My people are vanishing. One by one. Something or someone is abducting them at night. Thirty are gone now. Ariel pulled away, her breathing hitched. No blood trail, no signs of a struggle. Just empty beds in the morning and a dark scent pervading the space.
He studied his would-be lover. Shed never lied before. Then again, years ago shed sworn she wanted him as much as hed wanted her, leaving him hungry and panting. Teased him to the point of going mad.
And walked away.
Even with the dirt and ugly scratches marring her heart-shaped face, she looked tempting as a fresh peach dangling from a tree. Jarretts mouth watered as he remembered running his tongue over her bare skin. Before shed left. Now she was back.
I need access to that cavern, Jarrett. Ariels mouth wobbled. Something is taking my people at night. Cael, our leader, asked me to track down the source. Im the strongest wolf shifter in the colony. We need your help, Jarrett. I have to see whats inside the cave.
Im no Boy Scout. I stopped assisting little old Fae cross the street years ago. He flashed a grin, feeling his canines lengthen. Now I just eat them.
Cael needs your help.
Cael never helped me when I came looking for you, worried what the hell had happened to you. The Fae leader had been hard as the granite mountains. He talked only of the balance necessary in nature, saying Ariel being with him would upset the balance.
She tilted up her round chin. Then forget him. Help me, Jarrett. What do you want me to do?
He brought his face close and said softly, Beg.
Long, dark lashes feathered her cheeks as she closed her eyes. He inhaled deeply, drawing her delicious scent into his body. He could almost taste her beneath his tongue, warm and wet. The smell of sex. A throbbing began in his loins, reminding him of how hed reacted in the past.
If thats what you want, then Ill beg. Want me to lose my pride? Ariel spread her palms wide, revealing her pale breasts tipped with raspberry nipples. Ill lose it. Ill do anything to save my people.
He watched her nipples grow hard as pearls. He had to touch her. Couldnt help himself.
And Ill do anything to save mine. He slid a palm over her cheek, feeling warmth beneath his fingertips. Theyre going to die out. Unless
He took a new mate and fathered an heir.
For the first time since Chloe had died, hope filled him. Ariel still turned him on. It wasnt her body, lush and lovely as it was. It was her spirit and life burning bright as the hot sun in the sharp blue sky. He was the moon, sultry and filled with secrets. Ariel was light and warmth. He needed her heat to counter the coldness inside him.
Balance, he thought. Lifes about balance, just as Cael had once said.
Ariel never surrendered. No, shed go down fighting, tooth and claw. A hint of the passion shed display in bed.
Ill help you on one condition. But you wont like it.
Anything, she insisted. Anything you want.
Jarrett fingered a strand of her silky hair. Mate with me.
Chapter Three
Stunned disbelief shot through Ariel. Was she really listening to Jarrett telling her he needed to father a child? How he would instruct his pack to assist her only if She closed her eyes as naughty fantasies shed abandoned resurfaced. She was naked, lying beneath him in that big bed. Sweat glistened on his brow, his chocolate-brown eyes darkened in fierce concentration as he pushed into her body, his flesh slapping against hers as they made love to conceive his longed-for heir.
It was sex. Just sex.
And dangerous. If his men were around
You want me as a mate to give you a child. But nothing more.
Yes.
Do you still have feelings for me, Jarrett? She had to know. Or is it just the sex?
His mouth thinned to a tight slash. I have no more feelings left to give, Ariel.
The Fae inside her cried out to draw him closer and offer comfort. She had to leave. Now, before she capitulated. Because with Jarrett, it wouldnt be comfort. It would be mind-bending, wild sex that could send them both spiraling out of control.
She pushed to her feet, and a violent trembling seized her muscles. Ariel grabbed onto a nearby bedpost, missed and began to fall.
Jarrett stood and caught her, hefted her into his arms. A lock of blond hair spilled into his face. So handsome, the face of an angel with devilish dark eyes. A beast looked out of those eyes, the wolf held at bay.
Youre freezing. Lets get you warmed up.
For a wild moment she thought he would toss her onto the big bed. Instead, with the toe of one boot, Jarrett pushed open the bathroom door. He elbowed aside the glass doors and stepped inside a shower the size of a walk-in closet. Very gently, he set her down on the seat. Closing her eyes, Ariel sagged against the wall. She felt so damned exposed and vulnerable. She wanted to collapse in a shivering heap on the floor and curl up in the fetal position.
Sheer will prevented her from doing so.
The slow rasp of a zipper caught her attention. Jarrett shrugged out of his jeans, tugged his mulberry sweater over his head. His chest was broad, dusted with dark blond hair. A scar slashed across the thick muscles of his right shoulder. It looked like a claw mark.
Black boxers fit snug against his lean hips. He was leanly muscled, six feet of lethal wolf in a mans strong body. Ariels breath hitched as she remembered the passion between them that had once threatened to consume them.
And then shed slipped out of his bed before things got too dicey. Went too far.
Jarrett stepped into the shower, helped her to stand. One arm locked around her middle as he stood behind her and twisted the knobs. Warm water cascaded over her battered body. Ariel flinched, sagging against him as he murmured assurances. He pushed a hand through her hair, his touch oddly soothing. Her life was literally in this wolfs hands.
He could snap her neck for intruding on his territory.
Jarrett reached for the soap and began washing her. His touch was gentle as he slid the bar over the scrapes and bruises on her arms, washed the lacerations on her face. Delicious warmth stole over her body. Ariel closed her eyes.
I cant give you what you want, Jarrett.
Water beat against her overly sensitive skin. A slow glide of soap over her midsection. She felt his big body grow taut as he stroked the bar back and forth.
Youre a Lupine Fae. You have shifter blood mingling with your Fae genes. You can mother my children.
Your people would never accept such a child. Ariel couldnt do this. Not with Jarrett. Too much was between them.
They would. They need an heir. I need you, Ariel. I want you. His voice became rough with desire. You belong in my bed.
Theres nothing between us but the past.
He set down the soap. Cupping her chin in one hand, he forced her to turn.
Jarrett took her mouth.
His lips were firm and commanding as he kissed her. His scent of pine and spice filled her senses, sent the wolf inside her whining with excitement, ready to mate. Jarrett coaxed her lips apart and plunged his tongue inside. Sexual need made her body soft and pliant, willing. Ariel turned into the kiss, tasting him, her mouth moving against his. She sensed rather than saw the glow of white sparks, like tiny fireflies, rising from her wet skin.
No. Not again. Not ever. Ariel pulled away.
His mouth was on her skin now, lips lightly tasting the droplets on her shoulder. Ariels breasts tingled. She opened her eyes, saw her lower body shimmering with white light. Panic raced through her.
He must not see. But soon he would, and then
I cant do this. Theres nothing between us anymore. Ariel wriggled, trying to free herself, but he held her tight against him.
Liar, he said softly. I can scent your arousal.
Jarrett stroked the bar of soap up and lathered one breast. He trailed a finger lazily over a pebbling nipple. She ached for his touch. Moisture gathered between her legs, her body betraying her.
She threw her head back in a small moan as he thumbed her nipple, flicking it expertly.
Give in, he murmured. Let it go, Ariel. Let it go.
I cant.
The pleasure built higher and higher, her body growing tight and hot. No longer was she cold, she was fire, molten fire with the heat at her core intensifying.
Through the silk boxers, his erection prodded at her backside. It grew thicker and longer. His strokes grew harder, more intent. She sensed he was slipping, his arousal becoming painful and urgent. Soonhed lose control.
Jarrett growled deep in his throat. Damn, he grated out, the roughness of his voice turning guttural. Have to have you. Now. On your knees and spread your legs.
No. Stop, please.
Words whispered, fear seeping from her pores. Ariel wriggled against his grip, but he was stronger and taller. He could force her easily.
Jarrett. She said his name louder. Jarrett!
Then his arm loosened around her waist. She turned and backed against the shower knobs. They dug painfully into her back, but not as painful as the stunned realization on his face.
Jarrett stepped back, shock whitening his mouth. Amber flashed in his eyes, the glow of the wolfs change emerging. Ariel slid her hands down her hips, willing her desire to fade. Slowly, he breathed in and out, wrestling for control of the beast.
Shit, he murmured. That never happened before.
I wouldnt let it. Because we never got to that point before, Jarrett. And that day in your bed, I felt it happen, felt myself becoming aroused to that point Ariel gulped down a breath. Thats why I left you and never looked back. It was too dangerous.
Claws poked through his fingertips, then slowly receded. Jarrett wrestled the beast back into its cage.
This is why I cant mate with you, Jarrett. Her throat closed tight. Too many memories and regrets. I am a Lupine Fae and its safest to have sex with another of my kind. None of your people have ever seen this. Experienced it. And if the males do
Theyll be unable to stop themselves from coming after you.
Ariel nodded, shielding her breasts with her hands, feeling her nakedness. Its in your blood, the pheromones my body emits are irresistible to male werewolves. It will drive them mad with lust, and theyll come after me. You wont let that happen.
And Ill be forced to take them down. Fight my own damn pack. To the death.