Melody was glad the daycare was available. She felt like she was abandoning David. They promised to fetch her if David needed her. But what if she needed him? Malcolm left her at her new shop with a warning. “Try to leave here alone and when I find you, I will Now here she was, directing the setup of a new store and production area. Explaining to others the basics of the business. Making notes for a manual, of all things. “Where does this go, Melody?” “Production area with the moulds. Those are the tools we use for working on the melted product.” “Got it. Thanks.” The wolf moved off to put the box of utensils away. It felt odd telling wolves what to do, and they were doing it willingly and without complaints so far. It was annoying when Ellie tried to go to a store. Security wouldn’t let them leave the area. She had to ask Jordan for permission like a naughty teenager. But at least he had the grace to tell her why and that everything wasn
Malcolm was getting work done when the alarm on his phone went off. It was finally time for him to fetch Melody and David for a visit with the pack healer. There was no way that she was getting out of it. Malcolm wouldn’t allow her to ignore or avoid her health. They’d just mated, and they had a pup to think about. Malcolm locked his laptop up. He’d made sure everything was off his computer that could show them off in a poor light. HR already contacted him about registering them as a married couple. The judgement and disapproval were annoying to the extreme. Malcolm left a message for the pack lawyer to prepare for a lawsuit about discrimination against a married couple. There should be no reason at all that they couldn’t work together. There was no information on the firm losing money or productivity. This was all a load of hypocritical crap. Now that Ellie was in the shop, she could take over. Malcolm would go with Melody and David to the appointment with
“Well, isn’t that a kick in the teeth? She left before I could if everything was okay.” “Why would something be wrong?” Henry the website specialist asked. “We’ve never used a healer. In fact, Melody was the healer for our den.” “What will they do now that she’s gone?” “It’s more. What are they going to do without me? I was their backup plan. But I left with her, and the elders’ pride and egos wouldn’t allow them to change their minds.” “Their loss and our gain, I guess. So, new Luna is a cosmetician, financial expert, and a healer. No wonder the Alpha snapped her up.” “Oh, she’s trained, but she’s not a nature or innate healer, and she isn’t all that interested in it. But her mother was, and the pack expected that she’d take over when her mother died. I was only the backup and assistant to her. Wait, what? What do you mean that’s he snapped her up? He didn’t know any of that until after he found her.” “Oh, my bad. I figured he
“Is this really necessary, Malcolm?” Melody couldn’t see why this was necessary. Neither she nor David were ill. “Why are we wasting the healer’s time?” “I’ve told you. This is too easy on my mind. You haven’t seen a healer, nor has David. I want you both examined to ensure there’s nothing wrong. We’ll have your records set up at the same time.” “So you don’t think I can look after David or myself properly?” Melody was now annoyed and offended by Malcolm’s high-handed actions. Along with his complete disregard for all her efforts. “Melody, I am concerned. They limited your resources to begin with, then they kicked you out of the only home you had left. I’d be remiss not giving you and David access to this. You’re mine and, as I’ve said, I look after what is mine. There’s nothing you can say to change this.” Malcolm was tiring of her resistance. She was resisting any kind of help he gave and was all but cutting her nose off to spite her face. He could see
Jordan took Ellie back to his condo. He’d made the decision that he’d screw her brains out tonight and lay the last claim. He’d leave his bite on her. She deserved the protection it would give. The Crimson Nights would then run into the problem of kidnapping another’s mate. It would be all out of war, if it wasn’t before. The fight at the bar proved they wanted war. Ellie was easy to herd into the condo, since she was still under the effects of their encounter on the conference table.She couldn’t help it. He knew all the buttons to push to set her off, and he was relentless with it. Each time he possessed her, she fell to pieces in the most delicious ways. “Well, I think we have an itch that needs scratching, don’t you?” Her only response to him was a flirtatious smile. He took her underwear out of his pocket and tossed it on the table, before he undressed, leaving his clothes where they fell on the floor. Kissing Ellie hungrily and herding her into t
“Okay, we’re done once you have your vaccines and have your blood drawn for a few tests.” Healer Talan said as Melody got dressed again. Malcolm stayed with David while the healer examined her. He left her there and returned to the consulting room and Malcolm. It annoyed her she couldn’t tell what they were saying. It had to be about her or David. Which she should know, right? She frowned as she entered the consulting room. “Everything is okay, right, Healer Talan?” “I checked her out, but I have a few questions for you. Have you been ill with the flu or cold?” “Yes, months ago. But it’s been over and done with for some time.” Melody didn’t understand why this was an issue. “It took you a while to recover. Fatigue, body aches, and coughing?” She wasn’t certain where this was going. “All the above. But what has that got to do with anything?” The healer’s assistant was ready to take blood and give her the vaccines.” “It was a virus that you
Malcolm settled Melody and David into the condo, with instructions to call Ellie if she needed help. He couldn’t avoid going to a meeting, and it wasn’t his first choice of things he wanted to do. When she asked him what the meeting was about, all Malcolm said was that it was about pack business. He wasn’t going alone. Not now, never. Calvin Nichols was a wild card who loved playing close to the acceptable and legal limits on everything. From the private club that catered to many vices and kinks, to the barely legal online gambling, and he also ran a protection racket for supernatural creatures within his territory. So Melody watched him leave the condo. The difference now was as he left several shifters outfitted with weapons and body armour took up posts at the front door. What in the world? Then it was real. He really did fear war. That or he feared she’d run. If that were the case, he could restrain her. This was fear of an attack. Melody closed t
Ellie looked in the mirror. Her shoulder had finally stopped bleeding. She was still in disbelief that he’d done this to her. He was thinking with his dick and not his brain. “It looks fine. The bleeding has stopped and you’re mine now.” Jordan came up behind her and wrapped her in his arms. She could feel the warmth of his naked body press up against her back. Her body still wanted him, even though she was annoyed and angry with him. “What is it with you telling me over and over that I’m yours? What, now you’re stuck with me because I’m no longer in mint condition and you damaged the box? I feel you set me up. What are you going to do when reality sinks in and you have to deal with other people and the pressures, they force you to endure?” She watched his reaction in the mirror over the sink because if she turned around, Ellie was sure they’d be going at it on the counter before her. “First, you aren’t some action figure. You’re my mate. Second, have you every
The investigation took weeks, and by then they’d moved into the packhouse. Life slowly got back to normal. The pack warmed up to Melody and Ellie. When they realized they were the minds behind their products. The she-wolves embraced them readily. Malcolm and Jordan split their time between the city and the Muskoka territory. Even the various construction projects were progressing well, with no more interference. The Fae were nowhere to be seen. But there were new rogues in the shadows of the neutral zones, and they weren’t living there quietly. The council of alphas were making plans to deal with them along with an ever pending war between the Toronto packs, the Scarborough Grove, and the Don Valley. It was something that cropped up again and again. They had history and family conflict. No one could blame them for the father they had. Now there’s a girl driving a wedge between them again, with her mere existence. Ellie was concerned about Jordan. He’d have to come to terms wi
“When I stepped into leadership of this pack, I made it clear we wouldn’t hold on to old prejudices. This might not be a message that got to some of the most recent pack members. This is a historic time and events have been fast and furious. So, I will state this again without naming names or telling tales out of school, as the humans say.” He paused and looked about. Several uneasy people were now relaxed. “That’s not to say those people will avoid the appropriate punishments later. Now, we are a wolf pack who recognizes fate can grant us mates who aren’t wolves. We don’t punish a person for their species, race, lack of magic, or anything like that. If you have a problem with another, you seek to resolve it without harming each other. Yes, I know for some that is a tough thing to do. But we do that within this pack. I have heard that someone has used their station and position of responsibility to force their political beliefs onto the pack as a whole. The reports I rece
“Now you’re sure we have everything. I’d hate to get there and find out we’re missing something.” Melody was checking her bags again. Malcolm could see her anxiety in her actions. Normally, she would never reveal it. Now he figured it was her motherly instincts kicking in to protect and care for her pups. “Melody, there will be other families there. I’m sure if you’ve forgotten something, someone will have it.” If looks could kill, Malcolm would need a healer, at least if not an undertaker, as the humans would say. Melody didn’t appreciate his assurances. As Jordan passed him with another car seat. They had to install three of them and that was the last. Jordan made eye contact with Malcolm, and they exchanged a sense of commiseration. Malcolm figured it was because Jordan just escaped a similar situation upstairs. “Ellie, let me get the base in the car and then I’ll come get the pups for you. I don’t want you to carry two of those heavy car seats. Just
Malcolm didn’t stay long after that at the meeting. The elders clearly had a lot to chew on and get straight. He’d gone on to remind them their job wasn’t to run the pack or tell people what and how to do things. They weren’t to threaten the pack members if they said or did anything. Their job was to advise and give council. Use their experience and list, assist in finding answers. Guide the next generation. Someone had lost their way and Malcolm would keep an eye on them. So this wouldn’t happen again. They were getting ready to settle down for the rest of the evening when the elders appeared at their door. This time they requested if we could introduce them to the new pack members. A far cry from the morning. Malcolm noticed the speaker wasn’t there, but Cathleen was. “I’m sorry about all of this, Alpha. I truly didn’t believe it. Gisselle was sent by the others. However, I spoke with her about how unreasonable the horrible words were. She agreed with me. I just ask that you
Malcolm was unhappy when he entered the elder’s meeting room to hear this information. What were they thinking, pulling this? Running on rumours and speculation. That wasn’t how he or how he expected his pack to run. Malcolm waiting rather impatiently for a response that didn’t appear to come fast enough for his liking. “Tight lipped, are we? Anyone else like to step up to the speaker’s spot and inform me of exactly what my mate, they accused your Luna of what and by whom?” “I can’t tell you who reported this to us, but I would love to fill you in on this. It’s rather disgraceful, over-the-top, and factually unbelievable.” Cathleen stood up from her seat, a look of sour disapproval on her face. “To make matters worse, they kept me out of the loop on the births that happened at the cottage. This, I gather, was to ensure that I didn’t spill the beans about what they were doing.” “Madam, if you’d please state the accusations that they forced m
Gisselle found herself basically being escorted to the elders. She was sure they weren’t pleased with her right now after the subtle stance she took. Now she’s having to tell them their information about the Luna was full of misleading or outright false information. That wouldn’t go down well either. She entered the building that the elders used for their private meeting. Cathleen was there this time. She’d been missing when the elders stopped in to see the Luna and recognize the pups. “I hear they left me out of the loop in being told the pup was born early this morning.” Cathleen cornered Gisselle about this as soon as she got there. “For that, I’m sorry. I left a message with someone, and they were supposed to contact everyone. Whatever happened, it wasn’t on my part, I had my hands full at the time.” “Tell me you found these fools were acting out of ignorance and that none of this is true.” “Truthfully, none of it was true. Not
When Malcolm woke up, his phone was inundated with messages, wanting to know about everything. From where was he, to be everyone alright, even a few inquiries about complaints from a couple of elders about him throwing tradition to the wind? Business seemed to be well contained, with only a few reassurances that he takes his time, and it would be managed for him. That meant he would need to deal with several things here at home, make several decisions, and find his footing in this new dynamic. If someone told him he’d be mated and a father of two right now, three years ago, he’d have laughed at them and asked them what they were smoking. Now he had one almost running. They needed to get some safety items set up in the cottage. Malcolm was there to catch David this time before he fell down the stairs. No one told him pups moved that fast. Now there were four! He thought he’d let Melody look after this. But with the mess in how people were communicati
Malcolm was more than annoyed with the elders. This was his family and his pack. That meant his word was law and what they did was overstep their place. He didn’t have to listen to their advice, and that’s all their words should be. A voice of experience or a different perspective. They shouldn’t be demanding anything. “What is going on out there?” “Insensitive, self-important ninnies every one of them. The elders were downstairs. They expected you to give birth and then get up and walk down to them so we can present the boys to them officially.” “Is that what it was?” Melody sighed and kissed David’s head as he cuddled. He was still trying to wake up after being woken up several times during the night. “I would have thought you’d want to get it over with.” “We don’t have a name for this little one. I’m not leaving anything to chance. They make me worry that if we don’t have a name, then they’ll select one themselves to expedite things. Are they still giving yo
Three hours after returning to the cottage, Malcolm saw his pup come into the world. It wasn’t at all what he’d expected and if they had any more, he’d gladly wait elsewhere. Gisselle believed the little male would be another pup. So, Malcolm finally made a list of the information he needed to add to the pack’s registry. He couldn’t believe that he’d not added Melody or David to the registry. They’d added Ellie along with the twins. He hoped that’s why no one was respecting them before this. Once things quieted down, it was late enough in the morning for the elders to make their appearance and demands clear. They wanted to be introduced to both pups and do it all official. Malcolm was more than annoyed by this. They expected to be catered to without thought to Melody’s health or anyone else. Why did it even have to be today at all? “Alpha, could you let me handle this as the Luna’s healer? It’s my duty to ensure she recovers. I know you haven’t said anyth