As they reached him, Ryon was a little nervous about taking her from the older man, but the transfer took place without a hitch. Ryon liked Charles and hadn't really been worried since the feeling was mutual, but still. The man was "giving away" his daughter. But Charles seemed thrilled for his baby girl, and as long as she was smiling, Dad would, too.
The ceremony passed quickly, in part because they'd shortened it to the essentials. It was meaningful and not rushed, they just chose not to let it go on and on because Ryon was still healing. By the time it was over he was leaning on the handle of his cane a bit. A small ache, nothing he couldn't bear. He was anxious to make nice with their friends.
And then get on with claiming his new bride. His wolf growled in agreement.
Soon he was kissing the bride, and didn't release her until the audience starting hooting and catcalling, making a good-natured fuss.
"Come on, man," Aric shouted. "There's beer waiting!"
Everyone laughed. Ryon reluctantly stepped back from his mate. The local preacher, a friend of Sheriff Deveraux's, announced them as husband and wife. They turned to face the crowd, and everyone cheered.
Through all the usual wedding stuff, Ryon endured his friends' backslaps and raw jokes about the wedding night. They took loads of pictures, ate lots of food.
Zan walked over, holding a beer. The man had gotten back from his vacation to learn he'd missed a major op, and hadn't been thrilled. But he was still learning to compensate for the loss of his hearing. He could read lips pretty well, and his speech was okay, if a little odd. The biggest issue was how he'd do once placed back in the field. They just didn't know yet.
The Healer stopped and hugged Ryon. "Congrats!"
Ryon made sure his old friend could see his mouth. "Thanks. Having fun?"
"You bet." He waved his bottle at their resident Fae prince. "Good thing Blue can glamour his appearance, or that might give the preacher a shock."
"It would be entertaining, for sure."
"Yeah. But the last thing we need is more publicity. People might find out what we really do here."
That's what they were all secretly afraid of. If the world knew that paranormal creatures existed-not to mention that the government had allegedly experimented on humans and shifters-the fallout would be huge.
His friend grimaced. "Sorry. This is your party, so no heavy stuff. Right?"
"Right."
"I'm gonna go get another beer. Congrats again, man."
"Thanks."
Just as Zan ambled off, Ryon caught sight of Micah standing alone at the corner of the building. He was sure he glimpsed a prescription bottle in the man's hand as he tucked it into his coat pocket. Then the younger man definitely popped something into his mouth and washed it down with his wine.
"I'm worried about him, too," Daria whispered into his ear.
He kept his voice low. "He's addicted, isn't he?"
"I'm not sure, but I hope not. He's taking a lot of pills."
Ryon's heart sank. His mate, however, was having none of it.
"Hey." She stood in front of him. "This is our day. Tomorrow, we'll see about our friends. We'll go to Nick if you want."
"Okay. He might not know, and he'll be able to help us watch Micah. We should tell Rowan and Aric as well. His sister wouldn't appreciate being kept out of the loop."
"I agree." Slipping her fingers into the vee of his dress shirt, she toyed with his chest. He hadn't worn a tie, and now he was damned glad. "Let's do the cake, then go for the icing-in our quarters."
"Lady, I love how your dirty mind works."
They called everyone over, tossed the garter to the guys, the bride's bouquet to the girls. Then they cut the cake and shoved their pieces into each other's faces, giggling. They stayed just long enough to get all their guests served, and then ducked out. Jogging toward their room, Ryon grew more and more excited.
"I didn't tell my dad good-bye," she said suddenly.
"He'll still be here tomorrow. And do me a favor-do not say the word dad again once we get to our room, or you'll wilt a perfectly nice erection."
"I doubt anything short of nuclear war could do that."
"Why risk it?"
Inside, Ryon left a trail of clothing-shoes, jacket, pants, shirt. When they reached their bedroom, he stood only in his socks and underwear. His mate laughed and his eyes narrowed.
"What?" she asked innocently. "You look cute."
"I'll show you cute." He stripped off his briefs and his cock slapped his stomach.
Stalking her, he turned her around and went to work on the tiny zipper at the back of her dress. It was tasteful, a slim lovely column that accented her body like a glove. And he wanted it off, now.
Once she was naked, he led her to the bed, striving not to jump her like the starving wolf he was. He wanted to be gentle, but there was a greater fire tonight. A passion that wouldn't be denied. He wanted to take charge. The answering heat in her eyes said she wanted it, too.
Pulling her onto the bed, he grasped both wrists in one hand and pulled them over her head, pinning them to the covers. He loved that position, the way it made her look vulnerable to be taken by him. At his mercy. The way it exposed her breasts to him, ripe and waiting to be sucked.
"I'm going to suck and lick every inch of you," he asserted. "Then I'm going to slide my cock into you and fuck your sweet pussy until you scream."
"Talk is cheap."
Giving her a feral grin, he proceeded to do as he'd warned. Bending, he sucked her pretty nipples-one, then the other, nibbling them until they stood proud and tight. She squirmed, and he liked that.
"Don't move your hands."
Leaving her arms over her head, he moved lower. Licked a path down her flat tummy, to her thatch. Then lower, he mouthed the lips of her sex, chuckling when she spread her legs wider to give him better access.
"You like that, my pretty slut?"
"Yes," she whimpered. "I need you."
"What do you need me to do?"
"Eat me, please!"
With pleasure. He licked her mound, swirling his tongue until she was writhing. Twice he had to remind her to keep her hands still, and that seemed to excite her even more. Then he plunged his tongue between her folds, fucking her for a while, getting her nice and slick. He loved her taste, and pretty soon he'd relish her blood when he claimed her again.
He suckled her clit, not letting up until she was begging, hips bucking. He knew she wanted to reach down and pull at him, but he wouldn't let her. His control heightened the eroticism. Finally, he moved up and crouched between her legs.
Lifting her thighs, he draped her legs over his shoulders. Her ass was in the air, her sex spread and glistening. Waiting for him to master.
Mine!
Neither he nor his wolf could wait another second. Lining up his cock, he plunged into her moist, hot depths. She screamed, a sound of pure ecstasy. She loved this, craved more, and he gave it.
Cupping her ass in his hands, he pounded into her tight channel, spearing home again and again. Their joining was raw. Primal. Filled with lust and need, and the air around them reeked of pheromones and sex. It was real.
His climax built, and he felt the tingle at his spine. The tightening of his balls trying to climb into his body as it prepared for release. And then he exploded, shooting inside her again and again, the force and sheer pleasure of it almost turning him inside out. This surpassed every time before. He'd never come so hard in his life.
Lowering her to the bed, he fucked her toward release. His fangs descended and he nosed into the curve of her neck and shoulder. And struck, her blood like honey on his tongue.
Her orgasm shattered and she cried out, writhing on his rod and squeezing out more of his juices as he rode the aftershocks. At last they came down together, and he withdrew his fangs, licking the wounds closed. Then he wrapped her in his arms, her head on his chest.
"That was perfect," he murmured, kissing her head. "I love you, my wife. My mate."
"And I love you." She nuzzled his chest, snuggled close. "I'm so glad we found each other."
"Me, too. I think it was fate."
"Same here. I never dreamed I'd meet the love of my life while studying wolves. Not to mention that he would be a wolf." He heard the smile in her voice.
"Not long ago, you weren't so thrilled about that."
"I was scared," she said simply. "Now I'm nothing but happy and in love with my mate."
"I'm glad you feel that way, baby. Because you're stuck with me from now on."
"That's the best news I've ever heard."
Drowsy, they drifted off to the sounds of the party still in swing outside, blissed-out and at peace. Daria had completed him, had tamed his restless, lonely spirit-not to mention the real spirits that had once plagued him. He didn't have to run anymore. She loved him, and was home with him, with the Pack, for good.
A man couldn't ask for more.
. . .
Miles away, the white wolf sat on her haunches and howled out her grief. Her pain. She hadn't gotten what she'd come for, her plans delayed time and again.
But soon. The day was coming when she would find peace.
That would be the day Nick Westfall paid for his sins.
In his own blood.