“Why would they do that? They would condemn themselves if they ever intentionally harmed me.” Laura was shocked. Why would a pack that hated her swear an oath to keep her safe?
“Once they found out what Rayanne had done and said, not one refused to take the oath. At first I was furious, but over the past few days I haven’t found a soul who felt the same as Rayanne,” Ceva explained. “It seems she acted alone.”
Laura’s mind was reeling. Could it be true? Did the pack want her? The bigger question—did she risk going back to find out? She felt like a fool for not sensing Rayanne’s intentions, but the entire pack freely took the oath. Laura wanted Dedric desperately; she needed to be near her mate. She didn’t want to cause him pain by having to choose between her and his pack, but, apparently, that wasn’t necessary.
“I’ve gotta go.”
“Damn right you do.” Ceva laughed.
The world swirled around Laura as she aimed for the Mallory house where she hoped to find her mate. The second she appeared wolves started howling; they must have scented her. She ran through the house, but it was empty. The scent of her mate had faded as if he hadn’t been here in days.
She ran out onto the front porch and came face to face with the pack she’d been avoiding. They looked at her with shock and happiness, not the anger or hostility Rayanne had wanted Laura to believe. Suddenly a thundering howl broke through the silence. Dedric. Laura ran off the porch in the direction of his howl. She reached the gardens and froze.
Dedric stood tall in his wolf form on the far side of the hedges. His powerful muscles bunched before he leapt over the foliage and ran full speed toward her. Laura couldn’t make her body move. The relief she felt at seeing her mate had drained her as she slumped to the grass and sat to wait for him.
When he was only a few feet away Dedric stopped and shifted back into his human form. His skin was dirty and he had twigs in his hair. He looked as if he’d been in the forest since the day she left, and he never looked better.
“Laura,” he said, his voice rough from lack of use. “You came back.”
“I love you and I never wanted to come between you and your pack.” Laura lowered her head at the pain she’d obviously caused him.
Dedric scooped her off the ground and wrapped her in his arms as he walked to a more secluded spot in the gardens. He sat down in the grass and held her close. She could feel the love pouring off him and hoped he could feel hers as well. Who was she kidding? She couldn’t have left him permanently; this short amount of time had been unbearable.
“I’m sorry I’m not strong enough to let you go,” she whispered knowing he would be the only one to hear her. “I promise to do everything in my power to keep the pack happy.”
“I don’t want you to let me go and neither does our pack, my mate,” Dedric replied with absolute certainty.
“All I want is to be your mate. I’ve wanted that since the beginning.”
“I am your mate and no one will take you from me ever again. Rayanne was working alone,” Dedric swore as he leaned back to look Laura in the eyes. “We found the gun under her house. We believe she threw it there and quickly started cleaning the house so the bleach disguised the odor of sulfur when we returned. That table leg? Rayanne was the last person near the table before it was brought out with your surprise cake during the party. She’d had time to cut the leg.”
“But why? I’ve always been kind to her. What could I have done to turn her against me?” Laura’s voice cracked.
“You did nothing to her, my love. None of this is your fault. I realize it will take time for you to trust me to keep you safe again, but I swear I will. The mating celebration has been postponed indefinitely. There’s no rush. You can get settled in again, and when you’re ready we’ll go ahead as planned.”
“No.”
“No?” Dedric pulled back and Laura could feel the tension building in his body. “Laura, please give me time—”
“That’s not what I meant. If you love me, you’ll arrange a simple mating celebration for as soon as possible. I refuse to wait any longer to be your mate,” Laura insisted. She would have her way in this; she’d waited long enough.
Dedric seemed frozen to the spot for a few seconds before he stood with her in his arms and began walking toward the Mallory house. “Your wish is my command, my mate.” He wasn’t even trying to hide the huge smile on his face.
Laura laid her head against his chest and closed her eyes. It felt wonderful to be back in Dedric’s arms. They would never be apart again if she could help it. She tensed slightly as she heard voices growing nearer but Dedric simply held her a bit tighter to his body.
“Is Omega Laura hurt?” someone asked and Laura opened her eyes to see Samson walking beside his alpha.
“No, just a bit tired,” she answered. “And I’m suddenly really hungry.”
“It’s been four days since you’ve been gone. What have you eaten?” Dedric asked.
“Ceva brought me a roast beef sandwich when she came to find me, but time travels differently in Pharis,” Laura explained.
“Pharis?” Jennifer asked as she joined them, pen in hand.
“The plane of existence where the unicorns live. Remember the two in Black Ridge?”
Dedric smiled wide. “Yes, colorful little buggers. You’ll have to take me there sometime.”
“Anytime you wish, my mate.”
That seemed to remind Dedric of their goal. “Right, about the mating ceremony. We want to have the ceremony by sunset.”
“By…by sunset, Alpha?” Samson asked.
“Yes, spread the word. It will be a quiet affair in the gardens, no extra flowers or work, just us and our pack.” Dedric glanced down at Laura, looking for confirmation.
“Sunset would be perfect, my heart,” Laura murmured and was gifted with dazzling smile and quick kiss.
“There will be no more chaperones, Laura. I can’t have you out of my sight and I’ll need to touch you often. My wolf and I won’t be able to stand any sort of distance for some time.” Dedric looked at her apologetically.
“Thank goodness,” she was quick to respond. “I never liked being apart to begin with.”
Dedric lifted his head, howled in happiness, and was immediately answered by happy howls from the pack. He walked up the steps to the porch of the Mallory house and straight through the open front door. She heard it close behind them but no one else entered the house. It was only the two of them, and that was all she needed.
Her mate didn’t stop walking until he reached the large bathroom with a two-person walk-in shower. He set her on the two-sink vanity before turning the water on in the shower. Laura couldn’t help but let her eyes wander over her handsome mate. The muscles in his strong back rippled as he moved and his firm ass made her moan.
Dedric turned and gave her that grin that never failed to make her melt. “Baby, do you trust me?”
Laura looked deep into her mate’s dark eyes and answered truthfully. “Completely.”
Dedric closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Thank you.”
He reached up and began unbuttoning Laura’s shirt before slipping its silky material down her arms and letting it fall to the floor. Dedric lifted Laura from the vanity and set her on her feet. The material of her bra brushed over her mate’s muscled chest, making her nipples harden. He popped the button on her jeans and lowered the zipper before slipping his fingers through the waistband and sliding her jeans and underwear to the floor. Her bra was the only piece of clothing that remained attached to her body, but within seconds it joined the pile on the floor.
Her heart was racing as he gathered her into his arms and held her close. Nothing stood between them, and she’d never been more at peace in her life. Dedric led her into the steamy shower, testing the water before placing her underneath the stream. The care he took washing her felt exquisite against her sensitive skin and she wanted to feel him underneath her hands.
She lathered up a f
acecloth and began washing his chest and arms. He stood absolutely still as if afraid to move as she worked her way down his body, removing all traces of dirt. “How long were you in the forest?”
“Three days. I left the pack in the care of Samson to keep everyone safe in case I turned feral,” Dedric explained matter-of-factly.
“I’m sorry for causing you that pain,” Laura muttered.
Dedric lifted her until they were eye to eye. “You are completely innocent in all of this. I will continue to remind you of this until you accept it.” Leaning forward, he took Laura’s lips in a demanding kiss. Laura responded in kind and wrapped herself around Dedric’s body.
All too quickly, he pulled away and set her on her feet. “You test my resolve, mate, but I will do nothing to break your trust.” Dedric reached around Laura and turned off the water before grabbing a thick towel from the hook on the wall.
“Come to me, love, let me dry you,” Dedric commanded. Laura was all too willing to comply.
She walked into his open arms and was wrapped in the warm towel. He dried himself before lifting her into his arms, and then he carried her to the guestroom he’d been staying in until their pack house was finished. She’d visited him here before but never alone–and never naked.
“You need to rest before this evening’s ceremony,” Dedric insisted as he laid her onto his bed and pulled the blankets up around her.
“Will you stay with me?” Much as he felt the need to stay close to her, she was almost in a panic at the thought of him leaving her.
Dedric leaned down and kissed her softly before saying, “I will, but first I need to get you something to eat. I’ll be right back.”
Laura nodded her agreement and watched as he pulled on a pair of shorts and left the room. Her body relaxed into the mattress. She closed her eyes, comforted by the thought that Dedric was near and they were to be mated at sunset.
Dedric walked out of his bedroom and headed toward the kitchen. As he had guessed, the kitchen island was covered with food, and Samson, King Leonidas, Lothar and Ceva sat around the nearby kitchen table. Dedric grabbed a plate and began picking the best pieces of ham and turkey for Laura along with fruit and cheeses.
“We don’t require a chaperone. I am able to control my baser urges. Laura is completely safe with me.”
“We were never worried, Dedric.” King Leonidas smiled and coughed before he took a drink of his coffee. “But we do have a celebration to plan.”
“I want it as low key as possible. We don’t need decorations or a party. Just us surrounded by our pack.” Dedric would give Laura exactly what she wanted, a simple celebration and calm surroundings. They’d gone through enough. All they wanted now was to be mated.
“Agreed. We’ll make sure the celebration is as the two of you wish.” Ceva rubbed her back.
“Maybe you should be resting as well,” Dedric suggested.
“That is exactly what she’ll be doing,” Lothar huffed in frustration at his pregnant mate. “The rest of us are more than capable of pulling this off.” He shook his head. “She never stops.”
Dedric couldn’t help but smile. Everything he’d gone through over the past four days seemed to wash away as he stood here surrounded by his friends planning their mating celebration while his beautiful mate rested upstairs.
“Okay, I’ll lie down in a lounge chair and direct everyone,” Ceva agreed. “I’ll send Gabi and Lily over to help Laura get ready for the ceremony.”
The group stood and headed for the front door. Dedric walked back to the bedroom with a plate of food for Laura.
When he walked in, he found his love fast asleep and set the plate down on the side table. She could nibble if she woke up. Dedric turned off the overhead light and crawled into bed beside his mate, pulling her into his arms as he settled. He hadn’t slept well the past few days and his eyelids became heavy until he finally gave in to blessed sleep, comforted by his mate in his arms.
Chapter Eight
Laura’s hand shook slightly as she ran her fingers over the soft royal blue fabric of her gown while staring at herself in the full-length mirror. The flashing filigree of her legacy tattoo matched the blue of her gown. As if by fate, the two worked off each other, giving her an almost ethereal look.
“You look amazing,” Lily sighed from Laura’s side while Gabi wiped her eyes. “I’m so glad you’re safe and back with us, my friend.”
Laura turned and took Lily into her arms. “So am I. I didn’t want to leave, but it wasn’t safe until we knew how many of the pack were involved.”
“Of course. You did exactly what any of us would do in the same situation. Luckily, Ceva had given you your gifts before Rayanne attacked. I hate to think what might have happened if you couldn’t have teleported away.” Gabi sniffled as she adjusted her emerald green gown. Lily wore a soft pastel yellow that made her beauty glow. How General Jensgar could miss her dressed like a ray of sunshine would be baffling.
Laura released Lily and pulled Gabi into a fierce hug. “I was devastated by the thought of never returning to Dedric. I doubt I would have been able to carry on without him.”
“You’ve got to know no one ever felt the same as Rayanne. They’re so happy to have you. It’s actually impressive to see. Gabi and I mingled through the pack trying to pick out any animosity. We found none,” Lily explained as she dabbed her eyes with a tissue.
Laura turned back to the mirror and touched the small cuffs on her wrists. She was beyond thankful for Ceva’s gift and swore to use it to protect as many people as she could. She was excited to start helping the expectant mothers from every pack. Even her blue filigree on her neck shone brighter at the thought.
Dedric had left with Samson and the king when Gabi and Lily had arrived, but Laura knew he wasn’t far away. He had promised that Rayanne had left the pack before the ceremony. He didn’t want her on the pack lands as they swore their vows. It comforted her knowing the one person who wished her dead was on her way to the palace to be dealt with. Laura had learned Rayanne was operating on the assumption that she was and would continue to be alpha bitch. Which meant Laura was a threat to her and had to go.
In an odd way, Laura might have understood Rayanne’s obsession with the Newton pack. The pack was solid and strong, but add an alpha like Dedric and it was irresistible. That still didn’t mean Laura wouldn’t cut Rayanne down where she stood if she had to. The only reason Laura hadn’t attacked Rayanne was because she had been in shock. Anyone looking for a weakness in her would be sadly disappointed. After today, this was her home, her family and future; she would gladly defend each and every pack member with every power she had.
Laura’s gaze returned to the mirror. Her hair was pulled back in an elegant bun interlaced with small white wildflowers that gave her an almost halo effect. Her toes peeked out from under the fabric; she had refused to wear shoes, preferring to feel the grass under her feet. It might be a little hippy dippy to say she felt more “grounded” without shoes on, but having her feet touch the earth did calm her.
“I love this pack and it was killing me to think they didn’t want me. Now that I’m back I will destroy anyone who tries to hurt my pack, who are now my family.”
Both Lily and Gabi smiled knowingly. “This pack has belonged to you the moment you declared your love for their alpha.” Lily laughed softly as she rolled her eyes. “They’ve loved you from the beginning.”
“Thank you, my friends. I don’t know what I would have done without the two of you at my side. It has been an honor, and I hope each of you finds a home here in my pack,” Laura said. She wanted them to stay here with her.
“Are you ready?” Lily asked as she held the doorknob to Laura’s room in her hand.
“Yes. Without a single doubt Dedric is my mate and Newton is my pack.”
Lily opened the door wide and preceded Laura out into the front living room. The sun was setting through the bay windows and Laura knew it was time. She felt the rightness of this
moment settle within her heart and walked with her head held high to the front door of the Mallory house.
Gabi and Lily went ahead of Laura out onto the large covered porch. The pack surrounded her, each holding a plain, beige lit candle in their hands. The warm glow soothed her even further as she walked down the white steps.
Dedric stood at the bottom and took her into his arms the moment she reached him. “You’re breathtaking, my mate. You honor me,” Dedric murmured as she joined him. She could feel the excitement and love flowing through the entire pack, but mainly from her mate as he held her close.
No one else spoke as Dedric took her hand, turned and led her toward the gardens. The love shining in Dedric’s eyes seemed brighter than any of the candles and she followed him to the place she would swear her vows to the man she loved.
The pack surrounded them as if providing a protective barrier around their alpha couple. Laura was touched by the gesture and smiled wide at the members of her pack. She wanted them to know how much this meant to her. By their joyful expressions, there was no doubt how they felt about this mating. How had she ever doubted that?
The golden hues of the sunset began to darken into oranges and reds so by the time they walked into the lush gardens the sky was a riot of color. Long shadows slanted across the ground as their group passed and the birds watched in silence. Dedric tightened his hold as they neared King Leonidas, who was standing beneath a flowered trellis marking the center of the gardens and their pack.
Laura could feel the tears gathering in her eyes. This was exactly what she’d wanted, an intimate gathering with their pack as she joined her soul to Dedric’s. He stopped as they reached their king and turned to face Laura, his handsome face highlighted by the fading glow of the sun. Soon the only light would be coming from the candles being held by their pack around them. The whole thing felt personal and intimate. Perfect.
Dedric held her hands gently and King Leonidas began the ceremony, reciting the ancient words used to bind their two souls together. Laura barely heard them as she lost herself in the moment. Her mate’s dark eyes drew her in until there was only the two of them. She loved this strong, caring man and was honored to become his mate.
Laura's Legacy Page 8