Gideon barked out a laugh, and Brie looked at him as though he was crazy. He shook his head then cupped her face. “Brie, you’re gorgeous, caring, and my mate. I want you. Don’t think I don’t. When I make love to you, we’re both going to enjoy it. Fuck, I’ve had a hard-on for you since I first saw you, but I just don’t like others knowing what I’m doing. I also don’t like the fact that we don’t really know each other, and we’re doing things backward.” He wasn’t usually so cautious about sex, but this was different than all those other times for more reasons than one.
Her eyes widened, and her gaze went to his dick. She blushed even more, and he snorted. His cock was so hard he was surprised he hadn’t already burst the zipper.
“Well, at least I know you want me, right?” she asked, her voice a bit shaky. He could scent her arousal, and it only pushed him further. “Because I want you too.”
She held out her hand, and he took it then pulled her close to his body. She gasped then melted into him.
“I’m an Alpha, little wolf. I like control. You okay giving it to me?”
She nodded, then licked her lips. “Take it. Take me.”
He growled and crushed his mouth to hers. Her lips parted, and he thrust his tongue inside as he cupped the back of her head. She rocked and his wolf pushed at him, wanting more. If the wolf had his way, he’d slam Brie against the wall and fuck her hard right there. When she moaned under him, he wrapped her hair around his fist and forced her to stay put. He needed her taste sealed on his tongue, needed her to know that he was the one calling the shots.
When he pulled away, they were both gasping for air. “Bedroom,” he growled out, and she nodded.
He put the thoughts of his Pack and everything else that would interrupt them out of his head. Right then, this would be just for them. They both deserved it even if he didn’t know what would come next.
When they got to his room, her gaze went to the new hole in his wall, and he held back a curse. She just turned toward him and raised a brow.
“I’ll fix it tomorrow.”
“Okay.” No questions. No accusations. Maybe he could get used to having a mate.
“You ready for this?”
“Stop asking and take me.” She licked her lips, her wolf in her eyes, but still a shy smile on her face despite her words.
Damn, he wanted her. He kissed her again, this time letting his hands roam down her back to cup her ass. She rocked into him and let out a little moan. His little wolf liked his touch. Good.
He molded her ass in his hands then pulled back so he could strip off her dress. He swallowed at the sight of her in nothing but her panties.
Small. White. Lacy.
Her nipples, already pink, blushed a soft red as he stared. He couldn’t wait to suck on them until they reddened a dark cherry. “I…I didn’t have a bra that worked with this dress.”
“Fuck, you look amazing.” He reached out and cupped her breast. Her eyes widened, and he rolled her nipple between his fingers. “I like that you’re already unwrapped for me. Makes it easy for me to taste every inch of you.” He cupped both breasts and felt the weight of them in his palms. “I know you have to wear a bra every day since your tits will bounce without them, but I’m going to enjoy unwrapping you myself too.”
She pressed her breasts into his hands, and he grinned. “Please…”
He pinched her nipples hard, and she let out a little gasp. “Please what, little wolf? Please lick your nipples? Please suck on them? Do you want me to fuck them? Stick my dick between the two of them and slide between them? Or maybe I’ll do that and have you suck on my cock at the same time. What do you think?”
She squirmed, and he grinned. He didn’t know she’d be like this, so open, so ready. He’d been afraid she’d be scared of what he wanted, but from the way she moved, he was wrong. He wouldn’t do everything tonight, no use scaring her, but maybe they could make this mating work—at least in the bedroom.
“There…there’s something you should know.”
His hand was lower on her belly, playing with the edge of the scrap of lace between her thighs, and he froze. “Okay.”
“I’ve never done this before.”
He blinked. “You mean you’ve never mated before.”
She shook her head, her eyes downcast. “I’ve never made love before.”
He pulled away, shocked but, honestly, not that shocked. He’d had a feeling even if he hadn’t wanted to admit it.
She looked up at him, her eyes wide. She crossed her arms over her breasts, her face pale.
“You can’t be serious. You’re in your thirties, Brie. You’re a wolf. You might be submissive, but you have needs and heat just like the rest of the females in the Pack.”
She raised her chin, her eyes filling with tears. “Yes, but I’m not like the other girls.”
“What the hell do you mean by that?” Fuck. Tonight was not going right. He thought he was doing okay, but hell, it looked as though things fucked up before they could even start.
Her lower lip trembled, and he wanted to pull her into his arms and make everything better.
He didn’t.
“I saw you when I was seventeen, Gideon. You were in the den talking to Kade, and I just saw the back of you. I knew who you were to me from that day forward.”
He sucked in a breath. The ramifications of what she was saying hit him hard in the chest. “You’ve known all this time?”
She nodded, a single tear falling down her cheek. “Yes, and I didn’t do anything about it. I was damn sure to make sure you never saw me until I had no other choice.”
“Why?” His wolf slammed into him then whimpered, as if he was angry and hurt at the same time. He didn’t blame it; Gideon was feeling pretty much the same.
“You know why. Don’t think I did it because I enjoyed the pain of knowing you’d be with others, but I couldn’t because my wolf had already chosen. I was never going to be the right mate for you. You know that too, or you would have come for me as soon as you found out. Instead, we’re forced into this. So yes, I’m a virgin because I couldn’t find a wolf that my wolf would accept, even if only for a night.”
“I…I don’t know what to say, Brie.”
She shook her head. “Then don’t say anything. We need to complete the bond, and I don’t want to start this mating feeling like I did something wrong.”
He took a step toward her and cupped her face in both hands. “You didn’t, little wolf. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
She bit her lip and closed her eyes. “Please, can we just get this over with?”
He lowered his head, resting his forehead against hers. “I’m going to make this good for you. It might hurt, but I’ll do my best to make it worth it.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
Damn it. He felt like a heel. Not only were they mating under the wrong circumstances, now he was going to take her virginity. He’d deal with the fact she’d known about him all this time later. It would hurt the both of them if he worried about it now.
Instead, he pulled her closer and kissed her again. She stood frozen until he licked the seam of her lips. Slowly, she melted against him. He slid his hands down her arms and forced her to lower them, baring her breasts. Her body shook, and he stood back, admiring her curves.
He traced her breasts then her sides, before slowly taking off her panties. He sucked in a breath at the sight of the dark triangle of hair between her thighs. He could scent her and knew she was wet, ready for him, but he wanted this to be as good for her as possible. He also knew that she would feel vulnerable standing naked in front of him while he kept his clothes on. Next time, he’d take more control, be rougher, but not this time.
Instead, he stood back and stripped out of his clothes. She’d seen naked bodies before, of course. She couldn’t be a wolf on the hunt and not see them in passing, but he wanted to make sure he gave her enough time to study him. His wolf was on edge, forcing his body to shake, but he
took control, knowing he had to…for her.
When her gaze rested on his cock, he took it in hand and stroked it, watching the way her eyes glowed gold.
Good.
He then took two steps toward her and slowly lowered her to the bed. He felt her tremble beneath him, so he kissed her softly, trying to soothe. He wasn’t any good at this soothing and caring shit. He was an Alpha who took and made it good for his partner because they took what he gave and reveled in it. This was different for him, but then again, all of this was new.
“Scoot up,” he whispered, and she made her way to the head of the bed.
He knelt between her legs, his hands on her knees. “I want to taste you, little wolf. Will you let me?”
She nodded, her breath coming in pants.
He slowly parted her legs, baring her for his gaze. He licked his lips then lowered himself so he could taste her. When he looked up at her, he saw her blush and knew she wasn’t comfortable.
“You know what I see, Brie?”
She shook her head.
“I see a woman who wants me. Wants me to taste her then fill her. That’s want I want too, little wolf.”
Her throat worked as she swallowed hard.
He lowered his head then licked up her pussy, flicking at her clit. She bucked off the bed, moaning.
“Gideon.”
He nipped at her inner thigh then slowly licked and sucked at her, wanting her to come before he took her.
“Touch your breasts, Brie. Pretend your hands are my hands. You remember what that felt like?”
She moaned again then tentatively cupped her breasts. He growled against her clit then worked her some more, using one finger to breach her entrance. Goddess, she was tight, and he knew he would hurt her, but he’d do his best to make it good for her.
When her panting grew faster and her clit swelled, he sucked on the little nub and worked her harder. Her pussy clamped around his finger, and she arched, coming against his face.
“Gideon!”
His name on her lips pushed him over the edge, and he pulled away, positioning himself at her entrance.
“You ready, little wolf?”
Her gaze met his, her eyes filled with tears. The sight broke him, and he cupped her face, wanting to know how to fix what he’d fucked up.
“I’m ready,” she whispered.
He positioned himself and pressed forward. She winced, her body stiffening when he broke through her hymen. Slowly, oh so slowly, he filled her, his cock pulsing as he worked his way in and out of her. He’d never been with a virgin before, but he at least knew how to make her feel better.
He worked his hand between them and rubbed her clit, watching the way her eyes widened as she grew wetter. Finally, his cock was fully in, and he froze, waiting for her to stretch to accommodate him.
“You okay?”
“You’re big,” she rasped out.
Surprised, he chuckled, and she laughed softly with him. “I like the way you think.” He kissed her softly then lifted his head again. “I’m going to move now, Brie. It might hurt, but then it’ll feel better. I promise.”
“I trust you.”
His world tilted, and he nodded. Her words stunned him, and he prayed that he was enough of a wolf to be worthy of that trust. He kissed her again then worked his way in and out of her. Their gazes locked, never leaving one another as their bodies connected, their breaths synchronizing as he pushed a little harder. His wolf howled, his fangs elongating, ready to mark Brie as theirs. He could see her wolf in her eyes and knew she was close to the edge as well. He pumped in and out of her, his body shaking, sweating with exertion.
This was it. This was the end of the line yet the start of something scarier than anything he’d ever faced.
When she bowed beneath him, he thrust home once more, his lower back tingling and his balls tightening. He came deep inside her, his seed filling her. He gasped as their souls locked, entwining around one another like a solid band, much stronger than he’d ever thought possible.
She turned her head to the side, baring her throat, and he moved so he could cup the back of her head, bringing her mouth to his neck as well. With one last breath, he bit into the meaty part of her shoulder, marking her as his for all time. His wolf howled once more, and he arched against her, pumping again as his cock filled. She bit into his shoulder, and their wolves found one another, their mating complete as their human souls joined.
He lifted his head from her neck then licked the wound closed before taking her mouth in his. He didn’t care that he could taste the blood of their mating, could taste the promise of the unknown, he knew only that he had to have her once more.
Her nails raked down his back, bringing them closer as he pumped in and out of her. With one last thrust, they both came again, their bodies sweat-slick and spent.
He could feel her soul, feel her against him, and knew this was only the beginning.
The beginning of what he didn’t know, but he knew they’d find out.
Together.
Chapter Six
Finn Jamenson stood in the center of the Talon den, his hands in his pockets and mind on everything and nothing. He’d watched his best friend and cousin mate a man she didn’t know, a man who might break her because he wouldn’t know how to do anything else.
It wouldn’t be easy being mated to an Alpha. He knew it wasn’t always easy for his mother, but her wolf was dominant enough to not only face his father’s wolf but also deal with the Pack’s politics. It wasn’t that Kade treated Melanie badly—in fact it was the exact opposite. It was that sometimes the Alpha’s wolf needed to let out aggression…
And that was enough of that line of thinking.
He ran a hand over his face then turned toward the festivities. Brie and Gideon had left to cement their mating, and most of the people in front of him were probably doing their best not to think about what that entailed. He wasn’t sure how his Uncle Jasper was faring, but it couldn’t have been easy for the very dominant wolf to let his daughter marry into another Pack.
That thought brought his wolf to the surface—not that his wolf was ever too far down anyway.
Brie wasn’t one of them anymore. She was a Talon. A Brentwood. The Alpha female.
He wasn’t sure how her submissive nature was going to play out in this case, but if she ever needed him, he’d be there. It didn’t matter that he’d have to cross Pack lines to make sure she was cared for. He might be the Heir, but he was also a Jamenson. Family was important. They’d already lost so much in the wake of a war that had been brought to them.
Finn might have been only a young child at the time, but he still remembered flashes of what his family had lost, could still remember the screaming and burn of the fire as the demon had lashed out. He remembered the exact moment he’d become the Heir—the way the bonds had latched on to him, digging into his soul and spirit.
He also remembered the time before that when he’d lost something important to him. Though he could remember only flashes of the pain that had almost killed him, he knew the memories were still there, buried to shield him.
He swallowed hard then pushed that from his mind. Today was supposed to be a celebration, though no one truly believed that. Willow might have been doing her best to bring the Brentwoods closer so her daughter would be loved, but it wouldn’t matter if things went to hell.
“Why are you frowning?”
Finn turned around at the woman’s words then stuck his hands back in his pockets.
“Brynn, right?” he asked. The woman with dark hair and bright blue eyes nodded, a peculiar expression on her face. Damn, she was sexy, but his wolf didn’t perk up beyond the normal way he did when a strong wolf of another Pack was near.
“Yes, and you’re Finn. We haven’t met formally yet, though we’ve been to a few things together.” There was something off about her voice, but he couldn’t place it. Whatever it was, it wasn’t as though he could fix it. He’d done nothing wrong,
and he honestly didn’t understand women.
He was at least man enough to admit that.
“So, why were you frowning?”
He shrugged, but when she narrowed her eyes, he spoke with honesty. “We don’t know your brother or how this mating will change Brie. She’s ours, even if she has to be yours now because of the bonds.”
She nodded, though she frowned harder. “I understand. Gideon is very important to my family—beyond being the Alpha. I don’t know how this will work either, but I know I don’t want your cousin being hurt because of it.” She met his gaze, and he saw the wolf in her eyes. “I can’t protect her, Finn. If I were to try, I’d cut off her legs before she had a chance to stand. She’ll have to face the Pack on her own, though I will be there to try to catch her if she falls.”
He blinked, stunned that she would admit such a thing. “You’re the dominant female of the Pack at the moment, aren’t you?”
She nodded. “Yes, and I will continue to be so, even with Brie here. I’ll answer to her because she is the Alpha’s mate and because I hope she will do good things for our Pack, but in terms of the strength of our wolves, I will always be stronger.”
Finn cursed under his breath. “It’s fucking confusing. I don’t envy you.”
Brynn shrugged, but he saw the anger rolling under her skin. “I’ll do what I can, but Brie will have to find a way to earn their respect. I just hope she’s strong enough.”
“She’s plenty strong. She only shows it in different ways.”
Brynn met his gaze once again, this time a pain in her eyes that he didn’t understand. “I hope so. I hope she does good for our Pack. We’ve been coasting for far too long. This might be good for us.”
He didn’t say anything but studied her face. Something was off about this conversation, an underlying importance he couldn’t grasp.
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