Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

Callie

W aking up, the first thing I notice is I’m warm and cozy, with a strong arm thrown over my waist as a soft, rumbly snore causes my hair to fall across my cheek. I smile even though every single muscle in my body is protesting at the strenuous activity Kodiak and I engaged in earlier.

Is it too soon for me to tell him I’ve fallen even further for him? I hope not, because for the first time in my entire life, I’m a priority to someone else. I can never forget the loneliness I endured growing up, but I’ve done everything in my power to build a life I enjoy. Adding Kodiak to the mix is like taking a box cake mix and adding chocolate chips or something; it’s a bonus that I totally love. The extra sweet holiday treat that makes it special.

No one, from my mother to any of the foster parents I had, ever put me first. Her addiction ruled her life, and while a lot of the families I lived with were good, most also had their own children still under their roof, so while I wasn’t exactly neglected, I was sometimes more of an afterthought. Now, though, I know that even though Kodiak’s in a club, he’ll put me first above even himself. It’s a heady feeling which I’ll never take for granted, because he’s quickly becoming the center of my world as well.

When I feel him move, I quietly ask, “Kodiak? Are you awake?”

“Yeah.” His voice is raspy sounding which surprisingly has my lady bits tingling.

I’m shocked because as many times as we made love, I would’ve thought I’d be good for a few days at least, but apparently all it takes is him speaking to rev my engine and get me going. I wonder if that has anything to do with the bite he gave me last night. The reminder has me lifting my hand to touch the raised mark on my flesh, marveling at the slight soreness but absence of any pain. It feels smooth and a little puffy and I’m hoping it won’t take long to heal.

“It’s almost silver,” Kodiak replies with awe.

“Silver?”

“Yeah. It’s going to scar but the flesh has a slightly iridescent sheen to it.” He turns me so that I’m flat on my back and lowers his head, inspecting it before dropping a kiss on the wound. “It’s beautiful.”

The second his lips touch the spot, I feel an intense jolt of pleasure shoot through my core. In less than a second, I’m growing wetter, nearly aching for him to fill me.

Uh, what the hell is that? I’m not objecting, but wow.

Kodiak sniffs. “Babe?”

“When your lips touched the bite, it felt almost orgasmic.”

He raises a brow and immediately kisses the spot again, watching my reaction. I don’t disappoint as my back arches and my nipples harden into points. I’m clenching my thighs together as he dips a hand between my thighs, swiping through my folds to find my slick center.

“Damn. I wonder if that’s because the claiming is so new.”

“Did you know you were going to bite me?”

He nods. “Yes. I never thought it would be like this, though.” Kodiak flicks out his tongue and laps at the bite mark, causing me to squeal. I nearly gush from the contact.

“Oh, my God! Stop.”

He smirks.

“Wait. Don’t stop.”

A deep chuckle rumbles his chest. “Which is it?”

“Do it again.” I bite my lip, holding back a groan as he continues. “Do you think you can touch me while you do that?”

“No need to ask,” he murmurs, angling his hand so that his thumb brushes my clit, and two thick fingers slide inside me. He begins pumping them in and out as he continues to lick and lave the mark on my neck and it’s driving me wild with lust and need. Like a five-alarm fire, grab the hose, because I am going to explode all over him!

I’m humping his hand and not even ashamed about it as he murmurs wicked words in my ear, describing all the ways he intends to fuck me. I never knew how much dirty talk would turn me on. It’s adding to the experience, and I shudder as my body hurtles toward impending release.

“I love seeing you like this,” Kodiak whispers, “it’s fucking addicting. I want to taste your cum on my fingers.”

His teeth dig into the bite mark as he pinches my clit and that’s all it takes for me to shout his name, becoming a writhing, wet, sticky mess as I come so hard my vision darkens for a few seconds. I’m rolling my hips and crying his name, oblivious to the world. The only thing that matters in this moment is the two of us.

He lifts his head and kisses me, two fingers still lodged inside my pussy, and then grins. “Now that was fun.” My talented, seductive bear pulls his fingers from my pussy, lifting them to dip into his mouth. He sucks them clean, growling about the delicious taste. I’m not at all surprised when he kisses me again, thrusting his tongue into my mouth so that I can taste myself.

A minute later, Kodiak sits against the headboard, tugging me onto his lap. Beneath my ass, I can feel his erection, a constant presence since the first time we made love. Or mated, as I heard him say earlier. In his arms, I feel comfort, security, affection, and that emotion I don’t dare to name. Not yet.

It’s in the silence that follows that I start to have questions about all the things that can and will change as we form a bond and relationship together. I can’t resist asking what’s on my mind.

“Kodiak?”

“Hmmm?”

“Will I ever change into a bear?”

He snorts. “I doubt it.”

“So, no shifting for me?”

“No. I don’t have all the answers, but I don’t believe you will.”

“And our kids someday?” I pry, wondering how it would affect any offspring we have.

“Now that’s almost certain. I think so, but that’s dependent on your human DNA combining with my shifter genes. I believe I’m more dominant, so yes.”

Wow.

“How long will you live?” I ask, trying to hold in any fear I have about him leaving me any time in the near future.

“I’m not immortal but I have a longer lifespan than the average human,” he replies, tilting my chin up so our eyes meet. “And I believe the claiming, bond, and mark will give you the same longevity.”

“How does this bond work? Are we connected forever? Can it be broken?”

I know I’m firing questions at him left and right, but my knowledge about shifters is relegated to what I've read in books, and of course, what he’s told me so far.

“Babe.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “You’re the first. I’m hoping we’re compatible for offspring and will both have a long life. I can feel that our mate bond is unbreakable. My bear confirms it.”

Oh. That’s good. At least I’ll never be alone again, which makes me extremely happy.

“I guess I need to be patient,” I sigh with a smile.

“Yes.”

“Maybe I should get the information about the kids and their wish lists.”

“Good idea.” He kisses me, nibbling on my bottom lip. “First, we should shower.”

I agree but it’s still another hour before I’m dressed and dialing Cheryl’s number. She’s got all the info about the kids written down and decides to text me the information so that I can pass it on to Kodiak. He’ll distribute the lists, sizes, and ages to the guys who can shop for the necessary items.

The donations we’ve requested from the community are mostly clothes, but with Kodiak’s brothers’ input, I let her know that these kids also deserve some fun holiday activities, and that Spike will reach out to her to coordinate all of those things. Kodiak mentioned there was talk about going to the zoo to see the animals in their habitats all decked out for the holidays, but also taking one of the pontoon boats so they can see the way the area lakes are decorated with festive lights.

“Oh, I forgot one more thing,” I say as we’re about to hang up. “I think we should ask for donations of suitcases, Cheryl.”

“I like what you’re thinking, Callie. I’ll reach out to some of the local corporations to see if they can help with that kind of thing,” she replies.

“I’ve got a lot of ideas for next year since we’re so close on time,” I say.

“Go ahead and toss them out to me, who knows? Maybe we can manage to make a little magic happen this year instead of waiting,” she urges.

Glancing at the list she sent me, I see there are four teenage girls, but the rest of the kids are under the ages of ten. “Do you think we could put together girly girl kits for the four older girls? Makeup, hair stuff, maybe some tools for them to use? None of those things are cheap so I’m sure the foster parents don’t have money left over to consider that and every girl needs to feel pretty. Plus, a good skincare routine is important.”

She starts laughing but agrees. “Let me see if I can reach out to the cosmetology school that’s here. Maybe they’d be willing to give the girls makeovers? Plus, they may be able to buy products at cost or something, which would help us create these kits. What do you think?”

And just like that, our Christmas party is sounding like a runaway train as we continue to toss ideas back and forth. “I’ll order the containers they can use to keep their things organized,” I promise, “since I can buy them in bulk and I’m sure there’ll be girls in the system next year who’ll be the right age. I’ll also go online and order enough stockings for all the kids so we can stuff those as well.”

One of the years I was in foster care, that was all we got, a filled stocking, but it was something I treasured because it had a coloring book, a new box of crayons, candy, and some fuzzy socks. I’m already thinking that little matchbox cars for the boys, and flavored chapstick for the little girls would be a great addition. I know my wallet’s about to take a hit, but I don’t particularly care because this is the worst time in these kids’ lives and if I can make it a little nicer, than that’s what I’m going to do.

“The best day of my life was when you walked into my office and asked to volunteer. I can feel my gray hair receding by the minute,” she teases before we end the call.

This is going to be the start of something special and I’m so thrilled to be part of it.

Kodiak kisses my temple. “You hungry?”

“Starving,” I admit.

He reaches for my hand, interlocking our fingers. “Let’s go, my beautiful mate.”

“Thanks for getting us the lists, Callie,” Spike says as Kodiak and I walk into the kitchen.

I’m a bit nervous because I feel like the men in the club have to know what Kodiak and I have been doing, but none of them say a word to me implying they heard anything at all, so I start to relax my guard.

“Sweet, we can go shopping!” Sly exclaims, clapping his hands together. Looking at Spike, he adds, “We’re doing this every year, right? Because these kids will always deserve a good Christmas given the shitty circumstances they’re presently living under.”

“Absolutely. We’ll talk in church about ways we can collect money and basic things all year round so we’re not going crazy two weeks before the party. I’m sure we’ll find both Yukon Bluff and Mercy Falls willing to help us out,” Spike replies.

Kodiak comes over with two plates laden with food and my eyes widen. “I can’t possibly eat all of that,” I tell him as he sets my food in front of me before Fang places a glass of orange juice by my plate while handing a cup of coffee to Kodiak.

“I know you worked up an appetite, Sweetheart,” he says, smirking at me, which has several of the guys suddenly having coughing fits as they look anywhere else in the room but at the two of us.

Shit. They heard Kodiak claim me. Repeatedly.

I feel my face flushing but opt to focus on eating rather than glaring at my formerly sweet bear of a man. I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt that because I’m the first mate any of them have had, he wasn’t thinking about how his words would come across.

“So, when are we leaving to shop?” Fang asks, interrupting my internal monologue.

“Should we all go together or split up?” Sly questions.

“Together makes the most sense,” Spike advises. “If we do have to split off, remember to keep the receipts. While this will be a nice tax break, it’s not the reason we’re doing it, but our CPA will have my ass if she has to hunt anything like that down.”

The guys start snickering, so I presume there’s a story behind what he’s just said. “I have to go pick up some of the donations that have been collected and bring them back here so they can be sorted,” I say. “Oh, and I need to buy wrapping paper, tags, and bows, too!”

“I’ll add those to the list. I take it you’re going to be wrapping the gifts?” Spike questions.

I nod. “Yeah, since we have the lists of what the kids are wishing for, I can separate the stuff into piles, then wrap and tag it,” I reply, pushing the rest of my unfinished plate toward Kodiak, who pulls it in front of him to start eating.

“You’re going with Kodiak, then, correct?” Spike asks, adding the items I mentioned to his notes app on his phone. Well, I presume that’s what he’s doing since his fingers are flying over the keys.

“Fuck, I have to teach a class at the gym I can’t get out of,” Kodiak grumbles, his growl causing the plates on the table to rattle slightly.

“I’ll be fine,” I reply, understanding that he can’t always drop everything for me, and that he’s got responsibilities.

“Callie, we haven’t seen Jeremy recently, but that doesn’t mean he’s not watching and waiting for the right time,” Spike warns.

I shiver with apprehension. The last thing I want is to come face-to-face with that bastard ever again. I wish he’d just leave me alone.

“I can watch her,” Kong states. When everyone looks at him, he shrugs. “What? I know what the prick looks like and there’s no fucking way I’ll let him harm a hair on her head.”

“Then that’s settled. Let’s get going, brothers, so we can help these kids have a Merry Christmas. Kodiak, you’re going to have to get a Santa Claus suit, too.”

I start giggling at the glare Kodiak gives Spike, who merely crosses his hands over his chest and raises his brow.

Everyone leaves us as they head toward the parking lot, prepared to fill their shopping lists.

Kodiak slides an arm around my waist, hauling me into his chest. “Callie.”

I tip my chin up and notice he’s scowling. “You’re going to have to trust that I’ll be okay, and Kong will protect me.”

He snarls, and I know this is going to be a long day. Still, after he shoves some money and a card into my purse, he kisses me then walks toward the truck that Kong is waiting near. Glaring at Kong, he states, “Not a hair on her head, brother.”

As grumbly as he’s being, he’s still gentle as he helps me into the large truck. How I got so lucky as to have someone like him want me is beyond my capacity to understand, but I’ll never take him for granted.

“I promise, Kodiak,” Kong retorts. “I’d sooner cut off my own arm then let your mate be harmed, and I’m kind of partial to my arm, so you can understand how hard I’ll fight to keep her safe.”