Southern Reign

Chapter 4: Happy Birthday

Bree

Whew.

I felt like a slut. Just an hour ago, I didn’t even know this man. Yet here I was, in his guest suite, naked and breathing heavily after having s*x with him.

“I love you.”

My eyes widened at the words that came out of my mouth.

“I- I mean …”

“Shhh.” He chuckled.

“I know what you meant. I love you too.”

I pushed him away slightly and stared up into his face. I just told this man I loved him! I don’t even know him! I was internally freaking out. But it felt natural to be with him. Like we were made for each other. It was unlike any feeling I’d ever felt before.

“How? I mean, why? You’re a Lycan! A King, at that! How did this happen?!”

He stared back at me with a look of adoration on his face and then took a deep breath.

“It’s meant to be.” He kissed me deeply and began to gently massage my c******s with his middle finger. I let out a soft moan and closed my eyes.

I could definitely go another round.

***

Rrrring!

My phone awakened me from a good sleep. My Lycan King had me wrapped in his arms. As soon as I moved to answer my phone, I felt his arms tighten around me.

“John.” My voice was barely a whisper.

I tried to slither from his grasp and couldn’t move. Unable to get him to let go of me, I teleported to the opposite side of the room.

When I retrieved my phone, there were several texts from my mom and my sister. I was about to respond when I received another incoming call.

“Hello?”

“Where the hell are you?! Mom is pissed that you haven’t been answering her messages. She had to get our cousins to assist her with the orders. Bring your ass on! We have to go shopping ASAP. We still have time.”

“I think I found my mate.”

“YOUR WHAT?!”

Cree started speaking so fast I could barely understand her.

“Cree …”

“…you before me? What are you going to tell mom and dad? I can’t believe this! Who is it?! It better not be that guy from Sandyville. Do you know how our parents would react? Mom would freak! Wait. Are you going to get married?!”

“Cree … please slow down!”

“…so much to do! We need to make a formal announcement! There’s no way you found your mate! How?! What’s his name? I bet he’s-“

“Cree!” I practically screamed to get her attention. I looked toward the bed and John was staring at me with a weird look on his face.

“Cree, I’ll meet you downstairs and we can go to the outlet. We’ll talk then.” I quickly hung up the phone and made my way back over to the bed.

“Leaving so soon?”

“Yeah, I promised my sister I would let her take me shopping for my birthday outfit.”

“Your birthday?”

“I turn 26 today.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Today? I guess I should get you a gift.”

“Oh, I think you got that covered.” He laughed a hearty laugh at my response.

“Happy Birthday. At least allow me to treat you.” He stood and made his way over to his bag, pulled out his wallet and handed me a credit card.

“Run it up.” was all he said with a wink. I gulped and stared at him. He just smiled and kissed my forehead before walking to the bathroom.

“See you soon, darling.” And with that, he turned the shower on.

I quickly put my clothes on and rushed out of the room. I couldn’t believe what was happening. A mate? A Lycan? This was a wild dream if I was asleep.

“Pinch me!”

Cree furrowed her brows at my request.

“No! Let’s go. You have some explaining to do and we have to get your party outfits!”

“Outfits? As in, plural?” I frowned.

“Yes!”

I smacked my hand against my forehead as my sister dragged me out of the castle and toward the lot where her car was parked.

As we drove out of our territory, the Jeep moved over the rocky terrain too fast for my comfort.

“You are driving like a bat out of hell!”

Cree was swerving and hitting the terrain with such speed, we might as well have been inside of a racecar. Sol, our appointed guard rode along with us to make sure we “stayed out of trouble.” I looked over at him to see if he’d back me up, but he sat stone-faced as my sister almost flipped the Jeep over.

“Ugh!” I placed my hands on either side of my face and rubbed my temples.

After what felt like forever, we were finally on a paved road heading into town. Once we arrived at the outlet, Cree took out her phone and called someone. I stepped outside of the car and went to stand beside Sol, who was scoping the parking lot as if he suspected someone would jump out and attack us. My eyes followed his to a storefront at the end of the strip. There in the window was his ex-girlfriend, Brandi. His eyes narrowed and I shook my head. Cree finally joined us and we walked into a boutique just a few stores down.

Cree began grabbing all types of clothes and accessories. I cringed when she picked up a neon green, mini-tube dress with part of the sides cut out.

“If you expect me to wear that, I promise you there will be no party.”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. You need to let loose. And you also need to look sexy for your mate.” She gave me a wink and a broad grin.

“Mate?” Sol looked over at me with his eyebrow raised.

Before I could answer, Cree shouted, “Yes! Can you believe it? She finally has a man. Who is he, by the way? You never said.” She turned to look at me with her eyes narrowed. I sighed.

“John.” I started to walk away to check out a royal blue dress that caught my eye.

“John?” Sol looked even more confused.

I cleared my throat and said, “Yes.” Barely above a whisper.

Cree stood there tapping her chin with her manicured finger. Suddenly her eyes widened and she inhaled sharply. She looked around to make sure no one was listening.

“THE LYCAN?!” She whisper-shouted in my direction. I started to chew the inside of my cheek and nodded. She stared at me with her jaw dropped. Sol’s confusion was now shock.

“Stop staring at me!” They continued to stare as I made my way to another rack.

“You’re kidding!” Sol now looked amused.

“Nope. We are fate mates.” I gave them a tight smile and continued to search the racks.

“No way.” Cree stood in that one spot, staring at me with her mouth open.

“Yes … way.” I looked back at her and she looked as if she were doing mathematical equations in her head.

“What was the Wiccan Goddess thinking? No wiccan from our coven has been mated to another species in … 400 years?” Cree looked over at Sol and nodded, still not saying anything.

“Well, whatever her plan is, I’m not going against it. I mean, in all my years, she hasn’t steered me wrong yet.” I shrugged and let out a small sigh before continuing.

“But a Lycan King. That’s a lot!” I sighed much heavier this time.

Sol just shook his head. Cree looked down before turning her attention back to the rack she had been rummaging through previously. Something looked to be bothering her, so I waited until I watched Sol turn his attention to the men’s section, just across the small boutique.

“Hey, you ok, sis?” She looked at me for a moment before a small smile appeared on her face.

“Yeah. I’m really happy for you. I-“ She stopped and her eyes widened again.

I felt a strong pull and an intoxicating scent surrounded me. As I turned, I was staring at my gorgeous mate walking toward us with a sexy smirk on his face.

I couldn’t take my eyes off of him.