Promised: True Mates Book 1 (BBW Paranormal Wolf Shifter Romance) (A Craggstone Paranormal Romance) (8 page)

James stared into the distance for a few moments, seemingly deep in thought. His mouth quirked up at the corners, as a grin spread over his face.

“Amanda,” he declared.

“Wha—what?” Amanda stuttered from the audience.

“You will be my proxy. You have shown loyalty, trustworthiness, and kindness. You have the capabilities to be an Alpha, therefore I know you can lead the pack. You’re strong and tough.” James rose to his feet, pulling me with him. “Most of all, you have a connection to the Smithrock Pack. You
want
it to get better. You
want
it to thrive. I will organize the trials, if need be, once the pack is good and whole again. What do you say, Amanda?”

Squaring her shoulders, the young woman in question looked over at the neighboring pack, the pack her grandfather’s brother had lead. “I’ll do it,” she replied, her mouth set in a determined line.

Tarq stepped up to her side. “She’ll need help,” he said in an easygoing drawl, cocking an eyebrow at Amanda’s scowl and flexing his thick biceps. “Babe, you should never pass up the opportunity to have some muscle on your side.” Winking at her outraged expression, he turned to James, waiting for his approval.

Chuckling, James whispered under his breath to me, “Didn’t see that one coming! She’ll eat him for breakfast!”

To the waiting crowd he replied, “Sure, sounds good to me. Amanda, as my Alpha-proxy and Tarq as her Beta.”

Heckles and catcalls fill the air and, surprisingly, Amanda blushed to the roots of her hair before shouting them down. “Okay, agreed.”

The bear Council Member lumbered to his feet, stretching his thick arms and cracking his knuckles. “I think our time here is nearly done. All that is left to decide is where you want to be, young Kara? Colstone Pack? Smithrock Pack? Lone wolf? Choose James as your mate? Choose yourself?” His deep, growly voice gently pushed me for a decision.

“I will find Lisa, no matter what you choose, Kara. I promise you that,” James said taking my hand. “I love you, my true mate. If you still want to be free, to find yourself, then you shall have that — I will wait for you. I would wait for you forever. I just want you to be happy.”

“It doesn’t matter to you? That I’m broken? That I’m scared half the time, scared of not knowing where I come from or who I am?”

“You’re not broken, my love, you are healing. Eric was a bad man, an evil man, one who should never have been allowed near you. You’re strong, stronger than most people I know, because you survived what he did to you. And as for not knowing who you are or where you come from? You are
you,
Kara. Wonderfully unique, compassionate, caring, kind, funny, intelligent and—” he ticked the list off on my fingers, lowering his next words to a growl, “—so sexy I can’t see straight. I can’t see any other woman - you’re it for me.”

Looking into his handsome, earnest face, his nose a little bloody still but starting to heal, face scraped and dirty, everything just fell into place. This man would let me be
me
— because he loved me for myself. He wouldn’t try to change me, or tell me what to do. He would protect me, like I would him. My blood burned for him, and my wolf howled for him. She had trusted him long before I had, and she was right - he was the other half to my soul.

“I choose you, James,” my words rang out, clear, over the gathering. “To be my true mate, the other half of my soul. I will run with you, live with you, share my heart with you, and be true to you.” The words flowed from deep inside, a promise of both heart and soul.

“And I choose you, Kara — I will run with you, live with you, share my heart with you, and be true to you, always,” James replied, before gathering me into his arms and kissing my upturned mouth.

“So it is done,” the Council decreed in unison.

Whooping and cheering filled the clearing, both packs mingling together in celebration.

Pulling away, James tilted my chin with his finger. “Just one more step to complete, my love. The mating hunt!” His face was split nearly in two with the breadth of his grin, then his smile faltered, uncertainty clouding his sunny expression. “We don’t have to just yet, if you don’t want to. I don’t want to bring back any bad memories for you, of Eric.” Concern colored both his voice and his actions, as he wrapped me in his arms.

Hugging him, I laid my ear against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart…my heart. I wanted to feel his heart beat inside of me, through the bond.

“I’m ready, I want this, I want
you
— inside me, heart and body.”

Releasing him I turned, shucked off my rags and, throwing him what I hoped was a sultry glance over my shoulder, darted off into the forest.

The cheering echoed in my ears as I ran, fast and swift. I heard James let out a joyful howl, then all I could hear were his feet thundering behind me, branches tearing and the panting of his breath — he was chasing me, on the hunt.

The mating hunt. A shiver of anticipation tickled down my spine as I sped up. The chase was on.

B
ranches caught
in my hair and twigs snapped loudly under my feet as I ran, twisting and turning through the forest. Coming up to the river, I slowed and waded through carefully. Cupping the water, I washed the dirt and sweat from my body, before climbing up the river bank on the other side.

Hearing loud splashing behind me, I turned and saw James deliberately following my path through the water, stalking me. The water surrounding him took on a rusty-colored tinge as the trials of the day were washed clean.

My eyes followed his hands as he cupped water over his chest and shoulders, the droplets running in rivers down his broad, defined chest and getting lost in the short black hair that traveled from his belly button, down his abdomen, and grew thicker at his groin.

A pheromone haze misted the air, our mutual lust zinging like electricity, causing a throbbing, pulsating warmth in my core.

With a dry mouth, I watched as he rose from the water. His cock, thick and long, thrust proudly toward me, bobbing with his movements. Clenching my thighs, a moan escaped my lips as I shuddered, imagining him moving, thrusting inside me.

With a spike of adrenaline, I turned and ran, thighs slick with the sticky moisture of my arousal, leading him on the mating hunt.

With a roar, he thundered behind me, moving closer and closer.

Dodging under a branch, I circled an old fir tree, chest heaving, excitement thrilling through my veins.

On a growl he pounced, grabbing and rolling me on the soft ground, lush with leaves and scented with pine. Our legs tangled and my breasts were crushed against his hard chest, the friction hardening my nipples to tight peaks of sensation.

His mouth came down on mine, savage with lust, teeth and lips moving, demanding entry. Tongues dueling, his hands pinned mine above my head while gently cradling my wrists. The gentleness of his hold was a vivid contrast against the hardness of his body pressing, insistent against mine, moving, seeking entry, seeking fulfillment.

Releasing my hands, he skimmed his down my ribs, tweaking and massaging my generous breasts, his eyes hot with desire and wonder. A hot wetness at my breast, as his tongue curled around my nipple, lapping and teasing. The edge of teeth causing me to cry out into the moonlit sky.

Probing at my core, his work-roughened fingers delved between my lips and stroked over my sensitive clit, pressing and rubbing.

I arched my back, my skin too tight for my body. The throbbing deep inside me intensified as he slipped first one, then two thick fingers inside me, stretching and pushing.

“So tight,” he groaned, the first words spoken other than our moans and cries of pleasure.

My answer died on my lips as the peak I was climbing fell away and the stars shattered around me.

Shifting, he pushed my legs wider, his engorged cock nudging at my entrance, the thick head slick with his excitement.

Drifting back down from the clouds, panic started to engulf me. Flashes of Eric, his grabbing hands and rough attempts on my body.

“Open your eyes, Kara. Look at me.”

James held himself, poised over me, his face a blend of exquisite agony and love. He was holding back the mating lust for me. His muscles twitched with the need to mate, the need to be inside, to have, to take.

He was waiting for me to choose.

The fog cleared. I chose.

“I love you,” I whispered, pulling his head down and laying hot, wet kisses on his firm lips. Wrapping my legs around his hips I pulled, impaling myself on the tip of his cock.

“Thank the Mother! I love you, too,” he moaned, a garbled whisper as he thrust deep inside me in one smooth stroke.

My body felt invaded, filled and stretched. I felt complete for the first time in my life.

“Are you okay, my love?” he asked anxiously, stroking my face, holding himself perfectly still.

“Better than okay, my mate. I can take it, I won’t break. I want it — I want you!”

It was like a dam had been broken, pulling back his hips he thrust hard, deeper inside me, again and again, his hips like a piston. His cock filled my pussy again and again, pushing me higher and higher, the bliss nearly indescribable.

Cries of ecstasy flew from my lips, breathy moans mirrored by his husky growls and grunts of pleasure.

Sweat dripped off the both of us, our skin slapping and limbs trembling. Like a roller coaster ride, I felt the rush of the climb then suddenly I was falling, again, spine arching, mouth open with my silent screams of rapture.

Pinpricks of fire burned on my shoulder as his teeth punctured my skin and he claimed me as his mate. Turning my head, I extended my fangs and bit hard, making him mine and completing the bond.

The mating bond swelled and grew, barreling through me, linking us eternally, our souls entwining. A rush of love and admiration from James engulfed me, together with his growing urgency, his need, his lust.

Swiveling my hips I lifted myself to him, squeezing him tight, while whispering words of endearment and love.

With a roar he bucked madly, and thrusting forcefully, his spine arched in climax and I felt the warm, thick gush of cum filling me deep inside. Echoes of his rapture ricocheted through the bond, and writhing under him, I rode the shock waves of his orgasm.

Clasping me to him, his breathing ragged, he tenderly licked the wounds on my shoulder. Contentment washed over me. I was exhausted, sticky and dirty once again, but I was irrefutably happy. I had found myself.

“Shall we go home?” His words were muffled against my neck.

“Let’s run as wolves. They haven’t met properly yet, and I know she’s dying to meet him.”

Pulling back he grinned at me, his happiness and satisfaction pouring through the bond.

“My wolf says,
yes please!
”

* * *

R
unning
up the steps to the pack house, clad only in our skin along with a little dirt, James grabbed me and swept me up into his arms. Holding me as if I weighed little more than a feather, he shoved the front door open with his broad shoulders.

“Welcome home, Mrs. Colstone,” he said, his face all teeth and crinkly eyes. “Human tradition, carrying you over the threshold. Also, meant I got to have another squeeze of that lovely—”

“James, Kara, welcome home!” Claire, James’s mom, barreled out of the kitchen and swept us into a group hug, bringing with her the scent of apple pies and cinnamon. “Congratulations! All is now as it should be, thank the Mother. I was worried about you, both of you, but now here you are — the new Alpha pair, ready to start a new life.”

Fishing in her voluminous apron pockets, she pulled out a wrought iron key, the old kind that were used before deadlocks were invented. Turning to us, she grasped our hands together and pressed the key into our palms.

“I want you to have this. This is the key to a little log cabin over on the mountain. It was a special place for me and Adam, James’s father. Somewhere to go to escape pack life, and the responsibilities of being an Alpha. Now it will be somewhere you two can escape to.”

“Mom!” James protested, looking like he’d been sucker punched. His eyes glowed with love and affection.

“Now, now, James. I have no need for it now, not with your father gone. Enjoy! And I don’t want to hear another word. I have my happy memories, now it’s time for you and Kara to make your own. And some grandbabies, mind you! Lots of grandbabies!”

Giving our stunned faces a pat, she smiled wryly and bustled off back to the kitchen. “Breakfast in fifteen minutes! You’d better wash up before you come to my table…”

* * *

S
eated at the large
, wooden table, I looked around at the many faces helping themselves to the feast that Claire had put on. Not as many as the night of the party, but enough that I couldn’t put names to all the faces. Feeling a little anxious, I groped for James’s hand, his strong presence beside me acting as an anchor while I flailed in the winds of self-doubt.

“They love you, like I do.”

Buoyed by his reassurances, I looked into the sea of faces and saw love and respect. Love because of James, and they wanted him to be happy, but the respect was just for me. I had earned that by standing up for what I believed in, for standing by Lisa.

My heart stuck in my throat at the thought of my friend, alone and hurting somewhere.

“We will find her, I promise. Sean has sent word that he might have a lead. He is chasing her, as fast as he can. He will bring her home to us, to you.” Raising her hand to his mouth, he brushed a gentle kiss over her knuckles.

“We leave today,” Amanda announced from across the table, setting her cutlery down with a clatter. Turning to Tarq, she glowered furiously. “You don’t have to come, you know.”

“Oh, but I want to come, babe,” he replied, his tone sugar sweet and mocking. Turning serious he added, “There is a lot of work to be done. You’ll need my help, even if just for the muscle.” He joked the last bit, flexing his impressive bicep under Amanda’s perfectly upturned nose.

Huffing and shooting Tarq a distinctly unimpressed look, she turned to James. “Whatever. I’ll send word of what we find.” She turned to look me directly in the eyes. “I will search for Lisa, too. If anyone knows anything, I will find out. I make that promise to you.”

“
We
will find out,” Tarq grumbled next to her.

Cutting short the brewing argument, James held up his hands. “Thank you
both.
We need all the help and people on this we can. Kara and I will visit of course, but first, I think we have a cabin to go investigate,” he glanced at me, a lustful twinkle in his eye and lowered his voice to a growl, “and some grandbabies to make.” Sweeping me off my chair and into his arms, he carried me out of the room to the sound of cheers and catcalls.

And I agreed with him completely.