“Thank you, Aleksandr.”
She stepped back and reached for Jackson. Jackson stepped near her, taking her hand in his.
“Aleksandr, this is my mate, Jackson. He is a Soldier of the Clodpoll pack.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Jackson. You will have to rely on your training to handle my Izzy,” he said with a wink.
“Yes, Sir.” Jackson said formally.
Aleksandr decided they would stay in the Second Chances hotel. After assuring Mary Ann that her rapist would be executed, he excused himself and went to the hotel. Jackson and Izzy stayed for a few hours with Mary Ann then they too left. They had dinner in the hotel dining room before retreating to their room.
Chapter Nine
Damian marched out of the room, his face burning with embarrassment. Aleksandr Hoyden knew he had done nothing to protect a wolf from being attacked. When his Pack mates found out, they would know that he had lied to them and would demand that he step down as Alpha.
He stood alone in the elevator, preoccupied with his thoughts.
I’ve worked too fucking hard to become an Alpha. I’m not going to let some bitch rob me of my position. How the fuck was I supposed to know that one of our pack members was a rapist? Women these days, they like to fuck and when they get caught by their husbands or boyfriends, they lie about it. That’s probably what happened. They didn’t want anybody knowing they had fucked a wolf and they lied about it, dragging our good name through the mud. As for Mary Ann, that was a separate incident. Hell, who knows, she might have allowed her lover to go too far, then changed her mind. Yes, that’s what happened. They’re all lying whores.
Damian justified his behavior in his own mind, but deep down he feared that his status was in danger. He had to do something to strengthen his position. But what? His cell phone beeped once, indicating a text message had been received. The message was from Orin, Alpha of the Epicene pack, asking whether he could send some of his wolves to the Clodpoll training camp.
Orin. He’s the wealthiest and most powerful alpha in the area. Only Aleksandr is more feared and respected than Orin. Aleksandr is obviously against me. But if Orin supports me, I have a chance. Whatever the cost, I will pay it. I’m not giving up my position as Alpha.
Making his decision, Damian called Orin, Alpha of the Epicene Wolf Pack, as he stepped out of the elevator. On the way to his car in the parking lot, he explained his situation to Orin.
“I have a problem, Orin. One of my wolves has taken a mate. His bitch murdered Thor because she claims he was a rapist. She’s been feeding lies to my wolves, claiming there is another rapist and I didn’t help her find him. She’s turning my pack against me. They are questioning my leadership.”
“Why the fuck are you telling me this, Damian?” Orin asked impatiently.
“This cunt is a Soldier of Aleksandr Hoyden!” Damian shouted.
People around him turned to stare at his outburst. He glared at them and they continued walking.
“A female Soldier? From the Hoyden pack?” Orin asked, sure he had heard incorrectly.
“Yes. I just left that bitch with Aleksandr. She’s his all right. If you form an alliance with us, my pack will overlook this problem.”
Damian waited silently for Orin’s response. Orin laughed at Damian’s expense.
“You fucked up by hiding a rapist, endangering our kind and now you want my help? You expect me to give my pack’s allegiance to you? Are you worried that Aleksandr will challenge you for your pack?”
“He has every right to challenge me. But if you were allied with me, Aleksandr would think twice before challenging me.”
“And what do I get in return?” Orin asked greedily.
Damian shut his eyes, knowing it would cost him dearly.
“What do you want, Orin?”
“I want Aleksandr’s bitch Soldier.”
“You can have her.”
“Where is she now?”
“Second Chances General Hospital, Room 213.”
“Is her mate with her?”
“Yes. Jackson. He’s a formidable Soldier.”
“Call him and have him bring his bitch to you. My people will kill him and return his bitch to me.”
Without waiting for confirmation, Orin hung up, pleased that he now owned Damian, Alpha of the Clodpoll pack. Orin grinned and wished he could see the look on Izzy’s face when her mate was killed in front of her.
Damian stared at the phone and pressed ‘End’.
Kill Jackson? He was a good Soldier. Too bad he chose to mate with that bitch.
He called Jackson, ordering him to return to the pack with his mate. Jackson adamantly refused and hung up on him. Furious, Damian roared, slamming his hand on the hood of his car, denting it.
Already it has begun. My wolves are disobeying me because of that cunt. I will make her pay, if it’s the last thing I do.
While Damian was fuming about Jackson’s disobedience, Orin received a phone call from Aleksandr.
“Aleksandr? It has been a long time.”
The last time he spoke to Aleksandr had been the day he marked Izzy’s face.
“Good Evening, Orin. We have a problem.”
“’We’?”
“Our secret is in danger of being revealed. Several human females have been raped by two Rogue wolves. One of my Soldiers has already executed the first Rogue wolf. We are still hunting the second wolf. Earlier this morning he attacked a female wolf.”
“A female wolf?”
“Yes. She managed to rip off a piece of his clothing.”
“You are sharing this with me because?”
“It’s a patch with your insignia.”
“One of mine?”
“We have the DNA sample from her attack. I would like permission to come to your pack tomorrow to find this wolf. We know that the wolf responsible is from the Clodpoll Pack. Since he is missing a part of his uniform, I was hoping you would be able to figure out his identity.”
Each Alpha knew this call was Aleksandr’s attempt to follow protocol and play the game of politics, something he loathed. Aleksandr didn’t need permission to enter Orin’s Pack if he were seeking a Rogue wolf. Orin began to wonder why Aleksandr had decided to act like a politician instead of a warrior.
“That shouldn’t be too hard to figure out. I will have my Soldiers find this wolf. Speaking of Soldiers, how is that...daughter of mine?” Orin asked cautiously.
“Izzy has excelled, Orin. She is an exceptional Soldier. In fact, Izzy was the one who executed the first Rogue wolf.”
Orin was shocked speechless.
Izzy? She fought a Rogue wolf and won? She must have had help from the other Soldiers. Or else Aleksandr is bullshitting me.
“I...heard that she has been mated,” Orin mentioned quietly.
“This is true. His name is Jackson. He is a Clodpoll Soldier,” Aleksandr confirmed.
“Are they coming with you tomorrow, Aleksandr?”
Orin hoped he didn’t sound too anxious.
“Yes, Orin.”
“Excellent! I will see you tomorrow evening. We will execute the Rogue then have a feast to celebrate my daughter’s mating.”
Aleksandr hung up, perturbed by Orin’s sudden desire to see Izzy and celebrate her mating.
Not once in the last thirteen years had he ever inquired about her. Why the sudden interest in Izzy and her mate, he wondered.
His wolf bristled. Orin was manipulative and shrewd. Even Aleksandr’s wolf sensed that Orin was planning something. Aleksandr called his mate, hoping she could help him make sense of Orin’s uncharacteristic behavior.
After his conversation with Aleksandr, Orin ordered his Soldiers to detain any Clodpoll wolf who was missing the Epicene insignia from his uniform. Then he called Grayson, Alpha of the Virilis Wer Pack. Orin chuckled as he called Damian.
“I have no need of your services, Damian. Aleksandr is bringing his Soldier bitch to me.”
“What about our agreeme
nt? Our alliance?”
“You have nothing I want, Damian. My Pack will not benefit by supporting you.”
He hung up before Damian could protest.
The Clodpoll pack will demand a new leader. They will fight among themselves until a new Alpha is selected. While they are weak from infighting, I will step in and claim the Clodpoll Pack as my own. They wouldn’t dare fight me. With the addition of the Clodpoll pack, I will be more powerful than Aleksandr Hoyden. It’s only a matter of time before I take him out too.
Orin chuckled, pleased with himself.
Chapter Ten
Jackson took a shower while Izzy searched through the bag of clothes for something to wear. She snorted at the lingerie and pushed them to the bottom of the bag. She found a comfy cotton panty and decided to rummage through Jackson’s duffel bag. She found a button-down shirt and decided she would wear his shirt to sleep.
Jackson finished his shower and stepped out of the bathroom, wearing a pair of boxers.
“Shower’s all yours.”
Izzy nodded and went into the bathroom. She took a long steamy shower, allowing the stress of the day to melt away. Not wanting Jackson to fall asleep before she could talk with him, she decided to end her shower. She dried off and dressed quickly. When she stepped out of the bathroom, Jackson was on their bed, staring at his left arm in the mirror above the dresser next to the bed.
“Admiring your biceps?” she teased.
“Looking at my Clodpoll Soldier tattoo. I used to be so proud of it. Now it’s a mark of shame.”
He shook his head sadly. Izzy moved to stand between his legs and traced the tattoo.
“It’s an interesting tattoo. But mine is way cooler. Want to see?”
Realizing she would have to take off her shirt, he nodded. Izzy unbuttoned his shirt, starting from the bottom, slowly working her way to the top. Once the shirt was open, she slipped it off her shoulders and tossed it to the chair in the room. She turned slightly so he could admire the intricate tattoo on her left arm.
“I still can’t believe I’m mated to a Soldier,” he said as he put his hands on her hips, turning her to face him. His forehead wrinkled as he thought about his pack and Izzy caressed his face.
She stroked his jaw and asked, “What’s bothering you, Jackson?”
“Damian. Because of him, Mary Ann—” he shook his head and she pulled him close, holding his head against her chest, stroking his hair soothingly. He looked up at Izzy.
“I wanted to thank you, Bella.”
“For?”
“Most women wouldn’t have wanted me anywhere near Mary Ann, considering thirty-six hours ago she and I were still a couple.”
“We have only known each other for a short time. It seems much longer than that.”
“Thanks for allowing me to comfort her.”
“No need to thank me. I’m glad you were there to help her deal with her attack.”
“If Damian had been a better alpha, none of this would have happened.”
His voice deepened in anger.
“I’ve lost all respect for him, Izzy. I renounce him as my Alpha.”
Izzy wasn’t surprised at Jackson’s declaration. No Soldier would remain loyal to an Alpha that endangered pack life.
“I know it’s difficult for you, Jackson. Does this mean you will join our Pack?”
Jackson nodded and Izzy smiled.
“I worry about my Pack mates. They will continue to follow him.”
“Not your concern. The only thing you need to worry about is how to deal with your mate,” Izzy said as she pushed him on the bed.
He lay on the bed, his arms above his head. Jackson chuckled.
“No need to worry. I’ve got that in the bag.”
“Oh, you do?”
She climbed on top of him, straddling him.
“Mmmhmm. I know exactly how to please my mate.”
She slid her hands along his belly, up to his chest.
“Is that right?”
She leaned over, sliding her arms along his, so her small hands were encased in his much larger ones.
“Yes. I’m a fast study. Sometimes my mate likes to be dominant. She loves being on top.”
He flipped her suddenly, so she was pinned under him.
“And sometimes she likes to be submissive. She enjoys being under me.”
He ground his hips into her crotch, rubbing his erection against her. Izzy enjoyed her body’s response to her mate. Her womb clenched tightly, so did her channel. She groaned as he chuckled.
“See? I know my mate. I know her secret spots....”
Jackson kissed her gently before moving down to her neck. He found a secret spot on her neck and sucked on it as Izzy sighed with pleasure. Izzy arched her back and wrapped her arms around him, holding him close to her.
He moved lower, taking an erect nipple into his mouth, sucking tightly.
“Oh,” Izzy cried out as his fingers tugged roughly on her other nipple. He kissed his way lower, then moved off the bed. He removed her panty then held her calves and pulled her to the edge of the bed.
“I know how my mate likes to be touched,” he continued as he pressed his thumb on her clit. He rubbed her clit in slow circles then moved lower, pressing into her slick wet channel. He pumped his thumb in and out of her several times.
“Jackson—”
“Yes, Bella?”
“Don’t tease me.”
He chuckled and fell to his knees. He spread her legs and licked her.
“Wha—?”
He slipped his tongue inside her and Izzy gripped the sheets. His tongue delved into her channel over and over again as his thumb circled her clit.
“Oh, Jackson! Don’t stop. Don’t stop,” she pleaded. Her orgasm was close but it hovered just out of reach.
Just a little more, she thought. So close.
Jackson abruptly removed his tongue and stood. Izzy whimpered at the loss of his magnificent tongue. Jackson spread her legs and slid into her fully. Izzy bit her lip and reached for him. He grabbed her arms, above her wrists and held them at her side. He pumped his hips, deep and slow.
“Faster, Jackson...please!”
Izzy tried to move her hips in an effort to get him to speed up but Jackson kept still.
“I want to savor this, Bella, I want to savor you.”
He released her arms and held her legs. He pushed her legs up to her chest and resumed thrusting.
Impossibly, Jackson pushed deeper inside her and she moaned at the sensation. He still moved too slowly for her. He released her legs and she wrapped them around his waist as he lay over her. He continued to move leisurely, allowing the tension to build. In and out, over and over again, deeper and deeper he thrust. Izzy wanted to scream with frustration. Her elusive orgasm was nowhere to be found, yet Jackson’s cock felt amazing as he thrust inside her. She enjoyed the sensation of his large erection pressing into her, stretching her, rubbing against her intimately.
“You’re mine, Isabella,” Jackson declared as he thrust slowly.
“I’m the only wolf that will fuck you. The only one.”
Suddenly, she felt it. Her orgasm came crashing into her, causing her womb to clench and her channel to tighten. Her body squeezed and massaged his and she cried out, “Jaaack-son!”
Her body convulsed against his, massaging him as he spilled his seed deep inside her. Jackson kissed her gently as his body found his release. He caressed her cheek, stroking the scars with his thumb.
“Mine, Bella. Forever.”
Izzy smiled then kissed him gently, finally accepting his claim.
Izzy curled up against Jackson, her hand resting comfortably on his chest, her cheek on his shoulder.
This is perfect. Bella accepts my claim. She’s mine and I am hers. I should keep my mouth shut before I ruin things, but I need to know.
“Bella?”
“Hmm?”
“Honey, I’ve given up my Pack, my rank, everything I am to be y
our mate. Will you at least consider having a few pups?”
Izzy raised her head to look at him. She opened her mouth to speak but he interrupted.
“I’m not asking for a houseful, Bella, though it would be nice. Just a couple? Just don’t say no right now. All I want is for you to think about it. Can you do that for me?”
“I suppose that’s fair.”
Jackson smiled and placed his hand on her abdomen.
“You could already be pregnant with my child,” he said happily as he caressed her abdomen lovingly.
Izzy shook her head, puzzled over Jackson’s demeanor. He was a formidable Soldier yet his face softened and he looked sweet as he thought about having children. He moved so he could lay his head on her abdomen. She chuckled and ran her fingers through his hair.
“Go little guys, go!”
She laughed when she heard him cheering for his ‘little boys’ to find her egg.
“You are something else, Jackson.”
He glanced up at her with a grin.
“You do realize I intend to fuck you often?”
“At least twice a day, if I recall correctly.”
“At least.”
“So what’s your plan, besides getting me pregnant?”
“Other than fucking? Not really sure. I suppose I’m going to have to get a job. What do you think I’d be good at?”
“Hmmm, I’m not really sure. We can discuss that with Aleksandr. I don’t think we’ve ever had this situation occur before. Hunter is dead so we need a new tracker. How are you at tracking?”
“I’m as good as any other wolf, but I don’t think I’m good enough to be tracker. At least not yet.”
“Bella? Who is Orin? And why didn’t Aleksandr want you to follow up with this new lead?”
Izzy opened her mouth then shut it again. She took a deep breath and sighed.
“No secrets between mates, remember?” Jackson gently reminded her.
“Not a secret. Just something I don’t—Fuck. He’s my father, okay? Orin the Asshole, Alpha of the Epicene pack, is my father. He’s the one who did this to me.”
Isabella's Dilemma: Wolf Secrets Book 1 Page 8