Obsessions (24 page)

The wolves broke the circle allowing her to get
closer so she could see. Her eyes immediately gazed at her mate. Ryder was the
biggest wolf she had ever seen. Bigger than any wolf, she had watched in the zoo
or on the Discovery Channel. His fur was dark as night, but his feet were white
as snow. Ryder’s wolf was beautiful just like the man she fell in love with.

Jim Sanders was big too, but Ryder’s wolf was
bigger. His fur was dark brown and matted together as if he had rabies. His
wolf looked sickly as he struggled to fight Ryder. She could see the dark magic
surrounding him. It moved around his body like a snake pushing his body to
fight harder. The growls and clashing of teeth grew louder as the two Alphas
fought to the death.

Ryder was stronger as he sprang toward Jim Sander’s
wolf knocking him down to the ground, but before her could get his teeth
wrapped around Sander’s neck, Jim seemed to spot London.

When Sanders focused on London, the fortuitous growl
penetrated the cool night air startling her backwards. London held her hand up
to stop the wolf as he charged her. Before Sanders could reach London, Ryder
leapt forward knocking him to the ground.  Ryder’s powerful jaws grabbed hold
of Sander’s throat ripping it out.  Jim Sanders lie on the ground dying as the
Malone Pack watched.

Slowly, Ryder walked toward London transforming into
his human form. They stood staring at each other for a few minutes. Her hand
reached out and caressed his face. His body was drenched in sweat and blood.
She was his mate, and holding him close was all she could think about. Blood
dripped off him as London hugged him closer. Two dead wolves lie lifeless on
the ground as the smell of death permeated the air.

“I was scared.” Her voice shook as she whispered in
his ear.

“I told you to stay in the house.”  A few seconds
passed before he spoke.  “Are you ever going to do what I say?”

“Probably not,” London said, laughing.  She could
feel Ryder smiling as she hugged him closer. “Was that Jim Sanders?”

“Yes and the other wolf was his second. Metilda
Blackwood will be pissed now. Her mate is dead and she’ll want retribution. She’s
going to be coming for us. You’re my mate now London and your safety is my
responsibility now. Please, listen to me when I tell you to stay put.” She
could feel Ryder’s control slip as he held her tighter.

“Okay.” That was all she could say. He needed that
right now, but London knew that Metilda Blackwood wouldn’t hide. She would come
straight out and try to kill her, and she would bring her friends. London knew
that another witch had to be helping her test the wards. Nobody could get across
town that fast.

How could she explain to Ryder her gut feelings she
had that Metilda was coming for her? Was it the Tree of Life she was after?
Me-Len told her that it would protect her and provide instincts that would
allow her to act quickly. Now her instincts were telling her that she needed to
get a crash course from Me-Len on how to fight with her magic. She had studied
the books her grandmother had sent her to New York but everything was happening
so quickly here in Alpha City that she hadn’t had time to train with Me-Len. She
needed Me-Len to help her. London reached up and grabbed the Tree of Life
pendant. It was warm in her hand as she rubbed the stone between her fingers.

A voice startled London as she stared at the two
dead wolves. “Can we leave now? I’ve seen wolves fight and more naked men than
at the nude beach I went to. I really need some sleep before I embarrass myself
with some of these fine specimens and start taking pictures for my scrap book.”
Donnie continued to stare at the wolves who had transformed back into humans.

London and Ryder couldn’t stop laughing as they
listened to Donnie. “Come on you crazy man I will take you back to the house.” Zoey
pushed him toward the car.

“I will take London back.” Ryder advised.

“Okay. See you in a few.” Zoey responded as Donnie
got into her car and drove away. London watched as the wolves built a bon fire.
Two of the men looked over at Ryder waiting for his order. Ryder continued to
hold her hand as he watched the fire grow higher.

“Throw them in the fire.” London turned around not
wanting to see the wolves’ burn to death.

“What happens now?” London asked.

“We go home and I take a bath and make love to my
mate. Then we make a plan.” An SUV pulled up with Jamie driving. He got out of
the vehicle leaving the driver’s door open.

“Take your mate home, Alpha. I will take care of the
cleanup. Tomorrow, we celebrate our new Alpha mate to the pack.” Jamie smiled
at London then walked off.

Chapter
31

London could smell bacon cooking in the kitchen. She
loved bacon and listening to her stomach growl made her feel hungrier. Rolling
over to look at the clock, she was surprised to see that it was one in the
afternoon. Damn, she had slept longer than she wanted. Ryder’s side of the bed
was cold. He had probably been up for hours, and yet he’d allowed her to sleep.
The honeymoon stage had started with a bang. London got up and took a quick
shower. She needed to check her computers and figure out something that would
help them catch Metilda.

Making her way toward the kitchen, London could hear
people talking. She really didn’t want to see a lot of people, but this was her
life now and she needed to get used to it. It would be her job as the Alpha’s
mate. London strained to hear what everyone was talking about.

“We know you’re standing in the hallway listening. Come
join us, London.” Jamie had just ratted her out, so she pushed away from the
wall making her way into the kitchen.

There were about fifteen people standing around
eating and drinking. Nolan and the other Alpha’s stared at her as she walked in,
until Nolan made the first move.

“I knew if I pushed you two hard enough you would
come to your senses,” he said with a satisfied smirk.

Ryder pushed him out of the way playfully, and
grabbed her hugging her close to his body. The others all watched and smiled at
the protective gesture. He didn’t seem to want Nolan or anyone for that matter
to touch his mate.

“You pushed us together? Why would you do that? I
thought you liked me, Nolan?” she teased.

“We all knew that you were Ryder’s mate, but we
needed for both of you to see it too. I happily volunteered to be the one to
make my man here jealous. I have to say I’m glad it worked.  I’m thinking about
opening up a dating service now. I seem to have a gift.” Nolan pulled her
toward him and hugged her. “I’m very happy for you and meat-head.”

Smiling at his sweet-ish words, she knew from the
beginning that she wasn’t attracted to him, but he had become a good friend. Everything
had changed so quickly. She knew the moment she saw Ryder that he was the one,
and her thoughts were always on him even when she moved hundreds of miles away.
Apparently, he felt the same.

“Now we are really going to be sisters.  I’m so
happy.” Zoey squealed.

Donnie pushed Zoey out of the way. Grabbing London
and hugging her, he started crying too. “I’m so happy for you, baby girl. Remember
no matter who you marry—” Donnie cleared his throat, “Or mate. I’m still your
brother.”

London gasped. She had forgotten about getting drunk
with Donnie in New York. They had started talking about not having any brothers
or sisters and how lonely it was growing up so Donnie ran in the kitchen and
got a knife and cut his finger and told her to do the same. They rubbed their
fingers together mixing the blood forever claiming themselves blood brother and
sister.

“Yes we are. You will always be my brother.” London
hugged Donnie and glanced over at Zoey and Ryder who were smiling back at her.

She finally felt like she belonged somewhere. Her
dreams were filled, having a good looking, sweet, and understanding husband,
and a house filled with kids. The kids would have to wait for a while, but she
would take the husband. Two out of the three dreams would do for now. She would
also have to work on the sweet husband part. Alphas simply didn’t do sweet.

“I don’t care what he thinks, I’m hugging you too.”
Brody King pushed Ryder aside, picking London up, and twirling her around in a
circle. “Welcome to the crew, London. You are the prettiest Alpha I have ever
seen and I can’t wait for you to bust his balls.”

She was glad the grizzly shifter liked her because
meeting him when he was mad wasn’t an option.

“Move out of the way you big brute.” Kayden Lynn and
Judd Walsh both hugged her, and London could hear Ryder’s growls and see the
expression on his face as he tried his best not to lose control. He really was
funny about other men hugging her. Must be an Alpha thing.

Jena Carnes walked into the kitchen as Judd Walsh
moved away from her. She went straight to Ryder and hugged him. She couldn’t
get congratulations out of her mouth fast enough before London jerked her away
from her mate. “Don’t touch him.” London’s voice was hard as she pulled Ryder
behind her.

Ryder jerked her toward him inhaling the back of her
hair. Yep the tables just got turned on her and it had to be that bitch Jena
Carnes. You think she would have learned her lesson, but no, she was testing
the waters and a storm was about to start brewing if she didn’t watch her step. 
Ryder was hers now and she better get used to that and keep her distance.

London watched as Me-Len and Meryl walked into the
kitchen smiling. She needed to hug her grandmother. She was her only family
left and getting her congratulations was the only one that really mattered to
her.

“Congratulations, London. I’m so happy for you. I
know your parents would have been thrilled with Ryder.” Me-Len pulled London to
the side and whispered in her ear. “Ryder told me the night you came to dinner
that he loved you and had for a long time. Wolves don’t do divorce. They mate
for life. He needed you to be sure before he did something about it. I need to
know. Are you really happy?”

London couldn’t stop the smile that spread across
her face. She loved Ryder Malone with all her heart and soul. “Yes Me-Len. Yes,
I do love him.”

“Yeah. I knew that but needed to hear you say it. I
could tell he loved you by the way he stared at you when you passed out on the
bathroom floor. The look in his eyes said it all. I think you both just needed
a push. Nolan provided that. He knew you were Ryder’s mate but he needed for
Ryder to admit it. Ryder has a lot of responsibilities and he gives his life to
the pack. He needed for you to understand that and how demanding your life
would be as his Alpha female.”

“I love him and if that means that I assist him in
his duties then I’m ready. I know you may think this is too fast or I will
regret this, but this feels right. Look at our family, Me-Len. We finally have
a big family.” Me-Len hugged her.

“I know baby girl. I’ve known for a long time that
he was the right man for you, but you needed to know that.” Me-Len answered.

“Hey, do I get a hug too?” Ryder asked.

“Yes you do. We’re family now, just like it should
be.” Me-Len hugged Ryder.

Meryl walked over and hugged London. “I hate to
break this up but my phone alerted me saying the wards were tested again. Tonight
is a full moon. They will use it to help them break through the wards. Their
magic will be more powerful tonight.”

“Hey everyone, it’s time to get back to work. I have
a meeting with the Council, and all the Enforcers need to be back at their
posts. Jamie will get with you soon and update you on our plans. Thank you all
for coming and I promise we will have the mating ceremony soon,” Ryder said
loudly. London jerked her head toward Ryder. She had no clue what a mating
ceremony was. Pack members waved good-bye and started moving out the front
door.

London watched as everyone left. Jena Carnes was
lingering and when she got to the door she looked back at London and sneered at
her. The look said she was up to something but she didn’t have time to worry
about her right now. She had a huge problem gunning for her. She needed to talk
with Ryder too about what the hell a mating ceremony was.

Ryder pulled London to the side. “Me-Len and Meryl
are here for you. They want to show you some protection spells. I have no clue
exactly what that entails, but I’ve got to meet with the Alphas and inform them
about what happened last night. Will you be okay while I’m gone?”

London sighed heavily, then grabbed Ryder and kissed
him. She could feel the heat coming from her mate as he aggressively kissed her
back. However, the snickers coming from their audience in the kitchen had her
pulling away. She had forgotten that the Alpha’s and her grandmother were still
in the room watching.

London pulled away first. His taste and smell was
hypnotic and forever engrained in her mind. She could do this with him forever.
He was like a drug she was addicted too and Ryder had become her heroin.

“I like when you get aggressive. Maybe later you can
show me some more aggression.” Ryder whispered in her ear.

“I love you, but I think I will be okay without you
for a few hours.” London whispered softly.

“You may, but I don’t know if I will. I love you
too. Be careful and I will be back soon. Don’t go anywhere without a guard.” London
stepped back and saluted. Ryder smiled but she could see how worried he was. Jim
Sanders may have been a piece of cake to defeat, but Metilda Blackwood was a
witch. She was coming for them and surrender wasn’t in her DNA.

* * * *

London fell down to the ground again. The spell she
had been working on was draining her energy. She was starving and needed to refuel.
Her body felt like she had jet lag and needed to lie down, but first, she
needed to eat.

“Can we take a break? My body needs some fuel.” Zoey
came out the door just as London and the others were breaking.

“You guys hungry yet?” Zoey yelled out the back
door.

“Yes. Starving,” London answered before anyone else.

“I’ve ordered a couple of pizzas from Joe’s, but I
have to go get them. Come in and relax, and I will be back in about ten minutes
with the food. Donnie is working on the program with the spray. We found a
company who can do that. We ordered but it won’t be here until tomorrow,” Zoey
said over her shoulder. London and the others walked back into the house and sat
down at the kitchen table.

She loved this house. If she were going to build a
house then this is what she would want. There were some things she wanted to
change to add her own personal touch, but she still loved it. Ryder said she
could make any changes she wanted but that would have to wait. London could
hear her cell phone ringing as they sat with Donnie eating some snacks.

She walked into Ryder’s bedroom and grabbed her
phone off the dresser. Ryder must have plugged it in for her this morning.

She didn’t recognize the number but answered it
anyway. “Hello.” London only heard silence, and then she heard Zoey yell in the
background.

“Don’t say anything London, or your friend here will
die and I plan to make it worse than that wolf. You just listen. Just say yes
if you understand me.” London could feel her body shaking with rage as she
listened to the woman on the phone. It was Metilda and now she had Zoey.

“Yes.” London’s tone was harsh as she answered.

“Good girl. I know you’re being watched, but you’re
a smart girl, so find a way to lose the guards, and meet me at the top of
Ranger Mountain. Take a left outside the main gate. Then drive for a mile and
turn right on the dirt road that says Ranger Mountain. Drive for another half
mile and you’ll see a black truck. Get out of the vehicle and walk north. You
will find us there. Do you understand, London?” She could hear Zoey scream out
in pain.

“Yes I understand. If you hurt her, I’m going to
kill you,” London whispered so nobody could hear her conversation in case there
were any wolves in the house.

“You aren’t in any position to be giving me orders. It
would be best to hurry, before I start cutting.” The phone went dead. London
wanted to scream out but she couldn’t risk the others hearing her. She would
need Donnie’s help if she was going to make this happen.

She walked back into the kitchen, noting the strain
in her grandmother’s eyes. “Why don’t you and Meryl go into the living room and
rest for a while. I will come get you when Zoey arrives then we can eat and get
back at it.”

“Oh dear, that would be great.” Me-Len and Meryl
walk out of the kitchen.

“Donnie,” London whispered out. Donnie looked up
smiling until he saw the expression on London’s face.

“What’s wrong?” Donnie’s voice was loud but not
enough for Me-Len and Meryl to hear. He started to get up but London put her hand
to her lips. Donnie sat back down and whispered again. “What’s wrong London?”

“Metilda Blackwood just called. She has Zoey. I’ve
got to go and meet her or they are going to start cutting Zoey up.” Donnie’s face
paled as he listened to her. “I need your help on getting out of here without
the guards or Me-Len finding out.”

“You can’t go by yourself, London. They’re going to
kill you!” Donnie started getting louder as his fear came forward.

“Shh. Calm down. Listen, I’m not going to be alone.”
She reached up and grabbed the earpiece out of the black box. She slipped it in
her ear. “Now get on Zoey’s computer and pull up the last program. Put the blue
tooth in your ear and talk to me.”

When he had followed her instructions, she held her
thumb up. “Got it. Now here is what we are going to do. I’m going to get in the
trunk of your car and you are going to tell Me-Len that I went to take a shower
but you need to go back to the office to get another computer. You will be
right back. You are going to turn left at the main gate and drive for a mile
until you see a dirt road that says Ranger Mountain. You drive on to the road
and stop. Let me out and you will turn around and run back to the house, so
that you can pull me up on the computer. You won’t be able to see me, but you
will be able to hear me. Call Ryder, and tell him what is going on. Tell him
she will be watching to see if they follow me. I will keep her busy until the
cavalry arrives.”