SHADOW
“Stop. Did you even sleep?” My mind protested, but my body betrayed me the moment his mouth went to my breast, sucking my nipple. His hand cupped and kneaded the other, pinching and tugging the tiny bud in a torturous way.
My back arched. My heart hammered so madly. Part of me didn’t know if it was burning or thawing. I loved how he made me feel and how I sag against him.
The bite on my bottom lip tightened, and it would draw blood if I put a little more pressure on my teeth.
Califf didn’t stop. In fact, he was enjoying it too much, grinning, and so did my wolf, purring in delight. He let go of one hand, delving into my pajama bottom and panties, pulling them down my thighs.
One moment, he was on top of me; the next second, he was throwing my clothes on the floor, and I was spread wide— my sex was exposed at his mercy.
“Califf.” I groaned loudly. “We’re at my father’s house. We have a mission.”
“Fuck the mission. Fuck sleeping.” His fingertips found my soaking wet slit. “I can multitask once I’m thoroughly done with you.”
I squirmed, trying to press my thighs together. He quickly pinned my hips and spread my legs apart as he positioned himself between them. I could easily kick him and escape, but I was too wet and turned on, and I couldn’t deny him when we still had time for an orgasm before my father and Zarah arrived.
I bucked and gasped as I felt his tongue barely touch my clit. Evidently, my mate had quite the talented tongue I’d known the first time he was between my legs.
“Mine,” he said before he covered my sex with his mouth, giving a good suck.
“Califf!” I screamed. My body throbbed with desire, grinding my hips against his mouth. My hand went to his hair, grabbing a handful as I pressed his head down, seeking more pleasure.
As he flicked his tongue on my clit, he sank deep two fingers inside me to his knuckles. It was a sweet torment as he thrust and deepened further. Then he started to pump them in and out at a slow, painful pace.
I writhed in need as he worked my body. All I could hear was my breathing and the wet sound of my sex. Incoherent words spilled out of my mouth until he dragged me out to my orgasm, breaking me into bliss.
“God!” Another delirious scream echoed in the entire room, the kind of scream that could wake up the dead. I wailed as my orgasm hit. My body gave out, spasming with aftershocks. My eyes were huge, my chest heaving as I tried to gulp for air.
I hadn’t taken a breath as he pulled his fingers out and shoved them into his mouth, sucking them clean. He was already on top of me, capturing my mouth, allowing me to taste my own orgasm.
When I thought I was turned on earlier, I was wrong. I was beyond turned on if it was even possible. I could feel every inch of my body buzzing, making me wetter as I tasted myself on his tongue. It was mortifying and embarrassing to admit that it was beyond erotic, and I liked it.
I sucked my taste off his mouth, grinding my hips against his hard erection, making him groan in satisfaction.
A tremor passed through me. “I want you, Alpha. Fuck me, or you’re dead.”
***
“You shouldn’t have told her, Zarah,” my father, Sebastien, protested about how Zarah handled the hunters’ situation.
“Why not?” I stabbed the asparagus harshly before shoving it into my mouth. I was more of a meat type of gal, but this was also well-seasoned, and thinking alone of the latest problem made me hungrier. I stressed-eat.
“These hunters are human and don’t stand a chance against us. We could handle this situation,” Califf said confidently, despite his edge.
“What made you say they are humans?”
“Why would they kill werewolves if they are not humans?” Califf replied.
“There were no bite marks, claw marks, and slashes on their victims,” Zarah said. “You can’t underestimate the human, Alpha King. They are well-equipped with advanced weaponry, and your kind and werewolf may be fast, but so are their bullets, and they know your weaknesses, which are deadly to you.”
“She’s right, father.”
“I’ve handled many battles. I’ve killed many of their kinds. I’m confident I can end this threat before it escalates.”
“Don’t be so confident, Sebastien. You’ve forgotten one thing. Your kind is limited in numbers.”
“Then I will play dirty. How about I will kill their family once I know their identity.”
I rolled my eyes. “You can’t just go there, murdering people. We signed a treaty not to harm humans.”
“Why not?” He looked at me, deadly and fiercely. “They’re murdering werewolves, and they will come next to us. Didn’t you hear Zarah? We’re limited in number, and I can feel you’re not with a pup—”
“Father—” I groaned and pursed my lips.
He raised a hand regrettably. “My apology, child.”
“Why don’t you make pups your own?” My eyes narrowed. “You’re as capable as me.”
“If he would, he could, but he’s not capable of producing another heir,” Zarah said, getting a glare from my father.
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve been silent, son.” Sebastien turned his attention to Califf, ignoring my lack of sense of respect for his privacy.
“Are these hunters all humans? Are you sure?”
“We don’t know yet. Why did you ask?”
“I’m sure the dead man outside my territory is unrelated to the hunters.”
“Are you sure it’s not a member of your pack?” Zarah asked. “Just ruling out all the possibilities. And human is always a prey, Califf.”
“My enforcers are still investigating. It looks like a werewolf did it, but none of my pack members came to confess to such a horrendous act. So the new sheriff ruled out an animal attack, but I can’t help but wonder why a werewolf hurt a human. Also, I want to know how did you find out that hunters killed those alphas?”
“The hunters usually have their signature kill. They are calm and spend days scouting their prey. They are highly organized, and it happens fast when they make their moves. You won’t see it coming. They choose the big guys, the ones hard to take down. Sometimes, they left marks on their victims, a ritual hunt, an act of domination. They brand the victim with their emblem, a symbol of arrow and a crescent moon.”
The longer I listened to my father, the more I became terrified. And if I could read his reaction, he knew all about these hunters than he let on, or it must be written somewhere in Lycans and Werewolves’ books.
“So the legend is true.”
“The legendary werewolf hunter’s dead, Califf,” Zarah cut in. “This is a new group of hunters. Probably copycats or someone reestablishes the old guild. If I study based on what they do, they are highly trained mercenaries who probably had military backgrounds. They are humans who know your kind and hold grudges against you.”
“There’s this new sheriff who knows about us,” I told Zarah. “When he came, an attack happened. Could he be one of them, trying to blend in so he could tell his leader about us?”
“I don’t think so,” Zarah replied.
“What made you think he’s innocent? You said it yourself. These hunters are calm and scout their prey before they attack.”
“Baby, they scout. They don’t show themselves.” Califf gripped my knee, but I felt his tension. He was worried.
“Maybe they change tactics to take us all in one attack.” I looked at my father as I emitted a sense of horror.
“Calm down, daughter. I have connections in the government. These hunters will mess up, leave trails and their DNA, and once they do, I will hunt them myself. I will make sure they won’t reach your territory. I promise you.”
“I’m still recovering from the last attack, and now here’s another threat. What else are we going to face? It’s never-ending.”
“In the meantime, tell your pack to be vigilant. These hunters are nothing like Keane Locke. Keane Locke was just a thug who made messes and showed off. And this threat is a big deal, a pain in the ass, and targeting the big bad wolves.”
“Like us,” Califf said to my father. “I’m pretty sure Lycans are one of their targets, too.”
“Yes. They know we exist.”
“Father, you just said not to worry, and then you followed up that these hunters are a pain in the ass. I think I need a drink.” I grabbed the wine glass and drank it empty before I gestured to the servant. “Please?”
Zarah said when he came to fill the glass, “You need to train, Shadow. And you, Alpha, you need to train your enforcers. Once they hit your neighboring packs and allies, they declared war on werewolves, Lycans, and us witches, but we can’t guarantee safety.”
“Who are they, father? You must have known who they are since you’ve gotten the news weeks ago,” I asked after I drunk half of the wine. My pulse raced further.
“No one has claimed any involvement. They’re like ghosts, leaving no trails but dead bodies.”
“Right. Very helpful.”
“How do they kill their victims?” Califf asked.
“Beheading, burning, silver bullets, mercury poisoning, crossbows, but they never left an arrow.”
“So, now we’re hunting ghosts. Great. Or ghosts are hunting us.”
CALIFF “It’s been a while, Knight. How have you been?” “Alpha Califf, thanks for the call. And I’m great. Business is good, and the pack is good. How is married life treating you or threatening you?” he asked with a laugh. I laughed as I watched Shadow shoot a glare at me. Of course, she heard every word Knight said. “You just take the word out of my mouth. Shadow heard what you said. Life is good. You should find your mate, Knight. You’re at the right age to have a mate. And trust me, life and pack would be better with a Luna by your side.” “I wish it was that easy. I’m handling the winery business and the pack together. My hands are full right now. I don’t think I have time for a relationship.” “You will, and you will find the time. Things will fall in the right places. I wasn’t ready either when I met my mate. There were threats, my pack was in danger, and my mate was a rogue and, apparently, a Lycan, but we helped each other stop the threats. If I can do it, so can you.” “Hm
SHADOW “Agh!” I grunted in frustration. Zarah was losing her patience with me. I’d been trying to light up a candle for three hours, but it didn’t even smoke or create a spark. I did exactly as she asked, but nothing was happening. I exhaled, trying to concentrate or swore I had given up. “Shadow.” She stopped me. “I can do this.” I closed my eyes again. “Yes, you can, but your heart and mind are not on the task— they’re everywhere. With your mate, your pack, and those hunters. You’re wasting your energy and my time if you don’t focus. If you want to learn—” “I want to learn. I need to learn.” I glared at her. “What do you think I’ve been doing for the last couple of hours if not trying my best? But maybe this isn’t for me. Maybe I shouldn’t use my gift.” She shook her head. Disappointment flashed over her face. “This is why you’re failing because of your desperation to learn quickly. I thought Aira was the hardest I had ever taught, but you’re worse.” “Ouch. You just hurt my
CALIFF I didn’t like it very much when someone paid me a visit to the compound for a non-pack business. I value my privacy very much. How did he find my address? I handled company-related in my office in the city. That was why I had a pad to separate business and pack concerns. Duke met me at the parking area outside the pack house with a frown on his face. “Who is it, Duke?” “A human. Calder Haynes.” My brows furrowed. “A human? I don’t know anyone by that name. What does he want with me? Why didn’t he arrange a meeting somewhere in the city, and why here?” “I wish I could tell you more, Alpha.” He lowered his voice, but something concerning in his actions formed a knot in my stomach. “Where is he?” I had just finished my words when a man as tall as me, almost around my age or older, appeared from nowhere in his well-tailored dark suit, but his face was more alarming. “Califf Stone.” He stared at me for a beat before offering his hand. It was evening, but I could see him
SHADOW I couldn’t believe this was happening. I couldn’t blame Califf for going off the deep end. I didn’t know that man and his true intention. Everyone could play a good guy and manipulate a picture, but he had something up his sleeve. I also felt terrible for him and my mate. I felt Califf’s emotions— his confusion and rage, but he didn’t have to act like a big bad wolf in front of his guest. “Hey.” Kindra met me at the door. “So, who’s the handsome guest?” “I don’t know if this is my secret to tell, but apparently, he’s Califf’s half-brother.” “What?” She held my arms, eyes widening. “You can’t joke something like that, Shadow.” I sighed. “I wish I were, but I was shocked, too. Still, I am.” “It must have been horrifying to Alpha. How is he doing?” I nodded. “Yeah. He’s brooding and mad and kicked that poor man out.” “I can’t blame him, though. I mean, why now? Wait.” She stared at me. “Is he—” “He smells more human.” I shook my head. “He said he hadn’t shifted, but he f
CALIFF I meant to go slow, but Shadow let me fuck her. Her scent was exotic and intoxicating. The overwhelming look on her face and the way her breasts bounced as I fucked her, and the way her inner muscles clamped down around me made my control lose fast. She had already come once and was about to hit another climax. Denying her primal urge to come, she gaped at me. Her eyes were huge, her chest heaving as she gulped for air. “Do you want to come?” “Califf.” She growled in disobedience, rocking against me. “Then promise me you won’t pull that act again.” “Fuck you. You know you can’t make me bend and bow down on you, Alphasshole.” Her eyes narrowed to slits. She was flushed, and now she turned scarlet, but her pink nipples pearled hard with her arousal. “We’ll see about that.” I slammed my cock inside her, hitting bottom. Her tits bounced. Her tight, slick heat was drenched with her wetness. “Califf!” She shrieked. Her voice was sharp and shaky. “Yes, mate?” I pulled out a
SHADOW “Okay. That’s enough for today.” “But I lit up a candle, didn’t I?” I giggled. My smile was ear-to-ear. She sighed with an eye-roll. “This is not about how you learn to light up a fire.” “Then what is it about that I’ve been doing for the whole week?” I asked begrudgingly. I’d wasted so much time and energy, and she just told me it wasn’t helpful. “It’s about your focus, your control, learning about yourself. You already figured out your gift. All you have to do is master it. Concentration and control are important, or you will hurt yourself. Before this training, how’s your senses?” “I think I have heightened than werewolves, even Califf.” “So you can focus on something but have trouble when you’re away from your mate?” “What do you mean?” I blew the candle and got up. “You can’t depend on your strength from your mate. I know people said you’re stronger when you’re together.” “I didn’t say that.” Well, I could focus on my senses when I was with Califf, even when I ha
SHADOW I didn’t ask how did Califf get Calder’s address. I was sure he had his number, too. We showered and changed to something nice before heading to his brother’s address. “Please, be nice?” I linked our hands as we entered the lobby of Calder’s nice apartment building. “Me? Of course.” His smile didn’t convince me. He seemed to have his own agenda. I knew I didn’t change his mind, giving Calder a chance to know each other, but I would figure out what was up on his sleeve. We got into the elevator and punched the number five button. “Your father gave you the address?” I studied him thoughtfully. Those eyes were haunting. “Yeah. He texted me with the number.” He seemed calm, very calm, and it was unnerving. My temper broke. “Whatever you’re planning tonight, don’t do it, Califf. I’m warning you.” “Or what, baby? You told me to be nice.” He pulled me closer, lifted my chin, and forced me to look at him before he pressed his lips against mine. “The only plan I have for tonight
CALIFF “That went well. Thank you,” Shadow said as she stripped off her white dress and dropped it in front of me. “You want me to play nice. Now it’s time to pay what I owe you. You know I hate to be indebted to someone when I have a way to pay it.” “Really?” Her eyebrows cocked up. “Because I don’t mind. I’m kinda exhausted anyway.” Her tone wasn’t compelling, but I opted to fall for it. “Then let me give you a massage.” I followed her when she went to the bathroom in her black lacy underwear, her firm round ass on full display. I quickly felt the tightness inside my boxers. “Califf.” She turned to face me. “Why are you doing this?” “Nothing. I’m a good mate. I wanna be there for you, and it’s just a massage. I swear unless you want to sleep with me.” She smirked because she knew I was lying. And I couldn’t believe she just smirked at me. “Sleep with me? That’s cute. What are we? Just began dating? And thank Goddess, you didn’t say make love, or I will punch you in the face.”