Claiming Bite

by Silvia Violet

  “What’s not right is for you to walk away from your mate. I want to belong to you. I love you, King.”

  “I love you too. And that’s why I have to let you go.”

  He let go of my hand and walked toward the door. “King, please don’t do this.”

  “There are clean clothes for you on the counter in the bathroom. Some of our guards will be here to take you to a safe house in a few minutes.”

  “Don’t leave me. I don’t want to be alone again.”

  Without looking back, he walked out the door, closing it behind him. My knees gave. As I crumpled to the ground, the key fell from my hand and clattered across the floor.

  I woke the next morning with a pounding headache. I barely remembered the ride to the safe house that was somewhere in the hills far outside town. A few of the guards had taken me, and Garrett had been there too, but he hadn’t said much, not that I felt like talking. He’d offered me something to help me sleep, or had I dreamed that?

  I blinked and picked up my phone. It was nearly noon. The sleeping pill must’ve been real. I would never have slept that late otherwise. The way I’d felt last night, I might not have slept at all. I sat up and realized I was even more sore than the day before, but I needed to move around. The soreness was only going to get worse if I lay in bed all day.

  I found my way to the kitchen and nearly screamed when I saw a man standing there sipping coffee. He held his hands up. “It’s okay. I’m part of the Howler security team.”

  “Aren’t you supposed to be outside?”

  “Mr. Garrett said someone should be within shouting distance of you at all times. There are three of us stationed outside and someone needs to be on the inside. I’m Logan, by the way.”

  I ran a hand over my hair and winced when I hit the tender spot I’d injured in the wreck.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. My head’s just… tender. I’m Emerson, but I guess you know that. I… um… This whole situation is just… I need some coffee.”

  “I promise I’ll give you all the privacy you need.”

  I knew he meant well. And none of this was his fault. It was King I wanted to yell at, so I bit my lip and held back my sarcastic comment that no matter how much privacy he tried to give me, nothing would be okay as long as there was a stranger with me and I was staying in a house I didn’t even know the location of. “Where are we exactly?”

  “We’re on an unmarked road in an area that’s hard to find, but we’re closest to Chatham, if you’re looking for a town location.”

  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “It’s weird being somewhere and knowing I couldn’t even tell anyone how to find me.”

  “If there’s anything you need, one of the other guards or I will get it for you. And Mr. Garrett said to tell you this shouldn’t last very long.”

  King had said I would be here for a few days, until he made sure Aidan wasn’t going to challenge his authority. But even though the immediate crisis would’ve passed then, I didn’t see how he could ever fully declare me safe. Even if he’d sent me away, I was still his mate. Just thinking that made tears begin to gather. I fought them as I added sugar and cream to my coffee. Once my coffee was ready, I glanced over at Logan, hoping he didn’t notice my wet eyes. “I… um… I’ll be in the bedroom.”

  Between my aching body and the full cup of hot coffee in my hand, I couldn’t run back to my bedroom, but I sure as hell wanted to.

  As soon as I was in my room with the door closed again, I set the coffee down on the nightstand, fell onto the bed, and let the tears come. How could King do this? How could he push me away? I let my hand fall to my crotch and felt the reassurance of the hard case covering my cock. I hadn’t taken it off. I wasn’t going to. It was my connection to King, my acknowledgment that I was his. Somehow I had to get out of here and get back to him. Because as angry as I was at him for daring to push me away, I knew he’d done it because he blamed himself for what had happened with the lions, not because he didn’t love me.

  When I’d cried as much as my body would allow, I picked myself up off the bed, took my now lukewarm coffee, and settled in a chair by the window. When I looked out, I noticed a rose garden in the backyard, and tears stung my eyes all over again. I remembered going to King in the garden at his house and offering myself, agreeing to accept any punishment he wanted to give for my defiance. I wanted to feel like that again, to know I was the man who could help him, that I existed to serve him.

  I stared out the window as I sipped my coffee and contemplated my options. Before I’d settled on any kind of plan, Logan knocked on my door. “Emerson?”

  “Yes, what is it?” I snapped and immediately regretted my tone. “Sorry, I’m just tired.”

  “I’m not surprised. You’ve been through a lot. Mr. Storm is on his way. He’d like to talk to you.”

  Storm had helped me before when King was being overly stubborn. Would he help me again? “Thank you. I’m going to take a quick shower; I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

  “You’ve got at least half an hour.”

  I was sore, my head throbbed, and I had no idea what I was going to say to Storm when he arrived, but hopefully a hot shower would help me clear my mind and feel a bit more refreshed. One way or another, I was getting out of this house today. I was going to confront King and make it very clear to him that no matter how much control I’d relinquished to him, he couldn’t simply send me away.

  I was finishing my second cup of coffee and eating an amazing omelet Logan had made for me when Storm arrived. I still felt a sickening combination of sadness and anger, but the shower had helped my soreness, and my head felt much clearer.

  “Emerson, how are you doing?” Storm asked.

  I glared at him and color rose in his cheeks.

  “Sorry. That was a stupid question. After what you went through, and then my brother…”

  “Your brother is a fucking idiot.”

  Storm grinned. “I’ve told him that myself many times.”

  “Has he ever listened?”

  Storm rolled his eyes. “Not a single time.”

  “Take me to him.” I was too tired to do anything but be direct.

  “I can’t,” Storm said. “I promised him I would make sure you stayed here.”

  “King and I are mates. That bond isn’t going to go away just because he’s ignoring me.”

  Storm laid a hand over mine. “I know. And I hope that he will realize that. He was up all night pacing the halls and sitting out in the garden, and he’s done nothing but yell at people this morning.”

  “Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

  “No. It’s supposed to let you know that he’s feeling the separation too.”

  “Then why the fuck doesn’t he just come get me?”

  “Because he truly believes everything that happened is his fault, and he’s no good for you.”

  “If he wasn’t good for me, we wouldn’t be fated mates.”

  Storm smiled. “Before you, I don’t think King truly believed in fated mates. He didn’t think there could be a pull that strong between two people. He may still believe that with time and separation, your desire for each other will fade and that as a human you won’t feel it as strongly.”

  “It doesn’t matter than I’m a fucking human. I’m never going to stop wanting him. Why does he have to be so stubborn?”

  Storm chuckled. “He always has been.”

  “Why are you here if not to help me?”

  “King asked me to come check on you and make sure you’re okay.”

  “Couldn’t he have called Logan or one of the other guards? They’re right here with me, so they know how I’m doing.”

  “He knew I’d give him a more detailed answer.”

  “Well, I’m not okay. Tell him that.”

  “Physically?”

  I rolled my eyes. “I have one of the worst headaches I’ve ever had in my life, and my entire body aches. But I’m alr
eady better than I was when I woke up. Nothing about my injuries can compare to the pain of being sent away from him. Tell him that too.”

  Storm nodded. “I will.”

  He squeezed my hand and then rose from his seat. “By the way, Henley helped us locate Leon’s den. Did anyone tell you that?”

  I shook my head.

  “He’s really good. Even better than I expected. You know, I think he could help anyone get out of or into any place they wanted.”

  I looked up at him, eyes widening. “I think you might be right.”

  “I’m sure he’d like to hear from you and know you’re safe.”

  I gave Storm a huge smile. “I’ll call him now.”

  “Good luck. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  Before Storm was even out the door, I was scrolling through my contacts for Henley’s number.

  21

  King

  There was a knock on my office door at Tooth and Claw. I snarled. “Go away. I’m busy.”

  “Come out here. There’s something you need to see.” It was Storm.

  “Whatever it is, you can handle it.”

  “Not this. You need to see it for yourself.”

  I yanked my door open. “Is it the Crowns? Have they been playing us?”

  “No, just come with me.”

  I snarled again. “Stop being so fucking secretive.”

  He went to the balcony and looked down over the dance floor. I remembered standing there with him the night I’d seen the lion shifters surrounding a very drunk Emerson. The memory was like a punch to the gut. Emerson and I had been apart less than twenty-four hours, and I missed him like he’d been gone for months. For the last hour or so, I’d sworn I could smell him like he was right there. Between need for my mate and tension about the upcoming council meeting, I hadn’t slept the night before, and I’d done nothing but growl and snap at everyone today.

  “What is it? I don’t see anything.”

  “There. Near the bar at the edge of the dancers.”

  I looked more closely at where Storm was pointing. It was Emerson. I had smelled him. My mate. He was right there. “You swore to me you wouldn’t bring him here.”

  “I didn’t.”

  “Then who let him in?”

  “No one,” Storm said. “I checked the security feed. He appeared walking out of the bathroom and started to dance.”

  “He didn’t just appear out of nowhere.”

  “Then why don’t you go ask him how he got in?”

  I shook my head. “I can’t. I’ll never be able to send him away again.”

  “Then don’t. You tried to give him his freedom, but he doesn’t want it. He wants you. He wants his mate. So go down there and fucking claim him.”

  My eyes widened. Storm never spoke to me like that. I’d expect it from Garrett and occasionally Bryce, but not Storm.

  Was he right? I’d sent Emerson away, and he’d eluded the guards I’d placed on him and found a way back to me. He might be human, but he could clearly get the best of shifters when he needed to.

  “I’m going to bring him to my office. See that we’re not disturbed.”

  Storm laid a hand on my shoulder as I turned away. “You’re doing the right thing. You’re meant to be together.”

  And I’d been crazy to think I could stay away from him. I raced toward the stairs and took them two at a time. When I reached Emerson, I growled at the men who were dancing near him and started to tug him back toward the stairs. He stood his ground, nearly knocking me off balance with the force of his resistance. “Dance with me.”

  My instincts told me to get him out of the crowd and to take him where we could be alone. No one should see him but me. But my mate wanted to dance, and I wanted to give him everything he desired, so I let him pull me back to the edge of the dance floor. He smiled seductively, and I pulled him against myself so I could grind into him.

  His body was as warm as a shifter’s, and I licked a bead of sweat from his temple as I breathed in his scent. My wolf wanted to latch onto him with claws and teeth, but I held back, enjoying the moment.

  The music pounded, vibrating in my chest as I moved with Emerson.

  Mine.

  Fuck yes, he was, and this time I wasn’t ever letting him go.

  He lifted one of his legs and wrapped it around me, and as I bent my knees so our cocks could rub together, I realized he was still wearing the cock cage.

  I lean down to speak right against his ear. “You didn’t take it off?”

  He nipped my earlobe before shouting over the music. “I’m wearing it until you’re ready to have me again.”

  His words nearly broke me. Only the horror of club patrons seeing me crying on the dance floor held my tears back. Emerson wanted to be mine so much that he wouldn’t take his freedom when I offered it to him. He wanted everything I offered, and I’d sent him away. “I’m so sorry.” My voice was so choked I wasn’t sure he could understand me.

  He took my hand, and this time he was the one to tug. “Let’s go.”

  “My office.” I couldn’t get out any more. I was too full of emotion and the urge to claim him.

  We burst through the door of my office, and I kicked it closed behind me as I cupped his face and brought my lips to his. That kiss was full of more emotion than anything that had passed between us before. I poured all of my love into him, and he clung to me, giving love back in equal measure. Our tongues slid along each other, and I nipped at his lower lip, but a moment later, he pushed at my chest, and I let him break free.

  “Not yet. Not before we talk.”

  Talk? I wasn’t sure I was capable of such a thing. I needed Emerson, needed to press my body against his, to hold him tight, to drive into him and sink my teeth into his neck, claiming him as mine forever.

  “Need you.”

  “You look human, but you don’t sound like it.”

  I was barely holding on to my humanity. “I just…” I reached for him again but he stepped back.

  “I feel it too. And I’ve felt this need for you every second we’ve been apart, but before I give in to it, I have to know that you’ll never send me away again. I have to know that you’re ready to bind me to you as your mate. Because that’s what I am, and that is what I want to be. I love you, and I don’t care if that puts me in danger. I’d rather be with you and take that risk than be apart from you, no matter how safe I might be.”

  I took a shaky breath. I could do this. The moment I’d seen him, I’d known I couldn’t live without him. If I had to work a hundred times harder than I had been to bring the shifter council together and make a better future, then that’s what I’d do. “I was wrong.”

  Emerson made a strangled noise. “What?”

  “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have sent you away. I thought I was being selfish to keep us together, but—”

  “No, you were being a dick to keep us apart. I know I’m human, but I feel this bond just like you do. I can tell right now that your wolf is trying to break free and he’s telling you what an idiot you’ve been.”

  I growled. “Are you asking for a spanking?”

  “No. Well… yes, but what I’m really asking for is my mate to commit to always being with me and taking care of me like a good Dom should.”

  Fuck, that was the most amazing thing anyone had ever said to me. “I’m yours. Forgive me for not realizing what we needed. I promise I’ll do better.”

  “You’ll try to do better,” he corrected.

  “No, I—”

  “Everyone makes mistakes, but as long as you’re trying and you never send me away again, I’ll be happy.”

  “I love you. Not because of the bond. That was just the catalyst that pushed me to keep you that night. I love you because you’re you.”

  Emerson gave me a sunny smile. “I love you too.”

  My chest was warm and my heart no longer felt shattered, but my cock was reminding me that I’d been in the middle of staking my claim in a far more
primal way. I growled. “Damn right, you do; now let’s get back to—”

  Someone knocked on the office door. “King, the council meeting starts in fifteen minutes. We’ve got to go.”

  It was Garrett. He’d insisted on accompanying me to the meeting so that Bryce and Storm could remain at the club making sure things ran smoothly, and no lions or anyone else appeared to cause trouble while I was away.

  “I need a few more minutes.”

  “We’ll be late.”

  “Goddammit, Garrett. I just got my mate back.”

  “That’s your own damn fault. You should have known better than to send him away anyway.”

  Emerson snickered and I glared at him. “I don’t fucking care if I’m late. I’m the head of the council. They’ll wait on me.”

  “Hurry up,” Garrett yelled.

  “Go away. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

  I grabbed the waistband of Emerson’s pants and jerked him toward me. He sucked in his breath as I popped the button and slipped the zipper down. I pushed his pants and underwear over his hips, shoved them to his knees, then stroked his swollen balls.

  “Do you like being held captive like this for me?” After taking in the lovely vision of his caged cock, I looked up at him. His eyes were wide, his lips swollen from our kiss.

  “I like pleasing you. And I like knowing I’m yours. It makes me feel… grounded.”

  I made a low growl. “I may struggle to protect you as well as I want. More things may come up that expose you to danger, but I promise you will never doubt that I own you.”

  He moaned, and I maneuvered him back toward the sofa. “Get those pants the rest of way off and sit down.”

  “But what about—”

  “Have you already forgotten that it’s not your job to speak or to question?”

  He shook his head. “No, Sir.”

  “Good.”

  When he was settled on the sofa, I sank to my knees. “Open your legs and put your hands on the seat.”

  He obeyed, and I retrieved the spare key for his cock cage. I enjoyed watching his cock swell to full hardness the moment I removed it. “It’s going right back on as soon as we’re finished.”