by James, Delta
“But my word is law,” he said sternly. “For you and for the rest of our pack. I cannot be seen allowing my mate to run roughshod over my authority. You have done nothing all day but defy me. I thought you were starting at least to reconcile with the idea that you will submit to me.”
“And you promised you wouldn’t let my willful nature make you doubt my love for you,” she accused.
Realizing she was on the verge of tears, he kissed her and smiled. “I do not doubt what you feel for me. But I will not allow you to continue to defy me and endanger yourself.”
“The only danger I’ve been in is not being able to sit down for the rest of my life and having eternally tender feminine parts, although that’s not the worst thing that can happen to a girl,” she said, trying to lighten the mood. “But I am trying. You have to admit, bringing me home wrapped in a bedsheet and then tossing me over your shoulder and swatting me was a bit over the top even for you.”
“And you must admit that you knew I would spank you for kicking me. You are mine, Catherine. Do you agree?”
“Yes, but...” she said, her irritation increasing as he refused to see her point of view.
“There is no but—only yes or no. If you choose not to obey me to stay safe, I will take other measures to ensure it is known that you belong to a powerful alpha who would kill anyone who tries to harm you.”
“What measures?” she asked, her own anger now rearing its ugly head.
Marco pinned her to the wall and quickly stripped the bedsheet away from her. He opened the fly of his trousers. She felt him lift her off the floor. He used the wall for leverage and without ever releasing her, he slowly lowered her back down and onto his engorged and hardened staff.
“Oh, God,” she managed to moan as she clung desperately to him.
“Wrap your legs around my back.”
He growled with satisfaction as she did so. He grasped her bottom and began to raise and lower her on his cock.
“Yes,” she moaned as she began to forget that she had ever been angry with him.
Marco continued to move her body up and down as he thrust into her, causing her to cling to him as she climaxed. In the back of her head Catherine knew that she should be more concerned about what he would do when he had spilled himself in her. She knew he was angry. It even briefly crossed her mind that she was most likely going to be spanked again, and her passion lagged for a moment.
Catherine could feel him sense her loss of focus on their lovemaking as he drove harder into her now, holding her steady so that his cock jackhammered her pussy. She was no longer capable of coherent thought. All she could do was glory in the power he had over her body and the way her entire being seemed to sing in harmony with his.
She felt him ratchet up the intensity yet again as she climaxed and then felt another one immediately start to form. He had the ability to make her come repeatedly in rapid succession. Her pussy spasmed around him, trying desperately to keep him inside and force his cum to fill her.
Finally, she felt him begin the tempo and speed she had come to expect before he took his own release. She nuzzled his neck and threw her head back, reveling in his embrace. She was not prepared for the sharp nip he gave the base of her neck between the hollow and the beginning of her collarbone. It was brief but somewhat painful. She started to protest as he began to release her.
Instinctively Catherine realized he had not bitten her hard enough to break the skin or start the change process. But it did bring into sharp relief what it was she wanted. She didn’t know all of the details of how the transition worked or what all it entailed, but she knew enough about her own feelings to know she wanted to be one with him. She brought her hands up to his head, kissed him with same kind of possessive passion with which he always kissed her, and then pressed his mouth to the same location he had nipped.
“Harder,” she whispered.
He raised his head and looked into her eyes. She knew that he could see everything—her understanding, her acceptance, and her love.
“Are you sure?”
The constant rhythm with which he fucked her never ceased and had rendered her speechless. She could only nod. Once again, he drove into her, urging her body to give him more. As she reached the height of her climax again, Catherine felt him take hold of the place on her neck he had nipped before. Only this time, it was no nip he inflicted but a deep and savage bite. He began to thrust even harder into her, making her scream not from pain but from the unrivaled ecstasy he was giving her as she began to feel his cock pump his essence into the depths of her sheath. Her pussy clutched at his cock, urging every drop of his cum to spill.
When they were both finally still, he lifted her off his cock and set her on her feet but kept her pinned to the wall. He reached between them and righted his trousers, closing the fly. He removed his silk handkerchief and dabbed at the bleeding wound before kissing it reverently.
“My beloved Catherine, I have no words for the gift you have given me this day. I am glad that we are already home so that when the change starts to come over you, we will be able to take care of you. I will send for the doctor in Milan so he can be here from the very beginning of your transition. And while I will entrust your physical care to him, I will be by your side until you are safely delivered from the change.”
“Is it that bad?” she asked, the first small inkling of fear creeping into her voice. She had been sure of her choice, but now realized the consequences of that choice were far greater than she may have actually considered.
“To watch it is a terrible thing to behold until the virus gets the upper hand and starts to take over. On the other hand, those who have been through it say they felt as though they had a long nap from which they awoke with a tremendous hangover.”
“And you wonder why people don’t sign up to be changed? Will I be able to shift like you did?”
“Yes. It takes time to learn and practice. But once the hangover goes away you will feel better and more in touch with your body than you ever have. And your libido should increase,” he said, chuckling.
“I haven’t heard you complain about the state of my libido.”
“I haven’t. I have yet to find you anything other than wet and willing.”
She giggled. “Well, you’ll just have to try to keep me satisfied.”
He laughed. “I have yet to knot and tie you, my Catherine. I will have no trouble keeping your naughty libido in line.”
She touched the mark on her neck. “This sucker is going to leave a nasty scar, isn’t it?”
“I would not call it nasty, but yes, the scar will be prominent. It will let any wolf know that you are mate to an alpha and that harming you in any way will result in grievous bodily harm to the one who does.”
Chapter Eighteen
Marco swung her up in his arms and carried her to their bed. Catherine saw it was an incredible masterpiece of antique Italian furniture. A huge four-poster bed that looked to be even bigger than a regular king-size.
He laid her down gently into the soft, yielding mattress. He picked up the phone next to the bed and said something in Italian she didn’t understand.
“Marco, this thing is a work of art.” Catherine sat up to get a better look at her surroundings, noting that even though the bed was soft, sitting was still uncomfortable. “This whole room is amazing. And did you pick this mattress so that when you take your well-spanked mate to bed she would be more comfortable on her back?”
He chuckled. “Well, and I fear often-spanked mate.”
“Not funny.”
“Perhaps. But you are in charge of whether or not you get disciplined.”
“Pfft. We both know I’m not always going to do what you tell me.” She reached for a robe that had been lying across the bed and put it on.
“Yes, we do; and we both know that even when you are being disciplined you become aroused.”
“As do you,” she said pointedly.
“Indeed. But your mere prese
nce inflames my lust.”
She rolled her eyes and snorted.
He grinned at her. “I’m glad you like the room, but you are free to change anything in our room or in the house that you feel would better suit you.”
“Are you kidding me? You don’t mess with an iconic design and interior like this. It’s stunning... and it’s all real, isn’t it?”
Marco laughed. “It is indeed, but it is your home now so change whatever you like. There is a large warehouse with furniture and other things and if nothing there suits you, buy whatever you like.”
“Just like that, buy whatever I like?”
“Yes, my Catherine, whatever you like.” He leaned down and kissed her. “I want you to be happy. You have given me so much. I do not want you to ever regret your choice.”
“I never had a choice,” she said softly. “From the moment you touched me, I was lost. I realized you were everything I’d ever wanted. I should tell you, there hasn’t been a boy born in my family for many generations.”
“My Catherine, although ours is a wholly male-dominated society, female children are rare and are revered. But I will tell you as long as you and our children are healthy and safe, I will be the happiest of men.”
There was a soft knock on the door. Marco called for the person on the other side to come in. Giovanni, beta for the DeMedici pack, entered the room.
“Catherine, this is Giovanni. He is beta to our pack and my most trusted friend.”
Giovanni approached Catherine, taking her hand in his and rubbing his forehead against the back of it before kissing her hand. “Mistress,” he said with great reverence. “We are all so glad our alpha has finally found you and brought you home.”
“Thank you, Giovanni. Between you and me, he didn’t give me much of a choice.”
Giovanni chuckled. “Of course not. He is alpha. His word is law.”
“So he tells me,” Catherine said, smiling. “But between you and me... I’m not buying it.”
“Your mate is as spirited as she is beautiful, my alpha. I wish you both the happiest of pairings.” He turned to Marco. “The doctor you requested should be here shortly. Both of you look to be in good health and fine spirits. May I ask why you sent for him?”
Catherine pulled the rolled collar of the robe away to reveal the fresh wound. She knew that Giovanni would have been able to see the area as Marco brought her into the villa. Understanding the importance of marking, Catherine was certain Giovanni would have made note of its absence earlier.
“I see. You do us the greatest honor, Mistress. It is no small thing to leave your humanity behind. Shall I send Valentina and some of the other women to attend your lady?”
“Yo, Giovanni?” He turned back to her. “Best to ask me if I want attending and if so, by whom.”
“Catherine,” Marco growled quietly. “You will not use the sharp side of your tongue to Giovanni. He is beta to our pack and only sought to see to your comfort. Apologize.”
“So tell me, Giovanni, what are the chances he won’t spank me this close to the change?”
Giovanni chuckled and shook his finger at her. “Do not seek to place me between the two of you, Mistress. I will always side with our alpha.”
“Geesh, a girl can’t catch a break.”
Marco growled and Catherine felt his annoyance growing.
“Your alpha has no sense of humor. That being said, I do apologize. Marco is right, being snarky with you was uncalled for. But if I’m not going to be feeling good, I’d rather not have people around me I don’t know. I’m sure I’ll be fine with just the doctor.”
Marco put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. “You will not be just with the doctor. I will be at your side until you have completed the transition.”
Catherine looked up and saw the concern on his face. She turned to Giovanni.
“Perhaps you could create some problem requiring his assistance. I fear if you don’t he may scare the hell out of this doctor... or is he one of us?”
Giovanni smiled. “He is one of us, Mistress. It is helpful to have a doctor who is familiar with our differences from humans.”
“That would make sense. Thank you, Giovanni. Please let everyone else I look forward to meeting them dressed in something other than a bedsheet.”
Giovanni smiled and left the room.
“So... how do I know the change is starting?” she asked quietly.
Marco stretched out on the edge of the bed and pulled her into his embrace. “You will feel a chill and then warm up very quickly. Your surroundings will be on a sort of soft focus and you will pass out. Then I will keep watch over you until you wake.”
“With a massive hangover.”
“Yes, but we will be prepared to help with that as well.”
“How long does it take?”
“It depends. In cases such as yours, where the person making the transition wants the transition, usually just a few days, although I will insist that you follow the doctor’s orders regarding your recovery.”
“Does Giovanni take bribes?” she giggled.
He chuckled. “No, and he tells his alpha if his mate tries.”
“And does Giovanni have a mate?”
“He does indeed. Valentina. I fear the two of you will get on all too well.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Marco smiled and kissed her. “Valentina has a penchant for misbehaving. I fear the two of you will inspire each other.”
Catherine giggled. “Sounds like my kind of girl.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Catherine explored their room while Marco made a few phone calls necessary to the running of the vineyard. The room was truly a masterpiece with opulent furnishings. The bath was a good size and the free-standing tub and shower massive. Both looked like they could easily hold more than two people. The small adjacent room was a well-appointed walk-in closet.
“Marco? What are we going to do with my loft in SoHo?” she said, standing in the doorway.
“What would you like to do? We can keep it and perhaps try to get to New York annually.”
“Do we ever have business in New York?”
He nodded. “Occasionally.”
“Could we keep it and offer it to members of our pack to use to vacation? I hate the idea of selling it or subletting it, but I also know it is expensive to maintain just because.”
Marco crossed the room and folded her into his embrace. “Just because it would contribute to your happiness is all the reason I need.”
She looked up at him, prepared to make a sarcastic retort when she realized he was speaking the absolute truth. She hugged him close and pulled his head down, capturing his mouth with hers. “God, I love you,” she said.
He smiled. “And I you, my Catherine... who didn’t think she wanted to be my Catherine.”
“You are never going to let me live that down. And oh, God, Griffin saw it as did others at the hotel.”
“As I said, the stories about the DeMedici pack’s glorious American mistress will grow to legendary status.”
“No one knows about the train, do they?”
“Some know I had to chase you down and caught up with you there. The rest they will surmise as you are here with me now.”
“I don’t suppose the odds are that I can just peacefully die during the change.”
“No, my Catherine. I fear you will have to wake and take your place as my mate.”
“I can tell you this... I’m going to stay up in our room when I can’t sit down comfortably.”
“You will not,” said Marco sternly. “It is your place to help guide and watch over our pack. That you cannot do from our room. When you have a sore bottom you will simply add a pillow to sit on.”
“The hell I will. You have already caused me enough embarrassment.”
“You forget—your women live within the same parameters as you. It is not uncommon to see at least one woman needing the extra addition
of a cushion.”
There was another knock and Marco called for the person to enter. A lovely woman with dark hair, light olive skin, and smiling eyes entered the room.
“Marco, Gio wanted you to know the doctor has arrived. He assumed you’d want him set up in here, but wanted me to double check.”
She turned toward Catherine and approached her. As had Giovanni, she took Catherine’s hand in hers, rubbing her forehead against it before kissing it.
“Greetings, Mistress. I’m Valentina. Giovanni is my mate.”
Catherine smiled. Valentina’s words were carefully measured and respectful, but she could sense a kindred spirit behind the demure façade.
Catherine turned to look at Marco. “You were right to be afraid, my love. Be very afraid. Valentina and I are going to be the best of friends and cause all kinds of trouble.”
“Do you really think so?” Valentina asked, sounding all too eager.
Catherine’s smile grew broader. “Count on it. Let me get this pesky change behind me and we’ll see what we can’t get up to.”
Marco rolled his eyes. “Giovanni and I will need to come up with a plan designed especially to deal with naughty mates who conspire together.”
“Pfft,” Catherine said, dismissing Marco and making Valentina giggle.
“Valentina, go back down and let Gio know he was right to assume I want Catherine in our bed.”
She hugged Catherine. “I wish you the easiest of transitions and I will see if I can’t come up with something for us to do when you have recovered.”
Valentina left the room before Marco could respond.
“You do know that within the hour, every woman within our pack will know that their alpha’s mate is not in the least bit afraid of him.”
“And should they want me to be?”
“No,” he admitted. “The best mistresses are strong and capable. Their acceptance of their mate’s authority is seen and received as a great gift. As Gio said, they are already glad that you are with us and the women will be more so now that they have a leader. Although be careful you do not lead them into too much mischief. Remember that their mates will hold them accountable and in the same manner I hold you.”
