A Taste for a Mate (11 page)

“Tell me about mating.” The words tumbled from her mouth before she lost the nerve. “I know Jasper is my mate; I feel it here.” She laid her hand on her heart, the beat pressing into her palm reminding her she was alive and connected to Jasper. “But I don’t understand why others say Jasper had a choice. What don’t I know?” Pain radiated through her chest at the thought of losing Jasper. That couldn’t happen.

Reed furrowed his brow. “Jasper didn’t explain it to you?” He shook his head. “I don’t think I’m the right person to tell you. That is something between you and Jasper.”

She gripped his hand harder, a lifeline to the unknown. “If I ask him, he’ll think I question our bond, that I don’t want him. That isn’t how I ^ ped hisfeel, but I don’t know anything about the Pack.” Frustrated, she ground her teeth. “Just tell me. I won’t leave him. I can’t leave him. But I need to know.” Her brother-in-law let out a breath. “Fine. But if Jasper tries to kick my ass, I blame you.” A slight quirk of his lips softened his threat.

“Fate decides who’s our perfect companion, who can connect our souls and complete our future. However, with the lifespan of a werewolf, fate’s been kind. There are people out there with the potential to be our mate. We need only find them and mate them.”

There were others? What she shared with Jasper wasn’t unique? He could have another mate? Her heart clenched as thoughts swirled her mind, leaving her nauseated.

“Stop that, Willow. That’s not what I meant. Jasper chose you. You are the ideal mate for him. Anyone else he could’ve mated wouldn’t be perfect.”

She shook her heat vigorously. “No, he didn’t choose me. He was forced into it. Don’t you understand?” Fear crept up her spine and she blinked away tears. Reed griped her chin, forcing her gaze back to his.

“Look at me. Jasper chose you. He chose you the moment he walked into your bakery all those months ago. He just wanted to take things slow. You can blame him for going at a snail’s pace if you’d like.” Reed gave a small laugh before continuing. “Just because fate allows us the option of different mates, it is truly difficult to find the one perfect mate. Jasper and you are mates. He marked you so cannot choose another while you live. And frankly, why would he? I see the way you two look at each other. And, Willow, honey, remember that we can hear great distances. Your home isn’t exactly sound proof.” A wicked smile crossed his lips as heat scalded her cheeks.

“Oh.” Yeah, that sounded intelligent. She wrote a mental note to ask Jasper for some heavy drapes to dampen the sound from their bedroom. And their living room. And the kitchen…

“At least we know you two completed, right?” Reed laughed at his own joke as mortification set in. The Jamensons were a little too close for comfort sometimes.

“But I haven’t marked him. What does that mean?”

Reed frowned. “That means you could leave him if you wanted. It would hurt the both of you like hell, but it could happen.”

Oh.

“But I would never do that.”

His face softened. “I know that, Wil.”

“But seriously, Jasper and you are two halves of a whole. Believe me. Did Jasper tell you about Kade?” Her face must have revealed her confusion because Reed continued. “Before Kade met Melanie, he’d found another potential mate in Tracy. His wolf felt an ability to connect with her, and because she was a werewolf, he thought she would be a decent choice. However, Kade wasn’t the only one who felt a connection to Tracy. ”

Reed shook his head and took a deep breath. “His best friend, Grant, sensed it too.” Anger flashed across his face and he stopped talking.

Bewilderment settled in. Every time she spoke with a Pack member she learned something that blew away her expectations of normal.

“Two mates? What did Tracy do?” she asked.

“Tracy wanted them both and refused to choose, forcing Kade and Grant to fight for the right to mate her.”

Alarm traveled up her spine. “What do you mean fight for her?” No way. Fighting like cavemen for a woman?

“They fought in the circle as men. Fist against fist. Flesh against flesh. But Kade’s heart wasn’t in it, so he conceded.” With a shrug, Reed looked as if he didn’t care Tracy wasn’t his sister-in-law.

“But that’s barbaric!”

“Willow, we aren’t human. We’re werewolves.” He lifted an eyebrow. “You have taken everything we have thrown at you amazingly well, but is that because you still don’t believe?” Concern was evident on his face with something else. Pity?

“I’m trying, Reed.” Frustration engulfed her. Dammit, this was so new to her, wasn’t she allowed a moment to be unsure?

“Don’t feel sorry for Kade. It was because of the whole incident he met Melanie. After the circle he needed a night to himself, so we set him up on a blind date. As fate would have it, Melanie was his date and his mate.” Reed laughed at his rhyme.

Willow rolled her eyes. Gah, even concerning serious topics, men could still act like they were twelve.

“So it worked out for Kade because there was a backup for him? Is it always like that?” The woman from the circle came to her mind – Camille. Willow pushed away jealous thoughts. Jasper was hers.

Again, Reed’s face was so open the sorrow that swept his face broke her heart. “Not always. Not for Adam. Not for Anna.” The sound of the woman’s name across his lips brought an ache to her chest, though she couldn’t place why.

Reed took a steadying breath before continuing. “Adam was on a hunt when Anna was taken from their home. Before we could find her, she’d been raped and beaten. She was also pregnant with their first young.” Tears ran down his cheeks, and Reed’s voice broke. Poor Anna. Poor Adam.

“Maddox is the Omega, Willow. He could feel every painful blow Anna felt. Everything done to her, and been helpless to stop it. By the time we could get to her, Maddox was in a catatonic shock. There was nothing we could do. She was gone.” Reed choked on his words. “There was no back up for him. He still feels her loss. We all do.”

She couldn’t take it anymore. Willow opened her arms and held Reed. This was Pack. Comforting one another, staying strong. This was something she could do.

Reed kissed the top of her head and stepped back. “Jasper would kill me if he came in and saw me in your arms. I happen to value my life.” Their laughed quickly dissipated the tension.

“You are going to make some woman very happy one day Reed.” His open heart and good nature would be a gift to anyone.

“Or man.” He winked as Willow stared in shock.

“Man?” Well, that was unexpected.

“I’m open to either – or both. As long as there is a bond I’m happy.” Reed smiled.

Huh, that was a nice way to look at it.

“Well then, good for you.” They laughed together again as Reed picked up his forgotten paintbrush.

Chapter 11

Willow finally settled into life at the den. Being pulled forcefully from her normal routine and thrust into the world of the paranormal seemed to work for her. When the Central Pack abducted her, the bakery had been destroyed beyond repair. When they first saw the damage, they’d thought it was merely a few chairs and decorations. But Reggie and Isaac were thorough.

Bastards.

Her ovens and stoneware, gone or broken. Everything wasted. Willow’s heart clenched at her broken dream. It wasn’t fair. What had she done to deserve this? Everything she’d worked for was gone.

Jasper’s response to the destruction was simple. Start fresh. They would use this horrible event to combine their lives and build together. Willow may have lost part of her life with the loss of her bakery, but her mate incorporated her into his life. That was more important than a few lost cinnamon rolls.

As it was, her talents in the kitchen weren’t going to waste. Every morning she’d cook for him and her various new family members who “accidentally” showed up unexpectantly. That was something she was getting used to. Nothing like being bent over their kitchen table with a good morning from Jasper as a hungry werewolf walks through the door. Talk about embarrassing.

Her bakery might be closed but not her desire to feed people. It was amazing h ^ r tow well Jasper knew her after only such a short time. The center of the Den housed many small shops and provided goods for the needs and wants of the Pack. But there wasn’t a place to eat that didn’t involve going to someone’s home. Here Willow could find her place, though she wasn’t a werewolf – yet.

No matter how successful she’d thought she was before, the love radiating from Jasper and his family truly made her happy.

Willow took a deep breath and inhaled the mountain air. The crisp scent tugged at her heart and invigorated her bones.

“I love the air here. I mean I know it’s only like twelve miles or so from where I lived before, but it just seems so much cleaner here.” She breathed again and closed her eyes.

“I think you are sensing the magic in our air.”

Willow opened her eyes at Reed’s statement.

“Huh?” In the circle she’d thought she’d felt something, but smelling magic? That was a bit too weird for her.

“We’re high up in the mountains in the most beautiful forest in the Americas, if not the world, so yes, the air is clean. But what makes it cling to your soul is the Pack magic inherent in everything we do. I know you aren’t a werewolf, but you’re connected through your bond with Jasper. You will be a little more open to feeling these things than an average human.” Reed smiled and led her to a vacant building.

A familiar warmth spread though her heart and she smiled at the gorgeous specimen of man walking toward her.

“Jasper.” His name was a reverent whisper. She couldn’t help it.

Before she knew what she was doing, the smell of forest and mate surrounded her as she ran to him and Jasper clutched her tightly to his chest. His heart beat soundly against her cheek. Home.

“Mmm, it has been too long since I have seen you, my Willow.” His lips were a light brush of sensual taste against hers.

“It’s only been since this morning, Jasper.” Smiling, she took his parted lips as an invitation, melding her tongue to his.

A discreet cough behind them reminded her of Reed’s presence.

“Not that that wasn’t hot, but really, I thought we came here for a reason.” Reed’s smile belied his sarcasm.

“Guess we did. Come, let me show you.” Jasper kissed her brow and took her hand.

He grinned mischievously, and she smiled. He was up to something. What could he be planning with an old abandoned building?

“Jasper? It’s an empty building. I mean, it’s a nice one, f >

“I know you’ve been putting on a brave face with losing your bakery. Wil, baby, that place was your dream. The product of your hard work and love. I know I can never replace that for you, but I can help us move on together. “This place? It’s yours.” Jasper opened his arms pointing to the barren walls and open space.

“What?” Her pulse quickened. Hers?

“Wil, you’ve been cooking and baking for Pack members for the four weeks you’ve been here and asked for nothing in return. The Pack and I recognize your passion for what you do, and we want to show you how much we love you. Open a bakery here, or do what you want with it. I know you want to contribute, and this is how you can do it. The Pack wants you – I want you.” Jasper’s jade eyes begged her to take the chance, to be part of his Pack in more than name.

“Mine? I mean…” She choked on a sob as the rush of love and acceptance swept through her. They wanted her. They respected what she had to offer.

“Yours.”

“Oh, Jasper, I love you. Thank you.” She jumped into his arms and wrapped her legs around his waist.

“Still here, guys.” Reed’s voice startled her as Jasper laughed. “But really, Willow, we all want you to feel like you belong. And once you decide exactly what you are going to do, let me know. These grey and lonely walls are begging for a mural and my hands are itching to comply.”

Again, her heart almost burst with joy and love as she slid down Jasper’s body to plant her feet.

“What a pretty picture. The lovebirds and the twink.” A vicious snarl and cruel words brought their celebration to a screeching halt. Camille. God, that woman was a bitch in every sense of the word. Beside the female wolf, Fredrick glared like the bully he was. Ever since the circle, those two had been inseparable and, frankly, annoying as hell. They just couldn’t seem to get over whatever grudge they held. It felt like high school all over again.

“Camille, you really need to get over yourself and lose the attitude. It does nothing for your complexion,” Reed said.

Camille shot a venomous look at Reed before sauntering toward Jasper.

“I see you’ve bought your helpless plaything a new store. What’s next? This little human will never be part of us, Jasper. What were you thinking when you mated this piece of trash? She will never be like us. I can’t believe you chose her when you could have had me, a real werewolf. Not something that needs to be changed in order to fit in.”

Camille’s toxic rant disgusted Willow. She knew there were some in the Pack that valued pure lines and magic by birth, but it had never been thrown in her face before.