WolfsMate_JCS (4 page)

Chapter Five

After their shower, Celeste wandered down to the kitchen.
 
She needed some space.
 
Putting the kettle on to boil, she decided a cup of tea would help settle her nerves.

Before the water could boil, she heard a noise on the front porch.
 
Tightening her robe around her, she hesitantly tiptoed into the living room.
 
She paused near the door and listened.
 
There was definitely someone, or something, on her front porch.

Celeste backed toward the stairs.
 
If she could get to Connor, maybe she would be safe.
 
Her foot had just touched the bottom step when the door flew open.
 
A wolf larger than any she had seen charged into the room, heading straight for her.

She screamed and tried to scramble up the stairs, but the beast grabbed the bottom of her robe and jerked her down the stairs.
 
She landed at the bottom with a thud, the air knocked from her lungs.

As she gasped for breath, the wolf stalked toward her.
 
Growling, saliva dripped from his massive jaws.
 
As he neared, she stared into his eyes.
 
His eyes were flat, the eyes of a killer.
 

Celeste quaked with fear, knowing that she was going to die.
 
Still trying to catch her breath, she wasn’t able to call for help.
 
Just when she thought it was over, she heard a noise from the top of the stairs.

Connor charged down the stairs and launched himself at the alpha wolf.
 
His jaws snapped down on the alpha’s neck as he pulled him away from Celeste.

Celeste rolled to her side and watched the fight with terror in her eyes.
 
Her heart hammered in her chest as she watched Connor fight for both of their lives.
 
Cowering at the bottom of the stairs, she was too petrified to move.

As the wolves rolled and crashed around the living room, she found herself biting her nails.
 
Tremors racked her body and she fought back a cry when the alpha pinned Connor.
 

Knowing she couldn’t let the alpha win, she looked around frantically for something heavy.
 
Spotting her small copper tub in the corner, she picked it up.
 
She crept up behind the alpha and brought the tub down on his head – hard.

The wolf stumbled to the side, releasing Connor.
 

Knowing the alpha was stunned, Connor used the time to attack.
 
Lunging at the other wolf, he went for the kill.
 
Biting into the soft flesh of the alpha’s throat, he ripped it open.

The alpha’s eyes went wide as he slumped to the floor.
 
Blood pooled around him as the light faded from his eyes.

Connor looked to Celeste.
 
Blood dripped from his snout and he hoped she wouldn’t be scared of him.
 
His eyes scanned her, looking for any sign of injury.
 
Satisfied that his mate was unharmed, he walked to the front door and nudged it shut.

Looking at Celeste, he lumbered up the stairs to the loft.
 
When he reached the top, he changed back to his human shape and went into the bathroom to clean up.
 
Once he was free of blood, he went back to his mate.

He found her sitting on her knees at the foot of the stairs.
 
She was shaking violently and staring at her hands.

“Celeste?”
 
He reached down and gently touched her shoulder.

She tensed and looked up at him. “Connor?”

“It’s okay, honey.
 
He can’t hurt you anymore.”

She reached for him with trembling hands.

He lifted her into his arms and cuddled her to his chest.
 
Carrying her upstairs, he sat her on the bed.

“Stay here.
 
I’m going to clean up downstairs.”

She nodded, but didn’t say a word.

Connor left her and went back to the living room.
 
Opening the front door, he hauled the alpha’s body outside.
 
Carrying the massive wolf, he disposed of him in the woods where scavengers would take care of the body.

When he returned to the cabin, he went to the kitchen to get cleaning supplies.
 
After the blood was gone and the living room looked as it had before, he returned to Celeste’s side.

She was still sitting on the bed where he’d left her, staring but not really seeing.

Connor knelt at her feet and took her hands.

“I’m sorry.
 
I’m so sorry,” he said.

“You saved me,” she said softly.

He shook his head. “If it weren’t for me, you never would have been in trouble.”

“Maybe, but if it weren’t for you I would still feel lonely.”

“And you don’t now?”

She shook her head.
 
“When I saw you attack the other wolf, I realized something.
 
I realized that I’m glad I’m your mate.
 
I don’t want to be alone anymore.”

Connor pulled her into his arms. “I promise you won’t be alone, Celeste.
 
You’re my mate and I love you.”

“I think I love you too,” she whispered.

Epilogue

A year later

Celeste stood in the kitchen sipping a cup of tea.
 
Connor had been gone for hours and she was anxious for him to return.
 
He’d barely left her side for weeks after the incident.
 
It had taken her forever to convince him she would be okay on her own.

Rubbing her rounding stomach, she stared out of the kitchen window.
 
The full moon shone brightly in the night sky.
 
Millions of stars winked at her.

The front door opened and closed.

“Celeste?”

“In the kitchen,” she called.

Connor walked in and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her gently. “I’m sorry I’m late.”

“Is everything okay?”

He nodded.
 
“The pack seems to be back to normal.”

“That’s good.”

“They decided to keep me as alpha.”

She looked at him in surprise.
 
“Did you accept?”

He nodded.
 
“It was the only way to ensure you’re safety and the baby’s.”

Smiling, she rubbed her stomach. “It’s probably a good thing.
 
If you’re the alpha, won’t the baby be in line for the position if he can change into a wolf?”

Connor smiled and cupped his hands around her stomach.
 
“Yes.
 
I wasn’t sure if you would be happy about that though.”

“Connor, being able to shift into a wolf is part of who you are.
 
I would be delighted for our child to be like you.”

Connor kissed her, his tongue tracing her lips.

Parting her lips, she welcomed his kiss.
 
Liquid fire raced through her.
 
It amazed her that after a year he could still turn her on with just a kiss.

Celeste broke the kiss and looked up at him with teary eyes.

“I love you,” she whispered.

“And I love you, more than life itself.”

Smiling, she lost herself in his embrace.

About the Author

Jessica lives in a world where warlocks, shapeshifters and fairies exist, and everyone deserves a happy ending -- from tragic vampires finally finding love after centuries of being alone, to super hunky womanizing werewolves finding their destined mate –- it’s all in a day’s work.

Unable to find a werewolf of her very own, she decided to marry someone who thinks he’s one -– minus howling at the full moon, fleas, and a rousing game of chase-the-mailman. Okay, so he
 
sometimes
 
howls at the full moon.

When she isn't writing, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family, reading (mostly romance), or going to the beach. She’s especially fond of bookstores and Starbucks! 

Jessica loves to hear from her fans! You may email her at
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