Wolf Kisses Page 3

  “Don’t do this.” But Calys’ voice was weak and trembling, her body betraying her at every turn.

  “You’re mine,” he rasped out as he moved to her other breast. “And before this is over…” Bending down, he let his teeth graze tantalizingly against her nipple, making Calys cry out, “—you won’t be able to deny it.”

  He pushed one finger inside her as if to punctuate his words, and Calys shuddered, her legs winding around his waist in response.

  Alejandro worked hard on worshipping every part of her body, his possessive need for her making him primal. He sucked on her nipple, fucked her with his fingers, and toyed with her clitoris, tormenting the sensitive bud with flicks and twists. He didn’t stop with the simultaneous attack on her body, waiting for her complete surrender.

  And finally, she did, her eyes nearly dilated as her nails scraped painfully against his back. When their gazes met, she begged, “Please.”

  “Then tell me,” he gritted out as he raised his body from hers, making Calys cry out in protest when his cock left its hot moist home against the swollen folds of her pussy.

  “Tell me who you belong to!” He flipped her around, pulling her up and towards him until she was on all fours. As her hands slammed down against the bed, he bent over her, making Calys scream and buck against him as his teeth latched onto the tender skin of her neck. He sucked hard, and she screamed again, bucking harder against him, trying to get his cock into her from behind.

  But Alejandro was in control, and with one hand firmly holding her hips, he was able to keep his cock from even touching any part of her, making Calys release a keening cry in sheer frustration. He sucked hard on her neck, laying a claim on her in the most basic way a man could claim his woman.

  When he released her, his mark burned hot against her skin, and she shook her head, twisting around to look at him. “What did you do?” she whispered.

  “I marked you.” He straightened up on his knees, and his eyes capturing hers, he began to tease her pussy from behind, rubbing the head of his cock against her slippery folds. “No shifter, no creature, no goddamn man with any self-respect would claim you when he sees that.”

  Alejandro squeezed one round cheek before slapping it hard to make it blush. Calys yelped, and the sound was a fucking turn-on, and he slapped her other cheek, wanting to hear the sound again.

  “Alejandro!” But her voice shook more out of excitement than anger.

  He squeezed both cheeks, harder than before. “Tell me now. Tell me you know you’re mine.”

  She shook her head.

  “Tell me or I can’t fuck you hard.” He pushed forward, allowing his cock to slide just a fraction inside of her, making him groan and Calys moan. He pulled out right after, snarling, “Tell me, Princess. Tell me what we both know is true so I can give you my cock—”

  Calys sobbed out, “Please.”

  “Then tell me—”

  She cried out, “I’m yours!” She pushed hard against him. “I’m yours, okay? I’ll always be yours, so please—”

  With a growl of satisfaction, Alejandro gave them both what they wanted, his cock shoving straight into her, hard and deep. She screamed, her muscles tightening around his cock, and he shuddered at the intense pleasure of it. He began to move, thrusting hard and fast. He bent over her, reaching for her breasts so he could pinch her nipples as his cock moved in and out of her. She cried out, again and again, her soft curvy body shaking beautifully against him, making him want to ruin her over and over, the wet slapping sounds their bodies made adding to his pleasure.

  “Calys.” He roared out her name as he fucked his way nearer to the precipice. His movements became out of control, his need for her so powerful that the wall behind the bed began to crack.

  “Alejandro.” She said his name so beautifully it had him shuddering, and when her hand covered his hand on her breast, the tenderness of the gesture had him snapping.

  Releasing one nipple, he moved his hand down. Pressing hard on her clit, he withdrew his cock from behind to the hilt before shoving it back in.

  She screamed, coming instantly, and he came right after her, growling her name. Holding on to her hips, he didn’t stop thrusting in and out of her as he came. The sight of her bottom up in the air, her fingers curled tightly against the bed sheet, and her mewling sounds of pleasure – all of it made Alejandro shudder, prolonging his release.

  When they were spent, he collapsed on the bed, their bodies curled spoon-fashion, his semi-erect cock still inside her, pulsing ever so softly and making Calys shudder.

  When he felt her body relax and become heavy against him, Alejandro placed a kiss on the mark he had made on her neck. He might never be able to give her the words, but he could at least do something so she would never think she was second best.

  CALYS

  “It has been three days, my dear.” Amalia spoke the words reluctantly, and I knew she was aware that the words would force me to face reality. The two of us, together with Juriaan and Vladimir, were the only ones inside the inn’s dining hall. In the days I had spent with the Souris, I came to realize how formalities meant a lot to them. I had grown up enjoying my meals with the entire pack, but it was different for the Queen and the Prince. They preferred privacy and never spoke about anything important if other people were around, be they Souris or not.

  Sensing my mother’s gaze still on me, I looked away from the windows. I had been looking at windows more often than I wanted, and I know it was because deep inside my heart I was hoping to see Alejandro come back.

  “I’ll make a decision today.” The words sounded as hollow as I felt. I knew I should be thankful for what my new family had done. They had accomplished the impossible and gathered offers of proposals from the most illustrious and powerful families from just about every non-human race that existed. Whichever proposal I accepted, it would be something that the Panthera wouldn’t sneeze at, an alliance that would come more than handy if the prophesied war between good and evil ever came to be.

  The hours passed, day became night, and my hopes dwindled into nothing. As I joined my family in front of the proposal bearers, I questioned myself why I even cared about waiting for Alejandro. Hadn’t he made it clear he would never love me? Would I really sink so low and accept crumbs of his affection when I could have so much more?

  “The rites for selection shall now commence,” Juriaan said in a strong, clear voice. Like Amalia and Vladimir, my cousin was dressed formally in silver and gold, the colors of the Souris’ royal family. It should have looked extremely flashy, but somehow Juriaan and the others made it work. While my jewelry consisted of silver and gold as well, I wore my pack’s colors, a quiet statement of where my loyalties lay first and foremost.

  The first proposal bearer stepped forward. “Greetings from Riyu Delicazzi, the current head of the Delicazzi clan of the Caros.”

  And so it went, until thirty-four proposals had been formally offered.

  Amalia inclined her head regally in acknowledgment. “Before we proceed, please convey my gratitude to your leaders for their prompt response. It is much appreciated.” She looked at me. “Princess?”

  Before I could answer, my brother moved forward. “I believe we have one last candidate left.”

  Amalia was visibly surprised, but then Juriaan went to her, saying something too low for me to hear, and she nodded in understanding. “I see.” When she straightened, she glanced at me with unreadable eyes. “Apparently, the Prince is right. There is one last candidate for you to consider.”

  Almost as if on cue, the doors opened, and the first one I saw was my own father, Venetto Adelardi.

  But he was not alone.

  Behind him was Domenico Moretti, the infamous heir of the most powerful Lyccan pack, and next to the werewolf prince was his younger brother Alejandro.

  “Father?” My voice was faint with shock.

  “My dear,” Venetto said, his eyes twinkling despite his tired appearance. His eyes met the
Queen’s. “Your Majesty.”

  My mother’s answering smile was warm. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet the man who has taken great care of Calys. I hope you may grant me a moment of your time tonight. I would love to personally extend my gratitude for being there for my daughter…” She paused. “Our daughter…when I couldn’t be.”

  Venetto visibly relaxed at the Queen’s words, and it was only then I realized that he had been wary about the kind of welcome he would receive from my birth mother. “It would be my pleasure to speak with you, Your Majesty.” His tone was gruff with emotion. He glanced sideways at Domenico, and his voice took on a wry note. “I must confess, however, that meeting Your Majesty was not the only reason I have come here. As you may know, my lands have been unfortunately subjected to a good deal of upheaval. It is for this reason that I greatly welcomed the proposal Domenico Moretti presented me with.”

  Proposal…from Domenico Moretti?

  “But he’s married,” I gasped.

  Silence.

  My father looked like he badly wanted to laugh while none of my family wanted to meet my gaze. The other proposal bearers, however, had no qualms. Half of them were grinning. The others were also avoiding my eyes discreetly.

  I looked at my father in confusion. Well, wasn’t he?

  Unbidden, I found myself looking at Alejandro.

  That one looked like he wanted to kill me.

  Finally, Domenico Moretti cleared his throat. Like his younger brother, he possessed the same black hair and green eyes as well as the tall, lean build the Morettis were known for. All in all, he looked a lot more handsome and intimidating than what rumors led me to believe and when his intense gaze landed on me, I did my best not to fidget, not wanting him to think I was some silly princess.

  His lips twitching, Domenico said solemnly, “Yes, I am indeed married and will stay that way permanently.” He glanced at the younger man beside him, one who had remained silent all this time.

  Again, I found my gaze straying towards him, and when our eyes met, he snarled, “You idiot.”

  I gasped, but everyone around me burst into laughter. Even Vladimir cracked a smile.

  “Didn’t I tell you?” Alejandro snapped as he stalked towards me. “You don’t need another prince other than me. You don’t need another Cavaliere other than me. You don’t need anyone but me.” He shook my shoulders hard with each word.

  “B-but—”

  He growled, “I’m the one proposing marriage. Idiot.” He said it with such furious relish it was as if he was dying to say it to me a hundred times more.

  I echoed disbelievingly, “Marry…you?”

  “Yes,” he roared. “I’m the one who’s proposing marriage and if you know what’s good for you, mine is the only proposal you’ll consider.”

  My head reeled.

  Alejandro was breathing hard, and he looked like he was having an internal struggle. Half of him seemed to want to strangle me, the other half wanted to do…well…unspeakable stuff. When he cupped my face, I couldn’t help but tremble. His voice low, he said, “I cannot and will never love you, Calys. But I offer you everything in me – my life, my honor, my strength. And if you marry me…” He knelt down on one knee. “I also offer you the entire might of the Moretti pack.”

  In the background, gasps and whispers abounded, for the promise he made was no small thing. To have Alejandro Moretti as my Cavaliere was already a feat in itself, and that was only with no one knowing he also happened to be The Masked Wolf. But to have the entire Moretti pack fighting for us? Warriors who were almost as good as Alejandro but just as loyal and cunning?

  Alejandro held my hand and touched his lips to my knuckles. “Choose me, Princess, and I swear to be the warrior who will win every battle for you.”

  CALYS

  “Excuse me, but do you know where my father’s gone?” I tried not to sound desperate as I asked the panther stationed at the end of the hallway leading to Venetto’s room. I had been to his room and Amalia’s, hoping to catch sight of Venetto, but he wasn’t in either place.

  Paulo appeared surprised by my question. “I thought he was with you.” In his mid-forties, he had worry lines on his forehead, something I was sure had to do with the monumental task of looking after my father. Venetto hated having guards with him, seeing them as babysitters he didn’t need.

  At his reply, it was my turn to be bewildered. “Me? But I haven’t talked to him since we met at the hall.”

  Paul scratched his head. “Well, that was what the pack leader told me. He’d be meeting you at the back, I think.”

  “Oh. Maybe he sent someone around to ask for me.” Venetto, like most old-school pack leaders, didn’t own a mobile phone. “I’ll go look for him there. Thanks, Paulo.”

  “Do you want me to come with you?”

  “No, it’s all right. But maybe if I miss him again and you see him first, could you tell him to wait for me?”

  Turning around, I headed to the back, hoping I would indeed find my father there. I badly needed to talk to him. I had to know if Venetto was aware of what was between Alejandro and me, needed to be sure that he was aware he had practically given the werewolf prince the right to break my heart over and over by showing his support for Alejandro’s proposal.

  Just the thought of what happened back at the hall had me stumbling on my own feet. I couldn’t believe he had said all those things. And they were both the best and worst things he could say. The good part: he promised me an army any general would be proud to lead. The bad part: he also promised he would never be able to love me.

  The urge to cry and laugh was almost uncontrollable and I took several deep breaths, trying to control my hysteria.

  Going through the inn’s back doors, I called out, “Father?” It was completely dark outside, which was strange. There was a beautiful garden here, one that was usually ablaze with lights because the owners of the inn were extremely proud of it. Taking a step onto the stone path, I moved forward and called out again. “Father?”

  No one answered, not even a single cricket cricking, and that was when it struck me. It was too silent here. Too silent. The whole place smacked of danger that had gone past, danger that didn’t make me have a dark fit because it was not directed at…me. It was directed at someone else.

  Oh God, no. All thoughts of Alejandro fled and all I could think about was Venetto. My heart racing in fear, I called out again, “Father?”

  In the darkness, something caught my eye, a glint of metal.

  A sword.

  Heart in my throat, I ran towards the spark, my mind blank with terror. Please let it not be him, please let it not be him, please let it not be him. The stone path curved to the left, and there, I saw it, an upright sword—

  “Noooooooooo!”

  Tears of disbelief streaked down my cheeks as I rushed towards where my father lay unmoving on the ground, his own sword protruding from his bloodstained chest.

  Crashing down on my knees, I reached for his shoulders with shaking hands. “Father?” Please God, please make him open my eyes. Please. But his eyelids remained closed. Clasping the hilt of his sword with both hands, I pulled it carefully out of his body—

  Behind me, someone gasped.

  My head twisted around, and I found two men halted in their tracks at the sight of Venetto’s dead body on the ground, my hands on the sword that killed him.

  “Dear Lord.” The whisper came from Benito, the head of the Panthera’s face turning a sickly shade of white.

  The second man was Raoul. “What have you done, Calys?” His voice was filled with hurt incredulity, but in his eyes was the truth – the real feelings he felt, and they were nothing but triumph.

  And I knew. I cried. And when I looked at him, I was no longer myself.

  ALEJANDRO

  The first inkling he had of the trouble brewing around him was something that couldn’t be explained. It was more than feeling someone had just walked over Alejandro’s grave. Rather, som
eone had jumped on it, over and over, each footfall harder than the last. Pay attention, the person over his grave seemed to scream. Pay attention before Calys dies—

  The mug he held in his hand crashed to the floor, and the people around him became silent and wary, their warrior bodies going taut as they waited for their prince to explain his actions.

  Seated next to him at the head of the table, Domenico Moretti asked calmly, “What happened?” The noise in the bar was reduced to nothing when he spoke, all the shifters inside on the alert. They, too, had started to sense the same thing that was making Alejandro restless.

  And then they all heard it—

  Nooooooooooo.

  It was Calys, screaming like someone had just taken her life.

  Alejandro broke into a run, and so did Domenico and the rest of their pack. Chairs crashed to the floor in their wake as they burst out of the bar, none of them bothering to hide their shifter speed. The air about them was raw with violence, telling them there was no second to lose.

  Over and over, he heard the sound of Calys screaming, and it made Alejandro run harder and faster, feeling all the while he wasn’t running hard or fast enough. His sense of smell showed him the way, and they all headed towards the back of the inn. He smelled death, and it made him bristle with fear and aggression.

  When they reached the back of the inn, everyone was fighting. Adelardi panthers against each other, and other panthers against Souris, their wings tensely drawn against their backs, just a second away from spreading open to give them an aerial advantage over their opponents.

  His gaze searched the battle scene wildly, and he found her a moment later.