Scattered Siblings 3: To Mate a Werewolf

Home > Other > Scattered Siblings 3: To Mate a Werewolf > Page 9
Scattered Siblings 3: To Mate a Werewolf Page 9

by Kryssie Fortune


  Suddenly he understood why he’d heard her voice when he couldn’t hear the others. Ellie was his true mate, the other half of his soul, and he’d always be able to pick her out from a crowd.

  His wolves seethed inside him, eager to head back to the village. He’d track her down and seduce her, but the first challenge wasn’t over. He was stuck here until the other challengers arrived, but waiting was hard.

  Finally Lysander and Titus crashed into the clearing. Instantly, they shifted into human form. If Joel didn’t know better, he’d think Titus hung back and let Lysander claim third place, but that didn’t make any sense. The pair of them stared at Joel and Marcellus, and even though they were in human form, they howled their distress at being beaten.

  Close by, Caleb muttered just loud enough for Joel to hear, “I must be losing my touch. No one climbed that rock face, and I took pains to lay that trail."

  Sylvie grinned at the newcomers. “Let me guess. You did the same as Marcellus, and followed Joel’s trail not Caleb's.”

  Titus growled, his primal wolf almost showing. “How the fuck did that pair get ahead of us?”

  Joel and Caleb turned primal. Joel’s dark blond beast leaped from the boulder to stand beside Caleb, ready to defend Queen Sylvie and the pup she carried. Marcellus grinned at the losing competitors. “I think that’s a warning to watch your manners around our queen, gentlemen.”

  Lysander pulled Titus back. Both men raised their hands and dropped their heads in a gesture of submission. Caleb’s beast punched the air. He drew back his lips and growled. Once he’d shifted back to human form, he gathered Sylvie in his arms, and planted a kiss amid her curls.

  Joel waited until the royal couple flashed away, then took his human form and followed. Finding his mate in the middle of a tournament sucked. He should concentrate on winning back his birthright, but winning back his mate mattered more.

  Chapter Eleven

  Outside the Great Hall, someone had erected a giant scoreboard marked up with four vertical columns. A sign writer had just finished painting the competitors’ names.

  King Caleb waited until all the contenders returned. Finally, arms still wrapped around his mate, he called, “Four points to Joel. Three for Marcellus, two for Lysander, and one for Titus.”

  Titus growled. “Not fair. Joel Blackheart knew a shortcut.”

  Lysander tried to drag him away. King Caleb bellowed, “Hold! You, Titus. Didn’t you listen? This morning, I stated the obvious when I said an alpha must be clever and know his territory. You have been here a week, and that cave is common knowledge among the pack. The next alpha needs to work with the Tundra Toughs, not against them. Even without that knowledge, Marcellus figured out how to beat you. Either accept the result or withdraw your challenge.”

  Alexander and his lieutenants stepped forward, ready to silence Titus. They didn’t get the chance. Titus apologized immediately.

  Joel scanned the crowd for Ellie. His inner wolves howled when he didn’t see her. He’d wanted to make her proud, but her absence showed how little she cared about today’s result. Ellie’s affection was another thing his arrogance had cost him.

  Caleb led Sylvie inside and closed the door. Joel made a note to order the conference table scrubbed later. He knew just what Caleb and Sylvie were up to in there. He’d be doing the same with Ellie, if he hadn’t behaved like a fool.

  Alexander clapped his hands for silence. “Fellow Lykae, tonight we feast in honor of King Caleb’s visit. Some of you ex-soldiers out there have eulogized about Ellie’s cooking, so I’ve persuaded her to work in the kitchen. I believe we’ll have a fine buffet tonight.”

  Joel blanched. Last night he’d told his mother Ellie was trouble, and now his father forced her to work in the kitchen. Winning today’s contest was nothing if Ellie suffered because of him. Why do I turn heavy-handed and stupid around her? And why did it take me so long to realize she’s mine?

  The only thing he’d ever done right around her was when he’d freed her from sexual slavery. Joel and his crack squad had sailed down the River Rojo to rescue what they thought was a captured female Fae.

  Once, the Fae and the Elves had been the same species, but after a long civil war the Elves set up their new homeland in the Patria province. The Fae enhanced their magic when they bonded with war dragons, but the Elves’ powers waned as their homeland’s carnivorous flora slowly sucked their magic out of them.

  The Fae and the Lykae believed in equality of the sexes, but the Elves treated their women worse than they did their dogs.

  Two years back, a cohort of Elves died as Lykae overran their camp. Afterward Joel and his men searched the camp, but the only prisoner they’d found was Ellie. Thinking back, he’d wanted to drape her over the bed, spread her legs, and lick her pussy. He’d ached to make her come. Hell, his cock turned lighthouse-hard every time he was near her.

  To get through that first night, he’d told himself she was his little sister and ignored the way his body reacted to her. He’d soothed and comforted her until the potion wore off, but he’d struggled to keep his hands off her. When her drug-induced libido vanished, she’d wanted to die of shame.

  Ellie had looked so lost that Joel had conscripted her into the Lykae forces. It was the best decision he’d ever made. She was a world-class cook who filled the mess hall with good food and laughter. He’d never regretted his actions, but that night of abstinence shaped his feelings.

  He’d looked out for Ellie but always kept his distance. The Lykae patrolled an area near the Fae and Elf borders and had done so for the last three years. It was about as far from Tundra Toughs’ territory as he could get. Not that it bothered his soldiers. They could flash home whenever they had leave due. Ellie had stayed put though, enjoying the easy acceptance his soldiers gave her but refusing to visit with her friends when they went home.

  Eighteen months after the rescue, Joel had caught himself staring at a girl from behind. He’d lusted after her pert ass and lush curves. Once he realized it was Ellie, he’d turned away. No matter how much his boner ached around her, he’d ignored his feelings, but for a moment he’d been tempted.

  He’d stayed away for months, but the sight of Ellie’s magnificent ass constantly tormented him. He’d tried to seduce other women, and while they’d been willing, he’d walked away rather than fuck them, unconsciously saving himself for Ellie.

  Finally he’d given up on his lothario ways and stayed celibate. Maybe he’d needed Ellie near him. Maybe he’d dreamed of fucking her senseless, but he’d kept himself in check. Then she ran from him, and his inner wolves loved the chase—right along with hot sex when he caught her. He hadn’t been ready to mate her then. Now he’d sell his soul just to stroke his fingers down her cheek or taste her lips.

  If he’d listened to his instincts, he could have brought her home in style. Instead he’d done his best to drive her away. Determined to do something right, he headed outside and made his way to the kitchens at the rear of the Great Hall.

  The pack’s unattached males clustered around the doorway, eager to flirt with the cook or steal a freshly baked delicacy. Joel no longer commanded the military, and he wasn’t even the pack alpha. Until he won the tournament, he lacked any sort of status. Since he couldn’t order Ellie’s groupies away, he joined their numbers.

  Taller than most Lykae, Joel stared over their heads and into the kitchen. Ellie wore a Lykae-sized apron, but despite the tucks she’d made in the waist, it hung almost to the floor. He’d never seen her look so sexy or so cute.

  She put a tray of oven-fresh almond tarts on a side table outside the door. “Okay, guys, these are too hot to eat yet. Anyone who helps set up the tables for tonight gets one when all the work’s done.”

  Her bribery paid dividends as the unmated wolves worked with cheerful good humor. Joel inhaled the smell of tarts and tried to steal one. Ellie rapped him on the knuckles with her wooden spoon.

  He shook his hand and pouted like a small boy deni
ed a treat. “That hurt.”

  Ellie smile dripped saccharine. “It was meant to. You can’t pull rank on me now, Mr. Former Grand Marshal.”

  The way she emphasized that former chilled him. He was the same man, whatever rank he held. The light in her eyes said she enjoyed his discomfort, so he gave up on the tart. “Ellie, is it too late to apologize?”

  She froze, then looked him up and down. When he took a step toward her, she dodged back inside. “Much too late. Nothing you can say will make up for the way you used me.”

  Joel followed and held out his hand. “Listen, Ellie, whatever my parents said, you don’t have to do this. It’s my fault they’re angry, but let’s go see them together, and let me make things right.”

  She stared at him as though he’d sprouted wings and flown around the room. “Last time I was alone with you, you couldn’t get away fast enough. I’m going nowhere with a louse like you. Go away. My cakes are better company than you.”

  Not exactly the reaction he’d hoped for. Normally women fell over themselves to attract his attention. Ellie refused to fall for his charm, but he deserved every angry word she threw at him. It rocked him when he realized he’d treated his mate with the same disdain Olivia showed him.

  “Ellie, please…” For once Joel didn’t know what to say. He blamed himself for the coldness between them. Before he could find the right words, his pack mates were back, all of them trying to flirt with Ellie. They polished off the first tray of tarts, then jostled to get at the ones Ellie had just taken out of the oven.

  His mate, all five foot and a little bit of her, held her own against a gang of predatory wolves. “No way, guys. Those are for tonight, but I’m grateful for your help. Now go away while I finish up in time to get ready for the party.”

  Joel waited until the others left, ready to beg or grovel, but Ellie put two hands on his chest and shoved him outside.

  “Please, Ellie, give me a chance to—”

  She slammed the door in his face. Even as he growled his displeasure, he admired her courage. Not many women would dare rap an alpha’s knuckles or toss him out of their domain. His Ellie was someone special, and at least she hadn’t rubbed cheesecake in his face—yet.

  Since she refused to talk to him, he’d find his mother and soothe any misunderstanding between her and Ellie. Those terrible words “That Elf’s trouble” would haunt him forever. “That Elf” held his heart in her hands, and he’d give anything to see a genuine smile light her face.

  His mother loved parties and celebrations, but she hated the preparations. Running a kitchen always left her stressed and flustered. Today he found her back at his childhood home, freshly bathed and curled up with a book.

  He lifted the book from her hands. “Mom, I think I gave you the wrong idea about Ellie last night.”

  His mother flung her arms around him. “Congratulations on your win. Now listen, young man. Ellie's a treasure, and she knows her way around a wood-burning stove. When she offered to take over the catering, I could have kissed her. Goodness knows how she’ll find the time, but she promised to set up tables and benches too. ”

  Joel’s shoulders sagged with relief. His mother always judged people correctly, and his clever Ellie had charmed her. She’s mine, but she doesn’t know it yet. A growl rumbled through his throat when he realized she could have any man she chose. One taste of her delicious concoctions, and she had them in the palm of her hand. The only one dumb enough to resist her had been him.

  The lush contours of her body and the sweet taste of her lips fascinated him.

  His mother’s eyes twinkled as she retrieved her book. “I really hope one of the unmatched males snaps her up. She’d be a real asset to the pack. As the alpha’s mate I had to stay silent, but she won my heart when she warned you about Marcellus this morning.”

  Joel wanted to throw back his head and howl at the thought of Ellie with anyone except him. His protective streak—the stupid bit of him that had wanted to be Ellie’s big brother—and his arrogance had driven a huge wedge between them. His instinct was growling, Mine. Hers was saying, Get lost.

  * * * *

  Ellie leaned on the door and surveyed the kitchen, glad to be back on familiar ground. Her legs shook, and she could barely catch her breath. Joel’s unexpected apology left her weak-willed and exhausted. Not to mention confused. She checked the salads and finished decorating her cakes. That left her time to clean up before she returned to complete the finishing touches. Fortunately, Pamela had offered Ellie the pick of her wardrobe. Her normal jeans and T-shirt wouldn’t cut it at a royal reception.

  Still hot and flustered, she decided to take a walk and calm her nerves. She followed the same path she’d seen Joel speed down earlier. Pamela had told her it led to the waterfall, and Ellie was eager to see it.

  Across the green, well away from the trestle tables, he kicked a ball around with a group of adolescent wolves. Okay, he’s a standup guy, but he wants nothing to do with me.

  One youngster—maybe about five or six years old—sat on the side with his thumb in his mouth. There was a wistful look in his eye, and whenever the ball came near him, he stood up and started toward it. Each time he stopped dead, and his lower lip trembled.

  Apparently, Ellie wasn’t taking a walk after all. She smiled and sat alongside the youngster. “Hi.”

  He took his thumb from his mouth and put his sticky hand in Ellie’s. “Hello. Won’t they let you play either? That’s because you’re a girl. They said I was too small and sent me away.”

  Ellie grimaced. She wanted to wipe her damp palm on the grass, but the youngster trusted her, and she wouldn’t offend him for the world. “You’ll get bigger, but I’ll always be a girl. I’ll never get to play. Besides, Lykae enjoy the rough and tumble of the game. I’m an Elf. They’d flatten me.”

  Her new friend’s cheeks dimpled. “You’re nice. I’m sorry someone messed up your face. Will you play ball with me?”

  The appeal in his voice was irresistible. Her hand flew to her cheek. Gods, I’m a freak. This little cutie hadn’t meant to wound her, but his words still hurt. Rather than run off and weep, she forced a smile. “I’ll play, but you’ll have to find us a ball. Then a strapping young man like you will have to go easy on me. Remember, I’m half Elf. I’m Ellie. What’s your name?”

  The youngster regarded her solemnly, “I’m Sammy, and I promise not to hurt you. Stay here, and I’ll get my ball.”

  He half ran, half skipped toward the pile of the footballers' coats and bags. Two minutes later, her raced back with a football held before him. His face lit up, and he chortled. “Ellie the Elf, come play with me.”

  Ellie the Elf. Gods, what was Mom thinking when she called me Elaine. She was probably too busy crying over that Herodotus guy or drowning her sorrows in gin to think of a decent name for me.

  “Ellie the Elf! Come on!” Sammy demanded impatiently. He kicked the ball toward her, and even for a pup he kicked hard. She only just managed to kick it back.

  Across the playing field, Joel smiled at her and touched two fingers to his forehead in salute. Ellie ignored him. Alpha Louse over there could crawl back under his stone for all she cared.

  Sammy was good. A few kicks, and when she glanced back at the football match, Joel had vanished. He probably didn’t want to be anywhere near her. At least young Sammy didn’t want to be rid of her. He actually pouted when his big brother left the football game.

  “Hey, Sammy, it’s time we went home for tea. Sorry, but you’ll have to leave your lady friend.”

  Sammy’s thumb went back in his mouth. As he walked away he called, “Good-bye, Ellie the Elf.”

  She waved and prayed that silly nickname didn’t catch on. Too late. Joel stood behind her. When she turned, he flashed that devastating grin that made her knees weak and her pussy damp, but he’d made his feelings clear—right after her best efforts with that blowjob.

  His voice held a teasing note that made her heart race. “Ellie th
e Elf? That’s sweet. Come on. After all that hard work in the kitchens I bet you’d love a soak in a hot bath. I know just the place.”

  He grabbed her hand and set off toward the icy river. For a moment Ellie thought he meant to throw her in, but the pack might object if he drowned her like an unwanted kitten. At least she hoped they would.

  When he turned his dazzling smile on her, she felt her resistance crumble. How can he go from King Louse to Prince Charming in an instant? She so wasn’t getting sucked in again.

  Chapter Twelve

  A shock wave of desire almost took Joel to his knees when he touched Ellie’s hand. Gods, if I don’t do something about my constant hard-on, I’ll be walking with a limp.

  She pulled her hand away and gave him a dirty look. “Let go. I’m surprised you want to be seen with me, what with me being one of your cast-off whores and all. Aren’t you afraid I’ll corrupt your pack? Go torment your fiancée. Oh, I forgot. She spends more time with Lysander than you.”

  He reclaimed her hand and kissed her fingers. “And I’m glad of it. Don’t ever dis yourself that way. Nobody calls you a whore and gets away with it, not even you. Do it again, and I’ll put you over my knee. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I know I’ve been a prick, but can’t you trust me on this?”

  Ellie pressed her hand over her scarred cheek. “Hello? Baths? I’m done getting naked around you. Been there, done that, been insulted for it.”

  Joel hadn’t expected wooing her to be easy, but her narrowed eyes and pursed lips showed the depths of her pain. It broke his heart that he was to blame. He’d give anything to kiss her until her pussy overheated, but he’d come here to apologize not seduce her.

  His inner wolves howled to claim her, but if he made a move now, she’d never trust him again. On the other hand if she seemed willing… “Look, I’ve behaved like an ass, but I’m trying to make amends here. Either come with me willingly, or I’ll toss you over my shoulder and kidnap you. My primal wolf would enjoy that.”

 

‹ Prev