Alpha's Mate (11 page)

“Off to school now, Illarion, no more playing hooky.  If you need help with your homework, come back, and I will help you.  I'm sure I will have fresh baked cookies waiting when school is out.  Now be good today, or the cookies will be given to the Alpha.”

Violet watched as the boy shuffled his feet, but obediently headed off with a smile and a wave.  The woman turned around and gasped.

“Oh, forgive me,” Violet was quick to say, “I didn't mean to startle you.”

“Of course you didn't, dear.  I am Yelena, Dmitry’s mother.  Would you like tea?” The woman asked, moving over to the old wood stove and reaching for a tea kettle.  If it wasn't for the silver hair, Violet would not have thought the woman to be old enough to have three adult children.

Violet agreed, watching the woman, as she moved around the kitchen.  The room was an eclectic mix of the old and new, with electrical appliances sitting on the counters and a wooden stove taking up the center of the room.  Violet took the corner seat at the table, as people started arriving.  First, the man who was easily recognized as Dmitry’s father came in, pinching his wife on the bottom.  Yelena jumped and swatted at him.  Violet could clearly see the mating bond flowing between them.  Except for his silver hair and brows, the man looked like his sons.  He pulled his wife into his arms and murmured to her.  Yelena pushed him away playfully.  Turning she introduced him to Violet as Vikenti.  She noticed the startled look in his eyes as he saw her.  His nostrils flaring as he sniffed the air.  But his smile seemed genuine, as he took her hand and bowed over it.  She looked up into eyes the same color as Dmitry’s.  Violet could tell he was assessing her, she felt weighed and measured.  She must have passed, because he stepped back and smiled.

“Welcome to our home, Violet, and congratulations on your heartmate bond with my son.  May your lives be blessed and fruitful.”

“Thank you.  It is kind of you to open your home to me.”

“It is your home, now, as well.”

He moved over and kissed his wife, caressing Yelena's back, and giving her a little squeeze.  Then as if he knew Violet watched, he disappeared out the back door.

Next Anton, Kolya and a young woman, who must be Alena, walked in, chatting.  Violet could clearly see the yellow cord of light flowing from Kolya to Alena.  He held her gently at his side and she looked up at him in adoration and love.  Violet realized the twins possessed their mother's eyes and finer features.  They all kissed Yelena on the cheek.  Then grabbing cups of tea walked over to the table.  Again, she saw the startled look in their eyes, for a brief moment, and then they each gave her a huge smile.  What was that about?  She wondered.

Kolya walked over with a hesitant Alena, and presented his mate to Violet, as if presenting someone to a queen.  Violet got up and gave them each a hug.  What did Vikenti say?

“Congratulations on your heartmate bond,”  she said to them.

“And to you.”  Alena answered.

Violet started to turn, but Anton grabbed her into a bear hug.  She felt crushed but hugged him back.

“You carry Dimka’s scent now, like a true mate.”

“You are mauling my mate again, Anton.”  Dmitry remarked from the door as he headed over to the group.  “You must be gentler, brother.  Women do not like to be mauled.”  He chided as he removed his brother’s arms and wrapped his around Violet.

“Sorry, Alpha” Anton stammered, “I forgot.”

“You didn't hurt me, Anton,” Violet reassured both of them.

“I would not purposely hurt you, sister.” Anton answered quickly, blushing.

Violet felt confused as to why Anton would be so embarrassed.  But all thoughts fled as she looked up into Dmitry’s eyes.  She watched as they darkened with passion, turning a deep cobalt blue.  She would never tire of seeing his eyes looking at her with such desire.  He leaned down and kissed her gently, and then sitting, he positioned her on his lap.  She wanted to laugh at his possessive ways, but liked how much he needed her.  Anton went to get him a cup of tea from the stove.

“Dimka?” she asked

“It’s a nickname, just as Kolya is a nickname for Nikolai.”

“You spoil him, Violet, letting him hold you on his lap.”  Alena sighed, shaking her head.

“You would not give me the pleasure of holding you on my lap?”  Kolya asked, surprised.

“Only if you earned it, Kolya,” Alena taunted him.

“Is giving you all my love not enough?”

“A woman has to keep control, or you men would take all the time.”

“What say you, Yelena?” asked Kolya, looking for reinforcements.

Yelena looked up from where she stood at the stove, stirring a pot.  “I think you are both right and you must pick your battles.”  she answered.

Violet listened to the playful banter going on around her.  She leaned back into Dmitry’s arms, enjoying how he held her.  She loved how their bodies always seemed to mesh.  Dmitry casually drank his tea in one hand, while the other held her around the waist.  His fingers would occasionally brush her breast or splay across her stomach.  Violet knew he was teasing her, and since no one could see underneath the table, she allowed her hand to slip to the inside of his thigh, lightly brushing her nails over his pants.  She felt the whoosh of air leave his lungs, and smiled inside, not letting anyone else at the table see a difference.

Unfair, mate. 
Violet heard Dmitry send to her.

You started it.

Violet smiled when she heard Dmitry’s mental chuckle. 
You are right, as usual.

I'm glad you realize that,
Violet teased him.

“I must go speak with our elders.  Do you feel comfortable enough to stay with my family, or would you like to go with me?”  Dmitry asked quietly.

“I would like to go with you, but I feel your hesitancy.  Why don't you want me to come?”

“The way is long and not easily traveled....”

“And I would slow you down.”  Violet finished for him.  “Will you be long?”

“A few hours only, but, Violet, I would crawl if you needed me to.”

“I know, that's why I love you.  Go.  I will get better acquainted with your family while you are away.”

“You are sure?”

“Yes, I'm sure.  I will be able to touch your mind, right?” she asked shivering.

“Yes, and if you need me, call to me.  You should not experience the grief of before.  Do not be stubborn and reach for me.” Dmitry gave her a little squeeze.

“I am never stubborn, I am determined.”  Violet tossed her head.

“Then be determined to reach for me when you need to.  I will be reaching for you, and I will be very determined.”

Violet looked up and noticed everyone was watching them.  She blushed and turned her head into Dmitry’s neck.  Feeling her embarrassment, Dmitry moved his arm up around her shoulders and cuddled her close.  His mate was not used to so many people around her.

“Stop staring at us.  We are not your entertainment.”  Dmitry growled.

Violet smiled when four voices in unison sing songed, “Yes, Alpha.”

She also liked how he jumped to her defense.  It made her feel cherished and protected.

“I must go,  
lyubov moya
.  Vikenti and Grigori wait for me.”  Dmitry said as he leaned down and kissed her on the nose.

“Be careful and come back soon.”  Why did his leaving feel like he was taking a piece of her heart out?  It was only a few hours.  Surely she could handle a few hours.

“I will be waiting to feel your touch.  I need you,  
lyubov moya
.”

“How disgusting.  Already she has him wrapped around her finger.”  Anton groused.

“You’re jealous of our Alpha finding his mate, when you haven’t.”  Kolya teased.

“Enough.  You two have jobs to do, and I must go.”  Dmitry stood up and gave Violet a swift kiss.  Then he and his men marched out the door.  Violet looked over to see Yelena struggling to pull a large bag of flour and several other items out of the pantry.

“Here, let me help you.”  Violet urged.

Yelena smiled in gratitude and handed Violet the spices as they moved over to the counter.

“What else can I do to help?”  Violet asked.

Yelena looked around, thinking and tapping her chin.  “Would you mind washing up the dishes?”  she asked.

Violet headed for the sink, already full of warm soapy water.  She helped wash the breakfast dishes and put things away.  Then she helped Yelena bake cookies for the children.  Feeling brave and accepted, she started to ask Yelena questions.

Yelena told her their people existed for millions of years.  They helped shape a lot of early Siberian history.  Then their people became targeted, and they moved to this remote area to survive.  Now they were only the stuff of legends.  But with technology what it was, feared to be exposed again.

Yelena explained about their dwindling numbers, and how more boy children were born than girl children.  Without mates, their people would have no future.

“How is it Dmitry was able to mate with me?” asked Violet

“We do not know, maybe because you are telepathic.  You could be the answer to our breeding problems.”

Violet stiffened.  Is that all it was?  A chance meeting, with a woman who was telepathic?

“Do not think Dmitry chose you because you are telepathic.  You are his heartmate, the other half of his soul.  The mating bond is never wrong.  You are meant to be together.”

Violet?  Are you well?
 Violet felt Dmitry reaching out to her and flooding her with love and reassurance.  He must have felt her reaction to Yelena’s comment.

I am fine.  Go take care of your meeting with the Elders.
  Violet tried to send reassurance back to Dmitry.  She didn’t need him monitoring her every thought.  She felt him withdraw, a chuckle of amusement in his mind.

“But, why me?”  she asked Yelena.  How did all this happen? 

“Is being my son’s soul mate such a burden?  Instead of why me, perhaps you should be saying, thank you for giving me this man.”  Yelena suggested.  Violet felt chastised.  Yelena was right.  Instead of questioning everything, she should be thankful.

“No wonder you are the mother of the Alpha.  You are very wise.”

“I have been wife to the Alpha as well.  I would like to give you warning.  You are Dmitry’s greatest strength and biggest weakness.  You must protect yourself from those who would use you against him.  You must protect yourself from harm.  For if you leave this earth, Dmitry will follow you.”

“I will try, Yelena, but if you see me making mistakes, can I count on you to help me?”

“It would be a pleasure, and in asking, I know my son has chosen well.”

Violet spent the rest of the afternoon talking to Yelena and Alena.  When the back door was thrown open and Illarion ran in, all the women smiled.  He came over to the table and gave everyone a hug, then promptly sat on Violet's lap.  She ruffled his hair and asked about school, as Yelena got him a glass of milk and Alena passed him the plate of cookies.  He rambled on about his friends, as she stroked his back.  He seemed to need the touch and would squirm if she stopped.

Violet thought she knew what one of the differences was Dmitry didn't mention.  Illarion's hair felt like the puppy this morning, and when she smelled him, she could still pick up the puppy scent.  She was pretty sure Dmitry called the puppy Illarion.  She decided to test it.