“He was going for you.” Her violet eyes were defiant. “M-my mother taught me how to shoot. Just like she taught me how to take care of my heartless mate.”
“Didn’t see that coming,” Alex muttered.
The group of staffers who were huddled in the chamber started murmuring. The council members who had tried leaving through the back exit were marched back in, their arms raised. Behind them stalked E with a shotgun trained on them.
Rhys grinned, but Alex’s smile was bigger. “Biggie, you stud, you.”
Finding the former Agent hadn’t been easy. He’d chucked the burner phone, but left enough bread crumbs for Bennett to track him down. Once E heard their plan, and their job for him, he was fully on board and glad for the possibility to bring his family home.
“Call the rest of your Guardians off,” Rhys demanded to the council members.
They all glared at him defiantly, except for Wallace. “Done.”
Seether gasped, outraged, and glared at his fellow council member.
Wallace rolled his eyes. “Old man, this has been a long time coming. This,” the twin’s father gestured around him, “is what happens when you try to fill the role of deity for the people you’re governing.”
“As I was saying before the interruption,” Bennett said, smoothly, “my pack is calling for the dissolution of the Lycan Council, citing crimes against its own people.”
Councilman Seether was shaking. “You have no proof.”
“Oh, but I do.” A smooth voice chimed in from the doorway. “I’ve gotten names from questioning former vampire leaders. I’ve got a vampire and her shifter mate who were targeted by the council’s Guardians, and…” Demetrius stepped gracefully over the debris in the doorway. He was flanked by the former Agents R and Z. He gave a sidelong glance to Rhys. “I have a dream walker who has dream-witnessed several accounts where Seether and Hargrath ordered assassinations of their own people.”
Both Seether and Hargrath paled before turning red with rage. Wallace didn’t look one bit surprised, but maybe a little smug that the two older members were finally busted. The two younger council members, Demke and Ute, appeared completely taken aback by the accusations.
“It’s a new age,” Bennett announced. “So this is how it’s gonna go. We’ve designed a new government. One formed of all the different species. Well, except for humans.”
Seether and Hargrath turned their dark gazes on Alex. She stared back defiantly.
“You think our people will be led by her?” Hargrath sneered.
“As opposed to being killed by you?” she asked in a sugary sweet voice. “For the good of the people?”
“This is how we’re going to do it, ladies and gents.” Demetrius strode up to the dais and arrogantly turned his back on the council members. Former council members. “Representing Team Vampire is myself and my trusted friend, Zohana Chevalier.” He held his hand out to present the tall female vampire who had arrived with him.
Rhys saw Alex mouth to E. She’s still a Zitch.
E ruefully shook his head.
“Representing Team Hybrid, is the one and only,” Demetrius paused for dramatic effect and everyone turned to stare at Alex, “John King.” Alex smirked back at the surprised crowd.
On cue, a tall, fair-haired male strode into the room. His facial features looked remarkably like his sister’s and he had the same bright, cunning eyes.
The male’s nostril’s flared and his eyes scanned the room, until they landed on Bennett and narrowed. The males gave each other a small, assessing nod. It was the first time Bennett had met his mate’s father.
“We’ll add representation as their population grows. As for Team Shifter,” Demetrius continued, “we’ll have to hold two slots until the lot of you can decide on your new leaders.”
A disgruntled Hargrath lunged up to the dais, the glint of a blade flashing in his hand. Gasps escaped the staffers, but Demetrius didn’t twitch.
Before the male reached Demetrius, Agent R appeared behind him. He grabbed Hargrath, yanked him back, and took him down to the floor. With a flash of fang, R bent over the male and sank in deep. Rhys heard, more than saw, the messy conclusion to the councilman.
“Thank you, Rourke.” The fresh scent of metallic blood saturated the air. Demetrius’ nostrils flared, his eyes reflected red. “Anyone else have anything to say?” He scanned the room. “Now then. Shall we proceed with the discussion?”
Epilogue
Two weeks later…
Alex came back from her four-legged run in the woods and padded up the stairs to the door. She flowed back into her human form and headed straight for the shower.
Her morning runs were becoming her favorite part of the day. Sometimes, she ran her wolf, sometimes she ran with Cassie Stockwell. It was nice to run with Cassie as a friend, and not because the shrink was her target.
She and Rhys had spent two days at the old council’s facility helping plan and set the new ruling body in place. Only one of the previous council’s members was allowed to stay, Demke. Rhys and Demetrius figured it would be an easier transition for shifters if they kept him. Sylva’s diatribe at the cabin, and aid in shooting Mastiff, earned her the remaining shifter slot. The female had more steel in her than anyone had originally thought. Alex predicted Sylva would become the most outspoken one on the council, heralding a change for the way isolated shifter colonies conducted their business.
Alex’s brother, John, seemed comfortable with his new role. When Alex had flashed to his doorstep to tell him about their plan with the new government, he had readily agreed to help lead. He and Kenna could finally live a life out in the open, and see their children as often as they wanted. In fact, her brother and his wife had been staying at the lodge for a few days and would be leaving soon.
The new council—they hadn’t decided yet on an official name—put Seether in prison, along with the pack of Guardians who served the former council. They had decided to wait on trials until they dealt with getting the new government accepted by shifters and vampires alike.
Her shower done, Alex was drying off when Rhys’ voice drifted through her mind.
What are you doing?
A smile touched her face. Bennett had readily freed himself of the commander title and Commander Fitzsimmons was back to overseeing the West Creek Guardians. There was even talk of incorporating vampires into each Guardian pack. It’d be a pretty radical change, but that was the direction they were heading.
Lonely? she purred back.
Absolutely.
She flung her towel over the curtain rod and flashed into Rhys’ office.
He was leaning back in his chair with his hands behind his head. When he saw she was completely naked, his eyes burned into her skin. He rose from his chair to prowl around his desk toward her.
He stopped a breath away. She peered up at him through her lashes. “We’re getting officially mated in a few hours.”
“I know,” he growled.
“Are you sure you don’t want to wait for tonight?” She knew the answer. They had both missed a lot of time together, and he never passed up an opportunity to be nestled deep inside of her.
“I just need to take the edge off.”
“You took the edge off last night. And then this morning.” She was undoing his pants as he backed her into the wall.
“Those were just to keep me sane.”
She looked up at him and bit her lip, flashing him a little fang. His pupils dilated and he sucked in a breath. Grabbing onto him, she whipped them both around, so his back was against the wall. Sinking down to her knees, she pulled his length free.
He watched her, his hands lovingly running through her hair. “I love seeing you like this. I love your body. I just fucking love you.”
He also never failed to profess his love. She couldn’t get sappy no matter how hard she tried. The closest she got was during their long, lovemaking sessions was when she moaned her love for him as he made her come over and
over. She was pretty sure he preferred that over poetry anyway.
She held his gaze as she took him into her mouth.
*****
Alex perused the books on Rhys’ shelf. Their shelf. She had to start thinking of this cabin as hers. After tonight, it would be official, and their mating bond would be complete. She was looking forward to it. She really was. Her family and all of Rhys’ pack would be there.
Her insides still hummed after her visit to Rhys’ office. Even after today, she couldn’t wait until tonight when she could be submerged in her mate’s existence. The night of the mating ceremony was rumored to be legendary.
But then there was tomorrow. And the day after that, and the day after that.
What the fuck was she going to do with herself? Yes, she loved her morning runs, she loved being with Rhys, she loved becoming a part of his pack and hanging out with her own family. After her period of self-discovery, the awkwardness was gone and she was comfortable with getting to know her loved ones again.
Alex was surrounded by everything she loved, all the good things in life, there was just nothing for her to do. For so long, she thought there was nothing in the world for her but violence. Now she had everything. Everything. But a part of her felt…empty. Unfulfilled.
Sighing, she pulled a book off the shelf. It was a beautiful day, maybe she’d read outside. She would find no answers pacing inside the cabin.
It wasn’t long after Alex moved out to the porch to read when she felt a presence. “If you’re trying to sneak up on me, you’re not doing very well.”
She heard a frustrated sigh and Julio came out from behind a tree.
“How does everyone know when I’m close by?” His serious brown eyes, so much like his dad’s, held a heavy amount of frustration.
“Because you move like a freight train,” she answered with a smile in her voice. Tossing her book down, she trotted down the porch toward him. “You need to become one with your surroundings. Make your movements a part of them, flow with your environment.”
Julio was a rapt pupil and a quick study. Alex figured they must’ve worked for an hour, creeping around the cabin. She taught him how to move silently in his environment. He wasn’t close to being tired, but he was getting antsy, wanting to move onto something else. Then he spotted her book, lying on the porch floor by the chair she had been reading in.
“Whatcha reading?”
“Here.” She climbed the stairs and tossed it down to him. “Take a look.”
Julio grabbed the book and sat on the bottom stair. His mouth moved as he read over the title.
“Monte,” Alex helped him out with one of the words.
“The Count of Monte Cristo,” Julio echoed. “Is it any good?”
Alex shrugged, sitting next to him. “If you like that sort of thing. Why don’t you try it?” It can’t be any more violent than what Julio went through when he was captured by Madame G. The book wasn’t even Alex’s, but she knew Rhys wouldn’t mind.
His face lit up. “That’d be great. It’s been kind of boring.” He looked down at his shoes. “I miss school.”
Alex could empathize. Not with the school bit, though she had loved school. His whole life had turned around on him too, and he was left wondering what was next. Just like her.
“Mom’s going to get some home-schooling courses, but right now she’s busy in the lab with Doc.” His shoulders lifted and dropped. “I guess, it’s better than nothing.”
Looking at young Julio, Parrish ran through Alex’s mind. Had Parrish gotten any education during his time at Sigma? Maybe his mother taught him what she could, but beyond that?
Then there was baby Dante, who was growing up and would have twin siblings soon. Dani was ecstatic, and terrified. She had expressed her thoughts about how she would keep up as security for the pack with the babies and entertain Dante. The woman wanted to be with her kids, but didn’t want to leave the pack hanging; she loved her job.
An idea formed in Alex’s mind.
*****
All of their family and pack members were looking up at her and Rhys on the porch. She was dressed in a simple white gown that almost reached her bare feet, with no other adornments. Rhys wore loose slacks and a plain white shirt. Their clothes were designed to be discarded quickly after their mating ceremony was done. Which was two minutes ago. Before she and Rhys sneaked off, they had made a proposal to the rest of the pack.
“So what do you think?” Alex faced the group.
Her heart pounded. She normally didn’t care what people thought, but this was her future. Her future and the future of the pack. Without proper care and training for the kids, what advantage did their pack have?
She glanced down at Dani, relief swamped through the young mother from head to toe. Dante squealed and clapped, and Mercury looked from his son up to Alex. It was like the boy was giving his approval.
Wasn’t someone going to say something?
“Can she, Mom?” Julio pleaded with Ana, his brow drawn up in hope. Ana smiled at him and looked to E, who shrugged and nodded. Ana’s eyes were bright with excitement as she, too, nodded to Alex.
“Do you even like kids?” Mercury asked with his legendary bluntness.
“I fucking love kids, Goldie.” Why hadn’t she thought of calling the silver-highlighted male that before? It was perfect.
Sarah let out a girly squeak, jumping up and down. The female grabbed Bennett’s hand. “Won’t that be cool? When we have kids, Aunt Allie will be their teacher!”
Bennett appeared stunned at the thought of having kids, and even more so of Alex being their educator.
Alex glanced up into her mate’s eyes. No one had refused outright so he elaborated. “We’d setup a couple of rooms in the lodge as a classroom and a playroom. Any bigger kids, right now it’s just Julio, will split their time with her and Master Bellamy. Alex will start working with the little ones, developing any powers that are being expressed and teaching them how to defend themselves, beyond all the normal math and reading.”
Parrish’s hands moved in communication. Alex had just started studying sign language, but could only pick out a few words.
Master Bellamy, still standing on the porch with them since he had presided over their ceremony, filled her in. “He wants to know if you’ll order in some coursework so he can catch up to other shifters his age?”
She stared Parrish directly in his pale-blue eyes. “I’ll get you past other shifters twice your age.”
The relieved young male grinned.
“Before Alex and I step away,” Rhys gave her a searing once over before turning back to face the crowd, “and you all go celebrate our mating, I want to finalize this plan. Is anyone opposed to Alex overseeing the childcare and education of our pack’s young?”
Alex’s heart pounded, but she was greeted with complete silence.
“All right then,” Rhys drawled, and pulled her in to snake an arm around her waist. “She doesn’t start until next week. I want plenty of time with her.” He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I’m going to pick you up and carry you into the cabin in front of everyone, so don’t hit me.”
He swooped her up and headed toward his front door. The crowd cheered their departure and Alex high-fived Master Bellamy as Rhys carried her past him.
It made sense, Alex realized, why they were all so accepting of her offer to become a teacher to their young. This was a pack of shifters and non-shifters. At one point, they all had faced finding their place in life, and in the pack. Alex could help them do that, she could help their kids do that, and in return, they would help her find her place in the pack, too.
Thank you so much for reading. I’d love to hear what you think. Please consider leaving a review at the retailor the book was purchased from.
~Marie
About the Author
Marie Johnston lives in the upper-Midwest with her husband, four kids, and an old cat. Deciding to trade in her lab coat for a laptop, she’s writing d
own all the tales she’s been making up in her head for years. An avid reader of paranormal romance, these are the stories hanging out and waiting to be told, between the demands of work, home, and the endless chauffeuring that comes with children.
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Also by Marie Johnston
The Sigma Menace:
Fever Claim (Book 1)
Primal Claim (Book 2)
True Claim (Book 3)
Reclaim (Book 3.5)
Lawful Claim (Book 4)
Pure Claim (Book 5)
New Vampire Disorder:
Demetrius (Book1)
Rourke (Book 2)
Pale Moonlight:
Birthright (Book 1)
Demetrius
Book one, New Vampire Disorder
As if overthrowing the vampire government and helping implement a new council to make vampires, shifters, and hybrids play nice wasn’t enough, Demetrius Devereux finds a bigger problem to deal with in an innocent, stubborn, and privileged beauty.
Callista Augustus is the over-protected daughter of a once-powerful vampire leader. Discovering her desperate father has tapped into a well of pure evil, Calli swallows her sense of betrayal and turns him in. She almost regrets it when she meets the infamous and arrogant Demetrius. Forcing herself to work with the male who ruined her family, Calli’s only concern is saving her father.
When Demetrius gets past the infuriating personality of the righteous female, he realizes Calli’s the one in great danger. He gives her his help out of duty, until it becomes clear that if he loses her, he loses everything.
I’m not done writing about the West Creek shifters!
Birthright
Pure Claim Page 16
