Pack Alpha

Chapter Five

Marissa pressed herself against Gage. His body was strong, solid, and everything she needed right now.

Gage’s arms tightened around her as he kissed her back. When he pulled away and looked at her, Marissa felt her heart skip. She could get used to this man being there for her. And that was scary.

“Upstairs. I want you in my bed,” he whispered in her ear.

Marissa shivered at his declaration. No more hiding. No shame in being with a wolf. She didn’t have to hold back her needs with him. “Okay, upstairs.”

Gage took her mouth again, this time with more force. Marissa gave herself to him willingly. He lifted her off her feet easily and she wrapped her arms and legs around him.

“We’ll also talk about your punishment for talking back to me. Again.”

Marissa scraped her teeth over his neck. “Maybe later.”

Gage chuckled. “Much later.

They barely made it up to his room without her ripping his clothes off. Luckily they didn’t run into anyone to slow them down. Gage kicked his bedroom door closed as Marissa teased him with her tongue on his neck and ear.

When he dropped her carelessly onto the bed, Marissa bounced, laughing before she looked around the room. “Oh wow.”

Gage already had his shirt over his head. “Yeah. Strip.”

Ignoring him, Marissa knelt on the giant bed and took in the large room. “This room is huge.”

Although there were no lights on, she could see clearly enough. The bed was up two steps on a platform. To her left were balcony doors and to her right a sitting area with couch, table and chairs, and a flat screen TV. A door on the far wall would probably lead to a bathroom.

“You’re not undressed,” Gage practically growled at her.

Marissa looked at him and took in the naked body in front of her. Lean and muscular. Tan with no tan lines. She made quick work of removing her clothes and scooted closer on her knees. “Your room distracted me. Now you have distracted me.” She licked a small circle on his chest.

Gage pulled her back by her hair. “Strip for me.”

Marissa pressed a kiss into his chest. “Please let me do this, Gage.” She needed to feel in control. Since first arriving, she had felt like her life was spiralling around her and she was only a passenger.

His eyes softened, telling her he understood. “Okay, baby.”

She reached out and pulled him onto the bed. He let her lay him on his back before she straddled his waist. Marissa took her time kissing Gage’s lips, running her teeth over his neck and chin, before lavishing his chest. Keeping his hands at his sides, he allowed her to explore his body. And what a body it was. She breathed in his scent. Rich, dark, and male. She rubbed her face and body against his as she moved down.

“Marissa.” Gage tried to pull her back up, moving his hands into her hair, but she continued to lower herself to the object she wanted most. His gorgeous, fully erect cock. Licking from the base up, she felt him let out a rush of breath. Then with just the tip of her tongue, she teased the head.

“Marissa,” Gage hissed out, raising his head to look down at her.

Oh, she could definitely get used to this. She opened and took him deep into her mouth. Gage groaned and dropped his head back down. Adding her hand, she stroked and sucked him deeper into the back of her throat. He was salty and her body responded as his hips bucked to press himself deeper into her mouth.

“That’s it. Suck me, baby,” he murmured to her approvingly.

Marissa did. Tipping her head back, she took him as far as she could while sucking him deep.

“Stop,” he ordered.

She hummed and swallowed, trying to push him over the edge. To make him lose control like he always seemed to manage with her.

“Stop!”

Marissa gave him one last lick before looking up. He stared down at her. His eyes glowed, showing just how close she had been to making him lose control and spill into her mouth.

“Come here,” he commanded, and she didn’t see any reason not to get what she wanted—him deep inside her.

She moved up his body slowly, arousing both of them with the rub of her body on his. When she was straddling his thighs once more, he gripped her hips. Lifting herself, Marissa took Gage’s hard cock in her hand and teased her pussy lips with it. Moaning, she continued to tease them both until he growled.

She took just the tip of him inside as she bit her bottom lip, trying to control her need. Sliding down slowly, she felt her body adjust to his girth. When he was fully inside, she rocked forward.

Gage moaned, or maybe it was her—she couldn’t tell anymore. He felt so good filling her. As if he was the only one who belonged there. Still gripping her, he began to thrust up to meet her every time she rocked. Marissa cried out, throwing her head back. She rode him faster as his hips lifted to meet her. Gage matched her speed, pulling her down harder each time.

“Yes.” Marissa leaned forward, her hair streaming over both of them, making a curtain around them.

She was almost there. That sweet release was only a few strokes from taking her. They moved in a rhythm that built in intensity, but it wasn’t enough.

Slipping one arm around her waist, he flipped her onto her back. He must have felt the need for more, too, because he slammed and pounded into her harder.

“Oh, oh,” Marissa panted out. She was there, ready to explode.

“Stay with me,” Gage grunted out, plunging inside incredibly fast and hard.

Marissa felt her body spasm. Reaching up, she grabbed his arms. “Yes. Harder.”

Roaring as if his control was gone, he took her not only as a man takes a woman but also as a wolf would take his mate. She was still screaming when the first orgasm passed and another hit stronger, taking all her breath away. Gage threw his head back and yelled out his own release before collapsing on top of her.

The day of the ceremony was busy for both Elizabeth and Marissa. Marissa took extra time to help her sister get ready—drawing her sister a hot scented bath, fixing her hair and make-up before helping her dress.

“That dress is beautiful. You are beautiful,” Marissa told her sister, trying to hold back the tears.

“I can’t believe it’s finally here. I’m going to perform the mating ceremony.”

Marissa leaned over and kissed her sister’s cheek. “Not if you don’t hurry.”

Laughing, Elizabeth twirled around. “I’m ready.”

Taking her hand, Marissa smiled. “Then I better get you there.”

As she started to lead her from the room, Elizabeth pulled her back. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about,” Marissa assured, and meant it.

Elizabeth stood in front of her, and Marissa knew that regardless of how long she had avoided this talk, it was going to happen now. Or her sister wouldn’t go.

“I love you,” Marissa started, going with honesty. “I will admit that over the years I’ve been jealous of you. I didn’t want to be different. I wanted to be either a were or a human.”

“Oh, honey.”

Marissa shook her head, cutting off Elizabeth’s sympathy. “No. It’s not your fault and it’s not mine. Talking with Gage and Logan, I realised we both had a bad deal. We both deserved a better Pack than what we got.”

“If I would have known…”

Marissa hugged her and then cupped her cheek. “But you didn’t. Please, I want to give you this day. I want everything to be perfect for you. I’m okay.”

“But…”

“I’m okay, Elizabeth. Please believe me.”

“Okay.” Elizabeth took a deep breath and Marissa was glad her sister hadn’t cried. They didn’t have time to fix her make-up. They were already late.

“So, let’s go!” Marissa ushered towards the door.

Elizabeth smiled but didn’t move. “One more question.”

She knew what was coming. Even knowing didn’t help with the answer.

“What about you and Gage?”

“I don’t know.”

“But you do care about him.”

“I do,” she admitted. “But I’m not a Pack member. I don’t belong here. I have to go home soon.”

“You could stay. Be part of the Pack. We could be close again.” Elizabeth spoke of everything Marissa had already thought about.

“I can’t. I’m sorry, but I just can’t,” Marissa told her softly. “Please don’t let this ruin your day.”

Elizabeth smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. “No. I won’t let anything ruin today. I just wish you’d think about staying.”

“What if I promise to visit more?”

Finally Elizabeth’s smile reached her eyes and lit up her face. “Are you going to be coming to see me or Gage?” she teased.

Gage paced his office while Logan sat back comfortably on the couch.

“Nervous?”

“Of course I’m not nervous,” Gage growled.

“She sure is something.”

“Yes, she is. Everyone loves Elizabeth.”

“I wasn’t talking about her.”

Gage stopped in front of him, noting the smug look Logan had. “What?”

“Have you talked to Marissa about staying longer?”

Gage went back to pacing. He’d tried to talk to her about Pack life. After all, committing to the Pack wasn’t committing to him. But she changed the subject every time he brought it up. She was due to leave the next day. Every time they were alone together, he broached the subject. And she successfully distracted him.

“So you’re just going to let her go?” Logan shook his head.

Gage knew he was only trying to help. There was a reason Logan was his second. The Pack respected him because he was fair, and Logan was like a dog with a bone. Never giving up on something he believed in.

“Maybe you don’t deserve her then if you’re just going to let her go.”

“Watch your step, Logan,” Gage warned.

“Excuse me, Alpha, but you are more than just my leader. You’re my friend. I haven’t seen you this relaxed…this happy in years,” Logan pleaded. “And we both know it’s because of her.”

Gage walked across the room to stare out the window. He knew it was true. Marissa gave enough of herself to be intriguing yet held back, making her a challenge. She would spend time with him every night—sharing her body with him—yet she insisted on returning to her sister’s house to sleep. She kept a distance between them and he wasn’t sure how to push the issue without sending her running.

“It would be a mistake to let her go. Not only does she need a Pack to protect her, but you’re in love with her.” The last was said quietly, but to Gage’s ears, it might have well been yelled.

Gage spun around, denial on the tip of his tongue. Then he felt the change in the house, in him. Elizabeth and Marissa had arrived. “They’re here.”

Logan nodded. “So let’s get started.”

They greeted the two women outside the door. Marissa smiled up at him and Gage felt his heart swell. He was in love with her. Even if it had only been a week, even if he hadn’t told her yet. The wolf inside him had chosen her and the man couldn’t have picked better. But Gage knew she would be harder to convince.

“Hi,” Marissa greeted, looking beautiful in her short summer dress.

“Hello.” Gage leaned down and kissed her mouth. The blush that stole her face would have been cute if it didn’t tell him what he already knew. She was okay with what they did in private, but publicly, she still shied away.

“I…um…” She nervously shifted from foot to foot. “Thanks for doing this.”

Gage nodded and hugged her to his side. “You can thank me later,” he whispered into her ear.

She gasped, and Elizabeth and Logan laughed out loud.

“Most of the guests have arrived and Greg is already outside,” Logan, ever the peacemaker, announced.

The look of relief that crossed Marissa’s face was comical. “She’s ready,” she responded, avoiding everyone’s eyes.

Gage laughed, letting go of Marissa. He knew he shouldn’t tease her in front of others, but now that he had admitted to himself that he was in love with her, he wanted to shout it from rooftops.

But first, he had a ceremony to perform.

“You look beautiful. Greg is very lucky,” he told Elizabeth, kissing the top of her head.

“No. No. I’m the lucky one. I know that. He has been so patient with me for all these years.” Elizabeth took a deep breath. “I love him.”

“I know you do, honey. And it’s time to do this.” Marissa hugged her sister.

Logan offered Marissa his arm. “Allow me to take you to your seat, my lady.”

Shyly Marissa put her arm through Logan’s. She liked him. He’d never treated her differently even after the embarrassing scene in the woods.

Logan led her out the back door to where the ceremony would take place. Gage would follow when it was time for the ceremony, escorting Elizabeth. As they headed to where the chairs had been set up, Marissa looked around, taking in the full picture. White lace and ribbons had been hung up. Her sister and Greg would stand under the arch while Gage performed the ceremony.

Light-hearted, Marissa smiled at the guests and Logan escorted her to the front.

She felt the unsettling sensation of eyes on her before understanding who stared at her. Turning her head, she met the pair of dark brown eyes, eyes she knew so well. Eyes that had haunted her dreams for more years than she wanted to remember.

Almost stumbling in surprise, she was glad Logan was there.

“What’s wrong?” he whispered.

“Nothing,” she lied. He would know it was a lie. Not only could he smell it, but also she had started to tremble. She didn’t know what Brandon was doing there but it couldn’t be good. She watched Logan look over also and knew she wouldn’t have a choice in telling Gage.

“Who is he?”

Tearing her gaze from Brandon’s, Marissa held onto Logan. “My old Alpha’s son,” she whispered.

Logan got her to their seats in the front row. He would sit next to her for the ceremony—that had already been decided. She was now grateful for the arrangement as she could feel the other man’s eyes on them as they sat.

When the music started, announcing Gage and Elizabeth, Logan placed his arm around the back of Marissa’s chair. She tried to relax as she concentrated on her sister.

The ceremony was beautiful, and watching her sister commit to Greg brought tears to Marissa’s eyes. It also served to take her attention away from the other guests. She watched Gage as he stood with pride and presented Greg and Elizabeth to the Pack and guests.

When his eyes met hers, Marissa felt a shiver of excitement through her entire body. He was like no other man she’d ever met. While he was domineering and demanding, he still remained calm and kind. She would have never thought that all the traits he carried could be found in one man, a wolf, and a Pack Alpha.

She felt Logan’s arm nudge her, reminding her it was time to stand and walk to the reception. Marissa purposely kept her gaze straight ahead, avoiding any guests. She didn’t know why Brandon was here and she should have no fear from him now, but years of fear were hard to just replace. The promises and threats he’d made were still fresh in her mind.

Logan led Marissa to her sister, and as they hugged, he motioned for Gage to step aside. Marissa held her sister, then Greg took her in his arms and kissed the top of her head.

“I always wanted a sister. My mother had eight boys.”

Laughing through happy tears, Marissa tilted her head back. “Well, you got one now. You have no idea what you’re in for.”

Also laughing, Greg kissed her cheek. “I’ll hold you to that, Marissa.”

Marissa understood the warning. She wasn’t done with this Pack. Greg considered her family and wouldn’t let her disappear out of Elizabeth’s and his lives.

“What is it?” Gage asked, never taking his eyes off Marissa as he saw tears sparkle in her eyes. He knew she was thrilled for her sister, but he just wanted to hold her.

“I believe we have an unwanted guest,” Logan kept his voice low so only his Alpha would hear.

Gage watched Greg kiss Marissa’s cheek in a brotherly gesture. “Who?” he asked, distracted.

“Marissa’s ex. The Alpha’s son.”

Shock had him giving his full attention to Logan. “Where? What did she say?”

“She was upset, although she tried to hide it.”

“Find out what he’s doing here,” Gage ordered.

Logan nodded as they turned back towards the happy couple and Marissa in time to see a man place his hand on Marissa’s back.

Marissa turned and stepped out of his reach. “Brandon,” she greeted but her eyes remained cold.

“You look beautiful, Marissa.” He placed a kiss on her cheek before he turned and shook hands with Greg. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Greg looked between the new man and Marissa, knowing something wasn’t right but unsure what to do.

“Congratulations, little wolf.” Brandon also kissed Elizabeth’s cheek.

“Thank you.” Elizabeth’s voice was soft. She sent her sister a panicked look. “Wh…what are you doing here, Brandon?”

“I escorted my cousin.”

Gage had seen enough and moved in beside Marissa.

“Gage.” Her eyes pleaded with him as he stepped up to the small group.

She didn’t want a scene, Gage recognised that. He was also the Alpha, and if anything happened his Pack would step in and that would be a mess.

The man turned to him. “Alpha.” He nodded in respect. “That was a wonderful ceremony. One of the best I’ve ever witnessed.”

Gage smiled and nodded back to the man before running his hand over Marissa’s back and settled his arm around her waist.

He saw her flush, but she didn’t move away from him. The other male’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Uh…Gage, this is Brandon. He is the son of the Pack Alpha where we grew up.” Marissa shifted like she wanted to move away from him, but Gage tightened his grip.

“Nice to meet you.” Gage didn’t move.

“Actually I am now the Pack Alpha of the territory. My father has retired,” Brandon said, keeping his eyes on her.

Gage kept calm. That announcement changed things. If Brandon was a Pack Alpha, he couldn’t challenge him without permission from the council that policed the Packs.

“Congratulations then,” Gage told him with no feeling.

Marissa looked from one man to the other. Gage knew she was almost desperate to get away from Brandon. They would have to talk about what happened between the two later, but right now his main objective was to help her out of her distress.

“They’re starting the reception. We should take our seats.” Gage told her sliding his hand to hers. “If you’ll excuse us,” he said to Brandon but didn’t wait for a response.

He walked away taking Marissa with him while Greg and Elizabeth followed.

“I get the feeling I missed something,” Greg murmured to his mate, but Marissa and Gage heard him.

“That man is responsible for almost every problem we had in our old Pack.” Elizabeth’s voice held more bitterness than Gage had ever heard from her.

Marissa shrugged a shoulder and tried to pull away from Gage. He didn’t give. He could still feel the other man’s gaze on them.

Seated between Gage and Logan, Marissa pulled at her hand once more. “Let go, Gage,” she complained so low only he could hear.

He was hanging on by a thin shred of control. His heart raced and his blood boiled in anger towards Brandon for everything Marissa had gone through. Plus suspicion as to what he was even doing here.

He looked over at Logan and could see the same feelings were going through his second. Whether Marissa was part of the Pack or not, she belonged to Gage.

He had never been so close to turning because of loss of control in front of any members of his Pack. He looked around and nodded at the Pack Enforcers. It was their job to protect their Alpha. Each one was keeping a close eye of their leader, sensing something was not right.

Marissa scooted her chair closer to him. Under the table, she placed her free hand on his knee. “Look at me, Gage,” she whispered next into his ear.

He did and she smiled.

“I’m okay. I won’t let anything mess tonight up.”

Not caring who was looking, Gage framed her face with both hands. “Neither will I.”

Marissa dropped her gaze. “Please, Gage.”

She wasn’t comfortable with public displays. He understood that even if he didn’t like it. He dropped his hands from her face. “He’s not to get near you alone. Do you understand?”

Marissa nodded even if it galled her to have him give her orders.

“Marissa.” His voice was a low growl.

“I understand,” she told him quietly.

“Make sure, Marissa. You have no idea of the consequences,” he warned.

“I promise, Gage.”

With that, he relaxed next to her.