by Sam Crescent
She moaned, rubbing her ass against him. Letting go of her breast, he slapped her ass. Elle yelped but didn’t pull away.
“I promise you, Elle, there will be no more running. No more lies, and I’ll give you everything you desire. All you need to give me is your heart, and I’ll look after you and your heart.” He kissed the side of her neck. “Together and for always. I’ll even let you bitch at me over this.”
****
Elle wanted to walk away without looking back. It would be so easy to forget about him. Watching Brandon go to Lori had broken her heart, even as she felt his emotions she couldn’t bring herself to believe him. How could a man who walked away from her last night say he loved her this night? None of it made any sense.
Even as she thought this, she couldn’t help but want to give into his needs. Her body was on fire for his touch. The moment his fingers touched her skin, she was a goner.
Give in to him.
I can’t.
She growled in frustration. The passions of her body took over. She turned in his arms, wrapped her arms around his neck and slammed her lips on his. His arms surrounded her, picking her up. Elle wrapped her legs around his waist as he pressed her against the wall. His tongue plundered her mouth. She sucked him inside, taking over.
“I’ve got to have you,” Brandon said, breaking away.
Elle let him go as he kissed his way down her neck. His grip tightened around her waist. She pushed her uniform off her shoulders. Brandon tore the dress the rest of the way off her until she was in his arms naked. She scored his back with her nails, sinking them into his flesh.
“Yes, mark me, claim me as yours.”
There was nothing gentle about what she wanted to do to him. She wanted him to have a mark created by her so when other men and women saw him they knew she’d been the one to make them.
Scoring his back, she drew blood. He growled, biting onto her lip. She screamed but kept tightening her hold on him.
“Fuck me,” she said, needing his cock inside her.
Moving her hands away from his back, she pulled on the belt holding his jeans up. He held her away from him as she worked his jeans open and then pushed them down his thighs. His cock was rock-hard, the tip soaked with his pre-cum.
“Put me inside you,” he said. She grabbed his cock in her fist and pressed the tip next to her entrance. When the tip of his cock was inside her Brandon slammed the rest of the way until he hit her to the hilt. Elle cried out. He filled her completely. Brandon possessed her with his body.
“I feel you tightening around me. It’s you, Elle. It will always be you,” Brandon said. He pulled out of her only to slam back inside. Her back hit the wall from his powerful thrusts. She closed her eyes embracing the feel of him inside her. “No, look at me.”
Opening her eyes, she stared into Brandon’s eyes as he moved within her body.
“You’re mine. You’ll always be mine,” he said.
She couldn’t argue with him. In that moment she felt him deep down to her core. There was nowhere else she wanted to be than with him.
A knock sounded behind her. Brandon didn’t stop with his thrusting.
“What?” he asked, roaring the word.
“Layla made it home safely,” Lewis said, answering him.
Elle groaned as Brandon swivelled his hips. His pelvis smashed against her clit creating delicious sensations throughout.
“Call the pack. It’s time they knew their queen,” Brandon said. “I want everyone there, including our visitors. They’ll know who the alpha of the Northern Forest pack is spending the rest of his life with.”
He stared into her eyes as he said the words. Lewis left leaving them together.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“I’ve never been sure of anything but this. You’re mine, Elle, and I intend to take you over and over again.”
She shivered in delight at the promise of his words. There was no way for her to doubt his words.
“I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you, Elle.”
Elle nodded, scoring his back so he’d continue fucking her. She was desperate to reach orgasm.
“I’ll wear these marks with pride. Your touch, your passion are all mine.”
Brandon slammed inside her, his cock hitting her to the hilt every time he thrust.
“Shut up and fuck me,” she said, needing to reach orgasm. Her body was on fire for what only he could give her.
His grip tightened on her waist. Brandon shut up and rode her hard. The pleasure consumed her. “Do you need my help?” he asked after she growled with frustration.
She glared at him, and he chose that moment to press against her clit.
“I can give you everything,” Brandon said.
Give in to him.
“Please, Brandon,” she said.
He released her hip with one hand to touch her clit. His fingers touched her clit, and her orgasm rushed through her.
“Fuck! I can feel your cunt tightening around me. Give me everything, Elle.”
He stroked her clit while fucking her at the same time. Brandon didn’t let her go until she’d climaxed a second time. He roared as with one final plunge, his cock jerked and his hot seed pulsed inside her.
Resting his head against hers Elle finally closed her eyes panting for breath.
His cock continued to pulse as she stroked up and down his arms. After several minutes passed, Brandon leaned back staring at her. “I meant every word I said.”
She nodded, not believing him as her orgasm started to ebb away. The renewed pain of what he’d done to her with Lori took its place.
He cupped her cheek forcing her to look at him. “I meant every word I said. You’re mine, and tonight everyone will know it.”
“You’re seriously considering claiming me in front of your pack.”
“Not just in front of my pack but in front of our visitors.”
Elle held her breath as she stared into his eyes.
“When you meet the one, your alpha, never stare into his eyes. The moment you do all hell will be unleashed. Do not let the alpha claim you,” the man said.
“Are you all right?” Brandon asked.
“Yeah, just a bad dream.”
Chapter Twenty
Brandon held Elle’s hand as he made his way through the forests. He felt the happiness of his pack as they saw her. Alexander and Charles were standing at the head waiting for him. Crazy Lizzy danced toward him.
“This is the right thing to do. You’re saving yourself and her,” Lizzy said, smiling. She wrapped her arms around Elle. “Soon, we’ll be good friends and Layla will too. I can’t wait for Layla to join our friendship. She’s going to be a hoot. You just need to drop that pesky thrall.”
Lizzy danced away. He watched as she wove her way around his pack. Alaric stood without his shirt with his bears. Gripping her hand tightly, Brandon made his way toward the head. Several murmurs erupted when they saw the state of his back. Elle had marked him deeply. Her scent covered him. The smell of strawberry and vanilla permeated the air.
When he got to the head of the pack, Brandon took the time to show Elle to his visitors. Alexander looked at her, startled.
He didn’t ask the vampire questions as he faced his pack.
Turning to the pack, Brandon held Elle in front of her. “You are all gathered here in front of our friends in order for me to right a wrong I did before my mate.” Brandon stroked her cheek. “Most of you know I used Lori because I feared for Elle’s safety, but I want to announce to everyone that Elle is my queen. She’s the woman I love and the woman I declare will stand by my side from this day forward.” His words were loud so everyone could hear him. “I will take my punishment, and my mate will know how sorry I am and that I’m indebted to her. She makes me complete and in turn my pack.”
“This is horseshit,” Lori said. She came through to glare at his mate. “She’s human. You shouldn’t have to prove anything. She’s weak.”
“Stand down,” Matthew said. “We all approve of Elle. Brandon will pay the price for his disrespect.”
Lori made to raise her fist. Brandon intervened. “You’ve overstepped your place. Leave my pack now!”
“But?” Lori looked startled. She really thought her place was by his side.
“You don’t respect my queen or my pack. Get the hell out of here now!” His voice rose as he ordered her away. No one stepped forward to fight for her cause. Brandon felt the approval of all of his pack. Lori had outstayed her welcome, and she’d made enemies within his pack.
She bowed her head and left. Applause sounded at her departure.
Turning to his mate, Brandon looked at her. “I’m going to pay for my disrespect of you. I want you to know how sorry I am.”
Drake, Darcy, and Lewis came through the clearing. They held several whips and a chain. Brandon held onto the nearest tree trunk as his three men gathered around him.
“What’s going on?” Elle asked.
He didn’t hear what she was told. Holding onto the tree Brandon braced himself for the first strike. Their pack laws stated that when a mated female was disrespected the person who caused that disrespect must be punished by three men of his choosing. Brandon had disrespected his mate, and he was going to face the consequence of his actions.
The first whip struck his flesh. Brandon didn’t let out any noise. This was his punishment, and for the love of Elle he’d gladly take it.
This is the right thing to do.
Elle is our woman.
She’s our mate, and from this day forward she’ll be by our side for everyone to see.
No more hiding.
Just loving.
With every strike of the whip, Brandon felt a peace settle over him. What he was doing would show Elle how sorry he was. Being the alpha didn’t give him any special treatment. He’d disrespected Elle. She might be human, but she was his human.
I love her with all my heart.
His wolf agreed. They were together in their thoughts.
They would protect her.
His pack howled up to the sky. Their appreciation meant the world to him. In one act he’d lost some of their respect, but with this punishment he’d gained their trust.
The whipping hurt more than he liked to acknowledge. His flesh burned, and the blood dripped down his back. The torn flesh would sting for several hours. He was the alpha, and he wouldn’t fall or fail.
After the last whip struck, Brandon howled.
Letting go of the tree, Drake placed a clean towel over his back. He didn’t need to fear infection. Turning to his mate he saw tears streaking her face. “I swear to you, Elle Smith, I’ll never give you cause to be in pain again. You’re my whole world. You’ll be by my side for the rest of our lives running this pack together.”
The pack cheered.
“We give ourselves to you,” the pack said in unison.
She nodded, opening her arms for him. Brandon went to her without a moment’s hesitation. He pulled her in close inhaling her scent.
“You didn’t have to do that for me,” she said.
“Yes, I did. You’re my woman, and the pack knows it.” He kissed the top of her head. Alexander cleared his throat gaining Brandon’s attention.
“Does that make up for my lie?” Brandon asked.
“Your punishment was most fitting your crime. I sense her forgiveness. Sometimes it takes an extreme act to win the woman of our heart.”
Brandon smiled, kissing the top of her head. His back burnt like a fire was dancing on it.
“You didn’t tell me your mate was under the thrall of a vampire,” Alexander said. “What?” Brandon froze, as did Elle.
“I sense the control of another. May I please look into your mate’s eyes to determine who and what caused this enthrallment?” Alexander asked.
****
Brandon had punished himself to show her his feelings. She was his woman, and she couldn’t believe what he’d done to show her how sorry he was. Tears fell from her eyes at the shock of what just happened. She’d never expected him to punish himself because of her. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she held onto him tighter making sure not to touch his back.
When Alexander spoke she froze at his words.
“I sensed the enthrallment from a woman when I first visited here. She’s older than your mate but looks very similar,” Alexander said.
“That would be Vivian, Elle’s mother,” Brandon said.
“Let me look in your eyes, sweet one.”
Brandon let go of her. “It’s okay, Elle. I trust him. He won’t hurt you.”
Elle turned to the vampire and stared into his black gaze. His eyes were far darker than Brandon’s. She sensed the death around the vampire in front of her. The vampire accessed her memories, the ones that had been trapped from her and only coming through when she was dreaming. She gasped as she recalled the vampire draining her mother and her father coming in as the vampire in question was about to finish his curse.
Alexander let her go, swearing as he did. “It is what I feared the most,” he said.
“What do you mean?” Brandon wrapped his arms around her.
“I took away the enthrallment. The vampire must have had access to the prophecies as it was foretold of your mating to a human. He tried to stop your mating.”
Elle listened to their conversation as suddenly her mind opened up. She sensed the pack around her. Grabbing her head, she felt everything including Brandon’s feelings for her. Before that moment she’d been cut off from everything only feeling half of what was around her. Alexander had opened her mind, and she felt the approval of the pack. The gentle hum of their kindness filled her heart. The love Brandon had for her touched her. Even as he was talking with Alexander, he was reaching out toward her. His hand stroked down her arm. He needed to touch her and have her by his side.
“Can’t you sense the change within her?”
Brandon turned her around. She stared into his eyes and finally saw the dark brown depths staring back at her. It was like a cloak had been lifted. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she slammed her lips down on his.
“I love you,” she said, holding him close.
This is where she was supposed to be. She was supposed to be by Brandon’s side, loving him and embracing his pack.
He broke the kiss tucking her head against his chest. “Thank you. I can’t believe you’ve done this for me.”
“We need to talk about this, Brandon. This is why I came this year to the meeting. The eyes are the access to the soul, and the vampire had cloaked her vision to hold her back from you. You and Elle were meant to be together.”
There was a huge whoop around the forest. Elle giggled as the pack started to cheer for their leaders.
After some time Brandon led her back to his home. Their visitors followed, and Lizzy held her hand as they walked toward Brandon’s home.
“I can’t wait for your wedding. It won’t happen right away. You’ll be married by the end of the year, and it’ll start snowing,” Lizzy said.
Elle chuckled. The woman beside her made her nervous.
Once inside her mate’s home they all gathered around. She was introduced to the warlocks and the witches along with the bears and the vampires. They all looked serious. Her father entered several minutes later. He looked nervous as he held a couple of scrolls.
The conversation that took place startled her.
“They’re a cult that is named something translated as ‘Disaster of the Otherworld’. The cult contains a select few of each species. Wolves, vampires and witches, warlocks, you catch my drift,” Raymond said.
“What do you they want?” Brandon asked.
“To annihilate you all and to rule the earth under their own power, that is what they want.”
Elle listened to their conversation in shock. The vampire who’d attacked her mother and enthralled her at sixteen had tried to stop her from mating with Brandon. Th
eir mating was vital according to a prophecy in stopping the war being started by the wolves. Brandon would have led an army because she’d have left him. Hearing how her future had been foretold scared her. There was nothing any of them could do to stop this cult other than to fight them from all corners.
She saw the symbol the cult wore. It was a star with the five elements of the earth surrounded by a circle. The humans only knew four elements whereas the fifth element was the paranormal element.
All of them memorized the symbol. Raymond had killed one of the vampires within the cult, but there would be more to come.
When they left Brandon took her to his bed. He didn’t make love to her but held her tightly against him.
“How’s your back?” she asked.
“It’s healing. I’m a wolf, and the healing doesn’t take long,” he said.
“You didn’t have to do that for me,” she said, lifting up to look at him.
“Yes, I did. I’ll do everything to show you how amazing you are. You own my heart, Elle Smith.”
She smiled. “I could certainly get used to this.”
Brandon smiled, kissing her lips. “You better get used to it. I don’t intend to stop showing you how much I love you.”
“Is that a promise?” she asked.
“It’s a guarantee. You accepted me as your mate and the pack. You’re with me for life.”
Her smile fell. “It won’t be a long life for me. You’ll live a lot longer than I will.”
“No, I won’t. The moment I bit you and claimed you, I bound you to me. You won’t be strong like a wolf, but you’ll age slowly. When I die, we’ll go together and when we’re ready,” he said. “That’s what happened to my parents. They died together.”
Lifting her hand to his face, Elle kissed his lips. With Brandon by her side she could face anything. The problems they were about to face could be handled another day. For tonight she was safe in his arms surrounded by his love.
Epilogue
Three months later
Elle stared up at the sun as Brandon caressed her face with a daisy. The last three months had been a whirlwind of activity. The biggest change for her was the tattoo she now held on her back with a wolf and Brandon’s name underneath. The love she felt for her mate had grown, and every day that passed without the vampire’s enthrallment had brought her closer to Brandon. There were no lies, and they were inseparable.
