Fated Magic (The Wolf Pack) (10 page)

Kit’s mind was floating between the fogginess of sleep and being fully awake but the faint sound of a baby’s cry was pulling her closer to the surface.  Rolling toward the edge of the bed without even opening her eyes
, she came up against an immovable wall of warm flesh and instantly relaxed in Jameson’s arms.  She didn’t need to see her mates to tell them apart, their scents alone revealed who she was pressed against. 

“Good afternoon
, love.”  Jameson’s words were warm and moist against her ear and sent shivers of anticipation and desire all the way down her spine. 

Wait.  Did he say afternoon?  Holy shit.
  Thoughts were suddenly racing through Kit’s mind at warp speed and as she struggled to sit upright, his arm tightened around her waist like a steel band. 

“Stop.  You are just fine where you are and our sweet babies are
being well cared for.  Well…they are likely being spoiled rotten, but they are definitely being well tended.”

“But you said afternoon and I can’t believe I slept so long.  What on earth is everyone going to think of me?  I am not lazy and this is unforgiveable.  I have children to care for and
—” Jameson cut her off with a kiss.  She had actually forgotten about the events of the evening before until he reached around her and squeezed one of the very tender spots on her ass.  She might not have gotten much of the punishment they had been planning to mete out, but what little she’d gotten had been extremely effective.  When she flinched Jameson pulled back and looked into her eyes. 

“We’re having guests for dinner tonight
, kitten.  Marcus and Reagan will be here at eight.  Trev and I have planned something special for you this afternoon.  But first we need to get you up and dressed because your granny is here.”  He must have sensed her hesitance because he quickly added, “No, we did not call her and no your mother is not with her.”  She let out a breath she didn’t even know she was holding and he chuckled.  “We do want to talk about how things went last night, but I want you to know Trev and I are taking full responsibility for that cluster fuck and we want to set things right.  You were right to call an end to the scene, kitten.  And from the bottom of my heart I’m sorry for not listening.  Communication is the foundation of all marriages and with all of the special circumstances surrounding ours it’s even more important.”  His knuckles were trailing down the sides of her face and she realized she was pressing into his touch.  His fingers clasped her chin as he brought her focus to his face.  “You are not just our wife and mate, kitten.  You are our world, and we have handled things very badly.  Trev and I know we’ll make mistakes again, but we won’t make this one again.  Let us make it up to you.”

Kit was shocked to her core by his admission.  She knew that as the Wolf Pack’s Alpha, Jameson was accustomed to being followed and obeyed in all things.  She also noted that he hadn’t used his compelling voice, which she knew was his way of making sure her decision was made of her own free will.  And while she loved the show of respect, she also missed her Dom, the one who listened to not only her words, but also her body. 
She missed the man who hadn’t taken no for an answer the first night they’d met as he led her to his office to meet his brother.  And her heart ached for the man who didn’t treat her like she was made of glass.  And even though that wasn’t the man lying next to her asking for a second chance, she held out hope she’d be able to find him again.  And if there was anyone who could help, it would be Marcus Hines. 

She’d only spoken with Marcus and Reagan a few times at various events
, but she knew both Jameson and Trev considered Marcus one of their closest friends.  She also knew Marcus had trained them as Doms so it was interesting that he was coming to dinner.  An air of familiarity surrounded Marcus that she hadn’t been able to identify, but the strange feeling hadn’t seemed threatening, so Kit had let it go. 

Kit
had instantly liked Reagan even though she didn’t completely understand the other woman’s choices.  After all, she’d given up an extremely lucrative practice as a psychologist to become a sex slave to the city’s most well-known sexual Dominant.  Kit knew Reagan still did volunteer work to keep her certifications current and that she’d been writing a book, so she was anxious to catch up and maybe steal away for a little girl chat. 

Kit finally realized that she hadn’t answered Jameson’s question and she felt guilty for having put that hesitance in his eyes.  She leaned forward and kissed him sweetly, “I love you and I’m sorry I messed up so badly.  I really didn’t understand all the implications and I was just kind of going off all the stuff I’ve read in magazines.  Please don’t be angry.”  Kit knew her eyes had filled with tears and that he
r voice had gotten impossibly soft, but at least she’d gotten the words out and that was really all she had been able to hope for.

Kit
had quickly stunned him with her apology and then she’d scrambled over him and hurried into the bathroom.  She’d been gone before he’d even processed her words and he’d shaken his head at how often she was able to surprise him.  Since he was already dressed, Jameson headed downstairs.  When he opened the door of the office he shared with Trev he was surprised to see Ruby Stone standing with her back to him looking out of the enormous curved glass window overlooking the forest that surrounded the estate.  He hadn’t made any noise but she’d heard him enter. 

“Good afternoon
, Jameson.  I assume Trevlon will be here shortly?”  Jameson didn’t know where Trev was but before he could explain that to the tiny witch, the side office door opened and Trev stepped through. 

“You called me?”  Trev’s question had been directed at Jameson, but quickly
his attention switched to Ruby when he heard her giggle just before her red sequined high tops danced a quick jig. 

“Damn, I’m good. 
And that isn’t some easy parlor trick I’ll tell you for sure.  You two have that mind link thing locked up like the damned crown jewels, but I managed to wiggle in just a bit.  And no, I don’t want to use it often because it would be just too much information for me.  But I really needed to speak with you both before Kit comes down.”

They all settled on the leather wingback chairs facing the fireplace
and Ruby didn’t waste any time getting straight to the point. 

“The latest threat to Kit and the children didn’t actually come from
Damian.  Even though it sounded to her as if it was him it was actually his much less powerful brother Devin.”  Jameson watched as the little bundle of energy bounced out of her chair and started pacing the exact path her granddaughter had walked last night.  “Devin’s main claim to fame is his brother.  And the only reason he is really a threat is because he is a spineless minion of his brother and he is blindly loyal.  Damian isn’t recovered yet, but he is able to speak from the other side of the seals we’ve placed over the portals so he’s directing Devin’s actions.”

“Hold on, Ruby.  I’m afraid we need to backtrack a bit.  How did he get back behind the seals?  And where are these portals?”  Jameson knew he’d asked the same questions Trev had been considering. 

“See, that’s part of what made this so puzzling.  No one could figure out how Kit was able to send him back behind the seals and I’m convinced she doesn’t know either.  The only answer we have at this point is the surge of power she used was available because she was able to draw power from the twins she was carrying.”  She held up her hand when they started to speak.  “Hear me out.  I realize she was barely pregnant, but the moment of conception is all it takes when we are dealing with magical ability of this magnitude.  Quite frankly, I think this is proof of just how powerful her magic is.  The Supreme Council is watching this whole thing very closely because fated magic like Kit’s is extremely rare, coming along perhaps once or twice every century.  The Council sent me here to step up Kit’s training because without clear direction, magic as powerful and unfocused as hers can easily cause a lot of collateral damage.  Also, we have reason to believe Damian is asking Devin to bring Kit to one of the portals so she can free him.”

“She would never do that.”  Trev had bolted to his feet and Jameson could feel the outrage pulsing
through his brother. 

Ruby smiled in understanding
and moved to stand in front of Trev. She placed her small wrinkled hand on his chest as she spoke, “Trevlon, what would you do to save the lives of your children?  What would you do to save Kit’s life?  Anything?  Everything?” 

Jameson watched as his brother seemed to melt back
into his chair.  “You’re right.  I know you are.  But I also know Kit and just being placed in that position is going to break her heart.”  Jameson agreed with Trev but as usual, his focus was more on what they could do to prevent her being faced with such a gut wrenching decision. 

“I see the questions in your eyes
, Jameson, and that is exactly why I’m here.  I spoke with the staff earlier and they told me about your plans for Kit this afternoon and this evening.  I’m looking forward to resting and then playing with my great-grandchildren a bit.  Traveling isn’t as easy as it used to be and I want to be well rested when Kit and I get to work.  We’ll be spending a lot of time in that lovely lab you made for her, that place is sweet indeed.” 

Jameson couldn’t hold back his
burst of laughter at Ruby’s slang and he laughed again when she actually blushed. 

“What?  I hear the young people say that all the time.  I
used it right, I know I did.”  Ruby seemed frustrated with their amusement and looked like a petulant child.  Jameson wondered if she would stomp her foot if he didn’t smooth over his faux pas. 

“You did indeed
use it perfectly, Ruby.  It was just a surprise, although I’m not sure why.”  He took a good look at her attire and laughed again.  The woman was always colorful, in both personality and the way she dressed.  But in all honesty, today she looked like she’d been dressed by the Shriners.  Her bright red sequined high tops were accented with purple socks and a denim skirt with sunshine yellow leather trim.  Her blouse was a vibrant orange he was sure would glow in the dark and he’d seen her lime-green leather jacket laying over the back of the sofa when he came in.  One thing was for certain; their children were going to love her.

Trev had supervised Kit’s spa afternoon from afar…mostly. 
He hadn’t been able to resist watching the waxing session because the camera had afforded him a perfect view of her sweet pink pussy.  With her friend Libby’s help, they’d managed to arrange for her to enjoy all her favorite clinicians within the safety of the estate’s mansion.  And the result had been well worth the effort because she had emerged from the makeshift spa smiling from ear to ear.  She looked incredible with her hair cut and styled and her face glowing after the skin treatments.  But it had been the smile that had been shining from the inside out that had been what caught his eye.  He’d asked them to call him a few minutes before she was finished so he’d been leaning against the wall in the hallway when she walked out.  She’d taken one look at him and leapt into his waiting arms. 

“Thank you.  You have no idea what a wonderful surprise this was.  I feel ever so much better and the timing is perfect since we’re having guests.”  When he’d pressed his lips to hers he had intended for it to be a quick peck, but the minute her soft lips opened and he tasted her
, he was lost. 

Turning so
her back was pressed against the wall, he plundered her mouth with his.  The short white silk robe she was wearing tied in the front, so he was able to quickly pull the two sides apart and bare her bountiful breasts to his view.  “Fuck, you get more gorgeous by the day.  And you are all mine at this moment, baby.”  He easily wrapped his arm around her and drew his fingers through her wet folds.  Sighing, he leaned his forehead against hers and just let the joy of the moment move over him.  She’d wrapped her legs around him and it left her open to his questing fingers, and he was happy to take advantage of her open position.  Pushing his fingers into her channel, he smiled at how wet she was already and he’d barely begun.  Kissing his way around to her ear, he whispered, “You’re so wet for me, baby.  I can’t tell you how much that pleases me.  The sweet musk of your arousal fills the air around us and my body is fighting against the sweet temptation to fuck you right against this wall.”

Kit moaned and he followed his words up with a small bite to the lobe of her ear.  “I don’t want to leave you wanting
, baby.  Hang on to my shoulders and let me give you what you need.”  She squirmed against his touch and he set a quick pace with his fingers, fucking them in and out with just enough curve that she would be able to hear just how wet she was.  He felt her muscles start to tense and then flutter around his fingers and he knew she was getting close.  “Give it to me, baby.  Come on my fingers.” 

He’d barely caught her scream in his kiss
as she let go.  Her entire body was shaking with the intensity of her climax and he just kept pushing in and out so when she was just beginning to descend from the peak, he shifted the angle just enough that he pressed against her g-spot.  The change ramped her straight back up and over into another release, this one even stronger than the first. 

When she
finally sagged limply in his arms, gasping for breath, Trev felt a sense of satisfaction move over him.  Just knowing he could still have that profound effect on his mate filled him with hope.  Despite Jameson’s fear that she might withdraw from them, Trev didn’t think it was what she wanted.  No, he was betting that any emotional distance she managed to place between them was more about protecting herself than it was about her mates not being what she needed. 

“I love you.  I just wanted to tell you because, well…I messed up so bad yesterday and I haven’t really had a chance to apologize to you yet.”  Trev pulled back from her so he could look into her emerald eyes that were bright
and shining with unshed tears. 

“Baby, I’ll love you until my last breath and nothing you can ever do will change that.  And if it takes me until that moment to make you believe
what I’ve told you, then so be it.”  He paused so she could think about what he’d said before speaking again.  “I know you and Jameson had this conversation this morning, so you already know we are the ones to blame for the way things went down.  We haven’t been good Doms, and probably haven’t even been particularly attentive mates.  But we’ll be working to remedy that I assure you.”

He set her on her feet and then caught her when her knees folded.  She smiled up at him and again the beast in him wanted to howl in satisfaction
.  He picked her up and started up the stairs.  “Trev, I can walk.  I was just a bit unsteady at first.  I’m too heavy to carry so far.”

Is she kidding?  She hasn’t been eating well for quite a while from the feel of her in my arms. 
Further proof that they hadn’t been paying her the proper amount of attention.  No doubt Marcus would take one look at her and know immediately.  Suddenly Trev felt like a student who was about to get a very poor report card. 

Their dinner had been
relaxed and the ambiance of the back terrace had been perfect.  Kit had been thrilled to find out Reagan was expecting and they’d spent most of the meal chatting about babies.  Marcus hadn’t let one moment go by that he wasn’t studying both women intently, and yet he hadn’t missed a beat of his conversation with Trev and Jameson either.  Trev found himself listening to the women and heard them wondering if they would be allowed to walk through the gardens.  Marcus leaned forward and slid a finger along the top edge of Reagan’s diamond collar.  “Yes, my pet.  Go for a walk, but stay within my sight.  I take good care of what belongs to me and I want to be sure you are safe at all times.”  Marcus leaned down and kissed her slightly rounded belly.  “Take good care of your mama.” 

Trev and Jameson both kissed Kit soundly and cautioned her to stay where they could see her as well.  Trev was glad they’d let her wear a more
conservative dress because she had seemed much more settled when she found out she didn’t have to eat naked.  The last time they’d met Marcus and Reagan for a meal it had been at a club function and both women had spent the entire evening naked despite the fact Kit had been almost three months pregnant.  She had been royally steamed, but had quieted down her protests after they’d warmed her ass up right in the middle of the room. 

“She’s terrified of displeasing you and that annoys her.”  Marcus hadn’t wasted any
time getting to the point after the women had walked away.  And Trev could almost feel the smack-down coming.  “She has been an independent woman for a
very long time
and discovering her submissive tendencies works against that hard won independence in her view.  You haven’t shown her the freedom she can find in submission.  Honestly, if you two were attending the club regularly and made these mistakes, I’d send your asses straight back through the beginners Dom training.”  And there it was, the slap he knew they’d earned, but he hated none the less.  Trev battled to keep his expression blank as he fought an internal battle wanting to justify their actions and the louder voices that acknowledged their culpability.

“And now, tell me about the magic that circles within her.  She is quite powerful
, you know, but it’s unbridled and that is very dangerous.”  Marcus’s voice had changed from annoyance to full blown curiosity, and Jameson marveled at his ability to switch gears so seamlessly.  Out of the corner of his eye, Jameson caught a glimpse of red sequins just before Ruby seemed to materialize out of the hedge behind Trevlon. 

Always the gentleman, Marcus was on his feet before either of the other men.  Ruby looked at him and smiled.  “Oh
, you are still a charmer I see.  And I, for one, am not immune, but then you already know that, don’t you, Marcus?”  Ruby’s tone was pleasant but Jameson had definitely heard the steel band of tension threaded in her words. 

“Ruby, it’s nice to see you again, it’s been a very long time.  What brings you to the Wolf Estate?  Business or pleasure?” 

‘
How on earth do these two know each other?’ Trev asked Jameson.

‘
No clue, brother, but I have a feeling they aren’t all that close, if you know what I mean?’

“You two can stop that
, you know.  We can both hear you.  And to answer your question, Ruby and I were once friends a very long time ago.  But she’s still holding a grudge over a perceived slight.”  Trev knew Marcus was speaking to them, but he’d never taken his eyes off Ruby. 

“We were neighbors and the slight you refer to is the fact you ignored my advice and people were hurt.  But
that was a very long time ago.  What interests me now is how you figured it out?  How did you know the prophecy was speaking of Jameson and Trevlon Wolf?”  This was a side of Ruby Stone, Jameson had never seen, and he suddenly found himself quite interested in her story. 

Marcus’s first reaction was stunned, wide-eyed silence
, but it was quickly replaced by a roar of laughter.  “That is your first question?  Oh Lord of the Light, you are jealous because you think I figured it out before you did?  Is that it?”  Marcus shook his head and reached for Ruby, and despite her obvious reluctance, she let the man pull her against his chest.  “Well, let me put your worries to rest.  I’m not the one who figured it out.  It was actually your Charles.  He was quite brilliant that way, you know.  And not long before he died he called me and we met at a small diner.  We talked for hours.  Of course I had always known the mystic’s prophecy was likely speaking of Kit.  What I didn’t know was the shifters were the same brothers who had become my protégés and friends.  I swear the Master Planner is something to behold.  We each had different pieces of the puzzle but failed to work together to solve it.”  He turned his gaze to Jameson and Trev, “This is why I have always told you, there are no coincidences.  I had already known you for several years when Charles told me how you fit into the larger picture.” 

Ruby looked stunned by Marcus’s revelation and Jameson hated the way she’d seemed to shrink right before his eyes.  “Why didn’t he tell me?”  Ruby’s question had been whispered in a shaky voice
of a woman who felt betrayed, and Marcus didn’t waste any time moving back so he was standing in front of her and clasping her small trembling hands in his much larger ones. 

“He died before he could.  You were gone when he talked to me.  And he was already in the hospital before you got home.”  She seemed to sag with relief
, and he smiled.  “And you…you ornery old woman, if you would have returned my calls I’d have been able to tell you all of this earlier.”  He grinned and pulled her close.  When he finally set her back at arm’s length, he asked, “How is Braden?  I’ve been so worried about him.”

Jameson and Trev stood to the side completely stunned by what
was being played out in front of them.  There were so many questions that he didn’t even know where to begin.  A brilliant flash of light just to the edge of the gardens caught his attention just before a woman’s shrill squeal filled the air.