The Price They Paid: Imprinted Mates Series

I still needed to heal him today, and Maddox reminded me when I’d gone downstairs the third time. I slipped in beside him and he opened his eyes.
“We still need to heal you, Seuss. You’re still healing.”
“I know.”
I pulled the blanket up high enough to hide the view as I removed my shirt. I leaned against his warm body. It was my turn to moan in approval. Before I could reach for him, Seuss wrapped his arm around me and pulled me closer. I snuggled into him resting my head against his shoulder and my back against his side.
“Talk to me,” he urged.
“What would you …” I yawned and closed my eyes, “… like to talk about?”
I’m not sure if he responded before I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.

Justice
Talk about being on edge. I’d never paid so much attention to the meaning of the moon’s cycles until I came here. Today would be a full moon, and it made me wonder if that was the reason why my hormones were on high alert. I’d spent the day outside in the yard feeling the need to stay close to Seuss. My skin was hot, so I’d chosen to wear a loose free flowing dress and boots. I was sitting on the porch staring at nothing when Alice approached.
“Are you going to bathe Seuss tonight or is Maddox?”
I laughed to myself since I’d yet to see Maddox bathe him since my arrival. We both knew I was going to do it. The question wouldn’t have normally bothered me, but it did for some reason today. I stood to stretch and then turned to answer her.
“I’ll handle it as usual, Alice.” I added a polite smile on the end, but I knew that the gesture was a little too late.
“Very well.” She turned away just as the coolest breeze came through.
I closed my eyes enjoying the soothing sensation. I opened my arms allowing the breeze to cover me as completely as possible. The wind even blew through my hair making my scalp tingle.
“What perfume are you wearing?” Alice asked.
I waited until the wind died down before answering. “None. I haven’t been home to retrieve anything.”
Alice nodded but moved closer towards me. “You smell really good. Are you sure you’re not wearing anything?”
“What do I smell like?” I lifted the collar of my dress to see if I could smell anything.
“It’s sweet like melon. Ripe. It’s not an unpleasant smell at all.” Her face wrinkled as she tried to place the smell.
“Hmm …”
“The girls are making a larger dinner tonight because of the full moon run. We figured a few of the pack members may come back with Maddox since they’ll gravitate to him and Seuss.”
“Is that normal?”
“Yes. During the full moon, most packs do things to bond including hunting, shifting, running, and even mating. Most wolves aren’t alone for a full moon.”
That made sense. Maybe it had something to do with my agitation today and the reason why I didn’t want to go far from the house.
“I need to head inside. It’s shaving night for Seuss and I want to be finished before dinner.”
“I like the fresh look you’ve created for him. Has he seen it?”
“Not that I know of. I’ll show him tonight and see what he thinks.”
“I bet he’ll love it.” Alice encouraged.
I headed for the door and smiled at her as she held it open. “Maybe.”
Something dawned on me that I hadn’t considered since leaving the hospital. Ms. Sandy hadn’t spoken of anybody visiting the house, but I wanted to make sure.
“What will happen with the police charges placed against me?” I’d been safe while here, but I knew I’d be leaving soon. I didn’t want to go to prison. Especially, for something that wasn’t intentional.
“Seuss and Maddox took care of that. Trust me, the police won’t be bothering you about that.” Alice smiled making me wonder. What exactly had they done?
“Are you okay with me doing this?” I stood at the bottom of the bed looking over at Seuss.
“Haven’t you done this before?” he asked from his end of the bond.
“Yes, but you were asleep all the other times.”
“Understood.”
“I can go and get Maddox for you.” Why was I so damn nervous suddenly?
“I want you …”
My mouth went dry suddenly, and I licked my lips quickly. Did he just say that he wants me? “Let me get the rest of your things.”
I headed into the master bathroom to retrieve his shaving kit. I set it up beside him on the table then turned to leave again. “I need to change.”
“No.” The denial was simple and final. I exhaled slowly.
Seuss watched as I headed over to him and began to undress him from the waist up. I leaned into him while pulling up his shirt, and he leaned forward to sniff the side of my neck. My breathing became labored, and our eyes met with an intensity what shook me to my core.
“You’re coming into your heat,” he whispered against my ear. “You smell ripe. Sweet. Delicious”
Forget what he was saying. His hands were everywhere leaving heat in his path. “Seuss …”
Seuss groaned and sniffed the crook of my neck again. He trailed his tongue across the same spot and I gasped. My nipples pebbled against his chest alerting him even more to my arousal.
“Sweet …” He nipped the side of my neck shocking my senses. “Fucking heavenly.”
“I … Mmm …”
Seuss released me and leaned back as if nothing had happened. I was fevered and ready for him to take me. What kind of game was this? I huffed and went to work on him with arousal buzzing through my veins.
I began washing him and following the contours of his chest like my own personal map. I knew every mark and scar on his body. It’d done nothing to diminish the appeal of it. His muscles flexed underneath the cloth, and I focused on making them submit to my will as I massaged