The Omega's Mate: (12 page)

He gave her a thorough kiss goodbye, before setting off for the recreation centre.  He was surprised at how much he had enjoyed spending the day with her.  Being the Omega was tough, but also rewarding.  She had to share in her pack mate’s pain, but she also got to share in the happiness and love.  His bear was glorying in their mate; she was the most-amazing woman he’d ever met. 
He was one lucky son of a bear.

Carly stretched out on the bed, reveling in the lingering scent of their lovemaking.  Nerve endings tingled in awareness, remembering the thrilling touch of his skin on hers.  Sleep was all but forgotten;
maybe she should call him and ask him to come back…

Carly shuddered suddenly.  An odd feeling washed through her.  It was anger, pure red hot anger.  The level of malevolence was disturbing.  Fear pricked at her. 
It was the same feeling she got right before that car almost ran her down…

Her wolf whined as the feeling intensified.  Carly tried to identify where it was coming from, but it was strange and erratic.  Ugh, she felt queasy…

Carly jumped as someone banged on her door.

“Carly, it’s me and Melanie, open up!” yelled Kayleigh.  She could be really loud when she wanted to be.

The feeling disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.  Carly shook her head; it was very odd.  She tried to forget about it and went downstairs to see her friends.

Chapter Fourteen

25
th
January

Carly rushed to the recreation centre as fast as she could.  At her suggestion, she had spent the day working on her shop while Cain trained.  He hadn’t wanted to leave her, but she insisted. 
She could kick herself sometimes.

Instead of working, she’d spent the whole day mooning, and daydreaming about him.  Her wolf had whimpered and, when that didn’t work snarled at Carly to find their mate.  Up until they finally bonded, being apart was going to be torture.  After a few hours, Carly finally gave in and shut the shop. 

Walking through the recreation centre she heard grunting, and pounding.  She hurried to find her mate, wearing only a pair of shorts, hitting Hans and Don. 
More like pulverizing
.

Kayleigh and Melanie were also there.  Melanie was looking a little green.  It was one thing to watch Cain beat up a total stranger; it was another to see him doing the same to her mate. 

“Don’t hurt his sensitive areas!  I need them intact!” shouted Melanie, covering her eyes.

Kayleigh was rubbing her bottom lip; Carly could scent the witch’s obvious arousal.  Judging by the hungry look on her face, it would be a miracle if Don could walk at all tomorrow.

Carly watched as Cain gracefully dodged blows, and his muscles rippled.  His skin glowed, and little beads of sweat rolled down his god-like body.  She felt her own body heat rapidly, as her desire for her mate soared.  Her panties moistened, and her too-tight skin tingled with excitement.

All worries about the brutality of fighting left her. 
All she could see was her big, powerful mate, proving just how strong and potent he truly was.
The primal urges to mate and breed swelled within her, as her wolf roared for their mate.

Cain knocked Don and Hans to their asses before roaring.  His beast joined him, thrilled at the outcome of the fight.  Even if was just practice.  Suddenly, he stilled and sniffed eagerly.  He scented his mate.
No, he scented his extremely aroused mate.
 

His blackened eyes alighted on her as he growled hungrily.  He worried that fighting would have turned her off, but apparently that wasn’t the case.

He ignored, and walked past Hans and Don, whose mates were retrieving them from the ground.  His focus was centered on the blossoming lust, the heaving chest and the flushed skin of his own mate.

Cain swept her up in his arms into an almost bone-crushing embrace, enjoying the warmth of her mouth.

“I missed you,” he rumbled.

“Not half as much as I missed you,” Carly whispered.

Cain’s chest shook as he chuckled.  “Not possible, nobody could miss anybody as much as I missed you.”

“I don’t know, I really, really missed you.”

“Yeah but…”

Carly rolled her eyes.  “Okay stop!  Seriously, it’s not a competition, let’s just say we both missed each other and leave it at that!”

Cain pouted.  “Fine; let me shower and change, I thought we could grab something to eat at the Diner.”

“Or we could go home and I could make us something… we could eat in bed and feed each other…”  Carly fluttered her eyelashes theatrically, before her eyes widened as she felt his erection pressing into her body.  “I guess you like that idea.”

Cain and his bear were practically panting.  “Definitely.”

Cain placed her on the ground and after a quick kiss on the top of her head, ran to the showers like a man possessed.

Carly grinned as she watched Kayleigh and Melanie leading their mates away.

Don picked up his clothes, wincing slightly.  “I’m really exhausted darlin,' tonight you’re goin’ to have to do all the work.”

Kayleigh cooed over his sweat glistened muscles.  “I’m totally fine with that.”

Melanie cast her mate worried glances.  “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

Hans smirked.  “Nowhere important sugar.”

Carly laughed and said goodbye to them.  Her wolf bounced up and down impatiently.  Cary tried to make the beast relax.  Soon enough they would be back at her house, in her bed, she just had to patient.  Right now, Cain was probably in the shower, his hot naked body standing under the running water, steam pouring out…

What the heck was she waiting for?

*

Cain practically fell over trying to get out of his shorts and into the shower.  He turned the water on full blast, hurrying to clean himself so he could get back to his mate. 
His sex was already painfully big, and he desperately wanted to be inside her.

He stiffened before groaning lustily.  His mate’s sumptuous scent invaded the confines of the cubicle.  Her soft curves grazed him, as she squeezed past and stood in front of him.

“Mind if I join you?”

Without waiting, Carly brushed her hands down his torso, fingering the hard lines of his muscles.  She wrapped her small hands around his engorged cock, stroking his silken length, delighting as he grew even bigger.

Cain groaned, trying to control himself.  The brief touch almost made him explode, but he wanted to hold back, he wanted to come inside her.  He reached down and pulled her up his body; she dropped his manhood and dug her hands into his chest.

He pushed her back against the tiled wall, the coolness tempering the hot lust pulsing through her. Carly squeezed her legs around his waist as he allowed the wall to take her weight.  Reaching between them, he pushed a thick finger inside her waiting channel.

Carly squealed in pleasure, her wolf prancing around vivaciously.  She nipped his collar bone with blunt teeth.  His bear roared, elated.

Pulling his finger away, Cain fisted his manhood and pressed against her entrance.  Carly held her breath in feverish anticipation, before he pulled her down his long member.  She cried as the heavenly feeling of fullness swept through her.

Cain began quickly thrusting in and out of her wet heat.  She dug her claws into his skin, eliciting guttural moans from her mate.  His flesh slapped heavily against hers as he pounded inside her, roughly rubbing her inner walls and glorying in the sight of her ample breasts bouncing up and down.

Carly moaned as he swelled inside her, and she leaned her head against the wall, gasping as he frantically sunk inside her over and over.  He knew he couldn’t last long, not this first time.  He would make it up to her later, when he took her slowly, and languorously.

With one last plunge he and his bear roared as he thickened, and then exploded in climax.  Carly bucked against him, clutching and pulsating, as her release stole through her.  She screamed as her wolf howled excitedly.

Carly leaned her head against his hard chest, smiling contentedly. 
Life didn’t get any better than this. 

Chapter Fifteen

26
th
January

“I swear your darling mate almost gave me a heart attack when he turned up at my door.  He had this crazy look in his eyes, I thought he was going to either rob me or make me join a crazy cult.”

Carly was shopping with Esther; a black bear mated to a pack mate called Felicity.  She was also one of the unfortunate people to suffer a visit from Cain, when he was trying to find Carly.

“No offense,” added Esther, quickly.

Carly snickered.  “None taken, I promise you, he’s calmed down now… sort of.”

“Hey, you don’t have to explain, bears can be pretty aggressive about their females.  If wolves are possessive, bears are aggressive.”

Esther worked at Charlie’s clothes store.  She had the day off, and at a loose end called on Carly for company.  Esther was finding it a little tricky to integrate into pack life.  Esther used to belong to a bear clan, but after being treated horrifically, she left.  Easing back into that kind of group again was proving a little problematic, not to mention getting used to the dynamics of obeying an Alpha. 

Bear clans had leaders who were appointed, and were actually subject to impeachment, if their clan members dared, but Alphas were born.  They were more like benign dictators, but truthfully, not all of them were that benign.  The only way to get rid of an Alpha, who didn’t want to go, was to challenge him to a death match. 
It wasn’t pretty
.

For Felicity’s sake, Esther was trying and had started seeking the company of the human and witch members of the pack, as well as Carly, the gentlest wolf.

Esther was looking to buy a new pair of boots for Felicity. Felicity was a remorseless tomboy and hated shoe shopping.  She had a few pairs of shoes, but in truth only wore one pair of boots, day in and day out.  They were starting to fall apart, and Esther had a mind to replace them.

Carly meanwhile was trying to find some new clothes for her mate.  He didn’t seem to care, but all of his clothes were either worn or ripped, she wanted to get him something nice.

They were at the outlet mall, not far from town.  So far, Carly had been unable to find any clothes that would fit her mate; all the sizes were so average.  The sales people almost laughed themselves silly when she told them the size she needed to buy.

Esther wasn’t faring any better.  All the boots she found were too girly, or had heels that were too high.  As gorgeous as Felicity would look in them, Esther doubted she could get her mate to wear them.

On the plus side, Esther had found a pair of half price sandals, blue pencil skirt and slinky nightgown for herself.  Whilst Carly found a new, silky yellow underwear set. 
At least Cain would enjoy ripping that off her.

“How about we give up, and get some low-fat frozen yogurt?” suggested Carly.

“Sounds good, except let’s replace the yogurt with donuts, and throw in a large cup of coffee.”

Carly beamed.  “You read my mind.”

They chatted as they made their way to the food court.  Carly felt herself shiver, and her wolf snarled.  A sliver of fear trickled through her. 
Were they being watched?

The bizarre anger returned again.  Carly spun round trying to find the source, trying to find out who had such dark feelings.  Esther continued chatting; unaware anything was wrong.  Carly shook her head;
maybe she was imagining it…

Esther started walking down the stairs; Carly trotted to catch her.  Just as she started down the steps, a strong push sent her flying.  Carly screamed as she flailed.  Esther turned, with a horrified look on her face; she gripped the hand rail and slung an arm around Carly.

Carly trembled as Esther tried to calm her.  A number of people crowded round, making sure Carly was okay.  Thank god Esther was there; thank god Esther was a strong bear shifter!

Her wolf yipped worriedly.  Carly tried to scan the crowd, trying to find the owner of those sinister feelings. 
Whoever it was had already gone.

Had they been the one to push her?  Was she sure someone had pushed her?  Maybe someone had just accidentally knocked her… 
She wished she could believe that.

Carly tried to pull herself together as Esther gently led her to the food court to sit down.  She needed at least half a dozen donuts. 
Pronto
.

*

27th January

Carly, after the incident at the mall, was a little quieter than usual.  Cain noticed, but she assured him she was okay.  She wasn’t any less affectionate, so he let it drop, for now.

She made Esther promise not to say anything about her near miss.  Carly insisted it was just an unfortunate accident, and although Esther hadn’t been happy, she agreed not to say anything.  Esther assumed Carly would tell her mate herself. 
She was wrong
.

Her wolf wanted to tell him everything, about the strange feelings, about the fall… but Carly just worried he would overreact.  He had issues with her Alpha putting his hand on her shoulder;
he wasn’t known for his reasonable reactions!

Carly had found her mate.  They were going to bond, and then they were going to live happily ever after. 
End of story
.  These little bumps were nothing, not even worth worrying about.

Cain could see she was a little paler than usual, and worried she was getting sick.  He wanted to stay home and look after her, but she told him he should go.  She mumbled something about having a headache, and told him she was going to rest.  Unhappily, Cain left to train, making her promise to call him if she felt herself getting sicker.

Carly was a little shaky. 
Maybe it hadn’t been a good idea to send Cain away after all. 

She brightened as she had an idea.  She would call the people who were keen to be given jobs at her shop, and together, the three of them could try out a few new recipes.  If she focused on baking, that would take her mind off everything else. 

Carly made a couple of calls, and both said they would be right over.  With renewed purpose, Carly began getting ingredients and equipment ready.  She’d always wanted to try making her donuts, now seemed as good a time as any.

Her stomach clenched as once again the awful anger returned.  Her wolf was whimpering at her to make it stop. 
Where the hell was that coming from?
 

She was about to scream in frustration when someone knocked on her door.  Once again the anger vanished.

Carly shook her head as she walked to the door.  She was just imagining it; that’s all there was to it.  Just an overactive imagination.  She was finally happy, and worrying so much about losing that happiness that she was finding problems that weren’t there. 
That’s all there was to it, right?

*

28th January

After being a little down the day before, Cain was thrilled to find Carly back to her lovely self.  He guessed it was due to her Omega abilities.  If pack members were feeling sad, Carly might feel that way too. 
Occupational hazard.

He was just glad it didn’t last long.  It pained him and tormented his bear, knowing he couldn’t do anything to help her.  He wanted to make everything better; he wanted to be her knight in shining armor.  He wanted to dazzle her, and make her life as perfect as possible so that she didn’t realize he wasn’t good enough for her and leave him. 

Cain felt slightly sore from some particularly rigorous training that day; he wanted to curl up with his mate on the couch and watch a movie.  However, grudgingly, his plans changed.

The Alpha had suggested, or rather demanded, that Carly bring Cain to Bar Luna so that the Alpha could see him outside of a jail cell.  The last time they had met was also at Bar Luna, and it hadn’t ended well.  The Alpha was giving Cain a chance to behave, and prove that he should be permitted to join the pack.

Cain had sworn a blue streak when Carly told him.  His bear howled in annoyance. 
Who was this male wolf to demand anything from him?! 

Carly smiled and soothed him, reminding him that when they bonded he would become a part of the pack, and would be expected to obey the Alpha unconditionally.  Cain grouched about it, but Carly patiently told him that she loved him, and appreciated him agreeing to join the pack to be with her.  His bear melted at that. 
Fickle beast
.  Alright, it would take a bit of getting used to, but it was worth it to be with their mate.  Hopefully the urge to punch the Alpha would dissipate over time.

When they arrived at the bar, it was already heaving with pack members.  Now it was well-known that Cain was Carly’s mate, everyone wanted to see the bear up close. 
And make sure he wasn’t planning on taking their Omega away from them.

Cain was relieved that at least the four pack mates who were his friends were there too.  The dagger-like looks he got from the Alpha, Beta and numerous other pack members were less than welcoming.  Carly introduced Cain to a few people, before letting him escape to sit with their friends.

Cain tracked her movements as she said hello to a few more people, before stopping at the bar to get them some drinks.  She gave him a flirty finger wave.

Melanie chuckled.  “To think of all that time I wasted trying to set Carly up with Acksel!  If I’d known you were her true mate, I’d have just driven her to Darlington and thrown her at you.”

Cain’s bear roared in fury.  “What did you say about Acksel?” he asked quietly.

Melanie paled.  “Uhhhhh…”

Kayleigh snickered.  “Now who’s the loudmouth?”

Cain felt his rage begin to boil.  “Was Acksel interested in Carly?  Did he touch her?”

“No!  Definitely no!  I mean, Carly said she had a crush on him when she was younger…”

Hans raised an unconcerned eyebrow at his mate.  “You trying to get my brother killed, sugar?” 

Cain’s eyes danced with fury.  He turned to see Carly stood next to Acksel at the bar.  The handsome male wolf was standing casually and chatting, whilst Carly smiled serenely.

The bear pushed him to go over there, to snatch his mate away from this other male.  The male wolf was nothing to them; he could snap the wolf like a twig. 
The wolf couldn’t protect Carly the way they could!

Cain struggled to contain his agitated bear.  He moved to stand; both Hans and Don placed a hand on his shoulders in warning.  The bear snapped his jaws but didn’t fight the gentle pressure of the wolves’ hands.

Don breathed deeply.  “Take it easy big fella, Carly’s comin’ right back.”

Cain wasn’t invincible; Don, Hans and the Alpha for good measure could take him down.  But whether they managed to stop him before he shredded Acksel was another matter.

Cain watched as Acksel became distracted by a lithe puma shifter.  Carly rolled her eyes and left the bar carrying their drinks.  She swayed over to their table and sensed her mate’s heightened emotions.  She quickly put the drinks down and began stroking his cheek.

Immediately he calmed, and his bear retreated.  Carly perched on his lap and snuggled into his large body.  She didn’t ask why he was riled.  She didn’t care. 
All that mattered was that he was calm, and they were together.

Melanie exhaled in relief whilst Hans’ shoulders shook with laughter.  Melanie tutted.  “I’m going to the bathroom, who’s coming with me?”

Kayleigh downed the rest of her beer.  “Me, I am.”

“And me,” said Carly.

“Why can’t you go alone?” grumbled Hans.

Melanie tapped his cheek.  “Because then I’d have to complain to the mirror about you.”  She air kissed him and sashayed to the bathroom with the two other women following; Hans watched through narrowed eyes.

Don sucked in a breath.  “Is it me or do those girls look familiar?”

Don nodded in the direction of two attractive young women, who had come into the bar and seemed to be searching the crowd.  Cain frowned; the redhead and the brunette did look familiar.  Where did he know them from?  His bear snarled. 
Oh crap!

“Cain!”  Their faces lit up, and they ran over to him, throwing themselves into his unwilling arms.

It was the two women from O’Neill’s.  The ones his mate had discovered him with when they first met.  What the hell were they doing here?

Before Cain could ask just that, the women squealed as they were pulled off Cain by their hair and fell to the floor. 

Carly placed her hands on her hips, eyes flashing, forcing herself not to cry.  “What the fuck Cain?”

The whole bar was silent, surprised at the actions, and use of a swear word, by their timid Omega.

Panic gripped Cain; his bear stalked in his head.  He reached out to his mate, but she ignored him.  “I swear, beautiful, I have no idea why they’re here.”

“What?!” screeched the brunette, Kelly.

“You invited us here!” spat the redhead, Jo.

Cain let out a throaty roar.  “The hell I did!”

Kelly scoffed.  “Yes you did, that guy at O’Neill’s told us you wanted to see us again.”