A Taste for a Mate (6 page)

Jasper’s father was a tall man, though not as tall as Jasper. With broad shoulders and similar build, he reminded her of his son. His hair was dark brown, lighter than Jasper’s. His gaze rested on her, sizing her up and taking measure.

A soft growl broke the silence.

Jasper.

“Dad, Mom, this is my mate, Willow Delton.” At the word mate, Willow stiffened. He’d called her that before, but she wasn’t prepared for the casual ease at with which the word left his lips.

What exactly did that mean? Had he claimed her like an animal? Did he even want her?

“Hello, Willow Delton, it is good to meet the mate of my second son. I’m sure you have as many questions about us as we have of you. Please sit down.” Edward’s deep voice held no room for objection and waved her toward the couch.

“Dad, don’t grill her.”
tic

“Oh, Jasper honey, we won’t do that. We just want to get to know her, and I am sure, after last night, she has many questions. I mean she was just introduced to our world and none too nicely.” Pat, smiled and took Willow’s other hand in hers as Jasper sat beside her, close enough that their thighs touched and she felt the heat of him.

At Pat’s comment, silence swept through the room. Willow didn’t think she could take another strained and awkward silence, so she stepped up to the paranormal plate.

“So, I guess you guys are werewolves. I’m guessing shaving is a bitch.” Her mouth shut with an audible snap as heat crept up her neck into her cheeks. What on earth had possessed her to say that?
Good job Willow. Tell the very big werewolves, who could snap you like the twig you’re named after, that they have a hairy problem.

Jasper’s boom of laughter vibrated though the room, and her tense shoulders relaxed. Pat too laughed, and the lines around Edwards’s eyes crinkled in amusement.

“Yes, we’re werewolves, but I have no problem shaving in the morning.” Again, Edward almost cracked a smile, and Willow knew she’d taken a huge leap toward acceptance with this man.

Edward sobered before he continued. “There is much you need to know, and I’m sure Jasper can tell you some, but I’ll begin. We are the Redwood Pack, and once Jasper completes the mating you, too, will be part of us.” Willow’s brow furrowed and she shot Jasper what she knew must be a confused look, but he only scowled at his father.

Wait. Completes the mating? Like sex? Oh, geez.

“We’ve been a Pack for over a millennium and I’ve been Alpha for over two hundred years.” Her eyes widened at his age and the fact that he looked damn good for it. “There are many other positions in the Pack, and you’ll learn them over time; however, I’m in charge. It is my first duty to express my deep sorrow and regret that you’ve been pulled into this world without your permission. However, since the choice was taken from you, we must move forward.

“Our lives are deeply entrenched in secrecy and now yours will be as well. All you know will have to be left soon, and you must come with us for your safety. We know you only have few connections to the human world, but even those must be severed.” Willow was startled at the amount of information they possessed concerning her.

“I understand. At least I think I do. But what about my bakery?” It was the only thing she had to call her own and to show her accomplishments in life. Without it, she had nothing.

Edward shook his head. “For now I think it must remain closed, at least for your safety. In the future we can discuss your reopening, but we can’t say as of yet. Your safety as Jasper’s mate is more important to us.”

Willow took a deep breath and resisted the urge to cry as pain radiated through her heart. She nodded but couldn’t speak.ce= Jasper squeezed her in comfort, and the tightness in her chest eased.

“I know, Willow, this is a lot to take in now, but it’ll be okay. We will protect you. You also need to decide whether or not you want to change, as it is your choice and privilege as Jasper’s mate.”
Change? Like into a werewolf?
Again, Willow took a deep breath to process that bit of terrifying information.

The idea of werewolves still scared the crap out of her, she’d never seriously thought they could exist and now she was surrounded by them, having a real conversation. She wasn’t even sure she’d wanted a man, but she had one – who was a bit more than a man. And they offered her a choice of becoming one…

Her mind spun and she rubbed her temples.

Edward leaned over the coffee table and patted her hand reassuringly. “There will be many people who want to meet with you, most of them family, and we will be having a Pack meeting soon to discuss what happened out in the woods. But, I welcome you to our family, Willow Delton.”

Edward stood and nodded. Pat got up and gave her a warm and soft hug, careful of the bruises. “Welcome to the family my dear. We may have many sons, but I only have one daughter by birth and one by mating. I’m honored to call you my own, dear.” She gave Willow a smile with watery eyes and left the house with her husband.

Still sitting, Willow thought about everything that had changed. Even with the preternatural energy that exuded from him, Jasper was a calming presence beside her and she knew, no matter how he might resent their bond, she would cherish and take care of him as long as she could.

Chapter 6

The door clicked softly as it closed behind his parents and not for the first time since he’d met Willow, Jasper was at a loss for words and action.

“What can I do, Willow?”

“I’ve only seen wolves when they tried to kill me.” She wrung her hands together and bit her lip.

Jasper winced.

“Can you change into one? I mean, can you show me your wolf?”

He exhaled. This was something he could do. “Are you sure I won’t scare you anymore than you already are?”

She shook her head. “I don’t think that co wiuld happen. But I need to see you. You’re good and not evil and if I see you as a wolf, that might help. You know.”

He nodded and stripped off his shirt.

Her eyes widened and he blushed like a school girl. “Oh, I need to get naked to be a wolf. I don’t want to tear my clothes. Wolves don’t really care about nudity. I mean, we don’t walk around the den naked or anything, but when we change we don’t get embarrassed. But I can go stand behind the couch or something.”

She blinked then matched his blush. “No, you can stay where you are. I need to get used to it right?”

He grinned then stripped off his pants. He heard her gasp at his lack of underwear, but he didn’t react. He couldn’t. He only prayed his cock wouldn’t stand at attention before he could change.

He stood straight, then looked directly in her eyes. She stared back, careful not to look below his chin and he smiled.

God, she is too cute.

Jasper pulled on his magic and let the change sweep over him. His bones broke then realigned, but he only felt a twinge of pain. He’d been changing into a wolf since he was three and was used to it. Fur sprouted along his skin and his face elongated into a muzzle.

Soon he stood as a black wolf on four paws, frozen under Willow’s stare.

She stood, unblinking.

Shit. Was this too much? Did he lose her already?

Finally she blinked. “Jasper?”

He tried to nod, then sat. She took a step toward him and held out her hand. He lifted his head so her palm rested on top. She backed up, then shook her head and sank her hand into his fur. He leaned into her touch, loving the way her soft hands wound through his fur.

“You’re so soft.”

Jasper leaned closer and relished her touch.

“You’re such a beautiful wolf, Jasper.”

Jasper leaned back then shifted back into a man. He knelt naked next to her body and she laughed.

“That’s so cool.”

He chuckled. “That’s better than being scared, I guess.”

“Definitely.”

Jasper put his clothes back on and tried not to think about her small hands roaming his body. Again, he found himself at a loss for words.

Jasper’s mind sprang into gear with the sound of her stomach growling. He jumped up. “How about breakfast?”

The rosy color that highlighted her cheeks at the sound of her stomach made her look damned cute.

“I’m starving. I haven’t eaten since before I started work.” She bit her lip as her eyes grew cloudy.

Damn. Life could change so quickly from one moment to the next.

“But let me cook. I mean I don’t want to intrude on your home and take over. It’s just that I love cooking, and I do it every morning to open the shop or on Sundays just for me.” She gave him a small smile, and the wolf inside him, normally a ferocious male, melted. They both would do anything for her, and Jasper knew the decadent taste of her cooking well enough not to hold her back.

“If you are up to it, Wil. I love your food, but I don’t want you to feel like you need to do anything for me. Ever. Especially if you are still feeling sore and achy.” When she just grinned and nodded, he took her by the hand and led her to his kitchen.

Slightly over hundred years old, he’d lived in his house nearly as long. He’d updated it over the years to keep up with the times. He was still working on parts of it, and now that he had a mate, he knew they would need to expand with more space so she’d feel comfortable and there would be enough room for their pups.

The kitchen had been the first job he touched. He’d created a wide-open space with enough room for his large family to occupy. There were stainless steel appliances with dark wood cabinets and grey stone countertops. Masculine, even with the large island, but still homey to him and it melded with the forest outside.

Jasper led Willow to the large two-door refrigerator and opened it to reveal fairly stocked shelves. He didn’t entertain or cook often, but when he did, he preferred a good, hardy meal.

“Is there anything you’re interested in? I have everything you could possibly need for breakfast. At least I hope. I know you have more expertise in that area than I do.”

Dear God. He was rambling like a teenager. Except for that one glorious kiss when he’d put her to bed, they’d barely touched. He knew many things about her, but she didn’t know that much about him.  That would have to change – and soon. She may have been forced into his world, but he would do his damndest to make her feel included and part of their Pack.

Willow studied his offerings like an artist would study a blank canvas before painting. In a matter of moments, he knew she’d cataloged his food and would come up with a perfect and delicious meal. Glancing up at him with a sly smile, she took out eggs, cheese, and veggies and set them on the island. With her second trip, she grabbed bacon, potatoes, and oranges.

He would have offered to help, and the man his mother raised begged him to, but he didn’t want to interrupt her thoughtthe process. He loved the way she glided around the kitchen as if she’d been here all along. Even with the bruises, she was still gloriously beautiful and he knew through the mate mark she would heal any injuries quicker than a normal human. It was a one-time only perk of the bite and she wouldn’t heal fast with other injuries until she changed.

If
she changed.

“Do you think you can make orange juice and coffee?” Willow’s soft request brought Jasper out of his thoughts. “I can do the rest, but I don’t want to take over your kitchen completely.”

“I can do that.” He walked over to the cabinet and pulled out fresh gourmet coffee beans and put them in the grinder. Soon the smell of freshly ground coffee filled the air. He quickly set the automatic coffee maker to percolate and began slicing and squeezing oranges.

Willow moved around his kitchen with ease as she made breakfast. She broke the eggs against the side of the bowl before whisking them. He followed her hands as she moved quickly. The sound of fatty bacon popping and sizzling echoed in the kitchen, and she went back to the cutting board to slice onions and mushrooms for her omelets.

When he wasn’t looking, she’d diced potatoes for homemade hash browns that were now browning on the stovetop. Already his mouth salivated at  the thought of such a gourmet meal.

 Like a magician, Willow prepared light and fluffy omelets bursting at the seams with bacon, spinach, mushrooms, and feta and ricotta cheeses. On the each plate, she put three slices of bacon and still sizzling hash browns before he had time to put their drinks in mugs and glasses.

Thank God he was a werewolf because his arteries would be screaming if he was a normal human at his age.

Taking the plates from her hands, he set them on the table next to the drinks. Before she could protest, he took her face between his hands and placed a feathery light kiss to her lips. He lifted his head from hers, looked into her eyes, and gave her a smile.

“Thank you for breakfast. This has got to be the best meal I have ever seen made in this kitchen. I can’t wait to see what you come up with here in the future.”

At his startling reminder of their mating and future, her eyes widened and her lips parted. Jasper took this as another invitation to kiss her plump lips again. So he did.