Tillie eyes Tucker’s arms holding me. Her eyes move to her mate briefly before coming back to mine. “It’s coming to you already.”
I look around the little group like I’ve missed something. How in the world does she figure any of this is an explanation? If anything she’s confused me more.
“This is your mate.” She states.
“No.” I protest, pulling out of Tucker’s comforting arms.
“Yes.” Tucker agrees. I turn and glare at him.
This time Tillie joins in with the guys’ chuckling. I move my glare to them. Heath holds his hands up in surrender as he tries to stifle his laugh. He moves beside his mate, looping his arms around her waist, and pulling her flush against his side. Tillie rolls her eyes at the move, but doesn’t pull away.
“I think my mate needs a little help explaining this.” He says, grinning. She crosses her arms against her chest and rolls her eyes again, as if the idea of her needing his help is ridiculous.
“I’m thinking you’re right.”
“You’ve been fighting your mating, right?” He asks.
“We’re not mates.”
“She has.” Tucker answers at the same time as me.
“Haven’t you wondered why you’re fighting it so hard when it’s not natural for mates to do so?”
Okay, he has me there. But instead of saying that I stay quiet.
“I figured it’s because she’s fully human.” Tucker tosses out his theory.
Heath shakes his head. “It’s because she’s a Guardian. She’s challenging you because as a Guardian she needs to know you’re strong enough to be her mate.”
Tucker quirks an eye brow. “I’m seven feet of pure muscle. How can she doubt my strength?”
“Arrogant.”
“Confident.” Tucker counters.
“Well, apparently you aren’t strong enough to be the mate of a Guardian.” I taunt with a roll of my eyes.
He pulls me back to him, turning me to face him in the process. Bending so his face is right by mine he growls. “You want to test that, mate?”
I swallow hard. Not in fear. Excitement. Why the hell is this possessive, crazy, wolf crap turning me on?
“Umm…” Heath clears his throat to get our attention back. “She’s going to test your physical strength, of course. She’ll need you to be strong because a Guardian is only as strong as her mate. She gains her strength from you. But she also needs to test your emotional strength. She needs you to be able to emotionally handle being the mate of a Guardian. She’ll be throwing herself in danger more often than not and if you can’t control your basic need to protect her you could hinder her responsibilities. I know how hard that is because as a wolf you need to protect your mate more than you need to breathe, but with a Guardian you need to support her. Trust her to protect herself, and to protect her Oracle.”
I don’t feel like I’m testing him. Am I testing him? This is all too much.
“I’ll be stepping up my skills to ensure I pass this test and soon.”
“I’m not testing you!”
“You are. But I can handle anything you throw at me, so it’s alright.”
His arrogance is working my last nerve so to give him a little test, I pick up a large stone off the ground, as quickly as possible, and chuck it at his big head. To my disappoint he catches it easily. I purse my lips in aggravation which causes him to grin.
“Did I pass this test?”
I ignore his question and grumble. “Freakin’ arrogant, big-headed, annoying canine.”
I try to ignore Tucker’s laughing to focus on Heath and the least emotionally draining point he brought up. “If I’m getting this so called strength from him why don’t I feel stronger?”
He looks down at his mate and she takes over the conversation. “Because you haven’t completed your bond. You won’t come into your full strength as a Guardian until you accept your mate and go through with the mating ceremony.”
My shoulders slump. If that isn’t a little bit of wolf-y black mail I don’t know what is. Either I mate the freakishly large wolf shifter or put my best friend’s life on the line because I won’t have my full power to protect her.
“You know what they say about freakishly large shifters?” Tucker wiggles his eye brows.
“That they have freakishly small b...”
“Hey!”
“What? I was going to say brains.”
“Uh-huh. I got your number, Bonnie-bean, and I know you’re falling for me.”
“If by falling you mean someone’s pushed me off a cliff while my back was turned, sure.”
“I knew it! You love me!”
“I plead the fifth.” I have a feeling this fall is going to be a rough one. The kind that you never heal from.
“Don’t worry, mate, I’ll make sure my freakishly large body protects you from getting hurt.”
I’m sure it’s that body and the owner of it that’s going to cause the most damage. Probably, all to my heart.
Chapter 13 – Pike
Bloom and I lay face to face. I’m scanning her’s for any sign of pain. For the first time in days I find none. Our connection is open again, and I can feel contentment flowing from my mate. I pull her closer to my body and ask the question that’s been haunting me since the pain hit her. “Why were you closing our connection?”
She stiffens in my arms. My wolf’s hackles rise within. I growl her name in warning. “Bloom.”
“Don’t growl at me, Tennessee.” She says, smacking my bare chest.
“You love it.” I bury my face in her neck and growl against my mating mark. She lets out a soft moan. “Point proven. Now stop changing the subject.”
She releases an annoyed huff. “It’s really not a big deal.”
“Tell me.”
She moves out of my arms, pulling herself up so her backs against the head board, and the sheets are pulled up to cover her chest. She closes her eyes, swallows hard, and then spits out the words in a rush. “Having the connection open made the pain worse.”
I jerk back from the shock. I can’t even find words. She reads it from me, so in a sign of comfort she reaches out to touch my cheek. “I hated doing it. But from what I could figure you being the Alpha amplified my connection to the pack. And amplified the pain. Closing our connection was the only way I could lessen it.”
I pull her hand away from my face to hold it in my own. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because not being able to help me was already making you miserable. I didn’t want to hurt you more by telling you our bond was making me worse.”
“It wouldn’t…..”
“Yes, it would have. You take pride in being able to protect me. To heal me.” Her eyes get far away. I can see through our bond she’s remembering the dark place she went to after losing her dad. The sadness dims and happiness feels her eyes, as she then remembers us finding each other. “You won’t always be able to do those things, and that’s going to be hard for you to handle. So if I can save you from feeling a little bit of that disappointment, I will. Because whether you want to believe it or not our responsibilities to each other are the same. As your mate I’m supposed to protect and take care of you, as well. I may not have your type of strength to handle the first part but I have my own type of strength. And I will use every ounce of it to keep you safe in every way.”
“That’s why you’re my mate. You bring balance to my life. And without that I’d topple over into a pit of darkness so deep I’d never be able to climb out.”
Her face softens as a smile takes it over. “You do the same for me.”
I pull her back down the bed and cover her body with mine. My fingers brush up her bare sides, and with my lips hovering over hers I say. “Now, we can get back to the fun stuff.”
Her arms move around my back. Her fingertip’s tracing the muscles there, causing me to shiver with need. “I like the fun….”
Bloom’s words are cut off as she sucks in a sharp br
eath. Her body goes completely still, and her eyes glaze over. Somehow, through our bond I know what’s happening, but knowing doesn’t stop me from worrying. I roll us over so we’re once again on our sides. I push the hair away from her face to sprinkle kisses across her forehead, cheeks, chin, and mouth.
Finally, I feel her body relax and see her eyes clear. She blinks rapidly as she comes back to herself. When she’s fully back to herself she looks me directly in the eyes and whispers. “We have a problem.”
****************************
We track Bonnie, Tucker, and the Savage pack to the hot springs. Bonnie’s eyes are alert and locked on the wooded area we walk out of. Tucker is standing beside her on guard. She must have got bad vibes off Bloom. She strides to us, the smart mouthed girl I’ve come to know pushed aside, the Guardian in her place. When she reaches us she doesn’t even say a word, just waits. She knows her orders are coming, and she’s prepared to handle whatever they may be. Tucker takes a moment to admire the strength radiating off his mate before his focus snaps back to the situation at hand.
“What’s happening?” He asks once we’ve reached each other.
The Savage packs joins us, though they stay a couple steps away from the group, understanding this is pack business and unless they’re invited in they need to stay out of it. Bloom gives me a slight nod and commands through our bond. “We’ll need them.”
“Alright.” I answer back. Trusting my mate to know what’s best for us all.
Her eyes scan the small group around us. They land briefly on Bonnie, giving her friend a reassuring look, and then they move to Amelia when she announces. “I had a vision.”
“You’ve completed your mating bond.” Amelia states with a knowing smile. The group whoops and hollers at that announcement.
“This wasn’t like my gut feelings.” Bloom says, her cheeks flushing as she ignores the cheers.
“I expect not.” Amelia moves closer, stopping just short of our little circle, but close enough that she can reach out and grab Blooms hand. “Now that your bond is complete your talents will morph into more. The gut feelings will stay. But you’ll also have visions. They’ll come of their own free will and won’t be able to be controlled. Once you’re strong enough you’ll be able to see what the future holds just by calling upon it.”
“I don’t know if I can handle that kind of responsibility.”
Amelia’s eyes hold steady on Bloom’s. “I know this is all overwhelming now, but know that you were born for this destiny. So as long as you follow what your head and your heart are telling you then you’ll do fine.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“You forget, niece, that I’m a strong Oracle in my own right.”
Understanding crosses Blooms face. “You know what’s to come.”
“I do.”
“Can you tell me how this all turns out?”
“I can, but I won’t. As Oracle’s we have to learn when to let the future reveal its surprises and when we need to step in and help it along. And right now your future needs to reveal itself to you in its own time.”
“Bullshit.” Bonnie grumbles under her breath.
“Bonnie!” Tucker, Bloom, and I all chastise at the same time.
“What? We’ve already established I don’t trust this woman.”
“We’ve all noted your distrust, Bonnie. Now I think we need to get back on topic.” I say directing us back to what we should be focusing on. I move closer to Bloom, taking my hand in hers. “Darlin’, tell them what your vision was about.”
She gives me a nod and then her eyes search out Tucker. “My vision was about Kyran.”
His voice is gruff when he asks. “Good or bad?”
“Bad.” Bloom answers in a delicate voice. She knows it’s hard for Tucker to hear just how corrupt their younger brother really is.
Tucker’s head drops so that he’s staring at the ground. Bonnie moves closer to him and slides her hand into his. Tucker looks at their joined hands and then up to her face. After a couple beats he finally asks. “What’s he doing now?”
“He’s aligned himself with another pack. He’s bringing them to Tennessee to take our pack over.” She takes in a deep breath and releases it. “He’s planning on killing everyone loyal to Pike and myself, including you.”
Chapter 14 – Bonnie
“The only way he’s getting near my mate is with several holes in his head courtesy of my guns.” I practically snarl the words. I’ve been fighting mine and Tucker’s mating but that’s my decision. Nobody’s going to take that decision out of my hand, especially not a whiny little wolf who’s on a rampage over not being the center of his mommy’s attention. I may be an untrained Guardian but I’ll take out him and his wolf army if he thinks he can harm the people I love.
A tap on my shoulder has me spinning around, pulling out one of my .45’s, and aiming it at the person who had the nerve to touch me when I’m this mad. My eyes meet the part shocked, part amused amber eyes of Tucker.
“As much as I enjoy hearing you call me mate, and your plan to keep me safe, I think shooting me will defeat the purpose.”
My eyes narrow and I ask. “Why did you get behind me? You were standing beside me holding my hand.”
I’m reminded of the people around us when I hear their chuckles at my question. I scan their faces and ask. “What’s so funny?”
“You pushed me behind you once you heard about Kyran’s plan to kill me.”
“He’s not killing you!” I shout, tossing my hands wildly. “Can we all agree to stop saying that?”
“Umm…Sure. If we’re all going to agree on stuff though...” Tucker reaches out and grabs my right arm, and positions it so it’s pointing toward the ground. “Maybe you should agree to stop aiming your guns at me.”
“And how about not waving your arms around like a mad woman with one of those guns in your hand?” Pike adds.
I look down at the arm Tucker’s holding at my side and see my .45. “I might be able to agree to both of those.”
“Great. Now that the Bonnie crisis is over how about we get back to the bigger problem.” Pike huffs.
I holster my gun, and not even a full second after it’s securely in place Tucker’s arms wrap around me, positioning me so my back is to his front. I want to snap at him to let me go, but I’m still frazzled and fell the need to take the comfort he’s offering.
“What’s the plan?” Tucker asks Pike.
“We’re going home and facing the challenge head on. I’m not letting Kyran and this other pack take what’s mine.” Pike growls. I can see his skin rippling with the urge to shift and protect what’s his. But when Bloom moves closer to him and puts her hand in his the rippling stops instantly. I’m in awe of the power she holds over this powerful man.
Her eyes seek out mine, and although it’s a small one she smiles. I return the smile but mine is much larger. I know in the situation we’re dealing with I should be more reserved but I can’t help it. It warms my heart to see my best friend happy and healthy after watching her suffer physically and emotionally. I’ll fight off anything and anybody who plans on taking her happiness away from her.
“I’m more than happy to help with the ass kickin’.” I throw out there.
“Bonnie.” Tucker and Pike say in unison.
“It’s her right as your mate’s Guardian to protect her.” Tillie informs Pike. I grin, thankful she ended their arguments before they got truly started. She stops my gloating, though, by adding. “But she’s not at her full strength, yet. And she needs to be trained.”
“When will she be at her strongest?” Bloom asks, joining the conversation.
Tillie turns her smiling eyes to me. “She knows what she has to do to make that happen.”
I roll my eyes at the older Guardian’s meddling. I feel Tucker’s body behind me shake with his silent laughter. He can tell Tillie’s pressing my buttons and he’s enjoying the reinforcements. I elbow him in the stomach to g
et him to stop laughing.
I spin in his arms so I look up at his face. “You think this is funny?”
“Hilarious.” He answers instantly.
“Fine.” I break free of his arms and walk over to Pike. “Can you perform our mating ceremony before we leave?”
Pike’s and Bloom’s eyes get huge. From behind me I hear Tucker sucking in a shocked breath. Pike’s fly to Tuckers, behind me, before coming back to me. “If that’s what you want. But I’ll warn you, Bonnie, a mating bond isn’t something you can take back.”
“I know, but if I want to be strong enough to do my job as Guardian I have to be fully mated to the wolf giant.”
“You’ll pull your strength from Tucker.” Bloom whispers in understanding.
I nod my head before asking Pike again. “Will you perform the ceremony?”
“Is this how you want it to happen, Tuck?” Pike asks his best friend and beta.
I feel Tucker’s warmth as he comes to stand beside me. I look over and up, to find him watching me with a determined expression. He doesn’t look away from me when he answers. “I don’t care what it takes to make it happen as long as she’s bound to me forever.”
His words send a shiver of longing through me. Will I ever be that sure of what’s between us? Or will I forever be questioning if I made the right decision? This isn’t like a normal marriage where I’ll be able to divorce him if it goes bad. This is truly tying myself to another being until we take our last breaths.
“I swear with everything that I hold precious that if you give into us I’ll make it so you never regret our mating. We belong together, Bonnie-bean.”
“I wish I could be as sure as you.”
“Your first instinct when learning of Kyran’s plans was to protect me. Me. Not your Oracle and best friend. Me! Your mate. So whether you’re ready to admit it or not, I know you want me just as much as I want you.”
Darn it!
I did that. I even referred to him as my mate. I’m in so much trouble.
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