Jina

by McKayla Schutt

  "So, you don't have a coven. The one thing you were so worried about three decades ago." Anger burned in his dark brown eyes.

  "Yes. But I also couldn't look at the man I loved and lost either." Jina lifted her head high. "After I grieved the loss of my child and parents, I hated you for not coming to get me." Jina shook her head. She glanced at her hands then lifted her gaze up to him.

  "But our daughter is in there now."

  "Yes, and protecting her and her mate has cost me everything. That's the choice I made last night." She pointed to his house and lifted her chin like she had when she stood up to her mother, back then it didn't work in her favor, but she wouldn't back down to Dominic. He folded his arms in front of his chest like he wanted to put space between them. She tried not to let it faze her as she met his dark brown gaze.

  "I see. Are you staying in town or are you going to search for your next coven?" The word coven came out more of a growl than the rest. Deep down, she wanted to throw all their problems away and just run into his arms but she kept herself still. Giving herself over to him before didn't work out great. Maybe this could be their second chance. The idea simmered in her mind as she stared at her mate.

  "I'm not sure. I need to make sure my little girl is safe before I start planning my future." She moved her hair back and glanced at his big house. Jina wanted to know if this had been the house he mentioned when they spoke so many years ago. Oh, my life could have been better if I had only searched for Luna when he told me to. She pushed down the regret, it did her no good now. "She's my priority and if I had known she didn't die over thirty years ago, I'd have the same priorities."

  Dominic nodded and strolled into his home. "Come on in, I won't bite." His eyes flashed with heat and Jina thought she imagined it because the look vanished so quickly. Jina slipped into his home and found Luna and Hunter standing next to each other.

  "Dominic, I need to talk to you." Brauc motioned toward the kitchen and Dominic followed right behind.

  "So, what is the plan?" Jina asked Luna. She tried to focus on her daughter and not her mate.

  "We don't know," Hunter answered.

  "What if..." Luna's eyes sparked up and then she shook her head. "No, it's crazy."

  "What?" Hunter raised one of his eyebrows.

  "We could go to Alia's coven. Her mate is a werewolf." Luna looked at Jina, who nodded as she recalled meeting Olsen, her niece's mate. She winced internally as the memory filled her mind. She had attempted to get Alia back home, but her plan blew up in her face.

  "Then they don't have issues with couples like us." As Luna spoke Jina glanced at Dominic. Deep down in her heart, she wanted Dominic back. She wanted to be happy like her daughter. Yet there was so much baggage between her and Dominic, she didn't know if they could make it through. Or if he even wanted to try again. He met her gaze for a moment, but she broke the connection.

  "Do you think they would accept us into the pack and you into the coven?" Hunter brought Jina back to the current topic.

  "Well, I can text her and see what she says." Luna bounced on her toes, the motion reminded Jina of Alia when she had become excited as a child.

  "It can't hurt," Jina added.

  "Will you be coming with us if we go?" Hunter asked. She didn't want to be separated from her daughter again, but she wouldn't ruin her chance to be happy either.

  "I'm not sure. Worry about you two first." Jina smiled. She knew Alia was still pissed for what she did. Jina wouldn't hold her breath on having a spot in their little coven in Nevada. She might need a backup coven close by so she could visit all the time.

  Luna bit her lip as she pulled out her phone and typed away. Jina turned toward Dominic. Memories of their first night flooded into her mind. When she had met the sexy werewolf she didn’t know what her parents would do to her.

  Luna's phone beeped after a few minutes and she sighed with relief. "She said we need to meet the alpha to finalize it all, but she said the coven would accept me." She typed some more and then hugged Hunter.

  "That's great news," Jina said when Luna's phone buzzed again. Her breath stilled in her chest.

  "I have even better news. You and Dominic are welcome to meet with the Elders and Alpha." Her shoulder's relaxed.

  "Alia said that?" Her heart leapt into her throat making it hard to breathe. After everything she did to her sweet niece, Jina didn't really deserve a chance.

  "Yep." Luna held up her phone and Jina studied the message. She glanced up to see Dominic watching her. She couldn't believe Alia would actually accept her. Maybe this is her form of payback. Her stomach tightened.

  "For now, I'll help you move out there, but I don't know if I will stay." Dominic rubbed Luna's back.

  "Well, then I will have time to convince you to stay." Luna smiled and hugged him. He chuckled. The sound sent heat through Jina's body and some of the ice surrounding her heart melted.

  "Hunter, you should get packed." Dominic smiled. "We'll leave tomorrow morning. Brauc can hold off your family till then."

  "If you're planning on saying goodbye, I would do it with me there." Brauc shook his head. "I don't need someone else doing stupid shit."

  "We should go talk to them now, then." Hunter sighed. Jina pitied the young wolf for having to leave everything behind. She knew his pain.

  "Do you need back up?" Dominic offered but Brauc shook his head. Luna gave Jina a hug and then slipped out with Hunter and Brauc.

  The door clicked shut leaving her alone with Dominic.

  Her palms became sweaty.

  "Thank you for helping move them to Nevada."

  "It'll be a long trip." Dominic turned to leave but Jina sauntered over and grabbed his arm.

  "We need to talk, Dominic." Jina didn't want to admit her fault but if she wanted to attempt to make it work with Dominic, she would do it.

  "I don't want to talk." Dominic's words broke Jina's heart. She let go of his arm. Instead of leaving, he wrapped his hand into her hair and kissed her. Her heart pounded in her chest as his mouth devoured her. When he finally pulled away and rested his forehead on hers, she struggled to catch her breath. Every fiber screamed to have him inside her. Her B.O.B. or battery-operated boyfriend could only do so much to quell the need.

  "I..."

  "Like I said, I don't want to talk. Instead, I'm going to take you up to my room and make up for lost time. If you don't want that, you need to leave right now."

  For a split second, she thought about walking away, but her whole body cried out for him. She took in a breath letting his scent fill her nose. Dominic didn't wait any longer as he lifted her into his arms. She wrapped her legs around his waist to keep herself steady. Oh, Goddess above, this is really happening!

  CHAPTER SIX

  Dominic

  MATING WITH JINA BEFORE they talked could bite him in the ass but he couldn't keep his hands to himself. For years, he had pictured taking her over and over again, but his fading memory made the moment sweeter. She had aged with grace and he still loved all her soft curves and blonde hair.

  He set her on his bed and looked her over. She snapped her fingers, in a flash they were both naked. Oh, she's still my little goddess. Her eyes roamed over him and stopped at his rock-hard cock. Her hand wrapped around his shaft making him groan.

  "We missed your touch." Dominic's eyes fluttered closed as her soft hand rubbed up and down. Her breath tickled his tip seconds before she wrapped her lips around his cock. If a wolf could purr, it would describe what his wolf did inside his mind. He groaned again while resisting the urge to push himself deeper into her warm mouth.

  "I missed how you taste." She flicked her tongue over his tip again. "But I missed feeling you inside me more." Slowly she crawled back onto the bed, her heated gaze on him. He crawled onto the bed following her.

  "I may not last the first time, but I will make sure you cum first." Dominic kissed her nipple making her back arch. He trailed nips and kisses down her stomach and stopped at her sex. Her
arousal dripped onto the sheets. He licked her from back to front making her cry out. Fuck, I missed that sound too. This woman had been away far too long, and she might leave him again. He pushed down the thought as he sucked on her clit.

  "Oh, Goddess!" Jina cried out as she tipped up her hips. Her body tensed under his tongue while he played with her bundle of nerves. She grabbed his shoulders and he picked up his pace. "Yes!" she screamed as he pushed one of his fingers into her pussy. Her walls collapsed onto his digit while she rode out her orgasm. Watching her cum had brought his wolf more peace than anything had in the last thirty years.

  Slowly he crawled up her body and settled between her thighs, his tip pressed against her core. She lifted her hips and he slowly inched inside her warm body. He savored every sweet inch of her core. The urge to cum right then pulsed through his body but he managed to push it back.

  Once he was fully inside of her, she sighed heavily. Dominic's wolf relaxed, bringing him peace for the first time in years. Her amber eyes met his gaze.

  "Damn, you feel amazing." Dominic groaned. His little mate grabbed his arms and wiggled under him. Picking a slow pace, he savored her moans and whimpers of pleasure. He didn't want it to end. All of his dreams of his little mate paled in comparison to the real beauty beneath him.

  "Oh, so close." Jina tipped her head back and he picked up his pace. He'd never stopped loving this woman, even with all the crap she pulled. His heart was hers and she didn't even know it.

  His balls tightened but this time he knew he couldn't push it back again. He didn't want her to be disappointed by his quick finish. They had been separated for so long, and he wanted this time to be as great as it was before. Her thighs squeezed his sides and her back bowed up. He loved the way her eyes rolled back when she hovered near the edge of bliss. Giving her pleasure brought him more joy than anything had in the last three decades.

  "Dominic!" Jina cried out as her pussy clamped down on his cock, which sent him over the edge. Dominic surrendered to his orgasm while she spasmed under him. He kissed her shoulder and nipped at her flesh which made her giggle. His wolf enjoyed having her near again. Maybe I should be guarding my heart.

  "I missed you, Jina." Dominic pulled himself from her warm body and rolled off. Before she could get away he pulled her into his arms. To his surprise, she wiggled for a second then relaxed in his embrace with her leg over his lap.

  "I've spent years pretending that I hated you," Jina whispered against his chest. "I couldn't admit that I missed you because that would mean it would be easy to come back."

  "I've been waiting years for you to come around. Even after all my letters went unanswered the first few years." He kissed her head. Part of him still couldn't believe he had her in his arms. He resisted the urge to slap himself to check if this was a dream.

  "Wait, what letters?" She lifted her body up to meet his gaze, one of her brows was arched and confusion clouded her gaze.

  "I sent you a letter every week for almost two years." He met her gaze, frustration blooming in his chest. How could she just forget about them? I poured my heart and freaking soul into those damn things. If anyone else saw them, like his alpha, he might deny he ever wrote them.

  "Dominic, I never received any letters. I would have come back to you..." Jina's jaw dropped and anger burned in her eyes. "Cherish must have snatched them before they reached me."

  "Why would she do that?" He thought Cherish was Jina's friend, why would a friend intentionally keep the other from happiness. His wolf growled low, wanting to kick the bitch's ass for keeping them apart.

  "She must have known that if I knew you wanted me back, even after all I had said, I would have gone right to you." She bit her lower lip and his anger at her vanished and moved over to the bitchy friend she had. "But I bet a few women have visited between then and now." Jina sighed heavily. Dominic tipped her head up to meet his gaze.

  "There hasn't been anyone since you. I may not have been a fucking saint before you, but you're my mate. I would never betray you like that." Dominic knew it sounded pathetic, so he didn't mention how many times he had tried to move on, but his dick wouldn't get hard. His wolf shook his head. She didn't need to know how bad he had wanted to move on, so he could feel a small hint of joy. His wolf wouldn't let him be unfaithful. At this moment, he was glad for it. His wolf grinned.

  "Well, you'll be happy to know there wasn't anyone else for me either." Jina rubbed her nose on his chest. The beast inside wagged his tail twice before jumping up and down. The idea of someone else touching his Jina might have sent him into a rage no one could bring him back from. Her heady scent filled his nose which made his cock harden under her leg. "Is my wolf ready for another round?" She raised her eyebrow.

  "Woman, I've been waiting three decades to be inside of your body." Dominic lifted her up, so she straddled him. He palmed her soft breast.

  "You know the perfect things to say to get me wet all over again." Jina leaned down and kissed him. Later they would talk but right now he just wanted to make up for lost time.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Jina

  JINA ROLLED ONTO HER side to find a wall of muscle. Her eyes fluttered open and she found Dominic and heat zipped down her body. The hours of sex with her mate had just pushed their problems to the side. Which was a stupid idea, but it's already done. She bit her lower lip trying think of what to say or even do. They didn't talk at dinner when Hunter and Luna came over. Then more sex happened till they passed out. Soon they would have to talk about where they both stood.

  "Good morning, beautiful." Dominic kissed her head before rolling out of bed. She enjoyed watching him. Somehow all his muscles stayed in place after so many years.

  "Why are you being so nice to me?" Jina pulled up the sheets to cover her body better. He turned and leaned on the door jamb leading to the bathroom.

  "Would you rather I was ignoring you and trying to get back at you?" Dominic tipped his head to the side. Part of her had expected to be ignored or even yelled at.

  "Of course not." Jina pushed back some of her hair. "I'm just trying to understand your side." And whether or not to start putting up her walls again.

  He strolled over to the bed. "I'm willing to start over if you're up for it. But I also know you need a coven." He sat on the edge of the mattress. She didn't know if she truly believed him just yet.

  "I've been miserable for years without you." She shook her head. "I can't leave you again." Instead of looking at him, she focused on the soft cream sheets covering her small body.

  "I'm glad to hear it but there still lies the problem of you needing a coven." She did need a coven, but she didn't want to be away from her family.

  "Well, I couldn't go back to my old coven if I wanted to." Jina sighed. He grabbed her chin making her look at him.

  "Then what do you want?" Dominic's words pulsed around in her ears.

  "I want you. I want my family." She placed her hand on his cheek. "Come with us to Nevada. Leave this pack and start over with me and Luna." She licked her lips waiting for his answer.

  "If I left, I would leave my alpha without a second."

  "His son is old enough to be his second." Jina knew Xavier was a few months younger than Luna.

  "I'll think about it. For now, my answer is maybe." Dominic kissed her and walked away leaving Jina with her heart aching. She needed a plan to convince him, but nothing came to mind. The doorbell rang downstairs. Jina snapped her fingers twice, once for her clothes and the other to put her hair into a messy bun.

  "I'll grab it." Jina climbed off the bed, taking this opportunity to not start sobbing on Dominic's bed.

  "It's Hunter and Luna," Dominic called out before turning on the shower. Jina slowly made her way down the steps. She might have to give everything up to prove herself to Dominic.

  Jina glanced through the little hole in the door and saw her daughter with her mate. Both had smiles on their faces. Deep down, Jina envied them, but she would never say it to ano
ther soul. If her parents had been open to having a son-in-law who was a wolf, she would have been able to raise her daughter. Pushing down the self-pity, she opened the door and Luna jumped in to give her a hug. She enjoyed the affection her daughter gave her.

  "Where is Dad?" Luna asked before sitting down on the couch.

  "He's in the shower." Jina tried to smile but her lips wouldn't raise. After not seeing her daughter for so long, she might be forced to choose between her mate and Luna.

  "What's wrong?" Luna tilted her head and patted the spot next to her. Hunter strolled into the kitchen leaving them alone for the first time.

  "I've made a lot of mistakes in my life, sweet pea. To be honest, I don't know if your dad will ever truly forgive me." Jina placed her hands in her lap to keep herself from fidgeting.

  "I may not know him very well, but he seems like a very understanding guy." Luna rubbed Jina's shoulder.

  "He will come around, Jina. The man held a candle for you forever. Even at the shop, we avoid talking about mates for his benefit." Hunter slipped in with an orange.

  "Oh, I want some." Luna licked her lips. Hunter handed over the whole thing without hesitation. "I-" Luna started but Hunter kissed her quickly, keeping her protest quiet.

  "You need to eat." Hunter walked back into the kitchen. Envy coiled in her gut. Jina had let her parents destroy her life and even in death, they had continued to do so. Part of it had to do with Jina thinking her only daughter had died but now nothing could really separate them. At least that's what she hoped for when it came to the Nevada Coven. Her mind returned to Dominic.

  How can I show him I'm in this for the long run this time?

  Hunter strolled back in as Dominic descended the stairs. He held so much confidence in his stride it made Jina more aware of her slight slouch. She pushed back her shoulders, trying to feel stronger than she felt. No, I'm a strong witch! I can prove myself to Dominic.