“I love you, Lautner, my alpha,” she whispers, her fingers brushing against her mark at my chest. That’s all it takes. I thrust harder, deeper. It’s a primal claiming as I lose myself in her body, completely under her spell. Her moans increase, and I know she’s close. This is my promise to her. That I will claim her and take her as my mate. My lips find their way back to hers as she sucks my tongue deep into her mouth like she never wants to let me go. She needn’t worry. From this day forward, she will never be rid of me. I would give her anything and everything she wanted.
“Come for me, Dani,” I groan, feeling my own orgasm rise. My teeth find her throat as I bite down carefully. Her legs tighten around me, and I feel her muscles spasm around my cock like a vice. With a final thrust, I empty myself deep inside her.
As we pant together against the wall, I silently promise myself that there would be no more secrets between us, not after this.
“I'm supposed to move into Drake’s room tonight,” she says, watching me carefully for a reaction. “I have to,” she begins, “but I promise nothing will happen. I will never betray you.”
“I once told you that I would never start a war over you. I was lying. I would start ten wars and kill anyone that tried to take you from me. Nobody touches my mate, but me. Just say the words Dani, and I’ll do it. I’ll kill them both for you.” I kiss her again, making sure she understands that I mean every word. Mick would understand. If he didn’t, I would gladly leave if it meant keeping Dani safe.
“Lautner!” Seth shouts from above, his voice echoing in the room, interrupting our moment.
“What,” I snap, my eyes never leaving Dani. Imagining, we were back in my room, and not deep in the confines of the pit surrounded by my destruction.
“Mick wants to know if it’s done?”
I sigh, knowing anything else will have to wait until after the briefing. I hated waiting, but Dani deserved better than this place.
“I’m coming up now,” I say, waiting to hear the door close behind him. I watch as she closes her eyes, disappointment marring her perfect face. I know she wanted me to claim her just now. Hell, I wanted to, but I’m trying my best to do the right thing by her. If all goes to plan, her father and Drake will be out of the way soon, and I can spend the rest of forever marking that sweet body and making it mine.
“Come on, let’s go get cleaned up.” I pull up my joggers as I wait for her to get ready. Taking her hand, I lead her back up the stairs and out of the hatch. Seth and Ryan are waiting for us as we emerge. As soon as Ryan sees Dani behind me, he launches himself at me, but I see it coming, pulling Dani safely behind me.
“What the hell is she doing down there? Have you lost your damn mind?” Ryan shouts, clearly frustrated. I can feel Seth’s eyes watching me, wondering why the hell I let her stay down there instead of bringing her back up here. They would never understand. They never did. I can pretend all I want too that my childhood didn’t fuck me up, but it’s a lie, and they both know it. They just never wanted to accept it, unlike Dani. She loved the monster just as much as the man. She had just proved it.
“What I do with my mate has nothing to do with you, Ryan,” I state.
“Your mate,” he spits.
“Yeah, my mate.” I pull Dani tight to my side, placing my arm over her shoulder.
“You do realize she is still engaged to Drake, right? And Dani, don’t take this the wrong way, but his scent is all over you. You can’t have your father or Drake see you tonight.” He talks to her, but his eyes stay on me. He’s smart.
“I need to go wash up anyways,” she says as if just noticing the fresh blood that covers her clothes. She goes to leave my side, but I hold on, not wanting to let her go. It was always natural for fated mates to want to be near. The trouble is, I hadn’t even marked her yet, and I was this bad. I have no idea what will happen when I finally do.
“It’s alright, Lautner.” She places her hand against my heart as if sensing my unease. “Ryan’s right. We need to be sensible about this. We’ve come too close now not to see this through to the end.” I know she’s right, but it doesn’t make it any easier. I nod before tipping her head back and kissing her, claiming her before my pack. As we slowly part, I watch her walk away, her mark on my chest burning with every step that takes her away from me.
I turn back to face Ryan, waiting for him to say whatever the hell he needs to before heading back for the meet. I can see the play of emotions across his face as if he wants nothing more than to drag me back into the pit and kill me himself. He could try. Ryan may be my Beta, but he knows just as well as I do that I am an Alpha. His alpha if I chose it, and in a fight, I would always win.
He turns around, storming back to the house.
“You got anything to say?” I ask Seth wondering what my next move is when it comes to her father and Drake. I know they are going to be in that room waiting when I enter.
“We’re good.”
I nod. “I’m still pissed that you brought her down here. It’s too dangerous for her right now. I won’t lose her, Seth.”
“I know, but trust me, if I hadn’t of taken her, she would have found a way. She’s just as stubborn as you are. It all worked out for the best, though, didn’t it?” He smiles.
“Yeah, it did.” I smile back. “Now we just need to catch Cortez in the act so I can make it official.”
“That’s the other thing Mick wanted me to tell you. The plan worked. Cortez sent out a message just a few minutes ago. Looks like he’s meeting with the supplier tomorrow morning.”
I nod, just wanting this whole thing to be over, so I can finally have Dani all to myself.
“So, what are you going to do. In there?” Seth motions with his head towards the house.
I run my blood coated fingers through my hair, wondering if I should shower first. I know I looked like shit. My clothes soaked in my enemy's blood, like a predator wearing his trophy. I turn to Seth. “Let's go.”
“You’re not showering first,” he wrinkles his nose at my appearance.
I don’t reply. I continue walking past him towards the house. It was time for Drake and Cortez to see the real me. Cortez had threatened Dani with killing me, but I’m betting neither his nor Drake’s hands have ever been so encrusted with blood, it took days to clean out from under your fingernails. It’s time they realize exactly who they’re dealing with because I’m done messing around. Danika Cortez is mine.
Chapter 37
Lautner
Mick is waiting for me by the front door as I approach. No doubt, Ryan had run straight to him, letting him know of the latest problem I’d caused.
“A word,” he calls out as I follow behind him. I can't help but glance towards the stairs as I pass, catching the faint scent of Dani in the air.
He leads me straight into his office, closing the door behind me.
“I told you before that the pack will support you no matter what your decision; that still stands,” Mick says, taking his seat.
“Yeah, everyone but Ryan.”
“Give him time. He’ll come around. His job is to protect me, and the pressure from the Council isn’t helping. My pack will always come first. You do what you have to, within reason,” he warns. “So, I spoke to the Council about Cortez. I told them about the pills and Dani’s inability to shift.”
“What did they say?”
“As long as we have proof and can hand over the details of his supplier, he will be stripped from his position as Alpha and off the Council.”
“Seth mentioned the meet is planned for tomorrow.”
“Yeah, near the abandoned power plant. It's got to be for the pills. Ryan and Daniel are going to surprise him.”
“Does that mean the contract will be annulled?” I ask.
“Because of the circumstances, you should be free to claim your mate without causing a war between the two packs. In the meantime, I need you to stay away from her. I want this done without bloodshed if I can help it.”
<
br /> “Cortez has ordered Dani into Drake’s room tonight. I won't let that happen.”
“Trust me, it's not. Daniel’s already got a lead on a few places, and whatever information you have, we have a chance to at least take a stand against them. They attacked our home. It’s time we repaid the favor. Tonight, we take care of business, and tomorrow, we hand Cortez over to the Council.”
***
The bar goes quiet as Mick and I enter. My eyes scanning the room, instantly landing on Drake and Cortez.
“His name was Jaxson, twenty-five, from Ohio,” I say, taking a seat beside Seth.
“He’s a long way from home,” Mick steps in. “So, who exactly are these hunters? What do they want? And who do they work for?”
“He doesn’t know.”
“Bullshit,” Drake says snidely. “You're telling me you couldn’t even find out the necessary information.”
“I'm telling you, he told me everything he knew. He’s a nobody, bottom of the food chain, a bit like you,” I sneer.
“How dare you.” Drake jumps up, coming around the table and getting in my face. “I’m Beta to the Ridgeway Pack, and you will show me some respect.”
“My respect lies with my alpha, not you.” I stand up, meeting him head-on.
“Enough,” Mick shouts as Ryan comes to stand beside me.
“Not here, not now,” Ryan says, placing his hand on my arm.
“How dare you,” Cortez shouts in my direction. “That was a blatant show of disrespect to one of my men.” He turns to Mick. “I want him punished.”
“He will be punished after our assignment. Right now, we need him.”
“Need him. He has done nothing but cause trouble for Drake and my daughter since we got here.”
“Lautner, sit down,” Mick orders. I do as I’m told, biding my time. “Continue.”
“They have a few safe houses in the area, mostly abandoned farms and another bunker ten-mile south of the Warehouse. There is a whole online movement for the extinction of shifters. They are offering money to strays and ex pack members as a way to gather information. That’s how they know our weaknesses. He has no idea who runs the program. He answered to a female called Alice.”
“Daniel, where was the activity you located yesterday?” Mick asks.
“The old Duvall farm and the bunker that Lautner just mentioned south of the Warehouse.”
“Well, that’s settled. We go tomorrow night,” Alpha Cortez interrupts.
“Hell no,” Seth jumps in. “It’s the first good lead we have. I’m not waiting for Brandon to slip through the net again.”
“They will still be there tomorrow,” Cortez confirms.
“How do we know that? They will know by now that Brady is dead, and Jaxson is missing. What if they run?” Seth continues.
“I agree with Seth. We end this tonight,” I say, “with our alpha’s permission, of course.”
“I agree,” Mick confirms. “It’s time we fight back.”
“No, we must be wise about this,” Cortez tries again.
“If the Ridgeway Pack would rather stay here and let us deal with the hunters, that’s fine by me. But I think the council will be displeased when they hear about this.” I smile, knowing that I have just forced his hand. He wouldn’t be able to refuse, not without losing the respect of his pack and the Shifter Council.
I can feel Drake's eyes on me as I turn to face him, throwing him a smile. Hoping he knows exactly what I’m doing. Nobody shares a bed with my mate but me, asshole.
“Daniel, I want both coordinates sent to all of our phones now,” Mick commands.
“I’m on it,” Daniel replies, heading out of the room to his computer.
“We meet outside in twenty minutes,” Mick says, dismissing us.
I watch Cortez and Drake as they whisper to each other, glancing my way. They were up to something. I just wasn’t sure what cards they had left to play.
As everyone files out of the room, I follow Drake outside.
“I should have known you’d follow me out.”
“I’m just wondering if you’ve got the balls to complete this mission tonight. After all, it would be a shame if your incompetence got you killed.”
“Oh, don’t you worry about me. I plan to keep myself safe. I have an extra bed partner tonight. I need to be in full working order, if you know what I mean,” he says, clutching at his crotch.
I grab him by the collar, slamming him against the wall.
“You can’t do shit to me, and you know it,” he laughs. “To think your pack has to put up with your bullshit day in and day out, just because you can’t help your temper and daddy issues.”
I tighten my hold as I slam him back against the wall once more, cutting his laughter short. I have no idea how this asshole knows about my past, but it just pisses me off more that he is trying to use it against me. “I may not be able to kill you yet, Drake, but I will. That’s a promise.”
“You can’t stop this, Lautner. I can smell her scent all over you, and yet do I look worried. In the end, you have no idea what you’re up against. Dani belongs to me. She always has.” He smirks.
Drake is playing a dangerous game, and I have a feeling that whatever it is, I was playing right into his trap. I let him go, heading back indoors, needing to find Seth.
“What’s up?” he asks as I find him heading back to his room.
“Drake and Cortez. I need you to stay with them tonight. Do not let them out of your sight.”
“Why?” Seth asks instantly on alert.
“I have a bad feeling that they’re planning something, and I have no idea what it is.”
“Relax, Lautner. There’s not much left they can do. The mission should take up most of the night, and the meet with the supplier is at nine. All we have to do is ride out the next few hours, then Dani is safe.”
At the mention of her name, I immediately want to go upstairs and see her, but there’s no time. I need a quick shower, and I have to make sure that Drake and Cortez make it out on this mission tonight, and as far away from her as possible. That’s the problem with being a predator. You can always sense danger, and I was starting to worry that maybe, I’d underestimated Drake and Cortez all along.
Chapter 38
Lautner
“Come on, Daniel,” I growl as the phone continues to ring. “Where the fuck is he”? I ask, turning to look out the window.
“He’s probably getting a drink. Will you relax? Everything’s fine.” Ryan grumbles, keeping his eyes on the road ahead, driving us towards the bunker by the Warehouse.
I try Daniel again.
“What is it?” he finally answers.
“Where the hell have you been?” I demand.
“Relax, I was only getting a drink. All this talking makes me thirsty, you know.”
Ryan looks over to me, smugly, as I flip him off.
“Have you checked on Dani?”
“No. Is this what this is about. Since you started the bond, I'm keeping my distance from your mate.”
“Will you just shut up, Daniel? I need you to go check on her. I need to know she’s alright. I’ve got a bad feeling about tonight.”
“Is it the mark? Did something happen?”
“No, the mark’s fine. It’s just a feeling.”
“Look, if she wanted company, she would be down here. It's been a pretty hectic day for her. She probably just needs some time alone. I mean, she’s stuck with you now forever. That’s enough for anyone to deal with,” he chuckles as Ryan and Mick join in. “The security on this place is tight. Nothing’s been breached, and Seth checked in over an hour ago. Drake and Cortez were with him. Nothing’s going to happen.” I close my eyes, wishing I could go back and be with her. “Alright,” I reply, “but anything happens, I want to be the first to know.”
“Yeah, I got it,” he says, ending the call.
“See, you can stop worrying now,” Ryan replies irritably beside me. I don’t bother to answer.
He has no idea what I’m going through; none of them do. Just wait till they find their mates. I’ll be sure to remind them of this moment.
As Ryan pulls over near the bunker, I bolt from the car. We’d devised our plan on the way over. I was to head in first and scope the place out before calling Ryan and Mick to join me. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I quickly check the coordinates as I make my way through the quiet cornfield towards where the bunker is located. Within a few minutes, I find the hatch. It’s dark as I peer down into the hole. Lowering my shields, I use my wolf to listen for any signs of life within. After a few minutes, I’m sure the place is empty, calling Ryan.
“This place is a bust. No one’s home. Do you want me to keep searching?” I ask.
I can hear him talking with Mick before he answers. “Go down there and see if you can find anything useful. But be careful. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’d started booby-trapping the place. Call us at the first sign of trouble.”
I end the call, shoving my phone into my back pocket, carefully ascending into the darkness below. It's cold down here as my feet finally reach the bottom. Keeping my hands on the wall, I inch forward, listening for the sound of anything that might give away a trap springing into action.
I find the switch located to my left as I pull the cord. It's empty. Not a damn thing.
My phone rings as I pull it from my pocket, Daniel's name flashing on the screen.
“Get to the old farmhouse, now,” he shouts as I answer.
Lautner: A Dark Fated Mates Romance Page 16
