Irina“Yeah, having a black SUV with two buff guys sitting outside the store and my house kind of looks weird. They were just sitting there chasing away customers.” I laughed and I could see a smile on his face. Hunter was taking it a lot better than I expected, which was probably good. My feelings for Hunter were growing stronger, literally, by the second.“Okay, we can talk about it. What would work for you?” I sat back and breathed in his musky scent.“Not having them there at all.” I shrugged. “If you could tell me more about why you want them there, I think it would make it easier to figure something out.” I turned to look at him and sat upright. “I know there are things you are scared of telling me, but …” I sighed deeply and pulled my fingers through my hair. The wind had been blowing all over the place and the sun was slowly setting. I was feeling nervous but relaxed and if we couldn’t talk these things out tonight, it would change everything.“Okay, we have our normal enemies
IrinaIT FELT AS THOUGH every single day took longer and longer to pass by. At night, Hunter would call me and we would talk for over an hour about what he was doing and what I had been up to, but when the call ended, I would feel alone again.My parents felt better about me seeing this mysterious older guy and I was getting the feeling he was actually starting to grow on them a little. All the things they thought were red flags didn’t seem as bad anymore. We just weren’t used to the life of a gazillionaire! The more I spoke to my parents about it over dinner, the easier it became to deal with the entire situation myself.My father finally admitted on the last night before Hunter was due to come back that he felt as though Hunter was being possessive. In his mind, it was just too much, but my mother thought it was sweet that Hunter wanted to protect me. One thing we could all agree about was that I felt safe with Hunter around. I went to bed feeling so excited that he was coming back
IrinaOur kisses grew hungrier and our clothes were just this huge barrier between us. We laughed while trying to get out of them, and I wondered if his room really was sound proof! Feeling his naked skin against mine seconds later distracted me from what might be going on outside. When Hunter pulled away, I felt confused but his wolf eyes were looking at me and it felt as though he had thrown a bucket of ice water out over my head.“Babe, I really want to do this, but if we … If I … If we do this, I won’t be able to ever let you go again.” Hunter got off the bed and pulled on a pair of shorts before handing me one of his shirts. I took a deep breath and gave him the chance to get it all out. “Look,” He sat down on the bed beside me. “If a wolf mates with his mate, he marks her. It’s a small bite mark that goes right there.” His fingers slipped over a spot just above my collar bone.Honestly, thinking of him biting me had my mind racing but the moment he touched me, I just kind of fel
IrinaAfter actually saying it, Hunter went silent and that wasn’t the reaction I was expecting. I was expecting him to either quickly say he understood or to be angry or something. The silence was killing me! We were walking down the beach and it was getting darker by the second. A shiver ran down the back of my spine at the same time as Hunter’s head whipped up.“Get behind me!” He started to growl and out of the shadows came a huge wolf! I tried to remember if it was one of the ones I met before, but it couldn’t be. The stench of death hung in the air, and I didn’t even know what death smelled like! The wolf’s eyes were bright red as it stalked us one step at a time. I could feel Hunter growling and wondered why he hadn’t shifted yet.Four other wolves appeared from behind the strange wolf, and as they lunged, I turned my back. I heard howling and bones cracking and I could just imagine what was happening, but I couldn’t bring myself to look. I felt Hunter’s arms swoop around me an
IrinaHunter froze in place as if trying to calm himself. It was the first time he kissed me where I could feel him hesitating.“I’m sorry,” He leaned his forehead against mine and breathed in deeply. “I didn’t realize it. How?” He was still inside me and I was finding it incredibly hard to focus. “How the hell did you stay a virgin?”“I know it’s a cliché, but I just never found the right one.” I shrugged. I sighed deeply, feeling the moment losing its luster. I was about to try and push him off when I felt a little more of his weight pin me down and he softly growled from deep inside, which made me laugh.“Don’t move.” His cheeks turned bright red and that had me squirming with fits of giggles. “Are you sure this is what you want?” He clenched his teeth and his voice was husky with lust. He started kissing down the side of my neck and I gasped.“Yes, yes, I want you.” That didn’t even sound like me, but he thrust once and I nearly jumped out of my skin. It hurt but not as much as I
IrinaACTUALLY, HEARING Hunter tell his pack that we were together was really shocking! Did these people share every damn detail of their lives?! I knew werewolves had a heightened sense of smell … They had a heightened sense of everything! Could they smell it on us? We did take a shower before we met with them … Could they still smell what we did after the shower?My cheeks turned bright red at the mere thought that every single person in the room knew exactly what we had done! I was standing in the corner trying to figure out what I wanted to drink when Emily rubbed up against me. Her smile just said it all and my face burned!“Do all of you know?” I tried to whisper as a smile burst out over my lips. Emily was trying her best to hide her smile but as soon as she burst out laughing, I knew they did.“Why are you whispering?” She whispered and I burst out laughing.“I take it you all have enhanced hearing as well?” Emily nodded and I rolled my eyes. Emily moved around the table and m
IrinaI must have fallen asleep because the next moment, I felt Hunter softly touching my shoulder, trying to wake me up. It was getting late and I needed to get home before my parents started to worry. I was beginning to feel anxious on the drive home, but I convinced myself that it was because I was nervous of what my parents might say. Luckily, they didn’t ask too many questions before letting me go. I got straight into bed and fell right asleep.I WAS UP even before my alarm woke me. I took the time to have breakfast with my parents and my mother commented on the fact that something was different about me. I explained it away quickly, telling her that being in love did strange things to people and as I walked out the door, both my parents were laughing. It felt like it was going to be a really good day.I wasn’t surprised to find Hunter waiting for me and I smiled, slowly walking down the stairs. He took my bag from me and opened the door of the black SUV. He got in beside me and
IrinaSINCE MISS SALLY had no family, my mom helped me to arrange her funeral. Her lawyer, who I didn’t even know she had, contacted me the day after she died and I just left all the legal stuff in my parents’ hands to deal with. All I wanted to do was say goodbye. I didn’t want to drag any of it out.Hunter and the pack were there for me every step of the way, and it was almost as though the death of my darling Miss Sally brought Hunter and my parents a little closer together. I had completely forgotten that he invited them to dinner on the day Miss Sally died, and while we were sitting in the lounge of her old house, I suddenly remembered.It felt as though I had been walking around in total fog for the past week and suddenly the fog lifted. After we said goodbye to the last of the guests, my parents told me that Miss Sally’s lawyer was waiting for me in her old office. I nodded, knowing that he was probably going to tell me I no longer had a job. Well … It wasn’t as if this week co
IrinaAfter a couple of weeks, the new place was built and we all moved in. I loved the new setup more than I thought I would and it was actually great fun to have Rosemary so close by. The children had done an amazing job in getting everyone settled into the new place and as I walked down the beach, I breathed in the fresh morning air.I missed Archer terribly. He would have loved this new place so much. He had always loved the lake. I met Rosemary on the way and we caught up on all the last-minute arrangements for the day. Hunter had finally accepted his new position in life and there was just one thing he asked of the kids which they gladly gave.Now that we were all settled in, it would be the official ceremony to bind our two packs together according to our ancient traditions. Today was Ingrid and Richard’s mating ceremony and I could feel the excitement in the air. The packs had already come together as one much easier than any of us could ever have imagined they would.On the f
Irina“Oh, no! Don’t you dare put me in the middle of this!” I glared at Hunter who was glaring right back at me. The discussions had been going around in circles for hours without a solution and he had pulled me aside to ask me to order Richard and our daughter to move home. Hunter, being Hunter, had found the only way he believed this arrangement would work.He thought Richard could just become Alpha of our pack and choose someone else to take over his pack. As if it would be that damn easy! What was my mate thinking?!“I don’t see what the problem is.” He huffed and for a split second I saw traces of Archer in my husband. They looked so damn much alike! “Other males move to the packs of their females, why can’t he?” Hunter was pouting as he waved his hand through the air before clamping his arms tightly over his chest.“Would you have left your pack for me?” I studied my mate. “If I refused to live this life, Hunter. Would you have given up everything just for me?” I could see that
IngridI was hoping I looked sexy, but I knew I didn’t as I fumbled to try and fit him inside me. I was just about to give up when Richard reached out and helped me and I nearly swallowed my tongue the moment he pushed inside of me. I liked this position! I had seen it in movies and always wondered about it, even if I looked away as soon as it came on.It felt as though he was going even deeper and I wondered if that was even possible. I wasn’t entirely sure if I should hunch on my legs or just move my hips, but clearly Richard knew what he was doing as he guided me and we were soon captured in the throes of passion!“Yeah, that’s it! Ride me!” He growled through clenched teeth and it gave me the small confidence boost I needed. I was doing it right! Richard pushed himself up and he clung to my body as I moved. It took a little longer for us to reach that peak this time, but just as I felt myself about to tumble over, he leaned closer. I felt his canines scarping my skin for just a mo
IngridIt was as though that was all he needed to hear as he slowly started to push into me. In an instant, I was flooded with hunger. I wanted him more than anything. I needed him. The expression of needing someone … Really needing them finally made sense! The world finally made sense! Why men went to war for women made sense!Richard stopped pulling me out of my ridiculous thoughts and when a frown formed on his brow, I thought I had done something wrong.“I’m not sure if you know this, but this next part will hurt a little. I promise you it will be the one and only time I will ever hurt you.” He stroked a stray piece of hair out of my face and I nodded. I could have told him that it wouldn’t be the last time he hurt me, but I didn’t. My mind was running at a mile a minute with all sorts of distracting thoughts and I didn’t want to spoil the moment with any of them.As Richard thrust into me, I cried out and he held me for a moment. It was painful, but it wasn’t unbearable pain. I c
IngridI wouldn’t say I was entirely innocent. I knew which parts went where and what to do with all those parts, I just hadn’t physically done any of it up to now. Why hadn’t I done it before?! Having him touch me in those sacred places felt out of this world! It was incredible! I had never in my life felt as relaxed and happy as I did in that tub in Richard’s arms.As Richard got out of the tub, I wondered if that was it. Was it over now? I knew it couldn’t possibly be it! He held out his hand and I frowned.“Is it over?” I pouted and he burst out laughing, making my cheeks turn a bright shade of red!“No, my sweet Ingrid. That was just the start. The water is getting cold. I thought we would move this to the bed where we could be more comfortable.” He smiled at my look of shock and I silently swore at myself. I shouldn’t have waited! At least if I had done it once before, I wouldn’t have been such a damn idiot the first time with my mate!Richard picked me up bridal style and carri
Ingrid“Stay right there, okay?” He looked around and I nodded. I laughed when he started opening cupboards and swore. “I will be right back.” He grinned and disappeared. When he returned, he had a box filled with candles in hand and he walked right into the bathroom.“That is really not necessary, Richard. We didn’t know this was going to happen tonight.” I laughed as he opened the taps for the bath and started to light the candles.“In that case, you can light the candles while I get us some Champaigne.” He winked and disappeared before I could say anything else. I did as he said and I have to admit that it helped ease the nervousness I was feeling. When he returned with the Champaigne, I had lit all the candles and he opened the bottle for us. After pouring each of us a glass, he held out his glass to me and I blinked and watched him. I had never imagined him as someone who could be very romantic.“To us. May we only share happiness and love.” He sounded a little out of breath and
IngridI scanned his room. His bedding was white, which was a surprise. A single black line decorated the border around the edge of the bedding and the pillow cases. A huge bed stood in the middle of the room and on either side was a set of beautiful antique free-standing cupboards.“This will be yours.” He rubbed his palms on his sides before opening the cupboard for me and I wondered if he was as nervous as I was.“Thanks.” I smiled as he opened the cupboard and I realized it was left empty for his mate. An awkward silence fell between us for a moment.“I will give you a moment to settle in. Would you like anything to eat or drink?” He was nervous! It was so damn cute!“Something to drink would be nice.” I smiled as I realized my mouth was feeling incredibly dry. “Something strong!” I laughed nervously as his face relaxed and he smiled. He nodded and disappeared while I unpacked my overnight bag and made my way to his bathroom. It was beautifully done in white and black marble. The
IrinaHunter and I didn’t even have to ask the moment we saw Ingrid move. It was clear that she had found what she had been looking for all day and when they kissed, I nearly cried. We knew the boy. Hunter and I had been invited to his alpha ceremony while Ingrid was away on her trip. He was one of Archer’s friends from when they were younger, but the one thing that caught my attention the most was that he was Rosemary’s grandson!He wasn’t just any wolf, and thank the goddess, he wasn’t human!IngridRichard pulled away just enough so he could look into my eyes and I almost melted when he tucked a stray piece of my hair behind my ear. It reminded me of something I saw my father do for my mom once and how I thought that I wanted that kind of love one day.“Hi beautiful,” He smiled and I felt my cheeks turn bright red.“Hi.” Over the years, I looked at my brother’s friends and wondered about them. It was logical that I would one day be mated to an alpha or even a beta. Some of my frien
IrinaThe excitement hung thick in the air in the morning as everyone got ready to attend the Founder’s Day festival. It was the one day the entire town came to a halt and took the time to celebrate our town. It felt as though we were celebrating Ingrid’s return for two continuous days. I loved every moment of it. In my mind’s eye, I could actually see the many dinners and festivals Ingrid experienced while she was away.This was exactly what our town needed after the hunter was there. People needed to see us moving between them. They needed to talk to us and be reminded that we were human. We had to show them we weren’t the monsters the hunter was trying to make us out to be. None of them knew the truth, of course. The sheriff was one of the first to greet us when we arrived and the relieved smile on his face said it all.We had been working overtime to squash any rumours that were still flying around and finally, things seemed to have returned to normal.I caught sight of Ingrid tal