“I...want...” Hollie stuttered, unsure of how to make her feelings known to him.
Kyle looked deep into her eyes and said in a low voice, “What do you want, Hollie?”
She swallowed and said, “I want to be yours, Kyle.” She stepped closer to him and whispered, “Forever.”
Kyle wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in for a deep, searing kiss.
Hollie parted her lips and kissed him back fervently, letting him know how much she wanted him.
When their tongue tangled, electricity sparked through her nerves. It was exhilarating, thrilling and sweet. She could feel Kyle’s passion and love. He desired her, and he truly respected and loved her.
He was thoughtful and caring, and he did everything to make her happy. For the first time in her life, Hollie felt that she mattered. She mattered to Kyle, and she mattered to the people around her. She worked hard at the diner, and the diner was busier than before. Customers were coming to Joe’s Diner to try the new dishes on the menu, dishes that Hollie had created.
Joe and Maria valued her, and they were proud of her. She had overheard Maria announcing to her customers, “Joe and I are really so thankful to have Hollie with us. That girl is incredibly talented and she created all these amazing new dishes for the diner. If you enjoyed the food, please do send your compliments to Hollie!”
They never tried to take the credit away from her. They gave credit where it was due, and they looked after the welfare of their staff.
It was so different from her working conditions in the pack. In the Black Blade pack, she was expected to work long and hard without ever being recognized or rewarded for anything she did.
The pack exploited her. They bullied and abused her, and trampled on her rights.
Hollie felt angry thinking about her treatment at the hands of the Black Blade wolves. But she refused to waste another minute of her life thinking about the past.
She had a life to live. A whole new life with her mate.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Kyle walked Hollie backwards towards his bed as he kissed her. He never wanted to stop kissing her. She was intoxicating, drugging and so addictive.
He tumbled her onto the bed and caressed her body. He could scent her fierce arousal and it was driving him out of his mind.
He could wait no longer. It was time to claim his mate. She was ready and willing, and he could see the hunger and love in her eyes.
They undressed each other and their naked bodies tangled in the sheets. Kyle kissed and licked his way down Hollie’s lush, curvy body, savoring her sweet scent and taste.
He wanted to have her scent all over him, to let everyone know that he was a mated male.
He used his tongue and teeth on her breasts and nipples until she was writhing and panting with need. Hollie undulated her body, arching her back as he suckled her. She cried out when he rolled her pert, dark nipples between his teeth. Gasping and begging, she raised her hips to him, eager to have him deep inside her.
Kyle threw her legs over his powerful shoulders and cupped her buttocks. He pressed his cock against her silky wet folds and looked into her eyes.
Holding her gaze, he inched into her tight, feminine heat. Her pussy pulsed and gripped his cock like a vice, and Kyle groaned in agony and ecstasy.
He forced himself to go slow. She was so small and tight, and he didn’t want to hurt her. But his bear was going crazy. The beast wanted to mount her and fuck her hard and fast.
Hollie whimpered as Kyle slid into her. When he was buried to the hilt inside his mate, he stilled for a moment and rested his forehead against hers.
The feeling of their bodies becoming one was so amazing. He began to move, and Hollie made small cries of pleasure.
He took her slowly, making love to his mate. He was going to make her his completely, and make the mark on her neck permanent. He wanted to savor every moment of their mating. This was special, and he was going to make it special for Hollie.
“I love you,” he whispered, stroking her hair away from her face.
“I love you too,” Hollie said, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Hollie raised her hips so he could thrust deeper into her. He increased his pace, taking her harder, faster deeper.
He grabbed her generous breasts and lowered his mouth to her puckered nipple. Hollie panted and raked her nails down his back as he fucked her. His bear roared inside his head. His mate was so sexy, and he loved how she was responding to him.
They knew just how to touch each other, and how to drive each other wild.
Hollie rolled Kyle onto his back and straddled him. She impaled herself on his throbbing cock and pressed her palms on his chest.
Kyle looked up at his beautiful mate. Her skin was flushed and her red curls tumbled in waves over her bare shoulders. She looked like a goddess.
Kyle smirked. He couldn’t help thinking just how lucky he was.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Hollie could feel Kyle’s huge cock stretching her walls, and it felt so good. He filled her up so completely, and she loved the sensation of having him deep inside her body.
They were joined, physically and emotionally. She pressed her hand over his heart and knew that his heart belonged to her and her alone.
She knew now that Kyle would never have given her the mark if his bear didn’t recognize her as his mate. He had known all along that she was his, yet he had been so patient and gentle with her. He wooed her and waited for her to accept him as her mate.
Hollie rocked her hips and felt Kyle’s claws digging into her hips. The pinpricks of pain heightened her pleasure and she moved faster, edging closer and closer to the pinnacle.
For a heartbeat, she teetered on the edge. Then she let herself go.
With a cry, she fell headlong into the drowning pleasure. Her body burned like liquid fire, and she didn’t know where she ended and Kyle began. They were one quivering body of electrifying pleasure and ecstasy.
Hollie screamed and orgasmed again when she felt Kyle’s fangs in her shoulder. He was biting down on her mark, making it permanent.
On instinct, she leaned forward and clamped her teeth down on his neck. She bit him hard and growled at the faint taste of blood.
When Hollie finally stopped shuddering, she blinked and stared at her mate’s handsome face.
“My mate,” she whispered.
“Yes. You marked me,” Kyle said, smiling.
Hollie started. “I did?”
“Yes. You bit me. You marked me as your mate.”
Hollie frowned and squinted at his neck. There was a reddish mark at the base of his neck. “Wh...why would I do that?” She shook her head. “I...I’ve never ever had the urge to bite anyone before...”
“I should hope not,” Kyle huffed.
Hollie chuckled. “I don’t understand...”
“You’re a half-breed,” Kyle said. “Your father was a wolf shifter. Even though you can’t shift, you still have the instincts of a shifter.”
Hollie took a minute to digest this.
“You know,” she said at last. “When you bit me, in the forest, a part of me actually knew that you were mine. I didn’t want to believe that voice in my head. But that voice was telling me that you’re mine. But I dismissed it.”
“Always trust your instincts,” Kyle said. “Your senses are sharper than you realize.”
Hollie smiled and rested her head on his chest.
“You are the best birthday present, Kyle,” she said softly.
Kyle laughed. “We still haven’t opened all your birthday presents. They’re in the car.”
Hollie took a deep breath. “Joe, Maria, the Ballsy Hookers, Shane, Ian, everyone...everyone has been so amazing. All of you have been so kind to me. I...”
“What you endured in the Black Blade pack wasn’t normal,” Kyle said quietly. “This is how normal people behave. With decency and kindness. You’ve made so many friends because you are a kind, helpful, consi
Hollie nodded. She wasn’t used to being loved and doted on. Her birthday party was special indeed, but what Kyle was trying to tell her was that people did nice things for one another all the time.
Normal people didn’t go around exploiting and bullying others. They didn’t use fear and shame to control others and make them do their bidding. They didn’t turn friends against each other, and encourage backbiting and rumor-mongering.
Kyle was right. Kindness begets kindness. She would pay the kindness forward.
“Thank you, Kyle,” she said, lacing her fingers through his.
He brushed her knuckles against his lips and teased, “Are you thanking me for the sex?”
Hollie laughed and punched his arm. “No! Stop thinking about sex.”
“That’s all I think about when I’m with you.”
She shook her head and fell silent for a while. “Thank you for finding me. You saved me that night. And you gave me a whole new life.”
“I’ve waited my whole life to find my mate,” Kyle said tenderly. “You are my life, Hollie. My light and my joy.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Hollie hummed to herself as she bustled around the kitchen getting all the ingredients ready. She was always at the diner at least two hours before they opened for the day.
Joe had told her that she could come in when the diner opened, but Hollie wanted to help Joe get everything ready for the day. Joe and Maria usually came in early to make sure everything was in place. The breakfast crowd could be crazy, so once they opened, they wouldn’t be able to take a breather until late morning. Lucy usually came in just a few minutes before opening time because she had to drop her kid off at school. But there was plenty to do in the kitchen, and Hollie knew that Joe could use a helping hand.
Joe was taking a pack of sausages out of the freezer. “You know, Hollie, you don’t have to...” he began.
Hollie knew what he was going to say. She waved a hand and gave him a sidelong glance. “Joe, you’ve been telling me that I don’t have to come in so early for the past few days. I know I don’t have to, but I want to. I’m glad to be here. This is my dream job. Cooking is my passion. I love what I’m doing. Kyle likes going to the workshop early as well, so he drops me off on his way to work.”
Joe chuckled. “You are the best cook we’ve ever had! I am so glad Maria hired you.”
Two mugs of strong, black coffee sat on the counter. Joe picked up his mug and clinked it loudly against hers.
“All right then. Fuel up, Hollie,” Joe said, slurping his coffee.
Hollie raised her coffee mug and took a satisfying swig of aromatic coffee. “This is good stuff,” she said.
“The best,” Joe answered, draining his cup. “It’ll put hair on your chest.”
Joe took both their empty mugs and went to rinse them in the sink. “Hey, I’m going to make some sandwiches for Maria. We usually sit at the last booth and have our breakfast together before we open for business. Join us, kiddo. It’s nice to watch the town wake up.”
“I...” Hollie looked at the half-chopped ingredients and glanced at the clock.
“Don’t worry. We have more than enough time to get ready. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, young lady,” Joe said sternly.
Hollie laughed and nodded. “Okay. Thanks, Joe.”
Joe assembled a large plate of sandwiches and sauntered to the swing doors that led out to the diner. “Come on, Hollie,” he urged.
“I’ll be right out,” Hollie called out. “You guys go ahead.”
She finished dicing the onions and tomatoes, and put them neatly into separate bowls. She washed her hands and turned to the clock again. The diner would open in about forty-five minutes.
“Ten minutes,” Hollie said aloud. She would sit and eat with Joe and Maria and be back in the kitchen in ten minutes. That would give her enough time to get everything ready before they opened for business.
Hollie stepped out into the diner and looked around. The lights were off, and the faint morning sunlight threw shadows around the diner.
As Hollie stood in front of the counter, a sense of unease slithered through her. She couldn’t see Joe and Maria anywhere.
Joe had told her that they always sat in the last booth, which was tucked away behind a wall at the corner of the diner. She wouldn’t be able to see them from the counter.
But why didn’t they switch on the lights? And why was it so quiet? Joe and Maria were always laughing and teasing each other, but she couldn’t hear their voices and laughter at all.
Hollie stepped out from behind the counter and stared at the entrance of the diner.
The sign was still flipped to “Closed”.
But the glass door was slightly ajar.
Hollie froze. “Joe? Maria?” She could hear the rising panic in her own voice.
She heard a muffled sound from the end of the diner. “Maria?” Hollie called.
Hollie thought she saw a dark-clad figure behind the wall and gasped in shock.
But before she could make another sound, someone came up to her from behind her and clamped a gloved hand over her mouth.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Hollie struggled as her arms were forcibly wrenched behind her. Two men held her and shoved her forward roughly.
Hollie’s eyes widened in fear and distress when she saw Joe and Maria lying unconscious on the floor.
Jasper was standing over them with a gun in his hand.
He turned around and smiled at Hollie. “Long time no see,” he said.
Hollie was forced to kneel in front of Jasper.
“I just knocked them out. But if you don’t behave, these nice people will have a bullet through their brains,” Jasper said, pressing his gun to the back of Maria’s head.
“Don’t hurt them,” Hollie begged. “They’re innocent. They...”
“They are not innocent.” Jasper snarled. “They hired you. They employed a member of my pack—without my permission! You are my cook, not theirs.”
“I am not your anything,” Hollie snapped, her anger rising. “You never really regarded or treated me as a member of your pack. And you did say that every member of the Black Blade pack must be able to shift. Well, I can’t shift. So I can’t be a member of your pack. I’m out. You have no control over me.”
“I will always have control over you. You are not allowed to do anything without my approval. Do you understand?”
Hollie gritted her teeth and swallowed an expletive.
“I am your Beta. You will obey and respect me,” Jasper snarled at her.
“Are you really a Beta?” Hollie said calmly. “A Beta is the second in command, a leader in the pack. The responsibility of a true Alpha and Beta is to lead and protect the pack. You have never protected your pack members. Instead, you exploit and bully them. You use fear and lies to control the pack. It’s not a pack. It’s a cult. I should have gotten free much sooner. But I didn’t know anyone outside the pack. You kept us isolated, and didn’t allow us to mingle with people outside the pack. I’m free now, and I can work anywhere I want.”
Jasper pointed his gun at Hollie. “I should kill you right now.”
Hollie stared straight at him without flinching.
When Jasper saw that she was showing not a trace of fear, he aimed his gun at Joe instead. “Or maybe I should make old Joe and his wife corpses in their own diner.”
Hollie gasped. “No!”
Jasper smiled. “My two lieutenants will escort you to our car. The streets are pretty quiet at this time. It’s still early morning, and not many people are out and about. Just walk quietly to the car. Don’t draw attention to yourself. I’ll be watching from here. If you make one wrong move...” Jasper waved his gun at Joe and Maria.
He laughed when Hollie choked down a plea.
“It’s all up to you, Hollie. Whether these two humans live or die depends on you.”
“I’ll listen to you,” Hollie whispered. “I’ll do whatever you want. Just...leave them alone. Please...”
Jasper smiled. “See? Everything can be so easy. We don’t have to be nasty, do we? We’re nice wolves.”
One of the lieutenants threw a dark hoodie at Hollie. “Put it on,” Jasper ordered. “And pull the hood over your head.”
Hollie obeyed. The large hoodie was a few sizes too big for her, and the hood obscured her face completely.
“Now, you will walk out of the diner with the two gentlemen. Keep your head down and get in the car. Don’t try anything funny, Hollie. You know what will happen, don’t you?” Jasper gave her a nasty smile. “Bang, bang!”
Hollie turned to take one last look at Joe and Maria. Both of them were out cold.
She didn’t know if Jasper would keep his word. Jasper was volatile and violent. He would have no qualms at all shooting them in the head. He might still kill them even if she did everything he said.
Hollie closed her eyes briefly. Joe and Maria were good people. They would get through this. They wouldn’t die because of her.
Hollie whispered a prayer and walked away from them. Bowing her head, she stepped out of the diner with the two lieutenants.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Kyle was gripping his phone so tightly he almost crushed the damn thing in his fist.
“What’s wrong, Kyle?” Shane asked, frowning at him.
Ian popped his head up from under the hood of a car and wiped his greasy hands on a rag. He took one look at Kyle’s face and immediately put his tools away. “Whatever it is, we’re coming with you,” Ian said.
Kyle looked at his two friends. They were both staring at him expectantly, waiting for him to tell them what the fuck was going on with him. He had been pacing up and down, jabbing and growling at his phone.
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