Royal Shifters Series

Book 8: Raelynn

Micah and I thought we would stay in all day and talk, but the second I stepped outside and smelled the crisp Wyoming air, I had to explore. We drove around the parts of Grand Teton National Park that were still open for the winter. I’m in awe of the landscape and how breathtaking the mountains are. There is a lot more snow in this part of Wyoming than in South Dakota.

Out of all the places I’ve seen, nothing compares to the little slice of heaven that is Jackson Hole. After touring the national park, Micah and I walked around downtown, and never once was there a silent moment; it was as if no time had passed between us. Our connection runs deep. Being with him feels like we’ve always been together. Although, in a way, I guess we have. Our bond started seventeen years ago but stayed dormant until we could be together again.

Time went by quickly, and now we’re back at Micah’s cabin. I was so nervous about everyone coming over, but the second I saw Bailey and Faith, it brought back so many memories. It’s incredible how a few royal wolves like the Lyalls and the Storms could bring about a whole new pack. The Royal pack. Our parents would be proud to see what we’ve become. What I cherish most is that this is my new family.

Bailey and Faith haven’t left mine and Dany’s side the entire night. I met their mates, Ryker and Tate, along with reconnecting with Micah’s brothers, Sebastian and Zayne, and meeting their mates, Tyla and Amelie. Zayne’s daughter, Laila, is a force to be reckoned with. Her half-fae, half-shifter blood makes her one of a kind in our world. She doesn’t have the blonde hair of a royal. Instead, it’s a deep red with waves that flow like magic down her back. I’m a little jealous of her hair. Her daughter, Sera, is just a baby, but even I can already tell she’s going to be powerful when she gets older.

“What’s on your mind, Rae?” Bailey asks. Never once has she stopped smiling, and when I look at her, I can still see the little girl she was before.

Closing my eyes, I slowly breathe in and open myself up to everything around me. When I open my eyes, I smile at her. “It’s surreal being here with all of you. Everyone is so strong. I don’t see how anyone would want to go up against you guys.”

Bailey and Faith sneak a glance at each other. They both look like their mother, Tala, with their big, round, blue eyes and the platinum blonde hair of the royals. What’s crazy is that I had more time with their mother than they did since I was much older when she was killed. They have her spirit, and it brings me joy to see it.

“Well,” Bailey offers sadly, “we haven’t had anyone come at the mated ones of us. However, you and Dany, on the other hand, are still vulnerable. At least, until you’re both officially mated.”

Dany snorts. “It’d be a death sentence if anyone tried to attack this pack.” Dany looks around and sighs. “The power within this pack is a lot stronger than what ours was all those years ago.”

Faith frowns, and I can sense her sadness. “If our parents were here, what do you think they’d say?”

My eyes begin to burn when I look at her. “Yours would be happy that you’re such a beautiful and talented woman with a creative mind. Micah showed me some of your landscaping art designs.”

Bailey drapes her arm over Faith’s shoulders. “She’s constantly busy with work now that everyone in Montana knows what she can do. I never see her anymore.”

Faith rolls her eyes. “Whatever, B. You’re too busy making babies to even think of me.”

Dany and I both gasp and pin our gazes on Bailey.

“Are you pregnant?” I ask her.

She lifts a finger to her lips. “Shh, not so loud. Ryker doesn’t know. I plan on telling him and Asher tonight when we get home.” Her little boy is only a couple of years old and cute as all get out. He’ll be a heartbreaker one day.

My insides dance with excitement for her.

Dany giggles and bounces beside me on the couch. “This epic. I can’t wait for everyone to find out.”

Bailey winks at her. “Same. We’ll throw a big party.”

The pack is growing with all the babies. Amelie is pregnant with Zayne’s twins, and I have no doubt Faith will wind up pregnant soon with all the sex she told me she and Tate were having.

I reach out and grab Bailey and Faith’s hands. “Who would’ve ever thought that you two would be mated before Dany and me? We’re like the old spinsters of the group.”

Dany elbows me in the side. “Hey, I’m younger than you.”

“Only by a year,” I joke back.

Ryker walks over behind Bailey and squeezes her shoulders. “You about ready, babe?”

Bailey pats his hands. “If you are.”

He kisses the top of her head. “I’ll get Asher. He’s passed out in the guest bedroom with little Sera and Brooke.”

Brooke is Tyla and Sebastian’s little girl, also Micah’s niece. With him being my mate, it makes Brooke my niece as well. Once Amelie and Zayne have their twins, I’ll have two nephews. It makes me want kids of my own. Micah and I haven’t talked about that part of our relationship yet. I’m curious to know what he wants out of life once we’re mated.

Bailey stands, and so does Faith. “Tate and I are staying with them, so I guess we should probably go, too. We’re heading out early in the morning to go back to Montana.”

Dany gets up with me and flings her arms around Faith. “I want to come to visit you soon. Think we can make that work?”

Beaming, Faith hugs her hard. “Definitely. You are welcome any time.” She turns to me, pulling me close. “I’m so glad you’re Micah’s mate. Other than Tate, he’s the best man I know.”

“Yes, he is,” I whisper in her ear.

She passes me over to Bailey, her grip tight as she embraces me. “I’m happy you’re with Micah, too. I kept hoping he’d find someone. He searched for months for you. I’m thankful he didn’t give up.”

I don’t want to imagine what would’ve happened if he did. “Me too,” I admit.

If Micah hadn’t found me in time, I’d be mated to someone else. My mind flashes to the last visions of Soren, at the way his eyes filled with lust when he’d think about the plans he had for me. Darkness would’ve been my fate.

A feeling of warmth enters my head, and I can feel Micah’s presence. He pushes those thoughts from my mind, and everything becomes clear. I look over at him, standing with his brothers, and I give him a sad smile.

“Thank you.”

His lips tilt up slightly. “Anytime.”

A few minutes later, everyone says their good-byes, and I’m sad to see them go, but I know they’re close by. I’ll be able to see them as much as I want, except for Faith since she lives in Montana with Tate and the Great Plains pack. Still, it’s not too far away.

The only people left are Dany and Stark. I didn’t realize how happy Stark would be to be here with all the others. He’s different, more alive, and carefree. Dany confided in me earlier, saying he didn’t really want to stay with the Black Hills pack, that he was only doing it because she didn’t want to leave me. I don’t want Dany staying anywhere because of me; I want her to be happy.

Micah and Stark are outside, so Dany and I join them. Stark beams when he locks eyes on Dany. “Guess what, sis?”

Dany lifts her brows. “What?”

“You and I are going to Montana in a few weeks. Faith and Tate think it’ll be a good idea for us to meet other wolves, maybe even find our mates.”

I wrap my arms around his neck. “I think that’s perfect.”

Letting him go, I stand back and turn to Dany. Eagerness twinkles in her eyes which makes me happy. I know she’ll enjoy being around other wolves and possibly finding her mate. “And Chase wants Dany and Stark to visit with the Timberwolf pack in California,” Micah adds.

A smile crawls up Dany’s lips, and she grabs my hands. “You won’t miss me too much, will you?”

“Oh, I will,” I admit in all honesty, “but you need this.”

She kisses my cheek, her voice a soft whisper in my ear, “And I know what you need. The sexual tension between you and Micah is through the roof.”

And, of course, she knows he can hear her. Wolf hearing and all. “You sure do know how to make things awkward, don’t you?”

Stark clears his throat. “Okay, on that note, we’re leaving.”

Dany winks at me. “Have a good rest of your night.” She hugs Micah and then gets in Stark’s truck.

Once they disappear into the night, Micah chuckles under his breath. “So, what do you want to do now?”

My cheeks begin to burn, but I have an idea. I take off my sweater and toss it on the porch. “Want to go for a run?”

Micah gives me a wolfish grin. “You’re on.”

***

The last time I ran as my wolf was when I went over the cliff with Soren. It wasn’t a joyful run, so it felt amazing to race through the snowy forest with Micah. Watching him move as his wolf fascinated me. I intentionally stayed a step behind him so I could admire the way his body glided through the woods.

Micah took me around the lake, and we explored the forest for about an hour before heading back to the cabin. When we get there, our clothes are still on the porch where we left them. Micah shifts first, the muscles in his legs contracting as he walks up the steps. I’m too mesmerized by staring at him that I didn’t realize I hadn’t shifted back.

Micah reaches for his jeans and smirks at me over his shoulder. Then, he turns around, giving me a full-frontal view of his body. “Are you going to stay like that all night?”

I want him; there’s no denying it. No amount of distracting myself with conversation or moonlight runs will change the fact that he’s my mate, and there’s no reason we shouldn’t give in to our desires. Micah’s blue gaze darkens with need, but he keeps it under control. I know he wants to wait until I’m ready.

I am now.

The magic of the moon shimmers all around me, tickling my skin like a gentle caress. I walk toward Micah, and the closer I get, the more intense his need becomes. He has his jeans clutched in his hand, but I take them and toss them back on the porch.

“You don’t need those right now,” I whisper, my voice a semblance of the wind.

He knows what I want; he can feel it through our bond. Micah slides his arms around my waist. “Are you sure you’re ready? I don’t mind waiting.”

Placing a finger over his lips, I press my body flush against his. “No waiting. I want you to make love to me.”

The heat explodes between us, and he crushes his lips to mine. His tongue explores mine, tasting and ravishing me like a starved animal. It’s as if Micah had kept his desire in check and just now decided to let it loose. It’s intoxicating to the point I don’t know if I’ll ever get enough. His body hardens, and I dig my nails in his back, yearning to feel him inside of me.

“Micah,” I beg impatiently. “I need you.”

Growling, he sucks my bottom lip between his teeth, his eyes glowing like his wolf’s. “You’re fucking killing me right now. I wish you knew how much control it’s taking me to do this slow.”

I moan into his mouth. “I don’t need slow. Maybe next time, but not right now. The need is too great.”

His wolf eyes pierce into mine. “I hope you know what you’re getting into.”

“The same goes for you.”

A blast of raw energy surges through my body as Micah lifts me in his arms. He kicks the front door open and carries me to his bedroom, our mouths interlocked the entire way. I want to ravish him, taste him.

Micah tosses me onto his bed, thrusting my legs apart. “I’m going to taste you first,” he growls, squeezing my thighs in his firm grasp. His eyes lock on my center, and another deep rumble vibrates in his chest. “Fuck, I feel like I’ve been waiting on this forever.”

Spreading me farther apart, Micah kisses the sides of my thighs, the pressure making everything inside of me tighten. He makes his way to my clit, and nuzzles it with his nose before flicking his tongue across it. I jerk in response, and he chuckles, the feel of his breath making me shiver with anticipation.

Micah latches onto my clit, sucking it greedily. I arch my back off the bed, moaning as the sweet taste of orgasm builds between my legs. Micah thrusts his tongue inside of me, all warm and demanding. However, when he slides his lips over my clit and pushes his fingers into me, that’s when I lose all control.

“Micah,” I gasp, giving in to the building climax.

He quickens his pace at the height of my orgasm, and I cry out when it explodes within my body. Grabbing my chest, I can feel my racing heart. Micah climbs up my body and presses his cock to my center, his wolf eyes staring back at me.

“I could taste you all day.”

My breasts move up and down with my rapid breaths. “I’d probably go insane.”

He shakes his head. “Not as much as I feel like I am right now. I’m just afraid of hurting you.”

Tilting my lips seductively, I wrap my legs around his waist. “You won’t hurt me, Micah. I told you, no going slow tonight. I won’t break. I need this just as much as you.” I grab his neck and pull him down to my lips. “If you don’t take me right now, I’ll flip you over and ride your cock so hard you’ll come in two minutes.”

The raw, primal growl that escapes Micah’s body flips a switch inside of me. He thrusts his cock into me so hard that I scream with the pain and pleasure of it. Bucking my hips, I move along with him, our bodies slapping against each other. Goosebumps fan out over my skin as he pushes in deeper, pounding into me relentlessly. I wanted to be ravished, and he’s taking me just like an alpha would take his mate.

In and out, the friction of his cock drives me insane. Micah closes his lips over mine, his growls rough as he continues his quickened pace. I can feel my release approach, and I try to hold onto that feeling for as long as possible. Because once it’s over, I’ll be satiated. I’m not ready to give in just yet.

Micah slides his lips down my neck to my breasts, latching onto a taut nipple. He squeezes the other and then moves over with his mouth, torturing me with his tongue. I can’t hold off any longer.

Body clenching around Micah’s cock, I hold him tighter with my legs. My orgasm builds to the point I can’t stop it from sending me over the edge.

“Fuck, I’m going to come,” Micah growls, grabbing my hands and thrusting my arms above my head.

Screaming out my release, I give in to the pleasure and clench harder on Micah’s cock, milking him to completion. He grunts with his last thrusts and then rests on his elbows, his body still connected to mine.

Micah kisses me, his breaths warm against my lips. “I needed that.”

“So did I.” I kiss him again and smile. “But next time, I’m going to have my way with you.”

Micah chuckles. “So be it.”