Your Sass is Mine: Sassy Ever After (Black Paw Wolves Book 5) Read online

  Contents

  Summary

  Acknowledgments

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Epilogue

  Sassy Ever After World

  About the Author

  Review it

  Recommend it

  Read more from Melanie James

  Books by Melanie James

  Summary

  Jay Dalton swore he’d never return to Blue Creek after his parents were murdered, but when his new Alpha sends him on a mission to help out with rogue wolves, he’s left with no choice but to return to the place he once called home.

  Minx Monroe knew who the Fates intended for her mate. Sexy and handsome beyond belief, she was thrilled by the pairing. Until tragedy struck, yanking him from her life.

  Fearing she had been left to walk the earth alone, she questioned if the Fates had been mistaken when they revealed their secrets.

  To my love – I would find you in any lifetime.

  Acknowledgments

  Teri – Thank you for always talking me off the ledge and letting me blow a shit ton of hot air in your direction when I need to vent.

  Jennifer – I miss and love you. You make me laugh when no one else can.

  Sweeping away the shroud of fog, Freyja circled behind her husband’s throne. “What a sight to behold. Odin, the great and wise all-father, perplexed by eternity’s greatest riddle.”

  “I asked for warriors with the hearts of wolves. Warriors who could protect my people by taking the form of the wolf, with all of their strength and cunning. Look! See for yourself at what you have created.” Odin pointed to a shimmering gold cauldron.

  In the cauldron’s murky liquid, a gory scene became visible. A Viking army was engaged in bloody combat, defending their walled city from an invading force. As the battle unfolded, a pack of huge wolves leapt over the fortified walls, mercilessly ripping through the defenders. Their bloody carnage was halted by the arrival of yet another wolf pack, which met them with equal ferocity.

  “I see warriors engaged in combat, their wolves have joined them. Since when have you cared about what men fight for?” Freyja shrugged.

  “This is not a battle between men. This is a battle between the packs of wolf warriors. Keep watching.”

  The battle had changed. The wolves joined forces, turning their blood-fueled wrath against the men until every Viking warrior had been killed.

  “This isn’t the only killing. Rogue wolf warriors have taken control of these packs and led them onto a dark path. These are not protectors, Freyja, they are bloodthirsty monsters.” Odin kicked the cauldron, spilling the blood red contents. “They act more like Loki’s monsters than the protectors I had envisioned.”

  Noting Odin’s frustration, Freyja stretched out her arm. With a wave of her hand, a scene appeared in the mist. A lone wolf roamed through a shadowy forest, pausing to call out with an eerie yet beautiful howl.

  “The lone wolf seeks a pack, a place to belong. But a sense of belonging is not enough.” Freyja said, panning her hand in front of the changing scene. The lone wolf had found a pack. One by one, the wolves tested the newcomer, judging his purpose and fitness. The wolves accepted him, but he still wandered and once again grew restless. Freyja moved the scene ahead in time once more, until the new wolf ran beside a female wolf, hunting and mating under the full moon. In early spring, the pair welcomed a litter of pups. The male wolf hunted for his family, and stood guard as the pups nursed and played.

  “He needed his mate to make him whole.” Freyja said quietly. “If the wolf had never found his mate, he would have joined other rogue wolves. He would have had a place to belong, but it would have been purposeless and destructive. So it is with your wolf warriors.”

  Odin scoffed. “But these warriors are men first. They certainly have any number of mates to satisfy them.”

  Freyja nodded. “It is true, they are men. But these are men with the heart of the wolf. These warriors were created with more than simple majik. For them to become whole, it is much harder than for any man or wolf. Each warrior has been given a true mate, known only to the Fates.”

  “Freyja, you must know I must wipe them from Midgard. More often than not, men are fools when it comes to matters of the heart. If they must also find the one destined by the Fates, the wolf warriors will certainly fail. I have no choice but to destroy these abominations.” Odin said, lifting a golden ax free from its rack.

  “Don’t act so hastily, Odin.” Freyja placed her hand on the ax, slowly lowering Odin’s hand. “Not all of your wolf warriors have lost their way. Come with me to Midgard, then you can judge for yourself.”

  “Very well. If you can find even one of the wolf warriors who has found his destiny and proven himself worthy of a place in Valhalla, I will spare them. This is their only chance, Freyja.”

  “Heimdall!” Freyja called out. “Prepare the Bifrost. We will go to Midgard, to the village of Osmond the wolf warrior.” Odin and Freyja were suddenly enveloped by a mist of intense colors.

  On Midgard, a whitewater stream cascaded from a rocky cliff into a deep pool, creating a perpetual mist. A rainbow appeared above the pool, and two crows flew from the hazy colors.

  A young woman stood in waist deep water. Her long blond hair fell down over her bare breasts. “Not here, Osmond. Look.” She laughed, pointing to the two crows which circled above them. “The Gods are watching.”

  A tall man, his muscular body looked as if was sculpted by the Gods, stood on the shore. He’d been watching the young woman swim, and he was fully aroused. He smiled, tossing back his hair. “If the Gods are watching, Ingrid, it’s our duty to give them a show worthy of our audience.”

  Swiftly walking into the pool, he met the laughing young woman and took her into his arms. Sweeping away her long locks, he kissed her passionately. The lovers’ kiss became fervent as they pressed their bodies against each other. With a sudden burst of power, Osmond lifted her up. Her legs opened and wrapped around him as he lowered her down onto his throbbing erection. The two made love for several minutes until he carried her to the shore.

  On the grassy slope, Osmond kissed her again, his mouth moving to her neck. Ingrid tilted her head back, gasping in ecstasy, as Osmond once again penetrated her with his thick length. His long, steady strokes became faster and more powerful until Ingrid cried out as they reached their climax.

  Barely pausing to catch her breath, she pushed Osmond aside and rolled him onto his back. Holding his still erect member in her hand, she stroked and admired him. “A performance worthy of the Gods,” she said, laughing as she straddled him. Guiding him to her waiting entrance, her laugh quickly changed to moans as she lowered herself and attempted to take every inch of him.

  Her vision blurred with passion, she saw the crows swoop above them. She rocked herself faster as Osmond met her effort with his thrusts. Overcome by the wave of another climax, she swore she could actually see the Gods swirling above her. “I love you, Osmond,” she managed to say.

  “And I love you Ingrid, my wife.” Osmond struggled to utter, moaning as he filled her with his seed.

  The crows circled higher, communicating telepathically. “And what does this prove? Men and women are prone to lie for any number of reaso
ns, especially for sex.” Odin asked, his tone slightly sarcastic.

  “Just watch.” Freyja replied, swooping down over the lovers.

  Osmond and Ingrid stood up. Stepping back from each other, they suddenly shifted into wolf form. Osmond nuzzled his mate briefly before the pair ran into the forest. Odin and Freyja followed overhead, keeping up with the wolves as they darted down a winding path.

  The trail led the wolves to a village with neatly kept log homes. The crows flew through the haze created by cooking fires and spotted several families greeting the pair of wolves. A great hall stood in the center of the village and an elderly man walked out of its large doors.

  It was obvious to Odin and Freyja, the man held a high status. Heavily armed Vikings as well as a dozen more wolves lined his path as he greeted Osmond and Ingrid. The pair shifted into human form and were quickly wrapped in white robes by attending servants.

  “Welcome back from your patrol, Osmond and Ingrid. We expected your arrival this morning. I suppose you have a good reason to keep your Earl waiting? You do remember we have the feast planned for tonight?” The old man said, grinning.

  “Of course, Earl Gunnar. The Bifrost appeared at the waterfall. We had to give them a proper greeting.” Osmond answered.

  “And did you see the Gods, Ingrid?” The Earl asked.

  Caught off guard by Gunnar’s question, she quickly blushed and could only answer honestly. “Yes. Yes, I believe I did.”

  Her response elicited raucous laughter from the Earl’s guards. “Quiet.” The Earl commanded. “When you didn’t arrive, some of your wolf warriors set out to find you. They spotted you at the waterfall. When I heard of your whereabouts, I knew your patrol must have found nothing to be concerned about. And for my two bravest wolves to be so in love, you have nothing to be ashamed of Ingrid.”

  “Look! The Gods are still with us. They followed us here.” Ingrid pointed to the two crows perched on the roof of the great hall.

  Earl Gunnar nodded and shouted to the crows. “Then it is a great honor for you to join us in a great feast as we celebrate the recent victory of Osmond’s wolf pack over the marauding stray wolves.” Turning his face back to Osmond and Ingrid he let out a loud laugh.

  He had been quickly silenced by the stunned faces on the crowd of villagers and warriors. Their shocked faces were turned up to see the crows on the roof of the great hall.

  Freyja’s crow burst into a cloud of black feathers and she appeared in a blue robe trimmed with shimmering gold. “Tonight celebrate for all of your warriors, Osmond and Ingrid, for you have proven yourself to Odin as great protectors of his people against the rogue wolves. Gather your families, show Odin the love and honor of your wolf hearts.”

  The other wolf warriors shifted to human form and did as Freyja commanded. Soon, each wolf warrior stood with their mate and children.

  Odin’s crow burst and he too appeared, wielding his golden ax. “You are great warriors, men and women. And when your time comes, I will proudly feast with you in Valhalla. But tonight you feast here on Midgard, with your mates, your children and your Earl. I will happily listen to your tales of bravery. May the Fates give you a thousand more years, and a thousand more victories to celebrate.”

  Freyja waved her wand, smiling at Ingrid. “And you have been blessed this day with a gift, Ingrid.” A rainbow beam appeared and swept the Gods back to Asgard.

  “It will always be a struggle for the wolf warriors.” Odin sighed, returning to his throne. “They will need many more like Osmond, Ingrid and their pack.”

  “There will always be enough, husband.” Freyja smiled.

  A month later, Ingrid held Osmond close in their bed. “Freyja was right, Osmond. I carry a great gift from that day at the pool.” She smiled, knowing her child would be one in a long line of great wolf warriors like his father.

  “Jay motherfucking Dalton, my man. It’s been years. What brings you back to Blue Creek?”

  “Hey, Aric. Good to see you.” Jay clapped Aric on the back. It had, indeed, been years since he’d left town or seen his friend, Aric Wolfe. More like decades. Two to be exact.

  Though he’d promised to keep in touch—that promise, like many, fell to the wayside when Jay had moved to Black Paw, intent on forgetting about his pain filled life in Blue Creek.

  Throughout their childhood, they’d been as close as brothers. Aric had been there for him when his parents were murdered by rogues. Everyone else he’d managed to push away, but not Aric. Aric had seen through the tough guy act and stuck to him like glue. He’d felt guilty as hell leaving his friends and family in Blue Creek, but at the time, he’d needed to find his own path—his own life. He needed to get away from the agonizing memories that followed him everywhere he went. There wasn’t a person alive at Blue Creek that didn’t know what had happened to his family. His parents’ grisly murders had rocked the small town to its core. Everyone wanted to talk about it. Everyone but him. All he wanted was justice for his parents. And for everyone else to leave him the fuck alone.

  The minute he’d turned twenty-one, he’d packed up and headed out to make his own life. Tales of the pack at Black Paw had filled his youth, leading to a curiosity about Odin’s Nordic Berserkers. When the time came to cut and run, that was exactly what he’d done.

  “Rafe got a call from Tristan about needing some help with rogues in the area. I was the lucky bastard he sent to be your savior.”

  Jay had put up a fight about being sent to Blue Creek. He’d had no desire to travel to—let alone spend any amount of time in the town he’d once called home. To him, Blue Creek represented a period of time in his life filled with pain and despair—one that he didn’t want to relive.

  A look of surprise flashed over Aric’s face. “Really? I’m surprised my dad asked another one of you Black Paw Pack pricks to help out. Every single time one of you sets foot in Blue Creek, we tend to lose one of our females.”

  “Yeah—well thankfully, I’m not in the market for a mate. So you’ve got nothing to worry about from me. Besides, I grew up here and never once ran across my mate.”

  “Uh-huh. That’s what they’ve all said. Come on, let’s get you inside. I’m sure mom and dad are waiting for you.”

  Jay had watched the seemingly unending stream of wolves from Black Paw who had been sent to help out at Blue Creek with something or the other, and come back with a mate. That wasn’t about to happen to him. Not only had he long ago given up on the idea that a fated mate existed for him, he was pretty damn content with bachelorhood. It suited him. After years of bending over backwards trying to please an un-please-able and ice queen wife, he swore never again. “I think I would have found my mate years ago—if she were here.”

  Oh yeah. He’d looked—a lot. Even test drove quite a few of the potentials to make sure that mating instinct didn’t kick in, but he’d found no trace of his fated female. Not even so much as a whiff of her scent. He was pretty sure he was in the clear and wouldn’t be blindsided by a female during his hopefully brief visit.

  “We’ll see. Maybe, you should put some money where your mouth is.”

  “Ha! You’re on.” Never one to pass up a sure bet, Jay and Aric agreed to the terms and shook on it. Just like in their youth.

  Jay grabbed his bag from the backseat of his truck and made his way to the house. The same house that he’d spent more time at than his own.

  Barbara greeted him at the door. “Jay, baby! Look how much you’ve grown.” She wrapped him in a warm embrace. “It’s so good to see you.” She pulled back and slapped him on the arm. “Why the hell haven’t you bothered to visit, or at least pick up the phone and call? Email? Text? Hello! Do you not know anything about modern technology?”

  “Sorry, Mrs. Wolfe,” he said, offering his apologies. He was a grown man, yet Barbara had a way of making him feel like he was still in the prime of his youth.

  “You better be sorry. I’d hate to have to kick your ass clear back to Black Paw! Let me look at you.
Are they feeding you enough there?”

  “Of course they are. Rafe and Mina take good care of everyone. You just want an excuse for me to move back down here,” Jay laughed. It had been far too long since his last visit. Blue Creek was his true home, the Wolfe’s his second family.

  He’d kept his distance for a reason. The hurt he associated with the town still sucked his breath out of his lungs, and left him with an ache in his chest. It would have been nice if he were one of those people who could forget about the bad and only remember the good, but he wasn’t wired that way. Never had been. His move to Black Paw had been good for him. Though he hadn’t found his true mate, he’d found a decent woman and settled down with her for many years. Life had been good for a time.

  “Aric, take Jay’s bag up to the guest room. We need to get moving or we’re going to be late.”

  Jay did a double take, eyeing up the Wolfe’s attire, comparing it with his own. “I can go grab some dinner and come back later, if you guys are on your way out.”

  “Nonsense. You’re coming with us.” Barbara looped her arm around Jay and directed him to the waiting SUV.

  “It’s no big deal. I really don’t mind.” Feelings of discomfort settled in. Based on their attire, they were headed somewhere casual, while Jay was still dressed in his work clothes: dress pants, dress shirt, and a tie.

  “I’ll hear none of it. Besides, it will give you a chance to catch up with everyone.” Barbara opened the door and gave him a slight shove, insisting he go with them.

  Giving in to her demands, he asked. “Can you at least tell me where we are going?”