Chapter Fourteen
They snuck out of the house, and Fray led Len into the backyard. He took off his shirt, surprising her. The view of his bare chest was something she could really appreciate. He had the best abs she’d ever seen.
“Don’t look at me like that just yet,” Fray warned, smiling. He tucked his shirt into the back of his jeans and opened his arms. “Do you trust me?”
“Yes.”
“Come here. You’re living in the A-frame cabin on the edge of the lake that Moe owns, right?”
“That’s the one.” Len walked into his arms, reaching up to grip the tops of his broad shoulders. “Do you know where that is?”
“I do. Chaz and I have stayed there in the past. I’m going to fly us there. Are you okay with that?”
“Yes. Just don’t drop me.”
“Never.” He lifted her off her feet, and she watched in amazement as his wings started to grow out from his back, expanding as she watched. “Is it safe to fly?”
“Kevin said only pack live around Moe, and we won’t fly higher than just over the treetops. The cabin isn’t far.”
“It’s a four-minute walk. Mom wanted me close.” She paused. “Mostly, though, I think they like keeping an eye on me. Their house is right next to the road that leads to the lake. I have to drive by there every time I leave or go home.”
He chuckled as he tightened his hold. “Wrap around me.”
Len spread her legs and did just that. She also hugged him around his neck. Fray adjusted his hold on her so one arm was bracing her around her back and the other under her butt. He leaped upward.
She gasped as they left the ground. It was scary enough that she buried her face into his neck, clinging as they flew.
“I’ve got you, Len.”
“I know. I’ve never been a fan of heights.”
“Just hang on. We’re almost there.”
They landed soon after, and Len had to let Fray go. She glanced around. The cabin didn’t have any immediate neighbors, and the few other homes were hidden from view thanks to the trees and heavy vegetation. They were near the back door, which gave them even more privacy. The lake was large, and a few lit homes were across the water, but they weren’t close.
“I have to grab the spare since my keys burned with the motel.”
“Don’t tell me you hid a key under that small garden statue. That’s the first place a thief would look.”
“No. It’s buried under the gravel five inches away.” She dug in the right spot and pulled out the key. “That little guy is just a marker to let me know where it is.”
“I can’t believe Moe and Lisa let you live here alone. It’s isolated.” He glanced around.
“The trees and oversized bushes just give it that kind of feeling. There are other homes within shouting distance. You probably didn’t spot them as we flew in because I’ve learned that all my neighbors on this side of the lake are a part of the pack.” She unlocked the back door and opened it. “They probably aren’t home yet since Kevin is keeping everyone close to the pack house, or you’d have seen their lights on.”
Len flipped on her interior lights, revealing the compact kitchen and dining area. It opened to the living area. She loved the stone fireplace there. The smell of burning wood was one of her favorite scents.
The cabin wasn’t the biggest place, but she liked it. There was one bedroom and bathroom with a nice loft area upstairs that she used as a craft room. It also could double as a guest room with the sofa bed couch up there. The cabin had come furnished.
She opened the fridge and grabbed two iced tea cans, offering one to Fray. He accepted. She closed the fridge, popped the can’s top, and took a sip of the flavored drink. Her gaze ran over his chest. His wings were gone. Part of her was disappointed about that, wanting to explore them in depth. Then again, he probably wouldn’t have fit through the back door with them out.
“We’re finally alone.” Fray drank some of his tea but then placed it on the counter, stepping closer. He removed his sunglasses and put them down. His silver eyes were alive with flashes of light and dark blue streaks. “I want to kiss you.”
Len put her own drink down and stepped into him. She reached up to cup his face. Then she went on her tiptoes. Fray was a tall guy. He lowered his head, and she closed her eyes right as their lips touched. He had firm yet soft, full lips. They reminded her of velvet.
Fray deepened the kiss as soon as she parted her lips. He tasted like tea and something sweet. She wondered if he’d eaten dessert while he’d been gone. She moaned against his tongue when he took charge, using his mouth to give her carnal thoughts.
His arms slid around her, pulling her flush with his warm, hard body. Len couldn’t resist exploring his skin, loving the feel of him. He broke the kiss, and she opened her eyes and stared up at him.
“Bedroom,” he huskily whispered. “I want you too damn much, and I don’t want to take you standing in here.”
“Lock the door behind you. I don’t want anyone interrupting us.” She released him, backed away, turned, and headed toward the bedroom. It was on the other side of the living room.
“Does anyone else have a key?”
“No. I changed the locks after I moved in. It’s why I buried a spare in the backyard in case I ever accidentally locked myself out.” She thought about it. “I never foresaw losing my keyring the way I did. They probably burned with the motel. The spare key I keep at Moe’s is one for my car.”
“I’m surprised my uncle didn’t demand a new key for this cabin.”
“I didn’t tell anyone when I changed the locks. Both Moe and my mom tend to be helicopter parents, regardless of my age. I didn’t even want to rent this place, but they insisted after a few apartments were broken into where I was living.”
Fray had locked the back door. “I don’t blame them. I watch human news. Sometimes criminals break in when someone is at home. You could have been hurt or killed.”
“That’s what I heard until I caved to live here. I do like this place.”
He followed her through the living room as she spoke. They ended up in the compact bedroom. It only held a king-sized bed, one small nightstand, and a dresser with a TV on top of it. Len turned on the light in there.
She was curious. “Who used this bedroom when you and Chaz stayed here before?”
“I did. It used to just have a twin bed. My brother pulled his normal ‘I’m in charge’ bullshit and took the larger couch bed in the loft.”
She smiled. “I upgraded the bed in here. It’s one of the few things I brought with me from my apartment since the cabin was already furnished. I spent a small fortune on this mattress set. It’s one of those memory foam types that mold to your body and is super comfortable to sleep on.”
He reached for the waist of his jeans, pausing. “It’s time for a serious talk. Things might get intense once we get naked. I need to know your limits.”
She wasn’t sure what he meant. “I’m not into pain.”
Amusement sparked on his features, and some white streaks lightened his silver eyes. “I’d never hurt you. That’s not what I meant. Do you want to officially test a mating or just keep it at casual sex for right now?”
“What’s the difference?”
“Officially testing a mating means we are both open to bonding. I also won’t hide any of my Gargoyle traits. Casual means just that. We resist the urge to make a bond permanent. I stay completely human-looking with no extras.”
Len had questions before she made that decision. “How do Gargoyles mate?”
He motioned for her to sit while he leaned against the wall. Len sat, watching him. It was hard to focus when he looked extremely sexy standing there shirtless. She liked how he hooked his thumbs into the front pockets of his jeans.
“I bite you, take in your blood, and flux. That’s what we call a partial shift.” His tan skin suddenly lightened, gaining a pale grayish tint. It returned to normal in seconds. “I’ll also have you drink some of my blood. Sometimes the wings will come out during a mating. I’ve obviously never done this before, but I’ve heard about that happening.” He glanced around the compact room, mostly giving his attention to her television. “I might unintentionally break shit in here if that happens.”
Len got up and opened the closet door next to the dresser. She went to lift the TV, but Fray was suddenly there, gently bumping her out of the way. He lifted the TV and placed it on the floor in there. The electric cord was long enough to reach, so they didn’t have to unplug it. He closed the door and glanced around again.
“That’s all I care about,” she admitted. “Feel free to be yourself, Fray. No holding back on my account. You won’t scare me if you sprout wings.”
He chuckled, his gaze roaming up and down her body. “That might only happen if we mate. Do you need more time with me to contemplate possibly becoming mine forever? It would mean returning to Alaska with me. We could visit here sometimes, but it’s safest for us to live with my clan full-time.”
“I’m all in for anything with you.” She didn’t have to think about it. The attraction she’d felt for him had been ongoing for years. She was already falling in love with Fray. The idea of being mated to him didn’t scare her. Any life changes would be with him at her side as her partner. “What about you? Do you want to test a mating with me?”
All humor faded off his handsome face. “I do. An official testing it is.” He stepped closer but paused. “Strip off everything. I don’t want anything between us.”
Len almost jumped to her feet, that eager to finally have sex with him. The memory of the way he’d touched her inside the mine had tormented her, wanting more. The bright bolts of blues sparking in his silver eyes were also a turn-on as he watched her undress. It was clear that he wanted her as much as she did him.
She held her breath as he opened his jeans, bent forward, and shoved them down. Len sharply sucked air into her lungs as he straightened after kicking them away, and she got the full view of Fray.
“Wow. You are beyond hot.”
He flashed her a grin, his gaze roaming over her. “Lay down on the bed.”
His husky tone sent a good kind of shiver down her spine, and she had to tear her gaze off his muscled body and stiff cock. He was big all over. She turned and climbed on the bed. Fray followed her down.
He used his arms to cage her under him, but only his mouth made contact with her as he kissed Len. She reached up, running her hands along his chest. Fray’s skin was firm and hot, her fingertips exploring until she found his nipples. They beaded as she lightly pinched them.
Fray groaned against her tongue and broke away, going for her throat next. Len arched her head away to give him access. The feel of his wet tongue and possibly fangs raking over her sensitive neck felt erotic. He trailed his open-mouthed kisses downward right as he adjusted his body over her until he balanced on one arm. His freed hand cupped her breast, massaging it.
“Yes,” she moaned.
“So sexy,” he rasped right before he sealed his mouth over her nipple, sucking and lightly nipping at her.
The jolt she felt went from her nipple straight to her clit, making her sex throb. Len spread her thighs apart and slid her hands to his ribs, trying to pull him down on top of her. Fray wasn’t having it, though, as he released her breast and lowered down her body.
She opened her eyes, watching as he crouched at the end of the bed on his knees, gripped her inner thighs with his big hands, and pushed her legs wider apart. Then he dipped his head, a rumbling noise coming from him as he inhaled. His mouth was on her sex in the next instant, him almost lunging to get to her.
Len cried out at the sudden erotic torture of his tongue licking and sucking on the swollen bud. It felt so good she lost the ability to think. She had to release him, afraid she’d scratch him with her fingernails, so she grabbed the bedding instead.
Len looked down, watching his dark head move as he brought her closer to release. With the way he crouched on the bed, she got a good view of most of his back. Black wings began to grow from him, thickening and spreading out from his body to take up the space around them. It was beautiful and something profound to see.
The climax hit hard, blowing her mind as she yelled out his name. Her body seized from the extreme pleasure. Fray’s head lifted, and their gazes met. His eyes were dark silver now, fine white lightning bolts flashing across his irises. He opened his mouth, revealing some fangs. It should have terrified her, but all Len could think was how otherworldly sensual he looked.
Fray climbed upward as he lowered his body, pinning her under him. Len responded by wrapping her arms around his neck. She also lifted her shaking legs, wrapping them around his waist. He gripped one of them, using his other arm to support most of his weight, and adjusted her knee higher.
Len inhaled, realizing that Fray smelled amazing. It was more than that, though. An almost frenzy hit her, needing him to fuck her. She wanted him inside her so bad that it physically hurt. Len also had the urge to lick him, wanting to taste his skin.
The feel of his thick, hot cock pressed against her pussy only made the urge stronger. Len nodded, silently letting him know she was ready for him to fully take her. He wiggled his hips a little, lining them up better, before slowly pushing forward. The feel of him entering her had her closing her eyes and moaning again.
He was big. Her body was well prepared, though, since he’d already gotten her off. Her pussy stretched around his girth, taking him. Fray groaned. That sound had her opening her eyes, watching his face inches from her own.
His gaze held hers. Some black bled into the silver of his eyes. He froze but then pushed deeper inside her sex, having her take more of him. It was pleasure and almost pain as her body adjusted. She’d never been with anyone like him before. Not only because he was a GarLycan but also because of his size.
“Len.” His voice no longer sounded human. It was more of a gritty rumble. “I want to bite you. Your taste and feel…” He paused, clearing his throat. “Will you be mine forever?”
There it was. The urge he’d talked about must have hit. She wasn’t sure what her ‘taste and feel’ really meant, but he was asking her to be his mate. “Yes,” she breathed out.
“Throat,” he demanded.
Len turned her head, exposing her throat. She felt a split second of fear, but when he buried his face in her neck, he only started kissing her again. His lips and tongue felt amazing as he started to drive his cock inside her deeper, rocking his hips. It felt so good she began to moan and tightened her hold on him with her limbs.
She was lost once again in the pleasure, loving how it felt to be taken by Fray. She felt his fangs then as they pressed against her flesh. Instead of pain when he bit, her body seized with a second climax. It was stronger than the first.
Fray began to thrust his hips faster, fucking her harder. She cried out, clinging to him, and turned her face into the side of his. Len realized she was clawing him with her fingernails, but his skin felt harder, too tough to do any damage to. In the back of her mind, she realized he must be in that flux state he’d explained.
Pleasure. That’s all she knew as Fray kept moving, his mouth on her neck, and his fangs probably buried in her skin. Another climax struck, and that’s when she felt Fray come with her. Hot heat filled her as his body slowed and finally stilled.
He released her throat. Both were panting and out of breath. Len opened her eyes when Fray lifted his head. His eyes had turned utterly black. It didn’t unsettle her, though. Len felt limp and drained, her body so satisfied that she didn’t think anything could unsettle her at that moment.
His gaze left hers, glancing at her neck. “Fuck.” He suddenly adjusted his arm and pressed his thumb against the side of her throat. There was a slight sting of muted pain as he applied a little pressure, but it was minor. “I didn’t tear your skin, thankfully.”
“I’m fine,” she murmured, smiling at him.
His gaze held hers again. “I don’t like seeing you bleed. The bite isn’t bad enough to do you harm, but I want you to drink from me now.”
She licked her lips. “Okay. Do I bite your throat?”
He chuckled. “You don’t have fangs. I’m going to roll us over.”
He did just that. Fray was strong and easily adjusted them until she was sprawled on top of him. Len admired the view of him sprawled on her bed. He helped her straddle his waist and sit up. She almost protested, just wanting to snuggle with him and maybe take a nap. The sex had been intense, and he’d given her multiple orgasms. She also chalked it up to them not getting much sleep for the past two nights.
Fray forced her to sit up, though, and he didn’t try to hide the fact that he had partially transformed one of his hands. Sharp claws grew from his fingertips. He placed one of them on the muscled wall of his chest, letting the tip rest there.
“I’m going to cut myself. When I do, lean in and take as much of my blood as you can. We’ll repeat this for days to avoid you putting out the calling.”
“The what?”
“There’s a lot I should have explained to you, but it’s nothing to worry about. We’ll hole up inside your home for the next few days until we’ve strongly bonded. Do you still trust me, Len?”
“Yes.” She absolutely did.
“Good. Now drink as much as you can.”
It wasn’t pleasant to watch Fray use one of those menacing claws he’d grown to slice open his skin. She even might have flinched. Red blood welled instantly. Fray used his other hand to reach up, gently cup her behind her head, and tug her closer.
“Drink, mate.”
Len opened her mouth as she came down on Fray, using her hands on his shoulders to steady herself. The cut wasn’t more than an inch long, but he’d cut deep. Blood started to spread outward, so she quickly sealed her mouth over it. She refused to contemplate what she was doing. It would normally gross her out to even consider drinking someone’s blood. Then again, they weren’t Fray. He was different.
The taste didn’t gross her out as much as she guessed it would. It might have something to do with the way he smelled like the best thing in the world to her. All the sex endorphins might have helped, too, and the way she felt languid. Having sex with Fray was the best thing she’d ever experienced.
Len managed to swallow at least four times before she stopped, licking at his skin. Fray caressed her hair, released the back of her head, and ran his hand down her spine. He didn’t order her to drink more as she lifted her head, peering into his eyes. The black was gone, now a molten variety of silver colors.
A yawn broke from Len. She felt incredibly sleepy.
He lifted his head and brushed a closed-mouth kiss on her lips. “You did well, mate.” A smile curved his lips as he let his head collapse back on the bed and pulled her closer. “Between taking my blood and me taking yours, all the things we’ve endured recently, we’re both wiped out. Let’s rest for a little while before we bond again.”
Len didn’t resist as Fray helped her lay down on top of him. She nuzzled her cheek against the other side of his chest where he hadn’t cut himself. He makes the best pillow and is more comfortable than my expensive mattress. That was the last thought she had as she drifted to sleep.
Fray waited a few minutes before gently rolling over, careful not to jostle Len as he switched their positions. He lifted off her, untangling their bodies, and stood. He flipped off the overhead light as he left the bedroom, entered her bathroom, and quickly searched for a clean hand towel. He found a stack of them in the built-in cabinet over the toilet.
His night vision allowed him to see in the dark room as he studied his appearance in the mirror. He turned on the sink, waiting for the water to warm, and dampened the small towel. The scratch on his chest was already healing as he wiped away the smeared blood off his skin. He hadn’t cut deep.
He was mated. A sense of wonder and joy filled him. He’d secretly longed to find the other half of his soul. He’d had a hunch it would be Len from the moment he’d had to cut her inside the motel and gotten a whiff of her blood. Sometimes a Lycan just knew. He was mostly Gargoyle, but a few of his mother’s traits had been passed down to him.
It made sense. Len’s scent had drawn him, along with the way she looked at him the few times they had been around each other. He hadn’t acted on it, though, out of respect for Moe.
A sense of dread grew in his gut. His uncle wasn’t going to be happy when they shared the news, but as a Lycan, Moe needed to respect mates. He’d taken a human as his own and had probably come under some scrutiny for it from his pack. Either way, it was done, and Moe would have to accept it.
He turned off the water after rinsing his blood out of the towel so it wouldn’t stain and went back to the bedroom. Len was in a deep sleep of exhaustion. He’d told her the truth. Him taking her blood, her taking his, and them mating would wear a human out. The ordeal with the Gargoyles had also left them fatigued. The sex they’d shared had been intense. It was normal with mates.
He pulled back the top cover and sheet on half the bed, tenderly lifted Len in his arms, and placed her on the bottom sheet. Then he slid into bed next to her, spooning her in his arms as he moved them onto their sides. She felt perfect there. He breathed in her scent, checked the bite to make sure it no longer bled, and then closed his eyes.
In a few hours, he’d wake her so they could bond again. No way was he risking her going into the calling with a Lycan pack so near. Her scent would draw any unmated male as if she were in heat. He’d kill any male who thought they could try to take his mate from him.