“You don’t want me here?” he asked, feeling the words like a punch to the chest.
“I don’t know what my outcome will be after the meeting with Talon.” She swallowed hard, looking over her shoulder. He followed her gaze and saw the alpha’s mate gathering her cubs. They stood there in silence until Liberty was gone from sight.
“You are so stubborn,” he complained, moving closer. “Why won’t you trust me?”
“I want to trust you, but I also know shifter law,” she stated, straightening her spine. “You are a Guardian; you don’t live by the rules a regular pride member does. If you kill someone, it’s because it was deserved.”
“The male was trying to kill you, Jade,” he stressed, fisting his hands at his sides. “You killed him in self-defense.”
“I really need to go,” she announced, changing the subject.
There was one way to stall her, and he’d been wanting to do it since the moment he had found her in the woods. He’d had enough of her getting hurt, running away, and making bad decisions.
“Talon isn’t going to put you down,” he stated for the last time.
“We’ll see.”
“No, he won’t,” Booth growled, his eyes glowing amber. His panther pushed at him to stalk her.
A soft gasp fell from her lips the moment he reached for her. His name was said like a curse, but he didn’t respond, because his canines had fully developed in his mouth. The need to mark her urged him on.
With one hand cupping her face and his other arm wrapping around her waist, Booth pulled her close to his lips as the magic swirled around him from the touch to her skin. The world tilted for a moment as a mighty roar spilled from his lips.
“You are mine, Jade O’Connor,” he announced, right before taking her lips for the first time.
The binds of a mating heated his body, the magic connecting them on a heightened level. His cock hardened at the scent of her arousal.
“My mate,” she growled in return.
Booth didn’t care the alpha was waiting on her. No, he was going to complete this mating before anything else. They’d denied their nature for far too long. She’d stubbornly left him in hopes of becoming a Guardian at another pride…a pride who almost killed her.
With his arm around her waist, Booth lifted the female and urged her to wrap her legs around his waist. If another male came close, they’d better move away, because he was taking his mate back to his home.
Jade wanted to hit him and fuck him at the same time. He’d touched her to keep her from being killed by the alpha. An alpha wouldn’t put down a mate…would he?
“Stop thinking,” Booth growled as he ran up the road to his house. Granted, she was still wrapped around him like a temptress, but his strength showed no decline as he moved.
The need to complete the mating was deep in her bones. Wetness soaked her panties, and she panted as she nipped at his neck. “Hurry, Booth.”
The door to his home slammed behind them as he entered, turning for his bedroom she’d never seen. His mating scent was stronger in the enclosed area, too. Oh, she wanted to bottle that scent and carry it on her clothes whenever he was away.
Snarls and yips from their panthers sounded through their human voices as he tossed her on the bed. She wasted no time in stripping off her clothes, scrambling to her hands and knees to accept his mating.
“I’m going to make love to you after we mate,” he promised, and ran his warm hands from her ass, up her spine, and ended when he gathered her hair. “Are you primed for me?”
“Yes,” she breathed. “Mate me, Booth. I ache for you.” In fact, she wanted to push him over and take him into her body so she could mark him first. The canines in her mouth thickened more at the thought.
His cock nudged her opening, and she pushed back against him. The fingers of his other hand wrapped around her hip, using her body to guide him into her depths.
“Fuck,” they said in unison.
Her beast bucked at her human skin, calling out in her mind to drop her shoulders to the bed as her face partially shifted. Jade had never understood the other females when they talked about the magic of a mating and how they’d do anything for the dick, but she understood it now.
His thrusts were punishing, and she needed more…wanted to feel him come apart inside her. The overwhelming need for his teeth in her neck struck her with such intensity, she felt tears spring from her eyes.
“Mark me, damn it!”
“You’re going to wait for it, mate,” he snarled as he released her hair, using that hand to press between her shoulder blades, locking her in the submissive position. “I’m not done marking you with my seed.”
“Fuck, Booth, please.” She wasn’t above begging. They’d denied it for too long.
Their bodies were ruled by their beasts. The act of a mating wasn’t dictated by their human sides. The animalistic grunts and snarls echoed through the room. Jade let her beast take over in her mind, and from the noises Booth was making, she was certain his human side was not present even though they were still human.
The beast whined inside her mind, keeping the noise from falling from her lips. Her fingers trailed to her clit. Booth made a sound of approval from behind her as he released the pressure against her back. A shiver rolled down her spine as he gathered her hair. When he tightened his hold, she felt his cock swell inside her body and the orgasm she’d been seeking burst from her body like fireworks.
“You are mine, Jade,” he snarled as he pulled her back to his chest, striking the spot on her neck in the next breath. He didn’t release her right away, drawing blood from the wound as if he were a vampire and not a shifter. The feel of his actions set her off again, calling out his name as she orgasmed. When he released her and lapped at the wound, she felt her beast call to do the same.
“And you are mine,” she growled, bucking him off to push him over to his back. His cock was hard again, preparing to take her for a second time so she could mark him as her own.
Jade lowered herself onto his length, sighing when he was fully seated. She rode him for several strokes before opening her eyes to stare at the spot on his neck. He knew what she wanted…what she needed, and turned his head to the side. “Mark me, Jade.”
Her strike was as fast as his, and he growled loudly as his seed emptied inside her again. The power over him was exhilarating. Just as he’d done, she drank his blood, wanting every part of him in her body…from his seed to his life essence.
They fell to the side, but she wasn’t away from him long when he gathered her against his side. Her hand slid across his massive chest, feeling the dips and valleys of his abs. His beast purred from the action, and she placed a kiss over his heart.
“We should’ve done that a long time ago,” she whispered, kissing him again.
“I was an idiot.”
“And so was I,” she agreed. “But you shouldn’t have touched me just to save me, Booth.”
“I didn’t save you.” He shook his head, staring at the ceiling for a moment before he continued. “You need to go see Talon and find out for yourself.”
“I need to go, but I don’t want you to go with me,” she ordered. “I have to face this on my own.”
“I will be waiting for you in the alpha’s living room,” he promised.
Jade removed herself from the bed, opting for a quick shower before she left. It was the hardest thing to do, leaving him, but it had to be done.
“I want you back in my bed the moment you leave his office,” he stated. “You are my mate and we need to have our privacy for a few days.”
“I’d like that,” she blushed, leaning over to kiss him.
She was just placating him. She had a feeling she wouldn’t see the next sunrise, but she wasn’t going to shatter the high of their mating.
Jade tried to calm her erratic heartbeat as she approached the alpha’s office door, but it was no use. No matter what Booth said, she knew she was going to be in trouble for kil
ling those Guardians and their alpha.
One knock was all it took before the door flew open and Talon Shaw stood there, his legs spread shoulder width apart and his face bubbling with the presence of his panther. She saw the pain in his eyes and knew she’d disappointed him. There was no reason to put on her tough nature in a moment like that. Her life was on the line and tears welled up into her eyes. “Alpha?”
“Oh, Jade,” he sighed, bringing his arms around her shoulders as a father would, pulling her to his chest. “Thank the gods you are safe.”
Wait…what?
The embrace wasn’t what she expected, and the amount of tears that flowed from her eyes surprised her. Her alpha wasn’t acting like he was going to kill her. Or was he? Was he going to break her neck?
“Calm,” he whispered and pushed his powers toward her. She wanted to fight him, and pushed back with a bit of force, causing the alpha to freeze. “I don’t understand why you were able to take my blood because you are an alpha, Jade.”
“I’m not,” she sniffled. “I’m here to accept my punishment for killing that pride, Talon. Let’s get it over with, please.”
“Jade, you are not in trouble,” he gasped, pushing her back but not releasing her shoulders. “Why would you ever think that defending yourself would be a crime against our kind?”
“Oh, gods, help me,” she cried, crumbling to the ground. Booth was right. Talon wasn’t going to punish her for her actions. “I killed Guardians…an alpha.”
“That alpha was not worthy of his title,” he growled. “A true Guardian and his alpha would’ve never hurt a female.”
“I thought you were going to put me down,” she sobered, accepting her alpha’s hand. “I’m so sorry for running away.”
“You didn’t run away, Jade,” he sighed, pointing to the chair in front of his desk. She understood the unspoken order and took her seat, wiping the moisture from her eyes. Crying was a weakness she didn’t like showing. No, not until she stepped foot in the alpha’s office. “You were finding yourself and your place in this world. I don’t fault you for leaving.”
“I should’ve never left,” she admitted, thinking of the male who was waiting outside for her. Booth was her mate, and they both knew it…denied it….and still ran away from each other. “I should’ve stayed with Booth.”
“Yes, you should have,” Talon scolded. “But I know why you did it.”
“You do?” she asked, a little taken aback.
“I don’t know how, or why, you have this alpha gene.” He paused to hold his hand in the air when Jade tried to deny it. “Hear me out. You do have an alpha gene somewhere in your blood, Jade. I see it in the way you hold yourself and how strong you are. You have alpha powers that I can feel when you are near me. The fact you have taken my blood, and were able to use that to connect to me in a way non-alphas do, I’m certain somewhere in your family there was an alpha, but it must be several generations back.”
“I wouldn’t know that,” she said, shaking her head. “If I have a gene, it’s from my mother’s side. I never knew her or her family. My father is definitely not an alpha.”
“You are a warrior, Jade,” he stated, making her heart swell with pride.
“I want to be a Guardian,” she blurted, knowing she was capable.
She’d worked hard for a chance at being a Guardian, and her path had brought her to the Shaw pride in hopes she could fight at the summer solstice. It was not only a dream, but a need deep in her soul.
“Since you left, I have taken your request into consideration,” he began. “My mate has voiced her opinions on the subject quite often, too.”
Jade wanted to smile, knowing Liberty would be on her side. The alpha’s mate was a strong female in her own right even if she was human before coming into Talon’s life. Jade respected her more than any other female she’d ever met.
“I need to know what you want, alpha,” Jade pressed. “It doesn’t matter what the others say. As much as I respect your mate, I need you to tell me the answer. Am I going to be able to fight for Guardianship at the solstice?”
There…she asked. Point blank.
The alpha’s eyes flashed amber, and she knew the beast inside him was present. He didn’t force his powers toward her, and she took that as a good sign, but when he dropped his head ever so slightly, she knew his answer wasn’t going to be what she was seeking.
“No, Jade,” he replied. Her heart thundered in her chest at the denial. “I’m sorry, but we are not going to have females fight at the solstice. It is too dangerous, and I refuse to put my mated Guardians and pride members through watching their loved ones in distress. Knowing you and Booth are now mates has sealed my decision. Being newly mated will destroy him if you were hurt.”
There was the push of power she expected. He wasn’t ordering her; he was just proving to her that his word was law. The amount of disappointment made her shoulders drop.
“Yes, alpha,” she sighed and began to stand.
“I’m not done, Jade,” he barked. “Take your seat.”
“Yes, alpha,” she replied and folded her shaking hands on her lap.
“There have been a lot of changes since the panthers were outed to the humans,” he stated, standing up to pace behind his desk. “I have had to deal with humans trying to study us, shifters angry at our involvement, and a mad man who wanted us all dead.”
“I know, I’ve seen the news reports,” she added, feeling a pang of heartache at all they’d been through.
He paused for the longest time. Jade didn’t know if she should speak or just tell him she would leave.
“I have something I will be announcing at the solstice tonight, and I need you to be there with the other females. It’s very important.”
“Yes, sir,” she replied, knowing she shouldn’t ask. Whatever Talon had planned was to be kept secret until he made the announcement.
“Now, you have about seven hours before the solstice.” He smiled at her. “Go see your mate.”
Jade left the room and closed the door softly. There was no doubt in her mind that the alpha wouldn’t change his decision. Females were not going to be granted Guardian status this year.
Chapter Twenty
“You’re not dead,” Booth observed as Jade emerged from the hallway leading to the alpha’s office.
“No, I’m not,” she frowned as Booth took her into his arms. “You were right. He didn’t punish me.”
Booth’s panther rumbled in his chest at the thought of losing Jade. “We need to go home.”
“Yes, we do,” she agreed. Her mating scent was thick in the air, and he knew she could scent his own by the soft sigh that left her lips.
The healer waved as they passed, a smile on his face when he noticed Jade was with him. Luna, Harold’s mate, touched his arm and spoke softly to him before they both turned to enter their home. A few young males scurried past them in panther form, heading for the trails leading into the woods behind the alpha’s home.
Booth was holding on to his temper better than expected. He was upset with Jade for leaving and getting into trouble with that pride in Texas, but he was also relieved she was okay and had taken care of herself given the circumstances.
“Are you going to yell at me?” she asked as soon as Booth opened the door to his home. He shook his head and walked inside. “I can feel your anger.”
“I should spank you,” he growled, feeling his beast push for release.
“For running away?” she asked, taking a seat in his recliner. The lift to the corner of her lip told him everything he needed to know.
“You like taunting me, don’t you?” he asked, immediately placing his hands on the armrests and leaning toward her face. They were only inches apart, and the scent of her desire reached him.
“Yes, yes, I do,” she smirked, her eyes sparking amber.
He leaned in closer and scented her neck, causing the female to roll her head to the side like an offering. When he pulled back, her
mouth was slack, her canines thickening in her mouth. Watching them grow, he felt his cock harden beneath the denim of his jeans.
“Jade, I swear, you infuriate me,” he warned, moving so he could be eye to eye with her.
“I know,” she teased. “You do the same, Booth. I denied the pull toward you for my own selfishness, and you never forced the touch because you knew I needed to be on my own.”
“You had to find your own destiny,” he agreed. “I just hate that you were hurt in the process.”
“I wasn’t hurt,” she replied, shaking her head. “I learned a lesson about who to trust.”
“And who is it that you trust?” he asked, lowering his voice.
“I should’ve stayed here, Booth,” she admitted. “I should’ve stayed with you.”
“I’m glad you came home,” he said, never leaving his spot.
Booth was trapped by her beauty and the scent of her desire. His lips grazed hers, and he said a silent prayer to the gods thanking them she was alive and finally his mate.
He’d never wanted a mate, but since finding Jade, he realized she was exactly what he needed…stubborn and beautiful.
He lifted her from the chair, burying his face between her bountiful breasts. She yelped when he nipped at her nipple behind the tank top and sports bra. “I haven’t had my fill of these yet.”
“Take me to our bed, mate, and you can have as much as you’d like,” she offered, purring when he went in for another taste.
Landon sat against a large oak tree, closing his eyes when the wind blew across his face. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and he wanted some quiet time to himself before the events of the panther’s solstice started at dusk. The females of the pride had been in the kitchen for the last few hours preparing for their feast. He was still debating on joining them for the festivities.
It wasn’t like he could shift and join them. All he’d be doing was waiting around for them to have their meeting and run through the property in their shifted forms. He really didn’t belong there, but knowing Noah was going to be in attendance made him curious. It was probably best to keep his distance, but he didn’t want to. Maybe, for once, he’d show his face around one of their functions.
Booth (Rise of the Pride, Book 9) Page 15