Claiming Her Mate Read online

  Chapter Ten

  Everyone had gathered back at Evan and Summer’s home. The turn of events had left them all stunned, and while the family was thrilled with the news that she was pregnant, Summer knew they had far more larger concerns to deal with.

  Aidan’s words about the prophesy echoed through her mind. His apparent knowledge of the evil they would be facing, and his willingness to side with whoever or whatever it was, all terrified her.

  “So you’re telling me that Aidan knows who else is involved in the prophesy? This supposed evil?” Sage asked, pacing back and forth.

  “From the sounds of it he’s working with them, although if the evil is as bad as the prophesy says, I’d say it’s more like working for them.” And that thought terrified her more than anything.

  “Dammit,” Sage growled, startling poor little Ally, the cat leaping up into the air with a hiss. Summer leaned forward and picked the brave feline up, placing her in her lap. If it hadn’t been for Ally’s connection to Evan and her impeccable timing, Summer couldn’t contain the shudder that went through her at the thought of what could have happened. “Shit is really hitting the fan. And we’ve got Ella’s friend, Tessa, and her family coming, they should be here in a week. At least she knows about shifters, but this will still be a lot to deal with.”

  “She needs our help, son,” her father added.

  “I know, and I don’t regret offering it, but I’m concerned about what this all means.” Sage swiped a hand down his tired looking face. “We’ve got this prophesy hanging over our heads, Tessa on her way, Aidan causing trouble…and soon we will have new members of the family joining us.”

  Summer smiled at her brother. “And they will be safe and sound. They have too many people who already love them, willing to do anything to keep them safe.”

  Evan placed his hand on her stomach, chuckling when Ally swiped it away so she could rub the side of her face against Summer, purring in contentment. “I’m still trying to come to terms with the idea that we’re having more than one.”

  “Don’t worry, Ev.” Chase shot him a wicked grin. “I’m sure you’ll get used to it once they’re here….screaming, cry, interfering with your sex life…”

  Her mate surprised everyone when he raised his hand and flicked it out, a spark of energy shooting out and zapping Chase in the shoulder.

  “Ah, dammit.” Her brother sat with a perpetulant frown as he rubbed his injury. “Not cool, dude.”

  “Actually, that was pretty damn cool,” her brother, Rourke, chuckled. “You’re getting the hang of that already.”

  Evan shrugged. “Not really. It’s mostly just instinct.”

  “So you’re saying you could have set my arse on fire?” Chase asked, outraged.

  “Bro, you had it coming,” Rourke laughed.

  “Either way, I’ve taken the liberty of getting in contact with the Witches Council. I spoke to a friend on the way here,” Richard announced, giving his son a look that clearly said behave. “They’ll be sending someone to help train you. For now, how about we try not to provoke Evan, hmmm?”

  The mood lifted remarkable after that and Summer felt like she could breathe properly again. Though the serious undertone remained and the family knew they had a battle ahead, Summer loved that they were so happy to be welcoming new members. It helped put her nerves at ease.

  A yawn escaped her, and although she attempted to hide it, her father must have seen.

  “I think that’s our cue to leave,” Richard suggested to the group gathered. “We'll have plenty of time to discuss this tomorrow.”

  “Dad’s right. Aidan won’t do anything else tonight, the Council members are on their way to deal with Brad’s body.” Sage grimaced as he made his way to the door. “As far as the prophesy goes, well, we can’t prove whether that’s real or not, so let’s not borrow trouble. What we do know is that Aidan is out to create chaos, he may or may not be working with someone, and that our family is expanding.” Turning to Evan, he said, “From what I can see, you are fairly in control of your powers, I’m not worried. But it’s good that someone is coming to help train you to use them. And as long as dumbarse over there,” Sage tilted his head, indicating Chase, “keeps his mouth shut, you should continue to be fine.”

  “Oh goodie,” Evan mumbled from beside her.

  Summer sat Ally back on the floor as she stood and walked to the door, showing her family out. She knew they would all descend again tomorrow but right now, she needed some alone time with her mate.

  “You know they mean well, right?” she asked, leaning up against the still closing door.

  “Yeah, I know,” Evan chuckled.

  Summer walked back to the lounge, but instead of taking the seat next to Evan, she moved to straddle his lap. Evan’s arms wrapped around her, almost instinctively, and she smiled. If someone had of asked her a few months ago if she thought she would be where she was now. Mated to Evan, pregnant with child, and a damn prophesy hanging over their heads, Summer would have laughed at them. She would have told them they were insane.

  “What’s put that smile on your face?”

  “You,” she whispered, lowering her head to capture his lips. “Always you.”

  “Hmmm, always, huh?” Evan bit down gently on her bottom lip, making her gasp. “I like the sound of that.”

  “You were always mine, I just had to claim you.”

  Epilogue

  The two figures huddled just under the tree, making sure to keep out of sight. The boy, no more than nineteen years old, huffed out yet another annoyed sound, the warmth of his breath causing a white mist to form. “Do you think they believe?”

  The Seer tore her gaze away from the window and the couple sitting on the lounge, to the young man beside her. “It doesn’t matter, it’s already begun.”

  He tugged on his short blond hair, his blue eyes scanning the area where they had watched the Alpha family disappear. “Yeah but, how can we expect them to stand a chance of winning if they’re unprepared, Ruth?”

  The older woman smiled. “There is no winning, merely preventing, Quinn.”

  “Fine, prevent, whatever,” Quinn sighed in frustration. “The fact is, they don’t even seem to know the significance of the very land they live on, let alone the role they play.”

  Ruth chuckled. “Most don’t. Even the young girl, Tessa, who is on her way here as we speak, has no clue of the potential she holds.”

  Quinn still didn’t understand the true meaning of the prophesy, none of them did. The young man wasn’t even aware of the role that he himself would play in it. The tiger family only knew a portion of what was foretold, and to know the rest so soon could tip the balance, could undo the very prophesy itself. And the world wouldn’t survive that.”

  “They will know when it is time.”

  “And how can you be so sure that it is time? Is the prophesy beginning?” he asked, eyeing her warily, yet to fully trust her, still so unsure even after caring for him for the last few months.

  “Summer has claimed her mate,” she stated matter-of-factly. Whether he believed her or not didn’t matter at this time. She would work on the young man, make sure he was prepared to face his destiny.

  “That still doesn’t answer my question,” Quinn mumbled, sounding like a pouting child. “How can you be so sure about this damn prophesy and what was said?”

  Ruth’s grin was wide as she turned back to Summer and Evan, who appeared every bit the perfect couple in mated bliss. “Because, dear boy. I was there.”

  Books by Jess Buffett

  Published with JK Publishing, Inc.

  New Hope Valley

  Claiming Her Mate

  The Alpha's Onyx and Fire – Coming Soon

  Stand Alone Books

  Nick's Christmas Wish – Coming Dec. 3, 2013

  Published with Siren - Bookstrand

  Hunter Clan Series

  The Kayan's Mage

  Riley's Vampire Prince

  Dmitri's
Little Spitfire

  His Silent Mate

  Jordan's Purrfect Mate -Coming Soon

  Published with Silver Publishing

  Always Been You

  Cowboy's Chocolate Roses

  Published with Beachwalk Press

  Sons of the Seven

  An Archangel's Promise

  Would love to hear from you!

  Email: [email protected]

  Website: http://jessbuffett.wordpress.com/

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  Excerpt from Ares

  Gods of Old Book One

  by Edlyn Reynolds

  “How long has it been since you’ve been here?” his brother asked.

  “Too long to admit,” he said, watching the group of students following their teacher and a guide around the temple.

  “If you look over here class you can see what some scholars believe to be the remains of a sacrificial table.” The instructor was pointing to a section of the rubble that had been partially cleared. The area was cordoned off by ropes to keep people from stepping on things they shouldn’t.

  Apollo shot him a look then grinned, “Did you ever actually have any sacrifices from the people?”

  He shrugged. “Maybe. It’s hard to remember but I don’t think so.” The instructor, the guide and the students couldn’t hear them. They were cloaked between realms. Not really there and yet, there. “My worshippers were all about war, blood and death of their enemies. Not so much with the virginal sacrifices. I won’t say it never happened, because that could well be a lie, but honestly not ringing any bells for me.”

  Apollo gave a laugh as they both walked closer to the group. “I must admit, brother,” he tipped his head. “I’m ever so glad today’s fashions are not like they were a mere hundred years past.” He reached out and slid a finger over one girl’s bared belly. She gave a small shiver, not surprising, many humans were sensitive to things they couldn’t see or hear but existed.

  “That’s because you’re a man-slut, Apollo,” Ares said.

  “Come now, brother.” He gave a huge grin and gestured to the group. “Are you going to tell me you are not enjoying the titillating display of feminine flesh?”

  “That would be a lie, brother, and I must say, that it is a bit old. Too many women believe they need to show all to gain affections. There are so few these days who know a hint is sometimes so much more intriguing than the full monty.”

  “Oh, excellent movie reference, brother. I didn’t know you had it in you,” Apollo gave a laugh. “I will agree to disagree with you there though. I much prefer to see the wares before I purchase. I need to know just what I am getting.”

  “Man-slut,” Ares coughed into his fist.

  “Jealous much?” his brother gave a snort. “Really, brother of mine, you should do something about your apparent lack of female companionship. You’re becoming rather... Well, I hate to say this, but you really need to get laid. You’re much too uptight these days, brother.”

  Ares threw him the finger, but his attention was on the instructor again.

  “This is one of many statues of the God of War, or Ares, as you may better know him. There appear to be a few versions, most denoting a youthful appearance. He was often denoted as naked, wearing nothing but a helm and carrying a sword and shield, or a spear. He was also denoted as being fully armored. Some believe these statues,” the man gestured to the one before them, “were replacements for the originals. That when the Romans invaded and held Greece, they replaced them with ones created more in the appearance of their God, Mar, Ares’ Roman counterpart.”

  The instructor turned to face the group. “There are also some scholars that believe this was not the original location for the temple. They believe the Romans actually moved it from its original place to this spot. There are markings on some stones that may give this theory some validity. There is also the fact archaeologists uncovered sites where bases for such temples were found, but no ruins.”

  “Alright, well,” Apollo shifted from foot to foot next to him. “This is bloody boring as all get out. I’m going to go and see if I can’t find something a little more fun to do. Catch you later, brother.”

  Ares didn’t reply and moments later, Apollo was gone. He continued to track the group. Listening in as the instructor, with the help of the guide, gave the class more information. Not so much about him or his temple in particular, but about the construction process. His brother had been right about one thing, the man was fairly boring in his teachings. He was passionate, but his topic wasn’t of any interest to him personally. Ares knew all about himself. He didn’t care about why or how the humans of the time had built his temple. They had and to his mind, that was the end of the story.

  Excerpt from Zara

  Galactic Cage Fighters Book Four

  by KD Jones

  “How’s that, Amazon?” Isis asked with a smirk.

  “Pretty good, newbie. But you forgot something.”

  “What’s that?” Isis frowned.

  “You forgot to freeze my other arm.”

  The next thing she knew Zara swung her other arm and her fist directly hit Isis in the face, knocking her onto the mat, unconscious.

  Zara used her Beastial abilities and made her frozen arm and hand expand a bit in size. Then she broke the ice into tiny shards that fell to the floor at her feet. She stood over Isis who was starting to wake up.

  She turned to the other females who were watching in rapt fascination. Roxy was a bit shocked. She hadn't practiced enough with Zara to know she didn’t hold anything back. “Practice is over. Get some rest.” Then she climbed out of the cage.

  Hammer slapped Trig on his back hard and he moved forward a little. “I think she’ll be ready for you now.” He turned and walked away with a smirk on his face.

  What the hell was that all about? He turned back to watch Zara stomping her way to him. Watching her fight and now coming at him with her temper flaring had a funny effect on him. His cock was so swollen he shifted from one foot to the next to adjust himself.

  “Come with me,” Zara ordered him as she continued past him toward the doors. She walked out into the hallway and made a sharp left. She turned suddenly, grabbing him by the front of his shirt, slamming him into a small alcove.

  Trig was surprised and strangely turned on by her aggression. Watching her fight had him stiff but up close, he could smell her sweat and something else that had him reacting immediately. He wanted her.

  “Don’t ever interrupt me when I am training or when I am working a fight! I can handle myself just fine!”

  “I know you can.”

  “Shut up!” She leaned forward and took a deep sniff of his scent. She started growling with a need to dominate him, and a secret need to be dominated by him. His arousal was setting off something primitive within her. It was fucking hot! He is fucking hot! She leaned close and licked the side of his neck. Big mistake.

  The taste of him seemed to make the primitive need for him multiply. She wanted him like no other. She gripped the back of his neck and pulled his head down to her, taking his lips. He had warm soft lips and she ate at them causing a moan to escape from him.

  Trig had never had a woman take charge like this. He was fully aroused, painfully aroused. He reached down, grabbed her ass with both his large hands, and brought her body up hard against his. He rubbed his cock against her pussy and she rewarded him by gently biting down on his bottom lip and moaning. A biter, she was a biter. Fuck yeah!

  Zara’s nipples were extremely hard. They poked through the stretched tank top she was wearing. She needed relief from the ache she felt in every part of her body. She rubbed her breasts against his t-shirt covered chest. She wanted to climb him and ride him for hours. Why were they still wearing clothes?

  “Uh…hmm,” a voice rang out behind them.

  Zara pulled away from Trig, quickly turning to see who dared interrupt them. Rachel? Could it get any fucking worse
?

  “I don’t mean to stop you two. Did you intend to give the entire ship a free sex show?” Rachel raised an eyebrow at them.

  “Shut it!” Zara growled out at the irritating human female. A constant thorn in her side. She turned back to Trig. “Don’t interrupt my training again.” Then she stormed away.

  Trig watched her ass in the tight leotards she was wearing. It hugged every curve and crease of her body. It left nothing to the imagination. She was strong and fit, not an ounce of fat. Zara was everything he had always wanted in a woman. What was he thinking? He was here to do a job, not fuck his job. But damn! She was the shit.

  “So, are you going to answer me now that the Amazon is out of sight?” Rachel asked with sarcasm.

  Damn, he forgot Rachel was standing there. He looked at her and frowned. “Couldn’t you have waited just a little longer?” He adjusted his fully aroused cock in his pants to a more comfortable position.

  “How much longer? The others aren't far behind me and anyone could have walked by you guys while you were going at it like really tall bunnies. You should be apologizing to me. I almost went blind when I came up on you with your hands all over her ass.”