Chapter 1
TALIA- PRESENT TIME-
“ W hat a good girl you are, taking my cock like it was made for you,”
Lucas growled into my ear as he thrust into me, while setting a relentless pace.
His hands gripping my hips so hard, I would be bruised in the morning if I were human.
I should probably stop sleeping with Lucas but damn it, the sex was so good.
Forming attachments was just something I didn't do.
When you have a past like I did, it is hard to keep people close.
I never knew when my past would catch up to me, but that's beside the point.
I shouldn’t be trying to figure out my life while currently having sex.
I panted, my body began to tighten, my core clenching around his cock.
Heat coiled throughout my body as I neared my release causing me to cry out his name as utter bliss slammed through me, “Lucas!”
My eyes closed as the pleasure coursed through my body, “That’s it baby girl" He growled, " Scream my name for the whole pack to hear.”
A loud smack sounded as his palm connected to my ass so hard, causing my eyes to open and a smile to form on my lips.
I knew he'd left a handprint there.
Fuck me, he knew just how I liked to be dominated in the bedroom.
He was going to be hard to replace as a lover when I decided to end this.
My body was still shaking and coated in sweat as I came down from my release.
Lucas’ body tensed behind me with one final thrust as I felt him finally give into his own pleasure, his cock pulsing inside me.
I clenched my walls around him tightly, milking his cock for all it was worth.
We stayed there for a moment, our breaths heavy, before we both fell backwards onto the bed.
The thickness of my deep purple comforter enveloping our bodies as Lucas released his hold on my body and slowly pulled out of me.
“You are a fucking goddess,”
he murmured.
His bright green eyes stared at me, with a smile stretching over his face so wide I could do nothing but return it as he tipped his head back, resting it on the bedroom wall.
The golden cast iron of my bed frame not quite tall enough to lean against for a man of his height.
“You aren’t so bad yourself,”
I said, a grin tugging at the corner of my mouth.
Lucas leaned forward and placed a kiss on the corner of my mouth, a chuckle leaving him as he pulled away and waggled his eyebrows at me.
“Thanks for the fun time sweetheart.
I really needed to release some pent-up energy.
Jericho has been on edge lately and he’s making us increase guard patrols.”
“I’m glad I could be of assistance,”
I said while containing my laugh.
If you ever need to release more energy, you know where to find me.”
He smirked while running his hands through his hair.
The weight of the bed shifted as he leaned forward, the old springs of my bed creaking as he scooted to the edge, threw his legs over and stood up.
All I could do was sit back, watch, and appreciate the man now standing before me.
The muscles of his back tightening as he stretched his arms above him.
Lucas was one of those Greek god looking men.
His hair had just the right amount of wave to it and his green eyes were so striking against his dark tan skin.
Not to mention, the man had abs for days.
Don’t even get me started on his cock, it was so large I wasn’t sure anyone could compare to him.
It was a good thing I wasn't planning on ever choosing a mate, because I was sure all other cocks would disappoint in comparison to him.
Lucas was the pack’s beta and, like me, had no intention of settling down and finding a mate which made keepings things simple and fun in the bedroom easier.
“Are you going to the pack gathering tonight?”
I asked him.
“Yeah, it’s kind of expected, being the pack beta and all.”
Lucas grumbled while he did up the buttons on his navy-blue shirt.
“Well, I will probably see you there then.”
I smirked up at him while pulling myself under the covers just a bit.
God this bed was like laying on a cloud straight out of the sky.
Celeste would kick my ass if I decided to stay in and read a book instead of socializing, but my new purchase was calling my name.
I mean who doesn’t want to read a book about a girl who is in love with four different men and ends up being a goddess? Jaymin Eve was a godsend to my book reading habits.
I may be adventurous in the bedroom but ever since Celeste brought me here to Killin, Scotland, I’ve tried to keep to myself and not draw too much attention, but with the population being on the smaller side it's been harder to go unnoticed.
My extracurricular activities outside of my job at the Silverwolf tavern do not help either.
“Sounds like a plan sweetheart,”
he smirked while pulling his pants on.
I took one last look at him, pulled the covers closer to me , and forced myself from beneath them.
I stretched my arms out behind me, before turning and strutting past him.
“You can let yourself out, I’m going to go take a shower and get ready for tonight.”
I told him while looking over my shoulder as I headed to the bathroom.
He smacked my ass as I walked past him, causing me to squeal and let out a small chuckle.
I shook my head and cast a backwards wave at him as he said, “I’ll see you tonight sweetheart.”
Once Lucas was out the door, I leaned against the wall of my bathroom, and I took a deep breath.
Closed my eyes.
I could do this.
Going out and hanging with my pack members shouldn’t be such a big deal.
But the last time I went out to have fun with a group of friends… No.
I wasn’t going to go there.
I had moved past that.
It had been five years, and it was time for me to get back out there, just as Celeste like to remind me.
I wasn’t getting any younger, and I needed to socialize.
You can never have too many friends, right?
A knock on the door jarred me from my thoughts.
That could only be one person.
The fluorescent lights above my small bathroom vanity caused me to have to squint my eyes for a moment after I opened them.
“Bitch! are you in there?! I’m not letting you get out of the pack barbecue tonight! All the hot, eligible men from the surrounding packs are going to be there! More pretty faces for us to choose from!”
she shouted from behind my bedroom door.
Excitement for the evening already clear in her tone.
I smiled as I gathered myself and headed back into my bedroom.
It was like she knew I was thinking of skipping out on tonight.
“Hold on just a sec!”
I shouted back.
Before I could even reach for something to cover myself with, Celeste was walking through my bedroom door with her bright pink hair pulled up into two buns and the biggest smile on her face.
She stopped dead in her tracks, as she sniffed the air around her and chuckled while rolling her eyes at me.
“Lucas again, right?”
she scolded me.
“Girl, that man is a hot piece of ass, yes, but he is not what you need.
We need to find you someone to settle down with.
He’s friend material but you know he’ll never settle down.”
She continued on.
A laugh escaped me as I looked at her and told her, “I know, besides we are just having fun, and you know I don't want to settle down anytime soon, or find a mate for that matter.”
What is the point of settling down when you don't know what your future holds or who you are as your own person? Celeste shut the door behind her, the pictures on my wall shaking from being poorly placed.
She looked up at them and chuckled, " Really Tals? you could have at least anchored them properly this time." And headed towards the lounge chair in the corner of my room.
Its lush black velvet fabric stood out against the other furniture in my bedroom, but it was my favorite reading spot.
It sat in the corner of my room, next to a tiny window overlooking the forest.
My small round side table next to it, was filled with my favorite books, and my never ending to be read pile said on the shelf beneath it.
“I have too much baggage to stay in a healthy relationship anyways.”
I shrugged while folding my arms against my chest.
It was good shifters weren’t shy when it came to the whole nudity thing.
Celeste sat down on the bench beside me and gestured with her hands for me to sit.
I grabbed the fluffy white minky blanket draped on the back of the lounge, wrapped it around my body and sat next to her.
Celeste reached over and grabbed my hand, squeezing tightly.
Her blue eyes full of love and compassion as she whispered, “I know where your thoughts are drifting.”
Another squeeze and a small smile formed on her lips as she turned and rested her head on my shoulder, “We don’t even know if what they said was true.”
She continued.
“We don't know that it wasn't either.”
I sighed.
I leaned my head against hers, the smell of Jasmine invaded my nose causing me to pull away.
That scent always triggered something in me, and I was more of a lavender fan when it came to floral scents.
“You went through a major trauma, and had your whole life turned on its head that night.”
Celeste said while leaning forward and brushing a strand of hair out of my face and tucking it behind my ear.
“It's been five years; you would think I'd be over it by now.”
I said while my shoulders slumped forward.
I always felt so defeated when I thought back to that night.
“You spent the first twenty-two years of your life as a don't be too hard on yourself.”
She spoke as she stood up, a sparkle and determination taking over her eyes.
“Let's just deal with life as it comes, okay?”
she said while resting her hand on my shoulder.
I shook off this feeling of dread that had settled over me, looked over to her and said, “Okay.
I’ll try not to dwell on it and put myself out there tonight, but I make no promises.”
Celeste clapped her hands together and squealed, “Yes! Let's let go of the past and focus on the now!”
This was going to be an interesting night.
At least I would have my best friend with me.
I could deal with anything if she was at my side.
A I sat there talking with Celeste, I wondered how many of the males attending would be unattached and up for a night of fun.
I wasn't looking for a mate, but that didn't mean I wasn't in the market for a new lover.
This fling with Lucas had gone on to long, and it was time I started looking for something or someone else, and I may or may not have already slept with most of the unmated males in my pack.
If they were hot, single, and interested in me, I was down to have a good time.
That didn’t earn me any point with the females in our pack though, not that I cared much.
I had Celeste and that’s all that I needed for now.
“Hello! Earth to Talia!”
Celeste was waving her hands in front of my face.
I blinked.
“Sorry I must have zoned out”
another sigh escaping me.
“You don’t say”
Celeste laughed “I really don't want to have to deal with all the pack bitches tonight.”
I said while rolling my eyes.
“Well, I don't blame you there.”
She replied while walking towards my bed.
She started to straighten the comforter and rearrange my decorative pillows as she quipped, “You can’t just keep sleeping with all the males of this pack and not expect their potential future mates to hate your guts.”
Celeste was such a neat freak sometimes.
On occasion I’d create little messes around the house just to frustrate her.
I smiled at that.
“You may have a point.
I know Jules has had her eye on Lucas.
Not that he’s interested in her.”
Jules was the former pack betas daughter and has had it out for me since the moment she saw Lucas flirting with me at the Silverwolf tavern a few months ago.
Celeste scoffed.
“No one in their right mind would mate with that piece of work, but she will get her claws into someone.”
“Well, I just hope she doesn’t get her claws into Lucas.
He may be a playboy but he’s still too nice of a guy for that wench.”
I growled.
“Careful Tal, you sound like you might be catching feelings for him.
We wouldn’t want her coming after you now, would we?”
I laughed.
“I haven’t caught those types of feelings, but I do care for him, how could I not? He’s a good guy and an even better lay, I just don’t want him to end up with some crazy chick.
He deserves someone sweet and kind.”
“You keep telling yourself that, girl”
Celeste teased, causing me to roll my eyes at her.
Why can’t a female care for a male without being in love with him? I just didn’t get that part of shifter culture.
“Anyway, what are you going to wear tonight? We need to make sure it’s sexy as hell.”
Celeste questioned me.
She was not going to approve of my choices.
“I was thinking of just wearing some jeans and a cute tank top?”
I said, cringing while I noticed the expression of disgust on her face.
Celeste groaned and threw herself backwards onto my bed while waving her hands around like a mad woman.
“You are killing me right now; we’re going to have to dig through that closet of yours and see what we can find to make you the hottest and most sought-after female tonight.
Every male is going to be salivating at the sight of you.”
She sat up and rested back on her elbows while giving me this look of exasperation, which told me that I wasn’t leaving this room until she was satisfied that I would attract every male’s attention and leave with them all nipping at my heels.
“What is wrong with dressing for comfort? If a man doesn’t like me in my jeans and boots than he isn’t worth my time anyways.”
I said while Celeste jumped up and ran over to the closet.
Clothes were being thrown and hangers clattered as they hit the floor.
“You are right, but that doesn’t mean we can’t dress you up anyways! You never know who is going to attend these things.
Think of all the pack alphas that are still unmated?”
she yelled from the back of my closet.
I laid back down on the bed while I listened to Celeste grumble and mutter curses under her breath.
She should know better by now.
I didn’t have any sexy outfits in that closet anymore.
Not since I started taking self-defense classes and learning to fight in all my spare time.
My wardrobe consisted of jeans, leggings, tank tops, and jackets.
I didn’t own a pair of heels either.
I preferred combat boots.
Comfortable.
Practical.
Easy to kick ass in. “Well, this won't do, do you ever buy anything besides t-shirts and jeans?”
Celeste huffed as she came back into the room.
“You’d think that after being friends with me for so many years, we would have updated your wardrobe by now.”
She looked so disappointed with a pout on her lips as she stared at me.
A chuckle left me as I sat up on the bed and shook my head, “You know that's something I have often wondered myself.”
“You must win all these males over with your charm and good looks since your clothing choices are questionable most days.”
She laughed and placed her hand on her chin while biting her lower lip with her teeth.
Her brows furrowed for a moment, then she clapped her hands, “Problem solved! I am going to run to my room quickly to see what I can find and I'll be right back!”
I laughed as she bolted out of the room so fast, I am surprised the blanket that was covering me didn’t fly off.
Standing up I tossed the blanket aside and headed into the bathroom.
I probably had less than fifteen minutes before she returned, and I really needed to shower Lucas off me.
I couldn’t go to the pack gathering smelling like him.
That wouldn’t do me any favors on taking home another male if I decided to.