by Abigail Owen
“I wanted you close to me,” he said simply.
“Oh.”
He opened the door and led her inside. Andie took her time looking around. She’d never been in here before. Jaxon’s rooms were decorated similarly to his cabin in Montana. Lots of wood furniture and natural colors. Andie liked it. It felt homey to her – comfortable and inviting. The space was also pretty much that of a full-sized house with multiple rooms. Made sense, given how permanently he was tied here as Alpha.
Inside the dining room, he’d set up a romantic, candlelit table for two. “Looks like you’ve gone to a lot of effort,” Andie said.
“I happen to think you’re worth it.”
Andie tossed him an amused glance.
“What?” he asked with a grin and a wink. “Too cheesy?”
She stepped right up to him and placed a soft kiss on his lips. “A little, but I like it.”
“She likes sappy words and flowers. Who knew?” he murmured.
Andie tipped her head to the side. “She likes the fact that you listened and are willing to try.”
He took her hands in his and ran his thumbs over her knuckles in a soft caress. “If it makes you this sweet and amenable, I’ll be happy to provide sappy words and flowers every day of our lives together.”
Andie accepted that as he meant it, sincerely, and not just as some ploy to win her. The fact that he’d be willing to do that for her was adorable.
“Shall we?” He indicated the table. After seating her, he disappeared for a moment and returned wheeling a cart.
“You cook?” she asked.
Jaxon laughed. “Only if you want to eat charred meat and food that could potentially fall into the category of poison.”
Andie chuckled. She watched as he pulled the lids off two dishes artfully set with some kind of fancy steak and potatoes.
“I’m guessing you don’t cook either,” he asked as he set her plate in front of her.
Andie tip her head. “And why would you say that?”
“Just a guess.”
“Hmmm. I could be gourmet if I wanted to.”
Jaxon sat across from her. “If you put your mind to it, maybe. But you aren’t, are you?”
Andie let it go. “No.”
“See… I get you.”
Andie laughed. “Knowing that I can’t cook is getting me?”
“Yup.”
His total confidence in that statement touched her heart. And suddenly, she found that she couldn’t wait a moment longer to reveal her decision to him. She’d planned to let him romance her all night first, but she didn’t want to wait now.
“I don’t know if I can maintain the sweet and amenable thing long term, but if you’re willing to try, then so am I.”
Jaxon froze mid-bite. He searched her eyes. “What are you saying, Andromeda?”
She gave him a soft smile. “That I’ll be yours. Happily.”
Jaxon slowly finished chewing and swallowed. Then he took a deep breath. “Mate me and marry me? I don’t want you for just one season. I want you for a lifetime.”
“Yes,” she agreed.
Very carefully, he put down his fork. “What made you change your mind?”
She smiled. “You.”
His eyebrows went up. “Only last night in the cave you told me you wanted more. And while I’m trying, I doubt that ten minutes of a date is the ‘more’ you were talking about.”
Ah. So he was uncertain of her. Interesting. She didn’t like him doubting himself, or her. Not her strong, steady Alpha. Andie stood and moved around the table to pull him to his feet.
“I still think this is too fast, that we should get to know each other first. But circumstances are dictating otherwise…”
Jaxon shook his head. “I’d make the same offer even if we weren’t under the gun.”
She squeezed his hands. “I realize that now.”
“Oh?”
She smiled. “A few smart people pointed out what I already knew. You are an intelligent, strong, deliberate Alpha. You would not risk this dare, your people, because of lust or a need to protect me. If you’re willing to mate me for a lifetime, you won’t sway from that course or regret it. At least, I hope not.”
She held her breath as he searched her eyes again.
And then she squealed as he wrapped his arms around her, her feet leaving the floor. He buried his face in her hair and breathed in deeply. She swore he shuddered in relief, and suddenly his mouth was on hers.
He walked backwards with her, their lips connected. She had no idea where they were headed until he sat down on a couch and settled her across his lap. He seemed to need her full surrender, and she gave it to him willingly.
She opened up fully to his kiss, reveling in the sensations that only he was able to build up inside her. His need to stamp his possession of her was evident in every spine-tingling movement against her lips. But as she met him, kiss for kiss, putting her own need and possession into their dance of tongues, she felt him relax. The kisses changed, turning soft and tender, a song of acceptance and delight that filled her with happiness. Finally he pulled back and leaned his forehead against hers as they both caught their breath.
“You’ve made me a very happy man, Andromeda Jaci Reynolds.”
“I hope so, because if this is how you react when you’re ambivalent, we’re going to need to work on our communication skills.”
He chuckled and gently kissed her again. “I hope you didn’t have your heart set on some huge wedding with lots of hoopla.”
“Not particularly. Why?”
“Because this will be the shortest engagement in history. I want to know that you are mine and that Carstairs can never take you away from me.”
“What are you thinking?”
“Marry me, mate me… tonight.”
“Tonight!?!?” Andie squeaked, sitting straight up in his arms. She felt them tighten around her slightly.
“Too fast?” He grinned. “I’m sorry for the speed, but we’ve got Carstairs looming – that’s the bigger risk. And now we’ve got a pack of wolf shifters. We have no idea if they stumbled on us and just decided to take us out for the hell of it or if the attack was planned and deliberate. They might even be connected with Walter somehow. Either way, waiting is not worth the risk.”
She was touched by his open vulnerability. He was afraid of losing her.
“I’ll agree on one condition,” she said.
His eyes lit up, and his arms squeezed her tight. “Anything.”
She shook her head. “Dangerous giving me that much leverage,” she teased.
He grinned. “I mean it. Agree to tonight, and the sky’s the limit.”
She took his hand and threaded their fingers together. “It’s a small thing, really. But after all this blows over and it’s safe to do so, I want a small traditional wedding in a chapel in Montana, with a long honeymoon in the cabin. Just the two of us.” She peeped at him to gauge his reaction.
Jaxon grinned. “Apparently I’m landing myself a closet romantic.”
She pinched his arm with her free hand.
“Ouch. And violent too,” he said. And then he capitulated. “Absolutely. It’s a promise.”
She hopped up off his lap and then pulled him up with her.
“Then let’s do this.”
Chapter 30
Jaxon watched Andie as she slept, unable to take his eyes from her. The morning light filtering into their room made her skin glow. Her hair spread out over her pillow and down her back. He reached out and twined an ebony lock around his finger, loving the silky texture and the highlights of gold and red. Inhaling, he savored the sweet scent of her – it reminded him of mountains in the spring, flowery and fresh.
He still couldn’t believe she’d agreed to marry him. Her surrender had come so suddenly and swiftly, he’d jumped on it before she could change her mind. No way was he giving her a chance to reconsider. His concern about Carstairs was legitimate, but more than that, he
needed to know she was his in no uncertain terms. It scared him how much he needed that… how much he needed her. Their connection had come on too fast, was too big. But that didn’t change the knowledge that it was real.
Their wedding had occurred in his room with Hannah and Nick as their attendants. David, a long-term resident of the compound and one of Jaxon’s closest friends, had agreed to perform the Mating Ceremony. They would go today to a courthouse to arrange the legal marriage. But they were mated. In every sense of the word.
Andie’s eyelashes fluttered and then opened, and then her eyes crinkled in a smile. “Hi, husband,” she murmured in a husky voice.
He smiled back. “Hi, wife. Any regrets?”
“None. You?”
“Not one. How do you feel?”
Andie’s cheeks burned. He loved that he could make her blush. He doubted she let her guard down enough for that with anyone else. “Sated,” she murmured.
He trailed the back of one hand down her arm and watched in satisfaction as goose bumps arose in his wake. “I knew we’d spark off each other, but last night was magical for me. I hope for you as well.”
She leaned over and kissed him. “I’ve never felt anything like that,” she whispered. Then she gave him a mischievous grin that he felt down to his toes. “Think it was a fluke?” She waggled her eyebrows.
Jaxon laughed, an uncharacteristically carefree sound. “Only one way to find out.” He rolled her under him, his deep-toned laugh joining her girly giggle just before he brought his lips down on hers.
*****
Jaxon had just finished dressing and Andie was in the bathroom drying her hair when the phone rang. They’d meant to get started earlier but had followed up their lovemaking with another round in the shower.
“Keller,” he said when he picked up the phone.
Nick was on the other end, and he skipped the pleasantries to get straight to the point. “The High Council members have been told about Andie. They’re already assembling.”
“Damn. I was hoping to ease into this announcement. What do they know?”
“Only that she’s here and that you brought her back.”
“Okay. Andie’s just getting ready; we’ll be there as soon as we can. Try to stall.”
“Got it. Oh, and Jax?”
“Yeah?”
“She’s gorgeous. But more than that, she’s perfect for you.”
Jaxon grinned. “I couldn’t agree more.”
He hung up the phone. “What was that about?” Andie was leaning in the bathroom doorway. Her hair was long and loose around her shoulders. She was dressed in form-fitting jeans and a tank top, and her feet were bare. He shook his head.
He moved closer, drawn to her. “Man, did I win myself a hottie for a wife,” he said with a wink.
She batted him on the arm but smiled. “Don’t change the subject, Keller.”
Jaxon sobered. “That was Nick. Time to face the music and reveal all the details about us to my High Council.”
Andie groaned. “I’m guessing that it’s different in this dare. Carstairs’ High Council is terrified of Kyle, so they don’t make any waves.”
“No. Mine has a great deal of input. But I have final say, so nothing to worry about.”
She crossed the room and sat down on the couch. “I wasn’t really worried until you said that,” she said, lacing up a shoe.
“Well, it’ll take some explaining. And possibly putting down my foot about how we went about it. There’s usually more ceremony with the Alpha.”
“Or at least an introduction to the dare of the potential bride of the Alpha,” Andie added.
Jaxon heard the vulnerability in her voice, although he doubted anyone else would’ve noticed. “You couldn’t be more perfect for this dare or for me. You have nothing to worry about.”
She stood up. “There’s just that pesky problem of Carstairs and an all-out war between us.”
He held out his hand to her. “No biggie.”
She shook her head but chuckled. He loved that he could make her laugh, too.
Jaxon led Andie down to the main meeting room. They entered to find all of the High Council assembled and loudly demanding some answers from a harassed-looking Nick and Hannah.
Hannah sidled over, obviously relieved to see them. “Better talk fast, big brother. They’re a little flustered.”
“You haven’t told them we’ve mated, yet, have you?”
“No. That’s your bombshell to drop.”
He nodded and led Andie farther into the room. He seated her at his usual chair and then stood behind her, then waited for everyone to quiet down.
“Jaxon, what’s this all about?” Eric, one of Jaxon’s oldest and most trusted advisors asked once there was calm.
“I have a few announcements to make. I’d like to state that I understand what I’m about to say has a great impact on this dare, and I trust you will realize that I made none of these decisions lightly.”
No one said anything, just waited for him to continue.
“I’d like to introduce you to Andromeda Reynolds. She is the daughter of Walter Carstairs’s Beta, as well as a Commander in her own right.”
A low growl emanated from several of the shifters around the table. He’d expected nothing less. Cougars didn’t naturally accept other cougars, especially not from other dares that had already threatened them.
“She and several of her men have been granted asylum with us. They’ve already been tested and have been working as sentries for us, Andie included. And what’s more, they bring an array of defensive and offensive fighting skills that can benefit this dare. I know your first question will be why we should give them asylum and risk war with Carstairs.” Several heads nodded around the room.
Jaxon tipped his head at Hannah.
“Andie also goes by the name A.J,” Hannah explained. She paused to let that fact sink in. All of the council knew about how Nick and Hannah had escaped Carstairs. “Nick and I owe our lives to her, Mike, and several of the others who followed her here. Not only that, but Andie and I have been good friends since college. I’ve had years to get to know exactly who she is.”
Jaxon’s fingers tensed on Andie’s shoulders. He leaned down and murmured in her ear, “You forgot to mention that one.”
She angled toward him and whispered, “Oops.”
The room was quiet for several long moments. “You have our thanks, of course,” Steve, finally said. One of the younger members of the Council, he was as oily as his slicked-back hair. “But there’s no way Carstairs won’t ask us to extradite.”
“That’s going to be a little difficult,” Andie replied. Jaxon held in a laugh. He should’ve figured that Andie’s snarky streak wasn’t going to sit back and wait for him to deal with this.
“I beg your pardon, Miss Reynolds, but—”
“Mrs.” Andie corrected him sweetly.
“Sorry. Mrs. Reynolds.”
“Mrs. Keller.” She glanced up at Jaxon, and he didn’t bother to hide his amusement. He leaned down and placed a swift kiss on her lips.
Steve’s mouth closed with a snap.
“What are you saying, son?” Eric asked.
“I’m saying that Andie and I mated last night. We’ll be traveling to a Justice of the Peace today to make it legal, and we’ll hold a more formal reception for the entire dare at a later date. I’m saying that she is my mate and will shortly be my wife.”
“You did this without consulting your Council first?” Steve questioned, clearly appalled. Steve was brilliant and saw gaps in logic that many didn’t. That ability was why Jaxon had asked him to join the Council. Jaxon didn’t particularly like him as a person, but that didn’t make him any less useful. On occasion, however, Jaxon had to remind the younger lion who was Alpha here, as there was no doubt in his mind Steve would try to take over the role of Alpha given half a chance.
Jaxon pinned him with a hard stare. “While this Council serves as trusted advisors for dare
-related business and needs, whom I choose as my bride was never up for debate. That is my decision and mine alone. You will accept her, support her and us, or you will leave.”
“You risked war with another dare, strife in the Shadowcat Nation, which is already shaky enough, just to mate this woman?” Steve challenged.
“This woman brings skills and a mind that complements both mine and those of this dare. I can imagine no one more perfect than she to make me a better Alpha.”
Steve looked as though he was going to keep arguing, but Jaxon held up his hand. “I mated this woman on the recommendation of a Seer who told me that this union would help to strengthen this dare and this Nation.”
He felt Andie stiffen and sighed inwardly. He was going to have a fight on his hands when they got back to their room. He’d hoped not to have to reveal that particular piece of information, but he could see by the expressions on some faces that Steve’s argument was swaying several council members.
“And proof of that prediction will start with an alliance with the Polar Bear Timik of Northern Canada,” a gruff voice sounded from the doorway behind Jaxon.
Turning, he found Zac standing there. Jaxon had no idea how he’d gotten into what was supposed to be a confidential and private meeting, but he’d take the additional help and ask questions later. Andie stood up and beamed at her friend.
Jaxon hid his surprise and rolled with the scenario Zac had just painted. “Yes, Andie has helped start negotiations with the polar bears in a treaty that could help our dare as well as all Shadowcats. We’ll be presenting our ideas for this treaty to you more formally next week before finalizing anything with the Montclair Timik.”
Several beats of silence passed. Jaxon waited with the innate patience that had made him the successful Alpha that he was. Finally, Eric stood. “Congratulations to you both. And Andie, if I may call you that?” At her nod he continued, “Welcome to the Keller Dare.”
“I just hope we don’t regret this when Carstairs shows up at our door declaring war,” Steve grumbled.
