“Is this the new rehab center?”
“Yeah. Nice, isn’t it?”
“Very. But how does this new construction not attract attention from outsiders?”
“The whole Alpha Pack compound is cloaked with one of Kalen’s spells, for extra privacy. No human could see it even if they tried.”
“Ah, the spell. Right. That’s the reason I wasn’t able to get close to the main building when I was watching before. That was Kalen’s doing.”
He didn’t want to have another discussion about why she’d come. Instead, he gestured to the new structure. “Want to see inside?”
“I’d love to.”
Everyone had their own security code, so Zan keyed his into the pad by the main doors. They opened with an audible hum and pop, and he pulled the handle, letting them inside. Then he flipped on a light, which illuminated the grand foyer.
“Oh! This is gorgeous,” she enthused. Walking over to the reception desk, she ran her hand over the marble countertop. “This is quite a big place, bigger than I imagined. Is my father going to hire more staff to handle the load?”
“Yes, no question. There will be a receptionist or two, plus at least one more doctor, whom Mac and Melina will be in charge of hiring. Noah will get input on more nurses, and Nick and Mac will hire at least one dedicated counselor. Most of the staff will be paranormal beings.”
“How come?”
“Two reasons. One, it will make residents more comfortable to know there are functioning members of society who are paranormal, just like them. It will give them hope and set a good example. The second reason is more practical, which is we want as few humans as possible to know our world exists.”
“I see. That makes sense.”
“Let me show you the rest.”
He took her through the lower floor first, showing her the various exam rooms, counseling rooms, recreation areas, kitchen, and dining room. “The residents will be able to eat here and learn social interaction before being released to society,” he explained. “They’ll get a sense of normality, and that will build self-esteem.”
“This is so impressive. What a great thing they’ll be doing here.”
“Let’s go up.” They stepped into the elevator, and he punched the button for the top floor. “See the O on the panel? That stands for Observation. The resident rooms are still under construction, but the lounge is done, and it has a fantastic view of the mountains.”
The elevator doors opened right into the lounge area. Zan flipped on a lamp on the table so the whole room wouldn’t be lit too brightly. Beside him, Selene gasped.
“Wow. This is amazing. I can just see the residents relaxing up here and enjoying this place.”
Unable to stand her closeness any longer, he pulled her in to his body, facing him. Wrapping his arms around her, he nibbled her neck and jaw. Spread his legs and cradled her there, letting her know just how much he was affected by holding her.
“Zan,” she murmured. “I want you again.”
“You drive me crazy, baby. Will you trust me?”
“I . . . yes.”
He hadn’t known her long, but he already knew that trust wasn’t something she did easily. “I’m going to make this so good for us.”
“Please, yes.”
He bent over her, nuzzled her short, silky platinum hair. Kissed the shell of her ear, nibbled. Breathed her warm scent.
He slid a hand underneath the T-shirt, splaying it across her flat belly. He loved the way she fit against his body, like she was made just for him.
His fingers traveled upward, found the taut pebbles of her nipples. He took one, rolling the peak between his thumb and forefinger. She moaned, arching her back, skin heating to his touch. More kisses at the curve of her neck and shoulder. Tasting, playing with her breasts.
“Mmm, I almost wish I were a vampire, so I could bite right here.”
“Oh, Zan.” She gazed at him. Huge blue eyes were glazed with arousal. Needing, wanting him.
“You know what I’m going to do? I’m going eat you. Then I’m going to fuck you right there against the observation window, with the curtains open.”
“Where anyone can see?” She gasped.
“Yes.” His lips turned up. “Though the window faces away from the compound, toward the mountains, so it’s unlikely we’ll be spotted.”
“But still! God, that’s so kinky.”
“The excitement in your voice tells me you love that.”
“I—yes!”
He worked her jeans and panties down her legs, tossing them to the floor. The T-shirt followed. Then he pushed her against the glass, face out to the night sky and anyone who’d care to watch him take her this way. Only watch and never touch. All his. The heated desire of just thinking of the act rocked him to his toes.
“Spread your legs.” She did, making room for him. He knelt between her thighs from behind, trailing kisses from the back of one knee to her sex. “So lovely. So pretty and pink. Already wet for me. I could come, just by looking at you.”
She whimpered, raising her hips a bit. With a low chuckle, he obliged, his fingers parting her. His tongue flicked her folds, dipped inside. He lingered, taking his time. Licking slowly, like a man enjoying ice cream.
Selene rocked back into his face, urging him. “Please!”
He fastened his mouth to her sex, suckling the sensitive bud. She came undone, bucking beneath him. Lost in decadent pleasure. The sight of her writhing nearly made him lose control.
Holding back his release shredded Zan as she found hers, wild against his mouth. Her honey bathing his tongue. Oh, God, so sweet.
When the last of her shudders stilled, he moved to her side. Bent, turned her head and kissed her lovely mouth. He loved the sight of his mate ready to give herself to him this way, pale hair an angel’s halo around her face. Knees spread, the lips of her sex pouting and slick from his attentions, ready to welcome him inside.
He ran his fingers along her slit, spreading her. Jesus, he wasn’t going to last. Grasping her lush hips, he guided the tip of his penis to her and thrust home. Buried his cock to the hilt. Her heat surrounded the throbbing length of him, squeezing, driving him mad. Not yet. Not yet . . .
“Look at you against the glass,” he rasped. “Pinned there. Beautiful. Mine.”
She began to move back and forth, stroking him. “Yes, yours. Zan, please, fuck me hard.”
“God, yes.”
He surrendered control. Gave himself over to the beast raging to do her. Hard, wild, nasty. He pounded into her with long strokes. Thrusting harder, faster. Joyous, feminine cries reached his ears, erasing any lingering doubt he might’ve had about urging her to try his kink. She trusted him completely and loved what they’d done.
Neither the man nor the wolf stood a chance against such heady stuff. With a hoarse shout, he impaled her one last time. Held her body close, buried so deep he actually felt them become one heart, one mind. His release rocked him to the core. Branded his soul as hers, for always. Her climax milked him on and on.
Covering Selene like a blanket, he remained inside her for a moment, sweating and shaking. He’d never come harder or been drained more thoroughly in his life. Had never before shared a shattering awakening, a fusing of hearts, with the only woman he’d ever desire from this day forward. He’d never known this sweet ache, ever.
He just hoped one day she’d feel the same.
Seven
Selene awoke in Zan’s room, but this time she knew she was alone.
There were no sounds of her mate showering, or dressing. No puttering in the kitchen, no humming, or any one of a dozen noises she’d come to think of as comforting.