Fated Desire: A Paranormal Romance Novel (The Twisted Destiny Saga Book 1) (8 page)

CHAPTER 14

“Wow,” Cora breathed as she followed Ryan into a huge garage.

She eyed the trucks over on the far side of the room. She recognized one as his—a maroon RAM truck—the one he’d driven her and Luca in on their way to that cursed mansion. But what really drew her attention were the dozens of bikes taking up the rest of the space in the garage. There was a bit of everything. Cruisers. Off-roaders. Sports bikes. Harleys, Triumphs, Suzukis, Yamahas. She approached one in particular that had caught her eye.

“Harley. Sportster Forty-Eight. XL1200X,” he told her as she ran her hand along it.

“I know,” she said. “It’s gorgeous.”

He crossed to it and swung his leg over it. “Get on. We’ll take it for a spin. It’s daylight. No vamps to worry about yet.”

She scoffed. “I’m not getting on the
back
.”

She felt his eyes on her as she approached another bike, a silver V TWIN. Another Harley. She liked her Harleys. She swung her leg over it and settled herself on it.

“You don’t wanna ride with me?” he asked.

“I wanna race you.”

He smirked at her. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll give you a few seconds head start, darlin’.”

She scoffed. “Maybe you should take your own offer. I don’t need it.”

“Fine,” he said as he kicked his bike into gear.

She did the same. And then, without warning, she sped out of the garage, leaving a heavy fog of dust in her wake.

#

A couple of hours later, Ryan came to a stop beside Cora at the top of a steep hill that overlooked the city below.

“Fucking hell, woman.”

She shook out her hair and grinned at him. “I told you.”

“I can’t believe you made that jump.”

“It was in my way.”

“It was a wall. You’re supposed to go around it.”

“Like you, you mean?”

“I was caught off guard and worrying about you making the jump, darlin’.”

She climbed off her bike and leaned against it. He rested against his own, his arms folded, as his gaze raked over her, taking in every delicious inch of her.

“You’re full of surprises, Cora. You know that?”

“So are you.”

“Am I?”

“Yeah. I’m stronger than wolf, Ryan. I’ve put it to the test several times. Fine, I’ve never had to test my strength against an Alpha, but, today, what I felt, it was more than just a little more power than the rest of your boys.”

“I tried to warn you when you were calling me out in front of the pack.”

“But how? What don’t I know?”

He folded his arms across his chest and released a heavy sigh as his eyes locked with hers. “I am pure wolf, Cora.”

“
Pure
wolf?”

“Pureblood,” he clarified.

“Like pureblood vampires, you mean? They’re born vampires, not made?”

“Yes. The same principle.”

Her eyes were wide with surprise. “Wow, I didn’t know there was such a thing as a pureblood wolf. That…makes sense. It’s why you’re so strong.”

“Yep.”

“Don’t you have to be royalty to be a pureblood…
anything
?”

“Yes.”

“Then you are—?”

“Royalty, like Luca.”

“A prince?”

He shook his head and grinned. “King.” He watched shock flicker over her face. “Lucky you. You get to be mated to the King of the Wolves. And, here you thought, I was merely a lowly Alpha wolf.”

She rolled her eyes as she said, “Your arrogance knows no bounds.”

“Neither does yours,
princess
.”

She crossed to him and leaned against his bike beside him. “Tell me more,” she said, looking up at him. “The whole story.”

He wrapped his arm around her, drawing her close. He drew in a breath as he told her, “My father was King of the Wolves. He was killed—murdered—and so the title passed to me about two hundred years ago.”

She gasped. “Oh my God. How old
are
you?”

“It’s coming up to my three-hundredth birthday.”

Her gaze snapped to his. “What? How is that possible? Wolves only live a few years longer than the average human life expectancy.”

“I’m immortal. It comes with the whole pureblood thing.”

“Wow. Okay. I see. Uh…so…how did your father die?”

“Nathanial killed him.”

“Luca’s father? The King of the Dark Realm?”

“Yeah. He and my father once ruled the Dark Realm together. Until Nathanial decided that he no longer liked the idea of sharing power. He manipulated my father. Tricked him. He threatened all the wolves under their rule. And my father…he…took a bow. He gave his life to ensure the survival of his species.”

“I’m sorry, Ryan. He just turned against your father, just like that?”

“Once it became known that Luca and I shared a mother. She’d been with both of them. Her name was Oriana—a powerful sorceress who served on
your
father’s court in the White Realm. She was Nathanial’s bride. By
vampire
law, anyway. He took her by force. She wasn’t his mate. She was—”

“Your father’s?” Cora gasped, pulling away suddenly.

“Yes. When my father found out, he became obsessed.”

“Oh my God.”

“The pull between destined mates is strong, Cora. It can’t be denied.”

“I know,” she murmured quietly. “That’s why you didn’t want me to go to his mansion—it was like history repeating itself.”

He nodded sadly.

“If you’re King, why are you here and not in the Dark Realm?”

“Because I was banished by Nathanial. If I return it will be a call to war. Before I was banished, his vampire army outnumbered the wolves ten-to-one. I might be strong, but not even I could’ve taken an entire vamp army. I would’ve faced execution had it not been for the fact that I’m Luca’s half-brother. Luca and I were…tight back then. Until he betrayed me a couple of years ago. But that’s a story for another time.”

“Where is your mother now? Did she survive the Vampire King’s wrath?”

“She survived. I would’ve felt it if she’d died. But I have no idea where she is. She disappeared after my father was killed.
No
one knows where she is.”

“Why was I promised to Luca? The White Realm couldn’t have condoned what Nathanial did to your father. Your mother was a member of Vazra’s court, you said. Nathanial killing her mate must have upset relations between the two realms, right?”

“Vazra’s hands were tied. The White Realm wasn’t ready for war back then. He had to promise you to Luca, or Nathanial would’ve gone to war with him. The betrothal wasn’t part of a peace treaty like Luca told you. It was pure revenge. Against me—for what my father did—taking Nathanial’s wife.”

Ryan watched her begin to pace up and down. She was clearly trying to absorb the shocking backstory he’d just told her. He understood her distress. It was a lot to take.

“How is it possible that I don’t know any of this? Up until a few nights ago the only special thing about me was that I was a Seeker. Part supernatural, I’d thought.”

“It seems like your father hid you among humans.”

“To keep me from Luca?”

“Looks like.”

“But Luca found me.”

“He must’ve stepped up his search for you. It’s getting close to your thirtieth birthday. If he doesn’t bond with you and take you as his bride by then it will be too late. The treaty will be void. You will be free.”

“But war will break out?”

“Perhaps.”

“You don’t believe it will?”

“Both the White Realm and the Dark Realm have another threat to worry about right now. A mutual enemy. Michael.”

“That crazed vamp whose supes attacked us?”

“That’d be him.”

She walked back to him and told him urgently, “He said something to me…he said that I am the bridge between the light and the dark.”

Ryan’s brow furrowed. He remembered Michael saying those words to her. “I don’t know what he meant by that. I’m sorry.”

Suddenly her arms gripped his, shaking him urgently. “We need to bond.”

“I know.”

“You know? You knew all this, how urgent it was for us to bond, and you didn’t tell me?”

“You weren’t ready.”

“I thought a wolf’s mindset was just to take?”

“I’m not just looking at you through the eyes of a wolf, Cora. I’m looking at you through the eyes of your mate. It’s the
only
thing that has allowed me to hold back with you. The pull between us is intense.”

She smiled at him, seeming touched by what he’d told her. She kissed his forehead chastely and then pulled back to look at him. “I…love you,” she choked out.

His eyes blazed into hers as he responded, “As I do you, my love.”

“I want you to take me.”

He glanced up at the sky. Sunset was coming. “We need to hurry.”

She nodded and climbed back onto her bike. As he did the same, he told her, “Not the base. The sexual energy will drive my boys crazy. I know another place.”

CHAPTER 15

Ryan locked the door behind them and turned around to find Cora gazing around the log cabin in wide-eyed wonder.

“This is your place?” she asked.

“Yeah. I come here when I need time to think; when I just need some time alone. Being around over a hundred wolves can get a little much from time to time. Sometimes I just need a breather.”

She nodded her understanding as she stared at the living room around her. Oversized couches and armchairs, warm rugs, and a real wood-burning fireplace all emanated a soothing warmth. Just the way he’d intended it when he’d furnished it.

“Come,” he said, taking her hand in his.

He led her upstairs and down a corridor to the last room on the right. He pushed open the door and gestured for her to go on in. A huge, king-sized sleigh bed rested in the corner. As she stared at it, he smelled her fear.

He wrapped his arms around her. “Relax.”

He gently eased her leather jacket off her shoulders and tossed it aside. He ran his hands up and down her arms, warming her and trying to relax her for what lay ahead. She gasped as he brushed her hair aside and kissed her neck, her shoulders.

He spun her around to face him and then he stepped back, his gaze never leaving hers as he shed his own leather jacket. He pulled his t-shirt over his head so that he was standing before her naked from the waist up.

He watched, spellbound, as Cora took his cue and gripped the hem of her tank top. She peeled it off her body and tossed it aside. He swallowed hard as she took off her bra and treated him to the sight of her perfect, perky tits.

“They’re just begging to be tasted,” he told her, his eyes hooded with desire.

She yelped as he suddenly lunged at her and drove her onto the bed. Before she could catch her breath, his mouth was on her, suckling her left tit. Kissing, licking, nibbling her sensitive flesh, he drove her to a frenzy. He bit down lightly on her nipple, causing her to yelp in surprise. He tended to her right tit and by then she was panting frantically, her nails digging into his biceps in wild passion.

He pulled back and reached for the belt of his jeans. As soon as he did, Cora’s lips found his chest. He moaned in pleasure as her tongue lapped at his nipples, while her hands explored his abs. Her touch was so soft, so soothing. It possessed his body and his mind.

“Fucking hell, Cora,” he rasped.

He had no idea how he managed it, but he shed his jeans in spite of her sensual assault. Thankfully, he was going commando, so he didn’t have to worry about boxers as well. She gasped when she felt his rock-hard cock against her. She drew back and stared, open-mouthed, as she took in his impressive length. Her eyes met his and he saw her worry.

“I’m gonna hold back the wolf this first time.”

“How?”

“Just…let me worry about that. Lay back, darlin’.”

To his surprise, she complied and lay down on the bed, resting her head on the abundance of pillows at the head of the bed. It was then that he realized the significance of her submission. She was placing her trust in him, giving over complete control to him.

He crawled up the bed and then tugged at her leather pants, pulling them down to her ankles. He pulled them the rest of the way off and tossed them to the side. A pair of black, lace panties stared back at him.
Mmm…lace. Too bad they need to go as well.
With one tug of wolf strength he ripped them from her body. He brushed the scraps of material off the bed.

“That’s better.”

Before she could respond, his mouth was between her legs. She screamed as his tongue licked the entire length of her slit in a tantalizingly slow motion. He traced circles around her clit and her fingers clawed at the sheets. She was panting. She couldn’t keep still.

Her body was his.

“I’m gonna come. I’m gonna come, Ryan!”

Fucking right, you are.
He thrust a finger inside her. She screamed in ecstasy as she came hard, cursing and crying out his name as she rode her orgasm.

“
Now
you’re ready for me,” he said, pulling back and licking his lips at her.

He crawled up her body, straddling her hips. And then his mouth crashed against hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. He could feel her need for him. Her desperation. She arched her back and moaned into his mouth.

She yelped as he pressed the tip of his cock to her entrance. He eased in slowly and she tensed up instantly at the unfamiliar intrusion.

“Wrap your legs around me, sweetheart,” he breathed against her neck.

She did as he asked and then he eased in slowly. Deeper and deeper.

“Good girl. That’s right. Relax. Let me in.”

Ryan fought to push down the wolf that was fighting to break free. He stilled within her for a moment to allow her to get used to him. She was so damn tight. He couldn’t believe it. Then again, it was his first time with a virgin. He was fighting against every instinct he had to hold back with her, to be gentle. The idea of restraining himself in any way, especially during sex, was against his very nature. But she managed to transcend even that. She made him want to be gentle, to take care of her, to worry about
her
pleasure first and his second.

Her hands gripped the sides of his face and he met her gaze. Her eyes were on fire, the silver glow in them brighter than he had ever seen it.

“Do it,” she choked out. “Please. Fuck me, Ryan.”

She didn’t need to tell him twice. He eased almost all the way out of her and then he thrust back in hard, burying himself in her to the hilt, as he took her virginity in one determined motion. Her shrill cry echoed in his ears.

But, as he looked at her, she just nodded for him to continue.
Fucking hell, she really is a tough little thing.

He pounded into her, relishing the sound of her moans from his every thrust. The wolf was getting closer to the surface. He was on the edge of losing control.

“It’s okay. You won’t hurt me,” she said, as if she’d just read his thoughts.

“No…I can’t.”

She dug her nails into his back and raked them along his flesh. Her actions called to the beast within, called to him to unleash it. “I want the wolf,” she growled.

At the sound of her words, he snapped and let go of his control.

His thrusts became brutal, relentless.

His nails raked over her body, from her shoulders, over her breasts, down her stomach.

He gripped her waist roughly and pulled her up so that she was riding his cock. He guided her hips before letting go. He growled as she started to ride him hard, drawing the energy of his wolf to her and letting go of her inhibitions. She became wild, feral, just like him. She was scratching, nipping and licking him everywhere, smothering his body. Her nails dug into his back, forcing a grunt from him.

He nuzzled her neck. And then his tongue licked the sensitive flesh between her neck and her shoulder.

He bit down.

Hard.

She screamed and threw her head back, the sensation sending her over the edge. She screamed in ecstasy as she came around him.

The feel of her pussy gripping his cock, milking him, was almost too much to take. He pulled back and swiped his claws over his chest, drawing blood. He reached for the back of her head to guide her, but she beat him to it. Her tongue tasted him, suckling his blood gently. And that was when he let go, grunting as he released himself into her.

She kissed away the blood that trickled down his chest and then looked up at him, smiling.

He pulled her to him and they collapsed onto the bed, her on top of him.

“I would say let’s go again, but I think you might be too sore for that right now,” he said, looking up at her with a grin.

“You could go again right now?” she asked, surprised.

“One of the many perks of being wolf, darlin’.”

She shook her head. “Sorry. I can’t.”

“Sorry? Never apologize to me again like that. You can take a fuck of a lot. You were amazing.”

She smiled shyly back at him and wiped away the blood on her lips.
His
blood.

“You want something to drink to wash away the taste?” he asked.

“No. I’m okay. Are you?”

“I’m no vamp, but I’ve tasted supernatural blood before. Battles with vamps and all that, you know?”

“Right, when you go into battle you literally rip through flesh. Gory,” she said with a laugh.

“You tasted so sweet, though. And the power? You pack a hell of a punch.”

“So, do you. I can feel it in me. And…other things.”

“You are well and truly marked now,” he said, wrapping his arms tightly around her. “We’re now officially bonded.”

“No one can break it,” she murmured peacefully against his chest.

“No one,” he agreed, stroking her hair.