The Old-Fashioned Alpha

by K. S. Martin

  “The big black one with the wicked yellow eyes?”

  James grinned. “That’s the one. You liked him, right? He likes you, too.”

  Jess nodded. “He’s pretty.”

  He smiled down at her. “You’re pretty.”

  She smiled softly, and he pressed his lips to hers chastely. That was better.

  “Are you going to turn into him during the full moon?”

  “Yes. We like to run and hunt during the full moon. Think of it as boys’ night out, but I will be back in plenty of time for you.”

  She looked terrified.

  “I’ll be me, don’t worry. From this night forward, I don’t want us to spend a night apart. I want you to move in with me. I could move in with you, but we’ll have more room at my place.”

  “But don’t you live with a lot of…”

  “Yes, I live with the pack right now, but there is another wing to the house that we don’t use. I’ve been working on it. It needs some rewiring and painting, but it is solid. We can fix it up so we can be alone and raise our pups. The pack will be in the same house, but you would have a house inside of a house. Your own kitchen and space; the boys won’t bother you.

  “P…pups?”

  “Children. Don’t worry.” He smoothed the line over her nose with his thumb. “They will be children until they are ready to change.”

  “When is that?”

  The line deepened between her eyebrows, and he smoothed it again grinning. “I’ve seen them go as early as ten, as late as eighteen. I was thirteen and one day old. It’s painful the first time. No matter what anyone tells you, you can’t be prepared or know what to do. After that, it’s second nature.”

  Jess yawned.

  “Boring you?”

  She shook her head.

  “When is your flight back?” James asked.

  “Tomorrow…today at noon.”

  “Do you have your laptop?”

  She pointed and he went to get it. “I want to be on the same flight.” He sat down beside her and asked for her details. She grabbed her ticket from the night table and handed it over.

  “You aren’t going to get on this late. All the seats are probably gone.”

  She was right. James pulled out his phone and texted Austin. A few minutes later, he got an email with his ticket and a new one for her in first class together. James grinned down at her.

  “I can’t afford that,” Jess whispered, horrified.

  “It’s paid for, don’t worry. It’s on me. My gift to my new bride.”

  “Bride?” She gulped.

  “Yes, my mate. You agree, don’t you? That we are mates?”

  Jess sat up and drew her knees up to her chest.

  “Jess? You aren’t going to run again, are you?”

  She shook her head.

  “Mates. I’m yours and you’re mine.”

  “Okay.”

  He watched her.

  “Mates. I’m yours. That’s like married, right?”

  “Yes. When I mark you, we will be married.” He started tapping keys and moving his finger over the touch pad.

  “Mark me? What’s ‘mark me’ mean?” Jess worried her lip.

  “I’m going to bite you right there.” He touched the muscle that ran from her neck to her shoulder, and she shivered. “It won’t hurt, and it will let all other shifters know that you belong to me. It is invisible to humans, but to shifters, it means ‘hands off.’”

  “Bite me?” Her teeth sank into her bottom lip, turning it white around her teeth.

  “Is that all you heard, sweetness? I said I won’t hurt you. I will do it when you are so otherwise occupied that you won’t notice.” He grinned and winked.

  “I think I will notice if you bite me.” Jess tightened her arms around her knees and scoffed.

  “We’ll see.” James’s eyes flashed, as did his dimple. She pressed her finger to it and grinned. He turned his head quickly and caught her finger in his mouth, and she gasped then laughed. “When we get home tomorrow, do you want to go to your apartment or to my place?”

  Jess thought about it.

  “I want you with me. I meant that.”

  “I need to pick up some of my things, I suppose. Then I will need to clear it out if I’m not living there anymore. That sounds weird. I’ve lived there since I graduated. What will we do with my stuff?”

  “Well, I want to keep the pink couch because that is the most comfortable couch I’ve ever sat on, but I might want to get it recovered because that color is…”

  She laughed at the face he made, as if he’d just smelled something rotten.

  “I’m not sure what to do with your bed. Does it have any meaning?”

  “No, I bought it at a thrift store. I’ll ask Lolly if she needs it first, then I’ll donate it, because it’s in great shape. I almost hate to see it go. It’s old, but it’s pretty. I like the wood.”

  James nodded. He’d seen it in her bedroom. It was a queen four-post. He decided to put it in their new bedroom. It was a nice bed. Maybe they could furniture shop and find pieces to match it, because he hated the ultra-modern light-colored stuff in his room. He preferred dark, heavy, masculine furniture, and apparently she did, too. He put the laptop on the floor and lay down with her. James pulled her close and rested his chin on her head while they slept. In a few hours, they would be on their way home and on their way to their future.

  Chapter 9

  “Well, well. Lookie here,” Jess’s mom said from the bedroom doorway.

  He must’ve been in a deep sleep not to hear her come in, James thought.

  “You must be James.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He sat up and reached his hand out for her to shake. She shifted the tray she held to one hand and shook his with the other.

  “Good morning, Mom. Yes, this is James.” Jess stretched.

  “He’s tracked you down all the way from Virginia. I’d say that’s worth thinking about, young lady. Not many men would bother.” That was her mother’s way of giving approval. She thought that a man should bend over backward to please her, as Jess’s father had. Coming all the way to Florida was bending over backward, as far as her mother was concerned. Her mom smiled and put her breakfast tray on the dresser. “I guess I will need another tray. Sit tight.”

  “No, Mom, it’s okay. We’ll share.” Jess threw the covers back.

  “Jess, if he hasn’t told you, that boy is a werewolf. He’s going to need a lot more to eat.”

  James and Jess gasped at once.

  “Oh sorry, was that the big secret? Here’s another, Tim is a bear shifter.”

  That’s what I scented, bear, James thought.

  “He has several friends that are werewolves and one that is a jaguar. I’ve learned to tell them apart by their smells, and you smell like Cooley. Any relation?”

  James shook his head.

  “I wish I could introduce you, but they are all on a fishing boat in the Gulf of Mexico.” She winked at James and turned to go. “And Jess, your father was a werewolf, so it’s no big shock that you went for one or that one came after you either,” she called as she went out the side door.

  James and Jess looked at each other with shocked faces.

  “Your dad? That’s why your scent drives me wild. You’re part she-wolf.”

  “I’m no such thing. I don’t even have hairy legs.”

  James laughed at that as she jogged out after her mother. He grabbed the breakfast tray and snagged a piece of bacon, then followed her to the house.

  ***

  “Mom!” Jess called across the yard as her mother smiled over her shoulder, going into the kitchen. “Mother.” Jess hurried. “What did you mean that my father was a werewolf? Don’t you think that you should’ve mentioned that sooner? You don’t drop a bomb like that and run off,” Jess huffed with her hands on her hips, staring her mother down across the kitchen.

  James grinned at her bare legs and breasts that heaved nicely under the T-shirt. H
e couldn’t wait to get her out of her clothes and into their mated bed.

  “You never transitioned,” she said at Jess’s look. “If you had, I would’ve told you. Your father was a handsome devil but not the brightest of the lot. He told me that since you children were only Halflings that it would never happen. Tim says it could happen, that a child with mixed parents could shift. He’s seen it. It would depend on how dominant the genes of the parents are. He also said that some don’t shift until their mates mark them. It’s as if their biology is waiting to see which world they want to live in, human or not human. The truth is, Jess, I don’t know what will happen, but if you love this man, it won’t matter.” She dropped a slice of ham into the frying pan. “How hungry are you?” She asked James. “More?”

  He grinned and nodded then took a bite of the toast.

  “Hey, that was mine.” Jess looked down at the plate and grabbed the last piece of bacon.

  “It’s cold now, sweetheart, and I want the best for you. You will have first choice of the next plate, promise.” He winked at her.

  Jess pursed her lips, picked up the orange juice, then sat down next to him. She felt like her whole life had been a secret kept from her. Like it was all a lie.

  He fed her by hand when her mother finally sat down with her own plate and two new ones for them. It was a feast. James could get used to it. She smiled at them. “It’s good. This thing between you it’s good.” She nibbled on the toast triangle that she’d just dunked in the runny yolk on her plate. Jess hated that; it had always turned her stomach. Her eggs were scrambled hard, always.

  “Is that yolk grossing you out?”

  Jess nodded.

  “Here. You have permission to always scramble my eggs, sweetheart.” He smiled softly and gave her some toast, then rubbed her thigh while she ate. “Jess and I are headed back today. I am going to claim her once we get home and get set up.”

  Her mother smiled and nodded.

  “I’m asking your permission.”

  Jess chewed her lip.

  “Jess? Do you want this wolf? You may turn or you may not, but I think he will make you happy. I know I haven’t set a great marriage example, but you aren’t me, hon. I think that for you, it will be forever and it will be once, like your dad. Do you want to spend the rest of your life with him? Have pups with him? And I think he’s an Alpha. Am I right?” She looked at James, who nodded. “You lead a pack, then? A pack master?”

  He nodded again.

  She drew a deep breath. “It’ll be hard, Jess. If you’re his female, you’ll need to be strong. You’ll need to be a leader. I know you don’t have a lot of grit, but you’re going to have to find some in you. Do you think you can do that? For him?”

  Jess gazed into the deep blue pools of his eyes. A growl rumbled through him, and she nodded. Slowly and gently at first, but then she smiled, nodding as if she meant it.

  “Good. You have my permission,” her mother said to James.

  He leaned over and kissed Jessica’s cheek, then dropped to one knee. Jess gasped, but her mother only grinned as if she suspected this would happen when he asked permission. James took both of her hands in his and gazed up into her eyes.

  “I know our traditions are different, and I don’t want you to feel like you missed out on anything by being with me. Will you be my bride, Jess? Will you let me claim you and keep you safe and happy for the rest of our lives?”

  Jess nibbled her lip and looked down at his hands. “Will you explain everything to me? I mean, if I’m going to be with you and you’re a…there’s going to be a lot I don’t understand. Sometimes I feel like you’re not telling me everything, and I don’t like to feel as though I’m in the dark.”

  James squeezed her hands. “The word you were looking for is ‘werewolf,’ Jess, you can say it. I will explain and tell you everything and anything that you want to know. I couldn’t before because of our differences, but if we are mates, there are no secrets.”

  “Okay,” she murmured.

  “Okay?”

  “Yes, I’ll be your bride, or mate, or whatever you call it.” Jess leaned over and kissed him softly. “Does this mean we’ll have a wedding or that you’ll just bite me?”

  Jess’s mother laughed at that. “There are no rules, honey. If you want a wedding, you can have one, if you just want to be bitten you can have that, too, or both. I think, though, if you want to change your name, you’ll have to see the preacher or at least a judge.” Her mother decided.

  James slid a diamond onto her left hand and kissed her knuckles.

  “You guys need to get a move on if you’re going to make your plane. You know how airport security is these days. Leave at least a three-hour window.” Her mother stood.

  “She’s right.” James stood and pulled Jess up with him. “I’ll get your luggage.”

  “Wait, I can’t go home in my pajamas.” Jess followed James to the guestroom. He straightened the bed while she dressed in the bathroom. The thought of her naked on the other side of that tiny flimsy door had his wolf trying to break free. James had it planned, though. He would not just jump her. It would be romantic and perfect. It would be something she would recall as one of the best moments of her life.

  Jess hugged her mother at the front door while James carried the luggage to the car. He came back up the porch steps and hugged his soon-to-be mother-in-law, then kissed her cheek. “I’ll take excellent care of her, and you are welcome to visit anytime.”

  “I know you will, and I may come up to surprise you sometime.” She chuckled. “Be safe.”

  James waved as he walked Jess to the car. Jess started hers and then waved to her mom as they pulled away with her following James. He kept checking the rearview mirror to look back at her, and she smiled for him every time.

  They waited in their first-class seats once they returned their rental cars and checked their bags. James held her hand and traced circles with his thumb. Soon the plane would take off, and within a few hours, they could begin their new life together.

  “We’ll stay at your apartment the first few days that we’re home because I think you will be more comfortable there. Also, we can get your things packed while I get our bedroom ready in the old wing. We can work on the rest from there. We’ll have to share the kitchen until ours is finished, but the rest is useable. What do you think?”

  “Okay.”

  “Jess?”

  She looked up from where her head rested on his shoulder.

  “Your thoughts? More than okay, okay?”

  “Well, that sounds good.” Her eyes met his.

  “Are you nervous?”

  She nodded.

  “About us or the new house?”

  “The plane. I don’t like takeoff.”

  He put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed.

  “I wish they’d get it over with already.”

  James kissed her temple.

  “Can we paint the bedroom a color?”

  “What color would you like?”

  She shrugged. “Hmm, how about dusky rose with wood trim? Then we won’t have to recover the couch.”

  “You’re going to put a couch in our bedroom?”

  Jess lifted her head to look at him. “Sure, the room is huge, and there’s a fireplace. It’ll be great, you’ll see.” Jess tensed when the engines revved.

  “How did you get here in the first place if this makes you so tense?” James asked.

  “I cuddled with the guy next to me.”

  James growled.

  “I’m kidding, calm down.” She rubbed his chest with her hand. “I stared out the window and thought about you, but this is better.”

  Chapter 10

  “Hi, sweetheart.” James glanced down at her from his place on the ladder. He was wearing overalls and had a roller in his hand, painting their bedroom ceiling. The top was hanging from his waist, and she bet that if he wiggled a little they would fall off. How convenient that would be! God, he was gorgeou
s up there all stretched out and glistening with sweat. They still had not made love, and Jess wanted to, badly. He insisted, though, that he wanted to wait to mark her until they could do it properly in their bed and in their new house. Jess picked up a roller and rolled it through the dusky-pink paint. It was lighter than the couch, but she decided that it would look nice. Her mother would be pleased with James’s color choice. The sooner this room was finished, the sooner she would get what she wanted. Jess started on a wall that was almost done. She didn’t see the point in waiting. The way Jess figured, they could be having sex right now. She didn’t care if the paint was on all of the walls.

  ***

  James scented her arousal and rolled the paint faster. They needed to finish, and it would have to be soon, because the other wolves were getting more difficult to hold off, and now that he’d met her mother, he knew why. Jess was part wolf. He’d told her that he also didn’t want to take the chance of her suddenly changing in an apartment. His wolf was a nut case, though. Wolves are biologically engineered to mate as soon as a mate is found, but she was human.

  Humans are sentimental and they don’t follow the same rules. He wanted everything to be perfect and he would never give her a reason to leave. Humans also left their mates sometimes, a lot of the time. Wolves were more inclined not to. Not that it never happened, but rejection was less common in his world. Jess would have everything a human woman could want, hearts and flowers. If that meant controlling himself, so be it. His wolf was going to have to be patient. “Soon, sweetheart.”

  “Huh?” Jess turned around from the pink wall she’d just finished.

  “I can smell your arousal. Soon.” He smiled at her flushed cheeks.

  She loved those dimples. He was so flipping sexy.

  “Soon.”

  Jess grinned.

  “Open the windows wider for me?”

  She nodded and began raising them. The last thing that he needed was her arousal attracting the others.

  “Sorry, I can’t help it.”

  He smiled and went back to painting the ceiling.