Claiming his Mate Read online

  Claiming his Mate

  Bethany Shaw

  Published by Bethany Shaw, 2016.

  This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

  CLAIMING HIS MATE

  First edition. January 19, 2016.

  Copyright © 2016 Bethany Shaw.

  ISBN: 978-1386182788

  Written by Bethany Shaw.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Epilogue

  Also By Bethany Shaw

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Erik clenched his fists as he walked through the dense brush. The cold chill of the night did little to cool his heated body. Her scent still lingered in the air, sweet honey and vanilla. It was intoxicating. The three years he’d been gone had done nothing to squelch the yearning need for her. If anything his desire had intensified.

  Alexis ‘Lexi’ Dillon was a temptation. He’d thought he could handle being back—being around her. He was wrong. His parents, aunt, and uncle had sworn no wolf had ever mated to a human. They were wrong. Lexi was a siren screaming his name into the night. One glance at her and he was pining after her all over again. No other woman—wolf or human— called to him like she did.

  “You okay?” Adam, his cousin, asked catching up to him.

  Erik glanced up at the sky, letting the icy air help cool his frazzled nerves. “I’m fine. The full moon is messing with my head,” he lied. They didn’t have to transition into a wolf on a full moon, but it did play with their emotions, inhibitions, and libido. He was feeling the latter at the moment. Seeing Lexi again shook him to the core.

  “I didn’t realize she would be there when I suggested we go to dinner,” Adam apologized.

  “It’s okay. I was bound to see her sooner or later. This town is small,” Erik said. He closed his eyes and inhaled a deep breath. I have to calm down and get her off my mind. Lexi and Jason better be long gone by the time we get back to the car. No. I don’t mean that.

  It was Jason Erik didn’t want to see. He could stare at Lexi all day. The thought of another man touching Lexi made his blood boil. Jason was her husband—he was allowed to touch her—regardless, Erik wanted to punch Jason in the nose—or worse. Only one man should be touching Lexi. Him.

  Focus! He was back in town for a reason and he needed to focus on that.

  “Let's go for a run,” Erik suggested shrugging off his jacket as they came to a clearing in the thick brush.

  That was one of the benefits to this small, country town in the mountains. There were trees everywhere. A good brisk run through the woods would clear his mind. He’d missed the hills of Virginia and was looking forward to stretching his legs.

  “Race you to the falls?” Adam laughed as he tugged his polo up and over his head.

  Erik nodded, kicking off his shoes. Nudity was common for werewolves. You could shift fully clothed, but that didn’t bode well for your outfit—well, at least not if you planned on wearing it again.

  “So, Lexi and Jason?” Erik asked his voice coming out gruff as jealousy crept through him.

  “Yeah, they got married a few years ago after she...” Adam trailed off as he piled his clothes together.

  “After what?” Erik asked turning to his cousin.

  Adam looked away and lowered himself to his hands and knees ready to begin the transformation. “They have a kid,” he said as his bones snapped, jutting out beneath his skin and realigning.

  Erik growled low in his throat. A billion questions tumbled through his mind and he couldn’t question Adam until after their run now that his cousin had started to shift.

  He’d always suspected Jason cared for Lexi. Apparently, his worries weren’t unfounded. Dropping to his knees, he began his transformation. Anger brimmed beneath the surface. Lexi was his. But she wasn’t, not anymore.

  He grunted as his bones snapped and shifted beneath his skin. White and grey fur erupted all over his body. He relished in the pleasure pain, allowing it to take his attention away from his beautiful ex.

  Fully transitioned, Erik stretched his front legs forward and wiggled his rump as he prepared for his run. Adam did the same; his white coat gleamed in the moonlight. With a loud howl, they both took off at a grueling run.

  Branches snapped, whipping him in the face as he darted through the dense trees and brush. Erik enjoyed the earthy scent of mud, grass, and water. He honed his senses in on the whooshing sound of the falls. Pushing harder and faster, he sprung over a log, taking the lead. His paws dug into the mud as he ran towards victory, leaving Adam growling in protest behind him.

  The hackles on his back prickled as a foreign scent invaded his nostrils. There was another wolf in the area. One he was not familiar with. He slowed and dropped to his stomach. Adam drew up short behind him. Together they snuck through the woods on their bellies. This land belonged to Adam’s parents. Wolves weren’t allowed here without permission from the pack.

  Three male wolves stood at the edge of the water, hiding just below the waterfall. The roaring gush of water blocked out the sound of Erik and Adam’s arrival.

  Adam shot Erik a look as he flexed his paws. Erik nodded in understanding. This land was theirs and they would defend it from any outsiders. Adam was his best friend and they didn’t need words to communicate especially under the circumstances. Adam’s family and another pack were in the middle of a land feud.

  That was the reason Erik had returned to Virginia.

  One of the other wolf’s ears perked up as it jumped to its feet. Adam crouched next to Erik, ready to spring into action at the first sign of trouble. Erik watched the intruders’. He didn’t want to jump the gun and give away their position. More wolves could be out there. They needed to wait and make sure they weren’t outnumbered.

  Adam, however, had other plans. With a ferocious snarl, he sprung from his spot and lunged at the animals. Erik mumbled profanities in his head as he darted after his cousin. So much for trying to sneak up on them, Adam. He dove at one of the wolves that were preparing to attack Adam, barreling into the wolf, and sending him rolling across the earth. The leaves and branches from nearby trees shook from the impact as the beast slid through the mud on its side.

  Erik glared, growling at the three wolves as Adam came to stand next to him. The trespassers snarled but stepped back. The three wolves turned and darted into the woods towards the edge of the territory. Adam sat on his haunches and stared up at the moon letting off a long, slow howl into the night sky. This was their land, and they would defend it with their last breath.

  Part of Erik wanted to chase after the wayward wolves, but he didn’t want to start a fight without permission from his uncle. And he wanted to get back to the restaurant. I need to see her again. Just one more time. If he hurried, he might be able to catch her before she finished her meal.

  ****

  Lexi tossed her long, brown curls up into a loose bun. Her reflection stared back at her in the mirror. Her chocolate eyes were tired; dark bags drooped below the sockets. The night was only going to get longer. Jason had been called into the fire department, leaving her alone with his parents to finish their dinner. The in-laws from hell hadn’t been quite as kind once their son had left. Hence her hasty retreat to the bathroom.

  Maybe if she hid in here long enough they’d leave. Yeah right. They got off on torturing her. In their eyes, she would always be the girl who trapped their son by getting knocked up. If they only knew the truth.

  Pulling out her cell, she texted her brother to let him know she’d be on her way home soon and Jason wouldn’t be with her. Their living situation was a bit different but it worked for them.

  She reapplied her lipstick and decided she’d hid long enough. I can do this. It’s just dessert. She sucked in a deep breath and let it out as she ventured back into the dining area.

  The booth was empty and she suppressed the urge to do a happy dance in the middle of the restaurant. Instead, she said a silent prayer and thanked her lucky stars. The bill was paid, but they’d left a terrible tip. She grabbed a ten out of her purse and left it in the billfold. For someone running for governor, Jason’s dad sure didn’t exhibit good people skills to Lexi, or the waitress. Lexi waved to the server and headed out.

  The cool night air enveloped Lexi, causing her to shiver and gooseflesh to pimple up her arms. I should have worn a heavier jacket. Her pumps clicked against the concrete as she hurried to her car eager to get out of the chilly breeze.

  Seth, her son, would already be in bed by the time she got home. Her brother, Lance, was a great babysitter, but Lexi missed the nights she didn’t put her baby to bed.

  Seth had been an accident—but he was the best mistake of her life. She loved her son more than anything.

  “Lexi?”

  Lexi froze as her head snapped up. She’d recognize that voice anywhere. Erik. He strode to her and she gasped. This isn’t real. Her pulse roared in her ears as she came face-to-face with the one man she’d thought she’d never see again. Questions swirled through her head as fear and anger slowly crept in. What is he doing here?

  Her eyes flicked to his cousin, Adam, who was leaning against a familiar red pickup truck. She closed her eyes and counted backwards from ten. This had to be a bad dream. He wasn’t here. He couldn’t be.

  “
Hi,” Erik said breaking the silence.

  Pursing her lips, she opened her eyes and found her voice. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” she said in a clipped tone as she continued toward her car. Maybe if she ignored him, he would go away and she could pretend she’d never seen him.

  Why is he back? Things are working just fine without him.

  “Erik, we really need to get going,” Adam called out.

  Yes! Please leave, she thought to herself.

  “Go ahead without me. I’ll get back on my own,” Erik said as he continued to follow her.

  His sneakers thudded against the cement as he followed her. “I think you should go with him,” Lexi commented as she reached her car and jammed her key into the lock.

  “Just give me a minute, please,” Erik pleaded.

  His fingers wrapped around her wrist as she went to open the door. She fought the urge to melt into him and forget the past three years. Even after everything, his callused fingers sent warmth flooding through her body, awakening a part of her she’d kept buried since he’d left. No. Don’t you dare fall for him after what he did. Lexi snatched her hand away and mustered up her deadliest glare.

  “I’ve given you three years,” she snapped, yanking her car door open.

  “What?” He asked a frown marring his brow. His hazel eyes stared at her intently.

  “I don’t need you coming in here and making a mess of everything. You don’t want to be a part of our lives that’s fine. Don’t come here, screw everything up, and take off again. I have my life in order and Jason is great with Seth.” She gritted her teeth as every ounce of rage she’d felt over the past few years tumbled through her. “I was a summer fling. We were never going to be serious even though you hinted that we were. I get that. You’ve made it painfully clear you don’t want the responsibility of being a father so stay away from us,” she hissed trying to keep the emotion from her voice. It’d been three years, but his complete rejection of Seth still stung. How could a man deny his own flesh and blood? She’d thought he was different—she’d thought wrong.

  “What?” Erik asked grabbing her arm and drawing her closer. Confusion etched across his face as his eyes pierced hers.

  “You didn’t want to step up so someone else did. I won’t let you mess things up for my family,” Lexi argued, shoving him away. “Leave us alone!”

  “Erik, we got to go,” Adam said as he came up behind Erik and placed his hand on Erik’s shoulder. “Come on,” he urged.

  Using Erik’s temporary distraction to her advantage, Lexi jumped into her car and locked the door. She shoved her key in the ignition and sped off without looking back.

  Hot tears pricked her eyes as they spilled over and trickled down her cheeks. She’d prayed Erik would come around and be a father to his son since she’d learned she was pregnant. Now that he was back, she was afraid of him hurting Seth. Protecting her son was her first priority. Jason was a good father figure and her marriage to him helped Jason and her brother conceal their relationship. If Erik came back, it would ruin the family she’d worked so hard to build. It would shatter Jason’s already strained relationship with his parents as well as her brother’s with their parents.

  Regardless of all the relationships involved, Lexi knew she couldn’t keep Erik from his son. It wasn’t right. Erik had rejected Seth and been absent the past three years, but if he wanted to be a part of their lives again, then she would proceed with caution. Despite everything, she couldn’t keep father from son—that wasn’t who she was. But she would make damn sure he was serious before introducing them. I’m not going to let him break Seth’s heart like he did mine.

  Erik had taken her by surprise tonight and she’d reacted poorly. Next time she would handle the situation like a mature adult for her son’s benefit.

  Chapter Two

  Erik thrummed his fingers against the dashboard as he tried to make sense of what Lexi told him. The problem was it didn’t make sense. At all. They hadn’t ended things on a good note. Technically, they hadn’t ended things at all. He’d left town like an idiot after their fight without saying goodbye. She’d been pissed tonight. I guess I can’t blame her for being mad. I just left three years ago without a phone call or anything. He’d never seen her so angry before. Then she’d insinuated he was her son’s father. That revelation still had him reeling. It wasn’t possible—it didn’t make sense, and this was the first time he’d heard anything about it.

  I need some answers. And I’m guessing my cousin can give them to me since Lexi can’t. “What happened while I was away Adam? What is Lexi talking about? She said her kid was mine?”

  Adam sighed and rolled his eyes. “She’s still trying to pin the kid on you.”

  “I thought you said her son was Jason’s?” Erik questioned his throat suddenly dry.

  “It is.”

  “You’re sure?” He asked unconvinced. It wasn’t that he particularly saw himself as being a father, but he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling inside him. Lexi wasn’t a liar.

  “Erik, humans and wolves can’t procreate. It’s never happened before. I know you had strong feelings for her, but it was just lust. She’s not your mate.”

  Erik nodded. He’d heard that line several hundred times. Still, he couldn’t shake the unease coiling in his belly. “But she said the boy was mine?”

  “After you left, she came to the house and asked if she could have your contact information. My mom told her no. Lexi persisted and said that she was pregnant and it was yours-”

  “And no one told me?” Erik asked slamming his fist against the side window. The glass splintered as a large crack spider-webbed across the length. “What if she was telling the truth? I know Lexi, she’s not a liar.”

  “It’s not-”

  “Possible,” Erik finished for his cousin. “Yeah, so I’ve heard. Just because we’ve never seen it happen doesn’t mean it’s not possible. What if she is telling the truth? What if I do have a son?” He asked his voice rising in anger as he voiced his concerns out loud. What if I have a son?

  “Then why did she marry Jason two weeks later, Erik? Hmmm? That doesn’t seem a little strange to you? Our best guess is you two broke up, Lexi and Jason had a one-night stand, and the baby was an accident. You two were hot and heavy and in lust. You probably seemed like the most logical option in her eyes. Except we know it’s not a possibility,” Adam said.

  “So you’ve seen the kid to know he’s not a wolf?” Erik asked. Please tell me they double-checked and I don’t have a son out there.

  Adam pursed his lips, his hands locked onto the steering wheel. “No, we haven’t seen him up close. You know we don’t come into town often. But I’m sure-”

  “So you don’t know for certain?” Erik snarled. “No one has ever verified that the child doesn’t carry the werewolf gene? I imagine that would be dominant, don’t you? What if Lexi is telling the truth, Adam? That boy is going to turn into a werewolf when he hits puberty. He could kill her—or someone else if he isn’t properly prepared.”

  Adam sighed and ran a hand through his dark brown hair. “Look, we’ll get this sorted out, okay? First, we need to tell my dad about the wolves we ran into. They shouldn’t have been there. If enemy wolves are on our land we need to defend our borders.”

  Erik gritted his teeth, his blood boiled as rage consumed him. Turning his head, he stared out the newly broken passenger window. He would figure things out himself. His family had done enough as it was already.

  ****

  The sharp blare of her alarm clock drew Lexi from her sleep. She blinked her eyes open and let out a frustrated sigh. It’d been well past midnight when she’d fallen asleep. Her mind had been reeling with thoughts of Erik. He’d even been present in her dreams. A star in a few of them. Her face burned as red crept over her cheeks. I shouldn’t be having those kinds of dreams about him. Not after everything he’s done.

  Why can’t I get him out of my head? Erik had been her everything. She’d been sure he was the one and had been ready to drop everything and move in with him. Until he’d abruptly changed his mind. There hadn’t been anyone after him and she wasn’t sure anyone could compare to him. Erik Hamilton had ruined her for all other men.