Page 37 of Tide Touched

I picture myself, my body, and will my wolf away. She’s not happy about it—I get the feeling she won’t ever be—but she doesn’t stop me shifting. I endure the waves of pain as my body changes, bones snapping this way and that until I’m on two feet instead of four.

My breath comes out in a rush. That more than tickled. I’ll have to get used to it. I take a few slow, deep breaths, still healing from Courtney’s beating.

I approach the bank of the river, hoping it’s not too deep. I sit down, my naked butt on the soft grass, and slide a foot in. The temperature is perfect. I slide in my other leg, my hips and waist, sinking up to my breasts as my feet touch the soft earth floor. I crouch low, immersing myself up to my neck, letting the water wash over me.

I close my eyes. My senses feel dull now that I’m in human form, but that’s okay. I don’t think I could take that dial being turned up all the time. The sounds of the waterfall crashing into the surface of the river fill my ears, a rough, pleasant sound. If I strain, I can hear the raised call of bird-song, their high chirps joyful.

I stand and walk over to the waterfall, letting the water flow over me. It’s not big enough to ball me over or anything, just heavier than a good shower. I lean back, the water flowing over my body, warm and wet, like a second skin.

I don’t mind that I don’t have shampoo or conditioner, instead using my fingers to comb out my hair and let the waterfall do the rest. My eyes are closed, enjoying the sensation of the rough water pounding down on my body. Out here in the open air, I feel free for the first time in my life.

As the rough water tenderises my nipples, a hum of pleasure slowly builds. My eyes still closed, I wonder what it would be like if Killian were here…

Would he peel his clothes off and join me? Would he lean down to kiss me in the waterfall, his warm hands roaming over my body? Would he kiss my neck, leaving a trail of heat behind? I picture his hands on my hips, pulling my body to his, to feel his cock, hard and waiting for me.

I tilt my head back, letting the rush of water in my ears drown out every other sound as moisture—unrelated to my ‘shower’—gathers between my legs.

It was Killian who had howled for me. Who had lulled me to sleep with such tender warmth I never knew was possible. That feeling I just couldn’t connect with Carter. Because it wasn’t him.

How is it possible I have two mates? I know in my heart that Killian is my true mate, but how could such a thing occur?

The Tide Witches preside over Fire and Water Packs, but has something similar happened under the watch of the Starlight Witches within the Earth or Air Packs?

I open my eyes, thoughts of witches and packs dissolving. I rub my legs together, moist and slick. Even I can smell my own arousal. Curtained by the waterfall, I hesitantly glide a finger down, between my legs. As I brush over my clit, a thrum of pleasure sears my core and I let out a low moan. I close my eyes, letting my fingers work. I wonder if Killian would do this. Carter didn’t, not really. I picture Killian’s hands on me, one on my hip, the other between my legs, his index finger crooked, pressing down on my clit.

Another moan escapes me, reverberating around the waterfall’s curtain, creating a little cave. My finger pushes inside me and I gasp, nearly falling to my knees. I picture Killian’s strong arms holding me up, a soft chuckle on his lips as he presses a kiss to my chest, peppering his lips over my breasts.

I slide another finger in, joining the first, and my head falls back. It’s not enough, not as large as a cock, not as hard, but it feels good, especially thumbing my swollen, throbbing clit.

I picture Killian holding me upright, telling me he won’t let me fall. That he’ll look after me. His fingers curl slightly inside me in a beckoning gesture as his thumb presses deep into my clit and I come in a heavy gush, pussy shuddering with pleasure in the most intense orgasm of my life.

I open my eyes, panting, a wicked, delighted smile on my lips. Disappoint slams into me, remembering those fingers were not Killian’s. My smile vanishes.

Chapter Twenty-One

Killian

I swear colourfully, my fists clenching. ‘The Water wolves found her—’

Moira reads over the note I left and looks around, a smile playing about her lips. ‘Did you really expect her to stay put? You moron. She’s just been held against her will, locked away in a room.’ Moira sets our supplies down. An actual tent, for one. Some water bottles and a couple of changes of clothes for us. She flings an arm out, encompassing the wide expanse. ‘She probably went for a walk, or to find somewhere to wash.’

My anger fades to guilt. I grip the bridge of my nose. Damn it. Of course. ‘Maybe we shouldn’t have left her alone.’

Moira sighs. ‘She’s a big girl, Killian. Katie can take care of herself. Trust me. She always has.’ Without looking up from setting the new tent, Moira shakes her head. ‘You men are unbelievable.’

I blanch. ‘What?’

‘Carter and his alpha might have abducted her and locked her up, but you’re not being any better, treating her like that.’ She nods to the little tent I tried to assemble around where Katherine had fallen asleep. ‘She’s her own person. She can come and go as she likes.’

‘I get that, of course, but there are wolves hunting her, Moira!’

Finally, the other wolf pauses. She tucks a loose strand of short hair behind her ear. ‘Then, we find her and make sure she’s okay.’

‘She might come back here.’ I run a hand through my hair, frustrated. ‘You stay here, I’ll have a look around.’

‘Oh, and Killian? If you ever tell her what to do again, especially after what she’s been through’—a wicked smile curls Moira’s mouth—‘you’ll never keep her.’ A promise or a threat, I can’t tell.

I shoot her a dark glare. ‘I am not like him. Her other—that bastard.’ I won’t call him her mate. He’s not. I am. I don’t care what the Tide Witches say. They’re wrong.

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