“I’m sorry, Alpha. I didn’t know she belonged to you,” Travis replied, though his words didn’t sound sincere. “You should keep a closer eye on your mate. Such a stunning creature would no doubt draw all the single men out of the woodwork.”
“She’s mine! Keep your hands off!”
“She doesn’t bear your mark, Alpha,” Travis challenged. “She’s fair game!”
Charli was barely following the conversation, but she didn’t like its direction. She may not wear Judge’s mark yet, but he had guaranteed she was safe because she bore his scent. Nobody would be game enough to approach her, according to him. But it would seem that no one had told Travis that.
“Since my scent all over her wasn’t enough of a clue for you, let me remedy that,” Judge growled.
His anger turned to tenderness as he gently moved her hair from her shoulder. He kissed her neck softly. Her body turned to goo at his touch, her legs to jelly. He held her firm against his chest as his lips traveled down her neck. Then he struck.
She felt a slight sting as if she had been bitten by an insect. Then the sensation turned into pure bliss. Her skin tingled and blood boiled as her juices flooded her underwear. Tiny explosions erupted within her as light filled her closed eyelids. She was aware of someone screaming in the distance but was beyond caring. As quickly as it started, it stopped.
Her eyes opened and her gaze landed on Travis. Gone was the charming smile. A look of pure fury was aimed directly over her shoulder. Without a goodbye, he turned and walked away. Once he had disappeared from her sight, she turned to the man behind her.
“I’m sorry about that, kitten.” Judge was smart enough to look coy as he delivered his apology. It pulled her completely out of her hormone-induced ecstasy and dropped her into the embarrassing reality of the pride lands.
“So you should be. Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was?” She could feel her cheeks flaming at the thought of what had just happened.
“Embarrassing or not, I couldn’t stand back and allow him to touch you like that,” Judge replied gruffly.
“You coming to my rescue is not what I’m upset about,” she responded, confused. She pushed against his chest, needing to put some distance between them.
“Then what?” Judge’s hands went to his hair. She’d learned over the last few days that it was a sign of frustration on his part.
“You made me … you know.”
“No, kitten, I have no idea what you’re talking about.” The slight turning up of the corner of his mouth told her he knew exactly what she was talking about. The bastard! “You need to explain it to me so I can understand.”
“You made me orgasm!” she said, punctuating each word with a jab of her finger to his chest.
Judge grabbed her finger and brought it to his mouth. “Kitten, I intend on making you come all the time. Why would I be sorry about that?”
“But not in public!” How could this smart, ancient man not see the problem with that?
“Public, private, I’ll take you anywhere you allow me to. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever had the privilege to witness.”
Her anger dissolved and her knees weakened at the smile he was sending her. His green eyes sparkled as he perused her body from head to toe. He left goose bumps in his wake. He was the most potent creature she had ever met. How was she going to survive a lifetime with the man?
Shaking her head, she forced the fog from her brain. Something wasn’t adding up and for the life of her she couldn’t put her finger on it. Going back over the conversation she’d just had with Judge, clarity was gifted along with confusion.
“If you weren’t sorry for making me orgasm in front of strangers, what the hell were you apologizing for?”
“Kitten, I must warn you, Gabby is on the warpath when it comes to certain words. She doesn’t want the babies being exposed to bad language. You might want to watch your tongue.”
While she appreciated the warning, Gabby needn’t worry about her language. She expected the same rules to be followed around Emily as well. But that wasn’t the point of this conversation and she would be damned if she was going to allow Judge to change the subject.
“Judge, the apology?”
“Fine, but I’m not sure you’re going to like it.” Again his hands went to his hair.
“Spill!”
“I just gave you the first of the mating bites.”
“And?” she asked. It wasn’t as if it was never going to happen, and Judge knew it, so what could possibly be the problem with that?
“One thing I haven’t told you about the mating bites is that all three bites must be given before the next full moon. That’s in just under two weeks.”
“Two weeks?” She walked over to a small boulder and sat on it, relieved to get off her weakening legs.
“Yes, I’m sorry. I know I promised to go slow,” Judge said, coming over and crouching down in front of her. “I had every intention of abiding by your condition, but when that young want-to-be touched you, even with my scent all over you, and then challenged my claim over you, instinct took over.”
Instinct. The same thing that had helped keep Charli and Emily alive these last two years had sped up the mating process. It wasn’t like she was never going to mate with Judge. If her recent vision hadn’t already highlighted the fact that she had made up her mind about the mating bond, she had since made the conscious choice to mate with this gorgeous man. How could she not? The more she got to know about him, the more she craved his company and attention.
The question was, had instinct done her a favor? Speeding up the mating process meant venturing further into a physical relationship with Judge. She’d already opened her heart and mind up to this man, but did she have the courage to hand over her untouched body to him? If the fact that her hormones came alive whenever Judge was near was anything to go by, then yes she was. Fear was holding her back. Fear of the unknown.
“I’m a little scared, Judge,” she admitted, staring into his eyes. Though everything in her wanted her to drop her gaze in embarrassment, she couldn’t. Her stubbornness and need to be an equal in this relationship wouldn’t allow her a moment of weakness.
“I understand, kitten. I can only promise that nothing will happen between us that you’re not ready for.”
With those few words and simple vow, Charli found it easier to fight her anxiety over the unknown. Thankful of the information Nikki and Gabby had shared, she now had enough knowledge of the mating bond to know that once it was complete their need for each other would grow beyond anything either had felt before. If ignored, pain followed. Judge would know this too, yet still he had put her needs above his own discomfort.
“You’re a special man, Judge Martin,” she declared, bringing her hand up to his stubbly cheek.
“Only for you, my mate,” he replied, turning his face into her hand and kissing her palm.
As she took in the many people who roamed the pride lands, she doubted he even saw the lie in that statement. The respect that resided in every person’s eyes when they looked at Judge spoke of their true feelings for their alpha. They cherished his leadership skills rather than feared them. He was the leader of their pride and head of their family. He was special to each and every one of them, just as he had become special to her.
Chapter Sixteen
By the time they left the pride lands, both Charli and Emily were exhausted. Charli had met a number of the pride members, each one welcoming her with open arms and most of their names already lost in the jumble that was her mind. Emily had spent the day making new friends and acting like a normal six-year-old girl should. Every time Charli heard Emily’s sweet laughter and squeals of excitement the bindings around her heart loosened, offering her hope for their future.
Emily seemed to find her soul sister while at school. Katie welcomed Emily immediately. They’d been attached at the hips all day, according to their teacher. But they weren’t alone. Katie’s older brother ha
d spent the day following them everywhere, watching over them and keeping them out of trouble.
“What’s Bobby’s story?” Charli asked once Emily’s breathing had evened out, announcing that she was asleep. Her own eyes threatened to close and remain shut.
“He’s had a hard life from what we can gather,” Judge explained, his gaze never leaving the darkened road. “He only joined the pride a couple of months ago. His first nine years was spent with his abusive mother. She’s human but knew about us. She grew up around here but left when she found out that she was pregnant. She wasn’t Jason’s mate and knew there was no future for them.”
“How awful for both Bobby and Jason. Being separated for that long.” Charli sat forward, forcing her weariness to the back of her mind.
“More so for Bobby, I’m afraid. Jason had no knowledge of his son until Gabby introduced them.”
“Wait, Gabby? As in Nikki’s best friend, Gabby.”
“Yes. After Bobby had transformed around his ninth birthday, his mother dumped him on the land next door to our pride lands, knowing it was owned by someone who disliked our kind. What she didn’t realize was that he had died and left the property to his granddaughter. Gabby found Bobby curled up in her cabin, petrified. They developed a bond in the few days they were together, and she helped connect him with his father.”
“That’s so sad. How could his mother just leave him like that?”
Judge reached over, covering her intertwined hands with his free one. “Unfortunately, I remember her. Jason was blind to her true nature. She was happy to screw him but never accepted what he was. It wasn’t a surprise to us that she would keep Bobby from his dad and then dump him as soon as he showed signs of not being completely human.”
“I wonder if that’s why he’s so protective of Katie and Emily. He knows how evil some people can be.”
“That and if you remember, Katie was the young girl who was nearly kidnapped last week. I think he feels that he let her down by not protecting her when she was grabbed. He was walking with her and some of the other kids from the pride when it happened.”
“But that’s silly. There’s no way he could have prevented that,” Charli argued, feeling affronted for the boy.
“We’ve all told him that, but he still carries the burden,” Judge said as he maneuvered the car around a sharp bend.
“What did he have to endure at the hands of his mother that he takes such a responsibility at such a young age?”
“Neglect. He was left to fend for himself most of the time.”
“That poor boy,” she whispered, slumping back into the soft leather seat as a single tear rolled down her cheek.
Judge gently squeezed her tightly knotted hands. “I can feel the tension coming from you, kitten. Why don’t you relax and enjoy the rest of the drive. And I want you to remember that Bobby is now in a happy environment in which he’s loved. If anyone can help him it’s Jason, Maryanne, and the girls.”
Nodding, she followed Judge’s advice. Closing her eyes, she thought of everything she and Emily had endured throughout their lives. No matter what, neither one could claim to not know the love of a mother. Both women had done everything within their power to protect their daughters. Emily’s mom had given her life in the struggle.
As fatigue settled into her bones, another sensation glimmered to life. A vision was coming and she welcomed it. Delgado hadn’t been far from her mind since her discussion with Iris. She had been hoping she would be gifted with his whereabouts without having to push for the vision. Even though she no longer experienced seizures, there were still side effects of having to force a vision. Exhaustion, nausea, and headaches generally followed. She’d been laid up for nearly twenty-four hours after the ordeal with Nikki. Pain that was well worth it to help her friend.
Darkness swallowed her sight, blinding her completely. An ominous feeling hung over her head, and soft whimpers could be heard. A chair scraped along the ground in the near distance. It came to a halt to her right. Opening her eyes, she tried to gain some insight into where she was. Blackness filled her view. It was then that she felt something across her nose. Why had she been blindfolded?
More whimpering sounded as hot air wafted past her cheek. Shying away, she discovered her movement was limited. Her arms and legs were bound to the chair she sat in.
“Shut the noise, kid,” a man said from beside her as her arm was grabbed. “I was told not to hurt you, but a little slap here and there wouldn’t do much harm. Especially if you keep on with that sniveling.”
“I want Charli. Where’s Charli?” sobbed Emily.
“You’ll be back with her soon. As soon as the boss gets what he wants.”
That statement had her being catapulted out of the vision. Sitting up straight, Charli took in her surroundings. No longer was she engulfed in darkness. Bright neon lights lit up the sky, announcing her arrival back in Las Vegas.
A hand landed on her leg. “Kitten, are you okay? Did you have a nightmare?”
She remembered where she was and why she was there. Quickly turning in her seat, her gaze fell upon her sleeping sister. Air rushed from her lungs. Emily was safe. Then the foreboding words followed. For now.
She turned her attention back to Judge. “Yes, a nightmare, only this one was a living, breathing nightmare in the form of Delgado.”
“What is it?” Worry was evident in Judge’s voice.
“I had a vision. Delgado’s found us. He had Emily tied to a chair. We have to take her back to pride lands now, where she’ll be safe,” Charli said, her heart pounding against her ribs at the very thought of Emily being in danger.
“Calm down, kitten,” Judge tried to cajole, keeping his voice low. “Take a look at Emily. She’s safe, sleeping soundly. No one will be getting to her tonight, or while I’m around. Now I need you to calm down just until we get her into bed and then I want you to tell me every detail about your vision so we can ensure that it doesn’t come true.”
“But how can you guarantee that he’s not going to get her?”
“Because every aspect of our trip up to our quarters is protected. No one can get into our parking lot or the private elevators up to our living areas. She’s safe. I promise.”
Nodding, she sat back in her seat again, her back still ramrod straight. Judge pulled into the undercover car park, quickly pressing a button on the dash to open the tall gates to the cordoned-off area reserved for himself, Devil, Viper, and Chaos. She kept her eyes peeled, looking for any shadow that didn’t belong, only relaxing once the gates had shut behind them.
As she stepped out of the low-slung car, her muscles made themselves known. The tense ride had taken its toll. Forcing herself to move, she stepped away from the car. Judge was currently folded in half, gently extricating Emily from her car seat while trying not to wake her. Charli moved behind him, her confidence in their safety still wavering.
Once the lift doors had closed, locking them in the tiny cubicle, she slumped against the mirrored walls. Emily was safe in Judge’s arms. No harm would come to her this evening. Needing to be near her little sister, Charli took her from Judge as soon as they walked into the quarters. She set about putting Emily to bed.
Placing Emily on the bed, Charli gently woke her. “Come on, honey. You need to go to the toilet before going to bed.”
“Okay, Charli,” came the weary response. “I had fun today.”
Watching her half-asleep little sister stumble through to the bathroom, Charli felt a flicker of guilt pinpoint her heart. It was true that six-year-olds did need to empty their bladder before sleeping the night away, but Charli had an ulterior motive. She needed to erase that Emily’s scared voice from her memory.
Still unable to let Emily go just yet, as soon as her hands were washed, Charli had her back in her arms. Carrying her through to the giant bed, she placed her little sister into the middle and tucked the blankets around her. She didn’t know how long she had remained at Emily’s side, playing with her ha
ir, but when she entered the lounge room she noticed that they had company.
Chapter Seventeen
“Is she all right, kitten?” Judge inquired, moving to his mate’s side as soon as she entered the room and handing her a shot of whiskey.
“What’s everyone doing here?” she asked softly. Though he knew she was speaking to him, her suspicious gaze didn’t waver from Devil.
Judge couldn’t blame her for her reaction. His brother had done nothing but antagonize her since she’d entered the hotel and his life. But what Devil didn’t realize was that he and Charli had something in common. The catalyst of Charli’s gambling and his distrusting, wary attitude were identical—need for control. It was something he might consider sharing with the man, but first he had to get to the bottom of Charli’s panic in the car.
Before he could explain, Devil spoke, glaring at Judge. “We were having dinner with Viper and Nikki when the call for a family meeting came through.”
Judge shrugged in response. He knew he didn’t have to explain why he had only called upon two of his brothers, and he definitely wasn’t going to apologize for protecting his mate from any further distress. She came first in every decision he now made.
While he and Devil continued to stare at each another, Gabby, Nikki, and Jewel moved to Charli’s side and pulled her into an embrace. Just as he, Devil, Viper, and Chaos were brothers, these women were becoming sisters in their own right. Their growing relationship had nothing to do with being mated to brothers, but on a mutual fondness for one another.
As if to confirm his way of thinking, Gabby held Charli’s hand, pulled her toward the sofa, and said, “Come on, honey. Why don’t we let these two play their game of testosterone ping pong while you tell us what happened.” As she passed her mate, her gaze held nothing but disappointment. “It’s not like anyone’s going to win that game, but much could be lost.”
Judge couldn’t have confirmed later who looked away first, and in all honesty he didn’t care. The pull of their mates had both men moving simultaneously toward the only women who had power over their actions. The women had banded together, all squeezing onto his three-seat sofa, forcing the men to scatter around the room on the remaining chairs.
Mated to War Page 10
