Blood Oath (#3, Mystic Wolves) (5 page)

“We’re lying here together, talking about
kissing, and you’re focused on my hair? There’s something wrong
with this picture, babe. Drastically wrong.”

“Well, do something about it then …,” I
lowered my voice to a gentle hush. “Mr. Big, Bad Wolf.” I grinned
back at him and winked.

His eyes flared, the wolf surfacing briefly
to answer the call before he offered a wicked smile that threatened
to scorch my insides. “That sounded very much like a dare. Sure you
want to go there?”

“Oh, I very much want to go there. If you
think you have what it takes, then step up to the plate and show me
what you’ve got.” I winked before adding, “That’s unless you think
you’re not capable.”

Vixen,
was the only word I heard
before he seized my mouth completely, setting me on fire with the
mastery of his touch. Heat built up, whipping around us as his
tongue repeatedly swirled and plunged in my mouth. Mason answered
my taunts with a kiss so spectacular, I thought my body would lift
off the bed and float away.

He was relentless, methodical in his
ministrations, easing up to let me catch my breath before sinking
me back under and stealing it again. My entire being focused solely
on him and the exquisite feeling pulsating through me.

I didn’t flinch as his hand tugged on my
shirt, pulling it free from my jeans. Neither did I pause when I
felt his warm fingers rest on my rib cage. His touch excited me,
the way it caused me to tingle, and he absolutely turned my world
upside down.

Arching my back, I pressed my skin into his
palm so wherever he had contact branded me. I didn’t know where to
focus on—my mouth or my body. Everything about him was unraveling
me, one blinding stroke at a time.

I felt myself being lifted, so unaware of my
surroundings, and I almost toppled when I found myself placed on my
feet. Saving me from face planting onto my bed, Mason chuckled,
scooping me up in his arms.

“Just as I expected, you can’t even stand! I
win the challenge.”

I tried to tell him not to gloat, that it
wasn’t becoming, but all I could do was laugh, completely dazed and
bewitched. He had literally kissed me senseless.

Watching Mason pause, he tilted his head to
the side as if listening, and I knew something was happening. To
some it may seem strange, but I’d seen him receive messages through
the pack connection enough to know someone needed the Alpha.

“Duty calls?” I asked, finally able to find
my voice. Slowly, I was beginning to focus on my surroundings, the
effect of his kiss fading. All but the burn, which I knew would
take a little longer to extinguish.

“Yeah. I need to go check something out, but
before I do ...,” he stopped talking and left the room, entering
the adjoining bathroom. I heard things being moved around, bottles
being picked up and placed back before the sound of water filling
in the bathtub reached me. A few moments later he returned, a man
on a mission, and lifted me into his arms.

“A new command from your Alpha.” He winked at
me as he set me on my feet in the bathroom. Without waiting, he
began to undress me before placing me in the soothing hot water. A
quick smell told me he added bath salts—lavender and eucalyptus—my
favorite.

“Try to relax from now until I come and get
you for Jasmine’s farewell. Just lie here and soak in the tub.
Dream about all the kisses I’ve yet to give you and nothing else.
I’ll be back in about an hour or so.”

He glanced around, looking as though he’d
forgotten something. He hurried out of the room before returning
with the paperback novel I’d left resting on the bedside table. “In
case, you feel like reading.” He winked.

I went to say something, but he leaned
forward, not caring about the water that sloshed up and wet him as
he kissed me quickly on the lips. “I love you.”

Smiling, I closed my eyes, moaning about how
good my muscles were beginning to feel. This wasn’t about me
getting clean, my shower earlier having taken care of it. I let my
body relax, and softly hummed a random tune to myself.

This kind of pampering could be easy to get
used to. I lifted my hand out of the water, watching the way it
trickled down and the noise it made as it splashed.

“Go be the Alpha, Mason. I’ll be here when
you get back.” I waved lazily, the effects of the lavender already
lulling me into a contented state. “If you get back in time and the
water is still warm enough, maybe you can join me.”

It was hard to miss the flare of desire as he
contemplated the idea. “Count on it.” Leaving the room, hearing the
door close behind him, I slid down in the tub, fully immersing
myself.

This felt like heaven.

The evening’s breeze felt good against my
warm skin. Standing on the edge of the garden’s perimeter, I took a
moment to take in everything and let out a sigh. With my hand
securely grasped in his, I felt the gentle tug of Mason pulling me
forward.

Whoever prepared the outside had done a
phenomenal job, one worthy to be a tribute for a beloved pack
sister and friend. With the sun having finally set and the chirp of
cicadas filling the air, it was the perfect night, and I sent an
upward thanks to the gods. I didn’t want anything to tarnish the
ritual, this being the final show of respect from the Pack.

The lawn was aglow with what seemed like
countless lanterns, candles aflame that cast delicate shadows upon
the ground. It set an almost ethereal mood on those already in
attendance, everyone speaking in reverent tones as they huddled
together in small, intimate groups.

A hush came over everyone as they noticed us
pass through. Hands reached out in comfort and condolences, some
breaking away from others to speak brief words of solace. Jasmine’s
death had shaken us as a whole. I could see it reflected in
everyone’s faces and the tears that were already beginning to
flow.

There wasn’t just pack members here, others
from the supernatural community had come to pay their homage, and
it showed the level of admiration and respect Mason had earned for
them to be here.

Devlin stood closely by his King, Zane, and a
quick glance had me finding Vlad standing off to one side, looking
awkward.

As we passed by Zane, Mason stopped and
accepted the embrace he was pulled into. There was history between
these two great leaders, and it was an affectionate one. The
vampire king whispered something into the Alpha’s ear, his hand
resting firmly on his shoulder.

I walked Devlin’s arms, his body offering
temporary comfort as he also murmured how truly sorry he was.

Moving to Mason’s side, I missed the short
conversation, but caught the end nod of agreement, and the brief
pat on the back before we continued on to the front of the
congregation. With chairs arranged in lines and an aisle down the
center, Vivien faced us on the dais that had been erected. Wearing
the ceremonial robes befitting her station as the lead witch, she
looked elegant and deeply saddened.

I thought I had no more tears left as our
eyes linked, and she inclined her head to the side as if reading
me. Vivien was someone who I greatly admired, and I cherished the
relationship we’d been able to foster. She was a wise confidante,
someone with unfailing loyalty, and I could feel the calming energy
she radiated into the crowd, as she stepped down and walked towards
us.

Her arms opened for Mason. “Darling boy, I’m
so sorry. This is something I couldn’t have foreseen and would
never have wished for you. To lose both parents, and now your
sister, you are too young to have experienced such loss.” I watched
as the embrace ended, and she caressed the side of his face.
“Please know I am here should you ever need to talk. Your mother
would’ve been so proud.”

The comment seemed to make him stand a little
taller, and I was grateful he’d been given that reminder. Even
though his relationship with his father had been tenuous at best,
he had been close to his mother and she would’ve loved to have seen
the man he was.

Vivien continued to hold Mason’s attention.
“Remember, brave Alpha, this too shall pass, and before you know
it, you’ll be reunited with your beloved sister. Keep your focus on
the future.” I loved hearing the slight accent she had. I hastily
brushed away my tears, and she turned to me. Using her finger to
slant my face back, she gazed deeply into my eyes—looking, reading,
studying.

Taking hold of both of our hands, she clasped
them together, squeezing them with hers before releasing them.
“Yes, you truly are the perfect match. You will both be fine and
will rise above what is to come.”

She nodded to herself, pleased, before
turning her focus onto the crowd gathered. She really did give off
a regal air, and I could see why so many people held her in high
esteem. She was a revered leader and a formidable opponent. With
the ritual soon to start, we walked alongside her back up on to the
dais.

A feeling beckoned me, pulling my gaze away
and I looked behind Vivien. I found myself staring at Jasmine lying
on the makeshift altar. She was shrouded in the most exquisite
sheer material, and she looked like something out of a
fairytale.

She wore a simple shift of lavender,
intricate beading on the bodice the only embellishment. Her hair
was brushed out and arranged into braids, with small blossoms and
ribbons threaded through. I noticed again how peaceful she looked,
like a slumbering princess waiting for her prince to come and kiss
her back to life. Surrounding her body were flowers of every kind,
and the floral scent filled the air.

“She always was the beautiful one of the
family.”

My quiet musings were broken by the soft
words of Mason.

“I used to tease her about all the broken
hearts she’d leave in her wake. I guess she’ll be doing that where
she is now.” He wore a gentle smile, but I saw the pain behind
it.

“She loved her big brother,” I replied,
catching a stray tear with my finger.

Vivien came up behind us, motioning for us to
take our seats and I mouthed to my future mate my belief we’d get
through this.

Paying one last look at his treasured
sibling, Mason led us down to the waiting chairs at the front. I
noticed April was sitting alone a few rows back and I motioned for
her to join us before turning my gaze to the front.

Lifting her arms in a welcoming fashion,
small balls of light seemed to appear out of nowhere and floated
above us in the air. A reminder of the power she held, it also
increased the beauty of the moment and signaled the beginning of
the ritual. I couldn’t help but gaze upwards and marvel at the
magic involved as they faintly twinkled like mini fireflies
dancing.

“I welcome you here tonight, esteemed family
and friends of the Mystic Wolves pack. It’s with troubled hearts we
gather to say a goodbye to our dearest Jasmine, sister of the
Alpha. But more importantly, we meet to celebrate the life of one
who shone brightly in the short time she was amongst us.”

A warm sensation settled over me like a sigh
and I snuggled in closer to Mason. Fitting perfectly under his arm,
I rested my hand on his thigh, and he placed his on top of mine. It
seemed as though the world stopped still, taking time from its
constant orbit to witness the sacred rite. Everything subsided, all
noise and commotion waning as if a powerful spell was being cast.
We were pulled into its weave, its heady influence offering a peace
greatly needed.

“Life doesn’t always go as we expect it to.
Even with the most marvelous of powers, we’re helpless against
what’s written in the stars. Whether you believe in fate, or free
will, there’s always some kind of plan, some intricate design which
governs over us and keeps the balance. Even when that balance is
threatened, tearing us away from those we love, we must continue to
trust there is a purpose, and hold on tightly to those who still
walk with us.”

“The humans have an interesting
saying—
there is a time and a season for everything.
As
supernatural beings, we also hold this belief true. Just as we
rejoice in the blessings brought with each new life, we also mourn
when one is extinguished. It’s particularly hard when death comes
beckoning early, or without reason, but I would share with you
this—don’t let grief weigh you down so much that you lose your way
on the path. Feel what you will. Cry your tears, but always
remember, even in the darkest of times there is hope. Remember
those who have passed on and show your gratitude for them by
continuing to live in a way that honors them. That way no life is
ever wasted. Each life is revered and cherished.”

“Jasmine was a precious soul, one blessed to
be born into the werewolf legacy. We’re each given unique traits, a
heritage that ties us together as a community, and none are more
fascinating than the lupus. The spirit of a human and wolf residing
in the same vessel, a lifetime spent together as intimate
companions. Each soul brings to the partnership strength and
abilities, both seeking to find that perfect balance as they learn
and accept one another. Our beloved sister and friend was at the
beginning of her journey, her education only started, but already
she had shown a great depth of character and compassionate heart.
She and her wolf will be greatly missed, but never far away.”

Having been to many funerals, this next part
was always something that struck me deeply. It was the ritual of
farewell where the body was consumed by witch’s fire, releasing the
spirits into the air so they could continue their journey into the
afterlife together. There were many different tales about what
happens next, each pack and group adding their own slant, so I was
curious to see how Vivien spun her tale.