“Alex? What about him?” he said.
“Exactly, Alex.” Albondiel said. “Except that no one else ever calls him by that name. No one that is, except you. And so, when I got a call from two members of my pack who told me someone named Alex from Silver Gulch was trying to sell them stolen merchandise for delivery in six weeks, well, let’s just say it wasn’t too hard to figure out who the real culprit was… Theodore.”
Theodore struggled against the handcuffs, but didn’t speak.
Albondiel continued, “I was suspicious so I phoned Alexander at once. I’ve known him his entire life. He’s every bit the man his father was and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that none of them are criminals. When I told him about what had happened we both became convinced that you were trying to set him up.”
“Ridiculous!” Theodore exclaimed.
“At first, I didn’t want to believe it.” Albondiel said. “I mean, Theodore, you are the alpha, the leader of your pack, that is a sacred position.”
Theodore’s eyes narrowed as Albondiel circled him.
“But you always were greedy weren’t you, Theodore?” he said. “You violated an age old bond between our clans for your own selfish ends. You were willing to put everything and everyone at risk for your own glorification.”
Theodore shook his head.
Albondiel moved closer and pointed his finger. “What you do with your own clan is none of my affair but when you involve my kin, you will involve me.”
Alexander walked up next to Albondiel. As he did, Emma stood between Millie and Trina. They hugged one another.
Alexander looked at his uncle and said, “This is my pack now, as is my birthright. I will protect it and lead it. You will be treated with fairness. That much, I promise.”
Theodore exploded. “What! Your pack! I’ll see you in hell first!” he yelled.
He yanked against the restraints but as he did the police officers grabbed him and within seconds, he they’d thrown him into the back of the car.
***
Not long after the police cars, which included the car that contained Theodore, drove away. After fifteen minutes or so, only Alexander, his family, Emma and Albondiel were still in the parking lot.
Albondiel signaled for Emma to approach him.
“I never trusted that rat in all the years I’ve known him.” Albondiel said. “Alexander’s father on the other hand, he was a great man. Our pack did owe the debt but it was to Alexander, not Theodore. I had no choice but to do whatever it took to repay it. I am sorry it had to happen this way my dear. I hope that you aren’t too angry with me.”
Emma hugged him close and looked up at him. “Maybe just a little.” she said.
Albondiel smiled. “Fair enough.” He said. “I deserve that.”
After a few seconds, Alexander walked toward where Emma and Albondiel stood.
He extended his hand towards her uncle and said, “I am indebted to you Albondiel.”
The leader of the Troubled Fork pack smiled. “No, Alexander. No more debts.” Albondiel said. “Let there be no further obligations between our clans.”
Alexander nodded. “Very well.” He replied. “You are a great leader. I can only hope to aspire to your level of wisdom some day.”
“I have no doubt that you will, Alexander.” Albondiel said. “Your father’s blood runs strong in your veins. Your clan is in good hands.”
The men smiled and shook hands with one another.
As they finished, Albondiel turned to his niece and said, “Are you ready to go?”
Emma wasn’t, but what choice did she have? With reluctance she replied, “Yes.”
“Um, Albondiel…” Alexander said. “May I speak to Emma for a second?”
She turned to her uncle and said, “Do you mind?”
“No not at all.” Albondiel replied.
“Walk with me, Emma.” Alexander said.
She nodded and the pair headed down a path that led away from the warehouse and into a wooded area behind it. For nearly a minute, they walked in silence.
Finally, Alexander said, “Look, Emma…”
Emma interrupted him. “It’s okay. You don’t have to explain.”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“I mean that I know that you don’t really have feelings for me.” Emma said. “I know that you were only going along with your uncle’s plan for our marriage to catch him. It’s okay. I’m alright with it.”
“What?” he said. “Are you sure about that?”
“Yes.” she lied. “ I am.”
Alexander stopped in the middle of the path and grabbed her by the upper arms.
“Well, I’m not okay with that Emma.” He said. “Not at all.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“I mean, don’t go.” Alexander said. “Stay here with me, in my pack, as my mate.”
“Alexander, I don’t…”
“What? You don’t what, Emma?”
“I don’t understand.” She said. “Why me? You are the alpha now. Any female in the pack is yours to do with as you see fit.”
“Right, stay with me.” Alexander said. “Become part of our pack so that I can do with you as I please…”
A sly grin came across his face.
Emma shook her head and smiled. “Alexander, I…”
He strengthened his grip on her upper arms and focused his eyes upon hers.
“Emma, you are my true mate. In my heart, I know this to be the case.” He said. He dropped to his knees. “Don’t make me beg.”
Emma laughed at him.
“Get up off the ground, silly.” she said.
Alexander stood and moved close. Emma looked up into his eyes and for the first time, she saw it. He was in love with her. There was no question in her mind any longer.
With his right hand, he reached down and pulled a stray lock of hair from her eyes. Alexander tucked it behind her ear and then began to lower his mouth toward hers. But, just before he reached them he stopped and said, “Emma, there’s something I need to say.”
She looked at him. “I know, I love you too.” she replied.
Alexander smiled and they kissed. It had all the passion of the first time but with all the doubt and angst stripped away. After several seconds, their lips separated.
“What am I going to tell my uncle? Your family?” she asked.
“I will speak with Albondiel and seek out his blessing.” Alexander replied. “As for my family, they’ve already accepted you as one of their own. After all, anyone who would do what you did for me, well, let’s just say that you’ve got nothing to worry about when it comes to them.”
Emma smiled.
“Shall we?” he said.
After they walked back up the path, Alexander and Emma stopped a few minutes and chatted with everyone.
Alexander pulled Albondiel aside and asked if it would be alright with him if he were to drive Emma back to Troubled Fork later that week.
“I tell you what Alexander.” Albondiel said. “That’s fine as long as she comes back with a ring on her finger.”
Alexander nodded. “Well…” He said as looked over towards where Emma stood. “This much I can promise you. If you agree, I will ask. The rest of this is in Emma’s hands.”
Albondiel slapped Alexander on the back. “Of course, nothing would make me happier.”
Alexander smiled. “That’s all I needed to hear.”
***
They arrived back at Alexander’s house about an hour later. Once inside, he closed the door behind them. Emma stopped just near the entrance and from behind she felt him close in upon her. Alexander reached up and pulled her hair to one side. Her entire body flushed as he drew close until at last his warm breath was upon her exposed neck.
Alexander hovered there for what seemed like hours. Emma trembled with excitement as he lowered his lips to her flesh and began to pepper her skin with soft, moist kisses. Emma’s head fell back into him and his thick ar
ms wrapped her around her plush midsection. After a few moments, he spun her around to face him.
Emma looked up at him. Her first instinct was to speak, to say something. Her nerves were alive with anticipation and her whole body quaked with nervous energy. Emma’s lips parted as she prepared to say the first words that came to mind.
But as she did, he pressed his finger into her lips and then in one swift movement, he picked her up into his arms. Emma had forgotten how strong he was and for a brief instant it startled her.
A new fear soon replaced that one as she realized the bedroom was the next place he intended to take her.
Emma pulled back.
“Alexander, wait…” she said.
But rather than acknowledge her request, he continued to walk across the living room. Next, he went beyond the threshold of his bedroom until at last he reached the edge of the mattress.
As he held her, he looked down and said, “Emma. This is what you want, isn’t it?”
“Yes but I…” she replied.
As she spoke, he laid her down and then moved over top of her.
“But?” he said as he stroked her hair.
“I’m just nervous.”
Alexander smiled. “Emma, you are my true mate. I have sensed it. I am in love with you and I want you here in Silver Gulch, with me, as my wife, forever and…”
She reached up and pressed her finger against his lips.
“Shh, no more talk.” Emma said.
A satisfied grin came across his face. Alexander’s clear blue pools flickered as he gazed down up her. Hypnotized by them, Emma wrapped her arms around the back of his neck and parted her lips in open invitation.
He descended towards her.
Where their first kiss had been rough, unexpected and harried this was its reverse. He began with a subtle brush of his lips against her hers. Alexander’s wolf was in no rush but rather seemed content to extract the full amount of pleasure from each moment.
With his right hand, he moved the hair from her eyes and traced the outline of her cheek. For several minutes, Alexander ravished her with patient affection. His hands traced the outline of her plump curves as the intensity of their kisses began to grow. The seconds passed and Emma’s wolf’s need began to grow. She started to wriggle beneath him and moan into his mouth as his tongue engaged in a much more forceful assault.
Between her thighs, a needful desperation rose up as his pelvis pressed against hers. Emma’s eyes widened as the fullness of what lay hidden behind a wall of denim he wore came into vivid awareness. And no sooner had she got the first clue of what his wolf had in mind for her than his hand moved between her thighs.
She almost came immediately.
Soaked through, there was nothing Emma could do to conceal it. And for once in her life, she didn’t care to try. This was what she wanted. She wanted him to take whatever he saw fit and do with her as he pleased. Release is what she craved more than anything and not just of the sexual variety. Emma wanted to be free of her doubts, fears and concerns as a woman and, as a wolf.
Alexander sensed her need in that moment and he acted upon it. With his large hand he pressed against the fabric of her jeans and cupped her mound with firm pressure. Emma’s mouth broke free from his and her head fell against the mattress. A guttural groan emerged from her as he massaged and fondled her.
At the same time, his free hand began to squeeze and caress her curves in earnest. Emma’s tongue traced her lower lip as his hands explored her body. The lovers exchanged lustful gazes between one another and for a moment communicated without words.
Alexander whispered, “Emma, you and your curves, it’s all I can do to not rip your clothes off right here and now.”
She nodded and bit her lower lip.
“Okay.” she whispered back. “What are you waiting for?”
Alexander’s eyes narrowed and a smile came to his face.
As he straddled her, he leaned away and reached towards the bottom of his shirt. He grasped it and with a smooth motion, began to lift it over his head. As he moved, his spectacular musculature appeared before her. Emma’s eyes began at his waist, where his abdomen formed the perfect V-shape. From there, she looked upward as one row after another of ripped abdominals made their appearance.
Every square inch of sinew tempted, taunted and teased her until at last when his thick pecs appeared, she could stand it no longer. Her arms extended in unconscious command eager to relieve her of her angst. When she experienced the touch of her skin upon his, it was as if she caressed living stone. She yearned to have the rest of her body pressed against it.
In a move quite uncharacteristic for her, she decided to do just that. Emma dropped her hands away from him and reached towards the clasp on her jeans.
“Ah! No, no…” he said.
“What?” she replied. “I want to, please.”
“Oh you will. No, I will.” He said.
With that, he shifted to one side and took control of her waist. Emma maneuvered her body every way imaginable until all of her garments had been stripped away except for her underwear.
She smiled and looked up at him. “Now you.” she said.
“With pleasure…” he replied as he climbed off the bed.
Alexander grasped onto the waist of his jeans, unfastened and unzipped them. Then, his underwear was all that remained. The fabric concealed a bulge, the likes of which she’d never seen. A mix of excitement and nervous apprehension hit her at the same time.
It seemed large, much too large. If it was a big as it seemed, she couldn’t imagine how she would…
She blinked in disbelief as he removed the last layer and made his way back towards her. Emma wasn’t ready. She knew it. She hoped that somehow she would be when the time came.
As he approached, she laid back down on the mattress. Alexander climbed over her, every square inch of his primal musculature on full display - for her - his mate. Wordless, he began to remove the last bits of clothing that separated them. First a deft hand behind her back unhooked her bra and her large, ample breasts emerged. And then a second later, he hooked two fingers inside of her panties and with her help, he slipped them off of her tossed them to the side.
While he moved, she watched his eyes trace her body. He sized up every square inch of her flesh until at last, their gaze met once again. With both arms at her sides, he climbed over her. His torso pressed into hers with a gentle firmness. It wasn’t forceful, it was just enough that they relaxed into the mattress beneath them. Alexander lingered above her for a moment longer and then crashed his mouth into hers.
It seemed like forever since she’d kissed him even though a few scarce minutes had passed. Her need for him, the desire within her wolf to at last have him, was so strong that she didn’t know how much longer she’d last. They kissed with more ferocity than they had before. The intensity increased with each passing second until Alexander broke free with a sudden movement.
Caught off guard, Emma looked up to see him drop his head towards her breasts. As he descended upon her, she reached up towards his head and slipped her fingers into his thick, black hair. The moist heat of his mouth approached her nipple. It had pebbled, like fleshy granite, eager to be touched and suckled. Alexander lingered above it for a moment, a cruel second longer than he should have, and then drew it hard between his lips.
Emma groaned as he inhaled her flesh into his mouth. Her lower back drew upwards, arched as if by instinct, while at the same time she gripped his hair with both hands. A wave of goose pimples erupted along her arms, waist and back as he continued to devour her flesh.
For several minutes, he moved back and forth between her ample orbs. Each time he would release one nipple from his mouth, he rolled the other between the thumb and forefinger of his free hand so that neither would go without the stimulation they craved. As the seconds ticked by, her entire body began to quiver and shake with anticipation.
Alexander lavished affection upon her breasts for sever
al moments longer and then began to make his way down the mid line of her torso. Emma’s belly began to pulse as he did. Her breaths came in quick gulps as he lingered down her center and kissed her along the way. She wasn’t certain she was ready. She tightened her grip on his hair a bit in the hopes that it might slow his advance.
But, he would have none of it.
Alexander chuckled as he moved, pulled her hands away and placed them on the mattress. Once he’d finished, he continued further still until at last, he was between her thighs. Without the waste of a second, he reached between them and spread them apart. A rush of cool air swirled between her legs as he did. Emma’s breath palpitated as he moved towards her pussy - now exposed, vulnerable and wet.
Emma’s heartbeat thumped in her eardrum. Unable to resist, she glanced downward between her thighs to see him approach. A moment later, warmth from his mouth brought her attention to the pinnacle of awareness. Emma’s mound quivered and just as he was upon her, he stopped and looked into her eyes. Hypnotized by his movement, Emma’s mouth opened a fraction and then, in an unconscious gesture of surrender, she nodded her head in his direction.
“Yes, yes, yes.” she whispered.
Alexander wasted no time and in one movement, his mouth engulfed her swollen lips. Emma bucked into him with her hips as her mind flashed white. His tongue dove between her soft folds and filled the narrow confines of her opening. With his thumb, he applied pressure to her clit that had hardened to a state unfamiliar to Emma.
For several seconds, his dual assault continued. With each lash of his tongue along her walls and stroke of his thumb against the fleshy stone of her bud, she fell deeper into him. A steady rhythm emerged between them as Emma sensed an urgent need descend upon her. Likewise, Alexander’s wolf realized her moment was near. He withdrew his tongue from her and clamped down hard on her clit.
It was over for her.
She cried out and pressed her pelvis against his rapacious orifice. As he applied suction to her, her mind exploded. Shards of ecstasy stabbed her consciousness as the first waves of climax crashed into her. Emma’s cries rose up in a crescendo as the full force of rapture hit her for the first time.
Alpha's Arrangement (Troubled Fork Shifters (Book 2)) Page 8
