by Elaine Marie
The future comes to mind, I can picture the two of us chasing our pups over the hill. I smile inwardly. Who would have thought I’d be happy to settle down and have a family?
I watch as she descends the stairs. She gazes up at the sunset before she walks to her car. As she approaches it, my phone buzzes, and I pull it from my pocket. A text from Lucienne says Nev’s on her way home. I look away from the screen and watch until my mate is out of sight.
Slowly, I nod my head. It’s time to summon the coven and have them completely remove the spell from Nevaeh’s home.
Fifteen
NEVAEH
I HAVEN’T SEEN KATO for a few days, and if I’m honest with myself, I miss him. After being the stubborn girl I am, I come to realize, I do love him. The memories have been pouring back in and there isn’t a time I can remember that he wasn’t in my life or dreams. Is it crazy? Am I insane? I mean, sex with him is fucking unbelievable, but can I love someone I barely know?
I close my eyes and picture his beautiful blue eyes. I can see the love in them. He’d do anything for me. He already has. He’s waited patiently while I lived my life. All these years I’ve searched to find where I belong. And I’ve found it. I belong here, with him, in my father’s family home. My home.
I pull out my phone and send Kato an invitation for dinner and drinks in the loft. Within seconds he responds with a smiley face. Upon his confirmation, with pep in my step, I walk over to the dresser and pull out my white pencil skirt and flowing white blouse. I quickly shower and dress. Then I pull my hair into a barrette, leaving the back down and wavy over my back.
Afterward, I made tomato shrimp scampi with garlic bread and salad. Chocolate covered strawberries are for dessert.
“Something smells good.” Luci stands at the door, and I wave her in.
“Thanks. I hope Kato likes it.” I place the table settings on the coffee table.
Luci crosses her arms. “You cooked?”
I nod.
“Wow, this must be serious,” she says and butterflies flutter around in my stomach.
“Tonight’s the night. I want him to mate with me.”
She gasps and runs over wrapping her arms around me. “Oh, Nev, I’m so happy for you!! You guys are going to make beautiful puppies!!” She claps her hands together and dances around the room.
I giggle at her excitement. “Well, I know we’ll have at least one girl.”
She stops dancing and squeals. Then it all comes to an abrupt stop. “Nev, you know if you mate, you might lose your powers and become a wolf, right?” Luci’s shoulders slump forward.
“I’ve never really thought about it. But I love him. I’d give up my own life for him. Besides, it’s not like I’ve had them very long. And who wants to see into the future? We should be living for today,” I explain myself and she seems to have accepted my choice.
“Well, then I’ll let you get to it. I’m heading to work. Enjoy your evening.” She kisses my cheek.
“Luc, how have you been feeling?” My concern comes from a vision. Of course, the future can be altered but it concerns me. She’s not telling me something.
“I’m a healer, Nev. No worries!” She steps out the door and disappears from sight.
I hope she knows what she’s doing. I’d hate for her to be waiting all this time for Mister Right only to find out she’s running out of time.
Sixteen
KATO
I ARRIVED A FEW MINUTES early expecting to see the delivery man, but when I step out of the truck the smell of garlic drifts through the air. With one foot in front of the other, I climb the stairs and stop in the doorway to appreciate the view.
Music is playing and Nevaeh’s singing and dancing along. Her white outfit against her sun kissed skin is elegant…classy. She recites the words and her sassiness shines through. Classy Yet Sassy. I shake away the dirty thoughts swimming in my head and move forward. She steps back and looks over her shoulder in my direction, batting her eyes.
“Wow, you clean up nice,” she says and places an innocent kiss on my cheek. I snake my arm around her waist and pull her roughly against my rock-hard cock.
“You do, too.” I slide my tongue along her bottom lip and nibble. She opens and I devour her. I can’t go days without touching or tasting her. Not anymore. The kiss softens and I pull back. Her face flushes.
“I’m hungry. What did you order?” I smirk when she slaps my chest and walks toward the kitchenette.
“I cooked, believe it or not. Have a seat.” She fills the dinner plates and brings them to the table. I pour the red wine and we sit on pillows across from each other at the coffee table.
“It smells and looks amazing,” I say to her as I reach for a piece of garlic bread and then take my fork to begin eating. I quietly remind myself I have to stay in complete date mode. No sex. It’s only food and good company.
***
NEVAEH
I’m not sure how much more waiting I can do. Sure, I was hungry but now after eating half, I’m ready to have him spread me out and claim me.
“Excuse me, I need to freshen up.” I step away into the bathroom and quickly brush my teeth, ridding myself of garlic breath. As I walk back out to the coffee table, I kneel down and squeeze my thighs tight. I’m like a loaded coil ready to spring out and have my release.
“Nevaeh, you need to stop. Your scent is driving me crazy,” he says as he wipes his face and throws the napkin on the table.
“Maybe I don’t want to stop, Kato.” I raise my eyebrow with the challenge. He sighs.
“We discussed this. The next time will be forever.”
I swallow the lump and nod. Is this what I want? Do I want to be with Kato forever? Without even a second guess I know my answer. Yes, yes, yes…he is my forever.
“Then what are you waiting for?” I raise my head and whisper, acknowledging my commitment. His eyes flare with desire and questions. I nod. “You’re it for me, Kato, I’m sorry it took so long to realize.”
In one swipe, the dishes are pushed from the table and he’s reaching over to me as quick as I’m reaching for him.
His arms snake around my waist holding me safe and warm. His kisses take away any hurt and sorrow I have left, leaving me feeling loved and happier than I ever have felt before. For the first time in what seems like forever I’ve made the right decision. I’ve found my soulmate.
He pulls back and holds me at arm's length, searching my eyes.
“Kato,” comes out breathless from my swollen lips.
“Nevaeh, I promise to cherish every moment with you, to adore your sassy comments and to treat you like the classy woman you are. Just promise you’ll always be mine. Forever and always from this day forward, stand by my side and walk the earth with me?” He cups my cheek and wipes the tears with his thumb.
“Kato, I’ve been yours for so long. I’m sorry I’m stubborn and was afraid. But I’m here now and if you’ll have me as your mate, I promise to forever be by your side.” A few tears glide down my cheek and he leans in for a kiss.
Slowly I back up until the bed hits the back of my knees. As he presses, his body molds against mine. We lay back. His fingers graze the silk fabric of my top and my nipples pebble.
“Kato, please,” I shamelessly beg.
“We are going to start nice and slow. I’m going to cherish every inch of you.”
I moan from the torturous pace. His hands roam up and over my curves and his tongue follows. My clothes are shimmied off and he stands before me bare.
His muscles ripple, and his cock stands for my attention. I wrap my fingers around the shaft and stroke slow. He growls from deep within and my core quivers.
“If you keep teasing me, I’m going to have to punish you.”
My eyes spring to his and the heat spreads between my legs. “Kato, make me yours.”
In one quick movement, he has me on my knees and his fingers plunging in and out of my dripping entrance. I hold firm onto the comforter and arch my ba
ck, thrusting back harder and harder.
Smack! The sting runs over my ass cheek and I feel my insides tighten. His hand massages the area and then he takes his fingers from within and slides them to the back entrance. I feel my ass pucker.
“Nevaeh?” His breath comes quick and I moan. He needs me as much as I need him. His finger circles the hole and then he slowly slides in.
My thighs tighten. “Kato!” I gasp.
He adjusts himself and I feel his cock at my front entrance as he slides in.
“Oh, God!” I scream out, He holds my left hip as he thrust in over and over with his cock and fingers. I begin to climax and my walls are so tight and quivering.
“Be mine, Nevaeh?” Kato grunts as he thrust harder each time.
“Yes, Kato I’m yours!” I call out and I feel him slide his finger from my ass and lean over. He glides his tongue over my shoulder blade and whispers, “Say it again.”
I whimper. “I’m yours!” I roar as he thrust so hard and bites down. My eyes shut so tight I see stars, and my body climaxes. The penetration overwhelms, and every muscle tightens to the breaking point and then releases.
My body falls to the mattress. He thrusts once more claiming me from the inside and out as he howls out, “I love you, Nevaeh.”
Our fluids blend together and unite us as one. My body is completely limp and exhausted. Yet I feel alive and reborn at the same time. Kato lies next to me and pulls me to his chest.
Slowly he kisses my neck lulling me into a slumber. But before I fall completely asleep, I see Luci. She’s with Levi and they are arguing. But then he reaches out and takes her hand and everything’s okay.
Everything is exactly the way it was supposed to be.
Seventeen
SINCE KATO IS OUT OF TOWN, I’ve been keeping myself occupied. With our future before us, I’m making plans instead of sitting back and letting life pass by. I’ve spent a lot of time at the house. There’s now a beautiful rock path leading to the stairs outside, and I’ve planted perennials alongside the porch. I have yet to go inside but today is as good a day as any.
Standing before the front door, I use both hands to turn the French door knobs. As the door swings open, I step into the foyer. I look around and realize the house hasn’t changed…not that I really thought it would. I remember every inch of this place. I glance to the corner. The old wooden table still sits there slightly off balance. It’s where I use to hide when Daddy and I played. I smile recalling all the times he’d pretend he couldn’t find me.
Farther into the living room, the couch with tan and brown flowers is against one wall and the brown leather recliner is to the left. The television is gone, but the radio is up on the bookshelf just like we left it.
I walk down the short hall leading to the bathroom, and there are two bedrooms on either side. Someone covered the bedding with sheets and the curtains hang a little out of place.
Suddenly, I have chills. My insides tighten. Something’s not right. This doesn’t feel normal. I turn to leave the house and something hits me from behind. Then there’s nothing but darkness.
***
“Nevaeh? Dear, can you hear me?” A cool rag is placed on my forehead. I try and move but I feel restricted. My eyes open and adjust to the lighting.
“Mother?”
She nods and places her finger to her lips, gesturing to keep quiet.
I nod.
She steps away and then it’s dark again. It doesn’t take long for my eyes to adjust again. I’m in a large storage room, and I’m lying on the cold, hard ground. My hands and ankles are tied behind me. What the fuck is going on? I notice movement when a door opens.
“Hello, sis.”
My skin crawls and my heart starts to thunder in my chest. Out of nowhere, mother scurries past him and up the stairs into the light.
“You stay the fuck away from me, Joshua.” I tug at the rope holding my arms.
He cackles and it infuriates me. I’m not sure what’s happening, but my body suddenly feels taut.
“Your wolf boy’s not here to save you this time. We sent him on a wild goose chase. Besides, your stepmother said I can have you.”
I wedge myself up against the damp cement wall. “I know what you did!” I scream back, using my anger to try and see the outcome of this nightmare. But my powers are useless at the moment. Sweat builds at the base of my neck and down my back. My breathing becomes erratic. What’s happening to me?
“Oh, do you now?” Jeremy enters, holding mother-dearest by the throat. She glances in my direction pleading and begging for me to help her.
“Go ahead. Kill her. She never loved me anyway,” I spit out.
Jeremy chuckles and bites into mother’s neck. She goes limp in his hand and he chucks her lifeless body to the side. The urge to vomit is at the back of my throat.
“Guess you didn’t see that coming,” Jeremy remarks, which surprises me. He knows I have a gift. Why has he never told me? Rage boils inside. Is this why they always tried to control me? They wanted to use my powers to help in their schemes and never find out the truth about my father.
My body trembles. My arms and legs feel like pins and needles are trying to break through my skin. The urge to take control is out of my hands. My nails rake through the ropes, ripping them to shreds. I hunch forward on all four, snarling toward Joshua.
“Well, well. Look here, Father,” Joshua says and circles the room.
My senses heighten. I’m not sure what the fuck just happened but I’m out to avenge my father’s death in any form that works. I lunge towards Joshua and he strikes me down.
He’s quick, but I get back on all fours and watch as they move within the four walls. The room fills with a burst of air and I can’t breathe. I falter to the ground and bang my head against the wall in the process.
***
KATO
I come back from down south and no-one has seen or heard from Nevaeh in days. Lucienne has been surrounded by enforcers and has taken this week off work. She hasn’t been herself and there’s something she’s not telling us. But Levi won’t let anything happen to her.
It’s been a few weeks since we’ve mated, and I came home because she’ll soon transition. I want to make sure she is okay. Instead of coming home to her, I came home to find an empty house. I followed her scent but lost it in the river.
“It has to be Jeremy and Joshua.” Blood thunders through my veins at the thought of them touching my girl.
“She’s strong and if she changes, she’ll be even stronger,” my father says while I pace waiting to hear from the pack.
Levi bursts through the door. “We’ve located them.”
My wolf breaks the skin. “Is she alright?” I swallow the lump in my throat. He nods, but he’s not telling me something. “Levi?”
He steps back. “She’s been right in front of us this whole time.” I pull at his shoulders making him look me eye to eye. “She’s weak and sick. But if we can get to her tonight…”
I step back and glance around at my family. “We will, Nevaeh will be home in my arms tonight.”
They all nod in agreement.
With Levi by my side, we head to Blue Creek to inform Nate and his brothers of our plan, and to reassure Lucienne, she will be safe with Kate and the Wolfe women while we are gone. The coven joins us and decides a few of them will stay with Luci, too.
All these days my girl has been missing and she is right where she belongs. How did they pull it off? With determination, I stomp on the gravel. They’ll be waiting for us. It could be a trap.
As soon as everyone is in their place, I, along with the pack and the coven make our way to Nev’s house. As we surround the house, two northern packs join us. We have more than enough to overpower Jeremy and Joshua.
While we sit and wait for darkness to come, I can’t help but blame myself. I should have spoken to the coven and made sure they kept the house safe even after she found her powers and realized where she belonged. If I ha
d done that, she would have never been in this predicament.
“You can’t blame yourself,” Levi says. “She’s tough. She’ll be alright. I’m just sorry she didn’t see this coming.”
With his words, my worry turns up a notch. “What if she shifted and burned out? What if she doesn’t have any powers?” Guilt hits deep in my heart. We never even discussed it. What have I done? I took the only thing she has left from her mother and made her like me. All because I can’t live without her.
Eighteen
NEVAEH
I CAN HEAR THEM talking. Jeremy and Joshua are outside wondering how they are going to convince me to help them. What’s so special about me? Can’t they see I’m a fucking wolf? I want no part of vampires. They are cold and heartless. I am warm and full of love.
Kato comes to mind. “God, if I don’t make it out of here alive, please let Kato know how much I love him.” My ears start to ring and voices bounce inside my skull.
I want the voices to disappear until one comes through clear. “I love you. You’re stronger than you think.”
I swivel my head but there is no-one in the basement but me. Yet, I hear him loud and clear.
“Kato, I’m sorry I kept pushing you away,” I think, hoping he can hear me.
“You could never push me hard enough,” he responds. As relief fills me, I can no longer hear Kato or the other voices.
I glance to where Julie’s body lies. “So many things could have been different if Daddy was here. You deserve what you got. You were never a mother to me,” I spit out toward her lifeless body. I have no regrets, but my skin is suddenly on fire. As the intense feeling amplifies, Jeremy returns and I push myself up.
He steps inside and says, “You have such beautiful fur, but now that you’re powerless, you’re useless to me. Such a shame.” He looks behind to Joshua. “Have your fun, but we must leave soon. We have business in the east we need to attend to.” He steps over into the corner.