by Jade Royal
The bedroom door opened and Tristan stepped back inside. He paused as the scent of her arousal smacked him in the face.
“Damn,” he mumbled. Gemma looked at him, yearning in her eyes. He climbed onto the bed next to her slowly. She looked bout ready to pounce on him, but instead, she just turned on her side to face him. He did the same and faced her.
“What’s your favorite color?” he asked her as he twirled a lock of her hair around his finger.
“That’s random.”
“Not really. I don’t know much about you, Gemma,” he admitted.
“Orange,” she said. He gave her a look. “What?”
“That’s just funny. Orange is my favorite color too.”
“Orange? You like orange?”
“Yeah,” he shrugged. “I guess because I like to watch the sunrise. And orange is mostly what I see.”
“I would have never guessed that,” Gemma said.
“There’s a lot of things you wouldn’t guess about me,” he said. “Just like there’s a lot I wouldn’t guess about you either.”
“What do you like to do? How do you make money?” she asked him innocently.
“I set up tech for other packs. Even though most live in the woods we’re able to use nature as a power source. And I get paid for being an enforcer. So does Jaxson, and Jayce and Rita are paid for being Betas.”
“Seriously? I didn’t know that. So what, Kellan doesn’t get paid?”
“Unfortunately no. But if other packs want to make him their ally; then they will pay for his services.”
“Interesting.” Gemma went quiet for a moment. “So you like technology?”
“And science, and math and long walks under the sunrise,” he smiled.
“So you’re a nerd,” she joked. He pulled on one of her curls.
“And what about you then?” he asked.
“I like music, and flowers. I’ve never had a job so I can’t talk about that. But going on walks in both my human and wolf form and smelling all the different kinds of flowers is a hobby of mine. I can name plenty different species.”
“And what’s you’re favorite thing to eat?”
“Ice cream,” Gemma smiled. Tristan loved getting to know his mate this way.
Until she fell asleep, they spoke to each other quietly. Gemma realized that she too knew nothing much about Tristan. She didn’t know he wanted to teach pups math and science and she didn’t even know what his favorite thing to eat was. That was until he told her he loved seafood. But that night, she learned those things about her mate, and he learned those things about her. And for the rest of the night, her wolf didn’t bother her not one bit.
***
“I told you he was strong,” Dell told Bryce as he paced in his shack. Bryce had sent someone after Kellan, and like Dell tried to warn him, the plan had backfired. Not only had Kellan caught the arrow with impressive reflexes, he’d killed the hunter with ease. And then he’d killed four other hunters by himself when they thought they were about to get the kill on a lone female wolf.
“That’s fine. He can put up any fight he wants. It’ll make killing him and Bliss even more enjoyable. How are you going to make her lose her baby?” he questioned.
“She’s a newly turned shifter. She can’t control her wolf. If she shifts, she’ll lose the pregnancy. It’ll be easy enough to spook her wolf into taking control. I just need something to spook her with.”
“Here. Try this.” Bryce handed him a small gun.
“It’s a dart gun. The darts are only about 3 inches long. They’re laced with wolfsbane.”
“Perfect,” Dell smiled. “In the meantime call off the attacks. They’ll never go out in the woods if they feel someone is going to be attacking every chance they got. The more we lessen the threats, the more they’ll show themselves.”
“Why don’t you try luring them down to my lounge? I met one of the young wolves. Offered her a job and she said she would think about it and return if she wanted it. Either get her, or the whole pack to come to the lounge. I’ll make sure there’s no threats in the woods in order for them to let their guards down enough.”
“I’ll do what I can.” Hera came out of the back room wearing nothing but a t-shirt. Even though she wasn’t naked, Dell’s mind went crazy about what she had going on beneath the shirt. He realized then that it had been weeks since he’d gotten any action.
“Time for me to go,” Dell said. It was the middle of the night when they’d watched Kellan kill four of the hunters easily. Bryce was still trying to find where the pack lived, but the woods were too rich to pick out the location, and they had not been close to it at all. Dell could have easily given the location, but like he said before, Kellan’s pack was strong. Despite the weapons, he was not ready to go against Kellan blatantly. And if it came to a fight inside that cave; Dell also knew that the Phoenix pack wasn’t going to lose.
“Keep in contact,” Bryce told him. Dell nodded as he left the shack. Hera winked at him as he walked by, but she went over to Bryce and hugged him. If he could get laid with all them damn scars and his disfiguration, then there was no way Dell couldn’t get laid.
He headed straight to the Phoenix pack caves and before he went in, he stopped to check if any hunters were around. They weren’t. He entered the cave and pressed the buzzer next to the security pad. Since he wasn’t part of the pack, Kellan didn’t give him access to enter with his handprint. Instead, he had to press the buzzer and wait for someone to look through the cameras to see who was standing there before they were let it. It took longer than usual, but finally, the door whirred open, and he was free to enter. Instead of going to their delegated side of the caves, he went through the tunnels to the bedroom he knew Mira was occupying. Without knocking, he entered her room.
“Wake up,” he snapped at her. She was lying naked under the sheets. She opened her eyes and looked at him.
“What?” she asked weakly.
“You need to give me some. It’s been weeks. I’m horny as fuck. Last time I checked you were my woman.” He pulled the sheets down from her body.
“How do you expect me to fuck you right now?” she asked.
“No one told you to give your power to save a wolf that’s not part of our pack. You still have duties, Mira. I’ve been letting you slide, but no more.” Mira was too weak to even pull herself to sit up. The energy blasting off Dell was strange to her. It wasn’t what she was used to. Immediately she could tell that he’d been doing things that he shouldn’t. His aura had changed into colors that didn’t represent anything good.
“I’m not having sex with you,” she stated. “I can’t have sex with you.”
“Just lay there and take it. Either that or I’m gonna be fucking another wolf. Is that what you want from me?” Mira didn’t know how to tell him that she didn’t care if he fucked another wolf.
“Please just leave me alone Dell. I’m too weak for this right now.”
“You don’t get to pick and choose when the fuck you want to-” Jaxson burst into the bedroom making Dell freeze. He towered over Dell and his dominance overpowered Dell as well.
“Is there a problem?” he growled.
“Nope,” Dell replied quickly. “Just checking on my wolf.”
“Get from this side of the cave before Kellan catches wind of your scent over here,” Dell growled but started to walk out of the room.
“If you come back in here trying to force her to fuck you, I’ll tie you up by your dick to the fucking ceiling.” Dell didn’t respond. He just left the room and shut the door. Jaxson shook his head and looked down at Mira. He reached for the sheets and pulled them over her naked body. He tucked her in before sitting at the edge of the bed. He realized that she was trembling.
“Are you cold Mira?” he asked her softly.
“A little,” she whispered. Even though she was cold, Mira was also a little worried about what the hell was going on with her alpha. She liked Dell, but at the same time, she was no
t willing to go down with him and the rest of the wolves. She didn’t see a future with him. Not when Jaxson was sitting next to her concerned for her safety and protecting her.
Jaxson went into the closet and pulled out another blanket. He threw it over her and tucked her in. He knew he should be using his body heat to keep her warm too, but honestly, he was afraid to get that close to her. He didn’t know what his body or his wolf was doing, but every time he got close to her he felt something kindling. Jaxson would never run from a connection, but there was just something about the connection to Mira that felt…off. But he was forever grateful to her for saving Rita, and she wasn’t a bad woman, to begin with. That’s why he kept coming around to help her.
“Better?” Jaxson asked. She nodded and smiled at him. Jaxson sat back at the edge of the bed.
“I can’t wait until the full moon,” she sighed. “I hate being this weak.”
“Even if it means having a dominant wolf cater to your every need?” he teased her trying to make light of the situation.
“Not every need,” she whispered. Even though she whispered it, she knew Jaxson would be able to hear her. He gave her a look but didn’t say anything.
“Can you stay with me for the rest of the night?” she asked. “I don’t want him sneaking up on me again.”
“Sure Mira. You know it’s my job to keep you safe right now.” Jaxson laid out next to her on the bed, but he made sure their bodies didn’t touch. She sighed in relief as if their closeness was good enough for her before she drifted back to sleep.
Chapter Ten
Mira didn’t think Jaxson was going to be in the bedroom with her when she awoke, but sure enough, when her eyes opened, she inhaled his scent. Turning her head, he was still laying next to her scrolling on his phone.
“What are you looking at?” she asked. Jaxson put his phone down and looked at her.
“Good morning,” he smiled. “Breakfast is almost ready. I can go get it and bring it up for you.” Mira pushed the sheets off her body. Jaxson hopped off the bed and took her hands so he could help her sit up.
“So I guess you don’t want to talk about what was on your phone?” Mira smirked at him. Jaxson winked at her. It was Kyra he was talking to, but he wanted to keep their conversations private. There was just something about it that he cherished.
“Let me go get your food then come help you shower and dress.”
“Wait,” Mira stopped him. “I want to talk to Kellan about Dell, and maybe I can go down to eat with the others instead of being cooped up in here. I’ll just need your help tremendously.”
“Okay, that sounds good. Let me help you get dressed right now then.” Jaxson scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bathroom. He set her on her feet and held her around the waist against the sink so she could brush her teeth and wash her face. Jaxson knew if he let her go she would probably fall straight on her ass. She was that weak.
Once she was finished brushing, he set her down on the toilet so she could use it. He turned his back then to give her privacy to wipe herself.
“Done,” she called out. Jaxson went over to her and flushed the toilet. But he left her sitting there so he could turn on the water in her bath. Once it was full enough that’s when he retrieved Mira from the toilet and carried her to the tub. He set her inside. And he did before, he washed her hair for her while she washed her body.
All Mira could think about was how amazing this would be if they were a couple. Mira dreaded the full moon because that meant she would be normal again. And Jaxson wouldn’t feel the need to take care of her like this anymore. But if she was his woman, their days and nights would be just like this. And perhaps he would be in the tub with her, grinding within her slowly taking her to the high heavens of ecstasy.
That’s why she wanted to talk to Kellan about Dell. She had decided she wasn’t going to be dragged down by him and whatever evil he was planning. If she was going to be with Jaxson, then she needed not be affiliated with Dell.
Jaxson finished helping her wash before he picked her up again and made sure the suds were all off her body. Clean from head to toe; Jaxon brought her to the bedroom and laid her on the bed. He retrieved a towel and patted her dry. Each time he touched her, he scented her rising arousal. Jaxson tried to ignore it, but that was hard considering he was a single, perfectly healthy male wolf.
“Please stop,” he begged her; unable to handle it. Her pine trees and wildflower scent was tolerable to his wolf. The animal liked the scent, and as long as his wolf liked a scent, he was going to go after it.
“I can’t help it,” she replied sheepishly. Jaxson retrieved a dress from her closet and hurriedly tugged it on her. He didn’t want to further discuss the situation.
“Okay let’s try to get you walking.” he said to her. “I’ll hold you around the waist and trust me you won’t fall.” She nodded and put her arm around his shoulders. He helped her to stand and kept his arm around her waist. She felt like she was lightheaded but she forced herself to continue walking next to him, even if it was at a snail’s pace. By the time they reached Kellan’s designated office, Mira was breathing heavily. Jaxson decided to pick her up as he knocked on Kellan’s door.
“Enter!” Jaxson opened the door and walked in. Bliss was sitting on the large desk watching Kellan read some paperwork. The look of adoration gleamed in her eyes as she watched him do something as simple as reading.
“Mira! Nice to see you up and about,” Kellan greeted her. Mira bowed her head at both Bliss and Kellan before Jaxson put her to sit down.
“Dell came and visited my room last night,” she said getting to the point immediately.
“He did what?”
“I guess because technically I’m still his wolf he wanted to check on me and try to get some ass despite my obvious weakness.”
“That bastard,” Bliss growled. Kellan stood and placed a hand around the back of Bliss’s neck to keep her calm.
“I’ll deal with him. I already expressed that I want him and his wolves gone, with the exception of you.”
“He’s up to something,” she blurted out. “I don’t know what it is, but his aura is just off, and I can tell he’s doing something he’s not supposed to.” Kellan was surprised to hear that.
“Seriously?”
“Yeah. I can tell something is off I just don’t know what, and bottom line is I don’t want to go down with him. I’m not part of anything he’s doing.”
“Don’t worry Mira. I believe you. I’ll figure out a way to deal with this guy.” Kellan was speechless at the fact that he had another confirmation on the gut feeling he was getting towards Dell. Now it wasn’t time to be the nice alpha. If he was going to run a risk to his pack, then he needed to get the fuck out. But he also ran the risk of Dell letting loose the location of their home to anyone who sought to do them harm. So Kellan had to tread lightly.
“Thanks for the information Mira,” Kellan told her. Jaxson helped Mira to stand. She clutched onto Jaxson and allowed him to help her walk just as Tristan was coming into the office.
“I want to go out and get something important,” Tristan told Kellan. He understood that Tristan was asking for permission to leave the cave.
“Bring Jayce with you,” Kellan said. “Be back in an hour.”
“Understood.” Tristan looked at Bliss. “Damn Bliss, I’d hold off on the sweets, you’ve gained some weight.” Bliss sensed his teasing nature and threw the first thing she got her hand on at him. Jaxson had to duck and move Mira out of the way before they got hit.
“Don’t be such a dick!” Jaxson laughed pushing Tristan. “She didn’t gain some weight; she gained a lot of weight!”
“I’ll kill both of you!” Bliss laughed attempting to charge at them, but Kellan held her at bay while Tristan, Jaxson, and Mira hurried out of the office. Tristan rushed off to get Jayce so they could leave the cave to do what Tristan needed to do.
“Let’s go eat,” Jaxson said to Mira. He helpe
d her walk through the tunnels until they reached the kitchen. Kyra was plating a large stack of pancakes for herself when he came in. The both of them froze and gazed at each other. Desperation filled with a hunger filled his stomach. Flames licked at the depths of his soul when he looked Kyra in the eyes and that feeling measured up to nothing he felt before. The feeling he got when he looked at Kyra was completely different than the feeling he got from Mira. But strange enough his wolf would be satisfied with having any of the two women. Jaxson was not thrilled about that.
“Just in time to eat!” Selena said forcing Jaxson and Kyra to end their eye contact. Kyra picked up two more plates and began filling them with food. When Kellan ad Bliss came into the kitchen, she retrieved two more plates to serve the alphas. When Gemma came in everyone greeted her with hugs. This was the first meal she was eating with them since her punishment.
“Learned your lesson, Rudy Huxtable?” Kyra teased her calling her Rudy for the way she talked back to Kellan, but was still the youngest amongst all the wolves.
“Oh shut up,” Gemma smirked, sitting around the table. Jaxson sat Mira down next to him across from Kyra’s seat. She plopped down a plate in front of Mira before giving Jaxson his plate and sitting across from him with her plate. Bliss said a quick prayer to the shifter universe before beginning to gobble down her food. Kellan, as usual, was trying to get her to slow down, and as usual, she was attempting to bite his fingers off for butting into her business when it came to her food.
“So where ya’ll lovers at?” Kyra asked Gemma and Rita.
