Possession of the Soul Read online

  She let Hoyt and Chax escort her inside.

  “I think I’m going to go lie down. I haven’t slept in 30 hours except for the two hours I was passed out,” she muttered and stumbled toward her bedroom.

  Chapter Eight

  The clock ticked loudly as Tabatha turned over the events of the past day in her mind. Her dreams had roused her throughout the night. Of course the dreams had been erotic in nature, because wetness seeped through her panties. Her skin was clammy, and her body burned with lust. In her dreams, Wol-itelm, had held and comforted her while she cried. Later, the dream changed, his hands stripping her clothes away. Removing each piece of clothing separately, Wol-itelm kissed and sucked every inch of her exposed skin. Now wide-awake and full of desire, she needed the new dildo she’d just bought.

  Where did I put it? Ugh. I need some kind of relief!

  Tabatha pulled a box where she’d stashed the new purchase out from underneath the bed. The toy was still in its container. She opened it and smiled at her toy. Oh, baby, come to Mama.

  She kicked the covers off, turned, and laid the box on the floor. She yanked her T-shirt off her heated body and rubbed the new toy, that she named Hoyt, over her stimulated nub. Her other hand went to her nipple and pinched it hard.

  “Yes,” she moaned, her eyes closed. She inserted the toy into her body and pictured Hoyt’s thick shaft inside of her instead. “Hoyt” she sighed.

  “I’m here, Tabatha,” he whispered in her ear.

  Her eyes flashed open to stare into his lust-filled ones.

  “Let me help you,” he said softly, his naked body sliding down hers. “I smell your honey and I’m going to feast.”

  ***

  Tabatha jerked herself wide-awake and looked around the room. “God, what a dream!” She turned and saw the clock. Seven a.m. Her T-shirt clung to her sweaty body.

  The dreams seemed so real. Wol-itelm drove her to the brink of an orgasm, and then Hoyt did the same.

  She flipped the covers back and crawled out of bed. Quiet pervaded the house. She yanked off her shirt and threw it on the floor. Tabatha grabbed her robe and opened the door. A wolf lay in her hallway. It raised its head and whined.

  “I don’t know who you are, but I’m going to hop in the shower, so beat it.”

  The wolf moved, and she entered the bathroom.

  Still heated and needing sexual relief, she grabbed the shampoo and started washing her hair. Arms wrapped around her waist and drew her back against a hard body. She jumped, and the shampoo plopped into her eyes.

  “Let me go!”

  The arms released her, and she stepped under the showerhead, rinsing off the soap. With her eyes still stinging, she turned to find Hoyt looking back at her. Water droplets slid down his naked body.

  God, what a body!

  “Do you like what you see, baby?” He whispered and tugged her soapy form against his. “I’m sorry about your cat. We’ll catch whoever killed it.” He stroked down her back to her ass and squeezed.

  “Hoyt, why are you here?” She managed to say.

  “I wanted to help you with your shower. I thought I could soap your back.”

  “Why should I let you?” She gazed up at him.

  He cupped her cheek. “You know we’re mates, Tabatha. I’ve waited all night to have you. I’m sorry about Ben. If I could have told you about him, I would have. I had orders to follow, so all I could do from a distance was to make sure you were safe.” He stroked his palm back and forth over her nipple.

  Stepping closer, she rubbed her breasts on his chest and traced his shaft with her fingers. “I had a dream about you. I don’t understand half of what is going on, but I do know I’m attracted to you, Hoyt.” She kissed his chest and then looked up at him.

  “I’ll wash you after I taste you.” He pushed her against the wall and dropped to his knees. “I’m going to feast on you, and then I’m going to shove my shaft in your pussy and screw the hell out of you. I’ve waited all night for you to wake up and I can’t wait any longer.” Hoyt moved his head in between her legs and slipped his tongue into her silky folds. He murmured his desire, the sound buzzing her flesh.

  “Hoyt…” she moaned when he added two fingers and stretched her. With his other hand, he pulled her leg up onto his shoulders and lifted her. Tabatha’s back rested on the wall, keeping her balanced.

  His tongue replaced his fingers in her pussy. Those same fingers moved up to her anus and slowly pushed in.

  She grabbed his hair and held on. She couldn’t think as he drove her higher and higher toward the precipice of pleasure. Heat surged through her body. Her toes curled, her body trembled and arched, and a climax rippled through her.

  Tabatha still shook from her orgasm as Hoyt set her on her feet and turned her around. He pulled her hips toward him and gently lowered her upper body. His shaft brushed against her cunt, teasing her, and in one long, hard stroke, he rammed into her groaning in ecstasy.

  “You feel even better than I imagined,” he gasped.

  His rough, callused hands glided up her back, moved her hair out of the way, then slid around her to cup her breasts. Pulling her up against him.

  Teeth pierced the back of her neck, and his fingers pinched her nipples. “Mine!” He growled through his teeth.

  “Ouch!” She jumped, stiffening. “What...”

  Hoyt’s cock grew larger, and her words died. His hips moved in a circle, his dick touching every spot inside her. His balls bumped against her ass as he drove in and out of her. One of his hands slid down from her breasts and palmed her clit, then his fingers tugged and massaged it until her body vibrated in ecstasy. She cried out. Matching his force with her own, Tabatha thrust back on his prick, wanting—no, needing—more, and to have him fuck her harder. Her inner walls contracted around him.

  Thank God for Melody’s late night talk sessions or Tabatha would have flipped when she felt something come out of the tip of his cock. Melody had explained that each shifter possessed similar traits of his animal. Shane’s cock would swell inside Melody, locking them in place until he had spilled his seed. And right now that was exactly what Hoyt’s cock was doing to Tabatha. It swelled, stretching her further, sending another round of spasms through her body.

  “Yesss!” She screamed as he released his seed into her.

  His groans and growls matched her pants.

  He slowly pulled out of her and turned her around. “You’re mine now.” His hand cupped her cheek. “I’ve marked you; no one will touch you.” His mouth covered hers in a fierce kiss. His tongue pushed into her mouth and took control.

  Tingles shot down her spine.

  He stepped back and smiled. “Beautiful. Now turn around so I can wash you. We have a lot to talk about.” Hoyt grabbed the washcloth and proceeded to clean every inch of her body. By the time he was done, Tabatha was ready for round two.

  “You do know you’ve turned on the heat again, right?” She twisted in his arms, her fingers brushing his cock. “I think I need a repeat performance.” She lowered to her knees and sucked the head of his cock into her mouth.

  “Tabby, we don’t have time for this right now.” Hoyt gritted out and pulled her up along his form. “I promise later you’ll get all of me. Now, get dressed.” Hoyt spun her toward the shower curtain and swatted her ass as he helped her out of the shower and turned off the water.

  “Just because I let you take me doesn’t make me yours. Maybe I wanted the sex.” Hurt he’d turned her down, she dried her body and slipped on her robe. His arms surrounded her from behind.

  “Oh, baby, you are definitely mine. Your body is made for me. You’re even trembling now from my touch, but we need to go in the living room to discuss what we do next. Otherwise, I wouldn’t let you go for the next 24 hours. I’d have you tied to the bed and fucked you every way I wanted.” He pinched her nipples, then pushed her forward, slapping her butt again. “Now, go.”

  ***

  Fifteen minutes later, Tabatha walked
into the living room.

  Melody gazed out the big bay window, then turned and smiled at her.

  “So, what do we have to discuss?” She asked, joining Melody.

  Ben moved and leaned against the wall in front of his sister. “You’re going to tell me about these two behind me. I can’t believe you’re mated to both my best friend and a demon.” He looked at them.

  Tabatha glanced up at Hoyt, who sat on a stool at the bar, his feet crossed at the ankles. He smiled.

  “For one, I’m mated to no one,” she said. “Chax and Hoyt might be mated. I don’t know anything beyond them stating I’m their mate.” Tabitha sighed and pushed her hair back. “I just wanted a night out. Then your so-called friend, Hoyt, tells me I’m his mate, too,”

  She looked passed her brother at the other two men. “It’s too much, so I came home. This is the first time I’ve been home in years. Frank has been taking care of this place until I could face coming back.” She looked over at Ben. “It’s been hard, Ben, being alone. The only ones who helped had been Melody, and Shannon, when she could.” Tabatha walked over to her friend, slipped her arm around her, and hugged her.

  “She passed out like you did when she saw me walk in behind Hoyt,” Ben stated.

  “You left us all alone. She had no one, you bastard!” Melody yelled at Ben. “Now, you come home and tell me I’m your mate, too? You’re human. Humans don’t have mates. They marry and have spouses. All of you can go jump in that lake.” She pointed to the sliding doors.

  Ben ducked his head and looked out at the lake.

  Tabatha grinned as she watched every move he made. He’s hiding something. She’d always known whenever her brother was hiding something. He could never look the person in the eyes.

  Hoyt walked up to her, his gaze never leaving hers as he spoke. “I’m sorry to interrupt, and I know you have lots of questions, Tabatha, but we don’t have time for this. I’ve called in reinforcements. They’ll be here soon. I’m going to have them set up in the cabins surrounding this house. Ben, you need to get hold of our agency contact and tell them what’s going on.” He turned away from Melody and traced his finger down Tabatha’s cheek. “I’m willing to set up camp here, but you two will listen to us. Whoever these people are, they want you dead. Do you understand?”

  Tabatha nodded and turned away from him. “Mel, I’m hungry. Why don’t we go make some breakfast? Oh, and Ben, Melody is right. Human’s can’t have mates—or have you been lying to me for years?” Tabatha waited for Ben to say something, but he just shrugged.

  Hoyt grabbed her arm and shook her. “I mean it, Tab. I’ll have your word on this.”

  Tabatha stared down at Hoyt’s hand. “Let go of my arm now. I’ve already agreed to be careful.” She narrowed her eyes and glared at him until he released her arm. She turned and propelled Melody toward the kitchen, then stopped and looked over her shoulder. “Hoyt, you may claim to be my mate, but if you ever grab me in anger like that again, I’ll cut off something very personal. I will have no man touching me when they’re mad.” She turned and strode into the kitchen behind Melody.

  Furious, Tabatha needed something to eat. Food always seemed to calm her down. Flinging open the fridge, she stared inside it. Empty.

  “Crap. We don’t have enough food for everyone. I can already see someone got into my ice cream. And now we’re going to have the pack coming. We need to hit the store.” Tabatha slammed the fridge. “I need some fresh air. I think I’ll go up to Frank’s store. Ben is lying about something, Melody. Did you see the way he wouldn’t look at you earlier? Something isn’t right.”

  She peeked out the kitchen door at the men busy discussing plans.

  “I need your help.” Tabatha grabbed the keys off the key rack and turned to Mel. “I’m going to use the four-wheeler in the garage and go to Frank’s. It’s not far. I used to walk there. I know these grounds. It should be safer on the ATV. I’m hoping they won’t notice I’m gone until I’m at the store.” A rush of pure adrenaline ran through her body while she listed the things she needed to do.

  “You can’t go by yourself. You heard them out there,” Mel whispered.

  “I know we left mine at the apartment, but Dad’s pistol is still in the garage with the bullets. I’ll take that with me and roll the four-wheeler out onto the path so they won’t hear me. I need you to act like I’m in here with you. Bang things around; talk like I’m here. They should be busy for a while. I want to go and get back quickly, before more guards come. Once more people show up, I know I won’t be able to leave without guards. Too many people will know we’re here once the pack finds out. But right now, it’s just us and the guys out there.”

  Mel nodded.

  Tabatha couldn’t believe her luck. She made it to the path and hopped on the ATV. She laughed, looking around her family’s property. Most of the leaves had already fallen, and the pine trees swayed in the wind. Few birds chirped and flew about, but it was so peaceful and just like she remembered it. Starting the ATV and taking off, Tabatha enjoyed the breeze as it blew her hair back. The wind smelled of fall and snow yet to come. Even though no one had been on the path for many years, she could still see the old markings that lay the course she needed to follow.

  Taking a deep breath, Tabatha found peace, but the quiet was disturbed by the eerie cry of wolves following on either side of her.

  The same wolf she had seen earlier by her bedroom door ran next to another bigger wolf. They howled and nipped at her.

  “Shit! How did they follow so quickly?”

  Slowing the four-wheeler to a stop, she waited. Three wolves circled her. One stayed back while the two big ones growled and stood in front of her. She watched as they shifted.

  Hoyt and Chax stood before her fully clothed. Tabatha knew Chax was the one who had clothed them. She could still imagine Hoyt’s cute butt with the mole on it. She smiled when she remembered Chax’s jealousy over the other naked men in the club and how he’d conjured clothes on the shifters who had surrounded her. Hoyt and Chax weren’t about to let her see any other nude men. Even now, Tabatha just laughed and shook her head over the incident.

  “Didn’t you just promise me you wouldn’t put yourself in danger?” Hoyt demanded, glaring at her.

  “I’m not in danger. I brought protection.” She patted the gun at her side. “And since when can demons shift into wolf form?”

  He ran his hand through his hair and frowned.

  Chax crossed his arms. “I can shift into any form I want—and quit changing the subject.”

  Tabatha pulled out her father’s pistol. “I’m the best shot around here. My father taught me, and I continued to practice even after his death. Now, if you want to come with me—fine. But I’m halfway to Frank’s now and I’m not going back. We need supplies for all the pack members coming in to stay.”

  Tabatha turned the switch, and the motor roared to life. She took off, leaving her mates stunned. Hearing them yell in the background, Tabatha smiled, but kept going. She glanced to the side where both mates now sprinted next to her. She waved and smiled.

  Just through the trees, the outline of Frank’s store came into sight. She couldn’t wait to see her old friend. Tabatha broke free of the forest and but waited for Hoyt and Chax to catch up. The small white building still looked the same except now gas pumps resided in front of the store. The old wooden OPEN sign that her brother and Frank’s son had made hung on the door. She hoped Frank still ran the store. It had been such a long time since she’d seen him.

  Hoyt jumped on the back of the ATV, his warm body pressing up against hers, and took control of it.

  “You have 20 minutes to get your shopping done,” he said. “Chax will go in with you. My truck will be here then, and I don’t want any arguments. You will ride back in the truck with us. One of the guards can ride back on the ATV.” He parked the four-wheeler in front of the store and released her to Chax.

  Tabatha walked inside. Frank was working on paperwork behi
nd the counter. Gray hair flopped over his eyes, and she knew his eyebrows would be scrunched together as they always were when he worked on anything.

  “Hey, old man, how are you doing?” She smiled, pushing away from Chax. She stepped into Frank’s outstretched arms as he came round the counter.

  He hugged her tightly and pulled back, kissing her forehead. He looked down at her from his six-foot frame. “Look at you. You’re beautiful. Boy, your father would be so proud.”

  Tabatha loved Frank’s smile. He always made her feel welcome no matter what trouble she’d gotten into as a child.

  “What are you doing out here all by yourself?” He asked.

  Tabatha reached over the counter, searching for the pretzel rods he always kept for children. She smiled and pulled out the container. “I see some things never change.” She grabbed one and stuffed the end of it into her mouth.

  “Excuse me. She’s not by herself,” Chax stated from behind her.

  Tabatha rolled her eyes at Frank. “See, I have bodyguards. I’m fine, but we need food badly.”

  “Are you okay, Tabatha? Do you need Junior to stay with ya while you’re here?” He glanced Chax’s way and nodded toward him. “I mean, if you need help, you know you can come to me, right?”

  She looked around the store and noticed a new cooler and an expansion in the back. “Wow, you’ve added a lot of things since I left.” She grinned at him. “And I’m fine, Frank. I don’t need Junior, thanks. I have a bunch of big men at the house who need to be fed.” She stepped around Chax and grabbed a grocery cart.

  “I just got a fresh shipment of meat. You want me to wrap up some steaks?” Frank asked.

  “That sounds great. I’ll need about…I don’t know. How many will be there?” Tabatha looked at Chax, who just shrugged. “Some help you are,” she grumped. “I’ll just fill the refrigerator. How about 20 porterhouses, 20 pounds of ground beef, eight whole chickens, and lots of those sausages you make! You still make them, right?”