The Wolves of London Book 2: The House of Striker

(Chapter song ‘Feels Like Tonight’ by Daughtry)

ZEN

I drop my bag and coat on a couch and start uncover furniture from sheets to keep them clean.

Avery walks into the simple cottage and looks around. “What is this place?”

I rip a sheet of a table. “A cottage my father owned. It’s also shielded from everything magic like the council building. It’s a safe haven. Miranda can’t find us unless she sees us.”

I drop the sheet on the pile on the floor and turn to Avery who is standing just behind me. “I’m sorry for all of this. I really am.” He mumbles as he hooks his thumbs on his pockets.

“I know you are. I just… I wish you told me.” I look up into his eyes and I just can’t be mad anymore. “Ave. This whole thing was communication and no trust. I never gave you any reason to not be approachable. Don’t just assume my reactions, ok. I don’t give my heart to monsters. I know you’re a good person and I’m not unreasonable. I love you, you giant goofball.

“I’m learning that.” He whispers as he closes the gap. “I’ll admit I didn’t want to see you mad or hurt. I felt like not telling you about my cancer was better than facing you. I did it to myself, Zennie. I know I did. Admitting my fuck up was hard enough. Admitting that my fuck up was going to leave you heartbroken and alone just when we were getting started. It scared me too much. I wanted to serve my punishment for my bad habits alone. I didn’t consider that you would have a problem with that. I’m sorry.”

I stand tall with my thumbs in my back pockets. I look up and tilt my head. “I think it’s actually calming to hear you admit all that. I didn’t want to understand your perspective, but I’m starting to. I can’t say I would make the same choices, but I’ve never been faced with that kind of problem. I can’t really say how I would handle it. I know I’d be scared out of my mind. I imagine you were.”

He nods. “I was terrified. Dying alone… it’s not something I would wish on anyone. I guess it was that fear that made the decision to turn so much easier.” He smiles and cups my cheek. “Seeing your face. Your smile. It’s all I wanted to do before I left. When it looked like that wasn’t happening, I was petrified you weren’t going to be with me at the end. I regretted not coming back. When Razor presented the opportunity to heal, the first thing I wanted to do was look into your gorgeous eyes and say, “I love you, Esmerelda Striker.” I love you so much. I want to love you forever. And the second thing I wanted to do was kiss the hell out of you.” He quietly chuckles.

I lick my top lip and pause as I think about this. This goes against the oaths that I took with my father and the hunters. It goes against every promise I made to my species. It goes against every belief system I know.

I think this all through, then meet his eyes. And I can only give one answer. “What are you waiting for?” I whisper.

He grins then leans into my lips. His lips part mine and our tongues meet. He wraps his arms around me and I grab his jacket to pull him to me.

My heart speeds up and his warm body heated mine. As he kissed me, he scooped me up bridal style making me yelp and giggle.

“Where’s a bedroom?” He mumbles between kisses.

“Down that hall. First door.” I direct to a hallway on the left side of the room.

“You’re coming with me.” He growls and slams another kiss on my lips.

He carries me to the bedroom, kicks the door closed, and carries me to the bed that’s covered in a sheet. He lowers me down and the sheet billows around me. He kisses me deep as he climbs on top of me.

He rips off his jacket and only breaks long enough to pull off his shirt. He kisses me again, then his lips travel down my neck.

“I missed this skin.” He whispers as he nips my ear.

“Me, too.” I choke as I feel his body on mine.

I run my fingers through his hair as he pulls up my shirt. His hand cups my breast and I arch back. He lowers himself down and kisses my stomach. His lips travel up as he pushes my shirt up. He lifts my bra cup and kneads my breast. His lips and tongue suck and twirl around my nipple.

“God, yes…” I breathe as I run my nails softly across his bare back.

His chest vibrates it what I can only describe as purr. It feels funny and makes me smile as his teeth gently nips my skin. He grins as he comes back up to my lips.

“He likes you.” He chuckles.

“What’s not to like?” I tease.

He lifts me up and pulls my shirt off. He engulfs my lips and undoes my bra. He tosses it and cups my breasts as I unzip his pants. I pull them down and he unbuttons mine.

I wasn’t sure, but this is definitely right. All my stubbornness was a wall that prevented me from hearing him and feeling his pain. He may have made a mistake, but I made it bigger with my ignorance. He’s not the monsters that I hunt, but I treated him that way. I see that now. I don’t know where this can go, but it’s a tomorrow problem. Right now, I want to show him how much I do love him. I can admit that I never stopped. I’m not sure if humans get soul mates, but there’s something here. Maybe, we can figure something out where he won’t be affected by the moon. I think I just need an open mind.

He pulls off my boots and pants. I slide his pants down with his boxers and free his stone erection. He spreads my legs and lays his body on mine as he kicks off his boots and jeans. He presses his girth against my core and I moan as I grip his soft hair. My knees rise up to his chest and he rocks his hips, sliding his length up and down on my pussy.

I whimper on his lips because it’s been so long and I never thought I’d feel him in me again. But as I get wetter and he gets harder, it all came flooding back. All the late nights in each other’s arms. My heart swelled and the fire in my belly grew. I need this. I need to be with him in the moment.

“You’re so wet… You taste so good.” He whispers as he reaches between us and fists his dick. He rubs it in my slit and finds my entrance. He gently shoves and I gasp at the feel of him enter me.

I arch back and he bites my chin and jaw as he pushes it in to the hilt. He pulls out and pushes back in with a small growl.

“Yess!” I moan as I plant my hands on the headboard. He kisses my chest and neck as he thrusts into me. His strokes speed up and I feel his power. This is nothing like before.

“God, yes. So good, Zennie.” He drawls before kissing me.

His hips rock harder and he pushes my legs up with his thighs to go deeper.

“YES, AVE!!!” I arch more as he sits up and lifts my hips off the bed.

“Fuck, yes!” He grinds as his fingers indent my thighs and his dick slams my pussy. He lifts up on his knees and lifts my ass off the bed. “Yeah, baby! Damn good!”

He pounds harder and faster as I scream louder with each thrust.

He growls loud as my pussy tightens around him. He drops me down and lays down. He kisses my lips with almost animalistic hunger.

“Come all over me, baby. Show me your love.” He mumbles on my lips as he slit eyes gaze into mine.

His words went straight to my pussy. The fire ignited and my orgasm crashed.

“YESSSS!!”

My pussy gushes all over his length as he thrusts harder.

“Yes, Zennie! So fucking tight.” He grinds as he lifts up on his hands.

My nails indent his waist as his hips rock faster.

I can barely breathe as he drops down, fists the back of my hair, and stares into my eyes. His eyes glow gold and I smile. He smiles back and hooks my leg.

“My turn.” He pants and kisses me as he holds my leg up.

I scream into his neck as his dick thrusts faster. I feel myself build up another climax as his dick swells inside me.

“GOD, YESSS, AVERY!!” I cry out as he bites my neck and ear.

He lifts up and looks down on me. “All I wanted was to feel this pussy again. So fucking sweet.” He smirks then grinds out a growl.

“Fuck!” He looks down as his warm release explodes inside me. He lets out tiny whines as he pumps every drop inside.

He lets my leg go and lays down on me. As his hips slow, he gives me gentle kisses.

My chest hurts from panting and he’s dripping in sweat. He grins as he stops. “Hi.” He chuckles.

“Hi.” I giggle.

“I missed you.” He says low.

“I missed you, too.” I squeak.

He moves my hair off my face. “What happens now?” He gazes around my face as I run my fingers through his hair.

“I don’t know.” My lips fall and our eyes lock.

“Do you want to see where this goes?” He runs his fingers across my jaw and bottom lip.

“I can try.” I whisper.

“I can accept that.” His lips press against mine and his power consumes me.

He pulls out and grabs the sheet. He pulls it over us and wraps his arms around me. I close my eyes and feel his chest on my back.

“Zennie?”

“Yeah.”

“I love you.”

I think about everything that’s happened and how uncertain the future is.

“I love you, too.”

He pulls me tighter into his chest and I hug his arm. I don’t know if this is a mistake. I don’t know if not going through with it is a mistake. As a hunter, having no answers will get you killed, but is this the same? Will having no answers get me hurt?

I have to stop thinking. For right now, I just need to assume that this a good thing because if I don’t, I’ll end up shutting it all down and I’m not prepared to do that.

I’m too weak to let him go. It doesn’t matter how much he scares the shit out of me.