Page 32 of The Price They Paid

“Fuck!” I held her hips to mine as I came again in waves. She gripped the sheets as her body responded to mine, accepting everything I gave. The howling outside the window of my pack brushed away the walls and confines of the house as I imagined being in the midnight glow with my mate. She was perfect in every way, and her strength only added to mine. She turned her neck to me, offering her submission. I kissed her bare neck and licked the spot that I so desperately wanted to mark.

The tie that once kept me swollen inside her, finally loosened and I slowly slid out of her beautiful body. I held her tightly and kissed her shoulder. If only she could be mine in every sense of the word.

My mind wandered back to that day in the hospital when I was forced to mate her or give her the last of my life force. Alice warned me that I was playing Russian roulette every time that I healed Justice without mating her.

“Seuss, it’s time.” Alice encouraged.

I was growing weaker each time, and I knew today would be the last day. I couldn’t lose Justice, I’d just gotten her. I’d give her my all though.

I walked into the room and held onto Justice for as long as I could before I had to make a move. I’d already made my decision.

I spoke the words that would bind our hearts together forever. “Mate of mine, the choice is yours, but I give to ye the whole of my heart and the depths of my soul. Accept me as yours and I shall be, wolf and all.”

Justice looked at me through heavy lids and gave her response. “No, you can’t be.”

“Why?” I asked.

“I’m destined to be alone. I have no mate.”

The words ached as they processed. Was she not the one?

“You are mine,” I pushed.

“No …” Her eyes closed for a minute and then she stared at me in confusion.

I concealed the pain of her rejection with a smile. I put the decision into the hands of my faith. The gods could decide my fate. I fed her the last of my life force while the bond was open. I smelled Alice and Alec shortly after, but I continued giving to Justice until Alec broke the connection and transported me here. I welcomed death if it meant that my mate would continue to live.

***

Justice was wrapped all around me come morning. My head was buried in the curls on top of her head and my hands cupped her ass. This is the way that every morning should be spent. We’d coupled several times during the night, but nothing came close to that first time.

“Good morning, Odysseus,” Justice whispered against my chest.

“Good morning, my little vixen.” I said.

Justice looked up at me and nibbled my lips before I took hers.

“Mmm …” she moaned. “Does this mean that you’re all healed?”

I shook my head no. Except for during sex with her, I hadn’t felt my wolf since I’d been awake.

“It’s your wolf, isn’t it?” she asked.

I didn’t answer her, I just looked into her knowing eyes.

“When you’d first awakened I could hear your thoughts. You couldn’t feel him. It’s your wolf.”

I nodded once and began to pull away from her. The fact that I couldn’t feel my wolf was the worst fucking feeling. It left behind an empty feeling that couldn’t be healed. Last night when I’d felt him it was almost too good to be true. When he slipped back into the shadows, I couldn’t find him again.

“Maybe I can help?” Justice smiled. “But you have to trust me.”

“I do.” More than I’d ever admit to her or myself.

Justice climbed on top of me, and I knew her wolf was near. Her eyes glowed, and she leaned down to kiss me. “Get a shower and I’ll go get what I need.”

“Deal.”

Justice rolled off me and sauntered into her room. I didn’t know what she was up to, but I was willing to try it if it meant I’d get my wolf back. I sat up and headed to the shower. This time, I was putting my faith in my woman.

---