Warriors Mate

6- Mate

There are a few words in the English language you don’t think you would normally hear in a conversation.  For me, one of those words would be ‘mate’.  Quinn leaned in and kissed me. Now I don’t mean a peck on the lips or the cheek.  I mean a real kiss.  One that is sweet, claiming, and completely contains your entire being to the point you don’t know anything but the feel of his lips and his tongue dancing with mine.  It is an all-consuming, toe-curling kiss that I would only believe is possible in the movies.  And it ended all too soon for my liking. 

He pulled back just enough to make eye contact and stared into my eyes.  “Oh goddess, thank you for bringing me my perfect match,” he whispered to me.  “Just when I had almost given up hope.”  He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against mine.  “What is your name, my love?”

It took me a moment to speak.  I was so blown away by that kiss I needed to gather my thoughts.  “Aria.  Quinn, it’s me, Aria.”  I whispered to him.  For a moment I thought he may open his eyes and push me away.  He had never shown any interest in me in the past and I wasn’t sure he would want me now. 

His eyes flew open, and he looked at me.  Really looked at me.  I could see the recognition flash on his face.  A flurry of emotions seemed to emit all at once ranging from uncertainty to agitation.  Not sure what to expect I attempted to take a step back out of his embrace.  Quinn held me in place, his hand moved from my hair to my face gently stroking my cheek with the back of his fingers.  “Of all the prayers I have made to the Moon Goddess over the past years, I am indebted to her for answering this prayer.  I have prayed daily she would bring me a mate as kind, beautiful, and strong as you.  But now, I have the real thing.  Thank you, Moon Goddess.” 

I was speechless.  Literally, speechless.  I opened my mouth, but my brain was on overdrive, and I just could not form words.  He has been praying for me?  To a goddess?  Mate?  I was completely lost on what is going on.  Turning my head slowly to Marcus and the others I still couldn’t speak.  I just didn’t know what to say or how to say it.  All I could muster was a simple “uhh…” 

“Quinn,” Marcus gestured to us and to the sofa.  “Please bring Aria here to sit down.  I have some refreshments on the way.  I think she needs an explanation.” 

“Yes!”  I perked up a bit.  “Yes, an explanation as to what dimension I just walked into.  I, I have no idea what just happened or what the hell is going on,” I felt like I may faint, “but I am not feeling so good…”

Quinn swept me into his arms, bridal style, and carried me to the leather sofa.  “Aria, I am so sorry.  This must all be overwhelming for you.  I finally have you and I guess I got carried away.  I apologize for being so abrupt.  I guess I shouldn’t have kissed you.”

 I looked at him as he sat on the sofa with me on his lap.  Still holding me close he rubbed my back.  “Oh, no.  Do not apologize for that.  I’ve dreamed of that kiss for years.”  Laughter reminded me we were not alone in the room.  Blushing I continued.  “What I mean is, well, I don’t know what I mean.” 

Quinn Stone.  Quinn frickin Stone was holding me in his lap, rubbing my back, and had given me a mind-blowing kiss.  He smiled at me and pecked my nose with a kiss.  Gorgeous green eyes I could never forget stared through me.  Oh, how I have dreamed of those eyes.  He had grown out his beard some and it looked delicious on him.  The one thing that had my attention more than anything else… muscles.  Oh, holy shoulders he was built.  When we were teenagers, he did have some muscles and I knew he and the others worked out regularly.  Now… I swear his arms were bigger than my waist, and I didn’t mind one bit.

Lucas passed me a glass of cold water.  My hands trembled as I took it.  Had it not been for Quinn steadying my hand, I would have dropped it.  I took several small sips of the water.  Quinn never took his eyes off me.  I looked at him, that look of adornment did not fade. 

“Ok. Umm… I am so glad to see all of you again but…”  I had to pause and take a deep breath.  “What is it that I am missing.  There is so much I just don’t understand.  I was taken to a jail of some kind last night…”  Quinn let out a growl startling me.  He looked to the others and Max put his hands up defensively. 

“I had no idea it was her, man.  None of us had heard from her and we all thought she would sell the property.  And, big guy, she did not stay in the dungeon.  She was given a guest room on the Alpha’s floor.” 

I placed my hand on Quinn’s cheek as if on instinct.  He turned back to me and almost seemed to calm at my touch.  I rubbed my thumb along his cheek and placed my forehead against his.  “I’m ok.  I did not stay there.  Ok?”  I’m not really sure what came over me, but I had the feeling I needed to soothe him or comfort him.  The weirdest thing… it worked.  He pecked my nose and ran his nose along my neck.  I pulled away slowly so I could focus. 

Seeing he was better I turned to the others again.  “Someone needs to start talking and tell me what you all have been up to.  I am really confused.” 

There was a knock on the door and Marcus told them to come in.  Three women entered each with a cart of food.  They all moved past us to a door I hadn’t noticed.  Quinn stood and placed me on my feet but did not take his hand from my back.  We followed the women to the doorway and into what appeared to be a small dining room.  The carts were lined up along a wall and the women left the room closing the door behind them. 

“Please, let’s all have some breakfast while we talk.  I know you have questions, Aria, and we will do our best to answer them for you.”  Marcus, in his fatherly way, led me to the carts and handed me a plate.  I decided to have some fruit, sweetbread, and tea figuring it would be better to listen on a full stomach. 

The others, however, loaded their plates with sausages, pancakes, bacon, eggs, sweetbreads and topped it all off with large mugs of coffee.  “Are you really going to eat all of that?”  I questioned Tyson giving him a nudge.  “You won’t be in shape if you eat like this all the time.”  The others laughed but I didn’t know why. 

Quinn sat next to me as we started to eat.  I was generating questions in my mind.  There were so many to ask so I started at the beginning.  “If you don’t mind, Marcus…” 

“Of course not, Aria.  Ask away.  I promise to answer all of your questions the best I can.” 

“Thank you.  Umm… I guess my first question is, who is Alpha and why is that title used?” 

Marcus grinned.  “Well, I am an alpha but, Tyson is the current Alpha of Pine Ridge.” 

“What does that mean?”

Tyson sat forward.  “Let’s go back a bit.  Maybe that will help you.  What do you remember of your summers here?” 

“Well, I remember all of you, except you Max.  I don’t remember you.  I’m sorry.”  I glance around the room.  “You would all come to my uncle’s cabin most days.  We were all so close.  Marcus, you and Uncle Max would visit while we would run through the woods and build that fort.  Tyson, Lucas, Quinn, and I were inseparable most days.  I really do miss that.” 

“What else?  Anything you might remember as being odd or different?” Tyson asked. 

“I’m not sure what you mean.” 

Tyson was in thought for a bit before he spoke again.  “Well, I guess we just have to jog your memory for you.”  He leaned forward with his arms resting on the table.  “Aria, do you remember the wolf?” 

In a flash, I was taken back to the field behind the cabin.  The night everything changed.  “I do remember.  It was night but the moon was full so I could see well.  I had snuck out.  I thought Uncle Max was asleep, but I couldn’t sleep so I went out through the back door.  The field.  That wolf was huge.”  I looked up quickly to Tyson.  “How do you know about that?  I thought I was dreaming.  I never told anyone what I saw.  I wasn’t sure I believed what I was seeing.” 

Marcus cleared his throat.  “It was me.  I was the wolf you saw.” 

All I could do was stare at him for a few minutes.  Marcus was the wolf.  How does that make any kind of sense?  “So… you are telling me you, Marcus, are a wolf-man.  Is that even a thing?”  A thought crossed my mind then.  “You are having some fun with me, aren’t you?  I must have told one of you and now you are having a laugh at my expense.  Not sure why you want to do this but, ok, whatever.” 

“Aria.  I am not doing any such thing.”  Marcus stood from his seat.  “The wolf… it had a unique marking, correct?” 

“It might have.”

“Well, it did. And I know you saw it well because when I walked up to you, you pet me. You also said how amazing my black fur was and you loved the white heart on my nose.” 

Wide-eyed I stared at Marcus.  How could he possibly know that?  It couldn’t be.  Could it?  All I could mumble was “what the hell?” 

“Aria, peanut.  We are werewolves.” 

“Excuse me?”