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Chapter 40:
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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Mate's Gamble Chapter 41: Hey Babe
I swoop in for another hit, but Bentley swipes his other leg around, taking my feet out from under me. It forces a grunt from my lips as I land on my back, gasping for air. My vision waivers and panic colors my mind again. I trained to fight blind. Shit, I used that training against Evan, but Evan wasn’t even close to the warrior that Bentley is. Breaking his leg was sheer luck on my part and it’s feeling like that luck may be running out. I suck in as much air as I can before rolling away from him and forcing myself up, carefully avoiding my injured arm. Bentley stands only ten feet away, his eyes wild with bloodlust. Onyx told us that training and an actual fight are very different, that we should be prepared to do whatever it takes to live. For me, that means playing smart and maybe a little unfair. But with life or death, is there really ever an ‘unfair’ way to survive? Bentley lunges for me, a clumsy attack as he stumbles and I easily evade him. In his desperation, he comes aga
Mate's Gamble Chapter 42: Change of plan
*Onyx POV*I don’t think my heart rate will ever slow down after watching Tilly fight Bentley. I could have saved her, thrown the asshole off and ripped his throat out, but it wasn’t just a fight for Tilly. This was proof that when it comes down to it, she is capable and she needs to know it.Shit, I needed to know it, too. It doesn’t mean that I wasn’t ready to jump in, because I was. Tilly wouldn’t have lost, but I won’t ever let her know that. Her victory means so much more if she feels like she was alone.With every step, the top of my hand touches hers, my fingers craving her touch and for some reason, she allows me this. Maybe because she needs it as much as I do. I meant what I said. I know now I can’t force Tilly into accepting me. She is easily the most stubborn person I have ever met, probably why she would be so perfect for someone like me. So many expect lunas to stay silent, play a role where they stand by their alpha’s side and lead together, never questioning each othe
Mate's Gamble Chapter 43: Games
*Anna POV*Alpha Ian keeps shooting me strange glances in the rearview mirror. It’s like he has something to say to me, but just can’t quite bring himself to say it. Maybe it’s because we are finally hitting his family’s pack land, or maybe he is finally catching on to my little secret. A small part of me hopes he tries to question me to see if I’m Tilly. There is not a doubt in my mind that I would pass any test given concerning her.“You going to ask me a question or just keep staring at me?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest. Ian narrows his eyes.“Tell me about your mother…”I shrug. “She is a badass warrior, the head trainer, now with Harold.”He quirks a brow and I internally shrink. I probably shouldn’t have called him Harold, but dad. “Harold? You mean your dad?” “How do you know who Harold is to me?” Ian shrugs. “I know things. I’ve done my research on you.”Clearly not very much if he thinks I’m her. Certainly, if he had dug hard enough, he would have found a photo or
Mate's Gamble Chapter 44: Back up plan
*Tilly POV* “Are you okay?” Ty asks. I only nod in affirmation. Physically, I’m a little messed up. Okay, a little more than a little, but my alpha blood is working overtime to heal me faster. “She will heal.” Onyx says, sliding a glance in my direction as he stomps out the remaining fire coals with his boots. I roll my eyes and scoff. “Good to know that the mate bond is still going strong on your end.” I mutter, feeling a little miffed he doesn’t seem worried. Onyx tilts his head and turns to face me, a glint of mischief in his eyes as he saunters closer. “What was that, Til? I couldn’t hear what you said,” he asks in a husky voice. I gulp and rub my sore arm. This liar heard every word. “Nothing.” I mutter, trying not to be hypnotized by the look in his eyes, but damn it, I can’t bring myself to look away. “I would very much love to sweep you off your feet and kiss every bump and bruise to make it better, Tilly.” He stops in front of me, leaving my cheeks red as he reaches
Mate's Gamble Chapter 45: Waiting for rescue
*Anna POV*Three days. Three days of sitting in this dark, dirty hole and receiving nothing but moldy meat that smells worse than it looks. Ian hasn’t shown up once since instructing the men to put me out of sight. I have, however, had one regular visitor several times a day. The woman who I am almost certain is Tilly’s grandma. She hasn’t told me that’s who she is. In fact, she hasn’t said a damn thing. But I can see a small resemblance to my best friend and it’s oddly comforting.The door in the distance creaks on its rusty hinges and I wait for the onslaught of light that they like to drench me in randomly, just to hurt my eyes. I sigh in relief when I hear the distinct hobble of the elderly woman as she comes closer with her little reading light and stool in hand. When she stops in front of me, she huffs out a heavy sigh and sets down her things before approaching the bars and staring at me.“I know your granddaughter.” I say. My voice is hoarse and painful courtesy of the silver
Mate's Gamble Chapter 46: In action
*Tilly POV* Ty looks at me, giving me the signal that it’s time to start our plan. Well, not the actual plan. But the plan to put the back-up plan in place. The one that will at least get us some backup if shit goes sideways. Which, if we are being realistic, it will. It always does. That’s why you never have just one plan. “This is such fucking bullshit.” Ty mutters. “What is?” I ask. As I suck in a breath to ready myself for the onslaught of his words. It’s all a part of the plan. The huge fight, the painful words that even though I know he doesn’t mean them, they will still sting like hell. “All of this.” he stops and groans in frustration. Onyx and Georgie stop to see what is going on, but neither say anything. Onyx’s eyes skirt between Ty and me, waiting to jump in if needed while Georgie looks entertained and excited about something dramatic. “Uh…the trees?” I ask, trying to egg him on. I need to find the perfect balance of bitchy annoyance and genuine curiosity. Which m
Mate's Gamble Chapter 47: Used
Georgie walks ahead of us, Onyx walking as close as possible without touching me. I know I can’t feel the bond, not as a rogue, but my heart still yearns for his touch, my body crying out for the feel of his skin. It’s not a feeling of lust where I need to jump his bones and find that spot of ecstasy, though. It’s the need for comfort, for him to hold my hand and promise he still wants me. Not that he hasn’t been saying that all along, but I think when you love someone and you’ve never really known you were all that lovable, it makes you a little clingy. At least that’s what it is in my case.Onyx hasn’t spoken since I told him I would hear him out. Heavy silence envelopes us, like doom is coming and airing our issues might be the last goodbye. It’s like kissing your spouse before marching off to war, that feeling it may be your last. But I need this closure on our very recent past if we can ever hope to build a future. “Harriet is…”“My new gamma.” Onyx answers, looking down at his
Mate's Gamble Chapter 48: A funeral
Onyx’s hands cup my face, pulling me impossibly close as his lips devour mine. His tongue runs along my bottom lip before he plunges it into my mouth with a needy moan. I cling to him for dear life as I whimper in delight at the onslaught. My wolf and I have craved this since the moment we knew he was supposed to be ours. Mate bond or not, this feels so right. His hands tangle into my loose updo and I drag my nails up and down his back, pulling my body tight to his. I want to stay here forever, lost in his touch, but my alarm bells are ringing in my head, telling me time is up. Onyx must feel it too as he slows his lips, lengthening our kisses to a more controlled sampling of what will come. I whine as he stops, panting, and presses his cheek to mine to calm himself. “If we do not stop now, I won’t be able to control my wolf in marking you.” He whispers hoarsely. My skin goosebumps at the promise and I shudder in his arms. “I know.” I breathe back. Onyx’s hand falls to the nape o
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Mate's Gamble Thank you!
I can honestly say I have the best readers! Thank you for always giving my books and characters a chance! Tilly was one of a kind and writing her story was one of the best times I’ve had writing. Her sass and emotional growth journey were so special to me! I hope you will hit the follow button in the app so you can get a notice when I get my next book up an going! Currently I have the sequel to Rebel Rising: The Lost Alph’s mate in the works but I won’t be posting it until I have at least 5-10 chapters. So read up on book one! If you are all caught up on my books I have a few authors I will always recommend: Alle, J Tarr, Allie Carstens and Emma Taylor! All four of these authors have fun and original ideas that always blow me away. Join my group online called Miri’s Shifter Cafe for updates on my work, more about me and characters! (I can’t name where the group is but it starts with “Face” and ends with “book”)Until the next journey, all my love
Mate's Gamble Epilogue
*Onyx POV** SIX YEARS LATER*Tilly’s leg bounces nervously in the seat next to me as I chuckle to myself, shaking my head. She instantly shoots me an annoyed glare. In six years, I still can’t get enough of her, annoyed or not. Hell, sometimes I prefer her annoyed. It makes for a very fun game of groveling at the end of the day. Her glare slowly morphs into a hidden smile as my emotions transfer to her. “Stop it.” She hisses and I shake my head, looking at the road before us.“I didn’t do anything,” I laugh.“I can feel you being amused and…stuff. It’s like you don’t even care about me and my feelings.” She fakes a whine, her lips turning into a big pout, and I growl in my chest. “Oooh, Oh I promise you, I care VERY much about feeling you. Uh, I mean your feelings.”She groans and presses her head on the back of the headrest. “You know how…” She pauses and looks behind her at the perfect five-year-old little boy we created who watches us intently. Then she looks back at me, her ch
Mate's Gamble *BONUS CHAPTER*
***Bonus Chapter****Anna POV*Tilly looks perfect in her usual oversized top and scuffed up jeans. If I would have had it my way, that girl would be in the most expensive lace dress Onyx could muster up, but that wouldn’t be her. That would be me dressing her and honestly…She looks just as good right now as she would in any dress. It’s not the clothing she is wearing that makes it, but the smile on her lips that I am certain will remain there until the end of our days. It wasn’t easy keeping this secret from her, but damn, was it worth it. Onyx looks at her like our wolves look at the moon. She is more than his mate but his everything, and damn it, she deserves it. I think when the Goddess made their union; she knew Tilly would need a little extra from her mate. She and Onyx dance as the rest of the party guests leave, heading home just as the sun rises. It was one long ass party, that is for sure, and I am exhausted. Ty’s hand slides into mine, lifting it to his lip and pressing a
Mate's Gamble Chapter 65: No where else
*Two weeks later**Tilly POV*One week in my new pack and I can, with absolute certainty, say that I have found my home. The pack is full of genuinely kind pack members. I have not had a single day without at least three cookies for breakfast and that is NOT a complaint. Onyx made the joke that they love me more than him, but I think they are just happy he is happy. It makes sense now why he felt he had to make a promise to them to take Harriet as his mate. She emulates what his pack is, and she is truly beloved by them all. But she is more cherished as a Gamma, more loved by her true mate than she would have been by a chosen one. And she deserves to be with the man meant to complete her. Just like I deserve the love I have with Onyx. It took some acceptance and I’ve got a long way to go, but I deserve it. Just like everyone else. I am meant to be here. With them. With him. My whole life, I have craved this fairy tale of someone being able to love me. I gave up the notion I could e
Mate's Gamble Chapter 65: problem solving
“Are you sore?” Onyx teases me as I limp to the bathroom, looking back to shoot him a glare. “No.” I lie and bite back a smile. “Mmm, good.” He murmurs, making the bed. “Means I can go harder tonight.” I gulp as a pang of needy pleasure shoots right for my sore bits, and I curse Onyx under my breath. He knows what his words do to me, and he is taking great pleasure in my struggle for more of him while my body simultaneously begs for reprieve. I’m a glutton for sweet, delicious punishment at his hands, apparently. He surprises me as he wraps his hands around my tummy from behind his chin finding the crook of my neck and he presses his cheek flush to mine. Then he walks me to the window, showing me the stunning view of snow-capped mountains as the sun cascades down on them. The world has been awake for hours while we had snuggled in the comfort of our bubble. “That’s home,” he mutters, nuzzling my jawline and dropping two kisses there. “Our home. Just beyond the mountains.” “Hm
Mate's Gamble Chapter 64: True love
Onyx eats the last of the pesto chicken and stands from the bed, taking our plates and setting them on the desk near the door. When he spins around, he has a glint in his eyes and I blush as his emotions flood my mind. It seems he is hungry again. Instead of coming to me, he moves to the bathroom to clean himself up and I chuckle to myself as my body is ravaged by the barrage of emotions he still has hammering into me. When he walks back out, he is clean shaven, his perfectly angled jawline on full display and it does to me exactly what the v shape at his waist does. Which is going to be great when we are in public. Nothing wrong with being hot and bothered ALL the time, right? His smile morphs into a sheepish grin as he stalks over to me, his eyes dark and his hands dropping to the waistband of his shorts. Before he shimmies them off and leaps onto the bed. I howl in laughter, giggling as he reaches out and takes hold of my ankles, yanking me down onto my back. Onyx then crawls u
Mate's Gamble Chapter 63: 24 hours
*Tilly POV*“I hate meetings,” I whisper to Anna, who elbows me in my side. I stick my tongue out at her and she rolls her eyes before biting back a smile. Onyx reaches out and takes my hand, entwining our fingers as he pulls me back to the conversation that’s about to start.“Behave,” he whispers in my ear, but I hear the smile there. He prefers it when I misbehave and we both know it. It was my lack of decorum that drew him to me in the first place, right? My grandmother sits to the right of my grandfather and to his left another middle-aged man with a peppering of gray in his black hair. I tilt my head, trying to figure out who he is when my grandfather clears his throat, calling everyone’s attention. Only respective alphas and their mates are here. Anna being the exception to the rule since she will take the role once she gets home since she has found her mate.“I would like to first start by apologizing profusely.” My grandpa mutters, his eyes much clearer than they had been whe
Mate's Gamble Chapter 62: Groveling
I stand, and in one singular motion, I lift her and spin so she is on my lap. She rises on her knees, hovering just above me as I look up at her. The light shines from behind her, illuminating her hair and outlining the curves of her body as water splashes off her skin.The look in her eyes, that shy hunger, has my heart stuttering in my chest. I reach up, gingerly stroking her cheek before wrapping my hand around the nape of her neck and yank her lips to mine in a needy kiss. Her body presses to mine and the shock of how strong the sparks are makes us both gasp. She giggles into my mouth and it sends a thrill through me and down to the place where I need our bodies to meet.There is nothing I need more than to feel her in every way. But we are on her time right now. Meeting or not, nothing will make me rush this, rush her. Why the hell would I want to? I want to lap up every damn second like the thirsty wolf I am. I nibble on her bottom lip, then press my tongue along her lips, sea
Mate's Gamble Chapter 61: Yes, my Luna.
*Onyx POV*We are all on edge, as we should be, considering where we are, but if what Tilly and Anna have told me is true, I think they are trustworthy. Not to mention Tilly is now this pack’s only hope of survival. To attack her or anyone she wishes to protect is death to the pack with no redemption. And it’s their own dumb rules that tied their hands like this.The boy leading us to our room stops for a minute and then turns toward Tilly. She clings to me, her pain seeping through the mate bond, notifying me she has once again done too much too soon. She should have just let me carry her the entire way. “If you need anything, just stick your head out and holler. I’ve already put clean towels and linens out. Audra, the she-wolf attending to you will be by with some clothing that fits.” He then gives a curt bow and walks off. “Well, that was interesting…” Tilly says, then her tired gray eyes look up at me. “Do we have servants like this in our pack?”My heart swells at her words. Ou
