Stealing My Heart Ch. 08

"Oracle?" Derek mouthed to Tomas with raised eyebrows. Tomas nodded excitedly.

"This pack needs you at that meeting," Jordan demanded, "and I'm not by myself," she insisted.

"But -"

"You know I'm right. The safety of this pack is more important than me. You'll never forgive yourself if something happens that could have been prevented with one meeting." Both Xavier and Jordan were surprised by the conviction evident in her words. Xavier was a little ashamed that he'd forgotten his duty to the pack so readily but proud that his mate was obviously strong and clearly his equal.

Jordan was surprised at the depth of feeling and loyalty she felt towards the pack in such a short time. While some of the pack was skeptical most welcomed her warmly. Xavier had given her the family she always wanted and she loved them because he loved them. Even though she didn't want to be separated from her mate the pack needed him so she would be strong.

"I'll be fine," Jordan reassured him for the millionth time that day as he nuzzled her neck affectionately. The couple was brought back to attention by the betas who they'd forgotten who openly joked as their tough Alpha succumbing once again to the tiny woman. Jordan covered her burning cheeks at their good natured jabs.

"Derek tell Zach he's going with me. You stay here and watch my mate," Derek nodded there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for his friend.

With the decision made the group started making plans. There was no guarantee that what the oracle foretold would come to pass while Xavier and his beta were away but they were taking no chances. Because the Felixes wanted as few wolves as possible in their territory Xavier and Isaiah Carson needed the strongest pack mates with them. Meaning they were both expected to bring their seconds Derek and Isaiah's son Carl. Bring a lower ranked beta might insult the Felixes, they might think Xavier didn't see them as a real power. But Derek was his absolute best fighter. He would protect his heart. He and the rest of the betas would be able to keep both Jordan and the rest of the pack safe from any lingering rogues. Zach was just as trusted and he could watch Xavier's back as well as Derek. Round the clock patrols would continue and Jordan reluctantly agreed to stay in the compound until Xavier's return.

Derek, Tomas, and Eva left to inform Zach and the rest of the betas of their new schedules and duties while the couple went up to their rooms.

Bags and clothes from Eva and Jordan's shopping spree were stacked in the sitting room. The room was filled with color from the decorative bags and tissue paper. Jordan smiled remembering how much unexpected fun she had with Eva. It was a memory she would always cherish.

"I should have never let Eva go shopping," Xavier sighed, shaking his head in amusement.

"It was actually fun. Besides you won't mind when I show you the things we bought," Jordan said with a sly smile, gliding her fingers over a small pink bag. She saw his eyes darken with lust and skipped away into the bedroom.

Xavier's body finally caught up with his erotic thoughts and deliberately stalked after his teasing mate. "What kinds of things?" Xavier said barely holding back his salivating wolf.

Strong yet small arms wrapped around him as she tipped her head back to stare into his dark emerald eyes. "You'll just have to wait until you return," she taunted in a low whisper before disentangling herself from his arms. "Besides, you have so little time to pack. I wouldn't want to distract you."

Xavier took off. He disappeared into the walk in closet, the doors swinging violently. When she peeked in after him he was whirling around grabbing clothes and stuffing them into a duffle haphazardly. Speeding out of the closet he tore the bathroom door open and threw a few things on top of the bundle before zipping the bag and tossing it towards the door.

"Done!" he puffed training his eyes on his bewildered mate. Before she knew it Jordan was caught up in Xavier's arms, pressed tightly to his hard warm chest. She barely had time to take a breath when Xavier's lips covered hers.

The kiss was deep and filled with longing as Jordan snaked her arms around his neck, tangling her fingers in his soft hair. Xavier dipped his tongue into her mouth, her hot sweet taste sending fire shooting through his veins and tightening his muscles. His arms crushing the petite woman until a short gasp slipped past her lips. The sound startled Xavier out of his needy haze. He loosened his grip to release her but Jordan clung to him even tighter. She was drunk on his scent and the and the warmth radiating off his skin. Part of her wondered how she could have come to need this man in such a short time but she pushed the thought away her passion rising in her mate's arms.

Relieved with her response Xavier's desire quickly rose to match his feisty mate. His hand drifted down to grasp her firm, round ass, and dragged her up his taut body. His grasp tightened when she eagerly leapt up to wrap her thighs around him and let out a low moan of pleasure.

Realizing he wasn't going to make it across the spacious room to the bed Xavier gently placed her delicious armful on the closest surface. Things hit the carpet with a soft thump in the frantic race to divest each other of the clothes that separated their heated naked skin.

Shirts flung hastily across the room followed by the remains of Jordan's bra. Xavier bent down to capture her straining, puckered nipples in his mouth but let out a strangled sound when Jordan pushed him back.

"Sorry baby, but I need you now," she whispered breathlessly, yanking at the fly of his dark jeans. Jordan had never experienced such a sudden burning desire. Her need for her body to be filled by her mate was intense, causing her hands to shake.

Xavier froze when could finally comprehend Jordan's passion laced words. Her desire for him thrilled and pleased him to no end. Small hands brushed achingly close to his cock to pull his pants roughly down his legs and wakening him from his stupor.

"I will give you anything you could ever desire if you say that again," Xavier confessed sincerely.

Jordan looked seductively up at him through dark lowered lashes, a small smirk playing on her lips. "I need you Xavier," she whispered as she pressed her soft unbound breasts against him."I need you now," she moaned.

As if struck by lightening Xavier ripped off Jordan's jeans and panties simultaneously tossing them to the floor. He pulled her smooth lithe legs apart encouraging her to wrap them around his hips once again. He looked down into her lovely hazel eyes as she placed her hands back on bureau to brace herself her breast lifting up to him.

"Mine!" Xavier growled, his wolf fighting to surface as he bent to take her left nipple into his mouth and drove his straining cock into her wet heat.

Jordan cried out in ecstasy at the sudden joining of their bodies. Tears slid down her face as Xavier's fast driving pace both heightened and relieved her need for the man filling her so entirely.

His body shook, his head went back as he grasped his mate's hips drawing her forward thrusting in hard even strokes. Xavier knew he wouldn't last long with Jordan's wet sheath squeezing him so tightly. Looking down his gaze wandered over his mate's alluring and receptive form. Her back arched, head thrown back, neck exposed in submission, her long chocolate hair pooling on the dresser she was perched so prettily on.

He tugged gently on her thighs urging her to hang on. He leaned forward, his lips traveled along her neck and collarbone, kissing and nibbling at her soft skin. He braced one hand on the bureau alongside his mate's, the other tucked between their bodies massaging her sensitive clit. His fingers were slick with their combined juices as he rubbed her in increasingly smaller circles. Jordan's trembling moans mingled with Xavier's deep growls of satisfaction.

The walls of Jordan's tight pussy pulsed quickly heralding her rapidly approaching climax. Xavier groaned in relief and picked up his pace, scraping softly over her clit adding to her pleasure. His bellow rang out barely a second after Jordan's bright cry while their bodies shook with their final release.

Xavier collapsed forward bracing his hands on the bureau behind his panting mate as she clung to his heaving shoulders. Both bodies shivered as the sweat cooled on their heated skin. As Jordan's grip weakened Xavier finally got his body under control. Using one hand he yanked up his jeans and while the other to scooped up his dozing mate. He carried her across the room and gently deposited her on their massive bed. Hurrying to the bathroom he grabbed a towel and tenderly cleaned their combined juices from her soft skin. He brushed her long brown hair back from her lovely face and wrapped a light blanket around her. Heart swelling with love and tenderness as he gazed down at her. Her unique beauty had him spellbound, he had no idea how long he watched her before Zach interrupted his reverie.

"Everything is ready," Zach reached out to his Alpha using their bond. He knew exactly what his Alphas were up to and knew better than to actually go to their door.Zach remembered what is was like when he first met his mate. Being apart for any amount of time seemed impossibly torturous.

Xavier sighed regretfully. "I guess I really am going to have to wait for your surprise." Jordan let out a weak chuckle. "I love you," he whispered and tenderly kissed his mate's forehead. Taking one last look and he turned to walk away when he felt Jordan's small hand close weakly around his fingers.

"I love you too," she replied with a warm smile, her eyes to heavy to open.

Anxiety threatened at the thought of leaving his mate but he forced it down and kept walking. Derek and his three top betas awaited him by the car.

"Did you enjoy your goodbye?" Derek smirked leaning on the hood of the car. Xavier tossed him a withering look that would have cowed a lesser man. But his best friend just smiled and tossed him the keys. "Everything is settled. The flight will take about 3 hours. We'll meet with the Felixes in the morning. If all goes we'll we will be back the following day.The pack is on guard." Derek's usual laughing smile turned uncharacteristically serious, "she will be just fine."

Derek was always a wise ass, cracking jokes, and a wide smile for everyone. Xavier couldn't count the times he had wanted to strangle the obnoxious wolf. But in the end Derek was a fierce warrior, loyal, and dependable. Derek always had his back and he appreciated that more than anything. Eva, Tomas, and Zach echoed Derek's promise

Xavier nodded in gratitude, threw his bag in the back of the SUV, and climbed behind the wheel. When Zach climbed in beside him Xavier was happy for Zach's calm demeanor, unlike Derek's well meaning pestering, Zach would give him the peace he needed during this trip

-----

Warm rays of sunlight bathed Jordan in comfort. A muffled rustling made her sit up rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Oh good! You're awake," a petite omega with wide brown eyes and unruly red curls came to the edge of the bed. "I have some clean clothes set out for you and a bath awaits my Alpha," she said bouncing happily and bowing her head respectfully.

"Um . . . thank you," Jordan sat up hugging the blanket to her naked body. "I'm so sorry but I don't remember your name."

"It's Jessica my Alpha. I take care of the housekeeping on this floor."

"Nice to meet you Jessica, I'm Jordan."

"Yes, I know Alpha," she giggled. "Eva told me to draw you a bath because the Alpha had probably given you a wild ride before he left. I mean you did sleep all evening and it's well into the morning now," Jessica exclaimed her giggling increasing when she noticed the deep blush of embarrassment creep into Jordan's cheeks. "Oh my goddess. I'm so sorry. Sometimes I forget to think before I speak," she said, her bubbly smile not wavering for a second.

"It's okay," Jordan said warming to the effervescent omega. "And a bath would be wonderful," she added sincerely. Sliding her legs off the bed Jordan wrapped the sheet securely about her body. Stretching her shaky limbs she felt the pleasing ache that she was coming to recognize.

"Of course my Alpha," Jessica said with a polite nod.

"You can call me Jordan." Being referred to as Alpha and the bowing were unnerving. People had rarely shown her any respect if they even noticed her. Jordan doubted that she would ever get used to the new position.

"When you're done Mina said to meet her in the kitchen . . . Alpha Jordan," Jessica smiled cheekily.

"Well," Jordan laughed, "I guess we can work on that later. Thanks again Jessica." Jessica gave her a bright warm smile and another nod, before she skipped from the room.

-----

"There you are!" Mina exclaimed bustling over to Jordan as she entered the homey kitchen. "Come, come. You missed dinner but I'll be damned if you starve on my watch," she said guiding Jordan to the table and dropping a heavily laden plate before her.

Jordan was about to protest but Mina watched her expectantly until she picked up the fork and began to eat. As the first bite passed her lips Jordan's hunger flared to life. Before she knew it she was licking the last drops of syrup from her empty plate. Looking up she found herself surrounded by chuckling women.

"Five bucks she eats the plate," Taryn said with a straight face.

"We really should stop her," Clara laughed making a grab for the plate.

Jordan let the female pry it from her fingers, "I promise I'm no threat to the tableware. I just don't think I've ever had such a delicious breakfast before."

"Well stick around child," Mina said waving the women back to their chores. "I'll make sure you're fed properly." Mina cupped Jordan's cheek affectionately. Mina couldn't help it. She could see the goodness in the woman Xavier had taken as his mate and she couldn't help but be protective of the her. During her long life she had learned to see a person's true nature more easily. She could see Jordan's kind yet emotionally scarred heart. She had never had a child of her own but she always saw Xavier as her's and now she had Jordan. Jordan had never had a mother but Mina was determined to fill that aching void in her life.

"Jordan," Eva said coming into the room," I wanted to give you a proper tour of your new home." Jordan rose thanking Mina profusely but Mina waved her gratitude off but secured her promise to be back for lunch.

Eva steered Jordan out into the sunlight. They started at the medical building to meet Luke the pack healer. They visited the nursery, storehouses, workshops, and even the surveillance building. Everywhere they went Eva watched as Jordan charmed the pack.

In medical Jordan comforted the few pack members Luke was seeing to. There was a pup with a broken arm who she distracted and entertained as Luke set the bone. She also calmed and comforted his anxious parents. Mara, who was having a difficult pregnancy, gushed cheerfully as she chatted with Jordan all about the nursery she was setting up and the names her and her mate were considering. Jordan didn't seem to realize how she was already bonding with the pack.

"She's amazing," Luke told Eva as they watched from the doorway. Luke had been the pack healer even before Xavier's father had been Alpha. He'd seen three different Alpha Queens come and go but there was something almost magical about Jordan. Some females slowly became Alphas but even as a human Jordan was already an Alpha and the pack couldn't help but respond.

Lenora smiled at Jordan as they entered the nursery but before she could welcome her the pups surrounded her. Terra, Lenora and Zach's daughter, bragged that she was already friends with the new Alpha. The other women were cautious for the pups sake but quickly warmed to her as soon as they saw her obvious love and tenderness for the pups.

Everywhere they went Jordan showed interest in even the most mundane of chores giving no regard for rank. Everyone from omegas to betas received the same warmth and respect. She wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty in the gardens, or helping organize the store rooms, she even got her clothes covered in car grease helping the garage attendants fix a stalled engine. She never complained and Eva had to almost drag her away from each place to continue the tour.

Every once in a while a pack member looked down at the tiny woman with a open disdain. But Jordan took it all in stride. Jordan never backed down from the harsh looks and barbed insults with admiral grace and poise but she also never engaged them. She seemed to be emanating a sense of calm everywhere she went. Drawing tension away from the more hostile pack mates.

On their way back to the kitchen for lunch the pair passed a group of females chatting in the yard.

"Alpha Jordan, Eva," Taryn called out waving them over. Smiling they turned back to join them. As they approached Eva sighed when she saw Katrine standing with the group. Katrine's haughty expression was nothing new to Eva. Katrine and Delia were the biggest thorns in her side. She was unhappy being an omega but didn't have the strength or skill to change her rank. Katrine and her friends sneered at Jordan as Taryn introduced her to the group. It was clear that she thought she'd found an easy target in the human. Eva prepared herself to protect Jordan from her attack.

"So you're finally stepping down Eva? It's about time," the lanky brunette's eyes glittered hostile, "but come on, she's not even a shifter. Not much of a human either," she looked down her sharp nose with a smirk.

"If our Alpha has his way she will be shifter soon enough," Taryn smiled making the group chuckle at the implication.

"She is not one of us and even if she was the human can't just step in without a challenge."

Eva barely contained her fury, her claws digging into her palms. The female had no right to question their Alpha's choice in mate. Before Eva could bare her teeth and smackdown the insolent female Jordan spoke up.

"Okay," Jordan said over the shocked whispers. "I accept your challenge," Jordan's hazel eyes met Katrine's surprised gaze. Stunned silence descended on the group. Eva blinked when she saw a slight glow behind Jordan's furious eyes.

Jordan didn't even know what made her say it. She knew she couldn't take even an omega shifter in a fight. She knew better than to start a fight she couldn't win but something possessive and primal inside her could not let this challenge go unanswered.

A small crowd had gathered drawn by the wave of power that washed through the small human. It had struck a chord in each of the gathered pack mates making them stare in awe at their Alpha's chosen mate. Eva was stunned. She had felt small burst of natural Alpha power from Jordan all day but this was something more. There was true power in this human and Jordan had no idea. Eva remembered the Oracle' words. He'd said Jordan was special. She was beginning to get a glimpse of understanding.

Eva shook her head trying to clear her thoughts when she heard Katrine's stutter, "I . . . I wasn't trying to challenge you," she whimpered shrinking under Jordan's power and stepping behind another shifter for cover. "I just wanted to make a point."

"I see," Jordan murmured. "Anyone else?" she asked turning her back on the cowering female in a clear dismissal and faced the crowd of awed and curious pack members who shifted uncomfortably. Though Jordan seemed fragile and weak to their basic senses their beasts knew instinctively that messing with this woman would be a grave mistake. There would be no denying Jordan's sheer power and position as Alpha.

Jordan waited but no one answered. "I may be just a human but I love Xavier and he chose me as his mate. As his mate, according to your laws, it is my duty to take up the mantel of Alpha Queen," she growled. "And as Alpha I swear to love and protect this pack with everything I am. If you believe my vow then stand down, but if anyone doubts my sincerity feel free to make your challenge."