Scent of a Wolf's Mate Read online

  Even knowing that Serena was born his mate, Clive had been hell bent on getting to her first and leaving his mark on her. That would have ruined the elders’ plans, but it wouldn’t have stopped Connor from claiming her as his. Wolves only had one mate, and they mated for life. As the alpha male in the pack, they could deny him nothing.

  He’d sensed her presence almost from the moment she’d arrived in Savage Hills, at his invitation, and under the promise of a job. It hadn’t taken him long to locate her, either. Her scent was a powerful aphrodisiac to him, tempting the wolf in him to come out, to seek and protect. The urge to claim her was stronger than he’d anticipated. Undressing her earlier had been a test of his control that he’d almost failed. Her wolf’s scent drove him wild.

  Connor breathed in deeply, realizing even now that he was highly aroused from her proximity. His cock had been pounding with hunger from the moment he’d changed back into his human form, while pinning Serena down in the forest. He’d felt her alluring curves through her wet clothes. Now that he’d seen her luscious full breasts with their large crowned tips, and her delicious sex, he vowed to have her before the cycle of the full moon ended. I have to have her.

  He pulled the quilt tighter around her and quietly left the room. She would sleep for hours, thanks to the sleeping pill he’d slipped her. When she woke she would have a lot of questions, but until then he had to see to the wounds he’d obtained during his battle with Clive.

  Clive had been hell-bent on maiming or killing him. There was no love lost between them. Connor should have taken care of him a long time ago, because now Serena was going to be caught in the middle of their hatred. Clive had made it clear that if he couldn’t be the alpha male he would destroy Connor’s life any way that he could. His jealousy and ambitions were eating away at him like a cancer.

  Connor flipped the light switch on when he entered the bathroom. Clive’s attack had been savage, and he’d been intent on inflicting as much injury as possible. Connor wasn’t under any delusions when it came to Clive—if Clive could have gotten away with killing him, he would.

  Any superficial marks Connor had received from the fight were already fading, and by morning they would be gone. The two deeper bite marks would take a couple of days to heal. The knowledge that he’d left Clive in far worse condition gave him little satisfaction.

  I should have killed him.

  He opened the medicine cabinet for the antiseptic and gauze. The wounds would probably heal okay on their own, but Connor wasn’t taking any chances. He remembered what had happened to his cousin Max after a rogue wolf passing through a few years back had attacked him. The infection had nearly killed him, and had left him with a permanent limp.

  Connor doused the gauze with antiseptic and then cleaned the tear at his shoulder. He squeezed it open so that some of the antiseptic went inside the deep bite. Jesus! He clenched his teeth at the sharp sting. It didn’t hurt that much when the bastard bit me. He ripped off another piece of gauze and did the same thing to the bite on his chest, clenching his teeth until his jaw ached.

  As he was putting the antiseptic away, he heard the distant sound of a wolf’s howl, followed by the answering howls of the pack. The urge to be out running the woods with his pack was strong. Stronger was the urge to claim his mate in the next room.

  Connor had run with the pack the night before. As alpha male, he’d led them through the woods to the mountains where mated pairs played and fucked until dawn. He, Max, and two others had wiled the hour’s away hunting and killing a huge elk down at Savage Springs.

  Opening the front door, he inhaled deeply, taking in the pungent, yet pleasing scent of the woods. A primitive awareness surged through his blood, and he fought the overwhelming urge to change. A wolf’s nose was sensitive, even when he or she was in human form. Then he caught something else in the air, overpowering all else.

  It was the scent of a wolf’s mate.

  His mate.

  Connor struggled not to give in to Serena’s allure. As the wolves howled in the mountains he tried to focus on that, but the vision of his mate sleeping in his bed wouldn’t go away. He clenched his hands into fists and growled low. Closing his eyes was a mistake, as it only emphasized the sensual cloud hovering around him. Before he could stop it, he felt his fangs slowly descend.

  Fuck, Serena’s scent was making him crazy, and until mated, it would drive any male within a five-mile radius into a lustful craze, too. Once he marked her with his scent, it would be a warning that she was off limits, and any self-respecting wolf would stay away.

  If he didn’t have to worry about that, he would have joined his family in the woods, if only for a little while. The phone rang, and he thanked God for the timely interruption. Anything that would take his mind off wanting to mate.

  “Hello?”

  “Is she there?”

  It was his mother. “Yes. She’s sleeping now.”

  “He didn’t touch her in any way?”

  Connor wasn’t surprised that she knew about the attack. News traveled fast in their small community. Clive had probably returned home to her with his tale tucked between his legs.

  “Not for lack of trying.” Connor inhaled deeply. “He’s going to be exiled, Mother. Tonight showed me how ruthless and dangerous he is. If I hadn’t gotten to Serena in time I have no doubts he would have raped and probably killed her.”

  “You almost killed him,” she said sadly.

  So, Clive had gone to her. Connor didn’t say what he was thinking—that he should have killed him. He understood his mother loved both of them, but Connor was the alpha male, and she couldn’t go against his wishes. Neither would the elders once they fully realized the seriousness of the situation. Protecting his mate went above all else.

  “When will you meet with the elders?”

  “This afternoon, the sooner the better. Now that Serena’s here I want things to move quickly.”

  “You’re eager to mate with her.”

  Connor could hear the smile in his mother’s voice. She and the elders had been pushing him to claim his mate and produce an heir for years, but Connor had wanted to wait until Serena was a full-grown woman and had lived a little. He grinned inwardly. She was twenty-five now, and full-grown, but she was no bigger than a sprite. He had a feeling that might cause problems between them, because he was a big wolf.

  “From the moment Serena was born it was clear that she was your mate. Even at the age of six you were aware of it, too. She was sent away from here for a reason.”

  Connor knew what that reason was. It was something the community still practiced, sending the baby away once it became clear after birth that its mate was nearby. Sometimes the urge to mate was overwhelming. The scent alone could make a wolf change and become lethal if he couldn’t get to his mate.

  No one wanted to take a chance that the actual mating would take place until both parties were ready, so to prevent any accidents from happening, separation had been the best solution. With Serena’s mother dying shortly after giving birth, the elders had made sure she’d been adopted out to a nice family in another state.

  Connor thought about the woman in his bed. He’d been just fine without her, and now he was using every ounce of his control not to go to her and take what was his.

  “Why so quiet, son? You like her, don’t you?”

  “The wolf in me does.” Connor left it at that. He could no longer hear the pack howling in the distance, which told him that they’d either moved beyond the mountains, into the canyon, or had returned home. It was almost dawn.

  “Well, I called to make sure you were alright. I will see you this afternoon at the meeting.”

  Connor didn’t question why. She would want to be there to know the results of his meeting with the elders. Expelling anyone from the community was serious and not done lightly. “Goodbye, Mother.”

  After hanging up Connor went to the open door, closed and locked it. A noise coming from his bedroom prompted him to g
o there. Serena might be stirring. He knew she would be frightened, and would probably have a lot of questions. How is she going to take the news that she’s my mate? Better yet, what was her reaction going to be when she found out he was a werewolf?

  He halted in the doorway. The scent of her sex hit him in the face like a slap. Serena had kicked away the covers and lay writhing upon the bed, her naked body flushed and glistening. As her hands moved over her curves, she moaned as though in a high fever, only Connor knew it wasn’t that.

  His blood grew hot, racing through his aroused body to his loins as he realized what was happening. Serena was in heat! A wolf’s heat. Her body was responding to his nearness, drawing out her primitive urge to fuck. Connor knew the only relief she could get was from his claiming her. Once his seed was inside her it would calm the beast, at least for a little while.

  No wonder his body was charged for mating. He should have guessed it earlier. His attraction to Serena went above the normal. When a wolf’s mate went into heat, they fucked incessantly until it ended. He clenched his teeth until his jaw hurt.

  His cock arched hungrily in his pajama bottoms, looking for a soft pussy to sink into. Connor sucked in his breath when her hand moved down her twisting body to the damp curls between her legs. Fuck! His heart slammed in his chest and he fought to keep the wolf at bay.

  It was one battle he was going win, while losing another.

  Chapter 3

  Serena sighed and moved against the soft blankets, confused by what was happening to her. She was alive, but more than that, her body was consumed with a fierce need she couldn’t will away, and she didn’t want to. The feeling coursing through her was stronger than she’d ever known, a hunger that was going to eat her up if she didn’t do something about it.

  Was she still sleeping? She couldn’t seem to open her eyes. Everything seemed intensified, her heartbeat, her breathing, the erotic rush that followed the caress of her hands as she touched herself. Oh, God! What’s happening to me? Serena caressed her aching breasts and taut nipples before her hand glided down to the pulsing flesh between her legs.

  God, I’m hot!

  She parted her thighs and touched her tingling clit. It was hard as a rock and twice the normal size. Rapture overwhelmed her, causing her to arch her hips off the bed. Why am I so horny? She tried to recall her dreams but couldn’t concentrate on anything but finding some way of appeasing the burning need of her aroused body.

  “Please! Please!” She felt like she was going to go up in flames. She had to find release. Everywhere she touched her body little sparks ignited, turning her wilder.

  All of a sudden, a gentle unknown force removed her hand from her pussy and a sensual, moist heat spread over her. Her soft sighs turned to moans when the heat became an unbearable pressure against her labia and throbbing clit. Then something long and wet covered with a texture that pleased her immensely began lapping at her sex, delving deeply, caressing all her intimate places.

  Serena didn’t open her eyes, so sure was she that she was still sleeping, dreaming of a phantom lover who was making her whole, and giving her the sweetest pleasure. She felt hair when she reached down, and she buried her fingers into it to hold whatever it was close. Crying out softly as something, God, it felt like a tongue, explored every inch of her sensitive pussy while concentrating on her clit.

  A powerful orgasm built. Serena’s hips began to move faster against the strong pressure on her clit. Heavy breathing drowned out all other sound. Her moans escalated with every thrust until she ceased breathing, letting her body crash in a kaleidoscope of blinding color. She screamed, convulsing uncontrollably until the storm of emotions claimed her and she passed out.

  Sometime later Serena opened her eyes, feeling slightly achy and yet satiated. She lay there, wondering where she was and how she had come to be there. Lifting the covers, she gasped upon finding herself naked. A thorough gaze around the masculine room didn’t produce her clothes. Glancing out the curtain less window revealed the mountains in the distance.

  Where am I? The rustic walls revealed that she was in a cabin. The décor indicated that it was a man’s bedroom, and the only noise she could hear was that of birds chirping outside. It seemed deathly quiet inside, yet she knew someone was there. The smells reaching her indicated someone was cooking.

  She moved to get up, keeping the blanket in front of her. Her gaze went to a door. Is that a closet? Serena quietly made her way there and opened the door. The first thing her gaze fell on was a thick blue robe. She removed it from the hanger, dropped the blanket, and slipped into it.

  Serena left the bedroom quietly, unsure of what she was going to find. Deciding to follow the aroma, she made her way to a kitchen equipped with every modern appliance you could imagine. Standing at the stove in low hanging pajama bottoms was a man. He was flipping bacon. Doesn’t he know it’s dangerous to cook without a shirt on?

  She stood in the entranceway, slightly afraid and very confused. He was a big man. His dark hair was thick and wild, stopping at the top of his shoulders, shoulders that were wide and muscular. The muscles rippled in his back as he moved, and she could see his well-developed biceps and forearms.

  A breeze rushed in through the open window over the sink. Serena watched the curtains dance wildly. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply when the cool mountain air reached where she was standing. Wisps of hair moved about her face, and something else carried on the wind, something that spiked her awareness, flowing together with the scent of pines and wild lavender, and him, an untamed and basic entity that reached into her soul.

  “I know you’re there,” he said without turning around. “Don’t come any closer.”

  Well, that’s not very friendly. Serena didn’t know what to do at that point. She clutched his robe tighter against her. Without warning he turned, pinning his dark eyes on her. His rugged face was set as though in anger.

  “I hope you don’t mind that I borrowed your robe. I couldn’t find my clothes.” She tried not to let her gaze wander, but there was no way she could ignore his hard, defined Pecs and six-pack abs. The man was powerfully built and sinfully sexy.

  His gaze moved over her. Serena took note of the tic moving in his tense jaw, and she tried to imagine what she’d done to upset him. What did he expect that she would walk out there in her birthday suit?

  “That’s okay,” he finally spoke.

  “Where am I?”

  “Do you remember anything about last night?”

  “Some of it. I was running and tripped on something. The last thing I remember was a wolf pinning me down. Did you kill it?”

  “I took care of it.” His tone was short and to the point.

  “There was another wolf—”

  “I took care of him, too.” He moved to the sink, put the plug in, and turned on the water, then turned back to face her.

  “What?” She was confused. “But how? I, I…” She didn’t know what to say. “I never saw you.” She hadn’t seen anyone. “I guess I owe you my life, then.” Serena offered him a smile, hoping to erase the unfriendly look on his face. “My name is Serena.” She stepped further into the kitchen and held out her hand.

  He just stared at it for a long moment as if it were a snake, and then finally said his name. “Connor.”

  Serena lowered her hand when he ignored it. Then she noticed his wounds. “You’re hurt!” She instinctively moved toward him.

  “No!” Connor barked, making a motion for her to stay back. He turned back to the sink and turned off the water, but not before Serena thought she saw his eyes shift from brown to gold. “Look, why don’t you go sit in the living room until breakfast is ready? Then we’ll talk.”

  She frowned at his dismissal. “If you’ll just give me my clothes I’ll be glad to get out of your way. I don’t want to bother you.”

  “After you eat.”

  Serena could hear the finality in his tone. Without a car, phone, or clothes she was at his mercy. As she was
making her way to the living room the front door burst open, and a big man walked in as if he owned the place.

  “Connor, you here man?” He stopped short when his gaze fell on Serena. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know he had company.”

  The fact that he knew Connor’s name put her at ease. She smiled. “Unexpected company I’m afraid. My name is Serena.” She offered him her hand.

  Unlike Connor, he took it into his much larger one. Was it her imagination, or had his interest peaked when she said her name?

  “I’m Max, Connor and I are cousins. Nice to meet you.”

  “Max.”

  Serena turned on hearing Connor’s voice behind her.

  “Serena was about to have breakfast. While she eats you and I can talk.” He placed a plate on the coffee table, and then turned his gaze on her. “Excuse us please.”

  Realizing he was dismissing her, Serena nodded and the two men disappeared outside. She glanced down at her breakfast, seeing eggs, bacon, and sliced oranges. She couldn’t recall the last time someone had served her breakfast. Smiling, she sank to the sofa and ate everything but the bacon.

  ****

  “She’s in heat,” was the first thing out of Max’s mouth as the two men sat down on the porch steps.

  An abrupt laugh escaped Connor that had little to do with humor. “So I noticed. It’s been hell.”

  “You haven’t mated her yet?”

  Connor shook his head. “She doesn’t know why she’s here. I at least owe her that before I claim her.” He only hoped he could hold out.

  Max chuckled. “You think that’s going to make a difference? Maybe if she’d grown up within the pack and knew our ways, knew what to expect. She was raised differently, cousin. Her kind doesn’t know about shifters.”

  “Seeing is believing. Besides, it doesn’t matter what she believes. She’s my mate, and she’ll have to comply with our laws.”