“I make you sick,” he said slowly. Way to go, Mitchell. Talk about an ego deflator.
“I have to go. Fresh air.” She set down the bottle and started for the door.
But he hadn’t made her sick before… it was as if this Niki was an imposter. And then he recalled Tristan’s prophetic words: “You may win the leader of the Blakemore pack’s hand, but never her heart. She belongs to another who has claimed her first and she will surrender her virginity to him. It is in her destiny.”
He’d thought the sly wizard had been yanking his chain, testing him to see how far Aiden would go to claim Nikita. But what if there were two…
Aiden’s gaze sharpened as if he saw his mate for the first time. The scar. The way she got physically ill around him. One way to tell.
“Let’s go.” He started toward her.
She gave him a wary look. “Where?”
“The bedroom. You promised to do something very interesting to my anatomy.” He scanned the kitchen. “Where did you put the honey? You said only organic would suffice.”
She gave him a panicked look. “I’m not in the mood.”
Of course you’re not. You won’t be around me. Because you’re not my Niki, my mate.
Maybe this Niki will give me answers.
Aiden leaned close as she backed up against the door. “What’s going on here, Niki? Why are you so secretive and why are you so eager to get me out of here and send me packing to my ranch?”
Those blue eyes widened in apparent surprise, but she quickly recovered and shrugged. “I’m sure you have a lot of work to do back on your ranch.”
“Sure there isn’t another reason?” He kept his hands to his side and his voice gentle. “I’d never hurt you, or betray you.”
A flash of vulnerability on her face, then her expression shuttered. “I’m fine. And I don’t need your help. I need fresh air.”
Right.
He reached for the zipper of his jeans. “You sure, sweetheart? Because about twenty minutes ago, you were raring for another shower with me.”
Red suffused her cheeks. “I’ve showered enough for one day. My skin is wrinkling.”
He considered. “Maybe. Have to check for myself. Come on, darling, get undressed and let me see that gorgeous tattoo you got for our mating day.”
Now her eyes nearly popped out of her face. “Tattoo?!”
Aiden threw up his hands. “What’s wrong with you? Were you drunk when you got it? It’s so cute. Just a little old heart with my name on it. Stamped right on your pretty little ass. Remember how I kissed it last night?”
She began backing up against the door. “I have a headache.”
He heaved an exaggerated sigh. “Damn. Mated one day and already the little woman pleads a headache. I could pound on you all night and never stop.”
Raising his brows, he winked. “Want an aspirin?”
Blood draining from her face, she ran out the door.
Aiden’s smile faded as he looked out the window after her. She walked down the pathway snaking down the hill and ducked out of sight.
He hoped she’d be okay. She truly had looked ill.
Anger filled him, cold rage shoving aside his concern. His Niki had a lot of explaining to do when she returned.
And yet, for all the questions racing through his mind, he knew he had to tread delicately. For Niki hid a huge secret she’d been hiding for years…
Her identical twin sister.
CHAPTER 10
Nia didn’t know what had gotten into Aiden.
She returned from the graveyard, her eyes swollen, her face blotchy, Aiden took one look at her and kissed her hard. She kissed him back, needing his touch, needing connection. For years she’d distanced herself from everyone but her sister, and even with her twin, she’d kept part of herself hidden.
But with Aiden, she could find abandon in sex, and release her emotions through touch. The kiss had been long and left her breathless and panting for more. He pushed a gentle hand through her hair and gave her a long, thoughtful look.
Nothing more.
Then he swept her into his arms and kissed her soundly, then framed her face with his big hands and kept staring at her.
As if seeing her for the first time.
“You okay?” he asked roughly. “I hate seeing you cry.”
She nodded.
“Is there anything you want to tell me? I don’t want secrets between us.”
Oh boy, that was a good one. She had secrets leaking out of her ears.
“We’re alphas, Mitchell.” Her voice softened. “We wouldn’t be good ones without having secrets that protect our pack.”
To distract him, she slid her arms around his neck and pressed a gentle kiss against his mouth.
“Let’s go into the bedroom,” he said in a husky voice as she pulled away. “I missed you.”
She touched his arm, feeling the warmth of his skin. Aiden got warmer when he was sexually excited. She didn’t need to look down. All she needed was the heat in his gaze, caressing her.
Nia felt an electrical charge pass from his skin to hers, a current of erotic promise. Her groin tingled, and the space between her legs grew wet.
They made it into the bedroom.
Her panties were soaked as he kicked the door closed. He stared at her, his gaze hot amber, and he growled deep in his throat.
She knew he could scent her.
Her breathing turned ragged with need as he pulled her into his arms, nostrils flaring, his mouth unsmiling. This wasn’t love. It was pure carnal need.
They were made for this.
She kneaded his muscled ass, reveling in the firmness of his buttocks beneath her exploring fingers. Nia stared up at him, her core pulsing with hot need.
He pressed close, letting her feel his enormous erection.
Nia dropped to her knees and unzipped his jeans, freeing him. He was huge, hard, engorged with blood. A clear droplet wept from the red tip of his Lupine penis. His penis was slightly triangular. It made penetration easier. She shivered with anticipation.
Nia took him into her mouth, working her tongue over the shaft as Aiden gripped her shoulders. He tasted a little salty and spicy. He threw back his head and groaned.
She liked hearing him like this, knowing she caused it.
His erection grew larger, stretching her mouth. Then he pulled out, his penis bobbing and covered with her saliva, as he stared down at her with those incredible wolf eyes.
“It’s time,” he said in a guttural voice.
Nia stripped off her clothes, tossing them aside, and lay upon the bed, her legs spread wide open in invitation. Aiden stood at the bed’s edge, ready to take her.
He guided his penis to her soaked center, and pushed, entering her slowly. She winced, for each time he entered her, Aiden met resistance, as if her body didn’t want this submissive invasion. But she tilted her hips up and he surged forward.
The friction was incredible as he gently thrust, looking down and watching his penis enter her body, as if this claiming fascinated him. He kept thrusting forward, then he growled deeply.
Aiden pulled out, flipped her over to her stomach. He climbed upon the bed.
She felt his penis push between her soaked folds again as his hands gripped her hips, holding her still.
His whole length was inside her, filling her, and she moaned. She could not move in his steely grip, nor did she want to move. Nia let him control the pace, let him take her, wolf that he was, and fisted the bedspread in her hands. She lowered her head and pointed her ass upward, desperate to come.
Panting, he drove into her as his flesh slapped against hers. Aiden fisted a hand in her hair as he thrust into her. He bore down, penetrating deep and deeper still. Then the tightness blossoming in her core spread, and she cried out. The orgasm rocked her so hard she nearly saw stars.
Craning her head, she saw him go still and stiffen. Aiden groaned came, spurting hotly inside her. This wasn’t mere sex. It
was hot, baby-making sex, the alpha determined to impregnate her so his line would continue.
They both collapsed to the bed, Aiden’s heavy weight resting upon her. He tossed aside her hair and kissed her damp neck.
Gradually, he pulled out and lay beside her. After a little while, he made love to her again, this time each movement gentle and filled with tenderness. For a little while, he made all the nightmares fade away.
But she knew they would return soon enough.
***
The meeting with her pack didn’t go quite as Aiden expected. He’d thought Niki’s people would be relieved to know he planned to stay while he and his men fixed the ranch and restored it to its former glory. Relieved that they didn’t have to move to his ranch, and leave behind everything familiar.
Instead, they kept looking at him with worried eyes. One or two even voiced their preference for leaving.
“There’s nothing here for us anymore,” a woman said, holding her young son in her lap. “We need a fresh start.”
Niki had remained silent, letting him do the talking. But his mate’s earlier preferences echoed that of her people: fresh start, let’s all move.
He wondered about that.
Dinner that night was awkward. He said little, watching her, wondering if she was going to finally admit the truth. She cooked him a fine steak dinner, grilled to perfection. After the dishes were washed, she sank onto the couch and fell asleep.
Seeing the strain on her face, the smudges of exhaustion beneath her eyes, he let her alone, though inside, he wanted to wake her, demand answers.
So he found a fleece blanket, put it over her and watched her sleep. Tomorrow, he’d confront her.
Niki, or whoever she was, looked young and vulnerable in her sleep. She had grown up without a mother. It must have been tough. Hell, he’d lost his mother and it turned him inside out.
But to watch her father and two protective brothers die, and then be left with the responsibility of protecting her pack, hiding her twin? And why the deception?
For a few minutes he sat there, watching the dying fire and his sleeping mate.
He sensed the great ripple of power in the air and stiffened.
Tristan appeared before him, standing by the fireplace. The Silver Wizard had black hair down to his shoulders, the ends tipped with silver. He wore his customary outfit of a black tunic, black pants and soft doeskin boots.
“Go away.” Aiden’s gaze shot to his sleeping mate and his protective instincts surged. “You’re not welcome here.”
“Relax alpha, I am not here to take her from you.”
He thought quickly. Maybe he could coax answers from the wizard. “Take who away?”
Tristan’s dark gaze gleamed. “Your mate.”
“Who is…”
Tristan’s mouth curved in a sly smile. “The one you have chosen for life.”
Aiden blew out a frustrated breath. “Her name?”
The wizard blinked. “You have taken this woman as your partner for life and you don’t know her name?”
“Damnit Tristan,” he said in a low voice. “Stop messing with me. Why are you here?”
Tristan pointed to the chair opposite Aiden. “May I?”
Aiden shrugged. The Silver Wizard could blow up the entire sofa with his powers. Aiden’s acquiescence didn’t mean squat.
The wizard sat, his manner relaxed and unthreatening. “I am here check on things. To see how you’re doing with your newly mated status.”
“I’m terrific,” he muttered.
Tristan’s gaze darkened. “Be gentle with your mate. She has reasons for what she does. Your understanding and kindness will go far. If you win her heart, you will win your heart’s desire.”
Aiden’s head began to throb. “I’m understanding as hell. You came just to give me relationship advice?”
“I also wished to check on how the one who was promised to me long ago is faring.”
His head began to ache from the non-answers. “What one? Is she here?”
Tristan nodded. “In due time you will know. I will take her with me, and she will become mine, as it was destined.”
“Why do you want her? You like abducting reluctant women?”
He stiffened, expecting Tristan to fling an energy bolt, or at the very least, a stinging zap of power. But Tristan shook his head. “When she joins with me, she will do so of her own free will.”
“What the hell is going on?” Aiden demanded. “What’s wrong with this place? It feels cursed.”
Tristan studied him with his dark gaze. “Does it?”
“Tell me.”
“Things must develop according to plan.” The wizard shook his head and regret seemed to shine in his dark eyes. “I will tell you this. Your mate’s father paid for the consequences of not allowing me to help him. I could not stop what he unleashed.”
Damn. This was worse than Aiden had thought. “But you can stop these consequences now. You’re a wizard.”
The Silver Wizard stared as if Aiden were three years old and trying to decipher quantum physics. “No. But the consequences may be reversed. It must come from within.”
Gods, he was so frigging tired. “Why is it every time I talk with you, Tristan, I feel like I’m listening to someone babble in Latin or another dead language?”
“My Latin is a little rusty. It has been many centuries since I used it.”
Aiden blinked.
“I am from the Dark Ages.” Tristan stood, and gazed at the sleeping Niki. “All will be revealed when the time is right. Know this, wolf. You must remain strong, no matter what ails you. And be weak when she needs you to be weak.”
Aiden blinked, but the wizard vanished.
“Bastard,” he muttered.
***
The following day, Nia managed to convince Aiden to send his males back to the Mitchell Ranch. It had been easier than she’d thought, for all she had to do was make a few suggestions to her pack. That morning, a group of twenty-five females tracked down Aiden and begged him for permission to visit his place and hunt as wolves.
There was not much large game to be found on the Blakemore Ranch lands.
Aiden not only granted permission, but he sent all his men back with the women. Only Garth insisted on remaining behind. The Lupine had grown fond of Roxanne, and was courting her to be his mate, and Roxanne refused to leave the ranch. “We’ll make lists of the needed repairs, and if necessary, hire a crew,” Aiden decided.
Now, in addition to herself and Aiden, Roxanne and Garth, the only ones remaining on her ranch were 30 older females whose children were grown. Nia felt as if someone had lifted a huge weight from her shoulders. Aiden’s guys were safe.
But she still had to convince Aiden to leave, and that would prove a challenge.
That afternoon, after she’d helped Aiden repair fences in the pasture, she took a long, leisurely shower and then dressed in jeans, a long-sleeved pink Western shirt, and boots.
As she headed outside to visit the lodge to check with Roxanne on the day’s needs, she caught a familiar scent on the porch. Sharp pine, old leather and the enticing smell of the forest.
Aiden.
Nia glanced at the shadows on the porch. One moved. Aiden stretched out a long leg.
“Hey there, pixie,” he murmured.
Grateful he wasn’t as snarly as last night, she smiled. “What are you doing out here?”
“Waiting for you. I have your mating gift ready.”
She thought about the birdhouse and sighed. “The hummingbirds…”
“No birds. Something you’ll like much better.” Aiden stood and stretched, the muscles of his wide shoulders rippling along his tight checked shirt.
She bit back a sigh of desire, mingling with sharp longing. He wasn’t truly hers, no matter what the mating ceremony had said. Or the long, passionate lovemaking sessions. And when he found out he’d formally mated the wrong twin, what then?
Maybe she should start scannin
g the real estate section of the local paper for places to live.
Aiden stretched out his hand. “Come on, pixie. You can take a break from being in charge for an hour.”
Deeply curious, she took his hand, allowing him to lead her down the steps, to the gravel path past the lodge, to the golf cart waiting there. The barn was a short drive away.
Aiden powered up the golf cart as she sat beside him, and they took off. A short distance from the main pasture, he parked the cart by the pathway leading to the barn.
Gravel crunched beneath their boots as they trudged along the path. It was oddly quiet.
When they reached the weathered barn near the main pasture, he put a warm, calloused palm over her eyes. “No peeking.”
Nia had no desire to peek. The empty pasture had felt like her heart; cold and bereft. The ranch once boasted the finest thoroughbred horses this side of the Mississippi. No more. All their stock had been sold to finance Nikita’s lab, and feed and keep the pack.
Her twin’s expensive lab, where Niki worked desperately to try to find a cure for the disease killing their males.
So deep was her longing, she could still scent the horses, their earthy aroma of dung and mud and flesh. Could still hear them nicker in greeting…
“Ok.” Aiden kissed her temple and removed his hand. “You can look now.
Nia opened her eyes and stared.
Two horses stood in the fenced pasture. One was pure black, with an arrogant air, trotting around the grass as if he owned the pasture. The other was a gentle chestnut mare with a star shape on her forehead, and four white socks. The mare ran over to the fence, nickering at Nia.
Tears filled her eyes. “Windstorm. But how…”
“J.J. suspected this was your personal mare, because of the way you were reluctant to say goodbye to her. I bought her back for you.”
Emotion churned in her stomach. She couldn’t find the words. Aiden Mitchell had a reputation as a tough, arrogant alpha, but this generous gesture had shown her a different side of him. Nia reached up and kissed him hard and then dashed toward the fence as the mare trotted over to greet her, flicking her tail.
The mare lowered her head and Nia stroked her nose, her heart filled with joy for the first time in months. After losing so much, she could hardly believe she had her beloved friend back.