Aidan’s Mate
by
Jordan Summers
Aidan’s Mate
Copyright 2013 Jordan Summers
Cover Design by Croco Designs
Formatted by IRONHORSE Formatting
Kindle Edition
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
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The last man Jenna Dane trusted betrayed her and stole everything she owned. She’s been trying to get her ‘life’ back ever since. Her new job presents Jenna with the opportunity to recover what she’s lost. All she has to do is betray Aidan Fortier and expose his secrets.
Secrets that could get her killed.
Aidan Fortier cannot allow a nosey human to snoop around his estate. He has a Werewolf pack to run, a full moon to contend with, and he must choose a mate. It would be a lot easier to do, if Jenna didn’t smell so good. When trouble follows her to his doorstep, Aidan must decide whether to trust his Lycan instincts or throw Jenna to the wolves.
Dedicated to Bernard Lee DeLeo and Sasha White. Bernard, thank you for sharing your automotive expertise and lending me your eagle eyes. Anything I got wrong is entirely my fault. Sasha, thank you for not being afraid to tell me when something was wrong with the story. Your honesty is greatly appreciated and desperately needed in the world. I’d also like to thank Frauke at Croco Designs for coming up with such a sexy cover.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
EPILOGUE
OTHER BOOKS BY JORDAN SUMMERS
AUTHOR BIO
MOONLIGHT KIN: A WOLF’S TALE—EXCERPT
CHAPTER ONE
The wolves stood in the clearing, their bodies quivering with a mixture of tension and excitement. The cool summer breeze wafted through the branches of the thick copse of trees, rustling the leaves.
Aidan Fortier stepped away from the group toward the center of the grass-covered clearing, his dark head held high. His gaze drifted over the assembled members of the pack. His pack. The wolves showed the proper respect by lowering their heads and dropping their gazes.
All but one.
René Dubois lost his wolf form and rose to his feet. Naked, he walked into the clearing until he stood a few yards from Aidan.
A big man and powerful wolf, René had more brawn than sense, which would be proven for the last time tonight. He’d openly disagreed with Aidan’s decision to back his cousin, Damon’s choice for a mate. René had considered the endorsement a betrayal of sorts, a sign that perhaps Aidan wasn’t up to the task of running the pack.
René wasn’t the only wolf who’d taken Aidan’s decision as a sign of weakness. There’d been others who had voiced concerns, as was their right, but René was the only wolf that had come forward to present Aidan with a formal challenge for his position.
The brawny wolf wanted to be Alpha. Convinced his size would get him the coveted position. Tonight would determine who would rule the west coast Moonlight Kin pack.
Aidan had no intention of losing his Alpha position. He’d fought hard to get it and planned to keep it. The last few months aside, Aidan had done a good job of running the pack, both financially and politically.
But tonight wasn’t about his money acumen or his diplomatic abilities. It wasn’t even about the pack being in a better position now than they’d ever been. Tonight was about proving who was the strongest, fiercest, and most brutal male standing in this clearing. And the only way to do that was to fight to the death.
Aidan didn’t relish the idea of killing René. He was a good man, a good wolf, and a productive pack member, but he’d never been the brightest bulb.
René was easily led, easily persuaded. Initially, Aidan wondered if that was why René had challenged him in the first place. Had he been goaded to act?
His gaze strayed to Robert LaBeouf. Aidan had absolutely no proof, other than a gut feeling, that his personal assistant was involved. Unfortunately, he couldn’t present ‘feelings’ to the Lycanian Elders. They wanted evidence, especially when a charge carried a death sentence. Until Aidan found proof, he’d keep LaBeouf close.
Ultimately, the machinations behind the challenge didn’t matter. Whatever or whoever was behind René stepping forward would mean nothing in the end. The challenge was issued and accepted. It could not be halted now.
Perhaps it was good that René had challenged him. The pack needed a reminder that despite his controversial decisions, he was still their leader and the most powerful wolf in the territory.
“A challenge for the position of Alpha has been issued by René Dubois and accepted by me,” Aidan said. “As with all Alpha challenges, it will be a fight to the death. Does anyone have anything to add? To contest?”
Murmurs swept through the pack, but no one stepped forward.
“Very well then. Let’s get this over with.” Aidan shucked his clothes, dropping them carelessly onto the ground. Once he was naked, he turned to face René.
René slammed his meaty fists against his bare chest, then threw his head back and howled. Several of the wolves joined in until a chorus rang out.
Aidan waited, feeling no need to participate, since it was all for show. His wolf rose to the surface. Claws sprouted from his fingertips, replacing his blunted nails. Dull ‘human’ teeth quickly became sharp incisors. His jaw stretched and grew until he sported a snout. It wasn’t a complete change. That would come later once first blood was drawn.
René stopped howling and looked at him, his green eyes glowing in the darkness. Aidan nodded, then took a step back, so the big man could prepare for battle. René’s body went through a partial shift, then he circled Aidan.
Aidan’s claws clacked together in anticipation of René’s attack. Despite being Alpha, it wasn’t his place to strike first during a formal challenge. Had René chosen to go the informal route, then all bets would’ve been off.
The burly Were snorted as he stepped left, then right. At nearly six foot four, Aidan wasn’t as big as René, but he made up f
or the difference with his speed and cunning. René growled and lunged at Aidan, his claws spread wide for the strike.
Aidan dodged and quickly whipped around to rake René’s back. The Were hissed and jerked to the side, before Aidan could take off another strip from his hide. With first blood drawn, they both shifted the rest of the way.
René’s body was still reshaping when Aidan launched himself onto the Were’s back. He dug his claws into René’s side and sank his teeth into his shoulder.
The Were twisted, getting a claw into Aidan’s flank. He jerked his powerful arm and sent the Alpha flying through the air. Aidan crashed into the trunk of a tree, then quickly scrambled to his feet. René was strong. Incredibly strong. He shook his head to clear it and warily watched the Were, attempting to gauge his next move.
René quickly finished shifting, then charged him. Three hundred and some odd pounds of werewolf steamed toward Aidan.
He jumped to the side, but wasn’t quick enough. René caught his shoulder and sent him sailing through low hanging branches. This time when Aidan looked up, there were two René’s standing in the clearing.
He blinked several times. The images wavered, then morphed into one. Aidan couldn’t take another hit like that. The fur on his neck rose and he bared his teeth.
Aidan sat back on his haunches and launched himself at René. His claws caught the Were in the neck, taking them both down to the ground.
They rolled, snarling and growling, each trying to get the upper hand. Jaws snapped, as they tore out chunks of flesh. Aidan raked René with his claws, shredding fur and strips of skin.
Blood filled Aidan’s mouth, fueling his instinct to go in for the kill. He ignored the pain searing his side, where René latched onto him. It was a desperate move, an attempt to get him to loosen his hold. Aidan refused to release him and bit down even harder.
René’s gasps turned to strangled gurgles, as Aidan’s jaws closed around his throat. The claws digging into Aidan’s sides lost some of their intensity. Aidan shook his head and heard a distinctive snap. The Were’s heavy mass slumped over him.
Aidan growled some more, then struggled to push René off him. The Were’s lifeless body fell to the side. Sweat and blood covered Aidan from head to toe. As he rose, his body shifted into human form. He swayed, but somehow kept his feet beneath him.
“It is done,” he gasped, his lungs bellowing. He glanced down at René. “If anyone else thinks that they can run the pack better than me, then say so now. Let it be known that I welcome all challenges, all discourse, but will not tolerate disloyalty.”
Aidan walked over to where he’d left his clothes and dressed quickly. His head throbbed and the trees swayed before his eyes, but anyone looking at him would think that he was fine.
He made his way back to the house, wanting nothing more than to take a hot shower and crawl into bed. Aidan could still taste René’s blood on his lips and feel it matting his hair.
What a waste.
The others would burn the Were’s body and dispose of all his belongings. Tomorrow, he and the rest of the Moonlight Kin pack would celebrate René’s life and mourn his death in the traditional Lycan way. The day after that, preparations would begin for the upcoming moon run.
* * * * *
CHAPTER TWO
Two Days Later…
The bed creaked as Aidan turned to nuzzle the plump breast beside his face. He inhaled deeply, taking in the deliciously ripe aroma of feminine heat.
Aidan’s canines grew as he sucked the rosy nipple into his mouth and nipped at the sensitive nerve-endings, his tongue soothing the sting.
The dusky tip beaded eagerly in response, stabbing the roof of his mouth. A sensual moan came from the female beside him.
His ears perked. Aidan loved that sound. To him there was no greater sound on the planet, except perhaps a woman’s cry of release, when he took her over the edge.
He swirled his tongue around her again, then leaned back to view his handiwork. The woman undulated, revealing more of her nakedness.
Beautiful, as only a female werewolf could be, she ran her sharp claws over her taught abdomen, then licked her lips and smiled.
Aidan grinned back, then threaded his hands into her long, red hair, successfully tangling his fingers. He used the silky strands to pull her closer, then captured her mouth in a blistering kiss. Their tongues tangled as they fed each other’s passions.
Her ample body flooded in preparation for their joining. The woman’s grip tightened around his neck. She moaned and her back bowed, crushing her breasts into his chest. Aidan’s body tensed as his shaft hardened.
Was this it? Was she the one? He waited a beat, but felt nothing...beyond the usual physical pleasure.
Disappointed, he slowly released her lips.
Face flushed and panting for air, it took the woman a moment to recover her composure. She nudged his shoulder with her head, encouraging him to return. Her yellow-green eyes searched his longingly, even as her brow furrowed.
Aidan knew what she wanted. It was the same thing all the single females of the Moonlight Kin pack wanted when they came to his bed, but he couldn’t force himself to take a bondmate. No amount of lust or sexual gymnastics would make it happen. Werewolf nature didn’t work that way; though there were times he’d like it to be otherwise.
He stared at the gorgeous Were, her eyes still clouded with desire. Aidan couldn’t deny the attraction sparking between them, but there’d be no love lost when they parted ways.
Her beauty and attentiveness didn’t change the fact that this was nothing more than a chance at the lottery to her, a way to better her position in the pack. When she left his bed, there were fifteen others—literally—waiting to take her place.
Each more determined than the last to try her luck at becoming Alpha female of the west coast pack before the end of the moon run.
Unfortunately for this woman, sex held little interest to him now that his wolf had determined that she wasn’t a match. His withdrawal made that obvious, but that wouldn’t stop her from trying to forge a bond. They all tried.
Send her away, his wolf snarled.
The next female Were on the list currently waited down the hall in a small parlor for her chance to ‘test’ the Alpha. Aidan opened his mouth to tell this woman to leave, but stopped short when he spotted the determination in her lovely eyes.
“You are not my bondmate.” The fact left no room for misunderstandings.
“I know,” she said.
“If we do this, it means nothing.” Take the opportunity to back out gracefully.
She shrugged. “I understand. I’d still like to…”
Did she understand?
Really?
Or was she simply hoping he was mistaken? As if such a thing were possible.
Aidan scrubbed a hand over his face. “As you wish.” He’d fuck her like he did all the others, then send her back to the east wing, where she’d stay until the moon run next weekend.
Before he had a chance to act, the female Were hooked her foot around his leg to drag him closer.
Aidan growled, holding the urge to rut in check in order to remind her who was Alpha.
The woman immediately lowered her gaze and moved a small distance away. He would not allow any Werewoman to make demands upon him, especially one who wasn’t his mate. It could lead to misunderstandings within the pack and unnecessary power struggles.
Aidan didn’t play favorites. His wolves knew it, but that never stopped them from trying to change his mind.
To prove his point, Aidan rose out of the bed, leaving the woman tangled in the sheets. Naked, he strode across the room toward the French doors that led out to his balcony.
Not even a willing female in heat could hold his wolf’s interest for long, once she’d been ruled out as a mate.
Aidan was beginning to believe nothing but his bondmate would satisfy his growing appetite and ease his restlessness. Years of searching and countless bedmates,
only added to his discontent.
Sex shouldn’t be one long fucking audition, he thought.
A flash of gold caught his eye, stalling his hand on the door latch. His gaze wandered unerringly to the framed photo of the dark-haired child seated on his father’s lap.
Two sets of amber eyes stared back at him, confirming that the wolf had bred true. Aidan’s fingers hovered over the shiny frame. He drew his hand back, as if it had been singed.
Damon looked so damn happy holding his son. The toothy grin aimed at the camera would shame a Labrador.
Stupid pup, Aidan thought, then shook his head.
If he hadn’t gone to the east coast to save his cousin’s ass, Aidan was convinced that he wouldn’t be suffering from this incessant longing for a mate now.
He’d succeeded in saving his cousin’s life, but the act came at a steep cost. Damon had ended up bondmated to a female Hunter—a very human hunter.
A fate worse than death in Aidan’s mind. It was one thing to fuck one or accidentally eat one, but you didn’t bond with humans and you certainly didn’t convert them.
Technically, there were no Lycan laws against mating with a human, though Aidan had searched high and low to find one, convinced they should exist.
The best he and the other Lycanian Elders had come up with was an obscure reference in an ancient text that mentioned two instances of wolves successfully bonding with humans. Two, out of the thousands of years of Lycan history. Even Vegas wouldn’t take those odds.
Aidan glanced at the woman in his bed, taking care to conceal his ambivalence. He’d spend a few useless hours with a Werewoman any day, if it meant avoiding Damon’s fate.
Saddled to a human. He bristled. Never!
Damon’s recklessness coupled with the added pressure from his fellow Elders cemented Aidan’s resolve to remain true to the pack, true to his bloodline. Someone had to now that Damon had failed.
His gaze settled on the photograph once more. Why did he have to look so damn happy?
Moonlight Kin 2: Aidan's Mate (Mid-Length Novel) Page 1
