Blake laughed as Bailey’s face turned bright red and Paul sent out a warning growl.
Dustin quickly covered his mistake. He hooked a thumb over his shoulder and explained. “Oh sorry, I thought it was these two. They always smell like that and I’m a teenager, makes a guy uncomfortable.”
There was silence from Blake’s family, with the exception of a few giggles, so Dustin kept talking. “Alright everyone, follow me.” He turned away quickly walking toward alpha house.
As soon as his family was out of hearing range Delilah rounded on him. “What the-“
She was cut off by a pair of warm, soft, wet lips as they descended to consume her mouth. Blake licked sucked and even nipped her bottom lip between his sharp teeth. “You are so hot; I can’t wait to get you home.”
Pushing him back she noticed a slight crinkling at the corner of his eyes and the tightening of his lips. “Oh, goodness, I’m so sorry. I forgot about your wound.” She smacked his good shoulder. “This is why I should be the one to challenge Morena. You’re hurt.”
A cocky smile preceded his next statement. “I’ll never be so injured that I can’t protect my mate and this pack. I’m pretty sure we’ll figure it out.”
Her eyebrows rose and she questioned. “Well…how do we find her?”
Another of his splitting grins, that had the added side effect of making her cream her panties. “I’ve called her here. I’d like the pack to witness me dispensing pack law; I’ll be fair yet firm.”
“What do you mean you called her here? I don’t understand.”
“To tell you the truth, Del, I don’t quite understand either. This is my first time as alpha and I’m kinda running blind. So far, we’ve done okay.” He sent her a smoldering grin. “I guess it’s like the first time you introduced me to your family, remember how I was able to force them to kneel.” At her nod he continued, “I feel her bond through the oath, I simply found her individual string and pulled; well…yanked is more like it. She’s on her way, but she’s not happy.”
It was the hissing and spitting he heard first. He’d been talking to one of the local bear shifters and ensuring them that his intention was to rule the wolf shifters and if they needed anything he would assist them as needed, when the sound reached the clearing. All ears perked up; shifter hearing was awesome. He’d prepared the pack in advance, giving them all of the information he had and stating this was going to be a formal hearing with Morena as the defendant.
His mate approached, taking her small hand in his and squeezing it for support. He looked down, their eyes meeting and showing twin concern at what no one wanted to have to do, ever. The death of a pack member, no matter how troublesome, was tragic.
Her dirty feet came into view first, having obviously lost her precious heels in the struggle to get away. Her skirt that had been pressed and orderly was ripped, twigs and stains littering the garment making her seem quite wild. Her shirt was ripped entirely open revealing her perfectly shaped breasts nestled in a barely there bra. She’d be beautiful if she wasn’t a power hungry bitch.
She snarled, coming to rest ten feet before him. He met her glare with one of his own, but he also added a threatening growl which caused her to look away in submission.
He addressed the pack when he spoke. “Morena is charged with attempted murder, two times over.”
His mate chose that moment to pipe up. “No, three times. Twice with arrow and once via poisoning.”
He gazed lovingly at his mate. “True. I’ve been shot with an arrow twice, both at Morena’s hand.” When Morena attempted to speak he yelled for the first time ever, “Silence.”
Her whimpers were met with several others and his mates hand tightened in his. “I apologize for yelling.” He sent his calm out to the pack, not bothering with Morena. “I was poisoned and it was Morena that administered it, yet I believe it was unknowing.”
Delilah looked up at him in question.
“When I completed the blood oath with her I only noted her intense need for attention and her want to be alpha mate to control others. I know she’s jealous of you, Delilah, and your willingness to always do what you believed was right, even if you were beaten.” He growled low in his throat, “By the way, I witnessed most of your punishments through her bond. She seemed relieved she wasn’t being beaten-that would have messed up her makeup-and happy that you would hopefully stop fighting.”
He paused and took in a big breath. “Then I was shot with an arrow in the thigh. I believe she only wished for me to give up and go home believing she could convince Phil to take over and she would lead with him. However, I stayed and watched and waited. Next, I was poisoned. Thank you for that, Alice. I saw you shake Morena’s hand before she completed the bond; you must have known how power hungry she was. And lastly, today my fated mate was almost taken from me. Morena attempted an arrow to her head.”
When Morena shook her head to deny it he released his power. It lashed at her causing her hair to whip against her face and her legs to tremble. “Don’t ever try to lie to me.”
Morena fell to her knees panting while Blake’s wolf was content to know she would suffer a little before her death. Phil was off to the side watching in awe as Blake revealed all her secrets.
Blake’s booming voice filled the clearing. “Is anything I’ve said so far untrue?”
Morena’s shoulders shook as she whispered, “No.”
“I believe that Morena intended to murder my mate in hopes that if Delilah was dead I would claim a new mate.” He paused briefly before making his next statement. “If Delilah does die I will go with her. She is my fated mate and I will not be able to survive without her; I won’t want to. If she dies before we have cubs, one of you, my second will take over and pack law will remain. Understand?”
All voices responded as one, “Yes alpha.”
He was not looking forward to what came next. “Alice, please step forward for your punishment.”
The old woman took a long time to approach him; she used her cane heavily, attempting to appear old and withered, as close to death as she could be. He knew the truth though. “You have heard the allegations against you, what say you?”
“You’ve not spoken an untruth, alpha.” She spit the word like a curse at him.
“You are hereby banished from the pack. You are not welcome on pack grounds or Alaska as your punishment. You are hereby known as outcast. Hunter will see you to the next available plane out of here.”
She gasped. “No, kill me. You cannot banish me.”
Blake leaned forward to whisper in her ear. “Believe me I would kill you in an instant if I didn’t think it’s what you truly wanted all along. Banishment to someone like you is far worse. Living with no pack, no home, nothing.” His voice rose. “Go.”
Hunter grabbed her upper arm in a firm grip and led her out of pack grounds as she yelled and howled the whole time.
“Anyone have any issues with what I’ve just done? According to pack law I have the right to choose punishment. She is old and as long as she’s on her own she is not a threat to anyone.”
Blake turned to Morena. “You, however, are a threat to everyone in this pack. You have proven you will not take direction from your alpha leader and I do not feel you would be safe on your own. You would attempt to injure the first pretty human, or shifter, to cross your path.”
Blake let a hush fall over the members of the pack. A tranquil quiet that allowed them to process his next words without regret.
“Do I speak an untruth about what you’ve done, Morena?”
Tears gathered in her eyes while she silently demanded he not drag out the process. Morena’s head came up and she spoke one last time. “You are correct. I am better than all of you, prettier too. You don’t deserve to be in my presence. I would have been a great leader, but you’re all too stupid to see it. If Tidus was still around-“
Her tirade was cut short as Blake achieved a partial shift and ripped out her throat with his fangs. As
her blood coated his mouth, face and neck he wept a bit inside. He wasn’t a violent person; his commitment to the safety of the pack was finalized today. An alpha’s job was harsh.
Pulling back as he watched the life drain from her body he knelt on one knee and said a prayer for her soul. He felt his mate at his side, scenting her tears just about broke his heart. He was surprised to feel fingers caress his shoulder, back, head and arms; murmurs of thanks reached his ears.
The pack was suffering from a huge loss; nevertheless, they took the time to support him. It was awe inspiring, his pack, coming together.
Epilogue
“Dammit, listen to me, we don’t need this fancy pants wedding. I’m an Alaskan wolf; all I need is some good food and my mate. Well…maybe a little naked dancing wouldn’t hurt.”
She spoke to him through a door because he refused to see her on the day of their wedding, some bad luck mumbo jumbo. “Blake, are you listening to me?”
Petite strong hands landed on her shoulders and she reacted instinctively by lashing out her hand to knock the offenders legs out from under them. Her hand was caught by another, stronger hand.
Inhaling deeply she scented her mother in law with her father in law, damn, she was in trouble. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Kenneth, Blake’s father and one powerful wolf stood to his full height. “Oh, please, little girl. We raised triplet wolf cubs; we’re as sturdy as they come.”
Delilah looked up at him, hoping Blake would follow his father in the looks department, not that his mother wasn’t beautiful, but damn his father was hot.
She felt a smack to the back of her head. “Hey, no ogling my husband. If you’re patient enough you’ll have your very own sexy hubby in about ten minutes.”
Delilah’s cheeks reddened, hopefully Blake wouldn’t find out she was hot for his dad. Oh hell, what was more embarrassing, being caught by Blake or her future mother in law. Geez, she was screwed.
Eva’s voice was firm as she said. “Now, if you’re going to marry my son you better get your little bum up and into the dress he bought for you, now. Don’t make me get your father; he specifically said if we had any problems to come get him and he’d bring the twig twins with him.
She huffed, standing. “Fine, let’s get this over with.”
A hand on her shoulder stilled her and Kenneth’s smooth voice sent shivers down her spine. Naughty shivers. “You don’t want to marry my son? You mated him.”
Embarrassed again she stiffly replied. “It’s not that. I’ve just never been away from him this long since we mated and it’s making me crazy. Why can’t I see him?”
Blake’s parents shared a look. She could see herself giving Blake that exact look of love mixed with joy as they spoke with their cubs. The thought jarred her, cubs? It was too soon to think about cubs. It’d only been a day since Morena’s death. Blake’s family stayed in alpha house and managed to arrange this impromptu wedding overnight. Which meant Blake slept at her old house with twin twigs and she was blocked every time she tried to see him, bastards.
“Alright, come on, we’ve only got ten more minutes before I see my sexy hubby beast.”
She ran for her room where she had her dress, shoes and flowers in hand in record time. Her father came in and put a garter on her thigh, awkward, but another of Blake’s many traditions. He walked her to the aisle, kissing her cheek before they walked her to her future.
The wait was excruciating, especially since his docile mate wouldn’t stop chasing him around trying to sneak a kiss, and more, in the halls. She was extremely naughty and he couldn’t wait for the wedding to be over so he could claim her over and over again.
The music was chosen by him and he knew that Delilah was going to get a kick out of it. So when Etta James began belting out the tune of ‘At Last’ he was able to breathe a sigh of relief; she’d shown up and at last he’d get to marry his fated. Settle the beast and human sides.
She had a huge smile on her face as she walked down the aisle wearing an off white strapless gown made of a soft looking material; it clung to her small frame and his smile grew as he saw the small pointy pumps peaking out of the bottom of her dress. She wore heels for him. It was her face that drew him further. She had flushed cheeks, her lips appeared soft and satiny, while she shown from the inside. His mate was the most gorgeous female ever built.
As she came closer he was able to scent her; warm apple pie. She had the ability to stop him in his tracks at any given moment due to her sweet scent.
The music abruptly stopped as a small figure ran down the aisle. Twin yells followed him, “Trevor.”
Blake looked back as his old alpha pair stood looking at him with worried expressions. A little voice interrupted the stare down. “Hiya, Blakey, I’m so glad we got here in time. Wow, you look perty.”
He watched as Delilah’s gaze went from the scowling couple at the beginning of the wedding aisle to the cute kid standing in front of her. She knelt down so they were eye level. “Thanks, you must be Trevor.” Blake smiled as she held out her hand, “nice to meet you.”
Trevor shook her hand vigorously. “You too.”
Trevor scrutinized Blake for a moment before abruptly announcing. “I’m sorry I gots you sent here, buts I knew you’d meet your flower and then Justin would meets his letter and we could all be a happy family. A little far away, but happy.”
Huh? Blake felt like he’d been punched in the gut. “Trev, you got me sent to Alaska? But, it was your dad that sent me here.”
Trevor looked down at his shoes and was quiet for only a moment. “Yeah, buts I listened to the meeting ands I told ‘em you were the best. You make people happy, relaxed. That’s what they needs, Blakey. They needs you.” His eyes became unfocused for only a moment. “It worked. You have a happy place. Your flower is nice and so’s her people now. And Justin can be happy too. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.”
Blake couldn’t say anything. His previous alpha pair did trust him, and they knew he’d be happy here even if he was initially resistant. Would it have changed things if he’d known he’d meet his mate? Would he feel less empty or alone initially?
All water under the bridge as far as he was concerned. It all worked out.
Trevor looked back at his parents. “Come on ma, come on dad. Let’s see the wedding.” He bolted for the front row and sat on Justin’s lap, whispering. “Hiya, Justin.”
The American Canyon pack alphas came down the aisle dressed in their jeans and plain tee shirts. Both of their faces were beet red and Blake couldn’t contain the chuckle. He held out his hand for Jake to shake, “nice of you to make it,” while he hugged Shana briefly. “Please meet Delilah, my fated mate.”
Delilah shook their hands and the introductions were made. Paul coughed, discretely and motioned for his alpha pair to have a seat with them in the front row, a good distance away from Trevor, for the time being.
The wedding proceeded without another hitch; the bride was thoroughly kissed and clearly well loved by her man. Blake and Delilah were announced man and wife and stood before the crowd awaiting the exit music. Blake sent her a mischievous look when no music began, but ‘Let’s Get Ready To Rumble’ came out of the speakers followed closely by various chuckles and giggles in the crowd. Delilah laughed right along with them until she heard…Adam Sandler? Yep, Adam Sandler was singing ‘Grow Old With You,’ and her heart melted.
Justin watched as another of his brothers got married. He was the last triplet standing. Ironically he was the only one that, while growing up, wanted to be mated and start a family, which means his bonehead brothers, no offense intended, found their other halves first. Wasn’t that just the way of the world? He watched as newly married Blake spun his mate Delilah around the dance floor during their first song, Stevie Wonder’s, ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered.’
A little voice interrupted his moody internal dialogue. “Mister Justin, can you come help me? I was playing with a little boy, he’
s four, and he fell. His knee hurts Mister Justin.”
Justin laughed to himself because Trevor was six and if you were even days younger than him he considered you little. In all fairness, Trevor was blessed or cursed with the gift of sight. He’d had it all his life and was trying desperately to find a balance with what to tell people about the future and what to hold in. He may be only six but it was an old six. Justin knew from experience because he was a natural healer, able to take peoples pain into him so they didn’t feel it; he also helped wounds heal much faster.
The voice interrupted his inner musings again. “Well…”
“I’m sorry, Trev, of course I’ll help your new friend. Just lead on brave soldier and I’ll follow you.” He stood up as Trevor took his hand and led him to a corner of the room to a small boy with dirty brown hair and frosting smeared all over his face.
“Uh oh, someone got into the cake a little early, huh? Trevor, I know you ate some cake too so go wash your hands or your parents will get mad, and bring me back a washcloth for this lil’ guys face, will ya?”
Trevor ran off in the direction of the bathroom to do as Justin said. Justin crouched down, approaching the boy slowly. “Hi, my name is Justin, what’s your name?”
The boy pushed farther into the corner, whimpering while clutching his knee.
Justin came a foot closer. “I won’t hurt you lil’ guy, I help people heal.”
He was now close enough to pick up a scent that clung to the boy’s clothes. Mango. Wow, he was instantly awake and alert. Why did this little kid send his senses into overdrive?
“Move away from my son.”
Holy moly, that voice. God, it was like cold butter on a warm biscuit, a nice cool beer on a hot summer day, and a thousand fingers massaging his entire body at the same time. If the kid weren’t right in front of him he might have shot a load into his tux.
“I said, move away from my son. Please.”
Pack Law (Fated Mate) Page 12
