THE MATING SEASON

By

M
L BRIERS

Copyright © 2013 by M.L Briers

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

without the express written permission of the publisher

except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE
MATING SEASON

CHAPTER
ONE

CHAPTER
TWO

CHAPTER
THREE

CHAPTER
FOUR

CHAPTER
FIVE

CHAPTER
SIX

CHAPTER
SEVEN

CHAPTER
EIGHT

CHAPTER
NINE

CHAPTER
TEN

CHAPTER
ONE

Fay
blew a stray strand of curly auburn hair from in front of her eyes and
concentrated on navigating the driveway. She hated driving anywhere that she
hadn’t been at least once before and to her added misery it was also night
time, another of her pet hates for being behind the wheel, but it couldn’t be
helped- she had promised Faith that she would arrive today and there was still
some of today left, barely- so she would keep her word and that was a good
thing- having been made to swear to it and everyone knew that Faith could be a
little hypersensitive about people breaking their word.

The
large driveway was a twisty creepy affair- with the blackness of the woods on
one side and the tree tops reaching down over the roadway it gave off the
impression of being moodier than it probably looked in the daylight- on the
plus side it had been illuminated for visitors, she guessed- either that or
Faith’s filthy rich fiancé just like burning money- she hoped it wasn’t just
for her benefit - she would feel more than guilty at having any pomp or trouble
spent on her behalf.

Fay
felt the same stray strand of hair that had been dogging her since she left her
house almost five hours ago sway against her nose again before she saw it, she
was just too intent on the roadway ahead- but the darn thing was tickling her
like crazy as the gentle breeze blew from the car’s AC and she took her gaze
away from the drive for just an instant to blow against the offending curl one
more time when something darted across her path and panic and fear stabbed at
her heart as she slammed on the brakes, the tyres protesting on the drive as
the large black animal turned it’s steely blue gaze in her direction when she
screamed out an expletive.

Killed
a dog! Killed a dog! Killed a dog!

The
car screeched to a halt and she slowly opened her eyes on a grimace, her hands
gripping the wheel like a lifeline, white knuckles grabbing her attention
before she peered over the steering wheel.

“No
bump-“ She muttered to herself, wincing as she finally
managed to unclench one hand from the leather around the wheel to put the car
into park, pulling up the handbrake. “No bump- no harm-“ She muttered again
absolutely trying to convince herself that she hadn’t in fact made any kind of
contact with that damned animal.

Her
eyes went wide as she finally realised that there could still be an animal
lying injured on the roadway and the adrenalin shot through her like a good
kick up the butt, “Oh god damn it!” She breathed out, compelled to act- forcing
open the door and practically throwing herself out of the car. Her eyes scanned
the roadway for any sign of an injured animal as she raced around to the front
of the car.

“Come
here boy?” She tried to sound as friendly as possible. “I really didn’t mean to
kill you- hurt you- scare the bejesus out of you-
come on pup-“

Coming
to stand in the shadows of the underbrush the wolf steadied his heartbeat and
turned to regard the car that had been his near miss all because he had been
damned stupid enough to run in front of it- an anger swept through him- if it
hadn’t of been for Abel he would have seen and heard it a mile away- damn that
wolf could get a guy in trouble faster than he could run and he could run
pretty damn fast, which was the reason Adam hadn’t been paying much attention
to his surroundings, trying to catch Abel for some stupid bet.

The
wolf raised his snout and sniffed the air- the fear that carried in the gentle
breeze wasn’t his- but that sweet scent in the air was drawing- his eyes fixed
on the woman behind the steering wheel, her hands in a death grip- her eyes
squeezed shut as she caught ragged breaths- serves her right, he thumbed his
snout at her, she should have been paying more attention to the damned road, he
told himself as she opened her eyes and his interest peeked as the jade green
caught his attention.

He
could hear her muttering and went to turn away, skirting a paw across the earth
in annoyance at his own stupidity, just as Abel appeared at his side- mild
interest running through him as to what had ended the chase-

“What
happened brother- couldn’t keep up?” The link between them was too strong
to just switch off right now- in human form it wouldn’t have been a problem, he
could turn it on and off at will, but when they had shifted it was a different
matter altogether.

“Human
tried to mount me on the bonnet of her car-“ Abel turned towards the human in
question, who was now out of her car and moving around frantically searching
for whatever she might have hit.

“I
wouldn’t say no to her mounting me-“ A low growl rumbled through Adam and Abel chuckled
to himself.

“Come
here boy-“ She called out and Abel couldn’t help the
belly laugh that tore through his mind. His wolf throwing his head back and
forth as Adam sighed beside him.

“She
thinks you’re a dog- ha!”Another growl slightly longer, louder and meaner
run through Adam as Abel caught himself and shook out
his fur as if to shake off his amusement.

“Come
on Puppy.”

Abel
threw his head back and howled in laughter as Adam continued to growl his anger
and resentment beside his brother, looks like he would have to take him down a
peg or two he told himself- more than eager to assert his leadership but he
noticed the howl that Abel had let out had the woman’s head whipping around in
their direction as she took a couple of steps towards them, her eyes showing
real concern.

“Wolf-
no- oh please don’t say I hurt you.” She mumbled to
herself as she took another step towards them, he knew that there was no way
they could be seen from the roadway too far into the darkness of the underbrush
and yet he felt as though she were staring right at him- a shiver coursed
through his form.

“Puppy-
that’s just too funny-“ Abel chuckled and Adam turned on a growl and a
warning snap of his jaws as Abel took a step back, his head bowing down low as
he dropped his eyes- immediately becoming submissive- before his Alpha turned
his attention back to the woman, he couldn’t be dealing with Abel’s ribbing
right now.

He
watched her hesitate in her next step, her head almost tipping to the side as
though she had heard him- before she looked back to her car, she seemed in two
minds about whether to look for an injured wolf or not and he wondered at her
sanity in that instant- didn’t she have a clue what a wolf could do to her?
Well he was just going to have to show her, he decided taking a leap forwards
out of the shadows, his teeth bared in a show of those impressive sharp fangs
that always managed to catch the moonlight as he growled a warning at her- long
and hard and watched her eyes widen in fear as she took a step back, her breath
catching in her throat.

“You’re
ok-“ Her eyes shone brightly with relief as she stared
into his eyes and he felt the moment of connection with her before he shook it
away. She was too kind for her own good.

He
snarled at her then, all gleaming fangs and murderous rage in his eyes and she
backed away, her eyes dropping to the roadway as she hastened towards her car.

Adam
watched her fear and smelt it on the gentle breeze- hating himself
for it, but he was mindful that the fear he was instilling in her might
actually save her life one day as he turned and strolled back into the shadows
leaving her to get back into the safety of her car. Only when
he heard her put the car back into gear and drive slowly up the road did he
turn back to watch her car disappear. Something in him wanting to give
chase.

“How
is it that we allow human’s to be the dominant species again?” Abel asked
on a sigh of bewilderment as he shook his fur out before turning back into the
forest- Adam not far behind.

“Compassion.” Adam sighed at
the thought of that beautiful- stupid woman trying to find an injured wolf.

Faith
heard the screech of tyres and felt the icy hand squeeze her heart. What the
hell kind of trouble could Fay get into driving up a well lit driveway, she
wondered waiting for the sound of an impact, when she heard nothing she turned
to look at her fiancé- her eyes eagerly questioning as he listened intently to
the sounds of the night.

“Well?”
She demanded impatiently, her eyes going wide with anxiety mixed with the need
to know what possible problem could have befallen her friend. She crossed her
arms over her chest and tapped her fingers against her forearm as she waited
for his reply.

His
amber eyes narrowed as he listened, his head tipped to the side as she threw up
her hands in annoyance and started to move towards the steps, if he wasn’t
going to supply an answer she would just find out for herself.

In
an instant he was in front of her blocking her way as he smiled down in
amusement and Faith sighed in annoyance.

“She
nearly hit one of the wolves- she’s looking for it now.” He beamed on a small
chuckle of disbelief and Faith felt the wave of annoyance mixed with relief
wash through her, only Fay could find trouble where she really shouldn’t- it
was the story of her life.

“What’s
so funny?” She demanded as she placed her hands on her hips and glared at the
love of her life with the fire that raged in her brown eyes causing little
sparks of amber to shoot from the edge of her pupils outwards to the very edge
of the Iris. Now wasn’t the time for one of Jakes superior attitudes to take
president over her needs.

“She’s
calling him puppy-“ He chuckled again and Faith couldn’t help the smile that
started to curl her burgundy full lips up at the corners before she winced,
knowing that neither Adam nor Abel would be pleased with being labelled a dog
and wondering for a moment if she should still go to intercede just in case-
after all the boys did have a short temper as she knew only too well growing up
with their pack and being chase down mercilessly by both for no good reason
that she would ever admit too.

Jake
was attune to her worries, had been since the moment they had met and he
reached out a hand and brushed his fingers down over the bare skin of her arm
soothing her worries away.

“Adam
and Abel won’t hurt her- oh wait-“ He was listening
again, his head turned towards the drive and if Faith could have- she would
have felt that nervous tension rise within her again, but Jake was still using
his damn Vampire tricks and half soothing her- although she knew she should be
worried she didn’t feel it, just a slight buzz of a feeling she couldn’t quite
grasp.

“What
is it?” She whispered and he lifted a crafted brow before frowning.

“It
seems one of the wolves found it necessary to show themselves to her and-“ He held up a finger to indicate that she should wait and
Faith would have sighed, she was sure, if she could summon that emotion.

“Now
why would they growl at her?” He listened intently before shrugging his
shoulders, “Crisis over she’s back in the car and heading this way.”He released
his touch from Faith’s skin and beamed a smile in her direction as the effects
of his soothing washed away in her blood and she flashed her annoyance at him
as she went to give him a piece of her mind for the whole soothing thing.

The
car coming towards them put paid to that idea as he flashed her
a smug smile of victory before motioning towards her friend who was
crawling along at about two miles an hour. “Smile sweetheart- she’s here.” His
amusement annoyed her so, but that would have to wait until later, for now she
had company.

Fay
almost jumped up and down for joy as she saw Faith coming towards her, arms out
for a hug as her long black glossy hair trailed along behind her, happiness
oozing from every pore as she shrieked her greeting while Jake stood back, a
wince twisting his gorgeous features as he practically shrivelled under the
loud pitched shriek his fiancée was emitting.

“Fay!”
She wrapped her arms around Fay and squeezed tightly- Fay was squashed against
her friends more than ample breasts, which she was sure would suffocate the
average person very nicely if misplaced in a bear hug- much like the one she
was receiving right now. In fact she pitied her fiancé should he ever be caught
beneath her unawares with no way for escape.

“Faith-
you look gorgeous- Ouch-“ She protested the squeeze but Faith persisted until
she suddenly let her go and all she could see was her friends eyes, bright and
happier than she had ever recalled them being.

“You
made it and with five minutes to spare.” She grinned down at her from at least
a half a foot advantage and with a flash of something in her eyes that didn’t
go unnoticed especially twinned with the sarcasm in her comment- Fay huffed an
apology before putting an addendum.

“Don’t
even start with me, I got here- did you know you have wolves?” Faith opened her
mouth to speak but Jake cleared his throat behind her.

“They
keep the rabbits in check- been neutered I believe-“ His voice was deep and
smooth- like a good rich velvet as Faith stepped aside and Fay got to see the
fiancé that her friend had been raving about for the past six months.

He
was impossibly tall with shoulders that wouldn’t have needed that tacky
nineteen eighties fashion trend of padding in his jackets- he was build like a
God should be, would be in cartoon form- with a thick broad chest that she
imagined would be all wash board abs, if he cared to strip off- not that she
wanted to either imagine his chest or see him stripped off- Faith would claw
her eyes out for sure- but if she just happened to be at a pool party with him
sometime and he happened to strip off- she might take a peek from under her
lashes, she told herself swallowing down her instant embarrassment at the
thought and deciding not to carry on her perusal.

Fay
felt the hairs on her spine tingle all the way up to the nape of her neck as
she stared into his amused amber eyes- eyes that held her attention for a
little longer than they should have.

Fay
was sure she heard another growl from somewhere behind Faith and pulled her
gaze from Jakes to scour the immediate area. A soft chuckle came from Jake and
she frowned back towards him- his eyes meeting hers and her spine started to
tingle again as though warning her of something, she just didn’t know what.

“Fay!-“Faith
startled her with her loud outburst and dragged her attention back towards her
friend as she suddenly grinned again- almost bewildered with herself as she
giggled, she’d sensed her friends unease and needed to waylay it.

“This
is Jake- Jake this is obviously Fay.” She finished with an embarrassed
chuckle as she turned her face away and grimaced at her lame attempt to divert
Fay’s attention from what she was feeling.

Jake
took a step forwards and offered his hand as Fay went to take it- but Faith
batted it down, stepping between them as she quickly put her arm around Fay’s
shoulders and steered her friend past Jake towards the house.

“Could
you get Fay’s bags darling?” She shot over her shoulder as she turned and Jake
questioned her with his eyes and she plastered a smile on her lips- she shook
her head telling him not to ask as she practically dragged Fay into the house
with her.

“Wow-
really?” Fay gasped as they entered the large marble hallway- her eyes darting
this way and that- quickly trying to take in the sheer opulence of her
surroundings- last time she had visited a stately home, it hadn’t been as nice
as this one and from what she knew of Jake, he was old money but he wasn’t
gentry.

Faith
waved a hand of dismissal in front of them, “It’s a bit much right?” She
chortled and Fay gave her a look of bewilderment. Her Faith ending up in a
place like this- she would never have thought it, but hey who was she to judge
if Faith was happy and she appeared to be, then good luck to her.

“It’s
homely-“ Fay commented dryly as she stared up at Faith
and the two women burst out laughing together. Faith wrapped an arm tightly
around her shoulders and dragged her into the first room off the vast hallway.

“Let’s
have a beer.” Faith whispered into her ear as Fay let the amusement run through
her.

“If
you have tennis courts, a landing strip and an Olympic sized swimming pool out
back I’m out of here future rich chic.” Fay almost whispered in the sudden
silence of the house.

“No
landing strip.” Faith whispered back in a conspiratorial way, finally letting
go of Fay’s shoulders by the overly large, overly stuffed and probably overly
priced sofa and Fay nudged it with her hip.

“I
don’t want to sit in case I crease a cushion.” She kept up the pretence of
whispering even though Faith was way across the room now- dipping gracefully
and opening a unit to reveal a mini fridge stashed behind the mahogany
panelling- reaching in she snatched up a couple of beers before nudging
everything closed with her hip- turning back and walking towards Fay, a bottle
of beer in her outstretched hand.

“Trust
me- there’s been more than sitting going on right there-“
Faith flashed a suggestive grin at her friend, her eyes wide with
mischief mixed with amusement as Fay eyeballed the cushion.

“Eww, you expect me to sit there now knowing that?” She
groaned out and Faith handed her the bottle and nudged her backwards into the
seat- Fay’s eyes went wide as she fell backwards into the softness of the
cushions and practically sunk a foot as they enveloped her.

“Seriously-
how the hell did you do it here- I think I’m going to need to be hoisted out.”
She let the softness seep into her aching bones, it had been a long drive and
right now the only thing keeping her eyelids open was the still present buzz of
the adrenaline rush from her wolf encounter and seeing Faith again.

“I
think we have the video recorder around somewhere I could show you.” Faith
casually glanced around again before turning back to look at her friend, her
eyes wide with amusement as Fay shook her head.

“Same
old Faith- still the joker.” She chuckled and Faith
tipped her head on a grin as she raised her brows in amusement just as Jake
appeared at Fay’s side.

“Who’s
joking- Faith considers them art movies.” Jake announced, his sudden appearance
causing Fay to jump slightly as her spine started to tingle again and she
flashed a look up at him before turning her eyes to Faith who gave her a mock
shocked look, before the grin appeared on her face again.

“Great
two jokers, just what I need.” Fay mused lightly as she shivered against the
rush of awareness up her spine, trying to shake the feeling that wouldn’t leave
her, she hated that feeling- she didn’t have it often but when she did it
usually signalled trouble.

Jake
motioned to the beer in Fay’s hand, “Aren’t you going to drink that?”she looked at the unopened bottle and shrugged.

“Not
without a bottle opener-“ She mused giving her friend a knowing look and
tightened her grip on the nonexistent bottle that had been whipped from her
hand, the top instantly popped off with his thumb before he offered it back to
her and she chuckled appreciatively.

“That’s
his party trick-“ Faith assured her before he blocked
Fay’s view of Faith as he walked towards her and reached for her bottle. Faith
shot him a warning look and a small shake of her head as he flicked the lid
from her bottle a small lop sided grin stretching his mouth upwards.

“Boys
got skills- good to know.”

“Live
dangerously.” Jake mouthed to Faith and she shot him a death glare before he
moved away from them, going to pour himself a drink just as voices came from
the open doorway that caused Fay to turn in her seat, albeit with a little
difficulty- to meet the steely blue eyes of one of the men that was coming into
the room.

Adam
hesitated in his step as he met her curious gaze- his eyes intent on hers and
although she had never met him before- she could have sworn that she saw a look
of recognition in those eyes a moment before a shriek made everyone in the room
jump- but for different reasons.

Fay
was sure she saw pain etch across the man’s face a moment before her vision was
full of the blonde bombshell headed in her direction- her mouth gaping open and
her eyes wide as she looked positively giddy to see her friend.

“You’re
here- oh my god- oh my god.” She leaned over flashing more cleavage that Fay
ever wanted to see and grabbed Fay around the shoulders- practically bouncing
in her heels as Fay held the beer out in front of her away from her friend for
safety- she just really didn’t want to spill on those expensive damned cushions
no matter what Faith claimed had been all over them.

“Hey
Hope-“ Fay caught sight of Faith grinning at her as she pointed a finger and
gave an open mouth silent laugh of amusement at Fay’s expense- stopping only
when Hope let Fay’s shoulders go and stood up turning to Faith and happily
stating the obvious.

“She’s
here!”

Faith
gave her a mock look of shock and shrugged her shoulders as Hope put her hands
on her hips and regarded her friend with open disbelief, “and you said she
wouldn’t make it on time.” She accused in a tone that had been practiced over
the years just to wind Faith up- Faith of course instantly responding.

“I
did not.” She shook her head in denial as she shot a look at Fay who was giving
her a questioning stare of disapproval.

“You
thought I wouldn’t make it to your wedding?” Faith shook her head trying to
hide her grimace behind her hand, it didn’t quite work and Fay sighed her disappointment.

“Really?”

Faith
immediately jumped to her own defence, “Not the wedding just tonight’s deadline
that I thought you might… miss- a little- be late-ish.”
Faith looked anywhere but at Fay as she rubbed guilty fingertips across her
forehead and Hope pursed her cherry red lips and nodded her head in agreement.

“She
did sweaty- she even bet me good money that you wouldn’t show tonight.” Hope
rolled the amusement over her face as she regarded Faith with disapproval and
Faith shrugged her shoulders.

“What-
ok- I was wrong- you made it- whoop-  whoop- it’s not like you don’t drive
like Miss Daisy’s best prodigy-“ She groaned out and Fay heard the chuckles
come from behind her.

“Michael
Schumacher tonight-“ Abel commented as Fay turned and frowned at him just as
Adam elbowed him in the ribs, the air escaping Abel’s lips on a huff, bringing
her eyes back to the steely blue one’s in an instant- only for Hope to shriek
again and draw Fay’s attention back around to her.

“Well
I knew you’d make it girl- I had faith in you- faith- get it.” A groan
went up collectively from everyone present and Faith shook her head in faux
dismay.

“Don’t
give up your day job Hope.” Hope snatched the beer from her hand and huffed as
she cut her a stare.

A
chuckle from behind had Abel walking further into the room towards the group.
“Wait so we have Faith and Hope- please tell me you
are charity and I’m sure I can come up with some really good punch lines over
the next couple of days.”

“That’s
Fay-“ Faith trotted out snatching her beer back from
Hopes hand before she had a chance to get it to her lips.

“Obviously-“
Abel gave her a look of knowing before opening his arms in a questioning stance
and Fay looked at the bottle of beer in her hands checking for the strength of
the brew, either she was tipsy, which she doubted or he made absolutely no
sense to her.

“That’s
her name-“ Faith gritted her teeth slightly and Abel
all but jumped to attention- his eyes shooting back and forth between Faith and
Fay- who was now openly staring up at him like he was the village idiot.

“You’ll
have to forgive my brother- he’s had one too many nips tonight’s-“ Adam was at Fay’s side before she had even realised he had
moved and she felt that damned tingle up and down her spine again as she forced
herself to lean away from him- but that didn’t mean she could stop herself from
staring up into those blue eyes.

She
heard the spluttering of chaste chuckles and giggles from around the room as
her eyes had a hard time pulling away from Adam’s to see what everyone was
sniggering at.

“Such
a doggone shame when a guy like you can’t hold his beer.” Jakes voice was the
catalyst that Fay needed to be able to look away from Adam and she caught sight
of the sneer of disdain that Abel shot at Jake.

“Well
we can’t all be dead good at holding our liquor can we?” Faith cleared
her throat loudly before coughing her disapproval into her hand as both men
seemed to come to attention around her, three sets of eyes turning towards Fay
as she suddenly felt like the person who didn’t get the joke at the dinner
table. She had picked up on the animosity between the two men though.

“So
Fay- I’m Adam and this doofus is my brother Abel.”
Adam caught her eye again- even though Fay had tried really hard not to look
him right in the eye and she was transfixed for the moment- a small smile
spreading over Adam’s lips as he stared down at her.

“Adam-“ Faith called him a little too loudly and his eyes shot to
hers granting Fay the respite from his gaze she needed to be able to look away
as she mentally shook herself, trying to figure out what the hell was going on
with her tonight, putting it down to either the booze or the encounter with the
wolf that had rattled her a little.

“Grab
a couple of beers for you and Abel.” There seemed to be an undercurrent in
Faith’s words, or maybe it was her demeanour as Fay regarded her for a long
moment before Hope piped up again.

“Well-
isn’t this- “ Hope started and then seemed suddenly
lost for words as Jake chimed in with an air of amusement.

“Nice?”
he offered slowly and Hope pointed at him, grabbing at what he was offering her
like a life line.

“Yep. Thanks. Doh- nice- the word I was looking for was nice.” She looked
everywhere but at anyone in particular as Faith started sniggering behind her
hand again and Fay lifted a lone brow and shook her head.

“Either
you people are nuts or I just need a few more beers to catch up.” She mumbled
causing a splattering of sniggers to ripple through the room.

“Here’s
to that.” Faith lifted her bottle in salute to her friend before taking a long
hard draw on the brew, less to savour the flavour and more to give herself enough time to get over the tension inside her.

Adam
nudged Abel in the ribs which caused Abel to gave a
low growl of warning in his chest just as Faith walked back into the room,
giving them both a look of annoyance she flopped down onto the sofa and sighed
long and hard, dropping her head back against the cushion her eyes closed.

“What
gives Faith?” Abel groaned as he flopped down on the sofa opposite her and
spread out, his inner wolf needing to stretch a little after his run.

“She
doesn’t know she’s Fae you idiot- for all intents and
purposes she’s human and that’s how you need to treat her.” Faith gave him a
look of reprimand just as Hope walked in and slipped into the armchair
positioned to the side of the sofa’s.

Adam
shook his head in disbelief, “How can she not know she’s Fae?”
A loud sigh left Faith’s lips as she tipped her head back against the cushion
and rolled it from side to side as though that might just get rid of the
throbbing that was starting in her head.

“She
was orphaned when she was very young- she was fostered, but not by Fae carers- she’s never learned the ways of the Fae-“ Abel shrugged his shoulders
as Adam frowned deep in thought.

“So
why don’t one of you guys just tell her?” Faith blew out breath of disgust as
Hope shook her head in disgust.

“That’s
against the rules- she has to either know of her heritage or come to it of her
own accord, anything else and-“ Hope looked around her
as a slight shiver ran through her body, she didn’t even want to think about
the penalty for breaking the rules.

“It
wasn’t like we didn’t think about helping her discover herself in the past-
after all she did gravitate to her own kind- us-“ Faith
motioned between Hope and herself before she shrugged. “But you really don’t
want to piss off the Fae council- trust me.” Hope
shivered again as she nodded her agreement and Adam shrugged.

“What
if an outsider were to tell her?” He enquired as Faith and Hope shot each other
looks- trying to figure out between them if they knew of such a rule- both
shrugging their shoulders.

“Couldn’t
say- but as you’re not under Fae law, being a Lycan and all, I can’t see how the law would apply to you-“ She shot Hope a look, wanting her to confirm her
assumption and the woman obliged by nodding her agreement. It sounded
reasonable, but sometimes the Fae council could be
less than reasonable. Faith sat forwards in her seat and looked intently into
Adams eyes.

“But
tell me Adam what would you say? And in the grand scheme of things do you think
she would thank you for opening her up to our world?” Adam chewed that one
over. He was more the strong silent type as opposed to his brother and Faith
knew he would be mulling that over for a while.

“Does
anyone else find it kind of ironic that Fay is a fae
and yet she doesn’t have a clue? It’s like her parents left her a big sign
telling her what she needed to know and yet she’s still in the dark.”Abel mused
just as Jake walked into the room and dropped down with eternal grace onto the
sofa beside Faith, lifting her hand and lacing his fingers with hers.

“Yes,
imagine if your mother had named you wolf- or pup-“Jake eyed him with a certain
amount of glee and heard Abel sigh shortly before he gave him a look of
disdain.

“And what of you? Fang? Bat? Oh wait- Dracula?” He
offered back with a little more venom than he needed to muster and Faith
squeezed Jakes hand in hers- it was hard for her to see the animosity between
her wolf brothers and her lover and at the moment they had an uneasy truce
because of the love they had for Faith, but things happen- especially when you
had the Lycan temperament on one side of that
equation and she didn’t want to see anyone get hurt.

“Come
on guys- it’s a wedding- play nice- we’re all supposed to be friends here
remember?” Hope admonished and encourage at the same time, but then that was
the problem with having Lycans and Vampires under the
same roof, things didn’t always go to plan and it was only going to get worse
as others started to arrive for the ceremony.

“Someone
throw a ball for him to fetch while the grownups talk-“ Jake drawled with enough
sarcasm in his tone to hammer his point home and he heard Hope sigh as Abel
rumbled a low growl in his chest.

“I
swear if one of you guys ruins my wedding I’m going to get all dark Fae on your arse.” Faith said pinning first one and then
the other with a glare before she dropped her head back against the cushion and
returned her thoughts to the same thing Adam was silently contemplating. Fay.

CHAPTER
TWO

“So
Adam seemed quite taken with your not a Fae- Fae friend Fay tonight- don’t you think?” Jake mused as he
stripped the black shirt from his upper body leaving his muscled torso as eye
candy for Faith’s gaze and she gave a satisfied smile, letting her eyes drift
over the hard planes of his chest, desire sparking within her as she leaned
back against the headboard and sighed inwardly at the sight of her man.

“Adam
can keep his paws to himself-“ She almost purred the words while she watched
Jake toss his trousers onto the armchair across the room, thick corded muscles
running down his thighs- deliberately tensing and relaxing under her gaze as he
used what he had to turn her on from afar. Not that she needed it- he only had
to touch her and she was his- open and ready for him.

“Literally.”He grinned in
that devilishly sexy- playful way that had her heart skipping within her chest
as she pulled herself up onto her knees on the bed and crawling towards him
with cat like grace that had him hard within a heartbeat, the bulge within his
boxers signally his desire for her attentions.

“Fay’s
too sweet to get caught up in our world- I can’t imagine her with a Lycan or a vampire- you guys are a little too powerful and
domineering for someone like Fay- she needs a sweet guy- a human-“ He was
strolling towards where she came to rest on the edge of the bed, still on all
fours with her eyes fixed solely on that bulge that awaited her touch- her
tongue flicked out over her burgundy lips to moisten them as he came to stand
in front of her and she slowly lifted her gaze up his body until she found the
darkness of his eyes where his desire to have her burned his iris’s black.

He
reached out his hand and ran his fingers through the mane of silken black hair
that hung loose and framed her face, spilling down over her shoulders and
covered the swell of her breasts like a veil holding a promise of delights.

With
his free hand her freed himself from the restraint of the fabric that held his
solid shaft and Faith’s lashes skirted down over her eyes- her tongue peeking
out between her teeth as she gave a wicked smile of need- lifting her delicate
hand to run her fingers over the throbbing vein that ran the length of his
shaft her pulse raced when she heard him groan his pleasure at her touch.

“Are
you saying vampires can’t be sweet?”He breathed out against the pleasure that
washed up his shaft and tightened his sack when she swept her fingers over the
bulbous tip of his arousal before gently thumbing the slit, his hardness
twitching under her touch.

“I’m
saying that you guys are a little too demanding in the bedroom department for
someone like Fay.” He felt her breath against his sack as she dipped her head
and ran the tip of her tongue up the length of his shaft- his hand immediately
fisted her hair as she grinned up at him with the most wicked smile that made
him want to just throw her on her back and drive into her.

“Am
I not a generous lover?” He breathed down at her tightening his grip in her
hair until she moaned her approval.

“You
know I can’t recall- maybe you can refresh my memory after I do this.” She
opened her beautiful red lips and he watched as the length of his shaft started
to disappear into her mouth, the groan of pleasure caught in his throat when he
hit the back of her throat and she swallowed him down, those beautiful red lips
slipping to the hilt until her nose was buried in his black hair.

“Jesus
Faith-“ He growled hard between clenched teeth, trying to keep his control
while she massaged his hardness in her mouth- pulling back to the head just to
swoop forwards to swallow him down again until he growled long and hard pulling
her head back away from him and tossing her backwards onto the bed.

“Something wrong lover?” She teased
seductively before her middle finger disappeared into her mouth, knuckle deep
as she sucked it, running her tongue around it before reaching down under her
silk panties and running it across her folds, her finger disappearing into her
hot wet core as he stood there with fire for her burning in his eyes, watching
his woman please herself.

He
growled hard as he reached for those damn panties and ripped them from her
hips- his eyes fixed on the two fingers she know had buried within her core,
kneeling on the bed between her thighs he stroked his fingers up her thighs,
lightly brushed over the sculpted pubic hair around her mound and listened to
her breathing hitching with each deep thrust of her fingers that disappeared
within her silken walls- while his eyes flicked between the action between her
thighs and her beautiful face  as she became caught up in what she was
doing, her hips swaying to her touch.

He
used his thumbs to open her folds to him and she gasped in a breath, his thumb
finding the swollen little nub of flesh and bringing a moan to her lips when he
applied pressure against it, circling fast, her hips lifting from the bed as
she moaned her pleasure.

He
could smell her juices and she was the finest nectar he had ever sampled,
leaning over her he breathed in her scent before using his tongue to run over
her fingers to her core, licking against her digits and following her inside
her stretched walls, his growl of desire mixed with her moans until he traced
his tongue up along the sensitive folds, catching every nerve ending on the way
to the nub.

Faiths
hips thrust up to meet his tongue as he worked over her nub, catching under the
hood and finding the sensitive nerves- her heartbeat was raised within her and
he could hear the little catch in her breath as she delighted in their joint
touch.

Jake
ran his fingers down the length of hers, pushing within her core as she gave a
little cry of pleasure at being so full, his mouth closing over her nub and he
sucked the flesh hard into the heat of his mouth, his tongue working over the
nerves as her breathing started to become laboured, she was close but he wasn’t
about to let her come like this.

Pulling
back away from her and snatching her own fingers from inside her he reached for
her hips pulling her towards him on the bed as she protested her lost climax,
her eyes flashing fire at him as she reached for his swollen shaft and urged
him towards her core, pushing herself against the tip until he was against her.

“Now
what have I told you about teasing me woman?”He had a devilish grin on his
face, his black eyes sparkling with the desire that was coursing through him
and Faith purred up at him as he held firm against her, the tip barely inside.

“You
won’t tease me baby- you want to be buried inside me too much.” There was a
purr to her voice that reached out to his subconscious and he very nearly lost
control and rammed into her then, but he held strong against her Fae charms.

So
very slowly he moved his hips towards her, entering the heat of her core and
forcing her muscles to sheath him and she growled up at him from where he had
her trapped on the bed, trying to thrust her hips up to meet his- but he held
her firm as he moved inside her, easing in so frustratingly slowly that she bit
down on her lower lip, trying to entice him to move faster.

“Baby
please-“ She moaned as her eyes flicked down to where
his shaft was disappearing within her.

“Please
what Faith- what do you want sweetheart- tell me.”She tried to shift her hips
again but it didn’t work, he was still only halfway into her and she mewed in
frustration.

“I
want you to bury yourself in me- now.”The last syllable had barely left her
when he thrust into her deeply and she cried out in relief mixed with pleasure,
his low growl causing her eyes to flick up to his face, the control he had been
holding was slipping away and she grinned knowing he wouldn’t be able to hold
onto it for much longer, so she clenched and released her muscles around him,
massaging him with her walls.

“Damn
it Faith-“ He growled getting to his knees and lifting
her hips from the bed as he started to thrust into her, long hard deep strokes
that had her fisting the covers and moaning in pleasure. She lifted her legs to
his shoulders and he came down on top of her, pressing her shoulders deep into
the mattress along with her knees that were either side of her head as he
started to pump his hips, perfect balance allowing him to draw all the way out
of her before thrusting back to the hilt with a speed that had her crying out
with her first orgasm- her muscles going into spasms around him as he continued
to thrust hard and deep and she whimpered for a long moment before her body was
caught up in another build towards climax that she revelled in.

When
the room literally spun around her she found herself on her knees, his hips
thrusting against the soft flesh of her backside, pumping hard he was lost in
the feel of her around his shaft, taking him to the hilt, the remnants of her
throbbing muscles teasing him on, he reached down and fisted her hair, bringing
her back up towards him, his fangs had descended and he could almost taste the
blood that ran through her veins.

He
licked the soft curve of her neck and up over the vein that throbbed with her
rapid heartbeat- she moaned her encouragement as she ran her nails down the
muscles of his thighs until she felt the sharpness of his fangs against her
neck.

His
hips were pounding against her backside, taking her hard and as deeply as he
could get, now he needed her blood and when her fingernails pierced the flesh
of his thighs he couldn’t hold back his desire any longer, sinking his fangs
into her soft flesh, deep within the vein- she moaned low within her chest- he
held off that first taste for as long as his animal instincts would allow him.

Sucking
hard the moment he felt her come undone around him, the hard clenching of the
muscles that sheathed him massaging the orgasm from his own body as he thrust
deeper into her, his seed exploding within her tight walls as she milked his
juices with her own orgasm.

He
drank from her with a thirst that went beyond hunger- it was the longing to
have her- claim her for his and when she became languid against him he pulled
his fangs from her skin and cleaned the wound- taking care of his mate with a
gentleness that coursed through him.

Turning
her in his arms he lifted her against him, moving up towards the pillows and
laying them both down, cradling her within his arms as he pulled the covers
over her and she regained enough of herself to be able to purr within his arms.

“Tell
me you don’t want that for your little friend- you’d rather see her in the arms
of a human?” He breathed into her neck as she snuggled in closer.

“Our
world can be dangerous- I’d rather see her not have to deal with that kind of
danger-“

“Then
why did you invite her here?”

“Selfishness
I guess- I wanted her at my wedding-“ she hesitated then, a deep frown creasing
the smooth brow as she turned  to look up at Jake, worry sweeping over her
beautiful face. “Do you think I made a mistake?”

“I
think-“ he tucked her further into his strong arms,
running soothing fingers through her hair, “- you worry too much.”

Fay
shifted in the oversized bed, the sheets pooling around her waist almost in
testament to the level of disturbed sleep she had endured for the last few
hours. Wolves filled her dreams- roaming freely in the woods around her as she
walked without care through the shafts of hazy sunlight that penetrated the
treetops and sporadically bathed her in warmth as she followed the path they
created like spotlights showing her the way.

There
in the distance she saw the clearing where the woods opened up and the sunlight
was finally allowed to reign in all of its glory down on the lush grass.

Coming
out into the clearing she could feel the heat envelope her body and she
relished it’s warmth as she caught sight of something moving through the trees
to her left, turning her head to see the beautiful black wolf in all of its
glory stepping out into the sunlight- its blue eyes turning on her almost in
recognition before the sound of the water drew her attention back to the
clearing.

When
she turned to look again, the open field that had been laid out before her was
gone and in its place stood the most beautiful sight she could imagine- an
outcrop of rocks reached high into the sky above her, a gentle waterfall, with
white crested streams spilling down into a pool of crystal clear water
surrounded by lush green grass with an array of wildflowers dotting the
landscape.

Fay
caught her breath at the sheer beauty of her discovery taking an involuntary
step towards the unexpected delights as the wolf did the same. She turned to
look at it- standing there in all of his regal glory- his blue eyes intent on
hers- she took another step and he followed suit- with each step she took he
matched it- stopping when she did as though playing some kind of game with her.

Fay
couldn’t help the smile that broke across her face, a gentle laugh of amusement
that rolled through her as her wolf angled his head to study her- there was no
fear for what this wolf might do- she sensed only peace from him as she took
another step closer to the water and her wolf followed.

When
she reached the water’s edge she lowered herself to the grass and watched what
the wolf would do now- eager to see if he would sit beside the water as she had
and when he stopped a short distance away from her and just stood there
waiting, she got the feeling that he was testing for her fear.

One
large paw planted in front of the other he moved with slow determined grace
towards her- testing her resolve each step on the way and then he was in front
of her, she caught her breath at his absolute beauty- mother nature at its very
best- she reached her hand towards him- her fingers eager to see if the fur was
as thick and lush as it looked as his eyes starred back into hers- holding her
gaze-

“Fay!”
She felt the hands on her shoulders almost shaking her back to reality and she
tried to hold onto her dream through the reality that she had a she-devil
screeching above her.

“How
much sleep does one woman need for god sake!” Hope’s
voice rattled her to the very core- in an ideal world she could just push Hope
off the bed and turn over to get back to her dream world and all would be fine-
but this was Hope- if she knew one thing about her friend, she knew she wouldn’t
give up until she got what she wanted.

“Go
away.” She groaned still fighting the urge to open her eyes in case there was
any chance her dream would still be there waiting for Hope’s retreat.

“Get
up sleepy head- breakfast time-“She groaned again although her stomach did
respond to what Hope was telling her. “What were you dreaming about anyhow cos you had this weird smile on your lips?-”

“Wolves-“
Fay moaned as she knocked her friends hands from her shoulders finally allowing
her eyes open, knowing she stood no chance of recapturing her dream even if she
could somehow magic the shrew away.

Taking
in Hope’s know it all expression from her lofty perch above her on the bed-
kneeling there with an air of excitement about her which she surmised had
nothing to do with the thought of breakfast as the amusement spread across her
pretty face- one delicate brow arching on a grin.

“Wolves ha? Plural?”

Fay
rubbed at her eyes before pulling herself up in the bed to lean back against
the solidity of the wooden headboard behind her and huffed at her friend’s
intrusion.

“Well
one in particular-“ She watched Hope drag her knees
out from under her and sit crossed leg on the bed.

“So
what did this dream wolf look like?” She asked a little too interested for
there not to be a reason behind it Fay thought as she eyed her back
suspiciously.

“Why?”

Hope
propped her elbows on her knees and supported her chin in her upturned hands as
she rolled her eyes, “Don’t answer a question with a question it’s bad
manners-“

“Don’t
deflect my question by berating me when you obviously have an agenda.” Fay shot
back and Hope sighed as she shrugged her shoulders.

“Wolves
are spirit guides in some mythology- maybe your wolf was trying to tell you
something-“ Fay noted that Hope had become a little
more high and mighty than was called for and decided to reciprocate.

“Well
I guess he was trying to tell me there’s a waterfall with my name on it around
here somewhere.” Fay shot back as she threw the covers back and hopped out of
bed- now eager to face the day as there was no chance of getting back to her
dream.

“He-
was it?” Hope grinned to herself as she bounded off the bed and towards the
door. “Hurry up and get ready- I’ll meet you downstairs.”

With
that she was gone and Fay turned back to look at her bed. Damn it, She just wanted to crawl back into those covers and dream of
what came next- it had felt so real that it intrigued her, but as with most
dreams it was now in the past.

“Grab
it and growl.” Hope announced as Fay walked into the large dining room- all
faces turned towards her- she felt the colour rush to her cheeks as she
hesitated in her step. Faith narrowed her eyes in suspicion as a look of
contempt passed between Fay and Hope.

“What
was that all about?” Faith asked behind her hand as she leaned over the table
towards Hope and Fay eyed the array of food stuffs laid out on side.

“Oh
Fay has been dreaming about a wolf-“ Hope grinned and as Fay turned to give her
friend another look of admonishment she caught the way Faith eyed Adam across
the table- his slow grin back causing Faith to huff slightly.

“Was
it a good dream?” Adam asked before literally devouring a forkful of ham- him
and Faith eyeing each other across the table as he chewed merrily.

Before
Fay could answer Faith shot him a look of disdain, “You eat like an animal-“ Hope choked down a mouthful of food before chuckling
behind her hand. Adam smirked back towards Faith, his eyes narrowing in on her.

“Has
anyone ever told you that you have Pixie ears?” He mused and her foot shot out
under the table connecting with his shin causing him to give what Fay thought
sounded like a low growl as Faith continued to glare at him.

“It’s
true Faith- you have Pixie ears-“ Able confirmed with
a barely contained snort of amusement. She shot him a look of contempt but
turned her eyes back onto Adam in a flash of annoyance.

Just
at that moment Jake swept into the room and took Fay’s attention from what was
happening around the table as he swooped down over Faith to plant a delicate
kiss in her hair, his fingers lightly brushing over her exposed arm and she
seemed to sooth back from her confrontation with Adam almost immediately.

“Good
morning to all.” His eyes flicked to Adam for a long moment and there was a
barely audible sigh that left Adam’s lips as he seemed to disengage with Jake
and turn his attention back to Fay who was still standing in front of the
relative banquet just watching things unfold.

“In
order to eat breakfast you need food-“ Adam offered
gently and Fay suddenly snapped out of it- another rush of colour to her cheeks
had her turning towards the buffet and snatching up a plate.

“Slept
well I hope Fay?” Jake asked as he came to stand beside her and she felt like
groaning as a muttering of snorts and chuckles went around the table.

“Very
thank you.” Fay said quickly as she scooped a few spoonfuls of scrambled eggs
onto her plate and turned on her heels quickly making her way back to the
others. Her eyes flicked to the seating arrangements that seemed haphazard and
she dropped into the first seat she found which was next to Adam.

“That’s
not enough food to feed a pup-“ Adam commented as
Faith quickly cleared her throat and Hope tried to hold back another chuckle
that threatened her lips.

“Are
you calling me a dog?” Fay gave him a sideways glance as Hope wiped a silent
tear of amusement from her cheek- Faith groaned as she raised her hand slightly
from the table before dropping it with the feeling of futility that was washing
through her as Able leaned in towards Adam.

“Backpedalling
is not a sign of weakness here brother-“ He chuckled
as Adam raised his brows in amusement quickly shaking his head.

“Actually
I was thinking wolf-“

“I
thought wolves had cub’s?” Fay shot back quickly and
watched Adam shrug his broad shoulders.

“I’ll
bow to your knowledge on the subject-“ He offered
politely and Hope all but collapsed in her seat as she turned teary eyes
towards Faith who sat bolt upright in her chair and went to open her mouth just
as Jake took a seat next to her and ran his hand gently over the back on hers
where it lay on the table.

“Well
I don’t have any knowledge on the subject I was asking-“ Fay met his blue eyes
and something washed through her- like a recognition that she couldn’t quite
put her finger on- but when Adam smiled at her she found herself dragging her
gaze away in embarrassed silence, mortified that she had actually been starring
at him.

“So
what kind of a dream was it Fay?” Abel put into the sudden silence around the
table and got an elbow in his ribs from his brother for his trouble, a loud
breath escaping his lips as he shot his brother a look of annoyance.

“Why
is everyone so interested in my dream- we have far more important things to
focus on-“ Fay muttered before she shot Hope a look of annoyance, if she had
only kept it to herself the attention would be where it belonged on Faith.

“I
don’t know a scary wolf dream is-“ Again Abel got an elbow in the ribs and this
time turned his full attention on his brother- eyes locked as anger flared and
Fay noticed the way Adam seemed to gather himself in his chair, his broad back
going rigid as he stared his brother in the eye.

“It
wasn’t scary. It was-“ Fay reached for the words, her dream flooding back to
her, the images of her wolf standing before her so regally in her mind as she
stared into his blue eyes, Adam had at some point turned back towards her and
she found her gaze locked with his.

Faith
cleared her throat as loudly as she could manage,
snatching Fay’s attention back from Adam as she almost mentally shook herself
awake. Damn, what was that all about, she wondered as she dropped her
eyes back to her plate ignoring the rest of the table and trying really hard to
ignore the heat of the man who sat next to her. She could almost feel his eyes
still on her as she pushed the eggs around her plate.

The
sound of the chuckle coming from Hope seemed to grate on Fay’s nerves as she
prayed that someone would move the conversation on and away from her.

“So Faith what’s on today’s itinerary?” Jake breathed
out into the silence of the room. Fay almost breathed a sigh of relief as her
friend’s excited voice started listing all the things that needed doing.

It
didn’t stop the awareness of the man sitting at her side though and at one
point as he seemed to lean closer to her she felt a wave of tingling running
over her skin and for the briefest of moments Faith’s voice seemed to waver as
if her attention was suddenly elsewhere.

“It’s
not funny Adam and you can’t do it.” Faith almost growled the words as she
stood on the vast lawn on the house, her arms crossed over her chest as she
gripped her own bare arms for the support she needed
not to smack her friend around the head.

“Firstly
my little pixie- do not growl at me-“ Adam stared down
at her with a look that bordered from amusement into annoyance. Faith pursed
her lips and considered her actions.

“I
thought you might understand it better in your own language.” She hissed back
uncurling one hand and pointing a withering finger up at him, “And don’t call
me a Pixie-“ She snapped back and watched him roll his eyes as he held his
hands up in mock surrender to her point.

“And
secondly- I didn’t do anything-“ Faith blew out
a laugh of disbelief as she dismissed his words with her hand.

“Oh
please you so obviously did-“

“Guilty until proven innocent Faith- how
unlike you.”
He accused and she raised a brow at him, a pout of her full lips telling him
she was ready to hear him out.

“She
initiated the dream with me- not the other way around-“ Adam
looked more than sincere as Faiths brows drew down in a frown of contemplation.

“That’s
not good-“ She half mumbled to herself as her eyes
searched Adams face once again for any sign of lying, he grinned brightly- as
though touched by a warming thought.

“Don’t
smile-“ Faith berated him and he shuffled on his feet
as he realised he was doing it, snapping the smile away and shrugging his
shoulders.

“I
can’t help it if your friend comes into my dreams Faith-“ He
offered adamantly and she sighed then, unable to shake the uneasy feeling that
was washing through her. It seemed being around the supernatural was having an
effect on her friend that she didn’t much like. Maybe she had been wrong to
invite Fay.

“You
can block her-“ Faith declared and she saw Adam shake
his head.

“I
was sleeping-“

“Then
tell yourself to wake up and block her out-“ Faith was
getting more animated as she dropped her hands and took a step towards him.

“Maybe
I don’t want too- there’s a connection that-“ Faith held up her hand to stop
him, her brows raised high on her forehead as she shook her head in total
disbelief.

“Oh
no- don’t even say it Adam- get your jolly’s elsewhere- Fay is-“ Adam growled low and deep in annoyance causing Faith to
stop and stare back at him.

“Is
that how you think of me Faith?” He demanded and Faith withdrew immediately, of
course she didn’t, he was one of her oldest and dearest friends and yes she
knew that he was a she-wolf magnet- not to mention the long line of human
females on the side- but he wasn’t the one who did the chasing.

“You
know it’s not Ad- but Fay is-“ Faith gave a shrug of her shoulders, Faith had
always sought to protect Fay from life- not knowing her true being weighed
heavily on Faith because she couldn’t tell her.

“Look
I know you’re worried- but you know me Faith- I wouldn’t go out of my way to
get into your friend’s head- it’s not my style.” He gave her that wolfish grin
that she had loved and always caved in to ever since they were little and this
time was no exception.

“I
hate it when you do that.” She snapped rolling her eyes and poking him in the
solidity of his chest with enough vigour to push herself
backwards while he stood like stone in front of her.

“You
love it babe.” He reached out and wrapped a large hand around her shoulder
pulling her to him until they were hip to hip and she laughed gently as she
wrapped her arm around his waist and dropped her head to his chest allowing the
heat of him to warm her through to her very heart.

“I
worry is all.” She pouted placing her hand against his
chest and sighing deeply and he tightened his hold on her.

“Hey
I’m one of the good guys remember?” He soothed her and she looked up at him
cocking her brow.

“I
remember you pulling my hair- and tossing me into the river- fully clothed in
my Sunday best-“ She mused and watched him grimaced at the memory.

“Yeah
but I did it out of love.” He chuckled.

CHAPTER
THREE

Hope
dropped down onto the sofa with a heavy sigh of relief as Fay eyed her
bridesmaid dress from across the room-

“Was
it me or did that woman actually insinuate my thighs were too big?”

“What
are you worried about she practically stated that my boobs were too small to
make any dress look good- asking if I was going to wear an added push up and
out bra.” Fay groaned back- dropping her head back against the softness of the
cushion and gritting her teeth.

“She
might be a genius designer but she nearly got a knee in the teeth from me-“ Hope admitted in solidarity as Faith breezed over and sat
gracefully in the armchair across from them.

“Oh
stop your whinging- you were being fitted for beautiful designer dresses by a
woman whose designs should be in fairytales and here you are bitching she was
mean to you-“ Faith admonished and Hope shuffled in her
seat.

“Well
if she wants to dress perfect size zero’s then she shouldn’t design for the
likes of us mere mortals- I’m not forgoing my doughnuts for the perfect figure
I could never hope to attain because it’s just not in my gene’s.”
Hope sounded more than a little put out by the experience and Faith changed
into soothing mode as she stroked her friend’s ego.

“Oh
come on Hope- you have the perfect hour glass figure-“

“Shame
we don’t live in the nineteen fifties-“ Fay injected
as Hope gasped a breath of disbelief and Faith chuckled. Hope slapped out at
Fay causing her to lift her head and rub the spot on her arm that was turning
red.

“Listen
to miss pancake boobs-“ Hope retaliated as Fay shot
her a look of disbelief.

“Well
at least I don’t need a ton of scaffolding to hold my boobs in place- you must
set off the metal detectors at airports with what you need to keep those
puppies in place.” Fay snapped back good naturedly as Faith spat out a laugh
that had Hope giving her an open mouth look of disbelief.

“I
don’t hear any men complaining about my girls-“ She
started and Fay shrugged.

“That’s
because their being smothered to death beneath them- how would you hear them?”
She teased back in a totally deadpan fashion and Hope raised her brows and gave
Fay’s chest a long hard look.

“Well
at least I’m getting some flat chest- when was the last time you had a man?”
Hope shot back and Fay took a moment to think that over.

“Eighteen
months-“ She admitted and heard the gasp of horror
from Hope beside her.

“Eighteen
months- my god woman no wonder your dreaming about wolves-“
Fay went to answer and then stopped on a look of pure confusion as Faith
chuckled across the way.

“What
has wolves got to do with my sex life?”

“Oh
honey- if only you knew.” Hope shot back and Faith took it upon herself to
clear her throat again as Fay stared in bewilderment at what Hope had said.

“So-
what shall we do now- margaritas? “ Faith rushed in quickly and Hope bounced
excitedly in her place as she clapped her hands together in glee.

“Hey
watch it- you don’t need two black eyes for Faiths big day- those puppies look
fit to escape.” Fay cautioned as she pointed to Hopes chest and drew another
gasp of dismay from Hope as Faith chuckled.

“Margaritas
it is.”

Fay
wasn’t much of a drinker. She certainly wasn’t prone to drinking before she’d
had dinner and while her friends were knocking back the afternoon margaritas
she had taken herself off to explore the grounds, secretly hoping to find a
hidden nook where she could be alone with the thoughts.

It
was too nice of a day to stay in and her wanderlust for all things nature sent
her in the direction of the woods where she had encountered the wolves the
night before in the secret hope that she might catch sight of them again-
although from the way the wolf had growled at her, she had to admit that seeing
them from a distance would be better than up close.

As
she walked through the trees watching the sunlight that permeated through the
thick canopy above almost guiding her way like stepping stones on the ground
before her she got the sudden feeling of déjà vu and stopped in mid step to
look to her left almost believing that the wolf from her dreams would appear
beside her.

With
a quick frown at her own stupidity and a shake of her head in amusement she was
on her way again- the bright light of the clearing ahead giving her something
to aim for in her quest.

Stepping
out into the brightness of the day she almost sighed at not finding the
waterfall that had been in her dream and instead she found an open field of
tall grass that was gently blowing this way and that in the breeze.

“Dream
on-“ She mumbled to herself as she took a step
forwards almost jumping in place as the hot breath touched the back of her
neck.

“Were
you expecting to find your wolf?” The deep tones sent a wall of heat through
her body at the same time her skin set to tingle mode
as she spun in place and came face to very broad chest with the man- standing
so close to her she could feel the heat of his body.

She
forced herself to take a step backwards, her trainer catching in a divot and
causing her to lose her footing as she fell backwards, her arms failing for
something to grab hold of when she felt a large pair of hands reach around her,
strong arms pulling her back against the hard muscles of his chest.

Fay
tried to steady her heartbeat as she curled her fingers into his top, the
tingling that spread across her body was too fierce to deny as she caught her
breath from- not only her sudden fright- but also from the heat that swept
through her once again- every inch of her body acutely aware of him as she
relaxed into his arms, her forehead resting against his chest as she breathed
him in.

Adam
saw her move back away from him and wondered at her response, maybe scaring the
hell out of her wasn’t the best way to get her attention he pondered for the
brief instant it took her to lose her footing and start to fall backwards- his
arms were already reaching for her before she threw her own up looking for a
safety net that would save her and the moment he touched her he felt that
strong wave of something primeval wash through him.

The
hair on his body practically stood to attention as he pulled her up against
him, her soft body fitting against his perfectly he noted as he locked his arms
around her in an age old tradition of providing safety and comfort for his
mate- whoa , where the hell did that come from- His mate?

That
couldn’t be right- could it? And Faith would kill him if he- Oh crap- he had a feeling that this was going to end badly.

He
brushed his hand down her spine in a soothing motion and felt her body move
against him, instantly responding to his touch as his own body responded to
having her within his arms, he had to fight to control the rush of blood to his
groin- trying desperately to think of anything that would keep the beast- that
was already swelling into life- down.

“You
ok?” He breathed down at her, trying to move his lower body away from hers when
all he wanted to do was to press it against her, let her feel his desire for
her.

“I’m
fine-“ She breathed against his top, her warm breath
feeling like a caress against his chest as it invaded his inner space and he
groaned against the twitch of his hardness against his jeans and when she ran
her fingertips down over his pecs he stood no chance
of keeping his beast hidden- the wolf inside him springing to awareness as he
grew rock hard for her.

“You
scared me.” It was an accusation that brought a jolt of perspective to him as
she tried to move back away from him and he had to physically force himself to
ease his hold on her.

When
her eyes came up to meet his he saw the small flash of annoyance there in those
beautiful green eyes, saw the flare as they met his, her pupils dilating
slightly under his gaze as she stared up at him and he had to fight the urge to
kiss her, to pull her body to his and press his hardness against her, show her
he wanted her before throwing her down on the ground and taking her- claiming
her over and over again until they both lay satiated in each other’s arms.

“I
didn’t mean to- I didn’t realise you were such a scaredy
cat-“ His amusement fuelled her annoyance and she
pushed at his chest in disbelief?

“Don’t
call me that- god you’re as bad as Faith- I don’t jump at my own shadow you
know.”

The
fact that she had gone from completely helpless in his arms to fiery resentment
amused him and when he reached out with his thumb to brush the stray strand of
curly hair from her forehead she almost gasped at the touch of his skin against
hers, her insides contracting in a jolt of awareness as heat pooled between her
thighs.

He
felt the tug on his manhood instantly as she found her awareness of him again-
he could sense her desire, saw the way she gently swooned towards him and could
smell her arousal and it was almost more than his beast could bare.

“No
you’re the girl who would walk up to a wolf-“ He
breathed down at her and for a long moment she just stared back at him before
awareness took hold of her and she frowned up at him.

“How
would you know that?”

“You
told us- last night.” He ran his hand down her spine again in the hopes it
would distract her, he knew damn well she hadn’t told them that, he only hoped
she didn’t.

“Y-
you need to stop doing that-“ She protested as her own body betrayed her and
swooned towards his- every other thought apart from the way his body was
affecting hers had left her mind and she found herself just staring up at those
blue eyes, so aware of every inch of him in front of her.

“Why
does it make you want to do this?” His lips were like a breath against hers in
an instant and she closed her eyes on instinct as her body took over with the
need to concentrate solely on the way he was making her feel.

When
he brushed his lips against hers she couldn’t help but catch her breath as a
jolt of excitement swept through her- as her lips parted he took the
opportunity to brush his tongue gently against the opening, teasing her with the
promise of more if she just allowed it.

Fay
didn’t move, she couldn’t- it was almost like she had been moulded to the spot
by some unseen force, she could neither move further towards him and have the
feel of being that close to him that her body seemed to crave- nor move back
away from him for fear that this spell, whatever it was, would be broken and
right now she wasn’t prepared to let that happen.

He
brushed his tongue across her lips again causing a shiver to run through her
before he kissed her lightly, allowing her the time to come to him when all he
wanted to do was to control the moment, to take her mouth for his- claim it and
with another gentle kiss he found her responding- her fingers moving up over
his chest as she swayed towards him, her lips moving gently against his and his
beast took over, demanding her to surrender to his touch as he pulled her
against him, his arms locking around her and deepening the kiss, his mouth
claiming hers with a passion that had her clinging to him in an instant.

He
fisted her hair and held her mouth where he wanted it, devouring her so
effortlessly as his beast stepped up to take control- her body pressed against
the length of his as he groaned from the feel of his hardness straining against
his jeans and when her hips rolled against him he groaned again with the
sensation that swept over his hard shaft.

Damn
it he just wanted to feel her beneath him on the ground, open her thighs and
take her as deeply as he could get- feel the heat from her arousal sheath him as
he thrust into her over and over until they were both done.

His
beast growled its approval, its desire and its need to be satiated- he felt the
low growl roll through his chest a moment before her hands stilled against him,
her lips hesitated against his and she tensed slightly within his arms- he
cursed his beast for the intrusion.

He
eased his mouth from hers taking it slowly, reclaiming his senses one by one
and halting his beast in its tracks, now he needed every ounce of self control
he could muster to pull back from doing what he wanted, what he needed to make
her his. He felt her tension ease slightly throughout her body as she panted
for the breath she needed to satiate her lungs.

Holy
Crap! What the hell was she doing?

Fay
drew deeply on the oxygen she needed and hadn’t realised she had been without
for the most amazing minutes of her life so far. She couldn’t quite grasp the
fact that she had just been so wanton with this man- that she barely knew and
in the middle of nowhere- yet she wanted to damn well do it all over again, and
again, and damn it even again.

This
wasn’t her, she wasn’t this person- this was Faith territory and Hope
territory, this was embracing life, something she had always admired her
friends for being able to do- but had never quite managed to get there on her
own, preferring to live vicariously through their misdemeanours.

If
she wasn’t so damned well overcome with other emotions right now she would be
mortified by her own actions- Hope was right, she had been too long without a
man- well- what she had considered a man- but compared to Adam, compared to
what had just happened- she wondered if she had ever really known a real man’s
touch before. Certainly nobody in her very short list of suitors had managed to
elicit such a response from her body- mind or even her soul before- no one had
even come close, even at the end game and that was just a kiss- or was it?

Damn
if that was just a kiss she was the tooth fairy!

It
felt more like a possession than a kiss and who was he to be doing that kind of
thing when she didn’t even know him?

“Don’t
do that again.” She managed on a breathless whisper as she took a step back
away from him and for a long moment she didn’t think he was going to let her
go, maybe even hoped he wouldn’t- but then his hand left her hair and his arm
skirted her hip as he dropped his hands to his sides and she didn’t know
whether to sigh in relief or dismay.

“Really-
because I thought you liked it?” He teased down at her and she didn’t have the
heart to look up at him, keeping her eyes on the ground in front of her, but
feeling those blue eyes staring down at her was enough to make a shiver run
through her body as she took another tentative step backwards from him.

“I
didn’t say I hadn’t liked it- I just asked you not to do it again.” There was
no point in denying that she had liked it, hell she was standing their panting
like a dog for god sakes, let alone the way her body had taken off at full
steam ahead when he was kissing her, but she needed to take a mental step back,
to regroup, to put some distance between them.

Adam
watched her as she had a sparring match with her inner self. He could see that
one part of her wanted to step back towards him and do that all over again- while
another part of her wanted to run away and hide in a corner somewhere, possibly
in a fetal position until her mind came to terms with
what her body was telling her. She was his and he was hers and somewhere deep
inside her Fae psyche she must have known that fact-
but he couldn’t push her on it, at least not right away.

At
least she hadn’t tried to deny that she liked it- that was a good first step he
supposed, given that his beast was trying so desperately to rear its head
within him again, he wasn’t sure how he could not do that again and soon.

“Let
me walk you back- after all- you might meet a big bad wolf out here alone and
we wouldn’t want that.” He mused ducking his head to look her in the eye and
she grimaced as she tried to look everywhere but at him, he wanted to belly
laugh at her reaction, but he managed to hold it in, he didn’t want her to
think he was purposely enjoying her discomfort, even if he was slightly.

She
might not know it yet, but he was going to claim her and he hoped that he could
hold onto his beast for long enough for her to want him just as deeply as he
wanted her. He knew his beast, it was tempestuous and now he had found his
mate, he would be eager to claim her- to make them complete- he could
understand that, respect it, but Fay had problems of her own with not knowing
who she was and she had already reached out to him within her dreams with her Fae self- if he pushed her before she was ready her- life
would just come crashing in around her and he wasn’t entirely sure if he could
just make love to her with his human side.

Faith
took one look at the guilty- almost horrified look of awareness on Fay’s face
as they met in the hallway – busted- shooting a quick look towards Adam
who appeared to want to reach out hold her in place- she made a quick excuse
and headed up the stairwell at break neck speed to get away from her friend.

Faith
watched her scamper away like a startled rabbit and once she had disappeared
from view she turned her knowing gaze onto Adam- who sucked in a breath and
pushed out his chest, he knew he was in for one hell of a tongue lashing and he
also knew that he needed to stave it off because he needed to make his friend
aware of exactly what was going on.

“Don’t
say it Faith. We need to talk and I need your advice.” That took the wind right
out of her sails and she frowned up at him as she quickly contemplated what the
hell was going on. This wasn’t Adam- the last time he had asked for advice was
when he was caught between a rock and a hard place over deciding between his
pack’s tradition and his gut.

“Did
you just have sex with her and now you want to get out of it?” Faith demanded
as she put her hands on her slender hips and gave him a death glare and he
grabbed hold of her wrist and started to manhandle her towards the privacy of
the library as she looked around the empty hallway for some sign of what he was
doing and why he was doing it.

“What?
No.” He growled down at her as he virtually pushed her into the library room
and closed the door behind them, looking a lot more physically shaken than
Faith was comfortable with.

“What’s
going on Adam?” She hissed back at him, finding the need to be whispering even
though she didn’t know why and he ran a hand through his shoulder length hair
and shrugged his broad shoulders at her, suddenly unwilling to share.

“I-
we- I – have a problem.” He finally admitted and Faith pulled her neck back as
she regarded him with suspicious disbelief, her eyes narrowing to tiny slits-
she felt that itch of mistrust creeping over her skin, oh not the kind of
mistrust where she thought he was going to do something really evil, she knew
him too well for that- more the mistrust that you get in the pit of your
stomach when your best friend was doing something so out of character that you
didn’t know what else to feel.

“And
what kind of a problem would that be?” She wasn’t sure that she actually wanted
an answer to that- after all it seemed to have Mr Unflappable all flappy.

“I
believe I have found my mate.”

Faith
took one long step back and her mouth dropped open as she regarded him with a
look of pure disbelief. Her mouth started moving like a goldfish but she just
couldn’t seem to find the words to go with the actions- this couldn’t be
happening was all that kept repeating in her mind- like an echo bouncing off
the walls of her brain until she just wanted to scream and make it stop.

“No.”
She finally snapped back to awareness as he stood there watching her and
waiting for her response. It wasn’t the one he had hoped for.

“No?”
He repeated her word back to her and she blinked once in acknowledgement.

“No.”
She said slightly more forceful this time and he tipped his head to one side,
his wolf rearing its head within him and regarded her with emotionless eyes as
she put her hands back on her hips in defiance at his words.

“Elaborate-“ He knew she regarded Fay as off limits and he knew why,
but this- well this was different- this was his mate- this was his very nature
that wouldn’t be denied, except by his mate if she choose to do it- which was
unlikely as no mate usually refused the call of the others- it was to primal-
to primeval.

“No.
No. No. No. No and hell no.” She was adamant. Standing
there like a beautiful goddess before him, her hands on her hips as though to
show defiance against him and go against the very essence of what he was- an
alpha- no one defied an alpha like this and expected there not to be
repercussions.

Adam
felt his beast roar to life within him, his eyes shone with a fiery rage that
had Faith swallowing hard as he drew his body up to its full intimidating
height and he took one exceptionally controlled step towards her, glaring down
until she dropped her eyes to the floor and gave a small little squeal of
submission to his will and his power as her hands dropped to her sides.

Adam
felt his wolf shimmer within him, the desire to be unleashed was unmistakeable
but he held it tightly, controlling his anger as he breathed down his nose more
like a dragon spitting out fire than a wolf in a man’s body.

“Don’t
do that again Faith-“ He warned on a low growl that
all but had his wolf locked safely within him.

“Sorry-
but I needed to make my point Adam-“ Faith admitted as
she brought her eyes back up to his fully aware that her friend was now firmly
back in control.

“Could
you make it then-“ He offered and watched her sigh.

“You’re
not just Lycan Adam- you’re an alpha- it’s in your
very nature to dominate and that’s not something that Fay can handle in any
shape or form- she’s- sensitive-“ Faith was trying to be as gentle with his
feelings as possible, after all he was her oldest friend, well more like a
brother and she didn’t want to hurt him- not the kind of slap in the face hurt
him that she could have inflicted upon him with her words.

“She’s
my mate Faith. I can feel it- my wolf can feel it-“ Adam
at least had to try to make her understand- faith knew the way of the pack- the
way of the Lycan and she damned well knew him- he
would cut his own arms off before hurting his mate.

“Damn
it Adam.” Faith turned her back on him with a small stomp of her foot. This was
not good and she didn’t want to admit to herself that Fay was his mate, because
then she would have to admit to herself that there was little she could do or
would do to stop him trying to claim her as such.

“We
can’t choose for each other our mate Faith- otherwise do you really think I
would let Jake anywhere near you?” His words were soft and almost whispered as
he watched her turn back towards him, a small smile of knowing on her lips as
she gave a soft chuckle.

“No
I guess you wouldn’t.”

“Damn
right- so are you going to help me with my little problem or not?”

“I’m
not sure how you need my help Adam, you’ve never had a problem getting a woman
as far as I can remember and if she’s your mate then it’s just a foregone
conclusion-“ Faith gave him a wicked smile as her
tongue popped out between her teeth and she held it there like the little siren
he knew her to be.

“True
and true- but it’s not help getting her into my bed I need it’s help on how I’m
going to tell her what I am- after all- you know her best.”

Faith
looked down at the ground, snapping her mouth shut and starring with intent at
the ugly rug that Jake loved so much but would be gone shortly after the
wedding along with all the other ugly pieces of furnishings he seemed to horde-
if she got her way and she fully intended too.

“Geez
Adam -this is really going to open up a can of worms.”

“But
you’re my sister and you love me so you’re going to help me right?”He gave her
that grin- the one that said ‘you know I’m right- so just say yes.’ And she
huffed as she half stomped her foot in frustration.

“You’re
sure she’s your mate?” Faith demanded illogically and Adam just stared at her
blankly- he didn’t need to clarify, it wasn’t the kind of thing you could get
wrong. “Fine.” She hissed out begrudgingly and he
grinned wholeheartedly back at her as she cut him a death stare.

Fay
had taken what was probably the longest bath of her life- then had proceeded to
use every minute she had spare before she knew that the time was upon her when
Faith wanted her down for diner to change and amble around her bedroom.

She
knew Adam was going to be there tonight and she didn’t want to have to deal
with her embarrassment any sooner than she needed too- so making an early
appearance wasn’t even remotely on the cards as she almost counted down the
seconds it would take before she really did have to leave for dinner.

When
she got to the bedroom door and had a mild panic attack- her heart beat sped up
inside her chest, a hot flush whooshed through her entire body as she felt what
could only be described as a giant bear hug to her chest making breathing a new
Olympic sport while her legs quivered under the weight of her body- which she
was sure had increased threefold-  hesitating with her hand on the door
handle for longer than she knew she should owning to the fact she had left it
so damned late in the day to go downstairs.

Pull
it together Fay- breathe- god please breathe- calm-
calm- you’re not going to die it will ruin the wedding.

Nope-
there was still that heat- that quiver- the unobtainable full breath and just
when she started to feel light headed her mind snapped onto Faith-

She
really is going to kill you- get it together- you can do it- it was a kiss- a
really, really- really good- lots of kisses kiss. A kiss you wouldn’t mind
repeating with that man- oh god that man-

Fay
felt her breathing ease- felt her heart rate kick down a notch- felt the heat
that had been like a blow torch ease to a mild electric fire glow and rubbed
her moist palms down over her hips.

She
didn’t want to be late and have to walk in all alone either. God, she was
freaking out- this wasn’t good, she told herself as she paced back and forth by
her bedroom door when she suddenly had the realisation that she needed to put
what mattered back in the forefront of her mind.

This
was Faiths wedding and she needed to pull herself together for long enough to
not cause any spectacle and upset Faith.

Pulling
herself up to her full height and giving herself a quick talking to she felt
renewed with purpose as she yanked open the bedroom door and sped out full of
self determination and right into the waiting chest full of muscles that was
walking past.

Damn
it.

She
felt the hands on her back, the strong arms go around her and heard the slight
intake of breath above her as she tried to step back, her hands pushing against
hard solid muscle of his chest but held by the steely cage of his arms and
there was a tingling running across her skin.

“You
smell good-“ The silky smooth tones drifted down to her and she couldn’t help
but hear the amusement in his voice as her head snapped back and she looked up
into the deep warm brown eyes of her human cage.

Was
every male around here so damned perfect and god like? Give a girl a break.

“Thanks
and sorry for the tackle-“ She rushed out on one long
breath as he seemed to dip his head towards her and take a long breath much to
her chagrin- was he actually smelling her?

“You’re
Fae-“ He drawled enticed by
her unmistakeable scent and watched as she frowned slightly, she certainly
hadn’t met him before she would have remembered.

“Yes-“

“No!”
Faith drew both of their attention towards her as she came almost barrelling up
the corridor towards them a look of horror on her face and he let his arms go
from around Fay as she turned towards her friend.

“No?”
both he and Fay asked in unison and he grinned down at her as she looked up at
him in surprise.

“Great
minds and all that-“ He teased and she smiled weakly at him as she turned her
attention back towards Faith who was genuinely panting her arrival now, a hand
waving her dismissal in front of her.

“Yes-
yes her name is Fay- and no we don’t have time for this we need to get down to
dinner.” She grabbed Fay’s arm and started to tug her along with her as quickly
as she could- praying that they wouldn’t ask questions of her panic stricken
mind right now. What she needed to do was damn well sign post it somewhere- ‘do
not refer to Fay and Fae- end of.

“So
Fay is Fae?” He drawled as he followed along behind
them- amusement in his deep tones and Fay shot a look of confusion over her
shoulder, he looked as confused as she felt.

“What?-“
Faith spat out as they all practically ran down the stairs towards the dining
room and if it wasn’t the fact that Faith was panicking for some reason that
Fay couldn’t work out- she would have dug in her heels and asked what the heck
everyone was going on about.

“Her
name is Fay and she’s-“ He started to clarify as Faith
suddenly whirled around towards the man stopping all of them in our tracks, if
they had been a freight train they would have been in real trouble.

“My
very good friend that you’ve heard so much about Sebastian-“ It was in Faith’s
eyes, that look of not so subtle- shut the hell up- and he immediately nodded
his head.

“Of
course she is.” He shot a puzzled glance at Faith who seemed to growl low under
her breath before turning on her- too high pointy heels again pulling Fay along
with her as they all started off again, heading towards the dining room. Faith
practically shoved Fay ahead of her into the room as those already seated
looked up.

So
much for not making an entrance and staying low key- Fay told
herself as her cheeks flushed with crimson and she cleared her throat- standing
there unsure what to do or where to sit.

There
was a space next to Adam and she immediately turned away from it feeling the
heat rush through her body as she met his blue eyes, her eyes locking on the
vacant space that was next to Hope.

Faith’s
hand reached for her arm and she wrapped her fingers around her wrist as she
physically yanked her backwards, a small yelp coming from Fay’s lips as she
came to a halt in front of Faith with her friend almost hissing in her ear.

“Look
you sit next to Adam and we’ll do the boy girl thing-“ She
shoved her in the back towards a grinning Adam. Faith looped her arm within
Sebastian’s and guided him around the table whispering in his ear as they went.

To
say that Fay was a little put out was an understatement, she felt as though she
had been thrown to the wolves and by her best friend no less. Adam got to his
feet as she drew nearer and placed his hand on the back of her chair not
seating himself until she had slipped onto her own chair, her eyes immediately
shooting towards Faith, who was still whispering to Sebastian in a
conspiratorial way at the end of the room and completely oblivious to the glare
her friend was giving her.

“Where
have you been hiding all afternoon?” Adam leaned towards her and whispered- she
felt that rush of heat wash through her body again- she was already hot from
being run down the stairs- hurled through the door and then foist in Adam’s
direction and now she was almost burning from the nearness of him.

“I
wasn’t hiding.”She hotly denied feeling the added tension of what Faith was
sharing with the newcomer at the other end of the room.

“Are
you sure- because it felt like you were hiding out?” Adam teased again and she
rolled her eyes- turning towards him she found his blue eyes locking with hers-
the rush of tension that swept through her made her physically fidgety and then
there was that damn tingly sensation.

“I’m
sure- there was no reason for me to hide.” She lied and he noticed the change
in her when she did- picking up on the subtle tell of her heart speeding within
her, the way she couldn’t quite meet his gaze full on, the way she reached up
to rub her ear lobe and he found himself smiling not only at how cute she
looked when she was lying, but how he now had a handle on her tells.

“Wonder
what’s for dinner- I’m hoping for a nice slab of juicy meat.” Abel commented
out of the blue and to no one in particular and Fay leapt on the chance of
changing the subject.

“I’m
vegetarian-“ She lied- it had been the first thing to come in to her head, or
maybe had just bypassed her brain and shot straight out of her mouth as both
brothers turned towards her with looks of pure disbelief on their faces.

“You
are?” Adam groaned his dismay, as though it was the most disgusting thought he
could imagine- what were they Texan’s for god sakes?

“When
did that happen?” Hope demanded confused, she was sure she had seen Fay eat
meat since she had been here.

“Whenever-
I- don’t- eat- meat.” Fay answered slowly looking to the ceiling for clarity as
she tried to backpedal- the thought of not eating meat for the next couple of
days already depressing her. Abel sniggered and Hope shot her a look of
amusement as Adam leaned sideways towards her and she had to physically stop
herself from catching a breath as she tingled, she found herself moving towards
him even though she had no plans to do it.

“ About earlier-“ He
started and she found herself immediately flushing from head to toe.

“Can
we not talk about that- especially here and now?” she rushed out on a whisper
and she heard his soft chuckle greet her ears and sweep through her entire body
with a wave of sensation that had no baring in the real world.

“Ok,
we can talk about it later- maybe even elaborate on some of the finer points-“ She shook her head when her body wanted to nod her
approval.

“That’s
not what- I mean- doesn’t matter.”

She
brushed her denial away as she reached up to tug on her ear lobe and Adam
couldn’t help but chuckle to himself as his brother shot him a look across the
table and he answered with a glare.

Fay
had managed to force down a few forkfuls of food during dinner but that was
mainly due to the fact that she was trying to occupy herself rather than either
look or acknowledge something someone had said either about her or to her,
mainly Adam who sat there mercilessly teasing her with his sheer presence at
her side.

Why
the hell had Faith put her next to him in the first place, she wondered as she
tried to detach herself from the gathering in the living room after the meal
and sneak off for a walk, she was feeling decidedly edgy right now and taking a
walk might just put some of that to rest.

Sebastian
headed right for her and she didn’t stand a chance of either ducking out of the
room before he got to her or disappearing if he followed her out.

“So
Fay- you’re one of Faith’s bridesmaids?” He towered over her with an almost
imposing presence as she stood with her back to the wood panelling, her fingers
tapping restlessly against her thigh as she waited for her chance to escape.

“Yes-
Hope and I and you’re Jake’s best man-“ That much she
had gathered over the conversation at the dinner table. His presence became
even more imposing when he leaned towards her- this whole gorgeous male
thing was starting to wear thin- where were the ugly guys?

“You
know what this means don’t you-?” He left the question hanging in the air and
she mentally slapped herself from the annoyance of someone not just coming out
and saying what they meant rather than making a person guess- she didn’t have
the brain capacity to even try right now- she sighed inwardly.

“No
but do share.” She offered giving him the opening he was hoping for and then
his eyes locked onto hers and he fixed her with a drop dead gorgeous grin.

“It
means we get to dance until the sun comes up at the reception-“

“And
then he turns back into a frog and goes back to the swamp.” Abel put in from
where he had suddenly taken up residence beside Fay. Her eyes shot to Abel who
seemed to be standing in some sort of protective manner – his thick arms folded
over his chest and a glare fixed directly at Sebastian who seemed to move his
posture slightly in reciprocation and acknowledgement and she wasn’t entirely
sure why- but when Adam came up on the other side of her with exactly the same
stance she felt something in the air change in that short time, her eyes
searching for Faith across the room.

Faith
could be relied upon to turn this kind of sudden confrontation into an easy
peace, although it was true that she was usually the one who had caused it,
maybe she had this time as well- after all- she had shoved her towards Adam
tonight- she certainly seemed to be playing some kind of game- maybe one last
hurrah before becoming a married woman?

“Well
Fay’s dance card is pretty much taken up between myself and my brother-“ Fay turned
her eyes up to Adam who’s gaze was firmly fixed on poor Sebastian as his jaw
tensed and release almost in rhythmic bursts she noted as he continued to glare
at the newcomer.

“And
when she finds that she needs some finesse in her evening I will be there to
whisk her away.” Sebastian was now playing the same game as the brothers and
Fay decided that this wasn’t even about her- she was just going to become
collateral damage if this turned into something more than just glares and words
between them, but what could she do, she was caged in with the wall to her
back, both brothers either side and Sebastian in front of her.

“Listen-“ Adam took a step forwards and Fay swallowed hard as the
testosterone level went through the roof and she was grateful to hear Faith’s
voice emanating from somewhere outside the wall of muscled chests.

“Well
isn’t this nice- everyone getting to know each other?” Faith elbowed Abel aside
to step into the cage and when she wrapped her fingers around Fay’s wrist and
yanked her out of there- Fay gave her a look of sheer appreciation.

“Honey,
if you’re going to start world war three in here you really need to learn how
to control the players.” Faith teased as she wrapped her arm around Fay’s
shoulders and led her across the room to where Hope was sitting chatting to
Jake.

“So
who wants brandy?”Faith announced as she practically foisted Fay into the seat
beside Hope in the desperate need to know she was- for now out of the firing
line before turning on her heels and glaring at the men across the room.

CHAPTER
FOUR

Fay
slipped out of the room and headed straight for the front door, she didn’t even
stop long enough to grab a wrap as the freedom of the outside world called to
her. Slipping down the front steps she practically raced across the grounds
until she came upon the entrance to the woods, slipping into the dense
overgrowth she stopped beside the nearest tree and hauled in a long deep breath
of freedom.

She
listened to the sound of the woods around her- the sounds of the night time
being completely different to the daytime sounds that she had noted earlier and
she was aware of the need not to wander in too far for fear she would get
turned around and not be able to find her way back so easily.

She
traced her fingers down the rough bark of the trunk before turning her back
against the solidity of nature’s lungs so she could close her eyes and let the
peace wash through.

The
crack of a twig in the near distance giving her an immediate start as her eyes
flashed open and she searched the area from where the noise had emanated.

The
thought of danger hadn’t even entered her mind until now as the hairs stood to
attention across her body and she felt her fingers curl against the bark behind
her when the large black shadow came into view- her mind already registering
what it was before her body kicked up a gear and she swallowed hard realising
that she was now standing in the woods with the wolf from the night before.

Genius
move Fay- get eaten by a wolf before Faith’s big day.

She
contemplated moving but he was already edging in her direction and she didn’t
want to cause him to attack, but what else was she supposed to do? Stand there
and hope he was a vegetarian?

She
felt the heat rise in her body as a thin layer of sweat covered every inch of
her and when the wolf moved slowly, with what seemed like purpose towards her,
she noted that he didn’t have the same blue eyes as her wolf from last night
that caused her heart to jumped up into her throat as she couldn’t decide if
that was better or worse. Last night’s wolf hadn’t attacked- but this one
might, he was certainly moving as though she were prey.

Fay
saw the heckles at his neck start to rise and felt her heart slam into her
chest- that was never a good sign, she had seen enough on the nature channel to
know that and when he pulled back his lips to expose the two rows of sharp
teeth, she practically squealed into her own mind with fear.

“Don’t
move.” Adam’s voice came at her ear in an instant as the wolf started to snarl
and Fay was caught between relief that he was with her
and fear that he was now in as much danger as she was.

Fay
heard a subtle click as the bright beam of the flashlight cut into the darkness
of the woods, catching the wolf squarely in the eyes- she was sure the creature
practically groaned as it took a step back and shook its head.

When
the light went out the wolf seemed to just stand there, almost as unsure as she
was as to what to do next and when Adam flicked the light on and blinded the
poor beast again it started to back away with a low growl before turning on his
massive pads and disappearing into the night- she practically breathed for the
first time since the wolf had started towards her.

“You
ok?” He turned his full attention towards her and she would have moved towards
him but her nails were practically wedged into the bark of the tree as her
fingers held on for dear life. She managed to shake her head and saw him wince
as he ran his hand down her bare arms trying to bring her hands from behind her
back, his fingers tracing down when he couldn’t move them until he found her
nails locked against the bark.

“Hey-
it’s ok- “He released first one hand and then the other as she shook her head
again.

“It’s
not ok- wolves keep growling at me?” Her voice was small and he felt a rush of
guilt go through him at just how scared she was- he was supposed to do
everything he could to protect his mate and yet he had let Abel talk him into
this stupid idea for him to all but rescue her from the big bad wolf.

He
pulled her towards him and wrapped his arms around her with all the
protectiveness that was washing through his blood- when he saw his brother he
was going to pummel him for his stupidity, he decided as she curled against his
chest, her fingers gathering handfuls of his top as she held on for dear life,
her body shaking with the fear that wracked through her.

“It’s
not your fault- it’s the stupid wolf’s.” He knew his
brother would still be close enough to overhear that as he scooped her up into
his arms, an arm around her back and one under her knees and he noted that she
felt as light as a feather as he started off out of the woods.

“Put
me down Adam- I can walk.” Her voice was barely a whisper and he couldn’t help
but give a soft chuckle down at her.

“No
sweetheart I don’t think you can right now- you’re shaking like a leaf in a
tornado.” He made no attempt to stop and she made no attempt to ask to be
released again.

Her
whole body might be shaking right now- but there was also a tingle that swept
over her skin of recognition of him and she felt infinitely safe within his
arms, safer than she had ever felt in her life before.

“Why
were you in the woods?” she looked up at him and was greeted with those blue
eyes smiling down at her.

“I
saw you leave and thought we might continue our talk that you didn’t want to
have at the dinner table.” He gave her a wicked grin and she flushed bright
crimson as she suddenly found herself trying to squirm out of his arms. This
wasn’t a conversation that she wanted to be having right now and it certainly
wasn’t one she wanted to have when she was helplessly within his arms like
this.

Adam
tightened his hold on her, making sure she couldn’t get away as he quickened
his pace- coming out of the woods just as she demanded to be put down.

“I
can walk now- put me down.” She was insisting and he didn’t want to get on her
bad side by ignoring her request this time so he slowly lowered her down his
body, making sure that she was flush against him inch for inch as he settled
her on her feet, his hands running down her spine as he casually pressed into
her and he heard her catch her breath as she put her hands against his chest to
steady her legs beneath her that were still a little shaky.

“How you doing?” He asked
running his hand very deliberately up her spine as his other hand came up to
cup her face, drawing her eyes to his and a fresh wave of desire tore through
her at lightning speed as she leaned into him.

“I’m
fine-“ She managed on an almost whisper and he smiled
down at her.

“Yes
you are-“ He breathed keeping his eyes locked with
hers as he dipped his head and captured her lips with the heat of his own- she
practically melted against him. Her body responding instantly to him, her lips
parting for his claim as he devoured her with just as much passion as she
remembered from earlier.

Her
mind questioned what she was doing before dismissing it on a stroke of his hand
down her back again that made her hips press against him- a groan of desire
catching in his throat when she rolled against his hard shaft- that was wedged
so damn awkwardly into his trousers, eager to be released.

His
wolf was practically salivating to be released as she ran her fingernails down
his pecs- her nails catching on the hard buds beneath
his top and he had to hold back the low growl that wanted to roll through him
that had scared her earlier- he needed to remember that she might be his mate-
but that she was also human by design- even though Fae
by nature and her response to his beast side would be determined by her belief
system- right now she had no idea of who he really was- what he really was and
that his beast inside was the same as what had scared her tonight.

He
ran a hand down the bare skin of her arm causing her to shiver until he skated
fingertips across the swell of her breast, his thumb catching the tight hard
bud and sweeping back and forth until she moaned into his mouth, that feminine
little sound almost caused him to be come undone as his beast tried to surface
within him, demanding he take her- claim her for his own.

Adam
fought to remember where he was- who he was with as the desire for her swept
through him like wildfire- he would lose her forever if he showed his true
nature to her before she was ready- he needed to be gentle and throwing her
down onto the dirt and thrusting into her with all the power of his beast
wasn’t going to win her for his mate.

He
reluctantly eased against her- allowing her senses to come back to her as he
slowed down his needs within him- reigning himself in- but he felt that Fay was
having slightly less success with the desire flooding through her and her need
swept him back up as he released her mouth and heard her pull a deep breath
into her straining lungs as he traced down the line of her jaw with gentle nips
against her delicate skin and soothing kisses against her heated flesh.

When
he moved down over the throbbing vein in her neck he was all too aware of her
blood coursing through the vein, the beating of her heart within her and moved
on quickly over her collarbone as he felt the beast within him raise its head
and urge him on.

When
she ran her tongue over his own vein before nipping against his skin he nearly
threw her down right there into the dirt to take her, pulling her hard against
him he bent his knees until his hardness was against her mound and he rolled
against her- causing her to catch her breath and in one quick movement he had
lifted her against him, her legs wrapped around his hips as he moved them through
the night until her back was up against the thick trunk of a tree just hidden
from view of the grounds, rocking his hips into hers, his hard shaft rubbing
the nub of her desire as they both groaned into the silence of the wood.

“Damn
it Fay- I want you but I can’t take you like this-“ he
breathed into her neck as she tightened her grip around his hips, her feet
locking behind him as she moved her hips against him and the low growl of need
rolled in his chest but this time she didn’t tense, instead she just reached
between them for a way to release him from his constraints.

“I
need-“ she breathed on a desperate breath caught up in her Fae
awareness of what she was to him- her human instincts suppressed by her need
for him to claim her.

God
he needed to be inside her- the urge- the want was so damned powerful that it
was practically eating him alive as he tried to fight it for the both of them-
her fingers still working to free him and she was doing a damned good job- he
knew he needed to put an end to this now.

He
used his hips to hold her back against the tree and reached for her wrists,
snagging both in his large hands he pulled her away from where he ached with
the pain of needing to mate her, “Stop Fay- I can’t take you like this
sweetheart-“ He leaned against her body, breathing
into her neck, breathing in the sweet smell of her and his own beast was
cursing him- growling with the need to claim her.

He
felt her squirm against his hard body and groaned into his own mind- if she
didn’t stop doing that he wouldn’t be able to stay in control and he would
throw her down on the earth and thrust into her until they both had their fill.

“Adam-“
Her breath was ragged against his neck, hot bursts that sent shivers through
him, he was just barely holding on here.

Fay
closed her eyes and tried to steady her breathing, she wasn’t sure what the
hell had come over her- he just had to touch her and she was on fire with a
need for him- this wasn’t her- a wave of embarrassment washed through her along
with the desire that surged in her blood- how the hell was she ever going to
look at him again?

“I
need to put you down sweetheart otherwise it’s just going to happen all over
again and this time I’m not sure if I’m strong enough not to take advantage of
you.” His words were whispered into her hair and he instantly felt her body
shiver against his.

Letting
go of her wrists he tried to put a mental barrier up against just how good she
felt against him as he reached for her hips and lowered her back to the ground,
careful not to run her body down the length of his for fear that it would start
all over again.

He
took a long moment to steady her on her feet- steady himself before he let her
go and he noted that he had been staring at the top of her head the whole time-
she hadn’t lifted her eyes to look at him. He could feel his beast slowly
winding back into the background and took a long deep calming breath before he
reached for her chin and tipped her head up towards him.

The
crimson red in her cheeks and her swollen lips made the throbbing of his shaft
inside his jeans worse- she looked so adorable and vulnerable and yet the
desire was still in her eyes as she stared back up at him.

“I
don’t-“ She half shook her head and he felt his heart
go out to her. He understood his attraction- he knew his heritage and what he
was and she was oblivious to why she was acting so totally out of character. It
wasn’t right damn it, she should at least know that when she was around him-
being his mate- this was the normal reaction.

“I
think we got a little carried away-“ He offered and he could see the confusion
within her- feel her need to question what had just happened to her own mind
and body that she had reacted like that to him.

Fay
wanted to deny it- she wanted to say that he was the one who had been carried
away- but she couldn’t not take responsibility for her own actions- she had
been just as caught up in whatever that was as he had and she wasn’t sure
whether to thank her lucky stars that he had been gentleman enough to stop them
when he had or curse him for doing so.

Her
mind was in as much turmoil right now as her body- she still wanted to step
back into his arms and do it all over and- more.

“Now
I’m getting an idea of what a black whole feels like-“ She
half mumbled before chewing down on her bottom lip, easing back away from him
even though her whole body screamed to take a step closer.

He
couldn’t help the gentle chuckle that came from his lips as he allowed her to
move back, his hand dropping from her chin as she returned her puzzled green
eyes back to the ground between them- but he wasn’t ready to let her go
completely. He reached for her hand and laced his fingers in hers, “Come on
I’ll walk you back.” He didn’t wait for an answer as he turned them back
towards Jakes place and started off in that direction.

Hope
almost pounced on them as they walked in through the front door, a look of pure
glee on her face as she announced, “And where have you two been?” before
walking towards Fay and reaching up to yank a piece of foliage from her wayward
curls snagging a few strands of hair with it as Fay yelped and frowned at her
friend.

Adam
gave a low growl of warning in his chest as Hope turned her eyes towards him, a
look of surprise on her face as she backed off slightly knowing what that growl
meant from an Alpha Lycan- “Ok Mr Protective- no harm
no foul.” As she suddenly remembered Fay standing there she quickly rolled her
eyes and shrugged her shoulders. “Men.” She gushed
quickly as she snagged Fay’s free hand in hers and yanked her forwards with
her, turning her back on Adam.

“Let’s
go find Faith and have a little girlie time.” She shot a look back over her
shoulder towards Adam- not sure if he was going to be too happy with her for
that and her eyes flicked to where Fay’s outstretched hand was in his and she
noted the reluctance in him of letting her go.

“Hope
I-“ Fay started as Hope quickly turned back away from
Adam’s eyes, she could almost feel them burning into her and she wanted to be
away from him as quickly as possible, he looked like a man who was about to
commit a flying tackle on one of them and she didn’t much feel like being
wedged under the weight of an angry Wolf.

“Here
we go-“ Hope all but pushed and pulled her into the room with her, her eyes
immediately locking onto Faith’s as she gave her a wide eyed stare of panic and
Faith swallowed hard as she disengaged from the small group of newcomers she
was standing with and rushed over.

“What’s
going on?” She half breathed out between clenched teeth and a fixed smile as
her eyes took in the state of Fay- who now looked even more bemused.

“Look
a little mauled to you?” Hope motioned with a flicked of her eyes and her head
towards Fay and Faith took Fay’s other hand, motioning towards the side door
that lead into the study next door.

“Stop
with the manhandling already-“ Fay finally moaned out as she shrugged herself
away from the pair of them when they reached the silence and privacy of the
office and Faith turned closing the door, taking a moment to give a silent
prayer to Freya to guide her in her endeavours.

“Hey sweetie- how you doing?” She asked
before walking past Fay and over to where Jake kept his liquor- pouring Fay a
shot she walked back and slapped it into her hand. Fay looked down and frowned,
she hated hard liquor- a beer she could handle- a nice sweet cold beer- but
this? She put the glass to her lips and tipped the whole damn thing up,
swallowing hard before practically breathing fire as it burned its way down her
throat.

“Wow.”
Hope looked slightly amused as Fay thrust the glass back at Faith before
walking over to the leather chesterfield and dropping down onto the firm
surface while Faith and Hope eyed each other nervously.

“So
did you-?” Hope started and Faith gasped as she slapped out at her friend in
disbelief, “What? Like you don’t want to know?” Hope shot Faith a look of
contempt and Faith clamped down on her jaw as she spat fire back at Hope.

“I
think there’s something really wrong with me-“ Fay
said slowly, her eyes fixed on the antique rug on the floor as Faith and Hope
both took positions either side of Fay.

“Not
as much as you would think-“ Hope blurted out and
Faith reached behind Fay to give her friend a warning shot in the arm- “Ouch-
really?” Hope snapped- but Faith just pouted her an
evil look.

“What
happened with you and Adam?” Faith asked as gently as she could. Fay shrugged
her shoulders, her eyes still stuck on the rug.

“The
hell if I know- I’ve never been like that before- I almost-“
Faith saw Hope deflate beside her- she knew she had been more than
hopeful that her friend had mated with Adam- probably so she could get all the
juicy details- after all when Hope had learned that Faith had slept with a
vampire she practically salivated over every detail.

“So
what stopped you?” Hope blurted out in sheer disappointment and Faith reached
out and slapped her again. “Hey!”

“Adam-“

“Adam?”
Hope turned her nose up at the thought as Faith went to slap her again and she
drew back wide eyed giving her friend a look of warning.

“He
didn’t want to do it up against a tree-“ Fay narrowed
her eyes and tipped her head to the side as though trying to mentally grasp
something.

“Nothing
wrong with going back to nature-“ Hope muttered as
Faith moved and Hope sprang back holding out her hands in mock surrender,
“-just saying.”

“Oh
my god I nearly had sex against a tree!” Fay sprang to her feet, a look of pure
shock and embarrassment on her face as she stared wide eyed and open mouthed
ahead of her and Faith and Hope shot each other knowing looks.

“Well
at least Adam had the good sense not to-“ Hope started and Faith gave her a
backhander across her bare forearm that made her clench her teeth and turn her
anger on Faith as Faith reached up and pulled Fay back down to the seat between
them. She dropped like a stone.

“Look
we all get carried away when we meet that special person-“
Faith started as she saw Hope’s eyebrows raise high on her forehead and
her neck snap back. Fay turned sharply towards her, the look on her face said
she was grasping at straws now.

“We
do?”

“We
do.” Hope and Faith said together, even though Hope had to hold onto the
chuckle that threatened to roll from her throat.

“So
being totally out of control would be-?” Fay asked slowly as she narrowed her
eyes at Faith waiting for her to finish the sentence for her.

“-Normal-“ Faith offered and Hope echoed the word as Fay’s shoulders
seemed to relax slightly.

“So that would make Adam my-?” Fay left the
sentence hanging again and Hope jumped in, she had this one covered.

“Mate-“ Faith’s eyes flashed a warning as Fay’s brow furrowed and
she shook her head about to open her mouth when Faith stepped in.

“Someone
special-“ She offered shooting daggers at Hope who
shrugged apologetically on a grimace and Fay seemed to sag a little where she
sat.

“But
I don’t even know him-“

“Animal attraction.” Hope beamed as
Faith rolled her eyes and Hope grimaced again. “Lust at-
Love- Love at first sight.” Hope stammered over her words when Faith
glared at her over the top of Fay’s head.

“Yeah-
I don’t believe in that kind of-“ Fay started to shake
her head on an instant dismissal and Faith wanted to groan. It would have been
so much easier just to be able to tell her the truth.

“It
happened to me and Jake-“ She offered knowing full well the first time they had
met she had zapped him with so many volts of Fae
electricity that he hummed of static for half an hour afterwards.

“But
that kind of thing doesn’t happen to me-“ Fay turned
towards Faith and pinned her in her seat with her eyes.

“It’s
not something that’s going to happen every week Fay. When you meet that one
true person you’re supposed to be with-“ she shrugged
her shoulders as her friends eyes dropped to her lap. Hope shot her a
questioning look and Faith shrugged her reply. The seeds had been sown, it was just a matter of if Fay would pour water on
them.

“So
you’re saying he’s like my soul mate?”

“Exactly. Mate. Soul- soul mate.” Hope said slowly taping her fingers rhythmically
on her knees as she looked around her saying a silent plea to whatever deity
would help them all out here.

“Meh.” Fay dropped
back against the hard leather of the chesterfield as Faith and Hope just stared
at each other.

“Hello
Fay.” Sebastian’s deep velvet tones captured her attention as he swopped up
alongside her at the top of the staircase- she hadn’t noticed anyone behind her
as she climbed the stairs and she certainly hadn’t heard anyone come up after
her- but then her mind was elsewhere right now- still trying to come to terms
with what Faith and Hope had said about soul mates- she knew only too well that
the two of them were into that new age kind of thinking- but she’d never put
much stock in it herself.

“Hi Sebastian.” He reached
towards her and plucked out a piece of foliage from her hair in much the same
way that Hope had- only Sebastian had been a lot more careful about it leaving
her hair still in her head.

“Been
for a night time stroll in the woods?” He asked with what appeared to be total
innocence and yet Fay couldn’t help but wonder at the slight smirk that raised
the corners of his deep red lips.

“Something
like that.” She offered back fighting the crimson tide
that reached her cheeks.

“Nothing
like a moonlight stroll- but you should beware the wolves that I hear are
roaming about Jake’s land.” He almost chuckled to himself with amusement as she
bit down on her lower lip- a look of guilt washed over her face.

“I’ve
seen them- they are beautiful-“ She offered as
Sebastian reached out to wrap his steely fingers around her wrist bringing them
both to a stop and she turned towards him puzzled.

“But so very- very deadly.” He informed her
using every bit of his dramatic flair to warn her off.

“What
are you doing?” Adam’s deep voice penetrated the silence that hung between them
as Fay almost whirled towards him on the spot feeling a rush of guilt even
though she had nothing to feel guilty about.

“Just
telling Fay a few home truths, after all we wouldn’t want her to get mauled by
the big bad wolf now would we? -“ Sebastian almost crowed out, a smile turning
his features more animated than Fay had seen them before- there was even a
little glimmer of mischief in his dark eyes, making him look more devilishly attractive-
emphasis on the devilish she thought as he gave her a wicked grin.

Fay’s
attention was snatched back towards Adam- she was sure that she heard a low
growl coming from him but when she turned her eyes towards him his eyes were
fixed intently on Sebastian.

“Fay
understands the danger of the wolves-“ Adam bit out as
Sebastian raised his brows.

“The nature of the beast- the danger of
getting too close with such an animal?” Sebastian taunted turning his
nose up at the thought and Fay looked between the two in puzzlement- it was as
if there was a whole different conversation passing between the two of them
that she had no idea about.

“Fay’s
a big girl-“ Adam snapped back as Sebastian turned his
whole body towards Adam, taking a firmer stance.

“So
we should just feed her to the wolves then?” Sebastian queried as Adam drew
himself up to his full height. Fay felt the air become thick with testosterone.
The atmosphere between them was almost electric and she didn’t much like it,
although she had to admit there was a part of her that seemed to be drawn
towards Adam right at that moment.

“Maybe
you should go see them for yourself Sebastian- I’d be more than happy to show
you.” It sounded to Fay as though some kind of challenge was being handed out.
Adam’s eyes seemed fierce right now as he glared.

Sebastian
sniffed the air, a smirk touching his lips, “Smells like someone’s been marking
their territory.”He mused and Fay rolled her eyes.

“Why
don’t you two just get a room.” Fay growled out as she
shook her head in dismay before setting off past Adam down the hall- the closer
she got to him the more the pull towards him drew her attention and when she
drew alongside him, Adam reached out and snagged her wrist with his fingers
curling possessively around her.

His
touch sent a hot bolt of plasma right through her- his fingers warming the skin
under his touch and she sucked in a breath of surprise as all of that heat
pooled between her thighs. Her eyes flicked up to Adam’s face and it was as
though he sniffed the air- his eyes narrowing on hers and holding her in his
gaze and she heard Sebastian clear his throat behind her.

“Well
I guess my work here is done.” He mused before turning and walking back down
the stairs.

“What?”
She managed- half demand half questioning him while trying hard to pull her
gaze down from his eyes to the hand he had around her wrist- but didn’t quite
manage it.

“I
want-“ He started but then breathed a long sigh down his nose as he tried to
switch between his anger for Sebastian’s interference in what was a Lycan matter and the rising feelings her touch brought
inside him.

“I
think we both know what you want-“ Fay wasn’t trying to be sarcastic, that was
Faith’s genre, she just couldn’t shake off this damned attraction to Adam, a
guy she didn’t know, a guy she had only just met and a guy who’s intense blue
eyes felt like they were burning into her soul right now.

“Do
you not want me Fay?” He knew she did, he could see the desire in her eyes, the
way her body was almost swaying towards him- a subtle movement that she may not
even realise- the scent of her arousal more than evident in the air between
them- but he wanted to hear her say it- say it so when it came she couldn’t
deny it.

“I-
“ She was going to admit it, he told himself, his beast almost beating his
chest with pride, but then she bit down on her lower lip and that little light
went out in her eyes as fear slipped in.

Adam
swallowed hard- he didn’t like the fear he saw there, he didn’t want her to
fear him- not in that way. He was an Alpha- there would be times when she would
feel his wrath and fear would naturally coarse through her veins- but not for
this- he would never deliberately hurt her- she was his mate, every instinct in
his body drove him to protect her.

“Don’t
fear what you don’t understand little Fae.” He had
taken a step towards her that she wasn’t even aware of, his hand cupping her
face as he gazed down into her eyes- the stroke of his thumb across her smooth
skin sending his beast roaring with approval at the feelings that raced through
him and he watched as the fear in her eyes slipped away- replaced with need for
more of his touch.

But
then she pulled back- a sudden movement that had taken every last bit of
willpower that she could rein in- she wasn’t sure where she found it, a sudden
rush of what felt like a hum through her nerves and she had removed him from
her personal space.

Her
skin tingled with sensation- like silk being drawn across her skin and she
found herself able to look away from his gaze for the first time since she had
met him. It felt like someone had turned on the power supply to her free will
and she almost sighed with gratitude. She still wanted him- still had a need
for him gnawing inside her, but she felt more able to hold it down. Not for the
first time her Fae blood was stirring within her.

Adam
watched her with interest- he had felt the stirring of Fae
within her- a spark that had been ignited by her fear perhaps? Whatever it was-
if she embraced her Fae heritage it would make both
their lives easier- although he had to admit- he didn’t much care for the fact
that she was exhibiting defiance for her attraction to her mate- but that would
soon end the moment he decided to claim her- she would have no choice but to
surrender to her own body- her own mind.

“I’m
going to bed.” Before she had finished her sentence she wanted to snatch it
back, flashes of heat washed through her as an image of her and Adam together
in her bed played like a movie within her mind, her desire swept through her
body- she saw his eyes flash with renewed desire and tried taking another step
back away from him, but this time it didn’t work- she had no more will left
inside her and she knew she was in trouble when he took a long step towards
her, his hand skirted her hip- setting the flesh beneath her clothes on fire as
it travelled around to the small of her back and he pulled her against the
length of him.

Fay
felt the full force of his desire for her when his lips came down over hers,
his tongue seeking entry, a demand that she couldn’t deny either of them,
parting her lips for him to enter and devour her mouth, his hand leaving her
wrist to run over the bare skin of her arm until he had cupped her face again-
moving to fist her hair as he tugged her head back slightly to where he wanted
it, her curls spilling through his fingers.

Her
hands reached for his chest to push him away and pull him closer towards her in
equal measure- her palms found the hard muscles through his top and stilled,
splayed against him until the draw of the hard beat of his heart called her
fingertips to search it out through the thin cloth- it felt like it was beating
time with hers, perfectly in synch and yet she knew that was impossible- a trick
of her own heavy pulse tapping against her fingertips.

When
he broke away from her mouth to find where her pulse beat in her neck she found
her voice, “I can’t do this-“ it was a whisper of the doubt that ran through
her- but she didn’t feel strong enough to voice it aloud in case it actually
came true and she didn’t want him to stop.

“You can’t not do this.” He breathed
against her ear, his breath so hot against her skin and she shivered clean down
to her toes.

“Dude-
you have a room- use it.” Abel chuckled but didn’t come any closer than four
stairs from the top. He knew his brother was claiming his mate and there was no
way he was stupid enough to get too close to them right now- he liked his head
where it was on his neck and felt it would be such a shame to lose it by
getting to close.

That
didn’t stop Adam from raising his eyes to his younger brother, the glare of
warning almost as chilling as when he pulled his lips back in a snarl and
growled low in his chest- Abel swallowed hard and dropped down a step or two,
his eyes finding the floor and his head tipped to the side in submission-
really very eager to keep his head where I was.

CHAPTER
FIVE

“Did
you just growl?” Fay’s voice was breathless as she struggled to get control of
herself- but that damned growl had triggered something more within her that was
fighting her rationality- she wanted him now more than ever- wanted him to just
throw her down on the floor of the hallway and take her there and then.

Adam’s
senses were suddenly in overload- her desire had spiked to an all time high- he
knew she needed to be possessed- needed to be taken by her mate and his
territory was no longer being invaded by the only other Lycan
in the immediate vicinity- there was no danger. He ran his hand down over the
swell of her backside and cupped her, easily lifting her against him as he
backed them down the hallway towards her room.

Fay
wrapped her legs around his hips- the thickness of his arousal pressed against
her heat and she moaned her need as he growled his pent up desire back at her-
he was rock hard and if he didn’t have her he just might combust.

“Trust
me the growling is the least of your problems right now.” Each word held a low
growl back in his throat and she felt the rush of heat against her skin, akin
to someone holding a damned blow torch against her- his mouth was back on her
with a vengeance as he stalked down the hall in the general direction of where
his arousal was pointing him- right now he didn’t care who’s damn room they
ended up in. Luckily he found her door first.

His
hand found the handle as she slipped slightly against him, the movement causing
them both to moan as they rubbed against each other, his hand was back on her
backside holding her in place in an instant- kicking open the door as he
whisked her into the semi-darkness of the room- the thick curtains still draw
back with the light of the half moon illuminating the far end of the room- he
back heeled the door closed-  breaking away from her mouth long enough to
locate the bed and with a couple of long strides they were there- he was
lowering her to the softness of the mattress with his body still pressed
against hers, her legs still wrapped around his hips- unwilling to relinquish
her hold on him.

His
mouth was back on hers, his tongue in full possession mode, exploring and
claiming her at the same time as she claimed him back with just as much
ferociousness.

His
large hands were now free to roam over her body- his mind centred on stripping
them both naked so he could be skin to skin with his woman- his hands desperate
to peel the clothes from her soft body.

Rolling
back onto his knees with her legs still wrapped around him he brought her onto
his lap- his hands snagging her top and peeling it from her- the tiniest bit of
lace covering her breasts- the hard buds of her desire for him poking against
the flimsy fabric and calling to him, he reached for the thin straps of her bra
and curled his fingers under the satin of the straps- his eyes coming up to
hers as she sat stock still against him- the only movement she made was her
chest rising and falling with the breaths she pulled into her lungs.

He
saw the moment’s hesitation in her eyes as his fingers moved against her bare
shoulders- taking the straps down with them- she was caught between desire for
him to remove the barrier between them and the need to modestly cover herself
with her hands- but he kept his eyes locked with hers and she made no move to
either stop him or to cover herself as he dragged the straps down- the heat of
his fingers against her skin and the lace slipping over her hard buds caused a
shiver to run through her- it was exquisite torture.

She
removed her arms from the straps as his fingers brushed over the bare skin of
her back, flicking the clasp open and he tossed the garment aside- his eyes
never leaving hers even though he wanted to take in the sight of her naked
breasts more than he wanted the steadying breath he dragged into his lungs- he
felt her modesty- he felt her uncertainty and it humbled him.

He
cupped her breasts- the pads of his thumbs running over the gentle swell,
searching for the hard buds and her breath hitched inside her- her lips parted
as her lashes fluttered down over her cheeks with her back gently arching when
he found them- her mind subconsciously offering him more of herself.

His
eyes travelled down her perfect neck- exposed for his mark where her head
tipped back and to one side as he moved back and forth across the tightly
pebbled flesh- gentle sighs coming from her parted lips as he rested his thumbs
over her pert nipples and circled over the nerves- his mouth dry as his tongue
ran over his lips to moisten them- his eyes following the downward path to take
her in- the gentle swell of her beautiful breasts pulled taunt by her desire
for him.

He
dipped his head forwards- removing one hand to the small of her back, easing
her back so he could run his tongue around the tight flesh- her chest rising
with the breath she claimed and the further arch of her back- giving herself
over to his mouth as he closed his lips and suckled her first with gentleness
and then with increasing hunger for his own needs that were once again coursing
through him like a firestorm that he knew he needed to rein in.

When
he nipped against her she involuntarily circled her hips against the painful
swell of his erection and he growled low and deep within his chest- his wolf
barely contained within him was now clawing at the ground with the feral need
to possess her- take what was his- but this first time with her filled the
human side of him with reverence- he would not allow his beast control- he
would not mark her as his- claim her for his wolf until she knew of the beast
inside.

He
flattened his tongue against the heat of her skin and ran it from her breast up
over her chest- skirting her collarbone against her throat and nipped the skin
of her chin- his thumb back against the wetness of her nipple, circling the bud
as he removed the other hand to the small of her back before retracing his path
veering off to claim her other nipple within his mouth- tasting and teasing her
flesh until she rolled her hips against him again.

Her
body was making no secret of the fact that it wanted him- needed more from him
and the little gasps that escaped her lips sent even more blood to his already
aching erection- he was rock hard and desperate for release and as though his
mate could sense his pain she reached to free him- her fingers working the
zipper until she could pull the fabric aside to find he was commando beneath-
the length of him springing upwards- hard and proud and desperate for her
touch.

When
her fingers wrapped around his hard shaft she gasped at the width of him- her
brain immediately recognising just how damned thick his shaft was inside her
fist- she ran her thumb up over the bulbous head- smearing the dab of wetness
as he growled not only the feel of her hand working against him but the
pleasure he envisaged in touching her body as his hands worked to loosen the
wrap around skirt- his fingers finding the tie at her waist and pulling the
material away from her- like unwrapping a present as he breathed down his nose-
the matching lace panties that covered the dark curls of her mound no
real  barrier for him as his fingers snagged the thin straps at her hips
and he gave a quick tug ripping the fine lace apart before doing the same with
the other side- she gasped her surprise- stroking down his length with a tight
fist her subconscious answer to his actions.

She
was on her back in an instant- naked and open around his thighs as he brushed
her hand from him before reaching up and discarding his top- her hooded eyes
widening as she took in the expanse of his hard muscled chest- the generous
dusting of hair across his pecs and down the ravine
of his abs- she reached out to touch him as he shrugged out of his trousers-
leaning over her completely naked and breathing hard as he allowed her fingers
and eyes to trail a path down over his stomach until she found his hardness
again.

“That’s
not going to fit-“ She breathed out as she reached for
him again and he caught her hand before she got to touch him- turning her hand
palm up as he chuckled gently before running his tongue up her fingers and over
her palm until he reached her wrist, nipping against the skin and hearing her
gasp her desire before he suckled the runaway pulse beating there.

“Oh
it’ll fit sweetheart. Trust me- you were made for me.” He breathed against her
skin before running his tongue up the inside of her arm- his toned body running
the length of hers- but he was so damned careful not to touch her right now-
his inner beast wanting out.

He
captured her mouth instantly, silencing her worries in a mind numbing kiss that
had her hips reaching for his and her fingertips running down his spine almost
releasing his inner beast from its confines- he released her lips and moved
down her body- his tongue tasting the skin of her breasts- her stomach- her
hips on his way down to where his need took him- he wanted to taste her- all of
her, he could scent her juices that had pooled between her thighs at her core
and he needed to immerse himself in them.

His
hands ran over her hips and over her thighs until he buried his lips in the
soft curls of her mound- while he moved his hands to her inner thighs opening
her wide for him- his hands hooking her knees as she drew them up at his
urging- he eased them down to the mattress as he leisurely tasted the soft skin
of her inner thighs- her scent drawing his lips ever closer to her sex.

Fay
closed her eyes and basked in the feel of him over her- tasting and teasing her
skin to life- her movements governed by his actions- opening herself wide for
him- feeling his thumbs spread her open- his hot breath on her thigh before it
blew over her folds like a caress- her mind all but shutting down to rational
thought as her body centred on its own needs and God she needed him now- whatever
damned spell he seemed to have over her had brought her body to life like never
before and she wanted him with a certainty that she had never felt with anyone
else.

When
his tongue ran a wide path from her core to the swollen nub she practically
shot up the bed- a small shriek from the overload hitting her hard in the form
of a plasma jolt deep inside her- her hands reaching up over her head searching
for the very real feel of the bed posts above her- she needed to feel grounded
because just that one simple stroke had her reeling. Her fingers wrapped around
the posts until her knuckles were white.

Adam’s
beast growled within him as she pulled up away from him- taking it as a
personal challenge to have her compliant beneath him- his body pushing him up
the bed with her- refusing to allow her to escape his touch- his tongue
reclaiming her in a heartbeat- running over her folds until he claimed the nub-
pressing flat against it with a slight upward motion that opened the little
hood over the sensitive nerves as he moved hard against her and she moaned out
above him- her hips trying to lift from where he had her firmly planted against
the mattress- unwilling to allow her even wiggle room.

He
felt the pressure of her thighs closing against his broad shoulders and swirled
his tongue fast over her nub until she lost the will to try to close to his
touch- her knees falling back against the mattress- desperately needing more
and he wasn’t about to make her wait- his finger skimming the wetness at the
opening of her core and she tried to push up against him- take him into her-
growling gently as he sucked the nub into his mouth at the same time as he
stroked his finger into her wetness.

Fay
felt his finger enter her even through the erotic feel of his mouth sucking against
her nub- the pulling against her nerves sending jolts of pure pleasure through
her and she was lost to him- to what he was doing to her- her body aching with
the need for him- the need to have him within her- filling her and stretching
her tightly as she knew the size of him would- she didn’t know if she would be
able to take all of him- but she damn well wanted to try and now.

“Adam-“
he heard his mates breathy plea from above him- calling to him with her need
but he couldn’t bring himself to release her yet- slipping another finger into
the burning heat of her core he sucked hard, his tongue teasing the hooded
nerves as she tried again to climb up the bed away from him again- but he held
her firmly to his mouth increasing the pressure on her until she moaned long
and hard- his fingers stroking against the wet silken walls inside her- hooking
his fingers until he found the nerves that had her gasping and moaning in a
constant stream- her breathing ragged as her release built so rapidly that she
tightened her grip until it was painful against the bed posts- he slipped in
one more finger- stretching her around him as he stroked knuckle deep. Her
muscles clenched around him before she came undone- her hips fighting his hold-
to lift off the bed as she half gasped and half cried out against the waves of
throbbing pleasure that seared through her.

He
released her nub and pressed his tongue hard against her- moving over her nub-
keeping her orgasm alive within her for as long as he could- gently stroking
his fingers against the pulsing of her muscled walls that clenched and released
around his hand with such a force that his arousal actually throbbed to her
beat- anticipating that feeling around him, before he bent to taste her sweet
juices on his tongue- his wolf howling within his head in approval.

He
moved over her body like a beast stalking its prey, his skin brushing over hers
as he lowered himself above her, holding his weight on his elbows and knees as
he lifted his hands to cup her face and stare down with awe at her beauty- her
eyes closed to the world as she centred herself after such a tremendous
release- her chest lifting and falling a little easier each time as her heart
rate slowed- the little throb of her pulse in her temple- her lips gently moving
with each breath she took- she was perfect and she was his.

He
ran the pads of his thumbs down the flushed skin of her cheeks and watched her
lashes flutter open- her eyes focusing on him as a smile of sweet satisfaction
crossed her face.

“My
God but you are beautiful-“ He breathed against her lips and felt her whole
body reach for him- her legs come about him- wrapping around his thighs like
vines and drawing him down to her, her hands slipped down over the hard plains
of his shoulders and down his muscled back, easing his chest down against her
heated skin as she ran her tongue over his lips, tasting him- tempting him with
the ache she still had within her for him that only he could ease.

“Does
this mean you’re ready for me?” He couldn’t help the grin that spread across
his face- the one that said ‘you’re mine and I’m about to bury myself within
you for the very first time until the end of days.’

“More
than ready- I want you so badly that I ache for you.” She blushed when she said
the words- her eyes finding refuge in the cavernous dip of his collarbone and
his heart leapt in his chest as his wolf pawed at the ground mercilessly.

“Then
look at me a let me ease both of our needs my love.” He dipped his face below
hers until he captured her eyes with his gaze- not allowing her to release from
looking at him as he moved his hips against her- the silken tip of his arousal
nudging against her wet core and her lips parted in anticipation as she took a
shallow breath and rolled her tongue over her lips.

He
eased into her so very slowly- she caught her breath at the size of him already
stretching her muscles- a small gasp of breath over her lips as her lashes
fluttered and her fingers clenched slightly against the hard planes of his
shoulder- he stilled within her- his fingers reaching for hers as he laced them
together, his eyes never leaving hers as he smiled at her reassuringly.

“Trust
me-“ It was a cross between a statement and a question as he pushed her hands
down into the mattress beside her head- fingers interlocked and she smiled back
at him- her beautiful green eyes shining so brightly that he found he needed to
swallow hard.

He
rocked his hips back- before easing further into her- her lips parting
invitingly as she gasped against the jolt of excitement mixed with pleasure
that flashed in her womb- she was opening to his thick shaft like a flower in
bloom- stretching in the sunlight and reaching for the sky- she urged him on
with her legs, pulling him towards her.

He
heard her breath catch again- her heartbeat skip within her chest as he moved
within her- she tightened her fingers against his as he took her to the hilt
and she moaned at the feeling of being stretched so tight around him- her walls
sheathing him like a second skin and he groaned at the feel of her- so wet and
warm and inviting.

“You
are so very- very tight my love- but I told you I would fit because you were
made just for me.” He breathed against her lips as a smile of amusement reached
his eyes and she couldn’t help but chuckle against his lips- a feeling that had
him groaning in pleasure as her walls pulled tighter around him.

He
took her mouth then, covering it with his own and claiming her breath as he
assaulted her senses by devouring her mouth as he slowly pulled his hips back
before pushing back to the hilt and she snatched her mouth away as her head
went back against the pillow- a moan of pleasure escaping her lips as he saw
the perfect curve of her neck and the healthy pulse that was beating just below
the skin as though an offering from the Gods and nuzzled into her neck, his
tongue running over the heated skin- he couldn’t resist nipping before soothing
her.

Moans
of pleasure rolled from her chest as he moved within her and when he buried
himself to the hilt- sucking against her pulse she clenched her muscles within
around him and he growled long and hard into her flesh.

“I
love it when you growl it’s so very sexy-“ She
breathed out and he couldn’t help the smirk of knowing against her neck.

“Good
because it’s sort of second nature-“ He mused pulling all the way out to stroke
back to the hilt inside her as her hips came up to meet his- her moans meeting
his growls of pleasure- her legs finding their way up to wrap around his hips
and this time when he stroked into her she felt him deeper- stretching her so
damn tight around his shaft that she was sure she could feel every little vein
that ran the length of him and moaned her need as a fresh wave of tension built
deep within.

He
had been barely able to contain his wolf from taking over and pounding into
her- the need was so great to spill his seed and claim her for his mate- but he
was determined that she would be taken with reverence at all costs- even to his
wolf- even to himself.

But
the fire of need burned brightly within him- he could feel the power of the
half moon on his back as it reached to him through the window- half the power
of a full moon- when he would have considerably less control of his beast- but
still enough to allow the beast to reach to him- urged him on and he increased
his rhythm.

Fay
matched him thrust for thrust- the catch in her breath- the little moans that
escaped her lips were a heady call to his own needs and he knew she was close
to another release when her movements beneath him became more intense- he
pumped his hips against hers catching her up in the tension of her body to let
go.

Her
fingers tightened around his- her back arched beneath him and her breath caught
in her throat on a whimper as her muscles contracted an instant before she came
back to life in his arms on a cry of completion- the ferocity of her release
sending her hips thrusting up into his as he felt her muscles squeeze him so
tightly in a constant barrage that massaged him like the mouth of a lover and
he didn’t stand a hope in hells chance of holding back.

He
moved above her, thrusting against the clenching and release of her muscles,
his thick shaft rubbing back and forth against her sensitive nub as she
whimpered below him- his ministrations causing the throbbing pleasure washing
through her to not only continue- but he was sweeping her back up in his
intensity and thrusting her headlong into another climax and she wasn’t sure
her body could take anymore.

Adam
ran his hand beneath her back- lifting her hips from the bed- he continued his
erotic assault on her- his inner wolf howling for him to bite and claim her as
he growled his needs within his chest- his desire for release- to spill his
seed deep into her and take her as his- he could feel the pain in his gums
where his fangs ached to be released and fought against it.

Not now- Not like this- When she doesn’t
know who we are. He growled inwardly to his wolf as he
thrust into her- long deep strokes that had her moaning in his arms- sending
his body into freefall- he felt himself tensing- felt his whole body tightening
towards release just as he felt hers and he held himself back until she bucked
against him- the cry from her lips sending him over the edge with one last deep
thrust that had him buried to the hilt within her- his seed exploding from him
as he growled long and hard with the ferociousness of the spasms that tore
through every inch of him.

His
mind and body lost in the intensity as he nuzzled her throat- the little whimpers
that came from her mouth timed to the shudders that wracked through her- he
could smell his juices mixed with hers- smell the blood that ran through her
veins- smell her very essence that escaped her pores with the thin sheen that
covered her soft skin and he felt his fangs descend- his wolf howling within
his mind for the bite that would mark her forever as their mate.

He
managed to hold the wolf at bay as they rode out the aftermath of their
lovemaking together- he tightened his hold on her hand and used his other hand
at her back to keep her body against his as he roll them together on the bed
until she was lying on top of him- her delicate body satiated to the point
where she couldn’t move of her own free will- the tiny shudders that went through
her like small waves and the heady breaths she took to calm her racing heart
the only sign of movement as he took back control of his beast- forcing his
fangs away as he stroked a soothing hand down her spine.

“Are
you ok sweetheart? He breathed against her hair and she gave a little whimper
against his chest unable or unwilling to answer- he moved at lightning speed-
flipping them back over on the bed until he was looking down at her flushed
face- her eyes still closed as he brushed the mass of curls from her face- his
touch was urgent as his heart thundered within his chest- “Fay- did I hurt
you?”

Fay
heard the desperation and recrimination within his voice- felt his hand against
her cheek and willed her eyes to open- although it was possibly the last thing
in the universe she wanted right now- she focused on the hard lines of his
handsome face- saw the concern that was etched there and felt the guilt rush
through her as she shook her head- swallowing hard she managed to find her
voice.

“Hurt
no- damned near-  killed me - with kindness-“ She saw the instant change
in his demeanour- the light in his eyes as a smile burst across his face-
before he dropped his head on a chuckle and she snorted her disapproval of his
amusement at her expense. “Jerk.”

“Believe
me when I say- that when I get to know you better- know exactly what you like
and need from me things will be a whole lot better-“

“Better?
How could it get any better?” She had a kind of wide eyed innocence about her
right at that moment that caused him to growl low in his chest even though he
was still grinning at her like an idiot.

“Oh
it gets better- It was a little rushed towards the end-“ He watched her swallow
hard, saw the look of disbelief for his words that flooded her face and the
sudden flush that filled her already pink cheeks turning them a dark crimson
under his awe struck gaze.

“Rushed-?
What world do you live in?” She almost mumbled before dropping her eyes to his
chest as she reached to run her fingers against the hard muscles.

A
little snort of amusement brought her eyes back to his face and the grin- that
she couldn’t have thought could possibly get any wider on his face- had now
spread further.

“You’ll
see-“ She wasn’t sure what exactly he was referring
to- he seemed to be a little cagey now to go along with his total amusement.

“Stop
laughing at me-“ She groaned trying to look anywhere
but at him right now- the blush on her cheeks wasn’t going anywhere and she had
become more than shy under his intense gaze- she amazed him- after the intimacy
that they had just shared- she was blushing like a virgin who had never been
touched- he liked that so very much.

“I’m
not laughing at you- you enthral me little Fay- you are truly captivating with
your innocence of the world around you.”

“You’re
saying I’m socially retarded?” She offered each word slowly and with careful
thought as a frown etched deeper on her forehead and he couldn’t help but
chuckle as he brushed his thumbs over her cheeks.

“No.
And don’t bait me- I’m saying that you need to have your eyes opened to things
you’ve overlooked before and that I’m going to be the one to do it every step
of the way.” He sounded older than his years to her right then- she didn’t have
a clue what he was talking about, but just as long as he wasn’t trying to
insult her she didn’t care. Her damn toes were still tingling.

“You
need to sleep-“

“Are
you leaving?”

He
gave such an indignant look then that she wanted to chuckle but she held onto
it.

“Hell
no woman- I just made love to you and I want you to curl up with me and get
some rest- because in a few hours- when you’re rested I’m going to wake you up
and do it all over again.”

She
felt the wave of excitement wash through her at the thought of it- but he just
seemed so damned sure of himself that she couldn’t help but try to knock him
down a peg or two.

“Or
you need that long to recover?” She said with all the mock sympathy she could
muster and the look on his face was absolutely priceless- wounded pride and
deflated ego followed by righteous indignation and then he went to speak- just
when she couldn’t hold back the laughter any longer- it practically exploded
from within her- tears glazing her eyes as she fell into fits beneath him.

She
heard the low growl of annoyance rumble through his chest as he lowered his
body against her- rubbing his hardness over her mound with purpose he lowered
his head and breathed against her ear.

“I
consider that a challenge for which I’m sure you can feel I’m more than up too
and I can assure you that you won’t be getting any sleep tonight-“ He moved his hips bringing the tip against her folds and
rocked his hips back and forth rubbing over the still sensitive area and her
laughter immediately ceased as she found herself more than ready for him.

“I
was joking-“ She breathed out as he eased into her
core and he nipped against her lobe causing a shiver to roll through her.

“I
know- but I’m not.” He filled her completely with one stroke of his hips and
she moaned her response- her legs automatically winding around his thighs like
a vine as she clung to him.

Fay
walked into the dining room and all eyes at the table turned to her. She had
found her sunglasses in her overnight bag and had decided to use them to cover
her puffy eyes- true to his word Adam had kept her awake all night, alternating
between making long, slow love to her and ravishing her- finally as the sun
came up and she had laid across his chest like a human blanket- so very sated
and tired, he took pity on her and pulled her to his side where she curled into
him and drifted to sleep- where her wolf greeted her at the waterfall.

“You
look how I feel, but as mine is due to alcohol consumption I’m guessing you had
a better time-“ Hope mumbled begrudgingly- she looked a million dollars except
for the bloodshot eyes and the slight sag to her shoulders as she eyed her
breakfast as though it may just be the enemy.

“Yes
unlike you Hope, I can honestly say I have no complaints or regrets.” Fay shot
out as she forced her groaning muscles to walk towards the buffet that she was
sure she could eat all by herself this morning- hell she should just grab a
fork and dig in- she told herself as she heard the sniggers from the usual
suspects around the table behind her.

“Well
good for you Fay- it’s about time you partook of the delights this world has to
offer- let’s just hope you learned a thing or
two.”Hope shot back and Faith kicked out a foot- the rather pointed toe of her
high heels hitting the target and causing Hope to groan with the pain shooting
up and down her shin. Her eyes immediately flashing a glare at Faith as Abel
chuckled behind his hand.

“So
where’s the other half?” Hope continued to glare at Faith just as Adam walked
in through the door like a man on a mission- siding up beside Fay he wrapped an
arm around her waist and pulled her towards his hips possessively.

“Good
morning one and all.” He gave Hope a stare that had her dropping her eyes to
the plate in front of her as Abel nudged her and she shot him a look.

“Where
is the bride hiding?” The loud call from the front door had Faith giggling with
wide eyes and a smile that said ‘ watch out my sister
just landed’. Pushing the chair back with her knees she jumped to her feet just
as a whirlwind of mischief appeared at the large entrance to the room.

Five
foot five of pure seductiveness stood there with her hands on her shapely hips-
jet black hair with deep purple highlights crowned a face that held chocolate
brown eyes full of fire, wide full deep plum painted lips and a smile that
promised she would be the one person you were never going to forget meeting- no
matter how long you lived, or how hard you tried.

“Look
out trouble’s arrived.” Abel announced as all eyes in the room took her in.
Sebastian watched those fiery brown eyes cut a look of amusement at Abel and
felt his arousal hitch at his groin as the woman gave a gentle wiggle of her
shapely hips in answer to his teasing- the tight bodice of the black and purple
corset top that held her breasts like a lovers hands swayed in the opposite
direction and his eyes roamed over the tiny waist and down the mini skirt to
her long legs that he could imagine wrapped around him so tightly as he took
pleasure between her thighs over and over again.

Faith
threw herself at her sister almost knocking her off balance with a squeal of
delight that those with exceptional hearing wincing in despair.

“About
time you got here.” She admonished with a frown as she pulled back and Jules
lifted one perfect brow into a arch and pointed a well
manicured black nail at the table full of food.

“Chill
little sister- I’m here now and I’m starving-“ with
each step towards the table she swayed those perfect hips as Sebastian watched
her with the attention of a man who had just seen his destiny.

“Tough night at the tables Jules?” Abel mused
knowing exactly what had kept Jules from being here any earlier, she snapped a
look at him, her full lips matched the mischievous
twinkle in her eyes.

“You’re
still sore I won you’re pink slip-“ She pouted in
amused sympathy.

“You
cheated-“ Abel growled back causing Jules to stop in
mid stride and turn towards him, her hands back on her hips and a tip of her
chin in defiance.

“Using
the gifts you’ve been given isn’t cheating- and if you didn’t want to play with
the big boys you should have stayed in the puppy section-“

“Cheater.” Abel shot back
half tease and half accusation.

“Oh
put you’re claws away little brother- we both know your barks worse than your
bite- so why don’t you just wag your tail and admit you’re pleased to see me.”
Faith swallowed hard as she looked to Fay who was frowning hard trying to
decipher the conversation that she stood no chance of following.

Adam
took it on himself to step in and end it with three long strides he grabbed
Jules around the waist and pulled her into a brotherly hug.

“Well
I’m glad to see you Jules-“ He shot a look at Faith
over her shoulder as Jules giggled in delight. “Watch your words- Fay doesn’t
know about us.” He whispered into her hair beside her ear as her eyes shot to
the woman standing with a heaped plate of food in her hand at the table behind
him and Jules patted her understanding against his muscled back before pulling
away.

“Well look at you my brother not brother- at least someone’s
friendly around here.” She gushed as she cupped his cheek, her eyes alive with
fire.

“That’s
probably because I was never stupid enough to play poker with you Jules- let
alone let you walk away with my pink slip.” He shot his brother a look of
warning as Fay made her way to the table and slipped in beside Abel, eager to
silence the rumbling in her belly.

“He’s
always been a sore loser-“ She snipped back at Abel as she detached herself
from Adam and walked towards the buffet leaving Able to huff into his food as
Faith slipped back beside Jake who reached for her hand, squeezing it for
reassurance as her eyes flicked to Fay- before she mentally shook herself back
into the conversation.

“So
introductions- My sister Jules-“ Jules turned with a
full plate as Adam slipped into the spare seat beside Fay. “That’s Fay- she’s
my friend from uni that I told you about-“ Faith gave
her a pointed stare and Jules nodded her understanding as she turned with a
bright smile towards Fay and gave her a half wave of her hand as Fay smiled
back.

“It
seems my not brother has taken a interest in you- so
you can’t be all bad." she teased raising her brows in amusement and
watched the colour reach Fay’s cheeks.

“Nice
Jules-“ Adam muttered indignantly as she sauntered
back towards the table her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“You
know everyone else- except for Sebastian whose Jakes best man-“ Sebastian felt his arousal grow harder when she turned
those fiery brown eyes in his direction. Walking slowly around the table like a
predator who had just spotted its prey- she slipped
easily into the seat between him and Hope, placing her plate down she leaned
sideways in his direction.

“And
are you?” she asked almost on a half whisper as she picked up her fork keeping
her eyes away from his- she knew what he was and she wasn’t about to be
captured by those smouldering eyes.

Sebastian’s
eyes swooped over her side profile with interest.“Am I ?” He enquired leaving the questioned poised for her
answer and she turned her eyes on him- it was like being assaulted with pure
desire and it captivated him.

“The best man-?” It sounded like
such a simple question and yet it was so loaded with innuendo that Hope nearly
choked on her juice as Faith rolled her eyes and Abel groaned as a broad smile
broke across Sebastian’s face.

“Perhaps
that’s something that you should discover for yourself.” He offered and watched
her roll that idea around her head as she sat back away from him with raised
brows and a grin of knowing on her lips.

“Perhaps.” Was her only
response as she dropped her eyes to the bulge in his lap before turning back to
her plate.

“So-“ Jake broke the silence as he turned towards Faith who had
rolled her eyes again before turning her attention back to him. “What’s on the
agenda today my love?”

The
house was a hive of activity as trucks pulled up and left setting the stage for
Faith and Jakes wedding- with a day to go until the nuptials Faith was running
around like a military dictator shooting off orders that must be obeyed at all
costs- before her head spun around on her shoulders and steam came from her
ears- at least that’s how most of them saw it as they followed her orders to
the letter.

Faith
grabbed Adam’s arm as he walked past her carrying a heavy table like it was a
feather-

“Please
don’t tell me we have put these in the wrong place-“ He
groaned as Abel came to a stop beside him and Faith flicked him on with her
eyes.

“No.
Did you claim Fay without her knowing about you?” She demanded on a hiss from
between clenched lips as Adam drew himself to his full height in front of her,
a look of annoyance crossing his face as the table he was holding dropped to
the floor with a loud thud as the edge caught the marble flooring.

“What
do you take me for?” He growled down at her with menace as she physically
relaxed before his eyes. Adam eased in his stance- he could see the worry on
her face and knew that she was just looking out for his mate- for that he
couldn’t fault her, even if her question had stung him- both his honour and his
pride.

“Sorry
Ad. I just- “ She shrugged her shoulders as she rolled
her eyes with the sheer hopelessness of it all.

“I
know- it’s hard- even harder because she’s Fae and
not just human- she’s going to be getting the shock of her life when all his is
revealed to her- I get it Faith-“

“You
were with her all night and you didn’t claim her- that must have taken some
restraint on your part brother.” He saw the sympathy along with the admiration
in her eyes and his heart swelled- having grown up around his people Faith was
more than aware of the Lycan practices and the fire
that burned deeply within when one found their mate.

“I
didn’t know that you could feel so much pleasure and pain at the same time and
I’m not talking about BDSM here- that would be like a feather touch compared to
the agony of fighting my wolf.” Faith reached out and hugged him around the
shoulders and he used his one free arm to hug her back.

“You
need to tell her- but I really don’t know how that’s going to go Ad- she’s not
that open to our world otherwise she would have discovered her Fae heritage a long time ago- it’s like there’s a brick
wall she’s got going on around herself- I don’t envy your task.” Faith pulled
back and stared up into the concerned face of her oldest friend as he seemed
lost in his own thoughts for a long moment before he nodded.

“She’s
my mate- I can’t let her go even if I wanted to- but if she freaks out here?”

“At
least here there won’t be any unsuspecting human’s around- everyone who’s
coming is either Fae- Lycan-
Elfin or Vampire and their human partner’s- so a lot of them have been where
you are now-“

“Damn
it !” Fay’s voice echoed through the expanse of the
hallway as the crystal vase she knocked against tittered on the edge of its
makeshift home on the side table- the gentle rocking back and forth indicating
the uncertainty of what would happen next.

Fay’s
eyes grew wide in sheer panic as she adjusted the linens in her hand in the
hope of reaching out to steady it before it fell- surely shattering into a
million pieces against the hard marble- her hand shot out a moment to late as
the vase slipped over the edge and she made a tight fist in sheer desperation
as she breathed out her need for it not to hit the ground- her breath catching
in her throat as a millimeter before the expensive
cut glass hit the surface it seemed to just stop and hover above the ground.

Fay
just stood there staring in sheer disbelief at the sight- her jaw slowly
dropped open as she took long deep breaths into her chest- her eyes never
leaving the object.

Faith’s
gasp sounded like a rush of wind through the hallway and caught Fay’s
attention- her head snapped around to see Faith and Adam starring at the vase as
it landed with a small tap and not the silence shattering noise it should have
made.

Panic
struck at Fay’s very heart as she saw them turn their eyes on her and she
dropped the linens she had been holding and took off for the open doorway in a
heartbeat as Adam cursed beneath his breath-

“What
the hell?” Faith bit out as Adam laid the table down looking up at Faith for
answers.

“You
didn’t know about this?” He accused and Faith looked gobsmacked shaking her
head.

“I
didn’t know she had found any of her powers I swear.” She spat out after him as
he turned on his heels and ran through the hallway after his mate.

CHAPTER
SIX

Fay
ran blindly across the driveway towards the woods- her heart was thundering
inside her chest as she pumped her arms and legs as fast as she could to escape
the scene she had just left behind her.

No.
No. No. No! Damn it- what did I do?

Her
words screamed inside her mind- she had reached out with desperation towards
that stupid damn vase with her mind and her heart to try to stop it from
falling and that thing that sometimes happened had stopped it from breaking-

Why
now? Why in front of Adam and Faith? How was she going to explain what she did
when she couldn’t even explain it to herself?

“Fay.
Stop.” The sound of Adam’s voice calling her reached
her ears and grated on her nerves and she wanted to stop- everything inside her
was calling on her to stop, but she couldn’t make her legs obey- she needed to
be alone- she needed to think- to come up with some kind of explanation for
what he had seen.

The
sound of him behind her gaining ground gave her a boost of adrenalin that
powered her on, her lungs burned within her chest as she reached the woods-
slowing only enough to be able to twist and turn between the thick trunks of
the trees as she continued on blindly- even when the sharp bushes tore at her
arms- the biting sting against her skin causing her to wince but not slow her
speed.

Adam
reached for her waist- his hand circling her as he lifted her from the floor,
pulling her back against the length of him as he turned them both in the small
confined space to slow their speed- his back hitting the hardness of a tree
trunk as he came to a stop with Fay held tightly against him as she struggled
to get away- her hands pushing and pulling at the arm that was wrapped around
her middle in a vice like grip.

“Calm
down-“ He breathed into her ear- his other hand running down her bare arm as he
tried to sooth her, but she still fought blindly against him- squirming in
place- the toes of her pumps just barely touching the floor as she scrapped
them back and forth trying to get a grip on the earth beneath her feet. Her
hands locked around the sinews of his arm as she tried to force him to release
her.

“Fay-
calm down.” His tone was deep and hard, the commanding nature of his wolf
resounded in his voice as she slowed against him- her body and mind recognising
the Alpha’s dominance as she gasped the air into her lungs. “Calm down
sweetheart.” He breathed against her ear as she rested her hands against his
forearm and went deathly still against him- her head dropping forward and to
the side as she subconsciously offered her neck for him- his lips brushing
against the silken skin instead of the teeth that he should have bared to her.

“You
never have to be scared with me- you never have to hide any part of yourself
from me- and you will never run from me again because there is nothing you
could ever do that you should fear me knowing- whatever happens- even if it
feels like the end of the world to you we will face it together- do you hear me
love?” He breathed every word against her ear but each word reached deep within
her psyche- into her very soul and she drew a long hard breath, steadying
herself.

Adam
turned her in his arms as he turned them both around until her back was against
the trunk of the tree and he was staring down at the top of her head- her eyes
still firmly down away from him.

“Look
at me sweetheart-“ The commanding tone of the wolf was
still there just not as powerfully as it had been before, but she still
responded to it- her head rising slowly, he saw the deep crimson of her cheeks
and when she finally brought her red rimmed eyes to his, she flinched with the
uncertainty that swirled through her mind.

She
looked so small and fragile in that moment that he could have sworn a knife had
entered his chest and was being twisted in his heart- fear streaked her eyes as
he cupped her cheek with one large hand and captured her lips before she could
even think to pull away- his tongue demanding entrance as she opened for him on
instinct, allowing him to possess her with such desire for her that the fear
for his condemnation of what he had seen her do was pushed aside.

He
had seen her do something that even she couldn’t understand and he had accepted
it- accepted her- her mind relaxed its grip on her body and he felt her melt
into him- take what he was offering her of himself and she gave him back her
trust.

Adam
felt her against the length of him- her body melting into his until she was a
part of him- as accepting as she had been in his arms last night and he
deepened the kiss out of need for her- she had run from him and his beast was
demanding he claim her- when she had offered her neck to her Alpha, his wolf
had all but broken through his tight control- he had held on out of the sheer
determination not to scare the hell out of her.

But
he couldn’t not touch her- he wanted her so damn badly that it was an impossibility
not to touch her- she had run from him and the chase was in his blood like
wildfire- she had been captured and had submitted to his will- every instinct
within him wanted to claim her- his hands ran over her back- the bare skin of
her arm- his thumb finding the hardness of her nipple as she arched into his touch, her tongue became almost ferocious
against his.

She
pressed her hips into him- her stomach against the steel of his shaft, a moan
in her throat as he groaned his desire back at her. His hands roamed down her
slender hips until he had her skirt hooked over his hands, his fingers running
back up her thighs bringing the soft material with them.

“Fay-“
He warned on a low growl trying to hold himself back from what he wanted to do
right here and now with her in the middle of the damned woods. But when he
looked down at her- her kiss swollen lips- the flush of her cheeks, the desire
in her hooded eyes he lost all rationality- nothing mattered more than being
within her.

As
his lips came down on hers again in a punishing assault to her sense- she
opened for him without thought or question because in her mind there was
nothing but the driving need for him- he reached under the pool of fabric at
her hips and ran firm fingertips up her inner thigh until his fingers reached
the lace that covered her curls, easily ripping through the delicate lace- the
action so primal to her overloaded senses it caused her to moan into his mouth
as his fingers reached behind her running down the crack of her backside and he
lifted her against him.

Hard
fingers palming her flesh and squeezing his claim- her legs wrapped around his
hips grounding her against him, his fingers chased over the tight puckered hole
and she caught her breath, her hand sliding between them as he tipped her
shoulders back against the tree- while she worked to free him from the last
barrier between them- her tiny fist closed around him as she set him free and
he growled against her lips when she tightened her hold on his shaft- stroking
him.

He
rimmed her core with one finger- she was already hot and wet for him but he
knew he needed to stretch her for his entry- she had been so tight the night
before and he wasn’t going to rush to take her and hurt her now- no matter the
need that was burning within him.

Dipping
a finger within her silken walls she moaned loudly against his lips, squirming
against him- needing more from him than what he was giving her. He stroked
another finger into her and she forced herself down on him, knuckle deep- the
walls of her core tightening around the feel of him.

“Adam-“ she gasped with a need for him to fill her so completely
she couldn’t fight the frustration that gripped her- he added another finger
into her stroking in and out, stretching her for his entry as she dropped her
head back against the trunk and stroked him harder within her fist, his low
growls of pleasure matching her own moans- her body was on fire with the need
for him to be inside her.

“- Please.” She moaned
shifting her hips against him and he pulled his fingers from within her,
keeping her against him with one strong hand against her backside as he reached
around and brushed her hand from his shaft before lifting her up his body, his
hand guiding the head of his arousal over her slick folds as she moaned her
pleasure along with her need for him- her hips rocking back and forth as she
searched for what she needed until he nudged the entrance to her core and she
pushed against him taking him into her.

Her
hips pushed forwards as her feet pulled at him- he slowly eased the thickness
of his shaft into her tight walls and she moaned long and hard with the bulbous
head of his shaft inching into her- filling the silken walls and stretching her
around him- her body sheathing him so tightly that he groaned with the pure
pleasure she was giving him.

“Damn
you’re so tight sweetheart I don’t want to hurt you-“ His voice was a low growl
of desire and she answered him by pushing her hips towards him taking more of
him within her core- a moan of pleasure escaping her lips as he eased into her
inch by inch.

“Adam-“
she gasped against the slight burn of him stretching her so tightly- after last
night she had expected him to just slide within- he
half growled against the force of the control he was having to exert- it was killing
his beast to go so damned slowly, but he was keeping it under control-
unwilling to force himself within her-  he waited for what felt like an
eternity for her body to become accustomed to his size, even with her wiggling
against him urging him on he kept his beast in check until he moved within her
again.

“Just
a little more- can you take me like this?” He breathed into her neck- she was
wide open for him with her legs around his hips- he didn’t want to take her so
deeply that he caused her pain, but she pushed her hips forwards and he found
himself completely sheathed by her to the hilt, the growl of desire mixed with
pleasure as he held deep within her escaping his lips.

“God
move- please move-“ her plea practically set his beast free and when he pulled
back to the very edge of her core and pushed back in to the hilt she dug her
nails into his shoulders through his thin tee and he growled against the beast
inside fighting to take over.

She
felt the bark digging into her spine and tensed against the pain- Adam
immediately stilled inside her as she sucked in a gasp through clenched teeth,
“Damn it I hurt you-“ Adam growled pulling her against his chest but keeping
his hips back away from her and she shook her head.

“Tree-“
she hissed trying to force her hips against him to take him back deep within-
he cursed his stupidity under his breath- he should have been doing this in a
damned bed.

“We
need to stop and-“ she locked her legs tightly around
him, unwillingly to let him go. He growled deep within his chest as he sat down
on the ground Fay straddling him, pushing his hips up and taking her deeper
than before as she moaned with the jolt of pleasure that washed through her- he
lifted her up his shaft and lowered her again, her head dropping back as she felt
the sensation roll through her.

Her
fingers digging into the hard muscles of his shoulders as he raised her up and
felt her tighten her muscles around his shaft and he groaned out his pleasure
before he eased her back down and she squeezed and released her muscles around
him- massaging him within her walls until he lost all reason- his hips
thrusting up into her as he brought her down over him.

She
unlocked her legs from around him, moving onto her knees as she started to
thrust down onto him meeting his upward thrust - barely audible cries of
pleasure catching within her throat.

He
moved his hand over her mound until his thumb found the peak of her desire,
circling his thumb over the nub- causing her hips to work almost feverishly
against him, her breathing coming faster and harder as she climbed towards her
climax, her hands pushing him back against the earth and allowing him the
freedom to thrust his hips against her harder and faster, taking her deeper as
she rode with him, matching him thrust for thrust over and over until her
breath caught in her chest- her body tensing an instant before her muscles
started to spasm around him as she cried out.

He
felt the spasms massaging him within and allowed his animal to take over-
thrusting into her with powerful strokes, his thumb still working against her
nub as he pounded up into her- catching her back up in a second climb towards
release- she curled her fingers into the hard muscles of his chest as his hips
worked beneath her, faster and harder with powerful strokes that sent jolts of
pleasure deep within her core- she could feel her release building until it
overwhelmed her with its intensity, her body bucking against his as she
silently screamed- her breath caught within her chest as she rode the wave of sensation
that tore through her.

Her
muscles massaging the orgasm from him as he thrust deep into her, the roar of
sheer pleasure escaping his throat as he drew back and slammed back into her-
exploding deeply as her muscles massaged his seed from his body- he thrust as
deeply as he could get before grinding his hips against her, revelling in the
ripples of pleasure that shot through his body as she collapsed against his
chest, his arms locked around her possessively as he protected her while she
fought to recover.

“Adam?”
She tipped her head on his chest to look up at him- now that the fever of her
need had been sated she felt the unease creep back to the surface but when she
found the look of awe mixed with what looked like love in his eyes she rested
back against his chest.

Seeing
what you want to see Fay- that’s not love- it’s lust. She warned her
inner self as he stroked his hands down her spine.

“We
need to talk about us Fay- I have some secrets of my own to share and I’m not
doing it on my back in the middle of the damned woods.” He almost whispered the
words on that deep husky voice of his and she nodded not trusting her voice.

He
eased out of her, still semi hard- he could feel the desire to have her again
and needed to put some clothes between them before he took her- they did need
to talk, he knew that- desperately, before his wolf decided to claim her and he
wasn’t strong enough to stop that happening.

He
sat up with Fay still pressed to his chest- cupping her face with his hands he
eased back away from her and planted a gentle kiss against her lips.

“Walk
with me?” He asked and she nodded, pulling up from him and straightening her
clothes- with that dark crimson flooding her cheeks- minus her panties- while
he tucked himself away. Reaching for her hand he led her through the woods and
out into clearing the other side.

“Where
are we going?” She asked as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her
to his side.

“About
a mile in that direction- there’s something I want to show you are you up for
it?” She nodded again as they started off together across the uphill expanse of
the clearing.

When
they reached the top of the incline he shot a look in her direction as her eyes
took in the terrain below- the landscape almost dropped away with a deep
downwards slope- a path that appeared to have been cut into the earth over
years of use, that led down to a valley below- a rocky outcrop reached up to
the clouds on the other side and Fay narrowed her eyes as she searched for what
she knew to be true- the rocky outcrop that held a gentle waterfall.

“Come
on.” He led her down the steep path- his arm like a steel rope that helped her
keep her footing until they reached the bottom and she was more than eager to
press on and see what she knew had been in her dream for the last few nights.

Adam
led her through the entrance that reached up against the sky- it seemed to
surround them on all sides like a welcoming doorway. Her eyes took in the sight
before her- her dreams coming to life as she followed him through the alcove
into the lush green expanse that led to the pool, fed with streams of white
water over the shiny rocks- her breath caught in her throat as she stood there
taking it all in- how the hell could this be?.

Fay
turned her eyes to him questioning why he had brought her here- did he know her
dreams?

“I’ve
seen this place before.” She put it out there and saw the answer in his smile-
he knew, but how the hell could he know?

“You
pulled me into your dream with you and I showed this to you.” His voice was
like a whisper against her ear even though he was standing slightly away from
her- allowing her to drink in the scenery- only his hand wrapped loosely around
hers gave them a connection.

Fay
looked around in bewilderment at this magical place- magic- did he have
magic like her? Could this be his magic that he could dream with her?

“That’s
why you weren’t afraid of what you saw me do- because you have-“ she hesitated,
dropping her eyes to the grass before speaking the word that was still so
uncomfortable on her lips, “Magic.” She uttered it like it was still a secret
not to be spoken about.

“Not
exactly sweetheart-“ He moved towards her, cupping her chin and bringing her
eyes up to his- he held her gaze for a long moment before he took a long deep
breath.

“The
wolf in our dream-“ He offered leaving the sentence right there, no more and no
less- he wanted to see where she would go with it, if she felt the beast within
him now she was opening up.

“The
wolf was you-“ She gasped, her eyes wide with amazement as she took a step
closer to him, her hand reached up and her fingers wrapped around his wrist by
her cheek- “Is he your dream guide?” she asked remembering a very long, drink
filled conversation she had with Hope one night in their dorm room.

Adam
looked slightly pained by her assumption, although he was somewhat happy that
she had accepted his wolf in some form being a part of him. “Not
exactly. The wolf is me and I am the wolf- he’s a part of me-“ He offered as gently as he could, seeing the confusion in
her- she didn’t get it- he was going to have to draw her a picture and he
wasn’t sure how this was going to go.

“Adam-?”
She was seeking clarity- he could feel the confusion coming off her in waves.
He wet his dry lips with his tongue before pulling her against his chest and
breathing his words against her hair.

“I
don’t want you to be afraid. I won’t hurt you- ever-“ she
pressed her palm against his chest and eased herself back from him to look up
questioningly at his face.

“What-?”
Didn’t he know when you put something like that it stoked a fear in a
person- damn- what was this?

“I’m
Lycan Fay- I can shift into the form of a wolf-“ she took a step back from him, a smile of disbelief on her
lips and as her hand dropped away from his chest, she gave a slight shake of
her head.

“That’s
not funny Adam-“

“It’s
not a joke.” He ran his thumb down her cheek and the look in his eyes told her
all she needed to know. Either he was a damned good actor or he believed what
he was telling her- or the third option- it was true.

Fay
swallowed the lump in her throat as her fingers loosened against his wrist and
she dropped her hand to her side- he could see her struggling to weight what he
was telling her with what she knew to be real- true- he didn’t move- didn’t
speak- his eyes held hers for the longest moment of her life and she felt the
cold chill of ice wash through her veins- her body shivering against the heat
of the sun- she wanted to speak but the words wouldn’t come- there was another
small shake of her head- but she couldn’t make a sound as she stared back at
him.

Adam
stood stock still with his hand still against her cheek,
he had noted the colour that had faded from her skin as his words started to
sink in- the truth of what he was taking a firm root within her mind. If he
moved she might bolt- if he spoke she might run for the hills or worse start to
scream- he used his touch to try to sooth her but he didn’t think it would be
enough.

It
wasn’t one of those conversations that was an everyday event- he had never had
to give his secret to another person before and just hope against hope that
they would accept that being a Lycan didn’t make him
a monster- or someone who was now going to attack and kill them- that they
could see past the relative absurdity of prejudice and just see him- now he was
waiting for the one person in the world that he so desperately wanted to accept
him for who he was and he found that his whole body was practically quivering
with the need to take her in his arms and show her that there was nothing to
fear.

He
saw the glazed look come over her eyes and for a moment he thought that she was
going to pass out- but she seemed to be going within herself- withdrawing to
the security of her own mind to sort through what he had told her and he took a
long breath and waited some more- praying that when she came back to him she
would be full of questions rather than-

He
saw her eyes snap back to the present- saw the flash of fear run across her
face and his heart stilled within his chest- she feared him- he went to take a
step towards her but she bolted- turning on her heels- he wondered at the loss
of contact his hand had with her face as his mind whirled with the knowledge
that she was once again running from him.

His
wolf growled within- it had been patiently waiting to claim their mate and now
she was turning her back on them- running for the entrance to the alcove. His
wolf roared- demanding to be listened to- demanding to be obeyed as Adam’s mind
seemed to flood back to him and he made his body work- uncaring now of his
hidden form he used his speed to close the distance to his mate, on her in
seconds as he reached for her to pull her around.

Fay
felt his hands on her and tried to pull away- her feet sliding on the moisture
of the grass she found herself falling- her mind spinning as her heart beat a
thunderous roar in her ears as the ground came up to meet her- in an instant he
had managed to roll them in the air, his body beneath hers as they impacted the
ground, the force of the impact hitting him hard and reverberating through hers
like an sonic echo that forced the air from her lungs as everything seemed so
surreal.

Time
almost slowed down for her to take it all in- his hands- the sudden fall- his
body beneath hers and then the feeling of not being able to catch a breath as
his arms locked about her body, holding her against then length of him as she
tried to push up with the intention of getting away from him- her palms splayed
against the hard muscled wall of his chest as she lifted her head and saw only
his eyes looking up at her- the wince of pain flashing across his face, just as
the rush of air filled her lungs and she drank it in greedily.

“I
told you not to run from me-“ His words were deep and authoritarian- she could
hear the underlying growl in his throat and fear struck her again as she tried
and failed to push back away from him- his eyes flashed anger as he suddenly
released his hands from her back and snagged her wrists- in one swift movement
he had turned them together until her back was against the grass and his body
was on hers- holding her in place- he pushed her hands down against the earth
beside her head and she turned her face away from him closing her eyes to
everything around her- especially him.

“Why
did you run from me?” he demanded, his breath hot against her cheek and she
felt the need to laugh- and not in a good way.

Was
he insane? Why did she run?

She
breathed hard beneath him, unwilling to find the words to speak to him -
unwilling to look at him.

We
made love- I made love to a –

She
squeezed her lids as tightly closed as she could get them- hoping to deny to herself that this was happening- praying that it was just
another crazy dream and she was just losing her mind- that option better than
reality.

“Look
at me Fay-“ He breathed the words against her ear- he felt her body shiver
beneath his- wracking the length of her frame- he knew that no matter what else
she was feeling, underlying it all there was still that undeniable bond between
them- her Fae nature recognising her mate for who he
was. He needed to reach that part of her- the part that wasn’t fearful- wasn’t
shutting him out- denying him.

“Look
at me.” The growl in his throat had her eyes opening against her own minds
counsel. Her head turning as her eyes found his as she caught her breath in her
chest- her mind, body and spirit at odds with her fear.

“I’m
not going to hurt you- I don’t want to hold you down like this but I don’t want
you running off-“ His words were at odds with his wolf-
the wolf was scratching the earth beneath it claws- the need to dominate her-
take her- claim her as theirs was overwhelming him- he needed to reach Fay
before his wolf took over completely.

“Talk
to me please- “ he begged with his very soul- his eyes
imploring her to comply with his request and she shivered beneath him again,
“You fear me.” He breathed out forcing himself to let her go as he pushed back
away from her and she scampered back away from him, the heels of her pumps
putting divets into the earth as she put some
distance between them- her eyes unblinking as she kept a watchful gaze on him
to see what he would do next.

Tears
filled her eyes as she sat there shaking with fear- leaning back on her hands
as if frozen in place.

“I’m
not a monster- I’m still the man you were in bed with last night-“ He turned
his eyes to the ground in front of him, his shoulders sagging, his whole body
deflating with the anger he felt for what had happened between them- he should
never have been with her in bed until she had known him- until she had accepted
him- he should never have touched her- he knew Lycan’s
who had lost their mate and now he was getting a taste of just how desperate
they had felt- he had seen her slip away from him so quickly- so completely in such
a short breath of time and he felt it eating away at him.

Fay
found herself unable to move- all she could do was look at the man who sat
before her- her mind screaming at her to run while her body shook with the fear
of knowing what he was- every instinct within her was at war- she felt the need
to go to him, to sooth him, to wrap her arms around him and hold him within her
arms- to tell him that she didn’t care what he was and then there was the
rational part of her- the part that knew she could never do that- she could
never look at him again in the same way.

He
was a monster- he was the stuff of nightmares and yet in her dreams he was not
to be feared- he held no malice for her. How could she reconcile what she knew
to be the man with the beast within?

He
turned to look at her then, his blue eyes on hers and she felt the heat flash
beneath her skin, felt the need for him along with the disgust for what had
taken place between them and she stared back at him with no outward emotion- it
was now all raging within.

“I
would never hurt you- I want you to know that when you leave here- leave me-“ His wolf howled with disapproval within him- he couldn’t
let her leave- his wolf would never allow it- but he had to let her go- he had
seen it in her eyes – she would never accept him. “You’re my mate- I would
rather die than ever hurt you.” He span away onto his knees, pulling himself up
in an instant he sidestepped her and ran for the exit leaving her sitting on
the grass staring at the empty space where he had been.

By
the time Fay had gathered herself together enough to start walking back to the
house- night was starting to descend. She felt the chill to her very bones as
she managed to put one foot in front of the other, her mind had been racing,
but by the time that she stumbled from the woods onto the driveway near to the
house her thoughts were all but stilled within her- she was numb.

Hope
sat out on the front steps of the house- the ice cold bottle of beer in between
the palms of her hands as she chuckled loudly giving Abel a dig in the ribs
with her elbow as she started to tip the bottle towards her painted lips, her
eyes taking in the sight of Fay stumbling from the woods, her hair like a hedge
witch around her shoulders, her head down and her eyes on the ground- arms
wrapped tightly around herself as she placed one unsteady foot in front of the
other- Hope gasped a breath and Abel turned immediately to see what she was
looking at.

Abel
jumped to his feet at the same moment that Hope did, the bottle slipping from
her hands and exploding onto the steps before her- when Abel set off running
towards Fay, Hope took a shaky step of indecision backwards before panic had
her heading for the open doorway and screaming for Faith to come.

“Faith-  something’s happened to Fay.” She knew at least two
vampires would have heard her call even if Faith hadn’t and turned back on her
heels as she headed towards where Abel was coming to stand in front of Fay- his
hand outstretched.

Hope
kicked her heels off mid stride as she rushed towards them, she saw Fay come to
a stop in front of Abel- like her mind had sensed a barrier to her moving
forwards, but she didn’t look up- she didn’t speak to him and Hope’s heart was
beating like thunder inside her chest as she saw Fay sway once and then
collapse in on herself- Abel’s arms around her before she reached the floor and
he scooped her up against his chest- turning quickly back towards the house
just as Faith reached the front door with Jake, her hand flying to cover her
gasp as she saw Fay crumble.

“Oh
God Jake-“

Hope
rushed to meet Abel as he carried her swiftly back towards the house- she saw
the complete lack of awareness on her friends face and gasped in a breath. Fay
looked like she had been drained of all emotion- of pure thought itself.

“Fay-
what happened?” She demanded hearing Faith panting to reach them as Abel
stopped in his tracks and Jake stood by Faith’s side.

“Fay-
what’s wrong?” Faith demanded reaching out to take her hand- but Fay just stared
down unseeing- her body painfully still and her mind not even recognising
Faith’s touch. “Abel where’s Adam?” Faith demanded as the fear rushed through
her and Abel shrugged his shoulders- concern had long since set in.

“I
haven’t seen him- Jake take Fay- I’ll go look for him-“ He
handed her off to Jake and turned back towards the woods, disappearing at
inhuman speed into the darkness within as Jake settled Fay against his chest.

“Let’s
get her inside.”

CHAPTER
SEVEN

“Adam,
where are you? Something’s happened to Fay.”

Abel
felt the earth beneath his large paws but couldn’t revel in the feel of it as
he normally would. His brother needed to know that his mate was in trouble and
that was more important than anything else right now.

“I
happened to Fay. Abel go home.”

Abel
lifted his head and sniffed the early evening air for his brothers scent- it
was faint, but it was there.

“What
does that mean bro? She needs you.” Abel started to track through the woods
following the scent- he could hear the despondency in Adam’s voice and he
didn’t much care for it. Something had obviously gone down between the mates
but that wasn’t important now, what was important was finding Adam- he just
didn’t sound right and that was just another cause for concern as Abel padded
on in swift strides.

“She
fears me- the last thing she needs is me.”

“Oh,
you thought it was going to be a walk in the park- just come out and tell her
what you are and all would be right with the world? Geez Adam, I credited you
with more brains than that bro- she’s human-“

“She’s
fae-“ Adam growled back
and Abel would take what he could get- as long as Adam kept talking this would
be a breeze to find him- his scent along with the draw of the mental connection
would have him located in no time and then he could set about doing what he did
best- knocking some sense into Adam’s thick Alpha skull.

“The
Fae that doesn’t know she’s a Fae
right- still- pretty much human in her response to you bro- what did you expect
her to do? Go get a big stick and play fetch?”

Abel
chuckled to himself as he heard the low deep growl of his Alpha- his brother,
his best friend- he wasn’t about to let Adam play the martyr- not when his mate
needed him.

“Don’t
push me Abel-“

“Don’t
make me bro- get your butt back to the house and look after your mate.”

How
many buttons could Abel push he wondered, enough and he wouldn’t need to be
tracking his brother, the Alpha in him would send him straight for Abel and
sure he might get his arse whooped- but it was all in a good cause.

“She
has Faith and Hope-“

“Hope?
- Now I know you’re not seriously trying to pass that off as a plus- then Fay
really is in trouble.”

“Abel
I’m warning you-“ The growl in Adam’s
tone told Abel that he was putty in his paws. He could just sit back and let
his big brother come to him- Adam would be mad enough to spit nails in no time
and he could smell his scent- he was getting closer, or Adam was getting closer
to him, either way- the fur was going to be flying soon.

Faith
kicked the bedroom door closed behind her as she rushed across to the bed where
Jake had deposited Fay- before having the good sense to disappear and Hope was
sitting beside her on the bed, holding her hand and rambling on about- Hope
stuff.

“She
said anything yet?” Faith was clutching at straws- she saw the girl was
practically as catatonic as she had been when she’d first seen her in Abel’s
arms.

“Do
you think Adam-?” Hope jiggled her head about, “You know- did something?”

Faith
slipped up onto the bed and crawled to Fay’s side across the covers as she shot
Hope a look of disbelief, “Yeah I think he showed her his wolf.” Faith gave her
a look of disbelief as she looked back to Fay- her mouth twitched slightly- her
brow starting to show signs of creasing as she seemed more aware of where she
was now.

“Hello-
signs that someone’s home-“ Hope bit out and Faith
rolled her eyes as she reached for Fay’s cold hand.

“You
can be so- caring Hope.” Faith bit out between clenched teeth as Hope gasped in
a shocked breath.

“What’d
I do? I’m just saying she’s pretty freaked out here Faith and if Adam only
showed her his wolf-“ Faith felt Fay’s fingers move
inside her hand and hissed at Hope to shut up as she leaned in with a smile of
reassurance.

“Hey kiddo- how you doing in there?” Faith tried to
make her voice sound as happy and welcoming as possible and was rewarded with
Fay actually blinking a couple of times- her eyes starting to become less
glazed over as Hope prodded her from the other side of the bed and Faith shot
her a look.

“What
the hell Hope?-“

“Just
encouraging a little movement is all-“ Hope gave her a
look of pure innocence and Faith pouted.

“Why
don’t you go see if Abel found Adam-“ She offered and
heard Fay take a deep long breath in.

“Not
a chance-“ Hope hissed back as Fay’s light frown
became etched on her forehead.

“Wolf.”
She mumbled and Hope grinned wildly.

“Red
riding hood-“ Hope offered on a smirk and Faith lifted her hand and flicked her
fingers in the air in her friends direction, the same sharp flick that Hope
felt against her skin, even though Faith was on the other side of the bed, had
her jumping in place with a little squeak.

“Not
funny Faith-“

“A warning Hope.” Faith shot back
as she squeezed Fay’s hand causing Fay to turn her head towards her, her eyes
suddenly accusing.

“You
knew what he was.” Faith opened her mouth to speak- but sighed instead on a nod
of her head. “And you let me sleep-“ she bit the rest
of the sentence off.

“More
than sleep-“ Hope bit out and Faith flicked her again.
“Damn it Faith I will send a thunderbolt right up your backside if you do that
one more time, so help me goddess.” Hope bit out between clenched teeth
absently rubbing the pained spot of the invisible touch.

“Try
it sister and you’ll be eating through a straw for a month.” Faith shot back
before turning her attention back to Fay. “We need to talk.”

“That’s
what he said- it didn’t go so well-“ Fay pulled herself up against the pillows
and pulled her hand from Faith’s- she didn’t much trust her right now and then
her frown turned into a scowl as she eyed Faith with uncertainty. “You’re not
a-?” she gave a little shake of her head as though denying her own words.

Faith
raised her brows and stared down her nose at her friend before she grinned back
at her, “No. I don’t howl at the moon personally-“

“Dance
naked under it-“ Hope shot back unable to bite her
tongue in time and Fay turned to give Hope an old fashioned look.

“What
does that mean?” She demanded and Hope shrugged her shoulders with a look of
apology towards Faith.

“Ok.
Well as I saw you use your powers today- I’m guessing the Fae
law doesn’t really apply anymore-“ Faith was looking
to Hope for confirmation and all she got was a shrug from her friends
shoulders.

“Fae? “ Fay repeated
pulling herself up further and dragging her knees to her chest to hug them.

“Fae. It’s what we
are- what you are-“ Hope blurted out and then stopped on a grimace- well nobody
had appeared to strike her down- so she guessed she was in the clear for now
and she had finally said it- after all of these years with that statement
burning her tongue to come out. Damn that felt good, she thought smirking back
at Faith.

“What
the hell Faith?” Fay turned to look at the saner friend on her bed and Faith
gave her a little look that said ‘what can I tell you- she’s not wrong.’

“We
discussed Fae back in the dorm-“
Hope started and Fay’s head snapped around.

“I
know what a damned Fae is Hope.” She snapped the
words out one at a time- the raw power of annoyance raging within her after so
long of inaction to feeling anything.

“Well
there you go then. It’s simple- you’re Fae like us.”

“How
do you think you stopped that vase from breaking earlier Fay? If you didn’t have magic? –“ Faith offered gently- it was as
if her long time friend had become all grown up all of a sudden- unless this
was just another Faith prank like so many before her- but the one thing that
wasn’t a prank was what she had asked- there had been magic- it was something
that had been inside her for a long time- just bubbling under the surface
trying to get a foothold and although she had spent most of her life denying
it- it hadn’t burned any less within.

“You
kind of gravitated towards your own kind at Uni,
because your magic knew us even if you didn’t-“

“So
why the hell didn’t you tell me all the way back then?” Fay bit out and Hope
was taken aback, she had never seen Fay assert herself with Faith before- it
was a new experience.

“We
weren’t allowed- it’s Fae law- you had to come to
know it by yourself- we wanted too-“ Faith offered
looking to Hope who blew out a long sigh.

“Damn
did we- “ Hope bit out rolling her eyes and throwing herself back in her chair
and folding her arms- still angry inside that Fae law
was so stupid.

“Wait-
so you’re Fae and Adam’s a –“ She
stopped on a scowl- with  a small shake of her head she still couldn’t
bring herself to say it again.

“Wolf-
or Lycan- or shifter- but that sounds like shifty so
some of them don’t like to be called that-“ Hope was
babbling until she caught Faith’s eye and clamped her mouth shut.

“Werewol-“ Fay started and Hope
jumped in again.

“Technically no. Werewolves can
only change during a full moon and they are all fangs and claws and blood
hungry-“ Faith crossed her arms over her chest and
stared at Hope until she caught her eye and shut up.

“So
Adam’s wolf is-?”

“Part
of him- all the time- he can change whenever he wants- moon or no moon- it’s
symbiotic- he’s just Adam- the guy you got to know before you knew about the
wolf.” Faith hoped that sounded good enough to placate Fay’s fears but in truth
she knew it was going to take a lot more than that.

“No
he’s not-“ Fay spat out a wry laugh.

“Ok
well not exactly-“ she admitted, her neck sinking down
into her shoulders as she grimaced and Fay snorted. “But I have known him my
whole life and Adam is just one big old-“

“Fun
furball-“ Hope chimed in and Faith closed her eyes
and sighed hard but the sound of Fay spitting out a chuckle made her eyes snap
open and she saw the amusement in her green eyes.

“I
slept with a wolf-“ Fay shook her head in disbelief
and Faith shot Hope a look. Needing help but knowing that Hope was only bound
to make things seem worse.

“That’s
why he was an animal between the sheets-“ Hope put in and Faith spat out a
laugh as Fay gave her a look of disdain- but Hope was relentless, “So how was
he exactly?- you didn’t say-“

Fay’s
jaw dropped open as Faith chuckled behind her hand.

“Leave
it to Hope to ask the really important questions.” Faith mused as Fay rubbed a
hand over her forehead and closed her eyes.

“God
I can’t believe that there are really Fae and
Werewolves and Lycan’s and –“ She
stopped in mid thought and opened her eyes looking at Faith who suddenly looked
a little uncomfortable. “And?” Fay nudged and Faith
sighed as she shrugged her shoulders toying with a patch of braiding on the
bedcover by her knees.

“Elves-“ She offered quietly and Fay nudged her knee with her foot
and she swallowed hard, “Pixie’s. Gnomes-“

“Oh-
trust me stay away from the Gnomes – they are mean-“ Hope
spat out crossing her hands over her chest and nodding to herself as Fay nudged
Faith again.

“Vamp-“ She let the word slip away as Hope took the chance to
chuckle into her hand.

“Vampires? Are you shitting me?” Fay demanded dropping her arms from her knees
and her knees to the bed as she sat forwards and Faith shot a look at Hope
under her lashes as Hope grinned mischievously back at her.

“Oh
no sister this one is all yours.” She shot out as Faith bit down on her lower
lip and sighed.

“Really Vampires?”

Faith
brought her gaze up to Fay and held it, a small wince crossing her face as she
stared back at her, “About Jake-“She said slowly- too slowly and Fay’s jaw
dropped open as she choked on the imaginary word in her throat. Faith winced
again.

“That’s
it- I’m out of here.” Fay shot down the bed like a speed demon- pulling her
butt along the covers with her heels as her hands brought up the rear.

Faith
jumped to her feet and sprang off the bed onto the floor in front of her
holding out her hands- palms forwards as she started talking really fast in
sheer desperation.

“Ok
so Vampires and Lycans get a really bad press but
hell Fay you have been here with them for what- two days now and they haven’t
eaten you yet have they-?”

Fay
grabbed her suitcase from beneath the bed and hoisted it onto the mattress as
Hope chuckle to herself. “Define eat- I mean Adam must
have licked-“

“Hope!-“ Faith screeched over at her friend as Fay stood frozen
still staring at her in disbelief. “Not god damn helping here!” she snapped
bringing Fay back to action as she marched towards the nearest dresser and
yanked open the top drawer reaching in for her underwear.

“Look
Fay- I love Jake and he may be a vampire but he’s not a bad person-“

“Person?” Fay shot back
stopping only for an instant to give her a poignant look before continuing to
her case where she dropped her clothes before setting back off for the dresser.

Faith
grimaced but let it slide, “He’s loving and kind and thoughtful and I’m going
to marry him because I love him and because he loves me and you and Adam-“ Fay rallied on her, clothes clutched to her breast as she
almost dared Faith to continue.

Faith
took a long deep breath, “are mate’s Fay- whether you believe it or not-“ Fay snorted as she started back for the suitcase
dismissing her friend. “Whether you like it or not- you are mates and that
means something-“

“Not
to me-“ Fay snapped on another wry laugh as she dropped the clothes and turned
back- Faith reached out and snagged her arm bringing her to a halt her eyes
imploring her to listen.

“To
Adam it means his whole world. For a Lycan to find
his mate is a gift-“

“One
he doesn’t get to keep-“ Fay snapped back and Faith
sighed.

“You’re
Fae and Fae are drawn to their own kind- Lycan’s- vampires-
it’s who we are.”

“Fodder- the bottom of the food chain-
good to know.
Thanks for the insight.” Fay tried to pull her arm away but Faith held her
firmly.

“Look
this is all new and scary- I get that- but running away isn’t going to solve
anything-“

“It’s
going to mean that I’m not here- with- with-“ She bit
down on the roar of emotion that she wanted to release. Frustration- anger-
disbelief- disdain- fear- hate- love-

Fay
dismissed the last one on a shake of her head.

“Give
him a chance Fay- he loves you.”

“He
doesn’t even know me- we had a night of unbelievable sex Faith-“ She spat back and Hope pumped
the air with her fist.

“Yes-
knew it.”

Fay
and Faith turned towards Hope who crawled back into herself and winced- looking
decidedly remorseful as she chewed her bottom lip contemplating silence as her
best option.

“Last
time I looked that was lust- not love.” Fay gave her a poignant look and Faith
shook her head, a small smile playing at the edges of her lips.

“Lycan’s have unconditional love for their mate Fay. You
were made for him and he was made for you- you can deny your feelings and call
it lust- you can sneer and say it’s not real-“

“Well
thanks Faith- I feel comfortable with that so I’ll go with it.” Fay pulled her
arm out of Faith’s hold and turned back towards the dresser as Faith sighed
long and hard, turning she stomped over to the bed and pushed the suitcase
aside before slumping down.

“I’ve
known Adam since I was tiny- I grew up with his family- he’s always been there
for me Fay- he’s the kind of guy I hoped my sister would end up with – but you
know what- he’s too good for Jules- he deserves someone like you- well
actually- you and you’re one of my best friends and I can’t think of anyone in
this world I would rather see you with than Adam.” Faith felt a little part of
herself weep inside at the thought of Fay and Adam not being together, it
wasn’t right- it wasn’t fair and she didn’t like it one little bit.

“I
can’t get my head around this Faith-“

“You
don’t have to right now- you’ve got time to-“ Fay
dropped another pile of clothes into her case and shook her head.

“I
can’t stay here Faith- and I can’t watch you marry a –“ she
waved her hand in the air dismissively as she turned towards Hope who looked
shocked by Fay just standing there staring at her.

“What?”

“You’re
ok with Faith marrying Jake?” Fay demanded and Hope frowned with a shrug of her
shoulders.

“Jakes
great- I like Jake- I like Adam too so-“

Fay
groaned as she turned her back on the two of them.

Has
everyone gone nuts?

“Please
don’t go.” Faith begged as she walked on one side of Fay and Hope walked on the
other side as Fay carried her bags to the car- immediately dismissing Jake and
Sebastian’s offer to help her as she eyed them cautiously.

“Look
Faith- I wish you happiness I really do- but I just can’t do this.” Fay
admitted as she popped her boot with the key and slung her bags inside- turning
to Faith after she slammed it closed with a little more force than was
necessary, she reached out and pulled her into a quick embrace- she felt the
wave of guilt rush through her.

“Stay
til you see Adam at least.” Faith begged again but
her pleas fell on death ears as Fay ignored her and turned to Hope grabbing her
and giving her a quick hug- she was eager to be on the road and seeing this
place in her rear view mirror.

“So
text me some photo’s of the big day Hope-“ She felt
the tears welling in her eyes and knew she needed to leave now before she was a
blubbering mess on the floor.

“I
will- safe journey sweetie.” Hope took a step back and Faith stood in front of
the driver’s door.

“Please
don’t go Fay.”

“I’m
sorry Faith.” Faith hesitated only briefly before she moved aside- seeing the
look of steely determination in Fay’s eyes and Fay pulled open the driver’s
door and breathed a sigh of relief when she closed it behind her- closing out
the world she had just discovered existed and didn’t much care for at all.

She
didn’t want this it felt so wrong to not be there for Faith’s big day- but she
couldn’t stay- not knowing what she did about the groom and not with Adam being
there.

Faith
stood fast and watched until Fay’s tail lights had disappeared around the bend-
still hopeful that the fates would be kind and her friend would have a change
of heart and turn the damn car around.

A
slow tear ran down Faith’s cheek and she felt Jakes arms wrap around her from
behind, leaning back against his chest for the comfort that having him there
provided her with.

“It’s
not right- she should be here.” Faith sniffed back another tear and Jake spun
her in her arms pulling her as close as he could get her and she crumpled
against him.

“Do
you want to postpone the wedding sweetheart?” He breathed out against her cheek
and she shook her head.

“No.
I want to be yours-“

“You
are mine and I’m yours.” He soothed her- running a hand down her bare arm as
she curled against him.

“Poor
Adam-“ Faith breathed out, knowing that she wasn’t the only one who was going
to be devastated by Fay’s leaving and it would be a thousand times more painful
for him having lost his mate.

“Yeah-
I actually do feel for the guy- I can’t even imagine how it would rip me apart,
losing you.”

Fay
got as far as she felt she needed to be from what she had left behind her. What
she was running from- before she started to relax a little in herself- she’d
come to the conclusion by the fourth hour on the road that Faith had been
right- she was running away and with little wonder- she had found the
impossible to be right there all under one roof and it had scared the hell out
of her.

Lycan’s and Vampires
and she was a Fae. What did
that even mean? What the hell was a Fae anyway? Bit’s and pieces of the drunken
conversation she had with Hope had come back to her during the drive- but it
was all jumbled within her mind. She knew the little things that she had found
herself doing- magic- but what more could she do- what was she capable of and
how did she tap into that were all questions that had her brain on overload.
She needed to do some serious research into folk lore when she got home.

Home.

Just
the word felt so good to her right now. She wanted to curl up in her own bed
and sleep forever and a day- put this all in the past and move
on with her life. She was no one’s mate- certainly not a Lycan.
Those thoughts didn’t sit quite right inside her own
mind and she found herself feeling antsy in her seat.

Bum’s
gone to sleep is all.

She
told herself as she focused on the road ahead. It wouldn’t be long now and
she’d be home. She felt the guilt niggling at her for Faith’s big day- Faith
loved Jake, even if he was a damned Vampire- perhaps she should have just gone
to a hotel for the night away from all the mythical creatures in the house and
returned just for the ceremony- but then could she stand up there beside her
friend knowing who she was marrying?

Damn
it, just don’t think anymore. She told herself hitting the indicator
and pulling off the main road. Easier said than done.

Faith
sat on the front steps of the mansion and waited for Abel to get back. She
wanted to know that Adam was ok- well, maybe not ok but safe at least- when she
saw the brothers trudging back towards her down the drive with Adam shooting
glaring looks at Abel and Abel looking away from his Alpha, she dragged herself
to her feet and wrapped her arms around her waist.

As
they drew closer she raised her brows at the sheer state of them. Cuts and
bruises adorned their bare skin and both brothers
faces had taken the brunt of the action.

Adam
and Abel had regularly fought growing up and she had witnessed more than her
fair share of their tangles- but this was carnage on an epic scale, she was
surprised one of them had not been more severely injured from the look of them-
they had certainly gone at it.

“Abel what the hell?” Faith
admonished and Abel shrugged his broad shoulders a wince crossing his face
briefly from the pain of his brother’s claws that had ripped through the skin
on his back and although already healing, was still damned painful as she
turned her attention towards Adam.

“Adam-“

“I
know- I can’t feel her- she left.” He said blandly and Faith felt her heart
break a little more inside her as she nodded and Abel cursed out into the
night.

“Why
didn’t you stop her?” He demanded and Faith gave him a look of disbelief.

“What
tie her down and keep her here against her will? That would really have
accomplished a lot don’t you think knucklehead?” She admonished him for the
second time and he rolled his eyes.

“Fine
we go get her-“

“No.”
The growl in Adam’s voice put paid to that idea before it had even been put in
motion and Abel sighed raising his arms and dropping them in frustration.

“Then
what are you going to do? She’s your mate-“ Abel spat
out in disbelief and Adam growled at him again before walking to Faith and
dragging her into his arms. He could see the look of total devastation on her
face and knew that she was hurting too.

“How you doing?” He whispered
against her ear and she wrapped her arms around him and held him tighter.

“Jake
said we should postpone the wedding- but that’s just silly. You’ll get her back
Ad.” Faith whispered the last part and he squeezed her tightly.

God
I wish that were true.

He
told himself as he placated her with soothing words.

CHAPTER
EIGHT

Fay
rolled onto the bed covers without even bothering to move them- she was warm
enough and right now she was so damned tired she didn’t care if she woke in a
few hours cooled like a chicken in the chiller.

Her
eyes were already closed to the familiar surroundings by the time her head
touched the pillow and even though she had clicked all the locks on her door
tonight and had checked every window to make damned sure they were locked- she
was still a little uneasy.

It
wasn’t burglars that she feared anymore- give her a human attacker any day- now
she knew there was a whole other world out there in the shadows she didn’t much
like the odds of any one of them getting in for any reason- it was a certainty
that the vampires and Lycans she had left back at
Faith’s wedding weren’t the only one’s out there in the big wide world and she
assumed that like human’s, there were good and bad ones and she certainly
wasn’t keen on meeting one of those bad ones.

Fay
rolled her head against the pillow and waited for sleep to take her just so
that her mind would climb down from the spin cycle it had been in for the last
seven hours or so of her life. She didn’t have long to wait as sleep took her-
but even in sleep and even this far away from him, she couldn’t keep the wolf
from her dreams as she found herself by that beautiful waterfall and Adam’s
wolf was waiting for her.

She
heard the soft whine that left the wolf’s lips as she turned her back and
started for the entrance to the alcove- she wanted out of this dream and if she
couldn’t get it- she was going to just keep walking away- but the sorrowful
sound made her stop in her tracks as though he were calling to her heart.

“Don’t
do that.”

She
admonished the beast, wrapping her arms around her body as though that would
give her heart some kind of protection against him and when he whined again she
couldn’t help but stomp her foot.

“Damn
it. Stop.”

She
dropped her arms to her side but kept her back to him, she wouldn’t turn
around, she didn’t want to look at the wolf and see his eyes- Adam’s eyes
staring back at her, calling to her.

She
felt something wet against her hand and looked down, startled to find that he
was at her side, his nose nudging her hand and she pulled her hand away.

“I
can’t-“ She whispered in
her dream and into the silence of her apartment as she forced herself to walk
away from the wolf, the man and towards the entrance to the alcove, not turning
to look back and not hearing him follow her as she made her way back out into
the expanse of the field- her heart hurting as something twisted within her.

Fay
knocked back the beer in her hand and watched the blank television in the
corner, she had been staring at the clock on the wall until after the ceremony
was over and then she had turned her attention towards the black screen of the
set- guilt felt a little easier now that she had two beers under her belt, but
it still weighed heavy within her. The buzz of her mobile on the table in front
of her made her jump in place and she saw the screen light up- reaching for it.

The
little text box at the top of the screen stared back at her like an accusing
finger heightening that guilt again as she slide the bar across opening the
text- the phone buzzed again in her hand- good to her word Hope had sent her a
picture of Faith and Jake and she couldn’t help the smile that touched her lips
at just how happy her friend looked in his arms.

Fay
enlarged the picture and her eyes flicked to Jakes face- he looked normal for a
vampire- like anyone else who was a damned male model- with perfect skin and
hair and eyes the colour of amber- but he wasn’t deathly pale and she had seen
him walking around in the daytime- so what was up with that? She guessed that
the difference between myth and fact was probably quite large.

Myth-
vampires and Lycans didn’t exist outside in the real
world- they were only in the realms of fantasy. She scoffed to
herself holding the proof in her hand.

Fact-
vampires and Lycans didn’t look like Christopher Lee
and  Lon Chaney Jr. At least not the
one’s she had met.

The
phone buzzed again and she sighed- opening the second picture that Hope had
sent she saw the male group shot of Jake and Sebastian- but her eyes flicked
onto Adam and even in picture form there was a pull on her heart- on her body
for him- a need that rose up within her and she centred on him- expanding the
picture as far as she could take it on his face before he grew fuzzy and looked
at his eyes- they didn’t seem as bright or as blue as they did in real life-
there seemed to be a haunted look and she clicked to the next text as another
rumbled into her phone.

Hope
and the girls smiled back at her in all their bridesmaids glory-  the sharp pang of loss at not being in the photo
with her friends- at not being at the ceremony stabbed within her and when the
phone buzzed in her hand again she snapped it off- she didn’t want to see
anymore right now- it hurt too much.

Abel
pulled his truck onto the dirt driveway of Adam’s cabin and noted the other two
trucks parked in front of the rustic building. A smile of knowing formed on his
lips as he put the truck into park and turned off the engine. Joshua was here-
that meant only one thing- his brother would have tied one on last night-
because if there’s one thing that Joshua could do it was drink any man- or Lycan under the table.

He
walked up to the front door that was sitting ajar and nudged it open with the
toe of his boot- the smell of alcohol mixed with his brother’s scent and the
distinctive scent of their friend wrapped around him and he grimaced while his
eyes took a moment to adjust to the interior light- then he saw them- Adam
sprawled over one couch, his large body draped in a pose that would guarantee
he was going to feel that in his muscles for the rest of the day, while Joshua
was face down on the rug- sprawled with his arms and legs thrust outwards- kinda fitting for a bear shifter- Abel chuckled as he went
inside and deliberately kicked a empty bottle of Jack Daniel’s across the hard
wood floor- the noise instantly bringing both men’s eyes open.

Adam
lifted his head on a groan of regret- while Joshua just lay
deathly still his eyes the only clue that he was awake.

“Now
why wasn’t I invited to the party?” Abel mused as he walked over to the couch
opposite Adam and dropped down- immediately spreading his large frame out into
a comfortable position as Adam groaned again, closing his eyes in the hopes
that would will his younger brother away.

“Impromptu-
you’re brother needed to blow off some steam-“ Joshua
literally growled from across the room- still the man had made no attempt to
pull his large frame from the floor.

“My
brother needs to get his Alpha butt into gear and get assertive-“ Abel grumbled and Adam growled as he threw a thick arm
across his eyes.

“Give
it a rest Abel-“

“It’s
been a week Adam-“

“He’s
lost his mate Abel-“ Joshua growled again- this time pulling himself up to his
knees and blinking twice until the room lost its fuzzy edge.

“Lost- no. He knows where
she is, he just needs to drive down there and bring her back to the pack.” Abel
shot Joshua a look as the large man shrugged his shoulders before dragging
himself to his full height- six foot six of packed muscles behind a wide frame
that twisted in place and stretched out the kinks from lying on the floor all
night- he practically filled that whole end of the room with his presence- one
thing about bear shifters was that- in either animal or human form they
couldn’t exactly blend into the background and be overlooked.

“It’s
a dead subject Abel- give it a rest.” Adam growled slamming his arm against the
back of the couch as he used it as leverage and dragged himself into a sitting
position- wincing hard at the pain in his head, a deep groan escaping his lips.

“A
bear with a sore head- we have a matching pair.” Abel tossed a look at Joshua
who grinned widely before sauntering over to the brothers and dropping down on
the couch beside Abel causing the couch to actually groan beneath his large
frame.

“Tell
me Joshua- where do you stand on the subject?” Abel turned to look at their
friend who ran a huge hand across his face and through his hair in an attempt
to wake himself up as Adam growled under his breath, pulling himself to his
feet, he walked through to the open planned kitchen and flicked the kettle on
eager for coffee.

“If
I were lucky enough to find my mate- I would carry her back to my place and tie
her to the bed if she tried to run-“ Abel grinned
widely, slapping his friend on the shoulder in approval before he nodded
emphatically.

“A
man after my own heart-“

“When
you two are done sorting out my love life-“

“Or
lack of it-“ Abel chimed in, which earned yet another
growl of disapproval from Adam as he kept his back firmly to them.

“She’s
human Abel-“ Adam snapped out turning his glare on his brother in one move that
had him turning and standing by the arch between the kitchen and living room
and Abel held up one finger in correction mode.

“She’s
Fae-“

“And
I’m not going to force her to do anything she-“

“Not
force- encourage- showing her the error of her ways is not-“ The sound of the
side of Adam’s fist coming down on the counter top felt like a sledgehammer to
his own ears- Abel bit off the rest of his words.

“No!- Damn it!”

Adam
stomped across the room and disappeared up the stairs with bounding strokes of
his long muscled legs, leaving Abel to sigh as he turned his eyes towards
Joshua who shrugged his shoulders.

“Stubborn-“
Abel ground out between clenched teeth and Joshua slumped back against the
couch- this time running both hands across his face and through his hair as he
considered the situation- his friend and his reluctance to go claim his mate.

“I’m
a strong believer that Fate has a hand in all of our lives- that things will
usually work out for the best-“

“Profound-“ Abel teased and then took a breath and sighed out his
inward amusement his eyes sparkling with mischief. “But in the meantime I’ve
got a plan B.”

Joshua
gave a low rumble in his chest as his eyes shot to Abel beside him, “What have
you done now?” He was almost afraid to ask knowing Abel’s history with bad idea’s.

“I’ve
invited Hope for a little visit-“ He beamed with
outward pride.

“Who’s
Hope?”

“That’s
right- you haven’t met Hope yet- oh boy- she’s-“ Abel
stopped to consider how best to describe the little blonde bombshell of fun and
annoyance. “Let’s just say that she has the potential to drive him insane
enough to go after Fay.” Abel chuckled to himself. If Hope didn’t set a fire
under Adam to act nothing would.

Fay
turned over for the millionth time in her bed trying to find a position that would
afford her some comfort on the bed that had become her tormentor for the past
week. Her eyes flicking open in annoyance and frustration again as she stared
at the thick curtain keeping the sun firmly locked out of her room.

Every
time she slept she dreamed and every time she dreamed it was of Adam’s wolf-
hell, she probably knew his wolf better than she knew him at this point-
flopping over onto her back she stared at the crack in the ceiling above her
and took a long breath trying to push the frustration away and finding only
more in its place.

She
had made a decision- a choice and he should be man enough to abide by that- but
every night he sent his wolf into her dreams and it was making it harder to put
the man himself out of her mind. What the hell did she have to do to keep him
away? How was she supposed to not sleep? Didn’t sleep deprivation send people
nuts? Maybe that was it- he was tormenting her because she had rejected him. He
had warned her not to run away from him again- was this her punishment?

Fay
dragged the pillow over her face and screamed her frustration right into those
damned feathers- the sound of destruction tore through her room in a heartbeat
and she threw the pillow away from her as she dragged her tired body upright in
the bed and pulled herself up against the headboard- her eyes taking in the
sight around her- smashed and broken furniture lay wherever she looked-  like a damned twister had entered her room and
annihilated everything in its path. Fay hugged her knees to her chest even
tighter.

“Not again- not again.” She mumbled
rocking back and forth with the fear inside her- her eyes swam over the
remnants of her room. “I did it again-“ Her body
started to shake uncontrollably. This wasn’t happening. This was out of her
control and she wasn’t sure what the hell to do about it.

Her
powers were now coming on with a vengeance that she couldn’t control- she was
just too damned tired to try- anger- need- hopelessness- want- futility-
desire- fatigue- pulled on her emotions and she was helpless in the wake of the
war that raged within her, until finally like a damn it would burst.

If
only she could get some peace from his wolf- if only she had never left him- if
only he would leave her be- if only she could find the peace within that she
had felt just being near him.

Fay
reached up and gripped either side of her head willing that action to clear her
mind- clarity- peace- she needed to find those things- she needed to be able to
control her Fae powers that were overwhelming her-
she slammed her hands down onto the mattress beside her with the rush of anger
she felt- her fingers curling around the pillow at her side and she lifted it
and threw it through the air with another rush of frustration as she screamed
silently in her own mind- the loud pop of glass cracking beside her bed as she
shimmied on her backside towards the edge of the mattress and looked at the
violent crack that ran from the top of the double glazing to the bottom-
another rush of anxiety spiking within her.

Adam
stepped out of the shower and reached for the towel slung over the linen box-
he was regretting tying one on with Joshua last night- of course a damn bear
shifter could drink more than him and yet every time he got couple of drinks
under his belt the challenge would be throw out there and he would oblige his
friends ego.

He
cursed under his breath as he wrapped the towel around his waist and tucked the
end into the tight band at his hip- reaching for the door handle he stopped in
mid flow as the sound hit him hard- he might be one floor up and have a pretty
solid door as a barrier- but there was no mistaking that sound and he dropped
his forehead against the back of the door and groaned loudly as much to block
out the sound, as to curse Abel for what he had done.

“I’m
heeeerrreeee!” Hope screeched out as loudly as her
lungs would let her as she tossed open the front door to Adam’s cabin and
stepped inside on heels that were way too high.

Abel
winced and covered his ears as he glowered at her- but Joshua didn’t seem to
bat an eyelid, which had Abel wondering if Bear’s were actually deaf.

The
large man was just starring open mouthed at Hope as she flung her arms wide on
a theatrical note and arched her back as her breasts entered the room a second
or two before she did. Joshua swallowed- practically salivating and Abel
couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped his lips.

“Dude- no drawling.” He punched
Joshua in the arm and the man huffed, snapping his mouth shut and giving her a
toe to head look that said ‘I’m going to cover you in honey and then lick it
off every inch of your body.’

“Well
hello- who’s the big man?” Hope’s eyes took in the sight of him- a man mountain
of pure muscle with eyes the colour of chocolate that held the promise of being
just as delicious. Her pulse raced and she felt that pull towards him as a fire
burned within her.

“Don’t
play hard to get Hope-“ Abel chuckled as he got up
from the couch to walk the few strides to her side, slinging an arm around her
shoulder he grinned back at Joshua who was chaffing at the bit.

“Hope
Joshua- Joshua our friend Hope- yes she’s free and easy-“
Hope elbowed him in the ribs and he half closed his eyes as a growl
rumbled in his throat with the pain that rushed through him. “I mean single-
but right now I need her to torment Adam- so any plans you two might be
thinking of making you’re gonna have to put them on
hold for the sake of our mutual friend.”

Hope
shifted her weight onto one foot and pushed a flirty hip out towards Joshua as
she gave him a sinful look that was the promise of so much more and Abel
frowned as the big bear of a man growled out low and deep in his chest.

“Guy’s
seriously-“ Abel protested as Hope’s phone went off in her hand and she
reluctantly dropped her eyes from Joshua’s to take in the name on the screen-
easily dismissing it and then snapping back out of her mental haze when she
realised who was calling her.

“Hold
that thought.” She held up a finger at Joshua who grinned back at her, every
wicked thought he had ever had going through his head. Damn- if Abel wasn’t in
the room he would have already had her stripped naked and on all fours delving
into her over and over until she screamed his name.

“Fay-
what’s up girl?” Hope said tossing a look at Abel as she tried to keep her eyes
from the eye candy across the way that was doing strange things to her Fae senses.

“I
can’t control it Hope- it keeps happening- I’m not sleeping because I’m being
haunted-“ Fay was at breaking point and she let it all spill out- Faith was on
honeymoon and she didn’t know who else she could turn too- she needed to make
it stop and Hope was her only chance.

Hope
saw Abel take a step towards her- hearing the distress in Fay’s voice down the
line.

“Whoa
sweetie- slow down you’re not making any sense- what’s
happening? Who’s haunt-“ Hope felt her fingers tighten
against the metal case- damn she wanted to reach right down the phone line and
comfort her friend.

“I
destroyed my living room- my bedroom- it just keeps happening- I can’t control
it Hope-“ Fay hit the accelerator and took the on ramp
oblivious to the cars around her. Horns beeped and cars swerved as she joined
the fast moving traffic from one main road to the next.

“Ok
Fay- where are you?” Hope slapped Abel and motioned for him to get Adam- he
shook his head.

“I’m-
I’m- crap I don’t know- but I’m coming to you- I need your help Hope. I need to
get him to stop so I can sleep-“ Fay pressed harder on
the accelerator- weaving from one lane to the next- her eyes rimmed red from
the lack of sleep that she hadn’t allowed herself- in some vain hope of
protection from the wolf.

“I’m
not at home Fay- I’m in Redwood-“

“Redwood-
Redwood-“ Fay tried to clear her mind- she had seen a sign
for that hadn’t she? Wasn’t she near to Redwood? It damn well rang a bell. Just
like magic the sign for the Redwood turn off flashed in front of her and she
gripped the wheel. “I see the sign for Redwood- I need to-“
she pulled on the wheel and careered across all three lanes, two wheels
practically lifted from the road as he car tittered back and forth in a
desperate attempt to stabilise it’s weight- her mind
uncaring- she knew she needed to get to Hope- she needed to make it stop- all
of it.

Hope’s
breath caught in her chest as she heard the honks of the other traffic and in
her mind’s eye she tested the connection with her friend- a rush of heat
sweeping through her body as she jolted in place and grasped the fuzzy picture
in her mind’s eye- tuning in like she had a bad TV signal, until finally seeing
with such clarity everything that was going on.

When
Fay’s eyes caught sight of her red rimmed eyes in the rear view mirror Hope
gasped in shock at the sight of Fay looking like a half crazy woman on the
verge of a psychotic break- this wasn’t the woman she knew- she had said she
was being haunted and damn if she didn’t look like it. Hope reached blindly for
Abel at her side as Fay’s emotions battered her all at once- the barrage of
intensity swimming through her mind was almost too much.

“What’s
going on babe?” He asked his fingers closing around her arm giving her the
support she needed- smelling the fear that rolled off Hope had him growling low
in his chest with his wolf’s need to protect rising to the surface- he just
didn’t have a damn clue who or what he was protecting.

Joshua
got to his feet on the other side of the room- torn somewhere between tearing
Abel’s hands from Hope and the need to protect her from whatever she had opened
herself up to- he was a mass of indecision and hesitated in place, unable to
decide on a course of action, just as Adam came off the bottom stair- his
senses went into overdrive with the amount of emotions that flowed from his
friends and hit him like a brick wall.

“What
the hell?” He demanded on an angry growl as Abel held up a hand to warn him
off.

“Listen
to me Fay-“ Hope gushed out trying to focus her mind on Fay and only Fay- the
amount of testosterone on overdrive in the room wasn’t helping her any.

Adam
took a step forwards- his wolf howling within him with the need to do
something- there was no doubt from the tension that surrounded him- in Hope and
the other’s, that Fay was the one in trouble- but what kind and how quickly
could he get to her?

“I
need you to pull over when you get off the damn road- do you hear me Fay?” Hope
demanded and Adam was across the room in an instant- he wanted to rip the phone
from her hand- to shake the information he needed from her body- her eyes
locked with Adam’s and she saw her fear mirrored there.

“I
can’t- I’ll sleep- I can’t sleep- I’ll dream of him- always him- I need to stay
awake- I need you Hope.” Fay sounded so desperate that Adam physically felt the
pain within him- his gut gripped tightly with a vengeance that wanted to make
him throw up and roar in frustration at the same time.

Fay
swerved down the back road- the woods either side seemed to come alive in front
of her- trees seemed to move back and forth as her head swam and her eyes
blurred- Hope gripped Abel’s arm- her nails practically embedded within his
skin as she watched through Fay’s eyes- felt what Fay felt.

“Damn
it Fay pull the car over before you kill yourself-“ Hope
screamed into the phone as she saw the sign on the side of the road blur in and
out of Fay’s vision.

“I
know where she is-“ Hope hissed in the same instant that she kicked off her
high heels, turned a one eighty and headed back out of the door- Abel, Adam and
Joshua in hot pursuit.

Abel
yanked his keys from his pocket as they dashed across the driveway. Apart from
Hope’s car, Abel’s was the only one not being blocked in- he jumped into the
driver’s seat as Adam wrenched open the passenger side- Hope and Joshua piling
into the back of the cab as Abel kicked the engine to life and tore backwards
down the driveway.

“Where
am I going Hope?” He demanded urgently yanking on the wheel at the bottom of
the drive and spinning the tyres over flying dirt until he was facing forwards
on the road.

“Three
pines-“ Hope spat out into the silence of the cab- “Fay pull over I know where
you are- I’m coming to you-“ Hope demanded and she saw Fay hesitate- her blurry
vision dropping to the speedo as she fought
indecision.

“To
me?-“ Fay echoed the tiredness rolling over her in waves.

“I’m
coming now- pull over.”

“You’re
coming?-“ Fay locked on that thought. Hope was
coming to help her- she could stop- she needed to stop-

“Just
hit the damn brake Fay please!” Hope shouted into the handset in pure
frustration as Adam growled from the front seat- his mind in turmoil as his
hands clenched into white knuckled fists at his knees.

“We’ll
get her brother- hold on.” Abel offered from beside him- his own wolf howling
with the need to do something within him for his brother and mate.

CHAPTER
NINE

Fay
took her foot off the accelerator and let the car roll ahead down the back
road- her knuckles loosening on the steering wheel as the fatigue rolled
through her like a wave she couldn’t surface from- her lashes trying to close
over her eyes as she steered what looked like a drunken path with the car
rolling to a stop.

“Put
it in park Fay- that’s all you have to do sweetie.” Hope’s voice was calmer
now, softer but her heart still hammered in her chest as she saw Fay look at
the gearstick- flick it into park- her fingers reaching for the keys in the
ignition as she rested her head against the steering wheel- her fingers
slipping from the keys as everything went black.

“Shit!”
Hope spat out and Adam’s head snapped round to look at her as she swallowed
hard. “She stopped. But she must have passed out everything went black Adam.”

Abel
didn’t need telling once let alone twice- he hit the accelerator with a
vengeance as the truck protested the speed they were suddenly going.

“Abel!”
Adam growled low in his chest as Fay’s car came into view- parked with its
front end off the road and on the scrub beside the verge- and from Adam’s
vantage point he could see Fay slumped against the steering wheel unmoving.

“Got
it brother-“ Abel grimaced as he raced towards the
stationary vehicle- only breaking at the last possible moment to ensure that
they reached her as quickly as possible- before the truck even came to a total
stop Adam had pushed his door open and was out of the cab running towards the
driver’s door-  he practically tore from its mouldings in order to get to
Fay, the metal hinges creaking out in the silence of the woods.

He
reached for her with shaking hands- his hands gentle as he eased her back
against the seat- reaching over her to undo the seatbelt that held her in
place- her scent calling to him making his heart beat even more frantically
within his own chest and echo within his head- he growled out his pain at
seeing his mate like this as his hands went to her face cupping her pale cheeks
as he turned her towards him- her eyes were closed and her breathing was
shallow as the others came up behind him.

“What
the fuck is wrong with her Hope?” Adam growled out and Hope shook her head as
she fought back the tears in her eyes- finally at her friends side she couldn’t
hold back the emotions that had gripped her- her own and Fay’s.

“I
don’t know Adam.” Her voice was so
uncharacteristically small as she starred at Fay- helplessness washing through
her.

Adam
reached for Fay- lifting her out of the car and against his chest as she
whimpered slightly against the feelings that were battering her fatigued body-
just being in his arms felt like a battering ram to her already shot nerves as
wave after wave of emotion rolled through her.

“Joshua
drive her car home- Hope go with him-“ Abel wasn’t in
the mood for arguments as he set off with his brother for the truck- Hope
needed calming as much as Adam did right now and he wouldn’t put the two of
them in the same truck again- he didn’t need fireworks- not now- Fay was what
was important at this moment in time and getting her back home was his main
task- then they could try to figure out this shit.

Adam
slid her onto the back seat, she looked so small and fragile lying against the
long seat and that knot tightened in his guts- climbing in with her he lifted
her onto his lap and she instinctively nestled against his chest- almost as
though she knew he was there- knew it was him holding her and her body
automatically responding to his proximity.

Abel
climbed in and started the engine- catching sight of his brothers taunt
features in the rear view mirror he knew that whatever had happened to Fay his
brother was now blaming himself- the wolf in him- the Alpha in him, telling him
that he should have protected her- should have been with her- when this was
over one thing that Abel knew was a damned certainty- Adam would never let her
go again.

Adam
sat down next to Fay on the bed and tucked the blanket up around her shoulders-
his eyes taking in every inch of her face with minute detail as Hope put her
hand on his shoulder and sighed.

“You
can’t read her dreams?” Adam asked reaching out to brush the stray curl from
her forehead.

“I
can’t- like this she’s just blank to me- god Adam she looks so pale-“ Hope
caught the sob that was in her throat and bit down hard against the pain that
washed through her- unshed tears straining to be released as she looked down in
helpless frustration at her friend lying there so deathly still.

“I
should never have let her leave-“ Adam growled out and
Hope squeezed his shoulder wishing she had some strength to give her friend-
some words to make him feel better- ease his guilt- but she knew his wolf was
punishing him- knew his Alpha code that wound around every strand of his DNA
was screaming at him that he had failed his mate.

“Wait.
Sleep. You need to sleep- she might pull you into her dream Adam the way she
did before-“ Hope grasped at straws- she’d done it
before- pulled her mate to her.

“That’s
my wolf-“ Adam shook his head in despondency.

“It
doesn’t matter- the dream- she said he was haunting her dreams- you might get
to see what she’s dreaming- even in wolf form.” Hope gripped his shoulder with
renewed certainty- if something was haunting her dreams and Adam could see it
maybe- just maybe she could help. Adam turned to look up at Hope and shrugged
his shoulders.

“Even
if it would help Babe- there’s no way in hell I can fall asleep right now- not
with her like this.” Adam looked back to Fay and Hope breathed a sigh of
relief- at long last something she could control.

“Leave
that to me wolf boy.”

Adam
saw the entrance to the waterfall and knew what he would find- his giant paws
scratched up the earth as he powered through the alcove and inside to find Fay lying beside the water- her fingers dipped into the cool
stream as she met his eyes and pulled herself up.

“Why
are you tormenting me?” He saw the pain in her face- the frustration in her
voice as he padded slowly towards her not wanting to scare her- she already
looked flighty as though she may jump up and run away at any moment.

He
whined low in his chest as he dropped to his belly on the ground and dragged
himself closer towards her.

“You
can’t keep coming to me night after night- every time I close my eyes Adam it’s
not fair to punish me like this-“ She rubbed her hands
over her face and sighed heavy in her chest as he watched her- she looked so
despondent that he just wanted to shift back to human form and wrap his arms
around her fragile body, but this was a damned dream- he would need to take
control of it.

He
watched her put her elbows on her knees and drop her face into her hands- she
looked so lost and her words made no sense to him- he hadn’t been in her
dreams- the bond between them was strong but the distance they had been apart
guaranteed that he could not reach her- nor could she pull him into her dream-
so why was she dreaming of him?

He
whined again- willing himself to be able to reach her and she got to her feet
turning towards the waterfall and wrapping her arms around her chest as though
hugging the pain away from her own body. Adam felt the desperation within him
to reach out to her- to hold her and take her pain from her.

His
wolf growled within him and he growled back in warning- the ground shifted
around him and he shook his head in confusion- no- it wasn’t the ground that
had shifted it was him- He was lying on the ground in human form- his wolf
having relinquished its hold for him and Adam scrambled to his feet- his hand
reaching for her shoulder and she physically jumped in place as she turned
towards him- her eyes brightening as she saw his human face.

Without
thinking her hands cupped his face and she looked up at him in disbelief mixed
with happiness- a gasp leaving her parted lips as Adam felt his heart soar
within him and then as her happiness turned to accusation he felt it break
again.

“Why Adam? Because I left? Because I ran from you?
Is this how you punish me?” Fay’s hands dropped from his face and she went to
turn away in despair but he reached for her, his hands on her waist stopping
her from leaving- he couldn’t let her leave him again- he had to protect her.

“I’m
not punishing you Fay. I would never punish you my love- I don’t understand-“

“Every
time I close my eyes you’re there- but you send your damn wolf to me Adam-
you’re haunting me-“ He saw the tears in her eyes well
up and wanted to move heaven and earth to take away her pain.

“No-
I haven’t been in your dreams since you left- you can’t pull me in Fay- it’s
not possible-“

“Stop
lying-“ Fay pulled away from him but he reached for her wrist pulling her back
to his chest- holding her against him with his other hand against the small of
her back as she struggled for release.

“Fay-
this is me beside you- feel me- reach out and feel me-
I’m right there on the bed beside you- please love.” Adam cupped her face with
his hand but she knocked it away- her eyes defiantly dropping to the grass
beside them.

“You
hate me that much-“ She tried to pull out of his arms
again but he wouldn’t let her go.

“I
don’t hate you woman I love you.” He growled down at her- the need to make her
understand a primal instinct within him.

“You
don’t know me to love me Adam- let me go.” She hit out with clenched fists at
his chest and once she started she couldn’t seem to stop, every bit of pent up
resentment for what he was doing to her rushing to the surface – she pounded on
his chest until he caught her wrists, holding her in place against him as she
thrashed about- trying to get away from him- he saw the tears on her cheeks-
saw the frustration as she weakened and his heart broke within him.

“Stop
Fay- please- stop-“ Adam felt his wolf rise to the
surface within him- felt the need to reach her. “Fay enough.” He growled down
at her cutting through her despair until she stilled against him. Done. A futile whimper escaped her trembling lips. “Look at
me-“ Fay’s eyes came to his as she stifled a sob. “I’m
lying beside you on the bed-“

“No-“ she shook her head adamant and he growled down at her.

“I’m
here beside you Fay- your body can feel me sweetheart- reach out for me with
your mind- feel me beside you- you’re safe and you’re with me-“

“But
your wolf-“

“I’m
here now- I have you now-“

“I’m
so tired Adam-“ Her voice was so small he wanted to
share his strength with her- see the fire return to her eyes that had been
there before.

He
let go of her wrists and lifted her into his arms in one swift movement, an arm
at her back and one under her knees as he walked with her towards the water-
sitting down with his back against the rocks, cradling her in his lap she
rested her head against his chest and closed her eyes- she was done- she had no
more will left to fight and she had missed the feel of his heart beating in his
chest- how insane was that- the steady beat that matched her own felt like home
to her- felt like strength and safety and everything she had been without for
so long in her life but had found with this man- even if it was just
fleetingly.

“Sleep
Fay- I won’t leave you while you sleep my love.”

“Adam?”
Fay croaked out, sensing it was his arms around her the moment she stirred from
sleep- he came awake in an instant- searching her face in the half light from
the hallway as she tried to focus her eyes on him- her body moving back away
from him on the bed and he allowed her the space- the room to move- if only so
he could see her better.

“What
happened Fay?” His voice was a whisper and she almost
had to pinch herself to make sure that this was real- he had come to her in her
sleep- not his wolf, but him and now- was this a dream
or was this real?

“Where
am I?” Fay tried to sit up, but he still had a heavy arm across her waist-
reluctant to put too much distance between them.

“My
home- we found you and brought you here.”

Fay
pushed against his arm, “Please let me up-“ he let her go- even though it was
the last thing he ever wanted to do and she pulled herself up in his bed- her
body felt heavy and numb- she might just have taken on a steamroller without
knowing and it had ended very badly for her.

Her
eyes flicked around the room trying to take it all in- still unsure if this was
actually reality- pulling her knees up to her chest and hugging them to her she
jumped slightly when he moved beside her- pulling himself up to sit a slight
distance apart from her- he turned his body towards her as he watched her with
an intensity that she could feel warm her skin.

This
was no dream- she was here- he was here- she couldn’t feel this much from a
dream, she knew that for sure and she turned to snatch a glance at him- her
body relaxing with his presence and recoiling from it at the same time.

“Why
wouldn’t you just let me go?” Her voice was quiet- shell shocked and he reached
out to touch her hand, but when she flinched he pulled back- that slight
movement causing his guts to twist.

“I
don’t understand Fay- in your dream you said my wolf was coming to you but
that’s not possible love-“

“Every
time I slept- he was there- the waterfall- him- you wouldn’t let me be- I
couldn’t even try to forget you- you tormented me until I couldn’t sleep and
then my magic was out of control-“ She caught the sob in her throat and he
reached for her then- unable to stop himself from pulling her into his arms.

Fay
tried to pull away for only as long as it took him to pull her onto his lap and
wrap her in his strong arms- the scent of him washing through her- soothing her
as his heat warmed her to the bone and she curled into his chest- safe- that
feeling of peace that had been so elusive washing through her and she knew he
was doing this- whether by choice or by design but she didn’t give a damn- it
felt good- it was a relief for her mind and body.

“I
swear to you Fay. I was not in one of your dreams this past week- from the
moment you left I couldn’t feel you anymore love- you were too far from me-“ He
stroked down her back in steady movements- his own body responding to her
proximity like a dose of medicine for what had ailed
him for the past week.

“But
the wolf was there-“

“I’ve
never heard of a bond that could be sustained over that kind of distance and I
didn’t share your dream the same way I did when we were at Faith’s- the way we
just did- are you sure it was my wolf?”

“I
know your wolf better than I know you-“ It was a
closeted accusation.

“Are
you feeling strong enough to come outside- I think
maybe it’s time you two met in person?”

Fay
hesitated, he felt her stiffen against him and knew
that she feared his wolf- could feel her trepidation rolling from her.

“He
won’t hurt you love- he’s a part of me and both of us have the overriding need
to protect you above all others- he could never hurt you.”

“And
yet he torments me-“

“Maybe
if he was coming to you it was to try to ease your fear.”

“And
drive me insane?”she mumbled as she detached herself
from Adam and he let her go. She scooted off the bed and stood on unsteady
legs- he was by her side in an instant, his hands steadying her as she turned
to look up at him.

“Do
you fear me Fay?” She shook her head, down turning her eyes and regarding the
floor as he sighed, “So it’s the wolf you fear?” he could feel his wolf whining
inside him- sadness overwhelming the beast.

“Do
you trust me?” His words were whispered into her hair and she had the
overwhelming need within her to get closer to him- resting back against his
chest and revelling in the feel of his strong arms about her.

“Yes.”

“Then
come outside with me.” He took her hand in his and led her towards the bedroom
door- she didn’t hesitate as she followed him down the stairs and into the
living room- Abel lifted his head and half opened his eyes- snapping to
attention when he saw her.

“Hey
Fay- how you doing?” He was on his feet in an instant and Adam pulled her
against his hip, his arm around her waist as she sought his protection- knowing
what Abel was had the fear rising within her again- a rush that hit Adam like a
brick wall.

“She’s
ok Abel- back off a little ok?” Abel didn’t need telling twice- he could see
the wariness in Fay’s eyes as she looked at him from under her brows.

Joshua
stirred on the couch and in turn disturbed Hope who was asleep against his
chest- tucked under one large arm and he looked at Adam and went to rouse Hope
when he shook his head- Joshua nodded his understanding as he smiled down at
Hope with possession in his eyes.

Adam
didn’t want the whole dramatics of Hope waking up- not now- there would be
questions and right now he wanted Fay to himself and she needed to relinquish
her fears- for his wolf- for Abel. If Hope woke up she might take solace with
her friend and he may never get through to her.

He
pushed through the front door and led her down the steps, her head turning back
towards the house- watchful of what Abel would do.

The
moon was lighting the way for them as he guided her towards the trees and he
could feel the nervous apprehension rolling from her in waves.

When
they reached the clearing Adam set her aside from him as she looked around
nervously, her tongue darting out to run the length of her lips. “You ready?”
he asked and he saw her straighten where she stood, her chin tipping up in
defiance against her worries, a nod of her head as she clasped her hands into little
fists at her side.

Adam
grinned down at her- proud of his mates resolve and eager for her to meet his
wolf- to show her that there was nothing to fear- something he should have done
a week ago. He reached for his top and tore it off and heard Fay’s breath catch
a little in her throat as she took him in with her eyes- he saw the way her
cheeks coloured with the rush of blood- saw her lips part as he reached for the
waistband of his jeans and when he peeled them down his muscled thighs he heard
her little gasp of arousal for him.

“Did
you miss me sweetheart?” He couldn’t help the teasing sound of his voice as her
eyes fixed on his arousal- standing proud with the need and longing for her
that washed through him- her tongue flicked out wetting her lips again, this
time for totally carnal reasons as she dragged her eyes back to his- the
amusement couldn’t conceal the dark desire he felt to have her.

“The
wolf’s not going to try to hump my leg right?” he couldn’t contain the belly
laugh that rolled through him and he wanted to go to her and feel her in his
arms- stem the worry that he felt coming from her even with her new found
bravado, but he knew that if he touched her now he would take her- right here
and now and that wasn’t going to happen.

“
If you could shift he would definitely mate you- but the only one who’s going
to be inside you tonight is me-“ Her eyes flicked from his face to his arousal
and back again and he could see that she was fighting taking a step towards
him- if she did he would take her.

“Just-
shift already.” She spat out and in an instant she saw him do just that- the
man becoming a wolf in front of her eyes- no crunch of bone- no hair growing
through his skin- no howling at the moon- just a shift- like the wind had
washed over his body and replaced him with a wolf- instantly dropping to all
fours he stood there before her- his eyes taking her in and she sucked in a
steadying breath as the shiver washed through her.

Where
before she wanted to step closer he could sense her desire to step back now and
a whimper escaped his throat as he tentatively moved towards her- slowly- so
very slowly, his eyes never leaving hers for fear she would run from him.

“Yep-
that’s my dream wolf-“ She half mumbled to herself as Adam came to stand in
front of her- she swayed slightly- he wasn’t sure if she was debating running
or just backing away a little, so he moved his head towards her clenched fist
and nudged her gently.

The
soft feel of his fur against her knuckles made her shiver and when he did it
again she pulled in a breath as her hand unclenched slightly with each nudge-
he brushed the side of his face against the back of her hand and she finally
reached for him- her fingers were tentative as she allowed them to lightly
trace over his head- the gentle whine from the wolf encouraging her on.

“I
thought you would feel more wiry.” His fur was
exquisite- lush and deep with a softness like silk to her fingertips and she
found herself giving a nervous chuckle when he nuzzled between her outer thigh
and her hand running his face up her leg as though to lift the hem of her
skirt- “Thought you weren’t going to try shagging my leg.” She mused and was
greeted by another whine that sounded half human in its sincerity.

Fay
couldn’t fight the nervous tension that streaked through her but she was more
than ready to give in to her urge to meet this wolf on her own terms- slowly
she folded down onto her knees on the ground before him- her eyes meeting his
as a small smile touched her lips- she was awe struck by his majestic beauty-
this wolf- her wolf was the most beautiful creature she had ever seen and she
felt her heart reach out to the beast.

“Ok.
So no eating your mate- not even a snack-“ She breathed out nervously as she
ran her hand over his head and down his shoulders- her wolf nuzzling into her
as she bit down on her lower lip- the smile spreading across her face as her
bravery grew.

“I
gotta touch those ears-“ She
chuckled and he lowered his head and pushed towards her as she used two hands
to rub around the soft short fur- a mew coming from her lips as she revelled in
the feel of him- her delight when he eased down to his belly and slowly edged
towards her across the ground and she sat back on her legs as he rested his
head in her lap with a gentle whine of belonging.

“This
is so fecking awesome Adam-“ She almost whispered the
words as her eyes shone with the amazement that was washing away her doubt- her
fear of him- he shuffled closer- his nose pressed against her stomach as she brushed
her hands over his fur and he gave another gentle whimper against her. “You’re
just a big softie-“ she teased as he gave a gentle growl in response the deep
tone rumbled over her thighs and she felt the stirring deep within her- the
sound an echo of when she had made love with Adam.

Adam
sensed the moment that she let go of her fears and accepted his beast for what
it was- a part of him- something that would never hurt her and when he growled
low in his throat in his wolf’s disapproval of her teasing he could sense a
change in her- her arousal for him growing stronger and he almost shifted right
there in her lap- the need to take her so strong that it caused him physical
pain to stay in wolf form.

It
took every ounce of strength he had to wait until he had pulled back from her
to shift back to his human side- crouched on the ground naked before her he
felt the blood rush to his groin- the need for her was so great that he was
rock hard and moving towards her in a heartbeat.

“Hey-
I was just getting to know your wolf-“ the protest died on her lips when her
eyes dropped down to the thick shaft against his stomach and she licked her dry
lips as the heat pooled between her thighs- her eyes flicking back to his- the
dark desire calling to her own as he came across the ground towards her-
reaching for her and pulling her to her knees- his body pressed hard against
hers as his lips came down on her own without mercy- his tongue demanding entry
that she had no willpower to deny.

His
mouth devoured her- his strong hands roamed over her body- reclaiming the feel
of her as his own- while her hands were no less demanding- feeling his hard
muscles as they travelled down to the hard swell of his backside, she palmed
his flesh and squeezed him against her.

Adam
fisted the hair at the nape of her neck and pulled her head back, tearing his
lips from hers as his eyes searched her face for answers.

“Do
you want me Fay- because I have a need to buried inside you that I can’t
contain much longer?” he didn’t wait for her answer- his lips against the soft
skin of her neck- his hand running the length of her thigh taking her skirt up
over her hips before he followed the swell of her backside- his hand pushing
under her panties and down the crack between her cheeks until he found the hot
wet core that pulsed her need for him- his finger slipping in deeply as her
silken walls clenched around him.

The
wanton gasp that escaped her lips coupled with her tight squeeze of his
backside urging him on as he pulled back and slipped another finger into her
hot flesh- the whimper of need growing stronger as he gently bit down around
the pulse in her neck before running his tongue hard and flat up the vein,
along her jaw line, where he nipped against her chin before delving back in
between her lips with such a frenzy that she was melting around him.

She
brought her hands to his chest and pushed him backwards into the dirt-
following him down- her mouth locked against his as she straddled his waist-
his fingers thrust deep into her core and she moaned into his mouth with the
need to be filled by him.

It
was she who broke the kiss- pushing up with her palms against his chest she
backed up over his body as his eyes snared her- snatching his fingers from
inside her he tore at the thin lace that covered her core- the hard steel of
his shaft beneath her folds as she rocked her hips back and forth along his
arousal- her wetness leaving him slick against her- the tip of his shaft
nudging her sensitive nub as she moaned her desire.

His
fingers bit into her hips as he lifted her away from his body- his arousal
springing up as if to claim her all on its own- when she reached between them
and wrapped her fist around him causing him to groan out a curse beneath her as
she steered him to the heat that needed to be claimed- the bulbous head
entering her core and spreading her walls as she removed her hand and pushed
down onto him- her need for him to be deep within her making her thrust down
with an urgency that had them both crying out into the night.

“Easy
love-“ Adam cautioned- but she paid him no mind as she pulled up and thrust
down to the hilt- her muscles tightly sheathing him as he growled with the
pleasure that rolled through him, she clenched and released those tight walls -
the erotic massage causing him to grow almost painfully rock solid within her.
“Fay-“ he warned feeling the wolf inside howl its approval- its need as she
lifted up over his shaft to thrust back down on him again- the cry from her
lips a plea for more.

Adam
spat out a dark curse as the need for her overwhelmed him- his fingers
tightened against her hips- he lifted her to the very tip before bringing her
back down on him, his hips thrusting up hard and taking her deeply as she threw
her head back and cried out her pleasure.

He
wasn’t going to be able to hold back his beast for much longer- the desire to
take her was just too damned strong and when she cried out his name on a plea
for more he felt the beast rush to the surface- his hips moving hard and fast
as he thrust up into her- a pounding rhythm that had her breath catching in
half sobs of pure pleasure as she rode him- her fingers curling into the hard
muscles of his chest as her nails dug deep and drew blood sending his beast
wild within him.

He
felt her tense around him- her muscles locking around his shaft as he powered
into her and she cried out over and over again as she came undone- the hard
clenching of her muscles against his shaft felt like a lovers mouth sucking him
hard and fast and had him growling with pleasure, dark curses leaving his lips
as he continued to thrust within her again and again until she was caught back
up in that spiral towards another release.

Fay’s
whole body rocked with the power of each thrust inside her- the pleasure that
was still pulsing through her body from head to toe, fighting the new build
that was escalating deep within and his name escaped her lips on a cry for
more.

In
a heartbeat she felt her world shift around her as he lifted and turned her in
one swift movement- the loss of his hard shaft within her making her cry out
her need as she felt the earth beneath her knees and hands- he slammed back
into her from behind- taking her hard and deep, a wonderful ferocity that
snatched any thought but the feel of her mate within her from her mind.

His
fingers dug into her hips through the pooled fabric of her skirt as his hips
hit her backside over and over- the rock hard length taking her to the hilt
again and again as she clawed her fingers into the earth- the pain and pleasure
jolting her to a breath taking climax as she dropped to her elbows with the
sheer power of the waves of pure hot pleasure that swept through her body and
she heard him roar as the release hit him with such a force that threw his head
back- he buried himself deep into her and exploded within her depths- rocking
his hips back to thrust deep again, spilling his seed into her over and over
with the spasms of her muscles milking him- the sheer physical pleasure keeping
him rock solid inside her and still he didn’t stop- the primal fire that burned
within him for her keeping him hard as he moved within the tight clenching
walls.

Fay
felt his body lean over hers- his arm locked her against his chest- his hand
palmed her breast, his other hand seeking the nub that had her clenching her
muscles around his thrusts as he moved punishingly erotic circles over the
swollen flesh- stroking into her with deep thrusts.

She
couldn’t have wanted him more than she did at that moment- his body dominating
hers- his sheer strength and power claiming her and she gladly submitted to her
mate- the whimpers rolled from her throat as his fingers fisted the hair at the
nape of her neck- bringing her head to the side so his mouth could cover the
heady beat of her pulse.

She
felt the sharpness of his fangs against her neck and cried out for him to bite-
needing the completion as much as he did and when he sank down into her flesh-
claiming her- marking her with his bite she felt the orgasm rip through her
body- unlike anything that had gone before it took her whole- mind body and
soul she felt the waves of pure plasma shot through her- unstoppable as he
continued to thrust inside her.

A
torrent of ferociously powerful spasms rocked through her body as she cried out
over and over again- her body held suspended in pure erotic bliss that was
unending- mindful of his own body tensing- his muscles contracting around her
as he released his fangs and threw his head back with a roar of completion as
he thrust deep, burying himself within his mate and exploding his seed deep
within her- over and over until he thought it would never end- his body finally
spent as he collapsed sated- still inside her he brought them both down on
their sides on the earth- his arms locked around her possessively and in
protection of his love.

Fay
didn’t know how long they laid there together- bodies as one- hearts still
racing, fighting to draw breath as the aftershocks rippled through them- Adam’s
hand stroking her bare arm was the first thing that brought her to awareness of
where they were- what they had done and she lifted her cheek from the pillow of
his arm and brushed her cheek against his skin.

“Tell
me I didn’t hurt you-“ Adam voice was still husky, but
he was breathless and half whispering in the near silence of the woods.

“I’m
a little sore but I wouldn’t change what we did.” She admitted- the heat rising
in her cheeks with the embarrassment of her admission and he chuckled gently
against her neck- his lips brushing the mark he left there- two pin pricks that
were already healed over and she felt the tingle of his touch wash over her.

“I
have something to tell you sweetheart but I’m not doing it here-“ he waited for
her body to tense- the last time he had said those words he had shared what he
was with her and she had run from him- she didn’t tense- she didn’t pull away
from him- if anything she nestled back against him more.

“Not
yet- I don’t want to move yet.” He tightened his arms around her and breathed
her scent in- he wasn’t going to ever let her run from him again- he couldn’t-
not now- he would do whatever it took to keep her by his side.

CHAPTER
TEN

Fay
steeled herself against the embarrassment of walking back through the front
door of Adam’s house and coming face to face with those inside. It was bad
enough that Abel and Hope were there, but she didn’t even know the guy that
Hope was sleeping against- Joshua- but Adam had a firm grip on her hand as he
led her back into the house and sure enough all eyes turned towards them
expectantly as he entered first and a rush of questions greeted their arrival.

“Not
tonight-“ He cut them dead quickly- eyeing each one in
turn. “ Abel take Hope to your house- unless she has a better offer-“ He gave
Joshua a poignant look and the big man just grinned back at him with a dark
knowing smile as Hope cleared her throat in amusement.

“But what-?” Abel started
and Adam shot him a dark look on a low growl that had Abel raising his brows
and moving towards the door without another word.

Hope
seemed to be brimming with barely contained excitement as she flashed a
dazzling grin at Fay following Abel with Joshua hot on her heels as the room
cleared in record time and Fay couldn’t help but chuckle her amusement as Adam
turned towards her and dragged her into his arms, his eyes dark with desire as
he looked down at her.

“Call
me!” Hope yelled as the roar of two engine started outside and Adam frowned
down at the woman in his arms.

“I
think you’re going to be a little busy for the next-“ he
paused considering it on a wry smile- “At least few days.” Adam informed her
and she couldn’t help the nervous chuckle that accompanied her embarrassment.

“You
think do you?” She challenged him tipping her chin up towards him and he leaned
down and nuzzled against the heated skin of her neck, his tongue brushing over
his mark and she sighed.

“I
do- very much so.” He reached down and cupped her backside lifting her easily
against him- the hardness of his desire for her again evident when he pressed
into her and she bit down on her bottom lip.

“You’re
insatiable-“ She chuckled a little nervously and he
gave a little devilish laugh against her neck.

“It’s
the beast in me.”

“Well
I’m covered in dirt and need a shower so your beast is just going to have to
wait-“

“I
don’t think he can- he’s very hungry for you and he
does not have an aversion to water.” Adam started towards the stairs in a
heartbeat as she clung onto him- a little nervous that he could move so fast
while carrying her at the same time.

“Do
not drop me-“ She warned on a nervous chuckle and he
just grinned insanely as he reached the bedroom and pressed her against the
wall- rocking his hips against her.

“Drop
you- sweetheart there’s a lot you need to learn about my abilities- I’m faster
and stronger than a normal man-“ he dropped a kiss
against her throat.

“Like
the six million dollar man-“ she teased and he rocked
his hardness against her nub causing her to drop her head back against the wall
on a sigh.

“You
don’t want to make me really angry-“

“Like
the hulk-“

He
growled against her throat before running his tongue over her heated flesh and
she wiggled against him.

“I
have an insatiable appetite- not only for food-“

“Winnie the pooh-“ she giggled and
he lifted his head and frowned down at her with disbelief.

“Winnie the
Pooh?”

“Maybe
not- do you like honey?” she teased and his eyes scooped down to her breasts as
he raised one brow on a devilish smile.

“I’d
like it just fine if I was licking it from your body-“ His
voice was a low husky growl of desire and she wiggled against him again sending
him spinning with her back towards the bathroom.

“And
an insatiable need to be buried deep inside you at every possible opportunity-“

“But
you are gonna feed me at some point right?” She felt
the world still about her and his face took on a more concerned look.

“Are
you hungry sweetheart?” It was more of a demand than a question and she giggled
again as she dipped her head and nuzzled against the warmth of his neck- her
teeth nipping against his skin causing a low growl of desire to emanate from
his throat.

“For
you I am.” She breathed into his skin before running her tongue over where she
had just nipped him and sinking her teeth into his flesh again.

“And
never- never bit a wolf unless you want to get ravished.”
He growled fisting her hair and tipping her head back to stare down at her- his
eyes almost glowing with desire.

“Got
it, I bite you- you ravish me- sounds fair.” She teased pulling her head
forwards again to sink her teeth into his neck.

“Damn
it Fay-“ He growled dropping her backside down on the tiled counter top next to
the sink and reaching to release himself from his jeans as she bit down harder.

He
grabbed her hips and yanked her butt forwards over the tile thrusting deep into
her with one long stroke as she finally let go of his flesh and threw her head
back arching her hips to his and she urged him on with her feet against his
backside.

“Don’t
bit me again or I’m going to lose all control like in the damn woods.” He
growled down at her- his hips thrusting against hers- Fay reached up and
dragged his top away from him as he shrugged it off and when she wrapped her
hand around his neck and pulled him down towards her she sunk her teeth into
his shoulder with relish as he lost total control of his beast- lifting her
from the counter by her hips and pounding in hard and fast.

“Why
are we eating in bed?” Fay enquired as she lay on her stomach and licked the
grease from the fried chicken off her fingertips after tossing the bone onto
the large pile in the centre of the plate.

“Because
when you’re done gorging- you’re going to want me deep inside you again.” He
was up on his hands and knees giving her a suggestive raise of his brows when
she flipped him the bird.

“You
Mr are just too full of yourself-“

He
was over her in an instant, a hand either side of her shoulders, one knee
between her thighs and the other nudging her legs apart as his tongue ran a
long flat line from the crack of her backside up her spine to where her curls
fell open to spill either side of her shoulders as his teeth nipped her neck.

“And
soon you’re going to be full of me-“ He breathed against her ear causing a
shiver to wash through her as she chuckled- wiggling her way up the bed out
from under him and he growled down at her- his arms coming down either side of
hers, his hands locking on her wrists keeping her in place as he lowered
himself down the full length of her body, his elbows taking his weight as he
rubbed the rock hardness of his arousal against the crack of her backside.

“You
don’t want desert?” he breathed against her ear as he stroked his arousal
between her butt cheeks and she chuckled.

“Who
decided the menu?”

“You
did when you captivated me with your beauty-“ He breathed against the pulse in
her neck before running his tongue over his mark and she closed her eyes and
felt him move around her- one arm released as he ran his hand between their
bodies and positioned himself against her core- gently nudging the entrance.

“Good
answer-“ She caught her breath as he eased just the
tip of himself into the heat of her.

“I
thought so-“ His hand was back holding her arm in place- only now he was
pushing her arms out in front of her on the bed- trapping her so thoroughly
beneath him-

“What
are you doing?”

“I’m
going to hold you down and take you until I’ve had my fill even against your
will- even if you scream for me to stop- I’m going to pound into you over and
over again- take you so hard and deep that I’ll ruin you for any other man in
the future-“

“You’ve
already ruined me for any other man- but I don’t want anyone but you to pound
into me-“ He bit the nape of her neck with gentle
teeth as he edged an inch further inside her.

“I
know-“

“And
I wouldn’t need to scream for you to stop just tense-“

“I
know.”

“And
you would never take me against my will-“ He nudged
deeper into her and she closed her eyes on a sigh- his teeth running over the
raised swell of her shoulders where he had her arms trapped above her head.

“I
know.”

“But
you are going to hold me down and take me until you’ve had your fill because I
want you too.” He pushed deep into her- taking her to the hilt and she moaned
her pleasure.

“I
know-“ He growled gently biting down into her flesh with blunt teeth and she
felt his large strong hand grip down on both wrists before he eased his other
hand between her and the bed and found the nub of erotic nerve endings and
started to roll over it with hard fast fingers as she squirmed beneath him.

“And
you’re going to make me come a lot-“ She gasped when he seemed to find that
perfect spot just under the tiny hood connecting with the sensitive nerves and
making her body climb hard and fast as he slid in and out of her in an easy
rhythm- he was in no rush to release.

“Damn
I hope so Baby.” He breathed against her ear as she quivered beneath him- her
muscles tightening before her release that had her hips thrusting towards the
bed then back up to meet his thrust into her- the cry that left her lips music
to his ears.

“Tell
me why you are keeping me captive in your bedroom.” She chuckled, resting back
against his chest as he lounged against the headboard- his arms around her
while she played with his fingers in hers and he placed a small kiss in her
hair.

“Not
just the bedroom- there’s the bathroom-“

“Splitting
hairs-“ She elbowed him in the side and he curled
forwards a small growl leaving his lips.

“Because
I can’t get my fill of you and I’m not going to take you in the damned woods
again-“

“Just the bed?”

“Yes-“

“And
the shower-“ She reminded him and he grinned
devilishly.

“Mmm- the shower-“

“And
against the sink-“

“Fay-“ He warned and she giggled against the slow rise of the
sheet that was resting against his groin.

“And
up against the wall-“ She ran her nails down the palm
of his hand and he growled low and hard in his chest. “Over the dresser-“ She whispered as though it were a secret. “In the chair-“ She watched the sheet become a tent and grinned
mercilessly as he growled again. “Over the back of the chair- oh- on the floor
in front of the chair-“ he went to reach for her but
she sunk down the bed away from him quickly coming to her hands and knees- her
eyes sparkling with mischief.

“And
let’s not forget my personal favourite- right there in the middle of the room
with my legs wrapped around your waist clinging on to you for dear life as you
tipped me backwards and just pounded into me like a loony tune- scary good.”

He
was on her in an instant- the growl that escaped his lips as he rolled her
backwards and came down on top of her before she even blinked.

“Don’t
tease me-“ He growled before cutting off her answer
with a ferocious kiss that sent her head spinning from the lack of oxygen mixed
with the desire that shot through her. “-You know what happens when you tease
me woman-“ He growled against her throat and she
slapped out at him- trying to push him away from her.

“Not
fair- I wanted to play-“

He
lifted his head and looked down at her- the fire of desire raging in his eyes
as he brushed the backs of his fingers over her flushed cheek.

“I
wanted to talk but that didn’t happen now did it-“ He
chuckled as she pouted up at him.

“Fine talk.” She challenged
him and he frowned down at her- rubbing his hardness against her thigh he gave
her a quizzical look.

“Now?”

“You
get what you want then I get what I want deal?” She teased and saw some of the
spark leave his eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Ah
Fay, I think after I get what I want you might not want to play sweetheart-“ He
rolled away from her then- coming to rest on his back on the bed as he stared
up at the ceiling a sudden pained expression crossing his face as she rolled up
onto her elbow to stare down at him.

“Ok-
you’re kind of freaking me out Adam- what’s going on?” She brushed her
fingertips down over the hard muscles of his chest and he caught her hand-
flattening her palm over the strong steady beat of his heart, he held it there-
captured.

“When
I shifted to my wolf I discovered the reason why he was visiting you in your
dreams and I had heard stories- but I really didn’t think it was possible- but
with you being a Fae and having magic-“ Fay shifted uneasily on the bed- suddenly uncomfortable by
the way he was going on.

“Adam
you’re rambling- just give me the concise version and-“

“You’re
pregnant.” He spat out and winced as his eyes flicked to her- her mouth gapped
open as she stared down at him- he heard the double tap of her heart within her
and then her pulse raced-  she was doing an
impression of a goldfish- her mouth moving but no sound was coming out- he
waited cursing himself for spitting it out the way he had- he had meant to ease
her into it- so very- very slowly.

“Fay?”
He asked softly and she narrowed her eyes and considered his words- a little
shake of her head- pursed lips and she rolled over onto her back and stared up
at the ceiling.

He
rolled towards her- propping himself on one elbow and staring down at her
trying to read her as she just stared ahead blindly. Turmoil- pure and simple
was rolling from her and hitting him full force.

“Fay?”
he urged and she turned her head- her eyes just staring at him for a long moment
before she held up her index finger.

“Give
me a-“ she let the request die on her lips as she
turned to stare back up at the ceiling- he felt the rush of his own anxiety
within him as his wolf whined a long sorrowful mourn within.

“Fay?”
He nudged her and she shook her head.

“Not there yet.” She breathed
out quickly- he heard her heart double tap within her chest again and his body
was practically coiled in anticipation of her running from him.

“Sweetheart-“ He urged running a lone finger down the bare skin of her
arm and she turned towards him.

“Pregnant?”
She searched for clarity and he nodded on another wince.

“Yeah-“
He offered with a little more sympathy for her predicament than maybe he should
have offered her- hell- it wasn’t like he knew how to handle this kind of
thing- he shouldn’t have blurted it out that’s for damned sure.

“How?” She demanded
and he couldn’t help but see the funny side of it.

“Well
honey when the male sperm-“ He regretted it when she
slapped him hard around the top of his head biting back on the growl from his
wolf and the chuckle that rolled through him.

“How? I’m on the
pill-“ She spoke slowly as though he were an idiot
that she needed to get through too. He winced again unsure if he was going to
get another slap.

“That’s
for human’s-“

“I
am bloody human!” She shot up in the bed indignantly and realised that she was
naked- and that’s what got you in this predicament in the first place!
She snapped in her own mind as she snatched the sheet up and covered herself.

“Actually-
you’re Fae and I’m Lycan
and so-“

“So
I could have just swallowed a bloody marshmallow for all the good it did?-“ She dropped back down to the bed clutching the sheet to
her chest and glared up at the ceiling.

“Technically
yes-“ Adam cringed and she turned her gaze on him- fire in her eyes as she
dragged herself up on her elbows and glared at him.

“And
you knew this?”

He
grimaced again before raising his eyes to the ceiling and looking for a way to
explain his position. “Well somewhere in the back of my brain the knowledge was
there, but when we were-“

She
huffed and then snorted out a wry laugh, “You mean when you engaged your penis
your brain took a backseat.” She snapped indignantly and he gave a low growl in
his chest before she pinned him with her eyes and he shrugged.

“Technically-
yes.” He agreed begrudgingly and she dropped back against the bed again and
stared up at the ceiling.

“Oh
god- I’m going to have a puppy.” He spat out a laugh that her head snapping
towards him- fire blazing in her eyes now and he
coughed away the laughter with a small shake of his head.

“Actually
it’s going to be a child- just half Fae and half Lycan-“

“Oh
great- so when it shifts it can rearrange the furniture.” She spat out
sarcastically and turned her glare on him before he could spit out another
laugh- he cleared his throat again- but the amusement was still evident in his
eyes.

“Actually
the child won’t shift for the first time until puberty.”

“So
we miss the terrible twos and go straight to raging hormones and teenage angst-
great timing.” He reached across her and dragged her towards him on the bed-
resting his chin on her shoulder, she turned to see the smile that was
spreading across his face and she glowered at him.

“Want
to share what you find so amusing?”

“You’re
already talking like a mother sweetheart- which means you’re going to have our
baby.” Adam actually glowed with the knowledge that he was going to be a father
and she gave a quick shrug of her shoulders begrudgingly.

“Did
you think I wouldn’t keep it?” She asked softly- trying to keep the annoyance
in her voice, but failing miserably under the look of complete awe he was
bestowing on her.

“I
thought you would be pissed-“ He offered and she
raised her brows at him.

“ I am.”

“And
I thought there would have recriminations-“ she huffed
at him as she stared up at the ceiling again.

“And
I thought you might just not want to have a baby right now-“
She took a long breath and sighed. “Or my baby at
all.” She closed her eyes and let all the oxygen out of her lungs on a
slow sigh before slowly dragging it in again, calming her nerves before she
turned under his arm and opened her eyes to look at him. He dropped his elbow
down and rested his head in line with hers on the mattress.

“It’s
not like that-“ He saw the tears well in her eyes and
he gently lifted his hand to brush her curls away from her face- soothing her
as she struggled with the emotions raging inside her.

“Do
you want to tell me or do you need time to sort it out in your own head?”

She
opened her mouth to speak and then closed it again- unsure of herself and he
gave her a half smile of encouragement- bringing the tips of his fingers gently
down over her cheek.

“I
never had a real family- foster parents- but not a family I could count would
be there from one week to the next- Faith and Hope kind of took me under their
wing- they were like sister’s I guess- but wild one’s- I always had to be quiet
and good and perfect for my foster families so I didn’t get shoved back into
the system over and over- but it didn’t work- I always ended up leaving for
somewhere else- that was the only certainty that I had- that was the only
constant in my life-“ She became quiet then- lost in her memories as he gave
her the time she needed to grieve for her lost childhood- he couldn’t imagine a
life without family- he had always been part of a pack and now he was the
Alpha, head of the family- he could feel her anguish and he wanted to sooth
her- drag her into his arms and make it go away.

“I’ve
been alone most of my life- I don’t know what a real family is Adam- and then
there’s you- your life- your pack- this baby is going to be a wolf- that’s
going to be hard enough for the poor little mite but what if something happened
to us-?” She scrubbed at the silent tear that escaped her lashes and ran down
her cheek- she started to turn away from him but he wasn’t about to let her go.

“Hey-
listen to me- you are my mate- this is now your pack too- your family and if
one of our pack children lost their parents- the pack would step in- no child
would be left alone- ever- not here- and I’m not just your mate- I’m your Alpha
so it’s like double my job to protect you and to protect our baby-“ he brushed
the pad of his thumb against the next tear that fell as she nodded her head
understanding what he was telling her, sniffing in a breath as he cupped her
face with his hand and captured her eyes with his.

“And
it didn’t go unnoticed that you still referred to our baby in the present and
future sense- you are going to have it aren’t you?”

“Well
I did always want a puppy-“ She snorted a chuckle as
mischief filled her eyes and he couldn’t help the flash of pride that ran
through him at the thought of being a father- along with the need to show her
how much both she and the baby would be loved.

He
tightened his grip around her waist and pulled her to him, a growl escaping his
lips- his mouth coming down on hers with a kiss that was both all consuming and
mind blowing, so much so it took a long moment to clear her head when he relinquished
her lips.

“Why
does this feel like home? Why do you feel like I’ve know you forever? Why did
it hurt so much to be away from you? Yesterday I wanted nothing more to do with
you and now I want nothing more than to never leave
your side- it’s so- surreal.” She saw the lop sided
grin spread over his face and his eyes held her gaze as he brushed fingertips
against her cheek.

“Mates
sweetheart- soul mates- we were made to be together- it was in the stars-
and Fay you will be loved-“ He breathed against her neck, his lips brushing
over the delicate skin- “I would die to protect you-“ He nuzzled into the
sensitive mark against her neck and she mewed. “I will never hurt you.” His
sharp teeth grazed her neck and she dug her nails into his shoulder.

“What
about the sex thing?”

“The sex thing?” He ran
fingertips over her hips and she arch towards his touch.

“The
need I feel for you?” He raised his head to grin down at her- a devilish
grin on his face as he ran those fingertips down her outer thigh before
doubling back up her inner thigh until he found her heat- her lips parted and
her lashes fluttered against her cheek as he eased his fingers into her.

“That
never goes away- it’s all part of being mated- bonded- the need to be close-
the fact we can never be close enough-“ And then he
was between her thighs- she felt his breath against her sex and her lashes flew
open as she looked down her body at the man who looked up at her with a hunger
in his eyes- a need to taste her- touch her- love her.

“You’re
too fast-“ She chuckled and he tipped his head and
regarded her with that dark sexy look.

“Oh
I’ll go real slow-“ she went to answer him but he was
already tasting her and her words died on a gasp in her throat.

Adam
poured the coffee into Fay’s cup and threw the dishcloth he was holding at
Abel, easily caught Abel chuckled to himself against the slur he had aimed at
his brother, with a pointed finger and a good natured smile Adam warned his brother
off his latest need to get a butt whooping from the older sibling.

Fay
chuckled quietly from the other side of the counter as the two brothers eyed
each other, both resting back against the counter tops in the kitchen as Fay’s
eyes turned to the man mountain nestling with her friend on the sofa.

Hope
looked happy, in fact she looked happier than Fay had ever seen her before and
Joshua seemed to be the perfect mate for Hope- both of them larger than life-
but Hope louder than her mate- although his constant attention had seemed to
calm her a little over the last week.

Fay
was happy too- happier than she thought she would ever be and for the first
time in her life she felt settled- even back in her own apartment she had never
felt at home- more it was just a temporary stop on the way to somewhere else,
which of course it had been- she was now here with Adam and part of the pack-
it was going to take a little getting used to, but she loved it.

With
the sound of a car drawing up in the driveway Fay didn’t pay it much attention-
as Alpha, Adam could have people coming and going all day- it wasn’t until the
door was thrown open- landing with a thud and a crack back against the unit
that all eyes turned towards the intruders- the men in the room suddenly alert
and ready.

Adam
was in front of Fay in a heartbeat with Abel and Joshua already on their feet
when Fay heard the venom in the voice as it boomed out an accusation, “You got
her pregnant the first night- are you totally irresponsible or what- you big
dog?”

Fay
saw Adam’s shoulders sag a little under Faith’s withering stare as something
between a groan and a growl emanated from him, “Oh come on Faith-“ he sounded
less like an Alpha and more like a whipping boy as she placed her hands on her
hips and glared back at him, her chin raised with annoyance.

“Don’t
you come on me- you nearly got her killed-“ Faiths
eyes flashed with a warning as Adam took a step towards her and hesitated. Abel
sniggering into his hand as Joshua just shook his head in despair.

“Technically-“ He started and Faith’s eyes flashed fire as she wagged a
long finger at him.

“Oh
don’t you technically me-“ She snapped back as Jake leant against the doorframe
with crossed arms and a smile plastered onto his handsome face while he admired
his wife’s wrath, she looked so hot when she was this angry and he loved it.

“Jake
please come in and control your mate-“ Adam couldn’t
keep the mischief from his eyes or the smirk from his lips as Faith practically
erupted on the spot.

“Control
your mate? Seriously? This is what my best friend –“ Hope jumped to her feet.

“One of your best friends.” She put in and
Faith snorted.

“One
of my best friends has to look forward too?” Faith demanded as her eyes bore
holes into Adam. Jake took a slow walk towards Faith with a nodded
acknowledgement that the Alpha had invited into his home.

Adam
turned around as quick as a flash and scooped Fay from her perch on the stool
where she had been watching the exchange and lifted her to his side pressing
her hip for hip against him, his arm circled around her waist protectively.

“Do
you feel controlled honey?” He smirked down at Fay who shrugged her shoulders
with an innocent sigh.

“Very out of control around you
actually.”

Faith
pointed her finger at Fay as she pouted her lips, “And you- oh don’t think I
have forgotten you- little miss run off and miss my wedding-“

“Now
honey you’ve said your piece look how happy Fay looks.” Jake soothed and went
to reach out to touch her arm and she sidestepped him turning her annoyance on
her new husband.

“Don’t
even think about soothing me- there are lots of bedrooms in that house of
yours-“

“Ours-“ Jake breathed out slowly taking another step towards her
as she took a step back away from him.

“Ours
and you’ll be sleeping in one by yourself.” She
snapped out before spinning her attention back to Adam who was also making slow
progress towards Faith.

“Now
Faith- where’s the harm?” Adam enquired with all the mock innocence he
possessed whilst backing her towards Jake.

“And
you need to back off before I give you an injury that ensures this will be your
last litter of pups-“ Faith announced narrowing her
eyes on him as a gasp went up from Fay.

“Litter?” It was almost a
shriek and by the time Adam had turned around her eyes were wild like a startled
deer- her hands had automatically reached to cover her womb.

“No-
No Fay-“ Adam started for her immediately as everyone
started to speak at once. Fay stood there looking like the floor had just
dropped out from beneath her.

“God Faith really?” Abel groaned.

“Jesus
Faith scare the crap out of her why don’t you?” Hope
threw her hands up in the air in defeat as Joshua shook his head in dismay.

“Geez
Faith.”

“What
the hell?” Faith demanded putting her hands on her hips in defiance of all the
negative feedback in the room as Jake slipped his hand onto her shoulder coming
to stand behind her.

“Whoops.”
He breathed against her ear as Adam pulled Fay into his arms and breathed into
her ear.

“I
can’t one hundred per cent guarantee you’re not having twins or such but trust
me sweetheart- there’s not a litter in there- not unless you were on some
fertility drugs I don’t know about.” He cupped her face and saw the look of
wide eyed terror leave her and she nodded.

“Better
not be- I’m gonna give birth not shuck peas from a
bloody pod-“ She mumbled against his lips as he
grinned down at her.

“Look
at that- you didn’t run away- progress.” Adam teased- Fay wrapped her arms
around him as he pulled her into his embrace- nuzzling her neck.

“Er, hello?” Faith felt Jakes around come around her waist
as he pulled her back against his chest.

“Easy
love- she’s happy- it’s all good.”

“He
still needs a smack upside his head in my opinion-“ Faith
mumbled but she couldn’t help the small smile that touched her lips, if Fay was
happy- she was happy. “- And now we just need to find Abel’s mate-“ She teased as Abel rounded on her.

“Bite
your tongue woman-“ He growled at her from across the
way as Hope chuckled her approval.

“Perhaps
a little spell-“ He rounded on Hope an outstretched finger
warning her off along with the scowl on his face.

“I’ve
had enough drama in my life to last me a decade after the last couple of weeks-
you two little Pixies-“ He grumbled as Faith and Hope
gasped in unison.

“Pixies!” They blurted
out together, both rounding on him.

“-Even
try to bring my well ordered life into chaos and so help me I will-“ He carried
on regardless of the glares he was getting from the two women.

“Well
Faith- I think we can come up with something that might just draw Abel’s mate
to him what do you say?” Hope’s eyes flashed with defiance and mischief at the
same time.

“I
think you’re right and with Fay’s help- the power of three should bring the
little minx right to his doorstep.” Faith raised her brows and gave him a look
of triumph.

Abel
went from scowling to grovelling in a heartbeat. “Come on ladies- you wouldn’t
do that to me-“

“Oh
we would- right Faith?”

Faith
considered it for a long moment leaving Abel hopeful, “Yeah we kind of would.”

“What
the hell did I do?” Abel was deflated, dropping down onto to sofa as Jake
chuckled against Faith’s ear.

“That’s
just mean-“

“That’s
why you love me- my evil streak.”Faith couldn’t hold back the celebratory
chuckle at seeing Abel so worried.

Joshua
strolled over and slapped his friend on the shoulder as he dropped down beside
him, the sofa groaning a protest. “Buck up old friend- how bad can it be?”

“Bad.”
Abel growled with a shake of his head.

Hope
wiggled into the small space between the two men as they shifted as best they
could to allow her some room, “Oh for goodness sake Abel- finding your mate is
what every Lycan dreams about.” She admonished and he
shrugged.

“I’m
not finished sowing my wild oats yet- thank you very much.” He didn’t look at
her but the scowl was definitely back firmly in place.

“You,
little brother was the one telling me to go get Fay and drag her back here-“ Adam reminded him and Fay gasped, turning towards him and
placing her hands on her hips.

“Seriously Abel? Well in that
case- I would be happy to help Faith and Hope find
your mate for you.” Abel groaned with his wide shoulders slouching in defeat.

“No
good deed goes unpunished.” He growled causing Hope to reach out and ruffle the
already wayward hair on his head.

“Cheerful
little soul isn’t he- perhaps his mate would be better off without him.”Joshua
crowed from the other side of Hope and Abel nodded with enthusiasm.

“See-
Joshua’s right- how could three women like yourselves subject another poor unsuspecting
woman to- well- me?” He beamed at all three women in turn and all three shook
their heads back at him.

Abel
sighed, resigning himself to his fate. These three were going to call his mate-
it would just be a matter of when. He supposed it wasn’t the end of the world,
after all- his brother was happy- sickeningly so at times- Faith was happy and
even Hope was happy and already settled with Joshua, but knowing his luck he
would have a screaming banshee for a mate. Only time would
tell and only Fate held the answer.

The End.