by Kele Moon
“You’re all I ever wanted!” he called out as she tried to get away. “It never made a difference that we were young when you promised yourself to me. I’m not human like you. I can’t write it off. Weres don’t just move on after they’ve found their mates, Angel. We mate for life.”
She paused mid-step, stopping for one moment, but the hurt was too much. She walked away from the man/wolf who had once held her heart. “Goodbye, Des.”
2
Memories followed Amber out the door of The Barn. That fateful day on Desmon’s sixteenth birthday, when she’d been forced to walk miles through the woods to a place she wished she’d never seen.
Desmon’s people had gathered by a large area near the river. Seeing the dozens of strangers made Amber feel safer at first, but she had been horribly wrong. A thirty-something, blond-haired man approached the three men forcing Amber through the woods. Despite his frown, he had a nice, handsome face. He wore a suit, although it looked out of place, considering where they were. Amber still locked her terrified gaze on him, silently searching for help.
“You stole a human?” The man stopped, his green gaze examining her face closely, before he eyed the strong grip two of the men had on her arms. “What is this, entertainment? We don’t need a missing person’s report filed. It’ll send law enforcement trampling all around our territory hunting for her.”
The one who’d drooled on her earlier said, “We followed Des to her. He spoke to her. She left clothes out for him that she buried after he left them behind. It was obvious they do this often.”
Shock crossed the older man’s features, and his gaze turned icy as he studied Amber. “How do you know Desmon?”
She wasn’t sure how to answer. She would do anything to protect Desmon, and he told her his kind didn’t mingle with humans. He made it clear their friendship was a big no-no in his world, so she kept her lips firmly sealed together and decided she wouldn’t talk.
“Perhaps you’ve lost your touch, Martin.” The man stepped closer and sniffed her neck. “She doesn’t scent of him.”
“We’re aware. If he were just him fucking one of them, we wouldn’t have brought her to you, but that’s not the case.” Martin, the jerk who continued to grip her arm painfully, shrugged. “We thought you might want to find out what’s going on, Alpha Albert.”
“I do.” Albert nodded, and then glared at Amber. “Speak now. Tell me what your association is with Desmon.”
“I was walking in the woods,” she lied. “I found clothes on the ground, and a bag. I just put them in it figuring someone had lost them. The road is right there, so I assumed someone accidentally left them.” She prayed the lie would work and purposely messed up the name. “I don’t know anyone named Desmond.”
“You know Desmon.” The older man’s eyes narrowed, and a soft growl came from deep in the back of his throat.
“I don’t,” she denied.
“Get the hell away from her!” Desmon’s voice rang out loudly, more of a snarl than actual words.
Amber looked over and watched Desmon storm right toward her. He was bare chested and bare foot, wearing only jeans. His entire body was tight with obvious fury. The jerk holding her gasped and released her, backing quickly away, despite Desmon only being a teenager.
In seconds, Desmon grabbed her and shoved her behind him. He reached back and wrapped one arm around her, holding Amber to him.
“Who is the girl?”
“She’s my future mate, Alpha.” Desmon’s voice was low and gravely. “She’s no threat to us. She’s known about me since we were children and she’s never betrayed my trust.”
“Mate?” Albert laughed loud, a harsh sound that made fear shimmer down Amber’s spine. “She’s a sheep.”
Desmon growled low and deep. “She’s mine.”
“I see.” The alpha moved enough to peer at Amber past Desmon’s shoulder. “Do you belong to him, human?”
She couldn’t miss the way Desmon tensed as they all waited for her answer.
“Yes.” She nodded and Desmon noticeably relaxed. So did she, since it was obvious she gave the right answer. “I do.”
“Priceless.” Albert’s gaze turned icy cold as he fixed his attention on Desmon. “You broke pack laws by revealing yourself to one of them.”
Desmon didn’t hesitate or flinch. “I’ll take my punishment.”
Fear crept inside Amber, and she clutched at Desmon’s jeans. The last thing she wanted was for him to get into trouble over her, but she just didn’t know how to get them out of this mess.
“Yes, you will.” Albert looked back to her and arched an eyebrow. “He’ll take a beating with a whip for what he’s done…unless you want to deny his claim on you. He’ll take so many lashes, a human would drop dead halfway through it.”
Horror washed through Amber and her mouth opened. Desmon looked back at her, his eyes wide as though telling her to stay silent.
“Don’t say it,” he ordered softly. “Trust me.”
She didn’t want him hurt, but she nodded and wrapped her arms around him, making it obvious Desmon’s claim on her was valid.
Desmon faced his alpha once more.
“You have her trained well for a human.” The alpha laughed harshly. “And I’m feeling generous since it is your birthday.” He raised a hand. “Millia? Come forward.”
Movement drew Amber’s attention, and she watched a tall, lean woman in her early twenties walk out of the woods. Shock at the woman’s naked body had Amber’s eyes widening. Millia seemed oblivious to the fact she didn’t have a stitch of clothing on in front of all these people. Dark haired and light eyed, her chin was held high as she moved with grace on long, beautiful legs until she reached them.
Albert caught Amber’s stunned gaze. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she? She’s in heat, and also happens to be my niece. I had planned to have Desmon fuck her and get her pregnant. Don’t you think they’ll make beautiful pups together? Strong little alpha pups to make our pack more powerful.”
A snarl came from Desmon. “No, thank you, Alpha. I don’t want her.”
“I wasn’t going to ask,” the other man snarled back, rage gripping his features. “But things have changed. Millia complains she doesn’t want a mate. Despite that, I’m offering her to you in exchange for your little human.”
The dark-haired woman gasped. “Uncle, you promised I could just―”
“Silence,” the man roared. His features changed and his eyes darkened. “I’m the alpha here, and I make the rules. Blood between us doesn’t mean I’ll take any lip from you. It’ll be you taking the whip instead of Des.”
The woman lowered her head quickly. “Of course. My apologies, Alpha.”
“No,” Desmon stated firmly. “Millia doesn’t want me, and all I want is Amber. You’d be defying nature twice to force this. Thank you for the offer, but I have chosen my mate.”
“So be it.” The man smiled coldly, revealing sharp canine teeth that had extended down in his mouth. “I give you permission to mate her.”
“Thank you, Alpha. She won’t tell anyone about us.” Desmon lowered his head like the woman had. “With your permission, I’ll take her home. We greatly appreciate your blessing on our future mating when she comes of age.”
“You’ll do it now.” The alpha’s voice sharpened. “Today. I won’t have a human running around putting us at risk. She’s either a part of our pack or it’s too dangerous to allow her to leave alive.”
Desmon’s head shot up, his body tense again, but then he nodded. “I’ll take her home and do it immediately.”
“No.” The man smiled. “You’ll do it here when everyone arrives. It’ll be done in front of the entire pack.” He pointed to the center of the clearing. “Right there and according to our traditions of old. You want to mate a human? She must prove to the rest us she’s strong enough to be under my protection.”
“Dad!” A new voice rang out. “Please don’t do this.”
The older
man snarled, glaring at the blond teen who came forward. “Stay out of this, Jeremiah.”
“I have known about her for years. On my word, she won’t betray his trust.”
“I’m the alpha.” Rage gripped Albert’s harsh features. “Not you. Not yet.”
“Please.” The younger blond stepped forward to stand next to Desmon, the two nearly touching shoulders. “He’s a brother to me, and I ask this as a personal favor. Allow him to take her home and perform the mating his own way.”
Albert removed his jacket and grabbed his nice dress shirt, tearing it from his body with one quick move. “You want a favor for him? Fine.”
He glared at Desmon. “I’m giving you a choice, since my son has a soft spot where you’re concerned. You either agree to the mating ceremony with your human right here, in the old traditional, or you can mount Millia to help her create a pup. You are of age now, and alphas are expected to stud for this pack. If you choose Millia, I’ll allow you to give your human to my son. He can practice on your little sheep for his own studding obligations, since you both love humans so much.
“Let’s see how brotherly you both feel toward each other then, knowing Jeramiah is going to fuck her. By handing her over, you’re telling everyone in this pack you’re giving up your claim to her forever. I’ll personally make sure of it.”
“Father,” the blond choked. “Please.”
“I’ve spoken,” Albert snarled at Desmon , ignoring his son. “Make your decision now.”
Amber wasn’t sure what was going on, but she knew Desmon would mate her. His body trembled, and then he turned his head to stare down at her. She looked up into his eyes and saw pure fury burning bright in them, but then he met his friend’s gaze.
“Protect her. I’m giving Amber to you.”
It felt as though her heart stopped in her chest, and then in the next instant, her heartbeat roared in her ears. Shock ripped through her, but just as quickly, the agony of reality was forced on her when Desmon jerked out of her hold.
Jerimiah cursed. He grabbed Amber, yanking her close to his chest and pinning her in the cage of his arms. She fought the handsome, muscular blond, but his hold was like steel.
Jeramiah snarled at his father. “I won’t forget this.”
“Nor will I.” His father laughed. “This has gone far better than I ever imagined.”
Mute, and still reeling from Desmon giving her to his friend, she stared in disbelief as he stormed toward the naked woman, grabbed her hand and nearly dragged her into the darkening woods.
“Des?” Her mouth finally worked, and when it did, she screamed. “DES!”
He kept walking, not even sparing her a glance as he and Millia disappeared into the woods. Jeramiah cursed another blue streak. He said words even her step-father wouldn’t, before he lifted Amber right off her feet, storming away in the opposite direction.
No matter how hard she tried, Amber couldn’t shake off the memories of the past as she crossed the parking lot of the bar. Her hands shook as she unlocked her car door and wretched it open.
“Ams?”
She froze, her spine stiffening at the sound of Desmon behind her. She didn’t have to turn her head to know he was close. She hadn’t heard him follow her out, but then, she’d been in another time and place in her mind, reliving a nightmare she wished he would let her forget.
“You don’t understand what really happened that day. At least let me explain, you owe me that.”
Amber slowly turned to face the man she’d once loved more than anything. “This is too much for me to handle right now and I need to go. My mother could be dying as we speak.”
She spun around and tried to climb into her car.
He reached out and gripped her arm once more. “Give me a few minutes to explain what happened so you really understand.”
“No.” She refused to look at him and jerked on her arm, but he didn’t release it. “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”
“Damn it.” His tone turned into a snarl. “You’re going to hear me out!”
Amber gasped when he spun her and pinned her to the back passenger door. He spread his bare feet apart to lower his height and held her forearms with his large hands. She jerked her gaze up when he softly snarled. His face changed, and no matter how good she’d believed her memory was, seeing his features shift into a more animalistic appearance scared her. She hadn’t remembered him looking that terrifying when he’d done it in his teens.
“You’re losing your face, Des.”
“I don’t give a damn.” He released her arms and instead placed his hands against the car on either side of her to keep Amber trapped. “You belong to me…and with me.”
“You gave me away, remember? You gave up that right. You broke the promise, not me. Now let me go.”
His jaw seemed to lengthen, and sharp teeth grew out enough to be extremely noticeable. Amber’s terror level notched up to high and she pushed back against the car, but there was nowhere for her to go
“Don’t look at me that way. I’d never hurt you.”
“That’s a lie,” she reminded him. “You already have.”
His snout dropped, and he closed his eyes. He took deep, slow breaths, and then gazed at her again. She openly gawked at his features. A fine sheen of black hair covered his entire face and he resembled something straight out of a horror movie. Half human and half werewolf.
“I wanted you to see me this way, so you’d understand why I couldn’t mate with you that night. Do you remember what that bastard said? He demanded I mate you in the middle of the clearing in front of all of my people. You don’t even know what mating consists of, do you? It’s not like a human wedding, Ams.”
An uncomfortable feeling had her frowning. “At the time, I didn’t know what to expect, but I’ve had a lot of time to think about it. He wanted us to have sex in front of everyone, right?”
“Yes.”
Inwardly, Amber winced. “It would have been really awkward and horrible to lose my virginity in front of a crowd, but I could have survived it somehow with you. If you think sparing me that trauma hurt me less than you fucking someone else after pushing me off on your friend, think again. Can I leave now?”
Desmon leaned in, staring into her eyes. “He demanded I mate you in the traditional way. Look at me.”
She did, unable to stop staring at his transformed features. “So? You look scary, but you used to lose your face sometimes when you got mad, and I wasn’t afraid of you.”
“Look at my body, Angel.”
She hated hearing his pet name for her. It brought back painful memories of when they’d been happy together.
She hesitated, and then lowered her attention. Thicker hair covered his arms. It covered the surface where skin had once been, trailing down to his wrists. He lifted one hand, showing her the vicious-looking claws that stood out inches from his fingertips.
Amber ran her stunned gaze from them to his face again.
“Now let me share the ancient, barbaric traditions of my people with you. The woman would be stripped naked and staked down on her hands and knees in the middle of a clearing, to make sure all could witness the mating.”
His voice deepened into a snarl. “The alpha would then have to approve the female by fucking her first. While that’s happening, the relatives of the male mate would be holding him back, so he didn’t attack the alpha for mounting his woman. Enrage a male werewolf and this is what you get, only feral and out of his fucking mind with jealousy and fury.
“If he approved, the alpha would leave, and the male would be brought to the female to complete the mating. The scent of another man on you would have driven me even more insane. My wolf would be desperate to rid you of his scent. I would have been brutal without meaning to. That’s how he wanted to initiate you into our pack as my mate—if you survived.”
Amber’s knees gave way and she started to slide down the side of the car, but Desmon suddenly changed back to completely human. He grab
bed her with claw-free hands around her waist to hoist her back up. He leaned in, pinned her to the car again, and his voice softened.
“He would have raped you in front of me, Angel. And I would have been helpless to stop him. He probably would have killed you, and even if you’d lived, I would have truly been insane at that point. I wouldn’t have been in my skin when I reached you.” He caressed her hips softly, like he needed the touch. “I wouldn’t have been gentle. I would have taken you in that half-shifted state. It would have been brutal, and then I would have bitten into you to seal our bond.”
She saw sincerity in his eyes, and her stomach heaved at the images he’d created. He nodded as he slipped his hands to her back, still rubbing her gently, as if the thought alone was enough to have him trying to soothe her.
“I believed you wouldn’t survive, and I loved you too much to ever allow someone to rape you. The only way I could keep you safe was to give you to Jazz. I knew he would protect you, and get you to safety without anyone hurting you. I had no choice.”
“Who’s Jazz?”
“Jeramiah, but he goes by Jazz now. He changed his name after his father killed the human he loved.”
Amber stared at his chest, unable to look into his eyes. The picture he’d painted had been enough to make her understand.
“Your people are truly fucked up.” She didn’t even feel bad telling him that as she looked back up at him. “Let me go.”
Surprise flickered across his handsome face. “I was protecting you.”
“I heard them inside. You’re the alpha now, right? You’re in charge?”
He gave a sharp nod. “I killed Albert for what he did to us.”
“Oh God.” She needed to get away from him. “You’re a murder? That’s what you’ve turned into?”