Chapter 13

Waking up the next morning, I hear soft snoring next to me. Jason has his arm draped over my hip, fast asleep. His features were soft, and his breathing was even. Gently caressing his face, I loved feeling his stubble under my fingers. Running my finger along his jawline, I smiled. Tracing his lips, Jason shifted a little under my touch. Retracting my hand, his voice startled me. "Don't stop," he sleepily said.

"I'm sorry to wake you, baby."

Opening his eyes, he gave me a sleepy smile. "It's alright, honey. I'm glad to just wake up next to your beautiful face." Moving closer to me, "How are you feeling?"

"A little better," I answered. Moving closer to Jason, I was feeling something that I knew would throw Jason into a frenzy. A heat was pooling between my legs.

Rumbling from Jason made me move back a little. "Don't recoil, sweetheart. I'll just have to control myself."

My honesty was going to be my undoing. "Maybe you shouldn't," I whispered.

Peering back up at Jason, I could see his control was fading with my statement. Taking a deep breath, he pulled me closer to him. "It would be better to wait until after your heat, honey. Trust me."

Smiling, I nuzzled my head under his chin. "I can wait, then."

"I have an idea."

"Hmm."

"Why don't we stay in bed all day? I'll bring some food, and we can eat as we please. Today, we can just lay low?"

Looking up at him, I smiled. "That sounds like a good idea to me."

~some time later~

My body started to twitch, and pain racked through me. The heat was starting to rear its ugly head; Jason must not be here. Opening my eyes, his side of the bed is vacant. Anthony told him to stay close. His scent wasn't too long gone, though. Sitting up, I raise my nose to the air smelling him coming back. I needed him, the pain was starting to race through my muscles.

When the door opened, he was holding a tray of the most delectable looking food I had ever seen. Hopefully this time, it all stays down. "Good morning, sunshine."

Peering out the window, the sun was already setting. I slept all day. "Good morning, I guess."

Placing the tray on the bed, Jason looked so pleased with himself. Bringing me food was something he liked to do. "I made a variety of things for you. I got pancakes, eggs, bacon, my special garlic spaghetti, and I even made some basil pesto chicken with cherry tomatoes. Also, some coffee, in case you need a jolt, water, and orange juice." Just looking at the tray was overwhelming. Where do I start? "I suggest starting with breakfast," he teased.

Knowing he read my mind made me giggle slightly. Having him this close to me was helping me a lot. The heat should only last for a few more hours. Maybe by the morning, I'll be better. That would be ideal. Then, Jason can get back to running his pack, instead of taking care of me.

At least now, the smell of food didn't make me want to spew my guts all over the place. In fact, I was hungry, very hungry. Reaching for the plate of pancakes, I carefully took a bite of one to make sure that my stomach wasn't betraying me. The piece slid down my throat; waiting a moment, no queasiness hit me. Taking another small bite, still nothing. Food, glorious food. Finally, I'm able to eat with no consequences. Shoving the food in my gullet made Jason happy. When I got to the spaghetti, I saw Jason lick his lips.

Putting a big heaping forkful on front of him, I motioned for him to eat it. Gladly taking the food, he slurped it all down his throat.

"That's disgusting, Jason," I teased.

Still with food in his mouth, he smiled, "I'm hungry."

"You're always hungry, my love." We both paused realizing what I had just said. Love. A singular word that could either make or break us. I tried to backtrack. "I mean, uh..."

Crashing his lips to mine, I could taste the obvious garlic on his breath. "Don't think anything of it. We don't have to discuss it right now."

Smiling, I internally breathed a sigh of relief. Not that I didn't want my feelings to be revealed, but I knew now wasn't the time. My heat is still in progress, and I don't want him to think I'm saying anything because of it.

Finishing up all the food, Jason took the tray back downstairs. Now, at the end of my heat, when he's away from me, my body doesn't hurt as much. I felt twinges of pain, but compared to what I felt the days prior.

Coming back up, Jason took his place beside me in the bed, when his phone rang. "Damn it," he groaned. "Alpha Morgan." His tone changed. It wasn't the gentle one that I was accustomed to. No, it was the deep voiced Alpha that I heard the first day in my parent's house.

"What? Are you sure? Alright, I'm on my way." Putting his phone in the night stand, his expression turned to anger. "I have to go, Dakota."

"What's wrong?"

"Vampires on the border. Too many just to be a scouting team." My heart sank. I didn't want him to go. Jason could see my expression change. "I'll be back as soon as I can." Pressing his lips to mine, he left me alone, scared.

Jason POV

Vampires on my land. When Willie called, he sounded distressed. He was following Andrew on foot, with the other warriors. They estimated they're about ten to fifteen of them. Normally, a scouting party is two or three. They're searching for something.

Pulling off my shirt, I leave it hanging on a tree. Sticking my nose in the air, I can smell my Beta going northwest. Shifting, I took off as fast as I could. Last thing I wanted was any casualties.

My paws were pounding the ground as I ran. The closer I got to my Beta, the more I could smell the stink of the vampires.

'Willie, I'm on my way. Hold your position.'

'Understood.'

Moving faster, the stench went up my nose; I was close. Hearing rushing water, there was my borderline. Finding Willie, I saw my warriors ready to fight. Teeth baring.

"What's going on?"

"They jumped the border. We can't follow." He paused. "But we do have something you might want to see."

Moving away from the border, we headed back to the pack house. The cells were nearby. "What is it?"

"Andrew managed to capture one."

Impressed, we went into the cells. Those taken were typically rogues, deserters, anyone deemed dangerous, or vampires. The smell always made my stomach turn.

Going to the end of hall, there was a vampire chained to the wall. He was struggling against the chains, hissing and spitting. The sound of his flesh searing against the silver satisfied me.

"Why are you on my land, vampire?"

"Come in and find out," he threatened.

"You have five seconds before I rip your heart out," I growled.  He laughed. "What's so fucking funny?"

"You're all going to die. He won't stop until he has what he wants."

"Who has what he wants?"

His mouth closed, he wasn't telling me anything. Right when I thought this was the end, chilling words went down my spine. "Keep your mate close," he hissed. Growling, I walked out of the cells. I have to get home to Dakota.

"What do we do with him?" Willie asked.

"Leave him. When he hasn't eaten for a few weeks, he'll sing a different tune."  Going up the stairs, I was going to have to take steps to ensure this didn't happen again.

Dakota POV

Jason has been gone for too long. My stomach hasn't stopped churning since he left. Vampires were ugly business; destroying whole packs for fun. Ruining lives. Like they ruined mine.

Mustering some strength, I padded my way downstairs. I was hungry again.

The house was so quiet, deathly quiet. I suppose I had become accustomed to people piling in on a daily basis.

Opening the pantry, I was looking for something to snack on. Suddenly, I had become a ravenous beast. Finding some oreos, I took a seat on a stool on next to the kitchen island. Stacking them up, I wondered what would happen if Jason saw how strangely I eat my cookies. He'd probably find it amusing.

Rather than sitting on the hard stool, I decided to find the comfy couch in the living room. A snapping sound made me turn. Listening carefully, I wondered if it was my imagination or if someone was outside.

Jiggling the back door, it was locked. Nothing came in. It's probably my imagination.

'Dakota' a voice whispered.

Scared, I backed up a few steps. There's nothing outside. I'm hallucinating. It has to be a symptom of the heat. Jason will be home soon, and I'll tell him.

'Dakota' the voice whispered again.

Even more frightened, I did the only thing I could. I went outside. Unlocking the back door, I took a deep breath. Leaving it open, I knew vampires couldn't come inside unless invited. My only escape, just in case.

Stepping out, the night air was cool on my skin. The ground beneath was cold, but I took a few steps toward the woods. I didn't stray far from the house. "Hello?" I called. "Anyone there?"

Silence. The only thing I could hear were crickets.

That settles it. I'm going insane.

"Dakota." This voice was not a hallucination, rather one of familiarity.

It can't be. There's no way.

Turning, I see my brother standing there. Looked exactly the same he did as the day he died. Rather, he didn't.

"Trevor," I quaked out.

He smiled at me. "Hey."

I went to take a step forward, but he stepped back. He looked different. I couldn't put my finger on it. "What happened to you? Where have you been?"

"I can't tell you," he answered.

"Nothing at all!" I yelled.

"Please, just trust me. Whatever you do, don't leave your mates side."

Why is he warning me? What's going to happen?

"Trevor, talk to me. Please."

"I can't. Please promise me you'll listen to me."

"I will, but please, tell me why you're suddenly showing up after all this time!"

Deeply sighing, he pulled his hair in frustration. "Goddamnit, Dakota. Do as I say. I'm already taking chance coming here!"

"I will, Trevor. Will I see you again?"

"I don't know."

Tears were free flowing as I looked at my brother. His face held sadness.

"Dakota?" A voice came from inside. Jason.

Looking inside, he was walking into the house.

"Don't tell him you saw me."

Turning back, Trevor was gone.

Jogging inside, I locked the door behind me.

"Where were you?" he asked.

"Nowhere."

Side-eyeing me, he was not convinced. "You alright?" he asked.

"Hmm, oh yeah, I'm fine. I was worried about you. Everything alright?"

Judging by the fact that he was clad only in basketball shorts, I'd day he shifted at some point. There was a look in his eye though. "For now," was his only response.

Moving past me, he went upstairs to his room. Something is wrong. Part of me wants to know, part of me doesn't.

Heading upstairs, I heard the shower running. Slipping into the bathroom, I hopped up on the sink, waiting for Jason to step out of the shower.

"I know you're there," Jason called, poking his head out from the shower.

"I'm glad you know I'm here," I retorted.  An audible sigh of frustration left him. "What happened when you left, Jason?" The water turned off, so I got up, towel in my hand. Sliding the door open, he stuck his arm out. "No way, not until you tell me what happened when you left."

Seeing his form through the condensation, he dropped his shoulders in resignation. I wondered how long he would stand there before he got cold. Opening the door, he turned, facing me in all his glory. Looking away, I extended the towel out to him. Snickers left him. "You can look at me, sweetheart. This body is just as much yours as it is mine."

"Well, you did say that you wanted to take our time," I replied.

"Dakota, look at me." His tone was demanding.

Slowly turning my head back, I opened my eyes. There he was. In all his nakedness. A smirk came across his face. My face turned a very bright shade of red. "You know, it's nothing you haven't seen before."

"I know, but I was trying to be respectful of your wishes."

Stepping out, he stood before me. "You know what I wish?"

"What's that?" I started to dry his body, limb by limb.

"I wish to make love to you."

Shock hit me as I was drying him. "I thought you wanted to wait," I protested.

Coming back around to his front, he was dead serious. I could see it in his face. Taking the towel from my hands, he dropped it to the ground. My heart started to race. Leaning down, he paused for a moment before crashing his lips to mine. Tangling my hands in his hair, he was begging for his tongue entrance into my mouth. I gave it to him. Grabbing me by my ass, he picked me up, instinctively, I wrapped my legs around him.

"Jason," I said breathlessly, "are you sure you want to do this now?"

"Yes, no one is taking you away from me."

I didn't have time to be confused by that statement before he walked us to the bedroom. Placing me on my feet, the lustful look in his eye spurned my arousal even further. Stripping off my shirt, Jason knelt down undoing my jeans. Slipping them off, he kissed up each leg, leaving no place untouched. The kisses continued up to my stomach, small moans escaped my lips. Hooking his thumbs in to the sides of my panties, he tugged them down. Jason rumbled as he caught sight of my lower half. Burying his face into my breasts, he reached around unclasping my bra.

"Oh, Jason," I moaned.

Grabbing me by the hips, Jason gently tossed me into the bed. Running my hands over his chiseled chest, I felt myself getting wetter. Reaching down, he slid a finger inside of me. Arching my back, his finger filled me up. He was being so gentle with me. Dipping down, he ran his tongue over my mark, making me shudder.

"Please, Jason."

"Tell me what you want, baby."

"Y-you...please."

I could feel my release coming. "Oh god." Arching my back, I was gripping the bed sheets for dear life.

"Yes, baby. Do it."

My orgasm rocked my body. Jason seemed very pleased with himself.

When I came down, my head felt dizzy. Jason crawled up, and settled himself on top of me. "How do you feel?"

"That felt so good." I could barely breathe.

Kneeing my legs open a little more, Jason settled a little deeper on me. He was leaning on his forearms to keep his weight off me. "Are you ready for me, baby?" Before I could answer, he dipped down kissing me with all the passion in the world. Gripping at his back, I was digging my nails in. Rumbling resounded from his chest.

Feeling him at my entrance, I wrapped my leg around his hip. I was nervous because Jason was huge. I'd never had a man in my life. Jason sensed my apprehension, and paused before moving forward. "Are you alright?"

Nodding, "I'm just nervous."

"We can stop, if you want. I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

"No, I want to. I want this to happen."

Smiling down at me, Jason kissed me deeply. He readjusted himself at my entrance, and slowly pushed himself inside me. Biting his shoulder, he let out a hiss of pain. Slowly pumping inside, our moans started to fill the room. He started to pump a little faster, and all I felt was ecstasy. Jason sat up lifting my leg to his shoulder pumping into me. Our sweat mingled together as we made love.

"Dakota, baby," he moaned.

Leaning back down towards me, he kissed me passionately. Abruptly, he flipped us over so I was on top. I wasn't quite sure where to go from here. "Just rock back and forth, honey," he whispered.

Doing as I was told, I rocked my hips back and forth on him. I could feel my climax coming again. Jason was holding onto my hips. "Cum with me, baby." Sitting up, Jason held me close as we reached our peaks together.

Our screams filled the room.

Sliding off him, Jason threw the covers over us. Moving the hair out of my face, I smiled. "How do you feel, baby?"

"That was amazing," I breathed out.

"I love you, Dakota."

"I love you too, Jason."