by Julia Mills
Jumping to her defense, Wolfe stepped up beside her and growled at Daire, “I think you need to check your tone.”
“And I think you need to butt the fuck out,” the Alpha challenged, trying to get right in her mate’s face who stood at least six inches taller. “This is family business, dragon,” the Alpha spit the last word.
Grabbing his brother by the arm, Darragh pulled Daire back as he motioned towards Wolfe with a nod of his head. “I’m thinking that mating mark has a mate somewhere on Dani’s neck.” He held tighter to his snarling brother. “Stop and take a whiff. Our girl is right and truly mated.”
Darragh barely held Daire back as the Alpha jumped towards the couple, roaring at Wolfe, “I will gut you, you fucking overgrown lizard.”
Grey grabbed Daire’s other arm as Angus stepped between the out-of-control Alpha and Wolfe. “Calm down, mac tiré. This isn’t doing you or your sister any good.”
“She lied. She’s a dirty, fucking liar!” Daire bellowed, jerking away from Grey and Darragh, spinning on his heels and running towards the forest, changing from man to wolf as he disappeared into the trees.
Holding back the tears, Dani stood, paralyzed by the pain of the rejection she felt from the one person in all the world she’d never imagined would turn his back on her. Wolfe’s strong arm wrapped around her waist as he turned her towards him and pulled her to his chest. No sooner had her forehead touched his body than her emotions got the best of her. Tears ran down her cheeks while her wonderful mate whispered words of condolence and love.
Another warm hand touched her shoulder at the same time that Darragh consoled, “Give him time, Dani. You know you’re his favorite person ever. That old hothead just needs to run it off.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’m sure you had your reasons for not telling us, and when you’re ready, you’ll share them.”
While she appreciated her adopted brother’s sentiment, Dani could still hear doubt and recrimination in his tone. Turning in Wolfe’s arms, the dragoness wiped away her tears and was just about to speak when Becky ran to her side and looking at Darragh, scoffed, “Well, he can stay gone for all I care.” The she-wolf grabbed Dani’s hand. “What he said was wrong and uncalled for. He’s not an Alpha to me, not anymore.”
“Now, Becky,” Dani reasoned. “Daire has a right to be upset.” She squeezed her friend’s fingers. “I did keep one hell of a secret for a really long time.” The dragoness leaned her back against Wolfe’s chest, gladly accepting all the love and support he was pouring through their mating bond.
Looking at the faces staring back at her, both wolf and dragon alike, some friends and some acquaintances she hoped would soon be friends - all people she respected - Dani took a deep breath and began to explain. “As you all know, my name is Dannika DoChara. About a century ago I came to live with Joshua and Jennifer MacTavish because I had been orphaned. What you don’t know,” she snorted sarcastically, “Or didn’t know until a little bit ago, is that I am dragon.”
Dani turned her head and looked up at Wolfe then back to their friends and family, “I am actually the last of the Crystal Clan, daughter of Dacia and Shamus, known as Morning Star. I was sent to live with the Blue Ridge Wolves when our Clan was attacked and massacred. Joshua and Jennifer raised me as their own daughter, but the terms set forth by my parents were very clear – no one except Mr. and Mrs. MacTavish, not even their children, could know who or what I was.” She paused for a second before adding, “Just as my mother had done when she sent me to this Pack, on his dying bed Joshua also made me swear not to tell anyone until I had found my mate and we were bonded.”
Taking a deep breath, afraid she might not be able to go on, Dani was thrilled to see Angus nod and the first real smile she’d seen since meeting him cross his face.
Waiting as the Enforcer closed the distance between them, Dani held her breath as the red dragon bowed his head and then after raising it assured, “I knew your parents. Fought beside them both. I apologize for not recognizing you immediately. You have my loyalty and my support, Morning Star. I now understand and am here to assist in any way you have need of me.”
Not sure what to do next, she smiled as Wolfe’s voice floated through her mind, “Nod and say thank you. Angus doesn’t acquiesce to many…actually, from what I’ve been told this would be a first.” Her mate chuckled, “He likes you, take it and run.”
“That’s right, I like her,” Angus teased. “You? Well, the jury is still out…and please for the love of all that is holy, please learn to shield at least the conversations with your mate.”
Barking with laughter, Wolfe retorted, “Yeah, whatever you say, old guy.”
“Hey, now, them’s fightin’ words,” Olivia piped up, walking to stand beside her mate and smiling at Dani. “I’m so glad y’all finally stopped fightin’. I thought you were gonna start a forest fire with all that sexual tension.”
“I’m thinkin’ they still have lost of sparks,” Ellie laughed as she joined the conversation with her silent, brooding mate behind her. “Congratulations you two. Do we get to throw a Mating Party for y’all?”
Clearing his throat, Darragh pushed through the crowd and with a smile that finally reached his eyes, looked up at Wolfe. “Just take care of her, cause if you don’t, I will scale you like a fish and feed you to the pups.”
“Darragh!” Dani chastised.
“No, Dannika,” Wolfe chuckled. “It’s his right.” Then to her brother, her dragon said, “I would give my life for her, of that you can be sure.” Before holding out his hand and nodding as Darragh gave it a shake along with a nod and a “See that you do.”
Looking down at Dani, her brother smiled and placed his hand on her arm. “I love you, Sis and so does Daire. Like I said, give him some time. You know what a control freak he is. Between the treaty, your big reveal and,” Darragh shook his head, “Whatever burr decided to crawl up his ass lately, he just needs to be alone.”
“You have to know this is not how I planned to tell y’all what was going on. It just happened. Wolfe and I…well…” Dani felt her cheeks burning with embarrassment as everyone tried to hide their knowing smiles and hold back their chuckles, even Wolfe’s chest vibrated against her back. “Oh, dang it! Y’all know what I’m trying to say. I wanted to sit down and tell you. Be civilized. Explain it all, so that you knew I had no choice but to keep the confidences that had been entrusted to me.”
Ellie burst out laughing, “I don’t know about you dragons, but wolves never do anything in a civilized manner.”
“Amen to that.” Olivia high-fived her friend as their mates looked on shaking their head and smirking.
Laughing along, Darragh agreed, “Ain’t that the truth.” He winked at Dani, “And I think somewhere in there you knew there was a chance this was how it was gonna go down.”
Holding up his hand as Dani opened her mouth to speak, the wolf quickly went on, “But that is neither here nor there. You are my sister. Nothing, and I mean nothing, changes that.” He held open his arms, “Give me a hug.” As they embraced, he added, “Since I am the acting Alpha, I would really love if we could at least have your Mating Party, before you leave.”
As Ellie and Olivia both gave a ‘hell yeah’, Dani stepped back from her brother, turned towards her mate and more embarrassed than she’d ever been, admitted, “I never thought about that.” She closed the distance between them and thread her fingers through his. “Where are we gonna live? Here or…” she paused then threw her free hand in the air. “Hell, I don’t even know where you live. I never asked. There wasn’t time.”
Smiling a smile that set her heart racing and made her body tingle, Wolfe moved closer, leaned down and assured her in a low, rumbling voice, “Wherever you are. That’s where I’ll be. Like I told you, we’re in this together…forever.”
His lips had almost touched hers when a loud, “Oh my Goddess, I’m gonna barf,” came from the group behind them.
Still looking into her eyes, Wolfe growl
ed, “Shut up, Grey,’ at precisely the same moment as Angus, Olivia, Ellie and Darragh did the same. As the group erupted with laughter, Dani’s mate kissed her with a slow building passion that made the dragoness wish they were alone.
All too soon, he pulled away but kept her close and over her head announced, “Alright you motley crew. We’ve lost five days and an Alpha, I’m thinking we need to get back to the Lodge and get a plan of some kind worked up.” His hand slowly ran up and down Dani’s spine as he added, “You can bet that damned Shapeshifter and her band of rogues have been busy.”
Stepping back, Wolfe let his hand slip from her shoulder and grabbed her hand as they started to follow their friends who were already heading for the woods. Dani smiled, loving how close she already felt to her dragon.
Walking past Grey, who had stopped to wait, she and Wolfe burst out laughing in unison as the Guardsman rolled his eyes and teased, “Alright but if you two can’t stop with the kissy face and doe eyes, I’m gonna have to separate you.”
And once again, everyone in attendance yelled, “Shut up, Grey.”
Chapter Eleven
Wolfe had just rolled up the maps and poured himself what had to be his hundredth glass of iced tea when Dannika came running into the front door of the Lodge at the same moment that Daire came in the back.
“Wolfe,” she called out to him, smiling a bright, beautiful smile then her eyes flashed to her brother’s and the light fell out of her expression.
Standing her ground, his dragoness threw back her shoulders and waited as Daire walked forward, apologizing, “I guess I deserve that look.” He chuckled sarcastically. “I’m actually surprised you haven’t already roundhouse kicked me or have me in a headlock.”
“Not worth my time,” Dannika grumbled.
“Ha! You’re probably right.” Stopping at the head of the huge rectangular oak table Wolfe had been working on, the Alpha leaned and placed his palms on the table before letting his head fall forward. The Guardsman had seen the dark circles under Daire’s eyes, the beard growing on his usually clean-shaven face and the scratches covering his hands and arms. The scent of soap mixed with the Alpha’s stress filling the air as he stood, slowly breathing in and out.
Looking to his mate, Wolfe saw the tears she refused to let fall, could feel how anger and remorse warred within her and wanted nothing more than to take away her pain, but knew he could not. Not only was this something she needed to deal with in her own way and on her own, but he had no doubt she would kick his ass if he even tried to get involved. So, all he could do was offer his unrelenting support and unconditional love.
“I’m here if you need me, mo chroí,” he whispered, using their unique link for privacy. “Is breá liom tú.”
Her gaze momentarily snapped to his as a small smile graced her lips, “I love you, too, Wolfe.”
Dannika’s eyes almost immediately returned to Daire’s, who was now looking up. Slowly walking around the table, the dragoness approached her brother at the same time that he began walking towards her. Meeting almost in the middle, the two powerful beings spoke at the same time.
“Daire, I’m so sorry. I never meant…”
“I have been such a dick. Can you ever forgive me?”
Laughing out loud, they both tried to talk over one another once again before Daire held up his hand and chuckled, “Me first. I’m the idiot here.”
Shaking her head, Dani disagreed,” No, I should have…”
“You should’ve done exactly what you did…keep your word to your parents and to dad.” The Alpha stepped closer. “Can you ever forgive me?”
Jumping into her brother’s arms, Dannika squealed, “If you can forgive me.”
Wolfe watched with so much pride at his amazing mate that not even his dragon growled when Daire’s arms came around Dannika. Leaning back, the dragoness teased, “What’s up with the beard?” Laying her hand on his cheek, she added, “Did you sleep at all over the last nine days? Did you eat?”
Pulling her in for another hug, he assured her, “I did.” Stepping back but keeping his hand on her arm, he added, “Darragh came out almost every day and ran with me.”
Concern filled their mating bond as Dannika asked, “You stayed in wolf form the whole time?”
Nodding, the Alpha actually looked a little embarrassed. “I did. It was just…easier.” He took a deep breath. “Not because I was still angry but because I was so ashamed of the way I acted. As a wolf, I could just run and hunt and not think, but today…I knew it was time to come home. I can feel the full moon coming, had to be here for my Pack, had to make sure I set things right between us and…”
“He needed to pull his big, bullhead out of his ass,” Darragh added, striding into the room. “I’m supposed to be the asshole. It sucked having to be the responsible brother.”
As everyone chuckled at the disgusted look on Darragh’s face, Wolfe could feel the hurt and resentment lifting from Dannika. It made the Guardsman even more hopeful that they would indeed be victorious over the Shapeshifter and her rogues.
Walking around the table to his mate, Wolfe wrapped his arm around her shoulders and asked, “So, Daire, has Darragh gotten you up to speed on the plan for tomorrow?”
“He tried,” Daire snickered, giving his brother a soft punch on the shoulder. “But my brother doesn’t like to lead so, he tends to not pay attention when discussions of strategy come about.”
“But I look good doing it.”
“Oh brother,” Dannika rolled her eyes as both MacTavishes piped in with a goofy, “You called.”
Barking with laughter, Wolfe joked, “No comment,” before removing his arm from around his mate and reaching across the table. Unrolling the huge map, he began explaining the plan Angus, Caleb, Grey and himself along with the help of the Council members and quite a few of the Blue Ridge Pack Betas came up with.
“I’ll go grab the leftovers from my fridge and let the others know Daire is back,” Dani commented as she kissed Wolfe’s cheek, waved to her brothers and left the Lodge.
Wolfe had just started to speak again when Daire interjected, “I’m sorry, Wolfe…really sorry. I didn’t mean the things I said. I have no excuse.”
Turning towards the Alpha, the Guardsman crossed his arms over his chest and leaned his hip on the table. “As long as Dannika forgives you, I’m good.” He leveled his stare and in an almost growl, being careful not to threaten, only to warn, he added, “But if you ever hurt her again, I’ll fry your ass, and you know damn good and well that I’m the dragon who can do it.”
Nodding, Daire agreed, “I won’t.” Then quickly added, “Same goes for you. I may not have the firepower, but I promise I can deliver one hell of an ass whooping.”
“Okay, now that even I am about to choke on the testosterone in the room and we all agree we love Dani, can we get back to the plan?” Darragh chuckled. “Oh, and before you say it, Daire… this time, I’m paying attention.”
Working into the wee hours of the morning, Wolfe and Dani finally stumbled back to her house after making the few adjustments Daire suggested and alerting all the others. The next morning came way too quick, but the couple was nonetheless up, ready and at the Lodge for breakfast by nine.
The entire Blue Ridge Pack stopped by the table to lend their well wishes and meet the dragon who had stolen their Healer’s, heart. Wolfe sat in awe of how much each wolf truly loved his mate. They didn’t care what her animal to call was or who her mate was, only that she was happy.
After the fourth or fifth person had asked if the couple was going to stay in North Carolina, Wolfe pulled Dannika close and making sure that everyone in attendance heard, he announced, “We will live wherever Dani wants to live.”
The room erupted in a plethora of howls and so much applause the windows actually rattled. Leaning down, he whispered, “Now, that that’s settled.” He kissed her neck, chuckling when she shivered, and goose bumps rose on her lovely skin. “Anything else we need to address?”
Turning to him, Dannika lightly kissed his lips before pulling back and smiling, “Have I told you how much I love you?”
“You have, mo ghrá, but I’ll never tire of hearing it.”
“I love…”
The words were stolen from Dani’s lips as the huge oak doors to the Lodge flew off the hinges making all motion and noise instantly stop. Pushing his preternatural senses as far as they would reach, Wolfe jumped to his feet, and roared, “The Shapeshifter is nearby!”
Just as they had planned, Gretchen, a female Beta and close friend of Dannika’s, got the younger women and the children into the basement of the Lodge while the Betas, Trackers and Guards all stood at the ready. Daire had decided no one would shift until they could see what form the rogues were in. Wolfe had his doubts but deferred to the Alpha.
Looking to Grey and Angus who were already heading out the back door, Wolfe telepathically asked, “You guys shifting?”
“Hell yes, why would we wait?” Grey nearly shouted. “This bitch means business. She blew the damn doors down.”
“Aye, lad. I’m not waiting for her to do any more damage,” Angus grumbled. “She so much as lifts her arms, I will burn her down.” There was a second of silence, and then the Enforcer added, “Watch out for Olivia, she does not know the meaning of the words be careful or wait.”
Looking at Dannika, who was standing with Olivia, Ellie and Becky, all at the ready to shift, Wolfe concurred, “Yeah, I know what you mean. I now feel your pain.”
Laughing, Angus teased, “Ain’t love grand?”
“Indeed it is,” Wolfe chuckled. “Fly well. Fight Hard.”
“See you when the bitch is dead,” Grey piped up.
“Kick ass and take names, brother.”