Chapter 45
Slater
Her words light a fire in me that’s all consuming; it burns me from the inside out.
I lean forward and attach my mouth to her neck.
Her body arches and then stiffens; I hear her cry out in pain.
I don’t waste a second. I bite. It’s not the way I planned on doing this.
Nothing about this is the way it was supposed to be, but I won’t let anything keep us away from each other any longer.
The instant my fangs break her skin, I feel a force come at me hard, trying to push me away.
It’s invisible, but it’s strong. I can barely keep my fangs in her skin; I feel the power repelling me.
Zane, I need your— I don’t get to finish the thought before alpha power floods my system.
The power gives me renewed strength, and I push against the forces at play.
I’m aware that Evie’s body is stiff in my arms and every muscle is locked in place.
I hate that she’s in pain. I summon every ounce of my strength and combine it with Zane’s to force my bite to hold.
When it still doesn’t work, I let loose all the emotion and feelings I’ve been holding back, trying not to flood Tessa.
I release the tidal wave now, and the power of it combined with Zane and my strength pushes the bite deep.
Tessa throws her head back and screams, but I don’t let go.
I can feel the fight taking place, and I refuse to let evil win.
Suddenly, the force I’ve been fighting against dissipates.
I cut off the flow of Zane’s power and pull back my own emotions, but they don’t flow back into me anymore.
They flow directly into Tessa. I finally release my bite and lick it, soothing it.
I lift my head, anxious to check on Tessa.
“Tess,” I say urgently. “Baby.” And then she opens those gorgeous eyes.
She stares up at me and then smiles the biggest smile I’ve seen to date.
“It’s gone.”
I blink. “Are you sure?”
She looks down at where I’m still grasping her arms. “It doesn’t hurt?” I ask in wonder.
She pulls her arm from me and shows me an empty wrist. “It’s gone.”
I stare at her wrist and then look at the floor. I release her to bend down and pick up the broken bracelet. I show it to her and watch as her lips widen into a perfect smile. “I guess it worked.”
“You’re not in any pain?” I ask.
Her smile is blinding. “No, Hotshot. I’m not. So, can we do all that you said now?”
I’m not sure who moves first, but she’s suddenly in my arms, and my lips are on hers.
I groan low in my chest at the feel of her finally in my arms and without pain.
She sighs against my lips, and I kiss her deeper, loving the sounds she makes.
I run my hands over her spine and then down her arms, her hips.
I can’t stop touching her. She does the same to me.
I know I will never tire of kissing this girl and touching her.
I have no idea how much time passes, but eventually, Zane reaches out.
Hey, Brother, is it safe for us to come back yet?
I pull back and stare down at my mate. Her lips are swollen, her hair disheveled, and she looks absolutely perfect. No.
He chuckles through our bond. You probably need to head back.
Go away.
I’m going to take it that it worked.
Yes.
I'm happy for you, Brother.
I want to tell him to stay away and continue kissing my mate all day, but I know I have to get back.
I force myself to take a step back. Her eyes are filled with so much emotion and heat when she looks up at me, I almost cave and take her back in my arms. It takes every ounce of control I have to keep a foot from her. “I have to get back.”
“Oh, yeah.” She looks perfectly dazed, and it’s doing great things for my confidence.
I take her hand, unable to keep from touching her, and pull her towards me. “Just a few more days.”
“Until what?” she whispers.
“Until soccer is done, and then you and I will have the time we need.”
“To do this?” she breathes.
“This and so much more.” I hear my phone buzz again. I’ve already ignored it the first time, but I can’t any longer. It's probably Ben telling me my time is up.
“You need to go.” There’s disappointment in her gaze and in her voice but also determination.
“I do.” Neither of us move. She finally steps back. “Come on. I’ll walk you out.”
I want to tug her back into my arms and keep kissing her until we both forget what our names are, but I need to get back. I reach out to Zane. Can you give me a ride back?
He answers right away. Of course. We’re out front.
I follow Tessa to the front door. She pulls it open, but I push it shut and pull her into my arms. I have to; I just have to have her in my arms one more time.
This time, she groans; and I feel it deep in my chest. I pull back, knowing I need to be strong for both of us.
I lower my forehead until it’s touching hers. “I love you, Shorty.”
She breathes out a sigh. “I love you too, Hotshot.”
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to get away again before the game.”
She shakes her head. “Don’t. Focus on the game. It’s only a few more days.” I take a breath and take a step back, putting space between us. “I’ll be there Monday, cheering for number seven.”
“I’m counting on it.” And then, because I know if I stay any longer I won’t be able to leave, I open the door. “See you Monday.” I don’t turn back. I force myself to walk down the steps. When I approach the truck, Evie opens her door and climbs out.
She leaves the door open for me. “I’m glad it worked, Slate,” she says quietly before walking over to the house. I’m glad she’ll be staying with Tessa.
Quint climbs out next. “I’ll stay with the girls.” He’s completely serious for a change.
“Thank you.”
He nods and walks over to the house. “Yo, Slate.” I turn towards him. “I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks.” I climb into the truck, and Zane pulls out. “Thank you.” Without his power combining with mine, I know it wouldn’t have worked.
“Of course, Man.” It’s quiet a minute. “Is Tessa okay?”
I take a deep breath into my lungs. “Yeah. She’s finally free.”
He glances over at me. “I’m really happy for you. Do you think you’ll be able to focus on the game now?”
I look out the window. “Honestly? No, but I’m going to give it my best shot.”
Zane chuckles. “I get it, but that’s all anybody can ask for.”
Neither of us say anything else the rest of the drive. When he pulls up to the hotel our team’s staying at, he parks. “Are you going to be in trouble?”
“Hopefully not. Ben’s covering for me.”
“Sounds like we’re going to owe Ben after all this.”
I smirk. “Yeah.”
“Maybe pay him back by scoring a few times on Monday.”
I look over at him. “A few times?”
He nods. “You’ve done it before; you can do it again.”
With those words ringing in my ears, I climb out. “Thanks.” I hope he hears everything I want him to hear in that one word.
“Yeah.”
I don’t watch him drive away. I head inside, my mind already turning back to the weekend ahead.
I have one last game to focus on, and it’s high time I focus on it.
Now that I’ve bonded with Tessa—I stop in my tracks.
We’re bonded now. It hits me like a ton of bricks.
We can talk any time now. I don’t waste another moment.
I reach out to her, the same way I would one of my pack members.
Tessa. The moment I connect to her, I feel her.
I feel her warmth, her happiness, that sunshine personality, and also her shock.
So, now that we’ve bonded, we can do this.
We can connect to each other any time. Knowing she doesn’t know how to do it, I start to coach her through it. Think of me and—
Slater!
Her voice in my head shocks me, even though I was mentally preparing for it. I grin. That was fast.
I sort of freaked and ran right out to find Evie. She explained how to do it. Slater, this is amazing!
Yeah, it is, Baby. I’ve never understood what a gift this form of connection was until right now at this very moment. You can reach out to me any time you want.
You may never get anything done again, she warns. I’m a talker, you know.
I smile to myself as I make my way to the room I’m sharing with Diego. I know. It's one of the things I love about you.
You say that now, she starts.
And I’ll be saying that twenty years from now, I assure her.
I stop right outside my door. I’m back now.
Okay, I won’t bother you.
Not what I was going to say. Reach out anytime. I’ll let you know if I can’t talk right then, but I’ll always respond.
Okay, but it’s okay for you to focus now. I’m safe; everything is good, no, really good between us.
I smile. Yeah, it is. Stay close to the guys over the weekend.
We just need to get through this weekend and then we’ll figure everything else out.
I want to have a conversation about you possibly moving in to our house, but only if you want to.
I wait for her response. Tessa? When there’s still nothing, I instantly connect with Zane.
Do you have eyes on Tessa? She was talking to me, and now there’s nothing.
Checking now. My fists curl, and I turn around and start making my way back down the hallway as my worry increases. She’s out, Man. I slow my stride.
Oh. I’d forgotten about the healing power of my tongue also acting as a sedative. I forgot. Thanks. Keep an eye on her for me?
Of course.
I can’t help my smile when I think about her sleeping because of me. Hopefully, she’ll get the rest she so desperately needs. “Slate.”
I turn at the sound of Emerett’s voice. “How are you doing?”
I can’t help my grin. “Better now.”
He studies my face a moment before a broad smile crosses his face. You bonded, he sends mentally. I nod. He walks towards me and pats my shoulder. “Congrats, Man.”
“Thanks.”
He shakes his head. “I expect a good game on Monday.”
I smirk. “You and everybody else.”
“Yeah, but the difference is, I know it will be a great one.”
I cock my head. “How do you figure?”
He switches to our mental link. Because you’ve got your mate at your side.
You’re no longer facing the weakness from not bonding.
You’ll be at your peak; trust me. And Monday, you play for her.
He shrugs. None of the rest of this really matters.
He smiles. And that’s from one happily mated male to another.
I swallow hard at the foreign emotion clogging my throat at his words.
Thanks, Emerett. I head into my room with a renewed focus because everything Emerett just said is absolutely true.
From now on, it’s just about Tessa and doing everything in my power to make her happy and content and forever loved and cherished.
Being on the receiving end of her love is just icing on the cake.