Aiden followed Nikita into the pack lodge, through the living room, into the enormous dining hall.
“I need you to show me where my men will be bunking for the night.”
Was that panic flaring in her pretty blue eyes? Nikita headed for the counter holding a coffee pot, hot water and a box of tea. She poured herself a mug of coffee, gestured to the pot. He shook his head.
“I’m going to need fresh meat for my men.” He gazed around the room with its square oak tables and bank of tall windows overlooking the mountains and the valley. “We can hunt in your forest. But I didn’t see any big game. What happened to all the deer in your woods? I didn’t even scent a rabbit. Or a squirrel.”
Nikita seemed absorbed in her mug. “We have game. Just hard to find.”
“Bull.”
She looked up and he caught the fear in her eyes. Aiden roped in his frustration. Hoping his touch would sooth her, he settled his hands on her shoulders, alarmed by how much weight she’d lost. Niki had been much plumper only a few months ago.
“Send Darius home with Sam. Now,” she told him.
Aiden stared. What the hell? Had she asked him to have sex with her here on the dining room floor, he couldn’t have felt more surprised.
Pleased, oh yeah. But surprised as well.
“Aiden, he doesn’t belong here anymore. Send him home with Sam.” He could see her mind working like a clock, gears whirling. Making excuses?
“I don’t want your beta here having sex with his mate and stirring up my pack. You saw what happened already with Garth. And you know the rules of the challenge. Until you and I consummate the mating, your men can’t touch my women. No pairings until we’re officially mates.”
She set down the cup and leaned against the counter. “Your men are already cranked up enough. Last thing I want is them stalking my females, getting pushy and then I have to kick more in the gonads. I doubt you want that either. My knee’s gonna get pretty damn sore.”
Instead of answering, he studied his intended mate. With her dark gold curls, high cheekbones, pert nose and her full, lush mouth, she was lovely. But he didn’t only see her beauty, he saw a female alpha with lines of strain around her pouting mouth, and smudges of purple beneath her sapphire blue eyes.
What had happened to her?
Clasping her hand, he led her to a table. “Sit.”
Nikita bristled. “I’m not a damn dog, Mitchell.”
Far from it, he thought, amused. “You’re exhausted and look ready to topple over. Your wolf needs food.”
After pulling out a chair, he gently pushed her into it.
“I have to tend to the livestock. I have chores.”
What livestock? Nikita had once raised quarter horses and champion thoroughbreds. He saw only a few straggly mustangs in the pasture, cropping the scrawny grasses. And there were no crops of any kind that he could see.
How the pack was surviving, he didn’t know. Aiden went into the adjacent kitchen, did a quick check of the pantry and refrigerator. The slim stores alarmed him. He pulled out his cell and called Darius.
“Aiden.” Darius sounded worried. “Sam and I are hanging with the others outside. They want to know what the plan is.”
Aiden made a prompt decision. “Get a few guys together to go to town to buy groceries. Lots of steaks, beef, the usual. Give them your corporate credit card.”
“You already packed a cooler for the celebratory feast tonight. It’s probably still in your truck.”
Aiden frowned. He had tossed the cooler into his truck early this morning without anyone’s knowledge. “How did you know?”
“You fight to win, my friend. What else would you have done?”
His beta’s tone was dry. Darius knew him well.
“It’s not enough to feed our guys and Niki’s whole pack. Unload everything I brought, get dinner started and send the men into town for more.”
“There’s a grill downstairs on the lanai and a small kitchen and bar for entertaining. I’ll get started grilling the food,” Darius added.
“Good. Make sure to send enough men with the trucks to stock Niki’s ranch for at least three weeks.” He paused for a moment, thinking. “Tell them to buy plenty of beef, vegetables, staples, tea, milk, the usual. Oh, and a big box of chocolate puffs.”
He knew Niki liked those, judging from what Lexie had told him. Lexie, Nikita’s niece, was mated to Jackson and officially now a member of Aiden’s pack.
“Then, after you and Sam eat, go home.”
“What? No way. I’m not leaving, I’m your second in charge-”
“Exactly why you need to get home, and take Sam with you. Someone has to look after the home front.” Aiden paused. “It’s best if you leave, Dar. Things are tense enough now with all the men eyeballing the females-”
“Which is why you need me to keep them in line while you focus on Nikita.”
“I can get Garth for that.” He thought of what Nikita had done to the male. “He needs a distraction from Roxanne.”
Silence.
“Go home, Darius, and enjoy Sam. I’ll be fine here with Garth.”
“Aiden, what’s going on? You pissed because I hit that male from Richard’s pack?”
He heard the faint undertone of worry. “Asshole deserved it for coming onto Sam. I’m more concerned with settling the guys down for the night, and making sure her females have enough to eat.”
“There’s no big game in the woods,” Darius said slowly. “Things are pretty bad. Worse than what you thought.”
He gripped the cell. “Yeah. Which is why I need to step in and take charge. Niki won’t like it, but she’ll have to live with it.”
“Good luck, buddy.” Darius laughed softly. “Wish I could be here to see you deal. See her tear into your sorry ass.”
“Fuck you and the horse you didn’t ride in on,” Aiden said, smiling, and thumbed off the phone.
When he returned to the dining hall, Niki had rested her head on the table. Her eyes were closed.
Fast asleep.
She hadn’t been eating properly, obvious from the weight loss and the exhaustion. And the strain of the challenge had taken its toll.
Aiden felt a mixture of longing, tenderness and something else he didn’t quite recognize, nor want. He couldn’t fall in love with this stubborn, strong female. Long ago he’d resolved to never fall in love and hand over his heart, like his dead and dear old dad had done with Aiden’s mother. When his mother died, his father had fallen apart, neglected the pack and nearly killed his offspring. Aiden’s fists clenched as he thought of his baby sister and the scars she’d suffered because of their father.
He would never allow his feelings to take over like his father had.
Oh, he’d become Niki’s mate. Make love to her, long into the night. Treat her with the respect and caring she deserved. Make certain she never wanted for anything.
He’d do anything for her. Anything.
Except hand her his heart. Love makes you a fool, and weak.
He pulled out a chair, turned it around and straddled it. At the scrape of the wood against the tile, she raised her head with a dazed look. “I fell asleep. How long?”
“Ten minutes at the most. You didn’t miss much.” He ached inside at how vulnerable she looked. “My men are headed into town to buy supplies.”
Niki sat up, yawning. “I have food.”
And wolves can fly. He remembered her stubborn pride and quickly thought of an excuse. “A feast, to celebrate my victory. And my men are very hungry. You didn’t count on having all of us stay for dinner.”
Her eyes widened. She pushed away from the table. “They can’t stay here. Send them home.”
Aiden frowned. “Why? They’ll only have to return tomorrow for the mating ceremony.”
“Then let them return. I don’t have room for them. And I don’t want anyone sneaking off to bother my pack in the middle of the night.”
“We could consummate the mating right here and now.�
�
Something flickered in her gaze. “Rules are rules, Mitchell. I’m going by the book on this mating.”
“True enough.”
Niki stood and walked over to the doors leading to the wide balcony overlooking the rolling hills and sweeping pastures. He joined her outside as she sat in one of the wood rockers. Feeders hung from the overhead rafters as hummingbirds darted in and out, seeking the sweetness.
Like her. He remembered his gift. “I’ll be right back.”
When he returned, her eyes were closed again. Aiden suspected it was from hunger and lack of sleep. He gently placed the birdhouse in her lap. “Open your eyes.”
She did and looked down. “What is it?”
Enormously pleased with himself, he chuckled. “What else? It’s a birdhouse.”
Niki lifted up the structure and examined it. “For what?”
“You mentioned you wanted to have a bird house for the hummingbirds to nest. So I got you one as my mating gift to you.”
She sighed and shook her head. “Thank you. Ah, Mitchell. I appreciate the sentiment.”
But she didn’t look pleased. “What’s wrong?”
“Hummingbirds aren’t cavity nesters. This won’t work.” Nikita poked at the birdhouse. “It’s very pretty, but useless.”
Dumbfounded, he stared at the gift. “I went out of my way to get you a birdhouse for your birds and you don’t like it? I thought you’d like it. It’s your favorite color. Blue.”
He studied her face. Nikita was complex and wild, like the animals roaming her ranch’s forest.
“It’s nice. As a decoration.”
“It’s a birdhouse!” Frustrated she didn’t like the gift, he glared at her.
She sighed. “Listen Mitchell, no matter how pretty or ornate or strong the birdhouse is, it won’t work. Hummingbirds like platforms. They nest in sheltered trees and in shrubs that make them feel safe. If you don’t provide the proper nesting area, and food, they’ll leave. You have to meet their needs if you want them to stick around. Pay attention to them.”
And then it struck him that Nikita was exactly like her hummingbirds. Always darting around, fast and furious, looking for the proper spot to nest so she could care for her people, but no one paid attention to her needs. Aiden felt as if he’d been looking at her through a telescope, when all the time what he needed to see wasn’t at a distance, but right in front of him.
He needed to address her needs or she’d fly away like her birds.
“Fine, pixie. I’ll pay attention.” He plucked the useless birdhouse from her lap and set it on a nearby table. “Right now I’m paying attention to the fact that you’re half starved. You need dinner.”
Niki looked guilty for a minute. “It is a nice birdhouse. Maybe another bird would like it.”
“I have something else I know you’ll like. For now, dinner.”
At her protest, he put a finger to her lips, shuddering inside at the contact. Her mouth was warm silk. He longed to kiss her again.
“Hush. Stay here. Darius is rustling up a real feast to celebrate. I’ll bring you a plate.”
She didn’t protest and that alarmed him. Niki must be hungry and exhausted if she allowed him to feed her. She had too much pride.
A few minutes later, he returned carrying a tray filled with silverware, plates, two cans of iced tea and a platter piled with thick sausage, four rare steaks, and hamburgers. He set the platter on the patio table. Niki joined him, pulling out a seat, her eyes huge at the sight of all the food. Hell, he could almost see her salivating.
It killed him to know she’d been going hungry. For how long?
Aiden cut into a steak and sat beside her. He forked a piece and held it to her mouth. Niki shook her head.
Aiden brought the fork to her mouth, rubbing the steak against her lips.
"Eat for me, sweetheart.”
Niki pressed her lips together.
“It’s really good. I bought this steak with my own two hands. Slaved over the selection all day in the supermarket.”
As she laughed, he popped the morsel inside her mouth. Aiden placed the piece just inside her lips. She flicked her tongue daintily over the steak, then closed her lips over the fork tines. As she chewed and swallowed, he gazed into her face with a primitive male hunger greater than his need for beef.
He fed her a few more slices of steak, instinct warning she had trouble shifting due to lack of fresh meat. After the fourth bite, she pushed his hand away. “I can feed myself, Mitchell.”
But he felt a certain satisfaction, knowing she’d taken food from his hand. It was a traditional female acceptance of the alpha male’s role in providing for her needs. Aiden wondered if Niki knew this.
Doubtful. If she had, she’d probably have taken the fork and stabbed him with it. Niki was not traditional in any sense. However, she was determined to play by the rules with the Mating Challenge.
Did she know the tradition for an alpha female to accept the male’s role in caring for her sexual needs? Aiden’s groin tightened as he thought of tomorrow night’s ceremony. Oh yeah, he was most looking forward to fulfilling that need.
Aiden placed a thick hamburger on her plate. “Here. Try this. My specialty.”
She poked it with a finger as if it were a roach. “What is it?”
“Rare hamburger, slathered with caramelized onions, Brie and bacon.”
He could see her struggle with admitting her hunger. Finally Niki picked up the hamburger and bit into it. “OMG, I think I’ve died and gone to the afterworld.”
“Not yet, sweetheart. I’m saving that for tomorrow night when we have sex.”
He laughed as she rolled her eyes. Niki kept eating, making little sounds of pleasure. Satisfaction filled him. He liked seeing his woman happy and eating. He’d take good care of her. Very good care.
Aiden picked up another hamburger, bit into it with a sigh. Delicious. He popped open the tea, offering her a can.
Nia shook her head. “I don’t drink iced tea.”
She went into the dining hall and returned with a bottle of water. For a while they sat eating, watching the glowing sun slowly set behind the mountains, streaking the skies with pink light. Finally she pushed back her plate. “Thanks, Mitchell. Nice feast.”
“I aim to please.”
She cast him a sideways glance from those incredibly blue eyes. “Your men?”
“They’re staying.”
Anger touched her expression. “Send them home.”
“No.” He leaned forward, knowing this would be the first contest of wills as mates, but far from the last. “I want them here to look after your pack. Patrolling the grounds. I will not leave your females here unprotected, not with those damn gnomes roving the forest.”
She glanced away, but not before he saw guilt shadowing her expression. “Fine. They can sleep in the cowboy’s bunk house.”
“Because you have no cowboys left to sleep there,” he said softly.
Niki whirled toward him. As she started to protest, he held up a hand. “Don’t lie, Blakemore. No males. Not a single one, except a few boys who look prepubescent. What happened to your men?”
Cupping her face with one strong hand, he turned her to meet his penetrating gaze. “How long ago did they leave?”
He could almost see her mind working. “They didn’t leave. They died.”
“From what? Those gnomes?”
“You can’t stay here, Aiden,” she whispered and he heard a note of desperation in her silky voice. “I’ll come to your ranch tomorrow and we’ll hold the ceremony there beneath the full moon. I’ll bring everyone, but you can’t stay here, and your men can’t, either.”
Seeing the lines of strain on her face, the panic flaring in her eyes, he leaned his forehead against hers. “I will not leave you unprotected. And you know the rules. I cannot return to my pack and my territory without making you my mate in the flesh.”
Not to mention his suspicion that Niki might bolt be
fore he had the chance to do so. He didn’t know what was happening at the Blakemore Ranch, but would find out.
Tomorrow. She was exhausted and needed sleep.
She fished her cell phone from her leather pants and called her beta, telling her to arrange sleeping quarters for Aiden’s men, then thumbed off the phone.
“You can bunk down in the guest bedroom.”
“You don’t want me to share your bed?” He gazed at her, feathering his thumb across her plump lower lip, letting her see the intent behind the gesture. Gods, he wanted this female badly. Wanted to ravish her with slow, soft kisses, and strip away that layer of pride to find the woman beneath… keep her close to his side to rule…
As equals? Aiden shook his head free of the idea. He was naturally stronger and his instinct to protect ran deep. Pack needed strong, fearless leadership and one leader, not two. His authority was final. Niki would be his helpmate, and he’d need her advice to help integrate their two packs.
But rule at his side? Never.
“I need one last night alone.” She bit her lip and he sensed her prideful struggle. “Please.”
Aiden stood, silently resolving to find out what the hell was going on. “All right. But I’m putting my men on patrol. Fair warning, Niki.”
He brushed a kiss against her forehead. “Tomorrow, when you’re rested, we’ll talk.”
She eyed the leftover food. “Do you mind if I take that?”
Such a hesitant request. Aiden’s heart turned over as he realized how much it took for her to ask. “You’d do me a favor if you did. I hate wasting food.”
Throat tight with emotion, he stood and went into the kitchen to wrap everything. How long had she been living like this? Half starved, too proud and alpha to ask for help?
Never again, he silently vowed. If he had to beg, borrow or steal, he’d make sure she was well cared for.
***
Two hours later, a covered tray of food in her palms, Nia went to her cabin near the main lodge. She had a quick meeting with Roxanne and Mandy, instructing them to search for the chest when they could do so undetected. Nia knew she’d be too busy distracting Aiden Mitchell.
As she approached her cabin, four wolves prowled up the path leading from the pond to the lodge, their scent unfamiliar.
Bad Boys of the Night: Eight Sizzling Paranormal Romances: Paranormal Romance Boxed Set Page 129
