Wynter dropped the map further so he could see the crisscrossed pattern of ribbons that begged to be untied. She licked her lips and approached the bed.
“This map, it doesn’t seem to help me at all. I’m so glad I found you. I mean, what would I do without such a knowledgeable guide?” She opened her fingers and let the paper drop to the floor.
“I’m looking forward to showing you all the sights and sounds…” Logan began.
“And tastes? I’m so hungry.” Wynter’s eyes devoured him. She placed her palms on the edge of the bed, bending so that he could get a good view of her breasts.
“Sweetheart, we’ve got some of the best culinary delights in the country. I’d be more than happy to feed you…all night long.” Logan pushed up onto his knees and made short work of meeting her. He wrapped his hands around her waist and pressed his lips to the hollow of her neck.
“I’m starving,” she breathed, pushing her fingers into his hair.
“I’ll always be here for you Wynter,” Logan promised, kissing up her neck. “Always and forever. I missed you so much.”
Wynter let herself go limp against him. Back in his arms was exactly what she needed. She tore off her glasses and let the camera slip from her wrist.
“I missed you too, so, so much.” She licked and bit at his shoulder.
Logan rolled her onto the bed and slid down her body. Wynter rested her head against the pillows, wiggling against him. Logan smiled and crouched at her feet. Taking one foot, he touched his lips to the inside of her calf. She hissed in delight, pressing her hips upward.
“Logan.”
“Yes, mate. Just helping you find your way,” he teased, resuming his role. He dragged his tongue up her leg until he reached her inner thigh.
Wynter thought she’d explode in need. It felt incredible.
“You’re wicked,” she laughed.
“Just helping a tourist in need. I told you; I’m a very good guide. I know all the best spots.” He pushed her knees open wider, his face settled into the center of her legs. Pleasantly surprised, he was happy to find she’d worn no panties.
“But I need…” she panted as his warm breath brushed over her mound. If he’d just touch her, she could breathe.
Logan darted his tongue through her moist nether lips and smiled. “We are about to reach one of my favorite destinations. My sweet little tourist, are you ready?”
Without waiting for an answer, he lapped at her clit.
“Oh God yes,” she cried. His rough tongue sent shivers through her body. Her sex ached for him. He was everything she’d ever need.
Logan pulled away for just a second to press two long fingers inside of her. “I do believe we are arriving nicely.” He curled them upward into her sensitive channel.
“Yes, right there,” she screamed.
Logan brought his lips to her clitoris, sucking and flicking it with his tongue. Her sweet cream coated his face, and he couldn’t get enough of her.
“I’m coming, I’m coming,” Wynter screamed over and over.
Her pelvis rocked into his mouth and hand. She flailed as her orgasm burst, leaving her shaking and gasping for breath. The tendrils of energy rode through her skin.
Logan gave her a final lick before he crawled up to meet her face to face. The hard tip of him rested at the entrance. Goddess, he loved her spontaneity and how receptive she was.
“Wynter Ryan.”
Wynter slowly opened her eyes, still lost in the haze of passion. She smiled at the way he’d addressed her and gazed into his eyes.
“Yes, my Alpha.”
“Tonight, I take you as my mate.” Logan tugged at the satiny ribbons. Her bodice fell open exposing both her neck and breasts.
His expression denoted a seriousness that told Wynter that this was the time. Their mating. Their bond, forged in love and trust; they’d be together till the end of time.
“You, Wynter. You are mine. Our wolves, our souls, we’re mates.”
“I love you, Logan. I’m yours.” She licked along his collarbone. Slight pain alerted her that her canines had descended.
He smiled with a slight shake of his head.
“What?”
“Ah baby, they’re sexy.” Now was not the time to tell her, but her normally sharp canines looked slightly sharper. Fangs.
“What is it?”
“Nothing, you’re perfect. Now where were we?” He captured her lips with his. Their tongues swept along each other’s. Reluctantly, he stopped the kiss and spoke into her mouth.
“Tonight, we mate. Forever you are mine, Wynter.”
He rocked his straining cock into her slick channel. She gasped, nodding. As he filled her to the hilt, he reared back and bit into her shoulder. Blood trickled into his throat.
The pleasured pain drove Wynter’s need to claim him in return. Her fangs sliced into his skin like a knife through hot butter. Thirsting for more, she took a long draw of her Alpha’s blood. Powerful and spicy, her mate’s spirit danced within her body. The wave of pleasure hurled her into release, and she convulsed against Logan.
The taste of Wynter’s blood caused his wolf to howl in pride. With his beast satisfied, he’d laved at her shoulder. But it was Wynter’s erotic bite that sent him into orgasm. Claiming him as her mate, she’d sent him into the hardest, hottest climax he’d ever had in his life. As he erupted inside her, he shuddered as he felt her lick over the wound.
Loving filaments weaved through their hearts and minds. Their bond complete, their wolves nuzzled together celebrating. Logan rolled backwards, bringing Wynter with him. Arms and legs intertwined, her cheek rested on his chest.
“I love you,” Wynter smiled.
“Love you too, baby,” Logan replied, still trying to catch his breath.
“Everything that’s happened,” she began thoughtfully.
“Shhh, it’s over now.” He tangled his fingers into her ringlets.
“I would have never met you.”
“True.”
“Does the pack know?”
“Yes, but I want a formal introduction. You deserve nothing less. We deserve this. And someday, I hope you’ll agree to a human mating of sorts…if that’s what you want. Marry me?”
“I’d love that.” she kissed his chest. “I hear spring in New Orleans is lovely. As is New York.”
“A honeymoon. That’s what I’m looking forward to,” he teased. “Somewhere on a beach. A private beach.”
“A beach, huh? Sounds good to me. Make sure you bring your whistle,” she told him with a naughty grin.
“A whistle?”
“Well, I may need a lifeguard to save me,” she suggested.
“I’m all for a little slippery wet play in the ocean,” Logan encouraged. “Or maybe we can go as an Alpha and his mate.”
“Yes, that sounds perfect,” she agreed.
As they fell asleep for the first time as bonded mates, Wynter and Logan embraced the new chapter in their lives. Dark memories would be washed over by love-filled days and sensual nights. The Acadian Wolves found strength in their Alpha. Peace and contentment rippled throughout the pack. A new chapter in their history had begun.
Léopold cursed as he dug into the frozen tundra. Damn bitch really had thought she was clever. Yet it had been fairly easy for the investigator to locate the safety deposit box where Fiona had left the instructions and thumb drive. Léopold suspected that someone local had helped her stash the blood. Samples from Emma, Wynter and others, had been buried deep within the snow in the heart of Yellowstone.
He and Dimitri had traveled together to retrieve the contents of the box. The wolf, with his humor, continued to insist that Léopold needed to loosen up, clearly not having a clue how difficult a task that would be. Regardless, he had succumbed to Dimitri’s unrelenting insistence that he take a hot tub. After several cognacs, he’d given in to the persistent wolf’s request. Naked in the woods hadn’t been half bad, he supposed. However he was certain that it would have been much more tolerable with a suitable female.
As Léopold recovered the vials, wind and ice blew at his face. Dammit all to hell, he should have made Dimitri come with him to dig out the blood. Even with his extraordinary strength, Yellowstone was exceedingly brutal in the winter. But Léopold had encouraged his newfound friend to visit with Hunter Livingston. Brother to Tristan and friend of Logan and Dimitri, Hunter led the Wyoming wolf pack. While it was customary for an outside wolf to announce his presence within another’s territory, Dimitri and Hunter were friends. They were aware of his arrival. It was Léopold who wished to be alone, insisting he could dispose of the vials on his own.
With the temperature at nearly fifteen below zero, Léopold snorted in displeasure. Breathtaking as it was, this weather was not conducive to a vampire’s metabolism. The deafening silence was indeed thought provoking but he could not wait to be back in the city. Whether it be New York or New Orleans, the crowds made it easy for him to feed whenever he wished. Anything he wanted was a mere phone call away. Luxury beckoned on his arrival. He had a standing reservation at private clubs from jazz to blood. In an instant, his needs were met.
True, it had been a lonely existence. But the darkness of his past wouldn’t allow him to feel. Yet he couldn’t deny his reaction to watching the interaction between the Alpha and his mate. It had warmed a layer of ice that he’d allowed to thicken around his heart. That kind of love didn’t exist very often. Long ago, as a foolish boy, he’d thought himself worthy of love. But it didn’t take long for the harsh realities of life to decimate the naïve, human ideals of love and family. It was through intellect and dominance that he’d survived and ruled. Power and prosperity had been rightly earned via battles and business.
As much as he enjoyed the freedom, he wasn’t without compassion. In truth, he’d been strangely bothered since leaving New Orleans. He could not shake the touch of Logan’s hand on his wrist and Wynter’s lips on his skin. Like a lightning bolt, their bond had penetrated deep into his own energy. Their thoughts, pain and passion funneled through his mind. It was as if the brief connection had jarred his memory, the lingering desire for love.
Léopold cursed his weakness and shoved the thought as far away as he could. Like a well-worn shoe, his cool demeanor had been comfortable. As such, he refused to give up his bachelor ways. A stop at Tristan’s club in Philadelphia and a quick romp with the twins would refresh his attitude, he thought. Imprudent, sophomoric thoughts of romance and companionship were for others, not him.
Another gust lashed at Léopold. He shoved the vials into the small backpack, zipped it up and threw it over his shoulder. A wail in the distance caught his attention. Damn humans. Damn wolves. They expected another foot of snow tonight, and he couldn’t imagine anything but animals traipsing through the forest. Who the hell would be caught dead in the middle of the night in Yellowstone?
Merde. Léopold grunted and pushed himself up onto the tamped down path. West Thumb Geyser Basin, visited often by tourists in winter, should have been desolate at night. With bubbling hot springs and gurgling mud on either side of the trail, he trod carefully toward the noise, and sniffed. Aside from the sulphuric odor, he could make out the faint smell of a human.
“I should have sent the wolf,” he grumbled. Unsure of what lay ahead, he knew it wasn’t going to be good.
As he approached a small clearing, he caught a glimpse of the outline of a person in the snow. He took a deep breath, vacillating between materializing and actually helping. It was none of his business. He could disappear like he hadn’t seen a thing. The scene between the Alpha and his mate played like a movie through his head and he sighed. It must’ve made him soft because he was leaning toward helping. Damn, fucking wolves. He growled, realizing that his conscience and curiosity would not let him leave. Resigned, he’d check on the situation and then get the hell out of there.
Léopold’s feet crunched through the snow, approaching the noise. He caught sight of the body which wasn’t moving except for an isolated twitch. The familiar scents of both humans and wolf hit his nostrils…and blood.
“Identify yourself,” he demanded. A strange gurgle responded. The small body was wrapped in a blanket, and he grew concerned as he barely heard a heartbeat. There was no way he was siring another human or wolf. Perhaps he’d take them to safety, but no more would he do.
“Do you hear me? Are you hybrid? What are you doing out here?” Léopold really didn’t want to touch the blanket. He stared up into the constellations and blew out a breath, contemplating his next move. Whatever was underneath the blanket was barely breathing. It was dying. Perhaps he should just leave?
Another gurgle caught his attention. In all his centuries, he’d nearly forgotten the sound. Unsuccessfully, he tried to shake off the painful memories that flared to life.
Gurgle.
No, it didn’t make sense. He fell to his knees and feverishly began pulling at the fabric, revealing the head. The cold dead eyes of a woman bored into him. Why would she bring a…?
Gurgle.
He continued to unwrap the blanket until he saw the source of the sound. A small face peered up at him. Horrified, his suspicion was correct. A baby.
“What the hell?” Léopold heard the sound of barking wolves in the distance and hurried to collect the small child in his arms. “Mon bébé. Who would do this to you?”
He made the sign of the cross over the dead body, tugging the blanket out from under it. Quickly, he swaddled the infant. As the danger grew closer, Léopold cursed. Decision made, he cradled the baby into his jacket, and disappeared into the night.
Kym Grosso is the author of the erotic paranormal romance series, The Immortals of New Orleans. The series currently includes
Kade’s Dark Embrace
(Immortals of New Orleans, Book 1),
Luca’s Magic Embrace
(Immortals of New Orleans, Book 2),
Tristan’s Lyceum Wolves
(Immortals of New Orleans, Book 3) and
Logan’s Acadian Wolves
(Immortals of New Orleans, Book 4).
In addition to romance, Kym has written and published several articles about autism, and is passionate about autism advocacy. She writes articles on PsychologyToday.com and AutismInRealLife.com. She also is a contributing essay author in
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Raising Kids on the Spectrum
.