I signaled quietly to my wolf that we could change and felt the process begin. It happened rapidly this time and before I knew it, I was barreling as fast as I could after Mason, quickly gaining on him. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know he was pacing himself, not really exerting much of an effort.
With a howl of exuberance, I breezed past him, my tongue lolling out the side of my mouth as if to mock him and I kicked up dirt in my eagerness to beat him home. I could hear him pick up speed when he realized I stood a real chance and knowing he’d never live it down, he almost caught up.
I broke into the yard and entered the house to the squealing of everyone I passed. It wasn’t unusual to see the young cubs in wolf form, playing around, but not so much the older wolves.
“No running in the house, you two,” Daniel bellowed as I barged past him, almost pushing him back over the chair. “Oh I’m sorry, Your Most Impressive Duke of All Things Furry. Proceed as you will,” he directed at the wolf directly behind me. His comment almost undid me as I imagined the face Mason would’ve pulled had he been human.
A yelp of pain and a rapid burst of cussing told me he’d taught the irreverent jokester a lesson in manners, and I was able to make it into my room with moments to spare. The shift back took seconds.
A snout became visible around the door way, and I rushed forward with the intention of slamming the door and locking it before Mason could enter. Somehow I managed and I leaned back against the hard surface, gasping for breath.
The door handle rattled as I felt someone pounding against the door. “Let me in, Darcy. That wasn’t a fair race so I deserve to have the shower first.” He beat on the entryway again for extra emphasis.
“Fine then, go to one of the other four bathrooms. Heaven knows, we don’t have to share.” The idea of bathing with Mason after the passion stirred earlier started a slow burn in my body. I shook my head as I moved away toward the bathroom entrance. I had no idea how we would last until the mating ritual.
“Now go be a good wolf and get changed so we can take care of business. Leave me in peace and I’ll meet you outside in ten minutes.” Judging from the silence on the other side of the wall, Mason had already moved on, seeking his own shower.
Nerves began to twist in my stomach as I closed over the curtain and turned the faucets on, testing the temperature with my right hand. The water was hot and the room quickly filled with steam. I let out a loud groan as the beating of the heated spray started to melt away the tension.
I began to scrub my hair, lathering it up with my favorite scented shampoo, and with my eyes closed, I reached for the loofah. Not finding it hanging where I usually placed it, I began feeling around and gasped when I found something unexpected.
“All the other bathrooms were taken,” Mason’s voice was low and rumbly. I felt him moved slightly then begin to scrub my back. He applied just the right amount of pressure and I let out another groan of appreciation. He moved down to the base of my back before crouching down to wash my legs.
“We don’t have time for this. Any longer, they’ll send out a search party, Devlin in the lead.”
“No need to panic.” He laughed, taking the time to apply more of my favorite body wash and creating suds. “Just let me wash you up. It’s about me taking care of you and one last chance to pamper my beautiful mate. I want no doubt in that mind of yours how much you’re loved.”
I grinned at him, careful not to get soap in my eyes and relaxed into him, enjoying the feel of his strong hands moving me about as he tended to me.
“Repeat after me. I am loved and I am cherished.”
I opened my eyes to peer at him and I met with a serious expression.
“Come on, say it.”
I took a deep breath and sighed. “I am loved, and I am cherished.”
“Good. Now turn around and let me get your front.”
It didn’t take too long after that before he had me wrapped in a large towel as he rubbed me dry before pushing me back into the bedroom. I quickly grabbed a pair of faded jeans and t-shirt, a comfortable silence between us. After running a brush through my hair, I turned around to find him ready with his game face on.
Silently, we exited and headed toward his office, hand in hand. With each step we took, I could feel a different kind of change come over us. I mentally prepared myself for the questions that would be asked and for the memories that would resurface as I retold the story. I prayed I would remember it all and not leave out any important detail. I was scared about what it all meant, but as I looked at the fierce Alpha beside me, I knew I’d be okay.
Mason’s expression lost all playfulness as a seriousness settled over him. Decisions would have to be made and I knew he worried about the safety of the Pack. It was up to him to make sure everything was okay, and that any threat to him and his own be quickly exterminated. He didn’t like violence, but accepted it as a natural part of his life.
We reached the door, but as I went to move forward, Mason stopped me.
“Remember. It’s you and me-there’s nothing we can’t get through together. Take your time and don’t let anybody bully you. Do the best you can and know I’m proud of you.” He quickly kissed me before pushing open the door. The noise of the room hushed and I heard everyone rise to their feet in respect for their Alpha.
Taking a deep breath, I centered myself.
Empowered, I walked through the doorway and smiled. I was ready. Bring it on.
Chapter Eleven
The power in the room had me thrumming the very second I entered, sliding over my skin and a shiver coursed through me. It was the same reaction I had each time I was surrounded by some of the most dominant males in the pack. Separately, each of them was a pussy cat. Together, they were lethal.
I looked around and my chest tightened-Daniel, Eric, Jonas, and Wade. I loved each of my brothers and the look of concern covering their faces shared just how much the events of last night had shaken them. It was one thing to go up against a pack male, another completely when threatening one of the females.
I walked past each one of them, letting my hand touch them briefly, giving them a chance to see I was in fact safe and in one piece. I couldn’t give them Jasmine, and it hurt, but now wasn’t the time for that.
As I took my seat next to Mason, who was all Alpha authority now, I looked around and took note of the other faces in the meeting. Devlin was sitting a few seats down, and I was pretty confident he hadn’t taken his gaze off me the entire time I’d been in the room. His stare was intense, as though he was trying to penetrate the wall of protection I’d erected and see into the heart of the matter.
For a vampire enforcer, someone who lived a life of justice and violence, I had a special kind of relationship with him. I smiled as my eyes met his. He nodded in return and I knew I hadn’t fooled him. It always impressed me how much he could communicate without ever saying a word. Sometime in the next few days Devlin would want to talk with me, and I bowed my head in return, letting him know to come find me.
There was someone new sitting by him, and judging by the way he drummed his fingers against the table, he wasn’t used to being in a room with this many werewolves. I leaned forward, trying to discern what kind of supernatural being he was because surely a vampire wouldn’t give away such an obvious tell of nervousness. Smelling the air, I reclined back shocked.
Vampire. Taking in his appearance and the way he held himself, I would say newly turned because there was no way an older one would throw off such a strong scent of uncertainty. I caught Devlin’s eye, gesturing towards his companion, and I was rewarded with a slight fanged grin. He rolled his eyes and shook his head.
Reaching out, he placed his hand over the nervous vampire’s and brought the agitation to a standstill. I’m not
