Chapter 1
Misti Wolventon still couldn’t believe the whirlwind that had been her life ever since she had met Anders Kraus. Their attraction had been electric right from the start, the sex amazing and beyond compare, but then she had realized he was a Shadowed Star, one of the werewolves she and her pack of Red Nightwalkers hated more than any other.
Because of their relations, they had both been hunted by their packs, leaving them no choice but to turn to the Wild Shades. Which led to her wedding the heir to the Wild Shades, Talon Kastner.
But Anders had killed Talon, and now she had claimed Anders, and Anders had claimed her back. Plus, she was reinstated as the heir of the Red Nightwalkers, just as Anders had been with the Shadowed Stars.
The chance of a lifetime, to end the long-standing feud between the two packs, could finally be made a reality.
And all because she had found it inside of her to overlook the fact that Anders was a Shadowed Star, to realize he was a werewolf just like her, and she had managed to even fall in love with him.
Making the two sides come to terms had proved to be a long and trying process, one they were still struggling to come to terms with a year later. For the longest while, Misti almost thought it wasn’t worth it. That she and Anders could have left and formed a new pack, just him and her and their children… She still remembered the first time he had mentioned them having children. It had been immediately after the last battle between the three packs, after the werewolves had broken off into their proper groups and their alphas had gone away as well, leaving Misti and Anders a moment of peace.
“We should have a child as soon as possible.” He had sauntered his naked body closer to her, swinging his hip. Even covered in bruises and blood, Anders would always be sexy to her. Her body was just as battered, and she probably had a few broken bones, but she would survive. They both would. They had finally been able to contemplate their future together.
“Our children. I wasn’t sure if you would want any.”
“Of course I do.” He had sounded almost hurt. “We need heirs, for one thing. And…” Anders pressed himself against her, wrapping a strong arm around her waist and pulling her close.
“You’re only interested in how children are made,” she had teased, but her body responded to him, as it always had.
And just like that, they had stopped talking and made love. Was it possible others had seen them? Yes, but all of them—the Red Nightwalkers, Shadowed Stars, and Wild Shades alike—had witnessed their claiming, and that was almost an even more private encounter than coupling.
The sound of footsteps stirred her from her thoughts. She turned to see Anders leaning against the doorway of their open bedroom door.
“Penny for your thoughts,” he said, smiling lazily.
Misti fought back a yawn. “As if you don’t know.” With a claiming came total unison of body, heart, and mind. They could read each other’s thoughts. It was very powerful… and it could be abused. She labored no fear that would ever be the case with Anders. When he had first tried to claim her, before they even knew each other that well at all, she had refused to give herself over to him. Now, she couldn’t imagine life without him.
“You’ve been so tired lately,” he complained. With two long strands, he walked over to the bed and sat beside her, entwining their fingers together.
“That’s your fault.” She nudged her shoulder into his. Between their duties as alphas of their respective packs and trying to mesh them into one huge pack that didn’t antagonize the Wild Shades, who had moved back onto their mountain. It was crowded with all three wolves there, but as long as each of them stayed on their land, there was more than enough for everyone.
And that was during the day. At night, Anders didn’t let her get much sleep at all… not that she complained any.
But a year was a long while to go without a decent night’s sleep.
He was rubbing her shoulders, and despite her fatigue, she could feel herself grow damp. Something as simple as a touch or certain look had her wanting to jump him.
Now was no different.
“If you’re that tired…” He slipped his hands away from her shoulders. “I’ll let you sleep tonight.”
“Mmm… you can settle me down first.” Giving him a coy smile, she mounted him. He smelled of the earth and soap and a hint of spice. His lips and tongue tasted of their dinner—rabbit stew—and wine—from the bottle they had shared half of.
Anders broke off the kiss. “I’ll be good. I swear. You can sleep?—”
“After I sleep with you.” She pushed him, so he fell onto the bed. In their early days together, they had spent more time having sex outdoors than indoors. The location never bothered her, so long as they were together.
Flinging her hair back, she eased her shirt over her head. Most days, she didn’t bother to wear a bra, and today was no exception. They bounced as she tossed her shirt onto the ground.
Anders’s hands immediately claimed them, tweaking her nipples, pulling them slightly to get them to pebble.
She jerked slightly.
“Did that hurt?” Concern flooded his eyes.
“No.” He had tugged on them plenty harder before. It must’ve been a freak thing. “Why are you wearing all of your clothes yet?”
“I thought you were going to undress me.” His roguish smile had her giggling.
“You want to wear me out more before we’re even getting started?”
“Oh, no. We can’t have that.” He held onto her hips so he could sit up without her leaving his lap. One-handed, he tugged his shirt off and threw it onto the floor near hers. Then he lay back down, bringing her with him. His hands made quick work of her jeans and then his, and together, they took turns shimmying out of their jeans and underwear.
Now, the sleeping together could commence.