by Leeda Vada
Calli’s plans called for two reception rooms: a small more businesslike one on the left and a more formal, hospitality one on the right. Formal social events would also be held here, with ornate glass doors opening onto a large esplanade, sporting lovely fountained gardens and walking paths through an area where there would be gardens that provided intimate grouping stations. Larger flowering trees and pines fronted the security wall.
Back inside, further back on the ground floor, were meeting rooms to the left and guest quarters on the right. A small chapel was also located here. This whole area was under the authority of the chatelaine, the man or woman who would work with security and housekeeping to ensure that things ran smoothly.
The second level would house family guests, team members (when in residence), and any permanent staff. There was a large recreational area featuring a library (a typical monastic library with Gothic shelves), a gymnasium, kitchen and dining room, and security office. There would be security offices on each level of the castle, manned 24/7.
The third level would serve as her and Canaan’s private residence. Admittance was restricted, with wolves patrolling its halls. There was both a master and mistress suite, each with a study/library, a private parlor for entertaining guests, a small kitchen, a nursery, and additional small rooms for close family guests.
The fourth level housed the main security system that oversaw all the smaller security stations throughout the castle, with offices and apartments for on-duty teams.
On the fifth level, the tower, would be the airport. Aragon had a fleet of Wolf Stars that were housed on the tower level. This entire level was cloaked, disguised as a rooftop garden, the image maintained by an impenetrable force field built by Sebastian and his brothers after Calli took up residence following the trial.
The force field sent repelling energy wave bursts that disrupted the radar of enemy aircraft, causing it to disintegrate planes that remained in the vicinity, creating a virtual Bermuda Triangle “no-fly” zone. The gardens retreated under the four towers, and the landing pad appeared. This landing field was not available to the public. Non-security air vehicles landed on the left side of the ground floor esplanade.
There would also be an underground level. An indoor pool, public gymnasium, and a recreational area—complete with kitchen—occupied this area, including cellars, tunnels for escape, and secret entry points. Directly under the chapel were tombs that could be used for additional security purposes.
#
At this point, Calli had been presenting for about forty minutes. She called for a break and left to get a cup of coffee and allow the team time to absorb what she had presented up to that point. Canaan accompanied her.
“Well, what do you think?” she asked him, struggling to control her nerves, as he rescued the coffee pot from her trembling hands.
“Now you get nervous,” he chuckled. “You did great.” He handed her a cup of steaming black coffee. “Good strategy, leaving to give them time to discuss their first impressions among themselves.”
“I know I’m asking for a lot of commitment from them. They may not want to spend a lot of time here. I certainly don’t want them feeling obligated to reside here or to feel that doing so would be part of their duty to you.”
“Calli, you have known most of these men and Tamby most of your life. Do you really see any of them doing anything they didn’t want to do? Do you think I would have them on my team if they did not have minds of their own?”
“No. You’re right, of course,” she said, resting her body against his chest. His arms went around her and hugged her tight.
“Let’s go back in and finish up.”
#
Calli went into more detail about the apartments for team members on the second level. She had reserved five apartments for their exclusive use, and three for special guests and family.
Each apartment would be furnished with a king-size bed, a bureau and dresser, a wardrobe with a full-length mirror inside the door, a seating area, and a large bathroom, featuring a shower and double sink. There would also be a mini-kitchen with a microwave, sink, pantry, and small refrigerator. She wanted people to have a self-contained space where they could have some privacy.
Tamby, who had stopped by to check on Calli, spoke up. “I want to help, Calli. You know I’m a great organizer. Scar, how about the wiring?”
“Now, hold on,” Canaan cautioned, holding up his hand. “You all already have assignments. This is a massive undertaking. Where are you going to find the time to do all this?”
“I realize that, Canaan,” Tamby countered, refusing to allow her brother to dim her enthusiasm. “We could recruit family and friends to help.”
Canaan, sensing discomfort from Calli, glanced over and saw the alarm in her eyes. “You’re getting carried away, sis. This is our home. We want to keep it as private as possible, especially now, as we’re forming our new life here.”
Khan spoke up. “What if we start small and work on things during our off hours. Calli, which areas do you want to do first?”
Pulling up the second-floor schematic, Calli pointed to the kitchen.
“That would take years,” Hawk protested.
“Not if we pulled in teams of experts to do the heavy work, cutting the rooms, installing electricity, plumbing, and such,” countered Tamby. “Our other team members will volunteer, especially if we assure them they will have a place, a sort of a retreat, to come to for privacy and relaxation. We can handpick people we trust who have proven their loyalty. Several of us would be on site when the work was being done.”
Canaan watched Calli’s face. What he saw there prompted him to end the discussion. “Let’s all think about things and get together again in two days to brainstorm some ideas.”
#
In bed that night, Calli propped herself up on her elbows and gained her husband’s attention.
“Canaan, I have a suggestion about contractors. You may not like it at first, but before rejecting it out of hand, just hear me out.”
Standing akimbo, Canaan replied warily, “I’m listening,”
“Would you allow Sebastian to join forces with the men you choose to do the basic construction work, including installing plumbing and electricity, partitioning and constructing rooms, and offering some tips on security?”
“You trust Sebastian that much?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Well, I don’t.”
“I think you are a little prejudiced against him. He has only shown support for us. Can you cite any action he has taken to harm us?”
#
That night as they lay in bed, Canaan let himself consider Calli’s suggestion. He didn’t question Sebastian’s loyalty to Calli, but he did question the knave’s feelings toward him and fellow Canid.
Canaan was also very wary of the man’s feelings toward his mate. He sensed that Sebastian’s feelings for Calli went beyond friendship. Though some or most of his regard for her stemmed from her role in defending Sebastian’s sister, Numee, and saving the life of his niece, Meda, Canaan’s predatory instincts told him that it was not the whole story.
Calli had shared some of the details of that incident, but not all. She had told him nothing that would risk the security of Sebastian’s people.
During the attack, his dying sister and Calli had made a blood exchange. Numee wanted to ensure that her child would have a blood link to her protector. She sensed her death was imminent for her family had not answered her distress call, so they would not get there in time to save her or her child.
Because Calli carried his sister’s blood, Sebastian was prohibited from considering her for a lover. But the blood connection did mean that he would always be concerned with her welfare. He had made it clear to Canaan several times that when he sensed she was in danger; he would involve himself in her protection.
Neither Canaan’s human side nor his Were beast would relinquish their mate’s care to another male, no matter how fraternal the
other party claimed to be.
“You’re troubled, Canaan,” Calli noted, squeezing the hand that rested on her abdomen.
“Not troubled, exactly,” Canaan responded, looking into her eyes. He rolled over and used his arms to prop himself above her. “I do trust Sebastian,” he assured her, lowering his forehead to hers. “At least, I trust him to do everything in his power to keep you safe.”
“Thank you, Canaan,” Calli said, her open palm on his cheek. “I know it took a lot for you to give me this boon. Your Canid makeup does not easily give trust to a non-Canid.”
“I don’t know about that, but I can assure you that every action he takes will be monitored very closely.”
“Of course,” she said, giving his nose a quip nip.
Rolling back to his side and tightening the circle of his arms, he secured her against his chest. “Go to sleep,” he said. Canaan remained awake until the rhythm of her breathing told him she had drifted off.
Chapter Thirty
The meeting between Sebastian, his construction foreman, and Largo, who headed up the Canid team Canaan had put together, went well, especially considering the innate predatory tension between a group of alpha-level males.
Everyone’s commitment to a safe environment for Canaan and his mate was the glue that made the collaboration a success. Using Calli’s vision, the group completed Stage One, the structural renovations, within a month.
#
While the work was being completed on the castle, Canaan and Calli set up residence at his lodge retreat in the Colorado Mountains.
Though for the most part Calli had dreaded the time alone with her husband, she also reluctantly admitted to herself that there was just as much a part of her that was looking forward to having some private time with him as his wife. She was curious to see what their relationship would be like minus the layers of tension present when others were around.
Calli had known most of Canaan’s team members all her life, but in the context of them as older brothers who thought of her as a little sister.
But as she grew older and the rumors began that she was destined to be Canaan’s mate, their attitude toward her changed from one of nonchalant indifference to one of wariness and discomfort. Back in Aragon, all this made for an awkwardness that permeated the air whenever she was in proximity.
Calli knew that Canaan wanted his friends there for her security when he had to go on missions, so she kept her feelings to herself. But Canaan knew her too well and had sensed her discomfort. This trip would help provide the time and distance she needed to come to terms with this new phase of her life.
More importantly, she and Canaan needed this time to know each other in their new roles as husband and wife, and not protector and charge.
#
Upon arrival, Canaan showed her upstairs to the guest room two doors down from the master bedroom suite. Though built along the lines of a retreat, the sprawling cabin boasted a master bedroom complete with a study, bathroom featuring a Jacuzzi tub, a shower big enough for three, and a walk-in closet the size of a small bedroom
The guest room into which he had shown Calli, though not nearly as impressive, was still more than comfortable with a queen-size bed, small dressing room, and a full bath sporting generous counter space. The closet faced the morning sun and overlooked a stand of maple trees. Three small beds of red, white, and pink roses dotted the lawn. A few feet from the roses were deep, lush groves of magnificent oaks that formed rich black forests that beckoned her to come and explore their secrets.
She felt her wolf stir but pushed it back down.
“I felt you would be more comfortable with your own room,” Canaan said, placing her bag on a chair next to the bed. “I didn’t want you feeling pressured to share my bed. That said, you are always welcome to sleep with me. My door will never be locked to you, Calli.”
“Thank you,” Calli responded, blushing. “I would like some time to settle in.”
“No problem. I’ll go bring up the luggage, then give you a tour of the place.”
“It’s beautiful from what I’ve seen so far.”
“I hope you’ll come to love it as much as I do and come to think of it as a second home.”
He left and Calli’s tension began to dissipate as the sound of his receding footsteps echoed on the wooden floors leading to the front entrance.
#
She woke to Canaan calling her name, summoning her to dinner.
“Just give me a couple of minutes,” she called down.
She quickly brushed her teeth and splashed cold water on her face. A glance in the mirror showed a flushed complexion and an unraveling French braid. Reminding herself that only she and Canaan were in the lodge, she dismissed concern about her appearance and hurried downstairs.
She was excited for the first time in a long time. A smile lit her face as she wondered what sort of dinner Canaan had put together, never having sampled his cooking before.
Canaan’s nervousness dissipated at the smile on Calli’s face. Though he desperately wanted some time alone with her, he didn’t want to complicate her life anymore by adding to all the things she’d already had to cope with over the past several months.
“I tried to remember some of your favorite foods, but I realize that your tastes may have changed a lot since you were a child. Blackened, grilled hot dogs, cheese eggs, coconut bonbons, and small squirrel rectangles may no longer be your favorite fare,” Canaan said with flair and a grin on his face, guiding her to a seat at the counter.
“I hope you don’t mind eating in here. We’ll move to the patio for dessert, if it’s okay. The mountain air is matchless.”
“I don’t mind at all,” she assured him. “In fact, I’m looking forward to it. I can’t believe you found squirrel candies. I haven’t had any since I left Bakari all those years ago.”
“You sound as if you’re approaching one hundred, Calli. You’re a young woman with your whole life ahead of you.”
“Sometimes I feel that old.” Shaking her head, she placed her hands palm down on the counter. “No, no. No negative thoughts tonight, only positive ones of bonbons and squirrels.”
“Agreed,” Canaan said. He poured her a glass of lemonade into which he dropped three sweet red cherries.
“Cherry lemonade too!” Calli exclaimed, clapping her hands.
Canaan couldn’t speak or pull his gaze from the abandoned joy reflected in her countenance. It had been so long since he had seen a smile on her face.
Noticing the expression, Calli sobered, and silence fell between them.
“You love me very much, don’t you?”
Stilling the fork midway to his mouth, Canaan didn’t answer for a moment. “Yes, I do. Does that make you uncomfortable?”
“A bit.”
“Why?”
“Stop it, Calli,” she said to herself. “Nothing negative, remember,” she said, popping a cherry into Canaan’s mouth. Canaan nipped her finger. She laughed and took a big bite of the blackened, naked Krakowska hot sausage.
“My God. This is good, Canaan,” she gushed. “Our mothers would so disapprove.”
“Yes, they would,” he chuckled. “They wouldn’t know who to blame as the more negative influence.”
The two spent the rest of the meal joking, recalling childhood memories, and taking turns feeding each other. Placing the utensils that weren’t disposable in the dishwasher, Canaan grabbed a bag of bonbons, took Calli’s hand, and led her outside. They shared the bag as they entered the forest.
It took only moments for Calli to become aware of the wolves’ presence. Canaan knelt and several wolves came to greet him. Recognizing the pack’s Alpha, Calli stood quietly as he approached her.
Calli extended her hand for his inspection. After a few minutes of his wet nose circling her palm, she carefully reached up and scratched behind his ears.
He turned his head and licked her hands, signaling to his mate that it was safe to approach. The Lupa’s acc
eptance of Calli was not as immediate as that of the Alpha. She chose to go to Canaan instead. Then, recognizing Canaan’s scent on Calli, she approached her and licked Calli’s outstretched palm, indicating her acceptance of Calli to the pack.
#
During their stay at the lodge, Calli spent the bulk of her time laying out a detailed plan for decorating the interior of the castle when she returned. Needing to keep her close to him, Canaan set her up in his study, providing her with her own desk, computer, and filing cabinet.
They were the only people in residence, so they did all the cooking and cleaning together.
When business or other concerns required it, they communicated electronically with the outside world, with Canaan allowing occasional short visits from his team. Calli resisted having any visitors, though her family and friends wanted to come and give their support.
She felt too emotionally fragmented to socialize with anyone. She asked Canaan to support her position, and he did. Even if he may have felt her decision wasn’t the best one, he respected her wishes.
Calli had told him that she needed her best friend back, and if that was the role she needed him to play in their fragile relationship right now, he would, no matter how much he desired more.
Canaan was in this for the long haul. He would be patient and wait until she was ready for him to be more. Shaking his head, he wondered if his phallic muscles would weaken from the number of self-ministrations required to keep that promise.
Some nights when he felt lust rising to threatening levels, he would run with the wolves in the forest until he collapsed with exhaustion, letting the rising sun wake him.
Calli couldn’t help but notice Canaan’s distress as he tried to maintain the tenuous hold on his hunger. She felt guilty about her insistence that Canaan share her bed. She knew she had to corral the strength to put his needs before her own and sleep alone or share their bed as a real wife, not one in name only.
#
She lay quietly as Canaan rose and left their bedroom for another nightly run. Watching from the window seat in their darkened bedroom, she saw him enter the forest.
