When The Fur Flies (20 page)

The solid hit echoed through the night as his fist collided with her face. Allison fell to the side, holding a hand to her stinging cheek. Reginald stood breathing hard, his blue eyes wide as he looked down at her in horror. He hadn’t meant to connect with her. He’d meant to block a kick, but she’d come in for a punch instead.

“I didn’t mean it, Kitten. Are you all right?” He went to reach down to pick her up just as her hand flew out. Heat thrust him backward, sending his big body crashing through the trunk of a big oak tree. He lay there dazed, winded, and unable to move until he felt soft hands on his cheeks.

“Oh, Goddess, what have I done?” Her voice was filled with emotion as her hands held his head. “Reginald, please don’t be hurt. Please, I’m sorry.” A wet drop hit his throat before her head landed on his shoulder. She was crying against him, her hot tears soaking his shirt as she sobbed softly. “I’m yours. Don’t leave me. I’m yours.”
About damn time
, he thought with a pleasure he couldn’t deny.

“You jerk!” Her head shot up, but he was quick to capture the back of her head and pull her mouth down to his. She didn’t fight him as he took her mouth with a hunger he couldn’t hide.

“I love you, Kitten,” he whispered against her lips as he pulled her body down over him. “I’ve belonged to you since you ran full speed into me when you were so young and vulnerable. Don’t fight this mating. I need you.”

“Y-you love me? I just tried to kill you. Are you hurt?” She tried to pull back, but he was just too strong. She was straddling him with her hands holding her weight up. He grabbed at the bottom of her shirt and yanked it up over her head.

“I’m tougher than that. You hurt me when you left me. Don’t ever do that, again.”

“Then don’t order me around, so I won’t have to leave you again.” He heaved a deep sigh as he studied her determined expression. His mate was more than a woman, stronger than a Wolven, and more unpredictable than most Witches, but he wanted her, and he didn’t want her to change.

“About time you came to your senses.” She gave him a sexy smile as he frowned up at her. “I can hear your thoughts, again. That means you’re not so mad at me, right?”

“I’m not mad, just exasperated. You insist on putting yourself in harm’s way, and it is
killing
me. I’ve lived a long time without this fear ruling my heart.”

“I can’t promise I’ll obey everything you ask of me, but I can guarantee I will always belong with you. Not to you, Alpha, but with you.”

“Fine, we’ll compromise. I’ll make the decisions for the pack, but decisions concerning you will be discussed before we decide together.”

“By discussed, I take it you really mean fighting.” She sarcastically laughed at him.

“Only if it ends up with me on top.” He moved as he spoke, landing full length on top of her. His big body easily holding her in place, though she didn’t fight, but wrapped her legs around his. “I won’t leave you, Kitten.” His lips brushed hers once before he pulled back to look at her seriously. “I’m your mate. We are together until death and beyond. Know that.”

“I do.” She pulled his head down to her slowly. She loved this man with everything in her. It took seeing his body lying motionless in a pile of wood to finally give up her need to be free. She was his mate, his partner for life, and for once she wanted that life to be long and happy.

“Say it.” He growled down at her, his entire being pleading with her to give him the very thing his inner Wolf demanded of its mate.

“I’m the Alphina, my Alpha’s mate, a member of his pack. I belong with you, as you belong with me. As the Goddess wills it, so mote it be.” She purred as she pulled his head down to seal her vow with a long kiss.

“I am the Alpha, Kitten. I will protect and love you until the last breath I take.” He smiled in wonder and gently wiped away the tear that escaped her eye with the pad of his thumb. “I love you, Allison. Don’t cry. I won’t make you change—”

“No, I just...” She shook her head as she clutched at his solid arms. “I never thought I’d be here. I was trying to keep myself prepared for my death.”

“Why?” His eyebrows pulled together in question. “Why wouldn’t you fight to stay alive?”

“Because I didn’t have anything to live for. I was alone.” Her voice was low and husky, filled with the emotion she was trying desperately to hold back. Reginald understood her determination to fight their mating. He knew what she must have felt when he thrust his possession upon her.

“You aren’t alone, anymore.” He dropped his head enough to gently rub his lips against hers. More tears escaped as he kissed her. “You have me and the pack. You aren’t alone, Kitten.” His kisses were meant to reassure her, to ease her hurt, but soon they became something more. A reaffirmation of their love, their need for one another.

Hands tore at each other’s clothes and then gentled against flesh that was smooth and soft to the touch. Moans and growls echoed all around them as they reacquainted themselves with their other half. All thoughts of the past were wiped away as he held her close. Here was his mate for life. His Wolf nodded in agreement as it tried to urge him to mark her once more. Allison cried out as he gently pushed inside her. The feeling was exquisite as he stilled within her. Holding himself up, he looked down into her cat’s eyes.

“Allison Carver, I claim you as my mate, my heart. I take you into my keeping, mate. I will protect you with my life. I will never leave you in this life or the next. I give all that I am only to you. This is my promise, this is my vow.” He swallowed the lump of emotions threatening to swamp him as he felt the ties of their bond wrap tighter around his heart.

“Reginald Leclair, I claim you as my mate, my heart. I take you into my keeping. I will protect you with my life, with my magic. I will never leave you in this life or the next. I give all that I am to only you. This is my promise, this is my vow. As the Goddess sees fit I shall give you an heir, my heart into your keeping, and my soul to watch over you for all time. As I will it, so mote it be.” The gentle fingers of her magic tingled as the spell wrapped around them even tighter, forming an unbreakable bond that would carry them through any danger, any circumstance that might come their way in the future.

Allison spread her fingers into his hair and pulled his head back down to her. Their kiss forged their bond, as their bodies began to move in the age old dance of love. She held on to him, their eyes never leaving the others as they sought and found a little piece of heaven meant only for those who truly loved with their bodies, hearts, and souls. When they finally lay still, Reginald moved to rest his head on her bare stomach. He wrapped his arms around her waist in a fierce hug as her fingers gently stroked his hair.

“I never asked. What happened with the Three Sisters and Elaina Dunt?” He rubbed his rough cheek against her smooth belly, grinning as her breath caught.

“Elaina chose to stay with the Sisters and learn their magic. She’s been a slave for so long, first to her father and then to the Vampires. I think she’s enjoying a taste of freedom. She deserves the chance to find out who she really is. I know you think it was a foolish thing to do, but I don’t regret taking the chance to get her away from the Hive.” She stroked her fingers through his dark hair gently. “The Elder will not be happy. Nor will he be satisfied with her refusal to marry him. I fear I’ve brought you more trouble and danger than I’m worth, my love.”

“I will handle Chambers. You’re right, though. He won’t be pleased, and he will seek revenge, but don’t fear. I will protect you.” He turned his head to place a gentle kiss on her tummy. He inhaled deeply, enjoying the familiar scent of his beautiful little Witch. His breath caught painfully in his chest at the unmistakable scent hiding innocuously beneath her skin.

***

“What? Reginald, what is it?” She pushed herself halfway up as he stilled. The emotions running over him were too powerful, too chaotic for her to read. Alarm raced through her as he inhaled against her skin and let it out roughly. His head rose, his blue eyes soft and holding an excitement she couldn’t understand. “What?”

“Life, Kitten. Small, fragile, and miraculous.” He grinned foolishly as he sat up to pull her into his arms. His lips crushed hers, his tongue plunging into her mouth with a hunger she felt deep in her bones. Then he was pulling back only to place a loving kiss to her bare stomach.

“What?” She knew then. Wonder and surprise had her pulling his head up so she could look into his eyes. “How can you know?”

“I can smell our child. He’s changed your scent only a fraction, but he’s there.”

“He?” His laughter warmed her as he lay his head back down on her.

“Or she. Too early to tell, but our child will be strong and loved.” His handsome face held a peaceful happiness she felt in her soul as she took a deep breath.

“She will, Goddess willing. She’ll have to be strong to exist in the middle of our peoples’ war. Half Witch, half Wolf. Goddess help her.” The love and fear she felt for a child that could be no bigger than a grain of sand was overwhelming!

“We’ll help her.” He stroked a hand over their child gently. Allison grinned as she covered his hand with her own. She sensed the danger surrounding them, knew the battle for their safety was only just beginning, but there was nothing she could do to stop it. She would have to prepare herself more than ever to keep all that she loved safe. The Sisters and her pledge be damned! There was a child to think of now.

She looked over his head to the darkened forest around them. Danger lurked, waiting for the best time to strike. Allison felt her magic rise within her. The strength of it a shock and a comfort. No one knew what she was capable of, not even herself. She would take fate into her own hands if it came to a fight involving those she loved. Alexa would help. She would know what to do. Her heart eased as she felt sudden warmth in her chest. Alexa’s communication that she was with her, that she had heard the silent call of her cousin. Together they would keep the Vampires and those who would destroy them from victory.

Allison slowly smiled down at her mate. All her love and devotion shining down at him from the amber and blue eyes marked by their mating. Here was their strength in their love for one another. Here was the only way they could fight and defeat their enemies. Here with their love and Goddess help those who would come between them.

Epilogue

Animals hurried away, back to their own business, leaving the two lovers in their own private world. The man turned away as well, his jaw clenched as he moved soundlessly through the trees and downwind of the two lovers. Wilhelm Chambers felt his sharp fangs cut into his own lip as he clenched his teeth together. Rage so strong coursed through his ancient veins as he moved farther away from the couple. The Alpha Wolven had found his true mate and was basking in her love and body. It infuriated him to no end.

It was a simple matter for him to reach out and grasp his revenge. The Wolven couple was naked and completely alone. They were vulnerable to attack here in the dense forest, yet he hadn’t taken advantage of the opportunity to make them pay. He shook his head as he stalked through the woods soundlessly. He’d missed his chance. He knew he could have taken the pathetic little Witch. Yes, the Wolf would have been a small obstacle, easily overcome, but he preferred his revenge well planned and perfectly executed to induce the most pain to his enemy. Soon, he promised himself. Misery loved company, as the humans believed. He was alone, had been for centuries, but the end of his suffering was near. They would pay, the Alpha’s mate and the Keeper of the Treaty.

Thoughts of the dark-haired Witch who continually interfered in his life made his temper flare red hot. She would pay the higher price for her deeds. He would relish her torture. He would make that one suffer all the more for her boldness. She’d made herself his number-one enemy when she tried to place a curse on him in that dark, smelly alley. Dark anger bit at him as the image of her fairy face came to mind. Beautiful and strong, her features were marked with a stubbornness that reminded him of Delia, his mother. That one had also driven him mad with rage. Strong, stubborn women like them were not for him. That was why he had made the pact so long ago with Peter Dunt. His wife had been small, meek, and fragile. His daughter Elaina was her mother’s mirror image. She would have made him the perfect bride, obedient and subservient. She was perfect for the position of his wife, but most importantly for his main objective. Only the meek, tortured soul of a woman would be able to perform the task he had in mind for Elaina. Now, thanks to a meddling Witch and a self-righteous Keeper, he was back to square one.

Rage whipped through his hard body as he turned once more toward the two lovers lying unprotected on the forest floor. Leclair’s pack was miles away and running with the thrill of the hunt. A few well-placed Poppets would keep them busy for hours, leaving the Alpha pair to him. It wouldn’t be difficult to take his revenge out on them now. Wouldn’t the Keeper suffer at the loss of her beloved cousin? A small lift of his lower lip was as close to a true smile as he’d gotten in decades.

He took a step, only one, his dark coat flaring out as the gentle breeze moved it. There she was, in all her cold beauty, standing three feet in front of him, blocking his path to his intended victims. The shock of her sudden appearance left him speechless as he stood rigidly studying her.

Her long black hair hung loose over bare shoulders. Her peasants dress was dark green. The sleeves loose at the wrists. The bodice hugged breasts that were plump and round, begging for a man to plunder them beneath the amethyst amulet she wore. The dress flared out from her tiny waist until the skirt brushed her bare ankles and feet. His lips twitched as he noted the pink polish she’d painted on her dainty toenails.

Witches rarely wore shoes, for they pulled their power from the Earth. He glared, his hatred of her and her kind burning him from the inside out. She was everything he loathed in a Witch, and there was much to choose from. Her face rarely showed fear or emotions of any kind. Uneven bangs fringed her dark eyebrows, softening the hard angle of her strong jaw. Her nose was pert, and he supposed would be considered cute by most human males. Her lips were too thin and rarely pulled into a smile. Her cheekbones were high, her complexion paler than normal. She always looked like she was made more of stone than flesh and blood. He imagined her flesh would feel just as cold as granite if he ever dared to touch her, which he didn’t.