Pack Secrets(21)

Slurp, slurp, slurp, “Cool, Mama.”

Dee watched Blake flounder, “Now, wait a minute-“

“Now, it’s only fair. We have some very important things to discuss, as you so appropriately informed me a short while ago. I thank you for offering to keep him for us.”

“But that was only-“

This time Blake was interrupted by his mate, Delilah. “Cool, a sleepover. Let’s go pick a book to read before bed, Carter.”

Slurp, slurp, slurp. “I can’t go to bed, Missus Alpha, I’m wearing active wear.” He popped out of Justin’s arms and modeled his new shorts while doing some jumping jacks, his drink still in his hand.

Delilah narrowed her eyes at her mate, “Well, you’ll have to thank your alpha for that. He can put on his active wear with you tonight and you can both workout together,” she looked at her watch, “My bedtime is in an hour.”

“But-“

Slurp, slurp, slurp. “Woo hoo! Alpha, let’s go!”

Not being able to look away from the devilish grin Dee was sporting, Justin was surprised when she looked over and winked, prompting their departure. “Alright, we’ll pick him up in the morning. Have a great night.” She placed a loud smacking kiss on Carter’s cheek causing him to blush and wipe it away.

Carter continued to slurp away as he followed Blake and Delilah down the corridor to the bedrooms. Justin smiled as he heard his brother say. “Why is he trying to suck the universe through the end of his straw? It’s gone kid, move on.” Justin’s grin grew as he heard Delilah smack her mate and reply, “You did this to yourself, Mister. Your punishment is to live with the consequences.”

Grabbing her arm lightly, Justin steered Dee out of pack house and into one of the cars he used when he visited. “Well played, I can’t believe Blake agreed to keep him overnight.”

Feeling a light hand on his thigh he tensed, turning toward Dee. She wore a mysterious expression; part fear and the other part was desire. It was unfamiliar, yet intriguing. He asked, “Is everything okay, Dee?”

“We should have a nice long talk tonight. I understand you think we’re mates and I can’t disagree at this point. I don’t think you’ll like some of the things I have to say, but before we continue with anything, I’d like to clear the air.”

He took her hand in his after securing his seatbelt and hers. “I’m ready to talk if you are.”



Dee could feel herself shaking. She maintained contact with Justin, holding onto his thigh like it was a lifeline. Her past was an embarrassing part of her life, but he needed to know what he was getting into before they took this relationship to the next step. She could read the longing in his expression. In fact, she could remember him scouring the city and pack looking for the scent he’d picked up on Carter. His voice interrupted her inner musings.

“One thing that’s not negotiable.”

Her voice cracked, “Yeah?”

His nose wrinkled and he stopped at a red light, turning to look directly into her eyes. “You have to get rid of that awful perfume. Promise me.”

Allowing a small smile to cross her face she responded, “We’ll discuss it when we get home. I use it as a defense mechanism to keep people away.”

He growled in her direction causing her to shiver in response. “It’s quite effective. If you hadn’t worn it, I would’ve known you were my mate sooner.”





Chapter 7


Pulling into her driveway, Justin put the car in park and felt her hand tighten on his thigh. It wasn’t painful, but he’d been steadily growing more aroused the more her scent filled the car, and with every bump of the car her hand had tightened a fraction. His hands remained gripping the steering wheel and he took a few breaths to calm his nerves. Instead of calming him, her scent called to him and it caused his lust to shoot through the roof. She’d be able to scent it and it caused him a bit of shame because he didn’t want to pressure her into a mating.

As he prepared to take control of the situation and lead them both into her house, her voice whispered across the car.

“We should talk here. That way if you don’t want to complete the mating it won’t be awkward. You can just drive away and we’ll forget all about this…hormonal imbalance.”

He couldn’t help but laugh outright. “I’m pretty sure being fated has something to do with hormones, but I wouldn’t call it an imbalance. I firmly believe that we’re meant to be together and nothing you can say will change that.”

Without skipping a beat she announced in a monotone. “Tidus is Carter’s father. Well, he was until he died.”