Chapter 30

Shortly after 10 the following morning, three helicopters landed in their yard. Two in the large backyard and one in the front. Standing outside on the porch was Bill and Misty. They had agreed to take care of the place while they were in Knoxville shopping. they were given instructions on the care of certain animals and access to money in case anything was needed in the way of feed, vet care or supplies of any kind.

After everyone else was in the other helicopters, Jaxson stood on the porch with Bill and Misty. He handed the couple the keys that they would need and locked up the house. Getting into the helicopter, Jaxson waved one final time as it took off for the thirty minute flight to Knoxville. Laying his head back, he grabbed Charlotte's hand and didn't let go until they had landed in the World's Fair Recreational Park next to the hotel.

Thankfully, it was empty. Probably by design. When your name is Graeham Frazier, you got what you wanted, regardless of rules or laws.

Charlotte's grandfather had arranged for Black Car service to the hotel across the street. the two limos pulled up at the hotel less than two minutes later. The only reason it had taken that long was the transfer of luggage to the limousine's trunks.

When they entered the hotel lobby, the concierge was waiting on them to personally escort them up to Graeham's suite. When they got there a butler opened the door and showed them to the large sitting area of the suite. There were several long sofas and large chairs to use. However, Charlotte didn't feel like sitting. She left Jaxson's side and went over to the closed curtain, wanting to see what should be a spectacular view. Reaching for it, she was stopped when a hand gently grabbed her wrist and pulled it back. Looking up, she realized that it was Hunter.

"Don't open the curtains, Charlotte. We are sure who knows that you are here and we really don't want to give any more information away than we already have."

Before Charlotte could comment a growl sounded and she heard behind her, "Let go. Now!" She realized that the voice was deep and gruff and that while it came out of Jaxson, it wasn't his. It was his bear. Turning around, she put her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. She could feel the next growl and raised her head and said, "Bear, please stop. He was just trying to stop me from making a mistake that could endanger us all. He really didn't hurt me."

"No touch Mate!" he growled out.

"Bear, look at me." When he did, she reached up to cup his face and bring it to her. Bending down, he let his lips touch hers and sighed. She was soft and warm and always smelled so good.

Lifting his head and looking back at her was Jaxson, not Bear. He groaned and said, "Oh god, I'm so sorry Charlotte. He did it again, didn't he?"

Charlotte smiled at her mate, and said, "It's okay, Jaxson. He was just being protective. I think Hunter touching his mate bothered him. I don't think he liked it very much."

"He didn't. Like any shifter, he doesn't really want any unmated males around you until you are claimed and we are fully mated." He explained.

"Son, I know Charlotte wants to wait until she's married, but I'm not sure it's going to be a good idea. Your bear might not be able to wait another day, let alone a week or more." Anders frowned as he considered how best to say what he was thinking. "Why don't you two go to your suite and discuss it and then tonight meet us in the dining room downstairs for dinner?"

"Charlotte?" She nodded.

Taking her hand, she let him lead her out of the suite and down the long hall, led by the concierge to a set of double doors. Using a black metal keycard he unlocked the down and ushered them into their suite. He gave them a brief tour, the entire time of which Jaxson was huffing. Having witnessed what he had in Mr. Frazier's suite, he hurried and handed over the keycard to Jaxson and told him how to reach the front desk. By the time the poor man was finished, Charlotte thought he would either pass out from fear or pee his pants. Jaxson was growling almost non-stop low in his throat and she knew that no matter what she said or did, it would not help.

When they finally shut the suite door, Jaxson turned to her and just drank her in. She was literally the most beautiful woman in the world to him. His dad was right. He didn't know if he could control his Bear any longer. He had found her and spent almost a month in her company and not claimed her. For a shifter that was unheard of.

Walking over to her, he grabbed her hips and pulled her close. He opened his mouth to speak and Charlotte reached up to place her palm gently over his mouth to stop him. As he watched, tears welled up in her eyes and spilled over. She looked so completely miserable.

"I'm sorry." She cried. "I didn't know that waiting would do this to you. I can't let you go through that."

"Charlotte hush. You want to wait until your vows are said. You want to be a pure bride on your wedding night, right? There is nothing wrong with that. I wholly support you. Bear does too. He loves you so much, that he just wants you to be happy. If waiting until our wedding night will make you happy, then we will wait."

"I...I...I don't think I want to wait any longer, Jaxson. Not at the cost of Bear or you being in pain or ready to lose control. I will not allow you to go through that when I can stop it. Isn't shifter mating like getting married in your world?"

Jaxson could have sworn that his heart stopped, when she asked her question. He couldn't get the words out of his mouth because a lump had formed in it, so he did the only thing he could do, he nodded.

"Let's mate Jaxson. Now, Right now. I want to be with you that way. I honestly don't think I want to wait any longer." She blushed as she said it.

"Are you sure Charlotte? This isn't something that can be taken back. Once it's done and I bite you to leave my mark, it's forever."

When asked that question, she stepped as close as she could get to him and placed one hand on his chest before nodding her head.

Without hesitating another second, he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom of the suite. He had noticed earlier that the bed was huge and he was so thoughtful for that.

Standing her up beside it, he leaned in and kissed her gently and whispered, "Last chance to change your mind."

Her answer was to reach out and unbuckle his belt and release the button of his jeans, then reach for his zipper.

Down the hall, Graeham looked over at Anders and then over at Rio. Raising an eyebrow, he asked Rio, "Well, down you need to go too?"

"Thank god! I thought you would never ask"

Rio looked down at Amber and saw the blush creeping over her face and almost laughed.

"All you had to do was say so, Amber." Rio had noticed that the concierge had re-entered the suite and when he heard this, he immediately indicated that he would escort them to their suite.

Once there, he gave them a tour and told them how to reach the front desk. Before he was finished Rio was not too politely showing him the door. Once the man was gone, He walked over to Amber and picked her up bridal style and carried her to the bedroom.

"Well, that happened. Rather quickly, didn't it?" Graeham said, slightly uncomfortable.

"You obviously know about shifters, Graeham, but you don't understand them. That is part of the reason why we are here. But, it looks like Miney and I will have to be the ones to talk to you about this plan of Charlotte's, since our boys and their mates are, uhhh, otherwise engaged." Miney snickered beside him.

"Just think, darling. Soon this will all be over and we should be having grandchildren soon. Then Bill and Misty are having a baby, as well. We get a lot in a short amount of time." Patting her mate on his thigh, she went to find the butler to see about an afternoon meal for them all.

Finding him, she caught a whiff of something, Then she realized that he was a shifter too. He was not a young man, but not older either. She would guess around her boy's age. Looking at him, she asked, "What kind?"

"Lion, ma'am. Mountain lion to be exact." He said quietly.

"How in the world did you end up here?" She asked gently.

"Looking for my mate, ma'am. I thought a hotel would be a great place to find her. But, so far, I haven't even caught so much as a whiff." He replied, sadly.

"My mate and I are the retired Alpha couple of a small town near Gatlinburg that was founded by shifters. We welcome all who want to come, and as I'm sure you have noticed that not all shifters have shifter mates. I'm human, both of my son's mates are human, our Gamma has a mate that is human."

Miney watched his face as she told him this. His eyes grew excited at finding out that there was a whole town of shifters close by and that he would be welcome.

"If when we leave, you would like to come with us, you are more than welcome to. No shifter should ever go without a chance to find his or her mate." The man was so thankful that he grabbed her hand and shook it vigorously while thanking her continually.

Forcefully, but gently, Miney pulled her hand from his. When he realized, he was embarrassed.

"Nonsense," Miney said, waving away the man's embarrassment.

"We would like some lunch. Can you arrange it?" At his nod, she left the man and joined the men.

They acknowledged her with a smile. "You are looking very pleased with yourself," Anders said, indulgently.

"We will discuss that later. Now, how about we make plans? The plans we talked about at Jaxson's home."

"What plans are you talking about, Miney?"

"We need to find a reporter and journalist that you know, who is extremely trustworthy. We plan to 'come out' to the world. I have already contacted several Alphas and Clan leaders and they agree. It's time we stop hiding who we are to the world. And we need help to do it with. Your help, Graeham." Anders said.

"This is the only way to keep Rio and Charlotte safe. I really don't like the idea all that much, but I do understand the importance of it."

"I actually have a whole network of trusted employees. All of them personally vetted by myself, Charles and Caleb. You tell me how you want to do this and I will start making the calls"

Before anyone else could say anymore two very loud back to back animal roars shook the walls of the hotel.

Miney turned to her mate and husband and smiled. "Well, it seems that Jaxson won't be on edge so much, after all."

"What does Jaxson have to do with that sound?" Graeham asked, confused.

"That sir, is a mating roar. It would seem that both of our sons have completed the mate bonding with Amber and Charlotte."

"You mean that Charlotte and Jaxson have..." Graeham couldn't finish the sentence.

"That is precisely what I mean, sir." Miney said as she smirked. "Poor Jaxson will always be somewhat volatile because he is the Alpha but it won't be so bad now."