Adam grinned at Larry before waving him on. They were taking a break for a run in their wolf forms. It had been a long day of meetings and phone calls as Adam had reached out to other Alphas, searching for any sign of Riker. Larry had gone over most of the territory with help from Cain, Kurt, Clint and Hector, but there had been no sign of anyone who wasn’t supposed to be there. There was a small section up north that hadn’t been explored yet. He and Larry were going to take a quick look around before dinner.
“Go,” Adam called to Larry. “I’ll be right behind you.”
“Sure,” Larry called before disappearing behind a row of trees.
Adam pulled out his cell phone and sent a quick text message to Tasha.
Meet me in our room in forty-five minutes.
He pressed Send before pocketing his cell. As he stepped under the canopy of the trees, the temperature dropped, especially when he pulled his shirt over his head. Up ahead he could hear a rustling of leaves, then a howl. Larry had already shifted. Adam undressed before rolling up his clothes and stuffing them in the base of a large oak.
Adam bent, then closed his eyes so he could concentrate on calling his wolf forward. He shuddered, then the transformation flowed over him. In a matter of minutes, he was rising onto his four paws. He gave his body a massive shake before trotting off behind Larry.
It would take less than ten minutes to get to the area and ten back. That gave them a little time to play and run. It would be good for the two of them to bond further. Adam already trusted Larry, but he hoped Larry would feel the same way soon.
Larry was growing on the entire Pack. Just that morning Adam had spotted several of the guards smile and call out a greeting to the Enforcer. It made Adam proud of his Pack. Larry deserved the respect.
Adam howled before speeding up the trail. He could hear Larry’s steady tread. He knew in a minute they would come up to the clearing marking the section they needed to survey. Larry was standing right in the middle and something was wrong. Adam slid to a stop just out of view.
Unfortunately, he hadn’t been quiet. Larry didn’t look in his direction, though. The fur on Larry’s back and neck stood up. Adam crouched and strained to see why Larry had frozen. He didn’t see anyone. He lifted his snout and breathed deeply.
The scents of nature, grass and dirt, water and animals, were all he could pick up.
He scooted forward but still remained hidden.
That was when he saw a movement in the shadows across from him. The direction that Larry was staring.
“You can come out now, Alpha,” Riker said as he stepped toward Larry with a gun trained on him.
Adam mentally cursed. They had walked right up to Riker and they were alone. He hadn’t actually thought they would find anything. Now he felt his failure fall like a blanket over him. By not paying attention, he’d put his Enforcer in danger.
“I said, come out!” Riker yelled.
Riker looked rougher than Adam remembered. His dark hair was longer and appeared stringy. He was dirty and Adam wondered if he were closer, if he’d been able to smell the stink from Riker.
Larry lowered his belly onto the ground and Riker laughed. “Go ahead and shift,” Riker taunted. “You always were a coward. Could never take me on.”
Adam snarled. He didn’t like Riker talking to Larry that way. What worried him even more was that Larry had laid his chin on his paws in submission. It seemed just so wrong.
He didn’t have a choice. Adam pushed at his wolf and pictured his human form. The transformation came quickly before Adam stood on shaky legs. Two shifts so close together was not going to help him beat Riker, but Adam was an Alpha and he wouldn’t allow Larry to be hurt.
Riker was close enough to Larry that if Larry lunged, he would get a good bite, but he’d also get shot. Adam stepped out into the open, which gained him Riker’s attention. The gun was now pointed at him. At least Larry was safe for the moment.
“Come on, Alpha,” Riker sing-songed. “You have a lot to answer for.”
“Really?” Adam crossed his arms over his chest. He ignored the fact that he was naked going up against an armed man. “And what would that be?”
Riker waved the gun in Larry’s direction, making Adam tense. “You took in this traitor!”
“Traitor?” Adam repeated slowly. “You’re the only traitor I see here. You were an Alpha. It was your job to protect your Pack.”
“I had the strongest Pack in all of the States,” Riker hollered. “If this weakling hadn’t turned the rest of the Pack against me, I would still be in charge, on my way to leading the Council.”
Adam barked out a laugh. He needed to keep Riker’s attention on him. “You would never be on the Council. Crazy is easy to see when it’s close by. You might have been able to hide in your own territory but—”
“I was a god!” Riker yelled angrily.
Shit, Riker really had lost his fucking mind. He was unhinged and they were in real danger. As Adam spoke, he moved closer to the man and wolf in the middle of the clearing. Riker was so far gone he hadn’t even noticed.
“And after I deal with the two of you, I will take over your Pack,” Riker told him. “They will bow to my will. I’ll take the strongest and we’ll wipe out the weak.”
“All you’re going to do is face the Council for crimes against your Pack,” Adam said.
Riker cackled. “Who’s going to turn me in? You?”
“Yes,” Adam said sincerely.
Riker pointed the gun back at Larry. “Don’t come any closer, or I’ll shoot him.”
Adam followed his gaze to see that Larry hadn’t moved at all. Riker was aiming for his head. Larry wouldn’t be able to recover. What could he say to get Riker’s attention back on him?
“You’re a disgrace,” Adam said with true revulsion.
“What do you know?” Riker asked. “You’ve been an Alpha for what? Five minutes? You know nothing about leading a Pack.”
“I know not to abuse them,” Adam retorted. He was relieved when Riker faced him and the weapon was no longer above Larry.
“Abuse?” Riker repeated. “I made them strong.”
“You got off on their pain,” Adam said. “You’re one sick puppy.” Three more steps closer.
Riker’s face was red but his hand was steady. Adam needed to throw him off. He turned his head slightly but made sure Riker would see him. He peered into the woods and let a small smirk show. If he could convince Riker that he wasn’t alone, maybe he could get the upper hand.
Just as he’d planned, Riker’s gaze swung nervously between him and the spot where Adam had looked.
“What’s your plan?” Adam asked. “You shoot us both?”
“Sounds good to me,” Riker responded.
“You can’t take over my Pack that way,” Adam told him.
“What do you mean?” Riker seemed honestly confused.
“I have a back-up Alpha,” he said.
Riker glanced at Larry.
“Not him,” Adam lied. “Why do you think Cain is here?”
“Cain?” Riker repeated. “He already has a Pack.”
“But he’ll never be Alpha there,” Adam pointed out. “Tony will take over the Pack once Lamont retires or goes to the Council. After that, Toby will be old enough. Cain will never lead that Pack. Here he has a chance.” It was complete bullshit. Cain didn’t want to be Alpha. If he did, Lamont would have no issues leaving the Pack in his hands, but Riker didn’t know that.
“I’ll kill him, too,” Riker said, but he sounded a lot less sure.
“No, you won’t,” Adam assured him. “Once Larry and I go missing or are killed, Cain will be on alert. You’ll never get close enough to get the drop on him.”
Riker narrowed his eyes. “Well, at least I’ll get rid of the two of you. Then I’ll move across the country and find my own Pack again.”
“No,” Adam said. “You’ll never lead again.” He launched himself at Riker. Riker cried out in surprise before bringing up his arm. The gun went off, but Adam was prepared and hit him in the side before he could aim. The bullet hit the dirt several feet away from where they landed on the ground.
“No!” Riker howled.
Adam punched Riker hard in the face. Riker’s head fell back before he growled and clamped his teeth into Adam’s arm. Adam cried out as he grabbed the back of Riker’s hair and yanked.
They rolled, each trying to get the upper hand. A low whimpering reached him and Adam knew it was Larry who was now up on his feet, pacing in his wolf form.
Adam couldn’t worry about his Enforcer, though. Riker was desperately trying to claw at Adam’s hand. Riker wrapped his legs around Riker’s waist, gaining the advantage. He was straddling Riker, bringing his arm back to try to knock him out when Riker started to change under him.
No, no, no. If Riker shifted, then he would be able to handle Adam easily. Adam pushed Riker away from him and began his own shift. It hurt, which was unusual, but expected, since this was his third one in such a short time.
It also took longer that it would normally.
His eyes were closed, but he could hear that Riker had finished shifting. He willed his transformation to complete faster. He was vulnerable. Adam prepared himself to be attacked. Instead, there was a growl and the sound of a fight. Fear made his change even more painful. This wasn’t good. Adam stumbled when he tried to take a step. His vision swam.
A sharp yelp.
He forced his body to settle. Once the shaking stopped, Adam opened his eyes and saw Larry standing in front of him, protecting him from Riker. Riker was barking and lunging and while fear was radiating off his Enforcer, Larry was not letting Riker anywhere near Adam.
Adam knew Larry was scared because of the abuse he’d endured at Riker’s hands, but the fact that Larry was still protecting his Alpha made Adam pleased. Pride filled him and gave him the strength that he needed to push back the exhaustion of shifting.
He growled before stalking toward Riker. Adam was the Alpha of this territory and he was going to show Riker why. Riker had made a mistake coming onto Adam’s land to hurt his Enforcer. Adam threw back his head and howled. He was warning Riker while at the same time calling the rest of his Pack.
Riker stumbled as Adam’s cry rose and Adam’s dominance soaked the area around them. With his fangs in full view, Adam leaped over Larry and faced off against Riker. Riker was a smaller wolf than Adam and looked sick and thin. Adam was almost positive that Riker used to be much larger.
Riker spat and foamed as he continued to snap, but Adam wasn’t afraid. Larry stepped up to his side and bared his own teeth at Riker. Riker’s attention went straight to Larry once again. Even though Adam was the bigger threat, Riker obviously wasn’t thinking straight since he swiped at Larry. Adam circled Riker, looking for the perfect opening. Riker was so intent on getting a piece of Larry that Adam was able to get behind him.
Larry growled while charging and retreating, keeping Riker’s full interest. Every once in a while, Larry would look over at Adam to make sure he was doing what his Alpha wanted. Adam nodded back to his Enforcer. Riker caught Larry’s shoulder with a wide swing of his claws. Larry yelped before scrambling away.
Enough was enough. Adam timed it perfectly so that when Riker jumped at Larry, Adam leaped on Riker’s back. He threw Riker off balance so that the old Alpha fell and had to scramble up before Adam could pin him. Fatigue threatened to make him collapse, but he had to keep his eye on Riker as the two of them continued to snap and snarl at each other. Adam had lost sight of Larry, but that was okay because it also meant that Larry was out of harm’s way. Adam now had all Riker’s attention.
Riker darted his gaze around, seemingly unable to focus.
Was he going to run? Oh, hell no, Adam wasn’t going to let Riker get away. He didn’t want to kill the old Alpha, but Riker was going to get sent to the Council so he could be held responsible for his actions.
Adam dove at Riker’s legs and had the older Alpha rolling. Adam followed along until Riker stopped on his back. Adam jumped him and buried his teeth into Riker’s soft throat. It wasn’t a kill strike, but it would hold Riker down until the older Alpha gave up.
Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Larry step up in front of Riker’s head to take a protective stance.
Riker was still fighting, but one shake of Adam’s head had his fangs going deeper and Riker whimpered.
The sound of thundering paws on the ground reached him and he could smell other wolves approaching. He picked up on Cain’s frantic breaths before his best friend was at his side and growling above him and Riker.
Riker went limp, obviously knowing he was beaten.
“Everyone okay?”
It was Kurt’s strong deep voice that had Adam relaxing. More back-up had arrived, and apparently, some were shifting back to human form. Adam wasn’t sure if he’d even be able to at this point. Adrenaline still coursed through his body and he’d already been pushing himself.
“We’ll take it from here,” Kurt said, placing his palm on the back of Adam’s neck.
Adam released his hold on Riker but growled into the old Alpha’s face before he backed away. He looked around and saw Kurt and Clint naked and in human form while another three male wolves were circling them. His Pack and friends had heard his call and come running.
There were more sounds heading toward them and Adam faced that direction.
Tasha soared into the area, looking frightened and determined. Adam wanted to go to her and reassure Tasha that he was okay, but his legs were shaking too badly. She spotted him and hurried over. Tasha nosed at his neck and snout before rubbing against his flank. She was trying to comfort him, but it wasn’t Adam who needed the care. He looked over his shoulder at Larry, but Cain was already there. Cain had shifted and was running his hands over the wounds Larry had sustained.
“He’s okay,” Cain called when he noticed Adam watching. “When he shifts back, he’ll be healed up.”
Larry lowered his belly to the ground and he looked so defeated that Adam couldn’t stop himself from going to him. A cramp in his side had him biting back a wince, but he couldn’t worry about himself right then. He needed to check on his Enforcer.
Tasha, however, stayed plastered against him and her silent support gave him the strength he needed. Larry met Adam’s gaze as he approached. Adam bent down and licked at Larry’s muzzle. Larry whined before rolling over onto his back and exposing his vulnerable belly in submission. Adam didn’t want Larry’s surrender, though. Adam was proud of his Enforcer. Not only had Larry protected Adam during his shift, but Larry had stood up to the bully who had tormented him for years.
Having no other choice so he could talk to his Enforcer, Adam called forward his transformation. Long minutes went by before Adam sat in the clearing naked and panting.
“Here.” Tasha handed him a bottle of water. “Take small sips.”
He nodded before bringing the plastic bottle to his mouth and taking a drink. The cool, refreshing liquid soothed his sore throat. Adam glanced over his shoulder and saw Tasha crouching beside him. She’d finished her shift before him so it made him wonder just how long it had taken him. He frowned when he noticed she was naked.
“I’ve got some clothes,” Laura announced as she walked out of the woods carrying a couple of backpacks.
“Get dressed,” Adam ordered her in a rough voice.
Tasha laughed. “Yes, sir,” she said, amused.
He glowered but she only bounded off with a sexy sway of her hips. Adam turned his attention back to Larry, who hadn’t moved. Adam placed his hands on Larry’s stomach and rubbed.
“I’m so proud of you,” Adam whispered.
Larry whimpered as he shook his head.
“Yes,” Adam said firmly. “You protected me and made sure Riker couldn’t get to me until I shifted.” Larry licked his hand. “Even though you were scared, you still did your job. We’re very lucky to have you with us.”
Another sharp sound came from Larry.
“It’s okay,” Adam soothed his Enforcer. “Can you shift back?”
Larry flipped over to his stomach before he began to change back to human. Adam waited patiently until Larry was naked in front of him, once again human.
“You okay?” Adam asked him.
“Yeah, sure,” Larry said unconvincingly.
Riker shouted and they both glanced over. Kurt had forced the old Alpha back to human form and Clint was yanking him up to his feet. Kurt and Clint had dressed and Clint had a pair of handcuffs ready. Larry had stiffened at the sound of Riker, but Adam placed his hand on Larry’s shoulder until his Enforcer calmed.
“Sorry,” Larry said quietly as he moved closer to Adam.
“There’s nothing to be sorry about,” Adam said.
“There is,” Larry insisted. “He came after you because of me.” Larry blushed. “I froze, I couldn’t move, couldn’t fight him.”
“Yes, you did,” Adam said. “You stood between me and Riker. That was your job and you did it.”
“No.” Larry shook his head. “I failed you and the Pack.”
Adam sighed. “How?” he demanded. He didn’t know what he needed to say to get through to Larry. “We knew Riker could be here and you accompanied me to check this part of the territory. Together we took care of him until back-up arrived. How did you fail us?”
Larry opened his mouth to reply but didn’t say anything.
Adam lifted an eyebrow.
A soft chuckle escaped from Larry. “I don’t know,” he confessed.
“That’s what I thought,” Adam patted Larry’s back. He could see Laura hanging close by with two stacks of clothes and knew that his sister wanted to check on Larry herself. “We’ll talk more later on, but all you need to know right now is that I’m proud of you.” Adam stood. “We’d better get dressed and help Kurt and Clint get Riker back to the house.”
“The house?” Larry repeated as he paled.
Shit, Adam hadn’t thought about what they were going to do with Riker until Kurt and Clint left. He couldn’t ask them to leave tonight when it would put them on the road late.
“What about my place?” Tasha suggested, returning to his side.
“What?” Adam asked surprised.
“Him.” She waved a hand at Riker. “We could put him at my house with guards. It’s away from the main house but not so far that you couldn’t get there fast if there was an issue.”
Adam nodded. It was a good idea. He twined his fingers with Tasha’s and gave her a squeeze as he glanced over at Cain. Cain nodded before he stalked over to Riker and yanked the old Alpha forward. Kurt and Clint flanked him as they started down toward the houses.
“Thanks,” Larry said quietly.
“Of course,” Adam responded.
“What do you want us to do?” Hector asked as he and James joined them.
Adam looked at James. “Three guards on four-hour shifts. One must be in the same room with Riker at all times.”
James nodded. “I can do that part. Four additional guards, two inside and two out. We’ll give Kurt and Clint time to eat and sleep so that they can leave in the morning if that’s what they want.”
He approved and told James so. “I want Hector at the main house,” Adam added.
Hector’s head snapped up. “Alpha?”
“You have a very important job,” Adam told him.
“I do?” Hector asked suspiciously.
“We’re on high alert,” Adam said. “I don’t think that Riker had any help, but we can’t take the chance that he’s not alone. That’s why I want the extra guards on him.”
“I could help,” Hector offered. “I’m getting better at fighting.”
“I know,” Adam said. “That’s why you’re in charge of the protection for Tasha and Crystal.”
Hector’s eyes grew wide. “Me?” He glanced between Adam and Tasha. “But they’re…they’re yours.”
“Yes,” Adam agreed. “They are.”
“There’s others that are better at—”
“No one has shown as much initiative as you. You don’t want the job because of the money or position, but because it’s what you were meant to be,” Adam said.
“It’s all I ever wanted,” Hector confessed.
Adam smiled at him. “That’s how I know you won’t let me down.”
“I won’t!” Hector promised.
James was chuckling along with Adam. “Come on, bud,” James threw his arm around Hector’s shoulder. “You can help me call in the other guards.”
“Sure,” Hector agreed, practically bouncing as James led him away.
“That was nice,” Tasha said, leaning against him.
“And smart,” Larry added. “He really will take his job seriously.”
“Yeah,” Adam agreed distractedly. He peered around the clearing. They didn’t come up there often, since it was far away from the trails the Pack normally ran. Adam knew how lucky they were that Riker hadn’t hurt anyone. That they’d come across him before he could touch any Pack member.
“We’ll meet you back at the house,” Laura said, pulling on Larry’s hand.
Larry waited until Adam nodded before he followed along.
“What’s wrong?” Tasha asked once they were alone.
“Nothing.” Adam shook his head. Now that everyone had left, he didn’t know if he had the energy to make it to the house. “I’m just tired.”
“I bet,” she said softly.
Adam nuzzled her cheek. “You shouldn’t have come up here.” They were going to have to talk about her putting herself in danger.
Tasha laughed. “Yeah, sure.”
He didn’t roll his eyes, although he did feel the need. It didn’t surprise him that she was blowing off his concern. “I mean it,” he said.
“When I heard you howl, there was no way that I couldn’t come,” she said, seriously.
He sighed. Adam hadn’t even considered she would have heard his call along with the rest of the Pack.
“Besides, I stayed behind the others. I could have passed them easily enough.”
She was fast. “At least that’s something.”
Tasha moved in front of Adam and cupped his face. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
Adam smiled. “I was never in any real danger.” He didn’t need to tell her about the chance of Riker attacking him during his shift. “Besides, I had Larry with me.”
“Thank goodness,” she murmured. “I’m glad this is over for him, as well.”
“Me, too,” Adam agreed. “Now we can concentrate all our attention on the Pack and making sure everyone is healthy and happy.” It would be nice to finally have the time to finish putting his inner circle together and care for those in his Pack. “Let’s head back to the house. I want a shower and food before I check in with Kurt and Clint. I also want to call Alpha Winters and let him know that Riker has been caught. Austin has had a lot of worry on his shoulders, as well.”
“That’s the Alpha who took in Riker’s Pack?”
“Yes,” he answered. “Austin’s Pack grew quite a bit in a short amount of time and he didn’t need the added burden of Riker’s threat.”
“I hope Riker pays for all he’s done.”
“He will.” Adam was certain and made sure his tone showed the confidence he had in the Council.
Adam looked around the area one last time. Maybe they needed to do something special with the spot. Ideas sprang to mind and he grew excited. There were quite a few teenagers in the Pack as well as some kids about to reach that age. The younger children had a playground, but the teens didn’t have anywhere they could hang out just for fun.
The clearing was large enough for a soccer field or something. Plus, they could haul up some furniture and make it nice. The distance from the houses would make it ideal for loud music. Of course the area would be monitored and guarded because they were talking about teens, but Adam thought they did need some place just for themselves. He’d have to ask Crystal what she thought about the idea.
“What are you smiling about?” Tasha asked with a furrowed brow.
Adam kissed her. “Tell you later. Let’s go.”
“Okay.” She slipped her hand back in his.
As they stepped under the canopy of leaves and large trees, the temperature dropped but the birds above them began to sing. It was beautiful. Adam fucking loved his territory.
* * * *
Adam rinsed the shampoo out of his hair before shaking his head. It felt good to be clean and the stress of the day had left him as though he’d washed it down the drain.
“Hey.”
He turned his head and saw Tasha standing outside the shower stall, holding a towel for him. Adam smiled at her.
“Crystal go to bed?” he asked. Crystal had been frightened by Riker’s appearance, but he and Tasha had managed to get her settled.
Once they’d returned to the main house, they’d found Crystal pacing the back porch while Larry and Laura had tried to reassure her that he was okay. It wasn’t until Crystal had spotted him and ran over to throw her arms around his neck that the teen had really believed he was unharmed. During dinner, Crystal hadn’t strayed too far from him, so after they’d eaten he’d taken her for a walk and brought up his plans for the land where they’d been earlier.
Crystal had loved the idea of the teens having a place to hang out that was still inside the territory so they’d be safe but could listen to music and relax. He’d given her the task of contacting some of the other teenagers in the Pack to come up with ideas for the space. They were growing closer and Adam was beginning to think of her as his own little sister, not just Tasha’s.
“She did,” Tasha answered his question. “She called every shifter in her high school tonight. You might have a full house in the morning if Crystal gets her way. They want to start right away.”
Adam nodded while washing the rest of the soap from his body. Once he was clean, he shut off the taps before sliding open the door. Tasha handed him the towel and he took it, quickly wiping off the water. “I suspected. I’m glad Crystal liked the idea.”
She waited until he’d wrapped the towel around his waist before she stepped up and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You’re such a good Alpha.”
“Am I?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said. “But you’re an even better boyfriend.”
He grinned. “Boyfriend?” He repeated the word but it didn’t sound right on his tongue. Boyfriend wasn’t a strong enough term for what he felt for her.
“Boyfriend, partner, lover.” Tasha placed kisses over his naked chest as she spoke. “Whatever you want to be called.”
Adam placed his hands on her shoulders to still her. “What about mate?”
Tasha stiffened before she peered up at him. Her eyes were wide and she looked scared. Adam frowned. He was certain Tasha felt the exact same way for him as he did her. He grasped her chin before his thumb and finger so she couldn’t look away.
“What did you say?” she asked quietly.
“I asked if you’d ever consider mating with me.”
“Consider?” she repeated.
“I know you probably think it’s too soon—”
“No!” Tasha cried.
Adam’s stomach rolled. He hadn’t even considered she wouldn’t want to make their relationship permanent. “Oh.”
“It might be too soon, but I don’t care,” she hurried on. “I want to.”
“Why?” He didn’t know how to phrase his question.
“You surprised me,” she explained. “I keep waiting for you to notice one of the other women who watch you. Once you mate with me, I’ll never let you go.”
“I’ll never let you go whether we mate or not,” Adam said. “But I want to claim you. I want you to wear my mark and for me to wear yours.”
“Adam.” She murmured his name as she put her forehead on his shoulder.
“I love you,” he confessed. He’d never told any person outside his family that.
“I love you, too,” she whispered.
Adam ran his palm up and down her back. “I don’t look at the other women in the Pack, because they’re not you. It’s you I want.”
Tasha peeped up at him with tears in her eyes. “I can’t believe you want to mate with me.”
He kissed her gently. “You’re mine now. We’ll spend the next couple of months taking care of our Pack, but while we do that, we’ll plan a ceremony fit for an Alpha and his wonderful mate.”
Tasha’s smile lit up her entire face. She laughed before jumping up into his arms. Adam caught her easily with his hands under her ass while she attacked his mouth. She nipped at his lips as she squirmed against him.
The towel around his waist fell to the ground, but he didn’t care. He walked out of the bathroom and into the room they now shared. All around, he could see little additions of Tasha’s that made the entire space theirs.
Her shoes were kicked off beside the bed. On the nightstand sat her keys and phone along with a mystery book she read when they were settled in for the night. She wouldn’t be reading that evening, though. Adam was going to claim her the only way he could until they had the ceremony that would bind them together.
Adam laid her gently on the mattress before he stood over her and slowly undressed her. Her cheeks were flushed and her breathing fast. God, what a fucking beautiful vision.
“Hurry!” she pleaded. “I need to feel you.”
“Play with yourself,” he demanded. Watching her tease and prepare herself for him was one of Adam’s favorite sights.
Tasha didn’t hesitate, trailing one hand between her thighs while cupping her breasts with the other. As he began to pump two fingers inside her sweet, tight pussy, Adam grasped his cock and stroked. He wanted to come all over her body. To mark her with his seed and not allow her to shower so that every shifter could smell him on her skin.
He hadn’t managed to do it, since anytime he got close, he had to be buried deep inside her. But one day he was going to follow through.
“So good,” Tasha murmured. She was lifting her hips and really riding her own hand as he sped up his own pace.
“I’m going to come if I keep watching you,” he told her.
Tasha pulled her hand away before spreading her legs. “Get over here. I want to be filled by your huge cock.”
He grinned then climbed up on the mattress between her thighs. He was still gripping his shaft and positioned himself to push inside. Adam took his time, resisting the urge to thrust hard. He wanted to savor this moment. It was the first coupling since Tasha had agreed to mate with him and after they’d said they loved each other.
“I love you,” Tasha said the words right then and he almost came. Instead, he clenched this teeth while driving forward. He had to make this memorable for her, as well.
“Love you,” he told her before he withdrew, then plunged.
Their gazes remained locked as Adam continued to claim her body. Tasha ran her hands over his back, her touch sending tingles down his spine. He didn’t know if he’d ever get enough of the feel of her tight inner muscles clamping around his cock and really hoped he didn’t. She was so perfect for him.
“Adam!” Tasha cried out his name as she climaxed.
Adam kept thrusting, grasping her hands with his, until he came with a shout.
He couldn’t hold himself up and barely had time to pull out before his arms began to shake. Adam did manage to fall to the side instead of on top of her. The exhaustion that he’d felt earlier was back and now that his body was sated, he couldn’t even clean them up.
Tasha was caressing his side, but then she shifted on the bed. “Climb up here and hold me,” she said.
It took the remaining energy he had, but they moved up to the head of the bed and cuddled under the sheets. As they settled in, Adam rubbed his chin over the top of her head. The balcony doors were cracked open and he could hear the sounds of his territory as he lay there.
He was happier than he could ever remember being. His life was about as perfect as he could have ever hoped for. Adam smiled as he closed his eyes and let the scents and sounds of his territory follow him into sleep.