Alpha’s Moon: A special forces shifter romance (Shifter Ops series Book 1)

Deke

Our room is bright and spacious, with a view of the mountains, which sprawl just outside. I’m relieved. I might be able to hike far enough out to shift and run to take the edge off. Tight quarters and too many humans make me antsy. Not to mention the sexual tension.

Even as I think about leaving for a run, though, my wolf resists.

Like he’s not willing to leave Sadie’s side, even for a minute. The urge to protect her is overwhelming.

I stand at the window while Sadie moves around, unpacking. For such a small person, Sadie takes up ten times as much space as you’d expect her to. It’s her scent, her sunny energy and her smile. The rest is clothes. She brought a lot of clothes for a four day trip.

“That went well.” She bustles back and forth between the bathroom and the bedroom, spreading her stuff everywhere. Good thing the room is big. There’s a nice king bed made of rustic logs that should be sturdy enough to take what I’m capable of dishing out.

I shake my head to dismiss that thought. We’re in the same room, but I’m going to be a gentleman. I’ll sleep on the floor.

Unless she makes the first move, my wolf counters.

“I think we should be fine this weekend. Scott should leave me alone with you here.”

“He better,” I grunt. I hate hearing his name on her lips. He doesn’t deserve her time and attention. Neither do I, I remind myself.

Sadie wrinkles her nose. “Do you think he really has a new girlfriend?”

“Nope.” I turn from the window and uncross my arms, so I look less intimidating.

Sadie’s lips quirk, and her eyes dance with amusement. “You think he was lying?”

She’s so trusting, it’s cute. Except that dickbags like Scott take advantage of her. I give her a soft look. “Babe.”

“Oh. I guess it couldn’t be that easy.” She gnaws her lip again.

A knock sounds on the door. “Room service,” a helpful voice trills outside.

Even though it’s probably not a danger, I stride to the door before Sadie can get there, my need to play bodyguard raging.

“Sadie Diaz?” The lady’s brows shoot up when her gaze meets my chest and then has to rise to find my face.

“Yes,” Sadie calls from behind me.

The woman uncovers a tray of fresh chocolate strawberries. There’s a note with them. “From your secret admirer,” she gushes, winking at me like I sent them.

Dammit. The thought hadn’t occurred to me. I’m not sure I even knew that was a thing until this moment. But Sadie sure as hell deserves them, even if they are from her dickwad ex.

“Oh,” Sadie says without much enthusiasm. She shoots me an apologetic look. “Great.”

I take the tray and shut the door.

Sadie opens the card. “Enjoy your stay. Let’s talk soon,” she reads the note aloud.

I try to keep from growling out loud.

“Yuck. This is so like Scott. He doesn’t stalk in ordinary ways. He throws his money around and puts apps on my phone and then just won’t leave me alone even though I have you here. I’m obviously with you, but he has to prove he’s the bigger man with a bigger bank account or something—”

“Huh. He’s pretty brave. Does he think I won’t rip his arms off for moving in on my fake girlfriend?”

Sadie lets out a soft laugh, the awkward tension leaving her.

“Hey.” I cross and settle my hands on either side of her head, cupping her cheeks. “I’ll keep him away from you.”

“Thanks. I’m so glad you came with me. I was absolutely dreading this weekend, but now…”

“Now what?” I don’t know why her answer seems important. Mission critical, even.

She flushes and shrugs. “It seems like it might be fun.”

My dick punches out against my zipper. Fun is definitely on the agenda for me, too.

For Sadie, of course. I’m not here for me. It’s all part of the mission.

And if that mission involves giving Sadie Diaz orgasms until she screams, so be it.

Sadie

There’s a second sharp rap on the door. I open it and greet the bellhop, who’s delivering a welcome basket from the bride and groom. “Welcome reception at five,” he reminds me, and I thank him.

“Welcome basket delivery.” I set it down and unpack it. “Oh good, there’s a folder with our itinerary for the weekend.” I set that aside. The rest of the basket is all fun stuff, and I announce each item like a dork. “We also got champagne and hand engraved glasses.” The glasses read Whine on.” Jenn has come to our Whine Wednesdays when she’s in Taos. “And this cute little white bag that reads bridesmaid, slippers—I can use those for the spa day.” I’m babbling now, but Deke’s listening.

I heave a giant sigh. “I’m just trying to figure out how it’s going to go.”

“It?” Deke stands right behind me, making goosebumps race across my skin.

“This weekend. This whole thing. I need structure, Deke. I need a plan.”

He cocks his head to the side, his dark eyes squinting at me for a moment. Then he says, “Okay.”

“Okay?”

He waves a big hand. “Talk me through it.”

“Really? You’re not going to just tell me to go with the flow?” He seems like that sort of guy.

“This is our mission. We never go into a mission without a plan. Of course, when things go sideways, we have to improvise.”

I grab the folder and flip it open. “Our theme is “Romantic rustic,” I read aloud. “The attire is “Mountain Chic” I turn to Deke and ask with fake seriousness, “Are all your outfits Mountain Chic?”

“Don’t know what that means, but I doubt it.” His lips quirk.

I grin back, feeling better already. Deke makes it all better.

“Well, all my outfits are mountain chic, so we’ll be fine.” I turn back to the itinerary to read through it. The bed creaks as Deke shifts positions. His weight makes the bed dip, and I half roll into him. Now we’re face to face, close enough to kiss.

“Is that what you call this?” he murmurs. His fingers pluck at my little yoga top.

I feel his touch through my clothes. My core clenches. “No, this is athleisure wear.”

“Don’t know what that is, either.”

“Fancy workout clothes. I’ve also got a closet full of off-duty kindergarten teacher chic. Mostly jeans, ballet flats and cardigans.” I shift a little closer to him. A few more inches, and my breasts will touch his chest. Not that I’m intensely aware of that fact or anything. “I’m sure you’re super interested in all my fashion choices.”

“Maybe I am.” His hot breath warms my face. His finger traces the neckline of my shirt. “But I admit, I’m more interested in what’s underneath.”

My nipples tighten. “Oh yeah?” I’d move even closer, but then I’d be actually climbing him. DO IT! My ovaries shout. They hold up a sign that reads: GET THE DICK.

“I have to confess, this is not my usual op, but I am definitely up to the unique challenges it presents.” His eyes crinkle.

I laugh. “I know one of those challenges is putting up with my anxiety.” I grab the itinerary and toss it away.

“Oh, I think I know what to do with your anxiety,” he murmurs.

I shoot him an inquisitive look, but he’s rubbing his face, looking away like he didn’t mean to let that slip out.

The rest of the basket is filled with snacks and spa samples. There’s also a note from Jenn thanking me for being a part of her and Geoff’s special day. Plus a personalized calendar with pictures of Jenn and me and Geoff. Unfortunately Scott is in a lot of them. Ugh.

“I’ve never been to a wedding,” Deke rumbles. “Is this typical?”

“Unfortunately, yes. The average wedding cost is like thirty thousand.” Jenn and Geoff are definitely spending way more.

“Jesus. You gonna do this?” He waves a hand at the basket.

“Um, do what? Use the spa samples?”

“Get married. Spend thirty thousand on a wedding.”

“Ummmmm.” My brain shorts out. “I want to get married. One day. I want kids. And my dad will probably insist on a big fancy wedding for networking purposes.”

“Fuck your dad,” Deke says with such beautiful nonchalance I want to record him, so I can play it over and over again with a beat track. “Don’t care about him. What do you want?”

Suddenly, I get this image of me and Deke standing on a mountain top, holding hands. I’m in a cute but simple white summer dress, and Deke’s in his usual attire. My girlfriends and Deke’s biker buddies stand behind us, clapping. Rafe’s the officiant, and after Deke and I kiss, we all head to picnic tables for barbecue. Simple. Casual. Beautiful. I feel it with such a strong sense of longing. And suddenly there are tears in my eyes because it’s all I want.

Eek—too clingy. Deke said he doesn’t do relationships. He’s going to be a fling for me. Just a fling.

“I’d prefer something more casual,” I whisper. “Outside. A few friends, maybe my mom. An officiant and a picnic afterwards. That’s it.” I summon my courage and ask, “What about you? What’s your dream wedding?”

“Never getting married,” he says, and my dreams die with a little sad trombone sound. “Not for me, babe.”

“Okay, gotcha.” I start packing up the basket stuff. This is not a date, I remind myself. But he did kiss me. Maybe he can be my bodyguard with benefits. Just for the weekend.

I pause with the champagne in hand and consider opening it, but it’s a little early for drinking. Don’t want to go to the reception tipsy.

“Sadie,” Deke murmurs.

“Yes?” I answer but don’t look at him.

“The dream with the white picket fence and kids, it’s not for me.”

I frown because he sounds sad again. I’m about to ask why not when the phone by the bed rings. I reach over and grab it.

“Sadie! You’re here!” the bride shrieks in my ear. There’s squealing in the background. Jenn must be with her other bridesmaids, hitting the champagne early.

“Just got in.” I sit on the bed.

“Come down!” Jenn says. “We’re in room 404.”

“Um…” I glance at Deke. The last thing I want to do is leave Deke and go party with the wedding crowd. I feel a little guilty about that—the wedding is the main reason I’m here. “I’m actually a little tired. See you at the reception?”

“Okay, fine. If you and Scott can’t drag yourselves away…” She giggles. Someone in the background shouts something I don’t quite hear.

“See you,” I quickly make my goodbyes and hang up. Crap. I need to tell Jenn I’m not with Scott anymore. I guess it was too much to hope Scott would tell Geoff, and it’d get back to Jenn.

“Fuuuuudge,” I groan and sag backwards onto the bed with my hands covering my face. Is it too much to ask for everything to be called off, so I can stay in the room and seduce Deke? Climb over his walls and get to know him?

Get to know his dick, my ovaries prompt. “Arrrrrrghhhh.”

“Everything okay?” Deke asks.

“This stuff just stresses me out. I can handle twenty-eight squirming kindergarteners, but formal social affairs remind me too much of suffering through my dad’s cocktail parties as a kid. I’d so much rather stay holed up in this room with you.”

Deke’s eyes glint green. “Yeah?” He stalks toward me with a predatory softness to his tread. Okay, good. We might be on the same page, here.

Yes! Yes! My ovaries are in cheerleading outfits, waving pom poms.

“I might know a way to relieve your stress.” His voice is low and suggestive, but I can tell by the way he watches my face for my reaction, he’s testing. He’s not sure.

“I might be in need of your services.” I climb up on the bed on my knees and lift the champagne bottle up like a suggestion.

“Babe.” Suddenly I’m flat on my back, my wrists pinned beside my head. Deke takes the champagne bottle from my hand and sets it on the bedside table.

Deke! Deke! Get the D! My ovaries cheer.

“Here’s how things are going to go,” he tells me. His face hovers just inches from mine. I can smell his minty breath. “I’m going to strip you naked, tie you to the bed and lick your pussy until you scream. And after you’ve come all over my tongue about a dozen times, we’re going to go down to that party and do whatever it is we’re supposed to do. Sounds like a plan?”

I come.

Seriously. That’s all it takes. Deke’s dark promise makes my pussy clench, a ripple of pleasure running straight to my core.

My teeth actually chatter as I stutter out, “I like the plan.”

His smile is feral. “Good girl.”

Deke yanks my top off over my head. My breath shudders in, shock and excitement mingling together to turn me into a shivering, quivering ball of nerves.

“Deke…” I actually have nothing more to add to the sentence. I think I’m just saying his name as an honorific. Because he just elevated himself to sex god, and I’m not even naked yet.

Deke uses his middle fingers to hook under each bra strap and tug them down my shoulders. I shimmy my arms through the holes, then hold my breasts when he tugs the cups down. My nipples tingle, my breasts are heavy with desire.

“Mmm. So pretty,” Deke rumbles, staring down at my nipples showing between my fingers and thumbs. He covers my hands with his, helping me massage and squeeze my breasts. I’m already wet for him. I squirm beneath his large body, wanting him closer. He spins the band of my bra around and unhooks it, then pulls it out from under me.

“I like the way you’re touching yourself, Sadie, but I need you to give me those wrists. He snaps the bra out straight, and I catch his meaning. Another mini orgasm rolls through me as I hold my hands straight up, wrists touching.

“Good girl.” He wraps the bra around them, then ties it. I watch him quickly survey the headboard—a fabric-covered, wall-mounted thing—then climb off. In a flash, he has a shoelace out of his boot, and he loops it through my bra-binding, then down behind the bed somewhere. He slides the bed out from the wall, as if it—with me on it—weighs nothing, and in another moment, my wrists get pulled taut above my head as he fastens the shoelace somewhere to the bed.

I’m incredibly turned on by his quick survival skills. Not that tying a woman to a bed is a survival skill, but the Special Forces in him shows, and it’s a massive turn-on. Once he has me secure, he takes a long moment drinking me in. His lids droop, and a low rumble sounds in his chest.

I wiggle, trying to entice him back in. His gaze dips to my peaked nipples, and he climbs back over me, lowering his mouth to one. He flicks it with his tongue. Grazes it with his teeth. He palms my breast possessively as he moves his mouth to the other side.

It’s delicious. Heaven. I’ve never been touched by a man like this before. He’s so aggressive, yet infinitely more attentive than any lover I’ve had before.

He grasps the waistband of my pants and tugs them down and off, leaving me in nothing but my provocative panties. I’m so glad I wore them.

“Mmm,” he rumbles, sliding a finger under the leg band and tracing it down between my legs. “These are so pretty, Sadie-girl.”

A whimper-moan escapes my lips.

“Did you wear these for me?”

My core clenches. “Y-yes.”

His eyes glint green, and he draws a sharp breath in through his nostrils, almost like he’s trying to steady himself. “Fuck, Sadie.” He squeezes his cock through his jeans. “You have a naughty streak, don’t you?”

“Mmm hmm.” More clenching. I tug on my bonds, only because I want to touch him, to hurry this thing along.

He runs his knuckle over my panty-clad pussy, making me soak it with arousal.

“Yes,” I whimper. “Please.”

“Please? That’s so fucking sweet.” My panties practically fly off my legs.

I shaved a landing strip this morning, and the sight of my trim makes Deke growl. “Was that for me?”

“Yes,” I admit.

“Fuck, Sadie.” Deke shoves my knees wide and licks me from anus to clit.

I scream and yank at my bonds. It’s good—so good! But I’ve never been licked so intimately. It’s embarrassing. And incredible. He penetrates me with his tongue, then parts my nether lips with his tongue, gliding up to my clit again.

“Ohhh, oh!” I moan. “Deke.”

“That’s right, baby. Say my name when I make you come.” He flicks his tongue repeatedly over my clit. It’s wonderful and very soon not enough. I jack my hips up to get more.

“Spread your legs wider, baby.”

I spread. I spread so wide the ballet lessons of my youth are showing.

“Did you need more?” Somehow he reads my mind. To my utter shock, he gives my pussy several sharp slaps. It doesn’t hurt, but it surprises me. “You like having your pussy spanked?”

Oh. My. Gawd.

I want to cover my face with my hands. Because I do. I do like it. So freaking much. How does he know that?

“Deke!”

He pat-slaps me a few more times, driving me wild, then lowers his mouth again and licks and sucks his way over all my bits.

“Deke, oh please.” I’m desperate for release now—it feels so good.

He finds exactly the right place and sucks hard, and I come, my legs thrashing wildly, my pelvis rolling and undulating as my channel clenches on nothing but air.

“That’s one.”

My eyes fly wide. Was he serious about giving me multiple orgasms?

I can’t deny how hot the scene is—I’m fully naked and tied to the bed, and he’s still fully dressed, the guy in charge.

Deke unties my wrists and drops beside me, then rolls us both to our sides. I’m tucked right against him, my small legs tangled with his huge ones.

“Open your legs, baby,” he instructs. His hand is already slipping between my legs. Yes! My hips tilt to greet him again. He palms me, holding my throbbing sex right in his calloused hand. One finger rubs over my entrance, while his palm grinds against my clit. I instantly soak his finger with natural lubricant, my body eager for his touch. His digits are huge, but he works one into my entrance.

“Deke.” I’m caught up in a sudden blaze of heat. His hot breath caresses my ear, and his hips grind into my backside. The rough edge of his long finger catches my clit and sends a shock of pleasure shooting through me. The sensation’s so sweet it’s almost painful. I cry out and twist my hips, trying to roll away, but Deke is half covering me with his body, and his arm is iron, immovable. And his fingertips gliding through the wet folds of my sex are so soft. His index finger flutters against my clit before he slides lower and inserts two fingers inside me.

Oh! That’s what I needed. Penetration. I cry out in pleasure, reaching down to grip his wrist and guide him deeper.

“Fuck, that’s it. Take it, Sadie. Take what I give you. Take everything you need.”

It’s so good. I surrender, allowing the pleasure to build and build, the fire in my belly getting hotter.

“Deke!” My cry sounds alarmed, but if I’m scared, it’s only because I’ve never felt such pleasure.

“Take it, Sadie.” Deke’s breath rasps in my ear, almost like he’s as tortured as I am.

Stars burst behind my eyes. I climax again, gasping in Deke’s arms. He doesn’t move, doesn’t let me move and keeps his palm grinding right against the spot, right there, chasing the aftershocks. My legs scrabble over the covers, and I writhe in his arms, but he holds me fast, making me feel the pleasure in its every exquisite expression. And when it fades, I’m still in Deke’s arms, snug and warm.

Totally blissed out.

I’m sticky with sweat. My hair is mussed in the best way—great sex hair. I rise from the bed and glide to the mirror where I can stare at the bright eyed goddess I am. My lips are puffy and parted, my cheeks are flushed orgasm pink.

Deke follows me, a dark shadow hovering at my back. I lean back into his chest, and his arm comes around me, securing me against him. He blew my mind in bed, and he didn’t even take off his jeans.

His dark eyes dance in the mirror. His whisper tickles my ear. “Feel better?”

“Oh yes.” I turn and put my hands on his chest. “But what about you?”

His eyes seem to change color the way they do sometimes—from brown to a glowing green. With a pained expression, he takes a quick step back from me. “I’m good.”

I try not to be disappointed that he’s not interested in reciprocation.

This is not a date.

The only thing that confuses me is the size of the bulge in his jeans.

Deke

Oh fuck.

I have blue balls the size of my fist. I am fully willing to suffer them to deliver Sadie’s satisfaction. Hell, I would take any level of torture to ensure her comfort and ease this weekend.

But it would be so much easier if she didn’t seem hurt that I didn’t accept her offer to return the favor.

I mean—fuck! If she only knew how much I want that. I would give both nuts to have her small hand wrapped around my cock. Or those sweet, soft lips. But my wolf’s getting aggressive.

He seems to be laboring under the impression that Sadie is mine. Ours. Whatever.

That means the urge to mark her is starting to fray my control.

My wolf doesn’t give a fuck that I can’t mark her.

He doesn’t care that mating is off-limits for all members of the Shifter Op team but particularly for me. I’m not even remotely safe for a human. I shudder, the thought of actually hurting Sadie if my wolf won control striking real fear into me.

Which makes my wolf snarl protectively.

Oh Fates. Maybe I took on more than I can handle by coming here.

Now I have to go downstairs and interact with a packed room of humans while my wolf is feral as hell. I look out the window, trying to figure out if I have time to get out there and shift.

But no, Sadie needs me. And she is priority one.

I have to get through this insane human tradition of a wedding and keep my wolf in check. And speak in full sentences. And look presentable.

For a guy who has been on the team that toppled entire regimes at the orders of his president, this mission should be a piece of cake. Why does it feel like the most difficult op I’ve ever been on?

Because I’ve never cared so much about an op as I do this one.

That’s what Sadie does to me.

When it’s about danger, about eliminating enemies, I have it covered. Even when I lose control of my wolf, he’s still always on point. The job gets done, even if it’s bloodier than expected. But in this case, my wolf could hurt Sadie if I lost control, and he marked her. He could even kill her. Humans are fragile creatures. One slice of an artery, and she would—

Fuck, I can’t even think about it.

And then there’s the issue of the ex. I think I have myself under control, but if my wolf thought she was under threat, even mildly, the results could be deadly.

I clear my throat as Sadie flits about the room. “Okay if I use the shower?”

“Yes, of course. Go for it.” She flashes me the kind of smile that lights up a room, and my heart tumbles off the cliff into Sadieland.

I make myself move, getting into the bathroom and stripping off my clothes. I’ll feel better once I’ve rubbed one out thinking about my beautiful—

No, not mine.

She’s not my beautiful anything.

She’s a mission. A mission I will not fuck up.

I turn the water to completely cold and step under the icy spray. Anything to subdue this raging lust licking at my ears. It doesn’t make a dent in the inferno that’s my body. I bring my fingers—the ones still covered in her scent—to my nose and inhale deeply. My cock juts out and bobs, and I grip it firmly, jerking myself off remembering the incredible sound she made when I brought her to orgasm.

Sweet Sadie.

My beautiful human.

No, not—

Mine, my wolf rages.

And I let him. Just for the moment. Because the lights are already dancing behind my eyes, and my thighs are already starting to shake. I bottle up the roar rocketing from my throat and come all over the expensive tile walls.

And dammit, I only feel marginally relieved.

The need for Sadie Diaz is consuming me.