AllFreeNovel
Share Us
* * *
WINTER
Winter enjoyed the run from her SUV down to Trudy’s at the end of town. The terrain was rough and challenging, but being a snow leopard raised in the Highlands, she had learned at an early age how to keep her balance and negotiate rugged ground.
She came to a stop just inside the tree line and shook off a wave of vertigo that must be a residual of not having shifted for several months and an even longer time between a demanding run that had tested her capabilities. She bade her leopard to retreat and when the swirling mist of the shift faded away, she opened her go bag and changed into the clothing she’d brought with her—a bra, leggings made to withstand the cold, and a heavy sweater—before leaning against a rock and pulling on her mukluks. She had a parka with her, as well, but she was still warm from her run and the down jacket was bulky. She stuffed it into her bag and secreted it beneath the dense foliage.
Using the shadows and the landscape itself for cover, she approached Trudy’s bed and breakfast and looked up at the largest of the rooms. She could see the silhouette of a large, brawny man cross a room and turn on the bathroom light. The only light from the main room appeared to be coming from the large fireplace she knew to be there.
Using the building’s architectural elements, Winter climbed up the side of the inn and slipped onto the balcony. She stood for a moment, listening, and ignored the dull buzzing in her ears that seemed to be afflicting her this evening. Sensing no movement, Winter jimmied the lock and entered cautiously, using all of her senses to detect any kind of threat. Finding none, she began to move around the room, rifling through the man’s luggage. As she disturbed his clothing and put it back, she picked up a faint scent—more memory than true aroma.
She moved to the desk where he’d placed a laptop case. Winter froze and listened closely—the shower was still running, and he seemed to be enjoying himself. Ensuring she could hear any change coming from the bath and had a clear escape route to the balcony, she opened the case and the laptop itself. When it turned on, she was presented with a prompt for a password.
“Damn,” she muttered under her breath. She didn’t know enough about him to even hazard a guess and she could easily trip some kind of alarm or algorithm that would alert him she had been here.
She was just closing the laptop to slip it back in its case, when a strong hand wrapped around her throat and hauled her up against the muscular planes of his torso and the hard ridge rising up from between his legs. A five-o’clock shadow brushed against the soft skin on the side of her neck.
“And here I was thinking you were going to be difficult to find. Have you missed me, my mate?”
CHAPTER4
SEAN
Sean stood under the steaming water as it pelted down and against his body from several directions. He’d considered updating the shower in his own chambers to something like this, but the expense of having it done had always made him think twice. There were so many other ways to spend the money—ways that would more greatly benefit those he led. But standing here being engulfed by steam and hot water made him regret those past choices, and he vowed to make a different one in the future. Besides, he could justify it as indulging his fated mate.
The buzzing in his head became more prevalent and his finely-tuned survival instincts alerted him that he was no longer alone in his room. Those same senses told him it wasn’t Hamish having come for a visit. No, if his beta was anywhere other than asleep in his room, he was downstairs making a pest of himself with the lovely innkeeper.
Leaving the shower running at full force to disguise his approach, he stepped out and into the bedroom without bothering to put on any clothes. His eyes were immediately drawn to the feminine figure, whose silhouette was cast by the light coming from the fireplace. The buzzing increased as her scent reached him, punching him in the gut like a heavyweight fighter. He’d recognize that curvy figure and luscious backside anywhere.
What was the saying from that popular television show? Ah yes, well, winter wasn’t coming; it had already arrived. It would seem that his long-lost mate had returned to him.
Grateful for the first time that he hadn’t fully claimed her, and therefore, had not initiated the bonding link, and that he’d left the shower running to cover the sound of his approach, he crept toward her, watching her every move to ensure she hadn’t detected him. Silently he positioned himself directly behind her before wrapping his long fingers around her small—in comparison to his—neck. His other arm wound around her mid-section, hauling her back against his body and the hard line of his erection.
He brushed the side of her neck with his beard bristle, purring softly. “And here I was thinking you were going to be difficult to find. Have you missed me, my mate?” he rumbled in his distinctive Scottish brogue.
Her body froze when she realized she was caught and by whom. He expected her to pull against him and struggle or perhaps even plead for mercy, but she did neither. Instead, Winter brought her head back, smacking him in the face as she kicked backwards, sweeping his leg out from beneath him and knocking him to the floor.
She might have surprised him and loosened his grip, but Sean did not release her. Instead, he fell backwards, bringing her with him so that she landed heavily on him as he hit the floor with a thud. Winter bent her head and sank her teeth into his forearm, making him release her. She broke his hold and spun away, gaining her feet with the experience of a skilled fighter.
Who the bloody hell had taught her to fight like a man?
“You nasty she-cat. You will learn better than to bite me with anything less than passion,” he snarled, getting up on his feet.
“Trust me, Campbell, I am very passionate about my loathing for you.”
Her face was dark, but her eyes flashed fire as she seemed to draw herself up before exploding at him. She wasn’t trying to rush past him to either the French doors to the balcony or the door to the hallway. No, she was launching herself at him in an all-out attack.
Sean jumped to his feet and stepped into her path. Winter ducked away, but not before he could land a hard swipe to her voluptuous backside. She spun back and charged again. This time she anticipated his move and landed a stunning blow with the heel of her hand to his chin, snapping his head back and making him stagger. Instead of retreating, she stepped into him and brought her fist across to smash into his jaw, loosening a tooth or two.
Whoever had taught her, had taught her well. Sean realized if he meant to subdue his mate, he needed to quit thinking about her as the she-cat he intended to see pregnant with their offspring and figure out how to best her without permanently injuring her.
Winter brought her hand back for another jab, and Sean crossed his arms knocking hers down and away. Before he could capitalize on thwarting her attack, she backed just out of reach and blew him a kiss. Sean growled and rushed her lithe form. She dodged and stuck her foot out, tripping him as he went by. Trained by some of the best in the British Special Ops Division, Sean dropped to a knee and rolled out of her strike zone.
Sean closed the distance between them and was met with a left hook, followed with a right to his cheek before she danced back and bounced on the balls of her feet. He couldn’t be sure, but it looked like she was enjoying herself.
Balancing himself, Sean launched himself at her. As Winter dove to the right, Sean maneuvered himself to stay with her. Locking her in his embrace, Sean rolled them together until he could stop them with him on top.
She’d damn well better get used to being underneath me.
