Page 30 of These Wicked Desires

I nod and let him tug off my leggings, then my shirt. He lifts his hips and pulls his sweats down while I remove his shirt, because for once he’s actually wearing one. With our skin touching, something in me calms enough to stop crying. Something that tells me to be in the moment and not let my fear and anxiety pull me away.

I rock my hips against his cock, working myself until I can feel my wetness slicking him. When I raise onto my knees, he stops me with his hands on my hips.

“Look at me, Ellis,” he says, his voice rough and deep. “Let me watch you.”

I fall into his blue eyes, tumbling into their depths and getting lost. If only I could stay there forever and not have to face tomorrow. Slowly, I lower myself onto his cock, really letting myself feel every inch of him as he fills me.

When I start to move, Sterling grasps my face again and he kisses me. Every movement of our bodies, every brush of our tongues, is slow and purposeful. I fight back the intrusive thoughts that try to worm their way into my mind, stealing this moment from me. This could be the last time I sleep with my mate. Tears burn my eyelids and I squeeze my eyes shut tighter. I break the kiss and bury my face in his neck, pulling his scent into my lungs where I hope it never goes away.

Sterling’s arms wrap around me tighter, a cage holding me against him, making us one. He runs his nose up my neck, inhaling my scent and his movements turn a bit more sharp. “I love you, Ellis,” he breathes against my skin, a moment before he closes his teeth around my mark.

His name leaves me in a soft cry as my orgasm rolls through me in waves. It’s not earth shattering. It’s not spine tingling. But it’s more powerful for the way he holds me closer, like he’s never going to let me go. Even as his body gently shakes under me, he holds me. Even as our breathing calms, and our hearts settle, he holds me. And I hope he never, never lets me go.

The drive to the field where the challenge will take place is quiet. I’m plastered to Sterling’s side in the back of the Hummer, trying to take deep breaths to quell the nerves that make my stomach unsettled. It’s not working. Allie and Connor are following behind us, and knowing my bestie will be there with me makes this a little more bearable.

Cade pulls the Hummer off the road and we bounce over the terrain until he comes to a stop. None of us move. None of us say anything. We all stare out of the windshield at the open field in front of us. The open field where so much could go wrong. Sterling is the first to move. He kisses the top of my head then opens the car door, letting in a chill morning breeze. I want to grab him. Cling to him. Keep him in the car with me. Anything to prevent him from leaving. But I don’t. I let him go and I slide out of the car after him.

Cade and Kai immediately surround me, and we make our way to the field. Already, people mill about the open space, some in their human forms, others as wolves. Sterling’s mom and brother stand together and we make our way toward them.

Shari pulls Sterling into a hug and I notice the tears glimmering in her eyes. “I’m so proud of you, Sterling,” she says when she pulls away.

“Thanks, mom.”

He turns to his brother, and I hold my breath as Cole hesitates. Then he grasps the back of Sterling’s neck and brings their foreheads together.

“You got this, bro. I know you do.”

Sterling swallows and nods, closing his eyes to hide the emotion his brother’s support gives him.

A commotion draws all of our attention to the opposite side of the field. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know it’s Noah. A group of men follow behind him looking menacing and threatening. I shrink back against Cade as Noah gets closer, and Sterling steps in front of me. The pearl necklace resting just above my breasts warms slightly as Noah approaches. If I hadn’t already known he was a threat, the necklace would have warned me.

“I’ll give you one last chance to change your mind, boy.” Noah’s thick, wavy hair is the same color as mine. His light brown eyes are the same color as Gracie’s. While we definitely look like our mom, I can see some similarities that make it obvious he is our father. He’s tall and broad shouldered, and he screams wolf energy. Not alpha energy like Sterling does, but it’s clear he’s a powerful wolf.

Sterling doesn’t straighten his shoulders. He doesn’t try to stand taller or posture. Yet he still radiates strength, a clear indication of the power resting inside of him, waiting to be unleashed. “I’m not changing my mind. It’s time for the wolves to return to their former glory. It’s time for the wolves to once again be respected among the magicals like we were when my dad was alpha. Your time running us into the ground and dirtying our name is over. It’s time we become the powerhouse we once were.”

Noah growls, his upper lip curling to reveal lengthening canines. “Insolent fool. You are going to be destroyed.”

Sterling just shakes his head and turns his back to Noah, an insult that screams Sterling is unafraid of the shifter he’s about to fight. But this also brings me into Noah’s line of sight. His nostrils flare as he scents me, clearly picking up on the fact that I’m his daughter, and his eyes widen. His entire body stiffens and a low growl rumbles from his chest.

Sterling whips back around, stepping in front of me, while Kai and Cade tighten ranks on either side. I notice Cole working his way around toward my back where Connor and Allie are standing.

“Well, this is certainly interesting,” Noah drawls, craning his head to the side to see me. “The daughter that got away.”

“Walk away, Noah,” Sterling growls. “This doesn’t involve her.”

“It doesn’t? Are you sure about that?” He sneers and crosses his arms over his chest. His nostrils flare again and his gaze bounces between me and Sterling, likely scenting our mating bond. “You wouldn’t be challenging me if she wasn’t here. Is this why you insisted on letting her live all those years ago?”

Sterling says nothing, but his body is tense, practically vibrating with restrained rage.

“You know the rules of a challenge, Noah,” Cole says behind me. His hand on my shoulder squeezes slightly, and I relax a bit. “This is between you and Sterling. If anything happens to Ellis, you forfeit the challenge.”

Noah narrows his gaze on me and mutters something I choose not to hear before he stalks away. Sterling doesn’t relax until Noah is across the field with his cronies. Before he can turn around to look at me, an ancient-looking woman hobbles to the middle of the field.

“That’s Agatha,” Cade whispers in my ear. “She’s the one who gave us the mixture to break your fever so you could mate with Sterling.”

Her white hair blows around her shoulders, the red ribbon tying it back not doing anything to keep it contained. Even at this distance I can see her wrinkles. As she comes to a stop, everyone gathered for the challenge falls quiet. It’s obvious she’s respected in the wolf community, revered even.

“We are gathered today to witness Sterling Harrison challenge Noah Martin for the position of Alpha of the Iron Shadows pack. You all know the rules,” she says in a low, gravelly voice. Somehow it carries across the clearing, almost like she’s using magic. “No one may interfere with the fight. No weapons may be used during the challenge. Once it begins, only the death of one of the challengers will end it. The surviving wolf will claim the title of Alpha.”

---