No Quarter (7 page)

No more wondering what he was thinking or feeling, the connection was complete. To her surprise that wasn’t all, she could sense…feel exactly what she felt like to him. How his cock felt against her inner walls. To him, she was warm, wet, and tight. Sensing her from his point of view overwhelmed her with a new kind of arousal.

He eased in and out of her. “Wow, I’ll never get used to that.”

Sensing lovemaking from both sides was a new experience…it had her on edge, pressure building. With both her hands on his hips, she pulled him in and bucked against him. She could feel his excitement, his pleasure coupled with her own.

The coupling caused them both to pick up the pace as he thrust into her, she cried out for more, as if he had more to give. He scooped his arms between her and the bed, holding her still as he planted his mouth on hers and pushed harder and harder. She moaned into his mouth, as her intensity built, she could feel his mounting until they couldn’t last…until they couldn’t stop. He pushed into her as they both cried out their orgasm.

He rolled off of her, but did not let her go. He pulled her into him, placing her head on his chest, her leg draped over his.

That was beautiful.
She smiled as joy and relief took her. The sting of tears assaulted her eyes, the beauty of Colin’s mind and soul invading her to her core.

“Yes, it was.”

“Okay, you’re voice in my head will take a little getting used to. But really, it feels so relaxing to know how you’re feeling. To know that this isn’t one sided.” She stroked her fingers along his chest.

With a deep breath, he exhaled. “We can both relax.” He kissed her forehead. “We’re together forever, Nala. I felt you, your loneliness. You never,
ever
, have to feel that again. Do you understand? As long as I am breathing, you’ll never be alone.”

Watching someone sleep while they’re at their most relaxed and vulnerable, might seem creepy to an onlooker. But Nala studied Colin. As his deep heartache for his prior spouse eased, his heart made room for her. She didn’t have to ask. She didn’t have to guess, because now, she could feel it. He was elated to be her mate.

The biggest surprise for her was his fear of rejection. Though he tried to hide it, his mind spoke to hers; relieved she’d accepted him—wanted him for a mate.

Her cheeks pulled at her lips, pulling her usually taught lips into an easy smile. This might not be how she thought her marriage would go—her bond. She’d always thought it to be more rabid, during a heat, with dire need causing her to rip her mate’s clothing to shreds as she took him continually until her need was at ease. This…was better. The bonding had been sweet. Their first time making love had been…romantic. Romance wasn’t something in which she was well acquainted.

His elation had one strong, albeit negative side effect. More, now than ever, she had to work harder to be certain she would survive a challenge—many if necessary.

Burden.

She’d have to learn to turn of the heavy burden so her mate wouldn’t know exactly how she felt most days. Sure, he’d understand. He’d been an Alpha with a family. But what would the rules be if she were with child? Would the challenge still be held if she were bursting with a pup inside her? How could she waddle around pregnant and fight to the death?

The gravity of her situation only weighed her down and burst the her post-coital bubble. Rolling away from her mate, she buried her face in her pillow, holding in a scream of frustration. Just like the rest of her life, she’d have to take it one day at a time, one foot in front of the other.

They had a meeting in just over an hour. A meeting regarding security, and security was of utmost importance. She left her husband to nap while she took another quick shower. Standing in her closet, she pulled the towel off her wet hair and hung it on the door before shimmying on panties. As she pulled on her jeans, she was startled by a gentle knock on the closet door.

“Are you okay? All I can feel from you is stress.” Colin stood in the doorway, wearing only his boxers. His hair was a mess atop his head.

She shifted her weight to the balls of her feet as she stood topless in front of him. She looked at him for a second more than was comfortable before she pulled a bra around her arms. “I’m fine. We have this meeting about the Separatists and I don’t want to walk down there a mess. The bite on my neck will tell the pack all they need to know.” She hoped he’d accept her answer at face value.

After pulling a tank over her head, she saw her loving husband with his arms crossed over his chest. Okay, the bond. No more white lies. “A thought occurred to me and it upset me. Okay?” Just thinking about it felt like someone had punched her square in the stomach. “What happens if I’m challenged while pregnant? I mean, we haven’t talked about…but still.”

“That’s simple. You don’t fight. You name a proxy. It’s what packs do to protect an elder, and a pregnant Lycan female is no different.”

Of course it’s so simple for you!
How could she nominate someone else to die in her place?

“No. It’s not. That would be my pup in there,” he said pointing at her stomach. “An innocent. No one would stand for it, least of all me.”

She reached in a drawer pulling out a fresh pair of socks and then pushed past him. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

“Wait!” He grabbed her arm, spinning her around to face him. When she came to a stop, he slid his palms over her cheeks. “FOSE has just been established. We’ll all have new laws to follow. There’s no way on the planet Grace hasn’t thought of this. If women are to rule, then pregnancy will be a factor in a challenge. Either the challenge will wait, or the Beta will fight. I know it seems more complicated but we have to cross that bridge when we come to it.” He slid his arms around her.

She allowed herself to lean into him, allowed his warmth to envelop her.

“I told you. You’ll never be alone again. You need to start believing me.” He kissed the top of his head. “Now I’m going to take a shower.
You
…take five seconds and breathe.” He left her standing there as he headed to the bathroom.

Breathe. Okay.
She took a few cleansing breaths, then slid on her socks and shoes. Colin’s words had eased her nerves somewhat, but an Alpha is supposed to care for her pack and it was a duty she took to heart. She wanted it…fought for it.
She
was a
leader
. Leaders don’t lose their shit.

He stepped out of the bathroom with nothing on…not even a towel. When he crossed in front of her, he turned, shaking his butt in her face.

She burst into laughter and smacked his ass cheek. “Get dressed!”

“You’re much prettier when you smile.” He winked over his shoulder as he rubbed the red handprint on his butt.

Her heart skipped a beat every time her mate flirted with her. Secretly, she hoped it never went away. She focused on him as he stood in his closet, dressing. He was lighter. His smile seemed semi-permanent. She could feel a mixture of joy and frustration coming from him.

Still happy we mated?
She pushed her thoughts to him.

“Absolutely. You?”

Indeed.

“I’m ready.” Always dressed for a business meeting, he stood in dark blue pants, a white button down and dark shoes that matched his belt. He really did make her feel like a bum most days.

“Oh dear?” She said wagging her finger up and down at him. “I’d really love to see you in a pair of jeans occasionally.”

Nearly all of his stunning white teeth showed when he smiled at her. “Yes ma’am!”

They made their way to the fire pit, where most pack meetings took place. She noticed numerous smiles from her original pack mates as they noticed her bonding mark. Nods of approval greeted them before the meeting began.

“It’s with a heavy heart that I tell you all about a new enemy. An enemy of our own kind. It appears that not everyone is entirely thrilled that we’re blending species. There have been two attacks on the school, one of which happened last night. The group call themselves Separatists, as they wish us all to remain separate. Let me just preface this by saying that I won’t tolerate such racism. The Gnomes, who started out as our welcomed guests are now officially pack mates and have proven to be an invaluable resources. As Alpha of this pack I order you all to defend them as you would any Lycan brother or sister. I’m also quite pleased to tell you that they’re far from feeble. I witnessed, first hand, the skillful warrior a Gnome can be when put to the test. The warrior I witnessed was both loyal and fierce.” She turned to the group of Gnomes who sat together in the front of the crowd. “I’m quite proud to say that your friend, Mary, fought with precision and tenacity that would rival any Lycan I’ve ever seen. She defended my sister-in-law alongside me.”

A collective gasp was heard around the group, followed by murmurs. She held up her hand to quiet the crowd. “Wendy Baker has been mated with the Centaur King. She’s now the Queen and with child. Be certain to send your blessings. Now, on to security. These snakes like to sneak up in the cover of night. They shot bombs at the school as a distraction so they could get to Wendy.” She turned her direction to Tom Johnson. “Tom, let’s step up night patrols.”

“Excuse me.” One of the Gnomes, Joseph approached her. “We can set up motion sensors along the perimeter. I can set the sensitivity to ignore smaller animals. It’ll still go off for, say a deer, but it’s better than nothing. This way, we don’t have to have so many of us out at night instead of in bed with our mates.”

She looked to Tom who shrugged. “Seems like a sound plan. Maybe a few night-vision cameras too? Can you set those up to a monitor in my office…or something?”

Joseph nodded. “That’ll be easy.” He scratched the back of his head. “I think we can do it wirelessly. I’ll have to see what I can get ahold of.”

She smiled down at him. “Thank you. Please let Jake know if you need anything.”

Her Beta stood at her side quietly, but nodded down at Joseph. “I’ll get whatever you need. Just give me a list. Don’t worry about cost.”

She forced herself to stand a little straighter. “Now for the difficult part. If anyone of you here takes issue with our new ways of integration, speak now. I will not tolerate any less.”

A couple stood from the back. She didn’t recognize them, but she hadn’t been around long enough to learn the names of her entire pack.

“Ma’am, it is a lot to take in. First, Colin steps down, then Roman succeeds him, but only for a short time then you’re immediately our new Alpha. Now these little people are running around getting into everything and now Wendy is pregnant with a half-breed.” He cleared his throat as he quickly glanced at Colin. “No offense.”

She could feel the heat rising up her mate’s chest, to his neck, then his face. He wanted to hit something.

“I’m sorry,” she interrupted, “but I don’t know your name.”

The man lifted his chin. “Richard, this is my mate, Trina.” He pointed to the woman next to him, who refused to look up from the ground.

“I see, Richard. Do you wish to leave?”

She watched as his eyes popped open wide.

“Excuse me?”

“If you’re unhappy here, you may leave. I won’t hold it against you.” She narrowed her eyes.

“Leave our pack?”

She walked forward and knelt down in front of the group of Gnomes and whispered. “Would you all do me the kindness of standing next to Jake?”

With bobs of their tiny heads, then all scurried around until they surrounded the Beta. As soon as they took their place, she stood. “These are your pack mates. Will you defend them the same as you would my mate?”

He looked at his mate for guidance. She shook her head.

His voice was low, quiet and pitiful. “I’m afraid not.”

You weak, sorry excuse of a Lycan.
In a louder voice, she called out. “Anyone else feel that way?” When no one spoke she continued. “Say your goodbyes to Richard and Trina. They’re going to go home and pack.”

She chastised herself for not discovering this earlier so as not to have outsiders know of their security plans.

“I’ve known them my whole life, Nala. I wouldn’t have guessed it. Don’t beat yourself up.”
Colin’s words came through loud and clear, giving her some comfort and appreciation for their new telepathic connection.

“Did your Alpha stutter?” Jake growled as he stomped toward them. “Cowards! Pack up and go!”

After Richard and Trina ran toward their home, she approached Jake. “Have someone on them until they leave. I’ll have Barry draft a check to cover the cost of the dwelling. I may want them gone, but I want to be fair as possible. Got it?”

“Done.” A man of few words, he was already walking away the second her last word was spoken.

She called an end to the meeting and stayed behind with Colin while the pack members dispersed. “That was awful.”

He stroked her back. “It was the right thing to do. Your job is to protect our pack. The Gnomes are part of it now. We survive as a collective, not as individuals.” A soft chuckle rumbled in his throat. “It’s for his own safety anyway. That remark about his sister put his dental health at risk. I was very close to ridding him of his teeth.”

“Yeah, I felt your anger. It’s going to take some getting used to handling my own emotions when yours are rolling into my mind. That was a low blow. I can’t believe he said that.” She cracked her neck. “It’s almost dinner time. Let’s head back to the house.”

She turned to walk away when she felt his hand around her wrist.

“Nala?”

Turning to face him, she held her breath.

“You did the right thing.”

Releasing her breath she nodded. “The right decision isn’t always the most popular.”