I stopped thinking and just kissed him. He grasped my hips and slowly rocked inside me. Touching places that had never been touched before, bringing me closer to the edge. I couldn’t be still any longer, I needed to move. Releasing his lips, I braced my hands on his shoulders and rose up on my knees to ride him. His hands guided me as we came together, over and over, his thrusts meeting mine. Each one bringing me closer, but not quite taking me past over cliff. Sweat broke out along my skin, shimmering with need. Mack brought my hips down hard onto him and held me there, leaning forward to take a nipple into his mouth. Twirling his tongue around it, nipping until I moaned. I was so close and he knew just what I needed. He reached between us and found the protruding nub aching for attention. That little added stimulation sent me over the cliff into orgasm. My body rocked with the explosion, waves of pleasure rippling through me.
Mack joined me after a few more thrusts, as he climaxed he sunk his teeth into my shoulder, marking me and eliciting another orgasm within me. I felt tendrils of magic wrap around us and tie themselves into place. Once I came down from that high and my breathing came back to normal, everything made sense. I leaned back and kissed Mack, my mate. “Hey there.”
Mack smiled. “Hey. You ok?” He rubbed my arms.
I laughed. “Better than ok.” I had so much I wanted to say. When he claimed me and our bond fell into place, it released me from my previous pack. From my father’s pack and its spells. I didn’t have memory loss due to trauma as we had thought. My father had a spell cast on me before my mother took me away. That spell had lain dormant until I turned four. The attack didn’t affect me like they thought, the fact that I wasn’t with my father’s pack on that birthday set the spell into effect. It blocked all memories of who and what I was. The only way to break it was either returning to my father’s pack or finding my mate and claiming each other. It was a long story that we didn’t have time for, but I did have to tell him the most important thing, “Mack, I remember. I remember everything.”
“How?” he asked.
“We don’t have time for that now. I’ll tell you I promise but for now, we need to go back to the others. I know what my father has planned and we need to prepare.” We dressed in a hurry. Mack and I rushed inside as Talia emerged from the trees smiling.
Chapter Fourteen
Jaxson had arrived while Mack and I were out back. Jake was still on the bed, only now in his wolf form. I knew that meant his injuries weren’t life threatening. How he shifted though, I didn’t know. He was unconscious when the brought him in. I looked over at Jerome.
“Jax looked him over and when he agreed his injuries weren’t life threatening, I forced him to change. He will heal faster in his wolf form, but he’ll still be out for a few hours,” Jerome informed me, confirming what I had already figured out. Then his face lit up with his smile and he opened his arms. “I think a proper welcome is in order Casey. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to welcome you into the pack officially. I felt the bonds change the moment Mack claimed you. I can now officially welcome you as my daughter.” He wrapped me in his large beefy arms and squeezed.
I hugged him back briefly and then pulled out of his embrace. “Thank you Jerome. I wish we had more time to celebrate, but I have a lot to say and little time. Another bonus to the mating, my memories came back. I know why my mother left, I may have been small but I do remember some things. The most important is that my father fights dirty. He won’t be happy that his first waves failed, he will be coming next and he will surround himself with his best fighters along with his secret weapon. If she is still there, she is the reason my mother fled and if he knew, he would kill her. He has a witch he calls upon. She practices blood magic. She told my mother of our futures, predicted my mother’s death and how my life would go if we stayed in the pack. What my mother didn’t know is that this witch had also put a spell on me at my father’s request. If I was not with my pack when I turned four, all memories of who and what I was would be suppressed, my cat and her instincts would be shut into a box inside my mind, locked away. The only way to break that spell was to be reunited with my father, or to find my mate and accept the claiming. You know which happened first.”
Mack had come up and wrapped his arms around me as I shared my revelations with his father and the rest of the pack that were with us.
“I had wondered if he employed a witch as well,” Jerome replied. “It’s not a normal practice of very many packs. Many shifters still have an aversion to magic outside the pack. They don’t realize that by working with witches and their covens, they stand a better chance of survival. It’s a win-win situation for both parties. The covens acquire a level of security they couldn’t have themselves and the pack in turn, gets an extended family and network of protection. Years ago, witches assisted with the hunting of shifters when they first came out. Things have evolved since then. We have one coven who have worked with us since the beginning, Talia is a part of that coven. They only use earth magic and only on a pure and helpful manner.” Jerome motioned towards the door. “I think it would be better for Talia to explain why she, her family, and their coven have chosen to stick by our side.”
Talia entered the cabin her magic surrounding her. Mack sneezed again and she smiled. “I’m sorry Mack. I forget sometimes that you are sensitive to our magic.” The energy she carried with her dimmed, it was still there but not as strong. “I hope that helps.” She swung her gaze over to me. “Casey, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. As Jerome said, my family and coven have chosen to stay by the Black Mountain Pack for generations. Our coven was small when the world changed after shifters came out of hiding. We have known of shifters for centuries and always worked together. When witches were hunted, it was shifters that kept my coven safe. They hid us, protected us and in turn, we pledged to do the same for them when we could.” She held out her arm, showing me a tattoo on her inner wrist.
I leaned forward to examine it closely.
“All members of my family and coven that have taken that pledge have one of these. It’s away for pack members to recognize us, but there is magic woven into this tattoo and allows us to call on any pack member close when we are in trouble. It’s also a way for Jerome to call us. Other packs have similar agreements with covens around the world. Your father’s pack though doesn’t have a happy agreement, the coven that works for him does so under duress and not willingly, except for the coven leader. She is who we have to be prepared for. Her name is Shanna and she used to be what you would call a white witch, but her need for power and strength turned her to the use of blood magic, which is strictly forbidden. In doing so, she turned dark, her power built and gave her the ability to force the rest of her coven to do her bidding. No one has been able to reach her to take her from power because she is highly protected by your father and his pack.”
I nodded. “I remember Shanna, and she used to stay with us. She actually helped my mother escape and brought us here. She is also the one who placed the spell on me to suppress my memories and my shifter side. I always thought she was nice, she played with me, but always smelled a little off. Death hung around her and made me queasy.”
Talia continued, “Yes. She helped your mother leave because she believed with her and you out of the way, she could take her place at your father’s side as the new mate to the alpha. He humored her or a while because he needed her, but over the last few years, he has ignored her. His treatment and unwillingness to announce her as his official mate has driven her to madness. The darkness of blood magic has taken over her soul. She is unstable and her need to prove herself is guiding her. My coven and I have done all we can to hide and protect this place. We are now preparing for the upcoming fight. Things will get confusing. Just remember, if you see this tattoo, those are your friends, your people. Anyone else, non-shifter that battles you is an enemy. Our spies tell us that she is determined to kill you that she believes if she takes your life, then that will prove her loyalty and finally make her wort
hy of your father’s affection and love. She does not know you are mated yet, but when she learns of it, Mack will be a target as well. If she can’t get to you, she will try for him. You two must stay together, you are stronger that way.” She paused and seemed to listen to the breeze. “The others have arrived, I must go. I hope to see you after this fight, Casey.” Talia turned and left the cabin as more pack members arrived.
The next few hours were spent in preparation for the upcoming battle. Jerome met with multiple pack members, each one a leader in his own right and planning their strategies. Mack had joined him shortly after Talia had left.
Watching them both made me realize that Mack really was his father’s right hand man. He was more important than I had realized and I worried a bit about the outcome of the battle ahead of us. I was new to the pack and had no job or position.
I felt useless sitting here and decided I would be of more use with Jake. I silently walked behind the room divider that Jax and Mack had put up when the meetings had started and joined Jake on the bed. He was still in his wolf form and according to Jax, should be waking soon. I curled around his warm furry body and let the silent tears fall. The comfort of Jake helped me to fully relax as exhaustion soon overtook me and I slept.
Chapter Fifteen
Mack
The cabin had turned into command central quickly. Da and I had been meeting with members of the pack all afternoon. Each with a leader of their own segment of shifters. Most, with previous military experience and ready to prepare our army. We didn’t have a small pack by any means. We had clans that reached each coast. Many of those clans we didn’t see until something like this, when they were needed. Da ran our pack differently than any other and that’s one reason I respected and loved him so much. There was no prejudice in him. High standards and expectations yes, but he excluded no one without cause. Because of this, the clans were loyal and came when called upon. Casey’s father was in for a surprise if he thought this would be a quick and easy defeat. I looked over to the couch to catch a glimpse of her, only to find it empty. My heart stuttered a beat as my eyes searched the small cabin full of pack members. Panic started to fill me when I didn’t find Casey among the crowd.
“Let’s break for food,” Jerome announced. “My stomach is demanding sustenance.” Most of the members moved outside to the tables that had been set up and the grills that were full of meats and veggies being prepared for just this reason. Da leaned over to me, with the noise being made over the food outside he spoke low so no other acute ears could hear, “Calm down son. Your mate is safe. Open your bond to find her and then go to her. She needs you right now.” He stood and joined the others outside.
I took a breath and focused on Casey. I had never had a mate bond and didn’t realize how strong it would be when I focused on it. Casey’s pain and anguish hit me like a ton of bricks. I had thought her strong and ready for what was to come. I should have known better, even with her memories returned this would be hard. I could tell she didn’t feel like part of the pack. She felt useless and scared. It broke my heart to know that I had let her feel this way. I’d turned from her to focus on the pack, instead of tending to her needs. I was an ass, a horrible mate, and needed to rectify that. My cat agreed.
I found her curled up on the bed behind the room divider with Jake. He was awake now.
“Hey Mack, I didn’t want to wake her, so haven’t moved,” Jake said
“It’s ok, can you stay for another minute? I want to grab a plate of food for us before I wake her.”
“Of course. She needs you, more than I even realized. I am sorry man, if I had known I would have brought her to the pack years ago.”
“Jake, don’t. She wouldn’t have been ready then. Hell, I don’t know if I would have been. It’s all in the past. She’s here now and with us. You did your job protecting her, now it’s my turn. I’ll be right back.”
Sometimes the pack bond comes in handy. It’s nice to be able to communicate with members in any form. I went out and piled two plates full of grilled meats, veggies and I grabbed a couple of bottles of water, silverware, and napkins. I placed both plates on the night stand as Jake gently moved off the bed. I expected Casey to wake up, but she only moved and buried deeper into the pillow under her head.
I climbed onto the bed, kissing her temple and whispered, “Hey sleepy head, it’s time to wake up.” I moved so I was sitting against the head board and stroked her hair as she woke. I never thought my heart could get any bigger or fill with more love, but it did. With every moment, she was mine. Knowing that she placed her trust in me, accepted me and now it was time I showed her what a mate’s job was. It wasn’t all just sex. There was so much more and I couldn’t wait to share that with her. “Hey, love, you need to eat. Come on, wake up.”
I loved watching her slowly wake. She was so beautiful with her tussled hair, sleep rumpled clothes, and those eyes, Bright and clear as she gazed up at me. When she smiled, that sleepy, sexy smile, I melted a little more. Then the sadness fell over her and my heart broke. “Join me. I brought you a plate of food. You need to eat and so do I.” I helped her sit next to me and handed her plate over with silverware. “I’m sorry that I let Da and our meetings distract me today. I should have stayed with you. A lot has been thrown at you and then I left you to try and figure it out on your own. Please accept my apology. Being someone’s mate is new to me and I know I will make mistakes, but know that I never meant to leave you alone today.” I took a bite of my ribs and continued, “Please let me say all I need to first and then we can talk. You eat and I will talk, then I’ll eat and you can talk. Sound good?”
Casey nodded in agreement, a confused look on her face.
I smiled at her. “What I think will take the most time getting used to, but is exciting, is our mate bond. It’s a bond that is only between us. You can feel what I feel and vice versa, at all times. It’s how I found you today when I realized you weren’t sitting on the couch anymore. It’s also how I realized I had been an ass and let you deal with your feelings alone today. I felt the sadness, confusion, uselessness and loneliness that you felt. I am telling you now, I don’t ever want to feel that again.” I stared hard at her as I paused to let her take in what I’d had said.
She gave me a slight nod as she continued eating.
“I don’t expect you to never be sad or confused again, but the rest I don’t want to feel. You are not useless, and I don’t ever think you are alone. We are mated, so that means we are in things together from now on. I will strive to keep sadness from your life as long as I live and I am here to help you work through anything you are confused about. Our mating was not just to keep you safe Casey. It was to join together with the woman and shifter that fate had designed specifically for me. Keeping you safe, happy, fed, and provided for makes both my cat and myself proud and happy. I hope you will allow me to do that for you.” I turned towards her as best I could on the bed and gazed into her eyes. “Casey, what I feel for you is stronger than anything else I have ever felt. You make me whole. For the first time in my life, everything feels in sync, that missing piece is here now.” I rubbed my chest over my heart. “I know it may be too soon for you to hear, but this is what I dreamt that love would feel like. I want you. Every second. I want you. But more than that, I want you happy. I want to know that I please you, and I want to protect you. My cat and I both do.” I heaved a big sigh.
Casey giggled. “Are you done now?”
“Yeah, I think so.” I picked up my plate and began eating. I was nervous to hear what she had to say. I had just laid my heart out for her and she could easily crush it. Being mated doesn’t always mean a happy and loving life together. That was my hope for us, but it really was all up to Casey.
“Good. Mack, I don’t know where to start. The last couple of days have been a whirlwind of information, changes, revelations and emotions. The one thing I am sure of is that you are my mate. Every fiber of me screams that, my cat purrs at the thought. Our
mating is the only thing I have been completely sure of over the last few days. What that means, I don’t know. I don’t know what being someone’s mate means or what is expected of me. I am simply following instinct at this point. I was sad earlier because I felt and still feel like an outsider. I just felt like I was in the way. I want to help, but don’t know where to start or how. All of it was just overwhelming. That’s what I was sad about…” She paused to take a sip of water. “Expressing my feelings is hard. So please be patient with me. My feelings for you are strong, overwhelming, exciting, and scary as hell. I love that you thought to bring me food, that your need to feed and protect me is so strong. I have to be honest. With you so close, I just want to pull you under the covers and forget everything that’s going on around us. I want to learn every inch of you. My need for you builds every moment.” Casey stopped.
I could see the blush creeping up her neck and it was so endearing. I loved that her desire for me elicited such a reaction. It took great control to not reach out and touch her. I could tell she wasn’t finished speaking and if I interrupted her, we would end up under the covers, forgetting the world around us. It wasn’t time for that yet, I wanted her to know that her words meant as much to me as her body.
“I don’t know if what I am feeling is love, but I do know if it’s not that is what it is building to.” She raised her gaze to mine. “You are my mate. I accepted you not just for protection, but for everything that comes with that. I am scared and excited at the same time to learn what that means for us.” Casey leaned over me placing her empty plate on the nightstand.
My body hardened at her closeness. Her scent winding around me and making me ache with the need to be inside her. I didn’t care that most of our pack were right outside. I wanted her now.
Mack (Black Mountain Pack Book 1) Page 10