“Meet down at the club in an hour. Give the newly-mated time to consummate,” Christian said. He winked at the happy couple. Jace’s gaze devoured Cassie while a pretty stain touched her cheeks. “I closed it for the night. It can finally serve one of the main purposes it’s meant for—a gathering spot for our pack and its Guardians for celebration and revelry.” His former boss and pack leader looked out, his dark eyes taking in the small group of club employees—all part of his pack and the Guardians, before finally settling on his mate.
Mabel turned to the group and in her soft, southern twang said, “So y’all need to start finding some mates.” The group, mostly male, suddenly became quiet while they studied the ground like there was alien life and avoided eye contact—with anyone. Mable burst out laughing, “Never mind. Let’s go party y’all.”
Jace kept Cassie swept up in his embrace as the mating party filtered through with their congratulations and made their way to their vehicles to head to the club. Master Bellamy hung back, intent on talking with the couple privately.
“Many felicitations, young mates.” His small smile lent a melancholy air to his words.
Jace finally set Cassie down as they expressed their thanks, and Master Bellamy studied them both.
“We need you. Need you both.” Master Bellamy glanced at the dispersing Guardians, the ever present concern on his face deepening. “You show us what we fight for. Those boys haven’t witnessed a happy mating for… decades. Just like Kaitlyn is a breath of fresh air with her vitality and constant attitude, they—we—need you to keep showing us that there’s more to life than the devastation Sigma can cause.
“The Sweet Mother blessed you with a mate so young, Jace. Your blessing is our blessing and we won’t take her for granted again,” he said, referring to how the Guardians dismissed Sigma’s threat to Cassie because she was human.
“Be well.” And he turned to go before either one of the pair could say anything.
Jace wrapped his arm around Cassie’s slender shoulder as they watched the distinguished trainer amble off.
“Ready for the wild life, Mrs. Stockwell?” He offered to take her last name. I’m progressive like that, he’d told her, and started the process of becoming Jace Stockwell. It meant more as his was a general name meant to assimilate in a world he didn’t belong in. It would also confuse Sigma momentarily on her status as a shifter’s mate, giving Cassie time to work with him and Kaitlyn to learn more defensive maneuvers. She’d also agreed to learn how to handle and carry weapons, understanding the increased danger to her from now on, but unwilling to live a sheltered existence holed up in her new cabin at the lodge.
Cassie beamed up at him, looking radiant and more importantly—happy. “We’ll do wild for the first century or two, then settle down… just a little.”
Thank you for reading. I’d love to know what you thought. Please consider leaving a review at the retailor the book was purchased from.
Marie Johnston
PRIMAL CLAIM
Book Two, The Sigma Menace
After losing her family to feral shifters, Dani dedicated her life to eradicating those responsible, almost reaching Agent status with Sigma. Uncertainty about the network and questions about their “work” were plaguing her when she was tasked with a mission that would forever change her and send her running to those she once sought to destroy.
Mercury’s past and unique looks kept him distant from people, even his own species. Then he captured a beautiful Sigma recruit who claimed to need his help while her scent claimed to be carrying his young.
Bitter enemies brought together, they must rely on each other to keep Sigma from getting their hands on Dani, or the growing life inside of her.
About the Author
Marie Johnston lives in the upper Midwest with her husband, four kids, and an old cat. Recently deciding to occasionally trade in her lab coat for a laptop, she decided to write all the stories down she’s been making up in her head for years. An avid reader of paranormal romance, these are the stories hanging out, waiting to be told between the demands of work, home, and the endless chauffeuring that comes with children.
mariejohnstonwriter.com
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Twitter @mjohnstonwriter
Also by Marie Johnston
The Sigma Menace:
Fever Claim (Book 1)
Primal Claim (Book 2)
True Claim (Book 3)
Reclaim (Book 3.5)
Lawful Claim (Book 4)
Pure Claim (Book 5)
New Vampire Disorder:
Demetrius (Book 1)
Fleet Week Romance:
Rebound
Shooter
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Epilogue
Fever Claim (The Sigma Menace) Page 17
