14. Jace

All I could do was stand there, mouth agape, and watch Kirsten stroke the boy's hair as he cried. It shouldn't have been possible. I'd felt her magic pulsing out of her, but had assumed she was using it to calm the feral wolf. Instead, she'd used it and her words to coax him back, luring his humanity back to the forefront. I couldn't have been more surprised if I tried.

"I want my mama," Carter repeated, his voice hoarse and raspy from disuse. God only knew when the boy had last spoken.

Kirsten nodded, rubbing soothing circles on the boy's back. "We will. Don't worry about that. You're gonna see her as soon as we can." She put a finger beneath his chin and lifted his face to meet hers. "Are you hungry?"

Carter's lower lip was still trembling, but he nodded. "Can I have a grilled cheese sandwich with pepperonis on it?"

Kirsten let out a little chuckle. "That's very specific, but I think we can make that work."

"I'm on it," Harley said.

Finally tearing my eyes from Kirsten, I glanced around the room. The other alphas and council members were all staring at Kirsten with the same shocked disbelief I had in my heart. Each person had their eyes locked on her, and a sudden blossom of pride radiated in my chest. My mate had made these powerful shifters—some of them alphas—look at her like that. It meant she was more powerful than she could imagine, and she was mine. My inner wolf gave a growl that sounded more like a purr.

There was more than pride, though. Watching her rock the boy to calm him, stroking his hair and murmuring to him, made a new and somewhat terrifying thought crash into my head. I could almost imagine her holding a smaller child. A baby, a son. My inner wolf leaped forward, sending an image flashing across my mental eye. A young wolf pup winding its way through a larger wolf's legs, nuzzling his nose against the grown wolf's. I blinked the image away, but a smile flickered across my lips.

We were both on the same page. Kirsten was the only woman either of us could imagine bearing a child for us. For the last hundred years, I never thought it would happen to me. Now that there was a chance, a true and real chance, all I wanted was for it to come to fruition.

I needed to end this shit with Eren. Once that was done, I could claim my mate, and then we could start a proper life together.

"What's going on?" Stephanie's voice echoed from Waylan's phone. "Can someone tell me what's going on?"

Waylan shook off his daze. "Um, it's Carter. The boy is, uh… he's back."

"What do you mean, back?"

"It's Kirsten," Waylan said, shaking his head in wonder. "She got him to shift back to his human form. Steph, he was completely feral, and she brought him back."

Stephanie let out a surprised sob. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah. We're looking at him right now."

The woman sniffled. "Oh my God. I need to go talk to Byron. If he's human again, we need to get his mother out of here. Maybe we can break her out and evacuate her along with the kids when you come."

"Sounds good," Waylan said, though his voice had gone slightly dreamy when he looked at Carter. "Call or text with an update."

He hung up, letting his arm fall to his side. He looked at me, and a goofy smile spread across his face. He didn't say anything, just shook his head in bewilderment, then went back to looking at Kirsten and the boy.

Noah and Ivy stepped around the side of the garage, both trying to get a better look at Carter. The boy, sensing the movement, flinched and pressed his face into Kirsten's chest. She didn't seem to mind it, as she patted his back reassuringly.

"It's all right," she murmured. "They're friends. You're safe here."

"Hey, Carter, buddy?" Harley called from the mudroom door.

Carter pulled his head away to look at her. "Yes?"

Harley gave him an apologetic smile. "Mr. Jace here is super lame and doesn't have any pepperoni. How about bologna and cheese for a sandwich?"

Carter grinned weakly. "I like bologna."

"And chips?" Harley asked.

Carter's smile grew a bit wider. "Ranch-flavored?"

Harley winked at him. "I saw them in the pantry. Come on in here, I'll have some lunch ready for you in no time."

Looking back at Kirsten, Carter smiled. "I like her. She's nice."

"She's the best," Kirsten agreed. She stood, gently disentangling herself from the boy.

Our group followed them out of the garage and into the kitchen. Within a few minutes, Carter was scarfing food down like he'd been starving. Harley had to make a second sandwich, and the boy was halfway through an entire bag of chips before Abigail brought out a pack of cookies from the pantry, which he then proceeded to devour.

The entire time, Kirsten sat beside him. He seemed to have put all of his trust in her and didn't want her to leave. I couldn't blame him. She'd managed to do the impossible, had rescued him from a fate almost worse than death. She was so calm and tender with him that my heart wanted to explode with love for her. It was all I could do not to go over and kiss her.

She would be an amazing mother to our future children. The thought made my eyes sting with unshed tears of happiness.

Finally satiated, Carter turned to look at Kirsten. "I'm tired."

He did look strung out. Dark circles under his eyes, his skin pallid. He'd been saved from being feral, but everything that had happened to him was still weighing on the boy. From the look on his face, he was ready to drop.

"Come on," Kirsten said, and she and Harley led the boy toward the stairs. "Let's get you in bed for a nap. Does that sound good?"

Carter rubbed his eyes with the back of his wrist, sleepiness overcoming him. "Yeah."

Once they were upstairs, the spell of his miraculous cure broke, and the others began to murmur in conversation.

"Holy shit," Langston muttered, flicking his eyes to me. "That shouldn't be able to happen."

"Right?" Waylan said. "I've never heard of this. It's supposed to be impossible. A feral shifter has never come back to themselves."

The others nodded or murmured their agreement. Even Reese, the lone doctor among us, still looked stunned.

"Is this all Kirsten?" Ivy asked.

"What do you mean?" I leaned on the counter, resting on my elbows as I eyed her.

She let out a sigh and glanced at the stairs. "Is it all magic? Or is there more about our own species we don't understand? That's all I'm saying." She let out a chuckle. "Either way, Jace, your mate is freaking amazing."

"Yeah, bro," Langston said. "Fate knew what it was doing when it brought you two together."

I couldn't suppress the smile that spread across my face. The others had seen what I already knew. It also meant that Langston, along with the rest of my council and friends, believed Kirsten was meant to be part of our pack. She was here to help all of us, not just me. The way she'd saved a boy she didn't know, a boy from a pack she didn't belong to, showed them how selfless and kind she was. This was where she belonged.

Two hours later, Stephanie called again. This time, she sounded less distressed and more excited.

"Everyone's still here, Steph," Waylan said. "What do you have for us?"

"Byron managed to get to Carter's mom, and he told her what happened," Stephanie said, stuttering from speaking so fast. "She was almost inconsolable. Byron said she broke down sobbing on the floor with relief. It took him nearly ten minutes to convince her it was true. He was afraid someone would check to see why she was freaking out."

"She's good now, though?" I asked.

"Yeah. She's happy. Byron told her about the plan to escape, and she's agreed. She wants to get back to her son. He's going to use his standing with the pack to sneak her out. Use an excuse that Eren wants to see her, then hide her until you all come for the kids."

Langston nodded to himself. "Kirsten thinks she'll have an illusion spell ready by then. You'll need to tell us when we need to have his doppelganger in place. We'll do the rest from our end. And for the love of God, make sure none of the parents or this Byron guy lets on what's coming tomorrow night. The last thing we need is to walk into a trap because Eren found out."

"I'll make sure," Stephanie said, then she paused, the line sitting idle for a few long seconds. "Jace?" she finally said.

"Yes? I'm here."

"Kirsten brought that boy back all on her own? No one forced her to do it?"

A finger of irritation stabbed at me, but I remained calm. "Correct. She took it upon herself to pull him back to his humanity. She's also not being forced to go on this rescue mission and use her magic to assist," I added for good measure.

"I was wrong about her," Stephanie said.

My eyebrows damn near shot up to my hairline. Langston, Waylan, and Abigail looked equally taken aback by her pronouncement.

"You were wrong?" I repeated.

"About Kirsten, yes. I'm so sorry for all the trouble I've caused. Look at this as my way of trying to atone for all that. I'm going to do everything I can to get these kids to safety and take that fucker Eren down. I promise you that. Whatever it takes."

I didn't like the sound of her voice. She sounded ready to go to extremes, and regardless of what she'd done to me and the pack, I didn't want her blood on my hands.

"Steph, I need you to be careful," I said. "Do you understand? I'm sure Eren has people watching, and I don't need you getting hurt or killed. I don't want that on my conscience."

"I've got this handled, Jace," Steph said. "Eren thinks I'm, like, devoted to him. After being banished, he thinks I look at him like some sort of savior." Revulsion coated her every word. "He'd never suspect I'd betray him."

"That's fine," I said. "But that doesn't mean you can't still be careful."

"Thanks, Jace. I, uh, I really appreciate that. Thank you."

After the call, everyone headed out to go home, and I went to check on Kirsten and Carter. I found them in Kirsten's room on the bed. Carter was asleep on her chest, breathing quietly. Tiny snores came from his nose with every breath. Kirsten was awake, stroking his hair as the boy slept.

For a moment, I stayed in the hall, simply watching her with him. When she finally noticed me and looked up, I could see the exhaustion in her eyes. She'd put in a lot of work today, what with training and helping Carter. All she'd done all day was prepare to help others and actually help others. It was my turn to help her relax and unwind.

"Come on," I whispered. "Let him sleep."

Kirsten nodded and gingerly slid out from beneath Carter. She covered him with a blanket, then closed the door behind her with a faint click. She leaned against the wall and let out a sigh.

"Worn out?" I asked with a smile.

"You have no idea. I think he's feeling better, though. He's more tired than I am. I bet he sleeps all the way till tomorrow morning. I gave him some tea, similar to what Tinsley gave Morgan. He was out like a light five minutes later."

"Let's get you cleaned up," I said, taking her hand and leading her to my bedroom. "Get undressed, put on a robe, and I'll run you a bath."

"A bath?" Kirsten said with a raised eyebrow. "How fancy. Are you like my naughty butler?"

"My lady, I shall be whatever you need tonight," I said with a faux British accent.

Kirsten laughed and began to undress as I turned on the whirlpool tub in my bathroom, filling it with steaming water. As it filled, I dug through the cabinets, searching for anything to add to the water to help her relax. I finally found a plastic-wrapped bath bomb—probably a Christmas stocking stuffer from Shayna I'd forgotten about. I unwrapped it and tossed it into the tub. It began to sizzle and dissolve immediately, filling the room with the scent of lavender.

"Oh, that's fancy," Kirsten said from behind me. "Look at you."

"Are you ready to get in? It's a little warm, but I think it's okay."

"As long as you're getting in with me," she said, and let the robe fall to the floor.

I froze where I was. Before I could stop myself, my gaze roamed up her naked body, lingering on her legs, then the cleft between her legs, and finally across her breasts until my eyes came to rest on hers. A hungry growl escaped my throat, and she smiled.

"That," she said with a grin, "is a very naughty sound. You didn't answer my question, though."

I nearly tore my pants in half to get them off. By the time I was naked, Kirsten had eased herself into the water, sighing in pleasure. My cock was already semi-hard, and the sound of that sigh made it hard as steel.

I slipped into the water behind her, letting out a groan of satisfaction. When was the last time I'd had a bath? Maybe a decade or two? This was really nice, actually.

"Just relax," I said. "Let me take care of you."

I plucked a bar of soap from the dish beside the tub and began to run it across her back and shoulders, my fingers sliding on her slippery skin as I massaged her aching muscles.

"God, that feels good," Kirsten murmured as I dug my thumbs into her knotted muscles.

My dick was throbbing, and I was desperate to have her. The outside world had vanished, and all that existed was Kirsten and me. Nothing else. I pulled her close, pressing her back to my chest, and slid the bar of soap across her collarbone and down her chest, between her breasts. The bar glided over her sternum, and a quivering breath left her.

"Do you like that, too?" I whispered in her ear, my lips brushing her earlobe.

"Uh-huh," she said, nodding faintly.

"And this?" I asked, sliding the bar over her breast and circling her nipple.

"Fuck," she breathed, letting her head fall back to rest on my shoulder. "Yes."

My cock pressed into her lower back, almost painfully. All I could imagine was sliding myself into her body. Twisting my head, I nuzzled and kissed her neck while I slid the bar of soap across both her breasts. Slippery suds built up until I dropped the soap and used my hands to caress and knead her flesh, flicking her nipples with my thumbs. Kirsten pushed back against me, grinding her ass against my dick and eliciting a slight moan from me as she did.

"You like that?" she asked, her voice thick with desire.

"Yeah."

"How about this?"

She reached around and took me in her hand, stroking hard. My breath stuttered at the touch.

My right hand continued to massage her breast as I slid my left below the water, then across her stomach to the swollen nub of her clit. I touched her so gently, I barely felt it. Kirsten's hips thrust forward, and my middle finger disappeared inside her.

Reaching back to wind her fingers into my hair, Kirsten took in a deep, shuddering breath as I fingered her. "Jace, I want you."

My soapy hand glided away from her breast until it circled her throat, caressing the soft flesh there, and I leaned my lips to her ear again, my finger still thrusting into her.

"You are mine," I whispered. "And I am yours. Forever."

Kirsten whined and spun around to straddle me so quickly that water sloshed over the rim of the tub. I almost laughed at how fast she moved. Damn near like a shifter. Before I could laugh, though, her lips were against mine, her tongue parting them. She needed me as much as I needed her.

Sliding my hands into her hair, I clutched her to me, our tongues flicking and pressing together, our breaths coming in short, ragged gasps. Kirsten pulled away suddenly, looking at me with a gaze so intense, it almost took my breath away. The water thrummed with magic, making my skin tingle.

"Fuck me, Jace," she growled, guiding my cock into her. Slowly, she lowered herself onto me, taking all of me.

"You feel so good," I moaned.

She nipped at my lower lip, then stared deeply into my eyes. "I need it, Jace. I need you."

"You have me." Water splashed out of the tub as I rammed my hips up against her.

Her pussy clenched tight around me as she took the full length of my cock with each thrust. Her hands roved my body, my fingers gripped her ass, and the sound of our gasping breaths mingled with the splashing of the water.

My desire for her was nearly overwhelming. Another growl, this one more insistent, erupted from my throat.

"I told you that sound was sexy," Kirsten said before crashing her mouth to mine again.

Her lips silenced the groan that tried to burst from me. Reaching around her, I grabbed her ass and pressed her down on me every time I rose up, forcing my cock ever deeper into her gorgeous body.

"I love you, Jace," she said, voice growing tight with the oncoming orgasm.

Those three words made my heart soar. Hearing her say that made all the decades I'd spent alone worth it. All the pain and suffering was a small price to pay to have Kirsten in my arms like this, to feel her skin on mine and have her confess her love for me. I'd have given anything to have that, and now I had her.

"I love you, too," I said, increasing my tempo. If I didn't come soon, my head was going to explode.

Kirsten sucked in a breath and bit my shoulder. Her body went rigid as she climaxed. I followed soon after, the explosion of pleasure sending me into convulsions of ecstasy.

Fully spent, I slowed to languid strokes that felt amazing. Kirsten raised her head and hissed in dismay.

"I bit you," she muttered.

"It was really hot," I said, then grinned. "Did you draw blood?"

"No." She groaned as my cock still slowly thrust into her. "As much as I'd love a second round, I think I'll pass out if we try."

"Fair enough." I leaned forward and kissed her again, this one gentle and sweet.

We got out of the tub, and I helped Kirsten dry off. She wasn't lying about being tired. Her eyes fluttered and nearly closed as I moved the towel up her legs.

"Come on." I scooped her naked body into my arms.

"Oh, my," she said with a giggle. "A true gentleman."

I lay her down on the bed and pulled the sheets and blankets up to her shoulders. She smiled up at me, and her lips parted as if she was thinking about saying something, but then her eyelids fluttered closed, and she was asleep in seconds.

I stood, watching her sleep. Every day, she amazed me more and more with what she could do and who she was. All that raging against the curse for decades, and this is what it had brought me? Maybe I shouldn't have been mad after all. Maybe I should have been thankful and eagerly awaiting her arrival. Fate couldn't have given me a better mate.