Stealing My Heart Ch. 06

His erection pressed firmly against his jean zipper. He'd thought he would explode when he'd taken her in his mouth and felt her writhing. Imagining her naked in the shower was wrecking havoc on his control again. His wolf wanted to break down the door and join her but his mate wasn't ready. So Xavier pressed the heel of his hand to is to his aching groin and prayed to the Goddess for control.

A knock on the front door interrupted Xavier's mated induced purgatory. With a groan he rolled off the bed and got up. He scented Zach, his best tracker, on the other side and opened the door.

"Did you find anything?"

Knowing how important this was to his Alpha he immediately started his report. "What ever shifters were out here are gone now. However I scented three unknown shifters not two. Of those, two were those who trespassed in our territory. They were staking out a spot across the street there. Your mate's room was in clear view. One left earlier than the others but there has been too much time and other scents of the city have covered their scents. I can't track where they went or came from," Zach reported, then added, "I hate the city."

"Did anyone on your team recognize the scents?"

"Just the two that were in our territory. Two of them definitely smell like rogues. You know dirty and wild. But one of the ones who chased your mate didn't smell completely rogue. Maybe on the verge but not crossed over yet."

"The one that touched my mate was obviously a rogue," Xavier growled low and menacing. "And he attacked my mate before, his name was Marco. The other rogue who was with them must be the one Jordan said they called Simon," Xavier puzzled.

"I will work on getting those names out there. I'll make sure our pack members are on their guard. Someone working or living in the city has to have had contact with another shifter they didn't recognize. Even if they didn't realize they were rogue."

Even though Xavier would have liked to have at last had a location to track these rogues to, he was pleased with his lead trackers work. Zach was the best at what he did. No one had a better nose. He trained all their pack trackers. Some other packs even sent their potential trackers to be trained by him. If Zach said the scent was lost no one could find it again.

Xavier nodded, "Okay. Let me know the moment you hear anything."

"Of course," Zach was about to turn away when he added with a knowing smile, "How's the mate?" Of his close group Zach was the only one who was mated. Zach had found his mate early in his life. She had been a tracker in the Carson pack who had come to train with him. Zach had scented her before she had even crossed over into their territory. Shifting into his wolf form he had sprung on her the moment he saw her.

"A little shook up. But she's strong, a fighter. She'll be an amazing Alpha Female." The pride and confidence showed in his voice and body. Zach smiled, thrilled for his friend, and left the motel with his trackers.

Xavier closed the door and returned to the bed as the bathroom door clicked open. His mate stepped out smoothing down the skirt of her lavender dress. It was a simple worn cotton summer dress that she wore with a pair of black flats. The simple dress seemed made for her, it hugged her curves and stopped just above her knees highlighting her graceful legs. The color of the dress made her smooth skin glow with warmth and invitation. Her hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail that flowed over her shoulder.

"Do I look okay?" she asked nervously.

"Gorgeous," he said taking her bag from her hand and wrapping his arm around her. "Absolutely perfect."

*****

It was almost 2 o'clock when they arrived at the main house. The drive had been spent in comfortable silence. Jordan loved the journey through the sun dappled woods. The serenity of it adding to the dream like state she had been in since the night before. She kept finding herself staring in awe and affection at the man beside her and blushing profusely when he caught her. Xavier couldn't help but grin.

Jordan tore her eyes away from her mate when the woods opened up into a wide clearing and a gorgeous, towering white house was spread before them. Eyes wide, her jaw dropped. Xavier chuckled at her expression.

"I thought you said you lived in a house!," Jordan exclaimed.

"This is my house," Xavier said confused and suddenly anxious. What if his mate didn't like his home. He thought nervously. Then we will make her a new den, his wolf grumbled irritatedly at his human's stupidity. Somehow that didn't make Xavier feel better.

"No," Jordan said waving her hands frantically, "that's a freakin' mansion."

"You don't like it?" Xavier asked sheepishly.

Jordan recognized his worries and reached out to him. "Baby, it's beautiful," she said sincerely. "I just suddenly feel like that dirty homeless person everyone pities but no one wants in their home. The one everyone watches to make sure they aren't stealing the silver and pocketing the family jewels. I mean, I am homeless it's not that far of a stretch," Jordan sighed morosely. "I just don't want to embarrass you or sully your beautiful home," she added miserably looking down at her hands twisting in her lap. Suddenly this didn't seem like such a good idea. She didn't want to be seen as "that thing" Xavier brought home, especially to the people Xavier loved and saw as his extended family.

Xavier had pulled up in front of the house and could sense the shifters eagerly watching the car from behind the curtains. He was suddenly glad of the tinted windows that gave them a little privacy. Xavier was alarmed at Jordan's outburst. While it was true a few of his pack would look down on his choice of mate, the majority were thrilled. Turning towards her he reached out and tilted her chin up to look at him. Her soft skin and the tears she bravely help back melted him a little more.

"Kitten, do you know how excited my pack is to meet you? It's not everyday a shifter finds their mate. It can take centuries. It's a blessing from the goddess and a cause for celebration. Sure, there are nasty people in every group but once they meet you I'm sure most of them will love you almost as much as I do."

"But... " Xavier shushed her interruption and went on.

"This is your home now and you will have one with me as long as you're willing to stay." Xavier gently brushed away an escaped tear. "Derek told them all about how you stole my wallet and frankly, most of them are kind of impressed. I will never live that down," Xavier said with a put upon sigh making Jordan smile wobbly. "Thanks for that. Kitten you have nothing to worry about." Xavier placed a gentle kiss on her lips before letting her go.

With a straight face, eyes glowing slightly, he growled "Besides, if anyone even looks at you wrong I'll kill them." Not realizing he was dead serious Jordan laughed and wiped the escaped tears from her face.

"Okay," Jordan said taking a deep breath, "my insecurities have been stuffed back in their box. I'm ready." Before she could psych herself out again she stepped out of the car. Xavier hurried to meet her in front of the car and took her hand. Together they walked up to the house.

The door swung open as they reached the porch to reveal a woman. She was elegant even with her hair pulled back in a severe bun and wearing a stained apron over her flowing dress. Her brown eyes sparkled and smiled despite the glare she sent Xavier's way.

"Do you know what time it is? I have been waiting all day for you to get back! After you ran out of here like a maniac no one knew what had happened or where you went. Do you know how worried I've been?" Xavier opened his mouth to answer but the woman kept going. "I thought I taught you better." She snatched up an umbrella from a stand by the door and brandished it wildly at Xavier who took a step back. "Didn't bother to call! We had to call your phone five times before you picked up. Pup I don't care if you're Alpha I will spank you." By this time a small group of shifters had gathered. First gaping in shock then hiding wide smiles and tears of laughter. "Left without breakfast. Damn near gave me a heart attack. Pup I should... "

A loud snort followed by bright peals of laughter exploded from Jordan interrupting the tirade. Everyone's attention turned to the tiny human beside their Alpha. Seeing Xavier's incredulous look she tried and failed to get her laughter under control.

"I'm so sorry baby," she chuckled finally calming a bit. "If I'd known I'd get you in so much trouble I wouldn't have called so early."

"Nonsense, " Mina said primly with a careless wave of her hand, "he's your mate he's supposed to do whatever you tell him."

"I don't think... " a dark glare from Mina and Xavier's jaw snapped shut.

"Now let me look at you," Mina drew Jordan into the house. The foyer had high windows allowing in a lot of warm golden sunshine. A grand staircase sat to the side leading to the upper floors while across from the front door was a hall that led deeper into the house. Jordan couldn't help but gape in wonder. A few giggles brought a blush to her cheeks and Mina shooed away the watching crowd.

"Now aren't you a beautiful little thing. I'm so happy you are finally here." Jordan found herself swept into a tight hug. Despite Xavier's assurances she'd still had her doubts. But now wrapped in the welcoming arms of this woman she felt some of her fears melt away.

"Look at me crying like a child," she smiled and wiped her tears when she finally let Jordan go. "Come, come I have food in the kitchen for you. We can talk there."

Mina fussed over Jordan all the way down the hall while Xavier followed sheepishly behind them like a lost puppy.

"I've got so much to tell you," Mina said sitting Jordan down. Before she continued Mina turned to find Xavier awkwardly shifting in the doorway. "What are you still doing here? I'm sure you have things you need to be doing right about now," she said sternly.

"Mina I can't just leave my mate here," Xavier tried to explain.

"Why not? You don't trust me to take care of her" Mina asked haughtily.

"No, that's not... "

"You think I'd let someone hurt her?"

"No but... "

"You don't think she can handle herself?" Xavier shook his head. He should have known not to argue with Mina. He could never win. Xavier's expression reminded Jordan of a little boy caught sneaking cookies before dinner.

Mina softened looking at Xavier with obvious affection. Patting his shoulder, Mina assured him Jordan would be fine. "Besides you can't be with her all the time. You got to let her stand on her own feet. Now go on you'll see her soon enough."

A mischievous glint entered Xavier's eye. Quickly he dodged around Mina into the forbidden zone of the kitchen.

"Hey!" Mina cried as he swept Jordan into his arms and kissed her soundly. With a huge grin he swiped a roll off the cooling rack, escaping out the open sliding glass door into the pack grounds behind the house.

Mina shook her head and smiled. "I'll let it slide this time," she called out the door. The shifters working in the kitchen laughed. "But only because he finally brought me his mate," she winked at her helpers and went to join Jordan at the table.