Dawn Endeavor 1: Fallon's Flame by Marie Harte (book recommendations website TXT) 📕

“Others?” Olivia knew it was Jules; she trusted him. But her beast didn't want to give up her mate's safety to anyone.

“Remember who's in charge,” Jules rumbled and released a torrent of vanilla that soothed her protectiveness.

“I—Sorry.” She shook her head and allowed Jules to pull her away. Hayashi rushed to Jesse's side. “I don't know up from down right now.” She rubbed her jaw, aware it felt heavier than it should. She should have been embarrassed about her nudity in front of the others, but seeing them all naked, in their natural forms, took away any sense of shyness from her.

Jules ran his knuckle over her cheek. “It's okay. The beast acts on instinct. Jesse Fallon belongs to me, but he belongs to you as well.”

She nodded.

“We have to leave. Rogues are unsafe, and as you saw, mutants are a real problem.

Hayashi, you and Tersch lead them away, then lose them in the jungle and circle back to the safe house, not the hotel. They'll be waiting for us there.”

“Right.” Gunnar waited for Kisho. “Olivia, listen to Jules. Protect your mate,” he growled, his eyes blazing.

“I will.”

“We'll see you soon.” He nodded at Kisho, and they left without a sound.

Jules bent down and hefted Jesse, who was no longer bleeding, over his shoulder. He gave her a grin that lifted her spirits. “Don't worry; we do this all the time. Our boy will be just fine after some rest. Now let's lose these assholes and stash you someplace safe.”

“Stash us someplace safe,” she corrected. “He's not ready for battle yet.” She glanced at Jesse, lying helplessly against Jules.

“Right. Don't worry, Olivia. He'll be swearing up and down at you in no time. Trust me.”

“I do.” She paused. “Or I would have ripped out your throat the minute you touched what's mine.” She blinked. “Did I just say what I think I said?” Jules chuckled. “I can see you're going to fit right in. You'll keep Fallon in line. Come on.” Fit in. Acceptance, family. Mate. Despite the extremity of the situation, all was right with the world. “Lead on, boss.”

Chapter Nine

Jesse woke to throbbing ribs and a pounding headache. He stared at a broad back and tight ass and recognized them as belonging to Jules.

“Olivia?” he croaked.

“I'm here.”

He pushed up from Jules's back and stared, amazed, at Olivia in shifted form. Dear God, she was perfect. Tall, lithe, yet packed with muscle. Her golden skin had deepened, not so much brown as tan. Her dark hair hung in thick black waves down her back. Her fangs peeked over full bloodred lips pursed in displeasure. And that body…

“Jules, he's awake and hurting. I can feel it.”

“So take some of the pain.” Jules didn't slow down.

She frowned at him, pleasing Fallon that she didn't like his leader as much as he'd feared.

Jealous bastard that he was, he wanted her affection all for himself.

Her blue-green eyes shone with energy as she absorbed some of his aches, leaving him with a hazy sense of wonder.

He smiled at her. “Nicely done, baby. Now how about a little kiss?” Her expression of joy made him hard in an instant.

“Shit, Fallon. Your cock is digging into my chest. Save it, would you?” He couldn't help it. Seeing all of Olivia in her nude, changed glory, aroused him. Her full tits were fuller, tipped with rosy nipples he intended to suck as soon as Jules put him down. Her long legs would wrap around his hips tightly while he pounded into her. So good, she'd take him as roughly as he wanted.

He couldn't wait.

“Fuck. Hold on,” Jules grumbled, no doubt smelling the heady scent of lust and mint mingling with cherries on the air. “We've been walking for hours. The safe house is another mile east, but I have a feeling you two won't make it that far. And who can blame you? A prime Circ female. Have at it, Fallon, but don't think I'm not going to watch or taste some of her when you're done.”

“I'll share. After I've had my fill,” Fallon growled, healing at a remarkable rate. Funny what lust could do for his beast, a sexual creature at heart.

The scent of cherries intensified. Olivia had picked up on his desire and mirrored it.

Jules pushed past the next tree and stopped in the small, enclosed, grassy field. He set Fallon down and sat back against a thick palm. Spreading his feet wide on the ground, he gripped himself and waited.

Olivia hesitated.

“Come, mate. It's time.” Time to claim the beast.

“I…ah…I don't know.” Her humanity had a hell of bad timing, reappearing right now.

Fallon didn't intend to allow it. Time the female knew her place. For days she'd fought him on one thing after another, striving to maintain an independence no longer possible for a Circ. As much as he respected her intelligence, the woman didn't seem to be firing on all faculties.

Circs had a pack mentality. Together, they thrived; alone, they turned rogue or worse. His beast had already claimed the woman. Now he needed her beast.

“I know. Come here.”

She frowned.

“I said come here,” he said again, his voice low, and projected his scent.

Her nostrils flared, and her eyes narrowed. Fallon glanced at Jules; he was transfixed by the byplay.

Olivia took a step, then another and another, toward him. Her nipples puckered, and the sweet perfume of her lust smacked him hard.

“Oh yeah. That's it, baby. Bring me my pussy. Open for me. I need a taste.” She lay on the ground and spread her thighs wide, giving him an intimate look at her flushed sex. Her clit was full, and he salivated at the sight.

“Tell me you need me. Tell me you want it.”

Olivia licked her lips, the hint of her fangs a clear tease. A part of him wanted to bite her, to mark her, and to feel her mark him.

“I want it,” she growled