by Clare Atling
Maggie couldn’t move. Her legs were shaking so much she was afraid she was going to crumble in a heap on the floor. She put her hand to the wall and made her way to the bathroom to try and calm herself before she headed back to the group. As much as she wanted to run back to the house she was staying in, she knew she only had six weeks left to make the connection. Greg had said that Brandon had wanted to mate her, but what if he was wrong? Sweet, sexy Brandon, her mate? She couldn’t bring herself to hope it was true, as she knew she didn’t deserve anything he could give her. She was about to rip his family apart and he would never forgive her, ever.
Once in the bathroom, she splashed some cold water on her face to hide the tears that had leaked out and stared straight into the mirror in front of her. She barely recognised the woman staring back at her.
‘You’re a weak stupid fool,’ she said to herself. ‘You’re going to wind up back where you belong.’ Her tears fell again but, before she could straighten herself out, she heard the door open and in walked Callie.
‘Hey, Maggie, you okay? Brandon was getting worried.’ She looked at Maggie and saw the tear-stained face and red marks on her arms. ‘Maggie, what happened?’ Callie rushed to her side.
‘Sorry, Callie, I’m fine,’ replied Maggie. ‘Someone just bumped into me and I hurt myself. I’m just feeling sorry for myself.’ She smiled, hoping Callie bought her story. She was the one person Maggie trusted and had started to form a bond with, and yet now she stood before her whilst she flat out lied.
‘Brandon’s going to be pissed,’ said Callie. ‘Come on, let’s clean you up before he sees you. Did you see who knocked you?’ Callie turned and got some tissues from the cubical and soaked them in cold water.
‘No, it all happened so fast. I think they were drunk. Will Brandon be okay? I mean... I didn’t mean to stay in here, I just wanted to calm myself before I went back.’ Maggie’s nervousness made her voice so quiet that, had Callie not been a wolf, she wouldn’t have heard.
‘Maggie, he won’t be annoyed at you,’ replied Callie. ‘That’s not what I meant. He will want to kill whoever left these marks on you. Brandon thinks the world of you. If you haven’t already noticed…’ She smiled at Maggie, putting her at ease.
‘Callie, I don’t deserve such a great friend as you. I hope, when the time comes, you can forgive me if ever I upset you.’ Maggie wanted to tell her more, but she couldn’t for fear that Greg would keep his promise. She didn’t want to live in that house with Marcus and his pack, but neither did she want to hurt the people who had opened their home to her in her time of need. They were such trusting people who had lived a happy life until Marcus had turned up.
‘Maggie, I don’t understand. Why would you upset me?’ Callie eyed her suspiciously.
‘Nothing, just ignore me,’ replied Maggie quickly. ‘I’m just feeling sorry for myself. Do I look good enough to face the crowd yet?’ Maggie held her chin up as if to project a calmer appearance.
‘You look perfect,’ said Maggie. ‘But if you prefer, I can get Brandon to come get you and take you home?’
‘No, no. It’s Sarah’s wedding and I don’t want to take him away from his family.’ She shuddered at her last comment, because wasn’t that exactly why she was here? To tear the Penn Lake pack apart?
‘Come on then, let’s go.’ Callie hugged her tight, then took her arm and led her towards the door. Once outside she locked eyes with Brandon, who was waiting for them both.
‘Maggie, what happened? You okay?’ He moved forward and, in one step, he was in the bathroom with them, standing right in front of her. She could feel his breath on her face as he spoke to her, sending shivers through her body.
‘I’m fine. Really. Just got knocked over by someone. I was feeling sorry for myself.’ But Brandon didn’t look convinced. ‘Really, I’m fine.’ She smiled up at him, hoping to calm his already growing anger.
‘I smell Greg on you. Was it Greg who hurt you?’ Brandon’s eyes were glowing amber as his wolf tried to take control.
‘No, he helped me up. He was going to come and tell you, but...’
‘He never said a fucking word. He...’
‘I told him not to, as I didn’t want to ruin your evening. I’m okay, really.’ With that, she stretched up on her tip toes and kissed him, ever so softly, on his lips, hoping to stop his wolf from making an appearance. ‘I’m fine, really,’ she repeated. ‘I’ll even let you kiss me better, if you want to…’ She couldn’t believe she was being so brazen, but she had such little time. She didn’t want to hurt Brandon, but self-preservation had made her bold and she knew, from what the others had told her, that Brandon liked her.
‘Urgh! Please, you guys,’ said Callie. ‘That’s my brother you’re talking about, Maggie!’ She laughed and went back outside to be with her own mate and the rest of the family.
Brandon couldn’t take his eyes off her the entire time she was standing there. His nostrils flared as his heavy breathing drew in and out and, before she could step towards the door, he was on her. He was kissing her lips like he was a man on death row and she was the last meal.
Chapter Three
Brandon had tried to focus on the problem at hand, he really had, but he couldn’t think of anything else but kissing her right then. Her lips moulded to his as he felt her fingers go through his hair, gripping onto him with everything she had. Her scent of arousal hit him hard as he backed her up against the bathroom door, forgetting where they were, forgetting everything but Maggie’s lips pressing against his. Just before he could pull her tighter up against him, the bathroom door gave way behind them and they went crashing through it, landing on the floor, with him on top of her.
‘Jesus, Maggie. You ok? I’m so sorry.’ He looked down at her shocked expression, hoping to god he hadn’t hurt her. She looked up at him and started laughing, running her hand down the side of his face.
‘You know, I kind of thought that, when I finally got you on top of me, it would be in a classier location.’ Her eyes were full of sparkle and mischief. He loved this side of her and wished she showed it to him more often. Normally, she was so shy and avoided eye contact with him, but he didn’t dare question the change in her.
‘Maggie, I’m so sorry.’ He stood up and pulled her up with him, rubbing his hands down her arms to check she wasn’t hurt.
‘I’m fine. We better get back before they think we’ve snuck out on them.’
Brandon didn’t want to go back to the table. Instead, he just wanted to take her home and make good of her earlier statement of being on top of her. Her scent was driving him nuts and he didn’t think he could be a gentleman for much longer.
‘I can’t just yet,’ he said. ‘Just give me a minute.’ Maggie saw the blush in his cheeks and realised what he was talking about. Her eyes drew down his body to his crotch and saw the telltale sign of his erection. ‘Jesus, Maggie, have a heart will you, and stop looking at me like that. I can’t go back out there to my parents like this.’ But Maggie just laughed.
‘Aren’t you supposed to think about things like baseball or politics to help with your... umm... situation?’ She laughed, still looking at his crotch.
‘Hey. Eyes up here, thank you.’ Brandon tried to adjust himself, but it didn’t help. Nothing was going to work whilst she was still looking at him. ‘Maggie, I’m warning you…’ However, he regretted his words the instant he saw her spine stiffen and her eyes fill with panic. His last warning had been meant as a joke, but by the look of her she hadn’t taken it that way. ‘Maggie, I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. I would never hurt you. You know that, right?’ The moment he saw the hurt in her eyes his ‘problem’ was forgotten and his main priority was settling her.
‘I know,’ she replied. ‘It’s just that sometimes memories come back to me.’ Her head lowered and her shoulders slumped. Brandon felt like a royal prick.
‘Maggie, you know I’m here for you if you need to tell me anything. You can trust me. You know that?�
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‘I know and I do. One day, when I’m ready, you’ll know. I’m sorry I ruined the moment.’
‘No baby, you didn’t. Come on, let’s go get another drink. I think I’m safe to go sit with my parents again.’ He laughed, hoping to defuse the situation. Taking her hand, he led her back towards his family and friends.
His parents were still on the dance floor with the newly-married couple and other pack members. Callie was sitting on Logan's lap, wrapped up in his brother’s huge arms. He was looking at his mate as if she were his world. Brandon hoped one day Maggie would be sitting with him like that, possibly at their own wedding. Logan turned and watched them sit down at the table.
‘That didn’t take long, brother. Hope you didn’t mate with her in the back of this dirty bar. Mum will kill you if she has to tell that tale to her grand-kids.’ Callie slapped his arm to make him stop the teasing.
‘Fuck off, Logan,’ replied Brandon. ‘You’re the one who likes dirty motels, from what I hear.’ He turned to Maggie, hoping she hadn’t heard Logan’s remark about mating. However, judging from her bashful look, she knew exactly what Logan had meant.
‘Brandon Penn,’ exclaimed Callie. ‘You know everything I tell you is in confidence.’ She was now sitting up straight, still perched on Logan's lap. ‘Be nice to each other.’ She glared her last comment at Logan.
‘You told him?’ Logan looked shocked.
‘He’s my best friend and now my brother,’ replied Callie. ‘I needed someone to talk to when Sarah was locked away playing at making babies with Seth.’
‘You told him everything?’ Logan still looked shocked that Callie had spoken to his brother about their sex life, but Brandon couldn’t stop the teasing back.
‘Everything, Logan. Every dirty little secret.’ Brandon smiled at his brother’s blush of embarrassment and laughed.
‘Brandon. Stop teasing. I didn’t tell him everything, baby, just the stuff that we hadn’t figured out at the time. I love you.’ Callie smiled and kissed Logan, distracting him from any further conversation.
Maggie sat and watched the brothers. Although they were teasing each other, there was nothing but love between them, which even she could feel. Callie was still kissing Logan when Alex and Hope came back from the table. Alex looked at the smooching couple and shook his head.
‘These two ever come up for air?’ Alex asked, pointing at Logan and Callie. ‘Where’s Greg?’
Brandon felt Maggie stiffen beside him and reached for her hand on the table. Her eyes met his, but the panic he first saw there was now replaced with something else, something he didn’t quite understand. Logan and Callie turned back to the table smiling.
‘He took Mindy home. Which means we won’t see him till morning.’ Logan chuckled, but straightened up when he saw Callie was looking at him with an eyebrow raised. ‘Let him have her. I’ve got the best prize in the room,’ and he kissed Callie's lips tenderly.
‘Well, you would know all about her night-time habits.’ Callie sat back against his chest and folded her arms.
‘Now, now, my jealous mate. You know I love you and I can’t even think why I was so attracted to her in the first place.’
‘Well, if she goes all night I can think of a few reasons,’ said Hope, laughing at her own joke, but stopped dead when she heard her mother behind her.
‘Hope Penn. You hush your mouth now. I raised you better than to make such comments about your brother’s ex-partners.’
‘Busted!’ Logan laughed and pulled Callie up in his arms like he was holding a child. ‘I’m going to take my mate for one last dance before I show her my night-time habits.’ He smiled that sexy smile and looked at Callie, who just rolled her eyes at Logan, but went willingly with him towards the dance floor. Maggie watched as he placed her gently on the floor like the precious cargo she was. She was beginning to love Callie as a sister she never had, or ever would.
‘Shit, why don’t you guys ever warn me Mum and Dad are behind me?’ Hope’s voice brought her out of the pity party she was falling into. Their mother just laughed and sat down to finish her drink.
‘It’s not just you,’ replied Brandon. ‘Mum seems to know when any of us are playing up.’ He turned in Maggie’s direction. ‘Maggie, do you want another drink, or do you want to hit the dance floor?’ Maggie loved this family and their easy nature, but most of all she was beginning to fall in love with Brandon. It felt like he knew everything she was feeling and more. But, of course, being pack omega he could probably sense her emotions more than the others could, anyway.
‘Dance sounds great, thanks Brandon,’ and she let him lead her onto the dance floor with the other lovers that were pressed against each other.
More dancing followed, before the room fell silent for Christopher, their father, to make his speech. The wedding was coming to an end and Maggie didn’t yet know how she wanted it to go. Her bad side wanted Brandon to take her home and finish what he had started in the back, but her good side knew she couldn’t let that happen. She had never been this close to a man before and she didn’t know how she was supposed to behave. Her instincts were telling her to let him take her home. But what if he wanted to come in? Did he automatically think he was staying the night? God, why had Marcus sent her here when she knew nothing of how to seduce a man? Laughter through the crowd pulled her back into the room as Christopher spoke to Seth and Sarah.
‘I am so glad that my son met this beautiful lady, Sarah, and somehow convinced her to marry him. Together, you make this pack stronger, and a stronger pack means a happy pack. Together we will fight all evils we are faced with. Now, I know you couldn’t go on your honeymoon right now because of the circumstances we’ve all been going through, but your mother and I wanted to give you this to use for when our trials are behind us.’ He handed Seth a large envelope as the crowd watched them open it.
‘Holy shit, Dad. Are you serious?’ Seth was obviously shocked and a murmur went through the crowd, wondering what the envelope contained. Sarah pulled it from his hands and read for a few seconds, then threw herself into Christopher’s arms, thanking him with tears in her eyes. He gladly wrapped her up in a hug and told her he loved her.
‘A fully all-expenses paid cruise for three weeks. Shit. Thanks Mum and Dad.’ Seth was still looking at the envelope as he spoke. Maggie didn’t think she could smile any more until she felt Brandon’s arm around her shoulders. His warmth spread through her body and straight to the area between her legs. She had to get a grip on herself and listen as, once more, Christopher took to the microphone.
‘I wanted to give you something you could remember forever,’ he continued. ‘You work hard for this pack and deserve a break when all this is finished.’ Mary had moved behind her husband and took the microphone from him.
‘And I want lots of grandchildren for our trouble!’ she winked at Sarah.
‘Jesus, Mum.’ Seth had the decency to look embarrassed. ‘Must be time for Sarah to throw the bouquet?’ Seth turned Sarah around so her back was to the crowd. Then, they watched as she launched her flowers high into the air and straight into Hope’s hands.
‘No way,’ she shouted. ‘Not me. I’m not ever going to get married to any controlling alpha wolf. You take it.’ She tried thrusting it into Callie's hands, who quickly backed away.
‘I don’t need it,’ she replied. ‘I’ve already found my perfect man. Give it to Maggie – maybe it will give Brandon some ideas.’ She smiled at Maggie.
‘Nice and smooth, Callie. Thanks.’ Brandon took Maggie’s hand and walked away from his family towards the table. ‘You okay if we grab our bits and get going? Hope’s going to stay on for a while longer and I’d like to make sure you got home safely.’
‘Sure,’ was all Maggie could say. Her mouth had gone dry as a desert and panic began to set in. As if Brandon could sense her distress, he took her hand and waved goodbye to Callie and Logan. He then walked her outside and they made their way back to her house.
Th
ey walked together most of the way in silence, holding hands. Brandon could feel her nervousness radiating from her body and knew she wasn’t ready for what he wanted to give her. Her whole character had changed from the sultry vixen he’d seen earlier to the nervous woman she’d been when he first met her. He didn’t know how to make her feel at ease with him, but he was going to die trying if need be, even if it meant leaving her at her door tonight.
‘Brandon. Can I ask you something?’ Maggie regretted asking as soon as the words were out of her mouth. They were nearing Hope’s house now and the thought of Brandon kissing her made her whole body tingle in anticipation, but she had a job to do if she stood any chance of getting free from Marcus and living a normal life.
‘You can ask me anything,’ replied Brandon. ‘Is it to do with what my brother said back there?’ He rubbed his thumb gently across her wrist in an effort to sooth her, but all it was doing was sending sparks of pleasure up her arm instead. She hoped she could control her arousal as she knew he would scent it on her.
‘Kind of. Do you think I’m your mate?’ She didn’t mean to be so direct, but she needed to know where she stood with Brandon when the so-called shit hit the fan. She knew his family was everything to him and she was going to rip apart the one thing he wanted to give her. His trust. He had been so patient and kind to her, while all she had done was lie to the one person who could make her happy.
Brandon didn’t answer her right away. However, once they had reached the porch to Hope’s home, he stopped and turned towards her. His hand came up and cupped her cheek and his thumb danced across her bottom lip.