A Mate's Revenge

by P. Jameson

  “Just ‘Besh’ is fine,” she told Farrow. “You couldn’t track Gabby because she’s in the alpha’s lodge.”

  Farrow frowned. “No. I searched his house. I searched the entire camp. She isn’t there. And no trace of her scent.”

  Besh stared at the ground. “There is a secret room, hidden behind a false wall in the closet of my—” It wasn’t her bedroom. It was simply the room she was kept in. “In the room where I stayed. He put her there.” After he made her bathe in Besh’s bath water. But she couldn’t bear to tell Farrow that. He’d learn soon enough what his mate had endured.

  “Motherfucker,” Avan breathed. “How did he manage all this on his own? How did he keep it secret? From all of us?”

  “That’s where you’ll find your female.”

  “I need to go now,” Farrow murmured.

  “My parents? Did he take them too?” Trager rushed out.

  Besh shook her head. “No. They begged for a leave as soon as Gabby was mated. The Elders allowed it because of their age, and as long as it remained secret. They didn’t want any others leaving. And Jax didn’t care enough to chase them down.”

  His shoulders sank.

  “Tra, we need to go now. We’re hours from Ozarka.” Farrow’s face was full of determination.

  Trager nodded. “Alpha?”

  “Yes,” Cael nodded. “Go. Go.”

  Trager shifted to a wolf in an instant, his skin swallowed by thick gray fur. He darted across the field.

  Farrow stepped forward. “Thank you, Besh. Thank you so much.” She braced herself for a hug that was wholly unwelcome as his arms reached out. But Cael snarled, shoving him backward.

  “Your dick is way too close to my female,” he warned.

  “Oh. Shit.” Farrow threw his hands up. “I wasn’t thinking.”

  “Don’t let it happen again. Go.”

  Farrow nodded at Besh, and then shifted, running full-speed to catch up to Trager.

  Cael ran his hands through his hair. “Shit,” he muttered.

  “What are we going to do now?” Vesh asked.

  Cael straightened, hands resting on his hips. He was so sexy like that. In control. Owning his life, the way he was teaching her to own hers. She liked it. A lot.

  He glanced at her brother, and studiously avoided naked Avan. “Well, for starters, we’re going to get you guys some fucking clothes.”

  Besh could not agree more. She was having the worst time dealing with the fact that Cael’s intended was standing just feet away, stark naked. And she knew how sexual Avan was. Maybe she was ambitious, and wanted to run the pack, but Besh didn’t trust that she was completely unaffected by Cael’s body. It was in their physical makeup to be attracted to each other. To perpetuate the race.

  “I would definitely prefer to be clothed right now,” Avan sighed. “Vesh keeps looking at my tits.”

  His eyes went wide. “I will kill you dead if you ever say anything like that again. That’s a promise. I desire my mate’s body only.”

  She raised her hands in mock surrender, making her breasts bounce obnoxiously with the motion. “Point taken.”

  “Enough,” Cael snapped, turning on his heel. “Come inside.”

  “That’s what she said,” Avan deadpanned.

  When everybody’s dirty and flirty parts were covered, they sat in front of the fire to get warm. Even human and naked, their animals kept them alive, but it was a bitch to be that cold for that long.

  “Someone needs to find an area with cell coverage and call Lexar for a pickup.” Cael passed Vesh the bottle of wine he’d found in the kitchen. Her brother drank straight from the bottle with no shame, and she found herself grinning as she watched him.

  She recalled him doing the very same thing as a child, but from the milk jug. And only when mother wasn’t home.

  “I’ll go,” Avan offered. “Give me your cell though, because I don’t have mine.”

  Yeah, traveling as a wolf was tough sometimes. They hadn’t yet figured out how to carry electronics and clothes with them.

  Cael grabbed his phone from the kitchen table. “Not much battery, but it should be enough for a call out. Lexar is speed dial one.”

  Avan took it, glancing pointedly at Besh. “Guess that’ll be changing soon though, won’t it?”

  Cael crossed his arms. “Yes. It will.” His tone was a challenge, daring her to make a scene. Besh didn’t want a showdown, but sometimes wolves pushed, and she wouldn’t let Avan claim him. Maybe it made her a horrible person, but they’d gone through so much to be together. She wouldn’t let go now.

  Avan nodded, looking… relieved. “Good. I’ll be back soon.”

  As the door clicked shut, Vesh let out a weary sigh. “That female scares me.” He turned to Besh, and his eyes became haunted. “It’s hard for me to accept that this is over, that you’re actually safe.”

  Cael sat beside her on the couch, pulling her into his lap. His hand landed softly on her abdomen, and her wolf gave a satisfied chuff.

  Vesh zeroed in on the action. “I sense you’re with young.”

  “I am,” she said, proudly.

  His eyes moved to Cael. “You’ve marked her already. Do you intend to mate her?”

  Besh shook her head. “We haven’t talked about that yet. This is all so quick—”

  “As soon as possible,” Cael interrupted. “And you’re in enough trouble already, so maybe questioning my honor isn’t a good idea right now.”

  “Sorry, Alpha, but I don’t really give a fuck. I need to make sure she’s treated right, from here on out.”

  Besh bit her lip. It was sweet, but…

  “She’s mine.” Cael’s voice was deadly quiet. She should say something but to get in between two alpha males while they were working through a problem was never smart. “I’ll see to her wellbeing.”

  “Sorry,” Vesh sneered. “But the last time a man told me that, he was treating her like shit and forcing her to—”

  “Stop!” She couldn’t bear to hear it from his mouth. “Cael, tell him. What you taught me, and what happened to Jax.”

  When he’d relayed the story in detail, Vesh stayed quiet, absorbing the information.

  “You want this?” Vesh asked her. “To be first mate again.”

  No. Not the title. But… “I want Cael. I know he has my best interests at heart, as well as the pack’s.” Her voice got quiet. “I love him.” She had to trust that he was a different alpha. One that cared.

  He dropped a kiss on her shoulder.

  Vesh sighed, running his hands through his hair.

  “Not that it’s any of your fucking business,” Cael growled before his voice softened. “But I love her too.”

  Vesh glared. “Everything about her is my business.”

  “Ughhh. Will you two always be like this?”

  “Yes,” they said in unison.

  Besh sighed. She supposed that was what happened when a strong male like Vesh submitted to an alpha. She wondered what trouble he would’ve caused with Jax if he hadn’t feared the repercussions. It occurred to her that this is exactly why Avan and Cael would never have worked. A dominant wolf in a relationship with another dominant… it was the recipe for a disaster.

  ***

  Avan returned hours later. The door burst open unexpectedly. “Hey honey, I’m home. And I brought Captain Funpants to save the day.”

  A man Besh didn’t recognize followed her in. He had dark smooth skin, and kind brown eyes.

  “You have no idea how fun my pants are,” he replied easily.

  Avan’s eyes slid down the front of his body. “Well now, that is true.”

  Cael stood, greeting the man by locking fists and slapping his back. “Thanks for coming. How are things at home?”

  “Fine. Running smoothly. People are asking where you are though. Why you haven’t returned from the raid. You need to show your face soon.”

  Cael nodded. “Today.” He pulled Besh over. “This is Lexar,” he in
troduced. “He’s my most trusted wolf.”

  Besh nodded, holding her hand out, but he didn’t take it. “I’m Besh.”

  His smile was kind. “I know. I’d shake your hand but our alpha is already throwing off his back-the-hell up vibes.”

  Oh. She pulled her hand back. But Cael wasn’t the only one throwing those vibes. Avan glared at Besh like she wanted to eat her alive. Then she blinked, recovering her stony expression.

  “Trust me,” Vesh muttered. “He’s very touchy today.”

  Lexar laughed. “Looks like you need to get to Braeh soon. Your face looks like shit.”

  “Adds to my appeal I think. But you’re right.” His voice lost all humor. “She okay?”

  Lexar nodded. “Her and Kerrigan both. Avan updated me on the way here. So…” He looked to Cael. “What now?”

  “We go back to camp and wait for news from Trager. He’ll be back soon, and I’m thinking when he does, he’s going to want that mating ceremony quick like.”

  “Annnnd on that note, I’m heading back to Ozarka,” Avan said, stepping toward the door.

  Cael stopped her. “It’ll be up to you to set the pack right. They need time to heal, but things need to change over there. I hope you can see that.”

  “Oh, believe me, I see it. I’m still not convinced there wasn’t somebody helping Jax. Someone besides Farrow. I’ll get to the bottom of things.” She stared at the door, thinking. “But it’ll have to wait. I’m sure I’ll be spending the next few months being challenged for the alpha position.”

  Cael frowned. “We’re allies now. I can send Lexar to help you.”

  Avan looked at the dark wolf and smirked. “No thanks. I’m a big girl. What kind of alpha would I be if I couldn’t defend my land on my own?”

  “Suit yourself.”

  She sighed, opening the door. “I usually do.” And then she stepped out, shifting to her form of a white wolf.

  Lexar stared after her, a strange look in his eyes, even after she was well out of sight. Besh wasn’t sure, but that look reminded her a lot of white hot desire.

  Chapter Thirteen

  As Cael unlocked the door to the alpha lodge, he realized how nervous he was. He’d hated living here. It was too big, too much for him. All he needed was a bed and a kitchen. The five bedroom monstrosity was out of his league. Now though, he was glad for it. It would be the perfect place to raise his family.

  He opened the door, letting Isabesh walk in first.

  She turned around in a wide circle, taking in the spacious front room. He hadn’t decorated. There were curtains on the windows, but they were plain white against the log walls. No pictures. No art or bookshelves. He’d treated his books badly. His reading selection was stacked on his bedside table.

  “I love it,” she breathed.

  “You can do whatever you want to it. I don’t care. Make it yours, baby.”

  She smiled so bright, he felt it in his gut. Her smile was the greatest gift he’d ever received. He hoped to make her do that over and over for the rest of their lives.

  “Ours,” she corrected. “I’ll make it ours.”

  He stepped forward, grabbing her face and kissing her like there’d never be another chance.

  But there would be. He had the rest of their lives to do this.

  “Mate me,” he breathed. “I want your mark in my flesh.”

  Trager was already on his way back. He and Farrow had found Gabby exactly where Besh explained. Gabby needed time with her mate, and so did Trager. Cael would give him time away later, to catch up with her. In the meantime, there was a ceremony to perform.

  More than one, if Besh said yes.

  “Are you sure?” she asked.

  “So fucking sure.”

  Her smile was careful, and she brushed a strand of hair from his eyes. “On one condition.”

  “Anything.”

  “You teach me how to shoot a rifle. We never got that far.”

  Fuck yes, he’d teach her that. And combat too. They’d start with martial arts. Tai kwon do, maybe. She’d be the most badass submissive wolf ever.

  Cael kissed her hard.

  “Done…”

  And then again.

  “Fucking…”

  Once more for emphasis.

  “Deal.”

  ***

  “Kerri, this is ridiculous. Do you know what you sound like right now? A flabbergasted goat, that’s what. And you know exactly what I’m talking about.” Vesh’s mate made some kind of god-awful noise from deep in her throat. It sounded nothing like a goat, and nothing like Kerrigan, but Besh kept quiet.

  “I can’t help it,” Kerrigan huffed. “This dress doesn’t fit anymore! How come you didn’t tell me I was gaining weight?”

  Braeh blinked twice. “Uh, maybe because I didn’t notice? You look gorgeous, as always. And besides, you’re going to jam that hot emblem into Tragie’s chest, the elders will give you their blessing, and it’ll be over. Then he’ll hulk you back to your cabin and rip that sucker off and…” she continued her thought by thrusting her hips several times.

  Besh snickered. Vesh’s mate was funny. The perfect complement to her brother’s serious demeanor.

  “He hates when you call him that, you know.”

  “What? Tragie?” Braeh leaned toward the mirror, touching up her makeup and fingering her short blond locks. “Tragie Wagie doesn’t like my nickname? I’m hurt.”

  Kerrigan looked at her reflection. “It’ll have to do,” she muttered.

  “I swear to god, Kerri. If you don’t shut up about that dress…”

  Besh still felt a little out of place around the two women. They’d welcomed her with open arms, always so very kind. She just wasn’t used to having girlfriends. She still wasn’t the most confident woman, but maybe she could help Kerrigan.

  “She’s right,” Besh spoke up. “You look beautiful. I’m guessing your mate will notice your flared hips and the way your breasts curve the fabric. You look like you’re ready to conceive his young. No doubt, he’ll try to make that happen tonight. You’re lucky your fertile time comes around more often than once a year.”

  Both women froze.

  Uh oh. She’d said something wrong.

  “I’m sorry. Never mind. I just meant—”

  “No, it’s okay.” Kerrigan’s voice was strained. She swallowed several times before continuing. “It’s just… I can’t…”

  “Kerri and Trager are still working on that,” Braeh explained. “There are some difficulties.”

  Besh’s heart broke. “Oh.”

  Braeh nodded while Kerrigan tried to compose herself.

  “Damn it. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  Kerrigan smiled through misty eyes. “I know. Don’t worry.”

  Braeh walked over to sit beside Besh on the bench. “It’s why we’re all very excited for little Willie to come along.” Her eyes went to Besh’s belly.

  “Willie?”

  “Yeah. It’s a good name don’t you think?”

  Besh frowned, rubbing her hand over her stomach. “I think it’s going to be a girl. But if it was a boy, I would never name him Willie.”

  Braeh sighed sadly. “Why does nobody like my names?”

  “Because they’re awful,” Kerrigan muttered, coming to sit on the other side of Besh. “We’ll be taking a pack vote for your baby name when the time comes. You can’t be trusted.”

  The silence that fell between them was comforting. Soon the ceremony would start, and the three of them would be legally mated. A triple ceremony had sounded like a good idea. Vesh’s suggestion. They were a family now, and this made it seem even more official.

  There was a knock on the door. “You ladies ready?” It was Asa, an elder she met her first day in the Ravendale camp.

  “Ready?” Kerrigan asked. A smile snuck onto her face and grew and grew until she was radiating.

  That was more like it, Besh thought. “I’m ready.” More than ready. Her wolf had been ach
ing to mark Cael ever since he’d asked. She needed this, wanted this, promise for eternity.

  The three of them stood, and Besh was swept into a group hug.

  “Alright girls,” Braeh said, taking a deep breath. “Let’s go permanently mutilate our men for the sake of love.”

  ***

  Cael stood in front of the crowd between Vesh and Trager, all three shirtless and anxiously awaiting their mates’ arrival. Soft guitar music filtered through the fire-warmed night air. The lanterns provided soft light and the pack elders looked on, anxious for such an important mating. Cael knew they were just as excited for Trager and Vesh as they were for him. The men had become well respected in such a short period of time.

  Kerrigan entered first, looking nervous but happy.

  Cael glanced at Trager. The wolf looked ready to eat her. Damn, he was the horniest wolf Cael had ever met. “Down boy,” he whispered out of the corner of his mouth.

  “Shut the fuck up, Alpha.”

  Cael snorted.

  Braeh entered next. Her usual confidence was dialed down a notch but when she focused on Vesh, her shoulders stood taller. He growled low, and the side of her mouth slid up.

  “You okay?” Cael whispered.

  “What Trager said,” he snapped.

  Whatever Cael was going to say next was cut short when Isabesh stepped into the aisle. She was like an apparition. An angel. A fucking dream come true. He had to pinch himself just to make sure.

  She met his gaze for a moment before her eyelashes fluttered closed. Like that, his teasing came back to bite him in the ass, because he went instantly hard for her.

  Shit. Did this happen to everyone during their mating?

  When she reached him, she took his hand and he brought it to his mouth, placing a tender kiss on the back.

  Asa stood before the three couples and said some words. Important probably, but fuck-all if Cael heard them. He addressed the other elders one by one, each nodding their agreement. Then finally, finally…

  Asa took the brand from the warming kettle.

  Cael gulped at the bright orange/white end. This was going to hurt so good.

  “With this mark, you commit your life to the serving of your mate,” Asa’s strong voice rang out. “For as long as you both shall live and even into death.”