Arden's Mate (Armageddon Mates Book 4)

by Hazel Gower

  Before a fighting match started between them, Arden spoke up. “Kane, can you check her over to see if she’s all right?”

  “Hell no. I’d have to be dying again for him to touch me.” Remy backed up.

  “She’s fine. I did notice a cut or two that could use a couple of stitches, but with the advanced healing she should be able to get by without them. Also, she can still mouth off at me so I say she’s okay.”

  “Thanks.” Looking around at the growing crowd, Arden saw his father and some other wolves, along with the military, organizing people. The place was a mess. There were dead zombies scattered everywhere. The ones who had gotten out lay in a pile, and there was a burnt down store and firefighters trying to put out any small blazes that may skip to other buildings. “We’re going to leave. I’ll sort out this shit later.”

  “Go, before anyone spots you,” Kane said as he walked away.

  Arden studied Remy. Besides some cuts and bruises, she looked okay. Actually, she looked amazing, especially after what she’d done. She didn’t look too tired either. Her eyes were still filled with fire and her body was still hot to touch, but she looked relieved.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, eager to know if she was still distressed.

  Remy grinned up at him. “I think I just won Sara back. I thought I’d lost her.” She sighed and her grin disappeared. “Now I just have to find a way to make it up to Faith.” She leaned up and kissed him. “And you. I need you to forgive me.”

  Holding her to him, Arden knew he needed to go speak with his father and the military, but he wanted...no, needed Remy. He needed to calm his raging wolf that was batting at his cage to be let out again. He needed to hold her in his embrace and know she was safe. First he was going to restake his claim by taking her home and fucking her until she seeped into his pores and he knew she was his.

  “I forgive you,” Arden said.

  She gasped and wrapped her arms around him. “Do you really mean it?”

  “I never say anything I don’t mean.” He gripped her arms and walked to his car, opened the door, and sat her inside.

  Remy looked stunned as she gazed up at him. “I really don’t deserve you.”

  He leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. She clung to him, deepening the kiss. Fuck, he wanted her so bad. She’d terrified him when she hadn’t followed them out of the building. He’d thought he’d lost her for good when the roof caved in. He was taking her home and never letting her out of his sight again. Tearing his mouth from hers, he walked around the car and opened his door.

  “Don’t you have to report or something?” she whispered like someone would hear as he got in the car.

  “Yes, but I want you so bad. Do you know how fucking hot you looked coming out of those flames? Not only did you save us all, but you saved me going in there and killing you for killing yourself.”

  She laughed and shook her head.

  He put the keys in the ignition and started the car, easing onto the road and driving straight for home. “I’m going to take you home first and show you how much I forgive you by fucking you until you can’t walk anymore.”

  Remy groaned and lay back against the car seat. He got onto the highway and sped as fast as he dared, eager to get home.

  * * * *

  They barely made it through the door before Arden picked her up, wrapping her legs around him as he went swiftly down the hall to their room.

  “Pixie, I’m so fucking hard right now. You looked so hot back there coming out of the fire.”

  Her legs tightened, squeezing him, as his mouth came down to hers in a hard, impatient kiss. She rubbed her body against his and he ripped at his shirt which he’d given her to cover herself as the fire had burnt her clothes off.

  As they reached the bed he threw her down and she bounced, squealing. Her eyes widened as she watched him tear at his pants and his long, thick cock popped up. She moved back so she could get a better look at the goods before her. His body was sweating, and she knew the heat of her body was still very hot. She took deep breaths to calm and cool herself down, but it was hard when Arden’s gorgeous, hard, muscular body with his erect penis pointing straight at her came toward her. She could see the eager gleam in his eyes and knew she was about to be taken and it would be rough and fast. She shivered in anticipation, the adrenaline from earlier still running high in her body.

  Arden’s face was set in a determined line as he came to the edge of the bed and crawled up to her, covering her body with his own naked one. Reaching up, she ran her fingers down the ridges of his six-pack, groaning as his muscles flexed and he leaned into her touch.

  “Mmm, I love your body,” she said.

  He smirked at her, and his eyes flashed a deeper brown. Arden leaned down and sucked one of her nipples into his mouth. He captured her hands and held them tight in his grip. She arched into him as his warm mouth touched her still burning skin. As his mouth left one breast he did the same with the other.

  “Your body responds so well to my touch. It knows who you belong to.”

  The grip on her hands became tighter, and he settled himself between her legs, spreading them with his body as he sucked on her and licked her burning skin.

  “Let me go so I can hold you.”

  Arden shook his head, his lips skimming over her erect nipple as he muttered, “No. You are mine to take. You want me to have my way, don’t you? To fuck you so hard you forget all about what happened today?”

  Holy shit, his talk was turning her on more. The fact she was helpless to him as he held her tight only had her panting and eager for whatever he was willing to give her. She nodded. “Yes.”

  He growled, and then she felt his cock rub her pussy, searching for what it wanted. She could feel her juices coming out to meet him. She wiggled her hips, and he nipped her neck. “Nuh-uh, my little pixie, I’m the one in charge. You will wait until I’m ready.”

  He rubbed his dick up and down, driving her crazy with need. His lips trailed cool kisses over her shoulder and neck, stopping to nibble and nuzzle her. Her body was heating up now, but in a different way, not from fire but with need. She held herself up as best she could, wanting what he controlled.

  She caught her breath when she felt the tip of his dick at her entrance. Arden raised his head and looked her in the eyes. His hands pushed hers into the bed as his elbows supported him. She gazed up into his intense face as he pushed home. She screamed, arching into him. He felt so good, his dick filling the emptiness she’d started to feel.

  “Oh God. Fuck me.” she moaned.

  Arden snarled and pulled out only to propel himself back into her. Wrapping her legs around him, she moved with him, eager for each deep thrust. Her head fell back against the pillow, and she basked in his assault. His cock hit just the right spot every time he drove into her. Remy hadn’t thought she’d ever be into hard, rough sex like this, but what Arden was doing to her had her so wet, her orgasm building quickly.

  “Holy mother of God, you feel so damn good,” Remy squealed.

  Arden grunted as a reply but she didn’t care. She gripped his fingers as they held tight to her straining hands. He pumped into her, his thrusts becoming a mindless frenzy. He started growling, and she knew he was close. She was so near her release too.

  “Kiss me. Kiss me now,” Arden snarled at her as his mouth left her neck and he covered her lips with his. She didn’t let him deepen the kiss before she broke it off and leaned up and bit his neck like he’d done to her.

  His hands let go of hers and he yelled his release on a roar, holding her mouth to him as he gave one powerful thrust. She felt the base of his cock grow, and the sensation of the lock stretching her and holding him in place had her following him in a cry of bliss.

  Spent, she let go of him and fell back onto the bed. He rested on top of her and she gave him a lazy, satisfied smile. “Mmm, once you go wolf you never go back. That was… Wow... Just… Wow.”

  Arden chuckled and rolled them to the
side. Remy liked it when Arden locked inside her while they were facing each other. That way she got to see his handsome face. His eyes looked more brown than they had since she’d come home.

  Chapter 5

  Arden should have done this days ago, but he was being selfish. He left Remy to sleep as he changed to wolf and went to Kane’s house. The sun had been up for a while, and he knew Remy would be exhausted from all she’d done yesterday and the night of making love they’d had.

  He made good time in his wolf form, and once he arrived at Kane’s he shifted and let himself in the house. Bengie didn’t even look up from his video game as he said, “Hi, Arden. They’re in the bedroom. Faith said I had to call Dr. Jerome and then stay away. I think Faith’s in labor. She’s been yelling and cursing Kane.”

  Arden ran to Kane and Faith’s bedroom and opened the door. Faith walked back and forth across the room, clutching her stomach. She turned to him. “It’s about time you got here. You’re like a couple of hours late. I was supposed to go into labor while you were talking to me.”

  Arden looked at Kane to see if he knew what Faith was talking about. “She’s getting worse. She now spends half her days in visions, seeing possible futures.”

  Faith groaned and buckled at the knees. “Say what you came to say, Arden.” When he hesitated, she yelled, “Say it.”

  Glancing at Kane, he nodded, then returned his gaze to his sister-in-law. “Faith, you can’t punish Remy like this. She supported you when you left Kane. I think it’s unfair you didn’t give her a choice like you were given. I knew the consequences when I bit her. Remy is your best friend, and she misses you like crazy. You have to let go of your anger at not seeing everything. You can’t save everyone.”

  “Arggghhh. Yes, I can at least try and save my loved ones. I love Remy, but she abandoned us. My best friend abandoned me.”

  Oh. It all made sense. “She didn’t abandon you. She didn’t even abandon me. We are her family. She needed space. She needed to know there was always an exit, but she wouldn’t have used it if we’d offered her one. You’ve known Remy for most of your life, is she ever the type of person to do something if she’s forced into it?”

  Faith gasped and panted as she shook her head. “No, that’s why she isn’t a fan of Kane. She thinks he took away my options. She thinks he took away my exits. Oh my God, I’m the worst friend in the world. Get her here. I want my best friend here now.”

  Without saying anything else, Arden turned and jogged out of the room and through the house, opening the front door and shutting it behind him. He changed into a wolf and sped home.

  When he got to his house he went to the bedroom to find Remy still asleep. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he stroked her cheek. “Pixie. Pixie, wake up.”

  “Mmm, I don’t wanna.”

  “Faith needs you.”

  Remy sat straight up and pushed him aside and jumped out of the bed. She grabbed clothes she’d chucked on the floor and dressed. “Come on, let’s go. Stop standing around.”

  She got her car keys and didn’t even wait for him as she left the house. Arden grinned and followed her. He changed to a wolf and sprinted back to Kane and Faith’s house. In his wolf form he was quick and could take shortcuts a car couldn’t. Arden arrived just before Remy pulled up and parked.

  “How on earth did you beat me? So unfair.” Remy opened the front door, not bothering to knock.

  Bengie still sat on the sofa playing video games, but this time he turned with a huge smile on his face. “Remy, you’re here. I wanted to see you, but Faith said I need to give you some space. Have you had enough space?” Bengie stopped his game and came to Remy, pulling her to him for a big hug.

  Arden couldn’t help the growl, and he felt his fur rise. Not wanting to hurt the kid, he changed back to human.

  “Yeah, Bengie, I’ve had my space. I missed you.” Remy kissed Bengie’s cheek, and even though Arden knew he was a kid, he and his wolf went nuts. He stalked the embracing couple and threw Bengie away. “What the hell, Arden?” Remy whacked him in the chest. You’re an—” Her words cut off as a bloodcurdling scream surrounded them.

  Remy’s eyes widened, and she pushed at him and ran to Faith’s room. He followed close behind. The door was ajar, and Faith was now lying on the bed. Remy was by her side, holding her hand and giving encouragement.

  Dr. Jerome was at the end of the bed, looking between… Oh God. Arden turned away as he saw something that would give him nightmares for the rest of his life—a baby being born into the world.

  Arden leaned against the wall. It was safe there. No wonder Remy didn’t want to have children. What he’d just seen looked worse than torture. He would ask his mother if there was anything Remy could take to keep from getting pregnant since they weren’t sure if her pill would work. What felt like hours later, but was only a good ten minutes or so, he heard the loud cries of a baby.

  Counting slowly to a hundred, he turned and carefully peeked. This time he didn’t see anything he didn’t want to. Easing into the room, he walked over to Remy and wrapped his arms around her as she stared down at a bundle in Faith’s arms.

  “He’s perfect, Faith. You made an amazing little being.”

  “I did, didn’t I?” Faith gazed lovingly at the baby. She closed her eyes for a moment, then looked up at Remy, opening them again. “Don’t ever leave me like you did.” Tears rolled down Faith’s cheek. “I thought I was going to have to do this without you. I’m sorry I took away your choice, but I needed you.” Faith glanced at Arden and caught his gaze. “We needed you.” She looked back to Remy. “You’re my best friend, and these last months without you have been hell.”

  Arden felt Remy’s body shake against him and a tear fell on his arm. Remy leaned back into him and her shaking stopped. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have run, but so much had happened, and then I got bit and was told I’m Arden’s mate. I felt trapped. I wasn’t given an option. I was always going to come back, but I needed time to think, to catch up. I needed to know what I wanted. I love you, Faith, but you’re not the one who gets to make choices for me. No one gets to make choices about my life but me. I know you don’t want to hear this, but this goes for everyone—you can’t make other people’s choices. All you can do is give them options and let them choose.”

  Faith sighed, and for the first time in months her body relaxed. “Fine, but I just want to make sure we win this fight, and mated shifters are stronger. Kane, take your son. Wake me when he’s hungry. I’m going to sleep now. When I wake it will be only to be with you, my son, and Bengie. I’m going on maternity leave. No more visions unless they come to me and I have no choice.”

  Remy wiggled out of Arden’s hold and kissed the baby. “That’s good, Faith. We can survive without you for a while. They did okay before you came home. I’ll come by and visit in a couple of days. Call me if you need and I’ll come.” Remy kissed Faith’s forehead. “For anything. I’m here if you need me. I always will be.”

  “I missed you,” Faith said. Remy turned and took a step, but Faith grabbed both Arden and Remy. “Go check on Griffen. Remy, I need you to be yourself.”

  “What do you mean ‘be myself’?”

  “When you meet Pet, be yourself.”

  Remy nodded.

  Faith yanked Arden down and whispered, “Make sure she knows who her real family is. Arden, keep her safe and...and love her.”

  Faith let them go, and Arden wondered what she meant. He would always keep Remy safe, Faith didn’t needed to remind him. And what did she mean by ‘make sure she knows who her real family is’? And why did she think she had to ask him to love Remy? His head hurt, and he knew if he dwelled on what was said it wouldn’t get any better.

  “Are you okay?” Remy stopped and held his hands as they left the house, Bengie distracted by his games.

  “Yeah, sure.” No, he wasn’t. He had a lot to think about. They continued on their way.

  “That didn’t sound very convincing.” They n
ow stood by her car. “I want to say thank you. Whatever you said or did it gave me my best friend back.” Remy hugged him tight, and he could smell the waves of gratitude and happiness coming off her.

  “I didn’t do anything. I only talked to her and told her what she needed to hear. I should have done it days ago. I’m happy you two are back to being friends again.” He kissed her lips and rested his forehead against hers. “We have to get to the base for a meeting about what happened yesterday with the zombies. They’re going to ask you a lot of questions. Are you up to answering them?”

  “Yeah. Now that I have my best friend back I feel like I could do anything.”

  “Good. Let’s go get this all sorted out so we can have some time to ourselves before I need to go out fighting tonight, and you have a shift at the bar.”

  “Let’s go.”

  They let each other go and he winked at her. “I’ll give you a fifty count head start. I bet I can still beat you home.”

  Remy straightened her shoulders. “Oh, you’re on.”

  Chapter 6

  The wanker in front of Remy was really pissing her off. If General Beal didn’t shut his mouth, she was going to shut it for him. Well, if Arden didn’t rip him to shreds.

  “We could really use your help. I see you have control over this wolf.”

  Remy had no control over Arden in his wolf form. She currently gripped the fur on his neck, trying to hold him back as he lunged for General Beal. Arden threw himself forward and her grip slipped.

  Okay, she needed to stop this. “Listen here, fuckwit. I don’t care who the hell you are. I swear if you don’t shut your big, fat mouth, I will let him go and cheer him on as he rips you to shreds. No, I will not go anywhere with you. No, I will not join any crazy experiments or let you take any of my blood. No, I will not work for you. And lastly, if you come, or if I think you’ve been anywhere near me or anyone I love, I will not only burn your dick off, I will make sure my wolf here slowly mauls you to death.”