The telephone bell woke Diana from a deep sleep.
Phoebe's cheerful voice called out as she picked up the receiver.
— Hey woman, Hey pretty.
"I think someone better be dead." Diana snarled. She positively hated waking up. Especially when she was dreaming of hot sex with a certain dark-haired wolf.
Phoebe huffed across the line.
'Not yet, but I've been threatened by Michel if I don't have you here tonight.'
It's been a week since her date with the handsome Michel. A hot week of dreams where they fucked like rabbits all the time, before bed tangled together like lovers tangled together. She woke up every morning with spunk in her chest and panting like she'd just finished marathon sex. She had only seen him twice before due to other commitments and honestly she was scared. It was one thing to enjoy a few hot moments with a dominant like Michel, but she was certain the man could become her whole world. After losing Drew, I didn't think I could go through that again.
What if she fell in love and Michel died? Losing Drew nearly killed her. Losing Michel would finish the job.
“I don't know Phoebe. she declared.
“I can't believe you have the hottest guy in town panting for you and you don't even think about it. Diana heard pain in Phoebe's voice.
"Did I interrupt your plans?" she asked cautiously. "Were you keeping an eye on him?" “Phoebe was your closest friend. She would never take someone Phoebe was interested in.
“Honey, everyone's watching him. You were just lucky enough to be what he wants.
“Oh. I just can't Phoebe. His voice broke.
“What did that motherfucker do to you, friend? Phoebe's voice hardened. “If he hurts you, alpha or not, I'm going to kick his furry ass.
Diana smiled at the care she heard in her friend's voice as she confessed herself.
“I'm scared, Phoebe. I can't bear to lose another one.
The laughter on the other end of the phone was the last straw.
- Screw this. Diana yelled and slammed down the phone.
The phone rang a minute later.
Diana took it.
“I wasn't laughing at you. Phoebe said. "It looked like it was." Diana wasn't as eager to forgive and forget.
“Shifters are very difficult to kill. Damn, I don't even think we can get sick. A heart attack can't kill us, honey. A long sigh came over the phone. 'Trust me when I say just talk to Michel. He will be able to help you with your fear.
...
In his office Michel paced back and forth. He didn't want anyone to see his nerves. He would never live if two packs saw him on edge over a human.
Diana was returning tonight. Phoebe did her job. Although Michel didn't want to pressure Diana, he had no ethical problem pushing her friend. Either she brought her partner or she would have her application cancelled. When it came to his mate, he had no problem being a bastard.
“She's here Michel,” Alex said from the doorway. "And she's dressed to be ravished by someone." You better get there before someone steals your girl.
The wolf leapt to one side as Michel ran out the door.
“Anyone who steals my pup will regret it. he growled.
Michel walked down the hall, bursting into the club before coming to a screeching halt. Scanning the crowd, his heart skipped a beat when he saw his pretty girl surrounded by the circuit's biggest predators.
Only two of which were human.
Diana looked elegant and beautiful in Michel's knit shirt and tight black leather pants. Michel regretted that his chest and sweet nipples were covered, but he felt a flash of possessive pleasure that others couldn't see across his skin, golden and glorious. Without the magic of oppression, Diana's skin took on its usual glowing hue making her wonder again if all of her companion's magical abilities were from her witch mother. He made a mental note to ask the beauty for more information about her paternal line.
Michel happily pushed away a vampire who had an arm around his baby.
- Hey dude. “The other guy said, but when he saw it was Michel, he bolted.
Diana turned and fell into Michel's arms.
Damn, he was stunning.
“I missed you, baby. He admitted that before taking Diana's mouth in a possessive kiss, he highlighted his claim to anyone who cared to look.
When he finally lifted his mouth, he was satisfied with the stunned expression in Diana's butterscotch eyes. "Did you miss me?" he asked in a low purr.
“Y… Yes. Diana stammered.
Michel couldn't stop the satisfied smile on his face. He had reduced his baby to a stutter. He felt like a god.
'So, Michel, aren't you going to share your new date?' He turned to face the speaker. Eduardo, a vampire he'd shared many women with in the past, was looking at Diana with a hungry expression in his cold blue eyes.
Michel could barely contain his thirst for blood. Only centuries of being friends saved the vampire's life. Leaning down he whispered into the other man's ear. “If you touch my woman, I'll rip your heart out and eat you for breakfast.
The words were a solemn promise that was guaranteed to come true, and from the flash of fear in Edward's eyes, he knew it. Aware that the vampire would spread the word, Michel put an arm around his girl and led her from the hall.
“One of these days, we should really dance at your dance club.
Diana said in her soft voice, following Michel with a smooth, stealthy step.
“I'm so glad you're back, sweetie. He couldn't put into words the fear he had that his pretty girl would never come back. "Let's go to my room so we can talk."
Diana sighed as they entered the privacy of Michel's room.
“It wasn't you, love. It was me. He gave a broken laugh. “I've become a cliché.
She walked past Michel and went to sit on the bed. Once seated, she patted the spot beside him.
“Come here, honey.
- My dear? Michel gave her the quirky smile she loved so much. “I don't think anyone has ever called me by a pet name before.
- No?
Michel gave a soft laugh.
- No.
"It's because you're Mr. Alpha of wolves?
Diana looked on in amusement as Michel's eyes widened in surprise.
- How did you find out?
Diana scored the points on her fingers.
“You growl and make people jump, everyone else makes room for you, and the vampire I met last week told me you were the strongest wolf in America. It wasn't that hard to put one and one together. And besides, I heard what you said to Mr. Smooth hand, outside.
— Mr. Smooth hand.” He chuckled. “I'll have to remember that. Is that why you came back to me?
Diana agreed.
“Yes, I don't think you can get sick. She took off Michel's left shoe and sock. “And you're like an immortal, so you can't die before me. ’ And he took off his right shoe and sock. "I think it's going to be an excellent game."
Placing a soft kiss on Michel's cheek, Diana slipped to the ground on her knees between the wolf's feet. “I was so worried I was going to lose you to death that I almost gave up on you. I'm tired of hiding from love. If you still want me, I'd like to be your mate.
Michel reached down and lifted Diana's chin.
- Sweetness. I'll have it any way I can get you. ’ Michel’s gray eyes gleamed with grave intent, Diana knew that if she said she needed more time, this wonderful man would give it to her.
'No Michel, I'm not going to hide anymore. I'm ready to be only yours.
She looked up to see a wide smile on her handsome companion's face that matched the warm light in Michel's eyes.
Strong hands lifted her to her feet. But Michel stayed seated.
"Will you allow me to mark you as mine?"
“Absolutely. Diana said with a smile. " Will you be mine too?" Your pretty girl couldn't hide the anxiety in her eyes when she asked.
Michel knew this was important to his shy lover. Diana was asking for exclusivity in their relationship.
It wasn't uncommon for shifters to have unusual sex due to their nature in the pack, but just the thought of another touching Diana made Michel's fangs droop. There would be no sharing of his gift.
“Yes, I too will be wholly yours. Do you agree?
She saw the relief in her lover's eyes when Diana nodded.
- I agree.
Gentle hands reached out to unbutton his shirt, exposing his chest to eager fingers. He grabbed his mate's wrists.
“I don't want it like this, baby. Undress and lie down on the bed.
He could see Diana swallow hard.
"Am I your mate or not?" he demanded.
Diana nodded and began to remove her clothes.
“We're going to have a formal ceremony soon, but until then, I have something for you.
Diana's face lit up. Ah, he could see the way to his pretty girl's heart to present itself. He would have to give his baby gifts on a regular basis. Laughing, he walked over to the dressing table pulling a key from his pocket. He opened the drawer and took out a thin wooden box. Smiling, he brought the box back to the bed, pleased to see an obedient lover kneeling, naked on the bed, waiting for his next command.
Michel's cock was as hard as steel.
“Bloody hell, you're a beautiful woman.
He watched with pleasure as Diana crawled with sensual grace to the end of the bed before kneeling again. Fuck, if he hadn't been hard earlier, that would have done the trick.
"Do you have something for me?" He heard the satisfaction in Diana's voice but let it go. The man had a right to be proud.
He turned the box so that the clasp faced his lover. A flick of his thumb popped the padlock. He opened the box toward Diana, exposing a polished gold collar set with diamonds and emeralds lying on a red velvet cushion. The width of the collar gave it a touch of Egyptian antiquity. Despite the fact that the jewelry exudes luxurious masculinity.
"Wow." Diana reached out a finger, lightly brushing across the jewel as if she was afraid to touch it fully.
“You can have it, baby. And yours. Michel lifted her from the velvet cushion, dropping the box gently onto the rug so he could slide the necklace around his companion's neck. Muttering a few words, he fastened his collar. Without the magic of a counter spell and a drop of Michel's blood in the beam, it was impossible to remove. It will also impart some magical protection to Diana. But he didn't tell his mate any of that. Instead, she brushed back her girl's long hair and admired the gold jewelry glittering against her flawless skin.
- Perfect. - He declared.
“I should cut my hair. - grumbled
Diana when her fingers touched the collar, with a reverent touch.
- No. You are perfect just as you are. “Michel wasn't going to be the one to tell the woman that her long hair made her look like an angel. There was no way he could be that romantic and still manage to maintain his image as the stern alpha of the pack. Pulling Diana out of bed, he carried her to the dresser mirror. - Look.
- It's beautiful. the elegant blonde said in a low voice.
Michel noted with amusement that Diana wasn't even looking at her own reflection. His eyes went to the collar.
- Yes it is. Michel said watching Diana. He kept the necklace for 200 years to give it to the right woman and now he has found her. The presence of the necklace would tell everyone that this was his woman. To touch her would be death.
Michel felt a shiver of possession as he led the beautiful blonde back to his bed. Diana lay on her side, snuggled in Michel's arms.
No, our bed.
“Come live with me.
He felt Diana stiffen beside him.
“I don't know Michel. His mate's heart hammered beneath him. And fear perfumed the air. Michel laughed, he couldn't help it. “So being mine hasn't even stirred your pulse, but moving in with me gives you a panic attack.
A flush coursed through Diana's body, and Michel could almost feel the heat.
Charming.
“I… I just think it's too soon.
Michel brushed a finger over the strip of bare flesh above the collar at Diana's neck.
"Can I tag you?"
Diana tilted her head back.
- Please.