Chapter Eight
James snuck into his old pack’s territory and knocked on his grandmother’s door. He was surprised but happy when his cousin Caleb answered the door. Caleb’s eyes grew as wide as saucers before they filled with tears. He pulled James in for a man hug and squeezed him tight.
“Where the fuck have you been? We all thought you were dead.”
“I was.” James croaked.
Sniffling Caleb pulled him inside the house and shut the door. “Grandma!”
“Who is it dear? Oh!” His grandmother stood there clutching her chest, her eyes filling with tears. “James?” She whispered, and rushed towards him almost knocking him over with the force of her hug. “Thomas said he buried you. How is this possible?” His grandmother asked and James pulled way.
“What? What are you talking about?” His grandmothers words not making any sense. “I’m sorry grandma but Uncle Thomas was killed with my parents.” James glanced at his cousin; he was sorry to break the news but Caleb furrowed his brows and shook his head.
“My dad’s alive James, he’s our Alpha.”
James’s entire world dropped out from under him and he staggered backwards. His uncle was alive? This wasn’t possible? Was it? James’s eyes widened in horror and his grandmother shook her head but it was there in her distressed eyes. She’d come to the same conclusion that he had. His uncle had killed his parents and had tried to kill him. Caleb was glancing back and for the between the two of them.
“No.” Caleb shook his head.
James could only gaze at his cousin. The truth was there in his eyes and Caleb sucked in a breath before falling on his ass on the couch. James wasn’t sure how to comfort his cousin. He couldn’t. Not with what he was about to do. What he had to do. Anger coursed through him at the unfairness of all of this, one man’s greed had ruined so many lives. James swallowed hard. He regretted the pain he was about to cause his cousin and grandmother but his very soul was calling for his justified vengeance.
“He killed them.” James needed to say it out loud. “And he tried to have me killed. I thought it was the pack but….”
His grandmother clutched her chest as tears ran down her cheeks.
“I didn’t know James. I swear. I had no idea.” Caleb was pale.
James didn’t doubt his cousin was feigning the shell shocked expression on his face. James was worried his cousin might be physically sick with how pale Caleb had become.
“He told us there was an accident. A misunderstanding with the bears and you had been killed.”
“And you didn’t go to war?” James was incredulous; there was no way the pack wouldn’t have retaliated.
“They insisted it was an accident and provided compensation. My dad came back with money James.”
His uncle had planned it all planned out, down to the very last detail. James channeled his hurt and anger. Thomas had made a crucial mistake in leaving James alive. “I’m challenging the Alpha. But I’m not staying. I don’t want to be Alpha, I never did. I have a mate I must return to.”
“Oh, James.” His grandmother exclaimed. “I’m so happy for you.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t bring her here.”
“I understand. Maybe someday.” His grandmother nodded.
“If something happens to me please make sure she gets everything that is mine.”
“Of course.” His grandmother promised.
“I have your back cousin.” Caleb stood.
“I can’t ask you to stand against your father Caleb.”
“You’re not. I’m just telling you how it is.”
“I love you boys so much.” His grandmother spoke up.
“I’m sorry.” James told her but she shook her head.
“Thomas has brought this on himself. I missed you all terribly. What he’s done is unconscionable.” His grandmother’s eyes flashed yellow. “This is my mess to clean up. You won’t be challenging Thomas. I will.”
****
Emily’s chest ached and her throat was tight. It had been two weeks since her ordeal and there was no sign of James or her period. She was growing more and more despondent with every day that passed. She missed James terribly and prayed he was safe. What if he’d been killed? Did he decide she wasn’t the one after all? He’d been alone all those years, could he have been mistaken? Maybe they were just two desperate people who came together. She stared down at her stomach. If she was pregnant she resolved to be the best mother she could be. She’d learn everything she could about shifters. She’d buy a house with property. She would make this work.
Not expecting anyone, Emily was startled by the knock at the front door. She rolled her eyes. It was probably her mom or sister checking in on her for the millionth time but they couldn’t help her with this. Emily opened the door and was confused by the towering stranger in her doorway until she gazed into his blue eyes.
“James?” She was almost too afraid to hope the clean shaven man in front of her was him but he nodded. “You came back.”
“Of course I came back, you’re mine. You’re my life. My mate.” He pulled her close and Emily hugged him tight breathing in his scent. “You are my other half. I love you. I will always come for you.” He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around him. James kicked the door shut behind him. “There were family issues that had to be resolved before I came back.” He swallowed. “Remember the uncle I said was killed with my parents.” Emily nodded. “He’s still alive.” Her eyes widened. That could only mean one thing.
“Oh, James. Did you…fight him?”
James shook his head. “No. I was about to but my grandmother stepped in. She challenged him and he chose banishment over fighting his own mother. She’s the alpha now.”
“I missed you. I was so afraid.” Emily swallowed over the lump in her throat.
“I’m so sorry Emily.” James kissed her deeply before pulling away. “I realized after I left I didn’t have a way to call you. But I was coming back. I was always coming back for both of you.” Her eyes widened.
“I’m pregnant aren’t I?” She whispered and he nodded, confirming her hope. “How did you find us?”
“The Grayslake Sherriff took pity on me and gave me your address.”
“He’s a shifter too isn’t he?”
James nodded his head.
“What do we do now?” She asked and he reached behind him pulling a piece of paper out of his back pocket.
“I’ve petitioned the Grayslake Itan to live in their territory so we can make a home together. But right now I’m going to claim my mate. If you’ll still have me?” He handed her the paper and Emily smiled.
It was her note. Hoping he’d find it, she’d snuck it into his pocket just before he’d left her. Emily nodded her head, tears welling in her eyes.
“I love you James. I want you so badly it hurts.” She ached for him and it had nothing to do with the mating heat. “I missed you so much.” Overcome, Emily couldn’t contain her sob.
James growled and whimpered against her before capturing her lips. He tugged at his jeans and pulled her panties aside. Emily had never been so happy to be wearing a dress in her life. She moaned when he slipped his fingers inside of her. He moved, tapping his fingers and she gasped as pleasure pooled in her middle.
“You’re so wet.” He whispered.
“Because I need you.” She was relieved when he finally rubbed the thick head of his cock back and forth against her folds.
“I need you too baby.” He slid his cock inside of her and Emily cried out.
She held onto his strong shoulders as he thrust up into her. Overcome by need Emily leaned down and bit his neck. James’s body spasmed and his cock pulsed as he squirted deep inside of her.
“Emily!”
Even though he’d just come James still pounded hard and deep. Emily leaned back instinctively presenting her neck to him. He struck quickly, claiming her fully and euphoria pulsed through her veins as she came in gut wrenching bursts of ecstasy. She loved him so much. They were already more than mated.
The End
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