Fated Mates: Book 1 of the True Mates Series

by Alicia Montgomery

  He smiled. “That’s kind of how dad smelled to me too, plus this…I don’t know, feeling that I was home.” He grabbed her wrist and rubbed it against hers. “This is called ‘scent sharing’” he explained. “It’s very…intimate, only people who are very close do it. Like family members and lovers.”

  She took her wrist back and put it to her nose. The smell hit her again, and this time, she felt a warmth she hadn’t felt in years, not since her mom died. “Thank you,” she said.

  “Daises…fresh cut and cool, clean water. That’s how you smell to me,” he said, his eyes lighting up. “I was only thirteen, but I remembered the day he died clearly, the last time I saw him. Not because of what he said or what he did. He came home that afternoon to say hello when I came back from school and I remembered smelling that scent on him.”

  Alynna said nothing and he gave her a nod before he left her apartment.

  CHAPTER SIX

  True to his word, Grant gave Alynna some space, allowing her time to process all the new information. She went about her days pretty much the same, working on active cases and pursuing potential clients, though the day after Grant’s visit, she went to her mom and Uncle Gus’ graves to put some flowers. She wasn’t one to talk to the dead, but it gave her a little bit of comfort. She also knew she was being followed, but they gave her a wide berth, staying back as far as they could. Part of her was comforted they were there, though she didn’t take on any dangerous cases. She didn’t want to be shot with a tranquilizer again, but if it stopped her from hurting innocent people, then so be it. She also wondered who was sent to watch her, but she was certain is wasn’t Alex as she didn’t smell a trace of his scent, which a small (very small, she convinced herself) part of her found very disappointing.

  A week after her last meeting with Grant, her phone rang from a number that wasn’t on her contact list. “Alynna Chase,” she answered in a professional manner.

  “Alynna, it’s Cady,” the now familiar voice said to her. “What are you doing today? Are you free?”

  “Actually, you caught me at a good time,” she said. “A prospect bailed on me, and I’m kinda just hangin’ around today.”

  “Perfect! If you’re not doing anything, I’ll take you to lunch and shopping ok? See you in a 10!”

  “Wait – shopping? What? Cady? Hello?” Alynna sighed. Cady was either being rude or smart. Either way, she couldn’t back out now. Well, it was a good thing she was wearing her nice professional outfit (slacks, blue button down, and her best boots) so she didn’t have to get all dressed up for lunch.

  ***

  Cady put the phone down and looked at Grant, who was sitting across from her desk. “Ok, it’s all set.”

  “Good. Take her to lunch or shopping, or whatever she wants,” Grant leaned back and stretched his legs.

  “I will, but you are going to spend time with her, right?” Cady asked sternly.

  “Yes, I will,” he chuckled. “When I have time.”

  “You never have time,” the redhead muttered. “Ok, so should I take Alex and Patrick with me? Just in case?”

  Grant put his hands together and placed it under his chin. “Yes, about that. So, you know who she is, Dr. Faulkner knows, and of course, Nick Vrost knows who she is. We need to keep a tight lid on this information for now, at least until we know more.”

  “But, there is the fact that Alex has seen her transform, twice now,” Cady filled in, seemingly reading his mind. “We should inform her of who she is, so he knows and he doesn’t panic.”

  “Right,” Grant agreed.

  “Well, he’s right outside, let’s call him in, shall we?” Cady picked up her line and gave instructions to her assistant to let the younger Lycan in.

  Alex strode in through the door a minute later. “You called for me, Ms. Gray? Primul?”

  Cady motioned for him to come closer to her desk. He did, but didn’t sit down, instead remaining standing, as a sign of respect to his Alpha.

  “Alex, I called you in here because…” Grant began, unsure of how to continue. “I can trust, you correct?”

  “Of course, Primul. With your life.”

  “So, you’re pretty much in deep with this situation with Ms. Chase, and I thank you for being discreet about it,” Grant cleared his throat. “But soon, everyone will know and I want to tell you about her. Alynna - Ms. Chase - is my half sister. When you met her, she didn’t know…I didn’t know either until you and Mr. Vrost brought her here and she shifted in my office.”

  Alex’s jaw tightened. Alynna had known since that day and when they were out at the diner, yet she didn’t tell him. The Alpha’s sister. His mind wanted to wander, but he took a deep mental breath and cleared it. He would think about what that meant another time.

  “Once we’ve…made some more adjustments, we’ll be ready to announce who is she is, but please keep this information to yourself for now,” Grant instructed.

  “Of course, Primul,” he nodded in deference.

  “Thank you Alex, that’s all.”

  “Thank you, Primul,” Alex turned and headed out the door. His head was spinning from this new information. Probably grew up without knowing she was a Lycan, which made sense now. But what did that mean for him? He shook his head, trying to shake off the memory of key lime pie and her pretty green eyes.

  ***

  Right at 10am on the dot, her doorbell buzzed. Instead of opening the door, she used the intercom. “Be right down!” she told whomever it was that buzzed. She grabbed her purse and raced down the stairs. She didn’t even have to step out to know who was waiting for her, not when her nose told her.

  “Good afternoon,” Alex greeted. He smiled at her, but he seemed a little more distant.

  “Hello,” she said, a little unnerved by his cold politeness. “Er…thanks for picking me up.”

  He nodded. “No problem, just part of the job, Miss.”

  She raised an eyebrow at him. “Yeah, ok, whatever,” she shrugged. Why he was acting formal and distant, she didn’t know.

  He let her walk in front of him, towards the familiar black town car. But, before she could reach for the door, Alex stepped in front of her, opening it.

  “Alynna!” Cady scooted over to make room for her. “Glad you could make it.”

  “I didn’t exactly have a choice,” she said wryly.

  The redhead gave her a mischievous smile. “I’ve been dealing with stubborn Lycans all my life, so sometimes you just gotta take the wolf by the ears. Patrick,” she said to the driver as Alex slipped into the passenger seat. “Let’s head to lunch first, please.”

  ***

  When Cady invited her for lunch, she didn’t expect it to be the type of place where ladies who lunch, well…lunched. The restaurant at Bergdorf Goodman on 5th Avenue was the place to be seen and when they ushered Cady into the restaurant, she thought for sure the snooty hostess would point her to the door. Her best outfit suddenly felt like last season’s rags.

  Sensing her unease, Cady leaned forward and put a reassuring hand on her arm. “Grant asked me to bring you here. We can go somewhere else if you want.”

  “No, it’s fine,” she turned the menu. She hoped her eyes didn’t bug out too much when she glanced at the prices.

  “Order whatever you want. His treat too,” Cady said casually as she flipped through the menu.

  Alynna ordered a moderately-priced entrée and a salad to start. After the waiters took their menus away, she glanced around and saw Alex standing by the doorway, his back straight as a rod. “Uhm…is he…I mean, him and Patrick, will they be eating as well?”

  “They have their scheduled breaks,” Cady stated. “I don’t know the details since that’s Mr. Vrost’s area of expertise. But they’re well compensated, I assure you, plus it’s one of the more coveted positions in the clan, so it’s more than just the money.”

  “Positions?” she asked in a puzzled voice.

  “Well,” she began. “Lycan clans are mostly dynast
ic. Each clan has several families under it, and a ruling family. Power is passed on from father to son, or whoever the Regal or Alpha chooses as heir in the family, unless there was a challenge to the rule or the presumptive heir proves to be unworthy. If you don’t come from the ruling family, then the highest position available to you is Beta or Second in Command.”

  “Like Nick Vrost?”

  The redhead nodded. “Yes. As Beta, it’s his job to protect the Regal. That position, however, is pretty much up for grabs by anyone in the clan, though the Alpha usually chooses, based on who’s best for the job. Security guys, like Patrick and Alex, they’re in prime position – close to the Alpha and they have a chance to prove themselves and maybe even land the Beta spot, should something happen to the current Beta, or a head lieutenant. All the best Lycans in the clan, males and females, vie to get in once a spot in security opens. To be part of Grant’s security detail is a high honor and he gets a lot of applications because they know he and Mr. Vrost pick people based on skill and potential, not simply connections.”

  Alynna noticed Cady’s use of Grant’s first name, but not Nick’s, though she said nothing. They PI in her filed that away, then continued her questions. “So, you said ‘clan’. Does that mean there are more Lycans around the country?”

  “Around the world actually,” Cady corrected. “Most territories are divided up into clans who rule a particular city or area, though not every city has one. New York is one of the largest, oldest, and most powerful,” she said rather proudly.

  “Hmmm…but I thought Alex was from Chicago?”

  Cady narrowed her eyes, and Alynna almost kicked herself for revealing she knew that. However, the other woman seemed to brush it off. “He’s a transfer. That happens sometimes, rarely though. It’s a little…tricky. You have to get permission from your Regal and the Regal of where you want to transfer. Then the Lycan Head Council has to approve it. It’s quite bureaucratic, almost like getting a visa to another country. I think Alex was able to do it because of legacy. One of his grandparents was from New York, and one of his grandfathers actually served as Beta to Grant’s great-grandfather.”

  “Oh,” she took a swig of her water. All of this was a lot to absorb, kind of like learning how to do a new job, but this time, she had to learn all the intricacies of a new society.

  “Well, there are lots of things for you to learn, I’m sure Grant told you.”

  Alynna nodded. “It seems so complicated.”

  “That’s what why we’re gonna have to get you up to speed. Grant has put me in charge of your lessons – history, protocol, etc. Basically whatever they teach young pups up until they’re about 15 or 16.”

  “Wow,” she swallowed a gulp. “Is it even possible for me to learn?”

  Cady laughed. “Don’t worry, I’ll give you the Cliff’s notes version, ok? No tests or quizzes, but stuff you need to know and maybe find interesting. I want to work with your schedule, but I’m telling you, the more time you devote to this each week, then the sooner you’re up to speed. We’ll start with the basics.”

  “You mean, about the stuff that makes sure I won’t get into trouble, right?”

  “Something like that,” Cady smiled. “But really, just make sure you stay in New York State for now. Don’t even venture out to New Jersey, unless you really need to and just let us know and give us time to get you permission.”

  “Wait, Jersey has its own clan?”

  “Uh-huh. But, well, I personally don’t know any of them, only that we have neutral relations, but I’ve heard they are a…colorful bunch. They’re one of the few clans traditionally led by a Lupa.”

  “Ok, I hate to sound like an echo, but…Lupa?”

  “Lupa or female Alpha, the equivalent of a Regal, though it’s also used as an honorific title for the Alpha’s wife, unless she’s a Lupa by her own right.” she explained. “Hmm…I really need to update our records about them actually. I don’t know who the current Lupa is, which seems like an oversight since they’re one of our closest neighbors.” She took out her tablet and jotted down a note.

  The waiter came and gave them their starters. “There’s a couple of other things I need to explain to you as well, and certain things Grant has to tell you, but for now, let’s enjoy our lunch shall we? There’s plenty of time to learn what you need to know in the next couple of weeks.”

  ***

  “What am I supposed to do with a ball gown?” Alynna asked as she stood in front of the large mirrors in Bergdorf’s plush private fitting room. When Cady told her that she was taking her shopping, she thought it was for a new coat or maybe a couple of shirts. So far, she’d been fitted for two new suits, three cocktail dresses, some casual slacks and blouses, and three pairs of shoes that cost more than her monthly rent (she had to send two of them back as she’d never wear them, not at that price). And now, she was standing in a beautiful emerald green satin ball gown. Even if it had one, she didn’t even want to look at the price tag. The name of the designer on the label alone made her heart stop.

  Cady sat in one of the white couches as she perused over all the clothes she put on, saying “yes” or “no” with each look. Meanwhile, Alex stood in a corner, his head looking straight ahead, and his face expressionless. Not that she looked at him. Well maybe she snuck a couple of glances, hoping he’d react to some of the stuff she was wearing, but she was slightly disappointed when it seemed like he wasn’t even paying any attention.

  “Please stay still, Ms. Anderson,” the young seamstress instructed as she pinned the dress to her slim frame.

  “It’s Ms. Chase,” she corrected the girl sharply. She did as she was told, however, as she didn’t want to make the young girl any more nervous and accidentally prick her.

  “I’m so sorry,” she apologized, her eyes lowering to the ground. “I was told you were related to the Regal.”

  Hmmm…she smelled slightly sweet to Alynna, like chocolate chip cookies, with a hint of what she could only describe as…nervousness. She didn’t even realize the girl was a Lycan as well. Why she was uneasy, Alynna wasn’t sure. “No worries, honest mistake,” she smiled. After she was done, she went to the dressing area behind the mirrors and took the gown off, then dressed into her street clothes.

  Alynna patted the girl’s shoulder to put her at ease. “Thank you, it’s really lovely, and you did a great job with helping and picking.” She handed her the gown. “I’m really bad at this and you made some good suggestions. I’ll be sure to tell Grant, uhm…” She couldn’t remember the girl’s name, or even if she introduced herself.

  “Rachel, Miss An—er Ms. Chase,” she said, her eyes lightening up and her shoulders relaxing. “I…uh…I’ll make sure this gets done right away,” she gave her small nod and scampered away with her dress.

  “So, she’s a Lycan?” Alynna asked Cady.

  “You’ll be surprised how many Lycans there are in New York. And it helps a lot to make sure they’re in the right places,” Cady explained as she looked up from her phone. After a few taps, she put it away. “That was a stunning color on you, by the way. The green really brings out your eyes. And when they see you, there’ll be no doubt at all who you are.”

  “Now hold on,” Alynna she yanked on her boots. “Who’s ‘they’? And you didn’t answer my question – what ball?”

  Cady sighed. “This is one of those things Grant needs to tell you.”

  “Tell me what? Start explaining or I’ll walk out right now,” she stood up, hands on her hips.

  “Well, there’s the matter of your coming out ball…”

  “Wait, what? A coming out ball? I’m not exactly debutante material,” she put her hands up in frustration.

  Cady gave a little laugh. “Don’t worry it’s not like that. This is to introduce you to pack society. All of New York’s top Lycan families will be there, our supporters and friends, and probably prominent Regals and Lupas. And the High Council of course.”

  “Oh so a bunch of snooty shi
fters get to watch me parade around in a fancy gown?” she sneered in a sardonic voice.

  “Alynna, please,” she motioned for the girl to sit down. Something about Cady’s manner made Alynna calm down and she sat down, though she crossed her arms. “I don’t expect you to understand right now, but Lycans have a rich and long cultural tradition. There are protocols and customs, as well as laws to follow,” she patted the young girl’s hand soothingly. “I know this is confusing right now, but Grant can’t hide you away now that he knows your existence, especially when you’re the first offspring of a proven True Mate pairing in over 200 years. The Council would have his head if you weren’t properly introduced. We’re having enough trouble as it is researching the proper protocols because these things are usually done at a child’s first birthday.”

  Alynna gulped. Not knowing much about Lycan society, she wondered if “have his head” was literally or figuratively. “What I don’t get – and this is kind of an awkward question to ask Grant, so I need to ask you – why would they want to meet some by-blow of a billionaire and a poor waitress? Shouldn’t they be shunning me or something?”

  “I’ve only known the exact details myself for a few days, so I’ll let Grant explain the intricacies. What I can tell you is Lycan society doesn’t quite work like regular human society,” Cady explained. “True Mate pairings trump even regular marriages, and children of such pairings are celebrated.” She paused. “Although I said New York was the largest clan, that isn’t saying much really. There are maybe over 200 hundred Lycans in the whole of New York. Some clans have only one family branch. See, Lycans rarely produce more than one pup, maybe two at most but it’s very rare. So any offspring is cherished, no matter what the circumstances of his or her birth.”

  “And Grant’s mom?”

  Cady lowered her voice. “Grant’s parents weren’t in love or anything. They married for position and status and to produce an heir. They were friendly to each other but aside from Grant, they had nothing in common. She lives in Paris now, I believe.”