Mated To The Alpha (A Billionaire Shifter Romance) (The Chosen Book 1) (9 page)

F
or the next two days
, Clan groups arrived at the Lockwood Estate. While none were as numerous as Clan Lockwood, who had over a quarter of its members there to act as hosts, Melanie soon found herself swimming in a sea of werewolves. Each Clan was entitled by Gathering rules to bring the Alpha Male and Female, their children, and up to one bodyguard for each member. As some families had three or sometimes four children, this mean finding quarters for up to a dozen different werewolves for each Clan. Thankfully, the estate manor had seven different guest bedrooms, in addition to the quarters that served Clan Lockwood, as well as servant's quarters, guest houses, and the like. While some of the more lower ranked members of Clan Lockwood would have to sleep in hastily built bunks down in the wine cellar, there was room for all.

Even more disconcerting for Melanie was the almost impossible levels of handsomeness and beauty surrounding her. Every Alpha male was tall and muscular, with broad, sweeping chests and commanding presences, while the Alpha females were rivaled only by the goddesses themselves in terms of beauty. Even the minor assistants were attractive. While Melanie was certainly attractive herself, it made her self-conscious.

"Don't worry," she felt Keith think to her, causing her to smile. Even while he was busy with final preparations on the far side of the Estate, he still was able to give some attention to her thoughts, and they often had communicated by their link.

"I'm here, Sister," Kimberly also replied. "While these Alphas may have a commanding presence, I know that none match your inner strength and will."

"You are too kind, Sister," Mel thought back. "Still, I am getting tired of having to literally look up to everyone here."

"We could get you some platform boots. Maybe some stilts?" Keith joked back, causing her to laugh under her breath.

Valeria, who was walking with her, noticed the chuckle. "Did they say something funny?"

"Of course. Your son is quite the joker for a man who seems so serious the times I've seen him working."

"He gets that from his Father," Valeria replied wistfully. "Oh, I wish you could have met him. He was an Alpha among Alphas."

"Would he have approved of me, do you think, Lady Valeria?" Melanie asked, invoking her title for the first time. Tomorrow night was the first night of the Gathering, and she wanted to make sure to keep to protocols. Although she wasn't sure what her title actually was, she decided to err on the side of caution.

"Two things, dear. First, as First Mate, you are subsidiary to no one. You owe no one a title, but if you wish, my title at these formal events would be Dame Valeria. Those outside our Clan can be referred to as Sir or Madam and the Clan name. Get used to it, you're going to be one of two Madam Lockwoods tomorrow, although some may refer to Kimberly as Mistress Lockwood as she has no Mate."

"Secondly, my husband would have found you very endearing. While some clans may be xenophobic towards normal humans, considering my own mother was a first generation wolf, Clan Lockwood can be seen as... progressive."

"Your mother was born human? So you are...."

"Second generation. In some of the European and Asian clans, I would never have ascended past Clan member, perhaps to Mate a third or fourth tier member if I was lucky or had shown great skill. Ah, but Bardulf was different. We were in love almost from the first time we met. I guess what I'm saying is, you are as equal to any werewolf that will be here tomorrow night. Do not let any of them make you feel otherwise."

"Thank you, Valeria. I am glad to see your son is as wise as your husband was."

"Either that, or both are just lucky in choosing beautiful women," Valeria joked, causing Melanie to laugh. For the rest of the afternoon, the two walked the grounds again, Melanie enjoying the tales of Valeria's travels while able to get out and enjoy the air. Winter was giving way to spring, and while the highlands were still frosted with snow at times, the daytime breezes carried with it the hint of warmth and new life.

Just as the sun set, Melanie was heading towards the main house to find Keith for some dinner when Kimberly met her on the back steps.

"You look hungry," Kim said, leading her inside. They stood just inside the entrance foyer, Melanie taking off her jacket to hand it to one of the Lockwood members who was serving as a coat-check person. "I hope you don't mind, but I was hoping to have dinner with you and Keith together, unless you two have other plans. I know you haven't had much private time over the past two days."

Mel blushed at Kimberly's unasked question. "Kim, your brother and I are in love, and yes, we enjoy our private time. But he's a wolf, not a rabbit. We don't need to breed every few hours."

Kim blushed in return, and dropped her gaze. "I apologize if I offended you, Sister."

Mel cupped the brunette beauty's chin, and lifted her eyes until they were staring at each other. "Kim, you are my Sister. You have been a dear friend. Never, ever, feel ashamed for asking or saying anything to me. You're not going to embarrass me."

Kimberly's eyes softened, before flicking to the side, a sharp expression forming on her perfect features. Mel glanced over her shoulder, to see a group of six new werewolves making their way into the great entryway. At the front was an Alpha easily equal to Keith's in size and stature, with a full head of bright red hair, braided and stretching almost halfway down his back. With him was a woman who Mel assumed was his Mate, as she walked beside him while sporting raven black hair and Asiatic features. Behind him was a wolf that Mel thought was his bodyguard, and next to him two younger wolves, maybe about Melanie's age. One of them, a female wolf who stood as tall as Kim but maybe even more beautiful, carried herself like a princess, until her eyes glanced around and saw Mel. Then, the auburn haired beauty's green eyes turned to fire, and Mel could see her teeth lengthen as she almost literally growled at Mel before the other young wolf bumped her in the shoulder, breaking her gaze. Melanie looked back at Kim, whose own face was written with worry.

"Who was that?"

"That was Clan Thornblood. Let's just say that the daughter will not be your best friend tomorrow night."

"Why?"

"Let's hope I don't have to explain. Come, we're both starving, and you've seen how I eat when I get hungry," Kimberly said, her smile returning.

"All right, but you should tell me about the Thornbloods," Mel cautioned, letting herself be led towards the kitchen.

"That should be Keith's duty, Sister."

U
nfortunately for Mel
, Keith was called away from their dinner, and by the time he was able to get away from his duties as host Alpha, she had already fallen asleep. When she woke up in the morning, with her bladder painfully full, she saw that Keith had left a note on his pillow. Grabbing it as she half walked, half ran to the toilet, she opened it as she made it to the warmed seat. Inside, written in Keith's bold, flowing script was a message.

Mel read the note twice, then shrugged. She knew there would be political intrigue at this event, Kim and Keith had told her as such. Might as well learn as she went.

At the party, Melanie was having a wonderful time. Besides Keith's considerate act of making sure that there was food and drink that was safe for her and the baby at the informal cocktail event, most of the other Alphas she met were quite friendly and polite. Kimberly served as primary hostess, greeting each and every party with her adroit interpersonal skills, always polite regardless of how the others spoke to her.

Meanwhile, Keith was able to rotate through the crowd, shaking hands and being what Mel could best describe as political. After a while, Keith was called away by one of the staff, but Valeria stayed next to her, guiding her. Melanie was talking with one Alpha female, of a small Canadian Clan called the Loup Blanc, when suddenly she felt a cold presence behind her. Turning around, she found herself face to face with the redheaded young Thornblood woman. Her eyes still burned bright green with what could only be seen as pure hatred. "Ah, hello, we haven't had the pleasure," Melanie began, trying to at least be civil. "I'm Melan..."

"I know who you are, Richter," the redhead spat. All conversation around them died off. Addressing another Clan member by their last name only was a grave insult, and to not even acknowledge that Melanie was a member of Clan Lockwood was an even greater one.

"Gather round, everyone, and see the puny wench that stole my betrothed!"

"Mind your tongue, Morrigan Thornblood!" Valeria warned her, voice dropping into a dangerous growl. "You are addressing the First Mate of my son."

"Ah, Dame Lockwood!" Morrigan replied with a sarcastic bow, "My apologies. I didn't realize that in Clan Lockwood, you permitted the intermarriage of the nobility and the pets!"

Thornblood's voice carried over the crowd, and the entire hall grew so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Melanie could feel her anger rising in her cheeks. She knew that physically she couldn't dare to stand against a full blooded future Alpha wolf, but that didn't mean she had to take this level of hatred. Just as Valeria stepped forward to deliver a retort, Melanie held her hand up.

"Excuse me, Valeria, I thank you for your words, but I would wish to address our guest."

Valeria stopped herself, and nodded to Mel, whose eyes blazed in anger as she looked the few inches upwards to the redhead. "Morrigan, is it? You know, I admit I'm pretty new to this whole Clan politics thing," she said, gesturing for effect. "I mean, I did grow up in a world where we kind of lost the use of old fashioned words such as 'wench.' So I will be the first to admit I've probably let a few insults slide, or given the unintentional insult myself over the past few hours. For that, I have already apologized in advance to every person I've met today that I've shared more than three words with."

"But," she continued, her anger seeping through, "there's unintentional slight, and then there's just flat out rude. You crossed that line about two minutes ago. So, while I would personally love to throw your little bitch-wolf ass into the river, I won't. I'm going to retain at least a little bit of the pride of my Clan and my Mate, and end this conversation here. I suggest that you and I stay on opposite ends of this estate for the rest of this Gathering."

The sound of Morrigan's slap on Melanie's cheek rang out across the entire hallway like a rifle shot. Mel could feel her head being rocked by the blow, and knew that even though it was hardly more than a werewolf tap, she was lucky to still be conscious. Pushing and shoving broke out between the two clans, while Melanie shook her head, trying to clear the cobwebs. Valeria was almost ready to tear the girl's head off, when suddenly Keith's booming voice cut through the crowd, causing everyone to stop all movement.

"Enough!" he yelled, parting the sea of bodies like a knife. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Young Thornblood here has struck your First Mate, my son," Valeria replied, as Melanie could only stand there holding her cheek. She could feel blood on her tongue, and wondered if any of her teeth were loose. "I was about to teach our young guest some manners."

"We will have none of that, Mother," Keith replied, his eyes looking concernedly at Mel. Turning his attention to Morrigan, his amber eyes flared. "Morrigan, whatever thoughts you may have had of a union between you and I are pointless. Melanie is my First Mate, and it is only out of respect for your Father that I do not ask you to leave this Gathering in dishonor. But I do advise you to find another area of this dining hall to entertain yourself for tonight, lest you find both myself and my Mother desiring to teach you a lesson in manners."

"As you wish, oh highly discerning Alpha of the Lockwoods," Morrigan said with another sarcastic bow, turning and leaving. As soon as she was out of sight, Keith turned his attention to Melanie, who finally felt recovered from the blow.

"You. Me. Private. Now," she said, turning and heading upstairs to their quarters. Keith nodded, giving a few words to Valeria before following. Mel could hear the echoed whisper of his psychic words to Kimberly, who tautly agreed to take over as host for the cocktail party. Everyone was here already, so she didn't have to worry about greetings any more, at least. Melanie stormed into their quarters, keeping her silence until Keith had closed the door to the master bedchambers. "What the fuck was that?"

"I apologize, Mel. I didn't think that Morrigan would be so stupid as to say anything directly to you. I am surprised she would be so bold."

"Well she did, and besides hitting me harder than Mike Tyson, she says some crazy shit about me stealing her from you? What the hell is going on?" Melanie kicked her shoes off, but still stormed around the bed chamber, pacing angrily back and forth. "And don't you dare try to delay. I want to know the whole story right now."

Keith looked at his Mate for a moment, then closed his eyes, his shoulders slumping as he went over to the bed and sat down heavily.

"You're right, I was wrong. I should have told you. As I said before, sometimes Clan politics is.... complicated at best. Most of the time, we get along, if only because it benefits all parties. One of the ways we do this is by pledging Mate status to members of different Clans. Usually, these pledges are born of true love. At the Alpha level however, they are as political a union as anything seen in 18th century Europe. Especially when it comes to rankings of Mates."

"So werewolf Alphas are polygamous?"

"Not necessarily, no," Keith replied. "In the older days it was quite common, with First Mate taking the role of Alpha, and the other mates being of lesser rank. In my family's case, my Father had a Second Mate, but it was a political union only. They never had children, and she left our house to live on her own with her true love years before my Father retired."

Melanie shook her head, blinking at the possible ramifications. Multiple wives, rankings of Mates, political marriages, it was all so fucking weird. Finally, she hit upon the important question.

"So you were engaged to that redheaded psycho out there?" Melanie asked, her anger still high, but at least stopping her pacing. Keith shook his head.

"No, although as children we were put at the stage prior to engagement. Our Fathers agreed to our joining when I was still only twelve years old, and Morrigan was just born. It was supposed to be an advantageous union for both Clans. Clan Lockwood would gain a powerful business ally, with lands and market access in areas of the world we had never even thought possible. For Clan Thornblood, it was a step up the power ladder. They're a proud Clan, with plenty of Old World contacts, but here in the New World they have been second tier at best. They've been resentful of that situation for a long time, but never outwardly hostile to us."

"So what happened?"

Keith looked up, and smiled at Mel. "I saved a beautiful woman from being shot in an alleyway. I didn't intend to fall in love with her, but I did, with all my heart. She became my First Mate, and not Morrigan Thornblood. Morrigan has apparently taken it as a grave insult."

Mel gave him a ironic look. "Apparently?" she asked, sticking her fingers into her mouth and bringing them out, the tips bright with blood. "I'd say that's a bit of an understatement."

Keith stood up from the bed, taking Mel's blood covered fingers in his hand, sniffing it sadly, before reaching his tongue out to lick it away. "I would rather spill a gallon of my blood than to see you bleed at all," he said sorrowfully, looking in her eyes. "I love you, and only you, Melanie."

Mel could feel her heart melt at the tender look in her Mate's eyes and the honesty that traveled along their bond. Reaching up, she pulled his head down, kissing him softly. "And I love you, Keith. I'm sorry if I caused you any trouble with this Gathering."

"No, you are my Mate, and I failed you," he said, his thumb brushing against her lips. Mel could feel her heart start to speed up and her body respond to the closeness of his, it had been too long since they had found time for intimacy. "Will you forgive me?"

"Only if you do one thing," she said, her voice husky with desire. She closed her lips over his thumb, sucking it gently into her mouth and causing Keith's eyes to darken with desire.

"What's that?"

Mel reached up and slid the zipper of her dress down, revealing her swollen breasts, heavy with the beginnings of milk. She stepped out, standing before him in just her panties. "Make love to me, my Mate."

Instead of replying, Keith wrapped his arms around her waist carefully, lifting her the few inches needed to pull her lips to his. Careful to avoid squeezing too hard, he kissed her lingeringly, gently sweeping his tongue against hers, his right hand going down to cup her hips and hold her to him. She wrapped her legs around him, her legs thrilling at the feeling of his rock hard muscular torso under her legs, strong and stable.

For Keith, the soft warmth of her body, still beautiful even after adding the pregnancy weight, aroused him in ways he could barely describe, inflaming his protective instincts. Breaking the kiss, he smiled and looked down with a smirk on his lips. "I think I like you pregnant," he chuckled, his eyes fixed on her bust.

Mel laughed, her hands coming around to start unbuttoning his shirt. "Good to know that whether lycanthrope or human, men love big boobs."

"Just yours, my love," he replied, carrying Melanie over to the bed and carefully laying her on the soft mattress.

Melanie's response was cut short as Keith's lips found her left breast, his long tongue teasing her expertly, taking her nipple into his mouth and teasing it until it was an aching nub. She clutched at his hair, desperate for more, when she felt his fingers tracing up her thigh, sending shivers straight to her moistening pussy.

"Oh yes," she breathed, letting her knees part as he brought his hand higher, only to barely brush over the lace covered mound before coming higher. Melanie growled in frustration. "Tease."

"Only for a while, my love," Keith whispered, bringing his head up to kiss her again. "Besides, I will not be going back to the party, we have all night."

Thrilled at the attention from her Mate, Melanie abandoned herself to the lovemaking, letting her lips roam over his, her hands trying their best to remove his clothing. It was difficult as their bodies were so close together, she could never find the angle she wanted to get the buttons loose. Finally, in frustration she grabbed at the opening she had created and yanked, popping three buttons off and bouncing one off her belly. Keith laughed, sitting back and removing the ruined shirt. "You're getting more wolf-like all the time."

"If you don't get those damn pants off, you're going to have to buy a new tuxedo instead of just a new shirt," she replied. "Maybe it's your son's influence on me, but I feel a bit more lupine."

Keith's desirous gaze grew as he stood up and slipped off his pants, standing before her in all his nude glory. Even after almost six months of Mated life, Melanie was constantly blown away by just how sexy her Mate was. His fine hair almost glowed in the soft light of the room, giving his muscular body an ethereal aura, and she felt awed again. Reaching down, she slipped her now soaked panties off, laying before him nude, the soft swell of her belly joining the swells of her rising and falling chest.

"God you're beautiful," she muttered, rolling to her knees and crawling across the bed to him. She slipped her hand around his proudly jutting cock, stroking the velvety steel shaft tenderly, pleased as his eyes slipped closed at the sensation.

"I don't think I've ever been called beautiful before," Keith whispered, his tongue coming out to lick his lips. "Not exactly what most people call an Alpha male."

"True, but they only know the hard side of you. Very few know the tender, sensitive, amazing gentle side that goes along with the steely strength," she replied, highlighting each of her words with a squeeze and stroke of his penis. Thrilled as she saw the first drops of precum emerge from the bright red tip, and she leaned forward, licking up the sweet offerings like nectar. Swirling her tongue around, she sucked him slowly, enjoying the erotic torture written on his features as she took him in with agonizing slowness before licking her way back up, only to repeat the process over and over.