He withdrew from her nipple and from between her thighs, moved behind her, and undid the belt. Brandon took care of her, massaging her wrists until there was no pain. He returned to his place in front of her before he took a kiss from her lips and grinned.
“Taste of things to come, Kelly, my mate.” His voice became distorted and his features dimmed.
The room became black around the edges.
Kelly came to with a gasp. Her eyes opened. Understanding dawned her on in increments. She became aware of one of her hands clutching a breast. The other was coated with her juices.
“Fuck,” she muttered as she pushed back the covers. For the umpteenth time she’d masturbated while dreaming of Brandon. It seemed her wolf was using her subconscious to press the issue of claiming Brandon as their mate. Either that or she was losing her mind.
As the tingles and pleasure faded, she got up and headed to the bathroom for another shower. It was too late to go back to sleep and too damn early to go into the office. She just prayed it wouldn’t show. They had a lot to get done and little time to do it.
After a quick shower, she began to brew a pot of coffee. Her vision blurred and a few times her chin sank down to her chest in an attempt to catch a few Zs. She shook her head. She had to find something to focus on. She had to get some work done.
Kelly lifted the top of her laptop and pushed the power button. The screen flickered to life. She entered her password and clicked on her e-mail icon. Scrolling through her personal inbox, she found nothing of value except a message from her father to the entire pack. Maybe it was his idea for the Beltane celebration. She clicked on it and became wide awake. Being splashed with cold water would have been less of a shock.
December 20th
Pack,
As you all know, I will be stepping down this year. We’ve had much success under my leadership in everything from finding plentiful business opportunities to increasing our numbers. But our future belongs to the young and the strong. Though I am of a more modern view than other packs and believe women can rule, my daughter Kelly has shown no interest in taking the reins. We must have a strong leader, and whoever it is must have strong ties with the pack.
As you know, my protégé, Alberto of the Ivory Claw pack, has proposed a merger between our groups. I’m inclined to agree to it, but only if he is my daughter’s husband. Family bonds make for the strongest political unions.
However, this decision is not mine to make alone. I know there are worthy challengers within our own ranks. So here is what I have decided: between now and the Beltane celebration, the leadership of the pack is under contention. Any wolf of my own pack who wishes to become alpha must fight Alberto for my daughter’s hand. If he wins, he will have proven himself worthy of my daughter and the pack leadership. If he loses, the victorious challenger will become alpha.
I leave it to you decide the future of this pack.
Your alpha,
Martin
Chapter Three
One Month Later
Kelly tried to focus on what she was doing. Reenie prattled on across from her, giving her some report on something that she knew was important but couldn’t quite get up the energy to comprehend. Last night was another teaser of a dream. This time they were at Brandon’s cabin in the woods and he’d used some sex toys on her. She’d woken up, grabbed her vibrator, and gotten to work, but after three orgasms she still couldn’t shake the need riding her. The damn wolf was working overtime, dropping snippets of fantasies in her head at the most in inopportune time. Right before this update from Reenie, as a matter of fact. A flare of desire rolled around her gut as moisture dampened her panties once more. With a sigh, she tried to tune into Reenie’s latest rant.
“They’re stealing our flyers right out of shop windows!” Reenie’s blue eyes flashed to gold and back to blue for a second. “Give me an hour and some catnip, and I’ll skin those Persian cat shifters alive. We need to call the printers and have them make up a new batch. We don’t have enough extras. Jazz and Lindsey took some on their trip to Onyx City and used them all. People really like the services we offer. I’ll be damned if I let some pussy cats get the better of me.”
Kelly sighed. It looked as if she was going to have to reschedule her date with Brandon again. Reenie would object, and Brandon wouldn’t like it, but there was no other way. Before she could talk herself out of it, she picked up the phone and hit speed dial. How bad was it that she had him on speed dial?
The phone rang once before he picked up. “Kel?”
“Hi, Bran. I’m so, so sorry to do this again. Can we reschedule? Another incident happened. Yeah. Reenie and I are OK. Jazz is pissed. We’ve spoken with Al. I’ll call you later, promise. Thanks. Bye.”
Kelly hung up. Shame washed over her at the small lie she’d just told him. There was no way she could tell him about the issues with the cats and flyers. He’d volunteer to help, and if he did that, she’d be thinking of getting a hold of his dick. It would be the only way to calm the wolf the fuck down.
“You are so going to hell for that.” Eireen picked up a nail file and began working on an extra-long talon. “I don’t recall needing to call Al or anyone else. They’re only flyers. What? Is PVPD going to do put an APB out for flyer thieves? Are we offering a reward? Would one day of half-price cleaning get our stuff back? Why not tell him the real reason you’ve canceled on him at least ten times, hm?”
Kelly paused to study her best friend. Reenie looked her usual self, dark-brown hair composed in a loose chignon, peaches-and-cream skin colored with a light bit of makeup. Did she know? Her cobalt-blue eyes, the same as Brandon’s, were filled with amusement.
“I just… I can’t think clearly with him around, and then there’s what Daddy did… It’s been a month, and gods, Alberto has been to my house every frickin’ day since that e-mail.” Kelly laid her head down on the desktop to keep from spilling her guts to Reenie.
Kelly couldn’t help but wonder if madness ran in her family. Was her father that desperate for grandchildren? Sure, he mentioned the future of the pack from time to time, but everyone, herself included, had thought that his beta, Dalton, had been a fine choice to take over. And Dalton had no interest in marrying a pack princess.
But now it seemed the future she’d plotted out had a kink in it with the name Alberto. She’d avoided him as much as she could over the last month. It wasn’t just that he and Brandon didn’t get along. Whenever Alberto tried to talk to her, he spoke as if her opinions didn’t matter. He’d already had everything plotted out: where they were going to live, whom they would associate with, how she would run her business.
Kelly had no desire to be a politician’s mate, but she had no choice. She had to do her duty to her pack. If she didn’t, they would be subsumed into Alberto’s pack. It would be a hostile takeover instead of a fair merger, hence her father’s condition on the union. She gritted her teeth at the thought of having to be married that self-centered brute.
There was also the added issue of Alberto’s past with Reenie. Her best friend claimed that there was nothing between them, but Kelly doubted it, not with Reenie grousing every time she saw him with another woman on his arm.
“If only there were someone to swoop in and save you,” Reenie said, with a smirk. “Someone who could challenge Alberto for your hand?”
“You mean Brandon?” Kelly looked up in shock. “Has he taken one too many hits to the head on that hockey rink? I know he hates Alberto, but enough to take him on for alpha status?”
Eireen laughed, raising one well-defined dark brow. “You’ve known him since he was in diapers. He’s the most boring guy we know, even if he was an awesome hockey star with seriously hot hockey friends. But no, he has no designs to be part of pack politics. Still, it might be the only way he gets another date with you…”
Kelly put her head back down on the desk. “We’re friends Reenie, how can I go out with him now?” She didn’t want to put him under unneeded stress. He
didn’t deserve that. “And he’s your brother. Don’t you care if things go south and he has to fight Alberto?”
“You’re attracted to him, and he wants you, so I think it’s a win-win. I get you for an actual sister, and he gets to stop mooning. Just as long as neither one of you tells me about your sex life we’re all good. You guys can figure out the alpha thing later. And besides, Alberto isn’t all bad, just really focused. Things will work out.” Reenie reached over and patted Kelly’s hand.
Kelly stared at her best friend. “Are you feeling OK? Brandon has never been interested in me.” This was a slight lie, and she knew it. There was no mistaking the mating musk he gave off when she was around him. He’d been doing that since he was sixteen, she just hadn’t paid it much mind before now.
“Pffft. He’s always been interested in you. You just didn’t notice until he became legal.”
A wicked glint in Reenie’s eyes made Kelly uncomfortable. Heat flared on her face. “No.” As soon as the word left her lips, she knew she was in trouble and glanced up.
It was there in Reenie’s face. Reenie’s blue eyes flashed and narrowed to slits. “I have an excellent sense of smell, and I’ve known you since you were diapers. I’ve never had a problem with you lusting after my kid brother.”
“But…”
With the wave of a hand, Reenie dismissed Kelly’s protest. “Look, I love you both. I just want you to see where it goes so you’ll both stop driving me nuts. He always asks after you when you two don’t talk and you were always so concerned for him whenever he took a hit. It was cute until it got sickening. Besides, both of you in heat and me with no one didn’t help me much…”
“I’m sorry, hon. I didn’t think.” Kelly decided a change in subject was in order. “So are you gonna tell him about Alberto?”
Reenie’s eyes widened until all Kelly could see was blue with a ring of white. “Are you nuts? Bran would punch the guy’s teeth out, or worse. Besides, there is nothing between me and Alberto. He’s a lying piece of shit and a pussy hound. Why would I want a mate like that? He’s your problem, not mine.”
Kelly pressed her lips together. This was the same argument Reenie had used time and again when Kelly brought up Alberto D’Rossi, but Kelly always noticed glances Reenie stole whenever they were around the sexy werewolf pack prince. “So what? You just want to scratch the itch you get whenever you see him with a model? Show him what he’s missing in a full-figured Irish bitch? You can’t hide it Reenie. It’ll come out sometime. You know someone will see you two together and tell Bran. Also, no one said anything about mate.”
It was Reenie’s turn to blush. “It was just a few times and then I ended things. Did you see who won him? Blanca Blanco, queen bitch of the Arsenic pack.” Reenie made gagging noises.
“It’s not called the Arsenic pack.” It was an old argument but one that Reenie loved to have.
“Yeah, I know. I just like calling it that. I mean, there had to be a reason they keep losing pack members. And who the hell would name their pack Bitter Almonds? They’re just asking for the arsenic jokes. Anyway, back to the real issue. What are you gonna wear on your date with my brother?”
“I’ll decide later, when I have time to even think about it—or better yet, when we can actually have a date. We have to get back to work. Did you talk to the shop owners?” Kelly turned her attention to her computer screen and hoped Reenie would get the hint.
“Those feline fucknuts across the street asked to put up their own flyers and ripped ours off the walls. Said it had the wrong info and someone would be by to replace it later in the day. Do you think Al will look the other way if I go wolfy on them?” Reenie batted her eyelashes at Kelly.
Kelly shook her head.
“What? They’re domestic cat shifters,” Reenie pressed. “Fucking fluffy house cats for crying out loud! How bad can they be?”
“Ever been to the vet when the nonshifting cats are getting their nails clipped?”
The bell over the door rang, and Reenie got up. “Well, showtime. I’ll call up the uniform people and let you know what they say about the truck that never delivered. Call Brandon.”
Reenie drifted out of the room leaving a wake of angry pheromones and roses behind. It was easy for Reenie to encourage them to get together. She’d been dreaming of having Kelly for a sister since forever. Brandon was a good, decent man, a real stand-up kind of guy with a side of sexy and then some. Kelly just couldn’t see how it could work after what her father had done. She clicked on the e-mail again, hoping that the words would change upon another reading. They didn’t.
Since her father’s announcement, all manner of wolves had been sniffing around Pack Princess Maid Services. It was a distraction they didn’t need, and Kelly definitely didn’t want the attention. She winced as she heard Reenie’s voice drift through the open door way, fending off yet another suitor. “No, she’s not here. No, I won’t tell you when she gets back. Do you want to book our maids or not? Well, then, fuck you very much too!”
Kelly felt claustrophobic and felt an overwhelming urge to get out of there and do some thinking. She grabbed her purse and left the office. “I’m going to check on Jazz. I’ll be back in a bit, OK?”
Reenie shooed her away with a gesture of her hand as she answered the phone with her free one. “Pack Princess Maid Service, where you get the royal treatment for a howling good price.”
Kelly peeked out of the door and found the coast clear. She slipped out of the entryway and started walking. Everyone from both packs knew the type of vehicle she drove, but on foot she might be able to blend in with the crowds. She left the business district and headed for the residential part of town.
* * *
Kelly hurried toward Susanne Claire’s home, where Jazz would still be hard at work. Susanne was a local car dealer who worked long, hard hours and hated living in a mess. They were giving her a discount in exchange for good deals on new cars when she, Reenie, and their employees were ready to upgrade. As Kelly’s heels clicked on the pavement, she regretted not having changed into sneakers. Every footfall jarred her and a dull ache began in her soles. Rather than turn back and risk meeting someone, she pressed on, vowing to take a seat as soon as she reached Susanne’s house.
The day was brisk and beautiful, with the sun shining and a bite of snow in the air. Kelly’s wolf absorbed all the sights and smells. It yearned to shift so that it could really enjoy being outdoors. The last full moon seemed eons ago, and the upcoming one wasn’t nearly close enough. She couldn’t wait to truly stretch and run and hunt with the pack.
“Kelly! Kelly, slow down.”
Alberto’s shout caused Kelly to stop dead in her tracks. Fear raised goose bumps on her arms and across her chest. No. Not now. She glanced around and her wolf went on high alert. The urge to run and hide vied with the opposite desire to confront her possible mate. Her wolf chose the later as a swift shift took hold. Fur rippled over her flesh as her features changed in a rush of fire and pain. A howl built up in the pit of her stomach and shoved up through her chest to fill her throat, only to be released in a long loud scream.
This was a call to arms from her pack and anyone near enough would join her. Kelly dropped down onto all fours and her clothes split and ripped apart as the wolf grabbed hold. Every inch of her was on fire and in pain. A steady, hot pulse sounded in her ears. Her heartbeat raced, and she shook with banked energy.
Alberto stopped a few feet away from her. A chilly breeze served to cool her overheated body a little. Alberto’s hair ruffled in the breeze. His brown eyes glowed in the bright morning light, but his wolf didn’t respond. Footsteps pounded up behind her. She whirled to meet the possible threat only to be confronted by the scent of cocoa butter. It was Jazz. Kelly was glad for the company. More numbers meant better protection.
The roar of a motorcycle could be heard in the distance. Fear raced across Alberto’s aristocratic features, followed by the acrid smell of the emotion on the air.
“Kelly, you’re safe now. It’s OK.” Jazz dropped down to a knee and ran a hand over Kelly’s head, over her all the way to the tip of her tail in slow strokes. Kelly shook her head and growled. “It’s OK, he won’t harm you.”
Kelly gazed up into her friend’s eyes, unable to explain. In wolf form, she was only able to communicate in huffs of air, whines, and low grumbles. She paced back and forth and whimpered.
Alberto held up his hands. “Kelly, you and I will have to have a talk sooner rather than later. You’ll have to accept that you are my mate, whether you like it or not.” He began to back away. “You will be mine, and I will be alpha. This merger will happen. There is nothing you can do to stop it.”
Jazz wrapped her arms around Kelly’s neck, holding her still. Kelly struggled in her friend’s hold. The wolf wanted to attack.
“Brandon is my mate.” The words rolled through Kelly’s brain as she barked out her message as best she could. She knew it was unintelligible to human ears.
“Kelly, sh,” Jazz murmured. “It’s OK. Let me take you to Susanne’s and you can change there, OK? Let me help you.”
Once Alberto was out of sight, the wolf began to calm down. The threat was gone. She allowed Jazz to guide her to Susanne’s. Nobody they passed look twice at Kelly in wolf form, which was a relief. Humiliation filled her at her loss of control. By the time they got to Susanne’s she was exhausted and ready for a nap.
“You stay here in the dining room. I’ve finished the second floor and half of the first. I’ll go back and get clothes for you.” Jazz entered the kitchen area and brought back some cold cuts on a plate. “Something to help with your strength, stamina, and recovery.” She placed the platter in front of Kelly and left the room.
Goal: A Mate (Bachelor Auction #2) Page 3
