Forbidden Bond

by Jessica Lee

  No choice.

  Eion lifted his chin, facing the current alpha. “That’s exactly what you’ve done for me—given me no choice. I’m done.”

  “What are you saying?” Cyrus’s lip curled.

  Eion pushed away from the desk and stepped back. “I’m done with you.” Eion spread his arms out wide at his side. “With all of this.”

  “You are the rising alpha,” his father roared. “You have a responsibility. You can’t just wash your hands of us because things got a little distasteful for you.”

  “Oh, I can. And I have.” He nodded and turned to his brother. “Except for you, Tristan, who will always be a part of me and my life, I am no longer part of this family. Tristan Mandrake, I hereby pass on my status of rising alpha to you. You are now the first-born son to Cyrus Mandrake.” Tristan’s eyes widened, and his gaze flicked to the alpha.

  “This pack needs you, Eion,” Tristan whispered. “Don’t leave like this.”

  “You’ll make an excellent alpha, Brother. I know that with everything that’s in me. Don’t worry. I’ve given this a lot of thought. In fact, it’s all I’ve been able to think about for days. This is what’s right for me.”

  “I refuse to allow such a thing!” The alpha surged from around his desk toward Eion.

  “It’s already done.” Eion looked to his brother and back to Cyrus. “You have a rising alpha, and your status is secure within the pack for another two years. He’ll make you proud.”

  Eion strode to the door and gripped the handle before glancing over his shoulder at the furious expression on the alpha’s face. “One last thing…stay out of my life. As of this day, you are no longer my father. It would serve you well to remember that, because next time, if you ever do anything to threaten my mate’s life again…I will kill you.”

  Epilogue

  Six Months Later

  Olivia turned sideways and stared at her profile in the full-length mirror of her bedroom. With one hand, she smoothed the antique white satin of her dress over her abdomen and held the fall colors of her bouquet at her waistline with the other. No one would be the wiser. But Olivia knew, and she’d never been happier in her life.

  “You’ve never looked more beautiful.”

  Olivia whirled at the sound of Taylor’s voice. Her heart fluttered.

  He came.

  Taylor stood in the doorway, his hand clasped inside Josie’s. Olivia dropped her arms to her sides. “Oh, my gosh! Thank you both for coming. You’ve made this day even more special.”

  He released Josie’s hand and strode into the room, wearing a smile and the dark blue suit that she remembered from their graduation day. He’d hated it.

  “Hey, just because we didn’t work out,” he cupped her cheeks, “doesn’t mean I would miss the most important day of my friend and business partner’s life.” He planted a kiss to her forehead, and she choked back a sob.

  “Oh, God, Taylor McDaniel…don’t you dare make me cry.”

  “Don’t mess up her makeup, Taylor!” Josie darted into the room, grabbed a tissue from the box on her dresser, and dabbed at the tears threatening to spill beneath Olivia’s eyes.

  “Thank you.” Olivia glanced from Josie to Taylor. “So are you two…” She wagged a finger between them and smiled.

  Josie grinned and looped her arm through his. “Yeah, for about a month now.” A corner of Taylor’s mouth curled into a smile.

  “Wow.” Olivia shook her head. “I was wondering why I hadn’t seen you around for a while and why Taylor had been so quiet and distracted lately.”

  “Yeah.” Josie sheepishly grinned. “I’ve been kind of preoccupied.”

  “We wanted to keep things just between us at first,” Taylor added. “See how it went before we said anything to anyone. Plus, you know how hard it is to keep anything private for long in this town.” He chuckled.

  Boy, did she ever. Olivia glanced from Josie to Taylor. “I truly couldn’t be happier for you both.” They looked good together.

  “Anyway,” Taylor began, tugging Josie closer to his side, “we just wanted a chance to wish you the best before the wedding started.” He nodded and looked down at Josie. “We better get out there and get a seat.”

  “Okay.” Olivia gripped her bouquet a little tighter, doing her best to not burst into tears. “It means a lot that you’re both here.”

  “See you very soon.” Taylor winked, and with Josie on his arm, they strolled from the room.

  And here she’d thought the day couldn’t get any better. Olivia turned back to her mirror and checked her makeup once more.

  “There’s my gorgeous bride.”

  She’d know that sexy voice anywhere. “You’re not supposed to see the bride before the wedding,” she yelled out to Eion, keeping her back to the door. “It’s bad luck, you crazy nut.”

  “As far as I’m concerned you became much more than my wife months ago.” Large hands slid over the lace that covered her arms before Eion spun her around to face him. “So how can there be any risk of bad luck to check on my mate?” He brushed a soft kiss over her lips and her heart skipped a beat. Eion pulled back and brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “You doing okay? You look a little flushed.”

  “I’m fine. Couldn’t be better.” She stroked his cheek.

  “Good.” He grinned. “I wanted to check on you before the ceremony and to make sure we had a few moments of alone time.”

  Lifting the full skirt of her gown, Olivia turned and eased down on the cushioned bench at the foot of the bed. “I’m glad you did.” Eion pulled the chair from her vanity over and sat before her. “Did you have a chance to call Tristan this morning—tell him about the wedding?”

  He nodded. “Yeah. I did.”

  “How’s he doing with all the new responsibilities and you being gone?”

  “He’s finally calmed down, realizes now that this is permanent and that I’m not changing my mind.”

  Olivia’s stomach clenched, not because of her new condition, but the reminder of how much the man she loved had given up for them to have a life together. She reached over and clutched his hand. “You miss him a lot, don’t you? Miss your family and pack?”

  Eion dropped his gaze to where their hands were joined before bringing his attention back to her. His eyelids lowered to half-mast. “Do I miss my brother?” He cocked his head. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. And, yes, sometimes I long for a run with my pack.”

  She swallowed hard at the thought of her mate being homesick and not ever being allowed to return. “You have regrets…” Olivia dropped her head and studied the blooms in her bouquet.

  He squeezed her hand, bringing her gaze back up. “I said that sometimes I missed running with the pack, but I didn’t say I regret my decision.” He leaned forward, his hazel eyes capturing hers. “I may have walked away from my pack and denounced my father, but Tristan and I will always be close. He’s nothing like Cyrus. My brother will be alpha in less than two years, and through us, the seeds of change have been planted within Tristan. With his leadership, there is a chance that one day I can go home again with my mate at my side.” Eion slid his hand around to her nape and pulled her forward, planting a kiss to Olivia’s forehead. She blinked, battling another surge of tears. “And if that day never comes, my life—my world—has never been more fulfilling than right here with you.”

  “I love you so much, Eion.” Her voice cracked, and she sniffed.

  “I love you too, baby,” he whispered, holding her gaze. Eion released her and stood. “Speaking of loving, my mate,” he grinned, “my other reason for breaking tradition was so that I could give my bride her wedding gift.”

  “A gift? Eion, I have more than I could have ever dreamed.” She stood as well, brushing her hand over the outside of his arm.

  He reached inside the jacket of his black tuxedo, and Olivia raked her gaze over her mate. Her heart stuttered at the sight. He’d pulled his hair back and bound it neatly at his nape, allowing only two
thin braids to fall from his temples. She dropped her gaze lower, and her pulse hummed inside her head. All that hard body packaged up and sealed with a bow…like pure sin tucked inside a tux. She licked her lips.

  Good Lord.

  Olivia drew in a stabilizing deep breath. Her hormones were working overtime.

  “This is for you.” Eion held out an envelope. Olivia placed her bouquet on her bed and plucked the offering from his fingertips.

  She glanced down and found the front of the envelope blank. “What’s this?”

  “Open it and see.”

  Olivia couldn’t miss the smile in his voice.

  The back hadn’t been sealed, and she pulled the flap from where it had been tucked. Peeking inside, she found a single slip of paper and pulled it free. She stared down at a check made out in her name for the sum of five hundred thousand dollars. Her breath hitched.

  “Eion! Oh, my God!” She jerked her head up. “What is this for?”

  “I wanted to surprise you.” He beamed with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. “The sale of my ranch closed yesterday. It’s my gift to you, and your brother, really. I want you two to own this place free and clear.”

  Okay. She was really going to lose it this time. A warm trail of tears cascaded over her cheeks. “I don’t know what to say.” Her voice cracked. “This is…so amazing.”

  “I know how much this place means to you and Kris, and what better way to show you how much I love you than to give you peace of mind and security with your family home.”

  “I love you so much!” She flung herself into his arms. “But I’m not going to kiss you until the minister says ‘You may now kiss your bride’.” She chuckled.

  “Okay.” He pulled out of her hug and lifted her chin with his thumb and forefinger. “We have a deal. And I can’t wait.”

  “Me either.” She smiled up at him.

  “I was thinking,” he said. “Since Kris and I will be running the ranch together, how about you and I build a house on that back section of the property near our special place by the stream?”

  “I couldn’t think of a better spot to spend our lives together than where we began.” She sniffed again. “Oh, geez.” Olivia grabbed another tissue. “I’m a mess.” She laughed.

  “You look beautiful, baby.”

  “Thanks, but you’re biased.” Olivia dabbed under her eyes. He’d given her the most wonderful gift. She smoothed the satin over her belly with her other hand. Two actually. “I’d planned to wait until our wedding night to tell you, but I think right now is the perfect time to give you my surprise—my gift to you.” Olivia reached out for his arm and pulled it toward her, placing his palm over her lower abdomen. “You’re going to be a father.” She smiled.

  Eion’s expression blanked, and her heart stilled. Oh, God, he’s not happy about this… Then, a grin exploded across his face. “A baby?” He grabbed her upper arm with his free hand. She nodded. “Oh, my God! For real?” He gasped. “We’re having a baby?”

  “Yes!” She laughed and Eion yanked her into his arms. “I take it you’re happy then?”

  He pressed her back, bringing them face-to-face.

  “You’re having my child,” he breathed. “Our child. My heart is overflowing.” He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. “I love you more than you can imagine,” he whispered against her lips. “Without question, no matter where this journey takes us, I would die for you and our child.”

  “I have no doubts. I would for you as well, my mate.” She stepped back and brushed his cheek. “Do you think he’ll be a shifter like his dad?” She rubbed her belly and grinned.

  “I’m fine either way. The child will be the best part of us. Created by our love.” He placed his hand over hers. “He, huh?” Eion chuckled.

  Olivia shrugged. “Just a feeling.”

  “Hey! Who let him in here?” her brother yelled from the door.

  “I’m leaving.” Eion held up his arms in surrender and moved toward the door. “I’m leaving.”

  In passing, Kris pulled Eion in for a quick hug and a hard slap on the back. “Congratulations, my friend,” her brother said. “You’re getting yourself a mighty fine wife. And a pretty damn good brother-in-law, if I do say so myself.”

  “And you would say so yourself.”

  Laughter erupted between the two men, the sound filling her heart to near bursting.

  Eion made his way into the hall, and with a last look over his shoulder, mouthed I love you before heading for his spot outside to wait for her arrival.

  Crutch free, her brother sauntered further into the room, his gait steady. “You ready for this, Sis?”

  After another quick check in the mirror, she found the damage to her makeup wasn’t as bad as she thought. She turned back to Kris and gathered her flowers from the bed. “Yes. I think I am.”

  He held out his elbow, and Olivia laced her arm through his. “I can’t believe I’m about to give my sister away to a guy who can actually howl at the moon.”

  Olivia patted his forearm and chuckled. “Hey, but who else around here can say that their best friend can turn into a wolf?”

  “Yeah,” he said. “You’re right.” They stepped forward. “That is pretty damn cool.”

  <<<<>>>>

  Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed Eion and Olivia’s story in FORBIDDEN BOND as much as I enjoyed writing it.

  I’m hard at work writing my next romance, but while you’re waiting I invite you to check out all the books I currently have available.

  You can view the full list with links on the Books page of my website. Or if you prefer, visit my Amazon Author Page.

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  Read on for a full Jessica Lee Amazon booklist with links:

  Jessica Lee Amazon Booklist

  Jessica’s Full Amazon Book Page

  Paranormal Romance

  Undying Destiny

  Undying Embrace

  Bloodlines

  Make Me

  The KinKaid Wolf Pack Trilogy

  Heat Rising

  On Thin Ice

  In the Pride’s Best Interest

  Breaking the Ice

  Contemporary with Futuristic Elements

  Passion Awakened

  Free

  All She Wants 4 Christmas

  Dedication

  To my soul mate, I can't imagine my life without you in it. Thank you for your boundless love and support.

  Author Acknowledgements

  This book would not be possible without my wonderful friend and critique partner, Naima Simone. Love you, girlfriend!

  I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to my awesome beta readers: Stormy, Alana, Sheri, Katrina, and Susie. Your input was invaluable!

  Trademarks Acknowledgement:

  The author acknowledges the following copyrights, trademarked statuses, and trademark owners of the wordmarks mentioned:

  Bud, Bud Light, Silverado