The Mystic Wolves (7 page)

Shame pounded into me.
How could I possibly look him in the eye again, knowing I cost him his beloved sister?
Sure, he brought me back, but it was more from the duty of being the Alpha, and I doubted he would still want to mate with me.

Just the idea of never completing the bond stirred up fear and an agony so acute, tears began to stream down my face. I pulled my knees up into my chest and hugged them, continuing my steady rocking.

What am I going to do?

Thoughts raced through my mind and I could feel the hysteria building. The nightmare had finally released me from its grip, but now a new one, a world without Jasmine, Mason, and my pack began to take shape, and it was by far the most terrifying.

A noise erupted into the air, disturbing the silence of the room. It took a moment to realize I was the one making it. I was shocked to hear how weak and destitute I sounded. There was nothing confident about it. It belonged to someone who had just lost everything, and the weight of it crushed me.

I clamped a hand over my mouth, desperate to stop the noise before it brought people to my room. The last thing I needed was everyone trying to figure out what happened. It would come soon enough if I knew the rumor mill at all. I was part of a pretty amazing pack, the Mystic Wolves, but like most, we enjoyed a little gossip, and I wasn’t ready to face it.

Another thought shot through my mind, one that made me wince.
I can’t let anyone see me like this.
Vulnerable and weak. Being almost mated to the Alpha came with authority and a position of pride amongst the pack—a greatly coveted position for those looking to advance. I’d made sure to maintain friendly relationships with everyone, but who knew when someone would get it in their head to throw down the gauntlet.

Maybe that’s the best thing. Have someone challenge me and let them win. It would solve everyone’s problem.
Even before the thought was completed, it made me choke. Yes, things felt dire at the moment, but this wasn’t me. I wasn’t a wolf to just lie down and bare my throat without a fight. I may feel like a failure, but I would never do something so cowardly—so unbecoming and faint-hearted.

No, I need to just leave. Get out of bed, pack a few things, and go into hiding. Mason will eventually forget me and stop looking. If I run far enough, maybe I can start again.

My wolf growled at the idea, showing me just how distasteful my musings were. Mason had reached her earlier and she was now fiercely loyal to him. She didn’t want to hear any nonsense about leaving. Besides, she warned me, Mason would never stop looking, and he’d bring in other packs to help. The only way to avoid that was to go rogue, and the idea bristled against my pride. I was too much of a “pack” girl to ever go it alone.

What am I going to do?

You’re going to stop thinking and just let me hold you,
a voice as warm as melted chocolate echoed through my mind and slid over my body. I stopped my rocking and opened my eyes, looking for the source.

“Mason?”

I’m here. Just waiting and watching.

A rustle from the corner of the room drew my attention, and I found him—the man who made my heart sing and dance, sitting on the floor with his back against the wall. A closer look showed he was still in the same clothes from yesterday, giving him a crumpled look I couldn’t deny was sexy. Each time I looked at him, it stole my heart, and it hurt to know I’d lost him.

“What are you doing down there? Something wrong with the chair?” I looked over to the plush armchair I had everyone drag in for me, and I instantly saw the problem—it was covered with piles of unfolded clothes. Being a procrastinator, I’d never got around to putting them away.

“I wanted you to rest, but couldn’t bring myself to leave. You tossed and turned a lot.”

Speaking aloud, Mason’s voice had the same effect over me. To some, he just sounded like an ordinary guy, but as a werewolf I could feel the authority and power flowing through it. I could also hear his weariness and sorrow.

“You didn’t want to share my bed?” I couldn’t believe how small I sounded as I spoke my fears. It hurt knowing he found me so repulsive he’d rather sit on a hard floor than beside me.

I closed my eyes again, hoping to hide from his answers. If he was going to break it off with me, I’d rather not see it coming. Maybe I was a coward.

There was a slight noise before I felt the mattress lower as Mason sat down beside me. I instantly began rocking again, my body moving involuntarily, and it was seconds before I was encased in strong arms.

“I’m sorry about Jasmine. I’m sorry I couldn’t save her. I’m sorry ….” I couldn’t finish my sentence.

The calming, potent scent of wolf mixed with Mason hit me and I filled my lungs with it, memorizing it for future use. My heartbeat sought out his and slowed itself to match. My chest rose and fell in time with his. For the first time since I awoke, I felt some semblance of peace.

“Darcy, you think too much,” Mason whispered, and he tightened his embrace. “It hurts me to hear you.”

“It’s true though,” I murmured, “Why would you want me?”

“Because you’re mine.”

With that simple declaration, I fell apart.

Wave after wave of every emotion I lived through in the past twenty four hours washed over me, filling me up before erupting out in short, hard gasps. Drawing breath was near impossible as I panted through the pain and sobbed as my heart broke all over again. As one cry finished, another began and everything faded away, leaving me drowning in grief. It was relentless—I couldn’t escape it, forced to ride it out.

Slow, soothing strokes against my back were my lifeline, Mason’s steady presence a reminder I wasn’t alone, and I clutched onto him as my anchor. Gradually, my chest stopped tightening and my cries turned into muffled hiccups as I buried my face into him.

“Are you okay?” Mason asked softly, his hand leaving my back to run his fingers through my hair. His voice sounded thick with emotion, and a quick glance at his face confirmed my suspicions. I hadn’t wept alone.

He’d also lost his sister, and I felt selfish for losing sight of it. He’d gone through the night alone, wanting to let me rest, choosing to see to my needs before his own. Love surged through me over this man, and I offered up a vow right then and there, I’d stand by him forever.

Pulling back slightly, I reached up and tenderly brushed away his tears with the pad of my thumb. Mason returned the favor, his focus never leaving my face. I’m not sure how I missed it before. Yes, there was a look of weariness and deep sadness, but there was also love blazing in his eyes. This was a man who adored me, who would wage war with the Devil himself, and he was all
mine
. My wolf howled in agreement.

You better believe I’m all yours. It’s you and me forever, Darcy. No matter what.

He spoke again into my mind, and I tentatively reached out to answer him.
I love you, Mason. I’m so sorry.
I couldn’t help let go of a sigh at being able to connect with him mentally. It troubled me that it hadn’t worked earlier and before I could ask why, he interrupted me.

“There’s plenty of time to talk, babe. We’ll work on it. Right now, I just want to make sure you’re okay. You scared me last night and I hate feeling that way. I’m struggling with the death of Jasmine, but to think I almost lost you too … I don’t think I would survive that.”

“Even a big bad wolf like you?” I offered a weak smile as I stroked his cheek, touched at the emotion he was showing me.

“Yes, even a big bad wolf like me. You’re everything to me, Darcy. So I don’t ever want to hear you think about leaving. Whatever happens, we face it together.” There was a fierceness in his face now as he spoke, a determination that told me what he just shared was as good as law. Without thought, I leaned forward and brought my lips against his, moving them for a gentle, tender kiss.

“Thank you,” I whispered, retreating slowly. A flash of hunger fired in his eyes before he pulled back, a look of concern returning to its place. Without warning, Mason lifted me into his arms, and with his back against the headboard, nestled me on his lap. I couldn’t help but squeak at the sudden movement and blushed at how very un-wolf-like it was.

His slight chuckle resonated through my back as I got comfortable. Trust him to have heard it. Nothing escaped his notice when it came to me, and he brought his arms around my body, folding me into his own.

“Want to talk about it?” The question hung in the air and I didn’t know how to answer. Everything inside me screamed to keep silent, to bury it deep, but the look of concern on his face told me he needed this just as much as I did
.

I nodded and searched for a place to start. I wasn’t looking forward to reliving it, but hopefully once it was out in the open between us we could heal together. Without any more thought, I opened my mouth and the words poured out. They came slowly at first, and then rapidly. The purging felt good.

Mason sat quietly, focused on letting me set the pace, but there was no denying the inner turmoil he was going through. As he listened about the threat to me and his sister, and the struggle she went through, electricity churned in the air. His wolf was right at the surface, chomping and snarling, wanting to be released. It showed the amazing strength and control he had, because a lesser wolf would’ve changed under the incredible pressure.

Even with his fury tightly reined, Mason emitted low growls. When I retold the moment where Jasmine was shot, he leaned his head back and let out the most haunted, terrifying cry I’d ever heard. It was full of grief, maddening in its intensity. His arms became like iron rods around me and I knew all his protective instincts had kicked in. Had I not already taken care of Gary, Mason would’ve left right at that moment, and not stopped until he destroyed the monster who dared to steal from him.

I turned my body to sit across his lap so I could reach up to his face. With my fingers, I traced the outline of his cheek. Tenderly, I brought his gaze to mine and it was just as I suspected—his eyes were wolf-like, more evidence of his battle to keep his beast caged. I pulled him closer and kissed his eyelids, resting my forehead against his when I was finished.

We sat quietly, lost in the moment, clinging to one another. When I felt the change in the air and Mason relax, I looked back and related the rest of the tale. I told how my wolf had taken charge, hunting the threat down like prey and relishing in the kill. I shared everything, hoping this would bring him a sense of justice. From the look of feral triumph he gave me, I hoped it would be enough.

I stared at him for the longest time, trying to judge what he’d do. I knew he was in turmoil, I could see it in his body language and in the way he tightly held me. I caught my breath—waiting. He answered me moments later. One minute I was sitting in his lap, and next I was airborne.

Mason’s strength always amazed me. Flipping me over so I was lying on my back, he hovered above me. I opened my mouth to ask what he was doing, but a soft growl and focused look stopped me in my tracks.

Without another word spoken, he set about inspecting every part of my body. He was methodical in his approach, lifting and studying, looking for anything that showed signs of abuse. Every inch met his gaze, and he released small grunts of satisfaction before moving on to the next. I lay there and let him, knowing he wouldn’t simply take my word for it, he needed to see for himself.

Once he was finished, he started again, but this time his touches were different. Gone was the restlessness. Mason was now moving about like a man wanting to memorize and reclaim what was his.
You are mine
, he repeated and he lowered his face to smell my skin. Licking me in slow circles, he feathered me with soft kisses. I was helpless to fight the pull of passion stirring between us.

There was something erotic about the way he moved over me, his heated build pressed hard against mine. I couldn’t help the way my body reacted as I arched into his touch and sighed with deep contentment. When Mason found a certain sensitive spot, one he loved to tease me with, I decided I’d had enough and reached for him.

One moment my hands were touching him and the next they were pinned to the bed while he looked down at me wickedly. “Patience, Darcy. I’m not finished. There’s one more place I haven’t savored.”

I held my breath, desire coursing through me and almost lost my mind as he nestled into my neck, nipping and sucking at the tender flesh. It was definitely a weakness of mine, the feel of his teeth and lips, the brushing of heated breath. I squirmed against him, trying to break from his restraining grip. All it did was add fuel to the fire already building between us.

“Mason, you’re killing me here. Please.” I wasn’t beneath begging for him to kiss me.

He chuckled, a deep, throaty laugh that weakened me further. “You scared me. I told you not to go out alone and I was right. All your sass,” he said, biting at my neck, the slight sting causing a moan to escape from my mouth. “Your assurances everything would be okay.” He swirled his tongue slowly, bringing goose bumps to my flesh. “I want you to say it—I was right and you were wrong.” Having finished in that spot, he moved on to the next. “Admit it.”