A Mate's Bite(10)

It was all Spot’s fault!

If he hadn’t been all seductive the night of the scenting ceremony, she wouldn’t have her own little furry Spot in the oven now. Her hand went to her abdomen, and she couldn’t help but smile. A tiny version of Nate had been one of her daydreams down the line. Like way, way down the line in about five years after she’d convinced him to marry her by tying him up to her bed until he agreed they belonged together. And of course, she’d get him to agree by giving him lots of sex. Maybe that was for her own benefit, but she was sure he’d enjoy it too.

There was no doubt her infatuation with him was a tad out of control.

“Well, you’re off the hook.” She smiled at Jordan.

“You know,” Jordan pouted, “I feel kinda sad that it was negative now.”

Laughter bubbled up Karla’s throat. “We’re never happy are we?”





Nate Wolfe sat in his truck, staring at his cell phone. He’d tried to think of ways to apologize to Karla for not seeing her just yet. Tried and failed. He could never come up with the right words. He knew she wasn’t the type of person to be played with, but with the crazy schedule he kept lately, it was hard to get the time in to see her in person. Most nights, he parked his truck outside her house and sat there, wishing he was inside with her.

A knock sounded on his window. He already knew who it was. He motioned for Kelvin to get in the truck.

“What’s up?”

“You know, if I didn’t know better, I’d swear you’re stalking my sister.” Kelvin laughed.

Once he’d bitten Karla and marked her, he’d spoken to her brother and explained the situation. Ever since then, Karla’s brother showed up nightly to sit in his truck. Sometimes they’d talk. Other times they sat there, watching Karla’s house for a few minutes before they both left.

“How are you?” Nate scrubbed a hand over his face. He needed a shower and a bed. He’d spent most of the day deep in the forest, hunting down some of the rogues Caleb’s uncle had hired.

“I’m okay.” He motioned toward Karla’s house with his head. “It’s her I’m worried about.”

Nate frowned. “What’s wrong?”

He’d asked Ellie and Jordan to watch her for him. The farther he went into Caleb’s land, the harder it was for him to get back at a decent time to see her. Usually, it was late, and she’d be asleep. Instead, he sat outside and comforted his animal with the knowledge she was near.

His wolf missed her. He missed her. Her smile and sparkling eyes. Messing with her and riling her up. Her scent and the feel of her body under him. Fuck it. He missed his mate. And though he hadn’t yet claimed her, he’d marked her. She was his. All that stood between them was a bite and it would seal the deal. But he wouldn’t rush her into that. They had time.

“She sounded strange on the phone today,” Kel said.

Nate didn’t like the sound of that. “I’ll ask Ellie what’s going on.”

Kelvin nodded.

Though they’d been friendly for years, it was Nate and Karla’s new relationship which spurred him to become closer to her brother.

“See you tomorrow?”

Kelvin grinned. “Same time.”

Nate waved him goodbye. Then he started the truck and went home. Frustration turned his muscles to stone. He’d been avoiding Karla. Not on purpose. Well, not really. He’d been unsure how to approach her about their future mating. While it was clear they were connected physically and mentally, it was her emotional distance that bothered him. He didn’t know how to reach her. A soft growl worked up his throat. He wanted to tell her to trust him. To open up and tell him whatever was bothering her, but she’d probably just stare at him with her beautiful but skeptic eyes and clam up.





He found Ellie sitting in the darkened living room, waiting. Since Jordan and Aric mated, they lived in Jordan’s house together. His sister, Ellie, was the reason he’d been able to meet Karla. She was Karla’s friend since college and recently joined his mother in the matchmaking ranks. Ellie cared for his friend Caleb, who was currently fighting for the rights to his own pack. Ellie’s concern for Caleb meant she waited up until Nate or Jake came home to reassure her he was fine.

“How’d things go?” She eyed Nate’s torn shirt with concern. The wounds from their fight tonight had already healed, but his clothes were still bloody.

His clothes were another reason he hadn’t visited Karla when he’d been injured. The last thing he wanted was to worry her.

“We went closer into Caleb’s uncle Rocco’s side tonight. But there are many caves and places to ambush. It was like taking a step forward but ten steps back. Things look pretty bad. He’s gotten a lot more rogues to work his security than we expected.”