Claimed and Mated

by James, Delta

  “I hate to be the bringer of bad thoughts,” interrupted Giovanni, “but if she is already mated, what will you do?”

  “If she wants to leave, I will ask her alpha to release her and if he refuses, I will bring charges against him before the Ruling Council.”

  “And if that doesn’t work?” asked Giovanni softly. “If he isn’t abusing her... and I am sure, Madonna, that you would think that any forced pairing is abuse, as would my Valentina... they will never agree to dissolve the union.”

  Catherine gasped. “You mean she’d be stuck with this bastard?”

  “Calm yourself, beloved. If the Council will not intervene then I will challenge the wolf to personal combat. If he lacks the courage or honor to fight me, we will go to war.”

  Nothing was said until Catherine managed to utter, “Do you mean you’d risk yourself and our people for my sister?”

  “Yes, but more for you,” he said softly.

  “Giovanni, talk to him. She’s my sister and I love her but there has to be some other way than violence.”

  “Not always, Madonna. If she is your sister then she is important to this pack. We will gladly follow our alpha to bring her home. We would do the same for any member of this pack. If you harm one of us, you harm us all.”

  Luca nodded. “She is pack, Madonna.”

  Catherine shook her head. “I don’t understand. You let your sister get run to ground by her mate...”

  “But he was her fated mate. He did not buy her from me. When a man challenges his fated mate to run, it is only because he is certain of her, who she is and that she is simply being difficult... much like the current Madonna of the DeMedici pack.”

  Catherine laughed in spite of herself. “So say you all?” she asked.

  “So say we all,” replied Marco as the others nodded.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Catherine found that Valentina had preparations well in hand for the evening. She was helping with some last-minute selections regarding food setup when she was told her friend Sera had arrived. Catherine rushed out to greet her.

  “Oh, my God, Catherine, you look amazing.”

  “Sera, it’s great to see you. Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

  “Are you kidding me? Thanks for inviting me. I’m glad to see you so happy because I’ve been having the most amazing time. An all-expense shopping spree for you and then your man has them send me the things I was interested in when I wouldn’t let him pay me for my time.”

  Catherine laughed. “That’s my Marco. I have found he always finds a way to get what he wants... including me.”

  “Yes, as I recall you wanted nothing to do with Marco DeMedici and were quite adamant about that.”

  “What can I tell you, he’s rich, handsome, and great in the sack.”

  “Well, that would certainly do it for me,” she giggled. “This place is every bit as mind-blowing as I’ve heard.”

  “And you haven’t seen the interior, the gardens or had anything to eat.”

  “Yes, but I did get the case of wine with instructions that I was to order more when I needed it.”

  They were walking up the steps to the house, when another motor was heard and Catherine saw Griffin pull up.

  “Hang on tight, Sera. I need to go see Griffin.”

  Griffin smiled at her broadly. “Catherine, it’s good to see you.”

  She ran down the steps, throwing her arms around him and hugging him close.

  She whispered in his ear, “I owe you a debt I can never repay for saving him from those butchers.”

  “You repaid that debt in full when it was your presence that drew him back from abyss. He lived for you, Catherine.”

  “Fine, then I want to know more about that rather debauched night the two of you spent in Germany.”

  Griffin could barely conceal his shock that she had any knowledge of that night.

  “When I was transitioning, I saw Marco and me together during many lifetimes and a brief snippet of the two of you in Germany.”

  Griffin laughed. “No, if I tell you, should I ever find a mate, he will tell her. So my fair Catherine, my lips are sealed.”

  She linked her arm through his. “Come and meet my friend Sera.”

  “The woman you were with when Marco finally spotted you.”

  “Finally?” Sera asked, having overheard his comment.

  “Yes. Marco had seen Catherine in his dreams for years. So when he finally spotted her at the restaurant, he wasted no time in trying to court her. I understand she was not all that impressed at first.”

  “He would be awfully hard to resist for most of us, but Catherine says he’s great in the sack.”

  Griffin laughed and linked arms with Sera as well. The three of them entered the house together as Marco came out of his office. Before he could object to Catherine walking arm and arm with Griffin, she had left Griffin to join her mate’s side and kissed him, whispering, “I missed you.”

  “And I you,” he responded.

  “And how long has it been since you last saw one another?” Griffin asked with a huge grin.

  “Far too long. At least several hours,” said Marco.

  “Two,” said Giovanni. “They have been apart a little less than two hours.”

  Sera and Griffin laughed. Sera turned to Griffin. “Ain’t true love grand?”

  “Yes, and apparently all-consuming.”

  “Careful, Griffin. My Catherine has a rather nasty habit of evening the score when she thinks she has been wronged.”

  “Giovanni,” said Catherine. “Would you be a dear and ask Valentina to join Sera and me up in Marco’s and my bedroom?”

  “It would be my pleasure, Madonna.”

  “Madonna?” asked Sera.

  “An honorary title for the head of the family’s wife... me!”

  Sera giggled and whispered to her, “He didn’t waste any time, did he?”

  “What can I say... he’s that good,” she whispered back.

  They ran up the stairs together.

  * * *

  Marco watched them go before turning to Griffin. “Any other news?”

  “On Shannon? None. But I did get the information to your brother Tony in Rome. He said he’d put out feelers for you.”

  “I appreciate you coordinating this for me. With Catherine transitioning, my focus has had to be elsewhere. I owe you.”

  “Consider it a wedding present. She is truly glorious, Marco.”

  The alpha of the DeMedici smiled. “She is and is well worth the time it took me to find her and to bring her home. Now come, Luca is anxious to meet with us.”

  They were entering his office as Valentina walked past them, headed up to Catherine and Sera.

  “Valentina, will you take my ring up to my mate. I have hers and wanted her to have mine.”

  “Of course,” she said brightly.

  “And did Gio arrange for the fireworks?”

  She grinned. “They will be able to see them from the space station.”

  “Those are to be a surprise, Valentina.”

  “Yes, Alpha,” she said, running up to join her friend.

  “Think she’ll tell her?” asked Griffin, nodding to Valentina.

  “I doubt it. She wants our ceremony to be special as does everyone else in the pack. The surprise will delight Catherine.”

  “I heard Giovanni call her Madonna?”

  “Yes, our pack has already fallen under her spell as well.”

  “This does not bode well for you, old friend,” said Griffin, grinning. “I fear your mate will never be a quiet and demure mate. In fact, I think she may well be an alpha.”

  Marco laughed. “You are right on all accounts. My Catherine will never be the sweet submissive many alphas want. She herself is an alpha although hasn’t recognized it yet. I plan to spend the rest of my life enjoying her wild spirit.”

  “I’ll remind you of that the next time she tries to break your nose.”

 
They both laughed and went to join Luca in Marco’s study.

  * * *

  Valentina joined Sera and Catherine in the latter’s closet.

  “Sera, this is Valentina. She organized the closet and I suspect helped put together the shopping list. Valentina, this is Sera who did all the shopping.”

  “You did a wonderful job,” said Valentina. “I think everything you picked is perfect, especially the ivory lace with the sweep train.”

  Sera grinned. “I didn’t want to assume, but I thought it might be nice to have just in case.”

  “It’s gorgeous,” said Valentina. “Have you pulled it out and looked at it, Catherine? It may be the most beautiful gown I’ve ever seen. And if you want, I know where the DeMedici veil is kept. It’s been in the family for centuries.”

  “Catherine, if it goes with the dress you have to wear it. What a wonderful tradition. Besides it’s the only time a woman can wear a veil and not look like an idiot.”

  “I’ll run and go get it.”

  “Thanks, Valentina. And thanks for all of the work you’ve done putting this celebration together. Sera and I will be out on the balcony. Grab the veil then come and sit and put your feet up.”

  “Back in a flash,” Valentina called as she sailed out the door.

  “They seem to have taken you in remarkably quickly.”

  “I make their fearless leader happy and he loves me, that’s all they needed to know. I was worried they would resent the American woman just sweeping in... but they didn’t.”

  “I have to say I was still a bit concerned until I saw your face. It’s so obvious that you’re happy and madly in love as is he.”

  Catherine nodded. “Yes, I am very lucky.”

  Valentina rejoined them with the most exquisite veil made of a gossamer-like silk with a small lace detail on the edge. The color was a perfect match for the gown. She put it on the bed and then joined Sera and Catherine on the balcony.

  “I checked with the household staff. They assure me they have everything under control.”

  “Why does that not surprise me?” laughed Catherine. She poured wine for her friends and looked out over the vineyard. The view from her balcony was commanding and magnificent.

  The three women spent the afternoon chatting as if they were old friends merely needing to catch up with one another.

  The ceremony was to be at sunset with dinner, feasting and dancing to follow. They watched as a beautiful ceremony site was set up, as well as an outdoor dining area and dance floor. In addition horses had been groomed and carriages cleaned and shined so that guests could take a moonlit ride through the vineyard.

  Catherine shooed both women out of her room about ninety minutes before the ceremony was to begin and asked that Valentina show Sera to her room. She was sitting on the edge of their bed when there was a discreet knock.

  A man who could only be one of Marco’s younger brothers stepped in.

  “I’m Tony and you must be Marco’s Catherine.”

  “So he keeps telling me,” she said, smiling and getting up to greet him.

  He took her outstretched hand and used it to draw her into a hug.

  “My big brother has always been able to get the most beautiful women, but with you, he has outdone even himself.”

  “And you would be his youngest brother and one of two who did nothing to stop him from forcing your little sister to run. Shame on you,” she chided.

  He laughed. “Marco warned me you weren’t a fan of some of our traditions. You and Gia will adore each other. I plan to be home for a few days. I’m hoping you, Marco, and I can talk.”

  “Have you heard something about Shannon?”

  “Nothing specific, but a rumor. I want to talk to you before pursuing it. But let us talk of happier things. My brother will be annoyed if I have done anything to dampen your mood. And you know what he’s like when he’s annoyed.”

  “Yes, but somehow I doubt he takes you over his knee.”

  Tony laughed. “You are correct. That he reserves only for his beloved mate.”

  “Pfft. He keeps telling me that as well.”

  Tony turned serious for a moment. “You don’t doubt that you have his whole heart, do you?”

  She reached over and touched his arm. “Not even for a moment.”

  He leaned down and kissed her cheek.

  “Welcome to the family, Catherine. We’re all so happy he finally found you. Now I can set myself up as the consolation prize since he’s off the table so to speak.”

  Catherine’s smile grew broader. “You are no consolation prize, little brother. And any girl who doesn’t see that is blind, stupid, and beneath your notice.”

  There was another discreet knock and one of the household staff, who introduced herself as Maria, asked if she could be of assistance getting the Madonna ready.

  “I’ll be with Marco at the altar. I’m telling you as I’m sure you will only have eyes for my brother.”

  “I fear, my dear Tony, you are right. For me, he eclipses all others.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Catherine slipped into the ivory lace gown. It had a sweetheart neckline, corseted back, and was lined with a gossamer fabric that seemed to have been made from the same material as the several hundred-year-old DeMedici veil with the lace edging. Lace that was reminiscent of the gown itself. The gown was fitted as though it had been made specifically for her and hugged her body to just below her ass where it flared out slightly.

  Catherine drew her hair back from her face but left it mostly hanging long in loose curls that Maria was able to coax into a reasonable style into which she attached the beautiful, silky veil.

  “The alpha sent these up for you,” Maria said as she offered Catherine a pair of baroque pearl and diamond drop earrings.

  Catherine could not suppress her gasp.

  “They’re gorgeous. They’re real, aren’t they?” she said, taking them from Maria.

  Maria giggled. “Yes, Madonna. The alpha would only send the best for you. You look so beautiful. If he could love you more than he already does, he would when he saw you.”

  “Thank you, Maria. Is there anything I should know or do? No one has said anything to me.”

  “He will claim you and you accept his claim by acknowledging him as your mate and alpha.”

  “Sounds simple enough. What if I fuck it up?”

  Maria giggled again. “Then say what is in your heart. It is obvious to all of us how you feel. We won’t care. Just accept his claim. I think he would be very cross if you did not.”

  “Thank you, Maria, for helping me. You and the rest of the staff will get to enjoy this evening, won’t you?”

  “Absolutely, Madonna. All of the real work is done, except for serving dinner. We will have plenty of time to relax, dance, and celebrate.” Maria came forward and hugged her. “We are all so happy you are here.”

  Catherine returned the hug. “Me too,” she whispered.

  Catherine checked herself in the mirror one more time and had to admit that Sera had done an outstanding job picking a gown that was perfect for the evening. She slid Marco’s ring on her index finger so she wouldn’t have to worry about losing it and headed out in the hallway. She was surprised to find Griffin waiting for her.

  “Marco wasn’t sure if you wanted or needed anyone to take you to him at the altar...”

  “Planning to sacrifice me to the Gods, is he?” she said, smiling at him.

  “I think when he gets you on your back, Catherine, it will not be with the thought of doing you harm.”

  She laughed out loud and realized how tense she had been.

  “He didn’t send you up here to walk me down the aisle, he wanted you to make me laugh and relax so I could enjoy myself.”

  “I fear you know our Marco all too well. He did indeed and to ensure there wasn’t anything you need or that you didn’t have a train ticket tucked away somewhere.”

  Catherine blushed, rolled her eyes, and la
ughed again. “No, I think my running away on trains is over. You don’t think he could pull a plane over, do you?”

  “No, but he could bribe someone to stop it on the tarmac or fly it back to the airport.”

  She searched his face and realized even though he was smiling, he was dead ass serious. She shook her head. “Go join the rest of them. I don’t want anyone to think that my decision to join my mate is anyone’s but my own.”

  “They’ll never believe you. Marco has been telling them for years you existed, he would find you and bring you home as his mate. And here you are.”

  “I know. Pathetic. I’m just stupid in love with him.”

  “That’s all right, Catherine. He loves you even more, as do the rest of us.” Griffin leaned into her and kissed her cheek.

  She gave Griffin time to get out to the garden, took a long, cleansing breath, and walked down the stairs to join herself formally to her mate. She saw him waiting under the pergola that had been strewn with beautiful white roses and other soft pink and cream flowers. Valentina handed her a bouquet that was simple and elegant.

  She saw nothing but Marco. She was struck once again at the sheer masculinity and sexuality that seemed to roll off of him. Catherine planned to enjoy the evening’s festivities. However, when her most feminine parts began throbbing as they always did in his presence, she knew a part of her would be wanting them over with so she could feel the intensity of Marco’s possession and love.

  She stifled the giggle that threatened to rise from the depths of her soul. She knew he would know she was thinking of the night to come when she would be alone with him. He would know that by the time they got back to their room that her pussy would be aching with her need for him to fill her.

  He held out his hands to her. She placed hers in his and he drew her to him, kissing her deeply.

  “I missed you, my Catherine. You look even more beautiful than you did this afternoon.”

  She whispered to him, “Bullshit, all you’re thinking is how long we have to stay down here before you can take me upstairs and get between my legs to rut.”

  He chuckled and growled low in her ear. “And you, my mate, are thinking about the same.”