Wen Read online

  “Fuck,” he snarled, tearing his mouth away from her. His body grew rigid and he groaned, coming hard enough that he shook against her.

  They clung to each other as they caught their breath and Gerri released his skin, lifted her head a little and smiled at where she’d bitten him. No blood showed but he would probably have a bruise for an hour or so. Her teeth had dug into his skin enough to leave marks.

  Her amusement quickly died when Wen lifted his head and stared at her. His pupils and irises were the same black color.

  “You need to shift.”

  He closed his eyes, taking deep breaths, and gently pulled his cock out of her. Gerri hated it when he lowered her to the floor and forced her to release him. He spun away, entering the running shower.

  She leaned against the door and knew she’d fucked up.

  Wen fought for control as the hot water ran over his head, down his body. He could shift but he didn’t want to give that part of himself control right now. The urge to bite Gerri, to mate her, to taste her fucking blood and make her take his, was so strong it left him quaking on his legs.

  He heard her approach, probably to join him in the tight space. “Don’t.”

  She didn’t touch him. “I’m sorry. I’ll go in the other room.”

  “Don’t you dare. Just give me a minute.”

  “Right. Scent.”

  “We have to wash first, then spray the room before we open that door. I won’t have those bastards coming after you.” He clenched his fists, blinding rage hitting him so strongly his heart pounded. The thought of any other man even wanting to touch her made him want to kill.

  “I’m so sorry, Wen. I didn’t think about it when I bit you. I just wanted to muffle the sounds.”

  “I know.” He sucked in air, held it in lungs, and blew it out. He repeated that for a good minute or so. “This isn’t your fault. I’m the one who can’t bite.”

  “Is the urge just as strong?”

  He debated on telling her the truth.

  “I’ll take that for a yes. I’m sorry. I won’t bite you again.”

  He hated his life in that moment. His parents. Hell, even Gerbin. How in the hell had he allowed himself to be killed by the nest he was tracking? His brother should have been more careful. Then Wen would be free to mate G.L. He’d have gone after her when she’d turned eighteen. He tortured himself by mentally going there. They’d have kids by now, since he couldn’t keep his hands off her. Just the image he created in his mind of her belly swollen with his child had him longing for that possibility. He wanted it so bad.

  “Shift,” she urged. “Do it. You’re too far over the line.”

  Maybe it was for the best. He wouldn’t try to fuck her in fur. He bowed his body and, while the space was tight, the hot water distracted him as his bones popped, the fur coming out, and he dropped to all fours.

  He finally raised his head when it was over, looking at her. She stood naked next to the shower, watching him with tears in her eyes. He was causing her pain somehow. He regretted involving her in this because of it. It had been selfish to pull her into his life just because he hadn’t been able to stay away. His weakness to see her, his inability to stay away, had brought them to this point.

  She entered the shower stall and closed the door. “It’s okay, baby.” She reached for the shampoo. “I’ll wash you.”

  He pressed his body against the side of the tile.

  She frowned. “Okay. I won’t. No touching? That’s going to be hard. Damn, city showers are cramped, aren’t they?”

  She used the white liquid she’d dumped into her hand to rub against her skin, even down to her sex, to wash away what they’d just done. He maneuvered to give her a little space. She ducked her head under the water. He couldn’t keep his gaze off her. She was his. He knew it, felt it, and it went against everything inside him to resist the urge to shift back, fuck her again, and exchange blood to bond her to him.

  He had to close his eyes finally when she started washing her long hair. It was torture, since he wanted to be the one doing it. It helped that he was in fur though. He managed to turn in the shower so his tail was the only thing brushing up against her body. A gob of something hit his tail and he flicked it. She gasped.

  “Watch where that goes.”

  He turned his head and opened his eyes, amused finally. She gave him what she probably thought was a dirty look but it was cute as hell. He flicked his tail again, slapping against her thighs.

  She spun, presenting him with her ass. “Don’t even think about it.”

  He was tempted to slap her ass but kept his tail still. She finished with her hair and got out of the shower, then faced him as she dried off. “You ready to shift back yet or do you need more time.”

  He hunched over, closing his eyes. When he was done, he straightened on two legs. “Spray the room while I wash my hair.”

  “You’re going to hate it.”

  “Better than having to fight Lycans with hard-ons if they catch the scent of sex.”

  “True enough.” She closed the shower door and the false scent of pine filled the room. He grimaced, breathing through his mouth. “How the fuck can humans stand that shit?”

  She laughed. “Most city people have never been in a forest to know the difference and we don’t have super-sensitive noses. Snob.”

  He growled low and finished his shower. Gerri was dressed, minus her shoes, when he opened the door to grab a towel. He noticed the way her gaze slid down his body.

  She gave him her back. “I’ll wait in the other room.”

  “Don’t go far and leave the door open.”

  “Trust me. I’m not going to make it easy for someone to attack me while you’re getting dressed.”

  She was smart. His G.L. always had been. She went out of his sight but did as he’d asked, leaving the door wide open. He caught glimpses of her as he put on his clothes. She seemed to be distracting herself by cleaning up. Regret surfaced once more. She’d be home safe if it wasn’t for him. He faced the steamy mirror and used his palm to wipe it, noticing right away the redness of his skin along the top of his shoulder. He leaned in, hating for once how quickly he healed. The mark she’d put on him had almost completely faded.

  It caused his chest to ache. He wanted her to scar him, wanted her teeth to break his skin. “Fuck.”

  “You okay?” She came to the doorway, peering up at him.

  He forced a smile. “I’m hungry.” It just wasn’t for food. He wanted his mate.

  “I guess we’ll be going out again.”

  “No. We’re in for the night. I don’t want to distract Horton.”

  She nodded. “Okay.”

  He watched her walk away, and then left the bathroom, flipping off the light. God damn his parents and their old-fashioned ways.

  Chapter Ten

  Wen was being so quiet it worried Gerri. Something had happened when they’d had sex. He wouldn’t talk to her about it and acted as if nothing was wrong. She’d bitten him. That had to be it. It had been thoughtless, since she knew he had the urge to bite her.

  Then again, thinking wasn’t something she did well when Wen was naked and making love to her.

  They’d gotten a few hours of sleep but a loud commotion had them both out of bed at three in the morning. Wen went to the window, pulling back the curtain. “Fight.”

  Gerri was beside him in seconds. Two large men were battling in skin but their claws were out. There was enough light in the backyard that she could see the tears opening up in their clothing as they hit each other, and the bloodshed it caused. Her gaze lifted to the other buildings, noting lights coming on around them.

  “What morons,” Wen muttered.

  “I know. Someone will call the cops.”

  Horton appeared, along with Joel. The alpha moved fast, shoving the two Lycans apart and snarling loud enough to be heard by the neighborhood.

  “Is this what you call keeping them under control?” Horton sounded pissed