Rise of the Alpha Read online

  That was all well and good for most female members of Clan Lockwood. But, she was the Alpha . . . well, whatever. Sure, Keith called daily, and they would talk and link and do all sorts of other things, but that didn’t replace being in the Lockwood offices, doing things face to face.

  How’re you doing?

  Kim chuckled, smiling to herself at the calm, reassuring presence of her mate in her mind. She knew he was still worried about his role within the clan, but she also knew his role in her life was vital. Mate, husband, advisor, protector . . . and now father as well. And every time he linked with her, he projected the calm, reassuring strength that she’d come to depend on.

  You know anything about textile manufacturing?

  Nope. We’re using a lot of textiles though . . . Valerie just pooped on me.

  Hah! Okay, thank you, I needed that.

  When are you going to the gym?

  I’m bringing the babies by in about twenty minutes if you’re OK?

  I’ll be good.

  The wave of love and support that came over the link didn’t need words to touch her deeply. Instead, with a fresh wave of energy, she attacked her work, plowing through as much as she could in the twenty minutes she had. Just as she sent the last email to Keith on a matter she needed his signature for, there was a knock on the door and Edward came in, his chest straining the size 6XL black t-shirt and shorts that he was wearing, his feet encased in black Nikes. Kim noticed with a chuckle that Edward had a stain on his shirt of what looked like breast milk. “Hey, guys, look who’s here. It’s Mommy!”

  The twins squirmed a little, and Kim’s heart swelled as she watched her still small babies turn their heads toward their mother and grin their toothless grins. She got out of her chair and went over to Edward, kissing him tenderly. “You know, I think that’s my second-favorite title—Mommy.”

  “I know my favorite is mate,” Edward growled lightly when their lips parted. It had been over a month and a half since they’d made love, and for Edward, who’d gone his entire life prior to mating with Kimberly a virgin, he found the forced celibacy frustrating, to say the least. “See you after the workout.”

  Kim rearranged herself on the couch, nursing her two children. As she did, she opened her mind to the link she had with Edward, letting her mind feel as he went downstairs. She thought about the feeling of his lips on hers, and as he started to loosen up, she sighed, feeling her body respond to his rising heart rate.

  “Well now, let’s see what my mate’s doing,” Kim murmured as she closed her eyes while her children nursed. She opened her link more, feeling as Edward rolled his shoulders. It was a new level of their link, where she could nearly feel him and see through his eyes as he approached the two-inch-thick, solid steel bars that he was going to use.

  Hopping up, he went down slowly, his mind focused on the lift in front of him. Kim could feel his muscles start to loosen and then flood with adrenaline and blood as he dipped down and up, lowering his body and pushing it toward the sky again.

  Kim felt as her mate continued, moving from bodyweight up to lighter weights and then heavier weights. She’d seen Edward do some superhuman feats of strength, but as she sank deeper and deeper into the link, she felt his power, his body in a way she’d never felt before.

  Kimberly felt the ache in his muscles as he crossed the line from Lycan limits to Aklark territory, and her body responded with both arousal and excitement as she felt herself doing things that she never imagined she could do. As he picked up the one-ton block of steel that was used only by Edward, she gasped as she felt his strain and effort. He wasn’t using any of his bear abilities. For him, it was always all on, all off, but she was amazed that she felt him strain and pull. His fingers dug into the steel, searching for that tentative grip, the little place where he could get the leverage he needed to maneuver the giant block. There were other pieces of equipment in the gym that were meant for him as well, thick bars of steel that wouldn’t bend no matter how much weight was placed on them, or gigantic industrial-strength levers and pulleys and other refugees from the construction yard, but in this moment, as Kim felt Edward lift the giant block, she wanted her mate more than anything she’d ever wanted in her life.

  Edward strained against the metal, off-balance and awkward, and the big block shifted. It was why he’d chosen it, because even though it was less than three thousand pounds, he might be able to lift it if he had used Weinberg regular bars. This block was off balance no matter how hard he tried to work it. His grip started to slip, but then Kim felt something over her link that left her absolutely breathless. Against the strain, against the exhaustion, Edward thought of her. In her mind, she could see the way that he felt about her, the way he saw her. It brought tears to her eyes as she saw Edward think of her and how much he wanted his mate.

  Kim shut down their link, her breath ragged as she realized how turned on she was. She looked down at her babies, who were both sleeping peacefully in her arms, and she made a decision. Setting them on the couch and wrapping them in a blanket, she left her office. In the outer office, she saw her long-time business assistant, Magnus, and pointed to her office. “Magnus, I need you to watch the kids for about half an hour or so.”

  Magnus, instead of being thrown off, simply nodded. Since Keith had transferred most of his time to Thornblood Hall, he’d stepped up immensely, taking it all in stride. Kim more than once thought it a shame that he was in a Blood Debt to the Lockwoods. He’d make a great mate to the highborn of another clan. “Of course, Lady Lockwood. Where will you be?”

  Kim growled slightly as she headed for the elevator. Magnus’s situation was the last thing on her mind at the moment. “I’ll be in the basement. In fact, call down there now and tell whoever gets on the phone to get everyone the hell out of there except for my mate.”

  Kim’s legs were quivering as she took the express elevator all the way down to the basement, her body throbbing with desire for her mate. When the elevator stopped and the doors opened, she could see three or four members of the clan leaving the gym, all of them giving knowing looks that didn’t have any condescension but rather understanding. It was part and parcel of being a Lycan, the deep sensuality that Kim had kept repressed for a very long time. She never really felt it before, even with prior lovers, until she met Edward, and as she stepped through the door of the gym and saw him standing there, his body magnificently flushed with blood and his own desire as he felt a wave of passion flow over their link, she turned and locked the door.

  With trembling fingers, she undid her blouse and let her pants fall to the floor, glad that her recent delivery had let her stay in more comfortable clothes than what she would normally wear to the office. “I need you.”

  Edward, who had a pair of three-hundred-pound dumbbells in each of his massive hands, turned, letting them drop to the ground in a crash as he felt his mate’s desire, which had been driven into the background as he focused on his workout, hammer him with a near-physical force. He stepped toward her as she stepped toward him, the two of them meeting in a powerful clash of bodies. Edward picked up Kimberly like she was nothing more than a feather as she tore at his workout tank top, carrying her to the matted stretching area before they tumbled to the ground as their lips mashed together, kissing and biting at each other with deep desire.

  Their bodies pressed together, making both of them jump at the tingling sensations caused as their bare skin connected. Kim bit her mate’s lip and pulled him down on top of her, relishing the feeling of his weight settling upon her. He was powerful and respectful, knowing he could give her all of him and she was strong enough to take it as he pinned her to the mat. It felt so good to feel his warm strength. She kissed him again, her kisses turning to breathless sighs as his lips traveled down to her neck, gently sucking the skin right above her pulse points. Her hands roamed up and down his strong back, enjoying the subtle interplay of his muscles under the skin. He was massive, and as she dug into his back, he growled more dee
ply, kissing down her body.

  “I wondered what was giving me more energy,” he said, tracing his fingers over her collarbones. “You were in my head.”

  His hand trailed down to cup her right breast, making her gasp. Even with the barest brush of his thumb, his hands felt like fire over her sensitive skin, causing her to softly whimper. Her whimpers turned into cries as he circled her nipple before pinching lightly, pulling her nipple out until she gasped, squirming in pain and pleasure, before letting it go.

  Kim moaned, grabbing his hand. “Do it again. Make me feel it again.”

  Edward shook his head, grinning ferally. “I’ve got more than my fingers.”

  Kim traced her finger over her own nipple and lifted it in offering to him. “Why don't you show me?” she teased, gasping as he took it into his mouth, sucking softly while his tongue wrapped around the hard nub, sending sparks through her body. His hands traced down her back to her hips, and she arched her back as his hand cupped her hip and caressed her ass through her panties.

  “Let me,” she said, lifting her hips and hooking the elastic of her underwear. “Sit back.”

  Edward slipped to the side, sitting up as she finished taking her panties off. In the overhead LED lights, her skin glowed softly, the curves and textures highlighted by the subtle play of the light on her naturally lightly tanned skin. She watched as Edward took her in, from the gentle swells of her calves to the bend of her knee, the contrast of her hair against the glow of her skin, and the arc of her backbone as she leaned over to pull her knees into her chest. In that look, she knew total devotion and total desire.

  “Your turn,” she said hungrily, scratching her hands down his chest, watching as the skin turned red beneath her nails. She grinned and shivered, not realizing until now how cool the gym actually was. “Hurry, I'm getting cold!”

  “Yes, milady,” Edward joked, sitting back to push his shorts down his hips, his cock slowly emerging from his shorts to poke out from the thick nest of hair around his hips. While Kim had found it sexy and fun to start trimming her own hair close, the sight of Edward’s cock jutting out from his dense black patch made her even hotter. “I don’t even need to ask.”

  “You look delicious,” Kim said as she reached out to caress his dick. Her soft, slender fingers could barely wrap around his bronzed shaft, and she thrilled at the visual contrast of their skin tones against each other. She slowly started to stroke his cock, the veins creating tantalizing ridges she could feel under her grip. Edward moaned as she reached with her other hand to cup and caress his balls, rolling them carefully between her fingers as her other hand pumped his hard shaft. “You definitely like this,” she teased, looking up at his face.

  Edward laughed and moaned as his hips started to thrust under her erotic caresses. “You need to stop, though,” he said regretfully, pulling back. “If you don't, I'm going to come much too quickly for my tastes. It’s been too long without you.”

  “I see,” Kimberly said, lying back as Edward breathed deeply, his eyes glowing with desire. “You’ve been so good, not even touching yourself. So what would you like to do?”

  Edward chuckled and kissed the tip of her nose. “I have some ideas,” he whispered, his powerful hands caressing her body again as he pulled her into another deep kiss. He shifted to the side of her, giving his hands full access to her soft skin. Both of them watched the erotic visual interplay as he traced over her curves, caressing and stroking expertly over her breasts and down her stomach, to the ridge of her hipbones. Edward broke his gaze to look into her eyes, kissing her with the same restrained strength that made her feel both helpless and protected every time with him.

  “Please,” Kim whispered as she gave in to him. That, she knew, was what made Edward so special. She was an Alpha Lycan, the product of generations that said she was never to submit, never to surrender to anyone or anything . . . except this man, her mate in mind and body. She spread her legs more, enough for him to slide his hand down to cup her warm pussy. At the first touch of his strong hand upon her soft skin, she cried out, the electricity of his caress causing her heart to flutter. “That feels so good.”

  “I want you to feel good,” Edward said, kissing her tenderly while his fingers began to stroke her lips. “I swear that I will take care of you.”

  She moaned as his fingers teased her open, stroking up and down her slit slowly, gathering her wetness upon the tips before bringing them to his nose to first inhale her scent, then taste her juices. “Nectar of the gods,” he said, as his hand reached down again, this time sliding a finger inside her wet pussy. She gasped at his finger slowly slipped inside her, stroking her tenderly, her muscles tightening around him, leaving her delirious for more.

  He began to stroke his finger in and out, driving her wild with passion as he added another finger, pumping them in and out of her soaked pussy. She could feel her breath quicken, and sweat popped out on her skin as his strokes got faster, adding a new dimension as he added a quick flutter of his fingertips as he was withdrawing, rubbing them over the ridges of her g-spot before sliding back inside her. He’d told her, the first time they mated, that he’d compensated for his supposed virginity by becoming very creative with his fingers, lips, and tongue, and during their mating, she’d been blown away by just how good he was.

  Her hips started moving on their own, pushing up to meet his fingers, desiring him deeper inside her. She could feel herself on the edge of orgasm, and her eyes locked with his. “Just a bit more,” she gasped, feeling his eyes looking deep into her soul. “I'm so close.”

  Edward smiled at her lovingly and slid his thumb over her clit as his fingers pumped, the combination sending her into a quivering, shaking orgasm, her hands tearing at his back as wave after wave crashed through her body. Her back arched again as she gasped and writhed until finally, she felt herself coming down from her climax. She sank back into the bed, finally able to look Edward in the eyes again. “You are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen,” Edward growled lightly, “and you’re all mine.”

  “I am. Edward, I’ve decided that no matter what, I won’t take a Second Mate,” Kim moaned, then she laughed softly. “But I don't think you're done yet, are you?”

  Edward laughed quietly before kissing her deeply again. “Not at all.”

  Kim pulled him to her, sliding her leg underneath him to wrap itself around his waist. “Then take what’s yours, my Lord.”

  She wiggled her hips, searching for his hardness. She could feel the tip teasing, and she groaned in frustration. She wanted him in her, now! Edward smiled and reached down, aligning himself with her entrance before pushing forward, his firm cock spreading her open so wonderfully. She hadn't felt him inside her like this in over two months. The sensations felt brand new again, and her head swam at how good it was. She mewled as he withdrew slowly, only to enter her again, just a bit deeper. He continued his short thrusts until he was all the way inside and she could feel his hips pressed against hers. She reached up and stroked his cheek, licking his face as her Lycan side gave in as well. “Mate.”

  “Love,” Edward replied as he settled in to a smooth, firm rhythm. She wrapped her arms around his back again, pulling this man, her man, into her, encouraging him with her hands to take her as much as he wanted. She squeezed her inner muscles around his hard shaft, thrilling as his hips slapped against hers with each stroke, sending sparks spiraling from her clit through her entire body. She felt as if she were reborn, each thrust of his shattering her and making her anew, driving her to higher planes of pleasure and ecstasy.

  Her voice failed her, leaving her unable to even say how she felt, and all she could do was moan her pleasure. She could hear as Edward’s breathing quickened, soft grunts of effort as he drove himself into her, each grunt highlighting the shockwaves of pleasure she was feeling. Her hands pulled harder, her fingernails starting to dig into his back as she felt another climax rising within her, even more powerful than the first. She could feel him start
to swell inside her and knew he was close as well. She wrapped her legs around his, squeezing with her pussy muscles as she pulled him deep, begging him to come inside her.

  Suddenly, Edward’s thrusts became erratic, his hips trembling as with one last strong thrust, he pushed as hard as he could inside her, the cords standing out on his neck as he came, emptying himself inside her quivering pussy. The feel of his climax was just what she needed, and she felt herself howling as she came again, her inner muscles clamped down and pulling as much of him as she could inside her, and her vision clouded over. Kim felt a moment of panic as her orgasm continued. It almost felt like she was going to die from the white-hot pleasure tearing her apart. She clutched him to herself, knowing deep inside that she would always be safe in his arms.

  Finally, she felt herself coming down again, and she could relax, enjoying the sensations as his softening cock slipped out of her, leaving her feeling empty for a moment. His head was lying between her breasts, his breath still coming in ragged inhales and exhales, his arms wrapped around her stomach as he recovered as well. She looked down and played with his hair, wrapping a lock of it around her finger before letting it go. It was so different from her own, silky soft and just about ear length. “You're so powerful,” she whispered, causing him to lift his head from her chest to look at her.

  “What did you say?” he asked. “I was listening to your heartbeat.”

  “I said you're powerful,” Kimberly said, brushing a stray lock out of her eyes. “And I also wanted to thank you. I know you’ve had concerns, and you’ve handled it so well, I don't even know where to begin. I know I don’t say it enough.”

  “You're amazing, Kim,” Edward replied, gently kissing her breast above her heart. It wasn't sexual, but rather lovingly touching, causing tears to leap to her eyes. “I only can do this because of you.”

  They lay there for a few more minutes, Kim stroking Edward’s hair as he listened to her heartbeat, closing her eyes in peace. As she smiled softly, she got a ripple of laughter over her link.