Alpha's Mate (10 page)

Dmitry walked into the house and pulled out drawstring pants, setting them on the couch, as two naked men walked into the door.  Nakedness was part of shifting, and didn’t mean anything in the pack.  Dmitry looked at his friends, and felt sorrow.  These two men pledged their support and love to him, long before he became their Alpha.  It would be hard for him to send them away.  But there were no mates here for them.  He might not have a choice.

“It is good you are back, Dmitry.  We have a problem.”   Sergei said looking worried.

Sergei was tall and well-muscled, his blond hair so light it was close to white and his eyes were a gray so bright they looked like silver.  When he shifted, he turned into a wolf with markings so light he appeared all white.  They grew up together, Dmitry, Nikolai and Sergei.  When they were young, the pack found them inseparable.

“Several members of the pack are causing unrest.  It will need to be dealt with.” said Grigori looking stern.

Grigori was five years older than Dmitry.  He was slightly shorter and stockier than Dmitry and Sergei.  His hair was dark brown and he, like the other males of the pack, was well muscled.  When he shifted, he turned into a large silver and grey wolf with sprinklings of mahogany in his grey markings.

Dmitry remembered how he and his friends idolized Grigori, following him around and getting in the way.  He was always patient with them, and taught them how to hunt and how to survive in the wilderness.  He became their mentor, and Dmitry loved him like an older brother.

“Tell me.”  Dmitry sighed.

“It is Lenka, he and Fyodor were the ones asking for Alena.  They are spreading rumors saying Fyodor was murdered.  He leads his little brother, Pavel, and his friend, Igorek.  I think his brother is trapped into doing what he says.  Pavel is not an Alpha, he is small and timid.”

“Since Fyodor was killed, Lenka has been talking against you.  He says you are unfairly giving your sister to Nikolai, and you are unfit to lead us.” Sergei added.

“Does he think to challenge me?” asked Dmitry growling

“He is not strong enough for a challenge.  He would rather stab you in the back.” answered Grigori.  “You must be careful, Dmitry.  He is not to be trusted.”

“Are the people listening to him?” asked Dmitry incredulously.

“I do not know, but there is the concern over the lack of mates.  Many of the elders fear we are on the road to extinction.  They look to you for the answer.”

“What do they expect me to do, conjure mates out of thin air?  Our women need to have more children.  There are only four little ones, all boys.  I am not a miracle worker, Grigori.”

“You must give them hope, Alpha.  You brought a human woman with you.  Why?”

“She is my mate.  I found her in Moscow, but she is an American and telepathic.”

“Then you bring hope with you.” said Sergei thoughtfully.

“Or more ammunition, for Lenka, to tear the pack apart.” sighed Dmitry.  “It is late, we will talk more tomorrow.  Go now and watch yourselves.”

Dmitry watched the men turn to go and saw the open claw marks ripping Sergei's back.  He grabbed his friends arm and hissed with displeasure.

“Your wounds are leaking, Sergei, you are not taking care of yourself.  Yelena!”  Dmitry shouted.  The wounds should have healed completely after shifting.  They must be infected or contain some foreign matter the body was trying to expel.  ”Sit, Sergei, this will be taken care of now.  Grigori check on the guards and put someone else on Sergei's detail, he will be staying here tonight.”

“It will be my pleasure, Alpha,” said Grigori as he smirked at Sergei. “This young pup wouldn't listen to my good advice, to rest and heal.”  Grigori stepped out of the pants and shifted back into a wolf.  Dmitry opened the door, and Grigori disappeared outside.

Yelena came running in, buttoning her shirt, her hair mused.  She took one look at Sergei's back and threw her hands into the air.

“I told you if there was pain to return to me, now I must doctor you anew.  Go to bed Dimka.  This will take time.  You look dead on your feet.”

Dmitry watched, for a moment, as his mother fussed over Sergei.  Then he turned and headed for the stairs.  He couldn't wait to get back to Violet.  She was a haven from the madness surrounding him.  When he held her in his arms, he felt at peace, and right now he needed a little peace.

Dmitry walked into his room, quietly, and undressed.  Then he climbed into the large bed and pulled Violet into his arms.

“I missed you.” she murmured

“Hush,
lyubov moya
.  Sleep, I am here.”

Dmitry wrapped himself around Violet, letting her peace sink into him.  As long as Violet was beside him, he could face anything.

Violet woke up to the sun streaming in the window.  Dmitry was asleep beside her, his soft snores the only sound to break the stillness.  She lay on the bed and listened.  There were birds outside singing, and the wind was blowing through the trees, sounding like little whispers.

She realized it wasn't what she was hearing; it was what she wasn't hearing.  With no rumbles of trucks, or sounds of people, it was like a morning in the wild.

She sat up.  Swinging her legs to dangle off the bed, she looked around the room she shared with Dmitry.  All the wooden furniture was large and rustic.  The natural colors blended into the log walls.  There were woven hangings on the walls in greens, warm golds and cream.  Burgundy and green braided rugs covered the wooden floors.  Violet stepped up, to the nearest wall hanging, and realized it depicted wolves running in the forest.  She reached out and brushed her hand against the surface, feeling the softness of each thread.  Looking at the construction of the walls, she surmised Dmitry lived in a large log cabin.

The bedroom was large and uncluttered.  Where were the family photos, and knick knacks, lying around?  The only color was in the wall hanging and rugs.  Everything else was the color of natural wood.  There was a large wooden cabinet, for storage, along one wall.  Where did he hide his belongings?

Violet grabbed Dmitry’s black t-shirt off the chair.  Slipping it on, she moved to the window.  Outside the sky was blue, and all the colors of nature, seemed sharper and brighter.  She glimpsed birds flying from tree to tree.  The view was breath taking.  She walked over and pulled out her camera from the bag.  The urge to take a few pictures was irresistible.  She slipped her feet into her boots, and went out the door and down the stairs.

Violet was surprised at how big the house was, it was more like a lodge than a house.  She walked onto the front porch, and started taking pictures.  The light was perfect, the colors so bright, they practically hurt her eyes.  She moved off the porch and around the house, snapping pictures every few steps.

Violet saw movement from the corner of her eye, and turned as a gray and white wolf pup launched itself at her.  She fell back onto her bottom, with a huff, holding the camera up and away.  She was surprised at how thoroughly the puppy was licking her face.  She sat the camera down beside her and petted the silky fur.

“Thank you for the kisses.  Aren't you adorable?  Does your mother know you're here?” asked Violet rubbing behind the puppy's ears.

Violet looked around, but didn't see anyone or anything around.  She held the puppy easily in her arms, as it continued to lick her wherever it could find a spot.

“Where do you live, little one, do you belong to Dmitry?” she asked the puppy.

Violet thought the puppy must be someone's pet.  Why else would it be so comfortable with humans?  He was so cute, she wanted to cuddle him.

As if in answer to her question, the puppy yipped, and then went back to licking.  Violet set the puppy down beside her and picked up her camera.  She took a couple of quick shots of him, and then got up, brushing the dirt off her backside.  She was glad Dmitry’s shirt came down past her hips.  Violet looked down at the puppy, who was now sitting, looking at her with his head tilted.

“Would you like to help me wake up Dmitry?” she asked, feeling mischievous.

“Come on little guy, let's go wake up the Alpha.”

Violet made her way back around to the front of the house and once inside led the puppy, who followed obediently behind her, to Dmitry’s room.  She opened the door, and let them both in, before closing it behind her.

“Go get him, boy.  Lots of kisses.”  She smiled.  This was going to be fun.

The puppy launched himself at the man, still sleeping in the bed.  Dmitry woke up sputtering and chuckling.  Violet took pictures of the two, as the puppy tried to stay out of reach, but still lick Dmitry’s face.  When Dmitry finally caught hold of the puppy, Violet was laughing so hard she could hardly stand.

“Illarion, how did you come to be here?” Dmitry asked the puppy, now cradled to his chest.  In unison, they both looked at Violet.

Dmitry looked at his mate and felt his heart overflow in his chest.  She stood there, with her dark hair flying everywhere, wearing his t-shirt and her hiking boots.  Dmitry thought, there wasn’t anyone as beautiful as Violet.  Her face was alight with joy and happiness.

Dmitry climbed out of bed, and walked to the door.  He opened it and placed the puppy on the other side.

“Go find Yelena and Vikenti.  They will fix you something to eat.”  Dmitry instructed the puppy, and then he closed the door, and locked it.

Violet watched as Dmitry closed the door.  Standing in the light, he looked like a statue of a Greek god.  She felt herself getting damp with wanting him.  She still couldn’t believe this man was hers.

Dmitry sniffed the air, and a look of male satisfaction crossed his face.  “Is that a new fashion
milaya moya
?” he said as he took a step towards her.

Violet reached out her tongue and wet her lips, watching him. “Just something I threw on,” she answered taking a step back.

“I like it.  You are wrapped in my scent.”  Dmitry said taking another step towards her.  Violet took a step back and realized the bed was now blocking her retreat.  She shivered in anticipation.

“But I do not think you have anything on underneath.”

“How do you know?” asked Violet daring him.

“Because, I can clearly see your nipples peeking out at me.”

Violet looked down to see Dmitry was indeed correct, and realized her mistake, as he pounced on her.  They landed on the bed and she squealed, trying to push him away. But when he began to kiss her in earnest, she melted against him.  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him closer, wanting to be with him, a part of him.

Dmitry took his time making love to his mate.  He licked and kissed her, knowing where to touch her, to give her the most pleasure.  Her sighs and little noises heightened his pleasure.  He fed his emotions to her, and opened up, to receive the emotions she fed him.  When he entered her, it was as if, two became one.  They moved in an age old dance, both of them flying into the heavens, held securely in each other’s arms.  When Dmitry could breathe again, he kissed Violet gently.

“I love you, Violet.”  He whispered against her mouth and into her thoughts.

“I love you, too, Dmitry,” she answered him sighing.

Dmitry let the joy, of her words, surround him.  Then he sent the joy back to Violet.  She wrapped her arms more tightly around him, cradling his head to her chest.  She kissed the top of his head.  Dmitry lay, feeling her love and acceptance flow over and through him.  He loved her so much.  Could she love the big black wolf living inside him?

Chapter Nine

Violet borrowed one of Dmitry’s clean t-shirts, to wear over her jeans, and wandered downstairs to the kitchen in the back of the house.  A woman with long silver hair wore a white shirt and red skirt.  She stood at the back door, waving at a little blond boy, who looked about five, as he walked down the path away from the house.