Marked (6 page)

His teeth sank deeply into her skin. The sharp, piercing
pain had her crying out.

“Mine,” Jackson growled, the word muffled by his lips
against her flesh.

One last thrust and she felt his length jerking inside her,
a hot splash filling her pussy. He didn’t release her, biting harder, hammering
into her with enough force that her knees started to shake. In an instant the
burn in her wrist vanished. There was no ache, no horrible prickling sensation.
She didn’t have time to dwell on it, trying to remain upright. Suddenly he went
still, chest heaving against her back, his sweat-slicked skin rubbing against
her.

She hissed when he pulled his teeth from her shoulder,
leaving behind a dull throb. He murmured something she couldn’t make out and
laved the sore area with his tongue, taking his time, soothing the ravaged
flesh. A part of her wanted to hide her face in the pillows when he pulled his
cock from her swollen and protesting pussy. She whimpered, unprepared for how
sore she felt. Her sex pulsed, aching from the rough use although she wouldn’t
have wanted it any other way.

He fell to his side and took her with him, spooning her much
smaller frame with his. Their labored breathing filled the silence of the room,
hard exhalations slowly evening out. Now that the sexual haze that had taken
her over was gone she was embarrassed by her behavior. But beneath the
embarrassment there was a level of contentment and peace. The way he held her
made her feel safe, the smooth brush of his fingers over her hip reassuring.

“Rest,” Jackson ordered softly. “I’m not finished with you.”

Closing her eyes, she basked in his touch and the heat of
his body. The night belonged to them. Tomorrow she could ask questions and
accept the consequences of her actions. Since she was a child she’d always done
as she was told, behaving like the good girl her grandparents expected her to
be. For one evening she would embrace what she’d always wanted but had never
experienced.

She’d explore everything Jackson wanted to show her.

And she’d enjoy every minute of it.

For the first time, she was going to know what it was like
to really
live
.

Chapter Three

Jackson studied the sleeping female in his bed, stunned by
the unfamiliar tightness in his chest. She was beautiful in sleep, the lashes
fanning her cheeks long and lush. A ray of the rising sun broke through the
curtains, heralding the dawn, making the strands of her blonde hair glow
against the cream-colored pillow. She looked like an angel, peaceful and
content in slumber.

He took a deep breath, scenting the air.

The night before he’d clearly identified Chloe’s wolf. The
animal was strong in her, rising to the surface when he joined their bodies.
Although he wanted to see just how powerful her wolf was by taking her again,
he’d held his mate through the night as she’d slept, content to watch over her.
There was a chance Chloe would be able to shift after all. He’d felt how strong
her animal-half was, how the wolf wanted to take over and make her presence
known. He’d have to wait until the moon was full to learn the truth but either
way, it didn’t matter.

Even if his mate never shifted, she’d be a force to be reckoned
with.

Despite the knowledge, he felt a flash of panic. Increased
strength wouldn’t protect Chloe’s vulnerable skin from razor-sharp claws and
fangs. He’d have to teach her how to defend herself. Even though he never
intended to let her leave his sight, she needed to be shown how to eliminate
potential threats.

She didn’t stir when he slid from the bed, her breathing
even and deep. Despite the fact it made him an utter bastard, he felt a surge
of satisfaction that he was the cause of her exhaustion. She carried his scent
now, her shoulder bruised from the bite he’d placed there. The result of her
acceptance in their mating would scar. He wanted every male she encountered to
see his bite and know to stay the fuck away. No one else would ever touch her.

She was his female. There would never be another for her—
ever
.

A smile tugged at his mouth, a surge of pride slamming into
him. Chloe might be a Halfling but she’d proven her worth. She’d accepted him
without complaint, as willing and eager as any shifter female would be. Now it
was time to organize, learn about her past and plan for what was to come.

He didn’t shower, wanting to carry her scent for as long as
possible. He collected a pair of sweats from a drawer before leaving the
bedroom. It was early, meaning he had just enough time to make important phone
calls before he prepared breakfast for his female. It was the duty of a male to
see to his woman after their mating. He’d feed her, pamper her and show her how
important she was. He didn’t want anything interfering with the bonding that
would soon occur. Now that the instincts of the wolf had taken root inside
Chloe she’d need to be close to him. It was his responsibility to explain this
new life to her. He alone would ease any fears she might have.

After he retrieved the phone from its cradle he quietly
opened the back door and stepped onto the patio. Frost coated the grass,
shimmering beads prismatic as a new day stirred to life. He dialed Declan’s
number and bit back a chuckle when his Beta answered on the second ring.

“It’s about fucking time.”

“You didn’t wait up for me, did you?”

“Don’t even go there,” Declan grumbled. “You owe me.”

“How so?”

“Simone saw you leave. She started asking questions.”

His elated mood took a nosedive.

Simone.

The pushy female had been trying to talk Jackson into a
mating to strengthen the pack for weeks. Her family was well-respected, their
bloodlines going back hundreds of years. Although he’d told her he wasn’t
interested, she hadn’t taken no for an answer.

“What did she want?”

“What do you think?” Declan released an annoyed snort. “That
bitch wants you and she’s not going to let you brush her off.”

“How did you handle the situation?” If Simone suspected
anything about Chloe, he’d be forced to rethink things. The female had a thirst
for power that refused to be quenched.

“I managed to talk her into coloring some of her sleeve and
took a break midway through to prevent an interrogation. She didn’t question me
but I think she suspected something. You should probably take your female
somewhere else for a few days.” Declan took a deep breath and said, “Unless
you’re ready to introduce her to the pack.”

Raking his fingers through his hair, Jackson answered, “She
doesn’t understand what’s happening to her. The moon heat was riding her too
hard. I didn’t have time to explain.”

“Then I’d suggest talking fast. If the pack finds out about
her from anyone but you they’ll feel betrayed. You can’t fuck with their trust
on this. If you act like you have something to hide they’ll think your mate
isn’t strong enough to guide the pack.”

Tell me something I don’t know.
“I’m aware of that.”

“So what are you going to do?”

Excellent question. He’d planned on preparing Chloe’s first
meal as his mate, running a bath for her to soak in and lavishing gentle
affection on her all morning. That idea was crumbling to ash, taken without his
consent.

Fuck, it pissed him off. Goddamn
Simone
pissed him
off.

“Chloe doesn’t know about her lineage,” he said slowly,
thinking ahead. “I need to find out what I’m dealing with. I need answers.”

“I’m listening.”

Time to balls-up.
“I’m sure you noticed who she looks
like.”

Declan hesitated before he replied, “I noticed.”

“I need you to find out what Gavin was up to a couple of
decades ago. Everyone knows he chased pussy after he and Desiree mated. I
wouldn’t be surprised if he got a human pregnant and decided to keep it
secret.”

If Gavin had gotten a human pregnant, Desiree would have had
her competition destroyed. She wouldn’t take the risk of another bitch carrying
a pup of her Alpha’s. It was too dangerous. In fact, if the baby was a boy
there would have been a good chance Gavin would renounce Desiree and claim the
female who’d given him a son as his mate. Regardless of the problems it would
have caused.

“Makes sense,” Declan mused. “If he cared for the woman he
wouldn’t want to see her or his child harmed.”

“Either way, if he’s my mate’s father he has a lot to answer
for.”

“This could change things.” There was tension in Declan’s
voice, the words were strained. “Not necessarily for the better.”

Something else Jackson already knew. If Gavin was Chloe’s
father, the elder Alpha had a right to meet his offspring. Jackson could
protect her as a mate but he couldn’t prevent their introduction. Not to
mention he’d have to take down any potential suitors Gavin felt were worthy for
his daughter. Without an official announcement of his claim before the packs,
Chloe didn’t completely belong to him. Gavin could try to use pack law to his
advantage. Matings had been destroyed before to strengthen the bloodlines, even
if it meant tearing a mated pair apart in the process.

Rage at the thought had him seeing red. “If anyone is stupid
enough to challenge me, let them come,” Jackson snarled. “Chloe is an asset to
any Alpha who takes her as a mate. She’s mine.”

“Even if she doesn’t shift?” Declan asked quietly.

Damn him.

Jackson understood why his Beta asked the question, even if
the inquiry stoked his temper. By showing concern, Declan reminded Jackson he
was as the Alpha of the pack. Big decisions impacted everyone who trusted him
to keep them safe. He couldn’t make selfish choices. The lives of others hung
in the balance. Doubt surfaced, creating a dead weight in his chest. He
couldn’t tell Declan he thought Chloe would be a rarity—a half-human who would
be able to accept the change. Not until he knew for certain what she was
capable of.

“It doesn’t matter that she’ll never shift,” he answered
cautiously. “If a pack knows about her parentage, they’ll want her. Her
father’s bloodline is pure. Her children will be Alphas and Lupas.”

Our children
, his wolf snarled.

He gripped the porch railing, feeling the wood bite into his
palm. No one would take Chloe from him. They were bonded as mates. Any male
foolish enough to challenge his claim would die. He’d find a way to sway the
local pack Alphas if they tried to force the issue.

“I have to drop by the parlor this morning but I’ll see what
I can do,” Declan said. “In the meantime you need to clear out. Don’t stick
around. Does your female have any family you can talk to? They might be able to
answer some of your questions.”

He rubbed a hand over his face, noting the thick bristles on
his cheeks. His anger ebbed, replaced by the concern of a newly mated male. If
he wanted to greet Chloe properly this morning he’d have to make time to shave.
She needed softness against her tender skin, not prickly stubble.

“I’ll see what I can find out when I take her to collect her
things.”

“The evening went well?” For the first time there was humor
in Declan’s voice. “Did you manage to calm the hellcat down?”

“It’s rude to kiss and tell.”

“When has that ever stopped you?”

“Mating changes things,” Jackson muttered, unexpectedly
ashamed of his numerous sexual exploits. Before Chloe, he hadn’t cared how many
women he had no-strings sex with. Now? It made him feel like an ass.

“So I’ve heard.” Declan paused. “It’ll take time to ask
questions. Since it’s early I’ll swing by the diner for breakfast. Depending on
what I learn, I’ll work my way through the bars.”

“Be careful.” The hair on Jackson’s nape rose, alarm making
him wary. “If Gavin finds out you’re sniffing around he’ll want to know why.”

“I think I can handle it. Check in tonight. Say around
seven?”

“Sounds good. I’ll keep my phone handy.”

“Do that.”

Declan hung up without saying goodbye. The Beta didn’t mince
words but he was one hell of wolf to have at your back. Jackson shut off the
phone and walked back inside. He returned the phone to the receiver and looked
around, trying to decide if he wanted to cook breakfast for his mate or prepare
her bath. He decided on the latter, making his way to the bathroom.

Once inside he walked from cabinet to cabinet, flipping open
doors. He was frustrated by what he
didn’t
find on the shelves. He
couldn’t give her the bubble bath he’d planned. He couldn’t even sprinkle the
sweet things females enjoyed into the water to relax her. All he had on hand
was Dial soap and a bottle of shampoo he’d snagged the last time he’d visited
the store.

Fuck it.

He walked to the clawed tub, plopped the cover over the
drain and started the water. After he tested the temperature, he flicked his
fingers dry and went to retrieve a washcloth and towel. Chloe smelled like
heaven. He wanted to enjoy her just the way she was, absorbing her scent,
putting it to memory. Heavy fragrances would only get in the way.

After he’d collected the items from the closet in the
hallway, he froze. Chloe’s whispered words were spoken too quickly to
understand but it was his mate’s voice he heard.

He took his time, walking slowly toward the bedroom and
stopping in the doorway. The bed was empty, the sheets tossed aside. Bowing at
the waist, he glanced beneath the bed and grinned. Chloe was hidden on the
opposite side, trying to work the zipper of her jeans.

“Yes!” she hissed. “I can’t talk right now. No, there’s no
time to explain. Look, I’m in deep shit, okay?”

Deep shit? That’s how she looks at this?
He cracked a
smile.
Interesting.

“Who’re you talking to?” he asked innocently and stepped
into the room.

“Uh…” A beep indicated she’d shut off her phone. The blonde
curls around her face appeared first, followed by her bright green eyes as she
rose to her knees and peered over the bed. “Wrong number.”

“Funny,” he said, striding toward the bed. “I could have
sworn you were talking to someone.”

She flushed a bright shade of red. Even if he couldn’t scent
her nervousness, he could see it clearly on her face. He forced his laughter
aside, wanting to put the delectable female at ease. With her anxious and
uncertain, the best way to accomplish that was to take control of the
situation.

“I’m running a bath for you.” He strode around the bed in
her direction. “We don’t want the water to get cold.”

“That’s okay.” She avoided eye contact, her gaze darting
around the room as she rose to her feet and edged away from him. “I need to go.
Gram and Gramps must be worried sick.”

He reached out and wrapped his fingers around her arm. “Then
I suggest you hurry. We don’t want to keep them waiting.”

“We?” She tripped over her feet but followed as he pulled her
along. “What do you mean, we?”

“We,” he repeated as he led her out of the room and down the
hall. “You and me.”

“Are you nuts?” She tried to pull free, struggling when he
yanked her into the bathroom. “You have no idea who protective Gramps is.
He’ll—” Words were silenced when he tossed the towels into the sink and started
removing her clothes. He pulled her sweater over her head, sending her curls
scattering.

“He’ll what?”

“S-shoot you,” she whispered, quaking when he ran a finger
along her collarbone.

He popped the button her jeans and pulled the zipper down.
“Does that worry you?”

His question snapped her out of her growing sexual stupor.
“Don’t be stupid. Of course it does.”

“I’m not so easy to kill, Chloe girl.” He reached over to
stop the flow of water but remained in front of her, ready to shred the denim
hiding her from view. “Your grandfather and I will come to an understanding.”

“I think you’re missing a few marbles. Did you hit your head
when you climbed out of bed?”

He chuckled. “Not that I recall.”

He tugged her pants off despite her protests, stripping her
until she was covered only by her skimpy panties. His cock saluted the visual.
There would never be a time he didn’t want and crave this woman. She did things
to him he couldn’t control, bringing out instincts he’d never thought to
experience. He resisted the urge to bend her over the sink, removed her panties
and urged her toward the steaming bath. Her fear overrode the demands of his
body, putting her first.