Chapter 46: Dean

46

DEAN

“A bsolutely no way.” Wyatt’s anger hangs heavy in the air, and his tone leaves no room for argument.

Except of course, she does. Argue that is.

“Wyatt, I’m almost better. The wound is closed, I’m not going to get an infection. I just need to get some space.”

I’m surprised she hasn’t left already. Weak as a kitten but stubborn as a mule, I half expected her to have moved from the clinic to her bedroom before I got back. If Wyatt had to step out, that is. I was also confident her protective brother wouldn’t let her unless Maggie approved it.

Lingering outside, I lean against the wall and smile. It’s quite nice to hear her giving someone else hell for once.

“You’re not going wandering around with a hole still in your fucking neck. You only woke up a couple of hours ago. I mean, where are you planning to go? Do you know where you’re going to sleep tonight?”

That makes me pause. Where else would she sleep but her bed or mine?

“I’ll find somewhere in Grey Ridge. They seem like a nice pack. I think there’s a small hotel in town. When the games are over, you can come and bring me to our new pack.” There’s a smile in her voice, but it doesn’t quite ring true. She’s forcing out a joke to hide her sadness.

“You don’t have to leave.” Wyatt’s tone is gentle. He’s genuinely worried. “He wouldn’t want you to. Not when you’re still healing.”

Jamie sighs. “I know that, Wyatt, because he’s a good man. But that’s just guilt. Which is why I have to do it now while he’s gone. Rip off the Band-aid. It’s the best thing for everyone here. He can focus on the games, then maybe someday… I don’t know.” She trails off. “But for the next few days, it’s best if I’m not here to distract him. The pack needs this, Wyatt, and all I’ve done is create havoc.”

Stunned, I dig my hands into my hair and tug the strands in frustration. This woman is going to be the death of me. But if I didn’t know before that she has the pack’s best interest at heart, I do now.

Closing the door beside me to make some noise, I walk quickly to the entrance of the clinic and step inside.

Jamie’s sitting on the edge of the bed, fully dressed and wide-eyed, when I stride into the room.

Wyatt leans against the far wall, arms folded over his chest, an unhappy scowl plastered across his face.

“You’re dressed,” I say simply as I walk over and pick up the jacket laid out on the covers beside her. Folding it over my arm, I hold out a hand to her, which she takes hesitantly and slides to the floor. She tries to hide her wince of pain, but I catch it, and the tightness around her eyes as she smiles through gritted teeth.

“Wyatt, the competitors are starting to gather. You better get moving.”

Wyatt pushes off the wall, reluctant to leave, but itching to go and take his place.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure your sister gets where she’s going.”

With a stiff nod, he leaves the room without a backward glance. We’ve spoken about my intentions. He knows I’m not going to do anything to endanger her recovery.

Then it’s just me and her.

“Shall we?” I sweep my hand toward the still open door, and tip my head, gesturing for her to go first.

She gives me another fake smile and walks gingerly into the hallway, determined to keep up the pretence that she’s fine despite the obvious pain she’s in.

“Do you need some help?” I ask, pushing down the urge to lift her into my arms and carry her rather than watching her charade of being totally fit and healthy.

“Nope. All good.” Chin lifted, I can see how tightly her jaw is clenched and how carefully she moves. I’d laugh at the ridiculousness of it if it didn’t make me want to scream.

Resisting the temptation to call her out on her bullshit, I follow her outside, admiring how the sunlight bouncing off her hair makes the dark strands glisten and shine.

“Alpha Steel wants to have a word.”

Jamie’s back goes rigid as I mention the head alpha, and she comes to a halt. Her pulse quickens, and her fingers twitch as she stares in the direction of the bridge. She’s nervous, not that this proud woman would ever admit it. Jamie thinks she’s in trouble. I can almost hear her brain trying to calculate how far she’d get if she just bolted.

“I’m feeling quite tired. Maybe I could come back to speak with him another time?” When she turns to look at me, suddenly willing to admit she’s not up to full strength, even my wolf shakes his head. This woman. I remain silent but school my features into as stern an expression as I can manage and hold her gaze.

“That would be a no then,” she grumbles.

Her shoulders slump, admitting defeat, and she turns to follow me toward the swelling crowds. A hush falls over the gathering as they spot us approaching. Jamie keeps her head high, but tension radiates from her as the sea of shifters part and let us through. When she spots Alpha Steel up on the raised platform, she groans, knowing I’m going to make her go up there.

Well, she is the one who wanted to pretend she was fine. And to leave.

I’m not going to let her do either of those things.

“I’m so glad you’re okay. We were all so worried. You’re amazing.” One of the girls who encouraged us to go dancing rushes forward, dipping her head, and my chest swells with pride at my pack member's display of respect.

Jamie blinks at her, overwhelmed and not sure what to say, but smiles and nods, looking at me with trepidation. She’s unsure what I think about my pack expressing their love for her, but through our faint bond, I can feel her joy at being cared about. That someone other than her brother was thinking of her.

As we reach the steps, I extend a hand to my mate. She takes it tentatively, and as the tingles shoot out from where we touch, our eyes lock, something passing between us that words cannot describe.

We’re one. I can feel her inside me already. I don’t know how I ever thought it could be any other way.

“Thank you,” she whispers, her tongue darting out to wet her lips as we continue to stare at each other, caught in the thrall of our connection.

“Get a room,” someone shouts.

When I turn and look at him, eyebrow raised, he drops his eyes to the ground.

“Eh, get a room sir, I mean.”

The gathering shifters erupt in snickers and wolf whistles as I throw them an amused smirk, resting my hand on Jamie’s back, as I lead her up the stairs.

Jamie looks puzzled, obviously expecting a very different reaction from me. And from the pack gathered around us who smiles proudly at her, grateful for what she did for one of our own.

“Dean, what’s going on?” Jamie’s voice is quiet, and my heart clenches at the uncertainty in it. Is she so used to glares and sneers that she doesn’t know a warm welcome when she gets it?

I shake my head and steer her toward Alpha Steel, positioning her right next to me.

She hesitates but does as she’s told, still looking dazed. As a few slow claps turns into a swell of applause, Jamie makes to slink back down the stairs, but I grab her hand and hold her steady.

When I don’t let go, instead, entwining our fingers and raising it to kiss the back of her knuckles, she stares up at me.

“It’s for you. Let them say thank you.”

The standing ovation continues as every wolf recognises her selflessness in putting her body on the line to protect a child, and the bravery of a rogue they didn’t want among them in the first place.

Leaning in close, I whisper against her ear, praying I haven’t misjudged her and us, completely.

“Stay.”

And I mean it in every sense of the word. Stay in this exact spot. Stay in my pack. Stay with me.

Her brow wrinkles as she tries to figure out exactly what my words mean.

When I brush my lips against her temple, a tender kiss meant for the entire shifter world to see, she’s so stunned that she forgets to fight with me about me bossing her around.

Reluctantly letting her hand go, I move to the podium and a sombre hush falls over the crowd.

“This hasn’t been the start to the Alpha Games that we’d hoped for.” I begin, staring out at the crowd of powerful shifters. “And while I wish that for your sakes, things had gone smoother, this is part and parcel of being Alpha. Taking the rough with the smooth. Dealing with accidents, protecting your pack, punishing reckless behaviour. All under the scrutiny of your pack, your colleagues and your alpha.”

There are some chuckles when I point my thumb in Blake’s general direction and Blake frowns. Growing serious once more, I drum my fingers on the wooden lectern in front of me and hesitate.

“And perhaps the hardest thing of all is admitting when you’re wrong.”

I glance at Jamie by my side, who stares back like a deer caught in headlights.

Chastened, some of the shifters who were less than accepting of Jamie and Wyatt hang their heads, knowing they misjudged them.

“You see, even though the winner of this competition will become the alpha of a pack, no wolf can do it all by themselves. And nobody is infallible. You need your friends and family around you. And if the goddess sends you someone as amazing as this, don’t be an idiot. Grab that chance at happiness with both hands.”

When I wrap my arm around Jamie’s shoulder and pull her into my side, her face pales, and her eyes go as round as saucers. Just when I’m starting to think I’ve made an error in judgement here, her small hand wraps around my back and settles on my hip.

“And so, while this party was supposed to be for the wolves who’ve made it through to the next round, I didn’t want to cancel it. Because I still have something to celebrate. Finding my fated mate. The games will restart tomorrow, so for tonight, eat, drink and hopefully, some of you will find your own!”

A chorus of cheers goes up as shifters clap and stomp, smiling up at us. As a band starts and everyone drifts toward the tables laden down with food and drinks, I turn to Jamie, heart pounding, hoping that my impromptu announcement wasn’t the wrong move.

“Mate?” Jamie whispers, her fingers twisting into the front of my shirt as Blake approaches, a gentle smile playing on his lips.

“Luna, I’m glad to see you up and about.” Blake leans in and gives her a polite peck on the cheek.

Shoving down the growl building inside me, I ignore his smirk. He’s enjoying this.

“But I’ll be even happier when your mate brings you home and tucks you back up in bed. You can begin your Luna duties when you’re fully healed, but not a moment sooner. Alpha’s orders.”

Jamie’s heart is pounding as she looks up at the big man and nods.

Blake ignores how shocked she looks and turns to me with a serious expression on his face. “Go and take care of your mate. Callum and I can keep the party under control.”

Blake’s smile is broad as he turns and saunters away, picking up a casual conversation with one of my teenage pack members who looks up in awe at the suave alpha.

“Luna?” Jamie repeats, as I take both her hands in mine and lift them to my chest.

I cradle them against my heart and face her, making sure she really hears what I’m saying.

“Jamie, I already knew I couldn’t live without you before the accident. I was just being a stubborn prick and justifying it by saying you had to show me you could be trusted.” Scrubbing a hand down my jaw, my palm grating across the rough stubble, I grimace. “What kind of man wants his mate to prove herself to him?”

Jamie shakes her head, her expression softening as she inches closer, her scent and her touch like a balm to my fractured soul. “You didn’t want me to prove myself to you, but to your pack. I get it.”

She might have taken it to the extreme, but she certainly did that.

“Those were the worst two days of my life, Jamie. And I have no idea how you had the strength to get out of that bed and attempt to walk out of my life, but there’s no fucking way I’m letting you leave. You’re mine.” Cupping her cheek, I let myself get lost in her warm gaze. “There’s a Luna position here with your name all over it, if you want it. Right here with me. Forever.”

She turns her face and kisses the palm of my hand, the sweet caress of her lips on my skin enough to send a jolt of desire through me.

“I might consider it,” she teases, stepping into me and resting her hand on my heart.

The last wall around my heart crumbles. I’m hers, to do with as she pleases. My fingertips catch a strand of her dark hair, and I admire how it glistens in the light, before running my fingers down its length.

“The only downside is I hear the alpha’s an angry asshole,” I warn her.

A laugh bubbles up inside Jamie, and I feel like I’ve won at life when she smiles up at me before resting her head against my chest.

“What do I have to do to get this job?” she asks, the smile clear in her voice, as I bend at the knees and sweep her carefully up into a bridal carry.

Holding her tightly to me, having her in my arms feels so right, I don’t ever want to let her go. Ducking my head down, I nuzzle into her neck, the side with no wound, and breathe deep.

Jamie’s thighs clamp together, and a little whimper escapes before she slams her lips shut. I’m not the only one suddenly impatient to make her role as Luna official.

“There are little ears listening. I’ll tell you when I get home… if you ask me nicely.” My breath against her ear makes her shiver, and when I give her lobe a sharp nip, I can scent how it affects her.

“Home?” she repeats, her fingers gently stroking the back of my neck, a slight flush to her cheeks. She still doesn’t understand how serious I am.

“Yes, little mate, home. It used to be my home, but now it’s our home, our pack, our life.”

Jamie’s nails delicately scrape my sensitive skin as she smiles up at me, sending tingles dancing across my skin. As I cross the clearing in front of the packhouse and march as quickly as I can toward the cabin, I curse my stupid idea to live this far away.

“I quite like being a rogue. Who says I’m ready to be tamed?” She nuzzles my neck and speaks the words against my skin, and I groan, all kinds of ideas for how I could show her who’s boss now filling my mind.

“I don’t want to tame you, little mate. You’re going to need every bit of that spirit for what I have planned.”

Jamie’s eyes darken, and her heartbeat picks up. As I suspected when she reacted so beautifully to my hand at her throat, my mate likes my dominant side.

Growling, I pick up speed until I’m practically jogging as I reach my small front yard and climb the steps two at a time with my bratty mate still in my arms. Kicking open the door, I head straight to my bedroom and set her down gently on the mattress, removing her shoes carefully.

When I pull back the covers to let her slide in, she looks up at me adoringly, and my chest swells with pride, loving the sight of her in my bed.

“Pretty nice accommodations.” She smiles as I gesture to the room around us, letting out a little gasp when she sees her meagre belongings already spread out around the room. “You already moved my stuff.”

Her eyes glisten as she sees a picture of her and Wyatt that I placed on the sideboard.

I pause stripping my clothes off and hold her gaze. “Too fast?”

She squirms, frowning at my fingers resting on my belt.

“Not fast enough.”

I laugh as her focus drifts lower when I pull the leather free with one swift tug and open the zipper on my trousers.

Jamie’s eyes blaze when I step out of them and palm the erection that’s straining at the front of my boxers. Her wolf is right below the surface. She catches her bottom lip between her teeth, and I groan when she releases it, and her breasts rise and fall with each breathless pant that falls from her lips.

“And when you’re well enough to be thoroughly fucked, I’ll take care of that too. Right before I sink my teeth into that pretty neck of yours and mark you as mine.”

Jamie groans in disappointment. “I’m fine now.”

I shake my head. “No, you’re not. But we have all the time in the world.”

I laugh at her disgruntled huff.

“Rest first, little mate.” Climbing in beside her, I make sure she’s lying on her good side before I curl my big body around her back and then pull her flush to me.

She gasps as my cock rests thick and heavy against her backside.

“Ignore that,” I mutter, letting my lips slide against her warm skin and loving how her scent mingles with mine on the sheets.

“Saying that didn’t work the last time, either.” When she wriggles, she rubs her ass against me in a way that has me considering whether it was wise to bring her back here at all.

I clamp one big hand down on her hip and hold her still, wrapping my lips around her shoulder and gently pressing down with my teeth until her breath hitches and she stills.

“Rest. Because tomorrow, I’m not letting you out of this bed until you’ve come so many times you forget your own name.”

Jamie freezes, and I smile, knowing she’s weighing her options. “That sounds pretty good. Maybe just a little nap then.”

My lips pepper the back of her shoulder and neck with gentle kisses, and I stroke down her arm, moving my hand to rest on her stomach until she finally relaxes and melts into me. It reminds me of how we fell asleep the night I found her shivering and scared on the ledge, except this time, I know she wants to be mine, too.