AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Not yet, baby. Not yet. You are not ready, but you’re close,” he growled as he licked at my lips. I opened, needing to feel him everywhere. He kissed me through my orgasms as my core squeezed tight around him. I came so hard I pulled away from the kiss, gasping as he pushed deep and grunted. He jerked as he climaxed behind me, grinding his hips into me as he filled me. As he pulled out of me, I was a quivering mess of nerve endings and emotions. He didn’t claim me even when I begged for it, and I didn’t know why. It hurt that he didn’t, but I should have expected that. I promised myself that I would figure this shit out when we killed this possessed wolf. Dax seemed so sure that he knew the truth and that I was his Mate. I looked into his eyes, seeing a spot of light blue in the irises. I blinked, and it was gone as if it were never there. I wanted his mark, so could it be possible that he was right and that I already knew he was my Mate as I was his? He smiled at me and licked my lips as he leaned down. I cupped his face in my hands and kissed him passionately, showing him what I was feeling rather than words. This just got more complicated because I feared he was right and if so, this would change everything in my world and in his. I vowed to myself as he kissed me that I would not let this demon get anywhere close to my wolf, even if I had to die to save him.
Iknew that time was short, but I had to settle some things with my Mate before moving forward. Everything wasn’t solved, but it was enough that I wasn’t worried about her fighting beside me. I get why she didn’t want to say anything about her gifts initially because I sure as shit might have accused her of doing some bull shit. It would have been nothing but the hate I had for Hunters as a whole because my wolf knew instantly what she was to me. The man inside of me just didn’t want to admit it or didn’t want to believe it. I lived this long without a True Mate, and when she came, she had to be a Hunter. We both showered quickly, knowing we took too much time for ourselves, but it was needed. My wolf was settled as much as he could be, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold him back the next time I needed to claim her rose up. When this was done, and I had that fake Alpha’s head, she would take my mark and beg for it. I brought my thoughts back to the present. I turned my head and caught her cat-like gaze on me as if she knew where my thoughts had strayed. I looked away and looked over my brothers and enforcers. I noticed Dali glaring, but it wasn’t at me. I followed her gaze over to Max, who watched her while licking his lower lip. I couldn’t tell if he was fucking with her or if something was going on between the two.
“Listen up. We need to head out to each home that isn’t on Pack land. They all need to be brought back here, but I do not want them traveling here alone. We need to bring them in and fast. Dimitri, have you made the calls?” I looked at my Beta. His quick nod was all I needed to move on. Some of these shifters have children, and from what I know about this bastard, he likes to take prisoners. He will have none of my shifters.” I folded my arms across my chest as I took in each of my brothers. I looked at my eight enforcers, who I wanted to be paired up with each of my brothers. “Remi, I want you here with Thomas, getting everything in place. Thomas knows what I need and want.”
“Alpha, I don’t think Thomas needs me with him. He has the other shifters here that can help with this. I want to…”
“Remi, it shouldn’t be too hard for you to take direction. What needs to be done here is just as important as what needs to be done out there. Right?” Thomas said. I saw a muscle in Remi’s jaw tick, and her teal eyes flash with anger, or was its attraction?
“Remi, I want you here because, as Thomas said, it is important also, if necessary, you can get the children out of here if the land is breached,” I said, holding her eyes. I watched as she caught my meaning and nodded. She shifted slightly, trying to put distance between her and Thomas, but Thomas just moved with her with a micro flash of a smile.
“Yes, Alpha, I understand,” she sighed.
“Good, because the cubs and pups trust you. Also, you know that Meesha wouldn’t listen to anyone but you two and could easily get lost or left behind.” I saw both Remi and Thomas sober at that thought. Remi caught my eyes for just a second and nodded once more. The teal of her eyes blazed, and I could feel her age press against my senses. I didn’t know precisely where Remi came from or why she came here, but I would never turn away a shifter in need. Now I was glad at that decision because her age and experience will help protect my Pack through all this.
“Nothing will get to our Pack Dax,” Thomas stated this as fact. I turned my head toward him and saw he meant every word.
“Good. Now I want the enforces with an Alpha while we bring in the rest of the Pack who is living off the property.”
“And the Hunters?” Max asked, and Dali blew out a breath but didn’t say anything. I could feel that she and Devana were communicating somehow, which was intriguing.
“Dali will go with you and one enforcer,” I said.
“Wait one minute! I am not a part of this Pack, so you do not give me orders!”
“Just like a Hunter to turn their backs on their responsibilities,” Max grunted. There were mummers of agreements, but I held up a hand. Dali stood now with a blade in her hand as she stared Max down. Regardless of who she was or the fact she wasn’t a shifter staring at any Alpha in the eyes is considered a challenge.
“You don’t know me! You don’t know shit about me! I did not say I wouldn’t give my help. I said I do not take orders as if I am a part of this Pack! I am here to make sure you all don’t fucking kill my sister for trying to help you animals.”
“Dali! That is enough! We need to talk right fucking now,” Devana shouted. I had too many other things to worry about than the ego or ignorance of a Hunter.
“Either you can help, or you can get the fuck off my land.” Everyone, including the Hunters, felt the command in my voice. Devana’s lips thinned into a flat line as she looked at me. I saw the flash of anger, but she also understood that we didn’t have time for the bullshit. She made a quick nod in acknowledgment. I watched the sway of her hips as she walked over to her sister, grabbing her by the arm. She pulled her toward the back of the house with a look of irritation. The wolves parted to let them through, and my eyes went back to my brother. Max stood rooted to the spot with both fists clenched tightly. His pale gray eyes with a hint of amber tracked Dali’s movements until both Hunters left the room.
“Now everyone split up, and let’s get this shit done. I want everyone here on this property in less than two hours.” I made my decree, and I wasn’t about to hear any complaints or comments. “Let’s move,” I growled.
* * *
DEVANA
I was pissed and happy that Dali showed up, but I couldn’t have her challenging any and everything someone said.
“What the hell, Vana?” Dali shouted as she snatched her arm away. I rounded on her, ready to tell her to leave and go back home, when I caught her eyes. I saw the fear and uncertainty in them that had me pulling back.
“Dali, why are you here? You already know what is going to happen and why I am here. Fighting and arguing with the people I am trying to help ain’t doing shit,” I said calmly. She shook her head and closed her eyes. I knew she was counting backward from ten to calm herself down.
“I know! I know. It’s just…that I can’t let you do this on your own. I know what you are trying to do here, and I get it. It’s just they think that we are supposed to just bow to them as if we were the ones who did whatever to them back in the day. And that damn Max thinks he can just put his hands on me or tell me what to do! None of them trust us, so why the hell should we trust them?”
“I get it, Dali, but I chose to come here to make a better relationship with them. At least start a better relation…” Dali threw up her hand, cutting me off.
“No! Naw, Vana, you came here because of HIM. Yes, you may want to bridge the gap between Hunters and Shifters, but this is about Dax. He called you his Mate. Don’t try to make this out to be about anything else. You do know whatever you two have going on isn’t going to work. They will never accept you as one of theirs, and I doubt our parents are ready for anything…”
“That is none of your business or theirs. I am a grown woman, and if I choose to be…”
“It can’t be real, Vana! Or have you forgotten about your gift and what it does?” Dali stared into my eyes, and I know she saw the flinch. Her anger died out as she reached out for me. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…”
“No, you’re right. I haven’t forgotten anything but…” I stopped because I felt him before I saw him. I looked past Dali and directly into violet eyes.
“Devana is my Mate. Neither you, her parents, Hunters or my Pack will impede that. What I am to her and what she is to me is nobody’s business but ours.” I swallowed, trying to moisten my dry throat.
