Blood of the Wolf (13 page)

“It’s the mating call. It won’t stop until my seed takes or we’re joined.”

“It’ll kill us,” she breathed.

“What a way to die,” he replied, already pistoning his hips forcefully into her.

Meda cried out, wishing his seed really could take but reveling in fucking him. She could fuck him forever without complaint. Who cared about anything else? Her channel quivered then sucked tight around him.

“Yes, baby…” he groaned. His face pressed to her neck. The hot breath feathered the hair at her nape. She shuddered as the tickle sent a reaction down her back. Her whole body seemed to be a charged pool of electricity, everywhere he touched causing a spark within her. Closing her eyes, she rode the waves of this second mating, stroking him wherever she could reach. It didn’t take long before they both dove over the edge to oblivion once more, his teeth deep in her again.

Her hand cupped the back of his head, holding him there. Pleasure flowed through her, as did the knowledge she could give him this, a perfect composition, only for him from her. Lucan cried out against her skin, the sound muffled from his position, as his cum filled her once more.

A strange peace calmed the agitation that had ridden her since the first time they’d made love.

“Lucan?” she said. “Before…you asked me to stay with you.”

She felt him nod.

“This is all so…strange. Unexpected. I never would have imagined there were Dragons and Djinn and other things battling each other for a foothold in a world that doesn’t even know of their existence. And you’re part of it. As much as it hurts me to know you were alive all this time, I…” She sighed. “I understand.”

His fingers lightly traced over her cheeks and into her hair, but he didn’t say a word.

“And, well, I see now how dangerous it is, too—”

“And you want no part in it,” Lucan said quietly.

“Lucan,” she whispered. “You asked for forever. I’ll give you as much as I have.”

“Meda,” he breathed. “You mean…”

The shock and happiness in his voice was undeniable, and Meda knew she was making the right decision. She loved this man,
her
man, and no matter the danger and weirdness of this new life, there was nowhere else she could be but with him. Even there, lost in a cave and full of uncertainty about their immediate future, she knew ultimately she would be with him. Because they were
destined
to be together.

“I love you,” she told him. “I think we should join as soon as we can. What do we have to do?”

“It’s simple—”

“Dragon!”

They both startled at the bellow that roared though the passages of the cavern, echoing around them and building as it traveled.

“Tawren,” Meda whispered.

Lucan leapt to his feet, and she heard him straightening his clothing. The dress was shoved into her arms. Frantically, she pulled it over her head as she looked around. It was still dark as pitch, and she couldn’t see a thing. If Tawren found them, what would he do? She wouldn’t be his, and she was terrified of what he’d do to Lucan.

A moment later, thick Dragon arms pulled her to the safety of her man’s embrace. “I’m feeling better,” he chuckled, his words slightly garbled by his form. “Let’s see if we can find our way out.”

He moved slowly and purposefully through the rocky corridor, and she couldn’t help wondering if his senses were stronger now that their lust had been subdued. Suddenly, they rounded a corner, and a sharp pinpoint of light caused her to gasp as it pierced her sensitive eyes. She blinked rapidly, adjusting as Lucan headed for the beam.

A flash was the only warning they got before a blast of energy slammed Lucan in the back. He stumbled forward a step before he set Meda down then turned on the Djinn, putting himself between her and the enemy.

Lucan stared at Tawren, whose face was twisted with fury. He’d pulled on a plain black tunic and pants, and his entire body seemed to glow blue with his rage. Behind him, stood two more Djinn—who looked suspiciously like the guards who’d been outside the place they’d held Meda.

So, it would be another battle where he’d be outnumbered. And once more, he’d have to fight without his wingscion at his side. Maks had been training with him since Lucan’s molting had ended and he’d been cleared to start learning war skills. But nearly everything he’d learned were based on partners fighting. When the Djinn came on him alone, his main defenses were fire and brute strength. That hadn’t worked so well last time.

Attempting a feat he’d learned for tandem battle, he extended his arms, fingers fisted and knuckles together, then thrust them forward and apart until they reached his sides. A surge of white energy whirled toward the Djinn, growing in power as it moved. It knocked them from their feet and peeled rock from the walls. It tumbled onto the trio burying them under a mound of rubble.

Without waiting, Lucan grabbed Meda and ran for the light. Their only hope for survival was to get out of these caves. They couldn’t wait for Riven to find them—if the halfling had even been located.

Lucan refused to fall to the Djinn. He wouldn’t let them have Meda. They had too much to live for—and she’d agreed to stay with him. It annoyed him that he hadn’t been able to enjoy the moment, but instead had been forced back into combat. They would get away from here, and they’d celebrate their union. He’d make Meda completely his, once and for all.

Even without the mark, Lucan?

Behind him, he heard the rock shifting above the Djinn. He whirled and blasted a spiral of fire, sealing the stone before the Djinn pushed free. It wouldn’t stop them, but it would slow them.

The light was just ahead. A few more yards and he could fly. He’d be out of the Djinns’ reach. He skidded to a halt and Meda screamed as three vortices opened before them. Tawren and his lackeys stepped forward, eyes and hands glowing. Meda buried her face in Lucan’s chest.

“I love you, Lucan. Leave me. Let them have me, and run. Don’t let them hurt you.”

No fucking way.

At such close range, all he could do was protect Meda with his body and blast fire at the trio. He’d leave them as simmering pools of muck. No one was touching Meda.

He held her tighter lest she try to do something stupid like run between him and the Djinn. Behind him, he heard another vortex open and dread plowed through his middle. Four to one. Surrounded.

Two heavy thuds echoed as the travelers stepped free. Before Lucan could turn to confront them or get better battle position, a blast of fire flared over his shoulder and incinerated one of the Djinn guards.

Maks!

Lucan glanced back to see Maks and Riven both in Dragon form.

“Thanks for the calling card,” Riven called taunting the attackers. “I was having trouble finding them.”

Lucan backed toward the open portal, watching Tawren as he moved. They weren’t out of this yet. Tawren looked genuinely confused. Dragons didn’t possess the skill of
transporation
—not that he apparently knew of. His look would have made Lucan laugh if not for the fiery white-blue glow swirling around the man as he prepared a full body attack. He meant to missile into them.

Riven grabbed Lucan’s arm. “Hold her tight so we don’t lose her inside.”

With Riven’s yank, the vortex closed around them, just as Lucan heard a screaming whistle hurtling their way. Then there was nothing but the rush of air as Riven’s portal dragged them home—at least that was where Lucan supposed they were going. His attackers couldn’t follow because they lacked Dragon blood. By now, Janos would have seen to the repair of the wards.

He gasped, his head throbbing as the tunnel dumped them out in Maks’ living room, the four of them landing in a heap.

“Maks!” Amara exclaimed, leaping on him as the Dragons shifted back to their human forms. Maks dragged her mouth to his, the two kissing and moving against each other as if no one else was in the room.

“Excuse us,” Lucan said drily as he picked up Meda, who’d fainted on the way through the portal—humans usually did. Amara and Maks didn’t respond.

I see the mating call’s in full swing.

Fuck off, Lucan.

Lucan laughed.
Thanks for coming to get us.

Any time. Now, get the hell out unless you want an eyeful.

“Oh that’s just…” Riven trailed off as he stared at Maks and Amara. “Wait. Is that a Djinn?”

Lucan prodded him toward the door with Meda’s legs. He really didn’t want to see his scion in the throes of passion, and he didn’t want Meda waking to it either. She was already stirring. She’d probably come to before they reached his quarters.

“Hmm…” Riven muttered as they stepped into the main corridor and closed the door behind them. “Maks and a Djinn—”

“Her name’s Amara.”

“Interesting.”

Lucan pressed his face into Meda’s hair, not nearly as
interested
in the others as he was his own woman, though he knew Riven’s fascination stemmed from an attraction to his own Djinn woman.

He paused and looked at Riven. “You don’t bear the mark.”

“No. I noticed you don’t either.”

“I’m not giving her up.” His arms tightened around Meda.

“You know if you try to join with a woman who isn’t your true mate, it will kill her.”

“I know.” And he’d thought of it almost as much as he’d thought about his future with her. Unfathomable times. “When I gave her my blood to heal her after the attack at the school, she heard Maks’ voice in her head. I don’t know of any mate who’s had the same happen. Meda and I are closer than most.”

They entered his dwelling. Lucan knew he should put Meda on the bed to rest, but after her kidnapping, he didn’t want her out of his reach. He sat on the couch and drew her head to rest on his shoulder. She made a small noise and cuddled close. He smiled, knowing she’d wake soon.

Riven sat opposite them. “Look,” he said, resting his elbows on his knees and leaning forward. “I get sent all over God’s green earth in search of mates. I’ve been to all the large Dragon compounds, and some of the smaller settlements, too. I’ve been able to get a bigger picture of things than most others of our race. I’ve seen a few oddities our doctors don’t note.”

“So you don’t think it’s dire that Meda and I haven’t been marked?”

“No,” the halfling snorted. “Rinda is my destiny. I don’t have a single doubt,” he said, speaking of the woman he loved. “I’ve known her since we were both babes in our mothers’ arms. It nearly killed me when she was claimed by the Djinn king and forced to marry him. I wanted to kill him. It wasn’t just jealousy; it was instinctual rage—probably a lot like you felt when you thought of Tawren touching Meda.”

“Anger and pain so strong it almost made me sick,” Lucan agreed.

“It was my hatred that sent me to the Dragon council with the idea of acting as their spy.” He shook his head to push away history he obviously didn’t want to discuss. “Neither Rinda nor I are marked. We don’t suffer from the mating call, thank the stars. I believe it’s because I was close to her for so long before I first molted.”

Meda made a small sounds and rubbed her face against Lucan. “Like an allergy,” she said sleepily. “Like an immunity built from exposure.”

Her voice triggered Lucan’s desire once more, though it didn’t feel abnormally strong or out of control. His cock stirred beneath her leg, and his reptilian senses picked up on her heightening arousal.

He pushed back her hair and kissed her behind her ear.

“It’s…um…exactly like that,” Riven replied. He stumbled to his feet and knocked into the table as Lucan turned and pressed Meda to the sofa. “Newlymates,” he muttered.

“Riven,” Lucan called as the man rushed for the door. “Thank you—for finding us and for assuring me this is normal.”

“No problem. I owed Tawren a thing or ten. It was my pleasure.”

The door slammed behind him, and Lucan looked back at Meda.

“You…gave me your blood?” she asked. Thankfully, she didn’t appear disgusted or outraged. She wiggled beneath him to align his cock to her pussy. Fire vibrated through his veins, rushing the heated lust through all of him until he shook with the desire to fill her once more.

He pushed her dress to her hips, baring her.

“I should be mad you did that…” she sighed. Her eyes closed and she arched. Her knees bracketed his hips as she rubbed against him. Her nails scored his arms through the thin tunic.

“It’s what healed you.”

She nodded, seeming more engrossed in their bodies than their words. “That was cool.”

“So, faker, how long were you awake?”

“Not long. I heard things, but I wasn’t really with it.” Her teeth gritted and she moaned. “Lucan, I’m so hot. I need you…please.”

Scooting away, he tore off his clothes. Kneeling over Meda, he grasped the wretched Djinn joining gown. He ripped it from neckline to hem then shoved it down her arms. Lifting her, he carried her toward the bedroom.

Meda groaned as Lucan walked. Her cunt pulsed with its wet need—she wanted him now. A bed didn’t matter.