All characters belong to Stephanie Meyer, except for Clarisse. Sorry for the long wait and I promise to do better. Thanks to all my supporters. You mean so very much to me. Hugzzzzzzzzzzz
Carpathian Wolf
Chapter Six
(Jacob's POV)
Calm It Down, Maybe?
Damn, I can't let it happen again, not like this, not until she truly understood what it meant to be my mate, my queen. She needed time to let all this sink in. so no matter how much I wanted her again, to assure her and myself that she belongs to me. I didn't. Instead, I pushed in her mind the suggestion of sleep and felt her sag beneath me.
I moved so I could look at her face, she was out cold, in the deep sleep that I put her under. I kissed her cheek, ignoring how my body still ached for her; I adjusted our bodies so I lay behind her, spooning her.
"Mine." I breathed in her ear. I rest my head on the pillow next to hers, "My mate"; I licked at my mark on her shoulder and felt her shudder. I wound my arm around her waist and allowed my body to cool, while my warmth reached out to her. I knew I had to get up or I would be surely tempted to repeat what happened last night and I promised to give her time.
It took every mental and physical strength I had in me to get up from that bed and leave her in it, but I did. I stood and looked down at her. I was hard, tension rising in my body, heat burning me from the inside out. I began to pace my room.
I tried to take my mind off the woman on my bed, my mate. I tried thinking of spreadsheets, the dangers of Edward, but it was hopeless. One thought kept beating at me and that thought was to touch her, claim her again and still this blaze inside of me.
I wanted nothing more than to feel the heat of her body and feel the silkiness of her skin against the hardness of mine. The more I thought about it, the more I did not give a damn about anything but sheathing myself in her hot wet body. I just needed to satisfy the ache I had to possess her.
One taste of her and I would be lost the second it happened. I smiled at that thought. She was my natural drug and man did I hunger for a fix.
She stood her ground with me, not knowing that the simple act itself was enough to have my animal side raging with the need to claim, possess and dominate. I chuckled with the realization that I never thought I would enjoy anyone challenging me, the way my Bella did.
With that thought came a feeling of guilt.
Walking over to my dresser, I retrieved a grey sweat pants and white t-shirt and dressed before going back over to the bed and knelt next to her. I brushed her hair away from her face and touched her bruising shoulder. The one with my mark. Guilt hit me again.
She was so tiny, I can't believe how rough and forceful I was with her, but she'd shown that she wanted me. Didn't she? She was probably scared out of her mind, but she had wanted me, I knew she had. I'd felt her sensual emotion reaching out to me. I hope she still wants me.
"Forgive me." I whispered to her and with a tenderness I never knew I had, I kissed her on each eyelid, cheeks and mouth. "I should not have been so rough with you, I promise to make it better next time." I took a deep breath. "If there is a next time. It's up to you now."
When my legs began to go numb, I softly kissed her lips one more time, then stood up and tore my eyes away from her sleeping body. I had to get out of there before I did something I just promised I wouldn't. Walking over to the door, I turned and looked at her one more time before slipping out the door and going down to the kitchen.
Reaching the kitchen I went and got a beer out of the chest I kept specifically for it, it is set at a temperature that I like my beer to be. I walked over to the entertainment area and lowered my self into the soft cushions of the sofa there and sighed.
I twisted the top off my beer and took a big swig. I wish I could have handled things differently, but it's too late now to go back and change things. If it weren't for the threat of Edward and how he could use my mate against me. I could have taken things slower. Romanced her the way she deserved.
I still plan to do that. She will have no doubt of how much she means to me and that I have no plans on ever letting her go.
While I was sitting there thinking of all the ways I would woo my Bella, I heard someone enter the room and by the smell I knew exactly who it was. They came and stood in front of me, I looked up…Clarisse.
"What are you still doing her?" I asked her a little roughly
"Why, hello to you too Jacob." She said sarcastically
"I just saw you not too long ago; I said all the hello I was going to."
I stood and walked over to the glass doors and looked out before turning back around and pinning her with my stare.
"Answer the question. What are you still doing here?"
"Since I came here with Embry and Quil and you have them busy at the moment, I have no other way of leaving."
I guess she is right, but I doubt she would have a left in any case. She walked over to me and put her hand on my arm.
"Why are you being so mean Jacob? I thought we were friends." She said with false sadness.
I reached up and removed her hand from my arm. "That's right friends, but you were never satisfied with that, you have always tried to push it further." I walked back over to the sofa and sat down. She followed and sat beside me on the other end.
"You know," she began, "I always thought we could be good together, our families are close, we know everything about each other. No secrets." She smiled at me. I guess she would call it trying to be sultry or sexy, but it did nothing for me.
"Look Clarisse, even when I dated, I never dated you," I was irritated, "shouldn't that have told you something?"
"That's not true. We have been out a few times."
I did not want to hurt her feelings, but enough was enough. "Yes, but as friends, as a favor to your father."
"Oh, I see."
The look in her eyes told me. She did not see or even believe me. I know how single minded she can be when she has put her mind to anything or anyone. She goes after what she wants and at the moment it is me.
"Let's be honest here, it's not me you're really interested in, it's the power of being my mate and all that comes with it."
"That's not true Jacob, you're a handsome and sexy man," she moved over a little closer to me. "Any woman would be honored to have you."
Was she fluttering her eye at me? Why do women do that? "Do you have something in your eyes Clarisse?"
I put my beer to my mouth and took another swig, hiding my grin.
That wiped the smile off her face. "No there isn't." she replied angrily. "Now you're being cruel Jacob."
"The fact of the matter is, I have found my mate, she is now in this house and she is all I could hope for. I will not allow you to do anything to disrespect or hurt her. Do I make myself clear?"
"Perfectly!" She replied
"Good." I fired back
We were both standing now, looking at each other angrily. Then her face softened, calculating.
"So, because you have a mate now that means we can't even be friends?"
"Of course we will still be friends, after all we grew up together, and you were like a sister to me and your father, a second father to me, not to mention he is one of my council members."
"Well that's good to know." She said as she smiled softly at me and tried to touch my am. I stepped back out of her way.
"It will remain that way as long as you respect the boundaries."
"What boundaries?" She asked in confusion. She could not be that dense, acting as if she does not know what I mean.
"You keeping your hands to yourself. Showing me respect as your alpha and my mate as female alpha and queen of this pack. If you cannot abide by those boundaries, you are welcome to find another pack to run with."
She gasp when I said that and her eyes squinted. "Fine, whatever you say alpha. I'm sorry if I overstepped my boundaries. I do appreciate your friendship."
I rolled my eyes and walked over to the kitchen area to find something to eat. She does not fool me. I'm sure we will come to blows again. She is not the type to give up so easily. I'm sure she has some plan up her sleeve to cause trouble. I'll just have to have someone watching her at all times.
She noticed me trying to find something to eat. "If you're hungry, I could fix you something."
I looked over at her. I do feel bad by the way I had to speak to her, because our families were always so close, but with Clarisse, being blunt is the only way to be. However, just to keep the peace I will accept her peace offering.
"Sure if you don't mind." I smiled to show her I'm willing to put aside the conversation we just had…for now.
"It would be my pleasure. What would you like?" she asked as she walked over to inspect the contents of the kitchen.
"It does not matter. Whatever is easy and quick." I said with a grin. "I seemed to have built up quite an appetite."
Color drained from her face at my comment. She knew exactly what I was referring to and I wanted her to know. She was about to reply when two people entered the house. Sam and Leah was here, finally.
They walked back to where we were. Leah walked over to me excitedly and hugged me.
"Congratulations Jacob. I'm so happy for you. When do I meet her? Where is she?" she knew what this meant to me and was genuinely happy for me
"Whoa Leah. One question at a time. She is asleep at the moment. She needs her rest. You'll meet her as soon as she wakes." I said with a grin
She stepped back and Sam came over to shake my hand. "Everything go okay?" he asked with a twinkle in his eyes. He sniffed as if smelling something. "That was fast work." He said teasingly.
"I don't want to talk about it right now Sam, later." I replied as I walked over and sat back down.
Leah came and sat by me. "We can smell her on you Jake. We know you claimed her. I never expected it to happen so quickly, but under the circumstances, we all understand." She said as she took my hand and squeezed it.
I looked over at Sam and he was grinning. I know he wanted to say something smart, but I stopped him. "Don't start."
"What do you mean?" He asked innocently. "I was only going to congratulate you also…on acquiring your own ball and chain." Then he cracked up laughing.
Leah walked over and slapped him on the arm. "Cut it out Sam."
"I'm only joking with him sweetheart, like he did when I claimed you." Then he kissed her. "You know I love you more than life."
That's when Clarisse made her presence known to them. "I was just fixing Jacob something to eat. Can I make something for you two?"
"No thanks Clarisse." Sam replied dryly
"Well, well Clarisse. What are you doing here?" Leah walked over and stood in front of her. "Still trying to get your hooks into Jake? Playing the little housewife?"
"Okay let's not start." Sam cautioned
I forgot how Leah felt about her and never pulled any punches when it came to her. Clarisse even went after Sam once, not that she really wanted him. She just wanted to get back at Leah for something or the other.
"What business is it of yours what I'm doing here?" She answered haughtily
Leah is the mate of my second in command. Clarisse just disrespected her. I stepped back and let her handle it.
"What business it is of mine? Well let me tell you." She stepped closer to her face." I know you, know how you work. I know you have been here throwing yourself at Jacob with his mate asleep upstairs."
"I don't kn..." Clarisse tried to interrupted
Leah kept talking like she said nothing. "You need to give up. Jacob, our alpha has found his mate, who is our female alpha, our queen. You should know no other woman would do for him now. It's her or no one. Stop making a fool of yourself. He did not even want you when he had no mate."
"I know he found his mate, but Jacob and I are still friends. Is he supposed to give up all his female friends because he has found her?"
"That would be up to his mate. As long as you keep things in perspective, everything should be fine, but if you step out of line and she decides she does not want you around our alpha would not hesitate to send you away."
"Who do you think you are speaking to me like that?" she said angrily
Leah looked her up and down in disgust. "I'm mate to the second in command." She breathed in exasperation. "Look Clarisse, in light of all that's going on, we might end up having to stay in this house together, so I suggest we try to get along and that means no funny business with trying to get with Jacob."
Sam walked over to Leah and put his arms around her, pulling her away from Clarisse.
"Okay sweetie, lets just calm down." He said and kissed her on the cheeks.
No one could really blame Leah for how she acted towards Clarisse, especially after the way she tried to come between her and Sam. It would never have worked. Everyone knows that once a wolf found its mate. No other woman exist for him, but it never seems to stop Clarisse from trying.
If it were not for her father pleading her case she would have been banished a long time ago. I even promised to keep an eye on her, to keep her out of trouble. I think it's time to pass that responsibility to someone else before she causes trouble between me and my mate.
"Did you bring the things for Bella that I asked for?" I said, just to change the subject.
"Yes we did." Leah replied
We walked into the living area of the kitchen, where I just noticed the bags on the floor.
Sam and I sat down while Leah walked over and brought the bags to me. Showing all the things she brought for my mate.
"What's this?" I asked, as I reached in one of the bags and pulled something sheer and silky out. It was see through and peach in color. I became hard and aroused just imagining her in it. I was about to excuse myself and go try to cool down, but before I could, with the item still in my hands. I had it held up to the light. What made me do that?
My brain must have went on vacation with imagining my mate wearing it.
"Hello." I heard someone say timidly…Bella.
I looked over and her face was bright red with embarrassment. I wonder why? Then I noticed where eye gaze was centered, not on me, but the item in my hand. I felt my own cheeks heating.
Damn!