by Delta James
“Would you kill him if he had been mine?”
“Yes, but I wouldn’t have asked you if you wanted it done.” He hugged her close and kissed her forehead, the tip of her nose, and then her mouth. “Sleep, mate. We have much to do tomorrow.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
The guests at Calon Gwyllt would have much to talk about in the days to come. Dylan Grainger knew how to throw a relaxed and yet elegant house party. Summer had once again joined the group. She was surly and Dylan had Nick take her into the study.
“What now? Going to threaten to send me back to my room? Maybe I prefer it there than having to keep company with the lot of you.”
“If you prefer to go to your room, I can arrange that. I will tell you that if I send you to your room, it will be to stand in the corner until I confer with Dylan about how to deal with your continued misbehavior.”
“I’m not going to do what you want. If you want to send me off to be raped by one of these bastards, there’s nothing I can do to stop you.”
“Is that what you’re afraid of? Being raped? Jesus, Summer, what makes you think Dylan or for that matter any man in this pack would allow that to happen?”
“Once we leave here, regardless of your alpha’s assurances to the contrary, we will be at the mercy of a pack of men who sought our destruction.”
“You’re wrong, but there’s no way I’m going to change your mind. You need to go back to your room. If you go quietly and behave, then you don’t have to go to the corner and you won’t be spanked.”
“Oh, that’s so generous of you,” Summer said sarcastically.
Nick stood up, took her by the upper arm, and walked her up the stairs to her room. “Someone will be up to deal with you shortly,” he said as he closed and locked the door. He trotted down the stairs and sent one of the men to stand guard.
JD saw him and approached. “I take it our girl is not in the mood to socialize?”
Nick smiled grimly. “That’s one way to put it. I swear as nasty as Bianca was when her brother sent her to us, she was easier to deal with.”
JD laughed. “Yes, but as I understand, you declared for Bianca and made her yours very quickly. I think being able to take them to your bed after they’ve had their bottoms spanked makes the spanking more effective and provides them with a different level of dominance.”
“I need to go speak with Dylan.”
“Let’s get Jean-Michele. If she’s coming home with us, she may as well get used to the idea that she’ll get disciplined by either Jean-Michele or myself.”
Nick laughed. “You’re welcome to her. I’d like to spend one day of this house party enjoying myself rather than having to chase down and/or discipline some member of Bae Diogel. They are difficult,” he said as they found Jean-Michele and Dylan standing together.
Jean-Michele laughed. “Not difficult, Nick, spirited. I take it our Summer has once again been sent to her room?” He turned to Dylan. “If you’re going to send her home with us, I’d just as soon introduce her to discipline New Orleans style.”
Dylan nodded. “She may as well start answering to you as her alpha. I’m giving Summer over to your care, Jean-Michele.”
“We will do right by her, Dylan. Please assure your mate she is in good hands. JD, please place one of our men on her door and inform the lady I will see to her myself after brunch.”
* * *
After brunch, Dylan once again excused the ranking members of his pack and their mates. Skylar was the last to join them.
“Dylan? I just said goodbye to Jean-Michele and his people. They had Summer with them.”
“Yes, we thought it might be best if they departed early. There’s going to be a fuss made over his absconding with three of the Bae Diogel girls.”
“I’m afraid Summer may have a long, uncomfortable trip home.” Dylan looked at her questioningly. “According to Darby he has a wicked hand and he made sure that her days as a naughty girl were over. She and Meg both borrowed pillows from us but will have them returned.”
Dylan and Nick smiled. “JD said the two other men who are with them seem quite pleased she’s going home with them, as are the five other unmated males. I think her days being unmated are extremely limited,” reported Nick.
Dylan laughed. “Jean-Michele said much the same thing to me. And I believe it’s a good thing they borrowed the pillows. Apparently, Summer will not be sitting comfortably for the trip to New Orleans. This sounds a tad callous, but she’s their problem now. Anyone have anything to contribute to decisions regarding Gina?”
There was a knock on the door. Matthew opened the door to find Gina and the alpha from Charleston. “Might we speak with you, Dylan?”
“Of course. Does it need to be in private?”
“No, we’re hopeful we’ll have your blessing and the good wishes of everyone else. I would like to claim Gina as my mate.”
Skylar took Gina’s hand. “Is this what you want, Gina?”
Gina beamed as she answered Skylar. “Yes, Sky. Rhett has been wonderful and kind. I think I could be happy in Charleston. He says the estate sits right on the water and you know how I love the ocean.”
“I’ve known since the first time I met her that she was my mate, but she was so overwhelmed. I didn’t want to pressure her, and I wanted her to be sure.”
“This is what you want, Gina?” She nodded happily. “Then you indeed have my blessing and I believe the good wishes of us all. I’ll be out in a minute to let the others know that the ladies of Bae Diogel have all found their packs.”
* * *
Dylan gathered the guests together one last time to bid them farewell and to announce that the last two girls had found placements. Gina had been claimed as mate by the alpha of Charleston and Summer had gone to the pack in New Orleans. While the first was greeted with envious applause, the latter caused quite a commotion.
Several alphas objected to the New Orleans pack ending up with three of the eight women formerly of Bae Diogel. There were veiled threats and several indicated their intent to lodge formal protests with the Council. Skylar watched while Dylan let them make noise and express their displeasure.
Finally, one of them said, “What do you to say for yourself, Grainger?”
Dylan had been casually leaning against the stair well in the grand foyer. He straightened his frame and moved in their direction. Skylar had to suppress a smile as the group of alphas took a collective step back. Her mate was impressive when challenged.
“What I have to say is that I swore to my mate that I would take the women of Bae Diogel as members of my pack. As their alpha it is my responsibility to see to their needs and well-being. Of the eight women, seven found their life mates here. Would one of you deny them that?”
“If he was not an alpha, then yes,” said the alpha from Detroit. “For Christ’s sake, Dylan, there aren’t enough female wolves to go around and we alphas are entitled to them because of our rank and status.”
Dylan focused an angry look on him. “If you put your needs ahead of the females in your pack, I can see why you are still unmated. Your position as alpha entitles you to nothing other than the responsibility of caring for all those who call you such. No rank or position should ever carry more importance than the call of a life mate. Should any of you choose to challenge me on that, see to Nick, who will call on your betas to name a time and date.”
“All right, Grainger, but what about the one girl, Summer, who didn’t meet her life mate here?”
Dylan laughed. “Summer is strong, proud, beautiful, and defiant. She will make the right wolf an excellent mate. But had you tried to force her against her will, my guess is that within short time your pack would have been searching for a new alpha. Jean-Michele is in the unique position of having seven unattached males in his pack—young, strong, honorable wolves that need a mate. But I can assure you, if she does not find her mate among them, he will work to find him. I sent Summer with Jean-Michele as I felt Summer had the
greatest chance at finding happiness with him. Did any of you believe that Summer was your life mate?”
Nothing but silence answered his question. Dylan continued, “As I said, should you wish to lodge a formal complaint with the Council, that is your prerogative, but before you do, consider the slippery slope that you are about to step onto. Do you want other packs to be able to question how you run your packs? The decisions you make for those who call you alpha? Rest assured, I will answer any challenge to my authority over these women whose lives we chose to disrupt.”
He locked eyes with each of the remaining alphas, all of whom broke their stare, dropped their heads, and looked away. “Then, gentlemen, I suggest you collect your things and the men you brought with you. I am sorry that none of you was called to Summer. I would have preferred it if she had found her life mate here this weekend as it would have pleased my mate to see all of those who used to call her alpha settled.” He turned to look at Skylar and extended his hand to her. “But we didn’t do too bad, did we, cariad?”
“No. No, you didn’t. You kept your promise to me to care for the women of Bae Diogel. I am proud to call you mate and alpha.”
The members of the Calon Gwyllt pack watched the last of their guests depart. Nick and Matthew stood beside Dylan, their mates flanking them.
“Do you think there’ll be trouble?” asked Nick.
“I hope not, but yes, I think trouble is coming and that we may well be at the heart of it. I’m going to call Jean-Michele and several of the others. I don’t think it would be a bad idea if we made some preliminary and tentative plans. For now, let’s keep this among the six of us. No need to have the others concerned until we know something more.”
Nick nodded, wrapped his arm around Bianca, and started back toward the house. Matthew and Susannah joined them.
Dylan saw that Skylar was concerned. “It will be fine, beloved.”
“But it’s my fault.”
“No. Change has been on the wind for some time. Bae Diogel may have been the spark, but it was never the powder keg. If trouble comes, we will protect our pack and those packs that stand with us. But until then, mate, you are all the trouble I need,” he said, smiling and pulling her into the warmth of his embrace.
“Then you had better take me to our bed where you can ensure that the only trouble I cause is the kind you like best.”
The End
Bonus: Extended Preview from Marked and Mated, Book Two of the Wayward Mates Series
The closer they got to his guest suite, the more Darby tried to hang back. Jean-Michel did not seem to notice. He went to open the door to his—now their—suite and Darby tried to break away. Before she could even turn away from him, he once again had hold of her hair at the base of her neck.
“Naughty mate,” he said, chuckling as she struggled against him. “We are going to need to break you of the habit of running when confronted with something not to your liking. Although I must say that while I can understand you wanting to distance yourself from my discipline, I think you will find the pleasure you will receive from me will be something you want to embrace.”
“You arrogant jerk.”
“Your loving mate,” he corrected her. “As much as I’d like nothing better than to get you naked and on your back in our bed, there is the matter of your punishment for today’s misbehavior to be seen to.”
“You are not going to spank me. And you’re sure as hell not going to fuck me.”
Jean-Michel chuckled. “That is where you are wrong, ma choue. I am your mate…”
“I haven’t yet taken any vow… and I won’t.”
He still held her fast. “Ah, but you will… either voluntarily or in front of witnesses when I force the same from you. But you are my fated mate and you know it. You heard my call and naughty girl that you are, chose to resist me. But in the end, you couldn’t… could you?” He ran his hand down on her flank and cupped her bottom. “You are wearing entirely too many clothes.”
“All I have on is your shirt.”
“As I said, too many clothes.” He bent his head and kissed her.
She struggled against him. He held her close, wrapping one arm around her waist and allowing his hand to take up residence on her derriere. He brought his other hand up between them and again cupped her breast before rolling one of her hardened nipples between his thumb and forefinger.
Darby kicked at his shin as she pushed against his chest. His response was to pinch her nipple and swat her backside. She yelped in response.
“That had better be the last time you try to injure me, mate. I will allow that you’ve had a difficult few days and have never had a mate to hold you accountable.”
Before she could protest, he continued, “The bastard who marked you as his abused you—that is not holding one’s mate accountable. You will never be abused again. I will now hold you accountable. When I ran you to ground, you became mate to the alpha of New Orleans. You will learn to behave yourself in a manner that fits your position. When you do not, I will punish you.”
“As I said, you’re an arrogant prick and I despise you.”
“Calling me less than loving names, being disrespectful, and lying to me will all result in having your mouth washed out with soap in addition to the spanking you’ll be given. I’m going to turn you loose. I expect you to remove my shirt and let me gaze upon your loveliness. If you need some time to compose yourself before I discipline you, you may go stand in the corner. But then, mate, I will see to holding you accountable for your naughty behavior. That will be decidedly unpleasant for you but most likely highly arousing for me… as well as you.”
“I won’t allow you to beat me. And I would never be aroused by pain or violence.”
Jean-Michel chuckled. “Not beat, beloved, spanked. I can tell you are strong-willed and spirited. But my will is stronger and you will learn to yield to it. And the arousal, my sweet, comes not from the pain, but from knowing your mate cares enough to spank you when you misbehave so you can be the best version of yourself. Running away from an alpha who has sworn to protect you, not answering the call of your mate, and not surrendering when you have been caught are all things for which you need to answer. But do not fear, ma choue, I have just the cure for the problem of your arousal.”
“You bastard.”
Before she could even guess his intent, he once again grabbed her hair by the nape of her neck. With the other hand, he stripped her of his shirt and led her into the en suite. He turned on the water and laughed when he saw the soap.
“Having to wash out the mouth of misbehaving females must be a common occurrence. They have goat’s milk soap.”
Jean-Michel turned on the warm water and soaped his hand. Darby struggled against him, but he held her fast by her hair.
He brought the hand up to her mouth and said, “Open.”
She shook her head.
“Naughty mate. When I give you a command, I expect you to obey it. When you don’t you’ll be disciplined accordingly. Now open.”
Darby shook her head again. Jean-Michel rinsed the soap from his hand and moved that hand up to grasp her by the hair. He pulled her forward, bending her over the vanity and giving her ten hard, swift swats on her bottom. She yowled. Nick’s hand had been bad enough, Jean-Michel’s was far worse. And despite her words to the contrary, she could feel the stirrings of her arousal begin to form deep within her in sharp contrast to feeling nothing akin to that when face down over Nick’s knee.
Jean-Michel switched hands and re-soaped his hand. “Open.”
Darby was fighting back the tears. The man had a wicked hand.
“Darby, do you want another ten before I force your mouth open and get the job done? Keep in mind, beloved, I am still going to put you over my knee for a proper spanking for your misbehavior today.”
Darby tried to respond but the minute her mouth opened to do so, Jean-Michel used his non-soaped hand to immobilize her jaw. His hand entered her mouth and she could taste and
feel the soap being transferred. He rubbed the insides of both of her cheeks and the front and back of her teeth. Darby shook her head and brought her hands up to try to pry away the hand that held her jaw open. Jean-Michel continued until the soap that had been on his hand was now in Darby’s mouth. When he was done, he took hold of her hair again, rinsed his hand, and gave her a final swat. He took note that her bottom was already showing a bit of color from his discipline.
He led her back into the bedroom and marched her into the corner. “You stay in the corner until I’m ready to give you your spanking.” He put her where he wanted her and then gave her a hard swat to her already smarting behind. “If you come out of the corner before I tell you, you will get a spanking just for that. Do you understand?” When she failed to answer, he landed three more sharp blows to her bottom. “Answer me.”
“Yes,” she whispered as a tear slid down her cheek.
Jean-Michel stroked down her sides and nuzzled her neck. “It will be all right, Darby. You have nothing to fear.”
“You’re going to beat me. I swore no man would ever beat me again.”
Jean-Michel took her by the hand. “Come here, sweetheart.” He led her out of the corner and over to their bed where he sat down.
She’d been willing to follow him but once he was sitting on their bed she began to struggle.
“Darby, enough. First, fighting against a spanking you have earned yourself will only get you spanked worse. Second, I just want to talk to you for a minute and want you to come sit on my lap.”
He held her hand but did not tug her in his direction. Reluctantly, she complied.
“I am not going to beat you,” he said calmly. “I will spank your pretty bottom when you deserve it. But you will always know why you are being punished.”
He rubbed her back with one hand and placed the other on her leg with his fingers resting on her inner thigh. Not wanting to look at him, her eyes were riveted to the placement of his hand.