Wolfe's Mate (10 page)

“As do I
…”
Jared added with his telepathy.

“A pack is family, Esme
,” Grigori said. It’s my pleasure and duty to help you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some arrangements to attend to. Pierre, perhaps you could accompany me for a few moments.” The two men walked out of the room.

“I’m not going to Paris,” one of the newly
changed males said. “That’s what Mr. Solovyov is telling Pierre. I can tell you’re wondering why. I’m going to stay in England. Mr. Solovyov has agreed to teach me the things I need to know.”

“I’m sorry
. I don’t think I caught your name,” Esme said.

“Graham
Atkins, Miss. England is home for me, and I think Mr. Solovyov and I will get along well.”

“Grigori is a fine man and leads his pack with skill and finesse
,” Esme said with a smile. “I’m sure you will be happy with him, Graham. I wish you all the best.”

“I’m
Samuel Brooks, you can call me Sam,” the other new male lycan said. “Pierre has offered me a place to stay. I think I’ll go to Paris, at least until I can figure all this lycan stuff out. As happy as I am about being free from cancer, I never expected to be turned into a wolf.”

“I know how scary that can feel, Sam
,” Esme said. “Once you learn what it’s like to live as a lycan, it can be very rewarding. I hope you find happiness wherever you go.”

“
Esme, we’re going with you, right?” Susan asked.

“Oh,
yes,” Esme added quickly. “I know we haven’t talked much about it. I hope both you and Brenda will come with me to Paris, and then go on to Quebec. I want the chance to get to know you both.”

Jared looked from woman to woman. Granger stood next to his mate, a frown marring his face. Was Brenda hesitating to accompany
him? Jared didn’t want to lose his best friend.

“We’ll go with you to Paris and take it from there,” Brenda said.

§

Jared never expected
to see a private jet waiting at the airport to take Esme and her party to Paris. Esme and the women got settled inside while Jared and Granger supervised the loading of Norris’ body.

“Valerii
Belikov and his mate, Josephine, are the Alphas of the Paris pack,” Grigori said. “They are new to the job and found quite a mess when they took over. Both are slowly getting things under control. I think you will like them. I trained Valerii myself.”

“If the student is anything like the master
, then I’m sure I will,” Jared assured him.

Jared shook hands with
Grigori. He truly liked Grigori and appreciated everything Grigori had done.

“May Asena shower you with blessings,”
Grigori said formally.

“And you
, also,” Jared answered.

Grigori turned and walked to
a car parked near the runway. Graham waited in the vehicle to accompany Grigori back to London.

“The pilot says everything is ready,” Granger said
, walking up.

“Well, then
, let’s take off,” Jared said. “I feel Quebec calling me. Hopefully, our time in Paris will be brief.”

Jared pulled back the covers on the huge, carved wooden bed that occupied most of the bedroom. Esme’s ancestral home resembled a château. How would she feel when she arrived in Quebec and saw the Alpha lodge constructed of logs? True, his parents had updated the kitchen and bathrooms, but the lodge was nothing like Esme’s home.

He ran his hands through his hair and glanced at the bathroom door. Esme was still inside. At least
, they had some privacy in this house.

T
he hour-long drive from the Paris airport had almost driven him mad. Susan squealed every time she saw something of interest, and Brenda continued to give Granger the cold shoulder, which kept tensions high.

Jared couldn’t wait to hold Esme in his arms and make love to her.
They arrived late in Paris, and dawn would soon be upon them. Perhaps, morning would be a better time to make love to his mate.

The door of the bathroom opened
, and the scent of roses filled the air. Esme stood in the doorway wearing a white lacy negligee. Jared’s breath froze in his chest. She looked exquisite. Her hair lay on her shoulders in soft curls. Jared’s glance followed her hair down to her pink nipples peeking through the lace, and then farther to the dark patch between her legs.

This was his woman. H
is. “Come here,
ma petit louve
. You look lovely. This wolf wants to eat you.” Jared quickly removed his shirt and started to unbutton his jeans. All thoughts of waiting fled from his mind.

“My, what big eyes you have
…” Esme smiled and moved closer to the bed.

“The better to see you with, my dear.” Jared smiled and shucked his pants. He could play this game with her.
His member sprang free, showing his desire for her.

“Oh, my
… What big …” Esme’s eyes grew wide. She licked her lips.

Something in Jared broke free.
In a second, he held her in his arms, never even realizing how he sprang across the room. He lowered first one strap of Esme’s gown, then the other, being careful not to alarm her. He kissed his way down her shoulders to her lovely breasts.

“Esme,
mon amour
. You are perfect.”

Esme threaded her fingers through his hair as he sucked her breast. He released her nipple and kissed his way to the other side. Kissing and nipping, he pulled th
e nubbin into his mouth, giving it the same attention he’d given the other. She tasted so sweet, so good.

Jared released her nipple and concentrated
on the soft globe. “I’m going to leave my mark right here.”

His canines lengthened
, and he nipped her. Then, he sucked hard at the spot, causing a raspberry to appear on her skin. His wolf looked on with satisfaction.

Esme gasped
, then moaned, pushing closer to his face. He continued to kiss and lick her breasts as his hands slid the silky gown over her hips and let it fall to the floor. Then, he scooped her up and lay her down on cool sheets. He stood a moment, gazing at her beauty, before joining her in bed.

§

Esme loved the look on Jared’s face. His eyes brightened, and his jaw hardened. She knew that his wolf was close to the surface and he struggled for control. What would it be like if Jared lost all control? She didn’t fear that he would hurt her. She was a lycan now. She could take sex a little rough. She held her arms out to him, inviting him to come to her.

He lay down beside her, running his fingers lightly over her skin. She shivered under his caress as her skin pebbled.
Needing to drive him as wild as he made her, she reached for his chest, caressing each muscle, lightly marking his skin with her nails. She leaned over and kissed him, nipping his lips, stroking him with her tongue. She kissed his jaw, then his neck, trailing lower as he kneaded her breasts. She bit his shoulder and licked his chest.

Jared growled low in his throat and held her to him. She continued to lick and nip around to the other side
of his chest, caressing each muscle and hollow, letting her hair tantalize his skin as she moved from side to side. Her fingers wandered lower, caressing his stomach and his hips. Her lips followed, pressing hot kisses to his skin.

Jared grabbed her suddenly
, and they rolled. He landed on top, taking her mouth in a desperate kiss. Esme opened her mind to Jared’s, letting him feel her need for him, her desire. Hot lust flooded her mind, followed by sweet feelings of love. Esme couldn’t tell who felt each emotion as their minds became one thought, one need.

Jared tested her readiness
, then drove home with a forceful thrust. Esme lifted her body to meet his, needing to be filled. He pounded into her, driving them both higher and higher. She knew that heaven awaited them with just one little push. She leaned up and licked his chest. Her canines lengthened, and her wolf came rushing toward the surface. She bit down hard on his pectoral muscle, breaking the skin. Small drops of blood dripped into her mouth, and she licked the wound.
“Mine”
was the only thought that screamed in their combined mind.

Jared growled low
. As hot jets filled her, Esme flew into the ether, taking her mate with her. Pure bliss flooded their minds, a connection that even death couldn’t break.

“
Je t'aime, mon Esme.”

“
Je t’aime, Jared.”

§

“Jared, Esme, you better get up. People are arriving downstairs. They all want to meet you.” Susan’s voice called through the bedroom door.

Jared opened one eye to brilliant sunlight flooding the room. What time was it
, anyway? He glanced around. Esme lay sprawled on top of him, her hair tickling his skin, her hot breaths whispering over his chest. His body reacted immediately as he took in the combined scent of their lovemaking.

“Jared, Esme, did you hear me? Come on guys. Brenda and Granger didn’t want to be the ones to wake you. I lost the rock
-paper-scissors contest. Jared?” The tone of Susan’s voice rose.

“Al
l right, Susan. I’m awake. We’ll be down in a little while.”

“Okay
. Tell Esme I found some of her clothes in a closet downstairs. I hope she doesn’t mind that I borrowed some.”

“It
’s fine, Susan. Now go away.” Jared rubbed his hand over his face. He wasn’t sure if he should thank or curse Norris for the gift of Esme’s littermates.

“Oh, right,
” Susan said.

Jared heard Susan’s footsteps goin
g down the hall. He reached and removed the hair from Esme’s face to find her brilliant blue eyes staring up at him. She smiled. Warmth hit his chest like a blow.

“Hi
. What did Susan want?”

“For us to wake up,
mon coeur
. We have company downstairs.” Jared could gaze into her eyes all morning. Why did everyone have to come knocking at inopportune moments?

“Company? It must be Josephine and the Paris pack members.” Esme jumped from the bed. “Come on, Jared. Get up.
As Grigori said, pack is family.”

“Family that comes knocking too early in the morning.” Jared growled. He couldn’t wait to get back to Quebec.

“It’s after ten. Come on, grumpy.”

“Grumpy? I
’m never grumpy. Stern perhaps, but never grumpy.” Jared rolled from the bed and stretched toward the ceiling. It did his ego good to see how Esme drank him in. “We could make them wait. You could come back over here and take care of your mate.”

Esme shook her head and backed toward the bathroom. “If we went back to bed, you would keep me there all morning.”

“True, but we are in Paris, city of love.”

“Actually, we live outside the city limits. So you’ll have to get up.”

“I’m up and wanting you,
ma petit louve.
” Jared started stalking her from across the room.

Esme’s gaze lit
up with fun as she reached the bathroom door. “I’ll let you take a shower with me, if you promise to wash my back.”

“I will wash more than your back,
ma petit amour
.”

Esme laughed and rushed into the bathroom. Jared hurried after her. The company could wait until he finished washing Esme from head to toe. Of course, he planned to get her dirty first.

§

Esme moaned as Jared massaged her scalp
, then pulled her hair back to rinse it. The man was lethal. She might go around slightly damp for the rest of her life. He had made her come twice.

She took over the rinsing and made sure her body was soap
-free before reaching for the knob that controlled the water. “Ready to get out,
mon grand méchant loup
?” Esme turned the knob all the way to the cold setting and stepped out of the shower.

“Just one last rinse
... Esme!”

Giggling, Esme grabbed a towel and fled into the bedroom. A slightly soapy lycan
male rushed after her. Jared grabbed her around the waist and threw her onto the bed. He jumped, landing on top of her. Still laughing, she could barely catch her breath.

“That was a dirty trick,
ma petit louve
. You should know better than to tease the big bad wolf.”

“What will you do?” Esme asked
, gasping out the phrase between giggles. “Eat me up?”

“No, you would like that too much.” Jared grabbed her and flipped her over. T
hen his hand landed with a smack on her behind.

“Hey, don’t do that
.” Esme looked back over her shoulder at him.

“Did it
hurt,
mon coeur
?” Jared rubbed his hand over the offended skin.

The sting turned to warmth
, and her skin grew sensitive. Esme couldn’t help but wiggle as he caressed her behind. She felt moisture gather as her body responded to him.

Jared sighed and rolled off the bed. “As much as I would love to keep you here all day
, we still have people waiting for us downstairs. Get some clothes on.”

Esme growled and rolled over. “Tha
t wasn’t very nice.” Leaving her wanting.

“Come,
ma petit
, let me kiss it better.” Jared started back toward the bed.

“No. One of us has to have some control.” Esme huffed and marched back into the bathroom.

She grabbed a towel and started drying her hair with a vengeance. Warm hands stopped her as Jared took the towel from her hands. He finished the task, while occasionally placing kisses on her neck and shoulders. When he finished, he dried her back and arms. He even dried between her legs. Then, he reached for a comb and worked the tangles from her hair. When he finished, she only needed to slip on her clothes.

He hadn’t spoken the whole time he cared for her. He only kissed her lightly and continued on.
Afterward, he turned her around for one more kiss, this one on the lips.

“I will be only a moment,
mon coeur
.”

Unsure of how to respond, Esme nodded and left the bathroom. She pulled some clothes out of the closet and slipped them on. When Jar
ed came out of the bathroom, the bed was already made. He wore nothing except a pair of jeans. Esme couldn’t help but admire his superb physique as she handed him a clean shirt. “It was my father’s.”

“Thank you.” Jared slipped the shirt on and b
uttoned it. Esme smoothed her hands over his broad shoulders.

“This was my parents
’ room. My room moved to the basement and remained there while Norris worked on his cure and afterward while I learned to control my wolf. My old room is down the hall. I haven’t lived in it for years.”

“Your brother kept you locked in the basement?” Jared’s voice showed amazement.

“Not exactly. His lab was downstairs, and he worked down there often. It was easier if I was nearby. He could look after me that way and watch to see how I reacted to the medication.”

Jared frowned and shook his head. “I
’m unsure of what to think. You must show me where he kept you.”

“I’ll give you a tour of the whole house.
First, let’s go see who came to visit.”

§

Jared held Esme’s hand as they walked into the large salon. Several people sat on the couches spaced around the room. One whiff of the air assured him the company was indeed lycan.

A young
, blond woman, not much older than Esme, flew off the couch, ripped her away from Jared, and grabbed her for a hug. “I am glad you’re all right, Esme. I’m so sorry about your brother.”

“Josephine, you look well. Is that a baby bump I see?” Esme asked
smiling and running her hand over the bulge in Josephine’s shirt.