Echoed Defiance (Jacky Leon Book 4)

by K. N. Banet

  “It’s always fun to see Corissa put her reactionary, aggressive husband in his place. She was a force to be reckoned with during the War, but she was more amenable to peace when it was offered. She doesn’t like seeing her werewolves die, for any reason.”

  “Well, this is all fun, but I would really like to go home,” I declared.

  “Certainly. Why don’t you take Gwen and Heath on a short tour of my island as I prepare the flights for all of you?”

  They followed me out of the room, all of us ready to escape. With that meeting, it was finally over.

  I showed them the island, even stopping to point out the spot where Shane and I had gone over because it was important. I showed them the beaches and the markets. People waved at me, recognizing me as the daughter of their patron and their greatest secret. Like Mischa and her village, Hasan fostered knowledge and trust with his local humans, though he wasn’t related to them.

  I stopped on the beach as Gwen and Heath walked with me.

  “What are you thinking about?” my twin asked.

  “Nothing. Just enjoying the view.”

  32

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  June 30th, 2020

  I sat in my kitchen, reading a text from Gwen as the sun came through my windows.

  Gwen: Found a new job already! Joining a non-profit to help survivors of domestic abuse.

  Jacky: That’s amazing. Oh, and happy birthday!

  Gwen: Do you celebrate our birthday anymore? Well, then. Happy 38th birthday!

  I put the phone down, smiling—my birthday. I didn’t celebrate it anymore, but she gave me a reason to at least acknowledge it. I was now thirty-eight, and in July, I would have been a werecat for thirteen years. Where had the time gone?

  I didn’t do anything special. For weeks, I had taken solace being home again and seeing Carey. Heath had been respectful of my space since the day we came back. He didn’t try to get me alone or anything else. He waved at me from his truck or his front door during Carey exchanges. I knew what he was doing. I was always desperate for alone time after being away from my territory. Instead of being worried, this time, he just accepted it.

  But when he moved around in my territory, I always wondered if he would turn my way.

  I was cooking dinner when I next caught him moving around. Landon wasn’t with him, and I had spent time with Carey only the day before. He turned in my direction, and I felt him come closer and closer. He slowed down when he reached my bar, having to go on foot now. I went to my front porch, glad my dinner could go in the oven and be forgotten. I waited for him as he came out of the woods and smiled.

  “It’s not very romantic if I can’t sneak up on you,” Heath said, grinning as he showed me the flowers he was holding.

  “Yes, it is,” I said softly. “Come in. I’m making dinner, and you can tell me what the flowers are for.”

  He jumped up the steps, and I raced inside to keep from getting caught in his web of sexual energy on my front porch. I went into my kitchen, and he came up behind me, putting the flowers down by reaching around me. He sneakily kissed my cheek.

  “The flowers are for your birthday.”

  “I should have known,” I said, feeling a little stupid for not thinking about myself. “I haven’t gotten a gift in years. I figured you would have picked up last year that I don’t really celebrate.”

  “I decided you shouldn’t spend it alone this year,” he murmured as I turned around, and our bodies brushed together. “If you want me to go, I can. You can keep the flowers, of course.”

  The heat was palpable.

  “You should stay. I’ve been thinking about something I’ve wanted to say for the last few weeks.” I needed to get it off my chest. “You know, when this started, I was worried about so many things. I didn’t know if I was desperate, I just wanted something I couldn’t have, or if I was just a passing fad to you—”

  He growled softly, his eyes getting hard. I smoothed out his wrinkles with my fingers, then brushed my fingertips over his lips. As my fingers left, I leaned in and kissed him softly.

  “Let me finish,” I whispered, then pulled away, creating distance between us. I needed to speak, not just kiss him. “I didn’t know what we were doing or why, and it scared me. Then the whole Russia thing happened and helped me put things into perspective. I love talking to you…about everything. Our problems, our secrets, our families. If I could sit and talk to you for years, I would. I realized I never once thought about Shane, I only thought how much support you were giving me. I realized there’s no way someone risks their life for a passing crush or attraction.

  “There were things you said…that touched me. They scared me when I heard them, but by the time we made it home, I was different. I’ve been thinking about them for weeks now and waiting for you to come by, hoping I had this chance to say…I want to be with you. Trouble be damned. Fuck werewolf and werecat history. Our feelings aren’t wrong. Nothing that inspires the connection we have and the lengths we go to for each other could ever be wrong.” I reached out and picked up the flowers, chuckling. “But I need you to say it because I’ve been wrong before, and I’ve been burned by people I care about, like my own parents.”

  “You are not a passing fad for me. All those things they don’t like you for, I adore.” He spread his hands. “They want you to fall in line, and I love seeing you break the mold. They want you to temper your expectations, and I love to watch you shoot for the stars. They want you to stay out of trouble, and I say to hell with them. You do what’s right, and it’s inspiring and…” He trailed off, taking a deep breath. “Your parents found reasons to dislike you, and those reasons are all the ones that have caused me to fall in love with you, Jacky Leon. I don’t need you to love me back, not right now. I fell hard and fast for you. When you’re in danger, I want to protect and help you. When you need someone to lean on, I want to be that person.”

  “You can’t be my Alpha,” I whispered.

  “I don’t want to be your Alpha. I would never chain you like that. I love you because you’re free from all of it. Pretending to try to be your Alpha is just a good laugh.” He reached out and took my hand. “I know you’ll never back down from me because you want to keep me as your status symbol.” The earnest expression on his face told me how much he wanted me to accept what he was saying. “You will always do what you want or need to do. With Gwen, I started out unsure, but I trusted you and couldn’t let you do it alone, so I stuck with you. I’m glad I did. I was right to trust you. Gwen did one stupid thing, but in the end, it helped us save so many. Ivan is getting a new life. Corissa and her inner circle cleaned up Russia and saved over three-fourths of the pack. There are still problems, but problems come when change does.” He chuckled. “Off-topic now. Russian werewolves and your twin aside, I know you will always stand up for what you believe in and not once has that led either of us astray.

  “So, Jacky Leon, I love you. Now, do with me what you will.”

  I pulled my hand away and turned off the oven. Dinner could wait.

  I launched myself at Heath Everson, who met me in a strong embrace and a passionate kiss. The world and its problems melted as this werewolf held me.

  His hands roamed my body as he pushed me against the counter. My shirt didn’t last long. I don’t know what it was about this encounter with Heath, but he knew what I meant when I leapt into his arms. This time, there would be no cold water thrown on the fire between us. Tonight, I fully intended to stoke the flames.

  My bra came off next, and his mouth found my breasts. As he played with me, my head fell back in ecstasy. Lifting one of my legs to wrap around his waist, he pressed himself closer, growling in pleasure as I responded to his every movement.

  I had taken the leash off a wild animal. Heath—beautiful, wonderful, kind, patient Heath—was a wild animal I had let loose. I had forgotten for a moment that he was a werewolf. I had never had sex with another supernatural. His intensity wasn’t what I had expe
cted.

  I hadn’t expected my response, either. My pulse skyrocketed, and my breathing came faster. My body needed to be touched, and I wanted to touch him. I wanted this to be rough. I grabbed his shirt, forcing him to stop the insane thing he was doing with his tongue, and yanked the shirt off, tearing it in the process. He chuckled as I threw it across the room, letting it land somewhere unseen.

  “Well, if that’s how it’s going to be,” he growled in a taunting, sensual way that made my knees weak. Reaching down, he didn’t unbutton my jeans, just popped them open, sending the button ricocheting around the kitchen. He tore the seam at the base of the zipper down the center and slid his hand down and pushed a finger inside me.

  It was hard and fast, that first orgasm, as he took great pleasure in driving me high and sending me over the edge. Once the tremors ended, he lifted me, wrapping my legs around his waist. He carried me up the stairs and checked each door to find my bedroom, not bothering to just ask me.

  He laid me down and ground between my legs. Our pants went next, then our underwear. Grabbing his wallet, he pulled out a condom.

  “Really? Do we have to worry about that?” I asked, half laughing.

  “Better safe than sorry. Don’t worry, it’s not ancient. I started carrying them after you kissed me the first time.” He positioned himself over me and claimed my mouth as he pushed into me.

  It was rough as we moved together. He was a taskmaster of a lover, demanding, pushy, wanting to wring every moan and sigh from my lips. He growled happily as I screamed his name and arched proudly as I clawed his back. He tore my sheets as he held onto them, and the bed banged against the wall. I was in sensory overload as he bit my neck, speeding up, his every movement powerful and consistent.

  I screamed one last time as I came, and he groaned, following me. We were left panting as I held him to me, my legs quaking. He rolled to the side, and I went with him, keeping one of my legs over his waist, refusing to lose the vital contact I had with him.

  We laid there for what felt like an hour, listening to each other breathe. It was bliss. I had found something extraordinarily special.

  “Can I stay the night?” he asked, kissing me softly as he wrapped his arm around my waist. His other arm ended up under my head, a good place for it.

  “You can,” I whispered happily. “You know, the world is going to make this hard for us. We’re going to have to ease them into it, keeping it a secret for a little longer. Are you okay with that?”

  “I am,” he assured me. “Are you?”

  “The world can go to hell,” I answered. “It can burn.”

  “Hmm.” He leaned in with a smile and kissed me again. “You need to stop picking fights with the world.”

  “Why? The world is the one who needs to stop being wrong,” I retorted, smiling. “Because this isn’t.”

  “No, it isn’t,” he agreed. “But that wasn’t the point. I think you need to stop because I find it too damn attractive.” He kissed me again and rolled us, laying me on my back again.

  “I don’t see a problem here,” I said, laughing as he kissed a trail down my body. “Oh, while I have you here, do you think you can start teaching me all this stuff I don’t know about supernaturals and stuff?”

  He laughed as his head went between my legs.

  Hours later, I looked out my window and admired the peaceful night, thinking about what I was doing. I turned back toward the bed and saw Heath sleeping and smiled.

  I was defying everyone to be with this one man.

  And it was worth it.

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for reading!

  Now, normally I put some teasing information into these dear reader pages. I don’t know what to say this time except…

  Jacky and Heath sitting in a tree…

  You know the rest. Now, I know there’s many people out there who don’t like sex in their books and that’s totally okay. For future clarification, there will probably one or less sex scenes every book, so if you could tolerate that, then we’ll be fine.

  Also, those mentions of Mygi Pharma? And that prison outbreak Jacky was ignorant of? Read my Kaliya Sahni series to figure those out.

  Now, onto the best news, I’m going to start telling you here in Dear Reader when the next book should release. Tentatively. This can change, but it’s what I’m aiming for.

  JACKY LEON BOOK FIVE

  COMING IN FEBRUARY 2021

  And if I still have you head over to my website to get the latest updates on the next book in the series! Kristenbanetauthor.com

  Or you can come join me in The Banet Pride, my facebook reader’s group, where there are exclusive chapters from different view points, like Heath and Carey.

  And remember,

  Reviews are always welcome, whether you loved or hated the book. Please consider taking a few moments to leave one and know I appreciate every second of your time and I’m thankful.

  About the Author

  KristenBanetAuthor.com

  K.N. Banet loves to read books that make people cry. She likes to write books that make people cry (and she wants to hear about it). She’s a firm believer that nothing and no one in this world is perfect, and she enjoys exploring those imperfections—trying to make the characters seem real on the page and not just in her head. Worlds of action, adventure, trying times, and true love are the things that get her writing.

  She might be crazy, though. Her characters think so, but this can’t be confirmed. You might want to try asking her husband, two dogs, and cat.

  Also by K.N. Banet

  The Tribunal Archives

  Urban Fantasy

  Jacky Leon

  Oath Sworn

  Family and Honor

  Broken Loyalty

  Echoed Defiance

  Volume One: Books 1-3

  Kaliya Sahni

  Bounty

  Snared

  Also By Kristen Banet

  Reverse Harem

  Epic Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance

  Age of the Andinna

  The Gladiator’s Downfall

  The Mercenary’s Bounty

  The Warrior’s Assault

  The Rebel’s Vision

  The Enemy’s Triumph

  Volume One: Books 1-3

  Witch of the Wild West

  Bounty Hunters and Black Magic

  Werewolves and Wranglers

  Complete Series

  The Redemption Saga

  A Life of Shadows

  A Heart of Shame

  A Nature of Conflict

  An Echo of Darkness

  A Night of Redemption

  Wild Junction

  The Kingson Pride Series

  Wild Pride

  Wild Fire

  Wild Souls

  Wild Love (Novella)

  The Wolves of Wild Junction Duet

  Prey to the Heart

  Heart of the Pack