Alpha’s Challenge

  She pulled on her clothes as he watched, loving the economic way she moved as she brushed her hair, smoothing it back into place from the sex-tousled mess it’d been just moments before.

  He’d have to inform everyone back home and ready things for her there. She’d need a full-time guard as well.

  “What are you thinking about?” she asked as he helped her into the car.

  “Making you safe. Making you at home in our house. Fucking you again. Your mouth wrapped around my cock. The sounds you made when I slid into you from behind.”

  He pinched his bottom lip. “Damn, shouldn’t have said all that, now I’m hard again.”

  She laughed. “Good.”

  * * *

  Everyone was still at the house when they got back. Lunch had been ordered and Cade realized how very hungry he was all the sudden.

  “Can I get some of that for me and Grace, please?” he asked, indicating the platters on the sideboard.

  “I’ll get it.” Grace moved but Megan put a hand on her arm with a smile.

  “Welcome to the family, Grace. I’m so glad to have you with us.” Megan hugged Grace, who after a moment of hesitant surprise, hugged her back. “Thank you.”

  His woman blushed. Cade liked that a lot.

  “Sit down, Grace. You’re an Alpha now. Let us help.” Megan indicated a chair next to Cade.

  “Don’t be silly. I may be an Alpha but I’m not an invalid. And you’re not my servant. That’s not how I am, you should know that now, Cade Warden.” She turned and gave him a look. He laughed and put his hands up.

  “I’m sure you aren’t, honey. I cook ninety percent of the time at home, I swear.”

  “Nina makes fun of all the cookies he bakes when he’s stressed.” Tegan laughed as Grace filled plates for the two of them.

  He saw, and felt, Grace stiffen at Nina’s name. Shit, this was going to be an issue. Tee noticed too and shifted her eyes to Cade briefly and he shook his head once.

  “Don’t go talking behind my back, Cade. If you have nothing to hide, say it to my face.” Grace practically tossed his plate on the table before sitting down with her own and tucking in.

  “Later, honey. For now, let’s get back to the subject at hand. The virus and you not going back to the lab there.”

  She glared at him momentarily before filling everyone in. “The way the virus worked was that it attacked the wolf cells in Gina’s body, essentially causing her immune system to attack itself and eventually shut down. It happened very quickly, within a matter of minutes. They tried to cover that up by using silver, but then they took her body and...” Grace paused and took a breath, “... I’m sorry. I will say, from what I understand, she gave up no information at all.”

  “She died with honor,” Tegan said.

  “She did. A credit to her Pack. But surely you can see that not only is the virus a threat to humans, it’s a weapon against wolves.”

  “You’re coming back with me and we’ll get you set up at our lab.” She’d be safer there, on his land, in his territory, surrounded by his wolves. No one would have a chance to harm her.

  “She definitely can’t go back now that she’s been claimed. She’d be in danger. She will be when Pellini finds out she’s mated to you. You won’t be able to keep it secret for very long,” Maxwell said.

  “Yes. And I don’t want it to be. For now, he can wonder, but soon enough he’ll know.” Cade sat back, munching on a piece of bread.

  “But if he doesn’t know, that’s power, don’t you think? Once he knows I’m your mate, he’ll know I’m giving you information.”

  “It’ll make him crazy to know you’re with me. It’ll put him off balance. He’ll wonder what you know. That’ll trip him up. Anyway, I’m certainly not hiding you. You’re spectacular.” And if Warren Pellini came for her, Cade would kill him. The wolf had done enough damage, there would be no threat to Grace again as long as there was breath in Cade’s body.

  She blushed and then laughed. Her tension eased, easing his own as well.

  They made some plans regarding the lab in Seattle and the next steps. National would send guards and some staff, as would Great Lakes.

  After many more hours, Cade got up, stretching, knowing in a matter of minutes, he’d be back in bed with Grace.

  “Cade? The anchor bond, have you taken care of it?” Tegan asked quietly.

  Cade fisted his hands at his sides. Now he knew what Lex gave up two years before when they’d performed the tri-bond. To have to let another male touch her, share part of what he had, it was unthinkable. And yet, to lose this precious gift was even more untenable.

  “I’d be honored,” Maxwell said quietly.

  “I never had to face this—” Ben moved close “—thank God. But if I had, I’m not sure I’d want to come in contact with that other guy very often. You’ll be here often enough to visit us.”

  Cade did know. He saw Nina every day of his life. Had often yearned for more than he could ever have with her. Now, that was not gone so much as muted. Grace was everything and what he felt for Nina was love surely, but not desire. But Maxwell wasn’t mated.

  “I think Ben is right. I’m high level, Cade and I live across the country. You’d have very little call to see me. I’d be honored to be your Anchor.” Jack stood forward.

  “I hate this whole thing,” Megan said in an undertone. “Like she’s meat. Will this be what it’s like for me?”

  “Okay, Megan, I know this is hard, but don’t complicate this right now. I did this once. I was there, I performed the tri-bond. It’s one small moment in time and you know it’s what needs to happen.” Tegan hugged her sister.

  Grace whacked him in the arm, getting his attention. “I’m a wolf. And I’m in the room too so don’t talk around me. I was born this way. I know what needs to happen and I’m fine. But it won’t be Maxwell. I can’t.” She turned to Maxwell, who cringed. “I understand you did what you had to do in a difficult situation but I don’t want to be tied to you like that.” Maxwell nodded and sighed.

  “I am sorry. I see it was a bad decision on my part. Hasty because I’d reached the end of my rope and wanted to protect the rest of the Pack. But it was wrong. I hurt you and I apologize. I hope you can get past that.” Maxwell hung his head, giving her the respect the situation called for and Cade appreciated the other male for it.

  Grace nodded. “Thank you, Maxwell. Cade, can we just, I don’t know, make a decision? It’s been a long, very trying day. Week. Months.” Grace took Cade’s hand and kissed it. “The tri-bond can wait until tomorrow.”

  “You’re right, honey.” He hugged her to his side before turning to Jack. “We’d be honored for you to be our Anchor. But Grace is right, it’s been a long day, can this wait until tomorrow?”

  Jack nodded. “Of course. I’m not leaving for Boston until the midafternoon. Shall I come by at eleven or so?”

  Cade looked to Grace, who nodded. “Thank you, Jack.”

  Jack laughed. “Well, um, at the risk of Cade going feral on my ass, it’s not like it’ll be a chore.”

  Grace ducked her head, hiding a smile.

  “Please let me extend the cottage to you until you’re ready to go back home,” Maxwell said.

  “I’ll put guards on it.” Ben spoke into his wrist mic and began to give orders and Tegan just grinned at them.

  “This is the coolest. Congratulations to you both and welcome to our family, Grace. I’ll have some groceries sent over from the main house.”

  “We’re going to head back tomorrow evening I think.” Cade looked to Tegan, reaching out to touch her cheek. “You’re okay? You know we support you staying here if that’s what you want, right?”

  Tegan smiled. “Yeah. Thank you. I can’t wait for this insanity to end so we can live a normal life. Gra
ce, you like to shop for shoes?”

  “Um, I like to shop for books, does that count?”

  Megan laughed. “You’ll fit into the family just fine. Books are almost as good as shoes.”

  “All right, you two go back to the cottage. The food will be on the way right now so, um, don’t get busy in the kitchen unless you want company. I’ll see you both tomorrow, we’ll have a big luncheon after the tri-bond, send you back home in style.” Tegan shoved them both to the door.

  * * *

  At the the cottage, Cade pushed her against the wall and kissed her senseless, holding her up against him.

  She wound her arms around his neck and luxuriated in the way he felt. Each breath she took, he fed back to her, his tongue teasing in and out of her mouth. He was big and strong against her.

  “Damn, I love the way you taste.”

  The door came open as he unlocked it while still holding her. Megan and Dave pulled up and got out.

  “Um, hey there. Before you start something, let us get settled,” Dave called to them.

  Cade sighed. “Yeah. That. Welcome to the world of being an Alpha.” He stepped away from her but kept an arm around her waist. “Come on in, both of you. We’ve got talking to do.”

  “You do?” Grace had only one thing on her mind and it wasn’t talking.

  He chuckled. “It’ll be quick.”

  She snorted and moved to go into the house but Megan put a hand on her shoulder. “Me first, always. Okay? A guard will always go into an unfamiliar place before you.”

  Grace nodded, letting Megan go into the cottage to check things out and give the signal that it was okay to follow her inside.

  Dave brought up the rear and they all settled in on the couches.

  “First things, set up a constant guard. I trust Ben and Tee but I want one of my own wolves out there at all times. There’s a bedroom up front, you guys take that one. I want someone to go to Grace’s place to pack her things. Hit it with a sweeper before you bring anything back though.” Cade looked to her and she wanted to cry at how sweet he was to think of that. “Is there anything in particular you want them to bring you?”

  “I’ll need my paperwork. My medical license and all those papers are actually in a safe deposit box. I couldn’t trust anything at my condo. He’ll be watching, you know.”

  “We know. But we’ll be careful. Dave will go in and we’ll set up with some of Ben’s wolves to keep watch. When will they start looking for you?” Megan asked.

  “Tomorrow morning most likely. I had today off. He seems to watch me less these days but I think he’s got something in my car to track it. I left it in my building and walked to the dentist’s office before sneaking out the next building.”

  Megan nodded. “Smart.”

  “I’d like my clothes. Not what’s in my closet, that’s not important. But in the drawers of the dresser in my bedroom. I’ve got a few suitcases in my hall closet. Should I come with you, just to show you?”

  Cade pulled her against him. “No. You can’t go back, Grace. I’m sorry but it’s too dangerous. I can’t risk your safety like that.”

  “Okay. I understand. I have some jewelry, that’s on my dresser too. A mahogany box. My laptop is in the safe deposit box.” She gave them the key and address to the bank in a neighboring city where she’d hidden her life outside the Pack before pretending to go back to her brother.

  “We’ll deal with the stuff in your condo tonight. Ben has agreed to take a watch here at the cottage and I’m sure Tee will too. Now you two go on and, um, do what you need to do.” Megan grinned. “I’ll see you later.”

  “Dinner. I’ll make us all dinner here at nine. Invite Ben and Tee too, all right?” Cade stood and everyone scattered to obey him. Grace watched the effortless way he handled being a brother and an Alpha.

  When they were momentarily alone, he looked down at her with that naughty smile and tipped his head toward the bedroom they’d been in earlier. She scampered down the hall with him on her heels.

  He closed the door, shutting the world outside the door and turned to her. Grace, his mate. She’d tucked her hair behind her ears and suddenly looked about ten years younger.

  “How old are you?”

  “Thirty-four. Why? Shouldn’t we talk, you know, after?” She whipped her shirt off and the camisole followed it.

  “Impatient.” His heart sped at the sight of her naked breasts.

  “I could hate sex. Would you prefer that?”

  Startled laughter bubbled from him. “Honey, I can’t help but want to fuck you every time I even think of you.” He moved to her, watched her eyes widen and her hands fidget at her waist. “Do you hate sex, Grace? Because I can scent your pussy from here and that tells a different story.”

  “Of course not! I’m initiating it right now. You’re the one prowling around and stuff. You’re delaying things, Cade Warden. Do you hate sex?”

  He smiled at her, eating her body up with his eyes. Taking her hand in his own, he pressed her palm against the ridge of his cock threatening to burst through his pants. “You’re pretty sassy when you’re horny.”

  “Are you going to get down to it or not?” She caught her lip between her teeth and he grinned, reaching out and shoving her skirt down. “Thank God. You talk a lot.”

  Picking her up, he tossed her to the bed and she bounced, laughing. Quickly, he divested himself of his clothes and got on the bed over her on all fours.

  “I think you like the way I talk.” He licked up her torso from belly button to the hollow of her throat.

  “I do,” she whispered. “But I like it when you do things even more.” She put her hands on his chest, caressing his muscles. “Then again, I like to do things too.” Using her strength, she pushed him back and straddled him.

  He sifted his fingers through her silky hair as she kissed down the line of his throat, and farther south, growling his satisfaction when she dragged her teeth over first one nipple and then the other.

  “Your body is so hard and muscled. I like that,” she told him between kisses down his abdomen.

  “It’s hard to reply when your mouth is, oh yeah, Christ,” he hissed when she grabbed his cock by the root and took him into her mouth. She was so freaking small against his body, the overwhelming need to protect her was simply more when he saw her like that. It wasn’t that she was tiny, just petite. Still, so many women in his life were so big, big presences, tall, statuesque and here was his heart, just over five feet and yet, what she’d done with her brother was the bravest thing he’d known. For no other reason than because it was right.

  Fate had chosen well for him, he only hoped he could be as good for her as she was for him.

  Cade Warden was the most delicious banquet she’d ever tasted. One hundred percent Alpha male. Confident. Sexy. Intelligent and oh-so-powerful. Add to that ridiculously handsome with a very handy cock, a mouth that knew its business and hands just the right size to do whatever he wanted with her and Grace Pellini was one happy female.

  The taste of him, the cocktail of hormones and musk, the smooth skin of his cock and the heaviness of his balls in her palm as she sucked and licked the crown and head of him—all worked to draw her into him deeper.

  She wished she had more experience with oral sex. She’d only done it a handful of times, but the way he responded to her made her want to do it more, make him feel even better.

  There’d be more time for this, more time to learn him with hands and mouth, more time for everything.

  “Stop, Grace, honey, I’m close. I want to be inside you.” His hands tightened in her hair, enough to pull her back.

  “I liked that, Cade.”

  “This?” He pulled her hair, just this side of pain and shivers ran through her. “Mmm, that’s not what I meant but that was nice too. I
like having you in my mouth.”

  He moved her body the way he wanted her. There was something about it that made her all tingly. Any other man and she’d have slapped his hands for using his size but the way Cade did it was sexy.

  “I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.” He situated himself between her thighs and she wrapped her calves around him.

  “That’s very sweet.” She reached down and inched her way closer until she could guide him to her gate. “But in case you forgot, I’m a werewolf. And because we’re mates and all, I’m pretty strong. Put your damned dick in me!”

  A flex of his hips and he slid into her pussy. She sucked in a breath. “You’re bossy.” He grinned.

  “You just keep working and I’ll continue. As I was saying, you’re an Alpha, your mate would be one too. Meaning just because I’m short doesn’t mean I’m a pushover or weak. I know I’m quiet and I’ve been told I’m mousey by that idiot brother of mine. But don’t test me. I can kick ass and take names or however the heck you say it. I can certainly take a nice bout of healthy sex. Your doo-dad isn’t so gargantuan you’d split me in half or anything.” She snorted and he laughed, dipping down to kiss her.

  “You know, the more I’m with you, the more I like you. Check, I’m not going to hurt you and you just said I had a small dick.”

  “Oh good gracious.” She arched. He crouched on his knees between her thighs, probably to keep from crushing her and he was quite a bit taller so he had a point. “Are you fishing? I quite like your dick and it’s very large, thankyouverymuch. Now, stop whining and do your job.”

  “I’d be glad to, ma’am.”

  She could do little more than writhe beneath him as he thrust into her body. If she’d had bigger boobs, they might have jiggled sexily or something but it didn’t matter. What mattered was how good it felt to be with him. How happy he made her feel, the way he took away the fear and replaced it with something wholly wonderful.

  He caught her nipples between each thumb and forefinger and shards of pleasure shattered through her.

  “I love your nipples, so juicy and puffy. They’re like a conduit straight to your clit, aren’t they?”