by Ruby Shae
“That would be wonderful,” she smiled. “Deals Gap has never been a good fit for him.”
“We’d better get dressed. Tobias will be here sooner than later.”
A few minutes later, the smell of hamburgers, fries and fresh donuts lured them out of the bedroom. Tobias stood by the table and unloaded the bags from the diner and Sweet Retreat.
“Does he always sneak around like this?” Jase asked.
He was surprised Vi seemed unaffected by her brother’s stealth mode.
“Yes,” she said, laughing. “He’s been doing it since we were kids. He’s even gone toe-to-toe with white cougars and won.”
“White cougars?”
“Rare, genetically altered assassins; bred and trained to kill,” she explained. “Niki, the woman who blocked me in the bakery yesterday, is the only one I’ve ever met.”
“There are not that many in existence,” Tobias added, “but they’re really fast, and usually deadly.”
Jase nodded and made a mental note not to cross Niki.
Lunch was full of laughter and easy conversation. He respected Tobias’ love for his sister, and was grateful the man had accepted him so easily. When their take-out boxes were empty, Jase got down to business.
“What did you find out?” he asked.
Tobias nodded and smiled in approval.
“His name is Drake, and he’s a Blackwood,” Tobias explained. “They’re kind of a rogue pack of wolves that didn’t want to follow the rules of the wolf clan or the neutral zone. They’ve taken a doctor, and they tried to take Sienna before she and Gage mated, but this isn’t about a kidnapping. Drake’s pissed and he wants what he thinks he’s owed.”
“You’re kidding?” Violet gasped. “All we did was dance.”
“And then you led him into a fight with a bear, and he ran away with his tail between his legs,” Tobias reminded her. “He’s too stupid to keep his mouth shut, so now people know, and he wants revenge.”
“Okay,” Jase said. “So we have to go to the Dark Moon tonight. Dean said there’s a pool tournament, so the place will be packed.”
“The bigger the crowd, the bigger the respect when you kick his ass,” Tobias agreed. “I’ll stop in early and get Gage, Dean, Nikki and Greer up to speed.”
“Wait,” Vi said, holding out her hands. “Am I about to be bait?”
“Yes,” Jase said. “Is that okay? Do you trust me?”
He hated the fact that his whole world seemed to depend on her response.
“More than anything,” she answered without hesitation.
He slid his hand into her hair, leaned forward her and pulled her to him. Their lips met in a hard, fierce, possessive kiss and his cock hardened to the point of pain. Violet stood, straddled his lap, and ground her hips against him.
“Well, that’s my cue to go,” Tobias said. “I brought your stuff in case you need anything, and the lock is on the coffee table.”
“Thanks man,” Jase said. “We’ll see you tonight around ten.”
“Don’t be too late,” her brother laughed.
“Wait,” Vi yelled, “take the donuts.”
“No way,” Jase said. “They smell amazing.”
“But…”
The look on her face nearly broke his heart.
“I’m leaving them,” Tobias said. “Good luck, Jase.”
***
Violet looked around the Dark Moon and tried to steady her nerves. Jase placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her to the bar. His touch settled her and her heartbeat slowed. To everyone else, she might be a freak, but his opinion was the only one that mattered.
After Tobias left, she found out just how much he loved her curves.
“What’s the deal with the donuts?” he’d asked.
“I don’t eat them.”
“Why?”
“Because…,” she’d said, bowing her head.
She’d wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole, but Jase was her mate now, and he’d find out sooner or later.
Once again, he’d surprised her.
“If you really don’t want one, it’s fine,” he’d said, “but if you’re holding back to punish yourself for your beautiful curves, then that’s not okay. I have a feeling it’s the latter.”
“I’m f—”
“Beautiful,” he’d said, “and I love all of your curves.”
In the end, they’d made a deal that he would cut back on the sweets and she would indulge a little more often. Then they’d shared a donut and her moans of pleasure from the sweet treat caused Jase to pick her up, carry her to the bedroom and show her exactly how much he loved every inch of her.
“I know what you’re thinking about,” he whispered, licking the shell of her ear. “Stop it, and concentrate.”
She reached up and traced the scar on the back of his head, and then laughed when a growl vibrated through his chest.
“When this is all over, you’ll pay for that,” he promised.
“I can’t wait.”
She winked at him and focused on the plan.
Earlier, after Jase had kissed and licked every inch of her skin until she screamed his name, he’d given her a refresher course of the self-defense Tobias had taught her, just in case. Then they’d gone shopping for boots.
The cute, light-weight, reinforced steel-toe, patent leather knee-hi boots didn’t look threatening, but thankfully, looks were deceiving. If the whole plan went wrong, she had two weapons to aid in her escape.
Nothing will go wrong.
The worlds filtered through her head, not as a wish, but as a conviction. She knew Jase would do anything to keep her safe.
“There’s a Blackwood,” Gage whispered, placing a bottle on the counter.
Jase nodded and took a drink of the cold brew. Two minutes later, Tobias joined them at the bar.
“Including that guy, there’s seven. Drake is at the backdoor.”
“Okay, beautiful,” he said, kissing her lips. “Time to go to the restroom.”
If he had any phantom pains, or any doubts in their plan, he hid them well. She mouthed the words, I love you, and proceeded to the back of the bar.
As they’d expected, the Blackwood inside followed her, grabbed her bicep and pushed her out the rear door.
“Oh look, the fatty has come to join us,” Drake said.
The man holding her arm laughed and pushed her toward her attacker, and Drake spun her around and slammed her against the hood of his car.
“I’m disappointed you didn’t wear another skirt,” he said, digging his fingers into her hips and grinding his cock against her ass. “I prefer easy access.”
“Fuck you,” she yelled over her shoulder.
“I intend to,” he said, “and this time Sam is going to help me make sure you don’t get away.”
“Let her go, Blackwood.”
The bear’s growl filled the parking lot, and Drake cursed. Vi looked over to see Jase flanked by Gage and Dean.
“This parking lot is surrounded,” Drake said. “The three of you don’t stand a chance.”
“Not anymore,” Tobias said, stepping out of the darkness behind Drake.
“Only one left,” Niki said from behind Sam.
Niki had one hand on Sam’s forehead, holding his head back, and the other held a knife to his throat. Even though he was taller and more muscular, everyone knew she’d slice his jugular if he made one wrong move.
“Niki,” Dean protested.
“Oh please, Dean,” Niki said, rolling her glowing blue eyes. “It’s not like I’ve never done this before.”
“She’s mine,” Drake yelled hysterically.
He sounded like an unhappy toddler, and Vi expected him to throw himself on the floor any minute.
“Actually, she’s mine,” Jase said calmly. “I’ve claimed her, she bears my mark, and if you don’t step the fuck away, I’ll exercise my right to kill you and your friend.”
Drake stepped back
and unpinned her from the car, proving he wasn’t completely stupid.
“This isn’t over, bear,” he sneered.
“Yes, it is,” Jase said.
“Don’t come back here again,” Dean warned. “If I see either one of you anywhere near the neutral zone, you’re dead, and be prepared for a visit from Bhric when he returns.”
“Fuck Bhric,” Drake swore.
“What was that?” Dean asked.
“Nothing. Get in the car Sam.”
Both men moved toward the doors of the SUV and Violet ran to Jase. He slid his arm around her waist, but waited for the car to leave before he embraced her fully. His lips crushed hers in a kiss that expressed everything they couldn’t say with an audience.
“Where are the others?” Gage asked.
“Four of them ran off and the other two are hogtied,” Tobias answered.
“I’ll drive out with you to drop them off,” Gage said.
“Niki, let’s go upstairs,” Dean growled.
Everyone laughed at the hybrid’s exasperated tone, but Niki skipped toward her mate and allowed him to open the door for her. Gage followed Tobias into the darkness, leaving Jase and Vi alone behind the building.
“Are you okay?” Jase asked.
She could feel his heart racing though his t-shirt, and she understood his overwhelming emotions. He’d organized and completed a mission, but he’d also purposefully put his mate in danger.
“I’m fine,” she said, giving him a chaste kiss. “Thank you for saving me again.”
His breathing was growing erratic.
“I literally threw you to the wolves,” he growled, rubbing the back of his head.
She pulled his arm down and replaced his hand with her own, tracing his scar.
“It was the only way.”
His eyes met hers, wild and untamed, and a second later his lips crashed down on hers. She kissed him back with the same desperate need, tasting every inch of his mouth. He broke the kiss, smashed her body against his and licked her mate mark.
“Let’s go home,” he said, lifting her feet off the ground.
She wrapped her legs around his waist and he carried her to his bike. When the engine roared to life, she climbed on the back and rubbed her hand over his hard, denim covered cock.
“Hurry, Jase.”
He swore, but he didn’t speed until he’d cleared the deadly curves of the dragon. When they got home, he threw her over his shoulder and smacked her ass.
“Time for some payback, mate.”
His words promised so much more than one night of pleasure, and she squealed as he carried her into the house. A few neighbors looked in their direction, but she ignored their stares.
For the first time in…forever…she didn’t mind being labeled a freak.
Epilogue
The wolf is on his way.
One week later, Jase laid on the bed and sent one last text to Logan. The Lead Enforcer, Mason and Jacob hadn’t been convinced he’d found his mate until he’d agreed to a video chat so they could meet Violet.
They’d all loved her, wished them well, and complimented him on carrying out the mission to confront her attacker. He was grateful for their praise, but he didn’t need it as much as he used to. His mate’s opinion was the only one that truly mattered.
Logan had been impressed with Tobias’ skills, and he’d agreed the wolf would be an asset to the team. Because Jase had furniture he didn’t need, and Tobias had none, the move had been a simple arrangement. In exchange for packing and shipping all of Jase’s personal belongings, Tobias could keep all of his furniture. Since Jase didn’t want to go back, and Tobias wanted to move in as soon as possible, it was a win for both men.
I look forward to meeting him. Best of luck to you and your mate.
Jase shut off the phone and placed it on the nightstand. The back of his head hadn’t hurt since Vi left his side in the bar, and his renewed abilities had impressed the men of the Dark Moon. Dean had offered him a job, and he now helped with security four nights a week.
Luckily, the feelings in his scar hadn’t completely disappeared. His mate’s touch still made his blood boil and instantly hardened his cock.
He inhaled, searching for her scent, and sweet warm apples and honey filled his nose. Vi appeared in the doorway a second later wearing nothing but her new, patent leather boots. He liked how she didn’t hide her body from him, and she didn’t stress about eating dessert anymore.
“He’s gone,” she said, her hazel eyes shining almost gold.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m perfect,” she said, crawling toward him on the bed. “He’s been away from home for so long, this isn’t his home anymore. I’ll miss him, but I want him to be happy.”
“He will be.”
“I know,” she said, pulling the sheet back. “It looks like you’ve been waiting for me.”
“You have no idea,” he said, grabbing her hip and pulling her toward him. “Fuck me, baby.”
Vi didn’t waste any time. She swung one boot covered leg over him, and sank down on his cock in one smooth motion. She grabbed her breasts and started to move slowly, teasing him relentlessly. He dug his fingers into her hips, but she moved at her own pace, and he loved every minute of it.
A week ago, he’d arrived in Deals Gap broken and lost, but Violet changed all that. She’d forced him to protect her when he thought himself worthless, and she’d believed in him without her animal instincts telling her she should.
Somehow, when everything seemed hopeless, his mate had saved him and led him home.
The End
About the Author
I write sizzling, sexy, shifter romance.
Until I find my own tall, muscle bound, alpha shifter…I’ll keep writing about them.
Visit my website to learn more about my books (and me!)
www.rubyshae.com
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Also by Ruby Shae
Bear Mountain
(Stand-Alone Romance Novellas)
Lone Bear (Book 1)
Brother Bear (Book 2)
Double Bear (Book 3)
Idle Bear (Book 4)
Lost Bear (Book 5)
Bear Canyon Brides
(Stand-Alone Romance Novellas)
Bear Seeking Bride: Travis (Book 1)
Bear Seeking Bride: Tyler (Book 2)
Bear Seeking Bride: Trent (Book 3)
Bear Seeking Bride: Luke (Book 4)
Bear Seeking Bride: Drew (Book 5)
Bear Seeking Bride: Thorn (Book 6)
North Pole
(Stand-Alone Holiday Romance Novellas)
Jingle Bear (Book 1)
Silent Bear (Book 2)
Shadow Bears
(Stand-Alone Holiday Romance Novellas)
Bear in Love (Book 1)
Bear in Trouble (Book 2)
Wild Bear
(Stand-Alone Romance Novellas)
Lucky Bear (Book 1)
Bunny Bear (Book 2)
Savage Bear (Book 3)
The Enforcers
(Stand-Alone Romance Novellas)
Bear Security (Book 1)
Bear Sentry—An Enforcers/Southern Shifters Crossover Novella (Book 2)
Bear Assassin (Book 3)
Bear Protection (Book 4)
Bear Guardian (Book 5)
Discover the series that inspired the Southern Shifters KindleWorld!
Eliza Gayle’s Southern Shifters
Dirty Sexy Furry (Book 1)
Mate Night (Book 2)
Alpha Knows Best (Book 3)
Bad Kitty (Book 4)
Be Were (Book 5)
Shiftin' Dirty (Book 6)
Website: http://www.elizagayle.net/
Eliz
a’s Newsletter: http://elizagayle.net/newsletter
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