The Price They Paid: Imprinted Mates Series

on? What vibe was he getting? Thoughts passed rapidly through my mind and Augusto stood in front of me slamming the door shut on my thoughts. His abrupt movement made me focus on him instead of the other things.
“Let’s get you acclimated with the kitchen, shall we? I can’t wait to have some of those wings.”
I smiled uneasily. So that’s why we were waiting until dinner. I followed him to the kitchen while pinning up my hair as I walked. Apparently, the other brother, Alec heard that I was here and making dinner. He was headed over to enjoy dinner as well.
One thing that I noticed was that wolves had much bigger appetites, especially when it came to meat. I made a list of the things that I’d need to make this meal, leaving more than enough to spare. Dinner was completed in time for me to make some delicious, melt in your mouth lemon sugar cookies.
When I pulled the last bit from the oven, dizziness swept over me and I held on to the oven door for support. The room seemed to whiz around me while whirling so quickly that I thought the floor would swallow me whole.
“Justice!” I felt strong arms sweep me from my feet, and though I wished it were Seuss, the scent was all wrong. I’d heard that voice before, though. I buried my face into his shoulder and held on tightly. He walked, and I wasn’t sure where he was taking me until I heard the loudest growl.
“Seuss. Calm the fuck down. She was about to faint,” the man carrying me said.
“Put … her … down …” Seuss roared.
I tried to look over at him, but the head movement was enough to send the room spinning in a different direction. I wanted to reach for my head, but I was afraid to move any more of my body. I groaned in pain wanting it to go away.
“Give me a minute for fuck’s sake. I’m not going to hurt her. What in the hell is his problem?”
Mumbling and arguing happened around me. The only thing that registered was Augusto’s statement. “They’re not fully mated yet.”
The male carrying me tensed noticeably. “Fuck!”
He sat me down into a chair and moved away. I leaned my head on the chair wishing for something to make the dizzy spell and approaching headache disappear. Cool hands caressed my forehead and I leaned into it. It provided temporary sanctuary before pressure increased and then decreased in my head. Nausea set in, but the coolness kept it at bay. The pressure began again and then decreased until my headache disappeared into nothingness. I felt lightheaded at first, but then that was soothed as well. Then all I smelled was spicy wolf. As much as I hated it, it felt good for Seuss to heal me. I leaned forward and kissed him quickly.
“Thank you,” I whispered. I opened my eyes to see his glowing back at me. He was striking.
“Glad you’re feeling better.” He removed his hands slowly and I remained steady.
“What are you doing here?”
“My father felt the need to invite his sons to dinner. Now I know why.” He scoffed.
“Because he wanted to boast?”
“No. because you’re here.” Seuss seemed annoyed.
“I’m glad that you’re happy to see me.” I stood pushing him out of the way and headed into the kitchen. “Can you guys help me bring the food into the dining room?” I yelled over my shoulder.
I heard one set of footsteps headed my way and silence behind me. No one was going to challenge Seuss, and he was headed into the kitchen where I was in charge. We didn’t talk at all, but I didn’t miss the way he watched me move about, and the way that his fingers caressed mine when I handed him dishes to carry. What game was he playing? If he wasn’t going to be my mate then the funny business needed to end, too. There would be no more intimate sessions between us.
“Let’s eat,” Augusto announced from the head of the table.
Alec and Auggie sat on one side and Seuss and I on the other. There was a lot of small talk, but I remained quiet. I listened as the brothers talked about their childhood and teased one another. I excused myself to the bathroom.
I looked in the mirror to see a lovestruck girl staring back at me. I hated to admit that I was in love with Seuss, but it was the truth. He’d had plenty of opportunity to claim me and had chosen otherwise.
There were so many thoughts racing through my mind. I’d pushed the information about my biological parents aside. I still missed my adoptive parents. And I really wanted to see Ms. Sandy. I needed to go home and find my peace. Being around Seuss was too much. Knowing that I meant nothing to him wasn’t something that I could deal with. It was time to go.
When I exited the bathroom, the men were still carrying on. I picked up my bag and slipped out the front door. They were none the wiser as I made my way home.

Seuss
It’d been weeks and Justice still hadn’t come back. Things were going well but Justice’s disappearance created an imbalance in the pack. They looked to her to keep the community running smoothly. The new structure that she and Maddox had created was brilliant. But I’d have to keep working with Maddox to continue to build our empire with her. None of that helped the fucking ache in my heart.
“Seuss,” Maddox called out to me.
“Yeah …” I turned toward him.
“Are you going to go after her?”
“I did but she’s made her decision.” I sipped my potion at the table. It helped me to block out the call of the bond. Nothing would cure it indefinitely.
Maddox sat down across from me and I considered his posture. He had things to say but he warred with himself about saying them. I snickered and