Fate Forgotten

by J. L. Sheppard

  “Tell me what you want. I’ll do it. I’ll be…whatever you want.”

  “I want you, Jake. You’re the only man I’ve ever wanted.”

  The hardness of his body enclosed hers. Burying his face in the crook of her neck, he inhaled, taking in her scent. His breath on her neck, he pressed a heated kiss on the sensitive flesh, and an onslaught of emotions rushed through her.

  “I’d move the world for you, sweetheart,” he whispered, his mouth lingering close to her ear.

  With just those words, she melted against him. Her hands held the contours of his face, feeling and memorizing the angles.

  He rubbed down her back. The length of him jerked against her. “You’ve taunted me all night…all damned night…”

  He yanked on her dress tearing it, leaving her in a lace bra and thong. He pressed heated kisses on her neck, moving his way up to her jaw, then finally meeting her lips.

  Oh, God. His lips.

  His tongue darted into her mouth violently, consuming every inch of her mouth.

  Her knees buckled. His hands cupped her backside, bringing her legs around his waist, pressing her against the length of him.

  She let him.

  She needed him.

  She loved him.

  His mouth devoured her, but his hands roamed her back; each trace amplified her desire. They trailed lower and lower like his mouth. Reaching her backside, he squeezed, growling simultaneously.

  Goose bumps erupted across her skin.

  With one hand, he unclasped her bra, removing it completely, then pushed her against the wall, his erection grinding against her core.

  She quivered. Spasms of pleasure running through her, she couldn’t do anything but hold on and feel. His hands, his lips, his chest, his shaft…

  His blazing eyes met hers, then trailed the length of her.

  “Beautiful.”

  Suddenly, he gripped her waist roughly; his tongue swirled around her nipple, heating her core.

  “Please…” She moaned, closing her eyes shut. “Don’t torture—” She felt the press of the mattress beneath her, the words died on her lips.

  His mouth covered hers.

  “No…” she managed.

  He stilled, hissing. The muscles in his shoulders and chest quivered.

  She pressed her mouth against his, then tugged his shirt up. Only pulling away to remove his shirt completely. A second later, he cupped her core through her panties.

  “Ah…” She arched to his touch.

  “Fuck. You’re wet.”

  “Oh…please…”

  His hand went to her cheek. “Shh…shh…baby, it’s okay. We can s-stop.”

  Using all the strength she could muster, she pushed her hips against his. He groaned, then collapsed on top of her.

  Her fingers weaved into his hair, pulling his lips against hers. “I need you, Jake, please…”

  “Fuck.”

  His hand tightened against her shoulder, then ran along the side of her body until it reached her center. Pulling on the string of her thong hard enough it snapped, he discarded it, then grazed his fingers against her core. A light touch. He hissed.

  She trembled, her hands grasping the flesh on his bare back. His mouth trailed lower, down her chest and stomach until he met her heated flesh. He ran his tongue against her softly. Once, twice, then she lost count, his fingers rubbing against her.

  She forgot to breathe, screamed; her hips bucked uncontrollably. His arm wrapped around her hips, trapping her beneath the sheer force of his strength.

  His tongue continued to rub against her. The speed of his licks grew more frenzied, then he slid his finger inside her, and the pleasure he’d built burst.

  “Jake!” She shivered.

  His mouth on hers a second later. His body spread against hers, his warmth permeated her.

  “I love you.”

  She didn’t realize she said it aloud. Not until he stilled and drew away from her. His red stare snaring her. Jaw dropped, his breaths coming out fast, heating her.

  So much beauty. Not just handsome, but beautiful from within. He’d let her into his life, and she loved everything she’d found.

  Staring into the depth of his eyes, overwhelming emotion assailed her, spilling into her and flowing around her.

  Love. Contentment. Pride.

  Belonging.

  It ingrained itself into every cell.

  What she felt was real, so real. She’d never regret what she said.

  “Sweetheart, I loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you sleeping on my couch.”

  He laughed in a way she’d never heard before. Almost as if he’d forgotten the past, the present. Almost as if no future existed but the here and now. Beautiful.

  “Even though you attacked me.” His fingers slid over her lips. “And it hurt, my beautiful witch, but all I could think of was how your eyes were the perfect shade of honey.”

  Then he kissed her. Roughly. Passionately.

  She got lost in it, so lost she found herself begging. “Take me.”

  He pulled away. “But…”

  “I want you, Jake…Please.”

  His cock jerked against her. He swallowed. “Are you sure?” It took strength.

  “Yes.”

  His lips met hers, yet unlike the last, soft and thoughtful. Unbuckling his pants, he pressed the weight of his body against her, his boxers the only barrier between them. His fingers against her flesh rubbed softly, then he slid his finger inside.

  “Please…”

  “I have to get you ready. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You won’t…please…”

  He slid another finger inside. Her hands grasping the back of his neck trailed down his back. He removed his boxers and grabbed his length positioning himself at her opening. Staring straight into his eyes, she felt completely and utterly naked from within.

  He cupped her face and filled her. Stretching her, no pain, only pleasure.

  He took her lips, delving into her mouth wildly.

  All yours.

  Chapter 25

  The taste of her lips in his mouth, her body caressing his, her scent around him, Jacob stared into the deep depths of her warm honey eyes, captivated with the delicate witch that lay beneath him.

  So breathtakingly beautiful…

  Every inch…

  Nothing but beauty, and all his.

  His cock pulsed inside her, yet he hesitated, resisting the need to bury himself deeper. Instead, he relished her, searing the memory of the moment in his mind.

  Only then did he slide out and into her again. Her skin softly rubbed against his. His muscles clenched. Unwavering desire churned in his gut.

  She moaned and arched. Her hands grasped the skin on his back, fingers digging into his flesh, nails scoring his skin. “Please…”

  He covered her mouth with his. While his thrusts remained soft and tender, he kissed her, fiery and heated. His lips slid down her throat, her scent wreaking chaos.

  His jaw clenched, fighting the urge to go faster, deeper, harder. Hard, the hardest. The flick of her tongue, her nipples grazing his chest, those soft moans, her hands digging into his skin, everything stirred his demon. The creature lurked beneath the surface waiting for a slip of control to unleash itself on his mate. He couldn’t, just couldn’t. Her first time, he had to take his time.

  But then she moved her hips, bringing him deeper. Her mouth lingered near his shoulder, then her tongue darted out licking the sweat misting his skin, and his control slipped.

  Thrusting inside her more forcefully, she screamed. His lips trailed down her neck. The instinct to mark her neck, claiming her as his, reared its head.

  Bite her, the demon purred. She’s ours.

  He fought it, harder than he ever fought anything. He couldn’t, not now before he knew it was what she’d wanted too.

  Feeling the reminder of his will deplete with each thrust of his hips and with each moan from her mouth, he kissed her
, removing the temptation of her neck from sight. The pressing need inside him built higher and higher.

  She screamed. Her body shuddered beneath his, her hands tightened around his neck, deepening their kiss. Then she came beautifully undone. Moaning, screaming, shuddering, pulsing…

  “Jake!”

  He knew. He felt it, felt it as if it were his own. Sweeter than the first.

  “Jake…”

  His name on her lips sent him over. He thrust harder, faster, deeper. Her legs, her arms tightening around him, her whole body began to shake.

  He blew, the most powerful release of his life.

  When he did, he lost the hold of his emotions, projecting his release.

  “Oh, God…Jake…”

  As the last of it faded, spent, he collapsed on top of her, making sure he rested his weight on his elbows.

  Heart beating wildly, fighting to catch his breath, he kissed her lips, her forehead, every inch of her face. “I love you, Val,” he whispered.

  No moment would ever top this one. His mate in arms after making love. Mere moments before, she’d told him she loved him.

  Her eyes snapped open. “Jake…”

  He cupped her face. “Yes…”

  Her eyes welled. “I…”

  Fear. Dread. He felt it emanating from her. Still afraid of him, or did he hurt her? He’d lost control and hurt his mate! “Did I hurt—”

  “Of course not.” She smiled, sadly. “That was more than I’d ever thought…I mean…Why would anyone ever stop?”

  He grinned. “If it wasn’t for Annie, I’d lock you in my room and throw away the key…for a few centuries, at least.”

  “When…I…I don’t know if it’s possible…” Her cheeks tinted the perfect pink shade. “I think I felt your release…”

  “You did. I projected it, accidentally.”

  “I felt what you did then?”

  He nodded.

  “So you did enjoy yourself?”

  Damn, was she still worried about that?

  “No, I didn’t just enjoy myself, Val. For me, it was more than that, much more. I already want you again. I’ll never get enough. In close to six hundred years, I’ve never experienced anything like this. Us together, our first time…that memory will be seared in my mind for the rest of my life.”

  She smiled. “I love you, Jake.”

  He grinned, then shifted his weight. Lying on his side, he tucked her beside him. Eye to eye, her face close to his.

  In seconds, she fell asleep.

  He hadn’t told her she was his. It had been the perfect time, but her fear stopped him. What was she so afraid of? Him? Of being his? Of being tied to someone so young?

  He wouldn’t dwell on that now. He’d tell her when her fear faded, when he was sure she wouldn’t run.

  Thinking about what she’d just given him, he smiled. Then he let himself drift, too.

  ****

  Jake woke startled, sitting up in bed, his gaze immediately searched for her—his mate.

  He’d fallen asleep beside her, the warmth of her body soothing him, but then it was gone. He’d been so deep in sleep he hadn’t noticed, not until she left. Now, he ached. His body missed hers. The panic didn’t come though, because he sensed her close.

  He materialized in the living room and found her, leaning against the door frame into the second room where Annie lay. She wore one of his shirts. It hung loose against her small frame, draping near her knees. His mate donning his clothes? Insane how something so small could gratify him so immensely.

  Materializing behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist. She jumped, then easily leaned her head against his bare chest.

  He lined kisses from her collarbone to her jaw. “Sweetheart.”

  She smiled. “Possessive demon, I haven’t been gone for a minute.”

  He chuckled. “Bed was cold.”

  “Couldn’t have been, I only just left.”

  “Okay, maybe it wasn’t cold. But you were gone. Even in sleep, I notice. You can’t get away from me.”

  She turned, facing him, and teased, “I was just checking on Annie, not trying to escape.”

  “Good. I doubt you could outrun me.”

  “Just because you have superior senses?”

  He arched a brow.

  “You know witches and warlocks’ senses aren’t as acute as other immortal breeds.”

  “That’s true?” He’d heard it, yes, but he thought it a rumor, one started to make other breeds underestimate them, giving them an upper hand.

  She looked perplexed. “Yeah. How didn’t you know?”

  “Heard it before, but I didn’t believe it.” He shrugged. “Demons, we generally stay on our plane, Treconomia. Because of our incontrollable natures, other breeds tend to keep their distance. When my king created the Guardians, the king of elves, Kellen, joined the fight against the Malums. Soon after, the king of vampires joined. The alpha were, Landon, only recently joined.”

  “I suppose that makes sense. I’ve read tons about other breeds, and I don’t know if any of it is true.”

  “You know about the basic weaknesses? Iron is poisonous to your kind, fairies, and elves. Silver to shifters and vampires and—”

  She nodded. “Copper to yours.”

  He nodded.

  “So tell me what other weaknesses do demons have?”

  He traced his fingers over her lips and smirked. “Plotting to kill me?”

  She laughed. “Never. Besides, I have magic.”

  “Yeah…” He caressed the side of her face. “Demons only have one other weakness.” He hesitated.

  Her brows drew up. She narrowed her gaze, playfully. “Are you scared I’ll use it against you?”

  “Our only other weakness…our mates.”

  He sensed her shock as easily as he read it on her face.

  “W-what do you mean? I thought mates were treasured among all immortal breeds.”

  “They are, sweetheart, but nonetheless, they’re a weakness…” He thought back, remembering days ago when he’d caught glimpse of another man kissing her. The rage he felt so unlike any other he’d ever experienced. Despite the fact days had passed, he recalled and felt that rage, like it never faded, like it lived inside him. He’d been close, too close to turning, revealing himself and his kind to mortals. If Clyde and Ashley hadn’t been there, he would have killed the warlock. He would’ve been banished or killed and started a war among breeds on top of the one already brewing. Worst…Annie would have witnessed it all.

  “We practice reining in and controlling our demons. Anything regarding our mates has the power to set us off, endangering ourselves and anyone around us.”

  “I see, but isn’t it similar to other immortals, too?”

  “In some ways.” The main difference—turned demons were naturally volatile and less likely to control themselves in a turned state. He wouldn’t share that fact. He didn’t want her to worry.

  She looked thoughtful and tired.

  He kissed her forehead. “We should get some sleep, love.”

  Chapter 26

  Ashley.

  It came to her. Dread crept into her pores, seeped into her bones. Foresight. She hated it, always had and always would.

  A split second later, the shrilling sound of the phone pierced her ears.

  It had been ten days, ten beautiful days with Jake and Annie, and she knew answering that call would change everything. She didn’t want it to. She wanted to wake with Jake’s arms wrapped around her, wanted to start the day making breakfast for Annie and Jake, wanted to spend the day with them, caring for them both in any little way she could, and she wanted to end her night in Jake’s arms.

  Things would change now. She didn’t know how exactly, not yet, but the beautiful days she spent with Jake and Annie had come to an end.

  Val had a choice. Hand the phone to Jake, knowing bad news followed, or save Jake the shock of hearing it himself. She made the decision instantly. Walking t
o Jake’s cell phone on the coffee table, she answered it.

  “Ashley.”

  “Val.” Ashley’s voice laced in concern.

  Not good, she thought. “H-hi.”

  “Is Jake there?”

  Anxiety knotting her stomach, she swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Yeah.”

  He came into the room. His gaze hit hers, and he knew, too. His body strung tight, fear in his unwavering gaze.

  He stood beside her a moment later, and she handed him the phone. “Ashley wants to talk to you.”

  His expression hardened. He clutched the phone and brought it to his ear. “Ash.”

  Intent on leaving if only to give him privacy, she turned, but his hand gripped her wrist and tightened. He shook his head.

  “The council has made a decision.” With her superior hearing, she heard Ashley say, “They’ll announce it this afternoon. They requested you and Annie be present.”

  His face fell, those handsome features displaying grief, grief so thick it spilled from him.

  Val had never seen a man break right before her eyes. He lost everything in split second…Hopes. Dreams. Everything. Seeing that, and that man being Jake, the man she’d fallen in love with, it felt like she’d broken, too.

  She fought the tears welling her eyes, wanting so desperately to save him that. Every cell in her body compelling her to comfort the man she loved, yet she knew nothing she said or did would make any difference.

  “Thanks, Ash.”

  Hearing the desolation in his voice crippled her. She did what she could. She wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in the broad expanse of his chest trying to provide the smallest comfort.

  “It’s not over yet, honey. Please…it’s not. Don’t lose hope.” Pulling away, she met his gaze and made a promise. “They aren’t taking her away. I promise.”

  He sighed heavily, resting his arms around her shoulders. “There’s nothing we can do, sweetheart. The decision has been made.”

  She drew away. “We’ll see about that.”

  Annie stepped into the room. “Uncle Jake? Val? What’s wrong?”

  “It’s time to go home, pupa.”

  Annie looked from her uncle to her. She sensed the depth of emotions around her and didn’t argue or ask. Her face fell. “Okay.”

  Not ten minutes later, they’d gathered their bags and Jake materialized them to the demon compound. She tried to hide her worry for Annie’s sake, especially, but couldn’t. Her anxiousness grew with every passing minute, so she excused herself, claiming she wanted to freshen up.