by J. E. Cluney
“Damn, that’s a good stud,” I remarked.
“I can show you if you’re free shortly. What’s up though? I heard Scott and Nathan talking, they sound worried about you,” he browned, his soft blue eyes concerned.
“I managed to get a Council member to allow me to fight Richard for my rights. My father was going to do it as the Council didn’t give him a choice,” I sighed, expecting the frown to deepen as he ripped into me for my stupidity.
Instead, he cocked his head at me in uncertain thought.
“Do you think you can beat him? In all honesty?” he asked, reaching out to stroke my face.
I closed my eyes at the gentle sensation, and I moved to rest against his shoulder. He snaked one arm around me and kissed my forehead tenderly.
“I think so. I have to try. If my father fights him and loses, he’ll die. At least if I lose, the Council agreed that there is no joining of the Packs until a further fight for the title is done,” I murmured.
Jaye was silent for a while as he played with my hair, and I could practically hear the cogs turning in his head as he contemplated the situation.
“It’s your life. So it’s your choice on how you deal with it. I don’t want you to fight him, I don’t want you getting hurt or him having you, but I don’t own you either. Besides, since when have you ever listened to us?” he chuckled. “It’s not our place to decide how your life goes or to stop you for fighting for your rights.”
“Thanks, Jaye,” I mumbled, my throat tightening. He was the main one who always understood me so well. Scott and Nathan were more dominant men at times, whereas Jaye knew that I was independent and would make my own choices in life. Didn’t stop him from being protective, but he didn’t try to be controlling.
“When is it?” he asked softly as he stroked my hair.
“Tomorrow night,” I murmured.
I felt him stiffen, his hand freezing mid-stroke as he drew in a sharp breath.
“Why so soon?” he growled.
“I don’t know, that’s just what the Councilman said,” I said.
He sat silently with me for some time, and I wondered if he was going to get annoyed.
He finally broke the silence when he stood up and offered his hand.
“Come, let me show you what I’m working on,” he smiled softly.
I relaxed as I took his outstretched hand and let him lead me back into the mansion.
He took me to the large art room set-up in the second story of the mansion. Easels and work benches were spread throughout the large room, paints, clay and other art utensils and crafts strewn across the benches in an orderly fashion.
I spied the large canvas on the far side of the room, perched precariously on an easel a little too small for the giant canvas.
The leopard spotted stallion was racing through some snow-covered land, the surrounding pines washed in snow as he galloped onward.
From here, it appeared already finished, but as I drew closer, I realized Jaye still had some shading and details to finish up. It looked stunning already though.
“His name is Spotted Desire,” Jaye said as he smiled at his work.
“It’s beautiful,” I said softly.
“It’s not done yet, but I thought you might appreciate it,” Jaye turned to me, his eyes sad as he took my face in his hands. “You are the most beautiful being I’ve ever painted, I won’t let that old prick have you. If, for some reason, you lose to him tomorrow night, I will make sure I get you back. That we get you back. No matter the cost,” he said, his voice low and firm. The look in his eyes, the seriousness of his words, it took my breath away as I just stared at him.
I didn’t doubt for a second that my boys would move mountain and earth to keep me from harm, but I’d agreed to this battle, and with a Councilman present, there could be no foul play if I lost.
If I lost. I didn’t want to think about what that entailed. But my mind strayed to the union ceremony when two ‘wolves were mated. They were joined together by ceremony and in flesh before their Pack, sealing the ritual with sex before the Pack.
I shuddered at the thought of Richard taking me like that. I’d seen him only once before, in passing when I was out with my father as a teenager. Richard had been in town harassing one of our she-wolves who’d gone to town to gather up provisions. She’d called my father for assistance, knowing he was already taking my brother and I into town to buy some new clothes and an iPod for my brother.
I’d waited in my car, watching as my father forced the man outside. There was a standoff out on the road, Richard a bigger, bulkier man than my father, but the power emanating from my father made the other Alpha back down. When he’d turned away from my father, he caught my eyes, and a sick smirk had crossed his face.
Had he planned from that day to lay claim to me eventually? Who knew.
“We best head out and help set up for tonight, they’ve already starting preparing in the kitchen, and I’m sure it’ll keep your mind occupied,” Jaye said, noticing how my mind was wandering already.
“Right,” I breathed, steadying myself after the image of Richard towering over me triumphantly flashed through my mind. I couldn’t allow that. I’d fight with everything I had to keep my right to my own mates.
Jaye lead me to his room where he changed into something more suitable, and I found myself staring at his naked back wistfully. There was one way to take my mind off things.
I shut the door behind me and moved forward, running my hands down his back, loving how he froze and drew in a sharp breath at my touch.
I moved closer, pressing my body against his back as I kissed his neck, dancing my lips across his nape and loving how it made him shiver.
“Tay,” he groaned.
“Shh.” I stepped around him, taking that gorgeous face in my hands and kissing his lips softly.
He deepened it as he pulled me close, hesitantly asking to use his hands, and when I made no indication of dominating him today, he fisted one hand in my hair and slid the other down to the curve in my lower back to hold me close.
I was glad I caught him before he’d slipped a new shirt on as I ran my hands up his bare chest, loving the ripple of lean muscles as I stroked his heated skin.
I moved us closer to the bed, twisting us around so that I could push Jaye back onto the bed.
We fell together, tangled in our embrace, and I sighed as he began kissing my neck, his mouth rough and lustful.
I could feel his arousal pushing through his denim shorts into my inner thigh, and it was enough to send the fiery sparks shooting to my lady parts.
“Have me any way you want, Jaye, just make me forget,” I breathed as he nipped my earlobe, his hands sliding under my shirt to caress my skin. His hands were harder in their touches than Nathan and Scott, more needy and desperate.
He pulled back to look me in the eyes, the lust and sadness evident in those darkened blue eyes. Would this be our last time together? No, I intended to have all my boys before tomorrow night. I wanted Richard to smell them on me, to know I already belonged to someone. Well, someones.
Jaye didn’t say a word as he planted a soft, tender kiss on my lips, cupping my face with one hand.
“I love you Tay, and tomorrow night, no matter what happens, Richard will never claim you. We’ve claimed you as our own, as you’ve claimed us. As far as we’re aware, you’re already mated to us,” he murmured as he stared lovingly at me.
“I love you too,” I murmured. “And no matter what happens, don’t do anything stupid. I can’t lose you boys.”
He smirked at this as he kissed the tip of my nose. “No promises Tay, you know how much you mean to us. We’ll do our best to keep our place, but we won’t lose you.”
I pulled him back down for a steamy kiss, wanting to make the questioning thoughts around tomorrow night disappear.
We shared kisses and caresses, and in moments we were both naked, our bodies entwined as we soaked up each other’s warmth. I could smell my own
arousal, and that animalistic look in Jaye’s eyes was what I so desired.
I rolled us over so that I straddled him, smiling slyly as I pushed his chest back down when he went to sit up to kiss me. Maybe I’d dominate him a little. It always made him more wild. And right now, wild was what I needed.
I slid onto his length with ease, gasping as I took him in, loving the feeling of him inside.
He breathed heavily as he watched me through hooded eyes, and I began riding him slowly, chuckling at his soft growl.
I chose the pace, wanting to make this moment of sexual joy last forever. Jaye rippled and begged me with his eyes, but I shook my head and bit my lip as I rode him harder, not fast enough to sate his wishes though.
He moaned as his fingers flexed, desperate to touch me, to drive me forcefully down onto him.
I leaned forward, catching his hungry lips as I moved on top of him, grinding in the perfect way as the pleasure built up inside me. I rocked and moved against him, kissing him and rubbing my breasts across his chest until I could feel my climax within reach.
“Now you can have me,” I breathed as I nibbled his earlobe. “Fuck me any way you want.”
Jaye flipped us over, pulling my feet up over his shoulders as he slammed into me hard and fast.
Those claws came out and I smiled as I stared into those yellow wolf eyes, loving the look of desperate need and wildness in them.
He pounded into me hard, rocking the bed with each movement as I gasped and moaned beneath him.
Then he was flipping me onto my belly, lifting my ass into the air as he drove back into my dripping entrance. I clutched the edge of the bed as he thrust into me, the pain and pleasure a sweet combination as I gasped and arched up.
Those clawed fingers snaked around to grip one of my breasts, and I could feel a bruise appearing before nightfall from his roughness as those nails dug into my supple flesh. But it only made me just as wild.
Jaye fucked me like a wild animal, flipped me and changing positions numerous times to drive into me with such force and primal need.
I spasmed and begged for my climax as he snarled and drove into me with no mercy, our bodies now on the edge of the bed, me facing the wall on all fours while he stood on the floor behind me.
And then it washed over me as I gasped and cried out, the waves of pleasure rippling through me as Jaye hammered into me. Then he, too, came, practically roaring with his release as bowed over me, his body shuddering from the orgasm.
I panted as I collapsed onto the bed, Jaye’s seed dripping out of me as I lay breathless and sated on the bed.
He joined me, sliding in behind me to spoon me, his hot, raspy breaths washing over my back, our sweat slicked bodies pulled together.
I closed my eyes as I relished his embrace and the lingering effects of my orgasm.
This was perfect. This was where I belonged, with not just Jaye, but all of my boys.
Jaye nuzzled my back and chuckled, the delighted sound making me smile.
“I wasn’t too rough?” he asked.
“No, just perfect,” I sighed as I held his hands around my belly, adoring the feel of him against my back.
I ended up drifting off in his arms, images of ‘wolves racing madly through the forest filling my dreams.
I awoke to find Jaye had covered me with a blanket. I felt sticky and in need of a shower, and a glance at the clock made me groan. The communal dinner was soon, that was where Jaye must be, helping set it all up.
I groaned and sat up, my body aching in a pleasant way as I gathered up my clothes and dressed. I’d head to my room and shower before joining everyone outside.
I yawned and stretched as I headed out of Jaye’s room, the stench of sex and sweat permeating it. I smiled as I headed down the hall, ducking into my room and heading straight for the shower to clean up.
By the time I finally made it outside, night was just around the corner, the sun dipping low over the horizon as many of the Pack already stood around the grassy area and barbecue shelter.
Children squealed and ran around in a game of tag, and I spied Jaye setting up the chairs and tables with Scott under the big white marquee we dragged out for these dinners. Other members were helping as well, and I joined them in finalizing the setup of the eating area. Fold out tables and wooden tables were carried out of the back room of the mansion, the large meeting room which became the Communal dinner area on nights when the weather worked against us.
I helped Beth hunt down enough glasses and cutlery as other she-wolves began bringing out finger food and snacks. Chicken bites and onion rings, fruits and biscuits, all sorts were being spread around the tables. I helped myself to a few chicken bites and an onion ring as I watched the crowd grow. I wondered if cranky old Frank would show himself tonight. He’d sat out the last too, and I was starting to feel sorry for the old man.
I caught my breath when a chorus of cheers rose up as my father stepped out of the mansion in jeans and a black button-up shirt.
He was finally home.
And he looking at me with an array of emotions. Anger, frustration, love, fear. They all seared across his face despite the painted on smile as he was welcomed home.
I made myself busy setting out napkins, but I could feel his eyes burning into the back of my skull as he made his way over to me.
“Tay,” he said softly. The hurt in his voice made me freeze up, dropping all the napkins and turning to face him.
“My sweet little girl, why must you be so fiery and stubborn like your mother,” he smiled sadly as he cupped my face. “You remind me so much of her sometimes.”
I leaned into his hand, cherishing his gentle touch, and hating the lines of age showing in his face, the greying of his dark hair, the hinder in his movements. I knew right then that I was right in not letting him fight this battle for me.
“I’m sorry, Dad. I couldn’t let you fight my fight for me,” I murmured as I covered his hand with mine, searching his eyes carefully.
“I know, I just wish you’d let me take care of you one more time. I can’t lose you to him,” he said softly.
I just smiled as he pulled me in for a hug, his strong, firm arms around me making me feel safe again, just like when I was a little girl. The smell of his faint cologne that I still remembered from my youth, a gift from my mother and one she adored.
I held him tight, like I was going to lose him at any moment.
For all I knew, tonight could be my last night with the Pack, the last communal dinner.
He pulled away, his eyes glittering in the glow of the fairy lights strung up under the marquee with a few overhead fake chandeliers.
“Come, we’ve got some food to devour. I haven’t eaten much since I’ve been away,” he chuckled as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder.
I cast a wayward glance at Jaye and Scott as they watched me from the edge of the marquee.
I plucked up tidbits to eat with my father as he told me of the grand building he’d gone to in order to meet with a few Council members. The man I’d spoken to was named Gadion, a vampire who opted to handle werewolf affairs for the Council as the werewolf Council member had passed unexpectedly last year and they were yet to fill his position. Having a vampire handle werewolf affairs was a little strange, but it was better than no one.
I was grateful when my brother arrived and stole my father away, as I could feel my father’s displeasure at tomorrow night growing the more he spoke to me.
I joined Scott and Jaye at their seats at the back of the marquee as they drank a few beers. Jaye wasn’t much of a beer drinking, but he was entertaining Scott with one light beer. He preferred his rum and coke.
“So, how’s your dad taking it all?” Scott asked as I slipped into the seat beside him.
“Okay, I guess. Mostly concerned about me. I thought he’d rip me apart when he got home, but sometimes I forget that he’s still my dad and not just the Alpha. He just worries about me,” I sighed as I looked around the bustling
Pack as they talked and moved around the grassy area. The moon was now making its ascent into the sky, the stars glistening overhead. I was grateful for the clear weather, the moon lighting up the area in a soft glow.
“I’m surprised that he’s taking it so well to be honest,” Scott remarked as he watched my father talk with Chris.
“Yeah, same here,” I agreed. It was certainly unexpected, but in a pleasant way.
I glanced over to the barbecue area where Jaye, Carlos and Jace were preparing all the meats for the main meal.
The assorted finger foods had been almost completely demolished, and I pouted at the loss of more onion rings.
The Pack slowly starting filing in, taking their seats under the marquee as the barbecue was started and the main foods were brought out. Scott instructed me to stay seated, and he’d gather me up some delicious food while Jaye kept me company.
“Hungry?” he asked.
“Always,” I chuckled. Being a ‘wolf meant food was life.
Jaye just grinned at this and shook his head.
Scott returned with two plates piled with a casserole, assorted breads and some fancy piece of omelette. There was meatloaf as well, and I dug as soon as he set it down before me.
Jaye left to gather up some food too, and I listened as Scott told me about a wardrobe he was working on for one of the couples who’d just had him add on an extra room for their expected baby.
I listened as I ate, loving how vibrant he was when he spoke about the intricacies of his woodwork and hand carving. He took such pride in his work; it was why he was requested so often.
There was a round of cheer and shouts as the meat began coming out, venison, steaks, pork, ribs, bacon. Jaye was the one who shot up to fetch me some this time, not wanting to be outdone. He’d barely had a chance to eat his food before he was off to tend to my needs.
I smiled after him, rolling my eyes as Scott chuckled at his need to not be outdone.
Nathan sat on my other side with a plate of roast pork and a steak, topped with some potato and gravy and some bread rolls.
Jaye returned with a plate of meats for me, and I thanked him as I homed in on the delicious bacon.
