Tuesday (The Days of the Week #2)

Epilogue

T he soft hum of the furnace and the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock created a peaceful backdrop to my paperwork. It had been a quiet Tuesday. Nothing more concerning than a twisted ankle. Outside my window, snow was gently falling.

The ground was too warm for it to stick, but I could imagine it accumulating during the night. It would be bright tonight, the full moon glinting off a thin layer of snow. I glanced at the clock and closed out of my patient records.

I had already sent Sarah home for the evening, so there was only my coat on the hooks by the door. I went through the office turning off the remaining lights, before shrugging on my coat and stepping outside. Downtown was mostly deserted, only a few businesses with their lights still on. With Christmas just three days away, many people had left to visit family.

I locked the office door and walked to my car. It had been nearly three months since I first visited Ashcroft Estate. What had once felt cold and forbidding was beginning to feel more like home than my own small house in town. I unlocked my car and climbed behind the wheel. The drive to Ashcroft Estate was peaceful, the winding road quiet and empty. I reached up to push the button on the gate opener clipped to my visor and turned into the driveway. The full moon hung bright and heavy in the clear night sky, bathing everything in an ethereal silvery glow.

Anticipation made me too jittery to appreciate the beauty of the property. My only thought was of our plans for the evening. A romantic dinner and then…

It had taken me weeks to convince William to change inside the manor. He tried to argue that the beast was still dangerous, but his objections were weak. His beast had not been feral since our mating in the underground tunnel.

Neither one of us was sure why, but something about our relationship stabilized the creature. The frequent sex in both forms did not hurt. I smiled to myself as I parked in front of the manor. Holloway was already waiting by the time I climbed out of the car.

“Dr. Blackwell,” he said, smiling faintly. “You are late for dinner.”

My smile widened. “Is William still in the dining room?” I asked, climbing the front steps.

“He is,” Holloway confirmed. “The rest of the staff have already retired for the evening.” He gestured for me to step inside.

“Will you or Mr. Ashcroft be needing anything else tonight?”

I let him take my coat and satchel. “No, thank you. Go ahead and go to bed, Holloway.”

He nodded. “Very good. Have a pleasant evening.”

I paused and glanced back over my shoulder at him, raising an eyebrow at the almost teasing tone.

“We will,” I assured him.

I walked down the dim hallway toward the small dining room. My gaze found William the moment I stepped into the room. He stood by the fireplace, already shirtless. I looked him over appreciatively.

"You're late," he said, his deep voice already growing rough.

I drifted toward him. “Have you eaten?” I glanced down at the table where a single bowl of stew waited.

“Yes,” he said, moving closer.

I paused by my chair to reach down and grab a slice of crusty bread. I could feel the weight of William’s eyes on me as I dipped it in the stew and took a bite.

“Are you still hungry?” I asked coyly.

William cocked his head, eyeing me. “Ravenous.”

I hummed thoughtfully and lifted my bowl. I slowly ate, watching him watch me. His hands flexed at his sides, as his shoulders began to rise and fall faster.

“Are you still sure about this?” he growled.

I licked my spoon before setting it and my bowl back on the table. “Yes.”

“The staff wing is on the other side of the house. They will not be able to hear you.”

I licked my lips. “I’m sure, William.”

He gave me a decisive nod. “Stand back.”

I only had time to take a couple steps before he clutched his ribs and an agonized scream ripped its way out of his throat. The change happened quickly. Dark fur sprouted all over his body, his torso lengthened, and a pair of limbs erupted from his sides.

He fell to his knees and writhed as his arms and legs broke and reformed into a new shape, and his spine rose into a ridge down his back. In less than thirty seconds, the change was complete.

The creature opened and closed his jaws and gave a full body shake. Then his eyes fastened on me. The deep growl that rumbled in his chest sounded more like a purr, as he prowled toward me.

Even with as many discussions as we had about it, seeing the creature free in the manor was jarring. I backed up slowly as the creature stalked toward me, his glowing amber eyes locked on mine. My heart pounded in anticipation, a shiver running down my spine that had nothing to do with fear. I kept moving until my back hit the dining room wall.

The creature bared his teeth in a playful snarl as he hunched close to the ground. He closed the remaining distance between us in a single bound. His large, furred body caged me in, his clawed hands braced on either side of my head. He lowered his muzzle to my neck and inhaled deeply, a rumbling growl of satisfaction vibrating through his chest.

“Yes,” I sighed, tilting my head to give him better access.

The creature's rough tongue laved at my throat. I shivered at the sensation, my hands coming up to fist the thick fur on his chest. He was so large, his muscular body radiating heat that seeped through my clothes and into my skin. His sharp teeth grazed my throat, not hard enough to break the surface but enough to send a thrill of mixed fear and arousal through me.

His second pair of clawed hands slid down the wall to grip my waist, his touch surprisingly gentle despite the deadly claws pressed against me. I could feel the barely leashed power thrumming through his massive body as he pressed me into the wall with his bulk.

With a quick jerk, he ripped my blouse open, sending buttons flying. The creature's amber eyes glowed with hunger as he took in my lace-covered breasts heaving with each breath. He let out a deep, approving rumble and nuzzled into my cleavage, taking a deep breath of my scent.

“More,” I gasped.

The creature wasted no time in tearing away my bra. He cupped my small breasts, the rough pads of his thumbs brushing over my nipples. I arched into his touch with a moan, my head falling back against the wall. A hot, wet tongue lapped at first one breast and then the other, saliva slowly dripping down my chest.

I immediately wanted more of his mouth. I reached down to unbutton my pants, but the creature growled and gently batted my hands away. He hooked his claws into the fabric and ripped, shredding the material like tissue paper. Cool air hit my heated flesh as he tossed the ruined clothes aside.

In nothing but soaked panties, I squirmed against the wall as the creature's glowing amber eyes raked over my nearly bare body. He bared his teeth and took a step back. I blinked in confusion.

“William?”

He turned his head to look at the door and then back at me.

“Oh,” I breathed.

I pushed away from the wall and took a wobbly step toward the doorway. The beast matched it. I grew steadier with each step until I paused in the doorway and looked back over my shoulder.

The beast stood with his shoulders hunched, watching my every move. Ready to pounce. My lips twitched into a smile. I tore off down the hallway.

The creature's heavy footfalls echoed behind me as I raced down the dimly lit corridor. I could hear his excited panting growing closer with each passing second. I swung around the end of the staircase railing and bolted up the steps.

I took the stairs two at a time, my heart pounding with adrenaline and anticipation. Halfway up the staircase, a large hand gripped my ankle and I dropped to one knee, catching myself with my hands. I kicked back with my other foot and felt a jolt at the ferocious growl from behind me.

The creature's grip tightened and he yanked me down a few steps. I gasped as he flipped me onto my back and loomed over me, his hot breath fanning across my bare belly. He slowly curled a hand over the waistband of my panties and jerked.

My entire body jolted as the thin fabric ripped. I pulled my knees up and kicked with both feet. The beast did not move an inch. He bared his teeth at me before snatching my ankles with his upper arms and spreading my legs wide.

I bucked my hips, but all it did was put my pussy closer to his face. His second pair of hands stroked up my thighs, his claws almost ticklish. I gasped when two thick thumbs spread my pussy and he ducked his head to taste.

My hands flew to his head, fingers curling into his fur as I frantically jerked my hips. His long, hot tongue wasted no time licking into me. Flicking and curling inside my tight heat.

I arched as he pulled back to lap at every inch of flesh between my thighs. From my throbbing clit to my twitching back entrance. I cried out, gripping him so tightly it was probably painful, but it only made him rumble louder.

His grip on my thighs tightened, holding me open as he feasted. I writhed on the stairs, moaning and begging. Reaching for the peak I could feel coming.

“Please,” I whined, thighs trembling in his unbreakable grip.

The creature growled, the vibrations making me choke on a cry. His textured tongue lapped at my clit over and over. My thighs shook as the pleasure built until every breath left me as an overwhelmed sob. My body wound tighter until the tension finally snapped.

I gasped his name, squeezing my eyes closed as my vision went white behind my eyelids. I was still coming when his tongue was suddenly gone and I sensed him over me. His cock thrust into my clenching pussy and I screamed.

Hands gripped my knees and wrists and I could do nothing but scream in pleasure, as one orgasm rolled into another. He pinned me in place as he jerked his hips wildly, chasing his pleasure with animalistic passion.

I gasped for breath, unable to think. When the creature’s mating knot began to swell, he continued thrusting. The bulge popping in and out of me with wet, filthy sounds. Leaving my thighs and ass soaked with our combined arousal.

The creature's knot continued to swell, stretching me wider with each thrust until it finally locked us together. He let out a guttural roar as he started to come, hot pulses flooding my already overstimulated pussy. The sensation pushed me over the edge, my inner muscles clamping down so hard they ached.

The beast partially collapsed on top of me, his massive body pinning me to the stairs. I panted for breath, my body still trembling with aftershocks. He nuzzled into my neck, his rough tongue lapping at my sweat-slicked skin. I stroked my fingers through the fur on the back of his neck a handful of times before my arm flopped down to my side in exhaustion.

For several minutes, I was too overwhelmed to feel anything but lingering pleasure. But eventually, I became aware of the stair that was digging into my back. I shifted. The movement made my inner muscles clench, and I felt more liquid heat spill into me as the creature rumbled in pleasure.

A muscular arm settled around my waist and another cradled my head close to his body before he rose and started up the stairs. Even with his secure grip, every step gently rocked his knot inside me. By the time we reached the top of the stairs, I was moaning and wiggling my hips. A full body shiver went through him and his cock jerked again.

“William,” I gasped, burying my face in his dense fur.

He suddenly rose onto his back legs and pressed me between his body and the wall. He held me tightly as he chased his pleasure, carrying me along with him. I came two more times before his knot finally shrank enough to slip out. A mess of saliva and our combined come flooded out of me to splash on the floor. I shuddered and went limp.

…

I woke slowly the next morning, my body pleasantly sore. Warm sunlight streamed through a gap in the heavy curtains, falling across the bed. I blinked drowsily, taking in my surroundings. We were in William's bedroom, tangled together in the massive four-poster bed.

I stretched languidly, feeling William's arm tighten around my waist. He nuzzled into my hair, inhaling deeply.

"Good morning," he rumbled, his voice still rough with sleep.

I turned in his arms to face him, smiling as I took in his sleep-softened face. He returned my smile.

"Good morning," I said, reaching up to trace my fingers along his stubbled jaw.

William caught my hand and pressed a kiss to my palm. His amber eyes were warm as they roamed over my face.

"I love you," he said softly.

I blinked in surprise. “What?”

His eyes crinkled in amusement. “I love you, Christina Blackwood,” he said before sobering. “I think I have since the moment we met.”

I stared at him.

“You don’t have to say it back,” he said gently. “I just wanted you to know—”

“Me, too,” I interrupted.

William's eyes widened, his lips parting in surprise. "You do?”

I nodded, smiling softly. "I do. I love all of you. The man and the beast."

William's eyes glittered as he cupped my face in his large hands. He leaned in and kissed me softly.

“And the beast loves you, too.”