Freya's Mates Read online

  "Do you need help with your hair?"

  Her voice wouldn't work, so she nodded, unwilling to see him leave the room. There was an unspoken connection between them, and his lust grew stronger by the second, pulling her in. She faced the wall, and his hands began to work her hair. He rubbed the sweet-smelling shampoo into her tangles and massaged out the knots with care. It had been far too long since she stopped and took proper care of herself. The feel of his fingertips working her scalp had her entire body lighting up, coming to life.

  "That feels good," she murmured. It was so unlike her to let down her guard. Darius was a stranger, but also the most familiar person in the world. She sensed no sinister motives, no threat—only genuine attraction.

  His fingers drifted beyond her hair, down her back. Her body fired hot, his simple touch scalding her moist flesh. Should she stop him? She knew she wouldn't be able to if she tried. Darius smoothed his fingers along the curve of her back, lower, lower, in a slow, sensual drag. When he cupped the side of her ass in his big palm, she gasped, then held her breath.

  "Shhh." He reached for the soap on the ledge near her head. "Let me wash you, Freya." His lathered hands started at her sides, reached around to her stomach, and then rose to her breasts. When he squeezed her, offering careful attention to her sensitized nipples, she leaned back against his chest. She drifted—absorbing his touch and desire, savoring the companionship and attention. When her fangs began to emerge, she opened her eyes, the air suddenly too difficult to breathe. Darius was human. If things got too far, which they would, she could hurt him, or in the least, inadvertently reveal her wolf. She knew her sister, Carna, had been with human males in the past, but she never had, and doubted her level of control.

  She summoned all her will and whirled around in the tight confines of the shower stall. When she came face to face with his chest, t-shirt soaked and clinging to every deliciously defined muscle, she lost her courage. "Darius. I can't…"

  If she didn't know better, she'd swear he was a shifter. The feral need in his eyes made her pussy throb. He said nothing, only leaned down to her level and kissed her lips. Kissing was something she wasn't accustomed to. It was so intimate and addicting, and she needed to remain cold and neutral. Her lust was leading her astray. She should be running, leaving town, continuing the pact she made with her sisters—to remain unmated until she found males of her own choosing. Would she choose Darius? Every minute with him made her surer she would, and her wolf already decided from that first sight in the alley. But he was human, not a potential mate.

  "I won't hurt you." He kissed her again. "I'm not a monster." But maybe she was. To a human she was a monster, everything Hollywood depicted as sinister, dangerous, a freak of nature. Her white wolf would have him running in seconds.

  "I'm not who you think I am," she whispered. Darius ignored her, peppering kisses along her jaw. Rather than push him away, she tilted her head to give him better access. Would it be so bad to give in? The gods knew she needed companionship, any companionship. Just being able to talk with another person was a blessing when she'd be on her own for so long. He pressed his hard body against hers until her back hit the cool tiles behind her. "I'll hurt you."

  Now he paid her heed, pulling his head back with a smirk. "You'll hurt me? Freya, if you want to get freaky with me, I promise I won't complain." He nearly growled as he grabbed a thigh in each hand and hoisted her up against the wall. She gripped onto his shoulders as he heaved her up effortlessly. Her wolf hummed within, reveling in his male strength.

  Carna could go through with this, she had to. She had to try because leaving her body so pent up would be cruel. By the time the full moon came around, she'd be down right dangerous to the opposite sex. With her luck she'd get herself mated with some cad she could barely tolerate.

  "You might." She wrapped her legs securely around him and gave in to his assault. Carna trailed her tongue along the tan plane of his neck. He tasted all male, completely addicting. The one taste wasn't enough. She wanted more, craved for him to fuck her as much as she wanted to sink her teeth into his flesh to mark him. She'd have to settle for sex alone.

  He wrestled with his belt and damp jeans. Her pussy felt void and achy, pulsing deeper as she anticipated Darius filling her. "Ready?" he asked. She nodded, surprised he asked. Not many men would be able to turn back at this point, certainly not a shifter.

  She felt the smooth, swollen head of his cock nudge her slick folds. The water continued to shower down over them, steam rising to blanket their illicit act. She lapped at the water collecting on his face and neck, suckling, and nipping. He pushed his cock into her waiting heat. As he penetrated her, stretching her pussy with his steady advance, she gave a drawn out moan. Was she that needy? That deprived? The sound seemed to echo around them, spurring on her lover. He began to pull out before slowly thrusting. She loved the fullness, the way he quenched her deep seated need.

  "You feel amazing around my cock. So tight." He increased the tempo until he was slamming in and out of her cunt with stamina. The sound of wet flesh on flesh was erotic music to her ears. Her body began to coil tight, heat radiating towards her pussy from all her extremities. Would she be able to maintain control once she reached her peak? Keep her secret in check when all she wanted to do was scream out the truth and pray he'd accept her for what she was?

  The frantic throbbing stopped, replaced by an eerie calm where all her pleasure felt magnified and glorious. She wanted to stay in this sweet zone for the rest of her life, but as suddenly as it overtook her, it vanished. Freya writhed as her pussy exploded and pulsed around Darius's cock. She clenched around him in deep waves, barely able to keep from screaming out as her body took control. Sex had never been this good, this intense, not that there had been many experiences to compare it with. When her breathing eased, and she settled down from her high, she came face to face with the darkest, most beautiful eyes. What now?

  ****

  "Better?"

  She nodded. He never wanted to set her down. Her soft body molded perfectly to his. Along with her orgasm, she'd gone wild, thrashing and moaning as if possessed. It did wonders for his libido, and he'd never come so hard and fast. The world vanished for those priceless seconds as he peaked. Now that the heat of the moment had passed, she appeared shattered, ashamed. There was no need, not when he could judge her character with ease. She wasn't one of the many bar-trolling women he had to deal with every night at the club, certainly not a gold-digger. He learned a long time ago how quickly he tired of loose women with little in their heads. This blonde-haired beauty was way out of her element, lost in a world she didn’t belong.

  He gently lowered her to the tiled floor and shut off the water. The resulting hush was deafening. "I didn't hurt you," she whispered as if surprised. Darius could barely make out her words as she trailed a light finger against the cord of muscle along his neck.

  "Guarantee you, I'm fine." He used both hands to brush the moist hair from her face, then leaned down for a kiss. "After you get dressed, we should talk."

  Freya wasn't a one-night stand in his mind and he wanted to be sure she knew that. He wanted to help her out, find out everything about her, and hopefully not watch her run out of his life again. Darius would love to spend some of his money on Freya—buy her clothes he'd seen in downtown shop windows, and take her to some of the great, little Italian restaurants he'd discovered over the years. According to Vincent, the woman could eat.

  With their lust tamped down, clothes on, and level heads back in place, Darius and Freya sat on the small sofa in uncomfortable silence. He had so much to say, so many questions to ask, but felt awkward. He wasn't one to be shy, quite the opposite, but he feared saying or doing the wrong thing and losing favor in her eyes. Whatever her story was, she was scared and needed help. He wanted to be the person to offer that help. From her point of view, she probably saw him as a predator, a man only out to use her body.

  The silent anticipation was killing him.
He bolted upright and paced the small room, digging in his back jean pocket for his smokes. As he lit his cigarillo, he felt her presence behind him. He took a drag, the sweet scent surrounding him, easing his tension.

  "Do you want me to leave?" she asked.

  He spun around, holding his arm outstretched and the smoke away from her. "Leave? I told you I wanted you to have this room. I know you're in trouble, Freya. But you'll tell me when you're ready. Until then, you're my responsibility."

  "I'm no one's responsibility."

  He cupped her face with his free hand. "A wolf in sheep's clothing…" He chuckled. "You don't have to be on guard every second. You can let others help you out once and a while, you know." She was a slip of a woman trying too hard to play the bad-ass chick. He respected her independence, but also wanted her to accept his assistance. Gideon had been there for him when he hit rock bottom, and Darius wanted to do the same for her.

  She grabbed handfuls of his shirt and held herself close. "Why do we always want what we can't have?" Freya took a breath and slowly exhaled, her eyes closed. "That smell reminds me of you now."

  "It's a nasty habit."

  "I like it. The scent, I mean." She let her hands drop down along the hardness of his body before stepping back with a defeated look in her eyes. God, what would he have to do to prove himself to her? He supposed giving in to his impulses on the first night they met had not worked in his favor.

  The door burst open, shattering their intimate bubble. Gideon's large frame filled the doorway. "Boss?"

  "What's going on in here?"

  "You said I could use the room."

  Gideon strode in, his eyes riveted on Freya. "And her?" He stopped in front of her, his hands clasped behind his back.

  "She's my responsibility." Darius wasn't sure why he gave a fuck, but he did. He'd take care of much more than her dinner tab if he had to.

  "Is she now?" Gideon raked his eyes up and down her body. Darius had never seen that look in his friend's eyes. Gideon wanted her. Bad. He wasn't sure how he felt about that, but only a fool wouldn't be attracted to Freya. The pink dress clung to her shapely curves, her long, damp blonde hair brushed neatly down her back.

  "I should just leave," she said, backing away from his friend and inching toward the entryway.

  Darius snagged her arm, torn between keeping her with him and not pissing off his boss by telling him to fuck off. "You don't have anywhere to go, Freya. Stay here." He may be able to buy the club with just the weekly interest from his bank account, but nobody knew that. He kept his mouth shut time and time again because he'd grown accustomed to his new life. Never again did he want people looking up to him, friending him just for what they could gain. He enjoyed being invisible, normal, being accepted for who he was. Club Frenzy embraced him. The party-goers and staff never looked twice when he fucked up, had two dates in a night, or had a little too much fun. But for the most part, he played the responsible one, helping Vincent keep Gideon's patrons in line.

  Gideon narrowed his eyes. "Don't have anywhere to go, princess? That seems unlikely."

  ****

  "Do me a favor, Darius. Tell Vincent I want a bottle of his best. I need a minute alone with your…guest."

  Darius lowered his brow, appearing ready to refute, but complied, slipping out the door.

  "I thought you were going to leave me alone." Freya put distance between them as soon as the door slammed shut.

  Gideon could scent what he'd missed when he first came in. Sex. Darius had moved fast, but what surprised him was the fact the little wolf obliged the other man.

  "Tell me. What are you doing indulging a human? From what I know you're expected to mate with shifters—to carry on the lines."

  Her mouth gaped open, but she recovered, crossing her arms in defense. "That's none of your business."

  "Darius is a good man. Best human I know." He took measured steps toward her as if dealing with skittish prey. "But you don't know what you're missing, Freya. With me you could let loose, let your wolf out to play. I'd love to meet her, by the way."

  She licked her lips and he could sense the turbulent mix of desire and irritation coming off her in waves. "At least with Darius I know he's not using me for status."

  "So you don't mind being used for a quick fuck?"

  The she-wolf was on him in a flash, fangs and claws bared. She growled as she attempted to sink her teeth into his shoulder. The only reason she'd be so passionate is if she had real feelings for the human. Not possible.

  Earlier, when she'd left his office, Gideon couldn't stop thinking of her. He'd blame it on the pull of her royal blood, but he knew better. The gods must have a sense of humor after everything he went through with the royal family, but there was no doubt—she was his mate. Seeing her fury, her feral side unleashed, only cemented the fact he had to have her. The shifters in his life were so humanized, ignoring their beast until the full moon brought it to the surface. Freya was refreshing.

  He held her back with ease. "Are you trying to hurt me, sweetheart? I'm not one of your human toys." Damn, but he loved pushing her buttons.

  "I don't care what you think of me." She continued to struggle and bare her sharp, little incisors.

  "And what do I think of you?"

  "You think I'm a whore, but I'm not. My wolf's just confused. She thinks Darius is her mate."

  So she did have feelings for his friend. "But you and your wolf are one." He knew his features were set as hard, just as his muscles had gone rigid. After just realizing Freya was destined to be his, she informs him she's falling for another, a human to boot.

  "Look, I should go. It was a mistake coming here. Tell Darius…" Then she shook her head. "Never mind." She released her tight hold of his shirt, but he wrapped his arms around her waist before she could pull away.

  "Why didn't you tell me you needed a place to stay? I would have helped you."

  "That’s why you went nuts over some nasty, five dollar French fries?"

  He could care less about her skipping out on the bill. What he wanted was her, her fire, and the possibilities that presented themselves to him. With a mate, he'd never have to go home to an empty house again. She'd give him purpose, and her feral side would force him to connect with his beast more often. "I don't care about your tab," he whispered. Gideon hoped to correct the damage he'd made during their first encounter. He needed to show her that he wasn't an asshole, but had a kinder, gentler side. If she was indeed his mate, why was she so eager to escape from him? She should feel the same pull he did, but so far, she only claimed to have a connection with Darius.

  This time she actually remained quiet, rather looking deep into his eyes, searching for something he hoped she'd find.

  "Freya. What are you running from?" He loosened his hold on her, but kept his arms draped around her waist. Her soft heat and pounding heart pulled down his guards. How could he convince the little beauty they were meant for each other?

  "You know exactly what. There's only me and one of my sisters left. We run to keep from being forced to mate with males chosen by our mother, or worse, being forced into mating by shifters only looking for honor and glory, not love."

  "Is that what you're looking for? Love?"

  She swallowed, shifting in his arms. "Maybe."

  "To what end, Freya? Where will you go next? Do you have a plan or is it always about running away from things?"

  Gideon could relate to her on some levels. He felt he'd turned his back on his race, sold out. Rarely shifting into his lion form, he was essentially selling out to the human world. When lion shifters lost their battle with the royal family, only to skulk off into the shadows, Gideon felt he was betraying his race for not continuing the fight. No, he didn't want lion shifters to lead the royal family because he coveted status, wealth, or glory. He just wanted his people to be treated fairly, at least to be heard by the royals, which they were not. As punishment, no female wolves of royal blood were permitted to mate with a lion shifter.
They hoped to kill off their species in future generations to guarantee no rivalry for the crown.

  Freya wasn't like her mother or the females before her. She wanted freedom, independence, and love. No wonder she was on the run. The queen would never grant her such privileges, not when such a heavy burden lay on her shoulders. Freya and her sisters were the future. He'd heard the speeches time and time again about needing new royal blood to keep the races strong. Without the infamous Demori sisters, all shifter races would die out in the future.

  "I'm not running…" She twisted uncomfortably. A female not in touch with her feelings?

  He deepened his voice, hoping to display his dominance, anything to get the wolf to open up. "Are you never going to mate? Just move from city to city, fucking the first human you come across?"

  "Bastard!"

  ****

  Freya was not immune to the lion's alpha scent. She wanted to fuck him, to bow down to his authority, but her stubborn pride wouldn't allow her to admit it. Yes, she had feelings for the human that she shouldn't, but also for the sexy beast of a male in front of her. How would he fair in bed? Her mouth went dry just imagining him controlling her body.

  "I'm not letting you leave until you calm down and talk with me." He used such little effort to keep her in check. Even exerting all her strength, she couldn't budge a muscle when he held her limbs in place. It was her sister, Delia, who had taught her how to fight. She told her never to trust a male shifter, no matter how many sweet words they spoke. It was all lies, lies to trick them into a loveless mating. Now that she had three males of interest to her wolf, Freya began to question the validity of her sister's claims. If she refused all males, how would she ever find the right ones? Her sister, Carna, found four shifters, all willing to share her and love her. But maybe she'd been lucky and Freya would only fall victim to a fortune-seeker. She was so programmed to hate, to refuse all advances, that she couldn't stop and open herself up to a potential mate. The human had been easy to succumb to because he had no ill motives besides being a playboy. After she'd had sex with him in the shower, she fully expected him to walk away—but he didn't.