by Tami Payton
“Mason is my Fated Mate.” I swallow as I give him this information, knowing this may be his breaking point. This is something he needs to hear and it needs to come from me. His eyes go black and I can see his anger rising. “Gage, you were my best friend and you betrayed me. The guy I knew would have never done this to me.” He shakes his head and growls. “NO! He is not your mate; you are MY mate. I will never allow you to bond with that asshole. NEVER! I will kill him before that happens. You are mine and I am yours. Do you understand me?” His eyes have turned and I’m afraid he’s close to shifting. I take a deep breath. “No, Gage. I am not yours. I am, was your best friend. You lost me when you had me kidnapped because my best friend would never have done that. The man that cared for me, protected me, loved me and took care of me never would have done that.” He shakes his head. “Short stuff.” My anger flares. “NO! Don’t call me that! You lost that right when you made whatever deal you did with Micah. You are dead to me, Gage. When I walk out of this room, I will no longer think of you, you will become a factor of my past and that will be all. Your Alpha will speak to you and then my mate will come in here and end you. I hope it will be quick because even though I am done with you and you mean nothing to me. Your death should be quick.” I turn and walk out of the room, not looking back or giving him a second thought.
I’m numb by the time I reach Mason, he pulls me into his arms and holds me tight. “Are you alright?” He whispers into my ear. All I can do is nod as I burry myself into his chest. I guess I got the information I wanted. Gage really did think I was his. In his reality because we spent so much time together and were best friends, he saw that as the perfect mated pair. So, in his mind I was his mate, his other half. As I think back to the past, I can’t ever recall seeing him with a girlfriend or remember him having any girls around. I mean, that should have been a red flag, right? I don’t know how long we stand there with him just holding me before Zander comes over. “Mason?” Mason pulls back from me and looks at Zander. “I’m done with him. I will leave the decision up to you.” Zander nods as he walks away, Mason nods back. He looks at me. It’s as if he’s asking for permission? I nod at him. “I only ask that you make it quick. No one deserves to suffer.” Mason kisses me and squeezes me tight. “I promise.” I wrap my arms around myself as I watch him walk away. It’s funny, I have no feelings running through me as I watch my mate walk off to kill my ex-best friend. What does that say about me?
I feel Cameron walk up beside me and then feel him wrap his arm around my shoulder. I lean into him and sigh. “Is it bad that I don’t feel bad about what is happening? Does that make me a bad person?” I feel Cam shake his head. “No, Cammie it doesn’t. Gage was the reason you went through everything that you did. He lost connection with reality and when he did that it caused him to wreak havoc on everyone. It put you in danger. He thought he was doing the right thing, he thought he was saving you but he ended up putting you in harms way. The feeling and thoughts you are feeling now, that’s your wolf. She’s protecting you, making you strong so you don’t break. It also helps that you’re an Alpha female. You also have a strong mate and Mason is lending you all the strength that you need. Take it, use it. The two of you are one now, lean on each other. There will be times that you will need to and this is one of them. Don’t let this bother you, don’t think about it. It will eat at you and it’s not worth it.” I look up at him and smile. “How did I get so lucky to have such a great big brother? You know what? In such a short time, you’ve gotten good at this brotherly advice thing.” I tease him and he throws his head back laughing. “I guess I was always meant for it. Anytime you need it I’m always here to give it.” He pulls me in for one of his famous hugs and I snuggle up to him. “You promise?” I ask him. He holds me tight. “I promise, Cammie. I will always be here for you, forever.”
We’re sitting back at the cabin and Mason is making dinner, it’s been a long day. “God, I could just spend the next week in bed relaxing.” I sigh as I’m laying on the couch, enjoying the smell of food roaming through the house. Mason laughs as he comes out, carrying our plates full of food. “Yeah, that would be nice, unfortunately we have some things to accomplish before we can take a break.” I scowl at him. “What exactly do we need to do? I just want to relax and not be the center of attention for a while.” He nods. “I understand that but we are gonna have to head back to my pack and handle things there. You need to be introduced to my pack as my mate and the sooner the better.” I sigh, I know it needs to be done but I need to adjust to it before I face his pack. “I know. I just, I don’t know want to kind of want to take a breather before I have to face everyone? I just got back, we’ve had to deal with Gage and have just completed the mating bond. Is it too much to ask for just a couple days to ourselves?” I look at him and feel bad for asking this but I feel overwhelmed. I hate that I sound weal but I can’t help it. He smiles at me and wraps his arms around me. “No, it’s not too much to ask and I completely understand. I tell you what? How about we take the rest of the week to hang out here, just the two of us? We can stay huddled up here in the cabin and avoid everyone and everything and then go and face the rest of the world?” I smile at him and the love that I feel for him doubles. “I love that idea. Thank you.” He kisses me. “Anything for you. I will call Jacob and let him know the plan later, now eat your food before it gets to cold.” I laugh and dig into the dinner he’s made.
We spend the rest of the night laying in bed, snuggled up watching movies. It’s nice to just enjoy each other and time together. My body is exhausted, I’ve been through so much these past couple of weeks and I doze off first. I don’t know how long I’ve been asleep when I feel Mason shaking me and calling my name. “Cammie! Shit, sweetheart, come on wake up.” I shoot up in the bed, my heart racing and I’m covered in sweat. Fuck! It was a dream, a nightmare. “Fuck Cammie.” He pulls me into his arms and holds me tight. “What the hell was that?” I’m shaking as I hold onto him, damn that was a bad one. I shake my head. “It was just a dream. I’m fine.” He kisses the top of my head. “That wasn’t just a dream, sweetheart. When did you start having those?” He pulls back and looks me in my eyes. I go to look away, not wanting him to see me looking weak. He pulls me back to him and Cameron’s words from earlier come back to me. Telling me that leaning on him is a good thing. I sigh. “They started when I was first taken, I didn’t know if I was gonna make it out alive. They got worse when I found out what Micah had planned. I don’t have them every night. It’s ok, I’m fine.” I pull away from him. He grabs me again and pulls me into him. “Cammie, I want you to listen to me. I will never let anyone hurt you. Ever again. I will protect you with my life even from your nightmares. You have nothing else left to fear.” He leans down and kisses me. It starts out soft and sweet, then turns into a passionate kiss that leads to a night of love making. I fall back asleep in his arms with no more nightmares.
MASON
It’s been a long day and an even longer couple of weeks. I’m happy to just be laying back with Cammie and enjoy the quiet. Me and my wolf need this time with our mate. We eat our dinner and then lay in bed watching a movie, it’s a perfect night. It’s a little past midnight when I wake up to the sound of Cammie talking in her sleep. She’s thrashing around in the bed like she’s trying to escape something or someone. I panic and sit up to wake her. “Cammie! Shit, sweetheart, come on wake up.” She shoots up and looks around checking where she is before she finally relaxes. What the fuck? “I’m ok, it was just a dream.” Just a dream? Fuck, that wasn’t just a dream. “Cammie how long has this been happening? How long have you been having these nightmares?” She tries to look away and I know she thinks that she’s looking weak and doesn’t want me to see her that way. I pull her towards me. “Sweetheart, tell me.” She looks at me and I can see the fear in her eyes. “They started when I was first taken and got worse when I found out what Micah had planned for me. I don’t have them all the time. I’m fine.” My heart breaks that she th
inks she has to go through this alone. I pull her to me and kiss the top of her head. Then I look her in the eye so she can see that I mean everything I’m about to say to her. “Cammie, I want you to listen to me. I will never let anyone hurt you. Ever again. I will protect you with my life even from your nightmares. You have nothing else left to fear.” She nods and then I spend the rest of the night making love to the woman I love more than life itself. I watch as she falls into a peaceful sleep, vowing to protect her for the rest of our lives.
I wake up and spend a couple minutes just watching Cammie sleep. She looks so peaceful and honestly, I could do this all day. She’s perfect, everything I could ever ask for and more. Her dark hair is spread out on her pillow, her plump lips are parted as she takes shallow breaths. The blanket has fallen just below her perfect breasts and it’s taking everything in me not to reach down and take one in my mouth and run my tongue over her dark pink nipple. The urge to dip down between her perfect thighs is wanting and I’m desperate to wake her by running my tongue in between her perfect lips. I can taste her sweet taste on my lips, the taste of heaven. I’m getting hard just thinking about it and shake my head. I quietly slip out of bed, making sure I don’t wake her. I head to the kitchen and start coffee, that’s a must in this house. No one wants to see Cammie without it. I pull out my phone to call my Beta, Jacob, I never got a chance to talk to him last night to fill him in on my plans.
“Mason, I’m so glad that everyone and everything went ok. How is Cammie doing?” He’s happy and chipper when he answers and I shake my head. Jacob has always been a morning person and it’s always made me smile. “She’s doing good Jacob, thanks for asking. That’s why I’m calling, well that and to check in. How is everything going with the pack?” He sighs and it makes me nervous. “Well, things are going good. We had a problem with a couple of deliveries but we got them straightened out. The Morgan’s had their pups and unfortunately one didn’t make it. The boy made it but the girl didn’t, we’ve planned the funeral for next Saturday as that’s when Macy requested.” I blow out a huff of air. Fuck! I knew that the Morgan’s had a risk of losing their pups but the doctor was feeling better because she had lasted through the past couple of months. “I’m sorry to hear about the Morgan’s. How are they holding up?” Jacob sighs. “As well as can be expected. Macy has fallen into a depression and Ed is doing all he can to support her. She knows she has to keep it together for the boy and is pulling herself together. I spoke to a couple of the men that are with you and they said that they are headed back in a few days. Are you coming with them?” I grip the phone and sigh. I need to be with my pack at a time like this but I promised Cammie this time alone. “I will be back by the end of the week. I have a few loose ends to tie up here and Cammie and I have to celebrate the mating bond with the Hallow pack.” I hear Jacob laugh. “Well, congratulations man. You did it. I guess we need to plan the same celebration here as well? Should I start it or wait?” I shake my head as I think about it. “No. I want to introduce her to the pack first and don’t want to do it at the same time as the pups funeral. I will return before the funeral.” I can hear Jacob nod at this information. “Ok Mason, I will see you then. Don’t worry about anything here. I have everything under control. Enjoy this time with your mate and again Congratulations.” I thank him and we hang up. Damn it. This is not how I wanted to return to my pack with Cammie.
My ears perk up at the sound of movement in the bedroom and I smile. I grab a cup of coffee for Cammie and head towards my mate. I place it on the table next to her and crawl over her. “Hmm. I smell something that smells like heaven.” She mumbles and I grin. “Yeah, I’ve been told that I smell pretty damn good a time or two.” She grins, her eyes still closed and I kiss her lips. “I’m sure you have. However, I wasn’t talking about you.” She’s trying not to laugh and I lean down and nip at her neck. “Are you trying to tell me that the smell of coffee is more enticing then me?” She moans as I lick and kiss her sweet spot behind her ear. “Coffee, mmm, is more enticing than anything.” I smile as I move my way down her body, sucking and biting her sweet soft skin. I can feel her shaking in anticipation to what is to come next. I reach between her legs and rub her swollen clit; she’s already wet for me and enjoy how her back arches off the bed. I push two fingers inside her and lick her pussy slowly then speed up as she gasps, trying to catch her breath against my assault on her pussy. I grin and continue, not wanting to give her a chance to come down. I take her through two orgasms, back to back before I make my way back up her body. Her face has relaxed over into a grin that makes me smile. “Well, I guess I will let you get to that coffee that is so enticing.” I grin at her as she opens her eyes and glares at me. “Yeah, hear me and hear me good Mason. If you leave me in this state you will regret it. Do you understand me? Coffee can wait a little bit longer at this point.” I smile at her as I lower my body and thrust into her hard. “Fuck yes, I understand.”
Well I ended up having to get her a new cup of coffee because you know coffee can’t be reheated. I shook my head and laughed when she scrunched her nose at my suggestion of that. She asked how my conversation with Jacob went and had a sad look on her face when I told her the news of the Morgan’s pups. “If we need to head there a little earlier to handle things I understand. I know your pack needs you in a time like this.” I look at her and wonder what I did to deserve her. I pull her to me and kiss her. “I told Jacob that we would be there on Thursday morning, I know that will cut us short a few days and I’m sorry. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday but I have to bless the pup and family and the pack needs me.” She nods and smiles at me. I completely understand Mason, you need to be the Alpha for your pack. I would never ask anything less of you. I will be there standing beside you, supporting you while you do it.” I smile at her and then capture her lips once again. Fuck, she’s perfect. I really don’t know what I did to deserve her but I know I’m never letting her go.
JACOB
I smile to myself as I give Mason the updates on what has been going on with the pack. Well, it’s basically what has been going on with the pack. Those deliveries’ that we had a problem with? They were our basic food source. There was a huge mix up and we didn’t get any of the products. We also didn’t get a lot of our medical supplies as well. A lot of pack members had to go without medicine that they needed. It was a rough week or two before we could get in another shipment. I of course managed to get everything straightened out, just like I promised the pack I would do. I simply explained that the mix up must have been made when Mason was filling everything out online while he was distracted with dealing with what he was dealing with while he was gone. I’m an evil Son of a Bitch huh?
When the Morgan’s had their pups, I was riddled with guilt. I wasn’t sure if not having any of the medical supplies had anything to do with Macy losing her pup or not. The guilt almost made me lose it. I mean yes, I want to take over the pack as Alpha but not at the expense of losing our young. Our young are our future and I was so upset that they young pup had passed, we all were. Dr. Sherry said that the pup was still born, meaning that she has died before she was born. She came to the conclusion that she was gone for at least a month or so before she was born. That eased my mind as the supply shortage/mix up was only right before that. There are some of the pack that are angry and disappointed that their Alpha is not here to support the Morgan’s in their time of need. I smile as I hear this news traveling around the pack, this is exactly what I wanted to happen. The rumor mill is buzzing with news of Mason more concerned about his mate than he is about his pack. There are some that are standing up for him. Stating that in order for him to be a stronger Alpha he needs a mate; I just roll my eyes at that one.
I relax as I get off the phone with Mason, things are going well. I haven’t spoken to Jenny yet and I need too. I need to see if she has anything planned, I don’t plan on challenging Mason for Alpha. I’m not stupid, I know I can’t take him. If he’s taken down then as his Beta, I will be
moved to Alpha automatically. I know Jenny has some ‘I am woman hear me roar’ and ‘I’m a woman scorned’ bullshit planned but I need to know what it is. I hate not knowing what is going on. The only good thing is that Mason and Cammie have completed the mating bond. I smile at this thought. I never thought he would be this stupid. Now not only does he have a mate, he has a fated mate. I laugh, he’s basically just signed his own death certificate. I can get rid of two wolves with one stone. This might actually be kinda fun.
CAMMIE
I’m sitting on the back porch enjoying my coffee when I hear Cameron and Sam enter the house. I roll my eyes and silently laugh. Why did I ever think that Mason and I could have a couple of days just to ourselves? I mean hell, we can barely get twelve hours without someone knocking on the door. Well, let me rephrase that, walking through the door. Cameron rarely knocks. “What do we owe the pleasure of your visit this morning?” I hear Mason ask. I’m not moving from my spot. If I can I’m gonna avoid contact with them. I’m not in the mood to deal with anything right now. “We just wanted to come and officially congratulate you and Cammie on completing the mating bond. It’s a big step and I’m proud of both of you. It’s a pleasure to officially welcome you to the family.” I hear Sam tell Mason and I swallow hard. “It feels good to officially call you my brother, man. I can now give you the real if you hurt my sister, I will kill you speech.” Cameron tells him and Mason laughs. “I will never hurt you sister. I love her more than life itself. She’s my world.” My heart feels like it’s grown twice in size as I listen to Cam and Mason.
I turn when the back door opens and see Sam coming out. I sigh as he sits down next to me and wait for his speech. We sit in silence for a while before he finally breaks the silence. “Are you happy Cammie?” I turn towards him, shocked at his question. “What kind of question is that? Of course, I’m happy.” He shakes his head. “I need to ask. I mean, a few weeks ago you were refusing the mating bond with Mason and now you’re his mate. I don’t know what to make of it. I need to know this is what you want and that you are truly happy. I know that I’ve just come into your life but that doesn’t mean that I don’t love you any less than I love Cameron. You are my daughter, Cammie. I will do whatever I can to protect you and I want you to know that. I need to know that having this mating bond with Mason is something you wanted to do and not something that was just a reaction from you being kidnapped.” I sit in silence as he stares at me. I don’t know what to say, I mean I didn’t really think about it that way. Would people really think that? That I completed the mating bond with Mason because I was traumatized from the kidnapping? My stomach starts to turn and I feel sick.
