Taken: True Mates Book 2 (BBW Wolf Shifter Romance) (A Craggstone Paranormal Romance) (13 page)

“Five? Jeez, you disappoint, Sean—”

I whacked him around the shoulder as we passed. “Drag your mind out of the gutter, younger brother—”

“Pulling the three minute card again?” His words faded as we sneaked into the main house, hightailing it up the stairs. We had five minutes? Hmmm, maybe enough time…

***

Lisa

“No-good-rotten-teasing-beta-wolf,” I muttered under my breath, pushing open the door to James’s office in a huff.

Sean smirked beside me, his hand caressing my waist, sending shivers racing up and down my spine.

Five minutes had been just enough time for Sean to wind me up, then leave me hanging. That man had a way with his hands. He was
so
going to pay for that. I shot him a look that I hoped was filled with promises of vengeful retribution, but he just laughed, a loud, carefree sound.

Everyone in the room froze, their eyes swiveling to the doorway, open shock on their faces.

“So, it’s true then?” James was the first to speak, striding toward us, a grin on his handsome face. Grabbing Sean, he dragged him into a back slapping hug, then repeated the same with me.

It was then Kara’s turn to grab me, squeezing me tight, her joy palpable. I hugged her back, the sister of my heart. And, packmate now! Happiness threatened to overwhelm me, as I blinked at her through suspiciously watery eyes.

Eyes flashing molten gold, Sean abruptly tugged me away, propelled me through the room, and snagging an empty chair, pulled me unceremoniously onto his lap.

“What was
that
for?” I hissed into his ear, shuffling to get comfortable.

“I can’t stand to see you upset—”

“I wasn’t—”

“I know that. But, my wolf wants to kill anyone who puts tears in your eyes.”

Not beast — wolf, I noted joyfully. I snuggled closer, wrapping my arms around his broad chest and laying my cheek against his heart. “And, I love your wolf for it,” I whispered into his shirt, drawing his scent deep into my lungs.

My jaguar purred loudly inside my head. This was home. So long as I was with him, we could figure everything else out.

I could feel everyone’s eyes upon us. “Why is everyone staring at us?”

James answered before Sean got the chance. “Because we’ve never seen Sean this…”

I looked over at James. His face was screwed up in thought as he searched for the right word.

“Happy?”

“Relaxed?”

“Normal?”

“Not wanting to kill everyone?” Everyone chimed in, the last one being Luis, who was sprawled nonchalantly in the couch, looking right at home.

“Well, don’t get used to it,” Sean growled, his mouth set in a scowl.

“It’s an ongoing project,” I added, winking at him, kissing his frown lightly.

A slight movement caught the corner of my eye. I hadn’t even noticed Oliver slouched against the wall. He was staring intently at Sean, his eyes dark and filled with…Sorrow? Pain? No, I decided, finally putting a name to the emotion that swam in his eyes — envy. And, maybe a spark of hope? What was his story?

“Stop staring at Oliver…I can’t…just, it’s getting hard to…” Sean warned.

I wriggled in his lap, finding just the right spot. Payback time! “Yeah…it is, isn’t it, sugar?” I purred, feeling him harden beneath me.

I tuned in to listen to James. “…So, Macey and Cole have gone to speak with her contact—”

“Any idea who that is?” Sean asked.

“Nope, she wouldn’t say. But, she did say that there was a good chance they would be able to help.”

Sean nodded, shifting uncomfortably in his seat, a wince on his face.

I smothered an inappropriate grin.

James continued, “We’re setting out for Smithrock in the morning—”

“Damn! I knew there was something,” Sean shot upright in the chair, nearly throwing me off. “My dad—”

“Your dad?” The question from James was laced with shock.

“Yup, ran into him in the forest. Turns out he’s not dead,” Sean added bitterly. “He was warning me away from the Smithrock and Sunclaw packs. Said that we should all keep our noses out of their business. Somehow he is wrapped up in this whole mess. Fuck knows how, but knowing him…”

“He said something about replacing you?” I added, stroking his arm in comfort.

“Yeah, that I wasn’t the son he thought I’d be, so he’d replaced me.”

“If Bert is involved in the Sunclaw pack, then that might explain a few things,” Claire added from her chair. “How they’ve managed to thrive without an alpha…”

“He got away,” Sean’s voice was hollow.

“Only because he hurt me, and you stayed to—”

“Then, that was the right thing to do.” There was no censure in James’s voice, only approval. “I would have done the same. Don’t worry Sean, we will find him. We’ll find all of them, and they will pay for their crimes.” Sympathy on his face, he continued, “Sean, I know he’s your dad—”

“Not anymore. I disowned him a long time ago, and seeing him tonight…well, I realize just how fucked up I am because of him. My ties and loyalty are to you, and this pack. And above all else — to my mate.”

I could feel his heartbreak, his resolve, and determination filtering through the bond. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pulled him down, laying a gentle kiss on his down-turned lips.

“We’re in this together, I promise,” I murmured, hoping he could feel my love and devotion through the bond.

On a groan, he deepened the kiss, spearing my mouth with his tongue, lips sliding, ruthlessly claiming.

Shifting in his lap, I pressed closer, all thoughts of payback, of teasing — gone, burned away by his warmth, the fire spreading through me.

Sean pulled away, the flames of his wolf dancing in his eyes. Breathing heavily he stood, dropping me to my feet, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Let me know what you want me to do in the morning. Lisa and I have…plans,” he growled, on the edge of losing control. Not waiting for an answer, he tugged me toward the door.

I followed willingly, shivering in anticipation.

In our wake, there was a scattering of laughter, followed by a lively discussion that chased us up the stairs.

Cubs or pups?
That was a good question, and one I couldn’t wait to answer!

Read
Amanda & Tarq’s
story in
Healed: True Mates Book 3
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HERE