Destined to be His (Love of a Shifter Book 5)

by Bryce Evans

  All she could do was nod. She had no voice as she felt him slowly enter her. She felt a pinch and it hurt. She eyes jerked open staring at him. She could tell he hated that he was hurting her.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Don’t stop. Just move.”

  His fingers stoked over her nipple, pinching it until she didn’t feel any pain down between her legs. It felt better when he pulled all the way out and then went in farther. Each time she could tell he was going deeper and deeper inside of her.

  “Is that better?” Nash’s voice was graveled. She could tell he was fighting to stay in control. When his eyes opened, she could see his wolf looking out at her.

  “Yes, much better.” Beads of sweat dripped down from his forehead into the crevice between her breasts, and she loved knowing he was making her feel so alive. It was like she was a pro and knew exactly what to do when she wrapped her legs around his waist pulling him in deeper. Tears ran down the side of her face. She didn’t realize she was crying until he pulled out.

  “I don’t want to hurt you. Are you okay?” The look on his face was one of someone talking to a wild animal. One that was scared and hurt. Did she give him that impression? She felt cold now without him and the ache was still there, growing again. She needed him more.

  “You feel so good. Please just go deeper. I ache for you.” That was all he needed; he pushed back inside. this time going farther. They stared at each other as his hips moved faster. “Yes, oh yes.”

  The smile on her face gave him what he needed. She held on, digging her nails into his skin as his hips slapped against hers, harder each time. The ache was growing and growing until finally she came again. This time she thought she lost consciousness. When she woke up, Nash’s worried face was staring down at her.

  “Did I hurt you?”

  “No…it was wonderful.” Her eyes closed after she saw a small smile come across his mouth. She couldn’t stay awake any longer. “Sex is better than any work-out I’ve ever had. It’s exhausting.” That was the last thought she had before she fell asleep.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Kingston jerked the door open to his suite, thinking it was Emerson coming back to apologize, but it wasn’t her. “Hello, Mr. Prescott.”

  “Oh, Sydney? Come in.” He moved out of the way, letting Sydney enter his room. He looked out in the hallway to see if anyone was around, but thankfully didn’t see anyone. He didn’t need anyone to know that she was here visiting him. Closing the door, he felt relief for the first time. Now he would show Emerson what an animal Nash Wilder really was.

  “I wanted to let you know that I’m here and working on your problem,” Sydney advised him. Kingston sat down but the look on the witch’s face wasn’t the one of confidence she usually had. He had to admit, the witch was beautiful. So beautiful that she really didn’t have to use magic to seduce men; her beauty alone captivated them. But today something was off with her.

  “Is everything okay, Sydney? You look…like something is wrong.”

  “No sir. By the time I leave the wolf won’t be a problem for you. I do have one question for you.”

  “Sure.”

  “This shifter, he’s only after your daughter’s money and using her because of her last name. That’s what Mr. Devour explained. I don’t usually do this to just anyone. There has to be a reason Mr. Prescott.”

  “That’s correct Sydney.” Kingston hated telling her this but he knew the shifter wasn’t truly interested in Emerson.

  “Okay then.” The witch stood up and walked toward the door.

  “Good, then you understand. I want her to see the wolf for what he really is—. I want her to see him with you and all over you to show my daughter he doesn’t really love her. That should do the trick. This should finally show my daughter that shifters can’t be trusted. He only wants her because of me, and she needs to understand that. Just use one of those love spells, and I can finally take my daughter home where she needs to be.”

  “I understand.”

  “How much is the fee, Sydney? I can write the check now or after. Which do you prefer?”

  “It’s already been paid,” Sydney said, watching him as he poured a drink.

  “Ah, I have a good friend.”

  “He thinks highly of you, too.”

  Kingston watched as Sydney walked out. He didn’t care how she did it as long as she did. His daughter was a pureblood, and he wasn’t going to stand by and watch her good name be shamed. Everyone would be talking about it. She would be shunned by their society, and he couldn’t allow that to happen. Not to his daughter.

  If it hadn’t been for Franklin, his good name would have been nothing when they found out about his wife and the shifter. He owed his best friend so much. Now he was here, helping him out again. Kingston could never repay him for what he’d done for him.

  Emerson touched the side of Nash’s face as he slept. She was still having a hard time believing that Nash was her mate, but she felt it deep inside of her. She could feel how much he cared about her with every kiss he gave.

  Here she was, lying in his arms smiling like the cat that ate the canary. They were going ice-skating today, and then to see Jessie again. She couldn’t sleep, she was so excited. Nash had told her he loved her and that she was it for him.

  Waking up in his arms was more than she could imagine. His body was warm as she lay there looking up at his face. The dark scruff on his chin made her want to reach out and rub her face over it. She could feel the ache in her core, but she also could feel how sore she was. She’d read before that the first time a woman had sex she was very sore after.

  She closed her eyes, drifting off in and out of sleep, until she heard his sweet voice whisper in her ear.

  “Hey baby, I’ve got to go and check on something. When you get up, come down to my office. Max will show you the way. I love you.”

  She nodded and maybe said okay, but she couldn’t be sure before she drifted back to sleep.

  Waking up with a smile on her face was something foreign to her. The only time she could remember being simply giddy was when she found out that she’d been chosen to be on the Unit, right before her life went to hell. But now she smiled as she got up and went to the shower.

  Nash had said to meet him at his office. She hated that she’d kept him away from his job, but she was so happy when they were together. Getting out, she dried off and wiped the moisture from the mirror. She smiled back at her reflection. The color of her skin was rosy, and her lips were puffy from where Nash had been sucking on them. She felt wonderful and happy for the first time in such a long time.

  She nodded at her reflection then ran around like a crazy woman trying to get ready. She needed to see her mate. The urge to see him was strong. Stopping and putting on her shoes, she wondered if these feelings she was having were because of the mating pull? Nash had explained it to her, and it sure felt like something magical was happening inside of her.

  It didn’t really matter to her, because Emerson couldn’t stop grinning. She was in love with Nash. She could feel it down deep inside of her. He was her mate, and he loved her too. All her dreams were coming true. She had a job that actually meant something to her, helping other paranormals. It didn’t matter to her if there was an animal inside of you, or if you were a vampire, or a witch. She loved helping others. Now she’d finally found love and she couldn’t be happier.

  Emerson walked out the door, but nobody was around. She’d thought that Max was supposed to bring her downstairs. Maybe they were changing guards and somebody else was coming to get her. She sat down in the chair and waited. Nash had told her to wait on Max, so she was going to do that.

  Max was such a sweet man, but he had been acting funny since yesterday. She hoped that nothing was wrong, because like everyone else she’d met here at the lodge, she really liked him. She could actually feel him rooting for Nash and her. He acted like he truly cared whether or not they got together.

  She looked at he
r watch and thought that the guards must have had something important they had to attend to. Getting up, she decided to go down to the lobby and ask the clerk where Nash’s office was located. She was safe here in the lodge.

  Slowly she pushed the button. The elevator door quickly opened up, and for one moment she almost went back to her room, but not today. She wasn’t going to let them win. She was in love, and dammit she was getting on this elevator by herself. Pushing her anxiety aside, Emerson walked inside and pushed the button for the bottom floor.

  The doors closed, sealing her inside. Her heart started beating faster as the memories flashed forward. It was always the same. She was tied down to the table and the masked man stood off to the side smiling. Her body slumped over hugging the side of the elevator. She felt trapped, but today she was going to change that. Looking at her reflection, Emerson took in a deep breath, pointed at herself and said firmly, “Not today. Not ever again. You’re alright, Emerson, and you’re safe. Nash is waiting for you.”

  Emerson continued to take in deep breaths. She glanced at the doors when they opened and smiled, knowing she could do this. With Nash by her side she understood what he had been saying. She always had the strength inside her.

  All she wanted to do was find Nash and tell him that she wanted to mate with him. She was ready. She understood now. She had to find him and tell him how much she loved him. She was scared to say it before, but now she felt strong, the way she had before she was taken.

  Walking into the dining room, she glanced around but didn’t see him.

  “Hey, Emerson.” Lilly Wilder walked in from the kitchen.

  “Hey Lilly. I was looking for Nash.”

  “I saw him walking back to his office.”

  “Can I go back there?” Emerson asked.

  “Of course you can, silly goose.” Lilly laughed. “Follow me, I need to go over this menu with the staff at the front desk. I’ll point you in the right direction.” Lilly looked around the room. “Where’s your guard?”

  “I think Max was busy and I didn’t want to wait on him. I know I should’ve, but I needed to do this on my own.”

  Lilly winked at her. “I understand, but until we find the rest of the people involved in your kidnapping, stay with your guard, okay?”

  “I promise. I was just so excited to see Nash.” Lilly glanced over at her and smiled.

  “You certainly look excited about something.”

  Emerson couldn’t contain all the happy emotions that were boiling out of her. “I want Nash to hear me say it first. I want to tell him something.”

  Lilly stopped, and her eyes widened. “You love him.”

  “How do you know?”

  Smiling, Lilly placed her hand on hers. “You’re simply glowing. I can see it all over you.”

  “I do.” Emerson could feel her face and neck getting hotter as she spoke the truth. She did love him.

  “Go down that hallway, and his office is on the end. Thank you for loving my cousin. He deserves it.” Lilly wiped her face as a tear fell, then smiled and practically skipped away.

  This was what Emerson was seeking: a family who loved one another and only wanted the best for each other. Not once had her father said, ‘I’m proud of you, Emerson.’ Not once. She shook her head, not wanting those thoughts to affect her good mood.

  She turned around and started down the hallway. Thinking about last night, Emerson smiled, remembering how gentle Nash was. She looked up when she heard a woman giggling, but what she saw stopped her and broke her heart. Nash was against the wall, cozied up with another woman. It looked like they were making out, as the woman kissed down his neck. Emerson stopped dead in her tracks and just stared.

  Nash never even looked over at her, but the woman did. She smiled at Emerson, then just went back to kissing him. Emerson covered her mouth before she broke down in front of them both. Just like her father said, Nash was only using her. Backing up, Emerson crashed into the wall. The woman turned and stared at her, but Nash never even acknowledged her standing there.

  She had no idea where she was going, but she knew she couldn’t stay there any longer. Her heart was breaking as she ran for the front door of the lodge. Her father and his best friend Franklin Devour were standing in front of the door.

  Her father held on to her arms, trying to stop her. “Emerson. What’s wrong?”

  Looking into his eyes, Emerson muttered, “You were right, Father. I’m nobody.” Pulling out of his grip, Emerson rushed out the door.

  All she knew to do was run until it stopped hurting.

  Kingston Prescott stared at the door. Emerson looked crushed. He had never seen her look so defeated.

  “It worked, Kingston!” The giddiness’ of Franklin’s voice made him sick to his stomach.

  “But at what price? Did you see the look in her eyes?” Kingston couldn’t take his eyes off the door, praying she would come back inside.

  Franklin gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “Kingston, she’ll get over this. Once we get her home and find a suitable husband for her, all this will never be spoken of again. I can see it now. We’ll make it the wedding of the year. Let’s go have a drink. Now she sees what this Nash Wilder really is—an animal.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  “If you’d been mated to her I wouldn’t have been able to do that. Plus, I know the truth. You’re only after her money. Doesn’t feel good does it being used? Now you be a good boy and stay right here until I leave. This is all for the best.” The witch kissed Nash on the cheek and walked away. He was stuck against the door, unable to move. Frozen by the witch’s spell.

  At first he’d thought she was waving at him, but the moment she got near him, the magic had taken effect. If only he could shift his leg or arm, something to break the spell. He had to find Emerson quick and explain what happened. She had to know that it was a witch who did this. She had to believe him. He would never let another woman touch him.

  His wolf was trying to get out, but the spell was too strong. Nothing was working. He was going to kill the woman for doing this to him. Why else would the witch say that he wasn’t after her money? It had to be Kingston Prescott who put her up to it. Who else would want to separate them? Who else would lie to insure the witch carried the spell out.

  “What are you doing?” Lilly asked, standing in front of him. She tilted her head to the side when he didn’t answer. He couldn’t even open his mouth to speak.

  “Cat got your tongue?” Lilly laughed, but moved closer and stared into his eyes. She could see something wasn’t right. “Nash?”

  She tried to pull him away from the door, but couldn’t move him. “What the hell is holding you to the door?” she screeched.

  It would’ve been funny if it were a joke, but he was actually stuck to the door. This wasn’t a joke, and the love of his life was probably leaving right now. He had to find her and make her understand. She had too.

  Emerson slipped down the hill. She had no idea where she was going, but she needed to get away from the Lodge. This was all a lie. Everything he’d fed her about her being the one, his mate, was a lie. And worst of all, she fell for it. She laughed bitterly, remembering Nash telling her that she was it for him and that he would never look at another. “Well you couldn’t take your eyes off of her, you big fat liar.”

  She shook her head violently. She would never let another man talk to her like that again. Never again would she believe another man. She couldn’t go home to her father, either. He would just lock her up and never let her out again. Control was the only thing he wanted. Hell, he didn’t even care about her. Made up lies about her mother.

  It would be better if she left this part of the country. That way nobody would be able to find her, not even her father. She would leave in the morning. Her car was here, as well as her luggage, so there was no reason to go back home. She laughed again at herself, for thinking that was her home. The more she thought about it, the madder she got. She could feel her magic surroundi
ng her and protecting her.

  Her father was right she was weak-minded. The thought that a man like Nash would ever love her and be faithful to her! Whoever that woman was, she was definitely more his style: confident and beautiful. Two qualities that she never had. Every fear she had was now becoming a reality.

  Emerson stopped and looked around. She was at the skating ring. How fitting, she thought. They’d been coming here today, but thankfully she found out the truth first. She sat down on the bench and watched as the kids laughed and skated around the ring.

  “Emerson, where’s your coat?” Jessie was standing beside the store, drinking coffee.

  What could she say that wouldn’t bring pity to Jessie’s eyes? “I’m not cold right now.”

  Jessie looked at her, concerned. “What’s wrong?” She turned and glanced around. “Emerson, where’s Nash?”

  “He’s preoccupied right now.”

  “Come with me.” Jessie didn’t give her time to say no, she just grabbed her hand and started dragging her to a light blue Jeep. “Get in.”

  When Emerson didn’t immediately get in, she heard the threat in Jesse’s voice. “Emerson, you can get in of your own accord or I can make you. I would rather you come on your own.”

  Yes, she could use magic on Jesse to get away, but what was the use? Right now she didn’t care where they went as long as the Wilder family wasn’t around. Every time she thought of any of them she immediately thought of Nash. And thinking of Nash only made her stomach knot up more. She wanted to lean over and throw up. Dear God, why was this always happening to her? Couldn’t something work out for her?

  “The Jeep will warm up in a minute,” Jessie said, turning the heater on full blast. She could tell Jessie was glancing back and forth from the road to her. She didn’t ask anything, but Emerson knew it was coming. To make matters worse, Jessie probably knew the truth all along. God, she hoped that wasn’t the case. At least one person she’d met had to be honest and truthful.