“But why? I enjoy carrying my Luna.”
“At least you have clothes on this time,” she muttered, making him chuckle.
“Admit you liked it when I was carrying you without clothes,” he teased, making her blush.
“That’s what I thought,” he laughed. He walked down a graveled path that ran past the pool, through some hedges, and into an incredible garden. In the middle of the garden was a small cottage. He walked to the door and deposited Jillian and then opened the door. “I need to have it dusted, but this place would be perfect. My mother used to paint also,” he smiled fondly at the memory. “My father built this place for her. It was quiet and she could paint undisturbed.”
He walked inside, Jillian following. She smiled as she looked around. It was just a single room, and all the walls were windows. There was a couch covered in a dust cloth, a chair, along with a stool, and an easel, all of them covered to protect them from dust and mold.
“I will have some of the pack come clean this up today, and then you can have this place. Just let me know what supplies you need.”
He then looked at Jillian. She had tears in her eyes.
“Are you okay?” he asked her softly.
She nodded and wiped her tears away. “Yes, this is just so incredible, thank you,” she whispered. She was so happy that she kissed him.
He smiled against her lips. “If things like this make you happy, I will have to do it more often,” he whispered, and crushing her to him he kissed her passionately.
She moaned against his lips. It felt too good to kiss him. But why? She had been so ticked off him just a few hours before. “Because you are his mate,” came that little voice. She gripped his shoulders, desperate for his kisses. They were driving her crazy. They were so full of passion and something else, love perhaps? Or was it just lust. She didn’t care. All she knew was that she could not get enough.
He pulled away a few moments later, grinning down at her, but held her to him. She could hear his heart beating hard. “You are going to drive me crazy, woman,” he whispered into her hair. “We need to stop before I have my way with you on the couch.”
She sighed, but stayed in his arms for a moment, loving having his arms about her. Perhaps she had been wrong about the Alpha. He was showing that he cared for her, and since she was being kind to him, he seemed happier.
“What does it mean to be marked?” she asked him then.
He looked down at her, surprised. “ I have to bite you. If I mark you everyone knows you are mine. It is quite intimate, it is like becoming engaged in a way. No one else can touch you, or I can kill them.”
“Oh.”
“Would you like me to mark you?” he asked softly.
She swallowed. “Will it hurt?”
“Only for a moment.”
“Will I be able to read your thoughts?”
“I don’t know. Where you are human, probably not. We probably won’t have that connection.”
“Okay.”
“Are you disappointed?”
“Not really. I don’t want you in my head,” she grinned up at him.
“Why, because of all the dirty things you think about me?” he teased her.
“Are you kidding? Definitely not. I didn’t want you in there in case I decided to escape.”
He frowned.
“I’m kidding, Alpha. I won’t escape as long as you treat me well, and with those sluts gone, I think we can get along.”
He walked to the couch and pulled the cover off, and had her sit. “Are you sure you want this? After all, we have known each other for only a few days. For me, that seems an eternity, because I love you, you are my mate. I fell in love with you the moment I laid eyes on you, but how about you? If you want me to mark you, you must feel something for me.”
“I kind of like you,” she shrugged, but she was smiling.
He chuckled. “You do know if I mark you that no man can touch you without me knowing, right?”
“Will I know if a woman touches you?”
“I’m not sure if it will work that way, but hopefully, why are you jealous?”
“I just don’t want another Jessy episode.”
“I hope you forgive me for that one day.”
“One day. Faster, if you keep doing things like this,” she said, pointing around the room.
He chuckled. “So if I spoil you, you will fall in love with me?”
She shook her head. “Oh no, Alpha. That’s not how it works. You don’t need to buy me things. That would only make me upset. No, I want things like this,” she pointed to the room, “and time together, and kindness. Then yes, I think I could like you more.”
“Not love me?” he asked, feeling disappointed.
She touched his face, and he took her hand, kissing it.
“I can grow to love you,” she said. “Since I am not a wolf, I don’t know how strong our bond will be, but I want to make it work if you do.” She had had a serious change of heart just within a few hours, but she was sure it was because he was being so kind and gentle with her, plus it helped that he was incredibly handsome and could kiss extremely well.
“That is my wish, Luna. I want to be yours, and you mine, for eternity.”
She sighed then, “I hope we live that long.”
“Why do you say that?”
She shook her head. “It’s nothing.”
“Jillian, what is going on?”
“I have dreams,” she admitted.
“Dreams?”
“Yes, and most of the time they come true.”
He was intrigued. She could heal fast, and her dreams came true? He knew of another like that. He would have to give him a call.
“Did you have one of these dreams?” he asked her softly, rubbing her hands as he held them.
She nodded.
“Can you tell me about it?”
“It’s not important, except the part where I cried out to you, and you couldn’t hear me because I wasn’t marked,” she said softly.
“When did you have this dream?” he asked her, concerned.
“Last night.”
That was weird because he had been in his room and hadn’t heard her cry out. Was her dream really that bad? And if it had been, why didn’t she want to tell him about it? It made him curious.
“So you want me to mark you so that you can communicate with me? In case you need me?”
“If it would work.”
“I am willing to try,” he smiled, his teeth elongating.
“I am too,” his wolf agreed, happy.
“I will try and mark you, but I cannot guarantee the results, okay? I do know that no other wolf can touch you though, and that will be a great comfort to me.”
He sniffed her neck, relishing in her wonderful scent. She shuddered. “Don’t be scared,” he said, feeling a great deal of satisfaction that she wanted him to mark her, because he wanted the same thing. He wanted to make her, his.
“Ready?” he whispered, holding her to him.
“Ready,” she whispered. Why she wanted him to mark her when they had only known each other for a few days, was beyond her, but she needed to be marked for some reason, it would make her happy, she decided, as he bit into her neck.
She gasped but held onto him. It felt good. It wasn’t as painful as she thought it would be, and the emotions that filled her were intense.
He groaned as he pulled away, feeling an instant connection with his Luna. He wasn’t sure if she felt it though. He hoped she did. His love for her instantly grew a thousandfold. He kissed her wound, making her moan softly. He pulled back and smiled at her.
“Did it hurt?”
“No, it felt good,” she admitted. It had made her want to do something she knew she was not ready for.
Raul growled in satisfaction. “Mate,” he said.
Edric kissed Jillian and then pulled her to her feet. “Come, we had better head back before I have my way with you,” he said.
“Hmm,
as tempting as that is, I think we had better wait for that step. I am not ready for that.”
His wolf howled in anticipation.
“Did you just howl?” she grinned at him.
“My wolf is very happy,” Edric grinned.
“And you?” she asked shyly.
“Very happy,” he said, kissing her, and then picked her back up into his arms. “You are mine now, and for always.”
She just hoped that she hadn’t made a mistake in letting him mark her. But she felt good, and felt more connected to him as if she could feel his love radiating to her. She leaned her head against his chest, making him smile, and hold her closer. He was a very happy man right now, and he hoped that Jillian was happy too. He would do anything for her, his Luna.
Chapter 7
Edric carried her back to the house and deposited her into the kitchen. Emerson was there. “Come into the dining room,” he grinned.
Edric took Jillian’s hand in his, glad she didn’t pull away, and they headed into the dining hall.
“Like it?” Warren asked, climbing down from a ladder. “We thought all of your paintings should be displayed.”
Carla walked to them then, a few nails in her hands. She gasped, then looked at Edric, who was grinning foolishly. “You didn’t.”
“I did,” he smirked.
“Emerson, come here,” Carla said.
He walked over to Jillian and Carla pointed to Jillian’s neck. “Really. You marked her already?” he asked in surprise.
“I did.”
“With her permission?” Carla asked.
“Yes,” Edric smiled, pulling Jillian to him.
“Wow, that was fast, why the change of heart?” she asked Jillian.
“It was his charm, his kisses, his hotness, and the fact that he has given me his mother’s studio to paint in.”
Carla smiled. “I think it is more than that. I think you are falling for the Alpha. His hotness, as you put it,” she chuckled, making the men grin.
Jillian blushed.
“It’s okay Luna, that is what you are supposed to do,” she grinned, and then kissed Jillian’s cheek. “Congratulations.”
“How does that work with a human anyway,” Emerson asked, touching Jillian’s neck, and making Edric growl in anger.
“Well, you obviously know when someone touches your woman.”
“Do not touch her again,” Edric growled in anger.
“It’s okay Edric,” Jillian said.
“No one can touch you, mated or not,” Edric growled, “or I have the right to kill them.”
“You are not going to kill your Omega, so settle it down Mister,” Jillian said, holding him back from Emerson.
“He issued a challenge,” Edric spit out.
“No, he did not. He was curious, now stop it.” She then kissed him.
He growled, pulling her to him closely.
“Perhaps we should leave,” Carla chuckled, and the two walked out, Warren following them.
“Quit being jealous,” Jillian told Edric.
“You are mine,” he growled.
“Yes, you pointed that out.”
“How would you feel if I touched another girl?” he asked her.
“You already have, many times,” Jillian pointed out.
“That was before I marked you. Now you are marked, if I touched or kissed a girl, you would feel extreme anger, and you would have the right to kill them.”
Jillian smirked at him. “Because I would do that. I might slap her about and send her packing to somewhere really cold and no clothes,” making Edric chuckle, “but I won’t kill someone, as long as you don’t let them kiss you,” she pointed out.
“Same goes to you,” he said. “No touching or kissing other men.”
“Like I would,” she said, “I have his Hotness to kiss.”
“You think I am hot, do you?” he smirked at her.
“Well duh,” she grinned, then stood on her tiptoes, and put her lips really close to his, “but don’t let it go to your head,” she teased, then took off running.
His wolf took it as a challenge and he instantly shifted and headed after her. She was laughing so hard as she ran out the door and to the front lawn, she couldn’t catch her breath and then she was pushed over by a very large wolf. She giggled as he licked her face.
“Yuck, dog slobber,” she said, wiping her face, and making him chuckle. He licked her face again. “Get off me you furry beast,” she said, pushing on him.
He chuckled again and laid down by her. She giggled, making him grin at her.
She began to rub his side, making him groan, but it came out like a purr.
She giggled more. “You like your stomach rubbed? I wonder if you do as a human too,” she teased, making him nip her hair. She pushed him away but continued to rub her hands through his soft fur. He settled next to her as she rubbed his fur. “Do you like being a wolf?” she asked him.
He nodded.
“Do you wish I was one?”
He nodded again.
“Yeah, it’s too bad I am all human,” she sighed, making him grin at her. She scratched his head, and then his belly, trying to ignore the boy parts hanging down. She blushed as she saw them and scrambled to her feet. He knew what she had seen, and it made him laugh. She was truly too innocent.
She headed back inside, him on her heels, staying in his wolf form so as not to embarrass her. Although he knew she liked how he looked.
He headed to his room to change, and she headed to find Carla and Emerson. They were back in the dining hall.
“I apologize for making the Alpha mad,” Emerson told Jillian.
“He’ll get over it,” she grinned. “Thank you for helping to hang my paintings.”
“Anytime, they are incredible. Would you like me to buy you some more art supplies?”
“I will take her after school tomorrow,” Edric said, walking in, dressed.
“How am I getting to school anyway?” Jillian asked.
“My limo,” Edric said.
“Like that won’t be embarrassing.”
Edric chuckled. “Everyone will just know you are mine, what is wrong with that?”
“It’s just like when your parents take you to school, is all,” she said.
“Do I look like your father?” he growled, pulling her close to him.
“No,” she breathed out.
“I didn’t think so,” he chuckled. “I will take you, and pick you up.”
“Yes dad,” she teased, making him reach for her again, but she had escaped his grasp. He growled at her.
“Don’t go all wolf on me again,” she warned, making Emerson and Carla grin.
“I thought you liked rubbing my fur,” Edric teased her, making her blush.
He laughed.
“I think they’ll be just fine,” Emerson said, kissing his wife’s cheek.
“Better than okay,” she smiled.
“Dinner will be ready in an hour,” said a voice from behind them.
“Thanks, Den,” Edric told the man who was standing there. Jillian turned to look at him.
He bowed to her. “Luna, it is a pleasure,” he said. “I heard your parents are coming for dinner, is there anything that you would like me to cook?”
“I’m not picky,” she shrugged, “but I could go for a nice steak.”
He smiled and looked at Edric.
He nodded. “Yes, a steak sounds nice, thanks Den.”
“Yes sir,” he said and headed from the room.
“I think I am going to go change for dinner if that is okay,” Jillian said.
“Need some help?” Edric grinned.
“Get a room you two,” Carla teased.
“We have one, but she won’t let me in,” Edric chuckled, making the Emerson and Carla laugh.
Jillian shook her head. “I think I can manage on my own, thanks,” she said and headed to her room.
She went into her closet, finding a dark blue cocktail dress.
It looked a bit mature for her, but she wanted to look good for the Alpha. After all, he was treating her well and had spoiled her that day. She left her hair down though. She didn’t want her parents seeing her mark and wondering if it was a weird hickey. Her mark was already healed and had left a silver mark in the shape of a crescent moon on her. It was really neat. After a quick shower and after putting on makeup, her dress, and matching heels, she headed out the door where Edric was waiting for her.
He looked her up and down, making her blush. He growled hungrily at her, and stepping forward, he laid a heart-stopping kiss on her.
“You look incredible,” he murmured, kissing her neck where he had marked her. He looked at her mark and smiled. “A true Luna.”
“Why do you say that?” she asked him.
“Your mark, it is in the shape of the moon. Luna means moon. You are mine, my Luna.” He then kissed her, putting his arms around her bare back. He growled in her ear. “You know, I am not a very patient man, and if you keep dressing like that, you might find yourself in my bed sooner than later.”
“Later,” she gasped out, as he kissed her neck, and then her lips.
“Is that a promise?” he growled in her ear.
“If you keep kissing me like that, it will be,” she whispered.
He chuckled. “Hmm, perhaps we should skip dinner,” he said.
She swallowed and stepped back. “We had better head to dinner,” she whispered. “My parents are probably here.”
“Yes, we had better,” he growled, eyeing her hungrily, “and you are dessert.”
She shuddered against him, making him chuckle.
He kept an arm about her waist and they headed down to dinner. Her parents were already seated, but jumped up and hugged Jillian as they walked in.
“You look beautiful,” her mother said.
“I see that your paintings are hung up in here,” her father said. “That’s nice. I hope you aren’t planning on doing that for a living though. I know that is what you want, but it doesn’t make money.”
Edric frowned as Jillian’s father talked.
“Actually, Henry,” Edric interrupted. “I have an art gallery in the city, and I am going to display your daughter’s work there. I think she could sell every one of them.”
Jillian smiled at Edric. “You will?”
“I will,” he promised her, pulling her close to him. “Your work is astounding, and I want everyone to see it.”
The Alpha King and his Human Mate Page 7