by DJ Phoenix
Dylan looked at the Alpha’s eyes and trembled as he averted his gaze from the dominant and pissed off wolf. Luke’s fist connected with his spleen, and then the sharp pain of claws tore a scream from deep in his throat. He had underestimated the Alpha, and it was going to cost him his life. He was only sorry that he hadn’t killed that stupid whore while he had the chance; that would’ve surely given him a fighting chance. If he somehow got out of this alive, he would kill her the first chance he had. Screw the greedy Fae that had hired him and her cause.
Luke tightened his hand around Dylan’s throat as he spoke. “For daring to put your filthy hands on my mate.” He squeezed tighter. “For trespassing into my territory.” Luke buried his claws deep into the man’s belly and tore him open. “For daring to challenge my Alpha position, you die today.” With one last tightening of his hand, Luke saw the vacant stare of death in his opponent’s eyes; only then did he let the body drop unceremoniously to the floor.
Another scream came from the stairwell. “Luke, stop!” His mate’s voice rang through the house.
Luke hesitated as his mate’s words sank in. Dylan deserved to die, not only for what he had done to his mate, but also because he had issued an official challenge for the Alpha position. In their world, there was no other way; in a challenge, someone had to die for an Alpha to either rise or remain. His mate didn’t understand that yet, and he had just ended a man’s life in front of her.
Luke closed his eyes and swallowed hard; he didn’t want to see fear in his mate’s eyes. He braced himself and turned slowly to face her. In four long strides, he reached the stairs and took them two at a time until he stood in front of her. She was still standing on the first landing of the stairs, and she had her hands covering her face. He gently lowered her hands and surveyed her injuries. Her face was swollen and tear-streaked, and his heart broke. He had failed her, he had allowed her to be taken by a maniac, and he had just ended a life in front of her. She looked up at him, and, despite the pain she was in and the tears in her eyes, he saw her love for him. He pulled her against him, wrapping her securely in his arms, and whispered into her ear how much he loved her.
He knew he needed to get her home, and he needed to make sure she was alright. He heard a door slam but didn’t bother looking to see what was happening; he knew his friends had everything under control. The Fae was standing next to Cynthia, and he growled at the man’s proximity to his mate.
Cynthia looked at him, her eye was almost swollen shut. “Don’t you growl at my cousin. He just rescued me from the room I was locked up in, so get a grip and deal with it!”
Luke bit back a growl but decided not to cause his mate any more grief. “Thank you, Adam. I owe you a great deal for helping me find Cynthia.” He was also thankful the Fae understood his wolf’s need to protect and gracefully moved away from his mate.
Adam bowed his head slightly, “Alpha, it was my duty and my pleasure. I will take care of Dylan’s body so you can get Cynthia home.” With that said, Adam descended the stairs. In the background, Luke could hear movements and chose to keep his mate tucked against his chest to keep her from looking at the clean up his pack mates and the Fae were executing.
Matt had figured out where they were and called for backup. His third, Dan, had arrived driving his SUV. James had arrived in his truck. They secured and piled Dylan’s thugs into the SUV with Dan and Evan. His second and third drove them to the pack office with orders to lock them up in cells until Luke could interrogate them and get the council together to have an official trial.
The Fae and Dylan’s body were nowhere in sight. Luke figured Adam would be back after he was done with whatever he had chosen to do with Dylan’s body. He had no other choice than to trust the Fae knew what he was doing, and knew how to dispose of a supernatural body so the human authorities wouldn’t come across it.
He walked his mate outside, and the rest of them squeezed into James’ truck, heading to the pack cabin. He held Cynthia on his lap and rubbed soothing circles along her back. She was his priority, even over his pack. He buried his nose into her hair and inhaled her sweet candy apple scent. He was still angry at himself for leaving her alone and failing to protect her from Dylan. It was going to take a long time for him to not feel overprotective and on edge when it came to her safety, but she was just going to have to live with it. He would not take her safety lightly ever again. He swallowed back a growl as he thought about the fact that he could have lost her today.
Luke took a deep, calming breath and pulled out his phone. He dialed Doctor Miller’s number and asked him to meet them at the cabin. He was on edge, but he had to get himself under control so that Miller could check his mate. He wouldn’t be helping her if he overreacted and attacked the good doctor for coming near her. After her injuries were taken care of and after making sure she was going to be okay both physically and mentally, maybe if she still wanted him, they could complete their bonding ceremony before the full moon waned.
Cynthia
The commotion outside was driving her crazy. She had to get out of this room. She could hear a commotion outside, and it sounded like someone was taking a mallet to the walls. She could hear grunts and growls, and each one sped her heartbeat. It felt like her heart was going to beat right out of her chest. Not knowing what was happening beyond her locked door was driving her mad. So, she did the only thing she could do and screamed; it was a loud, frustrated scream filled with all her pent-up pain and anxiety.
The door knob rattled and Cynthia stepped back. Was it somebody coming to get her assuming she was part of Dylan’s messed-up life, or was someone here to help? There was no way to know until that door opened and she saw whoever stood on the other side. She braced herself for the worst and hoped for the best as she stood back and waited for the door to open.
A sob escaped her when she saw her cousin standing in the middle of the destroyed door. Somehow, he had managed to incinerate a big enough hole in the door without burning anything else.
Adam walked in through the hole and took in Cynthia’s surroundings. “Well, this guy is really a piece of work, isn’t he? Your mate is dealing with him as we speak. And I have to say he’s going to be furious when he sees what this man has done to you. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, really. This is worse than anything he had ever done before, but I’m not down for the count yet. Maybe if you had taken a little longer, he would have managed to knock me out.”
Adam took her gently by the shoulders and took a good look at her. “Are you sure you’re okay? I can carry you if you need me to. I am very sorry I wasn’t there to keep this from happening. I was sent to watch over you and I failed.”
Cynthia straightened up. “Nonsense! No one knew or could figure out anything about my stalker. This is no one’s fault but Dylan’s. He’s crazy and delusional. Now take me to my mate.”
“First, let me help with your injuries. I can’t fully heal you, for that I need more time, but I can at least do something about your eyes so you can see better.” Adam placed his hand over her eyes, and Cynthia felt a warm heat spread across her eyelids. A tingling sensation around her eyes made her flinch, but right after she could open her eyes fully again. Adam stepped away from her and headed toward the door, motioning her to follow him. “You must remember that shifters are not fully human. They are led by their wolf instincts, and your mate is more wolf than man right now. His wolf has taken over in an attempt to protect their mate.”
Cynthia’s throat tightened; swallowing seemed impossible through the knot that had formed. What would she find when she saw Luke? Could she handle the animal instincts her cousin spoke about? She hadn’t seen this side of her mate, or anyone in the pack, except for the one who had attacked her, and that was a memory she had been trying to forget.
Her walk down the corridor seemed endless, but only took a few steps. The stairway loomed ahead, and the growls increased as they approached the landing. She could see her mate now, a fury of swinging fi
sts and kicks. Dylan was quick, but Luke’s swings were powerful and precise, making the other man falter as he tried to avoid her mate’s hits.
She ran down the stairs to the first landing, her cousin right behind her, both coming to an abrupt stop before reaching the ground floor. Cynthia was paralyzed as she saw her mate take Dylan by the throat. Trickles of blood ran down Dylan’s throat where her mate’s claws had embedded in his skin. A scream tore out of her captor’s throat as Luke tore into his arm with his claws. Blood now flowed freely down his arm. She saw the murderous intent in both men’s eyes, but she couldn’t let her mate take that plunge. Her mate was a good man, a good Alpha, he wasn’t a murderer like Dylan.
“Luke, stop!” she screamed across the living space, but she was too late, her mate’s claws had buried deep into Dylan’s midsection, tearing him open. Then she saw with horror as Luke spoke to him then let Dylan’s body drop lifeless to the floor.
She covered her face, not wanting to see the horror in front of her. Tears spilled from her eyes, not because Dylan was dead, but because her mate had ended a life with his own hands. She hadn’t wanted this; even though her ex was less than scum, she hadn’t wanted his blood on her mate’s hands.
Luke stood in front of her in an instant. He was gentle and almost seemed afraid of her reaction when he moved her hands away from her face. Then he looked to the side and was growling at Adam.
“Don’t you growl at my cousin. He just rescued me from the room I was locked up in, so get a grip and deal with it!”
Luke muttered an apology and thanks to her cousin, and then took a close look at the state she was in. He seemed to fight down more anger, but she knew it was a reaction to her injuries. She knew he loved her, and she couldn’t even begin to imagine how she must look, even after Adam’s healing mojo. Then she found herself wrapped in his arms and relished the security she felt. He loved her, and that was all that mattered.
Chapter 28
Cynthia
Cynthia found herself sitting in the back of James’ truck, except she wasn’t really sitting on the truck’s seat, she was perched on her mate’s lap. Her head pounded, her eyeball felt like it was going to pop out of her eye socket, and her ribs throbbed. She was drained. She rested her head on her mate’s shoulder and closed her eyes.
When Cynthia awoke, she was laying on her bed in her room in the cabin mansion. She found her mate sitting beside her on the bed, an anxious expression on his face. “What happened? How long have I been out?” She shot up, her ribs and head protesting the sudden movement. “The ceremony! Did we miss the full moon?”
Luke stood and took a seat on the edge of the bed. “It’s almost ten o’clock. We haven’t missed it yet, but are you sure we should go through with it? Dr. Miller said none of your injuries are severe. Your wolf blood already accelerated some of the healing, but you are hurt, and I don’t want to risk worsening your injuries. We can wait for the next full moon.”
Cynthia took a deep breath. She did hurt, but she didn’t want to wait another whole month to be fully bonded to her mate. “I don’t want to wait. We already planned everything for tonight, and I’m ready to officially be your mate. So, help me up so we can do this.”
Luke took her face in his hands and kissed her tenderly. “I am so proud to have you as my mate, and if you say you are well enough to do this, then come, my love. Let’s make our mating official. I can’t wait to share my wolf with you.”
Despite the fact that they had broken ceremonial rules by being in each other’s presence before the bonding, Jack and the elders agreed they should finish what had been started.
Lucy helped Cynthia clean up and straighten out her ceremonial robe as best she could. The woman gave Cynthia a hug and guided her down the stairs, assuring her she wouldn’t be letting her out of her sight until she was officially bonded to Luke.
Cynthia stood at the backdoor, facing the dais across the yard. The pack was gathered and seated, filling up every row of chairs. Jack stood tall and regal in front of the pack. Cynthia’s eyes were transfixed on her mate, however, who stood to the Jack’s left. He wore leather pants and no shirt. His chiseled chest gleamed in the moonlight, and his eyes glowed with the presence of his wolf. A shiver ran up her spine, and she knew her own wolf was answering her mate’s call.
Jack called the attention of the pack as he introduced their Alpha and his mate. Quiet descended around the yard as they all stood to welcome her. This was her cue to make her way down the aisle to the dais. Her hands shook and her knees felt weak as nerves threatened to overtake her.
Her wolf growled in her mind. “Our pack!” Cynthia looked around and saw the smiles and expectant faces. She decided right then and there that she would do everything in her power to be the strong Alpha female her pack needed. She would stand with her mate and, together, they would lead their pack. She knew that was her duty, and she was up for the challenge.
Then she remembered that magic was a big part of the ceremony, and she looked around for her cousin. She scanned the surrounding trees for his bird form, but the trees were bare. She had a moment to panic before he stepped into view. He was standing beside Matt in his human form, and it seemed the pack was okay with a Fae being amongst them. At least for now.
By the time she reached Luke’s side, she had her nerves under control. She knew Adam was there to help with the magic, and she knew her mate was there to walk her through her first change. She took a deep breath and looked into her mate’s eyes as he took her hands and wrapped them in his own.
Jack addressed the pack as the ceremony began. “As elder of this pack, it is my honor to present to you our Alpha’s one true mate, Cynthia Whelan. Our Alpha, Luke Andrews, has claimed her as his mate. We ask the gods tonight to bless this union as we, as a pack, declare our fealty to our new Alpha female. Let us commence.”
As Jack finished his sentence, Luke turned them both around to face the pack. Cynthia was surprised to find everyone in different stages of undress. Lucy had told her all about this part of the ceremony; all she had to do was nod in acceptance as each wolf approached and bared their belly to her.
No matter how much Lucy had explained, she couldn’t help tensing beside her mate. He squeezed her hand lightly in reassurance, probably thinking she was frightened. However, she wasn’t frightened of the pack of wolves that would soon be standing before her, she already considered them her pack, it was the comfort with which they all undressed in front of each other that was just a little unnerving, and would definitely take some getting used to.
One by one each pack member in their wolf form approached her. She stood perfectly still as the first of the pack walked up to her and dipped low to the ground, as if a wolf could curtsy, then rolled exposing his underbelly.
“Jack,” Luke’s whisper reached her still-human ears as the wolf stood to leave and the line of wolves behind him began to move forward, each one repeating Jack’s actions.
The last of the pack members approached the altar where Cynthia and her mate stood. It was a she-wolf, she could tell by the smaller frame and somewhat more delicate facial structure. The she-wolf walked toward them with a regal air, and as she reached the area where the rest of the pack had rolled to their back exposing their underbelly, she looked Cynthia up and down then looked to her Alpha. After a few seconds, the she-wolf averted her gaze and exposed her throat to Luke. Then she turned to Cynthia and did the same before dropping to the floor and exposing her underbelly. Cynthia released a breath she didn’t know she had been holding as the she-wolf walked back to her seat.
Luke turned her around to face Jack again, who had shifted back to his human form and was thankfully clothed. He held a gold cord in his hands as he approached the couple. “The pack has recognized our Alpha female. Now we ask the gods to bestow their blessing over our Alpha couple.”
Jack stepped closer to them and took her right and his left hands, intertwining their fingers. Then he took the gold cord, which Cynthia could now see
was leather, and wrapped it around both their hands, tying them together.
He looked to Luke. “Luke Andrews, you have proven to this pack that you are capable of providing for your mate and any future cubs the gods bless you with. Do you willingly declare that Cynthia Whelan is your mate, and that you will protect her and provide for her for as long as the gods give you life?”
Luke took in his mate and searched deep in her eyes as he answered Jack’s question. “I declare that Cynthia Whelan is my one true mate. She is the half of my soul that was missing, and she now completes me and my wolf. I will treasure her and love her. I will provide for her and our future cubs. I will protect her and our cubs with my life.”
Jack looked to Cynthia next. “Cynthia Whelan, do you declare that Luke Andrews is your mate and that you will complete his soul and bring balance to his life?”
Cynthia took a deep breath and answered as Lucy had taught her, never averting her eyes from her mate’s. “I declare that Luke Andrews is my one true mate. I willingly accept him and his wolf. I will love him and honor him. I will bring balance between the man and the wolf. I will stand by his side, and together we will care for each other and our future cubs.”
Jack’s voice rose as he spoke. “Gods of our ancestors, we come before you united as a pack. We stand witness to the true bond between our Alpha, Luke Andrews and Cynthia Whelan. As we stand bathed in the power of the full moon, we ask that you accept and bless their bond.”
As soon as Jack’s words ended, rays of light shot down from the moon, sparkling and twirling around Cynthia and Luke.
Cynthia was awestruck at the beauty of it all. It reminded her of pixie dust. The sparkles began to cling to her and Luke as they covered them from head to toe, and Cynthia began to feel heat forming deep inside her. The heat spread to her limbs, and soon her fingertips and toes were tingling. She looked to Luke and saw wonder in his gaze. Then she looked at herself and understood why; she was glowing. She was glowing, but Luke was not. That must mean her Fae magic was being released. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the heat building up inside her, she tried to keep it contained within her body, but it was so much and it was so strong. She couldn’t will it to do anything like Adam had told her to.