Escaped

Running In Fear Escaped A Ravenous Romance ™ Original Publication Trinity Blacio

A Ravenous Romance™ Original Publication www.ravenousromance.com

Copyright © 2010 by Trinity Blacio

Ravenous Romance 100 Cummings Center Suite 125G Beverly, MA 01915 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher, except by reviewers who may quote brief excerpts in connection with a review. ISBN-13: 978-1-60777-355-9 This book is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

Chapter One Dane Glassgo stood in all his glory, scanning the surrounding area for any threat to his mate. His thick black fur blew in the cold wind. The Alpha in him never let his gaze travel far from the small cabin in the valley. All of his thoughts lingered on the woman within. Tonight, he would claim her. Impatience had marked each day of the past eight weeks, but finally the time had come. She was now in his domain, and he wouldn’t let her leave. Funny, to think a chance visit to his little sister, Shelly, had yielded this all-consuming obsession. From the first moment her scent of roses and cream had wafted toward him, the wolf inside him had clawed to escape. It was more than just her natural perfume that excited him. Her pheromones drove him to the brink of madness. And yet he hadn’t even seen her face to face. The mere vestiges of her scent were enough for him to know this was the woman who would be his mate. He'd tried to forget about it and take other females afterwards, but that hadn’t worked. Every time an opportunity to couple with another female presented itself, his stomach flipped in rebellion. Even Blair, his live-in play toy of the past several years, had lost her appeal. Dane finally understood that this female was his and only his. He still couldn’t believe she was finally here, alive and well. “This damned well better be an emergency or I swear I will tear this person apart!” Dane growled as he rolled over and answered the phone. “What?” “Dane.” his little sister Shelly whispered into the phone.

Suddenly wide awake, Dane threw his feet over the bed, and his hand gripped the phone tightly. “What’s happened, Shelly? Is Jaycee okay?” The sound of a doctor’s page in the background could be heard. “SHELLY, WHO IS IN THE HOSPITAL?” Dane growled. His hand began to cover itself in black fur, and his face started to transform. “Jaycee. He beat her up, Dane. Oh my God, you should see her! I can’t even recognize her face! They don’t know if she’ll make it, Dane. There are machines everywhere, and they’re taking her down for surgery now.” Shelly sobbed into the phone. “I’ll be there in one hour!” He dropped the receiver, grabbed his clothes, and dashed for the bedroom door. Dane tried to push the beast back, but it threatened to take hold of him any moment. An hour later, the door whooshed opened as Dane entered into the hospital, his family right behind him. Both his parents and his brother had insisted they drive him, knowing he would destroy his own car trying to get here. Dane scanned the hallway, and people skirted away from him as he made his way to the elevator. “Dane you need to stop. You’re scaring everyone in this place.” His mother tried to grab onto his hand, but he wouldn’t have it. He pushed the elevator button and looked down at her. “I’m going to kill him, mother. If that piece of shit ever gets out of jail, he will be dinner.” His teeth started to change, but he pushed his beast back again as the elevator door opened and people walked around him to get out of his way. “Dane, calm down. Your eyes are red,” his father ordered as he stepped into the elevator next to Mark, his younger brother.

Dane closed his eyes, pulling the beast back. He finally opened them when the elevator hit the fifth floor: Intensive Care. The door slowly opened, and, waiting near the nurse’s desk, he saw his sister, her face swollen from crying. She ran into his arms. “She just came out of surgery. They had to put two pins in each of her legs, her jaw is wired shut and you can’t see her eyes. He broke each eye socket. The doctor’s said it’s a waiting game now. If she lasts the night and doesn’t contract pneumonia, she’ll survive.” Machines beeped as he stepped into Jaycee’s room. Her scent mingled with the stench of alcohol and blood. As he approached the bed, Dane reeled. Her face was covered in bandages, and her legs were strapped into temporary casts. A police officer who’d been sitting in her room glanced up at him. Shelly nodded to him. “Officer Charles, this is my brother, Dane. He’s the one I told you about.” Dane recognized the officer as he, one of his own. The man stood and sniffed the air, then lowered his head in respect. “I’ll leave you, but if you need anything, Alpha, please don’t hesitate to ask. I should tell you the bastard that did this is now sitting in jail, but we have no idea where his goons are. She’ll have twenty-four hour protection until she is released.” Dane studied the man, then nodded, “Thank you. I’ll stay here until she awakens. I’ll also have others from my team watching her. I’d appreciate any updates afterwards. I don’t want her to know I was here.” As he moved further into the room, claws sprouted out of his hands, fur broke through his skin and his muzzle started to grow. “I have to leave for a moment. Stay with her!” he ordered and dashed out of the room, heading straight for the stairs as his beast roared to escape.

The exit sign was only a few feet away. The park… he had to get to the park. Glancing around outside, he could see the entrance to the park. His feet ripped out of his tennis shoes, and his jeans tore at the seams as he entered the dark park. Dane stopped and tore off the rest of his clothes. The beast broke free, and the howl that had been bursting to come out finally rent through the night air, stilling every animal around. Tears fell, soaking his fur. Suddenly he felt his mother’s gentle hands stroking him. “I don’t know why humans do this to each other, Dane. We will all have to be strong for her and stand beside her now. Just know that Shelly, your father and I will be with her non-stop until she is released and comes to the cabins. Now come, be with her while you can.” His mom rose and held out new clothes and shoes for him. The beast retreated, but kept a silent vow of death. Dane’s heart surged with a sense of protectiveness as the memory faded. He shook his head and glanced down at the cabin once more. He couldn’t believe the anger that had triggered such an uncontrollable period in his life. He’d never had he been able to completely control his beast, but on that day in the hospital, nothing could stop him changing. The strength it took for him to control himself and wait for the right time to avenge his mate’s pain and suffering had amazed even his parents. Standing behind the scenes, he had made sure she wanted for nothing while she recuperated at the family’s cabin. He’d protected her from her so-called husband and made sure he didn’t get out of jail, until now. Heavy flakes of snow blew across his field of vision. He shook his head and waited for his sister’s appearance in the window. That would be the signal that she’d told Jaycee about their family. He would take care of everything from there. The time was close; his shaft grew hard, waiting for its new home in her wet folds. His sensitive ears picked up the conversation that had

suddenly turned to yelling. He whipped his head around again to the cabin and saw his sister in the window. Dane’s howl carried to the lodge by the winds; as he made his way down to the cabin, the wolf in him stalked its mate. ****

Jaycee gazed into the flames of the stone wall fireplace with a new sense of self. I did it! Now, Jaycee Janco is free. That is, Jaycee Manz is free, and James is tucked away in a prison cell never to hit, rape or torture me again. She pulled her knees up to her chest and covered them with her t-shirt. Her head rested on her knees, the muscles in her legs still weak and stiff from disuse. Her casts had been removed one week ago. The lone cry of a wolf in the distance reached her ears. The sound was so beautiful and mournful in the night. She always loved wolves and felt at peace with them. A memory of her collection of wolf figurines flashed through her mind; she’d collected them all her life. Thanks to that asshole James, they now lay shattered in a million pieces in the trash. “Hey, Jaycee, do you want a glass of wine?” Shelly asked from the kitchen. Bad memories clouded her vision, and she shook her head in an attempt to dislodge them. She smiled, “Sure. Hey, thanks again for letting me come up here with you and your family.” Jaycee took the glass of wine from her and sipped it. Shelly sat down on the other end of the sofa. “You know you’re family to us. Mom and dad wouldn’t have it any other way. I should warn you, though: we have this cabin to ourselves now, but my brothers will be around soon, coming in and out.” She gestured outside and rolled her eyes.

Jaycee laughed at her friend’s annoyance. She’d always wished for bothersome brothers. Maybe then she wouldn’t have fallen for James’s tricks. “I’m surprised I haven’t met them sooner, with me staying at your apartment these last eight weeks.” “Well, there’s something you need to know…” Shelly squirmed and looked out the window. “I tried to tell you before we left, but I was a little nervous. You see, my brothers, our family, well… we’re not exactly normal. You know those wolves you heard earlier?” Jaycee watched her friend walk to the window and look out, pausing in frustration. “Those were my brothers you heard,” she blurted, glancing over her shoulder. “What? Shelly, you’re making me nervous here.” Jaycee got up to confront to her friend, but then she suddenly heard a crack and watched as Shelly’s green eyes stared at her while her body turned to match that of a gray wolf. Jaycee gazed down at the wolf. It’d been so long since she’d been around her own kind that she stood in awe for a moment before she realized she was supposed to look shocked. Her own kind. She was with werewolves again. Her father was one, but only she knew of this fact. Afraid to disclose too much of her past, she played the role of someone shocked. Jaycee watched her friend shift back to human, her muscles cracking and the hair retreating from her skin. She walked back to the couch and sat down, looking for all the world like a normal human. “I know I should have told you before, but with everything going on in your life, I just didn’t want to see you more upset.” Her shaking hand grabbed the robe off the back of the couch and pulled it around her body. “One of the reasons we wanted you here is so we can protect you. I didn’t want you to know until we got up here, but I got a call from the prosecutor. The authorities have to release James.”

“They’re what?” All the relief of being around her own kind disappeared, and a knot formed in her stomach. “Not enough evidence.” Shelly grabbed her friend around the waist, before she could bolt off the couch. She held onto her while she continued, “The prosecutor said they wouldn’t release him until tomorrow.” “I can’t believe this. Just when I was getting my life back together! You didn’t even want to come up here this month!” She gazed at her best friend. This time she did jump up. She paced back and forth as her hands gestured in fury. “God, and that’s the only reason you brought me up here and told me your secret! I can’t believe this. I feel so stupid! Your family shouldn’t have brought me out here. You know he has friends. Even if you’re wolves, that won’t stop the guns, Shelly!” She fell back down on the couch. “What the hell is going on in here?” A deep, penetrating voice rode up her spine. Her nipples hardened and wetness like she had never known soaked her thong. Jaycee turned her head to stare at the man just inside the door. His muscular arms were crossed against a powerful bare chest, and black leather pants hugged well-developed legs. Here stood the boy from her childhood, her mate, but he wasn’t a boy any more. “Dane, don’t you ever knock?” Shelly jumped up. Both women stared at her brother. “Jaycee, this is my oldest brother and pack leader, Dane. He’s a pain in the ass, but he’s harmless.” Her friend walked over to the man of her dreams and hugged him. Jaycee’s mind reeled. So her best friend was sister to her mate, the man her father had promised her to when she was a child. Did he know she was that same girl? The once-shy girl who’d sat in her father’s car and spied on him while he jumped the bones of another woman?

God, she’d cried herself to sleep that night. And now he was risking his life for her. She couldn’t allow it. “I want to borrow your car, Shelly. If I can drive up to Maine before James is released, I can go to the mountains.” Before Shelly or Dane could argue, she rushed on. “You know I can survive up there. Plus, I have some money tucked away up there in a bank under a different name. I can dye my hair and cut it. James wouldn’t believe I’m capable of that.” Jaycee walked into the bedroom. She threw her suitcase on the bed, and a shadow framed the doorway. Glancing up, she saw that Dane stood there, Alpha power radiating off of him. “What do you think you are doing?” Dane asked. She watched him close the bedroom door behind him, locking it. “I’m packing. Didn’t you hear me, wolf boy? I have to get out of here. I won’t get anyone hurt because those bureaucratic assholes screwed up.” After that snappy reply, she walked into the bathroom and gathered her stuff. Large hands settled on the curve of her hips and held her in place. He pressed his body to hers and snarled. “Are you questioning my ability to protect you?” He sniffed her fragrant hair, and then followed the sweet scent to the curve of her neck. “I have taken care of this pack and family for the past ten years. I was a Navy Seal for six years.” Hands traced around to the front of her and pulled her back to his body. “My unit is here now for our annual pack meeting. You couldn’t be any safer,” he stated, and her body trembled under his roaming hands. “I’ve taken care of myself now for some time. I don’t nee…” She turned her body around, only to stare back into the big black eyes that bore down into hers her words disappeared in a flash. He was six-foot-five, if not taller, his long black hair pulled back into a braid. She

couldn’t love him – she’d just met him – but his scent, or whatever it was, attacked her hormones. Jaycee inhaled deeply. Her legs shook as he held tightly onto her. “Do you feel it, the pull? Your scent drives me crazy, too,” he whispered into her ear. Her eyelids slid down, shutting out the entire world, except for the sensual stirrings he caused. Only one other time had he done this to her, and he wasn’t even aware of it. “I came to visit Shelly one day, and you had just left the apartment. I could smell something, but I didn’t know what it was, so I followed it into the bedroom. Your scent made me so hard I had to jack off every hour until your smell went away.” He moved in closer and inhaled the potent scent of her flesh. His shaft strained against his pants on her stomach. He was huge. “What are you saying?” Her voice sounded foreign to her own ears. It came out in a deep, heated whisper. “You’re mine. I first knew it when I smelled you in that apartment. Your scent calls to me. I hope that little weasel son-of-a-bitch comes around here. I can’t wait to teach him a lesson he shall never forget.” The mention of her ex-husband broke the enchanting spell that he’d cast about her. She needed to leave, the sooner the better. “I don’t even know you. But I won’t put your family at risk. Dane, it’s too much. Your mom and dad have been too good to me to put them in danger.” She tried to push away from him, but he held her tightly. His sensual hands squeezed her ass. “I can’t stay, don’t you understand? He’ll find me. You might as well say I’m dead. Find someone else to mark, because I’ll be a corpse before long.” Jaycee felt the tears roll down her face. She tried to squirm out of

his grasp, but he wouldn’t let her move. His warm hands held and rubbed the bare skin under her shirt. “Hush, we’re ready for him. We know all about him and his friends. We’ve called in the whole pack. No one is going to touch you, except of course, me. I meant what I said, Jaycee. You’re mine, so get used to the idea.” God, if I could only be yours. “You go nowhere without me from now on.” His black smoldering eyes held hers. His gaze was hard as steel, but she could also see a trace of passion buried beneath, as if he could look straight into her soul. She tried to shy away, but her movements only left her neck open to him. A hungry, possessive growl rose from him. It sent sensual electricity running through her body. Jaycee’s panties were now soaked with want. His lips kissed her neck gently as his hands roamed over her body. By this point, Jaycee had nearly given up all thought of resistance. I’ll need to change my panties if you continue with this. Dane’s hand moved between her sensitive thighs and rubbed. He moaned softly, or was it her? The intimate, sensitive touch ignited a baser instinct in her. She smelled the masculine scent. The hormonal change in him, his heat, and the touch became firmer. “Dane, are you in there? Open this damn door now. The others are here. We need to talk,” a man’s voice yelled through the door. Frustrated, he lowered his head and took control of her mouth. A strong tongue pushed at hers, scanning every nook and cranny available to it. It was one of the hottest kisses she’d ever had. She savored his unique taste. He finally broke the kiss and stared into her eyes.

“You’re mine now. I’ve marked you.” One of his hands traced his marks on her neck. “No one else will dare touch you. Get a robe on, honey, that t-shirt doesn’t cover anything. I don’t want anyone looking at your body.” Hot with desire, she watched him walk out of the room and close the door. Jaycee ran to the dresser and grabbed her jeans, throwing them on. A sweater followed. She stared at the window and quietly gathered her stuff. The only man she ever dreamed of being with, and now she had to run from him. Tears trickled down her face, and she grabbed the truck keys that lay on the dresser. She knew it was time to get to Gaston. He would have things ready for her. He always did. Jaycee lifted the window and threw her bag out, then jumped out herself. She forced herself not to look back. She might be attracted to this man, but she didn’t know anything about the mating process. Her father and mother had never explained that part of the process. He would be better off without her, anyway. She had too much baggage. The truck was close enough that she didn’t have to run. Jaycee jumped into the truck and started the engine. The front door yanked open as the car noisily roared to life. She pushed the accelerator to the floor and prayed to get out of there before he could come out the door. The old truck lurched forward and stalled. “Damn, damn, damn!” She hit the steering wheel, and driver side door flew open. Dane blocked her exit. His eyes were red, and his chest heaved. Others ran out, watched and waited. He pulled her out of the truck, threw her over his shoulder, and grabbed her bag. From her view slung over his body, Jaycee couldn’t help glancing at Dane’s ass. Not bad. Ugh! Shut the hormones off, Jaycee, now is not the time. Jaycee listened as Dane barked out orders while he stomped back to the cabin.

“Mark, grab the keys and hide the stupid truck. Jack, go and tell everyone we’ll meet down here for now. It seems I can’t leave my mate alone.” He laid her down on the couch, then followed suit. Dane grabbed her chin and held it, glaring down at her. “You’ll not try that again. I’ll only say this once. I’m going to protect you, and I expect you to listen to what I say. Do you understand?” he barked, without moving an inch, and waited for a satisfactory answer. He held her as she strained her head around to look for Shelly. “He’s dangerous. You don’t understand. I can’t…no, I won’t endanger everyone’s lives.” She yanked her head away. He rose from the couch and pulled her with him. They walked towards the bedroom. “We’ll see about that! I wanted to wait, but it seems I have to stake my claim now. Shelly, tell everyone I’ll be out in a few minutes, and don’t disturb us,” he demanded and slammed the bedroom door, locking it. Jaycee backed away from him as soon as he lowered her to the floor. She watched him unbuckle his leather pants, push them down his body, and step out of them. He wore nothing underneath. Jaycee became acutely aware of her own body, marred with scars and bruises from her recent stint in the hospital. As if reading her mind, Dane pinned her to the bed in one swift motion. “Do you see these scars on my chest?” He pointed to each one. Her gaze fixed onto the blemishes. She knew they’d been painful, and to think he risked his life scared the shit out of her. “These are from my tour of duty in Iraq. I was part of a special operations team.” His hand traced up her t-shirt and cupped one full breast. “My squad was called in when nothing else worked. We destroyed any threat to our forces, and were trained in every kind of weaponry— and we’re all werewolves.” A growl escaped his mouth. “There isn’t anything so ugly that I

haven’t seen before,” he stated and pulled her top off. His eyes glanced down, and he unsnapped her bra from the front. His breath caught. Disfigured skin covered her entire chest. His gaze quickly turned from passion to hot, molten rage. He jumped off the bed and howled. It echoed through the room, rattling the windows. He turned toward the door and ran, almost breaking the door off its hinges, trying to open the lock with his clawed hand. A moment later, he was gone. Jaycee shrank back and listened to another furious howl. The loud cry blasted the quiet of the night. She had seen his face shift right before he’d left. One moment a handsome man, and the next a werewolf. A legendary creature had stood over seven and half feet tall at the foot of her bed. She heard his feet pound the floor, storming out of the room, and then he began to bark out orders. She could hear him run through the house, forgetting all about her. The front door banged closed as he dashed outside. Hurt like she’d never known crushed her chest. Even the pain from her beatings had never hurt her as much as this rejection did. She gathered her sweater and bra and pulled them back on. Tears rolled down her face. Even her father’s rejection of her had been nothing compared to this. All the men she’d loved had run from her. She wasn’t good enough for anyone. Jaycee curled up into a ball on the bed, knowing there was no escape at that moment. She grabbed a pillow and hugged it. With her eyes closed and her body numb, she fell into a troubled sleep filled with nightmares.

Chapter Two The beast in him ran like his life depended on it. He’d seen her in the hospital, knew she’d been abused, but what he’d just seen was plain torture. Furious didn’t even begin to cover his feelings. There was no way he could stay in the same room as her. Anger burned out of every pore in his body as he ran. “Damn it, Dane, slow down! What the hell is wrong with you?” Mark, his brother, yelled as he fought to keep up with him. “God, the bastard burned the word “slut” across her breasts!” Dane screamed and picked up speed. “And you left her? You just stormed out of the house without a word?” Mark stopped and stood still. Dane glanced back and saw the disgust on his brother’s face. “Are you fucking nuts? What do you think she is going to think now? Shelly told you she was scarred.” Mark demanded. Dane stopped and turned towards him. His brother was right. Dane threw his head back and howled. God I’m so stupid! “I couldn’t stay there. She didn’t need to see me like this. I wasn’t thinking!” He pushed his hand through his hair. “What have I done?” He groaned and turned back towards the house, running as fast as he could. He had a lot to make up for, if she was still there. Shit, she has no guard! ****

Shelly opened the bedroom door to find Jaycee curled up into a ball. Wet tears stained her face and the pillow. She tossed and moaned in her sleep. She’d hoped her brother would help erase Jaycee’s regular nightmares, but the jackass had only hurt her more. The front door burst open, and she jumped to see her brother stalk back into the cabin. Shelly slowly closed the door, not wanting to wake her friend. “What the hell do you want? Haven’t you done enough? You rejected her after you saw what that bastard did to her!” She hit his chest with her fist. “Why? Didn’t I tell you she had scars, didn’t I tell you not to hurt her?” She fumed between clenched teeth and glared up at him. “I didn’t want her to see the beast. It rose so fast, I had to leave.” Annoyed, he pushed her out of the way. “Don’t go in there. She’s asleep. Her nightmares are back, thanks to you.” “What are you, a psychiatrist?” He opened the door in irritation and walked into the bedroom. He tried to close the door softly, so as not to wake her. Tears glistened on Jaycee’s cheeks. He slipped into bed and pulled her body close to his naked form. He kissed her cheeks and neck, his hands trailing up and under her sweater to her bra. It snapped open and released her breasts to his roaming hands. The scarred burn marks made contact with his fingers and the anger rose again, but this time he kept it at bay. She needed to see his acceptance. **** Jaycee moaned and tried to roll over. “I’ll never drink again!” she moaned. She opened her eyes and lay still while she scanned her unfamiliar surroundings. Unknown hands roamed up her arms and cupped each breast.

“Good morning, wife. Let me take care of that headache with some loving. My long cock will take away any pain you have.” Jaycee jumped up and stared at the man in bed with her. She tried to pull the blanket to cover her body, but he held fast onto her. “Who the hell are you, and where the hell am I?” Jaycee tried to yell, but her head wouldn’t let her. “This is your new home. We got married last night. I’m James Black, your husband. I flew us to Las Vegas, and then back here where we could celebrate in private.” He patted the empty spot next to him. “Now, come here. I’m not finished with you, yet.” Jaycee tossed in her sleep as the images of her dream changed. “James, let me up!” she screamed. How the hell had he gotten into her apartment to bring her here? She’d told him it was over between them. The first time, when he punched her and shoved her into the dresser, had been the last time. She’d looked up and saw him open the door, his best friend standing next to him. Jaycee shook with anger. How dare he let someone into her home without her permission? “You’re mine. To prove that, I’ve decided to teach you a lesson, and my men are going to help. You see, no one leaves me, Jaycee, no one. So spread your legs, baby. You’re going to get a workout.” James smirked and turned, walking out of the room. Three naked men from his special opps team came into the bedroom. They stroked their cocks and stared at her naked body. “No, not again!” The scream echoed through the room. She awoke trembling, sweat dripping down her face along with fresh tears.

Another nightmare! When will they stop! She flopped back onto the bed and curled back up with the pillow. God, I can’t believe I took that asshole’s word that we were married. Four years, wasted. She felt big hands rubbing and playing with her breasts. This had to be a good dream. No man would want to touch her. She didn’t want to wake up. Jaycee rolled over onto her back and peeked out of one eye. Dane stared down at her with anguished eyes. “I’m sorry, my Psuchegyne.” he said as he kissed her forehead. “I didn’t want to scare you when I turned. No one except my group and family has seen my beast.” He sighed. “When I saw what he did to you, the creature took control,” he whispered and tried to pull her shirt back off. She stared up at him and held onto her shirt, afraid to see the reaction in his eyes again. “What did you call me?” she asked and tried to stall him. “Psuchegyne. It’s an ancient word for, well—it’s hard into put in words.” He stared into her eyes. “One half means woman, the other half means soul, but when you put them together they mean the woman is the heart and soul of the man.” He halted his movement, clearly waiting for her to make the next move. Jaycee scooted up. She leaned against the headboard and wished she had a glass of wine to calm her nerves. Dane got up, unlocked the door, and Shelly handed him a glass of wine. He locked the door, and climbed back into the bed, handing her the glass. She just stared. He can read minds, too. A grin spread across his handsome face, and he laughed. He leaned back on the headboard and surrounded her with his arms. “It’s okay. Mates are supposed to be able to read each other’s thoughts.”

“Well, I can’t read yours. That’s so not fair.” She squeaked when he pulled on one nipple through her sweater, choking on a gulp of wine. He shook his head and slapped her on the back. “You’ll be able to read my thoughts when I bond with you, changing you.” Jaycee stopped and looked up at his face. “Wait, what did you say?” “When I take you tonight. And I’m going to take you this time.” He ran his finger over her exposed skin. “When my seed enters your body, it will alter you to what we are and bind us together for life.” He grabbed her wine glass before it could fall to the bed. She froze. “No one said anything about changing me. Were you going to even tell me?” she demanded. Her gaze burned into his eyes. His gaze held hers, but he didn’t say a word. She knew the answer to her question already. “I didn’t want you to run away again. You’re mine, and I won’t let you go, Jaycee,” Dane finally said. “I have always taken care of everyone, and now I have you. I’m not about to lose you. I need you,” he stated quietly. She sat there on the bed, stunned, contemplating the enormity of what he’d just said. Then she balled her hand into a fist and hit him, hard. “You need me! Of all the low down—” she screeched and hit him again. Jaycee jumped off the bed. “Shelly told you what a softie I am, didn’t she? That’s why you said that. No one would need or want me!” She waved the pillow at him. “Hell, I scared you away when you saw my body. Don’t deny it. I saw it in your eyes.” She threw the pillow at him and ran for the bathroom door. He leaped over the bed and came to stand in front of her.

“That’s cheating!” she yelled as his steel arms wrapped around her and pulled her body to his, caging her in. “I don’t play fair when I want something this badly. Don’t you know, I’m the big bad wolf?” He bared his teeth and smiled. “You’re my Goldilocks, and I plan to eat you, my dear!” He growled and bit her neck, then held her still while he unzipped her pants. Jaycee knew he would smell and feel the juices that slipped down her leg. He pushed her pants down, along with her thong, and grabbed onto her ass. As he lifted her feet off the ground, her jeans fell to the floor, and he inhaled her scent. She became wrapped up in the sensations that he created and didn’t realize what he was doing until her body hit the bed. Before she could think clearly, he’d pulled her top off in one deft move, leaving her no time to react. She looked up at his face, waiting to see disgust, but there was only passion and heat in his eyes. He cupped her breasts in his huge hands, and she closed her eyes as a moan slipped between her lips. “No, open your eyes. I want you to watch me take you,” He lowered his head to her breast, and his mouth sucked on one of her nipples. His free hand played with the other. Her back arched, and she pushed her breast into his mouth further, seeking more. Dane rubbed his cock against her leg, and she knew her eyes grew wide. Dane took his mouth from her breast to reply to her unspoken thought. “It will fit, my Psuchegyne. You’re made for me.” His long tongue licked at the scars that crossed her breasts, and he slowly proceeded to move down her body, licking as he went. He brought her legs up over his shoulders and cupped her bottom. Scooting her closer to his face, his gaze watched

every movement she made. He lowered his lips to her mound and separated her tender folds with his thumbs. He blew cool air on her clit and took her nub into his mouth. She would have flown off the bed, but he held her tight and worked the most sensitive part of her feminine mound. Dane sucked and bit it, knowing what she needed. God, no man has ever touched me this way! And none ever will! You’re mine! One lone finger slipped into her, and she moaned. Two more fingers joined the lone one. He played and tortured her, making love to her with his hand and mouth. “Cum for me, baby. I want to watch you cum while I suck your juices,” he murmured, his mouth still surrounding her clit. His voice sent little vibrations through her body. She tossed and turned her head. He bit down on her nub. Jaycee’s body arched back up, and her toes curled while she clutched onto the blanket under her. A contraction of pleasure raced through her body. “Oh, my God!” **** Jaycee lay on the bed, stunned. So this was what she’d been missing. It’s always like this when mated, baby, and it only gets better as the years go on. He laughed in her head. The predator in him moved up her body, kissed and licked soft skin as he went, sucker bites left in his wake. Then she felt it, his shaft at her gate, as it waited to enter. She sucked in a breath his face hovered over hers.

“It’s time,” he purred. His mouth assaulted hers at the same time his shaft pushed through the tight, hot muscles, and buried itself deep into her abdomen. Tongues collided together while his shaft pushed all the way in. It stretched her to the point where she didn’t think he would fit. Jaycee groaned into his mouth, and he devoured it. Gradually his shaft pulled out, inch by inch, only to ram back into her and rub her enlarged clit on the way back inside. He broke the kiss, and she screamed, “Yes!” She wrapped her legs around his waist and hooked her feet together to take his entire shaft into her. Their bodies pressed flush against one another, his hard muscles against her soft skin. Moans filled the room while he pushed in deeper. He grabbed her arms and held them above her head. Dane raised his body and thrust in and out of her. His hooded gaze watched his shaft go in and out of her pussy. “Gorgeous. You’re gorgeous everywhere.” He moaned and slammed into her again. He raised his head to stare into her eyes. She could feel the blush on her cheeks spread. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Leave your arms up there, and don’t move.” His large hands grabbed hold of her ass and brought her up closer to his shaft. Dane’s muscular legs stood on the floor while she lay on the edge of the bed. He brought her legs back up to his shoulders and slammed into her. She tried to hang onto the bed. Her hands clenched the blanket underneath her. He shoved in so hard the bed rocked back and forth, banging against the floor. “Harder” she screamed as the bed broke and her second orgasm hit. His howl signaled his release as she lay sated, half-on and half-off the bed. She turned her head and looked into the mirror. Their reflection was hilarious, and she couldn’t contain the laugh that poured out of her mouth. She laughed so hard, she didn’t even

hear the gunshots until she was pulled from the bed to the floor. Dane lay on top of her and growled. She could feel the fur growing on his skin as he changed into his beast form.

Chapter Three Jaycee lay on the floor and listened to the gunshots outside the cabin. This was all her fault. James’s men had followed her, and now he knew where she was. “I freaking told you they would come. Shelly, where’s Shelly?” She tried to get up, but he held her down with his furcovered body. “Get off me, you fur ball. My best friend is out there!” She pushed at his chest, but he wouldn’t budge. “Hush, she’s okay. My brother Mark has her.” Dane smiled down at her. “And did you just call me a fur ball after what we just did?” “This is not the time or place to bring that up. Now get off me, you pain in my ass!” She tried to move him again, but nothing worked.. All of a sudden the bullets that had sprayed the cabin stopped. It was dead quiet. Dane inched off her body and whispered to her, “Stay put until I find out if it’s safe. Oh, and baby, I haven’t been a pain in your ass yet, but boy do I plan to.” He crawled to the bedroom door, then inched it open. Not only do I get an Alpha on steroids, I get a wise guy too! Jaycee smiled, knowing he had heard her thought. “Mark, Shelly, you okay?” He turned and growled. Frustrated, she peeked around Dane’s body to see Shelly and Mark’s figures moving around in the living room. She brushed herself off and grabbed her robe, which lay on the floor near the bed.

“Didn’t I tell you to stay put?” He jumped up and stomped to her, wrapping the robe tightly around her body. He swung her up into his arms and carried her into the room. Four other men stood with Shelly. “Just because we just had sex doesn’t mean I have to listen to you, almighty Alpha. Are you okay, Shelly?” she asked. “I told you I should have left. None of this would have happened.” She tried to get out of Dane’s grip. His arms tightened and made it impossible for her to move. Mark saw her agitation and tried to put them both at ease. “No one was harmed,” Mark reported. “The windows were shot out, but the sofa suffered the worst end of it. Just warning shots. Pierre and Derik caught one man, but he died. They’re still out there, and they’ve seen traces of two other men.” “I want everyone to return to the main cabin. My home is more secure and easier to defend. Mark, do you have a pair of my sweats?” Dane asked. “Jaycee can’t go out in the snow like she is, and the rest of her clothes are still in the truck.” Mark threw a pair of sweats at him. Dane caught them with one hand while he lowered her to the floor with the other. “Just slip these on under the robe. Here’s a shirt you can wear,” He picked his shirt off the ground and handed it to her. “You can change over there in the kitchen.” “Thank you for your permission.” Jaycee stomped over to the kitchen, fuming. Who made him God? I swear someone needs to hit him over the head with a two by four. I am afraid no one has the balls to do that, and I am not God. I am your big bad wolf, baby!

She smiled at the phrase. So you’re my big bad wolf, then? Well I haven’t seen much of the big bad wolf. When do I get another taste? When she heard the growl, she looked up. Everyone in the room was staring at them and had smirks on their faces. “What, can you all read my mind?” Jaycee glared at Dane. “No, baby,” he laughed. “They can’t read your mind. They’re smirking at me and how little control I have over my mate.” The predator in him stalked over to her and devoured her mouth in a show of ownership. Barely aware of her own movements, her arms slid around his neck and hugged him. Jaycee’s tongue eagerly fought with his, knowing soon she would be gone. She hid this thought in the back of her mind so that Dane wouldn’t know about her plans to escape again. **** The black leather couch felt cold against Jaycee’s bare arms. Her gaze followed Dane’s movements around his home. She absorbed the surroundings of the beautiful, enormous house while his men formed a plan. The natural redwood ceilings rose high like a steeple. A huge stone fireplace on her right took up the entire wall. Four large sofas, six wingback chairs, buffet tables, coffee tables and end tables furnished the living room. She observed everything that went on around her as she listened to Dane and his men planning out details for their safety. Her own plans began to form, even though she wished she could stay. Jaycee knew what had to be done. It was time to leave. Not one of them would be put in danger again. Soon the house would empty out, and it would give her the perfect chance to disappear. Upon their arrival, thanks to Dane’s distraction and anger, she’d stolen his keys. He hadn’t even seen her grab them. The keys dug into her leg as she sat on them, effectively hiding

them. She devised a plan to ensure he wouldn’t know until she was gone. The second he left her to hunt for the attackers, she’d leave in his truck. Jaycee couldn’t believe how simple it had been to lift the keys in Dane’s moment of anger as he transformed. His beast form had been beautiful when he shifted. His thick, onyxcolored fur felt vibrant and shined with health. He stood over seven feet tall in his werewolf form, and his muscles rippled when he walked. She didn’t believe in love at first sight, but her body wanted his; there was no denying that. He’d told her she would be like him now, but she felt nothing, no change. Her legs still cramped if she sat too long. The scars still marred her chest. Her mind played out the final touches of her plan. A cell phone was kept in Dane’s truck. When they’d driven to his cabin, she’d watched his every move so she would know where he kept the phone. Signaling Gaston with the phone Dane kept in the truck would let them know she was on her way home, after she dumped his truck. A letter would be the only thing she could leave him. Anger surged through her mind. She wouldn’t have to leave him if these assholes would just leave her alone. She’d already lost one man she loved because of her failure—her dad. She couldn’t risk Dane finding out what a freak she really was. Pretending to be asleep, Jaycee heard the front door close and knew they all had left. She grabbed a pen from the desk and quickly scribbled her note. My Dearest Dane, I am sorry I had to do this, but I couldn’t risk your disappointment and your life. I’ll always treasure our night of passion, because there can be no other for me. Your truck will be at Hidden Cove. Tell Shelly and your parents I love them and good-bye.

Love, Jaycee Tears slipped down her face onto the note. The letter sat on the desk where he would find it. She slipped out into the garage, climbed into his truck and backed out of the driveway. Without headlights to guide her, she drove the truck out of the area. She glanced in the rearview mirror and saw the lit cabin. Goodbye, my love, and I do love you. The night air hit her face while she drove to Hidden Cove the window open. She made good time and saw the car that waited for her with Gaston and his lover, Frank. Gaston had received the signal knowing she’d be there soon. He’d never let her down. **** Livid, Dane stared out the window. His mind reread the letter she’d left for him. What the hell did she mean… disappointed with her? He was so going to spank her ass when he found her. And he would find her. Tracking had been one of his specialties in his unit. Damn, what was I thinking, leaving her alone again! That was the first mistake he made in years, and now he’d made the same mistake three times in a row. Well, it wouldn’t happen again. “There’s your truck, Captain,” Dane’s best friend, Pierre, stated when they came across the abandoned vehicle. The truck door flew open, and Dane and Adrian began to look for signs she’d left behind. So many tracks he could follow easily, even without his wolf senses to guide him. Another reason to beat her butt. “At least it didn’t snow any more, and we know what kind of vehicle she got into.” Dane said to his men.

“She’s headed north through the back roads. Let’s go, we can still track her,” Dane yelled and jumped into his truck. Inhaling deeply, he filled his lungs with her scent. It went straight to his cock. First, I am going to fuck her till she can’t walk, then I’ll turn her butt red. **** Jaycee pulled into the driveway of Gaston and Frank’s home. She grabbed her purse and keys and strolled up to the open door. Gaston stood in the doorway and gazed down at her, tears in his eyes. “Little angel, what happened? I thought you were safe.” He escorted her into the house. They walked into the living room, and she saw the pictures of her father and Gaston. Tears rolled down her face as she threw her arms around Gaston, hugging him for dear life. “James found me. Now that I’ve found Dane, my true mate, I had to leave him!” “What are you talking about? Dane found you? Does he know who you really are?” Gaston pulled her to the couch, and Frank came in and handed both of them a beer. She gulped hers down. “No, I don’t think he knows who I am. I couldn’t tell him. He would want answers for why I left the pack. It took me two years of counseling with your friend when I first got here. I couldn’t chance him contacting mom or that thing she married.” “I’m glad my friend helped you. When you first got here we didn’t think you would ever come out of your shell. You jumped at the littlest noises,” Gaston said and gently hugged her shoulder.

“Oh, God, what am I going to do? He said we were mated, Gaston. I don’t even know what that means. He assumed I would be able to shift like him, but how can that be if I couldn’t shift when I was younger and my father was Alpha?” Jaycee jumped up and paced back and forth, knowing she had to move fast. She didn’t want Dane to find her, at least not yet. James was her first problem, and she needed to take care of that now. “It’s time, Gaston. You still have your equipment in the salon, don’t you? I need a total makeover now.” She turned towards his salon in the basement, where he worked on clients. “Yes, I have everything ready. And Jaycee, everyone is different when it comes to shifting. It all depends on that person’s makeup. Just because your father was an Alpha doesn’t mean anything. Are you really sure you’re up to this? Confronting James, now?” Worry etched his face as he turned on the lights to the salon. She hopped into the chair, and he wrapped the cover around her neck. “I need you to cut my hair short. I want my red hair and my eyes back. No one will recognize me. Even in the slim chance my stepfather is around, I won’t run anymore. It’s time I take a stand. Get out those gold rings. I want you to pierce my nipples.” She sensed his hesitation. “I’ll be fine. It’s time I put all my training as a submissive to work for me. Did you know dad was into the BDSM scene? I once saw him with some of his equipment, and I couldn’t get it out of my mind. I went online and found out what the items were, and every time I thought of that website...well, you get the idea.” Hair dropped in front of her eyes. “I can’t thank you enough for finding me the perfect Master to train with. I know Dane is into the scene.” Her body broke out in goose bumps. She imagined Dane in the playroom with her.

“You know, even though I can’t stand the thought of James’s men touching me, your friend taught me how to separate my mind from it.” She rambled on and watched hair fall around her. “It’s the only time I’ll be able to get close to them. I need you to contact your friend at the club. Tell them we’re on for tomorrow night. They already attacked once, so James’s men will need some release soon.” A moment of silence fell in the room. Tears formed while her beautiful hair fell to the ground. Her hair would grow out again, if she made it out of this alive. “Do you have my outfit?” “Yes, it’s all ready for you. And no, I didn’t know about your father’s personal life. Frank has designed a tattoo that will cover the scars on your breasts. He’ll bring in the equipment soon.” Gaston stepped back and looked at his work. “He’s turning on the security system now, so we’ll know when someone’s here.” He started to place the dye remover into her hair to bring back the natural dark auburn color she’d kept hidden for so long. “So, tell me: why the change of heart to take James and his men out after all this time?” He moved around to the front of her, applying more remover. Jaycee’s eyes drifted closed, and Dane’s image swarmed through her mind. He was the reason she would put an end to this threat, but until all the old doors were closed, she wouldn’t risk his life. “I want a life with Dane,” she whispered. “If he’ll take me after I tell him everything.” Frank entered the basement with his tattoo equipment. “You know your dad would be very proud of you now, right?” Frank stared at her. She shrugged. “If he’d been so proud of me, why didn’t he take me with him when he left? It’s been fifteen years and not a word.” Anger and hurt slipped out a little, but she didn’t care.

“Okay, this has to set for forty-five minutes. Frank can start on the tattoo now,” Gaston stated. Her hands shook as she unbuttoned her shirt and bra for Frank. They were her family, and she wasn’t the least bit self-conscious in front of them. Hell, they’d seen firsthand what James had done that first night in the hospital. They’d saved her life. She’d told them to never let anyone know of their connection so she would always have a safe home. It’d been tricky to take her to the hospital, to make sure no one connected them to her. They’d done just that and disappeared before anyone could question them about her injuries.

Chapter Four Dane stared at the house that contained his mate. What she was doing in there? He couldn’t hear anything going on in the home and assumed it was sound proof… at least for now. “Mark, do you have the equipment up yet? I want to know what’s going on in there now.” Dane barked his order and began to pace back and forth. “I can smell two males in there with her.” They’d set up a quarter mile away due to the security system that surrounded the home. Whoever these men were, they were smart. He had to give them credit for that. But they had his mate, and that meant war. His men surrounded the home and waited for orders. He had one man trying to disable the security system. Mark handed his brother a set of headphones. “Settle down, Dane. It’s up and working. Come listen.” Dane listened to his mate talk with the two strange men. “Ouch! Shit, Frank, that hurt. Take it easy will you?” Dane’s body shook, claws springing out of his hands as he listened. “This is my first tattoo,” Jaycee disclosed. “It’s going to be more sensitive because of your scars, little angel. Now hold still! We’re all most done, and then I’ll pierce your nipples.” “Where’s Gaston?” Jaycee asked. “Gaston started a late night snack for us.”

Dane saw red, and his clothes threatened to burst at the seams as the beast within struggled to break free. “Pierre, you have that system down yet?” Dane demanded. “Yep, hold on. Okay, it’s down, and they won’t know it when we enter.” “Move in, everyone. Remember, I’ll go in first and no one shoots anyone,” Dane snapped and ran towards one of the bedroom windows. He crawled inside the bedroom quietly. All was silent until Mark and Shelly entered noisily behind him. He glared at her, but she just smiled and waved him on. He rolled his eyes, wishing she had a mate to keep her in line. Treading lightly, he made his way down the hall. He knew exactly where his mate was, and that would be the first place he’d go. He ordered his brother to take care of the man in the kitchen. He could smell her female scent. His beast wanted to rut. His shaft became painfully hard, throbbing for release in its warm, wet home. **** “God, Frank you do such great work. You can’t see the word anymore, and I didn’t even feel you pierce my nipples.” Jaycee giggled and studied her breasts in the floor length mirror. They were beautiful. A tattoo of a dark wolf covered the scars on the left breast. The resemblance to Dane made her chest ache. And a mirror image of her father in his full wolf form covered the right one. Her two men were now, and always would be, close to her heart. “I can’t wait to see Dane’s face when all this is done. I think he’ll like them.” She fingered her left breast. Frank had chosen wisely. “Thanks so much. I love you guys,” Jaycee squealed and hugged Frank.

They all jumped when the basement door crashed open. Jaycee peeked out from behind Frank’s form and saw her mate in the doorway. His eyes were red and his claws had already formed. She knew it took a lot of strength for him to remain in a half a shift like this. His black leather pants strained at the seams, his muscles contracting as they tried to break loose. “Damn it, Dane! You scared the fuck out of me! And how the hell did you get in here?” Jaycee demanded and stepped around Frank. She turned to see Frank smiling, and that pissed her off more. “Wipe that stupid grin off your face, Frank. He broke into your home. You should be furious,” Jaycee yelled. She stood in the middle of the room yelling at not only her mate, but also at her family. “Well, it’s kind of funny, you there half naked, and yelling at your mate.” “Shit, I forgot about that. Where’s my shirt, Frank? Oh hi, Shelly. I should have known you would be here, too.” Jaycee looked for her shirt and nodded towards Dane, who hadn’t moved in inch. “I, at least, am glad he’s here,” Frank admitted. “Gaston and I have been racking our brains to think of ways to stop your stupid idea of confronting James.” Then she heard it. Dane’s growl was very low at first, but it quickly got louder. She took a quick look and saw him stalking towards her. “Dane, what are you doing?” she demanded as he pinned her up against the wall, his gaze scanning her breasts. She noticed one of his hands tracing the outline of the tattoo. “Everyone out!” he ordered. The room emptied. Jaycee gulped, sensing the tension in Dane’s body.

He picked her up, carrying her to the salon chair, and placed her in it. She watched him rip two pieces of cloth from the shirt that lay on the floor and tie her hands to the armrests. She tried to move, but he only growled and glared. “Dane, I had to leave. Don’t you understand? There’s more here than you know,” she pleaded, but he ignored her. His huge hand played with one breast, and he used his other clawed hand to rip her jeans off. She whimpered while he stripped out of his own clothes and stalked back to her. He raised her legs onto his muscular arms and pushed three fingers into her pussy. Jaycee’s head fell back and screamed when he removed his fingers, pushing his shaft into her. Over and over he slammed into her, his brute strength shaking the chair. Leaning down, he bit between her shoulder blade and neck to hold her in place. All she could do was hold on while he staked his claim, again. One of his hands reached down and grabbed her nub, pulling and twisting it, giving her the most intense orgasm she could remember. “Dane!” Quake after quake ran through her body. He howled his release, but he still wasn’t done. Ripping the ties that held her to the chair, he picked her up and took her place, stretching her atop his lap. Jaycee’s butt stuck up in the air, and she tried to get up, but Dane held her down. His big meaty hand came down on her butt cheek with a loud smack. She screamed, “What the hell are you doing?” Three more slaps followed, her butt on fire. “You’ll listen to me from now on and not place yourself in danger anymore! Is that clear?” he demanded, and two more slaps echoed in the room.

Jaycee pleaded, “Dane, stop. You don’t understand. I have to take care of this mess!” Three more slaps stung her rosy butt. Deep sobs took control of her body. “You’ll not go naked around men I don’t know, and you’ll not mar my body unless I approve of it,” he demanded. Two more smacks landed. “Now, you’ll tell me who those two men are before I kill the both of them!” he snarled, his eyes blazing with anger as he lifted her up. She straddled his legs and could feel his still-hard shaft. “They’re friends of the family. They took me in when something happened to me a long time ago. They’re like fathers to me,” she yelled at him yanking her chin out of his grasp. Dane grabbed hold of her again and held fast. “There’s more to this story, but we can discuss that later. For now I’ll spare them. We’ll head back towards the cabin tomorrow,” Dane stated and lifted her off his lap. He grabbed his shirt off the floor and slipped it over her body, then pulled his black leather pants on. He grabbed her hand, and whisked her up the stairs to the kitchen where everyone waited. “We leave tomorrow morning to go back to the cabin,” Dane growled to the two men who sat at the kitchen table staring at Jaycee. “We will stay here tonight.” Jaycee’s anger flared up a notch. “First of all, I’m not going with you.” She pulled out of his grasp. “I know where James and his men will be. I will end this now. Second, you’ll not talk to my family like that again. This is their home, and they will be treated with respect.” She glared at Dane, who turned to face her. “You’ll go where I tell you to go! Did I not warn you downstairs you wouldn’t put yourself in danger again?” Dane growled and pulled her to his body.

“I’ll not place anyone else in jeopardy. Can’t you get that through your thick head? All his men, including James, are into the BDSM scene. I am a trained submissive. He won’t recognize me, and he’s not a wolf, so he can’t smell me!” Jaycee screamed at him. She could see the wheels working behind his eyes. He just stared down at her. Then she noticed a smile, which could only mean trouble, curving across his lips. “First, I’ll test and see how submissive you really are, because right now, I don’t see it. If I feel you are up to it, we’ll see.” Dane sneered and turned his attention back to her family. “Jaycee is right about one thing. I must apologize for being so rude. Would it be okay if my mate and family stay here for the night?” He smiled down at Jaycee, and it wasn’t a friendly smile. She noticed Gaston get up from the table and started to walk towards them. “I’m Gaston,” he said, smiling down at Jaycee. He shook hands with Dane. “This is my lover and partner, Frank. I don’t know if Jaycee explained that we took her in when she was about sixteen. She’s family to us, our child. You’re welcome here anytime. Her room is the third door on the right, upstairs. There are plenty of rooms down in the basement and a couple of spare rooms upstairs on the right.” “I’m afraid you have your hands full, Dane. She has a mind of her own and won’t stop until she gets what she wants,” Frank said. “Oh, I am up for the challenge. Jaycee hasn’t met an Alpha before, but she’ll soon find out what that means,” Dane growled and stared down at her. Jaycee smiled sweetly at him and said, “Oh, but all mighty Alpha, you’re wrong. I have met an Alpha before.” She stomped down on his foot and stormed out of the room. “Son of a bitch!” She heard him yell as she reached her bedroom, slammed the door, and locked it.

“Of all the fucking nerve! I can’t believe they would side with him. I’m family – he’s not!” Jaycee fumed. Between getting dyed, tattooed, pierced, spanked, and told off, she’d had enough for one day. She stomped to the private bath, which held a garden tub. Turning on the water, Jaycee added some of her favorite bubbles. Satisfied with the scent that filled the air, Jaycee began to light candles all around the room and turned on her favorite CD, The Doors. Throwing Dane’s shirt across the room, she slipped into the tub, attempting to give her sore ass some relief. **** Dane would have to find out what she’d meant when she said she had met an Alpha before. For now she was safe, at least. Dane laughed with a mixture of relief and amusement as he watched her storm out of the room. Everyone else in the room laughed except for Shelly, who simply glared at him. “What?” Dane demanded. “You just treated her like a pet dog. I would be furious with you, too.” Dane narrowed his eyes. “Stay out of it, little sister.” “Have you forgotten what that prick did to her? She needs closure, and you’re taking that away from her,” Shelly yelled and stomped out of the room. Dane didn’t say a word. Maybe he’d treated Jaycee badly, but she had scared the hell out of him, and he wouldn’t let up until he knew what was going on. “Shelly will take the room upstairs. The rest of you can pick where you want to stay. I am sorry we had to meet like this, Gaston.” “Don’t worry about. Oh, here is the key to her room. I figure you’re going to need it,” Gaston laughed.

Dane smiled. “Pierre has already put the security system back on and added a couple of improvements, but I want Jack, Dave and Randy to take the first watch.” Dane glanced around the room. “Pierre you’re with me. It’s time to see just how submissive my mate really is,” Dane growled, while Pierre followed him up the stairs to her room. He knew she had locked it, but that wouldn’t hold him back. Unlocking the door, they both entered into the bedroom and heard the music playing from the bathroom. “Pierre, you know what to look for. I think it’s time I got my mate out of that tub,” Dane ordered and entered the bathroom. He took in her sleeping form. Jaycee’s hair was so short. It sat on her collarbone with a new color. He liked it, though. He scanned her breasts and almost squirted his seed in his pants when he saw her piercings and the tattoos. He reached down and picked up his startled mate. He got soaked in the process, but he didn’t care. “What are you doing?” she demanded while he carried her to the bedroom. She gazed around the room and stiffened in his arms when she saw Pierre naked. He was tall but built slightly leaner than Dane. He stared at her body while Dane placed her in the center of the bed. “Dane, what the hell are you doing? Why is he in here?” she nodded and tried to cover her body without success. The man reached over and grabbed one of her arms. He was just about ready to tie it when she yanked away and jumped off the bed. “I don’t know what the hell you think you’re going to do, but I won’t be treated this way ever again!” Jaycee shouted and backed away from the men.

Dane watched and slowly moved towards her, “Jaycee it’s okay, calm down. Pierre is here to play with us. Remember you said you’re a submissive? How are you going to handle James’s men if you can’t handle my friend?” Jaycee stared at Dane; he cupped her face with his hand. “I’m sorry,” she said. It’s just…You caught me off guard, Dane. I won’t be like that tomorrow, I promise.” “I still need to know you can do this. Plus I’ll want Pierre here with us sometimes. He’ll occasionally join us in our playtime when he’s in town.” Dane picked her up and carried her back to the bed. “Let me explain. You’re the submissive. Well, Pierre and I always share our submissive, and tonight I share you. Don’t worry, though. You’re my mate only. Now, no more talking, unless we ask you a question.” Dane gently laid her on the bed. He grabbed one arm and tied it to the bed, and Pierre did the same. She could feel her lower junction moisten. Just the thought of these two gorgeous men taking her to heights she’d never known excited her. A whimper escaped before either of them touched her, and she heard Pierre laugh. “Your mate is eager, isn’t she?” Pierre pulled on one of the breast rings and twisted it. Jaycee knew to keep her mouth shut, but it was hard. She tossed her head and pushed a breast up to his hand, needing more. Hands separated her legs. Raising her head, she watched Dane thrust his tongue into her wet folds. Jaycee’s head fell back onto the pillows, her eyes closing automatically while his tongue made love to her pussy. A cock pushed at her lips, begging entrance. Pierre’s smile greeted her when she opened her eyes. “Open up, baby. I need that warm mouth surrounding me,” he demanded.

Moaning, his huge shaft pushed slowly into her warm, wet mouth. A sharp slap landed on Jaycee’s wet nether lips, causing another moan to slip around the large mass in her mouth. Pierre grabbed onto her head. “Easy, baby,” he said, forcing Jaycee to take him deeper into her throat. She was so close… NO! Dane’s protest rang loudly in her head. “Don’t you dare cum until we tell you to!” Dane growled, attacking the sensitive nub again with vigor. All too quickly, both men pulled away, their gazes traveling the length of her body. Heat traveled up her flesh, the blush starting down at her toes and rose, covering every aspect of her body. Without warning, a pounding at the door interrupted them all. Dane snarled, stomping to the door and only opening it a crack. She couldn’t help watch his magnificent body. Muscles tightened on his ass as he walked, his anger prominent in his stance. Licking her lips, a deep laugh penetrated her thoughts. Raising her gaze, she saw Pierre place a condom onto his thick, long member. “We’ll wait for your mate. He gets a little testy if anyone touches what’s his and he’s not there to enjoy it,” Pierre announced, turning his head to listen to the conversation at the door. Jaycee tried to hear what was being said, but nothing was audible. So much for werewolf hearing! Closing her eyes, she could feel the tears build up. Taking a deep breath and focusing her attention on Dane’s body, she tried to hide her depressing thoughts. Concentrating on the memories of their fierce lovemaking back at the cabin, Jaycee tried to relax. “Why so sad, baby?” Pierre whispered down at her. Jaycee gazed up at him, knowing he could see the redness in her eyes. Turning her head from him, she tried again to relax.

“Dane, we’re going to have to start over. Something’s wrong with our little submissive and she won’t talk,” Pierre stated. He hopped off the bed, and headed to a duffel bag that lay on the floor next to the dresser. She watched Dane close the door and walk to her. “You’re upset? Why?” Dane tipped her head up with his fingers on her chin. She shrugged, not saying anything. How could she tell him her fears and see the disappointment on his face? “I know how we can get the answers from her,” Pierre said, returning to the bed with a flogger. Jaycee sucked in a breath and stared at the thing. She’d always dreamed of being flogged, but she’d never experienced it. Pierre let the flogger smack against his thigh and smiled down at her. She heard Dane grumble and stomp to the bag, digging through it until he pulled out a butt plug. Oh, crap! She watched Dane lube the thing while Pierre untied one hand, then the other. “Flip over onto your stomach. Now,” he demanded. Jaycee took one more look at Dane. His eyes held hers, heat and worry clouding his gaze. Breaking eye contact, she flipped onto her stomach and felt the first sting of the flogger on her already-sore ass. “Hey, that hurt!” She tried to jump up, but Pierre held her down and retied her hands. “This is punishment. It’s meant to hurt. You’re not supposed to hold anything back from your mate. How will he please you if you don’t talk to him?” Pierre growled, slapping her legs. She bucked, screaming. Dane had tried to pick her brain, but she had blocked him out of his thoughts. She knew her barrier would have to be up at all times now until she could take care of her business.

Pierre picked up one of the pillows and slipped it under her hips. Her butt stuck up in the air, and he separated her legs, leaving her open for their inspection.

Chapter Five Jaycee lay on the pillow in anticipation, her butt still in the air. Leather strings of the flogger hit her pussy lips, making her gasp. She could feel the wetness seep out and coat her nether lips. Fingers separated her sensitive lips and a palm made contact with her clit. She screamed as her body shook with need. “Are you ready to talk to your mate?” Pierre demanded and hit the side of her breast that peeked out from the bed. She felt the tip of the plug push into her nether hole. It was cold, but the lube helped push it in with little pain. “Oh my God, Dane!” she screamed as he pushed the plug in, then out, slowly making love to her. Pierre continued with the flogger. He was careful not to miss a single spot on her backside. She thrashed her head back and forth. There was so much going on at once, her senses felt ready to explode. She needed to cum so badly. She quickly caught her reflection in the mirror at the head of the bed and saw Dane’s red gaze staring back at her. She felt the plug go deep, then pull out only to go in again, creating a burning friction. “Tell me what’s going on, Psuchegyne. Please.” Dane’s gaze held her hostage, begging for the words. He pulled out the plug. Tears threatened to fall, and she broke eye contact. The plug pushed back into her. “I am afraid, Dane,” she mumbled into the pillow. The plug stilled. “I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you, like

I did my father,” Jaycee whispered, not caring if he heard anymore. But Dane had heard. Big, gentle hands untied her and pulled her into his arms. His mouth nibbled at her ear, “Why would I be disappointed in you?” Jaycee shook. Could she tell him part of her secret? She sighed and then began to explain. “My father was Alpha of the Southern pack: California, Nevada, and Arizona. You see, I couldn’t shift as a child, or even now. I am afraid… I still won’t be able to shift. Ever. I know that’s why my dad left. I disappointed him,” she whispered into his massive chest, and waited. Pierre slid in beside them, rubbing her back, his magical hands caressing her. “He visited my father, didn’t he?” Dane asked quietly. His muscles tightened on his chest and arms. “Yes. We both did, just before he disappeared. You were out running that night with some female. I could see the two of you up on the hill.” Jaycee sighed. “I was drawn to you then, and then I saw, well… That’s the night my father promised me to your father.” Jaycee rubbed her hands up his chest, lifting her face and staring into his black eyes. His gaze held hers. “My family searched for you for years when we heard you’d disappeared. Why did you run? What happened?” he asked. She tried to sit up, but Dane held onto her and refused to release her. Jaycee leaned back into his arms in defeat. “That’s another story. When I finish with James, I’ll have to leave you for a couple of weeks, so I can finish that business. I’ll explain everything, but I can’t right now. It’s too painful.” “First, we’ll take care of James together, and, second, you go nowhere without me! Is that understood? Whatever happened, we can deal with it together. I won’t lose you, Jaycee.” he stated and kissed the top of her head. Relief coursed through her, then desire as Pierre slid

underneath her and took her mouth in a long, sensual kiss. His hands skirted the tight globes of her bottom and pulled her cheeks apart. She felt Dane pull the butt plug out of her and slide his cock in its place. Jaycee moaned as he pushed his full size into her. Pierre’s lips left hers and he watched his cock slowly push into her wet, tight pussy. “Oh my god, I can’t move…”she whimpered. Dane leaned down over her body. “You’re not supposed to. Let us take care of you.” Teeth pierced her neck from behind. Dane held onto her as they started to move. Heat surrounded her, but shivers went down her spine. The climax was so close. “Please, can I cum?” she screamed as she held onto Pierre. Dane’s hand reached down her body to her nub, pinching it. “Now, our little submissive,” he ordered. Every muscle in her body contracted at the same time and threw them all over the edge. Grunts surrounded her as they released their seed, Dane’s into her body and Pierre’s into the condom he wore. Jaycee collapsed onto Pierre as Dane slid out of her. Dragging her body away from Pierre, her lover lay on the bed and placed her body atop his. “Gaston was at the door earlier. He’s confirmed what you told us. James and his men are in the area.” He rubbed her sore behind. “I don’t like this plan of yours, but we can work with it. I’ll have men stationed throughout the club. Gaston has already spoken to them. You’ll be our decoy, but if one scratch mars my body, I’ll lock you up in our bedroom for the rest of your life, chained to our bed.” Dane snarled. Jaycee knew this took a lot out of him, letting her participate in this scheme.

“Well then, I think we should get some sleep, don’t you?” She wrapped her arms around him and kissed his chest, but he pulled away. He looked down at her as Pierre got out of the bed and lifted her onto his shoulder. He walked toward the door, Dane next to him. “Wait, where are we going? I’m naked!” She tried to squirm her way down. “Hold still, we’re going to the playroom,” Dane explained with a playful slap to her butt. “Do you really think we’re done with you? We’ve only just begun. You still have to prove to me that you’re a true submissive.” Jaycee stopped and stared at Dane. Her body shook with excitement. She’d seen Gaston’s playroom and had always dreamed of being there with her mate. Now that dream was going to come true. Hey, maybe we could build our own playroom when we settle down! Juices ran down her leg onto Pierre’s chest at the thought. “I think she likes the idea of a playroom.” Pierre laughed and strolled into the room. “I know. That’s why I plan to turn part of the basement into our own private play haven,” Dane smiled. Shivers ran up her spine. Pierre sat her down onto a modified carpentry horse. She could never figure out what they’d used it for, until now. A thick dildo was strapped onto the horse. Dane gently reached down between her legs and checked her wetness. She knew his fingers would come back soaked. He picked her up and placed her down onto the dildo. Her legs strapped around the horse itself. Pierre pulled her hands forward, bending her down at the waist, her behind sticking up in the air. Each full breast hung down one side of the horse. Locking her hands in handcuffs, he attached them to the hook in the front of the horse. Warm hands slid down her spine.

Thick, long fingers probed her ass, and the dildo inside of her started to move. A moan escaped her lips. But just as soon as the pleasuring had begun, it stopped. “You’re not to say a word, not even to let a moan can escape. Do you understand? Each time a noise comes from those lips, we’ll stop and punish you.” Dane walked in front of her and grabbed a handful of her short, auburn hair. His long, thick cock pushed into her mouth. The gag reflex was automatic. Jaycee closed her eyes and tried to relax. She swallowed and took him further, smelling the soap he must have used to clean up. She felt the light touch of feathers on her butt and squirmed. Dane yanked on her hair. “Hold still. You’re not showing us you’re a submissive. Do I have to put someone else in your place?” She tried to shake her head no, but he held her still. Jaycee knew she had to control her emotions. Concentrating on one spot, she stared at the St. Andrew’s Cross. Please let them tie me to that! “I think we need to see how she’s going to do with an audience, don’t you, Pierre?” Dane grunted. His seed spread all over her face and breasts. Pierre left the room, and Dane crouched down in front of her. His gaze met hers. “I do this now only to make sure you can handle this, Jaycee. Otherwise, no one but Pierre would be in this room. It might not seem like it, but I’m a very jealous man, baby.” He brushed her bangs out of her eyes. “It’s going to take every ounce of self control I have to do this.” His warm tongue slid across her lips. Seconds later, Pierre returned with three men she’d never seen before. They leaned against the wall and watched. Their pants each reflected how hard they were. The dildo turned back on full speed, and the horse started to move like a bucking bronco.

Dane moved around to her back, his fingers tracing the length of her body. She heard the buzz of another dildo, and someone began to push it into her butt. She snapped her teeth together and willed her body to keep still. One of the men who stood against the wall moved towards her. He walked around her, his index finger tracing down one of her breasts. He pulled on the nipple ring and twisted it. Jaycee closed her eyes tight against the sensations as he continued his sexual torture. Someone grabbed a handful of hair and tilted her head back. “Keep your eyes open. Watch what happens to you,” Dane barked as someone slapped her ass cheek. “I think it’s time we try the cross,” Pierre stated, and everything stopped. Dane released her arms, picked her up, and set her against the cross. He proceeded to strap her down as the other men stood back and watched. A smaller, beefier man stepped away from the wall with a large toy in his hand. He kneeled down in front of her, his round fingers pushing the dildo into her. A red haired man grabbed and twisted her nipples. But she concentrated only on Dane, who stood in front of her, watching and waiting, his cock in his hand. Lust swirled around in his gaze. His hand stroked his cock. “Do you want to cum, baby?” he asked, his voice deep, almost a growl. “Please, Master,” she begged. The men pulled the dildo out of her and stepped back. Dane started forward and grabbed her legs. She twined them around his waist, and his cock brushed against her clit. His gaze heated, he lowered his head and captured her mouth at the

same moment his cock shoved into her wet folds. The strength in him surprised her as the cross pushed back against the wall with a clunk. Dane broke the kiss. “Cum for me, baby, then we’ll go to bed,” he whispered into her ear and bit her neck. As if on cue, her body seized up and tremors racked her. “Dane!” Jaycee screamed. Jaycee yanked on the cuffs, her body craving to hold onto his. Pierre reached up and unhooked her hands. Her arms wrapped around Dane, and she rested her head on his shoulders. Dane carried her to the bedroom and gently placed her down on the center of the bed. His gaze slid down her body as if memorizing every inch of her. He joined her in bed. His arms scooped her up and pulled her body up against his. She looked around, expecting to see Pierre. “He doesn’t share our bed at night. He only stops by to play once in a while. Just watching my men touch you almost killed me tonight. I don’t know how I’m going to react tomorrow. I told Mark to keep me in line. I don’t want to blow this,” he mumbled. He pulled the covers up over their bodies and hugged her tightly. He reached over, turning off the lights, and kissed her lips softly.

Chapter Six A painful knot in her calf wrenched her from sleep. Jaycee grabbed hold of the leg and messaged it. Groaning, she reached over to nudge her mate, only to find the bed empty and cold. The clock next to her bed told her it was twelve o’clock in the afternoon. Jaycee moaned. A light tap on the door gained her attention, and Shelly poked her head in. “Can we talk for a minute?” Jaycee patted the bed in response and scooted over, still rubbing down her calf. Shelly hopped on the bed, eyeing her leg. “Muscle cramp, I take it?” Jaycee laughed, “Yep. I want to say I’m sorry. I can’t tell you everything, Shelly. There’s so much none of you know.” She paused and looked at the bedroom door. “Soon I’ll be able to tell you all of it, but not yet.” Jaycee turned and stared at her friend, trying to gauge her reaction. But Shelly just looked to the door, ignoring all of what she’d said. “You know how I told you I didn’t want to come here this month? Well, one of Dane’s guards claims I’m his mate. He’s here, Jaycee, and I just don’t know what to do. I mean, the man is a hunk and all, but he’s into the BDSM scene. I’ve no experience with that kind of stuff.” She shifted, wringing her hands nervously. Jaycee smiled and took hold of her friend’s hand. “I don’t know what level he is – you’ll have to ask him – but I know he’ll show you everything you need to know. It’s different, Shelly. I don’t have a lot of experience, personally. I mean, I have been trained by a professional, but I have never had my own personal Master until now.” She laughed. “I do know that they only

want your pleasure, and, if he’s your mate, he won’t hurt you. Just take your time.” Jaycee smiled. Shelly flung her arms around her and hugged her. “Thanks for the advice. I’m here if you ever want to talk. Even though they’re my brothers, you’re still my best friend, and I’ll help any way I can. I better go so you can take a shower and put some hot water on that calf.” Jaycee watched Shelly get up and slip out of the room. Pushing the covers off, she limped her way to the bathroom. Yep, hot water would do the trick. She turned the shower on as hot as she could take it and stepped in. She stood under the water, letting all her sore muscles soak up the warmth, when she heard the bathroom door open. She knew it was Dane; his smell alone brought wetness to her folds. Dane’s heated gaze scanned her wet body as he stepped into the shower with her. “I was beginning to think you would sleep all day,” he grumbled and placed her hands on the wall in front of her. He pushed her upper body down, and his fingers entered her wet core. “God, are you always this wet?” “I’m in the shower,” she moaned as he pierced her from behind. His arms came around her, and he grabbed her breasts. This morning he took his time. Slowly, he touched every inch of her body, loving her. Jaycee’s body shook from her release, and she couldn’t catch her breath. A pounding on the bathroom door interrupted them. She snarled and looked towards the door as Dane pulled out of her and stepped out of the shower. “I don’t know what it is, but every time we have been together, someone has interrupted us. This better be important!”

His thick, muscled arm grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist, flinging the door open with a thud. Jaycee could see Gaston standing there, his head lowered. Wrapping the other towel around her body, she stepped around Dane. Gaston looked down at her. “Jaycee, I need to speak to you now. Alone,” Gaston stated and looked at Dane out of the corner of his eye. “I’m sorry, Dane, but this can’t wait.” She looked up, only to see a frown spread across Dane’s handsome lips. Jaycee pushed Gaston into the bedroom, away from Dane. “What is it?” Jaycee hissed over her shoulder and pulled on her robe. She threw the towel down just as Dane stalked into the room still wearing his. He waited, his arms crossed over his chest, daring them to move him. “I need to talk to you alone. I am sorry, Dane, but this business is from long ago.” Gaston pulled her out of the room, across the hall and into his bedroom. The door slammed shut, closing out Dane. Frank was pacing back and forth in the room. “We have a problem. It seems James has gotten in touch with your stepfather. Our men spotted them in town talking. He’s brought about twenty men with him,” Frank growled and shifted into his beast form. Jaycee sank down onto the bed, stunned. “This can’t be happening. How did James find out about him?” Jaycee shivered, a nightmare flashing though her mind: her stepfather and his men each taking turns raping her. “We don’t have enough men for this! We also noticed some of Curt’s men snooping around the surrounding homes,” Gaston said, and walked over to Frank to calm him.

“I am sorry, Jaycee, but we need to know why he’s after you. We know why we hate the man, but for him to go to this extreme, there has to be something. You never talked to us, just to the counselor.” Gaston held onto Frank, and they both stared at her, waiting for answers. The bedroom door bust open, and a furious Dane stood there, glaring at Gaston and Frank. “I want to know what’s going on now. I can feel my mate, and she’s terrified. What’s wrong?” He moved into the room and glared at Gaston and Frank. They all turned and stared at her. Jaycee knew it was time. They were surrounded and they had a right to know what they would be fighting for. She shook her head and got up, walking to the window. Her legs wobbled all of sudden, every ounce of her energy gone. The memory flashed in her mind of all those years spent running. While her gaze was focused out the window, her mind was lost in the nightmare. She rested her forehead on the cold window. “It was my fifteen birthday. My stepfather, Curt Hayed, had tried to step into the Alpha role after my father left, but failed. He threw me a surprise birthday party. But there was no one there except his men and him. They trapped me in the barn and proceeded to rape me, all of them.” Jaycee closed her eyes and saw the faces of the men. “They were going to keep me locked up so no one would find me. But they were all so drunk they passed out. I got away that night and ran. One of my close friends gave me some clothes and money. After a while, I came here, the only place I could think of that would be safe. He didn’t know where Gaston and Frank lived. Hell, he didn’t care about them; he just wanted me. “Curt knew I couldn’t shift. He and my mother had always made it a running joke in our house, teasing me all the time. She knew what he was doing that night, but she didn’t do

anything to stop it. She blamed me for my father leaving, saying it was because I couldn’t shift.” Tears slipped down her face. Her knees buckled, and she would have hit the floor if not for Dane. He caught her and sank to the floor with her in his lap. She couldn’t look him in the face. She felt so used, remembering how all those men had touched her. “Mark, get your ass in here. Shelly, you too,” Dane ordered. He cradled her body, holding her and rocking her. Gaston and Frank sat down on the floor next to them, stunned. Jaycee noticed Gaston shake his head, anger replacing the shock on his face. “Why did this all had to come out now?” Dane asked as he looked up at Gaston and Frank. “I assume something has happened.” “Curt is here in town with James. It looks like they are working together now. Some of my men have seen them poking around the neighborhood. Curt’s brought twenty men with him.” Gaston shook his head in frustration. “His men and James’ outnumber ours. We don’t have much time. They know about this place and that she’s here,” Gaston growled. “I’m sorry, Gaston. I didn’t want to bring this to your door,” Jaycee mumbled. In response, he scooted close to her and took her face into his hand. “Well, I’m not sorry. We’ll both kill him if he steps one foot near you. I just wish you would’ve told us sooner.” Gaston suddenly got up and rushed out the door. “I have to make contact with someone. I’ll be right back.” Frank followed in his wake. “Mark, I want you to call in the rest of my team. We need them, now. They should be able to make it here in an hour. Shelly, inform the rest of my men what’s going on. I want double patrols, and I want Pierre to double-check all of the security systems.” Dane issued his command and rubbed his hands down her arms.

Jaycee watched Shelly race out of the room. Dane stood and carried her across the hall to her room. He sat on the bed with her in his lap. “It all makes sense now. When my father and I went to look for you, your mom seemed as if she didn’t care at all. And your stepfather was nervous. He kept pacing back and forth.” Dane paused. “He won’t lay a finger on you, I promise. No one else will ever hurt you again.” Dane placed his lips on hers in the softest, yet most reassuring kiss. It melted her heart. She broke the kiss and stared up at his face. “I’m sorry about not being pure for you. Maybe that’s why I can’t shift.” Dane smiled down at her. “Sweetheart, I got news for you. Your first shift won’t occur until the full moon, and then you’ll be able to shift any time afterward. You’re already showing signs that it worked. You’re healing faster, and I can smell your wolf. It wants to come out.” He smiled down at her and slipped his hand into her robe, caressing her breasts. “I’m scared, Dane. I’ve been on the run from him for so long.” Jaycee scooted closer to the reassuring heat of his body. He leaned against the headboard of the bed and held her tight. His hand still played with her breast. She laid her head down onto his chest and inhaled his scent. The smells of the forest filtered to her nose. It soothed and comforted her. His warm lips kissed her forehead, and his chin rested on her head. She closed her eyes and tried to picture him as he made love to her, but all that ran across her mind was Curt. “Hush, baby, it’s okay. He won’t touch you, I promise.” Jaycee looked up as someone knocked on the door. “Dane, Jaycee, could I talk to you for a moment? It’s important,” Gaston added.

“Come in, Gaston,” Dane watched Frank and Gaston make their way into the room. “I made contact with the National Council and informed them what has happened. It seems that your father is on his way here with several of his men.” He paused and stared at her. “He’s been working for the Council these past years in secret looking for evidence against Curt and others.” Gaston’s gaze never left hers. Jaycee couldn’t believe it. Her father was alive and he was coming here. She jumped up and paced the room. “Did he say why he never came for me before? Does he think this is going to make up for everything?” She stopped and glared at Gaston. “No. I didn’t talk to him personally,” Gaston replied, watching her carefully. “He left me alone to deal with that asshole when I was just fifteen years old. The damage is done, Gaston. So why now?” Jaycee screamed, fresh tears running down her face. Dane stepped in front of her and wrapped his big, safe arms around her. Gaston pleaded her father’s case. “I’m sure he didn’t know Curt would do this. It seems that Curt has been trying to build his own pack by infecting humans and changing them. The Council didn’t want your father’s pack involved, and they knew his second would jump into the Alpha spot. I’m sure he thought your mother would protect you.” “When will they arrive?” Dane asked, rubbing her back. “They’re on their way. It should take them fifteen minutes to get here. They’re flying in on helicopters. I have my men waiting for them now.” Frank turned and started to walk to the door with Gaston before Pausing and turning back to stare at her. “We love you little one,” Gaston said, walking out of the room. “Crap, what should I wear? Does my father think I’m going to go with him? If he thinks for one minute I am going anywhere with him, he has another thing coming.” She ran to the

closet and threw open the door. Flipping on the switch, she walked in and started to dig through her clothes. Dane followed behind her. Jaycee whipped around the closet, picking out an outfit, only to throw it to the floor to grab another. She heard Dane’s laugh behind her and turned to glare at him. “This isn’t funny. I am scared shitless here, Dane,” Jaycee shouted, turning her attention back to her wardrobe. “Hey, what’s this?” Dane held up a black leather skirt. She knew the skirt barely covered her ass. She smiled up at him, teasing. “That’s what I was going to wear tonight. I have some killer black leather boots that come all the up to my thighs to go with it. You should see me in them.” She fluttered her eyelashes, continuing to tease him. “I must say I look hot in it. When Gaston and Frank first seen me in that skirt, they had a fit. They tried to take it away, but I hid it. I found it again yesterday.” Jaycee bent down to the floor and grabbed her boots to show him, but she didn’t get the chance. His deep growl indicated he wasn’t too happy. He grabbed onto her and turned her around, pushing her robe out of the way. The noise from the zipper from on pants was the last thing she heard before he pushed his thick cock into her tight folds. He snarled. “You’ll not wear that outfit for anyone except me. If I’d known you even planned on wearing that, I would’ve tied your ass down to that bed and sent someone in your place.” Hoyt gripped her hips tight and banged into her again. Her laugh ended in a moan.

Dane reached around, grabbing her clit, and pinched it. Her body jerked with hard, quick tremors that surged through her. Her tight inner muscles squeezed his cock, milking it, and sent him over the edge. A voice from long ago penetrated her fuzzy brain. He was there, and she was making love. “Shit, Dane.” She turned her head and growled. “Now look, I’m not even dressed and my father’s here. Goddamn it!” she yelped as he swatted her ass, pulling out of her. He grinned at her, tucking the black leather outfit away into a plastic bag. “Just pick something, and make sure it’s a dress. Every time I think of you in this outfit, I’m going to find you and fuck you.” Dane growled and walked out of the closet, her outfit under his arm. “Are you crazy? You’re not touching me in front of my father!” She pulled on a blue navy skirt and a blouse to match. She heard the men downstairs and shoved her feet into a pair of sandals. She was just in time. Dane pulled the door open a moment later, and her father entered. She walked backward in confused steps and stared at the man before her. He had the same dark red hair. His emerald eyes gazed down at her, their eye color matched. He looked the same, expect a little older. “Angel, it’s me.” Her father, Guy Manz, stepped up to her and ran his hands through her short hair. “What happened to your hair?” he asked disapprovingly. “It’d still be there if I hadn’t had to hide for the past fifteen years. But, then again what would you know of my life? Since you never bothered to check on me or protect your little girl!” Jaycee growled and jumped back. “Jaycee!” Dane spoke forcefully, but she refused to be admonished.

“What, you expect me to rush into his arms? He left me, and I had no one to protect me! Was it because I couldn’t shift? Were you so disappointed in me that you left? Do you know what they did to me?” All the emotions of her past came tumbling right out. “Ten monsters raped your so-called little girl, daddy!” Jaycee sank to the ground; tears ran down her face, and she glared at her father. Dane moved behind her and pulled her onto his lap. He held her and comforted her while her father crouched down in front of her. “I didn’t know.” His whisper offered little comfort to her. “I swear, I didn’t know. They were supposed to watch over you. Angel, I promise I never meant to be gone so long. I found my true mate while I was gone. She wants to meet you so badly. You have a younger brother. He’s eight now.” Her muscles stiffened, bones cracked, her head fell back, and a howl rumbled up from deep inside her. “Who the hell cares!” The room turned red. Claws tore out of her skin on her hands, and fur covered her flesh. All the while, Dane held onto her tightly. Then she heard him speak in a worried tone. “She shouldn’t be able to change till the full moon! That’s not until next week,” Dane yelled over her growl. “Her anger is triggering the change. You need to concentrate, Jaycee, and slow your breathing. You can do this.” Jaycee understood him, but she didn’t want to listen to anything he said. She lunged at him. Dane held onto her, preventing her from moving. “He’s right, Jaycee. You can do it.”

Jaycee took a deep breath and concentrated, focusing on her shift. Dane released her, and she stood up to gaze at him. She turned over her hands, only to see them covered in red fur. Stepping awkwardly she walked to the full length mirror and gasped. She was beautiful as a werewolf. Her short snout protruded from her face. The only thing that remained the same was her green eyes, which stared back at her. Small, pointy ears twitched, and her whiskers tickled her snout. Smiling, her sharp, pointy fangs protruded from her mouth when she noticed Dane in the background. He stood naked in his were form. She looked down his body and saw his huge cock sticking out at attention. He cornered her up against the wall, turning her around, and shoved his shaft into her pussy. Out of the corner of her eye, she witnessed her father walk into the hallway, shutting the door. Dane bit her neck, bringing her attention back to him. He held her in place. She wrapped her feet around his waist and dug her claws into his shoulders. Jaycee knew his beast was claiming his mate, and she loved it. “You’re mine! You’re so beautiful. I’ve never seen a fiery red were,” he spoke into her mind. “I need you, Dane.” Jaycee’s soul touched his, and they entwined together, connecting them for all time. She howled, and her body shook. Dane shoved one last time into her as his howl joined hers. A mental connection with Dane’s pack snapped into place in her mind. Jaycee was now their Alpha bitch. A rush of emotions to protect her pack and her family swarmed her senses. Dane slowly released her and gazed down at her.

“Concentrate on your human form, and you’ll change back. It won’t hurt this time, and it will be quick.” Dane turned back into his human form. He stood there, naked, and watched her slowly change. Within minutes the fur disappeared and her hands were clawless, her body normal again. She jumped into his arms and hugged him. For the first time in her life, she felt whole, part of something greater. “It felt so amazing! I can shift, and you did it. Thank you,” she whispered, kissing his face all over. He laughed and held her tight. Her father’s cough from the other side of the door brought her back to reality. Slowly, she lowered her legs, opened the door, and turned to face her father. “I can understand your need to protect your pack now, and I can understand you needing to leave. But I still don’t know if I can forgive you for leaving me at the hands of that thing. I needed you, and you weren’t there for me. No one was.” Dane wrapped a robe around her body as she spoke. Jaycee stepped forward and hugged her father. “I understand your motivation, but I’m not ready to meet your mate or my brother. It would be too much to know you had another family that didn’t include me. I’m sorry.” She stepped back into her mate’s arms; he wrapped them around her, embracing her. “I’m truly sorry I wasn’t there. I really believed your mother would protect you. I should have known something was wrong when I didn’t hear anything from my source,” he lamented, a single tear dropping down his cheek. Gaston came running into the room. “Excuse me, I didn’t mean to interrupt, but we have a problem. It seems James, Curt and their men are gone. We don’t know how or when, but

everyone is gone. The only thing I can think of is someone has told them that the Council sent backup,” Gaston barked. Jaycee watched her father’s beast come out, accompanied by a howl of anger. “There has to be someone here who contacted them,” Guy, Jaycee’s father, snarled. “Well, I know it’s not Gaston or Frank. They could have turned me over so many times,” Jaycee mumbled and walked to her closet. She grabbed another dress, since the last one lay in shreds on the floor. “We know that, baby. And I know it’s not Mark or Shelly,” Dane said as he jumped into his pants. “If we split and all go our own ways, they’re going to know. They’ll wait and attack when we don’t have the numbers to fight them. We need to establish a home base until we can confront them and take them out.” Her father paced back and forth. “Dane, your pack is well established, and, if I’m correct, all your pack will be at the monthly meeting in the next two days. I think we should make that our home base for now,” Guy stated and grabbed his phone. “I’ll place a call and have the rest of my men meet us at your home. I’m also bringing my mate and son,” he said, with a swift look at Jaycee. “I don’t trust our enemies not to go after them, now that they know I’m alive.” Anger and hurt swirled around in her as she listened to her father’s concern for his new family. He never thought of me when I was young. Baby, now is not the time. Dane moved into the closet behind her. I know it hurts. He hugged her from behind and nibbled on her neck. Jaycee knew he was right. She listened to her father sprout out his orders.

“Gaston, I want you and Frank to come, too. Bring only the ones you trust. We’ll have all the men we need there.” He walked out of the room as he began to place a call. “Well, looks like it’s time to leave again,” she said as she walked to the door with Gaston on her arm. She glanced back over her shoulder and saw the evil grin on Danes face. Don’t worry, baby, I have some fun stuff at my home just for you. You can wear that nice little outfit I’m going to tuck into my truck. Do you want to bring those clothes in the closet with us? Do you mean the big bad wolf would pack my clothes for me? No, I’ll get them in a few minutes. I don’t want anyone going through my things. What are you hiding, my little wolf? Jaycee walked into the kitchen, laughing, and noticed one of the men from last night. What was his name? “Baby, this is Jesse. You met him last night,” Dane laughed. Jaycee swatted his arm as it came across her hips when he grabbed her. Jesse put his cell phone in his pocket when Dane grabbed her. “So, when do we leave for your home?” “We leave in two hours. Why don’t you grab something to eat and go pack when you’re done? Just remember when we get home that it’s your home too, baby. And I get to inspect those bags for any goodies.” He swatted her bottom as she pushed away from him and dug into the fridge. If you’re lucky, I might let you see my goodies, she laughed. Honey, I’ve already seen your goodies, and I most definitely will inspect them again soon. Now as for your toys, I will have the great pleasure of trying out every one you have on you.

Don’t you think you should be trying to find out who the informer is and not worrying about my toys? Oh honey, I can do both. Didn’t I mention I’m the big bad wolf? Jaycee just stuffed a strawberry into her mouth when his words sank in. The berry flew out of her mouth and across the room. She laughed as the strawberry hit Dane on the back of the head. He slowly turned to her with a grin on his face. “Do you need help eating too, baby?” Dane grinned. Gaston and Frank burst out laughing, along with Jaycee. She turned to see her father, along with another female and a young boy, walk into the kitchen.

Chapter Seven Jaycee gaze blurred, staring at her father and the woman before her. The laughing stopped. A little boy peeked out from behind her leg. “Jaycee, I’d like you to meet my mate, Kate, and your brother, Sam.” A concerned look entered Guy’s eyes. Her stomach tightened, a strange constriction took up residence in her throat, and, with great effort, she forced herself to breathe. She glanced at Dane. I don’t think I can do this. Dane got up and walked around the counter, wrapping his arms around her from behind. “Yes you can, baby,” he whispered into her ear and nibbled on it. “Are you really my sister?” the little boy asked. She took another deep breath and walked around the kitchen counter. She stooped down to the boy’s level. “If you’re his son, then I’m your sister,” she gulped. Jaycee rose and glared at her father. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to pack.” She started to walk out of the kitchen when she heard Kate speak. She glanced over her shoulder. “Do you need any help packing?” Kate had followed her towards the door, her son close behind her. She shrugged and kept walking towards the bedroom. She knew she should be civil to the lady since she would be staying with them, but her emotions were playing ping-pong with her right at that moment. You’re doing fine. Just take your time. She knows this is tough for you.

Thanks. I know that when all this crap is done, I want a vacation. Maybe Key West. I hear they have this great club, called Pleasure and Pain, in Miami. Maybe I can talk Shelly into going. We could go shopping during the day and clubbing at night. Jaycee smiled and walked into her bedroom. After we finish this business and have our bonding ceremony. We’ll go away, but there will be no clubs unless you are with me. I would want to wear my outfit to a club. I’ve always wanted to go to a BDSM club. No one in public will see you in that, baby, so get that out of your pretty little head. Now get packing and make sure you bring any toys with you. What makes you think I would show you my toys? “So, where would you like to start?” Kate asked, breaking off their shared conversation. “I have three suitcases inside the closet there. The clothes in the closet are all going. I’ll pack up the bathroom. Hey, Sam, if you look in the dresser by the bed you’ll find some cool things to play with while we pack,” Jaycee yelled over her shoulder. She knew her Game Boy Advance was in there with some games he could play. She opened up the cabinet under the sink and found her black leather case with her toys sitting there, open. Weird. I didn’t open this. Jaycee grabbed it, her finger going inside the bag. A burning sensation ran up her arm, and she dropped the case. She fell backward onto her ass, holding her hand. “Shit, what the hell?” Jaycee jumped up and turned on the faucet. Her hand burned, and it itched like crazy. Her hand started to swell and turn red. “Jaycee, are you okay?” Kate came into the bathroom and stared down at her hand.

“It burns. I don’t know what’s wrong.” Tears rolled down her face, and her breath caught in her throat. Dane burst into the bathroom, her father right behind him. “I sensed your pain. What happened?” Dane whispered, holding onto her. Kate grabbed her hand, inspecting it carefully. “This is an acid burn. Look at the blisters popping up. Jaycee, you need to shift to push the poison out of your hand. That’s the only way it will heal right,” Kate said and looked up at Guy. Jaycee felt dizzy, confused, but her wolf whined to come out. “Shift, baby. You can do it.” Dane held her. The wolf took over, and she shifted. The pain lessened to nothing as the poison was pushed out of her skin. The burning and itching had stopped. The poison covered her fur and dripped harmlessly off her paw. “Give me your hand, Jaycee.” Kate grabbed her hand carefully and wiped off the acid that still remained on the fur. “Good, you can shift back now.” She looked down, took a big breath, and relaxed into Dane’s arms, shifting back. Her clothes were once again in a pile on the floor. She grabbed a towel from behind Dane and wrapped it around her waist. “I swear I’m not going to have any clothes left if this keeps up.” She tried to laugh, but failed. “You okay now? Where did acid come from, Jaycee?” She looked up into Dane’s eyes and then onto the floor where her case lay. Everyone’s eyes followed hers. Her father kneeled down to inspect the case, and heat traveled up her neck. In a moment she knew her face would be beet red. Dane, those are my toys. I don’t want my dad to see them. Baby, your health is more important than embarrassment.

Jaycee watched her father carefully inspect the open bag. Acid had covered her toys, melting them into a pile of goo. Her father’s angry eyes gazed up at her. “It seems our traitor is in the house,” Guy snapped, and Dane’s body begun to shake. “We need to find this person before we leave. Gaston, I want everyone in the family room now!” Guy looked up over his shoulder and ordered. Jaycee hadn’t even noticed Gaston standing right outside the bathroom. “Dane, you better help my daughter pack. We don’t know what other kind of surprises might be waiting for her.” Walking into the closet, she glanced at all her clothes and grabbed a simple dress to put on. Slipping it on, she grabbed one of her suitcases, only to have Dane snatch it out of her hand. At the sound of his hiss, she looked up at him. His hand was wrapped around a King Brown Snake that he’d just picked out of the suitcase. She could see he’d snapped its neck. She’d seen pictures of them at one of her past jobs at the zoo. It was one of the top ten most venomous snakes in the world. Jaycee backed away from the thing even though it was dead. “This has to stop. I’ll have one of my men pack your things. Were lucky Kate didn’t grab this bag,” Dane barked and walked out of the closet with her right behind him. Her father, Kate and Sam were waiting for them. Seeing the snake, her father snarled, his bones cracked and fur covered his body once again. “Let’s go. We have a meeting to attend. And be sure to bring the snake with you,” her father demanded and escorted his mate and son out the door towards the family room. Dane pulled her close, and they walked down the hallway together. She glanced at the snake, and a shiver ran up her spine.

“Dane, how are we going to find out who’s doing this?” Jaycee walked into the room full of men. “Watch how a Council Alpha finds our traitor,” Dane reassured, rubbing her back with his free hand. All the men filled the huge room and watched as her father paced back and forth, glaring at all of them. “I have called you all here for a reason. We have a traitor among us, and, before we move, I want this person. As you all know, I am one of the National Council’s Alphas and, with this, I have certain powers some of you might not be aware of. We’ll find this traitor, now.” Jaycee watched the men growl, their anger evident. Shelly slipped in next to her and took hold of her hand. Her father walked around the room, his mate and son surrounded by guards. Guy walked up to Dane and took the dead snake from him, showing it to everyone in the room. “This was in my daughter’s suitcase, along with acid on her personal belongings,” Guy growled. Jaycee watched her father, still in his beast form, take the bag containing her case and sniff it. He laid down the bag after he put the snake in it and continued pacing back and forth. Scanning the room, she noticed Jesse slowly edging towards the door. His eyes never left her father’s. His shirt clung to his body; sweat poured off his face and rolled down his chest. Jaycee knew something wasn’t right with him, and she elbowed Dane in the ribs. When he looked down at her, she motioned with her head at Jesse. He slowly moved his gaze and released her hand. He shifted in a matter of moments. Dane jumped from her side to Jesse’s and attacked him. They both hit the floor, Dane’s teeth at his throat. Guy stalked over to where Dane and Jesse lay on the floor. He sniffed Jesse’s hands and growled.

His fangs sank into Jesse’s fur. “Why?” She heard Dane growl through his teeth. “You threw my sister away. She should have been Alpha bitch – not that slut!” Jesse growled and tried to struggle with Dane. Dane got up and shoved him towards Pierre and Mark. They held him tight, both of them in their beast form. “She wasn’t my mate. I told her long ago, and I thought she’d understood.” Dane snapped. “And I don’t have to explain my business to anyone!” “She loved you. Hell, you were with her until you smelled that bitch, and then you just threw her to the curb like trash,” Jesse spat out. His beast started to rise, but her father raised his hand, shoving it back into his body. She watched Jesse double over in pain. “Take him to the basement, and see what you can find out!” Her father ordered his men. “Dad, he has a cell phone in his pocket. The person he called might be programmed into the phone,” Jaycee informed her father. “You were always a smart one.” He smiled proudly. Pierre pulled the cell phone from Jesse’s pants, throwing it to Dane, who caught it mid-air. He opened the phone and scanned it, then shook his head. He brought it over and handed it to her. “I don’t know any of the numbers. Do you recognize any?” Dane asked. Jaycee scrolled through the outgoing phone numbers. She noticed two; one was James cell phone and the other, her mother’s. Jaycee sucked in her breath, feeling like a horse had kicked her. “How could she?” Jaycee trembled and handed the phone back to Dane. “How could who, Jaycee? What’s wrong?” Dane asked. His arms slid around her.

“My mother’s cell phone number is in there, Dane,” she whispered into his chest. Growls filled the room. Jaycee just burrowed further into his chest, an emptiness sitting in the pit of her stomach. Once again, her mother had known everything and not come to her aid. “God, Jaycee, I am so sorry! I never thought she’d do this to you,” Guy admitted, anguish in his voice. For the first time, a part of her relaxed around him. She lifted her head and gazed into his eyes. “You didn’t know. No one knew,” Jaycee whispered. “I want to go to our home now. Please.” She pleaded with Dane and looked up into his eyes. He nodded, scooping her up into his arms, and carried her to his truck. Her father followed with Kate and Sam. “Dane, I’m going to send Kate and Sam with you, along with half of my guards. I am going to personally question Jesse. I’ll meet you back at your home with the rest of the group,” Guy informed him, and guided his mate and son into another vehicle behind theirs. Dane opened up the passenger side door, and she climbed in. Pierre slid in after her and wrapped his arms around her, smelling her hair and resting his chin on her head. Dane opened the driver’s side and hopped in. Shelly, Mark and another guard got into the back of the truck. Jaycee noticed Shelly watching the other guard out of the corner of her eye, and she smiled. So this was Shelly’s mate. She eyed him: he was tall and well-built. He had long, dark hair, and it looked like his nose had been broken a few times from the way it formed. Dane turned and lowered his mouth to hers. “You’re going home, baby, for good,” he told her, and his kiss claimed her all over again.

Pierre hugged her tightly. She smiled up at him, and he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “We’ll keep you safe. No one is going to mess with my playmate,” Pierre snarled, kissing her again, but this time on the lips. He pushed his tongue into her mouth and tasted her. His hands skimmed her breasts, resting on them while he played with her nipples. Lifting his head, his gaze roamed her face, then settled on her breast for a moment. His hands stayed where they were. “So I don’t understand something. Explain to me what my father is doing for the National Council?” Jaycee asked as she stared out at the snow-covered mountains. “The National Council has ten Alphas that keep track of all the werewolves on the globe. Your father is one of those Alphas. From what he explained to me, his segment is the west side of the U.S., which includes my territory.” “Okay, I understand that. But he’s different than before, more powerful. It rolls off him when he’s in his beast form,” Jaycee mused and laid her head back onto Pierre’s arm. “All of the Alphas at National have tremendous powers to help them control and hear the wolves under them. They know what is happening everywhere,” Dane stated as he mischievously slid his hand up her bare thigh. “Concentrate on the road,” Jaycee giggled, trying to push his hand away, but Pierre grabbed her hands and held onto them. Dane continued what he was doing. She sighed, trying to relax, but it was hard as Dane’s fingers slipped under her thong, the material ripping under his grip. He yanked it completely off her and brought it to his nose to inhale her scent. She squirmed in her seat, his actions turning her on again. He pushed her thong into his coat pocket and once again traced up her leg to her pussy. His fingers brushed over clit before he

pushed two of them into her wet folds. Mark moved up close to her, changing seats with the guard in the backseat. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched the guard move closer to Shelly. His hand slipped around her shoulders while his head lowered for a kiss. Mark slipped his arms around Jaycee, blocking her view of the backseat. He inched her blouse up, exposing her breasts to the three of them. Mark hissed. His hands traced over her breasts and squeezed them. “God, you’re lucky, Dane. She’s beautiful and so responsive to touch,” Mark mumbled. Pierre nibbled on her neck while he held her still as Dane slid another finger into her pussy, stretching her further. “What the hell are you guys doing to me…”Jaycee moaned. Her head rolled to one side of Pierre’s chest. “We’re a very touchy people, Jaycee. You haven’t been around a pack in years. You’re going to have to get used to us touching you. Pierre, separate her legs more. I need more room for what I’m planning.” Dane gazed over at her for a moment. Pierre shifted and laid her head down on his arm. Her whole body was now open to them. Dane continued, his finger fucking widening her further. “You have to stop,” she moaned. “No, baby, let us play,” Dane whispered while he continued to drive. Pierre separated her legs with his, opening her wider for Dane. Meanwhile, Mark leaned his head down, taking one of her nipples in his mouth. Lust swirled in his eyes as he watched her. Her muscles burned under the extra pressure and stretching as Dane began to work his fist into her pussy. Jaycee tried to get up, but they held her down while Dane worked his whole hand into her wet folds.

Jaycee threw her head back onto Pierre’s chest and arched up, giving Mark more of her breast and pushing Dane’s hand further into her. “Oh my God, Dane…” Her body burned and trembled. Pierre whispered into her ear, “That’s it, baby. Take him all. Let him give you the ultimate fucking with his hand. We smell how hot and wet you are. Feel Mark sucking your tit, biting your nipple.” Jaycee couldn’t think straight. Pierre’s dirty words, Mark’s mouth on her breast, and Dane’s hand were driving her crazy. “Dane, I need to…,” she moaned. Mark bit her again, and Dane rubbed her G-spot. She tried to buck, but their hands held her down. Craning her head, she noticed they had arrived at the street that led to Dane’s cabin, her new home. Dane pulled up into the driveway and turned off the truck. “Now, cum for me, baby,” he whispered, his head lowered, his mouth attached to her clit. She screamed, her gaze went blurry and her body shook like it had never shaken before. The orgasm rolled on and on until it finally eased up. Mark let go of her breast and kissed her lips, smiling at her. Pierre lowered her blouse and squeezed her breasts, softly kissing her head. Dane slowly removed his hand, sucking up the rest of her juices. Jaycee lay there for a moment, trying to get her thoughts and body under control when she felt Dane lower her skirt. He leaned over her and smiled down at her. Jaycee rose and glanced back. Shelly had a dreamy look on her face. The guard had just slipped his hands out of her pants and zipped them up, smiling that proud smile of when a man takes what he wants. “Welcome home, baby,” Dane whispered.

Jaycee couldn’t help it – she started to giggle. It had been so long since she’d felt this relaxed and safe. Lifting her body, she threw herself at Dane and laughed. “Thank you. If you do that every time we come home, I’ll just have to make sure I leave more often to have you bring me back,” Jaycee said, and she heard Shelly laugh. “I don’t know what you’re laughing about. I saw that smile on your man’s face.” Jaycee banged her head angrily against Dane’s massive chest when he laughed. “Hey! This isn’t funny,” Jaycee mumbled into his chest. “Sweetheart, you’re going to have to get used to it. Wolves love to touch and feel. Shelly has seen us play, and she will again. So will the rest of the pack,” Dane stated, opening his door and dragging her out with him. He lifted her into his arms and walked up to the house she’d just run away from last night. It was beautiful in the daytime. A modern log cabin home with… “The pack house is attached to my home, but only certain people are allowed in it. I wanted the pack close, but I also like my privacy,” he said with pride as they stared up at the home. She could see the pack house. Several females stared at her from the front door. One, in particular, glared at her, and she knew who it was. Jaycee ignored her, giving her a view of the back of her head. She was Alpha bitch, and she wouldn’t tolerate any shit. “Put me down for a minute, please. I have something to take care of before I see our home.” She smiled and kissed Dane’s chin. Dane slowly lowered her and frowned. Jaycee straightened her back and made her way towards the pack house. Her gaze never left the three females on the porch. They all growled at her when she approached, but she didn’t

back down. She stepped up onto the porch, staring at the females. She could feel Shelly and Kate at her back, but she ignored them. She had to do this herself. “Hello, I’m Jaycee. I’m Alpha Bitch of this pack now. I would welcome you as friends, but you seem to dislike me already, and I will not have tension in my pack. So let’s hear what you have to say now and finish this shit.” Jaycee growled and waited. One woman stepped forward, her face right in hers, and she snarled. “You’re nothing but trash! I should have been Alpha Bitch, not some slut,” she yelled and spat. Sticky salvia landed on her nose. Her body shook, and heat traveled up her neck to her face. “So you’re the bitch whose brother tried to kill me. He could have killed one of the Nationals Alpha’s mates with your vendetta. Now, I don’t know if you were in on it, but we’ll find out soon enough. Shelly, you and Mark take her to her cabin and make sure she is secure there until my father gets here. He can find out if she lies. As for the rest of you, I hope none of you were involved in their plans, because if I find out you were, I’ll rip out your innards and have them for supper.” Jaycee growled as her beast took control and clothes fell from her body in shreds, again. She watched Mark and Shelly escort the furious woman away. The other females slowly lowered their bodies to her feet. They groveled and showed their respect and acceptance. “I’m not here to hurt you, but I will not tolerate discord in this pack,” Jaycee snarled. She turned around and saw Dane. He stood there, lust and pride flowing from his eyes. A low growl rumbled up his throat and escaped. He stood in beast form, his clawed hand wrapped around her, and pulled her into his body. Jaycee knew what he wanted, and she wanted it, too. She knew the men had already secured the area, so they were safe to head away for now. She slipped away from him and ran

towards the woods. Her beast growled and knew its mate was hot on her tail. She heard his footsteps draw closer, and she whipped around a boulder, turning left and going deeper into the woods and up the mountain. She looked back and didn’t see him when she ran straight into a solid form. Jaycee would have flown backwards, but Dane grabbed her. He turned her body towards a boulder and placed her hands on it. His body covered hers from behind, and his shaft slid into her. He snarled low in this throat and bit her neck, holding her down while he pounded into her. His hands grabbed onto her breasts and squeezed them, hard. She felt his balls smack her ass, his cock pushing further into her. He released one of her breasts and slapped her ass as he fucked her. Jaycee was in heaven; her beast thrived on the pleasure and pain. “More! I need more!” she growled. Dane pushed her face down towards the ground and lifted her legs from behind. He held onto them as he angled himself, moving even deeper than before. He set up a fierce rhythm and growled with pleasure. She felt his bulbourethral gland swell and knot, locking them together. His cock rubbed her G-spot. Jaycee threw her head back and howled. Massive tremors shook her body, and sweet passion raced through her veins. In the fog of her mind, she heard him howl his release. They both collapsed onto the ground. “Ouch!” Jaycee yelped as she fell onto a rock, hitting her breast. He rolled her body onto his, shifting back to his human form. Hers followed suit. “You were so hot back there. I love to watch you show your dominant side. God, I didn’t think I would last watching you. You’re going to make a great Alpha Bitch,” Dane mumbled into her neck and then sucked on it. She knew she would have a nice hickey.

“You keep that up, and we’ll never get home. Now come on, get up and let’s get going. I want to show you our home.” Dane picked her up and cradled her when he stood. “Is my big bad wolf going to carry me all the way home?” Jaycee giggled into his neck, licking the spot she’d just marked. He’d marked her so she’d decided it was about time to mark him. No bitches were going to get her man. “I don’t or will never want another, baby,” Dane said and looked down into her eyes as they made their way towards their new home. “But you let others be with me?” she asked, searching his eyes. “You know I am Alpha, and, with me being Alpha, I need to make sure you are bonded with another so if something happens to me, they’ll take care of you. I’ve picked two men who both have Alpha blood in them. Mark, my brother, and Pierre, who came from another pack. He has been with me for the past ten years.” Jaycee lowered her head to his chest, thinking about it as he carried her up the path to the house. She didn’t ever want to think about him getting hurt or dying. “Hush, nothing is going to happen to me. I plan to make sure we have little ones running all around. Many little ones.” He growled and nipped her neck. “Many? How many are you talking about here?” she laughed as he pushed past the front door right and into the living room, where many stood waiting for them. Jaycee groaned; she was still naked. The people in the room laughed, but Dane ignored them, running up the stairs two at a time with her in his arms. He opened the door to the bedroom and threw her onto the bed, following her down. “I would take you again, but we have people waiting for us. Some of your clothes are already put away in the dresser. Make sure you don’t have anything covering my pussy, woman.

I want to know you’re walking around, waiting for your master,” he growled, kissing her fast and hard. He jumped off the bed and grabbed a pair of jeans. She watched as he slid them on without anything underneath. Jaycee groaned. She grabbed a pillow and hugged it to her face. “What the hell?” Jaycee protested when she felt his hand come down on her ass. “Get dressed, baby, and stop groaning.” Dane’s master voice came through as Jaycee slowly got up and walked to the dresser. She knew he was watching, so she made sure to put on a show of moving her hips a little more than normal. She bent down to open a drawer and spread her legs a little more, giving him a good picture of her ass and pussy. They needed to get downstairs, but she wanted him again, now. Her pussy cried for him. Jaycee heard the zipper of his pants and his snarl. “You are so bad I can’t get enough.” He grabbed her ass and fell down to his knees, taking her with him. Jaycee kneeled in front of him, her ass in his face he pushed her legs further apart. Dane pushed his head forward and licked her juices. Jaycee raised her head and turned to watch. The door knob turned and Mark walked into the room, shutting the door behind him. His eyes heated as his hand went to his pants and unzipped them. “I should have known,” Mark smirked and walked around them. He stopped in front of her, his shaft already out of his pants. He grabbed her head and guided her mouth to his cock. “Suck it, baby.” Mark pushed his cock in and out of her mouth, driving deeper with each thrust. She relaxed, her gaze taking in his body. He was built like his brothers, stocky and muscular. He had brown hair, whereas Dane’s was black as the night. Sky-blue eyes stared at her

with passion and lust. His other hand roamed over her face and caressed it. She felt Dane rise, separate her ass cheeks, and slowly enter her ass. Jaycee moaned around Mark’s cock. He slid out of her, and she watched him slip on a condom. Dane stood, picking her up with him, never losing connection with her ass. He reached around her, separating her legs, opening them for Mark, who pushed his cock into her wet folds. Jaycee was in heaven. Both men took her while they stood. They held her body tight in between them. She watched Mark lower his head; his teeth grazed her nipple, then bit the tip, while Dane grabbed her clit with his thumb and forefinger, squeezing and rubbing it. Her head rolled back, hitting Dane’s chest. Every muscle in her body tightened, and juices squirted from her. She soaked Mark and part of Dane. A puddle formed on the floor from her fallen juices. “Oh my God! What’s happening?” she whimpered. They both released their seed, and another tremor ran through her body. Slowly, her mind came back into focus. She had pissed on them. She lowered her head and refused to look at them. All she wanted to do was crawl into a hole and disappear; never before had she been so embarrassed and ashamed. Jaycee tried to extricate herself from between their bodies as tears slid down her cheeks. What’s wrong with me? I have to be deformed! Jaycee screamed in her mind. Both the men tried to soothe her. “Hush, Jaycee, it’s okay. What you did is rare. You didn’t have an accident on us. You squirted your juices on us and reached your maximum release. Only a few women can do this.

You have no idea how much this turns us on,” Dane replied. He and Mark dropped to their knees and licked up the juices that covered her body. She watched and heard the little noises they made licking her body. Jaycee had never heard of such a thing, but they looked like they were enthralled with her scent. Jaycee tried to move to go to the shower, but both of them growled and held her still. They continued to lick, suck, and nibble her skin. She was getting hot again. “We need to take a shower and clean up here,” Jaycee moaned as they both hit her pussy with their tongues. Mark ripped off his condom and slowly pulled away, his eyes red as fire. Dane stood behind her, his eyes also red. They glared at her and pushed her towards the master bathroom. She stood and stared at her surroundings. The bathroom was almost the size of the bedroom. The shower and whirlpool tub could easily hold six people. Then she noticed the different showerheads at each level. They could move to cover any part of a body. Dane picked her up and set her inside the tub. “Why are both of your eyes glowing red?” Jaycee asked Mark and Dane as they stepped in and grabbed a showerhead. “Your body calls for us. It signals that Mark is also part of our bond. You now have two mates, baby.” Dane cupped her chin and smiled down at her.

Chapter Eight “I have what?” she whispered, dumbfounded, her mind in a fog, when she suddenly felt warm water pulsing against her pussy. Her gaze dropped down, and she saw Mark smiling up at her, the head of one of the jets aimed at her mound. “Wait, how do you know he’s my other mate? I’ve never heard of anyone having two mates.” Jaycee tried to push the jet away from her. “It’s rare, but it does happen. When a woman or man is especially powerful, there is a need for that person to have more than one mate. I have a feeling this is one of the reasons why you couldn’t shift as a teen,” Dane mumbled behind her. Stepping behind her, he brought another pulsing jet down on her nipple. “We’re going to take you again, baby. First Mark will push his cock into you, marking you. Then I get my turn.” Dane stepped back as Mark stood and pushed her body up against the wall. He picked her up and sank his cock into her tender pussy. Jaycee’s legs wrapped around his waist, and her head leaned against the wall. He was thicker than Dane and stretched her more. “I need more, Jaycee. Unhook your legs.” His gaze heated and red, he brought one of her legs up on his shoulder, then the other. He pushed in deep, banging her over and over. “Yes!” He leaned down and bit her breast. His cock rubbed her nub, sending an orgasm ricocheting through her body. She felt his body shake and his warm essence pour into her body, which sent off another orgasm.

“Mark!” she screamed. Too exhausted to move, her legs slipped off his shoulders. When she glanced at Dane, she saw him stroking his cock back and forth. She shook her head and knew he would take her. Mark kissed her forehead and carefully lowered her body down, stepping out of the way. Dane stepped up to her and traced her cheek with his finger. “My turn.” He turned her body to face the wall and placed her hands against it as well. “Hold them there, baby.” He spread her wobbly legs wider and ran his hand down her butt cheek. “Mmm I love your ass. So round and full. But, I have to admit, I love it better when it’s red.” His hand came down with a smack. “What the hell?” Jaycee turned to see his hand come down again on the other cheek. “Dane, what are you doing?” she moaned. His hand smoothed over her butt cheeks, soothing the sting. His long cock pushed into her wet pussy. “You shouldn’t complain, little one. Your body was craving my hand.” His hands grabbed onto her breasts, and he squeezed. Every time his legs brushed against her tender ass, it sent a tingle up her spine. One hand trailed down to her mound and circled her clit. “Mmm. Your nub is all nice and swollen.” He grabbed it and squeezed. She arched her back and closed her eyes. The strokes came slowly at first as he circled her, his hips rubbing the head of his cock against her vagina wall. “Dane…” “Hush, baby, I’ll take care of you.” He slid out of her and turned her around, wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her. “Wrap your legs around me, baby.” Dane slid back into her and lowered his head to her breast, biting her other breast to match his brother’s mark. His hips moved faster and harder into her. His cock swelled, and his hip bone continued to ground against her swollen nub. “Come for me, Jaycee. Let me feel you tighten on me.” He licked the breast with his mark on it.

Jaycee’s head fell back, her legs and arms numbing as a tingling sensation soared through her body. She couldn’t even say a word; her third orgasm took every last bit of energy she had left. Mark smiled, turned off the water and stepped out, taking her out of Dane’s hands. His cock slipped out of her, but she still didn’t move. “I think we tired her out. She can barely move,” he smirked, and she moaned. Dane laughed, getting out of the tub, and grabbed a towel, drying her limbs. They moved to the bedroom and gently placed her on the bed. “You have half an hour, and then I want you to come downstairs and meet everyone. Oh, and Jaycee: make sure you don’t wear any underclothes. We want access to you at all times.” Dane pulled on his pants as Mark laughed and walked out the door, closing it behind him. She stared at Dane’s body. His thick biceps pulled as he shrugged on a tee-shirt. His body was every woman’s fantasy. He had dark hair on his head and chest, his body was hard and muscular, and his voice sent shivers up her spine every time he gave an order. “What are you staring at?” Dane gazed down at her naked body and stroked a finger along her nipple. Goosebumps broke out on her heated body. “I was just thinking about what a sex magnet you are, and how I’m going to have my hands full with the women around here. Or anywhere we go.” Her voice sounded thick and deep, and her gaze traveled down his body. His smile heated, he leaned down and took her mouth in a passionate kiss. He pulled away and kissed her nose. “Half an hour, baby.” Jaycee smiled as he left the room, shutting the door behind him. She walked to the dresser and pulled out a pair of jeans. He’d said no to underwear, but he hadn’t said anything

about jeans. She loved to tease him, and now she could tease both of them. She walked to the window and buttoned up one of Dane’s shirts, smiling as she inhaled his scent. The view from the balcony window was beautiful. She could see the next mountain and the valleys below. She loved it up here and couldn’t wait to explore the whole area. She just had to decide what she wanted to do for work. She’d had many jobs in the past, and none of them appealed to her right now. Stop worrying so much! You’ll have plenty to keep you busy here. Remember, you’re the Alpha Bitch now, and you’ll have to plan all the gatherings, bonding ceremonies, and arrange the pack home. You’ll also be very busy pleasing your two mates. Jaycee laughed and walked downstairs. She looked around, but no one was in the living room. Where are you? Can Mark talk to me like this now, too? Yes, I can, now that I have mated with you. And we’re in the dining room waiting for you. It’s through the doors on the left, down the hallway at the end. And Dane was right. You’ll be very busy pleasing your mates. Jaycee shook her head and smiled. I thought you’re supposed to please me, oh mighty Alphas. Hey, since Mark is my mate, is he also Alpha? “He has always taken on the role of the Alpha when I couldn’t. The pack knows that he is Alpha, too, but with us being mated to you, he will take on a bigger role. Oh, so now I have two big bad wolves nipping at my heels. I see how it works. Jaycee laughed and walked into the dining room. A feast was laid out before her in a buffet style. She could tell it contained most of her favorite foods. She inhaled the aromas, and her stomach growled.

Dane laughed, his eyes twinkling as they roamed the length of her body. One eyebrow arched in question at her choice of clothes. She hid her smile. “What, you said no underwear. Well, I didn’t hear anything about jeans,” she whispered and flew by him when she heard his snarl. Kate came up and hugged her. “You’re very lucky to have two mates. Boy, am I jealous. Two Alphas – what a dream! I wanted to say that I’m sorry if it upset you, me standing behind you when you confronted those females, but you’re new to this situation and I would have never forgiven myself if something happened to you,” Kate informed her and stepped backwards, smiling at her. “Your father loves you so much. He never forgot about you, Jaycee.” Jaycee felt awkward around her, but she knew Kate meant well. “I know you meant to help, and I appreciate everything you’ve done. You’ve already done more than my biological mother ever did for me. As for my two mates, it could be a blessing or it could be a pain, depending on how much they try to put a leash on me.” Jaycee whispered the last part, watching both mates approach. She knew they’d heard her by their identical snarls. Kate laughed and hugged her again. “Well, if you ever need anyone to talk to, please don’t hesitate. I want to be your friend. Sam is already smitten with you from all the stories your father has told him about you.” She groaned at the thought of the stories her father would tell. “I’ll have to talk to your father and hear some of those. Maybe he can give us some tips on how to keep you in line.” Mark frowned at her clothes. “What? These are my favorite jeans. I happen to think they look great on me, thank you!” She rolled her eyes and dared him to respond.

“You would look great in a potato sack, but didn’t we say that we wanted access to you?” Mark asked. Jaycee squirmed. “No, actually you guys said no underwear, and I am not wearing any. Now, I’m starving. If you’ll excuse me, I am going to go get something to eat.” She started to move, but they held her there. She groaned, and her stomach growled again. They smiled down at her, and Dane cleared his throat to get the attention of everyone else. “I want to welcome our new guests, Kate and Sam, to our home. I would also like to welcome the newest member to our pack, our mate Jaycee. We’ll have our bonding ceremony tomorrow night. Her father has agreed to perform the ritual. Spread the word. We expect the whole pack to be in attendance,” Dane stated, and hugged her. Mark stood at Jaycee’s other side, holding her. Pierre stood in the back of the crowd. He seemed distant as he took her in, his gaze heated. His stare made her feel uncomfortable. “Our mate is hungry, so let’s eat. Tonight we’ll eat at the pack house,” Mark announced, surprising her. She wasn’t sure she was ready to meet the entire pack. Dane and Mark lead her towards the buffet table and grabbed plates. “Exactly how many members do you have in your pack, anyway?” Jaycee asked, scooping some potato salad onto her plate next to the roast beef and ham that Mark had gotten her. “Well, let’s see. We added ten more last year, so that would make our pack size about three hundred. We’re the largest pack on this side of the U.S.,” Dane threw out, not thinking anything about it. Jaycee stood there, stunned. She was going to eat with three hundred people, and she was their Alpha. Her head swirled, partly from not eating and partly from fear.

Mark grabbed her around the waist and steadied her. Dane just stared. “You’ll do fine. Now, come on. You have to eat,” Dane ordered and put more food onto her plate. They lead her down the buffet table, piling her plate full of food. By the time she sat down at the huge table with a mate on either side of her, she couldn’t see the bottom of her plate. Jaycee laughed, “You guys really think I can eat all this?” “You’ll eat it. Your body needs more food to shift,” Mark mumbled and stuffed a large bite of meat into his mouth. Jaycee grumbled and started to shove food into her mouth. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Pierre’s angry glare. She started to say something to her mates, but stopped when her father walked into the room with more guards.

Chapter Nine “Sorry to interrupt your meal, but I need to talk to your mate,” Her father said with a frown. “Well,” she pointed to both Mark and Dane, “which one would you like to talk to? It seems I have two,” Jaycee laughed, shaking her head. “You have two mates? Good, Dane will need the extra help to keep you in line.” Guy grinned down at her. She stuck her tongue out at him while both of her mates got up, and leaned down to kiss her cheeks. “Be good. We shouldn’t be long, and I want to see that plate clean when I get back,” Mark ordered, turning and leaving the room. Jaycee looked around and noticed had Pierre gone, too. Shrugging her shoulders, she dug into the food. Her mates never showed up so after lunch, so she walked around the house and explored every room. It was huge. She hadn’t even seen all the rooms before she needed to get some fresh air. She grabbed her coat to take a walk outside when Kate found her. “Where are you going? You should take a guard with you, you know.” Jaycee rolled her eyes. “I’m just going to walk around the house to see the grounds. I need to walk off all this food they made me eat. There are plenty of guards around, and the pack house is just over there,” Jaycee told her. The afternoon sun was deceiving; cold wind whipped her hair around her face. “It must have dropped ten degrees since we got home,” she muttered under her breath, but she was determined to keep walking. As she strolled around the pack

house, she could see some of the members at the windows, unabashedly staring at her. Then she spotted an enormous hot house. “God, that’s beautiful,” Jaycee whispered and strolled over. The tropical air inside forced her to shed her coat upon entering the building. Taking a deep breath, the heady fragrance of so many different flowers relaxed her. Tidy rows of vegetables grew along one part of the greenhouse. As she was admiring the flowered plants, a pair of strong hands pushed her up against the back wall. Pierre flipped her around and glared down at her, “You’re supposed to be my mate, not Mark’s. What did you do, you slut?” Pierre spit out, grabbing and squeezing one breast in a hard grip. Jaycee cried out as pain seeped into her chest. “What are you talking about? I didn’t do anything!” she screamed, and tried to push him away from her. He snarled and ripped her shirt off her body. Claws scratched her neck, drawing blood. “Why are you doing this? You’re Dane’s best friend! He trusts you,” she screamed, as he tried to rip her pants off her. She wouldn’t allow herself to be raped again. Her beast rose, giving her the strength to keep his hands at bay while she screamed in her head to her mates. Hothouse, help me! Pierre! She gasped. Their growls were the only answer she needed. They were on their way. Pierre’s claw snagged on one of her front pockets of her jeans and ripped it. The door to the hot house slammed against the wall. Help had arrived. Pierre’s hands disappeared, and Mark stood before them in beast form. His big, furry arms wrapped around her and hugged her. Her beast receded, bones crunched, and she finally blew out the breath she had been holding.

“Why did he do that, Mark? I didn’t do anything. He’s Dane’s best friend. Oh god, Dane’s going to hate me!” she cried into his fur, grabbing a handful and hanging on. Nightmares threatened to return as she held onto her big wolf. Mark lifted her head and saw the slow trickle of blood dripping down her neck. He snarled and proceeded to lick her clean. “I don’t know why he did this, baby, but Dane won’t hate you. He loves you. We’ll figure it out after Pierre gets what’s coming to him.” Mark nuzzled her ear. She turned her head, looking for Dane, but he wasn’t there, and neither was Pierre. Mark scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the main house. She snuggled up in his fur to keep warm. When they entered, Kate waited with a robe. Mark lowered her feet to the floor, and Kate wrapped it around her. “I guess I should have listened to you about getting that guard. I just didn’t think anyone would do that, especially him,” Jaycee admitted, staring down at the floor. She leaned back into Mark’s body, and he wrapped his arms around her, placing a kiss on her head. “I was only kidding, Jaycee,” Kate told her. “I honestly don’t know why he would do this, but your father and Dane will find out. Don’t worry about it. You did nothing wrong. Now come and have some coffee; you must be freezing. I think we’re going to get a blizzard. The temperature has dropped so fast.” Jaycee felt a rush of gratitude toward her stepmother. “Kate, I want to thank you for all you’ve done,” Jaycee said, as Mark walked her over to the roaring fireplace where the couch waited for her. She curled up onto Mark’s body when he sat down, needing his comfort. Kate handed her a cup of black coffee. “No need to thank me. You’re my stepdaughter, and I’m hoping in time we can be friends.”

Taking a sip of coffee, she smiled at her. “I think that can be arranged. Where’s Sam?” Jaycee asked, and looked around. She spotted his head in a big chair that almost swallowed him up. He was still playing with her game boy, and she laughed. “I think he’s addicted to that thing. Thank god I had the educational game in there.” Kate laughed with her and watched him play, his face set in determination. “I don’t think you’re going to get that back anytime soon.” Mark laughed aloud, and then stopped when Dane and her father walked into the room. Both of the men were frowning. Jaycee knew something was wrong as they approached her. “What? Did I do something that I shouldn’t have? Why are you staring at me like that?” She sucked in her breath when Pierre walked in. He looked terrible; a black eye was forming, and his lip split open and swollen. He stood beside the fireplace and stared at her. She shrunk back next to Mark, and the sudden movement made her coffee drip onto her jeans. Kate grabbed the cup before she could spill it all over herself. “I need to talk to Jaycee and Mark alone.” Dane bent down, picked her up and cradled her body against his. He carried her upstairs to their room. She looked over his shoulder and watched Pierre following them at a slower pace. His gaze never left hers. Her body shook – with need or fright, she didn’t know. The attraction to Pierre was still there, but she didn’t understand it. Dane sat her down on the bed. Pierre closed the door behind him and leaned against it, watching every move she made. Mark snarled and waited. He sat down on the bed, pulling her onto his lap. “What is he even doing in this house, after what he did? You better explain, brother, because right now I want to rip his head off.”

“Your father and I couldn’t figure out why he attacked, until we noticed something. Jaycee, you marked him last night, claiming him as yours.” Dane ran his hand through his hair and paced back and forth. “Your father thinks he’s also your mate in some way. You see, Pierre and I have a… how can I say this… we have a bond. I’d marked him as mine, also, before you were even in the picture. I did it when we were in Iraq. Guy believes that your body has formed the same bond. He’s heard of a female having three mates, but it’s rare. It usually means the bitch has special powers. He thinks that’s why it took you so long to shift, since your body wasn’t ready yet,” Dane explained and sat down next to her. Jaycee just stared at Pierre, then Dane. Her mouth had to be hanging open. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Three mates! How the hell…” Jaycee jumped up, facing Mark and Dane. “And how do we find out if he is my mate?” she demanded, her hands on her hips. “Well,” Dane stared at Pierre, then back at her. “He needs to take you without protection.” Dane fumbled with his words, almost looking embarrassed. Jaycee turned her head towards Pierre. He stood there and said nothing. “If I’m his mate, why did he attack me, and scare the shit out of me? Not to mention, he called me a slut!” she yelled and ran into the bathroom, locking the door. She heard Mark’s growl. “You called her a slut? What the hell!” Mark shouted. Clothes ripping and furniture being shoved around could be heard through the door. Her legs trembled, and she slowly sank to the floor. Bringing her knees up to her body, she laid her head down on them. A knock on the door made her jump. “Baby, come out please,” Dane begged. “We really need to get this resolved.” Jaycee stood, taking a deep breath, and opened the door, her body in overdrive.

Dane reached out and pulled her close to his body. She peeked into the bedroom. Mark and Pierre lay naked on the bed. Mark sat on the bed stroking Pierre’s cock. Pierre turned his head and smiled at her. “It seems that Dane isn’t the only one who has a bond with Pierre.” Mark barked and bit down on Pierre’s neck, marking him. They were beautiful. She’d never watched two males together, but tonight it just seemed right. Dane removed her robe and slipped off the rest of her torn up jeans. She looked up at him and he, too, stood naked. Moisture gathered between her thighs as Dane led her to the bed. Jaycee stopped when she got close. Dane, I don’t think I can. I’m afraid. Both of us will be right here, baby. Let him apologize for what he did. He’ll make it up to you, I promise. Dane picked her up and laid her next to Pierre. Thank God they had a California King bed. Pierre leaned over and kissed her lips softly. She didn’t move. Dane slipped onto the bed next to her, his hand reaching for her breast. “I am sorry, Jaycee, but when I saw you with Mark and Dane…” he looked down, and she could feel his shame. She reached up and ran her hand through his hair. “You should have talked to us, Pierre. Remember I’m new to all of this stuff and have no clue what is normal.” His head lifted and he stared into her eyes. “I felt so left out and hurt. My wolf wants to claim you. He wants to break out now. It’s taking everything for me to keep him in check now.” Pierre lowered his head to her other breast and sucked it into his mouth. His gaze never left hers.

Her body arched to his mouth and Dane’s hand. She looked up and saw Mark put on a condom and lube it. Turning her head, she noticed Dane lubing his cock also. Strong hands lifted her up, and Dane slipped in under her. She lay back down on him, and Dane’s cock pushed at her ass. Pierre reached behind her and separated her ass cheeks while he waited for Dane to slip in. Jaycee moaned as Dane slowly entered her. His hands came around and grabbed her breasts. He offered them to Pierre, and they took turns sucking each one. Dane lifted her legs with his hands and wrapped them around Pierre’s waist as Pierre pushed his cock into her pussy. Mark kneeled behind Pierre. Pierre left her breast, smiled down at her and moaned. Peeking around Pierre, she watched as Mark slid his cock into Pierre’s ass. Heat rushed up her neck to her face, and she moaned. “God, you guys are beautiful,” she whispered. Pierre’s face held nothing but pleasure and contentment as all three of them started to move in perfect harmony. Jaycee wrapped her arms around Pierre and forgot about everything but the feeling of them making love to her. Dane’s hand slid down to her clit and rubbed it; at the same time, his hand stoked Pierre’s cock as it pulled out of her. “Do you feel it, baby, the connection we have? We were made for each other,” Dane whispered, and pushed back into her ass. He was right. She could feel the connection they made. Then she felt something else stir in her body. She didn’t know what it was, but when she threw her head back and screamed, power flowed out of her. Her body went into small spasms as an orgasm entirely different than before rolled over her. Her whole body tingled.

All three men groaned their release. Slowly, she looked out over the room. The windows were open, and the dresser drawers lay on the floor. Clothes lay spewed all around the room, making it look like a tornado had hit it. “Dane, what just happened?” she whispered. Pierre smiled down at her, and Dane slipped out of her. He moved her up next to him on the bed, and they looked around the room. He laughed. “It seems we found your power. You have telekinesis. You’re able to move objects with your mind,” Dane stated, getting up to go to the bathroom. Mark brought them two wet towels and handed one to Pierre, then turned Jaycee over and cleaned her. “You’re very impressive. We’ll be the envy of everyone. There are only a few who possess not only a beautiful mate, but a very powerful one as well,” Mark said, and pushed her back onto her back. Jaycee couldn’t believe it. She concentrated on a sundress that was in the closet, and it flew through the air. Jaycee yelped, and it fell to the ground before the bed. All three of her men laughed. “That’s not funny.” She thumped Mark on the head and got up, grabbing the dress off the floor. She pulled on her dress and headed for the door. She knew Dane was coming for her, so she smiled and thought of him tripping over the rug. Sure enough, he went down. Jaycee ran for the door, escaping their growls. She laughed all the way down the stairs.

Chapter Ten Jaycee stepped off the stairs, and her father watched every move she made. A curious expression covered his features, and Jaycee watched him in puzzlement. She wanted something to drink, though, before she talked to him. Walking into the dining hall, she headed towards what she thought would be the kitchen. It took her a minute to realize she’d turned down the wrong hallway. “Great. Lost in my own home.” Jaycee peeked in several of the closed doors, but she still couldn’t find the kitchen. Turning a corner, she tried another door and came face to face with Blair, Jesse’s sister. “What are you doing in my home? You’re supposed to be at your cabin under lock and key!” Jaycee snarled, her beast close to the surface. “What? Didn’t Dane, or anyone, tell you this is my room? I’ve been living here for the past four years. This is my home,” Blair sneered crowding into her face. Jaycee could have sworn every blood vessel in her body was ready to bust. She couldn’t believe they hadn’t moved her. Jaycee’s clawed hand shoved her back and slammed the door shut, locking it from the outside so she couldn’t get out. Sarcastic laughter followed her down the hallway to the living room. Stepping through the door, she spotted two of her mates talking to her father. Without saying a word, she stomped up the stairs, marched into the bedroom, and started packing a suitcase. The boiling point of her temper still refused to cool. By the time she’d reopened the bedroom door with her packed bag, some of the tension had evaporated, but hurt now replaced it.

She strolled back downstairs and noticed the quizzical stares on each man’s face, as she marched out, suitcase in hand. Jaycee shielded her mind so the men wouldn’t trespass on her thoughts. All three of them waited next to her father. Kate, Sam, Shelly and the guards watched her from different spots in the living room. Every eye followed her movements. “Where do you think you’re going?” Dane demanded and stepped in front of her. Infuriated beyond measure, she turned and pierced him with a glare. “I am going to stay at Shelly’s cabin. Alone! When you decide which female you want in YOUR HOME, let me know. Until then, you will not touch or talk to me.” Snapping her teeth, she centered her power on all three mates, picked them off the floor, and left them hovering against the ceiling. With an extreme sense of satisfaction, she walked to the door. The exit loomed before her, until her father stepped up to block the escape. Jaycee yelled, “Get out of my way. You have no say in what I plan to do. You lost that privilege years ago.” She glared at her father. “What in the hell has gotten into you? Surely you and your mates can find a way to work this out without leaving the premises. You have to be protected.” She could see the effort it cost him not to make it a demand. “Tell me something. Would Kate stand for you having mother live in the same house as the two of you? Would you lie and not tell her she’s still living there? In addition, would you go against your mate’s decision in front of the whole pack when she was new? Well, they have done this to me,” Jaycee yelled, pointing at the airborne men. Their frustrated growls were feral, and all three beasts’ furious glares threatened her with retaliation.

Jaycee faced her father, who suddenly seemed very interested in his feet. A guilt filledlook covered his features. “So you knew that she was living in this house, too. Did everyone know except me?” She looked around the room. Everyone started studying the décor without saying a word. Oh, they are so going to pay! A blaze of anger beyond anything she’d ever experienced surged through her. Utilizing incredible strength, she picked her father up, moved him out of the way, and willed the front door to open. She held out her hand, and her jacket flew into it. Slipping it on, she gazed around the room. “You know…Shit, there’s nothing to say, you just didn’t trust me. So, how is the pack supposed to respect and trust their new Alpha Bitch?” Jaycee stepped outside, inhaling the fresh air. The snow had already started to fall. It would take her fifteen minutes to walk to Shelly’s cabin, but driving seemed like a much better idea. Jaycee walked to Dane’s truck, flung open the door, and started the engine with her powers. She tossed the suitcase to the passenger’s seat and sat behind the wheel. Five minutes later, the cabin came into view. The bullet holes had been repaired, and she couldn’t even tell the cabin had been the victim of a shoot-out. By now the men in her life would be freed from the ceiling. She got out of the truck and opened the door to the cabin with her mind. With a flick of her wrist, her bag landed on the new couch while she bolted the door with her powers. She waved her hand, and a blazing fire lit up the fireplace. With a whoosh, she dropped onto the couch. How could she hate her mates but still love them at the same time? Because, right now, she hated them. It felt as if someone had punched her in the gut. Curling up, she threw a blanket

over her legs and gazed at the flames. Tears ran down her face. She remained lost in thought until she heard a soft knocking at the door. “Go away!” Jaycee ordered. “Jaycee, it’s Gaston. Frank, Kate, Shelly and Sam are also here with some guards. Can we please come in?” With a sigh, she unlatched the door using her new powers and willed it to open. They all came in, sitting around the living room. She closed and locked the door again. “What do you want, Gaston? I can take care of myself. You know that. And why did both of you come?” Jaycee looked at Kate and Shelly before turning back to stare at the fire. She waited for an answer. “I’m sorry about this,” Shelly whispered. “I told them to move her out before you even got here, but she refused to leave. Then I told them to tell you, but they just shrugged their shoulders. You know how men are,” Shelly said, sitting next to Jaycee on the couch. “Tell me, Shelly, is it the same bed they slept on, also?” Jaycee looked up to see Shelly look away. Her guilty silence answered the question. The world shifted under Jaycee. They didn’t even think she was worth a new bed. “Kate why did you come here and bring Sam?” Jaycee asked. “Do you think I could actually stay there after what they did? Even your father could have had her removed, but he didn’t. They’re all pigs! I wasn’t about to let them watch Sam. You’ve seen them. They can’t concentrate on anything, let alone a child,” Kate snarled, and walked over to give her a big hug. “I think everyone is forgetting that there is a formal dinner tonight to welcome Jaycee to the pack,” Frank stated, looking at Jaycee. Jaycee’s head whipped up, glaring at him. He backed away a little.

“Do you honestly think I would go after they’d made me look like a fool? They went against my orders; the whole pack knows. Do you really think the pack is going to respect me now?” The question had merit, and maybe she was feeling sorry for herself, but she deserved to. “You need to speak to your mates; you need their protection. A lot of people want you dead. They’re not going to stop until they have you.” Gaston stood up and started pacing back and forth. “No, Gaston, they’ll have make the first move and have that slut removed from the house, and then that bed will be burned for all the pack to see,” Jaycee demanded, getting up and going into the kitchen. She was hungry again. The pounding on the door announced the men’s arrival. She ignored them and pulled out lunchmeat to make a huge submarine sandwich. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Frank go towards the door. “Don’t even think about it,” she ordered, not even bothering to turn around as she finished her sandwich. “You have to let them in. They’re your mates,” Frank told her. Jaycee shrugged her shoulders. “They know what they have to do. I won’t say another word to them, and they won’t touch me again until it’s done.” “Jaycee, open this door now!” Dane demanded in an Alpha tone of voice. Seconds later, the power of all the Alpha males surrounded her, commanding her obedience. The power flowed over her, forcing her to obey. She fell to her knees screaming, “NO!” Her body, however, crawled to the door, forced to obey his orders. Her beast broke loose and came out fighting. It was too much. Jaycee threw her power out, opening the door, but she didn’t move. Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks as she glared up at her mates and her father when they walked into the

cabin. She couldn’t move; Dane still held her in his power. She watched helplessly as all three of her mates surrounded her. “Come back to the house now,” Dane ordered, staring down at her. “Is she gone? Did you burn the bed you shared with her?” Jaycee demanded. “She has lived in that home for the past three years. There are no other cabins available for her right now. You’re being foolish!” he growled, grabbing her arm and yanking her up in front of him. “Shelly, would you mind staying at the house with me so that slut can stay here until there is another cabin built for her, preferably in Alaska?” Jaycee asked, staring Dane straight in the face. “She can have this cabin. I always wanted a cabin on the southern mountain, anyway,” Shelly answered, standing behind her. “There’s your answer. Now move her, and destroy that bed!” Jaycee demanded, yanking her arm free of him. He snarled. His large arms surrounded her and held her. “Mark, have Blair move her things from the house to here. Bring our bed outside to the pit. We’ll burn it tonight at the dinner.” Jaycee didn’t say a word as Dane released her. She just walked out the door to the truck. Her bag followed behind her as the truck door opened and the bag flew in. Jaycee went to get into the driver’s side when Pierre pulled her to the passenger side and lifted her in. She didn’t say a word as they all drove back to the main house. Mark left them to retrieve Blair and her things as soon as they entered the living room. Jaycee’s stomach flipped and growled, since she hadn’t gotten to finish her sandwich. She

looked around the room she was in. Noticing some sandwiches lying on the tables, Jaycee made her way there. She grabbed one, stuffing a bite into her mouth. Dane grabbed her arm, dragging her towards the stairs, “I’m not going anywhere with you, so you can just let go of my arm right now,” Jaycee snarled through a mouthful. She dragged her feet, trying to stay put, but he wasn’t having it. He flung her up over his shoulder, and her sandwich went flying as he smacked her ass hard. He didn’t say another word, just carried her up the stairs to a different bedroom. Pierre followed them, slamming the door behind them as they entered the room. Dane threw her onto the bed, pinning her body with his. She tried to use her new powers, but nothing worked against them. “Your father told us how to fight your powers when it’s necessary,” Dane stated, his nose almost touching hers. “You won’t ever make a scene like you did today in front of my men and pack. Do you understand me?” he shouted and shook her. Hurt and anger played back and forth inside of her. He was worried about his pack more than he was about her. Jaycee brought up her knee, shoving it into his balls, and threw him off her. She jumped off the bed, growling, and watched Dane cup his balls in pain. Pierre stalked her slowly. “Don’t you even touch me! Since your pack is so important to you, go fuck them. It seems I mean nothing to you, except to lie to and fuck whenever you want!” her beast snapped, showing her fangs. Pierre and Dane both moved around her slowly. They cornered her, but they didn’t dare touch her. “You need to calm down. You just attacked one of your mates,” Pierre ordered. “Why? So you can lie to me again, and make a fool out of me in front of the whole pack? Do you honestly think they’re going to respect me now, after you ignored my orders? You want

me to respect you in front of the pack, but you won’t do the same for me!” she shouted. Her claws pushed out of her skin, ready to attack anyone who came near her. “Did you honestly think I would want to sleep on the same bed you fucked her on? She threw this all in my face! You’re supposed to back the pack bitch.” Jaycee noticed them step back, giving her more room. She looked up and noticed her father standing behind them. He stepped up closer to her. “Jaycee, I want you to calm down. If you don’t, I’ll be forced to bring on the shift, turning you back to your human form, and it’s going to hurt badly, angel,” he stated, waiting for her to calm down. Glaring at her father, she hated him and her mates right then. She was faced with no other choice but to back down. Jaycee concentrated on her human form and shifted back to her normal body. She pushed past her father, stopped at the door for a moment, and glared at him. “You know something? Out of all the things you could have done to me, this hurt the most. You didn’t think for one minute about how I would feel. You’re supposed to be my father and protect me, but you didn’t. Instead, you thought only of the bitch and the pack. I guess the pack will always come first, as well as any other female before me.” Tears rolled down her face, and she ran out the door, down the stairs, and straight into Mark’s arms. He held her tightly. “Don’t cry, Jaycee. We didn’t know it would hurt you this much.” Mark tried to comfort her. She stood stiff, her heart ripped in shreds. She needed to be alone; her wolf cried to run. “I need time alone. Please just leave me alone,” she cried out, slipping away from him. Running outside in the snow, she reached the hot house. She didn’t have a coat on, so she was frozen by the time she entered the building. Shaking off the snow, Jaycee leaned against the door, sank to the ground, and let everything go.

Someone knocked on the door behind her, and she jumped, looking around her. Shit, I fell asleep. Looking up, she saw Kate and Shelly standing there. Jaycee got out of the way and let them in. “Dinner will be served in an hour. Can we help you get ready?” Kate asked, staring at her. Jaycee hated to face the whole pack, but she knew she had to. “Do you know if they brought the rest of my clothes?” Jaycee asked, getting up and walking towards the door. Kate handed her a coat. “Yes, all your clothes are in the master bedroom, and you have your own walk-in closet. I think that gorgeous black dress would look great with your red hair. It will be sexy as hell. You could show that bitch there’s no competition with that number.” Shelly laughed as they walked back. “That’s not the problem. It’s my mates. They didn’t even consider me or my feelings. They lied to me. How am I supposed to believe anything they say?” Jaycee asked. “They’re going to have to earn that trust back, but it will happen. I went through the same thing with your father. He didn’t tell me about you till after we were mated. I only learned about you when I heard him talking to his source about you,” Kate said, smiling at her. “You could say he was in the dog house for over a month. And he’s in the dog house now for pulling that Alpha shit with his daughter,” Kate snarled. Jaycee laughed. She entered the house, shook off the snow and hung up her coat. She knew her mates’ gazes never left her body as soon as she’d walked in, but she ignored them. Kate and Shelly followed her upstairs to the master bedroom. At once, she noticed the whole bed was gone: mattress, headboard, and even the dressers. New dressers… well, not new… antique dressers had replaced them. The same with the bed frame. An old, huge bed sat in the middle of

the room. Walking around the bed, she took in all the details that had been hand carved into the wood. It showed stories of the pack’s history. “This set belonged to my grandparents, who passed it down to Mark. He just had it brought up out of storage.. He knows they hurt you and this is way of saying sorry.” Shelly said, smiling at Jaycee. “It’s beautiful, and it helps. But I don’t know if it’s enough. And don’t you want it?” Jaycee asked, staring at her. “I have our other grandparents’ set. This should be yours.” Shelly hugged her. “Now, go hop in the shower. We already took ours, and our clothes are in closet with yours. We can all get dressed together.” **** Jaycee stepped out of the shower, drying off, and fidgeted with her hair. She didn’t really have to do anything to her hair. It automatically dried just like she liked it. Walking into the bedroom, she saw Kate and Shelly already dressed. “You guys are quick. Look at those dresses – they’re beautiful.” “Come on. We have fifteen minutes to get you ready. They’re waiting for us in the living room, even though they deserve to wait. We’ll walk behind you and your mates to the pack house dining room,” Kate said, grabbing the dress and handing it to her. She’d always loved this dress, but she’d never had anywhere to wear it. It hugged her body tightly, and the front dipped down to her belly button in a slit between her breasts. Her breasts were big, and the dress showed them off perfectly. It ended mid-thigh, but slits ran up both sides to her waist.

Shelly handed her the black thigh highs and a garter belt. Next came the black four-inch fuck-me pumps Shelly had bought her that she’d never worn, because she would always be taller than James. But, with all her mates, she would still be shorter than them, even in the heels. “I have something for you. It was your grandmother’s. She gave it to me to hold onto until we could find you,” Kate said, slipping in behind and her wrapping around a pearl, diamond, and black onyx necklace around her neck. “It’s Nana’s! Is she going to be here?” Jaycee stared into Kate’s eyes in the mirror. Kate shook her head, lowering her eyes, and Jaycee knew she was in another world now. Her eyes started to mist, but she wouldn’t cry. Her Nana would laugh at her if she cried right now. Instead, she composed herself and smiled. “Thank you, Kate. This means so much to me. She was the mother I never had.” “Okay, you’re ready. You don’t need any makeup. Your natural beauty is plenty,” Shelly laughed, opening the bedroom room. They all walked down the stairs to the waiting men. Her mates stood at the bottom of the stairs dressed in black suits, their pants tight as the muscles rippled through them. Their shirts covered their chests and defined their massive frames, making her want to pant. Yet, she held her ground and wouldn’t think about that. She heard them snarl as she reached the bottom step. “You’re beautiful. But if I’d seen that dress, you wouldn’t be wearing it now,” Dane snarled, lowering his head and trying to kiss her lips, but she turned her head so he could only reach her cheek. She glanced up at Mark, smiling at him. “Your gift means a lot to me. Thank you, Mark.” She reached up and kissed his cheek. “We better get going. I don’t want to be late. That would be one more thing for them to hold against me,” Jaycee said, and took his arm.

“Jaycee, we’re sorry,” Dane said quietly, escorting her down the hall. She didn’t even acknowledge her father. “I am sure you are, but that doesn’t help with the trust issue, does it, Dane? How can I trust any of you? You more or less lied to me and disrespected my orders. Tell me, did you ever put any guards on her? Was she even questioned?” Jaycee asked, not even raising her voice. Dane didn’t say a word, and she knew the answer. She would have pulled away from him, but she knew this was important, so she said nothing as they entered the pack dining room. Over three hundred eyes turned to stare at them. They were all standing, waiting for their leaders to sit at the head table. Jaycee watched Dane make his way to a podium. He was breathtaking, the way he utilized his Alpha manner and addressed his pack. “I first want to welcome all of you home for our monthly gathering. As you know, this is a special time for my family. My brother, Pierre and I have found our mate and brought her home where she belongs. Some of you have heard she has a few enemies that would like to take her from us, but this won’t happen. Our Alpha Bitch has told me and her other mates that we have shown her disrespect, and that we have lied to her.” Jaycee heard growls come from the pack. Every member glared at her with hatred. Her heart raced, and she glared at Dane. She was ready to leave for good, but he continued, growling himself. “She was right. We did do this without meaning to. I won’t have you threaten or disrespect our mate. We were wrong, and it won’t happen again.” He turned to stare at her. “If we even hear of anyone that disrespects her, or lies to her, they will answer to me,” he proclaimed, turning back to the pack. “I’ll also tell you that Blair is no longer living in the main

house. She now lives in my sister’s old cabin, and she is open for pursuit.” Dane stopped and looked right at Blair. “As you know, her brother is no longer living. He was a traitor to the pack who was trying to kill my mate. Blair has been questioned, and she wasn’t involved with the plan.” He paused and glanced at her again. Some relief escaped as she sighed, knowing that now, at least, they had followed some of her orders. “If she continues her disrespect towards our mate, she will be banished from this pack.” Jaycee followed his eyes as he said this last part. Sure enough, Blair was present. Blair glared at her, but she lowered her head, not her eyes. Jaycee was about to jump from the stage when Mark held her in place, pointing with his head towards Dane. “Adrian, will you please remove Blair from this home for good? I warned you, Blair, but you still wouldn’t listen. You are now banished from this pack. You’ll have till tomorrow to get your things and leave,” Dane ordered. Jaycee watched the two men escort a furious Blair from the pack home. She shouted and screamed all the way out. “Now that that is done, I want you to meet our mate, Jaycee. Our bonding ceremony will be held next week and performed by her father, our National Council Alpha, Guy Manz. Jaycee?” Dane turned to her, holding out his hand. Taking a deep breath, Mark walked her up to Dane, who slipped his arm around her. Everyone stood applauding her and whistling. She heard Dane and Mark growl as the other men whistled and shouted at her. “Hey, Alphas are you going to share? She’s hot!” Jaycee heard someone shout as she smiled.

“Frank, I know that was you. And the answer is no. She’s all ours, if she ever forgives us,” Dane mumbled, and Jaycee laughed. “As all mated females know, my mates will be in the proverbial dog house for a while. I do want to apologize if I offend anyone. I am new to all of this, so please bear with me, but, as my mates have found, out I’m not a push over. I can’t wait to meet everyone. Thank you for the warm welcome,” Jaycee stated, stepping back from the podium. Everyone applauded and whistled as she stepped back, ribbing their Alpha. She watched an evil smile form on Dane’s lips. He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly. His lips covered hers in a scorching kiss that caught her off guard. She melted in his arms, and her body quivered. His hands slid to her ass, grabbing it and squeezing. Jaycee heard the whistles and shouts as he lifted his head, smiling down at her. “I’m sorry. Let’s eat,” he said aloud, for everyone to hear.

Chapter Eleven Jaycee sat next to her mates and, once again, piled food onto her plate. She shook her head, eating what she could, while she tried to ignore them. She gazed out at all the people and noticed Dane and Mark’s parents at the other table next to them. Getting up, she started to walk over to them when Dane grabbed her arm. “Where are you going?” he demanded. “I am going to say hi to your parents. I haven’t seen them since I’ve gotten here.” Jaycee pulled her arm out of his grasp and walked over to them. They both rose, hugging her. “Oh, you’re beautiful tonight. If I didn’t have this lovely lady at my side, I would give my sons a run for their life. You wouldn’t stand a chance with me, young lady.” Their father laughed, and his wife hit his arm. She pushed him out of the way and hugged her. “I heard that, and you’d have a fight on your hands. She’s ours,” Dane growled, pulling her back into his arms. He wrapped them around her from behind. Mark stood next to him, and he lowered his head, kissing her cheek. “I wanted to say hello. I’m sorry I haven’t visited since I’ve been here,” Jaycee said, smiling at their mom. “ It’s understandable after all that you’ve been through. Now go eat your food or it will get cold. And don’t keep my sons in the dog house too long. I want grandkids soon.” Jaycee laughed as Dane groaned. “She better not keep us in the dog house that long!” Mark grumbled, and Pierre said, “You got that right.”

Jaycee walked back to her seat without a reply. As she went to sit down, she noticed a box on her chair. Picking up the box, she happened to catch a whiff of what was inside. It smelled rotten. Dane stepped up next to her, noticing the box and the look of disgust on her face. “What is it?” he asked, taking the box and looking it over to make sure there was no return address. He sniffed it and growled. “It’s something dead, isn’t it?” Jaycee whispered. Mark came up to her, sensing her distress. The room got quiet as the whole pack stared and waited. Pierre came and took the box, staring at it, flipping it one way then another. “There’s no bomb or electric equipment in it.” He ripped it open and looked inside. “Shit!” he barked. Dane took the box, and Jaycee peeked in. She screamed and backed up into Mark’s arms. “It’s Jumper’s head. He was my dog. James took him from me last year. I thought for sure he had killed him then,” Jaycee snapped, turning her head into Mark’s chest. He held her, rubbing her back. Shelly came up and peered into the box. “Oh God, I am so sorry. I know how much he meant to you, Jaycee,” Shelly whispered, hugging her from behind. “The postage is from in town. I want to know who put this box on her chair,” Dane ordered, glaring across the room. “I saw Derek up here, but I didn’t think anything of it,” Shelly stated, pulling away from Jaycee. Jaycee turned and watched Dane storm off to find Derek. She went to sit down and noticed blood on her seat. A cold chill ran up her spine. Pierre grabbed the chair, snarling, and stormed off with it.

“Mark, I’m not feeling too hot. Would anyone mind if I just go and sit in front of the fire in the living room?” Jaycee asked quietly. Her stomach churned. He scooped her up into his arms, carrying her back towards the main house. She heard murmuring around them as they passed through the room. People reached out to touch her and support her. Jaycee felt a single tear slip down her cheek, and she buried her face into his chest. “Why can’t they leave me alone?” she mumbled. “I don’t know, baby. But don’t worry – we’ll find them. I promise.” He kissed the top of her head and sat down on the sofa in front of the fire, holding her. Only the guards followed them into the room. Mark reached around her, slipping her shoes off her feet. “I’m so sorry your first dinner was ruined, baby. I’ll get you something to eat later, after your stomach settles.” He kissed her ear and then nibbled on it. His hands trailed under her dress, up her thigh, settling on her mound, waiting. Jaycee took a deep breath and grabbed his hand. “Not now, Mark. It’s too much. I just want to be held.” She reached back and pulled his head down for a kiss. He nibbled her lower lip, asking her to open for him, and she did. His tongue and mouth devoured hers. She heard Pierre come in and growl, picking up her legs and sliding between them. Jaycee broke the kiss. “No, Pierre. Not now. I can’t.” She gazed down at him, brushing away a strand of hair in his eyes. “Let us comfort you, baby, and take away all the pain.” He laid his head down on her stomach. She smiled. “Pierre, there will always be pain and hurt in our lives. But it’s how you deal with it that makes a difference. Right now, I just want to be held and know you’re here. I don’t

need sex every time something goes wrong. Just love and understanding.” She stared into the fire, rubbing Pierre’s head, while Mark held her. Pierre lifted his head. “I don’t know how you survived through the years. All I know is that I want to take you and hide you from the world so no one will hurt you again.” A single tear slipped down his cheek. One of his hands reached up and cupped her cheek. “I’ve always loved Hoyt, but when I heard about all that you have been through, something inside of me snapped. I can’t explain it, but you’ve brought peace to me.” He turned and looked into the fire. “I know it sounds corny, but growing up with so many brothers and sisters, one can get lost, too.” A lump formed in her throat, and a tear dropped down her cheek. “Oh, Pierre, that is the sweetest thing anyone has said to me.” Her fingers touched his chin and turned his face to her. “We can create our own family, the four of us.” Jaycee leaned down and placed a small kiss on his mouth. Both of Pierre’s hands cupped her face, and he deepened the kiss, holding her. By the time he lifted his head, her body temperature had soared and her panties were soaked. “Make gentle love to me, Pierre.” She looked back to Mark. “You too, baby.” Pierre’s hands slid up her dress, slowly exposing her garter belt. He moaned and lowered his head, tracing the rim of her stocking with his tongue. Mark reached around and pulled her dress the rest of the way off her. She sat there in her stockings, but she wasn’t cold. Their loving was keeping her warm. Pierre stood up and pulled off his shirt. Jaycee rose and slowly ran her hands up his chest, winding her fingers around the hair on his chest. She kissed the tip of his nipple and sucked it into her mouth. Pierre hissed. “Baby, if you keep this up, I’m not going to be able to take it slow and give you the loving you need.” His hands grabbed her bare ass cheeks.

Mark’s hard, naked body pushed up against her back. His large hands grabbed her full globes, caressing them. She lifted her head and laid it against Mark’s chest. “Thank you again for the bedroom set, Mark. I love it.” Pierre stepped back and stripped out of the rest of his clothes. His long, muscular legs were dark from the summer sun. His calf muscles flexed as he removed his pants. Jaycee lowered herself to her knees and smiled up at him. She grabbed hold of his hips and brought him forward. Her hands circled his long cock and rubbed it up and down. “Let me show you how much you mean to me,” Jaycee whispered, her mouth inches above his cock. She heard his sharp intake of breath and lowered her head, taking him as far as she could down her throat. His hand gently held her head while he pumped his cock into her mouth. Mark kneeled down behind her. “Get on your hands and knees, baby. Let me give you pleasure.” He nipped at her neck, guiding her hands to the floor. He spread her legs and slipped in between them. “Mmm, I can smell your honey.” Mark’s tongue licked from the front to the back of her nether lips. “So sweet.” His fingers separated her folds, exposing her clit. “God, you’re sexy,” Pierre muttered, pulling her onto his lap, away from Mark’s lips as he lay on the couch with her on top. “You have to meet my oldest brother, baby. He would love you.” “I would love to meet him, Pierre. Why don’t you invite him to the bonding ceremony?” She nibbled at his lips.

“I would, but he wouldn’t come. He would say his appearance would draw to much attention away from us. You see, my big brother has this horrible reputation, but really he’s just a giant teddy bear.” Jaycee whispered into his ear, “Well, then, I’ll have to keep that secret. If he means that much to you, he should be here. Would it help if I called him?” Pierre gazed up at her and cupped her face. “You are the most amazing woman. I hope one day he finds someone just like you. I’m afraid she would be in big trouble, whoever she is, because if you think Dane is a hard ass, you just wait till you meet Remi.” Mark slipped up behind them, his cock rubbing against her back. “So what are all the woman calling him these days?” He murmured into her neck. Pierre smiled, reaching up and rolling her nipples. “This month they’re calling him Big Foot.” Both Pierre and Mark laughed. Jaycee lowered her body onto Pierre’s cock. “Umm, so tell me: is that because he has big feet, or a big cock? Because if he is anything like you, women should be warned.” She smiled down at Pierre. “You don’t need to know how big he is. It’s bad enough. Dane and he already compete about everything. I won’t have him worrying about you,” Pierre growled and sat up, separating her ass cheeks. Jaycee loved to feel their hands on her. Pierre bit down on her neck as Mark pushed into her ass. “I wouldn’t do anything with him. Are you nuts? I have enough right here, thank you…” Her head fell back against Mark as both of her men made slow, passionate love to her. God, she loved being stretched. They were so big.

Mark smacked her ass, entering her again, and she moaned into Pierre’s mouth. He continued to spank her as they slowly brought her body to a heightened moment and stopped. She cried out her frustration as she freed her mouth from Pierre’s. “Please. I need…” Jaycee begged, trying to move her hips, but they wouldn’t budge. Mark grabbed her head. “What do you want, baby?” Mark asked, kissing her neck. “I want to cum. Please,” she begged, as they started to move again. Mark pulled her arms back as he rammed into her. Pierre countered his move by reaching up biting her nipple, then pulling it. Jaycee felt the tremors start at the bottom of her toes and rise up her body. “Yes, more please!” she screamed as Mark pulled her upper body back further, arching her back as they tormented her body. Pierre reached down, grabbed her clit and pinched it, sending her body into full-blown tremors as her orgasm took control of her body, all talk of Remi gone. Mark released her arms, howling his release at the same time Pierre did. Jaycee collapsed onto Pierre’s chest, closing her eyes. An exasperated voice spoke from behind them “I go to take care of business, and the three of you seek out your release,” Dane grumbled. She smiled into Pierre’s chest. “Pierre was telling me about his older brother, Remi, and I told him to invite him to our bonding ceremony. Since he means so much to him, I told him that I would love to meet this ‘Big Foot’.” Jaycee turned, hearing Mark and Pierre groan. She smiled up at Dane, who ripped his clothes off, standing over them. Jaycee didn’t move. “Plus you weren’t here, and I needed some distraction.” She tried to keep her laugh to herself. Glancing up, she met Dane’s red eyes.

He glared at Pierre and Mark, “So these two have told you about our little competition going, haven’t they?” Mark pulled out of her, and Dane reached down, pulling her into his arms. “Well, I’m sorry to tell you this, little troublemaker, but there will be no competition for you. You’re ours and only ours.” Dane carried her to a chair, bending her over so that the chair spread her legs. “Dane?” Jaycee questioned, looking back at him, when he pushed his shaft into her pussy, stretching her. He grabbed hold of her hair, bringing her head back with one hand, and used his other hand to grab her breast, kneading it. “Mine. You’re mine!” he growled, biting her neck to mark her again, but this time with the permanent mark a mate will do when ready to let the world know who she belongs to. Mark kneeled down in between her legs. Grabbing her clit, he pinched and pulled it. “Cum for your Alpha, now!” Dane ordered, and she screamed, feeling him push his powers through her, sending her over the edge again. His seed poured into her pussy, his cock locking them in place. Dane licked her neck where he’d bitten her. “The pack wants you to come back inside. They have something for you. And Pierre, Remi is more than welcome here. I know how much he means to you. Remi and I might joke around, but I would never deny you seeing your family. Plus, I know I don’t have to worry about this one.” Dane smacked her ass. “I’ll keep you busy,” Dane whispered into her ear as his cock released itself from her and slid out. He pulled her up, turning her around hugging her. Dane backed up and grabbed his pants. “Will you come back with us?” Jaycee looked up into his face. “Yes. Just let me get dressed.” Mark slipped her dress back on her as she pulled out of Dane’s arms.

Mark was already dressed except for his jacket. His shirt was opened halfway, and she stared at his chest, licking her lips. She heard all three men moan. “You can’t do that, baby,” Dane growled. “Do what?” Jaycee asked, strapping back on her shoes and standing up. Her mates stared at her with lust rising in their eyes. “Oh no. You said they were waiting, so let’s go. You can play later if you’re good boys. Maybe I’ll even put on that outfit Dane confiscated earlier.” She laughed as they all growled and followed her back to the pack house. Jaycee walked into the dining area with her mates, and everyone stood as they entered. Dane escorted her to the middle of the room, and a little girl came out of the crowd carrying a baby Rottweiler puppy. Jaycee’s eyes watered. “Baby, this is Samantha and one of her puppies,” Dane said, his gaze watching every movement she made. The little girl stopped in front of her, “I heard about your puppy, and I have six of them, so I asked my mommy if I could give you one. She said it was okay. My mommy calls this one the runt, but I call him Button, because he is so small and the others picked on him.” Samantha held the puppy out to her. Jaycee laughed, crying as she took the puppy from her arms. “Thank you, Samantha. He is lovely, and I will make sure he gets lots of attention. Anytime you want to see him, you can ask your mommy to bring you over, okay? Thank you again.” Jaycee lowered her head and kissed the girl on the forehead. Samantha stared up at her, beaming, then ran back to her mom. Jaycee smiled at her mother, mouthing thank you. The woman smiled and nodded her head. Then she noticed another

woman come up and say, “No one has eaten. We wanted to wait for you. Will you please stay and eat with us?” Jaycee turned her head up, staring into Dane’s smiling face. “I would love to stay and eat with all of you. Thank you for waiting for me.” Jaycee turned, smiling at the women, “but I would rather eat down here with you than sit up there, if it’s okay with my mates.” She heard Dane laugh as everyone set up an extra table for them. She looked for Samantha and her mother, but they were gone from her view. “Dane where is Samantha and her mother? I wanted them to eat with us so I could thank them,” Jaycee asked handing her puppy to Shelly. “I’ll put him in the main house. He’s already trained, so you won’t have to worry about that.” Shelly laughed as the dog licked her face. “Thanks, Shelly,” Jaycee said looking up when Samantha and her family came to their table and sat down. “Ms. Black, are you going to have another human wedding with your mates like you did with your first husband?” Samantha asked, sitting near Jaycee. Jaycee choked on her food. Her eyes watered, and, finally, when she could breathe again, she looked across the table. Samantha’s mom was scolding her daughter. Tears started to form in the girl’s eyes. “It’s okay, Myra. She was just curious, and, with all the rumors I know have to be going around, she must have been confused. Actually…” Jaycee leaned over the table, looking around like she was going to tell her a secret. “No one knows this, so you’re the first person I’m telling. I was actually never married, and my last name is still Manz. That nasty man tricked me, telling me that we were married, but

we weren’t. I found out two weeks ago, and you’re the one I decided to tell, since no one asked me.” Jaycee leaned back, taking another bite of her food. She heard gasps coming from everyone else at the table, but she didn’t care. “What are you talking about, Jaycee?” Shelly gaped at her. “About two weeks ago, my lawyer contacted me and told me that all the documents James had shown me were forged. We were never married,” Jaycee said, shrugging her shoulders. “My God, why didn’t you tell us?” Dane yelled, putting his fork down, staring down at her. “Did you ask? Have you asked how I lived since those attacks? Have you asked how I coped? No!” Jaycee glared back at him. “There are a lot of things that have happened to me that you don’t know about.” Jaycee took a sip of her Diet Pepsi and started to eat, ignoring her mates once again. Jaycee looked down at the table to find her stepmother. “Kate, did Nana ever mention anything about a dress?” Jaycee asked, and her father looked up, smiling. “Yep, sure did. I have it for when you’re ready.” Kate smiled. “Good. Hold on to it. I don’t know if I’ll need it or not.” “Oh, you’ll need it, or I’ll take a shoot gun to all your mates!” Guy growled, staring at her mates. Jaycee busted out laughing. “Dad, you can’t force them to marry me in a human wedding. You know that.” She peeked over at Dane, Mark and Pierre. All three of them were frowning.

“My mother made me promise if I ever found your mate, I would make sure you had your dream wedding. You’ll have that, angel. I wasn’t there for you when you needed me, but I can make sure you have this. She told me everything you’d talked about before she died.” “Thanks, dad. But after all that’s happened, it’s not that important anymore,” Jaycee mumbled around a bite of food. “So, tell me, Samantha. Do you and your family live around here?” Jaycee asked, trying to change the subject. “Yep, we live here all the time. Daddy works for Dane, so we have a house up on the left mountain. Will you be living up here all the time, too?” Samantha asked, stuffing a piece of chicken into her mouth. Jaycee laughed at the small girl’s voracious appetite. She’d always wanted children so badly, but she’d never thought it would be possible. “I don’t know, but I think I would like to live up here. I can find some work to do at home on the computer. I was even thinking of starting a horse farm. I love horses. I used to ride all the time when I was small. Have you ever ridden a horse?” Jaycee watched as her eyes got huge. “Really, horses? I’ve never been on a horse. Could I help if you do?” Samantha jumped up and down in her seat. Jaycee laughed. “I don’t see why not. But I’ll have to find the perfect place for a barn and a pasture for them to run in. Maybe next week your mommy will let you show me around, so I can see where everything is?” Jaycee smiled at Myra. “I know you’re close to your due date, and this way it would give you some time to relax for a while. I really do need to look around and get my bearings.” Jaycee asked, smiling at Myra and her very pregnant stomach. “Are you sure? She can be a handful,” Myra warned, staring at her daughter.

“I would love it. Plus it would give me a chance to get out and meet other people. I think Samantha is the perfect person to help me break the ice.” Jaycee laughed at the bubbling brighteyed girl. Myra looked over at her husband, who smiled and nodded. “Okay, then. Samantha, I will come and pick you up around ten in the morning next Saturday. That is, if the storm breaks before then,” Jaycee said, looking up at Samantha, knowing she had made some new friends. “You’ll have to wait for the following weekend, I’m afraid.” Dane said, stuffing food into his mouth. “Why? What do we have planned next weekend?” Jaycee asked, pushing her plate away and taking a drink from the fresh coffee that had been placed in front of her. “Did you forget our bonding ceremony is next weekend?” Mark asked. “Oh, crap, I did forget. Sorry, Samantha, but it will have to be the following weekend. I’ll be there for you then, I promise.” Jaycee smiled at her as she drank her coffee. “Excuse me, Dane, but we have a problem. The wind has blown part of the roof off the hot house,” a stranger said, coming up to their table. “Crap, I knew I should have reinforced that roof. Get a few others; it looks like we have some work to do. Sorry, baby, but I have to run. I don’t want all those plants to die.” Dane leaned down and kissed her. “I can’t believe you forgot about our Ceremony. That’s going to earn you a punishment tonight, baby,” he whispered into her ear and turned to walk away. Jaycee squirmed in her seat, her face turning red, knowing everyone had heard him. “Hey, mom, does daddy punish you, too?” Samantha asked, and Jaycee’s face burned even hotter.

“Of course your mommy gets punished too, sweetie. Just not when you’re awake,” Jaycee heard Sam’s father say, getting up to go. She looked up and saw Myra’s face as red as hers. They both burst out laughing. “I’m going to go help, too. Maybe with more men we can get this done faster,” Pierre said, sliding his chair back and kissing her on the lips before he left. “I can’t wait till tonight. I have some new toys that I have been dying to try out.” Pierre waggled his eyebrows. Jaycee laughed, swatting him on the ass as he left. “I’m going to go get us some dessert, baby. I’ll be right back.” Mark got up, walking towards the kitchen, and two females walked over to their table, staring down at her. Jaycee stared back. “Can I help you with something?” She heard Myra growl low. Jaycee waited. “Do you really believe you can keep three grown Alphas happy? I mean, come on; you weren’t even a wolf to begin with,” one of the girls snarled. Jaycee’s father growled, but she shook her head at him. She could handle this one herself. Slowly standing up, Jaycee got into the girl’s face. “First, it’s none of your business what I do with my mates. And they are my mates, make no mistake about that. Second, who do you think you are to confront me, your Alpha Bitch?” Jaycee growled, and whole room quieted down as everyone watched her. “Mark is mine. I just got here and heard all this shit about you being his so-called mate. My friend here is Pierre’s bitch. You come here, take all three men, and act like some prima donna,” the other bitch snapped, and spit flew everywhere. Inside her, the beast growled, wanting to come out and play, but she vowed not to ruin this dress. “I have had the worst two days of my life, and now you want to start some shit. Well, let’s settle this now, shall we? And when it’s settled, I will give you one warning. You come near

me again with this attitude, and I will rip your face off and ask questions later.” Jaycee turned to where Mark had taken off to. “Mark, get your ass out here now. And grab Pierre while you’re at it!” Jaycee yelled out. Everyone sat, waiting expectantly. All three of her mates came in through the kitchen doors, two of them covered in snow. They didn’t look happy, either. Good. I’m tired of this shit! She waited till they were next to her before turning her back on the women. “I want to ask you a question. Mark, Pierre do you want these bitches? Do you love them? Do you three want any other woman I’m not aware of?” Jaycee growled. Her body felt like it was going to explode; her nerves were completely shot. Mark walked up to the blond bitch, circling her. “I told you from the start that you weren’t my mate. I’m sorry you had to find out this way, but you know better than to disrespect the Alpha Bitch this way,” Mark snapped. Pierre walked to the other female and yelled, “I personally told you it was over, yet you came in here and started this shit!” Pierre grabbed hold of her hair and dragged her to the doors that led outside the pack house. Mark did the same. They both shoved the girls outside, yelling, “Go to your cabins and think about what you have done. You know what happened to your friend. Do you want to be banished, too?” Mark growled and slammed the door shut. Dane stared down at her. His hand gently pulled her body towards his, “There will be no more of this,” he said, speaking clearly to everyone, “and I won’t say it again. She is our mate now. There is no question about it!” he snarled as he looked out around the room. Then she felt a little tugging on her skirt. Jaycee turned and looked down at Samantha. Bending down, Jaycee smiled. “What can I do for you?”

“Are those mean girls gone? I don’t like them.” “They were just hurt. That’s why they were upset, sweetie. I am sure they’ll be fine when they calm down. Now, I feel like some ice cream. Whenever I get upset, I eat lots of ice cream. Do you think we can talk Dane into getting us some? I like strawberry. What’s your favorite?” Jaycee asked. “Well, my favorite is chocolate. Do you think they have both?” Samantha asked, looking up at Dane pleadingly. “I think I can mange that. But we’d better ask your mommy first, don’t you think?” Dane said, smiling at the little girl. She turned around and ran to her mom as Mark and Pierre came up to her. “I am sorry, baby. We didn’t know they would do this. It shouldn’t have happened.” Mark pulled her into his arms, kissing her. Pierre rubbed her back. “Ditto, baby.” “It’s done. There’s no need to apologize. I just hope they get over it. I don’t want to cause any more trouble,” Jaycee said, noticing as Sam came running over with a smile on her face. “Jaycee, mommy said I can have some ice cream! But just a little, because she says I won’t sleep if I eat too much.” Sam’s little face was all lit up, her dark bangs falling in her eyes. “Well, then, I guess I better go get some ice cream for two beautiful ladies,” Dane laughed, walking towards the kitchen. **** Jaycee moaned as she curled up on the sofa, talking to Shelly. Her mates were still outside trying to fix the roof on the hot house. “I can’t believe I ate all that ice cream. I can’t move.” Jaycee laughed and stared at Shelly. She, too, rubbed her stomach.

“You just had to pull out the strawberry, didn’t you? You know it’s my favorite, too,” Shelly laughed. “Hey, I can’t suffer alone! So tell me how’s it going with your mate? You know you never did tell me his name.” Jaycee frowned at her as Shelly burst out laughing. “You’re too much. His name is Grant Summer, and he’s great. He wants me to spend the next couple of days with him. I don’t know if I’m ready for that yet, so I told him I would think about it tonight and give him my answer tomorrow.” “Do you believe he’s your mate?” “I know I feel different when I’m with him. I mean, I’ve been with men, but it’s different with him. It’s like I want to curl up into him and not let go. Does that make sense?” Shelly questioned, sipping her wine. “Yeah, I’m the same way with my mates. Hell, I should still be furious with them. But all I want to do is touch them all the time. When I first saw Dane for the first time, I just wanted to run with him. It hurt so much, not being able to run. Hold on. Let me get that.” Jaycee got up to answer the house phone. “Hello?” “You stupid slut. I’ll get you. You’re mine, and if you think those so-called mates of yours are going to stop me, then think again. Soon!” her step-father yelled into the receiver. Jaycee dropped the phone, backing up and looking around her. He has to be around here to know I have more than one mate! Who told him? Baby, what’s wrong? We’re coming! Dane reassured her. He’s here! He knows about you guys. How does he know, Dane? Jaycee asked as Shelly pulled her into her arms.

“What’s wrong? You’re shaking and white as a ghost. Who was that on the phone, Jaycee?” “Curt. He’s here, Shelly. He knows I have more than one mate. Someone else is telling him things. He said my mates can’t protect me,” Jaycee said as Shelly moved her to the sofa, handing her a glass of wine. Jaycee swallowed it down in one gulp. Her mates burst into the room, surrounding her. Her father and some of his guards followed them in, making sure every door was secure. “What happened, baby?” Dane asked, pulling her onto his lap. Shelly stepped back and ran to her mate, who pulled her into his arms. “He called. Curt. He knew your number. He said that my mates can’t stop him, that I was his,” Jaycee mumbled into his chest, hugging him tightly. “I can’t go through this again, Dane. Please don’t let him get me.” Jaycee cringed at a memory of him smacking her around when she was fifteen. “He won’t get you, baby. I promise. We have guards all around. We’re not going to let you out of our sight until we catch him.” Dane caressed her, holding her tight. She peeked up and saw Mark and Pierre pacing back and forth. “I’m sorry I am being a baby. I can handle this. Just give me a minute, okay?” Jaycee said, sucking in a big gulp. She tried to sit up, but Dane wouldn’t let her move. “I know you can handle this, but I just need to hold you.” Dane kissed her lips softly. “Dane, the phone call came from one of the cabins. It wasn’t from outside the limits. All the outside lines are cut,” Guy snapped, coming from the phone.

“Well, it seems he has come to us, then. Call the men in. We need all the women and children safe in the pack house. I want extra guards around the house. And send out the scouting team,” Dane ordered. Pierre started to leave. “Pierre, where are you going?” Jaycee got up and stared at him. He turned to look back at her. “I am part of the scouting team I have to go,” Pierre said, walking to her and covering her lips in a heated kiss. “We’ll get him. You stay safe here with Dane and Mark.” He grabbed his coat. “I don’t like you going out there, Pierre. He could target you. Stay here with us, please,” Jaycee asked, staring at him. Tears welled up in her eyes as she stepped in front of him. He opened his arms and held her. “You promised to show me your new toys,” Jaycee begged, looking up into his face. “Baby, I have to go. It’s my job. I’ll be all right, and I’ll be back before you know it,” Pierre said, stepping back as Mark pulled Jaycee into his arms, holding her. Tears slipped down her cheek. She knew something had was about to happen. She could feel it. **** Remi stared down at Dane’s pack house, knowing that they were now on high alert. He had spoken to Dane earlier when he’d helped him with the hot house. He would have never believed he could share a mate with any man, but Dane was the exception. Now he had to inform his little brother and Jaycee about the bonding. The front door to the cabin opened, and Pierre walked out, changing instantly into his beast. “How do I tell you, little brother, that your bond is just that… a bond, not a mating?” Remi watched his brother slip away and into the woods to hunt. To think Pierre and everyone else were

now hunting the same men he had forced out of the bar two weeks ago. “I should have killed the pricks then, damnit!” Remi let the beast take over and moved in the opposite direction of his little brother, searching for this man, James. Soon, my little mate, you will be able to relax. “Hank, follow Pierre. Make sure nothing happens to him.” “NO!” The scream of his mate came from the cabin below. I’m sorry, big brother. I guess I’m not as good as you with tracking. Take care of Jaycee. She’ll need you now more than ever. Pierre, where are you? Remi’s gut tightened, and their connection began to fade. “No, Pierre,” he whispered. His body began to shake as anger poured through him, and he welcomed it.

Chapter Twelve Jaycee paced back and forth across the living room. Shelly, Kate, her father, and both mates stood by and watched. Two hours had passed with no word from Pierre or the others. “Shouldn’t they have checked in yet? It’s been two hours, Dane. And he won’t talk to me.” Jaycee’s voice rose with her frustration. “Baby, he has to cut himself off. He can’t concentrate with interruptions. It would be too distracting, and he could get hurt if he heard you. They’ll contact us in another hour. Now come over here and relax,” Dane said and picked her up. She squirmed in an attempt to get down. “Dane, I can’t just sit. I have a bad feeling about this.” Jaycee looked around the room. “Hey, where’s Button?” Jaycee asked as Dane sat down and held her. “I don’t know. Maybe he’s upstairs? I’ll go cheek.” Shelly got up to go, but Jaycee jumped up and stopped her. “No, something’s not right. He should be down here, especially since we have food around us.” Jaycee called on her beast and smelled it… blood. She followed the scent and walked around the stairs. A trail of blood led into the next room. “Dane!” Jaycee whispered, but he heard her and came running. “Mark, take her back to the sofa.” Dane pushed her to Mark, who carried her back to the couch. Jaycee watched her father, the guards, and Dane follow the bloody trail.

“It’s okay. We don’t know what it is, baby.” Mark held onto her. When Dane carried the puppy to her ten minutes later, he wasn’t moving. “He’s alive, but barley. Someone stabbed him in the leg. Your dad stitched him up, and I wrapped his leg. He should be okay, but we have to keep him still,” Dane barked, and put the puppy in her lap. Jaycee petted the dog and tried to keep it calm. His little tongue licked her hand, and then she realized that someone had been in their home. She looked up at Dane; anger swirled in his gaze. “Someone knows how to get in, Dane. He has all the security codes. They need to be changed, and each room needs to be checked,” Mark barked. Two guards followed him, and they began to search the rooms downstairs. Jaycee tried to keep an eye on Mark, who moved from one room to the next. She didn’t want to lose anyone. “Jaycee, you want something to eat or drink?” Kate asked, sitting next to her on the sofa. Dane was working on the security system off the living room. “No, I’m fine. I am still stuffed from all the ice cream. I want to go up and change clothes, though. It looks like it’s going to be a long night. Would you hold Button for me?” Jaycee looked at Kate. She smiled and pulled the puppy into her lap. Two guards followed her upstairs. Even with the extra guards, she still didn’t feel safe as they checked the room before they allowed her to enter. Jaycee walked to her closet and froze. Most of her clothes lay in tatters on the floor. The smell of urine reached her, and her befuddled brain realized someone had pissed on every one of

her clothes. White hot anger billowed through her and caused the beast to rise. Why hadn’t the guards warned her? She looked over her shoulder and turned around. Several guards stood behind her, identical evil grins on their faces. Her eyes widened in horror as they closed and locked the bedroom door. Her wolf rose closer to the surface, muscles popped and she felt the strain on her tendons. What’s wrong? Dane demanded. I found our traitors. It’s my guards! They’ve locked the bedroom door. We’re coming. Don’t do anything! Dane snapped as she faced her enemy. “So who do you work for? Curt or James?” she barked, and faced them. “They work for me.” James stepped out of the bathroom behind her. Jaycee spun around and glared. She assumed a defensive position and watched the guards with her peripheral vision. Her mates banged on the door, its hinges creaking, ready to break. “We don’t have time for this. Grab her and let’s go!” James shouted, and stomped to the balcony window. The guards advanced in on her. Concentrating her powers, she slammed the balcony doors shut and stopped James’ escape. One of the guard’s claws tore at her dress as he tried to get a hold of her. The bedroom door flung open, and her mates stormed in, followed by her father. “Go downstairs, Jaycee. Now!” Dane wrestled with James, but James didn’t stand a chance. He was slammed up against the balcony door. Jaycee shook her head and opened a dresser drawer on the way out with her powers. Jeans and a sweater flew into her hands as she made her way downstairs. Let her men take care of the problem. Shelly stood at the bottom of the stairs. “Are you okay?” both Shelly and Kate asked.

“I’m fine, but I’m still worried about Pierre. Has anyone heard anything?” Jaycee asked, and slipped her jeans on under the dress. They shook their heads. Jaycee tried again to contact him through her mind, but there was no response. As she went to pull off her dress, she realized it was ruined. It was literally hanging by a thread. “Shit! I liked this dress,” Jaycee groaned, and threw it into the fireplace. “I’ll buy you another.” Dane came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “James and the two guards are being taken downstairs to the basement. I have a cell down there. Your father will decide what to do with James. Since he’s not one of us, we have to tread carefully. If I had my way, we’d kill the bastard, but, since he’s human, we have to get the Council’s approval first.” Dane snarled. Jaycee grabbed her stomach and screamed, “No! Pierre!” Dane lifted her into his arms. “What is it?” He stumbled as he sat down with her on the couch and gazed into her face. Jaycee couldn’t move. Pain ripped through her stomach, and she knew that Pierre had just been gutted. The knife had entered his stomach from behind and slid up his stomach. I love you! He’ll take care of you, baby. Give him a chance, he’d whispered in her mind right before he’d slipped away. His words gurgled, and her mind caught visions of the blood flowing from his mouth. A dark, metallic taste coated her tongue. She reached up and touched her lips, then examined her finger. Her vision blurred while she focused on the red that painted her fingertip. A strange ringing invaded her ears. The room started to spin, and her head grew light. She tried to catch her breath, but the ache in her chest seemed to trap the air outside of her body. Her wolf

hovered near the surface and howled its loss into the night. She started to fight Dane’s hold seconds before the crackle of the radio sounded in the room. A static-covered voice reached her ears. “We have a man down. Pierre is down. Jesus, Dane, do you read me? Dane, answer the radio!” The words rang in her head over and over again. She had done this, brought this evil here, and now one of her mates was dead because of her! Jaycee flew out of Dane’s arms when he answered the radio. He roared his answer while trying to hold onto her, but he lost his grip. She ran towards the front door, flung it open and ran outside. Dane and Mark were right behind her. Jaycee knew exactly where to go. Her beast needed to see her mate one last time. “Jaycee, stop!” Dane snapped, and grabbed her around the waist. He pulled her into his arms, but she didn’t hear him as she thrashed around, trying to get loose. “Let me go! I need to see him, please. It’s my fault! Oh, it hurts, Dane!” she screamed out and collapsed. Her body shook, tears streamed down her face, and her body shifted back to its human form. Dane’s fur-covered body sheltered her, and he led her back to the house. “It’s okay, baby. I have you.” Dane’s grief broke free in a mournful wail, and the rest of the pack joined him in the distance. Each member felt a sense of loss. The pack now had a large, gaping wound, and they realized the significance of Pierre’s death. Their brother, friend, and mate had been stolen by the evil that plagued their homes. “Mark, take her into the house.” Dane glanced down at her face, kissing her, and placed her in Mark’s arms.

“Help is coming. This will be over tonight, I promise.” Dane spat out before turning and running back out into the storm. “Where’s he going? He can’t go out there. I’ll lose him, too!” Jaycee shouted, and tried to take off after him, but Mark held her tight. “He’s gone to meet Pierre’s older brother. He’s Alpha of another pack. He’s been around to keep an eye on Pierre. You’ll meet him soon enough. He’ll destroy the one responsible for this, I promise,” Mark stated and entered the house, heading right to the fireplace to sit on the floor with Jaycee. He rocked her back and forth. Jaycee’s body was numb… there was a hole in her heart, incomplete, like part of her was destroyed. “Will the pain go away? It hurts so damn badly, Mark. I experienced every moment with him. The bastard gutted him like a pig,” she whispered into his chest while she clutched him tight. “I know, Jaycee. I felt it, too, but not like you. We’ll just have to comfort each other. We’ll make it through this.” Mark’s voice comforted her. He rubbed her arms and grabbed the blanket his sister handed him. Jaycee felt the warm cotton envelop her, but it didn’t fight the chill that had invaded her soul. Everyone went still. Tremors moved through their bodies as the sound of a woeful cry filled the air. A murderous roar followed the sound of grief. The battle cry shook the windows of the house. Jaycee looked at Mark, and she watched tears form in his eyes. “Pierre’s older brother has been told. He’s out for blood, and nothing will stop him now,” Mark told her, and Jaycee cringed. “He’s going to blame me,” she whispered. “Don’t worry about it. He’ll see it’s not your fault,” Mark said.

The living room door flew open. Dane and another male strolled in, followed by two others who were carrying Pierre’s body. Jaycee pulled out of Mark’s grasp. She wrapped the blanket around herself and approached to Pierre’s body. They’d laid him down on one of the extra sofas. Jaycee kneeled down by his head and brushed his long hair away from his face. Tears rolled down her face as she stared at him. She leaned down and kissed his forehead. “You promised to show me your new toys. I’m so sorry, Pierre. It’s entirely my fault. I should have never come back, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I love you.” Jaycee held him close to her heart. Tears covered both of them. “Jaycee, I want you to meet Pierre’s brother, Remi LeBlathe.” Dane pulled her away from Pierre’s body and held her close. She looked up to an almost mirror image of Pierre. He had blonde hair where Pierre had had brown. Their eyes were the same, but their bodies were different. Remi was huge, twice the size of Dane. Standing at least seven feet tall with a huge chest, her gaze shifted to his hands. Claws, instead, greeted her. Fangs and bright red eyes glared at her. Jaycee tried to step back, but Dane held onto her. “You were bonded with my brother and brought this evil here?” He snarled at her, not caring that the others growled at him. Jaycee inhaled and took a deep breath. She boldly met his gaze and took a step towards him. She lowered her head in a show of respect. “Yes, I was bonded to him. It’s my fault – that they followed me here. I should have never come here; none of this would have happened. I’m sorry. I only knew Pierre for a short time, but I loved him,” Jaycee whispered, and glanced back up at him. He took a small step forward, growling, and sniffed the air around her. She waited, not moving.

“You tell the truth. I’ll find these men again and destroy them. We’ll talk then,” he snapped, glancing down at his brother’s body one more time. He left the house at a run. A howl pierced the night as he shifted to his beast form. Jaycee shook as she turned and placed a blanket over Pierre’s body. “Your brother loves you very much. I’m sorry, Pierre,” Jaycee said and covered his face, turning to go upstairs. “Where are you going?” Dane came up to her on the stairs. “I need to lie down, Dane. I’m tired,” Jaycee said, glancing upstairs. “Baby, I don’t want you upstairs by yourself. Come down here. We can curl up on the couch until this is over. Turk has my men and Remi has his. He’ll finish this soon.” Dane pulled her into his arms and carried her over to the sofa. Mark picked up the puppy and laid him down by the fire. Dane sat on the sofa, wrapping the blanket tightly around her as she curled up with both of her mates. “When will we bury Pierre?” Jaycee asked, her eyes closed. “As soon as this is all over. The Council ordered James’ death along with the guards. We can’t let word get out about us,” Dane whispered into her ear. A howl rang outside. “Shit, they left. We lost them again,” Dane snapped and placed her into Mark’s arms. “This is never going to end. Maybe I should just leave, and then the pack would be safe.” Jaycee got up and poured herself a glass of wine. “You’re not going anywhere. This isn’t your fault, Jaycee. We have half the problem taken care of. We’ll find Curt,” Shelly announced and held her hand. “Shelly, can I borrow some clothes? Mine are ruined. Just a pair of old jeans and a teeshirt would be great.” Jaycee walked to the window. Snow billowed in the air.

“Sure, let me go get you some. We can go shopping soon as this snow lets up.” Shelly left the room. Jaycee first noticed his eyes, the feral red piercing through the white snow. Remi was back, and he was furious. Shelly came up next to her and stared nervously out at the snow, seeing Remi come towards the house. “What’s wrong? You have nothing to fear from him. He’s mad at me,” Jaycee stated and held her hand. They watched him stalk through the storm like an avenging angel. “Dane has told me so many stories about him, that he has special powers and that he is very powerful. He’s never taken a mate. It is said no woman interest him, because no one can take his size.” Jaycee smiled at her friend. “I’m sorry, but that’s nothing to be afraid of. If anything, that would excite me more. Pierre was big,” Jaycee said as the front door slammed open. Remi stomped the snow off of his biker boots. Some of his men followed him into the house. They were all huge; wherever they came from, they sure grew them big. “Shelly can we go and sit in your room? We can just talk. I just need some quiet time to figure out if I missed anything about Curt,” Jaycee asked. Shelly wrapped her arm around her, and they walked towards her room. “Where are you two going?” Dane questioned from across the hall. “We’re just going to my room. It’s right around the corner, and it’s been checked, so don’t worry. Jaycee just wants some girl time,” Shelly said and kept walking. Jaycee heard her mates’ grunts of disapproval, but they didn’t try to stop her. Jaycee stepped into the room and looked around for a minute before her eyes found the window. “I have a confession: I’m leaving again. I need to take care of something, and maybe if

I’m lucky, it will stop this crap.” Focusing on her powers, Jaycee surrounded Shelly in a protective bubble and ran around the room shoving clothes and money into a backpack. She could hear friend struggling to get out. Jaycee stared sadly at her. “I’m sorry, but I need to do this. They took Pierre from me. I won’t have any of you hurt again. You’re my family, and I love you all. It’s time to face my demon. This bubble will conceal your sound and everything for the next half hour. Even if someone were to come in here, they couldn’t hurt you.” Jaycee threw the window open and shifted into her beast form. With the backpack on her back, she ran. Anger and anguish surged through her as she thought of Pierre. She needed to go east, to the closet city, where she could catch a cab to the nearest airport before her mates found out she’d left.

Chapter Thirteen Jaycee glanced around. She had to be about a mile away from the city. Jaycee, where the fuck are you? Dane shouted, and Jaycee smiled. She loved his growls; they sent pleasant shivers up her spine. Her nipples peeked, out wanting attention, but now wasn’t the time. Her mates were tracking her, but she had a far enough lead that they wouldn’t catch her. I’m sorry, but you can’t help me with this. I won’t risk your lives anymore. I’ll be back in a few days. You’ll turn your butt back here now! We have to find another mate for you. Your powers will escalate beyond your control, Dane demanded. You expect me to pick another mate, after I just lost Pierre! Are you fucking nuts? I’m not a damn machine, you pretentious ass. Jaycee knew where they were. A boulder sat near them. She focused her powers and picked it up, throwing it at their heads. **** “Duck!” Dane yelled to Mark and Remi as the boulder flew towards them. “What the fuck was that?” Remi demanded. He stood up and brushed the snow from his clothes. “That is our furious mate, because this numskull here said she needed another mate,” Mark snapped and glared at his brother. “Well, she has another one, and it’s Remi. You heard what her father said. Her powers will keep growing, and she’ll need us to help control them.” Dane took off again running.

“I want to be able to tell her without all this drama.” Remi glanced at Dane as they ran. “Well, I’m afraid right now there is no way around it. You have to mate with her as soon as we corral her,” Dane snarled. Jaycee, I mean it. You get your behind back here now! Sorry, but no! I’m already in the cab – see ya! “Mark, call the boys have them meet us in town. She’s already in a cab. God knows where she’ll end up.” “If I can touch you while you talk to her, I’ll be able to track her, no matter where she is.” Remi smiled evilly. Jaycee, we have three males waiting to see if they’re your mates. You need to get back here now! Dane smiled at Remi. Remi held onto Dane’s shoulder, concentrating. You stupid, ignorant asshole. What gives you the right to have men lined up for me? We haven’t even buried Pierre. What the hell is Remi going to think? He’s going to hate me more! Dane smiled at Remi. “I have her. She’s at the airport.” Remi ran for the road, and they waited for their men. **** Jaycee sat on the plane and fumed. How dare he line men up for me. It would serve him right if I didn’t to come back at all. She looked out the window. Pierre, I miss you! Jaycee closed her eyes and relaxed. It was a six hour flight to California. She would arrive around eight in the morning. She’d reserved a rental car already. It would be there waiting for her arrival. While she slept, she dreamt of Pierre and the last time they had made love.

The plane landed without any problems, and no one was waiting for her when she got off. The rental car was there, just as they said it would be. Jaycee drove for an hour to her hotel after her stop at the mall. She threw her bags and the summer clothes she’d just bought onto the bed. Grabbing a summer dress, she walked into the bathroom. She hopped in the shower and washed off all the grime from the night before. The dress fit tightly around her body. She grabbed the knives she’d purchased at the store, concealing them in hidden spots in the dress. Jaycee grabbed the keys to the car and walked out of the hotel room. Locking the door, she gazed around the lot. No one was around. She hopped in the car and drove to her mother’s home, the one place she’d always promised herself she would never set foot in again. It was forty-five minutes to her destination. This is for you, Pierre. Pulling off the side of the road about a mile away from the house, she slipped out of the car. She would have to go the rest of the way by foot. Jaycee didn’t think her mom would bring guards. She’d always thought she was above everyone else, that no one would ever try and attack her. Jaycee stalked to the house that they had used as a vacation home when she was young. No guards could be seen as she surveyed the property. Jaycee stumbled as a bombardment of deep, seething rage ran through her senses. The men had returned, and boy were they pissed. She turned around just as Dane grabbed her waist. He pulled her into the bushes, and she glanced around to confirm Remi and Mark’s presence. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Dane snapped. Remi reclined against a tree. A piece of grass stuck out of his mouth. His gaze scanned every inch of her body.

“I’m here to take care of my mother, okay? She always comes up here when things go wrong, and she never brings guards. I’ve already searched the property, and I haven’t seen anyone. I’ll finish this part now, Dane. She’s hurt me enough.” Jaycee snarled and tried to get out of his grip. He held on and grabbed a handful of hair, forcing her to look at him. “Remi’s brother Ralph and his men have the house surrounded. They have marked several guards; you just can’t see them. We’ve already taken care of the ones that spotted you,” Dane hissed and kissed her, hard. Jaycee wrapped her arms around his neck, and her body pushed up against him. He pulled his head back. When she looked around, she realized what he had done. They had moved away from the house. “You jackass!” Jaycee hissed and pulled out of his arms, running towards the house. She could hear Dane behind her. Just when she’d reached an open area, Dane tackled her to the ground. “I am going to tan your hide. Didn’t I tell you that there were guards all over the place?” he demanded and sat on top of her, pinning her down. “I have to deal with my mother. Not you or anyone else. She hurt me and had my mate killed because of her jealousy. I won’t stop, Dane. I need to finish this,” Jaycee shouted. Remi stomped in her direction, and she shuddered with trepidation. His fury and something else she couldn’t place washed over her. “What do you mean, she is responsible for Pierre’s death?” he demanded. “My mother is the one who ordered the deaths of anyone close to me, and she turned me over to Curt for his sick pleasures. That way my mother wouldn’t have to deal with him,” Jaycee snapped, and watched Remi get up. He stalked towards the house.

“I’ll take care of her myself,” Remi said. Jaycee’s fury knew no bounds. She hit Remi with her magic, slammed him up against a tree, and held him there. She pulled her leg up and wrapped it around Dane, flipping him off her, only to have Mark grab her. Her beast broke free, and she forgot to keep Remi pinned. He stalked to her and glared. “What the hell did you do to me?” he snarled. “She’s my mother, and I won’t have you hurt. This is my job to take care of!” Jaycee yelled. Dane ripped his shirt off and shoved a piece of it into her mouth, shutting her up. With another piece from his shirt, he tied her hands behind her back. He didn’t say a word as Mark held her. “Tie her to the tree over there. Then we can go in and finish this,” Dane commanded. Mark tied her to the tree. He shook his head and followed his brother. Jaycee stood there, dumbfounded, and watched them enter the house without her. Curt followed in behind them. His taunting words came back to haunt her. “You’ll never get rid of me. I’ve been watching you for years. Every night I would slip into your room and watch you sleep. Well from now on, you will be mine.” His dirty hand twisted her small breast. “Your body likes pain, and I love to give it,” he hissed. Jaycee shook her head, pushing the unwanted memories away. Using her claws, she slashed the material that held her to the tree. She grabbed the piece of material out of her mouth and threw it to the ground. It ends today, you pig. Sneaking up into the house, she could see Curt aiming his gun at Dane. Jaycee grabbed one of her knives and threw it at him. It hit him with a thud, sinking into his back. He fell to the floor, his gaze full of hatred. Blood seeped out of his mouth as he tried to speak.

Jaycee ignored him and ran upstairs. She left Dane, Mark and Remi to deal with the other guards. She had taken care of the main threat. Rounding the stairs, she heard her mother yelling at the maid. She didn’t have a clue that she was in danger. Jaycee strolled into the bedroom and stared at her mother. Her gut twisted with hate. “Hello, mother. I see you’re the same old bitch you used to be. Rosie, why don’t you take the next week off? She’s not going to need a maid anymore,” Jaycee snapped, stepping further into the room. “I see my wayward daughter has returned home. You do know Curt is hunting for you, right? He has some new toys to try out on you.” She laughed and glared. “I’m afraid Curt is already dead. So he won’t be trying to do anything. I think it’s time you joined him,” Jaycee sneered. “What, do you think you have the nerve to kill me?” An evil laugh followed her question. “You couldn’t even kill a spider when you were small.” “She won’t need to. I will.” Remi strolled into the room with the same piece of grass sticking out of his mouth. “By the way, little one, great job with the knife down there.” “Remi, this is my business. Please. I don’t want to have to use my powers against you.” With that warning out of the way, Jaycee jumped her mother. Her mother shifted into her beast and racked her claws against her arm. She swiped her own claws across her mother’s face. Her mother screamed in pain and fell to the ground. Jaycee’s snout wrapped around her mother’s throat and squeezed. But she was grabbed from behind and picked up. It was Dane. Remi stepped up and snapped her mother’s neck, killing her mother instantly.

Dane hoisted Jaycee up over his shoulder, walking out of the room and down the stairs towards the front door. Jaycee didn’t say a word. Mark and Remi followed. Dane threw her into her rental car passenger side and slammed the door. Remi and Mark hopped in the back; Dane joined her in the front. “Where are the keys?” Dane asked, not even bothering to glance at her. Jaycee opened the glove box and handed him the keys. Dane tore out on to the road, going in a different direction then her hotel. “I have things at my room I need to get,” Jaycee informed him as she gazed out the window. “We’ll pick them up tomorrow on our way back to the airport.” He drove into a long driveway surrounded by woods. A huge mansion sat back against the large trees. “What is this place?” Jaycee asked, staring in awe and getting out of the car without waiting for Dane. “This is my brother’s pack home.” Remi walked up to the door, opening it, as Dane pushed her forward. Mark followed next to them. Four males waited in the living room, and Jaycee remembered what Dane had said about finding her a new mate. She stopped dead in her tracks and spun furiously around to confront Dane. “If you think I’m going to fuck anyone to find another mate, then you can go fuck yourself, because it’s not happening,” Jaycee gritted between her teeth. Dane pulled her to him. “You’ll do whatever I tell you. I’m tired of you not listening to me. Now shut up and quit being rude,” Dane demanded and pushed her forward. Mark said nothing, his glare icy. She didn’t say a word. The men stopped talking as she approached them.

“Remi, it’s so good to see you. I take it you’ve finished the business you were talking about. And I see you found your runaway mate, Dane. She is a beauty in her beast form. Her breasts are enough for any man to enjoy.” The man’s gaze traveled down her body, landing on her breasts and staring. Jaycee didn’t move or say a word. Remi snarled behind her, but she didn’t care. “Enough, Ralph. Don’t be rude,” Remi snapped to his brother, who laughed. “Why don’t you show Dane and Mark their room, and we can talk later,” Ralph said. Remi walked out of the room. Dane followed and pushed her ahead of him. Jaycee didn’t even bother to take in the beauty of the house. Remi pointed to a room and Dane pushed Jaycee in while he stood outside, talking to Mark and Remi. A door to the left caught her eye. She opened it and noticed a huge bath tub. Starting the water, she shut the door, shifted back to her human form, and hopped into the tub. While she soaped her hair and body, she could hear her mates walking around the room. Leaning back into the tub, Jaycee took a deep breath. It was over, she thought. They were dead. Jaycee closed her eyes and tried to remember something good about her mother, but she couldn’t think of anything. All she could remember were her father and Nana. Nana was dead, and she’d already lost her father once. One of her mates was dead, and now she was to be tried out by other males. As if she was a female dog in heat. She let it all go. Tears flowed freely down her face, and big gulps of sobs broke through. Her legs curled up to her stomach, and she rocked back and forth. Dane came in. His arms surrounded her and picked her up, carrying her to the bed and gently lowering her. “Hush, Jaycee. It’s going to be okay,” Mark whispered, lying down next to her and pulling her towards his naked body.

“He’s gone, Mark. Pierre is really gone. There’s a huge hole in me,” Jaycee mumbled in between gulps of air. “I know, baby, but we’ll make it. It’s what he would have wanted. For you to move on. He loved the way your body responded to his touch.” Mark trailed his hand down to her pussy, pushing his leg under hers, and opened her up for him. Dane lay down on the other side of her. His hand traced the curves of her breasts. “We need you, baby. We need to sink our cocks into you and know you are safe,” Mark whispered into her ear, opening her up further for Dane’s inspection. Dane let his tongue trail down her body, licking every inch of her skin. Jaycee moaned as his tongue hit her clit. Mark rolled her nipples in his fingers, pinching them. “Just feel, baby. That’s all we want, for you to feel tonight,” Mark said, biting her neck, and held her in place. Jaycee closed her eyes and concentrated on the touch of her mates. She needed their loving. There was so much pain in the last two days she needed to forget. Dane pushed his fingers through her soft folds, reaching for her special spot. He rubbed it back and forth. Then they both pulled away from her, flipping her to her knees, and spread her legs. Mark worked on opening her while Dane pushed two fingers into her ass and two fingers into her pussy, slowly fucking her. Her body shook. She needed to have them in her, but she didn’t say a word. The first smack landed on her butt, and she held the moan back. The hand came again and again. Her behind burned, and her pussy ached to be filled. Dane removed his fingers, spread her wet lips, and smacked her clit. Jaycee couldn’t hold it back. “Please, may I cum?” she begged.

“No!” Dane ordered, spanking her again. Mark reached around, grabbing her nipples, and played with them until they formed to points. Then she felt the cold of metal touching them. Her eyes flew open in time to watch him attach a nipple clamp to each breast. Jaycee held her breath. The clamps pinched and sent a tingling sensation down to her toes. For a moment, she forgot about the hot tongue that licked her pussy and the teeth that glazed over her clit. “Cum now, baby!” Mark ordered. His mouth sucked onto her clit, sending her over. Juices squirted all over the bed and into his mouth. Her body shook with her release. Slowly, warm lips trailed up her body, followed by a very aroused, naked body who licked and sucked as he moved up her body. Jaycee glanced down through a heated gaze at Remi, who gazed up at her. “Mine!” he barked. He had her juices all over her face. His eyes glowed bright red. Remi grabbed her breasts, twisting them to the point of pain. She cried out as he pushed his cock into her pussy, working his great width and length into her. His cock was larger and thicker than any she’d had before. Remi stretched her further than she ever had been. Someone ran their hand through her hair and pulled her head back. “He’s your other mate, and he carries the same genes as his brother. We knew it before you left the pack house.” Dane hissed and pushed his lubed cock into her ass. Between Remi and Dane’s combined sizes, she could barely take it. “It’s too much!” she cried, but they didn’t listen. Mark crawled up on the bed and pushed his cock into her mouth, silencing her. “You can take it, baby. Now suck me!” he demanded.

Both Remi and Dane pushed their cocks the rest of the way home. She screamed around Mark’s cock. Pain and pleasure soared through her entire body as they started to fuck her hard. “Didn’t I hear you tell Shelly that you would love to have my huge cock stuffed in your pussy? Well, from now on, you’ll have it all the time. Take me, now!” Remi ordered and bit her breast after removing the clamps, marking her. Jaycee’s body took all that they gave, orgasm after orgasm, but her heart broke. They had tricked her and made her feel dirty. All three of them pulled out of her and cleaned her up. She didn’t say a word to any of them. She curled up into a ball, tears slipping down her cheeks, and waited till they were asleep to look for an escape. She needed time alone. Silently, she crawled off the bed and around her mates so as not to disturb them. Remi’s giant arm held onto Mark as they slept. Dane lay snoring on the other side of Remi. None of them woke up as she passed by. Stepping into the bathroom, she saw her chance for freedom. A small window big enough for a small wolf.

Chapter Fourteen Her bones crunched, and her body shifted. Jaycee jumped through the open window and out to freedom. She scoped out the woods, only to stop in her tracks when Remi’s brother stepped in her path. “Now, where are you going, beauty? Do your mates know you’re taking a midnight stroll?” He smiled down at her. Her lips curled, showing her teeth, and she growled. “Oh, I see .Well, then, please proceed.” He stepped out of the way, laughing. “I love it. Remi has finally met his match!” Jaycee ignored him and ran straight up the mountain. Tears soaked the fur on her face, and her howls of pain pierced the night. Slowing to a walk, she stepped into a clearing and walked to the edge of the cliff. The moon was full and cast a shadow over the valley below. She howled and whined her pain. Her howl was answered a few minutes later when a lone wolf whined behind her. Jaycee turned and studied the wolf. She knew he was a natural wolf. She lay down and ignored him, too tired to enjoy his company, but he lay down near her and rested his head against her back, waiting. Lost in her pain, Jaycee jumped when the wolf next to her growled and lifted its head. Another growl rose behind her, and she knew Remi had found her. He stood there in his wolf form, huge and beautiful, but she didn’t care at this minute. Leave me alone! she snapped. I haven’t left! I’ll be back in a few hours. I need time.

You left us in the middle of the night! What were we supposed to think? Remi demanded, advancing closer to her, showing his teeth at the male wolf. Leave him alone. He’s just keeping me company. He wants to mate with you. When you’re in this form, it’s easy to conceive. And you’re ours. Is that all you guys ever think about? I just wanted to come out here alone. To get away. You don’t know me. None of you do. Have you or my other mates ever asked me anything? Have you asked what I like to eat, what my favorite movie is, do I like to read, or what any of my fantasies are? NO! All you did was take my body, and, even in that, you tricked me. Do you know what’s happened to me in the past? Do you even know my last name, Remi? We haven’t even buried your brother, and you have taken me like a common slut. Jaycee shouted in all her mates’ minds, letting them know what she thought. She continued to stare out at the night sky and mountains that surrounded them. Her other mates joined them and moved closer. Please leave and let me enjoy the night alone. I promise to be a good girl and come back to spread my legs for you three – whatever you want! The real wolf next to her rose. His hair stood up straight on his back, and he flashed his teeth, growling; he could clearly sense her anger and hurt. She nudged his leg to tell him to go. She didn’t want him hurt. She watched him take off running into the woods, wishing it could be her. Do you think us so crude? Remi admonished her. You needed another mate. I knew you were mine when I first got to Dane’s a couple of days ago. I watched Pierre, but I did nothing. I didn’t want to hurt him. He was connected to Dane, so he was connected to you, but he wasn’t your true mate like Dane and Mark. I am the third now, and I won’t leave.

Jaycee ignored him and curled her wolf body up, resting her head on her paws. She stared despondently out at nothing. He approached her, sniffing her body, and curled up next to her, putting his head on her back. He watched her. She could feel her other mates slowly approach her. They circled her and lay down in a circle around her, waiting. Lost in thought, Jaycee didn’t say a word for ten minutes. She knew her body wanted these men, but her heart ached for more. When I was fourteen, I had a best friend named Aimee. We did everything together. She already knew who her mate was. He would watch her, buy her things when she didn’t have the money. Aimee always said it was annoying, but I envied her. He courted her all the time. She and her mate are the ones who helped me leave and find Gaston. They were the only ones who knew what Curt had done to me. I was beaten pretty badly, and she nursed me back to health enough so I could leave. She hid me from everyone, because we couldn’t trust anyone. Her wolf whined. I miss her; she was supposed to have a human wedding at the same time she had her bonding ceremony. I was supposed to be in her wedding. They have taken so much from me. You three keep taking, but you don’t ask if it’s what I want. You could’ve told me Remi was my mate, and I would have accepted it. Why couldn’t you give me some time and a chance to know you all? You know my body, but you don’t know my heart, or my dreams, and you’ve never asked. You’ve just assumed. Jaycee rose up and pushed Remi off her. I need to run! Jaycee took off running, her mates trailing behind her. She felt so free running, the wind brushing her fur back, the night animals watching and hunting. It’s late; we should return to the house. We have a long day ahead of us, Dane stated, running beside her. He nudged her towards the house.

Jaycee didn’t want to go, but she turned towards the house and ran. She didn’t shift back until she was in their room. She walked to the bathroom, replaced the screen and turned on the shower. She needed to clean the sweat from her body. Her mates roamed around the room as she let the water cascade down her body. Tired and sore, she knew tomorrow would bring more problems. Stepping out of the shower, she dried off and wrapped the towel around her body, making her way into the bedroom. Remi stood at the window, looking outside as he spoke to Dane. Mark lay on the bed listening to their conversation. Jaycee walked to the bed and slipped her towel off, crawling in. Mark leaned over and pulled her body next to his, just holding her. Jaycee closed her eyes and snuggled up to him. She woke alone; the sun peeked through the window. A dress lay draped over the chair across the room. Jaycee shrugged her shoulders, dressed, and descended the stairs. Yells and growls reached her ears. “What the hell do you mean, Curt’s older brother has a hit out on her?” Remi demanded, pacing back and forth. “Word just got back from one of our sources that Curt was small time. His elder brother now controls everything, and he wants blood. He found out that Jaycee killed the bastard. He’s not going to stop coming for her.” Ralph sat at the dining room table drinking coffee. “Do you mind if I have some of that coffee?” Jaycee strolled into the room, making an obvious point of ignoring her mates. Ralph smiled and pushed the pot of coffee towards her. “Welcome to the family, little sister. I don’t envy you having to take on Remi over there. But I say he and the rest of your mates have their hands full with you,” Ralph grinned at her, and Jaycee smiled.

“Did you ever doubt it?” Jaycee smiled, staring out at the grounds. She noticed more guards patrolling the yard. “So, Curt’s brother is coming for me? Maybe my first idea of leaving would be better. I mean, I’ve been running all my life. Why stop now? Especially if he is a bigger threat than Curt. I don’t need any more blood on my hands.” Jaycee stated the obvious without looking over her shoulder. “There’s no need for you to leave yet, dear sister. You see, this man doesn’t know who he’s messing with. Our family takes threats against our clan members seriously. He’s already been sent a warning this morning.” Ralph got up, going to the balcony door, and smiled down at her. “You see, there are six of us here, and every one of us are the Alphas of our own pack. I’ve called in the others. They’ll meet us at your home.” “Wouldn’t that put your packs in danger if you come to Dane’s home? It would be easier and safer if I just left.” Jaycee retraced her steps into the dining room and grabbed a blue berry muffin from the table before sitting down. “You’re going nowhere except home, where you belong. The packs will be fine. He knows not to start a blood war he can’t win. The National Council is also sending three more representatives with more guards. They’re taking this threat seriously.” Remi’s harsh voice ran through her. He stood beside her and stared at her with untamed eyes. “What about your pack? Are you going to move them?” Jaycee mumbled and stuffed a piece of muffin in her mouth. “Yes, Dane and I have talked. We’ll combine our packs to make one of the biggest in the U.S. Our packs live right next to each other, so there won’t be much to move. We have a meeting planned for tomorrow with everyone. Today, when we get back, we’ll bury my brother. My

family will all be there, so you’ll be able to meet everyone,” Remi said, running his hand down her face and cupping her chin in his hand. He brought her head up to look into his eyes. “Tonight, we have something planned for you, and nothing will ruin it. We promise,” Remi whispered and lowered his mouth to hers in a soft kiss. “The jet is ready. We should return her car and pick up her bags at the hotel.” Dane smiled down at her. It was the first time in a long time that she’d seen him smile. Jaycee let him help her up and escort her to a limo. She smiled. It was the first time she had been inside one. “You like your toys, don’t you, Ralph?” Jaycee grinned at him and got into the limo. She frowned as she studied the occupants. “Where’s Mark?” Jaycee asked as Remi, Dane, Ralph and two guards got into the limo. “We’ll pick him up at the rental place after he drops off your car. First we’re going to stop at the hotel and pick up your things.” “This is a small toy, but I see you’re enjoying it.” Ralph grinned at her, and Jaycee laughed. “Who wouldn’t? This is the first time I’ve ridden in one.” She was so caught up in riding in the limo she didn’t notice they’d pulled up to the hotel. Remi helped her out and walked her to her room. Jaycee slid her card to unlock the door when she smelled it. Shit and piss! Remi pushed her behind him before opening the door. Dane held her against his back. Peeking around Dane, she stared in horror at the sight of her trashed room. All her new clothes were ruined, again.

“What is it with wolves pissing and pooping on my clothes? I just got those, damn it!” Jaycee fumed and pushed into the room. Everything on the floor was either ripped in shreds or pissed on. “Okay, this has to stop. I can’t afford to keep shopping for clothes!” Jaycee huffed, while inspecting the damage. Both of her mates sniffed and pushed her out the door to the limo. Jaycee’s hands were balled up into fists, her palms sweaty, and her body shook. “We need to stop at the mall or something. I can’t go to the mountains with a summer dress on! I have no boots, nothing,” Jaycee grumbled and looked out the limo window as they pulled away. “We don’t have time to do that, Jaycee. We have to pick up Mark and get to the jet in half an hour.” Dane’s eyes were full of regret. “Well, what the hell am I going to wear? I don’t have anything, Dane. All my stuff is ruined.” Jaycee glared at him. “I’ll call ahead to Shelly and have her bring some clothes to the airport. You can change on the plane.” Dane pulled out his phone and called her. “That takes care of that, but I need other clothes, Dane. I can’t just keep borrowing Shelly’s things. I need my own clothes!” Jaycee knew she was throwing a fit, but she was tired. Everything she owned was ruined. They had their clothes, but she had nothing. “Calm down, Jaycee. We’ll get you new clothes soon, but right now we have other problems,” Dane grumbled as they stopped the limo at the rental place. Mark climbed into the limo and stared at everyone’s expressions. “What’s happened?” Mark asked Jaycee, but she just ignored them.

“Someone trashed her room and her new clothes again. She wants us to stop somewhere so she can shop!” Dane said, annoyed, and nodded at her. “I see you don’t go anywhere without your stupid boots. But it’s okay that I don’t have anything that’s mine. Or maybe you just want me naked all the time so you can make me spread my legs on command!” Jaycee shrieked and glared at him. “We do have time. There’s a store near the airport she could run into.” Ralph stared at her mates. “We can’t risk being attacked. We don’t have enough men.” Dane stated, but the limo pulled into the store anyway. She got out of the car before they could stop her. She ran for the door and ignored her mates, heading straight to the women’s department of Bloomingdales. She knew they were expensive, but she didn’t care. Dane could pay for it. Grabbing three pairs of jeans, four sweaters, eight pair of thongs, and a couple of bras, she laid them on the counter and told the women she’d be back to start ringing them up. She gestured towards Dane to let the woman know he would pay for them. Jaycee went in search for boots, tennis shoes, a winter coat and a couple of dresses. She had never shopped so quickly in her life. She had everything done in fifteen minutes. All the while, she could hear her mates grumbling. The saleslady had just started packing her bags when she noticed her bras weren’t in there. “Okay, who took my bras out?” Jaycee glared at her mates. “You don’t need them.” Dane dared her to say something. She noticed a couple of teddies slipped into the bag that she hadn’t picked out. “But I need those?” Remi smiled. “I picked those out. I can’t wait to see you in them.” Remi smirked at her. Jaycee just shrugged her shoulders and grabbed the bags while Dane paid the bill.

She smiled at its total: $8,769. 59. Mark grabbed a couple of her bags and laughed at her smug face. “That didn’t even touch our bank account, baby. That was pennies.” Mark laughed at her as she stuck her tongue. She climbed into the limo and felt supreme satisfaction while Ralph laughed at all her bags. “Boy, for a woman, you sure know what you want. I’m impressed. That was quick.” Jaycee smiled. “When you’re on the run for as long as I’ve been, you learn to grab and go. It’s been my life for the past fifteen years.” No one said anything in response. Jaycee looked back out the window. They rolled up to the airport fifteen minutes later. Dane and Remi covered her body as she made her way into the jet. Grabbing a pair of jeans and a sweater, she headed for the bathroom before they could take off. Jaycee felt much better stepping out of the bathroom in jeans. She noticed the men talking as she took a seat next to Dane. She curled up next him, and he handed her a diet Pepsi. Smiling her thanks, she laid her head onto his shoulder and listened to him talk. Dane glanced at her a couple of times, but she held back from participating in the conversation. She waited for him to finish talking.

Chapter Fifteen “Okay Jaycee. What do you want?” Dane glanced down at her, a frown on his face. Everyone waited for her response. “Actually, I don’t want anything. I just wanted to be near you. Sorry if I disturbed you.” Jaycee shrugged her shoulders and got up, moving over to an empty seat away from them. Pulling on a blanket that lay atop her seat, she curled up on the chair and watched the warm weather slip away from her view. The men had stopped talking and were getting out their coats and boots ready for the cold weather that would greet them. The plane was landing, and not one of her mates had said anything to her. Jaycee watched the snow fall from the window. Mark handed her the new boots and coat. She smiled her thanks, put them on and headed to the door of the plane. A second limo waited for them on the tarmac. She descended the stairs, Remi in front, Dane and Mark behind her. The wind blew snow all around her as she stepped into the limo. Shelly was waiting for her. She didn’t say anything at first, just stared at her. “Listen, I’m sorry about what I did. I had to try and finish this. I didn’t want to hurt you, but it was the only way I could think of to end it. I’m sorry about your clothes. These stupid wolves love to tear my clothing up.” Jaycee smiled and sat next to her. Shelly’s mate pulled her into his arms and frowned at her.

“Shelly brought you some clothes, but I can see you got your way again and bought some new ones,” he snapped at her. Shelly didn’t say a word. She just sat there for a minute as the shock of that statement wore off. “Hmm, yes, I really got my way, didn’t I? My mother had to be destroyed, and I have another psycho after me. Oh, and let’s not forget that I didn’t get any time to get used to my new mate. He was forced on me, but hey, who’s complaining? I just love putting other people in danger all the time.” Jaycee snapped. “Jaycee, enough. You’ll not treat my sister’s mate with such disrespect,” Dane ordered, sitting beside her. “Oh, but he can more or less call me a spoiled brat?” Jaycee glared at him. Dane shrugged his shoulders. She looked around the limo. No one said a word. Except Ralph who smiled, “You know, Jaycee, I’m a bit spoiled, too. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Matter of fact, I am proud of it.” Ralph laughed. Jaycee just smiled at him as she sat there. Twenty minutes later, after the longest ride of her life, Jaycee exited the car and walked up to the house, not even bothering to speak to anyone. She was hungry. It was lunch time, and she hadn’t eaten anything. Throwing her coat on the coat rack, she walked to the kitchen, and ignored her father as she strolled by him. Jaycee proceeded to make a sandwich for herself. She noticed Kate come in and sit down at the table with her. “If you’re here to tell me I’m spoiled, too, it’s already been said. I don’t need a lecture, please,” Jaycee mumbled, eating her sandwich. “Who called you spoiled? I’ll flatten them. I was worried about you. I heard what happened with your mom,” Kate said, and reached over to grab her hand.

“Everyone thinks I’m spoiled, Kate, Shelly’s mate called me it more or less, and not one of my mates said anything in defense. You’re the only one so far who’s worried about what I’m feeling about my mom. No one has asked or even brought up the subject. It’s like they don’t want to hear about anything.” Jaycee got up and threw away her napkin away. “But that’s okay. I’m used to it. I’m just someone they can spread my legs and take. Listen, I have to get ready for Pierre’s burial. I heard them say they wanted it to be during the day, since it would be safer.” Jaycee walked to the door. “Shit! They didn’t tell you, did they? They’re not going to let you go to the burial. They said it’s too dangerous. They’ve already left.” Jaycee stood there in stunned disbelief. The assholes wouldn’t even let her say goodbye. Jaycee was silent as her tears fell. She walked upstairs to her bedroom, her prison. The room had been cleaned. She turned and locked the door behind her. Her body was numb. They’d done it to her again, lied to her and tricked her. She walked to the balcony door and gazed outside. She could see the two packs walking up the hill to the grave site. She spotted Remi immediately. He looked up at the window, and she turned to walk away. Jaycee fell onto the bed and cried herself to sleep. Jaycee woke to pounding on the door. “Jaycee, get up. It’s time for supper. We’re to eat in the pack house tonight,” Dane yelled through the door. Jaycee looked at the clock; it was already six. She walked to the bathroom, threw water on her face, and realized she didn’t care how she looked, fuck them all. She dried her face and brushed her hair. Jaycee opened the bedroom door to find Dane and Remi waiting for her. She lifted her chin and stalked right past them. Hell would freeze over before she’d give them the satisfaction of speaking to them.

“You didn’t change your clothes? We do have guests tonight. And, after all, I did buy you new clothes,” Dane snapped, but she ignored him. Her father and Kate stood at the bottom of the stairs, and she could tell Kate was furious with her father. Kate and Sam hugged her. They both took an arm and accompanied her to the pack house. “I’m so sorry, Jaycee. I’m furious with your mates and my husband. I refuse to talk to them,” Kate proclaimed. “You shouldn’t do that, Kate. At least he loves you. I don’t want anyone to suffer for me anymore. I’m tired, Kate,” Jaycee whispered to her as they entered the pack dining room. Twice as many people stood there, waiting. Remi’s pack stood in attendance with Dane’s. Jaycee stopped waiting for her mates to guide her. On cue, they came up to her and escorted her to their table. She quietly sat down as Dane went up to the microphone to talk. Jaycee ignored it all until Mark elbowed her and growled, motioning to the stage. She got up obediently, going to stand next to Dane. “Do you have something to say about Pierre?” Dane asked. She didn’t even look at him. “I only knew Pierre for a few days, but he was part of me and will always be. His strength and humor shined out all around him, making everyone want to be around him. Maybe he shouldn’t have met me; otherwise, he would be here now for you. All I can say is that I am sorry my life has affected you in such a horrible way. I love you, Pierre, and I’m sorry I couldn’t see you laid to rest.” Jaycee walked away from Dane and to her seat. There were no more tears, just her heart ripped in shreds. Jaycee pushed her food around her plate and tried to eat, but her stomach just wouldn’t let her. She felt the stares and glares from the pack around her. No one said anything. She left as soon as she was finished eating. Her mates were so busy talking to various pack members that

they didn’t even notice her leave. Her guards followed her as she made her way back into the living room. Grabbing a glass of wine, she sat on the sofa and sipped it. “Alpha, may I come in?” A woman’s voice broke her trance. Jaycee looked up and saw the two females that had confronted her waiting to talk to her. Jaycee nodded, and the guards let them in. Jaycee sat up. “What can I do for you?” Jaycee sighed, laying her glass of wine down and motioning for them to sit in the two chairs. They both sat and glanced down at the floor. “We wanted to apologize about the last time you saw us. We were wrong,” one said, not even lifting her face to look at Jaycee. “Did my mates ask you to come here and apologize?” Jaycee asked. She watched them fidget around in their seats. “You don’t have to answer. I can see it in your actions. You know, maybe the both of you were right. I should have never come here. You know, I tried to leave, but they dragged me back again. I love them, but that won’t be any good when they’re six feet under the ground like Pierre. I thank you for coming. I hope one day we can be civil to each other,” Jaycee said, and walked to the window, looking outside. “Alpha, he was happy with you. We talked afterwards. He told me a little about his feelings. I was wrong, and I shouldn’t have stood in the way of your relationship.” “I, too, have talked to Mark. I see the way he watches you. Even tonight he couldn’t take his eyes off you. You give him something I couldn’t. You’re where you belong. Never doubt that.”

Jaycee turned to look at them both. “Thank you. That means a lot to me, because I know it came from you, not my mates. Go have dessert with the pack. You don’t need me around.” She watched them leave the room. Then Kate came into the room with Sam, who hugged her legs. “Mommy brought our dessert with us so we could share it with you.” Sam pulled her to the sofa where Kate sat with three plates of black forest cake. Jaycee picked up her plate. “Wow, this looks great. Thank you. I needed this.” Jaycee laughed as Sam attacked his cake. Kate also laughed. Her father came in with her mates. Jaycee set her plate down, not hungry any more. “Hey, you’re not eating it. What’s wrong?” Sam looked up and saw the men in the room. “Oh, you’re angry at them, aren’t you?” Sam asked and stared at her. Jaycee looked down at Sam and smiled. “No, I’m not mad at them. Just disappointed. There’s a difference,” Jaycee whispered to him, knowing they had heard her as the moved into the next room. “But you need to eat your cake. It’s good for you.” Sam shoved her cake back at her. Jaycee laughed, picked up the plate, and took a bite. He watched until she finished the whole thing and smiled. “Now don’t you feel better? Cake always makes me feel better,” Sam said. He grabbed the game boy and ran to a chair to play. Jaycee smiled at him and took their dishes to the kitchen. “What are you going to do? You know this can’t go on like this. They walk into the room and the tension goes so high someone could come along and blow all of you away,” Kate said as they washed the dishes. “I don’t know. How can I get past what they’ve done? You know on the plane I tried, but I was more or less shoved aside. All I wanted was Dane to hold me while he talked, but I was an

interruption to him. Then he yelled at me for confronting Shelly’s mate after he yelled at me.” Jaycee sat down at the kitchen table and stared at Kate. “I don’t know what to say, but you need to talk to them and explain how you’re feeling.” “Tried that last night, but they didn’t say a word. They just told me it was time to go to bed because we had to get up early. It seems all they want is to have sex. Hell, Kate, I don’t know anything about any of them expect for what Shelly has told me about her brothers. And Shelly won’t even talk to me now. I tried to apologize, but she didn’t forgive me.” Jaycee ran her hands through her hair. “Maybe if you meant what you said, I would have talked to you. But you attacked my mate,” Shelly said coming into the room. She handed them both a glass of wine. “Shelly, you know I’m sorry for doing what I did, but I wouldn’t change it. I had to deal with my mother. Remi killed her. They wouldn’t let me do it myself. After all she has done to me, they wouldn’t even let me finish it.” Jaycee stood up and paced back and forth. “Maybe they didn’t want you to regret killing your own mother. I understand you wanted to confront her, Jaycee, but why couldn’t you have just told me instead of doing what you did?” “Tell me something honestly. Would you have gone and disobeyed your Alpha, your brother. I didn’t want to put you in that position. Don’t you understand? This way they blamed me, just as they blame everything else on me.” Jaycee kneeled down at Shelly’s side. “You’re my best friend, Shelly. I couldn’t ask that of you. My life’s a mess, and yours is just beginning with your mate. You needed time with him without having to worry about me.” Shelly hugged her tightly.

“I’m sorry, Jaycee. I missed you. I couldn’t believe those assholes wouldn’t even let you go to the funeral. I haven’t talked to them since you got back. Hey, how did you find out Remi was your mate?” Shelly winked and smiled at her as she pulled back. Jaycee pulled out of her arms, hugging herself instead. “You don’t want to know,” Jaycee whispered. “What did they do? Tell me now; so help me god if they hurt you,” Shelly demanded. Jaycee laughed as tears rolled down her face. “I thought I was having sex with Dane and Mark. They had my back turned. It wasn’t them, though. It was Remi, and he took me. That’s all there is to it,” Jaycee whispered, gulping her wine down and setting the glass in the sink. She heard both Kate’s and Shelly’s gasps. “You mean they didn’t tell you about Remi? They just… I’ll kill them.” Shelly yelled, and jumped out of her chair, making it slam down on the floor. She ran out of the room, followed by Kate. Jaycee sighed and took after them, but they had a head start. By the time she caught up to them, it was too late. Shelly had run and attacked her brother, throwing him down on the floor and hitting his face. Kate was right behind her and had pinned Remi against the wall with one finger. Jaycee didn’t know what to do, but she watched her father pull Kate back. Mark pulled Shelly off of Dane. “Enough! What the hell is going on?” Dane bellowed, and glared at Jaycee. Jaycee laughed and glared right back. “Don’t you even glare at her, you jackass. How dare you take Jaycee without letting her know you were there! Don’t you know that’s rape?” Kate yelled at all of them. Jaycee didn’t say a word. She walked to the sofa and sat down. She heard her father growl and come towards her.

“Jaycee, did they do this?” her father snapped. “It doesn’t matter, dad. What’s it going to change? He’s my mate now. It’s done.” Jaycee shrugged her shoulders and curled up on the sofa. Her father knelt down next to her, cupped her chin, and lifted her face until she looked at him. “It matters to me. You’ve been hurt enough.” He looked into her eyes. A tear slipped out and rolled down her face. “I want him, dad. He’s mine, it would have been nice if they’d told me and maybe courted me, but I guess they don’t know how to court. Maybe there wasn’t enough time. It doesn’t matter anymore, don’t you see? They won’t even talk to me,” Jaycee whispered and pulled away from her father. She ran up the stairs to her room, slamming and locking the door. She walked to the balcony and stripped her clothes off. The door flew open. She shifted, jumping off the balcony to the ground, and ran towards Pierre’s grave site. Jaycee lay down on his grave, and the tears fell from her eyes down to his place of rest. I am so sorry I wasn’t here earlier. They wouldn’t let me come. They’ll probably kill me for being here now, but I need to be here. I am so confused, Pierre. They won’t talk to me or hold me. They don’t know anything about me, and they don’t want to know. I’ve tried! Jaycee’s mournful wail released some of her grief. The sun set behind the mountain. Is this what it’s going to be like for the rest of our lives, Pierre? Because if it is, the running hasn’t stopped. The wind howled in the distance. Gentle fingers caressed her fur. Jaycee, you must remember that Dane, Mark, and Remi have both been trained to always put the pack ahead of anyone or anything else. Give them time. Show them what it’s like to be loved unconditionally. Slowly lifting her head, Jaycee stared at Pierre’s ghostly body as he kneeled down next to her.

I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. There will be times when you won’t know what to do, but talk to them and make them listen. I’ll be watching, and I’ll always be in your heart. Just know you’re not alone, my pet. Pierre, please don’t leave me. Jaycee tried to move in closer, but he slowly vanished from her sight. Remember, Jaycee. They all love you, as did I. TO BE CONTINUED…