Her Lycan Lover (31 page)

Authors: Susan Arden

Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Romance, #Time Travel, #Science Fiction & Fantasy, #Science Fiction, #Paranormal, #Witches & Wizards, #Werewolf Shifter, #Horror Occult, #Paranormal Romance, #Gothic Romance

BOOK: Her Lycan Lover

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For a prolonged beat he and Sherry silently stared at each other, then he reached for his mate, pulling her to him, inhaling her scent. His wolf senses surged with the instinct to safeguard her. They were back at his home in the mountains. He steadied himself, glancing around with Sherry protectively encircled in his arms. No Fae scents or sounds other than the looped recording of their voices. He reached down and shut off the computer soundtrack. Coming upright, his senses pricked again. There was the ticking of the clock on the mantle and Sherry’s body pressed against him, capturing his attention.

“Love,” he whispered, gently kissing her sweet lips.

“You saved me,” she said softly.

“Angel. Mine. You scared the daylights out of me.” He peered down at her side, tenderly tracing her jaw. “Your side. You were hurt.”

Her brows drew together. “I feel fine. Really.”

They were standing within the casting circle. He picked her up and walked over to the couch, then gently set her down. Sherry lifted the material wrapped around her body, displaying smooth skin. And the scar she’d shown him in her office: a pink line of lightened skin over the place where she’d been wounded.

She touched the scar. “It’s the same as it ever was.”

“I can’t believe you’ve carried the mark, foreshadowing that moment.”

“Let’s just hope it’s over for now. It sometimes bleeds, but I’ve never been stabbed before. Once is enough for a lifetime.”

“I don’t understand all that’s gone down. I thought, I’d seen it all. Baby, you’ve shown me there’s so much more to life and living.”

“I heard a full moon is coming up.” She stroked her hand up his arm. “We can run as wolves to one of your secret dens. We can even howl together.”

“Or whisper under the covers,” he murmured, pulling her back into his arms. He pressed his mouth to hers, relishing the taste of his sassy spellcaster mate.

After dinner, Quinn came up behind her. “My sweet love,” he said, running his hands over her shoulders. A brief quiver rippled through her body. Quinn responded by nuzzling her neck, his warm lips lingering, before he said, “I heard from Shawn. Sonya was released from the hospital and she’s fine. A few bruises but she’ll be better with some bed rest at home.”

“And the others?” Sherry asked, leaning into the warmth of her Quinn’s body. It had been a day and she felt conflicted about wounding the Priestess. She was unsure what it meant to be a Lycan. She’d tasted blood, torn flesh with her teeth, and had been ruled by a fierce rage to protect her mate, roiling her into action. Her whole future lay uncertain. Was she a spellcaster or ‘shifter going forward?

“The authorities have Nina and some others in custody. Mick died and I won’t pretend I’m sorry.” He exhaled and she understood. “From what Shawn said, they’re no longer considered humans. They’ve become hybrid Fae and are classified as
others.
They were taken to the Boulder detention center awaiting a determination. From all indications, I don’t think they’ll survive. They’ve got whatever disease is affecting the Fae.”

She shivered, wondering if it were a foreboding or a simple chill. All her senses were fried. “I’m worried the patch I put up is going to blow. More and more Fae might come.”

Quinn leaned over her shoulder and took hold of her chin, tilting her face up to him. “That’s not your concern now. The Sisterhood Council will deal with it.”

“Was I fired?” she asked, afraid of his response. She didn’t know if she still had caster abilities. She’d been too drained to try out the simplest feat.

“Hardly. I hear you’re up for a promotion and the whole ley line network is going to be renovated. They already have crews working. Seems like Nina’s so-called special guards worked to rip holes in the ley line. Lettie asked if she can call you when you’re feeling better.”

A soothing glow worked through her at the mention of Lettie’s name. “What did she say?”

“The whole Sisterhood Council is going to be investigated. I’d bet by the end of the week, the Interpol authorities will have placed most of the upper members under arrest.”

“A complete scandal?”

“From the top. Having gone digital, it will be easy to track their embezzlement of funds. From what Tristen has said, he had some shifter computer techs look into Nina and her cronies. Seems they stole millions from the Sisterhood, based on their offshore accounts.”

“I owe you and Lettie my life.”

“Lettie was happy to bring to light these fakes.” He skimmed his jaw over her neck, and nibbled her ear. “Baby, I owe you my life and my heart. We’re more than even.”

With Quinn’s love, she didn’t know or care if she had caster capabilities as long as they were together. A ginormous plus was hearing that the Sisterhood hadn’t banished her. She entwined her fingers with Quinn’s as her spirits soared. Her future lay open and far from shattered. “We’ve come full circle. Is that what you’re saying?”

He enfolded her within his arms, keeping their fingers threaded together. She drank in his nearness, running her hand over his forearm, a steel band of muscle teasing her fingertips. She relaxed, savoring the sensation of being safe in his presence.

“Something like that. See, as I understand it, a circle doesn’t have an end or a beginning. Am I right?”

“I guess.” She stilled, getting accustomed to her hyper Lycan senses. Quinn’s heartbeat had ramped up. Something was about to happen.

“Oh, there’s no guessing about it. Just take a look.” Quinn turned her around to face him. “Here.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. He held it out, an offering on his outstretched palm while a cocky smile spread upon his gorgeous face.

“What’s in there?” She lifted the paper.

“You’ll have to be brave and open it to find out.”

“If it’s my marching orders, I won’t blame you.”

“Oh, silly spellcaster. Can’t get rid of me that easy.”

Unfolding the paper, she picked up a small white ribbon. It was tied into a circle, knotted with a tiny bow. His writing filled the paper. She glanced up at Quinn and smiled. “Promises?”

“Read on, love.” He smoothed a lock of her hair behind her ear. The feel of his fingers sent an electrical current tingling over her skin. Her fingers trembled, holding the piece of paper, and she started to read the list of promises he’d written.

A free pass for a full body massage, together with warm oil and candles.

You pick a date to see a chick flick—popcorn and candy included
.

A coupon for coffee, delivered. Rain or shine or snow
.

One promise to overlook a very bad mood.

Three times you can be right without question
.

A picnic—anywhere you desire.

She stopped reading. Tears filled her eyes, blurring the words, and she blinked to clear her vision. Inhaling, she continued to read his words.
A lifetime commitment to the woman of my dreams. I promise to make you happy as my wife.

She looked up, meeting Quinn’s soul-searching gaze, a single tear slipping down her cheek. “I love you,” she whispered. “I’ve fallen head over spellcaster heels in love with you.”

“And I love you, baby. Marry me. Say yes and wear my promise ring. When you’ve recovered, we’ll have a ring made however you desire. Just say yes. Sherry, I love you so much it hurts.”

“Yes, yes. Yes!”

“Yes?”

“Yes.” She laughed, the love for her mate tugging all of her heartstrings. “I am so in love you.”

“Let’s do this all official.” He took the ribbon from her hand. “To the woman who captured my heart. I searched all over and you were standing here, all along. You’ve opened my eyes to true love. My sweet and sexy she-wolf, I’m prepared to make an honest woman out of you.”

Quinn slipped the ring of ribbon on her finger and her wolf senses knew, without a doubt they would be blissfully happy.

“My Lycan lover.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, weaving her hands, then stopped the sacred motion of her fingers. Their power lay in their love.

Magick wasn’t required here. Perhaps they’d never need another spell or incantation. He came into her life and taught her how to love freely, living in the moment, and letting the past go. The love they shared brought them together. And come the full moon, they would be bonded forever.