~ LYRA ~
On some level, I know what I’m doing is inappropriate. I’m in bed with a man I only know from my dreams. Even though I understand why—thanks to all his explanations and the endless contemplation I’ve been doing inside my head—rationalizing what I’m experiencing still isn’t easy. "Ronan," I whisper, making sure he’s real and not a figment of my imagination. My body is on fire, my nipples and pussy more sensitive than they’ve ever been in my life. Even the chilled temperature of the room feels painful brushing against my naked skin. "Hold on, honey." Inhaling me like his life depends on it—which makes my pussy clench and gush even more juices—Ronan's breath begins to caress my skin, whispering over the lips of my sex. Before I can beg him to eat me already, his tongue glides along my seam in one long, deliberate lick that parts the lips of my overly-drenched vagina. Fiery wisps follow his touch, leaving an impression behind. And before I know it, I'm arching my back, fisting the soft blanket beneath my hands, and crying out at the amazing sensations he's forcing my body to experience. Then he pulls away, licking his lips. "You’re so fucking sweet. Just like honey." I’m ready to beg for more when he dips his head a second time. His tongue works its enchantment, licking up and down my slit, softening the burn in my pussy and replacing it with dizzying sensations I can't begin to describe. He changes the motion, alternating with long strokes between my labia and shallow dives at the mouth of my sex. Fresh arousal slams into me as heat spreads from my belly to the tips of my toes, consuming me in a sexual haze. Yes. Oh, freaking yes. This is what I’ve dreamed about, what I’ve waited so long for. Up and down, he licks, growling as he laps up my juices, his fingers digging into my ass. I don’t think the feeling can get any better until he scoots up and the channel of his mouth surrounds my clit. I wriggle on the bed when he starts to suck, caught in a whirlpool of desire and want. His tongue flicks the oversensitive nub, moving over it hard and fast. "Oh! Ronan!" I cry as stars glow before my eyes, a fireball erupting from the inside out. More loud shrieking echoes in my ears, buzzing on and on. It’s not until the sound softens that I realize it's I who’s crying out, my voice sounding far away. Suddenly, I feel something stir inside me. It reaches out to the man giving me pleasure, wanting to make him a part of me. I start to question what I feel when Ronan growls, the sound sexy although it should be frightening. "Again," I hear Ronan snarl, lapping at my wet folds with even more ferocity, whisking his tongue up and down like he needs every drop or he'll die. "Come for me again." I gasp in surprise that I had come without even knowing—and in lust when I feel his finger stroke against the opening of my pussy, gathering moisture before easing it inside my hot channel. If I’d thought his tongue felt amazing, the pressure of his thick finger parting me is extraordinary. And a new, unrestrained part of me wants more. A scent fills my nose—wild and delicious. Unable to help myself, I draw a deep breath and realize it’s coming from Ronan. He already smelled wonderful, but now... it’s so, so good. My mouth waters, taste buds coming to life, eager for a sample of his cock. I want to feel the weight of his erection in my mouth, desperate to savor him in reality and not in a dream. As though he’s aware of my desires, he pulls away and looks at me. His irises are no longer human, glowing in the dark, muscles rock-hard and tense. He could tear me apart if he changed, capable of ripping my throat in two with his teeth. I should be scared to death, not ready to flip him over so I can pay back the oral stimulation. "Don’t even think about it, mate," he murmurs, studying me while his finger glides into my sex, the pads kneading against the clasping borders as though searching for something. "You’ll take what I want to give you. I know what you need. Don’t test Raw. Not yet." Test Raw? Who the hell is Raw? "My wolf," he clarifies as if reading my mind, and I breathe a slight, "Oh." It’s not in my nature to flirt with danger. Yes, I came to his tattoo shop. But I hadn’t known it would lead to this. Had I? Yes, a voice stirs to life inside me, startling in its intensity. You did. "Take it easy, honey," Ronan says, stroking my thigh with his free hand. I arch my back, wanting to feel his hand traveling over my skin, fueling the flame blasting through my veins. The finger that’s lodged inside me rubs a spot that causes me to moan, and Ronan growls louder, thrusting his finger into my moist heat harder, hitting that tender area over and over again. Then he brings his mouth to my sex again and begins to taunt me with licks and nips, the tip of his tongue wandering along my lips. Quakes start in my belly, blustering through my torso and limbs, making it impossible to remain still. The hand on my thigh moves and Ronan splays his fingers over my stomach, keeping me in place as he laves at my pussy. The sharp edge of his teeth scrapes against my exposed folds, creating an oddly pleasurable pain. When he wraps his lips around my clit and sucks, my body becomes pure light, shattering into a trillion tiny fractions. I thrash on the bed, releasing the covers and burying my fingers in his hair. The flicks of his tongue ease, but he doesn’t relent, extending my orgasm, taking me higher. It shouldn’t be possible, but the mind-blowing feeling repeats itself. Another climax takes the place of the first, the sensations stronger this time. I screw my eyes shut, crying out, grasping his hair, and holding on to him like an anchor. Wave upon wave of bliss caresses me, hot and electric, rushing through me like exploding sparks of fire. The dizzying surge slowly fades, leaving me panting, and Ronan presses one final kiss to my pussy. He leaves a trail of kisses along the delicate bones of my pelvis, sliding his lips over my stomach, his tongue darting out to tease my navel. I sigh, pulling him closer, basking in the feel of his warm skin and the careful way he pulls his finger from my still-clenching depths. "Did that help to take the edge off?" he asks as he nuzzles my breast, the bristle on his chin skimming over my pointed nipple. Did it ever? I ask myself before answering with a lazy, "Mm-hmm." His mouth hovers over my pinpoint nipples, his breath hot against the pebbled points as he whispers, "Then you’re right where I want you."~ CATHERINE ~ It takes everything in me to drag my thoughts from Cain and concentrate on the matter at hand. “I wouldn’t if I were you,” I say in response to Zarek's threat. It’s difficult, but I manage to speak over the gut-wrenching sounds my mate is making, digging deep to find the strength to remain calm. “If you take my head, you’ll start a war with the Werewolves. Neither of us wants that.” Arching a blond brow, Zarek questions, “Are you offering to forget that ridiculous vow of yours? Can and will you walk away from me? Honest answer now. No lying.” I clench my teeth. The bastard already knows the answer. “No.” Zarek snaps his fingers and a vampire rushes to his side. He grips the hilt of the sword extended to him with his long, pale fingers. He gives it a practice swing. “Then war is a risk I’m willing to take. I want your life’s blood cascading on the stones at my feet. I’m going to watch as the light fades from your eyes. It was here, wasn’t it? That I killed your friend
~ CAIN ~ I’m still pacing in circles, torn between rage and hopelessness, when a shadow slides over my cage. It creeps across the metal floor like long, bony fingers, curling around the thick silver bars. Then the smell hits me—sweet like roses, but sharp with the tang of blood. My muscles coil as I shift my weight forward, readying myself to spring at the man outside, even though I know I’ll never reach him. Zarek Noctis crouches down, tilting his head as if studying a strange animal. “All of this. And for what? To rot in a cage?” He reaches for the bars and I lunge so fast my muzzle slams into the silver. Fire sears my skin, the smell of my own burning flesh filling my nose, but I don’t stop. He jerks his hand back, his face tightening for a moment before settling into that cold, flat look I hate. “I knew she’d come,” he says calmly. “Emotion is her weakness. You should’ve taken my deal when you had the chance.” He steps closer and I snap my jaws, aiming for his hand. My
~ CAIN ~ Everything is covered in a thick, dark haze, making it impossible to comprehend what’s happening around me. I try to focus, to think of a way to break free, but each thought snaps like a thread as the animal inside me takes control. My cage I'm in rattles, no doubt kicked by one of the guards stationed nearby. I try to summon anger, to find strength in rage, but their taunts of torture and death no longer matter to me. I’m beyond communication now. The shift happened hours ago. The moment the moon slipped from behind the clouds and touched my skin, I changed. I tried to resist it because it was too dangerous to transform. I needed to keep my mind clear. Unfortunately, I wasn’t strong enough. The moon called to me, demanding I let the beast out and I had no choice but to answer, allowing it to claim me fully. To make matters worse, the forced change I experienced came with something more dangerous. The need to claim my mate at all costs. Unfiltered desire has been
~ CATHERINE ~ “Stop!” I yell as I quickly move between them. Facing my friend, I soften my voice, imploring him to listen. “Don’t make this harder on me than it already is, Alex. This is my decision. Not yours.” “Like hell,” Alex whispers. Scraping noises draw my attention, and I turn toward the doorway just in time to see the couch rise into the air. Nearby, the kitchen table and chairs do the same. Power oozes from my friend, burning like fire along my skin as lights flicker and cabinets slam open and shut. God help us. Alex has only lost control once in my presence—and that was when he faced the lich who murdered his lover. I saw his fury, his strength, his grief. He wasn’t a man then. He was something more… something terrible. A god in warlock skin. Before that, I underestimated what he was truly capable of. “Stop,” I whisper, moving closer despite the painful electricity crackli
~ CATHERINE ~ "I said, where the hell is Cain!" I demand again, louder this time, unable to hide the edge in my voice. I’m starting to lose it. “He went to meet West,” Ronan finally answers, stepping back to give me some space. “Why would he do that?” I shoot him a look, my heartbeat climbing. “What happened?” “That’s what I’d like to know,” Ronan growls, his irises shifting to a burning shade of gold. “He was supposed to find you, claim you, and bring you back to the pack. But he never made it back.” Fear hits me so hard it knocks the breath from my lungs. “How long has he been gone?” “He left three nights ago,” Alex replies softly. “Three nights ago?” I stumble out of the bed, not caring that I’m only wearing a skimpy black T-shirt. “Why the hell did you wait so long to wake me up? And why would you let him go alone?”
~ CAIN ~ Alex doesn’t display fear—only pure, bristling anger. “So be it. It’s your funeral. I can’t force you to pull your head out of your arse. But know this—I won’t let you take Catherine down with you. I’ll do whatever I have to if her safety is on the line. Once you leave, you’re on your own.” He lifts a hand and points across the room. “The phone’s next to the sink just behind you. Go make your call. Good luck in the afterlife.” I turn and move to the counter, snatching the cordless from the base. Alex has the right idea, but there are a few enormous problems. Forming a new pack takes time—time Catherine and I don’t have. And I can’t just take control of the Blue Hill Pack without their consent. Not after how I left. Emotions had been high, words were said, and I know if even one wolf rejects my ascension, I’d have to fight for the position. A fractured pack is a vulnerable one. I swore I’d never be