by J. K Harper
“I've missed seeing you,” Sara continued, her voice bright again, her brow smoothed out. Leaning slightly forward, she said in a quieter voice, “I think you've been missed by someone else, too.”
Mason raised an eyebrow at her, heart suddenly thumping out of rhythm. Beside her, Rafe let one of his somewhat inscrutable smiles slide across his face. Man, the guy looked a lot like his father sometimes.
“Really?” Mason asked in what he hoped was a casual tone. All he could think of was getting Ana to himself and kissing the hell out of her sweet pink lips again. “Who would that be?”
Sara rolled her eyes at him. “Oh, please. I know perfectly well why you're here. Girl,” she said, pointing at herself. “We know things.”
“Right,” Mason said, looking at Rafe in a silent plea for help.
Rafe grinned slightly but let Sara hold the space. The pretty blonde said, “She's around here somewhere. You know,” she added in a more thoughtful tone, her eyes suddenly getting serious as she regarded Mason again with that slightly bemused expression, “I had a hunch I knew why Ana was so dumb about how she ended things with you.”
Mason watched Rafe's eyebrows raise as the other man looked dubiously at his girlfriend. Something startled flashed across his face as well, but it was so quick Mason didn't pay much attention.
“And what was your hunch?” Mason asked, suddenly very focused on Sara's answer.
She crooked up a corner of her mouth in the sort of little smile that said she wasn't really going to tell him, but she'd give him some kind of response anyway. It was a bombshell reply either way. “I think she thought she wasn't good enough for you.” Sara's tone was stark, although the mysterious little smile still framed her face. Beside her, Rafe frowned.
“We should probably let Mason find out for himself,” Rafe said. He looked decidedly uncomfortable with the conversation.
You and me both, Mason thought. He felt gut-punched at Sara's honest yet kindly said words. There was no way Ana didn't think she was good enough for him. He'd worshipped her, and she knew it.
Then why did she just run away like that, practically with her tail between her legs, and leave him high and dry for months? The thought whispered through his mind, so quietly he could almost ignore it. Almost.
“Good seeing you both again,” he said, shifting on his feet. Someone passed by carrying a tray, and he plunked his empty glass on it. “Yeah. I think it's time I go find her.”
He nodded at them, ignoring the fact they seemed to be doing one of those weird silent couple communication things, and turned away to look for Ana. The sooner he found her, took her off alone, and got to the bottom of it all the better. Tonight, there was no way she was getting away from him once more. He couldn't let that happen ever again.
Heading toward the back of the giant room, he circled the huge tree and nearly smacked right into someone. Muttering an apology, he took a half step back before he recognized the man.
“Mason,” Channing Bardou, Ana's boss, said, reaching out to shake Mason's hand in a firm grasp. “It's very good to see you again. Are you enjoying the party?”
Something odd in his tone caught Mason's attention. Rooting himself to the ground, he looked hard at the enigmatic gaze of one of his grandfather's closest friends, wondering how much weirder this night was about to get.
“Yes, sir,” he said, saluting the man with his glass of bubbly. “The place looks fantastic. You went all out on the decorations.”
Channing smiled. “That would be Ana. She is our party planner extraordinaire.”
Mason hesitated a split second before answering. Ana had always said Channing was more than just a boss. He was like a second father to her, after her parents had died years ago. Mason distinctly got the impression Channing had always sized him up like any father would for his daughter: as somewhat lacking. Taking a breath, he decided to let Channing know how much Ana still meant to him. He only lived once, right?
“I know. She's talented at this kind of stuff. Bet she baked a lot of the food here tonight, too? I sampled some of those spiced cookie bar things. Amazing.” He looked Channing right in the eye as he spoke, casually taking another sip of his drink as he did so. For some reason, he felt the urge to look away from the man's steely expression. Resolute despite the increasingly intense pressure, he kept his gaze steady.
Ana's passion for baking had prompted Mason many times to fruitlessly urge her to open her own catering business or bakery someday. His Ana needed a champion, since she sometimes didn't seem to really believe in herself. He'd be her champion, always. Even if it seemed it was getting hard to breathe the longer he maintained eye contact with her boss/dad/mentor.
After what felt like a decade or so of staring right back at him, Channing just said, “Ana is incredibly talented, yes. We are very lucky to have her at Bardou Enterprises. Although,” he added, suddenly seeming more relaxed, “I am certain she will one day spread her wings and venture somewhat outside the nest, so to speak. She simply needs more encouragement to believe in herself.”
Mason almost dropped his glass. Well, the guy couldn't be a mind reader. He just cared about Ana. Taking a breath and finally looking away now that the intensity of the moment seemed to lighten, he nodded. His glance snagged on the painting above the huge mantel of the fireplace that dominated a section of the room. It had captured his attention last year as well, with its artistic mastery of a subject he admitted had always interested him. A winter scene in very snowy mountains that could have been here or any other stunning range in the world, the frozen scene showed a pack of wolves leaping and tumbling and playing in the moonlight. They darted from behind massive pine trees covered in snow, soared off of boulders, howled with noses pointed toward the enormous, low-hanging moon in an upper corner of the frame.
Despite himself, Mason felt the usual sense of being soothed. “That's a beautiful painting,” he said, still studying it. “I remember it from last year's party. It's not nearly as cheesy as lots of stuff about wolves usually is,” he added, shaking his head. “They look real. And not like the demonic, blood-thirsty killers they've been depicted as throughout history.” He stopped himself before he went on too much. Yeah, he liked wolves, but sometimes he could get a bit carried away. Doing that around Ana's boss might not be the best idea.
Channing's voice sharpened as he said, “You seem quite interested in wolves, Mason.”
Mason nodded and looked back at Channing, who was regarding him with that eagle eye again. “I've always loved them, since I was a kid. They've just always called to me.” He shrugged. “I dream about them all the time, actually. Ana even gave me a wolf sculpture for my birthday earlier this year.” Before she dumped me on my ass, he refrained from adding. “I like to say the wolf is my totem animal. The guys at work kind of razz me about it, but I don't really care. Wolves are cool. End of story.”
He raised his glass to his lips and admired the painting again. A silence held them, punctuated by the background chatter and laughter from the hundred odd people milling in the room. The smell of the Christmas tree along with the spiced punch, Ana's mouthwatering baked goods, and the general sense of holiday cheer made him feel right at home.
The only thing missing now was the most captivating woman in the world. Mason began to look around for her, trying to be casual as he wondered how he could break away from her boss and his still slightly unnerving gaze.
Channing beat him to it, though. “I believe she's over there,” he said, gesturing toward the tree where a clump of people chatted and laughed. “And I feel certain in saying she's waiting for you, Mason. It's time you go to her, don't you think?”
* * *
From across the room, Ana arrested her forward motion as she saw Alpha halt Mason and start talking to him. Her heart banged inside her ribs as she watched their interplay. A cold creep of dread curled its way down her spine as she noted the telltale signs of the Black Mesa Pack Alpha when he was interrogating someone. Her wolf's tail fe
ll to half mast, nervous as usual at the sight of Alpha and worried for her mate.
He is not my mate, Ana thought somewhat crossly.
Is mate, her wolf insisted, tone intractable.
Ana gave up and just stood there, trying to hear their conversation but unable to on top of all the laughing chatter swirling through the room. Knowing she couldn't go up and interrupt, she instead took another glance around the room, trying not to let her gaze slip back to Mason. She'd gone all out on holiday decorations this year, as she always did. The tree sparkled with lights and ornaments, instrumental carols played in the background, food was scattered around the room, and stacks of merrily wrapped gifts circled the base of the tree, ready to be opened in the morning. The Pack's ancient tradition of observing the holiday was evident in the traditional wreaths and shiny tinsel and toasts that would come later in the evening. Everything was perfect, everyone looked happy, and she was a nervous wreck at the sight of the one guy who could ruin her life. If she didn't ruin his first.
“Stop it,” she muttered to herself. But the thought, You still love him, drifted through her mind with a persistence that was impossible to ignore.
Shaking herself to push aside crazy thoughts like that, she took a quick glance down at herself. She wore her favorite red party dress, the one that was silky and swishy and hugged her curves without drawing too much attention to them. Finding out Mason would be here tonight, she hadn't wanted to dress up too much. But she couldn't very well go to the Pack's most important party of the year looking like a frumpy hausfrau. She'd finally pulled on the outfit she'd picked out weeks ago, nerves like dueling butterflies making a mess of her stomach and dispelling any interest in dinner. Looking over at Mason again, she couldn't help but drink him in despite her best intentions to ignore him as long as she could this evening.
Tall, dressed in a tux like all the other wolves here—except he wasn't a wolf, he was a human in a dangerous position surrounded by wolves—a thought at which her own wolf huffed at her—he filled it out with his broad shoulders and lean hips and and those muscled legs she could see slightly bulging out in the dark pants. His stance was casual but assured, and he didn't seem too concerned as he talked to the Alpha. Ana had long ago introduced him to Alpha as her boss, which was the cover story all the wolves used around humans. Since it was also true, no one got upset at having to make something up. Mason had surprised her, though, when he told her his grandfather and Alpha went way back.
Just then, Alpha turned and gestured directly toward Ana, drawing Mason's attention to her.
The entire room faded away, all the noise disappearing under a hum Ana recognized and desperately wished would go away. Desire bolted through her at Mason's gaze, which speared her with his bright blue eyes even halfway across the large space. Her limbs felt heavy even though she felt light overall. The confusion of it made her laugh a little, even as she felt her breathing shorten.
With a cursory nod good-bye to Alpha, Mason turned and strode to her.
Her wolf rolled in Ana's mind, welcoming her mate as he prowled toward her. This time, Ana couldn't argue against the word mate again, too caught by Mason's clear intentions as he came closer. Humans didn't broadcast their lust the way wolves did. But lust clearly was on Mason's mind, and the sweet, enticing wave of it hit Ana straight on, threatening to steal her thoughts and melt her brain. Rooted in place, she didn't protest when he reached her, caught her hand in his, and pulled her toward the door.
“We're talking, babe,” he said. “Right now, before I damn well explode right here in front of all your co-workers.”
“Uh,” was all she could get out as he grabbed their coats from the entry way, shrugged his on and helped with hers, and let them outside into the frozen winter night. Feeling a few curious stares on their backs, she didn't dare turn around. Her thoughts were so fuddled she didn't know what else to do but follow him. It felt as natural as breathing to be following him again.
Frosted snow crunched beneath their feet as Mason firmly propelled Ana toward her small house, several hundred yards from the main den. The nearly full moon meant they could easily navigate the path without light, although that wouldn't have been a problem for Ana even if it were darker. Aside from the noise of their footsteps and the blood thrumming in her ears, silence encased them.
Her thoughts whirled, even more confused and excited by the racing antics of her wolf, who hovered very close to the surface. Ana could still sense Mason's tremendous desire. She could feel its power warming her thighs, settling low into her belly with that deep, pleasurable ache that meant she so desperately needed to be touched. Bowled over by the feelings, she gave in.
One last time, she vowed, trying to ignore her wolf's snarl at that limited thinking. One last night, and then she could really let go of him.
She had no other choice.
4
Ana's sweet little house appeared, a small dark square nestled against the white pine trees. Without a word but with urgency clear in his motions, Mason guided her up the three wide steps to her porch. His hand on her lower back rubbed little circles even as he gently pushed her along, igniting more fire in her. Knowing her door wouldn't be locked, not on the protected grounds here, he turned the brass knob and swung it open. She'd left a fire banked in her wood stove, loving the coziness it spread through her small place when she returned in the late evenings. The small glow of light through the stove's heavy glass window dimly lit the room. The rest of the space was exposed by the strong moonlight flooding through the windows.
“Now, Ana,” Mason said, his voice so low and filled with barely-restrained need it almost growled. Almost like a wolf. “Now you're mine.”
With that, he gently removed her coat and placed it on the pretty metal rack standing beside the door. Then he suddenly scooped her up, ignoring her small gasp of surprise. Kicking the door shut behind them, he took three strides and smoothly laid her down on the fluffy rug she liked to keep spread before the fire this time of year. Ana stayed still on the ground, surprised and so ridiculously turned on by his actions her thoughts started scattering like wildly flung seeds.
“Mason,” she breathed. Her entire world narrowed to this moment. Nothing and no one else existed, not even the huge party, the one she'd planned down to the tiniest last detail for months, they'd just abandoned.
“Yes,” was all he said in reply, staring down at her with a delicious savageness she recognized. A savageness that ignited her entire body.
Stepping over her so he towered above, one muscular leg on either side of her hips, Mason pulled off his coat and scarf and flung them behind him to land on the couch against the back wall. Tearing his sweater as well as his shirt over his head at the same time, so roughly she heard buttons pop, he tossed them away as well. Without taking his gaze from hers, he stripped off his shoes and pants, balancing on either side of her with ease as he did. Beneath those, he wore nothing. Mason always did like going commando. Ana swallowed as she took in his nakedness in the firelight. His firm, hard body, strong through the shoulders, narrowing down to his hips. That dark patch between his legs, the heavy, gorgeous cock nestled in there, already large and seeming to grow larger before her eyes. A shiver of anticipation tickled its way over her body. Her wolf circled her mind, so eager for Ana to claim her mate her faraway yips of excitement barely made sense.
Staring up at him, Ana felt her pulse smacking in her throat, heard her speeded up breath sounding loud in the quiet room. Mason's fit torso gleamed in the moonlight and firelight as shadows played across his chest and stomach muscles. She could sense his own pulse pounding through him as he stood above her. With a quick, silent leap, he half-knelt, half-jumped down to stretch out over her, his arms on either side of her shoulders. She gasped, but he didn't land on her. Grinning, he slowly, gently lowered his full weight onto her.
“Not fair,” she said, tone low and uneven as the ragged need inside her stole away control over her voice. “I'm still dressed.”
/> “Yes,” he said, nuzzling at her neck. “This way I can torture you for a while in return for the past several very dry months.”
His words made a flare of impatient desire spike along her nerves and roar through her veins, like liquid fire. Her body responded to his nearness, and she pushed up with her hips, seeking his hard length. Shameless. Her wolf approved with a silent howl, and Ana felt the more analytical parts of her humanness falling away. Mason shook his head, then reached down to catch her lips with his.
“Ah-ah,” he said against her mouth, pushing her hips back down to the floor. He still gently shook his head “no” even as his lips played with hers. “I'm in charge now,” he pulled back long enough to say before his teeth caught her lower lip, nibbling gently on it.
Sparks shot straight from her lips to her hips, directly to that banked fire between her legs. Mason touched her cheek with his fingers, stroking them. He gently pulled a few strands of her hair out of her mouth and tucked them behind her ear, tickling at the sensitive spot there and making more uncontrollable shivers zip through her.
“Mine,” he murmured again, unknowingly echoing the chant of Ana's wolf. “Mine.”
With that, his mouth descended on hers, his fingers gently yet firmly wrapping around her head and face as she grasped back at him, pulling him to her with a hastiness that made him laugh through the kiss. Their tongues tangled in an almost desperate eagerness. Mason tasted wild, strong, like the fresh snow and clean pine trees and clear moonlight outside. Her wolf danced in her mind, lending more fuel to Ana's deep craving.
Feeling suddenly constricted in her dress, trapped by it, Ana reached down between them to pull up the skirt so she could shove down her panties and shimmy them off. Mason grabbed her hand almost before it managed to do more than touch the hem.
“What do you think you're doing, babe?” he said, head pulled back a little to study her. Her enhanced vision used the low light in the room to see his eyes clearly. Their usual bright blue had darkened, the way they always did when he kissed her.
