One True Mate_Shifter's Haven

by Erin Lafayette

  He couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss though. He could still feel the heat from where her body had been pressed against his, like a fire burning down his chest and going straight into his cock. He felt a growl erupt out of his chest again, and she turned at him, emerald green eyes meeting his. As long as they were together everything would be ok. She gave him a tentative smile and nodded, then tucked herself into his arm and leaned into him. “Let’s go.”

  Chapter Ten

  Alex gripped the steering wheel of his Land Cruiser with one hand. He eased the truck gently along as they cruised through the country roads on the outskirts of Serenity. He drove carefully, not wanting to disturb Rose as she slept curled up on the passenger seat, his other hand pulled tight to her chest. Even as she slept she hadn’t let go of it.

  He had a hard time keeping his eyes and his attention on the road. He kept sneaking looks at her, content to watch her. She was so beautiful. And there was no doubt in his mind she was his One True Mate. His perfect match. After a kiss like that he knew they were made for each other, two halves of one whole. He would never let anything or anyone get between them.

  He gently stroked his thumb across the back of her hand and breathed deep, savoring the scent of her. Just the gentle touch on her skin reminded him of the feel of his arms holding her tightly, her body pressed against his and her tongue moving against his. He felt his erection stiffen again, extending to its full hardness. It hadn’t gone completely soft since the second he had seen her, sleeping in the interrogation room like an angel, and her scent was driving him crazy. He breathed deep again. He couldn’t wait to get her alone for real this time, but until then he was content just to hold her hand.

  He marveled at being here with her. He’d never felt anything close to this for a female before. He’d seen his share of beautiful women in LA. He’d even slept with a few of them. But not a single one of them did even a tenth as much for him as holding this female’s hand. He’d heard rumors about the One True Mates, that the feeling of being with yours was incomparable. That she would be a perfect match for you in every way, right down to the face-melting sex.

  He hadn’t quite believed it. Nothing could be that good. But now he was sure that the stories didn’t even come close to the reality. He shook his head, laughing silently at himself. He’d only been in town for one day! And not even a good day. He was officially on the Chief’s shit list. And Sarge, he wasn’t looking forward to facing that male again, that was for sure. But somehow, he had his very own One True Mate. And here she was sitting next to him in his truck, holding his hand. So life was good.

  He watched the trees and fields of the countryside slide by through the windshield as he drove, willing the truck to move faster. He couldn’t get to this farm fast enough. He couldn’t wait for his real introduction to his mate. He breathed deep again, savoring her scent, and sped up just a little bit.

  ____________________

  Finally, after what felt like hours, Alex spotted the small turnoff from the main highway ahead. As they got closer, he saw a tall fence topped with barbed wire running along the highway, securing the property. The gate where the drive met the highway was manned by two wolven in full tactical gear. The wolven were doing everything they could to make this place secure. As his truck eased up to the gate they rolled it to the side to allow his truck to get through.

  He nodded to the two wolven as he drove past, but he didn’t drop the windows and didn’t slow. He felt a growl build in his chest and his eyes start to fade to gold at the thought of these other males talking to Rose, to his mate. He gripped her hand a little more tightly as he eased the truck up the long winding drive.

  After about a quarter of a mile, they pulled up to a large farmhouse overlooking pastures of rolling hills. The woods were cleared in every direction, providing epic views from the extended deck and preventing anyone from getting to close to the house without being seen. Standing at the front steps, waiting for them, was a huge male. Trevor. Alex had seen him with Wade yesterday. Sitting behind him on the deck, watching the truck carefully were two huge black wolves, one with a patch of white on the tip of his tale. Alex frowned. He wasn’t sure if Rose was ready to see the wolven yet, but there was nothing he could do about it. Trevor nodded and gave a short wave as the truck rolled to a stop.

  Rose stirred as the truck stopped and Alex gently shook her shoulder. She opened her eyes, immediately finding his, and smiled up at him. “Was I sleeping?” Her smile lit up his entire soul. He smiled back. He could bask in her smile forever. “Yes, but you had a long night. We’re here now.”

  She looked around. “It’s beautiful.”

  Still looking at her, Alex replied. “Not as beautiful as you.” She blushed red and pulled the handle to open her door. “Come on. Let’s go in.”

  Alex opened his door and stepped out of the truck. He raced around the truck to take Rose’s hand as she stepped out. His heart fluttered at the contact. He couldn’t believe it, but he had missed touching her for just the few seconds it took to leave the truck.

  Alex turned back towards the house. Trevor was still waiting for them, the two black wolves still standing alert at the top of the stairs. He held out his hand to Alex. “I’m Trevor. Come on in and make yourselves at home.”

  Not letting go of Rose, Alex shook Trevor’s hand. “I’m Alex, and this is Rose.” Trevor nodded. “Welcome, both of you. It’s especially great to have you here Rose. There are a lot of people here who are excited to meet you, but I know you’ve been through a lot and that you and Alex need some time to talk.” Trevor started walking up the steps towards the house, waving them to follow. The two black wolves lay down as Rose approached the steps, settling down to look less intimidating. “We’ve set you up with your own private suite downstairs. You’ll have your own bedroom, bathroom, small kitchenette and everything you need. You and Alex can talk there,” Trevor grinned and winked at Alex where Rose couldn’t see, “and then I can introduce you to everyone when you’re ready.”

  Rose gave Trevor a tight smile. “Thank you. I would like that. I’m happy to be here, but I do have a lot of questions.” Alex squeezed her hand to reassure her as Trevor led them up the steps, then across the wide deck and into the house. Rose frowned at the two black wolven as she passed them, but didn’t say anything, and they were in the house before she had a chance to get a close look. She would find out everything soon enough anyway though.

  As they entered the farmhouse Alex marveled at all the beautiful wood finishings. All of the furniture was beautifully carved and crafted to show the beauty of the wood, creating a soothing and relaxing environment. “We’ve been working on this place for a long time, especially this main level,” said Trevor as they crossed the main level. “I’ll give you the full tour later, but you two are right through here.” He stopped at a set of stairs leading down to the lower level and gestured down. “I’ll be upstairs with Ella. You should have everything you need, but just shout” he tapped the side of his head with one finger, “if you need anything.” Alex nodded, tapping the side of his own head in response. Then he placed his hand gently on Rose’s back and they started down the stairs to their room. Their room. He couldn’t believe it. “And one more thing,” Trevor called out from the top of the stairs behind them. He gave Rose a big smile as he added “Rose, we’re thrilled that you’re here. Your sisters can’t wait to meet you. Not to mention your nieces and nephews.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Alex gently shut the bedroom door behind them. He quickly looked around, taking in their surroundings with a glance, especially the giant king bed centered in the room, but his attention was all on Rose as she fell into his arms, barely able to handle one more shock.

  “Sisters?” she whispered. “Nieces and nephews? What is this place? I need to know what’s going on.” She looked lost. Alex felt a pang of guilt stab into his heart. She deserved better than this. She deserved to know everything about their world, everything about her family.
Especially after they had kidnapped her and locked her up.

  Alex felt fiercely protective. He hated being the source of any pain or confusion for his mate. He reached his hand up and brushed a strand of beautiful blonde hair back from her face, tracing his fingers through her hair.

  “It’s a lot to take in, I know. You’ve been through a lot in the last twelve hours. And I think you are being incredibly brave. But there’s more. And I’ll tell you everything, right here and right now.” He met her green eyes. He could tell she was braced for something terrible, even as she hoped for better. “Trevor is right. You have sisters you never knew about...” He hesitated. “I don’t even know where to start. There’s a lot to tell you, and even more you need to know to understand.”

  Alex stopped. He felt a weight in his chest. Everything in his being screamed “mate,” and he loved this female with all of his being, despite having known her for less than four hours. But how was how going to explain this? How was he going to introduce her to his world? What could she possibly think? Would she run screaming like any normal female? All he knew was that he had no choice. He was nothing without this woman, and he couldn’t hide a single piece of himself from her.

  He focused on her bright green eyes, and held her tight, hoping it wouldn’t be the last time. “A long time ago my people suffered a terrible tragedy. We lost all of our females, all killed in a terrible attack. But twenty-five years ago, even though we didn’t know it, a lifeline came to us. An angel saved us.”

  Rose’s eyes widened in shock. She trembled as she whispered “What? An angel? You can’t possibly mean that.”

  Alex focused on those eyes, willing her to believe, wanting to share his deepest secrets. “It’s the absolute truth. Twenty-five years ago, an angel came down to our world to save us. Over the course of forty nights he visited hundreds of human women.”

  Rose reached up to her chest, closing her fingers around her wolf and angel pendant. She gripped the pendant, squeezing it until her fingers turned white.

  Alex continued. “The angel’s daughters are fated to marry my people. Each one of those daughters carries the seeds of a special bond, something beyond love, beyond fate, a deeper connection than even soulmates. Each of those daughters is a One True Mate to a male of my species.”

  Rose collapsed into Alex’s chest. She whispered, almost to herself. “Angels. Of all the things.” He rubbed her back slowly, no idea what she was thinking or feeling, just happy to hold her. Happy she wasn’t running. He felt her shudder, as if fighting an instinct to run, or some dark thought creeping in. Then, her body sagged in his arms, and in a whisper so faint he could barely hear her, she asked “Your species? Are you an angel too?”

  He squeezed her tight, wrapping his arms around her and holding on as tightly as he could. If this was the last time he would hold her he needed to burn the memory into his soul. He leaned close to, brushing his lips past her ear and whispered back. “No angel. I’m a wolven.”

  She shivered as his lips moved past her ear, his breath rushing across her neck as he answered. He felt her pulse race as he squeezed her in his arms, and heard the sharp intake of her breath. She squeezed him back, pulling herself tighter into his arm. She whispered up to him. “My wolf.”

  He couldn’t hold himself back anymore. He lightly kissed the side of her neck, gently touching his lips to her soft skin and working his way up with light grazing touches.

  She moaned in his arms, pressing her body to his. His body felt like it was on fire, desire for her consuming him. He slid one hand up her back, gently holding the back of her neck as his lips reached her ear. He pulled back, needing to meet her eyes. Needing to see desire to match his before he could continue.

  He stared into her eyes, holding still for what felt like an eternity. He could feel her racing heartbeat, hear her ragged breathing, as she gazed up at him, meeting his eyes, their faces only inches apart. He slowly moved forward and brought his lips to hers.

  She moaned into his kiss, as a rush of energy flew between them, all of her questions forgotten in the heat of the moment. He lost all control, pushing his mouth hard into hers, crushing their lips together. She pushed back, opening her mouth and darting her tongue out, sliding it over his lips and circling his tongue.

  His brain melted as he went crazy with desire. He felt the energy flowing from his tongue directly to his cock, straining against his pants, longer and harder than it had ever been. He let his tongue circle hers as she moaned and pressed her body into his. He felt her hands explore his body as they kissed, sliding over his shoulders, caressing his chest, then gliding down his stomach, leaving little trails of fire in his skin. He gasped as her hands moved lower, sliding into the waistband of his pants, touching the sensitive bare skin there.

  He matched her movements, unable to keep his hands off her body. He slid his hands low down her back, then farther down those tight jeans, squeezing her perfect ass tight. With both hands he scooped her up in the air and pulled her tight to him, bringing their bodies even closer together. She wrapped her legs around his waist, centering her core against his hard cock, pressing herself against him. He could feel her hips rocking as they kissed, the friction driving him wild, and he groaned into her.

  Still kissing her, he let his hips start to move as well, grinding his cock against her. Even through the barrier of their pants it felt amazing. His body was on fire, feeling every inch of her body squeezed against him, every tiny movement of her body on his, and the delicious friction of his cock pulsing against her. He was dying, almost on the edge from this alone. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be inside her, to slide inside her hot wet core, to feel the velvet of her body slide over his cock.

  She groaned, rocking her hips against him, pushing his cock harder against her. Unable to take any more, he took the few steps to the bed, still pulling her against him with his hands on her ass. He was dying to get her out of those clothes.

  When her ass hit the side of the bed he eased her down, laying her down on her back. He stood between her legs, her hips at the edge of the bed. He looked down at her, her face flushed and framed by her long blonde hair, green eyes burning with desire. Her breath came heavy and fast. Her nipples were tight hard peaks pushing against her shirt and her hips slowly rocked as she pressed herself against him. He’d never seen anything more beautiful. The room filled with the scent of strawberries and cream, tinged with a delicious hazelnut spice, and he breathed deep, drawing it into himself and savoring the lovely flavor.

  She whispered up to him. “I’m ready. Take me.” He felt a growl deep in his chest, and he climbed up the bed, sliding his body on top of hers, pinning her underneath him. He centered his body between her legs and kissed her deeply, thrusting his tongue in her mouth to meet hers, savoring the delicious sensation of her kiss. He trailed his kisses down her neck, over her collarbone and onto the top of her chest.

  She gasped as he ran his hands up her sides, trailing over her ribs then up to her soft breasts, sliding over her hard nipples. He grasped her shirt at the neck with both hands. Then with a quick jerk, he ripped it down the middle so it fell open, baring her chest to him. She wasn’t wearing a bra, and her beautiful pink nipples stood out proud from her firm breasts. He continued to kiss his way down her chest, letting his tongue circle her nipple before sucking it into his mouth and caressing it with his tongue. Gently sucking.

  His other hand gently rubbed her other breast, slowly circling her nipple, rubbing and pinching between his thumb and finger. She trailed her fingers through his hair as he kissed the center of her chest, then slowly trailed his tongue down her stomach, planting slow gentle kisses along the line leading to her belly button.

  Her hips moved under him as his kissed his way past her belly button, letting his tongue trail down to the edge of her jeans. Light, he couldn’t wait to taste her, to feel her really move those hips and make her scream his name.

  He slid his hands underneath her, cupping her ass and
squeezing, then sliding his fingers below the waist of her jeans. Tracing the line around to the front of her body, he pulled back long enough to unbutton them.

  She moaned as he slowly slid her zipper down, showing black lace panties underneath her jeans. He inhaled deeply, the scent of her arousal driving him crazy, lighting up the most primal parts of his brain. Without hesitating, he hooked his fingers in her jeans and panties and ripped them down her legs and off in one smooth movement. He threw them to the side and looked down, savoring the sight of her naked body.

  She bit her lip as she lay on her back on the bed, with her legs spread in front of him and her molten core bare to him, her breathing heavy and ragged. He reached out and grasped her knees in his hands and she moaned. His fingers traced her legs, gently rubbing the insides of her thighs, sliding higher. She shifted both legs as his hands moved, opening them even wider, offering herself to him.