Laurel followed Anton into the room and noticed the men sitting behind computers. One had blond hair, so light it appeared white, while the other had brown hair. They both looked up and smiled when Laurel and Anton entered.
“Anton, Dmitry said you were taking some time off. That you found a mate.”
Both of the men looked curiously at Laurel, and she blushed before ducking her head.
“This is my mate, Laurel,” Anton said, wrapping his arm around her waist. “Laurel, this is Matfei and Andrei. Andrei is Illarion’s father and soon to have a second child if I heard the rumors right.”
“Yes, Fanya is getting bigger every day. Of course, we hope it will be a girl, but as long as it is healthy we will love the little one,” said the man with the brown hair.
Laurel looked closely at the man. He shared the same blue eyes with his son.
“Sonya is hoping to have a child soon,” Matfei said. “She is listening to all the women talk and wants to be included. I told her it will happen when it is supposed to happen. But now she badgers me when I get home from work.” Matfei stopped suddenly and blushed as he realized whom he spoke in front of.
Anton seemed to feel his embarrassment and jumped in saying, “Matfei mated with Sonya last month. Her parents were killed a couple of years ago and she became the ward of Dmitry and Violet, and moved into the Alpha’s lodge. She is like a little sister to me.”
What was it Alena said? “Congratulations on your heartmate bond,” Laurel remarked.
“Thank you, and let us congratulate you and Anton,” Andrei said. “A new member of the pack is always welcome.”
“I would like you to show Laurel how the security system works,” Anton said. “Show her how the sensors are spaced around the property and where the cameras are located.”
Both Andrei and Matfei seemed to enjoy themselves as they explained how the sensors worked and that when someone crossed the path, the laser sent a signal to the computer. The computer made a quick phone call to the person who was on duty, and a patrol was sent out to the area to check out what the problem was. In most cases, an animal set off the sensor. But every once in a while, it was a hunter, or someone from a nearby village, who wandered onto the property. They were quickly escorted off pack lands and warned not to return.
Laurel felt slightly embarrassed when she realized that a camera was looking down the path to the school. Did Matfei and Andrei see her break down? If they did, they didn’t comment on it. She felt better when they finally finished talking. No one from the Russian mafia or her stepfather would be able to find her without the pack knowing there were trespassers on pack lands.
“Thank you for showing me how things work,” Laurel said. “Knowing how closely you watch the perimeter makes me feel much better.”
Andrei lifted an eyebrow at Laurel’s comment. Keep an eye out for someone trying to cross the perimeter. Laurel’s stepfather may try to retrieve her. But she is my mate and won’t be going anywhere, Anton sent telepathically to Andrei and Matfei.
Andrei gave a slight nod in answer. Anton felt Laurel relax with her new knowledge of the security measures. He breathed a little sigh of relief when he felt his wolf settle down. Between the need to mate and Laurel’s fear, his wolf was riding him hard. He didn’t want to make the mistake of growling at anyone. There was a place in Laurel’s thoughts where she expected him to turn on her, like her stepfather had. Anton knew it would never happen, but he didn’t want her to misread his angst as aggression.
“Kolya and Alena have been singing your praises, Laurel,” Matfei said. “I wonder if you might come by and see Sonya. She is still grieving for her parents, and next week is the anniversary of their passing. It always hits her hard. I thought maybe you could help her heal.”
“Gosh, Matfei, I’ve never healed someone’s emotions before,” Laurel answered. “I’m not sure I can do anything except be a good listener.
“I would appreciate it, if you would try. Can I tell Sonya you will be stopping by?”
Anton took Laurel’s hand and gave it a squeeze to reassure her. He felt her trepidation but didn’t say anything. This was her decision, and he would support her either way.
“Maybe in a couple of days, if that’s alright?” Laurel said hesitantly.
“Thank you so much,” Matfei remarked. “Sonya and I will look forward to your visit.”
Laurel nodded and looked beseechingly at Anton. He quickly said their goodbyes and led the way out of the security building. Once they were standing outside again, Anton drew Laurel into his arms. Rubbing her back as he nuzzled her hair, he could feel turmoil in her mind rising like a tide.
“You do not have to speak to Sonya if you do not want to, Laurel. Whatever you decide, I will back you up.”
“I don’t mind talking to her, but I don’t know of a way to heal grief. I’m afraid I will disappoint them.”
“You warned Matfei already, and we will warn Sonya when you see her. That is the best we can do, Malyshka. Remember you are not alone. I am with you, always.”
Chapter Nine
Illarion skipped down the path to the Alpha’s Lodge. In his hand, he clutched the picture of a bird he had drawn to give to Katya. He chuckled. He knew she was going to put the picture in her mouth and then tear the paper up. But that was okay. She would laugh. He liked to hear her laugh. He could feel the connection between them. Mom said that because he and Katya were connected, he would, when he was all grown up, claim her as his mate. Dmitry had claimed Violet, and he liked Violet. She was his friend. Katya was his friend, too.
Reaching the back door, Illarion knocked politely before pushing it open and peeking into the kitchen. Sitting on the table was a plate of freshly baked cookies and a note. Drawn by the smell, he walked over to the table.
“Hello, anyone home?” he asked as he grabbed a cookie and took a big bite. “Vooolet?” came his muffled call, his mouth full of the delicious treat.
Not hearing an answer, Illarion listened first with his wolf senses. Nothing there. Then, he opened his bond with Katya. He could sense that she was not in the lodge. Maybe Violet took the girls for a walk in their stroller. Picking up another cookie, he took another bite.
Glancing at the note on the table, Illarion saw that it was from Yelena. It said: Illarion, these are for you and your family. Eat only one and take the rest home to your mother. Love Yelena.
He glanced guiltily at the second cookie in his hand, already half eaten. Well, he didn’t know Yelena said only one when he started to eat it. Now, all he needed was something to put the plate of cookies in to take home. Finishing the rest of the cookie, he licked his fingers. Yelena made the best cookies.
Illarion looked around the kitchen. But there wasn’t anything to carry the cookies home in. Maybe he could find something upstairs. Running around the corner, he zoomed up the stairs, pretending he was an airplane taking off. As he reached the top, the first door he saw ajar was Anton’s. Anton was his friend. He wouldn’t mind if Illarion borrowed a bag or something.
Pushing the door open, Illarion peeked inside. Sitting on a table was a backpack. He ran in the room and picked it up. He unzipped it and looked inside. It was empty. This would work to carry the cookies. He could carry it on his back. He could smell Anton’s mate, Laurel. This must be her backpack. He liked Laurel. She was nice. For a moment, Illarion could hear his mother’s voice in his head.
“We do not take things that do not belong to us.”
But he wasn’t taking it. He was borrowing it. Laurel wouldn’t mind, and he could return it tomorrow when he came by to see Katya. Illarion pulled the straps over his arms and skipped down to Katya’s room. He carefully placed his picture on the pillow in the crib. That way Katya would find it when she got home.
Happy that his picture was delivered, he ran down the stairs and into the kitchen. Illarion upended the plate of cookies into the backpack before letting himself out the back door. Humming to himself, he ran down the path toward his ho
use.
§
Laurel walked back toward the lodge with Anton. He held her hand gently. They didn’t talk, but the silence wasn’t uncomfortable. She liked how they could be together without needing to speak, as if they knew each other so well that nothing needed to be said. Smells of the trees and wildflowers filled the air. Sunlight filtered through the foliage, making patterns across the ground. Her stomach grumbled so loud it sounded like a dog growling.
“Sounds like I need to feed you,” Anton said. “Come on. Mom normally has fresh cookies set out this time of day. Maybe we will get lucky and get to them before Illarion does.”
Illarion seemed like a nice little boy. He was certainly around a lot. She glanced at Anton, wondering what he was like as a child.
“Oh, I was like Illarion, always running around,” Anton said. “Of course, I was trying to keep up with Dmitry and Kolya. Sometimes I felt like the odd man out. Dmitry was older and would be Alpha someday. Alena, the only girl, was treated like a princess. But I knew I was loved. Once I was old enough, my father included me in his outings with Dmitry. That is how I knew about the hunters’ cabin near the festival.”
It always surprised Laurel when Anton read her mind like that. He slipped in and out of her thoughts, and she didn’t even know he was doing it. Anton paused and pulled her to a stop.
“Being in each other’s minds is normal for a mated couple. I am sorry if I am making you uncomfortable.”
“I don’t expect you to know what I’m thinking,” Laurel said. “You answer my questions before I ask them.”
“I will try to stop doing that, but I will not give up our connection. If anything, I hope it grows stronger. I need to touch your mind.”
“Is that a lycan trait?” Laurel asked. Did everyone read her mind? Was she going to have any privacy?
“I guess it is,” Anton said. “Lycans are pack animals, and the links between mates are stronger than those with our children and then the rest of the family. But everyone is not reading your mind. I am connected to you. There are some lycans who are telepathic and others who are not. But all of us connect to our mates. The Alpha has to be telepathic in order to bind the pack together.”
“But, I am a healer, not a telepath.”
“That is why you are linked to me, but do not hear the rest of the pack. When I speak to another member of the pack, you do not hear me.”
“No, just a buzzing-like sound in my head,” Laurel admitted. “I know you are talking, but I don’t know what you are saying.
“That is what others hear when I speak to you, if they even hear that.”
Anton opened the back door to the lodge and ushered her in. He walked over to the table and picked up a piece of paper that lay beside it on the floor.
“Looks like Illarion beat us to the cookies. But Mom usually puts a few away for the rest of us. She should be back soon to start dinner. Or we could pack a picnic if you like. We could go down by the river. There are a couple of nice spots down there.”
Laurel smiled, feeling her heart melt a little. Anton always tried so hard to make her happy. “That sounds like fun. Let me help you get the food together. Should we leave a message for your family?”
“I will write it on the back of this one. The bread is in that box. There should be cold meats in the refrigerator.”
Laurel grabbed the bread and cut slices off for sandwiches. Soon they gathered all the fixings for a picnic. Anton took a large basket out of a closet and picked up a quilt that was lying over a chair in the living room. Laurel laughed as Anton threw the quilt around his shoulders like a cape. They were still laughing as they walked out the back door and took the path that led to the river.
Anton reached for Laurel’s hand as they walked. Through the mating bond, he felt her light-heartedness, but underneath it a sense of watchful wariness. His mate didn’t trust him with her heart. She was waiting for a day when he would become angry with her, and abuse her as her stepfather had. It was ripping his heart out. Never would he hurt her in that way. She should never have suffered such an act. It stole her innocence and faith in the world. She didn’t trust herself. Some small part still thought it was all her fault. Anton felt so helpless. How was he going to prove himself to her? Prove his love was a safe place to put her trust?
Reaching the river, he guided Laurel to a spot where there was a natural pool. Anton spread the blanket on the ground next to a large tree. Laurel plopped down and started rummaging through the basket.
“Do you want to eat first? I’m starving. That cookie was an appetizer,” Laurel said, spreading the various dishes out on the blanket.
“Yes, let us eat. I do not want to get between you and your food,” Anton teased as he sat down on the blanket. “Here, try a grape.” He picked one up and held it ready to plop in Laurel’s mouth.
She hesitated a moment, but then leaning forward, she opened her mouth to accept the offering.
“Hmmm, sweet.”
Anton picked up another and placed it against her lips. Feeding his mate was such an intimate act, one he was enjoying immensely. Feeling a punch of lust tear through him, Anton handed her a sandwich. God, how he wanted to lay her down on the blanket and love her. His wolf rose to the surface, wanting to complete the mating bond, wanting to claim her as he should. Later, he promised his wilder side. His mate needed more time, and she would have it.
He bit into his sandwich, wishing it was the skin of Laurel’s stepfather. Nobody should abuse a child of any age. Laurel was at a crucial time in her life, developing into a woman. She had needed her stepfather’s approval. If he ever met the man again . . .
Alena ran up to the couple sitting so peacefully, eating.
“Sorry to intrude. Anton you are needed at the security building. I will take Laurel back to the lodge.”
Anton knew something was wrong, but what? And why hadn’t Alena called to him telepathically?
“Will you be okay, Laurel?” Anton asked, getting up from the blanket.
“Of course. I’ll see you back at the lodge,” she replied.
Anton leaned down and caressed her cheek with his finger, needing to touch her.
“Eat another sandwich. I will be back as soon as I can,” he said, and then he ran toward the security building.
“He’s very bossy at times,” Laurel commented as she started putting the remainder of the food back in the basket. But he was also sweet to her. At times her eyes would well with tears at his tenderness.
“Most male lycans are,” Alena said. “They cannot help themselves. Their job is to lead and protect the pack, so it comes with the territory. Do you love him?”
Laurel felt her chest tighten. How could she answer? She was drawn to Anton. His gentleness calmed her in ways she didn’t understand. Her protector. She knew no one would hurt her when he was with her.
“I want to love him, Alena. But I am still so scared,” she answered as honestly as she could.
“My brother would never hit you. He abhors violence against women and children. You have to know that. Really trust it in your heart. You are hurting him.”
“What?”
“You are holding yourself back, expecting him to betray your trust. It hurts him. I know you do not mean to. But is it fair to punish Anton for something your stepfather did?”
“I’m not trying to hurt him or punish him. He’s so good to me.” Is that what she was doing? Punishing Anton because he was a man? A man she knew would never hurt her?
“The mating bond needs to be cemented into place. But Anton will not force you to accept his advances. You have to take a leap of faith and seduce my brother. Come on, I have some lingerie left over from my wedding shower. I have never worn it. Kolya has a tendency to rip things off me, so I stopped wearing it. Let us go to my house, and I will get it for you.”
“What if I can’t do it? I’ve never been with anyone before,” Laurel admitted.
“You can do this, Laurel. If you love my brother, you have to
.”
Laurel followed obediently after Alena. Did she have the courage to seduce Anton? Could she give her future to this pack of lycanthropes?
§
Anton ran up to the security building and rushed inside. Dmitry stood over Andrei who was pointing to several blips on the map on his monitor. Dmitry glanced up, as Anton entered and nodded, but kept his attention on the computer screen.
“Several intruders have crossed onto pack territory,” Dmitry said in explanation. “I have sent out a patrol, but I need you to follow up on this. Andrei said you are expecting trouble from Laurel’s stepfather. Since you are the only one who has met him . . .”
“I will go right now,” Anton said hurriedly. “The patrol needs to be prepared for resistance. All intruders should be considered armed and dangerous. Who is the patrol leader?”
“Sergei is on duty tonight. I have raised the security level to Alpha. You will need to take a patrol team on rotation. This one worries me. We have never openly defied the Russian mafia before. I hope we have not opened a huge can of worms.”
“Kolya and I had no choice,” Anton said, anger rising hard. “They ran us off the road. They were going to kidnap our women.”
“I am not questioning your actions, little brother,” Dmitry said laying a placating hand on his shoulder.
Anton knew Dmitry was trying to let him know he held his trust. If the mobsters wanted a fight, they’d get one. Looking at the map, Anton reached into a drawer and pulled out a handgun. First checking to see if it was loaded, he placed it in the small of his back.
“Laurel is with Alena.”
Both brothers looked at each other in understanding. If anything happened to Anton, it would fall to Dmitry to care for Laurel. Lycanthropes didn’t live long after their mates passed on. But no one knew how a human mate would react to the loss. Plus, Anton and Laurel’s bond wasn’t cemented into place yet, giving her a real chance at surviving. Laurel would never have a relationship as deep or as rewarding as the one she could have with Anton. But if the mating bond was not locked in, connecting them on a soul level, she might still be able to have a relationship with someone else.
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