Kalli reared up to accept his bite, still lost in the crescendo of her climax. As his teeth met her golden skin, she cried out in delight as the power of her Alpha entered her body. As much as she was his in that moment, he was hers in return.
Chapter Twenty
The ride up to the mountains took a little over two hours. Tristan had explained that the burial wouldn’t take place until dusk. This time of year the sun set around seven thirty, so they’d have plenty of time to get settled in before the ritual began. Logan had already left for the mountains, as had most of the city wolves. After finishing several business calls, Tristan and Kalli set off around noon in a large SUV that towed a small Harley trailer. The warm September weather was a great time to ride, and Tristan was looking forward to taking Kalli out on his bike.
Since it was early in the month, some of the leaves were beginning to change color, preparing the trees for their winter slumber. By late September, the foliage would be at its peak. From Mountain Maples to Sweetgums, the leaves frolicked in the warm autumn wind. The scenic drive helped to soothe Kalli’s racing thoughts. She absentmindedly fingered the spot where Tristan had marked her. While the skin was not broken or scarred, the sweet tingle of his bite remained. Growing up, she’d been told that each pack had its own distinctive markings. Once claimed, the mark would either grow more prominent as the couple forged their way toward mating or conversely, it would fade if the pair separated.
When she’d looked at her shoulder in the mirror that morning, it looked like a tiny rose-colored tattoo in the shape of an infinity symbol, as if two loops were intertwined. She supposed it suited her, reminding her of how she and Tristan fit perfectly together. As soon as he’d bitten her skin, her wolf had awakened. She struggled helplessly to emerge, begging to claim him in return. But since she hadn’t turned in so long, it was impossible. She needed to shift again in order to mark him.
She wondered nervously what it would be like to shift into her wolf with Tristan at her side. In the past, it had been an exceedingly lonely experience. But the more time she spent with Tristan, the more she wanted to share everything with him: her body, her mind and her wolf.
“Hey, we’re here,” Tristan commented, jarring her from her contemplations.
Large pine trees towered over and around an imposing grid-ironed fence, which looked like it could easily impale someone if they tried to climb over it. Tristan pulled the car up to a security panel. Punching in a code, the doors opened, allowing them access to the unmarked compound.
“See there.” He pointed to a large A-framed building. “That’s the clubhouse. Tennis courts and the pool are behind it. There’s a small general store in there that we run. Carries sundries, a small selection of groceries…stuff like that. We kind of run the place like a resort, but some of the people stay year round.”
They continued down and around a curvy road, which led into what could best be described as a development of cabins interspersed between the enormous trees.
“These, here, are mostly owned by families. We’ve got a condo building too, where a lot of the single wolves stay. My place is up here near the top of the mountain. Logan usually stays with me most of the time, even though he’s got a condo. It’s got plenty of rooms, and I like the company,” he explained.
As they passed a flat clearing, Kalli was surprised to see several horses in a rolling field; a barn sat in the distance. “You keep horses?”
“Yeah. Janie’s in charge of the stables. She gives lessons to the pups, and some of us pay her to care for our horses.”
Making a right turn into a winding driveway, a two-story home sat enclosed in forest. “And this is home,” he declared.
“It’s beautiful, Tristan, really.” Admiring the tan-colored log cabin, Kalli wondered what it would be like to grow up here. A stark contrast to the sleek skyscraper, it was warm and inviting.
“You like?” he asked proudly. It was his escape from the city, and he hoped his urban woman would enjoy the country. He treasured his time in the mountains, and this truly was his sanctuary. It was important to him that she loved it as much as he did.
“What’s not to like? Hey, do we have time to go for a hike?” she asked excitedly.
Tristan laughed. Warmth settled in his chest. As his mate, she fit him like a glove. The more time he spent with her, the stronger their bond grew. He loved being with her, talking to her, making love to her. He shook his head silently as it hit him. The mark; it was only the beginning. As much as he wanted to deny the feelings deep within his heart, he was falling in love with her. And it all felt natural, like it was meant to be.
He never thought he’d live to see the day when he considered mating a female. But now, happily, his world had been turned upside down by a raven-haired half-wolf who enjoyed cooking in her underwear. He laughed.
“What?” Kalli smiled as if she read his thoughts.
“Nothing. Just thinking about how I like to see you cook in your underwear.”
Kalli began laughing with him. “Well, I guess it is a good thing we found each other, considering your penchant for nudity, Alpha. I can see why you like this isolated house,” she teased.
“Wait until you see the hot tub. I’ve got plans for you,” he promised, getting out of the car without waiting for a response. His cock jerked just thinking about her hot little body sitting on top of him while the hot bubbles massaged their skin.
A high vaulted ceiling with a floor to ceiling stone fireplace greeted them as they entered his home. The home’s airy feeling was counterbalanced by the glow of the gas-lit fire. A U-shaped, sienna leather sectional sofa facing the hearth sat on oak planked floors. The general décor was clean and classic with exposed woods offset by earthy brown tones. A modern white kitchen, complete with black speckled granite countertops merged seamlessly with the great room.
Considering Kalli had spent her entire adult life living inside matchbook-sized apartments, the spacious house felt extraordinarily cozy and relaxing. Conjuring up thoughts ranging from roasting marshmallows, to making love on the floor in front of the fire, to chasing toddlers, Kalli wrapped her arms around herself. She inwardly questioned her own feelings. It was not like as a girl or even as a young woman she’d ever dreamed of getting married or having a family. But everything about Tristan was changing how she saw the world, how she felt about everything. He was like a missing piece in the puzzle that was her life.
As she explored, Tristan set down the bags and got to work preparing something special. “I’ve got a surprise for you,” he announced from the kitchen.
She looked over to see him mulling about in his kitchen. Was he preparing a meal?
“Does the surprise include food? Because if it does, I’m in.”
“Did you bring jeans?” he asked. “As much as I love easy access, you really need pants for this surprise. Also, boots or sneakers would be good.”
“You’re bad! Easy access, huh? Somehow that does not surprise me. You are something else, wolf,” she chuckled.
“Hey, I am the wolf, to you.”
“That you are,” she assured him. “Well, I do love a good surprise. But I love food even more.” I really just love you. The words ran through her head, and she smiled at the thought. God, she was in deep with no means of escape. At this point there was no fighting the tide. Crossing the great room, she reached over the counter, snatched up a piece of cheese and stuffed it in her mouth before she could say anything else that would divulge her true feelings.