A Love For Lera (Haikon) (13 page)

“So it wasn’t good for you?” Worry bled into her
gaze.

Kori kissed her lips, careful to keep most of his
weight off her. “
Mo ghrá
, any better and I’d be dead. None before you
can compare to what I’ve just experienced.”

“Have you had many women, Kori?”

He pulled out of her and dressed them both in
comfortable clothes then gathered her into his arms. “Lera—”

“I’m sorry. That isn’t any of my business.”

“I’ve not been a monk, Lera, but I can tell you
this, since the day I knew you were my mate, I’ve not touched another.”

She rolled on top of him, and he felt himself
stiffen in response. “Can we do it again?” she asked, rubbing against him.

Hell yeah!
“I don’t want you too sore,
Lera.”

“And I want you again, Kori.” She nibbled along
his lower lip. “I thought it was your job to keep your mate happy.”

His wolf apparently agreed with Lera for he could
feel it. “My mate?” he questioned, sinking his hands into the hair on the sides
of her head.

“That’s what you said. And I highly doubt you’d
say such a thing just to get in my pants.”

“Do you believe we’re mates, Lera?” He ran his
thumbs along her lips.

She hesitated briefly, her head tilting to the
side. “I think if I were ever destined to have one, I couldn’t think of a
better one than you, Kori.”

“But you don’t believe it?”

“Does it matter? From what I’ve seen, even if I
don’t, you do, so that seals it.”

He shook his head. “It matters, Lera. Trust me,
it matters.”

She sat up, her legs straddling his waist, and
stared down at him. “I’ve never allowed myself to think I was ever going to be
married, Kori, much less be a mate to anyone.”

“Me, Lera,” he growled. “My mate. Not anyone.
Me.”

“When did you know?”

Kori hesitated.
No secrets from my mate.
“Since the day your cries filled my head.” She frowned. “I’m your angel.”

“No,” she muttered, shaking her head and
beginning to get off him.

Holding her there, Kori stared into the eyes of
the woman who owned his soul. “Yes, Lera. You know it was me, deep down, you
know. I told you about Dane and even the scar on his wrist. I couldn’t get to
you to save you so I did the best I could from a distance. Always with you.”

“But you’re not a black wolf.”

The back of his neck prickled. Did this have
something to do with the intruder he scented in the area upon his arrival? “No,
I’m not. You know that. I’m silver-gray with a charcoal mask. What does a black
wolf have to do with anything?”

Lera looked toward the trees her, brows furrowed
in concentration. “I remember the man in black who came, but there was also a
wolf, solid black, who came at times.”

Kori didn’t like the sound of this. “I never came
in wolf form to you, Lera.”

He sat up and held her close, the memory of the
unknown wolf at her house and around here now fresh in his memory. She licked
her lips and shrugged, although she wasn’t quick enough to hide her suspicion.

“So you’ve always been attached to me?” There was
a hint of betrayal in her tone.

“Always, Lera. And also why I kept our
interactions to a minimum.”

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“You deserved to have a childhood, Lera.” He
brought her gaze back from the tree line to his face with a touch. “You also
deserved to experience life as a young woman.”

“Is this why you agreed to help me?”

“Partly. I was selfish. I wanted to spend time
with you. But yes, I agreed to help you because you are my mate.”

“You could have done it on your own, right?
Gotten Rissa back.” The betrayal had been replaced by personal doubt, he could
feel it leaching from her.

“Yes. But I could see you needed to do it
yourself. I would love to slay all your demons, Lera, and keep you in a safe
little bubble where nothing can harm you, but I know you don’t want me to. And
as hard as it is for me to accept, I will respect that. You are strong,
independent, and stubborn as hell. Fearless, at times. Traits I happen to find
totally endearing.” He traced along her most recent scars. “But I would move
the mountains themselves if it would put a smile on your face and that sparkle
in your eye that I only used to see when you looked at your family.”

“I have to go home,” she whispered.

“And we will go.”

“No, Kori. I have to face my daddy alone.”

He hated that idea. “We belong together, Lera.
Mates stay together.”

“I’m a big girl. I can do this myself.”

“I’m sure you can. Doesn’t mean I will like it.”

Lera leaned close. “Well, it’s a lot safer than
what you let me do last time.”

He growled at her. “Didn’t like that either.”
Kori kissed her hard. “And it won’t be happening again.”

Lera stared at him for a bit in silence. He
brushed some hair behind her ear, smiling over how she burrowed into his touch.

“I think I knew, in a sense, that you were my
angel. He always made me feel so safe, and when I was with you in person, I got
that same feeling.”

“Will you do something for me, Lera?”

“Maybe. Can we have sex again?”

He smiled and shook his head. “We have the rest
of our lives to have as much as you want. But it’s not sex, Lera. It’s so much
more than that.”

“In that case, yes, I’ll do something for you.
What do you want?”

“I want you,
mo ghrá
. But I want you to
promise there will be no secrets between us.”

Lera sagged against him and burrowed her face
into the side of his neck. “You’re already in my head, Kori. You can snoop out
what you want. I should be asking you to promise that. And what does that
mean?”

“You have the right to your own thoughts, Lera. I
don’t snoop in them.
Mo ghrá
means my love.”

She smiled against his neck. “What if I have a
surprise for you, Kori, and I have to keep it a secret?”

“That’s different.”

He groaned when her hands moved up his sides,
nails lightly scoring him. “Can we do it again now?” she asked, kissing his
jaw.

Their clothes were gone in a second, and he
lowered her slowly on his cock.

“Ohhh,” she purred, her eyes fluttering back in
her head.

“I agree.”

He grabbed her hips and powered up into her. Her
teeth captured her lower lip as she rocked against him. She was about to kill
him. Lera rolled her hips and clenched her internal muscles around him.

Damn, she’s a quick learner.

Kori watched the woman who completed him from
beneath lowered lids. It was one of the most difficult things he’d ever done,
letting her pick the speed. The afternoon sun shone down upon her medium brown
skin, marred by the faint scars on her belly. He tightened his fingers into her
hips and rose up to meet her downward strokes. Her head dropped forward, hair
cascading around them and creating a private space for the two of them. His
balls began to tingle.

“Lera.”

“Hmmm?”

“Stop teasing me.”

She stopped moving and leaned close to kiss him.
“I like kissing you, Kori. You taste so good.”

“And I can’t wait to taste you, Lera.
All
of
you.”

Her eyes darkened, and her pussy walls
contracted. Kori stroked within her, lifting and lowering her meet his thrusts.
Lera grabbed his wrists and moved, too. The slight part of her lips, the flush
to her skin, how tightly she held him, all of it pushed Kori over the edge.

With one hand, he reached between them and rubbed
her clit. Lera screamed and shattered around him. Three more deep strokes was
all he could handle before he came with a roar and coated her womb. Lera
collapsed on his chest, her heart pounding as hard as his. With a satisfied
smile, Kori lifted her off of him then dressed them both before putting her
back on his chest. Then, he pulled the other part of the blanket over them and
secured his arms around her. A quick brush of lips along her forehead, and he
closed his eyes.

“Rest now,
mo ghrá
.”

Her succulent body shifted when she sighed and
gave the impression of melding right into him. He closed his eyes, more content
than he’d ever been, and fell to sleep.

Only his wolf’s warning got him out of the way of
the projectile that almost hit him. Rolling to his feet, prepared to defend
Lera to the death if necessary, Kori froze at the realization of two things.

One, Lera again had managed to vanish without
waking him. And two, this could very well be his last day breathing.

“I am going to tear you from limb to limb, Cormac
MacLochlainne.” The words were uttered with deadly promise.

Chapter Ten

Lera strode through the forest, making as little
sound as possible. Eyes wide and senses alert, she picked her way by some
instinct. Her mind running over the fact Kori said she was his mate.
Could
it be so?
At the edge of a glade, she paused. Cautiously, she stepped out
into the sunlit area. It seemed time slowed when from the other side came the
black wolf.

“You again,” she said on a sigh.

The air stilled, animals quieted, and Lera stared
at the magnificent wolf, blacker than the darkest night. The light didn’t just
gleam off his shiny pelt; it seemed to be absorbed by it. To black for a blue
hue, it was just pure black. She knew he was not your typical
canis lupus
for it hovered near the size of Kori in wolf shape, perhaps even bigger. But
Lera felt no fear. Quite the opposite, in fact. She felt different.

Head lowered, the creature moved effortlessly and
without noise across the grassy ground. It stopped before her and stared up at
her with obsidian eyes.

“I know you,” she murmured, dropping to her knees
before him.

Those eyes never blinked. Lera lifted her hand to
touch him but hesitated. The wolf finished the act for her. He stepped into her
palm and, her fingers immersed into his thick coat. Electrical impulses shot
through her, and goose bumps erupted along her skin.

‘I’ve been waiting for this for a long time,
vaj.’

The voice in her head was different than Kori’s
but masculine as well. However, where Kori’s could make her react in a sexual
way, this one soothed and empowered.

‘Who are you?’
She questioned, bringing
her other hand up and delving it into the other side of his neck.

‘I am yours.’

He nudged her with his head, and Lera shuddered
before the flood gates opened. The anguish and emptiness she’d felt most of her
life vanished. The links were finally complete. And now, so was she.

‘No reason to cry, vaj. I’m here now.’

Face buried in the thick pelt, Lera sighed
deeply. The scent of pine and freedom filled her, the pain and unfulfilled need
for something she couldn’t ever seem to obtain gone.

“It was you. All along. The black wolf in my
head. Wasn’t it?”

‘Yes. Along with your mate, Cormac
MacLochlainne.’

Lera remembered if the figure in black was there
the wolf seemed to remain farther back.
‘But how doesn’t he know about you?
He remained in my mind.’
She returned to speaking in her mind so she could
hold him tighter.

‘I sought out your mate and connected your
minds. I’ve been around in your mind so I know how to remain hidden’.

‘What is your name?’

‘Adric.’
He nuzzled her.
‘I’ve waited
so long for this moment, vaj.’

Deep within her, she knew she had been, too.
‘What’s
vaj mean? What is it?’

‘I’m your vaj as you are mine. Gifted by the
gods. That’s what I am to you. And what you are to me.’

Instead of frightening her, his words comforted.
‘Why
did it take so long?’

‘As a baby, you were too weak to defend
yourself Even if you shifted, you were still a pup. A pup is extremely
vulnerable. You are unique, vaj. We had to keep you as safe as we possible.’

Her heart stopped. Sitting back, she stared at
him and wiped her eyes. With a hard swallow, she stuttered, “Sh…sh…shift?”

If wolves could grin, then Adric did.

‘Yes, vaj. Shift.’

In all her wildest dreams, she never imagined she
could actually experience another shape.

‘Can we do it now?’

‘Yes.’

She pushed to her feet and reached for the hem of
her shirt.

‘What are you doing?’

‘Don’t I have to disrobe?’

‘You’re not a shifter in the same sense as
your father or your mate. Our line is ancient even to them. You only need to
think wolf.’

Lera crouched back beside him and touched the
coat. “How do I do that? I don’t know much about wolves. I grew up with
tigers.”

‘Close your eyes, and I will guide you.’
She did.
‘Four feet instead of two. Sounds and scents amplified. Lean,
powerful muscles to hunt and run. Razor sharp teeth. Smell the rich, fertile
earth, the pungent grass.’

Her body felt different. The world around her
different. She stared at Adric who remained face level.

‘Come, let us run.’

She took a few cautious steps before she moved
faster. Soon, they streaked through the woods, weaving effortlessly amongst the
trunks. The wind blew by her, and she understood perfectly now when Kori said
it was freedom to be in wolf form. They jumped fallen trees with ease, and she
stopped with Adric when he paused at the edge of a motionless lake. Slowly, she
moved to stare into the mirror like surface. A large ruddy wolf stared back.

‘Is that me?’

A black head appeared next to hers.
‘Well,
it’s not me,’
he teased
. ‘You are a beautiful wolf, vaj.’

Yes, she was. Beside the large black wolf, she
could tell she was smaller but not by much. As she stared, her own face
shimmered into view, and she found herself on her hands and knees at the
water’s edge.

“What happened?” she cried.

‘It takes time to accustom your body to wolf
shape. You’ll master it in no time.’

Her sigh of relief was loud. Reaching out, she
plummeted her hand into his coat. She tipped her head back and sent her thanks
heavenward. Adric moved to lie behind her, and without thought, she reclined
against him. The steady beat of his heart soothed her.

‘What happens now, Adric?’

‘I’m sure you have plenty of questions.’

“I sure do.” Lera sat up and stared out over the
lake. “Does this mean Kori’s not my mate? And you are?” She wasn’t too sure
about how that made her feel. Somehow, she knew she needed Kori in her life,
too. Although, he did mention Kori was her mate.

‘That man is your destiny. I am flesh and
blood wolf, vaj. This my only shape. My sole purpose is to be your friend,
counsel, and protector should you need it. Because of our bond, you can tap the
earth’s magic and take the shape I wear. Our bond is totally different than the
one you and Cormac MacLochlainne share. He
is
your mate.’

“How come I’ve never heard of your kind…our
kind…whatever we are?” She tipped her head to the side. “What
are
we?”

‘We’ve been hunted and persecuted nearly into
extinction. There are very few remaining of the Haikon. Too few. Those who do
survive don’t always find their vaj. Both animal and human. They are destined
to a life of pain and loneliness.’
He got to his feet and moved so he could
look in her eyes.
‘We hurt when we are separated. I’ve seen both animal and
human go crazy from the emptiness. Seeking death even.’

“Like I went through. The feeling that something
was missing and only death could take it away. Why I felt like I was less.”

‘Yes, and I am so sorry. I had a hard time
reaching you physically.’

Up on her knees, Lera wrapped her arms around him
again.
‘Not any reason to apologize. I’m just glad you found me.’

‘I would never give up my search for you, vaj.
Never!’

Biting her lower lip, she thought about Kori and
how he would react to Adric. She knew they were both alpha males. And it wasn’t
exactly like she could picture Kori accepting males around her. Black ears
twitched, and Adric stood. He got free of her hold and faced the way they’d come,
nose up in the air.

“What?”

‘Your mate needs you.’

“Kori?” She bolted to her feet. “What’s wrong?”
‘Kori?’

‘Where are you,
mo ghrá?
’

Kori’s deep and smooth Irish brogue filled her
mind. Yet she could pick up on the stress in it.

‘Not too far.’
Dropping her gaze to Adric,
she said, “Let’s go.” Lera got a few steps away when she stopped and looked
back at Adric. “Coming?”

‘Why two legs when four is much better?’

She grinned and began to run. Soon, the ground
flew by, and the world became much clearer. At the edge of the tree line which
would lead her back to Kori, a familiar scent reached her. She shifted back to
human and looked at Adric.

‘Wait here, Adric. Please.’

‘I’ll be right here, vaj.’

She strode from the forest and stared in shock at
the sight before her. “Daddy?” she gasped, hurrying toward the men.

Dane had Kori up by the throat and appeared none
too happy with the man he choked the air from. He looked at her and dropped his
hold. Those intense tawny-green-gold eyes softened as he gazed at her.

“Lera.” Dane opened his arms.

She looked between the two men.
Kori? ‘What’s
going on?’

‘He knows we slept together.’

‘Are you okay?’

‘I’m fine,
mo ghrá.
’

She took him at his word. Lera hugged her daddy
and tears pricked her eyes. Tipping her head back, she asked, “What are you
doing here?”

“I came to check on you,” Dane said. His stare
hardened when he looked at Kori. “Apparently, I should have come sooner.”

“Daddy,” she whispered, bringing his eyes back to
her. “You can’t hurt Kori.”

“Watch me.” The tone was dagger sharp.

Hands on her dad’s face, Lera shook her head.
“He’s my mate, Daddy.”

The silence became thick. Dane glanced between
them, suspicion in his gaze. He fixated on Kori and ground out, “He told you
you were his mate?”

Lera turned her eyes to meet the gray ones
waiting for her. “Yes. But he
is
my mate as well.” She walked to Kori’s
side and easily into his embrace, yet watched her dad.

‘I love you,
mo anam.
’
Kori’s thick
accent danced in her mind.

‘Are you sure you’re okay?’

‘Sore. Your dad packs one hell of a punch, but
I’m fine.’

Indescribable emotions flashed along her dad’s
face. Lera patted Kori’s forearm and moved back to her daddy’s arms. Wrapping
hers around his neck, she hugged him tight.

“I’ll always need you, Daddy. Always.”

Arms which had saved her so many years ago hugged
her back. “We need to talk, little one.”

“I know. But first I have something to tell you.”
She peered at Kori. “Both of you.” Holding her daddy’s hand, she pulled him to
stand near Kori. She stepped forward. “Just watch.” Lera sent her desire across
the link she’d never known she had but had always needed. And her wolf answered
the call.

Adric burst from the trees, running all out
toward her. Ears back, coming for her. No one else but her. Lera dropped to her
knees and opened her arms, sighing contentedly when his warm body rested
against her.

Kori’s jaw hurt from where Dane had delivered a
right cross to it. His throat sore from the powerful hands he’d had wrapped
around it. He knew he’d been in trouble when Dane’s hands closed about his neck
but then Lera had appeared. He’d just begun to breathe easier when there came
from the woods a black wolf. As large if not larger than him. The scent of the
unknown wolf filled his nose.

This is the one who’d been stalking her.
His wolf raced to the surface, and he could feel the shift beginning. Beside
him, he could hear the angry rumble of a tiger.

‘Don’t hurt him, Kori,’
Lera’s voice
entered his mind. Her tone so much more confident.

One arm shot out, and he grabbed Dane whose sound
of displeasure grew louder at his contact.

“She doesn’t want us to hurt him.”

They watched this creature run right into her
arms. The ease in which she hugged the wolf made Kori growl with jealousy. His
fingers closed into fists.

“Can it be true?” Dane’s question was hushed.

He glanced at the man who’d raised his mate.
“What are you talking about?”

Lera met their gazes and he could see the tears
in her eyes. “He’s mine.”

Kori’s wolf snarled in challenge. The thought of
another alpha male near his mate didn’t sit well with either of them.

“What do you mean yours, Lera?” he asked, trying
not to rip her away from the wolf.

“He’s been searching for me.”

Dane stepped up and dropped to his knees beside
Lera and reached out as if to touch Adric’s coat but he hesitated before making
actual connection. “I never believed…until now.”

Kori was frustrated. “What’s going on, Lera?”

She got to her feet and came to him. It didn’t
escape his attention that the obsidian gaze of the wolf followed her every
move. Kori calmed when she slid her arms around his waist.

“This is Adric. He’s my
vaj,
and I am
his.”

Vaj. Kori frowned. All he’d heard in
collaboration with them was from stories of the past. Stories dealing with a
race of people called Haikon. Which meant “of the chosen race.” They were
presumed to have been wiped out. It was more than a shock to meet one and have
Lera’s name attached to it as well.

Dane got to his feet and looked between the three
of them. “Come back to Savoy, and we’ll discuss this more.” Then, he walked off
with one final look to Adric.

‘You and I are far from being done, Cormac
MacLochlainne.’
Dane’s voice wove into his mind, and he knew “Daddy Dane”
had not been happy with the minor damage he’d inflicted. Kori didn’t respond;
there was nothing he could say. He just rolled his shoulders and contained his
wince from the sore muscles he’d already been given.

When it was him, Lera, and the wolf she called
Adric, he set her from him and stared in her eyes. “Lera?”

It was as if a transformation took over, and he
was faced with a woman who had suddenly come into her own. There surrounding
her sat an aura of confidence she’d been missing before. It was a double-edged
sword to him. He was glad and yet very jealous that it was because this wolf
had given it to her.