Finding My Breaking Point

by C. C. Masters

  “Maybe,” I said with a sigh as I closed the book. “I could be doing all of this research only to find out this is just yet another trick from the fae that has nothing to do with these old stories. I have no idea what we’re really dealing with here,” I said in frustration.

  “Or you could obtain the knowledge that you need to win the war,” James suggested.

  I turned around to face him with a wry smile. “I wouldn’t have guessed that you’d be the one to give me a pep talk.”

  James raised one dark brow. “We need the right weapons if we want to have a chance to win this fight.”

  “We can’t bring a knife to a gunfight, I know.” I gave another frustrated sigh and James chuckled. “Well, unless it’s you we’re talking about,” I told him with a small grin. I wouldn’t bet against James, even if he was handed a knife and sent after a group of men with guns. James was smart, resourceful, and he was deadly with or without a weapon.

  “How did your phone call go?” I asked as I stood and faced him.

  James scowled. “Leif has agreed to pass my message on to their pack master, but he made no promises.”

  I stepped even closer to him so that our clothes brushed, and I was enveloped in his masculine scent. “If we have to, we can go up there and demand answers face-to-face.”

  James growled under his breath, but his eyes sparked with an inner light. “That’s my girl, ready to kick some ass.”

  I laughed softly and stood on my toes to that I could nip at his lower lip. “I’m ready for more than just a fight.” James groaned when I pressed my body up to his and ran my hands over his chest. “Maybe we should take a break to clear our minds,” I suggested. “We might make more progress if we approach it with fresh eyes.”

  I pressed my lips to his and was surprised at the ferocity of his kiss. I had expected him to pull back from me after everything that had happened, but he was showing me that he was all-in with this kiss. I opened the bond between us and gave in to the emotions and hormones that were coursing through my body.

  I slid my hands around his neck, just as he lifted me by my thighs and spun around so I was pressed up against the wall. I wrapped my legs around his waist, and he groaned as I pressed my heat up against him. I lost myself completely to the lust that was driving my body as an unstoppable storm built inside of me. The only thing that existed in this moment was James and the hot need that was coursing through me. I ached to have him inside of me, to fill me completely.

  Neither of us cared as we both roughly pulled the clothes from each other’s bodies and heard the fabric rip and buttons pop. I was consumed by the throbbing need deep inside of me, and a distant voice inside my head recognized that I was feeling James’s lust along with my own and it was causing us to spiral further and further into a frenzy that couldn’t be stopped.

  My body had gone into over-drive, so I was ready for him before he even slid his hand between my legs. His thumb circled my throbbing clit and my knees buckled as he stroked it directly. With a feral growl, James tossed me face-down on the bed. My body bounced and before I could even right myself, he had one hand fisted in the hair on the back of my head and was pulling my hips into position with the other. I arched my back and stuck my ass up to give him better access and he didn’t disappoint.

  I moaned as he rubbed the head of his cock against my wet folds, but I was too far gone to even form words. He knew exactly what I wanted through our bond and swiftly thrust inside of me. I gasped at the abrupt sensation of having him completely inside of me and he started to pull back slowly. Before I could even make a noise of protest, he slammed into me again. He kept one hand on my hip but tightened his grip in my hair as he picked up his pace. I moved my body to meet every thrust as he pounded inside of me while the pressure built within me. The pleasure was so intense that it was almost painful, and I screamed as my release hit me like an explosion of fireworks. James didn’t stop as wave after wave of my orgasm tore through me and my muscles milked his cock. Just when I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, I felt James reach his own finish with another flash of pleasure that burned through me.

  Our bodies collapsed on the bed and I didn’t care how loud I was panting. That had been the most intense experience of my life.

  “Fuck,” James groaned. “I think you might just kill me.”

  My body felt boneless and my limbs were too limp to be able to smack him like I wanted, so I just laughed. “Me?”

  “Yeah,” James grumbled as he pulled my bare body up against him. “I just fucked the shit out of you and all I’m thinking about is getting inside of you again.”

  My lust sparked again at the thought and I realized that the most intense sexual experience of my life had left me wanting even more. I wasn’t even close to being satisfied.

  James cupped one breast in his hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’m going to take my time and enjoy every inch of your body.” I just moaned as he started playing with my nipple and I felt the answering ache between my legs.

  We had some time before the Canadian Pack would get back to us, and I couldn’t think of any way that I’d rather spend it.

  ***

  The shrill sound of a phone ringing made me blink my eyes blearily. I reached out for James and found him gone, but his side of the bed still warm. A flash of disappointment shot through me until he stepped out of the bathroom and strode toward the nightstand where he had tossed his phone at some point.

  A slow smile slid over my face as I took in his golden skin and taunt muscles. I had explored his body thoroughly last night and felt quite pleased with the way I had been able to bring him to the point of ecstasy a few times.

  James had been murmuring pointless pleasantries on the phone as I enjoyed the view, but I sat up when I heard his tone change. “She’s right here.”

  I reached out for the phone met his eyes. Our fingers brushed as I took it from him, and I licked my lips at the sensation that shot through me.

  He raised an eyebrow as if to say ‘again?’ But I just shrugged.

  “Hello?” I said curiously.

  “Anna,” a female voice said. “This is Ingrid, I was told you wanted to speak with me?”

  I cleared my throat. “Yes, I was hoping you might be able to give me some insight because of our…unique family traits.”

  There was silence on the other side of the line, and I tried not to feel hurt. Ingrid was my mother’s identical twin sister, but she didn’t seem to have any real desire to get to know me or to welcome me into her family. I hadn’t expected her to step into my mother’s place, but her complete lack of interest had stung.

  “I’ve been reading my mother’s journal,” I continued through the awkward pause. “And the older one.”

  “She left you with those?” Ingrid asked sharply. “I thought you didn’t know who she was.”

  I tried not to be irritated but it was a struggle. “They were recently given to me from someone who had been holding them for her. How much do you know about the one regarding our history?”

  “Our duty?” Ingrid asked. “The one that Astrid left me alone to bear?”

  “Yes,” I said softly. “I’m suspicious that one of the things we were supposed to guard may no longer be trapped.”

  Ingrid let out a loud sigh. “I had hoped we had contained the outbreak here.”

  My stomach sank. “What is it?”

  “It’s not safe to discuss this on the phone,” Ingrid said cautiously. “I should come there to see what we’re dealing with.”

  I nodded before I remembered she couldn’t see it. “Yes, of course you’re welcome to come to Seaside.”

  “I don’t like leaving my mate or my pack,” Ingrid told me. “But what we’re dealing with here is bigger than you or I and our petty wants. My mate will want to speak with your pack master to threaten him about my safety, of course.”

  I chuckled. “Of course, I wouldn’t expect any different. I’ll let Austin know to expect his call.”

&
nbsp; “Oh, and Anna?”

  “Yes?” I asked hesitantly.

  “Be careful with who you trust regarding your parentage. Ragnar’s father may no longer be alive, but there are still many other wolves that would consider your mother having a child with the fae to be an automatic death sentence for both you and her.”

  I swallowed. “Has the news reached you up north that the council had admitted that all wolves are descended from the fae?”

  “It had not,” Ingrid admitted. “That may certainly change some things down the line, but it may take time. I would still be cautious about too many wolves knowing the truth of who you are. I’ll only address you as family in private to avoid putting you in danger. Our entire pack knows Astrid had a child with a fae, and I don’t want to draw attention to you.”

  “I understand,” I said softly. “And I appreciate you thinking of my safety.” It was a relief to know that she had stayed away to protect me, but I still wasn’t going to expect her to give me a warm welcome.

  “Until we meet then…niece.” I could hear the hesitation and insecurity in her voice and that made me relax a bit more. Perhaps she was just as unsure of where to begin our relationship as I was.

  “See you soon,” I said with a smile before we disconnected the call. Finally, I had some kind of a lead. I’d take any type of help I could get.

  James met my eyes as I handed him back his phone. “Shower?” I suggested slyly.

  He flashed a rare grin at me. “You’re insatiable and you’re not even in heat yet.”

  I smiled at him as I walked past him and trailed my fingers over the hard planes of his abs. “Come take a shower with me.”

  James groaned, but followed after me. I smiled to myself. Maybe going into heat when I had six hot male wolves to satisfy me wouldn’t be so bad. I pushed all of my worries and concerns aside for now and focused completely on James.

  Chapter 5

  Austin

  I would never admit it to the rest of the pack, but seeing an invisible enemy effortlessly take down two of my most powerful wolves had shaken my confidence. James was powerful enough to be a pack master in his own right, but he didn’t want the mantle of responsibility or the social trappings that came with the position. And Anna was the most powerful wolf I’d ever come across, partially due to her fae heritage. If this new adversary could take Anna down in seconds and cause James to turn on the rest of us with the slightest touch…we were in for the fight of our lives.

  But how do you fight something that you can’t bite, shoot, or even see? I needed a plan.

  I ran my hands through my hair and straightened my shoulders. Everyone and everything had a weakness. We would do what we always did – work together as a pack to eliminate the threat.

  “You alright, bro?” Cody asked me cautiously. “I know you and Justin haven’t been close for a while, but he’s still your brother.”

  I sighed and motioned for Cody to come into the office so that I could shut the door behind both of us. “Justin’s been a piece of shit since we were kids,” I told him honestly. “My father struggled to teach him right from wrong and was worried that Justin lacked the innate leadership ability needed to be a good pack master.”

  I had hoped that leaving my father’s territory would ease some of the tension between Justin and me and give him the room he needed to grow, but it obviously hadn’t. Our father had always been a difficult man to please and he had frequently set us against each other in competition. My brother had resented my accomplishments any time I had demonstrated knowledge or skill on par or above his own, but that hadn’t made him work harder. Instead, he had used his time and energy to sabotage or undermine my efforts to distinguish myself at every turn.

  Cody nodded. “I had some shitty NCOs while I was in, and you already know I’ve had to deal with fucked up pack leadership. Having rank or a title isn’t enough, you have to be able to inspire your guys to always want to be better, and a big part of that is looking out for those in junior positions.” Cody paused and then added sheepishly. “Or girls, now that we have Anna and Sam. Sorry, force of habit.”

  I gave Cody a smile. “Either way, Justin’s been out for my blood since we were teenagers and he overheard my father say he wished I had been born first.”

  “Shit,” Cody said. “Surprised you made it out alive.”

  I grimaced. “Yeah, I decided the military would be a safer bet. At least there I had someone to watch my back while I slept.”

  “That’s why you started your own pack of misfits when you got back stateside,” Cody murmured absentmindedly. He already knew the story, but we needed to get into the enemy’s head. We had to understand Justin’s motivation if we wanted to be able to predict and counter his moves.

  “Our own little island of misfit toys,” I laughed, remembering the Christmas movie that I had watched so many times in my childhood.

  “I think you made a lot of people wake up and realize that lone wolves and veterans aren’t broken,” Cody said seriously. “We haven’t outlived our use and we don’t deserve to be thrown away. In a small amount of time, this pack has become a major player on the national level. You’ve given a lot of people hope.”

  “I didn’t build this pack alone, and I certainly didn’t make it what it is today without some strong wolves by my side,” I told Cody with a warm smile. “But enough of the sappy stuff, let’s get back to work.”

  Cody gave me a lopsided grin, but his face sobered only a moment after that. “Do you think we’re dealing with Justin or something else entirely?”

  “Justin is definitely in there. I know the feel of my brother’s power, and he has Justin’s memories.” I thought for a moment. “But Anna felt something fae inside of him, the same thing that she fought inside of James.”

  Cody grimaced. “I could feel something…off with James through the pack bond, but nothing I’ve ever felt before.”

  I nodded. “I couldn’t get through to him, my power as his alpha was completely useless.”

  “Several of us touched James before Anna explained what was going on, but none of us were infected,” Cody pointed out.

  I nodded. “It’s not just touch, there’s something more to it.”

  “Anna’s theory about the darkness inside giving it a foothold,” Cody said hesitantly. “You know why I run a volunteer group to help veterans transition out of the military. If I hadn’t had the twins to take care of at that point in my life, I don’t think I’d be sitting here today.”

  I sent him a wave of reassurance through the pack bond. “That was the past,” I told him softly. “It sometimes comes back to haunt us, but we have each other to lean on when things start looking grim.”

  “Having Anna helps,” Cody admitted. “Her light is so bright that it chases away all the shadows, even from the deepest parts of me.”

  “You’re not the only one,” I murmured. Anna had managed to touch all of us in different ways. She’d brought us closer together, but she’d also challenged us to grow.

  “Speaking of post-combat issues, the teams coming back need some downtime when they get stateside,” Cody reminded me yet again. “Let them readjust to civilian life a little before we throw them back into the meat grinder.”

  I smiled at Cody. “I’ll leave it up to your judgment. We’ll do what’s best for them and the rest of the pack, but I’m not willing to let them walk blindly into a shitstorm either.”

  “I’ll handle it,” Cody said confidently. He gave my shoulder a squeeze before walking out of the door and leaving me alone in my office.

  With the rest of my team working on their assignments, I needed to get started on mine. I had already set up a meeting with the other council members regarding Justin and the female, but now I would have to debate on how much of the other information I should share. Our world now knew about the existence of the fae, but I wasn’t ready to expose Anna’s parentage to the council. I wasn’t sure how they’d react to Anna’s unique and still-developing m
agic skills. Some of them would want to use her or control her, but others would want to simply kill her. Small-minded men often wanted to destroy what they couldn’t understand.

  I sent a quick email to the contact I had who could get me in touch with Arminius. He was the type of man who was six moves ahead of everyone else on the chess board and I suspected that he had known what was coming when he gave Anna those journals.

  My phone buzzed with an incoming text and I looked down to see a message from Trevor. It was GPS coordinates for a location on our property several miles from the house and a warning not to tell anyone but my core six. I had told James to stay with Anna yesterday because I didn’t want him left alone to stew, but I had a feeling I was going to need his unique skill set to deal with whatever this was.

  Chapter 6

  Anna

  James and I had just gotten dressed after a satisfying shower when he got a text from Austin. His eyes darkened as he read the words, so I knew it wasn’t good news.

  “What is it?” I asked softly.

  James set down the phone and sighed. “Tony found something in the woods right outside of our territory that I need to see. Austin’s waiting there.”

  I pulled my hair back. “Then let’s go.”

  James hesitated and I arched an eyebrow at him. “I’m assuming that when you said ‘I’ you actually meant both of us?”

  James rolled his eyes skyward but put his hand on the small of my back as I led the way downstairs. “Where are we going?” I asked curiously as James indicated we should go towards the back patio.

  “Why don’t you tell me?” he suggested. “Can you feel where Austin is?”

  I closed my eyes and extended my magical senses. “Let me concentrate,” I murmured. I was becoming more confident in my skills every day and I wanted to flex my magical muscles. I could feel Austin in the forest that was close to the edge of our property line. “It’ll take forever to get there in our human form. Let’s shift,” I suggested.