Found And Lost
Page 19
I watched as the last bit of self-doubt left Pete’s eyes, turning to a look of smoldering desire. Grinning that crooked, mischievous grin, I loved so much Peter stripped his pants off.
I unabashedly took in every inch of him. He was a tad shorter than CJ and more muscular. He was also very well endowed. As long as CJ, while thicker around. Wrapping myself around him, burying my hands in his hair, I kissed him hungrily.
We continued the kissing, licking, nibbling, and tasting each other until we’d explored every part of each other’s body. His hands were everywhere. Peter kissed and caressed every inch of me until I was panting. While focusing his mouth on my neck, I cried out when I felt him slip a long, thick finger inside me.
“God, you’re so tight and wet.”
“Would you please stop talking and make love to me before I lose my mind.” I pleaded.
Peter grinned. Pushing my legs further apart, he moved between them. “Your wish is my command.” He stated as he pushed himself inside me. He filled every inch of me, and it felt heavenly.
“Oh, God.” We both moaned at the same time, then laughed.
“God, Mia, you're tighter than I thought. I’m almost afraid to move for fear of hurting you.”
“First, you won’t hurt me. Second, if you don’t move, I’ll hurt you.” In answer, while staring into my eyes, Peter drew himself almost completely out of me then slammed himself back in, making me cry out and claw at his back as a mini orgasm hit me.
I don’t know how long we spent moving against each other or how many times those mini eruptions tore through me. All I know is I’d never felt anything this intense in my entire life. Not even with CJ. All reason fled my mind as I concentrated on the sensation of Peter, filling me, moving over that spot that drove me over the edge time and again.
Eventually, his movements became more aggressive. When I felt Peter’s hands shift partly to claws and his eyes turn bright gold, I knew his wolf was in control. I wasn’t the least bit surprised when he leaned down and bit me, growling “Mine!” as we reached our inconceivably staggering climax.
Then I felt Peter’s spirit and wolf crash into me. My wolf, who was very pleased with my choice to allow Peter to mate with us, rolled, nuzzled, and nipped at Peter’s wolf, accepting him as her’s. I still felt our connection to CJ, yet the connection we’d created with Peter was just as strong and binding.
While we still mourned the loss of our first mate, we were both very pleased with our new one. We both knew we could be happy with this mate despite the loss of the other.
I tremored around Peter’s still hard cock as he lapped at the blood dripping from his bite. His bite was right over the mark CJ had left on me. I guess he’s wolf was making a statement. I couldn’t help clenching down on his shaft with every aftershock. Peter lifted his head to meet my eyes. “If you keep doing that, I’m going to get hard all over again.” Rather than answer, I clenched down on him again, hard enough to make him moan.
Being true to his word Peter stared pumping inside me again while he leaned down and kissed me. “Your mine now, Mia. Can you feel it?”
“Yes, and it feels right. I love you, Peter Davis.”
“I love you too, Mia. As soon as we get home, I wanna get married, alright?”
“Sounds perfect to me.” After another long bout of lovemaking, we fell asleep in each other’s arms. I slept like a baby for the first time in what seemed like ages.
It was late afternoon when we woke up again. After sharing a mutually enjoyable shower, we went to the diner at the motel to get a quick bite to eat before hitting the road. Peter had been smiling non-stop. I could feel his happiness through our bond.
As we sat at the booth sipping our coffee, Peter suddenly stood up, pulling me to my feet. Tapping his coffee cup with a spoon, he announced. “Ladies and Gentlemen, I have to tell the world before I explode. I am the luckiest man who ever lived. This beautiful, incredible, amazing girl has agreed to be my wife.”
The crowd started clapping. Even though I was embarrassed, I was thrilled. Feeling how happy Peter was, all I could do was smile. I vowed my new goal in life was to make sure Peter never lost that smile I adored.
It would be my life’s mission to make him happy. A mission I knew would come with the reward of my own happiness. “I think he has it backward. I’m the lucky one.” I announced. Peter kissed me while the people cheered.
Breaking Point
Mia
Even though I felt a mix of longing and anger for CJ in the back of my mind, I was truly happy for the first time in weeks. Everything was great, right up until CJ’s showed up. He walked into the diner while Peter and I were lost in that kiss.
Grabbing Peter’s shoulder, spinning him around, CJ slugged Peter in the face before either of us could even react. Peter fell back, crashing through the plate glass window. CJ stalked through it after him, crunching over the broken glass. I’d never felt such rage in CJ. It scared the hell out for me.
I raced to Peter, who was sitting on the ground, dazed, cut up, and bleeding. I knelt next to him. “CJ, stop! I won’t let this happen again.” I demanded.
“Get out of my way, Mia. This is between Peter and me. He can’t have what’s mine. I’m going to get that through his head one way or another.”
“He already has me, CJ. You lost your right to me when you married Penny without giving me a second thought. Now I’m with Peter, and your gonna have to live with it.”
When CJ looked at me, the depths of his pain and rage almost brought me to my knees. “I KNOW! How could you betray me like this?”
I was thankful for the anger that flared in me at his words. “Betray you? Are you kidding me? You married Penny then had sex with her for a day and a half. You’re the one who pushed Peter out of the friend zone.
I stayed around Pagosa Springs even after you agreed to marry Penny because I knew how much the situation was already hurting you. I didn’t want to leave and cause you any more pain. But what about me, CJ? What about the pain I felt? Do you have any idea how much this whole thing hurt me?
I slept on the roof because I couldn’t face the memory of being curled up with you in the bed. The knowledge of you being with Penny almost destroyed me? Even though it should be impossible, Peter and I bonded.
Maybe you and I weren’t ever really meant to be. All we do is hurt each other. Peter makes me happy. He makes me feel like life is worth living even with the pain of losing you.
I’ll never stop loving you even though I wish I could. I wish I knew a way to break this bond. I still can feel with you. I wish I knew how to get you out of my heart and soul for good. Peter knows I can’t and accepts it. Peter and I are getting married when we get home. You need to leave, CJ.”
I heard someone yell, “What a jerk. You passed that up to marry someone else?” I hadn’t even noticed that the patrons and the staff had gathered at the window watching us.
“Not without you. I won’t give you up, Mia. I can’t. Peter, can’t be your mate because you’re mine. I’m sorry I hurt you. I know I screwed up. We can fix this rift between us. I don’t know what you think you shared with Peter, but you’re my mate.” He took a step closer. “I can’t live without you. You wear my mark. He can’t have you. You’re coming home with me now!” He reached out, grabbing my arm, yanking me to my feet.
When CJ started dragging me towards his truck while I struggled against his grip, Peter got up, pouncing on his back. “She’s not yours anymore, Cuz. She’s mine, and I’m not letting her go.”
CJ spun around and swung; only Peter was ready for him this time. He ducked then hit CJ, knocking him against a car so hard there was a huge dent in the side. Their superior strength made the fight that much more brutal. “Peter, please back off. I can handle CJ.” I pleaded.
“Not this time, Mia. I’m done playing nice. He can’t have my mate.” Peter answered just before he tackled CJ again. I felt their rage like a flood I was drowning in. It took away their ability to rea
son and be reasoned with.
They fought viciously while I screamed at them to stop. My screams fell on deaf ears. I don’t think they even heard me anymore. I was afraid of what they would do to each other. Finally, I screamed, “Stop! Please stop this now, or I’m leaving! I’ll leave for good! Neither of you will ever see me again. I mean it.”
Neither of them even acknowledged I’d spoken as the punches and blood flew. I saw a trucker pulling out. Running after him, I flagged him down. As I climbed into the rig, I saw CJ and Peter freeze mid swings, looking in my direction. I head Peter yell, “Mia, wait!”
Leaving had the desired effect they’d stopped fighting. The trucker asked if I wanted to get out. I shook my head no, telling him to just drive. I cried as I watched them disappear in the review mirror.
My last image of them was them standing there covered in blood, staring after me. I was ruining their lives and destroying their family. No matter how much it hurt, I knew I had to let them both go.
Eventually, I pulled myself together enough to ask the driver if I could use his phone. I called Beth. I summed up what had happened and told her I was ok. She pleaded with me to come home. I refused. “I can’t, Beth. You didn’t see them. I was sure they’d kill each other. I can’t do this to any of you. I won’t be the person who destroys your family. I love you all too much. I promise I’ll call when I find a place to stay in a day or two.”
Beth finally understood. “Alright, Sweetheart. Maybe some cooling off time will do you all some good. We’ll talk when everyone has had time to think things through calmly. Just don’t forget we love you.”
“I love you too. Make them forgive each other will you? I’ll call you soon.”
I rode with the driver all the way to Sweetwater Station, Wyoming. He bought me a meal, a pair of sneakers, and a sweatshirt. He never asked any questions while I spent most of the time staring out the window. I suppose the fight was explanation enough.
When we got to his station, the driver wasn’t happy about leaving me alone. I lied and told him I had friends who were coming get me. He gave me fifty bucks and a bunch of quarters for the payphone. Despite my protests, he insisted. He said, “You seem like a good kid. I don’t know what’s going on with those two guys, but I can see you are hurting. I have a daughter about your age. I wouldn’t want her running around broke and alone, so take it. It will make me feel better about leaving you on your own.”
I hugged him, thanking him. We were on the edge of a forest. I went to the payphone on the corner of the parking lot, pretending to call my friends to come get me, while I watched the trucker drive through the security gate. Once he was out of sight, I called Beth again.
“Sweetheart, I’m so glad you called. We’ve been worried sick.”
“You don’t need to worry about me, Beth, I’m fine. I just wanted to make sure CJ and Peter are alright.”
“I know you’re not fine, Mia. Please tell us where you are. I’ll send Chase to come get you, or I’ll come myself if you prefer it.”
“No. I’m not coming back, Beth. I’ve done enough to hurt your family already. I just need to know the guys didn’t hurt each other too badly, that I left in time to prevent them from doing any serious damage to each other.”
“Honestly, Chase said they both took quite a beating. Having seen werewolves get in serious fights before, I know how scary that must have been. They will both heal once they change. Chase and Paul just retrieved them from the police station.”
“The police station?”
“Yes, they got lucky. The restaurant owner accepted payment for the damages and didn’t press charges once Chase talked to him.”
I sighed a breath of release. “Thank God. Beth, don’t be too hard on Penny. She is going to need you. I know what she did seems unforgivable, but she was, um, beaten and sexually abused by her father. That’s why she wanted out of Pagosa Springs in the first place. She is scared and alone.
The baby is probably CJ’s. The timing fits at least. She needs you as much as I did. I won’t ever forget the way you and Chase took me in and gave me a family. Penny needs that too.
I love you, Beth. Please tell Big Chase I love him, for me. Don’t worry about me. I won’t do anything stupid like go wild. I know how that would affect the boys. I might not be able to forgive CJ, but I never wanted to hurt him. Tell him and Peter I’m sorry for the trouble I brought into all your lives. Once I get settled, I’ll let you know where to send my things. Good-bye, Beth.”
“Mia, wait. Don’t end things like this; come home. Sweetheart, please…”
I hung up. I couldn’t bear to hear Beth plead with me to come home. If I didn’t hang up right then and there, I would have given in, which would only bring more pain to the people I loved. Honestly, I was beginning to think I was cursed or a curse on others.
I walked into the night with no clue of where I was going or what I was going to do. I cried as I walk, oblivious of where I was headed. Memories of the past three months thundered through my mind like a storm. The first two had been the best in my entire life. Finding a real home, a place where people cared about me after so long alone in the dark, had been unbelievable. Each of the people I’d grown to fiercely love came to mind, one by one.
Chase was a lot like my father in many ways, providing his gentle strength, while Beth made me feel the love of a mother I’d missed desperately. Peter had made me feel the joy of living and made me laugh in ways I’d forgotten how to a long time ago. Claire, Dan, Sara, and Charlie gave me their steadfast friendship and loyal support, something I’d never experienced before.
And there, sharing every moment of happiness, I’d found as I grew to care more and more for my new family was CJ, holding me, protecting me, filling my life with such joy at least until Penny had returned. Such a lost, desperate and broken spirit herself. I couldn’t even blame her for the events that had transpired.
Even after my heart had been splintered apart, my new family had helped me hold it together. Helped me appreciate what I had found in them. Despite losing CJ, they gave me support, comfort, and love. It made me feel like I was worth something.
Peter, had given me hope that I could find happiness in my future despite my first mate’s betrayal. Peter had selflessly given me his heart, even knowing someone else held a large part of mine. And what had I done to repay the kindness and love I’d been given, torn this group of family and friends apart. Come between long-standing friendships.
Loving me was a curse. I was nothing more than a destroyer. Protecting me and trying to give me a stable home had gotten my parents killed. Alli, Denise, Christine, and Makala had brought me into their little family only to get Alli killed. Now I’d almost devastated a family. They were well rid of me. Hopefully, with me gone, they could mend the fractures I’d created in their lives.
The scene at the restaurant kept replaying through my mind. Watching CJ and Peter, the two people I loved most in the world, tearing into each other viciously was devasting. I was sure if I hadn’t left, they would have fought until one of them was seriously injured or worse, dead. Over me, because of me. I deserved this endless pain I felt in my very soul.
Part of me wanted to fall to the ground, curl into a little ball, and lay there until I died. Yet I knew dying would only injure Peter and CJ’s spirits more than I already had. Perhaps beyond repair. Despite what CJ had done, I couldn’t let him be hurt more than he already was or, worse, take the joy of living away from Peter.
Instead, I hid my clothes and money in the stump of a tree then shifted. Usually, I felt better in wolf form; however, my wolf was as wrecked as I was. I could feel the pull CJ and Peter both had on my spirit even at this distance. I half expected my wolf to run off towards home the minute I freed her.
I realized she’d been just as traumatized by their fight as I was. She didn’t even consider returning to her mates; she just trudged deeper into the forest that seemed to call to us. It said, welcome home, daughter of the forest, I’ve be
en waiting for you. I realized home, alone in the forest, that was where I was meant to be.
Fade to Black
CJ
Icame to my senses as I watched the truck pull away with Mia in the passenger seat. I’d done it again. Driven Mia away. I vaguely recalled her pleading with us to stop. Saying she would leave, however, my wolf had taken over. All I could think about was eliminating my rival.
Peter looked like hell. He was cut up, bruised, and bleeding heavily. I probably didn’t look much better. To make matters worse, a cruiser pulled in just as we were about to go after Mia. We both tried to plead with the cops to let us go find Mia. They ignored our pleas, opting instead to cuff us and take us to the station.
Our fathers walked into the station hours later, none too pleased about making the trip to bail us out. The ride back to Penny’s apartment wasn’t too pleasant either. We begged our fathers to let us go look for Mia. They said we had to figure out where to start first.
Paul and my dad were best friends even before they’d married twin sisters. Pete’s mom had been killed years ago. Shot by a hunter. Not the regular kind, the kind that hunted werewolves. Yeah, they’re out there. Our dads had always presented a united front when Pete and I did something stupid. Now was no different.
We were almost back to the apartment when my mom called and told us she’d heard from Mia again. “She as well as she can be considering what you boys did. She refused to come home. She’s convinced she is tearing our family apart. She doesn’t want to cause us anymore heartache.
I have to say I’m very disappointed in both of you boys. Mia told me she begged you to stop fighting. She said leaving was the only way to put an end to the fight. She was sure it would end badly for one or both of you if she hadn’t.
Neither of you bothered to think about what this was doing to Mia when you tore into each other, did you? Now Mia is out there, God knows where, alone again. Only this time with no money, no ID, nothing but a broken heart. I am ashamed to death of both of you. How could you be so selfish?” Mom made her point with brutal honestly.