Juan (The Juarez Pack Book 1)

by Crystal Dawn

  “Maybe so, but it won’t always be that way.”

  “By then they’ll expect new proof and he’ll be careful. You probably want to turn in for the night. Are you heading back home tomorrow or staying a little longer?”

  “I have an early flight to catch and I can’t say I’ll be sorry to head home. My mate will be waiting for me with our pup, but I’ll also be happy to get away from all this bullshit. No offense intended.”

  “None taken since I know I’ve not caused you half the problems some of the others have. It gets easier and it’s good experience for you. How did you get roped into this anyway?”

  “It’s not like no one else wanted to go, but they didn’t want anyone local to handle it. All the others were tied up with Chief and we had Candi, my mate, to handle the office with our trainee. They said I was the natural choice and they agreed with what you just said about it being good experience. Not sure I agree, but they don’t care what I think. The assignment wasn’t voluntary, I had no choice.”

  “I hope it wasn’t too hard on you. Let me get my assistant to take you to your room. It was nice meeting you and I’m sure we’ll run into each other again.”

  Peter was at his desk and Carlos directed him to get Cage settled in. Watching as Peter led Cage away, Carlos could see Cage was a bit naïve when it came it politics. That just confirmed his earlier thoughts about Cage being a warden not a negotiator. Still he seemed to have done a good job here. Hopefully he would do as well getting Harm to agree to give Nathan Cardigan another chance. If Carlos were her, he’d tell them to shove it. The young wolf was bad news and had even more growing up to do than Juan had before Amee had stolen his heart.

  The thought of his son and daughter made him want to call to make sure they were alright but it was too late to call them. Ryker on the other hand could be disturbed without feeling guilty. He called his youngest son.

  “Ryker,” a sleep befuddled voice answered.

  Carlos chuckled. “I didn’t wake you up did I?”

  “You know you did, Papa.”

  His boys didn’t share a mother and they all addressed him in different ways based on their mother’s backgrounds. The mothers had named them too all except Juan whose mother had died before giving him a name. She’d never mentioned any preference for names when she found out she carried the babies either, too busy trying to kill them and herself he guessed. He’d thought it unnatural that she never bonded with the babies that were so much a part of her, but she had been fanatical about him and his kind being demons. Once he’d considered introducing her to a demon but the doctor had thought she might miscarry from the shock.

  Carlos had thought himself in love and her his fated mate, but with time he wondered if he’d been mistaken. Secretly he had dreamed of being wrong and finding his fated mate waiting for him. Hoping like that wasn’t realistic, but seeing what Juan had found even with all the problems he and his mate had made him wish for something more than the lonely life he had going from one female to another deriving only the basic sexual satisfaction and never bonding on any level. Sighing heavily he felt sorry for himself for a moment before he shook it off and forced himself to think about those grand pups that would soon be here.

  “Have you seen Juan or Amee today?”

  “Yes, I saw them briefly before I ate dinner. They were cuddled up on the couch looking comfortable so I slipped out before they knew I was there. My guess is their getting along pretty well,” Ryker said with a chuckle.

  “Are you ready for tomorrow?”

  “It’s just a business meeting and Tyne will have guys in for security. Juan is letting us have the day off if we want so we can relax. They’ve got a water park here and there are females all over the place. I’m hoping to get lucky with a couple of them.”

  Listening to Ryker reminded Carlos how young his son was and how much responsibility he’d accepted lately. Maybe letting his betas run loose when others were in charge was a wise decision. Who knew when they would get a break again?

  “Enjoy yourself but be careful. Don’t break too many hearts.”

  “I won’t Papa. I’ll just leave them with sweet memories.”

  It wasn’t hard to imagine the smirk on Ryker’s face as they hung up. The young wolf was just too much of a male alpha for his own good. If the time came that he found the right mate, Carlos could only hope he’d remember what his brother had gone through and act accordingly. From what Ryker had said it sounded like the newly mated couple was on the right track. There was no denying he’d been afraid Juan wouldn’t be able to woo his mate back to him. Even a doting father could see he’d been a fool and that Amee had been right to run from him.

  Unfortunately her decision hadn’t worked out well but that was behind them now. Carlos was tired enough to turn in but he was too restless to sleep. What he needed was a willing female that would wear out his body and ease his mind so he could sleep. He headed down to the lounge area where many of the singles and a few of the mated hung out. Here the pack could chill, drink, dance, play games, whatever they wanted to do without having to go into town. The reason wasn’t to avoid humans so much as it was to avoid the Cardigan pack members due to the long standing feud.

  There was a table for four in the corner that was basically his. It was empty just waiting for him to take his seat. A waitress immediately came over to serve him and the single females vied for his attention. Every single pack female wanted to be the one to please her alpha. He avoided the young ones and those that experience told him would cling. Heather caught his eye and he motioned her over. They’d never been together because she’d mated young but her mate had died a few months ago and it looked like she was lonely enough to want some company.

  There weren’t many of these females or even many of the ones that were now mated that he’d not been with a time or two. It was the way of wolves both male and female to enjoy the carnal pleasures available to them. If a lover mated, you moved on and never let their mate know you’d been there before. It was the unspoken rules and there were consequences if they were broken. The offender would be shunned for a time until the lesson was learned. In their pack, a mate was safeguarded and precious. Anyone that tried to disrupt a mating was punished, it was the only way to protect that relationship over all others.

  Carlos didn’t usually mess with blondes but that might be because there were few blondes in the pack. Heather’s long curly hair was honey blonde and looked so silky he wanted to touch it. Her lips were red and full begging to be kissed and her eyes were lit with desire. He motioned for the waitress to bring Heather a drink and she brought it right away even though she looked disappointed. River, the waitress was as close to a regular lover as Carlos had but even that was about once a month.

  After sharing a drink and small talk, they finally left the lounge together. Anticipation rushed through him with the excitement of a new lover. It would be an exploration of unchartered territory and he would learn what she enjoyed while teaching her what he wanted. Some might say he was selfish, he made no attempt at birth control, but pups were too precious and he wanted all he could have. Heather hadn’t gotten pregnant with her mate and she wouldn’t get there now since she wasn’t in her heat. The odds of a pregnancy outside of that were astronomical and it had happened to him once before when Ryker was conceived.

  Leading the way, he took her to one of the guest rooms. Juan’s mother was the only one he’d ever taken in his bedroom. That was reserved for a mate and if he never had another one, no female would ever enter there. Once the door closed he pulled Heather into his arms and kissed her pouring his need on her. She melted into him and returned that need with interest. Nothing was so wonderful as a passionate she-wolf.

  They stepped back separating so they could both strip out of their clothes. Right now only the need to join together ran through their minds. Maybe later they would go slow and allow the pleasure to last, but right now it would be fast and rough. Once naked, Carlos pushed her to the bed an
d she was on her hands and knees looking over her shoulder at him. She looked so sexy he couldn’t wait another moment. He could smell her readiness so he positioned himself and speared into her hard and fast. Hammering at her as if their lives depended on it, he was caught off guard when she exploded around him and her channel gripped him.

  Pounding into her for a few more strokes, he shot his seed deep into her as he held her steady. Now that they’d taken the edge off and he felt much more relaxed, he was ready to play. She lay down on the bed relaxed like he was and watching his every move. Sliding on top of her he moved with a slow deliberateness that he had lacked the first time. Sliding in slowly, he eased out and back in easily.

  “Faster,” she demanded but he ignored her. Her legs moved around his hips and she dug her toes into his ass.

  She writhed under him enjoying herself but wanting it all now. Heather was about to learn a lesson in patience and he had all night to teach her. By the time morning came around, she would understand the delights that could be savored slowly and intensely. It felt good to be wanted and needed, it felt even better to pass on some experience and show off his endurance.

  “Please,” she begged arching up against him.

  He moved slowly until he was ready and then he brought her to a hard explosive climax. She came again one more time before he spilled his seed into her again. This was just the beginning of what would be a long and pleasurable night and they both deserved it.

  Chapter 12

  Let the Wolf Run Free

  An annoying noise buzzed in the background. It wasn’t a sharp irritating sound, just a dull throbbing one that refused to be ignored. He remembered setting his phone alarm because today he would meet part of Amee’s family and be introduced as her mate. It would be the first step of taking the position at her side that he should have had a year ago. Yes, it was his own fault, but he was happy to be finally correcting his mistakes and getting the life he was always meant to have. Last night had been sweet, once he had finished filling his team in and making sure they were available for backup.

  Stretching out, he felt some sore muscles relax and he glanced at his lovely she-wolf who lay next to him. Normally they were wrapped around each other but Amee had been restless and he had given her some space hoping they could both sleep easier. She seemed to be sleeping now judging by her slow deep breathing. Comparing her to Sleeping Beauty, he couldn’t help but be awed by his mate. Knowing it was time to wake her to prepare for their day, he wished instead they had time for more loving.

  Warm feelings washed over him and he knew without a shred of doubt that she was the only one for him. Other females no longer held the slightest interest for him and the thought of touching any other female the way he touched her was distasteful. Now that he knew his one, she was so easy to love and be faithful to that he only wondered how he’d not seen it immediately. Perhaps it was part of the plan that the goddess had for him. If so, he was not a fan of that part of the plan but since he’d ended up with his love he wouldn’t complain.

  Running his hand down Amee’s body, he smiled when she moaned softly and arched up into his hand. Once again he regretted the lack of time to properly show his mate how much he wanted her, but maybe a shower quickie would relieve the worst of the need until later. Shaking her awake gently, he whispered in her ear. Her eyes opened staring into his and he was nearly overcome with the need he saw there.

  “Come with me, my mate,” he whispered. He found he loved calling her mate because it was a way of claiming her. It let anyone that heard know she was his for all of eternity.

  Grabbing her hand he tugged until she got up and followed him. They were both naked since they’d fallen asleep right after making love. Turning the water on, he set the temperature and when it was comfortable he pulled his lovely she-wolf under the stream of water with him. Not waiting to begin washing first, he lifted her up and her legs wrapped around him as his needy cock found and skipped into her entrance with just a small push from his hips. She leaned back against the wall because this was not an easy position with her large belly getting in the way. Smiling at the thought of his progeny growing inside, he shifted his position to give her the room she needed before he began slamming his hips against hers.

  Amee moaned and writhed with her need as he worked to assuage it. There was little time before their guests arrived and they both needed this climax to see them through the day. Her hormones must have been running high since she found her release in no time and her grasping channel pushed him into his. It took longer to calm from the orgasm than it did to achieve it which was unusual for him. It must be because of the strong bonds that were forming between them and the way he thought he could feel her emotions especially her passion. This female was quickly becoming the end all and be all of his existence and he wanted nothing more than to make her happy.

  They finished getting ready quickly and moved out of their bedroom. Ryker of all people had cooked breakfast for them. Juan cautiously sniffed his plate and took a bite. Ryker wasn’t known for his cooking skills but this tasted good. Now that he’d approved of the food, he took Amee a plate full. He poured two cups of coffee liberally adding cream and sugar to hers and taking his black. She sent him a grateful look while she thanked Ryker for his thoughtfulness in fixing their meal.

  “So, Bro, when did you learn to cook?” Juan asked as he shoveled in his food. Amee sent him an amused look as he spoke with his mouth full.

  “I have many skills you’re unaware of, big brother,” Ryker assured him.

  “Hmm, such as?” Juan asked.

  “I feel the need to have a few secrets,” he joked. “We’d best hurry if you want to meet you guests when they arrive.”

  The young wolf had a point so Juan rushed his meal even more. It was a shame because it was actually good. Maybe he’d have Ryker help with the big pack meals they had on occasion. Juan wondered if Amee could cook and he realized there was still so much to learn about her. He would spend their lives learning and enjoying his sweet female. Breakfast was done and they put the dishes in the sink that was filled with water.

  “Don’t worry,” Ryker assured. “I’ll come back and deal with the mess.”

  Amee approached him and kissed his cheek. Juan growled, she should only kiss him. Ryker smirked, he enjoyed making Juan jealous. Ryker led the way to the meeting room downstairs they had reserved. When they entered Juan was surprised that it was set up like a hospitality room. One table held drinks on ice while another table held snacks of all kinds. Fresh fruit, cookies, chips and so on were spread out to tempt the attendees.

  Checking his phone for the time he saw it wouldn’t be long now. He pulled Amee in for a kiss to remind her who she belonged to and the kiss deepened. A clearing throat had them pulling apart slowly with smiles on their faces.

  “Who is the hunk, Amee?” Carrie asked.

  “You should realize who it is since I was kissing him. This is my fiancée, Juan, and Juan this is Carrie,” Amee explained. She was using human terms because of the two people behind Carrie that she didn’t know.

  Juan turned and examined Carrie noting she was pretty and very flirty. Had he been available she was the kind that would have approached him with confidence and he would have rewarded her for it. Carrie looked younger than Amee and more like a college girl. Her brown eyes fit well with her cinnamon colored hair. He would bet she had a fiery temper when she was set off and the thought made him smile.

  “What’s so funny?” Carrie asked him suspiciously probably worried about what Amee had told him.

  “I just thought you might want to meet my brother before you leave. He’s a lot of fun,” Juan explained. Amee squeezed his hand and he felt a shiver move over him. A smell teased his nostrils and he looked up at a male about his height.

  “Juan, this is the president of my company, Kyler. Kyler this is Juan my fiancée,” Amee introduced,

  While Amee made introductions, two more females came in. Amee ran over and screec
hed as she hugged them each in turn. “I’m just chopped liver,” Carrie said theatrically.

  “Yes, and without the benefit of being cooked and seasoned,” Kyler whispered to her. But any supernatural would hear. Carrie smacked him halfheartedly.

  “No one loves me, Juan. I work my fingers to the bone and get no appreciation,” she lamented.

  “There’s one like her in every crowd,” one of the females Amee had been hugging said. “She just can’t get enough love and attention.”

  “Are we talking about Carrie?” said the other female.

  “Of course. Who else do we know that’s gone through the local phonebook on dates and can’t stick with just one?” Kyler offered.

  “Lindy and Tandi, let me introduce my fiancée, Juan. No touching! Juan this is Lindy and Tandi my vice presidents.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Juan said.

  “The pleasure is all ours,” Lindy replied while Tandi just nodded. Lindy seemed to be the outgoing forceful one while Tandi was reticent.

  Two males walked up behind them. “This is Gilbert and Von,” Lindy introduced. “Guys, this is my cousin Amee, your boss, and her fiancée Juan.”

  “It’s so nice to meet you. I assume you two are supervisors?” Amee said.

  “Sorry, Von oversees personnel while Gilbert supervises acquisitions,” Lindy explained.

  Juan faded into the background. For some reason he had thought this was just an excuse for a fun family day but they were actually discussing business, complicated deals and personnel issues and it seemed Tandy was the company’s main accountant and those kind of issues made Juan’s eyelids heavy. He wished for an excuse to escape but he was stuck until lunch time. Listening close enough he would not be caught off guard by a question, he was impressed with the scope of business Amee was involved in. She had started out by investing and at some point switched to taking over failing businesses and turning them around.