by V. A. Dold
*****
There was something magnetic about him, drawing her in. A cloud of toe-curling dark spices swamped her senses as her feet propelled her closer of their own accord. The intense effect of his scent rocked her sharply. Startled, she had to grab his arm to keep from falling. She watched as concern filled his gaze while he steadied her against his chest. With wide eyes, she stopped. Suspended in time. Staring in shock.
MATE!
Her wolf howled over and over, as it recognized its other half. Tail wagging and body quivering in anticipation of meeting Thomas’s wolf.
*****
The closer she came, the more panicked he became. And that rather pissed him off. Nervously, he glanced at his grandmother, and then about, to make sure no one was a witness to this fiasco.
His eyes narrowed as she swayed into him. Just as he was on the verge of excusing himself; the dang woman up and tripped or something. Instead of creating a distance between them, he found himself pulling her against his chest to steady her. Air rushed into his body and took in a scent that had no business in the bayou.
What was happening to him? He didn’t know. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know, but he wanted it to stop. Thomas didn’t trust relationships, and this held all the earmarks of that possibility.
Each time her eyes met his, a peculiar twinge fluttered in the pit of his stomach, very slight, but the sensation was uncomfortable and made it difficult to think. It didn’t help when her dark eyes drifted over his body like a tangible touch. Worse, she took the very air from his lungs. Damn, he was actually getting lightheaded.
*****
Julia stood frozen in place by Thomas’s intense gaze and the fact she just heard him say “Ah, hell” in her mind. The moment his incredible blue gaze caught hers, her pulse leapt. There was enough heat in his stare to ignite a forest fire. Neither she nor Thomas moved or spoke for what felt like minutes. As he devoured her with his eyes, a shiver shook her body. The intense energy flowing between them seared her to the core.
Carefully, Julia slipped out of his embrace, and moved around a nearby table to put the solid piece of furniture between them, and hopefully conceal the unnatural awareness growing with every passing second. Her heart thundered a hard, erratic rhythm that assured her she was in deep doo–doo. By mating a human, she was breaking all her mother’s rules.
Standing as tall as possible, she tried to mask her reaction, but she was sure she failed epically. God forbid her mother see the effect he had on her. Navigating these waters would require covertness. But dang, defying her mother, actually excited her. Her sister, Krystal, was going to have a good laugh over this, and she’d be all over helping her see Thomas behind their mother’s back.
Mother is going to have a coronary when she finds out my mate is human.
Chapter 3
From his vantage point, Thomas watched as Cade and Simon returned. Sam was on ice, but for some reason there was still an undercurrent of malice.
Great.
In his mind, two things were possible. Either someone was angry about Sam’s arrest or there might be another attack before the night was over. As Thomas considered this, he pulsed the party, but, like before, he was unable to locate the source.
“Grandpa, there’s still someone within the crowd, but I think you’re safe to get the festivities going again. But, please, stay very aware of anyone near you while I stay on top of the situation, and if you could manage it, stop the improv. I can’t protect you if I have no idea what you will do next.”
“Copy that,” Isaac responded, then he grabbed a microphone on stage. “Please excuse the interruption. The situation has been handled. Let the dancing begin! Hit it, boys.”
The drummer hammered out a wild riff as the lead singer took the microphone and the band members grabbed their instruments.
Isaac got the party going again, and Cade, Simon, and Stefan were on the dance floor.
Thomas watched as Stefan pulled El in for a kiss and instantly searched for Julia in the crowd.
Shit, I’m so screwed.
*****
About twenty minutes later, Isaac took the stage and waited for the crowd to quiet before he spoke.
Thomas grumbled into the earpiece. “Everyone stay on your toes, there is still a threat and Isaac is in the open.”
Isaac glanced at Thomas and chuckled, then continued to address the party. “I and my mated sons have a special song for our beloved mates. Cade, Simon, and Stefan, come on up.”
Each of the mated Le Beau men positioned their women in the front row and hopped on stage.
Thomas about had a heart attack. “Dang it, Grandpa.” This was turning into a nightmare.
Once the men were lined up on stage, each with a cordless microphone, the band began the lead in chords of I Cross My Heart by George Strait.
“Our love is unconditional, we knew it from the start.” All four men had perfect pitch and harmonized flawlessly.
Thomas vaguely wondered if a good singing voice was part and parcel of being a shifter, like being attractive seemed to be. One thing he didn’t have was a good singing voice.
As they sang the second line, they filed down the stage stairs to stand before each of their mates. As the men reached the first chorus, “I cross my heart and promise to give all I've got to give to make all your dreams come true,” each dropped to one knee.
Gasps were heard throughout the audience as every mated male in the crowd got down on one knee before his mate and joined in the song. Richie, the bartender from Crescent City Brewhouse, and his mother – Anna’s best friend in New Orleans knelt in front of his new mate, Meg, right next to Anna in the front row.
As they sang, Thomas located Julia sitting off to the side of the party. Like before, they locked eyes and were unable to look away. He was mesmerized. It was like having tunnel vision, and the only thing he saw was her.
As much as he wanted to stare at her until the end of time, his family was in danger. Tearing his gaze away, he returned to check the guests for threats.
With the last note fading into silence, the men stood and gathered their mates into their arms. Happy tears and sniffles were heard throughout the crowd. The unmated males watched with happiness and yearning etched on their faces. Like them, he wanted a mate, too.
Where the heck did that come from?
As he watched from above, Thomas saw El kiss Stefan and head toward their house by herself.
“John, you have El until she returns.”
“Copy that.”
Stefan paced like a caged animal. It looked like he was waiting for her to return. Then suddenly, Stefan took off for home.
“John, you see Stefan?”
“On it.” John climbed down from his location in a nearby tree and repositioned outside Stefan’s house.
After quite a while, El came out the front door with a rumpled and unhappy Stefan in tow. He grumbled something unintelligible as he poofed on clothing on the front lawn.
Once they had cleared the tree line and entered the well–lit party, John returned to his original position.
Grandma Emma was clapping excitedly as Grandpa Isaac bounded onto the stage. Now, what were they up to! He really needed to have a conversation with these people about preparation. How was he supposed to keep them safe if they kept veering off the planned course?
“Everyone, please take a seat. We have a wedding to witness.”
Thomas frowned in confusion as he watched Stefan stare at his father, and then look at El, who was grinning back at him.
She pulled what looked like a ring from her pocket and took his hands.
“Stefan Le Beau, will you marry me? Right here? Right now?”
“Hell, yes!”
The crowd erupted in cheers while Thomas buried his face in his hands and groaned.
A minister joined the happy couple on stage, and from the back of the crowd, Cade led El’s grandmother Marie to join her as maid of honor.
The gathering quickly
transformed into a wedding reception, which, of course, Thomas had known nothing about. A cake appeared on the buffet table, and waiters offered champagne glasses to the guests.
“Are you people trying to kill me?” Thomas snarled into the earpieces.
“Oh, stop fussing and come get a piece of cake,” Emma laughed.
“Grandma, you realize we are going to have a serious chat, right?”
“Whatever you say, cher.”
Thomas threw his hands in the air in frustration. He might as well give up now. Before he joined the party to congratulate Stefan and El, he pulsed the crowd again. Not a single thread of anger or malice returned. Whoever had been a threat must have left. Good, now he could breathe easier.
The moment Stefan and El headed home again, the band took the stage for a few songs to celebrate the nuptials before the formal toast. Lucas yelled, “Devil Went Down to Georgia,” and about thirty people lined up for the line dance.
“Do we need to stay on guard, boss?” John asked.
“Come on in, men, and enjoy the reception, the threat is gone.”
As the security contingent filled their plates with food, Lucas leapt on stage, raised his hands, and waited for the crowd to quiet down.
“Stefan has been blessed by our Goddess with an incredible woman. She’s tough as nails and solid as a rock. My brother is a damn lucky man to have her as his mate.” Lucas raised his glass. “Let us raise our glasses in a toast to Stefan and El.”
The band raised their glasses along with the crowd. Then everyone shouted, “To Lord Stefan and Lady El. May they live a long and happy life together.”
Every empty glass was then banged on the tabletops three times.
Once the crowd quieted again, Lucas replaced the microphone in its stand and held up his right arm. The instant he dropped it to his side, every shifter in the place changed to their wolf form. Wolves of every color and size stood where the party guests had been. Humans remained scattered amongst the pack of black, brown, white, gray, and every shade in between.
Where Lucas had been, a gray and white wolf peppered with black now stood. With a yip, Lucas leapt from the stage and raced around the bandstand toward the woods. Every wolf raced after him. An eerie chorus was heard from the pack as it faded into the forest and disappeared from sight.
Thomas slowly surveyed the remaining humans. He still didn’t sense a threat, and as the band began to play, many enjoyed the dance floor.
Turning to retake his post on the deck, he found a fairly large, cream–colored wolf gazing at him with its head cocked.
“Shouldn’t you be with the pack?”
Julia shivered, his voice was deep and rich. So mesmerizing, it sent an electrified zing up her spine.
Thomas swallowed hard as Julia’s wolf moved into an area aglow with the full moon. The radiance made her fur shimmer. She was just as beautiful in this form as she was human. Her coat looked so silky smooth; he had to stop his hands from reaching for her. The need to touch her was making his palms itch. It baffled him that he knew it was her, how could he have possibly known that?
He rubbed his hands through his thick dark hair to occupy them before he truly embarrassed himself. When the wolf became Julia, the sudden change made him instinctively take a step back. Dang it, he’d get used to their shifting one of these days.
“No, I changed my mind and decided to stay here.” She tentatively held her hand out. “Would you dance with me, Thomas?”
He was about to say no, he was busy and didn’t have time to waste dancing when his damn hand accepted hers.
What am I doing?
Her skin was softer than anything he’d ever felt. With a bit of effort, he managed to pause his hand before he cupped her cheek. For some crazy reason, he wanted to run his fingers across that cheek. Repeatedly, and explore every part of her luscious body.
And her perfume...it was freshly fallen snow! She smelled fresh, crisp, and clean; like a winter morning in Denver. It was all he could do not to bury his nose in her hair and bask in it. A scowl creased his brow as her heat, and the scent surrounded him.
They make the weirdest perfumes these days.
It was like World War Three inside his heart and mind as he fought an inner battle with himself. Thomas wanted to kiss her so badly he could taste it. He decided right then; this woman was an absolute menace and must be avoided. But he knew that wasn’t going to happen.
Squaring his shoulders, he led her to the dance floor, praying he wouldn’t trip or step on her toes. Note to self; thank Mom for making me take a few dance lessons. Never in his life had he ever expected to thank her for that.
Julia’s folly became all too clear the moment he gripped her hip as they joined the waltzing couples.
He’s going to feel how chubby I am!
The dress her mother insisted she wear, left nothing to the imagination. Why couldn’t designers make flattering clothes for plus-sized women? It was bad enough everyone could see her less than ideal size sixteen figure. She cringed when his palm slipped higher to her waist, knowing his hand was on her squishy, marshmallow waistline, feeling how thick and flabby it was.
Thomas wanted to run his hands all over her body and relish her curves. She was absolute perfection. How had he managed to end up on the dance floor holding this beautiful woman? She was everything he had ever wanted. Her beauty mesmerized him, and her sweet, shy smile tugged at his heart. She drew him in and terrified him at the same time.
“Are you enjoying the gathering?”
“Yes.” Julia chuckled. “It’s been rather interesting.”
“Do you mean the issue with Sam?”
“No.” She shook her head and laughed. “Way more interesting than that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, remember the king saying he hoped others would find their mate tonight?”
He hesitated and drew back. “Yeah...”
“I found mine.”
“Oh, shit.” Thomas stepped away from her. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be dancing with you then.”
Julia frowned with her hands on her hips. “Why not?”
“A man doesn’t go around dancing with another man’s mate.”
Her hand flew to her mouth, as her eyes grew large. Then she whispered. “You don’t realize, do you?”
Thomas frowned. “Realize what?”
“Maybe we should talk somewhere private.”
“No. It’s never a good idea to get cozy with the mate of a shifter male.” He stepped even further away. “And all males are crazy until the ritual is completed. Heck, even after the ritual they’re off their rockers where their mates are concerned.”
She covered her mouth and giggled, and there was a mischievous twinkle in her eyes that he didn’t understand at all.
“Are you saying you feel a bit crazy?”
Now he was really confused. “Not in the least. Why?”
“Because it’s you.”
“It’s me…what?”
“Oh, good Goddess.” She sighed. “I’ll say this really slow for you. You. Are. My. Mate.”
Thomas literally gaped at her. Mouth hanging open. Huge eyes. Drool down the chin. Gaped.
Julia was beginning to worry. “Are you okay?”
“I...I don’t think I heard you right. Did you just say I’m your mate?”
“Yes.” She laughed. “Yes, I did.”
“How is that possible? I thought that only worked for human women and shifter males.”
“It goes the other way as well. It’s just a lot more rare.”
“When’s the last time this” – he waved between them – “happened?”
“Actually.” Julia looked away sheepishly. “I haven’t heard of it happening in my lifetime.”
“So... how do you know we are mates? How can you be so sure?”
Julia blushed a bright red. “I think I would know my mate and the signs.”
“Oh.” Thomas ducked his head.
“M
aybe we should just finish our dance for now?”
Thomas’s expression turned to one of relief. “Good idea.”
With each sway of her hips, he fell a little further under her spell. Swamped by stronger feelings than he ever expected to feel for any woman. But then, he’d never had a mate before.
He wasn’t sure he was at all comfortable with the whole situation.
When the song ended, he stepped away, intending on returning to his post as quickly as possible.
Julia had other ideas. Faster than he could react, she wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his lips. The shock of it had him staggering back and confused beyond words.
Chapter 4
“Hey Junior,” Marcus grinned as he turned to glance at Thomas, mischief twinkling in his eyes. “Iknow a gal I wanted to set you up with.”
“What?” Thomas gave Marcus an annoyed look. “I had a long night and it’s too early in the morning for your shit.”
“Not shit, a girl, you moron. I have one for you to take out on a date.”
“Not interested, buddy.”
“And why is that? You have someone else occupying your time?”
“Spit it out, Marcus,” Thomas growled. “What are you getting at?”
Marcus forced his expression to remain uninterested. “Nothing, I thought you might like to meet this awesome gal I met the other night and take her on a date.”
“I don’t need you or anyone else setting me up. I have someone.”
“Really? Since when?”
Thomas scowled at Marcus. “Stop playin’ me, dude. I know you, and everyone else saw me.”
Marcus barked out a belly laugh, which startled everyone within hearing distance. He wasn’t known for laughing or joking around.
“Oh, shut up,” Thomas snarled.
He’d managed to concentrate on reviewing the night’s events and security issues that needed addressing without thoughts of Julia intruding. At least for the last thirty minutes. Thanks to Marcus his concentration just waved good–bye again, laughing hysterically as it went.