Three years later, Alastair’s mate died and the alpha had never been generous again. Any affection vanished, and when Ryder showed the usual teenage rebellion, Alastair overreacted. The alpha’s ill treatment made Ryder into the pack omega, the lowest wolf in Lupine hierarchy.
But Kara continued to stick by his side, maintaining their friendship and ignoring other males who started showing interest as she matured.
He wasn’t certain when he became aware of her as a sexually ripe female. Maybe it was four years ago, the day she’d turned 19 and he’d watched her lick frosting off her birthday cake with her delicate tongue. Or the day they’d been working outside and he saw a flash of smooth, creamy skin as she’d lifted her shirt to wipe her face. Or the time when he’d seen her in tight jeans, her hips swaying with natural grace as she walked into the barn. He’d stopped forking hay and stared. And then Kara had bent over to scoop grain from a barrel, those jeans stretching smoothly over her plumb ass. He’d fought the urge to yank down her pants, pull out his cock and take her from behind, the traditional way a male Lupine mated with a female.
Kara tore away his cool composure, replacing it with red-hazed lust. Her mouth was lush and red and tasted like ripe berries. Her breasts were plump and soft, her body made to be joined to a male Lupine. Each time he drew near, only one thought remained.
Getting her naked.
Spreading her thighs wide, mounting her and driving hard into her body, claiming her as his mate. The thought of her wet, pink core squeezing tight around his shaft drove him insane with need.
He couldn’t think straight, couldn’t see straight, hell, he was conscious of only one thing and it was hard and thick between his legs.
Ryder collapsed into a wicker rocker and thought of everything except Kara to calm his raging erection. The dark nights in the prison cell.
His dick did not relish that memory.
Finally he went to the porch railing, studying the quiet sweep of forest and meadow. He ruled this turf now, but a leader must be responsible and care for the pack.
And the pack needed an alpha female to temper the unruly males, bring a calming influence among them.
Kara. Her lush, curvy body invaded his thoughts again. No one would claim her but himself.
“No one,” he said aloud.
If Aiden dared to bring any of his ragtag pack here to rescue his sister… a low growl rumbled in Ryder’s throat. He vaulted over the porch railing, landing on his feet. Ryder unzipped his jeans and took his dick in hand.
He marked his territory around the house. Perhaps an unnecessary gesture of male posturing, but best not to take chances. Aiden Mitchell would know exactly who reigned here now, and think twice about setting foot in the lodge.
Zipping up his jeans, he remembered another, distant time. It was shortly before he’d kissed Kara in the hallway, pushing her up against the wall and feeling her soft breasts beneath his exploring hands. They’d shared popcorn and laughs while watching a movie in the den. Other pack members had gone to a dance in town, and they’d had a rare moment alone.
He’d be damned if he could remember the stupid movie, because he’d spent the whole time watching her. Loving the way her green eyes sparkled with life, the little dimple piercing her cheek as she laughed, how she ate popcorn and licked salt and butter off her fingertips.
Wrestling with his lust as he watched her wet, red mouth and her dainty tongue, he’d struggled not to touch her.
When they’d parted, he stood beneath her window until the light clicked out. Then he’d unzipped his jeans and marked the bushes below her room.
Of course Alastair had discovered the scent and covered it with his own. But every once in a while, Ryder repeated the action, just to thumb his nose at the old man.
Now he finally stood ready to claim what he’d yearned for all these years. He could barely wait to experience the pleasure of lying between her silky thighs. But he had to be patient. She remained untouched. He could scent no other male upon her and it made him fiercely glad he’d be her first.
No other male would ever touch her again.
Not in heated anger, nor passion.
She’s mine, Aiden, you bastard. Your sister is never returning back to your motley ranch. I don’t care if I have to beg, borrow, steal, he silently vowed.
Or kill every last member of your pack in an all-out war.
Dark and Deadly: Eight Bad Boys of Paranormal Romance by Jennifer Ashley, Alyssa Day, Felicity Heaton, Erin Kellison, Laurie London, Erin Quinn, Bonnie Vanak and Caris Roane
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CHAPTER 4
Kara showered and found clean clothing, pleased to discover her old jeans still fit. So did her favorite checked shirt with the pretty pearl buttons. When Aiden had rescued her from the basement, they’d fled with only the clothes on her back.