Smiling widely, I tightened my arms around his neck, and pulled him closer. “Good. It feels like forever since we were.” I placed my cheek on his, and whispered into his ear. “Let’s not do that again, okay?”
His chuckle resonated through his chest, causing butterflies to flutter in my stomach. I loved his laugh, and goose bumps rose instantly.
“Not if I can help it, Darcy. I want you by my side forever,” he whispered.
Lowering my feet so I could stand, I took a step away and gently held Mason’s face. “Then that’s where I’ll always be.” I stared into his eyes, my emotions so close to the surface.
He looked so good—tired but whole. I didn’t want to think about how close I’d come to losing him, and it triggered a question I’d had since he’d arrived at the shack. I’d thought he was under the influence of Amber’s obsession spell, but somehow he’d been able to fight it.
“You’ve got that look. What’s on your mind?” Mason asked, and without a word he navigated us over to the pool’s edge.
Nodding, I placed my hands on his shoulder as he lifted me with ease onto the rock surface before pulling himself out to join me. A slight breeze blew across my skin, balancing the heat from the sun, and I let my feet continue to dangle in the water.
“How is it you’re not bewitched? How are you still … you?” I took hold of his hand, and he returned my squeeze. Studying his features, they were relaxed, and I smiled as he kissed my fingers.
“My wolf saved me. He sensed what was happening as soon as I started feeling the effects of the spell. Instead of trying to fight it as a human, I shifted and together we kept the enchantment at bay. It was a struggle at first, but the more we stood our ground, the easier it was to resist. Before I knew it, the power Amber was using shattered, and I was me again.”
“I wondered what had happened. I couldn’t believe my eyes when you came and you were okay. I know it shocked Amber. She wasn’t expecting it.”
“Well, she underestimated the strength our wolves give us in times of danger. I have no doubt if I hadn’t shifted, I would’ve become enslaved.” Mason shuddered beside me and I inched myself closer to him. “It was the strangest feeling to have it warring inside me. All I could think of was doing whatever I had to, so I could break the spell’s hold, and come find you.”
“I’m just glad it all worked out, and she’s finally in the Council’s custody. We’re safe, the Pack’s safe, and as soon as the trial’s over, we can put all this drama behind us. I’m really looking forward to things becoming a lot quieter around here, aren’t you?”
“I’m ready for a lot of things, sweetheart.”
“Can we get started on that list then? I think it’s time,” I whispered. “Kiss me.”
He was slow to move, taking me into his arms as though I was the most precious of gifts. A peace settled within me, and as his mouth descended on mine, I stopped all thoughts of the past week and focused solely on him.
It was the softest of caresses, barely there as his breath fanned over my skin, causing me to relax in his embrace. I felt his finger brush through the strands of hair around my face, and as he repeated the motion, I instinctively leant into it.
My eyes had closed, but as I waited for him to return his mouth to mine, I opened them and found him staring intently at me. I wasn’t sure what he was thinking about—there was a war of emotions displayed. His gaze moved over my face as if he wasn’t quite sure I was real, and after a brief moment of hesitancy, he closed the distance again and kissed me.
This time it was firmer and the tip of his tongue traced the seam of my lips. The sensation of it caused tingles to erupt everywhere, but I wanted more—needed more, and I pressed against him harder. Hoping it would be the thing that caused a spark, the flash that would intensify the experience, Mason didn’t respond the way I wanted. Instead, he continued to brush his lips, slowly moving his mouth over mine. His arms tighten slightly, and I gave myself in to the almost reverent strokes.
His attention caused my body to slowly liquefy as his hand gently cupped the back of my head. We were together, and this was perfect.
When he pulled away, I kept my eyes closed, wanting to hold on to the sensations swirling around inside me. He traced along my bottom lip, the back and forth motion tender. I heard him move, and then he replaced his thumb with his mouth again.
I tried to deepen the kiss, but he was content with the pace he had set. Breaking apart, I took hold of his head, my own fingers rubbing the sides of his jaw. I brought my face close, and I looked him in his eyes.
“Is that any way to kiss your future mate, Mason O’Connor? When I asked you to kiss me, I had something like this in mind.” I leaned in, and nipping his lip between my teeth, I tugged on it slightly before letting go. I returned, this time with my tongue, and I savored the way his skin felt as I brushed the tip over his mouth.
I stood, immediately feeling the absence of his body, but it wasn’t for long as I pushed him back slightly the rock so I could straddle him. Placing my hands on his shoulders, I lowered myself into his lap, and was rewarded by him putting his hands on my hips.
“Repeat after me, Mason,” I said, adopting a stern voice. “I’m going to kiss you senseless.”
“I am?” he replied. His eyes lit up, a slow smile causing the corners of his mouth to curl. His fingers flexed, and the pressure felt right. I brushed his hair away from his eyes before letting them slip to the top of his chest.
“That’s not what I asked you to say.” I slapped him lightly.
His gaze travelled over my face. “I think we need to talk about our mating.”
“After you kiss me senseless,” I stated. “The words Mason. Kiss. Me. Senseless,” I ordered, placing a pause in between each word. Not caring that it hadn’t worked earlier, I slammed my love down through the connection we had, and I knew it worked as Mason’s body rocked back with the force. “Don’t need to think. Need to be kissed. Now.”
That was all the invitation he needed. “I’m going to kiss you senseless now, Darcy.” He grinned, a smoldering heat firing up in his eyes.
“About time ….” I began to answer, but I was cut off by the weight of his mouth crushing down.
It was an instant explosion of sensation, passion igniting intensity and pitching me head first into a molten wave of power. With barely a chance to catch my breath, parting my lips to give him entrance, Mason’s tongue swept into my mouth, seeking mine.
The second it did, there was a detonation of flavor, a taste I knew I’d crave for the rest of my life, and I let go of the moment, allowing him to take control.
He was merciless, relentless in his pursuit, and the aggressiveness of his kiss was heady. It was raw, it was final, it was him staking his claim and erasing the events of the last few days. His hands tightened around my hips, but they didn’t stay still as they moved upward. I could feel the bunching of his fist in my hair, giving me no way to retreat from his onslaught. It was unnecessary—I was exactly where I wanted to be.
I gripped his biceps, a thrill pulsating through me as I felt them tense and strain under my touch. I found myself rising slightly from his lap, as I tried to get as close to him as I could. There had been too much distance, now was the time to remember what had pulled us together.
I pushed him backward, a small moan erupting from my throat, and our kiss ended abruptly.
“Now that was perfection,” I whispered, breathless and soft.
Mason was silent—the only sound the ragged beating of his heart. His eyes blazed with the heat of his wolf, and he answered me with a groan of his own. It caused his body to vibrate against me, and I stared at his lips again. I wanted to recapture them.
“Marry me.”
“Yes,” I answered.
“No, I mean as soon as possible. I’m done waiting. I thought I’d lost you forever. There’s no way I’m going on like this for another second. I need to make you mine. When we see Vivien at the trial, I’ll ask her.”
“Promise?” I could feel my eyes widen in delight. I couldn’t think of a more perfect way to put this behind us.
“Heaven help the fool that tries to stop me.” Leaning back in, he kissed me again, sealing the deal.
Chapter Twenty Five
I’d never seen the inside of the Council’s chamber, and couldn’t help laugh a little by the letdown. All this time I was expecting something grand and ornate, but it resembled a human court or tribunal more than anything.
A long wooden panel was set up on a podium, and held the focus of the room. Placed behind the desk-like table were high backed chairs, rich colored material covered the padded surface, and they were the only decoration. I wasn’t able to get a full glimpse of anything else—the six bodies sitting there obscuring the view.
They were an impressive sight—the strength and power of our community—and even though I wasn’t there to stand trial, they were extremely intimidating. I instantly recognized Zane and Vivien, careful not to wave and break the solemnity of the occasion, but the other four were strangers to me.
“Because of the nature of the charges, and Vivien and Zane’s close connection with you, they’ve brought in other officials from different councils. With the country split into areas, it wasn’t hard to find others to govern the proceedings. It’s standard protocol,” Mason whispered in my ear, leading me to the front of the room so we could take our appointed seats.
I wasn’t sure who would be invited to the meeting, and was surprised to see it was a closed gathering—only those directly involved were seated in the available chairs. Daniel and Nathan sat on the other side of Mason, the four of us flanking one side of the aisled arrangement, and I glanced over to the opposite section. It was empty.
“Looks like Amber’s on her own with this. Her father and pack haven’t bothered to show up and support her. Must suck to know you’re so easily discarded,” I commented, keeping my voice low.
“Try fully disinherited. Michael came back into town last night, and when the Council called him in for questioning, he adamantly declared having no knowledge of this. He claims Amber had orchestrated the entire thing—from the spells, the rumors, and using other members to back up her story. He’s officially banished her from his Pack and renounced her as his daughter,” Mason replied.
“Wow. Do you believe him?”
“I don’t know, but his reaction doesn’t surprise me. I’m just hoping this will finally put everything to rest.”
I sat with my hand tucked securely in Mason’s and butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Devlin had told us the meeting was merely a technicality, but I hoped it didn’t take too much time to hear the evidence, sentence her, and then move on to better things.
“Vivien’s agreed to meet with us afterward,” Mason murmured, his breath fanning against the skin of my neck. “She approves of my decision to move our ritual forward. We’re close enough now that a week or two won’t matter..”
I went to respond, but the creaking of the doors behind us turned my attention in time to catch Devlin entering the room, Amber by his side and under his control. An involuntarily gasp escaped my mouth at the impressive display Devlin posed—dressed in all the fineries befitting his station as an Enforcer.
Gone were the tight jeans, or fighting leathers, I was so used to seeing him in. He was wearing a charcoaled suit, tapered to fit his muscular frame, and red piping outlined the collarless edges of his jacket. It fell just below his jawline, matching the glow I sometimes saw in his eyes. His dark hair was pulled back at his nape, and I thought he was breathtakingly handsome. He moved with the lethal grace of a predator, but unlike any other time, there was no smiles or wicked grins. He was all business—official.
My gaze followed the pair as they came down the center aisle, and after Devlin had Amber seated and properly secured, I turned to the front. Vivien stood, adorned in her own elegant robes, and with a wave of her hand sealed the room. We’d begun.
“For the purposes of the trial, I’ve locked the doors, and placed a spell to prevent others from overhearing the matter. Those in attendance have also agreed to keep all things in the strictest of confidentiality. The room will remain closed until the issue of the attack against the Alpha of the Mystic Wolves is resolved,” Vivien stated, her tone formal and lacking the warmth I was used to.
We all nodded in agreement, and she retook her chair. The room seemed to take in a deep breath before the male in the fourth seat rose to his feet. “We are gathered to judge and hear the evidence brought against Amber Bracken of the Silver Canyon Pack. Is the accused present?”
Amber stood, her chin tilted in defiance. “I am here.”
“Do you understand what you’ve been charged with, young wolf?”
“I do.”
“And how do you plea?” he asked.
“Guilty, but with due cause,” It was her only response, and she leaned forward to look directly at where we were sitting. She winked before offering a grin.
“Pay no attention to her, Darcy. She’s just trying to play games. It’s all she has left.” Mason squeezed my hand, and I returned my attention to the front.
“Then let the evidence be brought forth so justice may be served. I trust all those involved are ready to give an account of what happened?” His stare swept over to us, and we nodded.
The trial was pretty straight forward. Devlin stood giving his report, and I cringed as he retold the events of breaking the spell on the ring. It was passed around to be inspected, and once that was done, discussion about the second enchantment commenced. The room was filled with stunned silence as the complicated obsession spell was described, the intent to turn Mason’s mind, heart, and soul, toward Amber.
Mason growled softly beside me, his fingers tightening around mine, and rested my head on his shoulder. I tried to offer him comfort, a reminder that all was well, and it helped to settle the agitation I could sense within him.
Next, Mason, Daniel, Nathan, and myself were asked to come forward in turn and give our testimonies. I’d been counseled by everyone to keep my statements to purely the facts at hand, and to leave whatever anger and emotion I had to myself. I did the best I could, holding the hateful stare of Amber, as I shared how she’d infiltrated the pack, placed Mason under magical influences, and tried to kill me. It felt good to purge it, and I felt lighter by the time I sat back beside him. All that was left was the judgment and sentencing, and we were finished.
“It seems the evidence is binding, and irrefutable. Do you still claim your guilt to these charges?” A different official directed her question to Amber.
“I don’t deny I did these things. I did them for love.” She stood proud, and kept her eyes level with everyone. There was no remorse for the damage she’d tried to inflict, and I had no doubt she would do it all again if she could.
“Then I speak on behalf of the Council before you, and declare we find you guilty.” At her words, Mason slumped ever so slightly beside me, and I heard Daniel slap his Alpha on his shoulder. “Enforcer, retain the prisoner into custody once more, and sentencing will be passed after a brief convening.”
The air sizzled with relief, and a smile broke across my face. It was shattered, however, with the rising of a voice.
“I would like to bring something to the attention of the council.” Nathan slowly stood,
Shock registered as I looked up at my pack brother. He’d already given his testimony, his statement reinforcing everything we’d spoken. It was a cut and dry case, and a cautious look at Mason and Daniel showed they didn’t know what was happening either.
“Something more than you’ve already shared, Wolf? Don’t you think you should’ve spoken up sooner? The judgment has already been given.” Zane said. Amber’s face broke out with a grin when Nathan nodded, and apprehension filled me. Something wasn’t right here.
“Then come forward and speak up. I would warn you not to waste our time, however. You’ve heard our decree, unless what you say next
can influence it, then I suggest you take the matter up with your Alpha later.”
Mason tugged at the shirt of his pack member “Sit down, Nathan. Now.”
To my surprise, Nathan looked down at Mason with scorn, and shrugged his grip away. Moving away from his seat, passing Devlin as he went to stand before the panel, he paused long enough to bow with respect to Amber.
“Damn,” Mason uttered, follow by a curse from Daniel. Never would we have expected this, the loyalty of Nathan having always proved unfailing.
“I want added to the record that Amber isn’t the first to try to use magic in securing herself a position of power through mating an Alpha.”
“This isn’t anything new. Now unless you can bring forward evidence to redeem her, I suggest you step down,” Zane said, a frustrated tone in his voice.
“I agree, it isn’t new. What is new is the knowledge she isn’t the only one in this room to have used magic for the purpose of mating.” Like a nightmare come to life, Nathan seemed to pivot on his feet in slow motion, his hand raising to point directly at me. “It is my word that Darcy has also used magic, and had she not, it is my firm belief Amber and Mason were destined to be together.”
The room exploded with noise—gasps, shouts of denial, demands for proof. All I could do was sit there and stare, unable to comprehend what I was just accused of. Mason and Daniel had both jumped to their feet, vehemently denying the allegations, and the room seemed to fade until all I could hear was the slight panting of my breath.
“Enough!” Zane roared, his hand outstretched. “I want silence this instant before I place a gag on each of you.” The threat served its purpose, the room dropping in noise significantly. All the while Amber sat smiling. “Explain yourself,” he demanded.
“If you would allow me to, I would be honored,” the syrupy sick voice interjected, and with a disbelieving nod, Amber came to stand before Nathan.
Forget Me Not (#2, The Mystic Wolves) Page 17
