Riley couldn’t control the urge to tear Jerrod’s clothes from his body. Her heat cycle had its awful claws dug in deep. It was all she could do to keep from ripping Talia’s pretty blue eyes right out of her head when she looked at him. She understood and promptly hauled Bruce’s hulking form away mid conversation. Talia was close to her own heat cycle and was feeling the pressure as well. Although where Jerrod was Riley’s claimed mate, Talia had yet to claim Bruce.
The exquisite feel of Jerrod’s rough hands sliding down her back had her shivering, and when he cupped her ass she was nearly undone. She shuddered and tried to quiet the deep moan that spilled from her lips. Jerrod deepened the kiss slipping his tongue into her mouth and exploring with long succulent licks. Before she realized what was happening Jerrod pushed her up against the wall.
He never broke contact with her mouth as he trailed his finger up to her thigh and found her damp wet heat. Gods she was burning alive. He pushed a finger slowly inside her maliciously teasing her sensitive flesh. The kiss became more aggressive as did his ministrations, sending her into a fevered frenzy. She didn’t know how long she was going to hold out like this. She was too close to the edge.
“God you’re so hot and tight. Jesus Riley. Fuck.” Jerrod panted. She could feel his other hand working at the button and zipper of his pants. The thought that she was finally going to have him inside of her was enough to push her over the edge. She cried out her release convulsing around his finger. Before she could catch her breath, he was there, the thick hard tip of him replacing his hand. He grasped her thigh and lifted it to his hip. In one swift motion, he was filling her to the limit.
Riley gasped at the feel of him deep inside her. She never felt anything so damn good. It was like he was made to fit her and only her. Jerrod held himself still, taking Riley’s face in his hands. His fiery blue eyes held hers at the cusp of full abandon.
“You are mine. Do you understand? No one else, ever. Only me.” He gritted between clenched teeth.
“Yes Jerrod, yes.” She panted wiggling her bottom to entice him into movement.
“Say it Riley. Tell me what I want to hear. Tell me or this is over before it goes on any further.”
“I’m yours Jerrod, only yours. Please Jerrod, please.” It wasn’t hard to admit. The way she felt he could reduce her to pleading. She didn’t have to utter another syllable. As soon as the words left her lips he pulled back and slammed into her. Her head bounced against the wall, and she didn’t care, but he did. His hand cupped the back of her head, cushioning it before he drew back and slid home again.
Wrapping her legs around his waist to give him the depth she desired, he took it, pounding into her so hard it bordered on the point of pain. It was then that her wolf tore through her mental barriers. Before she could will it back in, she bit down hard on Jerrod’s shoulder, and she felt his flesh tear. The sweet tang of blood filled her mouth.
Jerrod’s roars of pain filled the room, but only briefly before his own jaws were locked tight on her shoulder. Unlike her bite, his was just hard enough to break the skin and leave his mark. In truth, it didn’t even hurt. Riley was feeling quite disgusted with her own lack of control over her wolf. Jerrod, however, didn’t seem to care that blood now trailed down his taut stomach, or that a gaping wound graced his once creamy shoulder.
He continued to drive into her swollen flesh. He let go of the back of her head, his thumb coming to circle her sensitive nub. That was all it took to throw her into another orgasm. Her world shattered; vision wavered. She let go of his shoulder in order to scream out his name. When she let go, he sank his fangs in deeper as his cock swelled inside her. With one last forceful thrust he spilled inside her. The pulse of his cock taking her near the edge again.
Riley looked again at the damage done to Jerrod’s shoulder and whimpered. It was bad, so she unhooked her legs and lowered them to the ground even though she was still trembling, and they felt weak and un-supporting. Jerrod had a tight hold of her hip, his newly budding claw's digging in deep. Even that paled in comparison to what she did.
“I’m so sorry Jerrod. I don’t know what came over me.” She lifted a finger gently wiping away some of the blood that still trickled down his chest. He laid his forehead against hers, his breaths coming in short gasps, and he was completely closed off to her.
“It will heal in a bit. It’s fine.” His voice was husky and deep, and the sound of it rolled over Riley making her shiver with desire.
“This is a mating mark Jerrod. It’s going to scar, bad.” She looked again at the long shredded flesh. The skin was begging to knit back together, but the jagged edge of the wound wasn’t allowing for a quick and even heal.
“I said it will be fine Riley. Let it go.” His electric blue eyes opened and stared down at her. She tried hard to read into the emotion that she saw there. The dark-blue depths swirled with lust and desire, but there was also a hint of something she couldn’t put her finger on. Was it anger or worse, disgust?
“I think I should go take a shower now.” She said prying on the claws that still trapped her.
“I didn’t say I was finished with you yet.” He growled out next to her ear. One minute she was facing him, hot desire boiling in her veins, the next her face was pressed firmly against the wall. His lips pressed lightly to the nape of her neck, making way for the warm wet lap of his tongue. He grazed and nipped at her flesh with his sharp canines, never once breaking the skin. It sent her spiraling back into the heat she thought had been quenched. She moaned and arched her spine, rubbing her ass against his hard, slick erection.
A low rumbling growl vibrated in his chest, it went through her and stoked her fire hotter. Done with her wanton teasing, he clamped his jaws around her neck and pushed into her. She gasped again as he entered her swollen heat. She laid her palms flat out against the wall trying to ground herself. The pleasure was so intense she felt as if she would fall at any moment, her legs unable to hold her upright. His arm came round her waist as if he could hear her thoughts and snaked between her breasts. He teased a nipple with the pad of his thumb, taking his time, with slow measured thrusts.
“Do you know how long I’ve wanted you Riley? Since the minute I laid eyes on you.” He nuzzled his bite as he spoke to her. His warm tongue lapped at the wound. She didn’t respond. She couldn’t. Her breath was coming in short gasping pants. She could barely take in enough oxygen, let alone speak. The slower he went pulling back and sliding down to the hilt, the more intense the pleasure became.
“This time when you cum for me Riley, I want you to scream my name. I want to hear it on your lips as I wring the pleasure from your tight little body.” He nipped at her ear to punctuate his words. When she didn’t answer, he tangled his hand in her blond locks pulling her head back. He didn’t pull hard. He didn’t have to. She was boneless, the feel of him sliding in and out, his thumb continuing to tease one nipple and then the other. She looked at him, her head resting against his torn shoulder.
“Tell me Riley, will you scream my name?” The look in his eyes nearly undid her. They were so haunted and sad, but it was mixed with an unbridled passion she hadn’t seen before in any other lover.
“Yes.” She gasped out. His thrusts became hard and demanding the minute the word was uttered from her lips. Her feet left the floor as he pulled her up to his body holding her in place so he could drive into her ever harder. She broke. The tidal wave of pleasure slammed into her, and she did scream his name. Repeatedly, as she was swallowed by the ever cresting waves of bliss. Her pussy spasmed around his thick length, milking him, and bringing them over the edge together.
They stayed just as they were for a while both trying to catch their breath. Finally, he withdrew his still hard cock from inside her, eliciting a soft moan from her lips. He let her slide down his body, but kept her pressed against him as if he were afraid to let her go. She turned in his embrace to face him.
“Jerrod, I need to shower.” It was the farthest thing from her mind really, but she needed to get away from the awkward feelings. Her chest hurt in an odd way, and she felt slightly embarrassed that their first mating was standing up in one of her uncle’s bunkers. When she practically climbed onto him, it was exactly what she wanted, a release, to be eased from the fire that burned her. Now she wished it had been different somehow. Gods help her. She wished it had been more romantic. At least in a bed.
“Yeah you should go do that.” He said, his arms loosening ever so slightly. She glanced at his shoulder again. It was almost completely healed, the jagged edges leaving a horrid, raised, pink scar behind.
“Yeah I should.” She gently extracted herself from his grasp. Her legs were still weak, but she managed to find her way to the bathroom without falling. The small suite and connecting bathroom belonged to Talia and Bruce. The overly sweet scent of Talia’s peach soap and fruity hair products tickled her nose. Man, she hated the scented stuff. She was more of a non- perfume get the job done kind of girl. The wolves raised in the city were used to the constant barrage of smells; she still hated it. Even though she’d been out of the mountains for two years.
The automatic lighting came on, illuminating the stark white on white bathroom. A small pedestal sink, a toilet, and shower/tub combo were all put in for efficiency. No luxury here. Thread bare towels hung off of a small towel rack and equally ratty wash clothes were stacked on the back of the toilet. She strode to the shower and turned on the water, praying that there was enough rations to get in at least a few minutes under hot water. She let out a relieved breath when she stuck her hand in the stream and was greeted with warmth.
She got in and drew the plastic curtain, shielding her from the rest of the room. The clean water was heavenly as it sluiced down her body washing off the remnants of the struggle to get to London. As the blood and dirt swirled down the drain, she grabbed the perfumed soap and washed away the remnants of sex as well. Not bothering with shampoo, she simply scrubbed her head with the same bar she’d used on her body.
She was totally detached and focused on her ministrations. The sound of footsteps never caught her attention. The plastic shower curtain sliding back, however, did. Riley gasped and covered her breasts with her arms only to let out a relieved sigh. Jerrod stood outside the tub, his eyes devouring every naked inch of her. For a moment, she thought he came back for more.
“I’ve been instructed to tell you that your presence is requested immediately. Talia laid out some clothes for you to wear on the bed.” His voice was completely monotone, even as dark hungry shadows passed over his gaze.
“Uh okay. I’m done in here anyway.” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye while she reached down and shut off the water. She still couldn’t breach the mental shield he put up, and was frankly amazed that he constructed one so well in such a short time.
Jerrod handed her a thin towel and moved aside so she could get out. His movements were precise. Everything he did was efficient, and served to keep the skin to skin contact to a minimum. She felt a pang of hurt travel through her chest, and her wolf was equally annoyed. Oh shut up you stupid bitch. This is your fault. One of these days I’m going to learn to bury you so deep you’ll never come out again. The wolf rattled her cage but Riley put an extra barrier between their minds. The scar lingering on Jerrod’s shoulder was enough for her to keep the wolf contained.
As soon as the towel wrapped around her Jerrod left the room without another word. She sighed heavily and followed him out. He was gone. The sadness rang deep, but she sucked it up. She made her way to the bed and found that at least Talia was considerate enough to leave out jeans and a t-shirt. There was absolutely no way she would have put on one of those frilly dresses Talia loved so much.
She dressed quickly, leaving her feet bare and then went to join the rest of the rebels in the main room. The majority of them were gone. Only a handful remained, tending the kitchen and rifling through maps. Her uncle met her eyes as soon as she entered the room. What she saw in them sent a chill running up her spine. She wasn’t sure if the intense anger was because she and Jerrod mated, or because he saw what she did to him. She would find out soon enough.
“Riley, we need to talk.” Happy said stalking towards her.
Do we really have to do this in front of everyone uncle? She said everyone, but what she really meant was in front of Jade.
The messenger was standing off to the side of the room talking with a woman slightly taller than Riley with dark black curly hair. She was a little on the heavy side, but it didn’t detract from her natural beauty. Jade’s eyes flicked back and forth from the woman to Riley. Every now and again, Riley could see sparks of light dancing in those green eyes. She guessed it was better than the crimson cover, where her eyes turned blood-red, right before snakes hung from her head like living hair, and her eyes bled.
No we can do this in private if you prefer, but it won’t make it any less binding. Her uncle cut into her thoughts.
“What are you talking about?” She said aloud, afraid of what she already knew. He was going to lock her up again. Just like before. Her eyes sought out her mate, but he was nowhere to be found. That rotten bastard.
“Riley, it’s for your own good, and ours. We can’t be worrying about you while we are trying to save our own skins. You’re just too much the wolf you were raised to be. You can’t control it. It controls you. You’re a danger to yourself and everyone around you. Including your mate.” He talked as he got closer, even though she was taking a step back for every advance he made.
“No I’m not. I’m learning to bury her. I won’t let her out again. Please Uncle.” Her back hit a wall and she knew it was over. As soon as he got his hands on her, she would be locked away for Gods knew how long. Would Jerrod even come to her? Where was he? Wasn’t he angry when he learned about it the first time? He had to know what Happy intended to do.
“That’s just it Riley. You’re not supposed to bury her. You are supposed to work together. In tandem as a whole person. Not separate personalities.” Happy’s face mirrored the hurt he was feeling. He honestly believed this was for the best and had no other choice. Bullshit. Before he could take another step closer she bolted. He was completely taken off guard. The last time she submitted peacefully. Not this time. This time she was pissed. At herself, at her uncle, and at her damned mate.
Every ounce of rage she had, she put into her feet and she hit the door running. She could hear her uncle shouting behind her as the door slammed closed. His words were unclear but she could tell he was pissed. Her bare feet slapped against the concrete floor of the garage as she made her way the metal door. Managing to wedge her fingers along the bottom of the sliding door, she lifted.
It rolled up with enough force the roof shook. The door behind her opened. Happy, Jade, and the woman she was talking to came into the garage. They all wore determined looks on their faces, but it turned to blatant shock as Riley sped out into the street. She could feel her uncle pushing at her brain, trying to use his mental connection to the wolf to make her stop. She threw up more barriers and kept running into the coming dawn.
She didn’t know how far she’d run, ignoring the bite of random rocks beneath her feet. It wasn’t much; she could still feel the pressure of her uncle’s onslaught. A sudden shift in the air, made her stop dead in her tracks. A blow from the side caught her off guard, toppling her to the ground. She looked up to meet the face of her attacker and screamed.