“We’ve come to pay honor to our alpha. We’ve come to pledge our loyalty to you and your mate,” said one of the larger men from the Ashburn pack.
“I see,” said Ethan. He took a few more steps and stood in front of the man who took a knee. One by one, the entire Ashburn pack bowed. He started to laugh and thought better of it.
“You don’t need to kneel. I’m not that kind of alpha. If you swear your loyalty and swear to protect the pack, both packs, then you have my forgiveness and my respect.”
“Thank you, Ethan. Is it true that Kurt is gone?”
Ethan nodded. “I don’t see any way for him to be coming back.”
One of the women stepped forward. “Can I ask what happened to Gianna?”
“Can I answer this one?”
Ethan smiled. “Go for it.”
Olivia sheepishly took a step forward as she approached the packs. “She won’t be back. She’s off to find her sister. I told her if she came back, I’d sick a plague of mosquitoes on her.”
“But why did she leave?” asked another female.
Ethan and Olivia exchanged a glance.
Ethan spoke. “You do not threaten my mate. You do not threaten the beta of the pack. If we can’t learn to respect each other, we can’t survive.”
Ethan’s pack, and now her pack, nodded. They stood in unison. Olivia now knew the Ashburn mess wasn’t their fault. She knew enough to understand they needed leadership, they needed to be trained, and be led properly. They deserved to know what a good pack was like. Olivia caught a glimpse of Ethan’s thoughts and his fears. He knew it would take years for things to settle, but he was willing. A sense of pride filled her. She would have purpose here.
“Tonight we will celebrate my mate and our new family. Tomorrow will find a new settlement for those that wish to remain on the pack lands.”
He pulled Olivia closer, bringing her comfort. Knowing he’d come for her should have been enough, but this moment the reassurance that he didn’t want to be without her spoke to her beyond words. She caught mumbled words filtering through the crowd like a wave.
A meek voice spoke up. “Can we leave pack lands?”
He straightened beside her. She saw the leader Ethan would be in that moment.
”Let me be clear. Pack will always come first. You come on my call, but you are welcome to live and work outside of the pack. We are only as strong as each other.”
Heads bobbed in agreement. Some appeared shocked or shaken. Younger wolves stood a little taller.
He wouldn’t run the pack like the past. This was a new age and to survive, the pack needed to change.
“Ashburns, go pack your things. You won’t be staying in that ramshackle lodge. Until we can find more suitable accommodations, families will be housed by Pikes. Singles will be welcome in the den house at the back of my land.”
Olivia looked at him in question.
“Long ago, packs slept in dens. We don’t do that anymore, but we still use it for emergencies, meetings, and things that require us to all be together.”
She bit the corner of her lower lip. “Okay. Sounds fair.”
“It’s the best I’ve got right now. I didn’t expect to be housing a whole other pack today. I thought I’d be presenting my mate.” His mouth moved closer to her ear as he whispered. “I thought I’d be spending the entire night mating you properly.”
Tendrils of excitement shot through her as his hand slid down her back to her butt where he copped a feel.
“Ethan. You settle down. What if your mother is watching?”
He smirked. “She’d be happy to see me finally living up to my obligations.”
Shaking her head she let out a sigh. Her body finally letting out the stresses of the night.
“You’ll have to remind me how squeezing my butt is your obligation.”
The silent rumble of his chest was the only indication of his laugh as they turned back to the packs.
“Go. Pikes. If you can find room for our new brothers and sisters please do. We will figure out arrangements tonight at the bonfire. Go back to your land Ashburns, and collect what you want. You are always welcome back to your own lands, but for now I feel this is the best way to ensure we are one.”
Ethan grabbed Olivia’s hand and pulled her away from the meeting.
He looked down at her and cocked a brow. “That whole thing with Gianna, was creative. Can you do that? Sick mosquitoes on someone?”
She smirked. “Not sure. But why test me?”
The bell of the shop rang. Olivia dusted off her hands and headed to greet her customer. Bridgette was off to a delivery leaving her alone. A quick glance down at her apron reviled how badly today’s experiment was going.
“Hi, how can I help you?” she said as she looked up.
“Wow. I like what you’ve done with the place.”
Olivia’s mouth gaped. “Harold? What are you doing here?”
His suit, pompous and self-serving, made him lankier than she remembered.
“I saw the article in the paper about this new bakery. I was surprised to see you’d changed the name. Anyway, the reviews are amazing. I thought maybe I’d been a little hasty in my leaving.”
She gripped the bridge of her nose with two fingers. “Whatever you’re selling I’ll be saying no. Working with my ex-sounds as pleasant as being cursed.”
He leaned towards the glass case, eyeing all the new flavors.
“I see you’ve really changed things. Your mother is right. A late bloomer. Maybe we could rethink things now. I mean, it seems we could both benefit from each other.”
She dropped her hand and pursed her mouth. “I don’t see that working out. Thanks though. If you want a cupcake, I'm willing to donate to the cause of getting you out.”
He stood up straight, pulling at his lapels.
“I don’t think you understand what I’m offering. If you marry me, your family will not only be catapulted up society, but your mother is already calling the venue for the next open wedding date.”
Olivia shifted her stance.
“I doubt that. My mother isn’t speaking to me right now, and I can’t marry you.”
He smiled. “Olivia. I know we’ve had our differences. But let’s just leave the past behind. Besides, it looks like you’ve fixed a lot of issues. Have you lost weight?”
Squaring her shoulders, Olivia pushed past the tingle of her wolf. Calm down. She would not ruin her new outfit.
Ethan’s voice filtered through her head. Everything okay?
She ignored him and tried to hide her own apprehension. She’d handle this on her own.
“Harold, we did not have our differences. You cheated and left me for a slutty temptress.”
“That seems a little harsh. When did you start to use that kind of language? What would your mother say?”
She rolled her eyes. “Really? Again, my mother isn’t talking to me. So I don’t care what she has to say.”
This time she flicked her left hand, and a breeze blew open the door. “Please feel free to see yourself out. I have work. Try not to scare off the customers on the way out.”
His eyes bulged.
“Well, that's impressive. You can open a door?” He took a step closer. Did she want to summon a swarm of bees? She raised her hand to call on the insects and she stopped at the look flashing across his face. Priceless.
“What is that on your finger Olivia? I demand to know who would dare marry you. It’s public knowledge you’re my intended.”
Stomping her foot and breathing down the frustration she threw on a plastic smile. “He isn’t a warlock, so I doubt he’d care. Also, I stopped being your intended the day you called off the wedding. I was too stupid to recognize what a disaster our marriage would have been. Thanks for the favor.”
She turned her back and took a step toward the kitchen.
“Olivia Millford. I demand you tell me who would dare challenge me. This is unacceptable. We had a disagreement. You
don’t just form a new engagement.”
Heat burned her cheeks. Before she could turn back, a loud growl filled her head. Oh for crap sake, Ethan. Stay.
Too late.
She spun on her heel in time to catch Ethan’s fist connect with Harold’s nose. A satisfying crack filled the silence.
“Ethan? Seriously. Take him outside before he stains my floors.”
Loud shrieks followed. “Oh my God. What kind of heathen is this? You broke my nose.”
“You better be happy your nose is the only damn thing I broke.”
Harold held out his hand, waving it wildly. Olivia shoved some napkins in his palm.
“I’ll have my lawyer come after you, you beast.”
Olivia laughed. Ethan towered over him. All Harold had was a lawyer to make him seem manly.
“Who punches someone?”
“Stop, Ethan. Back away. He was just leaving. By the way Harold, please make sure you tell your lawyer that you cheated on me, slandered my name, and tried to take advantage of me against my will.”
“I did not,” he shrieked.
She raised her brow. “Well, the court would for sure look into it. How long would you like to be in court over a broken nose?”
Ethan’s body poised for a fight out of the corner of her eye.
“Harold. Meet my husband.”
With a wadded-up bunch of napkins, Harold finally shut up and glared. His head moving from top to bottom and taking in the sheer size of Ethan. “Husband?”
Coming around the counter, she put her hand against Ethan’s chest and held him back. I have this.
“He respects me. It turns out I’m the kind of woman that doesn’t settle for being second best.”
Harold sputtered. “Oh, I can’t wait for everyone to find out what you did. Your family will disown you.”
Eyeing Harold, she shrugged. “Probably. My mom still hasn’t accepted it. Maybe she will before the wedding reception we’re having next month. You’re not invited.”
Olivia had no idea what Harold said as she turned to see her mate. Pride danced within him so strong he couldn’t hide it even if he’d tried. Standing on tiptoes she reached up and kissed him.
When he pulled away, he smiled. “Mate. You have icing all over you again.”
Olivia smiled and imagined him licking it off her, slowly.
Every day for the rest of her life.
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Acknowledgments
Thanks to everyone who helped! Aidy Award as always pushes me to get the job done. Lyz Kelley makes sure I never give up. Anna Michaels and TJ Finn keep me laughing. And my family who lets me take time away to get the job done. Bridgett, Katie, Carol you guys rocks! Lastly, thanks to all the readers who choose to escape into my world and another life.
About the Author
Michelle writes alongside keeping her two tiny children, three dogs, three chickens, and husband alive. Slowly as her sanity teeters on the edge, she writes novels to escape every day.
Currently, she dreams up new worlds in Denver, Colorado, although she still embraces her roots from Chicago. Writing is a part of her, just as coffee and chocolate are her life-blood. In a world that is far too serious for its own good, she writes an escape.
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Coming Soon from Michelle
Snowy With a Chance of Mating
Marci doesn't see eye to eye with her mother. Ever. She needs to get away from her family and her match made in hell. Catching her fiancé with his pants down gives her the confidence to try something on her own and leave her world of magic behind. She's not running away, she's chasing a dream.
Caleb planned on a quiet life far from the front lines of the military. His bear decided he wants a mate. The quiet of the town and the lack of prospective woman isn't agreeing with either side of him. Caleb's at odds with his soul until an unexpected women shows up asking to run the abandoned inn.
Finding things is Marci's talent, maybe she can find her own happiness if she can soften up the bear of a man next door.
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Also by Michelle Ziegler
If you enjoyed Icing On His Mate, consider leaving review on Amazon, Goodreads, or Bookbub.
Just a few words like: Loved these characters, or Fun story, makes a huge difference in helping new readers find my books and helps me to keep writing more!
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Icing On His Mate (A Move Over Fate Novel) Page 13