The Price They Paid: Imprinted Mates Series

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The Price They Paid: Imprinted Mates Series Page 5

by Jade Royal


  The Wessex pack was huge. There was no valid reason why Seuss was doing all of this with only himself and Maddox, but maybe I didn’t understand.

  “Can I ask you something?” I turned to Maddox as he began chopping down a half-fallen tree.

  “Sure.”

  “Is the Wessex pack the average size of a normal pack?”

  “God, no. We have the largest pack on the eastern half of the U.S.”

  “Then why …”

  “Why does Seuss think that we can do this alone?” He said the words for me. I nodded. “I have no idea.”

  I looked around me at all the trees that were in danger of falling. There were nearby houses in danger, and Maddox would be out here for days getting them cut down. I looked at my list and sighed. There had to be a way.

  “I’m going to go for a walk,” I said to Maddox as I began walking away.

  “Hang tight.” He ran over to me and took off his work gloves and dusted his soiled hands on his denims. He reached into his back pocket retrieving a platinum signet ring. He slipped it onto my ring finger and I looked up to question him.

  “There are a lot of wolves who haven’t met you yet, and even though his scent clings to you lightly, you haven’t been fully claimed, and it’s noticeable. It would help if you introduced yourself as the Alpha’s mate with the ring as proof.”

  I started to object but he covered my hand with his. “Even if it’s temporary. I can see something brewing behind those eyes of yours, and something tells me that you’ll need it.”

  I sighed, not liking this idea, but he was right. To get the people involved in anything I came up with, they were going to have to trust me and know that I am just as official as the Alpha. Maddox held up his hand showing his signet ring as Beta.

  “Does your mate have one?” I wondered out loud.

  “I don’t have a mate, but if I did, hers would be a family crest. The Beta’s wife doesn’t have a role to play in the community. Besides, I’m old fashioned. The Beta should never take a mate before the Alpha.”

  I wanted to say something, but I chose to keep my comments to myself. I could only fix so much while I was here. The most important was to free up Maddox’s time so that he could handle the political aspects of the job. I headed into town to look around. What I found was even better than gold: The Community Center.

  As I entered, I heard a lot of commotion coming from the gym. Looking inside I could see the boys horse playing while the girls were standing in groups talking and carrying on. I went to the community board to see lots of ads seeking work, but not a single ad looking to fill positions for employment. This could work in my favor.

  I chatted with Ms. Kento, who oversaw the after-school program. There was plenty of valuable information to be gained from her as well. We chatted so long that after closing she offered to give me a ride back to the Alpha house. We checked on Maddox and dragged him back with us. She stayed for a quick supper, then I went upstairs to check on Seuss.

  I stood watching him and wondering. If I’d met him in a social atmosphere, I can’t say that I wouldn’t have been drawn to him. His skin was naturally tan which complimented his long, dark hair. I’d never admit this out loud, but Seuss was beautiful, and normally that was a turnoff for me. There was something about his rugged appeal that drew me despite my usual reservations.

  “Justice, can you bathe Seuss for me? If not, I’ll have to wait until the morning. I’m tired, and because he’s mated, it’s either you or me.” Maddox leaned on the doorway and I felt sorry for him. He was worn out and it showed. My day was not nearly as draining as his.

  “Absolutely. Want to show me where everything is?” I followed him to a different room that was connected to this one.

  “There are plenty of towels, washcloths and linen. I’ll grab his soap from his bathroom.” Maddox turned to exit.

  “No, I’ll grab that stuff. I’ll get changed into something more comfortable and take care of the rest.”

  Maddox filled a large metal washing tub of sorts that he rolled into the bedroom and set it next to Seuss. “If you can pull this aside to the wall when you’re done, I’ll get rid of it in the morning. I’ll send Alice in to check on you after a while.”

  I nodded and followed him to the door locking it. I went into the master room and changed into a pair of sweat pants and a sleeveless shirt then grabbed something easy to dress Seuss into.

  I entered the room and turned on Seuss’ iPod that I’d found. I played it on the surround sound system and soft rock played in the background. I hummed the familiar tune and headed over to begin my mission. Was I nervous? Very. I’d never touched a man as intimately as I was about to.

  I pulled the sheets down to his waist and shifted the bed so that he was in a sitting position. His bare chest was muscled, and I took a second to outline every part of it with my eyes. The water was cooler now than the scalding temperature that Maddox brought into the room. I lathered soap across his shoulders, and his tense muscles never wavered as I washed over them.

  I sighed in contentment as my fingers expanded over his chest. This. His strength was centered here. I didn’t know if it was the wolf in him, but I could tell that his upper body was where his pride was. I made sure to take extra care, and when I’d rinsed the soap away, I massaged over his upper body using only my hands and up the column of his neck.

  “Justice …” He reached out through our bond, but I could feel the apprehension present. He was holding something back.

  I smiled hoping that he was enjoying it and that I wasn’t hurting him. “Yes, Seuss?”

  His only response was a grumble that I hoped was a good thing. I continued and received a sigh of relief this time.

  “I’m glad that you are enjoying this.”

  I massaged down to the sheet and removed it slowly. My eyes widened at his partially erected member. My face heated and I cleared my throat. Good lord! I distracted myself with the soap and washcloth but when I turned back I could have sworn he was harder than before. I began washing him, avoiding the thickness between his legs until nothing else was left. He was also long and slightly curved giving me all kinds of thoughts. I could imagine the damage he could create with that kind of appeal. I bit the side of my lip before lifting his shaft and sack to wash. The skin was soft, and I washed it gingerly before stroking his shaft with the cloth.

  The growl that radiated through the room was fierce and resonated deep within. Unconsciously, I whined. My body arched toward him. My chest rose and fell with desire being its only source of air. I licked my lips and looked up at Seuss.

  “God, I wish you were healed,” I whispered more to myself than to him.

  “Me too …” His agreement surprised yet pleased me.

  I moaned and closed my eyes. The fact that he’d heard my needs was overwhelming. I took a minute to center myself and to focus.

  I managed to finish cleaning him, lotion his skin, and get him dressed. He smelled delicious. There were only two things that still bothered me, and I hoped that he wouldn’t kill me for what I was about to do. I used a few towels to support his neck and I used a brush that I dipped into water to brush through his hair. The strands were silky and massaging the shampoo through it created a tingling sensation that raced through my body.

  While the bath had been for him, this was selfishly for me. I used the wet cloth to wash out the soap until his hair smelled of a mixture of crisp white smoke and that spiced musk that he always smelled of. It reminded me of the beginning of a warm fire on a frigid day. It was earthy, yet it held a bite to it that let you know if you touched it, you’d get burned. I dried his hair thoroughly and then washed his face.

  I smiled as I straddled him for the last bit, his erection was nestled against my ass, but I was focused on the joys of this moment. I would say that if strength was in his upper body, power was in his thighs. As I straddled him my core throbbed harder for him, and only he had the ability to make it stop. The power from his thighs and hip
s radiated through me making me speechless. I needed to distract myself from the bad thoughts fleeting through my mind. I shampooed his facial hair and added the shaving cream to his face.

  “Alice told me that you hate facial hair, but until you can do something about it, I’m going to keep it trimmed the way I like it. Since you got me into this mess.”

  I heard a light chuckle, and I smiled. My dad showed me how to shave men the old fashion way and then he’d showed me the easier way. The shaving kit I’d found in Seuss’ bathroom was a mixture of the two. I wouldn’t be using the clippers since I liked the hair on his face. I used the razor to follow the lines of his lips so that his goatee would complement it. I then left the shadow along his cheeks but lined it up as well.

  “But all of this underneath …” I tilted his head and got rid of all the excess hair there. “… has to go, Seuss.”

  When I was all done I smiled harder. If I wasn’t already hot for the Alpha, I would be with his fresh look.

  “Well aren’t you lethal?” I reached behind his head to see how wet his hair was. He was mostly dry, but I decided I’d comb through it a few more times.

  I rested my head on my folded hands that lay across Seuss’ chest. “I don’t think that I’ve thanked you for saving my life. Maybe when this is all over you can tell me what happened.”

  I watched his lips hoping that they would move, and he’d say something, but they stayed still. I noticed a few hairs out of place and I cut them with the scissors from his kit. I smoothed the hair before oiling it lightly. I leaned up to admire my work, and damn if I didn’t want to kiss him. His bottom lip was begging for me to suck it between mine. I leaned in slow, anticipating the moment and hoping that he’d reciprocate, but knowing it was impossible. When my lips grazed his, the connection between us magnified, and I could feel his raw need. Power flared and roared inside me. It was too much, and I could almost feel his lips move against mine.

  I pulled away suddenly to see him looking at me. I leaned in again, helpless to the pull to feel him claim me. He took my lips and I melted against him as his tongue parted my lips taking refuge. I felt suspended in time as his lips worked me over. He was hard against the crease of my derriere and I wondered what he’d feel like buried inside me. I couldn’t fathom how good that would feel. It was too much for my mind to wrap itself around.

  I submitted to his will and he took control easily, sure of his method of attack. My whines turned into helpless whimpers begging for more. He slowed the kiss into small brushes of his lips upon mine making me tingle all over. I rested my head upon his with my eyes closed.

  “Justice …”

  “Yes?” I looked into his eyes, and I could see just how tired he was.

  “I must …”

  “I know … I know … you need to rest.”

  “Yes …”

  I nodded, understanding, but damn if it didn’t frustrate the hell out of me. “Rest well, Seuss.”

  I kissed him one last time before sliding from the bed and working quickly to clean up. I turned the music off and covered Seuss fully, remaining quiet the entire time. I didn’t need him getting sicker. I checked his hair to find it completely dry and his skin still warm. I kissed his forehead and closed the door as I headed to bed.

  I knew that he needed his rest, but I couldn’t help but feel a ping of desertion. I held on to the fact that he didn’t want me yet again. I buried myself deep into the bed quietly wishing that the curse of being left alone would lift and that happiness would prevail. Silent tears were consumed by the pillow that I shed them into. My heart tried to hold steady as my doubts and fears threatened to shatter it into a million pieces. Sleep. I welcomed it, but instead I received a long sleepless night.

  Justice

  I watched the sunrise from my bed. I hadn’t been able to sleep all night after that kiss and the fears that plagued my mind. My hopes were up, though, because Seuss had been awake. I decided not to tell anybody because I didn’t want to set them up for false pretenses. Maybe it was space that I needed from Seuss and that’s why I was caught in my feelings. My job was to cure him and then go home, simple. Not to be caught up in the titillation of HIM. There was a knock at my bedroom door, and I didn’t move to get up. I was comfortable and fully covered.

  “Come in.”

  Maddox walked in with his hand covering his eyes. “I needed to get to Seuss and you didn’t unlock the door.”

  “Oh!” I chuckled. “I’m sorry. I’m decent so you can uncover your eyes. Feel free to head on over.”

  Maddox looked at me and smiled. My first reaction was to laugh at how coy he was trying to be though I could tell that he was nervous.

  “Have you been in to see him this morning?”

  I shook my head. “Nope. I’ve been watching the sun.”

  Maddox went into the other room and stopped short. “Well, shit! Maybe I should have you trim my beard too, Justice. You look damn good, brother.”

  The compliment warmed me, and I listened as Maddox went about doing things. He emptied the water and changed the sheets in the room.

  “He’s a lot warmer too, Just.”

  Was that a nickname?

  “Good!” I shouted to him.

  “Whatever you’re doing, keep it up. It seems that the Alpha likes being pampered by his mate.”

  I snuggled further into my blankets to hide my blushing cheeks.

  “There is a pack meeting here in the East Wing today at noon. You don’t have to come, but it would be greatly appreciated if you could.”

  “Is there anything that I need to do for it?”

  I still hadn’t gotten any clothes of my own and that needed to happen before the meeting. It would look god awful to attend my first pack meeting in the Alphas clothes. Or would it? Somehow, the thought of being covered in his scent and wearing his clothes didn’t sound horrible. It sounded … right. I still wanted to look the part of his mate so laying around in his shirts would have to wait.

  “Everybody usually brings a tray of some sort since there are so many people. I’ll have the girls sent over so that they can set up the chairs.”

  “I’ll be there.” I glanced over at the clock. I had about four hours to find something to wear and then find a way to make the Alpha house look good.

  I jumped up and headed to the bathroom to shower. Showtime.

  I purchased quite a few decorative pieces, clothes and personal items before I headed to the grocery store to buy the food on my list. I got back in enough time to make everything happen. I made pinwheels, roasted bbq wings, deviled eggs and salami rolls. Maddox came back early from his errands to get dressed and stole an egg. He ran out of the room before I fussed at him. I snickered and went back to sprinkling paprika. He walked back into the room licking his fingers and shaking his head.

  “Damn girl, you can cook.”

  “They’re just eggs, Maddox.” I laughed at how easily food gratified him.

  “Damn good eggs.” He stole another, and I smacked his arm.

  “Out!” I pointed toward the door and waited for him to depart.

  Maddox put his hands up in surrender, but when I walked away with the platter to put it into the fridge, he stole a salami roll.

  “Make sure you save some of those for after the meeting,” he said with a mouth full of cream cheese and salami.

  I chased him out of the kitchen and Alice moved out of the way laughing. She was coming into the kitchen and Maddox almost knocked her over as he passed.

  “What’s he done now?” she asked between fits of giggles.

  “He’s always stealing food!”

  Alice laughed and walked into the kitchen behind me. “Anything I can do?”

  “If you could just put things in the refrigerator while I check the wings that would be amazing!”

  “They are going to love you.” Alice started covering things and putting them away.

  “I hope so.” I wiped my brow and headed over to the sink to wash my hands.
“I think I have just enough time to freshen up.”

  “You go do that and I’ll take care of things in here.”

  I knew that the wings only had about another ten minutes, so I hurried back, added my secret sauce, and put them in the oven for their final taste good minutes. I set up the food just before the pack arrived. I’d also warmed up the room with some table cloths and a few decorations.

  I sat up front next to Maddox until the meeting began. He opened the floor up to concerns and immediately the meeting was filled with the buzzing sounds of issues. There were things not fixed, some issues with the youth, programs fallen apart, the elderly needed help, and the list just continued to grow. I disappeared to grab some paper from Seuss’ office and found some clipboards. I made three categories. Community needs, repairs. and rising problems. The people seemed weary of writing down the issues, but when I explained that problems couldn’t be fixed if we didn’t have them documented, things ran much smoother. That was, until the ex-Alpha showed up.

  Augusto seemed to command the room immediately upon his entrance. Seven men filed in behind him turning the room eerily quiet. I turned toward Maddox, about to ask who the man was, but the menace across his face halted me.

  “How lovely for you to join us, Augusto. I see you’ve brought the elders as well.” Maddox spat each word as if they left a bad taste in his mouth.

  “Glad to be here. Since this meeting covers official pack business I’m required to attend. The elders are here of their own accord.” Augusto smiled, but for some reason it didn’t meet his eyes.

  “Please be seated as there is a discussion in progress.”

  Augusto and the others sat down, but he seemed to watch my every move. His eyes seemed familiar, but I couldn’t place them just yet. The more he studied me the more I felt the challenge in them. I tilted my head a little trying to figure out what his aim was, but he only smiled and waited. The noise around us filtered out, and my heart began pounding through my ears.

 

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