Treasured Find (Royal Pride Book 1) (21 page)

For what?

He stroked her tender bottom with his other hand, reminding her of what he wanted.

“Yes.” The word came out as a whisper, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it louder.

“Yes, what? I want no misunderstandings between us, Jasmine. If you do not like something I do, you will tell me, even if I’d told you to do it. The same goes for the things you enjoy. If it feels good and you want more, you tell me. So”—he pushed the two fingers poised at her entrance a little deeper into her body—“did you like my hand on your ass?”

“Yes, I enjoyed it.”

He thrust his fingers inside her. The stinging crack of his palm to her ass whipped through her a moment later. Her inner muscles squeezed Rafe’s fingers. He pulled them back and thrust forward. His palm met her lower lips. The vibration traveled through her womb. The next rough stroke left her shuddering.

“Like that. More.”

He used his other hand to spread her legs farther apart until she was opened wide for him. The position stretched her and sent a twinge of pain along her hips, but the sensations of his fingers moving inside her stopped her complaint.

He worked her body, and she soared for him. Every thrust took her higher. Heaviness settled low. She pushed against him moving hand, wanting the feelings whipping through her to last longer. It wasn’t going to, though. She was ready to come. Her inner muscles tensed.

“Oh god, Rafe.”

He lifted her. She covered her mouth with her hand to muffle her shocked gasp. He dropped her on his waiting erection a second later. Her cry turned into a moan as the orgasm she’d been chasing crashed over her.

“Aww…fuck.” Rafe grabbed her hips and held her in place while she came apart around his cock.

Finally, the waves rolling through her slowed. She dropped her head to his chest and breathed in his scent.

He traced her spine, then curled the length of her hair around his hand, but didn’t tug on the strands. He kissed her cheek.

“Was that good too, my sweet Jasmine?”

She rocked on his rigid length to tease her still sensitive body. She shivered, and Rafe groaned.

“Yes. It was very good.”

“I’m glad, but you didn’t deliver on your promise.”

To worship him.

She pursed her lips. “You didn’t give me the chance.”

“I think you planned it this way.”

She chuckled, and the cock lodged deep inside her jerked. A tug on her hair accompanied his groan. She grinned. “Maybe I did.”

“It’s time you follow through, don’t you think?”

“But, we’re already…umm…together.” She wiggled her bottom to show him exactly what she meant.

He lifted her off him and moved to the side of the bed. His erection glistened from her arousal.

“And?” He raised a brow. “You taste good.”

She’d masturbated plenty of times before and licked her fingers afterward, pretending it was her lover’s cock she was worshiping. The fantasies she’d engaged in by herself were just that…secret. It felt too naughty to admit she’d liked tasting herself.

“But…” She didn’t know what to say. Would he think her desperate for having to get herself off? Or would he like it? She worried her lip between her teeth. “I don’t know.”

“I do. You want your lips wrapped around my dick. I can see it in your eyes.” He fisted his length and stroked himself, then licked his hand. Lust slackened his features. “So come here and take what you need from me. What I need from you.”

His invitation was one she couldn’t pass up. She closed the distance between them. With one hand on his ass to hold him in place, she ran her fingertips along his length.

“Fist it, Jasmine. It aches.”

She ignored his instruction and traced the ridge around the head. If he wanted to punish her for disobeying him, she wouldn’t mind. Not one little bit. She didn’t think he would, though. The precome welling at the head of his cock spoke of his desire. He hadn’t orgasmed with her. He needed to feel the rush of ecstasy too. She wanted to be the one to give it to him.

With a finger, she swiped a drop of his essence and brought it to her mouth. He tasted potent, full of life. Eager for more, she leaned close and kissed the head of his cock, teasing more of his essence to the surface. Perfect. Exactly what she wanted.

She lapped at the head of his erection, and the taste of her arousal flooded her senses. She moaned and dragged her tongue down the length of his penis to his balls. With both his flavor and hers combined, sucking Rafe’s cock left her a little dizzy with lust. She braced herself against his thighs and worshiped him, exactly as she’d promised. She licked, root to head and back before sucking his balls into her mouth and rolling them.

“Yeah, that’s good.” He massaged her scalp. “I like that.”

Whether he purposely used the phrase or not, hearing his approval made her smile. She gave his sac another lick, then nibbled along the length of his penis.

He shifted away from her, but she slid her hands to his ass, pressing her nails into his firm cheeks, and held him still. She took her time, licking and nipping. Teasing him as he’d done to her. He panted by the time she reached the head of his cock.

Without wasting another moment, she opened her mouth and drew him deep. The head of his erection hit the back of her throat. She eased back, curling her tongue around him before sucking him in. He tightened his grip on her hair and countered her movements, but didn’t take the control from her. He let her worship him how she wanted.

And she wasn’t quite ready to send him over the edge.

Holding the root of his shaft, she stroked him languidly, pressing kisses to the head and caressing his ass.

“Jasmine.” Rafe tugged slightly on her hair. “I’m dying here.

“Patience. I’m showing you how I feel.”

He froze. “And what do you feel?”

Love. It was too soon to share that. Her mind kept telling her it wasn’t possible for the strong emotion to have formed so soon. Her heart said to shut up and enjoy it. So she would.

“Listen to what I don’t say. You’ll know.”

With the cryptic message she wasn’t sure he’d get hanging between them, she gave herself up to the act she was performing. She opened her mouth and swallowed him.

“Fuck.” Rafe grunted. His grip on her hair tightened. “More. Take more.”

The cock in her mouth filled her, stretching her lips wide. She fought her gag reflex. With slow breaths through her nose, she relaxed her throat, and Rafe pushed deeper, lodging more of his length inside. Her throat closed around him.

“Jasmine.”

Her name spoken in his deep voice settled over her. The reverence in it was clear. And if she wasn’t so afraid to slap a label on it, she’d say there was love in his tone. The emotion the thought brought faded in the next instant. Lust took over.

Rafe fucked her mouth with short strokes that quickened along with his pants. The sense of vulnerability returned. Rafe had her at his mercy once more. She dug her nails into his ass and gave him control.

“I’m close.” He released her hair, dropping his hands to her shoulders. His grip didn’t hold her in place, though. It connected them. “Decide.”

If she wanted his release. That was what he asked.

She slid her hands to his lower back and moaned.

“Yes. Fuck, yes.”

He came with a rough grunt. Blasts of hot seed shot down her throat, but he pulled back before it choked her and filled her mouth. She swallowed his release, swirling her tongue over the head to get the last drops.

She let his penis slip from her lips. In the next breath, he lifted her and covered her mouth with his. The rawness of his kiss fed an equal primal hunger within her. Their teeth banged, and the tips of his fangs cut her tongue. Blood flavored the kiss along with the last of his come.

He pulled back and his golden eyes focused on hers. “You’re my heaven, Jasmine. The center of my world, and your kids are our blessings from the gods. I want to treasure you. Your family. Nothing is more important.”

She licked her suddenly dry lips. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“Yes. Very.”

“We haven’t known each other long.”

“You’re my true mate, Jasmine.”

“But I’m human and—”

He pressed a finger to her lips. “You bridged me and my cats, allowing us to live as one, not fighting each other for dominance. That’s how I know. Sometimes it can take years for lovers to figure out they’re true mates, but I’ve lived a long time, and I’ve searched for peace just as long. You’ve given it to me.”

She linked her arms around him. “That makes me feel incredibly special.”

He kissed the tip of her nose. “You are. Now, let me hold you. I want to fall asleep curled around you.”

She settled with him on the bed, her back to his chest, and went over his words as his breathing slowed with sleep. He’d told her she was his true mate, his
one
.

But he hadn’t asked to join their souls.

She couldn’t help but wonder why.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Rafe cracked his eyelids, just enough to see the clock. One twenty-seven. It was too soon to be awake, but something had stirred him. Not danger. His cats would be tensed and ready to take out the threat if there’d been one.

He opened himself to the animals, hoping for a clue. The three big felines lounged in the mystical field where they lived while he was in his human form. His jaguar glanced in his direction and yawned. The other two didn’t move.

Great. They were no help. He’d have to investigate on his own.

He let the connection to them fade and slowly sat up so as not to wake Jasmine. She rolled to her stomach, and her blonde hair pooled to one side, exposing her shoulder. Her bare skin taunted him. He wanted more than anything to see his bite displayed there.

The conversation he’d started before bed would’ve been the perfect lead-in for the topic of mating and what it meant to be his. He hadn’t been able to bring himself to broach the subject, not after the intimate encounter they’d shared.

Really, how were you supposed to tell your true mate you were going to kill her and not have it go over badly?

I’ll find a way. I won’t lose her.

He ran his fingers lightly over her hair, needing the reminder that she was real.

That she was his.

Hands fisted so he didn’t reach for her a second time, he padded to the attached bathroom. The bag of clothes he’d brought in from his SUV sat in the corner. He dug out a T-shirt and pair of knit shorts.

Clean and dressed, he slipped into the hallway. A quick run through the woods would ease what tension had stirred him from sleep. Thoughts of Jon had no doubt been the cause. Rafe wouldn’t rest well until the male paid for his crimes.

He headed toward the back set of stairs that led into the kitchen. Another set connected the second floor to the entryway. The old farmhouse Jasmine owned had been built in a time when the working part of the house was kept separate from the living section. For Rafe, it just meant he had his choice as to what door he wanted to leave through—front or back.

A few feet into the hall, he froze. The sound of someone talking reached him. A voice he’d never heard before. A male’s voice.

He parted his lips and tasted the air, drawing on his felines’ enhanced senses to feed him information. No unusual smells were present. It didn’t mean anything. Scents could be masked or eliminated.

The urge to rush toward where the voice came from gripped him. He resisted. If the intruder was talking, it meant he hadn’t killed anyone yet. Rafe didn’t want that to change.

He walked past Seth and Levi’s room, then inched his way past the small game room where Mira slept. The only one left was Megan’s.

“Sometimes when she’s alone, she talks. Well, whispers.”
Josh’s words came back to him.

If Rafe had been human, he probably would’ve said the same. The voice had a low rasp to it, such as what would be heard if a person whispered. Even with Rafe’s enhanced hearing, he couldn’t quite make out the words spoken. They were garbled by the door, but he heard the difference in pitch. There was no way Megan was the one speaking.

Rafe reached for the knob to Megan’s door, and the voice coming from inside the room cut off. A light flicked on. The narrowed beam swept over the door, sending an arc to illuminate Rafe’s toes before turning off. He shoved open the door and flipped the switch on the wall, flooding the room with light.

Megan sat on the floor facing the wall with a flashlight in her lap. There was nobody else in the room.

He closed the door behind him and crossed to the closet. Empty. He peered under the bed, then scanned the yard from the window. He caught sight of Xander’s black wolf lying just inside the boundary of the woods. Xander lifted his head from where it rested on his paws and met Rafe’s gaze. Xander’s relaxed state matched what his cats had shown. There was no danger close by.

Rafe allowed the curtain fall into place. He faced Megan. She wore the pink set of pajamas with cartoon kittens she’d had on at bedtime. Her hair was tousled from sleep, and her eyes looked droopy.

She stifled a yawn.

What the hell? He’d clearly heard a man speaking.

Rafe studied Megan for some hint as to what was going on. She didn’t seem all that surprised that he’d rushed into her room or searched it for the mysterious source of the voice he’d heard.

Rafe shoved his confusion deep, so as not to upset Megan, and sat on the edge of the bed. “Can’t sleep?”

She shrugged.

“Me neither. I was on my way to kitchen to get a snack. Want to join me? I think Jazz has cookies left.”

She shook her head.

Great. Megan wasn’t going to talk. He racked his brain for a way to coax her into telling him what was going on, but the direct way she’d spoken to Josh at the scene of the accident changed Rafe’s mind. The little girl was a dominant. Rafe would treat her like one.

“Who were you talking to?”

She turned her attention to the flashlight in her hand, rolling the black handle between her hands. “Nobody.”

“Pride members should never lie to each other, Megan.” He waited for some kind of sign that she understood what he was saying, but she only stared at him. “You, Seth and Levi are now a part of my pride, so that means you shouldn’t lie to me.”

She peeked at him. “We’re not family.”

“No, but when you get older, Kade can ask our family’s spirit if it’ll accept you. If it agrees, Kade will join you to us.” Rafe motioned to the door. “Devin and Mira aren’t related to me, but they’re a part of my pride.”

She tilted her head and studied him intently. “What if I already have a…a family spirit?”

“I’m sure you do, but we don’t know where your pride is. Do you?”

She shook her head. No sadness showed on her face or altered her scent.

“Well, until we find them, you can join our pride. Think of it as an adoption. Would you like that?”

Her eyes lit up. “Adopt. Yes, I’d like that.” She scrunched her nose and gave him a questioning look. “But only if Uncle Josh can stay with me. I promised I’d watch out for him.”

Rafe grinned. Megan’s protective instincts were strong. It didn’t seem to matter to the preschooler that Josh was an adult who’d held his own against a three-hundred-year-old shifter.

“I don’t think that will be a problem. Josh can stay with you.”

“Okay then. I’ll be an Alexander.”

He chuckled. “Well, now that we have that settled, how about you tell me who you were talking to.”

“My wolf.”

He stared at her a moment, then cleared his throat. “You don’t carry a wolf, Megan. Once you get closer to maturity, you’re going to be able to shift into a white lioness.”

Single shifters didn’t shift until they hit their mid-twenties. It happened a little earlier for girls because they developed sooner, but it’d be years before Megan would even be able to distinguish between her soul and her cat’s, let alone shift. Royals didn’t get that buffer. Their animals were too strong not to make their presence known early on.

Megan sighed. “I know I don’t carry one. My wolf is stuck out there.” She waved her arm to encompass the room. “He’s going to fade away if I don’t figure out how to get him in here.” She thumped her chest.

Every muscle in Rafe’s body tensed. Talking with Jasmine earlier about his family’s spirit had stirred stories to life he’d forgotten. Each of the gods’ warriors had gone on to father his own family, be it a pack if he’d been a wolf shifter, a pride if he’d carried a feline or a clan if he’d housed a bear. The Royals had done the same.

In all the years shifters had existed, no pack, pride or clan had ever died out. Their instinctual drive to reproduce prevented such a fate from occurring. There was also the option of an outside shifter taking over, not an ideal situation, but it did happen from time to time. So, in all honesty, no spirit animal should ever be without a host.

But if it was without a host, what would happen to it? Would it return to the gods or fade away without an anchor to the mortal world?

Or latch on to the closest shifter it could find, even if it was a little girl?

“Your…umm…wolf is a
he
?”

She nodded. “He’s the spy.”

Rafe’s heart raced. He slid off the bed and knelt on the floor.

“The spy, huh?” He knew of two wolf packs whose name could be loosely translated into spy. One of them had only a couple of members left the last time Rafe had heard. “Does he ever call himself an Ammon wolf?”

“No. He says he’s the spy, but he failed because they caught him.”

“Who are they?”

“The bears who ran the hospital where I lived before.”

Rafe fisted his hand to hide the sharp tips of his claws that had slipped free. The low growls of his cats added to the anger building within him. Not all bear shifters were corrupt, but some had decided shifter trafficking was an easy way to make money off those weaker than them. According to those select few bears, everyone fit into that category—humans and shifters alike—except bear shifters of course.

Rafe would bet every cent he owned that it had been an experimental center Megan had lived in, not a hospital.

“Can you tell me about this hospital? Did they hurt you there?”

She scrunched her nose. “No. We never saw anyone besides our nurse, and she loved us, but they hurt her. Sometimes, she came in to see us with black eyes and bruises, and I don’t think she was just clumsy like she always said.”

Curses whipped through his head. He cracked his jaw. “What was your nurse’s name?”

“Nurse Ryanne. R-Y-A-N-N-E. Not like Ryan, the boy’s name.”

He held up his hand. “Got it. Did Nurse Ryanne have a last name?”

“I guess.” She gave him a ‘well-duh’ look that brought a smile to his lips, despite the topic. “But she never told us it.”

“Who is ‘us’?”

“Me and my sister, Molly.” Megan twisted her fingers together. “When Nurse Ryanne took us out of the hospital, she gave us to different humans so we had a better chance of getting away from the bad men after us. I haven’t seen Molly since.” Megan glanced at him with tears in her eyes. “It’s been over a year. I miss her.”

Rafe opened his arms, and Megan threw herself against him. He held her while quiet sobs shook her body and blinked against the burn in his eyes. “You’re safe now, sweetie, and we’ll get Molly back. I promise you.”

“And Nurse Ryanne too?”

“Yes, and Nurse Ryanne.”

She tipped her head back. “And my wolf?”

Well, that wasn’t something he could promise. For one, female shifters couldn’t house a spirit animal. For another, the species difference wouldn’t allow it. Wolves and felines couldn’t share the same body. They’d tear their host apart.

He rested his head on hers. “Yes, we’ll get him home.”

He’d just have to find a wolf shifter willing to rebuild the Ammon pack.