Leona’s voice was weak, but she managed to say, “I love you my child. I prayed daily that you would find happiness and never look back.”
Bristol, asked Tatum to join them, and Bristol said to her mother, “This is my mate, Alpha Tatum of Blackstone,” she smiled proudly.
“Tatum the tracker? Your reputation precedes you. I know her father would be as proud as I am to know she mated with a powerful alpha as yourself.”
“The honor is all mine. And I know I speak for my mate when I say, you will come stay with us.”
“Thank you, but you two are young and need your privacy and I am old and like solitude.”
“Then stay with us until I can build you a home,” cited Tatum, leaving Leona speechless.
It was then that Tatum took note of the Gamma. “You must be Gamma Rhone, I’ve heard a lot about you sir, but I think my mate has made you more angel than man. I, on the other hand, have suffered under your brother Gamma Tate’s hand, who is more devil than man.” But the smile on his face and gleam in his eyes let Gamma Rhone know he was jesting.
“It is getting late and we should be heading back to Blackstone, it’s been a long day,” Luke announced.
“Yes, it has,” Tatum agreed before taking control and barking out orders. “Scotty, I’m leaving half the men here until you can get things under control and in order. I need a cart or something with wheels to transport mother alpha. Gamma Rhone, I hope you don’t mind but I will need you to join us, just for a couple of days. Kaylyn, we know where your heart lies, you are relieved of your duties as beta to Bristol.”
Kaylyn looked to Bristol who nodded in agreement. “We’re still linked, so whatever you need…” The two-embraced saying goodbye.
It didn’t take long before they were soon on their way back to Blackstone. It took a little longer to get home, since the rugged terrain they traveled earlier was be too dangerous with Leona in a cart and the elderly Gamma Rhone, riding a donkey.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The sun was starting to set when they reached Blackstone. The town came out to greet their returning leaders. It was plain to see they were aware of the situation that had taken place. Luke immediately asked for Doc, wanting to check on Dirk.
Bristol smiled when her mother and Gamma Rhone looked around in amazement at the town she now called home. She was proud of it more so now than before. Going back to Rolling Hill with its unkempt dirty streets and small shacks, gave her a new appreciation for Blackstone. Funny, when she was growing up in Rolling Hill, it was paradise.
Tatum, in one smooth swoop, carried his mother-in-law into the house, placing her in his overstuffed chair. Tears gathered in Leona’s eyes as she patted Tatum’s hand, thanking him for his kindness. She slowly observed the home her daughter now a female alpha of her own pack, and her heart was full. When Bristol entered the house, she was followed by three men and an elderly woman, all carrying baskets of food.
“Mother, this is Gamma Maisie, she’s here to help you. Tonight, we’ll eat late due to the trip, but if you want something now, I’ll get it,” Bristol announced.
“No, the kill on the way here was satisfying,” she replied. It didn’t take much to fill her belly these days.
“Good. How about a hot bath, a change of clothes and some warm milk? Gamma Maisie will help you while I ready the guest room.”
“I don’t want to put anyone out.”
“Nonsense, it takes a minute or two for the water to heat up, but after that it’s fine.”
By the time Leona finished her bath, the guest room was ready, and a light meal sat prepared in the inglenook.
“I can’t believe this place,” Leona exclaimed, “heated water indoors, clean, covered dirt, and the buildings, this house. It’s breathtaking.”
“I know it’s amazing and you’ve yet to see everything the town has to offer. I’m proud of the work Tatum has done here. His vision goes beyond anything imaginable,” Bristol beamed.
When Bristol went back to her room, she found Tatum, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Is your mother settled in?”
“Yes, she’s in the guest room, eating a small meal.”
“Good, I asked Maisie to keep an eye on her until our return.”
“Where are we off to?”
“Did you forget, we have a date set for today? The grotto…”
Bristol, jumping in his arms, planted kisses all over Tatum’s face. She had indeed forgotten their date with all the added events that had taken place.
They walked along the street, waiting to shift once they reached the woodland area. On the way, they stopped to speak to Gamma Tate and Gamma Rhone who sat on Gamma Rhone’s porch drinking blackberry wine. The two men were beaming with joy. Seeing the two together brought tears to Bristol’s eyes.
“This is the best gift I could’ve ever received. If I died today, I would thank the Goddess for blessing me ten times over this day,” Gamma Tate announced as tears rolled across his ruddy cheek.
“Thank you both for inviting me to come and allowing me to lay eyes upon my brother. I pray we need lose touch again,” Gamma Rhone cried, as he hugged he brother.
Tatum and Bristol left the two reminiscing about their childhood.
The moment they reached the woodlands, the two shifted and began to run free, jumping on each other’s back and chasing after each other playfully. They followed the path to their secret rendezvous as the green illuminating lights brightened the grotto and the steam from the underground spring fogged the air, giving it a romantic and mysterious ambiance.
Transforming into their human bodies, Tatum pulled Bristol into his arms.
“Finally, where you are meant to be for now and forever.”
“I am yours as you are mine, my alpha.” Bristol cried.
“Yes, and now that I’ve found you, I will kill anyone who tries to take you from me,” he said as he captured her lips, letting his hands roam freely across her curvaceous body, causing her to moan against his mouth, as her wolf jumped and leaped for joy, hearing his wolf howling his desire for her.
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
S. Raven Storm is a native New Yorker, who currently moved from Goldsboro, N.C. to Dover DE. She writes paranormal, erotic, and contemporary romance novels as well as poetry. S. Raven Storm released her first novel titled: Someone for Me, February 2015. After her success with Someone for Me, her fan base, which she calls Rav Stormers, asked for a sequel. S. Raven Storm gave them Someone for Me 2 Tina’s Turn, which she released December 2015.
S. Raven Storm’s biggest hit released in May 2016. The paranormal romance Lyon’s Queen, captured the hearts of her fans. Her next book was the hot follow up to the Someone for Me Series, titled Someone for Me 3 Stone’s Story.
S. Raven Storm is the 2nd place winner of 2015 Smexiest Erotic Romance writer. She won with her breakout novel Someone for Me. S. Raven Storm is known by her iconic trademark purple, her logo purple lips, as well as her branding slogan, “If it ain’t naughty, it ain’t nice,” which has become synonymous with her body of work.
Tatum: A Wolf's Hunger Alpha Shifter Romance (A Wolf's Hunger Book 12) Page 10
