A Mate's Revenge (9 page)

“She’s insatiable. She’s…”

With his thumb, he found her most sensitive spot, applying pressure while she continued working her hips.

Her orgasm ripped through them both. She cried out, tensing, but Cael grabbed her hips and took over the thrusting, arching up to meet her halfway. He saw stars as she convulsed around him.

But he wasn’t ready to be done.

As he sat up, her legs wrapped around his waist and he flipped the script again. The bed bounced as she landed on her back with him still deep inside her.

With one hand, he held her arms above her head, putting her breasts in the perfect position for his undivided attention. He sucked a nipple as he thrust hard and fast, his back flexing and tightening.

“Cael,” she breathed, looking almost distraught.

“Yeah, baby.”

“I never want this to end.” He thrust harder. Had to brand her again. Every night from now on. “Never… want this to… end.” She tossed her head back and forth, lost in ecstasy.

With a great roar, he released, giving her wolf everything he had. His past, his present, and his future. His love, his adoration, and his honor.

Besh lay draped over Cael’s chest. He’d been quiet for hours, but he was still awake. His hand swept leisurely up and down her back, pausing sporadically to trace circles on her shoulder.

She had her closure, and she had her new beginning. She’d never felt so complete, so fulfilled. But she wondered, did he feel the same?

She rubbed her cheek on his strong chest, drawing in his scent. “What do we do now?”

Cael sighed long and heavy. “In the morning we’ll leave, walk to an area where I can use my phone and I’ll call someone to come get us.”

“Do you think Vesh is safe?”

His hand stopped stroking her back. “If he is, he won’t be when I find him.” His harsh tone sent a chill up her spine.

“He wouldn’t have let him go without a good reason. You must know that. Besides, you said Avan wants to be alpha? She wouldn’t have let him live.”

“She does.”

Besh worried for her brother, but she had faith in him too. He was the strongest person she knew. Brave and smart. Something must have happened.

She chewed her lip, her mind running through possibilities. “A female alpha. And you plan to let her have Ozarka? Why not unite the packs instead?”

“Too much bad blood. The packs need to remain separate. It’s what’s best for Ozarka.”

Good for the pack
. The Elder had said…

Besh felt the blood drain from her face. No. It couldn’t be.

She jolted up, finding Cael’s careful gaze.

“I just remembered something the Elder said. That Avan would return with a mate. That… that…” She narrowed her gaze at him. “She called you mate. When you were fighting Jax in the lodge.”

Cael sat up, his face registering a hint of panic. “It’s not what you think—”

“Is she
yours
?”

“Yes and no. Let me exp—”

“Avan is your intended.” Besh scrambled backward off the bed, holding her belly where their young grew. This couldn’t be happening now, when everything was finally right, when she realized it was possible to be happy.

“Isa, please. It’s not important—”

“It damn well is!”

“Listen to me!” he boomed.

Tears pricked her eyes. Cael jumped from the bed, scooping her into his arms before she’d even had a chance to blink the wetness away. “No.” His voice threatened to break. “No, no, no. Just hear me out, baby. Please.”

She let her forehead drop to his chest as she shook her head hopelessly.

“I scented her when I snuck into the Ozarka camp last fall.”

Last fall. He was there? Had he been trying to free her all this time?

“I was going to take him out, even then, I was going to have revenge for what he did to us. But I didn’t know why you stayed. I didn’t know you needed help. Not until Vesh came to me.” He drew her closer and she let him. “I recognized her scent right away, and she of course recognized mine. But I didn’t care, Isa, and my wolf was hardly even riled. I’d given my heart to you all those years earlier. And I never thought I’d have you back. I never imagined we’d have this.”

This
. He said it like it was the answer to a prayer.

He kissed the top of her head. “I left the camp that night, and never looked back except to figure a way to get you out. That’s the truth, Isa. But Avan tracked me down and offered me a deal.”

Besh’s mouth dried. A deal. This couldn’t be good.

“She’s dominant. An alpha female. She could never be a first mate, and she knew this. When I didn’t come to claim her, she found a way to make our mating work to her advantage. She’d help me get to Jax if I turned the pack over to her in the aftermath… and as long as I left her alone.”

He pulled back to look straight into her eyes.

“And you know what I like to say.”

Besh swallowed. Relief mixing with uncertainty. “Done fucking deal?”

She saw the humor in his eyes, but he didn’t smile. He nodded solemnly. “Done fucking deal.”

Besh gnawed her lip. The whole thing made her nervous. “How will this ever work? With her in such close proximity? Won’t you two… be drawn to each other? This isn’t going to work, Cael.”

His brows dipped low, his expression troubled and sad. He gripped her face with both hands, his fingers threading into her hair. “Baby,” he breathed. “How can you wonder after what we just shared? Our bond is strong. Can’t you feel it? It’s steel cable. Iron chains. There’s no breaking it. Feel it, Isa.”

She
did
feel it. She had to trust it. Her wolf felt secure. It was the rest of her that kept waiting for the axe to fall.

She nodded, covering his hand on her cheek. “I feel it.”

He kissed her softly, and she melted against him. His teeth gently tugged at her lower lip as he pulled back. “Don’t ever doubt me,” he rumbled. His hands slid to her backside, squeezing hard enough to make her yelp. “
Ever
. Or I’ll have to find new ways to prove my loyalty.”

He walked backwards with her until they fell onto the bed in a tangle of limbs and desire.

***

Cael jerked awake to the sound of incessant banging. Isabesh was asleep in his arms. Safe. Where she’d stay. Forever. It was set in fucking stone. And when they got home, he’d have her set it in his skin. A proper branding to make it official.

He turned his head listening. This time, the banging was accompanied by a voice.

“Cael! Open up, you bastard.”

Vesh.

“Come on. I know you’re in there. Damn,” he muttered angrily. “And I know what you’ve been doing. Get your ass out here and talk to me.”

A growl rumbled in Cael’s throat. It was dark out, but apparently, this was happening now. Vesh had better have a damn good reason for letting Jax live.

Isabesh sat up. “Is that…?”

“It fucking is. And he better be ready to do some explaining.” He went to the closet and pulled on a pair of Magic’s jeans before turning for the door.

“Cael, wait.” She grabbed his arm, her eyes pleading. “He’s my brother.”

“Yeah, and he put our lives in danger.
Your
life in danger.”

“He also saved me. You said you wouldn’t have known to come for me if it weren’t for Vesh.”

“Don’t ever forget he was a huge part of the reason you were with that bastard to begin with.”

The stern expression on her face stopped him from pulling away. “Don’t do that,” she said quietly. “Vesh might have given the alpha—
his
alpha—information about us all those years ago, but don’t think for one minute that he did it gladly. I
know
my brother. My choices were my own, and were as much for you as they were for him.”

“Isa,” Cael sighed, caressing her bottom lip with his thumb.

Her level head and quick forgiveness brought the wind out of his sails. But he also didn’t possess the same forgiving nature when it came to his wolves disobeying a direct order. Especially when the disobedience could have gotten her or their young hurt.

“Let me handle this, okay? Trust me.”

She gave a quick nod.

Vesh banged again. “I swear to fucking hell, if you don’t open this door, I’m going to tear it off the hinges.”

Cael stalked through the cabin and kicked the chair out of the way. In less than a second, he’d thrown the lock and swung the door wide.

Vesh took a breath to speak but before he could get a word out, Cael reared back and threw a punch. Stumbling backward, holding his jaw, Vesh muttered, “Son-of-a-bitch.”

Cael pounced on him, taking him all the way to the ground, and landing a hit to his gut at the same time. “It’s
alpha
to you, shithead.” He jumped back to his feet. “Get up.”

Vesh actually obeyed the command, but that was when Cael realized he was completely stark nude. It was too late though. The other wolf was furious. He swung right, but only grazed Cael’s chin since he anticipated the move.

“Is it?” Vesh roared. “Or is it brother-in-law now?”

Cael clenched his fist for another blow, but something in the field caught his attention. Before he could discern it, Vesh pounced. Cael rolled with him, straddling the wolf’s waist and laying into his snarling face with his fists.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Isabesh running over. “Cael,” she cried. She knew pack dynamics, as well as he did. He couldn’t stop now. He had to put her brother in check.

Grabbing Vesh’s throat, he squeezed just enough to make him see stars. “You are in deep fucking shit, Vesh. You disobeyed me. You disregarded my authority. But most importantly, and the reason I’m a hair’s breadth away from killing you, you put the
mother of my young in danger
.” He bent low to get in the prick’s face. “That’s un-fucking-forgivable.”

Vesh’s bulged eyes jerked to his sister. They were screaming with sadness. The depths of which Cael would likely never understand. The guy was so fucked up.

A tortured growl came from the field.

Cael rolled off Vesh and stood to guard Isabesh. Her hand landed squarely between his shoulder blades.

“I’m sorry,” Vesh croaked. “I knew you’d keep her safe. You’re the only one I’d ever trust with her.” He lumbered to a stand, rubbing his throat. “They distracted me, Farrow and Trager, and fucking Jax got away. But I was coming for him,” he rasped. “I was going to get to him before he found you.”

In the field, Cael could make out three people. Avan, Trager, and… Farrow. The younger wolf kicked viciously at a lump lying on the ground. He screamed obscenities. Dragged his hands through his hair, yanking with all his might. Trager was doubled over, hands on his knees, while Avan stood to the side with her arms crossed under her naked breasts.

She glanced at Cael, raising a single eyebrow. Isabesh’s nails curled into his back, and if the situation hadn’t been so pressing, he would’ve taken the time to acknowledge how her possessive side turned him on.

“What the hell is going on, Vesh?”

At his words, Farrow’s head snapped in his direction. Cael recognized the murderous glimmer in the man’s eyes as he charged toward him. But before Farrow could get very close, Avan’s hand snapped out, grabbing him by the throat, and he froze.

“Let go.”

“No,” she said calmly. “If you do this, you’ll die. Then who will find Gabby? Huh? Trager? He doesn’t have the balls to pull that off and you know it.”

“Shut the fuck up, Avan,” Vesh snapped.

She shrugged. “It worked didn’t it? He stopped his suicide mission. Damn, it’s like all I have to do in life is keep you guys from fucking things up or something.”

“Someone better start explaining,” Cael barked.

Trager’s tense voice came from behind the others. “The bastard had Gabby. Now he’s dead, and we don’t know where she is.” He pulled back and kicked the lump on the ground, and that’s when Cael realized it was a wolf. A dead wolf. They must have tracked Jax to the woods, and dragged him here.

“I couldn’t let Vesh kill him. He took my mate.” Farrow growled low, his eyes narrow and crazed. “Now how will I find her? Tell me,” he roared.

Shit.
Shit
. He understood why Vesh hesitated to kill the alpha. Didn’t mean he forgave him though.

“Have you tracked her?”

“I tried. He’s masked her scent.”

“Masked her scent?” Cael didn’t realize it was possible. “With what?”

“With mine,” Isabesh spoke up. All eyes turned to her. “I know where she is.”

Besh had been so wrapped up in her own trauma she hadn’t given the girl a second thought. But even if she had, there wasn’t any way to get word to Farrow from up here on this mountain.

“Please,” Farrow breathed, hope and fear in his eyes. “Lady Besh—”

“Don’t call me that,” she snapped, but then tempered her tone. “Not anymore. I belong to Cael now, and I don’t want to be referred to by title.”

It seemed harsh, her reaction, but as soon as the name had left Farrow’s lips, it made her stomach twist with revulsion. Her hand shook as she found Cael’s and gripped it.

“Just ‘Besh’ is fine,” she told Farrow. “You couldn’t track Gabby because she’s in the alpha’s lodge.”

Farrow frowned. “No. I searched his house. I searched the entire camp. She isn’t there. And no trace of her scent.”

Besh stared at the ground. “There is a secret room, hidden behind a false wall in the closet of my—” It wasn’t her bedroom. It was simply the room she was kept in. “In the room where I stayed. He put her there.” After he made her bathe in Besh’s bath water. But she couldn’t bear to tell Farrow that. He’d learn soon enough what his mate had endured.

“
Motherfucker
,” Avan breathed. “How did he manage all this on his own? How did he keep it secret? From all of us?”

“That’s where you’ll find your female.”

“I need to go now,” Farrow murmured.

“My parents? Did he take them too?” Trager rushed out.

Besh shook her head. “No. They begged for a leave as soon as Gabby was mated. The Elders allowed it because of their age, and as long as it remained secret. They didn’t want any others leaving. And Jax didn’t care enough to chase them down.”

His shoulders sank.

“Tra, we need to go now. We’re hours from Ozarka.” Farrow’s face was full of determination.

Trager nodded. “Alpha?”

“Yes,” Cael nodded. “Go.
Go
.”

Trager shifted to a wolf in an instant, his skin swallowed by thick gray fur. He darted across the field.

Farrow stepped forward. “Thank you, Besh. Thank you so much.” She braced herself for a hug that was wholly unwelcome as his arms reached out. But Cael snarled, shoving him backward.

“Your dick is way too close to my female,” he warned.

“Oh. Shit.” Farrow threw his hands up. “I wasn’t thinking.”

“Don’t let it happen again. Go.”

Farrow nodded at Besh, and then shifted, running full-speed to catch up to Trager.

Cael ran his hands through his hair. “Shit,” he muttered.

“What are we going to do now?” Vesh asked.

Cael straightened, hands resting on his hips. He was so sexy like that. In control. Owning his life, the way he was teaching her to own hers. She liked it. A lot.

He glanced at her brother, and studiously avoided naked Avan. “Well, for starters, we’re going to get you guys some fucking clothes.”

Besh could not agree more. She was having the worst time dealing with the fact that Cael’s intended was standing just feet away, stark naked. And she knew how sexual Avan was. Maybe she was ambitious, and wanted to run the pack, but Besh didn’t trust that she was completely unaffected by Cael’s body. It was in their physical makeup to be attracted to each other. To perpetuate the race.

“I would definitely prefer to be clothed right now,” Avan sighed. “Vesh keeps looking at my tits.”

His eyes went wide. “I will kill you
dead
if you ever say anything like that again. That’s a promise. I desire my mate’s body
only
.”

She raised her hands in mock surrender, making her breasts bounce obnoxiously with the motion. “Point taken.”

“Enough,” Cael snapped, turning on his heel. “Come inside.”

“That’s what she said,” Avan deadpanned.

When everybody’s dirty and flirty parts were covered, they sat in front of the fire to get warm. Even human and naked, their animals kept them alive, but it was a bitch to be that cold for that long.

“Someone needs to find an area with cell coverage and call Lexar for a pickup.” Cael passed Vesh the bottle of wine he’d found in the kitchen. Her brother drank straight from the bottle with no shame, and she found herself grinning as she watched him.

She recalled him doing the very same thing as a child, but from the milk jug. And only when mother wasn’t home.

“I’ll go,” Avan offered. “Give me your cell though, because I don’t have mine.”

Yeah, traveling as a wolf was tough sometimes. They hadn’t yet figured out how to carry electronics and clothes with them.

Cael grabbed his phone from the kitchen table. “Not much battery, but it should be enough for a call out. Lexar is speed dial one.”

Avan took it, glancing pointedly at Besh. “Guess that’ll be changing soon though, won’t it?”

Cael crossed his arms. “Yes. It will.” His tone was a challenge, daring her to make a scene. Besh didn’t want a showdown, but sometimes wolves pushed, and she wouldn’t let Avan claim him. Maybe it made her a horrible person, but they’d gone through so much to be together. She wouldn’t let go now.

Avan nodded, looking… relieved. “Good. I’ll be back soon.”

As the door clicked shut, Vesh let out a weary sigh. “That female scares me.” He turned to Besh, and his eyes became haunted. “It’s hard for me to accept that this is over, that you’re actually safe.”

Cael sat beside her on the couch, pulling her into his lap. His hand landed softly on her abdomen, and her wolf gave a satisfied chuff.

Vesh zeroed in on the action. “I sense you’re with young.”

“I am,” she said, proudly.

His eyes moved to Cael. “You’ve marked her already. Do you intend to mate her?”

Besh shook her head. “We haven’t talked about that yet. This is all so quick—”

“As soon as possible,” Cael interrupted. “And you’re in enough trouble already, so maybe questioning my honor isn’t a good idea right now.”

“Sorry, Alpha, but I don’t really give a fuck. I need to make sure she’s treated right, from here on out.”

Besh bit her lip. It was sweet, but…

“She’s
mine
.” Cael’s voice was deadly quiet. She should say something but to get in between two alpha males while they were working through a problem was never smart. “I’ll see to her wellbeing.”

“Sorry,” Vesh sneered. “But the last time a man told me that, he was treating her like shit and forcing her to—”

“Stop!” She couldn’t bear to hear it from his mouth. “Cael, tell him. What you taught me, and what happened to Jax.”

When he’d relayed the story in detail, Vesh stayed quiet, absorbing the information.

“You want this?” Vesh asked her. “To be first mate again.”

No. Not the title. But… “I want Cael. I know he has my best interests at heart, as well as the pack’s.” Her voice got quiet. “I love him.” She had to trust that he was a different alpha. One that cared.

He dropped a kiss on her shoulder.

Vesh sighed, running his hands through his hair.

“Not that it’s any of your fucking business,” Cael growled before his voice softened. “But I love her too.”

Vesh glared. “Everything about her is my business.”

“Ughhh. Will you two always be like this?”

“Yes,” they said in unison.

Besh sighed. She supposed that was what happened when a strong male like Vesh submitted to an alpha. She wondered what trouble he would’ve caused with Jax if he hadn’t feared the repercussions. It occurred to her that this is exactly why Avan and Cael would never have worked. A dominant wolf in a relationship with another dominant… it was the recipe for a disaster.

***

Avan returned hours later. The door burst open unexpectedly. “Hey honey, I’m home. And I brought Captain Funpants to save the day.”

A man Besh didn’t recognize followed her in. He had dark smooth skin, and kind brown eyes.

“You have no idea how fun my pants are,” he replied easily.

Avan’s eyes slid down the front of his body. “Well now, that is true.”

Cael stood, greeting the man by locking fists and slapping his back. “Thanks for coming. How are things at home?”

“Fine. Running smoothly. People are asking where you are though. Why you haven’t returned from the raid. You need to show your face soon.”

Cael nodded. “Today.” He pulled Besh over. “This is Lexar,” he introduced. “He’s my most trusted wolf.”

Besh nodded, holding her hand out, but he didn’t take it. “I’m Besh.”

His smile was kind. “I know. I’d shake your hand but our alpha is already throwing off his back-the-hell up vibes.”

Oh. She pulled her hand back. But Cael wasn’t the only one throwing those vibes. Avan glared at Besh like she wanted to eat her alive. Then she blinked, recovering her stony expression.

“Trust me,” Vesh muttered. “He’s very touchy today.”

Lexar laughed. “Looks like you need to get to Braeh soon. Your face looks like shit.”

“Adds to my appeal I think. But you’re right.” His voice lost all humor. “She okay?”

Lexar nodded. “Her and Kerrigan both. Avan updated me on the way here. So…” He looked to Cael. “What now?”

“We go back to camp and wait for news from Trager. He’ll be back soon, and I’m thinking when he does, he’s going to want that mating ceremony quick like.”

“Annnnd on that note, I’m heading back to Ozarka,” Avan said, stepping toward the door.

Cael stopped her. “It’ll be up to you to set the pack right. They need time to heal, but things need to change over there. I hope you can see that.”

“Oh, believe me, I see it. I’m still not convinced there wasn’t somebody helping Jax. Someone besides Farrow. I’ll get to the bottom of things.” She stared at the door, thinking. “But it’ll have to wait. I’m sure I’ll be spending the next few months being challenged for the alpha position.”

Cael frowned. “We’re allies now. I can send Lexar to help you.”

Avan looked at the dark wolf and smirked. “No thanks. I’m a big girl. What kind of alpha would I be if I couldn’t defend my land on my own?”

“Suit yourself.”

She sighed, opening the door. “I usually do.” And then she stepped out, shifting to her form of a white wolf.

Lexar stared after her, a strange look in his eyes, even after she was well out of sight. Besh wasn’t sure, but that look reminded her a lot of white hot desire.