Redemption.
He licked and stroked, smoothing a hand over her ass and up over her belly as his other hand held her thigh, keeping her open to him. He looked up to see her biting her fist, fighting the pleasure he brought, and the thought made him instantly smile.
She was so hot. So, so hot, and he was going to get to see her come again. On his mouth. The greatest gift in the world. He stroked harder, more directly, circling and then coming back to that sensitive little nub at her center. Her cries grew more intense and her body writhed furiously, but he wasn’t about to let her get away. Not until he showed her just how good he could make her feel.
With one final stroke and a tweak of her nipple, she arched back in release, screaming his name to the ceiling as he kept his lips against her, feeling her wet heat as she contracted with pleasure.
She was his; she was everything. As she finished, he gathered her into his arms, scooping her into his lap and wrapping his arms around her, heart pounding as he held her tight, listening to her little gasps. Damn, she was his. Damn, she was beautiful.
He could stay here forever. Just sit here and not face the consequences. Just pretend this was actually going to keep happening. That she could really be his mate.
And then he heard the door to the dojo make a clicking nose. Someone was undoing the lock. He sent a horrified glance at Laurel and whipped off his shirt, throwing it over her.
As the door flew open and light streamed over the mat, he covered her with his large body, making sure no one could see.
7
“Oh my gosh,” a familiar voice said. “Laurel? Asher? Is that you?”
Asher’s eyes widened in shock as another voice joined them. This one angrier.
“Asher… what are you doing?”
It was Lucas. The one who’d made him make the promise. And he was about to see that Asher was debauching the woman he’d promised to protect.
He was about to prove he was the asshole all of them thought he was.
“Get out!” Asher yelled, and the door slammed shut as they did as he said. He didn’t want anyone to see Laurel. He pulled off of her and stayed quiet as he pulled on her pants and helped her with her bra and tank. He let her keep his shirt.
Then he stood and helped her to her feet. She was shaky but able to stand. She looked at him with hurt in her eyes, as if she could sense he was about to run.
He was. He couldn’t stand it. The thought of everyone’s disappointment. He’d proven to be the bastard they all thought he was.
“I have to go,” he said. “Stay with Lily and Lucas tonight, okay?” he asked.
She grabbed him by the elbow. “Wait,” she said. The vulnerable look in her gorgeous brown eyes nearly slew him. “We can face this, Asher. I don’t think they think what you think.”
He blinked. “How would you know what they think? How would you know what I promised? Is this all a game to you? Provoke Asher? Make fun of Asher? Tease Asher, because he always explodes?” He ran his hands through his hair. “No, that’s not fair. I know you’re serious.” He put a hand out to graze her cheek. His hands were calloused, but she didn’t seem to mind.
She didn’t seem to mind anything about him.
That was a wonderful and terrible thought at the same time.
“I have to go,” he said. “I care about you, Laurel. You know I do. But if I break the promise, if I take what I said I wouldn’t take, then I’ll be the asshole I’ve been trying not to be my entire life.”
“But what if I love you?” she asked. “What if you’re being the asshole by walking away?”
He waved a hand. “I’m not. In time, you’ll see that.” He sent a lonely, resentful glance toward the door. “I have to go. I can’t face them now. I’m sorry, Laurel.”
“I’m fine,” she said, honestly not looking as worried about the spectators as she was about him. “But where are you going?”
He shook his head. “I need to think. But after what happened at lunch, promise me you won’t be alone. Promise me you’ll stay with Lily and Lucas. I’ll text them to make sure.”
She sighed. “I promise.”
He nodded and headed to the back door, giving her one last look before walking through it. Then he let the heavy metal slam behind him and looked up at the sky.
It was lightly raining, which was just perfect.
In a few hours, it would smell like Laurel, refreshing and sweet. He waited as he heard Lucas’s voice and knew Laurel was safe. Then he started up his Mustang and went for a drive.
He didn’t know where he was going. Maybe he’d just drive until her scent and her cries and how unworthy he was of her was out of his mind.
Or maybe…
Suspicion flashed through his head. He didn’t know if it was wishful thinking or if it was just something he hadn’t noticed when he’d been feeling jealous and broken over the Dane thing, but some pieces weren’t fitting together right in his mind.
Now he had the perfect thing to occupy him while Laurel stayed with Lucas and Lily and got some comfort there.
He was going to see how good this Dane guy really was.
He knew it could be wishful thinking, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something really was slightly wrong.
And he knew just where to go to find out exactly what.
* * *
Lindon was working in his study when his wife Misty walked in, holding their daughter.
She was blond like him, with deeply tanned skin that set off striking blue eyes. She was three years old and just starting to shift here and there. She was a handful.
He stood and walked to the door, placing a kiss to his wife’s forehead and then pulling back to look at her. “Are you okay? Not that you can’t come up here anytime, but…”
“Yes, sorry,” she said, shaking her brown curls and giving him a warm expression. “I knew you were busy with work, but someone unexpected showed up.”
He tilted his head imperiously. Being aloof was still a habit, even with his gorgeous wife at times. “Who?”
“You remember the alpha challenge?” she asked.
“Of course I remember,” he said tersely. Then he growled, taking their daughter in his arms to cuddle her. She growled back and made a little hissing noise and clawing motion at him, and he growled and snuggled her close. She laughed and settled in, and Misty looked at him with adoring eyes. “What about it?” he asked.
Misty blinked, remembering what they’d been talking about. “Oh yeah. Asher’s here.”
Lindon nearly lost hold of his daughter. Nearly. Instead, he handed her back to Misty so he could process what she’d just told him.
“Asher Vale? The one I threw into a wall on the first day? That Asher?”
She gave him a half grin and nodded. “He was just testing you. And he helped Hawes teach me self-defense after that. You know, he looks practically the same age. Did you know he was just a teen at the alpha challenge? I thought he was in his twenties.”
Lindon shook his head. “I didn’t know and didn’t care. All I cared about was keeping their asses away from you.” He came around behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “You’re mine.”
“I know,” she said. “But he needs our help. He wanted to know if you would talk to him.”
Lindon sighed. “Do you want me to?” He couldn’t refuse anything when it came to his wife. Despite being an alpha and the son of one of the strongest pack leaders, Rowan, he was definitely not the one in charge of this household.
She nodded. “Yes, if you can.”
He leaned down and tilted her chin up so he could kiss her deeply. Every time felt like the first time. Every time felt beautiful.
He released her and relished the starry look in her eyes. “All right, send him up. And then in return, later tonight you can meet me in the study.”
She grinned at him. “My pleasure.”
He winked. “True.”
Then she sashayed out of the room, and Lindon sat in his cha
ir, trying to compose himself while he waited for Asher.
He didn’t have to wait long. The other alpha practically broke down the door opening it.
Lindon stood to greet him, putting out a hand. Asher ignored it, pacing in front of his desk.
Lindon slowly sat, deciding there was no point in rushing him.
Asher was an interesting case. He came from a family of martial arts shifters who ran a dojo for other shifters. Lindon’s brother, Hawes, had trained with them.
From what he knew of Asher in their time together, he was impulsive, hot-blooded.
But there was still a different feeling to him now. Beneath the temper, there was maturity. He guessed this Asher was better at handling things but was bothered by something in particular right at this moment.
“For Pete’s sake, sit down,” Lindon commanded, and Asher sent him a glare, then slumped in a chair in front of the desk.
Damn, the man was huge. One of the broadest wolves through the chest and shoulders he’d seen. Now he could easily believe the man was a teen when he’d known him, because he’d filled out. His hair was also shorter; that helped.
“What can I do for you?” Lindon asked softly. He preferred to counter Asher’s fire with a cold heat.
Asher’s dark eyes flashed up at him. “I need information on a man. I need you not to tell anyone I’m asking.”
Lindon nodded. “Okay. And what will you do for me?”
“What do you want?” Asher asked, befuddled.
Lindon thought it over. “I want lessons for my daughter. For my niece and nephew as well.” Rafe and Hawthorne, his older brothers, had mentioned wanting to sign the kids up for something. “Your kids classes are always full.”
Asher raised an eyebrow. “I can always open a new class. You should have asked.”
Lindon waved a hand. “They’ve only just gotten old enough. But fine, you take them in your class, and I’ll give you what you need. You know my family has info on just about everyone.”
Asher nodded. “If the tribunal ever does fall, I’ll know who’s behind it.”
Lindon flashed him a quick grin and then leaned over the desk. “All right, who is this person?”
Asher looked at his folded hands and then up at Lindon. “Dane. Dane Chesterton.”
Lindon typed the name on his laptop. He had dozens of files on shifter families that his dad and brothers had compiled. He grinned when he found the right one for the Chesterton family. He opened the file, then hesitated.
“I have to ask what you need this info for.”
Asher stared at him. “A girl I know is going to date him. He seems nice enough, but… I don’t know. I have an off feeling about him.”
Lindon nodded. “Well, there’s not a lot here, but I’ll tell you what I know. And then we’ll talk to my dad.”
Asher nodded.
“But this girl, she’s free to date who she wants, right?” Lindon asked.
Asher looked away.
Interesting.
“If you have a problem with this Dane person, why don’t you date her yourself?”
Asher shook his head. “Pack promise.”
“Ah.” Lindon knew what that meant. An unbreakable promise. Physically impossible. “Does she want you?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Asher said. “I’ve taken care of her for a long time. She’ll meet new men and realize it was puppy love. But I want to make sure she’s safe before stepping out of the picture.”
“What did you pack promise, exactly?”
“It’s none of your fucking business, Lindon. Just give me the files.”
“Sheesh, language. You always were a rough sort,” Lindon said, tapping his fingers on the desk. “I don’t see any red flags here, but my dad sometimes knows something I don’t. However, what’s her name?”
Asher blanched slightly.
Even more interesting.
“Laurel,” he said. “Laurel Mason.”
“Ah, I’ve heard of her dad. He’s the one who held that alpha tournament,” Lindon said.
“That’s right,” Asher said, pressing his lips into a firm line.
“Hm,” Lindon said, scanning more documents. Then he clicked on a clipping that had been sent recently in a folder of recent events from his father. “Here’s something you might be interested in. Looks like her good old dad has a bounty ready for whoever can bring her back.”
Asher’s eyes went wide with anger as Lindon slid him the laptop.
“Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck!” He stood and started for the door.
“Where are you going?” Lindon asked.
“I have to go,” Asher said, not turning back around. “I need to tell her. I need to make sure she’s safe.”
“Asher,” Lindon said quietly but in a tone that couldn’t be ignored.
Asher sighed and whipped around. “What?”
“You know, pack promises can’t be broken. But sometimes they can be up for interpretation.”
Asher’s eyes narrowed on him, but then he shook his head in consternation. “Stop speaking in riddles, Lindon. Thanks for your help. I’ll let you know if I need anything else.”
Then he was gone.
Lindon let out a sigh as she sat in his chair. Did he really want that hothead teaching his daughter? Then he laughed. Of course he did.
* * *
Laurel was beyond pissed as she strolled through the front room of Lily and Lucas’s mansion.
They watched her warily, not knowing what to do as she vented and mumbled her anger as she strode from room to room.
Her body was still heated, still longing for more of Asher’s touch. Years of nothing, and then in the past week she’d touched him more times than she could count.
And it still wasn’t enough.
But why the hell couldn’t Asher Vale let anyone love him? She doubted his family had any idea of his feelings, of how badly they’d all messed up while he kept everything inside.
She whirled on Lucas, who was sitting on the couch next to her sister. He was taller, leaner than Asher, with a gentler expression and cool green eyes that only saw her sister.
“You,” she said, hissing it at him like an epithet. “Why the hell did you make him make that damn promise? It had to have been you.”
Lucas’s eyes widened and he exchanged a confused look with Lily, his wife and her sister. “What do you mean?”
Laurel threw up her hands. “The pack promise. The one he’s so hell-bent on keeping that he refuses to mate me?”
Lucas’s mouth fell open in shock and Lily’s eyes widened in surprised. “Laurel, are you sure you want him?” Lily asked, standing to walk to her sister.
Laurel put out a hand. “Sit down. I’m the only one pacing right now.” She paced some more, but it still didn’t quiet the wolf inside her. The alpha female who wanted to claim her mate. “Of course I’m sure. It’s always been him. Hasn’t that been obvious to everyone?”
Lucas scratched the back of his head. “Um, yeah. Pretty much.”
She whirled on him angrily. “I don’t want to hear that from you! Not when it’s your fault this all went bad.”
Lucas’s face tightened, and she knew that wasn’t fair. It wasn’t Lucas’s fault that Asher couldn’t see caring even when it was right in front of him. It wasn’t Lucas’s fault that Asher kept his feelings to himself.
“He thinks you all hate him. Well, at least he doesn’t think you love him.”
Lucas stood, but Lily pulled him back down. “Of course I love him,” Lucas said. “Why do you think we wanted you to stay with him? He was alone too much.”
She froze. “What? You weren’t just using him to babysit me?”
Lucas looked bewildered, and Lily squeezed his hand in support. The former martial arts pro looked truly baffled. “Of course not. We would have been happy for you to stay with us. But you got along with Asher so well, and I was worried about him. Before you…”
“Ah, but then you made him promise not to mate
me. What did you think was going to happen with two alphas spending all their time together?”
Lucas put his head in his hands and groaned, his dark hair falling over his face. Laurel tilted her head in confusion as her sister traced circles over Lucas’s tense back.
“I should have known he’d take it the wrong way, the little idiot,” Lucas said.
“Don’t call him that!” Laurel said. “You don’t know him like I do. He’s wise and honorable and would do anything for the people he loves.”
“You think I don’t know that?” Lucas asked. “That we all don’t know that? Damn, he’s the best of us. Always was. We resented him for it when he was younger, but yeah. He’s always liked being alone, being independent, but when he met you, well, we thought putting you two together would be good for both of you.”
“Right up until we fell in love and your stupid promise had to hurt us,” she spat, still unable to stem the tide of surging anger.
“I didn’t make him promise not to mate you,” Lucas said angrily. “That’s not it at all. I just told him to watch out for you until you found a suitable mate. Of course, we all thought perhaps that mate could be him!”
Laurel froze in shock, blinking rapidly. “Oh.” That made a lot of sense. Only Asher with his stupid unworthiness complex could twist that into forbidding him from being with her.
Then again, it was reasonable to take “suitable mate” as meaning a third party.
“Damn it,” she said. “You’ve still ruined everything.” She folded her arms and turned away, and felt her sister’s arms encircle her from behind.
“Don’t blame Lucas,” she said. “Please. He rescued you and tried his best. Asher is hard to understand for most of us. You’re around him a lot, but you have to understand for the rest of us, we don’t know what’s going on. He always shows us the best face. The one that’s happy or at least fine. We can’t help if we don’t know something’s wrong.”
“Of course something is wrong,” Laurel said, whirling to face Lucas again. “He’s been alone all his life and now he doesn’t know how to let people in. All he had were expectations and two brothers who hated him. Seemed to hate him.”
Alpha Protector Page 7
