The First Mate

Chapter Nine: Closer

I sat in the lounge room den, wincing in pain as Lisa helped me take my sports clothes and change into shorts and one of Dane's shirts.

She noticed the scars on my arms, her eyes narrowing.

I shrugged, picking up the bowl of ice cream she got me. "They're fine."

She sighed, picking up her own bowl. "It's not, Ro."

I chuckled at the nickname, not used to people shortening my already short name. I stopped when I saw her serious expression.

"That's why you froze up before lunch when Dane rocked up? The scent of Jordon?"

My eyes widened. "Am I that obvious?"

Her mouth twisted in a sad smile and she shook her head. "Jordon makes a lot of us girls feel that way when we smell him." Her eyes flicked to mine and I saw a moment of shared trauma that shook me.

"Lis-"

She shook her head, scooping up a spoon of ice cream. "Xavier had him suspended for six weeks when he found out....after beating the f**k out of him."

I nodded. "I remember the broken bones." My voice shook, both Jordon's and then mine. He broke in anger when he got home from the hospital.

I'd been thankful when he'd been sent to the Shifter school, only coming home every few weeks when he did something stupid or didn't want to go.

He just wanted to take his anger out on me.

"He'd made jokes he had a slave....I just didn't-" she gave me a tight smile.

I shrugged. "I'm home now." I looked at her then, "So you're stuck with me."

Lisa and I shared a small giggle, I raised my bowl. "To battle buddies."

She giggled, clinking her bowl with mine. "To new bestie-sisters."

I smiled at her, nodding in agreement as we dug into our ice cream.

I checked my phone, seeing three separate messages, slightly surprised, but I knew they didn't want to interrupt me in case I was asleep.

Dane - I picked up your homework and things from your locker. Study group at six. Hope you're feeling better

Theo - Dane is calling a meeting with some of the clan, we'll try doing some studying while they talk xx I'll keep my hands to myself.

Xavier - Almost home, I got you snacks too. Stop eating the ice cream I know you're eating, you fiend. Xx

I blushed and giggled, dropping my spoon in my bowl and sending them back replies.

Thank you, you're the best xx

I make no such promises hehe x

Fight me, big man. I'll take you even with a broken ankle.

I finished my bowl but the time I heard Xavier's car pull into the garage.

He came in with an older male Wolf Shifter, still wearing a hospital coat and tags.

Xavier raised a brow at me and teased as he crawled beside me in the den.

"Oh Tiny, maybe learn to walk first, then challenge me," he said, chuckling. "Dr. Jones, this is my mate, Rose Foxx."

I shook the man's hand, it was warm and soft with a gentle hold.

"Hello, dear. I heard we took a tumble."

I shrugged. "I slipped on the bleachers."

Dr. Jones examined my ankle, his expression turning serious. "Is your Shifter injured as well? I see no healing," he said, looking at me with a curious gaze.

I explained, "I told Annie to hold off until the bone could be properly reset."

Dr. Jones' eyes widened in surprise.

"You sound like this isn't your first break."

I shook my head. "Probably not my last with my clumsy nature mixed with my Foxen." I giggled.

His eyes widened again. "You're a Foxen?"

I nodded, feeling a bit self-conscious. "Yes, Xavier mentioned I was rare."

Dr. Jones smiled, his eyes shining with interest as he nodded. "Quite, dear, I've never encountered one in my nearly a hundred years of being a physician." He patted my hand, chuckling at my surprised expression. Sometimes I forgot how old Shifters could get.

He smiled. "Well, let's get this ankle set and let Annie do her thing. It's not often I get to help heal the future Queen, let alone a Foxen."

I blushed, turning into Xavier's shoulder as I yelped, Dr Jones working quickly to set the bone in my foot correctly.

Xavier held me tightly, soothing me as I breathed out the residual pain.

I finally sighed, feeling everything in place and Annie worked quickly.

Xavier chuckled, seeing my bruising already start to dull. "Now, it's a sprain."

I giggled, noticing Dr. Jones' eyes lingered on my skin, his gaze tracing the scars that crisscrossed my arms. "Rose, these scars... Are they what I think?" he said, his voice gentle.

I hesitated, feeling Xavier grab my hand in comfort.

"Yes, I was a Pack slave." I ducked my eyes.

"Who's?"

I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "My guardians."

Xavier's expression darkened, his eyes meeting Dr. Jones's enraged look.

"It's being dealt with," he said, his voice firm. "Rose's been moved here with her mates."

Dr. Jones faltered. "Mates?"

I giggled as Xavier nuzzled me. "She is the bride of the future Triad."

I blushed.

Dr. Jones nodded, his face softening. "Congratulations, Xavier, I know you boys have waited for her for some time." He chuckled, turning to me. "Rose, you don't hesitate to call me if you have any worries." He pulled out a white card and a pen, writing a mobile number on it and handing it to me. "I don't want Annie having to avoid healing you for too long. I'm not sure what kind of problems it can cause, and I'd rather not put her, or you, in any unnecessary stress or pain."

I smiled weakly, feeling a sense of gratitude towards his care. "Thanks, Dr. Jones. That means a lot to me and Annie."

Dr. Jones smiled back, his eyes warm. "You'll be at the gathering?" He asked, Xavier nodded. "Excellent! We'll get to know you better, and I'm sure the boys will ensure you have a wonderful time." He winked.

I giggled and blushed, thanking him again as he set my ankle in a boot for the next few hours while Annie finished healing me.

Lisa drove him back to the hospital while I sat on the kitchen counter, 'helping' Xavier make our roast dinner.

He was making enough for a few of the Shifter clans who would be stopping by, and me.

So there was a lot.

I handed him the second tray of potatoes so he could prep them, meeting his smile with my own.

"I'm still sorry about toda-"

He raised a finger at me in a warning."I don't want to hear it, Tiny." He turned and started to cut and season.

I sighed. "Did you kill him?"

Xavier tensed, turning to look at me. "Would you hate me if I did?"

I flinched, hurt he would even think that. "No. Never." I shook my head, seeing the fight in his eyes to believe me, I reached for his hand and he took it, squeezing my fingers gently. "Order is necessary for Packs and Clans. Without them, people like Paul and Jordon can really hurt someone or worse. I know I should probably hate violence, but I understand when it's called for." I pulled him closer, and he let me, stepping towards me, and I cupped his strong jaw. "So, no. I'll never hate you for doing your job, if anything, it turned me on a little." I gave a nonchalant shrug.

Xavier laughed, raising a brow teasingly. "Oh, did you enjoy seeing a show of strength from your mates?"

I bit my lip, nodding.

He chuckled, leaning forward and kissing me for a moment, pushing himself between my legs to pull me against his waist.

"I have to keep cooking." He growled at me when I bit his lip.

I giggled.

"I hear you have recipes to teach me." I raised a brow, teasing.

"Would you like some private lessons?" He chuckled, my face and chest heated as he caught my lips in a passionate kiss, his hands cold from washing them brushed my skin under Dane's shirt.

"Yes, please." I moaned against him, my hands tangling in his hair to pull myself flush against him.

His arms bound around me, pressing my body against his and I moaned again.

"I want your mark," I said against his lips.

"Soon." He promised, his tongue darting into my mouth and fighting off my arguments as he kissed me deeply.

His hands turned rough. "I want you naked." Claws formed and he tore my clothing.

I gasped, leaning back as the cold air assaulted my suddenly naked body, he threw the remnants of my fabric to the floor.

I shivered, my n*****s hardening, and Xavier growled, staring at them.

"Kiss them," I begged.

He bent down, his hands wrapping my waist to hold me in place as his mouth fell over the hard n****e.

I cried out in pleasure, gripping his hair and pressing him against me as his teeth ground against the flesh.

"Xavier," I moaned.

He growled, his hand suddenly at my throat and he pushed me back, his mouth moving from my breast.

I whimpered then cried out as it fell over my p***y, his tongue finding my clit with ease.

He groaned as my juices flowed across his tongue as he licked through me; his hands moved to wrap my thighs, spreading me wider.

"Am I as good as you hoped?" I whined as he plunged his tongue deep inside of me.

It flicked and moved, a finger joining it to push more excitement from me.

"Even better," Xavier growled against my flesh.

I cried out, gripping his hair and pushing him deeper.

He added another finger, beginning to stroke and f**k me with a roughness that made me writhe as it pushed me to my edge.

"Uh! Xavier! I'm....more..I'm so close!" I whined, his tongue darting across my clit.

My eyes snapped open at the sound of growling in my ears.

Dane and Theo leaned over me, their hands covering my breasts and holding me down as Xavier turned ravenous against me.

"How's this?" Dane breathed in my ear, biting my neck where his mark sat.

I shuddered and moaned.

"Do you still need more?" Theo cooed.

I bit my lip and nodded.

Dane slapped my breast. "Words, Rose."

I yelped. "I need..." I gasped a moan. "f**k me, please!"