They left Denver the next morning to spend two days at home before leaving for Marcus and Amy's wedding. Brandt began preparations for building their new cabin and asked Emily to review the floor plans with him. Their home would sit on a piece of land half a mile behind the main house where Cheri and his father resided. After looking over the drawings for hours and making a few adjustments, they chose the layout they wanted and Brandt began making phone calls. Their new residence would be ready within six months.They cleaned out the closet in Thomas' office so Emily's new clothes would fit. She would miss the small cramped cabin when they moved. This is where she truly grew up, fell in love, and learned about her wolf. It would always be special.The afternoon of their return, Patricia stopped by with Kinsee and a plate of cookies. Refusing to hold back, Kinsee ran up to Emily and threw her arms around her neck. Holding her close, Emily inhaled the precious young were-child scent.
Emily's apprehension with flying wasn't what it was the first trip and she was able to look out the window and enjoy the mountain scenery on the way to the wedding. Mandy chattered non-stop in the seat beside her with Caleb sitting by Mandy. Sampson and Maggie were also part of their entourage along with four pieces of muscled eye candy, which was the idiom Mandy passed on to Emily when seeing the men for the first time. Mandy's parents requested Emily keep a close eye on her sister due to her penchant for trouble. They were hoping she didn't find her mate for several years but after she was twenty-one, destiny could take its course.Mandy and Caleb asked about her trip to Denver and they spent the journey talking about music and shopping.Mandy educated Emily on pop artists and their music, "I love Adele, and I listen to her songs over and over."Their brother's annoyed voice broke into the discussion, "Yes scamp, I can attest to that. I'm embarrassed that I know all the words and
Nicolas, the Eastern pack alpha, was standing in the entry hall.Emily stared unable to take her eyes off the new wolf. Where Brandt and Columbus held their alpha power tightly in check unless needed, sizzling energy leached from Nicolas' pores consuming the room. He stood over six feet tall, lean, but muscular. Dimples appeared with his grin though his gray eyes took in the room with deadly intensity. Marcus told her of his friend but failed to mention he was drop dead gorgeous.Brandt, knowing the effect Nicolas had on women, pulled Emily close keeping her out of the other alpha's arms. This was his gentle way of reminding her who she belonged to and taking her focus off the conceited scoundrel."A little possessive I see." Nicolas said with his devilish knowing grin.Brandt loosened his hold slightly, "No, my mate will get over your pretty boy looks soon enough. She cracked a few of Columbus' ribs earlier and she has my blessing to break your nose."Nicolas' sensual laugh fille
Squeals sounded as they drew closer to the room. Amy opened the door and two beautiful naked babies rolled on the floor trying to avoid tickles from their nurse. Their bodies round and chubby with light unblemished skin and curly light brown hair were enchanting.Both turned at the sound of the door and their eyes brightened at the sight of Amy. Then, noticing the stranger, they instantly shifted to their wolf forms and scampered under one of the two cribs. Two inquisitive black noses stuck out and watched Emily enter the room.Going to her knees, Emily sat beside Zenya and spoke gently to the she-cat. "Hi Zenya, I am also new to this world and in need of friends. I know of no differences between the cats and wolves. I just want friends that will care for me and allow me to care about them."Zenya smiled shyly and raised her eyes briefly to Emily's. Sierra chose that instance to fly out from under the crib and give Emily a small nip before running back to her brother's side."Sierr
The day of the wedding arrived. The house and front yard were prepared for the reception but the wedding itself would take place in the gazebo by the pond. The sun finally went down and twinkling lights appeared throughout the yard.Emily stopped to admire the work they had done throughout the long day. She hadn't slept much the night before and a blush covered her cheeks. A pair of strong arms came around her from behind. She sank backward into Brandt and then turned to give him a brief kiss. "I must get upstairs and help Amy dress.""I know, I just wanted to say hi," he replied in a low sexy voice.She quickly gave him another soft kiss and headed to the house. Approaching Amy's room, she could hear giggles and laughter coming from inside. She knocked on the door."Come in Emily." Amy said in a voice filled with happiness.The twins were on the bed naked in their human forms. The day before, Amy explained it was impossible to keep clothing on beastkind children until their third
Emily felt someone squeeze her hand and jumbled gibberish changed to voices that formed sentences in her brain. Struggling past the fuzz in her mind, she opened her eyes. Brandt, Mandy, and Caleb surrounded her bed. Her mate held her hand but Mandy's head gently came down to rest on Emily's shoulder and her tears quickly soaked the light sheet covering Emily's body."It's okay," she slurred past her dry, cracked lips. Her vision and comprehension slowly increased and she saw her brother take Mandy by the shoulders gently pulling her away. He gave Emily's hand a squeeze and walked his crying sister from the room.The intense pain was now a memory and she could breathe normally with only a slight twinge.Brandt lowered his head to her shoulder and inhaled deeply. She could feel a tremor run through his body. Her arm finally cooperated and she was able to rest her hand on his back.His low and husky voice clogged with unshed tears murmured. "I love you so much. I was afraid you left m
His broad shoulders tightened as Brandt picked her up and gently lay her on the bed. Ignoring her hot gaze, he ran his fingers through her silky straight hair and fanned it out across the sheets. He then stroked down the soft curves of her beautiful face and neck before gliding over her breasts. Dark eyes followed the path of his hands and reveled in the sight and feel of her body. Feather light touch, traveling down the softest thighs on earth, past her calves, and lower to her feet where his teeth nipped the sensitive pad of her toe before giving a soft lick.Dreamy sighs escaped her lips while she fought against her body's need to move.The touch of his lips slowed, revisiting every inch of her skin to relearn the taste and scent of her. Gentle bites and moist lips followed his hands, setting off tiny arcs of energy. His exploration slowly continued."Brandt, please." Urgent almost begging; her voice quavered with need.He glanced up, eyes now completely black met passion filled
Brandt's tone remained even, "My mate is alpha. I cannot change her thoughts and she will speak her mind like we all do. However, we are uneasy and stressed; fighting one another will get us nowhere." He looked at Emily. "Dmitri is not your enemy."She took a deep breath and slowly sat down while gaining control of her anger. She knew Zenya had not betrayed them but this was not the time and they needed the vampire. Her eyes again met his. "I offer apology. I owe you for saving my life. I have few friends and one is now dead. I only wish to protect them."His ire cooled and his eyes slowly reverted to their previous color. Sorrow reflected in his voice, "Maggie and I had a relationship many years ago and I cared deeply for her. I will avenge her death or die trying. We are all on edge and it is I who should ask your pardon. I have never met a female alpha and sometimes forget that it's ingrained to hold eye contact. It would also help if you were not so beautiful." He quirked the sid
VedaWe hear the music before the lights come into view. The party is outside on the large patio at Dmitri's house. Nikka decorated with white sparkling lights and paper lanterns. The music is unknown to me, which isn't a surprise. Technology is not my friend and I prefer the peace of the forest.Dmitri's voice echoes over the music. "Welcome, Veda, Witch from the line of Josephine, mate to Tyboll, and new member of the bear clan."The music shuts off suddenly and I can do nothing but return the formal greeting. "Thank you, Black Demon Bringer of Death, mate of Nikka, Liege to the bear clan."A restless mumble from the bears fills the night. Have I said something wrong? Tyboll's hand tightens on mine. Nikka appears slightly shocked before she steps forward and wraps me in her arms. "What have I done," I ask her silently."You're fine. He just hasn't used his full title in centuries," she replies into my mindI turn to Dmitri, who looks at his mate with a soft smile. "I am sorry,
TybollShe shows me her circle of herbs - explains about upsetting the balance and using all the Goddess's gifts wisely. I listen. Part of me is terrified and the other in awe. To live separately from everyone to hide your secrets takes great sacrifice.She understands my need to examine what I've learned. She heads to the cabin to cook while I go running as bear. She holds no fear that I will give away her secrets. We are mates. Her secrets are mine.I close my mind from Dmitri as I think about all Veda has told me. I shouldn't have been surprised when the largest bear of our clan blocks my path a few miles from my cabin. The Kodiak, alpha to the greatest clan, stands in front of me. He is also my brother by blood and like most brothers, we have our differences. This situation will be no different."Tyboll," his snarly voice rings through my head."Alpha," I reply pleasantly."You don't fool me. You are mated to the witch. Did it occur to you that I should be informed of this?"
VedaTyboll's new rule works. Less talking and more sex. This is one demand I am incapable of dismissing. We are stretched out on the bed with me lying on top of him. His fingers run up and down my back while he breathes into the hair against my neck. Where he bit me is sore, but I wouldn't dream of complaining. It feels right. Being in my mate's arms is right. I whisper a silent thank you to the Goddess.Tyboll answers. "You're welcome."I roll my eyes, but don't bother correcting him. I'm actually thankful to him, too."Come on, woman, we're taking a bath." He lifts me as he stands. I'm cradled in his arms and feel incredibly safe. And loved.Does he love me? I'm careful to keep this thought from drifting into his mind. Nikka told me how to do it. I just need to practice. He doesn't respond, so I must have been successful. Tyboll lowers my feet to the floor when we're in the bathroom. I watch as he leans over and turns on the water. His back and thighs are muscular and sexy. His
Tyboll"I've listened to you shout for an hour now. Calm yourself, bear."I hear the end of patience in Dmitri's voice. I take several deep breaths and try to do as my liege says. It isn't easy. I keep thinking of meat. Each time I do, I feel nauseated and my anger rekindles. To never eat meat again is not going to happen. I've run out of things to say anyway and throw myself onto the large couch in Dmitri's front room."I knew this happened last night. Your blood smells even better than bear. You now have witch blood running through your veins." He holds up his hand. "Do not blame me for my silence. You were in no condition to have this conversation. I also needed a night to think on what needs to be done."My stomach twists painfully. "You cannot reverse it is what you're saying?""No, I cannot. I'm not sure if you will actually want it reversed once you know your capabilities." He continues before I can object. "The difference between you and your mate is that I trust you."I
VedaThat did not go well. I didn't think it would, but I held onto a small amount of hope. I know eventually he will come to his senses. Right now, though, I am left in need. Staring at his bare chest and wanting to run my nails over his muscled flesh almost made me beg. The man might be stubborn, but he is gorgeous.As a mated pair, I know at this point we should be having so much sex that we are both sore. I've made plenty of tinctures to alleviate the soreness so mates can continue without a break.A lot of good the knowledge on how to make such a tincture is now. If I'm not running from Tyboll, the stupid man is running from me. It's strange because after the thought of Tyboll becoming a witch settled, I wanted to celebrate. I am not alone. I can share the sacred knowledge with another. I do not need a child. I will no longer be alone with the great texts.Tyboll might not like it, but the gift bestowed by the Goddess can only be undone by her. No vampire can help him. I decid
TybollI wake from what feels like a winter hibernation. I'm starving and the rumble in my stomach only enhances my need for food. Something smells wonderful. I'm naked in my bed and vaguely recall my illness the night before. I remember Dmitri coming to the rescue. I also remember my thoughts that Veda poisoned me again. Unlikely, because I ate nothing before going to Mandy's. She is a witch, though, and there's no telling what they're capable of.My nose leads me to the kitchen. Veda stirs a large pot on the stove. I peer over her shoulder to see what has such an amazing smell. Without looking at me she speaks, "Clothes or I will not feed you, bear.""Humph." I wrap my arms around her and run my nose down the side of her face and stop at her neck. "I could eat you, woman, and I'd start right here." She stops stirring the pot. I can smell her arousal. I bite down gently on the skin holding my attention. "How did you know I'm not dressed?" I breathe against the mark I've just left.
VedaStupid hare-brained bear, I mutter as I look the other way, pick up the slab of nearly raw meat, and toss it out of the cabin. Serving cooked meat was the hardest thing to do while I worked at the diner. The only blessing was that Becky didn't prepare the blood-dripping horror I just got rid of. I look through the kitchen and there are no vegetables. I settle on bread and cheese, though I'm no longer hungry. I just know I need to eat."You stay here or when I find you I'll lock you up," were the last words Tyboll yelled before he left.I thought about challenging his dictate, but right now I am too tired. I finish my meal and walk outside in the opposite direction from the barely cooked meat. My hope is that a wild animal will take it away in the night. This is what I did with all the meat given to me over the years by the bear clan as payment. My mother accepted their offering and then gave it to the wildlife, so I did the same. Maybe I should have said something, but politene
TybollThe feelings running through me are impossible to comprehend. It took hours to drive to Dmitri's club and another hour to track Veda's scent and find the diner. The closer I came, the more insistent an inner... well... buzz intensified. When our eyes finally met, I felt as if a mountain had crumbled over me. I fought collapsing at her feet. I knew it was her witch's power and wondered if she cast a spell that made it difficult for me to come close to her.I continued thinking this until her lips met mine. Now we're on the floor and she's wrapped in my arms. Words that turn me into an utter pussy slip from my mouth and I don't care. If it bothers her so much that she leaves me, I won't call her woman. Though, she is. A beautiful woman."I can hear your thoughts," she sighs against my neck. "Maybe the word woman is not so bad." She lifts up slightly and stares at me. "I've never done this, Tyboll. I've had very little interaction with anyone. I never thought to have a mate. You
VedaWhy is the pull to a mate so strong? I pour over the great texts expecting the answer it usually offers. Nothing. I've read sections about mating, but they don't offer a solution to the problem.Mating is a bond that only death can sever. A witch's power is not stronger than the bond and a witch shall not interfere with a mated pair.Blah, blah, blah. My mother told me not to mess with a mated pair. I understand this. But now I'm part of a mated pair. I need answers about a witch mating and there is nothing.A witch will take a human male into her body. A female child will form from this union. You will know the time to search out your human. Do not call the power of your beast when in the human's arms. Control your beast or bear the consequences.It's too late for that. Tyboll and I allowed our bears to rise when we mated. Now I feel Tyboll pulling my power from me. Can he feel it? He must. The texts are written for a human and witch. Not a beastkind and witch. I fli