From Maiden to Mother (Book 2 of the Northern Territories Series)

Chapter 2

From Maiden to Mother

Chapter 2

Kara’s POV

“Hi, I’m Zeira, this is my friend Kahn.”, she offers her hand to Clay over the table.

He accepts and shakes her hand, “Clay.”, he says and I see the realization cross Kahn’s face.

Zeira finishes introductions, “and this is my Maiden, soon to be Mother Kara.”

The fae smiles to me then looks back at Clay, “Magnus Clay?”, he asks.

“Yes.”, Clay responds flatly.

He nods, “It is nice to meet you, Head Councilman. It’s quite the surprise. Do you know who I am?”, he asks. I have no idea who this man is.

Clay takes a drink of his drink before replying politely, “Of course, you’re Zeira's date for the evening.” I hold in my giggle, Clay is such an ass sometimes. He politely tells this man he doesn’t give a s**t who he is. He narrows his eyes at Clay briefly before correcting himself. I look back and forth between them, wondering what issue they have with each other.

“I’m the new Duke of Tilmon, Head Clay.”

My eyes widen as Clay smirks at him, “Oh, so you’re here to thank me then.” I know exactly who he is now. He must be a family member of Zeke Campton’s.

He hisses at Clay, “That was my son!”

Clay chuckles darkly, leaning toward Kahn, “Is that supposed to mean something to me, Kahn? You’ll do good to remember that it was I that gutted him and fed his heart to the wolves. Judging by looks of you, you’re only a fraction of what he was. You need to check your pride and weigh your odds a little better before it gets you killed.”

I grab Clay’s thigh under the table, squeezing lightly, trying to get him to let it go and let Kahn leave. I can tell my trying to restrain him annoys him, but he allows it. Zeira looks terrified.

“I’ll tell you what, Kahn.”, he sits back in his seat folding his hands and I feel his thigh flex under my hand, “I’m feeling rather forgiving this evening and because you are Ms. Zeira’s date, I’m going to let you walk away. I’ll forget you ever approached me. Take the offer and don’t make the same mistake again.”

He stands and waits for Zeira to exit the booth. Zeira waves at me and signals she is going to call later before taking Kahn’s hand and following him.

Clay turns to me, “What are you doing hanging out with Mr. Campton’s father, Kara?”, he asks annoyed.

I get why he would be. That man kidnapped me and had me imprisoned, just to get to Tania. It almost led to me being raped and force marked, if Clay hadn’t saved me. Not to mention the things he did to all those other women. Why the hell would he think I chose to associate with them?

“I’ve never met him before, beast. He was meeting Zeira, they know each other.”, I answer.

He finishes his drink and sets the empty glass back down, “Sweetheart, you need to find out who you’re meeting and what they’re about before you show up. Don’t just trust your friends’ judgement. It is not safe.”, he warns me.

I roll my eyes at him, just what I need. Another father figure. “I can handle myself, Clay.”, I say more harshly than I intended and turn away from him to look at the dance floor.

He grabs my chin and gently turns my head back to him, “I know you can, Princess. I don’t doubt you. I just don’t want you hurt.”, he tells me, “I’d lose my mind if someone hurt you, Kara.”

I smile at him and lean in to softly peck his lips, before rubbing his cheek, “I know you would, best friend. Are you hungry?”, I ask him. His jet black hair is a little disheveled from him running his fingers through it during the day, but his thick goatee is neatly trimmed.

He studies me for a moment, I think my kiss surprised him. “If you are, Princess. I can always eat.”, he answers.

I laugh, “I ordered some meat and veggie plates from the hotel before I left so I could have them when I got back. Do you want to go eat with me?”, I ask him.

“You’re inviting me into your hotel room, Princess?”, he asks. I know he is making sure I thought this out. After all, I’m the one that wanted distance between us to begin with.

I smile, “Yes, I’m sure I’m fine being alone with you, best friend.”

He grins and stands from the booth. I take his hand and interlace our fingers as he follows me out of the club and across the street. I ask, but he says they won’t tow his SUV from the club. He isn’t worried about moving it.

When we get to my room, I sit in the chair across from him and unzip my boot. He takes my heel in his hand, guiding it up into his lap, and pulls the boot from me, setting it on the floor beside his chair. Then he gestures for my other leg. I grin at him and hold my leg out to him. He smiles and takes my calf, unzipping the boot, pulling it off and placing it beside the other on the floor. I open the lids on the trays and start picking what I want from it.

Clay takes a few of the prosciutto rolls and sits back in his chair. I feel Clay’s eyes on me as I sit back in mine, folding my legs under me.

“Clay, have you ever wondered what it would be like to be together, if only once?” He studies me, but doesn’t respond. “I know we can’t stay together, our lives lead us in different directions, but I don’t want to regret never having you.” He still says nothing. “Clay?”, I ask raising a brow to him, prompting him to respond.

“Princess… I think about you all the time. I don’t want to be someone you regret or something that stops you from finding your mate. I love you, I want you to be happy, no matter what that means for me. I don’t want to be the reason you cry, and I can’t be your mate. I swear to you, I would choose you if it were my choice to make, but it is neither of ours.”, he answers.

“I know that, Clay. When you find your mate, I will be happy for you. I know you’ll be happy for me when I accept mine. I’m not talking about forever or even a week. I’m talking about now. I want you to be mine, just for tonight.”, I tell him. He studies me and swallows. He is thinking about what I’m saying and I wish he would do it faster. My heart races while I wait for him to respond.

“You’d be mine for a lot longer than tonight, Princess. Shifters are not like you. We are possessive creatures. If I take your virginity, you will always belong to me.”, he answers.

I smile, “Then I want to be yours, Clay.”

Clay’s POV

“Are you sure that is what you want, sweetheart?”, I ask her, praying she says yes.

She smiles shyly at me, “I want you, Clay. I want you to be my first, I won’t ever regret that. I can’t keep you, but I can have this.”, she answers.

I stand and lean down to her, devouring her mouth. There is not a chance in hell I’d let her slip away twice. All restraint I possessed was gone the day I let her walk out of my office 2 years ago.

SEXUAL CONTENT, SCROLL TO *** TO SKIP

I grab her thighs, lifting her to me from the chair. She wraps her legs around my waist and I slide my hands up her thighs, squeezing her delicious round ass as I press my erection against her. She moans into my mouth and I kiss over her jaw to her neck, sucking and biting on where I wish my mark could be. She throws her head back, giving me more access. I carry her to the bed, setting her on the edge as I stand between her parted thighs. She grabs my shirt and pulls upward. I pull it off, dropping it on the floor as she runs her hands over my chest and down my abs, kissing my stomach. It feels so good to have her touching and kissing my body. I’ve wanted her so badly for so long.

She unbuttons and unzips my pants, tucking her fingers into the sides over my hips and pushing them and my briefs down. My erection springs free and her eyes widen a little. While it feeds my ego some, I don’t want her to be afraid. I take her hand and wrap it around my shaft. She runs her thumb over my tip and down the base and I hiss, it feels so good. She runs her hand down, cupping my balls and squeezing lightly, a low growl escapes me.

I grab her crop top and pull it up, she raises her arms so I can remove it. I devour her mouth unhooking her bra and freeing her breasts.

I grip her hips and lift her further up the bed, crawling up over her as I lay her back. Kissing down her neck to her breast, sucking one of her gorgeous taut n*****s into my mouth and nipping at the little bud.

She moans and arches into me. I knead the other breast and pinch her n****e as I lower my kisses over her belly and her hip.

I unbutton her jeans and pull them down with her underwear, over her long creamy legs, tossing them to the floor. I can’t wait to taste her again, I lift her thighs and place them over my shoulders, kissing up it to her core. I suck her clit into my mouth, running my tongue in circles over it and nipping slightly. She moans and fists my hair. I run my tongue down over her core and thrust inside her, tasting her tight walls. Her moans only exciting me more as I slip a finger into her, curving it to find her g-spot, and returning my mouth to her clit. Her moans get louder as I thrust into her while I’m sucking and tonguing her clit. I add another finger and she hisses a little before moaning again. I feel her walls tightening around my fingers so I add a third, stretching her more to prepare her for all of me. Her hips jerk up and I grip them, forcing her back down on the bed and increasing the speed of my thrusts.

She moans my name as her body trembles and she spills her juices over my hand, her walls clench my fingers as she cums. I want to drink every drop of her, but I need to keep her soaked for me, she’s so tight. I move up her body, kissing her belly and giving a little attention to the other n****e before returning to her mouth, kissing her deeply.

“You’re sure, Kara?”, I ask as I glide my shaft over her opening, grinding against her clit.

She moans and tilts her hips up toward me, “I want you, Clay. Please.”, she whines at me.

“It’s going to hurt for just a minute. I’ll be easy, tell me if you want me to stop.”, I tell her as I sit up, kneeling between her parted thighs. I align myself with her hot core, slipping just the tip in until I feel her barrier, then pulling back. I do this several times to get her use to the feel of me inside her and to spread her juices over my shaft.

She isn’t reactively tensing each time I enter her now and she moans, “More, Clay. I want all of you.”, I grip her hips and pull her firmly against me as I thrust deep and hard into her, forcing my aching c**k through her barrier, her walls tighten around me as her body tenses. I grip her hips that jerk under me and groan. She whimpers and clenches the sheets. I’m only about halfway in, but I don’t want to hurt her more. She is so incredibly tight, I need her to relax so she can take all of me.

I lean down over her, balancing my weight on my forearms, kissing her neck and jaw, “Hard part is over, sweetheart. Just relax.”, I whisper to her.

She clings to my shoulders as I rock against her, only pulling back a little before easing gently deeper, stretching her to fit me. Her body relaxes some against mine, but she is still so tight. I reach between us and rub her clit, pushing deeper until she takes all of me. A growl rumbles from my chest and I grit my teeth as I sink fully into her. She feels so damn good, I want to f**k her so hard. I kiss her deeply as I roll my hips and grind against her clit, making more room for me inside her while I give her a second to get used to her body being filled. Her breath catches and her pained whimpers become moans, she is tilting her hips up to meet me and I know she is ready now.

I begin pulling back thrusting gently back into her, picking up speed as her nails dig into my shoulders, pulling me to her. I’m trying so hard to be easy with her. “You feel so damn good, Princess.” I groan as I thrust a little harder.

She moans and her hands move down my sides to my hips, pulling me into her as she cums, her hot tight walls pulsating around my shaft. I growl and increase my thrusts harder and faster into her, but still holding back. She clings to me, moaning and biting down on my neck a little before sucking on the spot again, making me groan her name as I move one hand down to grip her hip as I pound harder into her. She screams as she cums a second time and it pushes me over. My hard c**k swells as I spill my seed deep within her walls, focusing on not knotting her because I want to so badly, but it would really hurt her. I rock into her, extending her orgasm as her walls clench and milk me for every drop of my seed. She kisses me softly and I kiss her back, taking a little more.

“I love you, Clay.”, she says looking deeply into my eyes.

“I love you, Kara, more than you’ll ever know.”, I tell her kissing her sweet mouth. I want her to be mine so badly. She isn’t, but I don’t want to let her go. I want all she will let me have.

I grab my shirt from the floor and slowly pull out of her, cleaning her then myself. I pull her up to me and walk her into the bathroom, turning on the shower and adjusting the temperature.

I step in, pulling her with me and kiss her possessively under the spray. “I want to taste every part of you all over again. Then I want to make love to your gorgeous body all night long.” I whisper to her as I rinse the shampoo from her hair.

She glides her hands over my body and down to my hard shaft, stroking me. I groan and lean into the spot I wish I could mark and I bite softly before sucking. She moans and leans into me.

I do exactly what I promised myself I would back when I tasted her for the first time. I made love to her gently until her body could take mine, then I f****d her deep and hard until she was screaming my name over and over again.

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It’s 5am now and she is sleeping peacefully in my arms, her naked body pressed against me. I kiss her forehead and stroke her hair, never wanting to let her go, but knowing that in a few hours, I will have to. She isn’t mine to keep. Just mine for the night.

Goddess, I love her so much. Don’t make her hurt for me, please. Send her someone that will care for her and love her the way I would. I pray as I study her beautiful face. I fall asleep with the thought of having her at least once more before we leave to get her home.

Kara’s POV

Clay was so amazing last night and again this morning. He was so much more than I ever imagined he would be. My body is so sore, but in the best way. Clay was mine for a little while.

I gave my keys to Zeira and Scarlett so they could head home. He was oblivious, but I didn’t miss either one of them ogling Clay when he came out shirtless, his ripped chest and abs on full display, his perfect ‘v' accentuated by his jeans riding low across his hips. We watched his muscles flex with every movement he made as he put my bag in the back and grabbed another fitted t-shirt from the bag he keeps in his SUV. He locks eyes with me and that sexy grin crosses his face. He closes the back and walks to the passenger side to open my door, “Ready, Princess?”, he asks.

I wave to the girls and climb in his SUV, he closes the door softly and moves around to the driver’s side.

“I want banana foster french toast and a white chocolate mocha, best friend.”, I tell him while buckling my seatbelt.

He smirks and leans across the console, cupping my jaw, kissing me softly before sitting back in his seat. “I’ll take care of that, sweetheart.”, he says as he starts the SUV and pulls out his phone. He finds a diner that has it on the other side of town and we head there and dine in for breakfast.

He drives me home, his hand resting on my thigh, “I’m going to walk in with you. My scent is all over you, I’m not having you walk in there to face them alone.”, he says softly.

“You don’t have to, Clay. I know you have a million other things to be doing. I can handle it.”, I tell him. I want him with me, but I don’t want him to feel trapped. I’m the one that begged to be his. I’m not worried about Tania, she is super understanding about things.

We enter through the front gate and drive up to my house. Clay exits and comes around to my door, opening it. I’m suddenly insanely nervous. What are the twins going to do? It’s tough to say, sometimes they’re calm about things you'd think they’d lose their minds over. Other times, you’re 100% correct and they lose it. They’ve been friends with Clay for over 400 years, would that make things better or worse?

As soon as we walk into the house, I can hear them talking in the kitchen, but it sounds like they’re coming out. They’ll be heading this way to go upstairs to their offices.

Meri comes through the hall, and smiles as she sees Clay and I in the entry.

“Good morning, dear. How was dancing?”

Rayne and Jayce come out with Tania. Rayne is holding Carter, Tania scoops Damien up in her arms as the room becomes super tense. Jayce and Rayne are glaring at Clay.

Jayce aggressively moves forward and Clay side steps me, putting himself in front of me. Jayce swings at Clay, he can’t dodge because I’m right behind him, Jayce would hit me. Clay deflects, catching him by the wrist and pushing him away from him.

Jayce roars at Clay, Tania has passed Damien to Meri and moved in behind Jayce, grabbing his forearm and pulling him to her. He calms some, but never even looks down at Tania.

He holds her hand tightly as he yells, “What the f**k are you thinking? Don’t even try telling me it isn’t what we think, we can all smell your scent pouring from her, it will be for days!"

Clay narrows his eyes at Jayce, “Did I walk in with her or drop her off and hide, Jayce? No one has attempted lying.”, Clay replies, pulling his sunglasses off and putting them on his shirt.

Jayce grumbles, “It’s not that you had s*x with her, Clay, it’s that it goes against your own moral standard. You told us you love her. You know better, where the hell is your patience for your mate, Clay? We save emotional attachments for our mates, that’s ingrained for a reason.”, he yells at Clay.

Clay steps closer to Jayce, stopping inches from him, “I was your age when you were f*****g born, Jayce. Don’t give me that bullshit. You don’t know a f*****g thing about patience, you struggle waiting for a meal. I’ve loved one woman! One! In almost a millennium! Spare me your judgment, oh virtuous one.”, Clay sneers angrily.

Tania pulls back on Jayce’s arm when he starts to growl at Clay. Rayne passes Carter to Jayce, holding one of his sons will help him control himself.

“Clay, we’re not judging. We’re just worried about both you and Kara. Can you let her walk away when she finds her mate? Can you let her go or will we be hunting you like we had to Zeke in the years to come?”

Clay nods to Rayne, “I am not Mr. Campton. I want whatever makes Kara happy. If she finds a mate that she wishes to accept, I will wish them well and support her decision. Love is not about possession, Rayne. It’s about wanting what is best for that person, even when it is not you. Mr. Campton was deranged.”

Rayne nods and studies Clay, “And what if you find your mate first? Can you walk away from Kara, knowing it hurts her? Are you going to be able to pack up Kara’s things and help her leave you? Can you stay away from her, even when she needs you, if going to her hurts your mate?”, he looks over at me, “We will talk to you later about this.”

Clay eyes Rayne then Jayce before returning his gaze to Rayne and answering, “I don’t have to go to her to help her, Rayne. I have a broad reach. You’re making this something it doesn’t have to be. We aren’t moving in together. This does not change our friendship. Kara is my friend, I love her, but neither of us believe we can have that kind of relationship. You haven’t brought up single point we have not discussed and agreed upon. I appreciate your concern for her and I. I know it comes from a place of love, but it’s none of your business. You don’t have a say in what we are or aren’t to each other.”, he looks at Jayce, “Nor do you. We are friends, so I’m here, standing before you, respecting your position and having this conversation. You will grant me that same respect and speak in my presence. Say what you feel you need to her. When I walk out that door, this conversation ends. If you come down on her after I’ve left, I will consider it a disregard for the friendship we have. I will accept your challenge and YOU WILL fight, there will be no conceding or apologizing.”

Tania interlaces her fingers with Rayne, “There will be no challenge, Clay. No one wants to disrespect you or make either of you feel attacked. We are all friends here. If you both have talked this through and agree that it is something you can walk away from without devastation, we will mind our business and leave you to it. I do have a question for each of you. Beginning with you, correct me if I’m not understanding the nature of wolves, I will accept your correction. You’ve taken Kara’s virginity, it is my understanding that to shifters, that makes her yours in a way. If that is the case, can you allow another man to have what is yours?”

Clay watches Tania as she asks her question, I didn’t miss his jaw clench toward the end of her question. “Yes, Kara will always be mine in a way. I won’t lie to you and tell you I will be okay with it. I assure you, I won’t be, but I don’t intend on watching. I won’t interfere or attempt to intimidate him. No matter how I felt about him, I would never disrespect her that way.”, Clay answers.

Tania nods and turns to me, “When it is time, you will let Clay go and you won’t measure every man you meet against him?” Clay looks back at me.

I think it over, I already do measure every man against him and find most of them lacking. “I want Clay to be happy and know his mate will make that happen. I will let him go and be happy for him. Clay will always be how I measure a man’s worth, and I don’t think I want to change that. Sure, no one else will be him, but there are men that are of his caliber. I don’t see a problem with expecting my mate to treat me as Clay does, as the twins do you, or as Shane does Ivy. I will not accept less.”

Tania nods, “Anything you’d like to add, Meri?”, she asks.

Meri is standing off to the side, holding Damien. Meri bows her head slightly, “Many blessings to you both. May the Goddess smile upon you and may your friendship remain intact through whatever the future may bring.”, she says before looking back at me then to Clay, “Fates have a way of aligning things in just the right way. I have learned that there is more than what I see at work. It will all be clear when the time comes. It will be very difficult for you, but hold on.”, her eyes shift back to me, “Kara, my dear girl, you should not settle for less than Clay. It is not my place to tell you how close is too close to him. I respect your decisions, Maiden.”, Meri says, nodding to me.

Tania’s POV

Why would she say that? What does it mean?

“What is it, little one.”, Rayne says through our joint link.

“Meri just basically told Clay that fate may be working here and it will be clear soon. Then told Kara not to either settle for less than Clay himself, or for a man of his caliber, but she wasn’t clear. I’m not sure what she is getting at.”, I answer as Meri returns Damien to the floor and he hops over to Rayne. Clay nods and asks if anyone has anything to add.

We all agree that we have spoken our peace. Clay turns and pushes Kara’s hair back from her face and kisses her forehead, before walking back out, pulling his sunglasses on as he shuts the door.

“Go ahead with the boys. I’m going to stay and talk to Kara. I’ll catch up.”, I link them.

They carry Damien and Carter outside to their play ground. I follow Kara into the kitchen and sit by her at the bar.

“Do you want to talk about it, Princess?”, I ask her.

She looks over at me, “I love him, Mother. I’ve thought about it hard over the last couple years and I just decided I wanted to have him, even if it was only for that night. Have you ever just wanted to keep a part of someone, no matter how small?”, she asks me.

I smile and try to stop my eyes from watering, “Yes, I know what you mean. You’d never regret having them, but forever regretting it if you hadn’t.”, I tell her and hug her. She wraps her arms around me and holds tightly. Kara’s phone rings and I see it is Zeira.

I kiss the top of her head and go to catch up with my boys while she answers.