Fated Under the Moon Read online

  "Are you two separate entities?"

  "In a way. The wolf is me, but he's an animal. When I'm in that form, I don't think like myself. It's more primal. I've never experienced a time where I was a man, and my wolf tried to merge with me. I'm always one or the other. There were a few moments when we were fucking that I had to fight it back. For wolves, our fated mate is in our DNA. It's like the cells all come to life when we are near our fated mate. I've only known a few wolves who have found theirs. They've told me how powerful the draw was, but nothing could've prepared me for how intense it really was. My wolf instinct with you is compelling me. I feel different. I feel like being around you is changing me, making my wolf stronger. That's what I meant about never having had sex like that."

  "When I told you I needed you," I squirmed at the mention, "It was the only thought going through my head. It was like my mind roared, 'need... need...need.' So, in that sense, I understand what you mean. What happened at the end when you climaxed? I remember coming, then felt your release, and your seed; it burned. My entire body burned. My vision was blue. That's it. That's all I remember. You literally fucked my brains out," I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

  "Fuck," he hissed unamused, "I should've sensed something was wrong. I'm so sorry." His arms tightened around me, and I could tell how much regret he held.

  "Don't be. It's not your fault."

  "I was having the best orgasm of my life, and when I say that, I'll tell you, I'm three hundred and forty-two years old. I've never felt anything like that. Then your body went tight, and it grew cold. You passed out, and I thought you were dead. Your body was so cold. I raced you back here, and you've been asleep for a day."

  "A day! Shit, I have to work tomorrow. I can't be all sex-crazed. And hold up, you're over three hundred years old?"

  "You're not going back to work for the Valderes."

  "Uh, yes, I am."

  "I just told you, you nearly died, and you're concerned about work and for them!"

  "Has anyone ever told you how incredibly moody you are?"

  "A time or two," he gritted his teeth, annoyed.

  "Well, you are. My pain is almost gone, just give me another second or two, and we can see if I'm better."

  "What if I want you to stay?"

  I felt his erection dig into my stomach. "I'm not sure that's such a good idea considering the last time it nearly killed me," I joked.

  That was the wrong thing to say.

  His entire body locked up. "You think it was us together that hurt you? Me in particular? You think you almost died?"

  "I don't know what that was, but what I do know is that you just said you thought I was dead." I sighed, moving to his side, so I wasn't lying completely on top of him. I didn't need his erection to make my mind muddled. "I..." I began to speak; however, my pain immediately started to return. "Nope, this isn't going to work. The moment my skin isn't touching yours, the pain returns. So, you must also be the cure."

  He turned to his side and hooked his leg over mine. His chest pressed against my body, and his arms went around my back. It felt so intimate. He stroked my back, "How's this?"

  I relaxed into him. "It's better. Thanks."

  Ryker's deep voice held me captive, "I know the idea of fated mates is new to you. I'll try to be patient with you. The idea that my sperm caused you pain makes me feel at war with myself. My instincts scream for me to be buried inside of you, but they also want to protect you. I'm angry. How could the fates bless me with my mate then make it so that the moment we finally bond, I hurt you? We'll figure this out so we can be together again, but please let me take care of you? I need it."

  "Your sperm... we didn't use anything. It was so intense. I didn't think."

  "We'll never use anything. The fates will deem what will be."

  Now, what did that mean? Surely he couldn't think that he should knock me up. We had sex one time.

  As if sensing my distress, he stroked the side of my breast, causing my body to react to him. I quickly forgot that train of thought. "I've waited and trusted the fates to bring me to you. And I couldn't have dreamed up a more perfect version of my mate. I'll trust in them, always." His sincerity made me melt into him. My body relaxed, and I pressed my lips against his kissing him. It was sweet. Neither of us took it further than light kisses, but it went on for a while. Eventually, unavoidably, I felt the heat between my legs. Ryker pulled back, "Your smell is intoxicating. We need to stop."

  "Okay." He tightened his grip on me, making me feel safe and pain-free, and it didn't take long for me to fall asleep.

  I BLINKED MY EYES OPEN to a very dark bedroom. The only light filtering into the room was from the moon. Ryker was asleep. His long thick erection pressed against my sex. And he gently moved back and forth, but at the same time, a gentle snore exhaled from his lips. My leg was thrown over his hip, so I was opened up to him. It appeared that our sleeping bodies sought each other out.

  It felt so good. Come to think of it; I felt terrific. I wasn't in any pain. In fact, my body felt stronger somehow, and with Ryker rocking against me, I felt beyond good. My nipples pebbled, and I pressed my chest closer to Ryker's. I needed the feel of his body against mine. He rocked forward again. I shifted just a little so that the next time it would hit my clit. Was it wrong of me that I was getting pleasure from a sleeping man? I wasn't sure I cared.

  Need.

  Need.

  Need.

  The thought racketed through my body.

  I moved my hips a little to increase the gentle rocking motion. His dick slid through my folds, coating him in my wetness and making him glide that much easier. I tilted my hips just a tad, and the next time he rocked, his tip pressed against my entrance.

  Need.

  It was all I could think about. I needed him. I didn't stop him when he rocked a little more. Instead, I pushed down, seating him inside of me entirely. Yes. That was what I needed. His eyes shot open.

  "Ariel," panic coated his voice.

  I clenched my sex around him, squeezing his dick. "Mmm, I need you," I purred.

  He grabbed my hips, holding me in place. "I'll hurt you."

  "I need you," I repeated, squeezing his cock with all my muscles.

  He groaned in response, and I have no idea why I did it, but I bit his shoulder, and I wouldn't let go. That sparked something in Ryker, making him give in to my body's demands. He pumped in and out, and I just needed to feel full of him.

  I released his skin from my teeth, and I knew I drew blood, but I held no remorse. What was happening to me?

  "Roll me on top. I need to be fully in you," he demanded.

  I saw his wolf blaze in his eyes, and it made me feel powerful for some reason. I didn't feel like myself. I was empowered in a way I'd never been before. He rolled us so that I was on top. I situated myself, so he was completely rooted inside of me. He tried to pump, but I growled. I fucking growled!

  "Don't you move! I need every inch of you inside of me. Let me work you."

  His wolf blazed, and I swear, for a second, I saw his face morph. "Fuck me, Ariel. Have at it."

  I rocked back and forth and gripped his dick inside as I did it. "Yes."

  "More," he panted. "Jesus, the way you're gripping me."

  I continued to move back and forth, but not up and down. I needed him inside of me. I needed to be full of him. Need. Need. The thoughts moved through my mind like a mantra. I needed to orgasm, but more than that, I needed him to fill me up and come inside of me. The need was so strong, it felt like a hot current pulsing through me.

  I was singularly focused—possessed by my desire.

  Ryker's hands gripped my hips. I'd never been this brazen—never felt this wild. I relished in the feel of him and the power riding him gave me.

  I was getting close. I needed him to get there. I rocked harder and faster, swirling my hips in circles and clenching my muscles.

  "Fuck," Ryker roared out, and I felt my muscles tighten, and my climax began at the same time I felt him coming inside of me. It was glorious. My mind screamed yes, yes, yes. Then my vision went blue.

  "No, Gods dammit, no!" Ryker yelled, then everything went black.

  Chapter Fourteen

  I heard the clashing of swords, steel against steel. I was dreaming again. I'd been here before. It was so odd that I knew that! The warrior with red eyes spotted me. His horse galloped towards me at a speed I'd never seen before. My instincts screamed that I should run. I looked for the man I thought was Ryker, but I didn't see him. Fires seemed to blaze everywhere. People screamed out in agony. I had to find a place to run to. He was getting closer. My ring pulsed black, and I knew something terrible would happen if I didn't get away from him. He was getting closer even though my feet were moving fast, taking me in the opposite direction.

  "No!" I heard a voice roar. "You can't have her."

  Then I saw him, my wolf. He was coming for me. He charged in my direction. His long black fur splattered with blood as he ran at full speed toward me. Other wolves appeared at his flank, and they pounced on anyone that came anywhere close to my wolf.

  "I'm coming for you. Run faster." I heard in my head. How I knew it was my wolf communicating with me, I had no idea, but I did. I put everything I had into my speed, moving my legs faster than I'd ever done before. Everything was a blur around me, but I knew the man on the horse was still hot on my heels.

  Flames rose in front of me, making me stop and cutting off my access to my wolf. I darted to the side, and flames rose there too. I heard a loud neigh and turned to see how close he was. He was right there, pulling back the reins.

  "Why do you run from me?" his voice had a deep timbre as he dismounted the horse and stalked toward me. I held my dagger in my hand, prepared to defen
d myself. "You know why," I said in a voice that wasn't like my own.

  "Give me the light," he demanded.

  "I am the light."

  "Then you must die."

  I BLINKED MY EYES OPEN. The early morning sun rays were filtering into the room. To me, Ryker's massive naked back was slouched forward, and his head was in his hands. I placed my hand at the small of his back, causing him to jerk. "Hey," I said sleepily.

  He turned toward me. His eyes were red-rimmed. "Ariel?" he questioned.

  "I did it again, didn't I?" I rubbed my hand along his back, wanting to comfort him, and he jerked away from me.

  "Don't touch me."

  I felt like I'd been slapped, and dread filled my stomach. "Did I hurt you?"

  I watched as he closed his eyes, held them shut for a long moment, then reopened them dejectedly. "It's me that, somehow, has hurt you. I should've stopped you. I should've stopped myself. I wasn't strong enough to resist the pull of you, and I almost lost you again."

  "Hold up. It was me that was all wanton, and I'm okay. I'm not even in pain. My body feels great." I sat up and stretched my arms over my head. The sheet fell, exposing my breasts. His eyes momentarily moved to them, and I could sense the stir in his cock. Well, hello, super-spidey-sex-senses. I ignored this thought and tried to talk this out with him. "I'm not sure what came over me, but if what you said about fated mates is true, which based on how focused I was on getting you to come, then could we really have stopped it?"

  His eyes squinted on me. "You could've died. I have no idea what is happening to you, and I should've been stronger. It's not anything to make light of, Ariel."

  "Elle."

  He glared at me.

  "What happened?" I asked again.

  "We orgasmed, and you passed out."

  "Damn, it must've been one hell of an orgasm." I attempted to lighten the mood.

  "Your body locked up. You felt hotter than hell on the inside, but your skin felt frozen. I've no idea what's happening to you, but what I do know is that my seed is affecting you."

  "Look, if all I did was pass out and my temperature changed a little, then I think that's not that big of a deal."

  "Not that big of a deal!" He was pissed. "Yesterday, you almost drowned, and since then, I thought you were dying—twice!—and both times, I was buried to the hilt inside of you."

  I understood why he was upset about what happened. However, I felt like his anger was misdirected. I wanted to reassure him that I was okay and that he didn't hurt me. His back was to me still, so I slipped out of bed and stood in front of him. It didn't matter that I was naked. I felt like we were well beyond that.

  He closed his eyes when I stood in front of him. It was like he didn't want to look at me. "None of this is your fault."

  His eyes remained shut, so I grabbed his hand and linked his fingers with mine. His touch immediately made me feel more energized. "I don't know what is happening here or why, but I know it's not your fault. I've been dreaming about you," I finally shared.

  The door to the bedroom opened.

  "I think I found something," Reece said as he walked in.

  Suddenly, Ryker was in front of me in his wolf form, growling. He shifted so fast; I didn't even blink before he was his wolf. He snarled at Reece as he protectively tried to cover me.

  "Whoa, Ryk. It's me. Your brother. I don't mean any harm."

  Ryker snapped his teeth.

  I had a feeling that my nakedness was part of his problem, so I grabbed the blanket from the bed and wrapped it around me. "Ryker. It's okay. He's not here to hurt me. Are you, Reece?"

  "No, Ryk. I found something, that's all. I was excited. I should've knocked. I'm sorry. I'll go." He began to move backward and out the open door. Mindy showed up at the door, and the hackles on Ryker raised. I was beyond afraid that Ryker would attack one of his siblings.

  "Shit," Mindy cursed.

  "He changed so fast," Reece rushed out, telling Mindy. Ryker snapped his teeth and moved toward his brother.

  "Ryker, stop." I threw my arms around him, somehow, unafraid of his snarling wolf. I scratched him behind his ears, then moved close to his face. "It's okay. They're your family. I'm fine. Don't worry."

  "Elle, maybe you should step away from him. I've never seen him act like this. What if he snaps?" Mindy was worried about me.

  "That's his fated mate. He's not going to snap," Reece said.

  The two of them talking was irritating Ryker. His ears pricked, and I knew they needed to shut up and get out of here.

  I thought about what dogs liked, and I gently pet him, cooing, "Ryker, I need you to relax. Reece..." at saying his brother's name, Ryker snapped his teeth, snarling. "All right, you don't want me to say his name." I continued stroking his fur. "He has something that might help us. What if helping us helps me? You want to help me, don't you?" I stroked down his chest, ready to pet his belly. He let me do this, and I could feel his tension releasing.

  "What is she doing?" Mindy whispered to Reece.

  "Looks like she's taming the beast."

  His ears perked up again.

  "Would you two be quiet? He feels protective, and every time you talk, he's about half a second away from eating you."

  "Not sure it's us he wants to eat," Reece snickered.

  Ryker broke from my embrace, and he lunged towards his brother, pinning him against the wall with his snarling teeth. Reece looked panicked, knowing he had gone too far. I had to make this stop. I had to do something. Remembering my dream and how we seemed to communicate without talking, I moved to him, put my head against his, and in my mind, I yelled, "Ryker, stop."

  Ryker's head snapped to me. I think it worked! "Ryker, listen to me. He means me no harm."

  "You're mine," Ryker said back in my freaking head. How weird was that, right!

  "I know. He knows it too. Now, back down because if you hurt your brother, I'm not sure I could forgive you."

  Ryker released his brother, and I moved back toward the bed and patted it. "Let them leave," I said out loud. Ryker seemed to understand me because he hopped up on the bed, and I sat beside him. "Go," I ordered Mindy and Reece.

  Both of them scrambled away, closing us in the bedroom, and I laid next to my wolf, petting him. He was massive, yet, I had no fear. I knew he was trying to protect me. "It's okay. They're gone. The wolf cuddled next to me and threw a paw over me. He was warm, and I was still wrapped in a blanket, so I was downright hot, but I had to ignore it. I needed to calm Ryker down enough that he would change back. I'm not sure how long we laid with him snuggled around me, but I felt myself getting sleepy. My eyes drifted shut, and before I knew it, I was out again.

  I REAWAKEN TO FIND a naked sleeping Ryker next to me. "Ryker," I whispered, gently shaking his shoulder. "Ryker."

  His eyes snapped open, and he took me in. I knew my hair had to be the most unmanageable crazy thing, so I tried to tamper it down, which caused Ryker to grin. "Are you better?" I asked.

  "Do you mean, am I about to shift again? Not that I know of, but I think it's safe to say my wolf did not like anyone walking in when you had no clothes on."

  "How about I shower, and we can figure out what that was all about. Is that the bathroom?" I nodded to a closed door.

  "Closet. There's no ensuite. It's off the hallway." Ryker stood and pulled on boxer briefs, then found an oversized t-shirt on the ground and handed it to me. "Put this on."

  I did as he said and watched as he opened the door and hollered, "Mindy."

  He held the door slightly closed, and I realized Mindy must've come running when he called her because it took not a second for him to speak. "I need you to find something for her to wear. Once you do, put them in the bathroom and give one knock on the door. Make sure no one is on this floor or comes to this floor. I can't have anyone near her while she showers or is naked."

  "Holy shit, Ryk."

  "I know, Mins. I know."

  He closed the door, and we waited. There was an awkward silence that I felt I needed to fill, "So I take it, that's not how the wolf thing normally happens?"

  He glared at me.