A wave of icy horror rolled over Rufus when he saw Everleigh's body limp, and Rujan caught her. He hit her! Unintentionally, but the terror he felt was unfathomable. He hurt her again.
Richard came from nowhere and checked Everleigh while he just stood there immobile. “She fainted, but we need to check in the infirmary.” Rufus took Everleigh from Rujan and ran towards the castle while carrying his unconscious mate.
His blood pumped brutally hard, causing a drumming noise in his ear. But this fear for his mate, this blend of care, terror, and fury, was the worst kind of agony. His wolf was purring restlessly inside him. The worst thing is that he caused this to happen to her.
She lay silent and unmoving on the bed. Her head was bandaged, and her eyes were blackened. She wouldn’t have recognized him if he hadn’t known who she was.
“She’ll be okay, Alpha. We already ran some tests on her.” Castro was already in the i
Everleigh woke to sunlight streaming through the windows and a still-aching heart. The memories of last night—and their possible repercussions—tumbled through her mind and made her close her eyes once more. She did not want to get up. She did not want to face Rufus and his possible actions. Likely rejection, considering how he saw her kissing his brother. She still recalled her own desperate kiss—did she never learn? —and Rujan’s heated response. The shuttered look in Rufus’ eyes, the way he’d acted towards his own brother.Their relationship was complicated, and it’s all because of her. When she fully opened her eyes, Rujan’s face smiled down at her. She knew she was blushing; she remembered how she kissed him yesterday.“How are you feeling, sweetheart? ”“I am okay,” she responded, but all her embarrassment disappeared when she saw Rujan’s face, clear of any scratches. “I remembered Rufus throwing punches at you, and I saw blood. Why are you looking so fresh right now? As if nothing
Rujan entertained the triplets who came to visit her. Seeing them made her feel a little better. The triplets are the result of her love for Rufus. Yes, she does love him. She knew she loved Rufus no matter what he had done in the past. Rufus, however, was nowhere to be seen; he had not paid her a visit. Maybe he's preoccupied with Alice, and thinking about it causes her chest to tighten cruelly.Dr. Castro cleared her, and Rujan stayed with her, and she never left her.Her heart felt heavy, but her body was OK. She pondered why she had spent so many hours in the infirmary when she had only fainted. Rufus and Rujan overreacted, and maybe they were right; she was hallucinating.“I don’t think Rufus wants me here. We can stay with you in the cabin or on my father’s ranch.”“You’ll stay in my cabin,”She didn’t know if disappointment showed on her face. “You have your own cabin?” she asked, s
He yowled when he read how she felt about Rujan. He considered him sexy. He can't help but feel jealous of his brother. He hated himself for being insensitive when she compared him to Rujan. Next time, he'll make sure they spend quality time with the triplets, such as camping or traveling abroad.He hated it when she preferred Rujan over him. He could feel her wrath as Rujan mentioned her wedding via proxy.Her face turned pale. "Do you and your brother play games with me? ""No, I never contacted Rufus; you are aware of this. When we got married, I signed Rufus' name rather than mine. "The judge was a friend to our father."“Why?”“I don’t know; it was a good opportunity for me to take you away from him completely, but I can’t do it. I knew that you could be totally mine and was afraid that you would hate me.”“I hate you now,”“Sweetheart…”“Don’t... did your brother know about it? ”“Just recently.”“How recent? ”“When he came into my hospital bed after I woke up, I told him everyt
Everleigh hated this man in front of her who cheated on her many times and maybe he’s cheating again. Rufus growled at her as if he was protesting. Her chest expanded on a deep breath, her body responding to the proximity of his. Even though he stood several feet away, he could feel the heady attraction, the magnetic pull of being near the other half of her soul. It’d been that way with them from the very beginning of their meeting with their kids, both of them inexorably drawn together.She’d mistaken their ferocious mutual captivation for lust until she realized she couldn’t breathe without each other. She fought the urge to run into his arms, the place where she so desperately wanted to be. But he was too still, too tightly reined. She waited in exquisite anticipation for his cue. God, she loves him so much.Rufus hands fisted at his sides. “I need you.” Her core tightened in response to the roughness of his voice, the rasp of it warm and luxurious. He was naked and she was fully
His mouth found hers again. “I can survive anything if I have you.”She reached his chest, seeking and finding his warm, golden skin. His muscles were hard and ridged beneath her palms, his body a seductive and virile work of art. She licked his lips, her teeth catching the full curve along the bottom and biting gently. Rufus groaned. The sound of his pleasure slid over her like a caress.“Touch me.” The words were an order, but his tone was a plea. “I am.” Reaching behind him, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her hand around. He thrust his shaft shamelessly into her palm, grinding. Her fingers curled around the thick, heavy length, her pulse quickening at the realization that he was so hard. “Rufus,” she breathed.“You make me so hot.”His dark eyes were fierce on her face; his cheeks flushed and his sculpted lips parted. He never tried to hide the effect she had on him, never pretended that he had any more control over his response to her than she had to him.It made his dominanc
Rufus slid back onto his knees and rose, his thighs spread between hers, his shaft thick and hard and bobbing under its weight. Everything in her tightened with ravenous greed. His big body was carved with rock-hard slabs of tautly defined muscle, his tanned skin sheened with perspiration.He was so powerfully elegant, except for his shaft, which was bluntly primal with its thick coursing veins and wide root. His sac, too, hung large and heavy. He would make a statue as beautiful as Hercules, but with a flagrantly erotic edge. Honestly, Rufus Griswold had been designed to fuck a woman right out of her mind. “Mine,” she said harshly, pushing up and scrambling gracelessly into him, pressing her torso tightly into his.“You’re mine.”“My love.” He took her mouth in a rough, lust-fueled kiss. Lifting her, he moved, turning them so that his back was to the headboard and she was spread over him. Their flesh slid against each other, slickened by sweat. His hands were everywhere, his muscled
Everleigh woke slowly, drifting lazily upward from the depths of sleep into full awareness. Dappled sunlight filtered through the glass roof. This room seemed like master’s bedroom, she remembered Rujan told her that this is his house. The kids’ room were on the ground floor near Rujan’s room.She stretched, her arm sliding over to search for her husband, but he wasn’t lying beside her. Yes, thinking about Rufus as his husband gave a surreal feelings. She saw a note on the side table and smiled when she read it.“I’ll pick you up at 7:00, my love,”His cursive handwriting could put her own into shame. He seemed like a man born century ago. She gasped when she saw the time, it was already past noon. She hurried to the bathroom to take a quick shower.Wearing her oversized shirt, she padded into the kitchen. Rujan raised his brow at her, he knew what Rufus did to her behind closed door and based on his reaction, he didn’t care. “Richard and Edward took the boys to the ranch. Rufus playe
“Why?”Rufus’ eyes drop to her cleavage and widen with surprise. His breath seemed caught in his throat. Knowing Alice would be coming, she had worn the gown for the purpose of keeping his attention on herself and not allowing it to wander to the other woman.Finally Rufus coughed lightly and regained his tongue. He knew what she was thinking. "Perhaps you should wear something a little less revealing, love."“No,” her face determined.Materializing from somewhere behind them, Rujan laughed and came to stand beside his brother. Everleigh was very conscious of both men's eyes upon her. "Let her wear it, brother. You never let the rest of us have any fun," he said and smiled. "Of course, I can understand how you feel. If she were mine, I'd keep her under lock and key." He half turned to his brother and loudly whispered. "You know she looks a hell of a lot better than Alice and the rest of your women."Everleigh threw her arms akimbo and stamped her tiny foot as if in anger, and Rufus bla
"Sleep, my love. I'll take my fill tomorrow night.""Don't shift. I love your smell," she said sleepily."I won't," he replied, removing the bindings and massaging her wrist.Dark couldn’t sleep; his cock throbbed with need. He lay there, watching the stars and the moon outside, holding his mate as she slept on his shoulder. After two agonizing hours, her eyes flew open, and he instantly knew why. She needed to pee."Stay there. Don't shift," she ordered before closing the bathroom door. She was still naked, which added to his frustration. He mind-linked the chef to prepare a light snack for her. With the way his daughters moved inside her, he knew they were hungry. He needed to satisfy them first."No one can see us on the deck, right?" she asked when she returned and picked up the robe from the floor. Dark nodded and came to her. She looked at his erection and then back at his face."Don’t mind it. You need to
"See that moon, my love? Tomorrow, we will join the wolves in their mating game, but for now, I need you to prepare first."Dark began licking her skin and caressing her nipples with his huge, furry hands. She was fully aroused."Easy, love. Let me take care of you. You don’t know how much I want to take you like this."Dark bared his teeth in a look of such feral pleasure that only a fool would call it a smile. He wrapped one hand around her breast and squeezed with just enough pressure to make her want more. She closed her eyes against the overpowering feeling of vulnerability. She felt the humid warmth of his exhale the second before his lips wrapped around her. The sound that escaped her was so raw and needy she couldn’t believe she’d made it. Then his tongue curled around her nipple, and his furry cheeks hollowed on a drawing pull she felt all the way to her womb. She no longer cared what desperate sounds she made.
"Don’t blindside me, Rufus. You can’t protect me with it.”Rufus sighed. “I’ve already assigned scouts for them. Lander is already on Red Island.”“Do you have a place there?”“Every alpha has a place on Red Island.”“Interesting.”“The mansion is located at the far end of the island, away from the center. The boys can shift freely there. It’s time for you to meet fellow alphas and the king.”“Sonya told me that all wolves are afraid of him. I’m curious about his appearance and why he’s still mateless. I imagine he looks frightful.”Rufus gave her a peck on the forehead. “I’m happy you’re open now, my love. You should see the king before making any judgments.”“I think I need to go to the bathroom again,” she said.“If you feel anything, just tell me or show me. Castr
Diana’s shoulders shook with a ragged breath, and he turned his head, battling discomfort and regret. She had once been important to him, and he would miss her, but not in the way she wanted.“What do I have to live for if I don’t have you?”He turned at her question and barely caught her as she ran into him. Holding her at bay with a grip on her upper arms, he saw the devastation on her beautiful face before he could process her words. Then it registered.Horrified, he shoved her away. She was blackmailing him with her life.She stumbled back as her heels caught in the carpet. “Don’t put that on me,” he warned, his voice low and hard. “I’m not responsible for your happiness. I’m not responsible for you at all.”“What’s wrong with you?” she cried. “This isn’t you.”“You wouldn’t know. You’ve lived without me for many years;
Everleigh heard Diana ordered cognac to their attendant. “Ethan, you'll have a cognac too, won't you?' she said. “I know how much you used to love it,” she said.She sighed and thought that next time she’ll pay attention to Rufus’ likes and hobbies. She frowned when she remembered something, he was drinking the same drinks everyday but not Cognac.Those were the dark moments of her life with him, when she often saw Rufus drunk and few times sober. “He preferred vodka or brandy since I met him few years back. He was particularly fond of those spirits that he drank it every night before. We have collections of them in the castle including whiskey but I never saw Cognac.”“You’re right my love, I indulge Diana those days to patronize my father’s favorite drink but I am not fond of it.”Everleigh turned to Rujan, “I indulge myself with it sometimes,” Rujan replied.Raiden wanted to go to the restroom and she needed too. “I’ll accompany you,” he said. Rujan chuckled, “come on brother, let
Sonya helped her prepare for the formal dinner. Her hair was braided into a sophisticated bun that emphasized her beautiful almond-shaped eyes and cheekbones. She chose a sexy white maternity dress with a dramatic neckline that highlighted her luscious cleavage, which had become fuller due to her pregnancy. This cozy, simple dress was sexy with its low, open back. She wore 70-carat diamond drop earrings given to her by Rufus, among other jewelry from his mother. Sonya picked a diamond choker and bracelet for her to complement the earrings."The drama queen always portrays a demure personality, but she eyes the luxuries. She grew up with a golden spoon in her mouth, so it's natural for her to love fine and extravagant things."Everleigh had never been competitive in her life, but hearing this, she was determined to show off. Rufus didn’t want her to wear high heels, so she decided on beaded flat shoes. The boys looked stunning in their tuxedos.Rufus and the boys were waiting for her i
"Are you sure?""Yes, I am sure.""Do you want to see the boys shift too?""What do you mean?""Yes, they can shift.""But they're so young!" she exclaimed."And they're my sons.""Why didn't they tell me?" she was surprised and hurt at the same time.Rufus came to her side. "Love, you can't remember a thing about shapeshifters like us. How could they show you?""Did Rujan know?""Yes.""When did they start to shift?""When Rujan invited you to the cabin.""It's not all about fishing and picnics, I see...""Yes, it's not about picnics and fishing.""What about our daughters? Are they going to shift at a young age?""I don't know. Nothing is certain when it comes to shifting. Alpha blood is stronger. I shifted when I was the same age as our boys, and Rujan shifted when he was fifteen.""You're twins. Did the shifting determine who would be the alpha?" she asked."Yes, it's one of the factors."
He traced the shell of her ear with his tongue, feeling her slick sex clasp him in response."Perfection," he whispered, following her down as she sank back into the bed.Everleigh gripped his upper arms and licked her lower lip, her hips moving in tight little circles, loosening the way for him. "Please," she pleaded again in that throaty murmur that undid him. Bracing himself with palms flat to the bed, he withdrew slowly, relishing the feel of her clinging to his cock.He returned with effort, pushing through the tight resistance. Her head thrashed and her eyes closed, which he could not allow. He needed her to stay with him, to see him through the storm he knew was coming. The pressure of his impending orgasm fisted around his bollocks and pulsed through his cock, warning him that he would soon be wasted by the woman beneath him.She’d snared him completely that long-ago night, bewitched him beyond redemption. There was no other choice for him.
Rufus placed her carefully on the edge of the bed. “Let’s talk, Rufus,” her voice faltered as he pulled her dress up and over her head. He tossed it aside, his attention focused on her full breasts that heaved with every ragged breath. He cupped their lush weight in his hands, his thumbs stroking over the hard, peaked nipples. She leaned back, her weight propped on her canted arms. Her lovely face was flushed, her blue eyes dark as if drawing him into the depths of the ocean. Her rich, inky hair fell around her shoulders in total disarray. She looked glassy-eyed and luscious, the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.“About what, my love?” he murmured, pressing her backward to take a nipple into his mouth. Her selflessness meant more to him than he could express with words. He had needed so much from her for so long, and she had given generously and with heartening enthusiasm. His tongue stroked over the taut point of her breast, his lips pulling with deliberately soft suction, teasing