Ancient Ties (Pale Moonlight (Wolf Shifters Romance) Book 2) Read online

  His conflicted emotions were apparent in what little moonlight filtered through the pines. The thick band of his arousal throbbed between them. Refusal faded in his gaze when he focused on her mouth. He dropped his head and their lips met.

  Fire stormed though her. She was so hot. Parting her legs allowed him to sink between them. It didn’t make sense that she needed to be closer to him to make the burn feel better, but she didn’t care. Her head no longer hurt, the exquisite weight of his body, the dark cove that was theirs alone, and being in her most comfortable form after so many debilitating shifts all combined to fuel this moment.

  He started gentle, but she needed more. Her tongue brushed across the seam of his lips and her body responded to his taste. Pressure mounted between her legs and the heat pouring off her created a sheen of sweat across them both.

  She bit and nibbled at his lips. Sensing her urgency, he gripped her leg to bring it up to his side and angled his shaft at her entrance.

  She moaned and ran her hands down his back to clench his ass. Her reaction encouraged him like she meant it to. He impaled her with a swift thrust.

  Breaking contact, she turned her face away to cry, “Yes.”

  It wasn’t an adequate word but it encompassed everything her body called for. Pleasure from the aggravating male who hooked onto her every thought.

  He withdrew and slammed into her again. She gasped, but didn’t release her grip on his butt. Sultry kisses trailed down her neck, over her collarbone, farther until he latched onto one taut nipple. Her hands skimmed up his back to cradle his head to her.

  With his every push, she met him with equal force. Dirt abraded her back, but the chafing released some of the pent-up emotion. God, her unstable emotions, they caused the searing heat, fueled and stoked it. She was so damn frustrated, and mad. Angry at herself for passing out after every shift, pissed that she couldn’t keep from wanting Chayton, upset with him for making her feel this way but refusing to be with her, his mate.

  A growl escaped her, mixed with Chayton’s grunts. His teeth clamped at her breast, nothing but delicious pain.

  His hips bucked wildly, her climax built with each thrust, her face was still turned away. Raw sex. That’s all it was and it was perfect.

  She gasped before her orgasm slammed home. Her back bowed, her cry echoed into the night, and she registered Chayton’s last push. Her body was finally cooling off even as his hot release spilled inside her.

  They shook and trembled together. At some point, his head came to rest between her breasts. They trembled together, heaving for breath.

  If there wasn’t steam coming off of them, she’d be surprised. She’d look, but her eyelids suddenly weighed at least eighty pounds. Sleep pulled her under just as Chayton rolled them to their sides with her in his embrace.

  Chapter Seven

  Faint rays of light brightened the early morning sky. Chayton lay on his back with one arm thrown behind his head, his other arm curled around slumbering Kaitlyn.

  He hadn’t slept at all. How could he after his guilt at forcing her to go through shift after shift transitioned to mind-blowing sex? Their coupling probably lasted all of two minutes. Best two minutes ever spent.

  Sweet Mother, how was he supposed to go through bonding with another female after that? Already his memories of being with Tika had faded, but he knew it was like comparing a night on eight-count sheets to eight-hundred-count sheets. Fuck, even that was too narrow of a comparison.

  And he was hard again.

  No more. If he had sex with Kaitlyn again, he didn’t know if he’d be strong enough to refrain from marking her.

  Maybe he should tell her. Maybe they could work something out, find a solution. She had the skills to stay alive if Mato sought revenge against her, or just wanted to take out his anger on her instead of Chayton.

  What would Ahte think? His father wouldn’t take breaking an oath lightly, especially one as significant as a blood vow. Then there was Kaitlyn’s family history and her bloodlines, or lack of any heritage.

  What were his choices? Fail his father, Mato and his daughter, and his whole village, or disappoint Kaitlyn. Once he mated Tika, he’d have to move back home. No more Kaitlyn.

  An ache blossomed in his chest.

  He gently disengaged from Kaitlyn. She stirred and murmured something before her eyes fluttered open. His gut clenched at the intelligent green eyes that searched for his.

  “We need to go.” His gruff tone made him sound angry, and he was, dammit. For making a vow only a foolish, immature shifter would make. He hadn’t been young by any means, but two centuries had passed without a hint that he’d meet his destined mate. It gave a guy the wrong idea, the impression that he’d be alone for centuries, or worse, grow feral from the lack of a mating bond and become one of the depraved individuals he hunted for a living.

  Confusion and hurt flickered in her gaze, but was quickly replaced with a neutral expression. “What’s the plan for today?”

  He dug through his bag, extracted two protein bars, and tossed one to Kaitlyn. Raw meat was preferred, but taking the time to hunt hindered their search.

  She snatched it out of the air and sat up, unashamed of her glorious nudity. His desire had to be obvious, it’s why he sat with his back half turned to her.

  “I go in wolf form. You take your rifle and follow.”

  The both chewed their meager breakfast.

  “And if I see them?” She tugged her clothes closer to her to sort through them. “Shoot to kill?”

  He turned fully away. Starting the day with her in his arms was difficult enough. Watching her dress would be torture. “After what we saw, we have more than enough to execute all four of them.”

  The sooner the rogues were killed, the sooner he and Kaitlyn went their separate ways.

  His stomach roiled. No, his body did not like that thought. Not at all.

  “I can pack our gear.” Shuffling sounds behind him meant she was dressing.

  He steadied his gaze into the trees, not daring to look back until she was clothed head-to-toe. “If you can haul it, we won’t have to return.” I won’t have to be reminded about the erotic quickie. As if he’d ever forget. “We can make a wider arc around the colony.”

  He packed his things. More like shuffled it around because it was already loaded. When he sensed she was completely done, he double-checked that she was ready.

  What a beautiful female. Her standard copper braid hung down her back, and black tactical attire accentuated every curve. A long rifle was slung across her back, its shoulder strap resting between her breasts like Chayton had done hours ago.

  How could she be so enticingly feminine, yet tough and soldierlike at the same time? It wasn’t just his bias because she was his mate.

  Every male she swayed those hips past dropped his jaw. Her striking hair alone was enough for that, but the confidence in her stride and her zest for life endeared her to others immediately.

  She’d make someone a lucky mate someday.

  Rage rose swiftly within him. He flowed into his wolf before it took over and he claimed her there to make a point.

  If she sensed his sudden change in mood, she ignored it. He spun out, chunks of dirt flying up behind him. His rage found an outlet in the run. Behind him, he heard Kaitlyn’s steady footsteps. Her fitness level would allow her to run for hours, but Chayton set a moderate pace. They’d covered many miles the previous night, and while the rogues could be moving forward, toward them, he wanted to cover a larger radius before dark. It wasn’t a fact that the group they searched for targeted Spirit Moon, but something inside Chayton screamed that they would.

  Hours passed before Chayton wove his way through the trees to a lake nestled into a natural bowl formation in the terrain. It was the nearest lake of the Four Waters grouping. He ordered Kaitlyn to drink and refuel with an energy bar. He did the same, only his fuel was still kicking when he devoured it.

  He and Kaitlyn hadn’t said any more bet
ween them. As he had ran and scented the environment for hints of the rogues, his concentration continuously faltered and swung toward the sexy redhead. For the thousandth time, he wondered if he shouldn’t tell her why he acted the way he did. He’d already alluded to how his colony might treat her and that was correct; look at how he’d reacted to her.

  Licking his chops, he scanned their surroundings. Blue water glittered from the sun, offsetting the surrounding green. Its smell was fresher thanks to the lower temps.

  Crackles from Kaitlyn’s wrapper could barely be heard. She incorporated stealth into everything she did in the field. Had she been like that as a human?

  He could ask her.

  Nah. Tasting her, being inside of her, made it hard enough to walk away. Getting to know her just hurt them both.

  Kaitlyn quenched her thirst after she ate; then it was his turn. He approached the water’s edge. Small rocks bit into his feet, but he followed the normal path of wildlife in the area. Cold water sluiced down his throat. He guessed they’d covered ten miles. Not much if they were on the road, but the forest offered several more obstacles.

  Distant barks perked his ears. He raised his head, water dripping off his chin. He sensed Kaitlyn finish loading her pack and shrugging it on. Chayton backed slowly away from the water’s edge, constantly scanning around him.

  More barks filtered through the trees.

  They’re on our left. Kaitlyn had made it back farther, effectively camouflaging herself. Chayton hadn’t reached cover yet when the fur rose on his back. He heard a quick intake of breath from Kaitlyn and his eyes drifted up.

  The ridge that bordered the other side of the lake was covered in pines, but Chayton made out four forms between them.

  We go after them. He continued backing up.

  I have my sights centered. I can take the shot. Her steady answer held no doubt that she wouldn’t miss.

  From this far away? Chayton forced himself not to look at her in case the rogues hadn’t discovered her. Silver-laced bullets?

  Absolutely.

  Take the shot.

  The last word left his mind when the blast sounded. It echoed through the trees. One of the four forms whipped backward, his yelp darkly satisfying to Chayton. A mutiny of barks broke out.

  He glanced at Kaitlyn. She was on her belly, leg kicked out to the side, rifle to her nose, steadying on another target.

  She blew out a breath and hopped up. She slung the rifle back over her shoulder. “Too much movement. I can’t get a good sight.”

  Chayton swung his head back. She was right. They were gone. He concentrated and detected movement. They’re coming this way.

  “Yes.” Her hard expression followed the rogues’ advance. “Most shifters run the other way after a silver encounter.”

  They’re rogues and they know it’s just you and me.

  Kaitlyn withdrew a pistol from the waist holster wrapped around her hips. “These bullets haven’t been dipped in a silver wash. They won’t kill them, but a shot between the eyes slows a shifter the fuck down.”

  Nice. No wonder Commander Fitzsimmons relied on her shooting skills. Fangs and claws were Chayton’s best weapons. He studied their surroundings, this time not for concealment but for confrontation.

  If we wait here, they’ll know we’re waiting for them. Circle around the lake toward them, but no farther than the east edge, before it turns into a dropoff. We can use the trees and the rocks but still have room to fight.

  Got it.

  Chayton led the way. Frenzied barks echoed all around them. He made out two males and the female. Kaitlyn had killed one of the males. Too bad it was the one who had triggered the flashback and paralyzed her the last time they fought.

  Snarls of rage reached him before he saw three forms flowing around tree trunks. Could Kaitlyn hit a moving target while she was also moving?

  Her gun blasted behind him. A yelp rang out and the pale wolf jerked sideways but recovered and kept charging.

  A hundred more yards and he’d encounter the first shifter. Another blast fired. Bark flew off a tree trunk, but Kaitlyn’s shot missed.

  Bared teeth and fangs lunged to meet Chayton. Kaitlyn fired another shot. The wolf he was facing flinched and yelped, but his momentum carried forward until he collided with Chayton.

  Their teeth smashed against each other. Blood welled in Chayton’s mouth, a mix of both of theirs.

  Claws ripped down his side with a stream of burning agony from the torn flesh. Chayton whipped his head back and forth until he had a clear path to the rogue’s neck. He grabbed the opening and sunk his fangs into the flesh. The rogue thrashed and tried to howl. He and Chayton whipped around in circles as the rogue frantically tried to free himself. Chayton ground his jaws, searching for the jugular to bleed the fucker out.

  More gunshots were heard. He raised his eyes as far as he could. Kaitlyn faced off against the other two wolves, who were using the trees for protection.

  Kaitlyn feinted right, then left and tricked the female to reveal a flank. Kaitlyn took the shot and the rogue fell to her haunches. The other rogue sent out a commanding howl.

  Chayton used his limbs to fend off swipes by the male he held. He opened his mouth wider and bit down harder. Blood streamed into his mouth. Jackpot. Seconds passed and the rogue he held grew weak.

  The other two rogues managed to flank Kaitlyn. His mate pulled another gun out and held both out to either side.

  Badass.

  Chayton needed just a few more seconds before the rogue he grappled with was subdued.

  Again, his hackles raised. What the—

  He sensed the fourth rogue before he saw the dark shadow jump for Kaitlyn.

  Behind you! His jaw dropped, releasing his prey. The rogue collapsed to the ground.

  Kaitlyn spun, her arm rose higher to shoot the shifter, but he was too fast. Chayton lunged as Kaitlyn switched to defensive tactics to keep the wolf’s jaws away from her too-human, too-fragile throat.

  The gun fell to the ground. Kaitlyn was shoved back to the ground with the male on top of her, his claws planted into her belly. She grunted, her blood tinged the air. Her arms were getting ripped to shreds from his fangs, but she kept the male from getting a good purchase on her. Blood bloomed across the shifter’s side from Kaitlyn’s earlier shot. Why hadn’t the silver killed him yet? Had it been just a flesh wound? Couldn’t he just lie down and die?

  Chayton bared his teeth at the setback. The male Chayton had fought hadn’t recovered yet, but the remaining two stalked Chayton. Both were bleeding from gunshot wounds, but not enough to adequately weaken them.

  The male’s eyes unfocused for a split second. Damn, they were communicating, plotting.

  The female darted to the side, the male lunged. Chayton had no choice but to take on the male, but he didn’t trust what the female was up to.

  He sensed the change in air when the female shifted. With a howl, Chayton shoved the male off of him and spun, only he was too late. The female had snatched up one of the guns and pointed it at him.

  A moving target was harder to hit. Fire lanced his gut as a blast rang out. She plugged two more into him. Chayton felt like his insides wanted to heave out of his mouth. He staggered midstep and dropped. His face hit the ground. With his last threads of energy, he turned to Kaitlyn.

  She grunted and threw the male off of her. His limp form landed with a thud, the silver finally doing him in.

  Kaitlyn…

  Fuzziness bordered Chayton’s vision. The last image he saw was Kaitlyn’s body jerk one, two, three, four times. The rogue emptied the clip into his mate. She stumbled back. He feared she’d tumble over the edge, hoped she did to get away.

  Chayton’s mind swelled to bursting. He realized he was screaming her name.

  A familiar howl sounded in the distance. Chayton fell quiet, like his body had, there was not enough blood left pumping through his veins. His lids drifted shut.

  He sensed the rogues, but heard scuffl
ing and a splash.

  “Let her go,” a gruff voice said. The remaining male must’ve shifted. “We’ll take this one and make him pay. She’ll come find us and we can finish her off.”

  Rough hands grabbed Chayton and hauled his body up. He didn’t let blackness claim him until it registered that Kaitlyn had gotten away.

  ***

  A warm nose nudged her chin.

  Kaitlyn batted it away, mumbling something, but her words came out garbled. Had she been sucking on pennies? The copper taste overwhelmed everything.

  A sound like gentle waves lapping on the shore surrounded her. Then a whine and more of that damn nose nudging her.

  “What?” She groaned and tried roll over. Rocks dug into her side. Waves and rocks. Where was she?

  The last moments before she blacked out hit her. Shot with her own weapon. Throwing her gear into the lake, but she’d fallen in after it.

  What a fucking coward. Her intention had been to keep any more of her gear from being used against them, but she’d ended up abandoning Chayton to those heartless bastards.

  Then who was nudging her?

  She peeled her eyes open.

  It was dark. She’d been out for hours.

  I pulled you onto the shore.

  The unfamiliar male’s voice entered her thoughts. It wasn’t unwelcome, just strange. Her gaze landed on him and widened. She choked back a startled yell. The white shifter she’d seen on the first day of this cursed mission towered over her. Bigger than any wolf she’d seen, with a hunched stance because he was more like a cross between a furred man and a wolf. Like a werewolf.

  “You’re the ancient? Cian?” Her voice came out hoarse.

  He ducked his head. I followed you from Valley Moon, but I was too late.

  She blinked. “Why?”

  You have a vehicle. He sat down, but it didn’t decrease his size any.

  “No. Why did you follow me?”

  This time he blinked and looked away. You look like your mother.

  She sat up and immediately regretted it. Searing pain ping-ponged through her insides. How many times had she been shot?