Bonded In Shadows: A Shadow Unit Novella Read online

  “Mine.”

  The word was choked, gritty. He made the syllable drag like honey slowly making its way down the sides of an apple, sweet and tart coating her flesh with the sound of his need. Draven slid his finger through her wetness again, dipping into her center, and then pulling out so that he could lick the juice from his finger.

  Fuck that was hot.

  “Wet.”

  Another monosyllabic word to sum up the obvious. He always made her wet. Desire hollowed her gut giving way to a feeling so strong, it felt like energy was building a power she could barely control. Jes cried out his name in hopes of expelling some of the pent of power that had nowhere else to go.

  “Hungry,” Draven’s voice was doubled layered as he said the word.

  Jes let out a long, pleasure-filled moan as his gaze crawled over her body and connected with her eyes. His green eyes shimmered to a smoldering gold as his wolf returned to stare down at the apex of her thighs, putting her most intimate parts on display. Draven lowered his face to her opening, anchoring one hand at her waist to stop her from moving and slowly licked her.

  “Yesssss.” She hissed at the fiery feel of his tongue. His mouth latched onto her labia and sucked. Jes’ eyes rolled into the back of her head as her hips thrusted up into his waiting mouth. Her pussy clenched down hard on Draven’s tongue as a jolt of desire shot through her belly, lighting her up from the inside. She was so close. A fine sheen of sweat coated her skin made her tremble on the bed as a swift breeze blew in from the open window.

  “So close.” Jes whispered turning her head to the side as she buried her face into the pillow to hold back the scream she knew everyone downstairs would hear.

  There was a knock at the door.

  “Shit!”

  Seriously! Jes almost screamed into the pillow. Did someone just knock on their door? Was she hearing things?

  The knock sounded again, followed by Royce’s voice.

  “Dinner will be ready in ten minutes. Make it quick you two”

  Then Royce said into her head. “Sweetheart, we can all hear you downstairs. Immortals, remember?”

  Jes groaned aloud while Draven yelled at the door.

  “Be down in a bit.”

  His voice was back to normal. Head still between her legs, he kissed each of her thighs before pulling back to sit on his haunches.

  “Get dressed Petal; we’ll finish this later tonight.”

  Punching the pillow, Jes sat up. Throwing shaky legs over the side of the bed. Orgasm unreached, she felt her body hum with the energy to expel it.

  “Geez!” She looked at him, then the door and pointed out. “You didn’t lock it.”

  “Heat of the moment Jes. Get dressed.” She could hear the irritation in his voice and agreed wholeheartedly. This is what happened when you were visiting a werewolf compound. No damn privacy. Good thing it was Royce who walked up and not Faith. That would have been bad. Really bad.

  Chapter 6

  Jes and Draven both appeared at the bottom of the stairs. Ronin could tell Jes was frustrated. He knew just by the look on her face, despite the fact that he’d been privy to her vocalized curses only moments earlier. He grinned to himself as they both tried to appear fresh and relaxed. But, her lips were too swollen, her cheeks tinted a nice shade of red, and Draven’s hair had seen better days.

  “Glad you two love birds could join us for dinner, your father is waiting for us in the main dining hall.” Mara commented with a chuckle.

  They’d all heard the two of them upstairs voicing their need for one another. It was about time, but Ronin knew sex didn’t fix everything.

  Jes gave a tight smile and nodded in her mother-in-laws direction before Faith ran to both her parents, catching them around the waist in a hug.

  “Hey there, Angel,” Draven picked up his daughter up and squeezed her in his arms as they made their way outside of the house, towards the dining hall. It was three cabins down from the main house. Funny thing about werewolves, they did almost everything together as a group and their customs bordered on cultish. Something he and his brother Royce joked about often. There were four long tables each connected to the other at its ends creating a square. All four were laden with choice meats and vegetables, as well as the house wine that was made within the community. The groups at the tables were all talking and preparing their plates.

  “Five bucks, someone pulls out a photo album of just women’s hands and their feet.” Royce said into his thoughts. Ronin didn’t respond but felt the corner of his mouth tip up in a smile. All of the chairs were filled with the exception at the head of the table facing the door and one spot down on the end that was next to a group of females. A tall male that sat closest to the head of the empty table stood and approached them.

  “Jes, if you’ll follow me, you will sit with the rest of the unmated females.”

  Ronin watched as both Belinda and Jes’ spine straightened. The look on Jes’ face was murderous as her eyes flashed an eerie gold before going entirely red. She looked over at Draven waiting for him to intervene and tell the other male to go back to his seat. The entire room was quieted as they waited in uncomfortable silence. Ronin could tell that the other male was just as scared of the outcome as everyone else was.

  “She sits with me.” Draven bit out as his free hand tightened into a fist.

  “Yes Draven, as you wish.”

  Antony, the alpha watched on and said nothing as the two of them walked over to where they were going to sit. Good thing, because Ronin could feel the hostility in his friend rising to uncontrollable levels.

  Jes took a deep breath and sat next to Draven who took the seat to his father’s left. Ronin growled at the male he knew to be Sam, who quickly stood and made sure that the others accommodated them appropriately. Ronin looked over at everyone at the tables and noticed that Asia was indeed absent from the gathering.

  “Everyone, let’s get this dinner underway, there is much to discuss.” Antony said as they all took their seats. Belinda sat next to him and his brother, the three of them seated comfortably across from Jes and Draven.

  “True dat.” Royce said as he pulled a napkin over his lap.

  Mara stood and everyone at the table stopped talking.

  “The next couple of days marks a journey we’ve all been anxious to see come to pass.”

  Mara looked over at Faith who smiled at her and waved. There was genuine love in Mara’s eyes as she continued to address everyone at the table.

  “Everyone was affected by the death of our eldest son Aidan. He will be missed. A mother never wants to outlive her sons. A lot of you have only known this for a short time, but a few months ago, Antony and I were introduced to the newest member of the Stone Pack, Faith Rene Stone.”

  Everyone clapped as little Faith stood on her chair waving at everyone. This had everyone smiling at the table.

  “Our grandbaby turns five in two days.”

  “Six nana, I’ll be six.”

  “I’m sorry dear. That’s right, Faith will be six. In Jes' culture, a child is said to be a year older than her actual age. It’s a way of blessing the upcoming year. To say that the child will indeed make it to her next birthday. I have to agree with Jes’ customs. Our little Faith will be with us for many years to come. The other thing I am proud to announce is that my son Draven, is finally going to tie his life to his wolf’s chosen mate, Jesminda.” Mara looked over at Jes and smiled. The other woman was proud to say those words, and the rest of the pack could do nothing but agree with their alpha’s mate.

  Those in attendance all raised their glasses as they toasted their newest member to the pack. Mara sat down, and Antony stood. Ronin looked over at his brother as they both nodded at one another, acknowledging that Antony Marcus Stone was unreadable to both of their minds.

  “As my dear mate has said, we are happy and truly blessed by the Goddess to have our grandbaby among us. You all know that our son Draven will one day take over the Louisiana Pack a
nd with the birth of his daughter, this only cements his title further. The bloodline of Stone will forever be strengthened. Giving life not only to our heritage but also to the pack. Pack comes first.”

  Everyone save those that were not wolves, which included himself, Royce, Belinda, and Jesminda said in unison. “Pack comes first.”

  “We’ve entered into a cult. This is straight out of one of those documentaries.”

  “Shut your mouth Royce.”

  “Seriously brother, don’t you feel like at any minute, they are all going to turn towards us and demand we be their sacrifice?”

  “Wouldn’t matter if they did. Draven isn’t going to fall for this shit.” Antony was still talking when Ronin finally started listening. Which was good, because he almost missed what Antony said.

  “Pack law requires things from the old and the new. Because Aidan was taken from us, it’s only right that his brother honor him in the ways of old.”

  Ronin watched as Draven looked at his father in a puzzling manner. Even Mara didn’t look happy with where Antony’s speech was leading.

  “I invoke the right of Leviratus. Draven will not only take Jesminda as his mate and first wife, but also take Asia, Aidan’s mate and get her with child; the child will be claimed as Aidan’s.”

  No one said anything for long moments. Not even Jes. Draven’s face was devoid of blood and his nails had lengthened digging into the wood table.

  “You can’t mean to do this Antony.” Mara whispered.

  “I do and I can Mara.”

  Draven spoke then. He stood to his full height invoking his wolf’s voice as well as his own.

  “There has been no contract between Asia and myself, it became null and void the day she chose Aidan as her mate. Jesminda is my mate, and there will be no others. That is final.”

  Ronin could feel the negative energy in the room. Pack members were starting to growl. Bones were cracking inducing the change brought on by the alpha’s irritation.

  “Everyone stand down. Son, pack comes first, and you and Asia did have a contract, a binding one between her family and ours. She is to mate with a Stone and bear you offspring. With your seed and her womb, she will give birth to a strong male. A worthy male.”

  Draven pulled Jes from the table grabbing Faith around the waist and pulling her into his arms. The little girl immediately wrapped herself around her father looking on with wide eyes at everyone else at the table.

  “This will not happen. Do you forget father that I don’t have to do any of that. I am the second son. Hell, at this point you can have Sam knock Asia up and give him the pack for all I care. My family comes first.”

  Those were his parting words before he left with Jesminda and Faith.

  Draven was putting his family first for a change and it was about fucking time, Ronin just hoped the contract Antony spoke of wasn’t a blood binding contract.

  “Well, this has been fun,” Royce said as he stood from the table. Ronin took Belinda’s hand and stood to.

  “You need to get your head checked Antony.” Belinda said as she left the table. Mara too rose though remained silent as she made her way back to the house, along with the others. Ronin noticed that her eyes were wet with tears. So much for the festivities. Draven’s pack had a way of ruining ones appetite.

  # # #

  “Can someone tell me what the hell is going on? My parents are coming all the way from Belize tomorrow. Is your father seriously going to drop some shit like that on us, in front of your entire pack? Seriously! Who does that?” Jes all but yelled at Draven.

  “Jes, don’t listen to anything that deranged man said. He’s an idiot. I’m not mating Asia.”

  Jes paced the length of their room pissed at herself, and even more pissed for thinking things were going to get easier. Belinda had agreed to take Faith while she and Draven talked about the fiasco that took place at a dinner she hadn’t even had the chance to eat.

  “Oh I know. Not if you want to be with me you’re not.” She said huffing as she plopped down on the bed. “What did your father mean about a contract between families?”

  Draven sat next to her on the bed. He looked tired, withdrawn. Today had not been the greatest of days.

  “When I was fifteen I thought I was in love with her.”

  “Her?”

  “Asia. Our families had agreed to our mating. Even though we were too young for our wolves to make the decision, Asia and I had decided it didn’t matter. We assumed our wolves would follow suit once we reached full maturity so our families signed a contract.

  But when she figured out my older brother Aidan was going to be alpha of the pack, she left me for him.”

  “Well lucky for me, but as you can tell, we women have a hard time letting go no matter that things are obviously not that same.”

  “If I had actually loved her, really loved her, I wouldn’t have been able to get over her as easily as I did. I even gave her and Aiden my blessing. But Aidan died not long after the announcement of their union was made.”

  Jes couldn’t imagine what it must be like to lose a sibling, she was can only child. Her heart broke for Draven at the unfairness of the situation. Not only did the girl he thought loved him leave him, but she left him for his own brother, only to lose his brother a few years later. That would be a shit hand dealt to anyone.

  “But how can something like that be okay? First she’s was with you, then your brother?”

  “It doesn’t matter to the pack as long as the line is preserved.”

  “Well, your father’s an idiot.”

  “Does it look like I’m going to argue? I have to find a way to get out of this.”

  “We can leave,” Jes said taking his hands into her lap.

  “Faith has to do her spirit walk Jes. I know you don’t understand that, but baby, trust me. I know what I’m talking about. If Faith doesn’t get to connect with her spirit wolf, there won’t be one. The result can be…” Draven cringed, “Let’s just say, it wouldn’t be good.”

  Jes thought about it for a moment. She didn’t like the idea of her daughter being subjected to hallucinogenic drugs or sitting in a hot box for however long she had to in order to see her spirit wolf. Even if it was all figurative. The spirit walk was just as it sounded a walk. A walk to where, into what? She had no clue.

  “Are you suggesting we stay here at your family’s crazy compound?”

  Draven eyed her apologetically, and she knew the answer without him having to say a word. They were staying in crazy town. Once again, his pack was overruling his better judgment.

  “What would have happened if we’d never gotten back in touch with one another? What if Marcus had been good to me and Faith didn’t know any other wolves?”

  Draven growled at the mention of Marcus.

  “Then she would never be connected to her wolf. That’s the same as dying in our culture. She would have been displaced, unbalanced and unable to control her wolf’s urges.”

  “There has to be another way. Can’t we do the ceremony back in Texas? Does it have to be here?”

  Draven pulled her into his arms rocking her back and forth.

  “Yes baby it does. This is sacred ground. Everything is going to be fine. I promise you. Let’s grab Faith and get her ready for bed. You do the bath, and I’ll grab her book, and tonight she can sleep in here with us.”

  “Okay.”

  Jes wasn’t going to argue with him anymore. She needed to sleep, her mind and her body too exhausted over the day’s events. They’d deal with Asia and Draven’s crazy ass father tomorrow.

  # # #

  The next day Jes woke early. She gently tugged on Draven, and the two of them showered and dressed before getting Faith ready to go and meet her grandparents for the first time. Marcus had all be kept her, and her baby locked up. He’d claimed people would know there was something wrong with her daughter, and for fear he was right, Jes had stayed indoors with Faith. Now her parents would see their grandbaby, a
nd she could only hope that everything went according to plan. Her parents were human, and there was no way she could introduce them to the life she now led.

  “You want to grab something to eat on the way to the airport?” Draven asked.

  “Daddy can we have Waffle House? I love to eat there.” Faith asked as she grabbed her Buzz Light Year backpack.

  “Sure Angel, anything you want.”

  Draven grabbed Jes around the waist before she had a chance to grab Faith’s hand and pulled her into a hug. He turned dipping her over his arm and kissing her senseless.

  Faith laughed.

  “What was that for?”

  “Just because.”

  Smiling, Jes grabbed him around the neck and kissed him fervently.

  “What was that for?” Draven said, echoing her own question. Sporting a grin from ear to ear, she shrugged, and then grabbed Faith by the hand.

  “Because,” was all she said.

  As the three of them made their way outside, Jes noticed that a thick fog hung low to the ground, making the Bald Cypress trees look ominous with Spanish moss hanging down like eerie curtains. The lack of sound as they made their way to the car made Jes jumpy.

  “I’ll drive Petal you navigate.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  Draven swung Faith up over his shoulders onto his back, making their little girl burst out in a fit of giggles before helping her into the car.

  Chapter 7

  Belinda was sandwiched in between two men when she woke up. A normal situation for her now. Still, she couldn’t get over the events from last night’s dinner. The nerve of Antony. Who would want to do something like that to their only son? It made no sense. Asia could find her own man to get her pregnant. Why did she show up now? Right on the cusp of the family festivities. Bells wasn’t one for all the crazy drama, but now that she’d joined the Shadow Unit, she knew that was all she was in for. Drama.