“I’m a wolf. A little bacteria won’t hurt me.”
“You don’t know what’s in there.” She stepped in front of him, fear filling her. What if swimming in the pond accelerated exposure to the disease?
Sweat poured down her back as he stared at her. Could he guess something was amiss? But finally he nodded.
“I’d rather shower with you after we’re mated,” he murmured, putting his shirt back on. “Come on. I’ll make you a breakfast fit for the queen that you are.”
As they trudged up the hill, she glanced over her shoulder. Maybe later, she could return to dig.
Because she was running out of time. And options.
***
She saw little of Aiden after they ate breakfast. He vanished to attend to the formal requirements of the mating ceremony, while she remained busy in the kitchen and dining hall, overseeing details of dinner. Truckloads of food for tonight’s celebration had arrived, along with the finest Lupine chefs in the country. All courtesy of J.J.
J.J. was Aiden’s best friend, a billionaire rancher in Colorado who had turned out to be Nia’s ally. It was J.J. who had supplied her horses with quality feed for free, and when she finally had to face facts, J.J. had bought all the horses at a ridiculously expensive price.
Letting go of her beloved mare was one of the hardest things Nia had ever done. But at least she knew Windstorm would be well cared for.
Nia went to her sister’s basement apartment and paced, too anxious to sit.
“Sweetie, you’re making me nervous.” Niki looked up from the ancient Lupine texts. “It’s going to be fine.”
“How can I say these vows, knowing I’m a liar? What if Aiden finds out?” Nia ran a hand through her hair.
“Eventually he will. We can’t keep this up forever.”
“If it means keeping you away from Tristan, I could playact for the rest of my life.”
Niki stared at her. “You can’t protect me forever, Nia. The truth will come out. But by then, I’ll have found a cure for the parvolupus and our boys will be saved. That’s what matters the most. And by then, my life will have finally gained meaning. I’ll have contributed some good to our people, instead of hiding here…like a fungus.”
Guilt speared Nia. She went to her twin’s side and knelt down, taking her hands. “I’m so sorry. I never wanted you to feel like a fungus.”
Niki smiled and squeezed her hands. “Actually, I do like mushrooms. I didn’t mean to sound bitchy or ungrateful. You’ve spent your entire life caring for me. I’m just a little antsy because I’m so close to finding the answers. And I’m worn out.”
For the first time she noticed her twin’s paleness and her air of exhaustion. “What’s wrong?”
Niki shook her head. “Nothing. I’ve been working extra hours, that’s all.”
She kissed her twin’s cheek. “Then rest. I have some things I need to wrap up.”
Late that afternoon, Nia held a meeting in the ballroom. She gathered the elders of her pack, the women who held influence among the younger set, the ten women who knew the truth about herself and Nikita. The women had lost their mates, their older sons, to the disease striking their lands.
They had protected the twins’ secret fiercely over the years.
Usually these meetings were best handled by her twin. Nikita had a gentle manner and winsome way of talking with the elders. But Niki was hunkered down in her basement apartment, and switching places with her this close to the mating ceremony was not advisable.
None of these women knew the disease was caused by Pandora’s Chest. Nia herself didn’t realize it until last year, when she found her father’s diary. Up until then, she thought it was an illness caused by toxic fertilizer her father might have used, or another environmental cause. Or even bad magick.
In folding chairs assembled in a circle, they gathered around her. Dolores, the eldest, sat in her place of honor to the right of Nia’s chair. Gray hair tied back in a prim bun, her floral dress tugged over her knees, Dolores exuded a grandmotherly air that soothed raw nerves.
Dolores alone had lost two sons, five grandsons and her mate to the disease. Now she stood to lose her beloved great-grandson as well if a cure was not found.
Too tense to sit, Nia paced. Her lower lip wobbled tremulously as she studied their careworn faces, the worry in their expressions. These women had helped hold the pack together, and their loyalty was astonishing. When everything collapsed and their men died, they remained out of sheer determination and a spirit of survival. She adored these women. Among them, she could be herself, and not her twin. They called her by name, and it felt wonderful.
But now it was time to let go.
Because I can’t take care of you anymore. I’ve tried and tried, but it’s not just the land that seems cursed now. It’s as if a pall has settled over the entire ranch. I can’t do this alone anymore.
“I wanted to meet with you to ask your help over the coming weeks to integrate our pack with Aiden Mitchell’s,” she told them. “And I need your help to keep guarding Niki’s secret. She is getting close to a cure for the parvolupus and we need to keep her attention focused on the cure and her life as stress free as possible.”
“Anything, honey. You okay?” Dolores asked.
Nia rubbed the tense muscles in her neck.
“I will be. The younger, unmated females will be selecting mates from Aiden’s pack. They’ll need level heads guiding them, and I can think of none better than the women in this room. Throwing a group of innocent, sexually frustrated females in their prime at a group of male Lupines who are, ah, filled with certain urges…”
“That they haven’t been able to satisfy with their hands because they’re horny as hell,” Dolores quipped.
Everyone laughed and the ice broke. Nia smiled. “They’ve probably been too busy roping calves. But yes, they will be very eager, and while I trust Aiden to control his men, I am entrusting all of you with the control of the women.”
For the next several moments, she talked with the women, hearing their concerns, trying her best to answer them. Finally, as conversation died, she looked around the group.
“That’s about it, unless there’s anything else you wish to add.”
“Nia, honey, is there anything else you need our help with?” Dolores asked.
At her headshake, Dolores stood and went to her. “On behalf of all of us, thank you.”
Nia blinked. “For what?”
The elderly Lupine sighed. “For being our leader, honey. For working your fingers to the bone to care for us, make sure we never went without, keeping us together when everything seemed to fall apart. For putting us first, even when you lost your own.”
“I thought you were disappointed in me,” she whispered so the others wouldn’t hear. “We don’t have much food, and we’ve lost nearly everything. We have no money. I nearly lost the ranch … if Aiden hadn’t have bought the note and kept the bank from foreclosing …”
“But we have each other and that’s what counts most. We’re family,” Dolores said, her hands soft and the skin like velvet.
Guilt shot through her. “You lost your boys and grandsons and Arlen.”
Dolores’ eyes grew misty. “Honey, I not only lost them, I nearly lost my mind. And that didn’t happen because of you. You spent every day and every night at my side, telling me to never give up and keep fighting. You forced me to eat, to drink, to live for my daughters and my granddaughters and great-granddaughters. It’s because of you I’m standing here today, instead of swinging from that old oak tree by the pond.”
Nia gawked. “Are you serious?”
Dolores hugged her tight. “You kept several of us from making that terrible decision. You were there for us in our darkest hours, refusing to let us surrender to the dark nights of our souls. You are one hell of a leader, Nia Blakemore. We love you. Thank you for leading us.”
The women stood and applauded. And then they came up, one by one, and engulfed
her in a huge bear hug.
“I love you all,” she whispered. Fighting tears, she looked away.
When the last Lupine hugged her, she scrubbed at her eyes with a fist. “It’s not going to be easy, and there will be adjustments, but it’s for the best.”
A noise from the doorway drew her attention. Roxanne hurried into the ballroom, her entire body tensing. “Niki, are you finished with the meeting yet?” she asked in an overly loud voice.
She wiped her face with a lace hanky one of the women handed her and stuffed it into her pocket. “I’m done. Why? Do you need me?”
“Not me. But he’s been pacing outside for twenty minutes, waiting for you.” Roxanne jerked a thumb at the double doors. “And I think he’s getting a little impatient.”
The doors burst open and Aiden walked inside.
Nude, he held a length of rope in his hands. A black Stetson tilted at a rakish angle on his head, Aiden walked toward her. Nia gawked as the women gave him several admiring glances.
The naked cowboy. Dear goddess, he was stunning.
Aiden twirled the rope as he advanced.
“Mitchell! Put some clothes on!” Nia snapped.
“Why? Everyone here has already seen me naked. And for what I plan, I don’t need clothing.”
She backed away until hitting the wall. Aiden looked at the women. “Goodbye, ladies.”
They scurried toward the double doors. Dolores glanced over her shoulder and gave Nia two thumbs up.
“Things will be looking up soon, dear! Remember that!” Dolores called out.
Oh yeah, it was going to be all up from here on. For Aiden, anyway.
“What the hell are you doing here?” she snapped, her earlier melancholy gone.
“I’m tired of waiting, Nikita. Come here. Now. It’s time.” He advanced, determination in his hard gaze. She couldn’t stop staring at those powerful thighs, the fluid way he moved as he walked, the rippled muscles of his abdomen. He was a beast.
A magnificent, noble beast intent on claiming her.
“Time for what?” She began to sidle toward the door.
“Time to make you mine.”
“You plan to rope me and throw me down like a damn calf?!”
“I could. But it would be more fun to catch you instead. Tonight will be all ceremony and formalities. I want to have fun with you, first.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I’ll give you sixty seconds. Run.”
His wolf wanted the chase. Well, then. She could run pretty damn fast. Nia took off for the door, her feet scrambling for purchase on the slick floor. Looking over one shoulder, she saw Aiden striding toward her, lazily twirling the lasso. Confident, as if he had no doubt of his conquest.
Nia dodged around a leather couch against one wall, leapt over a small table in front of it.
“C’mere, little Lupine,” he drawled. “I’m in the mood for riding.”
Nia saw the doors, the handles gleaming like a promise of freedom. He wasn’t going to win. Not this. She’d beat him. Almost there, almost there…
A lasso sailed over her head and arms, and pulled. She stumbled and almost fell, but caught herself.
“Yee haw,” he said in a deep voice.
The rope bound her arms to her sides. He gave a gentle tug. Nia wriggled her arms as he approached, coiling the rope as he advanced.
“Half the fun is the chase.” Aiden’s dark gaze gleamed. “I figure I’ve chased you long enough.”
“And the other half?” she whispered.
Aiden pulled her toward him. “The capture.”
His mouth covered hers. He gave her no time to think, to reason, to speak. His lips nuzzled the curve of her neck, and he lightly bit, soothing the sting with a stroke of his warm tongue. Nia struggled to free herself from the rope. She needed to touch him, damn it.
“Let me loose, Mitchell.”
“I like you like this, Blakemore. You can’t fight me.” He blew a breath into her ear. “You’re a prize mare I’m going to ride hard later.”
“I’m not a damn horse!” She shuddered as he cupped her breast, thumbing her rigid nipple through the fabric of her blouse.
“No, you’re every inch a wolf.” He lightly pinched her nipple and then licked the curve of her ear. “Wild and wanton. But I will tame you to my hand. And you’ll love every single minute of it.”
“You’re an arrogant prick!”
He grinned, and kissed the corner of her mouth. “My prick is the least arrogant thing about me.”
Nia stared. Laughter danced in his dark eyes and his lips curved with amusement.
“You’re toying with me. Playing,” she realized. “Not serious.”
Aiden loosened the lasso and lowered it, allowing her to step free. “I’ll be serious enough later.”
“Why did you do it,” she asked, her tone gentler.
“I was searching for you. Missed you.” A hint of vulnerability shadowed his expression. “Then Roxanne told me you held a meeting of the pack’s elders. I figured it was an emotional goodbye and you’d need a diversion. Making you angry is better than seeing you cry.”
His thoughtfulness stunned her. Too choked up to speak, she rested her head against his broad chest. Aiden stroked her hair.
Finally, she pulled away slightly, glancing at his erect penis. Her hormones screamed for more. Getting caught by Aiden Mitchell made her so aroused, she needed a cold shower.
Very cold.
“You definitely provide an uplifting moment, Mitchell.”
He grinned. “Very much so. All I have to do is see you, you saucy, stunning wolf. You’re a walking Viagra pill.”
“You’re no slouch yourself, Mitchell. When you walked in here naked, you made all those women probably rush out to buy new batteries for their nighttime toys.”
Aiden winked. “I wanted to give your women a show. Let them know you’ll be in good hands.”
He cupped her ass and squeezed gently. “Very good hands.”
As they turned and headed for the doors, Aiden slid an arm around her waist. She saw Garth and Roxanne standing outside. The male lowered his head in respect as he glanced at her, and then shoved a burgundy fleece robe at Aiden.
“Here you go, boss.”
Aiden shrugged into the robe, and Nia noted ruefully that Roxanne didn’t even pay him attention. Her beta’s gaze was soft as she studied Garth.
The two males fell into step as they walked down the hall, Garth filling Aiden in on the latest patrols. Nia accompanied Roxanne in silence, lost in thought. It would break her heart to lose this magnificent male. According to the rules of the Mating Challenge, he really did belong to Nikita, but a small part of her stubbornly wanted him for herself. Even if only for one night.
You may not have him for much longer, if you don’t find the cure.
Her priorities were clear. Saving her twin had been paramount in her life.
And now saving Aiden from the same fate as her father and brothers became equally important.
CHAPTER 7
The time had come.
Nia had only attended two other Lupine weddings. She wasn’t good at formal ceremonies and etiquette. Nikita had been happy to take her place and act as alpha representative for the pack, an irony not lost on the twins.
But tonight her twin remained in her basement, not daring to attend the ceremony lest someone discover her presence. How she wished her sister could be here! Nikita should be here, standing at her side with a bouquet of red roses, lending her support. Witnessing her transformation from single alpha leader to a mated one.
Or taking her place, for Nikita was the true alpha leader.
Dressed in a long, flowing white gown, a circlet of white roses upon her head and white satin shoes upon her feet, Nia stood with Aiden in the pasture by the barn, the only area large enough to accommodate the 400-plus wedding guests. His men had worked hard to transform the area, hauling in chairs and placing them before a white trellis covered with hothouse roses and w
isteria. J.J., the alpha Aiden had chosen to officiate, handed Aiden the ceremonial knife.
If only she could stop shaking inside, but that was impossible, because this entire ceremony was a lie. And if Aiden discovered she was not the true alpha, he would be furious.
She and Aiden then sliced their palms with the blade and clasped hands, their mingled blood dripping to the earth and sinking into it. J.J. bound their right wrists together with a leather cord. “May you always be tied together by the bonds of loyalty, courage, strength, and love.”
Nia stared at Aiden, her heart pounding so hard she knew he could hear it.
She forced her voice to remain steady as she spoke her vows to Aiden, wishing with all her heart she could honor them to her last dying day. “I, Nikita Blakemore, alpha of the Blakemore pack, take you Aiden Mitchell, of my own free will, as my mate. I promise to honor and respect you, to love and cherish you with my body and my spirit, to stand by your side as our alpha leader and support you above all others, and to be yours, forever.”
Misery filled her. The vows were sacred to their people and she violated them with her lies. If he found out, Aiden could declare the mating annulled. Maybe he would foreclose on the ranch and leave with his men. And she and her females would be left alone once more.
But as Aiden stared into her eyes, his expression soft, she pushed aside her fears. Tenderness filled her as she noticed his hand shook a little. Then he gathered her hands into his, his palms strong and warm, such lovely warmth.
Perhaps he did care for her, the real her, not the image of her as an alpha.
“I, Aiden Mitchell, alpha leader of the Mitchell pack, take you Nikita Blakemore, of my own free will, as my mate. I promise to honor and respect you, to love and cherish you with my body and my spirit, to stand by your side as my alpha female and support you above all others, and to be yours, forever.”
His gaze remained steady. “I promise to protect you with my body, your honor with my spirit, and defend our packs and you to the last drop of my blood.”
To the last drop of his blood. It wasn’t a vow made lightly, and far as she knew, only alphas fully committed to their mates uttered it at the ceremony.
Bad Boys of the Night: Eight Sizzling Paranormal Romances: Paranormal Romance Boxed Set Page 131