Page 32 of Rejecting his Mate (The Wolves of Black Mountain #2)

Chapter 32

Cade

A WEEK LATER…

G ripping her hips, I slide my cock in and out of her. Halle’s breasts bounce with each thrust, and she has never looked more beautiful. She is everything to me.

“Cade.” She gasps my name, and my cock feels impossibly harder.

I love her little moans of pleasure and the way she grips the sheets of the bed as if she is hanging on for her life.

Her pussy, or what I can see of it, is swollen from my tongue working her over before I entered her. I reach out with one hand, applying pressure to her clit and enjoying the instant reaction that gets. Her thighs try to clamp together even as they shake, but my body between them keeps them parted.

Her red hair is spread over the mattress as I pound into her over and over. Lifting one of her legs so I can push deeper inside her makes her moan. “I’m close.”

I can tell by the way her pussy is clamping around my cock. She hasn't had her first heat cycle yet, but I cannot wait until my cock swells inside her, knotting us together. It can take months, sometimes even a year after a mating bond clicks into place, for heat to begin. Considering all the shit happening, it is probably a good thing. This is not the moment for pups, but a part of me wants to see her stomach grow with our young.

As this thought enters my head, I stroke a hand over her flat stomach, imagining what she will look like. I want to fuck my seed deep inside her, mark my territory. The claiming mark on her neck is visible and prominent, but I need more. I want to own her as completely as she owns me.

“You’re mine,” I tell her something she already knows.

“In every way,” she agrees.

“I love how you take my cock,” I say as I bottom out inside her. “You look so perfect like this.”

“Fuck me harder.” I don’t miss the begging note to her voice, and I’m happy to oblige.

I slam into her, setting a ruthless pace as I fuck her into the mattress.

Our eyes remain locked on each other’s as I circle my hips with each thrust. My wolf growls, a contented sound that reverberates through my brain as we both barrel toward our climax.

Halle's hits first, her pussy clamping so tight around my cock that I groan, and it's enough to make me spill my load inside her.

She milks me until nothing is left, and only then do I pull out of her. My fingers spread her folds, watching my cum leaking out, knowing I marked her so completely.

Using my thumb, I push it back inside her, even though I know the chances of her getting pregnant like this are slim to zero. The heat cycle is a wolf’s most fertile time, and that’s why knotting only occurs then, ensuring a successful pregnancy.

Halle watches me, her eyes heated and sated. “I like you when you’re like this.”

“Like what?”

“Possessive.”

If she thinks this is possessive, she has seen nothing yet. Every time she is away from me, I want to put her over my shoulder and drag her back. It is hard to keep my mate in perspective. My wolf and I are both very aware that she could have died the night of the attack. Neither of us would survive without her, so I will do everything in my power to ensure her safety.

Halle must sense my turmoil through the bond because she comes up on her elbows before sitting fully and taking my hand. “I’m right here,” she assures me.

“Things are going to get bad,” I say. “It is difficult for me to ignore that. All I want to do is bundle you up and get you the fuck out of here.”

“I know, I’m scared too. As much as I hate to admit it, though, Hester was right. We are stronger together. The bond between the five of us is something else.”

I bring her hand to my mouth, pressing kisses across her knuckles. I constantly itch to touch her. She has spent much of her time learning how to hone her magic, and I feel better knowing she will be stronger the next time there is an attack. I know another is bound to come.

I don’t want to talk about the danger we are facing, so I pull her to her feet and press a kiss to her mouth. I love the feel of her skin against mine, my hand sliding around her back to rest on the globe of her ass.

My tongue meets hers, the flames of my desire growing hotter as she reciprocates, showing me a confidence that has been growing since our mating bond snapped into place.

I’m reluctant to pull away, but I do eventually, needing air. Resting my forehead against hers, I don’t want to part from her, but we need to face the day.

“Time to shower,” I tell her.

She smiles, and I want to capture this moment forever, no matter how pathetic that sounds. “Okay.”

I lead her into the bathroom and turn the water on. Once it is hot enough, I pull her under the spray and take my time washing her body. My fingers linger over her pussy, stroking through her folds as my mouth finds hers again.

“We’re never going to get clean if this is how we shower every time,” she jokes.

“I don’t give a shit about being clean.” I turn her around, placing her hands against the tile of the wall, and then I fuck her again.

The water is tepid by the time we get out. I wrap her in a towel before slinging one around my own hips and leave her to get dressed in the bedroom. I stay in the bathroom, tidying up my beard, and when I step out, she's sitting out on the porch. It is her favorite spot, and I understand why. The views and the quiet are unreal.

Quickly, I dress, pulling on a pair of jeans and a thick knit sweater.

I watch Halle through the window of the cabin as I make coffee for us both. I can feel her emotions through our bond, a mix of sated from our lovemaking, but something else too—a sadness that has been there since she found out what happened to her mom.

I figured she’d talk to me when she was ready, but she hasn’t, which makes me think I might have to push her about it.

A lot happened on the night of the attack that was hard to digest for all of us, especially Halle. I know she is desperate to find her mom, but there is also a part of her that understands her mother is not who she remembers.

I pour the coffee into the mugs and her creamer and sweetener before I carry both out. It has snowed overnight, and a blanket of white covers the sanctuary. I can’t deny it looks pretty, but it is deep enough to be annoying.

Halle glances up as I approach and hand her the coffee mug. She’s got a blanket wrapped around her legs, which she lifts as I sit next to her, placing it over both of us. “Thanks,” she says in that voice that stirs my heart to life.

I place my coffee on the little table in front of us, putting hers there too so I can kiss her unencumbered. The way her lips move across mine is perfect, and so is the love I feel throbbing through our bond.

When I pull back, she has a dreamy look in her eyes, and I like that I put it there. Halle sighs, leaning her head against my shoulder. “I love this time of the morning,” she admits. “It’s so quiet.”

“The perfect time to talk,” I say.

Her nose wrinkles as she peers out over the snow-covered ground. “I don’t know if I’m ready.”

I’m glad she hasn’t tried to sidestep or avoid talking about this issue. “Okay then,” I let it go. “When you’re ready, I’ll be here.”

She snuggles against my side, and I pull her against me. “I just feel so much guilt.”

“For what?”

“Not knowing she was out there and leaving her to face whatever she has alone.”

“Are you ready for today?” I stroke her hair off her face.

She gives me a weak smile, and I feel the apprehension rolling through her. “I’m not sure what I’m going to say to her.”

“You say whatever you need to,” I tell her. “You don’t need to protect Adeline’s feelings, Halle.” Her aunt sure as fuck didn't protect hers.

“I feel scared. Isn’t that weird?”

“You don’t need to be scared. I’ll be there.”

Halle snorts. “I didn’t think there was a chance of meeting her without you there.”

“There isn’t.” This woman risked my mate’s life with her actions, and I need to know if they were genuine or if she truly meant to hurt Halle. “When is she coming?”

“She stayed the night in Laurel Falls. She should be here within the hour.”

“Drink your coffee, and we’ll make our way up to the entrance.”

We don’t rush, but we don’t linger either. Once we’re finished, we both pull on our boots and jackets for the short walk to the house.

I slip my hand into Halle’s as we walk through the snow, feeling it crunching underneath our feet. We pass by the main house, making our way up the drive toward the entrance gate.

When we reach it, there is a car idling on the other side, where Halle tells me the wards end. The car door opens, and a blonde woman steps out.

I can see similarities between her and Halle, enough for an outsider to tell they are family. But this woman has a hardness my little mate does not. She pulls her coat around her as she walks toward the gate, stopping before it. I sense Adeline is nervous, especially in the way she struggles to meet Halle’s eyes.

“Hey,” Adeline says.

“I’m glad you’re okay.” Halle gives her a small smile. “I was worried Klaus and the pack might have hurt you after what happened.”

Adeline shifts her shoulders. “I was more worried about you. You look safe and well.” Her gaze slides toward me, a wariness in her eyes as she takes me in. “Is this your mate? ”

Halle nods, tightening her grip around my fingers. “This is Cade.”

I don’t offer any pleasantries, mainly because I’m struggling with the idea of being pleasant to this female.

“And—Dalton?” She asks this question hesitantly as if she’s afraid of my reaction. I bare my teeth at her, not wanting to hear that son of a bitch’s name.

“He’s dead.”

Adeline takes this in without any reaction. “Right.”

“Why did you do it?” Halle demands. I can tell she’s trying to be strong, but her voice wavers a little. I squeeze her hand tighter, letting her know I am here.

“Do what?”

“I remember Delphine, the witch you took me to, who erased all my memories and bound my powers.”

I don’t miss it when her aunt flinches. “I never wanted to hurt you, Halle. You have to understand my position. Your mother called me out of the blue, telling me that you were both in danger. When I got there, I expected to help her with accommodation or maybe money. But she wanted me to take you.”

“And you didn’t want to.”

She winces. “I mistrusted and disliked Kinsley. I blamed her for my brother dying, and I wasn’t ready to let go of that anger.”

“So, you punished me by removing all traces of everything I ever knew?” The words are tight, the fury palpable.

“No. Shit, no.” Adeline swallows hard. “I knew what your mother was, and I had already lost my brother because of that. You were a child, Halle, but those hunters would have come for you anyway. I knew you wouldn’t be safe out there with your magic unbound.”

“You could have bound me without taking my memories.”

“And risk you slipping up and accidentally talking about it? I questioned my decision to take those things from you every minute of every day. In the end, all I knew was that you were happy, healthy, and safe. Do you think you would have reached twenty-one if I hadn’t done what I did?”

“You lied to her about everything in her life,” I interject. I told myself I would keep my silence and allow Halle to lead the conversation, but I can’t sit here and listen to her explain the unforgivable.

“I know. And I would do it again if given the same choice.”

“They captured my mom,” Halle tells her.

Adeline’s expression drops, and I see sincere pain there. “I’m sorry. I never knew what happened to Kinsley, but I assumed they had killed her.”

The laugh Halle lets out is dark and derisive. “Oh, they didn’t kill her. They kept her.”

“Kept her? For what purpose?”

“That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? I know you think what you did was for the best. It must have taken a hell of a lot of courage to go to that witch and demand a favor, but it changes nothing. You took things from me I can’t replace. There are memories stolen from me that have still not returned, and may never. I’m grateful for what you did for me, and on some level, I may even understand it, but I wish you had found a different way.”

“You have to understand, Halle, that I brought you to a pack for protection and safety.”

“Despite knowing the alpha killed his own sister for being different?” I snap.

She doesn’t answer that because what can she say to justify it? “I know you’re angry. I would be too, but please try to understand this all came from love. And I won’t apologize for what I did because you’re standing here alive, and that didn’t seem likely back then.”

Halle’s face scrunches as she gazes over the fields and mountains surrounding us. “I’m grateful for everything you did, I really am. But knowing what I was, I can’t forgive you for letting me go through with that first moon ceremony. Nor for tying me to Dalton.”

“I hoped you had more of your father in you than your mom. It was stupid, and I know that now, but I was terrified. I guess I buried my head in the sand and hoped it would all be okay. And Dalton—You agreed to that match.”

“I did it to make you happy.”

Adeline’s expression folds into one of dismay. “I never expected that. I chose Dalton because I hoped he would love you enough to protect you from outside forces, even his father, but I see how mistaken I was.”

“You turned a blind eye while that bastard abused her.”

Adeline faces me, and I have no idea what to make of this woman. She seems sincere, but her actions are not justifiable. “I did the best I could, and I’m sorry if you feel as if I failed you, Halle. I brought something for you.”

She turns and walks back to the car, leaning into the front, and when she emerges, she is holding a beat-up-looking teddy bear.

I can sense the emotional attachment Halle has to it through our mating bond. I glance at her and notice the tears brimming in her eyes.

Halle reaches across the wards and takes the teddy from Adeline. “Thank you,” she says in a choked voice. “I thought I’d lost it forever.”

“I knew how much it meant to you.” Adeline gives her a sad smile. “I know it’s going to take time, but I hope one day you will be able to forgive me, and we can move forward.”

“Maybe one day,” Halle says without offering any firm assurance. I don’t blame her for that. She has a lot to work through, and it's going to take time.

Adeline smiles at her before turning and walking back to the car. We don’t move as we watch her drive off, and only once the car has disappeared does Halle fully let go of her emotions.

She sobs, and I hold her against me, the teddy bear clutched between us. I want to know what it means, but now is not the time to ask those questions.

I hold her until she calms herself, and then I wipe the tears from her stained face. It shatters my heart to see her so upset, even though I understand why.

“You okay?” It’s a stupid thing to say, considering I can see she isn’t, but I want to allow her to open up to me .

“I didn’t think I would see this teddy again. It was a present from my mom on my sixth birthday, two years before I lost—” She breaks off because she didn’t lose her mother. “It’s stupid to be attached to something this much, isn’t it?”

I shake my head. “No, it’s not.”

She hugs me tight, and I hold her against me as we walk back toward the cabins. “I don’t want to lose my aunt,” she admits.

“Then don’t.” I tighten my hold around her hip, pulling her against my side. “Whatever you decide to do, I’ll support you.”

“Thank you.” She stops walking, and I halt with her, turning to face her. “Whatever happens, I’m glad you're at my side. And I know that makes me selfish because I shouldn’t want you to be in danger, but I don’t think I could do this alone.”

This vulnerability from her squeezes my heart. “You’ll never be alone again,” I promise her. “Whatever happens, I’ll be at your side through it all.”

I mean that. No matter what we have to face, I am not walking away. Halle is mine, and I will follow her into the fires of hell if that is what it takes.

As we get closer to the cabins, a figure darts out in front of us. It's Roux. She turns, yelling, “Stay out of my business!”

I’m not sure who she is talking to until my brother steps out from behind one of the buildings blocking our view. “You are my business, Roux! When the hell are you going to understand that? ”

She stops, and he nearly runs into the back of her. “I have nothing to do with you.”

“Biology suggests differently, sweetheart.” Despite the light tone of his words, I hear the bite in them. “You can deny me all you want, but the truth is you are only putting off the inevitable.”

She rolls to her toes, getting right in his face. “What is that?”

Sawyer leans closer, their mouths nearly touching. Roux’s chest heaves, color rising in her cheeks as she realizes the situation she has put herself in. “That you’re mine.”

She shakes herself and steps back. “I’ll never be yours.”

Roux turns and rushes into her cabin, slamming the door so hard snow falls off the roof. Sawyer stands there for a moment, his hands digging into his jeans pockets before he notices us.

“You’re lucky you didn’t have to club Halle over the head and drag her back to your cabin.”

“Give her time,” Halle says.

Sawyer shakes his head. “I’m done giving her space and time. That shit is getting me nowhere.” He gives us a wide smile. “If she wants to play games, then I’ll play.”

He walks off in the direction of his cabin, leaving Halle and me standing there. “Whatever you're thinking,” I say, “stop. You are not playing matchmaker here.”

Halle pouts. “You’re a killjoy. ”

I kiss the side of her head. “Yep. But I can live with that.”

I lead her back to our cabin, feeling like the luckiest son of a bitch on the planet, but also knowing this calm won’t last.

Things are changing, and the Order knows there are five powerful tau out in the open. It is only a matter of time before they come for us, and all we can do is be ready.