Muddy
“Muddy, you fucking idiot,” Rover curses the moment we return to the present. “How the hell could you give something like that up, without discussing things with me?”
“Did it work?” someone asks, but Rover’s gaze is on me.
Growling under his breath, he walks up to me, fists clenching, and I catch them. Panting, he glares at me, demanding questions I have answers to. “It was worth it, Rover. Don’t you understand? I don’t need immortality. I only need one more lifetime with you.”
Rover brings me close, and I hear my brother swearing under his breath, realizing what I have done. Among animal groups, dragons are rare. Like vampires, we can only die by accident or choice. I chose the latter.
“Fuck,” Rover hisses. “Muddy, I hope you don’t regret your decision.”
I lift his hands in mine, kissing his scarred knuckles. “Never. Rover, I’ve already lived through plenty of lives. This is one I will never come to regret.”
He lets out a shaky breath, and pulls me to a kiss. It’s different this time, full of heat, promise and new beginnings. “We’ll make every moment count then,” he says after pulling away from my lips. “Every single one.”
“I’d like that,” I whisper. We part and walk up to Lavinia to give our thanks.
“My ancestor demanded a heavy toll,” she murmurs. Then gives us a tired smile, “but it was worth it, I take it?”
I take her hands in mine and give her a kiss on both cheeks. “Very much.”
To Rover, she says, “Take care of this one. He might appear calm and collected most days, but he’s pretty reckless.”
Rover returns her smile. “I know.”
“I’ll take both the ladies home,” Trig offers, and I give him my thanks. The three of them walk back, leaving me to my brother and his mate. I expect Drakon to give me a blistering lecture, but he only lets out a tired sigh.
“Let’s go, baby,” Lorenzo tugs him gently. “Muddy and Rover have plenty of things to talk about.”
Drakon gives me a curt nod. We do have plenty to talk about, but we can reserve that for another day. Later, I hear the spread of wings and see Drakon’s silver form disappearing into the sky, with Lorenzo on his back.
“Muddy, let’s go home,” Rover says against my ear.
“To the mountain?” I ask, but he shakes his head.
“I’m your home now. You’re mine and I’m yours, until our hearts give out.”
I smile at that. I imagine Rover and me growing old together. A home and maybe some pups to fuss on. I draw out a sharp breath, realizing endless possibilities.
“You look like you just realized life is worth living,” Rover remarks, pulling me close to his shoulder.
I nuzzle his neck, breathing in his familiar scent. I see each one of his reincarnations, each one struggling to understand their attraction to me, but never fully comprehending the full picture. None of them possessed the steel and guts Rover has, but I can’t discount them.
I love them all, but I think I love Rover the most—for giving me the courage to believe, to free myself from the chains the past clamped onto me. Without Rover, I will remain lost. Broken. In time, I might end up like the bitter ghosts of the witch and her wolves.
If Rover didn’t insist on seeing this to the finish, will I remain in the same state of limbo, losing and loving, only to lose again?
I see the tree on the mountaintop in my head. I imagine the bones of the witch’s wolves lying under the earth. I see Rover and me flying to that sacred place. The first and last time I will ever bring him there, because I have no reason to return.
“Rover, I want to dig up their bones. Join them with Brandon’s. I think the witch will like that. Peace, if not reconciliation, is a good end to the story, isn’t it?”
Rover pulls me to a hug, the strength in his arms comforting. “Damn fucking right, baby. But ours is just beginning.”
* * * *
Two Months Later
Muddy
“Your mate is here to pick you up it seems,” Lavinia remarks with a smile behind the shop counter.
I finish re-stocking the metallic gold yarn, and stand. It’s been an odd few weeks for me, a kind of upheaval in a way, but the good sort. After centuries, I move out of the mountain home and take up a job at Lavinia’s shop. Good to keep my hands busy, Rover says, and he’s right. We do weekly visits to Drakon and Loren of course. Loren insists on it, and I like hearing how the two of them are doing.
I don’t need to look to the door of the knit shop to know Rover’s standing there, familiar grin on his face. I walk up to Rover, about to turn the ‘closed’ sign over, but the bell twinkles. Rover’s good friend, Trig, streams in, breathing hard, and his eyes lock on me in my work apron.
“I need,” Trig pants, and holds up a hastily-scribbled list.
“No you don’t. My mate’s off work now,” Rover says, wagging a threatening finger at Trig.
“I need these now. I’m knitting a new sweater for Princess,” Trig explains.
“Your Corgi doesn’t need a new one. The spoiled thing has more clothes than me,” Rover says.
I pluck the list, frowning, and don’t miss the way Trig sticks out a tongue at him. Within a few minutes, I get all of the yarns on Trig’s list, and hang up my apron.
“Muddy,” Rover says with a snarl. “You made me wait.”
“Don’t be impatient,” I point out, grabbing my coat, but he pulls me close. All my annoyance melts away and so does his. I recognize the mischievous glint in his eyes.
“I have a surprise for you, baby,” he says, closing a possessive hand on the back of my neck and nudging me out.
“Go on dears, have fun,” Lavinia calls.
“A good surprise?” I ask, and Rover lets out a sexy little laugh.
“Very good, I hope.”
Excitement thrums in my veins as I get in Rover’s car and put my seat belt on. I frown, reaching out for the piece of red silk on the dashboard.
“Wear it,” Rover says, voice firm.
Recognizing his tone, I put the blind fold on, not liking the darkness. Rover hits the accelerator, and talks about his day. Occasionally, he reaches out to rub at my thigh or touch my cheeks. Cute little protective gestures I can’t seem to live without. The anticipation builds and time seems to stretch on.
“No hints?” I ask, feeling him pat my hand.
“Patience, dragon,” he chides. The car thankfully comes to a stop. “Don’t take it off unless I tell you to,” Rover warns when I reach for the blindfold.
Conceding, I sense Rover opening the door for me a second later. Trusting my other senses and his hand on my arm, I follow him, stumbling occasionally, but I know Rover won’t let me fall. I sniff, and my nose catches unfamiliar scents. Usually we eat dinner or order take-out in Rover’s, and now my, apartment. This new place smells of pine, and distinctively of other people, but they seem far away. Rover stops and I nearly bump into his back.
He holds my shoulders, and then presses something small and cold into my hand. Metal. Rover rips the blindfold away, and I blink, taking a few seconds to adjust my vision. I look down to see a key in my hand. Frowning, I look at Rover’s expectant face, and then to what lies behind him. A single-storey house with a modern flair, but I can see no fences leading to the backyard. Perfect for shifters raising a family—and I connect the dots slowly.
Griping the key in my hand, I stare at the red front door, knowing it is a perfect fit.
“No,” I whisper, overwhelmed and at a loss for words.
“Yes,” Rover says, lifting my fist and kissing my hand. “Come see our new home, baby.”
Feeling like I’m in a dream, I follow after Rover. Right after we broke the curse, we dug up the bones of the wolves and the witch with the help of some of Rover’s pack members. They rest now, beside Brandon’s bones, up a mountain that’s no longer lonely. Perhaps we’ll pay them a visit from time to time and tell them about our lives as it unfolds.
Over the weeks, we started talking about adoption, and settled for a surrogate instead. We decided we want to leave behind our legacy, and the thought of caring for pups with Rover’s face makes me smile. I’d like a girl I think, and a boy. Rover wants four. I tell him we need to start with one first.
“It’s perfect,” I whisper. Past the front door, Rover flicks on the lights. The house comes with the basics, but I imagine filling the space with our personal effects and our memories.
“You like?” Rover asks anxiously. “I know you wanted to talk about it further, but—”
I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him in for a kiss. Like the way I can’t resist him, Rover can’t say no to the press of my lips. His solid muscles feel right and perfect against my lean frame. My cock wakes, thickening with need, and I can feel the ridge of his erection pressing against his jeans.
“I think it’s time we christen our new place and celebrate,” Rover says, nibbling at my ear.
“You want to fuck me in the corridor?” I ask, remembering the first time we made hasty love in the cave.
“I want to fuck you everywhere,” Rover says, shoving me against the front door. “Here is good, for now.”
He pries my jacket and top away. My jeans, boxers and shoes follow. Rover lets me do the same and I lick my lips at each layer I peel off him, revealing hard and yummy muscles.
“All mine,” I say.
“Fucking damn right,” Rover agrees. Before resuming, he reaches for the lube in the pocket of his jeans.
“Always ready, I see,” I remark, making Rover laugh. He nears me again and our bodies touch, skin-on-skin and I can’t have enough of the sensation, of his body rubbing against mine. Dropping to my knees, I feel his heated gaze on my figure. His hands in my hair, bringing me close. I blow against his shaft, liking the sound of his groan.
“Prep me, baby, but just enough. I want to finish in you,” he says.
I lick away the pre-cum on his glistening tip. He tugs at my hair, nudging his dick between my lips and I take him in. Smooth, without gagging, because this is one task I relish. Sucking every inch, his tip hits the back of my throat. I pull my mouth from his prick, come up for air, and repeat the motion.
“Fuck, love. Your mouth feels so damn good,” he hisses.
Another tug on my hair, and I surrender my control. He fucks my mouth a few times, before pulling out, groaning. Offering a hand to me, he hauls me to my feet. To my surprise, Rover drops to his knees, returning the favor. His strong hands keep my thighs apart. His mouth is a warm vortex of heat, sucking me in.
“Rover, please,” I utter shamelessly, not caring it was too early to beg.
Keeping his gaze on me the whole time, Rover bobs his head up and down, and my dick thickens under his expert care. Knowing I’m about to burst, Rover stands, but his fingers curl over my cock.
“Please.”
“You have my permission to come, baby,” he says hoarsely. With a cry, I splinter and unload strings of cum over his belly. His pupils gleam with hunger, making me shiver. Recovering from my orgasm, I look at him from lowered lashes.
“I need to be in you,” he says, coming close.
I secure my hands behind his neck, and he lifts my legs with ease. Wrapping my legs around his waist, I become aware of his steel-hard dick pressing up against my belly. Rover takes the lube and applies a generous amount on his fingers and down my crack. He slides one finger in and curls, reaching my sweet spot and making me gasp.
“Don’t tease,” I murmur, closing my eyes as he slides a second digit and prepares me for his access.
Rover nudges his cock head into my waiting hole, and I sigh. Pushing his way in, Rover sheathes himself all the way to the hilt. My eyes fly open, and my breaths start coming in quick at the sweet burn of his entry. I become aware of Rover’s member, stretching me, reminding me who this body, heart and soul belongs to. Irrevocably his. No one else’s. The thought makes me smile.
Rover nuzzles my neck, mouth closing over the mating mark he placed there weeks ago. “Do I feel good in you, baby?”
“Perfect,” I manage.
Rover doesn’t say anything else. He finally begins to move, thrusts slow at first, before gaining speed. Hammering into me, Rover tightens his grip over my thighs, reducing both of us to panting animals. The force of his thrusts practically makes the door behind me vibrate, but I don’t give a damn if the whole neighborhood hears us.
“Fuck,” he hisses, changing angle. He drives into me, hitting my sweet spot. Gasping, I dig my fingers into his shoulders. Rover pistons into the same spot over and over, driving me to the edge. I work my hips, rubbing my needy and hard prick against his firm abs.
“Again, baby. Come for me again,” he commands, and I do. Screaming out his name, I score his back, but the pain only urges him on. He sends my mind flying thirty-thousand feet into the air. Ramming into my slick hole several more times, Rover’s climax follows. Growling, he empties his load into my waiting ass. Placing me back on my feet, Rover leans against me, and I comb my fingers through his sweat-soaked hair.
“Fuck,” he says again, and I understand him completely.
“I feel the exact same way.”
Rover looks at me. “I fucking love you so much, baby.”
“I love you, through many lifetimes, but it never fades, only grows stronger with each passing day.”
We stay like that for a while, and I reach out to stroke the powerful muscles of Rover’s back. Looking past his broad shoulders, I see an empty house, full of potential. I don’t need to posses the ability to see the future. I see our children, in Rover’s face and mine. I can almost hear the patter of their tiny feet as Rover and I chase after them. Pups are rowdy, I understand, but dragonlings are even worse. Fireproofing the house is a definite must. This is something I never dreamt of having—a home, a caring mate, and noisy offspring, because being cursed doesn’t allow me that option.
Some days, Rover asks me if it was worth it, giving up my immortal life. I give him the same answer each time. That eternal life is useless, without a soulmate to share it with. Mortality is a gift, because we mortals live each day to the fullest, knowing someday it can all be taken away. That’s still far off though.
“What are you thinking about?” Rover asks.
“The future.”
“Tell me,” Rover says against my ear. “Is it all you imagine it to be, baby?”
“No.” He frowns, but I’m not done. “It’s even better.”
“Let’s clean up in the shower.” He parts from me and holds out a hand. The smile he wears is Brandon’s smile, the same one his reincarnations wear, one of contentment. “Come on, love. You haven’t seen the rest of the house yet.”
The End
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FEL FERN BIO:
Felicia Fern loves reading and writing erotic romances. A sadist who loves watching her heroes and heroines break their backs trying to earn their happy endings, Fel likes throwing in the occasional dash of the unknown to the usual romantic concoction.
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If you enjoyed ROLLING IN THE MUD, you might also enjoy:
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TO TAKE A DRAGON KING
BUY AT: ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS
You know me. I’m Lorenzo, everyone’s least favorite person, and the villain in every piece. But even bad guys have feelings. My former lover shunned me. My current pack wants me gone. Things can’t get any worse...except that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
A huge silver dragon shifter swoops into town—I’m not kidding. For some reason it’s out for my blood and it seems confused about eating me or mating me.
Then, the little evil light bulb flickers inside my head. If I take care of this little dragon problem, I’ll be upgraded from bad guy to hero. I might even make the alpha of the Puppyville Pack swoon over me. But to do that, I must learn how to take Drakon, the dragon king.
Excerpt:
“You are mine to claim, little wolf,” Drakon rumbles, letting me feel his erection pressing against my belly.
With Drakon, there’s no pretension. He knows how I’m rock-hard for him. How my body is under his spell and control without question the moment he touches me or whispers rough, crude poetry in my ear.
“Prove it. Take me. Mount me. Mate me.”
Drakon bites down on my earlobe. “Demanding little wolf.”
“If I’m a shy, inexperienced virgin with no verbal comebacks, you’d lose interest after you’re done with me.”
Drakon growls, “Not true.”
“Stop talking and fuck me.”
“You are too crude and direct for your own good, little human. You will regret rushing me.”
“Then go ahead and punish your bad little wolf, dragon king,” I purr. Drakon grinds his body against mine, making me breathless with need.
“Now you’ve asked for it, pup,” Drakon says. The intense and hungry glint in his eyes makes me shiver—not in fear, but in anticipation.
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PUPPY LOVE
BUY AT: ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS
Wanting my best friend shouldn’t be this hard...
Paul and I had weathered through a thousand storms together. Our rough childhoods, coming to terms with our sexuality, and getting used to being a werewolf. But there’s one thing we refuse to acknowledge—the undeniable spark between us, growing hotter with each passing year.
Everyone says it’s not going to work. Paul’s a manwhore. A werewolf with no interest in being tied down by a mate. He never takes any man seriously...until he started dating me, because I’m about to turn the fire between us into an inferno.
Excerpt:
“Enough senseless chit-chat. Why don’t you come get me, big guy? Put that massive cock of yours to good use, because from my view here, you’re bursting at the seams.”
“Crude,” Trig mutters. He finally gives me the strip show I’ve been waiting for. Peeling off his shirt, Trig flashes me the firm planes of his impressive broad chest. The brickwork of his six-pack abs. Those arms, bulging triceps and biceps I can’t wait to feel holding me down.
I lick my lips. “Yum yum. Now, pants off.”
Trig ignores me and walks to my closet. He shows me one of my belts, and I grin.
“Ooh. I didn’t know you had a kinky side, Trig.”
“I’m the one dictating the commands tonight, pup.”
Shit. His deep and authoritative voice makes me shiver in anticipation. I like this new Trig a lot, in control and confident. Heck, every little action he’s done so far is a new kind of high, and I’m pretty sure he won’t disappoint.
My poor sweet suffering Trig...from now onwards, I swear to be the kind of mate he deserves.
“Wrists,” Trig commands, and I offer him my wrists
Surprisingly, Trig wraps the leather around my wrists snugly, but he makes sure it doesn’t cut my circulation. Nice. It’s clear Trig isn’t new to tying his lovers up. I might know a lot of things about Trig. Secrets and embarrassing stories, but this side, the private bedroom side, we keep to ourselves. I’m about to know Trig on an intimate level, and I sure as hell can’t wait.
Trig takes a step back, taking his time to enjoy the sight of me bound and helpless. Another shudder passes down my spine. Does Trig like what he sees, me splayed open for his access? I certainly do, if my thickening cock is any indication.
A PUPPYVILLE HOLIDAY SPECIAL: TRIG x PAUL
BUY AT: ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS
Everyone says I’m lucky to have my best friend as my mate. Trig’s fierce and loyal, hard on the outside and soft underneath. He’s the guy of my dreams, and my worst nemesis. We know which scars to pick at, wounds to rend open. The holidays are turning out to be the ultimate test of our newfound relationship.
I’m in charge of Christmas dinner, but nothing’s going my way. Trig’s in jail for assaulting old ladies, and our beloved Corgi has fallen sick. Oh, and Trig’s devoted fans are screaming for my blood. What else can go wrong?
Excerpt:
“Can I make it up to you?” I ask, playing nice.
Paul closes the distance between us. He places a hand on my left pectoral, dragging a fingernail down my left nipple, my ribs, abs, then traces the light dusting of hair leading to my shaft. One look and a simple touch from Paul, and I’m starting to become hard. “I have ideas.”
Paul gathers me close, and I nuzzle his neck, breathing in his scent. Everything’s already starting to feel better. I grind my body against Paul, and start exploring every familiar line of his body with my hands. Eventually, I find the hem of his shirt. Impatient, I rip the fabric apart, making him groan. I fumble for the top button of his jeans. In seconds, Paul’s standing nude, his dick rock hard.
Knowing he’s mine, every delicious hard inch of him, it makes me growl. Paul threads fingers into my short hair, and I catch his bottom lip, sucking, biting. I make my way down, leaving heated kisses down the side of his neck. For a moment, my mouth fixates on my mate mark on his neck. I lick and suck, place one gentle kiss, before moving downwards. I go lower, leaving bite marks down the line of Paul’s lean and gorgeous body. Reaching his hard cock, I pull his thighs wide apart.
“Go easy, Trig,” Paul says, voice hoarse, but I can tell he’s lying. Still, I comply, blowing against his glistening tip. He groans, sinking fingers into my hair when I lap at the pre-cum with relish. Using one hand, I apply gentle pressure to his balls, knowing Paul likes that.
“Fuck, baby,” Paul hisses. “I need you in me.”
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