Mathis hurried over. The ground underneath the house suddenly heaved. The windows rattled and the light in the dining room swung back and forth. He tried to calm Jean Paul with his telepathy. An unknown male touched Jean Paul’s mate. He hadn’t attacked Ujarak, only because his mind was clouded with pain from his wounds.
“She doesn’t even know this guy. Why should I leave her to a complete stranger?” Ujarak demanded. “Besides, he doesn’t smell like any kind of shifter I know.”
“Because if he dies, she dies with him. Please, I know you care for her. I need you to get away,” Brenda begged. She turned to Mathis. “Tell Ujarak, and hurry. I still need to get this bullet out of JP’s chest.”
Wind howled as it whipped around the house. The building shook again, weaker this time. Jean Paul’s face paled even more. Blue tinged his lips.
Ujarak stared down at Mathis, his face a mask of confusion. “She’s right, brother,” Mathis said. “Why don’t you go see what Jared has done with the bodies, and check in with Serge and Lucien.” Ujarak nodded and then reluctantly headed for the kitchen.
Jean Paul’s struggles ceased. His head dropped to the carpet. The wind died outside and all was quiet. Mathis looked to Brenda. He’d never seen the handmaiden of Asena use her healing powers before.
She ran her hands over JP’s body, before cupping her palm over the bullet wound in his chest. Mathis could feel the warmth pouring into Jean Paul’s chest. Slowly, the redness of the wound lessened, and the surrounding skin became less enflamed. Brenda reached down and pulled the bullet from the hole with one hand, while the other continued to send healing energy into the wound. The hole in the man’s chest got smaller and smaller until the skin closed. Brenda kept up her treatment until not a mark marred JP’s body. Mathis watched amazed. Brenda was truly a blessing to the pack.
Jean Paul groaned and sat up. Susan breathed deeply and then her eyelids began to flutter. Mathis helped JP to his feet, while Brenda checked Susan.
“Brenda, I felt like I was shot. One bullet grazed my head and the other went into my chest. The pain was terrible. I blacked out.”
“That was your mate getting shot, not you,” Brenda explained.
JP moved forward and held out his hand to Susan. “Hi, I’m Jean Paul Nadeau, I’m your destined mate.”
“Are you okay? You’re the limousine driver? ” Susan asked.
“Only on special occasions. I would have asked for hazard pay if I knew guns would be involved. I’m fine, now, thanks to Asena’s handmaiden.” JP glanced at Mathis. “I think we should get to know each other better, since the lycan mating bond has connected us. Can I call on you tomorrow?”
Susan smiled shyly. “I guess that would be okay. Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Yes, Brenda saved my life, and yours too when you connected with me. I’ll have to perform a ceremony of thanksgiving and dedicate it to the lycan mother goddess.”
“Jean Paul, I suggest you stay with us tonight,” Jared said coming in from the kitchen. “Granger found Ouelette’s car, Mathis. I’m afraid he and his friends will have a terrible accident. They should really know better than to carry gasoline inside the vehicle. A cleaning crew will arrive in the morning to deal with the rugs.”
Esme moved from where she stood by the wall to Jared’s side. “Shall we go home, ma petit louve?” Jared asked his mate.
“Wow, you really do fix everything don’t you,” Susan said while getting up from the couch.
“The Alpha’s job is to take care of his pack, Susan. You know that,” Esme chided.
“I was trying to give Jared a compliment. Geez,” Susan grumbled.
“May I walk you to the car?” Jean Paul asked, holding his arm out to Susan.
“I guess so, since you’re coming with us.” Susan hesitantly linked her arm with JP’s.
“Susan, wait, your phone,” Ujarak said. He hurried from the kitchen with a pink phone in his hand and frowned when he saw Jean Paul and Susan together. “You almost forgot it.”
“Oh, thanks. I guess I’ll call you tomorrow,” Susan said taking the phone.
Jean Paul glared at Ujarak and hurried Susan outside after Jared and Esme. Parker and Lizette walked down the stairs, hand in hand. “We’ll see you later, Mathis.” Parker waved and they walked out the door.
“I don’t think I like your driver,” Ujarak said, staring out the front window as everyone climbed into the SUVs.
“Try and see it from JP’s point of view. He just met the one woman destined to be his and she has a boyfriend in tow. Wouldn’t you want to punch the guy out?”
“I’m not Susan’s boyfriend. But I am her friend and if he hurts her…”
“Destined mates don’t hurt each other. To do so only hurts yourself. Susan will be safe with Jean Paul. Don’t forget, I know him,” Mathis said running a hand through his hair. It was very late and all he wanted to do was crawl into bed with his mate.
“What do you know?” Ujarak asked.
“Later, little brother. I’m exhausted. I need a shower and I need to hold my mate in my arms.”
“Okay, I’ll lock up down here,” Ujarak said, his tone glum.
Mathis nodded and headed upstairs. He walked into the master bedroom to find Margot in the middle of the bed in her wolf form, surrounded by six pups of varying sizes. All of them sound asleep. Mathis shucked his pants and called the change before jumping up on the bed. He nudged Tikaani over, who lay against Margot’s back, and claimed the spot for himself. Sighing, he licked Margot’s muzzle before he rested his head on his paws. His family surrounded him, safe and sound. He closed his eyes.
Chapter Thirteen
Two weeks later
Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, Margot wiped the red and green icing from her face and hair. She sighed. The sticky paste needed to be washed out. She turned to start the water in the shower. Mathis walked in behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Smiling, she leaned back against him.
“How about I join you in the shower?” Mathis whispered in her ear.
“I don’t know, if you join me, who is going to clean the mess downstairs?”
“Your mom put Susan and Jean Paul to work, while Esme and Brenda took the children into the living room for a Christmas movie until their parents arrive. I can’t believe how well everything went for the pack’s first children’s Christmas party. You should be proud of yourself, planning projects and entertaining forty kids.” Mathis began to unbutton her blouse, letting his fingers glide against her skin.
“Ujarak came up with some good ideas, before he went home. I kind of miss his goofy smile. Do you think your family will come down to visit at New Years?” Margot asked.
“That will depend how the hunt went, and if mom can handle seeing Cybille with us.” Mathis frowned. Margot turned in his arms, running her fingers over his furrowed brow.
“I know it’s hard on her. I could never give up one of our kids. Has Jared heard anything from the lawyer?” She began to unbutton his shirt.
“Well, I was going to wait and surprise you…” Mathis unclipped her bra and lowered his head to nibble at her flesh.
Margot pulled on his hair, bringing his head up. “Oh, no you don’t. Have the papers gone through? Are the children ours?”
“The legal guardianship is official, the adoptions will take a while longer. Jared called me today. I would have told you sooner, but I believe you were in the middle of making bird seed ornaments at the time. You had peanut butter all over your fingers.”
“Thank goodness that part is finally done. I can’t wait until the children are ours, permanently.” Margot groaned. “I feel sticky all over.”
“Not all over, but I’ll take care of that.” Mathis pushed her shirt and bra from her shoulders and then slipped her pants and underwear off her hips and down her legs. Margot stepped out of the clothes and into the shower.
The hot water cascaded down her skin. Margot moaned.
“Hey, no moaning
without me,” Mathis said stepping into the shower and reaching for the shampoo. “Lean back and let me wash you.”
Margot did just that, giving complete control to Mathis. She was tired from organizing the party and had been up late last night finishing the decorations. This morning she’d been up at the crack of dawn, baking cookies the kids would decorate and then eat for dessert. Tikaani and Nuvuk made a couple of friends in the pack, and the twins were the belles of the ball. Even little Elisapie and Cybille found friends to play with. Margot made a mental note to set up play dates after the holidays.
“Hey, you still with me?” Mathis asked looking concerned.
“I’m sorry. I was thinking of the children. I want to set up play dates with other children in the pack, that way they won’t feel so isolated.”
“Here, honey. Let’s give you a final rinse and then I’m taking you to bed.”
Margot loved the feel of the hot water running down her back. Mathis massaged the soap from her hair and skin. Then he turned off the water, and stepped out, reaching for a towel. He rubbed Margot all over before squeezing the water from her hair. She leaned against him, totally limp. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to make love to her mate, she did. If only her body wasn’t running on its last reserves.
She squeaked when Mathis suddenly lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. He laid her gently on the sheet, before pulling up the blue velvet comforter he bought to match her eyes.
“What about the children?” she asked sleepily.
“Oh, did I forget to mention? I sent them home with your parents for the evening. We’ll go over tomorrow night and pick them up.”
Margot struggled to open her eyes and sit up. If the kids were out of the house, she and Mathis could…
“No, you don’t,” Mathis said pushing her back down. “Rest. We have all night and all day tomorrow to be together. I can wait until you regain your strength.”
“You’re so good to me, Mathis. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. You’re my special gift from Asena. Go to sleep, honey.” Mathis watched until her breathing came slow and easy. Then he headed downstairs.
He paused at the small ball of mistletoe over the front door. Every little nook and cranny held some kind of Christmas delight. The tree glittered with lights and ornaments the children made. The handmade Advent Calendar teased the children with only five more days until Christmas. His heart thudded painfully in his chest, wanting to explode with love. Margot did this, made their house a home, brought magic and glitter into his life.
He walked into the kitchen. Susan stood at the sink, putting the last few dishes in the dishwasher. Jean Paul wiped down the table and chairs. “We’ll be out of here in a few minutes,” he said.
“Are all the children gone?” Mathis asked.
“Yup, the house is all yours,” Susan said with a smirk. “I guess we’ll see you next week at the pack Christmas dinner. Don’t forget that Pere Noel will be making his appearance and giving out gifts.”
“I’m sure Margot will insist the children attend. I think she has presents hidden all over the house.” Mathis sighed. His mate intended to embed the whole family deep into the pack social life.
“Remember you need to bring a gift for each child to receive. I think Brenda talked Granger into playing the part this year.”
“As long as you don’t expect me to do it,” Mathis said, horrified by the thought.
“Jared suggested it. I told him you were too scary to be Pere Noel,” Susan said with a snicker.
“Watch out, young lady,” JP said, tweaking her nose, and putting the cloth in the sink. “You’ll get coal as your gift.”
“Pere Noel wouldn’t do that to me.” Susan started the dishwasher. “He and I have a deal. Mathis, what gift do you want for Christmas?” Susan asked.
“I already got my gift.” Mathis smiled.
“Yeah? What was it?” Susan asked.
Jean Paul looked back and forth between them.
Mathis chuckled. “I got the gift of my mate.”
§ § §
Coming Soon
Aerial Magic
Book Two of the Witch Guardian Romance Series
Elise Delaire, the Guardian healer, goes to the bonding ceremony of her best friend. While there, Mabel Avery, the commander of the Guardians, introduces Elise to Curtis Brant. But when Elise shakes Brant’s hand, she realizes that not only is this man not who he says he is, he is also her Destined One.
Owen Avery is on a mission from the queen of the Fae: Apprehend the rogue Fae who is now being called the Red Wizard. Everything is going according to plan until Owen shakes hands with the delectable Elise. Not only can she see through his disguise, but her touch causes his magic-house tattoo to take on color, proving that she is his Destined One. Is he willing to give up his immortality and his home, the land of the Fae, to claim her?
My Perfect Mate
Book Ten of the Siberian Volkov Pack Romance Series
Six months have passed since Susan Adams was forced to become a lycan. She’s embraced the wolf with her whole heart, but having super senses and running on four feet can’t help her keep a job or figure out where she belongs. Now, with a mating bond snapping into place and the mating heat riding her hard, Susan’s wolf is demanding she cement the bond in place. There’s only one problem. Her mate isn’t a lycan. In fact, she’s not sure what he is and mating Susan is the farthest thing on his mind.
Jean Paul Nadeau is not your ordinary elemental witch. He’s one of the famed Averys as human witches know him. In truth, he is an immortal Fae Lord sent by the Queen of Avalon to guard a dimensional gateway sitting in the middle of Quebec City. When the lycan mating bond attaches to his heart, JP is both delighted and dismayed. Finding his “Destined One” is an unexpected gift, one that will cost him more than his immortality.
Black and Shadow
Book three of the Shadow Walker Tribe Romance Series
Joseph Running Bear is a member of Shadow Walkers, a covert black-operations unit, and head of security for Isanti, Inc. When terrorists kill one of his men, Joe takes it personally. Once the terrorists are destroyed, Joe is left with guilt and the loss of his friend, Fred Black. All that’s left to do is send the man’s belongings to his little sister in New York City.
Jessica Black heads to New Mexico to find out what really happened to her brother. The police are not cooperative, stating national security concerns. But Jessica doesn’t believe them. Fred would never be caught unawares if he were mixed up with terrorists. In addition, there is the company, Isanti Inc. that her brother worked for, a company he tried to convince her to join. She knows something more is going on. Why all the secrecy and runaround if her brother was simply caught in the crossfire?
About the Author
Caryn Moya Block burst onto the paranormal romance scene with her debut e-book Alpha’s Mate in January of 2012, which won the “Global Ebook Award for 2012” in contemporary romance. She was also named one of the “Top 50 Indie Authors for April 2012” from E-Reader Reviews. A Siberian Werewolf in Paris was chosen as a finalist in the 2014 RomCon.com Readers’ Choice Awards in the paranormal category.
Caryn has continued to write, giving her readers three different series to choose from, The Shadow Walkers Romance Series, The Witch Guardian Romance Series, and the very popular, Siberian Volkov Pack Romance Series.
Caryn loves romantic movies and stories that end “Happily Ever After.” She is an avid reader and writer who lives in the Virginia Piedmont. Her pack consists of her husband of more than thirty years, two grown sons, a beautiful daughter-in-law, and granddaughter, as well as a cat, a turtle, and four Shetland sheepdogs. She suffers from “Multiple Sheltie Syndrome,” because one is never enough. After seeing her first ghost when she was three, she has been intrigued with the paranormal. She would love to hear from you at: [email protected] .
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http://carynmoyablock.co
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The Gift of My Mate (Siberian Volkov Pack Romance Book 9) Page 11