Brought To Heel (Wayward Mates Series Book 1)

by Delta James

  He chuckled. “How did I get so fortunate as to have my mate be beautiful, accomplished, the perfect hostess, and enjoy taking my knot as much as I enjoy giving it to her?” He lowered her onto his cock and began to thrust in her. He wrapped her legs around his waist and pressed her into the wall.

  “You destroyed her pack and her way of life…” she felt him pause, “because you were forced to. But then you showed her how to live and love again.”

  Dylan began to thrust harder and faster. She raked his back with her nails and lost herself to his lust and physicality. He felt her climax once and continued to hammer her pussy with his cock. He continued to suppress his knot, knowing it would be harder and the resulting tie longer when he took her to their bed after dinner.

  Dylan wallowed in Skylar’s response. She was quick to arouse and easy to bring to orgasm. Her downfall was that she failed to achieve true satisfaction until he had come within her. As long as he could repress his own need to empty himself in her, he could revel in thrusting in her as her pussy repeatedly spasmed around his cock. Dylan often wondered if women had any idea of the tremendous pleasure that a man derived from having the entire length and breadth of his cock gently squeezed as his woman’s pussy urged him to drive harder and faster until he could release his essence in her. Dylan could feel her sheath pulsating around his cock. He knew she was racing toward her own release. As much as he wished to plunder her depths and luxuriate in her surrender to him, he knew he couldn’t hold out much longer. Dylan began to stroke her with renewed ferocity, holding her buttocks tightly in his hands to steady her for the onslaught of his passion. As he felt her reach the peak of her passion, he let loose his control and achieved that small death with her simultaneously. Once he’d spent himself completely, he lifted her off to a small token protest from her.

  “There, there, cariad. I will see you well loved, knotted, and tied later tonight.”

  “Promise?” she purred.

  He chuckled again. “Yes, cariad. I promise.”

  They finished showering and she went into their master closet to dress while he dressed in their bedroom. He had just finished buckling his belt when he turned around and was stunned. Before him stood a vision in a shimmering plum lace. The dress was simple and looked as though it had been made for her. A deep V-neck showed off some cleavage but not so much that he wouldn’t allow her to be seen in it. It was short and when she twirled for him the back was bare and draped down to just below the small of her back. The growl he made was possessive and sexy.

  “You like?” she said, making a mental note to thank Bianca.

  “Very much so.” He drew her to him and nuzzled her. “I will enjoy taking it off of you even more.”

  She giggled in a decidedly feminine way. “You don’t clean up too bad yourself. I do see you chose to wear pleated trousers. Hoping not to confine that naughty knot of yours too much?”

  “I would watch teasing me, mate; the knot is already forming and by the time I get you in bed, you may well have trouble accommodating me.”

  She smiled as she ran her hand lightly down his core. “By the time you breach me with your knot, you will have me more than aroused enough for you. I know that the brief pain I may feel will be quickly replaced by the feeling of well-being and lust that always accompanies your possession.”

  He kissed her again. “Come, mate, let us see to our guests.”

  Chapter Twenty

  People were starting to gather and enjoying drinks and appetizers. Skylar was once again pleased with Thomas and his staff. The way he had things set up, it encouraged people to mingle and move from room to room. Dylan excused himself to check in with several of the men who had asked to meet with him.

  Skylar watched as the women of Bae Diogel enjoyed themselves. They were relaxed and seemed to have accepted their new reality of once again being integrated into a male-dominated society. She was pleased with the women of Calon Gwyllt who made them feel safe and accepted. Skylar could tell that Dylan had taken great care in his choice of men to invite. She knew that it bothered him that he had been wrong about four of the packs.

  The men invited who still remained did not display any arrogance, but rather seemed intent on wooing one or more women. Dylan had made it clear to all parties that while the final decision would be his, he would solicit the thoughts and feelings of the women involved. He wanted to ensure that the women of Bae Diogel experienced no retribution or punitive measures for their small revolt.

  JD and Megan entered the room arm in arm. Megan looked happy and relaxed with her mate. The juncture of her throat and collarbone showed faint traces of the mark JD had made when he’d claimed her. It was only the mark of an alpha that took time to heal and left a scar that never faded.

  Jean-Michele and Darby followed them. Darby’s body language indicated her mate had been successful in luring her back to their bed. Darby’s dress was cobalt blue and would emphasize her eyes. She seemed to be scanning the room. When her eyes alighted on Skylar she smiled broadly and then turned to Jean-Michele.

  Skylar had only had a brief glimpse of her, but she was fairly certain that the mark left by her former mate had been replaced by that of her new one. Darby reached up to whisper something in his ear and nuzzle his neck. He ran his hand possessively down her flank and kissed her but allowed her to leave his side. As she turned toward Skylar the two women smiled at each other. Darby was indeed showing a fresh mark from Jean-Michele. She caught Jean-Michele’s eye and he smiled broadly at her.

  “He’s watching me, isn’t he?” Darby asked her as she got close.

  “Yes, but not in the way a man watches someone he’s worried about bolting, but rather that of a well-sated and happy mate.”

  “I know he’s the former and he’d better be the latter.”

  Skylar looked at Jean-Michele again, whose very essence spoke to his joy in his new mate and in her accepting his mark. “Oh, he is. I’ve rarely seen a man look so happy with himself… or his mate.” She nodded her head toward the fresh mark. “Are you all right with that?”

  “Surprisingly, yes. Do you know he made sure that they got me two party dresses—one that showed it off and one that covered it. He wanted me to make the choice about whether or not to show it. Jesus, I’d forgotten how much that hurts.”

  Skylar smiled. “I know. I do think Dylan’s hurt more than Micah’s. I suspect they have to bite deeper and harder in order to eradicate your former mate’s marking.”

  “Were you okay with his doing that? Getting rid of Micah’s mark?”

  “Other than how much it hurt, I understand it. Alphas are notoriously possessive and territorial. Seeing the mark that jackass that you were mated to before had to be difficult for him. He’d want to rid you of that mark not only to place his own there, but also to wipe away that last vestige of your former mate. The need to mark their mates as their own is overwhelming for an alpha.”

  Darby nodded. “In many ways, I think the need to eradicate that jackass’ mark from my body was even more compelling that marking me with his own. Do you know he offered to kill my former mate for me?”

  “Yes. He told me you turned him down but asked if I thought that’s what you really wanted. I have no doubt if he thought it would bring you any peace or lessen the memories of what you suffered, he’d kill him and feed him to the alligators.”

  Darby laughed. “I think you’re right. I have to say that every time he fucks… no, that isn’t what he does. He makes love to me. Can you believe it, Sky? I can actually say that and believe it. Every time he makes love to me, the shit I lived through with that jerk lessens. More and more, it’s like I started to live the other day when he claimed me.”

  “Funny how you can find the relationship of a lifetime that starts with a spanking.”

  “I know, what the hell is up with that? He has wicked hands when he’s pissed and expressing his displeasure with my behavior on my ass. But those same hands can make me climax more than once before he e
ven mounts me.” She turned to look at him and he smiled at her. “Gods, he’s gorgeous, isn’t he?” Skylar nodded. “And he’s all mine. He is, isn’t he?”

  “Absolutely. When an alpha takes a life mate, he really loses any and all sexual interest in other women. And no man who looks at you the way he does would have eyes for anyone else.”

  “So, he looks at me the way Dylan looks at you? You are happy, aren’t you, Sky?”

  “Yes, more than I should be. And I’m coming to find, as I’m sure you are, that they’re cut from a different cloth than the old guard. They genuinely care for the women in their care.”

  “I know. Jean-Michele said that Dylan has taken a lot of shit over the way he’s handled this. My mate admires your mate a great deal.”

  Skylar smiled. “There’s a lot to admire.”

  “As much as he wants to, Jean-Michele thinks he should wait until we’re home to knot me. He wants me in our bed there where he can ensure that I’m pampered and cared for… a bit of a difference from what I was used to. Thing is I’m actually starting to want him to. He confirmed what you said the other night that if done correctly, it is deeply intimate and sensual and like nothing I’ve ever done.”

  Skylar laughed. “Well, let me put it to you this way… Roz was downright pissed I’d never told her how incredible it was after Oliver knotted her for the first time.”

  Darby laughed. “That sounds like Roz. Do you think she’ll be all right up in the Hamptons?”

  “You didn’t get to see much of them together. I think she’ll be fine anywhere she’s with Oliver. I’m starting to believe we may all come out of this in good shape. Dylan has said we won’t lose touch and if any of our women are abused, the abuser will answer to him.”

  “If he’s anything like his beta, that could get ugly.”

  “Anyone who isn’t me should be considered ugly by you, my love,” said Jean-Michele as he wrapped his arms around his mate.

  “Ugly, stupid, and lousy in bed,” replied Darby, causing Jean-Michele to laugh and kiss her neck just above his mark. “Quit fretting,” she said quietly as she stroked the side of his face. “It really doesn’t bother me.”

  “Careful, mate, lying to me even to soothe my feelings is a spankable offense, n’est pas?”

  “It’s not really a lie. Was it painful and does it hurt? Yes, but I knew it would be when I asked you to do it. The fact that you waited until I asked and have been so loving to me makes the pain negligible. I don’t think that rises to the level of lying to you.”

  “That is all true. But when I ask you if something hurts, I want you to answer me without regard for my feelings. The only other woman you know of our pack is Megan and she hasn’t been home yet either. But as with Dylan’s pack, the women in our pack know they may speak their minds if done respectfully.”

  “Well, then, with all due respect… you didn’t ask me if it hurt. I could just tell you were fretting again.”

  Jean-Michele laughed. “Point taken, my love.” He looked to Skylar, “Tell me, are all the women of Bae Diogel this difficult to deal with and so easy to love?”

  “I’m afraid so,” said Dylan, joining them. “Frightfully easy to love. I find they are much easier to deal with when marked and then spanked and knotted on a regular basis, eh, cariad? I see your mate bears your mark.”

  Jean-Michele nodded. “Yes, mon ami, at her request. She no longer bears the mark of that bastard who abused her, but instead has that of the man whose heart and soul are in her keeping.”

  Dylan smiled. “I think we’re getting ready to go into dinner. Would the two of you mind joining the ranking members of my pack in my study after dinner? And have JD and Megan join us if you don’t mind.”

  Jean-Michele nodded and then followed with Darby as Dylan announced dinner and then led Skylar in.

  Dinner was a sumptuous affair. Skylar remarked to Dylan that Thomas had outdone himself. Dylan laughed and told her it was because he was enamored of his new mistress and wished to impress her.

  Even though it was a more formal setting, their guests seemed more relaxed. Skylar noted several of the men had traded places in order to be closer to a certain woman.

  Dylan noticed and asked if she wanted them moved back. “No, I think it’s a good sign that they are wanting to get to know specific women better. And I think our girls are enjoying themselves. What a difference a week can make.”

  “The women of Bae Diogel are a rare breed. They combine beauty with intelligence and courage. This had to be difficult for all of them. We may have bested you when you tried to run, but you and your ladies were never defeated.”

  Skylar leaned across and kissed him. “Thank you for saying that.”

  “I’m not just saying it, cariad, but believe it. It could have gone either way, but we had luck and fate on our side.”

  “Fate?”

  “Yes, several of you have heard the call of your life mate, and I believe there will be others as well. I have come to a decision I think will please you.”

  “What might that be?”

  “You’ll have to wait until after dinner.”

  She leaned in closer so that only he could hear her. “It won’t affect our plans for later this evening?”

  He chuckled and kissed her. “Nay, my love, nothing will adversely affect those plans. I have a tremendous need to bury myself in you and hold you close.”

  She purred at him as she sat back. When dinner had continued, Dylan once again presented his chef to his guests for their applause and to praise his efforts on their behalf. People began to wander out onto the patio and into the sitting room. Dylan felt more comfortable and only had men posted along the perimeter. He motioned for those he had invited to join him in his study.

  “I’ve asked you all here to see if anyone has a sense of where our remaining three are in terms of their preferences?”

  Nick laughed. “It’s difficult to tell with Summer as she tends to spend a lot of time alone in her room.” The couples in the room laughed in agreement.

  Skylar started. “I think the most difficult two are Summer because of her attitude and Lacey because of her history. Should we tackle them first or leave them until last?”

  Dylan smiled. “Anyone have any sense of the ladies’ preferences or if someone has heard the call of their mate?”

  Before anyone could ask, there was a quiet knock on the door. As Matthew was closest, he opened the door to admit Lacey and the alpha out of Savannah. “Might we have a word?” asked Lacey quietly.

  “Do you want to speak to me in private… or?”

  The alpha at her side spoke. “No, Dylan, we’d like to make an announcement this evening with your blessing and permission of course. I’ve known since I got here Friday that my mate was here. She tried to hide from me,” he said, teasing Lacey, who responded by smiling and blushing, “but she admitted to me earlier this afternoon that she too knew we were fated.”

  Susannah embraced Lacey. “See? I told you it would be all right and that someone wonderful would come forward.” The couple was congratulated by the remaining people in the room.

  The alpha at her side smiled, but then realized Dylan had said nothing. Dylan stood watching the couple. Their relief when he smiled was palpable. “This is what you want, little wolf?” he said to Lacey.

  “Very much so. I heard his call this afternoon. It was a bit staggering, but now it feels like a warm blanket surrounding me. You aren’t going to say no, are you?”

  Dylan came forward and hugged her. “No, little wolf. If this is your mate, far be it from me to try to keep you apart. Skylar and I both hope that all of you will be so blessed as to find your true life mate.” Dylan shook the young man’s hand. “You understand she hasn’t been treated well by the male members of our species.”

  “I do. She will only know love and kindness in my pack.”

  “Don’t go too far. Your little wolf has a naughty streak that will need to be curbed, don’t you, little wolf?�
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  “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Lacey said, smiling at him.

  Jean-Michele laughed. “And they have a tendency to play loosely with the truth.”

  Dylan asked that they hold off until the morning to make a formal announcement to the group but invited the young man to make his claim on Lacey before those assembled in the study.

  “I, Beau Butler, of the Savannah pack, claim you, Lacey Turrin, formerly of Bae Diogel as my one true life mate.”

  Lacey smiled, squared her shoulders, and replied, “And I, Lacey Turrin, of Bae Diogel, recognize and acknowledge you, Beau Butler, of the Savannah pack to be my true and lawful mate and alpha.”

  Beau took her in his arms and kissed her. He shook Dylan’s hand. “Thank you, Dylan. My pack, my mate, and I owe you and yours a debt we can never repay. Should you ever have need of us, please know that we will have your back.”

  The young couple left the study and went to inform the members of the Savannah pack that they had a new mistress.

  “Well, that’s one more down, two to go.”

  “Has anyone heard from any of the others? Are they leaning one way or another?” asked Dylan. “I’ve had numerous conversations with the men who here. They are either interested in any of them or interested in one or two.”

  “My concern,” said Skylar, “is the ones who will take any of them. There doesn’t seem to be a real connection. They seem to personify what worried me the most—that the women of Bae Diogel are some kind of commodity or prize.”

  Darby nodded. “They deserve what Roz, Lacey, Anna, Meg, Sky, and I found—a real connection, a man who would have wanted her in spite of where she came from as opposed to because of it.” Jean-Michele took her hand and brought it to her lips to kiss.

  “But,” said JD, “the fact that you were at Bae Diogel tells a man a lot, but I agree it ought not to be the only or even primary reason.”

  Jean-Michele spoke up. “At the risk of being a greedy bastard, which of course, I am…” Everyone laughed. “We could easily settle the question of Summer.”