Chapter Ten

Becca rubbed her eyes before pushing away from her laptop. She’d released her third article on an online forum. So far, her other two had already been picked up by major news stations. Nikki’s own write-ups had even been selected by some international sites.

“Tired?” Mike came up behind her and rubbed her shoulders. She leaned back, grateful to feel his hands on her. The stress of having bringing Carter’s actions to the attention of the world was exhausting. She was even having trouble sleeping, having to relive the horror of the fires. What could have happened, people dying, or being seriously hurt, bothered her more than Becca wanted to admit to anyone. She felt a ton of responsibility weighing her down.

“Yes, at least we’re making a difference,” she said.

“Better than I’d even thought,” Mike said. “It’s good see how many humans on actually on our side. If nothing else comes from this, we now know we have support.”

“But it’s been five days and we still haven’t heard a word about Dan Carter. He can’t get away with what he did here.”

“He won’t,” Mike promised. “It’s not only the local police here looking for him. With what you and Nikki have done, his picture is out there everywhere. There’s not going to be anywhere he can hide.”

“I hope not,” she stated.

“Come upstairs with me. I’ll give you a full body massage.” Mike urged her to her feet. “And more.”

Becca almost melted against him. As busy as they’d been, she missed spending real time with Mike. Between meetings he was involved in, her work, and rebuilding the cottage, by the time they went to bed, they were both exhausted. Not that they hadn’t made love every night, but she missed Mike’s lingering touches.

The Alpha house was quiet around them, everyone else except for her father had already gone to bed. She could faintly hear her dad’s voice in his office where he must have been on the phone. It seemed all her father did these days was spend time making calls to other Packs and the council.

“We’ll be able to finish up your house tomorrow. Are you excited to be able to move back in?” Mike asked.

“I really am,” Becca admitted. “It feels like that’s the first step of putting everything behind us.”

“True.” Mike opened the bedroom door before nudging her inside. “Go lie down. I’m going to grab some stuff from the bathroom.”

Becca nodded before walking to the bed. She started to undress at the end of the mattress, tossing her clothes onto the chair located in the corner. Once she was naked, she crawled up and settled with Mike’s pillow under her head. She wanted to be able to smell him. His natural musk was such a turn-on.

She closed her eyes as Mike did whatever it was he needed in the bathroom. She didn’t care as long as he returned soon.

“You are so beautiful,” he murmured from somewhere over her shoulder.

“I’m all yours.” She didn’t even lift her head. It was getting easier saying the words. Becca didn’t want to pressure Mike into a relationship that he might not be ready for, but she couldn’t imagine not seeing him every day.

The mattress dipped and his knees brushed against her sides. She didn’t open her eyes, relaxed farther into the bed. When he straddled her legs, she wiggled in a tease.

“Stop that!” he chided. A quick, gentle tap on her ass followed his words. “I want to take care of you.”

“You always do,” she told him.

“Shh.” Mike brushed a kiss at the nape of her neck. Instead of relaxing, Becca was thinking about rolling onto her back and seducing him into riding her hard.

“Just let me touch you,” he urged, sinking his fingers into the tense knuckles of her shoulders.

There was no way that she could hold in the low, long groan. His touch felt great.

Mike continued to manipulate her muscles until she was a barely able to lift her head. Becca had no idea how long he worked but had started to drift off when he stopped. She moaned in protest.

“Roll over onto your back,” he commanded.

It took a lot of effort to comply, but when Mike lifted himself off her legs, she managed to twist around until she could flop and sprawl.

“You look completely melted,” he commented, settling back down. His erection brushed over her thigh. He only wore a loose pair of sweatpants.

“I am,” she murmured. “I don’t want to ever move again.”

“Well, then…” Mike dropped down with his mouth hovering over her stomach. “Let’s test that theory, shall we?”

Mike ran his tongue in a circle around her belly button. Becca gasped. She shivered, surprised when her body actually began to respond.

“How’s this feel?” he asked, before trailing his lips lower following an unhidden path toward where she wanted to feel his mouth.

Becca clutched at the back of his head, hoping to guide him.

“I thought you were too tired to move,” he teased.

“Mike!” she whined.

He slipped a finger through her slick folds until he teased at the entrance of her pussy. She bent her knees while pulling her legs up. Becca opened for him.

“I want to taste you,” he murmured.

“Yes,” she hissed.

Mike licked up the path of her inner thigh. Becca trembled. Then he was running his tongue over her clit. Becca tensed before clutching at the back of his head.

The flat of his tongue opened her and Becca arched, unable to resist. A finger joined Mike’s tongue until Becca was pushing against him. Sweat began to trickle from her hairline with the way that fire consumed her.

Eventually, she had to push at Mike’s shoulders. “I want you inside me.”

He leaned back on his heels. “Roll over.”

This time, Becca had no problem complying. She flipped before raising onto her hands and knees. Mike’s hand was gentle as he palmed her ass cheeks.

“I’ll never get tired of looking at your body,” he said.

Becca rocked back until she felt his cock brush her entrance. “I hope you don’t.” She wasn’t sure if the passion would always be consuming between them, but she could hope.

Mike gripped one hip hard, his fingers digging in, then the tip of his shaft was pressing in.

There was no pain, a feeling of rightness that he was filling her. Mike’s thick cock was all she could think about. The earlier issues, stress and worries floated away until all Becca cared about was where Mike was connecting them.

He thrust hard and deep, rocking the bed.

Becca cried out in pure pleasure.

“You belong to me,” Mike said. His voice was low, barely audible, but the words still echoed around in her head. The claim spoke to a part of her shared by her wolf.

She tightened her inner muscles around his shaft, drawing out a desperate moan from him. “Mine,” she called back.

Mike started a rhythm that she could barely keep up with. Each plunge was deeper and harder than the last. The constant sound that escaped from her mouth rose in volume.

When her orgasm was ripped out of her, she buried her face in the pillow to muffle the scream. Mike fucked her through the climax, not slowing down until he gave one last thrust and froze. Warm seed filled her. Becca would carry Mike’s scent for everyone else to pick up.

She didn’t know if that was Mike’s plan, but it was hers.

After he pulled out of her, Becca rolled over, then grabbed hold of his shoulders, yanking him down. She latched her mouth to the side of his neck. She’d mark her man in her own way.

* * * *

Mike wiped his hands nervously on his jeans before he knocked on the Alpha’s office door. This conversation had been coming for a while and he was more anxious than he thought he’d be.

“Come in.”

Mike took a deep breath at the voice on the other side of the door before turning the knob and entering.

“Mike!” Alpha Nelson greeted. “Come in, come in.”

“I was hoping you’d have a minute.”

Alpha Nelson was a big guy and he’d never been as intimating as he was in that moment. Shit, this was ridiculous. Mike had been up against armed terrorists who hadn’t had him shaking in his boots.

“For you, always.” Alpha Nelson pushed back from his desk then stood. “Would you like a coffee? I had a carafe sent in earlier.”

Since he’d come to the Alpha before Becca or anyone else was awake, Mike appreciated the gesture. “Yes, please.”

Alpha Nelson nodded as he strolled over to the small wet bar in the corner. Mike glanced around the large office, noticing how many pictures there was of Becca with her dad and other members of the Pack. He settled some, knowing that he was making the right decision.

He startled when the Alpha put a hand on his shoulder.

“Easy,” Alpha Nelson said. “I’m picking up on some tension. Whatever it is bothering you, we’ll work it out. You’re part of our family now.”

“Really?” Mike squeaked. He quickly cleared his throat. “I mean, that’s sort of what I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Sit down, relax,” Alpha Nelson pointed at the couch. “Let’s talk.”

Mike shuffled, following behind until he had to sit on the plush leather couch. Alpha Nelson sat in one of the overstuffed chairs in front of him then sipped from his mug. Mike took a sip, letting the caffeine and flavor burst over his tongue and calm his nerves. All he had to do was ask for what he wanted. It would benefit the Pack. He knew that Becca, Todd and Kenny wanted him to stay. It was practically a done deal. He needed the Alpha to accept him.

If Mike wasn’t involved with the Alpha’s daughter, the question wouldn’t be so important. Well, if he wasn’t falling in love with Becca then he wouldn’t even be asking, so a double-edged sword.

Mike drained about half his cup, letting the liquid burn down his throat before straightening his shoulders. He looked Alpha Nelson in the eye. “I would like to formally ask permission to stay in your territory.”

Alpha Nelson pressed his lips together, while wrinkling his brow. “For how long?”

“I’m sorry?” Mike asked. That wasn’t the reaction he’d expected.

“How long would you like to stay? Are we talking a few weeks? A month? Until all threats against the pack have been taken care of?”

“I… um, I didn’t have an actual length in mind,” Mike managed.

“It would be highly unusual for an Alpha to allow a strong wolf such as yourself to remain with his Pack without knowing his full intentions,” Alpha Nelson stated.

“Intentions?” Mike repeated.

The Alpha nodded. “Let me ask you a question. Your answer will affect my decision.”

Holy shit! Mike swallowed back the curse. He’d been nervous before, but now he was sweating. Would the Alpha not let him stay? What would he tell Becca? They’d have to work out how to see each other. There was no way that Mike was going to let her go. His entire future would eventually wrap around her. “Okay.”

“Are you staying for the Pack or Becca?”

That was an easy question. “Becca,” he said. “But I do want the Pack protected. That’s a part of who I am. If I stay, I have to be a part of watching over everyone.”

“You can stay on one condition,” Alpha Nelson said.

Mike’s pulse jumped. “And that is?”

“When you and Becca decide to make your relationship a more permanent arrangement, it’s done here. I understand I might lose her to your Pack one day, but I want her here for as long as possible.”

Before the Alpha even finished speaking, Mike was shaking his head. “I wouldn’t ask her to leave this Pack. In fact, if and when she agrees to be mine, I’ll request to join yours.”

“It’s typical for the female to join with the male’s Pack,” Alpha Nelson pointed out.

“Well, we both know that Becca’s not typical,” Mike joked.

The Alpha lifted a brow. He wasn’t going to let Mike out of the conversation without further explanation.

“I don’t go home because I’m not comfortable in my own Pack.” He sighed. “I’ve seen a lot in my travels. There’re Packs that are powerful, like mine, that care only about appearances. They wouldn’t ever help another Pack in need unless they get something in return. I’m not saying that the Alpha is wrong on how he reigns, but that’s not how I want to live my life. Or how I want my children raised.”

“Children?” Alpha clapped his hands together. “Now, we’re talking.”

Mike laughed. The relief flooded in, and he could lean back. “Not for a while. But in the future? I could see a few pups running around here.”

The smile on Alpha Nelson’s face was huge. “You know the head of security position will probably be coming available,” he said.

“I’ve discussed it with Kenny,” Mike admitted.

“Then all I have to say is welcome to the family.” Alpha Nelson held out his hand.

Mike shook it. “Thanks, Alpha.” Okay, now that Mike could breathe again, he’d enjoy his coffee before going up to wake Becca.

“Should I expect a call from your Alpha?”

Mike laughed. “No, he doesn’t care what I do. My mother is a whole other issue, but she should leave you alone since you’re an Alpha. I’m going to have to take Becca to meet them.”

“That shouldn’t be so bad.”

“As long as they don’t run her off. My family might act cultured and sophisticated, but they can be real mean at times,” Mike explained.

“Trust Becca to be able to handle herself,” Alpha Nelson said. “She’s been working Pack politics all her life. She’s the Pack Daughter for a reason.”

Mike hadn’t considered that. “That’s good to know.”

“Becca’s received advanced training on how to handle situations. I’d bet on her against your mother on any day of the week.” There was pride in the Alpha’s tone.

“I guess we’ll see,” Mike said.

The desk phone rang, causing a short grunt from the Alpha. Mike guessed it was time for to let the man work. He stood then held out his hand. Now that he was staying with permission, he did need to make the call home he’d been avoiding.

Mike had been planning on driving up to his parents to attend whatever social engagement they’d decided he needed to attend before hauling ass back to Becca. If Alpha Nelson was correct, maybe he should take Becca.

He strolled out of the room, digging into his pocket to get his cell. Mike waited until he’d walked through the house and was out on the back porch before he dialed the number of his parents’ house.

“Hello, Mike,” his mother greeted. “It’s about time you returned my call. I’ve phoned all your friends, trying to reach you.”

“I wish you’d stop doing that,” Mike said. “I get your messages. I always return your call when I can.”

“Well, how do I know you haven’t been killed and no one informed us? I’m your mother, after all.”

Mike would have felt guilty if he didn’t know the next words that would be coming out of her mouth.

“If you came home and took your place at your father’s side, I wouldn’t have to worry. But no, you insist on running around the world trying to be a hero.”

“I’m not trying to be a hero,” Mike said. “I want to help people.”

His mother humphed. Mike was not going to start this old argument again when he had Becca naked and in bed waiting on him.

“Is there a specific reason you were trying to reach me?” he asked, even though he knew.

“Your presence is required at home this weekend,” she stated. “Your father, the Alpha, has some very important people coming.”

“Fine,” Mike said. “I’ll be there.”

“Really?” His mom sounded surprised. “Well, of course you will. This is what is expected.”

Mike rolled his eyes even though she wouldn’t be able to see him. “I’ll be bringing a guest,” he informed her.

“I don’t believe this is an event your fellow…soldiers will be comfortable at. Maybe you can leave them behind for once. For your family.”

Since Mike wasn’t any more comfortable than the few friends he’d ever taken to meet his family, he merely spoke over her. “It’s a date. The woman who I’m dating will be coming with me. I’m sure she’ll be an acceptable addition.”

“Well, how was I to know?” his mother complained. “You haven’t told me that you’re dating and you’ve never brought a woman home in a long time.”

Because his mother had been so horrible that he’d finally stopped subjecting those he cared for to her. “Well, I’m bringing someone, so I expect you to be nice.”

His mother sputtered in outrage.

“Save it, Mother,” he said.

“Who is this girl? What family is she from? How do you know she’s not with you because of who your family is?” The questions, the same ones as always, came rapid fire.

“You’ll meet her when she arrives,” Mike said. “That’s all you need to know.” He’d made the mistake of giving his parents information beforehand and his father had actually ‘investigated’ his dates.

“I don’t see why you always have to be so difficult,” she said. “I’m merely looking out for the family.”

“You’re looking out for your best interests, not mine. It doesn’t matter this time, because nothing you do or say will make a difference.” Mike was certain that Alpha Nelson was right about Becca. She wasn’t the type of woman to allow another to intimate her.

“Then I look forward to meeting this mystery woman.”

“I’m sure you do,” Mike stated. “What night is this party?”

“Saturday. It starts at six.”

“We’ll be there in the afternoon,” he said.

“Fine. I’ll have a room prepared. I suppose you’ll be sharing?”

“We will,” Mike agreed. “I’ll see you in a few days.” He hung up before she could draw him into another argument. This was about the time that she’d begin to pressure him into committing to staying home for good. After the party, he’d sit both his mom and dad down to explain that he would be joining Becca’s Pack one day. They wouldn’t be happy, but there wouldn’t be anything they could do, either.

Mike pocketed his phone before turning back to the house. He liked the main house, but he was looking forward to returning to Becca’s cottage, the two of them.

There was still no sign of anyone else being awake as he crept down the halls. Other than a small kitchen staff, all the shifters were still nice and warm in their beds. Like his lover.

He quietly moved up the stairs until he was standing in front of the guest room he’d first been given. He assumed that Becca had her own room somewhere inside the big place, but she hadn’t mentioned it. They would be moving back to the cottage later that day, hopefully, so he guessed it didn’t matter.

Mike pushed open the door and peeked inside.

Becca was still sound asleep, but she’d grabbed his pillow and placed it under her chin. Mike grinned. She seemed to like his scent. That pleased Mike more than it should.

He crept inside, making sure to close the door silently before strolling across the room. Mike slipped out of the clothes he’d thrown on earlier. Once naked, he lifted the sheet before slipping in next to Becca. She didn’t even move.

Well, he was going to have to wake her up his own way.

Mike shifter closer until his chest pressed against her back. Becca murmured in her sleep before pushing back.

He slipped a hand around her body. He brushed his fingers from her stomach until he cupped her breast.

“Mike,” she whispered.

“Good morning,” he said in her ear.

“It is now,” she agreed. Becca covered his hand with hers before tightening the grip. She gasped then pushed back against him again.

His erection slipped between her thighs.

Mike moved his hips in lazy thrusts. Just brushing against her skin was enough for his body to spark.

Becca reached back then gripped his shaft. Her stroke was firm and perfect. Mike shoved his cock through her fist until pre-cum started to leak.

With a firm hand, he lifted up her leg. He wanted, no needed, to fill her again. He could still pick up the scent of his cum from the previous night and it was driving him crazy.

It was Becca who positioned his hard-on at her entrance.

He pushed the tip inside.

Mike had enjoyed the rough and passionate lovemaking last evening, but now he could take his time and show her how he could also gently please her.

Becca gripped his hip as Mike pressed farther. He moved softly in and out of her. She still sang for him. Each gasp, moan and catch of breath had arousal sliding down his spine. It was crazy how close he was to coming already.

“Perfect,” she told him. “It’s always so good.”

Mike kissed the nape of her neck before nibbling down. Becca shuddered then climaxed. The way she clamped down on his shaft was almost painful. He thrust lazily while she shook apart in his arms. With his mouth still on her shoulders, teeth digging, holding her in place but not breaking skin, he let himself go. Coming, marking, claiming her as his.