Jaded Hearts
Chapter 23

Taylor

Drew really was a maniac. It’s not like I didn’t know before, with all the s**t he had put me through, but I never thought he’d risk so many people’s lives by setting my apartment on fire. It made my decision to become a wolf so much more justified. I couldn’t be weak anymore. Not with him out there.

But why was he still after me? If he really was gay, there was nothing I could do to satisfy him sexually. Maybe he just wanted someone he could manipulate in public, then have his real fun behind closed doors. When we were together, he could so easily control me. He was so good at it, and I wouldn’t even know it was happening.

Maybe he misses that semblance of power he had back then and wants it back. That’s the only thing that makes any sense.

“Are you alright, love? I can see you’re thinking super hard right now,” Matt said while leaning over my bed and wiping my face.

“I’m alright, all things considered. How much longer until the transformation is over?” It had been about four hours since the first seizure, and I’ve had three more since. My head felt like it was going to explode, my throat was raw from all of the vomiting, and my entire body itched like I’d been rolling around in poison ivy.

I just wanted it to be over. Even though I knew this was something I had to do, I was still miserable.

“Just a little longer. I spoke to the doctor, and she feels that the headaches are your wolf trying to communicate. Neither of you knows how to speak to each other yet, so there’s a block between you. You need to try and focus on replaceing your wolf, tesoro. You can’t fully transform until you do.”

“How can I replace something if I don’t know where it is or what it looks like?”

“You’re not replaceing something; you’re replaceing someone. Your wolf is an entirely different being, sharing your body and mind with you. She will have her own personality and spirit, and she’ll become your confidant and best friend. You’ve just got to make that connection with her first.”

“Okay, sounds easy enough. So how do I do that?”

He smiled and kissed my nose. “I have no idea. I was born a wolf, so the connection was already forming well before I first heard Logan speak. But just know that she’s trying to connect with you. That’s why your head’s hurting so much. She’s doing her part. You just need to do yours.”

I let out a deep breath and shut my eyes. “Alright, wolfy girl. Let’s see if we can’t figure this thing out.”

I heard Matt chuckle beside me, and when I opened one eye and shot him the dirtiest look I could muster, he quickly went quiet again. Matt said we share the same body and mind … I wonder if her spirit matched mine as well. I was once weak and beaten down, but now I’m so much stronger. I’m a fierce protector in what I believe in; I won’t sit quietly by anymore.

Maybe my wolfy girl is like that too.

Ariel …

I jumped straight up on the bed. “What the f**k was that?!”

“Tesoro, what’s wrong? What happened?”

“I just heard something in my head. Like someone was talking, but I didn’t hear it through my ears. But I heard it! Wait, that doesn’t make any sense, just let me—”

“Calm down. It makes perfect sense. What did the voice say? What were you thinking when you heard it?”

“Ariel? I was thinking about if it’s possible for Wolfy Girl—”

My name is Ariel.

“Ahhhh, s**t! There it is again. Do you hear that? Why don’t you hear that!?” By this point, I had jumped from the bed and crawled into Matt’s lap.

“Taylor, calm down. I don’t hear it because it’s not for me to hear. That’s your wolf, baby. You said her name was Ariel?”

“That’s what’s the voice said, but I could be losing my god damn mind at this point for all I know.”

“Close your eyes and try to connect with her again. Use her name; it will help.”

“God, this is some crazy s**t. Never a dull moment with you.” I didn’t leave Matt’s lap, just closed my eyes and tried to focus. His touch helped me calm down enough to try and connect with her again.

Ariel? Is that your name, wolfy girl?

Yes! I am Ariel. What’s with the “wolfy girl” nonsense? You could have done so much better than that. I’m so disappointed.

I opened my eyes and looked at Matt. “She has an attitude. My wolf has an attitude. Seriously?”

“She’s your wolf, baby. You guys are going to share some similarities.”

“Watch yourself, Mr. Stone.” I rolled my eyes, then shut them again and rested my head against Matt’s chest.

So, Ariel. How does all this work? Are you mates with Matt too? Do I have to share him? When can I see what you look like?

Technically, I’m mates with Logan. But since they’re one and the same, as we are, I guess we’ll have to learn to share. And you’ll see me when you have your first shift. I don’t know what I look like either, so it’ll be interesting for us both.

Do you already know all about me and the pack? Drew?

I do. I share your memories just like they’re my own. I’m fully aware of everything.

Good. I’m glad to have someone to help me figure all this mess out. It’s a lot.

I can see that. I’m going to rest now, Taylor. I’ve been trying for hours to get through to you, and I’m exhausted. But I’m happy we’ve finally connected, though.

So am I, wolfy girl.

Ugh!

I opened my eyes and smiled up at Matt.

“How did it go? Are you feeling better?”

“It was good. She seems cool. I can’t wait to see what she looks like. And my head is so much better. The itching and nausea are still there, but we’re taking baby steps. I’ll take what I can get.”

“Logan’s very excited to meet her too. On your first shift, I doubt I’ll be able to control him, so you and Ariel should be prepared.”

“I can handle Logan, and we’ll just have to see if he can handle Ariel.”

* * *

A couple of hours later, Dr. Bennett came back and took another look at me.

“Any more seizures or vomiting since we last spoke, Ms. Taylor?”

“No. I’m still a little nauseous, but I’ve been able to keep water down for the past hour or so. Still a little itchy as well.”

“Sorry to say, but the itching is going to continue until you shift. It’s not going to be so bad that you want to dig your skin out, but you’ve got a full wolf growing beneath the surface. There’s bound to be a side effect or two. The nausea should be over by the end of the day. You’ve done really well—incredible, actually. The seizures are the most dangerous part of the transition due to the possibility of lack of oxygen to the brain, which can cause brain damage. Usually, they’re spread over the course of twenty-four hours, but you had four of them in five hours. That’s an extreme amount of stress to place on your body, but you came through beautifully.”

“So the hard part is over? Please say it is.”

“For the most part, yes. Your wolf has fully formed, so the seizures will stop. And since you’ve been able to keep down liquids, you can actually go back to your room if you’d like. Just take it easy for now.”

“When will I shift?”

“That’s totally up to you, although I would suggest you give yourself a day to two to recuperate before you do. The first shift is horribly painful for every wolf, not just the transitioners. You’ll want your strength to be at its best when you do it.”

Matt had stepped out to take a call, so I took the opportunity to ask what I really wanted to know. I waved my hand for her to come closer and whispered, “So, if my wolf has formed, does that mean I can mark Matt now?”

She smiled and nodded her head. “It does. And you don’t have to wait for your first shift. Mark him whenever you’re ready.”

Matt walked into the room and smiled at the two of us. “Is she alright, Doc?”

“She’s perfect, Gamma. She’s free to leave whenever you two are ready.” Dr. Bennett unhooked the remaining monitors and tubes, then left the room.

I just stared at Matt’s insanely gorgeous face. “Okay, so since I’m a wolf now, your curse is probably working it’s magic because right now, you are the sexiest thing I have ever laid my eyes on. And why do you smell so good?”

“So, I wasn’t sexy before?” He gave a fake pout that made me smile.

“Yes, you’ve always been sexy. But seeing you now is like seeing you in HD. You’re perfect.” He really was. He had eyes that were the brightest blue I had ever seen, perfectly straight white teeth, and flawless tan skin. I wanted to sink my teeth into him right then and there.

“It’s the mate bond. That’s why I look so appealing and smell so good. What do I smell like to you? You smell like vanilla and cinnamon to me.”

I pulled him towards me and buried my face in his neck. Oh, god! This must be what heaven smells like! “It’s like the cleanest, freshest air, mixed with the smell of the outdoors right after a spring rain. I don’t know why, but you smell like home.”

He pulled back and held my face. “I am your home, tesoro. And you are mine.”

I pushed him into the chair by my bed and straddled his lap. “Thank you so much for doing this for us, Matt. I know it was hard, and you were scared, but you did it anyway. I’m really happy you did.”

“I couldn’t deny you anything, especially something that would make you happy and complete.”

He wrapped his arms behind me and began to slowly scrape his fingers up and down my back. It felt amazing, especially with the dull itch that was still just beneath the surface. Without thinking, a small growl bubbled up from my chest and past my lips.

Matt’s eyebrows shot up, and he laughed. “Awwww, your first growl. It was so small and cute.”

I growled again, this time it was louder and more powerful. I then pulled his face to mine and attacked his mouth. My tongue quickly found its way into his mouth, where it twisted and tangled with his.

Matt’s arms wrapped tightly around my waist in an effort to gain the upper hand in the k**s, but I wasn’t giving it up that easily. I ground my h**s into his bulge, making him g***n into my mouth. When I pulled back and grabbed on to the back of his head, I could see the shock in his eyes, hidden right beneath the l**t.

I was in control now.

I pulled his head back and licked my way up his neck. Even his skin tasted better to me now. “You are mine!”

He bit his l*p and smiled at me. “I’m all yours, baby.”

I pulled off the gown I had on, and luckily, I was completely naked underneath. I wanted his hands on my body with nothing blocking the way.

“How did I get so lucky? You are so beautiful, Taylor.” Matt leaned forward and placed a gentle k**s over my rapidly beating heart. It set me on fire. I stood up and pulled him to his feet. I needed all of his clothes off immediately. I had him naked in record time, and damn if he wasn’t even more heavenly now that I’d gone through the change.

“Mine.”

I pushed him down again and slowly lowered myself, feeling every inch of him as he filled me up. Matt took a firm grip on my h**s and helped me ride him in smooth, fluid movements. My body took on a mind of its own, and I felt the change from the effortless up and down rhythm to a more animalistic twisting and grinding of my lower half.

Every flick of my h*p had his d**k bumping or rubbing against every pleasure sensor inside me, making my eyes roll back in my head.

“Open your eyes and look at me, baby.”

I did, and I had expected to see the black and green orbs of Logan, but this was all Matt. I placed my forehead against his and continued to ride him as fast and deep as I could. Every breath he took caused his wide chest to swell and rub against my n*****s, setting off small sparks on those sensitive little buds.

Eventually, his h**s began to thrust upwards to meet mine, and the room filled with the sound of flesh slapping together, hard and rough. My lotus was dripping for this man as he rammed into me with reckless abandon. I felt my muscles clench down tight on Matt’s d**k, causing that deep sexy growl I loved so much to burst forward.

I was getting close, so I quickened my pace.

Looking at the l**t and love that covered his features brought out my possessive side. This man was mine, no one else’s. “Mine!”

I then dropped my head to his neck and sunk my teeth down into his skin. The moment my canines penetrated his flesh, Matt screamed out a roar and yanked my h**s forward, and he began pumping his seed deep inside me.

It was like a fire hose had gone off; I had never experienced such a strong and forceful climax from him. His nails dug in, and before I could register it, his canines were out and buried into my neck too. My h**s never stopped moving as monumental pleasure gushed from every cell in my body.

My vision blurred, and all I saw was bursts of white. A low, delicious burn radiated out from my neck, simultaneously hitting me with pleasure and pain. It was intense, beautiful, and absolutely fulfilling.

Matt’s thrusts slowly began to slow beneath me, and I felt his teeth retract before his tongue swept over my mark. I did the same and licked his neck clean before I went limp on his shoulder. He chuckled deep and low, then kissed my neck, making me shiver.

“I can’t believe you marked me first.”

“I had no choice. You’re too delicious to be walking around here unclaimed. You are mine, and all the ‘Shelly’s’ of the world needed to know.”

He lifted my head and brushed my hair back from my face.

Now they know. I’m forever yours.

Oh my god! I can hear you!

And I hear you, tesoro. And soon you’ll hear everyone else as well. Welcome to the Blue Moon pack, my queen