Chapter 45

Miney and Graeham sat with Agnes in Jaxson's office discussing the catering for the event. "For the weddings, she was thinking several racks of prime rib and several hams and also smoked sausage, and for the kids, we can do burgers and hot dogs, or corndogs. Vegetables will be easy. Regular and sweet baked potatoes, roasted Brussels Sprouts, corn on the cob, the small ones, roasted eggplant and squash, with some kind of nuts and onions. "

"You've given this a lot of thought, haven't you, Miney?" Agnes asked her quietly.

Looking over at the younger woman, she smiled. "I suppose I have, Agnes. I've have always hoped that my boys would get married, and that Anders and I would be around to see it."

"Is there anything that I can assist with?" she asked.

"Actually, if Graeham doesn't mind, I would love for you to supervise the catering staff." Agnes looked over at Miney, wide eyes in disbelief. Then she really blew Agnes's mind and said, "For both events. The weddings and the ceremonies."

"Are you sure, Miney? I mean, you really don't know me that well. What if I embarrass you or the clan?" Agnes was horrified at the thought.

"Oh my dear, I highly doubt that. I watched you work, remember? You were poised, confident and efficient. You were aware that you were serving the elite rich, and yet, it never fazed you." Miney gave her a hard look and said, "That's the woman who will be supervising the staff that night. I will be helping you, of course." Miney looked at Graeham and smirked. "Consider it training for all of the parties and galas that you will be hosting with Graeham over the coming years."

When Agnes realized what Miney was saying a panicked look stole over her features.

"But...but..." She couldn't think of anything to say.

"I think it's a fine idea, Miney. It will definitely give Agnes a head start and help her to understand how to manage my staff when we get home."

Home. That one simple four letter word. It carried so much weight. It carried such a powerful and deep meaning. Especially combined with the dynamic man sitting next to her. It was welcome. It was safety. It was security. It was permanency. It was Graeham Frazier. It hit her like a ton of bricks and with the speed of a bullet train.

Looking over at her, Miney chuckled. "Poor thing. You've just had a startling revelation, haven't you, my dear? No matter. I think I should leave you two alone. You two have things to discuss, I believe." Patting her on the knee, Miney got up from the sofa and quietly left the office and shut the door. Effectively, shutting out the world for the couple.

"What is it, Agnes? Is something bothering you?" Graeham was so concerned for her, her feelings, for her mentality, her emotions.

"Miney said it best. Home. It's safety, it's welcome, it's security and it's permanency." While she was talking, she was looking down where their hands lay clasped on her knees and she could feel her palms start to sweat as she lifted her head to look this precious man in the eye. Then she said, "Home is you, Graeham. It's where you are. It's where I want to be." Drawing a deep breath, she continued, "Always."

The emotions glittered in his eyes as he reached for her and smashed his mouth against her as she grabbed his head to hold him there as the kiss deepened.

"Hey, Granddad, have you seen....Whoa! Did not mean to walk in on that."

Graeham made a go away motion with his hand and continued to kiss his woman.

Grinning, Charlotte shut the office door to give the two lovebirds some privacy. She was proud of her grandfather finding someone to love and care for and about. She was glad for Agnes too. She recognized a survivor when she saw one, because she was one herself. But, she had a feeling that Agnes's troubles were deeper than hers and that they had lasted a lot longer and went way more horrifying.

Going upstairs to the Alpha suite on the top floor, she found Jaxson changing into sweats and a t-shirt and a pair of running shoes. "Going somewhere, handsome?"

Standing up, Jaxson walked over to Charlotte and leaned down to kiss her. "Dad said there is a gym in the basement, so Rio and I are going to go and take advantage of it. We're going to use the punching bag and boxing ring. If you want to get changed and join us, you can."

"Hmmm, a flushed and sweaty Jaxson." Charlotte smirked as she looked up at her mate and didn't bother to hide the heat and desire in her eyes.

He growled and Bear spoke. "Do not tempt me mate. Bear wants mate to wear his mark. Wants all to know you are mine!"

Charlotte walked up to Jaxson and kissed his chin. "I love Bear, and I love Jaxson. I will never want another, Bear. You can mark me when it's safe. Promise." Then she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on his nose. Then she giggled and danced out of his reach, causing him to growl again. But this time, it was all Jaxson.

"I'm going to find Amber and then I will most likely join you." Walking to the door, she turned and waved, "Bye Handsome. See ya soon."

Charlotte walked out of their suite and down the hall to the other side of the wing to the Beta's suite, where Amber and Rio were living.

Amber answered almost immediately. Charlotte was surprised. "I thought for sure that you two would be busy."

"Are you kidding? Anders told Rio and Jaxson about the gym in the basement. Rio is now in our bedroom putting on a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt to go work out with Jaxson. So, it looks like you and me."

"Want to go join the guys? Beautiful, hot, sweaty beefy bear shifters. Yes please." They shared a laugh.

"Meet me at the bottom of the stairs? In like ten minutes?" Amber asked.

"Absolutely. See you then." Racing away, Charlotte went to her suite and changed out of what she was wearing. Reaching her closet, she pulled out a pair of workout leggings and a high impact sports bra, she pulled on her sneakers and grabbed a towel and left the suite to meet Amber at the foot of the stairs.

Getting there, Charlotte discovered that Amber was similarly dressed. The muscle tone of the federal agent's body was great. Charlotte's body had lost a great deal of her muscle tone due to her injuries and the recovery time. Not to mention that Jaxson was so protective of her, he would almost not let her do anything for herself.

"Let's go. I really need a great workout, in all seriousness." Charlotte replied.

"Ladies, if you are going to the gym, please take these bottles of water with you. There's one apiece and one each for Jaxson and Rio."

"Thank you, Jamie. That's very thoughtful of you. If there isn't a small fridge down there, let's see about getting one and having some water and other types of healthy drinks" Charlotte replied with a smile.

"Yes ma'am. I'll take care of that right away. I probably won't be able to have it delivered until tomorrow, will that be okay?"

"That will be fine, Jamie. Thank you. I truly will look forward to working with you on many things over the coming years." Charlotte said with a gentle smile.

"Thank you, Luna Charlotte." Jamie replied, blushing.

Charlotte smiled and she and Amber turned to go to the basement. Finding the two brothers in a boxing ring going at it. Neither wore any protective gear except gloves and they were already both sporting some facial bruises. They stopped and watched their mates walk in and they tossed them the two water bottles, which they caught. Setting them down, they used their teeth to undo their gloves.

The two women bypassed the treadmills and went straight for the ellipticals and began to go at a semi fast paced walk. After they had been on the machines for twenty minutes, the two brothers could smell their mate's scents got stronger with their sweat. It carried over to them and Jaxson understood what Charlotte had been talking about up in their suite, earlier.

Watching them, the women started slowing down and allowing their heart rate to slow. When they finally came to a stop, both decided to go to the weights. Charlotte worked her legs and Amber worked her shoulders and upper back.

Rio and Jaxson watched their mates sweat and their clothes darken with it. The smell drew them in as it mixed with their scent. It was the most alluring thing that the men had ever smelled.

Jaxson badly wanted to go and scoop Charlotte up and carry her, sweating and flushed, to their suite and keep her there and make even more sweat. Then put her in the shower and get in with her and wash her then get her dirty all over again.

Rio looked over at his brother to see him closely watching his mate. From the look on Jaxson's face, he was thinking the same thoughts that Rio was. Lightly giving him a back handed smack on his chest, Rio asked him, "You think they would forgive us if we do it?"

Jaxson took his eyes off of Charlotte to look at his brother and said, "Maybe. Especially, if we don't give them time to argue." He said, grinning.

Rio and Jaxson stalked over to where Charlotte and Amber were just getting off of the ellipticals. Both women knew the gleam that showed in the brothers eyes and before either could do anything, they found themselves thrown over their mates' shoulders and carried laughing and giggling out of the gym and up the stairs to the Alpha and Beta floor.

They passed their mom and dad on the first floor. Their mom shouted at them, "Dinner in two hours! Try not to be late."

Everyone could hear the men laughing as they carried their mates to their suites.

After their sons were gone, Anders turned to Miney and said, "You know what, love? I think what the boys did is a great idea." And before Miney could figure out what her husband was talking about, he had her slung over his shoulder like a prize and was carrying her to their suites.

Watching from below, the figure felt their lips curl up in disgust. Godforsaken animals. Those women let them touch them that way.

When Liam had contacted him, he had been hesitant to align himself with the man. He listened and knew that the man was wanted worldwide for a lot of serious crimes, Treason among them. But, these animals had taken over this town. He had moved here to get away from his past and damn if he didn't right in the middle of it.

He felt his hatred burn in his chest for all shifters. They took what didn't belong to them. They claimed human women as mates. The more he considered Liam's plan, the better he felt.

Besides, he knew that the clan was planning something big besides the two weddings of the sons of the Alpha couple and then the Alpha and Beta ceremonies. He just couldn't find out what, He also knew that the sheriff was in on it, as well as the "mate" he took. Stealing someone else's woman.

If he could just find out what they were up to, he would have something to tell Liam.

Making his mind up, he turned and went towards the backyard. He had to look like he fit in, after all. He couldn't have his appearance create too many problems. He would do his job and keep his head down, all the while gathering information. For both himself and Liam. And when the time was right, he and Liam would kill the Alpha family and destroy this clan.

Smiling gleefully at his own thoughts, he went to work in the beautifully maintained gardens.