by Delta James
“And you’d like me to be one of those people.”
“I would indeed. I think you’d be an inspiration to the women... especially those who have not been treated well. But that’s a whole other discussion; what do you think of Will?”
“I think your omega isn’t nearly as charming as his alpha when his alpha wants to be charming. But you’re right, he strikes me as a man who can be a first-class diplomat with an ability to smooth ruffled feathers and hurt feelings. Was he born at Ravenscar?”
“No. We got kicked out of numerous boarding schools together and became friends. I think in some ways we were each other’s first real friend.”
“Could you get killed?”
“Why is it I like that it sounds as though you would care if I did?” Not waiting for an answer, he continued on. “I could, but it’s doubtful. My father’s never really run up against anything money couldn’t fix. I can’t be bought. If he won’t go quietly and peacefully, he’ll have to fight. And that’s a fight he won’t win.”
“You seem very committed to the women of your... our kind.”
James nodded again. “I am. I lost my mother when I was quite young. I don’t even remember much about her. I have a picture I kept hidden from my father and vague sensory memories of her.”
“How did she die?”
“I believe my father murdered her, but have no way to prove it.”
“What do you want, James?”
“In a perfect world? I’d like to avoid having to kill my father for leadership of the pack at Ravenscar and you at my side... or better yet, underneath me.”
Shannon smiled and shook her head. “You don’t give up easily, do you?”
“I don’t give up. I don’t discount what you went through and I understand that all of this is still so new to you, but I also know you can feel it. In the same way that I was compelled to take you at the auction, you were compelled to be taken.”
“And the spanking?” she teased.
“You were being a very naughty mate. But that rumble that you feel inside you when I reach out to you, the others of our kind don’t hear? Hell, it’s new to me too. I didn’t know I could do that... didn’t know that I could feel your distress and want so desperately to alleviate it. I’m torn between speaking to you in as open and honest a way as I possibly can and worrying that I’ll either piss you off or scare the crap out of you so that you refuse to have anything to do with me.”
“For what it’s worth, I actually appreciate that you’ve been so honest and so direct. All of the rest of them try to walk on eggshells around me. I get it. But I find myself wondering if that’s all they want to say or did I miss something in what they were saying? At least with you, I don’t feel that. It’s weird but in some ways I’m more comfortable with you. Yes, you know, even better than they do I suspect, what deMoncada put me through. And while they are all glad to have me back and love me dearly, for you, I think, pride in the fact that I survived is foremost. That I came out the other side relatively unscathed.”
He smiled at her.
“God, that smile. I swear if you ever get into a smiling duel, the other guy is toast. Do you want me to be as honest as you?”
“Always.”
“I’m not sure how I feel about what happened in Montreal. If pressed, I would say that I acquiesced to get you to stop spanking me. But we both know that isn’t true. I don’t know that I’ve ever been more aroused or as deeply sated as I was by you that night. I recognized your smile the very first time I saw it. That scared the hell out of me, but as I’ve started to get to know you and feel those waves of energy you send my way, I’ve lost that fear. In fact, next to Catherine, you’re the one I’m the most comfortable with.”
“What do you mean recognized?”
“When they turned me, I drifted in some weird unconscious state. I saw glimpses of things I still don’t understand. I think maybe from the past, but certainly I recall three things vividly. Catherine telling me to survive. Riley telling me I hadn’t been forgotten and they would come for me. And you, even then, reassuring me that all would be well.”
“Hmm,” he said. “At the risk of sounding incredibly self-serving, most who have transitioned say that they have seen their mate both in past lives shared and in the present.”
“You’re right, that does sound self-serving. But it also sounds right.”
“Shall we continue our walk?”
He turned and they meandered through the gardens talking of unimportant things and yet sharing bits and pieces of their lives. As they returned to the patio, she surprised him by linking her arm through his.
“James?”
“Yes, Shannon?”
“First, my sister calls me Shea. Second, I’m glad we talked. And last, would you like to go for a run in the morning? As a wolf?”
“I would like that very much, Shea.”
“Me too. Say about seven?”
“Sounds good. I’ll be out here when you’re ready.”
“See you then.”
She began to walk toward the house and then turned back and hugged him before disappearing inside and seeking her sister.
* * *
James felt Will join him.
“That looks like it went better than I thought it would.”
“It did indeed. She’s an incredibly practical and intelligent woman, my Shea.”
“Shea?”
“Yes, she told me that’s what her sister calls her. Right after she told me that outside of Catherine, I am the one she’s most comfortable with. And right before she invited me to go for a run as a wolf in the morning.”
“Well, not as good as if she’d thrown caution to the wind and invited you into her bed.” Will laughed as James growled at him.
James looked at him and, realizing his old friend was teasing him, joined him in the laughter.
“I take it our host and the other alphas have adjourned for the evening?”
“Yes, I’m rather afraid none of those ladies will be sitting too comfortably come morning.”
James chuckled. “I think you’re probably right, but I also think they knew that going in.”
“I can’t speak for the others,” said a young man who joined them. “But I am quite sure Catherine knew precisely how pissed Marco was going to be.”
“James Norris, allow me to introduce Tony DeMedici, Marco’s youngest brother.”
“Gentlemen, I have a few fine cigars boosted from my brother’s humidor and an excellent bottle of whiskey. Might I entice you to join me in Marco’s study?”
Both men nodded and followed Tony into the luxurious office of their host. Tony allowed Will and James to get comfortable and handed each man a whiskey and a good cigar. Once they had all lit up, he addressed them.
“I understand from Marco that you mean to challenge your father. Don’t worry, it isn’t a commonly known fact, just something my wily brother mentioned to me.”
“Why would he do that?” asked James.
“Because Machiavelli had nothing over my brother.”
All three men laughed.
“Currently I am beta to the pack in Rome. It’s a good pack and I am honored to have been asked, but it’s never felt like home. I am fond of everyone there, but they aren’t pack. You know?”
James and Will both nodded.
“Marco says Will here is your, and I quote, most excellent omega, which means, my friend, you are short one beta.”
“I am indeed. Kind of your brother to point that out to you.”
Tony smiled. “He has told me that if I choose to leave the pack in Rome, I am always welcome back here. And I’ve thought about it, but I keep believing my future lies elsewhere. After Marco said something to me, I sought out Will and liked him immediately.”
“Of course you did. I’m an immensely likeable guy.”
“Not to mention terribly insecure and self-effacing,” responded James, liking where he felt this conversation was heading.
&nb
sp; “The fact is that if you mean to challenge your father, you’re in for a fight. You know that. He may not be well-liked or respected, but he is powerful and there are those who would see him remain the head of Ravenscar. From this point forward regardless of what you do, you will be seen as part of the Coalition.”
“Something I will formalize once I have secured Ravenscar.”
“Then you’re going to need to have men behind you who can and will fight for their home and their pack. I have several men that, like me, are looking for a new opportunity... a place they can make their own way. We could be of help to you, James. I have proven my abilities as beta and have grown up in a strong, powerful pack and know what it takes to sustain that. Not to mention your Shannon’s sister is rather fond of me and it would give you a natural alliance to my brother’s pack.”
“Will?”
“I like the way Tony thinks. I like that he’s direct and unpretentious. He knows his strengths and knows what he has to offer. I did a little checking while you were out wooing our mistress in the moonlight; he’s well thought of here at home. Marco’s beta, Giovanni, assured me that Tony here would an excellent addition to our pack.”
Both Will and Tony looked at James expectantly.
“Then gentlemen, it seems that Ravenscar has a complete and new group of ranked members. I don’t know how bad this might get. But I believe we’ll be glad to have you as one of us.”
“Thank you, Alpha. I won’t give you cause to regret this. I will let the alpha in Rome know and would prefer to start in your service as soon as possible.”
“I would appreciate that. I need to stay here for a while longer, but I may have both of you do a little recon for me. Will up at Ravenscar itself and Tony to some men I have in mind to join us as well as those from the pack in Rome.”
“I take it you’ll be staying a while longer to, as Will put it, woo our mistress?”
“That’s the plan. Actually, things are going much better than I had any reason to hope. She invited me to go for a run as wolves in the morning.”
Tony smiled. “Go out through the gardens and then turn left. You’ll see a path that runs through the vineyard to the top of the hill. Up there you’ll find a lovely old stone bench that looks down over the vines. It’s quite beautiful. I’ll see that there is something for each of you to change into waiting.”
“Thank you, Tony, that would be great. Any way I could get you to have some fruit, water, just a little snack as well?”
“It would be my pleasure.”
“In that case, I will leave it to you and will seek my own bed so that I’m well rested to run with Shea.”
He left Marco’s study and headed up the stairs. James knew he should be concerned with the future as nothing seemed fixed in place. But he wasn’t. Shea was safe and didn’t hate him. He had acquired two outstanding wolves as his beta and his omega. As much danger as there appeared to be ahead, James found himself happier than he had been in a very long time.
Chapter Twenty-Three
As they had entered their room, Skylar turned to Dylan.
“I know you’re pissed.”
“Think so? I can’t imagine why you’d think that.”
“I get it. I deliberately disobeyed you. I’m not going to make my case for why I did it as we both know that and both know I was never going to do anything other than that when you all decided we should just stay behind.”
“But? I do hear a but coming...”
“You do,” she admitted. “Killing deMoncada has rattled me a bit. Don’t get me wrong, he needed to die. And as I told him, it may as well have been me. But...”
Dylan folded her into his embrace, “But this time it wasn’t done in passion or to thwart a direct threat. You made the decision to end his life.”
“Yes, but he needed to die.”
“He did. And you chose to give that gift to Catherine and Shannon. The man that tortured Shannon is dead. Some place within her rests easier knowing that. And you kept Catherine from having to exact that revenge.”
“I need you, Dylan,” she said softly, close to tears.
“I’ll tell you what, cariad, why don’t we put off your punishment until we get home and tonight I’ll just keep you safe in my arms and remind you that you are loved by a man who could not imagine living in this world without you.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Shannon stretched in the comfortable bed and sat up. The light was just beginning to filter through the gossamer curtains in the room. She had closed those the night before but couldn’t bring herself to close the heavy curtains that would have darkened the room completely. She got out of bed and went into the adjoining bath, taking a quick shower and washing her hair.
She returned to her room in response to a soft knock on her door.
She opened the door to find a lovely woman she remembered meeting yesterday. “Valentina?”
“Yes, I’m surprised you remembered. There are so many of us. Your sister said you were an early riser and she will be indisposed until later this day.”
“Still pissed at her?”
“Marco? I doubt it. Why do you ask?”
“You know I’m not wolf. I don’t get the whole getting spanked thing.”
“You might not have been born wolf, but you are one now,” Valentina said gently. “In its most basic terms it allows them to express their displeasure at your behavior and then they’re over it. There’s no lingering being pissy with each other. And the sex afterwards is amazing.”
Shannon laughed. “Are you always this open with people you barely know?”
“I’m sorry. It must seem rather crazy to you. You don’t know any of us, but we all feel like we’ve known you and you’ve been here forever.”
Shannon reached out and touched Valentina’s arm. “Actually, I kind of feel the same way and regardless I’m deeply grateful to all of you for making me feel so welcome and being there for my sister. What can I do for you?”
“Nothing. I just wanted to make sure there wasn’t anything you needed and to let you know that breakfast is being set out and it’s a more informal affair than last night... a kind of all you can eat buffet with lots of conversations and espresso.”
“You know, you may be able to answer a question for me.”
“Of course. What do you want to know?”
“I told James I’d meet him down on the patio in about twenty minutes. We’re going for a run together as wolves. It’ll only be the second time I’ve done it. The first was a failed escape attempt.”
“You should know, we all believe deMoncada’s death was far too easy. He should have been made to suffer.”
“He’s dead. That’s all I care about. But my question is, what the hell do I wear as a wolf?”
It was Valentina’s turn to laugh. “If you’re running as a wolf and you aren’t yet intimate, I would suggest shifting up here and meeting him as a wolf. I’m sure he will be in wolf form or if not will excuse himself to remove his clothes before he shifts.”
“That makes sense. Thank you, Valentina.”
“Glad I could help. If you need anything, Shannon, just ask.”
“Thanks, I will.”
Valentina left her alone and Shannon removed the robe she had been wearing. She looked herself over in the mirror. She really didn’t look any different. She did have a bit more weight than when she’d been kidnapped, but she kind of liked the added curves it gave her. She cleared her mind and focused on calling her wolf to come forward.
The familiar tingling sensation ran like an electrical current crackling through her veins. Slowly but easily, she could feel her body begin to shift as the wolf took hold. Once the change was complete, she looked at herself in the mirror again. It was an odd feeling to be staring at herself in wolf form, but knowing it was her.
She found that opening a doorknob without opposable thumbs was more difficult than she might have thought, but finally just took the knob in her mouth and twisted her head
. Once disengaged, she was able to open it with her paw and loped down the stairs and out into the sunlight.
James was there waiting for her in wolf form just as Valentina had suspected he would be. She approached him wagging her tail and he returned the gesture and joined her, rubbing his head against hers. He took a few steps away, pricked his ears forward, and waited. When she joined him, he took off at a run down the steps and toward the garden.
Shannon followed as James led them at a steady speed briefly through the park-like setting and then up through a trail through the vineyards. They ran at an easy pace and seemed to find a natural rhythm to running together. Their path led them on a weaving pattern through the vines themselves and then up onto the hills that overlooked them. As they came to a level spot, Shannon saw a bench up ahead. She thought how she might ask him if he wanted a break, but saw he had already anticipated that.
By the bench was a small table laden with what looked to be a continental-type breakfast with juice and espresso. She also noted there were two piles of clothing and a three-sided screen had been set up a discreet distance away. As they slowed and trotted to the bench, Shannon grabbed the clothing intended for her, and then jogged behind the screen, shifted back to her human form easily, and got dressed.
As she reappeared, James took what had been left for him and did the same. He rejoined her looking very refreshed and swinging his arms.
“It’s been way too long since I did that. I’d actually forgotten how good that feels.”
“You’ll have to remember to do it more often.”
“Perhaps you can remind and join me,” he said in a light, bantering tone.
“I have to say, this is pretty impressive.”
“Oh, I’d love to take credit for it, but our beta...”
“We have a beta? I thought Will was our omega.”
Shannon couldn’t help but notice the smile spread across his face at her use of the plural possessive pronoun.
“He is. Last night, Marco’s youngest brother approached me and proposed to join us as beta. He’s been beta to a large pack in Rome and grew up here. I think he brings a lot to the table.”