Paranormally Yours: A Boxed Set

by Alisha Basso

  The man was taller than her father, at least six foot four, and powerfully built. His shoulders were broad, muscles rippling beneath his shirt as he gestured to make some point. Dark, faintly messy hair topped a pleasing face, with sculpted cheeks and a full bottom lip. Possibly sensing her inspection of him, he glanced towards the door and his amber eyes locked on hers. There was a hard edge about him, a commanding presence that made her feel as if she were pinned in place. Slowly he studied her from head to foot, his gaze lingering on her breasts and then her hips, before returning to her face. Elise felt herself flush under his scrutiny. As he flashed a brief smile at her, she thought she caught a glimpse of softness in his eyes, but it was quickly gone. He looked back at her father and continued their conversation. She sulked. For some reason his apparent dismissal of her rankled.

  Her father glanced her way, sighed, and ended his discussion with the stranger. He walked towards her with a scowl on his face. “Elise, you’ve been running again, I see.”

  She glanced at her reflection in a nearby mirror. Her long brown hair was messy and a faint sheen of sweat gave her sun-kissed skin a dewy look. Noting a smudge of dirt on her nose, she scrubbed it off. Turning towards her parent, she gave a sheepish grin aimed at cajoling him out of his mood. “It was too nice a day to stay indoors.”

  “But what did I tell you? It isn’t safe to be out alone in wolf form. It’s hunting season and even though our property is posted, the humans don’t always heed—”

  “I was with Bryan and we didn’t go near the edge of the property. We aren’t fools, you know.”

  “Ah...Bryan...” Her father frowned, and then sighed again. “Elise, I have something to tell you. As you might know, the pack to the east has a new Alpha. His name is Kane.” He nodded towards the man standing across the room and Elise shot him a glance again before smiling with polite interest at her father’s news.

  “He’s come to meet you?” She wondered why she was being summoned. The politics between the packs had never been of concern to her. Her father didn’t involve her in council meetings, yet clearly she could only assume that the gentlemen in the corner talking to the Elders of her pack must be representatives from the eastern group.

  “Yes, Kane is here to meet me...and you.”

  “Me?” Elise couldn’t contain her surprise and for some reason, a strange quivering feeling began to develop within her.

  “Yes, you. It has been decided by the Elders that with a new Alpha in charge, a fresh alliance should be created. Kane is willing. He will be mated to you and our packs will continue to live in peace.”

  “Mated? To me?” Elise knew her mouth was hanging open in shock. She darted a glance across the room to see Kane staring at her blandly, his hands behind his back. If her expression offended him, he didn’t show it. She looked at her father, blinking to hold back the tears that threatened to fall. “But...what about Bryan?”

  “Yes, I’m aware you’ve had your eye on him, but this is for the good of the pack. We need strong alliances so that we can guard against the human threat. And, allied packs allow access between territories and increase the area in which we have to roam.” He stopped speaking and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I know this is a surprise, but don’t worry. Kane is a good man. He’ll make you a fine mate.”

  Her mouth had suddenly gone dry and she clenched her fists her sides. Was this how her sister had felt when she had found out she’d been betrothed to a male from the north? At the time, Elise had only been twelve and had been more excited about the festivities than concerned for her sister’s feelings. Now the shoe was on the other foot and she found the fit to be decidedly uncomfortable.

  Finding her voice, she began to protest. “But that’s the old way of thinking! Alliances aren’t needed anymore. We’ve gone beyond pack wars, and as for the human threat, most don’t even know we exist!” In desperation, she began to toss out facts and opinions to counter the decree that had been delivered to her.

  “Packs co-exist peacefully because of the long-standing tradition of alliances. Matings between packs join us together and ensure respect of territories.” Her father kept his tone even, but Elise sensed he didn’t enjoy having to explain this to her. He was from the old tradition, as were many in her pack, and expected unquestioning obedience. As the youngest in the family, she’d been treated more leniently than the others; less had been expected of her. Now she could hear the implicit lecture: she should have paid more attention to pack politics, taken an interest in what was going on; if she had, she would already know these things.

  He continued to speak. “And the human threat is still real. Not so much that they know we exist, but that they continually try to encroach on our territories. We need to be united and stand firm against selling our land to developers.”

  Elise opened her mouth to protest again, but her father’s stern look had her shutting it, leaving the words unspoken. It was useless to protest. The Elders had decided and the Alpha had concurred with their decision. To go against the edicts of the pack would result in being cast out. Elise had lived her whole life in a pack. The concept of being alone was unthinkable, yet the idea of mating with a total stranger was also abhorrent.

  “When?” She managed to pronounce one word.

  “Tonight. There is no use in waiting. Kane and his council are here. A dinner is being prepared and the rest of the pack is being notified. We’ll conduct the ceremony as the moon rises.”

  Three hours. Three hours and she would be bonded for life to a man she’d never met before today. He’d be her mate and... The rest she couldn’t even think about at the moment. She knew what mating involved. Sex wasn’t a secretive topic within the pack, yet she’d always thought it would be with someone she knew and cared about.

  Suddenly she realized that someone was speaking to her. Looking up, she saw Kane had moved forward and was standing beside her father. “I’m pleased to meet you, Elise.” His voice was deep and low, his eyes steady on hers.

  Somehow, she managed to croak out a hello. Kane appeared even larger up close and she wished she had more inches to her height. At five foot six inches, she was an average size, but next to the new Alpha, she felt positively petite. Her father nudged her with his elbow and she noticed that Kane had extended his hand towards her. Tentatively, she reached out and took it. The warmth of his skin immediately enveloped her and shot up her arm. Startled, she craned her neck to look up at his face and noted a faint smile pass over his mouth.

  “I think we will suit each other.” He nodded to her father and then gave her hand a squeeze. “I’ll see you later at the ceremony.” Kane looked her up and down again before taking his leave and heading over to where the councils were meeting.

  “Elise, I must go. There’s other business to attend to today before the ceremony.” Her father kissed her on the forehead and gave her a gentle push towards the door, effectively dismissing her. “Go and find Sarah. She’s been instructed to help you get ready.” Sarah was Jake’s wife and in some ways like a surrogate mother to her. Hunters had killed Elise’s own mother years ago and her father had never taken another mate.

  She briefly considered running away and going into hiding, but knew that wasn’t possible. There was nowhere to hide that she couldn’t be found, short of taking a car and driving off, yet even if she did then what? She had no money to speak of, nowhere to go...

  The rest of the day passed in a blur. Elise tried to tell Sarah of her reservations but was shushed. It was for the good of the pack. Being mated to an Alpha would give her status. He would take good care of her. The well-meant words swirled around her.

  She wanted to find Bryan, to cry on his shoulder and feel his arms around her offering comfort one last time, but that too was denied her. It wouldn’t be proper. There was no time. Were these actual reasons or just excuses? Either way, the result was the same. She found herself seated at a table beside a man she didn’t know.

  As she looked around, her heart th
udding heavily in her chest, she noted that the hall had been decorated with fall flowers and the best china set out. Linen cloths adorned the tables and various dishes of meat and vegetables, rolls and salads appeared. It always amazed Elise how Sarah could pull a meal together for a small army on a moment’s notice.

  No doubt, the food was delicious, but she merely moved it about on her plate, unable to manage even a bite. Well wishes from her pack members were given followed by speeches from the Elders, and then the bonding ceremony began. Kane escorted her to the front of the room and words were spoken which she didn’t even hear, let alone comprehend. Worst of all were the agonized looks exchanged with Bryan who stood across the room as the final vows were spoken and her wrist was bound with Kane’s by a ceremonial leather rope.

  Tied together, Kane led her from the hall to one of the guest cabins that were located not far from the main house where the Alpha resided. He hadn’t spoken directly to her since their initial meeting and she cast sidelong glances up at him as they walked across the moonlit lawn. Should she say something to break the silence? Her thoughts raced for an appropriate comment, but none came to mind. Banal talk about the weather seemed ridiculous under the current circumstances and she was too nervous to come up with anything else.

  It was not in the nature of an Alpha to be unkind to a member of the pack unless they flaunted his authority, but Elise knew that the drive to mate was strong and she hoped Kane would be considerate of her. She knew the first mating could be painful and given his size, she had little hope that he would be mildly endowed. If it was Bryan who was to mate her, it would be different. She had feelings for him. The thought of being with Bryan excited her creating a warmth low in her belly, while the idea of being with Kane only made her stomach muscles clench.

  The cabin loomed in front of them. Situated at the edge of the forest with trees all around, it gave the impression of seclusion. It was made of logs and had a weathered look from years of exposure to the elements, but was still well maintained with a solid stone chimney, shuttered windows, and a small porch. Kane pushed the door open and gestured for her to enter, following close behind since their wrists were still tied. He shut the door and flicked on the lights, illuminating the room that featured a small kitchenette, eating area and a sofa in front of a fireplace. There was a door to the left that led to a bedroom and a small bathroom.

  “Well.” Kane spoke, causing Elise to jump. “First order of business would be to remove this, wouldn’t you say?” He held up their joined wrists and she nodded in agreement. Pulling a jackknife from his pocket, he cut the rope letting it fall to the ground. Immediately, Elise pulled her arm away and rubbed her wrist. It wasn’t really sore—the tie hadn’t been tight—but the leather had still chafed and the enforced proximity had been uncomfortable.

  She noted that Kane was also rubbing his wrist. “We have a similar reaction to being imprisoned, I see.” He quipped while nodding towards the action of her hands.

  “Yes.” She wasn’t sure what else to say and the silence stretched between them.

  Kane rubbed his neck and stared around the room. Did he find the situation as unnerving as she did? Had he really wanted to be her mate, or was he turning his back on someone he loved for the good of his pack, as well? Did she dare ask? Before she had time to decide the wisdom of such a question, he addressed her again. “It’s getting late. Would you like to use the bathroom first?”

  “All right.” She could feel his gaze boring into her back as she walked away and she forced herself to keep her pace at a normal speed despite wanting to run from the room. As she passed through the bedroom, she noted that someone had made up the bed and her nightgown was lying near the foot. Snagging it in her hand, she entered the bathroom and closed the door.

  A feeling of relief washed over her and she slumped against the panel. For a few minutes at least she would have some privacy and be free of Kane’s presence. It wasn’t that he was displeasing to look at; in other circumstances, she would have admired his physique. And his manner towards her had been polite, if a bit distant, so there was nothing she could complain about in that regard. The problem was that Kane wasn’t Bryan. He was an unknown male; an unknown male she would soon have to be intimate with.

  Her stomach clenched again and once more she thought of escaping, but where? She couldn’t survive without a pack. Wolves were social animals. To be an outcast was an unthinkable fate. Besides, she’d have nowhere to live, no means of support, and then there was always the fear of detection. It hadn’t happened in years, but that wasn’t to say that if a Lycan became careless someone couldn’t put the clues together. Caution was drilled into a Lycan’s head from the moment of birth, and all had a fear of being hunted down. No, she couldn’t leave.

  Elise stared at her reflection in the mirror as she undid the simple French braid Sarah had fashioned for the ceremony. Her green eyes seemed wider and a deeper shade than normal, contrasting with her unusually pale complexion. Faint lines of tension showed on either side of her mouth and her jaw ached from being tightly clenched. As a matter of fact, her whole person was tense. Hoping a hot shower would help, she turned on the taps, stripped and stepped into the stall.

  The pounding water beat down on her body, the white noise and rising steam creating a temporary cocoon. She closed her eyes and forced herself to relax, letting her mind drift back to the afternoon when she and Bryan had been running together.

  A smile drifted across her face at the memory. It had been so much fun running like the wind; feeling her muscles stretched to the limit as she sought to out-distance her companion. Bryan had tackled her to the ground and they’d rolled about, nipping at each other before bounding away, only to jump and tumble again. She’d nuzzled him and he’d licked her face, then they’d run back to the pack house transforming into human form just inside the edge of the woods. Her hair had still had grass stuck in it. Bryan had picked it out before resting his hands on her shoulder and hinting at speaking to her father.

  Elise imagined she could feel Bryan touching her even now and sighed contentedly before realizing that it wasn’t her imagination. Hands were touching her! With a squeal, she pulled away only to have strong fingers tighten their grip and pull her back.

  Kane’s voice rumbled in her ear. “It’s just me. I decided to join you.” His large hands massaged her shoulders then ran up and down her arms. “You’re a slight little thing, aren’t you?”

  “I...yes.” Her muscles tensed again, all the soothing benefits of the hot water disappearing.

  “Elise, I know this is...awkward...but try to relax and I’ll make it as easy on you as possible.”

  She nodded obediently, but inwardly thought he had to be kidding. Relax? He was about to invade her body with his and spill his seed inside her! A bubble of hysterical laughter threatened to escape her throat.

  Standing frozen under the pounding water, Elise felt him trail his lips down her neck while encircling her waist with his hands before sliding them up to cup her breasts. She gasped at the feel of his rough palms caressing her. He tweaked her nipples while kissing her ear, his hot breath tickling the sensitive skin.

  “Mmm, you’re so soft.” Kane rumbled his approval before spinning her around and capturing her mouth with his. Expertly his mouth played over hers and before she knew what she was doing, she opened to him. His tongue slipped inside gently stroking hers, caressing, stoking a fire within her. Involuntarily, she found herself responding, gripping his biceps as he moved his hands up and down her back, drawing her closer until they were touching from chest to knee.

  Elise could feel his hot erection pressing against her stomach and a strange quiver of excitement shot through her. This was what her friends had talked about. Even as the thought passed through her mind, she felt herself being picked up and carried into the bedroom.

  Seeming not to care that they were both wet, Kane set her on the bed and dropped down beside her. He kissed and caressed her, nipping and stroking, stim
ulating nerve endings until her entire body hummed with awareness. Heat was building inside her and she squirmed restlessly. Kane was licking her belly and massaging her hips, moving lower as he nuzzled her flesh until he shockingly buried his face in her curls. Inhaling deeply, he licked at her nether lips. Elise tried to pull away, but his grip tightened.

  “I can smell your arousal; taste it. It calls to me.” Kane looked up at her, his eyes dilated, his breathing uneven. He slid up and kissed her hot and hard. “You are my mate.” He muttered against her lips before moving to her neck and running his teeth lightly over her skin, biting down gently but not actually breaking the surface. Trailing his lips up her neck and along her jaw to her mouth, he sucked on her lower lip before kissing her again.

  She started to melt into the kiss but then felt him push a finger inside her and stiffened. It felt...strange.

  “Relax, this will make it easier.” He whispered the words against her mouth.

  The finger probed her body and she felt an interesting sensation tingle down low. Of their own volition, her hips moved against his hand and he worked another finger inside. Again she stiffened—it was uncomfortable and tight but soon the movement of his hand created more strange feelings within her and she felt herself becoming relaxed.

  Kane’s fingers began to slide easily in and out of her and Elise closed her eyes, concentrating on the feelings growing within. There was tension, but it felt good, exciting. Her breathing became shallow and she felt herself striving to reach some unknown place. When he stopped, she whimpered her displeasure. Suddenly, his fingers were gone. Her eyes flew open to see him rise above her and position his manhood at her entrance. For a moment he paused and looked her in the eye before easing himself into her.