The Fire Inside (11 page)

Hanna stepped through the doorway and into the living room
with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Oh, I know he’s not here. I came to kidnap
you.”

Tyra lifted her brows. “Kidnap me?”

“Yeah. Some of the other ladies and I didn’t get a chance to
meet you at Javin’s last night, so we thought you might like to hang with us a
for a little while.”

Nervous butterflies dive-bombed inside her belly. “Sure.
I’ll just get my shoes.” Tyra darted into the bedroom and quickly slipped on
her sandals, pushing past her nervousness. If she was going to really give this
whole mate thing a try, she needed to get to know the others in Konrad’s pack.
Her pack. She paused, one sandal in her hand. This was her pack too. A well of
emotions ran through her. But the excitement and fullness inside her chest made
her wonder how in the world she thought she could ever do without this. Yes,
the fear was still there, but she would choose not to focus on it. She slipped
on her other shoe and stood, a smile spreading across her face. Resigned to
having fun and not dwelling on the full moon’s approach, she stopped in the
kitchen on her way back toward the living room. She quickly jotted down a note
for Konrad, letting him know whom she’d be with. It would be better to pass the
hours with something to occupy her mind than dreading the shift that would come
tonight.

Hanna stood by the door, smile still in place. “Come on. We
are all meeting at the park so the little ones can play.”

Konrad walked into the house searching for Tyra. Thanasis’
messenger had let it be known that Thanasis required the land deal to be
settled tomorrow night, or the price would be increased by a thousand a day.
Konrad grimaced. Little did the fucker know that Konrad planned to tell him to
take the land and shove it up his ass. He’d nearly told the little prick
messenger to deliver that message, but had refrained. Konrad wanted to look the
son of a bitch in the eye as he refused the offer. He also wanted to plant his
fist square in the asshole’s face. A war between the two packs would no doubt
be in the future. He’d talked about it at length with his guard, the ten wolves
that made up his inner circle. They all agreed to pursue justice for Konrad’s
mate. The meeting on how to proceed was what had taken him so long to return
home.

He searched through every room, but he didn’t find Tyra. Her
scent still hung faintly in the interior of the house, letting him know she’d
been gone for some time. Panic gripped him. Had she left? No. She’d said she’d
be here when he returned. He stormed back through the house toward the master
bedroom. He had to have missed something. On his way there he caught sight of a
note hanging on the refrigerator, secured with a magnet. He pulled it free and
stared down at the dainty writing.

She was with Hanna. He breathed a sigh of relief until
memories of last night resurfaced. Surely none of them would be stupid enough
to repeat an attack on his mate. One thing was for sure—he wouldn’t feel better
until he laid eyes on Tyra and knew she was unharmed. He glanced at the clock
on the wall. Four in the afternoon. He would most likely find them in the park.

He took off out of the house and across the lawn. The park
was only a few blocks away, located in the middle of his den for the safety of
the little ones. Wanting to get there quickly to ease the weight in his chest,
he leaped over fences and took a direct path. A few of his pack members gave
him shocked looks, but didn’t say a word as he crossed their backyards and
hopped over the next fence. Cold water sprayed across his back as he ran
through a sprinkler, but he didn’t slow. One more fence and he would be able to
see the park.

His feet touched the earth and he stopped, scanning over the
people in the park until he spotted her. Happiness filled him as he took in the
sight of her. She held someone’s baby on her hip as she pushed a smaller child
on the swing. Hanna stood next to her, pushing her own daughter as she laughed
at something Tyra said. A gentle breeze stirred Tyra’s hair, which had been
left loose and flowed down her back. The whole sight before him was beautiful.
Children played on the grassy slopes and various other playground equipment as
their mothers and other women from the pack watched over them. It was only
appropriate that his den’s future stirred in its heart—in its center.

Fullness settled in his chest. He couldn’t name it, but
standing here taking in the view had him feeling a mixture of pride and
something else that tugged at his heart. He’d only known her for a matter of
days, but yet he couldn’t imagine her not being near. Yeah, the mate bond was
part of that, but he’d started to wonder if it was something more than just
that. Lots of mates grew to love each other over time. But could he be in love
with Tyra so soon?

Watching her with that baby made him long for one of his
own. He wanted to see Tyra grow round with his young. Her heat cycle should be
upon her at any time. He wondered if she would agree to conceive this soon.
Would it be selfish for him to even ask? With everything going on, it would
most likely be best to wait. He wouldn’t push her. He’d let her make the
decision.

For now he just needed to be close to her. With slow steps,
he strolled toward her. The baby laid its head against Tyra’s shoulder and she
ran her cheek over the short blonde curls before placing a light kiss on its
hair. He couldn’t help but smile. He was only a few yards away from her when
she turned and caught his gaze. Happiness glimmered in the green depths of her
eyes as she bestowed him with a wondrous smile. As he closed the gap, the
baby’s mother approached Tyra and held her hands out to the infant. The child
reached out and went to the woman who had the same shade of golden hair. He
laughed as he heard the mother’s parting words to Tyra.

“I know that look. Your mate is about to steal you away from
us.”

Konrad nodded in the direction of the lady. Amy was her
name. It had been only a little over a year ago that she’d mated Javin’s
brother, Derek. And only months ago that she’d given Derek the little blonde
beauty that now snuggled against her chest.

He held his hand out and Tyra took the remaining steps
between them, placing her small, delicate hand in his. With a small tug, he
brought her body against his and growled low as her scent filled his nose. Her
laughter rang in his ears, an awesome melody he would never tire of.

“I take it you missed me?” Tyra whispered next to his ear.

“More than you know.” He spoke against the soft skin of her
neck. “Let’s go home.” He pulled back and watched as she sank her teeth into
her lower lip and nodded. She waved to the rest of the women as he released her
body, but kept her soft hand in his grip.

They walked beside each other, and he measured his steps so
she wouldn’t have to speed walk to keep up with him. “Did you enjoy yourself
today?”

She leaned her head against his arm as she continued to
stroll beside him. “Yes. Very much. Everyone was so nice and welcoming. And the
kids are just adorable.”

His own smile broadened. “That they are.” His thoughts went
back to his own want of children. “How do you feel about having children of
your own?”

She took a deep breath. “Well…to be honest I haven’t thought
much about it.”

He remained quiet, not wanting to push the issue.

“I mean, this is all so new, and if you would have asked me
that a week ago, I would have said hell no. But now…well, I just don’t know.”
Tyra looked up at him. “Do you want children?”

He gazed down at her, pulling her to a stop and cupping the
side of her face. “You are the most important thing to me. Would I like to have
a baby with you? Yes. But that doesn’t mean I have to. I understand that so
much is changing for you so fast. You don’t know how much I wish I could go
back in time and save your family, or even just save you from all those years
of loneliness.”

Her gaze fluttered down to the sidewalk. “I’m sorry I’m so
screwed up.”

His finger went under her chin, lifting until her gaze once
more settled on him. “You’re perfect. And I can wait forever. All I care about
is making you happy. And whether that means children in our future or not, it
won’t matter as long as I’m with you.”

She rose up onto her tiptoes and Konrad closed his eyes as
her soft lips brushed against his. His hands snaked around her waist and lifted
her, deepening the kiss. He traced the seam of her lips and she opened,
matching his tongue stroke for stroke.

His cock hardened and pulsed, aching to fill her. He pulled
back slightly from the kiss, whispering against her full lips. “I want to be
inside you.”

She smiled and then nipped his lower lip. “Then take me
home.”

He ran the last block and a half as her giggles filled his
ear. She made him burn. It didn’t take long to get them in the door, and he
kicked it closed with his foot. He placed her back against the unyielding wood
and ground his pelvis against her hot center as she wrapped her sexy legs
around his waist. He slid his hands up her bare thighs and gripped her
lace-covered ass in his hands. She sighed and tilted her head back, baring the
slim column of her neck.

With a growl he buried his face between her neck and
shoulder, grazing her delicate skin with his teeth. Her scent set fire to his
blood and had his dick twitching, wanting to be freed from his pants. “Damn if
I don’t feel like a rampant youth.” He moved his hand, sliding over her pussy
entrance from behind. When he felt her wetness through the flimsy cloth that
covered her, he moaned. So hot and ready for him.

“I’ll be slow with you later. Right now I need to fuck you
hard and fast.”

“Yes,” Tyra moaned as she ground her core against him and
ran her hands down his shoulders and abs ’til she reached his jeans.

When his cock was free, he hissed in a breath as she wrapped
her dainty hand around his hot flesh. He gripped her panties in his hand and
gave a quick tug. The giving of the seams floated through the air as the lace
gave way, baring her sex for his hard cock.

She guided the head to her entrance. Wet heat slid wickedly
across the sensitive tip and had him growling for more. He thrust against her
hips and slid into her tight, slick sex. Heaven. He felt her pussy spasm and he
pulled back and pushed deeper, this time sliding in to the hilt. “Damn, baby.
You feel so good.”

“Please, Konrad. Fuck me.” Tyra bounced her hips against
him, a light mewling sound parting her lips.

He claimed her lips as he withdrew slowly them rammed back
inside her depths. She cried out into his mouth, and he drank her pleasure down
as he set a steady pace of his hips slapping against her. Her desire layered
with her own unique scent drove him mad. Her sweet sex gripped his cock in a
way that had him fighting not to come deep inside her.

He released her mouth and spread kisses down her throat,
nipping the flesh but not breaking the skin. Her moans of pleasure rang in his
ears as he pistoned in and out of her wet cunt. How he wished she’d let him
mark her. But she had to ask for it. She had to mark him first. It was always
the woman’s choice to accept the mating. Fuck, he wanted to claim her more than
his next breath. Wanted to sink his teeth into her creamy skin as he fucked her
deep and thoroughly.

“Yes! Konrad!”

Her body trembled against his as her quim pulsed around his
dick. Moisture increased as she came all around him. “Fuuuuck.” He ground his
teeth, trying hard to fight his own release, not wanting this moment to end.
But in the end it was futile. Her hot little pussy gripping him was just too
much. With one final slam against her, he let his seed loose with a howl of
satisfaction. He pressed hard against her flesh and could feel her heels
digging into his ass, as if she didn’t want to break their connection any more
than he did.

He held her tight as she trembled, the last shocks of her
orgasms still rippling through her. Damn if this woman didn’t have the power to
bring him to his knees. He buried his face into the crook of her neck once
more, inhaling a solid breath and releasing it on a possessive rumble. “Mine!”

* * * * *

Tyra stood in the backyard looking out at the horizon. The
sun rode low, bathing the skyline in oranges and reds mixed with awesome hues
of blue. The moon would rise soon. A shiver ran through her body that had
nothing to do with the temperature. Then a warm, solid body was pressed against
her back as strong arms slid around her waist. Konrad’s scent enveloped her and
helped to calm her nerves. With a sigh, she leaned into him and let her eyelids
lower as he kissed her throat.

She could do this. She could be what he needed. At least she
wanted to be. How in the world had she fallen so hard and fast for him? It was
crazy. The level of passion and understanding he gave to her was amazing. After
he’d given her the best orgasm of her life this afternoon, he didn’t release
her. Instead he’d sunk to the floor, turning them so that he leaned against the
door and she straddled his lap. He stayed buried inside her and held her for a
long while.

The peacefulness of the moment made her weep. He kissed her
tears away and rubbed her body, soothing her in a way that she never thought
possible. He promised never to let her go, even if she had to spend each full
moon sleeping on their bed. But she wouldn’t let him do that. She’d embrace her
nature tonight. Something happened to her this afternoon. Something in the way
he held her—made love to her. She felt as if she’d finally come home. The
healing that had started in his arms would continue. And with Konrad by her
side, she felt as if she could do anything.

His fingers pushed the strap of her sundress down her arm.
She moaned as his lips played at the skin of her shoulder.

“You’re beautiful.”

He repeated the move on the other side, and she relaxed
against him as he completely bared her. He’d already removed his own clothes,
and his warm flesh was now pressed up against her. “Guess I can’t stop the
moon.” But damn, if she could she would. His hard cock stirred behind her. She
could think of other things she’d like to be doing than facing down her fears.

“Why don’t you shift now? I think it might be easier on you
if you know I’m right here and it’s your choice, instead of the force of the
moon riding you.”

His whispered words fanned out across her neck and ear. She
swallowed and nodded, stepping away from his warm embrace. Nausea swirled
through her as her nervousness increased.
I can do this.

She sank down to the ground and looked up, catching Konrad’s
gaze and holding it. Freeing her mind, she let the approaching cycle of the
moon fill her. The familiar tingling of her skin had her pulse rate increasing.
Normally she’d already be asleep.

“I’m right here, Tyra. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

She swallowed again and nodded. With effort, she stopped
resisting the call of the moon and felt her body heating as the tingle became
more of a steady buzz. Lights shimmered around her and her heart hammered. The
feel of fur replacing her skin had her body trembling. Any moment her shift
would be complete and fear rose up to choke her as she worried about the comforting
emotional silence that once held her in such a tight grip. Konrad’s amber gaze
held hers and she clung to what she’d begun to feel inside for him. He would be
her anchor.