Shifting Magic: Alpha Games Book Three, page 23
I lifted my legs and wrapped them around his waist. My tongue parted his lips hungrily, and his met mine, stroke for stroke.
Asher twisted and sat in the plaid chair I’d abandoned. It was wide enough for me to rest my knees on the cushion as I straddled him.
My hands dove into his hair. His continued to run over my back, down my legs, before settling on my waist.
I pressed my center against his obvious arousal. Matching growls passed our lips.
He broke away. “Blair—”
I silenced him with another heated kiss, grinding against him with unbridled desire.
His chest vibrated with pent-up need. Again, he broke away. This time, he pressed a hand to my chest to hold me back.
I whined in protest.
His laugh was choked. “Unless you want to defile every inch of Natalie’s cabin, we need to stop. We can finish this when we get home.”
Home.
The single word doused the flames of my lust, reminding me of the complication our new circumstances presented.
Asher noticed. Because, of course he did.
That man could read me better than anyone.
Even Stephanie.
But I would never tell her that.
Still sitting on his lap, I bit my lip and contemplated how best to say what I needed to say.
Asher beat me to it. “My home is wherever you are, Blair. If that’s Colorado, then I’ll go to Colorado.”
My heart threatened to beat out of my chest. “But you’re the Wilds alpha. You’re needed in Alaska.”
“I’m needed wherever you are,” he countered unflinchingly. “The rest can be worked out. For now, believe me when I say, I will follow where you go. I swear it.”
The burdens weighing me down floated away with his vow.
I believed him.
Asher would support me in whatever decision I made.
Not only that, he would be at my side as my fated mate.
I couldn’t believe I found a mate so selfless.
I was the luckiest girl alive.
My hands cupped the sides of his face. I bent down and pressed a lingering kiss against his lips, longing for the chance when I could do more to show my love.
But for now, I settled with a heartfelt, “I love you, Asher Wolfstan.”
He smiled against my lips, pressing his against them one more time before saying, “And I love you, Blair Hemmings. With everything I am, I am yours.”
FORTY-FOUR
One year later
I stood in the middle of the grassy field in Summit territory—the same field where Hunter had tackled me to the ground during our last capture-the-flag game before the Alpha Games. It was the only time I’d almost defeated him out of all the times we’d played.
So much had happened since then.
I left Colorado to compete in the Alpha Games.
I met my Fated Mate.
I learned my mother’s identity.
Now, I was the Summit alpha.
Life’s funny.
One day, you have goals. Then, circumstances make you believe those goals are destroyed and you’re thrust down a different path.
But that’s the funny thing about paths.
They can always take a turn.
Until you’re right back where you were meant to be all along.
The male from my memories stepped forward until he stood at my side. Hunter’s eyes scanned the crowd of Wilds and Summit shifters gathered on the grassy lawn, facing the cedar pergola decorated with roses, baby’s breath, and cascading leaves.
“Nervous?” He asked me.
“A little.” It’d been six months since my father stepped down as Summit alpha, and I still wasn’t used to being in charge of my childhood pack. I hoped I didn’t embarrass myself today. I hoped they’d be proud.
“You’ve got this,” Hunter spoke freely, unconcerned about being overheard now that I’d mastered the ability to erect silencing barriers.
I might not be as powerful as I was with the Moonstone, but Bridget Stone was still my mother. I inherited her power, and my magic was strong. And just like before, Chase and Kayla have been helping me master my abilities whenever they visit the Summit Pack.
Which, for Chase, was fairly often.
“Have you seen Stephanie yet?” I asked. Shifters had their own mating traditions, but over time we’d adopted a few human customs. Beta Nathan wasn’t here to walk his daughter down the aisle, but Hunter was honored to step into his shoes.
“No,” Hunter huffed, amused. “She refused to let me see her before you had a peek. Something about Maid of Honor privileges.” He snorted.
I smiled. Things between Hunter and I had been strained when I first returned to Summit territory. Not because Hunter disapproved of me resuming my role as my father’s heir, but because I came with a dark-haired shifter in tow.
Hunter had already accepted he and I were not meant to be, but it was difficult for him to witness my happy relationship up close. It’d taken some time, but Hunter eventually welcomed Asher as a member of our pack.
Besides, it wasn’t like Hunter didn’t have his pick of eligible females throwing themselves at him.
And not just from the Summit Pack.
Apparently, he’d made quite the impression when living with the Wilds Pack during my absence. Stephanie even confided in me that he was hooking up with someone in Alaska, though neither of us had been able to figure out who.
Thinking of my best friend, I realized I should probably go see her and figure out if she needed any help to get ready.
I turned on my heels and patted Hunter’s shoulder, “Come by the bridal suite in half an hour. Then, you can have your look at the bride.”
“Is it too long? Do you think I should bustle the train to avoid anyone stepping on me?”
“No one is going to step on your dress.” I stood behind my best friend’s shoulder, both of us staring at her reflection in the floor length mirror in the pack’s makeshift bridal suite.
Her gown was a masterpiece of silk with lace overlay. It hugged her curves perfectly, and the five-foot train behind it was decorated beautifully with a scalloped trim embedded with pearls.
Stephanie chewed her bottom lip. “Are you sure? Poppy, what do you think?” She turned around.
The pre-teen, who’d taught me so much about my mother and her upbringing, sat in the corner in her junior bridesmaid’s dress.
Poppy looked up from the graphic novel in her hands and gave Stephanie a once over. “I agree with Blair. The train isn’t too long.”
Poppy and Stephanie had become thick as thieves in the weeks I was at the Graystone Coven, and I wasn’t surprised when Stephanie asked the Wilds shifter to stand beside her during her ceremony.
Stephanie pinched her lips, but ultimately nodded. “Okay.” She looked back at the mirror.
I smiled at her reflection. “Relax, Steph. Everything is going to be great.”
“Then why do I feel like I’m going to throw up?”
I laughed. “Because you’re nervous. Good thing there’s a photographer. I need proof of this moment for the rest of our lives.”
My joke loosened some of her tension.
She gave a half-hearted laugh. “Keep dreaming. I have final say over which photos the photographer uploads to her website. No queasy pics will be allowed.”
We laughed.
I convinced Stephanie to abandon her post at the mirror and take a minute to sit and relax before the mating ceremony began.
With a reluctant nod, she let me pick up her train and walk with her over to the fainting couch positioned next to the chair Poppy sat in.
The three of us chatted about nothing of consequence. Poppy and I were in silent agreement that we needed to distract Stephanie.
But then the young shifter turned the tables on me. “Are you and Asher ever going to make it official?” Poppy asked.
Stephanie smirked. “Yeah, Blair. When are you going to make an honest man out of Asher Wolfstan?”
I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t stop my laugh. “We’re already official. At least, we are in the way that counts.” The fated bond between me and Asher was a permanent link—one that nothing could destroy.
One day, I might want a big celebration to mark our mating. But for now, there were so many things we had to do.
The biggest being my position as the Summit alpha, and the fact Asher was in the process of handing the reigns over to Axel.
The Wilds Pack elders initially railed against the idea of losing Asher as their alpha. But after months of conversation, they acquiesced that they could not force Asher to remain in the position.
“Are you waiting until he’s no longer living between Alaska and Colorado?” Poppy asked. Though young, she was incredibly mature and aware of what went on around her.
I shrugged. “We’re not waiting for anything. We’re just happy as things are.”
Poppy nodded, accepting the answer. “I’m going to visit here as much as my mom lets me.”
“You’re welcome any time,” I told her honestly. “Consider yourself an honorary Summit Pack member.”
The girl grinned.
A knock on the door interrupted us.
I stood and walked over to open it.
Hunter stood on the other side of the threshold. “We’re about to start.”
“Oh Mother...”
Poppy laughed at Stephanie’s sigh.
Hunter looked over my shoulder. The moment his eyes landed on his sister, his features softened. “Steph… you look beautiful.”
I glanced back and watched Stephanie cross the room. She held her head high. But her hands were shaking, revealing her nerves. “Really?”
Her older brother smiled. “Really.”
Their exchange brought a tear to my eye.
Hunter cleared his throat and held out an elbow. “Shall we go make Monroe the luckiest bastard alive?”
With a laugh, Stephanie slipped her hand through her brother’s arm and said, “Let’s do it.”
FORTY-FIVE
The newly mated pair twirled across the dance floor in the Summit Pack banquet hall, gazing at each other like there was no one else in the world.
As it should be.
“I’ve never seen Chase so happy,” Asher leaned over, whispering in my ear. We sat at the table closest to where the bride and groom would sit. If they ever got off the dance floor.
Since the reception started, Chase and Stephanie haven’t been able to keep their hands off each other.
Once, a week after Chase’s proposal, and after drinking a bottle of wine, Stephanie had lamented the fact she and Chase did not have a fated bond.
They’d only been officially dating for a little more than four months at the time Chase asked her to be his mate, and though Stephanie accepted wholeheartedly, uncertainty had tried to creep in when nerves began to get the better of her.
But looking at them now, seeing the obvious pull they felt to one another, no one would question their devotion to one another.
Fated bonds were not required to forge deep, undeniable connections between souls.
Relationships could look different. That didn’t make them any less meant to be.
“Same for Stephanie.” I rested my temple against Asher. Both of us watched our best friends in the happiest moment of their lives.
“I’m sorry she’ll be leaving Colorado,” Asher told me.
“Me too.” But Chase was needed in Alaska.
Just like I was needed here.
I placed a silencing barrier around us, drowning out the sound of the four-piece orchestra playing their rendition of the popular love ballad Stephanie and Chase chose as their song.
“There’s still time to change your mind,” I said.
Asher straightened.
I did the same.
His gaze was determined, but full of affection, as he cupped my face in his hands. “Blair, I’ve made my choice.”
“But—"
“No, buts.” He pressed his lips against mine. “No, what ifs. I’ve made my decision, and I couldn’t be happier. You’re going to be a fantastic alpha, and I can’t wait to watch it all happen from the front row.”
Over these past few months, Asher continually reminded me that he’d never really wanted to become the Wilds alpha in the first place.
He’d accepted the role after his father’s death because he felt it was his duty. His father had worked hard to train him for the position, and Asher believed denying the role would dishonor his father’s memory.
Now, Asher knew there was more to honoring his father’s memory than staying on as the Wilds alpha, especially if it meant keeping us apart.
Because Asher had declared, in no uncertain terms, he would not let me abdicate my role as the Summit alpha.
So, I guessed it was time to abandon my nagging doubts and trust that Asher’s words were true.
It was just hard to believe how lucky I was sometimes…
“Besides.” Asher’s lips twitched with amusement, pulling my attention back to the present. “I think I can get used to being a kept man.”
I rolled my eyes. “Please, now that Natalie is about to have her baby, the Council is going to demand even more from you and Alexandre. You’ll be plenty busy.”
“True. But you are my priority, Blair. Never forget that.”
And I wouldn’t.
Through all that has happened, Asher’s been by my side, ready to do anything and everything I’ve needed.
Even when I tried to push him away, he was there.
He’s my rock and my partner.
I thanked the Mother every day that not only did She tie our souls together, but She gave me a choice in the path I wanted my life to take.
I entered the Alpha Games to prove myself as the next Summit alpha. But I, shifters, covens, and clans, all ended up with so much more.
The future was open and bright for everyone.
And that was just how the Mother wanted it.
I leaned forward and kissed my mate. “I love you, Asher.”
His lips devoured mine. “And I love you, my fierce alpha. Forever and for always.”
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Samantha Britt is an avid reader and enthusiastic writer of new adult and young adult paranormal and fantasy novels. When not lost in the fictional world, you can find her in Texas. More often than not, she will be busy making memories with her precious family which includes Sam, her husband, their lovely daughter, and their mini-goldendoodles.
SamanthaBrittBooks.com
ALSO BY SAMANTHA BRITT
THE SHADOWGUARD TRIALS
A Court of Debt and Deception
SHADOWGUARD ACADEMY
Demon Guard
Demon Marked
Demon Hunted
Demon War
THE DARK FAE TRILOGY
Running From Darkness - Prequel
Stolen by Darkness
Marked by Darkness
Queen of Darkness
CURSE OF THE DRAEKON
Chosen
Possession
Freed
THE IMMORTAL CHRONICLES
Enlightened
Ensnared
Envisioned
Enraptured
Enticed: An Immortal Chronicles Story
Endured: Thane’s Story
Envied: Gregory’s Story
DUAL COURT SERIES
Will of Fate
Work of Fate
Waiting for Fate
THE FALLEN HAREM
Claimed by the Fallen
Hunted by the Fallen
Protected by the Fallen
Captured by the Fallen
Saved by the Fallen
THE ALPHA GAMES
Midnight Moon
Challenged Mate
Shifting Magic
ROMANCE TITLES
THE LAWSON LOVERS SERIES
Loving Lawson - A Prequel
Call It What You Want
Worth a Thousand Words
Written under the pen name Britt McKenna.
Samantha Britt, Shifting Magic: Alpha Games Book Three
