Reese Read online

  I was sure Megan had some kind of family and she might even want to get to know them but she wouldn’t want to bring this world, her world, down on them. The council would start trying to trace her family tree. They might get lucky, they might not, but they would keep looking until they found something. Maybe the new improved council would be better. It might keep the names secret unlike the old council had done with the white wolves. They might even offer up some protection, but in the end the reason they wanted them identified was to mate them to alpha wolves.

  They were to join the white wolves as the saviors of a dying race. Unfortunately, not all of that dying race wanted saviors to mate with them. Pure blooders, ignorant fools, wanted werewolf blood to be pure. Wolf blood hadn’t been pure since the beginning if it even was then. Mixed matings had started right away. Those idiots were trying to preserve something that had never existed to begin with. I’d like to have their blood tested and tell them they were all being destroyed for their mixed blood. I didn’t do well around idiots. My mate had been sleeping for nearly four hours now and I had built up a great need. I went to the kitchen to fix us both some food.

  Chapter 5

  Heat

  I woke hot, feverish actually and covered in sweat. I was so sweaty the sheet felt wet and yucky. Reese was gone, his side of the bed cold and empty. I needed to take a shower then I had to eat, drink and fuck my mate, in that order. I’d never felt so hungry for everything in my life. My stomach growled with the hunger, my body ached for Reese and only him. It was unreal but strong enough to get me moving to the shower.

  I went in the bathroom passing the mirror and I was shocked as I looked into it. My face was sweaty and flushed. My eyes were glazed, they were a hazel blending together and glowing. I would swear I could see the wolf within. My skin felt weird, like it wasn’t really mine. I hurried to shower hoping the water would cool me and clear my addled head. I wanted to control this change instead of being controlled by it.

  I set the water to cool and I felt it take some of the heat from my skin. It also made me feel cleaner and woke me up so I could think. It was clear to me that I was well into the throes of the change and there was no way back now. I also knew that my change was not the usual change the average everyday wolf/human went through. I had to face the fact that I might be a red wolf. Sure, I had heard of them after all they and the white wolf were legendary, but I knew few details. I knew they had some vague never really described powers and they had disappeared a thousand years ago right after the white wolves did. I thought it might have been a case of monkey see, monkey do. The red wolves watched the white wolves escape the cruel and abusive world of the wolves and they did the same thing.

  Why both bloodlines were being rediscovered now, I couldn’t even hazard a guess. I was sure if my birth parents had known about the werewolves, they would never have come here. Maybe that was the key to it all. Having forgotten their roots, they no longer knew to avoid the supernatural world. Once brought into it, they were discovered. I’d been raised by wolves, I always laughed when I said that out loud. I finished washing, rinsing and finally drying off. I went to Reese’s closet and pulled out another shirt to wear as a dress and I was forced to do without underwear since I had none here.

  Now I was clean, dressed and ready to search out my mate. He would feed me something and my needs would all eventually be met. I headed out of the room and down the stairs. When I got to the bottom of the stairs, I could smell food and my mouth watered. My stomach growled like a monster and I felt weak with hunger. I moved slowly worried that I might collapse since I couldn’t remember the last time I had eaten.

  I found the kitchen by following my nose and I admired the back view of my mate as he stood at the stove cooking. I loved a man who knew his way around the kitchen but I hadn’t realized that until now. It was probably that except for grilling which my dad did, I didn’t know any males who cooked. Reese seemed to sense or even smell me and he turned slowly with a big grin on his face. I could see he was happy to see me.

  “Sit down before you fall down.” He expressed his concern. I guess he saw how wobbly I was as I stood there looking at him.

  He helped me into a seat then turned back to the stove to fix me a heaping helping of every dish he’d cooked. He set it in front of me and I saw he’d already set the table for two. He turned back fixing himself a plate then he sat next to me. My hand shook as I tried to feed myself and the food fell back onto the plate. He smiled at me gently as he took the spoon away, filled it with food and fed me himself. He didn’t seem to mind and I ate quickly, my strength slowly starting to return.

  “It won’t be long, Sweetheart. Wolves metabolize their food much faster than humans.” He explained.

  I could feel my strength continuing to rise. He brought me a glass of milk and one of orange juice. I gulped them down, my thirst seemed unquenchable. He didn’t seem surprised even though I was. He must have had more experience in changes than I’d thought he would. I remembered a change ten years ago just like it was yesterday. One of my dad’s betas had mated a human who turned out to have just a touch of wolf blood. Caught at that point with enough that it tried to turn her, but not enough to complete the change, the female’s agonizing cries rang in my ears until her mate could stand it no longer.

  We buried her the next day. His beta seemed to lose the will to live and he wasted away. We buried him next to her a month later. He’d starved himself to death. I decided that it was best to have all or nothing where wolf blood was concerned. Just my luck that I’d had no choice in the matter. My blood was strong or I’d have had the same fate as that female. I knew my change would complete and while I was uncomfortable, I didn’t have that unbearable pain that poor woman had.

  I finished eating and then I watched my mate eat with a healthy wolfish appetite. Now I had another appetite that needed to be satisfied. “Let’s go to bed.” I suggested and he didn’t try to pretend he didn’t understand.

  He stood up and took my hand leading me up the stairs and to our room. Once we entered he closed the door. His eyes burned into mine with a passion that matched the one that flamed inside me. I removed the shirt I wore in a second and watched completely enthralled as he removed his clothes too. Dear goddess the man was perfection personified. He was tall, close to seven feet and his broad shoulders and wide chest warned others not to mess with him. His arms and legs were well muscled, but not to the point of seeming unnaturally formed. All in all, he was a dream come true.

  His wavy black hair fell just past collar length and his eyes were black bottomless pits sucking me deep into his soul. His hands, large but gentle, reached out to pull me to him. His lips, full and sensuous, closed on mine catching me in a hungry kiss that fanned the flames that had already been lit. I was burning from the inside out and I needed him terribly. I pressed against him and he held me tight as his hands moved over my bare skin.

  He moved quickly and lifted me. I was on the bed with him on top in the blink of an eye. I growled my approval at his speed and strength, or at least my wolf did. This two beings in one would take some getting used to. I had been raised around others like this all my life but now I saw I hadn’t really understood them. Reese slammed into me hard and it burned but it felt so damned good. I’d never thought a little pain would ratchet the pleasure higher. I wasn’t a sadist, not by a long shot, but what he was doing felt exhilarating.

  He was driving me higher and my body ached with needing more. He was like a wild beast driving into me as hard and deep as he could and I arched up against him, growling and groaning for more. We were like I would imagine two wild wolves mating out in the woods would be. I rolled him over and took top position, nipping and digging in my nails to hold on tight. He rolled us back but we never stopped pounding, rocking and rolling against each other. I would describe it as a fight for dominance, but I knew he would win. I couldn’t understand why my wolf wanted to push him.

  It’s so much fun! The thought jumped i
nto my mind and I realized she could communicate with me. Of course I can. I was stunned but I would get used to it. This would be helpful, since I had always talked to myself before and now I would get independent answers. I’ll be a big help if you listen to me. Would I listen? I wasn’t sure but that brought up the point that I might have to argue with myself. Stop thinking and concentrate on our mate. He drove in hard and fast, she had a point. He had me on the edge, so close to falling over. Why were we fighting with him when he was much stronger? We are making him work for it and prove his strength! I suppose that made sense.

  Reese pulled my legs up over my head holding me where I couldn’t move at all. I think he just proved his strength! I found even my inner wolf no longer wanted to fight and was ready just to enjoy what he was doing to us. He was driving in hard and deep hitting every hot spot and reducing me to a pile of quivering need. My breath caught in my throat and my heart seemed to freeze in my chest. My mouth opened on a scream that refused to come out as my body was caught in the throes of the strongest all-consuming orgasm I had ever felt. It was beyond anything I had ever imagined, ever could have imagined.

  My body had been paralyzed but now it broke free and I bucked and jerked screaming his name over and over as pleasure, unfathomable and beyond all description, coursed through me. I felt him continue to drill into me as I clutched at him in a frenzy. Until I heard a loud and long howl rip through the air. It was so close that I realized it had to be Reese. I felt heat shoot into me and I knew he had found his release. He thrust more and more but his thrusts slowed each time until he finally stopped and my legs slipped from his shoulders. The look of rapture on his face captivated me. This male, this wolf would be mine for a very long time.

  “Megan.” He rasped barely able to catch his breath. “Dear goddess, that was incredible.”

  “Yes.” I replied. “Out of this world!”

  He rolled me to my side and he pulled me tight against him. I felt safe and warm, my unnatural needs had calmed for now. I had fed my appetite for food, drink and my mate’s body, now I had to rest and let the change move ahead. My wolf’s spirit was in me, but the chemical and physical changed would manifest over time. It would take massive amounts of energy and the bonding with my mate to accomplish it. My talents would come about slowly too I suspected. My wolf advised patience and all things would fall into place. I silently agreed as I drifted off to sleep secure in the warm, loving and protective arms of my mate.

  Waking up in a soft warm cocoon was pleasant. I started remembering our fabulous mating right away. My stomach growled like a monster was hiding inside and I realized I had woke because I was overcome with hunger and thirst. I was sure once those two dilemmas were dealt with, I would jump Reese and climb him like a tree. Then I would knock him over and have my wicked way with him. I moaned at the delicious thought and he moved showing his awareness of me. I had no choice but to search out food or I would have slept the day away. I moved out of his arms gently hoping not to wake him. It was time that I cooked for him and he saw that I could be useful and was willing to take care of him too.

  I slipped into the closet and to put on another shirt because I enjoyed wearing his shirts. They were soft and they smelled nice. They made me feel like I was surrounded by him. Instead, I found a bag of my clothes and a note from my mom. When had Reese got these for me or had my mother just sent them on her own? Either way I was thrilled to be properly covered. He slept on so I went downstairs and started to search the fridge and the cabinets to see what was available to cook. When I stepped back, I almost screamed, Stan was standing in the doorway watching me. I didn’t know when he’d gotten there or how long he’d been watching me. Stan didn’t bother me, it was my lack of awareness and my inability to scent or sense his presence.

  “Hello, Megan. Need some help?” Stan asked politely.

  “No. I’m just trying to see what ingredients are available so I can fix a meal.” I explained.

  Stan immediately looked interested. “You can cook?” He asked with excitement evident in his demeanor.

  “I’m a fair cook.” I said understating my abilities in case I messed this meal up. I wasn’t at my best right now.

  “I can show you where anything you might need is located.” He offered.

  “I thought maybe chili and cornbread. It will be easy to fix.”

  I pulled out the ingredients, heated the oven, and fixed the cornbread and put it in the oven. I cooked the hamburger and combined it with the ingredients for the chili and put it on to simmer.

  Stan had sat down and I sat with him. He’d gotten me a beer out of the fridge and we each took a sip. “We are pretty casual around here.” Stan began.

  It occurred to me he was concerned about how things might change with me here now.

  “Casual is good most of the time,” I agreed and he grunted.

  “Few of the guys here are mated.” He continued.

  “That’s not unusual for wolves.” I observed. Many of the males remained unmated for lack of proper mates.

  “True.” He agreed. “Still it means we don’t always know how to act around a lady.”

  “I’m sure it won’t be a problem, Stan. I’m easy to get along with. At least I’ve always thought I was.” I wanted to be friends with Stan because I knew he was important to Reese. Reese and I hadn’t had much time to talk, with the crazy pack next door being a concern and my change full upon me, but if we did I know he would say Stan meant a lot to him.

  Stan and I sat and talked until we had finished the beer. By then it was time to get out the cornbread and try the chili. I was relieved when they both turned out good and Stan ate like a champ. Reese found his way into the kitchen just as we finished and I fixed him a bowl of chili and a slice of cornbread. Stan went back for seconds and after thinking about it, I did too. The wolf appetite was huge and I wondered where I put it all, but there seemed to be plenty of room.

  Reese had seconds and one of the guys that had been scouting near the James pack came in to report and begged for the food that was left so I fixed him a bowl and the last piece of cornbread. He took it gratefully and sat down shoveling it in as he tried to give his report around a mouthful of food.

  “Jam, would you just quit eating for a second and finish the damn report!” Reese demanded.

  “I haven’t eaten in a day, Reese. That’s hard on a wolf. Okay, here’s the word. Alpha James has run Delane off. Delane is rumored to have gone a bit nuts so you might want to watch out for him. Damn good food Megan.” He finished with a wink at me. Reese frowned, but I didn’t know if it was the report or the fact that Jam winked at me.

  “At least Delane is cut off from his father’s support.” I observed. After all, it could be worse. At least we weren’t looking at a pack war. Not that our pack couldn’t wipe the floor with them, but we would have losses that we didn’t want to deal with. Every single wolf was precious, we wouldn’t want to lose any.

  “That’s true, but we don’t know how many he took with him when he left.” Reese pointed out.

  “I’d say a couple dozen, but it’s just a guess.” Jam offered.

  “That’s enough to cause us concern if they try a sneak attack. They could get in, cause damage, take hostages and leave quickly. It’s impossible to anticipate all possible locations.” Reese suggested.

  “That’s true and it’s hard to out guess crazy. Delane is messed up in the head.” Jam concluded.

  “We’ll double the guards around the edge of town and keep a vigilant watch. Warn everyone that Delane has been disowned, gone rogue and might have a grudge against our pack because we reported his attacks of our females to his father. That should keep everyone alert and watching for him.” Reese instructed.

  “I’ll get on that as soon as I finish my food.” Jam swore.

  I heard a sound and turned to the doorway. Two more wolves came in and sat down. They resembled each other slightly. They both had long curly brown hair and bright green eyes. They weren’
t as tall or as broad as Reese, but they were built well anyway. One of them got up and grabbed a beer for them both from the fridge.

  “Damn it, Jam. You ate all the fucking food.” The one sitting said.

  “First come.” Jam gloated. “You should have hurried, Tramp.”

  I looked at the wolf to see if tramp was an insult because even with the odd names wolves often picked, that just couldn’t be his name. They teased each other back and forth hurling insults until they ran out. “Nothing to say, Stamp?” Jam said turning to the other one.

  “Nope.” He said.

  I could tell Stamp was the strong silent type and Tramp was the outgoing social kind. They were different and yet, basically the same. They hung together and seemed to be communicating along some private channel only the two of them could access. The looks they exchanged were fascinating and I watched them for some time before I noticed Reese watching me. Was he jealous? Maybe and it seemed to be fueling his need and passion for me which wasn’t a bad thing.

  “I’m going to take Megan upstairs so she can rest.” Reese announced and his males snickered.

  He held my hand as he led me up the stairs and to our room. I followed along happily, ready to get my fill of my mate. The moment the door was closed I jumped on him, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissed him as if he were more vital than air. He was mine and my need was overwhelming, my heat burned me up inside and nothing could cool it but him. I slid to the floor and my hands grabbed at his shirt popping off as many buttons as I could until I was able to remove it. Need ratcheted higher as I breathed him in and felt his heated skin under my hands.

  “Whoa Baby. I love these jeans. Just let me take them off.” He whispered. I growled deep in my throat. It was frustration plain and simple. I needed him right away without delay and I felt like I was on fire. “Oh goddess you’re hot! Your skin almost sizzles.” He said with concern evident in his voice but thank the goddess he didn’t slow down in removing those pants. He pulled his underwear off with them and his cock stood at attention.