Page 11 of Reign of The Beast (Immortal Passions #2)

11

~Mia~

I was in hysterics.

Laughing so hard that I couldn’t breathe, I noticed Jaxon grinning from ear-to-ear, highly amused by my laughing fit over a hilarious coming-of-age story he’d told me about his younger days as a wolf pup when he’d been figuring things out and understanding his nature and power.

It felt so good to laugh like that. It had been far too long since I actually had. My life was all seriousness, stiffness and duty.

But right now I was relishing the sensation of being light and carefree. It was only a brief window through all the darkness and brutality, but I was going to take it and cherish the limited time we actually had to be this way.

I was on a date with Jaxon.

After what had happened between us in the kitchen, we’d established a connection. It had kind of just snapped into place. It felt amazing and invigorating. I needed more, needed so much more of him. So, we were spending some quality time together, having a picnic out on the safehouse grounds.

“You’ve got a cute laugh,” he commented.

I waved my hand dismissively. “Cute really isn’t a word anyone would use to describe me.”

“That’s their loss then, because it just means they never got the opportunity to know you.”

“I couldn’t let people in.”

“I know. Because of your true heritage.”

“At first, yes. But then keeping myself closed off became a part of me. I didn’t know how to reopen myself.” I grinned at him. “Until the other night when a stubborn Alpha asshole wouldn’t accept anything less and ruled my mind and my body in one fell swoop.”

He reached out and tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear in a sweetly intimate gesture that had me basically swooning. God, what was he doing to me?

“You know, it was far from one-sided? You brought out some stuff in me too.”

“I did?” I’d thought he was already open and free, like wolves were known for being.

“As Alpha, the leader of the most formidable wolf pack, I had to keep myself in check to a real intense degree.” He winced and murmured, “ Had to? It’s still so fucking weird talking about it all in the past tense.”

“I know. I’m so sorry.” I wrapped my arms around him and held him against me. “They will be avenged. I promise you.”

A soothed sigh emanated from him, making me realize that my touch was actually comforting him and easing his pain somewhat.

He nuzzled my shoulder and murmured, “If it hadn’t been for you, I’d be dead alongside them all. Or used by that monster. ”

I winced. “I should’ve been better. If I’d been in greater control of my magic, then—”

He pressed his finger to my lips. “No. Don’t do that. You did everything that you could. None of us were prepared for him. If Cornelius hadn’t kept so many secrets, we could’ve been. We could’ve all been united and ready for what he threw at us. Instead, we were all just pawns, Mia. Toy soldiers for him to fuck over and manipulate for his own ends.”

It was my own father that he was talking about, my father that I knew was suffering so much right now under Draco’s wrath. But I couldn’t deny the truth to Jaxon’s words. I couldn’t come to my father’s defense, because there was none to be had. He’d gone about this all wrong and it had cost us all in different ways.

Trying to rectify it now seemed insurmountable in my weakest and most disillusioned moments, and a hell of a tall order in my stronger, more optimistic moments.

I eased Jaxon’s finger from my lips. “He violated our free will. Especially when it came to you and me.”

A low growl emanated from him. “He denied our mating bond and kept us apart for so many years.”

I slid my hand into his hair and told him gently, “We can’t change any of that. We can only go forward. We’re together now .” I brushed my lips over his, kissing him softly, tenderly. What sounded a lot like a purr emanated from him.

I smiled as I pulled back and saw his eyes rolled back in his head, all blissed-out. “Is that all it takes?” I teased. “A little peck.”

“It was more than that. I could feel your love and adoration seeping into me.”

“I’m glad. I’m sorry it took me a while to get to this point with you. ”

“I get it. Like you said, it’s about the here and now, right?”

“Yeah. Yeah, it is.”

We pulled apart and resumed eating from the picnic basket I’d prepared, which had been filled to the brim with an assortment of foods.

“When did you make all of this?” he asked, devouring a roast beef sandwich like it was nothing at all. Wolves had voracious appetites… in more ways than one.

“I conjured it.”

“You… what?”

I shrugged. “I used my magic.”

“To make food?”

“Uh huh. Something wrong?”

He chuckled. “No, it’s actually a good sign. From what you’ve told me, you only use your magic for battle, or Guardian missions.”

“Sometimes, to get showered and dressed quickly too.”

“Right, yeah, but to head out to work.”

“I guess,” I said, popping a cherry tomato into my mouth.

“This means you’re loosening up a bit with it.”

I nodded, happy at him getting it without me even having to explain much. “I’m trying to allow it to become one with me, instead of something I just tap into for a specific purpose.”

“Trying to bring the fun?”

“Exactly.”

I took a bite from an apple tart and Jaxon’s next words had me choking on it.

“You ever use it to get yourself off?”

I slapped my hand to my chest, fighting to clear my throat.

“What?” I managed to croak out .

I snatched up a glass of orange juice and took a few sips to ease the irritation.

Jaxon was grinning at me like a freaking Cheshire Cat. When I’d managed to get myself under control, he pressed, “Well?”

“A lady never discusses such things,” I said with a wry grin.

“After the other night, I finally got my proof that you’re way more than that prim and proper lady persona you put on to the rest of the world. There was a wild thing trapped beneath all that, just waiting on the right guy to come along and bring it roaring to the surface.”

Well, he wasn’t wrong. In fact, it was undeniable. Being with him had awakened me in that respect and I’d felt a whole new sense of freedom ever since. I felt lighter, more open, more confident.

It was what enabled me to continue what would have previously been a highly uncomfortable discussion, telling him, “No, I’ve never used magic to pleasure myself.”

“What about with Ryker?”

I shook my head vehemently and winced at the recollection.

“What was that?” Jaxon asked, picking up on my reaction.

“I… uh… the one time I did use my power when we were in the throes of passion, it didn’t go over so well. I lost control, blasted him across the other side of my bedroom and knocked him out.”

Jaxon choked out a laugh. “Jesus.”

“I know. It was bad.”

He shrugged. “Well, he likes it rough. His thing with Lucian is proof enough of that.”

“It was a little more than just some sexy roughness.”

Eyeing me curiously, he finished the rest of his sandwich, then dabbed at his mouth with a napkin, before asking, “Why did you risk it with me?”

“Risk what?”

“Going the rough route? Allowing me to take it there, then you taking it there too?”

“It was instinctual. It felt easy, natural, like it was meant to be.”

His eyes shone, looking almost giddy with my confession.

I slapped his shoulder playfully. “Don’t look so pleased with yourself, arrogant ass.”

He snatched my hand with his wolf speed, making me gasp.

He brought it to his mouth, peppering my fingers with little kisses, as he said, “How can I not be an arrogant ass with you as my mate? You’re perfect. A sexy little thing, a prodigy, a real warrior, with a cute sweetness underneath it all.”

“Smooth talker,” I choked out, his ministrations working me up so quickly.

Just his touch, let alone his lips on my skin, stoked a fire in me.

The pull to him was intense.

It had been difficult enough just to sit and talk and enjoy this date, rather than giving into the mating bond need and jumping each other’s bones.

But we needed to get to know each other deeper and more intimately, to build a strong foundation, after the opportunity had been denied us for so many years.

He moved my hand from his lips and held it between us. “All of that is a good sign that the bond between us is growing stronger, that you’re putting your trust in me.”

Guilt gripped me and I eased my hand from his grip.

It was time .

I hadn’t wanted to bring it up yet and risk ruining what we were building.

Not to mention, I’d agreed with Ryker’s plan to keep it quiet until we’d formed the Covenant and had the means to control any unfavorable reaction from Jaxon.

I couldn’t keep to that agreement any longer though. Things had shifted between me and Jaxon, so much so that it just felt so wrong keeping to it.

It had gone on long enough now. His talk of trust had been the last straw.

“In the spirit of trust, there’s something I need to tell you.”

He cocked an eyebrow.

I scrambled off the blanket and stepped back onto the grass, finding myself pacing in my distress.

“Babe?” Jaxon queried, rising to his feet as well and watching my erratic movements warily.

I couldn’t even look at him as I forced the awful words past my lips, “Too much manipulation has been levied upon us. It’s not right. For the sake of what we’re trying to build here, and because you deserve it, we need transparency from this moment forward. No more harboring of secrets.” I drew in a shaky breath and revealed, “Draco’s claims to you during the Silverwood Wolf Pack battle weren’t just the ravings of a madman or a case of mistaken identity. In fact—”

“Mia, it’s all right. I know.”

My gaze shot to his. “What?”

“I already know.”

“You… how?”

“I heard every word you and Ry spoke about it.”

“You heard us? You were a good half-mile away, maybe more. ”

“Well, it turns out that I’m not an ordinary Alpha, am I?”

“No. No, you’re not,” I murmured. “Wait. If you heard all of that, why didn’t you come to either of us, confront us, or ask for an explanation?”

“You weren’t ready for me to know. I figured on building your trust before I went there with it. And, I guess I wasn’t ready to accept it, let alone hear more about it from either of you.” He squared his shoulders. “But I’m ready now.”

“You’re sure?” It was a heavy burden to bear.

“I’m sure, princess. There’s a lot I don’t understand. I mean, why not unbind me? Why isn’t that our first go-to, instead of waiting on the conditions to be right for all four of us to be in sync so we can form that Covenant? With me unbound, wouldn’t I have Immortal-level power, like you? Then there would be two of us against him. That would be a hell of a force to be reckoned with.”

“It’s too dangerous.”

“Why? Because you think I’m going to turn dark like Draco, like you’re all worried about, but too afraid to say to my face?”

I took his hands in mine. “I know what you heard, but I’m no longer worried about you turning dark just from inheriting your powers. I know you now. I know your heart. You’re a good man. But there are other influences that could force you down that path. If Draco got his hands on you when you were unbound, he could guide you toward the evil that he embodies. You’ll be vulnerable when you’re first unbound. It’s a perfect opportunity for him to mold you.” I stroked his fingers, asking softly, “Is that what you want? To actually be unbound? You wouldn’t feel as you do now, as pure Alpha wolf. It would be tainted for you. ”

“Is that what happened to you?”

“No. I was never bound. I don’t know anything different than being… this. Something hunted for what I am, for my blood, my celestial link.”

“You think being what you are is a curse?”

“It hasn’t exactly been a picnic.”

“But it’s who you are, your true self. Being wolf isn’t all that I am, but it’s all I’ve been allowed to be.” He hung his head. “I’ve been trying to deny it all, wanting to hold on to the wolf, focusing on you and me. But that’s foolish.” His hands left mine and he shoved them through his hair. “I mean, how did this even happen? Hank Silver wasn’t my birth father after all? He adopted me? My mother had to have been wolf for that to pass onto me…” he trailed off, his brows knitting in consternation.

It was time for an Immortal history lesson.

I cleared my throat and started, “The True Celestials created Draco long after Cornelius. They wanted a different breed, one that was a true warrior who could carry out dirtier , questionable tasks without the weakness of a moral compass impeding them. Draco was made from a True Celestial and a True Demon. They thought they could control him, anticipating him to be much like a living machine that would in essence be programmable and would carry out orders without question to please his masters. It worked for a while. Until the day that Draco was sent on a mission to this realm and he became obsessed with it. He kept visiting against orders. He rebelled when the True Celestials forbade him from going back ever again. In his rage, he destroyed an entire city, razing it to the ground with his hellfire.”

I shifted my weight as I carried on, “During his time on earth, he laid with several lesser supernatural beings, producing numerous heirs. That wasn’t tolerated by the True Celestials, so they ordered Cornelius to hunt and kill every single one of them. They couldn’t tolerate such a violation of the higher order. When Draco discovered the order to kill his heirs, he went on a rampage and killed several Celestials. On the verge of a massacre, they enacted a Law that forbade a Celestial being from killing another of their kind. Not just something written down, but a magical act that physically prevented it from being possible. It cut my father’s mission to kill all the heirs short.”

“And then your father went and did the very thing he’d been on a mission against, having his own kid?”

“Well, after the catastrophe with Draco, everyone was under a microscope. That was when they discovered that my father had fallen in love with a lesser supernatural being. He was cast out from the Celestial Plane and he became Fallen, or an Immortal as we refer to it. Years later, he and my sorceress mother had me.”

“She died in childbirth, like mine?”

“Yes. A wolf or a sorceress, any lesser supernatural being, can’t survive birthing an Immortal Descendant baby. The eruption of magic is too intense.” I continued, telling him, “Anyway, so after all of that, Draco went into hiding. He’d emerge, though, every now and then when his carnal needs became too much. That soon grew out of control and then he was attacking people left and right, violating them, then razing places to the ground. That was when my father banished him.”

“I’m only in my thirties, though, if he was already banished… how did I come about?”

“Remember that sinkhole?”

“Yeah. What about it?”

“Through that, Draco was able to affect this realm, to actually touch and impact you , actual beings of this realm, despite him being bound and banished. I believe that’s what happened to create you.”

“So, he’s been reaching out every now and then whenever he could muster enough power, and infecting supernatural beings with his spawn? Going on and on until he finally found somebody who could hold his power?”

I winced. “Yes, I believe so.”

He frowned, thinking on things for a moment, before asking me, “So, somehow your father bound my abilities, made it so that only my wolf side shone through?”

“Yes. Bound you, erected a veil around you so nobody could scent your Immortal blood, and he hid you behind layers of magic to ensure we’d never meet.”

“He didn’t want his own daughter mixing with somebody of Draco’s bloodline.” He shook his head with disbelief. “That’s some intense helicopter parenting.” He blew out a breath. “Thanks for telling me all of this. I get that it’s not easy for you either. We’re in the same boat, I guess. The only two Immortal Descendants in existence.”

“I’m sorry you’ve been carrying it on your own.” I closed the distance between us again and gazed up at him. “You aren’t alone now . Tell me you know that.”

He beamed down at me. “Yeah, I know. After the other night, and the last couple of days since, I really do know, princess.”

“Good. I’m glad.”

He kissed my hand, then told me, “We’re supposed to be reveling in the moment right now. So, let’s put all this darkness and bullshit off to the side. We’ve got enough doom and gloom coming our way soon enough. Let’s take advantage of the small moments of light and fun that we’ve got, yeah?”

“That sounds perfect.”

“So, what do you want to do now we’re done with lunch?” I moved to speak, but he held up his hand. “It can’t be fucking.”

“But—”

“Getting to know each other, remember? Bonding?”

I thought for a moment.

I wasn’t exactly used to doing things for fun, or just in a leisurely manner. I was all work and no play in the extreme.

Jaxon had already gotten to know that about me, so he waited patiently for me to think of something. He was being sweet, because I knew how hard it was for an Alpha wolf to hold back his dominance and hand the reins over.

Alpha wolf?

I had it!

“I want to see your wolf.”

He looked startled. “What?”

“I want to see your wolf,” I repeated.

He hesitated, clearly struggling to grasp my request.

“Jaxon,” I chuckled. “What is it? Is it… too personal? I’m sorry, I don’t know enough about this to—”

“No,” he cut in, smiling. “Nothing’s too personal for you to ask of me. You’re my mate, woman.”

“Oh, does it hurt to shift? I thought after the first time that it was painless.”

“It is. There’s no pain and it’s instant for an Alpha.”

“Okay, then. So, what’s wrong?”

“I thought you were scared shitless of it.”

I frowned. “Why?”

“That day on pack lands when you were recovering from Draco’s attack, you freaked out when I partially shifted, called it a beast.”

Oh. Oh, shit. “Jaxon, no.” I stepped into him and grasped the sides of his leather jacket in my urgency to allay his concerns. “I was scared because I was defenseless in my magically-depleted state, in the home of somebody I didn’t know, this inexplicable overwhelming desire igniting between us, and you’d lost control of your wolf. I don’t know enough about wolves. You were the first I’d actually encountered. Knowing my father’s intent to keep us apart, that makes sense to me now. I used the word beast , because I thought that’s how you referred to it.”

He was quiet for a while as he took in my explanation, processing everything I’d said.

He pulled away from me and my heart sank, thinking he wasn’t good with it.

But then I watched his eyes glowing with that familiar gold.

In the next second, his claws of his right hand dropped. He shrugged off his jacket, letting it fall to the floor, and I looked to see that wolf fur had sprouted along his right arm.

He eyed me warily.

I knew what he needed.

Proof.

Reaching out, I ran my fingers along his arm, stroking his snowy-white fur. It was thick and so incredibly soft to the touch.

Emotion flared in his eyes as I lifted it to my face and nuzzled my cheek against it.

“The wolf is a huge part of you. Why do you think I asked to see it?”

“You want to bond with it,” he realized.

“Yes, baby.”

“ Baby?” he murmured.

“That’s right.”

He smiled. “Step back, princess. A good few feet.”

I complied, putting the distance between us .

Excitement bloomed at the thought of setting eyes on this part of him.

I could hardly wait.

My skin was tingling with anticipation.

And then he started stripping.

Holy hell.

I didn’t think I’d ever get used to his hulking, ripped body.

He pulled his gray t-shirt over his head, baring that glorious chest, that block of hard muscle, his broad shoulders serving to contain it.

He flicked his fly open and winked at me, enjoying me basically salivating over him.

He shoved his jeans down, revealing that he wasn’t wearing any underwear beneath, as his cock sprung free from its confines, startling me when I saw that it was standing to attention, rock hard and wanting.

“Just a touch and you’ve got me like this.”

“You’re not the only one.”

“Yeah? Show me,” he teased.

“Maybe after.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Really? That’s on the table now, is it? Wow. You really have become much more sexually liberated.”

I could feel myself blushing. “Well, I had a good teacher.”

He grinned as he kicked off his boots. “Glad to be of service. Seriously, any time.”

I rolled my eyes.

Then things became intense.

In the best way possible.

He took another step back.

His eyes glowed that beautiful gold again, this time that much more vibrant .

And then he slammed his hands down to the ground, on all fours.

With a ferocious roar, he arched his back, threw his head back, his wolf teeth dropping, his facial features contorting, hair sprouting throughout his body. His form shifted fluidly and beautifully, limbs extending and angling, until the full transformation engulfed him.

Standing before me in the next moment was a breathtaking huge white wolf.

His snout swung my way, his eyes still aglow, so strikingly vibrant, as the wolf looked upon me.

And then he hung his head, signaling that it was safe to approach.

I made my way over, my hands shaking with anticipation.

When I was upon him, I reached out and tentatively stroked his head.

A small purring noise emanated from him.

Encouraged and emboldened by the favorable reaction, I moved closer still, stroking his back, relishing the feel of his soft, warm fur.

He turned his large head, his beautiful eyes burning into mine.

And then he nuzzled against my side.

I wrapped my arm around him, relishing his warmth and the love coming off him.

He sank to the floor, lying down at my feet.

I crouched down beside him and laid with him, relaxing against him and stroking him as he purred contentedly, mirroring just how I felt.

My badass, abrasive Alpha wolf was much more than he let other people see.

So much more.

For me .

For his mate.

I knew from too many years of experience just how hard and risky that was to do.

Especially when he’d had so much stripped away so brutally recently, to take a chance like this took incredible strength of will and incredible heart also.

“Sharing yourself with me means everything to me,” I whispered at his ear.

He purred once more, this one far more distinct.

And then he draped his paw over me and held me close, letting me know that he was right there with me.