CHAPTER TWO

J amie was so thankful for his Alpha's rescue; he didn't want to break down in front of Ivan Rand. His control was shredding under Ivan's dismissive attitude. He didn't try to find Ryan; he knew the Alpha meant for him to go home and get control of himself. He was also ordered to the Pack House later that night. Alpha Lance was giving him a reprieve, but he wasn't completely letting him off the hook.

He needed to face Ivan, and he needed to be strong when he did so. Jamie went directly to his apartment just off of the main street and changed out of his uniform, and put on a pair of comfortable jeans and a light t-shirt. He wanted to call his parents but wasn't sure what he could tell them at this point. He found his mate, but the man couldn't give two shits about him. Doesn't sound like a match made in heaven.

Five months the man waited, five months to seek him out even though he was well aware that Jamie was his mate. It was unconscionable as far as Jamie was concerned; mates were to be celebrated, not ignored.

How could he live his life with a mate that thought so little of him? He grew up with two of the most loving people who ever existed. His parents loved, adored, and honored each other every day of their lives since the day they met. Jamie assumed he would find the same love with his mate, but instead, he gets a mate who puts his love, welfare, and future last. He will surely always put Jamie last.

Ivan had his duty and his code, and his mate was inconsequential. He could have called, sought him out online, anything to reach out and make his existence known. Anything would have been better than five months of taking care of every other person in his life, and then when he had time, he came for Jamie.

Ivan probably assumed Jamie would fall into his arms, and they would head back to Ivan's pack tomorrow. He probably thought Jamie would put his duty as mate to the revered beta as first priority, and everything else would be put on the back burner. Jamie could not live a life of disregard. Could he bond with a man who so obviously sees him as an inconvenience?

He would meet with Ivan tonight at the Pack House, and they would talk, but he would not be reduced to this beta's bed warmer. That thought brought with it considerations of commitment. Would Ivan be loyal, or would he have others in his bed besides Jamie? Has he been with others over these past months even though he knew Jamie was his mate? Ivan Rand was cold and detached enough that it was definitely possible.

If a wolf never truly bonded with their heart, it was possible for them to stray. That was an outcome Jamie refused to be a part of. He would have to tell Ivan that as mates, they were probably better off with two states between them. Jamie's wolf was not happy with the course of his thoughts but had calmed considerably since feeling the rejection from Ivan.

Ivan did not apologize, but simply explained as if Jamie was to accept everything the man said without question. Apart from the devastating kiss which left him more light-headed than he would admit, Ivan was cold and reserved in this meeting which should have been loving and glorious.

Jamie took some responsibility since his own behavior had not been exactly warm or welcoming. He suddenly felt guilty for leaving. His wolf was whining and urging him to forgive. Ivan was his mate. For better or worse, the gigantic wolf was his mate, and you shouldn't question fate. He would meet with Ivan, and they would talk.

…

Ivan entered the Pack House, and unlike the last time he was here, it felt cold. People were looking at him like he murdered kittens or drowned puppies for a living. It was unnerving. Both Alvin and Dean, two of Lance's enforcers, had been more than kind and welcoming during his last visit, but today they barely spoke to him apart from acknowledging his presence in the house.

He didn't really care what they thought. His only concern at the moment was what his mate thought. Jamie was now at the forefront of his thoughts, and the memory of his heartbroken expression when he realized that Ivan had waited five months was causing a massive ache in Ivan's core.

He walked out onto the back deck and took a seat on one of the long benches near the house so as to look out onto the vast acreage that was Lonepine territory. He needed to think and to make a plan to convince his mate that he was a complete moron when it came to feelings, but he was worth the effort.

He felt like a fool now for having waited so long to meet his handsome mate. Why did he wait five months? Why did he put everyone's needs above his own and the needs of his mate? Their first meeting should have been a celebration, not the shit show of disappointment it turned out to be.

Alpha Lance joined him on the deck and brought him a cold drink. They sat in companionable silence until Alpha Lance finally spoke.

"I apologize for the attitude of my men in the house. But you need to understand that Jamie McCormick is one of the most loved and respected members of my pack. Every man inside considers him a friend. Jamie is always quick with a smile and a helping hand or emotional support. He is always there when needed." Alpha Lance explained but did not sound in the least apologetic.

"I understand and appreciate their concern for my mate. I know I've handled this very poorly, and I want to fix it." Ivan did not elaborate, because he couldn't. At present, he had no idea how he intended to fix it.

"Jamie will be here after dinner, and it will be your opportunity to set things right. Jamie is one of my stronger gammas. Physically he is tough, but emotionally he is not. Jamie has the softest heart of anyone I know, and you've already broken it once; please don't do it again." With that said, Lance stood and went back inside and left Ivan to his own thoughts.

Ivan understood now why Alpha Lance had been at the police station when he arrived. He was there to shelter Jamie from Ivan's insensitivity. Lance knew the encounter was most likely going to be painful for Jamie, and he was there to protect him. Ivan had no idea over these past five months how much pain he was causing his mate. Ivan felt it when Jamie turned his back, and he felt it even deeper when Jamie walked away.

He had not provided for or protected his mate. Lance had taken care of Jamie, had taken his feelings into consideration, and protected him. Lance was a good Alpha, in tune with his pack. Ivan was getting a view of the Lonepine pack that he had not seen the last time he was here. They took care of each other, and their Alpha was their protector; he took care of everyone; they were a community, and they were a family. This was the type of pack that, through love, respect, and security, would thrive and grow - unlike his pack, which was withering and dying.

The Traverse Bay Pack was on the edge of extinction, and no one seemed to care. Surviving members were stuck so far in the past with archaic ways and ideas that there was little hope for change. They were shrinking with each death because they refused to seek out or accept new members.

They stood against any mating apart from wolves. They reject mating with humans or other paranormals, so when a wolf finds their mate outside of the pack, they then leave the pack. The Traverse Bay Pack had shrunk from a once robust membership of over three hundred to just barely eighty members.

He had hoped to take Jamie home with him and present him to his Alpha and brother Viktor by the end of next week, but that now appeared unlikely. Besides, now that he had experienced the Lonepine Pack, he wondered if staying was not the better option.

Ivan skipped dinner and opted to remain on the back deck and wait for his mate. Alpha Lance said he would send Jamie to him when he arrived. It was now after seven, and Jamie had not as yet appeared. Just as that thought formed in his mind, he heard someone leave the house and walk out onto the deck. In an instant, he scented Jamie. Ivan took a deep breath, comforting his wolf with the presence of their mate, and waited for Jamie to speak.

"Hello, Ivan," Jamie spoke and sat down on the bench next to Ivan.

"Hello, Jamie. I'm glad you came." Ivan did not elaborate. Ivan needed his mate to tell him what was wrong and what he needed. He would listen and try to understand. Jamie was very different from any wolf he'd been accustomed to, so he wasn't completely sure how to proceed. He did know that Jamie was his mate, and he would do anything to secure his health and happiness.

Having him sitting so close was playing havoc with Ivan's heart and breathing, not to mention the fact his cock was suddenly hard as steel. No one had ever caused such a feeling or reaction; he wanted Jamie more than he'd ever wanted anything, and he needed to make sure Jamie knew that.

"I'm sorry for walking away from you this afternoon," Jamie stated and turned to regard Ivan's surprised expression. Jamie felt terrible about his behavior once he calmed down and had a chance to process everything. Ivan was his mate, his dominant mate, and he just turned his back and walked away. He should have controlled himself and talked his issues out with Ivan; walking away had been immature and a slight to his mate. "I should have stayed, and we should have talked again. I apologize."

"I understand why you left," Ivan said and carefully reached over to cover Jamie's hand with his own. He was pleased when Jamie did not jerk away. "I'm the beta of my pack, and my brother Viktor is Alpha; I am not accustomed to considering feelings or emotional outcomes. I do my job as I've always done and put my personal life last." He cast a hesitant glance at Jamie, who was staring at his hand and listening.

"I had my reasons for waiting, but now they seem stupid and insensitive. I put my personal life last, not realizing that in so doing, I was putting you last. Know that you were always on my mind, but I thought I had my duty and that my needs would be taken care of when my duty was satisfied. I'm sorry, Jamie. I never meant to make you feel as if I didn't care or didn't want you. You are my mate, and I thought of you every morning and every night, and I ached to be near you." Ivan had no more to say and waited for Jamie to respond.

"I'm sentimental if you haven't already figured that out. I had dreams about meeting my mate and being swept off my feet in a wave of love and desire that would overwhelm us both." Jamie glanced around the area as if buying time and gathering his words. "When you walked into the station, I was blown away and so excited that you were my mate. I thought it was a surprise for you too." He paused to take a deep breath and center himself before continuing.

"I expected so much, and then you tell me that you've known for five months and were way too busy to bother with something as insignificant as your mate. You had your job and your duty, but if you could have called me, I would have come to you. All my dreams and expectations crashed when you sucker-punched me with that information. I didn't know what to say; my heart was lying at my feet and pumping blood all over the floor. I needed to leave before I embarrassed myself." He turned and looked at Ivan directly for the first time since sitting down. "I shouldn't have run. My expectations were unrealistic, and I should have understood that. You are my mate, and I will honor, respect, and cherish you even if you can't reciprocate."

The silence fell hard, neither moving and neither speaking. All the words already spoken were swirling around them. Ivan wanted to reassure his mate and convince him that he could be a good mate and he would honor, respect, and cherish Jamie; he just didn't know how to say it. Jamie still held his hand, and Ivan considered that a gift, so he continued to hold it tight.

"I am sorry for my behavior, and I'm sorry that I hurt you. What I'm really sorry about is that I didn't realize sooner what my waiting five months would mean to my mate." He took a deep breath and sat up straight. "I put you on the back burner; my needs were not important; my job was important. In my mind, I was denying myself. I never factored in the pain it would cause you. Even earlier this afternoon, I thought that if I lost you, then it would be what I deserved and would be just more martyrdom for Ivan." He dropped his head and stared at their clasped hands.

"I didn't consider the fact that you would lose your mate also. I'm a selfish bastard Jamie, but I promise you I can be a good mate. It will take time. I am who I am, and that will probably never change, but I don't want to lose you. I will honor, respect, cherish, and love you." He looked at Jamie and their gazes locked. He saw affection and hope to shine in the sage green depths, and it brought his wolf to the forefront.

His mate needed something from him, and he wasn't going to disappoint. Ivan jumped to his feet and grabbed Jamie around the waist, and tossed him over his shoulder. Jamie, caught by the surprise move, didn't resist but gasped as his body was flung over Ivan's shoulder. Ivan shot a tentative glance back at the house, and before anyone could interfere, he ran for the woods, his feet moving fast and sure like the beta he was. He could run for miles without breaking a sweat, and he planned on running until he and Jamie were alone.

Jamie was stunned by Ivan's reaction but exhilarated by it also. He held tight to Ivan's shirt as the ground raced by beneath his gaze. He grunted when Ivan leaped over some downed trees and ran faster than anyone Jamie had ever seen run outside of their wolf form. His mate was powerful and amazing.

Ivan wasn't familiar with the area, but he knew water was off to his left. He could smell it, and usually, that afforded a pleasant landscape. He veered left, and the small rushing river came into view. He was used to large bodies of water, being born and raised on the shores of Lake Michigan, but he had to admit for a small river, this one was impressive.

He slowed to a brisk walk, slightly shocked that Jamie had not spoken yet. He could feel Jaime's excitement and revel in the knowledge he'd pleased his mate. He may have acted on instinct, but it was right. He wanted his mate, and he was going to show him just how much. His wolf told him to grab Jamie and run, so he did just that.

Ivan found a soft grassy spot next to the water with some tree cover and gently laid Jamie down on his back. "I'm thinking your wolf took over," Jamie said with a satisfied grin.

"He did, and I didn't fight it. Sometimes he's smarter than I am." Ivan eased himself down on the ground and stretched out on his side next to his mate. Jamie turned his head and stared at Ivan, who took it as the invitation it was. He leaned over and took Jamie's lips in a soft explorative kiss, gently learning the contours of his mate's enticing mouth. He cupped Jaime's jaw feeling the soft skin beneath his touch and wondering if his mate had shaved this evening just for him.

"You taste like the sweetest of berries and smell so fresh and clean. I am your mate Jamie, and I want you as a wolf wants their mate." It was a declaration and a question wrapped as one, and Ivan waited for Jamie's response as he continued to rain kisses from his forehead to his throat and back again.

"I want you too, Ivan. My wolf is about to tear me apart if I disagree, and I have no intention of disagreeing." Jamie took Ivan's lips in a forceful possessive kiss that surprised him, but Ivan was very soon on board and taking control back from his beautiful mate. He rolled on top of Jamie, pressing him firmly into the soft grass and causing the smell of the fresh green earth to envelope them.

The aroma spurred him on in his animalistic nature that seemed to be taking the lead in this relationship. His wolf would not be stopped, this little wolf belonged to him, and he intended to claim him and play on Jaime's inherent submission that was present in his eyes and his nature. Ivan ground his hard cock against Jamie's thigh and felt a similar bulge dig into his hip bone as Jamie sought release.

They spent several minutes tasting and touching each other until Ivan bit down on Jamie's lower lip and drew a spot of blood which he hastily devoured. He moaned and separated Jamie's thighs with his own thick leg pushing them wide so he could position his own body in between them. Jamie again did not resist and welcomed Ivan in closer and more intimate. This evening was turning out so much better than he had envisioned, and his mate was an amazing young man. Such a reasonable and loving man and so much more than a man like Ivan deserved.

Jamie belonged to him, and anyone who tried to come between them would suffer for it. He would kill, and he would die for this man, and the awareness of this fact caused him to stop and stare at the face of his future, and he smiled. This was satisfaction. This was true fulfillment.

Jamie moved against his mate needing the relief of pressure on his aching cock. Ivan accommodated him and pressed his own hard cock into Jamie's, eliciting a needy moan from Jamie. He stopped unexpectedly and just lay there staring down into Jamie's liquid green eyes, looking for something and sharing so much. Jamie felt Ivan's hesitation and his fear of going too far or asking too much. Jamie smiled and nodded, giving Ivan all the assurance he needed.

Ivan needed Jamie to want this; he needed him to want this as much as he did. "I want you more than anything before in my life. For five months, I've thought of you, but only in the abstract distance. Having you here near me is beyond anything I ever would have dreamed of. If I'd known, I wouldn't have waited five months; a week would have been too long." Ivan didn't wait for Jamie to answer; he took his lips in a kiss that left Jamie's lips red and swollen and seeking more.

Ivan dropped one hand to grip Jamie's cock and gently stroked at first. Then he began to pump in earnest, pulling manic pants and groans from his desperate mate and setting his own heart on fire.

Jamie held onto Ivan's shoulders as he pulled one sensation after another from him, sending a thrill down his spine and making his cock so hard it was leaking. He wanted to reciprocate and give his mate even half of the care and excitement he was receiving, but it was impossible. Ivan was in control, and Jamie loved it.

Ivan unsnapped Jamie's jeans and pulled them and his briefs down to free his cock and balls to Ivan's wandering hands. He thrust up into Ivan's hands, unable to hold himself back. "I want to see you too," Jamie whispered between unrestrained groans.

"You will, my mate, you will," Ivan promised, but never stopped touching, kissing, and undressing Jamie. The moon was rising as the sunset and gave the water and the woods a special scent and sound that is only there at dusk. It heightened Ivan's awareness of the scent of his mate, the arousal so present in his hand.

Jamie smelled like nothing he'd experienced before. Ivan thought first it was sweet berries and then a fresh cold breeze, but neither of those adequately identifies the scent that was Jamie McCormick. He would know it anywhere and could track it to infinity.

"I want to touch you." Jamie moaned and was pulling at Ivan's cotton shirt, trying to unbutton and pull it off. Ivan stilled his hands and, in one swift motion, pulled it over his head and off, never breaking intimate contact with his mate. "You are stunning," Jamie said as if to himself, but it made Ivan smile just before taking his lips in another punishing kiss. Another sharp nip to his bottom lip was followed by a fresh wave of intense arousal. Jamie's cock jerked in Ivan's embrace and erupted, covering them both in hot sticky cum. Ivan knew what he was doing.

Ivan continued to stroke his cock until Jamie completely emptied his load and collapsed beneath him, spent for the moment. Jamie closed his eyes and ran his hands over Ivan's bare chest and then rested them on his huge shoulders when Ivan moved lower and began licking him clean, sensually tantalizing him until his arousal flared once again.

Ivan took his mate deep into his mouth, generously laving Jamie's cock with his tongue as he unfastened his own jeans and pushed them down and out of the way. He then took Jamie's jeans and pulled them down to his ankles. Once he was satisfied, he let Jamie's now stiff cock slide out of his mouth. He heard the needy whine that Jamie uttered, but it was soon turned to a moan as Ivan pressed his naked groin against Jamie's. It was a most erotic moment, and Ivan brushed himself back and forth, feeling the smoothness and the hardness simultaneously.

Ivan groaned as his engorged cock throbbed almost painfully. He needed inside his mate, and he needed to be there yesterday. Ivan growled deep, and his eyes flashed as his wolf again took the reins of this mating. He flipped Jamie to his stomach and quickly mounted him from behind. Jamie fisted his hands into the long grass and raised his ass off the ground in an offering to his mate. He was not afraid of Ivan's wolf. He was excited by him. "Fuck me, Ivan, don't stop." He gritted out in anticipation.

Ivan plunged in, devouring Jamie's opening before forcing his tongue inside to lick and lubricate as well as stretch the opening to accommodate his size. His mate was whining and thrusting, begging Ivan for more. He worked the opening repeatedly before moving up to place tender wet kisses on Jamie's lower back and then shoulders just before he positioned himself and pushed his throbbing, leaking cock inside Jamie's eager hole and drove deep, burying himself to the hilt in one thrust. He felt a full-body tremble envelope Jamie at the sudden, yet delicious invasion.

Ivan could hear Jamie panting and whispering ‘yes, yes, yes' as Ivan picked up a punishing speed ramming himself in and out of Jamie's body, desperate for connection and completion. His wolf was pushing forward, demanding control, and Ivan allowed his animal nature a little leeway since Jamie seemed to enjoy it. Jamie held firm and thrust back on every entry taking his mate as deep as was possible. The feelings were immense, covering Jamie's skin in chills and tremors as his own body responded instinctively to Ivan's entry.

"I claim you, Jamie McCormick," Ivan growled as he latched onto Jamie's shoulder with his long incisors and bit down. Jamie's blood oozed over his tongue like the sweetest nectar and urged Ivan to take more while pushing him to his climax.

"I accept you, Ivan Rand." Jamie almost screamed as the sensation of the mating hit his bloodstream. His orgasm slammed through him, and he came hard, emptying his seed onto the ground beneath him and straining to hold tight to Ivan.

Ivan came in massive bursts of seed that filled Jamie to the point of seeping out around Ivan's cock and running down his thighs. Ivan continued to pump hard sensitizing Jamie's hole to the point of painful tenderness. Ivan didn't stop until he was completely spent, and only then did he release Jamie's shoulder and lick the wound closed.

Ivan pulled out carefully and rolled off of Jamie to lay by his side. They were both panting and exhausted by the experience. "That was amazing; you are amazing. Thank you for accepting me as your mate. I don't deserve you." Ivan whispered the tender words into Jamie's ear as he took his discarded shirt and attempted to wipe away some of the spill in order to make his mate more comfortable.

Ivan gradually turned his mate onto his back so as to look into his eyes and gauge his wellbeing. It scared him how much he needed this young wolf. He'd never wanted anyone so badly in his entire life and never needed anyone.

"That was definitely amazing." Jamie agreed with a very satisfied smile. "Come here."

Ivan lay down next to his mate and drew him into his arms before placing a proprietary kiss on his forehead. "Let's rest and enjoy the night out here in the wild, just you and me," Ivan suggested, and Jamie merely moaned and snuggled into Ivan's chest and went to sleep. Ivan held him tight, so pleased and relieved that his mate had returned to him. Sometime during the night, they both shifted into their wolves and burrowed even more tightly together; their wolves were totally one with each other.