Absolution

by Jambrea Jo Jones

  That would work out perfectly. Now he just had to corner Kitty and get her to come home with him.

  “Did you request an audience with Masters for after the meeting?”

  “No, Mr Kelley, I didn’t know you wanted me to.”

  “Of course I wanted you to. I need to talk to him about bringing Kitty back with me.”

  “Mr Kelley, I already—”

  “I really don’t care what you think on this matter. She may be an adult, but she is still a member of my pack.”

  “Technically, sir, it’s her pack.”

  “Did you inform her of that?”

  “Yes, I did as part of the legal paperwork I brought for her to sign.”

  “I thought she was signing it at home.”

  “That was the plan, sir, but she didn’t want to go back to D.C. so I had to have the documents faxed in for her to look over before the courier got here with the originals.”

  “Have they been signed?”

  “Yes. Well, the copies have, just to note that she’s read them, but she’ll have to still sign the originals as soon as they get here. They shouldn’t be that far behind you.”

  That was it, Langford had to die. What an incompetent—he knew Kurt wanted Kitty back in D.C. Kurt gritted his teeth. There would be time to deal with Langford later. For now he had to get through the stupid meeting and get Kitty alone long enough to work his mojo on her and get her home. Once she was under his thumb there would be no way out for her. If she was good, he might let her sisters come along, but if she gave him a hard time—he’d have them killed. Then she’d have nothing, only him.

  “There’s something else you should probably know.”

  Langford paused. This couldn’t be good news.

  “And…”

  “She has a mate.”

  “What are you babbling about?”

  A mate? She can’t have found someone. Not yet. She was mine, damn it.

  “A member of the Masters pack is her true mate.”

  “Bullshit.”

  “No, sir, it isn’t. I met him and they are—”

  “You will not finish that sentence, Langford, or I’ll fire you on the spot.”

  He’d lost Ginger to his brother, he wasn’t going to lose Kitty.

  “Don’t you want your niece to be happy?”

  Langford wouldn’t understand and it wasn’t any of his business anyway.

  “Just get me to the meeting.”

  * * * *

  About a half an hour or so later they pulled up to a house that was set back in the woods. It was a nice place. Much better than the pack house back in D.C. They had to drive for miles to find a decent place to shift. Masters didn’t seem to have that problem.

  They were escorted to an office. Langford remained outside.

  “Hello, I’m Russell Masters.”

  “Delighted to meet you. I’m Kurt Kelley. I believe you know my nieces?”

  Did Kurt see a tell-tale change in Masters’ stance? It could be his imagination, but he’d be on the lookout for anything unusual.

  “Ah, yes. Kitty, Poppy and Bunny are wonderful girls.”

  “Yes, they are, and I’d like to speak to you after the meeting, if you have a moment.”

  “Of course. If you’ll have a seat, we’re waiting on—ahh—there he is. Please close the door behind you, Don, and we’ll get started.

  “First, thank you all for coming on such short notice. My seer had a vision last night of a shifter mid-change on the news. Now—we could just gloss over it and keep living our lives, but the first place the newshounds are going to look is at the houses like ours with multiple people living in them. Or we could get the backing we need and let the humans know of our existence.”

  There was uproar as all the alphas spoke at once. Kurt was bored. He’d never be suspected so he really didn’t care.

  “Enough. Yes, I know this is a big step, but I’m not going into this lightly. The Ancients have said this will come to pass. The humans will know of our existence, the newscast is only the beginning. I don’t want to be hunted down anymore than the next wolf. That is why I propose we stick together and break the news. I have a reporter here in the house who’ll be doing a few human interest kind of pieces with a few of the mated pairs, so we are giving the humans faces to go with the fact that we turn furry every now and again.”

  A couple of the alphas chuckled. Kurt just wanted this meeting over with. He didn’t care.

  “Don, you’re new to being an alpha, same with you, Kurt. Anything you’d like to add or share?”

  “No, I think you have it covered.” Kurt smiled.

  “I’m backing whatever you’d like to do, Russ. I’m a bit uncomfortable with it, but my pack will deal.”

  What a suckup. Was the meeting over yet?

  “Good. If any of you have members of your packs you think would be good for an interview, please let me know. Good candidates would be someone in high-powered jobs or just everyday kind of people. We have some spare beds for anyone who would like to stay and my door is always open for any questions.”

  “There is one thing,” The Don kid spoke up.

  How is someone so young in charge of a pack? He didn’t seem very powerful to Kurt, but he’d always had difficulty telling who had the most juice pack wise.

  “Yes?”

  “I think we need an…I don’t know, alpha’s alpha. You have the most power and your pack is full of magic users. I don’t know about the others, but we need to group together if we’re going to get through this.”

  Now isn’t that interesting? There are magic users on the premises. I’ll have to be more careful.

  “I’m good with that, if everyone else is. We should probably vote. If you do agree, nothing will really change, your packs would be your packs, but when it came to human relations, I’d be the go-to man for all of our packs.”

  A chorus of ‘I agrees’ came through. What do I care?

  “Don—you could hold back a minute.”

  Well, shit. He needed to talk to Masters. It looked like he would be here for a while. But that was okay, he’d have time to go look for Kitty.

  Chapter Seven

  Everett knew Kitty’s uncle would be showing up anytime and he had to take her mind off it. What better way to do that than dancing? They’d had fun last night—nothing said they couldn’t again. The girls weren’t due back for a bit. They’d called earlier. Joy and Valerie were going to get dinner in town so he and Kitty had the place to themselves. Not that they couldn’t dance with the girls there, but he was hoping it might lead to more.

  He was in luck. They had a small stereo in the corner of the room. He turned it on and found a station playing a slow dance. He didn’t recognise the song, but it didn’t matter, he just hoped they kept them coming.

  Kitty came out into the living room and he held out a hand.

  “May I have this dance?”

  Kitty grinned and took the offering. Everett pulled her close and swayed to the music, nothing fancy, just holding her close was enough. God she smelt so good. He nuzzled into her neck, never breaking stride. One slow song rolled into another.

  “Kiss me, Ev.”

  How could he even think of denying her? He brushed his mouth against hers until she whimpered and opened up to him. He took the kiss as slowly as the dance—no need to rush, they had forever.

  Kitty hopped up, and he had to grab her ass to keep from falling over. He backed towards the wall for more support. She made the most wonderful noises. Kitty moaned and her breath caught in her throat.

  “You’re driving me crazy, Kitty,” Everett murmured against her lips.

  God, he was shaking so hard, and he didn’t want to drop her, and if she twitched just the right way he might’ve come in his pants. He hadn’t even done that when he was younger. He needed to be inside her.

  “Take me to my room, Ev.”

  That was music to his ears.

  She looked into his eyes and he was
lost. This was his mate asking for him. Some people never found their true mate. He was a lucky man and wouldn’t deny her wishes.

  “Where?” He didn’t let go over her, just started walking.

  “Down the hall, last door on the right.” Kitty licked at his throat and nibbled on his ear. They stumbled, stopping along the way for a few kisses. He might have banged into the wall a couple of times.

  How he managed to get to the room he would never know, but he got Kitty to the bed in one piece. He laid her down gently.

  “Are you sure?” He had to ask because he didn’t want to assume anything.

  “Yes, I’m sure.”

  “I don’t want to rush you, but my wolf—I might not be able to stop with just making love to you.”

  “I know. Mark me yours.”

  Now Everett was nervous, a shiver racked his body. It wasn’t like this was his first time, but she was his mate, it had to be special. He moved off the bed and took off his clothes. He watched as Kitty knelt on the bed did the same. She was so gorgeous. Her skin was a golden colour and her blonde hair spread out around her on the mattress when she lay back down. Everett ran his hand down the middle of Kitty’s body. She was so soft.

  He didn’t want to hurt her and if he didn’t calm down he might. His shaft ached. All he wanted to do was fuck her hard, but not this time. This first time needed to mean something to both of them.

  You only mated once and it was to be remembered.

  Everett kissed any skin he could find, making his wolf calm down. He scraped his teeth over her nipples. She squirmed beneath him, causing the most luscious friction against his cock.

  Mine, mine, mine.

  His wolf was ready to mate. Ev took a deep breath. Not yet. Kitty ran her hands through his hair, petting him. It helped him to focus on her. The gesture was soothing. He moaned against her stomach before lapping at the sweet skin. He wasn’t going to be able to hold back much longer. He was too ready to make Kitty his.

  Everett hovered over her and licked at her throat before he bit down.

  “You’re mine, in mind.”

  Everett nibbled until he reached her chest and bit into the area above where her heart was. Kitty wiggled even more now and clutched at the blankets.

  “You’re mine, in heart.”

  He was getting choked up. These words were taught to all the kids as they grew older and the significance was always there. He moved his way farther down her body, tickling her stomach. He flicked her clit and fucked her with two fingers, then three to get her pussy ready. Not that she needed much, Kitty was so wet, God, he wanted to taste her, but that would have to come later. He had to finish the ritual.

  Everett moved to where her leg met her pelvis and sank his teeth in before releasing her and saying, “You’re mine, in body.”

  It was time. He sat back on his haunches and spread her legs wide before kneeling between them. He inched his dick inside, saying the words, “You are now mine, in mind, heart and body forever more.”

  A bright light filled the room, thunder crackled in the distance and everything was—more. He could almost taste the magic in the air. They were mates. Nothing but death could rip them apart. Kitty was his.

  She clutched at his back and wrapped her legs around him.

  “Ev—please—I need. Please—”

  Everett rocked his body against hers. Kitty squeezed her pussy around his shaft. He wanted this moment to last forever, but if she kept doing that it would be over too soon. He took her hands and put them over her head, keeping his thrust slow and steady. Her breasts bounced with his every move, her nipples pebbled into tight pink nubs. Everett leant down and sucked one into his mouth, biting down and tugging.

  “Ev—oh, oh…please.” Kitty thrashed her head on the pillow.

  He switched to the other nipple, giving it the same treatment. Kitty wriggled her fingers free and grabbed his head, bringing him up so he could kiss her. He devoured her mouth—thrusting faster and faster.

  “Slow—Kitty.”

  “No—right there. Ev—I wanna, please, let me…oh God, Ev, Ev, Ev—”

  She grabbed at his back again, clawing at him, egging him on. Everett lost his rhythm. He was going to come, but he wanted her there first. He plucked at her hard nubs before he ran his hands down her body. He gave her clit a hard pinch and she screamed, shuddering around his shaft.

  That was it, he lost it. Everett threw his head back and howled, coming inside Kitty. He collapsed on top of her, but didn’t stay for long. Everett rolled off and cuddled her to his side. Kitty stretched a leg over him and rested her head on his chest.

  Neither said anything for a while—Everett basked in the glory of finally having a mate. They still had plenty to deal with, but their bond could only grow from here.

  A door opened and closed.

  “Shoot. The girls must be back.” Kitty didn’t even try to move.

  Everett thought he should get up. He wasn’t sure if they’d come into their sister’s room or not. He didn’t want to scar the girls for life.

  “I should—”

  “I don’t want to move.”

  The bedroom door crept open. Everett reached for the covers and hurried under them, making sure they were both covered.

  It wasn’t her sisters. What the fuck? The man wore a suit and appeared dignified until he looked at Everett. A sneer appeared on his face.

  “Girls—what are you…Kurt. How—why—?” Kitty scrambled to the headboard, taking the covers with her.

  “Sir, you need to get out of this room now.” Everett moved to get off the bed.

  Everett didn’t care who the guy was, but he didn’t belong here. He wasn’t expecting the growl. Kurt lunged across the room—his eyes wild and dangerous. Everett pushed Kitty out of the way and shoved at the running man. They both hit the floor with a thud. Everett was seconds away from shifting and bringing the crazed man down.

  “Uncle Kurt, stop it right now!”

  His mate had a powerful set of lungs on her, but it didn’t stop her uncle. He was going to have to go wolf. He shifted into his wolf as fast as he could and charged, gripping Kurt’s leg between his teeth. Everett shook his head and snarled, not letting go no matter how much Kurt struggled. Kitty called for him to stop, but he couldn’t no matter how scared she sounded.

  “Ev—please—stop, it’s okay—let him go—Ev…”

  Kurt had come into their space and attacked them. He had to protect his home, his family. Everett could feel Kurt starting to shift when he was jerked off him. He wheeled around to see Langford and Russ standing in the doorway. Kitty clutched a blanket to her with a trembling hand and she was very pale, her eyes wide. Everett shifted back and went for her, wrapping his arms around her.

  “I’m sorry, Mr Masters, I was afraid something like this might happen.”

  “It isn’t your fault, Mr Harrington. Please, call me Russ, and thank you for the heads-up.”

  Since when had Russ and the lawyer become buddy-buddy? Not that he really cared, he was actually thankful because if they hadn’t stepped in he might have killed Kurt.

  “You’re welcome. And it’s Langford. Kitty, if you’re not going home, you need to name a successor.”

  “I agree. Kurt cannot be in charge of the pack. I think you’re next in line. You can hold the pack together until my sisters are old enough to decide if they want to run it.” Kitty didn’t look directly at Kurt.

  “I’m right here and you can’t fucking do this to me. I’m the alpha. I’m in charge and you are mine.”

  “You’re sick, Uncle Kurt, and you need help. I know it was you who killed my parents.”

  Langford’s gasp stopped Kitty. God, Everett was so proud of his mate. He could see her running a pack, but he was happy she wanted to stay with him. Not that he wouldn’t pick his life up and move with her. All she had to do was ask and he’d be there. That was what family was all about.

  “Yes, Langford, you heard me right. Somehow he used ma
gic to force my mom into shooting Dad, then taking her own life.”

  “I knew he was sick with his unhealthy obsession over you, but I didn’t think he’d go this far. What can we do?” Langford adjusted his tie. That was the only outward action that Everett saw that would make him think the lawyer was unnerved. Langford still seemed so put together, as if they were in a boardroom or something.

  “Not much. We need to keep him under wraps while we deal with the human issues. Russ, do you have a place here or should he go back to D.C.?” Kitty looked over to where Russ had Kurt by the scruff of his neck.

  She was magnificent and he was getting hard. Damn it. Russ smirked at him. Everett flipped him the bird.

  “It’s probably best if he stays here. I can get Zareb to contain him so he can’t mess with our big reveal.”

  “This isn’t over, you know. I always get what I want,” Kurt whined.

  It was pretty pathetic, but Everett shouldn’t have expected more from a man who had to have someone help him with his dirty work.

  “That may have been the case in the past, but that is over. You killed my parents and that was your first mistake. Coming after me was your second. I’m not the same scared little girl. I’ve learned a few things. I’m strong and now—now I have a mate.”

  “No!” Kurt lunged for her, but didn’t get far. Russ held him up short.

  “Yes, Ev and I just finished the ritual.”

  “Congratulations.” Russ bowed his head to them.

  Nothing could ruin the happiness that Everett was feeling. He had his mate. Kurt wasn’t going to be a problem anymore.

  “Hey, what’s going on?”

  That slight bit of distraction was all Kurt needed to make his move. It happened in slow motion, or it seemed. Everett watched Kurt wrench out of Russ’ grasp and charge Kitty. Someone screamed, it could have been him. He didn’t know and didn’t care. Everett scrambled to get to Kitty before Kurt could, but he knew he was going to be too late. She was too far away. Even if he shifted he wouldn’t reach her in time. He tripped over the rug and sprawled on the floor. Russ was right behind him and jumped over him. Their main focus was getting to Kitty before Kurt did something that couldn’t be fixed. Everett scrambled up, finding a bit of traction from the rug, but it wasn’t needed. Kitty hauled back and slugged Kurt right in the face. He went down clutching his nose.