Claiming Her Mate

by Jess Buffett

  “Do you understand what that plan must have been?” Sage asked her, his jaw clenching with the fear and fury he obviously felt. “Christ, he’s still out there, Summer. Do you know what he had planned for you?”

  “I can guess,” she said calmly, her eyes never leaving his. “I just don’t want to focus on that.”

  “Ah Christ,” Sage muttered, pushing a hand roughly through his hair. “Well, Brad is still out there. We lost his scent just near the border of our territory.”

  The dark look that crossed the Alpha’s features set off alarm bells for Evan. “What does that mean?”

  “Aidan.”

  That one word held a lot of meaning if you were to go by the reactions of the other people in the room. All it did for Evan was serve as a reminder that he wasn’t part of their world, not really. How was he supposed to protect Summer against something, if he didn’t even fully understand it?

  “Who the hell is Aidan?” he asked when Sage didn’t continue.

  “He’s the Alpha of the neighboring Pine Cove Pride,” Summer answered, her tone grave. “The man is trouble. Always trying to invade our territory, launching sneak attacks. He was behind an incident a few years ago that ended with the death of two of our members.”

  “I remember that.” Evan had been the one to handle the victims' wills and the placement of their young children. That had been the hardest part. Being there when they had told the children their mum and dad weren’t coming home. Thankfully Sage and the Pride had stepped in and had a couple take the children in. With no family, things could have gone bad, but he supposed that was the whole point behind a Pride. Summer had said earlier, when that girl, Tessa, arrives she won’t be alone. Perhaps if he hadn’t been so pigheaded, they would have helped him with caring for Amber too.

  “What’s wrong?” Summer asked, a small frown of concern on her face.

  “Nothing,” he said, giving her a smile. “Just realizing how stubborn I am.”

  Three snorts registered from the other men in the room. Evan glared at them. “What?”

  “You only just working that out, are you?” Chase drawled, the irritating smirk back on his features.

  Arse. “Well, we have more pressing issues to deal with than my personality flaws,” he muttered, rolling his eyes. “How do we find Bradley? What are we going to do about this other Alpha’s possible involvement? And more importantly, how am I going to protect Summer from a shifter who is clearly more powerful than me?”

  “We’re searching for him. The fact he went running straight to Aidan's territory after the attack suggests he’s been in contact with the other Alpha before now, otherwise he wouldn’t have risked it,” Richard surmised, his gaze darting between Evan and Summer. “We need to find out the connection and move from there. Your brother has called for a meeting tonight. Every member of the Pride will be there. Including the two of you.”

  Evan tried to hide the panic that spiked through him when he thought of having to confront the Pride. While he had dealt with members on a one-on-one basis, that in no way prepared him for the judgement he would be facing tonight.

  A growl from the Alpha abruptly pulled Evan out of those negative thoughts.

  “I feel like there is something we’re missing though.” The signs of frustration showed clearly on Sage’s face. “I can’t help feeling like it has something to do with that damn prophesy that has been hang over our heads.”

  “Ah, the prophesy?” Now he was really lost.

  Groans erupted through the room, but it was Summer who answered. “Thousands of years ago, a Seer foretold of a time where our kind, White Tigers, would be near extinction. Which is now. We are it, those of us in the room.”

  He could practically feel the tension vibrating in the air. “I’m guessing that’s not all she said?”

  “No.” Summer looked to her family and then back to him. “That was the moment she announced that fate was changing her rules, which paranormals would be finding their mates outside of their species. It was also when she told everyone that children would be born to the last of the White Tigers. Half-breed children who would be more powerful than anything the world had ever seen. Extraordinary in their talents and abilities.”

  “But?” Because there was always a but.

  “But...there would be a great evil that would seek to stop that from happening. A power that gains its strength from the ignorance of humans and the separation of the paranormals. And they’ll stop at nothing to prevent the birth and survival of these children.”

  “Christ,” he breathed. “Is this for real? I mean, I know shifters and all kinds of paranormals exist, but is there any stock in this prophesy?”

  “We honestly don’t know.” The grim expression Sage wore didn’t fill Evan with much confidence. “But if it is, then our children will be hunted.”

  An odd look flitted over Summer’s features. “What?” His nerves were frayed even further when Summer bit her lip, her gaze darting to her family and then back to him. “Summer. Honey?”

  “I don’t really know how to bring this up, except to just say it,” she mumbled. “But you’re not entirely human.”

  “What?” Chase choked out. “Since when?”

  “He didn’t know, I swear.” Summer stared at Sage, and Evan could see the begging, pleading in her eyes. “I saw the mark last night, but he had no idea what it was...and still doesn’t.”

  None of this made any sense to him, and his frustration began to build. “Know what? What do you mean I’m not human, and what mark are you talking about?”

  Even as he said the words, images filtered in from the night before. Summer’s reaction to his weird birthmark on his hip, the strange questions she asked. What had she said?

  That mark, Evan, there on your hip. Have you always had it?

  “What am I?” his voice shook at the end, the birthmark suddenly feeling like a brand on his skin.

  The silence was deafening, Evan could hear the blood pumping through his veins, his heart picking up pace. If someone didn’t answer him soon, he may just lose it.

  Evan jumped when Richard stood and walked over to him. Ever so slowly, the older man laid a hand gently on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, son. I always assumed you knew.”

  “Knew what?” Evan bit out.

  Richard sighed. “Your maternal grandmother was a witch, your mother a half-breed.”

  Spots began to fill Evan’s vision, the edges dimming slightly. His panting was loud to his own ears when solid arms wrapped around his waist and he felt himself being dragged somewhere.

  “Evan. Please, Evan. I need you to breathe slowly,” Summer begged.

  Her hands, so warm and soft on him drew him back, the sound of her voice like a light at the end of the tunnel.

  “I’m okay.” Evan dropped his head into his hands, elbows resting on his thighs. “Well, not really, but I’ll be okay.”

  “I’m so sorry. I was going to say something, and then things got carried away so—”

  Evan pressed his finger to her lips, silencing her babbling. “I know. You tried, I just wasn’t paying attention.”

  “Are you okay, son?”

  Evan peered up at Richard. “Why was I never told? What does this mean for us? I have so many questions I don’t even really know where to start.”

  Richard nodded in understanding. “We honestly thought you knew, Evan. Your parents knew, even though it seemed to have skipped yours and your mother’s generations.” He held up his hand before Evan could speak. “Before you ask, no, we don’t know why, but it sometimes happens when human DNA is added to the mix. Your mother carried the gene, as do you, you just lack the abilities that go with it. I must say, I am a little concerned that you knew none of this.”

  “Why?” Summer asked for him. Evan didn’t think he was capable for coherent speech at the moment.

  “For starters, your mate would be vulnerable to anything a regular witch would be.” Richard grimaced his eyes searching for something,
a deep scowl forming when they landed on Ally. “Your cat, do you know how significant she is to you, Evan? Do you have any idea what could happen to you if she were harmed?”

  “I think the question I should be asking is, do I want to?” he muttered, glancing down at his little cat.

  “Christ, this is worse than I thought,” Richard growled, causing Evan’s head to shoot up. The look of pure fury on the man’s face shocked him. He had never seen the older man so angry. “I know your father grieved, he had lost his mate and even though he was human, he felt that loss just as any of us would. But to leave you so open and vulnerable. To not explain things that could save your bloody life…”

  Swiping a rough hand down his face, Evan’s stomach began to churn. “My parents were mates?”

  “Yes,” Richard answer. “It’s why he never recovered from her death. I always thought you understood. But what you really need to know is that your life is connected to Ally’s. She is your familiar.”

  “What?” Evan wasn’t sure who asked, but he was grateful he didn’t need to find the words.

  “Every witch has a familiar, whether their abilities are evident or not. It is chosen at birth by their parents. Haven’t you ever wondered why Ally still seems so young, when she should be old, possibly dead?”

  “No, it never occurred to me,” the hoarse, brittle sound of his voice was evidence of how frayed his nerves were right that second.

  “I’m sorry, Evan. You’re parents left you in a very dangerous position.”

  “Christ.” Evan stared at Summer, silently begging her to make this all stop.

  Her eyes filled with sympathy. “Honey. I know this is a lot. And while my family thinks they are helping by telling you all of this now, they’re wrong.”

  “Hey!” Chase said, affronted. “I’ve kept my damn mouth closed. It’s these two who have been all chatty-cathy.”

  “You know what I mean.” She glared at the men, her eyes softening when they returned to him. “We have plenty to worry about, and we know what we need to know to keep you safe, and to answer some questions we had. Brad is out there right now, and I think we can all agree his heading to Aidan’s territory is a good sign. Let’s just focus on that, okay?”

  “Dammit.” He stared down into the hypnotising gaze of his mate, the most important thing in the world to him now. “How am I supposed to protect you against something like that? Against Brad? I may have witch blood, but that does me no good if it isn’t enough to give me actual abilities.”

  Everything was finally starting to overwhelm him, and it was only his determination to keep the woman he loved safe, and her hand running soothing strokes down his back that had him calming down.

  “First, I don’t need you to protect me from Brad.” She held up a hand when he went to protest. “He tricked me with that drink. I never thought being drugged would be possible. I’m not that naïve anymore. Second, you’ll become stronger now that we are mated.”

  “What?” Jeez, he really didn’t know a lot.

  Sage groaned and rolled his eyes. “How do you not know this? You are so involved in our Pride.” The Alpha shook his head. “Listen. You mated. I don’t fully understand it all either, but then, I have no real clue on how we are what we are, or why we have mates. Up until a thousand or so years ago, it was completely unheard of for different species to mate. And humans, or those who appeared human, no way. However, when matings began to take place between those with no abilities and shifters, people noticed a difference. I guess you could say because human mates need to be stronger to survive in our world, when we mate with them their DNA begins to alter, not quite becoming a shifter, but certainly gaining some of our attributes. Especially the strength.”

  “Wait. So you’re saying that soon I’ll be able to—”

  “Soon you’ll be able to take on a fully grown tiger,” Sage finished for him. “Only you won’t have claws. You will have one advantage being mated to my sister, though.”

  He was afraid to ask after everything he had found out, but did anyway. “What?”

  “There is a reason our family is the Alpha family,” Sage explained. “We are naturally stronger, more domineering. And surely you noticed that we look different to the others when we shift?”

  Sure, he had noticed, but didn’t really think it had much significance. His thoughts must have shown on his face because Sage just rolled his eyes again and continued, “We are White Tigers. Rarer than your regular, as I said stronger and faster. And the same goes for our mates compared to others.”

  Evan gaped at the man. “Damn.”

  “Are you okay?” The hesitancy in Summer’s tone jerked him out of his daze.

  He looked down to see her gnawing on her bottom lip, wariness and uncertainty shining in her eyes. No matter how much his mind may be spinning right at that moment, allowing Summer to feel even a moment of doubt about how he felt about her wouldn’t do.

  “I’m fine. Just a little in shock.” He reached up, his hand slipping to cup her neck. “Nothing is going to stop me from being with you, especially a little bit of funky DNA that will help me protect you.”

  He felt her tense under his caress, could see the determined glint in her eyes. How had he not seen how strong and stubborn this woman was?

  “I don’t need you to protect me, honey,” she said, her voice deceptively calm. Her arms slid up to link around his neck. She drew him down and Evan went willingly, reveling in the feel of their lips lightly pressed against each other. A moan escaped him...right before he felt himself flying.

  All the air left him as he hit the ground suddenly, though he had a feeling she had softened his landing. On top of him now, her lips to his ear, she whispered, “I’m quite capable of taking care of myself. And if Brad comes near either of us I’ll rip his throat out without any assistance. What I need is a mate, not a guardian thinking I’m some helpless little woman. Okay, mate?”

  Evan nodded, his cock perking up along with his heart rate. Fuck, she never stopped amazing him.

  The three other men in the room chuckled, albeit uncomfortably, since it was their daughter and sister who straddled her mate in front of them. She turned her head to them, not moving from her position above Evan. “I love you all, but right now I need to be with my mate...alone.” The seductive look she shot him had his prick hardening all the way. “We have lost time to make up for.”

  “Oh damn, on that disturbing note...I’m out of here,” Chase grumbled, moving faster than Evan had ever seen the normally laid back man.

  Sage and Richard followed, but not before Evan saw a smirk on the Alpha’s face and he threw a final reminder over his shoulder. “Tonight. Six o’clock. On my property. Don’t be late.”

  That was the last thing he heard before Summer slammed her mouth down onto his. When she pulled back he moan, feeling bereft, until she began to shimmy down his body, kissing, nipping and licking as she went. Groaning, he arched up when her teeth clamped down on a nipple, worrying the bud and sending sparks of pleasure racing through him. He could tell how close her tiger was to the surface. She never would have done what she had in front of her family otherwise, and would probably be embarrassed later, but for now she and her animal only wanted one thing...him.

  Funnily enough, he was okay with that.

  “Oh, God. Yessss,” he hissed. It felt so good.

  Summer quickly maneuvered one of her small hands between them, cupping Evan’s firm cock and rubbing it through the material of his slacks. He arched up into the caress, seeking more of his mate’s touch.

  When Summer abruptly pulled away, Evan felt the loss, until he gazed up into the tigress’s eyes. A fiery storm of passion and lust burned, searing him to his very soul. Summer reached down, and Evan knew his eyes were wide as he watched his mate slowly lower the zipper of his pants.

  Was Summer really about to do what he thought she was? And right in the middle of the kitchen. Oh, crap. He should suggest they move things to the bedroom, or even mak
e sure her family had really left. Evan was such a private person, so why was it that one look from his mate had him practically begging for it?

  “Summer?” he panted as he felt her fingers wrap around his shaft.

  His mate stared at him for a moment, hunger stark in her eyes. Summer licked her lips, her gaze flicking down to Evan’s cock that she had just pulled out. Evan felt captured by the predatory gleam in her eyes. Never had she looked at him like that before. He remained silent as Summer lowered her head and took the head of his cock into her mouth.

  Suckling on the head, it wasn’t long before Summer slid her lips down further, taking more of his shaft. Evan watched as Summer’s lips stretched around his dick, the pressure and heat from his mate’s mouth wreaking havoc on his senses. Evan was embarrassed to feel his balls draw up so quickly, his release imminent, but he couldn’t come without Summer.

  Grasping at her shoulders, he pulled Summer up, taking her mouth as fiercely as the lustful storm that was racing through him. Tugging at the loose track pants she had borrowed, he slid them down and over the curve of her arse, relishing in the feel of bare skin as she kicked them the rest of the way off. He parted her legs, forcing her to straddle his body. His fingers dipped down, slipping into her heat. A groan broke passed his lips when he felt how wet she was, how ready.

  Without a second thought he lined up his cock, and thrust into her. Summer threw her head back, crying out. For a moment he thought he had hurt her in his zealousness, then her head snapped back, eyes blazing with heat and so much more. Before he could react, Summer planted her hands on his chest, lifting herself up, then dropping back down to take him all the way into her.

  “Ah, damn,” he panted, thrusting up each time she came back down.