“You’ll become a shifter, Bryce. You’ll have a wolf inside you.”

  That was one part that baffled me. I guessed I wouldn’t fully understand until I’d experienced it. One thing I did understand was that I wasn’t afraid, not if it meant Jaxon and I would be mated for life.

  “And our wolves… I don’t know exactly because I’ve never felt it, but apparently our wolves will bond as well.” Jaxon pulled the car to a stop when we arrived home, then turned to face me.

  “Just to let you know, we don’t have to wait until the baby is born. It won’t hurt you or the baby for me to give you a claiming bite.” His eyes darkened slightly. “You wouldn’t believe how hard it’s been not to claim you already.” He reached out and ran a hand over my neck. “I could claim you right now. You just wouldn’t be able to have your first shift until after the baby is born.”

  “What about Liam?” I asked.

  Jaxon nodded, his thumb stroking my neck now. “Of course. I’ll claim him as my own. He’ll become a shifter too.”

  I grinned. “You really will be his hero then.”

  I wanted this. I knew I did, but I’d always thought that when I got married, I’d have a wedding. “I know you said shifters don’t get married, but…could we have a ceremony or something?” I shrugged and bit my lip. What if he thought that was silly? “I mean, I don’t know how this really works.”

  He nodded, a smile curving his lips. “If that’s what you want, that’s what you’ll have. It’s not always what shifters choose to do now, but traditionally there would be a claiming ceremony.”

  His hand tightened slightly on my throat, and his voice was husky when he said, “Are you sure you don’t want me to claim you now. Ceremony later?” There was a glint in his eyes, something primal, which I was starting to recognize as his wolf near the surface, and just like that, I wanted him.

  I strained toward him, still in my seatbelt. “Let’s go inside.”

  Jaxon’s green eyes shone. “Liam’s at the lodge helping out with the party until tonight, isn’t he?”

  I nodded, fumbling with my seatbelt. We couldn’t get out of the car fast enough. Practically racing into the house, Jaxon pulled me along, opened the door, then yanked me inside. It continually amazed me how I hardly felt the pain of my old injuries.

  With a feral growl, he kicked the door shut and pushed me back against it. His breath was hot on my throat as he traced his teeth along the vein. I moaned, suddenly aching for him to bite me, needing to be as close to him as possible.

  Jaxon gripped my wrists and pulled them above my head, grinding his hips against my throbbing cock. “Are you sure you don’t want me to claim you now?”

  “Impatient much?” I let my head fall back against the door as he nipped lightly at my neck. Electricity shot through me, and when I opened my eyes I could see the elemental instinct in his piercing gaze as he lifted his head. I licked my lips, wanting it as much as he did, but I still had enough wits about me to know I wanted to do this right.

  I shook my head. “Ceremony…” I managed to say, distracted by the feel of his cock pressing into my hip.

  He drew in a ragged breath, then nodded. “Okay,” he said, his voice low and strained. “But I can’t promise to be gentle with you right now.”

  A thrill raced through me, igniting my blood. “Who said I wanted you to?”

  It was like I’d unleashed the beast. A growl erupted from Jaxon’s throat and he reached over his head to pull his shirt off. He didn’t even bother taking mine off. He just dug his fist into the fabric and pulled—hard enough to rip it from my body. I gasped, incredibly turned on by this side of him.

  He scraped his fingers down my chest, then leaned in and caught my nipple between his teeth, tugging hard. The sharp bite had my cock jerking in response. My body ached, my ass begging to be filled.

  “Jaxon, please…”

  When he didn’t act fast enough, I gripped his dick through his jeans. A wild glint flashed in his eyes and a wicked smirk appeared on his face.

  “So that’s how you want to do this? You think you’re in charge?”

  I squeezed him, and his cock pulsed in the palm of my hand. “I think I am right now.”

  The alpha in him roared to life, and he picked me up. “You’re going to pay for that.”

  I grinned. I loved Jaxon like this. I loved all the ways he was gentle with me too, but sometimes, like now, it felt good to really let loose. I idly wondered if sex with him would be even more intense once he’d claimed me.

  When he put me down in the bedroom, I instantly backed him up against the wall. Jaxon’s eyes flashed dangerously but he let me take my time exploring his body. I traced my fingers over his broad shoulders, squeezing his biceps, teasing up his abs. When I got to the waistband of his jeans I started to undo the buttons, cursing softly when my fingers wouldn’t obey me. Jaxon chuckled, and then helped me, stripping out of his jeans and then quickly ridding me of mine.

  Both naked, I took over where I left of, reaching for Jaxon’s cock and gripping it firmly in my fist. He grunted and thrust into me. I’d only stroked him a couple times when he took over again, grabbing my hips and spinning me around until his chest was against my back. He pinned me to him, one hand over my chest, the other on my hip. Then he ground his cock against me.

  I moaned, my body aching for more. My slick pooled, coating Jaxon’s cock as he slid it up and down against my hole. He scraped his teeth along my neck again, and I thought I might die if he didn’t fuck me right now. He could go ahead and claim me and I wouldn’t complain, but he kept his word, grabbing my chin instead so he could angle my head back and take my mouth.

  More, more, more…

  It was all I could think as he devoured me whole, all his pent-up passion bursting forth. I reveled in it, soaking in every sensation that assaulted my body. I didn’t even have to beg this time. He wanted the same thing. More.

  Jaxon plunged into me in one swift thrust of his hips, burying his cock balls deep inside my ass. I cried out, my body practically vibrating. He fucked me hard from behind, his desperation to have me driving him on. I felt the same desperate need build inside me. My body was on fire, my skin stinging as he raked his fingers over me.

  Jaxon held us together, his grip on me unyielding when he clutched me even tighter to his chest. I dropped my head back on his shoulder, moaning as he drove into me over and over. Just as my balls tightened and the base of my spine started to tingle, I felt his knot form, swelling up inside me, so thick and so, so good.

  I gasped as I came violently, shuddering as wave after wave of intense pleasure ripped through my body. Jaxon growled in my ear, escalating to nearly a roar as he came deep inside me.

  My body felt like jelly, so Jaxon continued to hold me until his knot receded, and then he caught me up in his arms and carried me to our bed, sprinkling me with kisses. He cuddled up behind me, and we lay there catching our breath.

  That had been…incredible. I wanted him to claim me now more than ever. I had a feeling I wouldn’t be able to resist his charm for long and I’d give in to him, much like I had with the gender reveal.

  We might just have to push that claiming ceremony up a bit.

  Later that night it seemed like the whole pack was gathered in the lodge. As we made our way through the front doors, it looked like we were the last ones to arrive.

  That would be my fault.

  I’d kept Jaxon in bed all afternoon. It was either that or tie him down to keep him from running over and choking the gender out of Linc before the party. I hadn’t minded one bit.

  Greetings filled the air as we made our way through the crowd. I saw many faces I recognized, but not all. The whole pack really had come out to support their alpha. It was incredible watching Jaxon lead his pack the past couple months. He was a natural leader. Commanding and charismatic, but also understanding and loyal to his last bone.

  “Okay, let’s do this thing!” Jaxon called out, pulling me along behind him to the front of the room. The entire lodge had been turned into a wonderland, lights and flowers and baby stuff everywhere.

  Linc, Greer, Liam and Cole had put all this together, but no doubt Jaxon had given his input. If this is what they did for a simple gender reveal party I couldn’t begin to imagine what a claiming ceremony might be like. A shiver of anticipation ran through me—for that, and to find out if we were having a boy or a girl.

  Jaxon apparently wanted to get the party started by doing the reveal right away.

  “Thanks so much, everyone, for coming out this evening. I’m so happy to have you all be part of this momentous revelation.” Apparently he had a flair for the dramatic too.

  I grinned up at him. “Okay, you ready then?” I looked into the crowd. “Linc?”

  He was at the front of the group, watching and smiling. “All good to go.”

  “Awesome,” Jaxon said, then gave me a quick kiss before reaching for a string above our heads. We were standing right under a bag of balloons that would rain down on us in blue or pink. “Ready, baby?”

  I reached up and wrapped my hand around his, then we pulled together. Hundreds of pink balloons cascaded around the room, confetti added for good measure.

  Jaxon turned me in his arms, beaming at me. “A girl! We’re having a girl!”

  I flung my arms around him, so excited. What had I been thinking wanting to wait until she was born? Now I could spend the next few months really preparing a palace for our new princess. Jaxon was going to spoil this baby girl rotten, I just knew it.

  He pulled back, looking at me in wonder. Then the next thing I knew, he was stepping back. Going down on one knee. Taking my hand. I gasped, my other hand flying to my mouth. Jaxon stared up at me, his eyes shining with adoration.

  “Bryce Baldwin,” he said. “I love you. You are my fated mate, the other half of my soul. And I want to make you mine in every way.”

  I should have blushed, standing in front of everyone like this, but I only had eyes for him as he looked up at me earnestly.

  “Will you be mine forever? Will you let me claim you and make you mine?”

  My smile stretched my cheeks wide. “You know I will,” I answered, and I nearly sank to my knees right there to kiss him, but the fact we had an audience came sharply back into focus when I heard Liam and Cole giggling. Jaxon cocked his head, giving me a wry grin.

  “Liam, come here,” he said, stretching his hand out.

  Liam’s eyes went wide before he slowly walked toward Jaxon and me. I had a pretty good idea what Jaxon was up to when he took Liam’s hand in his.

  “And Liam. I love you, son. I want to claim you as well, as my son and as a wolf.”

  Liam’s smile lit the room, even as tears overflowed and fell down his cheeks. He swallowed hard and looked at Jaxon. “I would love that.”

  It felt like my heart my burst at that moment. Jaxon gave him a wink, then stood up, pulling me into his arms. He began to pull me in for a kiss, but Liam’s voice rang out, startling us apart.

  “This means I’m gonna be a wolf,” he shouted, as if it were all just now clicking into place. He let out a whoop then ran back to Cole in the crowd.

  That seemed to be the signal to get the party started because conversation filled the room once more, and someone turned on music that pounded through the speakers. I laughed. So it was going to be that kind of party, then. The Timberwood Cove wolves apparently liked to party.

  Jaxon took that moment to pull me back in his arms. We swayed softly to the music, and I didn’t even care we were slow dancing to an upbeat song while people began bopping around us. I was in a little bubble right now, just the two of us.

  “I love you,” he murmured, resting his forehead against mine and placing his hands on my hips.

  “And I love you,” I replied, bringing his lips to mine in a tender kiss. I didn’t know how long we stayed like that, swaying there locked in each other’s arms.

  Eventually I became aware of the scent of steak wafting through the air. My stomach growled.

  Jaxon pulled back and laughed. “Time to feed the baby?”

  “What can I say, the baby likes steak.”

  We made our way around the room, stopping and talking to people along the way. The party was in full swing, music blasting, dancers in the middle of the floor. All the doors were open to the wraparound porch.

  “That way,” I said, pointing toward the back of the lodge where the delicious aromas were coming from.

  “Let’s go,” Jaxon said, pulling me along.

  We spent the next several hours celebrating. The entire pack thrilled their leader would be a father. And of a baby girl.

  I shook my head as I walked out to the deck a bit later. Jaxon was busy talking shop inside, and I wanted a little fresh air. Luckily it was a bit less crowded back here now the barbeque was over. I stepped up to the deck railing and leaned on it, scanning the trees and rolling hills in the distance. This was my new home. My life had changed dramatically in under six months, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

  Still, as I looked out at the twinkling stars I couldn’t help but think about Lorelei. I wished more than anything she could be here now, a part of this, part of me. Losing my twin had taken a toll I doubt I would fully recover from. I would always miss Lori.

  “You okay?” Jaxon’s voice was low behind me as he stepped out onto the deck.

  I turned to him, feeling my throat tighten. I nodded wordlessly, and he was by my side in a second.

  “What’s wrong?” He cupped my cheek and studied my eyes.

  I swallowed against the threat of tears. “I was just thinking about my sister. How I wish she could be here to witness all of this.”

  Jaxon pulled me to him, resting my head on his shoulder. “Oh, baby. I know. I wish I could give you that.”

  I pulled back, looking up at him. “You might not be able to do that, but you can give me one thing.”

  “Anything. You know that.”

  “Now we know the baby is a girl, I want to name her after my sister. In fact, there’s no other name I’d even consider. The baby’s name will be Lori, and that’s final.”

  Jaxon chuckled at how zealous I’d become over it. “There’s no way I’d deny you that. I can’t think of any better name for our daughter than Lori.”

  My heart swelled. Jaxon would never deny me anything, and of course he couldn’t think of a better name. I smiled. “It’s official then. We’ll name her Lori Lee.”

  “Perfect.”

  I echoed his sentiment because there was no better word to describe our life than that:

  Perfect.

  21

  Jaxon

  The summer breeze ruffled my hair, the tail of my tuxedo flapping behind me. I’d pulled it off. The claiming ceremony of the century. It would go down in Timberwood Cove Wolf Pack history, that was for sure.

  Amazing, considering I’d only had a few weeks to pull it off, but Bryce wanted this traditional ceremony, and I’d pulled out all the stops to make it happen before we both gave in to the desire for me to claim him.

  I stood at the head of the aisle we’d set up behind the lodge, scanning the multitude that had gathered. Everyone from the pack had turned out for their lead alpha’s claiming ceremony.

  I couldn’t have pulled this off without help, though. Linc had been an amazing best man. My dad had been right there, with Liam and Cole. Some of the others had pitched in too, doing all we could to give Bryce the dream wedding he’d always wanted.

  A golden hue washed over everything. We’d timed the ceremony just before sunset when the late summer sun cast everything in a magical glow. The golden hour. I couldn’t think of a better place for us to exchange our vows and commit our lives to each other.

  White chairs, filled to capacity, spanned the length of the grassy clearing just before the tree line. Flowers were everywhere, bright whites and yellows and blues. The arch I was standing in front of was covered in vines and roses, their sweet, heady scent filling the air. I breathed it in deeply, then blew out heavily. Linc chuckled from where he stood beside me.

  “Nervous?”

  “Not at all,” I replied with a grin. “I’m just ready to get this show on the road.”

  “Sounds about right.” He rested a hand on my shoulder. “Jaxon, I’m so happy for you. And proud of you.”

  My throat tightened and I nodded. “Thank you. It means the world to me to have you stand by my side today.”

  To Linc’s left stood my father. They were both decked out in fine suits. We’d made this quite the formal affair. A traditional claiming ceremony would normally be out on the same rock where I’d become lead alpha, but there wasn’t enough room there for the scope of the ceremony I’d wanted to give Bryce. What we’d come up with was formal, to be sure, but it also had a modern, human twist. It was the perfect blend of shifter and human traditions. Perfect for me and Bryce.

  “I mean it. The things you’ve done for Bryce and Liam are some of the most alpha things I’ve ever witnessed anyone do. I’m proud to stand beside you as your best friend. And even prouder to call you my alpha.”

  I thought I might get choked up from his words, but when my father stepped forward and clasped my shoulder, it made it infinitely more emotional.

  “He’s right, son. You’re the best leader this pack has ever known. I’m so proud of you,” he said.

  I’d delved right into my duties as pack alpha, setting up shop in my father’s office while he enjoyed the perks of retirement. Though I really hadn’t let him relax much as he’d had his hands full helping me with the ceremony.

  The crowed murmured quietly, and birds sang in the trees behind us. Music played softly in the background. My body felt jittery. I was ready to get going with this. Ready to see my mate walk down the aisle and claim him as my own.

  It was a momentous occasion. Not only was I claiming my mate—and Liam as my son—but the entire pack was gaining a lead alpha’s omega. Bryce would be one of us after this. Part of the pack in every way.

 

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