Imprinted By The Alpha (BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance) (The Marked One - Book 1)

by Jocelyn Thomas

  She gave him a questioning smile. “Listen, Caleb, you don’t owe me anything. I chose to be with you last night, and I’m not asking for vows and ‘destiny’. I mean, I’d love to explore what this is between us, but you don’t need to feel obligated to me.”

  “Yes, I do,” he insisted. She was thinking on a human level, and this went far beyond standing in front of a holy man and making promises. “I will never let you be harmed.”

  Her smile faded. “I’m not afraid of you, either, Caleb. I know what you are, and I know how much strength and power you have. But I don’t believe you would ever hurt me.”

  Caleb swallowed his frustration, looking for an explanation that would make sense to her, which would clear up this miscommunication and make her understand. He rolled to sit up as he pondered his words, and she narrowed her eyes, considering him with the same intensity.

  Finally, he asked, “When we met at the bonfire, on the trail, did you get a sense like you were being drawn into me?” He looked up at her, saw her thoughts churning, and watched the color drain from her face slightly. He nodded. “Was it sort of like everything stood still, and your breath caught in your throat, and everything prior to that moment became null and void?”

  She gave a nervous chuckle. “You seem to make all girls feel that way.” But she grew serious and swallowed visibly as Caleb just stared at her in expectation. Eventually, she nodded. “It’s strange because I still sort of feel that way when I look at you, or when you touch me.”

  Caleb held his breath and closed his eyes. He breathed, “In that moment, I imprinted on you.”

  With an expression that told Caleb she had no idea what he meant, Ava asked, “Imprinted?”

  Struggling to put the concept into words, Caleb told her, “Every werewolf will imprint on someone in their lifetime. It’s involuntary and it happens the first time that werewolf meets the person. When it happens to us, the universe stops expanding, everything goes silent, and our minds are clear. It’s like a gravitational pull that unconditionally binds the werewolf to that one person for life. Any other connections to other people are completely undone.” He watched her face as he explained, but he could tell she didn’t quite feel the desperation of the need he had for her. He continued, “The importance of everything else in my life pales now, Ava. You are the one thing I live for, the one person I’m connected to, and my sole purpose for the entirety of my existence.”

  ******

  The impact of Caleb’s statement and the force behind his words overwhelmed Ava, and her thoughts came swift and pounding into her skull. Certainly the level of attraction and some sort of connection made their coupling more intense, their desire unbearable. She admitted being drawn to anyone in such a way was foreign territory, and the thought of it had her marveling. But she didn’t know how much further she was willing to go with her belief in fate, destiny, and karma. She wasn’t sure she could believe Caleb, accept what he told her. But as she stared into Caleb’s glowing green eyes, she felt the weight of his devotion, the seriousness with which he spoke. His expression was stoic, unreadable, but his eyes spoke volumes to her.

  Ava knew he was waiting for a response, but she didn’t know what to say. She attempted a weak smile and failed. “I see,” she offered, trying to get a handle on the situation. He’d just explained some deep, supernatural bond, and she’d just acknowledged the existence of anything paranormal maybe forty-eight hours ago. The gravity of all this made her feel weighed down and naïve, unable to comprehend the true meaning of it all.

  “Look, I know it’s hard to process. I’d be hesitant and probably overwhelmed myself if someone who was practically a stranger told me what I just told you. It’s a new experience for me, too, if that helps at all. I just need you to try to understand the importance of this from my perspective.” Ava watched his eyes darken as he searched her face for some sign of acceptance.

  Hoping to make him feel better, Ava asked, “So the person you imprint on...is that your mate? I mean, what does it mean for me exactly?”

  He seemed to experience some relief. “No, Ava, you don’t have to worry that you’re suddenly my mate forever. You won’t turn into a werewolf, and it’s not a matter of you owing me anything. But from the moment we met and going forward, I will always be whatever you need, whether it’s a friend, a protector, or a lover.” He smirked at her, adding in a teasing tone, “I certainly enjoy the role of lover.”

  Ava giggled as he leaned into her and kissed her gently, and then nuzzled her neck, tickling her with the overnight growth of facial hair. Her nerves were calmer now, and he rained soft kisses on her face until she was cackling. To stop him, Ava wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a solid kiss on the lips, after which he leveled three more kisses on her forehead and cheeks. She stared into his face from inches away and smiled. “I sort of like that part myself,” she admitted, and he rolled over on top of her with a growl, feigning an attack.

  As they calmed, Ava noted the relief and peace on Caleb’s face, the looser set to his shoulders, and while she needed some time to fully figure out where she stood with all this, Ava felt comfortable with the situation and knowing that Caleb would hold a special place of some sort in her life. She wasn’t afraid of it, and whatever happened from this point, happened.

  She gave him a look of wonderment and mused, “You know, I’ve lived in Willow Falls my entire life. My mother and Kelly’s mom told us so many stories growing up about supernatural creatures and haunting stories about this place, but I never really believed in any of it. I thought they were just old folk tales.” She gave him a playful grin and ran her fingers through his hair. “Now, here I am, in bed with you. A werewolf.” She giggled just to say the word, and Caleb shared in the chuckle.

  He waggled his eyebrows at her. “Ironic, isn’t it?” He hesitated, and Ava watched his expression shift. “I don’t talk about it much, you know. And most people don’t even know about it. I think it’s for the better, since a lot of people tend to fear the things they don’t understand.”

  That made sense to her, and it brought up another question one that might answer some of her own personal concerns. “Why did you and your family come back here?”

  Chapter 12

  Caleb thought for a moment. He’d asked himself that same question over and over since their return. As leader of the pack, he was supposed to have all the answers. This time, he just didn’t.

  He could be honest with Ava, though, in a way he couldn’t even discuss his lack of understanding to the rest of his pack. “I’m not sure yet.” He ran his hand through his hair, again at a loss for words. “It felt like a pull within that made me bring the pack back to its original settlement. There’s a reason behind it, I’m sure of that. I just don’t have the explanation for it right now. I’m waiting, and I’m sure I’ll know soon enough.”

  Ava nodded, her eyes distant but her consciousness there with him. “So, you’re originally from Willow Falls.”

  “Our bloodline originated here, and we’ve lived here for generations.”

  “You have other family members besides Lil?”

  He confirmed with a nod. “There are about thirty of us around, though not many people know we’re werewolves. I have an older brother, and you know Lil is my sister. My father was the Alpha when we lived in Baton Rouge, but he passed away before Christmas, and I took his place as pack leader. I’m the Alpha now.”

  She tilted her head in consideration. “I thought the oldest would be designated the leader.”

  No matter how many times people raised the common question, it stung Caleb, and he didn’t find anything fun in answering it. “Blaez is my adopted brother, so no. It was always set that I would take my father’s place because I’m his true heir. The decision never set well with Blaez, and he left the pack over a decade ago. I haven’t seen him since.” His jaw clenched, his eyes hardening with the pain of the memory.

  You’ll regret it, Father. Here this now. I denounce all
of you as my family. As far as I’m concerned, you’re already dead.

  Those had been Blaez’s harsh parting words, and Caleb wasn’t some hard ass without feeling. It had hurt him terribly, and he thought of his brother often. He hated Blaez feeling slighted, but the order couldn’t be changed, and while Caleb accepted his adopted brother as true family, the bloodline had to remain intact. Blaez was not his father’s son, and Caleb refused to feel guilty for taking his rightful place as Alpha. But the internal conflict still raged inside.

  “I’m sorry,” Ava told him, raking her fingers soothingly through his hair.

  He sighed. “My brother and I were close, and I still love him, but we’ve grown apart. His path in life is sadistic, and he kills anything that stands in his way without emotion. His anger and resentment rule his actions, so it’s better that he’s gone.”

  There was nothing he could do to change things, and Caleb hated that. Only Blaez could rewrite history, and Caleb wouldn’t hold his breath on that one. He wouldn’t dwell on it, either, and changed the subject abruptly. “What about you? Do you have any siblings?”

  “I’m an only child. My father died three years ago, so it’s just me and my mom.”

  ******

  Ava felt a lump gathering in her throat and moved away from Caleb, toward the edge of the bed. She wanted to disguise her loneliness. She loved her mother, and Kelly made a great surrogate sister. But sometimes, she felt the hollowness of not having a sister by blood. Standing and looking for her clothes, she told him, “I have to go. My mom is going to freak out for not coming home and not calling last night. She worries a little too much sometimes.” She picked up her shorts and pulled them on.

  She blushed fiercely when she couldn’t find the rest of her clothes. “You wouldn’t know where my shirt and bra landed would you?” She turned circles, not wanting to meet Caleb’s eyes.

  She heard the amusement in his voice before she felt his presence behind her. “In the kitchen,” he growled, wrapping a long arm around her waist and teasing the skin below her ear with his lips and breath. “Where I ripped them off.” He twirled her around and kissed her soundly on the lips, then trailed down to her collarbone, licking circles in its hollow.”

  “Caleb,” she breathed, her loins heating, “as much as I want to stay, I really do have to go.”

  He released her, a reluctant look on his face. She stood there as he stared at her, long and hard, and she knew he wasn’t ready for her to leave. His powerful presence called to her, reeled her in, and she shifted against the tickling between her legs as his eyes traveled over her skin, making her feel sexy and needy, wanting more of his loving. But she broke down and started out of the room, gesturing with her head for him to follow. They walked to the kitchen together, her in nothing but shorts and Caleb in all his naked glory.

  She dressed quickly and turned to drape her arms around Caleb’s neck, standing on her tiptoes to reach and wishing desperately for time to stop moving so she could extend her stay. “I’ll see you soon, right?” She gave him a long, passionate kiss, wanting to give him more incentive.

  “Mmm,” he groaned, licking his lips. “Definitely.” He patted her bottom. “Now get out of here before I lock you in my room and force you to stay.”

  Ava made her way home, elated, excited by what Caleb made her feel. She was fully alive, every nerve ending in her body buzzing like never before. Imprinted. It sounded crazy, but then, there was no other explanation for the intensity of her feelings toward Caleb, and she had to think that, whatever reason fate and ‘destiny’ had for bringing them together, it was worth it. The connection was strong, and werewolf or not, she looked forward to what was to come with Caleb next.

  Chapter 13

  Ava tiptoed up the porch steps of her house and opened the porch door carefully so as not to make the hinges squeak or allow the screen door to bang shut. She slipped her shoes off, scanning the room to assure her mother wasn’t already downstairs, and then making her way to the flight of stairs. If she was careful, she could get to her room before her mother noticed her in the house.

  “Ava, is that you?” Ava winced as her mother called from the living room.

  Shaking her head, she called back, “Yes, Mom, it’s me.” There was no use in tiptoeing at this point, and she made her way to where her mother sat on the upholstered brown couch, part of a set that was neutral with gold accents. Her father had chosen it, and it was one of the last purchases he and her mother had made before he died. The sun shone through the drawn gold drapes, and Sarah sat upright, the light glinting off the gray streaks in her long brown hair, which was tied in a neat bun on the nape of her neck. Her hazel eyes held an icy glare as she watched Ava walk in and take a seat in the armchair across from her.

  Ava’s heart skipped a beat at her expression, nervously trying to think what to say, where to start, and if she should even mention Caleb. “I’m sorry I didn’t call, Mom.” She set her satchel on the floor.

  In a soft but tight voice, Sarah told her, “I’ve been worried sick about you, Ava. Kelly was worried about you, too. I called her this morning, thinking that you might have spent the night at her house, but she said you left the bar hours before her shift ended.” Her face was drawn. “Where were you all night?”

  Her mother never asked that kind of question, trusting Ava implicitly, and Ava felt like she owed her an honest explanation. Taking a deep breath and fighting for calm, she told her mother, “After my shift, I stayed for about an hour, and then I left with the intention of coming home. There was a man who followed me on the trail.” She swallowed hard, searching her mother’s eyes for a reaction. Fear bled from the hazel globes, and she continued, “I ran as fast as I could, trying to lose him, and I ended up in the north field and fell.” The emotions – ripe terror – hit her as she recalled the desperate moment last night. Looking down at her lap, she heard her mother shift, leaning forward and laying her hands over Ava’s.

  “Go on,” Sarah whispered in a gentle tone.

  The tears built in Ava’s eyes and sounded in her voice. “He was going to rape me, Mom.” She shook her head as if it would remove the image from her mind. “But Caleb showed up. Caleb Minor.” She looked up at her mother through the blur of unshed tears. “He scared the guy off and helped me.”

  “Did that man hurt you?” Sarah asked, anger in her voice as she searched her daughter for sign of injury.

  Ava nodded. “I’m fine. I have a couple of bruises and a scrape from hitting the ground, but Caleb chased the guy off before he could lay a hand on me.”

  She let her mother inspect her arm. Sarah didn’t look up as she raised an eyebrow and said, “So you spent the night with Caleb.”

  “Yes.”

  “I see.” Her tone was flat, and Sarah finally anchored her gaze with Ava’s, tugging at her daughter’s hands until Ava stood and moved to the couch, leaning into her mother’s arms. Ava felt her mother’s heavy sigh. “I’m glad you’re safe. Next time, call me, no matter what time it is so I know you’re still alive. Please.” She pushed Ava back enough so they could lock eyes again.

  Ava nodded. “I’m sorry, Mom. Everything happened so fast. I was terrified and just stayed there till morning.” It wasn’t a lie. She just didn’t feel the need to discuss sex and strange relationships with her mother right now. And it wasn’t like her mother didn’t already know that Caleb was a werewolf, so there was no need to dredge that detail up again. “I’ll call from now on, I promise.”

  “You should go take a shower. I’ll make some breakfast.” Sarah stood, and Ava followed suit, climbing the stairs and heading straight to the bathroom. She turned on the shower and undressed, inspecting her arm in the bathroom mirror as she waited for the water to heat up. Climbing into the tub, Ava closed her eyes and let the hot spray relax her and cascade down her body. It soothed her aching muscles, and she leaned her head back so the spray hit her face. It pelted her breasts and trickled down her curves, traveling to her apex before dr
ipping down her legs. She lathered herself with a lavender scented soap and began to wash.

  With every inch of her body that she touched, Ava was reminded of Caleb’s hands and lips. He was an exquisite lover, and so many spots on her body still tingled from his touch. She remembered Caleb’s mouth on her breasts, and she rolled her nipples between her fingers. It was no replacement for his tongue, lips, and teeth, but she closed her eyes and imagined the way he touched and tasted her so clearly it was almost as if she were still with him.

  Under the water, his scent wafted in the air, stirring from her skin and filling her nostrils. She was giddy with arousal, and her clit started to throb with the passionate physical memory of his mouth there. He hadn’t left an inch of her unexplored, without a doubt branding her. She was his, for whatever purpose and for however long.

  Her fingers trailed south toward the source of her wayward thoughts. She cupped her silken mound with her palm and began to rub. Underneath the shower’s pounding, she relived the night, pressing on hand against the wall for support as her body shuddered and began to respond. Her eyelashes fluttered as she rubbed her mound, and she pictured Caleb’s tongue against her throat, heightening her arousal. Her nipples hardened under the hot water as she remembered him holding her in place with his arms wrapped around her as he pounded into her. She increased her pace, wishing it was his fingers sliding between the folds of her hungry body.

  She had to settle for her own touch now, however, so she recalled his voice in her head. She felt lightheaded as she edged toward explosion, and when her body released, Ava had to hold her breath to keep from crying out. She leaned her forehead against the shower wall and shuddered, in awe of the fact that, even when they were apart, Caleb was still able to give her such an intense, throbbing orgasm.

  Collecting herself, Ava finished her shower, trying to put aside her intimate thoughts, and took her time drying her body and working out the overstimulation of all of her nerve endings. She padded into her room, finding a soft t-shirt and jogging pants, and she stared at herself in the mirror above her dresser while she brushed out her hair, wondering if she looked any different for the outrageous experience last night.