Slater's Enchanting Mate, Iron Wolves MC 4 (4 page)

Her next memory was of waking in a clinic in wolf form, covered in blood with an IV in her. She shook off the drugs, and escaped, running again until she ran into Rasmund. There her memories became softer, her heartrate eased, her breathing went back to normal.

Slater opened his eyes as the fur beneath his fingers became soft skin. It took him several blinks of his eyes before he was able to reconcile the creature beneath him as his LeeLee. The horrors she’d faced the first six years of her life would make anyone insane, and he wasn’t sure if she would be or not. The wolf LeeLee seemed to be somewhat coherent, listening to commands, and knowing her place in Cammie’s home. How would the human react? Hell, could she speak? It took him a moment to realize he still had his hands firmly on her chest.

He looked up at the Fey. Their eyes were still closed, the energy surrounding him and LeeLee was still glowing a myriad of colors of golds, purples, and maroons. The jewel tones were beautiful, yet he wondered when or if it was okay to speak. Afraid he’d break some spell, he stayed silent, then glanced back down at LeeLee. Her white blonde hair had replaced the bright red he’d expected. Upon further inspection, he noticed she had silver shot throughout the white tresses.

“It is done. Her wolf is sleeping, now we will wake the human,” Jenna said without opening her eyes.

A slight nod of his head, like she could see him, was his answer. He’d ask the question burning in his gut after she woke. Why was she no longer red haired? What else had changed?

LeeLee jerked beneath him, gasping for air, then her eyes opened. The blue was so light they were almost clear. She raised her right arm, opened her mouth then shut it.

He grabbed her palm before it could fall with his own and brought it to his chest. “Hi,” he said the first thing that came to him.

Tears swam in the eyes that captivated him. “I’m LeeLee.” Her words were halted.

He wanted to cry with her, but nodded. “Welcome back.”

“You saved me,” she said like she couldn’t believe he would.

Slater lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the palm. “I’ll always save you.”

A throat cleared. “Now, children, remember there are others in the room. No bumping uglies in the presence of us, if you don’t mind.”

LeeLee’s pale cheeks turned a bright red, making Slater growl at the Fey leader. “Jennaveve, really. She is in no shape to bump anything right now.”

The woman beneath him squirmed, reminding him that she was buckass naked. He worked real hard to keep his eyes on her face, and not let himself indulge in checking out her nakedness. Seriously, he deserved a medal for keeping his eyes above her shoulders. Surely he was getting some major points on the good side.

Jenna snorted, dragging his gaze from LeeLee.

“How do you feel, child?” Jenna lifted a not quite steady hand, placing it on LeeLee’s forehead.

“Thirsty.” She swallowed.

Slater wondered where she was intellectually, not that it mattered to him. However, he hoped she wanted him on some level. He could be patient. His cock jerked, a constant reminder that his body was not quite on board with the waiting.

One by one, he forced his muscles to relax and move slowly, so as not to inadvertently bring his burgeoning erection into the spotlight. Dressed in jeans that were a little too tight in that area, he was sure everyone already knew, but he hoped his mate didn’t notice.

A glass of water appeared and with it the knowledge LeeLee would need to sit up in order to drink. With more haste than finesse, he swung his leg over, settling on his knees between Jenna and Payton. Watching the gorgeous creature drink from a glass shouldn’t turn him on, but damn, he swore his own mouth watered.

She appeared almost ethereal, from her white blonde hair with its silver streaks, to her pale skin. The smooth and creamy flesh was almost translucent. He worried if he was too rough she’d bruise. Hell, he was already moving past friends to rough sex. Fuck!

“Thank you, Jenna. That was the best water I’ve tasted in a long time.” Her smile lit up the room. Or maybe that was his fanciful thinking.

“Pfft, that’s probably because you’ve been drinking out of doggie dishes for the past twenty years or so, I reckon,” Jenna said, winking.

Slater wanted to wring the Fey’s neck, but the giggle from all the women, including LeeLee, had him looking a little closer. True mirth shone from the clear blue eyes.

“You are probably correct. Um, do you have something I could borrow? You know to put on?” Her hand waved over her chest, yet she made no move to cover herself.

Slater figured he’d been a gentleman long enough, and felt as though his eyes were as large as saucers. The woman LeeLee, was built like a goddess. All sleek curves, but her breasts were perfectly formed. Not big, but just right to fit in a man’s hands. His hands he amended.

As if by magic a wrap appeared, the silvery blue color a perfect match for her coloring. Yet, he wanted to rip the offending material into shreds.

“Are you hungry?” He croaked thinking of the delicious soup and grilled cheese he’d eaten earlier.

“Yes, actually I am.” When LeeLee made no move to wrap herself in the garment, he wasn’t sure if it was because she didn’t know how, or if she could care less.

Since she’d asked for the covering, he went with she wasn’t sure how to work it and stood up, holding out his hand. “Here, let me help you with that.”

Helping his mate cover up all her naked glory, was an act of restraint he wouldn’t have given himself credit for days before. Hell, if he was honest he’d have said he would never do it. Although now he’d do anything that would set LeeLee at ease.

“How do you feel?” He asked in a hushed whisper.

“Weak.” Her answer surprised him.

“We will let you two get acquainted. Come on ladies, let’s go visit elsewhere.” Jenna ushered the other ladies out.

“Why do the other women listen to her? She’s the youngest of them?” LeeLee stared at the women’s backs.

Jenna looked back and winked.

He waited until they were seated at the table, noticing they’d left another pot of soup and two bowls along with several sandwiches. “Jennaveve is the oldest, love. She may look as young as you, but she’s an undetermined age.”

“Oh my damn. I’m not sure I can equate that.” She tilted her head in a very canine way, reminding him of her wolf.

Her words sent a jolt through him. Clearly she’d absorbed some knowledge through her years as a wolf. How much was yet to be seen. “Eat up. I happen to know firsthand this soup is delicious.” He indicated the dish between them.

She hesitated for only a moment, before she picked up a hot pink ladle shaped like the Loch Ness Monster, then spooned a generous portion into her bowl. “You know things smell different as a human,” she whispered, eyes closing while she took a deep breath, stretching the fabric across her breasts.

After making sure she was finished serving herself he spooned some into his bowl, leaving plenty in case she wanted seconds. “Yes. When I’m in my wolf form, I can hear, see, and even smell better, yet it’s different. I wouldn’t have appreciated all the spices in the soup as a wolf.” He smiled at the look of bliss that crossed her face, completely enchanted in her every expression, like he was experiencing them with her. And in a way, he was. His dick hardened at the thought of the other things he could introduce her to.

They ate in companionable silence, but he noticed she took extra care sipping when he knew she wanted to devour her first meal as a woman. Once their bellies were full, he sat back, placing his hands on his stomach, waiting. He didn’t have to wait too long before she too finished with a contented sigh.

“My, that was by far the best I’ve ever eaten.” Sincerity was stamped in her voice and on her face. He wondered how she’d make it in the real world if she was so open, and knew then and there he’d be her protector.

He pointed at the last sandwich. “You want that one?”

A shake of her head, followed by a half smile had him grinning like a fool.

“I’d like to take a shower. For some reason I feel dirty,” her voice rasped.

Slater could have kicked himself. The Fey had cleansed her, but more than likely her baths had consisted of a hose or some natural water source. They both turned at the sound of a door opening.

“Ah, good. You are done. I almost yelled before entering. You never know with horny wolves what you’ll walk in on.” Jenna shook her head. “Why, let me tell you something.” She leaned close to LeeLee’s ear. “Don’t just pop into Kellen’s home, or the Malik brothers. I swear, they are always practicing on making babies,” she said with exasperation.

LeeLee’s face turned a lovely shade of red, while he couldn’t contain the deep laugh.

“Why are you laughing? I mean, shouldn’t they know how to make babies?” She made air quotes around the last two words, a grin spilling across her beautiful face.

“LeeLee would like to take a bath. Is that possible?” He pushed back, beginning to help stack the dishes for the Fey queen.

“Of course there are bathing facilities here. What do you think this is, the dark ages?” Jenna shook her head. “Leave the dishes, I’ll take care of them, while you show LeeLee how to work the bathroom facility.”

He listened as she told him where the guest bedroom was located, and how there were extra clothes in the closet. The woman clearly knew what other women needed. “Thanks, Jenna.” He stopped next to her and gave her a peck on the cheek.

Jenna waved his gratitude off and smiled. Again, sadness etched her gorgeous features for a moment.

Making their way through what was clearly a much larger home than he’d thought, Slater kept hold of LeeLee’s hand. They’d left a somber Jenna in the main room, her mind no longer on them or their problems.

The door she’d told them to look for appeared, making him shake his head. “I feel as if I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole.”

Her head tilted to the side. “What do you mean?”

He bit his lip, hating she didn’t know all the things most humans took for granted. “It’s a saying from a classic movie. A young girl falls down a rabbit hole and finds herself in a strange alternate world. This door reminded me of something Alice would have found in the movie.”

“Ah, I remember. Wasn’t there a big cat that would appear and disappear?”

His heart jumped. “Yes.”

She nodded. “I watched that one as a child and Cammie did too. My memories are a little jumbled from before…” she stumbled over her words. “I feel like it was a different life. You know?
One before I was a wolf and then the one I’ve lived since.” She gasped, stopping in front of a large mirror. “What happened to me?”

Slater watched her run unsteady hands over her long white blonde locks. The silver tips looked unreal, but he knew she’d not colored them. It had surprised him when she’d shifted forms to not be facing a red haired female, but hadn’t thought anything of it.

“What do you mean?” He asked, wanting to make sure that was what caused the gasp.

Her clear blue eyes blinked up at him. “I had red hair. I think that is why my parents hated me.” Tears were blinked away, and then she stood taller. “I’d like to take that bath now.”

He opened the door and waited for her to step inside. The bathroom, like the rest of the home was larger than one would imagine. The huge claw foot tub was big enough for two, but he knew she wouldn’t be inviting him in with her. Slater walked over, turned the taps and made sure the water was warm before he put the old fashioned looking stopper in. “Jenna said there was clothes in the closet. Do you have any requests?”

She shrugged. “I like this.” The wrap around garment probably reminded her of being free.

“I’ll see if there is anything similar.” He indicated the towel hanging on the rack. “When you’re done, use the towel to dry off, and the robe on the back of the door. I’ll be out here waiting in case you need anything.”

“I’m not a child, Slater,” she growled.

Looking her up and down, he smiled. “Believe me, love, I know. If you were a child I wouldn’t want to rip that piece of material from you and wash you myself.”

A lovely blush stole up her chest to the roots of her white blonde hair. Damn! He would love to see her entire body bathed in pink. Before he could make a fool of himself, he nodded toward the almost full tub. “You holler if you need anything. And I do mean anything.” He winked, turned the water off, then left the room with one last glance at the gorgeous creature his wolf was ready to claim. Hell, the man was too, but they needed to give her time.

The sound of water splashing let him know she’d gotten into the tub. Images of a wet and naked LeeLee flashed in his mind. “Stop it, O’Neil,” he whispered. In the large wardrobe he found several kaftan type gowns in gorgeous jewel toned colors, but a blue one shot through with silver caught his eye. On the bed he found a bag from a popular store that carried lingerie. He knew he shouldn’t open the damn thing, but his hands and mind had two different agendas. The scraps of silk inside made him hard. Had his wolf whimpering. Yeah, Jenna was an awesome hostess.

Time ticked by as he sat in a chair beside the bed, his eyes and ears trained on the closed door. He swore he could see through the walls, imagining her hands trailing over each feminine dip and curve on her wet flesh. The fantasy did nothing to cool his straining erection.

When the sound of the plug being pulled hit him, he sat up straighter, adjusting his dick to a more comfortable position. His own fantasy woman walked out in nothing but a large fluffy towel. He almost swallowed his tongue.

“Couldn’t you find the robe?” For fucksake he’d pointed it out.

Her smile was bright. “I saw no reason to get another item wet when I was just going to get dressed.”

The logic she used was sound, but it was not good for him or his libido.

“Oh my damn. This is gorgeous.” She fingered the outfit he’d laid out.

He realized she used the phrase
oh my damn
a lot, and wondered where she’d heard it.

“I thought it would look perfect on you.” He cleared his throat, the deep sound had her looking over at him sprawled in the chair. Her eyes traveled the length of him. There was no way she could miss the clear bulge in his jeans.

Although it was as normal as breathing for shifters to get naked in front of others, he could see her worry reflected in every line of her sleek body.

“I’ll just take this into the bathroom and change.” She picked up the wrap kaftan and did a one eighty back into the restroom.

Slater let out a breath. “Fuck! How the hell am I supposed to keep my hands to myself?” He thought of the story he’d heard where Niall had told Zayn to keep his fangs and dick to himself. Now he totally understood why the other man couldn’t, and how he’d come to have an accidental human mate. If he’d found LeeLee and she wasn’t a shifter, he was sure he’d still want her no matter what or who had to say about it.

“What do you think?”

His head jerked up at her whispered words, breath froze in his throat. She looked amazing. No, better than that. Goddess, he’d never seen a more gorgeous sight, even with her hair hanging in wet strands down her back, she was the most gorgeous creature he’d ever seen.

He realized she was waiting for him to answer. “You look amazing. Come here.” He kept his voice low. The scent of her need hit him the closer she came to where he sat.

“It feels weird wearing clothes, but I remember how to dress.” Her tentative smile had him wanting to shield her from all the wrongs she’d suffered.

When she was within touching distance, he pulled her onto his lap, making her gasp. “I think I like you out of them better, but you look like a goddess in them, too.” And she did. With her hair a shade of blonde he’d not seen on a female that hadn’t come from a bottle. The silver tips drew his gaze and fingers of his left hand. “Did one of your parents have hair like this?” He held the wet strand up.

Her face scrunched up. “My mom had really blonde hair while my father’s was a darker shade of blond. I guess having a red haired child shocked them and the pack. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that must’ve been the reason I was never allowed to go outside and play with others.”

The forlorn tone made his heart constrict. If her parents were still alive he’d have a chat with both of them.

LeeLee hated how the mention of her family brought the euphoria of only moments before, to a new low. Her adult mind understood now what and why her parents did what they did, although she didn’t agree, or forgive them for their actions. She wondered if they knew the way the old crone treated her. If they had, would they still have shunned her? Memories of her childhood threatened to send her into a crying fit, one she wasn’t sure she’d recover from. To distract herself, and Slater, she leaned forward, pressing her lips against his.

She wasn’t sure who was more stunned. Him or her. His lips were softer than she’d expected. The firm, yet decidedly sweet feel of having a man’s mouth beneath hers had her humming.

At first he did nothing but sit there, and she wondered if he didn’t like kissing, or if he was repulsed because she didn’t know how. Then his mouth moved, his hand reached up, tilting her head to the side.

A sigh escaped her mouth, opening for the press of his tongue. She felt the first stirrings of lust work its way through her body. She’d seen the evidence of his arousal when she’d walked out, and exulted in the fact he appeared to like her appearance.

“Open your mouth for me, love.” His soft order gave her pause, but she followed his demand. She could taste the soup they’d eaten and Slater’s own unique flavor. Oh my damn. She could get addicted to kissing. His lips teased hers, tongue sliding inside, inviting hers to rub his. Heat poured off him, making her relax against him even more. The erection beneath her jumped. She wasn’t sure what to do with her hands, until he lifted one and placed it around his shoulder, the other he placed over his beating heart. Her eyes drifted shut, falling deeper under his spell.

Expertly he kissed her with such passion, tasting every inch of her mouth, teaching her to do the same without saying a word. He pulled back, sucking her lower lip into his mouth, giving it a little nip, sending a jolt through her. “Goddess, I could lose myself in your kisses.”

Unsure, she stared into his eyes. “More,” she demanded. Eliminating the small space he’d put between their mouths, almost hesitantly she explored his mouth, then with more boldness she nipped his lip, moving her tongue over the small wound. Trailing her hand up his chest, she grabbed his hair, holding him to her.

His body jerked, then his hand began a slow journey down hers, cupping her breasts through the silk. “You like that?” He asked, tweaking the hard nipple.

“Goddess, yes,” she breathed, pushing further into his embrace. The feel of the material separating them irritated her. She wanted it off, and she wanted it off now. In the next instant it was gone.

“Damn,” his shocked tone had her gaping at the sight of her bare flesh.

Neither of them said a word for a few seconds. “Did I do that?” She couldn’t contain the whimper.

“Ssh, it’s okay. We are in the Fey’s world. Nothing is out of the ordinary here.”

“Have you been here before?” The image of him being there with some faceless woman made her and her wolf growl.

He kissed her mouth, a hard press of his lips. “No, love. You are my first, but the Fey are magical creatures. It wouldn’t be unknown for their magic to bleed off on one of us, especially in your case where you had several powerful ones healing you.”

His grip tightened on her hip. She felt a little exposed sitting over his lap naked, while he was fully clothed. “So, if I was to wish you naked, it might happen?”

A dimple appeared as he smiled broadly. “If not, I can certainly oblige.”

Closing her eyes, she thought how she wanted him naked like herself. Seconds passed and then the feel of crisp hair, and all man beneath her bottom had her eyes widening. “I did it.”

Holding onto her hips, Slater lifted her, guiding her into straddling his thighs. With both legs on either side of his, her gaze flew to the spot between their bodies. The large erection he was sporting made her smile.

“I’m assuming I’m not the first man you’ve seen naked?”

Uncertainty flooded her. How were you supposed to answer that? She’d been part of a pack before Rasmund had sent her to look after his daughter Cammie. Then Cammie had mated with Keanu, who didn’t seem able to wait until they were behind a closed door before he was shucking his clothes. Heck, she had definitely seen and heard way more than most since Cammie and Keanu had gotten together.

“Are you forgetting the fact I’ve been in wolf form for over twenty years? Humans tend to do lots of things in front of animals.” Suddenly feeling too naked, she tried to move off of him.

“I’m sorry, love. The thought you’d somehow found another man attractive has me saying stupid things. Forgive me.”

She tilted her head, real regret rang out in his tone. “Okay.” She nodded.

The hold he had on her tightened. “Just like that?”

“What?”

He shook his head. “Most women would make a man beg for forgiveness.”

She laughed. “I’ve lost too much time to waste on silly games. Kiss me again?”

Slater pulled her in closer, his mouth not as gentle as before, devouring instead of sipping. The feel of his hard chest against her nipples, an added sensation to her already overloaded body. She whimpered against him, squirming on his lap. Her hips flexed forward, rubbing against the hardness of his erection.

“Yes,” he growled, helping her move back and forth on him.

She should have been embarrassed, humping him like she was, but all she felt was pleasure. Her wetness coated him, making the action easier for her body to ride his. She wanted to impale herself on him. Each time she moved high enough on him, the entrance to her body spasmed. She was so close to coming, a thing she’d never thought to experience but had heard people talk about.

“I want to make love to you, Slater.” She tunneled her fingers into his hair.

Holding her against him, he stared up at her. “Are you sure? We can wait.”

LeeLee couldn’t wait. She wanted to climb on him. In him. Become a part of him. Claim him for her very own. She nodded.

In a desperate melding of their mouths, he possessed her, tongues and teeth clanking together in a heated exchange. Her eyes slid shut, enjoying every second.

The world spun, making her open her eyes as the feel of something soft hit her back.

Once she was flat on her back, he stared down at her. Nerves had butterflies dancing in her belly. If he changed his mind she wouldn’t beg him again.