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Copyright© 2017 Matilda Janes
ISBN: 978-1-77339-512-8
Cover Artist: Jay Aheer
Editor: Karyn White
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WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
HIS FORBIDDEN MATE
Deliverance Pack, 1
Matilda Janes
Copyright © 2017
Prologue
Five years ago
Hannah Martin sat cross legged under a tree and with a sigh pulled out her lunch and book. Her first day had been draining, and she was plenty content eating lunch alone. She took a bite of her sandwich, opened her book, and quickly lost herself in another world.
“I didn’t know chicks read Piers Anthony?”
Hannah was so engrossed in her book she hadn’t sensed anyone near and was startled by the masculine voice. Tilting her head way back, she found the most handsome boy with the bluest eyes she’d ever seen peering down at her.
“You’re tall,” she blurted out, and he smirked. He’d obviously heard that one before. Good one, Hannah.
“I am tall,” he answered
“Basketball?”
He shook his head. “My dad likes football.” He said it like that explained something and nodded his head towards her book.
“I started reading A Spell for Chameleon and haven’t been able to stop.” His smirk became a full-fledged smile, and Hannah’s heart beat a little faster.
“What are you doing out here?’ It was then she noticed what he was holding.
“Garbage duty.” He shrugged. “I got into a fight, so now I’m picking up trash.”
“Why did you get into a fight?”
He just shrugged and narrowed his eyes, Hannah’s heart raced and her breath caught when he leaned in towards her. “You’re new here.” He didn’t pose it as a question. Did he just sniff me?
“Um, yeah, we just moved here. Today’s my first day.”
“Ah. And you’re a freshman?” he asked.
“Yeah.” He was so close Hannah thought he was about to kiss her. She’d never been kissed before, so she panicked and looked down to see her forgotten sandwich. “Have you already eaten? Do you want the other half of this?” she blurted out.
He smiled and shook his head. “Thanks, but I already ate, and I should probably get back to it, otherwise I’ll have garbage duty tomorrow. Thanks for the break.” She was disappointed when he stood up. She hadn’t meant to make him leave. “What’s your name?” he asked.
“Hannah Martin.”
“See you around, Hannah Martin.” He turned and walked back toward campus.
Oh my gosh he was… Darn it! She’d forgotten to ask him what his name was, and now he was too far away for it to not be weird. Oh well. He said he’d see her around, and she really hoped she did.
Chapter One
Present day
Hannah Martin’s dogs were barking, and with a sigh she wiggled and stretched her toes as she loaded up her tray. This is just a means to an end, she repeated her mantra and reminded herself that once she had enough saved up for her classes she wouldn't have to work another double shift. The bells above the door jingled signaling a new customer, so Hannah quit the pity party for one and quickened her pace.
“Welcome to Joe’s! I’ll be right with you,” Hannah called out as she set hot dishes down on the table. “My name is Hannah. We’re a little short-staffed tonight, so I do apologize ahead of time. I brought extra napkins and two refills. Is there anything else I can get for you?” she asked her customers with a smile.
“This looks great, thank you,” the gentleman assured her.
Hannah turned toward the hostess podium and stopped short, her heart dropping into her stomach like a lead weight. She’d hoped to never in her life set eyes on Adam Atwood again, yet here he stood in all his towering, chiseled glory. She couldn’t help noticing how his t-shirt strained as it stretched over taut, bulging muscles, or his well-formed, denim-covered thighs. She was irritated by how good he looked and annoyed with herself that she’d noticed.
Skank. His voice echoed through her memories, and that was all it took for the familiar humiliation and anger to wash over her. She was quick to remember his handsome facade hid something ugly inside. He’d befriended her that first day of school, only to cut her down in front of his real friends. Hannah’s chest constricted with old hurt, but she willed her legs to move and forced a smile on her face. Damned if she was going let him know he affected her.
Adam’s eyes widened, and his jaw clenched so hard the muscle bulged and ticked. She was curious about his shocked expression as she grabbed two menus from the hostess station. She took a cleansing breath and reminded herself she didn’t give a shit. High school was over, and he was just another customer.
“Hello, right this way.” She was relieved her voice was confident. After they were seated, she handed them their menus, but neither man acknowledged her. They just sat there, glaring at each other. Uncomfortable and unsure what to do, Hannah nervously cleared her throat. “Can I get you gentlemen something to drink?” She really hoped they were just ordering coffee.
“Can we sit somewhere else?” Adam gritted out.
“Um, of course. Right this way.” Hannah was taken aback. Their booth was perfectly fine, but she grabbed their menus with a smile before she led them across the dining room to another table. She waited for them to sit before she again handed them their menus and took out her notepad.
“What can I—” Hannah started.
“Isn’t this someone else’s section?” Adam interrupted her. “Can’t we get a different waitress? I’d prefer if someone else waited on us.”
Is he for real? Hannah blanched when she saw that he was. Hannah’s eyes watered, and she quickly turned and walked away from the table. She didn’t know what she’d ever done to deserve this hatred or this malice Adam delighted in directing towards her, but it hurt. Even after all these years, it still fucking hurt. Why is he such an asshole? Hannah wiped her tears and quickly walked through the kitchen and out the back door, exiting the restaurant. She relished the sound as the door slammed shut behind her, wishing she could have slammed it in Adam’s face. God, she hated confrontations. Why couldn’t they have gone somewhere else to eat? Hannah took a deep breath and exhaled loudly.
She stepped out into the parking lot, and, save for a few parked cars, the lot was void of people. Breathing deep, Hannah closed her eyes and rolled her head, letting the cool air calm her rattled nerves. Hannah’s heart jumped into her throat when strong arms suddenly wrapped around her from behind, squeezing her tight. Fear threatened to overwhelm when she was lifted off the ground, but she managed to kick out. When she failed to connect with her attacker she took a deep breath, but a large hand covered her mouth and muffled her scream.
“Don’t fucking move.” Warm breath hissed in her ear. Disbelief shocked Hannah into submission. “I don’t want to hurt you,” Adam Atwood whispered.
She swallowed hard when he nuzzled her neck and was bewildered by the sudden need that pooled in her middle. She should be frightened, but instead her nipples pebbled and her pussy gushed. She tried to move her head and free her mouth, but he held he
r immobile.
“Mmff…”
“Sh. I’ve got you.” He ran with her across the parking lot and set her on her feet once they reached the driver side of his truck. “Don’t run.” He kept one arm wrapped around her as he quickly fished out his keys from his pocket.
Hannah’s heart beat wildly and she thought about running, but something compelled her to stay. She stared wide-eyed when metal groaned as if he’d almost ripped the door off its hinges. She sucked in a breath when he picked her up, but he gently set her inside and pushed her along the bench seat before jumping in after her. Adam started the truck, put it in reverse, and floored it. Hannah was thrown forward and had to reach out and brace herself against the dashboard. She wasn’t sure what to think when she saw a furious Mr. Atwood exit the diner and start to chase after them. His face was red as he ran and screamed for Adam to stop. Hannah couldn’t believe how fast Mr. Atwood was running, but before she could speak up she was tossed against the passenger side door when Adam cut the wheel.
“Shit! Hang on!” Adam called out to her.
Hannah was afraid the truck was going to flip, but he got them straightened out and on the road. He put the truck into drive, and she was thrown back against the seat as he floored it again. She looked back to see Mr. Atwood, but they quickly outpaced him on the open road. Once he was out of sight, she studied Adam warily. She was glad to be rid of Mr. Atwood—he scared the crap out of her—but she by no means trusted Adam. She hadn’t seen him since high school, and she’d hoped it had stayed that way.
Chapter Two
“Adam! Stop that fucking truck right now. She’s not worth it. Don’t do this!” His father screamed. Adam shook his head. Over my fucking dead body. Asshole. Hannah was worth everything, and when he’d scented her in that diner, for the first time since they’d come of age, he’d almost lost his skin and shifted into his wolf right there. It had taken every ounce of his control to contain his wolf. Hannah Martin was his mate. He needed to get her far away from his father and the Hillbrooke Pack as quickly as possible.
As the Alpha’s son it was his duty to choose a mate and breed. There was no way in hell his father was going to allow his only son to have a human mate, and it scared Adam to death to think that his father might have known this entire time. This must have been some sort of test, but Adam wasn’t playing games with his mate’s life. With his preternatural speed his father was almost on them, and Adam willed the truck to move faster.
“Shit! Hang on!” Adam called out to Hannah when he cut the steering wheel.
Hannah hugged the passenger door and struggled to remain seated, but he couldn’t take his hands off the wheel to help her. He got them onto the road and put the truck into drive and floored it again. They quickly outpaced his old man on the open road, and when they turned the corner he was out of sight.
“Adam?”
Mate! His wolf was too excited. The need to claim washed over him. Afraid to speak, Adam resisted the urge to look at her and kept his eyes on the road. All the while his heart pounded in his chest as he struggled with his wolf. The steering wheel creaked under his grip. Adam was afraid he wouldn’t be able to hide him from her as he clawed to the surface.
Gods, she smells good. His balls tingled, and his cock strained against his jeans. Pure lust pulsed through his veins. He’d never wanted to fuck so badly in his life. He tried to slow his breathing.
“Adam?”
Fuck! Adam could feel pre-cum leaking from the tip of his cock, and his entire body clenched as the urge to mark her and claim her overwhelmed him. No one warned him the pull would be this strong.
“Adam? Look at me!” she snapped.
Unable to deny her, Adam reluctantly turned his head, and her eyes and mouth opened wide in surprise.
“Your eyes! Adam, your eyes are yellow!” She reared back and pushed herself against the door.
“Fuck!” he bit out and straightened the truck when they swerved.
Adam took a deep breath, which just made matters worse. Fuck, she must be affected, too. He’d made sure to be a complete bastard to her in high school, so any arousal she was feeling was because of the mating pull, not because she wanted him. At least not yet, not until he’d made things right, he assured himself and rolled down his window. He breathed deep and tilted his head out, and that helped, a little. Her scent was still strong, and Adam started to despair. He didn’t want to hurt her. The last thing he wanted to do was claim her against her will.
“Please, stop it.”
“Stop what?” she squeaked out.
“I can smell you.” He gritted out between clenched teeth, his control ready to snap. “I can smell … you.”
She raised her eyebrows. “You can smell me?”
“I can smell how much you want me, and I’m having a hard time controlling … myself.” He hesitated, but now was not the time to tell her about his wolf. He didn’t want her freaking out on him any more than she already was. He braved to look at her again, and her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment he didn’t mean to cause. To his relief, she turned and quickly rolled down her window.
“Thank you,” he croaked out, once the cab had cleared.
“Why are your eyes glowing, Adam?”
“Where’s your mom?” He ignored her and could practically feel her narrow her eyes at him, but she wasn’t ready to hear that truth.
“She’s on vacation. Why?” She turned to face him, her earlier embarrassment forgotten as she frowned at him.
“Well, why in the hell didn’t you go with her?” He barked at her, frustrated. She might not be in danger if she’d gone.
“We couldn’t afford for us to both be off work at the same time.”
“I’m sorry.” She already hated him, and he didn’t want to add unadulterated loathing to that because he was being an insensitive bastard. Hannah and her mom had struggled to make ends meet since her father had died, and she had started working at the diner as soon as she legally could.
“It’s okay, she’s just visiting some friend, so I doubt I’m missing much. Besides I didn’t want to go. I really needed the tips this weekend. Or I did need them, that is, if I still have a freaking job, Adam!” Adam cringed when her voice grew more heated with her righteous anger. “What in the hell is going on?”
Her voice became shrill, and his wolf whimpered and retreated, giving him a moment’s reprieve. Adam was just glad he was no longer compelled to breed her right there in the cab.
“I’m sorry, Hannah. Let me just get us somewhere safe and I’ll explain everything.” He pleaded. He didn’t think the cab of his truck was the place to drop this bombshell.
“Somewhere safe! Why do we need to get somewhere safe? And why should I believe you, Adam? Huh? Why should I believe anything you say? This is freaking insane! You know that, right?”
“I know. Please.” He wasn’t sure what else he could say to make this better. He’d just irrevocably changed her life.
She let out a deep frustrated breath, crossed her arms, and sat back in a huff. Adam resisted the urge to reach out and comfort her, but he didn’t want to tempt his wolf or upset her any more than he already had. He kept his hands to himself and tried to concentrate on the road.
Chapter Three
Adam stopped in his tracks when he scented Hannah and her friend around the corner. He leaned against a locker and pretended to wait for someone while he eavesdropped on his former friend. His wolf urged him closer, to get a look and say hello, but he forced the compulsion down. He couldn’t risk it. He sent his wolf images of Hannah’s broken body, and his wolf reluctantly backed down. With his preternatural hearing Adam could hear the girls’ hushed whispers.
“I tried to warn you those guys weren’t nice.”
“I know, but I didn’t really think he was like that, Stephanie. He seemed so nice. I mean, it’s like he’s become a completely different person or something. I’m worried about him.”
Adam’s chest hurt, and he wanted to vomit
. He reminded himself this was what he wanted. Members of his pack walked up, and he joined their group as they made their way to the quad. He swallowed down bile and forced the words out of his mouth.
“Watch it, skanks.” Adam gritted his teeth while the guys in his pack laughed. He pretended he couldn’t see the pain and confusion in Hannah’s eyes as he walked away.
Adam pushed the painful memory away and looked over to see Hannah slumped in her seat, fast asleep. A vacancy light flashed ahead, and Adam pulled into the parking lot. He’d been driving for eight hours, and he needed a few hours of shut-eye if they were going to make it. Keeping the truck within view, he jumped out and procured them a room towards the back of the motel, out of sight of the main road.
Careful not to wake Hannah, he carried her into the room and laid her on the bed before he stepped back. He felt like a creep watching her sleep, but he didn’t want to look away. Every fiber of his being buzzed with want, but he needed her to want him back. The urge and compulsion to breed with her had nearly overwhelmed him in the truck, and it scared the shit out of him how close he came to giving in. If he claimed Hannah without her permission he’d never forgive himself.
Adam forced himself to turn away, but his wolf reared up and he nearly doubled over as he fought him for dominance. Now that his wolf had his mate, he refused to be apart from her, and Adam started to lose himself. He, too, craved her touch, wanted to hold her, fuck her, and mark her as his. He reluctantly turned to see she still slept, oblivious to his inner struggle. He pulled at his hair and despaired. She wasn’t just in danger from his father.
Adam fought and pleaded with his wolf as he was losing control. I’m a fucking monster. He railed at himself for being so stupid. He’d meant to get her out of harm’s way only to put her right into it.
His Forbidden Mate (Deliverance Pack Book 1) Page 1
