Craving Tori

by J. J. Marstead

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Thirteen

  Epilogue

  Copyright @ J.J. Marstead

  Craving Tori ‘White Timber Pack’ Book 2

  Cover Designer: Natasha Banks

  Edited by: Kristine Schwartz

  Formatted by: Natasha Banks

  Table of Contents

  Craving Tori

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Epilogue

  Craving Tori ‘White Timber Pack’

  Book 2

  By J.J. Marstead

  Craving Tori is a work of fiction.

  All characters, Organizations and events portrayed in this novel are products of the author’s imagination. No part of this story can be used for the person(s) personal use. No re-production of this story is allowed.

  Prologue

  Two years earlier…

  I couldn’t wrap my head around what happened tonight. Steve was so pissed off about the outfit I wore to school today. I really didn’t think it was too revealing compared to what I usually wear. But he felt that I was on display and accused me of wanting to bait the guys at my school.

  So we ended up having an argument, and what he did next shocked the crap out of me. He hit me, he hauled off and slapped me right in the face. The sting of his palm was heavily felt on my cheek and the ringing in my ears was deafening. Tears began soaking the corner of my eyes as the pain radiated through my skull. The slap echoed around the room and he stood there with a shocked look on his face, while I held my sore, redden cheek with my hand. The tears soaking my face while I looked at him through water-filled eyes.

  “Oh baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it,” he cooed, his arm reaching for me. His hand grabbing a hold of my free arm, and he pulled me against his chest, holding me tightly against him.

  “I didn’t mean it. I won’t ever do that again, I love you,” he muttered placing a kiss against my head. I released a tiny sigh. It was just in the heat of the moment, that’s all it was. That’s what I kept telling myself. He loved me, he wouldn’t hurt me on purpose.

  “I love you too.” I whispered softly against his chest.

  On the drive home, he kept repeating himself. That he was sorry, that he never meant to hit me. That he’ll never hit me again. That he loved me.

  When I arrived home and unlocked the door, my parents were out for supper with some friends of theirs. I went right up to my bedroom. I was grateful my parents weren’t there. If they got a good look at my face, I knew they wouldn’t let me see Steve ever again. My cheek was sore and throbbing. I cried because I was unsure what to do. I loved Steve, but his hand slapping me across the face hurt, not only physically but emotionally as well. I ended up crying for an hour before my tears dried up and I fell asleep.

  The next morning when I woke up for school, I dreaded seeing my parents. When I saw myself in the mirror, my eyes widened in horror as I noticed my left eye had a reddish-purple mark around it.

  I can’t believe I have a black eye! Oh my God, my parents are going to flip their lids when they see this.

  I wouldn’t be able to see him again if they knew he did this to me. On top of that, to make it worse, they didn’t know his real age, and if they did, they would have for sure forbidden me from ever seeing his face again. They thought he was eighteen, when he was much older than that. He was twenty-three and I was only sixteen, seventeen in two months.

  I couldn’t let anyone know about what happened last night. I didn’t know how to live without him, he was my escape away from home. I went to Elizabeth’s a lot, but he was the first guy who ever really showed any interest in me, and I loved how he made me feel, well most of the time.

  Last night wasn’t really the first time he had hit me. Well, technically he’d always just pushed me around, but it was mostly playful. Last night when his hand hit my cheek, I was shocked right out of my mind. I never thought something like that would’ve happened to me, and it did.

  I was going to have to come up with something to say to people if they asked about the black eye. I looked at the ugly bruise on my face and bit my lip. I needed to cover this up with some make-up and pray that it would work. I grabbed the handle of the drawer in the bathroom and took out my make-up. I placed it on the counter while I dug through it. I finally got my hands on the cover-up and opened it. I put a fair amount on the little sponge and spread it around my eye, blending it into my skin.

  I sighed in relief when I noticed it’s covering the angry bruise. I’d just let people know that it was because of soccer practice yesterday after school.

  Elizabeth would tear Steve a new one if she knew he was the one that did this to my eye. She didn’t like Steve to begin with. She didn’t really approve of my relationship with him. She told me when I had started dating him that there’s something not right about him. I just thought maybe she was jealous because she didn’t have anyone. I was spending most of my free time with Steve rather than Elizabeth. I felt for Elizabeth, I really did.

  I remembered the first day Elizabeth was walking into school with her head down, closed off to everyone. I was drawn to her. I wanted to comfort her and be her friend, and the rest was history. We’ve been best friends since, she’s like the sister I never had.

  Elizabeth was a wolf shifter. I knew it was crazy that she turned into a wolf. To say I was shocked as hell when I found out was an understatement of a lifetime. I saw a wolf coming towards me, then boom, there was Elizabeth stark naked in front of me. I was the jaw dropped kind of shocked, I really was. I couldn’t form a sentence when she started talking to me. But the shock of it faded after a while. Her being a shifter didn’t change who she was. She was still my best friend and she was always there when I needed her.

  Elizabeth felt so out of place at school. I asked her why, and she told me it was because she was the only shifter attending school here. I asked her how she knew that and she told me she couldn’t sniff any other shifters out. I was a little weirded out by the fact that she could sniff people out at first. She told me humans had a certain smell to them and shifters had their own scent. Different breeds had certain smells; wolves, cats, bears. I learned something new every day with Elizabeth.

  After I finished getting ready for school, I was out the door and away from my parents’ wandering gazes. I covered it up, but you could still notice some of the bruise through the make-up, I wasn’t a miracle worker. The day was long and boring as usual. Elizabeth kept questioning me about my eye, and I kept telling her it was from soccer but she didn’t seem convinced, but she didn’t push the matter either.

  When I arrived back home, my parents noticed my eye and asked me what happened. I told them the same story I told Elizabeth, and they seemed more convinced than Elizabeth had been. I didn’t like lying to them, but I didn’t want them to take Steve away when he made me happy, when he wasn’t rowdy and hitting me.

  Steve and I were together for a year and I didn’t tell a soul about anything that happened between us. He didn’t hit me every day, our relationship was probably good ninety percent of the time. I didn’t know any better. I was young and I thought I was in love. What’s the saying, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twi
ce, shame on me. Oh boy, it was shame on me for being a complete fool, thinking he loved me. I was so blind. Not telling a soul about what was happening, ate at me everyday. I didn’t know if I could trust someone with my secret. Elizabeth started getting suspicious about all the bruises she would see on me, I tried my best to hide them, but it was like a losing battle. Whenever she asked me how I got them, I always had an answer prepared. The lying about what happened because of Steve came natural to me after a while.

  Looking back at it now, I beat myself up for staying with him so long. I should have gotten away from him when he first lifted his hand to me, but I thought I was in love and didn’t know any better.

  After one day, I had had enough. I knew it wasn’t healthy what I was in. I broke it off with Steve, but he didn’t take it very well. He would stalk me at school and everywhere I went. I always made sure someone was with me so he wouldn’t try anything. I was scared to death he would hurt me, or worse… hurt the ones I loved.

  I remember what he yelled at me when I ran from him after I told him I was no longer willing to be with him.

  “You’ll always be mine. You can’t run away from me. I won’t let you.”

  Those words made my blood run cold, knowing he’d never leave me alone.

  I was just glad I escaped.

  I’m free now, hopefully.

  Chapter One

  Present day

  I’m sitting outside with Elizabeth at the Jackson’s, our in-laws. It’s nice and sunny so we decide to tan a little bit. Ryan and Caleb are helping their father put up a tree house. We’ve been laughing all afternoon at them trying to put it together. Darren wants it up for the grand babies. I won’t be getting pregnant anytime soon.

  Elizabeth, on the other hand, well it’s just a matter of time until she gets knocked up. The way she talks about how her mates are with her. It’s just a question of when she’ll be pregnant because the way she talks, her mates have a very healthy sexual appetite.

  I’m a little jealous she knows her mates on an intimate level. I’ve only cuddled with Ryan, maybe sneaking a kiss in here and there. It’s not like he hasn’t hinted to me that he would love for us to go further, but I’m scared. He hasn’t pushed it on me or anything, which I adore him for. He doesn’t pressure me into anything I’m not ready for. I’m sure he has the worst case of blue balls.

  I can’t wait for tonight. Ryan’s taking me out on a proper date. We haven’t been on a real date together since we found out I was his mate. We haven’t really been alone in public, just the two of us, because usually Elizabeth, Samuel, and Caleb have been out with us. Sometimes even Kelly and Noah, too.

  My heart hurts for Kelly. I can’t imagine what she’s going though. Her mate rejecting her. I’m lucky my mate loves me and wants me as badly as he does. I know it’s different for humans, but Kelly seems to be trying to move on with Noah, Ryan’s cousin. Noah seems like a pretty decent guy from what Ryan has told me, and from what I’ve seen of him. Ryan told me Noah’s mate passed away when they were younger. Maybe they’re both trying to heal each other? I just hope everything turns out for them. Even though Kelly’s mate rejected her in front of his clan no less, I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of the big, bad bear, Issac.

  “So, where is Ryan taking you tonight?” Elizabeth asks, taking a sip of her ice tea.

  I look out at the guys again and chuckle before responding.

  “Well, he won’t tell me. All I know is that I should dress up just a little. I don’t know what that’s supposed to mean. That’s all he said.” I pout. Elizabeth chuckles. I turn to give her a playful glare.

  “It’s not funny. I don’t want to overdress or under dress for the restaurant,” I grumble.

  “I’m sure whatever you pick to wear will work just fine. Stop stressing over it.”

  Well, that’s easier said than done. I haven’t really been on a date. Steve and I never really went out, and after what happened with Steve, I stayed away from guys altogether for a while. Until Ryan. I don’t know where Ryan is planning on taking us, if it’s fancy or semi-fancy.

  “I don’t really have much to wear. I’ve worn all the stuff I brought in my suit cases already. He’s seen me in everything I own,” I whine.

  Elizabeth sighs. “How about we head to my place after these guys are finished up and you can borrow something of mine to wear tonight?” she mentions and I perk up.

  “You would lend me something to wear? You're a lifesaver, Elizabeth. Thank you.” I say quickly, my nerves getting the better of me.

  “Don’t need to thank me. What are friends for?” she giggles.

  “I don’t know what I would do without you sometimes,” I whisper.

  Elizabeth gives me a sincere smile and puts her hand on mine.

  “You’ll never have to find out. I’ll always be here for you, no matter what,” she whispers.

  I’m standing in front of the full-length mirror in Elizabeth’s room. I’m staring at myself in awe. The pale blue dress hugging my curves. It looks amazing on me.

  “See, I told you it would look great on you. Your smoking hot, Tori.” Elizabeth smirks then whistles.

  I shake my head, biting my lip. The dress seems like it was made for me. The material hugging me like a second skin.

  “What time is Ryan coming to get you?” Elizabeth asks, hanging the dresses that failed their attempt to be worn.

  “He said he’ll be here to pick me up around five,” I mention and Elizabeth hums in her throat. A few seconds later, there’s a knock at the bedroom door.

  “Come in,” Elizabeth yells from inside the closet.

  The door opens some and Caleb’s head pops in. He gives a nod and whistles. “Well, my baby brother won’t know what hit him when he sees you,” he says playfully. My cheeks heat as the blush spreads across my face.

  Elizabeth comes walking out of the closet and gives a stern glare at Caleb. “Caleb, don’t make her shy now. She’s been worrying about the date like there’s no tomorrow,” she hisses at him with her hands on her hips.

  Caleb throws his hands up in the air.

  “I just said that my brother won’t know what hit him,” he grumbles.

  Elizabeth mumbles under her breath and I shake my head and chuckle at them both. Caleb’s like the big brother I never had. I just hope what he’s saying is true and I knock his brother off his feet.

  “Shoo, you have to get out of here so I can finish helping Tori. I need to finish her hair and do her make-up. I don’t need my mate in here distracting me from my best friend duties,” she mutters before shooting a quick wink his way.

  He tips his head and returns her wink with one of his own.

  “Whatever you say, darling,” he replies in his best western accent.

  These two are always like this. It just cracks me up when they’re all lovey dovey. How they interact with one another, it’s cute to see. Elizabeth gives Caleb a playful glare. Caleb chuckles under his breath lightly.

  “Fine, mate. I’ll leave you two girlies alone,” he says, placing a kiss to Elizabeth’s lips before turning around leaving the room. Elizabeth sighs as she watches her mate leave.

  “Were you just watching your mate’s ass when he left the room?” I teasingly joke.

  Elizabeth looks at me like I’m crazy. “Of course, he has a nice ass,” she says with a smirk on her face. I chuckle, shaking my head. That’s Elizabeth for you, no filter.

  Elizabeth grins, clapping her hands together.

  “Time for hair, then I’ll do your make-up.”

  My eyes widen, taking in my appearance in the mirror. Where my hair is usually flat and boring, wild curls fall loosely from a single clip holding the hair from my face. I really like how it looks; it suits me. I’m not one to go out of my way to get dressed up, or even do my make-up or hair. So this is a change for me. My eyes are filled with excitement as they roam over my body in the mirror.

  “Do you like your hair?” Elizabeth asks, chewing her bottom
lip.

  “Of course, I do. It looks amazing. Thank you.” I grin and Elizabeth squeals.

  “No need to thank me. I’m glad you like it,” she says, waving me off like it’s nothing, but to me it is. “Now, Ryan should be here any minute,” she mentions, walking out the door. Once she’s gone, I look at myself in the mirror one last time before leaving the room. I head downstairs.

  When my foot hits the bottom step, I hear voices coming from the living room. My nerves flutter in my stomach a bit before I walk in and see Caleb, Elizabeth, and Samuel, sitting on the couch together. My head snaps to the left and I see Ryan sitting on the lazy boy. His head turns with a smile on his face, and then his eyes widen, taking in my appearance.

  “Wow, Tori… you look-” he stutters. Caleb snickers at his brother and Ryan snaps his head over to him and glares.

  “See, I told you,” Caleb assures me.

  I shake my head and grin. I’m glad I can impress my mate.

  Ryan stands up and comes around his chair to meet me. He looks me up and down. You can see the lust pooling in his eyes as he licks his lips.

  “You look amazing,” he whispers, taking my hand in his, his lips touching the back of my hand lightly. I feel the zap of electricity shoot through my body, down to my core. I squeeze my thighs together, hoping he doesn’t notice or smell my arousal, but the look in his eyes tells me he’s already noticed. He licks his lips again, almost like he wants to eat me up.

  “Umm, we should get going,” I suggest and Ryan nods.

  We both begin walking towards the exit of the living room. Once we’re out in the hallway near the front door, we both yell, “Good night.” Then we hear them hollering it back to us before we’re out the door and walking towards the car.

  “You ready, my lady,” he says, opening the car door. I bite my lip and nod my head. He groans deep in his throat.

  He shuts the door after I get in and sit. He runs around the car and opens the door, hopping in. He looks over at me and grins.