A Hidden Crown

Chapter 11: Hot and Ready

Lyla

“I’ve always loved you,” he said as he peppered me with kisses. I welcomed him in with so much want. I touched every hard muscle on his body, begging him to take me. The feel of his lips on my skin sent waves of pleasure all over my body. His hand traveled inside my shorts, while the other was stuck in my hair. We were kissing like it was the last time we would ever taste each other. He moved down my neck, grazing me with his canines. Was he about to mark me? Wait a minute. Is this really happening?

My eyes popped open, and I was staring at the ceiling. My face burned with shame as I realized I was having a freaking wet dream. I was mentally punching myself; it felt so real. The room was drenched in my scent, and my clothes were damp. I peeped over the bed to see Michael was still asleep. I’m surprised he didn’t jump on me while I slept. I could see my wolf snickering in my head. I bet you would have enjoyed the ride. I taunted her. She growled softly letting me know just how much she would have ravished in his arms. I needed to take another shower. I got off the bed as quietly as I could, grabbed a change of clothes and went to take a shower. While I was washing my alarm went off.

“Shoot fire!” I knew I couldn’t wait a second longer. I had to make sure I took my medication every day at the same time. I grabbed my towel, wrapped it around me, and tiptoed out of the bathroom. I ran to the kitchen, grabbed the bottle, and popped it open. Just as I was about to take the pill, a knock echoed from the front door. Turning to face the door, I could smell the stench of the rogue. Keeping my eye on the door, I swallowed the pill with my saliva. The pill felt stuck in my throat, causing me wince as I stretched out my neck to make the pill go down. I quickly ran to the sink and drank some water from the faucet.

“Hello,” he said. His voice sounded hoarse. “I’ve been walking around the swamps for a long time. I just wanted to know if you had any water I could have. I promise I’m not here to cause any harm.”

I could feel my wolf coming to the surface. It wouldn’t hurt to give him some clean water to drink. The thought quickly left my brain when he started to yell.

“Open the damn door!”

I flinched at the sudden change in his mood. The rogue started kicking and ramming his body into the door like he was rabid. My dad did an excellent job at making sure the front and back doors were not easy for others to break in.

I’m not sure when Michael came running down the hall, his warmth on my shoulders had snapped me out of my daze. His eyes were scanning me from head to toe.

“Go to your room and don’t come out until I come get you,” he said, his voice low and sharp.

I did what he said without hesitation. I had trained with my dad, so I knew how to fight. It would be easy to take him down if I were alone. But I’m not supposed to have a wolf. I grumbled to myself, knowing my wolf very well. We could handle ourselves.

Some rogues left their pack due to rejection or mistreatment. And others were kicked out or left because they didn’t like following pack rules. Not all rogues were savages. I just had to have one of the crazy ones on my doorstep.

The house shook as the rogue continued to pound on the door. The hinges had finally given in with a loud cracking sound. The rogue scent flooded the house as he entered demanding to know where I was. I could hear them tussling, glass breaking, walls splintering.

Their voices became muffled. They were no longer inside. Michael’s wolf growling out “mine” shook the walls. My wolf sent me an image of a black-furred warrior leading an army of wolves. Knight? I asked. She yelped with joy as I guessed correctly. That must be the name of his wolf. I wonder if he has black fur like you.

I shook off my distracting wolf and got dressed as quickly as I could. Silence had settled over the house. My wolf perked up, her ears going up, listening. Maybe I should go outside and check on him? My hand stilled when I heard water running. Moments later, he knocked on my door.

“It’s safe now,” he said, his voice tight. He smelled like hose water and moss, with an iron edge that didn’t belong to him.

When I opened the door, he pulled me to him. My hands instinctively went to his arms. The kiss began as something he needed to pacify his rage, but then it started to turn into something more. His lips softened against mine; his grip changed from desperate to careful. My fingernails dug into his skin.

He spoke through the kiss. “Tell me to stop Ly,” he whispered roughly. “If you want me to stop, say it.”

I didn’t. I couldn't. I answered him by pulling him closer, letting his tongue trace and taste every inch of my mouth.

The warm pool had refilled itself between my legs again. Michael had inhaled deeply. His low wanting growl vibrating against my body. He broke the kiss causing my wolf to whimper. I’d be lying if I said I was glad he did. We were both trying to calm ourselves from the heat of the moment. He didn’t ask. He commanded I leave with him today. I bristled at the order, knowing it was only because he didn’t know I could take care of myself.

“Michael,” I said, my voice was full of lust.

“Yeah,” he breathed out heavily.

“I’ve lived here for a while now and I’ve never seen rogues. How did he find my house?”

“You went into heat last night,” he said, with a hint of unease threading in his voice.

“Heat?” I pulled away from him in shock. My heart started to trip over itself. My mouth went dry.

“Did we...?” My words faltered. I couldn’t even finish the question. Images from my dream flashed in my head. His hands and mouth claiming me. My body begging him for more.

“No,” he said quickly. “But I did have to calm you down.”

That would explain the dream and why it felt so real.

“I just,” he started and paused. “How are you able to have a wolf heat cycle?” he asked.

He was looking at me like he already knew the answer, but my secret wasn’t on my mind right now. I had no one to train me on how to be Luna, and now he’s telling me I’ve turned into a hot and ready pizza. I think I’m going to pass out.