The Mating Rite (Big, Beautiful Werewolf) (Werewolves of Montana)

by Vanak, Bonnie

  Sam rolled a shoulder, more exhausted than she’d ever been. During the entire drive, she’d ruminated over her birth father. Never knowing him, knowing now that her mother had lied about several things, she had no clue of her identity. She’d been directionless before, now she felt truly lost.

  Darius had switched cars twice, using rentals and a credit card with the corporate name. “So they will have trouble finding us, because this is a dummy corporation I set up for emergencies,” he’d told her. Loathe to put the GPS tracker on an innocent’s car, knowing it would place the driver in danger, he’d opted to leave it at a highway rest stop.

  “When they do finally locate you and come for you, we’ll be at Ryder’s place,” he’d told her.

  An iron gate barred their way. Darius punched in a code to the key box. As the gate opened, he drove inside, then parked in a guest spot. He turned and stroked a finger down her cheek. “You’re safe now. No fucking Elves are going to touch you.”

  A shiver of awareness raced down her spine. She and Darius had forged a connection in the flesh. And here, surrounded by Lupines, that connection promised to become much stronger.

  Sam wasn’t certain if she wanted to live a wolf’s life. But Darius was right. Until she found answers about what her birth father was—Lupine? Mage? Skin?—and who wanted her dead, learning to be Lupine gave her a fighting chance. They got out of the car and Sam stretched her aching body.

  “Ryder and Kara bought this property from a developer who wanted to retire. They rent out units in the winter and summer as vacation spots.” Darius, too, stretched, and she admired the muscles rippling beneath his smooth skin. “Vacation spots for Lupine packs. Not Skins.”

  The door to the townhouse in front of them opened. A tall man came out and approached. Darius tensed slightly. He nodded.

  “Ryder.”

  “Darius.”

  The two males studied each other. Tension crackled in the air. She sensed it was borne not of animosity, but Lupine power.

  “Thank you for accommodating me and my chosen mate under these circumstances. It’s safer here for Samantha, and no one will suspect we headed here.” Darius did not lower his gaze, but his tone held respect. “I am formally requesting refuge and pack protection for myself and Samantha.”

  “Your request is granted. Aiden has contacted me and given his permission to temporarily release you from your bond to his pack.”

  Then the two males relaxed. Ryder stepped forward, shook hands with Darius. He turned to Sam, his blue gaze filled with warmth. “Samantha. Welcome to our home. I am Ryder Carrington.”

  As she took the big male’s hand, the front door opened again. A tall woman with long, dark hair tumbling down her back came out, running straight into Darius’ arms.

  “Darius!” she shouted.

  “Kara!” He caught her up in a hug that swept her off her feet. Sam smiled, deeply curious about who commanded such great affection.

  As Darius set down the woman, her left cheek came into view. Sam stifled a shocked gasp. A mark marred the woman’s beauty: a burn scar, a twist of red, angry flesh.

  She sensed Ryder quietly watching her, assessing. Sam stepped up and held out both hands to Kara. “Hello. Forgive me for not knowing the formalities. I’m Samantha. Sam. Thank you for your hospitality.”

  To her shock, tears shimmered in Kara’s eyes. “Oh gods, Darius, it’s really her, isn’t it? Samantha?”

  Puzzled, Sam glanced at Darius and saw moisture sheen his eyes as he nodded.

  Tears ran unchecked down Kara’s cheeks. She hugged Sam tight. “I’m so happy you’re alive and he found you after all these years. Darius cried in my arms because he’d been told you were dead. I’ve never seen a man so broken.”

  A lump formed in Sam’s throat. She’d been thinking all along of how their separation had affected her, seldom about how much Darius had suffered. But clearly, he had.

  Releasing her, Kara stepped back and wiped her cheeks. Sam touched her arm. “Thank you for being there for Darius when he needed someone who cared.”

  Kara gave a little hitching sob. “He’s Aiden’s best friend, the only one in the pack who treated me like a sister. He’s like my little brother.”

  Darius rubbed his own eyes and cocked his head. “Little? Kiddo, who you calling little?”

  Ryder slid an arm around Kara’s waist as she rested her head on his broad shoulder.

  “Where are the pups?” Darius asked.

  Ryder grinned. He puckered his lips and whistled. Three children ran out of the townhouse, whooping and hollering. They rushed Darius, who staggered backward and fell gracefully to the ground.

  “Wolf bait,” the oldest boy yelled and all three piled on top of Darius, who laughed and ruffled their hair.

  “Off,” Ryder said sternly. He swept up the girl in his arms, while the two older boys stared with open curiosity at Sam.

  Kara put a hand on their thin shoulders. “Sam, this is Jon, who’s six, and Zach, who’s nine. And our youngest, Wendy. She’s four.”

  Uncertain of Lupine protocol, Sam smiled. “Hi.”

  “Why’s your name Sam? You don’t look like a boy,” Zach observed.

  Darius stood and slid an arm around her shoulders, the gesture comforting and possessive. “She’s not, trust me. It’s a nickname.”

  “Huh.” Zach stuck his hands into his jeans pockets. He was quiet and observant like his father, while Jon, the younger, sidled up to her and curled his fingers into hers.

  “I like you. I’ve never met a blonde Lupine before. Do you play soccer?”

  She grinned, liking this thin young boy with the cowlick and sensitive eyes like his mother. “No, but I bet you could teach me.”

  “Darius is the best. But not as good as my dad.” Zach kept studying her.

  “Of course not, son. Your dad’s the best.” Ryder winked at Kara.

  Kara laughed. “Come on. I’ll show you where you’re bunking. Honey, can you get their bags?”

  “See how she orders me around? Me, the alpha,” Ryder said in a mocking tone, but his smile for his mate was warm.

  The townhouse assigned to Sam and Darius had a view of the river and abutted a wide soccer field. Her sneakers squeaking on the hardwood floor, Sam explored the downstairs. It was all gleaming wood and stainless appliances, comfortable furniture, a fireplace and wide-screen television.

  It didn’t look like a home for wild wolves.

  She said as much to Kara, who laughed. “We may run wild in the forest, but in Skin form, we enjoy our comfort as much as humans. And it’s good to teach our young to blend into a human lifestyle, so their friends can’t tell the difference.”

  Ryder poked his head in the living room. “Hon, I’m showing Darius around the complex, give him the 4-11 on the security and boundaries. Be right back.”

  Kara waved a hand at her mate, then curled up on the sofa, her gaze intent on Sam. “I’ve never met a blonde Lupine before, either. Was your father blond?”

  Sam touched her hair, wondering about that. “I don’t know. I never met him.”

  “Darius wasn’t extremely forthcoming in his phone call. He said you needed a refuge, and you needed to learn about becoming Lupine again for your safety. Who’s after you?”

  Sam joined her on the couch, liking Kara’s frank approach. “I don’t know yet. Could be his father, or my soon to be ex-boss.” She hesitated. “I don’t want to drag you and your family into danger. Maybe it’s best if we stay the night and leave tomorrow.”

  Kara touched her hand. “We’re a strong pack, Sam. Darius is part of our extended family. What affects him affects us, just like pack. And you’re his chosen mate, so that puts you in our family, too.”

  For the first time since her mother had died, Sam felt part of something much bigger than herself. This Lupine had instantly accepted her. “Thank you.”

  Kara gave her a level look. “It’s not going to be easy on you. While you and Darius are here, you belong to o
ur pack. That means after following human rules and living in Skin these past four years, you may find it challenging.”

  “Extremely.” Darius plopped onto the sofa beside her and began massaging the tension from her neck.

  She glanced at him, surprised. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “Ah, the first lesson in being Lupine. Stealth and quietness. Kara, can you give me a few alone with Sam?”

  “Sure.” The Lupine rose gracefully from the sofa. “We’re barbecuing outside in an hour, by the river. Get unpacked, freshen up and meet us there. First meal is on us.”

  She left, and Sam turned to Darius. “What does that mean, on us?”

  Darius sighed. “We get to eat, and don’t have to do anything in exchange. No work, no cleanup, no cooking. But tomorrow, as part of this pack, you and I are expected to chip in. Like a family.”

  He gathered her hands into his and a shiver raced down her spine. His hands were large, slightly calloused and warm. So warm, and her insides suddenly felt very, very cold. Because she suspected staying here would present many more problems, some of which she’d have trouble facing.

  “Sam, while we are here, there are two rules you must obey, without question. Rule number one? Obey the alpha. Rule number two? Obey me.” He gave a crooked grin. “And that means obey the alpha because I’m going to do exactly that.”

  “What other rules are there?”

  “You’ll find out along the way. For a pack to function, there must be rules. You’re a pup who needs training. If you break a rule, there will be consequences.” His smile dropped, and his mouth flattened. “Serious ones that you will not like. It could mean punishment.”

  “What kind of punishment?”

  “Ryder will brief me. It’s up to the alpha. Each pack is different, but the rules exist to bring harmony. Remember what you were taught when you joined my father’s pack? A Lupine who constantly thwarts authority and goes outside the basic rules endangers herself and the pack.”

  He stroked a thumb over her knuckles. “You okay with this?”

  “I suppose I have no choice. Not if I’m to survive whatever’s after me.”

  His expression darkened. “No, you don’t. Right now pack is the safest place you can remain.”

  It might be the safest, but it wasn’t her preference. She’d spent too many years trying to forget her Lupine heritage and now was forced back into it for her own good. Would Darius teach her to become a creature she no longer recognized, a sensual being who would turn savage and beastly in the bedroom?

  Sam thought of their first sexual encounter and shivered.

  Dinner was barbecued chicken, so tender it fell off the bone. Sam took two extra helpings of greens and only a tiny portion of meat, trying not to notice the questioning looks of Kara and Ryder. The couple introduced them to the rest of the pack, all couples, some with young children.

  Now, sitting at the picnic table by the river, she allowed the tranquility of the forest and the rushing river to soothe her fractured spirit. About 120 of Ryder’s pack were here, the rest remaining in Colorado to run the ranch.

  “They all came here, dropped everything, for you?” Sam stretched out her legs and stared at the river. “Ryder and Kara must care a great deal for you, Darius.”

  “They came here for you, Sam. They came here because I asked them to.” Darius sipped his beer. “That’s the loyalty of pack, something no Skin friends can provide. It’s not the loyalty of friendship, but blood. Speaking of which, it’s time to pay the piper,” he added, seeing Ryder approach with Marcus, a Lupine earlier introduced as Ryder’s lieutenant.

  Alarm filled her. Marcus carried a First Aid kit. On top of the kit rested a blue velvet pillow bearing a sharp dagger. She suddenly sensed that “paying the piper” would mean a solemn ritual involving bloodshed.

  Noticing her expression, Darius touched her hand. “It’s okay.”

  Ryder beckoned to Darius, who stood solemnly before him.

  “Darius Bryant, do you swear by blood and bone to be part of this pack, to obey your alpha and never bring dishonor to our people while you remain here with us, before you return to Aiden’s pack?”

  “Yes,” Darius said quietly.

  Ryder picked up the dagger. “Stretch out your right hand.”

  Darius held out his hand, and Ryder slashed the palm. Sam winced at the thin crimson line.

  “Other hand.”

  When he slashed that one too, she felt ill. Darius let the blood drip onto the earth, then Ryder bound the wounds with the white bandages.

  “One time for myself, and one for you. I did not want you shedding blood in the ritual of sworn loyalty to his pack. Ryder binds the wounds, as a symbolic promise that as alpha, he will care for me if I am injured.” Darius gave her a level look and murmured, “You already shed enough blood for me at the beach house.”

  Heat suffused her face as she remembered how they’d tangled together in hot passion. He’d been sweet and tender, and then had turned into a savage wolf.

  Ryder nodded, wiped the dagger with a cloth and returned it to the pillow. He and Marcus walked away, giving them privacy.

  “It seems brutal,” she said, touching a bandaged hand.

  “It may. But it’s our way, Sam. Pack life has rituals and rites for a reason. By willingly subjecting myself to shedding a few droplets of blood, I demonstrate to Ryder my loyalty more than mere words can. I show him I willingly abide by his pack laws and will not go back on my word to follow his leadership instead of Aiden’s. Even if it means abandoning Aiden if he needs me.”

  Such fierce loyalty. “There is little forgiveness or leniency.”

  “It’s what keeps savage wolves disciplined. It keeps us in line when our animal nature wants to take over and the strongest-willed Lupine feels the turbulent need to go feral. Being Lupine is a constant battle of wills. We may live mostly in Skin, but beneath our flesh is the heart of a wolf who exists solely on instinct to survive.”

  Darius picked up her hands and kissed them, his lips warm. In the gathering darkness, she saw his gaze soften and wondered if her Lupine senses were already sharpening.

  “You’re everything to me, Sam. And if it means I have to shed blood, fight my strong-willed nature and be subordinate to him, so be it. Your safety comes first.”

  She stared at him, this noble wolf who stated his feelings with simplicity, not poetic words nor flowery professions, but direct honesty. Warmth filled her and suddenly her skin felt stretched too tight, her clothing far too restrictive.

  Jon rushed up with a soccer ball. “Darius, c’mon! You promised a game after dinner.”

  Grinning, he threw her an apologetic glance.

  Sam smiled. “Go on. I’ll cheer from the sides.”

  She sat on a nearby bench, watching the game unfold in the adjacent field.

  Ryder joined her. “You ready for the first step into our pack?”

  She swallowed hard. If Darius could shed blood for her, she could do this—whatever it was. “Yes.”

  “Good. Follow me.”

  She trailed behind him on the pathway leading to the river, and a small footbridge that crossed it. On the other side, Ryder kept walking into the forest.

  When they’d gone about half a mile, he stopped and squatted down, beckoning to her. “Like wild wolves, Lupines are highly social creatures. Our young learn not only from their parents, but every pack member. You’ll be doing the same, working hard to learn from every pack member, including Darius. Your listening skills will be most important over the next two weeks.”

  He pointed to leaves and disturbed soil. “What do you scent?”

  Nervous, but fascinated, she inhaled. “Rabbit. It’s very strong.” Sam’s stomach pitched and roiled. “And blood.”

  Her gorge rose, and she tried to control her nausea.

  “Yes. I killed it earlier today, in fact.” Ryder’s strong white teeth gleamed in the twilight. “Elk, moose and rabbits are our normal diet in wolf-s
kin. It takes teamwork to bring down an adult elk or a moose. A single Lupine, of course, can dispatch a rabbit. That’s what we typically hunt when we enjoy solo hunts through the forest. But while you are here, you’ll only hunt in pack. Only in pack, never by yourself. Understand? I need a verbal acknowledgement.”

  “Yes, I understand.” She frowned.

  Ryder stood and dusted off his hands. “What is it?”

  “There’s something else besides the rabbit. Something not wolf. But light…woodsy and fresh like rainwater. I’ve smelled this before.”

  Ryder’s mouth pulled down. “Elf. We share this territory with them and have an understanding. Sometimes they come onto my turf to investigate the forest, see if anything needs tending. Trees with disease, stuff like that.”

  Dread curled in her stomach. Elves. “The Glen Dáire clan?”

  “Glen Aldena. Glen Dáire is home to the Fae King of the north. It’s to the west and covers the coast.”

  Good to know. Ken and his ilk wouldn’t come here. Still, she felt uneasy, knowing Elves frequented these woods. “I don’t like Elves.”

  “Me either.” Ryder grinned. “They’re sly and cunning, and dislike our kind because we’re carnivores. They’re also extremely powerful. They can cast spells on anything that has touched nature, even once. Anything, like paper made from trees, is vulnerable to their magick. On the positive side, they’re damned good caretakers of the woods when we’re not around and they’ll fight to the death to preserve the environment.”

  “Or whore out their employees,” she muttered.

  Ryder cocked his head. She sighed and pushed a hand through her hair. “It’s nothing.”

  They returned to the ball field, Ryder folding his arms across this chest as he watched the game.

  “Did Darius mention to you about discipline?”

  She nodded. “Not specifics.”

  “He told me you’ve been living as a human and neglected all aspects of Lupine life. You’re a babe in the woods. You picked up the scent of rabbit and Elf, but you missed the old elk scat near the tree.”