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“It is my place. You’re my mate.” His tone was heated but his anger didn’t phase her. Jade knew perhaps instinctively that he would never harm her.
They had argued back and forth without making any headway before Clay had decided it was time for him to go. The sense of loss that filled her as she watched him go made it hard to breathe and she’d had to stop herself from calling out to him to bring him back to her. She fought against it though just to prove that she could. She had to know that she wouldn’t cave to his every whim nor he to hers just to keep from feeling the emotions of the other.
Later that night alone in her bed her body ached for him and she cursed her pride, knowing that if she had capitulated just a little he would pleasure her until the ache faded.
The more she tried to fight it the more intense it became. Sweat broke out on her skin as she tossed and turned becoming tangled in the sheets. It throbbed like an open wound making the slightest contact with the bedsheet agony.
Her thighs were damp, her sex slick. Jade lowered a hand and circled her clit with the tip of one finger. She shuddered as pleasure jolted through her hot and sizzling like a lightning bolt. It isn’t enough to soothe her desire for him though and soon starts to irritate her like an itch that can’t be scratched.
Jade gave up trying to satisfy herself. It was no use. Her body didn’t want empty self-pleasure. She wanted Clay and anything else just left a hollow void. She buried her head in the pillow and let out a frustrated wail as hot tears stained the pillowcase. She cried until her lungs burned and she fell into an exhausted sleep.
She showered the next morning desperate to wash the scent of stale sweat from her. It was excruciating the water hitting her skin awakened the arousal all over again.
Her nipples puckered despite the temperature and her pussy throbbed reminding her that she’d gone unfulfilled the night before. If he’d been there now she would have climbed him like a jungle gym rubbing and grinding on him until she no longer hurt.
Now standing in front of the elders she wished that he was with her. Their disapproving stares were eating at her and Jade had to fight not to squirm under their intense gaze.
“You went against our traditions and broke the covenant. You were to bond with Quinn. By failing to do so you have disgraced yourself and shamed your family. You have dishonored Quinn and now you come demanding our aid for a shifter?” Tobin asked his tone harsh and cold as he numerated her sins.
She struggled to keep her head held high while wishing the floor would open up and swallow her.
She could feel the disdain coming off of them. They had sent for Quinn it had acid burning a hole in her belly. Quinn wasn’t an easy-going man. Jade didn’t doubt that he would feel slighted by her deception. It was even possible that he would demand some kind of retribution. He wouldn’t accept that her desire not to bond with him wasn’t about him, but rather a desire to keep herself and her power intact. He wouldn’t see it that way though his ego would be wounded, and it would be worse when he realized another man was in the mix.
Thinking of Clay made the connection between them hum as if she’d plucked a string on a guitar. She felt the vibration through her entire being anchored to her heart.
Do you need me?His question had a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Despite their fight, he would come if she asked even though she’d been adamant that he let her do this alone.
I’m just missing you, and maybe wishing I’d been a little less stubborn.
Jade knew the moment Quinn entered the room. It was as if he carried a cold wind with him. He sneered at her as he passed. Making her realize that someone had obviously let the cat out of the bag.
Her heart started thumping harder sending blood rushing through her ears as she imagined all the punishments they could impose upon her. She shivered when Tobin addressed Quinn.
“He has no say. She didn’t choose him.” A gasp ran through the crowd gathered and Jade didn’t bother to fight or hide the relief that coursed through her system. It made her knees wobble and she had to lock them in place to remain standing.
“Clay.” His name was a mere breath on her lips whispered like a talisman as though he would protect her from every bad thing they would throw at her and if the fierce expression on his face was any indication he would. He filled the room with his presence like an avenging angel angered by mere mortals.
“You are the one with no say here,” Tobin announced his voice echoing in the room. The crime is hers not yours lycan.
The last was spit out as if it left a bad taste in Tobin’s mouth but Jade noticed that Clay didn’t even blink at the insult. He placed his hand on the small of her back, a warm and comforting touch while he addressed the panel present.
She watched as Quinn sized him up and cringed as he puffed his chest out. The air seemed to thicken with an increase in testosterone and still, Clay ignored him.
Are you ok?He used their private connection but looked down at her as if gauging her response.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
He couldn’t let her face whatever consequence they were going to dream up for her alone. So when she’d said she missed him all bets were off. Clay had made his way to her, shouldering passed the crowd standing in the doorway.
The moment he saw her he was glad he’d trusted his instincts. He’d ignored them the night before when his balls had drawn up tight and his wolf had demanded the man return to their mate, giving in instead to his stubbornness while she clung to her pride.
What he saw when he arrived looked like a firing squad. Jade stood before them and took what they dished out with the dignity of a Queen. He was proud of how she stood up for herself. It was evident that she didn’t need him to fight her battles but he wouldn’t allow her to face them alone.
“Quinn, do you wish to petition for bonding rights?” The man sitting to Tobin’s left asked causing Clay to glare daggers in his direction, before finally turning his attention to Quinn.
The man was big and in great shape but Clay sure that he could drop him. Though if it came to a fight he didn’t want to cause issues for Martin’s pack. If he was at home he wouldn’t hesitate. Julian would back him and in lycan culture defending your mate trumped almost everything else. He wasn’t home though and this wasn’t his pack. He couldn’t guarantee how Martin would react and he didn’t want to cause issues between the pack and the witches. Hell, he wasn’t even sure that Martin was aware of the witches. He remembered Jade saying something about them hiding what they were from the lycan pack.
He’d probably catch Martin’s wrath for not telling him immediately, but again loyalty to his mate came before anything, and if Quinn insisted on trying to enforce a claim on Jade Clay would rip him apart whether it caused problems for Martin or not. He’d worry about the fallout later.
