Chapter 8
Forge
Iwatch Maya’s sweet, sleeping presence through the darkness. I hardly dare to breathe, in case I disturb her. In case it turns out this is all a dream and I could destroy it with one wrong move.
I’ve barely known her for a day, but she’s turned my life upside down. I feel like I’ve been in a very deep sleep, and she’s just woken me up. Before Maya was a never-ending night, and now the sun is burning over the horizon.
I just want all this crap with Demetrius and my pack to disappear into a fucking black hole, so I can claim my sweet virgin and we can start our lives together.
I am worried about Demetrius. I’d bet my bottom dollar that he’s gone off to one of the packs that are hostile toward ours, and he’s trying to get them onside. Probably start an all-out war. That’s what I’d do if I was a young hothead, bent on avenging my father’s death.
And all my instincts tell me to roar off on my bike looking for him.
But no way am I going to do that now I’ve got Maya with me.
It would be as irresponsible as hell to bring her with me.
And I can’t leave her here by herself. God knows this poor girl has been abandoned enough in her life.
Besides, my wolf would never allow it. My protective urges have gone into overdrive, and even being apart from her for a few minutes is unbearable.
She gives a sweet sigh and turns over on her side so she’s facing me.
My breath catches in my throat. She’s so goddamn beautiful.
And sweet and innocent. Too perfect for a brutal, scarred man like me.
Yet she seems to be into me. That moment in the shower—when her small, soft hand encircled my cock—bursts into my mind again, and for the hundredth time, my cock hardens.
I’ll have to stay awake all night to make sure my wolf doesn’t get out of control. But it’s a sacrifice worth making for her, so she can sleep without fear.
And it’s only until I’ve claimed her.
Once I’ve made her mine, I’ll sleep with her in my arms every single night.
I just need to be patient.
Need to get her to relinquish the vow her mom forced on her.
A fresh burn of fury rips through me. Maya’s mom had no right to do what she did. Just because she’d screwed up with an asshole of a mate, didn’t mean she had to revile all werewolves.
I’m not worried. It’s just Maya and me, and this little cabin is our whole world. No one can get to us here. I’ve got plenty of time to work on her.
I’ll overcome her objections. Show her that her mom is wrong. That werewolves are more protective and loyal than any goddamn human male. And when she’s mine, I’ll make sure she’s the happiest woman who ever lived.
I’m a patient wolf, when I need to be. But I sure hope this all happens soon.
Because the sight of her walking around all night in my T-shirt and nothing else was driving me crazy.
That sweet, virginal body so close, so ripe for mating.
The way she kept flashing her tiny pink pussy without realizing it.
The sweet scent of her arousal filling my nostrils.
Tonight is going to be torture.
I don’t expect to sleep a wink, but at some point, my eyelids get heavy and I drift off, clinging to the edge of the bed, vowing to keep my hands to myself.
When I next awake, it’s still pitch dark outside and…
I stop breathing, because a soft, silky female body is pressed up against me, glossy hair tickling my nostrils.
Maya’s right leg is slung over mine, her T-shirt is all rucked up to her waist, and her little damp pussy is pressing against my thigh.
Jesus H Christ.
And then a small hand slides across my hip, searchingly.
Immediately, my cock surges. Guess it was already erect in my sleep—not surprising, judging by the filthy dreams I’ve been having—and now it turns rock-hard.
“Maya,” I mutter. “Let go of me.”
She ignores me, fingertips encircling the base of my throbbing shaft.
“Maya—”
I listen hard. Her breathing is slow and even, and I can just make out her closed eyelids, eyelashes splayed on her cheeks. She’s still asleep. Holy hell. This little angel is groping me in her dreams. I can’t keep the smile from my face, and I find myself grinning into the darkness.
Five seconds.
For five blissful seconds, I let this happen, let myself luxuriate in the unearthly sensation of her hand small, soft curled around my dick. I imagine her snuggling closer, putting her soft, sweet mouth on me. Parting her lips and taking me in—
No more of that.
Can’t lose control of myself again.
Reluctantly, I take her hand and peel her fingers from my cock. She gives a small sigh, like she’s disappointed, but she doesn’t wake up. Gently, I push on her right shoulder, and she turns onto her back again. And I make my escape. I flip back the comforter and slide out of bed.
I look around my cabin. My instinct is to go outside, keep myself well out of harm’s way.
But I’ve made a promise to her to stay here, so she feels safe.
The deerskin rug will have to do. Quickly I shift into my wolf form.
If she wakes up and freaks out at seeing me like that, so be it.
It’s better than the alternative. And it’s not like she didn’t grow up around werewolves.
I lie down, let my jaw sink to my paws and wait for the morning to come.
By the time dawn filters through a gap in the curtains, I’m wide awake.
I dozed for a while, but my wolf stayed on high alert.
Attuned to every sweet sigh or groan that spilled from Maya’s lips.
I get up, shift and stretch. She’s in the middle of the bed now, sprawled out like she’s relaxed and comfortable.
The sight sends a warm glow through my chest.
Deciding she’ll be fine by herself now, since it’s daylight, I step outside and close the door quietly behind me. It’s a beautiful soft morning, the sun just rising behind the cabin, golden glimmers showing through the dove-gray sky.
The lake looks dark and peaceful. Perfect for a swim to cool off my lustful body.
I dive right in. The water is still cold from winter, a little too cold for my liking, but I start swimming laps, to the shore and back.
I plow one lap after another, determined to burn all the yearning out of my body.
And while I swim, I turn over various plans and strategies, wondering what the hell I’m going to do about Maya’s brother.
I’m on my eighth lap when light glints from the pane of the cabin door.
The door is opening. And there’s Maya. Standing in the doorway, still in just my T-shirt.
Looking around, uncertainly. Is she scared?
Too far away from me to tell. But I can’t stand the thought that she might be.
I cut a streak through the water, pushing myself faster and faster with every stroke. Racing back to her.
In two long minutes I’m there, my feet finding the silty bottom of the lake. Her beautiful hair is a little mussed and her T-shirt is rucked up. And holy hell, from his position, I can see all the way up it, see her little bare pussy. Just like that, my desire comes roaring back.
But her forehead is furrowed and she looks thoughtful. Worried.
In a split second, I bound out of the water and crash down onto the deck. Gently I cradle her head in both my hands, look deep into her eyes. “What is it?” I demand.
“I was just thinking—” she begins. She’s more than worried. Tormented.
My throat tightens and my heart is beating uncomfortably fast. “Tell me?”
“The name Demetrius meant something to you,” she begins. “It was more than your wolf being… being all growly.”
I shake my head. I can’t stand for her to know the truth—she’s going to hate me.
Maya folds her arms. “I’ve been replaying what happened yesterday, when that scary lady said someone was looking for me. Tell me, Forge.” She sounds sad. But kind of fierce as well.
I exhale slowly. She’s not a child. She deserves to know.
And I tell her. I explain how her brother came to be on a hit list. My pack’s hit list, to be exact.
She’s quiet, absorbing the news that someone in my pack killed her stepfather.
Every muscle in my body is tense as I wait for the words, get me the hell out of here. Or something to that effect.
“The guy with the dagger tattoo is in your pack, isn’t he?” she says at last.
I nod.
“And he’s after me because he thinks I’ll lead him to Demetrius.”
Why does she have to be so dang smart?
“So, you protected me from your pack,” she continues. “Why would you do that?”
“Because you’re my mate,” I say. “I’d protect you from anything.”
Her breath catches. “Even your pack?”
“Especially my pack.” I give a grim laugh.
She worries at her lower lip. “That’s a big deal,” she says, almost to herself. “All that stuff my mom said about werewolves—”
“She was wrong.”
“You put me first.”
“I’ll always put you first, Maya,” I growl.
She frowns. “Even though finding my brother will mean betraying your pack?”
I shrug. “It’s nothing compared to making you happy.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
She gives a muffled cry and falls into my arms.
I hold her tight, rubbing her back through the T-shirt.
Before long, she shudders, and then I feel the hard little peaks of her nipples, pushing through the fabric and pressing against my chest. I slide my hands down and caress her bare ass.
“I need you, Forge,” she murmurs.
I go still. Did she really just say that? I draw back and look into her eyes. They swim in the morning light like turquoise pools of innocence. “What did you say?”
“I said, I need you,” she repeats, and her voice turns strong and confident. “I’ve been needing you all night.”
“That so?” I grunt, belying the effect her words are having on me.
“In my sleep. I had some amazing dreams last night.”
I give a dry laugh, remembering the feeling of her hand encircling my cock. I run my fingertips along her arms and thighs, keeping my touch casual. Pushing back on the burning desire that flows through me like lava.
Her expression turns serious. “I’m ready for you, Forge. I want you to mate me. Take my virginity.”
My beast roars, and I sweep her up and take her inside.