by M. J. Perry
“Can I have a minute please?” I asked him. I wasn’t comfortable taking off what little clothes I still wore in front of him.
He smiled sweetly letting me know he wasn’t offended. “I’ll wait outside the door, just come out when you’re ready.”
“Thank you.” I said grateful I didn’t have to explain myself.
“Anything for you, Sierra,” he said giving me a smile as he opened and closed the door behind him.
“Holy crap,” I muttered. I pinched myself and it hurt. I wasn’t dreaming then. Shaking my head, I picked up the clothes he'd left for me. They were going to swamp me. I held them against me breathing in his incredible scent. It was hard to explain, but he smelt like all my favourite things combined. I slipped my top over my head careful of the bandage on my neck. Pain shot through me when I stretched the wound. I pulled the joggers up my legs and laughed. I had to roll them up a few times until the waistband was sitting under my breasts. It was a good job the t-shirt was baggy and covered it up. Luckily, the legs had cuffs so I wouldn’t trip over them. I looked around for a mirror, but I couldn’t see one. That probably wasn’t a bad thing though. I imagine I looked a mess. Gripping the handle, I opened the door.
Chapter Five
Jaxon
“Have you told her we have excellent hearing?” Gabe asked from behind me.
I grinned. “I'll tell her soon.”
I heard Sierra’s footsteps and then she opened the door. She looked ridiculously cute in my clothes. Looking up shyly, she caught my eye. When she caught sight of Gabe, she jerked.
“Sierra, this is Gabe. He’s my second in command.”
“Hi.” She said as she pulled the door closed behind her and stepped closer so our bodies touched. I reached down and joined her dainty hand with mine.
“Gabe, this is my mate, Sierra.” I said formerly.
Gabe bowed in respect and her cheeks went pink. “Sierra, I'm very pleased to meet you.”
“Thanks. It’s nice to meet you too.”
“Is Deacon still here?” I asked.
“Yes, but he's staying at the back until you say otherwise.”
“He doesn't need to do that.” I disagreed. “She won't be afraid.”
Gabe gave a small smile. “I'll tell him that.”
Sierra's eyes darted from me to Gabe. “Deacon is part shifter, part vampire.” I explained. “Gabe is worried that you’ll be frightened of him, but you don’t need to be, my love, he isn’t like the filth that hurt you.”
She nodded in understanding. “He's your best friend?”
“Yes. This lummox is as well.” I said pointing to Gabe.
“Ok. I can't say I'm not feeling nervous, but I trust you.” She said in her sweet voice. My wolf growled gently and her eyes rose to mine in surprise. “He's happy.” I explained.
“The pack is waiting, Jaxon,” Gabe said, and I nodded.
“I don't have time to explain everything now, but later you can ask me all the questions you want.” I told Sierra.
“You bet I will. I have thousands!”
“I know.” I said with a grin.
“How do you know?”
I tapped her temple with my finger. “We're connected remember.”
She blushed, and I wondered what thought I'd missed. Gabe was right though, we didn't have time to talk about it now.
“Come on.” I said tugging on her hand and leading her towards the back door. There were far too many of us to have the meeting in my house. I have a huge garden so we always have our meetings there. With a huge gazebo, we were under cover if it rained. The closer we got to the back door the more I could feel her shaking. I looked down to reassure her with a smile and she gave me a small one in return.
“No one will hurt you, my mate, you have my word.” I told her and I hadn't opened my mouth. I'd spoken the words in her mind and fuck, if that didn't make me proud. We hadn't had our mating ceremony yet and already our link was strong. Sierra didn't seem as pleased as I did. Her confusion blasted at me. She bit her lip. “I trust you.” Her sweet voice whispered through my mind.
Gabe opened the door, and we followed him. There was a collective gasp and then a round of applause. I turned to face Sierra and chuckled at the stunned look on her face.
“And you were worried they wouldn't accept you.”
She blushed. “Maybe I do read too many romances.”
I chuckled again before facing my pack. With Sierra's hand still clasped in mine, I pulled her gently to stand in front of me and then I wrapped my arm around her shoulders.
“Sierra, my mate, meet your new family.” I said loud and clear.
“Hello.” She whispered and the whole of the Pack all called hello back. My lips touched her delicate ear as I leaned down. “We have excellent hearing.”
“Oh God,” She groaned covering her face with her hands.
“She's sweet.” Mary called from in front of us.
“I know.” I smiled. “Unfortunately my good news is being overshadowed by what has happened. Gabe should have you all up to speed by now.” I said as I looked around at everyone. “We have to be ready. We're a strong pack, but I don't want us to get cocky. These vampires are unpredictable.”
“And dangerous,” Deacon spoke up from the back.
“Yes. We can't underestimate them.”
“They have little regard for life whether it's human, shifter, or vampire. They will rip anyone apart who gets in their way.”
Sierra gasped. I wasn't sure if she was afraid of his words or of his glowing eyes.
“Have you spoken to the elders?” I asked him.
Deacon nodded. “They’re sending us a retrieval team. That's all they are willing to do because they don’t want their coven at risk any more than it already is.”
“It's more than I expected, if I’m honest.”
“You can't be serious.” One of my men exclaimed. “The rogue vampires should be their problem not ours.”
“Unfortunately, the rogue vampires are after us. They will be in our territory so it makes them our problem.” I looked over at Deacon. “When will they be here?”
“They are assembling their best and should arrive tomorrow.”
“We won't have any problems if we catch up to the rogues first?” I asked.
“No, they just require proof of the rogue’s death if that should happen.”
The pack cheered.
We aren’t blood thirsty, but if our pack is threatened, we fight back. Having a restriction would only hamper us. Mostly when a wolf fights, they fight to the death, unless they are training and sparing.
Sierra was bewildered, I could feel her tension, I could even understand it, this was new to her, but she was my mate, I would not hide anything from her. She needed to hear it.
“Good. We all need to go home, make plans to protect our vulnerable and then tomorrow we hunt.”
I could feel the excitement in the air. It had been a very long time since we’d had a fight. It wasn’t a complaint, but it would be nice to have a break in routine, a purpose. We’d all grown restless. The pack walked past us one by one, each patting me on the back and smiling at Sierra. She was brave despite the nerves pouring from her and she smiled back, sometimes saying thank you. When Deacon came towards us looking wary, I squeezed her hand, but she shocked me by letting go and marching right up to him. Deacon stopped walking in surprise looking over at me with his eyebrows raised. I shrugged.
“I know you.” She said to him and she was angry.
Deacon frowned.
“Milly Richards is my friend.”
Deacon flinched. “How is she?” he asked in a rough voice.
Sierra stared at him her eyes full of anger. I felt her rage, but underneath that, I felt her fear. “Did you do that to her?”
“No!” Deacon said in horror. “I would never hurt her.”
Sierra didn't speak for a few seconds then she nodded. “To answer your question would mean I had the answer. I don't
know how she is because two days after you left her she disappeared to her parent’s house and I haven't seen her since. She emails me and we talk on the phone, but that's it.”
“I'm sorry.” Deacon said with sadness.
“What happened to her?” I asked.
“She got into a heated argument with a shifter.”
“A shifter from our pack?” I asked him sharply.
“No, he was from the west. The shifter was interested in her. She said no and then he waited outside for her to try to change her mind.”
Sierra shuddered, and I moved closer so I could wrap my arms around her. “Who was he and why wasn't I informed of this?”
“He's dead.” Deacon stated in a hard voice.
“You killed him?”
“He hurt Milly.” He said simply.
“Milly was confused when she left. The only thing she was clear on was that you saved her life.” Sierra said.
“How do you know who I am?”
“She had a photo of you on her phone. She never told me your name though.”
Deacon looked up sadly. “It’s because she didn't know it.”
“Why didn't you tell her?”
Deacon shrugged, “Because she was becoming attached.”
“Of course she was.” Sierra shouted. “You saved her life and stayed with her when she was afraid. She said you held her in your arms while she slept.”
“Fully clothed on top of the covers,” Deacon said quickly.
“She said you were special, that she felt a connection with you, but you brushed her off and left without saying goodbye.” Sierra accused.
Deacon bit his lip not saying a word.
I’d never seen him look so forlorn. “No more.” I said as Sierra opened her mouth to speak, I squeezed her shoulder gently. She looked at me sharply, but nodded in defeat. Her body leaned against mine and she gasped. Our bond let her see how I was feeling and right now I was aroused as hell. Sierra telling off a hybrid that was as dangerous as hot water to chocolate was sexy. The fact she was telling him off for hurting her friend showed her loyalty. She looked adorable wearing my clothes, her cheeks flushed in anger and now her body was reacting to mine and I had to get her out if here.
“Shit.” Deacon cursed. “I've got to go.” He said, and he disappeared into the darkness.
“Why did he run off?” Sierra asked.
“Your sweet smell is filling the air and if he stayed it would start to affect him.”
Her face scrunched up, “My sweet smell?”
“Your arousal, fuck, Sierra, you smell delicious.”
She blushed. “You can smell that? That's so embarrassing.”
“No, it’s fucking sexy. I let go of her and in one quick move, I lifted her into my arms.
“What are you doing?”
“I need to get you back to my room before anyone smells you. I'm not sure what I'll do to them otherwise.”
“Should I be afraid of you?” she asked warily.
“No, never! I’m in control; I just can't have anyone around you when you're like this. You're mine.”
Sierra looked torn between embarrassment and anxiety. I held her closer to my chest and made my way to my room. I caught a snippet of her thoughts and stopped mid stride. She looked at me in horror. “That thought you heard? I’ve had countless embarrassing ones all day, but that's the one you hear!”
I stared at her wide eyes and pink cheeks in wonder. “You’re a virgin?”
“Yes.”
“Why are you embarrassed?” I asked in confusion.
She sighed, “Because I’m a twenty-five-year-old virgin.”
“Sierra, you are perfect.” I said in awe and I meant it.
She frowned. “I am?”
“Oh yes, and I can't wait to show you.”
“Now?” She asked curiously.
“If you're ready?”
She nodded.
“I need the words baby, so does my wolf.”
She bit her lip and then taking a deep breath she stared straight into my eyes. “I want you to be my first, right now.”
My wolf growled in my head and I shushed it. We couldn't afford to scare her when she was placing her trust in us. “Good.”
I quickly made my way into the house and through to our bedroom. I could feel her body shaking, but it wasn't from fear. She was just as overheated as I was. I forced my wolf to calm down so I could do the same. I didn't want to rush her so I had to be in control. This had to be good for her. It was to be our mating ceremony after all. I probably should tell her that, but my brain wasn't in charge right now, my heart was. I didn’t want her to worry about the mating bite; I wanted her focused completely on me.
Chapter Six
Sierra
His eyes were dark, and he didn't look at all like the Jaxon I'd come to know in the last few hours. I wanted to laugh; I would have if he hadn't been stalking towards me looking so fierce. It was going to be my first time, but it was also our mating ceremony. He hadn't told me, but I'd heard his thoughts. I knew he had to bite me, to leave his mark on my skin. He was worried I would freak out if I expected it so he was keeping his silence. The thing I minded about our situation was that I didn't think we'd spoke enough. We didn't know enough about each other to mate for life. What if I bored him? What if I wasn't good enough for him?
Jaxon growled, and I looked at him in fright.
“You are my mate. You will never bore me and if anyone isn't good enough, it's me.”
“I'm a waitress. You're an alpha of a huge pack.”
“And you think that you are less than me because of it? That's crazy, Sierra. You're studying to be a teacher aren't you?”
“How do you know that?”
“I heard your boss bragging about his smart waitress when I was drinking my coffee.”
“I'm only in my first year.”
“So you want to teach children?”
“Yes, I want to teach reception age, they’re like sponges, they learn so fast.”
“I'm glad you have something you’re passionate about.”
“I want to finish my studies.” I said with a grimace. Would that even be possible now I was about to become mated to a shifter?
“Then you will. I give you my word.”
I believed him. “Thank you.”
“Do you trust me?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I might be a little rough, but I will never hurt you.”
I stared at him; his expression would have had me running away if I didn't trust him. “Ok.” I said.
He stalked closer, his body tense. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure.” I said a little breathless. His closeness was my undoing. He climbed on the foot of the bed and crawled over me forcing me to lay flat beneath him. Our faces were inches away, and I sucked in a breath. His eyes were dark, his jaw clenched.
I smiled up at him. “You’ll have to give me some direction remember. I've never done this before.”
He leaned down until our noses touched. “Kiss me.” He whispered.
I licked my lips nervously then turned my head and touched my lips to his. It was a closed mouth kiss, a chaste one even, but it had Jaxon groaning. His hand slipped under my head gripping it lightly as he pushed his tongue again my closed lips and into my mouth. When our tongues touched, I tasted him, his scent was his flavour, and I couldn't get enough. Rubbing my tongue against his, I groaned in pleasure.
“Fuck.” Jaxon growled as he pulled away to put distance between us. “You taste unbelievable.”
“So do you.”
“We’re made for each other. You taste and smell like my favourite things.” He stared down at me, his gaze intense. “I need to get you naked.”
I blushed. I'd never taken my clothes off in front of anyone before. I got up and climbed off the bed. Once I was standing, I gripped the waistband of the joggers and pulled them down my legs. Jaxon didn't take his eyes off me I don't think he even blinked. H
e was devouring me and it gave me courage. I gripped the bottom of my borrowed t-shirt and lifted it up and over my head. I couldn't look at him I was too busy worrying he wouldn’t like what he saw. That turned out to be stupid. I didn’t see him move, but suddenly he was picking me up in his arms and almost throwing me down on his bed. He loomed over me, his face determined. One of his hands held my wrists above my head. I sucked in a breath as his mouth went to my neck. His lips caressed my skin, and I relaxed. His tongue flicked out and traced behind my ear down to my collarbone making me shiver. Lifting his head, he caught my eyes. “I'm going to taste you.” He almost growled. It didn't scare me; I knew he didn't mean he wanted to taste my blood. His mouth shifted to my neck again, down to my shoulder and then it was on my breast. I arched into him as he sucked my nipple through the fabric of my bra. He let go of my wrists and I lifted my hands, fisting them in his hair. One of his hands gripped my bra, and it tore in two. I didn't have time to exclaim before his mouth was on my bare breast. He suckled me hard and my body became so tense I thought I might break in two. “Jaxon,” I whispered unsure.
“You're ready,” he said as he lifted his head. His hands went to my knickers, and he gripped the sides pulling them down my legs. He inhaled, and a growl tore from his throat. His eyes had changed; his wolf was in his gaze. He lowered his head to my stomach and nuzzled me; his tongue flicked out and traced its way down to my mound. My legs tensed as he pushed them open using his strength to keep them where he wanted. He licked my thigh, the skin along my hip and then his mouth was on my most private part. My body shot up, but he was ready for that, his large hand pushed my body down onto the bed as his tongue teased me. I couldn't keep still, the pleasure I felt was so strong stars were filling my vision behind my closed lids. He gently bit me then, his teeth gripped my button as his tongue rubbed it harder and harder until I screamed out loudly. Explosions of colour filled my mind and my orgasm seemed to go on forever. While I was catching my breath, his tongue entered me, filling me, tasting my essence. I opened my eyes and stared straight into his dark green ones, he gave me a sexy grin before climbing off the bed. When he undid the zip on his jeans and freed himself, panic filled me and I gasped. He was huge. My wide eyes met his, and he smiled sweetly his eyes glowing.
