Lycan's Mate: Book Twelve of the Siberian Volkov Pack Romance Series

by Caryn Moya Block

  “I wondered why Gwen let me pass her,” Brencis said with a smile. “You’ve been had, my friend.”

  Mischa shook his head and swam to the shore. At least he was clean of mud. Gwen ran up, back in her wolf form, and licked his muzzle as he climbed out. She wagged her tail and cocked her head. Mischa smiled at her and nudged her in the side. She yipped and took off again. Joy once more flowed into the mating bond. Mischa followed, happy to see she headed back toward the house. Gwen was full of surprises when she let her guard down.

  §

  Gwen’s wolf bounded up the stairs, into her room and rushed into the bathroom. She closed the door as she called the shift. A huge smile met her gaze in the mirror. Racing Mischa had been fun. More fun than she’d had with a man in a while. Of course, her man was in his wolf form, but when she touched the mating bond she picked up his happiness and love for her. It made her giddy. He loved her. More, he didn’t ask anything in return.

  The smile started to wilt. Is that what she wanted? A one-sided relationship? She turned to start the water in the shower. Maybe it was time to give something in return. The shower was big enough for two. She peeked out the door and into the bedroom expecting to see Mischa waiting for her. But he wasn’t there. He hadn’t followed her, and why would he when all she did was push him away?

  Gwen brushed at her eyes as they filled with tears. This was her fault, so why did it hurt so badly. She stepped into the shower, determined to wash it all away.

  §

  Mischa hurried into his own room at the Alpha’s lodge and jumped in the shower. He paused, his hair full of shampoo when a ripple of sadness trickled into the mating bond. He frowned and put his head under the water. Why would Gwen be sad when they had so much fun? He shook his head. She kept the mating bond so tightly closed he didn’t know what to think of the small bits of emotion that trickled to him.

  He finished rinsing and hurried out of the shower. His mate was a puzzle, but one he was determined to figure out. He quickly dressed and went back to her bedroom. He heard the water turn off and sat on the bed to wait.

  The door opened with a billow of steam and Gwen stepped into the room wearing nothing but a towel draped around her body and one holding her hair. Mischa groaned. Great Goddess, she was beautiful. Gwen froze, her cheeks turning pink. Seeming to make up her mind, she marched to the wardrobe in the room. Mischa got up and met her at the large cabinet. He put his hands on her shoulders and shuddered at the softness under his fingers.

  “You are so beautiful . . .” Her eyes begged him to kiss her. He slowly lowered his head, letting her stop him if she needed to. When she didn’t, he took her lips, lightly at first, then with more passion.

  Gwen groaned and opened her mouth. Their tongues touched. Mischa lost all control. His hand buried in her hair, pushing the towel away. His lips and tongue took and tasted. He pulled her closer with one arm around her waist. Gwen fell against him. She gripped his hair with one hand and his shirt with the other. She whimpered.

  Mischa trailed kisses from her mouth to her throat. Kissing and licking, needing the taste of her skin on his tongue, her smell in his nose. His mate!

  “Uh, I hate to interrupt, but there’s a phone call for you, Miss Gwen. It’s Detective Inspector Lewis.” Rosie stood at the door.

  Gwen froze. Mischa groaned. He stared into her eyes until humor crept into their dark depths. He kissed her on the nose before stepping back.

  “I’ll pick up in just a minute. Thanks for letting me know, Rosie.”

  “Of course, dear. Mr. Mischa, Mr. Desya has returned and wanted to speak to you. He’s in the kitchen.”

  Mischa wasn’t sure if Rosie wanted to protect Gwen or if Desya did need him, but it didn’t matter. There wasn’t time for making out now.

  “I’m coming, Rosie,” Mischa said, winking at the older housekeeper. “I’ll see you in the kitchen,” he said to Gwen. She nodded, a twinge of pink coloring her cheeks.

  Mischa walked to where Rosie waited and closed the door to the bedroom behind him, wishing he’d thought to do that when he first entered.

  “You be careful of Miss Gwen,” Rosie admonished.

  “I love Gwen, Rosie. I’m not going to hurt her.”

  “I know you don’t mean to, Mr. Mischa, but that doesn’t mean you won’t.”

  Mischa laughed, not taking her comment personally. Rosie was a good friend to Gwen. “If you see me doing something you think is harmful, then pull me to the side and warn me. Okay?”

  “Okay!” Rosie nodded.

  They entered the kitchen to see Desya pale and wild-eyed clutching a mug of tea in his hands. He jumped up as Mischa walked into the room.

  “How do you handle the mating heat? It’s driving me crazy! Worse, I scared Janice. You’ve got to help me.”

  Chapter Four

  After agreeing to meet with Detective Inspector Lewis that afternoon about the attempted break in at her apartment, Gwen finished dressing and headed for the kitchen to grab some breakfast. If she didn’t hurry and get Mischa to agree to the extra stop, she wouldn’t be able to go to the Sardinia Government Building to check the camera over the loading dock.

  She hurried down the stairs, spying Tolya standing with his mate. Seeing Gwen, Tolya smiled and hurried over to greet her.

  “Gwen! Come meet my angel. I didn’t introduce you properly before.” He held his hand out to the young woman. She wore a lounging outfit that belonged to Melisande. The young woman smiled and fitted herself under Tolya’s shoulder like they had known each other forever.

  Gwen smiled in welcome, even as pain pinched her chest. She wanted to fit. She needed to feel like she’d known Mischa forever.

  “How are you feeling? Angeline, right?” Gwen asked. “Better, I hope.”

  “Yes, and thank you for helping to rescue me. Tolya explained your part in all the excitement.” The petite brunette gazed adoringly up at him.

  “Pack members help each other. It’s part of being lycan. You’re pack now, so get used to everyone trying to help and everyone in your business.”

  “Is that what you think we do, Gwen?” Grigori walked into the foyer. He chuckled. “I guess to someone not raised in the pack it might seem like that.”

  Gwen nodded, feeling suddenly embarrassed. She didn’t mean to sound ungrateful.

  “If it’s all right with you, Alpha,” Tolya asked. “I’d like to take my mate to work.”

  “That’s fine. Even with Mischa guarding Gwen and Desya wooing his mate, there still are Jurek and Brencis to help guard the young ones. Since today is Friday, everyone should meet back here tonight. Most of you have the weekend off, so even with our police watch abandoning the front gate, there are plenty of people.”

  Gwen winced, remembering the unknown danger the pack faced. Who targeted them? Maybe she could dig up some information at work today. Tolya and Angeline wavered and then disappeared using a porting spell.

  “Gwen?” Grigori said.

  “It’s so cool. Magic,” Gwen said.

  “You and the Shadow Walkers have your own magic. Your father is a great shaman.” Gwen nodded.

  “I’d like you to try and open the mating bond. You will never know Mischa completely until you do. I noticed it has gotten a little thicker since the two of you are together. Will you try?”

  “Of course. I’m not exactly sure how to open the link without opening my mind to everyone. I’ll work on it.”

  “If you feel how the mating bond comes into your mind, you will find the connection is extremely private and just between the two of you. The bond to the pack is something else entirely, as I’m sure the bond to your tribe is as well. You’ll figure it out.” Grigori patted her shoulder. Gwen smiled, enjoying the Alpha’s trust in her. She wanted to please him.

  “Gwen? Oh, there you are.” Mischa walked into the foyer. “You still need to eat, sweetheart. Rosie has a plate for you in the kitchen.”

  “Don’t let me keep you,” Grigori said. “Rosie gets c
ranky if you let the food get cold. Off you go.” He motioned her toward the hall.

  Mischa reached for her hand and Gwen smiled, trying to let him know she wanted this. Wanted him. He pulled her into his shoulder, like Tolya had held Angeline. Gwen blushed when she fit perfectly. She breathed deeply, taking in his forest like scent under the musky lycan smell.

  Inside, her wolf relaxed. Was it possible that the mating heat worked on her as well, making her want to be with Mischa, surrounded by his scent? They walked into the kitchen.

  Desya looked up from eating and frowned at her. Gwen almost paused. Only Mischa’s arm around her kept her walking toward the table and the plate of food waiting for her.

  “Did I do something wrong?” Gwen asked, reaching for Mischa with her mind. He pulled out the chair for her so she could sit.

  “Ignore him, he’s stressed out with the mating heat. Right now all women are pains and our mates the worst ones of all.” Mischa sat across from her at the table.

  “Did his mate reject him?” Like I did you whispered in the air between them.

  “Good morning,” Gwen said to Desya. He nodded, but didn’t reply.

  “He came on too strong. He thought his mate should fall willingly into his arms since he’s waited so long to find one. Desya hasn’t dealt with women outside the pack before now.”

  “Do women of the pack fall into their mate’s arms?” Gwen asked. “Could you pass the salt, please, Desya?” He grunted and handed her the salt.

  “Not like you are imagining. They are raised with knowing about the mating bond and the mating heat. So, it might be a little easier, but it depends on the couple. Sometimes the female is the aggressor, knowing a male is her mate and wanting to claim him. Sometimes, both are shy and move slowly.” Mischa shrugged and sipped his tea.

  Rosie came bustling into the kitchen, humming a little tune. “Well, folks, tonight we are having a feast. Mr. Grigori is inviting all the pack members to the house for the weekend. We are bound to have lots of fun. A prime rib dinner with all the fixings will be just the thing.”

  “It sounds delicious, Rosie!” Gwen said.

  “I expect you all to be there.” Rosie beamed.

  “We wouldn’t miss it,” Mischa assured her.

  “What about you, Mr. Desya?” Rosie asked. He shrugged.

  “I’ve got to go back to London. Somehow I’ve got to convince an educated British woman that she is my mate. I’m not sure when I’ll be back.”

  “Being educated is a plus, right?” Rosie asked.

  Before Rosie could read Desya the riot act, Gwen got up and rinsed her plate. They needed to get moving if she wanted to make it to work on time.

  “Just lay it in the sink, dear. I’ll get it later.” Rosie motioned with her hand as she pulled pots and pans out of the cupboard.

  “Breakfast was delicious, Rosie. Mischa and I will see you this evening.” Gwen gave the cook a peck on the cheek and grabbed Mischa’s hand to drag him out of the kitchen.

  “Hey, why the rush?” Mischa asked when they reached the hallway. “I didn’t finish my tea.”

  “I need to make a stop before work. Is everything you’re wearing all natural?” Mischa nodded. “Then let’s go.” Gwen kneeled near the floor where she noticed a shadow wavering. She opened a portal into the near dimension and tugged Mischa inside after her.

  Visualizing the small alley across the street from the Sardinia Government Building, they moved through space until she could see the structure through the mist and darkness of Shadow.

  §

  Mischa watched while Gwen manipulated the Shadow Dimension. His sister-in-law, Lindy, told him he too could use Shadow as his mate did since the dimension marked him with a tribal tattoo. The Shadow Dimension, without its own source of light was dark as twilight. The space looked upon the Earth plane and shared the light of the sun, moon, and stars, along with man-made illuminations.

  The wet mist kissed his face and wrapped around his body leaving a coolness behind that seeped into his bones. He shivered. Scents were muted with only the smell of moisture easily discerned. The mating bond glowed brightly between them and Mischa smiled when he saw it had thickened in diameter to almost the width of a rope.

  Gwen’s thoughts filtered through to him as she concentrated and visualized their destination. When she used the bond to communicate with him in the kitchen, he’d wanted to shout and pump his fist. His brothers were right to send him to England. Being with her strengthened their bond. Now if they could consummate the mating, the bond would open completely.

  Gwen produced a door out of shadow and they both stepped through. Mischa squinted in the bright light. The noise of traffic and conversations crashed over his ears. His wolf cringed inside him, wanting it all to stop.

  “Are you okay?” Gwen looked at him worriedly.

  “I’m fine, milaya. It’s just the city compared to the quiet of Shadow.”

  She nodded. “I need to check in with security.” She headed across the street.

  Mischa hurried after her. This would be the first time he would see Gwen at her work. She walked up to the building and pressed the call button. A voice soon responded and the door buzzed. Instead of them entering, an older man wearing a uniform stepped out.

  “Mr. Thomas. I came to check on that bad camera.”

  “I told Mr. Solovyov it wasn’t necessary.” Mr. Thomas bristled. A strange smell wafted from the man, anxiety tinged with fear. Mischa looked around for a threat, but didn’t find anything. Surely, the man didn’t think Gwen was a danger.

  Gwen looked confused a moment. “Well, since I’m here, why don’t we look at it anyway? You know Solovyov Security wants to uphold its exemplary reputation. We can’t leave a dysfunctional piece of equipment in service.”

  Thomas’s shoulders drooped. “All right.” He led their small group around the building to a gate on the side where two loading bays opened to a small alley. Gwen introduced Mischa as her associate while they walked.

  Thomas looked at him, but didn’t offer a greeting as he opened the gate. Mischa frowned. Something wasn’t right here. Gwen said she knew this man, served him tea when she worked next door. He wasn’t acting friendly now. What was his problem?

  “I’ll get a ladder and be back in a moment.” Mr. Thomas punched in a code at a side door of the building and disappeared within.

  Mischa opened his mouth to ask Gwen what she thought, but the man reappeared and set up a metal ladder under the camera. Mischa helped steady it while Gwen climbed to the camera.

  “That’s strange,” she said once she examined the machinery. “A connection has come loose. I’ll tighten it and the camera should work fine.”

  “You work too hard, Gwen. You should take a vacation,” Mr. Thomas said.

  “Actually, you’ll be happy to know, I’m spending the weekend with friends in Somerset. When was your last vacation, Mr. Thomas?” Gwen climbed down the ladder and smiled at the older man.

  “Far too long ago, lassie.”

  Now he acted like a friend. Maybe he needed time to warm up. Mischa nodded at the man in encouragement.

  “I’ll be taking an extended vacation soon. I’m going to retire.” Thomas closed the ladder. “I’ll send you a postcard from a beach somewhere one of these days.”

  “Well, good luck wherever you decide to go,” Gwen said. “I’ve got to get to the office. Have a good day!” She waved and headed back through the gate toward the front entrance. Mischa glanced back to see Mr. Thomas watching them, still clutching the ladder in his hands.

  Mischa turned around and almost ran into a man who stopped to speak to Gwen. This man dressed in a suit and tie and carried a briefcase.

  “Mr. Lerner, nice to see you. How is the diamond business going?”

  “You know what I like to say, ‘it’s sparkling.’” Lerner chuckled. He glanced at Mischa and frowned. Mischa moved closer to Gwen, taking an instant dislike to the gentleman.

  “What brings you here, G
wen? Are you coming back to work at the tea shop with Mildred?”

  “I checked on a camera for Mr. Thomas. It’s fixed now.”

  “It is? Well, that’s good, right?” Lerner looked from Gwen to Mischa. “I certainly miss your mixture of mint and raspberry tea, Gwen. Nobody makes it like you do. Oh, I’ve got to go. Wouldn’t want to be late for work.” The man hurried off. Mischa watched him scurry inside the building next door. He must work at the London Diamond Exchange that had offices in the basement of the building across the alley from the Sardinia Government Building. Another admirer of Gwen’s tea.

  Gwen soon found a shadow and transported them to her office. When Mischa stepped onto the Earth plane he sighed in relief. The cold of Shadow quickly became brutal. Maybe his wolf coat would offer some protection.

  “Did Mr. Thomas seem okay to you?” Mischa asked.

  “He seemed a little grumpy, but he’s not a morning person.” Gwen sat at her desk and started her computer.

  Mischa didn’t know the man like Gwen did, so he left it. Her fingers flew over the keyboard.

  “Darn it!”

  “What’s the matter?” Mischa asked.

  “The camera still isn’t working. I thought for sure it just needed to be reconnected. I’ll have to send a work order in to have it replaced. I’m not sure the tech guys can get to it until Monday.”

  “Mr. Thomas didn’t seem too worried about it. He smelled of fear, though I can’t understand why?”

  “Really? Hmm. Maybe he tried to fix the camera himself and thinks he made the problem worse. He might think his boss will fine him for breaking the equipment. He should have told me. I wouldn’t hold it against him. I’d hate to have something happen on our watch.” Gwen made a note of the service order.

  “Mr. Thomas is right. You work too hard.” Mischa settled in a chair against the wall.

  §

  Gwen heard her stomach rumble and glanced at the clock. Noon, already? Where did the time go? Mischa still sat in his chair against the wall. But now he had a stack of magazines and a cup of tea sitting on the table beside him. He looked up at her and smiled.