by Cougar (lit)
He nodded. "I will care for you. I swear it. Nobody will bother you again."
Did he worry I hadn't bonded as seriously with him as he'd bonded with me because he thought me a Normal? He had no idea my Cougar spoke up during the marking. What a shock. Nobody prepared me for that moment. Not even Mother who taught me everything she knew about Cougars. And she knew more than simple rumor. My grandfather had been captured and genetically tweaked by the aliens. Then my grandfather escaped to sire my mother. But not one living soul knew I was a Cougar now. I had to keep it that way. I reached for Jackal's warm strong palm.
He sat his iron body in the squeaking bed next to me. "You don't have to worry about Normals here, Kitten." He brushed a thumb across the back of my hand. "The clan will protect you. For me. That's what the clan does. We protect each other. With tanks. Heavy artillery. Nobody's taking you from me, Kitten."
"I know." I stared into those dark green eyes. "And I don't want to go anywhere with Keezia. Only a fool would trade a mate like you for the sisterhood."
He fought a smile and lost when his eyes glinted with amusement. "Where'd you put those cards?"
We spent the better part of the evening playing poker before Jackal made me try on the little pink shift Toby thought I might like. I wouldn't have to worry about washing the delicate garment ever as quickly as Jackal untied the three narrow ribbons holding the softest whisper of fabric together between my breasts.
Cougar purred until I couldn't hear anything but feline satisfaction as Jackal held my hips down against his hard thighs where I straddled him, his iron cock buried to the hilt inside me.
Right where I itched with the most desperate need to shove his shoulders to the ground and grind the amazing pressure into oblivion. But he kept me trapped at his mercy, rocking his hips upward.
Rocking me into a gasping, moaning fit, where I rubbed my forehead against his.
"Mine," he growled and sealed my moans in my mouth with a heart-wrenching kiss.
Gods, that one simple word was so primitive, so all-encompassing, I didn't care if I never heard him say another word. I just wanted him to keep making me his.
His steely shaft pulsed, and he thrust his insistent tongue along the length of mine, gently rocking our bodies with his hips. But he wouldn't release his grip on my hips. To hold me close enough to lasso my heart with his tongue. No, I had to slither my arms around his neck.
He groaned and pressed my hips downward more. Into his incredibly stiff spear.
I was so helplessly captured, prey. Oh, I'd die if he didn't throw me down and pound home. But who could voice demands with a starving mate sucking her tongue down his throat?
Suddenly, he jerked back, swung me up into his arms into cool air, then tossed me down onto his soft bedding.
The hunger glinting in his eyes flashed to burning yellow.
If I didn't want my Cougar clawing for release, I had to convince him to be quick. I dropped my knees to the bed and glided my hand slowly down my belly. Enticing him.
"Mine," he growled and claimed me with one thrust of his thick erection until his balls smacked my ass.
Spank me anytime.
Cougar clawed to free herself.
Not again. I gulped down air and held my breath. Focusing.
But all those muscles pressing down on my chest shoved out the air.
Gods, he was so wonderfully everywhere. Just hurry before Cougar is free. "Rise up, Jackal. I want to watch you." That should get him wound up.
He levered his body off me, shoving onto one bulging arm and pumped his narrow hips.
Just the first motion set off my rising wave of an orgasm. The mind-numbing crest of emotion rose, higher and higher until I could no longer watch his magnificent body dance against my aching groin. I could only stare into his glowing eyes. Holding my breath. Waiting. For him to find his release with me. Or he'd start all over again.
Mine. Cougar growled.
Wouldn't he hurry? I snaked my legs around his waist, guiding his cock right where the little bundle of frazzled nerves hitched relentlessly inside my soul.
He clamped his free hand on my hip and jammed the firm head of his cock so deeply into that hypersensitive spot that I screamed.
Dear. Gods. He wielded more power than Keezia's arthritic hand.
He slammed his mouth down over mine and howled down my throat.
Like I needed him to breathe for me. I sank my fingernails into his shoulders for dear life as his call made my chest vibrate. And we ground our hips together to some silent melody while his hot seed soothed my frazzled nerves he'd so fiercely teased. We floundered, jerking in a primitive weak thrusting motion until neither of us had the energy to move, panting into each other's mouths. Clutching each other for all life was worth.
Oh how amazing it felt to hold his rigid sweaty body. I sucked in another hot breath and slid a palm through the dampness along his spine.
At last, he inhaled one extremely long breath and exhaled tumultuously. His body slackened. He marched his soft lips across my cheek, down to the pulse in my neck, and rolled onto his back, carrying my body along to drape his thumping heart. "Sleep, Kitten," he practically purred.
Not yet. If he thought he could ignore the incident with Sessily, he was wrong. I had to ensure he understood I didn't hold that against him. "Why didn't you mate with Sessily?"
He sighed, slightly, barely shifting my body, and lightly brushed a palm down my spine over my loose hair, petting me as if resigning to the fact he'd have to confess. "Her parents went to Tornado demanding I try to seed her with child. That's how the trap always begins with a Shifter. As if I want to sire pups in every welcoming womb of the village."
His voice's used tone resounded his opinion.
My heart clenched.
"But the last thing I wanted is to risk the lives of all those women through birthing my children. Can you imagine how many would be hunted? And the children as well just because I'd planted my seed? What of their safety? I told Tornado that the first time he informed me I'd been selected. As if I'd just smile and fuck them."
His hand fisted at my lower back.
Well, there would be no babies in my future. But that was okay since I had Jackal. His reasons for sparing us the torture were rational. Now I had to deal with the frustration I caused him. I shoved up to stare into his pinched eyes. "I'm sorry, Jackal. I shouldn't have asked. But you seemed so worried about what I witnessed back at Toby's. I just wanted you to know I'm not angry."
"I don't want anything hidden between us."
Slap me already. Here I am hiding my Cougar.
"I slept with a few village daughters who were kind and gentle. But I never felt the urge to mark them. And never in my Gods-be-damned bed." His arm squeezed around me, pulling my body along his steely curves up to where I could stare him down from directly overhead. To look into his compassion-filled eyes. "Nothing like when I crazed with euphoria with you." He lifted his mouth to place a swift peck on my lips. "With Sessily, I tried to just love her and be done with the madness. But she launched her own little battle campaign of conquest. She even went to Tornado insisting I'd hit my head and couldn't remember marking her."
The ignorant fool. "That's ludicrous. Your Wolf would know. Every Shifter in the village would smell your scent in her." But who wouldn't do whatever it took to lie here bound within the muscled circle of Jackal's arms like me?
He nodded. "As Tornado explained to Sessily. Her parents are the Hamburgs."
"They're leaving the village because of me?"
He nodded. "And all I can think of is how thankful I am instead of how much the village needs the Hamburgs' money and numbers. That family provides most of the fuel for two tanks."
"That's why Demon gave you that look tonight? Because your history with Sessily?"
He placed a palm against my cheek. "You noticed?"
"I didn't grow up the daughter of clan leader and not learn to observe, absorb, and analyze everything around me."<
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He pressed my head down onto the pillow beside his and studied my eyes. "Tornado won't bother you about that. Hell, he admired The Black. Your sire's name was known from coast to coast. But you've got to trust me when I tell you you're safe here with me. Only a fool would enter our village and try to kidnap you to get to me." He planted a soft kiss on my forehead. "You're mine now. Mine to protect and care for."
He gently rolled his body onto one side, sliding me onto mine against his sculpted chest where he could stroke me from head to tail. He caught one ass cheek in his grasp and squeezed then petted the mound. "All mine. And I promise to never feed you those sweet rolls I fed to the village daughters the mornings after I planted seed inside them."
He what? "Come again?"
Cougar snarled.
Be quiet!
He shot me a wicked smile. "Sue always made some doctored candy or breads to knock my seed out of the village daughters. But not you. My Wolf is being a tad bit more than territorial with you."
A baby?
My heart thrashed.
Must claim seed. Cougar itched to pounce on him.
Settle down. Humans don't just react. Besides, you're loaded down with his seed. Seed that will grow. Into a child.
He placed a finger beneath my chin and drew my gaze from his neck. "What's wrong, Kitten?"
"You'd let me have a baby?"
His eyes pinched again. "What do you mean?"
Did I have to speak more about John? How would Jackal react if I kept throwing my past in his face? I closed my eyes just so I wouldn't see Jackal's reaction. "John wouldn't let me have a baby."
"Why?" he barely whispered.
At least his mood hadn't soured. I opened my eyes to find his capped with his standard compassion. "He said it was too dangerous in the wilderness. Us being alone. With the risk of childbirth and how he'd have to leave me to hunt when I was so pregnant I couldn't tag along…"
"No," he wagged his head. "It's more than that. Our mother died giving birth to Rattler. He never said anything about his stepmother nursing him at her breast. He always accepted her for her mothering. But he knew our mother died giving him life." Something dark washed over his face.
Fear? Or regret. I wasn't about to risk another dangerous question.
"And Tornado would suspect I was up to something after knowing I made certain all those village women didn't nurture my seed. No, Kitten. I'll suffer through one pregnancy with you." He held up one thick finger. "One."
One was all I needed to maintain my sanity just in case something took Jackal's life.
* * * *
A fairly uneventful day passed for Sierra until the next morning when two rumbling tanks led a large truck with an open bed out Death Summit's gate. One adult male rode in the bed of the truck with two young children about eight years old and Sessily. Apparently, the other father and both mothers rode up front, leaving one male riding shotgun with the children.
Sessily shot Jackal a frown in passing.
But she didn't grace me with a snarl. Jackal and I watched from the doorway of our lodge that was almost in direct alignment with the gate. Most likely the source of Sessily's negativity.
Go far far away. Cougar gurgled a growl.
Just be quiet. Hell, I have enough problems without a wild cat running amuck.
Tornado waved the small entourage off and pivoted to us.
"Well, that's that," Jackal said and dropped his arms that had been snaked across the tank top stretched by his wide chest. "I'm hungry for breakfast, Kitten. How about you?"
I seemed to be famished around the clock with all of the attention Jackal insisted on showering upon me. "Yes."
We stepped off toward the eating area.
Tornado veered in the same direction.
Great. The man could really push my buttons without realizing he had. I wasn't his personal minstrel even though I was duty-bound to play at the evening meal now. He made that obligation clear yesterday afternoon. And it had turned into a golden moment when the children gathered around me. Singing for the children would most likely be as life-altering as my mating Jackal.
"Jackal," Tornado called.
Jackal halted, shooting me a wary glance.
He knew I didn't care for Tornado. Even though he'd explained how Tornado kept order in this village through his cantankerous bearing. I just hadn't found a reason for liking the man.
Tornado stepped up to Jackal's side and angled me a nod. "Walk with me." He led us to the eating area. "Sessily's gone now. Won't return unless she'd lost her mind."
"You didn't send Demon along to lead the men?" Jackal asked.
Tornado glanced sideways at my mate. "No. He needs to be here in case we suffer repercussions."
Repercussions? For what?
Jackal nodded.
Sue stood behind a pile of what looked like wheat fry bread and her signature large cauldron, beyond the sitting and milling families clutching pale hand-sized bundles. Breakfast looked portable today.
"Morning, Tornado, Jackal, and Sierra. I've got some beans and bread today," Sue announced.
Not exactly what I wanted for breakfast. Cheese would have made the bland beans more palatable. But cheese was a luxury. And I wasn't insulting the woman who saw to it Jackal had lots of perks.
Tornado took his portion and trailed off between the villagers, greeting those he approached with nods and words.
"Here you go, Jackal." Sue handed him a burrito and then thrust one at me. "I'll be happy to show you around today if you have time." She shot me a smile.
I suppose it was time to find my place among the women. "Alright."
"I'll bring her back to you after breakfast." Jackal nodded at Sue and turned me back toward our lodge. He didn't speak again until we'd walked quite a distance from the crowd. "Are you okay with spending some time with Sue?"
Really, I had no qualms about it. "She's nice. I'd rather hear from her what's safe and dangerous for whenever you're not around. After all, she's privy to things you haven't experienced." Female things.
He snorted a laugh. "Are you telling me I have no clue what women do in the village?"
"Of course." I grinned the biggest grin I could muster.
"Well, if it was my choice, I'd keep you locked inside the lodge. But I'm not going to trap you away like a pet. You go on about your business. Just stay inside the walls. I don't want anything to happen to you."
His worry reminded me of what Tornado had said. "What repercussions?"
Jackal scanned the village beyond our shoulders.
We were a good ten steps from our door. I couldn't see anyone in the empty courtyard. Just a closed gate. What was all the secrecy about?
Jackal forced a half smile. "Sessily is the type to seek revenge."
"You're kidding."
He wagged his head. "No. We expect vengeance. How it will play out is a mystery."
"Because of me?"
"No. Because I refused her."
"But that's Tornado's fault. He ordered you to entertain her."
Jackal nodded. "But I chose you, knowing full well that when I chose anyone I'd set her off."
That's why he took on a mate!
Cougar started to claw at my ribcage.
Be quiet, cat. So, Jackal marked me to set off Sessily. Not because he wanted me. And I thought he was happy with me. Now, I know I'm nothing more than just another chore for him. "So you planned to use me to get to her?"
"No!" He threw up his palms and blocked my path. "No, Kitten. I didn't say that. You are my mate. I'm bound to you. Nothing is more important to me than you are. You are my life now."
How could he expect me to believe anything after the Sessily incident and his little confession?
Chapter Ten
About an hour later, Jackal kissed me longingly on the lips before rubbing my cheek and leaving me with Sue at her lodge. He smelled divine, of campfire, a tinge of musk, and of pine trees. Where the pine scent came from, I didn't know. But
the kiss and fresh scent couldn't chase away his misstep in explaining his strategy in dealing with Sessily.
"What was that all about?" Sue asked as Jackal's camouflaged muscles shrank in his retreat.
"He's just being possessive after the marking." But getting away from him for a while would help me. I needed to think all this madness over for a day or two. Get a grip on my feelings. Find a place for myself in a world that had no patience for me. So I wouldn't be a pain in Jackal's tail the rest of his life.
"I wish the biggest toughest Shifter in the village would mark me like that, You know, show some possessiveness," she chuckled.
Would she when learning he did it for necessity's sake and duty instead of for love? But why would I expect him to look at me any differently? I agreed to the mating for survival's sake. He simply had a different motive than I did. He wanted to oust Sessily's family from the village. I helped him drive her away. Was the favor really that much to ask in repayment for a lifetime of protection?
"He's a real treasure, eh?" Sue elbowed me in the arm.
I smiled at the strangely comforting gestures of the woman. She had lots of power. I guess I'd have to ignore her overly friendly behavior. Or accept it. "Yes. There's nothing on the planet like Jackal." How true that statement was. He could enchant a woman with his doting gaze and amazing touch. Especially when you learned you were just an end to his and Tornado's means.
"What do you prefer doing to help out around the village? Laundry? Cooking? Sewing? How about gardening? We even have a school that teaches children to read and write."
Why am I not surprised the children of Death Summit were being educated since their parents were wealthy? Adults who could read and write had an advantage in trade and travel. So what did I want to even suggest I do to help around the village? Actual cleaning and cooking made me ill. Always had. I'd be better off with the children. And they were the last people to expect to have hidden agendas. "I can read and write. And do math." Otherwise, my choice would be gardening.
Sue stepped off toward the door. "Your sire approved of females learning the three Rs?"
