by V. A. Dold
Rose winced visibly and turned into Simon’s chest, when the disturbed creature turned those tortured eyes in her direction.
“He can’t see you through the glass,” he whispered in reassurance. Simon swept his arm around Rose and bent his head to hers. “You have tears in your eyes.”
“I know, I feel justified with his sentence,” Rose said and blinked rapidly. “But, I can’t help but feel terrible for his uncle. How is he going to live with taking his nephew’s life? Are there any options other than death, or can’t someone else do it?” Rose whispered.
“Nothing we’ve tried has worked, and Travis is my responsibility,” Jason answered solemnly as he joined them.
Amaniacal cackle sounded through the two-way mirror. “They’ll never stop. All of your women will die terrible bloody deaths. A new reign approaches, ready to take the throne from the absent king.” Travis stopped speaking as abruptly as he began.
Isaac studied the madness in Travis’s eyes before meeting the elder’s gaze with heartbreaking resolve. Grasping the man’s forearms in a long forgotten sign of respect from one warrior to another, he took a moment before he spoke. “My son tasked you with this responsibility, his crime is unforgivable and law demands the end of his existence. Ordering one family member to end another brings me nothing but pain. I’m sorry, I have no choice but to require you to carry out this heinous sentence.” He indicated for Jason to enter Travis’s room.
Jason, took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the small cell.
Isaac sighed. “Clear the room, and give them a moment of privacy. The least we could do is allow them a final goodbye.”
Jason held Travis in his arms. After a minute he pulled Travis to his feet and along with the assigned witnesses led him from the building and into the nearby forest.
The Le Beaus and all of the elders from the local packs gathered on the lawn. The birds and wildlife went silent seconds before a mournful howl rang out. The witnesses emerged from the forest and gave a single nod to Isaac.
Before leaving, the elders approached Isaac. “We’d like to have an official meeting with you to discuss the issues that have been occurring within the packs. Are you willing to meet with us, my lord?” the spokesman of the group asked.
Isaac looked over the expectant faces eagerly awaiting his response. “Yes, I think it’s time. I’ll have Emma contact each of you with a date and time.”
Chapter 15
The Claiming
Travis hadn’t given them the names of the men behind Rose’s kidnapping. All Simon knew was someone wanted to take the seat of power and reign as the new king. Neither the Le Beaus nor the elders from the packs wanted that to happen.
If the other shifters, whoever they were, wanted to challenge the Le Beaus, bring it. At least now they were forewarned. And as his assault team proved, fore-armed. If they wanted to take them on, then Simon wished them luck. They were going to need it and a whole lot of reinforcements.
He surprisingly was looking forward to the challenge. He hadn’t felt this normal since before his enlistment. I’m back!
Simon held open the front door to their house for Rose, he wouldn’t be happy until he had her safely in their home. The threat from Travis was gone but there were others at play in this deadly game.
“Someone is out to get you and Anna. There’s a war brewing over who’ll lead the shifter community. We need to find out who before the situation gets worse. If they’re willing to kidnap you and drive you into the belly of the bayou, they’re capable of anything.”
“Are you sure? Is Anna in danger, too? Oh my god, is Cade protecting her?”
“She is well guarded, you can be assured of that so don’t worry.”
“You do know I can take care of myself, right? I may be a soft city girl but I survived days out there on my own. Not that I don’t appreciate the rescue, mind you.” She ran her finger down his chest.
“Baby, after seeing you in action with nothing but a rock, I have nothing but respect for your ability to take care of things. But, I hope you’ll humor me and pretend that you let me keep you safe.” He grinned boyishly. “My ego and my wolf have taken enough of a beating over this already.”
“I think I can play the damsel in distress once in a while.” She stood on tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
With his heart in his eyes, he leaned down and kissed her soft lips. “Thank you.” The touch of her lips re-ignited the heat that was always so close to the surface. “You’re always surprising me. I like it.”
Collecting every ounce of courage she had, she slipped her hand into his and gently tugged him toward the loveseat in the living room. Simon wrapped his arms around her and she snuggled as close as she could get. He stroked her hair and rubbed his chin across the top of her head. A few minutes passed before Rose spoke.
“I said I wanted to complete the ritual. Now that my stalker is no longer a threat we need to talk.” She pulled away to face him.
“You sound very serious, do I need to be concerned?” His lips drew into a frown.
“I had a lot of time to think over the past few days. I want to provide a full disclosure of who I am. You need to know a few things about me.” She took a deep breath. “When I was young, foster kids weren’t always treated very well. All of the homes I was in were wonderful, except one. That’s where I met Jack and Michael.”
“Rose…”
Raising her hand, “Please, let me finish. We had to steal food and clothing to survive and I got caught. Our foster father had a taste for young girls.” She looked to the floor afraid to see his reaction.
A ferocious snarl caused her eyes to jump to his. “Give me his name,” he demanded.
Her mind recalled that life-shattering day, taking her back in time.
She was too terrified to cry.
At the slam of the front door, she pressed herself further into the back of the closet. Her twelve-year-old body shrank behind a beat up cardboard box, its sides and flaps worn and breaking apart. Her heart hammered as she held herself to stop the trembling. Quiet. She must be quiet. He couldn’t be allowed to hear her.
Tightly she closed her eyes and let her mind drift to another place, the safe place she visited when things got too bad. Her body lay on the soft cool grass in her dreams. She was protected, safe.
For a fleeting moment, the terror went away.
Please, don’t let him find me.
Her prayer went unanswered. Heavy footsteps crossed the scuffed and gouged wooden floor toward her hiding place. With a grunt he jerked open the closet and yanked her out. He drew back his fist…this was going to be bad.
Shaking her head, Rose dispelled the nightmare. “He died years ago. He’s no longer a threat to anyone. He managed to get me alone once, please don’t ask me to go into detail…yes, he did what you’re thinking and I survived. After that Jack and Michael made sure at least one of them was with me at all times. They even took turns sleeping on the floor next to my bed. He never got near me again and shortly thereafter we were all moved to another home.”
He was clenching his fist so tightly his knuckles were white.
She gave him time to absorb all she had said. “Now you know the truth,” she said. “I’ve stolen things. I’ve been arrested for shoplifting. A foster parent abused me. And I have no solid basis for having a healthy family or raising children. Are you sure you want to claim someone so broken as your mate?”
He couldn’t begin to tell her how wrong she was about herself. He simply stared at her, stunned into silence.
“That’s what I thought.”
Rose raced for the door. She swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand and fumbled trying to unlock the screen door, giving Simon enough time to reach her and whirl her in his arms, pinning her against the door. Her face, streaked with tears, tore at his soul. He had to make her listen.
“Aren’t you going to give me the chance to respond? You just took out a crazy stalker with a rock! I can’t believe
a strong woman like you would run like a coward.”
She paused, open-mouthed. “I…don’t understand.”
“Do you want to know what I see when I look at you? I don’t see a thief or the victim of a horrid childhood. You’ve already overcome more hardships than most people will ever face in a lifetime. The child you were, shaped the woman you are, and she’s amazing and beautiful and…everything I ever dreamed of.”
Her chin quivered and she shuddered with a flood of emotions.
“Rose, I know that you’re afraid of having your heart shattered. I promise you, I’ll never leave you, never reject you or deny you. You would be my choice even without the mating attraction.” He wiped a tear from her cheek.
He repositioned, sliding his leg between hers so she could feel the power she had over him. She molded against him, pressing into his length. His entire body hardened further with a desire he could barely control. He’d been waiting for this since the moment he’d gotten her back.
“I want you, Rose, as my mate. Badly.” He lowered his head, nipped lightly at her ear and nuzzled her neck, smiling as her pulse jumped beneath his lips. He kissed the top of her head as he stroked her arms and he linked his fingers with hers. When she kept her face buried in his chest, he pulled back to study her. With a gentle hand, he tilted her chin up and stared into the caution on her face. He lifted her hand to his lips and turned her palm over to kiss the center, relishing her racing pulse, knowing he was the cause. “I want you, Rose, only you.”
Rose gulped in a tear-choked breath. “I didn’t think…”
“What? That I wouldn’t want you?” He worked his way up to her neck, and breathed in deeply. “That I wouldn’t want to inhale your scent?” His entire body ached with longing. He met her gaze, trembling with desire. “That I wouldn’t want to make love to you? I need you more than air. More than life itself.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck; her hold bordered on desperate. Running her hands down his arms, his chest, circling his waist, and finally to his hips. “I want you, too,” she said with confidence finally ringing in her voice. “I think it’s the stress from thinking I’d never see you again. I imagined all kinds of horrible things while I was lost. I’m sorry, I’m being stupid.”
“No, cher, you just survived a terrifying experience and it caused you to doubt yourself and me. You believe me, right?”
She nodded and sniffed. “Take me to bed?” A blush colored her beautiful face. The woman really was making a habit of stealing his breath.
“Your wish is my command,” he growled.
She fastened her lips to his, her mouth begging for entrance. He let her have her way with him. Gloried in the taste of her. With a low groan, Simon scooped her into his arms, cradling her against his chest. He almost stumbled when her lips exploring his neck, instinctively found the spot she would mark him. Shoving aside any concerns about safety issues, he held her fast and kicked open the bedroom door.
She wanted to shout for joy. Simon still wanted her, even after she put her life under a microscope for him to see. She wanted him terribly, needed him to finally create the family she had always desired, yet never had. Still, she’d been prepared for him to turn from her in disgust. He hadn’t. He was here. With her. He wanted her. I’ll never doubt his love again.
A weight lifted, freeing the desire she’d tamped down with her unfounded doubt. She craved his love, his touch, his caress. Her body screamed for the sensation of his lips and hands exploring her, making her body hum with sensations only he could arouse. With a thrill of anticipation, she kissed and nibbled his neck as he carried her to the bed.
A low growl rumbled in his chest. He gently laid her on their sheets. She sank into the soft mattress stretching languidly. Unwilling to relinquish his touch, she drew him down with her.
He followed willingly. His finger trailed the side of her neck, his thumb brushing the hollow in her throat, tracing her collarbone. The intensity in his eyes made her shiver. He didn’t look away. He held her gaze as if he could see into her soul.
Everything she’d ever wanted sizzled in his gaze. She saw no doubt, no judgments, just hot, raw desire.
Her body quivered with eagerness. He didn’t move. He simply drank her in.
“What are you doing?” Rose didn’t recognize her voice, husky, longing, needy.
“I’m memorizing you,” he said searching her face. “The golden flecks in your blue eyes, burning for me. The flush of your cheeks. Your lips swollen from my kisses.”
Her body was on fire, I want to do the ritual with you. Right now. She held his gaze and purposely spoke to him telepathically. Her hand crept down his shirtfront, slipping the buttons free one by one. She laid her palm flat and slipped past his waist and lightly over the bulge in his jeans, stopping to cup him gently.
Ever so slowly, he lowered his lips to hers. “Are you sure you are ready for the ritual?” he whispered, as his mouth hovered. “I’ll wait for you, as long as it takes.”
“Absolutely.”
His chest rumbled and he held her face in his hands. “I’m yours, Rose. Always.” He ran his fingers from her neck to her heated core then he slowly rose from the bed. Simon let his gapping shirt slide from his shoulders to pool on the floor. With his passion glowing in his eyes he popped the button of his jeans. The whisk of his zipper broke the silence of the room. Her breath sucked in as he eased his jeans down his hips.
He kicked them aside and wrapped his fist around his painful erection. He watched her eyes darken with arousal. Her eyes were intent on following the stroke of his hand.
Simon was pure temptation, standing with his wicked smile and his dark, mesmerizing eyes. Her tongue darted out and moistened her lower lip. His body took on a life of its own, nearly jumping out of his hand. “Rose,” he groaned, “I need you.”
Extending his hand he helped her from the bed. “I think it’s time to do something new. After thinking I’d lost you forever, my wolf and I are very dominant right now. Are you able to give me control? I don’t want you to be frightened or apprehensive at any moment.”
She nibbled her fingernail. “That sounds exciting.” Her brows furrowed. “You’re not into BDSM or anything are you? I don’t do pain.”
He gave her a sexy lopsided grin as his eyes scorched her from head to toe.
“No, my love. Unbutton your shirt. I want to look at you.” His voice was so husky, so raw with hunger, it sent a shiver down her spine.
Rose slipped the buttons free and let her blouse fall. A ray of sun peaking through the blinds caressed her breasts. Providing a spectacular spotlight. Boldly, she cupped the weight of them in her hands. She was achy, tight, and swollen. But her hungry gaze remained on his enormous erection and the drop of moisture glistening in anticipation of their mating. She took another step toward him, biting her lower lip, liking what she saw.
“Take off your jeans,” he growled huskily, maintaining his even steady strokes.
She shivered in anticipation and did as he ordered. She pushed her jeans and panties from her hips and down her legs, stepping out of them. She stood before him bare as the moment she was born. She watched his chest rising and falling as his breath quicken. Saw his hand tighten, glide smoothly up and down once, twice, in an effort to get relief.
Thrilled with her newfound confidence, her hand covered his, the other slid lower to cup and squeeze his sac gently. Her palms slid over his hips and thighs as she knelt in front of him. Even though she was unsure of how to do this, the draw of his erection trumped her doubts. She wanted him with a fierce intensity she’d been too guarded to show.
Simon’s breath slammed out of his lungs, leaving him gasping for air. Her mouth slid over him, hot and moist and as tight as a fist. Her tongue danced along his ultrasensitive rim, sending jolts down his spine and his hips jerking. She’d taken his fantasy right out of his head, all his thoughts as he’d piloted the boat home that morning, and now she was putting them into action.
Her mouth was a miracle of heat. He dug his fingers deep in her hair, urging her on while his hips began to follow the rhythm she set. He fought to allow her to lead for the moment.
His eyes rolled in his head when she ran her tongue around the tip. Simon’s teeth clenched and every muscle tightened. His blood sang and heart pounded.
She performed an amazing dance with her tongue and then suckled as if he were her favorite flavor of lollypop.
He sensed the combination of her need and love, felt it as his own. Very little of his brain functioned. At this point in time, he wasn’t sure he knew his own name. He could only feel—and comply. She tantalized and tormented until he was certain he would detonate.
His wolf growled deep in his throat. He didn’t want her to stop but he needed to hold off for the ritual. He gently tugged her hair, a small pull, exerting pressure. Even the sleek strands in his fists felt perfect. She licked her lips, as he helped her to her feet.
His hands slid over her body. Kneading her breasts, he bent his head to claim her full lips. He needed to nibble that lower lip, the hunger for her nearly driving him insane. He parted her thighs with his knee so his hand could glide down her stomach to her shaved mound. She was moist with desire, drenched for him. Ready for him.
He craved her hot, slick sweetness.
As his finger pushed into her channel, she cried “Simon,” her breath coming in gasps.
He stroked deeper, encouraging her to ride his fingers, wanting her to be in the same frenzy he was.
Only when she was gasping, her body rocking and clenching, wave after wave, did he slow his fingers. He eyed the bed, he’d planned to lay her down but changed his mind. He wanted to show her the pleasures of allowing him to be in control.
He turned her toward the bed and applied enough pressure to her shoulders to bend her over so the curve of her bottom was thrust upward for him. His mouth was as dry as the desert and he gulped a breath. “You are exquisite.”
