Emily pulled away with a grin. “It wasn’t gentle. I felt a crack and I’m surprised he was able to walk without showing pain.”
“He would never show pain in front of another alpha. He’ll visit Marcus and heal quickly but I’m proud of you. I was a naughty boy when I was here last and Columbus was just pushing my buttons.”
“He can push your buttons all he wants but his eyes had better remain above my chest.”
Brandt laughed and resumed their kiss but raised his head a few seconds later. “Marcus and Amy should be downstairs. Let’s go.”
He took her hand and guided her down two flights of stairs to the large gathering room. His gaze landed on Amy. She was more beautiful than he remembered. He had not seen her since she became vampire and now a menacing power surrounded her.
Not wanting his bones broke by his mate he gave Amy a brief hug and then shook Marcus’ hand. He then gave Emily a reassuring smile and made introductions.
Marcus brought her hand to his lips for a kiss and then inhaled deeply; his eyes momentarily turning amber from the scent of Emily’s power. He slowly released her and met Brandt’s satisfied gaze, “Congratulations on finding your mate. She will strengthen Cheri’s clan and add joy to your life.”
Amy hugged Emily tightly. “Forgive Marcus; he believes formalities must be observed. I’m trying to get him over his boring habits.” She winked at Emily and then gave a slight shriek when Marcus jerked her off balance pulling her in close for a heart stopping kiss.
Columbus stood by silently though he did roll his eyes at the display of affection his pack put up with continually.
A new voice challenged from the front door. “Aren’t you past the kissy-kissy stage yet Marcus? It’s been months and the rest of us shouldn’t have to put up with your constant exhibition of sexual play.”
Nicolas, the Eastern pack alpha, was standing in the entry hall.
Emily stared unable to take her eyes off the new wolf. Where Brandt and Columbus held their alpha power tightly in check unless needed, sizzling energy leached from Nicolas’ pores consuming the room. He stood over six feet tall, lean, but muscular. Dimples appeared with his grin though his gray eyes took in the room with deadly intensity. Marcus told her of his friend but failed to mention he was drop dead gorgeous.
Brandt, knowing the effect Nicolas had on women, pulled Emily close keeping her out of the other alpha’s arms. This was his gentle way of reminding her who she belonged to and taking her focus off the conceited scoundrel.
“A little possessive I see.” Nicolas said with his devilish knowing grin.
Brandt loosened his hold slightly, “No, my mate will get over your pretty boy looks soon enough. She cracked a few of Columbus’ ribs earlier and she has my blessing to break your nose.”
Nicolas’ sensual laugh filled the room. He knew not to push the newly mated pair too far but he would enjoy giving a nudge here and there at his friend’s expense. His eyes went from Brandt to his she-wolf. “Warning heeded.” Nicolas reached for Emily’s hand and gently squeezed her fingers. “It’s a pleasure to meet the woman who tamed Brandt. I’m sure Columbus was pleased too.”
Columbus came forward and gave Nicolas a brotherly hug. “I was lucky; Amy took pity on me and was willing to help heal my injuries.” His eyes met Emily’s. “For shame though, that was our secret. I didn’t think you realized what you had done.”
“Thomas taught me how to stop inappropriate wolf behavior. You made a good practice session.”
The entire room filled with laughter and conversation flowed allowing the pack alphas to solidify their friendships. Finally, Marcus announced that dinner was ready. More pack wolves entered through the front door. They all made their way toward the double doors of the dining room.
Emily didn’t immediately understand why everyone stopped but then the beastkind odor hit her nostrils. It was familiar and a woman standing in the back of the room was slowly making her way to the opposite door.
“Cat,” growled one of the wolves.
The female let out a terrified whimper.
A man suddenly pushed Emily forward trying to get past her. With no hesitation her hands grabbed material and muscle. Using little effort she tossed the offending wolf against the wall and sprang forward placing herself between werewolves and the frightened cat.
Amy was suddenly beside Emily and reached her hand back to reassure the cowering woman. “Thank you Emily for your help. Zenya is part of this household and nurse to the babies. If anyone has a problem with that I ask you to leave immediately. A car will return you to the airport. If anyone hurts what is mine, I,” she looked at the protective she-wolf beside her, “or Emily will kill you.”
Nicolas picked his unhappy wolf up from the floor. “Go to the car, you are returning to our home and don’t let me see you for a while or we will finish this--- discussion alone.”
Head down, but with angry strides, the man walked out.
Nicolas softened his voice, “I am sorry my dear. We are all surprised at the beauty before us and one of my wolves lost his head. I think one of Brandt’s wolves had the dubious honor at our last gathering.” His steady alpha power turned into a soothing stream. “Are you joining us for dinner?”
For maybe the first time in his life his effect on women missed its mark.
The she-cat gave him a quick discourteous glare and then lowered her eyes back to the floor. “Nn-no, I was helping to set the table. I must get back to the children.” She rushed swiftly from the room.”
“Well Marcus, you never cease to amaze me,” said Brandt. He placed his arm around Emily’s troubled shoulders and kissed her gently sending a calming message to her mind. “It’s okay. We would not allow her to be hurt.”
The anxiety in Emily’s eyes slowly faded. He pulled out two chairs keeping their fingers laced while they sat down.
Everyone else was finding their own seat at the oversized clan table. The additional pack wolves made their way to the kitchen. They had been here before and knew there was a great meal waiting and an opportunity to catch up with their allied friends.
Emily whispered back into Brandt’s mind, “I felt her terror and the anger coming from some of the wolves.”
Brandt squeezed her hand gently his pulsing waves of soothing energy continuing.
Marcus stood and acknowledged the gathered clans. “I know that our having a cat here in the house is slightly unorthodox but she has nursed the cubs since Alba died. She now belongs to Amy and me and is under our full protection. She has a gentle soul and she’s seen too much tragedy, her own child murdered before her eyes. She would die for Sierra and Roland. Please give her space. She has many adjustments to make, but is becoming accustomed to our clan. She shouldn’t be upset or she might lose her nursing ability and the babies would suffer.” He paused for a moment to let his message sink in, and then continued. “I want to thank each of you for coming to our wedding.” He took Amy’s hand and she rose from her chair and stood beside him. “I know we usually only meet for naming ceremonies but Amy’s friends could not be here due to her recent transformation and I wanted our extended family to make her welcome. We will not let a young naïve wolf ruin our gathering. This is a time for celebration.” He kissed Amy gently on the lips and they took their seats.
Dinner began and chatter soon filled the air. Caleb was talking to a young wolf from Nicolas’ pack and the two seemed to hit it off. Mandy sat to the right of Emily and whispered into her ear, “I have never seen or smelled a cat before. It was different than I expected but not bad, the poor thing.” Only taking a slight breath she continued, “I can’t wait to see the twins. When Patricia’s cub is born, I’m going to help her with Kinsee. A baby werewolf is a handful. They are always into mischief and must be constantly watched.” Mandy took a breath and then a dreamy quality entered her voice, “Nicolas is a god. What I would give to kiss his feet and more.”
Emily momentarily choked on her wine. Mandy and mischief went hand in
hand. Her thoughts went to the cubs upstairs. It was hard for her to eat and she had to fight the urge to search them out. Again, she felt Brandt’s sadness and for the first time fully realized its cause. Her arms ached for a child and he could never give her one. Her sadness blended with his.
He squeezed her hand and spoke into her mind again. “When we are finished with dinner, I will take you to see the twins.”
Her fingers tightened on his. She had never known love and she loved him with all her heart. They finished dinner and the younger wolves decided to take a run together. Emily sent Caleb and Mandy off with a warning, “Watch your sister. Your mother and father will never forgive me if she finds trouble.”
They were out the door before she could continue the lecture.
Marcus invited Brandt, Emily, and Nicolas to join him and Amy on the couches arranged in the side room away from the table. Amy gave Marcus a kiss on the cheek. “I’m going to take Emily up to the nursery to properly meet Zenya and the babies.”
Brandt barely looked their way when the two women left the room. “I love you,” whispered into her mind. She returned the sentiment but smiled sadly without looking back.
Chapter 24
Squeals sounded as they drew closer to the room. Amy opened the door and two beautiful naked babies rolled on the floor trying to avoid tickles from their nurse. Their bodies round and chubby with light unblemished skin and curly light brown hair were enchanting.
Both turned at the sound of the door and their eyes brightened at the sight of Amy. Then, noticing the stranger, they instantly shifted to their wolf forms and scampered under one of the two cribs. Two inquisitive black noses stuck out and watched Emily enter the room.
Going to her knees, Emily sat beside Zenya and spoke gently to the she-cat. “Hi Zenya, I am also new to this world and in need of friends. I know of no differences between the cats and wolves. I just want friends that will care for me and allow me to care about them.”
Zenya smiled shyly and raised her eyes briefly to Emily’s. Sierra chose that instance to fly out from under the crib and give Emily a small nip before running back to her brother’s side.
“Sierra, you know better than that. Emily is our guest and you will spend time in the time-out room if you do it again. Come out here at once. You too Roland,” said a stern sounding Amy.
Both pups made their way from their hiding place. Roland sniffed his nose against Emily’s finger that rested on the floor. She slowly raised her hand to scratch behind his ear. His sister immediately pushed him away and squeezed in closer.
“You need to watch that one Emily. She’s a bully and every member of this clan spoils her rotten. She’s so bad we had to come up with a suitable punishment and we send her to the timeout room daily. Roland is wiser and learns from his mistakes.” Now Amy’s voice was chiding but her eyes twinkled.
Emily didn’t want to know what the timeout room was. She was afraid it would be small, cold, and solitary like her own prison had been. Pushing away these thoughts, she gave Sierra the desired ear scratch and used her other hand to rub Roland. He rolled onto his back so his rounded belly was showing and Emily’s hand sank into the baby soft fur scratching gently.
Sierra ran to the corner of the room, pushed a soccer ball out, and sent it in Emily’s direction. Her intention to get attention away from her brother was clear.
“You are a new friend and these two have never known an enemy.” Amy turned and smiled at Zenya with appreciation.
Zenya glanced up. Gold cat eyes filled with trust and love looked back at the vampire.
Emily was amazed.
Zenya turned back to the babies and joined in the impromptu ball game. The pups scampered and fought each other over the right to push the ball back to the two women. Laughter and small growls rang throughout the room and Amy joined in.
Emily pushed the ball away but was surprised when two balls of reddish-brown fur flew her way, pushing her to her back. Joyous giggles tumbled out while the pups began licking her face. She settled her hands on the wolf cubs and snuggled them in close.
Brandt entered the room and his heart froze in his chest. Emily needed a child and he couldn’t give her one or allow another man to do it. He stood and watched as the pups exuberantly cleaned Emily’s cheeks of tears caused by her laughter.
Before Brandt could close the door, she looked up and met his eyes. His pain was palpable and her heart clinched.
He quietly walked away.
Ten minutes later, it was time for the pups to go to bed and Emily had the honor of granting a kiss to each snout before they lay down in their cribs. Zenya had a room with a private door connected to the nursery. She smiled shyly and kissed Emily’s hand before leaving.
After Amy closed the nursery door Emily asked, “How much time do they spend in wolf form and how much in human?”
“They are able to do more in wolf form and they are less defenseless. Their human legs carry them slowly and four is much easier. After their mother died it took them a week to change back to wolf. They were unsettled and preferred to be the infants they are. Have you discussed children with Brandt?”
“We aren’t having children.” Emily’s voice was final.
“I’m not sure how Ivan handled it. He and Alba had a total of eight children though two sets were twins. The cat’s queen killed their first twins. I don’t know how Ivan was able to let Alba mate with other men. I would not allow it with Marcus even if it was our only chance at having children. I feel for you. I have the babies and they fill my life. Vampires cannot have children and I really never wanted any. Sierra and Roland changed that. If I could have a litter I would. Let’s rejoin the men and see what trouble they’ve gotten themselves into.”
Emily tried not to think of Amy’s words but her heart broke over the thought of never having a baby. She wouldn’t ask it of Brandt and she never wanted another man’s hands on her regardless. There would be no babies for them.
The men were getting drunk. Amy and Emily joined them for a few glasses of wine before they went to their separate rooms.
Later, Brandt entered their private bathroom and took a quick shower. He didn’t invite Emily to join him. Saddened, she removed her clothes and crawled into the strange bed alone. Brandt walked out of the bathroom and turned off the bedroom light before getting beneath the sheet. She could smell the soap he used to wash himself and the scent of his wet hair. His strong arms pulled her to his body and he guided her mouth to his. The kiss went from needy to fierce. He didn’t say a word while he eagerly explored her body. The exquisite torture continued. His hands and mouth played her body long into the night eliciting moans of frustration followed by screams of pleasure.
Sated and exhausted her hands came up and she placed them gently on his cheeks. “I can live without a child but I can’t live without you. I don’t want you to feel pain for what cannot be. Patricia’s child will be here soon and I will get all the hugs, kisses, and licks I can take. Be happy with me Brandt. You make me feel like I’m your entire world. Don’t be sad. You rescued me from death and made all my dreams come true. You are my world.” Tears spilled over her lashes and Brandt held her throughout the night.
***
The following day they took four wheelers out and toured the southern end of the property. Emily held on to Brandt’s waist feeling the rush of adrenaline while he went crazy on the ATV. She screamed but urged him to go faster. He finally pulled over and quirked a devilish grin her way ruffling her windblown hair. “Would you care to drive my fearless lady?”
“Nope, I just want to hold on.”
“As my lady desires.” He took off again through the trees.
That night, they walked several miles to a large pit. It was similar in size to the ring Brandt’s pack used though recessed approximately ten feet into the ground.
Wolves began issuing challenges and the first two jumped into the pit.
Emily’s hand gripped Brandt’s arm.
“This i
sn’t to the death. It’s only for fun though it does get a touch bloody.”
“Will you fight?”
“No, the last thing we want is two alphas fighting one another. Our challenges are to the death. It’s ingrained through the magic which courses within our bodies. When we get in the ring, only one wolf survives.”
“Then I won’t be challenged.”
“Not unless someone has a death wish.”
“You’re so sure I could win.”
“I know you would win but have no fear your challenger would die; win or lose.”
A wolf from Marcus’ clan challenged Samson. Fur, flesh, and blood flew as rippled muscle and razor sharp teeth caused painful damage. The match was a draw.
Emily asked about Samson’s challenger.
“That’s Ivan’s youngest son Asia. He’s also beginning to show alpha behavior. It will either make the southwestern clan stronger or tear it apart. It all depends how much the brothers love each other and how good they are at controlling their wolf. Marcus is going to have his hands full. Let’s hope Columbus is half the leader his father was."
“Ivan could control the situation?”
“I have no doubt. Ivan is the only wolf who could possibly take me in a challenge though I don’t count out Nicolas. I think I could take him though.” Brandt knew Nicolas had come up behind them and heard his last words. He knew the thump on his back was coming and let it land. “So the truth bothers you?”
“My young man,” said Nicolas, “if we could fight without it being a death match I would challenge though I would hate leaving this pretty lady without her mate. But then again, she could live with me while you become a distant memory.”
Brandt’s fist shot out and struck Nicolas’ ribcage though it wasn’t a hard blow. “How about we race to decide the outcome so we can both go home when it’s over? Loser buys the beer for the next naming ceremony.”
Fang Chronicles: Emily's Story Page 17
