by Cecilia Lane
“This is why you’re not worthy of our name. You won’t make the hard decisions. You’re weak.”
“Get out,” Jesse ordered his father. Weak? Weak was letting his demons have the run of the show at his family’s expense. Weak would be rolling over and giving an innocent woman to a murderous fuck without a fight.
He never should have let Elijah back into his life. He couldn’t keep up the act of being a decent person for very long. Something would always reveal the black hole underneath.
Give Nora to Viho? No fucking chance.
“Enough,” Ethan rumbled. He crossed to Tansey and trailed his fingers over the bites on her arm. His mate mark twisted together with the bite from Viho that changed her, Jesse knew. “We have our laws. Turning someone against their will is punishable by death. He earned his sentence with what he did to Tansey. Nora is just one more crime added to the pile. I refuse to hand anyone over to a fate involving him.”
“Then what now?” Liv asked after a beat. “Because I don’t want to see that monster get near any of us again.”
Joss pointed to the door swinging closed on his father. “Now someone needs to go tell her.”
Jesse whirled, then twisted again. The click sounded loud in the sudden silence. Final. Like the last toll at a funeral.
There was no sign of Nora.
Fuck.
Jesse’s bear roared the moment he burst through the door. The acrid scent of hurt and heartache left a clear trail to follow.
He stuffed down his fury at the monster intent on terrorizing his mate. He bit back his disappointment at fate for dealing them such a shitty hand. Nora had been knocked down over and over. He wouldn’t let her feel abandoned right when she started to find a place for herself in his life.
Jesse bolted after her.
He ignored the voices behind him, the feet stomping down the porch and into the yard. They were hurt by what had been hidden from them. He’d already dealt with the fallout of not knowing the whole story. He was certain the others would come around once they had time to think it over, but he couldn’t be bothered trying to smooth things over with them. Not when Nora ran headlong into whatever danger waited out in the open. He couldn’t leave her unprotected.
He followed her scent straight back to his den. She’d been in such a hurry that the door still hung open. His bear grumbled at that minor infraction, but Jesse kicked him to the back of his head. More pressing matters needed tending than letting the wolves waltz right through an unlocked door.
He padded through the home until he reached the bedroom. Nora stood with a shirt in one hand and jeans hanging from the other, staring at the open page in her sketchbook. Whatever she saw slumped her shoulders. Disappointment curled in the air around her and sent his bear rampaging through his mind.
Jesse leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms over his chest. “So this is it, then?” he asked. “You’re just going to leave without a word? I thought I meant more than that.”
Nora jumped and twisted around, staggering into the dresser and wincing at the corner connecting with her hip. Her wince turned into a deep frown and she bustled around him, throwing more of her things to the middle of the bed. “I need to leave. I’m just causing problems by staying here.”
She almost made it without a quiver to her words.
He opened his closet and drew out a duffel bag from the top shelf. Then he jerked his chin toward the dresser. “Hand me what’s in the top drawer.”
“What are you doing?” she stammered.
“I told you before, I go where you go. You’re leaving, so I’m packing to go with you.” If she didn’t believe his words, maybe she’d finally believe his actions.
Because fuck letting her go. That was outside the realm of possibility. No matter what was said, he knew down to his bones who she was to him. He’d follow her until his last breath.
Nora lifted her chin. “You can’t. I won’t let you.”
“Yeah?” His eyebrows climbed in a challenge. “How are you going to stop me?”
She stared at him with a blank expression, like she couldn’t comprehend his words or even begin to formulate a response. “I’m trying to keep from breaking your clan apart. You’re supposed to stay here and be happy.”
“I’ll be happy with you. So grab what’s in that top drawer.”
“Hunter is right. Jackson won’t be the only one in the picture for long. I can’t expect others to fight for me when they have families of their own to protect.”
“Of course you can. That’s what a family does. A clan. A pack. Call it whatever name you want. Helping each other is what we do.”
“Jesse...” she started and shook her head sadly. She sank to the mattress. “You heard them—”
“I also heard them defend you. They want you. Just like I do.” Jesse took a seat next to her. He picked up her hand and laced their fingers together. Immediately, warmth spread through his palm.
He wasn’t the only one to feel it. Nora inhaled sharply as a shiver worked down her spine. Her pulse kicked up a notch, the beat dancing under her skin. Even her scent seemed to come to life.
Mine.
She wanted him. Needed him. And no one was going to stand in the way of his happiness. Not his clan, not his father, not Viho. He would see her find her feet, stand on her own, and accept her shifter nature if it was the last thing he did. She was it for him. The one, the only. His mate.
“There’s a time to run and a time to fight. I think this is the perfect time to fight, but that’s up to you to decide. They’re good people. They’re just shocked. Give them a chance and they will fight for you. Just like I will.” Jesse raised her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm. “You didn’t have a family growing up. Mine was an awful experience. I want to be your family. I want you to be mine. Let’s make it right for each other.”
Then he dropped her hand.
She had to make the decision. He couldn’t make the choice for her. He wanted her to stay and make a life with him. Warm his bed. Bear his cubs. Fuck, he wanted to watch her trip over her own feet for the rest of their lives and be there to catch her before she fell.
He was all in. His cards were on the table. They both knew the stakes. Now it was her turn to make a choice.
He backed to the other side of the door, bear objecting every step of the way. The beast slashed at his insides and bellowed through his head. Jesse swallowed back his animal half and met Nora’s eyes. She had to see the truth. “It’s your choice whether we stay or go. But I’m with you every step of the way.”
Chapter 22
Nora studied herself in the mirror after Jesse closed the door. Her reflection wasn’t any help. Eyebrows drawn, eyes haunted, there wasn’t any advice to be found.
No, she was on her own.
Her inner wolf chuffed in indignation, but Nora denied the little beast a vote. The sendings she shoved through were clear enough with what she wanted, anyway. Marching right for the door and into the bear shifter’s arms.
Which did have some merit.
Nora dragged down a steadying breath. She was delaying the inevitable and needed to focus.
Jesse said she could choose to stay or to go, but it wasn’t that simple. Right?
She didn’t have just herself to worry about. Her decisions would ripple into the lives of others. Already had, in fact. She’d hidden in Bearden, which drew back Viho. She’d taken shelter with Jesse, which put his clan back in danger.
Her. No one else.
She needed to leave. Just like she’d needed to leave after Viho found her. After Jesse talked her into staying for breakfast. After days and days of feeling normal.
This time she meant it. She needed to leave. She was leaving.
Except she didn’t move.
Family fought for one another. With each other, too, she’d learned from the brawls between the males of the Black Claw clan. Then they shook off their upset, within minutes or days, and were back to old friends again, but t
hat wasn’t the point.
Or maybe it was exactly the point. She’d kept a secret from them, but it wasn’t the end of the world. She wouldn’t be banished. They would still pull through for her because they wanted her in their ranks.
She’d been given a rough start in life and followed that up with an even worse thrust into the supernatural world. She still had a chance to turn things around and pluck a little piece of happiness for herself with the one man who made her feel comfortable in her own skin.
Jesse let her be herself. He didn’t roll his eyes when she spoke too fast or said ridiculous things. He didn’t care that she tripped over herself. She loved that he was there when she needed him and backed off when she needed to figure out her own thoughts.
Nora glanced toward the door. Go or stay, he’d stick by her side. He was determined to be with her, but it was a different flavor than the obsessive need to put her under his thumb like Viho. Viho wanted to use her to ease his own hurts. Jesse wanted to lift her up and make her better.
Go or stay, he’d be there.
That was what family meant. Sticking through all the hurts and fights and making each other better.
Nora flung herself off the bed and whipped open the door, words on her lips, to find Jesse braced against the frame on the other side.
She smacked face first into his chest just like the first time they’d met. His hands landed on her shoulders and steadied her before she stumbled backward.
“I pick you,” she breathed. “I want you. I want a family. I want this clan, this surprisingly nice mud hut, this life. I don’t want to run anymore. I don’t know how to fight, either, but if that’s what needs to be done to keep you, then I’m all for it.”
Grey eyes captured hers. Nora held his gaze, let him make his inspection. He cupped her cheek, thumb pressing into her chin as he kept her focus locked on him. Jesse's other hand trailed up her fingers. Over her wrist. Up her arm and across her shoulder. Goose bumps followed in his wake.
Finally, his lips twitched into a lopsided, proud smile. “That’s your first lesson. Knowing when to make a stand.”
Her wolf yowled for his touch and when it finally came, sank into it with a satisfied growl.
His lips crashed against hers with sudden, intense need. Nora wrapped her arms around Jesse’s neck as his hands slid around her waist. He dragged her hard against him, rocking his hips just right. He swept his tongue between her lips in the resulting gasp.
Her world narrowed down to the places where their bodies came together. Shoulders. Hands. Hips. Knees. Every point was another sensation, mingling more and more desire in her veins. She wanted him. Now. Forever.
Urgency gripped them. The need to smooth over all the hurts and damage. She ran her hands over his chest; his fingers dug into her waist. He devoured her mouth, one tangling lick after another, as his hands slid upward to cup her breasts. Nora groaned when his fingers grazed her nipples, rolling them between his fingers and sending desire straight to her middle.
He backed her further into the room, his scent swirling all around her. She freaking loved the way he smelled. Strong. Manly. She couldn’t count the number of times she’d pressed her nose into his pillow or against his chest after he’d fallen asleep.
He caged her against the wall, strong arms pinning her in. She dragged her hands down his chest to the bottom of his shirt. She needed to feel more of him.
“Rip it,” he growled into her mouth.
Nora drew back, but he didn’t skip a beat. He trailed his mouth down her neck, bubbling an inferno inside her core.
“You need to know your strength,” he murmured against her skin. Another kiss, another nip, and he gave the order again. “Rip it off.”
Her hands shook as he guided them to the neck of his shirt. She fisted the fabric and tugged.
“Harder,” he urged, pulling her flush with his body again.
Every solid inch of him encouraged her. She wanted him. Naked. Now. Need percolated through her system. She yanked, his shirt coming apart under her hands.
Holy shit. That was all her.
She barely had time to register her shock before Jesse’s lips collided with her own again.
Frenzied hands roamed over his frame. In his hair. Down his naked chest. The thick outline of his cock pressed against her as she slid a hand between their bodies, rubbing and squeezing until his growl vibrated through her.
He kissed a path of destruction from her neck and over the swell of her breasts. His fingers dragged the hem of her dress higher and higher until cool air whispered against her thighs.
Gentleman. The thought flashed through her head. Hot, impatient gentleman. He ordered her to rip his shirt apart and then took his time to carefully take off her dress.
Nora’s smile against his skin turned to a moan as his fingers grazed the edges of her panties. Her body trembled the moment those thick digits swept aside the thin fabric and sank into her wet heat.
“Nora, gorgeous,” Jesse choked out. “Look at me. Want to see the wolf in your eyes.”
She threw her head back and met his gaze. His fingers stroked into her, faster. Rougher. Heat rolled out of her, battered against him, and flowed right back to her.
“Badass wolf,” he growled. “Look at that gold. Feel that power. You’ve tamed a bear, gorgeous. Made him yours completely.”
Gold swirled in the depths. Pure, liquid fire. The hungry look emboldened her. Just like the first night when he commanded her to touch him, to feel how much he wanted her, he empowered her again.
She wasn’t broken. She wasn’t a victim.
She was his.
Her release whipped through her on a dizzying explosion of pleasure. Nora throbbed around Jesse’s fingers as he still moved inside her, drawing bliss from her body until she sagged against him.
Jesse released her long enough to shove out of his jeans. Two short steps dragged her closer to the bed. He swept aside everything on the comforter, then laid back, pulling her down with him.
Nora hissed when she connected with his hard cock. He nestled right between her legs, along her cleft. One smooth roll of her hips slid her over his length, stroking him with her liquid heat.
Jesse watched her with hungry eyes. His hands on her hips guided her down. Inch by inch, she took his length. He stretched her full, groaning as she settled against him. “You need to know you have control,” he ground out.
Control? Okay. Control. Control to rock against him. To bring out the cords in his neck with every slow rise and fall.
Control over what she did with her life.
Jesse touched her everywhere. Her thighs. Her waist. He cupped her breasts and thumbed her nipples. His abs flexed and suddenly he was in her space, lips on hers with an arm behind her back to hold her close. He dragged his mouth from her lips, down her neck, over her collarbone, all while he urged her on to ride him faster.
Heat spiraled through her. Nora breathed hard with each thrust, Jesse bucking his hips to meet her. A low growl sawed out of him with a renewed urgency that wound around them both.
In a smooth twist of his hips, he flipped them over. His arm hooked under her knee and dragged it to her chest as he thrust deep inside her, filling her even more than before.
“Jesse,” she moaned, eyes rolling closed.
Nora dragged her nails down his back as his hips surged forward. Pressure built in her core, taking her cries to a higher pitch. Whimpers crawled out of her throat with each savage thrust. Her body throbbed, ached, practically begged for that final, soaring burst he promised with his body. With his eyes.
Gold watched her. Gold devoured her. Gold worshipped her.
Promises were made plain in his heated look.
Hers.
His.
They were bound together and nothing would tear them apart.
Jesse stayed deep, shallow thrusts catching her clit over and over, pushing her toward the edge. He leaned down, arms shaking. His breath was ragged in her ear. “Know
I’ll always take care of you.”
Yes.
He bucked into her harder, and she was right there. His mouth found her mate mark, tongue laving over the bite that wasn’t yet his, but needed to be. Should have been. Already was.
Nora turned her face to his shoulder. Pressure built in her middle and in her gums. More. She needed more.
She needed to seal herself to Jesse for the rest of her life.
“Mine,” she growled and bit him.
Her release barreled through her at the taste of him on her tongue.
Her mate. Her chosen mate.
Jesse roared against her skin, finding his own throbbing release as he pierced her over her old mark. She arched against him, another orgasm ripping through her, pleasure stretching on and on as they fell apart in each other's arms.
Chapter 23
Nora stretched her arms and legs as far as they’d go before curling back against her mate.
Mate. The word brought a howl from her wolf and a flush of warmth to her face. What they’d done didn’t quite feel real, but at the same time felt like the most perfect and natural thing in the entire world.
There needed to be some acknowledgment. Discussion. Deep and thought-provoking mulling of the details they'd need to deal with in the coming hours, days, weeks. Living arrangements and moving her things. Figuring out schedules and protecting against their enemies.
Her nose twitched. “What’s that smell?” she asked.
Jesse, leaning on his elbow, smiled down at her. He trailed his fingers up her thigh, then her arm. “I forget sometimes you don’t have much experience with this.”
Nora scrunched her nose under the finger poking it. “Because I’m such an example of grace and strength.”
“One, maybe. Not the other.”
She yelped and shoved an elbow into his side. “You’re not supposed to agree with that!”
He chuckled and bent his head down to lave his tongue over her fresh mate mark. The touch arced desire straight to her core and she cut off all protest with a groan.
“Those smoky, woody notes?” he asked with another kiss. “That’s a fire. Big or nearby, if we can smell it here. If you listen closely, you can hear the muffled voices of the others. No yelling, which means whatever is burning isn’t out of control. They’ve probably started a bonfire.”
