Jameson suddenly cursed, shoving himself to his feet. Frowning, Karis stood up, watching as his friend paced.
“Do you know how fucking rare mates are? A true mate. The one who’s perfect for you, the one your animal chooses. How many couples here are true mates? I can count them on one hand. And there you are, with one right in front of you, and you’re thinking you’re not going to claim her yet, or even at all. What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Jameson—”
“You have a chance to be happy, to start a family. And you’re contemplating throwing it away. Do you know how much I’d fucking kill to be in your shoes? My animal wants cubs. He drives me fucking insane with the wanting. I want them, too. I want what Mikhail and Caroline, Zane and Kelly, what all the mated pairs, have. But I won’t settle for just finding a willing woman. I want a true mate. And there you are, one presented to you on a silver fucking platter, and you want to walk away.”
Karis studied his friend closely, taking in the strain around his dark blue eyes. “I didn’t know you wanted a mate.”
“It’s not like I go around advertising it. But this isn’t about me. This is about you being a bullheaded jackass. Have you stopped to think about how Arya feels about all this? Maybe she wants a mate. Maybe you’re not helping her by leaving her to chase her dreams. Maybe instead, you’re stripping her will from the choice and standing between her and a dream you didn’t even know she had. I suggest you ask her how she feels about all this.”
Turning on his heel, Jameson stalked toward the woods. He pulled his shirt off and Karis knew he was going to shift. Troubled, he turned back to the lake. He hadn’t realized Jameson had been looking for a mate, or that the lack of finding one was affecting him so much. He was usually so laidback, and never let anything get to him. Maybe it was more accurate that he never let what was getting to him show, though.
But… maybe he had a point. True mates were rare. So many shifters went their whole lives without finding one. And those who found theirs were undeniably happier with one than without. Maybe finding a mate was part of Arya’s dreams, and leaving her be would be standing in the way of her realizing that dream.
That’s not what he wanted to do. He wanted her to have everything she ever wanted. He wanted to give things to her, not take them away.
So he’d do as Jameson suggested, and ask her. He could word it in a way that didn’t reveal she was his mate. He could do that without revealing what they were to each other. Mind made up, he began walking toward her house.
There was still the matter of Mikhail and Caroline, and what they’d think if he claimed their daughter. But that was something he’d figure out later, if it was relevant. Right now, he had some questions to ask Arya.
His mate.
No matter what her answers were, calling her his mate, even in his mind, would always make his heart leap, always have the power to affect him. It would never get old.
Arya shut the door behind Zane and Kelly and looked blankly around. She still felt like she was in a daze after the events of the afternoon. She’d been in shock as they walked to her house, and Zane and Kelly stayed for a while, even while she was getting a shower, to make sure she was okay.
She still couldn’t believe it. Not only had she battled a tiger, but she was now the second ranked warrior. It was her dream being realized, but it didn’t quite feel real yet. She hadn’t fought Shiloh with the intent of doing anything other than protecting her mate. She certainly hadn’t done it with the thought that she’d come out of it officially a warrior.
Rage burned through her anew as she thought of the stunt Shiloh pulled. There was no doubt in her mind that he would have tried to kill Karis. Her mate could take care of himself, that was clear. He was by far the superior warrior, and he’d proven that time and again. But Shiloh wasn’t going to give him time to shift, and a tiger against a human wasn’t a good mix.
Pushing away from the door, she walked to the kitchen for a glass of water. She wondered where Karis had gone. He’d seemed distracted when Kian announced him head warrior, and then took off the second Alpha’s speech was over, not even waiting around to accept congratulations from the other warriors and tribe members.
She’d wanted to thank him for not protesting Kian giving her second ranking. He hadn’t hesitated for a second to give his approval, and the look in his warm gray eyes had stolen her breath. He’d been proud of her, and that meant everything. Upset, judging by how he glared at her after the fight, but proud, too.
Maybe it was better that she hadn’t had the chance to thank him yet. It gave her an excuse to seek him out and thank him in private. Maybe even get another toe curling kiss from him. Yeah, this was better.
A knock came at the back door, and she frowned as she walked over. Had Zane and Kelly forgotten something? Glancing out the window, she saw Karis on her back porch, and her breath froze even as her pulse started racing. With a deep breath, she unlocked the door and held it open for him, gesturing him inside.
“Hey, Karis. Come on in.”
He walked inside, and she shut the door behind him, flipping the lock. She turned to watch him as he looked around, not meeting her eyes, and she frowned.
“Do you want something to drink?”
“Uh, yeah, sure. That’s fine.”
Frowning harder over how distracted he seemed, she said, “Okay. Why don’t you go have a seat in the living room? I’ll be in there in a minute.”
With a distracted nod, he turned and left the kitchen. What in the world was that about? Anxious to find out, she quickly made up two glasses of sweet tea and brought them to the living room, sitting them on the coffee table. He hadn’t sat down and was pacing the room.
Turning to give her a strained smile, his eyes froze on the claw marks on her shoulder, bared by the tank top she was wearing. His breath stalled and he stalked closer, keeping his eyes trained on her scar. When he looked up into her eyes, his own were burning, the light gray paling by the moment.
“He got you deep enough that it’s still not healed yet?”
“It was sliced to the bone.” At her words, he growled deep in his throat, clenching his jaw. “It’s okay. It’s fine. It’s almost completely healed now. It doesn’t even hurt anymore.”
“I come to regret not killing him more and more with every passing moment. Shifter prison is too good for him.”
He was still growling, low and unending, so she put a hand on his chest, pleased when the growl tapered off. “Hey. It’s really okay. I knew what I was getting into when I engaged him. And seriously, it doesn’t hurt any more. Soon, the scar will be gone and there won’t be anything to show I was even injured. You know this.”
“Vynn stills walks around with his scar,” he pointed out, voice tight.
“There were extenuating circumstances there, which you’re well aware of. Mine will heal like scars usually do. But even if it doesn’t, I’m okay with it. I don’t mind a scar or two.”
Reaching up, he touched his finger gently to the thinning scar, tracing its shape. Sucking in a breath at the tingles that raced over her skin from his touch, she closed her eyes and soaked up the sensation. When she opened them again, he looked up into her eyes, his tiger still close to the surface.
“How do you feel about mates? Do you want one?” he asked, eyes intense.
Inhaling swiftly at the unexpected question, she searched his gaze. His distracted demeanor suddenly made sense. “You know,” she whispered.
Frowning, he shook his head. “I don’t. That’s why I’m asking you.”
Clearing her throat, she tried to find her voice. “No, I mean you know. To answer your question, I’ve always wanted one. But I wanted a true mating, like my parents’. Not one just for the sake of reproducing.”
Eyes narrowing, he studied her, and then realization dawned. “Yes, I know that we’re mates. I’m guessing by your reaction you already knew.”
“For a couple of days now.”
“And yo
u weren’t going to say anything? What am I saying, of course you weren’t. You can’t possibly want a mate right now, not when your life is just really getting started. Don’t worry, I won’t stand in the way of that. Me knowing doesn’t have to change anything.”
He dropped his hand and started to walk away, and she and her tiger both panicked. “Wait! Where are you going?”
Pausing, he turned to look at her, brow furrowed. “Home. I told you I wouldn’t stand in the way of your dreams. I’m not going to force a mating on you that you don’t want.”
“And I appreciate that, but I don’t want you to leave. What makes you think I don’t want it?”
“You knew for days and didn’t say anything. It’s okay. I get it. You have your whole life ahead of you. I understand that you don’t want to be mated and settled down right now, especially to an old guy like me. The age difference is a lot.”
Exasperated, she shook her head as she walked closer. “I’ve never thought of you as old, but clearly I was thinking wrong. Your old age is making you senile.” He glared at her and she laughed. Sobering, she studied him closely. “Karis, what part of I’ve always wanted a mate did you not understand? I didn’t tell you because you were running from me already. I might have never seen you again if I came out and told you before you found out for yourself. You weren’t ready.”
“What’s up with you and my tiger, making decisions for me based on thinking I wasn’t ready?”
“Is that why your tiger didn’t tell you sooner? I mean, he’s not wrong, and neither am I. What part of you running from me, from the attraction we feel for each other, are you not remembering? Because you did.”
“Because you’re so much younger than I am. I’ve felt like a dirty old man ever since I started noticing how beautiful you are.”
Cheeks heating, she took a few steps closer to him. “Was that about a year ago? When you started pulling away from me?”
“I didn’t think you noticed.”
“Of course, I noticed. We were friends. At least, I thought we were. I thought you didn’t like me anymore.”
Briefly closing his eyes, he shook his head. When he looked at her again, his gaze was heated, making her shiver. “No. The problem was I suddenly liked you too much.”
“So,” she said, taking another step closer, until she was right in front of him. “There’s nothing holding us back then, is there?”
“Twelve years—”
“Is a non-issue. I agree.” She cocked an eyebrow at him expectantly.
He exhaled with what she thought was exasperation, but he dropped the age issue, thankfully. “Do you really want to settle down with a mate right now, Arya? You just this week got your independence and freedom. You’re just now starting to chase your dreams. Do you really want to give that up?”
“I don’t think I will be. I can’t see you standing in the way of my dreams, Karis. You gave your approval of one of them just a few hours ago. I can’t see you being like the dickheads of the tribe, wanting me to stay barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen all day. You’ll give me the freedom to do what makes me happy. Or am I wrong here?”
Shaking his head slowly, he gazed into her eyes intently. “You’re not wrong. All I’ve ever wanted is for you to be happy. That hasn’t changed. If anything, your happiness is a need inside me I have to fulfill.” His eyes slid down her body, lingering on her tank top. When he looked back up, the heat in them was enough to scorch her where she stood. “Although I can’t deny wanting to see you barefoot and pregnant one day. That’s something I never thought I’d say, let alone want, but there it is. But not any time soon, and definitely not until you’re ready.”
She swallowed hard, the image so clear in her mind. Her belly, swollen with his baby. Him coming up behind her, caressing her stomach as he placed a kiss on the back of her neck. He was right, it was far too soon for that, but one day, she wanted exactly that.
We’ll have it one day, her tiger assured her. We’ll have that and more. Life with our mate is going to be amazing.
Yes, it was. Clearing her throat, she smiled at him. Her mate. “Then I don’t see the problem. I have no reservations about being mated to you, Karis. None. And I don’t want to hesitate where you’re concerned. I just hope you don’t, either.”
A growl came from his chest, and the next moment, he wrapped his arms around her waist and yanked her against him. She went up on tiptoe as he lowered his head, and he crushed his mouth to hers. No gentleness, no finesse, no more hesitating.
Just how she wanted it.
Chapter Nine
Moaning, Arya wrapped her arms around Karis’ neck, holding on for dear life. He was going at her mouth like a starving man going after a meal, and she was just along for the ride. Her wits had scattered at the first touch of his lips to hers, and she had zero experience to fall back on, so she just did what came naturally and hoped she wasn’t too bad a kisser.
His tongue tangled with hers and he let out a growl. Responding with a purr, she rubbed herself against his front, delighting in the erection rapidly forming against her stomach. She was doing that. Her. She must not be too awful at kissing if she could pull that kind of reaction from him.
Lifting his mouth slightly, he spoke, their lips still touching. “How the fuck can you kiss so well when you don’t have much experience? And if you tell me you do, just be aware I’m going to hunt every single one of the motherfuckers down and gut them like a fish.”
Flushing with pleasure, she gave a tiny shake of her head. “No one else. Our first kiss was my first kiss.”
“I’m going to sound like a caveman, but I fucking love that. You have no idea how much.”
And with that, he kissed her again, thrusting his tongue inside her mouth and dueling it with hers. Plunging her hands in the short strands of his hair, she did her best to kiss him back, unable to help rubbing her body against his again.
He groaned, one of his big hands moving from her waist to her back, the other inching lower until it settled on her butt. He squeezed, pulling her more firmly against him, and she gasped, thankful she was wearing leggings and not thicker denim. She could feel every bit of his hand, and it felt like it was burning, branding himself on her skin.
Branded on her butt. She couldn’t help giggling a little inside over that image.
Easing back, he nipped her lower lip before sliding his mouth to her ear. Sucking the lobe into his mouth, he suckled before letting it go, trailing his mouth down her neck. She let her head fall to the side as he nipped and licked, and she felt like she was drowning in flames. An ache started in her core, one she knew only Karis could soothe, and as sweet as it felt, it was also demanding satisfaction.
His mouth reached the junction where her shoulder and neck met, and he nipped it once before pulling back. He pressed his forehead to hers, and they both struggled to control their breathing. But she didn’t care about breathing. She just wanted more of him.
“Why did you stop?”
“Maybe we should slow this down,” Karis replied, voice strained and hoarse.
Pulling back, she searched his eyes. “What? Why?”
“This is going fast, Arya. You just said yesterday was your first kiss. Isn’t it too soon?”
Frowning, she shook her head a little too vigorously. “No, it’s not. I want you, Karis. We’re mates. It’s totally natural.”
“But aren’t you a… well, a…”
“Virgin?” she replied, amused. “You can say it, you know. It’s not a dirty word, or something to be ashamed of. Yes, I am. But I’m also twenty-three years old. I’ve thought about what it would be like a lot. If you’re thinking I’m not ready, that can’t be further from the truth. I’ve been ready since the moment I knew you were my mate.”
He searched her eyes for a moment, a slow smile curling his lips up. “That’s all I needed to know.”
Putting his other hand on her butt, he lifted her up, and she gasped as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Lau
ghing, she said breathlessly, “I can walk, you know.”
“But isn’t this more fun?”
Her laughter turned into a moan as he squeezed her butt, and then he stopped at the bottom of the stairs and kissed her again. He ran his tongue over her lips and she opened, her tongue ready to meet his as it swept inside. She shivered at the feel of being held by him while he kissed her so passionately, and by the time he pulled back, she was writhing in his arms.
He quickly mounted the stairs, both of them moaning at the way her body rubbed against his. “Third door on the right,” she said breathlessly as he crested the top step.
He carried her inside, not bothering to turn the light on. The moon was full, illuminating the room plenty for them to see well with their enhanced vision. Stopping by the bed, he loosened his hold, and she unwrapped her legs, breath catching as she slid down his body.
Leaning down, he captured her lips again briefly before making his way back to her neck. At the same time, one of his hands inched up from her waist. The fire in her blood amped up as he crept closer to her breast, tingles racing over her skin. She thought she was going to die waiting on him to finally touch her, but when he cupped her breast and sensation exploded through her body, she decided the wait was worth it.
Sweet magnolias, he wasn’t even touching her skin to skin and she felt like she was going to combust from the contact.
She moaned as he squeezed firmly, his thumb brushing her nipple. Digging her fingers in his arm, she arched her back, pushing herself into his hand. His lips were at her shoulder now, and he paused, then began tracing her scar with his tongue.
Her core tightened almost painfully, and she decided she’d go through the horrific pain of that injury again and again if it meant he’d lick it better later.
Pulling back, he kissed her hard, and she responded as her hands reached for the hem of his shirt. Shoving it up, she pulled back as he took it from her grasp and yanked it over his head, dropping it to the floor beside them.
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