by Bonnie Vanak
“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 wisteria. 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.”
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 m
e.’”
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 wizard 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.”