Mated to the Alpha: The Complete Collection (24 page)

"You didn’t have to do that for me," Akiko said, standing and coming to clasp hands with Melanie. She was surprised when the shorter woman pulled her into an awkward hug, her stomach coming in between them.

"You're my Sister now, remember?" Melanie said. "Tomorrow is plenty of time for Lady this and Lady that and measured looks. I'd rather spend the rest of the evening with the woman who showed me that she loves maple syrup so much just a week ago."

Akiko returned the hug, careful not to squeeze too tightly. "All right. Then may I ask, why’d you feel the need to cram yourself into that outfit?"

"Because the only other things I have to wear around the house are sweat pants, and that I refuse to do.” Melanie sighed and rubbed her belly. "He's growing like a weed. Seriously, my waist is a whole inch larger than it was just last week."

Akiko chuckled and led Melanie over to the sofa and helped her down. "I understand, I was much the same way, even if I am taller. I have an idea, give me a minute."

Getting on her cell phone, Akiko called a phone number and spoke in Japanese for two minutes, before nodding to herself and hanging up. She tapped away at the screen for another minute before putting the phone away. "Excellent. You’ll have it by the day after tomorrow."

“Have what?" Melanie asked curiously. "And if you have a chance, do you think you could teach me some Japanese? I've always found it a beautiful language."

“Of course, I’d be honored. I was talking to a tailor I know in Los Angeles. He's the son of Japanese immigrants, and is one of the best craftsman in North America. He stocks a selection of kimonos that he handmade in the old style. I asked him to send over two of them, stock sizes unfortunately since he can't get precise measurements, but one in a casual, and one in semi-formal style. I think you’ll love them, they’re very comfortable and stylish. Best of all, they adjust because of the overlapping front. You can wear it all the way until you have your son."

Melanie's hand came to her chest, and she smiled deeply before bowing her head. “Thank you. I’ll wear it with pride. I don't know about wearing it at the Gathering though, we’ll see.”

Akiko tilted her head in thanks. “Oh, a little secret, one that I used when I was pregnant. If you want, take a pair of shorts or knee length pants and you can wear them underneath comfortably. That way you don't feel like you’re walking around in a robe all day."

Melanie leaned back and laughed, until the baby kicked, hard, and she groaned. "Okay, okay. No more shaking, I got it."

"
I
'd like
to thank every Clan in attendance. I know that for many of you, things are in a state of turmoil. As before, at the last meeting of the ad hoc Council that adjourned the Gathering, I would like to pledge the support of both Clan Lockwood and Clan Thornblood towards making sure that we keep the peace within our Clans and this Council. However, tomorrow is the time for business to begin. Tonight, please relax, enjoy, and the drinks and food are on me."

Keith stepped away from the small podium at the front of the conference room to polite applause. He was wearing the same black organic silk tuxedo he had worn as Alpha of the Lockwoods, however in a nod to his status as Alpha of the Thornbloods, his pocket square was blood red, while he had foregone a vest to instead wear an emerald green tie. It was a bit disconcerting for him, but the imagery was clear, and the message just as much so.

How'd I do?
he asked Melanie over their Link.
I felt like an idiot.

Not at all. I thought you looked very dashing. And I'm already hearing the chatter. We really knocked some of these people for a loop when you came out as Alpha of both Clans.

Keith smirked and looked around the room, seeing Melanie, the shortest adult in the room, standing next to Edward, who was the tallest man in the room, and most definitely the largest.
Enjoying your escorting duties?

Just paying it forward, like Kimberly and Valeria did for me
, Melanie said.
Besides, with this giant next to me, nobody is going to be stupid enough to be as rude as Morrigan was last time.

Let's just hope things go more smoothly overall.

For sure. Now, go do your thing. I'll be fine with Edward, and if you need to find me, well, I won't be that hard to find. Look for the round woman next to the giant.

Keith felt two sets of laughter, and knew that Kimberly had been listening in. Glancing over, he saw his sister over in the corner of the room, in a group who were talking to one of the youngest representatives in the room, the brand new Alpha Female of Clan Talbot after her mother had been killed in the last attack. Keith looked around the room and saw her father, taking a drink from the refreshment table that had been set up on the side of the room. He made his way over, nodding to everyone he passed.

"Lord Talbot," Keith said as he nodded, taking a flute of ginger ale. The table had been set up with clearly marked non-alcoholic beverages, not only for Melanie, but for the number of representatives that were underage. "Your daughter looks very mature for her first trip to the Gathering."

"Thank you, Lord Lockwood," Talbot replied. "While I know it’s irregular for such a young woman to act as Alpha Female, I felt it was good training for her eventual role, either in my Clan or in her Mate's."

"A wise decision. Tell me, are your quarters sufficient? I know that the Towers are not quite the same as the Manor, and to be honest I've been worried all day."

Talbot took a sip of his own drink, setting it aside. "You and your Clan have done an admirable job. I take it that you've rented out hotel rooms around the city for the Clan Lockwood members we've displaced for the next few days?"

Keith nodded. "Actually, a combination of things. About half of the rooms were from Clan members who decided to take vacations. Part of that was I agreed to pay for Disneyland tickets for any of the children who wanted to go. But yes, some of the members are doubling up or taking hotel rooms. Also, I opened the Manor to those who wished to get away there as well."

"Uh oh, house party while the parents are away," Talbot joked, smiling slightly. "I'd hate to see your cleaning bill for that one."

Keith laughed and shook his head. "You know hosting the Gathering is always an expensive business. But I wouldn't have it any other way. It gives me a chance to look friends like you in the eye and shake hands, something we rarely get to do."

Talbot nodded, then looked over to his daughter. "Your sister seems to be doing a fine job teaching her about Gathering politics."

"She's not the only one. If we're not careful, your daughter is going to be running rings around us in that field by the time these few days are over. How old is she now, twelve?"

"Eleven, actually. She turns twelve in July," Talbot replied. He finished his drink and set the glass on the table. "Lord Lockwood, can I speak directly with you?"

"Of course," Keith said, the two of them walking away from the table and around the small knots of people. It was easy to see where allies and enemies were, along with the suddenly changed groups who were still unsure of the others due to the shakeup that the Hunter attack at the last Gathering had caused. "What can I do for you?"

"There is a rumor going around that you wish to step up your attacks on the
silberjagger
," Talbot said. "That after your rescue mission, you plan on taking the fight further. Are you sure about this plan of yours?"

"I am, but I will speak on it tomorrow. As you know, I can’t propose anything during tomorrow's business, only report and speak my mind."

Talbot snorted with a smirk. "Yes, because we know that both Lady Thornblood and Lady Lockwood would disagree with anything that you speak. Come on, Lord Lockwood. While I understand the role you took, and congratulate you for your making something out of a disaster, you hold a very powerful position despite not voting."

Keith smiled tightly, controlling his temper. "You'd be surprised, Lord Talbot. If you knew Kimberly and Akiko as well as I do, you'd know they are very independent women, and even I may be surprised during the meetings tomorrow by their actions."

"I look forward to seeing that, if only for your reaction," Talbot replied. "But let me finish, so as to not prevent us from speaking with others. Clan Talbot is not in favor of war at this time. First of all, my Clan is in no position to give people for a war. I'm a first generation Alpha, after my father split his territory rather than have his sons fight for Alpha status."

Keith remembered, thinking of what had transpired twenty years prior. Clan Llanwelly had been one of the most powerful in the Pacific Northwest. Their Alpha had not just two but three Mates, Mating two of them within days of each other. The Mating had resulted in two boys being born on the same day, again within minutes of one another. The two boys had been raised as equals, even though they had different mothers. When he was ready to retire, instead of deciding which of his sons was to be Alpha, he had split his territory in two, creating Clan Talbot and Clan Conliffe. While not small, neither Clan was the power player that Llanwelly had been, mainly because the two Clans rarely agreed on anything.

“I’m familiar with your Clan's history, Lord Talbot. Let me say I’m not asking anyone to sacrifice more than they are willing. However, when you hear me speak tomorrow, you may change your mind on the need for unified action. Now, if you'd please excuse me, I see my Mate is looking like she needs some refreshment."

"Of course. And congratulations, I've heard a boy?"

Keith smiled and nodded. "Yes, I'm very excited. Thank you for your honesty, Lord Talbot. Have a pleasant party."

You know I didn't need any drinks.

Keith made his way over to the table and grabbed a glass of fruit juice, bringing it towards Melanie and Edward.
I know, but I needed a good excuse for breaking off the conversation. I understand the man lost his Mate, but if I had let him keep going, he would have talked my ear off. No thanks. By the way, have you seen Akiko?

She's riding herd on the old Thornblood allies, and doing quite a good job of integrating them. I just saw the Mac Tire Alpha Male shaking hands with some man that Akiko had introduced him to. You should have quite the coalition by the time tomorrow's business kicks off.

Keith followed Melanie's gentle prodding over their Link, and saw Akiko speaking with another group. Keith reflected that with her semi-independent status, she and Kimberly were able to bridge gaps they hadn't been able to before. With proposal and voting rights for Gathering business, they were equal in power to any Alpha Male, while at the same time were familiar with the behind the scenes maneuvers. It was an unexpected bonus, and one he knew he would have to use in order to gather the Clans together in a unified group. He’d need it to truly bring war to the
silberjagger
.

Bringing Melanie her juice, he clapped Edward on his shoulder. The gigantic Aklark looked uncomfortable in his suit, which was black like Keith's, however his shirt was of a green silk to reflect his status as Kimberly's Mate. While technically he had no official status, nobody was going to argue with the giant. "How's the party going for you, Edward?"

"More like the sort of function my father would be more comfortable with than me, but so far Melanie has done a good job of steering me clear of any major mistakes. I could go for a good hamburger though."

Keith chuckled and gave Melanie a kiss on her cheek. "We all could. But could you imagine what a room with this many Lycans, you and Melanie would look like if we really got down to eating? There'd be vegetables, snippets of beef and sinew flying everywhere. I'd probably need to have someone clean ketchup off the light fixtures tomorrow."

"True. How's the politicking?" Edward asked, looking around. “I’ll be honest, I've kept up more of the silent protector type than speaking. I just haven't had enough time to learn about things yet."

"Don't worry, I was the same way last time," Melanie said. "Trust me when I say I'm barely understanding things myself. Thankfully Kimberly and Akiko are handling their end so well. I haven't even had any dirty looks at all tonight."

"I have," Edward said, "but I expected it. Nobody has been willing to say anything though. I guess I'm just that intimidating."

You? Don't forget, they know that if they offend you, they have to deal with me
, Kimberly said to all three of them over their Link. While Keith and Melanie couldn't hear Edward yet, Kimberly could Link with all three of them, and waved from her side of the room. Edward smiled back and waved, blushing.

"My Mate is a bad-ass," he said shyly. "That's kind of cool."

"Oh, you're pretty bad-ass yourself, big man," Melanie said, patting his arm. "But yeah, she is pretty cool."

"Okay, well, I'm off to see how Akiko is doing. I'll see you two later?" Keith said. "That is unless you'd like to join me?"

Edward shook his head. "No, that's okay. She's a fine person, but I'm starving, and I think I just smelled the help bringing out Swedish meatballs. I'm going to see if I can sneak a platter or two in before everyone starts staring."

"And you know how pregnant women are with their appetites," Melanie said, giving Keith a kiss on the cheek. "Go on, we're fine. Trust me, I'm listening in, and if you really need me, I'll be there."

Melanie and Edward walked over to the table, where Edward's nose was correct. Fresh platters of appetizers had been laid out, and Edward quickly snatched a shallow bowl to contain his pickings. "I know I come off as a bit of a rube doing it this way, but I wasn't able to eat at lunch, I was so nervous," Edward said, using a long bamboo skewer to slide three meatballs at once into his mouth. He looked at one of the trays, curious. "Say, what is this?"

"I believe it is a little joke from Akiko," Melanie said, picking up the green wrapped roll and biting. "Yep. She had mentioned this the other night, but I didn't think she was serious. She calls this Irish sushi. It's corned beef, mashed potatoes and boiled cabbage rolled up like traditional Japanese sushi. I think the sauce is a mix of brown mustard and wasabi, if you want to give it a go."

"Sure, why not?" Edward said, popping one into his mouth. "By the way, thank you for not telling Keith or Kimberly about the comments we heard," he said, referring to some of the whispered comments they had been on the receiving end of. While Melanie's presence was by this point more or less accepted, Edward was still unknown. Considering he was Aklark, he was greeted with even more suspicion, and more than a few whispered comments. While Melanie hadn't made out a lot of what had been said, Edward's sharper ears had, despite the Lycans' attempts to hide them. Still, in the interest of preserving the peace, they had both held their tongues.

"You're better at this than you realize. Besides, while you’re learning how to use your Link with Kimberly, I bet she's heard everything already. I can almost guarantee you that she's dealing with it in her way."

"I hope nobody gets hurt,” Edward replied with a soft chuckle, spearing another meatball and chewing on it. "We don't need any more of that."

"No, knowing Kimberly the way I do, she's going to be much more subtle. What was it Frank Hebert said in
Dune
? It is the slow blade that pierces the shield. I suspect that Kimberly knows that lesson very well."

Edward nodded, shivering slightly. Melanie noticed. "What is it?"

"Sorry, I just know more about the loving side of Kimberly, and the honest warrior who I saw during the assault to rescue you. I guess I have to get used to the subtle politician and noble part of her as well. It's a side I'm not entirely comfortable with. Reminds me too much of my father."

Melanie nodded, thinking of the little interaction she had had with Ben Stormstout. A consummate tall tale teller, there was always an angle to whatever the man said, it seemed, and his continued presence in their lives was something Keith worried about. "There's a difference between your father and Kimberly," Melanie said finally, sneaking a meatball away from Edward. "Mmm, those are good."

"Here, you can have the rest," Edward said, handing her the greatly diminished bowl. "I think I'll move on to just drinks. So what is different?"

"Let's see," Melanie said, pretending to think. "Well, Kimberly's about eight inches shorter, a hundred and fifty or so pounds lighter, and at least in my opinion, has much nicer boobs and butt than your father."

Edward laughed, getting the joke. "I'm glad about all those things, that’s for sure."