Maverik's Ashes

by Sandra R Neeley

  Her eyes popped open and with glazed, dazed focus she looked at him.

  “Not until I say you can, yes?”

  “Yes,” she panted at him.

  He slowed his circles around and on her clit, leaning forward to kiss her lips gently, while he slipped a finger inside her. Immediately she clamped down on him and started riding his finger. Whimpering, begging for release, but without words.

  He removed his finger and started circling her clit again, this time with more pressure. Again, she opened her eyes and looked at him. He smiled at her, all the love he felt for her in his eyes, “My sweet Mate,” he whispered. “Tell me, who do you belong to?”

  She panted, took a moment to catch her breath, “You, Maverik. Only ever you.”

  He smiled at her, slammed two fingers inside her while rubbing her clit with the heel of his palm and whispered, “Now, my Valerie. Cum for me now.”

  She exploded, screaming his name, her entire body convulsing. Drenching his hand, she wrapped her own hand in the length of his mohawk where it hung down the back of his head and with the other leaving scratches on his neck and shoulder where she held on.

  As she came back to herself, he was still holding her, kissing her face, murmuring words of love and promises of forever.

  He pulled his hand from her gently, clasped her jeans, zipped her up, and sucked his fingers clean. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched him.

  “No taste sweeter than my Mate,” he told her, grinning at her.

  “Come on, darlin’, let’s get you cleaned up, then find out where ever’body went, so we can go pick out our furniture.”

  Still stunned, she just nodded and allowed him to lead her blindly to the bathroom.

  Chapter 20

  Valerie wrapped her hands around Maverik’s waist and held tighter to him as he guided his Harley through the curves of the Louisiana back roads on their way to town. Despite the fact that her brother had a bike, she’d not been on one since she was a child. She loved the vibration beneath her, the wind in her face, and the feel of her Mate in her arms. It was exhilarating. As they entered the small town and drove slowly down its main street, she especially savored the looks she noticed on the faces of the females they passed. Maverik was a beautiful male with an air of danger about him. Many had tried to gain his attention; none had succeeded. And now he was hers, or soon would be. She smiled and rubbed her cheek on his back. He pulled into a parking place along the side of the street right in front of the furniture store in the middle of town. As he climbed off the bike, he immediately turned, offering her his hand to help steady herself as she got off the bike. Then he used that hand to pull her closer to him and gently kissed her lips. He smiled at her, tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow, and led her into the store. They started walking around, looking at the living room furniture, then the appliances. Valerie was following him around, allowing him to take the lead.

  It was no more than a few minutes later, and the bell jingled over the door as it opened, and Avaleigh, Daniel and Remi came in, followed closely by Bam. They’d come in the work truck, so they could get a load of materials to build the addition of Remi’s room onto Avaleigh and Daniel’s cabin. Bam had brought his own truck in case they needed more room. As Bam entered the store, he called out loudly as he rushed to get around Daniel and Avaleigh and to where Maverik and Valerie stood looking at a couch, “Hey! We’re here, too!”

  Maverik chuckled and said to Valerie, “I swear, sometimes that boy’s only as old as Remi is.”

  “I heard that Maverik-Ass,” Bam grumbled at him.

  “Well, good. I’d worry if you didn’t,” Maverik told him.

  “What ya’ll looking at?” Bam asked.

  “Couches,” Maverik answered.

  “Get one with a fold out bed, so’s when I come over, I have somewhere to sleep,” Bam said, completely serious.

  “Are you planning to be there a lot?” Maverik asked.

  “Yep. Sure do,” then he looked at Valerie, “Mav’s my best friend, so I’ll probably be there a lot. If you don’t mind, I mean.”

  She smiled as she shook her head no that she didn't mind, “You can live with us if you want to, Bam, you are always welcome,” Valerie told him.

  Bam grinned, then yanked her up in his arms and snuggled her for a minute, “You can be my best friend, too, Valerie. Oh! And my sister! You’ll be another sister!” he told her excitedly.

  Valerie smiled, she was quickly becoming attached to the big Bear; he had a heart of gold and was obviously such a good male. “I’d be blessed to have you as a brother, Bam. If I’d known that you were part of the package, I might have come around sooner.”

  “Hey! Are you saying I’m not enticing enough?!” Maverik teased, “And damnit, Bam! Put my woman down!”

  Bam put Valerie back on her feet, laughing. Then saw Remi rushing from one bed to another as he tested them out and shouted out, “I’m coming, Remi! I’ll help you pick a good one!” and ran off headed for Remi, Avaleigh and Daniel.

  “Are we really getting a couch that folds out into a bed for Bam?” Maverik asked Valerie.

  She smiled, watching the big man bouncing on the beds in the back of the store with Remi, “Yes, we are. He’s a good guy,” she said, smiling as she watched him playing with Remi. “He’ll be a really good daddy, you know. Look at him making Remi laugh.”

  Maverik watched for a bit, “Yeah, he will I hope. He believes that he’ll never have a Mate. Thinks he’s not enough. I hope he’s wrong.”

  Valerie watched him playing with Remi, her smile fading, “I hope he’s wrong, too. He’s got so much to offer.”

  After they’d chosen their washer and dryer, stove, and refrigerator, which Maverik insisted have the ice dispenser feature outside of the door, they chose their living room furniture. They chose big overstuffed pieces, both a couch and a love seat and a big over-sized rocker recliner. All were microfiber and a soft, sea-foam green color. It would be really pretty with the soft beige carpeting throughout the mobile home.

  Then they made their way to the back of the store, so they could pick out beds. They chose a nice queen size with a pretty cherry headboard with little shelves built into it for Maia. Then they got a duplicate queen size set, but with a heavy oak headboard for the bedroom that would be for Matty when he came to visit. They both walked in circles around the larger beds, a bit embarrassed to be choosing the bed that they’d share. Maverik didn’t want to rush her too much, and Valerie was self-conscious because she’d asked for more time yesterday, then invited herself to breakfast this morning and was now helping Maverik pick out furniture for his home, their home. Her attention kept being drawn to a huge sleigh bed, and Maverik noticed. He walked up behind her when she came to a stop in front of it again. He stepped so close to her that she could feel his warmth through her clothes. He leaned close and whispered, “I can put rings in the sides of the sleigh at the head and foot, and run lines through them to restrain you with. Very nice choice of bed, darlin’.”

  When she shivered at his words, he chuckled and stepped away from her, calling out to the man who owned the store, “We’ll take the sleigh bed, too. When can you have it all delivered?”

  As they were talking about the delivery details and haggling a bit over the final prices of all they’d chosen, Valerie found herself standing in the baby furniture area, looking around at the baby beds and bassinets, the rocking chairs and changing tables. She stood there, butterflies in her stomach, a slight smile on her face, realizing that this may actually happen soon. She smiled wide, not believing how quickly her life had taken such a drastic turn.

  Then a warm arm was placed around her waist from behind; Maverik kissed her cheek just in front of her ear, “Do you want to buy furniture for the nursery today, too?”

  She shook her head, “No. I’d rather wait ‘til we need it,” she turned in his arms, smiling up at him. “How did you win me over so quickly? I was going to make you earn my trust.”
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  “The same way you bewitched me, darlin’. We are made for each other. You’re all I see, all I feel. I breathe you, Valerie. You’re my world,” he lowered his head, nuzzling her, rubbing his nose against hers then kissing her gently on the lips.

  Remi immediately simulated gagging noises, “Ewwwwww, you kissed a girl! Gross! Papa, did you see Uncle Maverik kiss that girl?”

  Daniel laughed, “Yes, I did see Uncle Maverik kiss that girl. That girl is Valerie, you’ve met her.”

  “Yeah, but that’s ewww.”

  Avaleigh laughed herself, “It is not ewww, it’s sweet. And besides, me and Papa kiss. Is that ewww, too?” she asked Remi, tickling him ‘til he squealed.

  “No, it’s not ewww, but you’re Mommy and Papa. Mommy’s and Papa’s are supposed to kiss,” he reasoned as he bounced on the bed he’d chosen. It was a red plastic molded race car bed that looked suspiciously like Lightning McQueen. It even had a steering wheel mounted at the foot of the bed so that he could sit at the end of it and pretend to be driving. On his next bounce he pointed at the window, “There’s Alpha!”

  They all turned to look and sure enough, Kaid and Delilah were strolling by, hand in hand, smiling and talking so intently they didn't notice their own clan inside the furniture store.

  Maverik had completed the purchase of everything they’d chosen, and they waited ‘til Daniel paid for Remi’s bed, the chest of drawers, child size desk and chair, and the shelves that Remi had chosen to put his books on. He’d wanted some like Mommy’s because he’d wanted books like hers for his room, too. Then they’d all headed down the street looking inside the store fronts for Kaid and Delilah. They found them in the diner and went in to join them for lunch. Soon as they walked in, Kaid started laughing and stopped ordering. Instead he looked up at the waitress and said, “Can we move to a bigger table? Looks like we got company.”

  They got moved and situated and after they’d placed their orders and Remi had received the booster seat he’d demanded instead of the high chair the waitress brought, they described what they’d bought to Kaid and Delilah, who listened intently while smiling secretively and staring lovingly into each other’s eyes from time-to-time. Bam, who’d taken the seat right next to Delilah, suddenly looked up from his sweet tea, eyes huge; his sudden intake of breath, leaning closer to Delilah, “Ohhhhh, oh, oh,” and he started bouncing in his seat. He was especially excited. Not just because of what he’d just been shown, but because of who’d shown him. Delilah’s Dragon was very private and did not usually speak to anyone but Delilah. But she had taken the opportunity of Bam’s close proximity to preen and brag a bit to his Bear. He continued bouncing in his seat, “Ohhh, oh, please! Let me!” he begged. Kaid quickly reached over, slapping his hand over Bam’s mouth and holding it there.

  “No! No, Bam! This is Delilah’s to tell,” he said firmly, but not unkindly; after all, it was Bam he was dealing with.

  Bam, who was practically vibrating with excitement, looked at Delilah, “Please, Lilah! Please don’t make me wait! Pleeeeaaaaassssse tell so I don’t have to keep it a secret!”

  Delilah snickered; she’d originally planned on keeping it a secret a bit longer, but Bam was just so damn sweet in his excitement for her and Kaid.

  Delilah looked at her clan, took the hand Kaid reached out to place around her own, she smiled, then said, “We did not want to speak of it before we were sure.” She paused and smiled lovingly at Kaid again, “We went to the healer’s facility this morning,” then she looked back at their clan, “we have created a dragonling,” she paused, her brow furrowed, “or a cub. We are not sure yet, but we have one growing here.” She placed a hand over her stomach. Kaid followed her hand with his own, placing it over her hand where it rested on her lower belly. His other arm was wound round her shoulders, and he pulled her close to kiss her cheek and murmur, “I love you, my monster.”

  She smiled and snuggled into his embrace, “I love you, my Alpha.”

  Then the sudden noise became deafening; Bam, Maverik and Daniel all hooting and howling in celebration of the new life that would soon join them, and Avaleigh and Valerie squealing their delight. Even Remi took the opportunity to jump up and down in his booster seat and roar his little roar at the roof.

  They were truly thrilled for their Alpha and his Mate. And Kaid was beyond happy; the bad-ass Alpha sat there with happy tears in his eyes as he hugged his monster. “Thank you, Delilah. You’ve given me everything I’ve ever dreamed of,” he whispered, as he tried to inconspicuously wipe away the tears before they had a chance to fall.

  Delilah smiled at Kaid, “And you me, my love. You’ve given me everything and now a little one, too.”

  Kaid actually lifted her from her chair as she sat beside him and placed her in his own lap, burying his head in her hair and holding her there until he regained control.

  To the clan, it was apparent that he was overcome with emotion, which made them all just respect and love him even more.

  Daniel put it perfectly, “It is a true mark of an Alpha’s heart when he is as fiercely moved by the impending birth of his child as he is the need to protect his clan.” Daniel bowed his head in deference to Kaid, “I am honored to call you Alpha.”

  There were “here-here’s” and “yes, indeeds” all around.

  “Thank you, my brother,” Kaid told him.

  They sat, laughing, enjoying each other’s company and a lazy afternoon filled with friends and family. They’d finished lunch and had decided to head over to Joanne’s to allow Remi to pick some books and have some pastries; she did have the best pastries in town.

  Delilah sat up straight, looking ahead dreamily, “Pastries! Yes, pastries! Kaid, I need the pastries, may we go as well?”

  “Yes, baby. Whatever you want,” he told her, loving that he could indulge his pregnant Mate.

  “Then I want pastries!” she declared, jumping up and heading out of the diner.

  As they approached Joanne’s, Bam slowed his gait, and his eyes drifted over to the metal building at the end of the street. The sliding doors were closed, and there were no sounds of welding coming out of the building this time. Maverik came up behind him, “You okay, brother?”

  Bam nodded, “Yeah,” he said and then opened the door to Joanne’s, leading the way inside.

  Joanne and Amos greeted them, “Well, I’ll be, looky what the cat dragged in!” Amos exclaimed; it must have been one of his favorite phrases, he used it a lot.

  “The cat ain't with us today, you old fool, he’s back home with ever’body else,” Maverik still wasn't sure that he was entirely impressed with Amos spending time with Joanne. She was a dear friend and had listened to him as he told her his fears about Mates, many mornings when he sat in her shop and watched Valerie from the window booth. Her face lit up when she saw who was on his arm, “Oh, my goodness!! You finally spoke to her! Valerie! You’re together!” Joanne exclaimed as she rushed to hug Maverik. Then she embraced Valerie, “Honey, I’m so happy for you!”

  They smiled and hugged her back, but Bam was the attention getter; his jumping back and forth from foot to foot was a sure giveaway that he would explode if he didn't get to share the new news.

  Delilah sighed as she watched him, “Fine, Bam. Go ahead.”

  He just about erupted with the information he held inside, “Kaid’s gonna be a daddy, and Delilah’s gonna be a mom!!!! And I’m going to be an uncle. Again!”

  Amos got up and immediately hugged Kaid just about as hard as he’d ever been hugged, “I’m so happy for you, son. So damn happy!”

  Kaid embraced him, “Thank you, Amos. You’re gonna be a granddad.”

  Amos gave a deep belly laugh, “Words I never thought I’d hear, I’m honored. Guess that means I’ll be staying a while.”

  Joanne immediately answered from her place behind the glass display case where all the pastries were stored, “Old man, after all the pillow talk you’ve been doing, just try to get away. I’ll send my own personal b
odyguard after you!”

  Maverik immediately chimed in, “Yeah, and I’d catch your ass, too!”

  To which Joanne chided Maverik, “Now don’t go being too hateful, Maverik. He is my favorite old man.”

  Amos made his way over to Joanne and kissed her behind the ear and whispered a few words meant only for her, which made her dissolve into school girl giggles, saying “Pappy, you know just what to say to get my motor running.”

  Maverik shivered. It was like being a teenager and seeing your parents kiss. It was just all kinds of creepy.

  Remi pulled on Maverik’s blue jeans; he looked down at the boy, “See?” Remi said, “Ewwwww!”

  Maverik nodded his agreement and high fived the little dude.

  After everybody had chosen a sweet treat, or two, or five, they found a few tables and pushed them together. It was a good time ‘til Bam suddenly went white. Completely white. No words at all, just frozen in place and stone cold white staring out the front windows. One by one, each of his clan noticed, all trying to ask what was wrong; then, the chime on the door sounded. He went even whiter if possible and was practically trembling.

  They all turned around to see what had him in such a state. A pretty little redhead had entered the shop. Joanne greeted her, “Hi, sweetheart, how are you today? Having a better day I hope.”

  “Not really, but I’m breathing. So there’s that,” she smiled sadly as she answered Joanne.

  At the sound of the female’s voice, Valerie turned to look, then hopped up and went running over to her. When she turned and saw Valerie coming at her, she squealed, then Valerie squealed, then they did the universal happy dance that all girls do when they run into each other unexpectedly, holding hands and jumping around in a circle.

  “Oh, my God! I can’t believe you just walked in here! I was just sitting there with my Mate thinking that I needed to call you!” Valerie said.