Soul Mates Box Set 1 Read online

  Jackie sat beside the Alpha’s Mate and watched Zane as he prepared dinner. She had to admit, he was interesting to watch as he sliced, diced, and sautéed dinner. He was physically fit, as were most werewolves. The deep blue shirt he wore clung to him like a second skin and she could see his muscular shoulders and biceps.

  Did all men look that good in Jeans? His ass fills out his jeans perfectly, Jackie thought.

  She had a sudden desire to walk over to him and grab his ass. She blushed at the thought and bit her lip.

  His ass? Really? Since when did I ever admire a man’s ass?

  Horrified at her wayward thoughts, Jackie feigned interest in the kitchen décor.

  Zane stiffened suddenly as he caught a whiff of arousal. He knew without looking that it came from his mate, Jackie. He knew, because at the first whiff, his dick twitched and began to harden. He became so distracted, he almost burned dinner. He thought about the Alpha mistakenly thinking his erection was for his mate, and it was instantly gone.

  Lanie watched both of them and secretly smiled.

  Dinner was an interesting event. Both Zane and Jackie refused to look at anything other than their plate. They ate silently, only pausing to respond to Lanie’s questions. Lanie sighed. This wasn’t going the way she envisioned. They refused to interact with each other. Yet she knew they wanted each other. She could tell by their body language. Besides, Lucien explained to her that mates’ desire for each other would only grow.

  If only they would give each other a chance….

  She laughed delightedly as she realized what had to be done. Three pairs of puzzled eyes turned to Lanie. She looked at Lucien and smiled.

  “I think what these two need is a honeymoon.…” Lucien’s eyes widened as he realized what she was suggesting.

  “Absolutely not! It’s ours.”

  “But, Lucien….”

  “Lanie…,” he growled warningly.

  “Don’t be so selfish! They are pack and they need help with this…this situation.” She crossed her arms.

  Both Zane and Jackie gasped. Did she just insult the Alpha? Zane didn’t think any male could hurt his mate, but this was an Alpha, and he had just been insulted. In his old pack, pregnant or not, the Alpha would have beaten a female for such a comment. He knew he would fight to protect the pregnant Alpha Bitch if he had to. He would certainly lose, but it would give her time to flee. Oddly enough, he didn’t scent any fear coming from the Alpha’s mate.

  “What would I do without you? You’re right. They are pack and do need help. But I swear, if he touches any of your things—”

  “You left them there?! Lucien!” She was mortified. Before he claimed her as his mate, Lucien had bought very sexy lingerie for her. But nothing she felt comfortable wearing. Or that she thought would fit her. Why hadn’t she just burned them? She wondered.

  “I’m sorry, Love. I was hoping we’d go back after the baby was born.”

  “As if!” she said, crossing her arms over her breasts, trying hard not to smile as she thought back to the first time they went to their cabin.

  “Are you going to make me chase you again, Lanie?” he asked softly.

  “Perhaps.…”

  This time she didn’t try to hide her smile. She knew he could smell her arousal and would probably carry her off to bed shortly or take her on the dining room table, as he sometimes did. She really hoped he did the former, since they had guests and the table was full of dishes.

  “Zane, you are Jackie’s mate. Since you don’t have any blood ties to your previous pack, you are now considered part of our pack. You have a…unique situation. When wolves recognize their mates, it is usually a joyous occasion. I’m sorry circumstances have ruined this for both of you.”

  He turned to Jackie, continuing, “Jackie, Zane acted in self defense. Even Sean’s friends support his claim of self defense. They told me Sean was rejected by a female and he was pissed. I guess he decided Zane was an easy target, because he just walked up to Zane and attacked him. Zane is completely blameless. Sean started it and Zane ended it. I’m sorry, but you need to know the truth.”

  Jackie was stunned at the revelation.

  My brother attacked Zane? What Lucien says makes sense. Sean was much bigger than Zane. He would have thought Zane an easy target. I love my brother, but he was no Saint. Sean had acted like an ass and had it handed to him by her mate.

  “As Alpha, I am ordering you to spend a week with each other and figure this out. Whatever your decision, I will abide by it. You will spend this week in our cabin. It is where Lanie finally agreed to become my mate and where we spent our honeymoon.”

  Zane and Jackie stared at him, surprised at his offer. Spend a whole week with their mate? Alone? Neither could think of a valid reason to object.

  “Finally! All settled. Now can we go to bed, Lanie?” Lucien asked impatiently. Lanie laughed and waved her hand at the table.

  “What about the dishes?”

  “I’ll clean up,” they both offered.

  “Perfect. Zane, show Jackie her room, it’s next to yours. Night!” Lucien picked up his mate and carried her to their bedroom.

  Zane cleaned up the kitchen while Jackie took care of the dining room table. It was impossible for her to miss the moans and groans coming from the bedroom.

  The Alpha couple were loud! No wonder they lived so far away from everyone else, Jackie thought.

  Jackie wondered if sex between mates really was better than sex with anyone else. She bit her lip and carried the last set of dishes into the kitchen.

  Zane finished loading the dishwasher then escorted Jackie to her room. She closed the door without a backward glance. Zane went into his room and closed the door. He removed his shirt and tossed it on the bed. He knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep with his mate next door, so he went outside onto the balcony. A few minutes later, he heard the glass door slide open and Jackie walked out, wearing a thin nightgown. She stopped when she saw him standing there, shirtless in the moonlight. Though he was lean, he had a sturdy chest, well defined abs and muscular arms.

  The sight of him and the scent of his cologne caused a sudden sharp twinge deep in her belly. Though it was sharp, it wasn’t painful. It took her breath away momentarily. She felt herself getting wet.

  Each knew the other was aroused. He could see the way her hardened nipples jutted outward, she noted the way the front of his jeans suddenly filled out. Seeing the effect they had on their mate aroused them even further. His eyes changed as his wolf surfaced. In response to his wolf rising, hers surfaced as well. Their wolves would not be denied their mate.

  Zane and Jackie walked towards each other and met in an embrace, kissing instantly, passionately. Zane’s arm curved around her waist, the other held her head as they kissed. Jackie held his face, slid her hand through his hair, pulling him closer. He walked them backward until her back pressed against the wall. He began kissing and sucking on her neck while one hand moved slowly down her body, caressing her breasts, her belly. His fingers sought and found the spot between her legs and began rubbing her clit in slow circles. She groaned and pulled his hair. He pushed her panties aside and slipped a finger inside of her, finding her wet and tight. She arched her body into his, enjoying the way his finger felt inside of her. She rocked her hips against his hand, trying to push him deeper inside.

  Zane reluctantly pulled his finger out of her and quickly pulled down her panties. He helped her step out of them and threw them to the side. He unzipped his jeans, and his cock sprung upward. He looked at her with uncertainty. Her eyes were glued to his thick cock. She licked her lips and his wolf brimmed with pleasure. He moved towards Jackie, lifted her, entering her quickly. Jackie barely had time to adjust to him when suddenly, he withdrew and pushed back in again, harder this time. She held onto him tightly as he thrust into her harder, faster, deeper. She ground her hips against his, rubbing her clit against him. He groaned and called her name, sending her over the edge. Multiple orgasms made
her body convulse and she screamed his name. Her tight muscles squeezed him as he emptied his seed into her.

  Both panted as they tried to catch their breaths. If he hadn’t been holding her up, she was sure she would have fallen to the ground. Her legs felt rubbery, like Jell-O. Zane pulled out of her and Jackie was grateful he still held onto her as she lowered her legs to the ground. He zipped up his jeans, picked her up and carried her to her bed. He sat on the bed and they stared at each other in the dark room.

  Zane felt ashamed that the first time with his mate, he had fucked her roughly against the wall. Jackie deserved a gentle lover. Their first time together should have been romantic, not this frenzied coupling as if he was an untried teenager. Had he ruined that too? Wanting to apologize, Zane began, “Jackie—”

  “Don’t. We both know it’s because of the mate thing.”

  She turned away from him. Zane sighed and not knowing what else to do, left.

  Chapter Four

  The next morning, Lanie ordered Lucien to take Zane shopping. He would need clothes for his upcoming “Honeymoon.” Jackie had been sent home to pack her clothes. Lanie decided to make them a picnic lunch. Earlier that morning, Lucien had sent a couple to remove her lingerie and stock their cabin with supplies.

  On their way to the cabin, Lucien told them how he met his mate.

  “Why did you run away from Lucien? Were you scared of him?” Zane asked, curious about how the human had reacted to the dangerous Alpha.

  “Not scared of him. Scared of how he made me feel.”

  Both Zane and Jackie seemed confused at Lanie’s answer.

  “Humans are not like wolves. From what I gather, when you see your mate, you just…know. As if some part of you recognizes your soul mate. Humans aren’t like that. Well, maybe some of us are. When I first met Lucien, warning bells went off in my head. Literally. I know it sounds crazy, but they did. That had never happened to me before and I was confused. I misunderstood and thought it meant he was dangerous. That I should stay away from him. But later, I realized that it was to make me sit up and take notice. That he was my soul mate.”

  “I might have been a little stubborn about it, but Lucien didn’t give up on us. He convinced me to give him, us a chance. And I’ve never been happier.”

  “A little stubborn?” Lucien asked.

  Lanie laughed and they teased each other good naturedly. It was obvious the Alpha pair were deeply in love. Jackie felt a little pang of jealousy. Ok, to be perfectly honest, it was a large pang of jealousy. She wanted that kind of love and devotion. How could she even consider making a life with her brother’s killer? Jackie felt guilty that she wanted Zane, knowing what he had done. She was angry with him, because he would use her to stay alive and satisfy his sexual urges. Of course he would be glad to be mated to her, as it saved him from being executed. Because she was his mate, sex would be an added bonus for him. She knew the mating instinct was too strong to ignore and she would have to give in. She hated him for it. She despised herself for enjoying sex with her mate. Blamed him for ruining the happiness having a mate should bring.

  During their picnic lunch, Lucien told them about their “Love Nest.” He gave them the rated G version, knowing his mate would maim him otherwise.

  “You mean he actually kidnapped you?” Jackie’s mouth hung open in disbelief. Lanie laughed at her expression.

  “I think that’s the same expression I had on my face when I realized what he was doing. Actually, he tricked me into coming here and then kidnapped me and took me to our cabin. Once we were there, he convinced me to give him a chance. I chose to stay with him and give him a chance to prove to me that we belonged together.”

  “How did he do that?” Zane desperately wanted to know how the Alpha convinced his mate to stay with him. Lanie looked at him for a minute then smiled gently.

  “You’re a wolf. I’m sure you can figure out a way to make your mate stay with you,” she said softly. Lanie looked at each of them and continued, “Each of you have a choice to make. Only you can decide whether to keep the other as a mate. If you don’t, you will be subjecting both of you to a lifetime of pain and loneliness. You seem like decent people. Uh...wolves…whatever. The point is, you control your future. I think you owe it to yourselves to work things out and try to be happy. The past can’t be changed, only the future.”

  Lanie hugged both of them before she left. She reminded them about the satellite phone and urged them to call if they needed anything. Their home and cell numbers were programmed into the phone, so they could be reached at any time.

  “If we don’t answer right away… leave a damn message.”

  They understood. The Alpha was dying to get his mate alone.

  After the Alpha pair left, Zane studied his mate. Jackie was angry. She was also hurt. He could smell her pain, hidden deep beneath her rage. He knew he was the cause of both. He wanted to hold her, comfort her and ease her pain. But he feared she would reject him again. His parents had abandoned him because he was a runt, much smaller than his male pack mates. No one in the pack wanted him either, so he had been shuffled from one couple to another until he was old enough to live on his own. He wanted acceptance in his pack so he trained hard and was their best tracker. It was an honored position. But his pack still didn’t seem to accept him. He didn’t think anyone would. And he was right. Even his mate didn’t want him. Pain coursed through him and he turned and left.

  The pungent smell hit her nose and Jackie knew her mate was in pain. She turned to him and saw his back as he walked out the door. He stood by the porch steps and hung his head.

  “Zane?”

  “I can’t do it Jackie. I can’t let them hurt you and use you like that. I know you wish to be rid of me, and I would ask the Alpha to kill me to make you happy. But who would protect you then?” He turned and she saw the anguish on his face.

  “What…What are you talking about? Who would hurt me?”

  “I know what happens to females who lose their mates. They are given to the Soldiers.”

  “Given?”

  “They are passed from Solider to Soldier. They are used and abused.” Jackie was sickened to find out how women were treated in his pack. He looked so despondent, she needed to soothe him. Jackie walked over and touched his face.

  “That’s fucked up! That shit doesn’t happen in our pack. Females who lose their mates are treated like any other pack mate. In fact, those with small children are cared for by all. Two years ago, my friend lost her mate in the fight between Lost Souls and our pack. Our Alpha comes by at least once a week to check on the kids. He asks about their grades and sometimes brings them treats. He even takes them out to a movie or the park. A couple of times he even took them on a run!”

  “A run with the Alpha?” Zane was incredulous.

  Murdock, the Lost Souls Alpha, seemed to thrive on pain, humiliation and fear. Lucien sounded nothing like him.

  Suddenly they were both aware of each other. The rough stubble on his cheek, the way her thumb caressed his cheek. Her sweet scent enticed him and his eyes changed from brown to gold. His wolf was rising, calling to her wolf. She knew her eyes had changed as well, transforming into the silvery blue of her wolf. He growled. She growled back.

  He picked her up and carried her inside, kicking the door shut. He dropped her on the king sized bed that dominated the room.

  “Get undressed, NOW!” he demanded as he ripped open his shirt, sending buttons flying everywhere.

  She lay on the bed, watching Zane pull off his shirt. Though he was smaller than most males she knew, right now he was as dominant as any alpha. His eyes glowed in the darkened room. Her wolf responded to his demands and she kicked off her shoes, pulled off her shirt and threw it to the side. She unbuttoned her jeans quickly. Zane leaned over, grabbed her panties and jeans then pulled them down and off. He held her legs and pulled her to the edge of the bed. He spread her legs wide and knelt down, pressing his face into her dark brown patch of curls.r />
  Jackie moaned when his tongue caressed her. She grabbed his head, pleading with him not to stop. The air left her lungs when he plunged his tongue deep inside of her. It was the most erotic thing she had ever felt. Zane pushed his tongue as deep as it could go and then withdrew it. Jackie lifted one leg and placed it over his shoulder, resting it on his back. Zane used his tongue as he would his cock and she pushed his head down further, desperate to push him even deeper inside of her. Zane licked and nibbled her clit, pressing his finger inside her, over and over again until he couldn’t take any more. He stood up and unzipped his jeans. He pushed them down and held his aching cock. He rubbed his cock on her slowly, up and down, then suddenly pressed inside of her.

  “Zane, please….”

  She groaned as he began moving into her, faster and faster. Zane leaned down and nuzzled her breasts. She enjoyed the roughness of his stubble on her breasts. The way he licked and sucked on them while moving slowly in and out of her. Zane thrust into her deeply, then repositioned both of her legs to rest on his chest and shoulders. He thrust again, deeper this time, varying his angle, hitting just the right spot. She clawed at the sheets as she orgasmed once, twice, thrice…she lost count at twenty. He lowered her legs and leaned over her, kissed her softly on the mouth, nuzzling her neck.

  Jackie’s wolf receded and she suddenly came to her senses.

  What am I doing? How could I have allowed him to touch me again?

  She pushed at him and he moved. Bracing his arms on either side of her, Zane raised up to look at her. He saw the regret in her eyes and he withdrew from her. Crushed, he stood, quickly pulling up his jeans. As soon as he was dressed, he turned and left the cabin, slamming the door behind him.

  Chapter Five

  Outside, Zane walked into the forest and stripped. He changed into a sleek grey wolf and took off into the forest. He ran as fast as he could, leaping over fallen limbs and large rocks. He ran to escape the sadness caused by his mate’s rejection. Humiliated, he pushed himself to near exhaustion, running blindly in an unfamiliar territory. Seeing an abrupt opening ahead of him, his wolf instincts took over and he skidded, stopping inches away from a deep ravine. His heart thudded in his chest from coming within inches of falling to his death.