The Club

4

Olivia closed the dishwasher door and started the cycle. She stretched her arms over her head. She was tired. That morning, she’d got up early and rushed over to Kelsey’s apartment to help her friend get her things packed and loaded onto the moving truck. She wasn’t needed there—Kelsey had hired movers to help her, and had already promised to call her before she left—but she couldn’t take another moment alone in her house. Of course, she knew that she was only running away, not wanting to be at home if Trae showed up. However, she’d dispensed with those nagging thoughts and stayed with Kelsey until she got into the cab to head to the airport to meet the other dancers.

Now, gratefully worn out, she was ready to crawl into bed. Tomorrow she could drown herself in articles and magazine layouts. Turning off the light in the kitchen, she entered the living room and turned off the television.

Open the door, Olivia. The rich, masculine voice in her mind startled her.

Frozen in her living room, she didn’t have to wonder who was speaking to her. It had been almost two full days since she’d seen Trae, but she could never forget his voice—the sexy timbre that caressed her internally. Besides, he was the only one who could speak in her head.

She tried not to think, knowing that he could hear her thoughts as well. Maybe if she pretended not to be home, he would just go away.

Sweetheart, let me in. The bite on her shoulder began to throb.

All day, it hadn’t even tingled and she had convinced herself that it was healing and would soon go away, just like Trae. Now, she knew that wasn’t the case.

It was foolish to hide in her apartment like a scared child. She was a grown woman and if she didn’t want to have anything to do with a man—or werewolf—any longer, then she would boldly explain it to him.

With a determined stride, she reached the door and pulled it open.

Trae stood there on her porch, sexy and captivating. His brown hair was wild, untamed. The urge to press her body against his and run her fingers into the soft silk assailed her.

“Hello, beautiful.” Today he was dressed in slacks and a button-down shirt, no snug leather, but still attractive.

Finding her voice, she said, “Trae. Most people call before they come by someone’s house.” She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him.

His diverting hazel gaze travelled down the length of her body, taking in her tank top and faded denim skirt. The outfit decently covered her body, but the heat from Trae’s gaze made her feel as if more than her arms and legs were bare.

“Ahem.” She cleared her throat.

His lips tilted and one side lifted in a half-smile as his gaze met hers. “May I come in?”

“It’s late. I was about to go to bed.”

The smile claimed both sides of his mouth this time and his hazel eyes darkened to a forest green.

Damn it, why did I say that? she thought.

Do you want me to answer that?

“No, I don’t.” She pointed a finger at his head. “Stop doing that. And stop looking at me like you want to eat me up.”

“I have already and would do it again with relish.” His words stroked her senses and turned her insides to mush and her legs to jelly.

“Trae…” she pleaded, her body begging. She groaned. She needed to get herself together and set him straight.

Before she could say anything, he brushed past her and entered her apartment. “We need to talk.”

The nerve. Left with no other choice but to shut the door, Olivia turned and followed him into the living room. “Look, Trae. Friday night was a blast, but I don’t think a relationship between us would—”

“Sit,” he commanded.

Cocking her head to the side and lifting an eyebrow, she eyed him, ready to give him a piece of her mind.

“Please, sit, Olivia.” This time there was less authority in his voice and it sounded more like a request.

Deciding it would be quicker to get him out of her apartment if she let him speak his piece, she took a seat on the couch and watched him as he stood on the other side of her coffee table.

“What is it that you believe is so important that we must talk?”

“There’s a lot that you need to know and understand about me,” Trae began.

“Such as?”

“My name is Trae Wulfene and I am the oldest son of my pack’s Alpha.” Trae started to pace across from her. “Being the son of the Alpha is a hard position, especially as an Alpha male myself.”

“What’s makes someone an Alpha? Is it like royalty? You’ll be a king because your father was king, kind of thing?” She was having difficulty grasping most of what he was trying to tell her. His verbiage, his way of life, was all new to her.

“Yes and no. An Alpha is just like what humans define it as—the leader of the pack. Not only that, but to us weres it is also the dominant male, the fiercest and strongest of all other males.”

“So, what makes this hard for you? Lots of men rule alongside their fathers.”

Stopping for a moment, he looked back at her. “There can only be one leader of a pack. Other Alpha males that are a part of our pack may be given a small jurisdiction, or a division of the company to manage, but they still answer to my father.”

“Is the same true for you?”

“No.” He started moving again. “As the Alpha son of the pack Alpha, everyone knows I will lead the pack after my father.”

“I’m not sure I understand.” She rested against the back of the couch.

“I do work at our company, but think of it this way; I’m in a long internship programme. There’s only one spot available for me, but someone else is in that seat—my father.”

“You don’t have to wait for him to die, do you?” She couldn’t imagine working side by side with a parent and knowing that her progress depended on their demise.

“Occasionally, that happens, but most Alphas retire at some point, when it is determined that the next in line is ready. They remain on in an advisory position.”

“Does your father have any plans to step down?”

Halting his movements, he said, “Yes. He’s currently in the process of turning everything over to me. We have an elder pack in Oklahoma that needs his assistance and experience.”

“You’re not leaving, are you?” Her heart seemed to sink in her chest at the thought, even though she tried to tell herself it didn’t matter. After tonight, Trae would be out of her life anyway.

Giving her a devilish smile, he said, “I’m not going anywhere.”

His words seemed loaded, as if he was talking about more than a move to another state.

“My dad is stepping down at the end of the week, the day after my induction ceremony.”

“Well, congratulations. I wish you much success, Trae.” She started to rise from the couch.

“That’s not all, sweet rabbit.”

He was starting up with the nickname again. Every time he said it, the word was laced with such sensual undertones it made her blood heat up and her panties wet.

Pushing aside her reaction, she plopped back down on the cushion and asked, “What does any of this have to do with me?”

“A were can’t be Alpha without a mate by his side to help him lead the pack and ensure its growth.”

A sense of foreboding filled the pit of her stomach and she began to tremble. “And…w—what…?” She swallowed. “What does this have to do with me?”

“I never expected to find you at The Club, and on the last night I’d planned to be there.” Piercing hazel eyes met hers, then slowly moved down her body and returned. “But there you were. I told you, darling rabbit—you’re my mate.”

Oh, God, he was serious.

Yes, I am. His eyes darkened, became more intense.

Licking her lips, she rested a shaky hand on the side of her face. “So, now what? You tell your wolfen family you found me? We date and see what happens…right?”

“Wrong.” Trae assumed a casual stance, slipping his hands into the pockets of his slacks as if he had all the time in the world to be there. “As my mate, you have to be there. At the induction. Our final bond is part of the ceremony.”

“Our bond?” Why did that seem ominous? Springing up from the couch, she said, “I hope that doesn’t mean I have to have sex with you in front of your furry clan.”

“Pack.” He chuckled, the sound deep and robust. “The last mark is not conducted during the sexual act. Its purpose is to signify to the other pack members we are one, and it triggers the altering of your genetic make-up.”

“Which means…?” She prayed he was not about to say what she thought he was going to say.

“You’ll shift and take your wolf form during the following full moon.”

Shit, he had said it.

It was her turn to pace. “Ohmygod, this can’t be happening.” Her movements were erratic. One second she was walking in front of the couch, then she was behind the couch, then before her living room window, then back walking the carpet by the couch. “You’re telling me I’m going to be a wolf, running on four legs and hunting the mountains for my meals?”

“Not quite. We go on several runs a month, but we only hunt for special occasions, like the induction ceremony. I’ll be required to make a kill. However, as you witnessed yesterday at breakfast, we are perfectly capable of eating regular food, at the table, with civilised manners.”

He was right, of course—he and Diego had ordered and eaten mammoth amounts of pancakes and sausages, while she and Kelsey had eaten normal portions.

Could she do this? Become a wolf and leave everything she’d ever known behind? Looking around her apartment, there wasn’t much significance to her life. There were no pictures of family or siblings littering the tables and walls. Her phone never rang, unless it was Kelsey, which wasn’t an issue now, with her best friend out of the country.

All her life, she’d been an outsider. A loner. There had never been any family reunions or Christmases gathered around a fireplace en masse. She’d always yearned to be a part of something, to be a part of a family unit. It was possible for her to finally have a chance at that. Her stomach ached, her chest felt tight and her eyes burned…to have someone care about her, consider her. Running her hand over her head, she allowed herself to imagine her life as more than half an existence. It was such a far-fetched vision she couldn’t. She couldn’t see what she’d never experienced. Something that had only been a fiction she’d seen on television shows and in films.

But, she wanted to believe. With everything in her, she wanted to believe it was possible for her.

So many questions began to run through her mind. Would the change hurt? Would I be sick afterwards?

Then reality invaded. She couldn’t do this. Her job—she’d worked hard for her position at the magazine.

“I can’t do this!”

“You have no choice.”

That wasn’t entirely true. Trae knew he was exaggerating a bit. Since he had only marked Olivia once, she was still free to go. Even with the mate connection, if she never saw him again, the mind link would fade with time. It was only the bond of the second mark that would keep her from ever leaving him—that link was so strong that if either died, the other would soon follow.

She stopped striding along the carpet and gazed at him with her soft, brown eyes. “What do you mean, I have no choice?”

“We’re mated, beautiful rabbit. You’re mine and I will not let you go.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

“Can’t you just choose someone else?” Her arms waved around beside her. “There’s got to be some available Wulfene pack bitch that’s more than willing to mate with you.”

He couldn’t help but smile at her choice of words. “Even if there were, I cannot risk the vitality of my children.”

The skin between her eyebrows tightened, concern shadowing her gaze. “How would their strength be in jeopardy?”

Seeing the worry on her face at the mention of children struck him in the centre of his chest. It was possible that he had discovered the avenue to convince her to be with him. Children, a family? With all the questions and concerns that had been volleying in her mind, he knew she hadn’t been worried about parents or siblings. Just Kelsey, whom he knew by her thoughts was gone, and her job.

Allowing her to hear the sincerity in his words, he explained, “In my pack, every male and female is raised to understand the significance of finding their one true mate—the strength of the offspring. Often, a pair joins together through love or responsibility when they are not mates. Any children produced by them are healthy. However, they will never excel in strength, agility or wisdom, like the children of mated matches.”

Lowering her head, she stared at her hands as they rubbed involuntarily together while she remained silent.

“As the Alpha, Olivia, I must produce an heir who will be able to take my place when it is time. Say you’ll do this with me,” he implored.

“I like my job at the magazine. I’m finally doing what I love.” Her gaze rose. “I don’t want to leave my job.”

He could hear the apprehension in her voice and the anxiety filling her brown eyes pulled at his heart.

“You won’t have to. Everyone in my pack works with and around humans. Even headquarters is in Asheville, we just choose to live deeper in the Blue Ridge Mountains— more privacy.”

He could feel some of the panic leave her mind. She was beginning to analyse the possibilities. It was time to seize the opportunity, before other doubts began to creep up.

“Say you’ll be with me, my rabbit.” He held a hand out to her. He needed her to come to him willingly. “Join with me. I can’t make you take this next step. As much as I would like to, our laws and nature forbid it.” As much as it was a risk to confess this to her, he had to tell her the truth. “There’s no glamour or subterfuge, just me. Right here.” Taking a deep breath he let out the rest of the words. “If you come to me now, there will be no turning back, Olivia, ever. You must understand this.”

Holding her gaze with his own, he didn’t allow her a chance to break their connection.

Olivia only hesitated for a moment before she rounded the table and moved towards him.

When she finally stood before him and slipped her soft hand into his, he sighed with relief. There were two things his body desired—to bury himself deep inside her and to sink his teeth into her flesh.

“I’m not sure what I’m getting myself into, Trae, but I can’t deny that I want to be with you.”

“Don’t worry, I will guide you every step of the way.” Pulling her against him, he wrapped his arms around her sexy form. The breast-hugging tank-top and her short skirt had been driving him insane since she’d opened the door. It had taken everything in him to keep his mind focused on what he needed to explain to her, instead of pressing her up against the nearest wall and slipping his cock into her wet heat.

“That’s what I’m counting on.” For the first time that night, she smiled at him, making her face radiant, allowing him to see the sensual woman she had been that night at The Club.

His desire amped up, pushing him fast towards erotic madness. He needed to have sex with her, now, before his beast took over, disregarding the fact she was human, and took her hard, unleashing a fierce ardour that could hurt her.

“Kiss me,” he commanded, his voice rough and urgent.

Sliding her hands into his hair, she rose on her toes and pressed her breasts to his chest and her lips to his. Even though his cock was hard, his blood raging and his body vibrating with desire, he restrained himself and allowed Olivia to lead the kiss.

When he parted his lips and her tongue brushed across his, wet and supple, his self-control broke. He couldn’t wait any longer. Deepening the kiss, he entered her mouth, tasting her and forcing her tongue to submit to his. He nipped the plump centre of her bottom lip, causing her to gasp and moan as he licked it, soothing the sting. Enjoying the sound of her shock and pleasure, he sealed his mouth to hers again and coaxed her tongue into his mouth. As he suckled her tongue, he slipped one of his hands beneath her shirt and into her bra, cupping her breast.

The warm weight filled his hand as the point of her nipple pressed against his palm. Squeezing and fondling her breast, he delighted in the shivers that ran through her. He lowered his other hand to her ass, pressing her against his aching cock. The scent of her arousal was permeating the air—with his canine sense of smell, the heady aroma became so intense he could almost taste it.

Olivia ground her pelvis against him as she caressed the sensitive spot behind his ear with her nails. The scrape sent an electric bolt of lust from his head to his balls and caused his dick to harden more, pressing painfully against his zip.

“On the floor,” he growled.

Pulling away from her, he could see the excitement and a little trepidation in her gaze. However, there was no longer time for tenderness or mellifluous words—his beast would push him until he was inside her. He’d heard about the intensity of the second marking, but never having experienced it before he was just as swept away in the maelstrom of desire as Olivia.

Despite her obvious apprehension, he felt a sense of peace that she still trusted him as she lowered herself to the ground. Joining her, he knelt before her as he snatched his shirt over his head. She removed her top, and her bra as well.

“Lovely.” He admired her breasts, enjoying the sight of her beautiful obsidian skin with the dark chocolate tips. Leaning down, he tasted them, licking and nipping at the peaks, then laving them, careful with her fragile, human flesh. Soon she would become used to the loving style of weres. They loved to nip and bite each other during loving and play, sometimes to the point of pain that intensified their coupling and their orgasms.

His kisses moved from her breasts to her neck, then he took her by the waist and turned her around. Once her back was to him, he admired the swollen, tender mark of his first bite. In the two days since he’d created it, it had slowly begun to heal and close up. Now his teeth marks were barely evident. After tonight, the mark would be vivid again, and once he’d marked her for the third time, the scar would be permanent—the only scar her body would ever carry.

Placing a hand in the centre of her shoulder blades, he pressed her towards the floor. Understanding what he desired, she positioned herself on her hands and knees. Moving between her parted legs, he made quick work of unfastening his slacks and shoving them down to his thighs. His cock jutted forward, insistent, a bead of pre-cum on the head.

In a flash, he yanked the hem of her skirt up to her waist and tore her thong and tossed it aside. His beast would have no hindrance to its claiming. Parting her ass and thighs wide, he witnessed her level of arousal in the wet evidence coating her pussy. Angling the crown of his shaft to her opening, he pushed forward. A growl rumbled deep in his chest at the slick, snug feel of her sex. Scarcely inside her, he paused, took a deep breath, allowing the sweet fragrance of his delectable rabbit to beguile him. Then he pushed forward, hard and sure as he forced space for his hard cock along her tight walls. He didn’t stop until her round, toned ass was cushioned against his hips.

She screamed and trembled as she threw her head back in ecstasy. Rotating her hips, she situated him deeper inside her. It was all he needed to know she was okay. On and on, he pounded into her as he squeezed her hips for purchase.

Lowering her shoulders to the ground, Olivia met his thrusts, bouncing her ass against him and calling his name. “Trae… Trae…”

Yes, Olivia. Take it, baby. Give yourself to me, he transmitted to her, through mental waves. He was beyond physical speech—with his wolf in full force, he was incapable of anything other than growls and roars.

Her pussy clenched around him, allowing him to feel the frequent flutters of her sexual muscles as her orgasm built. His hold on her was so strong he knew she would have bruises on her ass and hips by morning.

As his own climax neared, causing a golden haze of pleasure to cloud his vision, he leaned on his sense of smell and touch.

When Olivia climaxed, the perfume of her gratification erupted in the air and covered him like a blanket as her body quaked before him. Her sex gripped his steely length, but he continued to pump into her with single-minded determination. As his body began to release inside her, he lowered himself onto her, pressing his chest along her back. Wrapping an arm around her waist to keep himself locked deep inside her, he sank his teeth into her shoulder muscle as he’d done before.

She was his now, forever.

You are mine, he declared as his transferred saliva entered her body.

I am yours, she replied, still trembling as she moaned, climaxing once again.

Now no other male, human or otherwise, would be able to come near her with lustful intentions. That solved the problem if that damn vamp, Anton, decided to come flying around Olivia looking for seconds.

Standing before her closet, Olivia attempted to decide what to wear. In her room, her closet was the only thing she had yet to pack up. Olivia had been shocked by how fast the week had rushed by. It was already Friday and they were just hours away from Trae’s induction. She had taken the day off to get herself pampered and prepped from head to toe. She had been buffed, fluffed and waxed bare everywhere from the neck down. Today would be a day of firsts. The first time she would meet her in-laws, the first time she would meet Trae’s pack family and the start of the transformation for her first shift as a wolf. The next full moon wasn’t expected for two weeks—the pink moon, also known as the seed moon. Trae had said it was a good sign, and many babies were conceived during that moon. She knew he was hoping that it would be true for them, as well.

Over the last week, she had seen Trae each night when he had stopped by after work to help her pack her things and explain more of his culture and origins to her. She loved the pack’s tie to the Cherokee Nation. For years she had wondered if there was Native blood in her family, especially since people always commented on her jet-black hair and her high cheekbones, but not knowing her parents and her lineage it would remain a mystery. Trae thought it might be true simply because she was his mate and matches didn’t form out of thin air, and he’d convinced her.

She didn’t care one way or the other, as long as he was in her life. All her fear had dissipated. It wasn’t that she was not anxious about tonight and the importance of everything that would take place, but it was all overshadowed by the fact that when she opened her eyes in the morning she would be part of a family. A big family. A family of two hundred, including distant relatives in Oklahoma.

During the week, every time she thought of it, she had gone from tears to giddy, excited laughter. Nothing—except for Trae—meant more to her than that.

On Monday, she had heard from Kelsey and had a chance to tell her best friend that Trae had come over and she was going to ‘marry’ him on Friday. She didn’t know how to explain to her friend the truth of what was going on. Hell, it was hard for her to comprehend, let alone transfer that information to someone else. Kelsey had been shocked, but had told her she was happy for her and would support her.

Despite all her friend’s theatrics, Kelsey was a romantic. Kelsey believed that Olivia and Trae had fallen madly in love and he had swept her up in a whirlwind affair, all the way to the altar. Olivia had allowed her friend to believe it. It was partly true. In the week she’d had to accept her destiny and get to know Trae—a man who was strong, dependable, considerate and a damn good, passionate lover—she’d given her heart to him as well as her body.

She didn’t think the same was true for him. He was an Alpha male, whose sole concern was leading his pack and providing a strong next generation. There was no doubt in her mind that he would protect her and care for her. As he’d explained, not only did his mark bind her to him, but him to her as well. So, she was okay with that and prayed he would grow to love her one day, too.

Perhaps one day she would also be able to tell Kelsey the whole truth. She thought that her friend, who knew how she had yearned for a family over the years, would understand.

She pulled out an off-the-shoulder tunic dress in forest green, the same deep colour as Trae’s eyes when they were intense and filled with desire. Early that morning, he had told her to make sure that she wore something that revealed his mark on her back. All the pack members would be looking to see whether she proudly displayed it, especially since she was human.

Laying the dress on the bed, she headed to the shower for the second time that day. Even though being at a spa was relaxing, she always felt icky after having so many hands on her. After her shower, she added a lightly-scented lotion to her body. There was an advantage to being able to hear her man’s thoughts. She knew that Trae enjoyed her scent, the natural musk of her own body. She didn’t want to mask that, especially not tonight. Even though sex wasn’t part of the third marking, she still wanted to be inviting to him.

She filled her hair with curls, then piled it high on the crown of her head, ensuring it did not obstruct the view of her shoulder. After slipping on a matching thong, she put the dress on, making sure it sagged over her right shoulder. Turning, she checked her back—the mark could be clearly seen, even though it was now faint, appearing to be an old bruise. She had to admit to herself that she was looking forward to having his mark on her permanently.

The final touches to her outfit were gold, dangly, leaf-shaped earrings and gold, high-heeled sandals. Lip gloss was her only facial enhancement.

Hello my delicious, rabbit.

Shivers of heat danced along her spine at Trae’s voice. She still wasn’t sure how she felt about being referred to as something her mate might consider a meal.

She heard him chuckle in her head as she moved through her apartment to the front door. Would this man never use a doorbell?

Opening the door, she saw him standing there in a black suit and a tie that matched his eyes and her dress. He was so sexy and appealing she wanted to rip the suit off him and beg him to take her, right there and then.

Eyeing his green tie, she said, “Did you read my mind?”

“Just luck. Damn, you look good, Olivia. I don’t know if I’m going to make it through the night.” Rushing across the threshold, he swept her up in his arms and kissed her.

Sighing with satisfaction, she submitted fully to the kiss. Trae encircled her waist with his hands and slipped them down to the slope of her ass, cupping each cheek. The dress might have been loose at the top, but it was snug around her hips to mid-thigh, where it ended. She was glad the material was light, because she could feel every caress and squeeze of his hands.

Unable to help herself, she ground her sex against his hardening cock.

Fuck, I wish I had time to make love to you and that we were alone.

We are alo—

Before she could finish her thought, someone cleared his throat. Since Trae’s tongue was in her mouth it couldn’t be him.

Moving her mouth away from Trae’s, she stared at him.

“Olivia, I’m sure you remember Diego,” Trae said.

Stepping back from Trae’s embrace, she looked past him to the other man who had entered her apartment. She was astonished how her mind and body became completely captivated and solely focused on Trae, disregarding everything and everyone around her. She wondered if it would always be like that.

It will ease up after the third marking and not be so all-consuming. But it will never go away.

That’s good to know.

“Diego, it’s good to see you again.” A little embarrassed, she smiled at him, feeling the heat in her cheeks.

“A grand pleasure, Olivia.” He glanced over at Trae with a sly smile. “I’d hug you, but I think even that would be too much for the Alpha dog to handle.”

Trae growled.

She gave Diego a conspiratorial wink.

Trae growled again, louder this time.

Olivia laughed. Don’t worry, it will get better after the third marking, she joked, mentally giving him his own words back.

“If you give me your car keys, Olivia, I’ll get it to the house and meet you guys at the ceremony grounds,” Diego said.

“Are these the suitcases you’re taking with you?” Trae pointed to the luggage in the hallway.

Crossing to her purse on the coffee table, she pulled out her car keys. “That’s it. There are a few more things that I need to move to the house, but they can wait until next week when I come out to meet the charity truck for the furniture and dishes.” Anything that wasn’t a personal item to her, like her clothes, her old college memorabilia or anything work-related, she was donating to a shelter for battered women in town.

“Perfect.” Diego took the keys from her, then went and picked up her suitcases and headed towards the door. “I’ll see you two in an hour or so.”

“Thanks, Diego.” Trae patted the man on the shoulder as he passed.

“No problem.” Diego left the apartment.

Staring at her from across the room, Trae appeared to be warring with himself about what to do. When his hazel eyes trailed along her body, she knew what was on his mind. The same thing that was on hers. Sex. But they had to go—she didn’t want to show up late on the first night she would meet his parents and his pack.

“I don’t want to go, but we have to.”

“I know.” She agreed, taking in deep breaths to keep her pulse down.

“Are you ready, Olivia?”

Biting the side of her lip, she tried to keep her anxiety from showing, to put on a brave face.

“You’ll be fine. They will all love you as much as I do.”

Her breath was trapped in her lungs and her voice was stuck in her throat. “You love me?” she croaked.

Giving her a devastating smile that was both lopsided and as sexy as hell, Trae confirmed, “Of course I love you, Olivia.”

“Because I’m your mate?” She took a hesitant step towards him.

He crossed the room, but left a small gap between them. “No. Because the moment you walked into The Club you captivated me. No matter what had happened that night, it would have been hard for me not to want you in my life.”

Her throat felt tight and her eyes were burning. She wanted so badly for him to hold her.

“You know I’d take you in my arms if I could, but my urge for you is too strong and this night too important for both of us.”

“I understand.” She gave him a watery smile.

“Then let’s get out of here.”

Nodding, Olivia walked past him and out of her apartment. Her heart felt full. Tonight was going to be the start of her living and not just going through the motions.

“You are a beautiful woman, Olivia,” Ziona Wulfene greeted her as she got out of the car. It was dark outside, and if it hadn’t been for the lanterns hung through the trees, Olivia wouldn’t have been able to see her hand before her face.

Olivia stared at the woman, the highest ranked female of the pack at the moment, Trae’s mother. She was graceful and sophisticated in her charming black-and-white print dress with a red belt. Her feet were bare, but Olivia was sure the woman had a pair of fantastic red heels to match. She couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever carry herself with such elegance and class as Ziona.

Having removed her own shoes in the car, as Trae had instructed her, Olivia moved closer to his mother. “It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs Wulfene.”

Waving her hand away, Ziona said, “Please don’t even bother with formalities—you will be my daughter after tonight. Call me Mother, or Ziona if it’s more comfortable.” The older woman pulled her into a hug.

The embrace was so fierce and strong, Olivia allowed herself a moment to relax against the pack mother and accept the affection. Something she had never had from anyone except Kelsey, and now Trae.

Pulling back, Olivia smiled at her. “I’d like to call you ‘Mother’, if you don’t mind.”

“Perfect.” Grabbing Olivia’s hand, she turned to her son. “Trae. I’m very proud of you this night.” When Trae rounded the front of the car and stood before them, his mother kissed him on the cheek.

“Then let’s not keep them waiting.” Trae took Olivia’s free hand and squeezed it.

Olivia looked down at their joined hands, and at the hand his mother still held, and was filled with happiness. She allowed them to lead her through the trees and onto a short path through the woods. The echo of a multitude of voices announced that they were nearing the others way before they broke through the trees and into a large clearing. It was well-lit, with more lanterns on tall poles spiked into the ground. It looked like a huge family reunion, with tents on the outskirts of the group billowing out the delicious aromas of various types of food.

As if sensing they had arrived, the group parted and created an opening to the centre of the circle, where two men stood. One of the men was at least six-foot-three in height, broad-shouldered and with the same colouring and stance as Trae—indomitable. The other man was shorter, with long, jet-black hair that reached his ankles, and he wore the garb of an ancient shaman.

Ziona and Trae didn’t pause or speak to anyone as they maintained a steady pace towards the two men.

“My son.” The tallest man placed a hand on Trae’s shoulder.

Trae’s mother released her hand, kissed her on the cheek, then moved to stand next to her husband.

“My Alpha, may I present my mate to you and to our pack?” Trae’s voice was strong and clear.

“You may.” Trae’s father looked from his son to Olivia.

Olivia’s heart began to beat faster. What if this man doesn’t like me? She hadn’t looked around, but she was sure among the massive crowd there would be were females who might have been a better choice.

But not my mate, Trae declared. “This is Olivia, the one the Great Spirit has chosen for me.”

“I, Romel Wulfene, welcome you to our pack, Olivia. I am sure you will lead well beside my son.” Romel didn’t smile, or hug her, but his hazel eyes were filled with pride.

“Thank you. I will do my best to put my Alpha first and care for our pack.” Olivia recited the words Trae had instructed her to say. As she stood there beside the man she loved, she could feel the stares of the people around her. Her back felt as if it was on fire, knowing everyone was observing her mark—Trae’s mark.

“We honour the selection of the Great Spirit.” The shaman appeared small and frail beside the large Alpha wolf, but his voice boomed and carried across the sea of people. “Olivia shall be received and accepted by all.”

Cheers and howls went up around her and, for the first time, she looked away from the small group in the centre of the circle and allowed her gaze to roam the faces of the Wulfene pack members, her new family.

The shaman continued to speak. “Let the induction begin!” He spoke a chant over her and Trae, speaking in a language that sounded both foreign and ancient to Olivia’s ears. Then he pulled a small phial out of his hip pouch and smeared an oily substance on Trae’s forehead. The smell reminded her of combination of ginseng and cedar wood.

When the shaman had finished, all the men began to head towards a dark tent almost hidden by trees. Trae turned to her, his gaze intense and practically glowing with excitement. “Stay with my mother and the other women—I’ll be back soon.”

“I’ll be waiting.” With one last look, Trae followed the other were males into the tent. Olivia knew that he was headed out on his hunt. The other men would go with him, a show of support and confidence in their new leader. He would kill an animal, then share it with his pack, a sign that he would provide for them through strength, cunning and wisdom.

“Well, my daughter, it is time for you to meet the women of the Wulfene pack,” Ziona said, stepping in front of her.

Inhaling, Olivia said, “I’d like that.”

Lowering her voice, Ziona said, “My only advice to you is never to lower your gaze to any of them. Always show fortitude. I am sure tonight you will not have any problems, but a day will come that a female wolf will attempt to test you. If you even think you have been challenged or disrespected, strike fast and strike hard. It will make that one think twice before testing you and the other females will get the message, too.”

Olivia had to remember that even though these people had the faces and build of humans, they were more a part of the animal kingdom. She would be of the same make-up after tonight and her first full-moon shift.

“I heard your words.” Olivia kept her eyes locked with Ziona’s, not allowing her gaze to waver.

“Well done.” She smiled and led Olivia towards the first group of women.

Trotting back to the ceremony grounds, Trae felt invigorated, confident, strong and aroused. Shifting from his wolf form to human, he entered the changing tent nude. The other men began to flow inside, each locating his garments. After his successful kill of a buck, the only thing that he wanted to do now was see Olivia. Donning his slacks and leaving everything else in the tent, he exited out of the other side into the large clearing. The women were crowded around, drinking and laughing as they waited for the men. It would take him too long to look for her. Instead, he called her.

Show yourself, my lovely rabbit. As the words left his mind, he saw a shift from the corner of his eye. Glancing over, he saw her step away from a cluster of women. Other than that, she didn’t move, just stared at him and waited.

The conversation of his pack halted. He could feel the tense expectation in the air. With purposeful strides, he ate up the ground between them. Stopping before her, he allowed his gaze to caress her attractive, ebony face, admiring her gentle beauty. In her soft, brown eyes, he could see the confidence of a she-wolf, a confidence she had already gained in the two hours he had been away. She would do excellently well by his side.

“How was your kill, Trae?” she asked.

“Behold your Alpha.” He knew she would understand and know that he had succeeded. “Welcome your mate.”

Closing the gap between them, she placed her hands on his bare chest and kissed him passionately in front of his pack. When he pulled away, his wolf growled inside him. He wanted Olivia, but this was not the time. Later, when he had her at his home and all to himself.

Circling her once, until he was behind her, he lifted his hand and traced the faint discolouration of his second mark. He loved the feel of her silky skin underneath his fingers. Inhaling deeply, Trae enjoyed the smell of her body, her arousal—a combination of sweet amber and natural musk. Slipping his arms around her waist, he said, “I claim you, Olivia Wulfene, as my mate.”

Lowering his head, he sank his canines into her flesh and felt her body tremble against his as she moaned.

His cock was hard, pressed along the crease of her ass, but he didn’t release her, only held her tighter with his arms and his teeth. He needed to ensure the full exchange took place. Olivia lifted her right hand and cupped the back of his head, clutching him to her.

“I love you, Trae,” she whispered in a husky voice. Her knees went weak, and she sagged against him.

Once the third and final mark was done, he slowly licked the wound, sealing it. Tossing his head back, he howled his joy and satisfaction from the depths of his soul. His pack members joined in.

Turning Olivia around, he held her waist with sure hands, still mindful that her body was unsteady. Looking into the eyes of the woman who had unexpectedly walked into a club and become his mate, he declared, “I am yours forever.”

Raising shaky hands, she slipped them around his neck. “I would never have it any other way,” she confessed as she ran her fingers along the back of his ears, giving him a wicked, alluring look. “How long did you say we had to stay?”

His wolf was panting with need at her touch. “Keep that up, and you’ll find yourself on the ground in the middle of the forest with this pretty green dress tossed into a tree.”

Pushing her bottom lip out, giving him a sexy pout, she said, “I guess it would be bad form to disappear from our own celebration. People would talk.”

To hell with it. “I’m the Alpha. Let them.” Hoisting her up onto his shoulder, with one hand on her ass keeping her in place, Trae stalked off into the woods to a private revelry with his mate.