by K J Carr
“Holden, Edward did one thing right. He gave you something that proved you are fertile and that you can attract other lycanthropes. Even though, I could have told you that, years ago. My wolf stood up inside me and wanted to make you ours back then. He thought you were our mate, but the human me needed to wait, to make sure. And then the war came, the explosion happened, and you got married because you thought I was dead.”
My thumb rubbed a soft circle on her palm, as I continued.
“There are no studies that explain you. We have found no one like you, that we know of. Except, perhaps, one of your parents. Given what you said about your father, the hybrid would have been your mother. Your parents conceived you. And you…”
I lifted her hand and placed a gentle kiss on her palm.
“You might have pups. You might not. But to tell you the truth, I don’t care. I have my nieces and my nephew. I want you, not your ability to breed. If we have pups, great. But I want you, Holden. I want to mate with you.”
Her eyes shone with tears, but her voice didn’t shake.
“How does one mate?”
I stood, rushing back into the kitchen to turn the oven down to warm and unplugging the kettle, before returning to her. Pulling her hand towards me, I lifted her so she stood up against my body. We moved through the living room and entered the bedroom, standing beside the bed. Dropping her hand, I cradled her face in my large hands and stared down at her.
“It entails making love with you, Holden. I have been looking forward to this moment for so very long. It means giving you everything that I am – the wolf, the man, the Beta and the Alpha parts of me. There is a lot of pleasure and a little of pain, because every relationship has these facets. But then the pleasure comes back ten fold.”
She looked up at me, her eyes wide. I lowered my head slowly, holding her face. I wanted to give her time to move, to put a stop to this if she wanted to. But if she didn’t, I would make her mine.
Mine! My wolf howled inside my head.
Yours. A soft voice whispered in response.
And then my lips touched hers.
Holden
Having Shane kiss me was like nothing I have ever experienced. Thomas was a good kisser, except there had been something missing. Something I never knew I searched for. I thought the thing missing was my fault. But with Shane, I found that it wasn’t me; it had been us. What had been missing was Shane.
Home.
He tasted like home. He felt like home, as I slid my hands around him, sliding them under his T-shirt and up his back, feeling the hard muscles there.
It didn’t matter that this man was not human. That he turned into a big, bad, furry wolf. All that mattered is that this was my friend, someone I could talk to, the one I had thought I had lost because of a stupid war.
I wanted to climb up him and wrap my limbs around him, holding him to me forever so he could never leave me again.
His lips left mine and moved down my neck, leaving a trail of kisses, before stopping at my shoulder. He took in a breath, his large body shuddering, before he returned to my mouth, his lips moving over my own. I opened my mouth, and he grabbed my bottom lip with his teeth before releasing it. One large hand slipped down to my ass, massaging the muscle there. My stomach quivered in anticipation.
I grew desperate to feel him, all of him. Pulling his shirt up, I grunted. He laughed, raising his arms up so I could push it up as high as I could. Shane was a large man and I couldn’t get it over his head. He laughed again and helped me, throwing the shirt into a corner before wrapping me in his arms again.
His skin smelled wonderful – warm and musky, like pine trees and fur. I rubbed my cheek on his chest, the light hairs tickling my chin. I heard his heart speed up, a growl building inside his chest. I smiled, sticking out my tongue to lick at a nipple.
Shane shivered and then groaned. One big hand came up to hold my head against him. I smiled again, knowing what he wanted. I latched onto the nipple and sucked, my teeth holding the small bud between them before releasing and sucking again.
He pulled on my hair, tilting my head back until his nipple came out of my mouth with a slight pop. He took my mouth, as if he was searching for something that he needed to find. I opened to him, my fingers digging into his back muscles. His kiss softened and his hands moved to remove my shirt before his mouth moved down to lick that area where my neck met my shoulder.
Now it was my turn to shudder.
He looked up at me and his smile was seductive.
“Mine.”
The word hung in the air as we delved into each other, learning what it meant to be soul-bound. Mated.
Chapter 21
Holden
I stretched, feeling deliciously sore in all the right places. Muscles that hadn’t had a workout in a while complained as I moved. I enjoyed making love with Thomas but making love to Shane had broken me apart and put me back together again as a new person.
Flinging my arms wide, I smiled and then frowned. I turned my head, noticing the indentation in the pillow next to me. Felt the slight coolness of the sheets.
Where had he gone?
I sat up and reached out with my mind. He was in the living room. Huh, this bond stuff made finding him easy. Smiling, I swung my legs out of bed and stood, wincing when I rolled my shoulders. Walking into the bathroom, I looked at my left shoulder.
A bite mark. The mating bite mark.
I studied it, noticing the canine teeth that no human would have. I wondered if it would heal or if it would stay red, just like this. Something inside me wanted it to stay. I wanted to show everyone, in particular any bitch who might have thoughts about encroaching upon my beautiful man.
I shook my head, smiling. This was so not me. I wondered if this was part of my lycanthrope DNA bubbling up. I would have to ask Max.
I took a quick shower and dressed, walking out into the living room barefooted, braiding my wet hair. Shane was there, as was Max. Baron and a familiar looking woman stood next to the doctor.
“Holden.” Shane’s voice caressed my ears, the echo of love coming through his bond with me.
I sauntered up to him, tying off my braid. He put an arm around me, pulling me in tight. I tilted my head back to meet his kiss, my heart thrilling. Shane didn’t just give me a quick peck, though. He kissed me passionately, leaving me panting.
As I turned to look at our guests, my cheeks pink with embarrassment, I caught Max’s eye-roll. He followed it with a smile of delight.
“Holden, I know you’ve met the Alpha, Baron, before. This here is his mate, Miranda. Miranda is Tessa’s sister. Tessa was the wolf in the cage next to Mercer’s.”
I turned and studied the pair. Baron was smiling at me, but his mate’s smile was a little more strained.
“I see congratulations are in store, Shane.” The Alpha chuckled, delight filling his voice.
I put a hand over the mark, my face turning a bright red. Shane just laughed, pulling me in tighter.
“Thank you. Holden is the mate I have always wanted.” He smiled down at me, his love clear. My embarrassment disappeared in that moment.
I smiled up at him and then watched the other woman. Miranda didn’t look happy, but I couldn’t figure out why. She already had a mate. Could lycanthropes desire someone who wasn’t their own mate? That was not a typical wolf feature.
Max, ever observant, sighed. “Sorry, Holden. Miranda’s sister – Tessa – had been the wolf that had jumped the fence to attack the pups. She also helped Edward with his plan to capture you.”
Ah! The woman in the cage!
“But he turned on her, didn’t he? He caged her. What happened to her? Come to think about it, what happened to Mercer as well?” Fellow victims of Edward should unite… well, at least talk together.
Baron fidgeted, which I thought was unusual for the Alpha wolf to do. Shane turned away, as if he didn’t notice, and led us towards the sitting area, tucking me into the corner of a couch, before sitting
right next to me. I glanced at him curious, wondering why he was protecting me from his friends like this.
Max laughed. “Holden, your face!” He laughed even harder, while everyone turned to look at me. I went bright red once again and stared at the floor.
“I don’t know what is so funny.” The sullen words slipped out.
Max gasped out a few more laughs before wiping his eyes. “Shane will protect you from everyone, friend or foe. He is very territorial. Mated males are.”
Baron chuckled, sitting in a chair and pulling Miranda down on his lap. “He is an Alpha, in his own right. I suspect he will want to start his own Pack, now that he has you. He always could.”
Miranda gasped. “Shane is an Alpha? Why would he be…”
Baron looked up at his mate, his hand brushing her cheek.
“Why would he be my Beta, my love? Because of the war. It broke him, even though he could have taken over the Pack then. He has been acting as Alpha, even more so since Holden has come back into his life.” He shrugged and then looked towards Shane. “Don’t think I didn’t notice you can command most of the Pack. That you were working the Pack communication bonds during this last mission, since you would use any resource to rescue Holden.”
Shane rubbed his mouth, his expression sheepish. “I didn’t want to undermine your authority, Baron, but I have more strategic experience than you. Everyone responded without even thinking about it, so I took advantage. I’m sorry.”
Baron chuckled. “Yet you are not. Because by doing so, you now have Holden, not only next to your side, but bonded to you.”
Shane just shrugged, a gleam in his eyes.
Max sighed, turning to me.
“To get back to the matter at hand, we released Mercer. He was a lone wolf before and wants to be again. What that means is that he doesn’t want to have allegiance to any Pack. Tessa escaped in the confusion, as did Edward, but we don’t think they are together.” The doctor glanced at Miranda before looking back. “I suspect that Tessa is somewhere nearby, licking her wounds. She is a spoiled wolf, not understanding that she just can’t get everything she wants with a flick of her fingers.”
A soft whine filled the air.
Everyone turned to Miranda, who was looking down at her hands clasped in her lap.
“I am so sorry. I felt so bad when our parents died that I tried to make life easier for her. I guess I didn’t help her understand how things worked.”
“You think?” Baron’s voice was wry.
Miranda deflated. “Our parents weren’t part of a Pack, Baron. They were…... a pair of lone wolves that had gotten together to have pups. Tessa and me. We all kept to ourselves and they spoiled us rotten. When I had met and mated with you, my parents had been so angry with me. They had tried to stop all of my communication with my sister, but we somehow got notes to one another. When Tessa had shown up, telling me that our parents had died, I knew I had to take care of her. I had left her with them, and then she had no one else to turn to.”
Baron shook his head, slow at first and then with a little more emphasis as she finished.
“She lied to you, Mira. She has always bent the truth to her own advantage. For one, your parents are still alive, living in the same cabin you grew up in. Tessa just left and followed you, afraid you were getting something she didn’t have. When she found us mated, with me being an Alpha of a large Pack, she tried to seduce me, not realizing what a mate bond was and that I couldn’t look at anyone but you. That is when I had her investigated. And found out she had lied to you about your parents.”
Miranda’s eyes widened, her gaze intent on her mate. “You never told me.”
“No, I couldn’t. I tried, many times, but somehow I knew it would have destroyed something inside of you and I couldn’t be the one to hurt you.” He frowned. “Shane told me I needed to tell you, that this would turn out bad otherwise, and it did. But I had always hoped that Tessa would just fess up. She just doesn’t know how to be a part of a Pack. She understands nothing about being a lycanthrope, even if she has always been one of us. Your parents did her no service. I don’t know how you accepted the concept of Pack and all that it means, but she just hasn’t been able to adjust.”
Max interrupted. “I suspect that a lot of it is the mate bond you have with Miranda. Information flows through it you don’t even realize you are getting. Miranda learned a lot from you, but remember when she first arrived, she had made some large snafus.”
Baron nodded; his face pensive. “You are right. No one wanted to mate with Tessa, even if she is a fine-looking wolf. She is, by nature, self-centered and mean, while you have a good, sweet soul.”
Tears filled Miranda’s eyes. “I am sorry that she caused so much disruption to the Pack.”
Baron lifted her chin with one large hand. “No matter, love. We were dealing with it. Until now. Now she has gone too far and, I don’t want to keep her in the Pack. At the very least, though, the Pack demands punishment.”
Max looked at us all. “Or we could send her off with Mercer. He can’t stand being in a Pack, at this point. Add to that, Edward isolated him for a very long time. He would chafe at Pack bonds. He is, though, interested in Tessa, since she is having trouble being in a Pack. He told me so when I was checking him over. He is strong enough to handle her, I think. I say, let her go off with him. He can always return with her later or take her back to her parents if things don’t work out.”
Shane nodded. “That would be a good solution, at least in the interim. I just think we need to make sure he knows who she is.”
“He knows.” Max’s tone showed his determination. “I made sure he knew what he was signing up for. He seemed…... eager to take on such a task. I think being out of the military is boring for him.”
“Huh.” Baron’s thoughtful tone rumbled. “Well, I approve. Miranda, tell Max where Tessa is, since I know you hid her to keep her away from us.”
Miranda blushed, even though there was no reproach in her mate’s voice. “She is at the North cabin.”
Max took out his phone and sent the information to someone. I suspected Mercer was the one getting this information.
Baron turned to Shane and smiled. “Well, now that we took care of Mercer and Tessa, let’s talk about you. Are you leaving to start your own Pack? And how many of mine are you taking with you?”
Shane chuckled, rubbing one of his hands over my knee.
“Are you pushing me out, Baron?”
Baron gave him a look. “Seriously, Shane. You should have left ages ago. You are an Alpha and have only remained with my Pack because of some convoluted sense of loyalty to me. So yes, if I must, I am kicking you out. I also realized a while back that I would have to give up some of my Pack, since they were your people. Miranda and I will move up north, leaving this southern area for you, since this is where Holden is most comfortable.”
“Me?” That came out as a squeak.
Baron turned his dark eyes to me. “Yes, you, Holden. You are going through so many changes and new experiences right now. Learning you have lycanthrope DNA. Heck, learning lycanthropes even exist. Then you mated with an Alpha wolf who will start his own Pack. That means not only learning what it means to be a wolf but also what it means to be the Pack’s Alpha female.”
“I can help with that,” Miranda interjected.
Baron glanced between the two women, noticing the discomfort I had around his mate. Ignoring that, he continued. “You also haven’t shifted. We don’t know if you even can. That may or may not cause issues with your Pack.” He ignored the soft growl that came from Shane at that statement. “Having to leave a familiar place to start up somewhere new would be a lot for anyone to handle. I suspect you can do your research work from here, even though, that may be sort-of weird.”
I frowned at Baron, thinking. What was so weird about my job? A wolf biologist? Oh!
I started chuckling and soon was laughing so hard tears came out of my eyes. Baron grinned at me. It to
ok a few more minutes before the rest caught on and started laughing with us.
“I guess I will have a definite advantage on my colleagues. Then again, I will have to pick what to research and write about. I don’t think the general population is ready to learn about lycanthropes.” I exhaled, wiping away the stray tears that had appeared when I had laughed. “In fact, it may just be easier to change to another species to study or some other research topic. With the fact I was on sabbatical, this may be the best time.”
Shane pulled me in, offering me comfort both with his closeness and through our bond. I smiled up at him, my smile tinged with sadness.
He kissed the top of my head and then turned back to Baron.
“To answer your question, Lexi, Soren, and Betta are definite. Maggie wants to come, so that means Boomer will follow along since he is interested in our Omega. Splinter, then will follow since he has followed Boomer for years now. If you can give up Shaz, I wouldn’t mind him in my group.”
Baron slapped his hand down on the sides of the chair he was in. “Omega?”
Shane grinned at him. “Omega. Holden figured it out. You snooze, you lose, old wolf.”
Baron snorted. “Huh.”
“I would also like to go with Shane.” Max spoke up. “I would love to work with Holden on some of her research, and we work well together.” He paused and then blurted out. “Also, Sarah is pregnant again. I want to keep her around Maggie and Holden as much as possible to ensure that the pup survives the pregnancy this time. She has always had a hard time not shifting for so long.”
I leaned forward. “What can I do to help her, Max? I know nothing about lycanthropes or shifting. Or birthing pups either.”
“You don’t shift. Even if you learn to, you will have a greater control over shifting. That control, if it travels via Pack bonds like it should, from Alpha female down to others, will impact Sarah’s ability to control her shift throughout her pregnancy in a good way, ensuring a live birth.”
