I cannot tell what he’s thinking, not even a little.
“I choose you, Jack. Nothing that’s happened has changed my mind. The only traumatic part for me was crazy Christi with a gun and thinking that I hurt Runt. The rest feels surprisingly normal. I do have one question for Brooks.” I turn my attention to Brooks, who looks like a deer caught in the headlights. “Did you understand me when I was talking to you? When you were a wolf?”
“Yes. I was confused. It didn’t occur to me that you were trying to protect Runt from other people seeing him. And because I couldn’t communicate with you, I couldn’t tell you that the cavalry was coming and that they all knew we could do that. I also couldn’t tell you that Runt was fine. We’re close to impossible to kill, which is why he was trying to push you out of the way. When we shift back and forth like you saw, it heals our bodies. Even though Runt was unconscious, Jack, the alpha, will always be heard and can make us shift.” He takes another bite of his pizza and with his mouth full, he laughs. “Crazy Christi. I like it. It suits her.”
Everyone laughs and the heaviness in the room lightens considerably.
Runt puts his slice of pizza down. “I’m sorry I scared you, Ashley. The more freaked Christi seemed, the more nervous I was that she was going to pull the trigger. Keeping you safe was all I could think about. When I couldn’t get you out of the way, I panicked, causing me to shift.” Runt seems to think he’s done something wrong.
“Don’t apologize. You did nothing wrong. It was an extremely stressful situation and I think we handled it pretty well. All three of us. Me not knowing about shifters put you and Brooks in a tough spot. I promise, the next time someone pulls a gun on us, I’ll let you push me out of the way. Deal?” I’m smiling at Runt and hope he lets go of his guilt.
“Deal. Hopefully, we won’t be doing that again.” Runt’s smile is a relief.
Whack. Jack’s fist hits the table, getting everyone’s attention.
“There better not be a fucking next time. Twice now, in the span of a week, you’ve been in danger and I wasn’t there to protect you. Hearing that gun go off through the phone.”
Jack closes his eyes and shakes his head briefly before he continues. “That shit better not happen again, ever.”
I didn’t realize it until now. Jack was struggling just as much as I was this past week. My car, the break-in, Christi still roaming the streets. Not only was he trying to figure out how to tell me the secret, he was concerned about me. I hate that he carried that burden, but I’m also relieved that I wasn’t struggling alone. All we had to do was talk to one another. Wow, what a revelation.
“I know I have a lot to learn. About shifters, packs, being mated, everything. I’ll ask a lot of questions and please, tell me when I need to know something. I won’t know until you tell me. Thank you for being patient with me.” I’m talking to everyone and trying to make eye contact with each of them, including Nicholai.
Jack gets up. He moves until he’s standing beside me. He’s so close that I can feel him breathing.
I look up at Jack. “So, what happens next? You didn’t eat anything.”
Jack’s right hand moves around my waist, and he pulls me to him. His left hand is cradling my face, and his thumb softly caresses my bottom lip. “I’m not hungry. Will you be my mate? Are you saying yes?”
An uncontrollable shiver ripples down my body, and I barely whisper. “Yes.”
Jack’s lips are so close to mine but not close enough. Kiss me already! Jack lifts me straight up off the floor and walks me backwards toward the bedroom. My legs involuntarily wrap themselves around his waist. And my hands move up to his shoulders. We stare into each other’s eyes as he approaches the doorway.
“Now? Are we doing this now?” I’m suddenly nervous.
Jack stops just before we reach the bedroom door. “Do you want to wait?” His muscles have tensed. He’s trying to maintain control.
“No. I don’t want to wait. But you better be sure, Jack. No more teasing.” Now is perfect. It’s the reason I didn’t want to go with Bear to the clinic. “Make me yours, Jack.”
Jack moves quickly into the room and kicks the door closed with a loud bang. I hold on tight and brace my head on his shoulder. I laugh at how fast he’s going.
He stops just before he reaches the bed and lifts my head to look into my eyes. I can feel his emotions. I can barely breathe from the intensity.
“You are the only one for me, Ashley.” He slowly leans forward. His gaze moves from my eyes to my lips. And then he kisses me.
His lips are warm, and his tongue glides slowly across my bottom lip, wanting access. I open my lips slightly and brush my tongue against his. The kiss quickly blossoms, becoming deep and full. Our tongues are dancing. It’s the perfect kiss. I can feel the kiss intensify. Our breathing is getting harder, and my heart is racing.
I pull away for just a moment. Jack leans his forehead against mine. I can’t believe he’s still carrying me.
I speak softly. “I want to take a quick shower. I feel like I can still smell Christi, and I don’t want that coming into bed with us.”
Jack nods at my request. His eyes are closed. I get the feeling he doesn’t like the idea of a delay.
“Will you come with me? I’ll need help keeping my bandage dry.”
Jack opens his eyes and looks at me. The smile on his face is pure joy. “I don’t think I’m going to be very helpful. I want you wet.” Jack walks us toward the bathroom.
“Good thing it’s only my arm that needs to stay dry.” I smile at Jack as he lowers me to the floor.
CHAPTER 26
Nicholai
Jack and Ashley disappear into the bedroom. The rest of the pack are finishing their pizza. The events of the day are the topic of discussion and they all seem happy with how everything turned out. Despite Ashley being shot, the overall mood is peaceful.
“Well, this certainly has been an exciting day. I think I’ll take my glass of wine out to the dock.” I pour some wine for myself and go out the back door. Everyone else leaves the area as well. Giving the couple some privacy.
There’s so much to tell Snowbie, but I should collect my thoughts first. I think I’ll start at the beginning of the day and work my way forward. I pull out my phone and place the call.
“Hello, Nicholai. I hope you have something new to report. I was expecting things to progress a little quicker.” She sounds distracted, like she’s doing something. I hear lots of movement.
“Snowbie, you’re going to need to stop what you’re doing and sit down. Today has been long and exciting. I’ll start at the beginning and work my way forward.”
I tell her about the argument, about how Ashley dreamed of Jack’s wolf for months and followed him here. About the visit with Doc, who revealed that he knows about the same story she does. And the books that Doc has in his possession. I tell her about Christi showing up with a gun, Runt and Brooks shifting, and Ashley being shot. The whole conversation informing Ashley about shifters and fated mates, and finally the two of them disappearing into the bedroom. I don’t think I’ve missed anything.
“Nicholai, I’m speechless. I don’t even know where to begin. I do think it’s time for me to come to you. I need to meet them in person. I’ll start to pack, and you can come get me. In a car, please, Nicholai. I think that by the time I get there, they’ll be mated.” She’s fully alert and eager.
“I’m pretty sure they’ll be mated before we end our conversation.” I drink the last of my wine in one gulp. I should have brought the bottle. I’m happy for Jack and Ashley, but at the same time I feel a tinge of jealousy.
“Don’t be crude, Nicholai. I have some questions. I jotted down a few notes while you were talking. Was Jack aware of his wolf going to her in her dreams?” Snowbie sounds anxious. And I’m sure she has her pencil ready.
“No, he said he had no clue. It’s not clear if the wolf actually left him and went to her dreams or if fate created an illusion of him.
After they’re mated, we’ll be able to talk to her.” I try to get comfortable on this bench, but I’m unsuccessful.
“Are you sure the story Doc told was the same as mine?” She’s eager for information.
“Yes. He didn’t go into detail about the high alpha or the natural-born alpha female, but yes, it was the same. In fact, it was uncanny how similar they were, but I couldn’t question him about it. Again, after they’re mated, we’ll be able to talk to Doc and hopefully look at those books.” I feel like I’m repeating myself. I have told this woman everything.
“How sure are you that they are…how do you say, mating?” Is Snowbie blushing?
“Very. I’m surprised they made it to the bedroom.” I like the view over the water. This is the ideal location for the dock.
Flash, thump, thump! A flash in the sky stops our conversation. The thumps echoing in the distance.
What the hell was that? The sky pulsed or something, a ripple. It was like the universe had a single heartbeat.
“Nicholai, it is done. They are mated. Did you see that? Did you feel it? She is the natural-born alpha female, and he is now the high alpha. As soon as you know his path, you must follow your orders and adhere to the oath. If he’s good, I will send the other two your way. We have no time to waste. Call me as soon as you know, and we’ll make whatever arrangements are necessary.” Snowbie’s shaken but seems to have it together.
“I’m still here at their house. Let me go back inside and get a sense of the mood. I’ll call you back as soon as I know something. I still need to tell them about you.” I collect my glass from the bench and start toward the house.
“There is much to do. Goodbye, Nicholai.” Snowbie disconnects the call.
Coming through the back door, I notice that all the guys are gathered in the living room.
“Nicholai, did you see that? You were outside. What the fuck was it?” Max is pacing back and forth. The rest are just as anxious.
“I saw it and felt it. It means that Jack and Ashley are officially mated. It’s the reason I’m here.” They all turn their attention toward me, and Grant steps forward.
“I think you need to explain yourself. We welcomed you into our house, and now you betray us.” Grant’s rage is apparent. I can see the anger in all their eyes as they spread out to surround me.
“I have not betrayed you. I’m here to protect Jack, Ashley, and each of you. I needed to be here at the time of their mating so that I can declare my allegiance to him as soon as possible. Jack is now the high alpha. He is now my alpha.” I place my hand to my heart and try to keep my voice calm.
I need them to continue to trust me and that will only happen if I keep my composure. My soul already knows Jack’s nature and his path. I don’t have to wait to see him. I can feel it radiating throughout the house.
“What is a high alpha? Protect us from what? How is he your alpha?” Grant isn’t convinced yet. He still doubts my loyalty. The others are following his lead and are maintaining slow, deliberate movements to surround me.
“A high alpha is an alpha that has control over all other alphas, regardless of species, including humans. And every alpha in the world felt that pulse and knows in their souls that there is now one greater. He will have enemies. They will revolt against him and how he wants life to continue. They started as soon as the flash happened. Most will follow Jack’s example and life will continue as it always has. The ones who are against him will cause a great war. This war could expose shifters on a global scale. An outcome that will destroy all shifters.” I try to keep it simple, but there’s nothing simple about it.
“Why is Jack this high alpha? What makes him special?” Max looks at Grant as he asks the question. Grant looks like the ground has been pulled out from under him.
“Jack is not the special one, Ashley is. She is the natural-born alpha female. Her abilities are not known yet. To my knowledge there has never been another. In their mating, she has made him the high alpha. She’s completely unaware of how special she is. With that said, they must do this together. They will make each other stronger.” I watch Grant closely.
“Earlier, you told Jack about a human female born with alpha female traits. You weren’t being vague. You were being specific. Why didn’t you tell Jack the truth then?” Grant puts the pieces together as he regains his composure.
“I was trying to help without interfering. A difficult task. At the same time, we didn’t know if she was the one. There was no way to know if she was the right human until they mated.” I point up to the sky to emphasize the result.
“We? Who is we?” Grant’s pulling it together quicker than I’m ready for.
“I was hired by a witch. Her name is Snowbie. She’s not far, in upstate New York. She hired me several years ago to watch and befriend Jack. One of my cousins and my sister have been watching two other alphas. Currently they are trying to determine if their charges are for or against Jack. If they’re against Jack, they’ll be destroyed. Then they’ll come here and declare their allegiance to him. He’s their alpha now as well.
“Right after I give this information to Jack and Ashley, I will leave to retrieve Snowbie. She needs to be here to help Jack, but mostly Ashley. Ashley will need guidance in developing her abilities, especially because we do not know what they are yet. One may be her ability to mask her scent. We don’t know.” We look at each other.
I wait to let them process the information. They all seem to be more relaxed. The ones who previously surrounded me have broken formation.
When I feel enough time has passed, I continue. “Life as you know it is over. We have a war to prepare for. You should also know that it is Ashley who will bring your mates. For all of you. They will all be fated, and she will know of their arrival before you do. In most cases they will be drawn to her first and discover you.” I try to stress the importance of the situation while giving just the basic information. I don’t know how successful I am. And a little hope at the end never hurts.
There’s a bang at the front door, interrupting us. Grant, Max, and I go answer it. Gabe, Bear, Doc, Travis, and Marvin are standing on the porch.
“We’re all here to declare our allegiance to Jack. Anyone want to explain what the fuck is going on?” Gabe gets straight to the point.
Grant gives me a questioning look. I guide everyone into the living room. Brooks is already passing around beers. I repeat all the information already told to the others. This group seems to be taking it better.
Bear is the first to speak. “Holy shit. I don’t know what to say.”
Doc is nodding his head. “The story is true. I’ve heard of such a tale before. I wonder if your witch is related to the woman who came to our village when I was a child? I would like to talk with her. I will bring the books over in the morning and we can go through them.” Doc nods once toward me.
“After I give this information to Jack and Ashley, I’ll go to New York to get her. She wants to talk to you as well and look at those books.” I’m pleased that Doc is forthcoming with his information.
Grant stands. “I think it’s time to get Jack.”
Everyone’s looking around at each other, waiting. No one wants to be the one to knock on that door.
CHAPTER 27
Jack
The day has been full of ups and downs. I even thought Ashley was leaving at one point. But finally, I’m going to claim my mate. It’s strange to think that only a few hours ago Christi was pointing a gun at Ashley, and now I’m peeling off her clothes. Doc was right: your mate is a gift, and I’m enjoying mine.
I try to take my time. I slowly lift the shirt over her head. I don’t want to rush. I’ll save the bra for later. I want to calm my mind. I kneel on the floor in front of her and start to unbutton her jeans. Too much has happened this week, and there is so much we still need to talk about. But for now, I want us to enjoy this time and each other. I slide the jeans down her hips. We can talk tomorrow.
I run my hands back up her
thighs and look at her. She’s watching me. I can smell her arousal, so sweet and salty. I stand up and unhook her bra, gently sliding the straps off her shoulders. I have held her and caressed her in the darkness, but this is my first real look. She is so beautiful. As the bra falls to the floor, I realize something I hadn’t noticed before. She’s shy and nervous for me to see her in the light.
She has no idea how perfect she is. I lean forward and take her round breasts in my hands. They are heavy and soft. I love the feel of them. Her nipples are hard little pearls, responding to my touch. I lean closer and take one into my mouth. She catches her breath and leans into me. Her hand comes up to the back of my neck, holding me tightly. I swirl my tongue around her nipple before I suck it deeper into my mouth. Her moan is exquisite.
Her hands move down to my waist and tug at my shirt. I take it from her and pull it over my head while she unbuttons my jeans. Before she starts to push them down my legs, I stop her. I’m too excited and ready.
“If you touch me, baby, I’ll be done.” That is not how I envision us finishing.
I take a few steps toward the shower, open the door, and turn on the water. I push my jeans and boxers to the floor and pull her to me. I try to distract my mind with a kiss while I lower her panties. She pushes them the rest of the way. We step into the shower together. I hope this is a quick rinse-off. I won’t last much longer.
“Jack, I need you now. Can we make this shower fast?” That shyness is in her look again. She’s unsure if she should ask for what she wants.
Delivered: (The Blackpaw Prophecy, Book 1) Page 18
