Joe smiled. “Then be with him. Take a few days off, hon. Spend time together.”
“Thanks,” she replied.
Brady also thanked Joe who smiled again, and then turned to the group gathered around them. Holding his hands up, he commanded their attention before he spoke.
“C’mon folks, give them some space. Let’s head back in. It’s cold out. I’m sure Jason will pop in and tell us all what happened soon enough.”
The crowd dispersed, leaving Brady, Jess, and Wayne behind. Brady noticed the twins had stayed as well and was about to asked them why when the others rushed up. As Ryder joined him and Jess, Jack approached the twins.
“Uncle Jack, are you okay?” one of them asked.
“I’m fine. Julian’s dead though.” Both shifters appeared shocked. “I’m going with Jason to the house to tell Karen and the kids. Could you two tell Scott and Ryan?”
“Sure,” the same twin responded. “I’ll call them, but we’ll come with you. I know we haven’t seen the Graysons in a while but maybe we can help. If not, at least we can be there for you.”
Jack clamped a hand on the shifter’s shoulder. “Thanks, Zack. You too, Dustin.”
Then he turned and introduced his nephews to all present. As Jason led the Alpha, Zack, and Dustin away, Ryder turned to Brady and Jess.
“Wayne told us what happened. Listen, I know there’s a lot for you two to figure out but for right now, just take some time off. Be with one another, claim each other.” He shrugged. “I guess you’d still claim one another, right?” He blew out a breath. “This really is a strange situation but if you both feel it, then it’s real. The Universe has a reason for this.” He extended his hand. “Congratulations.”
Brady shook his hand and then watched as Jess did. Ryder smiled again, warmly.
“Okay you two, get out of here.”
“You’re sure?” Brady questioned. “What about the Saskatoon unit?”
“I’ll handle everything,” Ryder assured him. “Go, be with your mate. I’ll call to update you after we talk to Mark tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Ryder.”
With a nod, Ryder bid them goodbye. After exchanging farewells with the other agents, he and Jess remained quiet until they were alone.
“I live nearby,” Jess said softly. “Come home with me. I guess it’s your home now, too.” Her brow furrowed. “Oh, um, where do you live?”
“Lately in Saskatoon, but normally in Calgary.”
She sighed. “How is this going to work?”
“I don’t know,” he replied truthfully. “All I do know is I want to be with you. We’ll figure everything else out later.”
“Okay,” she agreed.
Embracing her again, many questions walloped his mind but he tried to ignore them. His mate was in his arms and the rest could wait. Ryder was right, for the Universe intended his and Jess’s union, no matter how weird it seemed to everyone else. To him it felt right and she’d said it did to her, too. Figuring that’s all that mattered, at least for the time being, he kissed her forehead and tightened his hug, hardly believing how perfect she felt in his arms.
***
Dustin’s stomach felt like a lead ball. While he’d agreed to accompany the small group to the Grayson residence to deliver the news of Julian’s death, he questioned that decision now. Zack had volunteered their help, of course. He always spoke up and committed them to help, but Dustin could have backed out. Considering the circumstances, no one would have thought less of him had he not wanted to be present and he knew as much. However, wanting to support Zack during the certain-to-be-uncomfortable event incited his decision much more than the want to assist the Graysons. Although he and Zack had met with Julian a few years ago, they hadn’t seen Karen or the Grayson pups in years. The last time he’d seen any of the Graysons pups, he’d be thirteen. Hannah was ten years old, and the twins, Taylor and Keegan, about four or so. Shit, that was twenty years ago. Due to their age differences, he’d never really had a relationship with the Grayson pups and didn’t know what to expect from them now.
Standing on the porch with Zack, Jason, Ryder, and Uncle Jack, his heart strummed. While he hadn’t known if he’d see any of the Graysons during his visit, he dreaded the occurrence now, as serving a death notification was the last thing he thought he’d be doing tonight. The door swung open and Karen Grayson filled the small space she’d exposed, her face a mix of annoyance and worry. Dustin thought she looked the same as he remembered her, the passage of time barely noticeable on her heavily made-up face. She always had behaved like a beauty pageant contestant, from overdone makeup to the prancing walk she employed, like a model on a runway. He briefly wondered if Hannah had turned out like her mother and hoped not, for the sake of all single male shifters. Of course, he couldn’t speak for the tastes of his entire gender but he hated Karen’s look and mannerisms, and knew Zack did as well.
“Where’s Julian?” she questioned. As her eyes swept over the group, they registered surprise at the appearance of Dustin and Zack and then settled on Jack. Slowly, she shook her head as she looked to Jason.
“No, no, no, no.” She gasped the words out as tears brimmed in her eyes. “Jason, no, please don’t tell me ... No, he can’t be.”
“Can we please come in?” Jason asked gently. “I’ll explain everything.”
“Just tell me if he’s dead.”
“Karen, please, let’s go in. Are your children home?”
With a loud wail, she staggered, her knees buckling, and Jason leapt forward to take hold of her arms. Then, holding her against his side, an arm around her shoulders, he led her into the foyer. Dustin followed the group of men as Karen’s sobs cut through the silence of the house. At the sound of footfalls, he looked up to see Keegan and Taylor racing down the stairs. The last time he’d seen them, they were tiny pups and he was stunned at their appearance now. Young men, they rushed into the foyer and though fraternal twins, they wore identical worried expressions.
“Mom!” Taylor called. “What happened?”
“Your father ...” she sobbed loudly and almost collapsed.
Jason tightened his hold on her as the Grayson twins rushed past the others to her. As Jason released her, the boys each took an arm to support her and then turned matching questioning looks on Jason.
“Please, let’s move into the lounge. Your mom needs to sit,” he said gently, but authoritatively.
Soon the group had settled in the room, the Graysons on a divan, Karen in between her sons. Jason and Jack took the chairs that faced the divan while Zack and Dustin remained standing. Dustin could clearly see his uncle, Jason, and the Graysons from his vantage point by his uncle’s chair, and nodded to the twins when they finally noticed him and Zack. He couldn’t imagine how confused they must have felt and could see, based on the appearance of Jason and Jack, and their mother’s reaction, that they suspected they’d hear bad news. Karen was sobbing and, as Taylor rubbed her back comfortingly, Keegan looked at first Jack and then Jason.
“Did something bad happen to my dad?”
His voice was tremulous and Dustin felt horrible for him. Although at odds with his own father constantly, he did love him, and couldn’t imagine being in the situation the Grayson brothers currently found themselves in.
Jason leaned forward slightly. “Yes, I’m sorry to have to tell you this but your father died tonight.”
Karen wailed aloud and grabbed at Taylor who embraced her tightly. Keegan’s tear-filled eyes moved from them to Jason.
“What happened?”
Jason opened his mouth to answer when all present heard the front door close and Hannah call out to her mother in a panicked voice. Dustin’s heart pounded knowing he’d have to witness poor Hannah receiving the death notification too.
“In here, Hannah,” Jason called loudly.
Hannah rushed into the room. “Jason, what’s happening? I saw your car, and some others, and—” Her voice cut off abruptly as she gasped loudly, h
er eyes widening when they fell on Dustin.
Her scent hit him like a punch. He felt Zack draw nearer to him, the unmistakeable scent of his brother’s arousal mixing with Hannah’s intoxicating one. As he felt drawn to the woman he hadn’t laid eyes on since she was a pup, a startling truth slapped him with a staggering intensity. Hannah was his mate.
***
Entering Jess’s apartment, Brady looked around the small space. It was tidy and not nearly as girly as he’d expected. Unlike most women’s living spaces, hers was quite sparse, with functional furniture and a marked absence of decorative items. Painted in rich colours, the space still felt warm and cozy and he liked it.
Jess removed her coat and he repeated her movements, hanging his coat on a hook beside hers in the entranceway and then ensured his shed boots rested on the small mat there. She placed her hands on his chest and smiled warmly. As his hands rested on her hips, he flashed her an encouraging grin as she seemed nervous.
“This is kinda weird,” she said as her nose crinkled up in an endearing way. He loved it. He loved her. As odd at it seemed to him, he did love her. Wholeheartedly, and with an intensity that frightened him.
“The different shifter thing you mean?” He hoped that was what she meant, and not that being with him felt weird. It felt so natural and right to be with her that, if she didn’t feel the same way it would crush him.
“Yeah, that,” she clarified.
The relief that spread through him was almost knee-buckling. “Well, it certainly seemed to freak out everyone else. It feels right though, to me.” It pained him to voice his next question but he had to. “Does this feel right to you?”
“Absolutely,” she replied softly. Her answer had his heart soaring. “I’ve never felt anything like this. I know we’re destined for one another. We’re intended, I feel it.” Her teeth grazed along her bottom lip. “But how will this work? I mean, how does claiming work when you’re a cat and I’m a wolf?”
“I guess the same way,” he replied with a shrug. “All shifter species bite their mates when their mates are in human-form so it really shouldn’t be that different, right?”
“No, I guess you’re right. It would be the same, even if we’re different.” She paused and visibly swallowed. “What about pups? Or cubs? That’s what cat-shifters call their children, right?”
“Yes, cubs, and I don’t know how that would happen. I mean, I don’t think we could have children, could we?” He’d never given a thought to having cubs, not ever, and was worried she wanted pups, something he was certain he wouldn’t be able to give her.
“I, uh ...” She stepped back from him, breaking their connection. His heart sank at the look upon her face. She was upset. Clearly, she wanted pups. She sighed softly. “I probably shouldn’t say anything. We don’t know how this will work, but, well, I want to have pups. Someday.” Her eyes darted to the wall, back to him, and then to the floor before her. “I guess we just won’t.”
The sorrow in her voice cut through him like a hot knife through butter. Desperate to alleviate her worry, he chanced a suggestion. “Maybe we could adopt? There are lots of orphaned shifters out there. I was an orphan and, well, maybe we could adopt one. Or a few. If you wanted to, that is.” She met his eyes and he couldn’t read the look in them. He shuffled his feet nervously. “I don’t know if that’s something you’d want. I guess you want to actually have pups, like give birth to them. That’s important to you, isn’t it?” He blew out a breath and fought the sting of tears. He was a disappointment to her, a mate incapable of impregnating her. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
“For what?” she questioned.
“For not being what you wanted.”
Stepping closer to him, she took his hand in hers. He locked eyes with her, certain he’d see disappointment there, a confirmation that he wasn’t what she wanted, that the Universe had screwed up and saddled her with a useless mate. Amazingly, he saw nothing but warmth.
“Why would you say that?” she questioned with true bewilderment in her voice. “Yeah, this is confusing, and we have a lot to work through, but I want to work through everything, with you. It doesn’t matter to me that you’re a cat-shifter. You’re my mate. I’m sorry if I made it sound like I was disappointed in you. I’m not. I’m just rattled by this, that’s all.”
The sweet ache in his heart at her words matched the insistent ache in his loins. Touching his forehead to hers, his hands grasped her hips once more. “Jess, all I want is to be with you. The way I feel ... well, I know we’re intended. You’re right, we have a lot to work through, and yes, together we’ll get through it.”
He kissed her, longingly, lovingly and she parted her lips for him. As he eagerly explored her mouth, he grasped her hips to lift her. When she wrapped her legs around him, he slid his hands to her ass, taking hold of the delectable globes. Squeezing them, he loved the firmness of them. She was apparently athletic, and his dick shot up at the thought he’d soon see all of her. With lips locked to hers, he spotted the short hallway that undoubtedly led to her bedroom.
Finding the room, he entered it and, with a lingering soft bite to her lower lip, gently placed her on her feet. Cupping one of her breasts, he snagged her nipple between his finger and thumb, expertly rolling and tweaking it, frustrated by the clothes she still wore but determined to feel her. Small, but firm, her breast felt perfect in his hand, not that it surprised him. She was perfect, all of her, and she was his. She moaned, her arms encircling his neck, her fingers raking through his hair, as she pressed herself against his erection. He grinded against her, exciting her further, eager to stimulate her, as he snaked his other hand down her body, skimming over her belly to cover her pussy and rub firmly. Her head lolled back, and she moaned. The sounds she made at what he did to her through her clothing had his dick twitching. He’d make her scream naked, and he couldn’t wait to hear it.
After kissing her neck, he teased the tender flesh there with his teeth as he reached under the hem of her skirt, and then slid up her thigh to the apex of her legs. Here, he nimbly slithered his hand past the thin material and stroked his fingers over her bare flesh. She spread her legs, yielding to him, allowing him full access to her. A low moan escaped his lips at her surrender. Inhibited in social situations, hesitant to be forceful at work, the bedroom always brought out his primal nature, raised his confidence, and inspired him to take charge. Always eager to find submissive partners, Jess’s easy acceptance of his dominance turned him on so greatly he felt pre-cum leak from his dick.
When he slid a finger into her, she pushed forward, sinking his finger in deeper, and shuddered slightly with noticeable pleasure. As he circled his hand, he revelled in the increasing wetness within her. A soft sigh exited her lips as her fingertips dug into his shoulders and the sound of it shot through him like a lightning bolt.
He pulled his hand from her, caught the edge of her panties, and yanked them down her legs to her ankles. When she stepped out of the undergarment, she smiled so sexily he swore his heart skipped a beat. Locking her eyes with his, she reached behind her, he guessed to undo the fastening on her skirt, for she then shimmied it down her legs. After kicking it away, she quickly shed and discarded her t-shirt then stood unabashedly before him, clad only in a bra, a pair of high heels, and an inviting smile.
Her legs were lean and tightly muscled, her stomach flat with a slight outline of taut abdominals under her creamy skin. Slim-hipped, her waist dipped in slightly before swelling out to broader shoulders. Her body was just as he’d imagined it, tight and toned. Perfect. Silently thanking the Universe for bestowing her upon him, he watched her deliberately slow movements. She was teasing him, he knew it, and he loved every second of it. After shedding her bra, she stilled again, welcoming his appreciation of his view. He visually caressed her breasts before meeting her eyes again.
Taking a step forward, her hands rested on his chest, and then enticingly moved down, over his stomach to rub h
is erection through his restrictive trousers. He bit back a moan, hoping he wouldn’t unload in his clothes, amazed at how she excited him when he was fully clothed. Her fingers went to work on his belt but he seized her wrists in a firm grip. She looked to him, confusion lining her features and he shook his head slightly.
“You first.”
Then, still clenching her wrists, he gently turned her and guided her back toward the bed until her calves made contact with the mattress. He lightly pushed her down onto the mattress, as he raised her hands above her head. She laid back on the bed, her heart racing in anticipation, a thundering, rushing noise that was music to his shifter ears. He spread her legs with a knee then knelt over her. Holding both her wrists tightly with one hand, he kissed her again, aggressively now, as his free hand found a breast and then plucked and pulled her nipple. She writhed under him, seemingly desperate for more contact. Moving his head to her other breast, his mouth mimicked the motions of his hand. She bucked against him, moaning shamelessly. Releasing her hands to use both of his on her breasts, his mouth moved down her body, kissing, licking, sucking, his teeth grazing her sensitive skin. When she reached for him, he again shook his head as the licentious look in his eye related to her that tonight was only about her. With a delectable sigh, she raised her arms over her head and let them fall on the bed, turning herself over to him utterly.
Her surrender turned him on fiercely, calling to his cat but, while overwhelmed by a desire to claim her, he intended to completely satisfy her first. He rained tiny kisses down her belly, smiling when it grew taut under his lips, and then repeated the action around her pussy, teasing the sensitive flesh of her inner thighs. The intoxicating scent of her arousal filled his nostrils and he gently ran his tongue the length of her, dipping just the tip of it in. Her moan was as delicious as her taste and he rammed his tongue forth, swirling it to collect her juices, desperate to taste more.
“Brady,” she gasped out breathlessly. Her fingers raked through his hair and then her fingertips dug into his scalp. Her breath came in quick gusts and, though he’d just begun, he knew she was close to her release. He turned her on as much as she did him and all remaining doubt about their odd union fled from his mind.
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