Table of Contents

Title Page

Simon’s Runaway Mate

Copyright

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Epilogue

Simon’s Runaway Mate

James Pack

By Lacey Thorn

Simon’s Runaway Mate

by

Lacey Thorn

Cici…

I’ve been fascinated with shifters since my father married one and I inherited a big brother named Hannibal. Following him on the hunt for rogue wolves was fun and exciting. Right up to the minute it wasn’t. Waking up in a hospital bed with a large golden god looming over me wasn’t on my radar either. Falling for him? Out of the question. Now, I’m running because no matter how much I yearn for his touch, I’m not who he wants. But Simon? I’m learning he’s the wolf those tall tales warn you about.

Simon…

I’ve always had a fascination with humans. So fragile as they go about their day to day lives never knowing what lurks around them. Then there was her. I spilled blood for her. I’d do it again. I claimed her when I carried her to safety. My mate. I’ll forgive her for not understanding. She is human. But running from me should have never crossed her mind. Now, I’ll have to chase her down and show her exactly who she belongs to.

Copyright

© 2021, Lacey Thorn

Simon’s Runaway Mate

Cover Art by Supernova Indie Publishing Services, LLC

Edited by MICHELE PAULIN

Electronic Format ISBN: 978-1-949795-66-0

Published by: Lacey Thorn Publishing

Warning: All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and occurrences are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, places or occurrences, is purely coincidental.

Dedication

To every alpha who exists in my head. Your story is coming, and so are you. I promise.

Chapter One

~ Simon ~

She was mine. I’d known it the moment I heard her voice over the phone, demanding I get my ass in gear and drag my alpha to help her brother collect some bad guys and save the girl. Those husky words had stroked right down my spine and given my balls a jolt that had my cock going full mast. I’d been willing to drop everything and go grab her even before I realized the girl she described was Belinda James, the alpha’s sister. Even then, I couldn’t shake the grip of that voice.

It took me a bit to get to Bastion, discover no one could locate Bee, and gather the rest of Bastion’s inner circle, selecting who’d go with and who’d stay behind in case this was a ploy to gain access to the rest of the pack. Then we were off.

A few of the others noticed my preoccupation, and I knew they thought I was worried about Bee. They all thought I was in love with her. Though I’d hinted more than once that I’d be willing to get physical with her while we waited on our mates to show up, I hadn’t been serious. It was an easy offer to make when I knew she’d never accept.

No, I’d wanted to tease and befriend her, to make her feel wanted and accepted by someone other than her brother. For all the people in the pack around her, Belinda always came across as being sad. And alone. So I teased and complimented and invited her to go anywhere and everywhere. To show both her and the rest of the pack that for all her quirks, Belinda was a woman who belonged.

Either way, I wasn’t prepared for what we walked into. The first thing I saw as we entered the abandoned factory was that bastard Mullins tossing away a woman as if she were garbage.

I didn’t think. I reacted. Stepping in, I took out Mullins’ throat and let him fall where he landed as I made my way to the woman. If her voice hadn’t given me a hint, her scent slammed into me, saturating my senses in nothing but her. A growl rumbled up from my chest as I lifted her into my arms. Tiny. Fragile. Human. And irrevocably mine. My woman. My mate. My entire fucking world.

With a brief word to Bastion, I was out the door, following my mate’s scent to a battered Jeep with obvious wear to it. I’d make sure she had a brand new one. Something with all the newest safety features and any bells and whistles she preferred. I eased her into the back seat, shoving her clutter to the floorboards to make space for her. God, she was beautiful. She had thick waves of hair that fell in shades of brown and red to her shoulders. I wanted to sink my hands into it, but I’d already noted the bruising forming on the side of her head. It made me want to go inside and kill Mullins all over again. Any bastard who’d lay hands on a woman didn’t deserve to breathe. One as tiny and helpless as my human mate? He deserved a special kind of hell for touching her.

I dialed my phone as I slid behind the wheel, adjusting the seat and mirrors for my larger frame. The clinic picked up on the third ring. I cut across the greeting with little care.

“This is Simon. I’m bringing in a human. She’s currently unconscious. Cut on her stomach. Doesn’t appear deep. Bruise on the side of her head concerns me. Have a room ready and make damn sure the doctor is there when I get there. I’m less than ten minutes out.”

Silence for several long seconds then, “You’re bringing a human here?”

“Are you questioning me?”

I didn’t have to force the displeasure that filled my tone. Nor did I embellish the alpha growl that resonated from me. My pack was jokingly referred to as the alpha pack just as often as it was the James Pack. I didn’t know if anyone really understood the truth of that. It was a pack of alphas. Most of us were bastards and misfits that had somehow found each other and formed our own pack.

I was often thought of as the easy going one, lesser than the others. There was a reason for that. Only the inner circle realized I was Bastion’s personal guard. To get to him, you’d have to first go through me. My easy smile hid the beast who lives inside me. I’m a brutal bastard, who has no fucking qualms about ripping another wolf to shreds if the situation called for it. Protecting the alpha I chose to follow was my job, and I took it seriously. But it was better if others don’t know what to expect. It gave me the element of surprise. Came in pretty fucking handy at times. Even when there were whispers about me, they were easily brushed aside.

“No.” The voice on the phone trembled, and I easily pictured the young wolf it belonged to. She’d recently finished nursing school and returned to finish her training with our pack now that the Rigton Pack was no more. She was also one we were watching. She’d been known to cause some trouble and had even been stupid enough to bad mouth several of the inner circle. The alpha’s mate among them. There was something off about her. Something I didn’t trust, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it now. “I’ll make sure everything’s ready for you.”

“Thank you, Madison. Seven minutes out.”

I hung up, glancing in the rearview mirror at my still unconscious mate. My cock was thick and hard behind my zipper even though she was in no condition for what I envisioned and probably wouldn’t be for a while. How hard had she been hit in the head? Why wasn’t she waking? What if she didn’t wake up? I shook my head, denying that train of thought as quickly as it started. I reached one hand back, needing to touch her. Her skin was soft, warm, reminding me she was alive, though her eyes remained closed.

I focused on the drive. Then on carrying her inside. On watching the doctor as he checked her out.

I almost took out his throat when my mate groaned and jerked at his touch along her side.

“Whoa!” Dr. Hagerty practically jumped away from the bed when I moved. “It appears she hit her side at some point. There’s a bruise forming, but I don’t think anything’s broken. We’ll take some x-rays to be sure. She might have a slight concussion. I’ll need to do a few tests there also. Which will require me touching her. Even if I may make her uncomfortable, I promise you I’ll do my utmost not to inflict further pain.”

The most beautiful pair of blue eyes blinked open, searching the room before stopping on me, deep pools that invited me to dive in. I could drown in those eyes. Willingly. Eagerly. She blinked several times as if trying to bring me into focus.

“Where’s…” She paused, clearing her throat. “Where’s Hannibal?”

My guess was in a world of trouble. He was probably bleeding out, if not already dead. No one fucked with the James Pack and walked away. Then again, my mate had called and asked for help. Putting two and two together, my second guess was that Hannibal was the brother she’d spoken of. He was probably alive. Beaten, definitely. Maybe broken in a few places. But odds were, the others wouldn’t have killed him before finding out who he was, why he was in our territory without gaining permission first, and why the hell he’d brought a human with him. I was okay with the last part. Otherwise, who knew when I’d have met the gorgeous woman who belonged to me. Of course, I would have preferred the bastard had kept her safe.

“Here.” Madison moved beside the bed before I could find my voice. She held out a cup of ice. “Try these. There’s no bruising on your neck, so I don’t think there’s any damage there. You’ve got a nice bruise on your temple, as well as along your side, and a laceration on your belly. Did you bump into something?”

The insult didn’t go unnoted, and I’d speak with Madison about it later. No one insinuated my mate was weak, and the derision the nurse showed the human was crystal clear. If that attitude remained, she’d be packing up and heading out sooner rather than later. Mates were sacred and treated as such.

Blue eyes blinked again. Though she tried to give her attention to Madison, I was happy to note my mate’s gaze kept tugging back to me. My wolf wanted to howl in delight. The beast wanting to strip and flex muscles to make her ooh and ahh. To impress and entice. I was hard-pressed not to join her on the tiny bed, to lift and pull her onto my lap, surrounding her with me and daring anyone to fuck with her ever again.

“I… Where am I? Who are you?” She managed to include us all in that last question, and I growled again, angered that my mate wouldn’t know who I was as instinctively as I did. Another reminder that she was human.

Madison shot a questioning glance toward me before answering. “You’re at the Rigton County Clinic. I’m Madison, the nurse on duty tonight. This is Dr. Hagerty. And this is Simon Hollister. He’s—”

“Simon,” my mate interrupted, giving a sigh of relief. “You came.”

I almost said “not yet” but managed to bite back those words and give a nod instead. Human. I had to remember that. I didn’t want to scare her off by turning into the big, bad wolf she’d probably been warned of in bedtime stories.

“Everyone out,” she ordered at my nod, but I wasn’t going anywhere. “I need to speak with Simon alone.”

“You’ve been injured,” Dr. Hagerty stated firmly as if his patient wasn’t aware of that fact. “I need to fully assess you to know the full extent of your injuries, Ms…?”

“Lawson,” she answered. “Cici Lawson. I’m fine, doctor. And yes, I’d know if I wasn’t. I appreciate your concern, and I’ll let you know if I decide I need anything further from you. Now, both of you out, so I can speak with Simon.”

Dr. Hagerty turned his stunned gaze on me. I almost snickered at his expression. He’d been ordered out of the room by a human woman, who probably came up to his pecs in her bare feet. If she weighed more than a hundred pounds, it wasn’t by much. Fuck! Those thoughts led me to others, of taking her, making her mine, and wondering if she’d be capable of mating me. The fates wouldn’t be so cruel as to bring me my mate then make it impossible for me to have her. I refused to believe that.

“Now.” The order was softly uttered, but there was no doubt Cici expected to be obeyed. God, she had my dick pulsing along my zipper, begging to give a few commands if its own.

I nodded, and with a clenched jaw, Hagerty turned to leave, the judgmental Madison on his heels.

“I’ll be outside if you need me,” Hagerty muttered, and I wasn’t sure if he was speaking to me or Cici.

“We won’t,” Cici stated, showing she had no trouble hearing us. “Simon will be safe with me.”

Hagerty snorted, and I barely managed to hold in the bark of laughter that threatened to escape. Me? Safe from her? Good lord! Maybe, she’d taken a harder hit to the head than any of us had realized. Why else would she seek to assure me I was safe when I clearly outweighed her by over a hundred pounds and easily towered over her diminutive frame. I felt practically gargantuan next to her petite body.

As soon as the door shut, Cici sat up with a groan, one hand cradling her side while the other gently probed her temple.

“Stop that,” I ordered, moving to sit beside her on the mattress. Her hip rolled toward me, and I moved in to loom over her, forcing her to lie back.

She smiled, and I felt my lungs momentarily seize, forgetting how to breathe as she lifted her hand to stroke her fingers along my whisker-covered cheek. I felt that touch everywhere. Over every fucking inch of my body.

“Thank you for coming to help us, Simon. Where’s my brother? Is he here, too?”

“He’s back at the house with Bas and the others.” At least, I assumed that was where they’d taken Hannibal.

She nodded, accepting that easily. Thankfully, she didn’t ask me if he was okay. I couldn’t have answered anyway. Though I had my suspicions, I’d walked away with her as soon as I’d hit the door. I wasn’t sure what had gone down after I’d left. I’d call and check in once I spoke to her. Prepared her for what was to come. Namely me. Preferable buried deep between her thighs, though I was open to suggestions.

“You brought me here? That’s sweet, Simon, but I’m okay. Seriously. I wasn’t lying when I said I’d know.”

“How would you know?” I demanded. If she told me she’d been beaten or abused in some way, I’d hunt down the offender and tear them limb from limb.

“I’m not sure what you’re thinking, but I pity anyone who gets on your bad side.” She grinned, laying me low again. “I’ve trained in several martial arts disciplines, as well as other fighting techniques. Injuries happen. I teach self-defense courses, so it’s important to stay in top shape. I heal quickly.” She glanced down at herself, skimming her soft fingers over her belly first. “He threatened to kill me. Gotta admit that claw hurt, but not as much as the hit to the head. Thankfully, I was out before I hit the floor, which is where I must have damaged my side.” She probed there, teeth clenching. “Bruised but nothing’s broken. I’ll be fine in a day or two.”

“I’ll be the judge of that,” I growled.

She lifted a brow and somehow managed to give the appearance of looking down her nose at me. It almost made me grin.

“I’ll be the judge of that,” she corrected me.

I leaned in and felt pride when she didn’t back away. I stopped when our breaths mingled, our lips mere inches apart.

“Do you know what I am?” I thought we’d start with that first. Obviously, she did, but I needed the admission from her own lips.

She cocked her head and let her gaze run over me. I caught the hitch in her breath as well as the way her nipples pebbled, though she tried to give the impression she was unimpressed.

“A man with a god complex who believes he has some proprietary claim over me simply because I’m a frail woman? A dick with an ego the size of Texas?”

I growled at her, letting her get a glimpse of the sharp canines that would sink into her when I claimed her as mine.

“Too much? Not enough? Want me to share what else I think you may be?” she asked with a bland expression, but her pulse fluttered at her neck, drawing my gaze and making me want to lean closer and taste her.

“Is Cici your given name?” The question was out before I’d fully thought it.

She gave me a strange look then shook her head. “It’s Cecilia, but no one has called me that since I was little.”

“Cecilia.” Her name rolled over my lips with a purr that had a shiver skating over her. I drank it in, noting the further tightening of her nipples. I wanted to taste those, too. Instead, I ask her again. “Do you know what I am?”

“If you’re like Hannibal, then yes, I do.”

“Say it,” I ordered.

“A wolf. You’re a wolf shifter, Simon, and I’m not afraid of you.”

I grinned then, letting her get a good look at my sharp teeth. She was a breath of fresh air. I didn’t want her afraid of me. We’d never work if she was. I’d worried after discovering my mate was human, but Cecilia was made of sterner stuff than most.

“That’s good, Cecilia,” I crooned. “Now, do you know who I am?”

“Cici,” she corrected. “Of course, I know who you are. If I hadn’t, Madison made the introduction before she left. Simon Hollister. Part of the James Pack. Did you hit your head? Are you injured?” Her hands reached out, skimming up my sides before edging in toward my chest, running up over my pecs to my shoulders then on to my neck before cupping my face. “Simon, are you okay?”

“I’m perfect, mate. Never been better.”

“Then why are you being so weird?” she asked, not even picking up on the fact I’d told her she was my mate.

I grinned then almost laughed as my smile had her tilting back in an attempt to put distance between us. Instead, I followed her until her head was against the pillow. Only I didn’t stop. I kept going until her lips were under mine, until my tongue was skimming along her plump bottom curve then darting inside on her gasp of surprise. The hands at my face slid back to grip my hair, holding me close as I devoured her.

For a small woman, my mate was endowed with very nice breasts. Not quite a handful but close. I felt them full and firm under my chest, the hard tips begging to be gripped and sucked. Soon, I promised myself. Very soon.

First, there was something else I needed to do. I’m not sure what made me think Cecilia would fight my claim. Call it instinct, but I doubted she’d go easily along with me when I told her she was mine. Mine to love. Mine to protect. Mine. The only woman I’d ever belong to. So I did the only thing I could. I broke the kiss, nuzzled my way down her neck and sucked the slight curve where neck met shoulder. She moaned, tilting her head to grant me better access. I scraped her skin with my teeth and felt the shudder roll through her.

“Do you know how much I want you, right now?” I whispered between nips and sucks at the spot where I planned to stake my claim.

“Mmm,” she moaned, seeming beyond words. That might be a good thing. “Careful, Simon. You’ll leave a hickey.”

I was going to leave much more than that.

“I don’t even know you,” she muttered, but I wasn’t concerned. She’d have the rest of our lives to learn everything about me. Still, she wasn’t pulling away.

“Simon.” She moaned my fucking name. Just the way I wanted to hear her call it when I was buried deep within her.

I scraped my teeth one last time then struck, clamping my jaw down as my teeth penetrated her skin, finding muscle and locking tight. Cecilia shuddered again and held me tightly to her. She curved her hips against my side, managing to press her sex hard against my hip. I was still sucking on her when I felt the orgasm roll through her. It almost had me following, but I held my control. When I spilled my cum, it wasn’t going to be wasted in my jeans. It’d be hugged inside her channel, with her milking every drop from me. I forced myself to release her then gently licked over the spot, sealing the wound and capturing the few escaped droplets of blood on my tongue. She was in my system now. I’d be able to find her anywhere.

She blinked those blue eyes up at me and smile again. “You’re a hell of a kisser, Simon. Potent stuff. You could make a woman lose her head.”

“What about her heart?”

She gave me another one of those considering looks as if she were trying to read what I meant by my question.

“I’m sure you’ve claimed many hearts, Simon.” She ran her fingers over the spot I’d bitten and tilted her head around as she tried to see it. “I swear it felt like you bit me, but that’s crazy.” She laughed, and I wondered how amazing her orgasm was that she’d missed my teeth sinking into her skin. “Will you call and check on Hannibal for me? I’d really like to make sure my brother’s okay.”

I’d just claimed my mate, and her thoughts were on her brother? You had to be fucking kidding me! Her attention should be firmly focused on me and only me. If she were a wolf…

I didn’t finish the thought. She wasn’t. She was human, and like it or not, I wasn’t sure how mating would work with her. The only thing I did know was that she was mine. And there wouldn’t be a damn thing her brother could do about it.

Chapter Two

~Cici~

I wasn’t sure Simon was going to walk out the door. Then Dr. Hagerty poked his head in and asked to speak with Simon in the hallway. Thank you, Doctor. I needed a minute to breathe and process.

I rubbed the spot on my neck again. What the hell had just happened? I mean, other than the blow-my-fucking-mind orgasm I’d just experienced. Which, hello! Can I get another please? I felt as if it had revved my engine, and now, I wanted more, more, more.

Exactly how fantastic is a wolf’s recovery time? Wait? I don’t think Simon actually orgasmed, which means hello happy times for me. Wait. No. No happy times, Cici. Pull yourself together!

I pivoted on the bed, biting down to keep my moan locked in, so Simon wouldn’t hear it. I knew Hannibal had ears like a bat, or a wolf, which were just as good, apparently. He could hear everything, so I assumed Simon could too.

I was a little dizzy, so a concussion wasn’t out of the realm of possibility. If I was honest, at least with myself, I most likely had one. Wolves hit like freaking freight trains, and my head had taken the brunt of that one punch. But I’d be okay. I hadn’t lied when I’d told Simon I’d had injuries before. Of course, I also hadn’t told him the whole truth. But really, it was none of his business. Orgasm withstanding, he wasn’t anything to me. God, I wanted him to be though.

Stop, Cici. Focus.

How the hell did I get out of this room with Simon loitering in the hall? After a brief internal debate, I tiptoed across the room and cracked the door to peek out. No Simon in sight. I momentarily wondered where the hell he’d gone then shook my head. I needed to take advantage of his absence.

I ducked out of the room then immediately slipped into another as voices carried down the hall. It was Madison with another woman.

“Can you believe it?” Madison asked. “A fucking human.”

“So much for using him to get close to the new alpha and his group.” The second woman’s voice was higher pitched, nasal. It grated on my nerves. So did her words. Madison had planned to use Simon?

“Please, if his little infatuation with Belinda James wasn’t going to stop me, do you really think some nothing human will? I’ll have him walking away from her just as quickly as she showed up. What man would choose a woman like her over a wolf like me?”

The other woman snickered. “I feel sorry for him. He must be devastated. Belinda may be crazy, but she’d be better than a human woman.”

“Good news for the pack, though. If Belinda James doesn’t belong with Simon, maybe her new man will take her away from here. With her gone, it’ll be easier to work my way in close to Bastion James.” Madison practically purred when she said the alpha’s name.

I knew who Belinda was. Hannibal’s mate. The idea that these two women were speaking of her in such a hateful manner made me want to knock their heads together. It seemed cattiness was just as blatant in wolf packs as it was with humans. Too bad. I’d expected better from a species that seemed superior in so many other ways. Then there was the way I’d seen Belinda. Beaten, broken, and bloody while my brother fought to protect her. I hated these bitches and was ready to give them an earful when the next sentence stopped me cold.

“You’re forgetting Simon’s bound to that frail, little human woman,” nasal voice reminded. “Human or not, the alphas in the James Pack take their vows to the women they choose seriously.”

“He hasn’t even taken her yet. I didn’t see any marks on her, and I looked when I gave her some freezer burnt ice chips. All I have to do is sprout some claws and fangs, and I bet our tiny little human runs for the hills.”

Nasal tone laughed like a hyena at Madison’s cutting words. Vile bitches. Both of them. I’d dealt with women like them most of my life. I never understood how some people only seemed to be happy with themselves when they were tearing others down.

“She’s definitely no Belinda James,” the other woman offered. “Imagine being in love with a woman as gorgeous as her then finding out you’re mated to something so far beneath you. I’d run away if my partner turned out to be human.”

That’s when it hit me. Simon. Mated. To the frail, little human. What? My brain was having trouble processing, but slowly it hit me. Simon was mated? To me? And Madison had looked for a mark when she’d given me a cup of bad ice chips. Bitch! I touched my hand to my neck again and recalled the feeling that he’d bitten me.

“What do you think Simon will do now?” the other woman continued. “Do you think he’ll send her away?”

“Maybe, he’ll quickly find another? I mean if he’s already committed to another, he can’t be forced to take her, right?”

Madison sounded as if she would be willing to step in. Why that made me want to beat the hell out of her, I wasn’t sure. Then I remembered the bite. Did it have the ability to make me like him? To want him? Good lord! Would it make me obedient to him? Hell fucking no! I wasn’t going to be some mindless little woman who would follow every directive Simon gave me. Especially knowing he didn’t want me to begin with. Stuck with me, was he? I needed to get home. Go to the only source of information I had. Hannibal’s mom. My stepmom, Leslie. She’d be able to answer my questions about mating and what it meant.

First, I needed to see exactly what he’d done. Glancing around the room, I found a mirror and moved as silently as I could toward it, tugging my shirt aside so I could inspect my skin. The evidence was blatant. I clearly saw where his teeth had pierced my flesh. The tissue was red and slightly swollen, but I had a feeling it would calm given time. He’d bitten me. Marked me. Because I was his mate?

Hell, no! You didn’t just claim someone without explaining shit to them first. Especially when it was a woman you didn’t want. When you were in love with someone else. God, Simon was in love with my brother’s mate. Hannibal had been right. I should have stayed home and let him handle things on his own. Then I wouldn’t be in my current predicament. Nothing like finding yourself mated to a wolf—God, a wolf! One who didn’t want you but bit you anyway. My life was a freaking mess of epic proportions. I needed to get home. The sooner the better.

I finally took note of the room I was in. There was a second door. Peering out, I saw it led to an empty hallway with a neon sign at the end that proclaimed my salvation. Exit. Thank you, universe!

Not bothering with anything else, I flew down the hallway and shoved out the exit. Glancing around, I saw my Jeep in the lot. Locked but no problem for me. I reached under the right front fender and grabbed the spare I kept hidden there then slipped it free of the magnetic box. I didn’t take an easy breath until I was out of the lot and heading away from Rigton County and the James Pack.

I made good time before I needed to stop and take something for my head. Surprisingly enough, I wasn’t hurting. It made me wonder if there was magic in the bite Simon had given me. I mean, Hannibal had never been sick, and the few times I’d seen him injured, he’d always healed super quickly. Like in hours instead of days.

I had to admit the thought of getting some of the wolfy superpowers through Simon’s bite was exciting. Maybe, I could be a superhero. Wait! Would I be able to shift into a wolf? Like a were-wolf? I was realizing there was so much about Hannibal and his mom that I didn’t know. Thanks to Simon and his bitey tendencies, I was going to have to get a crash course. Fast.

Which brought me back to the main thing that kept circling in my head. What did I really know about Simon? Nothing. He was part of the James Pack. An important part if he had direct access to the alpha, Bastion James. Hell…James. Belinda James. Hannibal was mated to the alpha’s sister. Simon was in love with the alpha’s sister. How would Bastion react to my brother being Belinda’s mate?

Speaking of my brother, he called as I pulled into a rest stop. I wasn’t up to speaking to him just yet, so I texted that I was driving. This led to a ten-minute text war where I had to reassure him I wasn’t actually driving while I texted. My brother could fight it all he wanted, but the big guy loved me. The texts were case in point. I headed toward the vending machines, stocking up on candy, chips, pop, and a bottle of cold water. I was one for driving as much as possible. A truck was leaving the lot as I headed back toward the Jeep.

There was no holding back my shriek of surprise when a large figure stepped in front of me. I reacted, dropping my haul at my feet as I automatically went on the attack. I was small but quick, and hopefully, I had the element of surprise. I mean whoever it was wouldn’t expect me to attack. Right? Wrong. Far too quickly, I found myself on my back with one massively pissed off wolf between my thighs.

“Simon?”

“You ran from me.” The words were low, guttural, and sent a chill down my spine. Not of fear. No. A chill that had my panties dampening as my channel clenched with wanton need.

“Do not make me orgasm again.” Holy shit! Had I really said that aloud? Kill me now!

The cocky bastard settled his weight over me, letting me feel the bulge of his cock right where my inner slut wanted it most. Any second, I was going to be mewling and rubbing against him like a bitch in heat. I ordered myself to get it together. I seemed to be doing that a lot around Simon.

“Stop.” My voice was weak, needy, and I sucked in a breath as I fought the desire growing within me. “Get off me, Simon.”

“No.”

Short, sweet, and to the point. And not what I wanted to hear.

“You can’t just say no. That’s not how this works. If I say stop, you stop. If I say move, you move.”

“No,” Simon repeated. “Not when I can smell how hot and wet you are for me. I can feel your body softening beneath me, ready to take me inside. You want me, Cecilia. There’s no need to say no.” His fingers caressed the spot where he’d bitten me. “You already belong to me.”

“Careful, Simon. You’re sounding a little caveman there. I don’t belong to anyone, and—”

“You belong to me.” He growled with each word, leaning closer until his mouth was pressed to mine. He nipped my bottom lip then dove inside on my gasp. We were going to have words about those teeth of his. Later. Much later.

I wrapped my hands around his neck, threading my fingers through his thick hair. God, Simon was beautiful. All that…gold. Golden brown hair. Golden tanned skin. And when he looked at me, his eyes were a shade of brown so light they appeared gold at times, too. What was I doing?

I broke the kiss and pushed at his shoulders until he took pity and allowed a few inches between us.

“What are we doing here?”

“Not enough,” he assured me.

“Do you really want to fuck on the pavement beside my Jeep at a roadside park?”

That got him moving. It also wiped the lust off his face and replaced it with one of utter disgust. He was on his feet and pulling me to him almost as quickly as I’d found myself on my back. He brushed his hands over my back and ass, giving my derriere a nice squeeze before guiding me to the passenger side of my car. I was seated with him behind the wheel before I could speak. I glanced toward the back seat where he’d tossed a bag. Why did he have a bag with him?

“What are you doing?”

“Heading home.”

“No,” I snapped, borrowing his favorite word from earlier. “I’m going home. To my home.”

“Your home is with me now. You belong to me.”

“I think you mean with you,” I corrected then shook my head. “Which is beside the point. I’m not going with you, Simon.”

He gave me a pointed look. “We need to talk, Cecilia.”

“Cici,” I corrected, realizing that I hadn’t the last time he’d said it. Of course, I hadn’t been expecting him. “And it’s a little late for that, isn’t it? Besides, I already know what I need to.”

That he was in love with another woman.

“Well, that makes one of us then,” Simon quipped then nodded. “We’ll go somewhere neutral.”

“Neutral?” What the hell did that mean?

He pulled out his phone and made a call. A short conversation later, he hung up, looking satisfied with himself. As if he sensed my confusion, he reached over and took my hand, threading his fingers with mine.

“You’re my mate. I can’t let you walk away.”

“I don’t even know what that means, Simon.” Well, I did, but I didn’t. If that made sense. Basically, I knew enough to know that I didn’t know anything.

“It means you can’t run from me. It makes me go insane. When I walked into that room and found you gone, I nearly lost my mind. Don’t do that again.”

“Does mating mean you think you can give me orders?”

“Yes, and I expect you to follow them.”

I laughed. Then snorted. Then did some version of hysterical laughing that combined the two. Simon didn’t look amused, which only made me laugh harder. Finally, I got it together.

“You can’t be serious, Simon. And why did you bring a bag with you?”

“I always keep a bag packed in case of emergencies. I had a feeling you’d be difficult so I had my ride grab it for me on their way to pick me up. Since you ran from me.”

He growled, and yeah, that growl did things to me that made my panties instantly damp.

“I’m not difficult,” I countered but Simon merely snorted without even glancing my way. “Besides, why would you mate someone you don’t even know?”

“I know all I need to know about you,” he snapped which made no sense to me.

“Well, I don’t! Tell me something about you,” I encouraged. “I don’t know anything. Except you’re part of the James Pack.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Were you born into the pack?”

At his snort of laughter, I gathered I’d guessed wrong.

“I don’t know anything about packs. Hannibal isn’t part of one, and Leslie isn’t, either.”

“Leslie’s his mom, correct?” Simon asked.

“Yes,” I agreed. “She and my dad met and fell in love eight years ago. Hannibal was twenty, and I was fifteen. Before then, I didn’t even know wolf shifters existed outside of books and movies.”

“She told you?”

“I saw her shift one night and thought I was losing my mind. My dad knew, of course. The whole mate thing, I guess. She sat me down and told me about her and Hannibal and who they are. I’ve been fascinated ever since.”

“Good thing since you’re mated to a wolf, now.”

“So you say.” I said it to antagonize him, and it worked. He did that wolfy growl again that had my insides humming.

“So, the bite on your neck states. Once we’ve spent a few days making love, my scent will cover you. Even humans will back off then, though they won’t understand exactly why.”

“You’re making me sound like a possession again. And if you even hint at peeing on me to mark your territory, I’ll rip your dick off and choke you with it.”

Simon laughed, and the brief glance he tossed at me let me know how ludicrous he found that. He put the blinker on and exited the highway, his laughter filling the cab as he made a few turns and had us on a dirt road.

“Where are we going?” I asked, realizing I hadn’t paid near enough attention to his side of the earlier phone conversation.

“A friend’s cabin.”

“I want to go home.” I sounded like a little kid, and I didn’t even care. Being alone with Simon wasn’t going to be good for me. I mean, it would actually be pretty fucking amazing, I was sure. But I wasn’t sure I could trust myself to keep my hands off him and talk. And we really needed to talk.

He parked the Jeep, but I didn’t even glance at the cabin. My gaze was glued to him. God, he really was beautiful. He leaned close and brushed my lips with his.

“Let’s get to know each other,” he suggested and I wasn’t sure he meant verbally. Then he pressed his lips over the spot he’d bitten, and my core clenched. I wasn’t certain I didn’t have a mini orgasm in that moment. I wanted him to do it again, just to find out.

“Simon?”

“Yeah.” He tilted his head to the side, nuzzling along my neck.

“I really want to get naked with you.”

He jerked back, his gaze searching my face as color flushed his cheeks.

“Let’s head inside.”

I gulped as he got out and walked around the hood toward my door. I was going to have sex with a sexy shifter. A bossy one, but still sexy. My door opened. He reached in and released my seatbelt then held out his hand for me. I let him help me out, feeling shaky on my own feet.

“Ready?” he asked, and I knew he was referring to more than a trip inside.

As if he sensed my nervousness, he leaned in, pinning me against the vehicle while he ravished my mouth. There was no other word for it. Instantly, I was right back at the cusp of orgasm, just waiting for that one extra thing that would send me over. He pulled away, his smoldering gaze raking over me, and I knew he noted the state of my nipples and probably sensed how badly I needed him.

“Simon.” His name was a husky whisper.

“Cecilia.”

“Take me inside and fuck me.”

He swept me up into his arms, lifting me high against his chest, and I knew if I wasn’t careful, I could lose my heart to Simon Hollister.

Chapter Three

~Simon~

I couldn’t get her inside quickly enough. My cock was ready to explode as it was, but hearing her ask me to fuck her had it straining against my zipper in a mad plea for freedom. I took her mouth again as soon as I’d stumbled across the threshold of the cabin with her, leaning back against the door, I fumbled the lock back into place before letting Cecilia gain her feet. Then I pulled her flush against me, unwilling to have even air between us.

“You’re going to burn me alive,” I admitted with a groan as I worked down her neck, leaving a trail of sucking bites behind. I’d never been this hungry for a woman in my life. I felt as if I would spontaneously combust if I didn’t get inside her soon. Which meant we were wearing entirely too many clothes.

“Simon.”

God, the way she moaned my name lit me up inside.

I had her shirt up and over her head before she realized my intention. Then I took her mouth again. Hunger for her was a savage need that brought my beast growling to the surface. If she looked now, I had no doubt my eyes would have the glow of the animal inside me. Her bra was off and tossed aside, and I finally had her lush breasts in my palms. I slid my thumbs across her nipples, rubbing them into tight points my mouth salivated to taste.

Cecilia was moaning and tugging at my shirt with one hand while the other threatened to make me bald with the way she was pulling on my hair. I backed away and ripped my shirt over my head then went to my knees in front of her. Immediately, I leaned in and took one dark-rose bud into my mouth and sucked eagerly.

“Oh, God,” Cecilia cried, burying her fingers in my hair again. “I knew you’d be amazing. Yes. I’m so close.”

I could scent how close she was. I slid one hand down her taut belly and jerked her jeans open before dipping my hand inside the waistband of her panties. Hot, damp, and needy. I popped off her nipple, shoved her pants and panties down to midthigh and buried my face between her thighs. I nuzzled her folds, slipping my tongue through her juices before tapping it against her swollen clit.

“Yeah, you like that, don’t you?”

She whimpered, lifting her hips toward my face while trying to work her legs free. Knowing it would give me better access to the sweet pussy I planned to devour, I helped her. In minutes, I had her stripped to the skin with both legs over my shoulders and my tongue buried inside her. Her back pressed against the door while she rode my mouth with pure abandon. Glancing up her body and seeing the look of absolute pleasure on her face, I almost came in my pants.

“Simon!” she screamed as her orgasm ripped through her. I pumped my tongue, feeling each ripple of her sex as I drank her release. I kept her at the pinnacle for long seconds until she whimpered and tilted her hips away from my mouth. I turned my face into her thigh, placing a sharp nip there that had her jerking.

“Don’t bite me again, Simon. It’s not nice.”

I snorted at the proper tone in her voice. My face was literally shiny with her pussy juice, and she was talking about being nice. I placed a soft kiss on her sex.

“Are you sure you want me to be nice?”

I scraped the same spot with my teeth and felt her shiver.

“I thought you wanted to fuck?” I murmured, licking up her folds and swirling around her clit. “Or did you want something nice?”

Her fingers tightened in my hair, and she jerked until I glanced up at her.

“Shut up and fuck me, Simon. Now.”

I grinned. I could remind her how little she liked me giving orders but decided against it. She was hot, wet and ready, and I was seconds from coming in my jeans. I kept her balanced on my shoulders while I shoved my jeans down my thighs. Then I surged to my feet catching her yelp of surprise with my lips as I let her drop from my shoulders, so I could catch the backs of her knees in my elbows, spreading her wide.

“Reach down and grip my dick,” I ordered and noticed she had no problem with me giving orders this time. Fuck! I shouldn’t be taking my mate for the first time against a fucking door. We should be on a bed with rose petals and silk sheets with the room aglow with candlelight. We should be able to see each other and explore. But I couldn’t wait.

Her fingers found my cock, and her eyes widened as she gulped. “I don’t think you’re going to fit.”

So maybe, it was a good thing she couldn’t actually see how big I was. Most shifters were well-endowed, and I wasn’t being cocky by admitting I was considered well-hung even for a shifter. My mate would have no complaints. I noted her fingers were on me but not doing anything.

“I’ll fit just fine, baby,” I assured her. I let her drop a little lower, making her shriek again as if she were afraid I was going to drop her. No chance of that. Ever.

My cock nudged her folds, and she tightened her hold, rubbing the glans through her slit. Fuck! She was gasping and moaning, riding me without letting me inside.

“Cecilia, put me inside,” I growled at her. She had me insane with lust.

She was moaning and flexing. My girl wasn’t real verbal during sex. No dirty talk from her, but she seemed to enjoy it from me.

“I want you to guide me into you, baby, so I can fuck you hard and fast. I’m going to fill this tight pussy and drench you with my cum. I’m going to make you come so hard you’ll be begging to ride my dick twenty-four seven,” I promised.

“Yes! Yes! Oh, please, yes!”

She finally lodged me at her opening, and I pressed until the tip slipped inside. We both groaned then. She was tight. So fucking snug I momentarily worried she might be correct in thinking I wouldn’t fit, but I knew better. She was my mate. She’d been made for me. Her body was meant to accept me. I thrust more firmly and managed to slide half my length in. Pulling back, I surged again. Then again until I was balls deep inside her.

Growls spilled from my throat as my hunger consumed me. I pounded into her. The combined scents of our sweat and sex filled my head, driving me to mark her womb with my seed. She was mine. All mine. And by the time we left this place, she’d be wrapped so tightly in my scent, covered in my seed, that maybe my wolf would calm the fuck down.

Cecilia screamed, her nails sinking into my shoulders, her head canted back against the door, exposing her neck. Without thought, I struck, sinking my teeth deep as she came apart around me. Her channel fluttered then locked down, milking my seed from my cock while I continued to fuck her. I couldn’t get enough. Neither could my cock as the wily bastard stayed hard, showing no signs of fatigue. I carried her to the couch, finally making it past the entryway, and only popped her off my dick long enough to turn her around and bend her over the arm. Then I lifted her by the hips and slammed home again.

I rode her harder, pounding fast and deep while she mewled and clawed at the cushions. I reveled in the pleasure I was giving her. I wallowed in it myself. She came hard, her voice breaking on the cry she let loose. I released more seed inside her, spilling so much semen that it leaked out around my tunneling cock. Our combined juices ran down my thighs and hers, coating us, and making my wolf go crazy. I grabbed her again, laying her on her back across the soft rug in front of the barren fireplace. There should be a fire going. I should take the time, but I couldn’t stop fucking her. Next time, I vowed, as I covered her with my body and returned my shaft to its new home.

“Simon.” She held on to me, tugging at my neck until I lowered my head toward hers. “Kiss me.”

Gladly. I rubbed my tongue along hers, soaking in the taste of her. I took her under, dragging myself with her until the need for air forced us apart. I left her mouth and nuzzled back down to her throat to the spot I’d claimed as mine. That almost made me laugh. Hell, at this point every luscious inch of her was mine. I planned to thoroughly explore all those inches before we left. Hell, I might keep her naked the entire time. Easier access.

“Si…mon.” There was a breathy catch to her voice, and one hand fell lax beside her head, palm up. If she only knew what that submissive pose did to the alpha in me, I’m sure she’d find the strength to move it.

“Let go, baby. I’ve got you,” I crooned in her ear, dropping down to my elbows so my chest pressed to hers.

She let the other hand fall limply while she gasped for breath. I eased off, taking her slowly, savoring every thrust and retreat, every squeeze and release of her channel.

“Do you want me to stop?” It might kill me, but I would if she needed me to.

She gave a tiny shake of her head followed by a breathy, “No.”

I grinned, pressing my lips to hers again. “You can cry uncle anytime. You don’t have to be afraid of the big, bad wolf.”

“We’ll discuss the better to eat you with when I can breathe normally,” she assured me with a soft smile.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure I eat you real good. Every single time.” I licked my lips, and her smile turned into a full-blown grin. I reached down between us, rubbing my finger over her clit as I continued to take her.

She shook her head, and that little whimper escaped again. “I…can’t.”

“Just one more, baby,” I urged. “Let me feel that pussy come around me again.”

Hell, I was like a junkie in need of a fix. Only, my drug of choice was her pussy, and I was still in the middle of a hit.

“Come for me,” I ordered. “Let me feel you fly.”

She mewled, arching her head back again. I was learning that was her tell-tale sign that she was approaching orgasm. I pinched her clit and tugged on it, and she flew. It was beautiful to watch. The flush to her skin. The damp of her perspiration. Even better to feel. The brush of her skin against mine. The flutter of her sex around my cock. I picked up the pace again, throwing my head back and letting my wolf howl as I filled her up again.

She lazily stroked her fingers along my side while I stayed arched above her, head toward the ceiling while our groins were tightly pressed together. My body felt completely drained. I collapsed atop her, though I did my best to keep the bulk of my weight off her. Finally, with a heave, I rolled so she lay sprawled on top of me instead of beneath me.

“Are we sleeping here?” Her words were slurred as if she were drunk. Love drunk. It made me feel cocky as hell.

“No. There’s a bed down the hall. I’ll carry you there in a minute.”

“Mmm,” she agreed, snuggling against my chest. “Need to talk.”

I smiled, dropping a kiss atop her head. “Yeah, baby. We’ll talk. I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”

“Promise?”

I was surprised she was still awake. Glancing down, I saw she looked ready to pass out.

“Promise.”

I wrapped my arms around her as I sat up and gained my feet. Tucking her close against my chest, I carried her to the bedroom, appreciating the fresh sheets and turned down bed. It paid to have good friends.

Cecilia didn’t open her eyes as I lay her down. She didn’t move either. I went to the bathroom first, wetting a washcloth with warm water and returning to clean her up the best I could without the luxury of a shower. We’d do that later. I tucked her under the covers, and she immediately turned to her stomach, wrapping her arms around the pillow and rubbing her face against it before settling again.

I forced myself to leave her momentarily to pick up our clothes and shoes from the main room of the cabin and double-check the doors and windows. When I was sure we were secured for the night, I headed back to the bedroom. Cecilia was sprawled across the middle of the bed. For a small woman, she managed to take up as much room as she could. I dropped our clothes on the floor, hit the lights then joined her under the covers. She immediately turned to me, cuddling close, one arm reaching across my chest while she wrapped my thigh with her leg. Her palm slipped low over my belly, brushing my well-spent cock, before settling along my lower abs.

Had I really thought my wolf might calm down after loving her so thoroughly? Definitely not. Then again, I hadn’t noticed any of the other mated members of our pack easing up on their women once they’d claimed them. Hell, Bas rode Raina’s ass so hard, it had become the norm for me to pick the two of them up from the woods with a blanket handy. Bas would gouge out my eyes if I saw his mate naked.

Then there was my best friend Taylor, who still had issues letting his mate Rebbie out of his sight. I’d cut him some slack, though, since the very men my mate’s brother had been hunting had tried to take Rebbie and almost succeeded.

I’d seen the others fall hard and fast. Hell, I vividly remembered watching our beta, Cyan, walk out of a bar with his mate tossed over his shoulder. Ivy was tiny like my mate. I’d even commented on her size, teasing Cyan with whether or not she was full grown. Funny, how my own mate’s tiny frame only made me feel all the more protective of her. At least, Ivy was a wolf. Cecilia. She was human. All she had to protect her was me. My wolf pressed along my skin as if in agreement.

Thinking of the others reminded me that I hadn’t checked in when we’d arrived at the cabin. I thought briefly about calling Bas and doing so, but my mate was asleep on me and getting my phone would require jostling her and going out to the Jeep. Bas would have to wait. Cecilia nuzzled her nose against my chest and gave a deep sigh before going completely lax. I wrapped my arms around her and held her tight. I wasn’t letting her get away from me again.

Chapter Four

~Cici~

I woke up to the smell of bacon. My mouth instantly started watering. I mean, who doesn’t like bacon? Shoving back the covers, I glanced around the room, but I didn’t see my clothes. I’d stripped in the main room so maybe they were still out there. I darted into the bathroom, taking care of more pressing needs and spotted Simon’s shirt. I tugged it over my head. It fell to my knees, covering me completely as I padded out following the scent of food. And coffee. Simon was definitely a keeper. Wait? Was I even allowed not to keep him? Not that I was thinking I didn’t want to. I mean, hello! Multiple orgasms! Did I mention he was a keeper?

“Good morning,” Simon said as I entered the kitchen. He immediately pulled me against him and took my mouth with his. I was unsteady on my feet when he let me go and didn’t say anything as he led me to the table and held out a chair for me to be seated.

“Do I have to keep you?” The words were out of my mouth before my brain had re-engaged. His lips twitched, and I knew he was fighting a laugh.

“Yes.”

I groaned. “I didn’t mean it that way.”

“Doesn’t matter. However, you meant it, the answer is yes. You do have to keep me. For better or worse, we’re a team for the rest of our lives.”

“No divorce, huh? Or well, I guess we’re not married. I mean, no proposal. Oh, God, tell me to shut up.”

Instead, he laughed aloud this time. “Definitely no divorce. And I do plan for us to get married. We shifters have our own ceremony, but I’m not opposed to a human ceremony, as well.” Simon turned back to the stove, plating bacon then pouring a cup of coffee. “How do you take your coffee?”

“In an IV?” I quipped then wiggled my fingers at him. “Give me!”

He handed the cup of magic to me, and I inhaled deeply, shutting my eyes as the scent hit me. The first sip was perfection. Strong. Just the way I liked it.

“Hell, watching you drink coffee has my dick hard,” Simon said with a grunt.

My eyes flew open, zeroing in on the crotch of his jeans where his erection was beyond noticeable.

“How are you hard again? Didn’t last night wear you out?”

His laugh again. God, it was as beautiful as him. “All I have to do is think about you, and I’m hard and ready. One word of encouragement and I’ll be happy to bend you over the table. Breakfast will keep.”

I had to admit the idea had merit. Then my stomach growled, and Simon turned back to the stove with a laugh, not even giving me a chance to go with the sex offer. I took another sip of coffee and tried to force myself to focus. Talk. We should really talk. There were so many things I needed to know, to understand. I had ideas about what it meant to be mated. I mean, I’m not stupid. But I wanted the specifics. There was one thing I really wanted to know.

“Are you in love with my brother’s mate?”

“What?” Simon glanced back at me, and I wasn’t sure if he’d heard me or not.

“Are you in love with Belinda James?”

That got his attention. He turned fully to me.

“Where did you get that idea?”

“I heard Madison speaking with another woman at the clinic you took me to. They were discussing how horrible you must be feeling since you were…” I trickled off as his gaze narrowed with anger.

“I was what?” he demanded.

“Mated to a human.” My voice was soft and hesitant.

“That’s why you ran from me?” He clenched his fists at his sides, the muscles in his arms and shoulders bulging. “What else did they say?”

I swallowed. “That you were in love with Belinda James. That you must be devasted to know you weren’t her mate. Madison seemed to think you could mate someone else and was willing to take the lead in that one.”

“And?”

Had his jaw had that tick earlier? I didn’t remember noticing it. Lord, was he angry!

“And?” I wasn’t sure I wanted to admit the rest of what I’d overheard.

“What else did you hear, Cecilia? Don’t even think about lying to me. I want to know all of it.”

I opened my mouth to make a snappy comment then thought better of it. I couldn’t make light of this. Not this. Not when it meant…well, everything to me.

“That you must be disappointed to find yourself with a human for a mate, especially one so far beneath you. A weak, frail, little human.”

“Sonofabitch!” Simon exploded and reached for his phone.

“Simon, I—”

He cut me off with a wave of his hand as whoever he’d dialed answered on the other end. “Is Madison working?” His gaze met mine. “Put her on. Now. Whoever it is can wait. Don’t make me repeat myself.”

“Simon, really it’s okay. I mean, honestly. I don’t mind being beneath you.” I tried for a grin. “Or under you. We could always try over you?”

He didn’t even crack a smile.

“Listen to me and listen closely,” Simon snapped, anger rife in his tone. I’d hate to be on the receiving end of his current fury. “You need to think long and hard on the words you spoke the night I brought in my mate. Words my mate overheard. Words that sent her fleeing. If anything would have happened to her, I would have held you personally responsible, Madison. Do you understand that?”

He paused, and I could hear a high-pitched response.

“Sorry doesn’t cut it, and I’m the wrong person to give it to. When we return, you’ll make amends to my mate. My mate. She’ll be treated with the respect she deserves, and if I hear of anything like this happening again, you’ll be searching for a new pack. Do I make myself clear?”

His gaze narrowed at whatever she replied then he hung up.

“Simon—”

He held his hand up as he made another call.

“So much for the respect I deserve,” I mumbled, and Simon’s lips twitched as he shook his head.

“Gabe, hey.” I sat, feeling my own ire rise as I listened to him share what I’d told him. I had no idea who Gabe was, but I also heard Simon mention Raina. I knew who she was. She was the mate of the alpha of the James Pack. Would that make her my alpha? Did mates have an alpha? As a human mate, was I expected to follow an alpha? I wasn’t good at obeying orders. I had a defiant streak a mile wide. My dad continuously warned me about it. And Hannibal said it drove him crazy. Damn it! I should have spent more time grilling Hannibal, so I wasn’t walking into this whole mating thing blind. Well, maybe, Leslie instead. Hannibal’s mom would be a lot more likely to give me answers.

A plate appeared in front of me, and I realized Simon was off the phone. Crisp bacon, fluffy eggs, and biscuits.

“Eat,” he ordered. “Then we’ll talk.”

“We could always talk while we eat. Conversation. People do it all the time.” I glanced at the counter. “And I only see one plate. Are we sharing?”

“I ate earlier. Which is a good thing. I’m too angry right now.”

“Why?” I asked, munching on a piece of bacon. “Madison and her friend said some rude things. It’s no reason to get bent out of shape. I’m here. With you.” I shrugged. “I might decide to stay.”

He snorted. “You’ll stay. And for the record, I’m fucking thrilled to find my mate. I knew the moment I heard your voice over the phone. And my heart fucking stopped when I walked into that warehouse and saw Mullins throwing you aside as if you were without worth. Not when you mean everything to me.”

“Simon.” I shook my head, unsure what to say. How could he feel that way about me? He didn’t even know me.

“There’s nothing weak or frail about you. I know you followed your brother into a situation you weren’t completely sure of because you didn’t want him going in alone. That tells me you’re brave and loyal. From what Bas heard from your brother, you antagonized Mullins even as he threatened you while you tried to give your brother an opening. And you contacted me.” He laughed. “Demanded I get my ass in gear and gather the troops to rescue Hannibal and his mate.”

“The woman you’re in love with,” I reminded him.

“Not even close. I admire Belinda James. She’s special. Different. And her difference makes other people nervous. Wary. She needed someone to look out for her. To make her seem approachable. To…humanize her for lack of a better word. She’s an amazing woman. Your brother’s very lucky. You’re going to love her, Cecilia. Like I do. Like family. I’ve never been in love with her. There’s only one woman for me.”

“You really believe that?”

“I know it. Give me time, and I’ll prove it to you. Ask me anything.”

“I asked before if you were born into the James Pack, and you scoffed. I take it that means you joined later? How? Why? Were you part of another pack before?” I wanted to know everything.

“I was actually raised by a human. She found me, took me in, and raised me as her own. Had no clue what I was. We both found out the first time I shifted. Scared us both. She took it all in stride and tried to help me find someone like me. She was my mother in every sense of the word, and I loved her.”

Loved. I noted the word and the sadness that touched his gaze. “She’s gone?”

“Cancer. Wolves don’t get cancer. I’d have given anything to take that pain from her.”

I reached out and took his hand. “I’m sorry, Simon. I never really had the opportunity to know my mother, but I know how I’d feel if I lost my dad.”

“Your mom died when you were young?” Simon asked.

“No idea. She left after I was born. Walked out one day, saying she was going to the grocery store and never came back. It was just me and Dad until he met Leslie. Then I got an amazing stepmom and a brother.”

“I can’t wait to meet them.”

“How did you meet the James Pack?”

“Ran into Bas and Belinda at a bar. Some wolf with a death wish tried to get the jump on Bas while he was engaged with a couple others who were feeling their Wheaties. I took death wish out while Bas took care of the two he was engaged with. Belinda decided I was the reason they were there.”

“How were you the reason they were there? Had you met them before?”

“Remember when I said Belinda was different?”

I nodded.

“She knows things. Before they happen. As they happen. She goes into these trances where she has…visions. It’s terrifying to witness.”

“I’m sure it’s more terrifying for her.” Lord, I couldn’t imagine. Hannibal’s mate. And from what Simon hadn’t said, and what Madison and her friend had said about Hannibal taking Belinda away, I understood. The rest of the pack feared her because they didn’t understand her. I decided then and there that Belinda James and I were going to be best friends. After all, she was going to be my sister.

“Apparently, she told Bas they needed to be in that bar that evening. When I stepped in, she nodded as if she’d already seen it play out. They accepted me without question.”

“They became your family.”

“And yours now. Your brother is mated to the alpha’s only sister. You’re mated to me. Our inner circle is very close. You’re a part of that now. A part of us.”

“Even though I’m human?” Madison’s words made me wonder how many others would look down on me for that. Would they look down on Simon? I couldn’t let that happen.

“Being human has no bearing on anything.” Growls spilled from Simon as he spoke, and I could tell he was really worked up over that. We moved at the same time. He scooped me up when I stood then sat back down with me cradled in his lap. “Believe me, baby. The only thing that will matter to them is that you’re my mate.”

I felt needy in that moment, and I hated it. Part of me wanted to ask if he was sure they’d accept me, because the fear of being shunned was a crushing weight on my chest. My dad had done his best to make up for not having a mom in my life, but there were some things a parent couldn’t take care of. No matter how much they wanted to.

“Talk to me,” Simon urged, tipping up my chin until I met his gaze. “I can feel something’s bothering you.”

“Is that a literal or figurative observation?” I snarked, and something on Simon’s face had me sitting up straighter. “Literally? You can feel what I feel? How is that even possible?”

“It’s part of the mating. When I bit you, it allowed a connection to begin forming. One that will continue to grow.”

“Will I be able to pick up on your emotions?” That might be a cool skill to have.

“You probably already are,” Simon offered with a shrug. “As you get more comfortable with it, you’ll pick up on more.”

“Anything else I should know about mating?”

He looked guilty for a minute. “I should have gone over everything before I bit you. I’m sorry for that.”

I grinned. “I am pretty irresistible!” Simon’s face softened as he smiled. That was better. “What else should I look forward to?”

He brushed his fingers along the side of my head, and I realized it was no longer sore.

“You’ll heal faster. Your immunity will get a huge boost, making you less susceptible to illness and disease.”

“What about my senses? Will I get super spidey type senses?”

Simon laughed. I loved his laugh. “They’ll increase. Not as good as mine or another wolf’s, but better than a human has.”

“I can’t believe my dad knew this and never said anything to me.” My eyes widened. “Wait a minute. As the human mate of a shifter, would my dad be able to sense things?”

Simon gave me a curious glance. “What is it you’re afraid your dad might have picked up on?”

I opened my mouth but wasn’t sure what I wanted to say.

“You might as well know that it’s going to be impossible to keep secrets from me so you might as well come clean now.”

I frowned, not liking that at all. That’s when I made a decision.

“I want to head home today.”

“We can do that. We can be back in Rigton County in a few hours. We’re really not that far.”

“Not your home, Simon. Mine.”

“Your home is mine,” Simon countered. “And mine is yours.” He pointed his finger back and forth between us. “Mates.”

“I want to go see my dad and Leslie. I think they’ll be a fountain of wisdom on what we can expect.”

Simon nodded. “Okay. I’d like to meet you family, anyway. Maybe, we can talk them into coming back with us.”

I snorted. “No offense, but you don’t live in a metropolis of fun from what I saw. I didn’t see any tourist attractions. Did I miss something?”

“Ha-ha,” Simon groused. “Besides, I wasn’t talking about a vacation. It only makes sense, with you and Hannibal both being part of the James Pack now, your parents might want to join. They’d be welcome.”

“How am I accepting all of this without freaking out?”

Simon gave me that grin that had my womb aching with need. My hands fell to cradle my stomach. Holy shit! What if I was pregnant? We hadn’t used any form of protection, and if he’d mistakenly assumed I was on birth control, he was wrong.

“What are you thinking now?” he asked with a shake of his head.

“What if I’m pregnant?”

“I’m not even going to ask how you got from your dad and Leslie joining the pack to thinking you might be pregnant. I think your mind might actually scare me. But for the record, you’re not pregnant. Yet.”

I ignored the comment about my mind as well as his “yet” and focused on his confident answer. “How do you know I’m not pregnant?”

“Your scent would change. It hasn’t. You’re not ovulating.”

“No.” I shook my head and held my hand up when he would have said something else. “I don’t want to think about you scenting me. Or using it to know when I’m ovulating. I’m not ready for that.”

“Think about it. It could come in handy.”

“No,” I stated again. “Just, no.”

I turned and headed back toward the bathroom. “I’m taking a shower. Grab my bag out of the Jeep, so I can get dressed in clean clothes. Then I’ll clean the kitchen up while you shower. By the way, where are the clothes I was wearing last night?”

“I folded them and put them on the table by the front door. I already showered, but I’d be happy to help you.”

I shook my head. I wasn’t sure we’d leave today if he got in the shower with me. Hell, just the thought of him naked in the shower with me had my thighs clenching. That was one department I didn’t have to worry about. Sexually, we were more than compatible. Which wasn’t fair. I liked Simon. A lot. He would be a very easy man to fall in love with.

“Then you can clean the kitchen while I shower. I’d like to get to my dad’s tonight. Plus, I need to go by my place. There are things I’ll need to take care of before I join you.”

He caught my hand before I could leave the kitchen, pulling me back to him.

“Let’s get one thing straight, Cecilia. We’ll go to your dad’s. We’ll go by your house. But in two days, we’ll be heading back to Rigton. Together.”

Chapter Five

~Simon~

Cecilia fell asleep after a few hours on the road. The woman’s brain bounced from one subject to the next, and most of the time, I had no idea how she made the transition between topics. But I loved it. I’d learned so much about her. More than she probably realized. She was effervescent, outgoing, with more energy than should be possible in such a small package. She had courage. Strength. She was one of those people who would always stand up for another person. And somewhere along the line, her mother had left and made her feel unwanted. Unloved. At least she’d had her father. My mate loved her father. It was easy to pick up on even without our growing connection. She couldn’t help but smile when she spoke of him.

My phone buzzed on the dash, and I grabbed my earpiece and put it in before answering. Bas’ voice sounded in my ear.

“Where you at?”

“On our way to her house to get her things. I’ll meet her dad and Hannibal’s mom and invite them our way. I’ll let you know. How’s everything there?”

“They’re still in Bee’s room.”

I snickered at the irritation is Bas’ voice. I’d always wondered how he’d react when Bee’s mate finally showed up for her. It appeared he wasn’t too happy.

“Are they staying with the pack?” Maybe, that was why he sounded so surly.

“I don’t know. Raina won’t let me interrupt them yet.”

Oh, that was petulance. From my alpha. It took all I had not to laugh aloud. If Cecilia hadn’t been sleeping beside me, I would have. I didn’t want to wake her, though. I’d been rough on her last night. She had my sex drive through the roof. Hell, even now, I was rock-hard and ready. All I needed was a look of invitation from her, and I’d find a place to pull over.

“When will you be back?” Bas asked.

“Couple of days. Three at most. Something else going on?”

“Madison took off. Gabe’s gone after her. Haven’t heard from him yet, but keep your eyes open.”

“You think she’d head after me?” I didn’t see that.

“She ran after the phone call with you. Maybe, she thought she didn’t have a choice after how she treated your mate,” he suggested.

“I’ll keep my eyes open,” I promised. “Now, tell me what else is bothering you.”

“Nothing. Everything’s quiet.”

It was there in his voice, though. I knew what was bothering Bas. We’d been friends for a long time. “Bee’s not going to leave you or the pack you’ve made.”

“He’s her mate.”

“A mate who doesn’t have a pack of his own. He’ll be a great asset. Make him an offer. His sister will be a part of our pack. I’ll see what I can do to talk his mom and my mate’s dad into coming back, as well. Plus, you know your sister. She’ll have her mate wrapped around her finger in a matter of minutes.”

Bas snorted. “I swear. My sister went streaking downstairs in her skin and jumped right into his lap. She refused to listen to reason. Then she initiated the mating in front of everyone there.”

“She what?” I interpreted the refused to listen to reason as not doing what Bas told her. But initiating a mating in front of her brother and others? Bee wasn’t bashful, but she wasn’t an exhibitionist either.

“She bit him.”

I had to hold back a laugh again. She’d most likely been afraid her overprotective brother would try and stop them from mating. I didn’t blame her one bit. I’d done the same with Cecilia. I’d bitten her without explaining anything about what I was and what we were to each other. I’d only thought of starting the bond, so she couldn’t leave me. Yeah, I understood Bee completely.

“He’s her mate. I vividly recall the night you met your mate. It didn’t take you long to initiate the mating between the two of you. Do you really blame Bee?”

Bas sighed. “You’ve got a point,” he conceded. “Call me when you get there and give me your impression of his mom.”

“Will do.”

“And, Simon…”

“Yes?”

“Congratulations. From what Hannibal said about his sister, she sounds like quite a handful. Sounds like she’ll keep you on your toes.”

I grinned. She already was. “Seems like it.”

Bas disconnected, and I removed the earpiece, dropping it back in the console pocket.

“What happened the night your alpha met his mate?”

Cecilia’s voice had me glancing her way. She sat up, twisting her body while she worked out the kinks from falling asleep in the car.

“Did I wake you up?”

She shook her head. “Answer the question, Simon.”

“Bas’ mate didn’t like the idea of her pack offering her to Bas in exchange for the James Pack stepping in and absorbing the Rigton Pack.”

“Offered her to him? I don’t blame her. That’s archaic. Do wolf packs really do that?”

“Once upon a time but not so much anymore. The Rigton Pack lost their alpha in an accident. His truck overturned and caught fire. He didn’t make it out. He was Raina’s brother.”

Cecilia sat up, crossing one leg under her as she turned toward me. “Raina is your alpha’s mate.”

“Yes. She took exception to her pack’s decision and went to a bar to let off steam and decide whether or not to run. Her father called Bas, and we headed to the bar to make sure she stayed. You could have cut the sexual tension between those two with a knife. She basically told him to fuck off then shifted and ran into the woods.”

“And?” Cecilia prompted when I paused. She was completely enthralled with the story.

“And he followed. The next time I saw them, they were both naked. She was passed out in his arms. I held a blanket out for them. He wrapped her in it. They got in the car, and I drove them back to the house.”

“That was all it took? He chased her into the woods. Wham, bam, thank you ma’am, and she was fine?”

My mate looked disappointed.

“No such luck for him. She ran a second time. Whatever was holding her back from the mating was worked out when he found her again. Once again, they were naked when I showed up. I held up another blanket and drove them back to the house. She’s good for him. She doesn’t let him get away with anything. And she makes him happier than I’ve ever seen him.”

“They love each other.”

“Yes.” It was what I hoped would happen for us. I wanted Cecilia to love me. Hell, I was already halfway to being in love with her as it was. “Tell me more about you. You said your mom walked out one day. Did you ever try to find her?”

Cecilia glanced away, watching out the window as I drove. I wasn’t sure she was going to answer.

“No.”

One syllable but so much emotion conveyed in it. I reached over and took her hand with mine, twining our fingers together and giving hers a squeeze. She glanced over, flicked her gaze back out toward the passing scenery and kept talking in a voice so rife with pain, I was hard pressed not to pull over and take her in my arms, instead.

“When I think about having children, I can’t imagine a greater joy than carrying this little piece of me…” She paused as she glanced at me again. “Of me and you inside my body for forty weeks. Feeling this new life grow from a tiny seed to a tiny human, or I guess shifter in your case or our case. You know what I mean.”

“Have to admit the thought of you carrying our baby makes me eager to get you pregnant.”

She laughed. “We can talk about that later. My point was the emotion I feel when I think about it. The pure joy that fills me up inside. I’m not a mother, yet the thought of being one brings nothing but complete joy.”

“I want children, too. I think I’ll be a good dad.”

“I think you’ll be an amazing dad. Look at how you saved me.”

I squeezed her hand again. “I’ll always protect you. I know it’s too early for you to believe me, but I’m going to love you with all I am for the rest of my life. There will never be another woman for me.”

“I want that. I want the husband, the kids, the dog. Though, I guess in my case, the husband and the dog are all rolled into one.”

“What the hell, woman! I’m not a dog!”

“Dog. Wolf. Same species, right?”

I growled, and Cecilia’s giggle filled the car.

“Anyway, the point is, I want it all.”

“I’ll give you anything you want,” I vowed, but I thought I knew what she was getting to.

“I’ll get it all for myself, Simon.”

“We’ll get it,” I corrected.

She opened her mouth, probably to argue, then nodded instead.

“What if my mother had thoughts like that before she had me? What if she wanted it all then got it and found out she wasn’t cut out to be a mother?”

Meaning she worried she would decide she wasn’t cut out to be a mother, too.

“Your dad stayed,” I reminded her, and the worry on her face was replaced with a smile.

“Dad never seemed to miss a beat. He was a deputy sheriff, made sure I got to school on time and was there to pick me up. Hell, I spent as much time hanging out at the station as I did at our house. He went to every event I had in school. He was overprotective and at times overbearing. Still is, but he loves me unconditionally. He’ll like you.”

“I hope so.”

“Simon.”

“Yes?” I brought her hand to my mouth and brushed a kiss across her knuckles.

“Don’t let me leave.” Her voice was small and rife with fear. I turned off the highway and pulled into the first place we came to. I shoved my seat back, unclipped both our seatbelts, and tugged her across so I could hold her in my lap. I took her mouth, needing the taste of her on my tongue. I held her hip with one hand and stroked my other palm up and down her back. I only let her come up for air when she was moaning and wiggling against my erection.

“Do you really think you have to worry about me letting you leave?” I teased.

She smiled and shook her head. “Why am I so comfortable with you so quickly? I don’t really know you, but I feel like I do.”

“You’re my mate, and the bite I gave you is building a bond between us. It’s a connection unlike any other.”

“Does that make it real then? Or did your bite make me feel this way?”

It took me a minute to realize she wasn’t accusing me of anything but merely asking a question out of curiosity.

“I can’t make you feel things you don’t. I can’t force a connection that wasn’t meant to be. The reason you’re responding to it is because we’re mates. It’ll only get stronger between us.”

I dropped another kiss on her mouth. “Now, back to your original fear. Cecilia, your father never left, and you’re just as much a piece of him as you are your mother. Have you ever once thought of leaving him?”

“No, of course not.”

“There you go. You’re not a leaver. A runner, maybe,” I teased. “But that’s okay. I’ll chase you if that’s what you want.”

“See!” she exclaimed. “Just like a—”

“Don’t say it!” I commanded. “Don’t even think it.”

My mate giggled again. It was fast becoming one of my favorite sounds. She ran her fingers up the back of my neck into my hair and tugged my lips down to hers. It wasn’t lost on me that it was the first time she’d initiated a kiss between us. I let her take the lead until my control snapped. Then I took her under, eating at her mouth until we were both gasping for air. I glanced around, desperate to find someplace I could take her. Someplace I could strip her naked and sate the hunger I had for her.

“Not yet,” she whispered, brushing her lips along my jaw. “The next time we make love, it’ll be in my bed.”

I groaned, dropping my head back against the headrest. I glanced at the GPS. We still had a couple of hours to drive. I might make it that long. Emphasis on might. I slapped her on the butt, making her squeal with surprise.

“Get in your seat, baby, and let’s get back on the road. Your house first,” I commanded. “Then, once I’m done with you, we’ll go see your dad and Leslie.”

Chapter Six

~Cici~

I grew more aroused the closer we got to my house until I was nearly taut with need as Simon pulled my Jeep into the garage. He’d barely put it into park before I was up and practically sprinting in through the adjoining door. My shirt was over my head and tossed somewhere in the kitchen as I beelined for the bedroom.

“Cici?”

I squealed as my dad’s voice sounded from my living room. I immediately started backpedaling, hoping to find my shirt as quickly as possible, but met a warm wall of hard flesh instead. A growling wall. Simon. I was lifted and placed firmly behind his wide body as the light flipped on and my dad stood there with lifted brow as he stared at us.

“I put your mail on the table and was leaving when I heard the garage. Thought I’d wait and see how things went. I see you brought company with you.”

My dad was obviously not going anywhere until he knew more. Usually, I didn’t mind his overbearing, protective mode. But right now, I was desperate to get the man in front of me stripped naked and do incredibly wicked things to him.

Simon growled again and took a step forward. I wrapped around his back, hands across his chest while my breasts pressed against the middle of his back.

“Simon, that’s my dad. Not exactly the way I wanted to introduce the two of you, but I’m adaptable. Dad, this is Simon. Now, I’d like to step in the other room and…” I paused, clearing my throat with embarrassment, “get my shirt. You’ll both wait until I’m back in this room to say anything. And stay in your respective corners.”

I knew it was too much to ask and wasn’t surprised when I heard my dad questioning Simon as I flipped on the kitchen light and found my shirt on the floor.

“Who are you, Simon? And why are you following my daughter into her house while she disrobes?”

Oh, God! Could this get any more embarrassing?

Simon laughed. “I’d think that would be apparent. You’re lucky I didn’t catch up to her when she tossed the shirt or you’d have been greeted with the sounds of the two of us—”

“Simon!” I squealed his name as I hurried back to them, tugging my shirt in place as I did. Without thought, I reached out and smacked him hard on the arm. “That’s my dad!”

“I know who he is,” Simon offered with a grunt before lifting my hand and inspecting it. “You didn’t hurt yourself, did you?”

It was my turn to growl, and though I wasn’t a shifter, I thought I did a passable job of sounding like my mate. My mate.

“Simon’s my mate, Dad.”

My dad’s gaze sharpened, but he only nodded as if he’d already known that. Was it possible that he did?

“Did she have a choice, or did you force the mating?”

Simon growled again, and I was right there with him.

“What the hell, Dad!”

Simon spoke over me. “I initiated the mating before she understood what was going on.”

My dad took an aggressive step forward, and I knew I had to take control.

“Dad, knock it off. Simon, stop being so dramatic.” I stepped between them which was laughable. Even with my training, they were both so much larger than I was. They could easily move me out of the way. But I was determined it would take a lot of effort for them to do so.

“Dramatic?” my mate questioned, looking offended by my comment.

“Forced? Seriously? We were making out, and you bit me. Which, at the time, gave me the best orgasm of my life.”

“Jesus, Cici!” my dad groaned as he closed his eyes and shook his head.

“What?” I snapped. “You know what you interrupted, and yet, you’re still here, so you get what you get!”

Simon snickered. “Has she always been so headstrong and stubborn?”

“Always,” my dad agreed, and damn them, they appeared to be commiserating with one another now.

“Well, isn’t this nice?” I snapped and turned to stomp away.

Simon wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me into him, dropping a kiss on my lips when I glanced up at him with surprise.

“Stop that,” he ordered. “We’ll get to what we planned eventually.” He leaned close so he could whisper in my ear, “I promise to make it worth the wait.”

That purring tone skated down my spine and settled in my core, causing a flow of liquid need to coat my sex. Still, there was that little niggle of sanity that questioned how I could want a man I’d just met with such a devastating need. A need that skewed my focus to everything but him. I craved his touch as if I were starving without it.

“I think I’ll see myself out now,” my dad offered while trying to hide a smile. “I can see my girl’s in good hands. We’ll talk more tomorrow. Why don’t the two of you come over for breakfast? We’ll spend the day together.”

I stepped away from Simon and into my dad’s tight hug. “I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you.” He kissed the top of my head, and I felt him share a look with Simon. Wasn’t that a weird thought? How could I feel a look? Yet, I’d swear I did.

Dad stepped back, squeezing my shoulders before dropping his hands to his sides. “I’ll see you both tomorrow.” He paused in the process of turning toward the door. “One thing first. Is Hannibal on his way back, too?”

I glanced back at Simon as I wasn’t sure how to answer that. I knew my brother had found his mate, but he hadn’t said anything to me about when he was coming back here. Or if he was.

“Hannibal is mated to my alpha’s sister,” Simon answered. “If he comes back, I’m sure it will be temporary.”

My dad nodded. “Both of our kids finding mates in the same pack. Leslie will be ecstatic. I assume your alpha won’t be opposed to us visiting?”

“You’d both be welcomed,” Simon assured him.

Dad nodded again. “We’ll talk more tomorrow.” He cleared his throat as he crossed to the front door and opened it. “Have a good evening.”

He stepped out, pulling the door shut behind him as he did. Simon crossed the room, flipped the locks then turned to lean against the wall. “I wonder how much it cost him to wish us a good evening?”

I giggled. Then shrieked as Simon moved forward then tossed me over his shoulder, his hand landing a firm slap on my ass as he carried me toward the hall.

“Bedroom?” he demanded.

“End of the hall,” I answered, already anticipating the hours ahead.

Simon sat me on my feet inside the door then turned the light on, using the dimmer switch to keep the illumination soft.

“Now, where were we before your dad interrupted?”

I whipped my shirt over my head and tossed it aside. “Look familiar.”

“God, yes,” he crooned, reaching out and cupping me through the lace of my bra. His thumbs brushed back and forth over my nipples, and they ached for a firmer touch. Either his fingers or lips would do. I wasn’t picky at the moment.

“Simon,” I begged, and with a husky chuckle, he grasped my waist and lifted as he lowered his head and sucked me through the sheer material.

I clung to him, automatically wrapping my legs around his waist and grinding over his erection. He dropped one palm to cup my ass and help me rub against him. The other hand gripped my hair tight, tilting my head back. I reached back and unclasped my bra, needing to feel him skin-to-skin. He lifted his mouth to my neck as I twisted and tossed my bra away. Then he found my lips, taking me under, getting me so lost in his taste and the promise of pleasure that I didn’t realize I was naked until his fingers slid between my naked thighs, zeroing in on my needy clitoris.

“You’re so wet,” he murmured at my ear.

“Yes,” I agreed, wanting more, needing more. “I need you. Inside me. Please.”

With a groan, he carried me to the bed, dropping me then staying on his feet long enough to shuck his jeans. He was quickly back between my thighs, powering deep with one hard thrust. My nails sunk into his biceps as I urged him to move faster. I lifted my legs to clasp his hips and moaned as the change in angle allowed him to sink even deeper.

“Fuck,” he growled.

“Yes. Fuck me. Hard. Fuck me hard.”

I arched my head back on the pillow, moans of pleasure spilling unhindered from my lips. Nothing had ever made me feel as amazing as sex with Simon did. Mates. We were mates, though I still wasn’t completely sure what all that meant. It didn’t matter though. Simon was mine.

“You won’t leave me?”

“Never,” he vowed, lifting his head from my neck to meet my gaze. “We belong together. Mating is forever. This bite.” He licked over the spot, sending shivers coursing through me. “It marks you as mine and only mine.”

“I can’t mark you,” I whispered, and that fact was really starting to bother me. “I’m human.”

“It doesn’t matter, Cecilia.”

But it did to me. I wasn’t sure if I could break his skin, but I knew I could mark him. Leaning up, I picked my spot on his chest and licked over it. Once the taste hit my tongue, I couldn’t stop. I found my way to his nipple and took it in my mouth, sucking on him the way he did me. The groan he gave, as well as the shudder that went through him, let me know he liked it. I went wild, grabbing and rolling with him so that I was atop. I sat up, increasing his depth, and my breath caught in my lungs.

“Fuck, you’re gorgeous.” He reached up and pinched my nipples. “Ride me. Make me come.”

I leaned forward, bracing my hands on his chest while I lifted up and down, grinding against him every time I lowered. As I found my rhythm, I sat up, holding my breasts in my hands, pinching and tugging my nipples. Simon held my waist, keeping me steady while I lost myself in the moment. I let my eyes close, leaving my nipples to run my fingers through my hair, lifting and tugging before shaking my head and letting it settle back around me. I moved faster, taking our love play to a gallop, riding closer and closer to the pleasure I knew awaited me.

“That’s it, baby. Ride my dick. Make yourself come all over me. Let me feel you clench around me. Take me with you.”

I moved faster and faster, in a punishing pace that had me gasping and crying out as orgasm approached. Then I felt pressure on my clitoris. A pinch and a tug. Simon’s wicked fingers drove my pleasure impossibly higher. It robbed me of thought, of anything that didn’t center on the euphoria filling me. I collapsed against his chest, shudders pulsing through me. Simon rolled us so he was on top again. He pounded into me, and I felt guilty for not helping him reach his own release. There was something I’d been planning to do before I got sidetracked with the taste of Simon. Taste. That was it.

I glanced up at him, found that spot on his chest that called to me, the one right above his left nipple. Over his heart. I grabbed his arms, using him to help pull myself up so I could lick that spot. I sucked it, knowing I was leaving a hickey, and still, it wasn’t enough. I needed more. I bit down, unsure if I’d be able to leave a permanent mark as he had but needing to try. I bit hard and tasted blood on my lips. Simon groaned, one hand coming up to cup my head and hold me to his chest. I licked and sucked, feeling almost vampiric in my thirst for his blood.

Simon growled as he came, burying himself deep then holding there as he filled me up. Slowly, he pulled slightly back only to surge back in. Then again, and one final time before collapsing beside me, managing to maneuver us so he could stay buried.

“You’re amazing,” I whispered.

“We’re amazing,” he countered and closed his eyes.

I held those words close as I let myself drift toward sleep. We were amazing. Together. I wanted to believe we’d always be that way.

Chapter Seven

~Simon~

I woke up in the middle of the most erotic dream of my life only to realize it wasn’t a dream at all. That was Cecilia’s mouth moving on my cock. Her fingers gripping my shaft, making lazy strokes from the base up to meet her descending mouth.

“Mmm, baby. That feels amazing.”

Her warm gaze met mine, and my balls tightened as I watched her bobbing up and down on my cock. Her mouth tightened on the uptick, her suction remaining constant all the way to the tip. Then she’d loosen her lips as she swirled her way back down my shaft, only stopping when the head pushed toward her throat. God, it was heaven and hell all wrapped together. If she wasn’t careful, I’d be going off like a geyser in her mouth any minute.

“Why don’t you climb up here and have a seat instead?” I offered, ready to beg her if needed.

The minx just looked up at me with those big eyes and moved her mouth faster. She set a rhythm that had me seeing stars. It wasn’t only the sensations she was sending through me with her wicked mouth. It was watching her. The stretch of her lips. The color on her cheeks. The passion in her eyes. Sucking my cock excited her. I smelled her juices coating her sex and thighs. The scent had my mouth watering.

“I want to taste you.” Cecilia popped off my dick and worked her hand faster while her tongue flicked over the slit in the top. Her breasts teased me, red nipples peeking between her hair and arms. I wanted to see my cum on her, marking her, claiming her.

I moved quickly, grasping her around the waist and tossing her onto her back on the bed. I straddled her hips, using my bulk to hold her down while I put my own palm to my erection. I immediately found my rhythm, jerking my cock with the expert skill born from years of practice.

“Show me where you want it.”

She licked her lips and ran her finger over the plump curves, continuing down over her chin and lower, across the top of her chest then down to circle each of her nipples. Then she began pinching and tugging at them. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She was every fantasy I’d ever had all rolled into one perfect package. My perfect package.

“I’m going to jerk my cock off all over you face and tits,” I warned. “And you’re going to rub in every drop so I can smell me on you for the rest of the day.”

She shuddered, and her hips moved. I knew she wanted to rub them together, to try and bring a little relief to her needy sex. But that wasn’t her job. That was my job.

“You like that, don’t you?” I teased.

“God, yes,” she cried, surprising me. “Give it to me, Simon. I want to taste you on my tongue.”

I growled. Couldn’t hold back any longer. My palm flew along my shaft as I got closer and closer.

“Open your mouth,” I ordered then growled again when she eagerly complied. “Cup your tits for me. Show me where you want it.”

“Everywhere,” she crooned. “Please.”

“Ahh, fuck,” I moaned as orgasm hit. The first splash hit her bottom lip, and she swiped her tongue out to bring it inside her mouth. The next hit a little lower, dripping down her chin and onto her chest. I coated the top of her breasts then leaned in, gripping the headboard while I pressed my cock against her lips. Cecilia opened wide, sucking me in and taking me to the back of her throat, swallowing around me. Instantly, I was rock-hard again.

I pulled away, moving down to sprawl between her thighs, burying my face there. She tasted like heaven. I licked my way from her slick opening, up through her folds to the tight bud of her clit. I tapped it with my tongue, circling before sucking gently. I backed off and blew across it, enjoying the way she wiggled, the cries spilling from her lips as she reached for me, digging her fingers into my hair and holding tight.

“Simon.”

I loved the sound of my name on her lips. I loved the taste of her on mine. I worked two fingers inside, curling the tips as I thrust. Her cries grew more frantic as her hips pumped into my touch. Yeah, this was exactly how we should start every morning. I growled against her folds, and she screamed, grinding her face against me. I took the hint. In minutes, I had her screaming my name while I drank her down. Then when she was still shuddering with pleasure, I skimmed up her body and buried my cock where my tongue had just been.

She rippled and squeezed around me, clenching as I dragged my cock out then pushed back in. She gave a keening moan, gripping my shoulders tight while I rode hard and fast.

“Si…mon.” Her breath caught in the middle of my name.

“What do you need, baby?” I asked.

She dropped one hand to tap at the mark I’d left on her. “Bite me.”

I leaned down, licking over it several times before biting down. Cecilia went wild beneath me. She bucked, wrapping her legs around my waist and forcing me deeper then doing her best to hold me there. I came hard. So hard I feared I might pass out for a minute. I eased up, tugging my teeth from her skin and licking over her again. I could definitely get used to waking up like this every day for the rest of my life.

“Mmm,” Cecilia moaned, eyes closed with a silly smile on her lips. She was gorgeous. “Good morning.”

I laughed, collapsing beside her on the bed then tugging her close to me. “Good morning, baby.”

She snuggled in. “I watched you sleep for a bit then thought I’d go make breakfast. Maybe, wake you up with breakfast in bed.” She paused, licking her lips. “Then I noticed you were having a good dream. Like, a really good dream. And I thought it would be a shame to waste how…happy you were.”

I laughed again. “Definitely shouldn’t go to waste.”

“I thought you’d agree.” She licked her lips. “You taste better than I imagined. I really want to do that again, but maybe next time, you could come while you’re in my mouth.”

“Hell, yes,” I agreed. “Give me a few minutes.”

Cecilia giggled. “Hold that thought. I’m hungry for more than…your delicious taste right now. I want breakfast.”

“Aren’t we having that with your dad and Leslie?” I reminded her.

“Shit!” she yelped, and I grabbed her, tugging her back to me as she started to jump out of bed. “I’ve got to shower and get dressed.”

“What happened to wearing my seed on your skin all day?” I teased, watching her cheeks flush at my question.

“In theory, it’s sexy as hell. In reality…Leslie would be able to smell it on me, right? And my dad? They’ve been mated for years. Would he be able to? God, who knew my life would get to the point where I had to worry about someone smelling my man’s seed on my skin.”

I grinned. I probably shouldn’t tell her that Leslie would be able to smell my scent on her either way. Or that she’d know by the strength of the scent we’d had sex recently. Her dad, I wasn’t sure of. That was definitely something we needed to ask them about. And how did I manage that conversation without embarrassing Cecelia?

“How comfortable are you with talking to your dad about this stuff?” I asked.

“Stuff? Like what stuff?”

I wiggled my brows and glanced between the two of us.

“Sex stuff? Are you kidding me? I’m not discussing my sex life with my dad!”

“Not sex. We do need to know how the mating has changed him, though. Mentally, physically. But my point is, if you’re not comfortable, there are others we can talk to. Other wolves who’ve mated humans. We don’t have any in our pack, and the Rigton Pack didn’t either. But we can find someone else if that would be easier for you.”

She shook her head. “No. I’d rather ask my dad and Leslie. I know they won’t lie to us or embellish or sugarcoat anything. I trust them.” She paused, and I couldn’t help but wonder what she was debating with herself.

“Ask me.”

“You said no one else in your pack has mated with a human. Is that the norm? Are those who mate with humans…encouraged to leave and go elsewhere? Madison made it seem like I wouldn’t be welcomed, and I don’t want to become a reason why you’re no longer welcomed, either.”

I growled. Madison and her mouth would definitely be dealt with for the anxiety she was still causing Cecilia. Hopefully, Gabe was hot on Madison’s tail and would bring her back, so I could deal with her. “There’s no need to worry about my place in the James Pack. They’re my family. Now, they’re your family, too. Once they meet you, baby, everyone is going to love you.” I left the “or else” unspoken, but I’d kick the ass of anyone who thought they could snub or hurt her. Not that I feared that would happen. That was her insecurity rising up in my head. That wouldn’t be good for either of us.

“I can keep telling you that the James Pack will love you, but I know you’ll have to see it before you believe me. Remember, though, you already have me, Hannibal, Belinda, Bas, Raina, Cyan, Ivy, Taylor, Rebbie, and Gabe in your corner.”

“Other than you and Hannibal, I don’t even know those other people. Not really. I’ve never met any of the others.”

“Bas is the pack alpha and Raina is his mate.”

She nodded. “I’ve heard you talking to both of them on the phone. And Belinda is your alpha’s sister and my brother’s mate.” Cecilia grinned. “I’m going to make her love me! I’ve always wanted a sister, and since she’s mated to Han, I’m going to claim her as mine, too.”

“I’m betting Bee feels the same about you. And Raina, as Bee’s sister-in-law, will claim you, too. Which means her best friend Ivy will, and her friends are important to her mate and our pack’s beta, Cyan. Taylor and Gabe will because they’re my best friends. They’ll take one look at my face when I look at you, and they’ll take you under their wing.”

“And Rebbie? Who’s that?”

“Taylor’s mate.”

“Your pack is close.”

It wasn’t a question, but I nodded anyway. “Our inner circle is very close. We’ve been through a lot together. Good and bad. We still accept new members, but Bas is particular on who he allows in our circle. We all are.”

I read the desire to be a part of our group on her face. I also knew she questioned her place in that inner circle, but there was nothing I could say that I hadn’t already. She’d have to see for herself. It broke my heart the way she went all out in the defense of others but appeared to forget her own worth. She was fierce yet unsure, and I wanted to wrap her up and keep her with me always. I also admitted only to myself that I hated a woman I’d never met. Cecilia’s mother. The woman had left a lot of damage in her wake.

“You’ll see as soon as we get back. Which will need to be soon, so we need to get things moving here. We’ll go meet with your dad and Hannibal’s mom then head back here and pack you up.”

“Shower!” She smacked her head. “I swear I lose my head around you. Or maybe, my mind only goes in one direction.”

“I like the direction your mind goes,” I assured her.

Cecilia laughed. “I bet you do.” And she smacked her lips.

I cleared my throat, not bothering to hide my reaction to her visual reminder of where those gorgeous lips of hers had been earlier. Where I wouldn’t mind having them again. “Okay, let’s get a shower—”

“No way!” She cut me off. “If we shower together, you’ll be inside me again. We lose hours when you do that. We’ll never leave the house then.”

How could I not fall hard for this woman? It wasn’t possible.

“You go first,” she ordered. “I’ll go make coffee and bring a cup to you. I should have some grab-and-go breakfast choices in the pantry. Something to tide us over until Leslie feeds us.” She gave me a smacking kiss at the corner of my lips and scooted away again.

I watched her bounce out of bed, enjoying the way she jiggled as she moved around the room. She grabbed my shirt off the floor and pulled it over her head. I liked the way it covered her, landing at her knees.

“Go!” She shooed me, though she was the one walking out of the room. “Simon!”

I laughed at the snap in her tone. My tiny mate was big on giving orders. I spent most of the shower imagining Cecilia in with me. Thinking of the way I’d hold her against the wall or bend her over or get down on my knees and make her scream her pleasure over and over again. Next time. Definitely.

She was nibbling on a breakfast bar of some kind when I walked into the kitchen, holding the now empty mug of coffee she’d left for me on the bathroom counter along with the bag I’d left in the Jeep. She bounced out of her chair, and it was natural for me to pull her close and kiss her, which ended with me lifting her to sit on the table while I moved between her sprawled thighs. We were both panting hard when we came up for air.

“Thanks for grabbing my bag for me.”

“I figured you’d want clean clothes. Now, it’s my turn in the shower. Did you leave me any hot water?”

“If not, I promise to warm you up.” I kissed her again. I couldn’t be around her and not have my mouth on her. Or my hands. I had to touch her.

“I need to go,” she reminded me, but neither of us were moving. Instead, she leaned in, kissing me softly on the lips. “The sooner I shower, the sooner we leave. The sooner we get back. The sooner I can get you naked and have my way with you.”

I chuckled. “I like the sound of that.”

“Me, too.” She nipped my chin with her sharp teeth. “Now, I’m showering. Alone. You keep that gorgeous ass in here while I do. I can’t wait to take you to my dad’s house and for you to meet Leslie. She’s amazing.”

“I’m sure she is,” I agreed and kept my gaze glued to Cecilia’s ass as she walked away. Leslie might be amazing, but I couldn’t imagine her holding a candle to my woman.

Chapter Eight

~Cici~

I watched Simon’s face as he met Leslie. I knew she wasn’t what he’d expected. Hannibal was a big guy. Huge by any standard. Most people seemed to assume his mom had to be tall, as well. As if he’d been born the size he currently was. But Leslie wasn’t that much taller than I was. And she had a petite frame like I did. Her personality, though? It was larger than life. She loved ferociously and protected those she loved the same way. I didn’t know all of her and Hannibal’s story before they met us, but I knew she’d watched over her son and kept him safe. I knew she’d accepted me as her daughter even before my dad talked her into saying I do.

“Cici! I hear you had some excitement.” She folded me into her arms, hugging me tight. “This must be your Simon.”

“Ma’am,” Simon answered.

“Oh, I like you.” Her expression hardened. “Hurt my girl, and things won’t go well for you.”

Simon smiled. “Have you ever hurt your mate?”

She shared a glance with my father. “Unintentionally.”

“Simon’s not going to hurt me,” I jumped in, walking to his side and lacing our fingers. “I won’t let him.” I needed all of them to know I could take care of myself.

“Cecilia brought me here, so we’d have a chance to get to know each other,” Simon told them. “She and I will need to head back to Rigton County, soon. My alpha’s expecting us.”

“How soon?” my dad asked.

“A few—”

“Tomorrow,” Simon answered.

I started to question but pressed my lips together. I wasn’t going to make my dad worry any more than he already would. I’d save my questions for Simon until we were alone. Simon obviously wasn’t picking up on that, though.

“Sorry, baby. We need to get back. Hannibal will be leaving with the wolves he caught, and a few of our guys will be going with him. I’d like to be back before they leave.”

“Why?” Leslie asked, gaze sharp as she looked between us. “Is there something going on? Is my son in danger?”

Simon snorted. “Not from us. He’s mated to Belinda James. He’s my alpha’s brother-in-law, now. Hannibal’s place in our pack is solid.”

“Can’t Cici stay here and join you later?” my dad asked.

Simon shook his head. “No. I won’t leave my mate any more than I’m willing to bet you’d leave yours.”

“Then we better make the most of this time.” Leslie motioned everyone to follow her as she headed toward the back of the house and the kitchen. “I wasn’t sure what you’d want to eat so I might have gone a bit overboard.”

Dad snorted, and Leslie swatted at him.

“Hush, Cain. I thought we’d talk while we ate. Then maybe I could persuade Simon into going on a run with me. It’s been a while since Hannibal was here long enough for us to go out, and Cain doesn’t like for me to go by myself.”

“I’d enjoy that,” Simon agreed.

I had a feeling it was more than Simon going out with Leslie. It was giving my dad and I some time alone to talk. My chance to ask him anything and everything I needed to know about being the human mate of a wolf shifter. Maybe, he would share things I hadn’t even thought of asking yet.

“In the meantime,” Simon continued as we sat at the family dining table off the kitchen. “Why don’t you tell me all the crazy stories of Cecilia while she was growing up?”

I shook my head. “No, no, and no. No stories and absolutely no photos.”

“Now, that’s just cruel, mate.” Simon gave me a pouty look that had me laughing. It was far too easy to imagine a little boy with that same expression. He’d have me wrapped around his finger every time he looked at me. Which made me wonder. I dropped my hand to cup my stomach. Simon had said I wasn’t ovulating, so I knew I couldn’t be pregnant yet. Still. The thought took root in my mind.

“You’ll know first when I get pregnant. You’ll be the one to tell me instead of me getting to tell you. I’m not sure how I feel about that, Simon. It seems unfair.” I paused as my mind churned. “We’re not using anything to prevent pregnancy, and at the rate we’re going at it, I’ll be pregnant as soon as I ovulate. Am I able to carry a shifter baby? Like, do I need to do anything special?”

My dad cleared his throat. Simon closed his eyes and shook his head. Leslie laughed. Then what I’d shared aloud hit me, and I felt my face heating up.

“I thought you weren’t comfortable discussing our sex life with your dad?” Simon prompted, and I realized he wasn’t embarrassed. He’d been trying to keep from laughing at me.

“Well, shit!”

“Cecilia Rose!” Dad admonished.

“Shoot,” I amended. “Sorry, Dad.”

Simon burst into laughter. He didn’t even attempt to keep it under control. Then my dad was snickering. Then they were both bellowing, and I felt my temper igniting. I stood from the table, ready to say something snappy and stomp away in a snit. Instead, I found myself hauled onto Simon’s lap and wrapped in his arms. There was no point in struggling. Not unless I wanted to make a fool of myself, and I didn’t. So I sat still, arms crossed over my chest, while I glared at the wall. That lasted all of five seconds.

Simon tipped my face toward him and kissed me soft and slow. I forgot where we were and who was with us. I fell under the spell he always seemed to put me under. I turned into him, wrapping my arms around his neck and holding him close. He never deepened the kiss. Merely kept it soft and sweet, and I still melted like a puddle.

“You’re right,” Simon told me. “Yes, I will know when you’re pregnant by the change in your scent. As for birth control? I’m sorry. I should have asked if you were on anything. I didn’t, and I didn’t speak to you about pregnancy, either. My only excuse is I lose my head when I’m around you. All I can think about is—”

“Hold that thought,” Leslie interrupted. “I believe the remainder of that conversation would be best had in private. As for Cain and me, we decided not to have more children. I have Hannibal. Cain has Cecilia. They’re the very best we could have ever wished for. It seemed selfish to ask the fates for more.”

My dad reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. “That and the thought of starting over at my age had me breaking out in a cold sweat.”

Leslie laughed, and it was so easy to see the love between them. A love I hoped Simon and I would have.

“How long were you together before you told Dad what you were?”

“We’d only gone out once when your dad showed up unannounced. Hannibal hadn’t met him yet, though I’d mentioned them to each other,” Leslie began.

“She didn’t answer the front door, so I walked around back and saw her approaching a huge wolf. I yelled out as I moved forward, and instead of the wolf, I found myself facing Hannibal. Gave the old ticker a jolt.” My dad shared a smile with Leslie.

“There was nothing to do but tell him the truth. I half expected we’d need to move on quickly, but your dad took it all in and began asking questions. Hannibal wasn’t sure what to make of him, and I…” She paused, pulling my dad’s hand to her mouth and kissing his palm. “I think that was the moment I tumbled completely in love with him.”

“It was the first date for me,” my dad said, but I didn’t think he was speaking to me or Simon.

“And how long after then was it before you mated?” I wanted to know if the rapid pace Simon and I were on was the norm or not.

“After the first date,” my dad answered with a laugh. I wasn’t sure why until I watched Leslie’s face flush with color.

“Cain!”

My dad was saying they’d had sex after the first date. I wasn’t sure what to think about that. I was appalled I was even remotely thinking about that. Then quickly tried to shove it out of my mind.

“The bite, Dad, and so help me, if you say anything along the lines of ‘there was a lot of biting’, I will hurl up my breakfast on this table.”

Simon laughed then.

“Yuck it up now, mate, because once my father fully accepts you, he’ll take pleasure in embarrassing you, too,” I warned.

My dad grinned at Simon, and I watched my mate look unsure for the first time. It dawned on me that Simon hadn’t once mentioned a father. Just the human woman who’d raised him. Thinking of him with no father figure broke my heart. I reached out and tugged him flush against me, dropping a kiss on his lips.

“What was that for?” he whispered.

“Because I wanted to,” I murmured. And I had. I always wanted to. Simon was a man who made it very hard to keep my hands off him. I always wanted to touch him. Anywhere and everywhere.

Simon brushed a finger over my bottom lip then turned to Leslie. “Cecilia is asking about your relationship with Cain because she wants to know if the speed of our relationship is normal by wolf standards.” He turned his gaze back to me. “The answer is yes…and no.”

“That’s not an answer,” I argued.

“Wolves mate quickly when they meet the right person,” Leslie informed me. “It’s instinctive. I met your father and knew from the beginning that he was meant to be with me. Had he been a wolf, we never would have made it to dinner.”

“Damn my genetics,” my father murmured.

Leslie laughed this time. “After dinner, we… Well… After, I bit him without even realizing what I was doing. Instinct kicked in. I was horrified when my actions hit me. I hadn’t said a word to him about what I was.”

“It was the same for me,” Simon shared. “Something sparked in me when I heard her voice over the phone, demanding I get my ass in gear and get my alpha where she wanted me to.”

“Hannibal needed back up,” I offered with a shrug.

Simon’s face hardened. “Which you are not. I swear I lost ten years of my life when I walked in that door and saw you tossed to the floor.”

“What?” my dad demanded, coming to his feet. “I’ll kill whoever hurt my baby girl.”

“Too late. Simon already ripped his throat out.”

My man’s chest expanded with whatever emotion was filling him. Anger? Fear? Pride in his ability to avenge me? I wasn’t sure. Still, I found myself kissing him again. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close, leaning his head down toward my neck when the kiss broke and seeming to breathe me in. Maybe, fear then. That he might have lost me before we even had a chance.

“So the first time you met was during a confrontation where Cici was hurt?” Leslie asked.

Simon nodded.

“You’re lucky he didn’t mate you right then.” Leslie shook her head. “Male wolves become very territorial when their mates are in danger. They’ll often initiate sex as a way of reinforcing the bond. In an unbonded couple, that need grows excessively.”

“He bit me while I was in the clinic they had there.”

“How bad was she injured?” my dad asked Simon while his gaze scanned every inch of me he could see. I’d always downplayed my injuries, so I wasn’t offended he didn’t ask me.

“Scrapes, bruises, a possible concussion, and a cut on her stomach from the claws of the wolf who tried to use her to control Hannibal,” Simon answered. “My bite shared antibodies to help speed up her healing.”

“I’m fine, Dad. And I’m sitting right here. Now, back to my questions.” I moved the conversation away from what had happened with me and back to what I needed to know about mating. Simon had already gone over how my body’s natural ability to heal me would be enhanced. Which brought me to my next thought. “Did any of your senses change after mating?”

My dad nodded. “All of them. Not on the level of Leslie or any other shifter. But for a human? Vastly better. I’ve noted an increase in strength, as well. Plus, the added bonus of not aging as quickly. It wasn’t my genetics that have kept me looking as young as I do.”

I hadn’t thought of that, but it was true. My dad could and did easily pass for a man half his age. All the time. It was weird to realize it was due to his relationship with Leslie. Yet, it made perfect sense at the same time. I couldn’t help but to touch my face. It wasn’t hard to understand that my aging would slow, as well. Or did it halt altogether?

“A lot of this we learn as we go,” my dad offered. “I can see the wheels spinning in your head. Some things are intuitive. Some things are given. And some things we have to learn on our own. That’s the way life is.”

“That settles it then,” I said with a nod.

“Settles what?” Simon asked.

“Dad and Leslie are going to have to come with us. Hannibal will want his mom there, and I need my dad. They’ll have to join the James Pack, too.”

Simon nodded without question. “Absolutely.”

Leslie and my dad shared a look. I had a feeling they were sharing an entire conversation Simon and I weren’t privy to. I was fascinated by their expressions. How had I not noticed to this before? Then I saw the smile light up Leslie’s face. My dad grinned then laughed.

“Looks like we might be moving,” he offered, and I whooped.

“After I speak with Hannibal.” Leslie interrupted my shout of joy. “And the alpha. No offense, Simon, but we’ll want to speak to him first.”

“Understood,” Simon agreed. “I’ll give Bas a heads up. If you give me your number, I’ll have him reach out to you. Raina, as well. She’s his mate.”

“Thank you.” Leslie’s voice was soft, and something on her face had me catching my breath with surprise. I felt her desire to belong. To more than just my dad and our family. To a pack.

I thought of how close Simon was to his pack. Though they weren’t related by blood, they were a family. Their bond was thicker than blood. Maybe, that was the way it was with wolves. I wanted that for Leslie and my dad and Hannibal. And for me. I wanted that for me. A place to completely belong. To feel totally accepted. I wanted everything. With Simon.

“Go call your alpha, Simon,” I ordered, and my mate laughed as he walked off to comply.

Chapter Nine

~Cici~

Watching Simon shift into his wolf had my blood thrumming in ways it shouldn’t with my father standing entirely too close to me. Especially since I now had to worry about things such as him being able to smell the arousal I always felt around Simon. My mate was incredibly sexy, but seeing him in wolf skin? Lord, the man was gorgeous.

I’d seen Hannibal as a wolf, and he’d been beautiful. But nothing compared to Simon. And when he prowled over to me and rubbed against me? When I ran my fingers through his fur then dropped to my knees and buried my face in it? There was nothing in my life that could ever compare to that moment. Touching him. Knowing he belonged to me. That I was his. Realizing that I loved a man I’d known for only a few short days. It was ridiculous, yet it made perfect sense.

“It never gets old,” my dad told me, pulling my gaze to his. “Watching your mate shift. It’s one of the most beautiful visions in the world.”

I agreed with him. Simon swiped his tongue across my face, making me giggle. He nudged me with his nose, and I released him as Leslie streaked past, charging for the woods that edged along the property. Simon watched her then turned back to me.

“Go.” I flicked my hand in the direction Leslie had gone. “Have fun.”

He howled then took off, taking off in a fast flash of fur. God, he was beautiful.

“Walk with me.” My dad shoved his hands in his pockets and walked toward the backyard. I followed at his side, waiting to see what was on his mind.

“The alpha, Bastion James, he said Leslie and I would be welcome to visit any time.” He paused as he turned to face me. “Or we would be welcome to join the James Pack.”

I couldn’t hold back my grin or the whoop of delight.

“I take it you like the idea.” My dad smiled as I crashed into him, hugging him tightly.

“Yes, of course, I want you guys to come. I can’t imagine not being able to pop in for a visit any time I want. And Hannibal will want the same thing.” I paused. “How does Leslie feel about joining a wolf pack?”

“She likes the idea,” my dad told me. “It’s been a long time for her. Hannibal being there, mating the alpha’s sister. She wants to be around for any children that come along.” He glanced at me. “For both of you. We’ve always wanted that. To watch our children fall in love and have families of their own. Convenient for us that the two of you ended up in the same wolf pack.”

“I can’t believe I’m mated to a wolf,” I murmured.

“I know the feeling,” my dad agreed. “I count my blessings every day I wake up next to Leslie. I’m so thankful the fates brought her into my life and made sure I stayed a part of hers. I’ve never loved anyone the way I do her.”

“I’m happy for you,” I whispered, but I knew he heard what I wasn’t saying. Had he ever loved my mother?

“Your mother was never meant to be tied down. I knew it when I met her, but when she told me she was pregnant with you, I married her. I didn’t love her, and I knew she wasn’t in love with me. But I loved you from the moment I knew you were there. And I’ve never stopped.”

“Dad—”

“Shh. Let me say this while I can.” His cheeks were damp, and I felt my heart catch. In all my life, I’d never seen my dad cry. “When your mother left, part of me didn’t care. Until I saw your face when you saw others with their mothers, watched your pain at not having that, then I would have given anything to bring her back to you.”

“I didn’t need her,” I swore. “I had you.”

“You did. Yes, you had me. You’ll always have me, but there are times a girl needs her mother. And…” He paused, swallowing. “Did you think I didn’t know the bullying you took about her leaving? The way the other kids would belittle and torment you? I would have given anything to kick all their asses, but you never said a word.”

“I could handle it,” I whispered. I’d never realized he knew. All these years, I’d thought I’d managed to hide it from him.

“You’ve always tried to handle everything on your own. You don’t ask for help, Cici. Not back then and not now.”

“I… What are you talking about?”

“Did you think I didn’t know about the guy you went out with in college?” His gaze hardened.

“What? How?”

“One of my buddies on the force up there called me the night that boy put you in the ER.”

“You never…” I stopped, shaking my head. “You never said anything.”

“Because you never said anything.” Hearing the anguish in my dad’s voice made me realize just how much I’d hurt him. “I went to see him and made sure he understood the error of his ways. Then I called you. To check in. You told me you were good. Gushed about your classes and how much you were learning. And the entire time, you were holed up in that apartment of yours with busted ribs. Your face all bruised and battered.”

“Dad, I’m sorry.”

“I wanted to kill him. Instead, I beat the hell out of him and warned him if he ever showed his face around you again, I would kill him.”

“Dad, you could have gone to jail!”

“I made sure he knew if I did, he would. I also swore I’d make sure we were in the same cell, and that only one of us would be walking out of it.”

“Jesus, Dad!”

“I love you, Cici. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to protect you. Nothing.”

“Then pack your bags, old man, because we’re moving to Rigton County.”

Dad gave me a hard look then shook his head. “Watch who you call old man.”

I snickered, but the tension was broken. I’d hurt my dad, and I swore I’d do my best to never do it again. I leaned in and hugged him tight.

“I love you, Dad. For the record, I never saw him again.”

“Good.” Dad did a pretty good job of growling for a human.

“And no one’s ever put their hands on me like that again.”

Dad squeezed me tighter, and I felt the shudder go through him. “Don’t hide things from me again, Cici. Promise me.”

“I won’t.”

“And don’t even try to with your mate. Trust me when I say, there will be no secrets between you two. As your bond grows, you’ll sense things without needing words. Then you’ll have entire conversations in your head and not even realize you never spoke a word aloud.”

“Is there anything else I should know about mating with a wolf shifter?”

Dad looked thoughtful for a moment then shook his head. “Leslie and I have given you the basic information. Things that are probably common for most shifter-human relationships. But there are some things you and Simon will need to find out for yourselves. The discovery builds bonds, as well.”

“I’m already in love with him,” I admitted.

“I know,” my dad offered with a smile. “It looks good on you. Now then, are you really leaving tomorrow?”

“Apparently,” I groaned. “Which means I won’t have any time to pack everything. Not even if I stay up all night.”

“Pack the stuff you’ll need immediately and leave the rest. Leslie and I will take care of it.”

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You’re a life saver.” I glanced around us. “How long do you think they’ll be gone?”

“A couple of hours, at least. Leslie likes to give her wolf a good run when she gets the chance. She’ll take full advantage of having your mate here.”

“In that case, I might head home for a bit and get some packing done. I’ll set an alarm on my phone and be back here in an hour. It’ll be just enough time for me to take inventory and make a plan on what to take. We’ve only got the Jeep, so that will limit me a bit. “

“I can go with you,” my dad offered.

“No, you stay here in case they come back sooner. You can give me a call. One hour!” I swore. “Tops.”

Dad laughed. “You better set that alarm. If they get back early, I’ll run Simon over to your place. No worries.”

“Thanks, Dad! You’re the best.”

One hour. Home. Quick inventory so I could plan. Then straight back. Simon wouldn’t even know I was gone.

I set the alarm on my phone while I headed to the Jeep. I lived less than ten minutes away. Sixty minutes at my house. I’d be back in under ninety minutes total. And if Simon did show up while I was gone, he’d be fine. It wasn’t as if I was running from him. I was simply getting a jump start on things, so we could be ready to go on his schedule. That was very nice of me. Considerate even. I nodded as I slid behind the wheel and took off.

My mind was going a mile a minute as I parked and headed inside. Clothes and toiletries were a must. Most of the rest of my stuff could wait. I’d grab a few of the photo albums my dad had given me. Pictures of the two us when I was younger. There were even a few with my mother in them. Some that included Leslie and Hannibal. I’d want those. A few of my books. My electronics and the cords for all of them. My favorite blanket. I’d probably need my pillows, especially my body pillow. I wasn’t sure what Simon would have.

I moved to the hall closet and pulled out my suitcases before heading to the bedroom. I was careful to set my phone on the dresser with the volume all the way up. I was neck deep in clothes and shoes—when did I get all these clothes and shoes?—when I thought I heard a door.

“Simon?” I poked my head out the door but didn’t see him, so I walked back toward the front room. “Simon?”

“You fucking bitch!”

“Madison?” I blinked a couple of times as if doing so would clear her from my vision. What the hell was she doing in my house? A man loomed behind her. I had no idea who he was. I didn’t recall ever seeing him, yet there was something familiar looking about him.

“Where’s your mate, little human?” he sneered.

I had no clue what was going on, but I knew it wouldn’t be a good idea to tell them Simon was miles away having a good run with my stepmother. Instead, I ignored the question and threw out one of my own.

“Why are you in my house? Get out. Now!”

Madison sneered. The man laughed. Then he inhaled deeply. “They’re mated. He’ll do whatever we want as long as we have her.”

What was it they wanted Simon to do? The question filled my head as I glanced back and forth between them.

“You need to get out of my house,” I snapped, trying to edge my way back toward my bedroom and my phone.

Madison moved quickly, much quicker than I could have anticipated, cutting me off so I was trapped between the two of them.

“They’re going to see how it feels,” the man assured me. “That giant freak who took my son’s whore. The bastard alpha. All of them. I’ll make them wish they’d never crossed paths with us. They’ll give my son back to me. They’ll give him back, or I’ll kill everyone they love. One by one. Beginning with you.”

I still had no idea who he was. Or his son. Someone the James Pack held, apparently. Then it hit me. The men Hannibal had been after. I’d looked at their pictures. I’d paid close attention in case I ran into one of them. I’d wanted to be able to help my brother. No wonder the man in front of me seemed so familiar. Age Benji Makers a little bit, and he looked just like the man in my house. Benji Makers, the man who would be facing justice when Hannibal delivered him. There was no way they’d give Makers up to his father. I wouldn’t expect them to. But I didn’t want to die. I’d just met Simon.

Simon!

I screamed his name in my head and swore I felt a jolt go through me. I needed him. I wasn’t sure I could get myself out of this. I needed my mate. I needed Simon.

Chapter Ten

~Simon~

The run had been fantastic. There was nothing like feeling the air rush by while I raced along in my fur. Everything was sharper, clearer, brighter. The sky, the grass, the trees. Everything. Yet, there was no ignoring the tug that pulled me back to where my mate waited. Where my mate should have been waiting with bated breath for my return. Instead, I found my clothes folded on a chair and neither Cici nor her dad anywhere around.

There was an itch along the back of my neck. Something was off. I felt it under my skin. I jogged around to the front of the house. The Jeep was gone.

“Cici ran over to her house to figure out what to take with her tomorrow and what to have us bring to her later.” Cain Lawson walked out the front door with Leslie by his side. “I’ve been trying to call her, but she’s not answering. Probably got wrapped up in what she was doing and left her phone on silent. I’m happy to run you over. She left this for you.”

He held out my phone. I’d left it with Cici in case it rang. Obviously, she hadn’t thought I might want her to answer it. I glanced down when it hit my hand and saw I had several missed calls. None from Cici. All from Gabe. I dialed him back.

“What’s up?”

“I’ve been following Madison. Three guesses who she’s hooked up with?”

“Who?” I snarled through the phone.

“Jarrod Makers.” Gabe dropped the name, and my blood ran cold. The Makers were trouble. At present, Benji Makers was being kept locked up by the James Pack. He’d escaped from us once before with inside help. Looked like we might have found out who had helped him.

“I’ll leave Cici here. If I leave now, I can be back in—”

“They’re not headed for Benji. I’m not a hundred percent sure where they’re going. We pulled off the highway about twenty minutes ago. Now, I’m in this small-town America, and they’re parked in front of a brick bungalow.”

Fear seized me by the throat and almost stole my breath. “Describe it to me.”

Every word out of Gabe’s mouth painted a picture I didn’t want to see.

“I’m ten minutes out,” I roared.

“How are you…?” Gabe stopped, and I knew he was connecting the dots. “It’s Cici. Why is he going after your mate?”

I waved to her dad. “I need to get to Cecilia’s. Now.”

Cain didn’t say a word. He and Leslie shared a look then he nodded toward his truck as they hurried to it. I gave Gabe orders as I moved.

“Don’t let them get to her,” I commanded. “I don’t know what they want with her.” But I did. God, I was really afraid that I did. “Madison knows she’s my mate.”

“Shit!” Gabe growled. “They’ll try to use her to get to you.”

“To get Benji. It’s about that fucking cocksucker. I wish to hell we’d let Taylor kill him when he had the chance.”

Taylor would have, too. When Makers made the mistake of attacking Taylor’s mate not once but twice, Taylor had been ready to kill him. It was Gabe and I who’d dragged Benji Makers away. Now the bastard’s father was after my mate. Did he really think I’d let that stand? That I wouldn’t rip out his fucking throat the way I had Mullins? No one threatened my woman. No one.

“Hindsight and all that. I’m heading toward the house now. I’ll do what needs to be done.” Gabe disconnected. I knew he’d protect my mate as if she were his. That was the way we were. I’d do the same for his mate when Gabe found her, and we’d both do the same for Taylor’s mate, Rebbie. We’d do it for any of the mates, but the three of us had always been more brothers. I knew Gabe would protect Cecilia, but I needed to be there.

“Five minutes,” Cain said as if he were picking up on my tension. He probably was. I wasn’t subtle about it. “Is Cici in danger again?”

God, I hated the way that sounded, as if she’d been in danger from the moment we’d met. Though in my defense, she’d already been in trouble the first time I’d laid eyes on her. I’d been the one to step in and take out the man who’d hurt her. This time, I’d get there before she was hurt. I’d protect her.

“Yes,” I finally remembered to answer. “I need you to park down the street and stay in the truck. They won’t pick up on my scent. They’ll think it’s Cecilia. I won’t let anything happen to her.”

“And if it already has?” he asked, his voice hard and cold.

“I’ll kill them.” It didn’t matter to me that Madison was a woman. She’d made her bed with the Makers, so she could share their fate. Benji Makers was a dead man walking. Soon, Hannibal and Taylor would take the rogue wolf to another pack, so they could get justice for the female he’d hurt and the one he’d killed. Jarrod Makers wasn’t walking out of Cecilia’s house alive. He’d sealed his fate when he made the choice to go after my mate. I didn’t give second chances. And Madison. Unless she was real fucking stupid, which seemed highly likely, I’d let Bas decide how to deal with her.

“I have keys.” Cain caught my attention as he parked along the road toward the back left side of Cecilia’s house. “Go around back. Hop the fence and sneak in through the back.”

Something in his tone gave me pause.

“What are you planning?” I demanded. No way could I let him put himself or Leslie in danger. They were family, and I protected family.

“I’m going to drive up and park. Then I’m going to take my time walking up to the front door, giving you and your friend plenty of time to slip inside and position yourselves.”

“We,” Leslie interjected.

Cain gave her a fierce look, which was returned with interest, until he nodded. I opened my mouth to argue, and Leslie’s gaze cut to include me. Hell. I wondered if that look worked as well on her son, but I knew it did. I had little doubt Hannibal, no matter his size and strength, would always respect his mother. I figured he’d also protect her. I could do no less.

“Give me five minutes to get in place. They’re going to know you’re a wolf,” I warned.

“I’m counting on it,” Leslie said with a smile. “They won’t know me, who I am or why I’m there. It’ll have them scrambling to decide how to react.”

I prayed she was right.

“Do not get yourselves hurt!” I ordered with a snarl. I had no wish to have either my mate or her brother kill me for letting their respective parents get harmed.

“You sound like Hannibal,” Leslie offered with a laugh. “Now, go!”

I dashed from the truck to the back fence and vaulted over it easily. Privacy fences were not made to keep out shifters. At least, not the fences in her neighborhood. I was heading toward the back door when Gabe stepped out for the corner of the house and waved me over.

“They’ve got her in the living room. She’s holding her own so far.”

“How close did you get?” I asked.

“Close enough to hear the conversation. Makers Sr. is planning to use your mate to force us to turn over his son. Lacking that, he’s going to kill her and keep going until he hurts all of us the way we hurt him.”

“Taylor should have killed him instead of telling him to get the hell out of town,” I growled.

“We all should have done a lot of things. Lessons learned. Now, what do you have planned?”

“Slipping in the back door. Cecilia’s dad and Hannibal’s mom are going to head to the front door and try to either gain their attention or at least split it while we get inside. You focus on my mate. Get her out of danger and don’t leave her side. No matter what.”

Gabe nodded. I knew he saw the bloodlust in my gaze. My wolf wouldn’t calm for anything less. My mate was in danger, and I wouldn’t be satisfied until I tasted the blood of my enemy, until it dripped from my lips while I tore out his throat.

“Madison?” Gabe asked.

“If she tries to run, stop her. If she tries to interfere, stop her. If she tries to hurt my mate in any way…kill her.”

Gabe nodded again.

“Follow me.”

We made our way to the back door, and I had the key in place and ready to turn when I heard Cain and Leslie making their way to the front of the house. They were loud, laughing and talking as if they had no idea what awaited them inside. I turned the key and eased the door open, leaving it ajar as Gabe and I made our way inside.

“Who the fuck is that?” Jarrod Makers demanded.

“My dad and his new wife.”

The tone of my mate’s voice made it seem that she didn’t like her father’s new wife. I knew better. I tried to figure out what she was thinking. Was Cecilia trying to make Leslie seem less important, thinking that would keep her safe?

“She’s a wolf.” Madison’s voice and it took all I had to hold back my growl. I honestly wasn’t sure if I could let her walk away. I didn’t make a habit of attacking women, but there was a special place in hell for those like Madison. Those who sought to use and abuse others because they could. Because humans were so far beneath her.

“Wrong,” Cecilia said.

“I can smell a wolf.” The sound of smacking flesh was followed closely by Cecilia’s cry of pain.

Gabe grabbed my arm, and I almost attacked him but managed enough control to focus on what he was trying to get me to pay attention to. I heard another smack, followed by a yelp from Madison.

“She’s not a wolf, you fucking moron,” Cecilia snapped. She sounded vicious. I wanted to see her. To taste the fire on her tongue. To let it burn through us both. “My dad is.”

“It doesn’t work that way,” Jarrod said. “Wolves sire wolves.”

“Not when they mate humans,” my mate challenged. “Then it’s fifty-fifty what you get. And with me, my parents got human. My mother was so disgusted she left when I was younger. My father kept me anyway.”

I could add cunning to my mate’s list of attributes. She’d managed to make it so they’d concentrate on her father and not pay as much attention to Leslie. Cecilia had just painted the other woman as a weak human, playing on their beliefs. Fuck, there was nothing weak about Leslie or Cecilia. Now, instead of them realizing Leslie’s scent covered her mate, they’d think Cain’s scent was covering Leslie. Oh, my mate was a genius.

A knock fell heavy on the door.

“Cici, you home?” A few more knocks sounded against the door. “Cici!”

“If I don’t answer, he’ll use his key to come in. He knows I came back last night and that I’m mated to a wolf. He doesn’t know which one.”

“Nice try,” Jarrod scoffed. “He’ll smell your mate on you and know my scent doesn’t match.”

“Then figure out what to say!” Cecilia snapped. “It was your brilliant idea to come here and take me. Surely, you planned what to do if someone or something interfered.”

“Watch your smart mouth, you little bitch, or I’ll shut it for you. Won’t be able to do much with a broken jaw.”

“I hear your son liked to knock around women, too,” Cecilia fired back. She was glorious and utterly insane. What the hell was she thinking riling him up? Makers could kill her.

“You fucking whore!” Madison swore.

“I’m coming in,” Cain bellowed at the same time, and I heard the lock on the front door click just as I heard my mate yell like a banshee.

Gabe and I flew around the corner and jumped into the chaos. Gabe followed Madison and Cecilia as they rolled across the floor, a flash of wild arms and legs as they each fought to get the upper hand. Makers had his back turned, facing the front door where Cain was already pushing inside. I jumped the couch with a snarl and landed right behind him. He turned with a growl, and I watched as claws sprouted from his fingertips. I was going to enjoy this. Immensely. At least, I’d get the pleasure of killing one of the Makers.

“I’m going to kill you,” Makers swore. “I’m going to rip out your throat then rip out your heart. I’m going to send it to your alpha in a box so he’ll know what’s coming for him.”

I laughed and had the pleasure of watching his face flush a darker red with anger. “You really want to die for that two-bit loser of a son of yours?”

“My son is twice the man you are. He could have been alpha. He should have been. They should have come to us instead of going to a bastard like Bastion James. Him and that freak of a sister of his. Someone should have snapped her neck at birth. But I’ll appreciate the pleasure anyway when the time comes.”

“Bee would rip you to shreds,” I informed him. “You wouldn’t stand any more of a chance against her than you did my mate.”

“Your mate’s about to die.” Jarrod nodded to something behind my back. I didn’t take the bait. He wanted to distract me, but my focus was on him. I knew Cecilia could take care of herself, and if she needed help, then Gabe was there.

“My mate can handle herself.” My words might have been directed toward Jarrod, but they were meant for Cecilia. I wanted her to know I didn’t see her as weak. Something told me she needed to hear that from me. “Stop stalling, old man. You want my throat. Come get it.”

Jarrod launched at me with a roar. I took him down easily, tossing him to his back then moving away, allowing him to regain his feet and charge again. I stepped aside this time, and Leslie growled and gave him a hard shove that knocked him to his knees. She stepped back, though, knowing I wanted him for myself. He struggled a bit getting back to his feet then came at me once more. Then again. And again. He was tiring, his anger costing him more than it gave.

“Stop toying with him, and end this, Simon!” Cecilia yelled.

“Maybe, I’ll just maim you first so you can hear me fuck your mate while she screams,” Makers sneered.

Cecilia’s command had me moving toward him. His words had me seeing red. We met with a thud, coming chest-to-chest. This time, I followed him to the ground. I snapped his arm when he swung wildly at me.

He screamed, but I had no clue what he was saying. My ears were awash with the dull roar of rage that had consumed me. His earlier words echoed in my mind. He wouldn’t touch a hair on my mate’s head.

I leaned down, baring my teeth as I went for his throat. His screams intensified then turned into gurgles as I ripped through flesh and muscle and tore out his throat. Without stopping to think, I freed my claws and slammed against his chest. It wasn’t as easy as I’d thought, but fury was the fuel I needed to punch and claw my way through until it was his heart in my hand, ripping free of his body as I roared with vengeance. Maybe, I’d put the fucking thing in a box and give it to Bas myself. There would be a certain sense of irony in that.

“Simon. Simon. Simon.”

I wasn’t sure how long my mate had been calling my name, but I finally snapped out of the fog that had woven around me and realized a few things. I was covered in blood as was Cecilia’s living room floor. I had no idea how long it had taken me to tear Makers’ heart from his chest, but I held it tightly in my fist. And my mate and her family were all watching me. But it wasn’t disgust in my mate’s gaze.

She crossed to me, shoving my arms wide as she straddled my lap. She grabbed the hem of her shirt and wiped it over my lips and jaw. I jerked back at first, but she merely followed me.

“I really want to kiss you right now, but I don’t want his blood in my mouth,” she snarled.

I dropped the heart to the floor and jerked my shirt over my head, using the remaining clean spots to wipe my face as clean as I could get. Then her hands were back on my face, pulling me toward her.

“That was the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen,” she told me.

“Blood thirsty wench.” I shook my head and snorted a laugh as I spoke. Then she leaned closer. Probably trying to whisper, though I had no doubt the others in the room would have no trouble hearing her words. Enhanced hearing and all that.

“I really want to take you in the bedroom and fuck you.” She wiggled on my lap, pressing the heat of her sex right atop my instantly hard cock.

I heard the front door open and shut and knew without glancing away from Cecilia that Cain and Leslie had stepped out.

“I’ll take care of this one, then I’ll be back to take care of him later,” Gabe said.

I did glance at him long enough to see him scoop an unconscious Madison into his arms.

“I knocked her out,” Cecilia offered with a sly smile. “Weak human, my ass.”

I stood, tossing my mate over my shoulder as I did.

“Take the house keys so you can get in and out in case we don’t answer the door,” I told Gabe, pulling them from my pocket and tossing them across the room to him. “We may be awhile.”

Gabe smiled. Then I didn’t care what he did. My focus was solely on my mate. I palmed her ass and headed toward the bedroom then veered toward the shower, instead. She might not mind the blood on my skin now that it was off my mouth, but I did. I didn’t want Jarrod Makers blood tainting another moment of our lives.

I wanted her naked, wet, and writhing while I filled her again and again with every inch of my eager cock. She wanted to fuck. That’s what we’d do. For the rest of the day and all of the night. Until neither of us could move.

Chapter Eleven

~Cici~

Seeing the ferocity in my man had awoken something inside me. No, I wasn’t a shifter. I wasn’t sure what it was he’d called to the surface. All I knew was I wanted him… No, I needed him with a carnality that surpassed even what I’d felt for him before. When he set me on my feet in the bathroom, I went at him, jerking and ripping at his clothes. I knew the blood bothered him. That he wanted to clean up before getting dirty with me.

“Cecilia.” My name was a rough growl falling from his lips. “Let me get the shower started.”

I’d always hated my name. I wasn’t sure why. I’d decided to go by Cici almost as soon as I’d started school. But the way my name sounded on his lips? It did things to me. My insides clenched, and I went to my knees, shoving his pants down his thighs and leaning in. I licked my way from balls to tip and took him deep into the back of my throat, swallowing around him then bobbing back up to do it all again.

“Let’s clean up first.” Simon’s words didn’t quite match the way he held my head close and thrust his cock into my mouth with wicked abandon. His head was thrown back and growls spilled from his lips.

I moaned, reaching my hands around to grasp his ass while I let him take over and fuck my mouth. I focused on the rub of his shaft over my tongue. The slight gag I still couldn’t completely eliminate when the head hit the top of my throat before I swallowed him down. The taste of salt and seed that coated my lips and cheeks and tongue as he rode in and out. I focused on the feel of his fingers clenching in my hair then rubbing against my scalp only to clench again as if he couldn’t control himself.

I focused on the way he made me feel. Yes, I was servicing him, but the pleasure of the moment was equally shared between us. In fact, I might have felt more, which sounded ridiculous, but was true all the same. With each swallow, my sex clenched and grew liquid. It only made sense to move one of my hands, slide it down my body and into my panties until I could stroke myself in tandem with the rhythm he set. My nipples were rock-hard. My orgasm rose within me, and I crested with it just before he came down my throat with a roar.

Before I could even catch my breath, he had me stripped from the waist down and sitting on the sink counter. My legs were forced wide as he knelt between them and used his fingers and tongue to keep me immersed in the pleasure washing through me. I rapped my head on the mirror behind me, my fingers scrambling over the glass for purchase. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t catch my breath no matter how much I gasped and mewled. And Simon continued consuming my sex until I saw stars.

“Simon.” I wasn’t sure if he’d heard me, but he lifted his head just long enough to give me an order.

“Breathe, baby, and let me enjoy my treat.”

My lungs kicked in as if they’d only been waiting on his permission.

“Simon,” I said again, and he glanced up at me, his face shiny with my pleasure. He licked his lips as if savoring the taste of me then placed a kiss on my inner thigh.

“You’re the sweetest treat I’ve ever tasted.”

I giggled and enjoyed the way his expression softened at the sound. This amazing man—no this wolf man—loved me. He loved me. It made no sense how quickly we’d fallen for one another, but everything I was learning told me it was normal when it came to shifters. They knew their mates instantly and didn’t need prolonged periods of time to date and explore and figure out if a relationship was what they wanted. They dove in, believing fully that they’d found the one person they were meant to be with. No hesitation. No questioning.

“I love you, Simon.”

He stared at me, not dropping our connection as he stood. My gaze automatically dropped, and I saw he was back at full mast. His recovery speed was definitely a plus in the “why I love having a shifter as my mate” column. How insatiable he was topped that list, as well.

“Say it again,” he commanded, and I smiled.

“I love you.” I started to voice how weird it was to feel that so soon, but it wasn’t. Not anymore. Now, it was normal and right. God, it was perfectly right.

“I love you, Cecilia. I have from the moment I felt you.” He patted his chest right over his heart. “A lifetime won’t be enough time with you. I want endless lifetimes spent loving you.”

“Yes,” I agreed and didn’t say another word as he helped me to my feet.

We took our time removing the rest of our clothes, stopping to share soft kisses as we caressed each other. Simon turned on the water while I laid out towels, then we stepped into the shower together.

It was the most sensual shower I’d ever had. We took our time. I used a washcloth on him while he took the loofah and ran it over my skin until I had goosebumps, despite the steam that surrounded us. We kissed constantly as if our lips were magnetized to each other. When he lifted me against the shower wall, I wrapped my legs around his hips and my arms around his shoulders.

We didn’t have words. We were both lost in the emotion, in the sensations. We kissed and touched, and he was so deep inside me, surrounding me, that it was as if we were one person. One soul. Something shattered inside me, as if a wall were crumbling down, and suddenly, Simon was there. I felt what he was feeling. The pleasure he found in my body, in the brush of my skin, the shape of my breasts, the feel of my sex contracting around him as we moved together. I understood how he loved the texture of my hair and the way it smelled of mint.

Then I heard his voice in my mind.

I feel you. Not just you, but the pleasure you’re experiencing with me.

I nodded. Yes, I…feel it, too. Does this mean…?

We’re connected. Fully. I didn’t realize it would kick in this strong this quickly. Not with…

Me being human?

I felt his guilt and smiled.

“I can’t change what I am any more than you can change the fact you love me,” I said aloud.

“Never,” he swore, pressing deep and staying there.

“We may not know how everything will play out with us. Our relationship is different than those of the rest of your pack. Though I’m human, it’s even different from the one between my dad and Leslie. Which means we get to grow and explore together. Learn as we go. And I can’t think of anything more exciting as long as I’m doing it with you.”

“I love you, Cecilia. I’ll spend every day of the rest of my life loving you.”

“Focus on loving me right now, Simon,” I urged, wiggling my hips against his.

He laughed then groaned as I squeezed around him. It was overwhelming. I felt everything from both perspectives. It took what was there and intensified it a hundred-fold. No, more than that. It made me pure sensation, made the pleasure un-fucking-believable. We both panted, rising together. He took my mouth, ravished me with his kiss, and we exploded, riding the pinnacle of orgasm together and staying there for the longest moment.

I lost consciousness. That’s all I could think anyway, as the next thing I knew I was in bed cuddled against Simon’s chest, listening to his steady breathing. I rubbed my lips along his skin and ran my palm through the crisp hair on his chest. He mumbled something in his sleep, and his hand patted my ass before dropping limply to the bed again. I eased away, stopping every few seconds to soothe Simon when he grumbled in his sleep.

I grabbed one of his shirts and pulled it on before padding to the bathroom then out to the kitchen. My stomach was rumbling. The last time I remembered eating was when we were at my dad’s earlier. I glanced at the digital clock on the stove. Almost midnight. No wonder I was starving. Thankfully, I still had food in my fridge. Bacon, eggs, cheese. I cautiously sniffed at the milk, not one to trust the expiration dates. It was still good. I decided cheesy omelets with toast and bacon were the winner and went about cooking.

I was just setting it all on the table when Simon joined me. He’d pulled on a pair of jeans, tugging the zipper up but not bothering with the top button.

“Couldn’t resist the call of food?” I teased.

Simon tugged me into his arms, running a finger down my cheek before tipping my face upward and dropping his lips on mine. God, I loved his kiss.

“I missed you.”

I could have joked with him, but I knew he had missed me. That he’d felt the loss of me at his side when he awoke. And I felt how happy he was to have me back in his arms.

“Will it always be like this?”

“No.” He shook his head. “It’ll continue to get better.”

“I can’t imagine anything better than earlier. In the shower,” I added as if Simon wasn’t aware of precisely what I was recalling. Then I blushed.

Simon burst out laughing. “God, you’re amazing.”

“Sit down and let’s eat.” I pushed him toward the chair in front of his plate and took a seat beside him. “I’m sorry I went to sleep on you.”

“Passed out,” he corrected with a grin then groaned as he forked in the first bite of omelet. “This is fantastic.”

“It’s milk, eggs, and cheese with a few herbs. I can do a lot better with more supplies.”

“With food like this, I’ll make sure you have everything you need.”

I shook my head but couldn’t hide my smile. We ate in silence for a few minutes. “Did your friend head back?”

“Gabe took Madison and Maker’s body back to the pack. She’ll be held until we get back and have a chance to talk to Bas in person.”

“When do you plan for us to leave?” I asked.

“Gabe is picking up a moving truck in the morning and heading back this way. We’ll stay long enough to pack you up and take everything with us.”

“Really!” I jumped from my seat and into his lap, wrapping my arms around him and squeezing.

“You shouldn’t have to choose what to fit in the Jeep with us and what to leave behind for us to get later. We’ll pack the house together and take it all.”

“Thank you, Simon.”

“Anything for you, baby.”

And I knew he meant it. I knew anything was possible for the rest of my life with Simon by my side.

Epilogue

~Simon~

“Ce!” I bellowed my mate’s name. At some point over the last six years, I’d shortened it to the first syllable, but I still refused to call her Cici.

I heard the shouts of my boys outside and followed them to the patio door. I knew wherever they were, their mother would be close by. After six years, we had four boys with another on the way. Ce was convinced this one was a girl, but I knew better. We were having another boy. Bee had already told me. Then she’d teased that we would give Cyan and Ivy a run on how many sons we could produce while we tried for a girl.

“Daddy!”

Whoops filled the air, and I was surrounded. I scooped up our youngest and tossed him in the air while he shrieked and giggled.

“Simon, stop,” Ce scolded. “Micah just ate, and you’ll have him puking everywhere.” She walked toward me, one hand on her stomach, rubbing the bulge where our newest addition still grew.

I settled Micah on my hip while Cain, David, and Ethan talked over each other, telling me about their day. Cecilia had my attention, though. Any time she was near, I couldn’t take my gaze off her. She grew impossibly more beautiful with every day.

“I missed you,” she whispered as she leaned into my side. I dropped a kiss on her upturned lips then laughed as Micah tried to join us.

I put him down and wrapped my arms around my mate. “I missed you.”

She kissed me again, and I felt my heart beat faster. This was why my mate was always pregnant. I couldn’t seem to keep my hands off her. She was the sexiest woman I’d ever met. I dropped my hand to cover hers on her belly and felt the baby give a hearty kick.

“Active today,” I murmured.

“Active every day,” she vowed then gave me a glare. “Don’t think I don’t know this one is another boy. Which means you’ll be getting me pregnant again. I want a little girl, too. At least one.”

I nodded. “I’ll do my best to get you pregnant again. I’ll work night and day to see it happen. I promise I’ll give it my full attention.”

Cecilia giggled, which set off the boys as they joined her.

“Have you been in the pool all day?” I asked them, giving a mock glare.

“All day!” David yelled and jumped in the pool with a whoop. Not to be outdone, Ethan and Cain joined him while Micah jumped and cheered beside us.

“I hear my boys!” Cain, Cecilia’s dad, stood inside the back gate, and the boys were shrieking again. They loved their pop-pop, and where he was, their mimi wasn’t far behind. Sure enough Leslie was with him. She let Cain corral our sons while she headed for my mate and me. She immediately pulled Ce into a hug.

“How’s my girl?”

“I’m good. Tired. But good.”

I glanced at Cecelia. Tired my ass. Normally, the woman was a bundle of energy. When pregnant, she was like a fucking bunny on steroids. She didn’t stop. She shot me a glance, daring me to say anything. I was a smart man, though. I kept my lips sealed. I knew what my mate was after. She was horny. Another delightful side affect of pregnancy. Bunny on steroids.

“Well then, you might not mind if Cain and I take the boys for a sleepover.” She scooped up Micah and had him giggling. “Just think. Another few months and we’ll have another grandson to love.”

“Could be a granddaughter,” Cecilia countered.

Leslie laughed. “You two are like Cyan and Ivy. I think all you can have is boys. At least, we have Taylor and Rebbie to give us girls. Plus, Bee and Hannibal and Bas and Raina seem to have a nice mixture of boys and girls.”

“I already promised Cecilia I’d keep working until we have a little girl.”

My mate flushed red while Leslie cleared her throat. Most likely to hide a laugh.

“I’m sure you did.”

“So we have movies, pizza, popcorn, ice cream, cookies, brownies, and Hannibal is bringing his kids by in another thirty minutes to join the party,” Cain said.

“That’s a lot of sugar,” Cecilia warned. “Are you sure the two of you can handle that with all the kids?”

“We’re old pros,” Cain assured us while Leslie grinned then added, “We’ve been looking forward to it. Stop by sometime tomorrow to pick them up. No rush. Mimi and Pop-pop have this.”

We took our time saying goodnight then simply stared at each other.

“What should we do with a surprise night all alone?”

As if my mate didn’t already know exactly what she planned for us to do, but I’d play along.

“Dinner and a movie?” I suggested.

She shook her head. “I’m not really feeling much like going out.”

“You did say you were tired. I’m sure I can find something to keep me busy if you want to go upstairs and rest.”

She glared. “Are you going to make me say it?”

I nodded, not bothering to hide my grin. “Absolutely. I love it when you talk dirty to me.”

After six years, Ce still wasn’t a big talker during sex. She loved it when I spoke to her, but she preferred to listen. I liked to make her say naughty things.

“I want you to go upstairs with me.”

“You want me to take a nap with you?”

Oh, that glare got even meaner.

“No?” I asked.

“Simon,” she growled. I loved it when she did that.

“What do you want to do?”

“I want you to take me upstairs, strip me naked, lick me into a screaming orgasm, then spend the rest of the night fucking me senseless. Precise enough for you?”

“Hell, yeah,” I agreed and scooped her up into my arms, heading inside and straight for the stairs.

“Simon.”

God, I loved the way this woman said my name. It was like an erotic caress from her lips.

“Yes?”

“Make me pass out again,” she ordered. “Fuck me until I pass out from the pleasure.”

“I’ll do my best,” I promised then followed words with actions for the rest of the night.

Want to know what happens next with the James Pack? You can find more at laceythorn.com

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About the Author

Lacey is a hyper blonde, bouncing through life with her magical bracelets of positivity. A die-hard gamer (she refuses to call it an addiction), she resides in Oklahoma, mom to three awesome children, one mini goldendoodle, and a black cat. She has a passion for life and romance. She writes possessive, alpha heroes who demand everything from the women they love. Her stories reflect her strong family ties, friendships that showcase how some family consists of those we choose, and a goofy sense of humor that helps keep her laughing through all life’s ups and downs.

She loves to chat with anyone and often does to the annoyance of her children who are always in a hurry. If you want to talk books, television, movies, actors, World of Warcraft, prepping for the zombie apocalypse, or music (she loves music!), drop her a line at laceythorn2007@gmail.com.

Lacey’s Booklist

Awakening Pride Series

Their Wild One (Prequel)

Waking the Beast

Tempting the Tiger

Freeing the Feline

Saving the Beast

A Jaguar's Touch

The Liger's Mark

Unleashing the Beast

Eyes on the Pride

Cry of the Pride

Mending the Beast

Awakening Pride: The Holloways

His to Bear (comes between The Liger's Mark and Unleashing the Beast)

Claimed by the Grizzly

Rumble and Growl

Kodiak’s Heart

James Pack Series

Alpha's Unwilling Mate

Beta's Virgin Bride

Wolf’s Wild Woman

Bee’s Enraged Beast

Simon’s Runaway Mate

Knight's Watch Series

Prequel: Beautiful Dreamer

Jagged Hearts

Craving Sin

The Billionaire’s Knight

Bare Love Series

His Bare Obsession

Bare Confessions

Bare Seduction

Something More Series (Previously Girls Night Out Series)

More Than One Night (Previously Jack's Dee-Light)

More Than Friends (Previously What Friends Are For)

More Than I Do (Previously Marital Bliss)

Pleasures Series

The Greyson Sisters Trilogy:

Cuffed for Pleasure

Heated for Pleasure

SEALed for Pleasure

Pleasures Anthology: The Greyson Sisters

The Angel Investigations Trilogy

Guarded for Pleasure

Roped for Pleasure

Arranged for Pleasure

Pleasures Anthology: Angel Investigations

The Foster Sisters Trilogy

Cured by Pleasure

Faithful in Pleasure

Agents of Pleasure

Pleasures Anthology: The Foster Sisters (coming soon)

Stand Alone Pleasures Stories

Bewitched for Pleasure

Hammered with Pleasure

Wrapped in Pleasure

Alpha Enforcer Squad Trilogy

Enforced Love

Love by Command

Breaking Into Love

Stand Alone Books

Chaps and Lace

Finding Home

Grave Magic

Santa Maybe