“Not literally,” Henry said. “I mean beat me in the fight. I’ll make you my heir, though even an heir must challenge to take the Alpha position. Of course, you’ll have to beat Chuck first, or maybe not. The Elders just passed a new condition for Challenge for the Alpha position. You have to be mated. Chuck isn’t mated, so he won’t meet the requirements.”
“I wouldn’t put it past him to take a mate so he can enter,” the young woman with the baby said.
“Well, either way, I need you to fight in the challenge. You are meant to be an Alpha, boy. I can’t let Chuck take over. The whole pack would fall apart,” Henry said.
“How is it even possible? I’m not a member of your pack. I have no ties to you.”
“We can make you a member, boy, and your mate Lindy comes from a long line of local lycans, back to those native people I talked about.”
Sergei sat in his chair in shock. He’d never really thought about being an Alpha. Of course, he never thought to leave Siberia either. He looked around at the group and took in the hopeful looks. Could he do this? Take on a whole pack as their Alpha? What about Lindy, would she want to be Alpha female?
“I’ll need to talk to my mate. She’ll need to agree as well. Tell me about these financial problems. You said someone is stealing from you?”
“The pack owns this ranch and the land is rented to the pack members for their houses. The pack members also tithe ten percent of their earnings to the pack. We were doing all right until a year or so ago. Money started disappearing out of our account. We couldn’t find where it went, or who was behind it. Then Julie’s parents were killed and rumors started flowing that they had been the ones stealing from the pack accounts. As my Beta, Julie’s father had access to the money.”
“He didn’t do it,” Julie said from the front door. “My parents would never steal from the pack!” Kylie ran past Julie and into Sergei’s arms. Lindy followed behind them, her gaze finding Sergei’s.
“I know he didn’t, Julie,” Henry said with a sigh. “I trusted your dad with my life. He’d never do such a thing. Sergei is right, you’re looking a little thin. Get something to eat out of the kitchen.” It was easy to hear the fondness in his voice.
Kylie patted Sergei’s face. “Bad man didn’t hurt you. I’m glad.”
“No, milaya. I’m fine.” Sergei smiled at the child. “What did Santa give you?” he asked out loud.
Kylie held out her hand to Lindy who walked up to the pair. She handed Kylie a dark haired doll in a red dress.
“Santa brought me a dolly. I named her Lindy because she has Lindy hair.”
“Yes, you’re right. Why don’t you go with your sister into the kitchen and get a snack? I’ll see you later.”
“Will you read me a story?” Kylie asked, clutching Sergei’s shirt.
“I don’t know, Kylie. I’ll try, if it’s okay with Henry.”
“Please, Henry? Sergei’s nice. He helped me shifted,” Kylie asked, looking at the older man.
The Alpha quirked an eyebrow at Sergei. He’d have to explain that comment later. “If I don’t need him, I’ll send him up. Now, off you go.” Henry pointed a finger toward the back of the house. Sergei put the child down and she ran to grip her sister’s hand before walking out of the room.
“Kylie, is sure taken with you, Mr. Sokolov,” said the woman with the baby. “I haven’t seen her act like that with anyone since her parents died.”
“Yes. What’s with that comment about shifting?” the Alpha asked.
“Kylie hurt herself and shifted at the party. I found her hiding under a table and helped her shift back to human form,” Sergei explained.
“Hmm. You commanded her to shift?”
Sergei wondered if the Alpha would be angry he’d used an Alpha command on Kylie. “Yes, under the circumstances, I thought it best to get her back in human form.”
“Quite right, too,” said one of the older women. “Dangerous situation that one, and you handled it brilliantly.” She gave Sergei a broad smile as she walked up to them. He liked her immediately. “I’m Allison Lee, call me Allie. I think you might be our salvation, Sergei. Welcome to the pack.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” Sergei lifted her hand and kissed the back. “I appreciate your confidence in me, but I still need to discuss things with my mate.” Ms. Lee blushed and turned to Lindy.
“He’s a keeper, this one. Your grandmothers would be pleased to know you found a lycan of your own, Lindy.” Allie pointed to the mistletoe hanging over Sergei’s head and winked, before turning toward the back of the house. Sergei heard her checking in with Julie and Kylie.
Lindy looked inquiringly at him. He put his arm around her waist.
“All in favor of making Sergei Sokolov a member of the Argent Pack, say aye.”
Ayes circled the room.
§
Lindy had been worried sick about Sergei, afraid Chuck took him into the middle of nowhere and beat him up. Instead, she found him making friends and kissing old ladies’ hands. Lindy shook her head.
“I worried about you!” Lindy frowned at him.
“I’m sorry, lyubov moya. Didn’t you think to check the mating bond?” Sergei looked at her perplexed.
“No. The whole mating bond is so new. It wasn’t my first thought.”
Sergei glanced at the mistletoe and then leaned down and kissed her, pulling her close in his arms. “I’m sorry you were worried, mate,” he whispered into her mind. “I thank you for your concern.”
“Well, if the meeting is over,” the lady with the baby said, “I need to get this pup to bed. Daddy should be home by now.”
Sergei pulled back from Lindy. She sighed. Boy, could her mate kiss. She pressed a finger to her tingling lips. If he liked to kiss under the mistletoe, she’d have to hang it all over the house.
“Let’s make it official then,” one of the older men said. “If there is no further business before the Elder Council, this meeting is now adjourned. All in favor?”
Ayes were heard from the group as a whole, including Allie Lee from the kitchen. She hurried out and began to gather her things.
“I’d like to speak to you and your mate,” Henry said with a smile.
Sergei looked to Lindy and she nodded. “We would be glad to stay, Alpha.”
§
When they pulled up to her father’s house, the windows were dark except for the Christmas lights. Lindy glanced at the clock on the dash, surprised to see how late it read. Their talk with the Alpha went longer than they both expected. Of course, it didn’t help that Kylie refused to go to sleep without Sergei tucking her into bed and reading her favorite book to her. Lindy leaned against the doorframe and watched. Her mate would make an excellent daddy one day.
They were officially part of the local pack now, with the caveat added that their family was recognized as members as well. The Alpha meant Sergei’s brothers, but if Gwen’s secret got out, she would be protected by the pack too. Lindy didn’t think Gwen would be happy with the information, so she’d keep it to herself for now. Then they’d discussed the missing funds from the pack accounts. Lindy suggested they go to the bank and talk to the manager. Somewhere there should be a record of who withdrew the money. Even if someone had messed telepathically with the teller’s mind, there should be a written record, or a video of who was in the bank on the day of the withdrawal.
“Will you grab that bag out of the backseat? I promised Gwen I’d bring it in when we got home. I hope she’s not mad that we kept her car so long.” Lindy bit her lip. It seemed like Gwen was mad more often than not lately. She looked around and noticed one of the Shadow Walkers standing guard back by the barn. She waved to him.
Sergei obediently retrieved the bag and brought it to the front door. Lindy inserted her key and eased the door open. No need to wake the entire house. Good thing they didn’t have a dog. There was a dog door that led to the outside and was kept locked in the kitchen. It’d been there for as long as Lindy could rem
ember. They’d never owned a dog. Was the door for her grandmothers? Now it would be for Sergei, if they stayed here.
Lindy bit her lip again. Could she be an Alpha female to the local pack? Henry seemed to think she’d be perfect for the job, but then, he was an old man. Lindy didn’t know anything about being a lycan.
“You know a lot about being different and keeping it a secret,” Sergei sent into her mind. He climbed the stairs behind her to the bedroom. Hopefully nobody was disturbed with their entry. In an hour it would be Christmas morning. Good thing Lindy finished her shopping months ago, but she didn’t have a gift for Sergei.
“You’ve given me yourself, that’s all I’ve ever wanted,” whispered in her thoughts.
“Quit that. Stop reading my mind,” Lindy snapped.
“I don’t think I can, lyubov moya. My mind is open to you. Why don’t you ever read my thoughts?” His voice sounded a little hurt.
Lindy sat on the bed and removed her shoes. “I think it’s because I’ve had to train myself not to read minds. Being telepathic is difficult when you’re young and everyone thinks so loudly. The members of my tribe feel it’s an invasion of privacy.”
“I can understand that. We too work at shielding our minds from others, but the mating bond connects us in every way, mind, heart, soul. I need to touch your thoughts and feel you close to me. It would give me great pleasure if you would touch me in return.”
“I will. I’m not used to you being in my thoughts all the time. I don’t even feel you reading my mind.” Why was that? She’d always felt it when Raven or Joe checked up on her.
“That’s because it’s not an invasion, it’s natural between mates. Our bond is a private linking. There are no secrets between us.”
“That’ll make it hard to keep your Christmas presents a secret,” Lindy grumbled.
“You were just thinking that you didn’t have a present for me.” Sergei looked at her in confusion as he stepped out of his boots and began to remove his shirt.
“I mean in the future. It won’t be any fun to get you something if you’re going to know what it is before I give it to you.” She should buy him more clothes. He only owned the one outfit.
“You can build compartments in your mind to keep those things private if you wish. Also if there is something you find embarrassing from your past, you can keep it shut away. When I touch your mind, it’s normally your surface thoughts and feelings I receive.”
“That makes sense. It’d probably be overwhelming to get everything I’ve ever thought pouring into your brain.”
Sergei reached for the buttons on his pants and Lindy was glad he couldn’t read her deeper thoughts at this moment. She licked her lips, taking in the fine physique of her man.
Sergei looked at her as he stepped out of his trousers and smiled. “You need to finish getting undressed, lyubov moya, before you pounce.”
“Dammit! I thought you said only the surface thoughts!”
“Your face gives away your thoughts as much as your mind. I bet you don’t play poker much.”
Lindy rushed to get her clothes off, throwing them on the floor. Then she crooked her finger at him. “Come here, wolf boy. Let’s play.”
Sergei jumped. Grabbing her and landing on the bed. “That’s wolf man to you, mate.”
His lips caught hers, kissing her senseless. It was heaven.
§
Sergei kissed and nipped at Lindy’s lips. How he loved her. She listened tonight about possibly becoming the Alpha female of the Argent pack with an open mind and heart. He was so proud of her. Right now, he wanted to show her exactly what dwelt in his mind. He kissed her neck, licking and nipping at the spot where he marked her during their mating. Lindy moaned. Sergei felt himself harden at the sound. He pushed the surge of wildness away that demanded he take his mate as quickly as possible. No, tonight was for her. His present.
He kissed his way to her breast, licking and sucking on the small wolf print tattoo resting there. Isanti explained the Shadow Dimension marked the candidates it accepted the first time they entered the dimension. Lindy entered when she was fourteen, following her sister inside without permission. Lindy was a wild one, even then. Shadow had known all along she was a lycan’s mate. His mate.
Lindy threaded her fingers through his hair, pulling him closer, urging him on. Sergei sucked her nipple into his mouth, humming at the sweetness on his tongue. Lindy cried out.
“Oh, my God. Do that again…”
Sergei obliged and then pressed kisses to the other side. Licking and nipping at the nubbin that thrust out for his attention. When she pulled on his hair, Sergei sucked the nipple deep into his mouth, humming again. His fingers caressed her stomach and played in the hair between her legs, before dipping inside and testing her readiness. She was wet.
Sergei brought his fingers to his mouth, licking them clean before he moved lower. Kissing her stomach, where one day his pup would rest. He smelled her scent calling him. Her arousal sweet like a flower in bloom. He dipped his head and settled his body between her legs, lifting her thighs to rest over his shoulders.
He licked deep, loving the taste of her and how wet her inner channel was. Lindy’s thighs began to tremble.
“Sergei, I can’t take much more. I want you inside me.”
“Not yet, lyubov moya. Come for me this way first.”
He licked again, savoring the sweetness waiting for him. Lindy whimpered. Sergei pulled on the mating bond, bringing Lindy into awareness of their linked minds. His desire to pleasure her. How much she meant to him. How sweet she tasted on his tongue.
§
Lindy moaned. Sergei tormented her with pleasure. Her whole body felt tight. She pushed her heels against his back. More, she needed more. His arousal flooded her mind, her taste on his tongue. Her desire mixed with his, her inflamed senses grew into a blazing conflagration. Suddenly her climax hit hard. Lindy screamed. She was pure ecstasy wrapped safely in Sergei’s arms.
“Lindy! Are you all right?” Gwen’s voice came from the hallway.
Lindy blinked. She couldn’t quite connect with her body yet. She felt Sergei roll from the bed. He opened the door a crack.
“Lindy is fine, Gwen. Better than fine,” he said with supreme satisfaction in his tone.
“Yes, well…Try and keep it down you two. People are trying to sleep!”
Chapter Nine
“Lindy get up! Everyone is waiting on you!” Gwen’s voice scolded from the hallway. Lindy smiled thinking back to how many times she’d heard that exact phrase coming from her sister’s lips. She blinked from the morning sunshine. It was Christmas day. She could smell cinnamon rolls baking in the kitchen and her stomach growled.
She glanced at the man sleeping beside her. His long eyelashes rested on his cheek. A lock of blond hair, so light it was almost white fell across his eyes. Lindy reached out and brushed it back off his face. Warmth spread from her chest. She was falling for him, her mate.
His eyes opened and she fell into the artic blue of his gaze. It wasn’t cold she encountered, but a hidden inferno of emotion centered on her.
“Dobroye utro, mate. S Rozhdestvom.”
“Good morning and merry Christmas to you, Sergei. Does it feel strange to have Christmas so early, when in Russia it’s on January 6th?”
“Which day doesn’t really matter, it’s what we celebrate. The birth of a man who brought the message of love to the world. I haven’t had time to buy you a gift, but your father lent me some tools and I made this for you.”
Sergei reached over to the drawer on the nightstand and pulled something out he kept hidden in his hand. He slowly opened his fingers to show a small wolf carved out of wood.
“I know it’s not much.”
“Sergei, it’s beautiful.” Lindy took the wolf and balanced it on her hand. The lifelike qualities were amazing in such a small sculpture. Her mate was a talented artist. “When did you have time to make this?”
“When I was outsi
de with your father. He has quite a workshop in his studio. We would talk, and I would whittle. I’m sorry it isn’t bigger, I didn’t have much time.”
Lindy smiled and leaned over to kiss him. “It’s lovely. You’re very talented. Now we better get up, before Gwen comes and pounds on the door. There are presents under the tree and we have to get the turkey and ham in the oven. The whole tribe will be showing up for dinner.” She rose from the bed and reached for her clothes.
“Will we have time to visit with the Argent pack? Kylie is expecting us.” Sergei followed her example and then straightened the covers on the bed.
Lindy laughed. “Should I be jealous of that little wolf?”
Sergei looked chagrined. “Little ones are to be cherished. Especially on days like today.”
“That’s true.” Lindy walked into the bathroom. She winked as she shut the door. Some things needed to be private between mates.
§
Sergei smiled at the look of childlike wonder on Lindy’s face as they walked down the stairs and into the living room. The Christmas tree blinked brightly while Christmas carols played quietly in the background.
Raven and Cara sat on the couch while Isanti and another man who looked to be related to Raven sat in the chairs. Laughter and women’s voices came from the kitchen. Delicious smells filled the air and Sergei’s mouth watered.
“There you are,” Isanti said.
“We were taking bets on how long it would take you to get downstairs,” the man sitting next to him said. “I win since I said twenty minutes. I knew Lindy couldn’t stay away from the tree and presents. I’m Derek Darkwood by the way.”
“Derek is my little brother,” Raven said.
“Younger, not little,” Derek said.
“That’s for sure,” said a woman with fiery red hair who entered from the kitchen. “If you keep lazing about at the lake house, you’ll need to start exercising.” She gave a little wave. “I’m Katherine, Derek’s wife.”
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