Chapter Sixteen
Alicia rubbed her forehead as she opened her eyes then squinted against the harsh light. Where was she? A soft moan to her right let her know she wasn’t alone.
“Ow.”
“I know, my head is pounding too. Any idea where we are?” Alicia kept her voice down.
“No, but if Dom was responsible for this we must be at his pack headquarters.” Stacey sat up and looked around. “How long do you think Max and Patrick will take to get here?”
“I don’t know. Are you okay? Can you face him if you have to?”
“I don’t really have a choice, do I?” Her voice cracked a little. “The thought scares the crap out of me. He’s brutal and the moment he realizes the truth he will kill me.”
“Not going to happen.” Alicia adjusted her robe and felt something in her pocket. “Oh shit.”
“What?”
Alicia pulled the necklace out of her pocket.
“You brought the Tears with you?”
“I’m supposed to wear them during the ceremony. Remember?” She slipped it on and pulled her robe tight. “I never took it out of my pocket.”
“If he realizes what you have…”
“Which is why I’m wearing it. And what if he has microphones in here?” Alicia asked.
“You pitched your voice the moment you realized you had them. I wish him luck trying to hear our conversation.”
“He has to know we’re awake by now. I suspect we’ll be seeing his ugly face soon.”
“We’re not worthy of seeing him. I’m sure we’ll see another member of his pack instead,” Stacey corrected.
Alicia knew Max wanted him visible when they came to rescue them. That was when he would confront him but if he stayed hidden there would be a problem.
“He will see us as soon as he deems fit,” Stacey assured her. “He has to know who he has by now. He’s just going to make us wait. If he gets wind of Max coming more than likely we will be his shield.”
“Oh, that will make Max real happy.”
***
Max and Patrick circled the area, looking for an opening.
“He did a good job sealing everything off. There’s no way we can approach without being spotted,” said Patrick.
“Then I think we should just walk in.” Max shifted back and pulled the backpack off of Patrick’s back. They dressed then stepped out into the lights surrounding the compound. “We know you’re there, Dom. Come out and face us.”
Another young man stepped out into the open area where they were. “Sorry, but Dom can’t see you right now. He’s a bit busy.”
Max growled, but Patrick was the one who spoke. “You have our women so we will see Dom whether he has time or not. I will rip your head off if you try to stop us.”
The young man bowed his head and stepped back.
They strode by him without any acknowledgement. Patrick stopped long enough to give the young man a couple of strikes that would keep him out for hours. They didn’t need him rallying men to attack before their people secured the compound.
Patrick slammed the door of their main building open. “Show yourself, Dom!”
The man in question stepped into the room. “So you’re his lap dog again?”
“No more than the man who greeted us is yours, or is that how you treat your people? Showing how much you think they are beneath you by using such slanderous words to describe them?”
“You will not speak to me in such a manner.” Dom sat in a large chair sitting up on a dais.
“I will speak to you any way I please. You are no alpha. You rule with fear and punishment as a reward for questioning your ways.”
“And what? Your precious leader is kind and considerate? How does he prove he is your alpha if he doesn’t have to keep you in line?”
“Why should I try to explain? You won’t listen to me anyway. All we want are the women. Once we’re sure they’re safe we will talk. Perhaps there’s hope for you yet.”
“You can’t have the women. I will fight your alpha for them, but I’m not going to just hand those two over to you.”
“Fine. Then you will fight Max for his mate, but first you must face me.”
“You? Why?”
“Because the other woman is my mate and I have the right to call you out because you took her.”
“Stacey? She can’t be your mate she is betrothed to me.”
“Your father never made the betrothal binding. She has lived with the fear of you claiming her all her life. At least until I came into her life and she learned the truth. I am her mate and she is carrying my child. I am alpha to you and I will defeat you.”
“Nice speech,” Dom said it calmly, but Patrick could smell his anger.
“You haven’t talked to them yet. Have you?” Patrick smiled. “Not a problem. Bring them out. Now.”
“You don’t have my permission to make demands,” he growled at Patrick as he stood up.
“You don’t have the right to speak to me like I’m one of your lackeys,” Patrick growled back. “I will rip your throat out if you don’t bring my mate to me.”
“You want your so-called mate to watch me kill you?”
“I want her to see how well I’ll protect her for the rest of her life. That I have the ability to vanquish anyone who threatens our family.” He stood still for a moment, taking a deep breath. “Stacey?”
“She isn’t here.”
“Yes, she is. Her scent is here. Maybe not in this building, but she is here.” Patrick moved toward the door to his right. “If you’re not going to bring her out I’m going to find her.”
“Fine.” Dom snapped his fingers. One of his men came out, bowed, then disappeared.
In minutes, the women were escorted in. Alicia took a step toward Max and one of the men grabbed her arm. She punched him in the throat, pulled her arm out of his grasp as he collapsed in front of her, then marched to her mate’s side.
Patrick looked at Stacey, wanting her to do the same thing. He knew her fear could keep her right where she was. He smiled when she walked to his side. Wrapping his arms around her he pulled her close. Closing his eyes as her essence filled his senses. “You okay?”
She nodded.
“Go stand with Alicia and Max. I need to take care of him first.”
“You?” She touched his face. “Please be careful. He cheats.”
Patrick stood tall and proud while he waited.
Dom walked toward him, then veered over to where Stacey stood. He took a sniff and growled. “How dare you mate with another man. You were supposed to be mine.” He raised his hand to strike her.
“You touch her and I will kill you.” Patrick grabbed the arm swinging to hit Stacey and jerked it toward him.
Dom pulled out of the hold and went to strike Patrick, who ducked the attack and struck him in the jaw with his fist. They continued to move, circling each other as they looked for an opening. Dom charged at him, trying to put him in a headlock. Patrick shifted around, sliding out of the hold before he could lock it down, then he slipped behind him and wrapped his arm around him in a chokehold. Dom got out of it easily.
They kept moving around each other, no one getting the better of the two.
***
“They are evenly matched.” Max leaned toward Alicia as he spoke.
“Is that good or bad?”
“Good. Patrick hasn’t used any of the training I’ve taught him as my second.”
“And they haven’t shifted.”
“Exactly.” He wrapped his arms around her. “They are waiting for the members of our packs to arrive.”
“Everyone is coming here?”
“This has to be witnessed properly for it to count.” Max looked down at her. “You don’t have to watch.”
“I am part of this pack.”
“And no one would think less of you if you wanted to go be with your parents while this is decided.”
She made a face. “I am your mate and don’t want to learn the outcome from some stranger.”
“No one would think less of you. They still believe you’re human.”
“I could always shift.”
“Then everyone would know the truth.”
“Shouldn’t our pack know the truth anyway?” She leaned into his strength.
Max looked at her. “Are you ready for them to know the truth?”
She thought about it for a moment and nodded.
“Then I recommend you shift now, before people get here and see you naked.”
She turned toward him and opened her robe. She pulled off her bra, panties and hosiery, then grinned at him.
“What about the Tears?”
“They look just like diamonds on my neck.” She undid the clasp and slid it into the pocket of her robe. “You’re supposed to battle that madman. I don’t want anything to happen because you have them on you.”
Max held her robe as she shifted. He brushed his fingers through her fur as he draped the robe over his arm. Alicia sat at his feet as the beginning of his pack started to filter into the large room. Dom’s people followed Max’s pack. It didn’t take long before the room was full of wolves and humans.
Stacey had shifted as well and sat next to Alicia. “You okay?”
She nodded. She just wished that people would stop staring and whispering about the white wolf in the room.
Catherine came in and bowed to Max then she shifted and approached Alicia. She bowed to her then slipped her snout beneath Alicia’s. She closed her eyes and lowered her snout in the manner Max had showed her to do. Now hopefully the rest of the pack would ignore her so the fight could continue.
That didn’t happen. Instead, different members came up to her and slid their snout under hers the same way Catherine did. They showed her the proper respect while totally ignoring Dom.
“What the hell is so special about her?” demanded Dom. That told them he didn’t see Alicia shift.
***
“She is the white wolf.”
“Shut up, old woman,” Dom shouted.
“No! You refuse to listen to me, yet I’m supposed to be your seer. I told you that a white wolf would witness your downfall. There she is. Will you believe me now?”
He forgot about Patrick and moved toward the woman, only to find his way blocked by the wolf in question. She lowered her head and growled at him. He swung his fist at the white wolf who jumped out of his way. A deeper growl filled the air as Dom felt a sharp pain in his right arm. Another wolf hung from his forearm, his teeth cutting deep into the skin.
Dom shifted and went after the second wolf. He bit the ear of the attacking wolf just hard enough to make him let go of his arm. He growled deep in his throat, watching his attacker and looking for an opening. The other wolf circled him, mouth open, tongue hanging out. That wolf was laughing at him.
“What is so funny?”
“You.”
Dom charged, which the other wolf evaded easily.
“You are no alpha. You are a bully. That is all.”
“I am the alpha of this pack,” he shouted.
“How?” asked Patrick. “You’ve lost more than half of your father’s pack. The people who trusted him to protect them didn’t trust you to do the same. So they left. Quietly, slowly, one by one they are abandoning you. The only ones left are the old and the scared.”
Dom went to attack Patrick until he felt sharp teeth sinking into his right shoulder. He should have never ignored Max, who he assumed was the other wolf. He shook him off and turned so Max was in front of him. “And you two are fighting fair? I have three of you attacking.”
“Only one, Dom, me. Patrick is now standing next to his mate. The white wolf is being honored by members of our packs. She doesn’t have time to focus on you. She will make sure we fight fair, but she won’t interfere with the outcome.”
“Who is that wolf?” asked Dom.
“Does it matter? You won’t survive fighting me.”
“You think you can defeat me?” He lowered his head and bared his teeth.
“Yes. I protect what is mine and you have threatened my mate, my second, his mate and my pack. That won’t go unpunished.”
“We shall see.”
***
Alicia wanted to hide her face when she saw the viciousness the two men fought with. But this was her life now. One she had to face because one day it could be her fighting for her life.
Catherine had shifted back to human and stood beside her, brushing her fingers through Alicia’s fur. It had a wonderful calming effect. Now she understood why pets liked it so much. Alicia leaned into her leg and lifted her snout.
Catherine laughed as she started rubbing from her jaws to her ears. A low moan escaped Alicia.
“Like that?” Catherine knelt down in front of her and brushed her fingers between her eyes, drawing slow circles. “You have an audience.”
Alicia looked around and bowed her head. Several people, as well as wolves, had moved closer to them. Time to face them. She was the same woman, only now she could shift like the rest of them. She lifted her head and looked at her pack.
Max’s sister came to her first. She knelt down in front of her and pressed her forehead to Alicia’s. “You are so beautiful. Thank you for showing how much Max and our pack means to you.”
Alicia put a paw on her shoulder.
Katherine stepped back and turned to the people surrounding them. “I know you all want to show your love to Alicia, but we are here for Max and Patrick. That man is a plague to our kind and must be dealt with before we can show Alicia how much we love her for changing.”
***
Max knew his pack would figure out who the white wolf was pretty quickly. He played with Dom, keeping him focused on him and not his mate or their people. If Patrick was to take over this man’s pack he had to be the one to defeat him, but he wasn’t sure how to make the transition. It seemed that Dom didn’t care whom he fought. His anger didn’t see anything past punishing whoever was in front of him.
He saw white fluff in front of him. At first he thought it was his mate in her wolf form, but then he felt her hand on his fur. It turned out to be the robe she wore when Dom first brought them out.
“Patrick?”
“Yes, Alicia?”
“Didn’t this man threaten your mate?” She gestured to Dom in his wolf form.
“He did.”
“Then I believe it’s your right to challenge him.”
“It is.” Patrick nodded. “My mate needs to know I’ll protect her from anyone and anything.”
“Good, because battling with this excuse for a man is beneath my mate.” She moved to the center of the room, separating the two wolves fighting as they shifted. “He already has a pack and a large conglomerate to run.”
“What is my boon for battling him?”
“How about his pack?” Alicia gestured to the people watching. “Once you destroy him they will need someone to lead them and as Max’s second I can’t think of anyone better.”
“Is this to the death?”
She looked right at Dom. “Is it?”
“I will kill both of you and take your mates.”
“Okay then, I’ll take that as a fight to the death. And Patrick?” Alicia touched him on the arm. “Don’t do something stupid like get yourself killed.”
“I wouldn’t think of it.”
“Good. Will you fight as human or wolf?”
Max looked at her. Most battles might start as human but would switch to wolf if needed. What was she up to?
“Both?”
“This man has been treacherous. I think limiting him to one form might keep that at bay. I also believe we need to move this battle to another location. Knowing him he has weapons hidden about for something like this.”
The seer stepped forward. “He does, but I know those hiding places.”
Alicia smiled.
***
Patrick watched as Alicia made sure the room was safe. He didn’t care if Dom tried to cheat. He knew how to handle someone like him. Patrick just wanted to get this over with. Then he looked at his mate and saw her visibly relax and understood why Alicia was doing all this.
Once she was sure they had cleaned the room, she made them remove their clothing. Max had two of his men pat down Dom, while two others did the same to Patrick.
“Let’s do this.” Patrick stepped forward. He looked at Alicia.
She looked surprised as she stepped forward as well. “Okay.” Alicia looked from Dom to him. “This is a fight to the death. It is also an honorable fight. A lot of lives hang in the balance. Hear me. If I see either of you trying to cheat, I will stop this match and award this pack to the one I believe deserves it. No matter who is winning.”
Patrick smiled as he bowed to her. Dom looked angry but agreed as well. Several people around settled down to watch.
Alicia stood in the middle of the area they were to fight in and held up her hands. Her training in taekwondo came in handy right now. “Patrick, ready?”
“Yes.” He dropped into a fighting stance.
“Dom, ready?”
“Yes.”
Alicia held her hands out in front of her. A fist over an open palm. She dropped her hands and stepped back. “Go!”
***
Dom couldn’t believe his luck. Somehow Alicia missed one of his blades. He could use this. He watched for an opening. One he could use to his advantage. If Alicia was true to her word he could work it so Patrick would lose, then he would have everything he wanted. He just had to look for the right moment.
He moved with Patrick, never breaking eye contact. There had to be a way to get what he wanted. All he had to do was maneuver Patrick over to it and he would be able to grab it. Using it wasn’t an option, but making sure Patrick got caught with it was.
He took a fist to the face, and a knee to the groin. It was worth it. Soon he would have everything he wanted.
***
“What is he doing?” Alicia pulled the Tears out of her pocket and brushed her fingers against them as she watched Dom not fight back. Why was he allowing Patrick to beat the crap out of him? Then she realized that he was drawing Patrick to the one weapon she had left on purpose. He didn’t take long to realize she had left one. “Max? Can I borrow your phone?”
He handed it over and she tapped for a few moments then handed it back. Max slipped it into a pocket. “What are you up to?”
“Keeping everything nice and legal.”
“Patrick can take care of himself.” He slipped his arms around her.
“Oh, I’m sure of that, but that Neanderthal likes to cheat.”
“You made a big show of clearing the area.”
“I did.” She looked up at the security camera. “Just making sure everything is okay.”
“You should never keep your mate in the dark,” he said softly.
“I know, but you are smart.” She turned toward him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She stood up on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss against his lips. “All I am doing is making sure Dom can’t use my words against me. You’ll understand everything the moment he makes a move. If he doesn’t make the move I expect then it was all for naught anyway.”
“Be glad I love you.”
“I am very glad. I also understand if you need to prove you’re my alpha in front of your pack.”
“You still want to keep this from me?” He narrowed his eyes at her.
“I am your mate and I want to protect you as much as you want to protect me. Please trust me.”
“I will go along with this, but if you make me look bad you will pay.”
“I promise you won’t look weak or stupid in front of our pack.” She turned in his arms and focused on Patrick and Dom once again. “Here we go.”
***
Patrick could tell Dom was maneuvering him toward something. He just didn’t know what. What was he up to? He wasn’t fighting back, just shifting and moving to get Patrick over near a column. A flash of light warned him of the blade seconds before he found it in his hands. He didn’t think, just reacted and dropped the offending thing to the floor.
“You dare to use a knife against me?” demanded Dom.
“What?” Patrick was confused. “That’s not mine. It’s yours.”
“Everyone saw you with it.”
“Because you forced it into my hands,” Patrick said. He realized too late what Dom was trying to do.
Max kissed his mate on the forehead as he stepped forward. “This match is over.”
The two men stepped apart and Max stood between them. “Explain that knife, Patrick.”
“I-I can’t.”
Max nodded then turned his attention to Dom. “And you? What is your story?”
“No story. I was following the rules your mate gave us then he was standing there brandishing that knife.”
Max nodded again. Alicia joined him and handed him his phone. Looking down he watched the whole scene unravel. He grinned. His mate was brilliant. “I need everyone to grab your phones and go to this website. Sleightofhand dot com, all one word.”
Most had their own phone. Those who didn’t were able to share with someone who did. It didn’t take long before he heard people murmuring to each other. “My mate started this so I believe she should be the one to announce who won.”
Alicia stepped up to his side and smiled. “It fills me with great pride to announce that the winner is Patrick.”
“What? No!” Dom started screaming. “He was the one with the knife. Not me. He should be the one to die.”
Alicia loaded the webpage and handed him the phone. There on the screen was a clear of him pulling the knife out of its hiding place and pushing it into Patrick’s hand. “We knew you would cheat. So I left that knife there on purpose. I have to say that you were smart in trying to make it look like Patrick was the one who had it, but you forget that both of you are naked and this is your place. You know all the hiding places. I also know Patrick and he would never stoop this low.”
“This is a match to the death,” said one of the by-standers.
“It is,” said Alicia. “Patrick is your pack leader now so how Dom dies is up to him, but there is one thing I wish to ask before Patrick ends him.”
“What is that?” asked Max as he slipped his arm around her waist.
“I want to see Stacey pay Dom back for all the harm he did to her. Bruised ribs, broken arm, dislocated shoulder to name a few. The fear of him finding her has haunted her all her life. His bullying ways were the worst.” She looked up at Max. “I know I’d want to hit him a few times. Maybe break a jaw or bruise a rib myself.”
“What say you, Stacey?” asked Patrick.
“I don’t know.” She stepped toward Dom, who was being held by two of his own men. “I had nightmares because of him. I feared for my life. Hid in the shadows. Never dated.” She pulled her fist back and hit him square in the jaw. “That is for my eight-year-old self when you pulled my arm so hard it popped right out of the socket.” She learned a side kick from Alicia and she hit him in the solar plexus with her heel. A loud oof filled the air. “And that is for my bruised rib.”
Other people stepped up. Each wanting to exact payment for things he had done.
Max tugged on his mate’s waist. “Time for us to go.”
She looked up at him and nodded. As much as she wanted to be there for support she knew Max’s presence could undermine Patrick’s taking over. She patted his arm and darted over to her best friend. “Stacey? The ceremony is in three hours. Do you want us to hold it for you?”
“No need,” said Patrick. “This won’t take long.”
***
Alicia sat in front of the mirror once again touching up her make-up. Her hair had been repaired and her dress was lying on the bed, waiting. She wasn’t sure if Patrick and Stacey would still go through with the ceremony. Although she would understand if they decided to not participate, she had been looking forward to sharing this moment with Stacey.
One of the ladies from the shop was there to help her into the dress. She also helped her with her jewelry and veil. She was ready but there was no sign of Stacey. A sigh escaped her as she checked her one more time. The door opened and she expected her mom but found Stacey flying in.
“I am so sorry. Your mom is going to be mad at us.”
“Mad? Why?” Alicia gestured for Stacey to sit so the assistant could help her get ready.
“Because we had to invite the pack.” She looked at her as the woman worked on her hair. “I couldn’t see how we could tell them no.”
“It’s okay. Max sort of expected that so he gave Mom a heads up right after you two mated. She’s already getting more tables set up at the mansion and has informed the caterers of the extra people.”
“Our pack wanted to help in that aspect. They will be bringing food as well.”
“Mom will have a cow over that.”
“I know, but again I couldn’t tell them no. One of the ladies knew your mom.”
“Really?”
The door opened again. And her mom stepped in. “Every wedding has its moments where you wonder how it’s going to work out, but I’ve never had someone suddenly add twenty plus people just before the wedding. I am grateful Max had warned me of this weeks ago just in case.”
“Umm, Mom. Before you go patting yourself on the back members of Stacey and Patrick’s pack are bringing food.”
“We will work it out. Right now all I want you to do is walk down that aisle. You two look so beautiful. I can’t wait to see your men slack-jawed.”
“Slack-jawed? I haven’t heard that phrase in a long time.”
“You’re going to make them howl?” added her mom.
That made them laugh.
“You girls ready?”
***
Patrick stood beside Max, his nerves tight. “Why do people go through this? It’s nerve racking.”
“I’ve been to quite a few weddings and the bride and groom always have these beautiful smiles when it’s done,” Max responded. The music changed and they turned toward the end of the aisle.
Stacey’s father walked beside her, but Patrick didn’t really pay any attention to him. Stacey was a vison. Her gown fit her like a glove. Her ears sparkled with jewelry, yet her throat remained bare, allowing him to see her beautiful bare shoulders without any distraction. Somewhere near her knees, the dress flared out dramatically.
“I’m going to get her that dress in every color,” he said softly as he leaned toward Max.
Max smiled as he elbowed his best friend. “Worth it now?”
“Yeah. More than worth it.” He stepped up as they approached the arch he and Max stood in front of.
He wanted to snatch his mate from her father but knew he had to wait until the ceremony started. First Alicia had to walk down the aisle as well. He didn’t know what to do with his hands. “You look beautiful.”
Stacey smiled a soft, beautiful smile. Alicia stepped up beside her and Max’s sister joined them. She touched the two women on the shoulder as she passed them.
Katherine turned and faced their guests. “Tonight we join Max and Alicia as well as Patrick and Stacey. Does someone give these women away?”
“Yes. I do,” said Stacey’s father.
I do too,” said Alicia’s.
They each handed their daughter’s hands to their mates and stepped back to their wives.
“Now we get to the fun part. The vows. Normally, the bride and groom will have vows written to say to each other, but our two couples gave me a blank stare when I asked if they had theirs ready. It was suggested that I do their vows instead of using the traditional.” She smiled. “Anyone who knows me knows I jumped at the chance.
“My loving brother, Max and his beautiful bride, Alicia.” She paused as she gained their attention. “Max is a born leader, which is polite for saying he is stubborn and doesn’t take no for an answer. He needed a strong woman. I knew the pretty ones he would take to parties were there as ornaments. It would take a special woman to capture his heart.
“The first time I heard him talk about Alicia I knew he had found someone special. She stood toe to toe with him and held him accountable. She was different. Alicia didn’t care how much money he had or how much power he wielded because of his contacts. I knew my brother had met his match.
“I wish I had been here to watch their love for each other blossom. I know I would have seen them butt heads a lot too.”
People who knew them chuckled.
“All I know is that when Alicia walks into a room my brother lights up and she does the same thing when she sees him. I know their love is strong and will stand the test of time.” She took a breath and looked at Patrick and Stacey. “If you walk into a room and see Max you normally find Patrick. They’re like twins. I worried that Patrick would become a loner without his wingman. Then he met Stacey.
“Now Stacey is a sister I don’t know well yet, but I do know Patrick and a pretty face never really turned his head. He wanted someone with substance. I always saw him with a bookish type of person. Kind of quiet and demure.” She smiled when she saw everyone’s reaction. “I see I was right.”
“She completes me.”
“The right answer. I wish you four a long life of happiness, many children and lots of laughter.” Katharine concluded the ceremony with the traditional ‘you may kiss your bride’.
The rest of the evening flew by. Alicia’s mom had done a beautiful job decorating the mansion. Patrick had people shaking his hand and congratulating him. He had no clue who was talking to him half the time. Alicia’s mother grabbed his hand and started to pull him along with her.
“It’s time for you and Stacey to head on your honeymoon.”
“But…”
“I know, but our guests are going to assume you’re following tradition. Stacey is waiting for you near the door.”
That got him moving. He hadn’t really been near her since the ceremony. Too many people wanting to talk to them. Max and Alicia were there as well. Two cars sat outside. Large limos waited for them. Everyone inside came pouring out to wish them well and see them off.
The moment the door on the limo closed them in he let out a happy sigh.
“Happy that is over with?” asked Stacey.
“I’m happy I get to spend the rest of my life with you.” He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. The limo started moving without the driver talking to them. “Any idea where we’re going?”
“No. Alicia did mention that Max had set up rooms for us at a hotel for this evening, but I have no clue where.”
“As long as we’re away from all those people I don’t care.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “I barely got to speak to you after the ceremony. The photographer, then the toasts, then the meal and the people. I swear I didn’t know half of those who came to congratulate me.”
“I didn’t either. But I have to admit I loved all the attention. Knowing Dom is no longer going to bother me has lifted a weight off my shoulders. I have the best mate I could ever ask for and a baby on the way. I couldn’t ask for more.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “What are we going to do with Dom anyway?”
“Right now he’s in the freezer of the main hall. After speaking to a few of the people from our pack I’m going to treat him the same way he treated those he ended up killing. The one good thing is he didn’t believe in the human way. He never got a social security number. To the U.S. government he doesn’t exist. Most of our pack is like that.”
“I was afraid of that.” She looked up at him. “We have our work cut out for us.”
“Yes, but that is for tomorrow. Tonight is ours.” He brushed against the material of her gown. “That dress is absolutely perfect for your body. The moment I saw it I knew I wanted to see you dress like this all the time. I even told Max I wanted to get you one in every color but right now I want to see you out of it.”
“It took three women to get me in this thing. If we do what I think you’re suggesting I’ll be running around naked.”
“I don’t have a problem with that.” Patrick gave her a toothy smile. Before he could follow through with his desire, the door to the limo opened once again. “Damn it.”
“I know how you feel, Patrick,” Max said. “I had hoped to have the night to be with my mate as well, but the council wishes to speak to us now.”
“And you can’t say no to your sister.” He slipped out of the vehicle then helped Stacey out.
“My sister isn’t hard to say no to but the leader of the council who happens to be my sister is a different story. You can’t tell her no either.”
“True.” He straightened his bow tie. “Do we know why they can’t wait until tomorrow?”
“I have a feeling it’s the fact that Alicia used the Tears on herself. They probably have a thousand questions and don’t want to wait until we resurface.”
They entered the grove where the wedding was held. Anyone who was in attendance and was werewolf was there. It didn’t take long for people to hear about Alicia using the Tears. Sonora was the first to approach them. She took Alicia’s hand and stood beside her. Patrick’s sister did the same thing. Stacey even left Patrick’s side and stood with her.
“I see your mate has a few champions,” said Max’s sister.” My question is why they think she is the focus.”
“Because you know I used the Tears,” Alicia answered. “And before you chastise me or my mate for me being the one that responded, I know you want to know if I was forced to do it. No, I made this decision on my own.”
“All right. Why? You are Max’s mate and have been accepted into the pack just as you are.”
“I know and you don’t know how much that means to me. I know that there are a lot who cling to the old ways and I’m fairly sure if I hadn’t been described in the legend of the Tears I wouldn’t have been accepted as easily.” Alicia touched the Tears around her neck. “I have also learned a few things about the Tears. No one can be forced. The Tears won’t allow it. You have to want to change and have all your loved ones with you when you do it.”
Alicia presented her back to Max so he could release the clasp. She handed the necklace to Katherine who let out a gasp as the stones turned red again.
“Oh, yeah. That’s how you know I used them. On me they’re clear. If anyone else uses them they will be clear for them as well but for anyone who hasn’t used them they will have their original red color.”
“How did you learn so much about the stones?”
“Um.” Alicia looked at Max who gave her a slight nod. “They talk to me.”
“Talk to you?”
“I know that sounds crazy and it’s not like we carry on a conversation, but they guide me. They guided all of us when I used them to change.”
“Crazy? You’re talking to a woman who can shift into a wolf. Most people would call that crazy.” She handed the necklace back. “Will you shift for me?”
“I guess. Sure.” She turned back to Max once again.
“My mate is still a little shy about shifting in front of people.” Max slid the zipper down and held the dress up as she pulled her arms out of the sleeves. Once she shifted he lifted the dress so everyone could see her wolf.
Murmuring filled the air when they saw the color of her fur. She huffed.
“You know about the myth of the white wolf?”
Alicia nodded.
“How?”
“Alicia hasn’t learned to speak yet. Yes and no questions are the best right now.”
“All right.” She looked at Alicia. “Who was the one who told you?”
“Katherine.” Max was about to remind his sister when his mate bumped his leg.
“So my block headed brother actually told you? I’m surprised. He normally keeps stuff like that to himself. He’d be afraid to upset you.”
Alicia snorted.
“So knowing you I’m going to assume you went to Catherine to get information?”
She nodded.
“Anyone else?”
She trotted over to Stacey and brushed up against her.
“Anyone else?”
She looked over at Sonora.
“I see you had lots of help. You are holding your form very well. Who trained you?”
Alicia bumped Stacey, Sonora, Catherine, Patrick and Max.
“Is shifting easy for you.”
She nodded.
“But speaking isn’t.”
She shook her head.
“Then that is the first thing I’ll teach you. I know you have had a busy day, but everyone wanted to meet your wolf. In a day or two we’ll meet again and I can teach you how to use your voice. Right now I will allow your mate to sweep you away. I’m hoping he’ll correct the error he made before when he first mated with you.”
“That is my plan.”
“Good. You have my blessings.”
Patrick took Stacey’s hand and pulled her after him. Alicia followed Max as he tried to control her dress while he carried it.
“Give me that.” Catherine stopped him and took the dress out of his hands. “Now, go, shift, be with your mate.”
Max didn’t have to be told twice.
***
Max bounded down the path, looking behind him to be sure his mate was following. His nails cut into the dirt as he put as much distance as he could between them and the pack. He knew if he didn’t his sister would find a reason to call them back.
Alicia barked to stop him.
“Going too fast?”
She nodded.
He trotted back to her side. “I know my sister and I want you all to myself tonight.”
She huffed and started moving, Max following behind.
“To the right.”
She turned with his direction and headed to the spot he had planned on taking her to. She shifted and turned to him. “Max, this is beautiful.”
“You are beautiful.” He looked around at what he asked Catherine to do for him. She did a great job. Fairy lights had been strung all around the area. A nice plush blanket was spread out and two baskets set next to it.
“Catherine did this for us?”
“I think she did this for you, more than me. After all, she was your maid-of-honor. I only told her I was going to bring you here to redo our mating ceremony. Something everyone has been hounding me to do since I botched it the first time.” He smiled as he pulled her into his embrace. “I’ve always loved this place. It reminds me of home. If I close my eyes I can hear the waterfall on our island.”
“I remember that waterfall. It was beautiful.”
“We have two baskets.” He pointed to the two sitting beside the blanket. “I’m assuming one has food.”
“You think she left clothes for us?”
“How would she know we’d come here in wolf form?” He grabbed her hand and tugged to get her moving toward them. He lifted the lid of the first basket. Wonderful aromas wafted up. “Yep, food. A lot of our favorites from what I can tell.”
Alicia squealed when she opened the other basket to find plush warm robes. She slipped hers on right away.
“Cold, sweetheart?”
“Sorry, but yes. My fur does keep me warm in my wolf form, but human? Not really. I was starting to feel the cool air more than I wanted to.” She offered Max the other robe.
“After a while you’ll be able to block the cold.” He pulled the robe on. “But I’m glad Catherine thought about this for you.”
“So what now?”
“First, are you hungry? I didn’t see you eat much at the reception.”
“Maybe a little, but it can wait.”
He took her in his arms. “I am as excited to do this right as you are. I know my sister and our friends have tried to explain how beautiful it’s supposed to be between us, but I also don’t want you to faint on me from lack of food. They would hurt me if I botch this again because I didn’t make sure you were ready.”
“You worry too much.” She pressed a kiss against his lips before she turned toward the baskets. “But I’m willing to have a bite or two if that will make you happy. We do have all our lives to redo this mating ritual.”
“Please? I’m a little hungry too. I don’t think I ate that much either. Too much going on.”
“Tell me about it. I got congratulated by people I didn’t know. Mom brought in some of her best reporters and media people, plus we had Stacey and Patrick’s new pack, but I swear there were a lot more than I expected.” She knelt down and pulled some of the food out. Alicia grinned as she turned to look at him. “You realize that this is nothing but finger foods. My maid-of-honor is assuming we’re going to feed each other.”
“I don’t have a problem with that.” He knelt beside her. “And I promise to behave myself as long as you behave yourself.”
“Now that takes all the fun out of it.”
“Only until I feel you’ve eaten enough. I promise to only behave for a little bit. Is that better?”
She laughed as she picked up several containers and set them out on the blanket. Opening one she handed the container to him. “Your favorite.”
“Thanks.” He handed her a flute glass filled with champagne. “Found this over near the baskets. My sister this time.”
“So trying to hide from your sister is futile isn’t it?” She opened one container and pulled a few morsels out to nibble on.
“Hush.” Max popped a few bites into his mouth. He then offered her a bite. “I knew once we came here she wouldn’t dare interfere. She was the one who made the most noise when she heard I messed this up. You didn’t hear any of it, but I did.”
“You make your sister sound like this ogre, but I know she’s the sweetest thing.” She opened another container and ate several pieces before she offered Max a bite.
“She hasn’t bared her teeth at you yet.” He took the bite and chewed.
“Nope. But I’m the angel that tamed her brother.”
Max moved and had her pinned to the blanket. “You think you tamed me?”
“Well, yeah. Just like you tamed me. Think about how hard it is for me to suddenly have you make all my decisions for me.”
“Ha!” He placed a quick kiss against her lips. “You pretend in front of our pack beautifully, but when it’s just the two of us? I see the real sassy, pig-headed you.” He captured her lips once again for another quick kiss. “It goes perfectly with the sassy, pig-headed me.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “My strong backbone was what attracted you in the first place. No one told you no before.”
“True.” He pressed a kiss against her throat. “But it was your eyes that truly captured me. I could see that beautiful soul. I was caught the moment I looked deep into your eyes.”
“Flatterer.”
“I know I didn’t make the best impression when we first met.” He brushed a strand of hair out of her face. “But now I know you love me just as I am.”
“I do. You are the most important thing to me.”
“My heart cried out and yours answered,” Max said, taking her hand in his.
She smiled as she moved closer to him. “My heart cried out and yours answered.”
“Our hearts found each other and now beat as one,” Max said it first and Alicia repeated it.
“I give my heart to you to protect and cherish.” As Alicia repeated the words Max knelt and tugged on her hand to get her to kneel with him.
“I will guard your heart and your love with all my being.” Alicia pressed her hand against his heart when she repeated the words.
“I bond with you now, forever.”
“I bond with you now, forever.”
Max’s lips claimed hers. His hands eased the soft robe off her shoulders. She felt the gentle caresses as his fingers skimmed across her body. Now she would find out why everyone had a cow over the way they mated the first time.
He eased them down to the blanket covering the ground. She felt his lips on her throat, then her collarbone. “I love the taste of you. Tonight I want to savor that. You’re my mate and I want to show you how precious you are to me.”
“You show me every day.” She brushed her fingers against his cheek.
“True, but we did just get married.” His fingers brushed along her ribcage. “Consider it a wedding gift. Tonight I want to take my time. I want us to take our time. Enjoy each other.”
“Max, every time we are together we enjoy it.” She sighed when she felt his hands on her breasts. “Slow and sweet, rough and frantic. It doesn’t matter as long as we’re together.”
“And tonight will be just as memorable as all the others.” He pressed a kiss in the valley between her breasts.
“But you want to make sure when we see everyone in the morning they will be happy that you fixed our mating. Do you know what it is we’re supposed to experience?”
“No. All anyone has ever said was it was beautiful, earth shattering, and will bring us closer together.”
“Isn’t it that way every time we make love?” She felt his hands move down her body.
“I’d like to think so.” He latched onto one of her nipples.
Alicia felt it to her toes. His hands worked their way down across her stomach, caressed the inside of her thighs, then slipped to her core. The soft caresses took her breath away. He shifted his weight and moved down her body, pressing kisses along the way. Another sigh escaped her. The heat of his mouth followed his hands, raising her desire. Little bubbles of excitement floated through her blood stream. Alicia shifted her legs, wanting more. A soft moan escaped her when she felt his fingers slip inside her. “Max.”
He continued to touch her, arouse her. A unique scent filled the air. One that filled her with euphoria. It was different than the scent she had learned was part of their sex. It wasn’t her arousal or Max’s.
“Do you smell that?”
“All I can smell is you. It’s beautiful.” Max climbed up her body, continuing to touch her in all the right places. He captured her lips with his as he surged into her.
She gasped at the sweet invasion. Alicia wrapped her legs around Max’s hips as he set a nice strong pace for them. Each time he filled her it was complete. She moved with him, helping him race toward the release they both craved. It swirled in her core, tightening, as they moved faster. Just as she feared she couldn’t take anymore her body hit the pinnacle, filling her with the most powerful climax she had ever had. Her body splintered just as Max reached his orgasm.
They lay in each other’s arms quietly, waiting for their hearts to stop hammering in their chests and for their breath to come back to them.
“Now I see why your sister wanted you to fix this.”
***
Patrick had loosened his tie by the time they had gotten back to their room. Stacey presented her back to him the moment the door closed.
“Please help me out of this thing. It might be pretty to look at but I’m afraid I’m going to snag it on just about everything.”
Patrick undid the dress and helped her slip out of it. “Pretty underwear. You can wear those all the time too.”
“This strapless torture chamber needs to come off. The garters and hose, well, they do feel sexy.”
“And they look sexy.” He took her into his arms and released the clasp that held the bra on.
“Oh thank you.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “As hair-raising as this day has been I have enjoyed most of it.”
“Really? What did you enjoy?” He brushed his fingers through her hair.
“The fact that I finally have my freedom. I don’t have to worry about that man trying to steal me from you ever again. That we freed his pack from his terror as well.” She pulled back so she could look in his eyes. “And your face when I walked down the aisle.”
“What was wrong with my face?” He tried to look shocked, but he knew his jaw dropped when he saw her in that dress for the first time. In fact, every time he looked at her in that dress all night long he got hard. The smile on her face told him she knew how it affected him.
“You know that cartoon wolf that sees a pretty girl and his eyes pop out of his head while his tongue rolls out of his mouth and hits the floor? That was you.”
“I wasn’t that bad,” he laughed.
“Oh my ood,” she laughed as well. “You just stared at me. I felt like it was just the two of us, but I was naked, not wearing that incredibly expensive dress.”
“You were all I could see. That dress made my heart pound. All I could think about is I had to have you at my side. It seemed to take you forever to join me.”
“That’s beautiful.”
“If it hadn’t been for Katherine doing the proceedings I would have scooped you up and run away with you.”
“Well you have me now.”
“I know.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her. “Now, I believe I’m overdressed but I can fix that.”
Stacey opened the bottle of champagne resting in an ice bucket and handed him a glass when he joined her.
“There is also a small smorgasbord over on one of the dressers.”
“We’ll have to thank Catherine for this.”
“My sister?” He took a sip.
“Your sister took the job of maid of honor very seriously. You should have seen what she did for Max and Alicia.”
“We’ll have to thank her tomorrow, but tonight…” He took her glass and set it on a nearby table. “Is about us.”
“I like the sound of that.”
He slipped his arms under her knees and lifted her up into his arms. Patrick carried her to the big king size bed and laid her on it. Then he joined her. He captured her lips with his as his hands skimmed her body. He loved the feel of her soft skin and the way it reacted to his touch. His mate.
“What are you thinking?” asked Stacey as she ran her hands over his chest so she could slip her hands around his back.
“How lucky I am.” He brushed a few strands of hair out of her face. “I never thought I would mate. Max’s sister was right. Everyone, including me, thought I would be the lone wolf. That one male who never finds his mate.”
“You?” She looked up at him. “But you always had a girlfriend. I remember you trying to get away on Friday evenings because you had a hot date.”
“Beautiful women, but none of them moved me. Then I met you.” He pressed a kiss against her collarbone. “The first time I saw you in Alicia’s office I couldn’t understand why you hid yourself the way you did. You were beautiful, yet unapproachable. You were also off-limits. Max would have killed me if I had dallied with you.”
“Dallied?” she laughed. “Now that is an old-fashioned word. The first thing I noticed was your eyes.”
He batted them at her.
“Stop it.” She slipped one leg over his hip. “But then I saw your legs.”
“My legs?”
“They are perfectly sculpted.”
“Really?” he licked her mark. “I wish I knew that a while ago.”
“Why?”
“I would have worn shorts around you all the time.” He shifted his weight so he could move down her body. “Just think we could have been doing this a lot sooner.”
He latched onto a nipple, drawing a sigh out of Stacey.
“I think we found each other at just the right time. This is amazing and I think it was because of how our relationship came about.”
He let go and kissed the valley between her breasts. “Our sex life is amazing and I always want you to enjoy it.”
“I do.”
“Good.” He moved back up and slipped his arms beneath her. “I want you to be in control tonight. You tell me what you want.”
“You sure?”
“Very sure.” He flipped them over. “I know I’ve been a bit dominant in our lovemaking but you need to feel comfortable in telling me what you like and don’t like.”
She rested her hands on his chest. “I’ll be honest. The moments when you’ve been the most dominating have been my favorite. Especially when you had me over the desk.”
“Really?” He smiled a knowing smile. “I’m glad because I liked that too. You trusted me so much that you were willing to give me complete control.”
With his help, she settled herself on him, sliding down his shaft. Stacey shook as he filled her.
“That feels so good.” She set the pace, a little slow at first, taking in as much as she could of him. Her goal was to hit that spot again. His fingers slipped into her folds. Her head dropped forward as his touch heightened her need. The slight shift in her posture gave her what she was seeking. Each time she brushed against that spot she shook a little. Stacey moved faster, heightening everything inside. Her body tensed as she rode him. It started to build inside her. First in the pit of her stomach, then it moved through her until her world shattered around her. She fell against Patrick, happily sated and ready to go again.
***
Patrick took Stacey’s hand and took a deep breath. “Now I know how Max felt when he had to face the council. These people don’t know me. They might not accept me.”
“You are worrying about nothing,” Stacey chided him. “These people lived in fear because of Dom. You might shake things up a bit in the beginning, but they are going to bloom under your leadership.”
He squeezed her hand then pushed the door open to the main compound of his new pack. Everyone was there but the silence was deafening. Patrick swallowed. Now what?
Stacey gave his hand another squeeze then stepped next to the woman he knew as the seer. He had no idea who anyone was.
“Morning everyone. Look, I know we don’t know each other. In fact I just realized I don’t know anyone’s name so the first thing I want to do is learn your names. I also want to know what you consider your strengths. Are you an artist? Computer nerd? Do you already have a job you’re happy with? Or do you want a better one?”
“Why do you want all this information?”
“I know Dom did things a certain way, but I have resources that will amaze you. If you have your own business or a job you love I’m not going to mess with that but I have access to Wolf Enterprises and Santos Inc where you just might be able to have your work dreams come true.”
“Dom told us to deal with reality when we wanted to contact either company.”
“That was because he didn’t want you to find out what those two companies have built. Everyone who works for these companies are werewolves like us. They understand the challenges we have being around humans. In turn they help smaller companies that are werewolf run gain the footing they need to make their companies profitable.”
“How is that possible?”
“Large companies like the two I mentioned are always looking for new ideas to invest in. It’s just they want to invest in werewolves when they can. Your old leader didn’t want you to rely on anything but him. We can’t live like that anymore. I am your alpha, but I can’t lead without you. I want all of us to succeed.
“The next few months will be hard on all of us. You’ll have to get used to me and the way I will lead you. You will find me to be strong but fair. I will help you acclimate to this new world I plan on leading you to. I just ask that you trust me.”
The End.
The series continues in THE POWER OF THE TEARS...