Sassy Ever After: Bite My Sass (Kindle Worlds Novella)

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Sassy Ever After: Bite My Sass (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 6

by V. Vaughn


  She shakes her head, and I notice the fire reflected in Chelsea’s eyes, which appear glassy with tears. “No. This is really selfish of me, but I feel like I’m losing my best friend.”

  “Oh my gosh,” says Jayden as she wraps her arms around Chelsea’s shoulders. “No! I’ll still annoy you with texts and video calls and—” She glances at me. “Do we get to have a wedding?”

  “Of course you can.” I turn to Roman as I realize I should probably check with the alpha. “You do that in your pack for humans, right?”

  “We can definitely do that if you want, Jayden,” he says.

  “Good.” She gazes at Chelsea. “Please be my maid of honor.”

  Chelsea smiles. “I’d love to, and I guess that means I need to be at the scenting ceremony.”

  “I’d really like it if you were,” says Jayden.

  Alex leans over Jayden and says, “I hope you know you’re welcome to visit and stay as long as you want.”

  “That’s sweet, Alex. Thanks,” she says.

  Alisha says, “Then it’s settled. I can hardly wait to see all of you as wolves.”

  Dean clears his throat. “I think you’ll like what you see.”

  Alisha scans him with her gaze. “And yet you still don’t have a mate.”

  Byron spits out some of his drink before he says, “Alisha, you need to dump your teacher and find a mate in our pack. You fit right in.”

  “Oh, you’ll be seeing a lot of me. I intend to be the friend Roman wishes would go away.”

  A low growl that humans can’t hear makes all of us werewolves sit up at attention. Tiny hairs rise on the back of my neck because that wasn’t a friendly greeting. When more growls sound, Roman holds up his hand so nobody will speak, and I watch as Alex stands slowly. He tilts his head toward the RV and points at my girlfriends.

  I think there’s a clan conflict about to go down, and it’s not a place for humans to be. I nod as I ask, “Alisha, do you have more marshmallows?”

  She’s quick to get what we want. “Sure. I’ll go get them.” Chelsea and Jayden follow her into the RV. I glance at Roman as belt buckles jingle while the guys strip down to shift, and he indicates I should join the girls by tilting his head. I shake my head in reply.

  My shorts thump softly on the ground as he whispers, “I can’t speak in your head.”

  I whisper back, “Imagine that. You won’t be able to order me around.” I shift quickly but not as fast as Roman, and he tackles me to the ground. He holds his open jaw over my throat in a show of alpha power.

  Anger boils in me as I refuse to submit, and I growl back as I quickly roll my body to scramble to my feet and shake him off. No way is he going all alpha on me over this. I make my own decisions. He bares his teeth in another warning growl, but I’m not concerned he’ll hurt me, since he could have refused to let me up in the first place.

  Snarling interrupts our argument as four wolves I’ve never seen bound into our campsite, and all come toward me. “What the —”

  They don’t get far before they’re intercepted by Dean, Byron, and Roman. I watch in awe as the three firemen fight four wolves as if they’re only one. Roman steps back when it’s clear Dean and Byron can handle things. The whines of the losing wolves carry as they beg for mercy, and Roman pushes his snout into me in another attempt to get me inside the RV. Part of me thinks there’s a good reason, but I’m still mad he went alpha on me, and I refuse to go.

  I regret that decision when another group of wolves comes at me. I recognize the female wolf from the other day and briefly wonder why she might want me to die. Roman steps in front of me, but there’s no way he can handle four wolves at once, so I move to his side to help fight. I yelp when a wolf bites into my rump, and when I turn, adrenaline bursts through my body because even more wolves have arrived.

  I barely have time to think as I bare my teeth and bite and swat at anything that comes near me. This is insane because werewolves don’t attack where humans can see. Something is very wrong here. Gunshots ring out, and the attacking wolves begin to run away. I’m moving to hide behind the RV so I can shift back and help deal with the gunman when suddenly Roman slams into me.

  We fly as one through the air, and my bones crack when I hit the ground with the weight of Roman on top of me. He lifts up onto his feet and sways as if he’s drunk. Dread is a lump in my stomach as I scramble up. Something is wrong with Roman! I don’t have time to find out, though, because the female wolf I recognize opens her jaw wide to come at me. I notice she has odd silver caps on her teeth as she lunges toward my neck. I’m ready for her, but before she can reach me, Roman pushes his way between us, and her jaw lands on his shoulder. She stares at me as she bites into his flesh hard with the move that was meant for me. Blood spurts as she loosens her grip. No! I lash out with force, and her flesh tears under my claws. I’m ready to go after her, when Roman thuds to the ground. Roman!

  She runs off as I fall to the earth to see what’s wrong with Roman. He has a gash on his side in addition to the bite to his shoulder, but that shouldn’t have stopped him. Blood gushes out of his wounds and hisses when bubbles form on the surface. Oh my God, is that acid? I need water. I shift as I run over to the bucket we have in case the fire gets out of control. I’m human by the time I reach it, and I rush back to douse Roman with the liquid as the human forms of Dean and Byron come to my aid.

  I say, “She had silver teeth.”

  Byron says, “We have to get him out of here. Now!” He hoists up Roman’s wolf form as Dean runs to the RV to open the door just as men with guns come rushing into our clearing.

  Alisha bursts out of the camper and yells to the men. “They went that way!” She and Jayden move toward the gunmen in an effort to block from view the naked forms of the guys and me as we rush into the RV.

  Chelsea takes one look at us and says, “I’ll get the first-aid kit.”

  Byron lays Roman on the bed in the back. His wound is still bleeding, which is concerning since werewolves begin to heal immediately. I sit next to my mate as my throat tightens with the urge to cry. I can’t lose you, Roman. His fur is soft under my fingers as I stroke his snout gently and lean in close to touch his nose to mine.

  Dean is inspecting his alpha’s wound. “Something isn’t right here.”

  I sit back up as Byron asks, “You said Regina had silver teeth?”

  I nod. “And whatever she put in him was bubbling like acid before I washed it off with water.”

  “Poison,” says Alex.

  The gypsy’s words come back to me as I recall her handing me a tiny bottle. “It will save him.”

  I say, “The potion!” I leave Roman’s side to race over to my backpack, and items clatter on the floor as I yank them out to get to the inner pocket where I stored the amber liquid. The small bottle is hard in my hand as I clutch it and go to Roman.

  “He needs to drink this.”

  Dean opens Roman’s jaw for me as I fumble with the bottle. The tiny cork pops, and I pour the contents on the back of Roman’s tongue. He swallows by reflex before Dean gently lowers the alpha’s head to the pillow again. I stroke my mate’s fur as I inspect his wound. The bleeding has slowed, but the torn skin is swollen, and the edges are black as if they’ve been burned.

  Alex says, “Regina’s from the Oak Ridge pack. They’ve been trying to form an alliance with the Smokey Falls pack for years.”

  I say, “She tried to attack me in the woods the other day, but Roman ran her off.”

  “She wants to be Roman’s mate, and now you stand in her way,” says Dean.

  Jayden’s eyes are big, and her voice trembles as she asks, “You guys kill each other over stuff like that?”

  Alex places a hand on her shoulder. “Not usually, honey.”

  I shake my head as I imagine the lengths some packs will go to in order to get what they want. Tears fill my eyes as I place my fingers on my mate’s neck to make sure there is still a pulse. It’s erratic but strong.

/>   Alisha asks, “Can we clean his wound?” She glances at it and grimaces.

  Dean says, “No. That would only work the poison in farther. Werewolf bodies are good at expelling things. We have to let it happen.”

  “What can we do?” asks Chelsea.

  Alisha says, “The fortune-teller told Juliet that the potion would save her Romeo.”

  Chelsea huffs. “You’re not going to trust that woman’s advice, are you?”

  Byron reaches out to touch Chelsea’s arm as he says, “We haven’t got a choice, but I talked to her too, and I think she’s the real deal.”

  I climb on the bed. The mattress sinks around me as I curl up around Roman and let my tears escape. “I think so too. All we can do is wait.”

  12

  A low rumble comes from Roman, and I jerk myself awake from a semi-alert state. But when I glance down at him, I see he’s still unconscious. Dean’s nails click as he comes over to the bed to sniff at his alpha. He, Byron, and Alex shifted into wolf form to stand guard in the RV. Alex is by the door, and Byron is in the front cab as Alisha, Jayden, and Chelsea sleep on the pull-out bed.

  I say, “He’s still out, but the wounds are finally healing.”

  Dean steps back, and his bones thud as he lies down on the floor.

  The RV park floodlights are bright as they shine in the rooftop window, and I tug the open flannel shirt Alisha gave me to wear. I hear the soft cough of a security guard. A team of armed men are perusing the park in case the wolves come back. I expect the scenting ceremony has been cut short and most clans are deep into the woods right now to stay away from human danger.

  Roman’s fur is soft under my fingers as I stroke his face. This is all my fault. He tried to get me to go in the RV because he knew the wolves were after me, but I had to be my own form of alpha and deny his order. I grimace as I replay Roman jumping in front of me to keep me safe from Regina. He was already hurt, and the way he was swaying makes me think she managed to get poison in the gash on his side before she came after me. He knew she’d kill me.

  My throat thickens, and I blink back tears. Roman sacrificed himself to save me. Oh God. How could I have been so stupid? If I had just trusted my mate and gone in the RV, this wouldn’t have happened. I whisper, “Roman, I’m so sorry.”

  I don’t have a lot of experience with poison in werewolves, but I recall a wolf I met that had been attacked. He had a scar that took up half his back, and it was an ugly red patch that looked as if it still hurt. It was the worst thing I’d ever seen on our kind. We have incredible healing abilities and can withstand almost anything with only a bit of shiny skin to show for it. My beautiful mate is going to bear a nasty scar on his shoulder because of me.

  I stretch out my legs to adhere myself more fully to my mate’s body, and I touch my nose to Roman’s. His snout is wet and cold on my skin, and I let it comfort me as the heat of my shame rolls down my face as I cry myself to sleep.

  Something hard presses against my bottom as soothing warmth envelops me, and I sigh as a hand strokes my hair before reality slaps me in the face. I try to bolt up in bed, but a strong arm holds me back. Roman slides a hand up to cup my breast. “Don’t leave me.”

  I twist to face him—and break into a grin as I let out a whoosh of air in relief. “You’re awake.”

  He thrusts his hips toward me to press his erection into my belly. “I believe I am.”

  Sun is streaming in through the top window, and it makes me think it’s close to noon. “What time is it?”

  I try to sit up again, and Roman says, “Woman, would you please for once do as I say?”

  “But—”

  Roman silences me with a kiss, and it’s so delicious it would be easy to lose myself in him. I pull away because I need answers. “Where is everyone?”

  “I told them to get lost for a while.” He slides a hand between my legs and wiggles his fingers into my folds. “There’s something I need to do to keep both of us safe.”

  My shame of what happened rises in me, and my cheeks burn. “Roman, I’m so sorry. I was so stupid.”

  “You were, but I get it, my stubborn mate.” He rubs my tender nub, and I let out a small sound of appreciation. “If I could have communicated with you telepathically, things would have been different.”

  I’m having trouble focusing as desire drowns me, but I ask, “How are your wounds? Is there a lot of pain?”

  “Does it seem like I’m in pain?”

  I reach for his cock and grip it. “Not really.”

  He nips at my neck and lets out a low growl. “We’ll talk later.” He thrusts his fingers into me hard and says, “Right now I need to claim you once and for all.”

  I arch my hips up to him as I say, “Yes.” I know I’m asking him to bite into my flesh and mark me as his.

  He rises up over me, and I gaze at the man I’ll spend the rest of my life with. Tears fill my eyes as I think about how I almost lost him. “I love you so much, Roman.”

  His cock is hard as he presses it against my entrance and slides in slowly to seat himself deep. “I love you, Juliet.” He pumps in and out of me with a steady purpose as I rock to meet him with each thrust. As my orgasm builds, I’m careful to hold onto his hips and arms to avoid his wounds, but he’s moving as if there isn’t a thing wrong.

  I let out small cries when I’m about to come, and I tilt my head back to offer Roman my neck. He latches onto my shoulder, and the sharp sting of his teeth entering my flesh is swept away as my release takes me. The combination of his mark and my climax is an experience like no other, and I’m sure my scream of ecstasy can be heard throughout the park, but I don’t care. Roman clutches me tight to his chest as I quiver in the aftermath.

  He begins to move again so he can come too, and this is where I should take over, because usually the female returns the bite. It’s not necessary for our bond, but it’s a way to exhibit that the male doesn’t have complete control over the female. One would think I’d be all for it, but I realize my need for control isn’t always a good thing. Alisha taught me how to trust a friend to show me the truth. I think now I need to learn to trust my lover and mate for life. I whisper, “Roman, I can’t bite you.”

  My mate pauses to ask, “Why not?”

  “When I’ve proven I’m worthy of being your mate, I will.”

  “Juliet, you’ve always been worthy.”

  I smile as I place my hand on his cheek. “Let me be submissive for once and learn how to let you take control. Who knows? I might actually like it.”

  Roman’s eyebrows rise up with mischief. “This might be fun.”

  I dig my nails into his butt. “Weren’t you doing something?”

  He chuckles as he rolls his hips to create friction on my sensitive flesh. I tremble beneath him as he says, “That’s right. I was going to make my mate scream my name this time.”

  I arch up into him and let him do just that.

  13

  * * *

  The earth is cool beneath my bare feet as I step out of the forest with Roman by my side. He holds my hand as I gaze at the waterfall before me. A fine mist coats my skin, and the moisture cools me.

  “This is amazing.” I turn to my true mate and look into his dark-brown eyes that warm my heart as he gazes at me with love. Our girls’ RV vacation in Blue Creek was cut short by the attack of the Oak Ridge Pack, and it was necessary for Roman to return to Smokey Falls in order to arrange for Regina’s assassination. She might have been spared in a jealousy plea had she bitten me, but when someone attacks an alpha with the intent to kill, the punishment is crystal clear.

  Roman and I ran here as wolves, but we shifted so we could swim in the river as humans. His grip is tight as he tugs me toward the falling water. I notice the glaring red scar on his shoulder where he was bitten and poisoned. While it could be a constant reminder that I was foolish enough to almost get my mate killed, I know that it’s better for me to let it be a sign that Roman is a powerful alpha who would do
anything to save his true mate—me. When he signals for me to jump, I don’t question him for a second. I leap into the river, completely trusting him.

  The water is cold but not in an unpleasant way, and I swim out to the middle of the large pool of water. I turn to see Roman is still on the bank, and I call out, “Romeo, Romeo! Where are you?”

  He dives into the river and stays submerged until he grips my ankle and tugs before he pops up in front of me. He pulls me into a slippery embrace I could squirm out of easily, but I don’t need to. I no longer feel trapped by the confines of a mate. Roman says, “Right here with you, Juliet. For the rest of our lives.” And when he kisses me, I know there’s no place I’d rather be.

  * * *

  Don’t miss an installment from V. Vaughn. Sign up for her newsletter.

  Want more werewolves or werebear? Check out her website for a list of all her series: http://www.violetvaughn.com

  About the Author

  V. Vaughn lives in New Hampshire and spends winter weekends in the woods of Maine. She might have seen a bear, or two….

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  www.violetvaughn.com

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