I laugh and give her hand a light squeeze. “We do have horses. Sapphire is our horse whisperer, she can teach you how to ride. Her sister, Ruby, is another one of our trainers. She’s not a were, but she knows our secret. I’ll have them give you lessons. What else do you want to do?”
“Disneyland,” Brianna giggles. “We all should go to Disney and wear the silly Mickey Mouse ears.”
Her smile is infectious, everything about her is addicting. “I bet we can make that happen too. You’ll love the farm. There are woods to run in and the farm is huge. We have a good life there, I hope you like it.” I lean over and brush my lips across her hair. She smells like summer honeysuckle and fresh mint.
We have to be at the arena in two hours, just enough time for me to freak out a couple of times before we get there. Everyone, including Brianna is sent to get ready for the final Olympic event, closing ceremony. I want to talk to Dolly for a few minutes before I talk with MecKenzie. Her reactions have been so real, it’s hard to think she knows her husband is part of the kidnapping.
****************
Our pack is together in the building Pru and I went into to check in for the Seeker game. It’s nearly impossible for any of us to go anywhere without questions about what happened. If they’re not asking about Oakley, they’re asking about me being the Great Wolf. One reporter for Supernatural Weekly, has been up my butt about Brianna. The human world doesn’t know about Oakley or the murders. We don’t report such things to the human world when supernatural elements are involved. Supernatural Weekly is sold to humans but they think it’s more of a fictional magazine in People Magazine style.
I see her across the room. Her blond hair is still dipped in pink and she’s chewing gum frantically. She’s nervous about seeing me after what she did in Paris. She broke up with me to go be a part of a secret society and left. I haven’t seen or heard from her since then.
“Chrissy?” I think to her.
“Hi Abel, I was wondering when you’d see me over here. Would your friend mind if I came over and said hello?”
“Not at all,” I lie. It isn’t as though Brianna will flip out, but girls tend to dislike ex-girlfriends.
Chrissy crosses the room to us, not giving me much chance of warning Brianna. “Hi Abel! I was hoping to see you before you guys left. Dolly sent for me to come out and check out Pru’s injuries.” She rambles so fast, my ears have a difficult time separating the words.
“Chrissy, good to see you. This is Brianna, she’s my girlfriend,” and soon to be wife. “I hear you were able to help a few competitors who were having a difficult time healing. I’m so glad to see you, but I need to talk to Dolly before we go outside. So, if you’ll excuse us we’ll try to catch up with you later. Thank you so much for your help,” I say curtly as we turn to walk away. In the past, I always thought it would be strange running into her again, but it wasn’t. “Are you all right?” I think to Brianna.
“I’m a little nervous. Chrissy is so pretty! You’ll have to tell me about why you broke up when we have some alone time.”
Yeah, I want to be alone with my sexy werewolf mate and talk about my ex-girlfriend who left me. I let out a sigh.
Violet crosses the room to us. She looks like a werewolf badass in her zip-up-the-front leather mini-dress with over-the-knee-high matching boots. I think I just heard Bryon gasp at the sight of her. She’s the complete opposite of my classy girlfriend. Brianna is wearing a royal blue dress that looks like the go-go dresses from the sixties. She has a blue satin ribbon in her hair and a touch of blue eye shadow on her eyes. She shows off her sexy legs by wearing a white pair of pirate boots. My wolf rumbles in my chest whenever he looks at her legs. I prefer Brianna’s outfit since she doesn’t look so dominatrix. I don’t have to worry about her going all 50 Shades on me. Not that I’d mind, but it’s still sexier than the obvious leather look.
“Hey you two lovebirds, are you ready for tonight?” Pru asks me.
She’s put on a brave face to hide away her feelings about Oakley being locked up. It’s stupid how they won’t let him come to the ceremony. This will be one of the most important nights in werewolf history and he’s stuck in a make-shift prison cell. His flight leaves at eleven tonight.
“Yeah, I think so,” I reply. “Don’t disappear on me, you know you’re going outside with us.”
“He’s so bossy,” Pru says to Brianna with a grin. “Good thing he’s cute, or I would have to kick his ass for being such a turd.” Feisty Pru makes an appearance.
“You haven’t been drinking have you?”
“You know I wouldn’t drink on a night like tonight. This place is crazy, I’ve actually had other wolves ask for my autograph.”
“You’re a werewolf celebrity, Pru.” Brianna grins at her. The two of them have bonded since the kidnapping. Pru says she’s strong and has integrity. I know that without having to search her thoughts.
I put my arm over Pru’s shoulder and give her a light squeeze. “I have a car for you to go say goodbye to Oakley. If you want me to go with you, I will. Parker and Sapphire will be going to protect you. We’re going to watch Storm. Let me know and I’ll change the arrangement.”
She nods her head up and down to keep her emotions in check before the announcements.
****************
Chapter 13 The Great Wolf
ATTENTION LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THIS IS THE 2014 WEREWOLF OLYMPICS FINAL ANNOUNCEMENTS! THANK YOU FOR TRAVELING TO IRELAND, WE PRAY YOU HAD FUN. WE ARE SORRY TO SAY THAT AFTER MUCH CONSIDERATION, THE SEEKER GAME WILL BE REMOVED FROM ANY FUTURE WEREWOLF GAMES. A MEMO WAS SENT TO ALL ALPHAS TODAY. THIS YEAR THERE WAS LOVE IN THE AIR. TONIGHT WE’RE GOING TO ANNOUNCE THE WERES WHO FOUND THEIR MATE HERE IN KILKENNY! The announcer’s voice booms over the PA system.
My heart is racing with anticipation. In a few moments, I’ll be standing in front of the entire werewolf community to take over as the alpha of all alphas.
PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE UNTIL THE NAMES ARE ALL READ!
ARIES FROM GREECE AND ESTELLA FROM SPAIN
MAXWELL FROM ENGLAND AND JULIA FROM ENGLAND
RODNEY FROM AMERICA AND OLIVIA FROM AUSTRALIA
PLEASE GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO THESE FINE WOLVES.
The crowd goes wild with howls and applause.
EVERYONE PLEASE STAY STANDING! WE’RE HONORED TO BRING YOU ABEL CASEY FROM THE UNITED STATES.
My adrenaline is pushing me forward. I meet the woman announcer at the center of the stage. I keep reminding myself this will be over soon. The entire crowd goes silent as I step up to the podium.
I’ve rehearsed this speech at least a million times with Pru and Oakley. It kills me to think he isn’t with me for this pivotal moment in our lives.
My throat is tight and dry. I take a sip of my bottled water before saying anything. Pru and Brianna are behind me and I can hear them both telling me I’m doing great. I haven’t even said anything yet, but their encouragement coaxes me forward.
“As many of you know, I am part of the Phelan Pack from Oklahoma. Three years ago, I found out I’m a werewolf. My entire life was changed on a July afternoon. I shifted for the first time and the guessing was over…I am the Great Wolf.” Sounds of gasping and whispers fill the auditorium. “At the time, I was not prepared to take over as the leader of all packs. My pack and my advisors have trained me to step forward. Tonight, I am doing just that….stepping forward. From this moment, I am your alpha!” The crowd goes completely silent, no more whispering or sounds of any kind. I gather my composure to continue talking. I remind myself to keep going and stay centered.
“What does that mean for you and your pack, you may be asking yourself. If you’re an alpha of your pack, you will continue to be an alpha….you’ll have protocol though. Every alpha will be meeting with me once a week until further notice. My IT department has set up the equipment I’ll need to do a live conference with everyone at the same time.” I speak slowly so the interrupters can repeat what I’m saying
to the alpha in their language. A memo went out last year for all the packs to assure one member of their pack is fluent in English for this day. “I expect everyone to cooperate with their pack and be the best wolf you can. Any wolf who decides not to obey this order will be considered a rogue wolf. All rogue wolves will be reported at each meeting. We have an encyclopedia of all rogues in the world for the safety of humans and other supernaturals. There is a rogue reform school in Kilkenny if you know of a wolf who would like to pledge to your pack. In order for us to better track every wolf, we’ve initiated a DNA recording program. As everyone entered as a competitor or spectator to the games, you had a mouth swab done. The information is logged and will be tracked from this day forward.” I pause for the impact to wash over the crowd.
“Over the next few weeks, recruiters will be searching for thirty wolves to join my pack as a direct member. If you’re interested in the position, please contact our assistant Jules. You’ll find the information in the welcome pack you’ll receive in the upcoming weeks.” Dolly insisted I get an assistant to help out with my transition to alpha. Jules is a twenty-five year old Harvard graduate. Her credentials are impressive to say the least. She’s a bitten werewolf who Parker found and brought her to the farm. Now she’s best friends with Sapphire and my assistant. I pause to take a drink of water. “Thank you all for your words of encouragement; I am truly humbled by your love.” I stop for a second and let the information sink in.
I motion for Brianna to come over and stand next to me. “I have a few more announcements. If anyone has any information regarding the attack on my comrades during the Seeker game, please contact my pack immediately. I must thank everyone who helped with the rescue of Pru Phelan and Brianna. This is an ongoing investigation and we need all information both big or small reported. I have two more announcements. First, I would like to announce my intentions. Brianna Coghlan has been chosen by both my wolf and myself as our mate.” I take her hand and lift it in the air with mine. “You will give her the respect she deserves as my mate and your female alpha.” The crowd is getting restless. They want to ask questions and be assured that I really am what the legacy has stated. I open my mind to pick up a few of their thoughts. To my surprise, everyone is happy and are wondering when we’ll have children.
“My final announcement tonight is to tell you who will be my beta. My beta who will serve with me is, Pru Phelan. From this day forward, the three of us are as one! I will not be taking any questions tonight. Please respect our privacy as we embark on this journey. We’re all new to this Great Wolf business, but I’m happy to serve you all. Good night!” I throw back my head and howl. The crowd goes wild with howls and whistles.
“I thought Oakley was your beta.” Pru thinks to me.
“No, you’re my beta and always have been. I need you by my side,” I reply. “I wanted to surprise you….SURPRISE!”
“You’re hilarious.”
“So I’ve been told.”
****************
Everyone in the pack except Shaynie and Oakley were at the reception. We sent Shaynie with Phillip until she leaves for the states. Brianna has my hand as we walk around the crowd, stopping for quick hellos and selfies with other wolves. My wolf is getting territorial over people bumping into Brianna as they walk past.
“Here comes MecKenzie,” Brianna says.
MecKenzie’s long dress hugs her petite frame as she walks over. “Abel, I just heard from Kane. He wants you to call him when you get back to the hotel.”
I study her body language as she talks, looking for signs of deceit, which there are none. Her thoughts are filled with worry and curious to find out why Kane deceived us all. “Are you holding up okay?” She nods her head up and down, but her eyes don’t look okay. She appears as though she’s been crying all day.
“I want to tell you that I saw your member Shaynie talking with Kane one morning. She came down before everyone got up for breakfast. I didn’t think anything of it until today. I was told that she’s the one who said Oakley murdered those guys who kidnapped the girls. If I were a betting person, I’d bet all I have that she set him up. The council can drag their feet sometimes. Be careful about leaving without getting statements from people in town.” Her concern is genuine.
She’s right, we need to make sure everything is uncovered the right way. Two years ago, I convinced the council members to go public with the supernatural community. They’ve always worked in secret, only allowing the alphas to know of their existence. Now everyone knows and so far, we’ve all been happy knowing we have law enforcers. “You’re right, we need to get statements. If you can think of anyone we should talk to, please let me know.”
“I will.”
“Do you need help running the Inn? I can get someone to come over and help with the day to day operations.”
“No, I’m used to running it alone. Kane takes a lot of business trips to the Middle East.”
He must be part of it all. What a great actor he is and what a fool we’ve all been to think nothing like this would happen. “If you need anything, please contact me.”
****************
“Brianna, let’s get out of here for a while. There’s a set of suites upstairs, I bet we can sneak off to one.” I put my arm around her waist and guide her towards the stairs.
“How do you plan on escaping without anyone noticing we’re gone?”
“Oh they’ll notice, but they won’t stop us. Come on.” I nod at Bryon and think to him, “We’re going to go upstairs for some quiet time. We’ll be back in thirty minutes or so.” Bryon nods back and helps clear a path for Brianna and I to pass everyone without any problems.
“I need to check the room first, I can’t let you go into one of the suites without a sweep.” Bryon says, referring to checking a room for any bad guys or equipment.
In the distance, someone is asking where I am. I take Brianna’s hand and we run around the corner to the suites. Bryon checks the doors and finally finds one unlocked.
“Give me a second and then you can go inside.” Bryon cautiously disappears into the room.
I turn Brianna until her back is against the wall. I put my hand against the wall and kiss the tip of her nose. “You’re pretty amazing.” I kiss her on the cheek. “Everyone here kept talking about how beautiful you are….it’s true, I can hear everyone.” I give her a light kiss on the forehead.
“Were they talking about how handsome you are?” She watches me before she gives me a quick kiss on the lips. “You’re kind of a tease.”
I watch her as she looks up through her long lashes. “I wouldn’t tease you….” I kiss her other cheek. “Well, maybe a little.”
Bryon steps out of the room and gives us the green light to go inside. After a moment of him saying he’s going to stand outside to keep guard she and I enter the room.
There’s a slight vacuum cleaner smell in the air. We used to have a vacuum that smelled that way, like old smelly socks that have been set on fire. The only place to sit is on the king sized bed. I sit down on the edge of the bed and pull Brianna until she’s standing between my legs.
“Are you doing okay? I mean, well, uh, this has been all so fast.” I say, anxious to know everything about her.
She nods her head, “I am, I really am. Growing up as a were, I knew there would be a day when I’d find my mate. I’m not going to lie, I didn’t think I’d be moving to America. It is probably different for someone who wasn’t raised in the lifestyle of a werewolf. Sapphire came to talk to me and she has adjusted very well for someone who was bitten. My wolf would die without you. You’re pretty cute too,” she says flirtatiously.
“Oh yeah? You’re pretty cute too.” I tug on her until she’s sitting on my lap. The sound of her heart rapidly beating, is music to my wolf. Her hair cascades down her back. I try not to be too clumsy as I run my hands along her waist. They make it look so easy in the movies, yet my brain is on overdrive trying to be a gentleman.
The two o
f us find ourselves lost in each other’s eyes. She leans down and gently kisses me. We start out slow and steady until my wolf was begging for more. I scoot us both back on the bed until only our feet are dangling over the side. God I want nothing more than to make love to her.
She reaches down and slides off her boots and then scoots up further on the bed with me by her side. It is then that I notice something I’ve only ever seen in the mirror….her eyes are glowing. That can only mean one thing, she is gaining some of my powers by being my mate. I dip into her thoughts for a moment to make sure she’s okay. She’s having a mental meltdown with her wolf screaming for her to have sex with me. Her human side is arguing to wait until the wedding. I’m having the same struggles going on in my head too.
I roll us until she’s on her back and I’m hovering over her. Slowly, I kiss my way down her jaw and to her neck. Her breathing is getting faster, so is mine. I kiss down to her chest, kissing her to the neckline of her dress. My hands go around her until I’m pressed into her and it is getting harder and harder not to unzip her dress and make love. Without warning, I scramble to stand up.
“We need to stop, I’m not doing it this way and not here,” I whisper.
“You’re right….we’re pushing the limits with all of this kissing. Will you hand me my boots?” She sits up and puts her boots back on.
“We should probably go back out there and mingle some more.” I smooth her hair down from where it was messed up from rolling on the bed.
“Mingle, that’s exactly what I had running through my mind as you were kissing me,” she teases. “How long does it take for your eyes to go back to normal?”
“Did they go all wolfy on you? You’re eyes are glowing too, I guess I had you a little hot and bothered.” I tease back.
“No way!” She races to the mirror over the dresser. “That’s never happened before!”
The Great Wolf: A Legacy of Kilkenny Novel Book Three (The Legacy of Kilkenny Saga) Page 11