by Bryce Evans
He fell backward when Jade jumped into his arms, kissing him all over his face. “I love you, I love you, I love you,” Jade said between kissing.
“Please, tell me this isn’t what it’s going to be like.” Raven groaned.
“You missed your mark, Rav,” Lennox said holding his mate.
“By an inch. He was moving too. I didn’t have time to take a better shot because he was too close to your mate.”
“That’s your alpha’s mate too,” Jade said, staring up at her. They both stared at each other, but he couldn’t have been prouder of his little hellion. She was giving Raven the old stare down just like an alpha should do. He could say more to his team without saying a word, just with one look. He couldn’t help but watch the others as they didn’t move a muscle, waiting for the cat fight to begin.
“Okay, I can deal with that.” Raven said then walked off.
“Do you think she likes me?” Jade asked as they watched Raven walk away unaware of the unmated men taking note of her beauty.
“Hey, she didn’t rip your face off, so that’s a good sign,” Cosmo said, giving her a thumbs up.
“Baby, if you keep rubbing on me like that, I don’t know if I can wait until we’re married. It’s going to have to be quick wedding because I can’t wait a long time. I’m going nuts now.”
Jade glanced down at herself and realized she was naked. “Oh, oh, I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”
Everyone laughed and walked away leaving them alone. “Let’s just say I might need you to walk in front of me for a while.”
Jade pulled back and glanced down at Lennox’s pants.
“Oh…” Jumping off him, Jade put her hand over her breasts and turned around. “Could you lend me your shirt? Mine is toast.”
“Jade, you realize I’m used to seeing women naked. We’re shifters, baby.”
“Yeah, but you haven’t seen me naked.” Jade held her hand out. “And what women?”
“Jade, we’re shifters. Your pack shifts in front of each other, don’t they?” Lennox asked confused.
“Sure, but I’m not in love with any of them.”
Lennox grabbed her smashing her to his chest. “Say it again.”
She had the sweetest smile on her face when she said, “I love you, Lennox Bartley.”
“Uh…I hate to interrupt this little love fest, but can I come down now. You two are starting to freak me out.” Lennox and Jade both looked up into the tree at Travis.
“Are you sure we can trust him?” Jade asked, narrowing her eyes up at the man.
“Yeah, he was sent by the council to infiltrate the pack,” Lennox said, pulling Jade away from the tree as Travis jumped to the ground.
“You’re not a wolf?” Lennox asked.
“Nope, never said I was.”
Jade moved in closer and sniffed. “You’re a kitty.”
“I’m a little bigger than a kitty, little Alpha,” Travis said, walking off shaking his head.
“I love kitty cats,” Jade said, smiling.
“Baby, he’s not a pet.”
“Can we keep him?” Jade asked, slipping his shirt over her head.
“I’ll talk to him. All you want to do is pet him, don’t you?” Lennox asked.
“Well, he is a cat of some kind and I just love to rub my hands over their fur.”
“If I catch you rubbing anything on that cat…I will—”
“What?” Jade asked, smiling. “Spank me. Won’t feed me for a week? What are you going to do, Alpha?”
“Run, my little wolf, or I will tan that hide of yours,” Lennox said, laughing as Jade started to run but he grabbed her by the collar and dragged her back into his arms. “Just let me hold you for a while.”
“Okay, I can live with that.” Jade smiled as Lennox picked her up and carried her to the truck.
Chapter Twenty-One
Jade sat on the porch swing thinking about Lennox. He had to speak to the council about Oliver Park and something else he couldn’t tell her about. She didn’t mind. All she cared about was him hurrying back. It had only been one day, but she missed him something fierce. She had heard about the mating pull, but she never believed it would make her pine over someone.
Her body ached and she couldn’t think properly. She took off work just to plan her wedding, but couldn’t concentrate on it. The woman locked in the room was still passed out. Arden believed it was her body’s way of healing itself. She had scrapes all over her, but with her accelerated healing, they were all gone now. Still she felt the need to stay close by in case she woke up.
Lennox made her promise not to go near the woman unless he was with her. He was acting like Bane, trying to protect her. Whoever this woman was, she didn’t mean her any harm. She couldn’t explain it, but she knew this.
She inhaled as a familiar scent blew across her face. Smiling, she glanced behind her, but he wasn’t there. Where was he? Or was she dreaming? Then she got up and walked to the edge of the porch and looked out into the night. “Lennox,” she whispered.
She felt foolish until she turned and her mate was sitting on the swing watching her. Smiling, she ran and jumped into his arms. He meant everything to her.
“Hey, baby.” Lennox nuzzled her neck, inhaling her scent.
“I missed you.”
“I missed you more.”
“Impossible.”
“I love you.”
“I love you back.”
“What did you do today?” Lennox asked, licking the side of her neck.
“Pined away waiting for you.” Jade pulled away smiling.
“That so. Well, let’s get married tomorrow then?”
“My dress isn’t ready yet. But it will be here Friday. So, how about Saturday evening, here in the backyard?”
Lennox sighed. “Really? You’re not playing games, are you?”
“No, it will give you time to invite your friend Mitch if that’s what you want.”
“Baby, you have made me a very happy man.”
“Here.” Jade placed a box in his hand.
“What is it?”
“Just open it silly.” Jade said smiling.
Lennox opened the box and pulled the bracelet out. “Jade, baby, this is awesome. I’ve never seen metal look like this before. The wolf is beautiful. Looks like your wolf.”
“I wanted to give you something to remember me. You know when you have to go to work. Do you really like it?”
“Like it…I love it.” Lennox put the bracelet on. It looked good against his tanned skin. “I love you.” Pulling her against him, he kissed her lips.
“Okay, okay. Jade pulled away smiling. “One week, just one more week. It will be perfect.” Jade sat up abruptly, gasping.
“Jade, what’s wrong?”
“She’s awake. The woman. She’s awake.”
The End!
Stay tuned for The Hunter’s Awakening.
Also by Bryce Evans
The Ashland Pack
The Trinity
Big Bad Alpha
The Love of a Shifter
Once Forgotten: Twice Loved
Healing Their Mate
Destiny of Three
Destiny of Blood
Destined to be His
Alpha City
Obsessions
Cravings
Choices
Seductions
Temptations
Royal Guard
Guarded Hearts
Dixon Pack
Bewitched by the Alpha
Beta’s Delight
Finley’s Feisty Mate
The Death Hunters
The Hunter’s Mage
Keep up with all of Bryce Evan’s new releases via her website:
http://www.bryceevansauthor.com
About the Author
Bryce Evans is a mother, wife, and author who loves to escape into the world she has built in the Ashland Pack and other stories. She burst onto the publishing scene with a hit book
As an active police officer, Bryce needed another outlet from the pains of others. Writing filled that void. She loves talking to people who have the same tastes as she does and enjoys storytelling about vampires, werewolves, witches, and fairies.
She loves to read books and write about places that come together in her head. She tries to write about what she knows and usually you will find some aspect of law enforcement in her writing.
Travel with her to a world filled in fantasy were the paranormal run wild and romance blooms.
Find out more about her current projects at www.authorbryceevans.com or follow her on:
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Email: [email protected]
