Strip.
Usually Kieran stayed away from the crowds and tourists. He didn’t like people at normal times and of late had been avoiding them at all costs. Their new suite even came with a secured elevator that wasn’t available to the rest of the hotel guests. It only had access to a few of the higher floors that the owner Jackson used and the suite he’d sold to them. Entering by a side locked door, Kieran no longer needed to enter the hotel by the main entrance.
“Where are we going?” she asked. With his superior hearing, he’d have no trouble catching her words.
“You’ll see.”
She sighed but settled in for the ride. Unlike Kieran, she enjoyed driving down the busy street at night. The mix of humans interested her. They were why she worked for the Organization. Each human that came to town, spent a little or lot of money then returned home safely never knew about the monsters in the shadows. That meant she’d done her job.
For centuries, her family and the other bloodlines who ran the Organization had stayed hidden. They still were. Even though the shifters had announced their presence to the world, the Organization remained secret. The world had the Shifter Coalition that policed the shifters and looked out for them. They didn’t need to know about the Organization or other paranormals that hadn’t been revealed.
She didn’t mind working in the shadows for the most part. Dakota didn’t need recognition or acclaim. Just knowing that she was making a difference was enough. It wasn’t like she had another choice, anyway. She’d been born for one purpose—to serve.
The firstborn of every generation was required by blood oath to join the Organization. From the moment she’d been conceived, her parents had known that she would be leaving. That was why they hadn’t loved her or shown her the same kind of affection that her siblings had received. Dakota needed to believe that, anyway. The Reese family had given her away to the Organization without a second thought. Dakota tried not to think about them often. She’d seen the way that Kieran’s partner Remy’s Pack and parents still loved him. Remy went home often and remained part of the Pack. Instead of turning their backs on their firstborn like Dakota’s family, Remy’s still kept constant contact.
Biting her lip, Dakota shook away her thoughts.
It didn’t matter what her family did or didn’t do. She was making one of her own. She had Dean, Gabe and Dare. They’d had her back since she’d joined the Organization. She’d gotten closer to Remy since his and Kieran’s transfer. Then there was her lover and the Walkers that came with him. They might be an unusual group, but they were strong and kind. They were hers.
She squeezed Kieran’s waist.
“You okay?” he called back.
“Perfect,” she replied. Dakota needed to stop worrying about the future and enjoy her life as it was.
Kieran continued to drive them away from the city center and she knew where he was headed. They didn’t go often, but she was familiar with the area.
Another thirty minutes and he pulled the motorcycle up to the entrance of the park. This was the designated area where shifters were able to transform. Humans were not allowed there at any time. Even though in their animal forms they kept their human intelligence, instinct was still strong. There hadn’t been any shifter attack on humans.
Kieran turned off the bike and the quiet of the night was sudden.
“I already shifted,” she said. “Why are we here?”
“Because you need to enjoy your jaguar form again. Not just bring her out to do your job.”
She knew he was right. With her fear of being able to control herself, she hadn’t been enjoying changing.
“I want to spend time with you. Maybe run a little.”
Dakota grinned. Kieran could actually keep up with her. “I think I’d like that.”
“Good.” Kieran helped her off the back of the bike. “Let’s do this.”
She found a spot under a large oak tree that would be perfect to leave her clothes. While Kieran secured his bike, she began to undress. Once naked, she turned toward him to see that he was watching her closely.
“Ready?” she asked.
Kieran yanked his shirt over his head. He’d already draped his jacket across the seat of the bike.
Damn, he’s fucking hot!
He stood with his chest bare, in jeans and boots. Dakota was hungry for more than just dinner. She wanted Kieran badly. But first she needed to give in to her jaguar.
Dakota dropped down to her hands and knees, which made transforming easier. Closing her eyes, she pictured her jaguar in her mind. The change came over her instantly. In just moments, her body began to shift.
With her head back, she roared. The sound echoed around the trees and open space. It felt good to be able to announce her presence. Warn away anyone else who might be in the area. Sometimes she didn’t mind having company, but tonight she wanted it to be only her and Kieran.
Stalking forward, she kept her gaze on her mate. In this form, the need to mark and claim was even stronger. Dakota ignored the instinct to climb on top of Kieran and rub her scent all over him. It wouldn’t work, anyway. He couldn’t hold her aroma.
“Hey, baby.” Kieran dropped to his knees, holding out his hands.
Dakota walked right up to him so that her weight knocked him back on his ass. Kieran chuckled but wrapped an arm around her middle before burying his face in her fur. With a rumble, she let him know how much she liked his hold.
“You are so beautiful,” he said.
She loved the way he spoke to her, even though she couldn’t talk back.
“Your fur is so silky and soft,” Kieran murmured. He rubbed his big hand down her flank. “Are you ready to run?”
Dakota turned her head and licked up his cheek.
Kieran sputtered before pushing her away. “Stop that.”
She danced back a few paces before coming right back up to him and nipping at his pants.
“Oh, I see how it is,” Kieran bitched as he stood. “You think you’re funny.”
Making a circle, she darted in and out.
Kieran flashed his fangs. “I bite back, baby.”
She purred at the sight of his sharp teeth. Dakota didn’t have a problem with him taking her blood, but Kieran always refused to feed from her. It made her slightly nauseous and Kieran hated making her sick. Still she wished that he would take the substance he needed from her.
“You want a head start?” he teased.
She yowled then shook her entire body.
“Let’s go.” Kieran raced off using his Walker speed.
Dakota growled and leapt after him. The hunt was on.
Since she couldn’t follow his scent, Dakota had to rely on the forest around her. Sounds echoed, bouncing off boulders, but she could also pick up his faint steps. She darted around a tree, thinking he’d be there. Just as she pounced, he put on another burst of speed and took off. Fuck, this is fun.
There was a small creek close by. After a good fifteen minutes of playing, she noticed Kieran leading her in that direction. Dakota loved water. She didn’t care if it was a stream, creek or the bath. In her jaguar form, she always had so much fun playing.
The freshness of the water caught on the wind and she stopped following Kieran, instead sprinting to the stream. She didn’t even pause. Once she reached the rocky bank, Dakota leapt as far as she could. She landed several feet away.
Kieran’s laugh was soft until she ducked her head under.
Using her powerful tail and back legs, Dakota made circles while splashing around. Normally big cats didn’t like the water, but for some reason, jaguars were different. Dakota enjoyed the water even more than any other jaguar, though.
It was just freeing to be weightless and powerful.
Popping up, Dakota gazed into the dark to see Kieran sitting on the bank, watching her. She turned and used her tail to spray water toward him. He didn’t even move.
Chuffing, she went back to dipping her head down.
It probably took about thirty minutes for the fatigue to start to set in. She wasn’t cold with her thick fur, but her muscles were tired and she’d begun to exhaust herself. Even though she’d have loved to stay longer, she started to paddle back to her mate. It was slow going, but finally she reached to edge of the water and walked out. With a huge shake of her body, she sent water in all directions. Kieran cringed but still remained sitting.
The cool wind ruffled the hair on her back.
“Come here, baby.”
Like she wanted to go anywhere else. Dakota stalked forward until she was in Kieran’s personal space. He pulled her down into his lap. With his big hand holding her down, she cuddled into him.
“I like it here,” he murmured. She laid her head on his lap looking up at him. “It’s so quiet.”
She purred when he started to scratch under her chin.
“We should come out here more often. I know that you like it and I had fun. Maybe we could even get Remy to join us.”
Dakota hated not being able to talk to Kieran. She started her transformation. Kieran didn’t move away. She lay against him, panting and sweating.
“You didn’t need to shift back,” he said.
“I wanted to talk to you.”
Kieran lowered his head and kissed her. Dakota opened up, allowing him to slip his tongue inside. Since she was naked already and he was only half-dressed, she hoped she could talk him into a little more than a kiss.
Raising to her knees, she pushed him back.
He laughed. “This isn’t the most comfortable place for this.”
“You should have thought about that before you were sitting here all sexy.”
“Sexy, huh?” He preened.
“You know it,” she confirmed. “Now you’re mine.” It didn’t take more than a few seconds to get his fly down and have his cock out in the open. He was already hard and wanting.
Dakota dipped her head and licked at the crown of his shaft.
Kieran groaned as he slid his hands though her wet hair.
“Tastes so good,” she hummed.
“Suck me.” He lifted his lips as he spoke.
Without another word, Dakota took his cock into her mouth and swallowed. He began pumping up and she allowed it. The feel of his shaft over her tongue totally turned her on. The bursts of precum she got made her hungry for more. Using every trick she knew, Dakota put all her energy into giving him head. Kieran ran his fingers over her ass and she spread her legs wider so he could reach her wet pussy.
Dakota wanted him inside her. Whether his fingers or cock, she didn’t care.
He slipped a finger inside as she continued to bob her head. It didn’t take long for him to start shaking and Dakota herself needing more. Pulling off his hard-on, Dakota gazed up at Kieran.
“I want to ride you.”
“Yes,” he hissed, already helping to move her into position.
Hovering over his cock, she grasped the base and lowered herself down slowly. Dakota dropped her head back as he filled her. His flesh was stiff and slick pushing inside her. She barely let him all the way in before raising up then slamming back down. Kieran gripped her hips hard.
They moved together in a fast rhythm, edging them both closer to climax. Dakota opened her eyes and stared up at the moonlit evening as she used Kieran to get off. Above them, the canopy of leaves gave away enough for her to make out the nearly full moon. There was magic in the way nature accepted them. The two of them just fitted and the natural scents of the foliage only added to her arousal.
Dakota was a goddess here, while in reality, she was normal. But under the night sky with Kieran worshipping her body, Dakota was a goddess.
“Harder,” she demanded. “I want to feel you deep.” Even though she’d asked for it, Dakota wasn’t prepared for Kieran to flip her back and plunge at supernatural speed. She cried out, screaming his name in ecstasy.
“Like this?” he panted. “This what you want?”
She scored his back with his nails. “Yes!” she hissed.
“Then take it! Take all of me!”
Her entire body was shaking with the force of his thrusts. A human lover had never been able to give her this intense, consuming lovemaking. Only Kieran could make her body sing this way. Leaves stuck to her back and to her hair. The sweat that slicked their bodies made their glide smooth. She had to yank away to breathe.
“Please!” she begged.
Kieran slid his hands under her ass, lifting her. The new angle had Kieran plowing deeper. There’d be no bruises from the desperate thrusts. Or his tight hold. Fuck, she loved being a shifter. Kieran knew she wouldn’t break. He didn’t have to hold back so she encouraged the frantic pace.
Her vision actually dimmed as her orgasm was ripped from her.
“That’s what I want to see,” he panted. “You giving in to me.”
“Always,” she managed.
“Because you’re mine.” Kieran ground his hips then paused. He towered over her, his pale flesh glowing. Sweat dropped from his forehead to her shoulder. Dakota was shocked she didn’t hear a sizzling. They were fucking hot together.
“Yes.”
“Yes,” he repeated.
“All yours.”
Kieran continued to pump. Now that she could think again, Dakota was able to stare up into his eyes. The bright blue she only saw when he was feeding or this heavily aroused.
He grunted as his arms shook from bearing his weight.
Dakota could practically taste his need on the tip of her tongue. “Give it to me,” she ordered.
“Uhh,” he managed, plunging fast again. Then he closed his eyes and released.