BirthSign (La Patron, The Alpha's Alpha)

by Addae, Sydney

  “Give me a sec.” Closing her eyes, she began her mantra to calm herself and then her wolf. Her grandmother had taught her this trick when she was a little girl of three. By the time she went into her first shift, she controlled her body and her wolf with a steely grip.

  “We are one with the wind. My needs are your needs. Your needs are my needs. We walk as one with the wind.” She repeated the mantra until her wolf quieted. Taking slow, deep breaths, she locked her wolf down. When her heart returned to normal, she opened her eyes and met Conner’s gaze. Her brow rose, daring him to comment or ask if she was okay again.

  “It was good seeing you again. I’d like to take you to the movies when you come back home.” He stared earnestly at her. Her stomach dropped at the idea of them spending time alone.

  “We’re good together, have the same interests and pack. I know you want your mate, but some wolves never find their mates, it doesn’t mean we can’t be in love and have a family.” He spoke hesitantly meeting her gaze.

  The word mate slammed into her. “What did you say?” she whispered. Tremors raced through her body, she wrapped her arms around her waist to keep reality away. Her wolf nudged her, trying to get her to move and seek….what? A mate? No, her mate? In the damn airport? There were thousands of people walking around, traveling all over the world.

  She closed her eyes shaking her head. How crazy was this? Of all the times, all the places, her mate shows up in one of the busiest airports in the world. Stunned at the revelation, she sat motionless. Her beast whined her disappointment at their inactivity, but she could not move.

  “Danielle?” Conner touched her elbow.

  With supreme effort, she did not flinch. She met his concerned gaze and offered a smile. This man had been her friend and lover for years. His light blue gaze always seemed so out of place in his deeply tanned face. His Nordic and Native American heritage showed in the square jaw and blade nose.

  “Yeah?”

  “You okay? I’ve been talking, but you haven’t said anything.”

  “No.”

  “No?” He frowned.

  “No we can’t go out anymore.” Her throat tightened around the words. They would never make love again beneath the moonlight or take a stroll through the field or kiss or hold hands. She marveled at the abruptness of the end of their relationship but her beast, and she agreed, would not tolerate anyone other than their mate.

  He jerked back, his face lined with confusion. “Why? Because I asked you to become my wife? I didn’t mean right now, we can take it slow.”

  She stared open-mouthed at him. He had proposed and she missed it. “No…although, never mind…we can’t because I’m mated.” She said the words fast hoping to ease the blow and her conscience.

  “What?” He stood shaking his head. “When? Before you flew over here? Is that why you didn’t want to get a room with me earlier? Is that why you’ve been stand-offish all this time? You have a mate…” He stared at her.

  She looked away.

  “When did you get mated? You kissed me at the gate when you arrived from the states. You weren’t mated then.”

  “No, my wolf just smelled him. Here, in the airport. Somewhere… I don’t know who he is or where he is. My wolf is trying to break free to find him.”

  His silence made her uneasy. She risked a glance at him. The friend she had known from a pup stared down at her.

  “What are you going to do? He could be anywhere. He may be looking for you, that’s what I would do if I sensed my mate.” Loneliness laced his voice.

  She nodded slowly. “I can walk around a bit, see if I catch his scent again, but I don’t think he is in this terminal, he may be at one of the other ones.”

  He nodded and glanced at his watch. “We have time, we can walk through the other terminals, see if you catch his scent. If you smell him, he can smell you.”

  Grateful for his suggestion and company, she nodded while standing. “Sounds like a good idea, thanks.”

  Halfway through the flight to Lyrill, she jerked upright in her seat when something hit bone deep in her shoulder and then her leg. A second later she shook like a leaf as red-hot pain raced through her body from those two points. Sweat broke out on her forehead and ran down her cheeks. She’d been grateful the cabin lights were dimmed and most of the passengers rested. She stretched her shaking leg into the aisle and took sips of air to ease the pain.

  It did not work.

  Had it been something she ate? The tea in the airport? It had tasted good…but maybe something had been off. As quickly as the burning started it had stopped. A little embarrassed by her shaking limbs, she had looked around and drew in her leg. Glad whatever had just happened was finally over, she had pulled out a tissue and wiped her forehead and hands. She leaned forward to return the pack to her bag and almost fell from the chair. A dark sense of lethargy pulled her hard and fast, sending her to sleep. The next thing she remembered was her seat mate waking her up to put on her seatbelt. They were landing.

  The small plane hit the ground with a bump and then leveled out. Danielle released a sigh of relief and pushed the incident on the plane to the back of her mind. She had been tired and needed to rest. She hadn’t been able to reach her grandmother and that concerned her more. It was night here and should be afternoon in Colorado. She would call again from the baggage area. According to her itinerary, a car would be waiting to take her to the castle. There were only ten people on the plane, all tired and looking as washed out as she felt. A hot bath and a firm bed was what she craved and not necessarily in that order.

  To call the small building an airport was an insult to the word. It was more a long covered patio with a stone path leading from the plane. The luggage was placed on the patio and the plane taxied off somewhere. There were three vehicles meeting the plane, she hoped one was for her. This place was in the middle of some field with just enough cleared space for the small plane and the patio.

  A small man, much shorter than her five foot-six inches. “Miss Danielle, the photographer?”

  Photojournalist, she mentally corrected. “Yes.”

  His shiny bald head bobbed up and down as if on a string. “Good, good, Miss. Please…please sit in the car. We wait for one more and then we leave. Is this your bag? One bag?”

  Disappointment shot through her at the delay, but if it were her coming in she would want her ride ready and available. “Yes, just the one bag.”

  Nodding, he picked up the bag and walked to a large, tan Suburban. He opened the door for her and then ambled to the back and placed her bag inside.

  “How long before the other passenger arrive?”

  “Soon, Miss…soon…another twenty minutes.”

  The darkness hid her grimace. “Thank you.” She climbed into the back seat and stretched out. The driver returned to the patio area and talked to the man who had unloaded the plane. Comfortable, she grabbed her cell and called her grandmother again. This time the phone was answered on the second ring.

  “Danielle, how are you doing?” The cautious way her grandmother asked the question didn’t surprise her. The older woman had a straight connection to the Goddess or whoever knew the future.

  “I am tired. I just arrived in Lyrill, the ceremony starts tomorrow and I am waiting for the last passenger to arrive so we can head to the castle. But that’s not what I’m calling to tell you.”

  “What happened?”

  A wave of pleasure swept through Danielle as she told her grandmother what happened in the airport and Conner’s help.

  “He walked with you through all the terminals?”

  “Yes, he did. I think he was hoping he would pick up a scent for himself.”

  Her grandmother laughed. “Probably. Poor thing won’t know what to do now that you’re not available. His daddy will be happy to hear you’re mated so Conner will take his training more seriously.”

  “Hope so. He’s really a great guy, he’s just not the one. What am I going to do? I don’t h
ave any idea who or where this guy is, my wolf is obsessed with finding him. She’s whining over someone we never met.”

  “Your beast is more sensitive than your human side and sensed more than you did. The next time you shift, you’ll experience what she feels. I don’t know what to tell you. Chances are he’s looking for you as well, the airport of all places, talk about missed connections.”

  Danielle laughed. “I know right? I have a few days to think about it, and make plans. If you come up with anything… you know… like have a dream that points me in the right direction…let me know. I can use all the help I can get.”

  “Well, I have been having dreams, but they are…well, violent.” Her grandmother sighed. “Lots of fighting on the way, comes with change and can’t be helped. I just hate to see it come down to this.”

  Danielle nodded. Wolves were violent by nature and resistant to change. They settled disagreements with bloodshed. The strongest made the rules and everyone else followed until someone else took the top spot. Thinking of La Patron, she did not see that happening any time soon.

  “How did they like your picture?”

  “I don’t know yet. I am meeting with them soon, but the ceremony was beautiful and his mate is perfect for him. Just the right amount of sass and sexiness, he’s so in love with her. It was heart-melting to see him so happy last night. I’ll treasure that forever.”

  She wished she had seen it, but knew better than to say so. The crowning ceremony had been her choice and even though it had a rocky start, she was certain tomorrow would be much better.

  “Nervous?”

  “No…should I be?”

  “Tomorrow you’ll cover the crowning ceremony, it’s an important assignment. You’ll meet the prince and princess.”

  Her mouth went dry as her pulse raced. “I’m supposed to do a photo session with them and a private interview. I got that email before I left.” She bit her lip to keep from screaming her excitement. “I am pumped. This is the biggest thing I have ever done, I can’t wait. As tired as I am, I probably won’t get a wink of sleep, just thinking about tomorrow.”

  “That’s not good. You need to be alert and on your best tomorrow. Get some rest or you may fall down on the job.”

  She laughed. “Okay, I will do my best. It looks like another plane is landing. We should be leaving soon. I’m glad you’re having fun at the mating ceremony, I love you. See you soon.”

  “Same here pumpkin, take care of yourself and have fun. Don’t worry about your mate, chances are, he’s looking for you and will find you when you least expect.”

  Chapter 7

  Jasmine’s face hurt. If there were an annual quota for smiles, she met hers for the next three years while standing in the receiving line of her mating ceremony. She would never remember all the names that floated on a sea of ‘so happy to meet you’ and ‘Goddess bless you’. Her gaze swept over the large ballroom, she had no idea how Jayden and the other Alphas had created such splendor in the middle of the desert. Within the past months they’d constructed a masterpiece ballroom with the finest marble, crystal, granite, and precious stones. When Silas escorted her inside earlier, her mind reeled at the splendor. The ceiling had been painted to resemble the night sky, it stole her breath.

  It hadn’t taken long for Silas to move her and the children to the secure area of the ballroom where they received those dignitaries who were invited early. Asia and Tyrese…no Angus she reminded herself, Rose and Tyrone, Cameron and Lilly surrounded her children adding another layer of protection. Once again Thorne crossed her mind; she looked around hoping he wasn’t there, but needing to be sure. Cameron and Lilly had arrived right before the celebration began and she hadn’t talked with them yet. Earlier, she had mentioned her concerns to Tyrone and he promised to look out for his errant brother-in-law as well.

  She hadn’t missed her son’s adoring gaze at his mate. Rose amplified her name in her red shimmery gown. The design was a simple, low cut long sheath with a high split on the leg. It was the woman who wore it that made the dress pop the way it hugged her curves and moved when she walked. Her son’s tongue looked as if it hung out his mouth while he followed his wife’s every move.

  She glanced at her mother who stood next to Jacques; well, draped over her mate was more accurate. Her mom still couldn’t wrap her mind around the fact that mated men did not cheat, their eyes did not wander and they did not fantasize about other women. Okay, she made that last one up, but Silas swore she was the only bitch on his mind so she had a license to stretch the truth.

  “How do you feel?” Silas asked for the hundredth time in thirty minutes. Had it only been thirty minutes? Why did time crawl when you wanted it to fly?

  “I am fine. I told you that ten seconds ago.”

  He chuckled. “Okay Sweet Bitch. You look beautiful, radiant, happy, and you are mine. Forever mine.”

  How could she not melt into a puddle of goo over his forceful declaration? The man made her panties wet. His nostrils narrowed and then he looked down, took her hand and kissed the back of her palm. “I love you, Jasmine,” he said turning toward her and halting the line.

  She caught the look of surprise on the female’s face who stood behind some Alpha and ignored it. Heart opened wide, she leaned into her man and kissed him deep. They broke apart on a gasp. “I love you, Silas. You own my heart.” She didn’t bother whispering, anyone within the room could hear her if they were tuned in.

  The female’s hand swept to her chest, it remained there when she stepped closer and bowed. “It is an honor to meet you, Mistress. Welcome to the pack.” Silence followed the stranger’s words. Jasmine’s smile faltered at the curious stares.

  “It is an honor to be a part of the pack, thank you,” she said not knowing what else to say.

  The woman moved to Silas. “La Patron congratulations on the gifts the Goddess has graciously bestowed on you. I am overcome with gratitude on your behalf.” Her gaze swept the children and Jasmine.

  Silas hugged the woman, her long black hair moved like a curtain down her back. “Maheegan it has been too long.” He turned to her. “Jasmine, Maheegan is a world famous artist and the history keeper for the pack. She is also a good friend who I have known a long time. It’s good to see you. Your family is well?”

  Her face warmed as she stepped back. “Yes, La Patron, thank you for asking. I will move along there are many more wishing to welcome our Mistress to the pack.”

  “Sometime before the end of the ceremony, we need to talk,” Silas said, smiling but Jasmine knew it was an order.

  Maheegan looked at him and nodded. “Yes, Sir.” Obviously she realized it was not an offhanded comment.

  An hour later, Jasmine had met, shaken hands with and smiled at all the dignitaries. The general public had been allowed in and every nook and cranny of the room was filled with pack members. She and Silas sat with the children and their guards.

  Jayden took the microphone. “Thank all of you for coming to this once in a lifetime occurrence, our Alpha’s mating ceremony. This is a historic event. He has waited centuries for his mate, the beautiful Jasmine Knight.” The crowd clapped, howled, and stood to their feet. Her cheeks warmed when Silas, her sons, her mom, Jacques, stood and applauded. Even her babies clapped. Her heart beat so hard she knew Silas heard it. Remaining seated, with tears ruining her perfectly applied makeup, her body shook with gratitude and love for her family. The moment Silas sat down she grabbed his face and kissed him so hard their teeth connected before they found their rhythm.

  He devoured her.

  It had been days since they had made love and her man showed her his hunger. His canines nibbled her lips, lighting a fire inside her, she hadn’t felt since she got pregnant. His hand landed on her mound, his thumb rubbed back and forth between her lips. Lost in the sensations he created, the first howl caught her by surprise. The chorus of howls pulled her out of her lust-filled bubble.

  She gasped when she realized she acted like some
porn star and was caught in the spotlights. Her face burned at the loud whistles of appreciation. Silas hugged her close. Wolves had no modesty, that display merely whet their appetite for more. She kissed Silas chest and then leaned toward David and Jackie, who sat staring at her in their seats.

  “Give mommy a kiss,” she said to David. He looked at her and then at Silas before he touched her mouth with his finger. She laughed.

  David laughed and then leaned forward, lips puckered.

  Oblivious to Jayden’s comments, she kissed her son and then her daughter. David smiled and patted his lips. Jackie laughed and wiped her mouth with the back of her palm. Adam slid from his chair and walked to her with his arms lifted. She picked him up and placed him on her lap. He turned his face up, his lips puckered.

  Silas chuckled.

  “Dada…dada…” Renee said walking to Silas with her arms lifted. He picked her up and kissed her on the forehead. She laid her head on him and looked out over the crowd, no doubt wondering when she would be able to return to her artwork.

  Jasmine leaned forward and kissed Adam. He placed his palms on the side of her face and held her as his lips touched hers.

  Angus and Silas chuckled when Adam released her. “Momma…momma,” Adam said grinning.

  She tapped his nose with her finger. “We are going to have to watch you…you are too much like your uncle.” She eyed Angus and laughed.

  “Nothing wrong with that,” he grinned, seemingly pleased with her comment.

  “I count it the highest honor of my life to introduce you to our national pack, our Alpha, La Patron and his mate Jasmine Knight,” Jayden announced. The loud applauds caught Adam by surprise. He burrowed into her shoulder and peeked at the audience. Silas kissed Renee again before he handed her to Angus. He leaned over and kissed Adam. Standing, he walked to Jackie, picked her up and placed a kiss on her cheek. Last, he picked up David. They stared at each other a second and then Silas kissed him as well.