Chapter 25
DECLAN
“ S o, I take it you two have figured your shit out?”
Jaxon laughed while staring at us from across the kitchen counter.
I smiled as I remembered her claiming me so publicly not even thirty minutes ago.
“After her acceptance of your mating bond in front of the pack I figured you might have.”
He spoke.
I should’ve sensed his approach or even acknowledged him through the pack link, but I was so utterly distracted by the woman who had just finished on my hand.
Fuck, she was amazing.
Her scent was all consuming, the way her body moved, the noises she made… I was getting hard just thinking about it.
“We still have shit to discuss but we’re on the same page, yes.”
I told him.
“Fucking finally.
This whole broody bullshit you have been doing for the past few weeks was getting old.”
Jaxon chuckled.
Choking on a laugh, Talia poked her head out from behind me.
“Sorry to interrupt this moment between you two, but can you please either leave or turn around, Jaxon? I would very much like to not be sitting completely naked on the counter anymore.”
Her response caused a growl to rip from my throat, clenching my jaw as I ground my teeth so hard I was surprised I didn’t chip one.
“Woah man, calm down.
I’m not interested in your mate.
I’ll just go into the living room and chill while she gets dressed.”
With his hands raised in the air, Jaxon retreated slowly, making sure to keep his gaze lowered from mine.
Hearing the rustling of fabric, I turned around to see Talia putting her shirt back on.
“Can we go upstairs and finish our discussion? We got a little side tracked there… not that I am complaining , I fucking needed that release, but we have a lot to discuss.”
She said, a bit breathily.
Running my hands through my hair, I nodded.
“Let me go talk with Jaxon really quick and I’ll meet you upstairs, okay?”
Hopping off the counter she sauntered over, stepping on her tiptoes to graze my lips with hers, while her hands trailed down my stomach.
Pausing near the top of my jeans, she whispered, “Don’t think I’m done with you yet.
I want you to fuck me so hard against the bedroom door that I’m seeing stars.”
Good hell, this woman was going to be the death of me.
"That will have to wait unfortunately, we both promised my mother we would attend the gathering tonight, and after your announced yourself to the whole pack, they will expect us to attend.
But dont you worry, afterwards, I will have you coming so hard on my cock you will scream loud enough for the whole pack to hear." I told her while inhaling her intoxicating scent.
"I'm going to hold you to that, Mate." A shiver ran through me at the sound of hearing her call me her mate.
Her acceptance made me feel complete, and when I marked and claimed her, my soul would no longer be in half, it would be whole.
She walked right past me, swaying her hips as she went.
I watched her turn the corner to our bedroom, a moan slipped from my throat as I reached down to adjust myself.
The way her ass looked in her form fitted jeans just made me want to- “Are you going to keep staring at her ass or are you going to come in here and talk with me?”
Jaxon yelled from the other room.
What a fuck head Jaxon was, and a major cock block as well.
I was planning on taking my mate against the kitchen counter and claiming her right there.
My cock was straining so hard against the front of my jeans I needed to either fuck my mate or take a cold ass shower to calm down.
The sound of Talia’s laugh echoed down the hall until she closed the door behind her.
Her laugh was something I would never get out of my head.
It was so light, playful, and beautiful.
I hoped our future together held more of that sound.
I stepped into the living room to see Jaxon sitting on the couch with his feet propped on the coffee table.
“Get your feet off my table, you ass.”
I said while striding towards him.
He slowly moved his feet to the floor, smiling at me so wide I wanted to smack the look off his face.
“What are you smiling about?”
I asked him.
“Oh, nothing much, just the fact that you finally told her and she has accepted you.”
I hadn’t gotten that far… the moment she uttered the words “I am his fated mate”
my control snapped.
Grimacing, I looked up at Jaxon as his expression changed to one of shock.
“You didn’t tell her about your past, who you are tied to?”
he whispered now.
“I was planning on it, but she just claimed me in front of the pack, when was I supposed to tell her? What was I supposed to do?”
I quietly replied, hanging my head in shame.
“You don’t fucking maul her in the kitchen for starters! What if you had sealed the mating bond and marked her Declan? She needs to know before you go any further.”
He stood up and paced in front of the fireplace.
I had no idea what to do, this was all new territory for me.
I had never needed to think about someone outside of my family and pack.
My pack was involved and my family was aware of my… extracurriculars .
“She doesn’t fucking know you Declan, and what you have done, or what you are capable of.
Who you have ties to.”
He roared.
Fuck.
He was right.
“I can’t put her in anymore danger!”
I yelled at him.
“She deserves to know the truth Declan.
You’re not protecting her by lying to her, and don’t you think the pack is getting suspicious? You’ve been hiding your new mate in this house and limiting interactions with her.
The hairs on the back on my neck began to rise.
My muscles tightened while my hands balled into fists.
Trystan was saying the same thing earlier before we lost more pack members… “She won’t stay if I tell her.”
“What if she seals the bond before finding out? Do you think she would ever forgive you? Because I sure as shit don’t think she’s the forgiving type.”
He ground out.
“Until a few moments ago you didn't know the danger she was in Jaxon.
If you knew, you’d have been keeping it from her as well.
She isn’t just my mate…”
I ground out while pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace.
I stared out the window, watching as snow began to fall.
I tried to control my breathing, but I was starting to panic.
My lungs felt constricted in my chest, I felt as if a vice grip was on my heart.
“I know.
I have known for weeks.”
Jaxon replied.
My head snapped to the side as I asked, “What do you mean you knew? How?”
“I shifted with her today, Declan.
I have shifted with her many times now.
She has the mark of royalty, even in her wolf form.
I know it’s only been whispered about in fables told by the elders, but her mark… it's exactly as they have described.
Fuck.
Her glamour was fading faster than I had hoped.
Trystan wasn’t sure but he’d thought it would take months.
I didn’t want anyone to know who wasn’t already informed back in Jericho’s office, until my mate decided to tell everyone today, only Isla had been informed and that was a slip of words on my part.
I trusted my pack, but there were a few individuals who would turn her over to protect themselves.
I had been so focused on ignoring her, I hadn’t even noticed her mark appear… all royal wolves have a small crescent shaped moon behind their ear. Generally, they are faint, and hard to notice, but to the knowing eye they are there. “She is in more danger than you realize.”
I growled.
“She has become my friend.
And despite you having your head so far up your ass when it comes to her, she is also your fated mate.
I would never do something that would harm her.”
The expression on his face told me he was sincere.
I walked over to the couch and sank into the cushions.
Resting my elbows on my knees as I ran my hands through my hair.
I turned my head towards the kitchen, my gaze zeroing in on the hallway and where it led.
Down the hall my mate sat in our room.
Waiting for me to go to her.
She had accepted this bond.
Despite me being distant.
She deserved the truth before we marked each other.
Jaxon was right, I owed her that much. I just hope she doesn’t end up rejecting me once she knows about my past.
Turning my head towards where Jaxon was now sitting on the couch in front of me, I said, “You are right my friend, thank you for keeping me straight. I will tell her tonight after the bonfire.”
“I am just looking out for you both.
You are my Alpha and she is my Luna, not to mention my Queen.”
He replied.
“Wait, does that make you, my King?”
he chuckled.
“If we ever make it to The Scarlet Vales and get her on the throne where she belongs if she doesn’t reject me, then yes, I guess I would take on that title.
Unless she would rather rule with me as her consort.”
I spoke.
A huge grin took over his face, as he spoke, “Could you imagine? The great Alpha Declan, former assassin to the King of the scarlet vales being the new Queen’s consort?”
“Damnit Jaxon!”
I grumbled while quickly turning around to make sure no one was nearby.
If Talia found out about my past, and the hand I played in the downfall of her family from anyone else I doubt she would give me a chance.
Jaxon shrunk down before speaking, “Shit sorry, I forgot that Talia was in the house.
It really would be so helpful if she knew everything already.”
I nodded, “Tonight.”