Undeniable Craving

by Marisa Chenery

  If the link forming between them hadn’t been enough to prove the claiming had worked, the appearance of the mate brand on Jaimie’s neck where it met her shoulder did. The bite had also healed within seconds, leaving no traces of what he’d done behind. Gage hoped like hell her body would work to heal the cancer that ravaged her. It had to. He wouldn’t accept anything else.

  He stepped out of the hospital and headed for the parking lot. He’d have to book a room at one of the local hotels. There was no way he’d return to Canyon Creek without Jaimie. Gage then remembered she had a young son. His steps slowed at that implication. He’d not only gained a mate but a child as well. He was a father now.

  He shook his head at his thoughts as he unlocked his SUV, then climbed inside. He was getting ahead of himself. Gage was well aware of what he’d done, and how it’d changed his life, but Jaimie hadn’t a clue. She was going to have a hard time with it all, and she’d wonder how she’d gotten the mate brand. She’d think it was a tattoo. One she had no recollection of getting. The doctors and nurses were sure to notice it as well.

  Gage started his vehicle, then drove to the parking exit. He paid the fee before he turned onto the street. If Jaimie hadn’t been in the hospital, he would have stayed and explained everything. About his being a wolf shifter and how she was his mate. Somehow he’d have to get her out of there. For one thing, the doctors would question her miraculous recovery after being so close to death. They more than likely would start doing tests, which would include blood work. He had a feeling that would show some differences that hadn’t been there before.

  He found a hotel and was able to book a room for a couple nights. Gage had no idea how long it’d take him to get his mate and son ready to make the move to his home. He hoped it wouldn’t take too many days. He wasn’t exactly comfortable in a city like Great Falls for extended periods of time. Being a wolf, he needed to take on his animal form and have the freedom of going for a run in the trees. That was something he couldn’t do there.

  Gage had gotten into his room and sat on the bed to test it when his cell phone rang. He fished it out of his front jeans pocket and looked at the display before he answered. It was his mother. She more than likely called to check on him. Even though he was pushing thirty-one—as were the rest of his brothers since they all were from the same litter—his mom still thought of them as her babies.

  “Hi, Mom,” he said once he hit the button to answer the call.

  “How was the drive? Did everything go well at the fur buyer?”

  Yup, she was checking up on him. “The drive was fine. Long as it usually is. And I sold the pelts with no problem. I have the check in my pocket.”

  “Then I guess you’ll be heading back to Canyon Creek soon.”

  “Ah, not exactly.”

  “Why? You need to come home. Your time is running out and you haven’t found your mate. You have to make a concerted effort to find her. I know you’ve been to Helena, but you never sought out any of the female wolf shifters in the pack there.”

  Besides always watching out for each of her children, Gage’s closeness to his deadline of finding a mate had worried her. The closer it loomed the more anxious his mother became. At least he could now set her mind to rest.

  “That’s the reason I’m not coming home right away.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “I found her, Mom. I found my mate. And she’s human.”

  “Oh, thank goodness. So you’ll be bringing her home with you tomorrow?”

  “Not exactly.” He paused. “I found her in the hospital, dying of cancer. The doctors gave her only a couple days to live.”

  “Gage, no. We’re going to lose you.”

  “No, you won’t. I claimed her.”

  There was a marked silence on the other end before his mom asked, “What? You claimed her? While she’s in the hospital on her death bed?”

  Great. Now his mother thought he was a sicko. “I claimed Jaimie, but not in the way you’re thinking. I would never do something like that. I bit her. I don’t want to lose her. So I bit her with the hopes it’ll save her. The mate brand appeared on her skin, in color, and my bite mark healed in a few seconds. I’m hoping the cancer will be cured as well.”

  “So you’re going to stay in Great Falls until you know for sure?”

  “Yes. I can’t think that my claiming her didn’t save her. That’s the only reason I bit her. Not to stop me from losing my humanity.”

  “I know, dear. There’s a good chance she’ll survive. Your brothers’ mates do heal very quickly and haven’t been sick since being bitten. We’ll have to take that as a good sign for your Jaimie.”

  Gage’s hopes for his mate’s survival hinged on that. “So am I. I’m going to go now. I only arrived at the hotel a short while ago. I need to have something to eat, then I have to figure out how I’m going to manage to get Jaimie and her son to move in with me.”

  “She has a son?”

  “Yes. From a previous relationship. The boy’s father hasn’t been in the picture right from the start. He’s living with his aunt right now. She’s Lynne, who works for the fur buyer.”

  “I’m a grandmother,” his mom said happily. “Since Lynne is his aunt that must mean she’s Jaimie’s sister. I’ve always liked Lynne.”

  His mother had started looking forward to grandchildren when Kiel had become the first to have his mate brand appear. Gage’s mate’s son would be spoiled rotten.

  “Jaimie is Lynne’s younger sister. I’ll call you when I’m on my way home.”

  “Your father and I will come to Great Falls.”

  “No, Mom.”

  “We can help you ease your mate and her son into our world.”

  “Seriously, Mom. No. Please stay in Canyon Creek.”

  “We could bring you some clothes. You weren’t planning on staying in Great Falls longer than a day. You have no idea how long it’ll be before you come home.”

  “I’ll buy some new clothes.”

  “Don’t be silly. That’s an added expense you don’t need. You’re already paying for a hotel room.”

  Obviously, his mom wasn’t going to let it go. He really didn’t need her to come there. She meant well, but she’d “help” too much as she tried to do with other aspects of his life when he could manage just fine on his own. Gage and his brothers building their own cabins and moving out, even though they were still on their family’s property, had sent his mom into smothering mode. He didn’t need that now.

  “If you’re going to insist,” he said, “then send one of my brothers. I’d prefer you don’t come to Great Falls. Having my mom and dad around while I try to win over my mate isn’t exactly something I’m comfortable with.”

  His mom sighed. “All right. I won’t come, but I will have one of your brothers go. I’ll need the name of the hotel you’re staying at and the room number.”

  Gage rattled off the information, then quickly finished up the call. After he put away his cell phone, he fell back onto the bed. That was one crisis narrowly averted, but he expected one of his brothers to show up at the room sometime that night. His mother would see to that. Whichever sibling it was, they’d be sleeping on the floor in wolf form. Gage wasn’t going to give up the only bed.

  * * * *

  It was close to six thirty when there was a knock on Gage’s hotel room door. He opened it and was surprised to find Cyrus and Shyla standing on the other side. He’d thought one of his unmated brothers, Memphis, Rhett or Talon, would have made the trip. It never occurred to him that a mated brother would arrive with his mate in tow.

  Gage stepped to the side to allow Shyla and Cyrus to come in. “I didn’t think it’d be you two.”

  Shyla smiled. “Cyrus decided it’d be best if it was us. You’re already under enough strain as it is. You don’t need Rhett, Memphis or Talon hanging around and bugging you. Plus, this gave us an opportunity to get away and have something of a honeymoon. During the trapping season, ther
e wasn’t time. And don’t worry, Cyrus and I booked our own room. One with a whirlpool tub.” She gave her mate a smile that said volumes.

  Cyrus held out the duffle bag he held to Gage. “Mom packed you at least a week’s worth of clothes.” As Gage took the bag, then let go of the door so it shut, his brother asked, “How are you holding out?”

  Gage shrugged. “As good as can be expected I guess. It’s hard being separated from Jaimie, not knowing if she’s getting better or not. I keep hoping it worked. I’m going to the hospital again in the morning. If she is doing better, she won’t know me. She was sleeping and didn’t awaken when I bit her.”

  His brother reached across and tugged down the collar of Gage’s t-shirt where it covered the mate brand. “Well, your brand is in color so you’re definitely mated. I’m guessing the bite you gave Jaimie healed in seconds. I can’t see why it wouldn’t work on the cancer as well. We may not be able to turn our human mates in to wolf shifters, but they do get some aspects of our kind. Like rapid healing.” Cyrus let go and put his arm around Shyla.

  Gage touched his mate brand. After he’d talked with his mom, he’d gone to the bathroom and looked at it in the mirror. The Celtic knot work was now in vivid blues, greens and reds. He’d stared at it for quite some time, his thoughts lost in worry for Jaimie.

  “How long are you two staying in Great Falls?” Gage asked.

  Shyla answered. “A few days. I figured since Neha came to me when I had a hard time accepting what Cyrus was, I want to pay it forward and do the same for Jaimie if she has a hard time with it all.”

  Neha had gone to see Shyla and had explained what it meant to be a human mate to a wolf shifter. Gage guessed it coming from another woman in the same situation had helped Shyla get her mind around the new life she’d fallen into.

  “Thanks,” Gage said. “I just might have to take you up on that offer.”

  “Since you don’t need Shyla’s help right now,” Cyrus said, “we’re going to our room. We’re on the floor above yours in 605.”

  “All right. I’ll give you a call tomorrow before I head over to the hospital.” He smiled. “Enjoy your whirlpool tub.”

  “We intend to.”

  After Shyla and Cyrus left, Gage dropped his duffel bag onto the floor next to the bed and then took a seat on it. He turned on the TV and flipped through the channels. He supposed he’d be the next brother to get electricity put into his cabin along with a satellite dish. Kiel and Cyrus had done it for their mates since it was what Neha and Shyla were used to having. Gage would do whatever it took to make his mate and son’s transition to his life as comfortable as possible.

  * * * *

  Jaimie awoke for the first time in a very long while feeling rested and in no pain. At first, she thought her doctor must have tried a new medication on her, but she had none of the usual lethargy the drugs caused, which she could never shake.

  This morning she felt…different. If she had to describe it, she’d have to say it was a sensation she attributed to not being sick. That shouldn’t be, though. She had terminal cancer, and she’d just about run out of time. The day before she’d been in so much pain and so weak she’d slept more than she’d been awake.

  Jaimie then remembered the visit she’d had from a man she didn’t know. Gage. It was hazy, but she thought he’d bitten her, then she’d sunk into a deep, restful sleep and hadn’t awoken until this morning. In all probability, it could have all been her imagination. Or a hallucination. She’d been in a state that was between wakefulness and slumber. It wouldn’t surprise her at all if that turned out to be the case.

  She opened her eyes. She was able to focus, and her mind was completely alert. Jaimie quickly took stock of herself and found there was still no pain. She turned her head and looked at the large clock on the wall. It was really early, but she was no longer tired. That was a bit of a shock. She scanned the room and spotted the vase filled with pale pink and red roses that sat on the table next to her bed. They were new.

  Jaimie turned her gaze toward the door as someone stepped into her room. It was Lynne. Jaimie smiled. “Hi.”

  Lynne came to a sudden standstill. “You’re awake.” Her eyes welled with tears. “You’re awake.” She rushed over to Jaimie, sat on the bed next to her and gathered her into a hug. “When you wouldn’t wake up last night, I thought for sure…”

  “I feel…better.”

  Lynne released her and sat up straight as she wiped her tears away. “Really? You do have some color in your face now.”

  Jaimie’s stomach growled—loudly. Her eyes widened as she looked at her sister. “And I’m hungry.” She couldn’t remember the last time she’d actually wanted to eat.

  Lynne smiled through another wave of tears. “You’re hungry. I have to get the doctor.”

  “Before you do that, I want to sit up. Who brought the roses?”

  Her sister worked the bed to lift Jaimie into a sitting position. She looked over at the flowers. “Oh, those must be from Gage.”

  Jaimie’s breath caught. “Gage?”

  “Yeah. He came to the fur buyer yesterday to sell his family’s pelts. He’s from Canyon Creek. He said he’d send flowers after he let me have a good cry on his shoulder. He’s the sweetest guy.”

  “I think he was here yesterday. A man I didn’t know came and spoke to me. He told me his name was Gage. I thought I might have dreamed it.”

  “He must have decided to drop the roses off himself. It wouldn’t surprise me that he’d do something like that. His whole family are nice people.” Lynne stood. “I’m going to talk to the nurse about getting the doctor in to see you.” She smiled. “I’m not going to question why you’ve made a miraculous recovery, but I want to know if you’re out of the woods.”

  As her sister turned to leave, Jaimie said, “Ask about getting me something to eat. I’m starving.”

  “I will.”

  After Lynne left, Jaimie turned her gaze on the roses. There was a small white envelope stuck in the middle of them. She pushed herself up higher and reached for it. Her arm shook, and it seemed to take more effort than it should have, but she managed to snag it. She took out the card and read it. Written in a bold, masculine script were the words “To Jaimie, from Gage.”

  Gage was real, and he’d been in her room yesterday. Did that mean the rest of what had happened between them been real as well? Had he really tenderly held her in his arms and then bitten her?

  I’m Gage, and I claimed you, Jaimie. You’re marked by the mate brand. If it worked, you’ll live. I’m going to leave now, but I’ll come back. I’m not going to let you go. She sucked in a sharp breath as Gage’s last words came to the surface of her mind. What had he meant about a mate brand? And what had worked that would save her life?

  Jaimie didn’t have long to ponder those things before Lynne returned with a nurse. The woman checked the machines hooked up to Jaimie, then set about taking her pulse, temperature and blood pressure.

  The nurse shook her head with a look of amazement on her face once she finished. “You are doing better. I’ve never seen a patient have a turnaround so quickly. I’ll call the doctor. I’m sure he’ll want to do tests.”

  “What about some food?” Jaimie asked.

  The nurse smiled. “I’ll talk to him about that as well. It might be some broth to start off with.”

  The woman left the room, and Jaimie turned her attention to Lynne. Her sister returned her gaze with tears in her eyes. “Lynne, if you keep crying, you’re going to end up with red and puffy eyes.”

  “I don’t give a damn. At least this time it’ll be from happiness.”

  “How’s Derrick?”

  “He’ll be happy to hear his mom is doing better. It’s been hard on him. He misses you.”

  Jaimie missed her son as well. Once it looked as if she neared her end, she hadn’t allowed Lynne to bring Derrick to the hospital. She didn’t want his last memory of her to be of her on her death bed. He was too young to car
ry that memory around. Now she hoped she’d never have to put him through that again.

  “Gage, you’re still in Great Falls.”

  At Lynne’s words, Jaimie focused her gaze on the entrance to her room. A man who took her breath away walked toward the bed. He was Gage? He was a thing of masculine beauty. He had straight, black hair that was on the shaggy side. He was really tall. She guessed he had to be around six and a half feet, which would have him towering over her five-foot-four if she stood beside him. As for his body, his well-muscled frame filled out his t-shirt and jeans very nicely indeed.

  Jaimie met Gage’s gaze and found longing and some other strong emotion she was unwilling to put a name to in his light green eyes. If she’d been at a hundred percent, been herself before the cancer, her body would have reacted to the attraction she felt for him.

  Gage pulled his gaze away and looked toward Lynne as he came to stand next to the bed and beside her. “Yeah, I haven’t left yet. I thought I’d hang around for the next few days.” He glanced at Jaimie. “I figured I’d come and check on Jaimie as well. I ended up dropping the flowers off instead of getting them delivered.”

  Lynne smiled. “That was nice of you. As you can see, Jaimie has made a sudden recovery. We’re waiting for her doctor to come in and examine her. I guess I should introduce you two.”

  “I don’t think it’s necessary,” Jaimie said. “Since you said his name when he came in, I know he’s Gage. And he already knows mine.” She looked at Gage. “Thanks for the roses. They’re lovely.”

  “You’re welcome. I’m glad to see you’re doing better.”

  “Shoot,” Lynne said. “I have to leave now or I’ll be late for work. Maybe I should call in sick. You shouldn’t be alone when the doctor sees you. I’m sure he’s going to put you through a whole bunch of tests.”

  Gage spoke before Jaimie could say anything. “I can stay with Jaimie.”

  “Are you sure?”