Serena smiled as his fingers moved to the buttons on her shirt. “Am I the first girl you’ve brought up to your room?”
His mouth curved into a smile against her skin. “You’re the only one that matters.”
Any other questions Serena had were silenced as his lips came up to hers, his kiss long and slow and deep, his hands seemingly everywhere on her body at once, tugging at her shirt, then her bra, pulling her jeans over her hips. She shivered slightly at the chill in the room.
Brody led her to the bed, pulling back the covers. She climbed underneath them and watched as he turned off the lantern. In the flashes of lightning, he undressed and she caught glimpses of his body, taut and muscular, his arousal clearly evident.
Then he was in bed beside her, pulling her close. He held her for a long moment and they listened to the thunder booming outside, the rain lashing at the windows.
“Serena…” He reached for her hand in the dark, his voice catching slightly. “I’m so glad you’re here with me.”
“There’s no place else I want to be.”
He made love to her then, bringing her to the edge slowly, time and again, until her body was singing with heat and passion. When she came beneath him, she was dimly aware of his muffled, low laugh, quickly lost in the sounds of his climax.
Later, on the edge of sleep, she curled up against him. “What’s so funny before?”
“You. You’d make a fine shifter, with the howls and growls you made tonight.” His arms went around her waist, holding her against his body.
“You’re pretty vocal yourself, you know.” She yawned.
“I am. But I’m the wolf, so it’s expected. You…you’re always a surprise.” He kissed the top of her head. “You’ll fit right in with the pack.”
***
Serena woke up alone in bed. The sun was streaming in through the windows and she lay there for a long time, watching the blue sky, listening to the noises downstairs. The ebb and flow of the house reached her ears: footsteps, an occasional masculine voice, the sound of the occupants stirring to life. Alex was right; she had the sense that she was the only woman in the house. She turned as Brody came through the door, a tray balanced in his hands.
“Hey, sleepyhead.” He set the tray on the bedside table as she pushed herself up on the bed. “I thought you might like breakfast in peace. The testosterone level is pretty high downstairs. They’re all in high spirits.” He handed her a cup of coffee and she took a sip.
“They’re excited about this ritual? What exactly happens?” She took a piece of toast from the tray.
Brody sat on the edge of the bed. “It’s a sign of allegiance and obedience to me as alpha male.”
“Obedience? As in they do as you say?”
Brody shrugged. “It’s never been a question that any of us follow our alpha. It’s the way we’re raised, part of us on a cellular level. The ritual makes it visible, bonds us more strongly.” He settled against the headboard next to Serena.
“We’re like anybody else, in many ways. But as shifters, there can be…issues. As you know.” Brody looked down, a faint scowl clouding his face.
“Callahan was the extreme. He thought the power he’d have over the pack made him somehow better than the rest of us. It’s not like that. We’re pack animals; we do better with a leader. Most of the time it’s pretty mundane things; finding pack members who’ve gone away, finding mates for the guys.”
“You’re a matchmaker?” Serena giggled. “I didn’t think anyone still did that.”
Brody shrugged and gave her a lopsided grin. “We mate for life. It’s sometimes a bit of a challenge to find women who understand our lifestyle.”
“You mate for life?”
“Like wolves in the wild.” Brody turned to Serena, taking her coffee cup and setting in on the bedside table. He took her hands in his.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to talk to you about. I know we haven’t really spoken much about our future. Things were chaotic for so long. But now, here…it’s important.”
Serena’s heart skittered in her chest, her throat suddenly dry. She knew Brody could feel her hands trembling.
“Serena, I want you to be my mate. For life. Will you consider it?” His eyes searched her face. She saw love, passion…and uncertainty. She sat forward on her knees, her eyes meeting Brody’s. There was no question in her mind.
“Brody, you have made me happier than I’ve ever been. I want you in my life…you are my future.” She leaned forward, kissing him softly.
“Yes. I’ll be your mate.”
Brody held her gaze and she watched as the uncertainty in his eyes was replaced with happiness and the soft glint of unshed tears. He pulled her to him, his face buried against her neck.
“You’ve made me the happiest man on earth, Serena.” His words were muffled, but his joy was evident. He pulled back, his hands on her shoulders. “The happiest shifter.” He growled low into her ear, his lips brushing against her lobe, causing her to shiver.
There was a loud knock on the bedroom door. Brody gave Serena a quick kiss, sliding off the bed and moving across the room, laughing over his shoulder.
“They’re starting early.” He opened the door to the massive form of Adam.
Serena couldn’t help but laugh as Adam engulfed Brody in another hug, finally letting him go but keeping an arm around his shoulders.
“Man, we’re almost ready, any time you want to start. Morning, Serena. Sorry.” Adam ducked his head in Serena’s direction.
“We’ll be down in a few minutes. Get everyone ready in the main hall.”
Adam nodded, patted Brody on the shoulder, and disappeared. He turned back to Serena.
“Like I said, they’re pretty pumped about this whole thing. Truth be told, so am I.”
Serena slipped out of bed. “Then let’s not keep them waiting.”
Chapter Twelve
Serena followed Brody down the stairs. Gauging by the noise level in the main room, she estimated there must be at least twenty or thirty guys waiting for them. As Brody came through the archway at the bottom of the stairs, the noise level rose even higher. Serena hesitated in the archway, watching the group engulf Brody. He shook hands, hugged, and was hugged, making his way to the end of the room, finally stopping in front of the bay windows. He raised his hands and instantly the room went silent.
“It’s good to be home. I’ve missed this place, all of you. I know it’s been hard for all of us. But I’m home, and I’m here to take my place as alpha male of this pack.”
There was a round of applause and catcalls. Brody let the noises subside before he continued.
“There’s something else, another announcement I have to make.” He motioned to Serena. The group turned toward her, then parted as she walked past them on her way to Brody’s side. There were scattered murmurs and growing smiles on many of the faces she passed. She finally made her way to Brody’s side. He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close.
“For those of you who haven’t met her, this is Serena Daniels. She’s the detective from Wisconsin who is responsible for me being here. She believed in me. She took care of my father’s killer.”
A hushed whisper passed through the group. They were silent then, waiting for Brody.
“Today is a celebration, and one of the most joyous days of my life. Serena has agreed to be my mate.”
The applause this time was deafening, lasting for what felt like an eternity. Serena looked out over the room, overwhelmed by the response, by the love that engulfed her. She turned to Brody, a question on her lips, only to be pulled into a passionate kiss. The room exploded into catcalls and whistles. When he finally let her go, she was breathless, her questions forgotten for the moment. Brody held up his hand and the group grew quiet.
“If we’re ready, we can start the ritual.” Brody turned to Serena as the men filed out of the room. “We’ll have our pair bonding first and then you can watch the rest from the edge of the cl
earing.”
“What do I do? I don’t have anything to wear…”
Brody’s laughter washed over her. “It’s fine. It’s not formal in that sense. We stand before the group and declare our intentions. It’s like saying vows at a wedding, in a way. It’s public, and the pack knows you’re mine, I’m yours, and with that, they owe you the same respect and obedience they owe me.”
“Is that all?”
Brody paused, his eyes scanning her face. “I have to bite you. It will…turn you. Make the transformation complete so you are truly one of us.”
“Will it hurt?”
“Only for a minute.”
Serena’s mouth was dry and all of her questions flooded back.
Before she could speak, he pulled her close. “Don’t look so worried. It’s going to be fine. Are you sure this is what you want though? Once we’re mated…once I’ve bitten you, you’ll always be a shifter. Like us.”
She nodded. “I’m sure, Brody. I’m absolutely sure. You’re all that I want…forever. I’m just…I don’t want to disappoint anyone, most especially you.”
“Serena.” He held her face in his hands. “You could never disappoint me. You’re everything that I have ever wanted and everything I’ll ever need. Do you understand?” He bent, his lips on hers, his kiss firm, reassuring.
She drew a deep breath, held it, then breathed out, smiling up at Brody. “I do, and I trust you completely.”
“Good,” he replied, kissing her neck. “Then let’s make this official.”
***
They walked hand in hand to a small clearing in the pines behind the house. The rest of the pack was assembled, standing solemnly in a semi-circle. All the catcalls, whistles, and applause were gone, replaced with respectful silence. Serena could hear birds singing and the soft sound of the wind through the pine trees.
Brody took his place at the head of the circle and Serena stood by his side. He looked over his pack and met each member’s gaze. Serena’s heart began beating faster as she waited.
“I stand before you, not yet your alpha. I stand before you as a man, and by my side, the woman who has agreed to share my life, including being alpha female.”
Brody turned to Serena, taking her hands in his. “Serena. You’re my love, my life. From this day forward, I devote myself to you, to protect you and keep you safe, to provide for you whatever you need. I will love you with my heart, body, and soul. You’re my mate, forever.”
Tears welled in her eyes and for a moment she was unable to speak. But Brody’s steady gaze and his strong hands gave her strength. She took a deep breath.
“Brody. You’ve given me more than I could ever have desired. From this day forward, I give you my love, my life, whatever you need.” Tears rolled down her cheeks, her voice wavering. But she continued.
“I’ll do whatever…is in my power…to always make you happy.” Her voice broke, the last words a whisper. “I love you.”
Her tears fell unchecked as he pulled her against him, holding her tightly. The group erupted in applause and she turned her head, looking out over the group, taking in their approving smiles. She returned those smiles and straightened, still in Brody’s loving embrace.
“Are you ready?” Brody whispered in her ear. She nodded.
His lips pressed softly against her cheek before moving to her neck. She battled tears of happiness, of love, the last few seconds of her human life slipping away. Yet she felt nothing but excitement for the future that lay ahead. His teeth, now fangs, slid down her neck before gently sinking into her tender flesh. The pain was swift, lasting only a moment before being replaced by a burning heat that engulfed her skin, rippling like a powerful wave across her body. She closed her eyes, feeling his grip tighten, his breath hot against her, his fangs embedded deep, imprinting her, claiming her as his own forever.
* * *
“We’re going to start the ritual.” He led her to a small rise at the edge of the clearing. She sat down as Brody walked back to the center of the group. They closed the circle around him and there was a moment of silence.
“I stand here before you as the legitimate alpha male of this pack. I accept this honor, this challenge, this role.” His voice carried in the breeze, strong and confident. Serena shivered, chills coursing through her. It was powerful and emotional.
“If anyone here objects, for any reason, step into the circle and state your reason.”
The group was still, the silence complete. Serena held her breath even though she was positive no one had any objections to Brody being alpha male. After several moments, he spoke again.
“Then you’ve given me your acceptance. I now ask for your obedience.”
Serena drew a sharp breath, her hand to her mouth. Brody had dropped to the ground, shifting before her eyes into the powerful brown wolf she’d last seen at the mill house. The change had been so swift, so effortless, that she doubted her own eyes.
Then one by one, each member of the group shifted, the circle filled with wolves. She recognized Adam, now a large roan colored beautiful creature. He was the first to walk toward Brody, his head down, tail held low. As he reached Brody, Serena heard a whine as Adam ducked his head, eyes on the ground in front of Brody, before moving back to the circle.
One by one the wolves came forward, repeated the submissive gestures, and walked back to the circle.
The last wolf made his trek to Brody and returned. Serena watched in awe as, in unison, the pack raised their muzzles to the sky, breaking into joyous howls. The sound was unearthly and Serena wrapped her arms around herself, shivering with emotion.
As a group, the wolves broke the circle, running with abandon into the pines. She watched them, their boundless energy and obvious joy bringing a smile to her face.
One wolf remained though. Brody stood in his place a moment, then turned and trotted toward Serena. She knelt as he approached, her hand reaching for him.
But he stopped just shy of where she sat. She watched in amazement as he lowered his body, his tail held low, just as his pack mates had done during the ritual, swearing their obedience to him. Tears sprang to her eyes as he crawled the last few feet, stopping in front of her, his head resting on his paws.
“Oh, Brody…” She reached for him and he stood, whining softly, head tilted. The sun hit his coat, setting off a golden glow around him. The blue eyes she’d looked into a thousand times gazed back at her. He took one step, then two, toward her and she wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in his thick coat.
“I love you. As a wolf, as a man…I love you…for always.”
About The Author
New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Adriana Hunter wrote her very first novel at only thirteen years old, by hand, in an old lined scribbler. She hasn't stopped since. Her contemporary and paranormal romance stories feature irresistibly powerful alpha heroes and the beautifully curvy heroines that love them.
Connect with Adriana on her website at http://www.AdrianaHunter.com and subscribe to her official newsletter at http://www.SpicyTales.com for details on upcoming books!
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