by Alicia White
His mouth obliged her. Diving down once more, he nuzzled her pussy, feeling her juices. He worked his tongue up and down in circular motions as she gasped. Her hands dug into the sheets, and he felt encouraged to do more. He pressed his tongue into her hot, aching space, testing her response again, sending a quiver through her, which emboldened him further still. Gently, he moved upwards, taking her pulsing pearl into his mouth, hoping to increase her desire to the point of reckless abandon.
She started moaning louder, arched her back, and shifted her hips, riding his mouth. Chayton tightened his grip on her thighs pinning her down so he could push her closer to the edge. His cock was hard and aching. Chayton could barely think straight, his beast so close to the surface. He needed to please his mate, but he also needed some relief. Pulling one hand free, he rubbed his prick, hoping to calm his need long enough to ensure that Emma was really ready, so he might not hurt her, when he was finally buried deep inside her.
Emma gasped for breath, her own desires rocketing. Her pussy was ready for him, and he looked up. Her nipples were hard, poking straight up. Releasing his cock, Chayton pushed his fingers inside her, feeling her juicy depths. His tongue continued its onslaught, tantalizing her with his skills. She was unbelievably wet, assuring him that she was prepared and ready for him. Crawling up her body, he moved into position, pressing the tip of his cock against her pussy and pushing in.
They both moaned in unison while he drove himself deep inside of her, her nails raking his back. Chayton tried to hold the beast back. He was claiming his mate. He became light-headed, realizing he had been waiting for this moment almost his entire life. His claws sank into the mattress to provide the leverage he needed, while he tried desperately to stay in complete control. Emma threw her head back, spreading her legs further, and Chayton pounded his cock into her.
He wanted to be gentle, and he held himself back a bit, but she squirmed around, urging him to move harder and faster. She was wild, begging, thrashing around underneath him, and Chayton knew immediately that she needed more. Pulling out of her, he flipped her onto her hands and knees, grabbed her hips, and shoved his cock back into her juicy pussy. He felt wild and out of control. All the sounds of pleasure coming from Emma were pushing him closer to the edge.
Grabbing her hips, he held her tight as he pounded into her over and over. The climax he had been holding off was building higher inside of him, and he wasn’t going to last much longer. Leaning his chest along her back, Chayton reached around and played with her clit, rubbing it.
“Oh, God, Chayton, keep going!” she demanded, and he felt his teeth grow larger, ready to mark her. He tried to control himself, but his willpower collapsed when he felt her pussy milk his cock. Shoving into her, he roared out, his spunk shooting out of his cock. Chayton shuddered, trying to get his breathing under control. He could feel himself coming still.
After several long minutes he pulled away and fell onto his side. He pulled Emma close, loving how she cuddled against him. He had never before felt anything so powerful, and for the first time he understood what it meant to have a mate. He now knew why all the men in his clan were so happy with their women. It was so powerful, an out-of-body experience. He felt his heart swell and knew that he would never be able to let her go.
With his need spent, Chayton returned to his senses slowly as the distinct smells of sex, lust, and even blood lingered in the air, her blood. Jerking up, Chayton looked around, trying really hard not to panic. Oh, God, was I too rough? His heart hammered loudly in his ears, and as gently as he could, Chayton started to inspect her body.
“What’s wrong?” she asked drowsily, a huge smile plastered across her face.
“I think you might be bleeding. Are you in any pain?” He was truly concerned. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt his mate.
“I don’t think so. After all those orgasms, I feel like mush.” She shifted on the bed, stretching, and that’s when he spotted his bite marks on her neck.
Chayton got out of bed and went into the bathroom. Starting the water for the bath, he looked under the sink for some bath salts and was relieved when he found some. After pouring a few handfuls in the tub, he went back into the bedroom and gently picked Emma up.
“What are you doing? I’m tired,” she pouted, sticking her bottom lip out, and Chayton leaned down sucking it into his mouth.
“I want you to take a bath and relax.” He told her, sitting her down in the warm water. She moaned deep as soon as she was submerged.
Chayton went to the bedroom and pulled on a pair of sweat pants before returning to sit next to the bathtub. Picking up a wash cloth, he soaped it up and then reached toward her and washed her body.
“You’re such a wonderful man, Chayton.” He stared into her beautiful brown eyes. Never before had the color been so beautiful, but to him it was.
“I bit you.” She made a face, and he explained. “On your neck. I made you bleed.”
“Did you? I didn’t even notice.” She shrugged as if what he just told her meant nothing, when really it meant everything.
He wiped the washcloth over her neck and could see his teeth marks there. It would scar, marking her as mate forever. Not only would it warn single men of their clan off, it would show everyone who she belonged to.
“I’m sorry.” He paused. He wasn’t sure what to tell her. He had told her about his family and the clan without being too specific. She didn’t know the details yet, or why he referred to her as his mate. She liked it, but she didn’t know all the reasons. “I’m not sorry I bit you, but I should’ve waited.”
“Waited?”
“It’s a story better left for another time. Let me wash you and put you in bed.” She didn’t push him or ask any questions. She only closed her eyes and looked like she was falling asleep.
With her eyes closed, Chayton inspected her body, slowly rubbing the washcloth over every curve and swell. She had the softest skin he had ever felt, and he was fascinated watching the little bubbles pop against her, leaving behind a shiny residue. Her breathing changed, becoming deeper, and he knew that she had fallen asleep.
Rinsing her off, he picked her up and wrapped her in a towel. It was hard to maneuver her body and a towel, but Chayton managed to do just that, and get her tucked into bed without any problems. He stared down at her plump lips and leaned down, brushing his against hers just once before shutting the lights off.
His phone started to buzz on the counter, and Chayton took a deep breath, trying to prepare himself for the conversation with his brothers. They called almost every night, wanting him to bring her back. So far, he had refused, making up plenty of excuses. He was running out of time. Soon they would lose patience and come searching for them. At that point, he was going to be screwed. The two of them would barge in and probably take her back.
Closing the bedroom door behind him on a soft click, he grabbed his phone. “Yeah.” It was hard to be irritated with his brothers when he had just had the most amazing experience of his life.
“Chayton, it’s been two weeks. How much longer?”
“I don’t know.” He wasn’t ready to take her home. He wanted to keep her all to himself, at least for a little while longer.
“We finished the background check. We know that you want to protect her, but it’s time to bring her home.” Mahkah sounded irritated.
“What do you mean? Protect her from what?” Chayton paced around the living room, wondering if he had missed something. Was Emma in danger?
“You don’t know?”
“Know what?”
“Emma was in a car accident on her twenty-first birthday. There were three women in the car, Emma, Beth, and Lindsey Steele. They had all been drinking heavily, and her cousin got a DUI. Emma’s dad is a judge, and it was reported that he wouldn’t be elected to serve another term because of Emma. She left Seattle shortly after that.”
“Oh, poor Emma. Her family turned their backs on her when she needed them most. I can’t im
agine how she must’ve felt.”
“She tried to change her image by working at different places, but the damage was done. After a year, she moved to Anchorage, probably to create some distance for her family’s sake.”
“That explains a lot. I couldn’t figure out why she was in Anchorage alone, when she had family in Seattle.”
“When are you bringing her home?” Takoda asked this time. He seemed a bit calmer than Mahkah.
“When she’s ready.” He didn’t know when she would be ready, but he certainly wasn’t. He had finally claimed their mate and although he shouldn’t have done it without his brothers, he didn’t feel guilty.
“You’re acting a bit too territorial Chayton. What’s going on? Did you claim her?” Takoda lowered his voice, and Chayton had no doubt Mahkah was listening closely, waiting for an answer.
“Yes,” he said, holding his breath.
“What! Chayton, what have you done?” Chayton could hear a chair being thrown across the room. As the youngest, his job was to bring their mate home. The oldest brother, Mahkah, got the honor of claiming their mate first. “I’ve given you time, and you do this to us? Takoda and I have been waiting. She belongs to us as well.” He listened as his brother stomped out of the room.
“I know. I’m not…” He was going to say he wasn’t keeping her from them, but the truth was obvious. He was trying to keep her all to himself. He didn’t want to share her, not yet. “I’ll bring her home when she’s ready.”
“She is ready. It’s you, Chayton, that isn’t ready. If we have to drive to Anchorage, we will,” Takoda threatened. “We’re giving you time, and I’ll hold Mahkah back as long as I can, but we want to meet her. She belongs to us as well.” Takoda’s tone changed, becoming calmer, like he understood what Chayton was feeling.
Rolling his shoulders back, Chayton tried to find the right words. The last thing he wanted was a battle with his brothers. He didn’t want them driving to Anchorage. The idea infuriated him. Why am I keeping Emma to myself? The three of them had been waiting for their mate, and now he had her. Chayton tried to figure out what he was feeling, possessive, territorial, and the need to take care of her and protect her. He shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. All these emotions were so foreign and new.
Chayton ran a hand down his face and exhaled loudly. “I’ll talk to you later.” Clicking the end button, he threw his cell phone on the counter before walking back to the bedroom.
He climbed in bed with Emma and pulled her into his arms. She stirred but didn’t wake. He kissed the top of her head before closing his eyes. Things were getting too tense with his brothers. He would have to make a decision soon, or face the consequences of his actions. He wouldn’t worry about that tonight. He pulled Emma closer and breathed her in. In minutes, he was asleep.
Chapter 7
One Month Later
Chayton had become Emma’s addiction, and she was glad that he’d moved in and embraced their relationship so easily. It was odd, though. He seemed to have a few secrets. She could tell that he was holding back, but she couldn’t say anything because she hadn’t told him all of her secrets either. When his cell phone rang late at night, her heart would stop beating. So many questions. Who were the calls from?
Every night like clockwork, they would make love and he would hold her until she fell asleep. Afterward, he would roll out of bed and tiptoe into the other room. She would wake up and wait, her heart in her throat when the phone rang. She held her breath and tried to listen as he whispered fiercely to whomever was on the other end. Emma didn’t suspect another woman. She trusted him, but the questions still remained. Who was calling and why the secrets?
Emma climbed out of bed and tiptoed to the bedroom door to lean against it, hoping to hear what Chayton was saying. She felt guilty for a minute, knowing that spying on him was wrong, but she wanted to know. The tingling feeling grew worse. Taking a deep breath, she exhaled silently, closed her eyes and listened intently.
“It’s not time. She’s not ready to come home yet.” He sounded irritated, and Emma wondered what the hell he was talking about. Was he talking to his family about her? Did they want to meet her?
“I know you’ve given me a lot of time with her.” She hated only hearing one side of the conversation. It made things so confusing. “No, don’t come here.” He sighed loudly, sounding upset, and Emma bit her lip. Maybe he didn’t want his family meeting her?
Chayton was quiet for a few minutes, and Emma wondered what her next move should be. Get back into bed and pretend to be asleep, or would it be better to just walk out of the room and confront the situation? The last thing she wanted was for Chayton to ignore his family’s wishes. Her family…Emma shook her head and stopped that thought from finishing. She wouldn’t keep him from his life. Her mind made up, Emma walked out of the room. Chayton appeared momentarily surprised but recovered quickly.
“I’ve got to go,” he said, clicking the end button. He placed the phone on the counter. “Did I wake you?”
“I usually wake up when you leave the room,” she whispered before sitting on the couch. Emma rubbed her arms, attempting to fight off the sudden chill she felt. Her stomach was in knots. She began folding the hem of her pajama top in an effort not to look at him.
“Every night?” he asked, and she nodded. Something flickered in his eyes for a brief second. It was gone so quickly she wondered if she’d imagined it. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”
“Who were you talking to?”
Exhaling loudly, he shoved his fingers through his long black hair. “My brothers.”
“They want you to go back home?” He nodded but didn’t say anything. “Maybe it’s time for you to go home then.” It killed her to say that to him, but she didn’t want him ending up resenting her for it.
“I’m not going anywhere without you.” Chayton knelt down in front of her, and Emma smiled sadly.
“If you stay here, they’re just going to hate me.”
“It’s not you,” he scoffed, laughing a little. “It’s me. Trust me on this. They want you to come home with me. In fact, they would probably prefer you over me.”
“Why?”
“I’ve told you about my family. I have two dads.” She nodded. He’d told her tons of stories. Most of them were quite magical. “Those stories…they aren’t just stories, ciqala.” Grabbing her hands, he stared at her, and she felt he wanted to tell her something. The look on his face was unmistakable. She saw fear in his eyes.
“Chayton, what’s wrong?” Leaning forward on the couch, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close.
“I don’t know how to tell you…” He took a deep breath and pulled her off the couch and onto his lap. “Emma, I love you.”
Her heart stuttered, and she felt his words wash over and through her like a great wave. Her nose tingled, and her eyes filled with tears. It took her a minute to form words past the lump in her throat. “I love you, too, Chayton, so much.”
* * * *
Chayton held her close, loving the way her slight weight felt cuddled on his lap. She was everything he’d hoped for his whole life. He was aware they were running out of time. Mahkah and Takoda would head to Anchorage soon, and neither would stop until they had Emma in their possession. He didn’t have many options left.
He could take Emma someplace else and start over, or he could just come clean and tell her the whole truth. Over the last month, he’d told her tons of stories, preparing her for her new life. Even though a small part wanted to keep Emma all to himself, he knew the damage would be great. His decision made, Chayton said a quick prayer hoping that Emma would understand.
Chayton pulled away and cupped her face. He could see the worry in her eyes. “Emma, my ciqala, you were meant to be with me and my brothers.” Her eyes widened slightly, and her mouth opened, but no words came out, so he kept talking. “As the youngest brother, my job is to find a mate and bring her home. I’ve been selfish, keepin
g you.”
She stared at him as if he’d lost his mind, and Chayton wasn’t sure if he should keep going. Did he tell her about being a shifter? Would that be going too far? They sat there in silence for a few minutes, and he waited to hear what she was thinking.
“I’m trying to figure out what to say to you right now without freaking out.” Her words were quiet, and he could feel his heart rate kick up. He felt shaky and sick to his stomach. “I want to understand, I really do.” Pushing away from him, she stood up, and he let her go, watching as she paced around the room. “Your job is to find a woman to share with your brothers? Do I understand that right?”
“Yes.”
“Any woman would do? That night I walked into the bar, you had decided that you wanted me to be the one to share? Why? Men don’t tell women they love them and then turn around and tell them they want her to fuck their brothers.” She looked at him, her face blank, but he could feel the hurt and anger rolling off her in waves.
“No, not any woman. You, our mate, you don’t just belong to me.”
“You keep saying mate. What does that even mean? I thought that was our thing, something kind of sexy, like when you call me ciqala.” She looked so confused, Chayton’s heart clenched. He wrapped his fingers around her biceps until she winced. His hold gentled. He didn’t realize his own strength sometimes. He had to get through to her. He refused to lose her now.
“I want to show you something. Do you trust me?” She nodded slightly, but he didn’t feel it completely. “I would never hurt you. I’ve been completely honest with you, and all the stories are true. They weren’t fairy tales to help you fall asleep.” He stood up and took off his flimsy pajama pants, and Emma arched a brow.