The Huntress and her Alpha

Chapter Sixteen

I sighed, annoyed that he didn’t tell me what this was about. I pulled my phone out and texted Sarah asking her if she heard anything going on. She had been on patrol the night before.

Soon there was a knock on the door and Sarah let herself in. “There’s been another attack. First Conner and now Aimee.”

Tears filled my eyes. “Is she okay?”

“She will be. Jack found her in time. Got the wolf off her and he ran before Jack could grab him. She has a few injuries but she can tell us what the wolf looked like and we can figure out who is doing this.”

I blew out a breath. “Why didn’t Lip tell me? I don’t like that he went out there on his own.”

Sarah smiled. “Seems like my brother has grown on you.”

I rubbed my hand against my chest feeling an ache where the bond was. “He kissed me on our date.” I smiled at her. “He said I’m setting the pace but sometimes I wish he’d just pull me in and make my head spin.”

Sarah laughed. “You two are too cute. My brother is a saint controlling himself around you like he does. I mean, I’ve never seen a mated wolf wait this long to kiss their mate let alone mate them.”

I blushed. “It’s getting hard for me too.”

Sarah squealed. “Oh my gosh! Well Lip will be very excited to hear that.”

She had that faraway look in her eyes and I knew she was telling Lip before I had a chance to yell at her. She giggle as she came back into the room and looked at me.

“He says just wait until he gets back and he’ll give you whatever you want.” Her cheeks were red. “Alright I am here to keep your mind off the non existent danger my brother is dealing with. So let’s find a bad sitcom and make fun of it.”

I smiled and handed her the remote. We settled into her brother’s couch, laughing at the bad acting and sharing a bowl of popcorn Sarah decided to make. Even though it was nice to have Sarah with me I was worried about Aimee.

I was also worrying about Lip. He had been gone for almost two hours now. Which meant this hadn’t been a small attack. He had to be dealing with something serious.

“Can you ask Aimee if she’s okay for me? I can’t do the… wolf talking thing.”

Sarah laughed, then her eyes glazed over. I took in a breath, pulling my knees up under my chin. For once I wanted Lip to come through the doors and tell me everything was fine. To tell me that we were worrying about nothing.

But he was still dealing with whatever was happening. Had it been a Hunter attack? Or was this actually a wolf on wolf issue?

“Aimee said thank you for being concerned but she’s okay. Just a little sore, but Jack is helping her heal.” Sarah nudged me with her foot. “Max?”

I struggled in a breath. “I’m just worried about Lip. I wish I could talk to him the way you guys do.”

Sarah nodded. “I know it has to be hard being a human, mated to a wolf. I wish I could make it easier for you.”

“You do. By being here with me while he’s taking care of his alpha duties.” I shivered, feeling another pain inside my chest. “It’s been over two hours and I miss him. I never wanted to be that girl. The girl who couldn’t live without a guy. But here I am, turning into that girl more and more everyday.”

Sarah laughed and shook her head. “That’s just the bond. Your strength comes from Lip. It’ll be easier to feel strong on your own once he marks you. Then you’ll always have him. But just so you know I still see a strong Hunter when I look at you.”

I forced a smile for her. “Thanks.”

“I told my brother to text you. That you’re worried about him. He’s a little… preoccupied.”

“I don’t want to be a distraction to him. I refuse to be another worry he has while he’s dealing with whatever is happening out there.”

Sarah squeezed my hand. “I have to go change for my patrol shift. Lip asked for extra wolves since Aimee was attacked. He said he’ll be back soon, okay?”

I nodded and then surprised both of us when I hugged her. “Thank you. For coming and sitting with me.”

“Of course. I told you, we’re family now.” She hugged me back tightly and then stood up to leave.

Just as she got to the door it opened and Lip came inside. He was covered in blood, but the worst part was the vacant look in his eyes. He seemed like he was a million miles away.

He walked towards me and without caring about his appearance I wrapped my arms around him. “Lip.”

I felt him take in a deep breath, his lips pressed against the top of my head. “Max.”

I closed my eyes and held onto him, hoping whatever had happened wouldn’t affect him too much. He sighed, pulling away and brushing a piece of my hair away from my face.

“Aimee is okay?” I asked quietly.

“She’s good as new. Jack found her just in time. She said she left the attacking wolf with quiet an injury. She knows you’re worried and she’ll come see you tomorrow.”

I nodded. “I was worried about you too.”

He smiled slightly, then looked down at himself. “I should change.”

He walked into the bathroom and I followed, leaning against the door frame watching as he looked at himself in the mirror. The quiet was unsettling, both of us unsure what to say in this moment.

My eyes widened as he pulled off his blood stained shirt. I kept searching his body from where I stood, trying to see if the blood was his. Lip pushed his jeans off and then turned his back to me as he started the shower on high.

“Hey.” He walked towards me standing in the doorway, his boxers still on. “I’m okay, sweetheart.”

My throat closed up. I felt a tangled mess of emotions push their way out of my chest and up into my throat. I tried to stop the tears from filling my eyes. He moved to reach out and touch my cheek, but his dirty hand stopped when he saw the blood that stained his skin.

Without a word he turned towards the shower and pulled his boxers off. I was too caught up in my head that I didn’t get to appreciate his naked backside until he was shutting the door behind him.

I shook my head then pulled myself up onto the counter as he stepped into the water. I repeated myself, feeling the need for him to know. “I was worried about you.”

My voice was soft but I knew he could hear me over the water. “I’m an alpha, Max. There’s nothing to worry about.”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s not true. You ran off to help whoever the hell needed you. Which meant you didn’t think about yourself when you ran in front of the danger. I’m a warrior too, I know how it works.”

Lip was quiet, the only sound was the water hitting his skin. Steam billowed out the top of the shower and I waited for him to say something. I finally admitted to worrying about him. I finally took a step towards admitting I cared about him.

Isn’t that what he wanted ever since this mate bond slipped into place? Isn’t he waiting for me to make a choice between this life here with him and the one I've been training for ever since I was born?

I bit my bottom lip, wondering if maybe he was rethinking the whole being mated to a human thing. Maybe he wanted a wolf, maybe he wanted someone who didn’t have to worry because she too could join a fight without both sides wondering who she was fighting for.

Faster than I thought he would, he turned the water off. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist before he opened the door and stepped out. He walked towards me, a towel in my hands waiting to dry his hair.

He came to stand between my legs and then bent down as I rubbed the water from his hair like the dog he was. I couldn’t help but smile at the big puppy dog eyes he made when his face came back up to mine. I let out a slow breath, my eyes wandering over his bare chest still looking for any injuries.

“Max.” He pulled my face up by my chin and forced my eyes to meet his. “I am fine. And no,” he whispered softly, his eyes holding mine, “I’d never regret mating with you.”

I let go of my bottom lip and felt so much at once. Between the confusing hormones and the mate bond I was a total mess of a girl I had never been before.

“I can’t do the mind talking thing.” I whispered, his face still close to mine. “I didn’t understand what was happening and it felt like no one wanted to tell me either.”

Lip sighed, his eyes closing as he stayed there in front of me. I reached up and pressed my hand against his cheek. “Lip. The way you worry about me, constantly. It’s the same way I worry about you.”

He opened his eyes, the liquid gold slowly turning black and he met my stare. I smiled at him as he leaned forward and kissed me. It started soft, sweet and reassuring me that he wasn’t injured. My hand moved off his cheek and down to his shoulder. I ran my nails lightly against his skin and he pushed harder against my mouth.

“Max.” He breathed my name against my lips and I slipped my tongue inside his mouth. I moved to wrap my legs around his towel clad waist and smiled as he groaned again.

He pulled away, moving his nose to my neck. I gasped, sparks ignited along my skin. “How does that…” I squeezed my legs tighter around his waist. “Feel so good?”

He laughed, running his teeth along the spot and then kissing my skin. “Because one day when you’re ready, this is where I mark you. Then everyone will know you’re mine.”

I moaned as he pushed his body into mine. “I’m yours.” I whispered as we both tried to catch our breath. I touched his jaw. “Lip. I want you.”

His hazel eyes were now completely black. He looked at me, his hands holding my hips against his. “Are you sure?”

I nodded, reaching for the towel that separated him from me. He grabbed my wrist, stopping me before I could pull it down. “Max.”

I whined. “I want you. I want this.”

He smiled. “Well. First I’m going to worship every inch of you.” He kissed me hard before picking me up off the counter and carrying me into his bedroom.

I guess I was officially making my choice. I was choosing my heart. If i was being honest with myself I knew I had made my choice that day in the woods, when my heart woke up and starting beating again.

Lip laid me down gently on the mattress, his smile small as he kissed me once more. He crawled up so he was hovering over me and then grabbed the edge of my shirt. He pulled it up over my head, his eyes scanning my chest.

“Mmhm.” He kissed me, then moved down to my neck, his hand coming up and unclasping my bra before his mouth made it to my breast. I gasped, his teeth gently moving over my n****e.

“Lip.” I moved my hips against him as he sucked gently, teasing me. My entire body was on high as he kept touching me.

He pulled away smiling down at me, “patience love.”

I whimpered as he pulled at my jeans. I helped rid myself of them, pulling them off as quickly as I could. Then I reached out and grabbed his towel. Letting it fall off his waist.

“Not yet.” He whispered, kissing my stomach and then moving his nose along my body. Before I understood what he was doing his fingers hooked around my underwear and then ripped them off.

I gasped, about to scold him. My mouth opened just as he moved between my legs. Then all at once his mouth was on me. His tongue licked up my already wet center, my entire body shaking underneath him.

“Lip.” My fingers tangled themselves in his hair as I squirmed underneath his strong hold.

He sucked gently, his teeth pulling and causing me to jerk up against him. But I needed more. I wanted something inside me. I rocked my hips, unable to get the words out as he kept his mouth against me.

Lip laughed, letting go of my sensitive nub just before the world came crashing down. He looked up at me. “I knew you’d taste wonderful.”

His mouth went back to work, this time his tongue moved inside me. I screamed, actually screamed from pleasure as I rocked against him begging for release. My hands grabbed the sheets as my head fell back and my eyes closed.

“I’m coming.” I whispered before it happened.

The tight string that had coiled in my stomach sprung loose and all at once my body relaxed. Lip didn’t stop, he licked and sucked until I opened my eyes and looked down at him.

He smiled, kissing my thigh before moving his hand between us. “I told you I’d worship you.”

I felt satisfied. More than satisfied, but I wanted him. My mouth watered at the sight of him, but before I could make my move he pushed a finger inside of me.

“Oh gods.” I gasped my already sensitive body started to clench again. He moved slowly, one finger pumping as his mouth came down on my neck. That damn spot, he sucked on it and pretty soon I felt another o****m building.

Lip ran his teeth over my neck. “Mmhm god you’re beautiful, Max.”

“Another one.” I whispered, realizing my hips were moving against his hand. I needed more. His black eyes met mine and he smiled down at me.

“Bossy.”

I grabbed his face and held it close to mine. “Another one. Because I know you’re a lot thicker than one finger.”

His cocky smile fell as he trust another finger inside me. I gasped, he took the opportunity to kiss me when my mouth was open. I kept squirming against him. Pretty soon his thumb was rubbing circles against me and I fell apart almost instantly.

“That’s two.” He whispered, pulling his fingers out of me. I looked up into his eyes and I could see how proud he was. He had made me lose myself to him twice now.

My body was on fire. Because all I wanted was him. But I offered him my own smile and sat up, meeting his lips with mine. Then I pushed him back so he was laying down. “Your turn.”

“Max.” He started to protest but I stopped him once more with a kiss. My hand reached between us and I wrapped it around him. He was a lot thicker than I imagined. My body pulsed as I anticipated feeling him inside me.

I rubbed him slowly, kissing down his neck. I stopped at the same spot he loved to use against me. I felt his body still as I bit down with my teeth, sucking hard against his skin.

“Max. Love. Please.” He sounded so unsure of himself. I pulled away from his neck and his black eyes were wide and full of something.

“I am already so close.” He whispered as I kept moving my hand on him.

“Mmhm well then. Who knew the big bad alpha has a stamina of a thirteen year old?” I asked as I lowered my mouth onto him.

I took as much of him into my mouth as I could and he growled underneath me. I moved my hands to his balls, squeezing them as his hips bucked. Using my teeth I gently ran them up his shaft.

“Max.” He moaned my name as I released him, swirling my tongue around the tip of him.

He didn’t wait for me to go again. He sat up and grabbed me, laying me back against the pillows. He kept his eyes on mine as he slowly pushed inside me. My mouth fell open as my entire body opened up to him.

“Oh my god.” My head fell back. It had never felt like this with anyone else. Lip smiled, like he knew what I was thinking as he moved slowly, letting me adjust to him.

I grabbed his face. “Faster.” Then I kissed him as he did what I asked. He pushed all the way in, my body tensing up before he pulled out and did it again. I gasped, moving my hips to meet his.

“Max.” He said my name and I opened my eyes. “So beautiful.”

His mouth was on my n****e again, my legs were wrapped around his waist. I wanted more. I pushed my chest up, his tongue swirling around my sensitive skin. Then I used my hips and pulled him all the way against me. In the moment of surprise I pushed him over and move myself so I was now on top.

“Oh.” Once I was straddling him I took in even more of him. My walls clenched and I knew I wasn’t going to last long. “Wow.”

I laid my hands flat against his chest and moved my hips. Lip had his eyes closed, his head thrown back the way I had so many times already. I moved over him, his fingers digging into my waist as he finally hit the perfect spot.

“Oh my gods, Lip.” I gasped as he opened his eyes and looked at me. “There. Don’t stop.”

He smiled. I leaned down to kiss him and as I did he held onto my hips as tightly as he could. I couldn’t move up and down anymore, instead he kept thrusting himself up into me on his own.

“s**t. Lip.” I could feel the coil getting tighter in my stomach.

“Come for me love.” He whispered and I did just that as he slammed into me one last time. I fell onto his chest, my body no longer able to support me.

Lip flipped is over and kept moving inside me. I opened my eyes and smiled, running my finger along that sensitive spot on his neck. “I love you.”

That’s all it took. Lip found his release as I hooked my arms around his shoulders and kissed him. He stilled inside me, warmth flooding between us both as he came.

We were both breathing heavily as we settled back into ourselves. Lip didn’t move to pull out of me just yet. He did pull back and push my hair away from my face.

“You love me?” He asked quietly, as if he was afraid that speaking the words out loud would break us.

I smiled up at him, feeling so much more than just love for him. But I nodded my head. “I love you Philip James. Mate bond or not, you’ve shown me how a man is supposed to treat a woman. You look at me like your equal and you touch me like I’m the only thing keeping you alive in this world. I am in love with you.”

Lip kissed me. It wasn’t fueled with first passion. It was soft and sweet. Slowly he pulled himself out of me and laid down beside me. Then his hazel eyes found mine as I turned to lay my head against his chest.

“I love you too. I’ve loved you since that night at the bar. But that was our bond. I fell in love with you that day you yelled at me in front of my own pack, not scared of anyone or anything to stand up for yourself. I didn’t want to scare you, but I’ve wanted to tell you so many times how much I love you. You’re mine, Max Calloway. Now everyone knows.”

I kissed his chest. “You didn’t mark me yet. So how does everyone know?”

“But we’ve mated.” He kissed the top of my head. “So you’re officially mine. Because you smell like me.”

I blushed. “Wolves are so weird.”

Lip laughed as my eyelids got heavy. “Sleep love. I’m not letting you go.”

He pressed a kiss against my temple, his arm wrapping around me. I closed my eyes, his fingers running lightly over my skin. My heart stopped as I felt that knot of nostalgia in my throat. Goose bumps formed on my skin as he kept up the short sweet pattern.

“My mom used to do that.” I whispered, shivering under his touch.

Lip didn’t say anything, he just kept drawing on my skin. I smiled against his chest, feeling safe, feeling happy, for the first time since I had decided to stay here with Lip and the Black Forest pack.

I sighed happily. But I knew this moment, our little bubble would soon burst. Because my father wouldn’t take it lightly that I had finally given into my mate. He would see this as the ultimate betrayal and use it against me.

He would use Lip against me. And I knew no matter what happened my soul wouldn’t survive losing him.