Craved By a Beast: A Phoenix Pack Urban Paranormal (Saved By a Beast Book 2)

by Jade Royal

  “In order to escape I devised a plan which allowed Maverick to believe he had gotten me to see things his way. I basically shitted on you guys to get Maverick to believe me. Told him I wanted to be his alpha female and since Jayce wasn’t claiming me, I wanted someone who would. That’s why he bit me to mark me.” The room was deathly quiet. Rita cleared her throat of her nerves. Jayce rubbed her shoulder softly giving her courage.

  “He let me go not only to escape knowing you’d rather save me than attack him. But he also let me go because he wants me to set a trap for you all. Or more specifically the she-wolves. He knows that you’ll trust me and he wants me to bring you to one of his clubs where he can effectively ambush us and kidnap you all.”

  “Seriously?” Kellan gasped.

  “That’s why I don’t want any of the females part of this fight!”

  “But this is exactly why we need to be part of this fight!” Rita countered.

  “Kellan he thinks I’ll be spoon feeding him she-wolves. Why don’t I make it look like that’s exactly what I’m doing? It won’t be us walking into a trap. It’ll be him. And let’s face it, none of you are going to get close to him without getting shot full of wolfs bane.” Rita sat back and crossed her arms. Kellan did the same. She could see the cold calculation in his eyes. He was not happy about this.

  “We can do it,” Gemma spoke up. Her voice was quiet but filled with determination.

  “Yeah, we can,” Kyra agreed. Kellan took a deep breath then turned and looked at his mate. She smiled at him, and they shared some intimate moment that no one was part of but them.

  “Alright. Lay out the plans for us,” Kellan said. None of the other wolves objected. Jayce smiled down at his mate. They were all there to support her and listen to her plan. Rita was drowning in support, and she couldn’t even believe how incredible her pack was.

  “When is this supposed to happen?” Kellan asked after Rita laid out her devised plan.

  “One week,” she replied.

  “Jax and Tristan I want all the she-wolves trained. And I mean intensely. The skills you’ve taught them are good, but I want it multiplied. Train the young wolves as well. They’re the future of their pack. They need to start learning some things. Got that?”

  “Understood,” Jaxson and Tristan said at the same time.

  “What about Dell and his pack?” Jayce asked.

  “I’ll fill him in. Any last questions or comments?”

  “Let’s kill that muthafucker,” Bliss said. Everyone snickered and laughed at their alpha female.

  “Meeting adjourned,” Kellan smiled. He put his arm around Bliss and kissed her on the cheek before walking with her out of the room.

  “Good job,” Jayce said once the room emptied leaving only him and Rita.

  “Thanks,” she smiled.

  “Even though it’s hard for me to let you go anywhere near Maverick again.”

  “Hell, it’s hard for me to have to be near him too.” Jayce noticed the shiver that ran through her body. It made Jayce wonder about certain things.

  “He didn’t touch you did he?” he questioned. Rita froze up at his question. She already committed to the fact that she was going to be telling him everything about her time with Maverick, but the task still scared her. If his reaction was going to be other than what she hoped for she’d be devastated.

  “Touch me as in…?” Rita asked nervously.

  “Sexually,” Jayce replied giving her a look.

  “I mean he marked you. Usually, markings happen during sex. I’m just hoping he wasn’t having sex with you.” Rita felt her devastation beginning to bloom. If he was already hoping Maverick hadn’t touched her then how would he deal with the fact that Maverick had? And Rita had let him?

  “Well did he?” Jayce growled at her. Rita snapped from her daze realizing she hadn’t said anything for a moment.

  “It shouldn’t matter if he did or didn’t,” Rita finally said. “You were just fucking me it didn’t seem to matter then.”

  “Well it does matter to me,” he said. Rita shook her head. She knew then if she told him what happened then he would break her heart. She figured she could save herself the embarrassment and shame. Unfortunately, her heart was going to break if she told him the truth or if she didn’t.

  “So much for not judging me, and being here to support me, and what else was it you said? That nothing would change the fact that you want to spend the rest of your life with me? What sounded so good before now sounds like a load of bullshit,” she breathed. “And to think I was ready to complete the mating bond with you.” She shook her head before turning and leaving the room.

  “What?” Jayce gasped not believing how quickly their relationship was breaking down after they’d only just built it back up. Not willing to just let it go that easily, Jayce hurried after Rita. She was halfway down the tunnel before he caught up to her.

  “Wait, wait,” he said grabbing her by the wrist. She turned around sharply and yanked her wrist from his hold.

  “Don’t touch me,” she stated.

  “What the hell Rita? All I said was that I hope he didn’t touch you! You’re my mate I wouldn’t want anyone to touch you! And I’m sure you wouldn’t want anyone to touch me either.”

  “You can fuck whoever you want to Jayce. I could care less.”

  “Seriously?” he questioned. “What in the hell changed Rita? I said I would be willing to have pups with you as soon as you wanted them. And I’m trying show you I love you. What else do you need from me?” Rita didn’t have the answer to that question. She didn’t know what she needed from him. She just knew that telling him what happened while he was in Maverick’s captivity was nothing he would want to hear. Even if he did proclaim to want to support her, she just knew if he had this information it would be hard for him to view her the same.

  “I guess I’m just not the same woman you knew from before. Being with Maverick changed me Jayce.” She shrugged her shoulders backing away from him. “I thought we could just mate and be happy. But I’m starting to realize that maybe there’s just some things that I can’t get over. Maybe I can’t help the fact that I’ve changed. So why drag you down with me?”

  “Rita, please. Don’t do this to me. I’m sorry if what I said upset you. Hear the truth in my words. Hear the truth by listening to my heartbeat. I’m not just gonna let you walk out of my life. A mated couple is only as strong as their weakest partner. Where you are weak Rita, I’m here to build you up. I’m here to strengthen you. To show you things about yourself that you can’t believe for yourself. Without you Rita, I’m a weak man. I need you to feel strong. To feel like nothing in this world can stop me. I don’t want to be weak Rita. That’s what you can do for me. You can make me strong just like I can make you strong. Hell, I just don’t want to be without you. Please don’t make me live without you.”

  A single tear streaked down her face before her eyes flooded over and it rained tears. She tried to keep her composure, but this wasn’t something that she could just easily fake the funk about. His heartbeat was steady, and honesty dripped from his words like honey. All Rita wanted was love. That’s why she wanted a family. Here was this wolf bearing his soul to her and she was thinking about walking away. How stupid could she be? Her stomach quaked with her pent-up emotions as she began to cry.

  “I don’t want to be without you either,” she cried. “But I-I know you won’t be able to accept what I’ve done.”

  “How do you know that if you don’t tell me, Rita? Just tell me what he did to you. Tell me so I can help you feel empowered again.”

  “It’s not what he did!” She shrieked. “It’s what I did! I fucked him Jayce!”

  “But if he made you-”

  “He didn’t make me do anything! I chose to fuck him Jayce! I knew I had a mate, I knew I would be betraying you, and I let him fuck me!” Jayce opened his mouth to speak and then closed it unsure of what he was exactly supposed to say. Rita continued to break down, her
shoulders shaking with her cries.

  “You tell me I’m a strong woman Jayce, but I didn’t fight my way out of Maverick’s captivity. I didn’t defeat him, I didn’t leave him laying in a pool of his own blood. I fucked him! That’s why he marked me. That’s why he thinks I can lead the she-wolves into his trap. That’s how I was able to get Amber, Maya, and Brandy free. He wouldn’t have trusted me otherwise! But I should have done something else. I should have fought tooth and nail until I defeated him. Instead I decided to just fuck him. That’s who you’re trying to mate Jayce. I don’t see how you can accept me after what I’ve done.” Unable to handle her shame she covered her face and ran off crying through the tunnels.

  Jayce was thrown. Of course, he wasn’t happy to hear that Maverick was inside his mate. To know that another wolf had touched what was his. But he also knew that Rita wasn’t the type of woman to do something unless it was necessary. And if she hadn’t done what she’d did with Maverick, then the pack wouldn’t have the plan they did now to take him out. Even if the admission was hard for him to swallow, he wasn’t going to make his mate feel any ounce of shame for doing what she had to do to survive. Now was his time to show her that he was going to commit to her no matter the circumstance. Nodding with assurance for himself that he was going to make things right, he followed the sound of Rita’s cries all the way to her bedroom. Her door was closed, but he went inside without knocking. She was in bed with her face buried in her pillow crying her eyes out. Jayce stepped inside and closed the door.

  “Please just go Jayce,” she wept. Jayce ignored her and sat on the edge of the bed. He pulled her up and dragged her across his lap, cradling her like she was a baby. He kissed her forehead.

  “Look what you’re doing to yourself,” he said wiping the tears from her face. He grabbed a spare t-shirt that lay on her bed and held it against her nose.

  “Blow,” he ordered softly. She blew into the t-shirt while he wiped her nose.

  “That’s better. Now you don’t got snot all over your face.” She hiccupped as she looked up at him, curious as to why he wasn’t pissed at what she’d done.

  “You’re not mad?” she squeaked out.

  “Mad? Rita, I’m furious.” She gasped and tried to move from his lap, but he held her tight. “I’m furious that you think you betrayed me or that I wouldn’t want to accept you.”

  “But-”

  “No, but’s Rita.” She sniffled and continued to gaze at him with her doe-like eyes. “I said what I said about hoping he didn’t touch you because I didn’t want you to have to live with the fact that he did. And like I said, I’m your mate. Anyone touching you would upset me. But that don’t mean I’m gonna love you any less.”

  “I didn’t fight,” she whispered. “I should have just kept fighting instead of giving him my body. That doesn’t make me strong.”

  “Fighting comes in many forms, I’m pretty certain of that. But I’m also certain that it was hard as fuck to willingly give your body to someone you despise and pretend you liked it for not only your freedom but the freedom of others. You made a sacrifice other women wouldn’t make Rita. That surely sounds like fighting to me. And it sure as hell proves how strong you are.”

  “You think so?” she asked.

  “Yes, baby I do. Not only were you thinking about the young wolves you were thinking about your pack. Because without you giving him your body we wouldn’t have the plan we have now to finally get him. We owe a lot to you, Rita.”

  “I thought about you,” she said. “He didn’t give me one ounce of pleasure. I didn’t want any pleasure from him. But to make it look like he was giving me pleasure I closed my eyes and thought about our first time. How it felt when you touched me. And all the pleasure you gave me. It was the only thing that allowed me not to show my disgust for Maverick.”

  “Well, I guess that’s something. He wasn’t better than me was he? Because I swear to god if he was better than me, I’m gonna find one of those wolfs bane guns and shoot myself in the dick.” His comment did exactly what he wanted it to. Rita’s mouth cured into a shy smile before her body began to shake as she stifled her laughter. But then she let it all out and laughed. Her laughter filled Jayce up, letting him know that he’d done his job.

  “If you shoot yourself in the dick what am I supposed to use?”

  “You’re right,” he said smiling. He kissed her on the mouth softly.

  “Mate with me,” he said softly after a moment of silence. She was smiling but then her smile disappeared.

  “We can’t,” she said.

  “Why?”

  “If we mate our scents will mix.” Rita slapped her forehead upset she hadn’t thought of it until then. “If Maverick knows I completed the mated bond with you he’ll never believe I’m actually still on his side.”

  “Shit. You’re right. Fuck!” Rita rubbed his face.

  “Only a week and then I’m all yours,” she said.

  “A week is a long ass time,” he smiled.

  “But I’d wait an eternity to be with you if I have to.” Rita snuggled in his arms, pressing her face to his neck devouring herself in his scent. And it was all she and her wolf needed before she conked out for the night.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Kellan and his wolves watched as their she-wolves fought each other, each viciously and intensely. He knew that the she-wolves were capable of fighting but he was surprised at the level they were on, and in only a week their skills had doubled, even tripled immensely. Gemma was still in short control of her wolf, but was surprisingly beginning to show more and more control. It looked like both her and her wolf liked the idea of kicking ass and that’s why they were in sync. Tonight was the night they were going to get Maverick, and Kellan needed to make sure the women were more than ready.

  “Stop!” His voice boomed out. The fighting stopped slowly, the she-wolves panting and sweating.

  “Good job ladies,” he complimented. “I’m satisfied with your fighting skills. Tonight there will be no mercy regarding Maverick or anyone who stands in our way of taking him down. As per the plan, only you women will be entering the club. Rita, you’re taking charge of handling Maverick and Bliss I want you to keep the other she-wolves safe until we can get hands on him.”

  “Don’t all rip him to pieces,” Kyra said. “Save some for us.” Her comment made Kellan think. In some shape or another, Maverick had negatively impacted each one of his she-wolves. And to see them stand there ready to fight was honorable and inspiring.

  “It’s a deal,” Kellan replied. “Everyone go rest up for tonight. Rita and Jayce I need to speak with the both of you.” Everyone else left the workout area, Bliss kissed her mate on the cheek before she left the room as well.

  “I’m assuming you’re going to be my beta couple correct?” Kellan asked.

  “Yes,” Jayce spoke up

  . “We just can’t complete the bond because Maverick won’t fall for our trap if he knows Rita mated with me.”

  “Right,” Kellan nodded.

  “Rita, how strong do you think the other she-wolves are?”

  “Is this a trick question?” Rita asked “Like some sort of beta test?” Kellan smiled at her.

  “No test. But get used to it. Before I make pack decisions, I consult my beta. The beta is the voice of reasoning and in some cases will keep me from making rash decisions. I’m on the verge of making a decision, but I need to make sure it will be effective. So, how strong you think the she-wolves are?”

  “Individually it might be hard to win a fight depending on the strength of the opponent. But I must say when we move as a unit, we’re strong. Very strong.”

  “Jayce you agree?”

  “Yeah, I do. Yesterday all of them fucked me, Jaxson, and Tristan up.”

  “Good,” Kellan nodded.

  “What decision were you planning on making?” Rita asked.

  “You’ll see,” Kellan responded. “Thanks for your time.” His face was straight, but then a sm
ile spread across his lips. Rita made a face as she looked at him. He noticed right away and stopped smiling.

  “Sorry,” he laughed. “Bliss is being a very naughty wolf in my head right now. And she’s projecting very interesting things in my mind. Excuse me.” He left the room quickly his arousal very much noticeable. His trail of arousal hung around Rita and Jayce awkwardly. They hadn’t touched each other since he’d marked her. They were both sexually frustrated, but Rita hadn’t even shown him her naked body with her scars. So staying away from sex was probably a good thing. She knew she couldn’t hide it forever but waiting until she was confident enough was key.

  “Are you ready for tonight?” Jayce asked her, breaking the silence

  “Yes,” she replied confidently.

  “It’s about time we stop living with that creep somewhere out there.”

  “I’m really upset that we can’t mate before this whole ordeal,” he admitted.

  “I wouldn’t want to go into any fight without the strength of my mate.”

  “I don’t want to either,” she sighed. Even though she knew it could complicate things both her and her wolf wanted to complete the bond.

  “I bet you’re wondering why I haven’t tried to touch you,” he said.

  “A little.”

  “I know I won’t have control,” he admitted.

  “It was hard enough not to complete the bond when I marked you. If I get inside you again, I’ll have no control, and I’m going to bite you to bond. There’s going to be no stop to that.”

  “Not if you’re not attracted to me anymore,” Rita mumbled looking away from him. She knew she should have kept her mouth shut because as a wolf Jayce’s hearing was impeccable.

  “Why would you say that?” he asked.

  “No reason,” Rita waved him off. She kissed him on the cheek and tried to just walk away, but Jayce held onto her.