Chapter Twenty-Four
Eli’s front paws barely hit the top of the rock before he sailed over the natural barrier.
He soundlessly hit the ground running, aware of his brothers keeping pace, but ultra-aware of the female wolf beside him.
The warm breeze ruffled his fur. His ears twitched, cataloging every tiny sound.
The night was alive, the nocturnal creatures hunting, the rest curled up in their burrows or nests.
Over the past week, Kinley had seamlessly integrated into his life, into all their lives.
Each day he found another reason to love her.
Oh, there’d been a few bumps along the way.
She was still wary around Cyrus and Josiah, but he had faith they’d come around.
His younger brothers had all fallen under her gentle spell.
Noah welcomed her into his kitchen. Zach, Levi, and Silas all found reasons to hang around.
They’d missed a gentle loving feminine touch most of all, being young when their mother had passed, or in Silas’s case, hours old.
And Kinley, with her giving nature, was free with her hugs and loving acceptance.
None of them had taken a job, sticking close to home in case they were needed, but that was about to change. Cyrus was leaving tomorrow, Levi the day after, and Josiah early next week. Eli was sticking close to home for the foreseeable future.
Kinley bumped his side and sped past him, her head and tail high. Joy filling him, he gave chase. If she wanted a race, he’d give her one. He put on a burst of speed but kept pace instead of running ahead. By her side was where he wanted to be.
It was rare for all the brothers to be home at the same time for such a length of time.
They’d been making the most of it the past few nights, making time for a run.
It was also their way of integrating Kinley into their family.
Her excitement the first night he’d suggested it had been infectious.
Her innocent comment that she hadn’t been on a pack run since she was a kid, that she and her father had gone out only on rare occasions, had gutted him.
Running together was a way to solidify bonds. They might live in their human forms, use their intellect to live and survive, but at heart they were wolves. She’d had other family, been part of a pack, but she’d never truly belonged.
Kinley skidded to a stop and whirled around.
The moonlight reflected off her auburn fur as she bent low over her front paws and yipped, inviting him to play.
When he trotted forward, she pounced, landing squarely on his back.
Rather than collapse under her smaller form, he gave a full-body shake, sending her flying.
She rolled to the ground and shifted back to human, laughing hard enough to bring tears to her eyes. He sat beside her and licked her face.
“I’ve been kissed by a wolf.” She rubbed her hand over her face. “Have I told you today how much I love it here?”
He shifted and pulled a twig from her tangled hair. “Twice, I think.” She said it several times every day. It was a sobering reminder not to take for granted what they’d found together.
“It’s true.” She sat up and swiped at the dirt on her arms. A lone howl echoed through the trees, quickly followed by another until they sang in chorus. Then the night went silent.
“They’re heading back to the house.” It was their way of letting him know they were giving him and Kinley some privacy.
“Oh, is it time?” It was easy to read the disappointment in her beautiful blue eyes.
“We can stay longer, if you’d like.” They were safe this high on the mountain. His brothers wouldn’t have left unless they were certain there wasn’t anyone else around. His wolf would warn him of any intruders.
She nibbled on her bottom lip, a sure sign something was bothering her. He was beginning to recognize all the subtle, and not-so-subtle, signs of her moods.
“What’s on your mind?” He still half-expected her to change her mind and announce she was leaving. That probably wouldn’t change until she agreed to mate with him, if she ever did. He absently rubbed the scar on his neck, needing the reminder that she’d claimed him.
“Are you happy?” She followed the path of his fingers to where they rested on the scar.
He tugged her onto his lap so she faced him and leaned against the thick trunk of an oak tree. “Are you?” He’d thought she was settling in, finding her feet, but maybe he’d been mistaken.
She caught his hand and brought it to her chest. It was natural for them to be naked, but he couldn’t tamp down his arousal at her closeness. “I’ve never been happier, but that’s not what I asked.”
He feathered his fingers across her forehead and down the straight slope of her nose. “I love you.” He did his best to ignore the tiny niggle of dissatisfaction festering inside him.
She tilted her head to one side. “That’s not a straight answer, but I guess that in itself is an answer. You’ve never held back before, don’t start now. I need you to be honest with me.”
Taking down a drug cartel was easier than admitting his shortcomings. “It’s nothing you need to worry about.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. If we’re together, we’re partners. That means we lean on each other when we need it. Is it work? I know you haven’t taken on a job since you met me. I can start sewing again. I always wanted to start an online business, but...”
“Duke wouldn’t allow it.” The bastard had done his best to keep her under his thumb.
“I’ve been talking to Zach about how I’d go about setting things up if I went that route.”
God, he loved this woman. “It’s not money. If I never worked another day in my life, we’d have plenty. You only need to sew if you want. I’ll support whatever you want to do.” He understood her need for independence and admired her for it.
“Then what is it? I catch you watching me sometimes like you’re afraid I’ll vanish if you look away.”
“Maybe I am.” He huffed out a breath. “Forget I said that. I promised I’d give you space and time, not pressure you.”
“This time I’m the idiot.”
“What? Why would you say that? You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.” He never wanted her to believe differently. It took all his concentration not to groan when she leaned forward and accidentally rubbed against his erection.
“This is about mating, isn’t it? You mentioned it once but never brought it up again.”
He thunked the back of his head against the tree trunk. “If it happens, it will be your decision.” It had to be. “You need to know you’re free to do whatever you want, to make your own choices.”
“But I’m not free, not entirely.” She stroked the mark on his neck. “And I don’t want to be.”
It took a second to process her whispered words. “What are you saying?” His heart thudded in his chest. Adrenaline raced through his veins.
“I want to mate with you.”
Every muscle in his body locked. His fangs dropped, even as his wolf howled inside him. “Be sure. Once it’s done, it can’t be undone.” Wolves mated for life. Hell, he’d felt mated since the day she’d bit him.
She stroked the mark again, sending a bolt of desire straight to his dick. “I was certain when I did this. It just took me some time to admit it to myself.”
Eli captured her lips. Blood pounded in his ears. Mine!
****
Eli’s passion threatened to overwhelm her.
It was an indication of how badly he’d been hurting.
That had never been her intention. All the doubts that whispered in her ears vanished whenever they were together.
Running on the mountain tonight, it had occurred to her that she never wanted to be anywhere else. This was home. Eli was home.
That he’d tamped down his own wants and needs to protect her made her love him all the more. She either took this step forward or stayed locked in the prison of her past.
Tongues tangled and breath mingled—the kiss hot and desperate.
After a week of nights locked in passion, she knew his body as well as she did her own.
They’d spent hours exploring, making slow, tender love, learning how best to please the other.
Tonight wasn’t going to be slow or tender.
Tonight was about a wolf claiming his mate.
A shiver of excitement shot through her, followed by a blast of desire when he nipped at the curve of her neck, a precursor of what was to come.
Big hands cupped her breasts, his thumbs teasing the taut nipples.
She ran her hands over the broad expanse of his chest, enjoying the play of muscle beneath her questing fingers.
His hands drifted lower, one of them sliding between her legs. Gasping, she surged up on her knees, gripping his shoulders. Her head fell back, pushing her breasts closer. He latched onto the tip of one and sucked. A single finger tested her readiness.
“Eli,” she moaned.
“Fuck, yes.” He fitted the head of his cock at her opening and pulled her down onto his hard length. Intense pleasure shot through her. Sucking air into her lungs, she tried not to come, wanting the moment to last.
Shaggy brown hair fell around his face, framing eyes as dark as sin. His cheekbones appeared more pronounced. His jaw was tight. Huge wolf fangs glistened in the moonlight. This dangerous predator, this alpha male, was all hers. She pulled her hair to one side and tilted her head.
He struck hard and fast. Sharp teeth sank into her skin, the flash of pain followed by intense pleasure.
She cried out when he bucked against her, the base of his cock swelling as he came.
Heat exploded throughout her body. Her wolf howled.
Mating bonds should have snapped into place.
It was a shock to discover they were already there and had been since she’d claimed him.
But Eli needed this to be sure of her commitment, and frankly, so did she.
It was a tangible and irrefutable sign of their connection.
They were mates.
He withdrew his fangs and licked the wounds, following up with tender kisses.
She buried her face against his neck and lapped at the marks she found there.
A shudder went through him, and his arms came around her.
Silence enveloped them. Content to stay as she was as the pounding of her heart subsided, she gradually became aware of the leaves dancing in the breeze and the hoot of an owl.
Eli nuzzled the top of her head. “I hate to leave, but if we’re too much longer we’ll have company.
The Sin brothers were a protective bunch.
Rather than feel hemmed in, it gave her a sense of belonging.
She’d not only gained a mate who loved her but also six overprotective brothers.
Rather than wanting to keep her down or hold her back, they were all ready to lend a hand to help her follow her dreams.
She pushed upright and shivered at the dark possessiveness in his gaze. “The bond was already there.”
“I know.” The fact he’d realized that when she hadn’t had to have contributed to his dissatisfaction.
“We match.” She touched the healing scar at the base of her neck.
“You’re mine now. Mine to protect.”
“And you’re mine.” He’d best understand that worked both ways.
A smile bloomed on his face. “I’m counting on it.” He lifted her off his lap and stood, pulling her up with him. “Ready to go home?”
She went up on her toes and gave him a kiss.
“Race you.” Shifting, she took off running.
He could have easily beat her there, but stayed beside her the entire way.
The lights were on in the kitchen, but there was no sign of the others.
There would be time enough to tell them in the morning.
She bolted up the stairs with Eli behind her.
Once the door was closed behind them, they shifted back and fell onto the bed. “Now I plan to make love to my mate.” He stole her breath with his words and his kiss. For a deadly Sin, he tasted like Heaven.