Becoming the Enigma (The Loup-Garou Series Book 2)

by Sheritta Bitikofer

  Dustin guffawed. “And you really think Erik and Forrest can sit at the same table without a fight breaking out?”

  Darren took his shot and nailed two stripes, but only one made it to its intended destination. “Forrest isn’t the violent type. As long as Erik doesn’t try to start something, they should be fine.”

  John approached the table and assessed the field. “It’s a shame his father didn’t take after me in that regards.”

  A muscle in Logan’s jaw jumped as he looked to the graying loup-garou. “You weren’t there, John. You didn’t see Robert fighting for his pack at Devia.”

  Forrest and John were distantly linked through paternal relations, but the dominant streak was consistent throughout their line. Forrest had no intentions to continue the tradition of alphahood and was content to stay a midranking pack member without the burden of responsibilities. Either way, Logan esteemed Forrest for his pacifist attitude just as much as he admired Robert’s bravery to take on a team of hunters and sacrifice himself to protect his family.

  “Enough,” Darren snapped. Logan slumped and bit his tongue to keep himself from speaking out of turn again.

  Knowing that he would face Erik again in a matter of hours did not put him at ease. When they left Florida, he had hoped that he would leave behind his problems for a short while. Now, it seemed that the trouble had followed him.

  A repentant look crossed John’s face and he nodded to Logan’s words. “This is true. Robert, as well as his father and grandfather before him were more spirited than I would have liked. They were warriors, that is certain. Forrest is not a fighter, which we can be thankful for.”

  Dustin leaned on his pool stick. “Why do you say that?”

  John’s stare became unfocused and a silent moment filled the room as all waited. “I feel,” he began, “the time is coming for those who have been fighting to put down their guns and take up the banner of peace. Don’t ask me why I feel this way, because I don’t know. But I’ve felt it in my spirit for the last few months and my wolf can testify to it.” He looked to Darren. “Our world is about to change.”

  An ominous air settled over the pack. Even Ben and Blake paused in their game to regard the old man with questioning eyes.

  “Are you talking about Katey?” Logan asked in a meek manner from his place on the wall.

  It was clear to all of them that the miracle of Katey’s change would send ripples through their society. It couldn’t be a secret kept for long. Her mere presence at the gathering and in the resort would foster rumors of revolution throughout the packs around the world.

  Perhaps the females of the human race were strong enough to withstand the change? If that were true, they could build up their numbers and become a formidable species. Rougarous would have rallied behind such an ambition.

  Then again, what if Katey was a fluke? What if she would be the only one for the rest of eternity with no hope of duplicating the conditions of her change in another human female? More alarmingly, what would her children be like – if she were to have children? Would they be full-blooded loups-garous or humans?

  Katey could have been the change that John had premonitions about, but what did the old alpha think of her after their brief meeting the night before?

  John blinked and pursed his lips in thought. “May I be forward with you, Darren?”

  “By all means,” Darren said, anxiously waiting for what his mentor had to say.

  John shifted the pool stick between his palms and looked hard at Darren. “I’m not sure if she will change. From what you told me of what happened when she was bitten and the other occurrences since then, she may not have gotten a full enough dose of the venom to be a full loup-garou yet... She might not even change and I think it might have been unwise for you to bring her to the gathering.”

  “Pachekta!” Logan cursed, the words laden with disdain for John’s crude assumption. “She almost changed nearly twice since I bit her.”

  Darren pointed a cautionary finger at his ward. “Watch it, Logan. He’s entitled to his opinions.”

  “And this is not meant to insult you, Logan, or your abilities to change a human... Darren has told me of those instances, but I’m still not convinced. There has never been a female loup-garou in all of known history. She is a miracle to have survived the bite at all... If she does manage to change, she may not survive that.” John paused in thought as Logan grew even more agitated. “If she doesn’t change and the reason is because she didn’t have enough venom in her to begin with, then she may need to be bitten again and there is no telling if she will survive that either. And if she is bitten again, she could risk being overdosed on the venom to the point that it’s even dangerous for us to withstand... Katey is delicate and we must treat her as such.”

  Logan understood that he had to respect John, but the thought of Katey not being a loup-garou, that he failed to change her, inspired a rage in him.

  John bent over the edge of the billiard table and lined up his shot. Blake and Ben resumed their game, but exchanged private glances as if to say that they were concerned for Katey just as much as the others were.

  Darren turned and paced away from the table, while Dustin watched John take his shot and execute it perfectly. He had been around long enough to see the game invented and probably could have won tournaments if he had the inkling to.

  Noah kept his eyes trained on Darren, studying his agitated movements. It was clear that the Crestucky alpha did not approve of John’s assessment.

  “So, what will we do about tonight, if she doesn’t change?” Dustin asked the alphas. “Being around seasoned loups-garous who can control themselves is one thing, but there will be many newbies there. She’d be in some serious danger if she stays human.”

  “I haven’t talked about the gathering much with her,” Darren answered. “I don’t know what she expects.”

  John nodded. “I personally think it would be less of a hassle to keep her here at the lodge. If she went with us tonight and didn’t change, then we would have to get her out of the park and back here where it’s safer.”

  “Do you not consider her a true loup-garou with us?” Logan asked, his voice a little shaken with a mix of fear and anger, his eyes blazing with both conflicting emotions.

  “I think she is caught between. My wolf sees the wolf in her, so there is hope in that. But she has a long way to go before she can convince me.”

  Logan closed his eyes and bowed his head. Whether he would admit it or not, he did want John’s approval. To achieve John’s approval was a high honor to most. And though he had raised his voice and rolled his eyes at the mention of the old British alpha in other conversations back home, Logan did respect the elder.

  But, he would not ascribe to John’s assumption of Katey. She was as much of a loup-garou as any of them and unlike John, nothing could convince him otherwise.

  Dustin moved around the table to take his shot.

  “What about mating? Has anyone discussed this with her?” Noah asked, moving aside so the beta could take his shot.

  Logan’s eyes went wide and he bolted to attention. “Whoa, hold on! Mating?” Logan interjected. “Where did this come from?”

  “Since you’ve been nothing but sweet on Katey since yesterday morning,” Dustin answered with a snarky tone.

  Logan’s lips wanted to curl back into a mean snarl, but he resisted. He knew this conversation was bound to come up, he just hoped it wouldn’t be so soon. Things were just getting good between them and this had the potential to ruin it for both of them. What girl wanted to be proposed to after only knowing a man for a few weeks? Katey admitted that she loved him, but was it enough for her to want to marry him?

  “I agree with Logan,” Ben added, looking away from his game with his fingers pinching the Queen’s crown. “Isn’t that a little extreme to be talking about right now? She’s got a lot on her plate. Can it wait until we get back to Florida without any other loups-garous getting the wrong impression?�
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  “Not at all,” John replied calmly. He let Dustin take his shot before continuing. “It must be discussed at some point before things get too serious between the two of you.” John shoved his free hand into his slacks pocket, pointing a pair of serious eyes toward Logan. “When or if she changes and she changes around other males of the pack, she will need to claimed by someone so that she doesn’t become a target among our better halves that don’t happen to have an attachment elsewhere. If she is claimed through at least the preliminary mating bonds, then she will be safe. Otherwise, she may be seen as available.”

  Logan wrinkled his nose in fury at the very thought of any other male laying a hand on her and began slowly pacing the length of the game room.

  All the while, the others continued their game and discussed the details of the luncheon and gathering that night. Logan didn’t pay attention as more important choices needed to be made.

  Over and over in his head, he tried to form the words that he would say to her. Perhaps if he made it seem like the only way to survive the gathering was to be mated, then she wouldn’t turn him down. Then again, perhaps she would respect a gentler approach.

  If Katey stayed home, then she would be safe from the other loups-garous and he wouldn’t have to broach such a sensitive topic. But then, she wouldn’t have the chance to prove herself in front of John and the others who doubted her legitimacy as a loup-garou.

  They had the entire afternoon to spend with one another after the luncheon and he would talk to her about it then.

  More than anything, he feared her rejection. He feared that she would turn him down and although, they had plenty of time to test the waters and see if mating was something they truly wanted for one another, to be cast down so early in their relationship was unbearable.

  Logan let out the breath he was holding and sat himself down heavily on one of the barstools against the wall. “How much time do I have to think it over?” Logan asked softly.

  John turned to him as Darren was taking his shot.

  “Very little...” John answered. “If she changes tonight, she will be at risk if the mating doesn’t occur... But if she doesn’t, you have much more time. However, it would be advantageous to perform the ceremony before too many of us go our separate ways. We have many loups-garous here, including myself that know how to officiate the ceremony.”

  “I’m positive she will change tonight,” Logan stated as he rubbed his forehead with his palm.

  Now, John was suggesting more than just proposal and establishing the bond. He wanted to do the entire ceremony and have them tie the knot. If everything went well, they would be a mated couple by the time they set foot on Floridian soil again.

  “Then you need to both come to an understanding about the subject before tonight. As long as you two come to an understanding and the others are aware of it, then she should be safe from any unwanted attention and we can perform the ceremony tomorrow. Katey will need a crash course in changing at will.”

  Logan was aware of what the mating ceremony entailed and he swallowed hard, thinking of the role he was obligated to play as Katey’s groom.

  “John, Logan can’t change himself at will yet,” Dustin said.

  John peered curiously at them. “I thought he knew how to already.”

  “No, we’ve been trying to help him with that, but unless we physically manipulate him into it, he only changes on his time of the month.”

  “Tonight is my time,” Logan added.

  It was convenient that the gathering was held around the same time every year, so he could participate, but now it seemed like a terrible untimeliness to his heart that was afraid of being shattered.

  John blinked and seemed taken aback by the idea that Logan still couldn’t change. “Hmmm... I hesitate to think how Logan would react to being forced to change.”

  “I’ve been forced to change without complications. I could do it again so tomorrow wouldn’t be a problem if she says yes,” Logan quickly stated, both anxious and excited for the prospect of mating with Katey. Though it was what he always wanted, he never imagined it would come so soon.

  “Very well.” He looked to Logan behind him. “Ask her if she will agree to the mating so that is taken care of. Once you two are bonded, she will be safe from the others. We will see if she can change and that will be the deciding factor for the ceremony. If she can’t change, then there is no rush for the ceremony to happen before you and your pack leave for the south. I’m just a day’s journey away whenever you need me for the ceremony.”

  “We’ll be leaving on a plane on Wednesday, so tomorrow would work just perfect if it comes to that,” Darren said.

  “And then you and Katey can decide where to go for your honeymoon on the plane flight back.” Dustin’s teased. “Whirlwind romance! I like it!”

  Logan growled at Dustin, but it was mixed with laughter from the others.

  “Before they can plan their honeymoon,” Blake spoke up, his deep voice booming over the laughter of the others. “I think she needs to be woken up. It’s nearly eleven already.”

  Darren gave his nod of dismissal to Logan and he left the game room to get Katey ready, though his mind was already thinking ahead to after the luncheon when they would be alone together.

  Upstairs, Katey was still sleeping in bed, curled and wrapped up tightly in the plush comforter to keep out the numbing cold that threatened to sneak through.

  Logan cautiously walked in and saw her peaceful face half buried in the pillow that she hugged so tightly. He wanted to be that pillow. He pushed aside all of the pestering fears and thoughts that gnawed at his mind from the conversation he just had with the others and sat down on the edge of the bed.

  Katey stirred under the covers and her unconcealed eye cracked open to look upon Logan’s tender smile.

  “Good morning, beautiful,” he greeted warmly as he rubbed her back through the blankets.

  Katey grunted in response and hid her face entirely in the pillow. Logan chuckled and leaned closer to gently pull back her soft hair that veiled around her cheek.

  “How’d you sleep?” he whispered as he looped the hair affectionately behind her ear.

  “Fine.” The pillows and sheets muffled her voice, but he could hear her well just the same.

  “If you don’t get up soon, we’re going to be late for the luncheon,” he said, trailing his fingertips along the top of her head to smooth down the little tendrils of hair that curled against the silky pillowcase.

  Katey grunted again and rolled over to stretch out her stiff arms. She turned her sleepy gaze up to him and exhaled deeply. How could it be possible that one woman could appear so heavenly and yet inspire such sinful desires?

  “Today is your birthday, isn’t it?” she asked, her voice a little hoarse from sleep.

  Logan smirked and nodded as he loomed over her, his weight supported on his hands. Driven by the mad forces within him, he kissed her and cherished the taste of her lips. Kissing her would never get old, not for a thousand years.

  When he pulled away, he brushed his nose against hers to incite a tiny giggle. “What are we going to do today then?” she asked with a smile.

  Logan shrugged. “I wasn’t planning on doing much of anything except spending time with you.”

  Birthdays were not a big thing in the loup-garou community. Many of them lost track of what day they were born altogether, especially those like Darren and John who had been around for centuries. Keeping count of their years was no longer a priority or an achievement for them, as it was for humans.

  Katey snuggled deeper under the covers and Logan lowered himself down on his elbows, their bodies pressing into each other.

  “Then can we go into town and do stuff?” she asked mischievously, grinning like a child under his loving gaze.

  “After we get through this luncheon, we’ll go anywhere you want.”

  Katey pouted. “That’s not the point of celebrating your birthday.”

 
Logan shook his head. “The best present I have is you. What more could I want?”

  She beamed under his endearment and reached up to wrap her arms around his neck. As her fingers played in his hair, Logan felt his core tighten with expectation. He leaned down once more to kiss her just as Dustin came to the door.

  Ignoring the presence of the beta, Logan continued to caress her lips with his own, but Katey pulled back and shrunk into the mattress as if to hide from Dustin.

  “Okay, love birds. Time to get up.”

  “Did the game end that quickly?” Logan asked, setting himself upright to watch his grandfather open the closet. Earlier that morning, they had unpacked their suitcases and settled into the room, all while Katey slumbered soundly.

  Dustin gave a hoot and shook his head. “Noah shot the last of the solids and the eight-ball in one shot. That guy’s pretty good with a pool stick.”

  Katey stiffly sat up and combed out her tangled hair with her fingers. Then she saw Dustin pull out a skirt, white blouse, and short blazer ensemble that looked to be of the feminine fashion. As soon as Katey laid eyes on the outfit, she shook her head.

  “No way! I’m not wearing a skirt,” Katey exclaimed, taking the edge of the comforter in her hands and pulling it up to her chin as if it would save her.

  “Uh... Yeah, you are! We don’t have anything else unless you do, but I highly doubt that.”

  He was right. Katey didn’t have any skirts besides the one she wore at the ballroom dance party and it wasn’t appropriate for this sort of occasion anyway. If only the luncheon wasn’t a black-tie affair.

  Logan snatched the cover from her grip and leaned over to give her a quick peck of encouragement.

  “It will look just perfect on you. Everything does, you know,” he reassured her.

  It was only then that she let her eyes roam and take in his own incomplete outfit. Dustin tossed him a blue tie from across the room as he laid out Katey’s clothes on the opposite bed. He was dressed more completely than Logan and all he was missing was the formal jacket. Even on her human geography teacher, formal attire seemed out of place.