Mandy ran past the river and kept going. She would live as wolf, forget the rest of the world, and just survive - her broken heart would never heal. There was nowhere for her to go, no one who understood her needs. She didn't want to live with the Northwest pack any longer. Seeing her sister so happy would drive her insane. She knew she was selfish, but she didn't care.Eventually her pace slowed. The moon was high in the sky, and exhaustion overwhelmed her. She finally came to a fallen tree and slithered between the branches. She pulled her tail around her body and curled into the tightest ball she could manage. Sleep finally descended over her worn-out mind.She awoke several hours later. The moon was lower and daylight would soon be streaking over the mountain. She continued to feel incredibly tired, but forced herself to run again. The trees cleared slightly and a rocky area gave way to large boulders. Her nimble frame managed the incline. Right before she made a leap to a rock a
The cat had beaten her face almost beyond recognition. Honey checked her over closely and discovered her damaged ankle and possibly a broken arm. He didn't even consider not calling his liege."I need you, Dmitri."The vampire appeared at his side, quickly taking in the bloody corpses. He then turned his attention to Mandy. After a low whistle he said, "Her sister and brother-in-law will kill you.""And you think I haven't considered that? They can get in line - my father will most likely kill me first." He tried to tamp down on his anger. Dmitri had a hair trigger and Mandy needed his help.Dmitri, deathly still, as only a vampire could be, ground out, "No matter the proof, I didn't believe you kidnapped her. How could you be so stupid?""Well thank you, my liege. Unfortunately, your trust was well deserved because this vexatious she-wolf kidnapped me."Silence met this pronouncement and Honey looked up at the vampire standing above him with the first rays of sunlight coming ove
Somewhere between fury and heart-wrenching sorrow, her wolf took over. Her mate's taste traveled through her body, making her blood boil. Every nerve ending tingled with the feel of his warm lips against hers. She wanted to draw blood, taste his essence, and mingle it with hers. The kiss continued and she thrilled over his tongue, lips, and teeth devouring her mouth - taking what she freely gave.He pulled away and gazed meltingly at her.She had trouble controlling her breathing. "Why did you do that?"His gasps for air were as ragged as hers. "We need to talk." His eyes surprisingly shifted away."You kissed me so we could talk?" She felt the heat in her blood changing from desire to irritation, and she studies him as her breathing slowed. His back was ramrod straight, muscles flexed and ready for battle. Reaching up, she ran her fingers gently over the hot, bare skin on his arm. Looking down the lines of his body, she noticed his arousal. Closing her eyes, she silently said a sh
So, had he. Honey moved with blinding speed and once more Mandy was beneath him. The liquid blue of her eyes sparkled with desire. He took her breasts in his palms and passed his thumbs over her nipples. He smiled at the small gasp that escaped her lips.He'd known since first meeting her in the hotel room that she was his mate. Korep had noticed it, too, and teased Honey non-stop after they left. The only chance he had for sanity was to stay away from her until she came of age. He'd known the next two years, while waiting for her to mature, would be nearly impossible. He'd never known a bear to mate-claim a wolf; it would need to be done with finesse and diplomacy. If that didn't work, he would steal her away when she was old enough.Although his resolve was barely kept in check - he somehow managed to hold himself together. At least until Korep died. Through his grief, he focused on Mandy and his overwhelming urge to have her near. He traveled to the Northwest pack's land and hung
He sat at the table watching her dance around the kitchen. She'd promised another meal fit for a king because he didn't eat any of the last one she cooked. Her twirling body came his way several times and she kissed him, completely uninhibited as she moved to an unheard melody inside her head. Her hips wiggled and swayed, making the room much hotter than it actually was.They needed to talk, but he hated to interrupt her performance, and his stomach growled with growing hunger."I heard that." She laughed from across the room."I need to build my strength." He couldn't stop the goofy grin he knew was plastered on his face."Yes, you do. We have a baby to make." She winked and he had to control the urge to pick her up and take her back to bed."So your devious plan rests on us producing a child?"She replied with a touch of seriousness, "It's all I can think of to keep you alive.""You have little faith in my ability to protect myself," he scoffed.She walked over and kneeled be
Honey walked outside, looking his father in the eyes the entire time. Other bears gathered in the clearing surrounding his home, and he heard their faint murmurs. From the corner of his eye, he saw his mother.He stopped five feet from The Kodiak. "My alpha." It was difficult to keep his gaze up, but he managed. He didn't see his father move, just felt the blow to the side of his head as his feet left the ground. He landed several feet away. This would be bad."Stand up." The Kodiak's anger rolled off him in powerful waves.Honey slowly gained his feet, but then went airborne again. Through his now foggy brain, he heard a scream and then a wolf flew through the air and attacked his father. He should have tied her to the damn bed.Frenzied growls came from her throat as her teeth tried to latch onto The Kodiak's neck. Mandy was seriously trying to kill her alpha. Honey tried not to laugh as his father struggled to get her off and not hurt her. When the alpha began growling with his
The vampire's laughter faded and Honey put his arms out. Mandy flung herself into his embrace. With the swelling around his eyes decreasing, he gave a nod to the center of the bed. "Would you like to join me?" He guaranteed his success by placing small kisses along her throat."Do you think I'm fertile now?"Honey tossed her on the bed and moved up between her legs. His nose traveled to the juncture of her thighs and he inhaled. Peering up, he smiled. "I don't believe so, but I could use some more practice."Instead of laughing, her expression became serious. "Do I embarrass you?"He thought for a moment, wondering how to answer. His tone lowered a notch, "I'm really so perfect that your question doesn't justify an answer." One corner of his lips tilted into a lopsided grin. "Of course, I was only talking about my physique. My mental stability is in woeful need of TLS and then I'll give you a final answer."She couldn't stop her giggles. "I've read the word 'woeful' in my historic
Very slowly, Honey rose from the table, standing more than a foot taller than her. She tilted her head back in order to keep eye contact, and noticed a tick in his left eye."You will do as you're told. I can and will tie you to the bed each day when I leave for work. Due to your hair-brained idea of kidnapping me, I'm stuck here. You will cook and clean, but only if I don't need you in the bedroom for mating practice." He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her against his hard chest. "We will not have this discussion again." His mouth came down on hers.Mandy was stunned, and because her brain was working overtime, she allowed the kiss and didn't knee his balls into his stomach. She would show him what it meant to have a wolf for a mate. And, in the meantime, she'd let him continue kissing her, but only because it felt so wonderful.He helped her clean up the kitchen without her asking, which proved he wasn't as callous as he wanted her to believe. They walked hand in hand while he s
VedaWe hear the music before the lights come into view. The party is outside on the large patio at Dmitri's house. Nikka decorated with white sparkling lights and paper lanterns. The music is unknown to me, which isn't a surprise. Technology is not my friend and I prefer the peace of the forest.Dmitri's voice echoes over the music. "Welcome, Veda, Witch from the line of Josephine, mate to Tyboll, and new member of the bear clan."The music shuts off suddenly and I can do nothing but return the formal greeting. "Thank you, Black Demon Bringer of Death, mate of Nikka, Liege to the bear clan."A restless mumble from the bears fills the night. Have I said something wrong? Tyboll's hand tightens on mine. Nikka appears slightly shocked before she steps forward and wraps me in her arms. "What have I done," I ask her silently."You're fine. He just hasn't used his full title in centuries," she replies into my mindI turn to Dmitri, who looks at his mate with a soft smile. "I am sorry,
TybollShe shows me her circle of herbs - explains about upsetting the balance and using all the Goddess's gifts wisely. I listen. Part of me is terrified and the other in awe. To live separately from everyone to hide your secrets takes great sacrifice.She understands my need to examine what I've learned. She heads to the cabin to cook while I go running as bear. She holds no fear that I will give away her secrets. We are mates. Her secrets are mine.I close my mind from Dmitri as I think about all Veda has told me. I shouldn't have been surprised when the largest bear of our clan blocks my path a few miles from my cabin. The Kodiak, alpha to the greatest clan, stands in front of me. He is also my brother by blood and like most brothers, we have our differences. This situation will be no different."Tyboll," his snarly voice rings through my head."Alpha," I reply pleasantly."You don't fool me. You are mated to the witch. Did it occur to you that I should be informed of this?"
VedaTyboll's new rule works. Less talking and more sex. This is one demand I am incapable of dismissing. We are stretched out on the bed with me lying on top of him. His fingers run up and down my back while he breathes into the hair against my neck. Where he bit me is sore, but I wouldn't dream of complaining. It feels right. Being in my mate's arms is right. I whisper a silent thank you to the Goddess.Tyboll answers. "You're welcome."I roll my eyes, but don't bother correcting him. I'm actually thankful to him, too."Come on, woman, we're taking a bath." He lifts me as he stands. I'm cradled in his arms and feel incredibly safe. And loved.Does he love me? I'm careful to keep this thought from drifting into his mind. Nikka told me how to do it. I just need to practice. He doesn't respond, so I must have been successful. Tyboll lowers my feet to the floor when we're in the bathroom. I watch as he leans over and turns on the water. His back and thighs are muscular and sexy. His
Tyboll"I've listened to you shout for an hour now. Calm yourself, bear."I hear the end of patience in Dmitri's voice. I take several deep breaths and try to do as my liege says. It isn't easy. I keep thinking of meat. Each time I do, I feel nauseated and my anger rekindles. To never eat meat again is not going to happen. I've run out of things to say anyway and throw myself onto the large couch in Dmitri's front room."I knew this happened last night. Your blood smells even better than bear. You now have witch blood running through your veins." He holds up his hand. "Do not blame me for my silence. You were in no condition to have this conversation. I also needed a night to think on what needs to be done."My stomach twists painfully. "You cannot reverse it is what you're saying?""No, I cannot. I'm not sure if you will actually want it reversed once you know your capabilities." He continues before I can object. "The difference between you and your mate is that I trust you."I
VedaThat did not go well. I didn't think it would, but I held onto a small amount of hope. I know eventually he will come to his senses. Right now, though, I am left in need. Staring at his bare chest and wanting to run my nails over his muscled flesh almost made me beg. The man might be stubborn, but he is gorgeous.As a mated pair, I know at this point we should be having so much sex that we are both sore. I've made plenty of tinctures to alleviate the soreness so mates can continue without a break.A lot of good the knowledge on how to make such a tincture is now. If I'm not running from Tyboll, the stupid man is running from me. It's strange because after the thought of Tyboll becoming a witch settled, I wanted to celebrate. I am not alone. I can share the sacred knowledge with another. I do not need a child. I will no longer be alone with the great texts.Tyboll might not like it, but the gift bestowed by the Goddess can only be undone by her. No vampire can help him. I decid
TybollI wake from what feels like a winter hibernation. I'm starving and the rumble in my stomach only enhances my need for food. Something smells wonderful. I'm naked in my bed and vaguely recall my illness the night before. I remember Dmitri coming to the rescue. I also remember my thoughts that Veda poisoned me again. Unlikely, because I ate nothing before going to Mandy's. She is a witch, though, and there's no telling what they're capable of.My nose leads me to the kitchen. Veda stirs a large pot on the stove. I peer over her shoulder to see what has such an amazing smell. Without looking at me she speaks, "Clothes or I will not feed you, bear.""Humph." I wrap my arms around her and run my nose down the side of her face and stop at her neck. "I could eat you, woman, and I'd start right here." She stops stirring the pot. I can smell her arousal. I bite down gently on the skin holding my attention. "How did you know I'm not dressed?" I breathe against the mark I've just left.
VedaStupid hare-brained bear, I mutter as I look the other way, pick up the slab of nearly raw meat, and toss it out of the cabin. Serving cooked meat was the hardest thing to do while I worked at the diner. The only blessing was that Becky didn't prepare the blood-dripping horror I just got rid of. I look through the kitchen and there are no vegetables. I settle on bread and cheese, though I'm no longer hungry. I just know I need to eat."You stay here or when I find you I'll lock you up," were the last words Tyboll yelled before he left.I thought about challenging his dictate, but right now I am too tired. I finish my meal and walk outside in the opposite direction from the barely cooked meat. My hope is that a wild animal will take it away in the night. This is what I did with all the meat given to me over the years by the bear clan as payment. My mother accepted their offering and then gave it to the wildlife, so I did the same. Maybe I should have said something, but politene
TybollThe feelings running through me are impossible to comprehend. It took hours to drive to Dmitri's club and another hour to track Veda's scent and find the diner. The closer I came, the more insistent an inner... well... buzz intensified. When our eyes finally met, I felt as if a mountain had crumbled over me. I fought collapsing at her feet. I knew it was her witch's power and wondered if she cast a spell that made it difficult for me to come close to her.I continued thinking this until her lips met mine. Now we're on the floor and she's wrapped in my arms. Words that turn me into an utter pussy slip from my mouth and I don't care. If it bothers her so much that she leaves me, I won't call her woman. Though, she is. A beautiful woman."I can hear your thoughts," she sighs against my neck. "Maybe the word woman is not so bad." She lifts up slightly and stares at me. "I've never done this, Tyboll. I've had very little interaction with anyone. I never thought to have a mate. You
VedaWhy is the pull to a mate so strong? I pour over the great texts expecting the answer it usually offers. Nothing. I've read sections about mating, but they don't offer a solution to the problem.Mating is a bond that only death can sever. A witch's power is not stronger than the bond and a witch shall not interfere with a mated pair.Blah, blah, blah. My mother told me not to mess with a mated pair. I understand this. But now I'm part of a mated pair. I need answers about a witch mating and there is nothing.A witch will take a human male into her body. A female child will form from this union. You will know the time to search out your human. Do not call the power of your beast when in the human's arms. Control your beast or bear the consequences.It's too late for that. Tyboll and I allowed our bears to rise when we mated. Now I feel Tyboll pulling my power from me. Can he feel it? He must. The texts are written for a human and witch. Not a beastkind and witch. I fli