“We’ll handle it,” he assured her. “As soon as I’m done.”

  She believed him. They’d paid in blood and magic. The future was within their grasp. She tugged his head back down, taking his mouth as he showed her he wasn’t anywhere near done yet.

  ****

  There was a heavy banging on the door. “You alive in there?”

  Aaron rolled out of bed, grabbed his jeans, and yanked them on before opening the door. Arms crossed over his chest, Nicholas glared at him. “You need to do something about your pet.”

  Bast was perched on his shoulder, surveying the world around her.

  Guilt struck him hard. With all the chaos, he’d completely forgotten about her. “Give her to me.”

  “With pleasure.” Reaching up, he gently removed Bast, pausing to look her straight in the eyes. “Be good.” The cat purred and rubbed his nose.

  When Aaron took her, she looked away and put her nose in the air. Oh yeah, she was put out with him.

  “Jesse all right?” Nicholas leaned his head forward but didn’t enter the room. “Mom wanted to check on you earlier, but…” His brother cleared his throat. “Dad told her she probably shouldn’t.”

  A loud groan came from beneath the covers, where Jesse was currently hiding.

  His brother’s lips twitched. “Supper in an hour at Gator’s. Try not to be late.”

  Aaron shut the door and carried Bast to the bed. “You can come out now.” He set the cat down. She promptly stalked to his pillow, then walked on it a few times before settling, her green-eyed stare daring him to move her.

  Chuckling over her antics, he sat beside Jesse and tugged the sheet down. Hair tousled, face red, she blinked several times. “I can’t believe your parents know what we were doing.” It wasn’t quite a whine, but it was darn close.

  “That’s what people in love do.” Placing his hands on either side of her, he dropped a kiss on her nose. “We better get moving. We don’t want to be late.”

  She yanked the covers back over her head. “I think I’ll stay here.”

  It took him almost an hour to coax her out of bed. His methods had perturbed Bast. She’d fled the bed and curled up on a chair. They should have been here twenty minutes ago. As it was, both their hair was still damp from the fast shower. Even with that, his scent clung to her. Maybe he shouldn’t have gone for a quickie in the shower, but he’d been unable to help himself, needing to touch every inch of her.

  “Do you think Bast will forgive us for leaving again so soon?” Jesse glanced at the path behind her, looking like she’d prefer to be back with the cat.

  “She’ll be fine. She has food and water and the run of the house.”

  Jesse rubbed her palms against her legs and nodded. “You’re right.” She picked up her pace, determination in every stride. “Bad enough that we’re late without dawdling.”

  A cheer went up as they stepped into the yard. Everyone was seated at the tables, food piled on their plates. Gator shoved up from his seat. Her stride hitched for a second before she headed toward him. Her uncle dragged her into his arms, hugging her tight. “Don’t ever scare me like that again, chère.”

  “I’ll try not to.” She bit her bottom lip. “I’m sorry about your brother.”

  Very telling that she never called Alain her father. The man had given her life, but he’d been a stranger and an adversary.

  Gator’s smile was sad. “It’s on him. He had all a man could want and was never satisfied.” His jaw clenched and eyes hardened. “He deserved his fate. Come and eat.” He shot Aaron a sly grin. “You must be hungry after your ordeal. You have to rebuild your strength.”

  Aaron snagged his mate’s hand before she could be pulled away. “I’ll take care of her.”

  “Be sure that you do.” As warnings went, it wasn’t exactly subtle, but it didn’t bother him. He planned on keeping Jesse very happy.

  Hand at her back, he led her toward his parents. Nicholas gave them a wink and Bailey waved as they passed. His mother had her arms open. She blinked several times, hugging them both tight. “Let’s get you something to eat.” When she went to grab some plates, Aaron wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pressed a kiss to her temple. “I got it, Mom.” Then he kissed Jesse. “I’ll be right back.”

  No one spoke about what had occurred until they’d eaten. Everyone else was on dessert, but it didn’t take them long to catch up. Jesse shoved her almost empty plate aside and stood. “I’d like to speak, if I may?” She addressed his father, who nodded.

  “I’m sorry for the violence that came to your land because of me.” She held up her hand before Gator could argue. “Yes, it’s Alain’s fault, but if I hadn’t come here, this wouldn’t have fallen on you.” Her gaze roved over everyone there until she’d met all their stares. It was tough for him to remain seated, but he sensed this was something she had to do.

  “I mated Aaron.” Her brilliant smile almost blinded him. “I fought the attraction, but he’s stubborn.”

  His mother snorted. “Takes after his father.” Everyone laughed, lightening the mood.

  “I was being selfish.”

  His wolf snarled. Aaron bolted to his feet and grabbed her hand. “If you were being selfish, I was being twice as selfish.” He kissed her palm before placing it over his heart. “I wasn’t letting you go. We belong together.”

  “We do.” Everything inside him settled at her easy agreement. “But this isn’t done yet.” She took a deep breath and faced his father, the alpha of the pack. “Whatever penalty is demanded by the Louisiana Pack, I’ll pay it. If it takes my death to satisfy them, I’ll gladly give it.”

  “No!” His voice was drowned out by the objections being yelled by the others. Spinning her around, he shook her. “You don’t die.” His fangs dropped and claws ripped from the ends of his fingers. He released her before they dug into her skin. He shook his head, digging deep for control.

  “You’ve shown me what love is.” She touched a hand to his face. “Your pack has welcomed me, shown me what family is. For the first time in my life, I have something worth protecting.”

  Breathing heavily, he pressed his forehead to hers. “I can’t live without you.”

  “You can and you will.”

  If his jaw got any tighter, the bones would shatter. He reached for her, intending to toss her over his shoulder, take her away, and fuck some sense into her. Let her go? Never! “I’ll take any consequences. You’re my mate.”

  Thump! Thump! His father rapped his knuckles on the table. “While I appreciate your willingness to do what’s right, no one is sacrificing themselves for that piece of shit and his friends. Alain came here to kill one of my pack. I don’t take kindly to that. Give me a damn phone. I left mine home.”

  Aaron’s uncle, Louis, tossed a phone at him. “It’s in the contacts.”

  Setting the phone on the table, he put it on speaker while it rang. “What do you want, LaForge?”

  “Jean Paul Dupointe. It’s been a few years.”

  Aaron was glued to the phone. His fate, his mate’s fate, was tied to this call. He pulled her into his arms and snarled. His father shot him a frown.

  “Fuck me. What’s wrong?”

  “Why would you think something is wrong?” His father leaned back in his chair and grinned at the phone. Some of Aaron’s tension eased and his wolf backed off.

  “Cut the crap, Jacque. You wouldn’t call unless there was a problem.”

  “Missing any pack members?”

  “What did that sorry son of a bitch do?” The alpha’s frustration bled through.

  “You don’t seem surprised.” Jacque sat forward. “If you were aware Alain Rollins and his buddies were a problem, why didn’t you deal with them?”

  “They weren’t stupid enough to make a mess here. Always away. I had rumors and innuendo and no facts.”

  “He had a daughter outside a mating.” Jesse’s voice trembled only once before it steadied. “He spent over two decades trying to kill me.”

  Jean Paul sighed. “You were off pack land and living with a witch. I wasn’t about to challenge Lottie Broussard. You were safe with her.”

  “Until she died.” Aaron was through being silent. “Alain and his friends chased her across the country. They hired humans to track her through electronic surveillance.”

  “He what? This is a fucking mess. Tell me he’s dead.”

  “I killed him when he attacked my mate.”

  “And who the hell are you?”

  “Aaron LaForge.”

  Jean Paul gave a rough laugh. “Let me guess. You’re Jacque’s son.”

  “Yes.”

  “And Jesse is the alpha’s daughter-in-law.”

  “Yes,” his father answered. “I don’t take kindly to my family being attacked. And Gator is none too happy. Jesse is his niece.”

  “The families will be pissed. Not sure Alain’s mate and kids will care. Hard to tell about the others.”

  Aaron almost pitied the alpha, but he was ultimately responsible for the actions of his pack. He’d allowed this to fester and grow.

  “I have a proposition for you.” When Jacque LaForge spoke, they all listened.

  “Figured you did. Let’s hear it.”

  “You’ve kept your word over the years, staying out of our business while we stay out of yours. I’d like for that to continue. I propose you let us take care of the clean-up. We’ll handle the humans Alain hired. They’re not exactly law-abiding citizens. You explain to anyone who objects that Alain broke our laws, possibly exposing us to humans. He and his buddies paid the price. And if anyone still objects, you tell them I’ll be happy to speak with them about it.”

  Jean Paul laughed. “I bet you would. You haven’t changed at all, have you, Jacque?”

  “No.”

  “Consider it done.” The line went dead.

  Jacque leaned forward and turned the phone off. “That went well.”

  “That’s it?” Jesse leaned both hands on the table. “It’s really done. It seems too easy.”

  “It is that easy. We’re a small group, but no one wants to fuck with us. Every male here could be alpha of his own pack. That includes my sons and your cousin Etienne.”

  His father’s praise made his chest swell. He’d always known his father felt that way about Nicholas, but to hear him say it about him. He took a shaky breath, met his alpha’s gaze, and nodded.

  Jesse sat down. “It’s really over,” she whispered.

  He pulled her onto his lap. “It’s done. You never have to think of them again.”

  “What do I do now?” She seemed bewildered. “All I know is fighting and running and staying alive.”

  “Whatever the hell you want.” His heart ached for her, but that was all behind them. They’d make the best memories going forward. “We have time.”

  “I have to get my things.”

  Frowning, he tugged on the purple lock of her hair. “Your things are here, remember. We brought them in the truck.”

  “Not those things.” A mischievous twinkle glinted in her eyes. “When Lottie’s time got closer, she had me sneak out items. Originally, they were in a storage locker in Louisiana. Once I got away, I hired a company to move them to Kentucky. I paid for the year, so I have some months until I have to claim it.”

  Aaron threw back his head and laughed. “Guess we’ll be taking a trip to Kentucky. We may have to store some things here until I can build you a house. Or, we can move permanently to West Virginia.”

  Her eyes widened. “You’d do that?” She nibbled on her bottom lip. “Your family is here.”

  His erection sprang to life at the small action. “So is yours.” It would take time for her to feel that way. “How about we keep the place in West Virginia. We can split our time between here and there until we decide.”

  She peered at the people laughing and eating around them. Everyone could hear them, but no one was interfering or trying to pressure her. “I’d like that.”

  “Thank God.” His mother raised her hands in the air and gave a whoop. “I didn’t want you leaving. You just got here. I want to get to know my new daughter-in-law better. I can’t believe I have two of them now. And grandchildren.”

  His mom had adopted all the foster kids that had come with Nicholas’s wife, Bailey. Their pack had expanded quite a bit in the past decade.

  His gaze went to Emma. Technically, she was his aunt, even though she was younger than he was. Other than Bailey’s brother and kids, she was the only unmated one from their original pack.

  Sensing his gaze on her, she looked his way and gave him a wave.

  Jesse squirmed on his lap. Emma forgotten, he turned his attention to his mate. “How about we head back to our place and talk through our plans?”

  Tilting her head toward him, she breathed in his ear. “That’s what you’re calling it now? Talking?”

  It was probably too soon to leave, but to hell with it. He stood with her in his arms. “Jesse is tired. I’m taking her home.” No one laughed outright in his face, but it was damn close. “I’ll be speaking with you about hunting down those humans.” It was his right as her mate to deal with that problem.

  “We’ll discuss it once we get all the information we need.”

  Aaron frowned, but it wasn’t his father speaking. It was the alpha. He inclined his head.

  “See you at breakfast.” His mother waved, a huge grin on her face.

  Laughing, Jesse buried her face in his neck and waved as he carried her away. “Thank you for loving me,” she whispered.

  “It was fate.” He pulled her around so she was facing him. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and her hands linked behind his neck.

  “You really think so?” Her beauty, the sheer happiness radiating from her, almost brought him to his knees.

  “Yes.” He began to walk, faster and faster, until he was running.

  “In a hurry?” She yanked at his shirt as he hit the outside steps.

  “You have no idea.” He made it to the room and kicked the door shut. “I love you, Jesse LaForge. Today and forever.” Kissing her senseless, he took her down to the bed and proved just how much he loved her.

  ****

  Later that night, Jesse lay awake and watched the slow rise and fall of Aaron’s chest. He’d beat himself out. They’d made love for hours. He was insatiable and she was no better. It would take time for her to fully believe this was real and wasn’t going to be taken away.

  She was still reeling over how easily Jacque had handled the Louisiana alpha. Jean Paul Dupointe is afraid of him. That was a revelation. It had given her a better insight into the pack she’d joined and the male she’d mated.

  He could be an alpha.

  As soon as his father had said it, she’d felt the rightness of it. At the same time, she knew he’d never seek out that role, but would back his brother, much as his uncle Louis did for Jacque.

  That worked for her. She didn’t want to be alpha female. Although, from what she’d witnessed, the role here was not like it was in most packs. Gwen was warm and welcoming. There was no backbiting, no games, and no challenges for power.

  It surprised her how anxious she was to get her things. She wanted to put down roots. Make a real home. The drapes were partially open, allowing some moonlight to spill into the space. Bast was curled up on the chair.

  I could love living here.

  Beside her, Aaron stirred. “I can hear you thinking.”

  She grazed her lips over his. “Sorry to wake you.”

  He yawned and combed his fingers through his hair. “I’m not.” The sheet below his waist began to tent.

  “You can’t be serious.”

  He trailed his fingers down her arm. “Get used to it. I don’t see it changing anytime soon.” But rather than kiss her, he threaded his fingers through hers. “What has you awake? You’re not worried, are you?”

  With him beside her? “No, not anymore. I was thinking I’d like to have my things here, not in West Virginia.”

  “We’ll take my truck and get your stuff tomorrow.” His mouth crashed down on hers. His taste, wild and male, never failed to excite her. She dragged her tongue over his. He groaned and pulled away. “Is one truck enough?”

  “What?”

  “For your stuff. Nicholas can go with us. Or Gator. This is your home. I want you happy.”

  Her heart aching with love, she rolled on top of him. “You’re my home.” She kissed his nose. “My fate.” She took his mouth, feeling his smile before he rolled her onto her back and loved all thoughts of her belongings away.

  Epilogue

  Jacque wandered toward his brother’s place. This time of the day, Louis’s mate would be hard at work in her studio. As an artist, her original paintings were always in demand, not to mention prints and cards and other items.

  The afternoon sun beat down on his head and shoulders. As soon as this meeting was done, he was going to grab Gwen and go for a run. His wolf wanted out.

  Gator sat on the steps, elbows resting behind him, head tipped back. Louis backed out of the screen door, a tray in his hands. “Hey.” He nodded and set the drinks on the thick railing. “Help yourself.”

  Jacque grabbed a beer on his way past and took one of the empty chairs. Cole came around the corner with Armand close behind him. As always, any major decisions involving the pack involved the five original members.

  “How are Jesse and Aaron doing?” Armand asked. He took one of the chairs and propped his computer on his lap.

  It had been a few days since the incident. Aaron hadn’t let her out of his sight since. Probably wouldn’t for some time to come. “Doing well.” They’d made a short trip of Kentucky to get her things out of storage. That was helping.

  Gator rolled to his feet and grabbed a beer. He hadn’t spoken about his brother’s death. The two had never been close, but it wasn’t easy to face the reality of how far Alain had gone.

  Cole nodded and perched on the railing.

  “What do we know?” he asked Armand. The faster this was done, the better. Loose ends made him uneasy.