Dark Wolf (Spirit Wild) - By Kate Douglas Page 0,122

far from the pack. Why now?

Besides, she wasn’t hiding. Not really.

He knew where to find her.

Another knock brought Star to her feet and her womb clenched in what she knew was probably futile anticipation.

That was the problem with living among humans. Her Chanku libido ran circles around that of the average male. Fourteen years of less than satisfactory sex was probably reason enough to call it quits and head home, but damn it all, the risk was too great.

She’d gotten her spirit guide’s promise to let her live life on her own terms while she was away at school. Of course, he probably hadn’t figured she’d make a career out of getting an education, but she knew that once she returned, he’d be right back in her life.

Taking over her life.

She’d grown up with two fathers, a concerned mother, an overprotective twin brother, and a pack full of uncles and aunties watching out for her. None of them had threatened her independence the way Igmutaka managed with nothing more than a soft suggestion, a raised eyebrow, or the turn of a phrase.

Talk about frustrating. He protected her and guarded her against harm, which also meant protecting her from life in general. He’d also managed to keep all the eligible boys away at the same time, but that wasn’t the worst part.

No, it was the fact he was absolutely beautiful, and she’d loved him. Loved him as only a young girl could love. Deeply, with all of her heart and soul. Tall and lean with smooth, bronzed skin, gorgeous green eyes, and thick, dark hair, he had an androgynous beauty that would make him look as striking if he’d been a woman, yet there was no doubting the masculinity of the man. Nope. No doubt at all.

Star practically whimpered as she drew his image close. So beautiful as a cougar, with a sinewy grace that carried over to his human form. He rarely showed himself to her as a man, yet his was the face that filled her dreams, her fantasies, and her lonely nights.

Except, he didn’t feel the same way. Igmutaka was her spirit guide, fated to protect her, not to bed her. She’d loved him without reservation from the time she could remember—first as a father figure, and then when she’d realized he was still young and sexy and she was definitely growing older and interested—as a potential mate.

He’d treated her as something fragile. Untouchable, and while she knew he wasn’t celibate, he’d certainly kept his charge—the one he called Mikaela Star—that way. She’d not lost her virginity with a man until she finally left home for college, though she still couldn’t figure out what the big deal was.

She knew other Chanku women managed to have wonderful sex with humans, though they all eventually mated with Chanku, but she’d never once found satisfaction with a human male.

Not that she didn’t keep trying, but since she’d rarely had the chance to have sex with another Chanku, and only on the rare occasions when one of the guys visited her in New Haven, she really had very little for comparison, goddess be damned.

She pushed Igmutaka and a lifetime of sexual frustration out of her mind and opened the door. Her date stood there, poised to knock a third time. He was tall and handsome, his smile as perfect as modern technology could make it.

And for the life of her, she couldn’t remember his name.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” She flashed him a bright smile as she grabbed her bag and a soft wrap. At least as ready as she’d be with a man she hardly knew, but who, at least, wasn’t her insufferable, sensual, pain-in-the-ass spirit guide.

Sunny Daye sprawled bonelessly over the long, lean body of her lover. He was gorgeous, absolutely spectacular in bed, and it just about broke her heart knowing he’d never satisfy that empty spot in her soul, the part of her crying out for a mate.

His long fingers stroked her left breast and then he playfully tapped her nipple. It tightened immediately, and she felt the touch between her legs as her womb rippled in response.

Supporting her upper body on her elbows, she raised her head and glared at him. Why in the hell couldn’t he be the one? She’d known, though. Since the very first time he’d made love to her—the night he gently took her virginity so many years ago—that as much as she loved him, she couldn’t love