by P. Jameson
“The vows,” Isabesh whispered. “They have changed?”
“I told you, Ravendale is run differently. Our elders wanted better and so did I.”
“Furthermore, ladies, by placing the mark, you deem your mate worthy of your devotion. For as long as you both shall live and even into death.”
He passed the marker to Kerrigan, who looked like she was going to vomit.
“Let nothing come between you, and may your bond outlive the sun.”
She nodded, as he urged her on. Tears streamed down her face as she held it close to Trager’s chest.
“Baby, do it. Make it good.” Trager looked eager.
Cael understood. That mark would complete him. Waiting his turn sucked ass.
“I can’t hurt you,” Kerrigan whispered.
“The pain is trivial, Kerri. I need this.”
She nodded, working up her courage.
“Remember the night I marked you?” he whispered. “It hurt, but it felt right. Remember?”
She nodded.
“Do it, Kerri. Mark me.”
“Okay,” she breathed. “Okay.”
Then she jammed the marker into the skin covering his collarbone. He let out a roar before grinding his teeth together to cut off the sound. Breathing hard, he kept his eyes on her until Asa took the emblem back and placed it in the kettle.
“Congratulations.” He shook Trager’s trembling hand and then moved over to Braeh.
He recited the necessary vows and then handed the marker over.
She turned ghost white as she took it. “Vesh?” Her voice was small, like a lost child’s.
“Make me yours.” His voice barely registered, but the need there was overwhelming.
Braeh swallowed, straightening her shoulders. Isabesh’s hand tightened around Cael’s to the point where his fingers went numb.
“I love you,” Braeh breathed, and then put the hot iron to Vesh’s shoulder.
He jerked his head, a strangled sound coming from his throat. Then it was over and Asa was congratulating him. The naked adoration in Vesh’s eyes as he looked at his mate, made Cael feel like a voyeur.
Finally, it was his turn. His wolf pushed at him in excitement. He was finally going to carry the mark of the woman he’d loved for so many years.
Asa handed the marker to Isabesh. Recited the vows.
She gazed up at him, worried, but knowing this would cement their union.
“Don’t make me wait, baby,” he smirked.
She pressed her lips together, gathering her courage, and then…
The mark burned like a kiss from the fucking sun. His animal spasmed with joy, changing, becoming something new and different and altogether amazing. If he thought he lived for her before, she was his entire fucking universe now. Her life, her breath, her beating heart, it was all his now. One and the same.
There was no better feeling in the world. The pain, he hardly even noticed. The pain of the years apart had been worse than this. He’d endure this any day—everyday—just to have her.
Worth it. So fucking worth it.
The marker moved and he came back down to earth. Asa shook his hand, and the crowd cheered, but all he saw was her.
His heart. His soul. His strength. He’d never quit fighting for her, for them. And he knew, neither would she.
Epilogue
Vesh felt like he was finally waking up from a nightmare. It had lasted a lifetime, but it was worth it because of what he’d awakened too…
His love.
His family.
His happiness.
Happiness. And it was only the beginning. He would give his mate young, and they’d raise them in the way of the Ravendales. They’d smile and laugh and never wonder about their worth because they’d know. Know that they’re everything to him. And when it got hard, when he started to wonder if he had what it took to love them…
She’d be there. Braeh.
Her name caught in his throat.
“Braeh.”
She looked up at him, so much emotion in her sweet eyes.
“You have all of me. You know that right? This is it. Nothing comes between us, ever. That was in the vows. I won’t hold back.”
Her hand cradled his cheek and he leaned into it. “I do know. And I love every part. Every single part, Vesh.”
He kissed her soft lips, and swore to never let a day go by without telling her how important she was. She’d need to know that in the hard times. And he wasn’t a fool. There would be hard times.
***
“… and they lived happily ever after in the great kingdom of Ravendale.”
The little girl sighed, hugging her pillow to her chest. “It’s so good mommy. What a story.”
The front door opened and closed, footsteps quietly inching down the hall. The little girl’s eyes went wide.
Her mom smiled. “I told you,” she whispered. “It’s late.”
Stella quickly slid under the blankets and pretended to be asleep.
“In here,” her mom called.
Her mate’s face peeked around the doorframe. “She asleep?” he murmured.
She pursed her lips, giving him a slight shake of her head.
He grinned, and then with a roar, he pounced on the bed. Giggles split the room.
“Daddy! I was sleeping.”
“Oh, Stella you were not.”
She sat up, crossing her arms defiantly over her chest. “You’re right. Mommy was telling me a story.”
He raised an eyebrow at her mom. “The story?”
“The fairytale version.” The real version of their history would be told when Stella was much, much older.
“You do love that story dontcha, kid?”
She nodded. “I really, really do.”
Her daddy kissed her cheek. “And I love you.”
She grinned wide. “Did you see aunty Braeh today? Did you? She’s as big as a whale. Mommy says she’ll have her baby tomorrow or the next day. Can you believe it? I’m going to have another cousin! Daddy how many do you think I’ll have altogether? A thousand?”
Trager laughed. “Not that many, I don’t think.”
Kerrigan smiled at her daughter’s joy, and her heart grew to its max once again. This was what made life worth living, the way the bad times rolled right into the best times. Life ebbed and flowed, but if you let it take you where you’re meant to go, it was always, always worth it.
The teacher had learned a few important lessons throughout the years. Now, Stella would learn them too. And at the end of it all, they’d be happy. Not because life was all sunshine and roses, but because it was not. After all, it was the clouds that made you really appreciate the sunshine.
Stella laughed at something Trager said, and then he turned to Kerrigan with a frown. “By the way, can you believe they’re naming that kid Willie?”
***********************
About the Author
P. Jameson likes to spend her time daydreaming, and then rearranging those dreams into heartstring-pulling stories of trial and triumph. Paranormal is her jam, so you’re sure to find said stories full of hot alpha males of the supernatural variety. She lives next door to the great Ozark mountains with her husband and kids, who provide her with plenty of writing fodder.
For more information about P. Jameson and future stories, visit www.pjamesonbooks.blogspot.com. Or go here to sign up for P. Jameson’s newsletter and receive updates on future books.
Other books by P. Jameson
A Mate’s Denial (Ozark Mountain Shifters, Book 1)
Amazon
A Mate’s Sacrifice (Ozark Mountain Shifters, Book 2)
Available Now
Amazon
Read on for a sneak peek at the brand new stand-alone holiday shifter story from P. Jameson
A Mate’s Wish
Available Now
Amazon
Chapter One
He was stalking her. There was no other definition for it. He’d watched h
er for weeks since first catching her scent. Learning her habits, her ticks, her schedule. If he were human, he’d have the decency to feel like a creep, to feel some measure of shame. But he wasn’t human and it was his nature to watch and wait… before pouncing.
And oh, did he plan on pouncing.
Renner watched from his perch, as the object of is attention aggressively worked the kinks out of whoever was lying on her massage table. The outdoor spa area of the Lake Haven Lodge afforded just enough privacy that clients could relax without worrying about passersby seeing them in their half-naked glory. But from his vantage point, Renner could see more.
Squinting, he focused on the brunette Magic had hired to help with the extra customers the lodge would see for the holidays. Her mass of hair was coiled high on her head in a bun. He’d never seen it down, but there must be a lot of it. The navy blue uniform shirt was dull but it happened to be the perfect color to go with her creamy skin.
What really had him riveted though, was her hands. The way she moved them smoothly, rhythmically, but with her whole body, like they were an extension of her very breath. The work she was doing was nothing more than business, providing relaxation for their visitors, but the way she moved… it screamed of raw sensuality.
Renner wanted those hands on him. Sooner rather than later.
“This is a horrible idea, you know.” Layna stood a few feet down from him on the footbridge. He hadn’t heard her approach. Which said something about his focus—that it was laser pin-pointed on one particular person. And that person wasn’t Layna.
“Is everything ready?”
She crossed her arms and sighed. “Yes. Magic isn’t happy about this though.”
“I don’t care what Magic thinks. He owes me for that shit he pulled with the wolves.”
“The Ravendale wolves are fine, Ren. They’re good allies to have and you know it. But she’s our best masseuse. We won’t be able to find a replacement before the holiday rush.”
Renner snorted. “Just what does Magic think I plan to do with her? There won’t be any need to replace her.”
“If you say so. Anyway, the only reason I agreed to this is because I like her. So, this is your warning. You screw this up and I’ll make you pay. I don’t even care that you’re my blood. If I see that girl cry or even mope over you, my claws are coming out.”
Renner stared at her. She was practically hissing. Sometimes his sister scared the shit out of him.
She must really like the new girl.
Bethany. Just thinking her name sent shivers down his back. Gave his animal a shot of energy. His cat most definitely wanted to come out to play.
“I still don’t see why you couldn’t just talk to her, get to know her the way normal people do.”
His eyes went back to Bethany as she finished up with her client. “I tried,” he muttered. “She wouldn’t talk to me.”
He’d taken a hit to the ego, but he wasn’t one to give up easily. Something about this woman intrigued him. He’d desired other females, and had his fair share of them. His bed was never empty unless he wanted it to be—as he had for the past months. As crazy as it was, he was tired of the meaningless interactions his love life had become. He was scratching an itch, but never connecting in any way more than physical. That’s all he’d been doing these years since returning to the lodge.
It wasn’t enough anymore. Not for his cat and not for him.
He wanted more. Needed to blot out the one person he couldn’t let go of. The one he tried not to think of.
Bethany was the first female to really catch his notice since he was a young. Maybe she could give him what he was looking for. But first, he had to get her attention. He hoped for once his scheming wouldn’t backfire.
***
As far as clients go, Mrs. Markel was as entertaining as they came. Most massage small talk consisted of women talking about their prized schnauzers or rare breed cats or, in some cases, their ferrets. With the men, Beth got lessons in hunting deer or racing horses. On a good day, she did her job so well the client never felt the need to fill the silence with words. On the best days they fell asleep.
But conversation with Mrs. Markel was juicy with a capital J. Her tales were so scandalous, sometimes Beth wondered if they were even true. The older lady was an author after all. Maybe she was story-telling and pretending it was real life for the benefit of Beth’s entertainment.
Beth grinned as she packed up her supplies and wiped down the table.
Or maybe that was just how exciting life was when you had more years under your belt. Maybe you care less what people think and live life more on the edge. Maybe there was such a thing as Golden Girls Gone Wild.
As she made her way to the front of the spa to close up, she wondered if she’d ever feel as carefree as Mrs. Markel. Now, she couldn’t imagine a time when she wouldn’t care what others thought of her. Hard as it was to admit, she spent far too many hours obsessing over her work ethic (she went above and beyond where her job was concerned), her appearance (no matter how much she worked on that, it still wasn’t up to par), and her relationships (that part of her life was an all-out mess).
She sighed, thinking once again of her best friend, Josie, and the way they’d left things after the disastrous summer. Ten years of friendship down the drain over a misunderstanding. It didn’t seem fair.
And her love life was even worse. Nonexistent, and not likely to exist in the near future either. Mama wasn’t getting a grandchild anytime soon, but that didn’t keep her from asking every time they talked on the phone.
First comes love, mom. Then marriage, then the baby carriage. God, don’t you know your school yard rhymes?
Beth froze when she reached the front of the spa. It was closing time but the place wasn’t empty. His back was to her but she’d know that tall muscled frame anywhere. He wore a tight gray tee with a flannel shirt tied around his waist just under his tool belt. He was bent over the door handle, in deep concentration. Wires were strung everywhere, and an array of tools lined the floor.
Renner Blackfoot. She knew him, but he didn’t know her. Or rather, he didn’t remember her. Which made him a total dick. True, she hardly resembled the twelve-year-old girl he teased and tortured for hours on end while he and her brother played video games in the upstairs loft. But still. After two weeks of working at the lodge, some hint of recognition would’ve been nice. When he’d flirted with her that first day and she realized he didn’t know who she was…
Beth cleared her throat but he didn’t look up from his work.
“Hope you weren’t planning on leaving anytime soon, sweet,” he murmured. His voice was soft and strong at the same time. Like leather, and it did strange things to her insides.
Beth gulped. At twenty seven, her hormones had had enough ignoring. But why, oh why, did they have to be leaping after him? Why not Eagan, from the kitchen? Nothing was sexier than a man who could cook. And especially if he had arms that would look more appropriate on a boxer. Or hey, why not Magic? He was all business, but there had to be a party in there somewhere under all that gorgeous hair. His name was Magic after all. Not to mention, his man-bun was really hot.
“Actually, I was just going. So… if you could open that door a smidge, I’ll slip through real quick and be out of your way.”
Well, truthfully he’d have to open it quite a bit more than a smidge if she hoped to get her big booty through, but she was making a case.
Renner shook his head. “No can do. Sorry.”
Beth frowned. “It’ll only take a second, and then you can get back to work.”
He turned his head to stare at her, and his eyes were blue orbs of mischief that felt like a teasing caress as they touched on her features. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t. I said I can’t. That door is locked and it’ll be a while before I can get it open.”
“What do you mean?”
He glanced at the panel above the door handle, which was a jumble of metal pieces and wires. “It
was supposed to be an easy fix but now I’m going to have to call the lock company. Maybe a crossed wire or something? I dunno, but the e-lock is engaged and I can’t disarm it from here.”
No. No, no, no. She needed out of this room and away from him, sooner rather than later.
“Is… is this a joke? Open that door.”
Renner frowned. “It’s not a joke. The door is stuck.”
Beth pushed past him, trying the handle herself. Ridiculously, she even pulled at the damn thing with all her might hoping something would give, but Renner was right. The problem was electronic. Probably something only a computer in Antarctica could fix.
Damn it. She couldn’t be stuck anywhere with him.
The bridge of her nose tingled and she knew it meant in the next two seconds her eyes would start filling with tears. For the millionth time, she cursed how easily she cried. She hated this part of herself. Everybody thought tears meant weakness. Those tell-tale drops automatically meant whatever thing you were dealing with was too hard, that you were buckling. As if there was a direct correlation between life struggles and what excreted from your eye sockets. But sometimes crying was just an expression. Like smiling or frowning or scowling. It didn’t necessarily mean you were falling apart.
Renner wouldn’t see it that way.
As kids, he’d seen her cry more times than she could count. Everybody had. It was like, her thing. She’d change it if she could, but she’d already spent far too much of her life wishing to change parts of herself. It was pointless.
Her hands curled into fists.
She was who she was. But she wasn’t weak.
Spinning, she faced him. “Fix it,” she demanded.
His head snapped back as if she’d slapped him, and his mouth fell open. She knew he was reacting more to the tears than her harsh tone. She quickly brushed them away.
“Go on. Fix it. Get me out of here. Now.”
A Mate’s Wish
Available Now
Amazon
