Goal: A Mate (Bachelor Auction #2) (12 page)

She bucked against his hold and tried to yank her hands down. He let out a low warning growl. She gave one right back. Her eyes shifted from espresso brown to amber before she tilted her head back and let out a howl.

“Mark me!” Her voice had become low, deep, and graveled. A light pelt of caramel brown fur rippled over her skin. Her nose flattened and her eyes became larger as her ears flattened. She snapped her jaws at him and snarled. “Fuck me and claim me or let me find someone who isn’t so weak.”

The mental chain that held the beast snapped and the wolf surfaced. Lava poured into his body as he went through a partial shift.

“Don’t go too far,”
he ordered the animal.

His mouth felt as if he’d been punched over and over again and was being split from the inside out. His ears burned and his face was afire as liquid heat poured into his limbs. He increased his grip on her wrists and pressed them to the bed. She wrapped her legs around his waist and squeezed, stealing some of his air.

“Oh no you don’t,” he grumbled, voice richer, lower in register.

She tightened her hold on him, drawing him closer to her body, bringing his dick close to sinking into her vagina. He took a kiss—biting, sucking, licking, nipping her lips in the process as she drew him closer. His cock sunk into her wet heat, giving in to their mutual desires. With no time to pause or take it back, he pulled out and drove in deeper. The hold her legs had on him loosened, but the heels of her feet dug into the backs of his thighs.

Kelly pulled her head back. “More. Harder. Fuck me, my mate.” She urged him on, voice breathy and husky.

“Mine,” he growled, as he picked up the pace and fucked her harder and faster, pounding her pussy. “Mine.”

He let out a roughened howl, letting the animal fill his mind. On instinct, he lowered his head and nuzzled her shoulder before opening his mouth wide, teeth already sharpened, and bit down. His grip on her wrists tightened. His claws sunk into her skin. With his other hand, he gripped her hip with a firm grasp. A huge wave took form, made of fire and passion. It was filled with the howls of the pack as he claimed his mate. Tingles raced around his balls, up and down his legs, traced a finger up and down her spine, circled his head, and met once more in his groin.

He came with a muffled cry as he poured his seed into her body. Her vaginal walls fluttered and clenched him tight as she followed him into pleasure. Darkness danced in the periphery of his vision. His hips continued to pump.

“Mine.”

The word reverberated throughout out his body as his world settled. It was as if a circle had closed. A fire burned in his heart, one that could never be put out or taken from him. Kelly was claimed. For the rest of the night they would drowse, wake, fuck, and do it all over again until they had no energy left. Somewhere in all of that, they had returned to their human forms, and he hadn’t even gotten to use more of the cinnamon oil. The ice was now a bucket of lukewarm water and the vibrator was forgotten.

It had all been worth it. As he let sleep take him for the fourth time, he pulled her close and kissed the top of her head.

“I love you, Kelly,” he whispered.

“Love you too, wolfy. Now shut up.” She snuggled into his side.

Chapter Ten

Kelly lay in bed. A fire crackled in the hearth across the room. This was the last day of their stay at the cabin, and she didn’t want to go. She didn’t even want to move. Her body ached in places that hadn’t been used in ages, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Her shoulder was where the pain was most potent. The bite mark had stopped bleeding and her body was accepting the brand well. She felt the pull that had always been between them snap shut and a sense of safety and confidence fill her. He was
hers
. All
hers
. She couldn’t stop the smile that curved her lips.

Even after being awake for two hours, she hadn’t been able to stop grinning. Her muscles tensed as she curled up into a ball. A small sound started in her chest and grew in weight and strength with each passing second, until she couldn’t help but let it out. A whoop of happiness came out.

The sound of heavy footsteps rushing to the room pounded toward her, and Brandon came in frying pan in one hand and spatula in the other. “Honey? You OK?”

She sat up, not caring that she was showing off the rolls of her body or her messy hair, and shoved off the covers. She swung her legs over the side and ran up to him at half speed, crashing lightly into him.

“Oomph, honey?” Brandon dropped kisses on the top of her head.

She inhaled the scents of cinnamon, chocolate, and coffee. Behind him drifted the aroma of bacon and eggs. Her stomach rumbled in appreciation.

“It’s OK.” She rose on tiptoes and kissed his mouth, tasting the mint he’d used when he brushed his teeth. “I was just excited over the knowledge that you belong to me. You’re all mine. No one can break us up or take you from me, no matter what.” She’d never thought about it before, but being mated to him removed all her excuses. She had to face all of her feelings for him head on, including some spots of jealousy she’d had over the years when he’d gone on dates with other women.

“I was always yours, honey. I just needed you to come to that conclusion, maybe with a little help.” He grinned back at her.

“Yeah, yeah. Lord it over me. You were right.” She gave him a light smack on the arm. “I’m going to go shower and wash my hair, and then we’ll have breakfast.”

“OK. But we also need to talk.” He gave her another kiss on the top of her head before he turned and walked away.

Boy, did they ever. She headed to the bathroom, turned on the water, and rummaged through her bag to find the clothes and underwear she’d wear that day. Brandon would protest, but she didn’t want to romp around the cabin naked. The place still had cold spots in it. It was a good place for seclusion, but not so much for spending the whole of winter in. She hung up the clothes and put out her panties and bra, then climbed into the shower stall.

Kelly sighed as the hot water poured over her. With a moan she let the warmth seep into her muscles, taking away some of her pain. The wound throbbed on her shoulder and some of the dried blood washed away. With care, she cleaned herself up and washed her hair. Tension ebbed away and relaxation took its place. Everything in her world felt settled. She wanted to wake up with Brandon every day and go to bed with him each night.

Tears blurred her vision as an ache in her chest started. It was more than just being claimed by him. This was about having no more excuses. It wasn’t just wanting this; it was needing it. She couldn’t let her father or Alberto take this away. Not when they’d just found it.

Today was the first day of them being a mated couple, and she refused to let it be the last. She rinsed her hair, squeezed out the excess water, and then turned off the shower. She opened the door to find Brandon standing before her, holding a towel out for her, a smile on his face.

“Hey, beautiful. Here you go. Let me wrap you up.”

She allowed him to help her dry off and towel off her tresses. “Thanks.” She gifted him with a kiss on the cheek. “Let me finish up here and then I’ll join you.”

“Don’t take too long. Breakfast will get cold.” He pressed his lips to hers before departing.

Once he was gone, she noticed a small black velvet gift box on the sink counter. She shook her head and lifted the lid with curiosity. This was supposed to be
his
birthday weekend, yet she was the one receiving gifts?

A beautiful set of peacock pearl earrings sat on black foam backing. Tears filled her eyes. Her father would give her mother a piece of pearl jewelry for her birthday, one to mark each year they were mated. She’d died before he’d been able to give her the set of earrings that would complete the set. Her mother’s jewelry had passed on to Kelly, but she’d never been able to buy the final piece herself. It had always felt as though she were treading on sacred ground. Brandon was continuing the tradition with her, even if this would be their only time to do this.

She picked up the box and carried it over to her makeup table where she set it down. She went about moisturizing her skin with cocoa butter oil and then drying and styling her hair. It took awhile, but she wanted to look good for him, even if it was for breakfast and they weren’t going anywhere.

Once she was dressed, she finished off her outfit with the earrings. She felt beautiful, adored, and centered. A fire sparked to life in her belly. She wasn’t going to let anyone take this away from her.

When she arrived in the kitchen, the table was set up and a fire was crackling in the hearth in the living room. Brandon pulled out a chair for her, which she slipped into. “Thank you.”

He shrugged and took a seat across from her. “Before I claimed you, you asked me what I was doing with your father. How could you tell I visited him this morning?”

“Some of his tobacco scent clung to you, and I could smell it when you got close to me.” She began cutting up her waffles.

“Ah, OK. Should’ve known. I went to tell him about a possible way out of this, but he put his foot down. He refused to even think about changing things up for us. I can’t lose you, baby, and I won’t. Now that I have you, I will fight to keep you.” Determination created hard lines on Brandon’s face and his eyes flashed to molten copper.

Kelly reached across the table and took his hand. “I feel the same way. I think we should summon the pack to Scythe Moon Rock for a challenge.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she knew she had sealed both of their fates. You didn’t just call the wolves to the summit lightly.

Brandon nodded. “I’ll go make the calls.” He pushed back his chair and headed for his study.

Her wolf paced within her, ready to be let out. They needed to do something drastic to prove that they were serious about being together. What could she bring to the table that would please everybody? She listed all of her resources and found one thing that could trump them all. If her father wanted a merger fine, she would give him a merger.

She found a phone book and flipped through the pages until she found the number she wanted and dialed. As soon as Mabel answered, Kelly pounced: “I have an idea to stop the war between us and raise your status within the shifter community. Interested? Meet me at Scythe Moon Rock.” She didn’t wait for an answer.

After Kelly had hung up, she cleared the table and cleaned everything up before grabbing her coat and purse.

Brandon entered the living room. “The call has been sent out.” He followed her example and pulled on her jacket, then grabbed his keys. “You ready?”

She took his hand. “More than ready.”

She didn’t give herself time to think about what she’d set in motion. All she knew was that something needed to happen. And if it all worked out, she’d kill two problems with one summit.

Silence reigned in the cab as they drove toward the meeting point. Once or twice, she glanced over to Brandon, but his features didn’t give away his thoughts. Her heart clenched. She loved this man—loved him with an energy so heavy it tethered her to the earth and so light it lifted her into the atmosphere. Any life she’d have had with Alberto would have been utterly eclipsed by her feelings for Brandon.

She wanted to do right by the pack that had supported her when her mother died and helped raise her into the woman she was today. There was no way she was going to disappoint them. Her plan was half-cocked, but she wouldn’t be her father’s daughter if she didn’t take risks. She’d stepped away from her legacy as a politician’s daughter and gone out on her own. This time she was going to go a step further. She just hoped her father would understand.

Night painted inky-blue shadows in the woods, forming tall stalks and skeletal fingers against a dark sky. The silver goddess in the sky was hidden by iron-gray cotton balls. Kelly shifted in her seat. Sweat dampened her palms and her heartbeat raced faster and faster as they drew closer to the parking area.

Brandon reached out and placed his hand on her thigh. He said nothing, but he didn’t have to. She could feel his support and love in that simple touch. She grabbed his wrist and held it, allowing his strength and trust seep into her. His energy slipped up her arm and settled in her chest to swell there and fill her body with warmth. He didn’t know her plan, had no clue what she’d set in motion, but she believed he’d back her up no matter what.

They pulled into the parking lot that the pack used during full-moon shifts and summits. Several cars already jammed the small space. Energy jittered along her limbs. The need to move caused her leg to jiggle up and down. She clenched her jaw as her stress level spiked.

No sooner had he parked than she opened the door and jumped out. “I’ll meet you at the top,” she told Brandon.

The cold air slapped her in the face as soon as she was outside the warm cushion of the SUV. Her wolf’s nostrils flared as the scents of the pack permeated the air around her. Her father’s familiar cologne dominated the air. She could feel his presence all around her, his stare on the back of her neck. Kelly shook it off. She couldn’t think about him, or she’d start to second-guess herself.

She let the wolf rise and peek out, scenting the air for her target. There in the trees, near the edge of the space. She took off, dodging pack members and ignoring the people who were calling her name. Her wolf could smell snow in the atmosphere. The summit would have to wrap up fast so they could get home before the blizzard started. No one liked to be stuck out on the road in bear country with Mother Nature about to wreak havoc.

She stopped in front of Mabel, who jumped back. “Jesus, why’d you want to meet me out here? The bears are prowling about and your pack keeps sniffing around me.” Her bright-green, lamplight eyes showed even in the dim overhead lights.

Kelly shoved her hands in her pockets, cursing herself for forgetting her gloves. “Yeah, sorry about that. It was a spur of the moment thing. Look, I want to stop the fighting between us. I need to know if what Madison told me is true. Is this an unofficial turf thing?”