by Jade Royal
“I still may …” He grabbed a handful of my hair and pulled it tight.
I held his gaze for as long as I could. Every moment of the fight ignited fire within us. I was melting for him where it mattered most. The moment that I closed my eyes and turned my head away from him, exposing the flesh that he had the right to take or leave, mark or not, was monumental. He sank his shaft deeply into me in one sweep of his hips claiming my body.
“Say it …” he growled into my ear.
I whined, dazed and confused. “Say what, Odysseus?”
I panted trying to figure out how the way that he gripped my hip, pounded me into the ground and held my head to immobilize me felt so damn good. Through the bond, I could feel what he did, and it was too much. I was warm, wet, and the hold that I had on him as he moved in and out of me was stronger than just physical. He was close, and I could feel his orgasm approaching. He tilted his hips and it felt as if he was spanking my clit.
“Say it!” he roared.
Focusing on anything was difficult when I was feeling double the pleasure. MINE! I felt it more than I heard it from him.
“Yours!” I screamed.
“FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
He ground out before releasing into me. The spike in emotion flooded my senses bringing me with him. Seuss kissed me thoroughly until he was satisfied that it, too, was fully claimed by him. I was dizzy with emotion as I laid there, tucked underneath Seuss. He covered me, keeping me warm, and his breathing on my neck was soothing. It took everything in me not to ask him to bite me. I wanted to wear the mark of his mate, but I knew that he didn’t want that. He licked the spot and I shivered in response. He was right there, and this was a dangerous dance. Don’t make me beg, Seuss. I projected the thought out into the world hoping that he’d hear it. I wasn’t that lucky, though. Seuss kissed my shoulder and rolled off me. He stood and helped me to my feet on shaky legs. He carried me to the wheelchair, placed me into it and wheeled me back to the house quietly. I was glad that he didn’t say anything because I’d rather suffer in silence as my heart broke into a million pieces. It was earth-shattering to know that the man that I’d love forever would never truly want me, though our souls would always call out for our entwined destiny.
That sobering thought accompanied me into the shower as I tried to scrub every bit of his scent and all the memories from my skin. I climbed into bed after taking a sleep potion from Alice for a migraine that I didn’t have. I needed to escape them and the feelings that I had to take care of myself for once because no one else would. For some reason that reminded me of something very important that I’d forgotten during my time here. I was only a mere guest here to help their Alpha.
Now that he was healed, they wouldn’t need me. I could go back home where it was just Ms. Sandy and me. The way it should be. She was the only family I had left, and that’s all I needed. This temporary feeling of belonging to something bigger and having a higher purpose came with helping the Alpha. That was all. Sleep was the solution, and tomorrow sounded like an appropriate time to pack up to head home to get grounded again. It was time to get back to reality. That was an official plan.
Justice
My heart ached as I descended the steps early the next morning. I knew leaving would be difficult, but something internally was roaring desperately for me not to go. I’d packed the few things I’d acquired into one of Seuss’ bags to make traveling easier plus a few of his t-shirts. Consider it payment. I rounded the corner to see Augusto leaning against the wall.
“Want to go for a walk?” He was way too comfortable in here.
“No, actually, I was on my way out.” I squinted my eyes at him trying to figure out how he’d gotten in.
“Yes, let’s walk.” Augusto turned and walked out of the house, and I sighed following him.
Once we were outside he turned toward me and examined me closer in the dawn’s light. “Why hasn’t he claimed you?”
“Eh …” I stuttered. What kind of question was that?! I wanted to yell at him for bringing my insecurities present. I wanted to kick him, hard!
“You are his mate, yes?” Augusto studied my features.
“I don’t know …” I hated to admit it to myself let alone another person. Especially Augusto. Why were we examining this again when I should be leaving? I shouldn’t be having this conversation! I wanted to believe that I was, but Seuss was able to walk away from me so easily. Maybe I wasn’t his mate after all.
“But you helped to heal him,” Augusto said.
And I’d done that through the bond that we had because of the way that he’d saved me? I knew there was magic involved. Maybe it created a link between us of some sort?
“How would he have saved you with the mate healing spell if you weren’t his true mate?” Augusto asked.
I looked up toward the window that I knew was Seuss’ room. He’d used a spell?
“A mate spell. Risking his own life in the process,” Augusto responded.
Maybe Alice had something to do with it.
“Alice isn’t as strong of a healer as Seuss can be for his mate.” Augusto nodded his head reassuring me of his answer.
“But …” That’s when it hit me. “Who in the hell gave you permission to read my thoughts?!”
Augusto laughed. He held up a vial that held a few strands of hair. I didn’t need to look closely to know that they were mine.
“Where’d you get that?” I knew the answer immediately. That night when he’d pulled my hair.
“As the former Alpha, it benefited me to have my own resources. I can always tell ill intent by taking a few strands of someone’s hair. Call it my gift. If I put forth the right energy for the right reasons I can also read their minds. It’s draining so I don’t do it often.”
“Why did you today?”
“You glowed.” He spoke so matter of fact that it made me feel as if I’d missed something.
“I … glowed?”
“Ill intent makes the vial glow. You … glowed.”
“I have no ill intent. I only wish to go home.” If that was ill so be it.
“And what of the Alpha?” He raised his head higher than mine as if to prove a point.
I stood my ground not backing away. “What about him?”
“Is he well? What will he do about a mate? What about the mating fever? The future heirs to the throne?”
“I’m sure that he’ll figure it out.” I moved to walk around Augusto, and he cut me off by sidestepping to his left.
“I have a better idea. You promised me a meal. I’d like for that to be today.”
“Today!” I exclaimed.
“Yes.”
I sighed and looked back at the Alpha House. I really didn’t want to spend another day in there. “Can’t this wait until a different day?”
“I’m sure that if you leave, you won’t be back. May as well settle this today. Don’t worry, you can use my kitchen,” Augusto smiled knowingly.
I huffed and tried to think of a way out. I’d expressed that to him at the meeting but never expected him to cash it in. This was not happening. Plus, I didn’t trust him. His threat to Seuss wasn’t forgotten.
“One meal and we’re even. You’ll be free to go,” Augusto said.
“One meal?” I asked for confirmation.
“One meal.” But why did it feel like I was signing a deal with the devil?
Augusto smiled. I snatched the vial of hair from him, and he laughed. “Feisty. I like you.”
He turned, and I followed him off the property to the smaller estate. If he was up to something, there was only one way to find out what it was.
Next time, I’ll ask better questions. The meal he wanted me to prepare was dinner. We spent the day getting to know one another. He showed me into a room that he called The Family Room. There were so many pictures of his beautiful wife. Something about her seemed so familiar. I looked around at more photos before I saw a picture of three t
eenaged boys sitting around the happy Alpha couple. There was one intense gaze that I couldn’t ignore. One that pulled at me so intensely that my heartbeat accelerated.
“Seuss.”
“Yes, my strong-willed son.” Augusto looked over my shoulder at the picture with proudness beaming from him.
“I—I feel idiotic for not realizing the resemblance.” I turned toward him feeling horrible for not knowing.
In the picture, without the facial hair, I could see how striking the kindship was. Seuss was the perfect blend of his mother and father, but this photo put things into perspective. Seuss was the younger version of his father, but I could see the man that he would grow into. A seasoned Seuss would be no fret.
“No one told you?” Augusto seemed hurt by the neglected information.
“Wait, you’re trying to challenge your son for the throne!” I exclaimed.
“No.” Augusto laughed. “There’s talk of a rebellion. Making myself known means that they’d have to fight me, too. I’m no spring chicken, but I’d flatten anyone that tried to harm my son.”
Could I trust him? I sighed, torn. “Most of the conversation directed to me has been about making Seuss better. I haven’t heard anything about any of his family.” I hoped that the information would soothe his concerns and the frown lines in his forehead.
“But he shifted?” The concern was evident in his tone.
“Yes.”
“Then all will be alright.” Augusto physically relaxed.
“Pop!” The deep baritone startled me and I held my chest trying to relax. I turned toward the voice to see a man that towered over me. Fuck if he didn’t make me feel small. The room seemed to shrink with both men crowding in.
“Auggie, meet Justice. She’s Seuss’ mate.”
“The growler finally found somebody to handle all of that brooding that he does?” Auggie hugged me but then his body stiffened, and he backed away. He combed his hand through his hair and took another step back.
“Did I do something?” I inquired. I didn’t like the look on his face.
Auggie shook his head quickly and then exited the room. I turned toward Augusto and a clouded expression passed over his face before he could school his features. “Auggie has special abilities. Don’t worry about it. He just needs a minute.”
I nodded afraid to ask what he felt or saw. Did I do something? What was going on? What vibe was he getting? Thoughts passed rapidly through my mind and Augusto stood in front of me slamming the door shut on my thoughts. His abrupt movement made me focus on him instead of the other things.
“Let’s get you acclimated with the kitchen, shall we? I can’t wait to have some of those wings.”
I smiled uneasily. So that’s why we were waiting until dinner. I followed him to the kitchen while pinning up my hair as I walked. Apparently, the other brother, Alec heard that I was here and making dinner. He was headed over to enjoy dinner as well.
One thing that I noticed was that wolves had much bigger appetites, especially when it came to meat. I made a list of the things that I’d need to make this meal, leaving more than enough to spare. Dinner was completed in time for me to make some delicious, melt in your mouth lemon sugar cookies.
When I pulled the last bit from the oven, dizziness swept over me and I held on to the oven door for support. The room seemed to whiz around me while whirling so quickly that I thought the floor would swallow me whole.
“Justice!” I felt strong arms sweep me from my feet, and though I wished it were Seuss, the scent was all wrong. I’d heard that voice before, though. I buried my face into his shoulder and held on tightly. He walked, and I wasn’t sure where he was taking me until I heard the loudest growl.
“Seuss. Calm the fuck down. She was about to faint,” the man carrying me said.
“Put … her … down …” Seuss roared.
I tried to look over at him, but the head movement was enough to send the room spinning in a different direction. I wanted to reach for my head, but I was afraid to move any more of my body. I groaned in pain wanting it to go away.
“Give me a minute for fuck’s sake. I’m not going to hurt her. What in the hell is his problem?”
Mumbling and arguing happened around me. The only thing that registered was Augusto’s statement. “They’re not fully mated yet.”
The male carrying me tensed noticeably. “Fuck!”
He sat me down into a chair and moved away. I leaned my head on the chair wishing for something to make the dizzy spell and approaching headache disappear. Cool hands caressed my forehead and I leaned into it. It provided temporary sanctuary before pressure increased and then decreased in my head. Nausea set in, but the coolness kept it at bay. The pressure began again and then decreased until my headache disappeared into nothingness. I felt lightheaded at first, but then that was soothed as well. Then all I smelled was spicy wolf. As much as I hated it, it felt good for Seuss to heal me. I leaned forward and kissed him quickly.
“Thank you,” I whispered. I opened my eyes to see his glowing back at me. He was striking.
“Glad you’re feeling better.” He removed his hands slowly and I remained steady.
“What are you doing here?”
“My father felt the need to invite his sons to dinner. Now I know why.” He scoffed.
“Because he wanted to boast?”
“No. because you’re here.” Seuss seemed annoyed.
“I’m glad that you’re happy to see me.” I stood pushing him out of the way and headed into the kitchen. “Can you guys help me bring the food into the dining room?” I yelled over my shoulder.
I heard one set of footsteps headed my way and silence behind me. No one was going to challenge Seuss, and he was headed into the kitchen where I was in charge. We didn’t talk at all, but I didn’t miss the way he watched me move about, and the way that his fingers caressed mine when I handed him dishes to carry. What game was he playing? If he wasn’t going to be my mate then the funny business needed to end, too. There would be no more intimate sessions between us.
“Let’s eat,” Augusto announced from the head of the table.
Alec and Auggie sat on one side and Seuss and I on the other. There was a lot of small talk, but I remained quiet. I listened as the brothers talked about their childhood and teased one another. I excused myself to the bathroom.
I looked in the mirror to see a lovestruck girl staring back at me. I hated to admit that I was in love with Seuss, but it was the truth. He’d had plenty of opportunity to claim me and had chosen otherwise.
There were so many thoughts racing through my mind. I’d pushed the information about my biological parents aside. I still missed my adoptive parents. And I really wanted to see Ms. Sandy. I needed to go home and find my peace. Being around Seuss was too much. Knowing that I meant nothing to him wasn’t something that I could deal with. It was time to go.
When I exited the bathroom, the men were still carrying on. I picked up my bag and slipped out the front door. They were none the wiser as I made my way home.
Seuss
It’d been weeks and Justice still hadn’t come back. Things were going well but Justice’s disappearance created an imbalance in the pack. They looked to her to keep the community running smoothly. The new structure that she and Maddox had created was brilliant. But I’d have to keep working with Maddox to continue to build our empire with her. None of that helped the fucking ache in my heart.
“Seuss,” Maddox called out to me.
“Yeah …” I turned toward him.
“Are you going to go after her?”
“I did but she’s made her decision.” I sipped my potion at the table. It helped me to block out the call of the bond. Nothing would cure it indefinitely.
Maddox sat down across from me and I considered his posture. He had things to say but he warred with himself about saying them. I snickered and took another sip. He’d eventually say what he wanted to.
“You’re back to your growl
y, brooding self. She made you smile. You were happy. Hell, the whole pack heard how happy you guys made each other. What’s the real reason that you haven’t claimed her?”
“I’m not ready,” I responded.
“Bullshit. I’ve known you all my life. I know when you’re lying about something.”
I was closer to Maddox than I was to my own brothers. Not that I wasn’t close to them, but Maddox was my best friend. Sometimes I wondered if we did share the same blood.
“I told you―”
“Seuss, you never let ANYBODY call you Odysseus.” Maddox folded his arms and waited. “What happened? Something had to have happened.”
I slammed my hand against the table before I jumped over it and gripped Maddox’s shirt. My face was inches from his and it took a shit ton of will not to rip out his throat. “I still owe you for that stunt that you pulled with her in the field! Watch yourself, wolf.”
Maddox’s face was unreadable. He’d not flinched one bit, and I knew it was because of that damn charmed necklace I’d given him years ago. I could feel his nervous energy, but he’d never cower. I’d given it to him in case anything ever happened to me. If my seat on the throne was ever truly challenged, Maddox’s strength would guarantee him the win. He would be a strong Alpha without the Beta gene. I’d simply provided him with the answer. A charm that made it a non-factor.
“What happened?” he asked.
His eyes glowed signaling his wolf. It excited me more than it should have. It’d been a long time since we’d brawled. It would give me a rush to tear into him. It wouldn’t be easy though. Fighting Maddox would be no easy win.
“Let it go, Maddox,” I hissed.
“What happened?”
I pulled his shirt tighter cutting off his air supply. Still he refused to engage more than he was. I could feel the life draining from his body as I deprived him of oxygen.
“Whaaaaaat happeeeeeeened?” His words were strangled but sure.
I growled loudly as I dropped him back into his chair and threw the potion I was drinking against the wall.