Well, I just made a cross country trip so needless to say i got some work on these stories done, [and started a new one (O'man, not another one!)] Seriously, i need to stop taking trips because these ideas for stories are wiggling into my brain and forcing me to write them!
Anyway, I'm so excited by the great response i am getting from this story. Here are a few chapters coming at you. I hope you like them and review!
Samuel watched the willowy woman walk toward the bar and order two drinks from Pat. She made a point to wiggle her hips as she leaned over the bar and Samuel instantly intended to drink one of those with her.
He glanced at his da, who was also eyeing up Piper at the bar. Samuel couldn't identify the emotion playing across Bran's face. Samuel could, however, identify Leah's bite on his neck. Perhaps things were better between the two than the Marrok had let on. Last he'd heard, the Marrok's bed had been cold for quite some time.
"Glad you could make it, you old dog."
Bran ignored the goad. He nodded toward the bathroom, "What were you doing with Piper."
Samuel noted his Da's hostility. The whispers around town were right, Piper really had taken Mercy's place. Samuel supposed he could see the similarities between the two. And Leah had hated Mercy with equal measure.
It was almost funny to see that same protectiveness on Bran's face, so many years later, in relation to another woman.
Samuel shrugged, "She spilled her drink on me."
Bran look mollified. But Samuel watched as he stole glanced toward Piper. "She's really somethin' Da… Your mate tried to lay in on her eari-"
"What happened?" Samuel was taken aback by his father's intensity.
"Nothing. Leah taunted her and Piper gave it back just as good… she got pretty upset though, for a minute."
Bran shifted his hand through his hair. It was a habit Samuel knew he used when upset or stressed. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I should go calm her down."
Samuel supposed Bran should. Leah was a hothead and if she said anything else, Samuel wasn't sure the night wouldn't end in blood shed. He had brushed up against Piper, while in the small confines of the bathroom and had been surprised to feel the but of the gun hidden in the small of her back. Samuel nodded toward him but was confused when Bran made his way toward the bar, toward Piper.
"Da…" Bran turned, "Leah's over there," he nodded to the corner where the stocky blonde stood.
Bran looked confused for a minute before nodding and changing directions.
Samuel watched the old man cross the room and grab Leah's arm. She smiled and wrapped both hands around his neck. His Da' looked confused as Leah glanced over his shoulder and then launched herself onto him. She kissed him so freverently, Samuel hoped they wouldn't go at it here. But just as quickly as the kiss began, Bran shook her off of him. Looking angrier than before. He saw Bran glance over his shoulder and say something harsh to Leah.
Samuel followed his line of sight, which ended on a pale-looking Piper, who had clearly seen the whole thing.
Piper spun, sincerely wishing she hadn't seen that disgusting display of affection. She ordered another drink and as Samuel came up beside her she passed him a shot.
He looked confused, "Am I missing something?"
Samuel wasn't dumb, he was going to find out. Piper needed a distraction, though, and he seemed to work for the night. Let him find out tomorrow. She plastered a smile on her face, "Sure, you're missing an opportunity to dance with me."
The alcohol made her bold as he grabbed her hand and led her to the floor. A surprising large number of people were dancing to "rockin around the Christmas tree."
Samuel spun her and the laugh that emitted was anything but fake. He danced poorly, like no one was watching. Piper decided it was charming and immediately joined. They were absolutely ridiculous as he spun her around the floor, often bumping into other couples. She held on tighter to him, completely putting Bran out of her mind.
When the music slowed, she made a move to leave the floor, but Samuel tugged her back to his chest. "You want to dance again?"
He chuckled, "I want to dance with you all night…"
She rolled her eyes as they began to sway, "You know, you're not that smooth."
"Smooth enough to get you to dance with me."
"ha! That was all my doing!" He only smiled and she found herself leaning closer to those pale eyes. She wanted to melt into them. But stupidly, she had to remind herself those eye's weren't Squint's.
"What would your Mercy think of this smoothness you're working on me?"
Samuel chuckled, "I meant to tell you that earlier, Mercy and I are just friends."
"Yea, and I'm santa's elf."
"I'm serious. She's dating her big Alpha neighbor."
Piper pretended to sigh wistfully, "Well, they say it aint the size it's….no, it's the size."
He laughed loudly. After a moment he said, "God. You are good for this town."
She snorted.
"No really, I haven't seen Da this happy in ages."
Probably because he's getting laid . She didn't say it. "That's not my doing."
He pulled slightly back from her, his eyes serious, "Yes. It is…I know I'm missing something about the way everyone is acting. But I can tell you shook all this up."
Piper wasn't sure if it was the serious tint to the pale blue eyes she loved, or Samuel's own humor that made her suddenly so attracted to him. Without any thought, she felt herself softening .. Those eyes were just so welcoming. They made her feel. Something she hadn't had in some time. She wasnted to disappear into them. She loved them.
Stupidly, Piper lost all motor skills, as she felt herself lean forward to brush her lips against his.
Bran watched in horror as Piper leaned into his son's embrace. Her lips brushed his once before Samuel leaned forward, enveloping her in a deep kiss.
He watched dumbly as the two groped each other. Leah, who was standing at his side, goaded, "how does that feel?"
It felt terrible. Like a physical blow. Like guts churning. Like he was loosing something.
Varying emotions were tearing Bran apart. He had no right to feel like he was watching his son tongue his mate. His mate was standing at his side. Bran knew he didn't have claim of Piper, knew she deserved someone much better than him. And Bran admitted that Samuel was a good man. Someone suitable for Piper.
Logically, Piper and Samuel made sense. Bran was a rational man, he could admit the idea would benifit both of them. Illogically, his jealously absolutely forbade his son from touching her. It just was not right.
It took all his strength to stay rooted to this spot. Bran's muscles tensed, his wolf wanted blood. "THAT'S OUR MATE!" the beast snarled, and Bran had never been more floored by three words.
It was true that his wolf had been restless since the moment he'd met Piper. He'd initally chalked it up to madness. Bran remembered how the wolf settled when they'd become friends. At first, he'd thought the wolf was merely acting on it's protective insticts. But the more he thought about it, the more he'd realized that the wolf wasn't quieting. The wolf was hunting and it wasn't small game his beast had been after.
The thought was altogether unheard of. Divorce was rare but occurred in mates and death was quite common. However, Bran couldn't remember a time in which the wolf had chosen two at the same time. It made no sense.
With a sideways glance, Bran looked toward Leah. In truth, he hadn't been the one to pick her for a mate. The wolf had decided he was alone long enough and found a suitable match in the woman, something Bran would never easily understand.
She hadn't always been so cruel, and in truth, it was his own fault for what had been broken between them these past years. Leah wanted a mate, someone who was her partner, someone who relied on her. Bran had never truly accepted her in such a role. The idea had driven Leah mad.
He thought of earlier, his disastrous attempt at fixing this thing between them. Bran had been dressing when Leah had came behind him and nibbled his ear, as she used to do the first year of their mating. Whether it was to prove something to himself, or just to eliminate the confusion he felt, Bran had responded. However, the session hadn't gotten barely part Leah biting him, as he kissed her own neck, before Bran began to imagine his lips on the neck of another; his lips on Piper's neck.
The image had been so shocking and arrousing that Bran had shoved away from Leah with little tact. Needless to say she was furious.
Bran thought on that. Perhaps his wolf hadn't chosen two mates. Perhaps the wolf had now narrowed on only one, because as he watched his son kiss Piper, Bran felt a white rage unlike anything before.
One thing, besides his willpower kept Bran from walking onto the floor and pulling them apart. Since first spotting Piper tonight, Bran had felt constant waves of guilt. Mate or not, she wouldn't forgive the betrayl, he saw as much in her eyes when she'd seen the mark. Piper deserved someone better than him, someone who wasn't as...complicated. Again, Bran shoved down the bite of anger both wolf and man felt at that thought.
Had it been any other word, had it been whispered any softer, Bran would not have heard it. But in the softest, huskiest voice he'd ever heard, Piper moaned the word. And with it, his control snapped.
"Bran..."
The man in her arms pulled back sharply from her and reality sunk in. She had been kissing Samuel… Not Bran.
"What did you just say?" Samuel looked horrified.
Piper felt the same way. The kiss had been wonderful, it had been fire, it had been everything she'd been wanting from Bran since the moment he'd walked up those concrete steps…Stupidly, in the moment, she had convinced herself that Samuel was Bran.
Piper had no idea what to say.
Samuel's eyes narrowed. "Follow me," he said before leaving out the back door.
Piper felt so completely stupid. Kissing him was a mistake. It was selfish to transfer her feelings for Bran into a kiss with another. It was even more selfish and slightly horrifying to do so with Bran's son. What on earth had she been thinking.
Samuel, apparently, already knew. "You're in love with Da."
"I'm sorry, Samuel. I shouldn't have done that."
"What? Kiss me or pant out Da's name afterward."
Piper winced. Could she honestly be any more pathetic?
"Both."
Samuel nodded and Piper was amazed at the good humor still in his eyes. Dam she loved those eyes. Just, not this pair, she grumbled.
"S'alright. That was some kiss…."
Piper snorted. Of course, it was a great kiss. She had channeled every frustration, every worry, every feeling she felt for Bran into it. And right now, the depth of those feelings could fill the Mississippi
"I just thought…. I'm just such an idiot."
Samuel smiled and pulled her into a loose hug. "No, you're not. And you're not the first to fall for him… The Marrok is a seductive position." His eyes twinkled at the thought.
Piper shifted, "I could care less about the-"
"What's going on here." The voice cut like a whip. Both turned to see a stern looking Bran. His disapproval of them wrapped in each other's arms was clear on his face.
Piper dropped her arms from Samuel's waist. The bite on his neck still infuriated her, "s'none of your concern, Squints."
Samuel left a casual arm slung across her shoulder, "We were just talking, Da."
A strange look flashed across Brans face, his eyes sought out hers. "Go inside, Samuel."
He pulled her closer, " Seriously, nothing was happening."
"Samuel. Leave."
"Da';" Samuel dropped the arm from her shoulders, frowning, "you're being ridiculous, Pipers an adult."
Bran broke eye contact with her. She saw his eyes pale further as he wildly looked on his son, "Don't touch her again."
Something passed between the two men. Piper saw a flare of understanding light in Sam's eyes before he left. The crescent shaped bite mark stood starkly out against his skin. It was an ugly reminder of her stupidity. Her anger grew.
"What the hell was that!" She demanded.
"You kissed Samuel," He accused.
"Im 25 Bran! I can kiss whoever I want."
He matched her anger. Throwing his arms, as he spoke.
"No you cant!"
"Why? Why do you care! You're the one with the mate and the love bites."
"It's not what you think."
"I think you slept with her!"
"She's my mate, Piper!"
"And what am i?"
"I don't know. But you're not available to kiss men."
"Actually... I am! You're just jealous." Piper tried to move past him but he grabbed her arm before she could.
"You don't know what you're talking about."
She turned sharply toward him, poking a finger into his chest. "How do you think I feel watching you and Leah? Hearing people talk about you two? Like you belong to her!
"I do belong to her and she to me- that's what a mate is."
Piper scoffed, "That's bullshit. The marrok belongs to her. You belong to-" Piper stopped, suddenly, not wanting to complete the thought let alone say it out loud. She shook her head and began to walk past him, again. Bran didn't let it go.
"Say it," he hedged. His eyes burned, paler than she'd ever seen. They were so utterly beautiful and so unique, she could barely believe she'd mistake Samuel's for the pair.
Despite, his beauty, despite her feelings, Piper wouldn't play this part. She refused to be with him this way, while he wore Leah's mark on his neck.
"No," she said.
He came closer, pushing her back two steps. "Then I will," he declared, "I cant stop thinking about you. I don't want to. I am crazy jealous when anyone touches you." He took a breath and Piper could only stare dumbly at him, "I want to touch you everyday, so badly. When I'm with you I loose myself and then... I find myself all over again."
Before any intelligent thought returned, Bran roughly grabbed and kissed her. Heat speared throughout her stomach as they fought to consume each other. His hands were rough on her neck and she brought her own up to cup his face. As his tongue fought with her own, she grabbed him for a harder hold. Their bodies meshed and the heat became a fire, threatening to completely consume Piper.
Still tangled, he backed her against the brick wall, satisfying some spark that had been there since the moment they'd met. Piper had never felt so right. The sheer destiny of the act was overwhelming. Her fingers made their way across his chin, toward the back of his neck so she could deepen the kiss. As they moved, she felt them brush over the puckered edges of his lovebite.
The reminder was like a bucket of cold water. Piper pushed him roughly back before snarling, "Go back to your mate, Bran."
Bran searched her face.
"Piper, I-"
"you made your decision when you did that," She nodded toward the ugly mark on his neck, "and when you didn't bother covering it up-"
Piper watched as he argued with himself. She tried to remain as angry as she could, encouraging him to return to Leah. When he disappeared within the doorway she crumbled to the ground.
OKay, so i am determined to finish this story within the next few chapters. Dont get me wrong. Lots is going to occur and they are going to be GOOOD :) .. If you review i will write faster.