Abandoned

Running in Fear: Abandoned A Ravenous Romance™ Original Publication by Trinity Blacio

A Ravenous Romance™ Original Publication www.ravenousromance.com

Copyright © 2010 by Trinity Blacio Ravenous Romance™ 100 Cummings Center Suite 123A 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: 978-1-60777-367-2 This book is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

Chapter One Remi hid behind the trees and watched Jaycee weeping over his brother’s grave. Her tearful words broke his heart. He'd screwed up big time right from the beginning. He’d promised himself he would treat his mate with love and patience, and instead their first time together had happened due to deception. If any man had done what he had to his younger sister, he would have killed him. I’ll make it up to her, Pierre, I swear. You’d better. She’s been through enough to be treated like a common slut. Remi flinched as if he’d been struck. His brother’s ghostly words sent a chill down his spine. “You heard him too?” Dane walked up to him and stared out at their mate. “Yeah, and he’s right. We have a lot to make up for.” Remi nodded at Jaycee. “She deserves better than what we gave her.” Dane stepped forward, but Remi grabbed his arm. “I’ll get her. Let her say her goodbyes. I’ve got men stationed all around her. No one will get even close. I’m going to take her for a run and try to make up for some of the damage we’ve caused.” Remi let go of Dane’s arm and watched Jaycee rise. She stared right at the place they stood. Her eyes were swollen and red, her hands balled up at her side. Remi could have sworn she was staring at him. Her gaze moved back up to the house and she rubbed her arms. He could see the rise and fall of her chest. His bones cracked and his fur replaced hair as he shifted to his wolf state. “I thought I

would take her to my home. Let her get to know me. I’ve instructed the guards to follow at a distance.” Dane nodded and shifted. He ran in the opposite direction of their mate. Remi jumped out of the woods. With his full attention on his mate, Remi was determined to make everything up to her. She shifted to her small wolf form. Her head hung low, waiting. “I thought maybe we could go for a run. I’d like to show you something, if you have time.” He licked the side of her neck and nudged her towards the east. “You don’t have to do this, Remi. You’ve already staked your claim. I’m yours.” Her voice held tears and regret, but no condemnation for what he had done. She stood next to his larger frame, but her eyes were on the ground, not on him. Barry, one of the guards, stepped out in front of them. “I’ve brought you the clothes you requested.” He laid the backpack down on the ground and disappeared into the woods. “I didn’t know if you wanted to run or maybe take a walk.” He sat down and watched her shift back into her human form. Her small body shook from the cold air. She grabbed the bag and searched for her clothes. Remi shifted again. Then he covered her body with his and blocked the wind. “You have such a beautiful body.” He skimmed his hand down her back to cup her ass cheek. “When I see you walk into a room, it takes my breath away, my heart rate increases, and I want to lock you away in our room. So no one will ever hurt you again,” he whispered into her ear after she pulled on her sweater. Jaycee turned and gazed up at him while she slid on her jeans. “Thank you, but I’m nothing special. I’m just a woman who wants the love of her men, and wants to belong

somewhere.” She reached down and slid on her thermal socks. She slipped her small feet into her boots. Remi grabbed his clothes and dressed quickly. He stared at her. “You have our love, Jaycee, and a home.” He slipped his hand behind her neck and pulled her to him. He needed to comfort her. “Do I? Look behind you, Remi. What do you see?” She nodded at the huge cabin behind them. “You know what I see? I see a pack house, Dane’s house. I don’t see a home—one created out of love. Sure, it’s beautiful, a showcase really, but where in that house is there any part of me or of us?” She moved out of his arms and started walking. “Out of all the places and people I’ve met over the last six years, I’ve only come across two real homes, where I can actually say I wish it was me in that home. Look at that home there, Remi. What do you see?” She pointed to the cabin through the woods on their left. He wrapped his hand in hers and studied the home. “I see a woman shoveling snow, children playing out in the snow, Christmas lights strung up crooked…” He laughed and shook his head. “It kind of reminds me of my dad, when he was trying to hang the lights on our house. Mom just laughed the whole time. Every time he’d get one row of lights on, one of the lights would go out. Boy, did he cuss.” He smiled and stared down at her. Her eyes filled with tears, and there was a small smile on her lips. “That’s what I’m talking about. In all my life, I’ve never had that. Parents who took the time to do something as simple as hanging Christmas lights. Even now, at night, before you three come to our bed. I hear you out in the woods with the pack, running and playing. But have you asked me to join? Have you introduced me to any of your friends? Sure we have sex, but do we love? You tell me I take your breath away when I walk into a room, but do you show it to me? A hug here, a knowing

smile, you know, little things.” She glanced down at their joined hands and raised them. “This is what I mean, but in public. Not when we’re alone only.” “This way, baby.” Remi pulled her to a worn path further in the woods. “You have to give us time, Jaycee. It’s only been one week since I’ve claimed you. I’m new to this, and right now I don’t want to share you with anyone. I don’t know if I could control the beast inside me if some man even glanced at you the wrong way.” Jaycee stopped and looked up at him. “I can promise you one thing. I would never, and I mean never, be with another man. You three are enough for me. I just wish…” She turned to walk away, but he turned her and held her face in his hands. “What do you wish? If I can give it to you, I will.” He kissed her lips softly and pulled back. “It’s nothing. So, where are you taking me?” She reached up and traced her finger down his face. “I’m not going to forget, but I’ll wait. I thought maybe you could help me go through my house. We can pick anything you want and bring it to our home.” Remi turned and nipped her finger. “Hey.” She laughed and started walking again. “You mean, the big bad wolf is going to let little old me into his den?” she teased, but then stopped dead in her tracks. They had broken through the woods and his house stood before them. “My God, Remi, it’s beautiful. Did you build this?” She walked around the house to the front. “Over the years, I’ve needed time away from the pack. I’d come up here and work on it. Even Dane would come here and help me. Mark installed the porch and the swing.” He nodded

at the huge wooden swing, which swung from the cedar rafters. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and set his head on hers. “This is a home …” she whispered. A single tear dropped down on his hand and he turned to see tears in her eyes. “Why are you crying?” He wiped the tears that fell. “You’re killing me here.” “Have you had any woman here?” She glanced down at her feet, her body quivering, while she waited. He lifted her chin with his finger. “No, mon amour, there has never been any woman here. Only us men. It’s a place for us to get away, and my haven.” “Do you think we could make this our home? I mean, I love Dane’s place, but it’s also part of the pack's home. This could be our home together.” Her gaze filled with hope, daring to ask. He wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up. He hugged her hard. “You haven’t even seen the inside. You might hate it.” He kissed her nose and carried her up the stairs, across the threshold.

Chapter Two “Umm, sorry about the mess. I haven’t had much time to clean it up.” He smiled and grabbed the dirty dishes on the coffee table. Jaycee laughed and grabbed the dishes from his hands. “I love it! You bring in the dishes and I’ll wash them, and Remi...” She looked back at him. “It’s perfect for our home.” She smiled and made her way to the huge open kitchen off of the dining room. The inside of the home matched the outside. Cedar walls lined the living room and dining room. A huge fireplace took the place of one wall. Above the fireplace hung pictures of his and Dane's family throughout the years. “Tell me something. Has your family and Dane’s always been so close?” she yelled from the kitchen. “Yeah, we used to have football games between our families every fall. You should have seen us.” He laughed and dumped some more dishes into the sink. “I’ll never forget the time Dane tackled Ralph so hard they both fell back into this big mud hole. They were covered in mud.” “Hey, I’d like to forget that, please.” Dane slugged Remi in the arm and wrapped his arms around Jaycee’s waist. He kissed her cheek. “So you like the old place?” He smiled and swatted her ass when he pulled away. “She wants this to be our home,” Remi yelled as he went back into the living room. Jaycee’s heart jumped and she turned to look at Dane’s face. “It’s not that I don’t love your home Dane. It’s just that it's—”

“Too busy.” He finished her sentence. “I know what you mean. I’ve been thinking about that lately. I think this would be a perfect place for us to live. Have you seen the master bedroom yet?” He wiggled his eyebrows. Jaycee laughed and grabbed the kitchen sink spray hose, soaking him with water. “You’re always thinking about sex. No, I haven’t seen it yet.” She yelped as he attacked her. He swung her up in his wet arms. “Well, then, what are we waiting for? Remi, Mark, let’s break in that nice new bed upstairs.” He ran up the stairs. Both Remi and Mark laughed. “I have dishes to finish, you crazy man.” Jaycee hit his back, but he kept moving. Remi opened the door to the master bedroom and Jaycee just stared. The room was done in dark green and black. A hot tub filled one corner of the room. If one could call it a hot tub; it was the size of a small pool. Next to it on the other wall was another fireplace, small but cozy. A huge bay window drew the light in, shadowing the bed. Two overstuffed rocker recliners faced each other next to the fireplace. Black satin sheets covered the bed. Dane laid her down in the middle and gazed down at her. “You’re beautiful, Jaycee,” he whispered and kissed her forehead. He stepped back and stripped his shirt off. Mark crawled up on the bed, naked. His muscular arms rippled as he grabbed her sweater and ripped it in half. “Hey, that was a new sweater.” She slapped him on the head, but he grinned and took her breast into his mouth. “We’ll buy you a new one.” Remi crawled behind Mark and squeezed the lube in his ass. Jaycee turned her head towards the window and frowned. “Remi, did you start a fire

down stairs?” She pushed at Mark’s head. “Get up, Mark, something's wrong.” Remi jumped off the bed and sniffed the air. “Damn it. Dane, get her out of here now. Mark, gather the guards and search the grounds,” he yelled, and ran out of the room. Dane picked her up and stormed through the smoke filled hallway. Below, the living room was ablaze. Furniture snapped and cracked as the fire attacked it. “How did it start so soon?” she whispered. Dane ran down the hallway to a spare room and threw open the door. Mark and Remi ran behind them. “Hold on, Jaycee. We’re going to have to jump.” Dane opened the window and lowered her feet to the ground. “Go now. Shift. It will be easier for your wolf to take the height.” Dane pushed her through the window. Jaycee shifted in mid-air, and her wolf turned to make sure all of her mates followed suit. Men ran out of the woods and gathered buckets from the shed. “Barry, take Jaycee back to the house,” Dane ordered and pushed her towards him. He shifted back to human form. “Jaycee, go!” Jaycee moved into woods and watched others come from all directions, to help with the fire. The house was a goner. There was no way they would be able to save it. She hung her head and took off. Another attack to add to her belt of shame.

**** Jaycee rolled over and stretched. The bed was empty again. It was the second morning since the fire that she 'd woken up and her mates had been gone. The house had been totally gutted by the fire. There had been no tracks or any clues as to who had set the fire, but she knew it had to be someone after her. Once again, her mates ignored her.

She glanced outside. The snow had stopped falling. Ten o’clock and the guests would be arriving in an hour. Jaycee grabbed her clothes and strolled into the bathroom. She turned on the shower and flicked on the waterproof radio by the tub. The warm water covered her and slowly eased the tension in her shoulders and neck. She grabbed the shampoo and scrubbed the dirt from her body. Five minutes later, even with the blow dryer going, her sensitive ears picked up a noise in her bedroom. Someone had come into her room. She wrapped the towel around her and walked into the bedroom. “Did someone fix the rooms down the—?” she said and stopped dead in her tracks. A tall, muscular man stood in her bedroom. “Who the hell are you?” Jaycee snarled, the beast threatening to take over. Remi strolled in. “Damn it, Drake. I told you the end of the hallway, not the first door.” Jaycee released the breath she had been holding. “Why would I want to go down there when there’s a beauty standing right here in a towel? Hey, want to share her, like in the old days?” Drake said and raked his eyes up and down her body. Jaycee laughed and shook her head. She walked into her closet and pulled out a pair of dress pants and blouse. Remi snarled. “She’s my mate and you’ll not touch her. Now get out of here before I kick that scrawny ass.” Jaycee headed back into the bathroom and shut the door as they fought. She zipped her pants up and pulled her shirt together when Remi pushed the door open. He grabbed her hands and halted her actions, then cupped her breasts and flicked her nipples. “I love your tattoos. They're beautiful. Maybe I’ll have Frank give me one while he’s

here. I think a picture of you in your wolf form. You’re so beautiful,” he said and scraped his teeth back and forth across her neck. “You have to stop. I’m already running late. We have guests arriving and I need to make sure everything is ready in the rooms.” Jaycee moaned. One hand unfastened her pants and pushed her pants down her body. His body cornered hers against the counter. He placed her hands on the edge. “Don’t let go.” She stepped out of her pants and kicked them out of the way. He kneeled down and spread her legs. He probed her pussy with two fingers and his tongue licked the juices that dripped out of her. “Remi, I don’t have time for slow,” she moaned. He rose. The sound of his zipper drew her attention to the mirror. He swung back and smacked her ass. “I’ll go as slow as I want,” he said and his cock sank into deep into her folds. “God, you’re so tight.” He moaned. His strong grip on her hips would leave print marks on her white skin. Remi picked up speed and rammed into her harder. He lowered his body over her and grabbed her breast. He pulled and twisted her nipple rings. His sweaty chest rubbed against Jaycee’s back. Her knuckles turned white and little growl sounds emerged from him. He pulled out of her in one quick move and turned her around. His eyes took on a reddish tint and held her gaze before he picked her up and pushed her against the bathroom door. He rammed his cock back into place. Jaycee wrapped her arms and legs around him and held on. Her wolf rose close to the surface. She bit his neck and claimed her mate. His cock grew larger inside her. The barb in his cock attached itself to her vaginal walls.

His muscles tightened, sweat dripped down his face, and he howled as warm seed poured into her. The release triggered hers. Jaycee released his neck and leaned her head against the door, groaning. Gently, he lowered her feet to the ground and kissed her nose. Jaycee tried to smile at him, but she couldn’t. It was the first time in two days that any of her mates had made love to her. “Are you okay? I didn’t get too rough, did I?” he asked, and stared to inspect her body. “I'm fine. I loved it. Don’t be afraid to be too rough, Remi. Sometimes I like it like that,” Jaycee said and reached down to grab her clothes. “And just who gave it to you rough?” He snarled and cornered her against the bathroom counter. She laughed and slapped his chest. “I’m not a virgin. There have been men in my life before James. How do you think I was taught to be a submissive?” Jaycee pushed at his chest and grabbed her blouse. The growl started low in his throat. She looked up at his reflection in the mirror. Shit! “Remi, calm down. It was before I even met any of you. You’re my mates now. There can be no one else.” She turned and curled her body up to his. He grabbed her hair and pulled her head back. His eyes burned red. “If any man touches you, I’ll kill them. You’re ours. No one else's. Is that understood?” Jaycee knew he wasn’t playing. She lowered her eyes and bared her neck to him. He bit down hard and he marked her. This mark would be permanent. She was his and if any man even attempted to come near her, he would kill him.

Jaycee whimpered while he held her still. He let go and licked his mark. He stared at her for a minute before he turned and left. She turned and gazed into the mirror. The mark was bright red and swollen. It was the first permanent mark any of her mates had given her. Jaycee hummed to herself while she entered the living room, the list of things she had to do today memorized. Remi watched every move she made; his gaze never left her. Her father talked to him as Kate came up to her and hugged her. She touched the mark on her neck and smiled. “So one of your mates has made his claim already? I bet I know which one is the jealous type to do that,” Kate teased. Heat rose up in Jaycee’s face and Kate burst out laughing. Her father and Remi joined them. “What’s so funny, Kate?” her father asked. Kate nodded at the mark and Jaycee groaned. Remi smiled at her, proud of what he had done. She elbowed him in the stomach, but she knew he didn’t feel anything. He just kept grinning. Her father noticed his mark and burst out laughing. “I see one of your mates doesn’t mess around. Good! It’s about time someone put you first,” her father said. Jaycee shook her head. “Dad, they all do, just in different ways. Have you seen the family room and all the carvings Dane has done? There’s a special one just about me. I thought I would burst out crying, it was so beautiful. It was written in our old tongue that you taught me when I was small.” Jaycee walked towards the buffet of food. She grabbed a cup of coffee and a muffin.

“I’ll have to check it out before the others come. It’s good that some of us still remember the old tongue. So much has changed over the years, I am afraid our past will be lost.” He shook his head. “Well, then, you really have to see his work. From what I can see, he even carved in the important parts of our history into the walls.” Jaycee’s father’s eyes lit up and he guided Kate down the stairs towards the basement. Dane and Mark moved into the room with Ralph and Drake, Remi’s brothers. Dane walked up to her from behind and kissed her cheek, then noticed her neck. She felt his smile against her skin as he kissed the mark. “I see our mate has been busy. Soon you’ll carry mine and Mark's also.” She squirmed in his arms. “Don’t tease me, Dane. I have too much to do. Now, where is Shelly? She was going to help me get the rooms together.” Jaycee tried to change the subject. She didn’t want to pressure Dane into doing anything. “Do you really think I wouldn’t mark what’s mine? Mark and I will take care of you, baby, I promise.” He turned her to face him and grabbed her chin, claiming her mouth. When she heard the knock on the door, Dane broke the kiss and moved away from her. Jaycee stood there for a minute and tried to get her bearings, but Mark came up to her and pulled her body into his. “So, Remi beat us to the punch, did he? Well, good, but don’t think you’re getting away from us, baby.” He kissed her quickly and released her. Jaycee shook her head and took a big gulp of coffee, burning her tongue. “Shit!” she yelped. Remi stared at her from across the room. She stuck her tongue out at him and he snarled. She ignored him and turned to welcome their guests. Four males stood next to Dane and Mark,

talking to them. Her father and Kate came up the stairs. “Oh good, you’re here,” he said and greeted the men. Jaycee shoved a piece of muffin in her mouth before the men approached her. “Gentlemen, I would like you to meet my daughter, Jaycee. She’s the one who has been threatened." Jaycee rolled her eyes at her father. “Dad, could you possibly try to introduce me without mentioning that little fact? I would kind of like to forget while I can.” She shook hands with each of the men. “Boy, she sure doesn’t get her looks from you, Guy. It must have been from your mother, because she is a knockout.” One of the men looked up and down her body. Jaycee laughed. “Thank you for the compliment, but you might want to watch the comments about my body,” Jaycee whispered and smiled. She heard the growls from across the room and so did everyone else. All the men laughed and turned around to see her mates frowning at them. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll get your rooms ready.” Jaycee moved upstairs to check the guest rooms. She was going into one of the last rooms when Remi strolled down the hallway. She stood still. He circled, smelled, and touched her. Jaycee didn’t know what was going on. “Remi, what’s wrong?” she asked, but he growled again and pushed her towards their room. He backed her into it and closed the door. “Strip!” he demanded and leaned against the door. Jaycee did as he asked and stood in the middle of the room, naked. Remi opened the door and Mark and Dane came into the room. They performed the same ritual as Remi had.

Chapter Three Her voice squeaked. “Dane, what’s going on?” She stared up at him. “There’s going to be many unattached males in our home for the next week. You’re going to draw them to you. Your scent is driving us crazy and we’re afraid it will drive them insane too. Mark and I have decided not to wait. We can’t trust the others. With our marks and scent on you, it should warn others away.” Dane and Mark stripped out of their clothes. Their beasts broke loose and stalked around her, sniffing again. Jaycee’s beast took over. She shifted, and growled at them, not knowing what was going on. Dane cornered her and pushed her against the wall. He pulled her arms up and held them with one hand. He brought one of her legs up around his waist and pushed his cock into her wet pussy. Mark paced back and forth while Dane took her, claiming his property. She tried to move her hands, but he snarled. He bit the other side of her neck and drew blood. Dane marked her like Remi had. Her body shook, sweat broke out, and once again she could have sworn bells rang in her head. Dane’s barb attached itself to her wall. His seed seeped into her. Slowly, he lowered her leg to the floor and kissed her. He shifted, his beast once again settled. His mark claimed her as his. Jaycee looked at Mark. He stepped up and grabbed her. His body pushed hers to the bed. Her stomach hit the bed, her legs dangled off, and he spread her legs. Going down on his knees,

his tongue rolled over her ass cheek. He bit down on her ass hard. Not expecting his bite, Jaycee snarled, but he held her still as he marked her ass cheek. Mark rose and covered her body with his. His cock pushed into her ass, not too gently. Thank God her body was wet or it would have been painful. Mark slammed into her. His hands on each side of her head, he gently entwined his clawed hands with hers, making love to her. He leaned in and kissed both marks on her neck. His cock locked into her butt and soaked her ass with his seed. Jaycee moaned, too tired to move. Mark fell on top of her. She shifted. “Okay, I get you guys getting a little jealous and marking me, but what is with the scent thing? I don’t understand.” Jaycee rolled over as Mark got up to go into the bathroom. Jaycee got up, stretched, and walked into the bathroom before Mark could come out. “Hey, I was going to wash you.” He pushed her against the counter. “It’s okay. I was going to just hop in the shower.” Jaycee moved towards the shower and leaned in to turn on the water, but he grabbed her hand. “You’re not going to clean our scent off you. Our scent will stay with you now no matter what you do,” he snapped and tried to clean her. His touch was rough. He pulled her into the bedroom and pushed her down onto the bed. “What the fuck are you talking about? And you’re hurting me,” she yelled and shoved him off her. “She was trying to wash our scent off, taking a shower.” Mark shouted. Her other mates snarled. Jaycee backed up against the wall. Her beast fought to come out, but she knew it would make it worse.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I always take showers. I don’t understand, please tell me!” she shrieked. Jaycee shook, afraid to move. She stared at Dane, then at Remi. Jaycee knew Mark was beyond talking to. He paced back and forth. They stood there not saying a word and studied her. “You really don’t understand the significant aspect of mating, do you?” Dane asked and placed a hand on her cheek gently, but she jerked away. “I’m trying, Dane. I really am, but he’s scaring me.” Jaycee nodded at Mark. “Mark, get control of your beast, or I will. You’re scaring Jaycee. Now stop it!” He demanded, but Mark turned and snarled. Memories of the past surfaced and she cried. Her legs crumbled and she fell to the floor. Jaycee curled up into a ball, flashes of Curt’s cruelty surfacing once again. She rocked back and forth. The only word she could speak was “no.” As if in a cloud far, far away, Jaycee heard Dane and Remi. They whispered words to calm her down, but nothing worked. Gaston burst into the room. “Slowly move away from her. You’re too close to her. She’s terrified right now, and she hasn’t had a reaction like this in a long time. What the fuck did you guys do?” Gaston demanded and kneeled down beside her. “It’s okay, Jaycee, I’m here.” Dane and Remi moved back. Jaycee knew what was going on and could understand everything, but she couldn’t control her body. She lowered her head and laid it down on her knees. She took a deep breath. “It’s not their fault. I just wasn’t prepared for the emotions. They were so heavy and thick. I felt suffocated like before. I’ll get better, I promise,” she whispered. Her father stood in the doorway. Anger radiated from him. Kate stood, twisting her hands together.

Shelly burst into the room and ran to her. She pulled her up and into the bathroom away from prying eyes. “It’s okay, Jaycee, you’re away from everyone.” Shelly plopped her butt onto the bathroom counter and gave her the space to get herself together. “Tell me what this scent thing is that Mark went crazy over. I just don’t understand.” Jaycee threw water into her face and tried to gather her thoughts. This was the first time in two years she had an episode, and she hated to think she had done it in front of her mates. I’m a fucking alpha and I acted like a freak! Get it together, Jaycee! She screamed at herself looking at her reflection in the mirror. She was a mess. Wiping her face with a towel Shelly gave her, she waited. “Well, when a mate marks his female they are—how can I say this? Their beast is marking you. When they mark you, their scent travels through your body. It takes about twentyfour hours. They will be mating with you nonstop, just like when you come in heat. So expect them to be all over you for the next day. Whatever you do, don’t take a shower until tomorrow. They’ll think you’re purposely trying to hide their scent.” Shelly hopped off the counter and handed her clothes. “Mark left. I hurt him the most. I have to find him,” Jaycee whispered. “He’s still in his beast form. You see, Remi and Dane are alphas. That’s why they marked your neck, where Mark is a lesser alpha and that’s why he marked you somewhere else. Remi and Dane will be taking you when you come into heat. Mark will have to wait until they are done having children before he can have any. He’s hurt, so be careful.” Shelly glanced over her shoulder as she opened the bathroom door. “If you go to him you’re going to have to show your submissive side to him. Go to him naked, so his beast can

mark you again. This way you’ll be accepting his scent. That is the only way he will calm down.” Shelly stared at her face worried, “It’s going to be rough, Jaycee.” “I kind of figured that, but I’ve embarrassed them, Shelly. I’ve got to fix this,” Jaycee mumbled. No one was in the room when she walked into it. She moved slowly down the stairs, her gaze on the floor. She knew everyone stared at her. Her mates talked to the National Council members. Jaycee took a breath and paused, knowing what she had to do. She went to Dane, not saying a word, and kneeled at his feet. She laid her head on his knee and sought forgiveness. Dane continued to talk, but he acknowledged her, his hand on her head. About five minutes later, when Dane was done talking, he reached down and picked her up. He wrapped his arms around her, sitting her in his lap while the others talked. “I’m sorry I embarrassed you. I didn’t know.” Jaycee sighed. She kept her head lowered and snuggled into his chest. He raised her chin with his fingers and stared into her eyes. “I’m sorry. We should have explained things. I take it Shelly talked to you? And you didn’t embarrass us, baby. We were worried about you. I think you were right. There is a lot we don’t know about you, and we’ve rushed you. Soon we’ll talk, I promise.” Dane kissed her neck. “I have to apologize to Remi.” She got down off Dane and crawled over to Remi. Once again she laid her head onto his lap and waited. He pulled her right to him and sat her into his lap as he talked. His hands skimmed across her breast and rested on them. “If you men would excuse me for a minute, my mate needs my attention.” He picked her up and carried her to a spare room off the living room, shutting the door. He unbuttoned her shirt and exposed her breasts to his view. “You’re so beautiful, but I’m pissed about being in the dark about what happened to you. Dane told me after Shelly left and Gaston filled in the holes. I want

to know it all. I’ve talked to Dane and he’s agreed we were wrong to push you. Soon, tomorrow, maybe we can set aside some time to just talk, the three of us. I think there are many things you haven’t told us.” Remi stared into her face. He played with her breasts and she nodded and moaned. “I need you. Strip.” Remi stepped away, waiting. She slipped her blouse off and tossed it to the chair. She lowered her pants and thong at the same time. Remi stared at her, his gaze mover over her body. “Turn and face the door, place your hands on the door, spread your legs, and lower your body. Show me what’s mine,” he demanded. His alpha voice sent shivers down her body. Her pussy quivered with excitement while she did what he demanded. Leisurely taking his time, he skimmed his hand over her ass, but she didn’t move an inch. The whoosh of air told her what was coming. Remi’s hand made contact with her ass cheek. He switched back and forth, swatting each cheek. Her ass burned, and her pussy grew wet once more. He pushed three fingers into her pussy and moved his fingers inside. He touched everywhere possible. “That’s it, baby, just feel. I’m going to push you, baby.” He pulled out his fingers only to push in his whole hand in. Remi slid three other fingers into her ass. He worked her body to a fever pitch, then pulled away from her body. She groaned in her head. He waited and proceeded to do it again and again, until finally she couldn’t take it anymore. “Please. Remi, fuck me!” she pleaded when he stepped away one last time. “Shift Jaycee. I want my wolf to take yours,” he said. The fur broke out of her skin, bones cracked and shifted, and the beast inside waited for its mate’s next move. His thick large cock slid into her pussy and his fur rubbed against hers. Remi took her hard, banging into her while he held her hips in place. His cock attached to her

inner wall and sucked on her G-spot, which sent her orgasm through her. Every muscle contracted, and she howled, not caring who heard. He pumped one more time into her, and his seed flowed freely. She would have fallen but he held on to her while he pulled out of her body. He licked his mark and placed a kiss on it. He turned her to face him and placed his lips gently over hers. His lips were like satin, but firm as he kissed her. His hands traced her body as they stood there. He broke the kiss and smiled at her. She shifted back as he did. “I need to find Mark. Do you know where he is?” Jaycee asked, looking into his eyes and cupping his face with her hand. “Do you think it’s wise to seek him out? He’s still out of control. His beast is riding him strong.” Remi frowned at her and watched her dress. “Shelly told me what to do. I have to, Remi. I hurt him,” she mumbled and lowered her head. “It’s not your fault. He’ll understand.” “Please, I have to do this,” she asked. “He’s in the family room. I’ll walk down with you and make sure no one is around when you strip. I’ll leave your clothes by the door and make sure no one comes down there. He’ll attack anyone who interrupts,” Remi said. “I’ll be okay.” Jaycee walked down the stairs while Remi followed behind her. Feral snarls came from the room as she got closer. Jaycee sucked in her breath and tried to stop her hands from shaking. “I can do this,” she whispered to herself. Jaycee slowly stripped out of her clothes. Remi stood in front of her and made sure no one came, but Dane came down the hallway and frowned. “What are you doing, Jaycee? You could get hurt.” Dane said.

She stared up at him. “I have to do this, if not for him, then for myself. I hurt him. I can fix this. Shelly told me what to do. In a way, I’m facing my demons. I know you both said I didn’t embarrass you, but I know inside I did. You can’t have a half alpha at your side. That’s what I’m right now, Dane. You need a strong alpha mate, not a weakling.” Both of them growled as she got on her hands and knees and opened the door. She slowly entered. Mark stopped pacing and waited. She crawled to him. Remi closed the door behind her. Mark snarled as she approached him. She shifted to her beast. Jaycee turned and gave him access to her ass. She lowered her head in respect and waited, but she didn’t have long to wait. Mark pounced on her and shoved his cock into her ass hard. He grabbed her clawed hands and held them down with his. One of his claws cut into her hand. The blood dripped down slowly, but she didn’t move while he marked her again. She could feel the panic rise, but she pushed it back. I can do this for him! He racked his teeth down her neck and shivers ran down her spine. His cock locked into her ass. He howled his seed shot out of him, but he stayed hard. Mark pulled out of her, but still held her down. His warm seed spread across her back and into the back of her hair. He rubbed his seed everywhere on her back. He flipped her over. His fur paws grabbed her breasts and squeezed and pinched them. His other hand jerked his cock and another spray of seed covered her breasts and face. He rubbed it all over her and smeared it into her fur. “You’re mine!” he snapped and slowly transformed back to his human form. She waited as he slowly rose. The family door creaked open. Dane and Remi came in. She lowered her head, not

looking at them. Mark sat on the couch and shook his head back and forth. “What the fuck did I do?” Jaycee crawled to him and laid her head on his leg. “I did it. You didn’t do anything, Mark. I didn’t understand what it meant to be marked. I’m sorry. I’ve embarrassed all of you,” Jaycee sighed. Mark stared at her. “Come on, baby. Let’s get you cleaned up. I’m so sorry I did this to you. And you have nothing to apologize for. I have to learn to control the beast better.” Mark picked her up into his arms and kissed her stained face. He stopped in front of Dane and Remi. “I’m sorry, Dane, Remi.” Mark lowered his head. Dane grabbed his shoulders. “We’ll work with you. We have lots to talk about, but she needs to be cleaned and we have guests waiting. Lunch will be served in a half hour, so get her cleaned up, and meet us in the living room,” Dane said, Remi nodded his approval. Mark carried her up a back stairway she didn’t know existed. He entered their room and walked straight to the bathroom. He lowered her to the bathroom counter and sat her down on it. “I’m sorry I can’t let you take a shower, Jaycee, but I can wash your hair and body if you’ll let me.” She smiled and cupped his face. “That would be fine.” He helped her off the counter and she kneeled next to the tub. He pulled the attachment out, setting the water temperature. Jaycee stuck her head over the tub and he washed her head and neck. He grabbed a towel, drying her hair. “Hope back on the counter. I’ll wipe the rest of you down so you won’t be sticky.” Mark grabbed a clean washcloth and proceeded to clean her body. He paid more attention to her pussy. He brought her to two more orgasms before he was done. Grinning like a fool, he carried her into

the bedroom so she could get clean clothes. Jaycee walked to the closet and grabbed a skirt and blouse. If she was going to be fucked every time she turned around, she might as well be ready. She came out, buttoning her blouse. Mark had a fresh pair of jeans on along with a jean shirt. She walked into his open arms and hugged him tight. “I’m really sorry, Mark. I didn’t know.” Jaycee kissed his chest and looked up into his face. He cupped her face and kissed her softly. “It’s over, baby. Let’s go eat lunch. You haven’t eaten all day.” Mark pulled her out of the room and down the stairs. Dane and Remi met them at the bottom of the stairs and smiled at her. Remi pulled her into his arms and hugged her. “We’re proud of you, Jaycee,” Remi stated. He and Dane walked her towards the pack dining room. Mark followed behind her and grabbed her ass. She squealed and jumped. “Mark, cool it.” She laughed as he swatted it again. “I can touch you anywhere I want, baby.” Mark gave her an evil grin. They walked into the room and it was packed. She hadn’t realized so many people would be there. Jaycee slowed her pace and looked around. The men were huge and the women beautiful. Where she stood five feet and four inches in her bare feet, these women stood tall and skinny. Jaycee had a tire around her waist and her breasts were too big. She looked down at her body, then at one woman who stared at Remi. She was a goddess, so perfect. Jaycee watched her slowly move up to his side and rub her body against him. “I’ve missed you, Remi,” she purred and ignored everyone around her. Jaycee snarled and glared at her. The woman stepped back and looked her up and down. She laughed and shook

her long blond hair. “Please tell me this isn’t your mate.” She laughed. Mark stepped up to her from behind and held her around the waist. “Remi, I don’t need to deal with this bitch. Please get her out of my face, or I will rearrange it.” Jaycee stomped away from them. Shelly waved and she headed towards her. Two males stepped in front of her. Both of them growled and checked her out. Jaycee rolled her eyes, put her hands on her hips, and glared at them. She was just about to say something when Remi and Dane grabbed her from behind and gently pulled her behind them. “Do you have a problem with our mate?” Remi demanded. The two males lowered their heads slowly and backed away. Jaycee sighed and tried to push on towards Shelly, but her mates held her and ran their hands over her body. Dane’s hands slipped under her blouse while Remi’s slipped under her skirt. “We’re going to have to keep you close. You’re just too hot.” Dane frowned and bit his mark again while he pinched her nipples. Remi’s fingers pushed into her pussy. Jaycee tried to push them away from her. Everyone watched. “Dane, everyone is watching!” Jaycee pleaded while he held her still and played. “We want them to watch, to see that you’re our mate and that we’re yours,” Remi said. Mark lowered himself to his knees next to them and pushed his fingers into her ass. They sent her body into another orgasm. Jaycee couldn’t believe this. If they kept this up all day, she wasn’t going to be able to walk for the next week. They slowly pulled their hands away and held her up. She gathered her wits and her face burned with embarrassment. She shoved her face into Remi’s chest and tried to

hide. He laughed and picked her up, then carried her to their table. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of, baby. Wolves are very territorial, and we often show affection in groups. Even though no one will be touching your body except us, of course. Unless they have a death wish.” Remi looked over at the packs and placed her down in her seat. Shelly was three seats down. She grinned at her, but Jaycee noticed Shelly’s mate was still angry at her. His gaze would have shot daggers at her from his seat if he could have. He pulled Shelly into his arms so she couldn’t say a word, but not before Jaycee noticed a faint bruise on her cheek. It had been covered with makeup. Shelly avoid his eyes and looked down into her lap. A twitch started in Jaycee’s eye, claws sprang out of her hands, and she got up. She stomped over to Shelly. She grabbed her arm and tried to pull her away from her mate, but he held fast, growling. Jaycee snapped, and her beast growled right back. She knew something wasn’t right. She could smell it. “Release her now! Shelly, let’s go. I want to see you in the restroom now. I don’t want to make a scene, but I will,” Jaycee ordered. Shelly’s so-called mate stood, growled but Jaycee didn’t back down. Her beast broke free, she shifted, and her clothes torn to shreds again. “Jaycee, release Shelly and back down, now!” Remi ordered. Shelly’s mate shifted into his beast. She was terrified to face this beast, but she wouldn’t back down. Her friend needed her. “Shelly needs to come with me now. I’ll back down as soon as he lets her go!” Jaycee demanded, but Remi picked her fingers off Shelly’s arm and pushed her back against the wall,

cornering her. Jaycee kept her eyes on Shelly to make sure she didn’t leave, but Remi grabbed her face, making her look at him. “What the hell is wrong with you? You can’t confront a mate. He would rip you apart,” Remi demanded. Dane stood next to them. “I am going to ask this nicely and for you to trust me on this. Please, I need Shelly now in the bathroom. I have to make sure of something before I say anything.” Jaycee waited, but watched out of the corner of her eye. Shelly’s mate squeezed her arm hard. Shelly cringed and that was all it took. Jaycee jumped out of Remi’s arms and attacked. Shelly’s mate pushed away from Shelly. Jaycee sent her claws across his face and he stumbled back. Everyone just stared at her like she was nuts, but she didn’t back down as Shelly’s mate came at her. Her mates just stood there and watched. Adam growled, facing her. His claws swung out and scratched her arm, but she jumped back so his attack didn’t do the damage it was meant to. She knocked over the table. “You drew first blood, alpha. Your mates can’t help you now. I knew you were a bitch, but this goes too far. You’ll learn not to interfere in my business,” Adam snapped and jumped, trying to pin her down, but she moved too fast and jumped out of the way. “Actually, I didn’t draw first blood. You did when you hurt my sister,” Jaycee yelled, and her right claw swiped at his stomach. Her mates growled in the background, a little too late. “You lie!” Adam said, and tried to jump on her again, but Dane stepped in and grabbed him around the throat. His beast stared up at Adam as he held him in the air.

Dane shook him in the air. “Did you hurt my sister?” he demanded. Jaycee ran to Shelly, who sat there with tears in her eyes. “It’s okay, Shelly. He won’t hurt you again. I know the signs. I saw and smelled the makeup,” Jaycee said, taking a napkin and wet it. She started to remove the makeup. Sure enough, the whole side of Shelly’s face was black and blue. Jaycee continued to clean Shelly’s face. Mark and Dane threw Adam towards the outside door. They stalked him. Shelly’s mom came over. Tears fell down her face. “Shelly, why didn’t you tell us?” she asked and knelt down near her daughter. “She was afraid and ashamed,” Jaycee answered. Shelly looked up into her eyes and nodded. “I know, Shelly,” Jaycee said. “I’m still that way sometimes, when I think back. I keep telling myself there could have been a way to get away, but it wasn’t the case.” Jaycee sighed and grabbed Shelly’s hand. “Listen to me. I know what I’m talking about here. No man has the right to ever touch you like that and he won’t again. I don’t think he was your true mate. No true mate would hurt you like that. If you need to talk, you know where I’m at,” Jaycee said. She got up, turning to go back to her home. Remi stopped her and pulled her into his arms. “You’re hurt.” He frowned, but Jaycee didn’t listen. She pushed out of his arms and stomped towards their home. She needed to get new clothes before she shifted back. Jaycee turned into her wolf form and ran for her bedroom. Tears ran down her muzzle. It all brought so many memories back, and her mates hadn’t even asked, or trusted her judgment again. Jaycee shifted back to her human form and walked into her closet. She grabbed

another skirt and sweater, and all three of her mates came into their bedroom. “Jaycee, don’t bother getting dressed. Come here now!” Dane demanded. Jaycee rolled her eyes and grabbed her clothes. She brought them out with her as she watched her mates. Blood ran down her arm, but it didn’t even faze her. “Sit down on the bed so we can take care of that arm.” Mark snapped and went into the bathroom. He grabbed the first-aid kit. Jaycee sat on the bed. Dane paced back and forth. “What were you thinking, confronting him? He could have killed you! Why didn’t you tell us? We would have taking care of it?” Dane demanded. Mark cleaned and wrapped her arm. “If you recall, when Remi pulled me aside, I did tell you to trust me. To get Shelly away from him, but did you listen to me? No! So don’t go and blame this on me,” Jaycee yelled. She wasn’t going to back down this time. “You said to trust you, and I did. I asked you, but did you trust me? No, again you didn’t trust my judgment,” Jaycee said and pulled on her skirt and blouse. All her mates faced her and stared at her. “What are you doing? I told you not to get dressed.” Dane demanded. He jumped to her and pushed her back on the bed. He proceeded to take her clothes back off. “Let me go, Dane. I’m not in the mood right now to fuck you,” Jaycee screamed. He held her down and stared into her face. “We could have lost you. We need you, Jaycee,” “Well, I needed you, and look at what it got me. Again the pack won’t trust me, because you didn’t, not one of you did. You say to trust you, but do you trust me?” Jaycee sneered and pushed him off her body. She stood grabbing her clothes. She turned to look at all three of them. “I am going for a run. I need to get some air. If you want to have some guards follow me

then do it, but leave me alone, until you can face the fact you screwed up, not me!” Jaycee yelled and shifted to her wolf form. She ran for the stairs. A guard at the door looked at her, then up the stairs at her mates, but she didn’t care. Using her powers, Jaycee threw open the door and ran. Anger boiled over each step she took. Jaycee knew her mates followed from afar, letting her run. They wouldn’t trust anyone with her life, she knew that, but they wouldn’t trust her when it came to the pack business. This just pushed her harder. She ran, not paying attention to where she was going when Remi ran in front of her and blocked her before she could run off the cliff. Jaycee lay down, panting. Her mates surrounded her, lying next to her. They licked her fur, nudged her with their noses, and tried to push her up. They whined at her to return home. Jaycee slowly got up and turned towards their home. She didn’t know what to think anymore. Her stomach rumbled. Jaycee and her mates reached the house. Not saying a word, she ran up the stairs to the bedroom and shifted to her human form. Her mates stayed downstairs. She got dressed and someone knocked on the door. Answering the door, she faced Dane’s mom and some other lady she didn’t know. “Jaycee, may we come in? This is Remi’s mom, Camille,” Dane’s mother said. Jaycee smiled and stepped back, letting the women enter her room. “Did my mates by any chance send you up here?” Jaycee closed the door, walked over to a chair by the balcony, and sat. “No, dear. We thought it was time to explain some things about being an alpha bitch. We know your mother didn’t. So we thought maybe we could help,” Camille stated. She smiled at her and grabbed her hand. Jaycee fidgeted a little.

“You have to understand, Remi and Dane will always have to think of the pack first. It was bred in them. If they didn’t, our society would fall apart. Now don’t get me wrong, they would protect you with their lives, but when it comes to decisions about the pack their word is law,” Camille explained. “I understand that, but shouldn’t they also trust their mate to help? Twice they ignored me, not trusting my judgment. How does that look in front of the two packs? How am I supposed to do my duties as alpha bitch if every time I turn around they ignore my wishes?” Jaycee slipped her hand out of Camille’s. Jaycee stood and moved to the balcony door. She stared outside as snowflakes started to fall once again. “Jaycee, do you really believe they don’t trust you? You’re new to all of this. They’re trying to protect you,” Dane’s mother, Grace, said. She came up behind her and hugged her. Jaycee leaned back into her arms. “I know they’re trying to protect me, but at some point they have to trust me. Like with this thing that happened with Shelly. I tried to tell them but they ignored me. Was I supposed to ignore it, and let him continue to hurt her?” Jaycee turned and stared at Grace. “Of course not. You did the right thing, protecting a member of your pack and family. But you must also see their point of view, dear. They thought you were just mad at him because of what he said to you the other day,” Grace explained. “I’m sorry, Grace, but that’s a bunch of bullshit. I let that go a while ago.” “You have to remember, men sometimes are just plain stupid, and we’re put here to try to knock some sense into them. Right now, your mates need you. They could have lost you. Their beasts are screaming to hold you and to touch you. They need to know you’re okay,” Camille said with a smile.

“You know, they’re like little boys. They have to hold on to their teddy bears when they’re young, but now they have you to hold on to, to calm them down. Right now they can’t do anything. They’re pacing back and forth downstairs, just imagining all sorts of things that could be wrong with you. Can’t you hear them? They’re snapping at everyone who comes near them?” Camille laughed and shook her head. Jaycee turned her head and listened. Sure enough, she could hear them growling. Sighing, she walked to the bedroom door and opened it. She looked behind her and smiled at her new moms. “Thanks for this talk. I’d better let them pet their teddy bear, so they can get some work done.” Jaycee laughed. Both mothers kissed her and walked out of the bedroom. Jaycee stood at the railing and stared at her mates. “Well, are you going to stand there snapping at everyone, or are you going to come up her and give your mate some attention?” She laughed. They ran toward the stairs and she ran for the bedroom. She tried to strip out of her clothes before they ripped them from her body. Jaycee had just dropped her skirt and sweater when Remi pounced on her. He threw her to the bed. Jaycee laughed as his hands traced her body. Dane pulled off his pants, as did Mark. They stroked their cocks while they watched Remi. Remi grabbed her arms, putting them above her head. Dane grabbed them and held them so she couldn’t move, but was careful of her bandage. Remi licked and sucked every inch of her body. She groaned when he reached her pussy. He moved her legs apart and attacked her pussy with his tongue. He slid his tongue in to stroke the insides of her walls, licking her juices, and his teeth brushed her clit. Jaycee pushed up and sought more. He raised his head, and juices covered his chin as he

licked his lip. He flipped her carefully and pulled her ass up in the air. He spread her legs and thrust his cock into her pussy. “Remi…” Jaycee cried out. He pinched her clit and nipple at the same time he slammed into her. Jaycee couldn’t hold back. Her body exploded, every muscle contracted, and she screamed. His warm seed filled her pussy and he collapsed onto her body. He rolled her onto his stomach while he fell on his back. Dane stood and stared down at her. Then he picked her up and pulled her into his arms. He strolled over to the chair where Mark sat and placed her onto his lap. He laid each leg on one of armrests. She leaned her back into Mark’s waiting arms. Dane opened her pussy with his hands, looking and inspecting each part of her. He spread her legs wider and pulled out a toy she had never seen before. She tensed up. “Relax, Jaycee. This will only pinch for a moment. Then I will give you the ultimate pleasure,” Dane whispered as he inserted the circular object up into her pussy. It stretched her and pinched at first, but she felt it attach to her G-spot, which created a sucking sensation. Dane raised her body and slid his cock into her pussy. He pushed into the toy, and each time he did it created suction against her G-spot and sent tingles throughout her body. Her back touched the wall while Dane bit on her nipple and slammed into her. Jaycee leaned her head back and her eyes rolled back, staring at the ceiling. Muscles contracted in her pussy, her nails dug into his shoulders, and she arched up as another orgasm was upon her. His cock locked onto her wall through the hole in the toy, and his seed poured into her. Dane let go of her nipple and moaned. Jaycee was exhausted, but she knew Mark waited. He always waited his turn with her.

Dane pulled his cock out of her and reached back up into her pussy. He pulled the toy out of her, which sent her into another rolling orgasm. Jaycee pulled herself together and looked up at Mark. He waited for her. Her gaze traveled over his body. He was built like a tank, and she knew what she wanted to do. She slinked up to him and kissed his chest, right over his heart, and stared up into his eyes. She sank her teeth into his chest, over his heart, and marked him as hers. She heard his growl of approval while his hands traced her body. She released him and licked up the little blots of blood. He pulled his body away from her to reach her ass, but she shook her head. “I want you in my pussy, Mark. I’m not in heat yet,” she whispered to him and looked at her other mates for their approval. They nodded and knew it was important to her. Mark smiled. He picked her up and carried her to the bed, where he lay down with her. He stared down at her as he centered his body over hers. He lifted her legs to his shoulders and pressed his cock into her. He groaned as he sank into her. His hands grabbed her breasts, squeezing and kneading them. Jaycee watched his face and could see the pleasure in his face. It had been a while since he had her pussy and he relished in it. Tears ran down her face and she reached up and cupped his face, smiling at him. He released her breasts, lowering her legs. He dipped down and kissed her face. “It’s okay, baby. I know my place,” he whispered and kissed her mouth. He reached down and grabbed one leg, lifting it. He moved against her clit in a circular motion. Jaycee moaned into his mouth. She pushed her hips up to meet his and encouraged him to move faster and harder. His cock locked into her and another orgasm soared through her. Mark lifted his head and howled his pleasure. Jaycee laughed as she came down and slapped him.

“They sure heard that, you loudmouth.” She laughed. He rolled over, taking her with him. Dane and Remi joined them on the bed. All of them touched, pet her, and kissed her.

Chapter Four Jaycee woke up and smiled. Her mates had left her to take a nap. She was worn out, but upon opening her eyes she saw she wasn’t in her home. She was tied to a strange table. Two strange men stared down at her, but then she saw Adam standing in the corner. Jaycee started to struggle with the ties, but they were too tight. For some reason, even her power wasn’t working right. “You know, I can see why my brother was so attached to you. I think I’m going to have to sample you before I give you to my men.” Curt’s brother leered at her. He scraped his claw down her breasts and drew blood. Jaycee cringed. She wouldn’t go through this again. She tried to gather as much power as she could and threw his body against the wall. It worked. Others came in and ran at her, but they too met the same fate. She untied herself and covered her body with a dirty sheet. Dane, Remi, Mark, can you hear me? I could really use some help. We’re on our way, baby. Remi knows where you’re at. Dane reassured her. Jaycee ran out of the room and stumbled over the sheet that she tried to cover her body with. Looking around, she waited for someone to pounce on her, but there was nothing. She could tell the house was an abandoned one. She knew her mates stormed into the house, and she sat at the at the top of the stairs and waited. She didn’t have to wait long before her mates rushed up the stairs. They stood in front of her and stared down at her. Remi kneeled down in front of her and stared at her. “Did they…” “No, but I’m bleeding a little.” She removed the sheet and showed him the claw marks. “I

don’t know how, but Curt’s brother got away. I felt him slip out of the window a few minutes ago. I was just too tired, Remi,” she whispered and lowered her head. He pulled the dirty sheet away from her body. The red claw marks that ran across her breasts were a grim reminder what could have happened if they hadn’t come. All three of them shifted into their beast forms and howled. Dane and Mark jumped the rest of the stairs, and burst into the room, closing the door behind them. She could hear the screaming as Remi wrapped a clean blanket around her and lifted her back into his arm. He carried her outside. Her father was there, pacing. “Curt’s brother got away, but Dane and Mark are taking care of the others,” Remi said and carried her past her father to Dane’s truck. He hopped in the front seat with her on his lap. “Jaycee, we’re glad you didn’t confront him more than you did. This man has many different powers. He would have destroyed you.” Remi slid down the blanket, licking her breasts and cleaned the wounds. “Remi, Adam was there. He’s the one who took me.” Jaycee curled up into his arms. “Don’t worry about it. Dane will take care of it,” he whispered into her ear. Dane got into the car and started it. “What about Mark?” Jaycee asked, looking up at Dane. “He’ll be back later. Your father and he are going to interrogate Adam and the other man.” Dane snapped and concentrated on the road. His hand reached down and stroked her leg. “I know you guys are busy, but with what just happened, do you think maybe when we get back we can just go for a walk, just us?” Jaycee asked and pulled onto Remi’s shirt, inhaling his scent. “I think that can be arranged.” Remi smiled.

Jaycee ran up the stairs to throw on some warm clothes as soon as they got home. She couldn’t wait to just go for a walk with her mates. Someone knocked on the door as she slipped on her sweater. She sighed and walked to the door, opening it. Shelly stood there and Jaycee threw her arms around her. “Are you okay? I was so worried about you, but I wanted to give you time,” Jaycee said and pulled her into the room. She put her socks and boots on. “I’m fine. A little sore still, but I got out fast enough with your help. What are you doing?” Shelly asked, sitting on the bed. “Remi, Dane, and I are going to take a walk. Just us, I’m so excited. Just something normal, you know. I feel like a schoolgirl again.” Jaycee giggled, but Shelly frowned and looked down at the floor. “I hate to burst your bubble, but they left. They had a meeting in town with the sheriff. Mark’s with your father and we’re supposed to help get ready for tonight’s bomb fire.” Shelly gave her that look of sorry. Jaycee sighed and knew it had been too good to hope for. Okay, she had work to do. “All right, then, let’s go prepare for the bomb fire. At least we’ll be busy,” Jaycee said over her shoulder as she stepped out of her bedroom, smiling. She tried not to show Shelly how disappointed she was. **** Jaycee stared at the bomb fire. Her mates still weren’t home. Everyone was having a great time, and food was everywhere. Jaycee noticed Shelly dancing with another man and smiled. She was glad Shelly was moving on with her life, even her father was dancing with Kate. “Hey, little sister, do you want to dance?” Ralph asked, coming up to her. She smiled up

at him and took his hand. He pulled her to his body and danced with her. “You’re missing your mates, aren’t you?” he asked and stared down at her. Jaycee just shrugged her shoulders and watched the two packs coming together. “I just wish they were here to see that everyone was getting along with each other.” Jaycee said. “Well, you did a wonderful job. There’s plenty of food, beer, and women.” Ralph looked around, his eyes stopping at a particular one. Jaycee laughed at him and slugged his arm. “What?” he said and smiled down at her. “If you want her, go dance with her. I’ll be okay. Go!” She stepped away and pushed him towards the woman in question. He just shook his head and strolled away. Jaycee watched him sweep the woman up in his arms and start to dance with her, and longed to dance with one of her mates. She noticed her guards trailing her as she made her way to get a drink of hot coffee. Even though the bomb fire threw out heat, she was cold. For some strange reason, she felt out of whack for the past two hours. She hoped she wasn’t catching a cold. Jaycee grabbed a cup of coffee and Camille came up to her and hugged her. “You have outdone yourself, young lady. Everyone is having a great time. Now what’s the matter?” Camille asked, looking at her. Jaycee shook her shoulders, “I don’t know. I feel different, out of sorts, and I’m cold.” She took a sip of her coffee. Camille sniffed the air around her. Her pupils got big and she smiled. “My dear, no one told you how it would be when you went into heat, did they?” Camille grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the house.

“No, and I want to stay and enjoy the bomb fire. I don’t want to go inside. I’m cooped up there all the time,” Jaycee said, halting their progress. Camille turned to her, smiling. “I’m afraid you’re going to be cooped up a little longer, daughter. When a female goes into heat, her mates guard her all the time. They won’t leave your side, literally. Remi is going to be on you nonstop.” Camille laughed and clapped her hands together. Jaycee frowned and stepped backward. “Well, he can just wait. I’m not ready!” She turned around and stomped back to the fire. She ignored everyone. In the background Camille laughed, and that just made her blood boil. Fuck them. She’d take her own walk. She motioned for the guards to follow. They frowned as she started to walk towards the woods, but didn’t say anything. Jaycee kicked at the snow and glanced up at the stars once in a while. It was beautiful out here, even if it was cold. The air was brisk but clean, and smelled of pine. Only two months till Christmas. She had shopping to do, if her pain-in-the-ass mates would let her shop. Well, she could do some shopping online. Maybe tomorrow she could look around online to see if anything grabbed her eye. Jaycee tried to figure out what to get her mates. “I need to make a list,” she said to herself as she walked. “I need a tree for the pack, and our home. Plus decorations. Maybe I can have the children make ornaments for the pack tree.” Christmas used to be her favorite holiday and she hadn’t celebrated in so long, but now she had a family. Jaycee giggled at the thought of decorating their big home. “And what are you giggling at, baby?” Remi whispered and wrapped his arms around her from behind.

Jaycee jumped, but he held her tight and kept her in his arms. “Don’t worry about it. You have too much on your agenda to deal with my fun.” Jaycee pouted. She knew she was being a pain, but they’d hurt her again. “We always have time for your fun.” He turned her towards the house again, but she turned right back around and walked away from them. “I’m taking a walk. You’re the ones who were too busy to tell me you couldn’t take a walk earlier,” Jaycee yelled over her shoulder at them. She continued her walk while they fell in step next to her, not saying anything at first. “I need to get you back home. My body needs you,” Remi whispered into her ear as he tried to kiss her. “Well, it’s just going to have to wait. I needed our walk earlier. I wanted to dance with my mates earlier. I just wanted to hold my mates’ hands while we walked. Oh, and weren’t we supposed to have a nice chat, too? But that didn’t happen, so I’m taking my walk now.” Jaycee pushed on even though she was freezing. Her teeth rattled. Dane swung her up in his arms and stalked back to the house. “You’re freezing, but you’re bound and determined to act like a spoiled brat, hurting yourself. Well, I won’t have it.” Dane snapped and ran towards the house. “I was fine until you showed up. I was having fun thinking of things,” Jaycee yelled back and tried to get down, but he held her firm. “Stop moving. You’re going home and getting warm. What the hell is that scent?” Dane stopped mid-stride and stared down at her. Then he snarled. “You’re in heat, and you’re out here by yourself, where every wolf can smell you? What the hell are you thinking? You should be upstairs in our room waiting for us,” Dane demanded

and stomped up to the house door. Mark pushed the door open as Dane carried her upstairs to their room. She glanced at Remi and he was furious. Dane threw open their bedroom door and walked inside. He started to take off her clothes, but she pushed his hands away. “Excuse me, but I was waiting for my mates all day! I was tired of waiting!” Jaycee yelled, and shoved at Dane’s chest, but he didn’t budge. Remi slipped in behind her, sniffed her, and snarled. “Get out of those clothes now,” Remi demanded behind her. She could tell they were close to shifting into their beasts. Jaycee sighed and stripped. She jumped on the bed and spread her legs. “Is this what you want? Then do it so I can get dressed and enjoy the bomb fire, since you obviously don’t give a shit about what I want.” Jaycee sighed and lay back. She closed her eyes but she knew they stared at her. “Fuck, do you have to do this now, Jaycee? Start a fight with us when were ready to burst at the seams with want for you?” Remi yelled and stomped back and forth. Jaycee rose up on her elbows and glared at him. “I was almost raped again today. All I wanted was to hold my mates’ hands and take a romantic walk in the snow. Maybe even make love in the snow, but no, you couldn’t do that. No, scrap that. You didn’t even think maybe I need my mates to hold me and reassure me. I mean, I know I have been raped before, but it still hurts. Not one person asked me how I was doing. Not even my father,” Jaycee yelled, tears rolled down her face. “So little old me put together this bomb fire, hoping my mates would be back in time, at least to dance with me, hold me, and enjoy this evening.” Jaycee could feel her beast trying to burst forward, but she held it at bay.

“Instead, you’re gone most of the night, and when you get home you demand for me to go home and spread for you. I didn’t even know I was in heat until an hour ago, when your mother told me. That’s when I went away from the party to take a walk before I came up here. I knew I was going to be stuck up here until God knows when, fucking. No talking, no holding, nothing!” Jaycee fell back onto the bed and closed her eyes. “So just take me. I won’t leave. I know my duty,” Jaycee whispered. Then she felt the bed dip on both sides. Remi and Dane slipped in next to her. Both of them slipped their arms around her. They stroked her and whispered to her. “Baby, I’m sorry, but I need you.” Remi gently covered her body with his. Dane kissed her eyes, her nose, and her throat. “We’ll make this up to you, we promise,” Dane whispered. Remi slipped his cock into her and sucked her nipple into his mouth. Her body cried out for him, as did her heart, but she was hurt. Her body betrayed her, and she wrapped her legs around his body, and accepted him. She moaned into Dane’s mouth. He pushed his tongue into hers and kissed her hard. She felt Remi’s cock lock into her and he groaned. He reached down and rubbed her clit. Jaycee jerked away from Dane’s kiss and arched, her orgasm surging through right on cue. Remi’s body tensed; her pussy sucked his cock further into her body. He threw his head back and howled his release, but he stayed where he was. He looked down at her and cupped her cheek. He lay down next to her, then pulled her on top of him and held her. He stroked her back. Dane got up and threw on his clothes. He and Mark left and closed the door behind them. “Are you going to talk to me?” Remi whispered, while he stroked her body and brought her body back up to a fever pitch.

“What is there to say, Remi? You know my body craves yours. It always will,” Jaycee whispered and kissed his chest. He rolled her over onto her back and pushed her hair out of her face. Gently, he traced a finger down her face. She knew he could see the sadness there, but she couldn’t help it. Remi pulled his body up off the bed, and pulled her into his arms. He reached over and turned on the CD player next to the bed. From this Moment On played on the CD. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her body to his. “Dance with me, baby?” He whispered as he started to move to the music, her body moved with his. She laid her head on his chest and just held him. They danced in silence, listening to the music. When the song ended he backed her up to the wall, and lifted her up. She wrapped her legs around him and he sank his cock into her. Jaycee’s head leaned against the wall while he made slow love to her. He worshipped her body as a lover would.

Chapter Five Jaycee woke, her whole body sore. Strong arms wrapped around her body, Remi. She had to go potty she tried to move his arms, but he held her tight. He was awake. “I have to use the bathroom.” He released her and kissed her back as she got up. Jaycee brushed her teeth and ran some water on her face as he came into the bathroom with her. He rubbed against her. “Let’s take a shower. I know you want one. It’s okay now.” Remi pulled her to the tub and turned on the water. She stepped into the shower and soaked up the water. It washed the dirt and grime she felt covered her body. Remi grabbed the soap and started to scrub her body. He didn’t miss an inch of her body. He rinsed her body using the attachment, making sure he paid extra attention to her pussy. Jaycee shook her head. By the time they had gotten out of the shower, Remi had taken her twice. Her stomach growled and she heard him laugh. Well, I think we should go, and get something to eat, don’t you? So I can keep up your strength.” He handed her a dress and she slid it on. “I thought I wasn’t allowed to leave the bedroom,” Jaycee said. He pulled her out the door and down the stairs. He smiled at her and gave her that grin that all men do when their proud of something. “You wouldn’t be, but I am afraid you have already taken my seed. You carry my child now.” He stepped down off the bottom step. Jaycee just stood there and stared down at her stomach.

She couldn’t believe it. How did he know? She rubbed her stomach slowly, looking back up at him as he smiled. “How do you know? It’s too soon,” she said in awe. Remi pulled her towards the kitchen. “Your smell, it changes when you’re pregnant. And you’re pregnant, baby.” He pulled her into the kitchen, and wouldn’t you know? It was filled with family. Jaycee sighed and rolled her eyes. They all jumped up and sniffed her, then hugged her, congratulating her. Jaycee grabbed a plate, pilled on the food, and ignored everyone as she stuffed her mouth. When she looked up, everyone stared at her. “What, do I have something stuck in my teeth?” Jaycee ran her tongue over her teeth as they all laughed. Dane laughed so hard he doubled over. She just growled at him and stuffed her food back into her mouth. Then she had to use the restroom. She grabbed a piece of bacon and excused herself. Jaycee was just going to enter the kitchen again when she heard Remi and her other two mates talking. “I told you it would work. All you had to do was get her relaxed and her body would accept your seed. Aren’t you glad I left that CD in the player?” Mark laughed as all of them did. Jaycee felt her heart sink. The only reason he had danced with her was to get her pregnant. She looked behind her. Kate stood there, furious. Jaycee didn’t say a word. She ran upstairs and grabbed her coat, boots, and her purse. She needed new clothes and time alone. Jaycee made it to the garage and into Dane’s truck, and suddenly Shelly jumped into the passenger side. “Gun it if we’re to get out of here. I grabbed Dane’s credit cards also,” Shelly said. Jaycee pulled the truck out of the driveway and headed into town.

“Kate told you, didn’t she?” Jaycee asked, after about five minutes driving in quiet. The snow had stopped again and the roads cleared. Jaycee turned onto the highway, heading away from the small town. She headed for Farmington, the larger city. “Yes, she ran to my room, and knew you were going to take off. I thought we could go shopping, so I grabbed his wallet. I’m sorry about this, Jaycee. I don’t know what’s wrong with them. They’re acting like assholes.” Shelly blew out and shook her head. “I’m nothing to them, Shelly. Every time I turn around, they promise me they will talk, spend time with me, and promise me this and that. Then they did this. We haven’t even discussed our bonding ceremony. Now I’m pregnant—no courting, no dates, nothing.” Jaycee just shook her head. The tears were gone; she was just numb. Jaycee pulled off the exit towards the mall about ten minutes later. Shelly’s phone rang and she rolled her eyes. “What?” she growled into the phone. Jaycee knew it was one of her mates. She knew Remi would track her with his powers. “Leave her alone, Dane. You guys have done enough. We’ll be home later tonight,” Shelly yelled and shut the phone. Shelly looked at Jaycee and frowned. “I know they’re coming. Remi can track me anywhere I go. Did you know this is the first town I came to before I met James? I lived here for about two years. Used to work in the mall at Macy’s, had the biggest crush on the store manager. I wonder if he’s still working here.” Jaycee parked the truck and sat there for a minute. “Well, let’s do some shopping before they find us. I have a feeling this is all the freedom I’m going to get for a long time.” Jaycee sighed, pulling her hood over her head, and opened the door. She locked it behind them and they both walked into the mall. Neither of them said anything, knowing her time was limited.

Jaycee walked straight to Macy’s. She wanted to see if some of her friends still worked there more than she wanted to shop, but she did find some great dresses, skirts, sweaters, and some boots. She even found gifts for Kate, Camille, and Grace for Christmas. She found two of her friends, and she was talking to them when she felt her mates enter the mall. They were close. Shelly looked at her and nodded. She also knew they were there. Jaycee gave her friends her new address and phone number, and grabbed her bags. She headed towards the boys’ department. She wanted to see if she could get Sam something while she was here. Jaycee wasn’t looking where she was going when she ran straight into a man, she had always thought was hot. He caught her before she could fall on her ass and steadied her. “Jaycee, is that you?” he asked and smiled down at her. His hands still held her. Shelly smiled, but fidgeted. “Yep, it’s me. I’m living up on Saddleback Mountain. Thought I would do some shopping, for Christmas.” Jaycee rambled on and stepped back from him. “God, you look beautiful. I love the hair. It’s natural too, isn’t it?” he asked and ran his fingers through it. Jaycee smiled up at him and nodded. Snarls came from behind her. She stepped back a little, still smiling, as he lowered his hand and stared behind her. “Don’t worry about them. They’re just my guards. Someone has been stalking me, so they’re a little cautious when anyone is around me,” Jaycee lied. Shelly groaned next to her. “Well, I won’t keep you from your shopping. I hope you catch that creep. Here is my card. Give me a call when things settle down. I would love to take you to dinner and catch up on news.” He turned, walking away as Jaycee proceeded to walk into the boys’ department. She scanned the toys they had there. Jaycee started to put the card in her purse when it was ripped out

of her hand, and torn into tiny pieces in front of her, scattering to the floor. Jaycee shook her head. “I don’t need it. If I want to contact him, I know where he works.” She sneered and started to walk away. Remi grabbed her arm and halted her progress. “What did I tell you yesterday about any man touching you? Don’t push this, Jaycee. You’re carrying my child!” Remi demanded. Jaycee snarled back and yanked her arm from him. “That’s right. I’m carrying your child, so you shouldn’t care if I fuck another since that’s all you wanted, all three of you wanted,” she yelled, not caring if anyone heard her. She stormed out of Macy’s and glanced at the corner bookstore. Jaycee loved to read erotic romance stories; it always calmed her down. She walked into the story and ignored her mates. Jaycee saw a couple of her favorite authors had released new books. Grabbing those and a couple of other books she found interesting, she saw Shelly looking at one of the books she had grabbed. “She’s a great author if you like it hot. I had all her books, but they were burned with the rest of my stuff. Her first book was Capture Me. It was great. Here, I’ll buy it for you. Then we can compare notes on the hottest parts.” Standing in line, Jaycee noticed a magazine for horror lovers, listing all the horror movies. Shelly grabbed it and flipped through it. She added it to her purchases and pulled out her own credit card. She wasn’t about to let them pay for nothing else. She wanted her own things. She exited the store with them still trailing her. “Hey, Shelly, you know that painting I got two years ago? The artist has a shop up ahead. Want to go check it out? I would love another of his works. When I stared at that picture it

always made me wish for things I knew I would never have.” Jaycee glanced back at her mates. “We have to get back. We have meetings.” Dane glared at her. Jaycee turned her head and headed toward the store she wanted to go to. “Well then, go. Don’t let me keep you. I’m already knocked up, so you don’t have to worry anymore.” Jaycee didn’t get two steps before Remi grabbed her around the waist and turned her towards the exit of the mall. “Let me go now. I’m not done shopping.” Jaycee gritted her teeth. He didn’t say anything as he pulled her out of the mall and headed toward the cars. Remi pushed his remote on his truck, picked her up, and set her into his truck, slamming the door. Jaycee put her bags down on the floor. She looked up to see Shelly being escorted to Dane’s truck. Dane, Mark, and Shelly got into it and followed them back onto the highway. **** Jaycee didn’t say a word all the way home. Remi parked the truck and she grabbed her packages, and headed for the house. Entering the house, her father stood there with the other National Council members. He frowned at her. “Do you know you made your mates late for our meeting?” he demanded and followed her to the stairs. Jaycee turned towards her father as her mates came into the house. “Well, then they shouldn’t have come to the mall, and made a scene, now should they?” Jaycee yelled. “They’re protecting their mate. What the hell are they supposed to do?” he demanded after she took three steps. Jaycee stopped, not looking back. “No, Dad, they came to protect the baby I carry. That’s all they’re worried about: getting me knocked up, and the children I can supply for them. I’ll tell you what. Tell Kate she can have

Nana’s wedding dress, and give it to your daughter when you have another, because I won’t need it.” Jaycee continued up the stairs with her packages. Shelly ran after her. Jaycee was taking all the tags off her purchases when Shelly walked in, shutting the door. “Jaycee, you know they love you.” She sat on the bed and helped her remove the tags. Jaycee looked up at Shelly shaking her head. “No, Shelly, I don’t anymore. They have lied to me, they don’t trust me, and they won’t even just talk to me. There will be no wedding or bonding ceremony.” Jaycee put the clothes and Christmas presents away. Jaycee took off her coat and walked out of her room, going to the back staircase, going down into the family room with one of her books. She shut and locked the door and turned on the radio, trying to find a country station. When she found one, she flopped down on the sofa, and opened her book to read. Jaycee didn’t even pay attention to the time until she heard her name being called by Dane. She ignored him and looked at the clock. It was one in the afternoon. Her stomach growled and she smiled down at her stomach. Hoping off the couch, she went to the small fridge and rummaged through it. She found enough to food to make a couple of sandwiches. She also found a bag of chips not opened. Grabbing those, and a pop, she headed back to the couch to munch down and read. Someone tried the family room door. “Jaycee, are you in there?” Kate asked. Jaycee groaned and knew she would have to open up the door for her. Getting up she opened the door and let Kate in, locking it again. “What can I do for you, Kate? You or Sam need something?” Jaycee asked and took a bite of her sandwich. When she moaned, Kate laughed at her. “I was going to tell you lunch is being served in the living room for the other National

Council members, and they would like you to join us.” Jaycee groaned, taking a sip of her diet soda. “Do I have to? I mean, I just got to one of the hot spots in my book.” Jaycee picked up her book, showing Kate. Kate laughed. “It would be nice if you joined us, sweetie. I know you’re not talking to your mates, but the pack is still yours also. You should represent them.” Jaycee looked at her sandwiches, and picked them up, along with her chips and pop. “Okay, let’s go, but it’s not that I’m not talking to them, Kate. I’m done with them. I’m their mate fine, they want me pregnant fine, but when it comes to anything else, except for the pack I’m done. There will be no bonding ceremony or wedding.” Jaycee walked up the stairs. She heard Kate gasp, but she didn’t care. Jaycee smiled at the members of the Council, said hello, and sat down on a chair, eating her sandwiches and chips. Remi came up to her and tried to take her chips, but Jaycee growled at him. He stopped frowning down at her. “Those aren’t good for the baby,” he said and looked down at her. He tried to push a plate of salad to her, but she ignored him, stuffing her face with chips and taking a drink of her pop. “That’s right. You’re worried about the baby. Well, the baby is fine, and it wants these.” Jaycee stood up, going to another chair near Camille, who laughed and patted her leg. Then Camille turned an angry face at her son, Remi. “Leave her alone. Haven’t you done enough to hurt her?” He looked angry, but he left her alone, and so did the rest of her mates. Jaycee turned her attention to the National Council, which was talking about having a pack representative come to National once a month to report to them. They wanted her mates to pick the person. “Tell me, Jaycee. We were thinking of having a New Year’s Eve bash, inviting all the

U.S. alphas. Would you be interested in helping my mate arrange things from this end?” one of the National Council Members asked. Jaycee didn’t know what to say. It was a big honor, but she didn’t think she deserved that, when there were so many who did. “I’m honored you would think of me, but don’t you think it would be wise to pick someone with more experience with dealing with pack members than me? I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but even my own mates don’t trust me with anything around their packs,” Jaycee said and shrugged her shoulders, looking down at the floor. She heard everyone gasp in the room as she took a drink of her pop. She got up and walked to the table, looking at the desserts. Reaching across the table, Jaycee grabbed a piece of blueberry pie. She licked her lips and headed back to her seat. Everyone stared at her. “Tell me, Jaycee, do you think you could do the job?” he asked her again. Jaycee sat there, chewing a bit of her pie while she thought about it. “Yes, I did that sort of thing a couple of years ago, planning parties for our local mayor where I lived, but again, that isn’t the problem, sir. The problem would be them. As I told you before, they don’t trust my judgment, and they would take over. So there is no sense in me helping when it would be them making the choices, not me. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a book calling me.” Jaycee got up and left the room, not looking at anyone. She ran down the stairs, dropping her pie on the floor. “Shit!” She shook her head and left it on the floor. She shut the door behind her and locked the family room door again. Jaycee grabbed her book and fell onto the couch, and banging started on the door. She knew it was her mates. She didn’t say a word. She ignored them and tried to concentrate on her book. Then she heard keys and knew Dane was unlocking the door. They all stormed into the

room and slammed the door behind them. “What the hell is your problem? You were offered a great opportunity, and you threw it away!” Dane snapped, grabbed her book, and threw it across the room. Jaycee got off the couch and snarled into his face. “Is that your problem, I embarrassed you again? Well, too bad! I will not take on a job when I’m not in control. As you three have shown me, I’m nothing other than a slut and a mother to carry your children. Well, so be it. I will keep my mouth shut and my legs spread for you to rut on me. But don’t you dare come in here and yell at me,” Jaycee snapped and grabbed her book. She sat back down on the couch. They all stared at her. “Do you really believe all that shit you just sprouted?” Dane shouted at her. She looked up and quietly said, “Yes! You have lied to me, you don’t trust my judgment, you won’t talk to me, and there will be no bonding ceremony, no wedding, nothing,” She whispered the last part, as she buried her face in her book. She thought she didn’t have any more tears, but they were there. It had to be the baby that was making her so emotional, she thought. Remi walked up to her and took her book from her, placing it on the table. He saw her tears and frowned as he sat down next to her. “Your words don’t matter anymore, Remi. You lied. I thought our dance was special, just you and me. Here it was just to relax me so you could get me pregnant. None of your words or theirs will matter anymore. Your actions have shown me how little I matter.” Jaycee jumped off the couch. She took off up the stairs, all the way to her bedroom, and ignored everyone as they watched her tear up the stairs with tears on her face. She heard her father’s growl, but didn’t care. She ran into the room and threw herself onto the bed, crying. “Jaycee, what’s wrong?” her father asked as he sat down on the bed and pulled her into

his arms. It had been so long since she was in his arms. She sobbed as he held her and rocked her. “I just told them I wouldn’t have a bonding ceremony or anything,” she cried as her father pulled her back and stared at her like she had lost her mind. “Are you nuts? They’re your mates. Of course you’ll have a bonding ceremony,” he demanded. Jaycee jumped out of his arms and faced him. “I’ve never been more serious. Tell me, Dad, when you were with Kate in the beginning, did you two talk, did you take walks, did you trust her judgment? Or did you just fuck her to get her pregnant?” Her father stood and glared at her. “That’s crude and uncalled for, and you know it.” “I have never been courted, Dad, never by any man. No dates, no nothing. Just taken. All I’ve asked from them was small things. I wanted—no, I needed them to walk with me yesterday when we got home. Just for them to talk to me and hold me. They promised me we would. They lied. They just left and didn’t say a word, but I waited all day planning the bomb fire, hoping maybe when they got back they would dance with me. Take a midnight walk, something simple. When they did come, they demanded me back to the house so Remi could fuck me and get me pregnant. Not because he just wanted me, but because he wanted a baby. Did you know they even discussed how to make me relax, to take his seed? They didn’t even try to explain why they weren’t here, or that they were sorry,” Jaycee rambled on, tears running down her face. She went to the balcony window, reached back, and turned on the CD to the song he had played. “Here, this song, dad. This is the song I thought was going to be our song, but instead it was just a tool to get me pregnant. There will be no bonding ceremony unless they learn to trust me, court me, and just talk to me without lying. And Dad, you’re not to say a word. This will be

done by them on their own. No more tricks.” Jaycee listened to the song and stared out side, dismissing her father. He shut her bedroom door, going downstairs. **** Eventually, Jaycee drew a bath, and sat in the tub, candles she had found in the closet all around her. Her book in her hand, she soaked in the warm water. It was late, she had taken a nap, and was getting ready for the pack dinner. She dreaded it, but it was her duty and she wouldn’t ditch her duty. Jaycee laid the book down on the toilet lid, and got up out of the tub. She carefully prepared herself for dinner. Tonight her mates would see what she could be. She picked out the most perfect dress, and slipped on her garter belt and thigh highs. She strapped on her three-inch pumps. Jaycee stared at herself in the mirror. The dress enhanced her breasts, showing just a little extra cleavage. The dress had no back, and slits running up each side of her leg, all the way up to her hip. She grabbed one of her bottles of perfume, dabbing it on her breasts and behind her ears. She was ready. Jaycee made her way down the stairs slowly. Her men waited for her. She ignored them and walked ahead of them, as they made their way to the pack dining room. They were making their way to their table when the blond bimbo scooted up to Remi, and slid her body up and down him. “I hear that there is to be no bonding ceremony. Maybe after supper, we could get together? I can show you what a female can do.” She almost purred. Her mates stared at Jaycee, waiting. Jaycee shrugged her shoulders. “You’re the ones who created this disrespect and lack of

trust among the packs, not me.” She lowered her eyes and turned. She left them standing there as she took her seat. Shelly saw all of it. “Are you going to let that blond thing touch your mate?” she asked, loud enough so many could hear. Jaycee felt the tears. Her dress didn’t help. “What am I to do, Shelly? They don’t trust me, and they have shown this in front of the pack too many times. I can fight every female here, but it wouldn’t make a difference. They still would treat me like I’m nothing,” Jaycee smiled a sad smile at her friend. Then she noticed the little girl who had given her buttons come up to the blond bimbo, and kicked her in the shin. 
 “That’s my friend’s mate. Stay away from him,” she demanded. Jaycee laughed as tears fell down her face. “Well, I found one friend, among them at least,” she said, looking at Shelly.

Chapter Six Jaycee sat eating her food, a fake smile on her face. Her jaw killed her, but she wanted another piece of blueberry pie. Getting up, she was making her way to the dessert table, when a male from Remi’s pack came up to her. “Is it true? You’re not going to bond with the alphas?” he asked. She looked at her mates, then back at him, and took a deep breath. “It’s not up to me, it’s up to them. I’m their mate, but they have to make the commitment,” Jaycee said and picked up her pie. He stopped her, and put his hand on her arm. She looked up waiting. “If you by any chance don’t, would you consider going out with me? I mean, they would be crazy to lose you. You’re beautiful and you speak your mind. I admire that. So many of the females around here are so fake.” “I thank you for the compliment. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard any. Well, actually, it’s my first, and if you tell a female just to be herself, I’m sure you would find they would appreciate it. It’s hard to find good men and you’re a great catch for some women. But I will always be their mate. So no matter if they bond with me or not, I couldn’t be with someone else.” Jaycee kissed him on the cheek and heard her mates growl, as the man smiled at her leaving her. Jaycee walked over to her table and sat down, ignoring her mate’s glares. “Why did you kiss him in front of everyone, and what did he want?” Remi demanded. Jaycee shrugged her shoulders. “He asked me to go out with him if we don’t bond together. Then he gave me my first true compliment. Saying I was beautiful and smart. I thanked him and told him I could never be with another male, because even though we might not bond,

I’m still your mate. You see, I know how to be honest. Now if you excuse me, I’m going to go curl up in front of the TV and surf the net, since I’m not allowed to go shopping. I have a Christmas party to plan for the packs unless you think I’m too incompetent to do that.” Jaycee grabbed her dessert and her milk and stood up. Her mates stood up also. “We’ve complimented you before,” Mark said, staring at her. Jaycee looked up at him and smiled at him. “Did you do it from your heart, Mark, or did you do it to get laid? There’s a difference, like the dance was different for me.” Jaycee moved, going to the exit and to her prison. Jaycee was sitting curled up on the sofa eating her pie when she heard a knock on the family room door. “It’s unlocked,” she said as she watched the movie and shoved another bit of pie into her face. “Can we join you?” Mark asked She shrugged her shoulders and moved over on the couch as she watched her movie. Remi picked her up and sat her in the middle of the sofa. Dane sat on one side, and Remi on the other, just like the other night. Mark sat down in front of her and smiled at her. She smiled a quick smile at him, and continued to watch her movie. “Can we talk to you?” Dane asked. They watched her, and she sighed and reached for the remote, turning the TV down. “What do you want, Dane? Do you want some? Just tell me and I’ll remove my dress for you.” “Why are you being so crude? We make love, not fuck.” Dane snipped. Jaycee leaned back and took a deep breath.

Then she lifted her head and stared at them. “Listen, I just want to relax tonight. No fighting. You might call it loving, but I don’t. Loving to me Dane, is when two or however many love each other they, trust them. They know their partner and they make special time for them to be together alone. There’s no planning, just feeling, at least that is what I thought love was supposed to be. But I wouldn’t know now would I. I’ve never been given the chance.” Jaycee looked at Dane. “What do you want from us, Jaycee? How can we prove to you that we want you and need you?” Remi asked, taking her hand and kissing it. Jaycee turned to him and looked into his eyes, and tilted her head. “You really don’t know, do you? Tell me, Remi, before me have you been other women?” “You know I have. We all have,” he said, staring at her. “And did you just go up to her, grab her, and fuck her?” she asked, not moving her gaze from his face. “Did you get to know her, did you go out on dates, did you buy her flowers, take her to dinner, make just time for her and you? Did you know what her favorite color or movie was ?” she asked and looked at her mates. They sat there for a moment and thought about it. “You’re talking about courting. Dating,” Dane said. Jaycee turned to look at him, “Yes, that’s part of it. Did you know I worked for a mayor, and planned big events? Did you know I like to read erotic stories, or what my favorite foods or TV shows are? Have you asked Shelly any questions about what I like? I’ve asked about you and Mark, to both your mom and your sister. Remi, I’ve talked to your mother and some of your brothers. I haven’t been introduced to the rest of your family. Or yours, Dane. I know you have two younger brothers here, also uncles and aunts. Have you introduced them to me?” Jaycee

lowered her head to her stare at her fingers. She picked up her pie, suddenly not hungry, and leaned over Mark, putting it on the table. “Are you ashamed of me? Is that why you didn’t introduce me to any of your pack, Remi?” Jaycee pushed herself up and walked to the door. She looked over her shoulder at her mates. “I don’t know when it happened, but it did. I fell in love with all three of you. But I won’t go any further into this until I know for sure you love me. That’s all I ever wanted, someone to truly love me, and know me. Have a big family and a big wedding. But it looks like all I’ll get is the big family.” Jaycee walked out of the room. She walked up to the living room to the outside door. She needed some air. She stripped out of her dress, not caring that members of the council were sitting there. She shifted into her wolf form, knowing it wouldn’t hurt the baby. She had asked Grace. Jaycee opened the door with her powers and looked back at the guards. They nodded and followed her, shifting into their other forms. She walked slowly up to the spot she had found yesterday, just sitting there. In the distance she could hear other pack members, running, enjoying the night. She sighed. She was never was asked to join in the run. Jaycee knew her mates joined them on the runs, but never asked her to go. Another thing she would never enjoy. Jaycee lay down on the snow and listened to them run, chasing rabbits. Her wolf whined and wanted to join in the fun. A rabbit ran behind her, and she watched as half of Remi’s pack ran past her, not even noticing her, except the man who had complimented her earlier. She recognized his smell. He slowly walked up to her and stared down at her as she lay there. He pushed his nuzzle at her and whined at her. She shook her head no, but he howled and asked her to join them. She really wanted to, but she didn’t want to hurt her mates. Then she noticed them

behind him. He looked back, then left, only looking at her once as he did. She sighed as they came trotting over to her. What did he want? Remi growled. He just asked if I wanted to run with the pack. He just won’t leave you alone. I’m going to have to shake some sense in him, Remi snapped and he started to leave, but Jaycee jumped in front of him. He was being polite. He did nothing wrong. He can’t help it that his alpha never asked her to join him on a nightly run. Maybe I will go join them, since it’s obvious you three won’t ask. Jaycee turned to run after the pack, but Remi jumped on her. His huge body covered hers, but not squashing her. You will not go anywhere with him. You’re ours. If you want to run, you just have to ask. he ordered. I shouldn’t have to ask. The alphas are the ones who introduce their mate to the pack, and then they run. I know that much, asshole. Jaycee crawled out from underneath him and shook the snow off. She knew he was wrong. She took off running in the opposite direction of the house, going deeper into the woods. She could feel and hear her mates following. She could hear the crunching of the snow as they picked up speed, and she darted left, trying to shake her mates, but it was no use. They were just faster and bigger, so she slowed her pace. She just couldn’t win. Changing direction, she headed towards the house, giving up. Her shoulders slumped. She made it to the house door and opened it with her powers. She grabbed her dress where she left it with her teeth and ran upstairs to their bedroom. Jaycee shifted, walking into the closet and hanging up her dress. That didn’t do shit for

her mates. She went into the bathroom and turned on the shower, needing to get warm before crawling into bed. Finally she got into bed, turned on the bedstand light, and picked up her book as her mates walked in the bedroom. They were already naked from their run with her earlier. Jaycee laid her book down on her lap and stared at them as they got ready for bed. “I was thinking about taking Buttons to see Samantha tomorrow, if that’s okay with you.” Remi climbed into bed next to her and pulled her to the middle of the bed. He took her book and put it on the nightstand next to him. Dane and Mark crawled into the bed, Mark next to Remi, and Dane on her other side. “I don’t see a problem with that. Just make sure to take your guards. I wanted you to consider the offer to arrange the New Year’s Eve party. We’ll only help if you ask, we promise,” Dane said, looking down into her face. Jaycee stared up at him. She did love to plan parties, but could she trust them. “I would have your word? You wouldn’t take over, and only help if I ask?” Jaycee asked. “You have my word,” Dane said. Jaycee turned her head and looked at Remi. He smiled and nodded. She glanced at Mark, who sat up and smiled down at her, and nodding his agreement. “I will talk to…wait a minute, I don’t know his name,” Jaycee said, looking at Dane and knew he would know it. He laughed. “His name is Zackary Black. His wife’s name is Eve. I’ve met her once, and I think you’ll get along great.” Dane kissed her nose. “Fine. I’ll talk to him in the morning, and tell him to let Eve know I would love to help her. Now, I think I’ll read a little,” Jaycee said as she tried to get up to read in the chair, but Remi

pulled her back to him and laid her on top of him. “We need to talk, Jaycee,” Remi said and placed a kiss on her lips softly, “and were not leaving until we’re done.” “We have listened to everything you’ve said, but you have to consider the baby, and we’re alphas. We need this bonding ceremony,” Dane said and reached over, pulling her hair back away from her face. Jaycee tensed up. She knew they could tell, but she didn’t care. “My baby will be fine without the ceremony. It’s your reputation that you’re concerned with, not what matters to me,” she snapped, trying to get up, but Remi still held onto her. “Let me go, unless you want your balls up in your mouth.” Jaycee glared as her beast struggled to come out. “Calm down, Jaycee. You have to see our point of view here,” Dane said through clenched teeth. “I’m your mate, which is all you’ll get until…oh shit, I can’t do this tonight.” Jaycee shoved her knee into Remi’s balls hard, and he flew off the bed, grabbing his balls. Dane and Mark jumped up and stared at her, but she ignored them. “Leave me the fuck alone, until you consider me for a change.” Jaycee grabbed her book and blanket. She stormed down the stairs. Her father was still there, talking with the other representatives. He looked at her and frowned. She held her hand up and stormed down to the family room, blanket wrapped around her. Once there, she slammed the door and locked it. Knowing he had a key, she pushed a chair under the doorknob, holding the door. Jaycee grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge and lay down on the couch. She took a deep breath and tried to calm down. She was furious and sad at the same time. “Jaycee, open this door now!” Remi shook the door. His fist slammed against it.

“No! Go sleep with that bimbo that wants you. It’s obvious you don’t want me!” she screamed back and covered up on the couch. She slinked down and rested her head on the arm rest. Dane fidgeted with the keys, but she smiled knowing they wouldn’t be able to do anything. The lock click open, tried the door, and nothing. It didn’t budge as she watched grinning. “Open this door now or I will bust it down!” Jaycee thought a moment. Would he really bust it down? Did she care? “Nope! Go to bed,” She was mimicking him, which was not a good idea. The next thing she knew, the door flew off its hinges and fell to the floor with a big bang. Remi stood there in his beast form for a moment. Jaycee slowly stood, the blanket wrapped around her, staring at him. “Remi, don’t…” Jaycee didn’t get the rest out as he rushed her, and threw her over his shoulders. He ran up both sets of stairs to their bedroom. He placed her gently on the center of the bed. Dane and Mark grabbed both her arms and tied her arms to the bedposts. Jaycee didn’t move an inch. “Do you want me to spread my legs?” Jaycee snapped and spread her legs. All three of them growled. “Don’t push me,” Remi ordered. “I don’t know what to do with you, so here is what is going to happen. We will have our Bonding Ceremony tomorrow night, even if we have to drag you there. I’m going to tell your father now.” He walked to the door and stormed down the stairs. Jaycee counted to ten and knew he was going to blow when her father told him no, but nothing happened. She waited ten minutes when she heard him come up the stairs. He was in a pair of jeans, a smile on his face. Jaycee frowned. If her father said yes, she would kill him. Remi stood in front of her, smiling down at her. “Your father tells me you talked to him. At first he wouldn’t do it, but he has seen my point of view, and he has agreed to have the

bonding ceremony tomorrow.” Jaycee was so mad she wasn’t thinking. The bed started to shake, her hands flew free, and her body floated off the bed as her mates started to back up. Jaycee walked downstairs naked, but she didn’t care. Her beast form came out she stalked to her father. He was still in the living room when she got downstairs. All the talking stopped as they noticed her. A vase on the coffee table went flying at her father, just barely missing his head. “I told you no. I cried to you how I felt, but that means nothing, does it? Only your comment to the pack, not your daughter’s feelings or that it would disgrace her if she was forced. You have changed. You’re not my father anymore.” Jaycee yelled, and she ran for the door, knowing there were no guards, but she didn’t care. Jaycee ran, the wind at her back and pushing her forward. She howled her pain. Jaycee ran down the road, towards the freeway, she wanted away anywhere. She just wanted someone to want her, not her body. Remi’s pack ran next to her, keeping up. She stopped and growled at them. “I’ll not go back!” she yelled and started off again, but they followed. Some of them cut in front of her and stopped her forward movement. Then she heard her mates growling behind her. Jaycee whipped around and snarled at them. “You just couldn’t stop, could you? No, you don’t want me—just my body, and your precious child. I hate all of you. All you think of is yourselves. All I wanted was some courting, talking, but you couldn’t even do that.” Jaycee shifted to her wolf form again and jumped past her mates, running up into the woods, not looking back. She ran to the top of the mountain, breathing heavy. She looked out at the surrounding mountains and howled. The packs howled back, knowing her pain. She fell to the ground,

whining. She lay there for about ten minutes. Her mates were behind her but she didn’t move. You need to come home and rest, Remi said, nudging her with his nose. Jaycee snapped at his nose. I’ll come home when I’m ready. Don’t worry, master, your slave will be there tomorrow. Jaycee, come now! Remi said, using his alpha voice on her. Jaycee whined as her wolf went crawling towards him. Remi shifted to his beast and picked her up. He carried her to the house. Jaycee’s heart broke and she was numb. As they walked past the two packs, their heads lowered to show respect. She did nothing, just continued to stare forward. Remi hopped up the stairs to the house and pushed the door open. Her father stared at her, but she ignored him as Remi took her up the stairs to the bedroom. She shifted as he put her into the bed. Jaycee pulled the covers over her, then closed her eyes and tried to find sleep.

Chapter Seven Jaycee opened her eyes and knew she must have been exhausted. She didn’t remember anything after she closed her eyes. Her mates were gone as usual. Jaycee got up going to the bathroom and took a quick shower. Drying her body, Jaycee walked out into the bedroom. Kate was there, sitting on the bed, her head lowered. Jaycee could see tears running down her face. She sighed. “What’s wrong?” Jaycee said, jumping into jeans and a sweater. “I’m so sorry, Jaycee. Your father just told me what he was going to do. I was furious. I kicked him out of our room. I don’t know how he can do this to you.” “I don’t want you fighting with him. This is my problem. I don’t have a father anymore, at least not the one I remember. I’m not going to fight anymore. They won. I’ll be their slave, but the part that wants and needs love is buried deep in me now. They won’t get that.” Jaycee sat down beside her, hugging her. “I’m numb, Kate. All my life I believed I could have someone who would love me, not just my body, not just my stigma. And I guess I always dreamed Dane would be my knight and shining armor. You know come to my rescue, give me all the romance that I never had.” Jaycee pulled back and smiled at her. She wiped her tears. “I don’t know if Dad told you, but my dream was to have a human wedding, to wear Nana’s dress, to have a horse drawn sled take me to the groom. I even dreamed of the night he proposed to me. There would be candles all around us…well, I guess it doesn’t matter anymore. I have it in my fantasies.”

Jaycee grabbed Kate’s hand and pulled her to the door. They walked down the stairs. Her mates were there talking to her father. She ignored them and walked to the pack house. She might as well eat there. She wasn’t going anywhere. “You’re going to eat at the pack house this morning?” Kate asked, walking next to her. “Why hide anymore? They’re bound and determined to do this.” Shelly stepped up next to them, and they entered the pack house and walked to the buffet tables. The room got quiet as they grabbed their plates and piled on the food. She saw the man who had asked her out. He had a couple of black eyes and a broken nose. Jaycee sighed and walked up to him. “I’m sorry about this. It seems every time I get to know someone, they get hurt. Maybe you should just stay away. They won,” Jaycee said walking away. Her mates had heard what she had said. They had just come into the room when she went up to him. Jaycee sat with Kate and Shelly and ate her food, ignoring her mates. Her father and the other members of the National Council came in to eat also. Jaycee noticed Mr. Black walk up to her. She raised her head. “I understand you’ve changed your mind that you’d like to help my mate with the New Year ’s Eve party?” he asked, staring at her. “Yes, I would be honored to help. Just have her give me a call and we can start right away. I have some ideas already written down.” Jaycee said and took a drink of milk. “Great. I think you two will get along great. She’s just as strong willed as you.” He laughed, walking away. Jaycee just shook her head and continued to eat. “Are you really going to do that?” Shelly asked. Jaycee shrugged her shoulders. “I’ve always liked to plan events, so why not get some

enjoyment out of my life as a slave?” She looked up, giving Shelly a sad smile. That was when she noticed all the females of both packs stand around her table, with Grace and Camille standing in front of her. “Jaycee,” Grace said. “We have all agree, if this bonding ceremony goes through, we’re banning our males from any contact, sexual or otherwise. We’re not standing for it.” Jaycee was shocked she looked at all the females. All of them. There had to be about one hundred and fifty of them standing. Jaycee saw the males standing at the other end of the hall glaring at them. She couldn’t do this to the pack. Jaycee shook her head, getting up. “I really appreciate your support, but I can’t let you do this. I’m alpha of our packs, which I hope will one day be united. Who knows? Maybe the men are working that out now. I don’t know, but I won’t be the cause of this size of a rift. I want my mates to do this on their own, not have to do it because of pressure from the pack. It wouldn’t mean anything if it doesn’t come from their hearts.” Jaycee sighed, looking at her mates. They watched, doing nothing. She looked at Camille and Grace. “There is one good thing that is coming out of this bonding. I will have great mothers, and I now know I have friends in both packs. Thank you.” Jaycee whispered, tears slipping down her face. “If you will excuse me now, I need some air.” Jaycee walked past her mates into the living room, grabbing her coat. Her guards followed close. She smiled at them, turning to take her walk. She walked to the north, a different way she had never been down. It was beautiful outside; animals scurried about as she walked. The trees blew in the light wind, and the sun shone, making the snow looked like crystal. A gazebo appeared up ahead, a pond off to the right of it. It was beautiful, all handcarved, with a swing in it. Jaycee sat down on the swing, staring out over the pond. This would be a perfect spot for a spring wedding, with flowers blooming all around and plenty of room for

guests. Why the hell are you even thinking that? It will never happen! Jaycee yelled in her mind. She curled her feet up in the swing, resting her head against the wooden post that connected the swing to the frame. “I was wondering if you would find this place,” Dane said, coming up to the gazebo. He looked so handsome. “Am I not allowed here? If you want me in house, just say so.” Jaycee got up to leave, but he grabbed her arm, halting her. “No, please stay. Talk to me, Jaycee.” “What is there to say, Dane? You’ve taken everything away from me but my heart. Don’t worry, I have it tucked away, buried where it won’t get hurt again. I’ll do what I’m supposed to. There will be no more running, no more complaining, and no more tears. I’m just numb and your slave.” Jaycee whispered, sitting back down and looking out at the pond. “You’re not our slave, baby.” Dane sat down next to her, pulling her into his lap. She grew stiff, but gave up. She rested her head against his chest. “I want to thank you for what you did in the dining room. We could have had a mess on our hands.” “I’m their alpha. I couldn’t let them break up the packs even if I wanted to. I know my duties, Dane. I’m not stupid. I didn’t do it for you, Remi, or Mark. I did it for them.” Dane didn’t say anything for a while. “Will you tell me what you did after you ran away from Curt? How did you survive? Did you finish school?” he finally asked. Jaycee debated telling him anything, but he did ask. “Well, as you know, my friend helped me get the money and transportation I needed to leave California. At first I couldn’t face anyone, even Gaston. I worked picking fruit to keep the money coming in. I rented a small hotel

room. I stayed there for about six months. I got some help from a rape crisis center for a little while, but I didn’t want to bring humans into our world so I left. There were times I didn’t have anything to eat but the apples I picked. After that I went to Gaston. I needed someone who knew me. They took me in, didn’t push me or anything like that. I got my GED online so I wouldn’t have to face anyone. Gaston arranged for me to talk to one of his friends, a counselor. I worked with him for about two years.” Jaycee stretched her legs out, standing up walking towards the pond. Dane followed her. “I really never dated, didn’t have time and actually was a little afraid to. I left Gaston’s home the first time when I was eighteen. I moved into my very first apartment. I was so proud. That’s where I got my job with the mayor all on my own. I loved it. I planned all the major parties for the city and personally for the mayor, until—well, the mayor, he wanted more. Even though he was married, he kept grabbing and wouldn’t stop. So I quit my job packed my bags and left that city. That’s when I moved to Farmington and worked at a department store. I loved it. It was close to the pack even though I knew I couldn’t come. I felt safe knowing you were close. I got another apartment and it was beautiful. I lived there for a year, until someone recognized me and contacted my mom. I heard Curt coming up the steps, and that was when I jumped out of the second-story window and ran. I had placed some money and clothes in a locker in the neighboring town. I ran all the way there, sleeping during the day in the woods. I didn’t eat for two days. I finally got my money and clothes. I ended up in the same apartment that Shelly lived in. “Gaston came to visit me one day and asked if I had even been on a date. Of course I hadn’t, so he asked me to visit his friend. Well, he helped me get my confidence back, and he noticed I was a submissive, so he trained me.” Jaycee started to walk back to the house. Dane

took her hand, walking back with her. “How did you meet James?” Dane asked quietly as they walked. “Well, I never really meet him. One night I was depressed, so I went to this different club. Somehow he drugged my drink and the next morning I was moved into his apartment. He had all my things—the fake documents, everything. I couldn’t leave. I didn’t want to draw attention to our world, but at first he was fine. He was gentle, but when I started to work again and I kept my friend ship with Shelly, he got jealous. That’s when the beatings and the men came. He would handcuff me to the bed for days. The last time I got away and called Gaston. He and Frank came and got me. They saved my life. And the rest, well, you know.” As she walked up the stairs to the house, he opened up the door for her and they walked into the house. Dane stopped her. Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her gently, “Thank you for sharing that with me,” he whispered to her. Jaycee shrugged her shoulders. “Will you have lunch with us? We thought we could eat in the family room and just talk,” He stared into her face. “Why are you doing this? Are you doing this just to make peace with the pack females, or do you guys really want to know about me?” Jaycee asked, pulling away from him taking a few steps. She stopped and turned to him. “I’ll be there for lunch, but if you’re just doing this for the pack, I’ll know and it won’t make a difference. I won’t be hurt again.” Jaycee walked away, not looking back, but her father stepped in front of her. “Can we talk?” “We have nothing to talk about,” Jaycee said, walking around him and going upstairs to her room. When she walked in she noticed Nana’s dress lying out on the bed. She heard her

father behind her; she spun around, glaring at him. “I told you I don’t want it. It was a dream I know it will never happen. You took that away from me and so did they. Take it out of here now!” Tears threatened to come, but she refused to let them fall for anyone to see. “Remi agreed to have a human wedding tonight. You can wear it,” he said coming up to her. She backed up, staring up at him. “I will not have a human wedding. No one has asked me to marry him and I told you, I will not get married.” She used her powers to pick up the dress, floating it out of the room and down the stairs to the couch where she dropped it. “Leave now! And if my mates are planning to ask me at lunch to marry them, tell them to forget it. It’s not going to work. Never mind, I will.” She stomped down the stairs straight to Dane. She got close to his face, her other mates next to him. She reached back, bringing her hand up and smacking him across the face. “So you lied to me again. The only reason you asked me about my past was so I would marry you three tonight. Well, you three can go to hell. There will be no wedding. You can make me bond with you, but I refuse to marry you.” She jumped back when Dane tried to grab her hands. “I’m done. You have hurt me for the last time.” Jaycee turned to the other National Council members. “I’ve agreed to the bonding. Do I have to have the wedding also?” she asked. They all fidgeted, but Mr. Black spoke up. “No, you don’t have to have the wedding.” Jaycee nodded her thanks, glaring at her father as she stomped halfway up the stairs. She stopped, turning to look down at her mates. “Forget the lunch. It was just a trick, as always.” She ran up the stairs, tears flowing

down her face. She threw herself on the bed, crying so hard she couldn’t breathe. She needed air. She stripped her clothes from her body, then used her powers to unlock the locks on the balcony door. She shifted, jumping from the deck and landing on her four paws. She looked up at the window one last time and disappeared up the back of the house, away from all of them. If she could just get away for tonight, she wouldn’t have to go through with the bonding ceremony. Don’t do it, Jaycee. Give them a chance. Pierre’s haunting words filled her brain. I have no choice. I can’t be hurt again. She cried and ran. **** Jaycee knew where the money and clothes were stashed. She had been running for four hours, taking occasional breaks. She knew they would be coming to get her ready for the bonding ceremony so she had to hurry. She had a mile to go, and her hidden stash of money and clothes would be there. Hidden in the cave she found three years ago. She knew where she was going: the only place that ever felt like home, to Montana. She loved it there. She had visited there once, not telling Dane. She knew now that they would eventually find her, but she needed to think. They would have to drag her back.

Chapter Six Jaycee sat on the plane, waiting for it to take off. So far, so good. She didn’t sense them yet. It was a four-hour flight. She already had a car waiting for her in the fake name on her Montana license. She even had a cabin she been given years ago in her fake name, in the mountains of Bear Paw Mountain. Jaycee woke up to the flight attendant’s announcement that they had arrived. She stretched, rubbing her belly. We’ll be in our little cabin in a bit, little one. Through the years I have sent my favorite things there, knowing that one day I would end up there alone. But I’ll never be alone with you by my side. I love your father, baby. I’m sorry he doesn’t love me. She jumped into her rental car, throwing her knapsack into the back seat. She couldn’t wait. **** Pulling up to her little cabin, she smiled. It was beautiful and the repairs had been done. There was a huge porch off the front that wrapped around the cabin. Grabbing her knapsack, she walked up to the door and pushed it open. Marsha, her second mom, had come by and cleaned it. She always did know when to send things or what Jaycee needed. Jaycee walked to the kitchen table and noticed the note on the table. Jaycee, There’s a casserole in the oven and my son has stacked wood for you. I’ll stop by tomorrow. I stocked the fridge. Take care of that little one you carry. We’re going to get a storm tonight, so be careful. Love, Marsha Jaycee smiled, slipped off her coat, and walked to the oven. She pulled open the oven and

noticed the huge casserole dish. She laughed, grabbing it out of the oven. There was enough for ten people. She froze. Did Marsha know her mates were going to come? Crap, not this fast. Jaycee decided to ignore her thoughts as her stomach growled. She dished out some food and grabbed a cup of milk, then sat in front of the blazing fire on the floor. She looked at all the things she had sent here. God, she was home. Stuffing her mouth, she heard the truck pull up, and knew her mates had come. She didn’t know how they had gotten her so fast. Shit, Ralph’s jet. She would never win. Jaycee jumped when they pounded on the door. She used her powers to open the door not moving from where she sat. She stared at the photo album of all the old pictures she sent here. “Get up. We’re going home,” Remi said quietly, standing next to her. “No. Do you see all this stuff?” Jaycee pointed all around the cabin. “Over the years, every time something made me happy I would send it here, to my special place. There’s food on the oven. My friend made enough even for you. She has this way about her. She knows what’s going to happen before it happens. She said she would see me tomorrow. Remi’s cell phone rang. “What?” he demanded. Jaycee went to the kitchen, dished out food for her mates, and took three beers from the refrigerator. Placing everything on her favorite tray, she carried the food out to the living room and set it on the floor. Remi was still on the phone. “What do you mean we’re stuck here?” Remi demanded, pacing back and forth. “We have a ceremony to attend. … Fine. Let me know when we can leave,” he shut the phone. “Are you happy? We’re going to miss our own bonding ceremony,” he yelled at her. “Yes, I am. Now there will be no interference for a little while. I can relax. Sit and eat.”

Jaycee started to eat, looking at her pictures again in the photo album. Her mates stripped out of their boots and coats and sat down by the fire. At first they didn’t say anything. “You never told me about this place,” Dane said, taking a sip of his beer. “There are a lot of things you don’t know. I told you what you wanted to hear. You didn’t want to hear about what made me happy. All these things, and this cabin, make me happy. I found this place about ten years ago, right after I left the fruit-picking job. I met Marsha when she found me starving in the woods behind her place. She took me in and treated me like a daughter. Her sons treated me like a sister. They knew I had been hurt, but they didn’t push. Every time a nightmare would come, she would be there for me. She gave me this place, saying it would be my safe home, that no evil would ever come to me here. I only stayed for a few weeks, but I felt safe. Then I got a call from Gaston and he asked where I was. It seems my friends had called them, telling him I was on my way. He never knew about this place. It was my own. I never had anything that was all my own that wasn’t taken away.” She stood. “I’m glad you got to see it. Maybe just for this night you can see me.” Jaycee turned away, going into the kitchen and switching on her stereo as she went by it. She recognized a favorite CD and laughed. Marsha even knew what music she wanted to listen to. Jaycee had started washing her dishes when Remi came in, handing her his dish. “It was good.” He grabbed a dish towel and started to dry the dishes as Mark and Dane came in, also handing her their dishes. They all stood in the kitchen as she cleaned her kitchen. “I’d like to meet this woman who helped you,” Remi said, taking a clean plate from her. “You will tomorrow. She’s always right. She said in the note she left me that there is going to be a bad snowstorm. So we’re going to be stuck here for a little while. She even knew about the baby.” Jaycee laughed, shaking her head. “You know, I would like her to be there

when we do have our bonding ceremony, if possible. She and her family have been precious to me. If it’s allowed.” She looked up at Remi. “I don’t know,” he said. “Bringing outsiders into our world, it’s risky.” Jaycee did understand this and nodded, but hated it all the same. She let the water out of the sink and dried her hands. She walked back into the living room and sat back on the floor, curling up in a blanket Marsha had made for her. Remi pulled her into his lap in front of the fire. “So, tell us about some of these things,” Remi said, rubbing her arms she laid her head back against him. “I have some things of Dane’s here. When I visited with my father a long time ago, I noticed his high school jacket lying there on the floor. I took it. I slept with it many nights. It was one of the things I took with me when I left home.” Jaycee pointed over to the far wall. Dane turned, noticing the jacket. He got up and touched it. “You kept this all these years?” he asked in awe. Jaycee shrugged her shoulders. “I knew you were my mate, Dane. I loved you then. It was the one of the things that kept me going. I am afraid it has a lot of tearstains on it and it’s worn in some spots, but it was a part of you. I never dreamed I would get a chance with you after Curt. I also think I have something of Mark’s.” Jaycee stood and moved to the dresser in the dining room to pull out an old baseball hat. She carried it to Mark, handing it to him and sitting back down in Remi’s lap, pulling the blanket around her. “I can’t believe you have this,” Mark said. “I searched for weeks for this, and I accused Dane of giving it away. He accused me of stealing his coat.” Jaycee shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know how to explain it, but I needed it.” She paused. Oh, I remembered something else last week. When I was about five my father went up to

Michigan to the northern packs up there. He took me with him to one of the houses. A lady was having a garage sale. My dad gave me a dollar to buy something. But when I was rummaging through the toys a boy came running around the corner and knocked me over. I ended up hitting my head on the concrete and blood was coming down. I was screaming when another older boy came running around the corner. He picked me up, wiping the blood from my face, and he told me to say there when he went…” “Wait, I remember this,” Remi said. “I went into the house and got you something to drink and my old teddy bear. I gave it to you that day. I remember you stopped crying. You hugged that thing like it was your lifeline.” Remi shook his head, laughing. Jaycee got up again and ran upstairs, coming back down carrying the worn-out teddy bear. She smiled at Remi and handed him the teddy bear as she sat down next to him. “So you see, everything in this house has a special meaning to me.” She took the teddy from Remi and curled up with it. “I’d like to get this all cleaned up and sewn up. I want to give it to our child,” Jaycee whispered, looking at Remi. He smiled, pulling her into his arms and kissing her neck. “I’d like that to. I hate to say it, but I’m glad we’re here tonight with you. Maybe we can come back here for visits. Make this our retreat,” Remi whispered into her ear. A large cat roared outside the cabin. Remi placed her on the floor, standing up, as did Dane and Mark. Then there was knocking on the door. Jaycee went to open the door, but Remi grabbed her around the waist and held her back. “You don’t know who’s out there.” “Yes, I do. I can smell him. It’s Marsha’s oldest son.” Jaycee slipped out of his arms, and went to open the door. She looked up to a smiling face before she jumped into his arms, hugging

him tight. “God, I missed you, Bo.” Her mates growled behind her. She rolled her eyes at Bo, who put her down beside him. “Me too, munchkin. Now let me in out of this snow and introduce me to your mates,” Bo said, guiding her back into the cabin and shutting the door behind him. “How did you know they’re my mates?” She frowned, trying to think if she mentioned anything. “Don’t think so hard. We’ve always known you’re part wolf. Our cat form can smell it on you.” “You mean you’re shifter cats? What kind of cats? Can I see?” Jaycee asked, excited. He laughed at her and shifted to his leopard form. Jaycee walked up to him, petting him. He was beautiful and big. His head bumped her hand and she laughed. She looked up at Remi and Dane to find them frowning again. “What’s wrong now?” Bo shifted back to his human form, with clothes. “Okay, I want to learn to do that. I can’t stand shifting and being naked. Everyone stares,” Jaycee said. Bo hugged her. “We’ll see. I’ll talk to Mom and see if it’s okay to show you. Now introduce your mates to me so they don’t bite my head off.” He swatted her ass and nudged her forward. Jaycee introduced her mates, but they stayed quiet. “Okay, Dane, why are you guys so quiet?” she asked as she sat back down near the fire. Her mates never took their eyes off Bo. “It’s unusual for another shifter species to take in a different one. We’re just trying to

figure out why they would take you in and treat you like family,” Remi said. “Our family is different from normal shape shifters,” Bo said. “My mom is also a witch. We were outcasts at first until I challenged the alpha of our pack and won. But when I found Jaycee in the woods that day, I knew I couldn’t leave her there. There was so much pain in her eyes. My mother fell in love with her right away when I brought her home. My mom had six boys and not one girl. She longed for a daughter and, well, Jaycee is her daughter. Jaycee doesn’t know it yet, but Mom is going to talk to her tomorrow about learning the ways of the witch. She wants to pass on her knowledge to her since there are no females in our family, but her.” Bo went to the door. “Jaycee, I want you to stay inside tonight. Jack is out there somewhere,” he said, looking at the door. “Well, why didn’t you bring him with you? You’re hardly ever apart.” “You don’t understand,” Bo said. “He’s furious right now with you. For some strange reason he always believed you were his. He knows now that’s not the case, but it hurt him. He smells that you’re mated and it’s driving him crazy. Even though he has a mate, it still hurts him. He’ll calm down tonight, but just stay inside for now.” Jaycee looked down at the floor. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry, Bo. It seems I bring trouble where ever I go.” Jaycee turned to go to her room when Bo stopped her, pulling her into his arms. “Little sister, you did nothing, but be your kind self. How could anyone not love you? He’ll be fine. He has his mate waiting for him. Now go on and go to bed.” She knew he wanted to talk to her mates so she excused herself from the room, walking up the stairs to the loft where her bedroom was. She slipped off her clothes, used the bathroom, and climbed into bed.

Eventually the bang of the door indicated Bo had left. She waited for her mates and she didn’t have to wait long. All three of them came up the stairs, looking around her room. “This is incredible, Jaycee,” Dane said, looking around the room. She sat up, smiling at him. “Before I left, I told Marsha about my dream room and they did this for me while I was gone. Isn’t it great? She incorporated my love for certain things. See those fairies behind you? I used to have tons of them. I collected them when I was small, but my mother went into a rage one night when dad left, and broke everyone except the few I hid from her. I loved dolphins too, so Bo painted that wall for me. It relaxes me so much just to look at it when I try to sleep.” Jaycee pulled the covers up over her, looking at her mates. “You see, I know it will take a while for each of us to get to really know each other, but all I wanted was to share some part of me with you. I needed that. I know I’m different, but every once in a while, all I want is to be held and to be loved.” Jaycee whispered the last part, watching her mates strip out of their clothes. They were breathtaking–so strong, muscular, and handsome. Dane crawled into bed, pulling the blankets from her, and taking in her naked body. “I need you, baby, and we do love you. We may forget to show you, but we do love you,” he whispered into her ear as he kissed her neck, licked her neck. His mouth moved over every inch of her body as he slowly worshiped her. She watched Mark and Remi. Mark was on his knees sucking Remi’s cock, while Remi watched her. He had hold of Mark’s head, urging him on. Jaycee had never seen something so beautiful. Dane turned and looked at Remi, grinning. “You like what you see?” he whispered to her as he turned, staring at her face. Jaycee couldn’t form words. Her body was in flames. She could

only nod. “Mark, is Remi’s bond partner,” Dane whispered as he pushed her legs apart and attacked her clit. She jumped and pushed her body toward his face. He slid his fingers into her pussy and stretched her. Jaycee tried to yank him up to her, but he wouldn’t have it, “Dane, I need you,” she begged. “Not yet, baby. Come for me. I want to feast on your juices.” He growled, pushing his whole hand into her pussy, stroking her walls. He pulled her clit into her mouth and sucked hard at the same time his fingers stroked her special spot. Jaycee would have jumped off the bed, but he held her down with his other hand as her orgasm rolled over her. She screamed as Dane sucked her juices from her body. She looked up, Remi was fucking Mark’s ass, stroking Mark’s cock as he did it. Mark’s eyes rolled back into his head as he groaned. Dane bit down on her thigh, surprising her. “Your attention is needed here, baby.” He raised his body, pulling her legs over his shoulders, and rammed his cock into her pussy. Jaycee grabbed onto the blankets, holding on, knowing it was going to get wild. “You’re ours, only ours.” He slammed into her over and over. His cock pushed into her, hitting her cervix, but it wasn’t enough. “Mark, get your ass over here. She needs us both.” He lowered her legs, falling down on the bed next to her and pulling her body on top of his. His cock slid back into her pussy as he opened her ass cheeks. Mark moved in behind her and pushed his cock into her ass. “I need hard, more!” she screamed as they pumped into her. Remi washed his cock after peeling the condom off it. He knelt on the bed in front of her

and Dane, shoving his cock into her mouth. All three of them worked her body. Mark slapped her ass, Dane pinched her breasts, and Remi tugged on her head, forcing her to take his cock. All of three of them tightened their muscles, ready to explode, when Dane reached down between their bodies, and pinched her clit. She screamed around Remi’s cock, her orgasm moved over her, as his seed slid into her mouth. Her other two mates released their seed into her body at the same time. Jaycee sucked the rest of Remi’s seed down her throat, then collapsed onto Dane. She couldn’t move. She was totally exhausted. Dane ran his hands up and down her back, while Mark slipped out of her ass. He got up off the bed, walking to the bathroom, searching for a washcloth. “It’s in the bottom drawer near the wall,” she whispered, but he heard her, finding one and bringing it back to clean her body. Dane’s cock still buried inside her and she could feel him. He was still hard as a rock. Jaycee peeked up at him and he grinned. “We’re not done.” He slipped out of her and laid her on her stomach as he lay on top of her. Spreading her legs from behind, he pushed his cock back into her. Jaycee moaned as he slowly made love to her. He picked her body up and pulled her back into a sitting position. Her back against his chest, he spread her legs out behind her as far as they could go. He pushed into her and grabbed her breasts. Remi crawled in front of her, staring at her for a minute before falling down to her clit, and sucking it into his mouth. He traced Dane’s cock with his finger as it slid into her pussy. Sometimes he would push a finger into her pussy when Dane would push his cock in, stretching her more. Both she and Dane would moan at the same time. It was so erotic and she loved it. Remi pushed two fingers into her and squeezed Dane’s cock at the same time. They both

howled their release as their orgasms took control of their bodies. Remi pulled his fingers out, sitting up and smiling at them both. Dane shook his head, grinning like a banshee. “Okay, that was something. Have any other tricks up your sleeve?” Jaycee whispered as she crawled to lie down on the bed, but Remi was on her fast, shoving his cock into her already soaked pussy. “Oh, baby, I have many more surprises for you.” He slammed into her pussy. Jaycee groaned, lifting her body and shoving it back into his. She couldn’t believe she wanted more, but she did. Remi pushed two fingers into her ass as he worked her pussy. His other hand reached around and pushed two more fingers into her pussy, stretching her further. “Remi!” she screamed, the third orgasm roared through her body. Remi stiffened and releasing his seed. “Okay, now I’m totally exhausted, thank you very much.” Jaycee collapsed onto the bed as Dane and Remi curled up next to her. She looked over at Mark. He hugged Remi and smiled at her. She smiled up at him, rubbing his arm. She closed her eyes as her mates continued to pet her, falling into a deep sleep.

Chapter Seven Jaycee awoke to a big bang outside. She jumped up along with her mates. The sun was just peeking into the window. She could see the ice and snow falling hard. They all got up, looking out of the bedroom window. Lying across both of their cars was a huge tree branch covered in ice. “Well, just fucking great. That’s a rental and it’s under my alias. Shit!” Jaycee yelled, grabbing her robe off the hook on the wall and heading down the stairs, her mates following behind her. Jaycee tried to pull open the front door, but it wouldn’t budge. She turned to Remi. “Okay, he-man. Time to do some work.” Remi grunted as she stepped out of the way. He pulled at the door and finally it broke free, opening. Ice covered the door. Jaycee peeked around Remi, groaning at what she saw. Ice and fresh snow covered the ground. There had to be at least two feet of snow and ice on the ground. Both cars were totaled. “Now what am I going to do? I don’t have insurance or that kind of money to replace it. Shit!” She went to the kitchen, starting some decaf coffee. She felt Dane come up behind her, wrapping his arms around her. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll take care of it, baby. Didn’t you know you’re mated to a very wealthy wolf?” he whispered into her ear, biting it. “Hey, that hurt.” She elbowed him in the stomach, and turned in his arms, wrapping her arms around him. “I didn’t mate with you because you’re loaded. I have to take care of it. It’s my problem,” Jaycee whispered, kissing his chest.

“Baby, what’s ours is yours. You know that, right? You’re our family. We’ll take care of it.” Jaycee sighed. She had no choice. Her money was running low. “Dane, I want to find a job. I want to have my own money so I can buy Christmas presents, things like that,” she said, looking up into his face. “You’ll have a big job. There is a lot to do as pack alpha bitch. You have two packs to organize, plan our events, and our homes. Remi and I have already set up two accounts up for you to use as you see fit. One will be for the pack, and the other is for you personally. Plus, we’ve added you to all our accounts. You’re our wife. How could we not?” He kissed her nose. “Hey, we have company coming. I hear dog sleds,” Remi shouted from the living room. “That’s going to be Marsha, better go get dressed.” Jaycee ran up the stairs, her mate following, and they pulled on their jeans and shirts. When she heard the knock on the door, Jaycee ran down the stairs, excited. “Slow down, you’re pregnant,” Remi warned, coming down the stairs behind her. Jaycee threw open the door. Marsha, Bo, and her other sons all stood there. Jaycee stepped back, letting them all in. “Where’s papa?” Jaycee asked when they were in the cabin. “Some of the pack is having trouble with the ice so he volunteered to go and help. I’m going to meet him in a couple of hours, but we wanted to make sure you were okay.” Bo pointed outside. “It looks like the cars took the worst out there. The weather stations are predicting this to be one of the worst storms of the year. It looks like you’re going to be here a couple of days.” Bo grabbed a chair from the dining room and sat. “Oh crap, I’m being rude.” Jaycee said, introducing all the brothers and Marsha. She

hugged Marsha tight. “I missed you. Did you get all my letters?” Jaycee went into the kitchen, grabbing the coffee and cups for everyone. “Yep, sure did. I also know what happened with that other thing. Are you okay?” Marsha asked. Jaycee stood there holding the coffee and mugs, unmoving. Remi came up to her, taking the coffee and mugs. Dane slid behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “How?” Jaycee whispered, staring at her. “Come sit down, dear. I have much to tell you today. I think this storm is a blessing. It will keep you here so you can learn.” Dane moved Jaycee to a chair, helping her sit. She couldn’t think. “Do you know all of it?” Jaycee asked, staring at Marsha. “Do they all know what happened?” Marsha grabbed her hands, shaking her head. “That is your story to tell, if you want. I saw it all through the dreams. They hurt my baby girl so bad, but it’s not over, Jaycee. That’s why I’m here. I won’t let them hurt you again. I need to teach you what I know. I want to pass on to you what has been handed down from generation to generation in my family.” Jaycee sat there stunned. She hadn’t really believed Bo yesterday when he said Marsha would offer this to her. She loved this woman, but what she was willing to give was priceless. Jaycee looked behind her at Dane. He smiled down at her, shrugging his shoulders. “If this storm keeps up, why not? She’s willing to give you this gift. Take it and cherish it,” Dane said, walking away. Jaycee smiled at Marsha, nodding, and scooted to the edge of her seat, waiting. “We need a place alone for what I have to teach you. Maybe it would be wise to use your bedroom,” Marsha said, getting up and walking up the stairs to her bedroom. Jaycee followed,

still amazed. Marsha sat down on the bed with a pad of paper and a pen, and started to write. Jaycee sat next to her, watching and reading what she was wrote. I didn’t want your mates to hear what I say. You have a sad choice to make, little girl. There is to be one last battle for you. One that will either take Remi, your mate, or the child you carry. Now, I might not see something, so things might change. You might be able to save them both, but I don’t know. I do know you will need to learn all I have to offer. Jaycee read, and grew angrier by the minute. Couldn’t they just leave her alone? Now she had to choose? No, she would save both! **** Jaycee and Marsha worked all morning. When Jaycee heard her stomach growl she laughed, as did Marsha. “I think we have done enough for today. I have left some exercises for you to do and a couple of other things to work on that we haven’t gone over on the notepad, but when you have mastered these, burn the papers. You’re a fast learner and your power level is higher than I thought it would be. There might be a chance to save both. But you must practice,” Marsha said, getting up and walking down the stairs with papers in hand. Jaycee watched as she threw the whole notepad containing the lessons Jaycee had already learned into the fire. Jaycee looked around, but no one was in the cabin except them. “We should make some lunch for the men. They will be here in a few, and you know how hungry your brothers get. I don’t know about your mates, but if they’re anything like your brothers they’ll need plenty.” Marsh laughed, making her way into the kitchen with Jaycee following. “Momma Marsha, will I have the wedding I’ve always dreamed of?” Jaycee asked,

making sandwiches for the men. “I see your wedding. It will beautiful, but it won’t happen till all this is over. Many will lose their lives. There will be many to mourn. This is bigger than your mates believe. Bo is trying to talk to them now to warn them, but I don’t know if they’ll take my warning.” Marsha sighed, turning to stare at her. “I’m afraid the only way to convince them is to show them I know things, and I’m not used to having to prove my visions, but I will for you.” “Thank you. I know what this means for you and I’ll always be grateful.” Jaycee hugged her, holding her older body, when she heard the men come into the cabin. Marsha grabbed the hot coffee and tea and headed out to the living room, while she grabbed the plates full of sandwiches. “Okay, I have something to say to you three men. You have a wonderful gift, my little girl Jaycee. I will warn you now, this person coming after her is not after her for the reasons you think. Jaycee is more powerful than any of you know. With her being mated to Remi and his powers, they are afraid of your union. They will stop at nothing and they are now preparing for a war. There will be many deaths to come, but if you listen, many can be avoided. My son Bo has told you some things, but you don’t believe him.” Marsha sat down in front of her mates, glaring at them, then sighed. “I normally don’t do this, but I love Jaycee. We all do. But to prove what I say is true, I will give you an example of my powers. Remi, you will get a phone call tonight telling you of your brother Adonis’s death. He was killed three hours ago by these same men. They want to stop you and they will attack all whom you are close to. I’m sorry about giving you this news, but it’s the only way I know how to prove what I’m saying. We’ll talk more tomorrow.” Marsha went to Remi, who had gotten up and was pacing back and forth. She cupped his cheek and said

some words under her breath. Jaycee knew they were words of protection. Then Marsha left. Her sons followed behind her, leaving her mates stunned. Jaycee watched Remi call his brother’s personal phone, but got no answer. So he called his father. “Dad, have you heard from Adonis yet?” Remi growled. Jaycee watched as Remi stopped pacing. His head dropped low and she knew he just got the news about his brother. He dropped the phone and shifted, turning into his beast. He growled and ran for the door. He ran so fast Jaycee couldn’t see him. She started to shift, but Dane grabbed her. “No, he needs time alone. He’s lost two brothers now and he’s angry. He’ll come back,” Dane whispered pulling her into his arms. “It’s my fault, Dane. First Pierre and now Adonis. He’s going to blame me. And shit, I blame me!” Jaycee cried, pulling out of his arms and running for the stairs. She had work to do and she would do it. She would kill the bastard who did this. **** Jaycee practiced for three hours straight, going over all the notes Marsha had left. She burned the ones she knew by heart, but Remi still hadn’t come back. Dane and Mark paced back and forth when they heard the howl in the distance. Remi was on his way back. She went into the kitchen to get him something to eat. Running like that, he would need all the extra protein. Jaycee heard the front door slam open, and his snarl sent shivers down her spine. She grabbed the hot coffee and leftover casserole, heading into the living room. Remi stood there naked next to the fire, staring into it. He didn’t have any more clothes

and had ripped the last ones when he shifted. Using her new powers she concentrated, and sure enough, he was quickly in a fresh pair of jeans and a flannel shirt. He jumped and stared at her. “You’ve been busy. What else can you do?” Dane asked as she gave Remi the food and coffee, keeping her gaze on the floor. “Not much yet, just simple things. Marsha told me tomorrow we would work on the harder things,” she whispered. She curled up in the chair next to the fire. “Remi, I’m sorry about your brothers. Maybe you should take your family and go. I’d understand. It’s my entire fault.” Jaycee glanced out of the corner of her eye. He didn’t say anything. He kept eating and staring at her. “I’m going to take a shower. There’s more food in the kitchen for you guys,” Jaycee said. She walked up the stairs her body felt as if it was covered in lead. Jaycee stood in the shower, letting the water washed away all the stiff muscles. Her mind was so full of things that needed to be done. Jaycee jumped. Remi grabbed her and pulled her to him. His head rested on hers. His emotions bombarded hers. Jaycee turned in his arms and hugged him, sending him all the love she had. “I love you, Jaycee. I won’t let you go. This wasn’t your fault. It’s their fault and I’ll stop him. We’ll listen to Marsha. I’ve called your father. He is calling in the troops and letting all the other packs know what is happening and to get ready. I was going to suggest you stay here, but I can’t leave you to anyone else’s protection.” Remi lifted her head up and his mouth devoured hers. He pushed her against the shower wall, picking her up. She wrapped her legs around him as his cock entered her body. Jaycee watched the play of emotions play across his face, tears flowed down his face. She cupped his face, kissing the

tears. “I love you, Remi. I always will.” He rammed into her, his release quick and filled with pain. She didn’t care that she hadn’t come. This was about him tonight, only him. Jaycee lowered her legs, pulling him out of the shower. They dried each other off, touching as they did. They walked into the bedroom and lay on the bed, his arms around her. He stared at her as she spread his legs and slipped in between them. She gave him a coy smile and took his big cock into her mouth, gazing at his face the whole time. Jaycee wet her index finger and slowly wiggled her finger into his ass, petting his prostate gland. His cock jerked when she found the right spot, but she continued to deep throat him as her other hand played with his balls. She felt them tighten and knew he was close. She had one more trick—she pinched the little vein under his balls, and he hissed. His seed shot into her mouth and she swallowed it, sucking all she could. Jaycee released his cock and crawled up his body, lying on it. “Thank you, baby.” Remi said, rubbing her back. “I’m scared, Remi, really scared that I’m going to lose one of you. I don’t think I could live if I did,” she whispered into his chest. She drew circles around his chest, trying to distract herself. Remi flipped her over onto her back. “So am I ,baby, but we’ll make it.” Jaycee watched him shift into his beast form as Mark came up the stairs with Dane. Dane crawled into bed with her, gathering her in his arms. Remi snarled at Mark. Mark crawled to him on all fours, turning around, and presenting his ass to Remi. Jaycee watched as Remi grabbed Mark by his head, holding him still as he pushed his cock into his ass hard and fast. Mark moaned as Remi slammed into him. Remi’s

other hand reached around, grabbing his cock and stroking it. Jaycee was getting hot watching his long thick cock shove into Mark’s ass. They were on the ground at the edge of the bed and she could see everything. The muscles in Remi’s legs bulged as they worked. Both of their chests, so big, and not an inch of fat on either of them. She slowly skimmed her hand to her pussy, needing to touch herself while she watched. She was barely aware of Dane as he pushed her legs open with his legs. “Touch yourself, Jaycee. Let him see you play with yourself. Let him know it turns you on to watch him bond with Mark,” Dane whispered, grabbing her breasts from behind her. He pulled on the nipple rings, twisting. Jaycee’s fingers skimmed her pussy and her clit, staring into Remi’s eyes. She pushed three fingers into her pussy slowly, gathering her juices on her hand. She slid her fingers out wiping her juices all over her pussy and down to her ass. She pushed two fingers into her ass, slowly working them in. Jaycee pushed against her fingers—she needed more than she could give herself. “Get on all fours, baby. Face Remi. Don’t take your eyes off of them,” Dane said, pushing her up onto her knees and hands. She watched Remi yank on Mark’s hair at the same time as Dane did hers. She moaned, staring at Remi. Dane’s huge cock pushed into her ass, slow at first, but when he was all the way in he reached around, pushing three fingers into her pussy. She wanted to close her eyes, but Remi held her gaze with his. His beast dared her to look away from him. “Dane, pull her back into your lap. Mark needs that pussy as I fuck him.” Remi growled as he slipped out of Mark, waiting for him to push into her pussy with his cock. Mark hopped onto the bed, his cock huge, as Dane widened her legs to make room for him. Dane was fully

impacted into her ass, while Mark worked his cock into her pussy. “Oh, more!” Jaycee moaned. She got her wish when Mark pushed all the way into her. Remi came up behind him, shoving his cock into Mark’s ass. His rhythm set the movement for them all. Remi smiled an evil smile at her. Reaching down, he wrapped his hand around the base of Mark’s cock as he pushed and pulled it out of her. Remi’s fur and fingers brushed against her clit. “Are you ready to fly, baby?” Remi said near her ear as she pushed her head against Dane’s chest. He held her breasts in his hands, playing with them. Jaycee just nodded her head; she couldn’t say a word. Remi move his paw hand an inch, grabbing her clit and raking it with his claw. She saw stars. “Yes!” she screamed. Her body broke into sweat and convulsions. Her orgasm was so strong, it threw all of them over the edge. The bed shook under her as they howled their release. That was when she heard the front door burst open. She could hear men entering her cabin. She pushed herself away from her men, knowing it was time. She wasn’t ready, but she wouldn’t lose either her mate or her child.

Chapter Eight Jaycee jumped off the bed. She knew what she had to do and they would be furious with her, but she couldn’t risk losing them. So she cast her spell out around her mates, protecting them. They couldn’t move out of the spell, but nothing could penetrate it either. “What the fuck?” Remi yelled. It was time to face those who would take her mate and child. Jaycee slowly walked down the stairs, knowing where each of the men waited. She could hear her mates yelling, growling, and promising her they would kill her if she got hurt. Jaycee smiled. “So you have come for me, Craig. Couldn’t you wait till we got home, or are you really ready to die?” Jaycee taunted him as she faced him. She knew the other men were going to try to sneak up stairs, but she had taken care of that also. “You can tell your men there is no need to go upstairs. They won’t make it.” Jaycee sat down on one of her dining room chairs, glaring at him. “Well, then, we’ll just have to kill you. I do owe you for killing my brother,” Craig said inching closer to her. “Do you really believe I will let you do this? Think of the last time we met. You got away because I didn’t know how to work my powers, but I should warn you I’ve been practicing.” Jaycee laughed, watching two of his men trying to get up stairs, but they kept flying backwards and landing on their asses. “Can’t you do anything right?” Craig demanded. His men turned, glaring at him. “You try then, if you think you can,” one of the men said, stepping back as Craig ran up

the stairs, only to go flying backwards on his ass. He jumped back up, trying it again, but the same thing happened. Jaycee got up, still laughing at him. “I told you, you don’t know what you’re messing with.” Craig flew at her, his claw out to strike her, but Jaycee stepped aside and he went flying across the living room floor, missing her. She shook her head. “You can’t win.” “Dominick, come in here now!” Craig yelled out, getting up with a shit-eating grin on his face. I’m coming, daughter. Don’t face him. Stall him. He’s too powerful for you. We’re all coming! Jaycee heard Marsha scream as a bald man stepped into the cabin. He was at least six foot four, and had black eyes that devoured her as he entered. “You bellowed? This is the one you want me to destroy? She’s nothing. Can’t you even handle her?” He stared at Craig like he was dirt under his feet. “Don’t get smart with me. She has some kind of protection on the stairs. We can’t get up there to her mates. Destroy it!” Jaycee held her ground. This was what she would have to face. She rubbed her belly protectively when she heard fighting outside. They had come. Jaycee watched the door fly open on its own, slamming against the wall. Marsha walked in and stood in front of Jaycee. “You should have chosen a different battlefield, Dominick. You know this is my domain and I don’t lose.” Marsha quietly stated her head high. “This isn’t your business. Queen Marsha. Step aside now,” Dominick ordered. “You’re wrong. This is my daughter. By my choice she will carry my powers with her

always.” Marsha threw Dominick out the door with her powers. He landed against a tree hard and Jaycee heard the snapping of broken bones, but she watched as he got up, smiling at her. He has released your protection spell. Your mates are coming. Protect them while I deal with this monster, Marsha yelled. Jaycee turned just in time to see her mates storm downstairs. They didn’t notice the two men behind them waiting. Jaycee sent her powers out, sending the men cascading against the wall and holding them there. But she forgot about Craig, who attacked her, raking his claws down her back. Jaycee struggled to keep focus as she sent more power at Craig, but she didn’t have to. Remi had him by the throat, his claws pushing into it. She could see blood seeping out of the holes. Craig lifted a knife to stab Remi, who wasn’t concentrating on Craig’s one hand. Jaycee tried to run towards it, but she wouldn’t have time. She withdrew her power from the two guards and sent it at the knife, throwing it across the room. “Jaycee, watch out!” Dane yelled. She whipped around just in time for one of the other men to plunge a knife into her stomach. No, not my baby! Jaycee cried, falling to the floor and hugging her stomach. The knife was still in her, but the man who had stuck her was on the ground dead. Remi stared down at her, howling his anger. She could barely focus as Remi picked her up carefully and carried her upstairs. Jaycee could hear Marsha screaming orders out as everything went black.

Chapter Nine Blood poured from the wound in Jaycee’s stomach as Marsha worked on her. Remi’s beast roared with anger, at her, and those who had attacked them. Remi watched Dane pace back and forth, talking on the phone with Jaycee’s father. The packs had been attacked also. They had lost a few men, but they had wiped out the remaining forces of this one group. “Remi, hand me that blanket. We need to keep her covered. The baby’s fine. She knew to protect the baby and moved just as the knife sank in.” Marsha looked up at Remi. “She had to do what she did. She knew she could lose you or the baby. That’s why she protected the three of you.” Marsha got up off the bed, cleaning the rags of blood and instruments she’d used to sew Jaycee up. “What do you mean she knew?” Remi asked. “I told her it would come down to choosing you or the baby. I saw it in a dream, but it wasn’t supposed to be here. It was supposed to be at your home. This is another reason all has survived. She wouldn’t give up on you or the baby. She practiced hard, learning all she could to protect you.” Marsha said, walking to the stairs. “I’ll check on her tomorrow. She’ll sleep for the next couple of hours. Don’t move her or let her get upset.” She turned to go downstairs. “’Don’t get her upset.’ I’m furious with her. How dare she leave me out of this? She could have gotten our child killed,” Remi roared. Then he noticed Jaycee shiver, and looked up at Dane. “You’re going to have to control this. She did what she thought was right. You can’t

blame her for wanting to protect you and the child,” Dane said. “But if she would have stayed up here protecting herself and the baby, everything would have been okay, and she wouldn’t be lying here, hurt.” Remi walked towards the stairs. “But no, she didn’t think I could protect myself or them.” He snarled as his beast burst free. He ran towards the front door, throwing it open. Then he stopped and looked up at Dane. “How can I forgive her?” He took off out the door, slamming it shut. **** Jaycee had heard the last part and her heart cringed at the anger from her mate. Tears slipped down her face as she gently placed her hand on her stomach. “I did what I had to, little one. I couldn’t lose him, and we couldn’t lose you,” she whispered down at her stomach. Dane and Mark walked over to the bed, gently climbing into it next to her. Dane wiped the tears from her face. “He’ll understand, baby. It might take some time, but he will. Right now his pride is standing in the way, and he’s hurt that you didn’t trust us,” Dane whispered. “But I did trust you. I didn’t trust them. I couldn’t lose you guys. I’ve lost too much.” Jaycee whispered, listening to Remi howl in the distance. She turned her head towards the howling, wanting so bad to go to him, but knowing she needed to sleep and gather her strength. “I’m tired, Dane. I love you all.” She closed her eyes. **** Jaycee opened her eyes to see Marsha sitting beside her, wrapping a new bandage on her stomach. “You’re already healing. Tomorrow you’ll be able to get up and walk around a little, but if you want to go downstairs, have one of your mates carry you. The baby is doing great. He’s a strong one, but he’s mad right now. He feels your hurt,” Marsha said, brushing Jaycee’s hair out

of her face. “He hates me, momma Marsha. Remi hates me.” Jaycee cried, staring out the window, knowing he was still out there and had been since last night. “He doesn’t hate you, baby. He’s angry and hurt. You know how men are, thinking we can’t protect ourselves. Remi is very … well, he’s major alpha and when you did that to him, he thinks you don’t respect his abilities to protect you,” Marsha said, sighing. “But he’s going to have to learn that you’re not helpless. Now, eat. Your baby needs food to grow.” Jaycee turned her head towards Marsha, seeing all the food before her. She smiled. All her favorites were on the plate. Bacon, sausages, hash browns, a cheese omelet, toast, and orange juice were laid out before her. “You’re going to spoil me, and then what are my mates going to do?” Jaycee laughed and sucked in a breath. “Shit, that hurt.” “Well, then, they’re going to have to spoil you at home, aren’t they? You’ve been through enough, and you need it.” Marsha said, getting up to go downstairs. “Marsha, will he come back soon?” “He’ll be back in tonight, but don’t expect a lot, Jaycee. It’s going to take time.” Jaycee picked up the laptop that Marsha had handed to her before she left. She might as well get some writing done since she was all cooped up. Jaycee sighed. She had always wanted to get one of her stories published. She had sent in three of them just a month ago to different publishers, but hadn’t heard anything yet. It would be the perfect job. She could write and be at home. Jaycee hoped the Internet was working since the storm had let up. She looked out the window and no snow was falling. Soon her mates would want to go back to Dane’s house. She

hated the thought of leaving. There was so much she wanted to show to her mates but hadn’t had the time. She turned back to the laptop and scanned the e-mails when she noticed two of the publishers had sent her something back. She prayed as she opened the first email. “Yes!” Jaycee screamed, finishing reading the e-mail. The publisher loved her story and sent it back for her to do some revisions. They wanted it within three weeks so they could send it to the printers. “What are you doing?” Dane demanded, coming into the room carrying some lunch. “Reading my e-mails. I have a job, Dane!” She screamed her excitement to him as he sat the food down near the bed. He turned to her and she could see he was angry. “I told you, you don’t need a job. We don’t want you to work and you have a baby to think about,” he said, grabbing the laptop off her lap and closing it down. “You don’t understand. This is something I’ve wanted to do since I was small and I did it.” Jaycee reached for the laptop, but he walked over to the dresser where she couldn’t reach it. “You just don’t get it, do you? You have a mate out there furious with you, and not to mention so are we, but you still put your own needs ahead of everyone else’s. Even the baby you carry. Don’t you think he will want his mother at home with him?” Dane yelled. Jaycee sat there, stunned. She didn’t see this coming. They all were furious with her. Dane placed her food in front of her. “Eat. Since you won’t take care of your baby, I’ll make sure you do.” Jaycee had enough. She picked up the hot soup and threw it at his head, missing by inches, but spraying him. The bowl broke on impact when it hit the ground. “You stupid jackass, I did this all for the baby and you guys. If you would have listened to me about the job, you’d know it’s a stay-at-home job, but no, you had to start this shit.” Jaycee picked up her milk,

throwing it at him as he ducked it. He glared at her. “All my life I’ve written stories,” Well, two of them are going to be published and I don’t care what you say. I’ll write if I want to.” “What the hell is going on up here? I thought I told you to keep her quiet,” Marsha demanded, storming up the stairs. “This is your entire fault if you would have just kept your big mouth shut she wouldn’t be where she is right now!” Dane growled into Marsha’s face. Jaycee had enough. Words flowed out of her mouth even before Marsha could stop her. The next thing she knew, a frog sat in Dane’s place. Jaycee smiled at Marsha. Waving her hands a jar flew up the stairs and scooped up Dane before sitting on the dresser. “You’re really proud of yourself, aren’t you?” Marsha laughed, shaking her head. “You know this is going to make him even angrier.” Marsha clapped her hands and all the mess was gone when Mark came storming up the stairs. Jaycee rolled her eyes at Marsha. “What the hell is going on up here? It sounded like World War Three and where’s Dane?” Mark asked. Jaycee pointed to the container. “Do you think he needs something to eat? How about some flies?” Jaycee waved her hands and four flies appeared in the jar. The frog jumped at them, eating them. “Oh, now I know he’s going to beat your ass when you get healed.” Marsha laughed. “You mean to tell me that’s Dane? In the jar?” Mark asked. Jaycee glared at him. “Yes it is. Do you want to join him? He told me I couldn’t work when I found the perfect job, the one I’ve been wanting for years.” Jaycee waited. She could see anger cloud his eyes.

“Jaycee, you have already been talked to about this. Your job is take care of the little ones and the pack house. That’s it!” Jaycee put him in the same jar as Dane. They both glared at her through the jar. She waved her hand, sending it downstairs to the kitchen table. “Hey Bo, make sure Dane and Mark don’t get hurt, would you?” Marsha called downstairs. Jaycee could hear him laughing up a storm with his brothers. She smiled, watching another bowl of soup and a glass of milk come floating up the stairs. “Now eat. You had your fun.” Marsha said. Jaycee smiled and shoveled the food in like a good little girl. Marsha shook her head at her, sitting down on the bed. “You know, maybe we should have told them what I saw. Boy, was my mate pissed at me when I told him last night. He still hasn’t talked to me today.” Jaycee shrugged her shoulders. “We can only do what we think is right. Maybe we should have, but we can’t change what has happened, only learn from what we did. Remi’s on his way back. I can hear Dane talking to him and he’s pissed. You might want to leave,” Jaycee said as her bowl and glass went floating downstairs and the front door slammed open. “I’m not going to leave you. I have told them not to make you angry. It will hinder your healing. This they will listen.” Remi came up the stairs mumbling. “What have you done now?” He asked Jaycee. He stood with his arms crossed against his chest, leaning on the dresser. “You know what I did, so why should I repeat it? They’ll be fine. As a matter of fact, they should be turning back now.” She smiled as she heard the roar downstairs, then the stomps

as they flew upstairs. She laughed, holding her stomach; she couldn’t keep it in. She looked and sure enough, Marsha was grinning also. “This is not funny. You turned us into toads! You feed me flies!” Dane growled as he spit on the floor. Remi looked at him, then at Jaycee. “You feed him flies?” Remi asked. She could see a grin forming on his face, but he held it back. “Well, he did deserve it. He wouldn’t listen to my good news. He just flew off the handle,” Jaycee challenged. “And what is the good news?” Remi asked, glaring at her, but she didn’t back down. “I’ve wanted to write and have my stories published. Well, a month ago I sent in three stories to three different publishers. One publisher wants my story. I have to finish the editing, then send it back to her. It’s going to print in a month.” Jaycee waited. She could see his mind working. “You would be at home writing. You wouldn’t have to leave?” Remi asked, looking down at her belly. “Yes, except when they have a book signing. I would like to go to one of the writers’ conventions next year, but that all depends on how well my book sells.” Jaycee looked at her laptop. “I’ll do all the writing and correspondence on that. I’ll even get to set up my own website,” Jaycee whispered, looking back up at him. “This won’t be too much with the baby coming? You have the party to plan, plus pack business to do,” Remi pointed out. “I’d never put it before my family, Remi. I can do this,” Jaycee said. Trying to sit up further, she flinched when she turned the wrong way. “Don’t move around, Jaycee. If you need help, ask,” Marsha said, helping her to sit up.

Jaycee smiled up at her. “Thanks, I’m okay.” “I won’t go into the fact that you did risk our baby already by what you did. That’s for another day, but if I see you hurting our child, it will stop,” Remi ordered, moving closer to her. “Remi, I didn’t do this on purpose. I did what I thought was right.” Jaycee tried to reach up to touch his face, but he pulled away from her touch. “Well, you thought wrong and endangered our son. I don’t know if I can forgive you for that,” Remi stated, turning around and going to the stairs. “Mark, I need you outside.” Remi glanced over his shoulder at Jaycee. All three of her mates left her, going outside. She knew what they were going to do and it hurt that they wouldn’t touch her. “Marsha, there’s a small box under the bed. Would you pull it out and hand it to me?” Jaycee asked and pulled the blanket around her body, suddenly cold. Marsha handed her the box. “What’s in this? I’ve never seen this,” Marsha asked and sat next to her. “It’s some of my stories I wrote over the years, when I didn’t have a computer. Some of them are from when I was about thirteen. There’s one story I wrote in here after I saw Dane. It was a love story. I think I could revamp it later on, after I do the edits on the other story.” Jaycee pulled out stories and skimmed some of them. “Can I read one?” Marsha asked and picked up an old one. Jaycee nodded. “That one I wrote after I left here.” She pulled out a thick stack of papers and glanced over it. “This is it. I’ve always dreamed about having this story published,” Jaycee whispered and hugged the story to her chest. Marsha sat for a long while, reading in silence. Finally she looked up. “My God, Jaycee this story is great, and hot. You didn’t tell me you wrote erotica…and with my mate all pissed at

me. Now I’m going to have to take a cold shower or pull out the toys.” Marsha giggled and sat down in the chair near the bed. “You didn’t ask, but yes, I like them hot.” Jaycee laughed as her laptop floated to her. She sat on the bed and edited for the next four hours without taking a break. None of her mates came near her. Marsha had slipped into the bathroom once to take a cold shower and fanned herself. “Okay, I’m going to start supper, then I have to get going. Remember, you take it easy. I’ll have one of your mates bring up dinner when it’s done.” Marsha leaned down and kissed her on her cheek. “Your stories are great. I want a copy of every one.” She laughed and headed down the stairs. “I’ll just have to make sure my mate’s not mad at me before I read it.” Jaycee laughed and finished up editing her first story. She e-mailed it back to the publisher and thanked her. She supplied her new address and phone number. Jaycee opened the second publisher’s letter and read it. She smiled. They were going to publish her story, too. They said it was perfect, that they were ready to send it to print. The contract was attached. She needed to print it out and sign it. It had to be at the publisher’s in two weeks. Bo he could print it out for her. “Hey Bo, you down there?” Jaycee yelled and waited. “What’s up, little sister?” he asked, bounding up the stairs and sitting down on the bed next to her. “Could you do me a favor? I can’t get up, but I need this printed out so I can sign it and send it to the publisher. Can you do this for me?” Jaycee asked, showing him the contract. He smiled and grabbed the computer. “Sure, hold on. I’ll go print it out now before we leave. You sign it and I’ll have it sent out tomorrow.” He kissed her forehead and went down the stairs with the laptop. Jaycee pulled a

story from the box into her lap, grabbed a pad of paper, and started working on the story longhand. She loved this story. It came from the heart, but she would add parts to it. She would make it a paranormal, ménage, and a shape shifter story. Human women loved them. Jaycee smelled the chicken dinner before she saw Dane come up the stairs, carrying her food and papers. He went to lay the food down on her lap, but Jaycee pushed her covers away. “I have to pee. Can you take me to the bathroom?” Dane frowned at her and set the food aside. He picked her up carefully and carried her to the bathroom. Dane waited for her to finish and helped her clean up. He wrapped his strong arms around her and carried her back to the bed. He set the food down on her lap, along with the papers. He turned to leave. “Would you stay up here with me? Keep me company? We can watch some TV,” Jaycee said. “I think it best I just go downstairs. I don’t want to upset you. I promised Marsha,” He left. Jaycee pushed her food around and turned on the TV. She glanced at the paperwork and tried to forget about the hurt, but it didn’t work. She signed the paperwork and put it aside. She forced herself to eat, but her stomach quickly rebelled. She was going to be sick. “Dane!” she yelled, but that was all she got out. Jaycee threw up all over the bed and she was afraid to move. Not one of her mates came up while she got sick. Finally, she stopped throwing up. Her stomach hurt, her food and her bed clothes were ruined. Tears fell from her face. She waved her hand and sent the tray of food with her vomit downstairs, and onto Dane’s head. She heard him yell, but she didn’t care. She stripped the bed sheet and blanket from her

bed using her powers. Thank God her story didn’t get ruined. She rolled the sheets into a ball and put them in the corner of the room. A new sheet and blanket flew in the air when her mates ran up the stairs mumbling, but she ignored them. Jaycee turned on the bathroom water, wet a washcloth, and brought it to herself. Jaycee grabbed it out of the air and washed her face. She laid her head back against the pillows. She needed her toothbrush; her mouth felt so nasty. Waving her hand, a glass of water, toothbrush, toothpaste, and an empty cup came into the room. She lifted her hand to grab them, but Remi plucked them out of the air. “What happened? Why didn’t you call us?” he demanded. He held her stuff and refused to give it to her. “I did call you, but you ignored me,” she mumbled. “No, you didn’t. We didn’t hear anything!” Dane yelled and got close to the bed. Jaycee couldn’t stand it anymore. “Get out now. You accuse me of lying. I’ve had enough,” Jaycee yelled. She pushed the covers out of her way and used her powers to pick herself up. She floated to the bathroom, slammed the door behind her, and locked it. “Jaycee, open this door right now!” Remi pounded on the door. “You shouldn’t even be out of bed.” She stripped out of her nightgown and took the bandage off. The wound was healed on the outside, so she could take a bath. She started the tub, then using her powers, she poured the healing salts into the water and smelled them. It soothed her, while her mates growled behind the bathroom door. Jaycee floated into the warm water and closed her eyes. She used the loose shower head to soak her hair and wash it. Remi broke down the door. Jaycee didn’t move an inch, just continued her bath, using her powers to help her.

“Are you trying to kill our baby? What the hell are you doing?” Remi’s beast snarled. Jaycee turned her head towards him and growled low in her throat. “My son is fine and for you even to suggest I would, you can take a cold bath.” She let the words that ran across her mind float out of her mouth. Her mates disappeared, gone from the house. They flailed in the cold frozen pond behind the house. Their shouts rang out. Jaycee smiled and finished her bath, and brushed her teeth. A new nightgown floated into the bathroom. She floated out of the tub and into her nightgown. She was getting tired and drifted to bed, not bothering with her hair. She had just settled into bed when her mates came into the bedroom. They were soaking wet and shivering. She ignored them and curled up into the bed, but her stomach was flip-flopping again. Jaycee needed saltines and she knew where they were. Concentrating on them, they came floating up the stairs. Dane grabbed them out of the air and held onto them. “Give them to me. I need them. My stomach isn’t feeling too good right now,” Jaycee whispered. “No wonder, using all that power,” Remi said. “It’s called morning sickness, asshole!” She held out her hand and Dane slapped the crackers into it. She nibbled on the saltines slowly. “You’d better go get warm near the fire, since you can’t stand to be next to a liar,” she snapped. “Don’t tell me what to do,” Dane said. “Whatever. I’m tired now, so just go away.” Jaycee carefully turned over to her side and, hugging the pillow, she closed her eyes. The crackers lay near her in case she needed them later. Her mates stomped downstairs. Tears fell on her pillow as she fell asleep.

**** Jaycee woke up the next morning to Dane dumping her clothes in suitcases. “What are you doing?” Jaycee asked. “The car is here. We’re leaving in an hour,” Dane said and continued to pack her things. “Why are you packing my fairies?” she asked and slowly sat up. “I want them here so when we come back to visit I’ll have them here,” Jaycee said. “We don’t know if we’ll come back,” Dane snipped. “We’re thinking of giving this place back to Marsha and her family. You don’t need it anymore.” Dane threw a bag down the stairs. “Watch it, you’ll break them!” Jaycee threw the covers off her and slowly got out of the bed. Dane stood slowly up and looked at her. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” He stomped over to her and picked her up, then placed her back into the bed. “Marsha said I could get up and walk around. You’re not giving anything back to Marsha. This is my place, and I will be back,” Jaycee yelled and got out of the bed again. She waved her hand and clothes appeared on her body. “You need a real doctor. You don’t know what’s going on. We have a doctor standing by when we touch down at home,” Dane snapped. Jaycee ignored him and floated down the stairs. She wouldn’t risk walking the stairs, as Marsha said. As soon as she touched the floor, she looked around, and everything had been packed. The walls were empty. Marsha sat on a dining room chair, tears in her eyes. “They said you won’t come back. I can’t see if you will, because you are part of me now, and I can’t see your future.” Marsha cried while Bo held her. Jaycee went to her and pulled her up into her arms.

“I’ll be back. I promise. Even if it’s by myself, I’ll be back.” Jaycee turned to the front door, which was open. Remi and Mark stood out there with two women. They rubbed themselves all over them. Remi squeezed one of their breasts and smiled down at her. Jaycee stumbled and Bo caught her. He growled as he saw what she saw. “I’ll kill them!” Bo said, but Jaycee was there first. Both women turned to rats, and they scurried into the woods. Jaycee glared at her mates as tears fell down her face. “Bo, tell momma I’m not leaving. Start unloading my things now,” Jaycee said. Using her powers, she unpacked all her belongings, placing them where she had them before. Remi howled, but she didn’t budge. She stood in the doorway. “You have crossed the line. There will be no bonding ceremony, and the three of you will leave now. Don’t come back. When the baby is born, I’ll contact you. You’re free.” Jaycee turned towards the stairs. She lifted Dane off his feet and carried him down the stairs. She threw him outside near Remi and Mark. She slammed the door, locked it, and protected the door with a spell, knowing they couldn’t get in. She looked up at Bo. “I’ve got the signed contract upstairs. I’m going to need that sent today. I’m going to have to take care of me and my baby now.” She went into the kitchen and started the coffee when she felt Marsha behind her. She wrapped her arms around Jaycee and hugged her. “It’ll get better, baby. They didn’t mean it,” Marsha said. “It doesn’t matter if they didn’t mean it, momma. They did it when they were angry at me. Are they going to do it every time they’re angry at me? I won’t, I can’t, do that. What would

they do if I went and screwed with another man? They would kill him and then they’d blame me.” Jaycee turned and laid her head on Marsha’s shoulder. First the tears fell, and then the sobs shook her body. “I love them, momma. They called me a liar, they accused me of wanting to hurt my baby, and now they slept with other women. Did I do something so bad that it warranted this?” Bo and his twin walked into the kitchen. “No, you didn’t, little sister. I can understand them being mad, but what they accused you of and what they have done is too far. I’m going to mail this out for you. Then I’m going to stop by the house and pick up some of my clothes. I don’t want you out here by yourself. Drew is going to stay with us here also.” He kissed her forehead, and walked out the front door with Drew. They closed the front door and the yelling started outside. Bo was giving her mates hell. Jaycee turned and started to make breakfast for her and Marsha. “We can work on your powers later if you’d like.” Marsha sat down to eat breakfast. Someone pounded on the door and they knew it was Dane. Jaycee shook her head and got up to the door, since she knew he couldn’t enter by himself. She threw open the door. “What do you want, Dane? I’ve said all I have to say. You guys made your choice.” Jaycee noticed Bo and Drew still outside. Bo nodded to her as Remi stood next to them with Mark. “We didn’t fuck any others, Jaycee. Remi was just showing his thanks for keeping us company last night,” Dane said. “So it would be okay for me to have a man here tonight to touch me? Good, maybe I’ll find someone. Goodbye.” Jaycee slammed the door in his face and had turned around to eat the rest of her breakfast, when he pounded on the door again. She sighed and turned back to the

door. She threw the door open to Remi. “No man will touch you, you’re mine, ours,” He said. “Really? This liar, this killer of babies, is yours? I’m not allowed to have another man touch me, but you can touch who you want? Or I’m supposed to believe that you didn’t fuck someone else. Now, I’m going to finish my breakfast and work on my stories, since it looks like I have to support my son!” She tried to slam the door, but he stepped inside and she looked back at Marsha, who just shrugged her shoulders. Jaycee spun around to see Remi advance on her. “You’re coming back with us now. Nothing happened and nothing will ever happen. Our cocks will only get hard for out mate or bonding partners. We are touchy people. They gave us comfort last night when you couldn’t.”

Chapter Ten Remi scooped her up into her arms. He looked at Marsha. “We will be back to visit. We’ll leave her things here for now. Thank you for all you have done.” He marched outside and jumped into the car with Jaycee in his lap. Dane got into the driver’s seat and Mark in the back. Jaycee didn’t say a word. She didn’t want to hurt the baby moving around. She stared at her cabin as they drove away. Tears fell down her face as it got further, and further away from her view. She laid her head on the window and ignored her mates. They didn’t say anything. She must have fallen asleep, because she woke up to Remi carrying her to the private plane. She shivered, not having a coat on. Remi picked up his speed as he took the steps two at a time. He entered the plane and sat her down on a seat, then grabbed a blanket and wrapped her up in it. He turned, joining Dane and Mark. They talked the whole flight and ignored her, which was fine by her, but she felt so alone. The plane landed four hours later. She used her powers and covered a coat on her body. She waited for the plane door to open. Remi stood behind her. The door opened up, he scooped her back up into his arms and walked down the stairs. A limo waited for them. Once inside the limo, Shelly and Kate smiled at her. Jaycee didn’t care. She ignored them and stared out the window. She watched the scenery change as they drove in silence. Finally she gazed up at the house, her prison. Stepping inside, she found her father standing there with someone she didn’t know. Remi scooped her back into his arms and took the

stairs to her room. Inside the room, he stripped her out of her clothes and laid her down on the bed. The man she saw downstairs came into the room. “This is Doctor Blaine. He’s going to examine you and the baby,” Remi said, but Jaycee didn’t say anything. The man examined her body; he poked and prodded. He even did a personal Pap on her, while Remi stood there and said nothing. When the doctor was done, he got up and covered her body with the blanket. “She’s healthy as a horse and the baby is fine. Whoever healed her did a great job, but the baby was never in danger. It has some kind of protective shell around it. It was even hard for me to examine the baby with the shell around it.” The doctor stared down at her. “I think your mate protected it with this shell. It’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen.” He shook his head and left the room with Remi. Jaycee got up and went into the bathroom. She threw up everything she had eaten earlier. She brushed her teeth and got a drink of water. She walked into her closet and grabbed a pair of jeans and a new sweater. With her laptop and her box of stories, she headed down the back stairs to the family room. Jaycee had just settled in when there was a knock on the door and Shelly peeked in. “Can Kate and I come in?” Jaycee nodded her head and continued her work on the book. “Are you okay, Jaycee?” Kate asked and sat down next to her. “The baby is fine, and this killer of babies is fine. You might not want to get to close to a liar,” Jaycee mumbled and typed. “What are you talking about?” Kate demanded. Jaycee stopped what she was doing and stared up at her, “It seems my mates think I’m a

liar, that I want to kill my baby, and that it’s okay that they can fuck anyone they want.” “They what?” Kate stood up and screamed. Shelly paced back and forth. “They didn’t. How could they? Once mated, they’re not supposed to be able to get their cocks up for another female,” Shelly said. Jaycee watched her pace back and forth. “Well, they sure weren’t ashamed of feeling them up in front of me. They said they couldn’t be with me last night. They were too angry at me. So the females there gave them comfort. Hell, maybe they’re getting comfort now, from God knows who.” She shrugged her shoulders and began to type again, pouring her hurt into her story. Jaycee heard the men stomp down the stairs, and her father stormed into the room. “What the hell is wrong? Did someone hurt the baby?” her father asked and stared down at her. “Her baby is fine. I’m pissed, and if you don’t get those assholes, out of my sight, I’m going to kill them.” Kate and Shelly growled at Remi, Dane, and Mark. “What the hell are you talking about, woman?” her father demanded. “Ask them who they were with last night. They sure weren’t with your daughter,” Kate snarled. Jaycee rolled her eyes and gathered her things. “Jaycee, where were your mates last night?” Her father asked. “I have no idea where they were, but I know they were with other women, getting attention. Since they couldn’t stand being around a liar and a baby killer!” Jaycee said over her shoulder and stepped up two steps. “But don’t worry, Father. At least now you don’t have to worry about a wedding or a bonding ceremony, because it won’t ever happen.” Jaycee quietly walked up the stairs as everyone stared at her. She put her things inside her room and walked down the stairs to the living room. She

opened up the door and started out on her afternoon walk, going north towards the gazebo. It was peaceful outside, and she walked into the burial grounds, right to Pierre’s grave. Jaycee sat down and pulled her legs close to her body. Tell me, Pierre, was I so wrong to want to protect them? Would you have taken another female because of what I did? It hurts, Pierre, and I don’t know how to fix this hurt. It’s deep, like they took their claws and shredded my heart. I miss your laugh. Do you know I can’t remember seeing Remi laugh around me? Jaycee brushed the tears away and got up, looking down one more time at his grave. She’d hoped he would say something to her, but nothing came. She realized Remi had followed her and watched her like a hawk, but she ignored him. Walking to the gazebo, Jaycee waved her hand. A cushion and blanket appeared on the swing as she got on it, curling up under the blanket. She inhaled the fresh air and tried to relax. It felt so good to be outside. It was so beautiful out here; she loved it. Jaycee heard their footsteps and knew they were behind her, but she didn’t say a word. “You do know you have every female fuming right now.” Dane stepped into the gazebo. “What do you want me do? Lie like you accuse me of? Well, it’s not happening. So go fix it. Find another female to snuggle up to. Maybe then they’ll feel sorry for you,” Jaycee said. “This is your pack, too. You need to fix this?” Remi said. Jaycee got up, looking at him. “I have nothing to fix. Did I go and let another male touch me? No! You fix it.” Jaycee threw her blanket at him and pushed Dane out of the way. She stormed back towards the house and into the pack house. Grace and Camille were there, having coffee. “Jaycee, come sit and warm up,” Grace said, getting up and dragging her to the table.

“We were wondering if you would like to go into town with some of the females tonight. They want you to have a night of dancing and relaxing, since most of this crap is behind us.” Grace sat down next to her. “You know the prison guards won’t allow this,” Jaycee stated, slipped her coat off, and took a sip of coffee. “Don’t you worry about them. We’re going to keep them busy until you’re gone. Then they won’t be able go anywhere. We’ll take care of the cars,” Camille said with an evil smile. “We even have a dress picked out for you. Kate and Shelly will meet you at the back stairs near the family room at seven tonight. Be ready,” Camille said, getting up and walking towards the doors.

Chapter Eleven Jaycee couldn’t believe the dress they had given her. It barely covered her body, but it made her feel beautiful. She slipped on the thigh-high boots and laughed. Her mothers-in-law had kept her mates busy; she hadn’t seen them all day. Even at supper they had been busy. Jaycee grabbed her coat and purse, heading towards the back staircase. She smiled as she noticed Kate and Shelly waving the car keys at her, and they slipped out the back door to the house. They all climbed into Dane’s truck and took off. They all laughed, driving into town. Jaycee loved it. She felt so free. No one chased her, or wanted her dead. It was the first night in a long time that she felt relaxed. Shelly pulled into the parking lot of the local bar. At least twenty females from the pack waited for them. Jaycee shook her head and got out of the car. She couldn’t drink, but she sure could dance. No one was going to stop her from dancing tonight. Jaycee and her group took over six tables near the dance floor. She ordered a Diet Pepsi as the band started up. She laughed at Shelly as she tripped over the chair, trying to stand up. “Quit laughing at me and get your butt up, we’re going to dance. They promised me they would play our song, Honky Tonk Badonkadonk[M1].” Shelly pulled her up as the band started to play their song. Jaycee and Shelly danced, messing up the steps. The song ended and they made their way back to the table as a slow song began to play. A man from town came up to Jaycee. “Would you like to dance?” he asked her. Jaycee shrugged and took his hand while he led her to the dance floor. All the woman hooted as they embraced, dancing, and the man could dance. He dipped her and grabbed her leg, pulling it up. She hadn’t danced like this in years. He flew her around the dance floor—and then she heard the growls. Jaycee’s head snapped up as the

song ended. She thanked the man and headed to her table. Her new friends and accomplices surrounded her. They growled back at her mates as they tried to get close to her. Dane and Remi pulled their alpha status and they backed away. They came up to Jaycee, grabbed her arm, and tried to pull her out of her seat, but she didn’t budge. “Let me go,” she said. “I’m out with the girls. I’m not drinking and I’m safe, so get lost.” “You will come home now. You planned this whole thing, didn’t you? You even got our mothers into it, so you could dance with some men,” Remi accused. Shelly and Kate stood up and pushed at Remi. “She did no such thing. This was our idea, not hers. Get your hands off her and let her have a good night. She is out with the pack females and is surrounded by people who would give their lives for her. You need to get a grip. She has never lied to you, and you need to stop this now. You’re going to lose her if you already haven’t.” Dane and Remi stepped back and released her arm. They walked to the bar and ordered a drink. They watched every move she made. “God, I need a drink!” Jaycee stared down at her stomach and rubbed her belly. “I’m sorry about this Jaycee, but it looks like they aren’t going to leave till you do. What do you want to do?” Shelly asked and glared at her brother. Jaycee shrugged. “We came here to dance, so let’s dance. I can teach you guys how to do moves to the dance Shelly and I did, if you want,” Jaycee said looking at the women. They all laughed and nodded their heads. They all got up, Shelly talked to the band members, and they smiled. They all knew this dance would drive her mates crazy. Jaycee got in front of the group. “Okay, watch me first. Then we’ll do it together, after

the next set,” she yelled over her shoulder. All the men at the bar turned and watched her, including her mates. Her body swayed to the music, her hips moved back and forth. The men howled at the bar and clapped as she danced. Her dress hid hardly anything, and her breasts almost fell out of her dress. The first set finished and the women behind her laughed. Jaycee turned around to face her mates, and danced. She gave her mates and the men, a good view of her ass as it moved back and forth. All the women laughed as the song ended and headed back to their seats, grabbing drinks on the way. Some of the women stayed and danced the next dance while Jaycee sat down and propped her legs up on the seat next to her. Her dress rose up to her upper thigh as Remi strolled up to her. Jaycee’s shoulders slumped, expecting another confrontation. “Would you dance with me?” Remi asked. Jaycee looked up into his face. Was he serious? Jaycee lowered her feet as a slow song began to play. He pulled her into his arms and held her close. She didn’t say anything as his hands skimmed her body. Her body tensed as he traced the outer sides of her breasts. “Talk to me, Jaycee,” Remi whispered into her ear. He grabbed her ass and pushed her stomach against his cock. It was hard as a rock. He was wearing his black leather pants with a black dress shirt, which fit tight across his chest. She wanted to curl up to him, but she held back. She didn’t trust them. “What is there to say, Remi? You don’t trust me and I don’t trust you. Sure, you can turn my body into jelly, but all of you have shredded my heart again and again,” Jaycee whispered. She pushed out of his arms and looked up at him, a single tear falling down her face. “Every time I close my eyes, I see you touching her when it should have been me, when I needed you. But you weren’t there. You drew away from me, and then you accused me of things

you know I would never do.” Jaycee turned to walk away. She went back to the table as more tears fell. “Will you take me home, please?” she asked Shelly. Shelly wrapped her arms around her. “Sure, let’s go.” Shelly grabbed her purse and they walked toward the door. Shelly and Kate hung on to Jaycee. Her mates followed behind, not saying anything. They followed in Remi’s truck as Jaycee watched the headlights pass them. “I’m sorry this didn’t work, Jaycee.” Kate squeezed her hand from behind. “It’s not your fault. It’s no one’s fault,” Jaycee whispered. They pulled into the driveway. Some of the pack took off to run and she wanted to run. She turned to Shelly. “Run with me, Shelly, with the pack?” Jaycee hoped out of the truck, stripped her clothes, and shifted into her wolf form. Shelly followed suit and Kate waved them on, going into the house. Jaycee loved it. She hadn’t run in two days, and it felt great running with her friend. They caught up to the pack, while they chased rabbits and played. Shelly nipped at her playfully and Jaycee laughed in her head. She nipped back as they flew into a pile of snow, not watching where they were going. They came up howling with laughter. The pack ran around them, jumping and playing. Jaycee and Shelly rolled in the snow, as the pack backed away quietly. Shelly lifted her head and growled. Jaycee’s mates had come. Jaycee plopped down and whined. Shelly pushed her nose into her side and tried to get her to run, but what was the sense? They would just stop her from having fun. Jaycee got up and turned back towards the house. Shelly whined at her and barked, getting in front of her.

Jaycee looked up at her, then at her mates. They just watched and didn’t say a word. Shelly nipped her ear and Jaycee jumped, yelping, as Shelly took off. Jaycee took off after her and nipped her in the ass. They played for a good two more hours when she started to get tired. She pushed Shelly towards the house and Shelly followed her. Once at the house, the door opened. They stepped inside and shook the snow off. Jaycee dressed them in jeans as they shifted. Shelly stared down at her body, then at her, as the others witnessed what happened. “How did you do that?” Shelly followed Jaycee towards the kitchen. Jaycee looked back and saw a line of people following her. She shrugged. “Let’s just say I can do some different things, okay? I can’t explain it to you.” Jaycee pushed open the kitchen door and went to the fridge. She wanted strawberry ice cream with peanut butter on it. She slammed the freezer when she didn’t find it, and exited the kitchen, going towards the pack house kitchen. Shelly followed next to her. “Where are you going?” Shelly asked. “We didn’t have any strawberry ice cream. I need strawberry ice cream and peanut butter.” Jaycee mumbled and entered the pack kitchen going to the big freezer. Jaycee opened the freezer door, looking inside. Slamming the freezer door she headed back towards the living room. Shelly followed. “You’re having cravings. Oh, that is so sweet!” Shelly laughed. Jaycee glared at her friend and grabbed Dane’s truck keys. She put her coat back on as her mates came up to her and stared at her. She held out her hand to Dane. “I need ten bucks, please.” “Where are you going and why do you need money?” Remi demanded and came up next to them.

Jaycee glared at them, then turned to Shelly. “Shelly, you want to go with me and get some ice cream? I’m afraid you’re buying, since I’m not allowed to have any money.” Jaycee stomped out of the house. Shelly laughed and grabbed her coat. She followed her to Dane’s truck. Jaycee was about to jump into the driver’s seat when Remi grabbed her and took the keys. Jaycee’s beast snapped; she shifted and growled. She pushed him out of the way and grabbed the keys back. Shelly came around the truck and stopped Remi from grabbing her. She held her hand up. “Leave her alone. She’s craving strawberry ice cream and peanut butter. If you interfere, her beast is going to attack. Now leave us alone.” Shelly hopped into the truck. Jaycee shifted back with clothes on her body. Starting the truck, she pushed the gas down and sent snow flying all over Dane and Remi as they took off. “Now are you going to tell me why I’m craving shit so early? I’m only a couple of days pregnant,” Jaycee said. Shelly glanced at her. “From what I’ve heard, when we get pregnant all the symptoms start right away. Our pregnancies are longer than humans’, but they are also more intense. Now tell me how you’re able to do that thing with the clothes.” “When I first left home, after Curt, one of the places where I ended up was Montana. The family that took me in sort of adopted me. The women had six sons, no daughters. Well, she’s a witch, and she’s begun to teach me how to use the powers. She is giving me her powers. She said she wouldn’t be able to do this with any other woman, but with me, the powers were waiting to come out.” Jaycee pulled into the ice cream shop parking lot. “I’d appreciate you not saying anything to anyone. It would just draw more people to me and I don’t need that.” Jaycee looked

at Shelly. Shelly stared at her for a moment. “You amaze me every single day. Something is thrown at you and you still stand strong. I don’t think I could ever be as strong as you.” Shelly hugged her. “I won’t tell anyone, but you know your mates have big mouths. They’re going to tell your father, who will then tell the National Council.” Shelly got out of the car and Remi, Dane, and Mark came out of Remi’s truck. Jaycee groaned and walked into the ice cream shop. She and Shelly ordered their ice cream and let the men pay for it as they grabbed their food. Jaycee made her way to a table near the window, large enough to hold all of them. She sat down, and her mates sat down next her. “So tell me, what were you typing earlier, when Kate and I found you in the family room?” Shelly asked, eating her hot fudge sundae. Jaycee reached over, taking a scoop of fudge and spreading it over her peanut butter and strawberry ice cream. “I was rewriting a story I wrote a long time ago. Changing it a little so I could send it to one of the publishers. I have books coming out in the next month.” Jaycee took a bit of her ice cream and moaned. She needed more hot fudge and looked at Remi who just sat there. She pointed to the hot fudge. He got up and got her some fudge. She smiled up at him when he handed her the fudge, and she poured it all over her ice cream. He laughed at her as she dug into the ice cream. “Okay, hold on. You have two stories that are getting published? You never told me you wrote,” Shelly said. “What kind of books do you write?” Jaycee smiled at her. Leaning forward, she whispered. “Erotic romance.” She giggled as Shelly laughed.

“I can’t believe this. I want to read them. Do you have the stories on disk?” Jaycee nodded her head. “Yep, I’ll let you have one of them tonight, but you might want to have a man around. Marsha read one and had to take two showers. I was laughing my butt off.” Jaycee turned to Remi, “Do you think you could get some fudge and strawberry Ice Cream to take back to the house?” Jaycee watched him shake his head and get up. He ordered a big tub of strawberry ice cream and a huge container of fudge for her. Jaycee finished her ice cream and rubbed her stomach. “Okay, I’m good to write now. Let’s get back home. I want to curl up in bed and write a little before I go to sleep.” Shelly and Jaycee pulled up to the house. Remi, Dane, and Mark got out of their truck. Jaycee had just shut off the engine and was getting out of the truck when she noticed a couple of females stroll up to the men and rub themselves on them. Shelly walked over to Jaycee and grabbed her hand. She pulled her towards them. The females stared at them as they approached, but Jaycee didn’t say anything. “We heard you might be looking for company tonight,” one of the females said and stared right at her as she said it. Jaycee sucked in air and her heart thumped wild in her chest. “They’re mated, you stupid bitch, and you know this,” Shelly said. “So what does that have to do with anything? They can still play. They did in Montana. We heard all about it.” The bitch growled back, then grabbed Remi’s cock through his pants and rubbed it. Jaycee’s beast wanted to rip her head off, but she held it back. She glanced up at Remi, who merely stood there. “The choice is yours. Do you want us in your bed, Jaycee?” Remi

asked. Her stomach flipped and rolled at what he was asking her. She wouldn’t get sick. She wouldn’t. “I love you three, Remi. You’re my mates. I’m committed to this relationship.” Jaycee sighed and looked down at the ground. “I would never do what you are doing now, and I guess that is where we are different. My commitment comes from my heart, where yours comes from duty. I’ll be upstairs. Come on, Shelly. I’ll give you that CD with my story, if you want it still.” Jaycee turned to walk away, and then realized she forgot the ice cream. “Oh, I’ll take that. Might need it tonight if the cravings pop up.” She smiled up at Remi, and took the bag of ice cream and fudge from him. “Thank you for this,” Jaycee whispered. She reached up on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. She ignored the bimbo on his arm. Jaycee ran into the house with Shelly following close behind. “How could you just stand there and let those bitches touch them?” Shelly asked. Jaycee put the ice cream in the freezer and the fudge in the fridge. She turned, looking at her friend, then down at the ground. “If we’re to start to build some trust, Shelly, they have to make the first move. They hurt me badly. I want them, and my heart cries out for them, but I’m scared to be hurt again. I just gave them a choice. It will kill me if they pick them, but I won’t hold them back. They have to want me.” Jaycee walked slowly to the living room with Shelly. “You have more strength then me. I would have ripped their hearts out, stomped on them, then have ripped my mates’ balls off.” Jaycee’s mates were in the living room, talking to her father. Jaycee looked around for the females, but she knew they wouldn’t bring them into the main house. She slipped upstairs and felt their gazes on her. Jaycee swayed her hips just a little more than usual. Shelly burst out laughing, entering her room. “I thought for sure Dane was going to

attack you, right there on the stairs, and Remi, oh my God, he’s huge. Did you see the size of his cock in those black leather pants?” Shelly fanned herself on the bed. “How can you take him? He’s so big.” Jaycee felt her face turn red. “Oh Shelly, he makes it fit, and boy, does he have tricks. He shocked the shit out of Dane and me one night.” Jaycee’s body heated up as she remembered Remi down on her clit as Dane fucked her. She fanned herself and smiled at Shelly. “I can say this: they keep my body very happy. Now if they could learn not to rip my heart apart, I’d be all set.” She sighed and handed Shelly her disk. “This is the edited version of the one story that will come out in a month. Just keep it to yourself, will you? It seems my mates don’t want me to write, but I have to. It keeps my mind busy.” “I’ll give it back to you tonight. If the assholes don’t show up tonight, I want you to come get me. We’ll pull an all-nighter in the family room, just us girls, just like we used to,” Shelly said—loud, to make sure her mates heard her. Jaycee shook her head, going to the dresser looking for a fresh pair of panties to put on after her shower. She saw the teddy she bought two days ago. She pulled it out and looked at it. Could she set aside her hurt? Jaycee went into the bathroom to take her shower. She took her time, shaving and making sure she was clean for them. She even shaved her pussy. She had never shaved there, but she heard that many submissives shaved for their masters. Jaycee felt naked down there, but so sensitive, she liked it. Jaycee dried off and slipped on the black teddy. It had black fishnet stockings that went with it. She slipped those on and attached them to the teddy. There was no crotch in the teddy, leaving her bare for her mates. Jaycee applied a little perfume behind her ears and down her

breasts. She smiled at her reflection. Her nipple rings shimmered in the light and she had to admit to herself that she looked hot. Jaycee walked out of the bathroom, happy she made this choice. She got some candles, lit them all around the room, and turned off the lights. She even found some handcuffs in one of the drawers and pulled them out. She put them on the nightstand next to the bed. Jaycee pushed the pillows up against the headboard and lay down on the bed. She pulled her book out to read till her mates came. **** She stretched and opened her eyes. It was three o’clock in the morning and all the candles had burned down to nothing. Her heart shuddered and she got up. Throwing on her robe, Jaycee went downstairs, searching for her mates. Everything was dark and no one was around. She headed for the kitchen. Laughing and moaning came through the doors. She pushed the door open, her palms sweaty, and her heartbeat racing. Remi and Dane were with the two women from outside earlier. Both women were on Jaycee’s kitchen table, their legs spread, as her men ate their pussies. Jaycee froze. Her robe opened, but she didn’t notice it. Her mates were fully clothed, but it didn’t matter. This was supposed to be her kitchen, her home, and her mates. A sob broke from her lips and drew their attention. They raised their heads and looked at her. Their eyes traveled over her body as she flew from the room. She ran to Shelly’s bedroom and banged on the door, and without waiting for a response, she flew in. She locked the door behind her. Shelly wasn’t alone; she peeked from under the man with her. Jayceee cried and unlocked the door, then ran to the living room, threw off her robe, and shifted into her wolf. The living room door flew open, alarms went off, but she didn’t care. She

tore off into the woods.

She was stuck with these men who didn’t want her, pregnant by a man who couldn’t keep his hands to himself. God, what a fool I’ve been! Jaycee ran, her wolf howling in the wind.

Chapter Twelve Remi knew they had done it this time. He ran for their room, pushed open the door; she wasn’t there. Then he saw the burned-down candles, and remembered what she had been wearing. She had been waiting for her mates, and they’d found someone else. Remi glanced over at Dane, who hung his head, knowing what they did. Shelly ran into the room. “What the fuck did you do to her? She was dressed in a teddy and waited for you! Did she find you with someone?” Shelly sniffed the air. “You know something, Dane? I expected better from you, but I guess I was wrong. I’m taking Jaycee out of here and you won’t follow. You have hurt her for the last time. Get out of here while I pack her things. You two had better think of a way to court her or she will be gone for good. I’m taking her back to Montana. That’s where she feels at home. Not here.” Remi watched Shelly pack his mate’s things. They had blown it big time. He let her pack Jaycee’s things. **** Jaycee sat on the plane with Shelly and looked out the window. Her mates hadn’t said a word to her. Shelly packed her things and they left for the airport. Hell, they weren’t even around. Only her father and Kate had hugged her goodbye. Shelly held onto her hand as the plane landed in Montana. Jaycee still felt so alone. Bo and Marsha waited for them at the gate as they exited the plane. Jaycee ran into Marsha’s arms. Tears ran down her face. Bo growled and hugged her from behind. “You’re home, little sister. We’ll take care of you and the baby.” He growled at Shelly.

Jaycee lifted her head, staring at Bo. “She’s my sister, Bo, and she’s helped me. Be nice. She’s going to stay with me for a little while.” Jaycee reached back and grabbed Shelly’s hand, pulling her forward. “Momma Marsha, Bo, this is my sister and best friend, Shelly.” Jaycee introduced them and watched Bo scan her body. He sniffed the air around her and nodded his head. They proceeded to the baggage area to get her suitcases and headed once again back to her cabin. Jaycee entered the cabin and new tears formed. It seemed like so long ago when they had shared her treasures, and now they were gone. Marsha came up next to her and hugged her. She pulled her into the cabin. “You’ll see them soon. They made a mistake, Jaycee, and they know it now. They’re going to court you properly. The trust will come again, I promise.” Marsha went to the kitchen and put on some coffee. Jaycee waved her hand and the fire lit brightly in the fireplace. She heard Shelly suck in her breath and Jaycee smiled over at her. “I told you I could do a couple of things.” Jaycee shrugged as Bo came into the cabin, carrying their luggage. “You know damn well you can do more, but you’re right to keep it to yourself. And Momma, if those Bozos come sniffing around here, they’re going to have to deal with me. They promised they wouldn’t hurt her again and they did. Now they can deal with me before they even think I’ll give my consent.” Bo set their bags down. “It’s about time they acted like men and not spoiled brats.” Jaycee sat down close to the fire. Shelly sat down across from her. “They’re twice your size, Bo. Be careful you don’t push them too far,” Marsha yelled from the kitchen. “You know the old saying: the bigger they are, the harder they fall,” Bo grumbled and sat

down next to Shelly. Jaycee watched Bo. He smelled her from afar and stared at her. He moved his chair closer to her. Jaycee smiled to herself. Something was up, and it sure was Bo. Marsha brought out lunch as her stomach growled loud. Everyone started to laugh as Marsha dished up the food. “Eat. Your baby is hungry.” “Thanks for lunch. You didn’t have to. I could have fixed something for us.” Jaycee got up and stretched. “I think I’m going to take a walk. Shelly, you want to come with me?” Jaycee slipped on her coat. “No, I think I’ll unpack and take a nap. We were up all night.” Shelly grabbed her bags and walked upstairs. Jaycee shrugged, opening the door. “You really shouldn’t go out there alone. You’re pregnant,” Bo grumbled and threw on his coat, following her out the door. Jaycee and Bo walked for about ten minutes when Bo growled low in his throat. That is when she saw them, her mates stood in the distance. All three of them stared at her. She shivered at the way they claimed her with their eyes. “You stay here. I’m going to have my talk with them,” Bo ordered and stalked up to them. Jaycee turned to walk the other way, away from them. She needed time alone anyway. She could hear the growls behind her, but she didn’t even turn around. The wind blew the trees as it caressed her skin gently. She soaked it in; the sun was bright over head, and it made the snow glisten. She heard the snapping of a tree limb in front of her. Jack stood in front of her. She smiled up at him, but he growled at her. Jaycee stepped back a little, but raised her head. “You used to be my friend. Has that

changed?” “I waited for you, but you never came back,” he snapped and stepped closer to her, into her personal space, but Jaycee held her ground. “I’m sorry you thought there could be more, Jack. I was a kid who had been hurt badly. I didn’t know what I was doing. So if I somehow flirted or did something wrong, please forgive me. I couldn’t take it if someone else was mad at me,” Jaycee whispered and looked down at the ground. “You know I could never stay mad at you. Why are you back here?” Jack lifted her chin up so he could look into her face. She smiled up at him, but she knew he could tell she was in pain. “They hurt you, didn’t they? Your mates?” he asked. Jaycee pulled out of his grasp, and kept walking. “I guess we hurt each other, but yes, they hurt me, and broke the trust I had in them. I love them, but I just don’t know how to trust them anymore, Jack. We have a baby coming, but my life is so upside down, I don’t know what to do.” Jaycee bent and picked up a branch. She walked with it as he walked beside her. He slipped his arm around her waist while they walked. She leaned into him and sought the comfort. “I hear you’re mated,” Jaycee said. “What’s she like?” He laughed. “She’s a lot like you. Always getting her way.” Jaycee frowned and stared at the ground. “Do you really believe I always get my way, Jack? Am I always out for myself?” She looked up at him. His laugh turned to a frown. “I was joking, Jaycee. God, what did they do to you? You never doubted yourself before.” Jack pulled her into a hug and the growling started again, all around her. Her mates watched, and they were close.

Jack lifted his head, smelling the air. “It seems we have company.” She pulled a little away from him, but continued to stand in his arms. Bo walked out in front of them. He frowned and looked down at her. “Don’t even frown at me. Jack and I were just talking. I know he has a mate,” Jaycee snapped. Bo backed up, waving his hands. “Okay, sorry, but your mates don’t like his hands on you.” Bo looked over his shoulder. Remi and Dane stood there and glared. Mark was behind them. “Mark, come around to the front, because I will say this only once. I want to see your faces.” Jaycee waited until he came around to stand with Dane and Remi. “How dare you even get mad when a friend offers me comfort? After you had your faces in between the legs of other women? As far as I am concerned, I’m free to seek other males if I want, as you did.” Remi step forward. “We hurt you and we can’t make up for that,” Remi said, “but we ask you to please let us court you the right way, to start over. We can’t do that if you’re with other males, Jaycee.” Jaycee glared at her mates, and Jack squeezed her arm. She looked up at him and smiled. “If what you say is true, and you do love them, you should give them a chance,” Jack said. “You have a baby to think of.” “I’ve been doing that for the past week. I gave them every chance. I even gave in the other night.” Jaycee looked down and tears slipped down her cheeks. “I even put on a teddy, lit candles, shaved where I never shaved before, and waited for them. I woke up to find them in my kitchen, Jack, my supposed home, with two females, their bare asses on my kitchen table, and my mates’ faces in their pussies. How am I supposed to forget that? Last night I couldn’t even sleep, because I kept seeing their faces covered in…” Jaycee waved her hands and a sob broke

loose. Jack lifted her face towards him and he wiped her tears. “I think you should talk to them, go for your walk with them. We’ll be behind you if you need us, but explain to them how you feel.” Jack nudged her towards her mates. Jaycee stumbled, but Remi caught her before she could fall. She continued to walk and wiped her face. She stared down at the ground. Dane slid up beside her, Remi on her other side. Mark walked beside Remi. They walked for about ten minutes, not saying anything, when she heard Jack laugh behind her. She glanced back at him and smiled. Her mates growled and she turned back around. “I don’t like that man,” Remi mumbled and glanced at her. “Why? Because he is a man and he’s nice to me? Or because he’s my friend?” “He still wants you,” Dane said. “Well, at least some man wants me,” Jaycee said and walked a little faster back to the house. The men followed her. “We’ve always wanted you. That wasn’t the problem. I thought we were going to walk.” Remi grabbed onto her arm and stopped her. Jaycee’s body reacted right away and sent shivers down her spin. Her nipples grew hard and her pussy get wet. “I haven’t slept, Remi. I’m tired, and you sure do know how to show me you want me!” She snarled and yanked her arm out of his grasp. “You complain about everything I do, and tell me what I should do. Couldn’t you have been happy for me when one of my stories was going to be published? I was so excited and wanted to share it with you, but you made feel I had to hide what I want to do. I told you three I loved you, and that I would wait for you, but you chose to go with those females. I even put aside my hurt, my pride, to try to make it work, but you threw it in my face.” Jaycee looked up at

the sky and took a deep breath. “I love the three of you, otherwise this wouldn’t hurt so badly and I wouldn’t be standing here with you. I don’t know how to forget or forgive what you’ve done, but I’m willing. Just give me time.” Jaycee reached up and kissed Remi’s cheek, cupping it. She turned and looked at Dane. “You were supposed to be my knight in shining armor, the one who would protect me from any more pain,” Jaycee whispered. She turned and shifted into her wolf, and howled her pain. Tears ran down her muzzle as the pain ran through her body. She stumbled, unable to see as the tears clouded her eyes. She fell to the ground, sobbing. Bo picked her up and carried her inside the cabin. Marsha waited by the door for her with Shelly. Bo laid her down in front of the fire, but she didn’t shift back. She just curled up into a ball and closed her eyes, falling into an exhausted sleep.

Chapter Thirteen A cold nose pushed at her. She opened her eyes. Dane lay next to her in his wolf form and licked her face. Remi, on her other side, licked her fur and cleaned her. Jaycee’s eyes scanned the window and it was dark. Marsha and Shelly were worried about you. You wouldn’t wake up or shift. They called us. They’re in the kitchen making supper for all of us. Will you shift back and have dinner with us? Dane nudged her head with his. Jaycee shifted and clothed herself, and her mates as they did the same. She dressed them in jeans as she walked into the kitchen. “Can I help?” She hugged Marsha. “I’m sorry I worried you. I just needed some sleep.” Jaycee stood back and looked into her face. Marsha cupped her face. “They’re really worried about you, baby. They tried for an hour to get you to move. I have to say they’re also very jealous of Jack. Did you know I invited him to supper with his mate? I thought it would be good to see him with his mate.” Marsha handed her a plate of vegetables for snacks. “The whole family will be here tonight. Why don’t you go up and take a shower, and put on that pretty red dress you have up there?” Marsha pushed her out of the room. Jaycee walked into the dining room and set the plate on the table. She turned and Dane stepped in front of her. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight. “I was so scared when you wouldn’t wake up. I love you.” Dane pulled back and looked down at her. “Don’t do that again.” He smiled at her. Jaycee looked over his shoulder to see Remi. “I was tired. My body is worn out

emotionally and physically. I’m going to go take a shower and get ready for dinner.” Jaycee rushed upstairs to the bathroom and slammed the door. Her body shook, needing release. When Dane held her, she wanted so bad to have him in her, but she couldn’t. Jaycee went to the traveling bag that Shelly had packed, hoping she had packed Dane Jr, her vibrator. She dug through the bag and found her case. She sighed with relief and strolled to the bathroom. Jaycee turned on the shower, stripped out of her clothes, and took her case into the shower with her. Her toy would have to do for now. Jaycee spread her legs, slowly pushed her dildo into her pussy, and sighed. Her body tightened up, she was so ready as she worked her pussy with the vibrator. Remi stepped into the shower with her. Jaycee jumped, pulled the dildo out of her, and backed away when Dane stepped in behind her. Dane grabbed the dildo from her hand and threw it onto the floor. “You don’t need that. We can take care of your ache. Let us help you.” Dane slipped in behind her and grabbed her arms. He lifted them up over her head and wrapped them around his neck. “Leave them there. We’ll still court you, but let us take care of your needs.” Dane grabbed her breasts and pulled her nipples. Remi kneeled in front of her. He gently spread her legs and lifted one, slipping it onto his shoulder. He separated her pussy lips and slipped his tongue into her pussy. Gently he sucked onto her clit. Jaycee couldn’t help it; her body responded to them, and she pushed her pussy into his face. “Why are you doing this to me?” she pleaded and pushed her head back against Dane. Remi pulled away from her and stared up at her. “We have hurt you, baby. We’re so sorry. Please let us take care of you, like you

deserve.” Remi attacked her pussy again. Her stomach muscles tightened as he bit down on her clit and pulled at it. He pushed two fingers into her and she screamed. She came so fast and hard, her body shook. Remi stood up and pulled her body to his. He lifted her up, bringing her down onto his cock. Jaycee automatically wrapped her legs around him. Dane pushed his cock into her ass, they stretched her, but they didn’t move. Their hands skimmed every inch of her body and worshiped her. Jaycee stared up into Remi’s face. “Why did you hurt me?” she whispered, tears skimming her cheeks and sliding down her face. “We have no excuse. Expect that we were hurt also. We thought you believed we couldn’t take care of you, when you protected us. Our pride got in our way.” Remi lowered his lips down to hers, kissing her softly. They started to move in her slowly at first. She savored every movement and every touch.

Chapter Fourteen Marsha’s voice rang out from below singing, as her mate played the guitar. Their guests had arrived. Jaycee wondered how many people they had invited to her home for supper as she slipped on her dress. Remi and Dane had gotten dressed and slipped back down the stairs, giving her time to get dressed. This was the first time Jaycee had worn this dress. It was a party dress, cut low in the front down to her belly button, and there was no back, as the top fastened around her neck. The waist was covered in silk strips that moved when she did, showing all of her long legs. She took one last took in the mirror and sighed. She couldn’t change her appearance. Her breasts were too big and her hips were larger than she would like. She scanned her body one last time and headed towards the stairs. Shelly greeted her at the bottom of the stairs, frowning. “We have company,” she snapped as Jaycee stepped down the last step. They walked into the living room and saw why she had growled. Remi, Dane, and Mark were surrounded by the females who had kept them company the other night. Jack stood next to them with some women who talked to the females. Everyone stared up at them, including her mates. They stepped away from the women and came towards her. Jaycee stepped back. Everyone froze, but she didn’t care, they just left her, and they had females hanging all over them. “Jaycee, what’s wrong?” Remi slowly walked up to her. “Why are they here?” Jaycee snapped and nodded to the females, who still talked to the woman near Jack.

“They came with Jack and his mate. We didn’t know anything about it, we promise.” Remi took her hand and kissed her palm, staring into her eyes. “You look beautiful tonight. That dress makes me want to take you back upstairs. But then, of course, I always want to take you.” Jaycee smiled. “Thank you.” “Jaycee, get your butt in here and sing with me. We can sing that song we used to,” Marsha shouted from around the corner. Remi took her hand and guided her into the living room. “I didn’t know you could sing,” Remi said as she sat down by Marsha. She curled her legs underneath her and sat on the floor near the fire that roared with life. “She has a lovely voice.” Marsha smiled, nodded at her mate, and he started playing an old love song about love and betrayal, handed down from generation to generation in their clan. Jaycee laid her head on Marsha’s leg, staring into Remi’s gaze. He sat on the ground in front of her; she sang her song with Marsha harmonizing. She sang her heart out and glanced once in a while at Dane and Mark. She could see water glittering in their eyes. They stared at her with awe, lust, and shame. Jaycee ended her song and everyone was silent, until Jack’s mate started clapping her hands. Jaycee turned her head and glared at her. “Jack, you didn’t tell me your friend here was a singer also. Why, she’s almost good enough to put out a record. Tell me, is there anything you can’t do?” she asked with a sneer. Jaycee slowly brushed her dress off, stood, and faced the black-haired bitch. “Well, I can’t take your mate away from you since I’m mated, but I could if I was mean. After all, you’re just a replacement for me,” Jaycee purred and walked up to Jack, kissing his cheek as she passed him. She gave the bitch her back and walked by. Shelly snickered, her mates growled, but Jaycee ignored it all, going into the kitchen and grabbing a diet Pepsi. Jaycee took a sip and stared out at

the night through the kitchen window. Jack and his mate argued in the living room. “Did you really have to do that? You know she wants to rip your head off now,” Remi said and came up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her neck, biting and licking it. “Your voice is amazing, baby. I can’t wait to hear you sing to our child.” He slid his hands down to her stomach and rubbed it. “She shouldn’t have opened her mouth in my home and challenged me. Oh, and bring her on. I’ll show her how an alpha bitch can fight.” Jaycee laid her head back on his shoulders, his hands skimmed her legs. “I suppose we should go back in there.” She turned in his arms and looked up into his eyes. Remi cupped her face and smiled. “Yes, you need to go back in there. After supper, do you want to go into town with us, and go dancing?” Remi’s other hand pushed into her halter dress, cupped her breast, and squeezed it. “Bo told us that a bunch of their clan is meeting there.” Jaycee smiled up at him. “You mean, you’re actually going to let me go dancing with other men around?” She laughed and slipped out of his arms. She tried to make an escape into the living room, but didn’t get any further than two steps. He grabbed her, and pulled her to the kitchen counter, bending her forward. His hand slid under her dress and slapped her ass. Jaycee moaned and lowered her head. His fingers pushed into her pussy. “You’ll dance with us and no one else!” he snarled into her ear, then bit it while fucking her pussy hard with his fingers. He pinned her against the counter with his body. “I should have known,” Mark said, coming into the kitchen. He bent down on his knees and pushed in front of her. He spread her legs wider and pushed her dress out of the way, his mouth attached onto her clit, sucking it into his mouth. Jaycee moaned. “You have to stop. Anyone could walk in.” She tried to move, but Remi

held her and slapped her ass again. “Not till you come for him. He needs to taste you.” Remi ordered. Mark bit her clit and sent her body into another orgasm. Jaycee bit her lip and tried not to scream while she ground her pussy into his face. Remi pulled his fingers out of her. Mark stood in front of her and licked his lips, grinning like a kid in a candy store. “Jack and Bo want you to come into the living room.” Mark smiled down at her and kissed her lips softly. She could taste herself on his lips. She straightened her shoulders and walked into the living room with her two of her mates. Bo stood next to Jack, who held onto his mate. She was half shifted into her beast. Jaycee growled as Jack’s mate hissed at her. “Jaycee, I want to apologize for my mate. She had no right to say those things, especially in your home. It’s mostly my fault for acting like a fool for the last few days when you came back with your mates.” Jack looked down at his mate and cupped her face tenderly. “I shouldn’t have ignored her and flaunted you in her face when I was upset.” His mate relaxed and shifted completely into her human form. “I would be furious also if my mates did that,” Jaycee said, “even though they did other things. But I won’t be threatened by anyone, Jack. I have had enough of that to last two lifetimes.” Jaycee walked by them to her seat by the fire, but Dane pulled her into his arms, and sat down with her in his lap. The other females gathered around Jack’s mate as they whispered and stared at Jaycee. Bo pulled a dining room chair over, and turned it backwards, sitting down by Shelly. “So

are you going to come with us to the dance club?” Jaycee wanted to laugh. It seemed Bo was taken with Shelly. “I don’t know. What do you think, Shelly?” Jaycee asked. “Should we go?” “Sure, why not, since our last dance night got ruined. But are those bimbos over there going? Jaycee doesn’t need any more trouble.” Shelly stared at the females who talked to Jack’s mate. Bo turned around and glanced at the women. He shrugged. “I don’t know what they’re going to do, but Jaycee has nothing to worry about. Look at her mates. They’re drooling all over her. They can’t take their eyes off of her.” Bo leaned over and pretended to whisper to her. Jaycee shook her head. “They are not drooling over me, you fool, and we’ll see if they take their eyes off me when we get to the bar.” Jaycee laughed a sad laugh. Dane hugged her tighter.

Chapter Fourteen The bar was filled with members from Bo’s pack. Lights were down low and the band played. Jaycee looked around for Bo, knowing he had saved them a table. She found him next to the dance floor, waving at her. Remi and Dane escorted her towards Bo’s table. Jaycee giggled and her mates growled, as several males whistled when she walked by. “What’s wrong, boys?” Jaycee squealed when Dane pinched her ass. “You know what the hell is wrong. I knew I should have told you to change into jeans before we came here.” Remi grumbled and pulled out her chair. “I think she looks great. Plus, it’s a dancing dress, perfect for tonight.” Shelly laughed as she sat down. Bo sat down next to her. Jaycee glanced out on the dance floor. Jack’s mate danced with the bimbos who had been at her house for supper. All four of them stared at her and laughed as they talked. “You know, they can’t dance worth a shit,” Shelly snapped. “Oh my God, they’re playing All Souls Night! Let’s go,” Shelly grabbed her and pulled her on to the dance floor. Jaycee rolled her eyes and started to dance. She closed her eyes and soaked in the music, swaying to the female’s voice. Her dress flared when she moved, showing off her long legs and ass. She heard the whistles as they danced. Jaycee smiled, opened her eyes and looked at Remi. He pulled her into her arms and danced with her. His hips moved with hers, while he moved them around the dance floor. Jaycee couldn’t believe what a good dancer he was, for being so big. His muscles rippled, while he held her tight against him. His cock pushed against her leg as their legs made love on

the dance floor. Shelly danced with Bo. His hands traveled down to her ass, where he cupped it. Jaycee watched Shelly pull his hands back up to her hips. Jaycee smiled, knowing Bo was more than interested in her. Shelly had indeed met her true mate, and didn’t know it. “What are you smiling at?” Remi whispered in her ear, and following her gaze, he frowned. “He’s acting a little crazy lately, hasn’t he?” Remi glanced back down at her. Jaycee just shrugged her shoulders. “I think Shelly is Bo’s true mate. He’s been sniffing around her since she’s come here with me.” “Shit, that could get complicated since he’s a cat, and she’s a wolf.” Remi looked over at them again. “Not really. I know there is a couple in Bo’s pack that is also mixed, and they have children. It can happen. It just all depends on whose jeans are the strongest.” Remi walked her back to their table and sat down while Jaycee still stood. She looked at Shelly who walked up to the table with Bo. “Hey, Shelly, come with me to the ladies room, would you?” Jaycee pulled her towards the bathroom. “So tell, what do you think of Bo?” Jaycee smiled at Shelly. Shelly fidgeted around with her purse and pulled some lipstick out. “What do you mean? He’s your friend.” Shelly shrugged and Jaycee laughed. “You know damn well what I mean, Shelly. I can see in the way he stares at you. He can’t stop smelling you. And he is more of an older brother than a friend.” Jaycee nudged her with her elbow as she straightened her hair and looked in the mirror.

“I don’t know what I feel. That jackass before screwed with my head. I am afraid to trust my gut now. I feel connected to Bo, but I’m scared.” Jaycee pulled Shelly into her arms and hugged her. They stood there for a few minutes when Jaycee pulled back. “Now, I know it’s hard, but I really believe Bo’s your mate. If I were you, I would make his ass work for it. He’s had it too easy. If it’s true, I know I’m going to miss you, which means you’ll have to live here.” Jaycee shook her head. “It also means you’re going to have to deal with the bimbos outside, as alpha.” Jaycee laughed and ran for the door. Shelly ran after her. “You’re so mean, I’ll get you back!” Shelly chased her to their seats. Jaycee plopped down and laughed as Shelly took her seat. Bo pulled her closer to him. Shelly looked up at Jaycee, and they burst out laughing together. All the men looked at each other, knowing something was going on. “Where’s Mark?” Jaycee asked Dane, looking at him. She took a sip of her water. “He’ll be here in a few. He had to run an errand for us.” Dane said and kissed her cheek, smiling down at her. He had a twinkle in his eye, like he was planning something. “Okay, what are you up to now?” “What do you mean? Would I be up to anything?” He laughed and pulled her up out of her seat. “Let’s go dance.” He pulled her onto the dance floor as a slow song played. He grabbed her ass and pulled her closer to his body. Jaycee wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his massive chest. Dane moved her around, facing towards their table. One of the bitches went up to Remi, taking her seat. Jaycee stiffened, the hair on her arms stood straight, and wolf in her whined to rip the woman’s face off. She tried to slip out of Dane’s arms, but he held her tight.

“Watch!” he demanded and turned his head to watch also. Remi growled and the bitch jumped out of her seat, and backed up away from him. There was fear on girl’s face as she went back to the table with the other women. They all stared at him as they talked. Jaycee glanced back at Remi and he stared at her. There will be no others, I promise. I made one mistake. I won’t hurt you again, my little one. Jaycee smiled and laid her head back down on Dane’s chest. He whirled her around and dipped her. He stared down at her, smiling. “We won’t hurt you again, I promise.” Dane pulled her back up into his arms and kissed her hard, devouring her mouth with his. He moaned. His cock pumped on her stomach, his leg rubbed against her clit, as they danced. His hands traced the outside of her breasts and he pulled away from the kiss. The song stopped and he led her to the table. Jaycee looked up, Mark came in the bar with a handful of roses, dressed in black leather pants, and a black leather vest. He wore no shirt underneath, and his long blond hair flowed around him. Jaycee sucked in her breath. He looked like a god, standing there at the table, waiting for her. Dane pushed her towards him. She stared at the two dozen long-stemmed roses. Wrapped around them was a silk ribbon attached to a small jewelry box. Mark lifted her chin up with his fingers. “These are for you.” Mark handed her the flowers and the box attached to them. Jaycee sat down in her seat and pulled the box off the silk tie. She took a deep breath and opened the box. She sucked in her breath and tears streamed down her face. Jaycee looked up and saw all three of her mates on their knees in front of her, Remi in the middle. Remi pulled her hand into his and took the box away from her. “We ordered this two days ago, before all this crap started.” He pulled the huge ruby and diamond ring out of the box

and slipped it onto her wedding finger. “Would you marry us, Jaycee? I know we have a lot to make up for, and we have just begun our courting, but we won’t let you go.” Remi held onto her hand and watched her. She gazed around the room. The band had stopped playing and everyone awaited her response. Marsha and her family watched; she had a big smile on her face. Tears rolled down her face. She looked back at her mates and smiled. “I knew you were up to something, but I have a question. Do you mean the bonding ceremony?” Jaycee cupped Remi’s face. “We want both. We want to give you that wedding. You can plan the whole thing, whatever you want.” Dane brushed his fingers on her cheek and wiped her tears away. Jaycee rubbed her face against his hand. She looked at Mark. He smiled at her and a single tear dropped down his face. Jaycee reached over and wiped away the tear. “I know I can’t be hurt like earlier. If I accept, you have to promise me, even if you get mad at me, and you will get mad at me, as I will you…” Jaycee sighed and looked back at Remi. “I want you to promise me to talk to me, and don’t…” Her words trailed off as Remi put his fingers to her mouth and stopped her words. “We will never touch another female, we promise. When we saw the look in your eyes that night, we saw a part of you die, and it killed us. We can’t explain it, but it was like we could feel your heart break. We won’t let that happen again, baby.” Remi brought her ring finger up and kissed it. “Then, yes, I’ll marry you, but I want a week of courting here, Remi, before we go back. I want candles, romance, and most important, I want you to really get to know me as I want to get to know you.”

Remi pulled her into his arms, hugged her tight, and kissed her. He released her and Dane pulled her into his arms, kissing her. Cheers and whistles filled the room. Mark pulled her away from Dane, bending her body down. He stared into her eyes and took her mouth in a soft, demanding manner. Mark pulled her back up and broke his kiss. “We already planned to stay here for two weeks. We have talked to Bo and the others, and we’re going to be adding on to the cabin. We thought we would make it our vacation home. We’re going to need extra rooms for the babies, and guards that will come.” Mark grinned at her. Shelly pulled her away from the three of them and hugged her. Her mates got handshakes and hugs from others. “Bo has asked me to come to his place tonight.” Shelly stepped back and looked at her. “I’m going to go. I need to find out, plus I think you’ll be very busy tonight and I want to give you the whole cabin to have fun.” Shelly laughed. “Thanks, but you know you don’t have to leave the cabin. You have your own room. Go only if you want to.” Jaycee stared into her friend’s face. “I want to. Who wouldn’t? Look at him. He’s a hunk walking on two legs. Plus, I need some hot sex, and I feel he’s going to be hot.” Shelly laughed with her. Marsha came up to both of them. “I think I’m going to have a new daughter soon, am I right?” she asked them both and smiled, hugging Jaycee. “Congrats, baby. I knew they would come around, but if they ever hurt you again I told them I would turn them into toads and make toad soup.” Jaycee turned to see her mates coming towards her. Her heart fluttered, her stomach knotted, and her palms itched. Well, Pierre, I’m giving them their last chance. Please help them

and me. I can’t take the hurt anymore. Be happy, Jaycee, and let them love you the way you deserve. I’ll be watching and guiding them. Remi smiled and drew his finger down her face. “He’ll kill me if I screw up this time.” “Hell, he’ll kill us all.” Dane muttered and kissed his neck. “For a ghost, he sure can yell.” Jaycee threw her had back and laughed. Was this what it felt like to be loved, and cherished? All three of them looked at her and said in unison. “We’ve only begun, baby.” THE END