Taken by Her Mate (3 page)

Breathing out, Addie dried her face with a few paper towels and tossed them in the trash. In all honesty, Brendan had changed. He wasn’t the goofy boy who had chased her around with snakes hanging from sticks, or pinched the backs of her arms every time he walked by. Since his transformation hit in his late teens something inside of him had changed. His anger was always right under the surface, ready to be unleashed at the drop of a hat. There was no doubt that his transformation had made him unstable, which was rare but could still happen amongst their kind. It seemed the whole pack either looked the other way, or seriously had blinders on. No one noticed, and if they did, they just patted him on the back and said it would make him a ruthless alpha. She was sick of thinking about it, worrying about what would happen when it was time to tie
herself
to him.

She pulled the bathroom door open and stepped out into the hallway. A female moan had Addie turning her head and looking toward the dark corner by the fire exit. Her heart stopped, but not because the couple were all but screwing ten feet from a room full of strangers. Everything around her stilled because her soon-to-be mate currently had his tongue wedged down some blonde’s throat. There was no denying it was Brendan, not when the tattoo of their pack’s crest in the center of his back was visible through the white of his shirt. The circular insignia, which was unique and worn by only the males of her pack, was like a bitch-slap to the face. If that wasn’t enough of a confirmation, the tattoo on his right bicep that declared him a future alpha of their pack, shone like the neon sign outside the bar.

She wanted to move, she really did, but it was like watching an accident. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from the wreckage. Of course Brendan sensed her, because she couldn’t be lucky enough that the stench that filled the bar would hide her. Disentangling his tongue from the busty blonde, he didn’t bother removing his limbs from hers, just looked over his shoulder at Addie. His eyes flared, and he let his gaze travel up and down her body. She felt naked under his drunken stare, and it was clear Brendan was toasted. His pupils were dilated, and the odor of alcohol that came off of him could be smelled from where she stood.

“Didn’t think the virgin would be
slummin
’
it with the townies.” His voice was slurred, and she bristled at the tone. It had been a good while since she had spoken to him, and now it was just awkward. “If you want, I can break you in before the night of our mating? It’ll make it more enjoyable for you, less painful.” He let his eyes travel down her body again.
 
He grinned at her, all straight white teeth that reminded her of the dangerous wolf he really was. “Although I can’t say it won’t hurt every time, sweets. I do like it a bit rough.” She felt dirty under his glazed-over stare and at his words. This was not the boy she had grown up around. The male in front of her was a ruthless animal that only cared about his own needs. There was something deep inside of him that had broken. Whoever stood before her, propositioning her like she was some kind of whore, was not the Brendan Marston she knew.

Not bothering to respond, Addie fled to the safety of the night. She needed to get away from the suffocating press of bodies around her. She heard Jackson and the other guys calling her name, but she didn’t stop, couldn’t. She felt like such a fool as tears slid down her cheeks. This was never going to work. She refused to be tied down, especially to a male like Brendan, and she would make sure it was known. It didn’t matter whom she pissed off in the process, Addie was finally going to stand up for herself.

Chapter Two

Addie had sure grown up nicely. Shaun recalled her running around the forests while he’d been visiting with his father to her pack. Before she’d turned eighteen he’d spent hours chasing her with Brendan. After she’d turned eighteen, the precious little wolf was forced to stay inside, protected in order to preserve her precious virginity. No other man or wolf was allowed to touch her, and not even her brother’s friends were allowed near her. He despised the pack rules and wished there was something he could do to change them. Once Shaun was no longer allowed to see her, his visits to the Northern Mountains ceased. He only went if his father ordered him to. Scenting Addie on the wind and not being allowed to see her was a nightmare. Putting himself through such torture lost its appeal to Shaun very quickly. The Northern Mountains was a fun place to be as long as you didn’t like civilization, at least if you didn’t like mingling with other people. He liked being around people even though he was a wolf.

Staring at Addie’s retreating back he turned to look at the cause. Brendan went back to sucking face with another woman. He couldn’t believe the man before him was the son of the alpha or that he’d lost Addie’s hand to this man. There was no way Brendan could be alpha. The man was a mean son of a bitch, and Shaun didn’t trust him at all. Addie didn’t know Shaun’s father petitioned the right to her hand. Their mating would have united two packs. Instead she’d been promised to this piece of shit in front of him. The scent of the other wolf repulsed Shaun.

“You got a problem?” Brendan asked, looking up at him. His words were slurred. Walking away would be Shaun’s safest option. Glaring at the other wolf, Shaun made his way to the bar where Addie’s brother sat drinking beer and leering at the women in Steel’s Corner. He ignored the barman and waited for Jackson to notice him. Shaun and Jackson had gotten along fine during the years he’d spent with Addie. Jackson was a good guy, even if he did think with his dick most of the time.

“What are you doing in Northern Mountains?” Jackson asked as he stood to go after Addie.

“I’ve got business to take care of.”

“Does this business have anything to do with trying to take my sister?” Shaun had come clean to Jackson about his feelings for Addie, and it was her brother who asked for him to be considered for Addie.

This week he got one last chance to try to win Addie’s hand before she was given to that rat bastard.

“It sure does. Did you know she caught Brendan sucking face with a slut over there?” He pointed behind him.

“Shit, I didn’t think he’d be out. He’s supposed to be staying in preparing for his fucking mating or some shit. Guys, we need to go and find Addie.” Jackson spoke to his friends before downing his shot. “One night out and I fucking lose her.”

“No, you stay here. I’ll go and talk to her.” Shaun got off the stool ready to go searching for his woman.

“Are you sure? Addie’s not normally around men she doesn’t know. She’s a bit geeky.” Jackson left out the part where it was against the rule for any male to be around her alone, but her brother knew better than to say anything. It wouldn’t have made a difference to Shaun anyway. He did whatever the fuck he wanted to, especially when it concerned Addie.

Shaun smirked. “I like them geeky.”

He waved to the other pack members and then made his way out into the night air. Closing his eyes, Shaun lifted his face to the sky. The scent of sex, beer, and crap food permeated his nostrils, but the subtle fragrance of lemon and the earth filled his senses. Addie wasn’t too far away. He’d scent her anywhere. There were nights he’d lain awake thinking about drowning himself in everything that was Addie.

You’re starting to sound like a pussy.

Following his nose like a dog Shaun found her curled up on a bench with her arms wrapped around her legs. Tears were streaming down from her eyes. The scent of her misery engulfed him. Fisting his hands, he waited until his beast was under control before stepping closer.

Her head jerked as he came into her sight. She glanced up at him then reached up to wipe her eyes. Did she remember him?

“Have you come to gloat?” she asked. Addie stared down at her hands refusing to look him in the face. He remembered a time when all Addie did was look at him. Those times were long gone. They were no longer teenagers and both of them had a responsibility to their packs.

Shaun saw her hands quiver as he took another step toward her. He took a seat next to her on the bench. “Why would I gloat?”

“I remember when we were kids. You always liked seeing me hurt in some way.”

Her remark cut him deeply. “No, I didn’t.”

“Yes, you did.”

Letting out a sigh, Shaun reached out and grabbed her. He hauled her onto his lap. She fought him a little at first before settling into his lap. Wrapping his arms around her small body, Shaun comforted her the best way he knew how. When he was younger, his mother used to hold him until the bad dreams went away. He’d gladly do the same with Addie.

“Seeing you in pain does not make me happy, Addie. I see you remember me though,” he said.

Her lemon scent was intoxicating. His cock thickened at having her close. Over the years his attraction for this auburn-haired beauty hadn’t diminished. The feel of her body next to him was driving him to distraction. How could Brendan even think of touching another woman when he’d got this sweet morsel waiting for him? Addie was being handed to him on a plate. The lucky bastard didn’t have the first clue of what he was getting.

Take her with you. Make her yours.

Shaun cut off his thoughts. If he took Addie and made her his mate the war between their packs would be a disaster. His family was all about keeping the peace between them.

“Of course I remember you. It’s pretty hard to forget a friend who just ups and leaves you. I thought you’d come back. I didn’t think you’d just disappear without a word?” she said. Her head turned to look at him. “I know the rules, know that you had a life with your pack, but when you never came back, not even to just say hi, I was heartbroken, Shaun.” He was caught in her grey eyes. The instant he got her in his bed he’d have her eyes shooting fire at him. The only howls he’d ever hear from her would be the howls of pleasure as he made her come over and over again.

“It’s the rules. You were promised to Brendan, and I couldn’t see you. Coming by, even to say hi, was just so hard, Addie. There was nothing for me without you to keep me company. Why would I stay around and continue to come by when the reason I visited the Northern Mountains was not allowed near me? It was like a knife being thrust in my chest every time I saw you.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not saying it was the right choice, but it was the one that was less painful.”

She smiled. Her smile lit up her whole face. Cupping her cheek he brushed the tears from her eyes. “You shouldn’t be crying over that bastard. He doesn’t deserve you,” he said.

“I’m not crying over Brendan. He’s a dick. I know that.”

“What
are
you crying for?” he asked, intrigued to know.

“I’m crying for me. No matter what I do or say to my dad, he’ll tell me the same old crap. I’m promised to Brendan. I can’t back out of it. I’m supposed to be his mate. It’s unfair.”

“Spoken like a woman who refuses to fight.”

She glared at him. The rumble of her beast brushed across his skin. Her wolf was angry at him as well.

“I can’t fight what I’ve been told to do.”

“You can fight everything. Addie, you were always a fighter. Do you think he’ll stop fucking around when you’re mated?” he asked.

She shrugged. He hated the defeat inside her. Addie was once a fighter, a firecracker. Shaun would do anything to see the girl he’d known fight for her life, her future.

“I’ll just have to live with it,” she said, climbing off his lap.

He watched for several moments as she made her way back up the mountain. The thick set of the trees obscured her from his view. Shaun didn’t need his eyes to find her. His sense of smell was enough. Closing the distance between them Shaun tugged her arm forcing her to turn and face him.

“You’re going to live with it?”

“I don’t care. I don’t love him, and I’m doing what I’m told.” Addie made to turn away from him again. The movement incited his anger. Shaun was bigger and faster than Addie. He moved in front of her stopping her from leaving. “You’ll live with it. Addie, you’re a wolf,” he said.

“So, what does me being a wolf got to do with anything?” She made to go around him.

Taking her arm in his Shaun pinned her against the nearest tree. Leaning in close to her face he took the opportunity to inhale her sweetness.

God, she smells amazing.

His wolf growled in agreement. Everything about Addie pulled him in. His feelings for her were like a natural force clawing at him to take her and to taste. The thought of tasting her made him think of licking her pussy. She’d be exquisite on his tongue. He’d draw out her pleasure and have her pussy soaking wet before he fucked her, claiming what was rightfully his.

Tightening his grip on her arm, Shaun battled with his control. Addie wasn’t his to take. He needed to respect his father’s wishes. His father didn’t want war with the other pack.

“Do you really have any idea what you’re getting yourself in for?” He asked the question but didn’t give her a chance to answer. “You’re a wolf, and you’ll scent everything on him. Can you handle him taking your virginity, making love to you, and claiming you as his mate? Then think about him coming home smelling of other women. Their scent all over his skin and knowing in your mind he put his dick inside their cunts and enjoyed it. Can you handle knowing he didn’t give a fuck about you while he’s fucking those faceless women because you’re stuck at home looking after his kids?”

Shaun painted an ugly picture. Tears were once again streaming down her face. Seeing her misery was like another punch to the gut. He didn’t want to cause her pain. Being in the Northern Mountains was about winning her back for him. Losing her wasn’t an option.

“Why are you doing this?” she asked. “It’s hard enough seeing it with my own eyes. I’ve got to mate him in one month, four days, and approximately nine hours.”

He laughed. “You’re counting down the days until you’re mated?”

“It’s not like that.” She fought his hold. Shaun tightened his grip refusing to give in.

“Calm down. I’m not going to hurt you,” he said.

“You’re hurting me. You being here
hurts
me. You left me without a word, and now you’re back to gloat. I thought you were my friend. I bet you’ve got a nice little mate waiting for you to take her. You’ve always had the better end of the life. I’m just a fucking pawn for my father.”

Her anger was finally unleashing. Shaun kept his argument inside letting her growl, curse, kick, and punch at him. She needed this release before she went back home.

Addie didn’t have the first clue how his life had turned out. He’d been forced away from her in order to protect her precious virginity. Her father denied him her hand. Knowing she could be with Brendan sent his anger spiraling out of control.

“Do you really think I had a fucking choice, Addie? I was told I wasn’t allowed to see you. I’m not the one in charge. Our parents are. They control what we do and our mates. I never,
ever
wanted to leave you,” Shaun said. He couldn’t live with her thinking he’d walked away without looking back.

The first time he’d seen her in nearly three years and she was crying over that rotten bastard.

Her tears stopped along with her kicking and cursing. She collapsed against the tree, rubbing her temple. “My head hurts,” she said. “Do you realize in one month, four days, and nine hours, Brendan will have his tongue down my throat and his cock inside me? He’s a nasty piece of work, and he just told me he likes it rough. How can I go to him without being afraid? Do you recommend me getting drunk?”