“They live at the lodge?” I asked, starting to put the pieces together. I knew the lodge they were talking about. I had been there earlier that year when the Grand Council had called a meeting regarding Chase’s mating situation. The place was huge, and there were several areas marked as “Under Construction. Do Not Enter,” but I had seen a few people walking in that direction, and they didn’t look like the construction worker type.
Patrick seemed surprised that I had put it all together so quickly. “Yes. They live at the lodge. Raina lives there, too. Kelsey’s seen her and rests at ease knowing she’s safe and sound, but we cannot allow the Verndari to know she’s alive. She works with several of the other rescued shifters and a few others we’ve brought in. We call them Westin Force. Most are just in observation and information fields. These guys,” he said, pointing at the team that had accompanied them, “are our elite forces. This is Bravo Team. Most are ex-military, mercenaries, or moles.”
“Moles? Like double agent spies?” Lily asked, sounding more excited by the second.
“Well yeah, a few actually, but I mean moles, as in mole shifters. Those guys are into everything and already had the infrastructure in place. They just needed better funding. It’s scary how much they know.”
“Let me guess, the Foundation is funding this?” Lily asked, rolling her eyes.
“Of course,” Patrick said. “Where the hell else do you think we’d find that kind of financial backing and the means necessary to fecking hide it? You both do understand this is all one hundred percent confidential, right? Word can never get out about these guys, or the work they are doing.”
“Why are you telling us now?” I wondered aloud.
Patrick rolled his eyes this time. “You, you’re probably smart enough to keep your mouth shut and not ask, but this one,” he said, pointing to Lily, “she’d never let it go without details.”
Lily shrugged and nodded. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Wait,” Lily said. “What about Dave? Do you know him through Jacob? I had the impression he knows you well. I mean he did contact you with my location and had me rescued in less than twenty-four hours. How? Or really, why?”
Patrick sighed, “Dave and I met awhile back. Do you remember when Elise was trying to hide from me and we went to that spa and she was kidnapped?”
Lily nodded her head. I nodded mine too, because I had been privy to that information. We had been cautioned to be on the lookout at the time.
“Wasn’t that the Bulgarians, though?” I asked.
Patrick nodded. “Yes, but the Verndari were monitoring the Bulgarians’ movement. It was flagged as out of the norm. Dave and two of his buddies were there. They were only supposed to be there for observation and to ensure there were no issues with the local humans, but they helped me. They helped me save my mate and I will always be indebted to them for it. I didn’t know who or what the Verndari were at that time. That all came about through Jacob, when Liam found Maddie, but I already knew Dave. We’ve worked together a few times since, and he always gives me the heads-up when trouble’s heading for Westin Pack.”
“Is that why my brother made you Beta?” Lily asked.
Patrick shrugged. “Could be. I don’t know, but I’m grateful he did and security for Westin strengthens more and more each month. We aren’t quite where I want us to be, but we’re close.” He turned to look at me. “We monitor Collier just as closely. If there’s ever any issue or concern flagged for your pack, I promise you’ll know it.”
I shook his hand. “This is all crazy, like something out of a movie. It’s going to take some time to process, but thank you.”
It didn’t seem like nearly enough, but when I put my arm around Lily and pulled her close to me, the other man smiled and I knew he understood. I would be forever indebted to him, and this crazy militia program of his, and even his friend, Dave.
Lily
Chapter 23
We said goodbye to Patrick. Thomas made it clear we were heading home to Collier and not sticking around. I didn’t argue. Even though nothing had seriously happened to me—they hadn’t even gotten around to taking my blood yet—I still couldn’t help feeling violated and more than a little humiliated. My brothers would pay for their part in that.
We headed back to Tulok’s. Amka and Karis ran out and tackled me in hugs before I could get the door shut on the SUV Thomas had borrowed from them.
“Look at me, child, I need to know you’re really okay,” Amka said.
It felt like she was staring into my soul, and I struggled not to cry. “I’m fine,” I said as convincingly as possible.
Tulok came out to meet us, too. “I’m sorry, there’s another storm brewing that is disrupting flights. I spoke to your father, and your pilot is unable to reach you at this time. I’m afraid you’ll have to wait out the storm.”
“Honestly, I’m not sure my wolf will tolerate it, Tulok,” Thomas confessed. “How bad would driving be in this storm?”
“You could probably make it into British Columbia before the worst of it hits. Twelve to fifteen hours max.”
“If it’s that far away, why can’t the pilot make it?” I asked.
“It’s a strange one, coming in from the south. They’d have to fly through it to reach us, and that just isn’t going to happen. It’s big, so there’s no way around it. You’d likely end up stuck in a hotel for a few days during and after the storm until the roads are clear enough to pass,” Tulok said.
“Best you just stay here,” Amka said, sounding worried.
The two men shared a serious look.
“Take the SUV, Thomas, and leave quickly. It’ll handle well for you. Just heed my warning: When the snow starts, seek shelter quickly. Some place warm and safe that you can spend a few days to let it pass.”
“Thank you,” Thomas said, shaking the old man’s hand before jogging into the house and returning quickly with our bags.
Amka continued to fuss over the decision, but in the end, she hugged us both and wished us well. I promised to keep in touch and to let her know we were safe along the way, until we reached Collier territory.
Before I could think straight, we were off, heading out on a fifty-some hour road trip.
Thomas remained quiet for the first hour, though he hadn’t let go of my hand since he put the vehicle into drive. I had visibly seen the tension in his shoulders ease the moment we were out of Alaskan territory.
“I’m sorry for this,” he finally said, softly. “I’m sure you must think I’m a freak for insisting we venture out with a massive storm in our path.”
I shrugged. “I have brothers. I’ve watched them all go through mating, and even beyond. I mean, they say it’s supposed to ease up and get better the stronger the bond is, make you less crazy and all that stuff, but really, I don’t know if it’s an Alpha thing or just a male thing, but it just seems to never go away. Not just with their spouses either. They’ve all pulled the Alpha card on me before. I know when to pick my battles over it.”
I watched him as he stared forward, not commenting, but giving a slightly crooked grin.
“I saw you relax when we left Alaskan territory. I’m guessing my disappearing caused your wolf to go a little crazy, and being in someone else’s territory wasn’t helping, huh?” I knew the answer, but for some reason I just wanted him to confirm it.
“Yeah, something like that. I would have gone nuts stuck there a few more days. Everything in my being is screaming to protect you, get you home, and keep you safe. I’m not sure it’s a healthy obsession, but I can’t seem to stop it.” He looked apologetic when he chanced a quick glimpse my way.
“Stupid bond. It makes you and your wolf crazy. Mine really wasn’t much better. She just wants to rub all over you, so forgive me for touching you so much. I can’t seem to help it.”
He glanced over with a smoldering look in his eyes. The moment felt much longer than should have been safe while driving, but I couldn’t break away. He gave me tha
t damn smirk again. “I really don’t mind.”
Oh boy. I suddenly couldn’t wait to find that hotel I’d be cooped up in with him for a few days. I had plenty of brilliant ideas on just how we could pass the time, starting with completing this bond, once and for all.
Just the thought of truly being alone with him, especially after all that had happened, was making me seriously horny. I couldn’t help it. I scooted uncomfortably in my seat, really wanting some relief. Couldn’t he drive any faster?
Thomas laughed, okay, really it was more like a deep, sexy chuckle. “If you don’t calm down, we aren’t going to make it much further. Tulok said we had about twelve to sixteen hours before the worst of it hit. I thought we’d try to get as far south as possible, but babe, your scent is driving me crazy over here.”
I watched him squirm in his seat and my eyes dropped to see him straining against the zipper of his pants.
“I could take care of that for you,” I offered.
The wheel jerked a little as his head whipped my way. “Are you trying to kill us?”
I threw my head back and laughed, some of the tension between us easing, until I felt his hand on my breast. He pinched my nipple, causing me to groan. “Not helping,” I murmured through clenched teeth as he moved to attend to my other side. “Thomas,” I said, meaning it as a warning, but it came out in a strange, breathy voice.
His eyes were still focused on the road as he drove with his left hand, and his right moved lower, rubbing me through my jeans as I moaned, feeling pressure build between my legs. He unbuttoned my top button, and slowly unzipped my pants as he worked his fingers inside, and I nearly shot off the seat at first touch.
I needed to protest. This was insane. We were driving down a dark highway in the middle of nowhere, but no words would come as his fingers began working his magic over me. Soon my hips were bucking off the seat in rhythm to his hand, which earned me a smirk that melted my heart. His eyes never left the road, yet he was there with me every step of the way. My body tensed, then let loose like a rubber band that had just snapped, and I screamed his name.
It took my breathing some time to return to normal, and my heart beat heavily in my chest. Thomas looked quite proud of himself.
“That was the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” he said, and just like that my body tensed up again. I knew I must be addicted to him and wondered if all couples felt this way. I couldn’t imagine it possible. No one would ever leave the bedroom except to pee and eat if they felt half as good as he made me feel.
I remembered watching him playing with the young puffin shifter boys, and how my heart had swelled with happiness. I had been on my way to see him, to tell him.
“I love you,” I blurted out.
I heard the screeching of tires and felt the car come to a halt as he pulled over on the side of the road and turned to look at me.
I smiled and shrugged. “I don’t know when it happened, but I was on my way to tell you when they took me.” A single tear ran down my cheek, but I didn’t want to cry. I didn’t want to let go of the emotions bottled up from the experience. I just wanted to feel. I wanted my mate.
He wiped the tear away with his thumb as he lovingly cradled my face. He didn’t have to say the words, I could feel them. My breath hitched as he leaned in and kissed me. If I’d had any doubts that he loved me before then, he showed me with certainty in that kiss. I was panting for breath when he finally pulled back, kissing his way across my cheek and down my neck. I didn’t hesitate to bare it to him.
I felt my canines elongate and froze.
“Stop,” I said, perhaps a little more aggressively than I meant to. My emotions were jumping all over the place.
Thomas pulled back, looking confused. “What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong?” I asked, giving him a big toothy grin to show him my canines. As I suspected, he smiled, and I could see his, too. “What’s wrong is that there is no way in hell I’m telling our children that I bonded with their father in the front seat of a car in the middle of nowhere Alaska, or are we in Canada? See, I don’t even know!”
Thomas stared at me for a moment. “Is that all?”
“Yes, that’s all.”
He looked at me, then at the time on the dashboard clock, and back at me. “We’ve only managed about eight hours so far but screw it—we’ll stop at the very next hotel we find.”
I laughed as he gave me one more kiss before pulling back onto the road. We had truly been in the middle of nowhere, because it took nearly two more long and frustrating hours to find a place to stop. We couldn’t even find a hotel; instead, we ended up at Bunny’s Bed and Breakfast.
The tinkle of a bell on the door sounded as we entered the foyer. The owner came out, yawning in a long nightgown and robe, complete with bunny slippers.
She clapped her hands together gleefully. “Oh, just look at the two of you. Newlyweds, I’m sure of it. I’m Bunny.” She looked at the registry list and frowned. “Oh no, looks like Gino booked the last room an hour ago. I’m afraid the only thing we have left is the guest cottage. People have been stopping all day to hunker down before the storm hits.”
“We’ll take it,” Thomas said.
“I’m afraid it’s quite costly,” Bunny warned him. “And just three exits south are several of those big hotels, if you’d rather,” she said with disdain in her voice.
“Oh, we’ve seen how far apart your exits are, we’ll take it,” I insisted.
“Very well then. I’ll drop the price to two hundred and fifty dollars a night, given the circumstances and all, but that’s as low as I can go, I’m afraid,” she apologized.
“It’s fine, we’ll take it,” Thomas assured her, turning over his credit card.
“How many nights will you be with us?” she inquired.
“Just till the storm passes,” he told her.
“How about we do a day-by-day payment then?”
“That’s very kind of you, thanks,” Thomas said, but something in his voice screamed, “Hurry up already!”
Bunny finished checking us in, Thomas grabbed our bags from the vehicle, and we followed her around the side of the house to a small guest cottage in the back. It was much larger than a hotel room and had a small kitchen, a living room area with a fireplace, and a huge bedroom with an equally large bathroom, complete with a two-person hot tub.
Bunny left without a word. Thomas and I were finally alone, but before we could even move the bags into the bedroom, she was back, loaded down with bags of food. There was a man with her carrying even more bags. While Bunny loaded the refrigerator, the man set about starting a fire.
“Okay,” she finally said, seeming satisfied that her work was complete. “Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in the main house dining room every day; however, if this storm is as bad as they are claiming, you may not want to venture out, so the kitchen is now fully stocked with food, though I’m afraid you’ll have to cook for yourself then.”
Thomas wrapped his arms around me and pulled me back against his chest. “We’ll manage,” he assured her.
“Oh Gino, aren’t they just the most precious couple ever?” Bunny gushed to the man stoking the fire.
“She says that about everyone,” he said, lovingly watching her blush. Then he spoke to Thomas directly. “It will get very cold tonight and tomorrow. This fire will help if you keep it going. There’s a wood stove in the bedroom, too. I’ll help you get that one started before leaving. It’s easier to keep through the night. There’s a fresh pile of wood on the front porch, dry, and enough to last you several days. I’d advise carrying more in tonight, just in case,” Gino said.
“I understand,” Thomas said. “Thank you both for everything.”
I bit back a smile at his dismissive tone. Gino recognized it too and simply grinned at him, slapping him on the arm and wishing us well. “Come on, my sweet Bunny. Let the lovebirds be.”
When they left for real, I first went to the kitche
n to see what she’d left that we might be able to eat right away. I was surprised to see two containers packed full of the most delicious smelling pasta I’d ever smelled. My stomach grumbled loudly. It was still warm and required no preparation.
Thomas brought a stack of wood inside and quickly got the wood stove going. The place was toasty warm in no time. I motioned for him to join me on the couch as we feasted on the wonderful meal.
“I’d come back here again just for this,” I said, regarding the food and feeling gluttonous for having eaten so much.
“And I’d come back again simply for this,” he said, hugging me closely as we kissed.
I hadn’t expected Thomas to be so sweet and affectionate under that Alpha exterior. There was no mistaking it, he was all Alpha. It was in the way he walked and talked. He commanded attention the moment he walked in a room, and he struggled to keep it in check around other Alphas. With me, he didn’t seem to have those same issues. He didn’t have to be in charge all the time. It dawned on me that it made him vulnerable. I did that to him. I was his weak spot, the weak link in the Collier Pack.
He frowned, watching me puzzle out this new revelation. “What is going through that pretty little head of yours right now? You just transitioned from happy to carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.”
“It’s nothing,” I assured him, not certain how to vocalize the feeling of despair it caused, knowing I would weaken him and potentially the Pack, too. It wasn’t too late, though. I didn’t have to complete the bond. Just the thought of it made me wince in physical pain.
“Lily?” he asked, sounding even more concerned. “What is it? Tell me.” His last command came with an Alpha punch. I watched him wince when he realized. “I’m sorry. I, I never want to command you to do anything. Sometimes it just happens when I’m upset, scared, or pumped up.”
Can't Be Love Page 17