It's Dark Within

Perfect Breeding Partner

        “We’ve been looking for you two everywhere. Lexana and her mother are on a war path, Ell. What Jack did was not what they wanted to happen, and it seems now they want him. Fredina is claiming that you initiated a dispute when Jack flirted with her daughter then something about causing Jack to ignore Lexana. This whole thing is a damn mess. What happened exactly last night?” Troy asked as he looked back and forth between us.

        I didn’t say anything as I glanced over to Jack. His lip was still busted, black, purple, and greenish bruises marred his skin. I smiled as his eyes met mine. “None if that is true. I just told her that she didn’t need to grab Jack’s c**k to prove she was a big girl. Jack never said a word to her, at least not that I remember.”

        “I don’t think I did. What does that woman want again?” Jack asked as he leaned in to kiss my cheek, causing my eyes to nearly pop out of my skull.

        Troy rolled his eyes. “Lexana‘s mom wants you, Jack. I think she wants you to pay attention to her daughter after that display of manliness at the dispute and wants Ell out of the way of you and Lexana. Fredina is what I would call a psychopath. She believes in breeding to obtain the best genes in Wulfkin, and doesn’t care about the logistics behind it or natural mating. She has always believed her daughter is a perfect specimen of what a female Wulfkin should look like, and I guess she just found her daughter the perfect breeding partner.”

        Jack snickered a little, but stopped when he saw us both nod. “Oh, bloody hell, your serious.”

        “Yeah, Fredina has been nagging at Luis Holmes for a few years now about having Malcom marry Lexana instead of me. Which I was hoping he would have agreed too, but apparently now she has you in mind.” I said, leaning my head against him. All the stress of the day was getting to me.

        Troy sighed. “So…are you two actually together now?”

        I groaned while Jack shrugged, and finally I answered. “He still hasn’t asked me out if that’s what you’re wondering.”

        “The suspense is getting to you, yeah?” Jack asked Troy as he smirked.

        Troy groaned. “Can you tell?”

        Jack raised an eyebrow and I shook my head. “Can we get back to the evil witch coming after us please?”

        “Let’s go then.” Troy said as he let out a big yawn. “Callum is going to have a heart attack when he sees you two being so…cuddly.”

        As the three of us got closer it was apparent that everyone was either irritated with the new situation or excited to see more action. Darcy Thomas saw us and nearly slapped the skin off her husband’s arm while pointing to us. I tried to ignore the rest of the people, and did my best to keep as level headed as possible. We could hear Callum’s raised voice as we approached the ‘center circle’ and then the sound of Fredina arguing with him. Troy groaned loudly as the others stepped aside to let us through.

        The moment me and Jack were visible, Fredina turned her attention to us.

        “Where have you been? We’ve been waiting for you two for the past twenty minutes!” Fredina hollered as she waved around her manicured hand around for dramatic effect.

        Jack shrugged, unfazed by the woman’s anger. “Didn’t know we still had things to do here.”

        Fredina rolled her eyes. “I don’t care for excuses, son. I only care for results and good behavior.”

        “I’m not your son, and I really don’t care what you like or don’t like. What is this all about? We were hoping to go back to our room and have a few drinks from our mini fridge.” Jack said sternly, taking Fredina by surprise at his lack of respect for her. He let his arm slide away from my shoulders and stood up straight to be face to face with the woman.

        “This is about my daughter being humiliated by Christelle in front of everyone. She was childish and needs to learn that she should mind herself, not interfere with affairs that have nothing to do with herself.” Fredina stated matter-of-factly.

        I sighed and Jack shook his head. “I honestly don’t understand anything that’s going on right now. You do realize that your daughter grabbed my Johnson and that’s the only time I’ve been near her, yeah? Ell did what any good girl would do and told your daughter to not do that again. I don’t understand how she was being childish for telling your daughter she was harassing me. Oh, and if it concerns me it concerns Ell.”

        Fredina ground her teeth. “And why does it concern her?”

        “Easy. Ask her brothers.” Jack said as he stared the woman down. “I belong to her. Now, what is it that your needing from us? I’ve had a long day and as you saw I just got out of three fights. So, I want to go and get cleaned up and Ell probably wants a drink or ice cream.”

        “Oh, I want both.” I said stretching my back out, trying my best to keep from losing it over that comment he just made.

        He smiled over his shoulder at me. “I figured so.”

        “I’m still here talking to you.” Fredina snipped as she made a disgusted face.

        “We’re both aware that your still here. Are you going to tell us what you want now?” He asked facing Fredina again.

        She let out a visible sigh before saying anything. “I want you to apologize to my daughter by taking her to the formal tomorrow and spending some time with her tonight on the run. I believe you two are meant for each other, and I want you to do your diligent duty and be with Lexana.”

        “You must be joking, Fredina.” Callum said from off to the right. “You heard that Lexana assaulted Jack, and you want him to apologize for it? Your absurd. Did you not hear that Jack said he wants nothing to do with your daughter? Do you even hear yourself when you speak?”

        I tried my best to keep from laughing as Jack did the same. Fredina on the other hand was losing it. She scowled while she took a step forward towards Callum.

        “I didn’t hear that they were together. I heard that Jack thinks he is Christelle’s, but that was it. He should still be free to go with Lexana.” Fredina said with conviction.

        Jack nodded. “Okay, well let me make this clear as glass for you. I will not and never will be going out with your daughter. I do not apologize for anything that happened last night. No matter what you say or do even matters. You cannot control me. So, stop being a psycho and trying to get your daughter a lay. Go get yourself some good shagging instead. Unless there is a viable reason for us to be here, we’re going to leave and go back to our room. I’m sick and tired of you people and your Wulfkin egotistical bullshit. Now I see why Ell can’t stand to be here at these Gatherings.”

        “You both can go.” Ben said as he gestured back towards the lodge. “This is obviously a waste of time, and your right. This is not the reason we have Gatherings. Please, join us in two hours for the pack run. It will make you both feel better.”

        I nodded. “Let’s go, Jack. We both really need a shower and I need some mini fridge alcohol.”

        He slung his arm around my shoulders as he yawned. “Lead the way, babe.”

        After Jack got out of the shower, I headed in the bathroom. My mind raced with a million things at once. The humid air from Jack’s shower hugged my body like a glove as I stripped down to nothing. As each piece of clothing fell, so did some of my worries. Images of Jack’s fight popped into my mind as I stepped into the warm water. Seeing him eat those punches and deliver some himself was nerve wracking. The entire fight I was stressing about him getting hurt. Coming here to the Gathering seemed like it was only causing more problems for him, which is something I didn’t want. Malcom and his goon squad was beaten bad, and maybe now they will all back off Jack and leave him be.

        The water slipped down my body, washing away the dirt from the hectic day. My mind went to what happened in the hallway. I wasn’t sure if it was just left-over adrenaline from his fight that made him kiss me, but just thinking about it made my heart race and body flush. I wanted to feel more. I wanted to know what it was like to feel his hands all over me, and what it would be like to be in bed with him. Trying to maintain control of myself I finished washing and cut the water off.

        As I stepped out of the shower I realized something. I forgot my change of clothes. I groaned a little before moving to the door and cracking it open. Jack was laying back on the bed, and I was hoping maybe he was asleep. I wrapped the small bath towel around me and let out a deep breath. Slowly, I pushed the door open and headed for my duffel bag. I reached in and grabbed a black tank-top, jean shorts, my red bra, and red lace panties that matched. Then I tried to quietly move back to the bathroom.

        “Are you done, rain? I was thinking that we-“

        Jack lost all train of thought as he sat up on the bed to see me standing there dripping wet and in nothing but a towel. I swallowed hard as his eyes roamed over my exposed skin. Without realizing it I pulled at my bottom lip with my teeth, feeling my center getting wet. The way Jack was looking at me now was completely different than he ever has before. This look was sensual, primal, and made my knees weak.

        “That’s the last thing you need to do right now, rain.” Jack’s voice was low, husky as he gestured to my lip.

        I let it pop out form between my teeth and I watched him still. “I forgot my clothes in my bag.”

        He gestured to the bathroom. “You better hurry and put them on, or we won’t be going on this pack run with everyone.”  

        I felt like my jaw dropped to the floor as I let out a deep breath. Seeing Jack like this was exciting me more than I needed it to at the moment. I could feel how wet I was getting from his gaze and threat, completely forgetting that he could smell my arousal in the small space.

        Before I pushed him beyond that line, I went to the bathroom to get dressed. When I got the door shut I leaned my back up against it. I needed to collect myself, or he was right and we weren’t leaving this room. Which honestly, wasn’t a bad idea.

        When I was dressed and ready I came out to see Jack tossing his cell back behind him. I moved slowly closer and instantly got swept up into his arms. He easily pulled me onto his lap facing him, but right before he put his lips to mine he stopped.

        “What’s wrong?” I asked, confused on why he suddenly pulled back.

        Jack smirked a little, but something was visibly bothering him. “I kissed you back there in the hall without asking if you even wanted me like that. I’m-“

        Before he could finish his sentence, I leaned in and closed the space between us. I folded my arms around the back of his neck as our kiss deepened. His tongue clashed with mine, and I felt his hands run over my sides. I moaned into him as I felt his hard shaft beneath my center, only separated by some fabric. Hearing me moan earned a low growl from Jack as his hands moved lower to squeeze my rear tightly in his hands, pushing me down onto him in the process.

        Then a loud bang at the door nearly made me fall out of his lap.

        “Hey, hurry up you two or you’ll get left behind!”

        Senan’s voice was barely audible, and with a sigh I smiled. “Let’s go. And to answer your question. I’ve wanted to do this for a few days now. I just didn’t know how you would react.”

        Jack smirked as he placed a light kiss to my lips. “I already told you. I belong to you, rain. I’ll do whatever it takes to get you to realize that.”

        “Jack…what happens when I turn eighteen?” I asked wearily.

        He shook his head. “I was made for you, and you for me. It was the one thing I’ve known to be true my entire life. I was meant to find the girl that smells of rain, and I know without a doubt that you are the one I was looking for. As for when you turn eighteen, we’ll just have to see, love. Do you think I’m not your mate?”

        I let out a deep breath before shaking my head, knowing full well my voice was going to crack. “I will claim you regardless.”

        Jack chuckled. “That’s my line, rain. Seeing as I’m the male.”

        “Whatever.”