by Delta James
Darby reached up to whisper something in Jean-Michel’s ear and nuzzle his neck. He ran his hand possessively down her flank and kissed her but allowed her to leave his side. As she turned toward Skylar the two women smiled at each other. Darby was certain Skylar could see the fresh mark from Jean-Michel.
“He’s watching me, isn’t he?” Darby asked Skylar as she got close.
“Yes, but not in the way a man watches someone he’s worried about bolting, but rather that of a well-sated and happy mate.”
“I know he’s the former and he’d better be the latter.”
Skylar looked at Jean-Michel again, whose very essence spoke to his joy in his new mate and in her accepting his mark. “Oh, he is. I’ve rarely seen a man look so happy with himself… or his mate.” She nodded her head toward the fresh mark. “Are you all right with that?”
“Surprisingly, yes. Do you know he made sure that they got me two party dresses—one that showed it off and one which covered it. He wanted me to make the choice about whether or not to show it. Jesus, I’d forgotten how much that hurts.”
Skylar smiled. “I know. I do think Dylan’s hurt more than Micah’s. I suspect they have to bite deeper and harder in order to eradicate your former mate’s marking.”
“Were you okay with his doing that? Getting rid of Micah’s mark?”
“Other than how much it hurt, I understand it. Alphas are notoriously possessive and territorial. Seeing the mark that jackass that you were mated to before had to be difficult for him. He’d want to rid you of that mark not only to place his own there, but also to wipe away that last vestige of your former mate. The need to mark their mates as their own is overwhelming for an alpha.”
Darby nodded. “In many ways, I think the need to eradicate that jackass’ mark from my body was even more compelling than marking me with his own. Do you know he offered to kill my former mate for me?”
“Yes. He told me you turned him down but asked if I thought that’s what you really wanted. I have no doubt if he thought it would bring you any peace or lessen the memories of what you suffered, he’d kill him and feed him to the alligators.”
Darby laughed. “I think you’re right. I have to say that every time he fucks… no, that isn’t what he does. He makes love to me. Can you believe it, Sky? I can actually say that and believe it. Every time he makes love to me, the shit I lived through with that jerk lessens. More and more, it’s like I started to live the other day when he claimed me.”
“Funny how you can find the relationship of a lifetime that starts with a spanking.”
“I know, what the hell is up with that? He has wicked hands when he’s pissed and expressing his displeasure with my behavior on my ass. But those same hands can make me climax more than once before he even mounts me.” She turned to look at him and he smiled at her. “Gods, he’s gorgeous, isn’t he?”
Skylar nodded.
“And he’s all mine. He is, isn’t he?”
“Absolutely. When an alpha takes a fated mate, he really loses any and all sexual interest in other women. And no man who looks at you the way he does would have eyes for anyone else.”
“So, he looks at me the way Dylan looks at you? You are happy, aren’t you, Sky?”
“Yes, more than I should be. And I’m coming to find, as I’m sure you are, that they’re cut from a different cloth than the old guard. They genuinely care for the women in their care.”
“I know. Jean-Michel said that Dylan has taken a lot of shit over the way he’s handled this. My mate admires your mate a great deal.”
Skylar smiled. “There’s a lot to admire.”
“As much as he wants to, Jean-Michel thinks he should wait until we’re home to knot me. He wants me in our bed where he can ensure that I’m pampered and cared for… a bit of a difference from what I was used to. Thing is, I’m actually starting to want him to… to knot me, that is. He confirmed what you said the other night that if done correctly, it is deeply intimate and sensual and like nothing I’ve ever done.”
Skylar laughed. “Well, let me put it to you this way… Roz was downright pissed I’d never told her how incredible it was after Oliver knotted her for the first time.”
Darby laughed. “That sounds like Roz. Do you think she’ll be all right up in the Hamptons?”
“You didn’t get to see much of them together. I think she’ll be fine anywhere she’s with Oliver. I’m starting to believe we may all come out of this in good shape. Dylan has said we won’t lose touch and if any of our women are abused, the abuser will answer to him.”
“If he’s anything like his beta, that could get ugly.”
“Anyone who isn’t me should be considered ugly by you, my love,” said Jean-Michel as he swiftly closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around his mate.
“Ugly, stupid, and lousy in bed,” replied Darby, causing Jean-Michel to laugh and kiss her neck just above his mark. “Quit fretting,” she said quietly as she stroked the side of his face. “It really doesn’t bother me.”
“Careful, mate, lying to me even to soothe my feelings is a spankable offense, n’est pas?”
“It’s not really a lie. Was it painful and does it hurt? Yes, but I knew it would be when I asked you to do it. The fact that you waited until I asked and have been so loving to me makes the pain negligible. I don’t think that rises to the level of lying to you.”
“That is all true. But when I ask you if something hurts, I want you to answer me without regard for my feelings. The only other woman you know of our pack is Megan and she hasn’t been home yet either. But like with Dylan’s pack, the women in our pack know they may speak their minds if done respectfully.”
“Well, then, with all due respect… you didn’t ask me if it hurt. I could just tell you were fretting again.”
Jean-Michel laughed. “Point taken, my love.” He looked to Skylar. “Tell me, are all the women of Bae Diogel this difficult to deal with and so easy to love?”
“I’m afraid so,” said Dylan, joining them. “Frightfully easy to love. I find they are much easier to deal with when marked and then spanked and knotted on a regular basis, eh, cariad? I see your mate bears your mark.”
Jean-Michel nodded. “Yes, mon ami, at her request. She no longer bears the mark of that bastard that abused her, but instead has that of the man whose heart and soul are in her keeping.”
Dylan smiled. “I think we’re getting ready to go into dinner. Would the two of you mind joining the ranking members of my pack in my study after dinner? And have JD and Megan join us if you don’t mind.”
Jean-Michel nodded and then followed with Darby as Dylan announced dinner and then led Skylar into the dining room.
* * *
The dinner was a grand success. All of those gathered around the table seemed to be enjoying themselves. Jean-Michel was honored that Dylan had asked him to sit at the other end of his table. He was even more honored to have Darby at his side, resplendent in her new dress and proudly bearing his mark.
As dinner broke up, Jean-Michel, Darby, JD, and Megan joined the ranking members of Calon Gwyllt in Dylan’s study. Their discussion centered around the three remaining members of Bae Diogel who were not mated—Summer, Gina, and Lacey. All in attendance agreed that Summer was the most problematic, mostly because she had no desire to be happy.
There was a knock on the door and Lacey and the alpha from Savannah, Beau Butler, asked to speak with Dylan. They were not opposed to the others remaining. Beau had come to ask to be able to claim Lacey as his mate. Jean-Michel smiled as he watched Dylan ensure this was what Lacey wanted as well. Beau affectionately chided his mate for trying to hide from him.
“This seems to be a common occurrence in the women of your pack, beloved,” Jean-Michel whispered to Darby. Darby’s affectionate elbow to his ribs was answered by an affectionate swat to her behind. The difference being that Jean-Michel did not have bruised ribs, while Darby’s bottom was still smarting from Jean-Michel’s p
revious punishments.
The young couple was congratulated and left the study after Beau pledged to support Dylan if ever the need arose. Jean-Michel feared that the need would arise, and not in the too distant future.
Jean-Michel spoke up. “At the risk of being a greedy bastard, which of course, I am…” and everyone laughed. “We could easily settle the question of Summer.”
“Easily?” asked Nick. “There is nothing easy about Summer. She’s dead set on being unhappy and running away again.”
“What’s your thinking, Jean-Michel?” asked Dylan.
“Send Summer home with us. I know, I know, but really, are they going to be more pissed that I managed to convince you to trust me with three as opposed to two? I have seven unmated males in my pack and no unmated females. Summer could be happy with us. She would have Meg and my beautiful Darby to help her. I think she needs more time to adjust and to decide to be happy… and I don’t think that’s time you can give her.”
“You’d really want to take her on?” asked Dylan. Jean-Michel nodded.
After additional discussion, Dylan seemed to settle on the idea of sending Summer to New Orleans. He cautioned Jean-Michel that his pack might find itself under attack.
Jean-Michel laughed and said, “Let them come. We could use the exercise.”
* * *
The group adjourned until the following morning. Summer was to be invited to join all of the guests for brunch and afterward, a decision would be made about with whom to send Gina.
Jean-Michel and Darby headed back upstairs and entered their room. Once inside Darby turned and embraced the man she now called mate and alpha, pressing her body against his and covering his mouth with her own.
He chuckled as she pushed her tongue past his lips and teeth to taste and explore as he so often did to her. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close, savoring her need to be with him. He had to focus to keep the knot from forming. Every instinct from this moment back a millennium or more urged him to let the knot form, seat himself deep within her and allow the knot to swell, sealing her to him. But tomorrow would be a taxing day at best for her and he wanted to minimize any discomfort she might have on the trip home.
Darby could feel his cock getting hard and the beginnings of a knot. “Are you going to knot and tie me to you this night, mate?”
He smiled and kissed her lightly. Searching her face, he knew that she would not protest if he allowed the knot to form and possessed her completely.
“It pleases me to know that you no longer fear the time when I will knot and tie you. But like when you first lost your virginity, it may be painful, not just from the knot itself, but from the entire act. I would prefer that we were at home.”
“Is it that painful?” she asked, no longer afraid but wanting to understand what to expect.
“It can be when I first force it inside you. But as responsive and sensual as you are, mate, once I have you sealed to me and begin to rock you, I have no doubt that all you will think about when you feel a knot starting to form is arousal and joy knowing it will be yours that night.”
She giggled. “That sure of yourself, are you?”
“No, beloved, that sure of you and your response to my lovemaking. But you will most likely be sore. I want you to be able to rest comfortably so that when I knot and tie you repeatedly over the next several days, you will be able to enjoy the experience.”
She smiled seductively. “But what if I want it now, tonight?”
He chuckled and tapped her nose with his finger. “As much as I love you, you will not always get what you want when you want it and when you misbehave because of it, you will get your pretty bottom spanked. I would suggest that you avoid that as well before we make our way home.”
“How far are we from New Orleans? And do we live in the city proper?”
“We are about three hours by plane and more than sixteen by car.”
“How many times do we have to change planes?”
“None. We have a private jet.”
“We have a private jet? Jesus, you really are rich.”
“We, my beloved, and our pack is very wealthy. We have accumulated and protected our wealth for hundreds of years. It helps that Jean Laffite was an excellent privateer and invested heavily as he became successful. So, we started with a sizeable fortune and each generation has added to that wealth and financial security.”
“But a jet?”
“A small one. It will only hold ten people.”
“Oh, only ten? Well, I’d better tell Dylan I need someone with more money,” she said, giggling as she turned from him and started toward their bed.
His hand connected with her backside. “That, mate, is not funny,” but he was smiling as he said it and the swat had little power behind it. “And in the future, you could earn a trip over my knee for saying something like that.”
She turned around and wrapped her arms back around him. “But it is funny. For you see, as much as you would kill anyone who tried to take me from you? I would do the same. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me until the end of time.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “It will probably take me at least that long to teach you to be well behaved. Now, mate, you have on entirely too many clothes.”
To Darby’s delight it didn’t take him long to divest both of them of their clothing and take her to bed. As much as he had enjoyed making her respond to him when she didn’t choose to, his joy in her happiness in being in his embrace was greater than any he had ever experienced before.
When finally he let her rest and was sprawled on his back with her tucked under his shoulder, she said to him, “Jean-Michel? Tell me about your…”
“Our,” he corrected gently.
She smiled. “…our home. Do we live in the city itself like in the French Quarter or… oh lord, the only things I know about New Orleans are the French Quarter, Bourbon Street, beignets, and Mardi Gras.”
“We keep a large Creole-style townhome in the French Quarter itself. It has four bedrooms and three and a half baths, a full basement, and a kitchen that was designed for entertaining. We have a large courtyard off of the back with greenery and a lovely fountain. When we entertain business guests not of our kind, we most often will do it there. It is also used by pack members when they want to be in the city for various functions including Mardi Gras. But like most of the larger, more affluent packs, we have a large estate in what is known as Plantation County about an hour from the heart of the Crescent City.”
“Did we grow cotton and have slaves?”
“No. We grew indigo, sugar, and other crops. The Gautiers have never owned slaves, which didn’t always make us very popular with other plantation owners. In fact, both the townhouse and the estate were utilized by the Underground Railroad to help runaway slaves.”
“I like that we didn’t own slaves and helped those who managed to get away to get to safety.”
“And I like that you are beginning to understand you are a Gautier and ours is a rich heritage.”
“Do we have just one huge house or several big houses?”
“We are set up much like Dylan’s estate. We have three large residences and then several small dwellings. The main house is for the ranking members of the pack.”
“I’ve met JD. Megan is mad about him, you know.”
Jean-Michel nodded.
“Who is our omega? Does he have a mate?”
“That would be Geoff and no, he does not. Part of me hopes that Summer is his mate, and part does not.”
“Why? Do you think the Ruling Council would throw a fit if all three of the ranking members of our pack were mated to those rogues from Bae Diogel?”
“Would you like it if they objected?”
“I wouldn’t want it to cause actual trouble for us. But if it caused them to lose sleep, then yes, I would.”
He laughed. “I couldn’t care less what they think. And if they choose to bring trouble to our door, we will cure
them of their arrogance in thinking they can dictate to a member pack.”
“Then, why do you care?”
“I want to ensure that our unmated males know I am committed to finding them mates and didn’t snag the most amazing women for ranked members only. I also worry that she might not be the best choice for the wife of our omega. It is always best if the mate to the omega has those tendencies as well.”
“You haven’t seen Summer at her best…”
“I’ve barely seen Summer at all as she has been so naughty that she has spent most of her time upstairs in her room, which I’m beginning to wonder wasn’t what she wanted all along.”
“She’s really very nice. Please don’t judge her just based on your limited interaction with her. If you’d only judged me on my behavior, I wouldn’t be lying here naked next to you.”
“Yes, but then I was called to you and you to me. Although, naughty mate that you are, you resisted my call.”
“At the risk of supporting your already inflated ego, that wasn’t easy. When I heard you howl, I could feel it reverberate through my bones. When you got closer, it spread like wildfire through my blood. Combined with that alpha roll you sent at me, I never had a chance. That really wasn’t fair.”
“All is fair in love and war. And with you, beloved, it was both.”
“I know, I really was awful. I’m so sorry.”
“No need, ma choue. Our family has a long and storied history of difficult mates. We know that the more they resist, the sweeter their surrender will be. And yours was the sweetest of all.”
Chapter Ten
The following morning the guests began to gather around the dining room. It was a casual and relaxed gathering and everyone looked forward to seeing what marvels Thomas had created for their culinary enjoyment.
Summer had once again joined the group and took no time in proving how unrelenting she could be in not wanting to be happy. Both Dylan and Nick admonished her more than once. Having had his fill and making his decision about her fate, Dylan asked Nick to remove her to his study to try to talk some sense into her. But that having done no good, Nick once again escorted her to her room and put a man on guard outside her door. He found JD and the two of them sought out the alphas of their respective packs.
