by Davis, Lia;
Everly watched her for a moment but before she could ask her anything, Bree changed the subject and started chatting with Sophia about class and an upcoming school festival.
Brady returned with a young guy that looked to be about sixteen. The teen boy glanced at Bree and smiled. “Hi, Bree.”
Bree looked up and her cheeks tinted. Uh oh. Boys! Everly watched Brady tense up and glare at the boy. Then with a snarl, he said, “The tree, Dustin.”
Acknowledgement lit up Dustin’s face and he quietly ducked his head and focused on the tree. “This is a big one.” He pulled out a radio from his back pocket. “Send Parker over to Section E to help with that big tree.”
Brady was still glaring at the kid and Everly was starting to feel sorry for him. Stepping closer to Brady, she gained his attention instantly, which she figured it would since Vivian said Everly was his mate. “Stop making him uncomfortable.”
“He’s too old to be looking at her like that.”
Everly laughed, then tried to look serious. She failed. “He’s what? Sixteen?”
Dustin muttered, “Seventeen. And I mean no disrespect. Bree is in my French class.”
Everly frowned and she realized Dustin was a wolf. She could see where Brady was coming from then and she was sure he’d tell her more when they were alone. If he didn’t volunteer the information, then she’d ask.
A grunt escaped Brady. “Is there a place I can pull my truck around, so we don’t have to carry it far?”
Dustin pointed behind them to the fence. There was a gate a few feet down from where they stood. “This is why we put this big boy here.”
Brady nodded and left to get his truck. Not long after another teen boy showed. Everly guessed it was Parker. The two boys went to work getting the tree ready to be tied down on the truck.
She shook her head when the boys got the tree down. That was a huge tree.
* * *
“It’s perfect.” Brady stepped back and examined the tree.
“I’ll admit, I had my doubts about it fitting.” Everly laughed, soft and song-like. “We need the ornaments from the attic.”
He hardened at the tease in her voice. She’d relaxed even more since dinner, and that made his wolf happy. The beast also paced impatiently because he wanted to claim her. They’d been too long without their mate.
Moving to the hallway, he tried to contain his wolf’s urges. He stopped to ask Bree, “Why don’t you go make some hot chocolate while I drag the boxes down?”
“Okay.” Bree jumped up from the sofa, grabbed Sophia’s hand, and tugged her to the kitchen.
Everly followed him to the hallway toward the attic door. He glanced at her and smiled. This would give them time to talk. Even if it was for a little bit.
After he pulled the door in the ceiling and the stairs lowered, he stepped aside so Everly could climb up first. She knew where the light was because they used to play up there together as kids. When they were teens, it was where they smoked pot. And later in their teen years, they made out.
She clicked the light on and looked around the space. “Wow, this brings back some memories.”
“I haven’t been up here since I’ve been back.” Brady scanned the dusty attic. He didn’t want to be reminded of how much he fucked up by not telling her he had to leave. “The day I left…My mind wasn’t in the right place. Bree called and said she needed help. She said she got my number from Dad’s phone.”
Brady lifted his gaze to Everly’s. “Bree sounded scared for her life. She didn’t go into details, but my senses were firing off that the bastard had done something.”
He moved to the old chair that was covered with a black sheet. “I wasn’t prepared for what I walked into. The house was trashed. There was garbage and liquor bottles everywhere and the smell was overwhelming. The bastard was passed out in his bed, so I searched for Bree. She was locked in her room. When I broke down the door, she was in wolf form and snarling at me from the bed.”
Everly wrapped her arms around him and pressed her cheek to his chest. He inhaled her rose vanilla scent and held her as he continued. “Bree had a bucket in the corner of her room to go to the bathroom. She doesn’t remember how long she’d been in there. Years. She also said he wasn’t always like that.”
He felt Everly’s arms tight around him. “That’s awful.”
Brady nodded. “Bree’s wolf was feral, and I guessed she was in wolf form more than human. I couldn’t approach her without stressing her out. So I left the room, leaving the door open so she could hear what would happen next.”
He frowned and added, “I wasn’t father material at the time and didn’t know what to do with a ten-year-old kid. But I knew her wolf needed to know I was there to protect her. I went into the old man’s room, picked him up out of the bed and dumped him in the tub. Then I turned on the shower, cold water only.”
“That’ll wake someone up.” Everly’s tone was dark even though he sensed that she meant to keep it light.
“Yeah. He was pissed and attacked me, not knowing who I was. He was also too weak to fight me, so he ran off.” Brady sat in the dust-covered chair, bringing Everly with him. “I didn’t chase him down because I knew he’d be back when he sobered up. So I cleaned the house and took Bree’s door off her room. It took a few days before she felt safe enough to shift and come talk to me.”
“That poor girl. How did she call you if her wolf had taken over?” Everly traced an invisible line on his arm.
Brady leaned his head back against the chair and closed his eyes. Eve’s touch calmed him. And he’d starved for her touch since he left. “When we are in wolf form, we are aware of everything that is going on. Unless we go rogue. Bree said she convinced her wolf to let her out so she could call for help. She has an impossible bond with her wolf. I’ve never seen anyone as young as her to be so in control and in sync with their animal.”
“That’s probably what kept her alive.” Everly frowned and her eyes watered. “Where is your dad?”
“Prison. I turned him over to the local pack in California. Joel had several warrants for his arrest in the human justice system. One being for murder of a human—Bree’s mother.” He paused and took a deep breath. Talking about Joel made Brady’s wolf want to kill the bastard.
Hugging Everly tight against him, he buried his nose into the bend of her neck. “I’m sorry for not calling. By the time I got everything settled, I figured you wouldn’t want to talk to me. Not until I came back and begged.”
Her scent filled his senses and he hardened. He could drown in her scent and die a happy wolf.
“I should make you beg, but I’d feel bad now that I know. You’re right though. I was pissed and hurt. I would have torn up your note and not listened.” She snuggled into him.
His wolf whimpered then growled at her admission of being hurt by his actions. “I’m sorry. Being without you wasn’t easy for me either. I worried that the moved was too soon for Bree, but she says she was happier. She’s making friends and going to school.”
Everly lifted her head and locked gazes with him. “Vivian said you were my mate.”
“You are. I’ve known since we the first time we made love.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
He shrugged. “I wasn’t sure you felt the pull or that you’d want to be bound to a wolf for the rest of your life.”
One side of her mouth lifted in a half smile. She started to say something when Bree stuck her head up from the trapdoor of the attic. “Are you two going to make out up here? You might want to shut the door.”
Everly’s cheek tinted and she scooted off his lap. “We should get that tree decorated.”
He chuckled and pointed to the four totes next to the stairs. “Everything should be in there.”
Everly moved to the stairs. “If you hand them to me, I’ll pass them to the girls.”
Before she could descend the stairs, he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her flush with him. “I’m no
t fucking up this second chance. You’re my mate and I want to prove to you I will do whatever it takes to keep you.”
She framed his face. “Don’t leave me without giving me the choice to go with you.”
Hope and desire bloomed inside him. “I promise.” He kissed her, letting it linger long enough to get gagging noises from Bree. Chuckling, he broke the kiss and motioned to the stairs. “After you.”
Chapter Five
Everly sat on the sofa watching the girls decorate the tree. Thoughts of what Brady had told her swirled in her mind. She couldn’t help but to feel heartache for Bree. She was lucky she had Brady and had reached out to him when she did. Things could have ended much worse for the teen.
Brady entered the living room from the kitchen, carrying a tray of snacks. When she met his gaze, he nodded toward his bedroom. Desire flooded her and she wasn’t sure she should be alone with him, near a bed.
Yet, she couldn’t stop herself. The pull to him was too strong. Now that she knew she was his mate, she understood more about what she felt. It was bad for her too when he left, and she’d never left that great of a loss for someone that was still alive.
Setting her mug of hot cocoa on the coffee table, she followed him to the bedroom. He had the master suite at the far end of the house. Bree’s room was on the other side.
Upon entering the bedroom, she noted that he’d redecorated it. His mom’s flowery curtains were gone and replaced with beige-colored blinds. The carpet had been removed to reveal the dark hardwood floors that was under it.
“I like what you did to the room.”
He shut the door and locked it. “You know I hated Mom’s curtains. The carpet needed to go.”
She watched him prowl toward her, his shoulder rolling as he moved. Damn, he was hot. “Is that why it took you a week to come and beg for forgiveness?”
The corners of his lips twitched, and his eyes brightened, indicating that his wolf was watching her from within. He reached her, cupped her head and drew her close while capturing her lips in a toe-curling, fire-igniting kiss. She groaned and pressed her body against his and circled her arms around his neck. Their mouth moved in sync and when his tongue touched her lips, she opened.
Desire exploded inside her. It’d been too long since she’d kissed him. Damn, she missed the intense emotions and sensations from his kisses and his touches. She missed him and the way he drove her mad with just his voice.
Easing her down onto the soft mattress, he gazed into the depths of her desire-filled eyes. The flame they once had flared to life, as if waiting for the moment when they would reunite. Her heart rate increased as he ran his knuckles down her cheek and she shuddered. “I’m not leaving you again.”
Tears stung her eyes, but she blinked them away. The tears weren’t of sadness. They were a result of the overwhelming emotions of learning the truth and finally having him back in her life. A tiny part of her still told her to be careful, don’t get attached. She shoved that part of her conscience to the back of her mind. She’d longed for this moment and she would enjoy it.
“You’re mine. Do you understand what that means? What it would mean if I claimed you tonight.” He held her gaze.
Did she? “Wolves mate for life.”
“The bond is almost unbreakable.” He kissed her nose. “And there will never be another mate for me for as long as you live.”
That she didn’t know. Was that what Vivian meant when she said to ask Brady about mating? Could she live the rest of her life with Brady? Hell, yeah she could. “I’ve always loved you. Even before I knew what love was.”
He crushed his mouth to hers. A charged energy passed between them, raw and hot. Her body under his felt too damn good, too perfect. She should have hunted him down the moment she realized he’d left. However, things happened for a reason. Plus, he came back to her.
Tearing his mouth from hers, he trailed light kisses down her jaw to her neck. A whimper escaped her, and she tightened her grip on his hair. Her pussy ached, wanting to milk him dry. Soft pants escaped her and turned to moans as he gently bit down on the soft curve of her throat.
“I missed your scent on me,” he growled.
She pushed at his chest, then jerked at his shirt. “Too many clothes. It’s been too long…”
Laughing, he sat up on his knees and yanked his T-shirt off. She sucked her lower lip between her teeth. With desire bright in her gaze, she ran her fingers down his chest. He gritted his teeth and held onto the small amount of control he had left. When she reached the top of his jeans and started to undo them, he grabbed her wrists and pinned them to the bed over her head.
With his free hand, he released his claws and smirked. With one claw, he sliced open her shirt, then her bra. Everly moved under him, rubbing her still-clothed lower half against him. Desire raced in her blood.
She guessed he wanted to take his time with her. Not happening. Not this time. She wanted him inside too much for slow and nice.
Releasing her hands, he popped the button from her jeans and removed them along with her panties. After removing his own clothes, he returned to her. All the while admiring her modest curves. “Beautiful.”
The single word came out graveled, fueling her need to have him even more.
Her lips lifted slightly, and she cupped the back of his head to pull him to her until their lips touched. Searing need pulsed through her as their tongues twined together, familiar and new at the same time.
She wrapped her legs around his waist, squeezed, and then jerked him forward. They groaned in unison as he entered her. Shit, the connection binding them together was strong. It was as if they’d never spent any time apart.
Thrusting his hips in a raw, hot rhythm, his fangs lengthened, and he struck, biting her in the sensitive spot where her throat met her shoulder. She screamed out as an orgasm slammed into her. Her pussy milked him, pushing him closer to his own release.
The invisible strings of the mating bond wove together in a kaleidoscope of emotions. He increased his tempo and rode the wave of pleasure bouncing between them. The raw desire only Everly could ignite and tame rolled with the wave.
Mine.
He wasn’t sure if he growled out the word or thought it as his balls tightened and his own climax surged through him.
Chapter Six
Brady stepped out of the shower the next morning to his phone ringing. After wrapping a towel around his waist, he crossed the room to the bed-side table. Caller ID said California and dread slammed into his gut.
“What’s up?” he barked into the phone.
Matt, one of the enforcers from the California pack, said, “Joel broke out of prison. We have a team out tracking him but think he might be heading your way.”
Fury rolled inside Brady. He let out a growl. “I’m not bringing him in this time. I turned him over only to have your Alpha turn him into the human police. Joel is dead if he comes here.”
“I figured as much. My Alpha knows this and will not intervene.” Matt hung up.
Brady tossed his phone on the bed and stood in the middle of his room, focusing on his breathing. Fear mixed with fury, making a dangerous brew. His wolf paced under his skin, wanting out to track down the fucker.
The bedroom door opened then closed. Everly’s scent surrounded him and he felt her concern through their mating bond. He opened his eyes and met her gaze. “Joel broke out of prison.”
She sucked in a breath and her eyes widened. “How long ago?”
“I didn’t ask. It doesn’t matter.” Brady paced to the bed and sat down, putting his head in his hands. “I can’t tell Bree. She’d run, which would make her a bigger target.”
“So we don’t tell her. We go on with our plans to take her out and have fun. We could go to the winter festival. It’s a public place and a lot of the Wolfe Pack will be there. He’d be stupid to do anything in the open.” She frowned as if having the same thought as he did—Joel was past stupid into crazy territory.
“Joel’s crazy. If he broke out, there is only one thing he wants. Revenge. And Bree would be a way of getting me back for turning him in.” Brady lifted his head and glanced at the closed door. He could hear the girls in the kitchen, giggling about something. Bree was happy and finally being a kid and enjoying life. He’d be damned if he’d let Joel come back and fuck that up.
“What are you going to do?” Everly asked.
“I’m going to kill the bastard.” He stood and dressed.
“Then we need to flush him out in the open by pretending we don’t know he’s free.” Everly hugged him from behind and kissed his shoulder. “I’ll call Ash and have him alert Aric and the enforcers.”
He studied his mate. For a preschool teacher, she had a dark streak. Dipping his head, he captured her lips. She sighed and leaned into the kiss. “I love you.”
She smiled. “Love you, too.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being my mate.”
She rose on her toes and kissed him. “You’re stuck with me. If you have to leave to protect Bree, I’m going with you.”
“Deal.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her to the door. “Now let’s go make sure the girls aren’t burning down the kitchen.”
Brady had his emotions in check by the time they reached the kitchen. Bree was at the stove cooking bacon while Sophia was making waffles. He smirked. “It looks like breakfast is covered.”
Laughing, Bree waved the tongs at him. “Why don’t you cut up the strawberries.”
“Are you sassing me?” Brady lifted one brow and walked toward her.
She started laughing and darted away from him. “Don’t start.”
Shaking his head, he moved to the fridge and pulled out the strawberries. Everly took out two knives and handed one of them to him. They cut the strawberries together. Bree returned to the bacon while keeping an eye on him.
He always included play and hunt skills on a daily basis. They also trained a couple times a week. That was how he got her confidence and strength up as quickly as he did. He also wanted to make sure she was ready to face the bastard if the time ever came.