One hand was on her head and he massaged her scalp. The other stroked her bottom, squeezing gently, occasionally one finger slipped between her cheeks, gently touching the opening to her ass. She tensed, but he didn’t press further and she relaxed, even began to enjoy the sensation of him touching her bottom so intimately. She varied her strokes, slow and fast, gentle and rough as she brought him closer and closer to completion. Lucien pulled her head up.
“Kiss me,” he demanded. She complied, kissing him as she stroked him faster. Tongues dueled, hands stroked and massaged. Lucien tensed suddenly and she broke the kiss, watched him as he spurted all over her hand, arm, thighs and bed. She couldn’t believe it, but she enjoyed watching him, was surprised at the amount of seed he released. She bit her lip and wondered what he would taste like.
Blushing at her lascivious thoughts, she got off the bed in search of a towel to clean up the mess he made on the bed. She washed her hands and arm, found a towel and returned to the bed, handing it to Lucien so he could clean up.
“Do you want to see my wolf, Lanie?” She nodded, curious about what he would look like.
Lucien concentrated and his body changed before her eyes. She heard a slight popping sound as his body reconfigured itself. His mouth extended and his head reshaped itself to form a wolf’s head. His arms and legs shortened and fur sprung up everywhere. He even had a tail! She was shocked to see the large black wolf standing on their bed, staring at her with Lucien’s beautiful blue eyes. It was the wolf from her dreams!
Her mind couldn’t comprehend how her large mate could shrink and reconfigure into the body of a wolf, almost half his human size. It defied all logic and reason, broke laws of physics and biology, she was sure of it.
She shook her head, clearing her thoughts. Even as a wolf, her mate was beautiful. She held out her hand to him and he walked over and sniffed her fingers, licked her palm.
“Eewww! That’s just gross!”
Lucien’s eyes twinkled and he seemed amused at her reaction. He put his head under her hand and she understood, ran her fingers along his head and ears. She petted him like she would a dog, scratching him behind the ears and stroked his thick fur as he growled a low sound.
“Can you understand me?” Lucien nodded. Lanie smiled at him in surprise.
“Want to go for a run?” Lucien nodded and wagged his tail and she went to the door to let him out. He gently nipped her fingers before leaving. She stood at the door, watched him take off into a run and admired the way his wolf body flowed. Lanie kept her eyes on him until he disappeared into the trees. She closed the door, locked it and got dressed. She decided to make brunch, as she was sure he would be starving when he returned. She wondered if he hunted like a wolf. Would he eat a deer or some other animal while in wolf form? She had so many questions for him, couldn’t wait until he returned.
They spent the next few days learning about and enjoying each other’s minds and their bodies. It was the best week of her life, Lanie thought as she snuggled into bed, her mate’s arm wrapped securely around her waist.
Chapter 10
“You don’t need to be so nervous. Remember, we are mates and no one can separate us.”
Lanie still wasn’t convinced that his pack would accept her. She was a human. She fiddled with her dress, suddenly wishing she had worn her comfort jeans as he had suggested. Wanting to look presentable to his pack, she had refused to wear her ratty old jeans.
He took her into Billy Rae’s. She was surprised at the transformation. Some of the tables had been moved towards the back, to form a very long buffet table. Chairs were lined up in preparation of the pending meeting. It was packed. All of his pack members were here. She had the sudden urge to turn and run. He must have read her mind because Lucien turned suddenly and picked her up. The crowd parted as he carried her to the front of the bar.
When he reached the front of the bar, he stepped up onto the raised dance floor, turned and faced his pack, with Lanie still cradled in his arms. A hush fell over the nervous crowd, as they listened to their Alpha.
“This is Lanie, my mate.”
“Lucien, put me down!” She whispered loudly. She was mortified!
Several pack members heard her and gasped in shock. She dared to command the Alpha? They watched silently to see what he would do…. Lucien chuckled and put her down, keeping an arm around her waist. She was too pissed at him to be nervous. She glared at him then turned to face the pack.
“Hi. I’m Elaine. You can call me Lanie,” she said with a warm smile. The elders came up and introduced themselves. They were older wolves and acted as Lucien’s advisors. She spoke with them for a few minutes then Lucien led her away to meet with his Soldiers.
Soldiers were strong wolves who physically protected the pack. If there was a threat, the Soldiers took care of it. Soldiers were loyal only to the Alpha. As his mate, they would die to protect her as well.
Next he introduced her to all of his mated pack members. They all held various jobs within Last Hope, running the grocery store, boutiques, salons, and garage. Some were teachers, nurses, even police officers. Lanie raised a brow.
“We have to look like any other town. If we didn’t have a police force, humans might become suspicious,” Lucien explained.
His mother was in poor health, so she was at home with Lucien’s stepfather. He promised to take her there after the meeting. So far, everyone had been polite to her.
Lucien left her with his brother, Matt and his mate, Shelly, while he went to get them drinks. She chatted amiably with her new in laws and glanced around, staring at the familiar looking young woman who stood nervously a few feet away.
“Anya?...It IS you!” Lanie excused herself and walked over to Anya, giving her a big hug. “I didn’t recognize you with all that makeup. And your dress! You look beautiful!”
Anya beamed. The Alpha’s mate remembered her? “I sewed it myself…well, I had a lot of help from Beth.” She indicated the young lady standing behind her.
“You are very talented, Beth. I’ve been sewing for years and the only thing I can make is a pillowcase!” Beth beamed at the compliment, smiling shyly at the Alpha’s mate. Anya’s close group of friends had been nervous about meeting the Alpha’s mate after hearing how fiercely she had defended Anya. They were afraid they might offend her and anger the Alpha. When they saw her smiling and chatting with Anya and Beth, their curiosity overcame their fear. Many young wolves came up to the small group and Anya proudly introduced the Alpha’s mate to her pack mates. The atmosphere seemed more relaxed and friendly as they realized the Alpha’s mate cared about them.
A few pack members watched her and grumbled. They were unhappy their Alpha had chosen a human instead of one of their daughters. They disapproved of the way she had ordered the Alpha. A woman should know her place! She threatened their way of life. Already her influence was being seen in the young she wolves. They were getting ideas that they could be something other than a place for a wolf to put his dick, whenever he wanted. They knew something had to be done. They planned to meet later and discuss their options.
Lucien finally succeeded in prying his mate away from his pack and took her outside. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She rubbed up against him as he nibbled on her neck.
“Lucien….” she said in a needy voice. He groaned. He knew it would be a mistake to touch her but he couldn’t help it. He pulled away reluctantly.
“I’m sorry, Love. We have to go meet my parents. I will make sure it’s a quick visit.”
They walked a few blocks to his parents’ house. He quickly introduced her to his mother and step father, Dale. His mother, Kathleen, seemed to adore Lanie. She was glad to see that her son was finally happy. True to his word, they didn’t stay long. He took her back to his pickup and he drove home.
Lanie was excited about seeing Lucien’s home for the first time. She glanced out the window of his pickup and the area began to seem familiar. When he stopped in front of the cottage she turned t
o him, a puzzled look on her face.
“Why are we at your parent’s house? And how come they didn’t move in yet? I thought we were going to your house?”
“I didn’t buy it for them, Lanie. I bought it for us.” She was shocked. That was almost two weeks ago. He had bought them a house?
Lucien picked her up and carried her over the threshold, locked the door and took her straight to their bedroom. He placed her gently on the bed and gruffly demanded that she get undressed. Clothes flew everywhere as they quickly undressed.
He lay next to her and kissed her roughly. His hands went between her legs and found her already wet for him. He alternated between rubbing gently on her clit and pressing his finger deep inside of her, thrusting in and out. She moaned when he began sucking on her nipple. She held his head tightly to her chest, pushing more of her into his mouth. She found his erect cock and stroked him. She loved the feel of him in her hand, thick and hard. Suddenly he got up and rolled her onto her front.
“On your hands and knees, NOW!” he demanded in a deep voice.
She obeyed and was rewarded when he pushed into her from behind. She groaned as he entered her fully. When he withdrew, she almost begged him to enter her again. Before she could, he entered her again, harder and deeper this time, hitting her in just the right spot. He moved faster and faster until she cried out his name, clenching tightly around him. His body jerked three times as he emptied his seed inside her. He pulled out of her gently and they lay on the bed, exhausted.
“Welcome home, Lanie.”
Chapter 11
Lanie excitedly decorated their home and planned her upcoming wedding. She also decided to have a house warming party and invite the pack members to her home. Lucien explained how important it was for pack members to feel welcome in their home, as they would come to him for advice or help if they needed it.
She ordered food from Billy Rae’s and Anya and her friends helped her decorate, hanging streamers and balloons everywhere. They arranged seating inside her home as well as outside. Lucien’s pack contained thirty five members, all of whom would be coming to their home this evening. She showered and wore a pretty floral dress. Lucien insisted she wear crotchless panties, but she blushed and refused, too embarrassed to walk around his entire pack in crotchless undies. She pulled on her comfy white panties and Lucien sighed, disappointed.
Pack members arrived in droves. When everyone was gathered, Lucien and Lanie welcomed them to their home. He and all of the males decided to go for a run and they went outside, changed into wolf form and took off into the woods.
Lanie was left with all of the females and younger children. She looked forward to getting to know her female pack members. They ate and chatted about her home, discussed pack life in general. Lanie learned some interesting things, like not all adult couples were mates. Some had searched for years and never found their mates. Not wanting to be alone, they chose a ‘spouse’ and lived with them. They were not true mates, but they treated their ‘spouse’ as if they were a mate. That meant they were loyal and faithful to their spouse.
The women broke off into smaller groups, some of them taking the children outside to play. Lanie joined a group of women and they spoke frankly. She learned about some of the outdated practices the previous Alpha had set into place. Some of the women were unhappy because they were not allowed to work. Their only jobs were to provide for their mate, providing food, a good home and sex. They felt like whores. The ones who objected were primarily those who were not with their true mates.
What really bothered her was how young females were treated. The previous Alpha had decreed that once a female was sexually mature, if she had not found her mate, it was her duty to provide sexual services to any male who was interested. They weren’t physically forced, but they didn’t enjoy having to provide sex for any single male who was horny. Judging from Lucien’s behavior, she was sure young men were horny all the time. The previous Alpha had essentially turned his young she wolves into prostitutes.
“Is Lucien aware of this?”
She would maim him if he had bedded a young woman who felt duty bound to sleep with him. They shook their heads in denial. He had never approached a young female for sex, nor had they complained about the situation to him. They were afraid he wouldn’t change anything. After all, he was a male.
Lanie was beyond livid when Lucien returned from his run with the pack.
“Lanie? Love, what’s wrong? Have they said something to offend you?”
Lucien glared at the women surrounding his mate. They all lowered their eyes in submission. Lanie stood quietly, took his hand and pulled him into their room. Lucien stared at her in shock when she explained what she had learned about the way young females were treated.
“This ends now, Lanie. I didn’t know, honest!” Seeing the shock and anger on his face, she believed him. He kissed her and they walked out of their room and he addressed his pack members.
“I’ve heard some disturbing news and I want to clarify something. Apparently the previous Alpha had some ill conceived ideas about women. Females are not here for a male’s sexual gratification. No female has a duty to provide sex for any male.” He paused to let that sink in. He heard shocked gasps from both males and females.
“The penalty for forcing sex or coercing someone to provide sex is death. If you have any concerns or issues, I will be happy to discuss it with you. My mate is available to you as well. She is your Alpha Bitch and will protect you as I do.” Lanie gasped and looked at him in shock. Lucien chuckled, “Sorry, Love, it’s a title of honor.”
Lanie glared at Lucien, but allowed him to pull her into his arms and kiss her until she forgot why she was upset with him. Having worked up an appetite from his run, Lucien left her and fixed himself a plate. He sat down in the living room and patted his lap. Lanie sat on his lap and she held his plate. They took turns feeding each other. Having eaten earlier, Lanie nibbled occasionally as Lucien fed her.
Lanie noticed a tall man, his handsome face lined with ugly scars, standing by the patio doors. He stood erect, feet apart, arms folded over his chest. He surveyed the crowd and appeared angry.
“Lucien, who is that man?” Lucien followed her gaze. “That’s Kane, one of my best soldiers.”
“Why does he look so angry?”
Lucien sighed, “I’m afraid Kane is lonely. He fought well against the Lost Souls pack in my bid for Alpha and was badly scarred. His face is nothing compared to the rest of his body. He is loyal and a good man, but women seem to fear him. I think he’s jealous of the couples here. In his mind, they are flaunting what he doesn’t think he will ever have.”
“He looks intimidating with those scars and he radiates danger. Why doesn’t he think he will find his mate?”
“He has searched and not found her yet. Besides, he fears his looks are…off putting.”
“Are you kidding? He’s handsome in his own way. The scars are kind of sexy if you ask me.” Lucien growled and his arm tightened around her waist. She laughed and said quickly, “Not nearly as handsome as you are, of course!” Pacified, he nuzzled her neck.
“Perhaps his mate is human, like me. How will he ever find her, Lucien? Do you think he ever will?”
Lucien shrugged, “I was lucky to find you Lanie. IF your brother had never been attacked, IF he hadn’t survived and IF Ethan hadn’t brought him to Second Chances, he never would have met Devon and had pups. I would never have met you. Funny how things work out.”
“Hmmm, that’s a lot of ‘IF’s.’ I’ll be back later.” She kissed him and stood, walked over to the table and filled a plate with all kinds of goodies. She picked up a fork and napkin then grabbed a cold beer. She walked over to Kane and stood in front of him. He was even taller than Lucien, so she craned her neck to look up at him.
“Hi, Kane. Want a beer?” She offered him the beer. Surprised at her offer and kind smile, he nodded and took the beer from her. He twisted off the cap and took a long swig. She offe
red him the plate as well. He was hungry but refused to walk over to the table, didn’t want to walk past the mated couples or be near the single females who avoided him. It was just too painful.
“Thank you.” He took the plate and she pointed to the vacant loveseat. He sat down and she sat right next to him.
“Mind if I keep you company?” He shook his head then glanced across the room at his Alpha, who was looking at them intently. Would the Alpha be upset that his mate was sitting with Kane? He didn’t look angry at the moment, but he knew how quickly males could lose their tempers when it came to their mates. He was a strong solider, but he wouldn’t stand a chance against a pissed off Alpha defending his mate. Lanie followed Kane’s gaze and winked at Lucien. He saw her wink and grinned, shook his head. She was up to something and he was intrigued. Lanie turned back to Kane.
“Don’t worry about him. I told him I thought you were handsome.” Kane nearly choked on his dinner. He looked at Lanie then back at Lucien, worry lining his scarred face. Lanie laughed, “I also told him he was far more handsome than you are, so he will let you live.” Kane didn’t seem relieved. “Why would you do that?”
“Are you kidding? You know how jealous mated males are.”
“No, I meant, why would you tell him you thought I was handsome? I am badly scarred. Not just on my face.”
“Because it’s true. You are good looking. The scars don’t detract from your looks. It makes you more appealing.” She lowered her voice, “I know you long for a mate. I’m sure you will find her one day. Perhaps she’s a human?”
Kane blinked. “I hadn’t thought of that. Do you really think a human could accept me?” Female wolves didn’t. Why would a human?
Lanie nodded. “I’m human and I think you’re attractive. I’m sure your mate will as well.” Kane thought about what she said. Perhaps he should give human females a chance. She sat with him as he finished his dinner. Lanie asked him lots of questions about his job as a soldier and he answered her, glad for the company. He could see why Lucien had fallen for her.
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