Chapter 9: Magic's Mate

"Why the hell are you sleeping on my porch?" Adira stood there, her hands planted on her hips, legs slightly apart, which allowed her robe to fall open slightly, exposing her creamy thighs. "I told you I did NOT need protecting, damn it."

The panther jerked awake at her words, or rather at the seething tone in her voice. He jumped to all fours, his ears perked back as he stood, braced for whatever was wrong. He jerked his gaze to the left and the right, searching for the attack until he realized that it came from right in front of him. His gold eyes told her he knew just how pissed she was. Then he shifted, his fur slipping back into his skin, his bones popping as his four legs turned to two legs and a pair of arms, his paws shifting to feet and hands, and his body completely naked. As soon as the shift was over, he stood, his thick muscles stretching back into shape from being cramped in his animal form for so long and asleep.

Adira couldn't take her eyes off his body, his powerful legs, strong arms, broad shoulders, and… And his cock, which was already twitching to life, as he stood in front of her. There was no way he could hide it this time. She felt her pussy stir, as she wondered what it would feel like to have him pounding into her from behind, his hands on her hips, as he thrust deep inside…

She gave herself a mental shake, reminding herself she was pissed at him. Now is not the time to fantasize about his cock, But wow, what a cock. No! Stay pissed, or he won't learn I'm not some weakling. "Not like the Incredible Hulk, huh? You don't shift with pants that seem to stretch with the transformation?" She had been around shifters enough, especially Jensen, to know they were nude when they shifted back, but she attempted to irritate the man in front of her. Nudity was never an issue in Draven Falls, and Adira assumed it wasn't here, either, with shifters transforming from human to animal all the time.

He didn't say anything, just stood there, his hands on his hips, not caring that he was naked, as he stared at her in her robe. His expression revealed his wariness at her mood, which she thought was a good thing. Apparently, her tantrum last night hadn't taught him anything. "Why are you here?" she repeated.

He took a deep breath, then moved to where he dumped his bag, probably holding his clothes, on her porch. No, don't get dressed just yet. She was having too much fun watching his nude form move. He stopped at the stack of clothes, and then turned to her, choosing to remain naked for now, it seemed. "The sheriff came by last night after you left and made some valid points," he said. "Points I tried to make to you. Bane seemed to take special notice of how you stood up to him. He won't like that for long and will probably try something. I wanted to make sure you were where I could protect you, so I chose to come here and sleep, keeping an eye on you."

She arched an eyebrow at him. "And yet, I caught you sleeping and scared the hell out of you," she pointed out.

He shrugged. "What can I say? I didn't expect the attack to come from inside the house."

"The attack wouldn't have come from outside, either, you dolt. Before I turned in, I set the wards to warn of coyotes. I told you; I know how to protect myself."

"Well, how was I supposed to know that?" He stepped toward her, his hands going to her arms. The suddenness of the move caught her off-guard, and her robe fell open a little more, exposing her soft belly. "Adira, I won't risk anything hurting you. Bane is a dangerous man. He's also smart. Who's to say he'll even use coyotes to attack you? There are plenty of other rogue shifters eager to do his dirty work."

She felt the heat between her legs fan to a roaring fire at his touch. God, it was hard to stay pissed at him when he was naked and concerned, his cock a growing rod between them. It took all her resolve not to pin him to the wall and take him right there on her porch. Her eyes widened, as she glanced around the area. Had anyone seen him shift on her porch, privy to his nakedness? "Perhaps you should get some clothes on," she said, words she really didn't want to hear, not to mention even say. She wanted him to stay naked, wanted to feel his body against hers.

He moved closer, one of his hands leaving her arm to slide inside of her robe. "This area is full of shifters. Everyone is used to seeing naked people after a shift. They're also used to the sexual habits of shifters."

She swallowed the lump that filled her throat. Oh god, where was her anger now? "Dimitri, I…" She felt his thumb rub across her nipple, the tiny nub shriveling into a hard pearl of sensitivity. She moaned as she pushed her breast into his hand, her fury gone with his touch.

"Adira, I can wait, but only so long," he said. "You're mine. I knew it from the moment I saw you first pull up in your car. My animal has already claimed you as his and is demanding to make his mark." He tweaked her nipple, pinching it, as he stared into her eyes, knowing full well what he did to her.

"Dimitri, I… I'm not sure I'm ready for another fling with a shifter."

"Fling?" he repeated, and it came out as a growl. She could see his animal in his eyes, the green-gold circles of passion penetrating her. "I don't know what happened to you before, but I'm not talking about a fling, Adira. My animal wouldn't be so eager and passionate for a casual encounter with you. This is how it feels when they've discovered their mate, my mate. This isn't a fling; this is a lifetime. I cannot live without you in my life."

She stared at him, her eyes wide at such a passionate, deep declaration of love and commitment. She didn't know what to say. Jensen played with her heart, allowed her to believe that what they had was real and forever, even though he never technically said those words. Yet, Dimitri not only said them, but it was also obvious he deeply felt them. He believed every word he uttered. These weren't just statements; they were vows. "Oh, Dimitri…"

He leaned down and kissed her, his warm lips pressed firmly to hers, his tongue forcing its way inside of her, tasting her, claiming her. She fell into his arms, her robe coming completely open with the sudden embrace. She didn't care, her passion overcoming her fear of being caught naked outside.

When he broke the kiss, he stared into her eyes. "I don't know who hurt you before, but I won't allow anything to hurt you ever again. Adira, it would drive me crazy if Bane were to attempt to harm you because of me."

She held him close. "It wouldn't be because of you. It would be because of my mouth at the bonfire. But, Dimitri, that's why I'm here, remember? To help you fight him and protect this sanctuary. There are hurting people here who can't protect themselves. Agatha sent me here to stand beside you in this fight, and I'm not going to hide behind you. Or anyone, for that matter."

"But that was before I knew you were my mate. That changes things. Changes everything."

She shook her head, her hair swishing across her back. "No, no it doesn't. It only makes the stakes that much more important. I told you yesterday; I'm not some weakling human. I'm a witch, very capable of defending myself. I'm in this fight now and refuse to hide from it."

He smiled at her, and it warmed her heart, stirring the feelings she hoped to escape when she left Draven Falls. "You're such a feisty thing, Adira. Agatha knew what she was doing when she sent you my way."

Adira snorted in laughter. "When does Agatha Rochester not know what she's doing? The thing is figuring out the real purpose behind her actions."

He laughed as he nodded. "True story." He then slid a hand up into her hair, strengthening his grip on her, as he pulled her tighter against him, his face growing serious. "I make no apologies for wanting to protect you. I'll do my best to remember how strong of a woman you are, but, Adira, I will never allow harm to come to you if I can prevent it. I'm sorry, but you're just too important to me."

"Dimitri, you've known me less than twenty-four hours. How is that even possible?"

"It's the call of a mate. That bond is stronger and runs deeper than any other."

She shook her head, still having a hard time comprehending it all. "It's going to take me some time to come to grips with everything." She slid her hand down his stomach until she gripped his hardness. "However, in the meantime, I bet I can think of something to keep my mind off the uncertainties I'm feeling right now."

He groaned as she slid her hand back and forth on his throbbing cock. "Um, yeah, we can definitely do with some distraction right now."

She held a finger up. "But no biting. I've heard about the mate mark, and I don't want to feel that just yet. Understood?"

He nodded. "I'll do my best. Promise."

She eyed him as if she didn't believe him, but then she gripped his hand and led him into her cabin, slamming the door behind them. She turned once they were out of sight of any peeping toms, and dragged him over to the couch, twirling him until he faced her. With a smirk, she shoved him down on it. He was already naked, so there was nothing between her and his hard cock. She slid her robe down her body, allowing him his first glimpse of her completely nude form. At first, she worried he would balk at her curves, but he just stared, mesmerized, his eyes filled with passion.

He reached out to her, and she stepped forward, straddling him, her arms around his neck. She slid her slit back and forth on his cock, feeling her pussy lips wrap around him, her wetness coating his thick shaft. Then she raised her body just enough to allow the head of his cock to find her entrance, and, as she stared straight into his green-gold eyes, she dropped down onto him, allowing him to fill her. She cried out as he groaned, his hands going to her waist, guiding her as she rode him, his cock slipping in and out of her pussy, stretching her, filling her. She gripped his neck, her arms pressing down on his shoulders, as her hips rocked back and forth on his. She felt his mouth on her flesh, his lips planting wet kisses all over her chest and neck, as she leaned down, giving herself to him.

He held her, and she used his grip to let herself go, her body tensing into a tight ball of sensations as she continued to ride him. Nothing else mattered. It was all gone from her mind. Jensen. Draven Falls. Bane. All she could think about was Dimitri and the way his cock felt inside of her. Her body twisted itself into a tight wad of tension, building, her orgasm ready to rip from her as her clit rubbed against his pelvic bone, grinding against him, building, climbing, until she felt him grip her waist and yank her down onto his manhood. She opened her eyes and stared at him, his eyes wide, as she felt his cock twitch inside of her, filling her with his cum. The first explosion hitting her walls sent her over the edge. Her body exploded with her orgasm, shuddering, as it tightened into electric jolts that ripped down her nerves, up her spine, and into her mind. Her eyes widened, and her mouth made a perfect O as she cried out.

It was the most amazing orgasm she could remember ever having, her mind lost in the typhoon of emotions and sensations that rippled through her. She couldn't stop and felt tears well up in her eyes as she surrendered to the ride she relished. It was like a giant wave pool, and she kept going up to the crest of the wave and then slammed back down only to rise again. An eternity must have passed before she caught her breath again, her vision an explosion of white dots that popped in and out. She fell onto his chest, and he held her tight against him, keeping her from falling over.

"That…that was amazing," she said, her voice a raspy whisper. "I just…wow…I need some time to rest. And some water."

She felt his lips on her neck, and he kept kissing her. "You rest," he whispered in her ear. "And I'll get you some water. And then breakfast. I built up an appetite, and all I did was sit there." He grinned at her as he nuzzled into her neck. "Maybe I should get you mad at me more often."

She nibbled into his neck. "I wouldn't if I were you." She sent a surge of power into him through her teeth as she bit down.

He yelped a little and then moaned. "I don't know. That could be fun as well."

She could only laugh. "Go get me some water."

"Yes, ma'am," he said with a chuckle. He slid her off his lap and onto the couch, kissing her shoulder as he did, before pushing himself off the couch to carry out her wishes.

"And then breakfast," she called after him.

"Yes, ma'am," he said, still laughing.

Wow. What was I missing before? Screw breakfast. I could make a few meals out of him. She made a mental note to call Agatha and thank the woman for sending her to Bull Creek.