Beaufort Creek Shifters (10 book series)
The Alpha’s Pregnant Bride Chapter 9

Troy

I should have been angry with Skye for running off to a bar. I had every right to chastise her as a mate and an alpha, to be disappointed in her actions. The alphas behind me would have agreed that no matter the gender, any mate of an alpha should be kept on a tight leash. In this instance, irritation would have sufficed for my ancestors. But I hadn't the heart to be that type of man.

Skye told me she was going out. She didn't give me full details, but she informed me of her intentions-she wanted to grab a few drinks with her friends. While my suspicions had initially been strong, I could see now that I was able to trust her in the company of other people. She wasn't about to make a fool out of me.

So, I wouldn't make a fool out of her.

Robust power glowed inside her. I witnessed it when she stood up to those frat boy pricks, and again when she denied her ex-boyfriend. Anyone else of sound mind would have been worried about that man, especially with him being a wolf. I wasn't too proud to confess my minor jealousy-for he was her match in every way-but it was useless.

She didn't want him. She wanted to be left alone with her friends.

Now, though, was a different story. Jada had given her the choice of going with her friends or going with me.

Skye had chosen me. She stood on her toes, grabbed my shoulders, and kissed me, practically tried to climb me in the parking lot. The way she threw her leg over my hip made me hard, urging my cock to spring to life. Blood pumped with more intention throughout my body as I slurped her tongue into my mouth and grabbed her bottom.

The moan that escaped her was subtle but spoke splendidly of her approval. Once again, I found myself endeared and motivated by something that shouldn't have meant much at all.

But what good was an alpha who didn't at the very least pay attention to the opinions and emotions of those around them?

I'm driven by her, I thought, while flipping her around to pin her to the door of my car. I'm totally encapsulated by her.

Nothing else made sense. Trouble brewed whenever I didn't understand things. Yet with Skye, it was no trouble at all to go with the flow. She reminded me of a flowing river strewn with boulders, raging in some parts and peaceful in others. She was cool and warm depending on the day, and I let myself get swept up in her currents.

That alone should have scared me.

But it only made me hungrier.

A growl accompanied my next kiss. I pinned her to my side, unlocked the door, and whipped it open, urging her to climb into the back. She obeyed my silent commands eagerly and pulled me after her to plant me between her thighs. The door slammed shut behind us, separating us from the spirited night.

Her lips returned with a feverish kiss, drawing yet more sounds from me with unrelenting rapture. To lose control to a woman like Skye was to succumb to a furious nature, one I knew would prevent my recovery. Even my wolf would be subject to her whims-and yet I just didn't care.

Every inch of me longed to be buried in her. She surfaced only to draw a long breath, and then stole my tongue, impatiently tearing open my jeans and allowing my cock to spring out. She held my shaft firmly and pumped, forcing my eyes back, causing my heart to spasm in ways that made me think I was about to lose my soul to her.

I'd let her take each aspect of me if it meant I could be held in her loving embrace. Death could take my body. But Skye? She could have my eternal spirit.

I pushed her dress over her thighs and exposed her panties, drawing circles into her warm slit. Each circular motion drew her hips into an enthusiastic buck, harder with every languid kiss, groans rolling one after the other until they were imperceptible. She was quickly losing herself to me, a power I would sooner lose than pervert.

She gasped away from the kiss and rushed to peel off her panties. I grabbed her chin, forcing her to stop what she was doing and focus on me. The l**t in her eyes blew her pupils wide open. While it was a sight I cherished, I wanted to be sure of her decision. "Do you want this?"

Her tongue lapped the edge of her mouth. "Yes, absolutely."

"You're sober?"

"I've been drinking water."

My eyes narrowed. "That doesn't answer my question, dear Skye."

Her response came with a smile. "I'm sober, sir. I promise."

That was enough to drive me back to her lips. I kept hold of her chin, manipulating her movements as I helped her out of her panties. Nothing but sweet skin slicked with arousal remained, and impatience energized me as I slid the head of my c**k through her folds.

She bucked instantly. The way she looked up at me through heavy lashes and let her mouth hang open spoke to my inner animal, my wolf responding in kind with a possessive growl. My thumb traveling her lower lip with a feathery touch, I paused at her entrance, smirking as she struggled to sheath me.

"What?" I teased. "Do you want more?"

She whined. "Yes, yes, please. Let me have more..."

My responding thrust forced her eyes to disappear. Shadows danced over her lustful expression, a drunkenness that could only be caused by curious desire. We were in the thick of that discovery now as I submerged fully and paused again, relishing the sensation of her slit twitching around my shaft. Her eyes popped open as she grabbed my hips. "More."

Demanding tones usually raised my hackles. But hearing the passion in her voice was its own aphrodisiac. I repeated my initial dive-and then again, and again, watching the way her expression tensed and came undone in quick succession. Each roll produced a new variant of her ardent desire for more.

And each one made me fall for her that much more.

While her brows pinched together, she nipped her lower lip, chortles of disbelief surfacing as I pumped harder. She dug her nails into my hips, sending tiny waves of pain up my back, pinches that made me want to f**k her even harder. The sensation quickened inside me and forced my lips to her throat.

To the main artery of her throat.

To the very spot where a mate's mark would sit.

She twisted one hand into my shirt and nudged me to her shoulder. "There. Bite there."

"Bite?" Was she serious? "Are you sure?"

"Do it now."

Bite. My wolf began chanting the word as though it were the only thing that would provide relief. The intensity of her bucks had doubled, and I couldn't make sense of the world around me. A rush of static had started low in my ears, in the background somewhere, and now flooded me entirely, encouraging me to slam her into the leather of the back seat as hard as I could muster-and then some.

I wrapped my lips around her shoulder and bit down, lanced by the sound of her pleasure and fueled to take as much of her as I could get. Salty fluid flowed over my tongue. The very essence of her trickled into my spirit, utterly spellbound by the way she felt writhing under me. My pumps became ragged thrusts that bounced us as I focused on cleansing her of any l**t she had left. Within minutes, her bucks halted and she clenched around me, milking my c**k just moments before her o****m crested.

We came together in rushed echoes that beamed throughout my very being. One moment was made of hushed gasps while another was pure silence, lost to the tide of static retreating as I rested my cheek on her bosom. Gods, her breasts were softer than pillows. I could have taken a nap if she allowed it.

But we were technically still in the parking lot of the bar.

The taste of her lingered on my lips. I peered through the dim light to find the spot-the bite-that would show everyone she was mine. Whether the ritual went through or not, it was a bold mark to prove our bond was sealed here. That very fact made me nervous.

"We should leave," I advised as I untangled myself. It was trickier than I planned to get loose of her grip. "I'm sorry. This might feel awkward. Just relax..."

She whimpered as I pulled out. Her hands flew to my hips and caught me just as the tip left her body. Shivers broke out next, and then I found myself unable to release her for a long time.

"I'm broken," she claimed while shuddering. "I'm pathetic..."

"No, dear Skye," I whispered as I stroked her cheek. "Nothing about you is broken or pathetic. You're beautiful."

"I didn't say I was ugly."

I chuckled. "I didn't say you said you were ugly."

"Whatever. Just hold me."

So, I did just that without argument.

***

Driving home felt like a dream. Skye held my hand loosely as soft jazz played in the background, adding a surreal quality to the blanket of night surrounding us. Trees darted past, along with a fence every so often, intermittently broken up by a road sign or a large piece of farm equipment.

Her fingers grazed my knuckles. "Do you think I'm doing okay as field manager?"

I'd never heard a self-conscious molecule drift between us. Yet her question conveyed that every fiber of her being soaked with anxiety.

I squeezed her hand while adjusting my position. "I think you're fine, dear Skye."

"You sure? You've never really seen me work."

"I've seen you handle the horses."

She snickered. "That was an off day. You should see me on good days."

"I have invested great faith in you as a leader to your workers, darling."

Softness reverberated from her moan. She raised my hand to her lips and kissed my skin, blessing me with a gentle hum that vibrated me to the core. Never had a woman taken me by surprise in the ways Skye was doing. She had stripped me of coverage-I was a raw wire exposed to her influence. "That's nice to hear," she whispered, almost sounding ashamed of her admission.

I pulled her hand close to my thigh. Resting it there put into perspective a great many thoughts that had plagued me with worry. For she shouldn't have drawn me in so hard with her loveliness. All shifters had their own individual needs, and I was no different, both as an alpha and as a man. Yet I couldn't understand why Skye turned me on with her sweetness.

The simplicity of her request to bite had propelled. Why?

My desire for her shouldn't have gone beyond her body. It shouldn't have involved her mind or her consideration. Everything she did prompted my reaction. Jealousy was far from the most intense emotion I had in her presence. A rainbow of feelings emerged then as I reduced my speed while approaching the gas station that cut between the farm and the city.

I eased into the lot, parked, and turned the engine off. "Do you need anything?"

"Sure, I can come in with you."

"But you're tired."

To argue with her was useless. In the most encouraging sort of way. Skye wasn't the type to argue for argument's sake. She was playful about it. She used the challenge as a form of connection. If she ever meant ill will, I couldn't tell.

I let her follow me inside. How could I deny her desires?

It was probably best to keep her close. While she had fortitude with intrusive men, she couldn't physically defend herself as far as I knew. Frat boys were the least of my concern when there was a younger, tougher shifter who sought her heart. If she stuck close to me, then I could easily step in place when the time called for it.

Skye made a beeline for the candy. Adorably enough, she had a sweet tooth that didn't seem easily fixed with what I had in the cabinets at home. As she collected a few chocolate bars, I perused the fridge for a cold tea. I hadn't exactly wanted anything specific from the gas station. I just didn't want to go home yet.

Going home meant the night was over.

She lives with you. Why would you worry about the night being over? I asked myself. Maybe she'll go to bed with you tonight.

Why would she bother? We'd already banged in the back of the car. There was no real reason for her to join me in my bed. She got what she needed out of the way.

I found her before I could think of finding her. But she's been holding my hand.

Everyone had aftercare needs. Hand-holding was a favorite for many people, even those who didn't share romantic connections. It was hard to specify what she felt by how she acted because she often cited the fact that she didn't want this situation.

Then again, she had been hot and cold about it from the very start, going from shoving me away to yanking me back into her arms. She held my hand yet stated her lack of desire while showing me that she felt desire. Once again, I found myself confused and intrigued.

Would there be an end to this hazy dream?

"Troy?"

I blinked, and there she was, cradling chips, candy bars, and gummies in her arms.

I cleared my throat. "Yes, dear Skye?"

"I asked if you want anything else."

I held up the tea. "This is fine."

At the counter, I recognized the person ringing us up as the fae Skye had mentioned once. Mort, if I was recalling correctly, rang up our purchase smoothly and announced our total. I reached for my wallet and frowned, finding my pocket empty.

Skye reached around me and waved her phone over the digital scanner. In an instant, our purchase was paid in full and the bags were on the counter, waiting to be carried out to the car.

A smile slipped over my lips. "That was fast."

"I don't like waiting for my candy."

"Consider me humbled by such a fact."

She huffed playfully and trotted out the door, swaying her hips excessively, giving me a look over her shoulder that told me to get a move on. Any other alpha might have been offended. I was entertained.

After climbing into the car, Skye took no time sliding her hand back into mine. And on we went into the night, hopeful and confused, a bundle of tense nerves despite sharing an eruption.

I prayed to the gods she would join me in my bed tonight.