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  Wolf’s Mate

  Written by Jessica Coulter Smith

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of Fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any persons, businesses, or places is purely coincidental.

  ©2014, Jessica Coulter Smith

  Cover Art Jessica Coulter Smith

  Chapter One

  The wind howled and rain beat against the windows, it was a storm unlike any Celeste had seen before. She wrapped the blanket tighter around her body and stared into the inky night, no moon or stars shone in the midnight sky. Stepping away from the window, she curled up in her chair. Lightning flashed across the sky, the jagged streaks illuminating her small living room. It wasn’t a fit night for human or animal.

  Celeste shivered when a howl rent the air. Wolves. She knew they inhabited the woods nearby, but she’d never seen one. A lone wolf howled again, sounding even closer than before. Getting up, she swiftly walked to the door and made sure it was locked. She shook her head, realizing how silly it was to think a wolf could open the door whether it was locked or not, yet the lock made her feel safer.

  Pacing the wood floor, she looked at the clock. Almost midnight. She knew she should try and get some sleep, but sleep had eluded Celeste for months… ever since Micah had died. They’d been engaged, the wedding only weeks away, until a fatal car accident had taken his life. Now Celeste was alone again. Having been alone most of her life, she should be used to it, but things were harder now that Micah was gone. He’d filled a void in her life.

  A scratching noise on her porch made her freeze. The door rattled in its hinges, drawing a startled breath from her. She watched with wide eyes as the knob slowly turned. When the possible intruder couldn’t open the door, they banged against it fiercely.

  “Is anyone home? I need help!” a deep masculine voice called through the door.

  Celeste cautiously approached the door. “What do you need?”

  “I was attacked. Please, let me in before they come looking for me.”

  Celeste slowly unlocked the door and opened it a crack, peering out onto the porch. A naked man was curled on the wooden slats, angry scratches running the length of his back and arms.

  Two more howls, even more chilling than the others, came from the nearby woods, spurring her into action. She knew she had to get the man into her home before the wolves came looking for him.

  “Oh! You poor thing,” Celeste said, opening the door further and crouching beside him. “Come on. Let’s get you inside and cleaned up.”

  The man looked up at her and Celeste caught her breath. The bluest eyes she’d ever seen stared up at her through thick dark lashes. A sable mane of hair hung around his face in thick wet strands. A strong, square jaw and high cheekbones lent him a ruggedly handsome look.

  Helping him to his feet, she led him into the cabin, trying to ignore the naked skin pressed against her. After she closed and locked the door, she led him down the hall to the bathroom.

  “Sit here and I’ll get you some clothes,” Celeste said softly.

  She scurried out of the bathroom and went up to the loft. Digging in Micah’s old closet, she found a pair of sweatpants and t-shirt that should fit her unexpected guest. As she descended the stairs, she heard the shower running. Slipping into the bathroom, she laid out a fresh towel and placed the clothes on the counter.

  “I have some clothes here that I think will fit you,” she said as she backed toward the bathroom door.

  “Thank you,” the man said.

  “I’ll… I’ll just be in the living room.” Celeste beat a hasty retreat, closing the bathroom door firmly behind her. She pressed her hands to her flushed cheeks, the heat from them warming her hands.

  Pushing away from the door, she walked back to the living room. Curling up in her chair again, she couldn’t keep her gaze from straying to the bathroom door. She’d have to have been blind to not notice the well-toned, muscular body that went along with her guest. She didn’t even know his name, yet her body already wanted him. Her heart ached for the loss of her fiancé, but her body was ready for her to move on. She felt guilty wanting the stranger, yet she knew Micah would want her to be happy.

  The shower turned off and Celeste braced herself. Staring at the bathroom door with baited breath, she waited.

  Chapter Two

  Connor stepped out of the shower and dried off with the towel she had left… the angel with the red hair. He’d followed her scent and found her cabin. It hadn’t been easy with the pack at his heels, but he’d managed.

  The alpha had attacked him, leaving angry claw marks down his back and arms. Connor assessed the damage in the mirror. It would heal, but it would take a few days. He traced one of the angry welts and winced.

  He’d defied the packs orders by trying to find the woman who had dominated his mind and senses for the past several weeks. He’d run across her scent near one of the hiking trails and had known instantly that she belonged to him.

  Marcus had plans for Connor, plans that didn’t include the angel on the other side of the door. The pack’s alpha wanted Connor to mate with a female in the pack – the alpha’s sister. While it was an honor, Connor knew he didn’t belong with anyone other than his true mate. His immediate attraction to the redhead couldn’t be denied.

  Toweling off, he put on the clothes his rescuer had laid out for him. The t-shirt hugged his chest and biceps, but the material was soft and comfortable. Taking a breath, he braced himself to face her. He knew without a doubt who she was – not her name, but who she was to him. His mate, his life, his soul… and he had precious little time to convince her of that. His very life depended on it, and so did hers. He’d brought danger to her door, but it couldn’t be helped.

  Opening the door, he stepped into the hall and slowly walked to the living room. His eyes immediately sought her out. She was curled up in a chair, staring at him with the most amazing green eyes. Eyes that were full of curiosity, lust, and a tinge of fear. He couldn’t blame her. She was a woman alone out in the woods. She had every right to fear him; he was easily twice her size.

  “Thank you,” he said softly. “You didn’t have to help me.”

  Celeste nodded. “I’m afraid I don’t have an extra bed,” she said with a blush, “but you can sleep on the couch if you’d like.”

  Connor glanced at the couch in question and hoped he didn’t wince. It looked comfortable enough – if you were a midget.

  Celeste let her eyes travel his body from to toe and back again. “Then again, I’ll take the couch and you can have the bed. I don’t think you’ll fit.”

  He gave her a smirk that said he would certainly fit somewhere, and the couch wasn’t what he had in mind.

  A blush stole across her cheeks. “I meant you wouldn’t fit on the couch.”

  “I’m not going to kick you out of your bed,” he answered.

  “I don’t even know your name,” she said quietly.

  “Connor. Connor Bleddyn.”

  “I’m Celeste O’Connell.”

  He gave her his sexiest grin. “Nice to meet you Celeste, and thanks again for helping me.”

  “What happened?” she asked, her eyes straying to the scratches down his arms.

  “I was attacked by a pack of wolves. They tore my clothes from my body and clawed at me. Two tried to bite me, but I was able to avoid them.”

  Her eyes widen
ed and she glanced at the door nervously. “How close are they?”

  “Not far.”

  She shivered in fear. “I’m not much for wildlife,” she murmured.

  Connor chuckled, but didn’t say anything. Little did she realize she had the “wildlife” in her living room at that very moment. He was a werewolf in sheep’s clothing, or rather human clothing. Hopefully he could gain her trust before he had to expose that side of himself.

  “They… they can’t get in, can they?” she asked.

  Connor started to tell her no, but decided to use the situation to his advantage. “They can actually.”

  Just then, the wind blew straight at the little cabin, rattling the windows and door. Celeste jumped nearly a foot, her heart racing in her chest.

  “You know, I promise to be a complete gentleman if you’d prefer to stay in the bedroom, too.”

  Celeste turned her wide eyes to him once more. Could she trust him? Thunder boomed and lightning lit up the sky, settling the matter for her.

  “I think I’ll take you up on that offer,” she said as she scrambled out of her chair and moved closer to him. The sheer size and solidness of him gave her comfort.

  “Lead the way,” he said, motioning for her to go before him.

  Celeste started for the stairs and slowly climbed to the loft where her bed lay. Her room was simply furnished; a bed, dresser, and night side table. The room was painted a soft blue-green, a Navajo rug in cranberry and teal took up most of the floor; a matching comforter was thrown haphazardly across the bed.

  Connor took in every detail. He’d noticed there wasn’t a single picture in any of the rooms. Didn’t she have family and friends?

  “You have a nice room,” he said, his voice taking on a husky undertone. Seeing the bed made him imagine her lying across it – naked.

  “Thank you.”

  He watched as she stood nervously beside the bed, her hands fidgeting with the blanket she had wrapped around herself. He wanted to soothe her, tell her she had nothing to fear – but he knew it would be a lie. She had every right to be afraid, just not of him.

  He slowly walked around to the other side of the bed. Pulling back the covers, he got into the bed. Watching her, he noticed she wasn’t moving.

  “Celeste, aren’t you coming to bed?”

  She nodded and dropped the blanket.

  Connor sucked in a breath. She was even more gorgeous than he’d first thought. Her nightgown covered her to mid-thigh, but the scooped neckline gave him a glimpse of firm, gently rounded breasts. The stark white material gave her an ethereal look, confirming that she really was his angel.

  Celeste quickly got into the bed and covered herself up to her chin. “Good night, Connor.”

  “Good night, Celeste.”

  He watched as she turned onto her side, leaving her back to him. Her shoulders were stiff and he knew she was still nervous. He wanted to pull her into his arms and ease her fears, ease the tension in her body. Fighting his baser urges, he turned off the lamp beside the bed and pulled the covers up to his chest.

  Chapter Three

  Celeste lay in the bed unable to sleep. She knew it was innocent, yet having a man in her bed made her feel as if she were betraying Micah. Thinking of him brought tears to her eyes. The loss was still too much to bear.

  Stifling a sob, she turned her face into her pillow and let the tears fall one after the other. She cried for the loss of what she could have had and she cried because of what her body wanted so desperately from the man lying beside her. She felt completely out of touch with reality. Who wanted to make love with a complete stranger? She’d never been the one night stand kind of woman.

  Silent sobs racked her body. She wanted so much to feel alive again. Something told her Connor could make her feel that way again, but she wasn’t brave enough to do anything about it.

  * * *

  Connor lay on the opposite side, clenching his fists at his side. He listened as Celeste cried her heart out. He wondered what had happened that brought her so much sorrow.

  With a sigh, he gave in. Reaching for her, he gently pulled her into his arms. “Shh. You’re okay.”

  She melted against him and buried her face against his T-shirt.

  He gently rubbed her back until her crying ceased. She looked up at him with puffy red eyes and he knew he’d lost his inner battle. With a groan, he cupped her cheek with his hand and kissed her.

  The moment his lips brushed hers, he felt an inner fire ignite, one he couldn’t ignore. Kissing her fiercely, he wanted to claim her as his own. The urge to bond with his mate couldn’t be ignored any longer.

  “Let me love you,” he whispered against her lips.

  Not trusting her voice, Celeste nodded. Already her body was on fire from Connor’s kiss, leaving her hyper aware of every caress.

  Connor looked into her eyes as his hands skimmed under her nightgown, gliding along her stomach to the underside of her breasts. Cupping them, he bent his head and kissed her again, gently moving his lips across hers, his tongue tasting her.

  Pressing his hips to hers, he rubbed his throbbing cock against her. He wanted desperately to feel her skin against his, but he didn’t want to rush her.

  When her hands tentatively caressed his chest through his shirt, he groaned. He thrust against her as he flicked one of her nipples with his thumb.

  “Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me?” he whispered.

  “Connor, I … I want…”

  His hand slid to her hip and pulled her snugly against him. “What do you want?”

  “I – I – I want you.”

  “What do you want me to do?” he whispered against her ear.

  “Touch me. I need to feel your skin against mine.”

  Connor sat up. Pulling Celeste to her knees, he lifted the white nightgown over her head. He sucked in a breath as he stared at the perfection of her body. Soft creamy skin and gently rounded curves. Never had he seen a more beautiful woman, and she was his… whether she knew it or not.

  He quickly removed his own clothes. The only thing separating them was the small pair of satin panties she wore. He pulled her body closer, nestling her between his legs. Her breasts pressing against his chest was agony, it only fanned the flames of his desire.

  * * *

  Celeste rubbed herself against Connor, loving the feel of her skin against his. The light sprinkling of hair on his chest gently rasped against her sensitive nipples, making her moan. His hard cock pressed against her belly. Reaching between their bodies, she grasped it, loving the velvety smoothness of his skin.

  She stroked him, gently at first then with more confidence. Leaning into him, she brushed her lips against his, her tongue flicking out to trace his lower lip. When he opened his mouth, she delved inside, her tongue gliding along his. His taste and scent surrounded her, wrapping around her like a warm blanket.

  Pulling back, she looked into his eyes. The intensity of his gaze was almost too much to bear; she closed her eyes and nuzzled his neck. Celeste wrapped her arms around him.

  “Make love to me, Connor,” she murmured.

  Connor tugged on her panties. “Have to get rid of these first.”

  Celeste slipped her panties off. Sitting on her knees in front of him, she paused uncertainly. Did he want her to take charge? Or did he want to be on top?

  “Come here,” he said, his voice husky with desire.

  She inched closer.

  Connor grasped her waist and lifted her. “Wrap your legs around my waist.”

  Celeste did as he said, gasping when she felt the head of his cock pressing against her wet pussy. She’d never been so hot, so wet for any man before, not even Micah. She felt a flash of embarrassment over her need for this stranger, and yet it somehow felt right to be in his arms. She tried to slide down and take him inside of her, but he held her still.

  “Easy angel, we have time,” he whispered, as he slid his hands under her.

  He teased h
er, skimming his fingers along her moist lips. Parting the lips of her pussy, he thrust the head of his cock into her, stopping when he was barely inside of her.

  Holding her ass with one hand, he reached between their bodies and teased her swollen clit. Gently circling it with his thumb, he felt a tremor run through her. She tried to thrust against him, but he held her still, not allowing his hard cock to slide any further into her.

  His finger slipped between the cheeks of her ass and gently massaged her. His cock was throbbing, demanding to fuck her, but he held back. Somehow he knew she needed this, needed all of the attention he could give her. This wouldn’t be a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am. He wanted to take his time loving her, to show her that she was special.

  Celeste threw her head back and thrust her breasts against him, her nipples grazing his chest, the tightened peaks wanting attention.

  “Touch yourself,” he murmured. “Touch your nipples.”

  Her eyes snapped open and she looked at him, uncertainty written across face, but she did as he commanded. Reaching for her breasts, she gently pinched her nipples, gasping in pleasure. Surprise lit her eyes and he wondered if she’d ever done such a thing before. Just what type of lovers had she had in the past?

  Connor clenched his teeth. She was so amazing. He wanted to fuck her more than anything. Easing his finger between the cheeks of her ass, he teased her rosette. He was surprised when she groaned and pushed back against him, his finger slipping inside of her a little. He massaged her, stretching her. She didn’t know it, but he would definitely take her there before the night was over.

  Stroking her clit faster, he felt the walls of her pussy clench his cock. Her panting told him she was close to her orgasm.

  “I love watching you,” he said. “Watching you play with your nipples, while my cock is in your pussy, makes me want to fuck you hard and fast.”

  Celeste gasped and arched her back, thrusting her breasts closer to him and her ass further back against his hand. She’d never felt anything like this and she didn’t want the sensations to stop. Never had she allowed a man to touch her the way Connor was, but it felt so right. She wondered what it would feel like to have his cock in her ass. The idea turned her on even more.