Free Pack Alpha by Crissy Smith Page B

he slammed and pounded into her harder. She could take it, loved it. No human lover could ever match the way a shifter could move.
    “Oh, oh,” Marissa panted. She was there, ready to explode.
    “Stay with me,” Gage grunted out, plunging inside incredibly fast and hard.
    Marissa’s body spasmed. Reaching up, she grabbed his arms. “Yes. More.”
    Roaring as if his control was gone, he took her not only as a man takes a woman but also as a wolf would take his mate. She was still screaming when the first orgasm passed and another hit stronger, taking all her breath away. Gage threw his head back and yelled out his own release before collapsing on top of her.
     
    * * * *
     
    The day of the ceremony was busy for both Elizabeth and Marissa. Marissa took extra time to help her sister get ready—drawing Elizabeth a hot scented bath, fixing her hair and makeup before helping her dress.
    “That dress is beautiful. You are beautiful,” Marissa told her sister, trying to hold back the tears. For the first time that she could ever remember the tears were good and not from pain. Elizabeth was shining and to Marissa she had never been more beautiful as she was at that moment.
    Her loose white dress brought out her natural coloring and flowed around her curves. Marissa straightened one of Elizabeth’s straps before she stood back to just admire her.
    Elizabeth was bouncing on her toes. “I can’t believe it’s finally here. I’m going to perform the mating ceremony.”
    Marissa leaned over and kissed her sister’s cheek. “Not if you don’t hurry.”
    Laughing, Elizabeth twirled around. “I’m ready.”
    Taking her hand, Marissa smiled. “Then I’d better get you there.”
    As she started to lead her from the room, Elizabeth pulled her back. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly.
    “There’s nothing to be sorry about,” Marissa assured, and meant it. They hadn’t spoken about what Gage had revealed, instead concentrating on the ceremony and enjoying each other’s company. It had been wonderful to relax, laugh and talk without having anything hanging over their heads. She’d hoped they could get through the day without the subject being brought up.
    Elizabeth stood in front of her, and Marissa knew that regardless of how long she had avoided this talk, it was going to happen now. Or her sister wouldn’t go.
    “I love you,” Marissa started, going with honesty. “I will admit that over the years I’ve been jealous of you. I didn’t want to be different. I wanted to be either a were or a human.”
    “Oh, honey.”
    Marissa shook her head, cutting off Elizabeth’s sympathy. “No. It’s not your fault and it’s not mine. Talking with Gage and Logan, I realized we both had a bad deal. We both deserved a better Pack than we got.”
    “If I’d have known…”
    Marissa hugged her then cupped her cheek. “But you didn’t. Please, I want to give you this day. I want everything to be perfect for you. I’m okay.”
    “But…”
    “I’m okay, Elizabeth. Please believe me.” Marissa needed Elizabeth to drop it. If she kept busy and let Elizabeth’s happiness fill her she didn’t have to think of everything she’d missed out on.
    “Okay.” Elizabeth took a deep breath and Marissa was glad her sister hadn’t cried. They didn’t have time to fix her makeup. They were already late.
    “So, let’s go!” Marissa ushered her toward the door.
    Elizabeth smiled but didn’t move. “One more question.”
    She knew what was coming. Even knowing didn’t help with the answer.
    “What about you and Gage?” Elizabeth asked.
    “I don’t know.” Marissa could only tell her the truth. The last few days with Gage had been wonderful but also confusing. She wanted the Alpha more each time they were together. It was like she couldn’t get enough of him. For an independent woman who’d never given a thought to settling down, her relationship with Gage confused her.
    “But you do care about him.”
    “I do,”