by R. E. Butler
Rehlik nodded. There was definitely nothing better than his mate.
Once they’d said goodbye to everyone and the house was quiet again, Rehlik shut the front door and turned to face his mate. She was looking thoughtful.
“What’s on your mind, beautiful?” he asked, joining her and resting his hands on her hips.
“We’ve got five days before the celebration, right?”
“Yep.”
“Do I have to wear anything special for our mating ceremony?”
He hummed. “This isn’t like a private mating, when we’ll mark each other. It’s more for show and to bring the pack together to acknowledge that you’re going to be in authority over them as well. We’ll pledge ourselves to each other and to the protection and leadership of the pack, and then I’ll give you a bite on your neck, but not to break the skin. It’s symbolic.”
She chewed her bottom lip, her brow furrowing. “Will it matter if we’re not fully mated by then?”
“No. You’re mine and I’m yours. Our marking each other isn’t relevant to the fact that you’re my alpha female. That’s something private, between you and me alone.”
“I don’t want anyone to think that I don’t want to be your mate in truth.”
He used his thumb to smooth the wrinkle between her brows and then kissed her. “There’s no timetable to follow, and no one is going to disapprove. There’s nothing wrong with us taking the time to get to know each other.”
She didn’t look like she was sure, but she smiled at him and the worried look disappeared from her pretty eyes. He wanted to explore her worry some more, but she rose onto her toes and brushed her lips over his. Everything within him went haywire, and he lost the ability to think of anything except her lush curves and the sweet scent of her arousal.
There was definitely nothing better.
Chapter Nine
Wednesday night, Weylyn stood in the gazebo in the town square and watched the males and females as they worked to prepare for the day-long anniversary celebration. For the first time in her life, she was fully accepted. No one cared that she was a hybrid or that she’d been exiled. They only cared that she was Rehlik’s mate and a good person. She was compassionate by nature and loved taking care of people. She’d only had herself and her mom her entire life. Now she had a brand new family made of people from all walks of life.
“You look pretty serious,” a feminine voice said from behind her.
Weylyn turned and found herself facing Genesis. She was a lynx shifter and had been a princess of her people before her father exiled her for not going through with an arranged mating.
“I was just thinking about how different things are here.” Weylyn leaned against the top rail which was still warm from the day’s sun.
“Good different?”
“One hundred percent. I didn’t have a big family or friends or anything. It was just me and my mom.”
“Now you’ve got the pack. I will say one thing—they are very accepting of new people, not to mention that you’re Rehlik’s mate. I read in a book once that it’s called ‘found family.’ Like there’s born family—the people you’re biologically related to—and found family—the ones you come across in your life.”
“I like that description.” Weylyn smiled. “I especially like how welcoming everyone’s been.”
Not only had people in the pack invited her and Rehlik to dinner every night she’d been in town, but Archer and Gunner had arranged to return her rental car and provided her with a small Jeep for driving around town. She’d been approached by some of the females to discuss issues related to them within the pack, and she’d realized she needed an office. Rehlik had fixed up the four-season room on the back porch to be her place, giving her not only a desk and computer but a comfortable seating area and an outside entrance so people weren’t walking through the house to get to her.
“They were the same to me,” Genesis said. “And I’m actually fortunate because Jair’s biological father was already living here, so I got a father-in-law right away.”
The welcoming nature of the town was what made Cider Falls so special.
“So how’s everything going?” Weylyn asked.
“Great, I just came over here to give you the revised schedule.” Genesis stepped up to the gazebo and gave Weylyn a printed schedule on thick card stock. She reviewed it and smiled at the seven p.m. time slot which was reserved for “the alphas” ceremony.
“Looks great, thank you so much.”
“You bet. Tomorrow is going to kick ass. I’m so glad I’m here for this.” Genesis took the schedule and tucked it into a folder. “Did you know that Cider Falls is one of the oldest exile-welcoming towns in the States? There’s one older one—Blue Ridge—that’s been around for fifteen years. It’s pretty huge; I think a lot of exiled shifters go there.”
“Where is Blue Ridge? I only heard about Cider Falls. I didn’t know there were others.”
“I think there are about ten now, but most of them are less than five years old. Blue Ridge is in Pennsylvania.”
“I wish there was a pro-exile town in every state. I was really worried when I got exiled. If my mom hadn’t told me about Cider Falls I don’t know where I would’ve gone.”
“Me too. It was my Aunt Geraldine who told me about this town. She knew about it because her best friend is Mona, who was already living here.”
Weylyn hoped that someday, shifter groups wouldn’t exile their people, or that the alliance would stop forcing exiled people to join up with a new group so quickly.
She said goodbye to Genesis and turned her attention back to the preparations. As she hung a string of lights from the gazebo, she thought about the mating ceremony. Rehlik had told her that they didn’t need to be fully mated—bites and everything—before she officially became alpha female, but there was a part of her that longed for that connection. She’d only been in Cider Falls since Friday. Her life had been turned upside down that day and she’d lost everything. But if it weren’t for what she’d lost, she wouldn’t have found Rehlik. She’d been an outsider for so long, and now she was going to be alpha female.
But what was holding her back from becoming mates with Rehlik? She cared for him a great deal, maybe even loved him.
Hell, she knew she did love him.
How could she not? He was amazing. Not just sexy and sweet, but compassionate. He was clearly a loyal male, and everyone in Cider Falls looked up to him. She’d heard nothing but good things about him. People were thankful he’d started the exiles-welcome town, and she agreed with them.
And if she was in love with him, then why was she waiting?
She finished stringing the bulbs around the perimeter of the gazebo and closed up the small step ladder. She carried the ladder to one of the tables and leaned it against it, then said to Mona, “I’m going to head home.”
Mona gave her a knowing smile. “Of course. We’re almost done here anyway. The rest of the setup will happen in the morning with the tables and chairs and getting the food ready.”
“I’ll be here with bells on,” Weylyn said. “Thanks for all your help.”
“Anytime.”
Weylyn knew exactly where Rehlik was. She hopped in the Jeep and waved to the workers, then sped away toward home. When she opened the front door, she heard his voice coming from his office, and she immediately knew he wasn’t alone. She picked up a few scents and recognized Trace and Novak. She debated bothering him when he was with people, but he’d told her that his door was always open for her no matter what, so she decided to drop in and say hello.
Maybe he’d catch a hint of her arousal and know the plans she had for the afternoon.
She walked to the office and knocked on the doorjamb. Rehlik smiled at her immediately, his eyes lighting up. “Hey, sweetheart. How’s the prep going?”
Walking into the room, she nodded at the two males and stopped at Rehlik’s chair. She smiled down at him, feeling like a vixen.
�
�They’re finishing up what needs done tonight. I had other things to attend to.”
She willed him to know that she had mating on her mind. If only shifters were psychic, then she could just tell him she wanted to mate with him. But while there were psychics, it wasn’t a supernatural gift given to shifters.
“Oh?” He swiveled in the chair and looked up at her. His nostrils flared and his eyes got dark, from light gray to steel. “Oh.”
“I’ll see you later?” she asked, giving him her best sultry look.
“Soon,” he amended.
She nodded and walked out of the room with a quick goodbye to the two males sitting in front of Rehlik’s desk.
Heading to the bedroom, her whole body trembled in anticipation. She shut the door and toed off her shoes, eyeing the bed and wondering if it was sexier to just be naked and waiting or to still be dressed? She loved when he stripped her from her clothes, baring her skin inch by inch and kissing her all over.
She didn’t get a chance to decide one way or the other.
The door opened, cracking loudly against the wall.
She turned slowly and faced Rehlik. He looked like he was possessed. His eyes were a deep gold color with dark gray striations, fangs were peeking from his parted lips as he panted for breath, and his whole body was strung tight like he might explode into his shift at any moment.
“What brings you here?” she asked, using her best innocent look.
He stalked to her and goosebumps rose over her skin. Cupping her face, he snarled softly. “You smell like my best wet dream and you’re asking me why I’m here? I practically threw Trace and Novak out the door just for being in the same building as you when you smell so good. What’s got you thinking such wicked thoughts?”
She wrapped her hand around his wrist. “I want us to mate for real.”
He didn’t say anything for a long moment, just stared down at her with his beautiful golden-gray eyes. His voice was hoarse when he spoke. “Are you sure? We can wait, there’s no rush.”
“I’m not rushing. Unless you’re telling me no?”
He growled and the sound shivered down her spine. “Fuck no. I’ve wanted to mark you since the night we met. If you’re ready...”
She moved back toward the bed and he followed, mirroring her steps. “I’m so ready.”
“Female,” he said, his voice low and rumbly, “let me make you mine.”
* * *
Rehlik had never felt so primal in his entire life. He grasped the hem of her tank and tugged it over her head, dropping it behind him. She smelled like a mixture of turned-on-female and sunshine. It was his new favorite scent.
They stripped each other, hands and mouths roaming, her sweet scent saturating his senses. His wolf wanted to bend her over the bed and fuck her until she screamed his name in ecstasy, but he knew she wanted to mark him too, and she wouldn’t be able to in that scenario. He’d save that for another time.
He climbed onto the bed and stretched out on his back, his dick hard and pointed at the ceiling. “Come here, sweetheart,” he said, crooking his finger at her.
She prowled up the bed, looking every bit the vixen he’d seen her be in the office. And it was all for him.
He didn’t think he’d ever been so turned on his life.
She straddled him, his cock in front of her. She stroked him slowly and reached between her thighs with her free hand. “I’ve never done this before,” she whispered.
“Which part, love?” he asked hoarsely.
“Touched myself while someone watched.” She bit her lip and closed her eyes for a moment as she moaned, and then she opened her eyes and he was stunned with the beautiful blue color. Her beasts were there with her, and he was rocked to the core by that knowledge.
Possessiveness filled him. He gripped her knees and growled in approval. “You saved this part of yourself for your mate.”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Then let me see you come, Weylyn. Just for me.”
She let out a soft gasp, her teeth digging into her bottom lip again. He let his gaze slide down from her beautiful eyes to the sexy lips, her breasts tipped with tight peaks he wanted to play with, her soft curves that fit so perfectly against the hard planes of his own body. Her hand had stilled on his dick, but he didn’t care. He was fully mesmerized watching her fingers, glossy with her arousal, circling her clit. She released her hold on his cock and planted her hand on his chest, her eyes closing in rapture as her body tensed and her scent deepened.
Her eyes opened, that beautiful blue color meeting his gaze, and then she shuddered and cried out, her fingers digging into his chest. Her wet fingers gripped his cock and she eased herself down, her slick heat welcoming him as her pussy clutched him rhythmically.
He cupped her face and brought her to his lips. “You’re fucking gorgeous.”
She grinned against his mouth and straightened, fully seated on him. He pushed up on one arm and wrapped his other arm around her waist, flexing his hips and driving himself into her. She moved on him, their bodies rising and falling together as they pushed each other to the brink of pleasure. His fangs were already out, ready to mark her. She tipped her head back with a groan and he saw her fangs. They were thick and he guessed they were probably from her polar bear side.
Her pussy gripped him tightly again, and she leaned forward until the angle was rubbing her against him just right. She let out a deep moan as she came, her body writhing in his hold as he followed her into bliss.
Pulling her to him, he buried his fangs in her neck, his cock continuing to spasm as he tasted her blood. He swiped his tongue along one fang and cut it, then licked slowly across the wound so that it would heal and leave a permanent scar. He lifted his head to howl his triumph when her fangs embedded in his throat and his wolf nearly rolled over in ecstasy. His sexy mate growled, and the sound made vibrations slip down his spine. His cock sprang back to life within her and she groaned. Her teeth came out from his neck and then she licked the wound, mixing in her blood with his.
He lifted his hips, driving himself up into her again.
“Wait!” she said.
He froze, worried she was hurt. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she said, smiling at him. She cupped his face and kissed him. “I just wanted to tell you that I love you.”
If he was a bird shifter, his wings would be flapping so hard right now he’d probably lift them both off the bed.
He rolled them both until she was under him, his cock still seated in her depths. “I love you too, Weylyn. You’re mine and I’m yours.”
“Forever,” she whispered, her eyes glittering with happiness.
“One hundred fucking percent.”
They moved together again, and it was different this time. Better.
Because they loved each other.
He’d never loved a female like this before, and he was glad his mate was the first.
As they came together once more, he shouted his passion to the sky, declaring his love for his beautiful mate. She was his and he was hers, and there wasn’t a force on this earth that was going to change that.
Chapter Ten
Rehlik stared at the dunk tank. The brightly painted wooden tank had a clear plexiglass window in the front to allow people to see inside. The top of the tub had a three-foot chain-link fence around it, to protect the dunkee from wayward balls he supposed, and a bench over the center of the tub that opened and closed on a hinge. To the right was a bright yellow stand with a huge bullseye in the center, which would activate the hinge and open the bench.
He very much didn’t want to be dunked today.
Or any day, for that matter.
“It’s not so bad,” Trace said, clapping him on the shoulder. “And it’s for a good cause.”
“What cause would that be?” he asked.
“It’s a dollar a throw, and the money all goes to the community garden. They need new equipment.”
“I could just bu
y whatever they need. No dunk tank needed.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
“Are you getting in the tank?”
“Nah. No one wants to throw balls at me, boss.”
Rehlik snorted. “I do.”
Trace grinned. “You’re on the schedule from three to four, then you can clean up before dinner. The cookout is at five and the ceremony is at seven.”
“I could do without the dunk tank, but I can’t wait for the ceremony.”
“I’m happy that you and Weylyn found each other.”
He glanced at his second-in-command. “You’ll find your truemate.”
“I’m not even sure if I’ll get one, to be honest.”
“Why wouldn’t you?” Rehlik turned and faced his best friend. He firmly believed that all supernatural creatures had a truemate, the human version of a soulmate, and simply had to wait for the person to come into their life. Not all purebreds felt that way, especially not with most of the groups preferring arranged matings to finding love and companionship away from their own kind.
“I don’t know,” Trace said, letting out a sigh. “I feel like the warlock part of me is working against me when it comes to a truemate. Warlocks are more human than shifters and don’t believe in truemates. What if my hyena isn’t strong enough to have a truemate because of my warlock side?”
Rehlik shook his head. “You can shift. There are hybrids out there that can’t, but they still get truemates.”
“That’s true.”
“I believe everyone has a truemate, it’s just a matter of being willing to wait. I bet when you meet your truemate, you’ll be so happy you’ll howl.”
“Hyenas don’t howl.”
“Then you’ll bark. And everyone will know that your other half has shown up.”
“Did you howl?” Trace asked.
Rehlik’s thoughts delved toward the bedroom and the night he nearly deafened Weylyn with his happy howl. “You better believe I did.”