Forbidden Love (Stone Pack Book 1)

by Harper Phoenix

  ‘Is she your girlfriend?’

  ‘No.’ he bites the word out as if he’s angry I asked.

  ‘Then why, Jared, help me understand? Why shouldn’t you be here?’

  ‘She’s not my girlfriend, alright? And I don’t know what the fuck is going on. I can’t stop thinking about you. When I sleep, I dream about you, and when you’re near me…’ he shakes his head, his hands leaving mine to pull at his hair. ‘You’re driving me in-fuckin-sane.’

  Well, I wasn’t expecting that.

  Jared

  I’ve put it all out there. I want her so fucking bad it hurt.

  ‘Me too,’ she says.

  I exhale in relief. I dip my head to hers and kiss her, and the world falls away. I hold her to me, her soft to my hard. I can feel her taut nipples against my chest. She gives herself over to me as she responds to my kiss, letting my tongue slide in, against hers. But then I feel a shift in her, and she pulls back. Her eyes are full of heat, but there is something else. Shit. I need to apologise for leaving the way I did.

  ‘I was mad.’ I can’t find the right words. ‘Fuck, not mad, hurt. I was hurt when you said it was just a one-night stand.’

  She looks stunned. ‘I was embarrassed, Jared. I thought that’s all it was for you!’

  Her body language—arms folded across her chest, foot tapping—clear signals that she’s pissed.

  ‘That night.’ I rub at my face. ‘I’ve never felt like that before.’ I hope, and silently fucking pray she feels the same way. Because this is way out of my fucking comfort zone.

  ‘Who is the blonde?’ she demands. Fuck me, I’m laying it all out, and she’s only interested in the one fucking thing I do not want to discuss. I blow out a frustrated breath,

  ‘It’s complicated.’ What the hell else am I supposed to tell her? The truth? How can I? She ponders on my answer for a second. I can see the indecision flash in her eyes. Then she decides it isn’t good enough.

  ‘Be honest with me?’ She pleads. Just say it, just fucking tell her. I just don’t know how to start. What to say. It’s complicated just about covers it, what else can I say? I shrug my shoulders, like the prick I am. Total fucking dick move. I know it, but what else can I do?

  ‘Okay, fine.’ She pushes passed me. I don’t try to stop her. But I follow her at a safe distance, just so I know she’s safe. When I see her light turn on, I watch as she closes her curtains. I slip into the shadows so she won’t notice me. Brad turns up then. I catch his scent on the wind before he sneaks up.

  ‘What’s going on, my man?’ Howard had clearly had enough for the night and sent Brad instead. I don’t answer—just start walking back to the club. ‘Whoa, quiet down there, Mr fuckin’ Chatty pants.’ Ever the comedian, I have to smile. Brad keeps my pace and socks me in the arm. ‘You gonna talk or do I get to beat it outta you?’

  Shaking my head, I throw my hands up in the air. ‘I don’t fucking know, Brad, I’m going out of my goddamn mind.’ Brad stops and puts his hands in his pockets,

  ‘I don’t know what to say, t’yah man. Maybe just speak to your dad?’ He shrugs his shoulders, knowing damn well that’s a lost cause,

  ‘He won’t fucking listen, why the fuck I ever gave in and agreed is beyond me. I don’t know what I was fuckin’ thinking.’

  ‘Jared, you’ve always put the pack before yourself, maybe you need to think about yourself for a change?’

  My head whips up at that. Could I actually do that? It was just bad luck that my father was the alpha and I was the alpha heir. Sometimes, I love being a leader. It’s in my blood, and it comes naturally, but now, I feel suffocated, closed in like an animal in a cage. I need some time alone, a break, to give my head some space.

  ‘You’re right. Listen, buddy, I need some time to think. I’m gonna disappear for a couple of days, give my head some space.’ Brad starts to backpedal then, stuttering and starting to protest.

  ‘I didn’t mean you should fuck off somewhere. I meant like choose who you want. You can’t just disappear? He’ll go apeshit.’

  I know what my father will do, but I need this if I’m going to commit the rest of my life to a female I barely tolerate, let alone like. I need a clear head to rationalise why that’s a good idea. I need time to decide if I can put myself through that for the good of the pack. Because right now, my head and my heart are on the same page, and that is with the female I’ve left to walk to her dorm room alone, not with the one my father has chosen.

  When I wake up three days after seeing Jared in the club, I decide to get a grip on myself. I get a shower and go out, making my mind up to just ignore him if I see him around. There are all sorts of things going on at the University for fresher’s, so I make my way through the crowds and wander around all the market stalls—there is everything from jewellery to cupcakes. I’m taken by a small art stall, which also has a collection of used books for sale. Deciding I need something to occupy my mind I peruse them all. I usually read on my Kindle, but you can never beat the smell and feel of a real book. Each one that catches my eye seems to be a romance. And I am NOT in the mood for that. I decide, in the end, on a serial killer’s story. Myra Hindley. That sounds disturbing enough to keep my mind off of Jared. I pay for it and wander on. I’m passing a small sweet stall when I get the feeling I’m being watched, and looking around I notice a guy watching me. He’s a kitsune, good looking—not Jared good looking—with blue eyes and scruffy blonde hair. He doesn’t look away, just stares right at me. Unsure of what to do next I smile in acknowledgement and carry on walking. Weird.

  I leave the market area and head on toward a café bar. I order a latte and wait for it to arrive while reading the first chapter of Myra Hindley’s story. It’s not long before blue-eyes walks through the door. I sigh as he comes over and sits opposite me in the booth, uninvited. What is it with guys at the minute? He sits there, exuding confidence. Resting his arms wide on the back of the sofa he grins an Oscar-winning smile. It’s perfect but for a slightly crooked tooth, and the curve to his nose is a tell-tale sign it has been broken at least once.

  ‘Oh, by all means, sit down,’ I say with as much sarcasm as I can muster. His smile quirks up at the side of his mouth.

  ‘I don’t need permission.’

  I lift an eyebrow in question, a little surprised at his self-assurance. Maybe it is the kitsune in him? I’ve barely had any experience with kitsunes so from this meeting, and my mother, of course, I’m lumping them all together and assuming they are all assholes.

  ‘Oh?’ I question. He shakes his head slowly. He looks menacing now.

  ‘I do what I want, when I want, with whoever I want.’

  Jesus Christ, do I attract them? I get up to leave because honestly, I don’t have the energy for another asshat.

  He grabs for my arm. ‘Hang on, Devon.’

  I turn back in shock at my name on his lips. ‘Look, do whatever you want, with someone else, I’m not interested.’

  His grip tightens minutely before he lets go. I walk away. Shaken, I stand outside the café, unsure of where to go. I don’t want to go back to my room, but the weather is rubbish, so I don’t want to mill around aimlessly either. I text Maiya, asking her to meet me. I don’t want to be alone. I’m astounded at the fact I’ve managed a whole eighteen years without bumping into another wolf or kitsune besides my parents, and in less than ten days I’ve come face to face with three.

  Maiya comes out to meet me. We make a couple of stops at various bars. We are well into our afternoon drinking when I catch the scent of Jared’s brawny friend. He stands a distance away but doesn’t come over. He holds his pint up in acknowledgement when I catch his eye. He is just what I don’t need. Fantastic. Maiya finishes her drink and shakes her glass at me,

  ‘You’re slacking,’ she giggles. I smile and down my drink in two gulps.

  ‘I think you forget—I’m a lightweight when it comes to drinking.’

  ‘Only one way to remedy that, come on next pub.’ I
look over to Brawny and give him a dirty look as I pass. I hope from that, he understands just how I feel about him and his cheating asshole friend. We end up in a quaint little English pub. There’s an open fireplace in the middle of the room lit with a roaring fire, the pictures on the wall sport brass frames of men in red coats on horseback. Everywhere I look, there are more brass ornaments, horseshoes and other trinkets dotted around. I’m lost at all there is to see, my eyes going from one thing to another. Maiya, noticing I’ve stopped, comes back, tugging on my arm. She laughs. ‘I was having a full on convo with you. I turn around, and you’re gone. Made me look like a right loon.’ I’m still mesmerised by this pub. There are beams on the ceiling, and none of the walls are straight or smooth. It’s like something you’d see in a painting. The windows are so small that there’s barely any natural light, and the bar has glasses hanging above it. The only other customers are a couple of old men in one corner and a small group of younger guys playing darts in the far corner. Maiya gets the drinks in, while I sit at a small round table. I knew I was wrong to trust Maiya when she brings back two glasses of amber liquid and two shots.

  ‘What are those?’ I point.

  ‘That is a red bull,’ she tells me pointing to the larger glass, ‘and this is a Jägermeister.’ She lifts the two shots and drops them into the larger of the glasses. ‘And that is a Jägerbomb.’ She grins like the Cheshire cat. My glass is fizzing when I lift it to my mouth.

  ‘Mmm.’ It tastes delicious.

  ‘Good, right?’ I nod my agreement. And take another sip, just as Brawny comes in. I groan internally. The last thing I need is another round with him. Hopefully, it’s just a simple coincidence that he’s come in after me. My hopes of that are soon dashed when he lifts his phone to his ear, as Maiya leaves for the ladies.

  ‘She’s here, yeah, in The Crown, yep no problem.’ He’s come over and sat on Maiya’s stool while he speaks. I gather my jacket and bag and make to go after her, wanting nothing to do with him. He stands and goes to grasp at my arm, but thinks better of it, as I glare at him, daring him to touch me again.

  I walk into the ladies. Maiya is also on the phone.

  ‘Yeah, we’re in The Crown, you should definitely come.’ I want to interrupt her and tell her that I want to leave, but I don’t have the heart. She continues talking while applying her lipstick and plumping her hair. She rolls her eyes and makes the universal sign for ‘talks too much’ with her hand. I smile, shaking my head because Maiya is the queen of talking too much. I tidy up my own hair and makeup while I wait. When we’re finished preening, and her conversation is over, she divulges the details of who is coming out to meet us for our ‘afternoon session’ as she calls it. I’d almost forgotten that Jared’s brawny friend was at our table, but was quickly reminded when I found Jared propped up against the wall opposite the ladies’ room. I groan out loud. As I stop, Maiya walks into the back of me, jostling me forward.

  ‘Shit, sorry.’ She giggles like a schoolgirl. Jared is stony faced and has asshole written all over him. Despite being the most gorgeous guy I’ve ever laid eyes on, his mood is obvious. And it’s clearly directed at me. Maiya gets the hint that I’m staying and she sashays her ass all the way back to the table, where brawny is still sitting.

  ‘What do you want, Jared?’

  He stands up straight and comes over to me, pushing his nose into my hair and cupping my face.

  ‘Just you.’

  My vagina has its own little party, and my stomach does flips at his words. But I will not give in.

  ‘Looked to me like you were doing just fine with your supermodel blonde.’

  He growls at my answer, clenching and unclenching his fists.

  ‘She isn’t important.’ Nice.

  ‘Well, I’m not into screwing around with a guy who has a significant other so—’

  ‘Fucking hell. Will you give me a break?’

  ‘Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realise I was the one being unfair here! You came to my room, fucked me, then you complained about me calling it a one-night stand when clearly that was the case because you have a girlfriend!’ I bite out, almost growling the last few words at him while I poke at his chest. He rests one foot up against the wall, looking resigned.

  ‘Can we talk?

  ‘So talk?’ I snap.

  ‘Are you drunk?’

  I don’t want to answer that. So I look on in defiance.

  ‘Can we go somewhere private and talk?’

  ‘Why, Jared? What is there to talk about? You have a girlfriend. The end.’

  ‘Devon, please?’

  God, he’s killing me.

  ‘Fine,’ I concede. He leads me through a doorway, and we come out into another room with a pool table in, the light is still bad, and it has the same type of décor as the main room, but we’re alone. I don’t trust myself being alone with him because my body seems to have a mind of its own and acts of its own accord around him. But I certainly don’t want to be second best to another woman. So the quicker we get this talk over the better. I walk over and perch myself on the corner of the pool table.

  ‘Okay, talk,’ I snap with my arms folded tight across my chest. He comes over to me slowly. Stalking me like a predator with its prey. I can see a slow-burning lust in his eyes that no doubt mirrors my own. I can’t help but want him. It’s like an inbuilt need. My body needs his. The minute we crossed that boundary it was like nothing else would ever compare. His hands are on my thighs, his green eyes boring into mine. I’m lost to him. I jump sucking in a deep breath as Niagara Falls once again fills my barely-there panties.

  ‘Whoa, back up, this needs to stop.’ He doesn’t move—just presses his fingers into my thighs.

  ‘Jared!’ I warn.

  Again he doesn’t move. His mouth is almost on mine. Just a little more—an inch, that’s all it is. I lick my dry lips in anticipation. That pushes him over the edge. His lips meet mine in a soft embrace. So delicately. His tongue is willing my mouth open for him. My hands move to his hair as he crushes me against him. He moans into my mouth as my legs come up and around his waist like a desperate, needy slut-bag. My boobs are pressing up against his hard chest. My body recognises his and as if it has a mind of its own, goes on autopilot. My brain is clearly giving way to the moment.

  He ends the kiss, leaving my lips tingling, and now we’ve started my body objects to the sudden change of plan. I shake a little sense back into myself. What the hell is it with him?

  ‘I need you to hear me out,’ he says. ‘Please don’t run again. Just listen to me. I need to explain everything.’

  I come back down to earth with a bang. Shit.

  ‘Okay.’

  ‘So the female you saw me with…’ He’s clearly uncomfortable talking about her, but I giggle at him calling her a female. Then straighten my face as he remains serious. ‘It’s a pack thing.’ When my eyes widen, and my brows shoot up, he knows I’m clueless. ‘In your pack—’ I put my hand up to stop him.

  ‘Wait a minute. I don’t have a pack, Jared. I was an only child and my dad raised me. I’ve never met anyone else like me until I met you.’ Now his brows shoot up.

  ‘Whoa, you never met any other wolves? How did you…’

  I shake my head at his change of subject?

  ‘The blonde, Jared? You were saying?’ He sucks in a deep breath,

  ‘Right, yeah erm… In my pack, my father is the alpha, but soon I’ll take over as alpha. And as the alpha’s son, I have certain responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is making sure my bloodline continues to be strong. I had until I was eighteen to choose a mate. If I haven’t chosen by then, my father chooses for me.’

  Wow, this is the twentieth century, right?

  ‘It’s the way it’s been for centuries.’

  ‘Hang on, how old are you now?’

  ‘Twenty.’ it takes a second to digest, but then the penny drops.

  ‘The blonde is your father’s choice? Like an arranged marriage?�
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  ‘Yes, this is what I was trying to say. It’s complicated, but I’ve already been on the phone to him. I can’t be with her Devon, not when…’ He runs his fingers through his hair. ‘I can’t explain it.’ He laughs nervously, his eyes never leaving mine, his fingers back to caressing my thighs. ‘You… It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. I haven’t eaten or slept properly. I can’t stop thinking about you. I’m driving the rest of them crazy. I don’t even see Kristen. I know it’s not fair to her, but I just don’t, she can walk in a room and turn every man’s head, but not mine.’ So she has a name. Kristen.

  ‘Does she know about me?’ He nods. His face is pained.

  ‘When we,’ he stumbles over his words before starting again. ‘When we were together, I umm, I kind of—’ he sighs in frustration ‘—I couldn’t help it, it just happened.’

  ‘What? You, kind of what?’ For god sake spit it out already.

  ‘I marked you. I didn’t know it was happening, but I knew I wanted to and it just kind of happened.’

  ‘Say what now?’

  ‘I’ve marked you as mine.’ He looks quite pleased with himself. I’m still confused and a little taken aback. ‘It’s not meant to happen the first time. As far as I know, it’s meant to happen when you choose your life mate—when you fall in love.’ Shit on a stick.

  ‘How? I haven’t seen any mark? I don’t feel any different—what’s changed? I don’t get it?’

  ‘You smell different. My scent is all over you and to any other wolf, male or female, they’ll know that you’re mine.’

  ‘I’m yours? You say it like I’m property.’

  He grins. Actually grins.

  ‘Well, it’s kinda like you are, once you’re marked, all males know that if they touch you, they pay.’

  ‘You have got to be shitting me? First of all, you don’t fucking own me, and second, even if I wanted to be marked, which I don’t, who gives you the right to lay claim on me?’