Page 34 of Finding Her Panthers

“James, why don’t you go upstairs and wait for Harmony in her room.” Jax cuffs a hand on his shoulder, firmly suggesting.

“Right.” He nods, giving me one more look.

Jax waits until he hears my door close. “I need to go make sure Blue is alright. I want you to go upstairs and lay down.

“Why? Really, I’m okay.”

“I am not worried about you, baby girl. James is right. The fierceness of your spirit can not be dimmed. You made it through hell and back, stronger, smarter, and better than all of us. But James is not okay. He needs to hold you, to know you are here with us. He has been protected his whole life. Not that he doesn’t know or has not seen the evil in this world but to hear all that evil that you endured. That’s something else entirely.” He watches as his words sink in. “I will find and kill every single person that hurt you. I will want the names of those people.” He runs his hand down the side of my head before resting it against my throat. “I will bring Blue back when he calms down. He will feel bad for that display of weakness and anger, afraid he scared you. I will bring him back to you. To sleep next to you too. Don’t mistake my desire to be with you too, but I will then need to go for a run, patrol the land and shake off this uncontrollable rage.” He tightens his hand.

“Yes, Alpha.” Knowing what it will mean, I tilt my head to the side and down in submission to his authority. This man has proved to be his worth. After all I told them, he is still willing to take me as his mate. He protects his brothers in every way and, in turn, me.

His purr echoes throughout the house. His approval was radiating from his body to mine. “If the timing were different, I would mark you with my bite. You please me, mate. You equal me.” He whispers against my mouth. The kiss he gives me conveys his pride. “Go before I change my mind.”

I follow his direction, backing away, his hand falling from my neck reluctantly. His eyes burned, tracking me up the stairs.

When I reach my closed door, I hear the front door slam. Entering my room, I can barely see the shape on the bed, the curtains closing out the lightning sky.

My eyes adjust quickly, my panther taking over to see James laid flat on his back, one arm bent behind his head. The other hand fisting the sheet. He stripped down to his boxers, his body on full display. Not knowing if it’s the best idea, I hope his reaction is positive. I crawl from the bottom of the bed up to his body, slowly sliding my curtained hair from his feet to his chest, leaving a trail of kisses along the way. I end up on all fours, straddling him.

“Thank you for your words. They mean so much to me. I need you to know that,” I whisper. My hair now surrounds us in a protective bubble. His harsh breath bathed my face in the heat.

“Don’t thank me for the truth. The things you told us. I have no idea what to do with the things I am feeling. I had never felt them before. I am bursting with pride for the mate that was chosen for us. We are so lucky to have you here. But I have a burning ball of rage in the pit of my stomach for the people that hurt you.”

“Hey, I am here with you. They can’t hurt me anymore unless I let them. I refuse to live my life anymore in fear.” I lean down to brush his lips with mine, once, twice. “You have me if you want me. I won’t run.”

“You promise?”

“I promise. I will never run from you. The only way I will leave is if you no longer want me or someone drags me out.”

He growls low.

“Let’s think of a word, something that I can say if I’m in trouble or if you think I ran.”

He contemplates my idea. “Alright.” He pauses. “What was the woman's name?”

“Alexa. Her name was Alexa,” I say wistfully.

“If you are ever in trouble, you say Alexa, and I will know.”

I nod, sealing our deal with a kiss. We leisurely kiss, lovingly hold on to each other. He doesn’t push for more. That’s not James. I can tell how much he desires me. As Jax said, now is not the time, but I want to comfort him.

I trail my hand down his chest, sliding my body off of his to press close to his side, nuzzling my head in the crook of his neck. I caress the rugged ridges of him, revel in the knowledge that he will always be by my side. I lightly follow the edge of the waistband of his boxers, teasingly slipping one finger underneath—his breath stutters.

He grabs my hand, stopping me from going further. “You don’t have to. It’s enough to just have you beside me.”

“Let me. I want to.” He gradually releases my hand, resting it back behind his head.

I continue exploring his waist, prolonging the moment. Finally, I slip my hand inside his boxers, finding steel. He’s long, much longer than anyone in my experiences. I glide my hand down the length of him, relishing the soft velvet. Brushing my thumb slowly over the tip causes his hips to thrust, his moan flooding the room. I gradually increase my speed, his pleasure over my touch intoxicating.

He lowers his head to mine, his harsh breathing close to my ear, affecting my own needs. “Let me touch you,” he begs.

“This is just for you. At this moment, our moment, just for you,” I whisper, earning a purr.

I squeeze harder, taking cues from his body, getting to know what he likes. I can tell he’s getting close, so I brush the tip over and over, then go back to encompassing as much as I can of his cock with my small hand.

It must have been the right move as he explodes all over my hand. I have never really enjoyed the stickiness of men's come. But having James by my side, the echoes of his passion ringing in my ears and his warmth on my hand, I smile.

“Fuck. That was amazing, sweetheart. Thank you.” His voice is sleepy and satisfied.

---