Sleeping Phoenix

Chapter 5: Just Keeps Getting Better and Better

Chapter 5

Gareth’s blood felt like fire coursing through his veins. He smelled her blood and lost his damn mind. A red haze had settled over him the moment his mind perceived that someone had injured what was his, again. 

In his own f*****g house. 

Everything, after that, was a blur. His wolf snarled and clawed to be free to get to his enemy, but what his wolf didn’t realize was he’d have to wait in line. Gareth gets first blood. 

As a whole, wolf shifters could have a short fuse and aggressive manner, but none of that compared to an Alpha of his strength. Especially when his mate was in danger. It wouldn’t take much to tear off the other wolf’s head. Too much had happened already. He would not tolerate her being attacked. 

He felt his power rise and knew without a doubt that heads were about to roll, until his wolf became preoccupied by the delicious creature suddenly in their arms. It was like a switch had turned off in one room of his brain and another lit up when she put her mouth on his. 

His prey, forgotten. 

His strength, redirected.

And his rage, cooled to a simmer that still continued to bubble under the surface. Her presence and scent alone could set his senses aflame. He could feel his lust burning a path through him as she worked her mouth over his. 

Nothing tasted better than Mila tinged with a smattering of lust and arousal. It practically oozed from her pores as his mouth moved with her plump lips and his tongue danced with hers. Her firm round ass filled his hands as he pulled her as close as he could get her. It wasn’t enough. It would never be enough. 

His rage fueled energy burned higher once more, but not in anger. In lust. With a growl he snatched her higher on his hips and shoved her back into the closest wall. In the back of his mind he knew he was being too rough, but her moans of delight drowned out his common sense, and decency. His hands and mouth wouldn’t be contained. His inner beast wanted to consume her whole. 

Gareth felt his fangs elongate and adrenaline pump through him as his eyes took in Mila wrapped around him writhing in his arms. His engorged c**k ground into his mate in the place he wanted to be most. He could feel the sweet heat of her core through the thin pants she still wore. Her moans were a symphony to his ears as he positioned her just right so that his c**k met her sweet spot. Her p***y was practically weeping for him to claim it.  

His lips travelled down the column of her neck licking and kissing his way to the juncture of her shoulder. She was pure sin. He wanted nothing more than to revel and bask in the beauty of her moans and cries of ecstasy. 

Her nails raked through his hair as she ground harder against him. Matching him thrust for thrust. It was a sight to behold seeing her throw her head back in abandon as his hands roamed and his mouth claimed more of her skin. He traced the curve of her hip as he trailed kisses back up to recapture her sweet lips for a brief moment before falling to her other shoulder. Taking a leisurely bite to satisfy some of his wolf’s bloodlust. His bite didn’t seem to satisfy Mila, however, it appeared to only enflame her need. The very moans from her throat emerged strangled and desperate. Gareth grinned like the beast he was. Her silent plea for more called to him like a siren song. 

He’d give her more, he’d give her as much as she could stand and then some, he thought to himself evilly. 

Continuing to rock hard against her c**t, the touch of his hand lingered just below her belly button gliding back and forth above her waistband only to retreat up the sensitive skin of her stomach. Her shudder of excitement and frustration nearly rocked his foundation. His wolf practically salivated at the thought that he was giving their mate pleasure. HE was practically salivating at the thought that he was pleasuring his mate. 

His mouth claimed Mila’s lips, as he made another pass with his hand over her skin, only to steer away from where she wanted him most. Her hips chased after his hand as he moved to  draw his fingers away from her once more. He flinched at a sudden little stab of pain. The taste of his own blood, mixed with her specific flavor, flooded his mouth. 

She bit me, he thought to himself. He came to a full stop and sure enough when he reached up to wipe his lip he came back with blood on his hand. She actually bit his lip in retaliation to him taunting her. His wolf did not like her disobedience and decided to come out to play. His claws shot out and sank into the wall on both sides of his willing prey while her legs stayed locked around his waist. Long slashes formed on the wall as he drug his claws down to rest by her shoulders. Growling out his dominance as he nipped her lip right back to leave a mark on her that everyone would see. 

In a daze he pressed in closer to her as he ground even harder and faster against her. Running his hand under her shirt to her breasts. The sight of a small rivulet of blood running down Mila’s chin from his mark, and his hands full of her breast, had his c**k surging in his pants. His wolf had one hand on the wheel of his control and demanded that he own her completely. Her cries grew in pitch the rougher he got with her. Especially when he tweaked her n****e just past the point of pleasure. Her scream riled his wolf, forcing his consciousness to take a back seat to the beast. His animal drove his hips against her with almost everything he had giving her no leeway. 

She will submit and come on my c**k, the beast cried in his mind.

When she screamed again, it would be his name she called.  

She was drawing closer to the edge, as he moved against her. Hell he wasn’t that far himself. She was practically climbing the walls from the pleasure they were sharing. Her heart rhythm was a staccato beat against his chest as she fought him for the release she was craving. 

Her tiny claws bit into his back then scraped down drawing more of his blood as his hand finally drifted below the waist band of her pants. He growled into her ear at her fierce possession. His fingers slid through her slick folds to find her hidden button of ecstasy. The shocked gasp of pleasure that came from her drove him to the brink. 

As his fingers worked her c**t his teeth nipped at her earlobe, sucking it between his teeth as she shivered in need. Her scent wrapped around him driving his need for completion. As much as he wanted to keep playing with his mate, he wanted to make her scream more. Just when Mila was at the breaking point of her orgasm, he pulled his hand back out of her pants and away from her willing p***y.

Her cry of frustration and pleasurable agony nearly brought him to his knees. His hands grabbed her thighs in a bruising grip to get the leverage he needed to drag her weeping p***y back over his c**k. Sweat rolled down his back as he worked her over against the wall, leaving no space between them. They chased their orgasm together. Grunting and clawing their way to find their completion.  

When her teeth sank into his neck in a savage bite, that was enough to throw him over the edge of oblivion. He rocked roughly against his mate, drawing out every bit of pleasure he could get. Growling her name fiercely into the universe. 

Gareth never stopped moving until he could see the exact moment her brain registered her orgasm. Her beautiful eyes flashed purple before squeezing shut, then she gifted him with the sexiest moans that danced into his ears. She arched her back clinging to him as she road out the last of her release, slumping into his arms. Screaming like the warrior queen that she was.

They were both breathing heavy and uncontrollably as they crashed from their pleasure high. His wolf took over and lapped at the blood on her chin in a show of affection and care while his arms wound around her waist to pull her in tight against his chest. His heart did a little gallop when her breathing evened out and she hugged him back. 

It was then, however, that his senses registered a potential threat behind them.

“Someone dares threaten me and my mate,” he growled as more animal than man. “You do so at your own peril.” Then he felt the red haze of rage slip back in. “You put your eyes on what is mine?” 

~*~

Mila was floating on a cloud. She felt his strong arms around her and never in her life had she ever felt so safe or whole. The few times she was able to travel with her sisters away from the island she had brief flirtations with males she encountered. She even stole a few kisses and touches with a few. Never had she felt so shattered in the wake of a s****l encounter of any kind, nor felt so complete. She wasn’t ignorant of the opposite s*x like most young ladies of her time. Her sisters were too wild to be modest. She had been taught the fundamentals of s*x, and then some, to the absolute horror of her mentor Serena. Had it been up to Serena, Mila would have never had ANY experiences with a male at all. 

Serena wasn’t overly modest, she had her crazy tales to share as well, but she felt that a ladies experiences should be her own. While her other sisters believed in share and share alike. There wasn’t a day that went by without someone telling a bawdy tale they had experienced. Mila really loved hearing of her sisters exploits because it was as much as she got to see or experience of the outside world for the most part. Serena hardly ever let her leave. It had been for her protection but that didn’t change the fact that she wanted to join the world.     

Now that she had the opportunity to be a part of this new world she found that it might not be so bad, if Gareth was there to guide her. All sorts of crazy thoughts flitted through her mind as the haze of lust cleared like a fog clouding her sight. Until, she felt Gareth tense beneath her touch and lock his arms tighter around her. 

His head snapped over his shoulder as he growled,“Someone dares threaten me and my mate. You do so at your own peril.” There was a pause before he continued, “You put your eyes on what is mine?” 

Mila was so shocked to hear his pronouncement that she didn’t even know anyone else had slipped into the room behind them. 

“Gare, I need you to let the Luna go before you hurt her,” an unknown man spoke to Gareth from behind him. Gareth growled ferociously at the demand while blocking her view of the wolves. 

Unsure who it was Mila leaned up to get a look and realized then that Bowe, Daric, and the other twin had been in the room witnessing what they had been doing. Each wolf looked ready to fight off the Alpha if that’s what it took. It was really sweet that they wanted to protect her, but she couldn’t let it slide that they had watched their intimate moment. They should have more faith in their Alpha. 

While his back was still to the errant wolves she took Gareth’s face in her hands, that was looking over his shoulder at the offenders, she directed his gaze on her. She decided she wanted to have a little fun. Petting his face lovingly she asked with a grin, “Do you wish to dismember them for eavesdropping on us?” 

“Yes,” was his immediate roughened growl.

Continuing to pet his face and neck soothingly she suggested, “We could do it together. Tear them limb from limb for entering our haven and interrupting us. Would you like that?” Kissing his mouth with a little nip of his bottom lip.  

“Yes,” he agreed again with a shudder. She saw all three men stiffen at her suggestion. 

“We could do that, or we could order them out of the room so that we can be alone. Which would you prefer, Alpha?” She could see the wolf behind his eyes preening at her attention and touch. “I’d much prefer the second option. However, if they continue to stare and remain in the room like they are I might be more inclined to the first option,” she stated with a quick, hard glance at the three men still standing behind Gareth.

“Luna, I don’t think this a wise . . .,” Daric’s twin inserted.

“I didn’t ask you what you thought was wise,” she interrupted while continuing to calmly kiss and pet Gareth. Never taking her eyes away from the big bad wolf still holding her up. “I suggest you leave before I decide it is wise to let him have his pound of flesh.”  

“Umm, we’ll see ourselves out,” Bowe murmured with a knowing smirk. The twins left without a word, but Bowe still lingered. He met her eyes and asked, “Are you alright?” 

“Yes, but I’ll be a lot better when we’re alone,” she answered. “He won’t calm down until you’re gone.” She didn’t know how she knew that; but, instinctively, she just knew he needed her. The threat of too many males in the room was overwhelming him and his wolf.  

With a silent nod, Bowe exited as quietly as he’d entered. As soon as Bowe cleared the threshold of the outer room Gareth’s tension seeped out of him instantly and he seemed to come back to his senses. 

“There now, they’re gone,” she told him as if he didn’t just hear them leave. “You can rest easy now that the big bad wolves are gone,” she giggled. 

“I am the big bad wolf,” he grunted. “And my little Red better remember that I can eat her whole,” he growled playfully. Tightening his hold around her waist once more.

“So, mate is it,” Mila whispered into Gareth's ear. The tension in the man holding her could be cut with a knife as her words took root in his mind. “Would you care to explain?” 

Gareth’s head pulled back instantly. “What is there to explain,” he growled. “I said what I said, and you are my mate.” His eyes flashed with defiance as his mind seemed to whirl with all the possible things she could say. 

“If that’s true,” she began. 

“It is,” he interrupted. His glare made him look delectable. There was something about the authority in his tone and the definitive way he answered that made Mila burn for him. As if their recent encounter didn’t just happen, she was ready to throw caution to the wind and pick back up where they left off. She knew she needed to focus though, but he certainly made it difficult. 

“If so, then why haven’t you mentioned it sooner?” 

~*~

Gareth groaned in exasperation. How the actual hell did an explosive orgasm turn into this conversation? I mean, f**k, his semi-hard c**k was still flush against the evidence of her release. The whole experience had been full send from the moment he met his little Red. She was his mate there was no other way to be for him, but he could recognize that she might not be there, yet. He had to hold on to that “yet”, because he couldn’t fathom her not wanting to be with him forever. 

“Look, as thrilling as I’m sure this conversation is going to be,” he grumbled. “Why don’t we put this specific topic on hold until tomorrow? It’s been an eventful day for both us, you more than me. So how about we table this discussion until after we’ve had time to rest and regroup?” 

There, he can be reasonable. He was well aware that the whole day hadn’t, exactly, shown him in a very chivalrous light. He was going to start making up for that. However, by the look in his mates eyes she didn’t seem too impressed with his attempt. 

“I know I have some explaining to do,” he admitted, “but I’d like the chance to explain myself when I’ve had a chance to gather my wits. . . And, not to mention, it would probably be best if we were both not tangled up like a pretzel.” 

He couldn’t help but chuckle at the blush that blazed across her cheeks and down her neck at his reference to their post-coital state. f**k, but that reaction of hers could become addictive. He liked throwing her off balance and shocking her, because his wee beauty didn't seem like the easily shocked type. 

When she didn’t immediately concede to his wishes he decided to use another tactic. “Fine, I guess I’ll have to persuade you,” he growled playfully. 

Slowly, he lowered his head back down to her throat and nibbled on her skin as he moved down to the spot she would wear his mark. 

“H-how will you persuade me,” she stuttered. 

Gareth smiled into the crook of her neck. “Well first thing I will do is claim those luscious lips with my own,” he said punctuating his statement with a kiss. “Then I’m going to strip you bare,” he continued as his hands moved slowly underneath the shirt that she was wearing. He gently stroked the soft supple skin on her side, which was wreaking havoc on his lust riddled mind. 

Just as his hand was about to make contact with her succulent breast a throat cleared behind him. He groaned once more in annoyance and growled. “Someone had better be dying,” he snapped. 

“Sorry Alpha,” one of his warriors apologized. “Bowe sent me to let you know that you have a meeting with Alpha Carter in 20 minutes.” 

“f*****g tell him to cancel it,” he growled. 

“Bowe also told me to inform you that this meeting can not be cancelled; because, and I quote, ‘This meeting pertains to a certain issue that could put a damper on your new happy findings,’” he retorts. 

That was when Gareth remembered the nature of the meeting and felt panic suffuse his body. “s**t,” he snapped. “Tell him I’m coming.” In more ways than one, his wolf chuffed in his mind. Even his wolf was attempting to give him a hard time. He was really having an amazing . . ly shitty day. 

As soon as his warrior left, Gareth brought his eyes back to Mila, “I have to take care of this issue, but I’ll be back as soon as it is handled.” 

Very reluctantly, he set Mila back on her feet and took a tiny step back. He couldn’t quite bring himself to move completely away from her yet. 

“I understand better than most what duty to ones people and family means,” she says with a small smile. “Do not let me keep you from your work.” 

“Believe me beautiful, if I had the choice, you would be laid out naked in my bed right now,” he chuckled causing her to blush once more. 

“Still, you should probably bathe before your meeting,” she says blushing even harder, “It’s rude to be late.” With that final statement, she skirted around him while avoiding the weapons on the ground and speed walked back into his bedroom. He didn’t move until he heard his bathroom door close. 

He shook his head, and smiled, as he ran his hand through his hair. He guessed he’d be showering in the guest bath on this floor. Too bad she didn’t invite him to join her in the shower, but he supposed that would counterproductive. If he didn’t want to be late he couldn’t get distracted, and she would definitely be his biggest distraction. Nope, he knew it was best to keep his distance until his new problem was solved. He needed a clear head for what was coming next. 

He made his way across the hall to the bathroom after grabbing some new clothes, and quickly showered. The last thing he needed was to show up to the meeting smelling like s*x. He didn’t think his guest would appreciate it; plus, he didn’t want anyone to know what Mila’s arousal smelled like. That was his right as her mate and no one else’s. No one, and he did mean NO ONE, would know her body like him, and that included her special scents. Especially, not a d**k Alpha who he reluctantly agreed to work with before everything occurred that day.

In no rush to have this meeting, Gareth took his time going to his office. It annoyed him that his time, in his opinion, would be better spent bonding with his mate. Instead, it was being taken by Alpha Carter. The man was an uptight douche, whose whole belief system was stuck in the Dark Ages. The man was about as progressive as a caveman on steroids. He knew he had no room to be “casting stones,” as the humans liked to say. Hell, he had been damn close to killing another wolf because Mila got a cut on her hand. 

Now he had to sit in on a meeting with the man who expected something out of him that he simply couldn’t follow through on anymore. Alpha Carter isn’t known for his diplomacy, kindness, or patience. So he imagined that someone would be leaving this dreaded meeting bleeding from multiple wounds. 

He went back down to the main floor where his office was located. As he approached his destination he picked up on an additional scent and realized that Alpha Carter wasn’t alone. Apparently, he invited a friend. Gareth growled in annoyance. It just gets better and better. He knew that other scent all too well, and he was furious they had the nerve to come into his house and present him with this bullshit. 

~*~

Well, Mila was alone once again, and completely mortified. She couldn’t get to the bathing chamber fast enough. She was just brought to release by a perfect stranger. Perfect being the operative word. It was too apt of a description for that man. Not only was he the most physically beautiful man she had ever seen, or even imagined any other man being; but his soul was what made him truly perfect. And Gods help her, but he might be her mate. He certainly believed they were mates, and that was wonderful. For him. He knew without a doubt who she was to him; however, she was still unsure about the whole thing. 

Sure, she felt something for him when they came together like they did. She had felt more pleasure from a single touch of his hand on her body than from any other experience with a male before him. Every other encounter paled in comparison to what happened with Gareth. To be fair, their recent indiscretion in the weapons room went way further than she had ever gone. There was just something about him that made her want to throw caution to the wind and do dirty things to him. 

Oh, if her sisters were around to hear her thoughts, she thought to herself. There would have been no end to the taunts and jesting. A sister losing her maidenhead was a sure way for her to get teased. It was almost like a right of passage that ended with the newly deflowered sister having to describe in detail everything that happened, and if she enjoyed herself. Should the lady in question be willing to see the gentleman again afterwards, then she received bonus points. If Mila had been forced to reveal the details of her experience with her sisters, then she would have to admit that not only did she enjoy herself but she craved more. Much, much more. And she hadn’t even gifted him her maidenhead. 

But she couldn’t joke with her sisters about her exploits.

“Just another reminder that I’m all alone in this new world,” she whispered to herself.     

Before her emotions ran wild once more she decided to take another shower. As amazing as his scent was she didn’t want to cause too much speculation amongst the wolves living in the pack house. They may have thought she held a special honor amongst their ranks, but she was still holding out for more proof.

As the shower began to once again cascade into the stall, she couldn’t help but marvel at the instantly hot water as it flowed out of the spout in the wall. The convenience alone made the shower even more enjoyable, because had she been at home it would have been her responsibility to retrieve and heat her own water for her bath. Stepping into the hot spray, she made short work of the task at hand. Once out of the shower she remembered that extra clothes were left in the closet for her to use. 

Slowly, she crept up to the door and opened it just a crack to see if Gareth was still in the chamber beyond. Once she could see that he was no longer still around, wrapped in nothing but a soft drying cloth, she ventured into the room heading for the closet. The view from the bathing chamber door, however, did not allow her to see the whole room; because, apparently, she wasn’t alone after all. She smelled him before she heard him. 

And without turning around to face him said, “I don’t think it is wise to be lurking in a ladies room while she is undressed. Did you not learn your lesson from earlier?” 

“I never claimed to be the smart twin,” he chuckled. 

Her smile was genuine as she turned to look at the battered wolf. Until she saw just how battered he really was, “Oh you poor thing, he really pummeled you good didn’t he?” 

He smiled, “Yeah, but that’s what I get for making my Luna bleed.”

She was glad he could jest about it, because had it been her she would have been in a really bad mood. “Well, I don’t know about the Luna part, but I will say you are very good sport,” she laughed. “Let me dress and we can talk all about how you lost.” 

That made his smile fall, “Hey, first of all, I didn’t lose. The game was interrupted, so there was no way to know how the game would have ended. Therefore, I respectfully request that the game be considered a forfeit.” 

Mila made a show of thinking about it and answered, “Hmm, game officiate says no.” 

“Oh come on! I was really getting good. I think I could have beat you.” 

“If that soothes your male ego, then far be it from me to take away your fantasies,” she giggled over her shoulder as she entered the closet in search of new clothes. 

“Hey! That’s just mean. I thought we were becoming friends,” he pouted from outside of the closet.

Slipping into nearly the same outfit she was wearing earlier she came out and asked him, “You think me a friend?” She smiled.  

He looked uncomfortable by the question, “Well, yeah. Unless you weren’t thinking the same thing, then neither was I,” he mentioned a little too quickly, avoiding eye contact with Mila, and rubbing the back of neck nervously.