by Zoe Chant
“I know it, Dad,” Joe said. “And Casey does too. I know he had that rough patch, but…”
Lincoln shook his head. “Your brother needed to find his own way, I know. And I know I didn’t really help there.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Joe said, voice soft. “Casey had to figure things out for himself. It’s like you said, when I told you the punishment I gave to the Blackwood Pack. The alpha is the leader, but the pack has to think for itself. You can’t control everything.”
There was a pause while Lincoln puffed on his cigar. “And that’s the other thing. That Colfax… he put me in mind of the things I said when Charity first came to us. The fuss I kicked up when Mason became sheriff. It was… wrong of me. I hope you didn’t hesitate to bring Sasha home, just because I was an ass then.”
Lincoln’s voice sounded strained. Sasha imagined that it must be hard for a man like him to admit to having gotten something wrong. To be honest, this was the greatest number of words she’d ever heard him speak.
She realized she didn’t know the full story of this – of what Lincoln might’ve said about Mason and Charity. She assumed it was because Charity was human, while Mason was a shifter.
Sasha felt a brief spike of concern, before she shook her head. Whatever Lincoln might’ve thought back then, he’d made it clear he no longer felt that way. It was in the past, and that was where it should stay. She’d hate to think Lincoln or anyone else might judge her on something she’d said in the past, and that she was now sorry for.
“It’s in the past,” Joe said, as if to confirm her thoughts. “It doesn’t matter. No one could’ve welcomed her, or Daphne, or Sasha, better than you have.”
His father took a deep breath. “Speaking of Sasha… she’s your mate. You’re sure of it?”
“Completely.” Joe didn’t hesitate for a moment. “I’ve never been surer of anything before in my life.”
Lincoln nodded. “Well, I guess it can’t be mistaken.” He paused. Sasha sensed there was something more he wanted to say, but that he was looking for the right words. “You know that I loved your mother, of course,” he continued. “And that I don’t regret for a moment that we were arranged for each other. It gave me you and your brother. We had a happy life together. There’s nothing about it I’d change. You know that, don’t you?”
Joe blew out a long stream of smoke from his cigar before he answered. “I know, Dad.” His voice was soft. “You don’t have to explain. Things were different then.”
Lincoln nodded. “It was an arranged match. But I don’t want you ever thinking that just because she wasn’t my mate, I regret it. That’s not what it was like. I couldn’t have been happier, the day she gave me you.”
“I know. And I understand.”
Sasha blinked, feeling tears welling up in her eyes. She stepped back, trying not to sniff too loudly. She knew that for men like Joe and Lincoln – men of few words, who felt emotions deeply but rarely talked about them – this conversation must’ve been a long time coming.
In a way, she felt privileged to have heard it, even if, perhaps, she hadn’t been supposed to.
But she couldn’t regret it. It had been honest and beautiful. And she knew that they had meant every word.
Blinking back her tears and giving herself a shake, she finally stepped around the corner, smiling,
“Seems like you two boys could use some food,” she said, holding the plates of cake in both hands. “Try it – I’ve had mine. It’s delicious.”
Joe’s smile when he turned to look at her took her breath away. It was filled with everything she’d ever hoped she’d see when the man she loved looked at her: warmth, tenderness, and adoration.
She felt her heart swell within her.
Taking a mouthful of cake, Joe nodded. “You’re right. This is amazing.”
As he chewed, he put his free hand around her waist, drawing her close to him. The heat of his body sent a comforting wave through her, all the way to her core. Closing her eyes, Sasha rested her head against his chest, hearing nothing but the beat of his heart.
Nothing could have been more perfect.
Epilogue
Sasha
“Now, both of you make sure you’re taking enough to eat there, won’t you? That’s a long, difficult hike you’re going on.”
Sasha glanced up at her Aunt Carol where she stood in the doorway, holding yet another can of tinned beans and a handful of jerked meat. Her Uncle Lou had made the jerky himself, in his own smokehouse.
“Of course, Aunty,” she said, standing and smiling. She took the beans and meat and tucked them into her pack – along with all the other food her aunt and uncle had already insisted they take with them for their journey. “But honestly, this is enough – we need to be able to stand up under the weight of the packs!”
Carol only laughed. “Oh, don’t give me that. What’s the point of having a fine, strapping young man if he can’t carry a bit of food around!”
Despite herself, Sasha felt her lips twitching into a smile. She’d known that she had to bring Joe up to meet the aunt and uncle who’d raised her since she was a small child. Besides the fact that she wanted him to meet them, she knew it was only right.
But alongside all the excitement that went with the thought of introducing them to each other, she’d also felt worried.
I didn’t exactly leave them on the best of terms, she’d explained to Joe one night as they lay in bed together. I was… well, I was stupid, really. I thought I knew everything.
Joe had leaned over and kissed her forehead, softly and tenderly.
So, just like every other kid in the world?
Sasha had smiled at that. Joe was right – though she couldn’t even begin to imagine he’d ever had a wild and rebellious phase. One day, she’d have to hassle Lincoln for details.
She’d been nervous during the drive up, twisting her fingers in her lap until Joe had reached across, covering her hands with one of his own.
It’s all right, Sasha. They love you, right? Things will be okay.
Sasha had simply taken a deep breath, letting Joe’s words and his touch soothe her. He was right. Carol and Lou had never been mean or vindictive – in fact, they’d given her a lot of freedom during her childhood. They’d let her figure things out for herself, and encouraged her in whatever she’d wanted to do.
The fact that she felt she’d squandered that freedom on running away and hooking up with men like Larssen caused her a huge pang of regret.
But that’s over now, she’d told herself resolutely. The past was the past. She couldn’t change it, but she could do better in future.
And that was exactly what she intended to do.
With Joe by her side, she knew the future would be whatever they wanted it to be.
Sitting next to Joe in the car, she’d looked across at him and flashed him a grin.
Anyway, she’d said. Even if they don’t welcome me back with open arms, you have to see where I grew up. Get a look at the real backwoods of America.
Joe had laughed at that. I’m sure I’ll love it.
Sasha didn’t doubt that. Joe was a true outdoorsman – if it was out in the open air, he’d adore it. Hunting, hiking, fishing, working on the ranch – it didn’t matter what it was. Not only did he love it, he excelled at it. Sasha didn’t think she’d ever get tired of watching him. His body was big and strong, and he moved so confidently and with such competence that he made everything look easy – even if it was something she knew full well no ordinary human could ever do.
And now that the warmer weather had arrived, Sasha often came out to the barn or wherever Joe was working to find him stripped to the waist, his pecs and abs gleaming with sweat, his brown hair curling over his forehead…
Sasha shivered. Joe hadn’t usually gotten much work done for the rest of those afternoons, and she’d been picking straw out of her hair for hours afterwards.
The memory sent heat coiling through her belly.<
br />
It had been hard over the past few days – her aunt and uncle lived in a small shack, and Sasha had felt a kind of adolescent mortification in her chest whenever she thought about the fact that they might hear her and Joe having sex.
They’d restricted themselves mainly to a lot of cuddling – but Sasha had found her self-control stretched very thin at times.
Today, however, they’d be setting out on their hike of the trails that ran through the forests and hills near here. It had been a dream of Sasha’s ever since she’d been little, but she’d been highly aware of the dangers of going alone.
But now, with Joe by her side, her ambition had been rekindled.
“It’s lovely to see you two together,” Aunt Carol said, her voice low and confiding. “Honestly, some of the boys you used to run around with…” She shook her head. “Sometimes I wondered if I should’ve brought you up with a stricter hand. But it seems like things worked out for the best. I can tell. It’s the way he looks at you.”
Her aunt smiled, as if she was confiding a secret. But it was something Sasha already knew well.
“I can assure you – I couldn’t ask for anything better,” she said. “Joe is… well, he’s something else.”
She hadn’t yet told her aunt about the fact that Joe was a shifter, or what it meant to be his mate. She knew she’d have to, at some stage. Aside from anything else, she didn’t like omitting what was such a huge part of their life together. But she realized that it might not be the sort of thing she should spring on them – and perhaps it would be better for them to get to know Joe first.
That way they could see for themselves what a kind, strong, good man he was. How well he treated her. How much he loved her.
“All packed?” Carol asked, smiling brightly.
“I think so.” Sasha briefly rifled through her pack, making sure she had everything she needed. “All set.”
“Then we’d best get the two of you lovebirds on your way.”
Hoisting the pack onto her back, Sasha walked out onto the porch, where Uncle Lou was pressing yet more smoked meats onto Joe.
“I promise you, you’ve never tasted anything better than this,” Lou was saying. “I’ve spent years perfecting this recipe. Years! This will change your whole outlook on life.”
“I’m sure it will,” Joe said, smiling and taking the brown paper bag from her uncle.
“You’re not bothering Joe with another rant about your damn meat again, are you, Lou?” Carol groaned, walking across the porch to take his arm. “I apologize, Joe. My man’s like a dog with a bone about these things.”
“It’s perfectly fine,” Joe said, laughing. “And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love some good home-made deer jerky.”
“A man after my own heart,” Lou said. “Sasha, you got yourself a keeper here.”
“You don’t have to tell me,” Sasha said, laughing. She glanced away, to where the sun was rising. “But we’d better get going. I want to cover as many miles as possible today.”
Lou nodded. “Good plan. I remember hiking these trails when I was a young man. It’s tough, but my God, it’s beautiful country out there. You want to make sure you’re settled in before nightfall.”
Sasha leaned in to give her aunt and uncle a kiss on the cheek, before Lou shook Joe’s hand, wishing him luck.
“Don’t think you’re getting away without a kiss,” Carol said, pulling Joe to her and planting one on his cheek.
“Aunty, no harassing my man, now,” Sasha said, laughing and pulling on Joe’s arm to extricate him from Carol’s grip. “Come on. Let’s get going.”
Waving, they made their way down the front drive, heading out toward the adventure that Sasha had always dreamed of.
***
They’d set up camp long before the sun began sinking below the horizon. Uncle Lou had been right: the hike had been hard, and Sasha’s thighs were aching from the climb, her feet sore and tender.
The beauty of their surroundings did more than enough to make up for the physical hardship. It was difficult to focus on your complaining knees when you were surrounded by the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Crystal streams cascaded over mossy gray rocks, and black tree branches swayed gently in the wind, the brilliant green of the leaves looking like something almost otherworldly.
And throughout it all, Joe had been by her side. They hadn’t felt the need to talk too much. It was one of the things Sasha loved most about their relationship: they understood each other perfectly, without the need for words. They knew what they were to each other.
They sat by the dying embers of the small cooking fire they’d made, Sasha sipping her cocoa as Joe chewed thoughtfully on the jerky Lou had given them.
“Well, your uncle’s right,” he said, swallowing. “This is definitely the best jerky I’ve ever had in my entire life.”
Sasha laughed softly. “Well, make sure you tell him that. He never gets sick of hearing about how much people love his jerky.”
“Well, it’s justified,” Joe said, grinning. He stood up, stretching. “Come on, help me get this stuff packed away. We should be getting to bed.”
It didn’t take long, and soon they were snuggled up together inside their small tent. The night would be cool, but Sasha wasn’t worried – with Joe’s big, strong body beside her, she’d be as warm as toast.
Not to mention, after three days of keeping her hands very much to herself, she had no intention of not steaming things up a little, now that they were alone.
And evidently, Joe had had exactly the same idea.
It was dark inside the tent, but his lips found hers easily and instantly. Sasha opened her mouth as his tongue slid hungrily between her lips. His hands curled around her waist, drawing her to him, and she moaned as she felt the heat of his cock against her thigh, hard and huge already. Sasha squirmed against him, wanting more, but Joe pulled back a little.
“Wait,” he whispered, as his hand slid down her belly.
Sasha moaned at the first touch of his fingers against her, slipping down beneath the waistband of her sweats. Shuddering as he slid his fingers between her wet folds, Sasha bit her lip, closing her eyes tightly. Joe’s movements were slow and deliberate, catching the root of every nerve as he stroked her.
She writhed up when he first pressed against her entrance, slipping inside her easily. Sasha was so wet that his two thick fingers moved inside her with no difficulty whatsoever, making her gasp out his name.
“Joe, oh God, Joe…”
He didn’t respond in words – he only kept moving his fingers in and out of her, slow and steady, as his mouth dropped to her breasts.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered against her skin as he teased her nipples with his tongue. “God, you’re perfect. Sometimes it hurts to look at you, you’re so gorgeous, but I can’t stop…”
Sasha arched against him, her fingers curling in the fabric of the sleeping bag. His fingers inside her were driving her crazy, his thumb gently circling her clit, sending sparks of pleasure through her veins. Everything he did was a sweet torment, driving her higher and higher, but never quite pushing her over the edge…
She moaned when he shifted and began kissing his way down her body, his lips brushing against her belly, her thighs, until they found her core. Sasha cried out, arching up as his tongue found her, his fingers still moving inside her.
“You taste so good,” he murmured, his breath puffing warm air against the sensitive skin at the apex of her thighs. Sasha closed her eyes, licking her lips, his words sending pleasure spiraling through her. To know that Joe loved her taste, her smell, her everything was just as much a turn-on as everything else he did. She could feel her wetness coating his fingers as she parted her legs, wanting to feel more of him, wanting everything he could give her.
But Joe seemed determined to make her suffer – but with such an exquisite torture, Sasha couldn’t say she minded all that much. Her whole body throbbed with pleasure as his lips and
tongue slid against her, his fingers working in a steady rhythm.
Sasha squirmed as far as she could in the close confines of the tent, feeling her body spinning beyond her control. Raising her head up, Sasha looked down at where Joe’s face was buried between her legs, looking up at her with eyes that were intense with desire.
“Oh Joe, oh my God…” It didn’t matter to her in that moment that someone might have heard her – she couldn’t control the cry that slipped from between her lips as she came, long and hard, shuddering over and over again. Joe didn’t show her any mercy, his fingers and tongue pulling her to the edge over and over again, until she lay, trembling and gasping for breath on the sleeping bag, utterly dazed.
“Oh… oh, wow,” she murmured when she finally came back to herself. “That was… incredible…”
Joe only smiled, before leaning down to kiss her. “Yes, it was.” He raised a hand to her face, running it over her cheek. “No… that’s not quite right. It’s you, Sasha. You’re incredible.”
Sasha swallowed, looking up into his eyes. The light of the moon was strong enough that she could make out every one of his strong, defined features; the sharp cut of his jaw and the way his hair curled down over his forehead, into his dark eyes.
“I could say the same about you,” she whispered, shifting a little to get closer to him. She felt his erection pressing against her thigh. Pulling in a deep breath, Sasha remembered their first time together – and every other time after that – the way he had filled her to perfection, making her feel the way no other man had ever made her feel before, both inside and out.
“I want you so badly,” she said, pressing her fingers to the heavy muscle of his shoulder, pulling him down to her.
Joe groaned into her lips – a low, gravelly sound of desperate arousal. It sent a shiver straight through her, settling between her legs. She parted them around him as he settled between her thighs, her calves resting against his hips, drawing him forward.
“Please, Joe. Don’t make me wait… I can’t stand it…”
