by C. M. Steele
“Ahh!” she cried out, forgetting that she was supposed to be quiet.
“Love,” I warned, my jealousy still high.
“Sorry, Hunter,” she moaned. I didn’t want her cries to be heard, but I didn’t care if they knew I was mating her. I wanted all to know I had my mate.
Ah…more…Hunter, she cried in her head like a good mate.
“Fuck babe, I’m going to cum,” I snarled in her ear as I leaned over her back, pumping hard into her.
Me too! She moaned as I my seed jetted into her.
I lifted her off the desk and carried her to the sofa, only pulling out long enough to turn her around on me to ride. I wasn’t finished yet.
Gripping her hair, I lifted her up and down on my cock. She let out a low growl. Hunter, I’m cumming again!
Cum, my love.
I love you, Hunter.
Say it out loud! I snarled.
She gripped the sides of my face, caressing my scruff. “Hunter, I love you,” she stated with her eyes staring directly into mine.
I snarled and lifted us off the sofa and laid her back down on her back. Leaning over her, I looked down at my mate, my lover, and my wife and whispered my feelings even though I knew she could feel them pouring out of me.
“I love you, Catherine. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.” I bent down and took her mouth and pushed my cock all the way into her heat. I grunted as I felt her heart race. She had to know I loved her for over six months, but somehow hearing my words created a feeling of pure happiness flood her body. She shot off into an intense orgasm, pulling my load out of me, too. I let out a deep growl before I kissed her roughly, my tongue mating with hers as it danced in her mouth tasting her flavor. I wanted all of her; I needed to mark her. My scent and seed in her wasn’t enough. Biting her was what I needed.
Turning her head, I eyed her sexy shoulder and knew my bite was what she wanted,too—almost as much as I wanted it. Her pulse increased. Letting out a whispered, “Mine,” I bit down on the tender flesh. I knew she wanted the same from me. She wanted to taste my blood, let it invade her senses.
I let my wolf come slowly to the surface, letting my claws out then I slit a tiny gash on my shoulder just for her. Her eyes widened in excitement before she lifted her head to drink from me. Just as she started to suck on my flesh I felt her canines grow and pierce my flesh. We both combined our tastes, pulling back once sated and now fully mated.
What happened? She asked in her mind.
I don’t know, love. I thought you weren’t able to shift. We really need to talk to Creed.
We sat up and I held her in my arms, something wasn’t like the book said. She had canines, but nothing else about her was different. She looked and felt scared, and I couldn’t do anything to ease that because I had no answers.
“Let’s get through today and I’ll give him a call tonight. If we need to travel to Redding, we will. Okay? I don’t think anything’s wrong. I just think it’s something new.” She just nodded and some of her fear went away as I held her. It was new to her, and maybe like her dreams, it was preparing her for the reality of her future.
I could smell Chloe and Gage approaching. So after I helped her with fixing her clothes I opened the door.
“Damn bro, next time open a window,” Gage teased. It smelled like hot sex in the office, but fuck if I cared. I’d had to deal with that shit from so many of our pack. There was about forty members total, and most of them were mated. There were only five adults unmated and about six pups. As a mix of human and wolf, we didn’t produce as many pups as a real wolf could. The most was twins, like Chloe and Gage.
“Fuck off,” I snarled back as I opened the office window.
“So what’s going on?” I crabbily asked my siblings since they felt the need to interrupt my time with Cat.
“We’d thought you’d be less grumpy, but I guess we were wrong,” sniped Chloe.
“We came in here to discuss some issues that we need to take care of for the resort and what Catherine’s role will be here.”
“I haven’t thought about your role yet, love,” I said as I looked at my beautiful mate. I love you. She blushed at my words and my siblings looked at us strangely.
I wasn’t going to tell them that we could communicate with each other telepathically because I didn’t want anyone to hear me say it. There were too many sharp ears in this place.
Chapter 7—Catherine
Three days and still no answers to my mysterious ability to semi transform. We couldn’t get a hold of Creed because he left town to handle some matters in Vancouver. According to his niece Arabella, he had left right after Hunter drove away from his house.
We couldn’t tell anyone about the strange relationship that Hunter and I had because it was different than the normal mates. I did have a talk with Vivian about that day at the restaurant.
“Hi Vivian, Hunter said you’d show me what the plans are for the general operations.”
“Sure,” she muttered.
“Listen, Vivian. I don’t want Hunter mad at you and Rex, so let me just tell you about that day. I had been having dreams of Hunter for the past six months. I didn’t know who he was and I didn’t know if I would ever see him. Randomly, memories of my dreams would relive themselves during the day.”
“So you saw Rex and you thought of Hunter?”
“Yes. That’s exactly it. It was the eyes that triggered that memory. The blue in them is very similar. I wasn’t interested in your husband, I was just thinking about my Hunter.”
“Thank goodness. Human women can be flirtatious with him, and even though I know he won’t leave me sometimes I can’t fight the need to protect what’s mine. Then you are Hunter’s mate, and I was worried that he would fight with Rex.”
“No, I told Hunter the same thing. It wasn’t the only time I did that kind of thing.”
“Good, so let’s get started on making this resort a success.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.”
After that encounter everything ran smoothly between us. Most of the pack didn’t seem to have a problem with me either. There were a few wary eyes, but no one was outright disrespectful.
The women got together on certain days just to bake and spread the goods to the men. They would bring food and treats for Hunter as the Alpha, but now they were a little hesitant because I was his wife so to speak, which meant no other female could approach him without my approval. Considering they were only allowed intimacy with their mates it was a peculiar custom, but it is because I was considered the Alpha female, even though I was a human.
I was able to join them, and they showed me which treats were Hunter’s favorites. Gage was there to watch over me the entire time, but they just ignored him. Hunter had to meet with his builders, contractors, and government regulators and inspectors, so he sent me with Gage. Because they were touring unfinished parts of the hotel that required safety gear he didn’t want me anywhere near it. We had just gotten back to the house when Gage got a call and had to leave me at the house all alone.
Besides his overprotective nature, Hunter was wonderful. I felt so blessed to even be in his life. I always felt his love for me. Whatever mood he was in, his love for me still laid underneath. I’d seen him in every mood possible in a matter of three days. He was furious when he learned that I was a second rate child to my parents.
They had called me to find out if I’d gotten the job and if I was single because their widower friend was looking for a wife and they thought I would be a perfect wife for him; the man was fifty. Hunter wanted nothing to do with them because he was afraid he’d eat them if they offended me in his presence.
I put away Hunter’s treats, and made me a sandwich and tried not to worry about being alone. Twenty minutes after I finished my food I felt sick and I was in the bathroom throwing up. Instantly thoughts of being pregnant crossed my mind, but I knew it was too soon to be sick like this. According to what Hunter told me, the pregnancy would r
esemble a human pregnancy because that’s what I was.
Damn it, Cat. I’m on my way, he snarled.
I’m fine, Hunter. I think it was just something I ate.
I can feel the pain you’re in. Just rest. I’ll be there as soon as possible.
Okay.
I laid down in our bed and passed out from the pain and fatigue. The next thing I knew I woke up in a place I didn’t know, to see eyes I knew and feared.
Catherine, Cat, love, call to me. I need to find you.
I called out to Hunter in my head. Rocky
“Where am I?” I asked my captor.
His honey colored eyes blazed and with a snarl he said, “Not that it matters, but in the property your mate stole from my family.”
Property that you stole from his family.
Stay calm, my love. I’m coming for you.
“Hunter wouldn’t do anything like that at all.”
“Whatever. It was centuries ago, but it’s his family’s fault that we were forced to be their Betas. It’s fine because once you’re dead he will die, too.”
“That’s not true for us. I’m a human. The same rules don’t apply. Once I die he will forget I exist and will find a new mate. It’s his destiny as Alpha, so it won’t kill him. That’s why he was given a human mate. Try again,” I sneered.
He roared, and I knew he believed my lie. Before I had a chance to brace myself, he struck me across the face, and I flew across the room and hit the wall. I felt the pain coursing through my body and I could feel Hunter’s pain and rage filling me up. I didn’t move so he would think I passed out and it managed to work because he moved away from me.
“He is nearby. How did he catch my scent? I’ve been masking it for days now,” he snarled and moved to the window.
“Since your death won’t kill him, then I’ll just do it myself.”
“No, you can’t!” I shouted with tears pouring down my face.
“Yes, I can,” he crowed. That’s when I saw the semi-automatic rifle in his hands. I warned Hunter away, but he wasn’t listening to me anymore.
Damn it, Hunter. He’s got a gun! He’s going to kill you. You can’t leave me.
“I like that I can smell your fear. It’s too bad you can’t warn your lover,” he stated in order to provoke me.
I just sobbed as I waited for the worst to happen. I didn’t have to wait long. A war opened up as soon as the back door exploded.
Chapter 8—Hunter
I was on my way to her when I couldn’t hear her anymore. I had just pulled up to the house when I smelt traces of Rocky in the air. Almost like he’d been there hours ago, but somehow I knew that wasn’t true.
I couldn’t smell the strong scent of her nearby, and I knew he took her. Rushing through our home in my full wolf form, I didn’t find her anywhere. She was gone.
Roaming the grounds around the house and looking at the surveillance camera footage did no good. Rocky had covered his tracks. I howled at the sky. Soon it would be dark, and a full moon would grace the night. Our Alpha strength became enhanced during this time, and I hoped I found Rocky when it rose because I would rip his head clear off his spineless body.
I wanted her to hear me, to feel me, but she didn’t respond. That’s probably what scared me the most. I knew she wasn’t gone because I would know, but I couldn’t reach her.
Howling, I heard a truck pull up to the house. It was Creed and Gage.
“What’s going on bro?” Gage asked as he rushed to me.
“You were supposed to be watching her. He’s taken her. Rocky’s taken Cat. She’s gone. I can’t hear her calling me,” I cried. I shifted back into my human form hoping to hear her call, but I still couldn’t hear her. She wasn’t in pain, but she wasn’t dead either.
“We’ll find her. I’m sorry, man. Rocky called me and told me that Sheriff Smith needed me, but it was bullshit. I got to the edge of town, and he wasn’t even there.”
We rushed in the house so I could get some clothes on and search for my mate.
“Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you for a week,” I snarled at Creed.
“Boy, calm down. I’ve been trying to find some answers. I got the books and the history your ancestors left to the historians. There is a language only we can speak and read. After you left, I noticed a message in the back of the book’s cover. It led me to Vancouver and a hidden book of your great-great grandmother’s life. All your questions should be answered by it. But first, let’s focus on finding your mate.”
As we were going back outside to look for clues, Sheriff Smith approached.
“My cousin has lost his mind,” Smith said.
“How do I know you’re not helping him?” I howled.
“Have I ever really acknowledged our kinship?”
“No, in fact you’ve been very clear that your mother was a Lake.”
“I knew the tensions between the families.I’m sheriff for a reason—to keep the peace.”
“Do you know where he would have taken her to?”
“It wouldn’t be too far from here. It hasn’t been long since I saw him. Hell, he still might be on the road. Did you check for tracks?”
“Yes, he carried her for a mile before getting into a vehicle, but I lost the tire tracks.”
Catherine, Cat, love, call to me. I need to find you. I begged her to answer. I was hanging onto my sanity by a thread.
Rocky…Property that you stole from his family.
Tears welled in my eyes, but I had my answer. I was already running to my truck before the guys caught up to me.
Stay calm, my love. I’m coming for you.
“He’s got her in the old house at Lakeland Prairie,” I roared.
“How do you know?” Smith said as he ran to his car for more guns.
I turned to all of them and admitted, “There’s something you don’t know about my mate and me. We can communicate with one another with our minds.”
“So, that’s normal for human and shifter mates,” stated Creed. “What? It’s one of the things I learned while I was away.”
“Is there anything else I need to know?” I asked as I started the engine and the men all jumped in the truck.
“In due time, my boy,” Creed patted my thigh. I knew he had his reasons not to say whether because there were other people in the vehicle or because I wasn’t ready for the truth, so I let it pass. I just needed to find my mate and focus on that. My emotions were a mess, so I needed to cut her off from my thoughts and emotions. I didn’t want her to feel my dread, but I could still her words of warning.
I informed the others, and we developed a plan of attack. I was going to bury that bastard tonight. The sun was setting and I could feel the moon’s pull on my wolf, summoning me to answer the call.
We all got into position. Creed had sprayed us with something that would mask our odor so Rocky would only get a slight whiff of our scent and think we were still far out. Gage and Creed were going to break through the front and Smith and I were going through the back.
As the moon rose, I shifted and wasted no time smashing the door down.
Stay calm and hide, love.
Just as I came through the back, Creed and Gage rushed through the front and gunfire opened up. I heard a howl as Creed fell to the floor.
I snarled and ran after Rocky. I caught his arm just as he swung around to fire at me, sending the gun flying out of his hands, but not before I felt the burn of the bullet hit my chest. He managed to kick me off and shift.
He snarled at me and I couldn’t focus on anything else but him. He hurt my mate, I felt her pain when she hit the wall and her sobs as she panicked. Rocky was going to pay for putting his hands on her.
I’m fine, love. You need to hide. There was no way I was going to let her know how bad it was. I didn’t have all my strength, so he was going to get an even fight.
I lunged at his neck, but he was prepared and moved in time for me to get caught in the ribs from his heel. I howl
ed, and that’s the moment that everything changed.
Before I knew what was happening, I heard my mate howl loudly. I turned to look at her and Rocky made his move, lunging at my throat. He just made contact before he was thrown off me and into an old oak dining table. I heard the crack of his bones and his howling whimper.
I saw my beautiful Cat, as a tiny wolf with the most perfect eyes.
I’ve got this, my love. Please step back. I lunged at Rocky this time and didn’t miss, slowly ripping his throat out.
I felt her snout rub against my neck softly before licking my jaw. I absorbed her love and strength.
I love you, Hunter. Thank you for finding me.
Thank you for saving me.
There’s no me without you.
Me either, my Cat.
I heard the howls erupt from Smith and Gage as they looked down at the body of Creed.
We all started to bay at the moon, mourning and calling to our brothers and sisters of the pack to unite.
“There are several changes of clothes in my car. I’ll be back with them for you all,” said Smith.
“Thank you, Smith,” I muttered. He was smart because I didn’t want anyone to see my mate unclothed. It didn’t matter that they couldn’t have her. It was just my possessive nature where she was concerned.
Chapter 9—Hunter
“Damn, you’re a strong old coot,” I said as I entered Creed’s hospital room.
“Don’t be jealous because I’m badass even though I’m not an Alpha.”
“That’s hard to believe considering all that you do and are.”
“We all can’t be Alpha. I was selected as the historian. Hopefully one day soon I’ll find my replacement.”
“You’re ready to kick the bucket? What about Maggie?”
“She’s way past waiting for me to croak. Her old bones can’t handle my stiff one anymore,” he joked.
“Shut up, you nutty bastard. You’re not leaving me anytime soon,” Maggie snapped as she entered the room with a sheen of tears in her eyes.
