Mated to War

by Emma Anderson

  ****

  Emily’s need to be close to Charli continued for the next two days. Even when bed rest was forced upon Charli by Chaos, Gabby, and Nikki, Emily remained by Charli’s side, watching DVDs in bed. It wasn’t until the school week started that Emily was lured away. The idea of going to school and being herself without the threat of hospitals and needles was just too enticing for her. It gave Charli the opportunity to speak to Andrew about whether her program would help him run the pride’s tour guide company.

  “While you’re with my beta I have a few phone calls to return. That alpha of the bear clan I told you about has been trying to get a hold of me,” Judge said as he brushed her hair. It was a job she was capable of doing now that she had two functioning arms again, but he refused to allow her. So instead she found herself relaxing into his gentle touch.

  “Is that the one whose female cubs have been threatened as well?” she asked, sitting up straight, forcing herself to focus on the conversation rather than the tingling sensation she always got when he brushed her hair.

  “Yes. His name is Damon.” Judge tossed the hairbrush onto the dresser. His lips caressed her fast-healing shoulder. “He’s a well-respected alpha from what I’ve heard.”

  “Mmm.” She was lost again to his touch.

  His teeth scraped against the junction of her neck and shoulder as his hands ran down her arms. Suddenly, fangs pierced her skin. Her already sensitive pussy erupted to life, her juices flowing from her like a river. Tiny explosions rippled through her lower body as they worked up to the finale. Every nerve ending sizzled as her skin reached outward in goose bumps. Her body gave one last quiver before the air in her lungs was expelled with a scream. Fireworks burst to life behind her closed eyelids, exploding into a kaleidoscope of color. She was floating.

  She returned to the bedroom she shared with Judge, who was licking her shoulder. “Wow!”

  “Yes, I’ve been told that the intensity of the orgasms experienced by our mates increases with each bite,” Judge said, holding her back to his chest.

  “I can confirm that you weren’t lied to.” Charli sighed, relaxing into his body.

  “I think the fact that you’re so horny might have also played a part,” he added as his hands began to wander.

  She could admit he might be correct. She’d been craving what Judge had to offer since their first joining. With each day, her body became needier. Even her time in the hospital hadn’t dampened her desire. Judge’s very presence, even if it was only in her thoughts, sent her hormones into hyperdrive. The situation with Delgado, her hospital stay, and Emily’s clinginess had denied them the opportunity to relieve their pent-up need for one another.

  “While I’m not complaining, can I ask why now?”

  “What, the second bite?” he asked, playing with her pebbled nipples. She nodded, unsure she would be able to form a coherent sentence at the moment. “Firstly, Chaos suggested that my saliva should repair the minor damage he hadn’t healed with his magic. Secondly, I’ve been wanting to do that since I placed my first mark on you, but the opportunity hadn’t presented itself. And thirdly, you’re about to spend the day with another male. I need to ensure that everyone is aware of who you belong to.”

  His last statement had her hormones springing back to life. Pushing past her reservations about her innocence, she pooled every ounce of courage she could find. She pulled out of his arms and gave the clock on the bedside table a quick glance as she stood from the stool before saying, “I’m heading for the shower. You’re welcome to join me as long as I’m out of here in forty-five minutes.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Judge stood frozen on the spot as he watched his mate slowly lift his t-shirt from her body. His gaze took in her firm backside, then her beautiful curves. His cock stood hard, ready to play. It had in actual fact been its perpetual state since meeting Charli. Only now that it had experienced what it was like to be buried deep inside her body, it had become more demanding.

  These last few nights had been pure torture. His mate’s exotic scent pulled to him, luring him to want something he couldn’t have. While they had slept together in their bed, and Chaos had guaranteed him that as long as he was gentle, making love to his mate wouldn’t have been a problem, he had only been able to touch her. Emily had needed them. She’d slept between them these last few nights, offering him a glimpse into fatherhood, which he had to admit, he loved. Its only downside was that he was forced to deny his cock and need for his mate.

  A need that could be filled this morning, if only his body would move. He watched helplessly as Charli rounded the corner into their bathroom. As she peeked around the doorframe, her gaze pulled at him like a puppet on a string. His previously heavy feet felt like they were walking on air as he moved toward her. Suddenly, she disappeared.

  The sound of the shower had him discarding his clothes with every step he took. Finally his cock was free from its confines and urging him on. He couldn’t argue. Stepping into the shower behind his mate, he pulled her to him. His cock sang with joy as it nestled between her firm cheeks.

  “You better be ready for me, mate,” he hissed in her ear, nipping the lobe. “All your teasing has me so hard. I’m not sure I’m going to last long.”

  Her head fell back onto his shoulder as a moan escaped her. So his mate liked his dirty talk. That suited him fine. He had no problems sharing his plans for her.

  “You’re going to place your hands on the tiles here.” He guided her hands into place. His palms rested on hers. “Good girl. Now spread your legs.” Once she had done as she was told, his hands left hers. They moved down her body. One wrapped around her front, pulling her back, while the other one ventured between her legs. “My cock is going here.” His finger entered her moist pussy. “I’m going to pound into you hard and fast, and I want to hear every whimper, moan, and scream from you. No hiding them from me.”

  He added another finger and pumped them into her, imitating what his cock was about to do. Her inner walls began to quiver, warning him of her oncoming orgasm.

  “Uh-uh, no coming until I’m buried deep inside of you,” he said, pulling his fingers free from her body. Her pussy attempted to follow. With a gentle tap to her backside, he added, “Stay exactly as you are. No moving otherwise there’ll be consequences.”

  He could see her trying to remain still. It would have pleased him had he not wanted to play. His finger found her entrance again, only this time it didn’t enter. Moving forward, it went in search of her clit. The button was peeking out between its shielding lips, asking to be played with. Who was he to deny it?

  Flicking the hard nub, Judge got the reaction he’d hoped for. Charli pushed herself into his touch, causing her backside to move and her hands to slide lower on the wall. He pulled his finger away. He reached up and grabbed the implement that would be delivering her punishment.

  “Oh, kitten, what am I going to do with you?”

  “Please, Judge, make love to me,” she pleaded, wriggling her backside.

  “I have every intention of doing that. But first your punishment for moving.”

  He immediately dropped his hand and twisted his wrist. Her gasp told him he had hit the spot perfectly. The hard shower spray pelted her sensitive pussy.

  “Oh, God, Judge. Oh, oh, oh, more. I need more.” Charli moved up on her toes.

  Dropping the shower head, Judge grabbed her hips. “I’ve got what you need, mate.” With that, he slammed home. “I’m not going to last long.”

  He pummeled into her, unable to stop himself. He hadn’t lied when he told her that he was close. His balls had tightened as soon as he entered her body. The snug fit had her inner walls holding him with an unyielding grip. The tingling in his lower back spread, warning him that he was about to erupt. Thankfully, Charli’s screams and pleas told him all that he needed to know.

  Reaching around, his finger played with her clit. His cock was gripped impossibly tighter. Charli stilled in his hold rig
ht before screaming her completion. That was all it took. With one last thrust he emptied himself in his mate’s body.

  Charli’s body softened in his hold. Her head hung forward and a weary voice sounded. “I think I need to go back to bed.”

  “We could always put Andrew off for another day,” Judge suggested, loosening his hold on her to reach for the shower head. She didn’t move. “My phone calls can wait.”

  She stiffened and her head came up. Her gaze met his as she reached toward the shower head he now held. “No, the pride safety must come before my need for sleep. And poor Andrew cleared his schedule for me today.”

  Pride raced through him. Once again this beautiful woman displayed that selfishness was not an option, even for a couple of hours. She was the perfect female alpha for the pride. And the only woman for him.

  ****

  Charli hadn’t been in the house for several hours now and the urge to go to her was overwhelming. With her scent still surrounding him, Judge was having trouble concentrating on what the man in front of him was saying.

  “So I see you finally started the claiming process.” That got his attention. “It’s a pity, but I’m a patient man.”

  “What the hell are you talking about, Travis?” Judge demanded.

  “It means, Alpha, that with your track record, you’ll be off bedding another woman soon enough. You just can’t help yourself. Always the ladies’ man,” Travis sneered. “And I’ll be waiting in the shadows, ready to take Charli from you.”

  Judge couldn’t deny what Travis had said. He had a reputation of sleeping around. It was true. But what the young cub didn’t understand and in fact what Judge hadn’t understood until Charli walked into his office, was that once your mate entered your life, no other woman would do. It was something Travis would learn soon enough, but not with Judge’s mate.

  Judge stood up from his chair and leaned over his desk toward the man. “Travis, I’m going to say this once—stay away from my mate. She’s mine. I would hate to cause your family any sadness, but if you force my hand I will kill you. Never doubt that.” He added a small amount of his alpha power behind his words, knowing it would be enough. “Now get out of my office. I have work to do.”

  Travis finally showed some smarts. It was the first display of intellect Judge had seen from the young cub. He backed out of the office, refusing to turn his back on his alpha. His brothers entered behind Travis, barely gifting the man with a glance.

  When the four men were alone, Devil spoke. “It’s time for us to return to the hotel. Gabby has a doctor’s appointment and we want to check on how Jewel is settling into her new job.”

  Judge sat back into his chair as the others took up positions around his office. “I can’t leave at the moment. I want to make sure our security is up to scratch first.”

  “We know, brother. Your mate and the pride children must come first,” Chaos replied. “We will be back in a few days for your mating, and you’re only half an hour drive away if we do need you.”

  “Thank you for understanding,” Judge said, his shoulders relaxing. Though he shouldn’t have doubted his brothers. They had always accepted his split responsibilities and often helped when need be. “I want to get Charli and Emily settled into a routine before leaving them during the day. I’m not even sure if I have the ability to leave Charli at all. Chaos, I don’t know how you’ve done it for ten years.”

  “With great difficulty,” came Chaos’s reply. His head was slumped as his hands ran over his bald scalp. “In my mind, it’s for the best.”

  “You’re a stronger man than us,” Viper added, patting the large man’s back.

  “Or stupid,” Chaos stated before standing and heading for the office door. His brothers followed.

  “Thank you for everything you’ve done for us, guys,” Judge said, walking out of his house and toward the two women leaning against the cars. “Ladies, thank you for taking care of Emily. I don’t think Charli or I would have been able to concentrate on taking Delgado down if you weren’t with Emily.”

  “That’s what family is for, Judge.” Gabby pulled him into a hug. Immediately, Devil moved to stand behind his mate.

  “My turn,” Nikki interjected. He turned out of Gabby’s arms and straight into Nikki’s. “Take good care of those two. They’re special.”

  “Yes, they are,” Judge replied, guiding his sister-in-law toward the car Viper sat patiently in. With a tap to the roof, he said through the window, “Drive carefully.”

  Judge stood back as he watched the cars disappear down the winding driveway. He couldn’t believe how lucky he was to have such an amazing family. Only a few months ago it was just he and his brothers, plus Jewel when she wasn’t at college. Now, in a domino-style effect, three of them were mated and Jewel was home to stay. If Jeffrey Harrison didn’t owe the casino so much money, and he wasn’t such an asshole, then Devil wouldn’t have met Gabby. Through Gabby and her dysfunctional family, Viper met Nikki. And Judge had discovered Charli thanks to Nikki and their friendship. Now if only Chaos would allow himself to be happy.

  He was pulled from his thoughts by a phone ringing in his office.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “What the fuck do you mean they got Emily?” Judge shouted down the phone. “This better be some sort of joke!”

  “I’m sorry, Alpha. They knew what they were doing,” Ben, one of the security team, explained. “They drove straight at our group, dividing us. Marcus got knocked clean off of his feet. They grabbed Emily in the confusion. I’m sorry, Alpha.”

  Apologies did him no good right now. How was he going to explain it to his mate? “Where’s Marcus now?”

  “He followed the car,” Ben replied. “Um, actually he followed Bobby, who went after the car.”

  This situation just went from bad to worse. The very thing that these people were chasing was currently chasing them down. Though so far they had only attempted to take females, from all reports. It didn’t stop him from worrying for Bobby. As a nine-year-old, he lacked the knowledge to protect himself. He had the tools that Mother Earth had given him, but had no idea how to use them. How was he going to tell Jason that they lost his son? Sometimes he hated his job.

  “Has Marcus got his phone?”

  “I have it,” came the muttered response. “He had it in his hands when he fell on his ass. He must have dropped it because I found it after he took off.”

  “Where are you?” he asked, just as his mobile began vibrating in his pocket. He ignored it. It stopped, then started again. Still Judge paid it no heed while he concentrated on what Ben was telling him. “Okay, I want the whole team called in. We need to find our kids. Keep me posted. I now have to go and inform Jason that his son is missing, then my mate that her sister is once again in danger.”

  “Tell the alpha female that I’m sorry for letting her down,” Ben said before ending the call.

  Judge immediately made his way out of the house. He had a job to do, one he wasn’t looking forward to. His phone vibrated once, indicating that a message had come through. Pulling his mobile out of his pocket, Judge was stopped in his tracks at the identity of the caller—his beta. This wasn’t good. Then he read the message, causing his stomach to drop.

  You’re needed at my place. URGENTLY!

  As he changed the direction he was walking in he saw a man storming toward him.

  “Walk with me, and we can talk on the way,” he immediately said to Jason as the man fell into step with him. “I was just on my way to you when I received a message about my mate.”

  “Have you heard anything?”

  Judge went on to share what he knew, then asked, “How did you hear?”

  “The rest of the kids turned up on our doorstep. Our house must have been the closest. Maryanne is looking after them until their parents arrive to pick them up.”

  “That’s perfect. That at least is one thing less we have to worry about,” Judge said as he sped his pace, worrying about Charli. “N
ow all we have to do is find our kids and somehow keep my mate out of harm’s way.”

  “Maybe you should try to find the kids and then tell your mate what has happened,” Jason suggested.

  “It’s not that simple, my friend,” Judge said, patting the other man on his shoulder. “Charli and Emily are psychics. I suspect the reason Andrew is demanding my presence is because Charli has had a vision about Emily’s disappearance.”

  “Psychic, really?” Jason’s surprise was evident. Then he added, “Shit that could prove difficult.”

  “Tell me about it,” Judge replied as he neared a building. “Jason, my mate and Emily’s gifts need to stay on the low. I have no desire for either of them to be hounded by people wanting to know their future.”

  Judge took the steps two at a time up to the door to the pride’s tour guide company. When he walked into his beta’s office his anger turned to rage. Moving toward Andrew, he grabbed the man around the throat.

  “Explain to me why my mate is tied to the chair and you are currently shirtless.”

  Andrew clawed at Judge’s hand. “Alpha, please. Trying to help!” His words came out choked and muffled.

  “Help? By getting undressed,” Judge growled, throwing Andrew across the room before moving to his mate. “Kitten, are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

  Her gaze lifted to meet his. At least he thought she was looking at him. Her eyes were glazed, just as they were when she had a vision, but different somehow. Vacant. She seemed to be staring straight through him.

  He felt movement by his shoulder. “That’s what I was trying to tell you, Alpha,” Andrew said, bowing his head in respect. “She had a vision, but instead of coming out of it she remained like this. She kept moving toward the door. Every time I stopped her, she fought me, screaming for Emily. I tied her to the chair until you could get to her and the only thing I had that wouldn’t hurt her was my shirt. The climbing rope would have burnt her. It’s like she’s stuck in the vision.”