“No I have not forgotten Lizzy, and as I made a promise to you when I first met you two years ago, we will find a way to break the damn curse!”
“Brianna, are you listening to me? I have not shifted in over five years, by all intents and purpose I should be rocking in a cage somewhere with no clue of who I was, or worse turned rogue!”
“Enough Lizzy!”
Her friend stopped her pacing and sat on the ground, hanging her head. Brianna really did feel for her, it must be hell to not shift, her own wolf had freedom when she wanted it. But, Lizzy’s wolf was stuck inside of her with no way of getting out. When she found that wolf seer she was going to rip him a new hole. Sitting down next to her on the grass, she watched as her friend raised her eyes to her.
“Brianna, even if I do help and can disable the weapons, what happens after that? I can’t shift and that is probably a huge advantage when you go into battle!”
“I know that Lizzy, but you still have the speed of your wolf, even if she has not had her freedom in years. I will be with you every step of the way, I won’t let anything happen to you and Connor sure as hell won’t!”
At the mention of the Betas name, Lizziy’s eyes lit up.
“I like him Bri, really like him, my wolf recognises his wolf as her mate but she whines constantly because I will not let her have him. A beta cannot have a trapped submissive wolf, it would not work!”
“Why? You take control of your life Lizzy, if he is the one then go for it and stuff pack hierarchy!”
“Maybe, but I can’t think about this right now. Ok you annoying persistent friend, I will help. If anything I know what it is like to be trapped as a female wolf, so maybe by doing this I can give myself some fuckin therapy!”
“Lizzy you’re the best” Brianna laughed.
Hugging her, she knew she had made the right decision.
Meeting Marcus at the alpha house she told him that Lizzy was on board. What she did not tell him was that her wolf was bound. That was not her story to tell, if Lizzy wanted it in the open she would have said so. Brianna felt a little guilt that she had not been completely honest with him, but as long as Lizzy did her part she could take on the rest.
“Thank god, she agreed, I could not have just led my pack into a silver ambush like that, thank you for asking her”
“No problem. Marcus I will need to be with her as the stronger wolf and as she needs to be the first one there to disable the weapons. I have a plan which you probably won’t like but it will work, minimising the risk to Lizzy and myself”
Marcus stopped chopping the vegetables that he was making for the dinner. He turned around, giving her that bloody alpha stare, arms folded, leaning back against the counter, legs crossed at the ankle.
“I’m listening”
Brianna sat at the table, folding her hands in front of her.
“Okay but don’t yell, just here me out. We go as one unit, surround the whole perimeter. When the time is right, Lizzy and I will walk into the grounds of the complex…….”
“No!”
“Marcus will you bloody listen before making your judgement?”
When she got no response but a raised eyebrow she continued.
“What I was saying before you interrupted was that we are just two females wolves that have been running in the woods. We approach the guards, who will obviously take an interest and want to entice us in. The likely hood that Rhett would be outside is minimal judging by that timed footage so we won’t be recognised. Once we get close, Lizzy disables the weapons and then you and your enforcers can do what you do best, take them out to use your words.”
The silence between them was deafening for a couple of minutes. His eyes never left hers, Marcus was seriously thinking this over. His beautiful courageous mate might be on to something here, so why was he being an absolute pain in the neck? Pulling out the seat next to her, he lifted her onto his lap, licking her mark on her neck, loving the way her body always responded when he did that.
“Even though I hate to admit it, I think that it would work, providing you stick to the plan, do exactly as I say and don’t take any ridiculous risks”
“Like I would?” she responded incredulously.
“Yes you would Brianna”
“Ok if I am bad and stray a little from the plan I will participate in the pack mating ceremony”
He shifted her so that she straddled his thighs.
“Very well, I accept you’re terms. I will gather everyone tomorrow morning. Justin will be here in a couple of hours and I need to discuss the situation with him. It affects his pack as well, even though none of his females have been taken, he needs to be fully aware of things. He has already hinted that he would join forces with our pack to give strength in numbers.”
“That’s great Marcus, somehow, I think that you will need it”
“We will need every bit of help we can get, there is still no sign of Rhett, he has taken all his personal stuff and a holdall full of clothes, I don’t think he was planning on coming back to face us the fuckin coward!”
“We will find him Marcus and we will find the pack females, I have every faith in your abilities”
Scrubbing his hand across his face he caressed her with his eyes.
“Anyway enough talk, more action”
Standing her up, he pulled her jeans off.
“Marcus, honestly you are seriously addicted, has your wolf taken Viagra?”
Slapping her hip he growled low in his throat.
“Don’t need pathetic human drugs to make me hard baby, it’s all down to you”
Bringing her to him he brought her down on his steel hard shaft. Brianna wrapped her arms around his neck, moaning at the feeling of fullness.
“Ride me slowly Brianna, I want to feel every part of you”
Who was she to argue with it? Taking her top off she gasped as he bit her breast, knowing she loved it when he marked her in that most primal way. Letting her body glide against him she tipped her head back, opening herself for the pleasure he gave her.
Lizzy was laughing so hard she fell off the sofa, Brianna and Katie flopped against the cushions, holding their stomachs, trying to gasp for air.
“Oh you so did not do that to that wolf!” Katie asked.
Lizzy was lying on her back, wiping tears out of her eyes.
“Of course I did, if he was going to palm me off for twins just so he could pick a hole each then he needed to know I was not happy”
“So putting a full tube of deep heat on his toilet seat was revenge” Brianna shouted.
“Yes, he could not sit down for a few hours, so I figured that he would not be wanting to dip his dick so soon after dumping me”
Katie laughed hard again, pushing herself to sit.
“Oh you guys are just what I needed, after being under practically lock and key for the past few months, I really needed some girl time.”
“Is there not many females in your pack?” Lizzy questioned.
“Yes they are and I love them all dearly, most are mated, but they can be a little old fashioned”
Brianna stood to retrieve the wine bottle from the fridge. The three empty ones lined up on the coffee table like a piece of art. Wobbling on her feet a little she managed to get it out of the fridge without smashing the precious item. The wine was triple strength for shifters due there fast metabolism, and the effects were welcomed. Sitting back down she refilled everyone’s glasses.
“Tradition is good, it keeps the history alive but sometimes you wonder if it is needed”
Taking a large gulp of wine she looked at Katie and Lizzy.
“That’s big words for a city girl like you honey” Lizzy slurred.
“Ok, I am just going to come out with it. Katie, I need your advice”
Both girls sat forward, eyes wide with interest.
“As you know, I have just been mated to Marcus, who also happens to be alpha of amber woods.”
Lizzy and Katie cheered, rais
ing their glasses, spilling the contents on the floor.
“We are going to have a mating ceremony once everything is settled”
“Oh yeah, new outfits and presents” Lizzy laughed.
“And a witnessed claiming”
Brianna waited for the comments but was greeted with silence, until Katie spoke up.
“Oh I had one of those, it’s a very archaic but a very beautiful one, I think I cried at mine”
“Marcus wants to perform it at night, but he said he will choose his two best enforcers and his beta to be present”
Lizzy sat forward, completely intrigued.
“Witnessed? As in your mate taking you from behind in front of some men?”
“All right Lizzy yes, if you have to be so bloody graphic about it”
Katie placed her glass down on the coffee table.
“Brianna, you are lucky, Marcus is being gentle, when I was claimed in wolf form it was in front of all fifteen of his enforcers”
“Holy shit, and you did it, the whole thing?” Brianna gasped.
“It’s the strangest thing, but when you are in wolf form, everything becomes primal and the bond you have blocks out everyone else. The males are in wolf form too but they don’t get off on it, they just witness it then leave. It is an old practice but it is the alphas way of visually making his claim before his pack.”
“I prefer his teeth marks” Brianna sighed.
Lizzy grabbed the bottle and refilled the glasses again, Brianna had not realised her glass was empty once again, it must have been the nerves about speaking about something so private.
“At least you won’t have to worry about whether you have waxed your vitals the day before!”
“LIZZY!” Brianna and Katie shouted.
Standing she went to push Lizzy but tripped over her landing in the cushions in front of the fire.
“You are so fuckin wasted honey”
“And you two are not? You could not even spell wasted right now Lizzy”
“Could so…….”
Despite slurring her speech, she only managed to get half way through. Katie joined them on the floor, laughter was such a good medicine.
Marcus concluded his meeting with Justin, they had agreed to join forces to flush out the fuckin rat that was Rhett, then find his female wolves to bring them safely home. Pushing his chair away from the table he shook hands with Justin.
“Thank you for your alliance Justin, it is very much appreciated”
“It would be my honour Marcus, I am sure your pack would do the same for me”
“We would”
Connor Luke and Tristan all stood shaking hands with Justin.
“Come on, I have a twelve year old bottle of scotch in the house we can toast a drink to a successful attack tomorrow”
Luke picked up his laptop.
“Sorry, but I have promised Anna I would watch some chick flick tonight”
All men laughed at his expression.
“Seriously Luke?” Connor asked.
“Hey it’s part of her recovery, and if it makes her happy then I am willing to oblige!”
“Part of her recovery?” Tristan snickered.
Rolling his eyes he placed his computer under his arm and left the room. Tristan shook his head, following the warrior.
“He seems like a good man” Justin asked.
“I think so, Brianna has worked with him for two years now. He has been invaluable with his experience and some of the equipment he uses. I have not seen him fight yet but Brianna assures me he is lethal in action, and that is what we need right now”
Connor followed them out.
“Is lizzy with Brianna and Katie?”
“Yes, by now I would assume they have had at least two bottles of vino”
All men stopped at the front door of the alpha house, not moving, eyes fixed on the front door. Loud laughter echoed.
“Oh dear god, I think your two bottles was an underestimation” Justin smirked.
“Three female pissed wolves, in one room could be a messy situation” Connor gulped.
Marcus looked at the two men, laughing at their worried faces.
“How hard can it be, come on, I thought you were male wolves that could take on anything?"
“Anything but drunk female wolves, they can pack a mean punch you know when they get that inebriated” Connor responded.
Putting his hands on their backs he pushed them forward, there feet seemed to be wading through treacle, time appeared to slow down, god knows what they would find.
15
Brianna was practising her balance on one leg in the middle of the coffee table, being cheered on by her two friends.
“It’s all in the mind, focus your thingy and you won’t fall down” she slurred.
“What is a thingy?” Lizzy laughed.
“Oooh I know, it’s a thing for balancing on one leg” Katie hiccupped.
“You see, she gets it, but you don’t, do I need to repeat myself? Tell you what I can do it with a glass in my hand, Lizzy fill it up”
Lizzy crawled across the floor, refilling the glass, mock bowing to her, offering it up to her. Brianna managed to hold it above her head, and balance at the same time. She was rewarded with applause.
“BRIANNA!” Marcus shouted.
Toppling she landed in a heap on the cushions, Marcus picked her up in his arms, checking her over. The glass had bounced but not smashed.
“Hey, that was a full glass! Lizzy pour me another!”
“Lizzy don’t you dare, she does not need any more alcohol” he growled.
“I was practicing my thingy on the table” she snarled.
Marcus suppressed a laugh, she was just too cute when she was like this, drunk but cute.
“I know baby, but your history of dancing on tables whilst drinking is not very good”
Lizzy hiccupped, as she sat on Connors lap, slowly drifting to sleep.
“He is right honey, you do tend to fall off”
“Do not” she taunted.
“Do so” Lizzy replied.
Brianna managed to get out of Marcus grasp and approached her friend.
“Are you challenging me Lizzy? I thought you were my friend”
Lizzy pushed off Connors lap, he reached for her but she slapped his hand away. Connor looked to his alpha for help. Katie was fast asleep in Justin’s arms.
“At least my mate is asleep for now” he smiled.
The sound of snarling brought the room back into focus.
“I am your friend, even if you don’t know what a thingy is!” Lizzy yelled.
“Ok that’s it, come on, outside she wolf, let’s see what you got!”
Brianna took two steps to the front door but was stopped as Marcus swept her up into his arms.
“Baby, as much as it gets me hard when you get angry, I cannot allow you to challenge your friend, it’s the drink talking. You are going to bed”
“But she said I don’t know what a thingy is and I do” she huffed.
“I am sure she meant no harm”
“Whatever caveman, I ‘m tired” she grumbled.
Marcus kissed her forehead as she passed out in his arms. He truly loved this woman, thingy and all. Looking at Connor he had already stood with Lizzy fast asleep in his arms.
“I will take Lizzy back to the pack house, she needs to sleep it off”
He watched his Beta walk out the door then turned to Justin.
“You are welcome to stay the night in the guest house”
“Thank you but I need to get back, brief the pack before tomorrow”
Standing with his mate in his arms he laughed.
“I think they had a good night, by the way what is a thingy?”
“I’m fucked if I know!” Marcus laughed.
Brianna grabbed the pillow and wrapped it around her head. Someone must have drilled a hole in her head and filled it with cement. She could hear the birds outside, usually she loved to hear the gent
le sounds but today was a different matter.
“Will you shut the hell up!” she groaned.
“Well good morning to you too grumpy” Marcus laughed.
“Go away, unless you are a giant pain killer with a bucket of ice cold water then I am not talking”
The pillow was lifted off her face, with Marcus staring down at her, his lopsided grin beautiful and annoying right now.
“Well I don’t look like a giant tablet but I do have some ice cold water for you baby”
Sitting up she squinted at him through one eye. Seeing the glass in his hand, the cold droplets slipping down the side had her lunging for it, sending some spilling on the bed. After draining the glass empty she flopped back onto the bed.
“I swear to god I am going to send an email to the company that makes that wine, it should have a hazard warning on it or something”
Marcus laughed loudly, throwing his head back. She grabbed her head, closing her eyes again.
“It does have a hazard warning Brianna!”
“It does? I never saw one”
“That’s because after the fourth bottle you were having double vision”
Sitting up she stared at him, his grin so gorgeous and all hers.
“Fuckin hell, four bottles? I’m surprised I was conscious”
“You were right up until you challenged Lizzy, then you blacked out”
Brianna just stared at him for a few seconds, trying to register what he had just said.
“I challenged Lizzy?”
“Yes you did my feisty female, but don’t worry nothing happened, we managed to cool it off before you both passed out” he winked.
“I would never do that, what the heck did I challenge her for?”
“Because she said you did not know what a thingy was!”
Brianna looked as confused as hell and he loved every expression passing over her face.
“A thingy? What’s that?”
“I don’t know you tell me, you had me, Justin and Connor puzzled!”
She groaned and got out of bed, her legs feeling a little shaky. Marcus watched her zig zag to the bathroom to get showered and hopefully not vomit.
“I will make breakfast and lots of coffee, you should be ok in an hour or two, the alcohol will be completely out of your system by then”
Alpha Scent (Amber Woods Shifters) Page 12
