by Caris Roane
Nothing more was said between them during the removal process.
Both Fergus and Alessandro arrived to see to Glissane. Fergus told Warren he would make sure the wizard’s body was taken to the morgue. For all the suffering Glissane had caused, Fergus wanted to see the body cremated himself so there could be no fear of his return. The wizard had proved so secretive that Fergus wanted proof. They all did.
Kiara was glad of it. Mostly, there ought to be an eye-witness. The packs of Savage wouldn’t be at ease otherwise, something she understood extremely well. The dark witches and wizards of Elegance could easily fake their own deaths.
Once assured of his demise, Kiara had no doubt there would be massive celebration throughout the territory.
For now, as Warren flew her back to her refuge, she wanted only to be with him.
Once inside, she assured her staff she was well. She explained what had happened and that Glissane was dead.
The wolves howled their joy at the news.
She relayed of course what had happened earlier in her grotto. Her staff assured her they would take care of the water damage and not to worry.
They could easily see that she and Warren had bonded, so she didn’t need to explain why she intended to return to Caldion with him.
To his pack.
And now hers.
And a new life in Savage as an alpha’s bonded mate.
Warren remained close to her while she packed up a few things to take to the compound.
Neither spoke.
She was happy to be leaving the grotto and the recent difficult memories. At some point, she would need to employ a spell to purify the space. But that was for a later time.
When he flew her back to his compound, he landed her on the broad front entrance. He set her on her feet then took her hand as together they faced the closed front doors.
Before he crossed the threshold, he waited, and she understood. She could feel him summoning his wolves and wasn’t surprised when those working security outside began to arrive to form a brigade behind them. When the doors opened, her gaze ran the length of the long entrance all the way to the distant open back doors and the starlight beyond.
Wolves kept arriving at this massive, central part of the compound, several hundred in all.
The Caldion Pack.
The wolves formed two lines on either side with a solemn, respectful attitude prevailing.
She heard more movement behind them. She glanced to the left then the right. Dozens more pack wolves, who lived in dwellings outside the compound, had answered the call as well.
Because of her bond with Warren, she knew the moment every member of the pack had arrived. It was as though her soul had been counting each Caldion member until the last wolf had finally made his way to the gathering.
A soft howling rose from the entire pack, something so melodious and beautiful, it brought tears to her eyes. The part of her that was wolf lifted her chin as though preparing to howl as well. She would have, but this shared howl was for her and it was for Warren. She was being acknowledged as Warren’s alpha-mate.
She’d lived a solitary witch life in Elegance Territory since her arrival in Five Bridges. She had never thought she’d be with a man again. Their world had seemed too full of pain and destruction to allow for love.
Yet here she was and with so much more than a simple, insular relationship. Her bond wasn’t just with Warren but with the hundreds of wolves around her.
The howling of the wolves rushed over her like a gentle wind. She took several deep breaths to keep from sobbing. She didn’t want to miss a moment of the experience.
Warren took her hand then began to walk slowly forward. She moved with him and as she did, her gaze landed on each wolf in turn, to her right then to her left. Instinctively, she knew this initial eye-contact was important. The pack-bond grew even firmer as step-by-step she and Warren walked down the line.
After the initial greeting had concluded and the howls dissipated, Warren addressed his pack in his rich, resonant voice. The wolves had now gathered in the large, rear entertaining patio. Several of them stood on the nearby low wall or on the massive boulders scattered throughout the vicinity. The back of the property was lined with pine trees like the nearby forest.
Dawn was some time away and a breeze eased the July heat out of the desert.
He told his people about Glissane’s demise, even providing the details of what he and Kiara had achieved together. She knew how important this was so that the pack would value her even more.
When he was done, a cheer rose up that echoed into the night sky above. Kiara glanced up at him and saw that he was smiling.
Her heart felt full as she watched him. This was what she’d brought to his life. Warren smiled now, something he’d rarely done before the past few nights with her. It seemed like such a small, yet incredibly important thing, and she squeezed his hand. Since the cheering still rang through the air, he turned to look down at her and returned the pressure of her hand.
His voice filled her mind. Thank you, Kiara, for all you’ve brought to my world. I will never be able to express how grateful I am.
She smiled but shook her head. I didn’t know how alone I was until this moment. You and the Caldion Pack? I’m overwhelmed by how complete I feel, how truly happy I am right now.
He slid his free hand to the nape of her neck, then dipped down and kissed her.
The cheering rose higher still, which seemed to encourage Warren to pull her into his arms. When he deepened the kiss and despite that they had an audience, she slid her arms around his neck and returned his kiss in full.
~ ~ ~
Warren drew back reluctantly, though he kept his arm around Kiara’s waist. He realized he could have gone on kissing her forever. But his wolves needed this time with their new alpha female to pay their respects and homage, to get to know her, and to pledge their loyalty.
He patted the air with his hands and the pack grew quiet. “Those of you who have known Kiara for the past few months are already familiar with her dedication to Five Bridges. I will confirm now that she has run and operated a wolf refuge here in Savage, though cloaked behind necessary security spells of her own devising. Though I had no knowledge of her refuge until the past few days, she conducted her shelter with Chief Robert’s permission, for well over a year. A few of you, sworn to secrecy as you were, lived at the refuge and were rehabilitated by her excellent staff and you are now free to speak of it as you wish.
“Several nights ago, she single-handedly saved my wolf-ass and several of my fellow Border Patrol Officers. By using her invisibility shield, we were able to escape Julio’s attack on the station. Then, by working together, she and I joined forces and broke the bond between Julio and Glissane. But it was when we chose to bond tonight that she and I were able to destroy Glissane and put an end forever to his assault on Savage.”
He turned to meet her gaze for a moment and squeezed her waist. His love for her as well as his respect was boundless. He smiled then shifted his attention once more to his pack as he continued, “Kiara did all this without thought to her own contentment or safety. Though she is not a wolf, she has proven to possess the values we hold dear in Caldion, of sacrifice and service to the whole. I ask you to welcome Kiara into Caldion with the greatest force you can muster.”
Warren felt the pack join together as one body. A rumbling began in the earth as feet shifted about and wolves prepared to howl.
What erupted was like nothing he’d ever heard come from his pack before. If he’d had any doubts as to whether his pack would accept a witch as his alpha-mate, none remained.
A howling rose into the night air, full of resonance and breadth, like a wind roaring through the air. Nothing else could be heard. Hundreds of wolf voices sang the song of acceptance and devotion and he knew a depth of happiness he’d never thought to experience in his lifetime.
Tears streamed down Kiara’s face. Because of their bond, he knew she underst
ood how incredible this moment was. He would never forget this as long as he lived. He sensed Kiara felt the same way.
When at last the final howl died away, he ordered a celebration and another cheer filled the air. The wolves then stamped their feet and he turned to Kiara. “It’s a tradition, sort of like the clinking of glasses at a human wedding.”
Her answering smile as well as the sparkle in her tear-drenched eyes, led him to pull her again into his arms and kiss her. This time, he kissed her a long, long time, maybe longer than he should have since a lot of hooting soon replaced the cheers and stamping of feet.
She finally pushed at him, but came up laughing and wiping at her cheeks. She’d never looked more beautiful.
The compound’s staff was already firing up the numerous grills around the outdoor gathering area. Kegs of beer were being brought in from the kitchen’s massive stockroom. Mugs were hauled out by the case-load.
The party had begun.
He introduced Kiara one-by-one to each Caldion member. He could sense Kiara’s connection to his wolves, their wolves now. She’d told him she’d felt very alone until they’d bonded. Now she felt as though she’d gained an enormous family.
It was the best part of pack life, the sense of belonging and camaraderie.
Yet, in some ways he’d been alone as well. Now he had a mate and his life was complete.
He remained close to her side throughout the celebration. Even when they sat down to eat, he made sure they sat close together. He needed the physical connection to her right now. She seemed to feel it as well since the whole time she ate, she kept her hand planted on his thigh. He loved it.
He told her over and over how much he loved her.
She did the same.
But as the hours wore on, his need to be with her physically grew to an almost painful point. Dawn arrived with relief which saw his pack finally dispersing and returning to either their apartments within his vast underground compound or their nearby homes.
As was proper, he waited until the last wolf had left then led Kiara to his suite of rooms.
He trembled with need and her soft moans told him the state she was in as well.
Once inside his soundproof bedroom, he started to strip off his clothes, as she did hers. Though she removed her clothes quickly, his became a sore point, since he’d forgotten to get his boots off first.
She was soon laughing and forced him to sit down. She removed his boots herself, which swelled his heart. She was here, she was with him, they were one.
As soon as his boots were off his feet and his pants freed from his body, he had her pinned to the sheets.
There was no foreplay. None was needed. The newness of the bond had him in a state, Kiara no less so.
He buried himself in her body.
He kissed her.
He made love to her.
He showed her with her each tender caress how much he cherished and needed her.
She responded in kind, loving on him, moaning, even howling her pleasure.
He brought his storm and she brought hers. Wind, lightning and thunder rolled around them as he took her to the heights again and again.
~ ~ ~
After the lovemaking, Kiara lay on her side in Warren’s bed, now her bed. He spooned her, and his arm overlay her waist. His steady breathing told her he’d fallen sound asleep.
Her mind refused to let her slumber, however.
Though she was exhausted, she didn’t want the night to end. She wanted to forge profound memories of the recent celebration, so she kept reviewing everything she’d experienced.
She’d wept. Of course, she’d wept. She was moved more than she’d thought possible. Meeting each pack member, shaking each hand, covering several of those hands with her own, was an experience she would cherish the rest of her life.
When she’d first fallen in love with Warren, she’d believed a permanent relationship with him to be impossible. She was a witch and he, an alpha wolf with a pack to which he was completely devoted. How could their lives ever fit together?
Yet, here she was, alpha female to the Caldion Pack and fully bonded to Warren.
When she’d built her refuge in Savage, she’d had only one thought, to serve the alter beings of wolf territory. She had even believed it a strong possibility that she would lose her life in her various refuge-making endeavors throughout Five Bridges.
Instead, her journey with Warren had added significantly to her witch powers and her ability to survive the more lethal aspects of their world. She had a new wolfness that enhanced every aspect of her life. She had new confidence in the future, which meant she hoped to do more for Five Bridges than ever before.
She caressed Warren’s arm and rubbed her cheek against his hand. Mostly, love had found her and filled her life with warmth and peace.
She gave thanks for what had been given to her. Through forces she would never understand, Warren was now her bonded mate. She was grateful beyond words and would spend what years lay in front of her honoring these blessings.
The End
A Note from Caris
I hope you enjoyed reading EMERALD FLAME! And remember, you can claim an ebook and enter my latest giveaway right now by signing up for my mailing list on my home page!
If you enjoyed A TOUCH OF FLAME, I’d love it if you took a minute to leave a short review – two or three sentences only -- at your favorite online retailer. And you don’t have to be a blogger to do this, just a reader who loves books!
Coming Up Next
I’m planning several more books set in the world of Five Bridges. I will also be adding more books to the following series: Guardians of Ascension, Blood Rose Time Travel, and a new dragon series I’m currently developing. To read more about The Flame Series…
About the Author
Caris Roane is the New York Times bestselling author of forty paranormal romance books. Writing as Valerie King, she has published fifty novels and novellas in Regency Romance. Caris lives in Phoenix, Arizona, loves gardening, enjoys the birds and lizards in her yard, but encourages the scorpions to inhabit elsewhere. Her motto: Live the Fang!
Find out more about Caris on her website!
Have You Read These Books by Caris Roane
The Flame Series…
BLOOD FLAME – Book 1
AMETHYST FLAME – Book 2
DARK FLAME – Book 3
AMBER FLAME – Book 4
A TOUCH OF FLAME – Book 5
A WOLF’S LOVE – Book 5.1
CHRISTMAS FLAME, A Holiday Novella
The Blood Rose Series…
BLOOD ROSE SERIES BOX SET, 1-2-3
EMBRACE THE DARK – Book 1
EMBRACE THE MAGIC – Book 2
EMBRACE THE MYSTERY – Book 3
EMBRACE THE PASSION – Book 4
EMBRACE THE NIGHT – Book 5
EMBRACE THE WILD – Book 6
EMBRACE THE WIND – Book 7
EMBRACE THE HUNT – Book 8
LOVE IN THE FORTRESS – Book 8.1
EMBRACE THE POWER – Book 9
The Blood Rose Time Travel Series…
A VAMPIRE’S SOFT EMBRACE – Book 1
A VAMPIRE’S EMBRACE – Book 2
The Blood Rose Tales…
BLOOD ROSE TALES BOX SET
To Peruse the Blood Rose Tales Separately…
TRAPPED – Tale 1
HUNGER – Tale 2
SEDUCED – Tale 3
Guardians of Ascension…
The Original Six Books Published by St. Martin’s Press
ASCENSION – Book 1
BURNING SKIES – Book 2
WINGS OF FIRE – Book 3
BORN OF ASHES – Book 4
OBSIDIAN FLAME – Book 5
GATES OF RAPTURE- Book 6
The Dawn of Ascension Novels, Self-Published by Caris Roane, as part of Guardians of Ascension
BRINK OF ETERNITY as part of VAMPIRE COLLECTION
THE DARKENING
> The Rapture’s Edge Series as part of Guardians of Ascension
AWAKENING – Rapture’s Edge Book 1
VEILED – Rapture’s Edge Book 2
REVEALED – Rapture’s Edge Book 3
The Amulet Series…
WICKED NIGHT/DARK NIGHT (Boxed Set)
The Men in Chains Series, Published by St. Martin’s Press
BORN IN CHAINS – Book 1
CHAINS OF DARKNESS – Book 2
UNCHAINED – Book 3
SAVAGE CHAINS – A Separate Novel in the Same World
Find Caris at…
Her Website
Her Blog
Her Facebook Author Page
Her Twitter Page
Her Pinterest Page
For giveaways, freebies, updates on the latest books, and lots of photos, be sure to sign up today for Caris’s mailing list: Caris’s Newsletter
Author of…
Guardians of Ascension Series – Warriors of the Blood crave the breh-hedden
Dawn of Ascension Series – Militia Warriors battle to save Second Earth
Rapture’s Edge Series – Militia Warriors battle to save Third Earth
Blood Rose Series – Only a blood rose can fulfill a mastyr vampire’s deepest needs
