Beta's Mate (Siberian Volkov Pack Romance Series Book 8) (12 page)

“Not to worry. I’ll make sure the child is safe before I leave her with authorities.”

Brenda lowered her head and wagged her tail, peeking up at the man who was her mate. She touched Granger’s mind, hoping to find she was wrong and he wasn’t angry with her. Instead, his mind was a whirling mass of emotions from fear and anger, to terror and overwhelming love.

She rubbed against him, needing to console him. She didn’t mean to upset him. Granger stayed stiff watching her. Finally, he buried his hand in her fur holding on tight. “The ledge isn’t stable, Brenda. You’ve got to stop acting so impulsively. I’ve tried to explain the mating bond to you. We are tied together. Do you feel so little for me, that it doesn’t bother you to put yourself in danger? Don’t you care that losing you would destroy me?”

Brenda came to an abrupt stop. It had been selfish of her to not take care. Did she want to lose Granger? Brenda bowed her head and rubbed against him. She still acted like a human, instead of a mated lycan.

“Can you forgive me? I love you, Granger, I do. I promise I’ll try to think before I act. You might have to remind me now and again. I guess I’ve never thought about staying safe.”

Granger knelt in the snow and put his arms around her neck before rubbing his face in her fur. “Of course, I forgive you. I know you would never do anything on purpose to hurt me.
Je t’aime
, Brenda.”

“
Je t’aime, Granger.”

“You say the words I’ve waited so long to hear while we are in the middle of a snow storm dealing with death and murder. Only you. Come on, honey, I’m not in my fur coat.” Granger hugged her close before rising. “Let’s get out of this cold. Mathis can handle the body and the authorities. I want to go home.”

Brenda wagged her tail and took off toward the resort. She wanted to get back to the house before Granger, and now that the snow stopped falling she could do it.

§

Granger waved as Jared drove out of the cottage’s driveway. Reading the father’s mind was a task that Jared found distasteful and Granger stayed to support his friend in the unpleasant duty. Now that everything was settled, Granger could admit how upsetting the evening had been. He would never understand how humans could think to injure or kill their mates and children.

Granger had planned this evening so carefully. The flowers, the wine, the ring, now all he wanted was to go to bed. He opened the front door and headed upstairs toward the master
bedroom. Brenda left a few lights on and Granger turned them off as he made his way through the house.

He opened the door to the master suite to find Brenda asleep on top of the covers. She wore the lacy nightgown he liked, and had probably fallen asleep waiting for him. He took a moment to admire her long legs and tucked-in waist.

Moving to the side of the bed, he undressed before pulling the covers down and moving his mate under the sheet. Brenda curled up on her side and Granger slid in next to her. He positioned the quilt over both of them and kissed her shoulder.

“You’re late. I expected you hours ago. What happened?” Brenda asked her voice groggy.

“Jared had to read the husband’s mind and plant a compulsion to make him admit to his crime. He wanted the money from an insurance policy. The man thought the storm would help cover his tracks.”

“The bastard picked the wrong resort. I’m glad we were able to find the little girl.” Brenda yawned and turned over to snuggle against his chest. “What will happen to her?”

“Her grandmother is coming to get her. Don’t worry, Jared will keep an eye on the situation. Go to sleep, honey.” Granger ran his hand down Brenda’s back and held her close.

§

Brenda woke with the sun shining in the window and the man she loved kissing her neck and shoulder. She wiggled against him and sighed when he pulled her closer. The man she loved… she’d finally told him. Now it was time to show him. She turned in his arms and pushed him back onto the mattress before straddling his thighs.

“Tell me something… why are you the Beta of the Quebec pack when you could be an Alpha of your own pack? That was an Alpha voice you used on me last night.”

“I don’t want to be Alpha of my own pack. Does that disappoint you?” Brenda heard the hesitation in Granger’s tone.

“Of course not, I just wondered. Sweetheart, you left the door to your studio open. I have to confess, I took a peek. You do fantastic work. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.”

“Jared is my best friend. As one of his betas I can back him up and still have time to do my art. I could be an Alpha, but that would mean leaving this pack. I love this pack, my family is part of this pack. Why would I leave it?”

“Well, when you put it that way, I understand perfectly. You know what, I kind of liked you going all Alpha on me.” Brenda ran her fingers down his chest, letting her nails score his skin.

“You did, huh? Would you like me to go Alpha on you, again?” Granger’s eyes turned molten and he smiled wickedly.

“Well…only if you want…”

Brenda hadn’t gotten the last word out before Granger flipped them and came down hard on top of her. He took her lips, kissing her hard, and demanded entrance to her mouth. Brenda obediently submitted to his unspoken command.

When he felt Brenda’s capitulation, he gentled his kisses to something softer and sweeter. Granger pulled on the mating bond, linking them mind to mind and heart to heart. Slowly, he pulled her nightgown over her head, needing to see her. He flooded Brenda with love and reassurance.

“Give yourself to me, Brenda. Don’t make me take you, or put you under compulsion. Trust me, baby. Trust me to care for you, to bring you pleasure.”

Brenda did something she’d never done before. She relaxed. She trusted Granger completely, with her life, and with her heart.

“All right, Granger, love me. I am yours as you are mine.”

Granger leaned down, kissing his way slowly to her chest and her nipple. Licking and kissing, he teased the little nubbin before blowing lightly across its surface. Brenda shivered as goose bumps pebbled across her skin. Granger sucked the sensitive flesh into his hot mouth. Pulling, he set a rhythm, sucking and licking her nipple until Brenda felt an answering warmth between her thighs. Unable to stand her body’s response without moving she grabbed Granger’s hair, holding tight.

Granger released her nipple and kissed his way to her other breast, once more licking and teasing her. Brenda moaned, holding his head to her. She squirmed as each pull caused an ache in her innermost core.

Brenda tugged on his hair, flooding the mating bond with her desire. “Please…I need you inside me,” she sent into his thoughts.

Granger released her breast and Brenda thought for sure he would finally enter her. Instead he kissed his way down her stomach until he pushed his tongue between the folds of skin hiding her innermost core.

“Granger!”

“Not yet, my love. Not until you are ready to fly with me.”

Granger continued to lick and suckle until she came up off the bed. Pushing her heels down she elevated her hips, trying to force him to take her deeper. Her head thrashed back and forth as the intensity of desire built between them, each feeding the mating bond.

Finally, Granger pulled back and pushed two fingers into her core, in and out he stroked her. Brenda felt the wildness rising, her wolf spirit joining in their love play. “Granger, please. I’m not going to last, I can’t take it,” she pleaded with him.

“Yes, you can. I don’t want you to come until we can come together. Do you hear me, Brenda? Together.”

Brenda pulled at his shoulders, trying to get him into position. He rubbed his engorged member through her juices as he moved up over her. He positioned himself at her opening and pushed in deep, filling her completely.

“Look at your mate, Brenda,” Granger demanded of her, his breath coming in heavy pants.

Brenda forced her eyes open, making them focus on Granger’s face. His eyes seemed to glow from within, the amber color turning a dark yellow as he pulled out and then pushed in. As if a match had lit a fire, Brenda felt the heat of their joining grow and expand. She rose to meet each thrust as Granger set a rhythm as old as time. In and out, he filled her completely.

Then, Granger pulled on the mating bond and the fire of their desire encompassed their identities until there was only one being, one body, one heart, and one soul. Granger pushed in deep one more time. “Now, baby. Come with me now,” he shouted.

Brenda screamed as an explosion of pleasure flew them into the ether. She forgot to breathe as lights flashed behind her eyelids, and she felt faint as the pleasurable experience swept her away.

“Wait a minute, your tie’s crooked,” Granger said, reaching out and straightening Jared’s bow tie. “Are you nervous?”

“Who me?” Jared asked, after checking himself in the mirror. “Of course not. Esme is my mate forever. Getting married is only the outward sign of our mating. Why should I be nervous?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Granger said, running his hand through his hair. “Aren’t you afraid you’ll mess something up? The ceremony seems so important to the women. Is Esme upset that we moved the wedding up to December?”

“No, I think she was glad we didn’t wait. Hey, stop worrying, it’ll be fine. Come on, it’s almost time for the wedding to begin.”

Jared opened the door that led into the sanctuary where the guests had been seated. Granger followed him to the front of the church and stood next to him. Unable to help himself, Granger kept looking at the door in the rear of the sanctuary, wondering when the women would arrive.

His father, sitting in the second row, caught his eye and winked, while his mother’s smile lit up the room. Seeing them and their happy faces helped Granger feel that everything would be all right. The ceremony today was icing on the cake. Brenda was already his mate and nothing would change that.

The door opened suddenly, and Granger whipped around to see… Mathis walk in and hurry to the front of the church. Granger sighed. He missed Brenda. She had slept with the women last night at the Alpha’s lodge, while Jared joined him at the cottage.

“I just got news that Ouelette is back in the country,” Mathis said, a growl in his voice. “I had to check it out before I could come to the church. I thought he would stay out of sight longer than a few weeks. I’m going to do something about him and soon. Sorry, I’m late.”

“You know the pack will help you if you need us, so no worries,” Jared said, shaking his hand.

“Hey, Granger, you’re looking a little pale, everything all right?” Mathis asked, stepping in line next to him.

“I want everything to go well. Have you got the rings?” Granger asked. Please Asena, let him have the rings.

“Right here, I have to say, your designs are exquisite. When I claim my mate, I’d love to commission a ring from you.” Mathis patted his jacket pocket.

“Of course, I’d be happy to…wait, you said ‘claim.’ Do you know who your mate is?” Granger turned to look at Mathis. Which of the women could possibly be the mate of this complex man?

“Shh, the music’s started. Look, the women have arrived,” Mathis said, in a hushed whisper.

Granger whipped around the other direction to face the back of the room. There they were, just now entering the sanctuary. Brenda looked down the aisle and caught his gaze. He was transfixed. His mate wore a silk chiffon dress that hugged her curves, showing off her long legs and narrow waist. Susan handed her a bundle of flowers and she looked away from him, breaking the spell she so easily cast upon him.

Granger glanced at his friend to find Jared transfixed with his mate, Esme. Esme and Brenda linked arms and walked down the aisle followed by Susan. Everyone in the church stood, but nothing mattered except the women coming down the aisle toward them.

Brenda smiled softly as she came closer. When the women reached the front, Granger couldn’t wait to claim his mate for all to see.

§

“Ladies and Gentleman, I am pleased to present, Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe, and Mr. and Mrs.
Thibault,” the pastor announced to the church.

Brenda glanced up at her mate. Thank goodness, he decided she was worth all the trouble she caused him. Granger slid his arm around Brenda’s waist and pulled her close.
“Je t’aime, Brenda,”
echoed in her mind.

“
Je t’aime, Granger, toujours.”

§

“May Asena bless your mating with long life, sweet dreams, a full den, and time to play together.” Mathis raised his glass and sipped at his champagne, having finished the toasting of the newlyweds.

As he lowered his glass, his gaze unerringly went to the one woman he couldn’t ignore, Margot Martin.

She looked exquisite in her blue gown, her hair done up in a French twist. She smiled at something her mother said, but even from this distance, Mathis saw the pain in her sky blue eyes. Pain that pierced his heart, because the fragile woman trying so hard to be brave was his mate.