Brynn's Beta

Harper's Story--Part 2

I whipped my head around looking for the source of the scent as my wolf started pacing in my head.

I did a 180 degree turn before I saw him. My mate. The hottest man I had ever seen. Our eyes met and it was everything my girly heart had dreamed about. I was a strong, independent woman, but when I saw this man … with his dark brown hair and gorgeous honey colored eyes, I forgot everything. He didn’t pause and didn’t hesitate, but walked quickly towards me.

Bending down, he took a deep breath right above my marking spot. Everything clenched inside me as he huskily whispered, “mate” and placed his lips right where his eventual mark would reside, giving me a sweet, gentle kiss. My breath hitched and I suppressed the moan that was bubbling in the back of my throat. There were tingles and tickles running up my spine and down my arms. The place his lips touched set me on fire. My core felt like molten lava that only he could quench. And I didn’t even know his name.

I took a step back, overwhelmed by my feelings.

My parents had given me “the talk” about mates when I was 12 or 13. It was different than most human talks, I imagined. As a species, we were open about sexuality and our bodies. My parents assumed I would be sexually active when I was ready and my mom and I had a pretty open relationship about birth control and stuff. Even my dad was relatively cool, but I didn’t share a ton of details. He was uber protective of me being a strong Beta, and I figured I would spare my partners a beat down during training. No, the mate conversation involved taking a breath and making sure my mate was a good guy—especially if he wasn’t from my pack. While rare, bad mating’s did exist. The main point my parent’s emphasized over and over and over was to take a day before marking to check the guy out.

It was easier for my parents because they grew up in the same pack and had known each other their whole lives. I loved the story of how Aunt Aspen pushed them together on my mom’s 18th birthday because as Aunt Aspen described it “Jace was being a butthead.” The first time I heard the story I was 6 or 7 and I remember giggling because Luna used a bad word.

I had every intention of following my parent’s advice, I really did, but now this delicious, tall, hot, handsome man was standing in front of me looking like a piece of cake and I wanted a bite. In fact, I wanted the entire cake. RIGHT NOW!

I took a deep breath which didn’t help because my senses were overwhelmed by his scent as I continued to inch backwards towards the bar.

“What’s wrong?” my mate asked.

“N-nothing.” I was finding it hard to use my words to describe my feelings and I didn’t want to hurt his.

He inched forward caging me in. His arms went on either side and he leaned in close again, “Is it weird that you smell like my mom’s cinnamon rolls? Your scent is divine.” He leaned in for a kiss, but I turned my head so he kissed my cheek. He had a puzzled expression on his face as he slightly leaned back.

I put my hand against his chest and tried to push him away, but I got distracted by his defined chest and trailed my hand down his pec and abs. His chest vibrated with a low growl at my action and I looked up at him as I gave him a gentle push.

“I need … I just need a minute and a little space,” I murmured.

He looked hurt, but stepped back. Oblivious to the rest of the bar, I smiled at him, “What’s your name?”

He grinned and I practically dropped my panties right there. “Jackson. Jackson Marshall, future Beta of the Emerald Woods Pack, but please call me Jack, mate,” he purred.

I stuck my hand out, “Harper Marks, future Beta of the Silvercrest Pack.” I shuttered as Jack grasped my hand. Instead of shaking it, he bent over and kissed it which did nothing for the fire I was feeling inside and everywhere. I closed my eyes relishing the sensations. No wonder my parents were always so lovey-dovey with each other. Having your mate touch you was incredible. The best thing I have ever felt.

“Beta? That’s bad ass,” he commented.

“You don’t mind?” I asked.

“Why would I mind?” Jackson looked adorably confused.

“Cause I’m a girl and such … most of our kind have an issue with a woman in leadership.”

Jackson looked me up and down, with heat in his gaze. He bit his lip a little as his eyes lingered on my t**s. “You are definitely a woman, you’re beautiful, and I think women should be in leadership roles,” he commented. Then he looked me in the eye, “If you knew my mom and my aunt, you would understand how completely ok I am with women in power.”

I let out a relieved sigh.

Jackson tilted his head and looked at me, “Is that what you were worried about?”

I shrugged, “maybe.”

“Hmm. I would like to get you out of here so we can’t get to know each other a little bit better,” he leaned in close right next to my ear, “hopefully with less clothes, but I want to be respectful. Can I buy you a drink?”

I nodded, my mouth suddenly dry and my brain unable to formulate words. Jackson leaned up against the bar and I saw him adjust his erection before he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me close, “what are you drinking?” he muttered.

I turned to the bar tender, “Whiskey, neat.”

Jackson chuckled and held up two fingers.

“You like whiskey?” I asked.

“Yep. I actually collect it. As part of my pack training, I went to Japan last year to study some fighting techniques and got into some of the Japanese whiskey’s.”

“Really? That’s cool. I don’t know that many of us who leave our packs to travel and learn new things.”

Jackson shrugged, “It’s uncommon, but it was important to me. Our pack Gamma did it and he told me lots of stories growing up about his experiences and how valuable it was to see other parts of the world and gain new perspectives. My parents and my uncle were incredibly supportive, so I traveled for about eight months. My cousin is about to become Alpha if she wants it, so I had to come back to finish my training.”

“Wait. How old are you?”

“Nineteen, almost twenty. How old are you?”

“Eighteen.”

“Really? I thought you were older. Your wolf must be strong.”

“She is. Stronger than most of the males in my pack.” I was proud of the work my wolf and I had done. We worked our butts off and it showed. The Moon Goddess had given me an amazing wolf and I didn’t want to waste the gift. “Hold up. Did you say Emerald Woods Pack? Sophie Stone’s pack?”

Jackson looked surprised, “yes?”

“I met Sophie earlier today. She’s over there with my friend Maks.”

“Male friend?” Jackson rumbled, eyes darkening in anger.

Oops! My bad, I forgot about the possessiveness of a male wolf for a hot second. I giggled and squeezed his hand, “Sorry, the future Alpha of my pack is Maksim Conway. He and Sophie were chatting right over there.” I looked over towards the booth we had been using, but it was empty. Vaughan and the other warrior were gone as well. Maks and Sophie must have left together.

“Ah, so you’re going to be his Beta someday?”

“Most likely. He’s not 18 yet, so there’s nothing official, but it’s been our plan for most of our life. How come you haven’t taken over for your dad yet?” It was kind of unusual. Generally, the Beta took over about a year before the Alpha so the new Beta could be comfortable in his or her position and better able to assist a new Alpha.

“I’m about to. This meeting is the final part of my training. My dad is back at the pack and I’m here as Uncle Xavier’s second.”

I grabbed my whiskey and took a sip while I thought about his answer. One of us was going to have to give up their position if we mated. I assumed he would want me to give up mine, which really sucked. Plus, I didn’t even know where Emerald Woods Pack was located!

Jackson looked at me like he knew what I was thinking, “Where’s your pack? Mine is northern Minnesota, southern Ontario, and part of North Dakota.”

“Southern Washington State and most of Oregon,” I replied, a bit forlorn.

“Well, I’ve heard that part of the country is beautiful and I’ve never been. It’s definitely worth checking out.” Jackson hip bumped me as he replied.

I turned towards him, “You would really move to my pack?!”

“I would like to have a conversation about it, but you’re my mate, of course I would consider it. Will you?”

I didn’t answer. Instead, I grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him towards me, “yes,” I whispered before I smashed my lips against his. It maybe wasn’t the most romantic of first kisses, but it was magnificent. Jackson’s hands went around my hips and down my butt as he pulled me against him. He was hard, for me. Too soon, he pulled away. “Let’s get out of here. I don’t want anyone to see what’s mine,” he grumbled as he looked around.

I was way ahead of him. Throwing some cash on the bar, I grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the bar and around the corner in the alley. Shoving him against the wall, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled his lips back to mine.

I wasn’t going to let him mark me tonight, but I heard enough and I couldn’t fight the bond. It was too strong and too pure. Everything about Jackson made me want him … everything, and I only had so much self-control.

Jackson growled against my lips as he picked me up by the back of my thighs and turned us. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he pressed my back against the building.

“Your lips are incredible,” he panted, “so perfect. And your mouth. Fvck! You taste amazing.” Expertly, he nipped and sucked at my lips, sweeping his tongue through my mouth in a way that had my lady parts absolutely dripping for him.

“Fvck, sweetness. Are you wet for me?” Jackson muttered.

“Um hmm,” I nodded and pulled his lips back to mine. I didn’t want any space between us. After a few more minutes he pulled away again and I whined.

“I’m not taking you against a wall for our first time and my control is hanging by a thread. Let’s get out of here. Your room or mine?”

Jackson was practically dragging me to a car, his long legs racing to get us somewhere more private. This was exactly what my parents had warned me about. I dropped his hand, “hold on. Wait. Just one second.” I backed away from him to get a little space.

“What’s wrong? Am I rushing you? Because I thought we were on the same page?” Jackson started to come close to me.

“Stay there! I can’t think when you’re close to me!” I cried. “We are on the same page. I have never wanted anything as much as I want you, but I’m not ready to be marked or to mark you. I want to get to know you a little bit first and figure out a few things.” I swallowed hard. Great time to verbally vomit on the love of my life who I’ve known for like 10 minutes. Awesome. He’s probably going to reject me on the spot. “Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t cry.” I chanted to myself.

“That’s it? You just need some time?” Jackson was in front of me, pulling me into his arms in an instant, “that’s not a problem. Whatever you need.” He pulled away and cupped my face, “you are my present and my future, I’m not going anywhere. We can figure this out.” He kissed me again, so sweetly, I was basically a puddle in the parking lot. “Let’s get you back.”

I looked up through my lashes, hopefully it looked sexy, “Just because I don’t want us to mark each other tonight, doesn’t mean I want to be alone.”

Jackson smirked and leaned in to give me another kiss as he held my door open, “good thing, because I can’t wait to ravage you.”

“Maybe I’ll ravage you,” I remarked.

“Please. Please, I’m begging you. Please ravage me,” Jack teased as he started the car. It was a short drive back to the hotel and Jack threw his keys at the valet as he opened my car door. Another point in his favor, he was courteous. He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me close and started whispering sweet things in my ear. I wrapped my arm around him and breathed him in, my senses already attuned to Jack’s needs. Man, this bond was crazy.

We were passing the restaurant on our way to the elevator when we bumped into Uncle Maverick, Aunt Aspen and another wolf leaving dinner.

“Uncle Xavier?” Jack stopped.

“Jack! Who’s this?” This had to be Sophie’s dad. They had the exact same color eyes. “Uh. None of my business, actually. Carry on.”

“Harper?” Aunt Aspen looked between Jack and I. “Everything ok?” I was flushed and probably looked a little wasted, but it was just the bond I barely had anything to drink.

“Aunt Aspen, Uncle Maverick … this is my mate, Jackson Marshall.”

Jackson introduced me to his Alpha and there were some brief congratulations.

“Have you guys seen Maks? He’s not replying to my texts,” Uncle Maverick asked as we started to head upstairs.

“He was with Sophie at the bar, but they were gone before we left,” I explained.

Uncle Maverick and Alpha Xavier looked at each other, but I decided not to read into it. If they needed Jack or me, they would ask. I had more pressing matters to attend to. Uncle Maverick mind-linked me on the way up in the elevator, “Xavier had a lot of good things to say about his nephew, your mate. I know you can handle yourself, but if you need anything, just link me and I’m there and I will kick his ass for you.”

“Thanks Uncle Maverick,” I managed to respond even though Jack had me pinned against the elevator wall with his muscular thigh between my legs as I ground against it while his lips did sinful things against my neck and lips.

Jack pulled away briefly, “Who are you linking?” he grumbled.

“My Uncle,” I grinned. “He likes you.”

Jack hummed against my skin, “Appears you have quite a good reputation as well.”

We ended up in Jack’s room and tumbled onto the bed, Jack’s body pressed against mine. His thumb ran across my cheek, “you’re so beautiful,” he murmured.

“So are you.”

Jack chuckled and started kissing me again, deeply and sweetly. It was less desperate this time and wonderful. My hands trailed down to his waist and I fumbled with the button on his pants. He stopped me, “you’re sure?”

I nodded, but still he seemed to hesitate and started to blush, “I, uh … I’ve never …”

“Really?” I was surprised. It was so unusual, especially for a male wolf. “I definitely have.”

“Oh.” That was it. He sat back on his knees and looked at me. I couldn’t understand the look on his face.

“Are you … Should I go?” I swallowed hard. Why did I feel bad? That wasn’t right. My body, my choice. Sure, I was young, s*xually active, with a few partners. I enjoyed s*x, though it had largely been unsatisfying to this point. Most male wolves were more interested in their own pleasure than satisfying a partner.

“No! No! Please don’t go. I just … I mean … what if I can’t satisfy you?” Jack barely whispered the last part of his question.

Sitting up, I wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him. “I don’t care. We can figure it out together. Honestly, my last partner was terrible. He didn’t even let me finish. Completely unsatisfying.”

Jack looked relieved and had a little smirk, “I mean, I can get you to finish for sure. I’m not a total prude.”

I grinned, “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.” Fortunately, I was wearing a matching bra and pantie set. I’m not sure why I pulled it on this morning. Most of the time, I was in a sports bra and boy shorts. I found the coverage a bit better for all the shifting. I was completely comfortable with my body, but I didn’t love the leering I received from some of the male warriors. I felt like they should be more respectful. I was almost their Beta, not a s*x object. It was just one of the many difficulties I had being a high-ranked woman in a man’s world. When it got particularly bad, I would spar with the worst of them and beat them down. That usually helped. I just didn’t think I should have to do that to be respected. My dad was respected because of his position. It was a bullsh!t double standard.

I ran into the bathroom and quickly pulled off my clothes. I peeked into the mirror and checked myself out. My light blue underwear set matched my eyes perfectly and looked great against my melanin rich skin. I had decent breasts (though I thought they were a little small), a toned abdomen, and nicely rounded butt. My thighs were thick, but I was strong; and my arms were decently well defined from all the training. I stared at myself in the mirror and took a deep breath. No turning back now. Once we mated, the bond would be too strong to break—even if we were unmarked.

I opened the door and took a leap into the unknown.

The next morning, I woke up feeling Jack’s fingers running softly up and down my arm. He was on his side, head propped up, watching me. He bent over and kissed my shoulder, “good morning,” he murmured.

I sighed, “morning.”

“How are you feeling?”

I scooted closer to him and kissed him, “incredible.”

Jack grinned against my lips, “yeah?”

“Yeah. You?”

“Best night of my life. You’re incredible.”

“So are you.”

“Want to blow off our meetings this morning and order breakfast?” Jack asked.

“Love to. Let me check-in quickly to make sure Uncle Maverick doesn’t care.” My eyes clouded over as I linked him.

“Everything ok kiddo?” he asked.

“Yep. Do you need me this morning or can I play hooky?”

Uncle Maverick chuckled, “If I don’t let you play hooky, Aunt Aspen will kill me. Enjoy the morning. If you’re up for it, bring Jack to lunch. Have you heard from Maks? He’s not responding to my texts and he’s not in his room.”

Rolling over, I checked my phone and replied, “Nothing on end. See you at lunch.” I cut the link and looked over at Jack. His eyes were clouded over and it looked like he was mind-linking as well. The sheet was barely across his lap and I took a minute to really enjoy his physique. He had broad strong shoulders and huge biceps … even for a wolf. There was an amazing tattoo of his wolf and a forest scene across the right side of his chest and shoulder. His abs were well-defined and mouth-watering, and they were mine. A strong feeling of possessiveness surged inside me and I didn’t want anyone else to see what belonged to me.

Rolling on top of Jack, I pressed my t**s into his chest, “I’m all set. You?”

He gripped my ass and squeezed, “yep. Sophie wasn’t in her room this morning and Uncle Xavier wanted to know if I had heard from her.” That was odd, both Maks and Sophie were missing, but I didn’t dwell on the thought because I was naked on top of my mate and I couldn’t focus with the need I was feeling.

Rubbing against his e*ection, I pushed myself up. “Quickie before breakfast?” I purred.

“Fvck yes.”

I ground against him for a minute or two. Jack was large and he completely filled me and stretched me last night. The only way I could take him was if I was wet, which wasn’t a problem because I was insanely attracted to him and aroused by him thanks to our bond.

Resting my hands on his chest, I rubbed my c**t against his root until I was even more hot and bothered.

“Fvck, love. Your t**s are incredible,” Jack moaned as he sucked my n****e deep into his mouth. “Ride me,” he demanded. “I need to see these t**s swing.”

I grasped his c@ck, centering it at my entrance. Working my way down, I took him completely until I felt his tip hitting my cervix. I started to roll my hips slowly, rocking against him grinding my c**t against his root before I took him with long, deep strokes, not meaning to edge him, he just felt so good.

“Fvck! Love. You’re killing me,” he panted. I looked down and saw sweat across his upper lip.

“Touch me,” I demanded. Jack’s thumb started rubbing by c**t and I sped up so we could finish together. Shortly, we were both growling out our release. I slumped over against his chest when I finished. He slowly stroked my back and kissed the top of my head.

“I don’t know what that was, but please tell me you will to it again.”

I giggled, “um hmm,” as I closed my eyes and relished the sensations of the bond with all of our skin-to-skin contact. We spent the rest of the morning in much the same way, trying out new positions, learning about each other, and finding we had more in common than I could possible imagine.

Around noon, we received almost simultaneous mind-links, “we can’t find Sophie or Maks. Please head to the Pinetree Suite immediately.”

Jack and I looked at each other in alarm, took the fastest shower ever, threw on our clothes and run up the stairs to the suite where we found two concerned Alphas, my Aunt Aspen, and several warriors from both packs. After a briefing, we were about to split up to search for the presumed couple when the door opened and the couple sauntered in, full of scrapes, cuts, and bruises.

“What happened?”

“Where were you?”

Multiple questions were shouted all at once.

Maks and Sophie looked at each other, grinned, and began.

To be continued …