But Raul would not give up. Using his paws, he pushed, but the grip would not loosen. He had no choice but to close his jaws around Warrick’s cheek. Immediately, the alpha threw his head back, howling in pain as blood stained the white fur of his muzzle. Raul yipped and released him, but was quick to thrust his snout, hungry to dig his teeth into his throat. He thrashed, twisted, drove forward with his teeth bared then closed hard, pressing his paw against Warrick’s snout. He felt warmth in his mouth. It was his alpha’s blood as his teeth went deeper and deeper, snuffing the life out of him. Raul’s snarls lowered as he sensed his victory was near. Warrick was blinking slowly, his nose straight up in the air as the rain pelted down around them. A tiny puff of vapor escaped from Warrick’s nostrils as he exhaled one last time. The dead wolf fell over on his side on the ground, his heavy body landing with a quiet thump.
The gray wolf’s jaws opened in a smile as he rose from the ground, staring down at his fallen rival. He had done it. At last, he and Monica would be free.
Slow, hesitant footsteps drew his attention. Jessica had only just stepped outside.
“I will notify the pack,” she stated in a shattered voice, her hands folded in front of her as she looked down at Warrick. Swelling with pride, Raul’s wolf tossed his head back, eager to let everybody know of his victory. His howling resonated through the woods, filling the night as more and more raindrops drenched his fur. He was the new king of the valley. The new ruler of the pack.
Chapter Twenty
Still in wolf form, Raul padded down the hill, the searing pain in his chest not deterring him at all. He would gladly bear this particular scar. It would always remind him of this night, the night when he took his fate in his own two hands.
Fate. That tiny word had been haunting his mind over the past few days, threatening to destroy his relationship with Monica, but no more. His savior had no reason to abandon him now. On the contrary, she had every reason to stay in his life and enjoy the fruits of his effort. No one would threaten the well-being of an alpha. No one would even dare lay a hand on the woman by his side, regardless of her nature. He would shred them, just as he had done with Warrick.
The sight of his cabin had never looked so appealing. Thankfully, no one was there just yet. Shifting back into his human form, he stormed inside and rushed up the stairs, reaching his left hand up to his wound. He was very fortunate. In the heat of the battle, he hadn’t allowed Warrick to twist and shatter his bones. Such an injury would take longer to heal. This was but a flesh wound, one that would close in a matter of hours.
Without wasting any time, he went to the bathroom and used a towel to wipe the blood off his skin. Then, Raul trotted off to his bedroom and dressed himself, eagerly anticipating seeing Monica again. But the question that popped into his mind made his stomach chill with fear.
“Will she be my mate?”
It might have sounded simple, but it was more complicated than a typical yes or no question. They had known each other for just a few days, certainly not enough time for one to make such an important decision. He wanted this with every molecule of his being, but she had to feel the same way in order to become his mate.
Sadly, he didn’t have time to speculate. The rough sound of his front door opening interrupted his thoughts. Heavy footfalls on the stairs and his wolf scenting told him his siblings were about to descend upon him. Raul walked out of his bedroom, wearing a smug smile, his chest pumping with pride.
“Alpha, baby!” Ray shouted, opening his arms as he reached the top landing. Raul watched as his brother jogged toward him, followed by Dean and Melissa. In a matter of seconds, he was lost in a huge, group hug. Ray patted him on the back, laughing hard; Melissa kissed him on the cheek; whereas Dean preferred to squeeze the back of his head. Savoring the cheers, Raul could not stop smiling. However, someone was missing. Where was Monica?
He received his answer when Dean stepped away. His massive figure was blocking his brother’s view. She stood just a few feet behind Dean, smiling blissfully up at Raul.
“Guys, give us a minute, will you?” he requested, easing out of their hold, his gaze locked on her. His heart was pounding against his chest. The long-awaited moment was there. He was going to savor it with his entire being.
As soon as Monica found herself alone with him, she bolted forward as he opened his arms. The joy on her face made his heart race faster and harder. Raul grabbed her in midair as she leapt up toward him. She threw her arms around his neck as he interlocked his fingers around her waist. Then, Monica removed her right hand and brought it to his face, gazing deep into his eyes as her mouth trembled. As she closed her eyes, her gentle caress felt more like the touch of an angel–featherlike and true. Her rosy scent surrounded him like a drugging fragrance as he lost himself in the magic of her kiss. Wave after wave of tenderness enveloped him as she ran her thumb across his cheekbone, fingers splayed over his cheek. Raul moved his lips up to lay a soft kiss on the tip of her nose before she rested her head on his shoulder. But then, a sensation on the side of his neck utterly bewildered him: moisture.
“Hey,” he whispered, slowly leaning back, “it’s over.”
“My God…,” Monica sniffled as their eyes met. “I still can’t believe what you did.”
“Shhhh…,” Raul comforted her as his lips curved into a soft smile. “It’s all right now. We made it. We’re free.”
“We are,” she whispered, returning the smile.
“Let’s go downstairs,” he suggested, setting her down on the floor. “We need to celebrate.”
She nodded her assent. Brushing past her, he began to consider his options for the rest of the night. Yet, his profound fatigue would soon remind him that they were quite limited. The battle had taken a toll on him both psychologically and physically. Raul was in dire need of some rest and relaxation, and a night in the company of his family and Monica sounded ideal.
“So, how was it?” Ray asked as his brother and his girlfriend joined the siblings in the kitchen. “Tell us. I want to hear about it.”
“Cut him some slack, will you?” Dean grumbled, casting a glare over at him. “He’s just been through a war.”
“It’s okay, Dean,” Raul assured, lowering his voice. “I beat him, fair and square. One on one, no tricks. Jessica was there. She saw the whole thing. She’s notifying the pack as we speak.”
“That’s good,” Dean commented. “I’m more curious about the future, though. How you’re going to deal with any problems along the way.”
Raul gave a short chuckle, “Dean always plans ahead. Relax. We can think about this stuff tomorrow. Now…” he paused and turned his gaze over to his fridge. “It’s time to celebrate. Bring on the beer!”
“That’s what I’m talking about, baby!” Ray cheered, pointing at him. Before he could oblige, however, a knock on the front door prevented him from doing so.
“I’ll get it,” Monica said as Ray let out a gasp of frustration. The person on Raul’s doorstep was none other than Jessica.
“Hello,” she uttered as water dripped down her face and her forehead. “I am really sorry to interrupt, but the pack is all gathered at Joe’s Diner. They would like to see their new alpha.”
“It can wait,” Raul used a firm tone, narrowing his brow at her.
“Yes, sir, of course,” the submissive said in a sweet-sounding voice. “Goodnight.”
“Jessica, wait,” Melissa interjected, turning her attention to Raul. “Why don’t we all go there? It’s a good chance for you to state your intentions. Not to mention, I’m starving.”
“So am I, to be honest,” Monica confessed.
“Fine,” Raul said on an exhale. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Monica couldn’t help but feel that she was setting off into the unknown as she and Raul left his cabin behind. She was about to be introduced to more than a dozen shape shifters, who, up until a few minutes ago, had considered her an outc
ast, a lesser being. However, for the first time ever, she would not be intimidated by the unknown. She would be with Raul, her boyfriend, the man who would protect her as he had until now. The safest place to be was in the alpha’s heart, and she had conquered it.
Joe’s Diner looked as ordinary as it could get: white on the outside, with a small, wooden staircase that led to the entrance–simple and large enough to accommodate at least fifty customers. As soon as Raul’s truck rolled to a halt in the parking lot, all fourteen shifters rose from their seats and stared down at it. The eight males seemed tense. Some of them with their arms folded across their chests. Some tapped their fingers impatiently on their skin, while others preferred to shove their hands into their pockets. It was as if a cloud of uneasiness had descended upon them. The six females appeared to be more timid than anxious. They had lowered their eyes, but none of them would look away from Raul’s truck.
“I’m going in first,” he said, jogging ahead of her as his siblings followed behind her. Hopping up the stairs, he grabbed the handle and barged in, his face showing stone-cold determination. No one would utter a word. Not a single shifter moved toward him, either, or dragged their gaze away from him. Monica stopped three steps away from the entrance and watched with pale impatience; she felt her heart ready to burst right out of her chest.
“If anybody has a problem with what I did, let them speak now!” Raul’s powerful voice roared like thunder.
“I only have one thing to say,” Bryant spoke as he paced toward Raul with a bottle of beer in his hand. “Hail the new alpha!” he cried, raising the bottle up in the air.
“Hail!” the pack yelled in unison, imitating him as relief washed over Monica’s face. Just as he had predicted, they had accepted him.
“I told you it’d be fine, you tight-ass jerk,” Ray teased Dean, pushing him aside.
“Forget the god damn rule about mating with humans,” Raul commanded in an emphatic tone as Monica strode inside. “If anyone touches her, they’ll suffer the same fate as Warrick. Are we clear?”
This time, the pack nodded assent as she felt a light hand on her forearm. It was Melissa.
“Come on.” She winked at her as two more rather elderly males approached Raul with smiles on their faces. “Let’s get ourselves a table.”
“Shouldn’t we wait for him?” Monica squinted at her.
“They’ll all want to know how he took out Warrick,” Melissa laughed, her eyes glinting with amusement. “Trust me. He’s going to be a while.”
“Lead the way, then,” Monica urged. As she walked down the hall, she took a few glances around her. A few men were staring at her and raising their glasses to her. Although their behavior flattered her, she was puzzled. They seemed a little too friendly.
“Um, Melissa,” she spoke in a low tone as Raul’s sister seated herself at the table in the corner, “why are they looking me like that?”
“It’s because you saved them,” Melissa replied as Monica sat down across from her. “Warrick was a tyrant, sweetheart. He was a selfish, arrogant, son of a bitch, who just used his power to terrorize them. They know you’re the one who forced Raul’s hand. They also know my brother’s nothing like Warrick.”
“He is a great man,” Monica declared, her voice dripping with admiration as Jessica came to their table.
“What can I get you?” she asked.
“A beer for me,” Melissa said.
“I’ll have some cold water, thank you,” Monica dismissed with a smile.
“Water?!” a derisive snort escaped Melissa. “Are you serious? We’re celebrating tonight!”
“That may well be, but I don’t drink alcohol,” Monica retorted.
“This just goes to show how honest my brother was when he talked about you,” Melissa stated, smiling mischievously as she leaned her back against her seat.”
“Why are you saying this?” Monica asked curiously.
“He called you ‘the sweetest, gutsiest, sexiest geek ever,’” Melissa replied as her smile turned into a grin. “He even mentioned that little conversation you guys had in the forest. You know, when he found you with that friend of yours. ‘I believe a thank you is in order?’ Who talks like that?”
“Well, I do,” Monica grumbled, furrowing her brow at her, annoyed by her remark. “And I honestly don’t understand why that is so funny to you.”
“Relax, Dr. Mills,” Melissa spoke in a lazy voice as Jessica returned with their order. “You can be anything you like as long as you make him happy.”
“Better,” Monica said, her voice firm as she picked up her glass from the table.
“Let’s drink to a new beginning,” Melissa suggested, reaching up to grab her bottle.
“Cheers,” Monica chirped and tapped her glass against the bottle. Lifting it to her lips, she swept the hall for Raul. He and his brothers were still standing where she had left them, accompanied by three more men, laughing very hard indeed.
“So,” Melissa started, taking a sip of beer, “when are you guys mating? He won’t shut up about it.”
Monica was so shocked at her words that water came out of her nose. “What?” she squeaked with her eyes wide open as she leaned closer to her, “Mating?”
“Oh, no,” Melissa said with a sigh, banging the palm of her hand against her forehead.
“Melissa, what did you just say?” Monica’s tone lost its sweetness as she narrowed her eyes at her.
“I thought you guys had talked about it,” Melissa’s voice was barely audible as she slid her hand down her face. “He hasn’t asked you yet, has he?”
“No,” Monica whispered, lightly shaking her head as she dropped her gaze from Melissa’s. “No, he hasn’t.”
“Damn it,” Melissa muttered to herself, squeezing her eyes shut. “I screwed up so bad.”
Monica could not believe her ears. Apparently, her boyfriend had plans, plans of which she had no idea. But whatever they might be, she could not discuss them with his sister, and certainly not in such a public place. A change of subject would be ideal for her to hide her surprise.
“Could you please answer a couple of questions?” she requested, thought her voice was still a little wobbly.
“Shoot,” Melissa encouraged, running both hands through her hair.
“One: I know all about your grandparents, but…” Monica paused. “What about your parents? Where are they?”
“Well,” Melissa pursed her lips as her eyes darkened with sorrow, “about eight years ago, my mother went missing. We found her outside the pack’s territory. She was…” she faltered, “…slaughtered. Another pack got her. My father was furious. He took Raul and went looking for her killer. They found him. They killed him. My father died three years later. He couldn’t take her loss.”
“I’m very sorry to hear that,” Monica assumed a much more mellow tone, leaning toward Melissa. “My second question concerns mating. What’s that like? I mean, what does it include?”
“First of all, shifters call it ‘mating’ because, for them, it’s a lot more than just a social contract like marriage is for humans. It’s a lot like a human marriage. There’s a ceremony, a lot simpler than a fancy reception. We don’t mate to flaunt wealth. Unlike your kind, we mean every word in our vows,” Melissa explained, but as she did, Monica recalled the identical way in which their grandfather had died: a broken heart. Maybe the Bradfords were cursed with that kind of death. Maybe this agonizing way to depart this world was in their bloodline; she didn’t know. Still, Monica knew she would have to consider her future and knew she would have to have a very long and difficult conversation with Raul, one that she could not possibly have in a diner for more reasons than just privacy. Her boyfriend was ecstatic right now, narrating the tale of his battle against Warrick to the pack and drinking beer. She could wait. He had earned this night, and she was not going to take it away from him.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Two
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Sweet bliss had enveloped Raul’s senses, bringing warmth and lightness to his heart as he drove back home. After the night of his triumph, he was drunk, but not by some random poison like alcohol. It was his eagerness to live without fear that flowed through his veins. It was the prospect of having a life with Monica, making happy memories with her, and facing any obstacles that would come along the way. Nothing could intoxicate him more than that.
Utterly exhausted, Raul reentered his home, imagining the feeling of waking up with her the next day. He had done that before, but now the circumstances were much different.
“I am king, and you’re the queen. At least, I hope you will be. Knock it off, Raul. I’m too tired to think about it.”
Monica excused herself to go take a shower as he made his way toward his bedroom. Slowly, he peeled off his clothes, smiling to himself. Raul swiped the blanket away and tumbled into bed, his eyes heavier than ever. Not even the idea of spending a passionate night with Monica was enough to hold them open. However, her sad expression was what flooded his heart with emotion as the moment of their reunion flashed through his mind. It was yet another proof of love.
The new alpha had only just fallen asleep when the sound of her footsteps forced him to open his eyes. He wanted to catch one last glimpse of Monica. But the sight that greeted him made him desire much more than just a look. She was standing at the foot of his bed, naked, her wet hair flowing down her chest with a mischievous smile on her face. Tiny drops of water were streaming down her chest. Raul licked his lips like a hungry predator as she bent down.
“Like what you see, Mr. Alpha?” Monica spoke, her voice husky as she crawled up the bed.
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