“Because,” he said with exaggerated patience. “You are my mate.”
“Says you.”
He growled a warning. Jessie felt warmth begin to blossom in her core. Yes, she was absolutely his, but that didn’t mean she was going to make it easy for him.
“So what happens now?”
“Any who wishes to accompany us to Mythic may do so.”
“And those who wish to remain? We can’t just abandon these people, Matt. We need - ”
“Woman, cease,” he said, though his eyes glinted with both approval and amusement. “We are not abandoning anyone. I’m putting Jace in charge. He is a natural born Alpha, more than ready for a pack of his own. We will remain closely aligned, of course.”
“Is this really happening?” Jessie said, shaking her head in disbelief. “I mean, we barely even know each other, Matt. What if I drive you crazy?”
“You already drive me crazy,” he huffed. “But I kind of like it.”
“You are insane, you know that?”
“So you’ve told me,” he said dryly.
“Well, it works both ways, you know. Maybe there are things about you that I decide I can’t live with.”
“I bet you have a list.”
“I do, as a matter of fact.”
“Do you?”
“Absolutely. Deal breakers, in fact.”
He gave her a martyred look and sighed, girding himself against what was sure to be a laundry list of grievances, of which he was the sole source of discontent. “All right. Go on.”
“My family is important to me.”
“Obviously, since you were willing to sacrifice yourself for them.”
“Do not make me choose between them and you.”
“As I consider them my family now as well, it is a non-issue.”
“My best friend is a witch. Can you deal with that?”
“I brought a mage and a vamp with me. What do you think?”
“Hair on the soap.”
“What?”
“Hair. On the soap. Eeks me out. So... don’t do that, okay?”
“Okay,” he agreed, stunned. When she didn’t say anything else, he said doubtfully, “That’s it? That’s all you’ve got?”
“Yeah. And if you use the last of the toilet paper, change the roll.” Hands on hips, she regarded him. “Think you can handle that?”
He grinned. “No hair on the soap, change the roll. Got it.”
She nodded. “Good. Then we’ll get along just fine.”
Jessie’s pack was understandably wary, but the stellar reputation of the Mythic pack went a long way in alleviating their concerns. A chain of command was quickly established. Jace was formally named Alpha of the Shenandoah pack, and one of his first orders of business was to select a new council. Jace accepted Jessie’s suggestions for candidates, ensuring that at least half of the new council was comprised of locals, the other half being wolves he knew and trusted.
It was also announced that anyone who wished to relocate to Mythic could do so at any time. Unsurprisingly, many wanted to stay and rebuild, though there was quite a bit of interest in visiting the legendary town up north. With that in mind, Matt invited everyone to attend the official mating ceremony to be held at the next full moon.
However, Jessie’s Alpha was no fool. While the small town was all gathered together, Matt made his intentions known, biting the tender area between Jessie’s neck and shoulder in front of more than a hundred witnesses. He made sure that Jessie did the same, marking him as he had marked her.
She was totally okay with that.
“So this is your special place, huh?” Matt asked as Jessie led him out to the stream.
Jessie nodded.
“I’ve got a place, too. A ledge that looks out over the pack lands.”
“Sounds beautiful.”
“It is. I’ll take you there and make love to you. Your screams will echo through the entire valley.”
“You sound pretty confident.”
“Oh, I am,” he said, catching her behind her knees and laying her down upon the soft moss along the stream bed. “Is my mate doubting me again?”
“No,” she breathed as she felt his heavy weight press down upon her.
“Good. But I’m feeling the need to prove myself anyway.”
“Don’t let me stop you.”
He chuckled, the hot puff of air scorching the skin beneath her jaw, his kisses trailing a path downward, across her collar bone, over the barely visible swell of her breasts. He pulled her tank top down, groaning when her bare mounds were revealed. “I need you, mate.”
Jessie hummed, her hands roaming down the slope of his back to squeeze his tight behind in encouragement. “Then take me, mate.”
His rumbling growl sent shudders of anticipation up and down her spine, her body already several steps ahead in preparing itself for him. Slipping one large hand between them, he pushed her shorts to the side to find her slick and ready.
Seconds later, his shorts were shoved down to his thighs and he was entering her. He was like iron, hot and hard, and merciless as he surged forward. Jessie’s nails dug into his ass as she tried to pull him in deeper, farther. The layers of cloth between them grew unbearable. In a flurry of claws and fangs, they shredded each other’s clothing until they were skin to skin.
Only then did he begin to move, a slow dance of push and pull that set every last one of her nerves on fire. Far too quickly, Jessie was gripping him hard in the throes of her powerful climax. Already close himself, Matt wasted no time in clamping his jaws at the base of her neck where he had placed his mark. As Jessie milked him of every last drop, he bit down hard, forcing a second, more powerful orgasm from her right on the heels of the first.
They lay there panting for several minutes before she said, “You’re going to last longer next time, right?”
Matt, still hard, withdrew and impaled her with a punishing stroke. “What makes you think I’m even close to being finished?”
Hours later, Jessie moaned as icy cold stream water splashed over her breasts. Under normal circumstances, she would have jumped up and wailed on the offender, but as it was, she could barely lift her head. Feeling deliciously sore and incredibly full, she half-opened her eyes to find her Alpha mate grinning at her.
“Time to get up, baby. We’ve got an early start tomorrow, and you haven’t even begun packing.”
“You pack for me,” she murmured. “Wake me up when it’s time to go.”
Matt leaned over her and nipped her breast, adding to the multitude of red marks already there. Her breasts were definitely hot spots for her. “No can do, baby.”
“We don’t have any clothes,” she pointed out, waving her hand vaguely at the shredded tatters surrounding them.
“Good thing we can shift then,” he teased. “Come on. I think your mom made dinner for us.”
Summoning what little remaining energy she had, Jessie transformed into her wolf. Matt shifted as well, leaning down to lick and nuzzle her before taking off on the trail back to the Sablewolf homestead.
Chapter 14 – And They Lived... (Well, you know)
One Month Later, Mythic
“I can’t believe it,” Muriel said, standing back and looking at Jessie.
“What, that I’m actually married?”
“No, that you’re wearing white, you hussy,” Muriel teased, laughing. “Of course I was talking about you being married.”
Jessie laughed, too. “I don’t know what the big deal is. Matt and I were mated before we left. You were there, remember?”
“Yeah, yeah. A bite on the neck, lifetime bond, yadda yadda. But this... this is amazing! He really went all out, didn’t he?” They looked around at the hundreds of people milling around, talking, laughing, dancing. Tables nearly collapsed under the weight of the food piled on them. Thousands of twinkling lights were strung all around, giving the clearing a magical feel as the sky turned indigo and the full moon shone done upon them.
“More than the pack, I think. You’re hubby is a popular guy. I’ve seen all kinds here – vamps, mages, bears, even a few demons, I think.”
“Speaking of,” Jessie said with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “Have you seen Brandon lately?”
Muriel had the grace to blush a deep shade of rose.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Jessie laughed. “I’m glad for you, Ree. He seems like a great guy.”
“He does,” Muriel told her, averting her eyes. “That’s what worries me. He’s a little too great, if you know what I mean.”
“You’re just not used to having a quality guy sniffing after you. It’s about time someone started treating you like the phenomenal woman you are. And maybe,” Jessie added, “he’s just the kind of incentive you need to relocate permanently.”
“Maybe,” Muriel hedged. She had spent the last two weeks in Mythic helping Jessie prepare for the big day. And while Jessie was quite sure she loved the town, Muriel was stalling on committing to a permanent relocation -—or to Brandon.
Jessie was one of the few understood why. Muriel’s mother had been a powerful nature witch, too. She’d fallen under the spell of a handsome travelling mage, one with a golden tongue and empty promises. Then one day the mage was gone, and Muriel’s mother was left pregnant and broken-hearted.
It was only natural that Muriel would fear making the same mistake. In Brandon, she probably saw much of her father. He was a handsome, powerful mage in his own right, and Muriel was right to be cautious. If Brandon truly was Muriel’s mate, he was going to have to prove it with a lot more than pretty words and promises.
“I will miss you terribly,” Muriel sighed. “Not that I ever get to see you anymore. You’re always with your Alpha.”
“It’s the mating heat. I swear I can’t go five minutes without wanting to jump him.”
“He is pretty hot,” Muriel agreed. “Does that mean I’ll be Auntie Ree sometime soon?”
“Maybe,” Jessie said slyly, but it was the twinkle in her eye that gave her away. Muriel launched herself at Jessie. “Oh, Jess, I am so happy for you!”
“Thanks. Keep it quiet for a bit though, okay? Matt and I want to keep it to ourselves until things settle down a bit.”
“How’s he taking it?”
Jessie laughed. “He’s ecstatic. But now he’s even more protective. He doesn’t let me out of his sight.”
They both glanced over to where Matt was talking to Brandon. Both men were looking their way.
Jessie blew a kiss to her new husband. He grinned wolfishly, his eyes filled with both promise and warning should she manage to slip away from the horde of well-wishers. “Looks like I’m not the only one.”
Muriel blushed again, but was saved from answering when Dani bounded up beside them. She greeted Muriel, then grinned at Jessie.
“So? What do you think? We did good, right?”
“Dani, this is amazing. I don’t know how you did it.”
Dani beamed. “Well, I did have lots of help. Which reminds me, now that the big stuff is over, we want to talk to you about something. Come on over here. You, too, Muriel.”
“No, you go. I’ve got to find a ladies’ room before all this punch makes a reappearance. I’ll catch up with you in a few.”
Dani grabbed Jessie’s hand and tugged her across the clearing where three women stood together behind the curtain of an ancient weeping willow. “Hey ladies, look who I’ve found.”
Jessie had met each of them over the course of the last few weeks. She recognized Ana Masterson, Ryssa Covington, and Tedi Avânescu. All three had been extremely welcoming, and Jessie had liked them instantly.
“You look absolutely radiant, Jessie,” Ana said. “I am so happy for you and Matt.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Dani said impatiently. “Let’s get to it, shall we? I give my brother five minutes before he comes looking for her.”
Tedi laughed. Ryssa smiled and said, “Well, now that you are officially part of our little community, we wanted to formally invite you to join our S.L.U.T. club.”
“I’m sorry,” Jessie said, choking a little, “the what?”
“S.L.U.T. Supernatural Ladies of Ultimate Terrificness. It’s our own little super-secret organization. You’re a Were, you’re female, and you’re awesome, so you totally qualify,” Dani said excitedly.
“Right now it’s just the four of us,” Tedi said in a loud whisper, “but we’d like you to join.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Jessie said, moisture pooling in her eyes. Never in a million years would she ever have imagined how quickly she could feel a part of a community.
“Oh crap, we’re making her cry,” blurted Tedi, reaching for a tissue.
“Bah, it’s just hormones,” Dani said.
“I knew it!” Tedi said, beaming.
“Of course you did, you’re a freaking Oracle,” Dani smirked. “So listen, think about it okay? We meet every week, sometimes more, and share all kinds of - Oh, hey there, big brother.”
“Am I interrupting something?” Matt asked, slipping his hand around Jessie’s waist and pulling her tightly against his side.
“No!” said a chorus of voices, except for Dani, who said, “Yes!”
Matt narrowed his eyes and looked at the five of them with suspicion. “It’s time to cut the cake,” he said.
“Right, the cake. I’ll catch up with you later,” Jessie said, winking.
“I think she’s in,” Dani said as they walked away, waving cheekily when Matt glanced back over his shoulder at her.
“Yep,” Tedi said, grinning. “And trust me, she is going to make an awesome addition to our little club.”
“What about her friend, Muriel?” Ryssa said. “She seems really nice, and she’s a really powerful witch, from what I hear.”
“Has she decided to move here?” Ana asked quietly.
“Not yet,” Tedi said, eyes twinkling.
* * *
“Well, Mrs. Gullwolff, how was your day?” Matt asked as he slowly stripped the gown from his bride, pressing kisses to every inch of skin he exposed.
“Best. Day. Ever.” She grinned. “But I don’t know if I’ll ever learn to say that name properly.”
Matt chuckled. “It’s a family name. Icelandic. Loosely translated, it means Golden Wolf.”
“Ah,” she breathed, arching into his palms. “Good name.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“You know what else I like?”
“What?” he asked, leaning down to replace one hand with his mouth. He nipped the diamond-hard tip of her breast before sucking it between his lips.
“That.” Jessie dug her fingers into his hair and fisted as much as she could, pulling at the roots until he hissed. Matt scooped her up and flung her onto the bed. Her body had barely touched the surface when he impatiently began tugging at the full skirt of her gown. He growled when he saw the fluffy tulle beneath, then ripped that away as well. Only when he had reduced her to her white silk thigh-highs, garters, and matching bridal panties did he pause.
“Fucking beautiful,” he said, sitting back so he could get the full view. “If I had known you were wearing this beneath that gown all day, we wouldn’t have stayed as long as we did.”
“It was our wedding,” Jessie laughed, though he could scent her blossoming arousal, pleased with the knowledge that his female was every bit as hungry for him as he was for her. “We had to stay.”
Matt grunted. His hands stroked the length of her legs, pausing every couple of inches to squeeze and fondle. Jessie opened her legs wider to give him a better view, while at the same time cupping her own breasts.
Her mate’s eyes began to glow. “You test me, baby.”
“Ah, yes, that’s what this is. A test,” she said in a low, husky voice. She plumped her large
breasts, then bent her head and licked one, then the other.
He groaned and leaned forward, nuzzling her center. “My kind of test. How exactly am I being graded?”
Jessie grabbed his hair and raised her hips to increase the pressure where she needed it most. “Strength. Skill. Stamina. Power. Ohhhhh......” Her mind went blank when Matt ripped off her panties with his teeth, then gave her a long, slow lick. Her entire body shuddered, prompting him to use his powerful arms to lock her hips in place.
He gave her another lick, his slightly roughened tongue sending her internal muscles into spasms. “How am I doing so far?” he asked smugly.
Jessie propped herself up on her elbows with some effort. “C plus.”
He growled and nipped at her most sensitive skin. One arm continued to hold her in place, but the other was put to better use. Jessie closed her eyes as they rolled backward. Matt recognized the signs. His mate was losing her self-control.
“How about now?”
“B,” she panted.
“Hmmmmm,” he hummed against her sex. He continued to nuzzle and lick and stroke as if he had all the time in the world. As if she wasn’t about to explode into a thousand tiny pieces. But every time she got close to the edge, he changed things up.
No amount of taunting, teasing, or even begging could get him to give her what she needed most. When he was certain she was at her physical and emotional limits, he pulled away entirely.
“Noooo!” she howled, reaching desperately for him with arms and legs. A heartbeat later he was back, looming over her, his tip poised at her entrance. “That was all the prep work, baby,” he crooned. “Now it’s time for the final exam.”
Matt surged forward, filling her in one powerful thrust. So close to the edge, Jessie screamed as wave after wave broke over her. He gritted his teeth, forcing back his own release as she squeezed around him with her powerful muscles, continuing to piston with enough force to move the bed. A second climax, even bigger than the first, crested. A piercing scream rent the air; it was music to his ears.
She gripped his shoulder, digging her nails into his skin, her legs locked in around his lean hips as he continued to thrust. “Extra credit,” he barked as her third orgasm tightened her around him. With one final push, he buried himself deep, emptying inside of her.
Wolf Out of Water: Mythic Series, Book 4 Page 11