Ashwood Falls Volume Two (12 page)

“Then I’ll go by myself.”

A tic formed in Blaine’s temple. “I can’t allow you to do that. There are laws we must follow. Laws you of all people know like your own eye color.”

Keegan nudged Addyson to get up. She did and moved to stand next to the chair, allowing Keegan room to stand. He looked at his son and said, “We do this my way. After my mate and my daughter are safe, then I’ll start taking orders from you.”

****

I
t was an hour before sunset when Alec returned from teaching the youth training class. As the new Marshal, he had to recruit the new soldiers and train them, as well as lead the enforcers.

Alec entered the cave and dropped down on the couch. “So Blaine said you have something to tell me.”

Keegan lifted his head from the map he had sprawled out on the coffee table to meet Alec’s gaze. Keegan wasn’t surprised that Blaine hadn’t filled his brother in on Ana. Blaine might be the hotheaded son, but it was Alec who had the potential to be the ticking bomb, just like his father.

So, yeah, Blaine was right. Keegan had to be the one to tell Alec.

“Your sister didn’t die at birth.”

Alec released a low growl but otherwise sat perfectly still. “What?”

Keegan didn’t answer. He let Alec absorb the news and studied the map again.

After what seemed like minutes, Alec asked, “Felix had her stolen?”

Keegan nodded. One thing about Alec was his ability to sense things and fill in the blanks. Keegan never had to explain things to him, not even as a child.

After another brief moment of silence, Alec growled out, “That fucking Onyx bastard will die.”

Keegan folded the map and tucked it in the drawer of the coffee table. “Yep.” He sat back and peered at Alec. Keegan could feel Alec’s leopard, as well as the man, grow more on edge. Not that he blamed him. Keegan was still pissed about the whole issue with Ana. It made him wonder just how far Felix was planning on going. Better yet, what was the point of taking Ana in the first place?

“Why don’t you take Will out for a run? The kid needs to get out of the cave for a bit.”

Alec’s expression softened a little then he called out, “William!”

When the kid appeared in the entranceway from the hall, Alec stood and said, “Come hunting with me.”

Keegan watched as the two walk to the door, slid it open, stripped off their clothes, and shifted into their leopard forms.

“They sure have taken to each other.”

Keegan turned to Addyson as she walked into the living room and smiled. “Yes. Alec didn’t take the news of Ana’s death after birth well. He’d formed a bond with her before she was even born. Made all kinds of plans of making her tough and promised she’d be safe.”

Addyson stepped into his embrace, resting her head on his shoulder, as if sensing he needed her touch. “Wouldn’t he have sensed that she was still alive?”

“Felix must have done something to break the bond between Ana and Cate. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

Addyson placed her palm over his heart. “Once the mother/daughter bond was broken, any other bond would break too.” She let out a soft growl that both surprised Keegan and turned him on at the same time. “I really hate Felix. The male must die.”

Keegan lifted her chin so he could peer into her violet eyes. “He will get what’s coming to him, but I do believe you have to stand in line.”

She smiled and stood on her toes and kissed his chin. “Make me forget all the ugliness.”

He scooped her up in his arms and turned toward their bedroom. “Anything, mate of mine.”

A
ddyson was still wondering where that bold female had come from as Keegan laid her down in the bed they shared but hadn’t made love in. Until now.

Keegan peered down at her, his brown eyes darkening with desire. “Are you sure about this?”

Her stomach flipped, and her heart beat louder. At least it sounded that way to her. “Yes. I’ve denied myself this pleasure for far too long because I was afraid of what it would do to me. I don’t want to be afraid anymore. I trust you to catch me if I fall.”

He kissed her nose. “I’ll always be here to catch you.”

She didn’t have time to reply before his mouth came down on hers in a searing kiss that sent pinpricks of desire rushing over her skin. His tongue slipped between her lips and she opened to allow it inside to tangle with hers. He tasted as divine as he smelled, making her want more of this male.

She ran her nails lightly up his back to his hair and pulled out the rubber band that held his long dark hair. The silky strains fell over his shoulder and brushed against hers.

He broke the kiss and kissed his way down her neck to her collarbone before rising. Lifting her into a sitting position, he removed her shirt and bra and tossed them to the floor. She gasped when he captured one nipple in his mouth and teased the sensitive nub. A wave of dizzying pleasure washed over her, stopping her ability to speak.

Her heart sped up when Keegan abandoned her breast and trailed light kisses down her stomach. Sensation rippled through every inch of her, making it hard to concentrate. Her skin felt as though it were on fire, except there was no pain, just heat and pleasure. God, there was so much pleasure she thought she’d burst.

Keegan raised his head from her abdomen. “Addy?”

“I’m here.”

“We can stop...”

She shook her head. “No. Please.”

Great, she was panting and begging.

Keegan growled low, but it sounded like a purr was mixed into the sound, sensual and demanding all at once. He rose up on his knees, and she watched as he unbuttoned her jeans and removed them along with her panties. When he let the garments fall to the floor and met her gaze, she gasped as his cat peered out of those brown eyes.

She reached up and ran her fingers through his hair as he lowered his mouth to press against her skin and trailed feather-like kisses down her stomach until his mouth covered her clit. She tensed for a brief second then moaned as his tongue teased the bundle of nerves.

Pleasure overpowered the fear and worry, making Keegan and what he was doing to her the only things she thought about.

She gasped and fisted her hand in his hair when he inserted a finger inside her. A rush of emotions mixed with intense pleasure burned through her. It was as if her own pleasure was doubled, then she felt it. A tiny connection to Keegan. His emotions, his desire, and his pleasure washed over her.

She’d never connected with anyone like this. It was almost too much sensation, too much Keegan. Her senses were all over the place, her mind tried to make sense of it. The full on skin contact sparked her psychic gift to life, but a vision didn’t slam into her like with others. No, touching Keegan and being with him like this left her with only pleasure and sensations that left her mindless in a very good way. She didn’t want it to end. Even if it meant she’d go insane with sensory overload.

Keegan slid another finger inside her, drawing a gasp from her. She bucked her hips and fisted the sheets and tried to crawl backward to break the contact, if for only a moment. Keegan grabbed her hips, holding her in place.

God, the man was going to kill her with the desire he ignited inside her. Heat covered her body, and she didn’t know how much more of this slow, pleasurable torture she could take.

He pumped his fingers in and out faster and harder until she screamed his name as an orgasm tore through her.

Panting and unable to move, she watched as Keegan withdrew his fingers and crawled up her body, a grin on his face.

She rolled her eyes and tried not to smile. That was too hard, especially when she’d just had the best orgasm ever. “I can’t move. I’m useless now, and it’s all your fault.”

He chuckled and swiped his tongue over a nipple, drawing another moan from her. “Useless, huh? I could have my way with you, and you can’t do anything about it.”

Good Lord, he didn’t know just how true that was.

He continued his slow, graceful crawl up her torso until his face was level with hers. She cupped his face and pulled him down for a kiss. He growled, which did nothing but excite her even more.

She circled her ankles around the backs of his thighs and tugged him closer until his erection pressed into her through his jeans. She scowled. “Take the jeans off.”

The corners of his mouth lifted in a sensual smile. “Is my submissive giving orders?”

“Yes,” she said, trying to sound firm, but failed. She swore it had sounded firmer in her head.

He leaned down to place his lips on her ear and whispered, “Say please.”

Her heart thumped faster, and heat pooled between her legs. She fought with her cat for a few moments, wanting to be a little defiant. Finally losing to her submissive nature, she purred out her reply. “Please.”

His answer was a devilish smirk that sent a shiver through her. He got off the bed and removed his clothes then settled himself between her legs. Her heart kicked up again, and anticipation ran through her veins, warming her even more and intensifying her need to be possessed by this man.

He pressed his lips to hers in a brief, but soft, kiss as he cradled her head between his hands. “You’re my mate, and the urge to bond with you is too strong.”

It was a warning, and she knew he wouldn’t be able to stop what was second nature to them. She lifted her head and kissed him briefly on the mouth then nipped at his chin. “I’m yours, Keegan. Always.”

His features softened in what she swore was relief, but really what did this gorgeous alpha male have to worry about? Did he actually believe she’d turn him away now?

The male was crazy to think so.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, “You’re mine as I am yours. I’ll wait for you. No matter how long it takes. I’m here when you’re ready to mate.”

He struck so fast and hard she gasped. Pain and pleasure overtook her as his fangs scored her neck at the same time he thrust into her. There was no more rational thought. No worries that Keegan would never claim her, because he did.

In the best possible way.

A fiery sensation raced inside her as well as over her skin. Keegan’s scent intensified, and she inhaled it, loving everything about it, about this male.

She moved against him as he thrust into her over and over, and she waited for panic to set in at the overload of sensations, but the pleasure built until she was consumed by it, unable to think about anything but the way Keegan was loving her.

And he did love her. She felt it now. The tiny threads that had connected them earlier strengthened, forming a bond that would bind them to each other for the rest of their existence.

The mating bond snapped into place at the same time they both cried out in release.

A
ddyson eased out of bed, careful not to wake Keegan as she dressed and made her way to the kitchen to make coffee. She leaned against the counter and waited as the coffee pot did its thing. Images of the night before swirled in her head, bringing a smile to her face that she couldn’t get rid of if she wanted. And she didn’t want to, ever.

Keegan had shown her pleasure she’d never known. In fact her skin still tingled from his touch and the way he held her as they slept.

When the coffee pot gurgled the last of the water through the grounds, she fixed a cup and walked outside. Birds chirped happily in the trees, making her smile widened. It was a beautiful morning with clear blue skies and a cool breeze blowing through the trees.

She heard a lazy growl above her. “Morning, Alec.”

His answer was a flick of his tail against the branch he stretched out on. She started to walk into the forest, but stopped when Alec jumped down in front of her, bearing his teeth. Her cat backed away from the Beta and urged her to do the same. But the woman wanted a moment of independence.

“I’m going for a walk. I won’t go too far.” When he didn’t move, she dropped her head. “Please? I need to roam by myself, even if it’s just for a bit.”

He growled again, but stepped aside. She knelt down and ran a hand over his large gold and black head. Times like these were the only time she was able to have contact with others. She didn’t understand it fully, but guessed that the fur acted like a buffer in the same way her gloves did. Another theory was that while in animal form, they were at their purest of hearts, or it could be that her gift just didn’t work on animals. Shifters in animal form included.

“I’ll be careful. Promise. Give me twenty minutes, then you can come look for me. Deal?”

He raised his head and lowered it in a nod then butted his head against her chin. She gave him scratch under the chin and rose to take her walk. All the while she could feel Alec’s gaze on her. She didn’t care. She was going to do this and show herself and her cat that they can go for a short walk on their own, without fear.

It felt great.

A few yards in the heavy wooded area she caught movement from the corner of eye. Her heart stilled for a brief moment and her stomach sank to her knees. Fear laid hot and heavy in her chest. Shit. She should turn back.

Then a woman stepped out from behind a tree and Addyson recognized her instantly.

“Ana,” she breathed.

Ana cocked her head and narrowed her eyes. “You look familiar.”

“I’m Addyson. The scribe Felix held captive.”

Ana frowned. “I hate what he’s done. What about the boy? Will, I think that’s his name.”

“He’s safe.”

Ana sighed. “That’s good.” She sniffed the air, then smiled. “You smell like Keegan.”

Addyson relaxed a little. “Come walk with me?”

“Okay.”

They walked in silence for several minutes. It seemed like an hour, but Addyson knew that wasn’t right. Alec hadn’t come after her yet. Then again she didn’t expect the male to wait the full twenty minutes either.

Addyson finally broke the silence. “Were you the one who let Will go?”

Ana laughed. “Yep. How did you know?”

“A guess. I’m good at reading emotions. Did you let Graham go to?”

“Who?”

“The puma Felix had a few months ago.”