by DJ Phoenix
The kitchen had to be one of her favorite rooms in the cabin. It was fully equipped and had ample space to move around. Luke ushered her to one of the barstools and began opening and closing cabinets. To Cynthia’s surprise, he knew his way around the kitchen quite well. In no time he had bacon cooking on a skillet, eggs beaten and being poured into an omelet pan, and coffee brewing.
With a sexy grin, Luke handed her a cup of coffee, asking if she took sugar and cream. It was a smooth and slightly nutty flavor that perked her right up. Once coffee had been taken care of he placed a plate with a delicious-looking and smelling omelet that had been topped with melted cheese and bacon in front of her. “Sorry it’s just eggs and bacon. No one really stays here, so the food in the fridge and pantry are kept to a minimum.”
“Are you kidding? This is amazing, you can cook! I am most definitely impressed. So much that I might just decide to keep you.”
Luke responded in a teasing tone. “Hmmm ... I might be able to live with that.” He reached across the counter, kissing her lips quickly, then returned to serving his plate.
Breakfast was over too soon. Cynthia picked up both their plates and took them to the sink, Luke cutting in to wash them as she turned the water on. It was really sweet of him, but after he had prepared breakfast there was no way she was letting him wash them. Just as he was about to protest, however, a cell phone rang. He stepped away, pulling a cell phone out of his front pocket. From where she stood washing dishes, only a hello followed by his muffled voice reached her ears as he walked out of the kitchen.
A few minutes later she dried her hands as strong arms wrapped around her waist pulling her against a solid chest. He nuzzled her neck and inhaled deeply. There was a rumble in his chest and she felt his lips quirk into a smile against her skin. “You smell of your delicious scent mixed with mine. I love it ... it’s ... intoxicating. Like an aphrodisiac.”
She giggled playfully. “Really? I wonder why your scent is mixed with mine.” She made her best ‘I have no clue what you’re talking about’ voice. “Surely it has nothing to do with our extracurricular activities as of late? It must be some kind of mistake? Maybe you should smell me again, just to make sure.”
His grip tightened and she felt his enthusiasm pressing against her lower back. “You know, there are lots of ways I can—” his breath caressed her neck, and she shivered, already growing wet “—show you just why my scent is mixed with yours.”
A moan escaped her lips. “Maybe you should show me then.”
He turned her around to face him. “As much as I’d love nothing more than to spend the next few weeks showing you just how much I need you.” He kissed her left eye. “How much I cherish every moment with you.” He kissed her right eye. “How much I want you.” He kissed her nose. “And how much I love you.” He kissed her lips. “That was Matt on the phone. I need to review and sign some paperwork … and see how our only prisoner is behaving. I think it’s time to introduce you to our pack office staff. You ready?”
A sliver of fear gripped her heart, but she knew what she had gotten into and had accepted it. Now she had to put her best foot forward and stand firm on her decision to be with Luke. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” His eyes showed concern, but she added, “It’s scary because I’m new to all this, but I know you’ll be with me, so yes, I’m ready.”
He smiled and tapped the top of her nose playfully, letting go of her waist. “Very well, mate, let’s go then.”
Chapter 18
Cynthia
The drive to town was a little longer than anticipated. Thankfully, Luke took that time to tell her as much as he could about the people she was about to meet. She had already met Jack at the diner, and she had had the pleasure of meeting Joe briefly at his bar. Matt was already in her good friend repertoire, so that only left who Luke called his second, his third and his fourth, his assistant on all pack and realty matters, and the rest of the council. She was relieved she would be meeting the rest of the pack on another day.
The truck pulled into the parking lot of a three-story office building. It took up a corner lot in a more industrial part of town. Cynthia was surprised she hadn’t come across it during her walks, though she had stuck to Main Street and its local shops during her exploration of town. Luke opened her door, and Cynthia stepped out to the crisp, mid-morning air. Taking his offered hand, she let him lead her into the brick-colored building with a sign outside that read ‘Clear Creek Realty.’
A receptionist sat behind a tall desk, her eyes glued to a computer screen while her hands moved across the keyboard at an impressive speed. Her eyes snapped up as they approached her desk. “Alpha, good morning, sir.” Her eyes sparked with interest as she ran her eyes up and down Luke’s body.
A growl that sounded like it was coming from somewhere else rose from Cynthia’s chest, catching her completely off guard.
“Our mate!” her wolf growled, and Cynthia felt the need to gauge the woman’s eyes out for daring to look at her mate.
“Sir? Is everything alright?” The receptionist’s voice sounded worried and contrite, but Cynthia knew it was as fake as the woman’s blond hair.
Luke’s lips quirked at the sound, and he took Cynthia’s hand, squeezing reassuringly. “Everything is fine, Vivian. Please notify the council that I want to see them in conference room A in thirty minutes. Let my four and Margaret know I’ll be meeting with them right after I’m done meeting with the council.”
“Yes, Alpha.” Vivian’s response faded as they walked away from her desk.
Luke guided Cynthia past two offices with glass doors, and then turned left down a white hallway lined with mahogany doors. He stopped abruptly and wrapped his large hand around Cynthia’s hip, pulling her flush against him. “You’re sexy when you get possessive, and it’s driving me mad with want.” He dipped his head and ran his nose from her collar bone to behind her ear, inhaling her scent. Then he kissed her. It was a rough kiss to show her just how much he wanted her at that moment.
Cynthia felt herself responding to his need, and her wolf perked up, whispering to her, “Mine.” Cynthia couldn’t deny the need to stake her claim and thoroughly agreed with her wolf. “Mark him so that she-wolf knows he’s ours.” And just like that, Cynthia pulled away from the intense kiss and struck. Her teeth sunk into the flesh where his shoulder and neck meet, and she drank. At that moment, all rational was out the door and her wolf took over, marking her mate in the hallway of his office building. Cynthia felt his hand gently urging her away from his flesh, and she growled again.
“You are going to be the death of me.” Luke held her face with both hands. “You have no idea how hard I’m fighting my wolf to not strip you naked and claim you here in this hallway.” He kissed her lips tenderly, just a small peck. “I am yours, I have no eyes or desire for anyone but you. You are my mate and neither I, nor my wolf, will ever want another. Now come, I have something to show you before we meet with the council. And if we hurry, I might have time to show you just how much I want you.” Luke took her hand and continued walking down the hall.
She noticed several of the doors had name plaques, and two sets of double doors were labeled as conference rooms. Beautiful nature paintings hung between each door. A set of brown leather chairs sat against the wall to the left, next to one of the sets of double doors. Everything looked meticulously clean and polished, from the floor to the brass door knobs and plaques. At the end of the hallway they turned right past a set of brass elevator doors, until they stood outside a set of heavy mahogany double doors.
Luke punched in a code and pressed his hand to a screen to the right of the doors that Cynthia hadn’t even noticed; the lock clicked open to reveal yet another elevator.
“After you, love.” He motioned with his hand for her to step inside.
Cynthia looked at him briefly, then stepped into an elevator lined with expensive mahogany panels and chrome handrails. Every surface was spotless. Luke placed his hand on a screen a
nd a B, 2, and 3 appeared as options. He selected the 3 and the elevator began to climb.
The doors opened once more to reveal a large office. A rustic mahogany desk dominated the room, paired with a chocolate brown leather executive chair. Two large computer screens sat on top the desk, surrounded by the usual desk supplies and a neat stack of papers. Two matching leather chairs sat in front of the massive desk. The wall behind the desk was a window with the view of town. On the wall to the left was a door, with two large paintings of wolves hung on either side. On the wall to the right, about a dozen screens lined the wall. Against the corner to the right of the desk was a printer on a matching mahogany file cabinet. A leather couch sat against the entrance wall, and a mini bar that matched the rest of the mahogany furniture was angled in the corner facing the desk. Different expensive liquor bottles sat atop the bar.
The room was vast and well-lit with natural light. In the middle was a plush Persian rug resting on top a beautifully polished hardwood floor. It gave the room just the right amount of color to contrast with the deep mahogany and chocolate brown of the furniture. A coffee table with a silver ashtray and matching set of coasters angled on top the rug near the couch, creating a seating area.
Cynthia walked in, turning in a circle as she admired the beautiful space. “Wow, this is as beautiful as the cabin. You have very good interior decorating taste.”
A deep chuckle left Luke’s lips. “Well, you can say Margaret has really good and expensive interior decorating taste. She took over the redecoration when I took the Alpha position.” He walked up to her and took her hand. “Come, you still have to see the most important room.”
She couldn’t help giggling at the wicked gleam in his eyes. He was definitely up to something. “There’s a more important room?”
He pulled her along to the single door in the room. “But of course.”
They stepped through the door into an elegant suite. A king-size mahogany bed and matching nightstands took up most of the space to the right. A black duvet with multiple black and silver pillows decorated the giant-sized bed. The wall to the right had a floor-to-ceiling window with dark mahogany shutters that draped the room in darkness. Apparently, mahogany was the theme in the building. A heavy armoire leaned against the wall where she stood and faced the bed.
A leather loveseat and chair were strategically placed against the left wall with a coffee table between them and a floor lamp in the corner. Against the left wall, further into the suite, was a fully equipped small kitchenette, with a door to the right. Luke opened the door to reveal a master bathroom. A porcelain sink matching the color of the marbled floor sat within a mahogany cabinet with a dark granite countertop. A standing shower with glass doors, a jet tub, and separate toilet room, all with chrome faucets and handles, composed the room. Fluffy grey towels hung from the towel bars. Luke opened a door to the left of the bathroom entrance to reveal a walk-in closet; his clothes hung neatly in rows, and different types of shoes lined a rack above.
It was absolutely beautiful, and fit for a king. In a way, Cynthia supposed Luke was a king. He was the king of his pack, though he carried an Alpha title instead. That meant she had just inherited the title of queen, or Alpha female, as he had called it. To say the least she was nervous, but tried to keep her hopes up that the pack would accept her. That they would see past the fact that she was only part shifter, and that how much shifter blood ran through her veins was still to be determined. All Cynthia knew was that she couldn’t and wouldn’t leave Luke; they were meant for each other. He completed her and she completed him, of that she had no doubt, and she would fight anyone that thought to get between them.
She smiled at him. “Now I see why you never saw the need to live in the cabin mansion. You have everything you need here. And from what I can see, it’s as private as any house would be.”
His eyes gleamed as his laugh filled the room as he wrapped her in his arms. “Cabin mansion?” He sobered and looked straight into her emerald orbs. “I guess that’s a way of looking at it. And yes, this is my sanctuary, and it is definitely private. I made sure of it when I built this wing for myself. No one can enter or exit without my code and palm print. I have another office downstairs that I use for meetings. Very few people have ever been in here.”
She kissed his lips softly. “Well then, I’m honored to be one of those few. I do believe we can think of many ways to keep busy if we ever have to stay bunkered down in here.”
He kissed her back fully. “I can think of many things we can do right now. Why wait?”
“Hmmm ... I believe ... Alpha ... that you called a meeting and we are out of time. Your council will be waiting for their leader.”
He released an exaggerated breath and leaned his forehead on hers. “They will wait as long as it takes.”
She couldn’t help smiling at his pouting as she ran her hands over his strong chest. “They might, but it’s not right. I don’t want to give them any reason not to like me.”
His large hands covered her own. “They’re going to love you, but, if you insist, then let’s head down.”
He was damn tempting, but Cynthia stood her ground. He had called a meeting to introduce her to his pack council, and she didn’t want to start off on the wrong foot. Making them wait was definitely not an option right now.
Two palm prints and two codes later, they were moving down in the elevator.
Luke stopped outside one of the two sets of double doors and looked intently at her. “You ready?” She nodded, too nervous to answer. He noticed and squeezed her hand, his voice a soothing balm calmed her nerves. “Don’t worry, I’m right here with you, and they have to respect you. You are their Alpha, too, now. They forfeit their life if they don’t.”
Cynthia swallowed hard at his revelation. It would seriously suck if they didn’t like her, but not to the extreme of wanting someone dead. Before she could say so, he opened the door and pulled her inside.
Everyone in the room stood, their eyes trained just to the side of their heads. “Good morning, Alpha.” A chorus rang in the now-quiet room.
Luke inclined his head just slightly in acknowledgement. “Good morning. Please take your seats.” He tugged Cynthia to the front of the room, where all eyes were now looking expectantly at them both. She went to sit down, but he grabbed a hold of her hand, pulling her to his side. “I called you all here to introduce you to Cynthia Whelan, my mate. We have completed the blood bond, which means she is now your Alpha female. On the next full moon run, we will complete the bonding ceremony in front of the whole pack.” No one so much as moved while Luke spoke. It was amazing and darn hot to see how much power he wielded over his pack. “Know and let everyone else know that disrespect or lack of her protection will result in those involved forfeiting their lives.”
The silence in the room was defining as they both stood in front of the council. Everyone seemed to be processing what Luke had just said. A female that looked to be in her late forties finally broke the silence.
“Alpha, may I speak?” Her piercing blue eyes bore into Cynthia, clearly showing that Cynthia was not what this woman had expected her Alpha to find in a mate.
Luke nodded his head slightly in her direction. “Of course, Natalia, you may speak freely.”
Her eyes shifted from Luke to Cynthia and then back. “Alpha, how can she be a true mate if she is human?”
Luke took Cynthia’s hand in his entwining their fingers. “I assure you Natalia that Cynthia is a shifter. A blood bond would have not been possible otherwise.”
Natalia looked at Cynthia again then shifted her eyes back to Luke. “If this is the case, then why is one of our own being held prisoner for attacking a human, when clearly you have proved that said victim is not human?”
Luke tensed beside Cynthia; she could feel the anger rising within him, making her wonder how it was possible she could sense his emotions. His voice was a deep baritone that pulled her out of her thoughts as he answered Natalia’s questi
on. “I called this meeting to introduce you to my mate, your Alpha female, not to discuss the sentence that was given to the prisoner. However, I will humor you and answer your question. Layla is being held to the sentence that was given because she attacked Cynthia in full belief that Cynthia was human. That fact alone is proof Layla deliberately broke pack law and might very possibly be a threat to the humans we live amongst. Pack law is to be upheld by all pack members, and no one is exempt from the consequences. Do I make myself clear?”
Silence had descended upon the room, and all eyes were on Natalia as her Alpha spoke. Cynthia couldn’t help but feel sorry for the curt response Luke had given her. However, she understood that Natalia’s question was not only asking about the prisoner, she had questioned Luke’s integrity as a leader. No doubt she thought Luke had been harsh or unjust because Cynthia happened to be his true mate.
Natalia looked Luke in the eye for three counts and dropped her gaze, nodding her head in acknowledgement. “It is understood, Alpha.”
Luke addressed Jack, all tension leaving his body as he changed the subject. “Jack, as the eldest council member, will you officiate our bonding ceremony?”
A warm smile spread on Jack’s lips as he accepted. “Of course. It will be my honor to officiate our Alpha’s bonding ceremony. And I know Lucy will be delighted to help Cynthia with the female part of the details.” Jack took Cynthia in a tight embrace and kissed her cheek. A low growl erupted from deep in Luke’s chest, but the elder was not fazed; instead, he kissed Cynthia’s other cheek and laughed out loud at his Alpha’s deep scowl. “Don’t get your briefs in a knot. Cynthia is like a daughter now.” Luke just stood rigid beside Cynthia, but managed a slight smile.