13. Tristan

Tristan

Chapter 13

"Get up!" I heard from somewhere in the distance. "Tristan, get up!"

But the voice was so faint compared to the words Azar had whispered in my ear at the beginning of the match. I never lose, he'd said. And it was clear he would do whatever it took to ensure it.

I could feel the tiger prowling closer, could hear him licking his jowls. He'd already won, and we both knew it.

When we shook hands, there'd been a prick into my palm, a needle hidden within the tape wrapped around his knuckles. He'd dosed me with some kind of venom, and it made my blood ooze through my veins, slow and cold. I no longer had control of my body. My movements were sluggish, my skin clammy.

I felt his hot, humid breath on my face as he opened his mouth, prepared to tear out my throat. I heard Dylan's cries, and regret filled my heart. Just three days, that was as long as I got to keep him. I felt cheated, but I couldn't curse fate for giving him to me, just to take him away. I was grateful for getting to meet him. Besides, even forever with him wouldn't have been enough.

As I prepared to meet my end, an abyss seemed to open beneath me. It felt like I was falling, the ground swallowing me whole. There, with my eyes closed, I saw Dylan, but not as he was now, sobbing and broken outside the cage. I saw him at home in the woods, my woods, round with my child. He was so beautiful. His head was thrown back as he laughed, our firstborn son running circles around him.

If this was death, then I welcomed it, but it felt so real. Like I could simply reach out and touch it. And then I heard Vesta's voice whispering in my head. "Your fate is what you make of it… so why are you so quick to give it up?"

Giving up? Was that what I was doing? My heart beat a slow thump-thump, forcing the venom through my veins. I didn't have time to wait for it to clear my bloodstream. I would have to act despite how my fingers tingled, half numb. I reached inside for my wolf. Give me your strength, old friend, I asked, and there was just enough of him left to press his claws from my nailbeds.

Eyes still closed, I could feel Azar, and I knew there was no time to waste. I was still numb, still clumsy, but as close as he was, I didn't have to be accurate. I swung my arm wide and sank my claws through fur and tissue, deep into his jugular. It might not have been enough to kill him—until he jerked his head back. It split the wound wider, and what had started as a rivulet of blood quickly became a surge.

The crowd had gone deathly silent, a shroud blanketing us all. Azar's tiger died first, leaving only a man, his chest painted red. He opened his mouth to laugh in disbelief, but it came out as a hiccupped scoff instead, as he raised a hand to his throat where bubbles of blood escaped from the gash.

It felt so… anticlimactic the way he just fell over, like someone had kicked his legs out from under him. But I supposed I was too out of it to celebrate anyway. I allowed my eyes to slide closed again while I listened to Dylan's frantic demands. "Get this gate open. Now!" Wow, he sounded pissed off. I would hate to be on the receiving end of that.

And then he was there, delivering a stinging slap across my face. "You asshole!" he shouted, gripping my jaw to bring my face back to his. "Open your fucking eyes!"

"Ow," I mumbled through slack lips, but I dredged up just enough energy to peel back my eyelids. Dylan was the most beautiful sight I'd ever seen, like an avenging angel, his panther shining through his amber eyes. "What was that for?"

"For making me love you then nearly dying!" Tears soaked his cheeks, and my hand seemed to float up on its own to brush them away.

"You love me?" I asked incredulously, but it came out slurred. My body felt so impossibly heavy, when all I wanted to do was wrap Dylan into my arms and make sure he didn't regret choosing me.

He let out a snotty laugh. "Yes, you idiot."

"Good, cause I love you too." Then I pitched to the side and purged everything I had in my stomach with an awful, acidic splat.

I heard Jude's warm laugh. "Ahh, nothing says love like half-digested food… Is that turkey?"

"Fuck off, you're just jealous," I mumbled as I felt hands under my armpits, hoisting me up onto my jelly legs. "Hey, Shan. Nice of you to stop by."

My Alpha's nose wrinkled as he shook his head, but he was laughing too. "No problem, especially considering I just won a considerable amount of money betting on you. Why do you always get into so much trouble when you come into the city? Why can't you just follow the rules like everybody else?"

"To be fair, this is the only fight club I've ever gotten mixed up with." My two packmates each draped one of my arms over their shoulders as we headed around Azar's body to the gate. "Besides, I think my days of wild partying are over. I'm turning over a new leaf, ready to settle down, start a family." I sighed, searching out my mate to make sure he was following us.

Dylan looked like he wanted to help, but he didn't know what to do. He was gnawing on that pouty lower lip of his. "Is he going to be okay?" he asked.

"Sure," Shan told him. He took a sniff of my shoulder. "Diamondback venom, I think. Good thing he's not human. He just needs to sleep it off."

I snarled. I hadn't won my mate just to fucking sleep. "No sleeping," I muttered, trying to pull away and failing miserably. I had almost no control of my body, and my legs spasmed. Lucky for me, Jude's reflexes were quick, and he snagged my arm.

"Easy there, buddy. Let's get you dressed before you start flailing. Nobody needs to see that thing flopping around."

"Flopping? Ha! More like swinging," I snarked back, but there wasn't much bite to my words, because yeah, I totally needed his help getting dressed.

Shan and Jude handled the top half, while Dylan got down on his knees in front of me, threading my feet into my pantlegs and shimmying the denim over my hips. As he took my dick gently in his soft hands to ensure nothing got snagged in the zipper, he looked up at me through those thick lashes, and it was a good thing I was poisoned, or I would totally be pointing a boner straight at his mouth.

And that might've been especially bad, considering his father was right there…

"I suppose congratulations are in order," he said, narrowing his eyes on me. Yeah, he totally knew I was thinking about screwing his son. Shit. Think unsexy thoughts. Why did he have to be so damn observant?

I rushed to shift his attention to Shan. "Mr. Caruso, this is my Alpha, Shan, and my bestest buddy, our backup Beta, Jude."

"Seriously, you did not just call me the backup Beta. You suck at introductions," Jude muttered under his breath.

"What? But you are! If you'd wanted to be Beta, you should've accepted the role."

The crowd pressed in on all sides as people wanted to shake my hand and pat me on the back. They were all strangers, and I knew they were more curious than welcoming, assessing my abilities and aspirations. I'd won myself a powerful position with Dylan's dad, and even though I didn't know what that entailed yet, it was clear the shifters here were taking my measure. They all seemed relieved Azar hadn't won, though.

I didn't know what would come next, but when Mr. Caruso hugged his son goodbye, I felt an incredible fluttery sensation of anticipation—either that or I was having a heart attack from the snake venom, but I hoped it wasn't that.

Joseph cupped his son's cheeks with incredible care. "Cilla packed a bag for you, but I'll come visit soon and bring the rest of your things. I'll call you tomorrow," he told Dylan, before hugging him.

I winced. "Yeah, about that… uh, we don't have cell service out there, so don't get too worried when it goes straight to voicemail."

The look in Mr. Caruso's eyes spoke of all the ways he wanted to hurt me. All the bonding I thought we'd done was wiped clean away. His grip on Dylan tightened, and for a second, I thought he would try to deny me my mate, but then Shan stepped in, ever the mediator. "You know what? I have an extra two-way radio in the truck. How about we leave it with you just in case, and then I'll leave you directions on how to get there, and you can come down and check it out. You're welcome anytime. How does that sound?"

He sighed, nostrils flaring, tension still coiled inside him. He was a protector by nature, and I was just glad I hadn't had to fight him in the ring, because I was certain I would've lost. He nodded sharply to Shan, then set those flashing eyes on me. "I am glad you won, for the sake of my son's happiness, but may Gaia save you if anything should happen to him while he's in your care."

"Daddy—" Dylan began, but I extended a hand to my new father-in-law.

"You have my word, my life and death are hereby devoted to him." I didn't hesitate, not a single waver in my voice.

Mr. Caruso considered me for a second, then took my hand for a firm shake. He smiled, reluctantly but warmly, then pulled me in for a tight embrace. I was so caught off guard that I stumbled into his chest. "Love him like he deserves," he whispered in my ear, and when he drew back, his eyes were glassy.

"I will."

As we filed outside, it seemed to signal that the festivities were over, and the party broke up, everyone leaving the basement in small groups. Our own progress was limited to a slow walk to where Shan left the vehicles outside the gate. I breathed deeply. The fresh air immediately helped clear my head, and while every inch of me hurt, I could already feel my body healing. By the time we were halfway to the street, I could walk on my own with just Dylan at my side, ready to catch me if I fell.

The twins, Dawn and Sasha, were waiting for us when we stepped through the gate, with their tight white-blond curls frizzing in the damp evening air. They'd likely been brought along as backup just in case things went sideways, but I was glad they hadn't been needed.

Sasha looked up from where he was leaning on the hood of one of the trucks. "Hey, there he is! You had us worried, Tris." He pushed off the truck and came over to give me a hug, and Dylan nimbly stepped in front of him, chin up, chest out, and the small hairs on the back of his neck rising, as though his panther was pissed.

"It's okay, baby. He's just a friend." I wrapped an arm around Dylan's waist and pulled him back into me, kissing below his ear. There would be no question about who I belonged to, but I was secretly loving the jealousy.

Sasha frowned, then sniffed at the air, his confusion shifting to amusement. "Wow, the end of an era. Congrats, man. Welcome to the pack."

Dylan was hesitant to accept the welcome at first, but he must've realized he was being a little childish and eventually muttered, "Thanks," tucking his chin into his chest.

Shan was rounding the first vehicle. "Why don't you two ride in the back with me and Jude. We've got a lot to talk about."

Before he could get too far, I asked, "Actually… could you spare the truck? I don't think I can wait until we get home, if you know what I mean." I was tempted to add a wink-wink, nudge-nudge, but I decided it wasn't necessary. We all knew exactly what I was talking about. I peeked at Dylan to catch the blush creeping up his neck. I would never get tired of seeing him like this.

"Are you sure you're fit to drive?" he asked.

"Sure, I'm feeling better already. See?" I tried to do a little jig, and I just barely managed to stay on my feet, swaying to regain my balance.

Shan chuckled, shaking his head, and tossed the keys to Dylan, who snatched them out of the air with catlike reflexes. "Do you drive, Dylan?"

"Um… yes?" I suspected it was similar to how Jude drove, rarely and without a license, but I figured he would get the hang of it fast enough. We didn't have far to go.

"All right. We'll see you soon then. Tomorrow?" It was a casual question, not a demand from my Alpha, but I knew there was a lot of work to be done back at camp. Damon was likely working overtime trying to get the spring plants in the ground, and Brody would have a hard time taking care of Mal and the chickens.

"Tomorrow," I agreed. As much as I would love to take a month-long honeymoon with my mate, my responsibilities weighed on me.

We said a quick farewell, my packmates driving off in one of the trucks, then Dylan and I loaded into the other.

He laughed nervously. "My mom let me drive once, when I barely old enough to reach the pedals."

"Gas pedal on the right, brake on the left. Just go slow; we're not in any hurry."

"Speak for yourself," he muttered, tugging on the crotch of his pants and adjusting himself. "You'd better buckle up." I chuckled but did as he asked.

Even driving with the windows down, I could still pick up the scent of his slick. I could barely keep my eyes off him as he drove us back to the motel. His strong hands gripping the wheel like I imagined he would grip my shaft, his thighs flexing. He was so perfect, I couldn't believe he was mine. I was the luckiest alpha who'd ever lived. As soon as my cock began to stir, I considered myself recovered enough. I was good to go.

"Okay, turn right up here. Slow down a bit… slower…" I tried not to laugh as we took the turn hard. "Perfect, great job. Park right along the side there." The truck jerked to a halt as he slammed on the brakes.

Dylan fumbled around, trying to figure out how to put the truck in park, and as he finally turned off the ignition, he blew out a sigh of relief. The ensuing silence was punctuated by Dylan's panting breath and my racing heart. We shared a long, heated look before we simultaneously reached for the door handles.

The motel room was just as I'd left it, my bag still half unpacked, a greasy pizza box on Jude's bed. I was suddenly hyper aware of how ratty the motel room was. "I'm sorry, it's nothing fancy," I said, quickly shoving the garbage into the can in the corner, sweeping any crumbs off the bed onto the floor.

"Don't care," he grunted before launching himself at me. He slammed into my chest, arms around my neck, and brought his legs up to wrap around my hips. I allowed my balance to tip, falling back onto the bed with a squeak of protesting springs.

It wasn't until this very moment that I realized just how repressed he'd been in our previous interactions. Our kisses had all been super hot, but because of the position he'd found himself in, he'd always known they couldn't lead to the next step, so he'd never allowed himself to get wholly invested. Now, though? Gods, this was next-level feral alley cat.

"Clothes… off…" he demanded between frantic kisses.

I flipped us over and pressed him into the mattress, hip to hip, erections throbbing side by side. "What's the hurry, kitten?" I teased in a low rasp, slowing things down and tweaking a nipple lightly through his shirt, before continuing down his torso, relishing the flex of his abs as he writhed.

Dylan whined, trying to wiggle himself free. "Please don't tease me. You can't possibly be so mean! Haven't we waited long enough?"

"You think this is me being mean?" I asked, rolling my hips to build friction, and he shuddered beneath me. Oh, I had all kinds of fantasies about making my mate beg and scream my name—but not tonight. He was right, we'd done enough waiting, and after tonight, we would have a lifetime for me to take my sweet time.

I took great pleasure in stripping him, kissing and licking each inch of skin as it was revealed to me. He was much less graceful when it came to tearing my clothes off. When we were finally naked, I swiped a finger through his crease, pressing a finger into his pleated hole. "More, more, more," he chanted, clinging to my shoulders, squirming in an attempt to coax me deeper. Even another finger didn't seem to appease him. "More, now," he moaned.

"Baby, you're too tight. It's your first time, I don't want to hurt you."

"Stick your cock in me right fucking now!" he howled, snapping sharpened teeth at me, his eyes flashing with his panther's sheen in the darkness.

I hid my smile by burying my face against his chest, sucking a dusky-rose nipple into my mouth while I was there. If I didn't do what my bossy bottom demanded, he was likely to fight me for dominance. I really did love a challenge… but maybe it could wait until I was back at full strength.

Removing my fingers from his slippery hole, I lined the head of my cock up and pressed slowly in. The crown had barely breached his opening before he wrapped his legs around my hips and forced me deeper. "Ohhhh fuck," I moaned, feeling the tight squeeze. There was no way I was going to last long sheathed inside his channel the first time.

I tried to go slow, but Dylan was having none of it. I wrapped my palm around his shaft, dragging it up and down in time with my thrusts. Dylan did his best to fuck me from below, riding both my cock and my hand. He was an untamed beast, and even while I longed to tame him, I likewise appreciated the wild beauty of this creature I had the privilege to claim as mine.

Pressure and heat built quickly, sweat dampening my skin, my hair sticking to my forehead. I couldn't hold myself back, my pace increasing in increments, until I was plowing into Dylan's ass, the sound of wet skin slapping creating a harmony with our moans and grunts, the squeaking springs punctuating the tempo.

Inside, my wolf tipped his head back and howled at the night sky, and my gums ached as my teeth extended. Dylan's cries hit a crescendo, his dick spasming between us and painting both of us with his cum, and the pulsing squeeze around my cock was enough to send me soaring. I sank my teeth into the crook of his neck just as my climax washed over me, depositing my seed as deep as I could get it. His blood filled my mouth, and I drank it down. One final thrust forced my knot past his entrance, and his claws penetrated my shoulders, blood dripping down my skin.

I could feel the warp and weave as the mating link wrapped itself around and through us. The room seemed to spin, and I gasped. It felt like I'd had a 500-pound sumo wrestler sitting on my chest for the past 25 years of my life, and only now was I finally able to draw a full breath. I felt like my feet left the ground, my stomach slingshotting in the opposite direction, like that time my moms took me to the fair and let me ride the rollercoaster, except this time, I swore I wouldn't hurl. No, this time I would fly.

We collapsed in a sweaty tangle of limbs, chests heaving as we tried to catch our breath. "Wow… porn did not prepare me. I had no idea what I've been missing." Dylan sounded dazed, and I propped myself up to find him staring up at the ceiling. "To think, I could've been sneaking out to do this the whole time."

Jealousy burned through me as I imagined him in someone else's bed, impaled on some hypothetical stranger's cock. "Well, I hardly think it would've been like this with just anybody," I sputtered. "It's only this good because it's me, and because we're fated mates." His lips twitched, and I realized that as sexy as it had been to see Dylan get jealous, I wasn't immune to the emotion myself. "You're messing with me."

Laughing, he curled his arms around me, pulling me on top of him. "I am." He kissed my chin, my cheek, then finally, my lips. "I'm so glad I waited for you. It was perfect, thank you."

"Just wait," I told him, rolling us carefully to our sides, our bodies still locked together with my knot. "It only gets better from here."