by Delta James
He laughed. “Yes, that is always your threat. And I always have the same answer... I just take you hard enough after I’ve disciplined you that you are far too exhausted and sore to be much of a threat.”
James watched the rearview mirror as Darby shook her head while a smile played on her lips.
“You are such a jerk. Why the hell do I adore you?”
Jean-Michel leaned over and kissed her. “Because I am your fated mate and I adore you more.”
James focused his eyes back on the road as he heard Jean-Michel nuzzle his mate and whisper something decidedly dirty in French to her.
“Seriously, James,” said Skylar. “It won’t be that easy with Shannon. And before anyone starts growling at me, let’s just acknowledge the two four-hundred-pound gorillas in the room or rather the SUV. The first one is deMoncada.”
“I will take care of him,” said James menacingly.
“The only thing you’ll need to take care of is his corpse.”
“You slit his throat?” inquired Darby matter-of-factly.
“No. I shoved him over that little barrier fence they had and watched the current drag him under before going over the falls.”
“Good thinking,” said Jean-Michel. “It will look accidental as opposed to deliberate.”
Dylan shook his head. “Skylar, I can’t tell you how much it bothers me that you think like the pirate back there.”
She smiled beguilingly at her mate. “And the second is that James is Shannon’s fated mate. She may want no part of it, but it was pretty damn obvious that you were calling to her and she was responding until she realized it and then tried to stop you.”
“I could feel how distraught she was. I was only trying to help.”
“She doesn’t want your help,” said Darby soothingly.
James caught her eye in the mirror. “I know, but as the story goes none of you wanted to be soothed either.”
“Sky? Tell me again why we put up with them? Seriously, weren’t we all happy at Bae Diogel? Couldn’t we just run them all off like we did the Serbs?”
“As I recall,” said Dylan in teasing voice, “the lot of you tried that. And while you did manage to sink an expensive cabin cruiser, burn the house down to the ground, shoot at me with a flare gun, and tried to knife me...”
“That’s not true. I threw the knife at you in capitulation. As Roz said at the time, I could have aimed for your heart... and hit my target.”
James could hardly contain his laughter. Watching these two strong women who had been forced into pairings they didn’t want initially and who were now as in love with their mates as their mates were with them gave him tremendous hope for his and Shannon’s future. Granted, she had endured far worse treatment, but he knew that she was resilient and would eventually see they were meant to be together.
“You did get me in the heart, cariad. You hit your target that night you burned your last bonfire.”
Skylar rolled her eyes and snorted. “The answer to your question, Darby, is I haven’t the faintest idea why we put up with them.”
James couldn’t help but feel that while Dylan’s low rumble could be heard by the others, Skylar’s shudder in response was everything a male could want from his mate.
“But the question remains,” said Skylar, “what does James plan where Shannon is concerned?”
“She needs time to heal. I know that. She’s lived through hell and back. But she survived and with her spirit intact. She wasn’t cowering or sniveling or even shut down. She fought back. She had the grit to gain her freedom from anything wolf and then instead of going and hiding, she went hunting. I know your mates are angry with you for disobeying them, but I owe each of you a debt for coming to Shannon’s aid.”
“We didn’t do anything really,” said Skylar.
“But you did. You reached out and went to help when only Catherine knew her. It was obvious to me that she was in a far better place mentally and emotionally than she would have been on her own. Even my calling to her, while she didn’t like it, she understood what it was and knew it was coming from me.”
“She’s got a long way to go,” added Darby.
“Yes, but it will go easier on both of us if I can remain close to her. Marco has invited me to stay at his estate and with the exception of having something I need to see to at Ravenscar, I am planning to take him up on his offer and court my mate until she sees that we are fated.”
“If she means so much to you, what could mean more?” asked Skylar suspiciously, earning another warning growl from Dylan.
“It’s fine, Dylan. They are Shannon’s friends. I think a kind of sisterhood has been established between all of them. I believe learning to trust that and trust that we wolves are not the evil creatures deMoncada showed her is key to her finding happiness with me. To answer you, Skylar, I need to see to my pack.”
“I thought your father still ruled Ravenscar.”
“He does. But he is not an honorable man and unworthy to bear the mantle of the alpha of Ravenscar. He may have funded my going to the auction and may yet believe I went at his behest. He merely made implementing my own plan more easily obtainable.”
“And what was your plan?” inquired Darby.
“To get those girls out of there. To get them someplace safe.”
“But Shannon said you called to her while they had her in a cage to be inspected.”
“I called to her while they had her handcuffed in a hanging cage and then paid deMoncada half a million dollars to ensure no one got to do more than see her there.”
“And you knew she was your fated mate?’ asked Jean-Michel.
“Yes,” James admitted. “The man who believed fated mates were merely a placebo we told our women was quite taken aback when I discovered not only was the myth true, but that mine had been horribly abused. I never wanted anything more in that moment that to comfort Shannon and kill deMoncada.”
“I think it’s telling,” said Dylan, “that your first thought was to comfort Shannon. Don’t you, Sky?”
“I don’t want to like him, Dylan. He bought and paid for her.”
“To ensure no one else had a chance to harm her and only after he’d already planned to be there to get her and the others out.”
“Is your plan to split the Ravenscar pack and start over with those you feel are worthy?” asked Darby.
“Darby, you do not need to subject James to an interrogation,” admonished Jean-Michel.
“That’s all right, Jean-Michel. My Shannon is their friend. They want to know my intentions. As they are nothing but honorable, I don’t find any harm in answering them. The fact is I intend to return to Ravenscar and as you say to figure out those who are worthy to remain pack and those who are not. I will challenge my father for leadership of the pack. If he refuses to yield, we will fight; I will kill him if I must. He and the two alphas before him have stripped away our pack’s honor and I will see it restored and lead my pack back into the light. He was a part of this travesty and I intend to find out what he knows about any and all of the girls that still remain captive or in pairings they don’t want. I will cleanse my own pack of the same thing.”
“How can you do that?”
“Once I am alpha, I will ask each and every woman if she is happy in her pairing. If she is not, I will ask that it be dissolved. If that cannot be done somewhat amicably, then I will see it done with whatever degree of force needs to be used. I will not have the women of my pack used as bargaining chips or a way to raise money.”
“Jean-Michel made the former mates of two of our women sign the paperwork dissolving their unions in their own blood. A bit melodramatic but effective nonetheless,” offered Darby.
James grinned at her as he caught her eye in the rearview mirror.
“Shannon isn’t going to be easy. I had put plenty of years between my abuse and finding Jean-Michel and still I fought him.”
James nodded. “I don’t disqualify that at all. She needs time to
heal. Would I prefer she do it at home with me at Ravenscar? Of course. Will I support her doing that wherever she feels is best for her... provided she is safe? Absolutely.”
“I thought you didn’t believe in fated mates,” said Jean-Michel with a smile.
James shook his head. “Until thirty seconds before I saw Shannon, I didn’t. The force of it almost knocked me over. I swear I would have killed anyone who tried to touch her.”
“Annoying, isn’t it?” laughed Skylar.
“Not so much annoying as unsettling and then to realize there is no way in hell she’s going to fall into my arms and traipse happily back to Ravenscar. Marco is insistent that at least initially she’s going home with him and Catherine.”
“Understandable,” offered Dylan. “It’s been an enormous burden on them and by extension their pack. Interestingly though, if anything it seems to have strengthened the bond between them. As much as Marco believes in fated mates, he will do for Shannon whatever he thinks will make Catherine happy.”
“Understood,” said James. “I understand it in such a different way than I did before. My need to restore my pack’s honor amongst our kind has been a driving force in my life for a number of years. And now, if Shannon said she would only be with me if we stayed in Italy, I would find a way to free my birth pack from my father’s tyranny, help to establish an alpha and ranked pack members, and then remain in Italy at her side and offer my services to the DeMedici pack.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Once onboard the chartered jet, James watched as Shannon took a place at the back of the plane where she could watch everything and easily defend herself if the need arose. As much as he wanted to join her there and assure her that everything would be fine and that she was now safe and under the protection of one of the most powerful alphas in the world, he refrained.
He knew his presence would not be of comfort if he were sitting in close proximity. James also realized he needed to proceed slowly and carefully. He focused on sending her subtle signals that she could relax and that she was safe. He watched with some satisfaction as her body began to lose its rigidity. She stretched and snuggled herself into the corner of her seat and once they had reached their cruising altitude, she yawned, closed her eyes, and began to sleep.
“You did that rather well,” said Will, sitting down and handing him a pale ale.
“This is so much harder than I ever thought it would be. I want so desperately to take her into my arms and reassure her of her safety and of my love, but she would reject both and it would only increase her distress.”
“That’s true, but the only one on this plane that missed you reaching out to comfort her was Shannon. I do believe even the great Madonna of the DeMedici might be softening toward our cause.”
“Our?” questioned James.
“Yes, my alpha. What makes you happy and strong is what is best for our pack. I am omega to that pack and it is my job to see that everyone’s needs are met.”
They quietly touched bottlenecks.
“I think you’ve got this omega thing down pat.”
“I’m working on it, buddy. Now, as your mate is safe and sleeping peacefully, why don’t you try to get some rest as well.”
“Are you trying to handle your alpha?” James said, smiling.
“Just doing my job. Seriously, you haven’t slept in a couple of days. She’s safe and I promise I will watch over her for you. Remember, she may be your mate, but she is also my mistress. No, wait, that came out wrong. Well, you know what I mean.”
“I do indeed. And you’re right. I’m exhausted. I think I’ll get a couple of hours of sleep while I can. If she starts to fret, wake me though.”
“I will.”
* * *
The rest of the flight was uneventful. Shannon was awakened by Catherine as she kissed her forehead and whispered that they were about to land. Shannon smiled at her.
“I’m so sorry, Cat.”
“Whatever for?”
“I thought so badly of you. I thought you had abandoned me and you never did. You never would. I should have known that.”
Her sister smiled. “Somewhere deep inside you did. But I think you needed that anger to help keep you strong. Don’t worry about a thing. But be prepared to be hugged and fussed over. You have no idea how happy our pack is to have you coming home.”
“Cat? I’ve never been there. How can I be coming home?”
“Because you are pack,” rumbled Marco quietly. “You may not have been with us physically, but believe me, we all held you in our hearts while you were gone. We’re going to put you in the room next to ours. It’s not as big as some of the other guest rooms, but it has a private bath and we thought you would be happier to be closer to my Catherine.”
Shannon shook her head. She already understood why her sister had fallen for her charismatic mate. “Do you always refer to her as your Catherine?”
Marco shrugged his massive shoulders. “Why should I not? She is my Catherine.”
“Shea, don’t go down that road. You will lose. For what it’s worth, he has no problem with being referred to as my Marco.”
“Of course not. Whose Marco would I be if not yours?”
Shannon looked at her sister and the two started to laugh.
“Then whose am I to be?” Shannon teased.
“There is one who believes you to be his,” said Marco softly.
Shannon stood and walked toward the door of the plane. “He is wrong.”
Shannon could hear her sister hiss at him, “Marco, don’t.”
“But she is his fated mate. That is obvious even to Shannon. It doesn’t mean he is going to whisk her away from us. Shannon will be given the time she needs to find herself before any decisions are made regarding her future.”
Shannon was somewhat mollified to hear Marco say that, but also realized that in all likelihood he believed he would be making the decisions. He was wrong. She meant to stay with them for a while... maybe even a long while but she would make her own decisions about her fate. She’d had enough of having her life controlled by others.
She stepped out into the warm sunshine and felt reassured by the small crowd that had gathered at the private airstrip to welcome them home. Catherine and Marco joined her and ushered her into what she knew to be her now extended family.
Repeatedly she was hugged and told how happy they were that she was home. At first, she couldn’t help but be stiff and reserved, but little by little she felt a sense of well-being envelop her and she realized these people, her sister’s pack, truly embraced her as one of their own.
She was being guided toward a limo that she was sure would take them to Marco and Catherine’s beautiful home. Shannon spied a large hay wagon pulled by two enormous draft horses.
“Oh, Cat, can we ride on the wagon instead? I’ve had enough of limos and recirculated air to last me a lifetime.”
“If it would please you, little wolf, of course you can,” answered Marco for her sister.
Shannon was surprised that even though deMoncada had often called her little wolf, coming from Marco it sounded more like an endearment than an insult or a mere label.
She was helped up on the back of the flatbed wagon.
“Would you mind if I joined you?” James asked her.
“It isn’t my wagon. You’ll have to ask my sister.”
James smiled and Shannon realized she’d recognize that smile anywhere. She had seen it repeatedly—during her transition and in Montreal. She was certain he knew how to use it effectively.
“Actually, I would ask Marco. But I am asking you. If you object, I won’t press the issue. But like you, I could use some of this glorious fresh air. I’d almost forgotten what being in Tuscany smells like. I always remember it.”
Shannon nodded. “What I remember from seeing it for the first time was the color. All these deep, saturated earth tones—reds, golds, greens. And the light. I saw so little of it when deMoncada held me captive that
I began to use my memories of the light here to remind me there was something to be regained by surviving.”
“You’re right,” James agreed. “There is something about the way the light hits all these colors grounded in nature that makes Tuscany such a special place. If you like, you can sit up toward the front and I’ll stay back here and give you space.”
Shannon smiled at him for the first time. “Yes, but not so far that you can’t continue to send out those comforting waves of yours.”
He ducked his head and then brought it back up, looking her straight in the eye. She found the look to be engaging rather than challenging. “I fear you have found me out.”
“It wasn’t hard to figure... and thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Now, let’s get this show on the road. I understand that their chef is one of the best in all of Italy. God, I hope he’s made shrimp scampi. It’s one of my favorites.”
“Mine too,” said Shannon with a smile. “Roz told me that one of the advantages of being wolf is that you can pretty much eat anything.”
James nodded. “And everything is better—the smells, the tastes, just better. You should have your sister take you for a run. There’s something very liberating in shifting and just running with someone you trust.”
“The only time I ever ran was the one time I had an opening and tried to escape. Obviously, I wasn’t successful and the price I paid for my bid for freedom was not one I was willing to pay again as long as I was in his control.”
Shannon smiled; she could feel and hear the soothing growl he directed to her.
“For someone who says he never believed in fated mates, you do that well.”
“Trust me, it’s all instinctual and still surprises me that it seems to work.”
Shannon walked up and took her seat on one of the hay bales at the front. She looked at him and patted the bale next to her.
“Come on. I won’t bite... at least not this time. I promise.”
James chuckled. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
Shannon couldn’t believe after all she’d been through that she actually enjoyed sitting next to James. He was really excellent company. He was funny and engaging and made himself and others on board feel as though they’d known each other forever. He quickly had the entire wagon singing Broadway show tunes as a group and doing it rather badly but having a wonderful time. They rolled up to the massive villa.