Hunter's Heart (Alpha Pack #4)(80)

And then get on with claiming his new bride. His wolf growled in agreement.

Soon he was kissing the bride, and didn't release her until the audience starting hooting and catcalling, making a good-natured fuss.

"Come on, man," Aric shouted. "There's beer waiting!"

Everyone laughed. Ryon reluctantly stepped back from his mate. The local preacher, a friend of Sheriff Deveraux's, announced them as husband and wife. They turned to face the crowd, and everyone cheered.

Through all the usual wedding stuff, Ryon endured his friends' backslaps and raw jokes about the wedding night. They took loads of pictures, ate lots of food.

Zan walked over, holding a beer. The man had gotten back from his vacation to learn he'd missed a major op, and hadn't been thrilled. But he was still learning to compensate for the loss of his hearing. He could read lips pretty well, and his speech was okay, if a little odd. The biggest issue was how he'd do once placed back in the field. They just didn't know yet.

The Healer stopped and hugged Ryon. "Congrats!"

Ryon made sure his old friend could see his mouth. "Thanks. Having fun?"

"You bet." He waved his bottle at their resident Fae prince. "Good thing Blue can glamour his appearance, or that might give the preacher a shock."

"It would be entertaining, for sure."

"Yeah. But the last thing we need is more publicity. People might find out what we really do here."

That's what they were all secretly afraid of. If the world knew that paranormal creatures existed-not to mention that the government had allegedly experimented on humans and shifters-the fallout would be huge.

His friend grimaced. "Sorry. This is your party, so no heavy stuff. Right?"

"Right."

"I'm gonna go get another beer. Congrats again, man."

"Thanks."

Just as Zan ambled off, Ryon caught sight of Micah standing alone at the corner of the building. He was sure he glimpsed a prescription bottle in the man's hand as he tucked it into his coat pocket. Then the younger man definitely popped something into his mouth and washed it down with his wine.

"I'm worried about him, too," Daria whispered into his ear.

He kept his voice low. "He's addicted, isn't he?"

"I'm not sure, but I hope not. He's taking a lot of pills."

Ryon's heart sank. His mate, however, was having none of it.

"Hey." She stood in front of him. "This is our day. Tomorrow, we'll see about our friends. We'll go to Nick if you want."

"Okay. He might not know, and he'll be able to help us watch Micah. We should tell Rowan and Aric as well. His sister wouldn't appreciate being kept out of the loop."

"I agree." Slipping her fingers into the vee of his dress shirt, she toyed with his chest. He hadn't worn a tie, and now he was damned glad. "Let's do the cake, then go for the icing-in our quarters."

"Lady, I love how your dirty mind works."

They called everyone over, tossed the garter to the guys, the bride's bouquet to the girls. Then they cut the cake and shoved their pieces into each other's faces, giggling. They stayed just long enough to get all their guests served, and then ducked out. Jogging toward their room, Ryon grew more and more excited.

"I didn't tell my dad good-bye," she said suddenly.

"He'll still be here tomorrow. And do me a favor-do not say the word dad again once we get to our room, or you'll wilt a perfectly nice erection."

"I doubt anything short of nuclear war could do that."

"Why risk it?"

Inside, Ryon left a trail of clothing-shoes, jacket, pants, shirt. When they reached their bedroom, he stood only in his socks and underwear. His mate laughed and his eyes narrowed.

"What?" she asked innocently. "You look cute."

"I'll show you cute." He stripped off his briefs and his c**k slapped his stomach.

Stalking her, he turned her around and went to work on the tiny zipper at the back of her dress. It was tasteful, a slim lovely column that accented her body like a glove. And he wanted it off, now.

Once she was naked, he led her to the bed, striving not to jump her like the starving wolf he was. He wanted to be gentle, but there was a greater fire tonight. A passion that wouldn't be denied. He wanted to take charge. The answering heat in her eyes said she wanted it, too.

Pulling her onto the bed, he grasped both wrists in one hand and pulled them over her head, pinning them to the covers. He loved that position, the way it made her look vulnerable to be taken by him. At his mercy. The way it exposed her br**sts to him, ripe and waiting to be sucked.

"I'm going to suck and lick every inch of you," he asserted. "Then I'm going to slide my c**k into you and f**k your sweet pu**y until you scream."

"Talk is cheap."

Giving her a feral grin, he proceeded to do as he'd warned. Bending, he sucked her pretty ni**les-one, then the other, nibbling them until they stood proud and tight. She squirmed, and he liked that.

"Don't move your hands."

Leaving her arms over her head, he moved lower. Licked a path down her flat tummy, to her thatch. Then lower, he mouthed the lips of her sex, chuckling when she spread her legs wider to give him better access.