Claimed (3 page)

Somehow she'd find a way to get the message across to Taden that what happened would be and should be forgotten.  It was best they never be alone again.

Chapter Four

Good news, the first encounter with his newest conquest had gone better than expected.

Bad news.  He was left with a raging hard-on and no Kristen to share it with.

Taden drank bourbon and watched the night sky though the windowpanes.  It was a clear night, his favorite.  Soon it would be a full moon and he and the pack would be out for runs.  Nothing beat the feeling of allowing the wolf free rein.

Right now, his wolf demanded sexual satisfaction, still restless after the encounter with Kristen.  The reaction was unsettling, since the woman was fully human, not one drop of were that he could sense.  Yet for whatever reason, she appealed to his wolf.

Regina was staying the night and he considered going to her, but she was looking for a mate and had him in her sights.  As appealing as he found the female, she didn't appeal to his wolf.  One night with her could prove to be a huge mistake. For now he'd wait and allow time before seeking a mate.  As a pure bred wolf, both of his parents were Artic Wolves, a direct line of alphas, he was expected to marry another pure wolf.  But females of his kind were rare, unless he traveled home to Alaska, the chances of meeting one were pretty bleak.  And that suited him just fine.

The next evening, Taden entered the club through the rear door.  For the first time in a long time, not in the mood to be around people.  Everything annoyed him so it was best to avoid being around anyone for the time being.

Just when he was about to enter his office, the urge to drink coffee hit him like a ton of bricks.  Nope, not about to head next door to the coffee shop.  It was too soon to see Kristen.  He'd wait three days and then walk in nonchalantly and order coffee.  By then she'd be wondering why he was keeping away.  Part of the conquest was to be unavailable.  He'd be cordial, but remain aloof. Second step, he'd turn up "unexpectedly" at a time that assured they'd be alone.  He'd tease her again and bring her to the point of climax.

His cock hardened at the memory of her soft curves under his palms. Kristen was everything that attracted him. Pretty, pleasant, reserved and a bit unattainable.

Minutes later, he sat at his desk and looked at the computer screen barely able to focus. Baby entered his office and perched at the edge of a chair.  His eyes went straight to the mug in her hand.  Inner Bean Café in bright red letters seemed to glow.  "Hey, brother.  Want to go over the payroll?"

The words barely computed through the haze in his mind and he shook his head to clear the fog.  "What?"

Her eyes narrow, Baby stood and put the cup on his desk then leaned to look at his face. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah.  Didn't get much sleep last night is all."

Baby smacked him on the shoulder.  "You didn't do it, did you?" she screeched.

"Didn't do what?" Honestly between the haze and Baby's usual bouncy way of conversing, he was about to toss his breakfast.  "Can you make sense please?"

"Did you and Regina...you know...do it?" She spoke slowly while glaring.

"No." He'd spent the night staring at the night sky, but he wasn't about to tell her that.  "I think my wolf needs out.  Needs to run."

"It's probably a good idea.  You seem out of it and maybe that will clear your head."

Her suggestion sunk in and Taden got to his feet.  "Tell Raythe to take over for me tonight.  Is Isen here?  He may want to go for a run with all the hoopla of the wedding and all."

Baby rolled her eyes.  “No, he's home.  But you can call him and he'll meet you.  Good brother-in-law bonding time."  She patted his hand.  "Now move out of the way.  I've got to do the payroll."

An hour later, his wolf ran without stopping.  The wooded area behind his house let out to a private beach and he sprinted along it for over an hour. His beast laboring, the muscles relieved at the exertion, it felt great.

"What the fuck, bro.  We're almost to the next territory, need to turn it around.
" Isen spoke to him through thoughts since his brother-in-law, a huge timber wolf ran alongside.

They turned and ran back the ten or so miles it would take to reach his land, where they'd started.  The wolf was silently focused which worried Taden. Only when he'd first began shifting had he been unable to control the artic wolf.

Nearing the edge of Devlin Beach, the wolf refused to run farther. He looked to Isen. 
"Why don't you go on back?  I'm going to the club."

"Sure, see you later."
Isen sprinted off.  Good thing the guy was in shape, most of the other wolves would have had a hard time keeping up with him.

Taden trotted down a side street, his wolf sniffing the air, as if it had a destination in mind.  Oh no you don't, we're going to the club, not heading to find some German Shepard in heat.

The wolf trudged on and Taden began to panic. Yeah, so his wolf had in the past, many years ago, searched out dogs or female wolves, but that was a place he never wanted to revisit again. 
"Fuck it.  I'm shifting."

He eyed the area.  It was a quaint part of town with restored bungalows, white picket fences and lots of flowers.  The wolf sneezed and he wanted to chuckle. That's what it got for coming here.

A tiny Chihuahua began yapping at him and he growled, the effect always cracked him up.  Most little shits would yelp and run when he growled.  Not this one, it kept on barking, bouncing with each yap.  His wolf stopped at the gate and nudged it with its nose.

"No fucking way.  You want to fuck a Chihuahua?"
Taden pulled back.  He was sure if anyone watched, they'd be laughing at the wolf.  Butt in the air as he tried to back up, paws dug into the ground and nose at a gate. 
"What the hell?"

"Penelope!" a woman called to the little mutt. The Chihuahua was too involved in the middle of a frenzy to pay attention. "Come."

Taden crouched on the sidewalk to blend behind the bushes, and of course, that was the time he realized the gate was open.  The Chihuahua ran out and came to where he was and began nipping at him.

"Penelope, where are you?"

"Shit."  Footsteps sounded, a familiar scent hit his snout and that's when the wolf finally released him.  Taden shifted to human form.

"Taden?" Kristen looked down at him with rounded eyes.

There he lay, naked as a jaybird on the sidewalk outside her house, with a fucking Chihuahua attached to his big toe.

Chapter Five

"Oh my goodness, are you all right?" Kristen picked up her dog and attempted not to take in all the lines of muscle and flesh.  Taden jumped to his feet and held both hand in front to cover his private area.

"Yeah, lost control of my wolf." He looked past her to the front door.  "Can I borrow a towel or something?  Need to regroup so I can shift back."

"Sure." She walked to her house, the nude man behind her.  If only she'd let him go first, it would be nice to get a good glimpse of his butt.  "I was just about to have a glass of wine, would you like some?"

"Got coffee?" His deep voice much too close for comfort.

Ten minutes later, he sat at her kitchen bar drinking coffee with a towel wrapped around his waist.  His ice blue eyes scanned her house.  She'd bought it a couple years earlier from her aunt and uncle who'd moved to a gated community and then promptly painted the entire house the palest shades of blue and tan.  She'd decorated it with a beach cottage motif, which suited since she lived a mile from the shore.

"Sorry about dropping by," Taden told her, his eyes meeting hers.  "I didn't know you lived here."

Kristen chuckled.  "Good luck on your part, someone else may have called the police to report a naked man laid out on the sidewalk."

"I was trying to keep the wolf from hurting your dog."

She felt her eyes widen.  "Oh goodness.  It's a good thing then."

The predatory look he gave her made Kristen wonder if she should hurry him out the door. He was without clothes, which was not only enticing but also very dangerous as well.  "I can give you a ride home, if you'd like," she suggested.

    It was curious to watch the normally very controlled man struggle with a reply.  He let out a sigh.  "It's strange for me, not to control the wolf."

"Has it never happened before?" She leaned against the counter and sipped her wine.

"Not for years. During the first shifts, it can be troublesome, controlling both sides, but once you grow into it, it's not a problem." He let out a breath and stood while holding the towel up with one hand.  "I better go."

And then he passed out.

"Oh shit," Kristen rushed to him and lifted his head to check for any bumps or cuts.  Taden was out cold.  Not sure what to do with him, she called Vane's phone number.

Peals of laughter made her want to hang up on him.  "Oh man, you don't want to ever tell him you called me," Vane sputtered between guffaws.  "Splash water in his face. That should do it."

"But..." he hung up before she could say anything else.  Unsure of his reaction, she filled a glass of water, stood as far as possible and tossed the water at him.

"What the fuck!" He sat straight up and looked around, his eyes wide.  "Holy shit.  Did I just pass out?"

Kristen nodded.  "Should I take you to the ER?"

He attempted to get up, but must have felt dizzy because he gave up.  "No, thanks.  Shit, I hate to bug you, but I'll take that ride home."

"Have you eaten today?" Kristen attempted to make conversation with the sullen man on the way home.  "I can go through the burger place and get something."

"No, I haven't eaten.  Forgot.  That would be good.  Thanks."

When they arrived at his cabin, she pulled up to the garage and cut the engine.  "I would feel better if I went inside with you."

"I'm good." He kept his gaze forward.  "Damn, I am a bit disconcerted.  Don't mean to be ungrateful, but it's best if I'm alone right now."

He walked toward his house, holding the towel up and carrying a sack with burgers.  In most cases, it would be a comical sight if it wasn't for the fact the man was built like a dream.

He waivered sideways, almost falling, and Kristen jumped out of her car, the damn man was not in good shape and too proud to ask for help.

"What are you doing?" he protested as she took his arm and pulled him to the door. 

Once inside, she pushed him onto the couch.  "Sit and eat.  It’s obvious you are not doing well.  I don't think you should be left alone."

His nostrils flared and jaw tensed, but he did not argue.  Instead glowered as he bit into the burger demolishing it before moving to the next.  She walked to a large exquisite kitchen, poured a glass of water then spun and smacked right into a wall of muscle.

Water splashed over the rim and onto the floor. Kristen's eyes widened when he took the glass from her hand and pulled her to him, his mouth crashing over hers.

He was rigid, his breathing harsh.  For a second time, she could only cling to him, unable to form a thought. 

They walked backwards until falling onto the couch and he was instantly over her.  The towel had fallen, giving her access to every inch of his delicious body.  Hands splayed, she ran them down his broad back to cup his butt and pull him into her while he trailed kissed from her mouth to her throat.

In a haze of passion and want, she managed to wiggle out of her sundress with him barely lifting.  So much want.  Intolerable need blazed through her body like never before.  He brought out searing hot instincts and she tore at him urging for more.

Taden seemed out of control, his eyes dark, his breathing harsh.  He took her leg and pulled it over his shoulder to give him access to her core and he plunged in.  Kristen cried out and bucked into him.  "Harder!"

Truthfully the command was not warranted.  He was already pounding with vigor, his hips moving hard and fast as she held on to the side of the couch with one hand and pulled his face to hers with the other.

Tongues dueled while their bodies took from each other, not seeming to get enough no matter how much they pushed.  Taden pulled out and turned her over. Draped over the arm of the couch, she mewled needing him back inside.  He stood behind her and rammed in with so much force, the couch scooted forward.

"Yes!" Kristen cried out as he continued his wonderful assault.  They fell in a tumble to the rug on the floor, still joined.

"You feel so good.  I could fuck you for hours," Taden's husky words fell over her like blazing coals sending her to come with force until she shook all over.  He let out a growl and she felt his heated release spill into her.

It wasn't enough, both were not close to being sated.  "More," Kristen said pushing back into him.  "God, this feels incredible."

He held her hips and pushed in deeper before pulling out and delving back into her.  She shifted back meeting each thrust as a new climax threatened to overtake.  "Oh God! Harder."

The sounds of their lovemaking in rapid tempo were as intoxicating as the sounds from deep in this throat.

"Ugh!" Taden let out a growl and pulled her flat against his chest still managing to slide in and out. "Mine." The roar was followed by his teeth sinking into her throat.  Kristen screamed as the most intense climax she'd ever experienced hit her.  Stars formed and she felt the world tip.  Darkness overtook her as she fell from the highest precipice into his arms.

As gently as he could on shaky legs, Taden lifted Kristen and carried her up the stairs to his bedroom.

What had he done?  His wolf had claimed her and mated with her.  She would be his partner for life.  But how to tell her?  Hell, he could hardly believe the shit himself.  It had been a mistake to allow her in, but around her, his wolf was uncontrollable.  He didn't want to consider the ramifications, not now. 

He'd let it go for a few weeks, see if it was possible to mate with a human.  She wasn't part wolf, at least not that he could tell, it made no sense why his wolf reacted in such a way to her.

Her head lulled to the side against his chest and he studied the slumbering beauty.  Her breathing was still fast, the round orbs on her chest rising and falling beckoning for more. 

Once in bed, he pulled her against him and groaned at the instant hardening of his cock.  "Shit."

"What happened?" her eyes fluttered open and met his.  "I can't believe it.  Both of us passing out in the same day.  I didn't expect to end up here." She made to push away.  "I need to go."

"Not yet." He took her mouth, still hungry for her, needing her again.

Her hand slid down his chest to his hardness and she stroked it lazily.  "I can't get enough of you.  It's like you're intoxicating.  That can't be good."

Although the words were not said to make him harder, they did.  When she moved down, his eyes widened.  Damn the woman could read him like a book.  He'd been wanting to fuck her mouth since kissing her. Her tongue had done some delicious things to his.  Now as she sucked his head in, she hummed and flattened her tongue on the sensitive underside it making his eyes roll back.  "Oh shit." He grabbed the bedding and his toes curled when she took him in deeper.

He hit the back of her throat as she bobbed back and forth, stroking him with her lips, tongue, and hand.  He wouldn't last long. As much as he tried to prolong it, his balls tightened and he began to tremble.  "I'm gonna blow." He warned her, in case she wanted to pull back.  She didn't.  Instead she squeeze his balls and tugged at his cock, and made a sound of pleasure that vibrated from the tip of him to the base.

Taden lost control and plunged deep into her throat releasing all he had into her.