Tessa, Vampire/Werewolf Romance, (Standalone) (Shadow Creek Shifters Book 3) (8 page)

“Was she conscious?”

“Only for a moment. She recognized Melody and then was out.”

Raphael sat on Maxwell’s bed and he joined him. “It’s too bad you had to see that, but if you hadn’t been there, nobody might have ever found her until it was too late.”

Maxwell nodded. “But what if she doesn’t wake up? I’d hate for Melody to lose her mother. I wouldn’t wish losing a parent on anyone. I’ve lost two. That’s why I can’t quit thinking about where my mother might be.”

“If I knew, believe me, I’d tell you.”

“I believe you since you never even met my mother.”

“No, I was living in Montana for years. Now I wish I hadn’t been. Losing your dad was hard on me, too. It’s too late for regrets, but I still wish I had gotten to know him as a man and father.”

“Were you close when you were younger?”

“Yes. There’s an old tree out back we climbed all the time.”

Maxwell’s eyes welled up with tears, but he wiped them back with the arm of his shirt. “I’d love to see that tree.”

Raphael stood and Maxwell joined him outside. A breeze was blowing from the north and there would be a full moon tonight. It always stirred up the werewolves, even though they didn’t need the light of the bright orb in the sky to shift. There was nothing like a good hunt on a full moon.

They made way for a tree, which towered above every other. It was old and mighty, withstanding the test of time. What Raphael had loved the best about it was how the branches were low enough for a boy to reach and climb.

Raphael pointed out a carving on the side of the tree. “Your father and I carved our names into the trunk of the tree. See?”

Maxwell searched the trunk and his face lit up when he saw the words that read,
Nate and Raphael, alpha twins
carved into the tree. He fingered the words and asked, “What does ‘alpha twins’ mean?”

“Didn’t you know I was your father’s twin?”

Maxwell screwed up his face. “No. You don’t look like him at all, and you’re much taller.”

“Fraternal twins, actually. They never look the same as identical. We were supposed to both take our place as alpha, but I knew Nate wanted it more than me. I wanted to explore the world.”

“Is it true you actually lived with the full-blood werewolves?”

“Yes, but that is part of my past now. Just know that I’ve served as a protector for many years, and I’ll protect this pack like I’ve never left.”

“Can I climb the tree?”

“Yes, but be careful. I’d hate for you to hurt yourself.”

Maxwell’s eyes darkened and he said, “Because I’m a cripple?”

“You’re hardly a cripple, and I don’t see that when I look at you. I see a determined young man who will be a great alpha one day. Everything you’ve been through in your young life has made you stronger when you don’t even think you are.”

Maxwell nodded and made way for the lower branch, grabbed it before swinging his legs over the branch, pulling himself up. Raphael felt very proud of his nephew and watched as he made his way up the tree until he was ten feet off the ground.

* * *

Maxwell sat on a branch, looked out over the werewolf country, and saw something on the edge of the woods. It was only for a fraction of a second, but it was something he wanted to investigate.

He swung his legs off the branch and his feet felt for the lower one. He panicked. “Uncle, I’m going to fall!”

“You’re fine. Just feel for that branch with your toes. It’s right there.”

His heart beat hard, but he was finally able to find that tree limb and made his way back down the tree until he was on solid ground. He sighed and struggled for his breathing to return to normal. “That was scary for a minute.”

“I know. It was for me, too, the first time I climbed that tree.”

“Can I explore for a while?”

“Where do you want to go? I have free time now.”

“I was hoping to do it myself. I promise I’ll be careful.”

Raphael frowned but nodded. “Don’t wander too far away. We still don’t know who did that to Carrie, and Jason was on Silver Creek land just last night.”

“I promise, Uncle.”

Maxwell waited until his uncle had left before he made way for where he thought he saw a woman peeking out. When he went through the edge of the woods, it was darker than he thought, but the trees were dense in that area. Using his keen sense of werewolf hearing, he heard a twig snap not too far ahead. He followed the sound as he made his way over the musty and spongy ground below.

He walked another hundred feet when he saw a woman working her way through the trees.

“Wait!” Maxwell shouted.

She whirled, striking her head on a tree and tumbling to the ground. Maxwell raced ahead and went to his knees. “Are you okay?”

The woman looked up at him, her brown eyes flickering for a moment. It was then that he noticed the scratches on her arms. “You’re hurt.”

“It’s nothing. Where am I?”

“You’re at the Silver Creek Ranch. Who are you?”

The woman scrambled to her feet, removing twigs from her blonde hair. “I shouldn’t be here. I got lost in the woods.”

“You should come to our cabin. My great-grandmother can treat your wounds.”

Her eye grew wide. “O-Oh, I can’t do that. I mean, it’s okay. What’s your name, young man?”

“I asked you first.”

“Oh, so you did. I’m Mira, and I’m new to the area.”

“I’m Maxwell, and I’m not.” He laughed. “I really insist that you come with me.” He glanced at how thin she looked. “You look like you could use a meal, too.”

“True, but I just can’t go with you.”

Maxwell had an idea. “How about a cabin nobody uses? Nobody would even know you’re there, and I can bring you bandages and food.”

“A-And you wouldn’t tell anyone I’m there?”

“No, I promise. It’s not hunting season, so there are plenty of empty cabins right now.”

Mira nodded and followed Maxwell through the woods, coming to a cabin ten minutes later. It was a small one with an outhouse.

Maxwell pulled a key out of a false rock and opened the door. It was musty inside, but he pulled open the drapes for the sunlight to come in. As the interior was illuminated, he pointed out the oil lamps. “There are matches here,” he said, showing her where they were kept on the fireplace mantle.

“Thanks, you’re very kind.”

“I’ll be back with food soon. You can get water out of the hand pump. There are glasses in the cabinet.”

Maxwell didn’t stick around long before he was out the door, making it back home. Luckily, Palina was down for her afternoon nap and Uncle Raphael was elsewhere. He rummaged through the kitchen, putting a loaf of fresh bread in the bag, deer meat jerky, and leftover ham. He even grabbed four chocolate chip cookies, placing those in the bag, too, not forgetting to take bandages and alcohol. He hurried back to the cabin, even though his leg began to throb walking so much. He knocked when he returned and Mira smiled when she opened the door. “That was quick.”

“I had to hurry before Palina woke up. She’s my great-grandmother. I promised I wouldn’t tell anyone that you’re here and I won’t.” He proudly presented what he’d brought for her. “I didn’t forget dessert, but I did forget to bring you something to drink.”

“That’s fine, the water is good here.”

“My dad told me the spring on this ranch is the best water in Wyoming.”

She smiled. “I’m sorry about … I mean, your dad must be very proud.”

“He died ten months ago.”

Mira’s eyes softened. “I’m sorry to hear that. So, is your great-grandmother raising you now?”

“No, Uncle Raphael is.”

“How nice for you. You better get back before they start to worry where you are.”

“You’re right. Be sure to lock your door. A woman on another ranch was beaten pretty badly, and we’re not sure by who yet.”

Mira shuddered for a moment and said, “That’s awful. I promise I’ll keep the door locked unless you come back.”

“I will. I’ll bring you more food tomorrow. I won’t be able to get away sooner than that.” He moved to leave and added, “There is alcohol and bandages in the bag.”

Mira thanked Maxwell and he was out the door, making way for home. He didn’t mention that he was a werewolf since he didn’t know for sure who Mira was, but he didn’t think she was a shifter.

Tessa awoke and really would have loved a hot shower, but there wasn’t one in her remote cabin. Oh, it was exactly what she’d wanted, privacy, and solitude, but it was quite apparent that the thing she’d miss most would be the ability to take a hot shower in the morning.

She searched the cabin in the darkness, even though she knew it was still daylight outside since there was one sliver of light making it through the curtains. Tessa had gotten used to seeing in the darkness, or it might’ve just been her vampire state.

She began to open the cabinets and inspected the contents, happy it was stocked with dishes and pans. She even found a bag of cookies. It would seem that Raphael had indeed given her what she needed to live there.

Staring over to a closet, Tessa went over and opened the door. She lit an oil lamp and lifted it high, smiling when she spotted a shiny object in the back. She moved the boxes, which were in the way, and grabbed a brass bathtub buried in the back. She happily set it down and lit the wood stove, setting pans on it filled with water to heat. It took well over an hour to have enough water before she climbed in, enjoying the feeling of the steaming bath. It was quite sudsy, too, since she’d poured in soap she had brought. She loved a bubble bath. It was a little hotter than she’d usually take, but she enjoyed it all the same. She washed her hair with the shampoo she brought and was in the process of rinsing it when someone knocked at her door. She sat upright. She certainly was not in the situation to answer the door. Perhaps when she didn’t come to the door, they’d go away.

No such luck as the door was opened, crashing against the wall. She ducked down in the tub as the sunlight streaked inside. “Tessa,” Raphael said.

“Shut the damn door unless you’re trying to kill me!” Tessa shouted.

The door closed with a slam and she glanced over the edge of the tub. “Is this how it will be living here, you entering my cabin anytime you’d like?”

Raphael ignored her protest as he lit an oil lamp with a lighter. As it brightened the room, he glanced over to where Tessa was hunkered down in the bathtub, and he devoured the sight of her. This certainly was a pleasant surprise. He quickly forgot all about why he’d come by at the sight of the very naked Tessa.

Her hair was wet and disappeared under the water as she was submerged to conceal her nakedness, but it did little to stop his cock from swelling beneath his jeans. It occurred to him just how beautiful she looked. Her skin was quite pink, which told him just how hot of a bath she was taking. “If I had known you were in the tub, I’d have come sooner.”

He took a step forward and color shot into her face, which had nothing to do with the bathwater. “What do you think you’re doing?” she asked.

“I think I should check the temperature of the tub.” He pulled open his shirt.

Her eyes widened as more color appeared in her face. “Don’t you dare!”

His hands slipped to the waistband of his jeans.

“Don’t make me come out of this tub.”

Without thinking, he popped open the button of his jeans, lowering his zipper. “I really should get out of these. They’re feeling very snug suddenly.”

“I’m not interested in your dilemma. Take it out of my cabin.”

Raphael stalked his way to the tub, kneeling next to it. He reached in and swirled the bubbles aside, gaining a dirty look from Tessa. He couldn’t help but toy with her as he gripped the edge of the tub, his eyes burning into hers. “I’ve been thinking about you being wet, but I had hoped it would be in another way.”

“Stop,” Tessa ordered through gritted teeth. She flicked water in his face, which landed in his eyes. “That ought to teach you for interrupting my bath.”

He wiped his face with one hand as he climbed to his feet, but instead lost his balance. He quickly put a hand into the bathtub and it settled between Tessa’s thighs, his face landing between her perky breasts with a splash.

“Get the hell off me!” she shrieked.

He lifted his head for air. “I-I didn’t mean to do that.” He laughed. He didn’t move his hand from the water, although he
did
move his fingers as he caressed her inner thighs.

Tessa jerked upright as Raphael’s fingers grazed her most sensitive of places. Her pussy had been throbbing since he took his shirt off, and it was getting hard to be angry with him as she felt a fire begin to consume her. Raphael’s body was just as chiseled as she remembered from when she had tried to attack him, thinking he was a regular wolf, but then he’d easily subdued her. At that time, she was a newly turned vampire and her strength wasn’t what it was at that moment. He removed his hand and gazed at her exposed breasts, but then shifted his eyes to hers. When he leaned forward, he took her full lips with his in a searing kiss and she gave him no resistance. Tessa reached to the back of his head and wrapped his hair in her fists. Holding him into place as her tongue met his, they swirled together as Tessa moaned under the assault.

When their lips parted, she grabbed his arms and pulled him into the tub with her. She couldn’t fight it any longer. She wanted to feel the man’s touch like never before.

“Let me take off my jeans, Tessa.”

“Allow me.” She reached down and tried to tug them off, but it was impossible.

He stood, shook a finger at her then turned and lowered his jeans, removing them. Wow, Tessa couldn’t believe Raphael’s muscled ass! It begged to be grabbed, which was exactly what she did. One hand then slid between one ball and his inner thigh. When he groaned, Tessa smiled. This was going to be fun.

Raphael turned and his slick cock came into view, huge and engorged. He smiled as he came back into the tub, kneeling partially since there was no way his body would fit. He took her lips with his again, nipping at her lower lip with his fangs.

“No fair. I can’t do that.”

“Why is that?”

“Well, for one thing, I’m a vampire and I would turn anyone else into one with the first bite. I don’t know what would happen if a shifter was a vampire.”

“I’m not sure that’s even possible.” He smiled down at her. “Is that how you were turned, with one bite?”

“Yes, but let’s talk about that another time. I want you.”

“You want me to do what?”

“Everything.”

Tessa sighed in bliss when Raphael fingered her breasts. While they weren’t large, they had always been perky. She moved forward, wanting him to take her nipple into his mouth, but he only teased the tops of her breasts until she thought she’d go mad. He ran his hands down her sides to her waist, next exploring the flesh of her stomach. She was in Heaven at the sensations pulsing over her.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly and she stared at Raphael, who looked like a golden God by the glow of the oil lamp. He slipped his hands between her legs, that time grazing her mound with the palm of his hand, using it to rub her to her first orgasm, which had her shuddering. Her legs opened further to allow him more access. When she cried out, he licked a nipple as he looked up at her, sucking it into his mouth. She reared her head back, her fangs extending, and it was very hard to just sit there and be taken along the happy trail. She could hear his pulse beating in her head and she bit down on her lip until she tasted her own blood.

Tessa grabbed the back of his head, yanking back on his hair until he glanced up. He shook her hands free and reached under her, lifting her hips upward and out of the water before burying his face in her pussy. Her clit wasn’t just licked or sucked; it was devoured by Raphael’s roving mouth and tongue. She had never felt anything like it. If she had known how good Raphael could make her feel, she’d have done this sooner. He plunged his tongue into her and she cried out with a howl.

Raphael abruptly grabbed Tessa’s waist and moved her above him so he was the one who was sitting in the bathtub. As she straddled him, a finger was pushed inside her until it was buried deep, exploring her. She was trembling, but she wouldn’t allow her pleasure to be the only thing happening. Tessa reached and found his cock. She gripped him hard as she pumped him, much to his delight as mirrored in his eyes. She licked his neck, tasting his salty skin, wanting to taste
every
part of him. However, when she removed her hand from his cock, he moved so the head was working inside her folds. She felt his hardness at her entrance and grabbed the tub to steady herself as he speared her. Tessa gasped at the pain of his entry and she turned her head, not wanting him to know lest he stop.

Tessa rocked on Raphael’s cock, riding him with wild abandon, moving harder and harder until the water was sloshing onto the floor. He took a nipple into his mouth as she bounced until he jerked her up. He carried her to the bed and they went down, slippery against each other as his hard body covered hers. His lips found hers, his fingers rubbing her entrance again. “Are you sure you’re up for more?”

In response, Tessa moved to her hands and knees, wiggling her ass in his face. With one foot planted on the bed, he mounted her.
He can do that all night if he wants.
She grabbed the bedspread to keep herself from falling face-first on the bed as he pummeled her pussy. Tightening, she wailed at the sensations that had her making noises that sounded not of their world. Her vision altered and everything suddenly looked hazy. She pushed against Raphael. “Please, I need…”

He helped her reposition on her back as he pushed forward, filling her. Gone was the pummeling. That time, he took her gently, stroking her inner recesses until she felt something build inside her again. She bucked against him, trying to hasten his approach, but he only laughed. Tessa then raked her nails up his back until his eyes widened.

“Fine, have it your way.” He quickened his pace and pounded her sore pussy until he tensed, his face red, breathing through his nostrils like an angry bull as she also soared, her mouth wide, and her fangs reaching for him. She told herself to stop, that she couldn’t bite him, but the feeling was overwhelming until he spilled his seed into her.

Raphael collapsed on the bed next to her, snaking a hand around her waist and pulling her closer. Tessa felt great, better than she ever had. She’d had problems achieving an orgasm in the past, but the shifter had no problem taking her with him into oblivion. She also had control over her urge to taste his blood and could see clearly. She’d have to ask Paige about that since she’d never had problems with her eyesight before.

“This is one for the record books,” Raphael said. “I’ve never seen a woman’s eyes turn yellow before.”

“Mine?”

“Yes, and very much looking like an animal in heat.”

“That would be a
vampire
in heat.”

“Yes, and I’m going to feel those scratch marks tomorrow for sure.”

“Let me see.”

When Raphael turned, Tessa bit her fist at the long lacerations. “Oh, my. I’m sorry. I guess I don’t know my own strength.”

Tessa got up and rummaged through her bag, coming back with antibacterial cream and bandages. She nursed Raphael’s wounds and he turned to look up at her. “You’re a stunning creature when you’re naked,” he teased.

“Oh, is that the only time?”

“No, but I don’t want you to get a big head.”

Tessa snuggled next to Raphael, yanking at his chest hair, which minimally covered it. She laid her head on his chest, enjoying the feeling of its rise and fall, knowing that what just happened would change them both forever.