Mating Brand(41)
She was silent for long moments and seemed to carefully consider what he said. “Will he have a problem with me once he’s back in charge?”
“No. He’s a good man. As I said, he has a half-human son. He didn’t know about Grady until the mother abandoned him on their doorstep after discovering he could shift. Eve demanded he kill my cousin but he refused. Grady mated a human. My cousin Anton is the one who mated a she-cat. Uncle Elroy accepted them. He’ll accept you too.”
She still didn’t appear convinced.
“He will, Charma. Uncle Elroy has been a father to me since my parents left.”
“You never talked about them except to say they were gone. I thought you meant they’d died. Are they still alive?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s not a good story to tell.” Charma peered at him until he gave in. He’d do anything for her. “My dad was kind of stupid and thought he’d make a better alpha of this pack. He challenged Uncle Elroy and lost.”
That stunned Charma. “I thought werewolves didn’t do that kind of thing if they were brothers. Was your mother the sibling to the alpha?”
“Nope. It was my dad. Uncle Elroy should have killed him. That’s pretty much a given when you challenge for leadership. They were asked to leave the territory instead and banned from ever coming back.”
“How horrible.” She massaged his arm. “I’m so sorry, Brand. Why didn’t you go with them?”
“My father was wrong. Uncle Elroy is a fantastic pack leader. I was given the choice to stay or go. I chose the Harris Pack. My parents were angry and have not contacted me since.”
“Oh, Brand.” Her sadness showed in her eyes.
“Don’t feel sorry for me, hon. My cousins are like brothers to me. I might have lost my parents but I kept the whole of my family intact by staying. I’ve never regretted that. This is my pack.”
“But it’s got to be hard not knowing where your parents are, or if they are still alive.”
“They’d have contacted me if they wanted to. I’m listed in the book. It’s not my favorite subject so let’s change it. You asked how I know my uncle will accept you. I know him well and he’s going to welcome you with open arms. I have no doubt about that.”
“I’m glad you’re so sure.” She braved a smile.
“It’s going to work out. We need to get ready to leave. We’re expected at the alpha house soon.”
“I don’t have any spare clothes so this shouldn’t take long.”
“We’ll go shopping once the pride males leave town. For now, you can borrow anything of mine you like.” He enjoyed the idea of her wearing his stuff but naked was better. His dick hardened. He groaned, glancing down at it with disgust. “We need to hurry before I lose my mind needing you again.”
Chapter Eight
Charma stared openly at the attic space that had been converted into a guestroom. The smell of dust tickled her nose. Brand hovered behind her and she turned, catching the worried expression on his face.
“I’m so sorry about this. It’s not exactly nice and I doubt anyone has stayed in this room since Aunt Margie spent the summer five years ago. She had a thing for living in attics after a flood destroyed her home. The higher above ground, the better. I picked it because it is the most private and gives us the floor to ourselves.”
“It’s great.” She glanced at the queen bed, two nightstands and a line of boxes piled up along a wall. “I wish it had a television but there are books.” She pointed. “See. Those are clearly marked as romances in that top box to the far left. I love them so I’ll have plenty to read.”
He inched closer. “This wasn’t how I thought it would be when we mated. It’s safer here with all of us under one roof though. I’ll get you a TV.”
She grinned and stepped into his arms. “I was teasing. With you in heat, I’m sure I’ll be far from bored. I don’t care where we are as long as we’re together. The place just needs a good cleaning.”
A soft growl rumbled from him. “I want you.”
She pressed her hand against the front of his jeans, caressing the hard length of his cock trapped inside them. Her breasts flattened against his chest. “I’m all yours.”
He brushed a kiss over her mouth. “I’ll never get tired of hearing you say that. It’s not real yet. I keep half expecting to wake up alone to discover none of this was real. It would kill me.”
“I’m real.” She reached up to dig her fingernails into his biceps. “Feel me.”