Chapter Five

Nestled in a clearing, Everett's house was a modern cabin home. Except it was huge. Two stories, tall windows in the front, with a steep, angled roofline. Dark wood and stone helped it blend naturally into the woodland backdrop and Brinnah had never seen anything so beautiful.

"It's wonderful," she murmured.

He smiled. "Thanks. Took me a while to get it finished."

She blinked. "You built it yourself?"

"Well, I had some technical help. Like electricity and plumbing. I'm talented, but not that talented. I had an apartment in town with my coworker Jake as a roommate, but I wanted to be near the woods. I decided to build my dream home. Hoping I could bring my mate here."

Her breath caught in her throat. She glanced at him, her heart practically vibrating in her chest. He was such a beautiful man. She could stare at him for hours. Each moment she spent in his presence really hammered home that Vadin was nothing but a mistake.

"I lived with two roommates," she said, trying to be calm and cool. "Kadie and Maggie. I wish they could join me."

"Maybe Jericho can contact your old alpha to get them here."

She shook her head. "I doubt he'd agree. I'm betting he didn't realize he had given me an out."

He parked his truck and grabbed her backpack. "Well, he's not getting you back."

"I doubt I even register on his radar anymore."

Everett led her into his home, and if she thought the outside was beautiful, the inside made her jaw drop as she took in the modern, rustic beauty. The first thing she noticed were the many windows that allowed the sunlight to pour in, brightly illuminating the house. The open floor plan had rough-hewn wooden beams and thick posts to help define the space between the dining area and living room. Drywall extended up until it met the angled wooden slates of the ceiling.

The dining room featured more of the stone and wood walls, along with a pair of recessed, glass-front cabinets flanking the fireplace. An Oriental rug added color to the room, along with navy upholstered end chairs at the large table. Soft blue chosen for the kitchen added a little bit of femininity to the stone wall and wood-beamed ceiling. Stairs led up to a second floor.

"Down the hallway is my office and a half bath," he said pointing to an area off the living room. "The laundry room is upstairs. Figured if the bedrooms are up there, so should the washer and dryer."

"It's beautiful."

His smile beamed. "I'm glad you like it. Follow me. I'll show you where you'll be staying."

Leading her up the stairs, he stopped at the first bedroom and opened the door. Inside the walls were painted a pistachio green, with a thick grey carpet. A chest of drawers rested against one wall and a nightstand next to the queen-sized bed. Emotion rolled through her because this was a whole lot more than she ever had in her life.

"Is it okay?" he asked, worried.

"More than okay," she murmured. "I love it."

"Good." He cleared his throat. "The bathroom is across the hall. How about you get comfortable and come on down when you'd like?"

"All right."

She sat down on the bed and stared around, marveling how her life had changed so much. This time last week she was distributing clothing to their owners before getting ready for the dinner meal. She regretted leaving Maggie and Kadie with even more work, and the guilt gnawed at her.

Brinnah grabbed her backpack and pulled out her meager clothing options. She was going to need more and to do that, she had to have money. A fizzle of unease filled her. She had no idea how to go about finding employment. She had no skill, no training. Not even identification. Shaking off her anxiety, she placed her few possessions in the chest of drawers before she hobbled back down the stairs. Everett stood in the kitchen, pouring himself a glass of juice.

"Thirsty?" he asked.

"Sure, um, thanks."

He reached up and opened the cabinet above his head and pulled down another glass. He filled it and handed it over to her.

"Thanks," she said. "Have you always lived in Sheridan?"

"All my life. I can't imagine living anywhere else. Most stores are shifter owned. We do have a few humans who've been vetted by Beta Ledger, and allowed to live here."

"You're not afraid they'll go blabbing about us?"

"Nah, they're good people. My coworker is one." He finished his juice and turned to place his glass in the dishwasher.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," he immediately said.

"I've never lived off pack lands." She bit her lip and twisted her fingers together. "I'm going to need things, and those things cost human money. I've never had a job. I don't even have identification. I was wondering if you could help me?"

He rested his hands on her shoulders. "Calm down, Brinnah. Take a deep breath. Yes, I can help you and teach you whatever you need to know, but I can afford to take care of you."

She shook her head. "I can't take advantage of you."

Amusement lit up his eyes. "You're my mate. You're not taking advantage of me."

Sadness gripped her heart. "What if I'm your mate, but you aren't mine?"

"I can't believe the High Luna would be that cruel," he said. "Personally, I think she gave you a fake mate so that asshole could reject you. Because if he hadn't, you wouldn't have been forced to leave. You wouldn't be here with me now. Your true moon-fated mate."

She really liked that explanation. "But, as good as that may sound, I still have this ache here in my chest. It's a, well, I guess the easiest way to describe it is a tugging sensation. Not as intense as it was back home, but it's still there."

"Do you have a tug toward me?"

"I don't know," she replied softly. "I think Vadin's overshadows everything."

He ran a finger down her cheek. "Then I guess you'll just have to believe me until we get that fake bond broken. I've waited a long time for my mate, and you're even more beautiful than I could ever have imagined."

"I hope the enchantress can help me," she said, a little breathless at the emotions rolling through her. Want. Need. Desire. Not that she'd ever felt them before. "I want to sever all the ties to my old pack. I only want to belong to this one. I only want to be with you."

"Oh, baby." He leaned in close. "May I kiss you?"

"Yes."

The answer was no sooner uttered when he captured her mouth. At first, he simply pressed his lips against hers, and butterflies danced through her belly. She wanted more. So much more. When he slid his tongue along the seam of her mouth, she parted them on a moan. He sunk his hands in her long hair, angling her head so he could get better access to her mouth. Brinnah pushed closer so she could wrap her arms around his neck.

He lifted her and sat her down on the island, pulling her thighs open so he could step between them. Desire roared through her, causing her pussy to clench. Never had she felt so in tune with another person, and the fact it was Everett made everything right. If the High Luna gave her a wrong mate, then she rejected him, and embraced Everett as her chosen mate.

Breaking the kiss, he trailed his lips over her cheek and down her neck. His hand slid under her t-shirt, her skin burning with each gentle touch.

"Is this okay, Brinnah?" he asked softly.

She blinked down at him. "Uh, yes. Please."

That was all he needed. His palms slid over her braless breasts, cupping them. Rolling her nipples with his fingers. He pushed her t-shirt up, latching onto one nipple with his mouth. As he sucked on the sensitive peak, a pulsing sensation started in her womb, fanning embers throughout her body. Everett licked down her center, pushing her back until she lay sprawled across the island.

He did things to her that should be illegal. Sliding off her pants. Blowing over the panties covering her pussy. One finger moved the crotch as he bent over her. Embarrassment washed over her as he sniffed her, and she went to close her legs.

"No," he drawled. "I want to taste you. I want you to come over my tongue."

"I-I've never done that before."

"I know, baby. Just relax. I'm going to make you feel good. Now, open for me, sweetheart."

Slowly, she relaxed and let her legs fall open.

"Such a beautiful little pussy, all plump and swollen with desire." He ran a finger gently through her folds, barely brushing against her slit. A moan erupted from her lips. "Fuck, you're wet."

Then he kissed her, right on the spot he'd just touched, causing her hips to jerk up.

"Everett," she breathed. "Oh, Everett. Please."

"You taste so damn sweet, baby."

He pressed his tongue against her again, as far as it would stretch, dipping a little into the slit. How could something feel so amazingly awesome? She wanted this feeling every day.

"I want you to come so I can lap up your cream," he said. "Let yourself go. I'm here to catch you."

As soon as his tongue rasped against her sensitive clit, her body arched like it had touched a live wire. Her hands buried in his hair, pulling it hard, since she tumbled headfirst into the pleasure electrifying her body. In response he gummed her clit and it gave everything an edge, lighting her on fire. He licked and sucked her in, sliding one finger into her heat, and she bucked against his hand.

"Everett!" she cried.

"Fuck, you taste like honey," he moaned, blowing against her weeping core, and causing her to shiver. "So good."

"Oh, please!" she begged. "I need…"

"Let go, Brinnah, and come for me."

He began licking, up and down, driving his tongue in and over her nub. He worked her, until her cries echoed all around. When she finally fell over the edge, colors swirled behind her closed eyes. A kaleidoscope of dazzling brilliance that left her breathless, panting in the aftermath. Her limbs shaking. Everett gathered her against him, holding her as her body shook, satiated and boneless.

Long minutes later, he pulled back, but only long enough to press his forehead against hers.

"I want so badly to take you to my bedroom and show you how much I want you, but I suspect you're not ready for that quite yet." He sighed and pulled back. "All the more reason to find this enchantress quickly. In the meantime, would you like to go on a run?"

"Run? As in our wolf form?"

"Yeah. I kinda need to get the excess energy out of me."

"And it's okay for me to just … transform?"

"Yes, my love."

She took a deep breath and nodded.

"All right," he continued. "I'll shuck my clothes first in the mudroom and meet you at the tree line. Okay?"

"Okay."

She stayed in the kitchen, wondering if she had the courage to turn her back on everything that had been drilled into her head since birth. But if she didn't, then leaving it all behind meant nothing. If she couldn't go back, there was only one way to go.