Guilt wrestled with joy as she thought of the horrific consequences of impersonating her twin. She could not speak, only close her eyes as he kissed her, his mouth firm, warm, and authoritative.
When he pulled away, he signaled to Darius and Garth.
They headed across the lawn, where tables and chairs had been set up beneath an enormous white tent. Aiden stated he was fully committed to her. But how could she state the same, when this whole ceremony was a farce?
Oh, she had plenty of good reasons, and the foremost one was to protect her twin, not to mention save her pack. Raids from gnomes and the drain on their finances left them desperate. But those rationalizations wouldn’t make this wrong right.
Aiden thought he mated with the alpha female leader of the Blakemore pack. Not her twin sister. But the moment she unveiled her sister, she put Nikita in danger of exposure to the Silver Wizard. Nikita was terrified of Tristan. And after spending her entire life hiding her sister’s existence to protect her, Nia wasn’t about to tell the truth.
Her new mate guided her to the head table, decorated with white and red roses. A cool wind blew through the trees, rustling the leaves, raising gooseflesh on her bare arms. The thousands of tiny blue-white bulbs strung on the tent ceiling sparkled like fairy light. It gave the tent a mystical, ethereal touch.
Covered with red linen tablecloths, each table bore a squat glass vase of red roses, white hyacinth, and honeysuckle. Aiden sat and then pulled Nia onto his lap to feed her the ceremonial first bite of their wedding dinner. Her mouth curled into a smile as she noticed what he’d chosen for her to eat.
Sausage.
“You’re never without surprises, Mitchell,” she told him.
“I always aim to make you laugh, Blakemore.” Aiden speared the sausage and held it to her mouth.
“So you may never go hungry. I will always keep you satisfied, in every way possible,” he murmured as she ate it.
Their hands still tied together, Nia lifted the silver cup filled with water to his mouth, trying to control her shaking hand. Sweat trickled down her back. With every ounce of her strength, she controlled her nervousness.
“So you may never thirst for another’s touch except mine. I will always quench your spirit,” she told him in the traditional vow.
He kissed her then, his mouth moving over hers. Fear filled her at the thought of this powerful male taking her in the traditional way later. They must consummate their union before members of the pack to assure their people their union was sealed.
But Aiden didn’t know he had mated a liar.
“Niki.” Aiden lifted their joined hands and settled his palm on her face. “Don’t be frightened. I’m going to take very good care of you, sweetheart.”
Then they untied the leather cord and settled in for the wedding feast.
After a while, Aiden stood and excused himself. Nia sipped champagne and watched the dancing.
Upon a raised wood dais, a band played as the guests danced. The wolves laughed and twirled and stomped upon the wood platform. All the cheerful energy filled the air and chased away her morose thoughts. She sipped champagne, relishing the tingle of it against her tongue. A glass filled with green liquid sat by her plate, along with a slotted silver spoon and a bowl filled with sugar cubes. She would not drink the absinthe, the traditional mating drink of Lupines. It made females amorous, but also dulled their wits and she needed all her wits to keep up the masquerade of being the alpha leader of the Blakemore pack.
Beth, Aiden’s niece, and her mate Dale came over to wish her congratulations. She liked Beth, who was smart and funny. Dale, Aiden’s chief of security, was quiet, and clearly devoted to his mate.
Shortly after they left, Aiden returned, ignoring the slightly bowed heads as he passed, and sat beside her. He wore a well-tailored black silk tuxedo, which looked elegant on him. He was so handsome, whether in evening clothes or in dusty blue jeans.
Or naked.
He looked at her plate. “You need to eat, darling.”
“I’m not that hungry.”
He pulled her onto his lap and then pushed a hand through her hair, his calloused fingertips stroking her scalp. It felt so damn good. She didn’t want this, didn’t want his touch. Because she could get accustomed to this, and when he left her after finding out she was the wrong twin, she’d miss him too damn much.
Not to mention what consequences she might face, oh hell, the entire pack might face. What if Aiden became so infuriated he foreclosed on the ranch, leaving them all homeless?
Aiden slid a hand over her neck, feeling her galloping pulse. He smoothed back her hair. “You’re nervous as a scared filly. It’s all right, darling. Formalities and then it’ll be over with, and we’ll return to your bedroom. I’ll take very good care of you, sweetheart.”
The rules of the Mating Challenge required them to mate before their combined packs to consummate their union. Then they would shift and run as wolves. The mating would be hard enough. Nia felt his erection press against her thigh. Oh yeah, very hard. But shifting in front of the pack when she’d had so little fresh meat over the past few months?
She didn’t like being humiliated.
Nia climbed off his lap, sat in her chair, speared a piece of meat and ate it. Aiden looked up and signaled to someone. Beside him, Darius dug into his steak.
A waiter in a white jacket and black pants hurried over with a plate. On the plate was a raw slice of liver.
Sam, sitting beside Darius, craned her head. “What’s that?”
“A special treat for my bride. Her favorite meal,” Aiden said.
Sam made a face. “Yuck.”
Darius grinned at his mate. “Hush and eat your veggies. If you’re good, maybe Nikita will give you all hers.”
Aiden thanked the waiter and set the plate down, pushing aside the pretty china filled with vegetables, sausage and steak.
“Raw liver is the best thing for Lupines who need fresh meat. It gives us energy and empowers our magick,” he said quietly.
Nia looked at the meat, her wolf senses clawing to the surface. She looked at the man who was now her mate and saw the concern in his gaze.
He knew. He knew she had trouble shifting, and wanted to amend it without embarrassing her. Emotion filled her throat.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
“I’ll always take good care of you,” he said in a husky voice.
She picked up her knife and fork and began to delicately cut the treat.
When the last slice was finished, she felt new strength fill her. The protein had infused her body with energy, just as Aiden had promised.
Nia sipped her water. At a nearby table, Carl flirted with Lucy, one of Nia’s pack. Lucy smiled, but seemed tense.
Nia detested Carl, who owned a grocery and supply store. She owed him thousands of dollars. Angular and skinny, he had a thin oval of a face and bore a constant sneer, as if his tighty whities were way too tight. He always found an excuse to visit her ranch to point out how much she owed, and Nia had ensured he never stayed long. He reminded her more of a troll than a Lupine. When he’d found out she was mating Aiden, he’d conned her into giving him an invitation. She had run up too much credit at his store to snub him.
Tempted to rescue Lucy, she was relieved to see Carl distracted by the arrival of his food.
Aiden squeezed her hand. “It’s good to see everyone here. Have to admit, I’m a little disappointed. I thought Tristan would show up.”
Her heart fell to her stomach. “The Silver Wizard is a friend of yours?”
“Not exactly. But an event this significant, a mating between two alphas, is something he’d seldom miss.” Aiden grunted. “Besides, that silver devil once told me I’d never claim you as my virgin mate. I’ll never forget that. He said, ‘Nikita will surrender her virginity to me.’”
Breath fled her lungs. Oh gods, oh gods. Does he know? Does Tristan know? Whipping her head around, she searched the guests in case the w
izard hid among them. Nia fought the urge to bolt from the table and run to the basement for her twin.
She managed to find her voice, though it was shaky. “A-and what does that mean?”
Aiden shrugged. “He’s a sly wizard, always talking in riddles. I believe he was testing me, see how far I’d go to make you mine.”
He picked up their joined hands and kissed her knuckles. “And now you know how far I’d go, sweetheart. You okay? You look a little pale.”
Her stomach knotted painfully. Nia licked her lips. “Maybe he didn’t have a mating gift for you. That’s why he didn’t show up.”
The feeble joke made Aiden glance at her. “Sometimes a gift from one of those wizards has a double meaning.”
“And sometimes a gift is just a gift,” a deep, disembodied voice said.
Nia gripped Aiden’s hand so hard he winced. Please no, please no….
“Show yourself,” Aiden demanded.
A cloud of white smoke appeared. Out of the cloud stepped a dark-haired man well over six feet tall. Dressed in a black silk tuxedo, with a white shirt with white crystal buttons, he was quite handsome and looked to be about her age, but she knew he was ancient.
A well-trimmed dark beard shadowed his square jawline. His dark hair curled at the edges, each strand tipped with a shiny white crystal. His eyes were a clear blue-gray. An aura of immense power shimmered around him, making her very afraid.
Not Tristan. She knew this from childhood and her father’s grim tales about the powerful wizard with the black hair tipped with silver. Nia wondered what this particular wizard wanted.
J.J. sitting near Aiden at the head table, stared at the newcomer. “Xavier? What are you doing here?”
“Hello J.J. Good to see you.” His gaze softened as he looked at Alexa, J.J.’s mate, “Alexa. Congratulations on your baby.”
Alexa colored and smiled, placing a hand over her rounded belly.
Then the wizard turned back to Aiden. He gave a little nod. “I am Xavier, the Crystal Wizard, one of the four wizards of the Brehon who rule over Others. I came to offer you both congratulations from Tristan, your guardian and your judge. He asked me to send his regards on his behalf.”
Xavier looked directly at Nia. “He felt it would not be appropriate to show up on this joyous occasion since his appearance has the tendency to cause Lupines distress.”
Distress? How about a heart attack?
The Crystal Wizard reached into his jacket and withdrew a quartz crystal the size of a man’s thumb. It was filled with red fluid. He tossed it upwards and it spun in the air, above his outstretched palm.
“Tristan wished me to give you this as a mating gift. This magick crystal contains the tears of the dragon. A most rare, and precious gift. It enables you to bring someone back from the brink of death. But beware. The price can be deadly.”
Aiden looked at the spinning crystal. “Interesting. Never heard of it. How does it work?”
“You hold the crystal next to your heart, and it drains your magick and infuses the tears. Then you place the crystal into the mouth of the dying person. It will dissolve, releasing the potion.” The crystal spun faster, tossing off brilliant sparks of light. “It can only be used once, and the one using it to save a life risks his…”
The wizard focused his burning blue-gray gaze at Nia. “Or her life, for a Lupine without magick is doomed. A Lupine without magick cannot live with other Lupines, for he…or she… will be seen as a weakness in the pack.”
Nia almost felt as if this wizard could see inside her soul. She gripped Aiden’s hand, wishing she could flee. Sooner or later the deception would be unveiled. And then what?
“Thank you,” she managed to say in a somewhat steady voice.
The crystal stopped spinning and Xavier placed it on the table before them.
“Yes, thank you.” Aiden’s dark gaze sharpened. “But why did Tristan send you instead of one of the other wizards?”
Xavier gave a humorless smile. “I offered to do this for Tristan because I wanted to check on one of my people. A troll.”
Nia turned in the direction of his pointing finger and saw Carl, who was eating his food as if it were his last supper. “He’s a troll? He told me he was Lupine.”
More surprises. And please, no more. She wasn’t certain her racing heart could take any more shocks.
Xavier nodded grimly. “He has mixed blood, but is more troll than Lupine.”
The band struck up a slow dance. His mouth tight beneath his dark beard, Xavier watched as Carl tugged Lucy onto the dance floor. Nia tensed, seeing how unhappy the girl looked. Leaning against the bar near the dance floor, a cowboy named Stephen sulked as he glared at Carl.
“Lucy is far too young for Carl,” Aiden murmured.
“And she likes Stephen from your pack. I tried to seat them together, but that rat bastard Carl switched places.” Nia sighed. “Aiden, will you rescue her?”
But before Aiden rose, Xavier gave a grim smile. “Excuse me. I am in the mood for a dance.”
Suddenly Carl stumbled over his own feet, and released Lucy. Xavier cut in smoothly and began dancing with her.
Aiden grinned as he looked at J.J., who grinned back.
“Oh, this is going to be good,” J.J. said. “Xavier doesn’t mess around.”
Xavier whirled Lucy around, who looked immensely relieved to be rid of Carl. He danced her over to the glowering Stephen, practically throwing her at the cowboy. Stephen recoiled and caught Lucy in his arms. She looked up at him with a wide smile.
Xavier gave a little bow. “My apologies, fair maiden, but I am exhausted. Perhaps this handsome young man can take my place.”
He winked at the blushing Lucy. Grinning, Stephen led her onto the dance floor. Carl started toward them, but then Xavier blocked his way.
The wizard suddenly flicked a finger and Carl’s trousers vanished, leaving him clad only in his underwear. Red-faced, Carl bolted, fleeing as if the hounds of hell pursued him.
Xavier returned to stand before the head table, his smile grim. “It appears Carl will not be able to dance with Lucy nor eat dinner next to her any longer. He suddenly remembered he was not properly dressed.”
Aiden and J.J. laughed, but Nia felt confused. All her life she’d been told the wizards were cold, uncaring and dangerous. This kind gesture contradicted everything her father had said.
“Why did you set up Lucy and Stephen?” she asked.
“Because Lucy wants Stephen, but she is too shy to admit it. Stephen wants Lucy, but he’s bashful as well. Sometimes young love must be coaxed to blossom.” Xavier’s gaze twinkled. “We wizards are not all bad, my lady.”
“I’ll say,” J.J. put in. “If not for you, my cousin would have died a terrible death.”
The Crystal Wizard nodded at J.J. Then he turned his attention back to Nia, his gaze softening. “Do not fear me… Aiden’s mate. I am here to help you. Again, my congratulations on your union. May you have a long, happy and fruitful mating with the one your heart desires. Cherish each other and always be truthful.”
The irony of his words was not lost on her.
Aiden stood and offered his palm. Xavier shook it.
“Will you stay and have something to eat and drink?” Aiden asked.
The wizard gave a formal bow. “Thank you, but I am required elsewhere.”
“Stay,” J.J. urged. “You’re dressed for the occasion. And we never did formally thank you for saving my cousin.”
Xavier shook his head. “I have a car show to attend. There is the sweetest red Mustang convertible I’ve had my eye on for some time.”
He waved a hand and the formal wear vanished, replaced by a black leather jacket, white T-shirt and blue jeans with the cuffs rolled up, exposing white socks and shiny loafers. His hair was slicked back and the beard had vanished. He looked like a teenager instead of an ancient wizard shimmering with power.
“The Fifties was a wonderful era. My favorite. Tristan accuses me o
f living in the past. But at least I am living in the last century, not the Dark Ages like he does.”
Then he winked at Nia, and some of the tension fled her tight muscles.
Waving a hand, the wizard disappeared.
Nia dragged in a deep breath and then gulped down some water. Gods, that was intense. Aiden shook the crystal, and the liquid inside it seemed to glow.
“Interesting gift. Hopefully we’ll never have need of it.” He placed it inside his jacket.
She managed to take several bites of her dinner. Then Nia brightened as her niece, Lexie, approached the head table with her mate, Jackson. Nia stood as Lexie rounded the table and then engulfed her in a tight hug.
“Congratulations, Aunt Niki. I hope you’ll be as happy with Aiden as Jackson and I have been.” Lexie’s gaze grew troubled. “You should have more family than just me to celebrate your special day.
Nia’s throat tightened and she squeezed Lexie’s shoulders affectionately. Nia had never known her older sister, who had left the pack before the twins’ birth in order to mate with a wild, rugged Lupine their father disapproved of.
Nia held out her hand to Jackson, watching him with a guarded look. “Welcome to my ranch,” she told the tall, lean cowboy.
Jackson pushed back his black Stetson and shook Nia’s hand. “Thank you for having us,” he said in an equally polite voice. “I hope you’ll be happy.”
Nia smiled, and her expression softened as she gazed at her beloved niece. She tucked a strand of hair behind Lexie’s ear. “You’ve taken good care of my niece, Jackson. That makes me very happy.”
As Jackson and Lexie returned to their seats, Nia sat and watched the dancing. Suddenly Aiden stood and pulled her to her feet as the band played a slow song. She went into his arms and everyone respectfully walked to the side to give them the entire dance floor.
Closing her eyes, she rested her head on his broad shoulder, moving against him in time to the music. Aiden held her close, humming along.
Being in his arms threatened to make her lose all common sense. Nia felt the pressure of pretense slip away.
Aiden began to sing in a low tenor. Nia’s entire body relaxed. She moved in rhythm to his swaying hips, cherishing his touch.
Bad Boys of the Night: Eight Sizzling Paranormal Romances: Paranormal Romance Boxed Set Page 132