Unloved Mate (Wolves Of Night Shade Pack)

5

Valor

“What are you talking about? Kill me?”

I'd be fucking damned if I let Kane think he could take me down. Not today. I wouldn’t die again. I watched his movement. My wolf was ready to attack and defend himself from the threat posed before us. He came into my eyes, a faint golden color enveloping my irises, and I growled defensively, ready to propel myself to the enemy. Before he could make a move, I shifted right there and plunged myself into him, and we both stumbled down the path. I regained my footing, watching him crouch, his eyes gaining their crimson glow. “Run, little wolf, run! You know what happens if I catch you!”

A growl lodges in his throat, his tone tinged with authority, and I watched in complete awe as he shifted into his beastly form, towering over me. He didn't give me the time to get a good look as he plummeted toward me, but I was lucky to escape his grasp and dash into the forest. He was much larger than me and in all my existence of knowing about shifter creatures, I never knew that Lycans truly existed. From what I saw, the man had turned into a large six feet tall Lycan standing on his hind limbs with black fur coating his entire body, his claws sharp and his fangs ready to draw blood. He snapped as he moved through the brush, tailing behind me, the sound of his limbs stomping into the earth sparking a primal need in me. This was supposed to scare me, but the idea of being chased through the woods by a Lycan Alpha brought yearning to my heart. His scent enveloping my senses, driving my wolf into a frenzy and a feral need of wanting. For him, just him. Leo wanted to stop running and let this unknown alpha claim him, but I willed him to just keep running. I enjoyed this. As I kept leaping through the forest, the desire kept building and building to an extent where I could feel the heat burning for a man who was supposed to kill me. And the worst part was that he could feel it, too. I knew he did. I was about to make a turn down the path when he pummeled over me and settled in front of me, and Leo and I skidded to a halt, slowly pushing back. He growled, his eyes glinting the perfect shades of red as he shifted back into his human form, standing their stark naked without the intention of taking my life. At least that's what I saw from the look in his eyes. Fascination. Intrigue. Wanting. Desire. I morphed back into my human form, the ground pinning me, his delectable scent swirling in the air. I drew a long, satisfying breath. A moan escaping my lips as my dick twitched at the thought of having him worship my body. Even as he stepped closer, knowing the danger that came with his presence, I couldn't move. I didn't want to.

He cleared the distance between us; the heat of my arousal hanging in the air. His domineering presence and scent did things to my senses. He leaned into my neck and buried his nose right where my mate would mark me and inhaled a lungful of my scent, finding me irresistible. His fangs brushed against my skin but not deep enough to break and draw blood. Goddess, I wanted him to bite me, and it took so much of my will power to keep those desperate words from escaping my lips.

“You smell so good, little wolf. I’m becoming obsessed with you.”

He and his wolf purred, the unwavering certainty in his voice causing me to shudder as he smirked at me. His tongue drew a long strained swipe over my skin, and I dragged my bottom lip, a squeal of sexual pleasure spilling from my lips. He reached out to my cheeks and gave me a soft caress, then he leaned closer, closer until our lips were one inch away from claiming each other, my wolf rumbling with excitement.

Do it, Leo said.

He kissed me, and I didn't stop him. I had never kissed a man before, but this didn't come with any form of guilt whatsoever. I was enjoying it. He didn't stop. I didn't stop. I just let him ravage my entire body with kisses, the moan that escaped my lips driving him with pure need as his lips moved from my lips down to my neck, swiping and claiming every inch of me. I wasn't supposed to be doing this. I was supposed to figure out what I wanted. But here I was kissing a man and it turned out to be pretty great.

“I’ll lose control, Valor.”

He stepped back suddenly, the hunger for me still battling with the new decision in his eyes, and somehow he balanced through the chaos. My wolf whimpered at the loss of his touch. No one had ever shown us affection in this way.

“I… Kane. You're the first man I've ever kissed.”

I stuttered, trying to find my voice.

“I shouldn't do this with you.”

He said and turned on his heels.

“But I want you to.”

I pleaded with my eyes and took his hands pulling him back to me. “Please, please, please,”

hopelessness laced the words that tumbled from my lips. “Don't go. I'll keep your secret,”

I whimpered, and he eyed me with an expression I couldn't put into words. “There's just something about you and I don't know what it is but...”

I was saying, then he kissed me again. This time more fierce, backing me into a tree, his hands caressing my naked skin eliciting pleasurable ministrations from me. “Oh, fuck.”

I stuttered and he broke off from the kiss.

“Valor.”

He cooed and reached out to my cheeks caressing them softly.

“Will I see you again?”

“I don't know.”

“You’re just going to leave after this.”

My voice shook as I walked closer. Why does everyone have to leave? Why did I even care if he stayed in the first place?

“I have to. I have a pack.”

“I’ll come with you.”

I murmured, despair clinging to my voice. I couldn't believe I had just said that.

“I’m not taking your word on that decision. I'll always find you, little wolf. No matter where you are.”

He assured me and cleared the distance between us, holding me in place and ruffling through my hair, his lips claiming mine once more. He leaned on my forehead and let out a hearty chuckle. “There is something about you that intrigues me, Valor. You're special.”

He said and before I could find my words, he was gone. I had to trust that he would come back. That he would find me.

With a heavy heart, I sneaked back to the pack house, until I made into my room and took a shower. I was dressing up when the door pulled open and Zeke walked in, the stench of alcohol replacing the fresh air. I didn't have to ask where he was. “You didn't tell me you were leaving as soon as you arrived.”

“I don't think this is something we should discuss right now.”

“You haven't been speaking to me all day.”

“Well, that's because we were both busy.”

“And we are just about to forget the fact that you were confessing your feelings to me while I was coming back.”

“You weren't supposed to hear that.”

“Then you shouldn't have said it,”

I hollered at him, my anger coming from Kane’s abandonment. “You know what? You're free to do whatever you want.”

“Where did this come from? I'm giving you time to readjust to your life and you think I'm being selfish,”

he barked, anger etched into his features. “Fine, Valor. You want to hear it. I've been in love with you for most of my life, and I've spent the past twelve years denying that truth, but somehow my feelings claw their way back into my heart. I can't anymore because my feelings haven't changed, and they never will,”

his words wash over me like a balm, soothing the ache clutching my chest. He tried to keep his tone even and measured. “All I have to do is be patient with you, so you can figure out what you want for yourself. If you want me,”

he declared. “I care about you, and I always will.”

He professed, and all I could do was pull him into a passionate embrace. What kind of game was I playing? Putting myself in between these two men.

“I’m sorry I didn’t consider your feelings, Zeke.”

“It’s ok. You’re going through a lot, and I don’t want you doing it alone. I’m sorry for giving you the impression that I was avoiding you.”

“It’s ok.”

I reassured him.

This morning my father was in his usual position, lying on the bed and facing the ceiling. I told myself that it was the first thing I'd do once I woke up today. I was leaning against the door jamb with my hands crossed on my chest. Clearing my throat, I stepped into the room and moved to his bed, helping him to a sitting position. “Valor, shouldn't you be preparing for the full moon run?”

“Dad, the full moon doesn't come until three days.”

“Yeah, well. Sometimes I lose track of time, you know. When you were a kid, you were so excited about the full moon and all, and would always beg me to shift into my wolf so you'll touch my fur.”

He recalled, his face falling in melancholy. I took his hands and gave him a comforting squeeze. I'm sure he could tell I was smiling right now.

“I miss that,”

I recalled with a nostalgic feeling. “How are you?”

“I’m fine, but I can tell you're worried. What is it?”

“I’m in a position where I don't know what to do. I just don't think I'm enough.”

“You are always enough, Valor. You're the reason I live, my dear. Don't you ever doubt yourself. Yes, you've faced rejection, but that doesn't make you less worthy of love,”

he raised his hands to my face and caressed it. “So who?”

“Zeke and someone else.”

I muttered, astonished by my words.

“Two mates. Well, I think you hit the jackpot, son.”

He snickered.

“We’re not mates, dad.”

I murmured lazily and stifled the smile stretching on my lips.

“But there's still a chance you could choose. Tell me all about them.”

“They confessed their feelings to me, and I might feel the same way for both of them.”

I sighed, clutching my hands nervously. My mind instantly ran to the strange Lycan Alpha in the woods and the possibility of ever seeing him again, recalling his words. How he said he was becoming obsessed with me. How he looked and smiled at me and the way he held my body like I was the most precious person on earth as he kissed me. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about him? Why was there this instant attraction between us? Why did I feel something stronger for him than Zeke? I’ve known Zeke all my life. It should be him. But it isn’t. Every time I was in my thoughts all I could think of was last night’s kiss.

“About Zeke? When did he get back?”

He quizzed, intrigued.

“Not too long, and he says he loves me, and I'm scared because no one has ever said that to me.”

“Valor, you're my son, and I want you to feel every possible emotion this world has to offer and that includes love.”

“But I'm worried that I might ruin this thing between us.”

“You haven't even tried yet. If that were the case I wouldn't have found your late mother,”

he chuckled. “It’s ok for you to love. I want you to know that. How do you feel about him? Zeke, I mean?”

“The same way. But…”

“I’ll stop you right there, young man. No buts. What about the other guy?”

“I don't know much about him, but he's unrelenting in his pursuit. Every time he's around, it's like the whole world fades and it's just the two of us. I don't get that feeling when I'm with Ezekiel, but I feel something. And I know that sooner or later I'd have to maybe make a choice.”

“Hey, you know what you want. Until the time comes, I need you to make sure you don't make a mistake with who you'd be mated to forever.”

“Thanks, dad. What will I do without you?”

“You’ve done a lot, my son. Now go find Zeke and tell him how you feel. That's a start,”

he persuaded, and I placed a kiss on his cheeks. “Bye, son.”

He added. I rose to my feet and walked out of his ward, wishing him a wonderful day. I was glad my father had helped me get the clarity I was seeking. Now all I had to do was find Zeke and tell him how I truly felt.