Mating Brand: 3 (Mating Heat) (12 page)

“You know I didn’t leave because of anything you did. You
can’t get rid of me now. I’m here to stay.”

He prayed that was true. “The only reason I survived when
you disappeared was because my family kept pulling my ass out of bad
situations. I turned self-destructive. You know how I mentioned that I figured
out I loved remodeling? I went into rages sometimes and nearly destroyed this
place. I had to fix it at some point. That’s when I discovered I enjoyed the
work.”

Her fingertips slid into his hair and she clenched her
fingers, getting a firm enough hold that it stung his scalp. “Listen to me. It
wasn’t your fault.”

“We fought that morning and I shouldn’t have stormed out. I
just left you when I should have stayed to work it out. I’ve kicked my own ass
over that decision a million times. I drove you to leave.”

“People argue, Brand. Just because you love someone doesn’t
mean you have to agree on everything. It ripped me to shreds when I packed my
bag and drove away. It had nothing to do with you going for a run. That was
your way of cooling off and I’ve always understood that. I just realized how
much us not being mated was tearing us apart. I wouldn’t have been able keep
saying no if we’d had more time together but I couldn’t live with knowing what
it would cost my family. I’m the one who is sorry. I should have told you
everything but I was too afraid.”

“Why?”

She chewed on her bottom lip and he remembered what that
meant.

“Spit it out, hon. I hate when you think something but won’t
share it with me. That’s part of the reason you just said you left me. Tell me.”

She released her lip and sighed. “You tended to be rash back
then. I was terrified you’d make death threats to my pride leader, trying to
protect my family from his wrath. I could see you doing that.”

“It might have worked.”

“You would have been killed, Brand. Percy is a dick and
would have killed my family out of spite just because you threatened him. He’d
have ordered my people to attack you. One wolf against an entire pride is
suicide.”

“I would have called him out if that were the case. I’d have
issued a challenge.”

“You’re assuming Percy has honor. He has none. He rules
through fear and intimidation. You would have been facing down every enforcer
while he sat on his lazy ass watching them tear you apart. He’d never have taken
you on by himself. He and his son have that in common. They always have others
do the dirty work.”

Questions filled Brand’s head, ones he wasn’t sure he wanted
answers to, but he had to know. “Did that son of a bitch you mated ever allow
anyone else to hurt you, Charma?”

“No. He did that himself. I was weaker and not a threat. He
didn’t hit me as much as you might assume. We avoided each other most of the
time.”

He silently swore to hunt the bastard down and kill him
after the mating heat passed. He’d seen the bruises on her. It never should
have happened. The prick would pay dearly for daring to lay an abusive hand on
his Charma.

“I wasn’t implying Garrett had others hurt me. I was
thinking about what he’d have done to you if you’d shown up in our pride lands.
Percy would have had you killed but Garrett would have made sure you suffered
first, Brand. He would have taken it out on you that I’d allowed someone else
to touch me.”

“You said you weren’t dating anyone when we met.”

“He wasn’t my boyfriend. I never dated him or let him touch
me. He tried plenty of times but I wasn’t interested. He decided I was going to
become his mate and made it clear he’d hurt anyone who looked at me twice. He
would have seen it as a betrayal to find out we lived together and I loved you.
I used to have nightmares about the horrible things he and his friends would
have done to you.”

Anger rose but he pushed it down. “He might have changed his
mind about wanting you for a mate if he’d learned about me.”

She eased her hold on his hair. “No, Brand. You don’t get
it. He knew I hated him, that he was the last person I wanted to be with, but
he didn’t give a damn. He was a spoiled-rotten first son of a pride leader. A
bully. Vicious.” She took a deep breath. “He beat on and harassed anyone he
didn’t like because he could. His father never reined him in or scolded him for
the messed-up things he did. He just would have made an example of you and
counted it as a bonus to watch me suffer your loss. That’s the type of jerk he’s
always been.”

“I would have killed him.”

“I’m not insulting you. You’re obviously a great fighter. I
saw that firsthand when you got all those werewolves away from my car but you
would have been facing off against an entire pride. Garrett makes sure he can
win before he gets involved. He’d have had his friends attack you until you
were so injured you couldn’t fight back and then he would have struck.”

“I really want him dead.”

“So do I.”

He studied her closely and saw sincerity. “How could you
stand to be with him?” He had a new sense of her inner strength if her life had
been as appalling as he suspected.

She looked away. “No choice. I had to stick it out until my
sisters were old enough to mate.” She held his gaze then. “It was my
responsibility as the oldest to keep them safe. I never suspected that one of
them would hook up with the son of another pride leader. If she hadn’t, I’d
still be trapped there until Bree is settled.”

The tears that filled her eyes broke his heart but she
blinked them away. His mate was strong and beautiful. “I understand. I’d do
damn near anything for blood.”

“I have.” Her smile appeared forced. “Let’s change the
subject. You said something about us going to the alpha house. Does your family
want to meet me?”

It was a reminder that they needed to leave. “My cousin
Anton decided it would be safer if the family and the enforcers move into Uncle
Elroy’s home. We’re stronger united and we’re the ones the pride males want. It’s
safer for our pack if the pride isn’t tearing apart the town seeking us out. We’ll
make certain they know where to come.”

She gaped at him.

“It’s a good plan. We want to draw them away from the weaker
members. There’s nothing to worry about. You’ll be safe inside the house. I
wouldn’t leave you here alone anyway. Some of them might decide to go house to
house searching for easy prey. My cousins need me in this fight. I wouldn’t do
it, though, if I believed you’d be in danger. You’re my priority.”

“You need to fight. I understand that, even if I hate it. I’d
never ask you to abandon your family when they are depending on you.”

He hadn’t thought for a minute she would. She’d suffered
plenty for the safety of her own family. “I know it’s going to be difficult
being around so many wolves but they are aware that you’re my mate. No one will
dare give you any shit. My cousins and I made that damn clear.”

“What about Alpha Elroy? Is he upset that I’m here?”

“No.” Brand tried to hide his anguish. “He doesn’t know
about you. Long story short, his parents arranged his mating to my Aunt Eve. He
did his best to love her and be a good mate. It wasn’t reciprocated. She did
something really bad recently and he banished her from our territory. He had no
choice but to shun her.”

Charma’s eyebrows arched, her surprise clear.

“She endangered her own son, put his new mate in grave
jeopardy and planned to kill Uncle Elroy and his half-human son who was born
before they mated. She deserved to die but my uncle has a big heart. Mating
heat had begun so losing her at this time would have driven him insane. You don’t
come back from that. Our doctor put him in an induced coma. My cousins are
leading the pack until it’s safe to wake him after the heat passes. He’ll have
a rough time of it, adjusting to the loss of a mate but he’s strong. He’ll
survive.”

She was silent for long moments and seemed to carefully
consider what he said. “Will he have a problem with me once he’s back in
charge?”

“No. He’s a good man. As I said, he has a half-human son. He
didn’t know about Grady until the mother abandoned him on their doorstep after
discovering he could shift. Eve demanded he kill my cousin but he refused.
Grady mated a human. My cousin Anton is the one who mated a she-cat. Uncle
Elroy accepted them. He’ll accept you too.”

She still didn’t appear convinced.

“He will, Charma. Uncle Elroy has been a father to me since
my parents left.”

“You never talked about them except to say they were gone. I
thought you meant they’d died. Are they still alive?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s not a good story to tell.”
Charma peered at him until he gave in. He’d do anything for her. “My dad was
kind of stupid and thought he’d make a better alpha of this pack. He challenged
Uncle Elroy and lost.”

That stunned Charma. “I thought werewolves didn’t do that
kind of thing if they were brothers. Was your mother the sibling to the alpha?”

“Nope. It was my dad. Uncle Elroy should have killed him.
That’s pretty much a given when you challenge for leadership. They were asked
to leave the territory instead and banned from ever coming back.”

“How horrible.” She massaged his arm. “I’m so sorry, Brand.
Why didn’t you go with them?”

“My father was wrong. Uncle Elroy is a fantastic pack
leader. I was given the choice to stay or go. I chose the Harris Pack. My
parents were angry and have not contacted me since.”

“Oh, Brand.” Her sadness showed in her eyes.

“Don’t feel sorry for me, hon. My cousins are like brothers
to me. I might have lost my parents but I kept the whole of my family intact by
staying. I’ve never regretted that. This is my pack.”

“But it’s got to be hard not knowing where your parents are,
or if they are still alive.”

“They’d have contacted me if they wanted to. I’m listed in
the book. It’s not my favorite subject so let’s change it. You asked how I know
my uncle will accept you. I know him well and he’s going to welcome you with
open arms. I have no doubt about that.”

“I’m glad you’re so sure.” She braved a smile.

“It’s going to work out. We need to get ready to leave. We’re
expected at the alpha house soon.”

“I don’t have any spare clothes so this shouldn’t take long.”

“We’ll go shopping once the pride males leave town. For now,
you can borrow anything of mine you like.” He enjoyed the idea of her wearing
his stuff but naked was better. His dick hardened. He groaned, glancing down at
it with disgust. “We need to hurry before I lose my mind needing you again.”

Charma stared openly at the attic space that had been
converted into a guestroom. The smell of dust tickled her nose. Brand hovered
behind her and she turned, catching the worried expression on his face.

“I’m so sorry about this. It’s not exactly nice and I doubt
anyone has stayed in this room since Aunt Margie spent the summer five years
ago. She had a thing for living in attics after a flood destroyed her home. The
higher above ground, the better. I picked it because it is the most private and
gives us the floor to ourselves.”

“It’s great.” She glanced at the queen bed, two nightstands
and a line of boxes piled up along a wall. “I wish it had a television but
there are books.” She pointed. “See. Those are clearly marked as romances in
that top box to the far left. I love them so I’ll have plenty to read.”

He inched closer. “This wasn’t how I thought it would be
when we mated. It’s safer here with all of us under one roof though. I’ll get
you a TV.”

She grinned and stepped into his arms. “I was teasing. With
you in heat, I’m sure I’ll be far from bored. I don’t care where we are as long
as we’re together. The place just needs a good cleaning.”

A soft growl rumbled from him. “I want you.”

She pressed her hand against the front of his jeans,
caressing the hard length of his cock trapped inside them. Her breasts
flattened against his chest. “I’m all yours.”

He brushed a kiss over her mouth. “I’ll never get tired of
hearing you say that. It’s not real yet. I keep half expecting to wake up alone
to discover none of this was real. It would kill me.”

“I’m real.” She reached up to dig her fingernails into his
biceps. “Feel me.”

His arms tightened around her. He lifted her and carried her
to the bed. They fell in a heap. Dust rose around them, causing both of them to
sneeze. A snarl tore from Brand.

“Damn it! This isn’t romantic.”

Charma chuckled as she slid her fingers into his silky hair.
“It doesn’t matter. We could be lost in the woods, starving, and it could be
pouring rain. I’m happy that I have you.”

“I just want everything to be perfect.”

She gazed deep into his beautiful eyes. “It is. You’re here
with me.”

He took possession of her mouth again as he shoved her
clothing out of the way. She tore at his shirt, attempting to push it up his
torso. She needed to feel his skin against hers. The urge to lick him, rake her
nails down his back, and the ache between her thighs assured her she was ready
to have his cock buried deep inside her.

He was her mate, her life, and every bit of happiness that
she’d ever dreamed of having. They were together and nothing else mattered. She
was going to enjoy every moment to make up for all the years they’d lost.

Brand rolled over and Charma sat up to straddle his lap. She
hooked her fingers beneath her shirt and tore it up her body. His fingers
snagged the cups of her bra and tugged to get her breasts free. She unfastened
the back of it, wiggled her shoulders and he threw it to the floor. He massaged
her taut nipples while she ground her ass down over his thighs, wishing they
were naked and he was already inside her.

“You’re so beautiful. I missed you so much.”

Brand’s words were enough to make her tear up. “I love you.
I died a little every day that we were apart.”

He rolled them again to pin her under him and stared deeply
into her eyes. “If you ever take off again, I’ll track you down, hon. I swear I
will. To the ends of the earth if that’s what it takes. I’ll never be without
you again.”

She tore at his shirt, material ripped as she desperately
sought hot skin. “Good. I’ll hold you to that promise but I’m not going
anywhere. I’m right where I belong.”

A growl tore from his throat that promised he wouldn’t be
gentle fucking her and her excitement level spiked higher. Memories of the past
blurred with the present as they kissed. All those years had passed but the
strong passion between them hadn’t faded. If anything, they’d both learned loss
and the value of being together.

His mouth devoured hers as she met his tongue with her own.
Charma ground her body against his, needing to feel him. A soft growl came from
her throat and surprised them both. Brand responded by snarling. His hands
became rougher, gripping her tightly and he pinned her under his big body when
he rolled them to the center of the bed.

A cry of protest sounded when he tore his mouth away but he
buried it against her throat to nip with his fangs. His hot lips kissed their
way down to her breast to tease the taut nipple he scraped with his teeth. Her
back arched off the mattress and her nails dug into his shoulders when he
sucked hard.

“Fuck me.”

He released her breast and jerked his head up. His sexy eyes
appeared more feral, the color nearly black now, and his breathing increased. “Strip.”
He braced his arms, lifted and rolled off to give her room.

They both frantically wiggled out of their remaining
clothes. Brand got naked first and flipped onto his back. His cock stood
proudly, hard, and held her full attention. His fingers opened and spread on
his chest to skim over his nipples, his flat belly, all the way to his hips.

“Come here, hon.”

She dropped on the bed to crawl up him with one of his legs
between hers and paused when her face hovered over the thick shaft of his cock.
Her tongue darted out to wet her lips and Brand’s gaze narrowed as his hands
lifted to cup her face.

“I can’t look at you enough, touch you enough, and it
still
feels like a dream.”

“How about a wet one?”

She dropped her gaze to his lap and opened her mouth. The
tip of her tongue swiped the crown of his shaft and swirled in a circle. His
body jerked on the bed but he held still after that initial lack of control. A
soft purr burst from her and her chest vibrated from the source.

Warmth seeped through her until her body felt as if it were
on fire. It surprised her that she was reacting so intensely to Brand. He must
have sensed how much she needed it because he was going to allow her to taste
him this time.

He was sexy as hell and she wanted him but her level of need
was off the charts of normal under the circumstances. It wasn’t her time to go
into heat but there was no denying the symptoms. Her gums even ached a little
as she wrapped her lips around him and sucked his cock deeper into her mouth.

“Fuck,” he growled.

Don’t grow fangs
, she pleaded with her body.
If he
realizes, he’ll make me stop.
The tingling along the top row of her teeth
persisted as she coaxed her mate into a fever of passion. The taste of his
pre-cum on her tongue only seemed to draw forth her more basic instincts until
she tore away from him, fearful of causing him harm. She felt her eyes changing
as her vision became brighter and more vivid.

“Oh God,” she panted. Her hand covered her mouth and the
pain assured her that it wasn’t her imagination. The sharp points pressed
against her palm as her fangs elongated. She stared into Brand’s dark eyes and
knew he realized what was happening to her.

“Hon?” Alarm widened his eyes.

“Muh fangs.” She winced, hearing the lisp.

He tried to sit up but she was in his way. His hands caged
her ribs and he rolled her onto her back, hovering over her. “Let me see.”

Charma hesitated before sliding her hand away. Brand’s gaze
lowered to stare at her sharp teeth. His nose flared and he came down over her.
One hand grabbed her knee to shove it up, giving freer access for his hips to
sink into the cradle of her parted thighs.

She threw her head back as his thick cock drove into her. He
captured her wrists when he let go of her middle and jerked them above her
head, holding them there as he drove his cock deeper inside her body. She
screamed as ecstasy hit so powerfully that she wasn’t sure she could survive.
Brand snarled as he nuzzled her hair to the side and his teeth bit into her
shoulder.

He held her down as he fucked her frantically, bit deeper,
and she wrapped her legs high around his waist. She couldn’t move any other way
as he furiously rode her. The heat level inside her body threatened to burn her
alive as pleasure hammered her as hard as Brand did. His scent filled her nose,
so sharp and wonderfully masculine. He was hers.

The need to taste him became overpowering. She lifted her
head. She hadn’t planned to bite him but her sharp teeth sank into the top of
his shoulder. The taste of blood sent her into orgasm. Her body convulsed from
the intensity of it and her mate seemed to be seized with ecstasy at the same
time as he snarled more savagely while his semen filled her.

They twitched, locked together, hazed in passion. The sharp
jolts of her climax slowly became weaker until she released him with her teeth
and licked the wound she’d created. Reality returned. The mouth on her shoulder
no longer bit but instead kissed.

“Fuck, hon,” Brand groaned. “You’re in heat.”

She panted too hard to respond but nodded. There was no
doubt about what had happened to her. It was the only time she grew fangs or
claws. His hold on her wrists eased as he shifted enough to stop crushing her
chest under his much bigger one. She breathed easier once she could completely
fill her lungs. Brand raised his head and peered down at her.

“Sorry. I didn’t want you to tear up my back.”

“It’s okay. I understood.”

He searched her eyes. “You look stunned.”

“I wasn’t supposed to go into heat.”

“It’s not that time?”

She shook her head, still dazed. “No.”

A smile played at his mouth. “Was I rough enough? I realized
what was happening when I saw your fangs and remembered how you needed it fast
and forceful. You used to swear that foreplay was sheer torture of the bad
kind.”

“That was amazing.”

“Yeah. It was.” He chuckled and slowly moved his hips,
testing the feel of her pussy gripping his cock. “You’re so damn hot and tight.
I forgot how you swell a little and get so wet.”

Charma moaned and it urged Brand to keep moving inside her.
He adjusted again and his fingers laced through hers while his elbows held his
upper body off her. She arched her back and lifted her legs higher until her
heels dug into his firm, muscular ass cheeks. She could feel them flex with
every drive of his cock inside her.

“More.”

“You got it, hon.” His mouth sought hers.

Their fangs brushed and she turned her head a little to
avoid causing damage to either of them. His were extended and she couldn’t
control hers for anything when she was in heat. Her shifter side kind of went
crazy since it was the only time it was allowed out.

Every growl Brand made only excited her more. The vibrations
in her chest returned when she began to purr. It was unsettling at first to
adjust to it, made breathing difficult, but she concentrated on how good it
felt to have Brand fuck her.

Her vaginal walls clenched and she cried out when she came
again. Brand spread his thighs a little and drove into her deeper, fighting to
keep moving when she squeezed his cock tighter.

“Fuck,” he rasped. “Oh yeah!”

His body tensed and he threw his head back. The howl he let
loose startled Charma but she opened her eyes to watch his face as he found his
own release again. His eyes closed and the sheen of sweat on his big body and
his nearly agonized expression were so sexy. Her gaze lowered to his broad
shoulders and the fresh, still-bleeding bite wound she’d put on him. Her mark
would leave a scar. A smile curved her lips as he stopped moving and tried to
recover.

His still-black eyes opened as his chin lowered and their
gazes held. “I love you.”

“I love you too. This time I’m not sorry.”

One of his eyebrows arched in question.

“For marking you.”

He grinned. “Honey, you can bite me any time.” A chuckle
escaped. “On my shoulder. You’re not getting near my dick with those fangs. I’d
be no good to either of us until I heal if you accidently bite me there.”

“Too true.”

“You had no idea you were going into heat? Did you stop
keeping track of that stuff?”

“It wasn’t supposed to happen. I think my emotions and being
near you kind of sent me into it. I’ve heard of it happening when mates are
separated for a long time but only with long-term matings. It also might be
your pheromones. You smell incredible when you’re in heat.”

“I always said you were my mate but we just hadn’t cemented
the deal by sharing bites during sex.” His smile faded. “You felt the same way.”

“I did,” she admitted.

“I want to kill something when I think of all the years we
lost.”

Sadness gripped her hard and she squeezed his fingers, still
laced with hers. “We’ve got a lot of years to look forward to.”

“I’m never letting you go.”

“Don’t.”

“I won’t.” He smiled. “When were you due to go into heat?”

Charma hesitated. “I don’t. I mean, I haven’t in a really
long time.”

Brand’s smile faded as confusion set in. “I don’t
understand. Are you saying that you don’t go into heat anymore, ever?”

“I really don’t think you want to have this discussion right
now.”

“I do.” He adjusted his body to keep her pinned. “I know you
took pills to prevent the heat but you’re far too young to have stopped
naturally.”

She was afraid to hurt him by mentioning Garrett. She gave
him the short version, hoping it would be enough. “I had to keep taking the
pills all the time and it seemed to send me into menopause.”

“You only ever took them when you started going into heat.”

She hesitated but knew Brand wasn’t going to let it go. “Let’s
skip this.”

A muscle in his jaw jerked and his eyes narrowed. “Talk to
me, damn it. Is this something to do with that asshole you were forced to be
with?”