In Her Mate's Arms Read online

  He pulled away. “Let me love you,” he said, sliding down her body to rain kisses over her neck and shoulders. He moved unerringly toward one of her breasts, dotting the slope with kisses until he licked and sucked on her nipple. His big hand covered her other breast, molding to it and between his lips and fingers, he created an erotic pull that went straight to her pussy.

  Kacie moaned. The sky above rained cold, winter sunshine on them; she didn’t care. Not with her mate’s heat protecting her from the elements and his deliciously wicked mouth on her breasts. He alternated between them, letting the slight breeze cool her wet and overheated skin. The contrast of the air with the cavern of his mouth on her skin only brought her to more awareness, an alternating pleasure-pain, that had her lifting her hips and needing more.

  She loved this man. Loved what he did to her body, the care he took when he made love to her, so when he moved lower and blew a breath across her most sensitive place, she sighed and gave herself over to him.

  Chapter Six

  The first touch of his lips on her sex made Kacie arch her back and cry out. His dark head between her thighs was the most erotic thing she’d ever seen. His big hands on her hips, holding her for his lovemaking, reminded her in a good way of the differences between them. Where he was hard, she was soft and yielding. His size allowed him to hold her, to comfort her. And most of all, to protect her.

  He flicked his tongue over the swollen bud of her clit and she jerked with the force of her arousal. As if an electric shock of desire and need wound through her, sizzling through her veins and hitting at her very core. She arched her hips against his face, working herself against the lips and tongue that threatened to drive her over the edge. Sloan slid his hands over her body until he pressed his face deeper to her and cupped her breasts.

  She cried out again, hovering on the edge of release. The staccato beat of his tongue against her clit took her up and over, until she shuddered as ecstasy poured through her veins. She tugged on his hair, her skin so sensitive she feared she’d shatter if he licked her once more. He didn’t stop, didn’t give her a chance to catch her breath, because he speared his tongue into her tight channel and began to vigorously fuck her with it.

  “Yes! Oh god yes!” She moaned, not caring who heard, not caring if anyone saw. He worked her body so expertly, as if he knew exactly when to quicken his pace, when to pull back and give her a moment to catch her breath. The give and take of his passions sent her cresting again, and yet a third time until he pulled back, his face slick with her juices and saliva, to crawl over her.

  “You’re my mate,” he said, then kissed her so she tasted herself on his lips and lifted her hips to receive him. He entered her with a long, slow thrust.

  She welcomed him, wrapping her arms and legs around him. She met his thrusts and his hungry kiss, until she shattered in his arms. He followed her, spilling himself in passion, and they lay sweaty and replete on the ground beneath a nearly cloudless sky. “I love you,” she whispered and hugged him tight. “Mate.”

  He kissed her again, greedily swallowing her moans as he rolled so this time he lay on the ground with her straddling him. “I can’t get enough of you.”

  “Me neither.” She cupped the base of his cock, thinking about returning the favor. Except the need was too great, her need too much, and she guided him into her, then leaned forward to brace her weight on his chest as she began to move.

  He grabbed her ass as they came together. The wet sounds of sex filled the air, a percussion beat to the bird song in the trees and the rustle of the few remaining leaves in the wind. She arched her back, offering him her breasts, her body, her soul. She felt like a goddess as she swiveled her hips and looked down at the rapturous expression on his face. She did this to him. She turned her mate into this bundle of lust. So she tightened her inner muscles and increased her pace until his ragged breathing told her he was close. Only then, did she reach between her legs to stroke her clit, and him, until they came together, crying out their pleasure and startling a flock of birds.

  She slumped against his chest. For long moments she focused on catching her breath, and then the chill of being outdoors started to seep into her bones. “I think we should shift and go back.”

  He kissed her. “Don’t want you to freeze.”

  Reluctantly, she left him, and a moment later shifted into wolf. She nudged his hip with her muzzle until he, too, shifted, and together they ran back to the safe house. She changed and grabbed her clothes, thinking it was a bit silly for her to shift and dress behind a partition when they’d just made love, but the sight of Sloan’s clothes reminded her that anyone could be out and about. They weren’t alone on the property, and she dressed and grabbed his clothes, urging him to follow her into the safe house. He did, shifting just inside on the foyer and changing. Kissing her as he went to the kitchen to put hot water on in the kettle.

  “I’d like to have someone pack up my apartment,” she said. “I don’t feel right going back, especially with what my alpha has done.”

  He nodded. “I can arrange that if you like.”

  “If you don’t mind…” She hated asking. Affording movers was out of the question, and going back to do it herself made her cold inside with fear.

  “Of course. Jerome will be here midweek and you can talk to him if you like to see if he has any openings at his clinic. If he doesn’t, he may know someone who might.”

  Kacie smiled. “Thank you. When I think about staying here with you, it seems so easy. And then all the real life stuff gets in the way. Where will I live? I need a job. What to do with my stuff?” She shook her head, thankful when the kettle whistled because it meant she could get up and make herself a cup of tea. “It’s just a lot,” she finished. She didn’t dare think about next weekend when Dane would arrive. Her cheek reminded her of his actions, of what might happen should Sloan’s alpha not prevail.

  ~* * *~

  Sloan knew he could do a great many things from entering a burning building to save someone to help create a fire break to protect a town. He could use his resources to build this safe house and keep people safe. He couldn’t, however, erase the fear and worry in his mate’s eyes. That bothered him. He understood why she felt as she did. Just the mundane tasks involved in moving even across town, never mind a few hours away where not only would she be finding a new house, but also a new job, were daunting. Add to that her alpha’s behavior, the fact that he didn’t sanction the move, and his challenge to the Iron Horse pack, and all Sloan wanted to do was wrap his mate in his arms and hold her until her troubles went away.

  “We’ll figure it out,” he said. “You have an entirely new pack now, one that believes part of a pack’s duty is to help other members of the pack. You’re not alone.”

  Tears filled her eyes and for a moment he feared his mate would cry. He never wanted to make her cry, only wanted to help. Then she blinked a couple of times and sighed. “It’s tough to comprehend. I’ve never…”

  He went to her then, driven by the sorrow in her voice and the fact that it shouldn’t have taken him as long as it did to come claim her. His work and her alpha being a dick were not good excuses, and it’d take a long time, if ever, for him to forgive himself for that. They were together now, and he’d do everything within his power to keep her safe and happy. He stopped behind her, pulling her against him and wrapping his arms around her. She dropped the tea bag into the mug, then leaned against him.

  “Thank you,” she replied, then tilted her head so they could kiss.

  ~* * *~

  Later that afternoon he returned with word that three guys from the pack and their wives would be happy to go to her apartment before next weekend and pack. One of them had a ranch so he’d wash out the horse trailer and they’d have plenty of room to bring everything back in one trip. They’d go tomorrow to a nearby storage unit rental and make sure that she had someplace safe and secure to store her belongings before the meeting. There’d be nothing left behin
d for Dane to hurt or destroy.

  She kissed him and thanked him, then they went to the house for dinner with his sister and niece. He grilled chicken breasts for everyone except his niece who got a hot dog, while his sister, Jerri, made a fresh salad and diced up some pico de gallo to put over the chick breasts with mushrooms and Monterrey jack cheese.

  “You’re good for him,” Jerri said while Sloan was out with the grill. “I’m glad he went back for you.”

  Kacie stilled her chopping of some vegetables for the salad. “You knew about me?” Sloan’s generosity shook her, though she wondered if some of it was because he wanted to make things right where he could since he couldn’t save his sister.

  Jerri nodded, her light brown braid slipping over one shoulder. “I was at the multi-pack gathering too. I saw the way he looked at you and I think everyone knew you were mates. Well, everyone in my pack anyway,” she stressed. “No offense meant.”

  Kacie smiled. “None taken. I think everyone knows how Hat Rock is and there’s a good reason why we don’t have very many members. Our women leave for other packs and our men either don’t mate or do and their wives become ground down by living in the pack. It’s not a good situation all around, and I’d hoped Dane would see the wisdom of Shifters United and how it would help all of us.” She shrugged. “I guess some old alphas aren’t ever going to learn.”

  “Guess not. Those look great. Let’s dump them in the salad and then I’ll mix up some guacamole and we’ll be good.” Jerri pulled a wooden bowl down from the cupboard, the sleeve of her shirt sliding up to reveal a scarred forearm as if someone had taken a claw and slashed it.

  The image of Jerri bending over and protecting her niece flashed through Kacie’s mind and she took a deep breath to try and dispel the very idea. She grabbed the tongs and tossed the salad. Through the glass door she watched Sloan at the grill. He worked expertly, coming in to grab the pico de gallo and bag of shredded cheese to take outside. The chicken breasts, there had to be nearly a dozen on the grill, smelled heavenly, and Jerri had explained that he’d marinated them in cilantro, lime juice, cumin, and diced chilies before cooking them. With cooks like these in the pack, Kacie realized she’d probably never have to microwave a frozen dinner ever again and smiled.

  “It’s good to see you smiling,” Jerri said as she turned back from the refrigerator with several avocados in her hands. “The next week is going to be rough. Don’t be afraid to rely on Sloan, or on us for that matter. We want to see Sloan happy, and though I’ve only known you a short time, I want to see you happy too.” She deftly peeled the avocadoes and diced them into a bowl, mashing them with lime juice and spices, before putting them and some chips on the table.

  Sloan brought in the chicken breasts and lone hot dog, while she helped Jerri set the table. By the time everything was in order, their niece had come downstairs, a book tucked under one arm, and sat in the chair next to Jerri. Kacie sat across from the table and realized it would hold a lot more people. Soon, once all of this was behind them, she and Sloan could start their own family. She glanced at her mate and smiled. For now, she’d enjoy this moment because who knew what the future would bring.

  Chapter Seven

  Kacie’s stomach turned circles and she tried not to puke right there in the field. She’d arrived with Sloan, and though the week passed quickly with her belongings arriving in the storage unit, her boss talking with Jerome and her receiving a new job at his vet clinic to start next week, she never forgot that today would arrive. A stage had been erected in the center of the field, Terry and his wife taking up two of the chairs, an empty one for Dean whenever he arrived. Already, he was fifteen minutes late and Kacie wondered if he even had a vehicle that would bring him this far. Surely Carter or someone would drive the alpha.

  She sat on the stage next to Sloan and hated every moment of being in the spotlight. Though she recognized several familiar faces in the crowd, including Jerri, the throng of shifters from not just the Iron Horse Clan, but also others were too much. Carmen sat on stage next to her, a representative of Shifters United, and along one end of the stage several chairs, each one with an alpha, including Carmen’s mate, sat as well. No matter what happened she was not alone and many people had her back.

  The crowd of people parted. Dane stormed to the stage, looking more like a pissed off overstuffed penguin than a wolf. Kacie pressed her hand to her mouth to stop herself from laughing aloud. Sloan reached over and clasped her hand.

  “I’m okay,” she whispered and he squeezed her hand, then released it.

  Behind him strutted Carter and a man that looked just enough like him to be his brother.

  Her stomach fell. Maybe she wasn’t okay. She breathed through her nose and willed herself not to pass out, puke, or do anything to embarrass her mate and his pack.

  Carmen and Terry stood together, side by side, and went to the edge of the stage.

  Dane stopped at the base of the stage, and the difference in their heights and positions wasn’t lost on Kacie, and she suspected anyone else. “I call Pack’s Right. Iron Horse has stolen one of our females. Deprived her mate of her presence.”

  This time she laid a hand on Sloan’s arm. She didn’t dare whisper. It’d carry to the alphas.

  “Her true mate is Sloan Dundrick of the Iron Horse Pack,” Terry said. “I have seen and witnessed their bond myself. Any shifter with half an eye would see that and not seek to stand between mates. That is no longer our way.”

  Dane sneered. “You are weak. You signed the Shifters United treaty. You give away your pack’s power for what? Protection?” He snorted. “Hat Rock needs no protection. We claim what is ours and our women obey.”

  “You drove your women away!” Kacie yelled and bolted to her feet. She rushed to the edge of the stage to stare down at him, unable to keep quiet or remain out of the proceedings. “Even Carter’s sons went away and haven’t come back to the pack. You haven’t disowned them only because you know once you do, once I leave, there will only be a few besides you in Hat Rock. We’re a dying pack. That’s why I wanted you to join Shifters United. Packs are stronger together, when we cease our squabbles and fighting amongst ourselves. Please. Don’t do this. I have found my mate. You should be happy for me.” She sighed and looked back at Carmen and Terry. “I’m sorry. I’ll go sit down now.”

  Terry chuckled. “You spoke far more eloquently and from the heart than I could have about your pack’s situation.” He turned to Dane. “I offer you peace. Accept that this is the will of one of your wolves and that you do not hold any control over her. She is Iron Horse now, bound to her mate and in doing so, part of our pack.”

  “Shifters United means that a challenge to one pack is a challenge to all. Though we stand ready to defend. Not just wolves either. For Shifters United encompasses all shifters including bears and coyotes, bobcats and mountain lions, and even sharks and orcas.” She gestured to where the others sat, including a tall, statuesque woman who sat next to her mate. The faintest hint of an ocean breeze drifted in the air and Kacie realized it came from the shark and orca shifters.

  Dane stepped back. “I have no quarrel with any other shifters or packs than with Iron Horse.” He moved forward again and stared at Terry, a snarl on his lips. “In my day we didn’t let women fight our battles for us. We didn’t rely on creatures in the sea to fight battles on the land. We met, alpha to alpha. I’m offering you the same courtesy.”

  Terry strode toward the stairs. “Then I accept the Pack’s Right. We will meet you and I. No one else. I instruct my wife and Iron Horse to accept the result. I trust you will do the same for Hat Rock.”

  Dane grunted and shooed Carter back. The submissive male hurried to the edge of the group of people, clearly not happy at being removed from the action.

  Carmen returned to her seat and nodded to Kacie and Sloan. Kacie returned the nod, thinking that it had to turn out all right. She touched her cheek and wished she still had the bruise to show them. Surely if
these people saw what Dane had done they’d turn on him, force him not to do this. Except, then he wouldn’t have closure and would forever be a thorn in their side. No, as much as she hated this, Pack’s Right needed to be completed.

  Both alphas removed their shirts, intending to shift right here among those assembled. They stripped and shifted, going from men to wolves in the blink of an eye. Dane clearly was larger, heavier than Terry, though his muzzle appeared gray and scarred. His white underbelly was dotted with brown streaks, as if his slovenly habits extended to his wolf. His gray coat hung in clumps, unkempt, and next to Terry’s large, gray wolf, appeared malnourished and wounded.

  Kacie knew better than to judge Dane by his wolf’s appearance. She’d seen him send pack members hurtling across the forest floor with a swipe of his paw. His jaws had left marks in other wolves’ necks. He and Terry stared at each other while those gathered backed up to give them space. With a snarl, Dane lunged. Terry deftly stepped aside, then spun to wait. His demeanor spoke volumes. We can do this if you want, but I don’t think you’ll win. The words could have been spoken aloud for they hung between the two wolves clearly.

  Dane spun. He snarled viciously and lunged. His teeth missed Terry’s flank by the width of a hair, and saliva dripped from Dane’s gaping maw. He swiped and lunged, forcing Terry backwards until he was against the stage, though not cowered. Only then did Terry react, taking one of his paws and smacking Dane’s wolf alongside the head.

  Kacie’s cheek stung with the memory of Dane doing the same thing and just as had happened that afternoon Dane tumbled back from the force of the blow, just like she did. He growled as he stood, pacing forward to pin Terry with a ferocious stare that seemed to demand he fight, to stop toying with him. Terry shook his head, a dismissive gesture even in wolf form. He didn’t growl, didn’t snarl, didn’t make any sort of noise, simply pounced. Kacie wondered if the cat shifters would be pleased at how silently the wolf had struck.