He realized he hadn’t really been listening to what Marla was saying. And, he glanced over Marla’s shoulder and noticed Elise was standing near the base of the stairs looking lost. “Elise, wait! I’ll just be a minute.”
Marla tugged at his arm. “But Kane, I need to tell you about Ryne and—”
“Yes, I know you miss him.” He nodded, impatient to get away.
“But there’s more. He—
“Marla, we’ll talk later. Elise is waiting for me.”
“I’m sorry. I know I’m a bother.” She let her hand fall and stared down at the ground. “I’ll be fine. Just forget what I said.”
He sighed. “Marla, you’re not a bother. As a member of the pack, you’re always welcome to approach me. It’s just your timing that’s off.”
She leaned into him. “You’re so good to me, Kane.”
He absent-mindedly gave her a one-armed hug. “Anytime, Marla.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” She suddenly brightened. “Now go take care of your new little friend. You really shouldn’t keep her waiting. She might get bored and go looking elsewhere.” With a laugh, she turned and walked away.
He frowned watching her walk away. Why would she make a comment like that? Of course, Elise wouldn’t get bored. Giving his head a shake, he made his way to Elise who was patiently waiting for him.
“Sorry about that. Marla needed a bit of reassurance.” He took her hand and led her upstairs, guiding her to their suite at the end of a small corridor.
“Our rooms are up here. Since the house is usually busy, I have my own little retreat. There’s a bedroom, bath and a sitting room that are strictly off limits to the rest of the pack. Sometimes, even social animals like wolves need their own space.” He offered the explanation with a crooked smile, while opening the door and ushering her inside.
“It’s very nice.” Elise wandered about the room, peering into the closet and then into the sitting room.
“Carrie moved some of my stuff over, so there’ll be room for your things. She’ll help you unpack or rearrange anything that you want.”
“Thanks, but I can do it myself. If she’s going to whelp soon, I’m sure she’s tired and doesn’t need the extra work.”
“That’s considerate of you.” He guided her to the window to show her the view thinking it would be a pleasant surprise for her. “See over to the west? That’s the direction of your father’s land. Of course, you can’t see it, but possibly it will make your old pack seem not quite so far away.”
She seemed pleased and looked up at him with a smile. He turned her so she was facing him and he cupped her face, his thumb stroking her cheek. “I know this has been hard on you, Elise. Leaving behind everything you know on such short notice has to have been a bit overwhelming, but I’m proud of how you’re handling things.”
“I think I’m sort of...in shock, maybe?” She furrowed her brow. “Everything happened so fast that I didn’t have time to think or react. I just instinctively followed the Alpha’s orders.” She shrugged and sighed. “Besides, there really wasn’t much choice was there? I could fall in with the plan or leave the pack.”
“You’re right. A wolf that refuses to comply with the Alpha doesn’t stay in the pack long, though I doubt your father would have immediately thrown you out.”
“Maybe not right away, but he’s rather traditional and expects obedience...” Her voice trailed off.
“I did get that impression.” Silently, he cursed her father. She’d felt forced to accept him as a mate, seeing no other option. He tried to reassure her. “Our relationship has had a bit of an unusual start but I’ll do my best to make you happy.” Pausing, he wondered what else he could say or do to make this easier for her. “I need to check in with John to see what’s happened while I was away, but after supper I’ll take you for a walk around the immediate grounds. Then, tomorrow morning we can go for another run.”
“I’d like that. It looks to be a nice territory.” Elise twisted around so she could see out the window again.
He observed his land with pride. “It’s a beautiful place, especially down by the lake. I think you’ll enjoy it here, but just like at your old home, don’t go too close to the edge of the property. We have the same problem with hunters and trappers that your old pack has.”
She murmured her agreement but pressed her hand against the window pane, a sad look crossing her face.
He took her in his arms, running his hands down her back. “It will take some time to adjust, but soon this will feel like home. Don’t worry. I’ll be here to help you.”
As he held Elise close, feeling her warmth and breathing in her scent, a sense of contentment settled within him, a new kind of happiness he hadn’t experienced before. It felt right having her here, in his home, in his arms. Who would have thought when he’d first caught a glimpse of her months ago, that one day they’d end up mates? The hand of fate had definitely been involved.
For just a moment he allowed himself to dream. Everything in his life was finally falling into place. He was an Alpha, had a prosperous pack and a large territory. True, there were challenges to face but he’d handle them with his mate at his side. They’d blood-bond, have pups together, be a real family. The kind of family he never had, one filled with love, trust and respect.
Leaning back, he gazed down into Elise’s eyes. She was young but she’d learn. He sensed an inner strength in her. Yes, the mating had been a good choice and he couldn’t wait for what the future held for them.
Epilogue
Several years later…
“Kane? Kane!”
“Hmmm?” He frowned, tugged from sleep by the sound of Elise calling his name. Yawning, he opened his eyes and blinked at the brightness of the bedside lamp. A quick glance showed it was still dark outside, definitely not time to get up. “Is something wrong?”
Elise was propped up on one elbow, her hand on his chest. “That’s what I want to know. You were mumbling to yourself, tossing and turning. It woke me up.”
“Sorry.” He rubbed his hand over his face. “I was dreaming.”
“A good dream or a bad one?” She stroked his cheek, concern in her voice.
He turned to press his lips to her palm, her touch always affecting him. “A bit of both.”
“Oh. Do you want to talk about it or is it top secret Alpha stuff?”
He chuckled. “You know there are no secrets between us.”
“Just checking.” She grinned at him.
“Sneaky wench.” He pulled her closer so she was lying on top of him. “Did I mention I love that about you?”
“Not in so many words but there is definitely evidence to support your statement.” She wiggled against his growing erection and he groaned in appreciation.
“Keep that up and we won’t be getting back to sleep anytime soon.”
“Well, if you’re too tired…” Her voice trailed off as she began to slide off him but he held her in place.
“I’m never too tired for my mate.” He flipped them over so she was pinned beneath him and then brushed the hair from her face and stared deeply into her eyes.
His love for her grew each day. She completed him, kept him grounded, balanced his sense of duty by reminding him he was more than just an Alpha. He was a father, a mate, a lover, a friend. He kissed her softly, tenderly, then with growing passion.
“The pups?” Elise pulled away.
He glanced at the door that separated their suite of rooms from their children’s. Recently, his son had taken to getting up during the night. Some preventive measures seemed prudent.
“Just a minute.” He left the bed and flicked the lock on the door.
“Good solution.” Elise smiled her approval.
“I’m Alpha for a reason.” He smirked as he joined her once again.
Soon they were lost in the throes of passion, the soft rustling of bedding, murmured words and stifled cries becoming the soundtrack of their love. Branding kisses and tender
touches, gentle nips and masterful strokes; he brought them to trembling need before easing into her, rumbling in pleasure as her warmth encased him.
“You’re so beautiful, Elise.” Braced on his arms, he stared down at her, watching as she bit her lip and her eyes lost their focus.
“And so are you.” She arched her back, her nails scoring his skin, marking him with proof of the heights to which only he could bring her.
“Alphas aren’t beautiful. We’re rugged, strong, tough...” He emphasized each word with a slow stroke before pausing, holding himself still, enjoying the feel of her heat surrounding him.
“I changed my mind. You’re a teasing bastard.” She gasped the words.
He grinned before giving her a kiss. His mate, his love; he could watch her writhing beneath him forever, however his self-control was slipping. Giving in to his own need, he began to move, increasing the pace of his thrusts, going deeper, striving to blend them into one.
He drove them to the edge of exquisite tension, and then, after drawing out that perfect moment as long as possible, pushed them over so they touched the stars and exploded in a burst of sensual gratification.
Hearts pounding, sweat sheening their bodies, they drifted in a haze of satisfaction, languidly stroking each other, enjoying the closeness that came after sex.
Eventually, he sighed and rolled over, tucking Elise to his side and pulling up the covers as the night air chilled their dampened skin.
“You never did tell me about your dream,” Elise murmured as she drew an idle pattern on his chest.
“I didn’t?” He gave a lop-sided grin. “You distracted me as I recall.”
“Mmmm…It never takes much to distract you.” She gave a soft laugh. “But the dream…?”
“It was about the first time I saw you.”
“At my father’s house? I remember walking into the room and seeing you. You were gorgeous with your dark hair and broad, muscular shoulders but the look you gave me…” She shivered. “It was as if you were stripping me naked and it turned me into a nervous wreck!”
“Really? I didn’t notice,” he replied tongue-in-cheek. “But the fact is, I’d been fantasizing about you already.”
“What do you mean?” She turned so she was looking him in the eye.
“I saw you at a movie theatre a few months earlier.”
“You never told me that!”
He shrugged. “I hadn’t thought about it for ages. For some reason my mind dredged it up tonight.”
“Maybe it’s that article Lycan Link wants to do about you.”
“Could be.”
“Well, whatever the reason, I want to hear the story first before it gets spread all over the world.” She pinned him a stern look. “Spill the beans, Mr. Sinclair.”
“Yes ma’am!” He gave her a mock salute, then hitched himself up against the headboard.
Giggling, she snuggled against his side.
He stared down at her, tracing her features with the tip of his finger, memories of a day long ago filling his mind once again. “It all started when I was at the movie theatre and saw the most beautiful girl in the world…”
~FIN~
A Message from Nicky
Hi!
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this novella. I actually had no plan to write this story until Mark Coker, CEO of Smashwords, suggested I add an extra little something to my planned release of the original trilogy in a boxed set. He said hard-core fans would want a little something more, some outtakes or deleted scenes.
I thought long and hard on his suggestion and then remembered how readers often asked for Kane’s POV on The Mating and…well…this is the result!
If you enjoyed the story, please leave a review where you purchased it and/or send me an email. I love getting letters from my fans.
And in case you are wondering, there are a lot of characters and stories still stirring about in my imagination so stay tuned for more Law of the Lycans adventures!
~Nicky
Connect with Nicky Charles:
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Books by Nicky Charles
Forever In Time
The Law of the Lycans series
The Mating
The Keeping
The Finding
Bonded
Betrayed: Days of the Rogue
Betrayed: Book 2 – The Road to Redemption
For the Good of All
Deceit can be Deadly
Kane: I am Alpha
Written with Jan Gordon
In The Cards
Untried Heart
Nicky Charles, Kane: I Am Alpha
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