Read Roaring Up the Wrong Tree Online

Authors: Celia Kyle

Tags: #Romance

Roaring Up the Wrong Tree (22 page)

“Yes.” She licked her lips. “Now.” Her grip tightened, spears of pain adding to the bear’s thirst for her.

The first scream from her throat, filled with pleasure and need, had him striking. He sank his teeth deep into her, savoring the sweet flow of her blood over his tongue. His cock pulsed, reacted to the sudden tightening of her pussy, and then she cried out again as she came. Keen’s body overrode his desires then as pure bliss consumed him. The coppery heat of her blood filled his mouth while his release overtook his control.

Ecstasy like he’d never known overwhelmed him, stole all thought from his mind until he was nothing but pure animal emotion.

Suddenly, pain seared his shoulder—harsher than the sting of Trista’s nails— and it added to the bliss of his orgasm. It forced his body to continue shuddering with the joy. His bear rejoiced, seeming to know something Keen’s human mind did not, but he couldn’t focus on the animal’s happiness. Not when he filled his mate, not when he’d finally, truly made her his mate.

Mate. Mate. Mate.

Trista’s tremors finally slowed to shadowy shudders and then she lay heavily against him, giving him her weight. Trust. Something they hadn’t had and now they did. Maybe not entirely, but more than she’d shown others. And he’d take what he could get.

Gently, he slid his fangs free of her shoulder, softly licking and kissing her abused flesh. It was purple and bruised, blood welling to the wound and escaping her flesh. He hated that he’d hurt her, but he was thrilled that it was done.

A stinging ache scratched at his shoulder and he turned his head enough to spy Trista in his periphery. To spy her licking a wound that now marred his own shoulder. It wasn’t as deep and damaging as the one he’d caused, but it was hers. Hers.

She gave him one last lap and then met his gaze, blood still staining her lips. Her eyes seemed more copper than gold, as if her animal had pushed forward as hard as it could in order to join their mating.

Trista’s irises flashed even brighter, and her voice was hoarse and raspy when she spoke. “Mine.”

Keen captured her lips, tongues tangling, teeth colliding as they kissed. He tasted his own blood on her tongue and remembering how it’d gotten there had his cock twitching and fighting to come back to life.

For the first time in his battered and unsteady life, his bear was at peace, damn near happy. It sighed in contentment, relaxed now that she was theirs and they belonged to her. He moaned against her mouth, holding her tighter, wanting to consume her with his need. His. His. His.

Trista tore her mouth from his and bracketed his face with her hands. Her gaze was still coppery tinged, but it was intent on him. “You’re mine now. I didn’t think…”

He hadn’t either, and the bear was damned pleased. “And you’re mine.”

Tears sprung to her eyes and he was quick to kiss them away. “Hush.”

She shook her head. “I didn’t think I’d ever— And you’re—” She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face against his shoulder. “I didn’t think I’d ever feel safe.”

His heart broke for her, shattered there on the rocks of Grayslake, as he thought about the fear and worry she’d lived with her entire life. “I won’t ever let anything happen to you, Tris. Ever.”

She nodded and with a final shudder, stilled in his arms. He welcomed the weight of her, the feel of her curves against his body, and the thought that someday she’d be full and her stomach stretched by their cub.

Much like… the very pregnant woman on the shore not fifty feet from them.

Mia shaded her eyes with the flat of her hand while waving at them with the other. “Are you two done? Even better, do you know how unsanitary that is? I mean”—the Itana shuddered—“really icky.”

Trista squeaked, Keen snarled, and Mia just laughed. If she hadn’t had some weird, uncanny ability to know when someone cursed
inside their head
he would have said something. Instead, he settled for gritting his teeth and glaring at her for ruining his mating. His mate—
mate
—trembled in his arms and then he truly was tempted to tell the Itana what he thought. But then Tris raised her head and he looked into mirth-filled eyes and she flashed him a wide, blinding smile.

That saved the Itana, but he still wanted to hit something.

The rustle and snap of branches reached him, the sounds so loud they overrode the giggles from Trista. “Who else is out there, Mia?”

Mia sighed and rolled her eyes before turning toward the tree line. “You might as well come out. Hiding will just get his dander up and then where will we be?”

A glaring Ty emerged from the forest, followed closely by Keen’s—he sighed—father.

“Have everyone turn their backs.” He nearly growled when Ty rolled his eyes, but that snarl turned into a chuckle when his dad whacked his brother in the back of his head. That was immediately followed by a muffled “language” from Mia.

But the moment they averted their gaze, he changed his grip on Trista. “I’m sorry we had to cut this short.”

She nuzzled his neck, pressing a kiss to his skin and then licking his flesh with a soft moan. “We have the rest of our lives. This was… perfect.”

Water sluiced from their bodies, doing exactly what Trista had predicted; it washed away the pain he held. The guilt remained, it probably always would, but the agony that tormented his bear was soothed by the lake… and Trista.

Dressing took little time, their clothes stuck to their wet skin, but they managed to pull everything on. Once done, he focused on his father. Not his Itan—or even his Itana—his father.

“Dad.” The word was a croak so Keen coughed and swallowed, trying again. “Dad.”

His father looked to him, hope accompanying his raised eyebrows. “Yes?”

Keen focused on the mouth of the cave and then turned his attention to Trista, seeing his emotions mirrored in her gaze. Without looking away, he spoke again. It was time to lay the past to rest and move on from this moment. It was a blank slate and he welcomed it with open arms.

“I’d like someone to clean the cave.”

Ty’s words were right on the heels of Keen’s “The cave? What about the—”

Another smack cut off his eldest brother and Keen smiled, imagining Ty rubbing the back of his head. Trista’s smile was just as wide and just as warm as his own.

Yes, it was time.

Chapter Fourteen

 

Trista hadn’t even thought that the Itan and Itana along with Keen’s father would come looking for them for a reason. It just… hadn’t registered that there was a purpose or a goal to their search.

Unfortunately, the reason became blatantly clear the moment Keen drew the SUV to a stop before the clan house. Cars littered the graveled driveway, all lined in a pretty row off to one side. A sense of foreboding fluttered in her stomach and a hint of unease snaked down her spine.

Her mate reached for her, his hand grasping hers and giving her a soft squeeze. “We’ll be fine.”

“You don’t know that. We really should have listened to Ty.”

“I couldn’t stand around and hear what Ty had to say.”

Trista could understand Keen’s feelings after what they’d shared, the events of the last few days, and she could empathize with her mate. “Okay. And we didn’t hear out your dad because…”

He didn’t answer and instead released her and climbed from the SUV, narrowing his eyes at her before he slammed the door shut. If she wasn’t so nervous, she’d smile over the fact that they were having their first mini-tiff.

She waited for him to come around to her side of the vehicle and allowed him to help her down. Her shoulder stung, aching from Keen’s bite, but there wasn’t much to be done now. It’d heal at its own pace. At least she had her half-shifter abilities to hasten the process.

Just after he pushed the door shut, she reached for him. She managed to tug him close and wrap her arms around his waist before he could stride away. “Keen?”

He grunted, much like his father. She wondered if he realized they were very much alike.

“No matter what, I’m not leaving you. I…” She looked at the house, watching Mia, Ty, and his father George file inside. “They came looking for you, for us, and no matter what waits for me and you, you need to remember I’m yours and you’re mine.”

Some of the tension drifted from his body with his heaving sigh. “Okay.” He dropped a kiss to her head. “Let’s see what the fuss is about. I’m guessing it’s some sort of intervention. Mom’s gotten into those shows lately.”

That did not reassure her.

Keen eased her arms from him and grasped her hand, using his hold to urge her toward the house. Dread filled her with every step, memories of the last time she’d stepped over the threshold assaulting her. Blood, she remembered the blood and fear, and Keen’s eruptive shift followed by his fierce protection.

“Keen… What if…” What if Van suddenly decided he didn’t need to listen to Ty—or even George—any longer?

He paused, brought her hand to his lips. “Tris?” She raised her gaze to his and he continued speaking. “I may not be as unstable any longer, but I will allow
nothing
to happen to you. Nothing.”

Right. She knew that. Instead of pushing words past her lips, she merely nodded and allowed him to draw her forward.

She had a feeling of déjà vu as her steps echoed on the worn stairs, and over the wood of the front porch. The screen door opened easily when Keen twisted the knob and then they were inside the home. The musk of bear invaded the space with no hint of blood. Whoever had cleaned the mess in the living room did a good job.

The low murmur of voices floated toward them, several males along with the high tinklings of women. A female stepped into the entry way from one of the rooms down the hall, and slowly came nearer. Trista immediately recognized Keen’s mother… Anna. Before things had gone downhill at their house, she’d introduced herself as Anna. The woman had left before them, intent on returning to their guests.

“Keen,” Anna murmured and held out her arms for her son. Keen didn’t release Trista, but did give his mother a one-armed hug.

“Mom. What’s going on?”

“Oh, well.” Anna released him and stepped back. Even without the ability to scent the air like a full shifter, Trista could tell that unease and worry filled the woman from head to toe. Anna breathed deep and the anxiety worsened. “That’s going to complicate things, isn’t it?” she murmured.

“Mom?”

“Well, someone came by looking for Trista, but he’s also—”

“Anna? Keen?” George, Keen’s father, followed Anna’s path. “He’s waiting.”

“He who?” Keen voiced Trista’s question.

George’s gaze shifted from Keen to Trista and back again. “Southeast Keeper Foster.”

The dread filling Trista’s stomach tripled and sweat sprung from her pores. It coated her skin in a sudden wave and sank into her clothing. It stung her new wound, making it ache and throb, but it also reminded her of Keen—of his promise.

George cleared his throat and then spoke again. “Quinn Foster.”

A new tension thrummed through her mate, pulsing through his body and transferring to his grip on her hand. He tightened his hold, as if his body were looping in on itself, and she grasped their joined hands with her other one.

She knew why the Keeper scared her; she’d lived and nearly died by his word alone through the years in exchange for her help. She wasn’t sure why Quinn Foster would…

Oh, dear God, no.

“It’s
that
Quinn, isn’t it?” She didn’t have to explain more, not when George focused on her and gave a quick, brisk nod.

“It’s going to cause problems. Originally, the charges were due to extenuating circumstances and your relationship, but with Trista…” His father’s voice trailed off and she wanted to curse at him to continue.

Before she could demand an answer, Ty joined their impromptu, anxiety-laden party. “They’re waiting.”

“They?” Keen’s voice was a rough croak. Some would consider his actions as ones of fear, but Trista knew the truth. It was remorse and worry. She didn’t think her mate feared anything.

“Reid.” Ty snapped the wolf Alpha’s name.

The change in Keen was blatantly visible. He shrugged off the shakes and rose to his full height, chest swelling, and she realized that in truth, her mate was larger than Ty. It was obvious he’d spent years attempting to appear smaller than the Grayslake clan leader when, in fact, he was much bigger. “Sounds like you’ve created a great party. Is Van in there too? Anyone else who’d like to see my mate broken and bloody?”

It was rough and grating and downright aggressive, but Trista couldn’t fault Keen for his abrasive words. Especially since they crowded her throat as well.

“Keen,” Ty sighed and opened his mouth to speak again, but her mate didn’t give the man a chance. No, he merely pushed past his family and dragged her toward the room the trio exited.

Then she was more than happy to turn her happy butt right around.

Because yes, Van was there along with Lauren. And yes, Reid had arrived as well with Adrienne at his side. The she-wolf wiped away a droplet of drool as she stared at Trista and she suppressed the desire to cower behind her mate.

Another male stood nearby, one that rivaled Ty in size yet was nowhere near the Itan’s strength. Oh, she had no doubt he could hold his own in a fight, but he didn’t hold the innate power that seemed to flow from Ty and… Keen.

Was this Keeper Foster? Or was it the thinner, older man at his side? The younger, and larger, of the two had scars that lined his arms and he directed a hate-filled, revenge-seeking gaze at Keen. The other seemed like he would happily murder everyone in the room without a moment’s hesitation.

Nice.

“Well? Who wants to go first?” Keen’s tone was antagonizing and abrasive, but Trista couldn’t blame him. Not when they were faced by someone from the Southeast inner-circle, Reid, and Van at the same time.

Trista prayed they could figure things out before it got bloody.

*

It was about to get bloody. Keen was sure of it. Reid’s yellow-eyed gaze was centered on Trista as were Van’s midnight orbs. Then there was Quinn Foster. He was older now, age giving him an increased size while his position gave him a haughty attitude. Keen would beat it out of him if the male thought he’d speak to Tris again. The bear was more possessive and protective than ever now that he’d sunk his teeth into her flesh. He’d claimed her and he
refused
to let her go.

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