Revolting

Michael watched her move toward the small stream that was just outside the camp, and then let his head fall back to the ground. His fingers moved to the raw spot on his neck where she had marked him, and his face spread in a smile. His body was completely relaxed and satisfied, but he jumped up to follow her. He wasn't going to let her out of his sight, not now, not ever. He brushed as much of the leaves and pine needles off from his body as he could and followed her down to the water.

She was perched on rock near the bank, perfectly balanced and graceful.. She too had pine needles stuck to her back, and some dry leaves and twigs tangled in her hair, but she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She reached between her legs with a frown and brought out her fingers slick with fresh blood.

Michael rubbed the back of his neck and came closer. "I'm sorry Hannah... I hope it didn't hurt too bad."

She rolled her eyes at him and knelt to splash water on herself. She cleaned between her legs and down her thighs, wincing at the cold water. Michael carefully untangled the forest debris from her hair, he was distracted and didn't notice her bringing a double handful of cold water to his crotch until it was too late, and his flaccid manhood was attacked by ice water and tiny freezing hands intent to wash him clean.

"Argh woman!" He caught her wrists, "you want to kill me?"

She looked up at him and smiled, her full lips curving and revealing her teeth. Her gold eyes twinkled at him. He pulled her up and fit her body against his. He breathed deeply of her scent and stroked her hair. "I love you so much Hannah." He sighed and pulled away so that he could look down at her. "We've got to go back, before someone realizes I crossed the pack boundaries."

She nodded and started walking back toward the woods. "Wait," Michael caught her wrist and brought her back up against him. He lowered his head and kissed her fiercely before he let her go. "Shift first. I don't want anyone else looking at you like this."

She flashed him another smile, this one almost sassy, before she turned and shifted almost as fast as he could snap his fingers. He watched her small wolf for a moment with deep appreciation, before he shifted himself and followed her back into Rebel Moon territory. He felt a happiness, a lightness in his chest as he chased her through the woods. For the moment, there was no one else, just two wolves, a mated pair, frolicking through the woods. No rogues, no packs, no hunters. They circled back to the cottage, and shifted just outside of the back door. Just as they were about to turn the nob, Michael heard a footfall on the path. With a growl he placed his big body in front of Hannah, shielding her naked body from whoever was approaching.

"Oh," Daisy came to an abrupt halt, her face flushing at the sight of the huge naked man. She snapped her eyes up to his face to avoid looking at anything below. She swallowed with some difficulty as she came face to face with man who was, however indirectly, responsible for the death of her husband. "I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I thought you were out. I brought these... for Hannah." She held out the stack of clothes in her hands. "They are things she left behind." Hannah pushed her way out from behind Michael, not caring in the least about her nakedness, or her friend's obvious discomfort. She approached Daisy happily. She almost seemed intent to hug her, but Daisy awkwardly thrust the clothes between them to stop her. "Uh, here!" She shoved the clothes into Hannah's arms. Hannah gathered them to her chest and gave Daisy a happy smile before she retreated back to Michael's side.

Daisy's eyes had locked on the fresh mark on Michael's shoulder. Her eyes skipped over to Hannah scanning her still perfectly intact neck. She took a deep breath and forced a smile that did not reach her pretty blue eyes. "I'm happy for you," she said softly, but sincerely. "And... thank you. For taking care of our girl."

Michael nodded solemnly, his arm curving protectively around Hannah's shoulders. He also sucked in a deep breath to fortify himself before he spoke the difficult words. "I'm sorry for what happened to your mate."

Daisy stiffened, and her hands went to her belly. She blew a curl out of her face. "I wanted to hate you, Michael Bishop. I wanted to blame you for everything. But the more I have rehashed that day over and over in my head, the more I realized... it just happened, in the heat of the moment, and the confusion." She shrugged her shoulders and turned to go. Michael and Hannah watched her until her back had disappeared back into the trees. He looked down at his little mate and felt his heart pull. If any one hurt her, even accidentally, he wouldn't forgive them so easily. He would rip the person from limb to limb and tie them up with their own intestines.

Hannah blinked at him innocently and let herself in the house. She trailed back to the pastel room and tossed the clothes she had been given on the bed. She picked through them, making excited little noises over the clothes that must have been familiar to her. She pulled a purple sundress over her head, not bothering with a bra, and smoothed it down her sides. Michael admired her for another moment before he reached for his own bag and pulled out a pair of threadbare sweats. He really needed some new clothes himself.

He hadn't pulled a t-shirt on before Hannah launched herself at him again, jumping up into his arms and wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck before she pressed her mouth against his urgently, nipping at his lips and then gently licking the bites away.

Michael groaned and carried her back toward the bed. She was squirming back out of the sun dress before he could even reach for her. He smirked at her and reached for the waistband of his sweats. Who needed clothes anyway?