Alpha's Mate (8 page)

Dmitry was glad to be reminded of where he was.  Looking into Violet's eyes, and seeing the passion darkening them, made him think of throwing her to the floor and taking them both on a trip to heaven.  It was so easy to lose himself in her.  He would need to be more careful.

Violet made as if to slide off his lap, but Dmitry tightened his arms around her.  He realized she could probably feel his arousal pushing against her.

Stay, lyubov moya.  Let me hold you. 
He whispered in her mind.

She squirmed a little in his lap and smiled when she heard him gritting his teeth.  But then she settled, and began to drink the water, Anton gave them.

Anton and Kolya joined them in the seats across the aisle.  Dmitry watched as they talked and joked, with him and his mate.  He was glad to see how easily she got along with his family.  He hoped, with all his heart she would be able to accept their wolf spirits as well.

Anton and Violet decided to get up and go into the galley to warm up food.  Kolya leaned over and whispered to him.  “How is it going?  Do you think she suspects?”

“No, and stop whispering.  This isn't one of those spy movies you like to watch.”

“Just trying to be careful.” teased Kolya

“If you were truly being careful, then you would use telepathy.  You find all this amusing, don't you?”

“Not at all.  The great and fearsome Alpha, brought low by a small human female.  What is amusing in that?” asked Kolya smiling.

“Keep it up, Kolya, you won't find it amusing if I have to leave the pack.”

“No, my friend, that would not be amusing.  I am trying to lighten your load a little, do not worry so much.”

“This morning, it was you playing devil's advocate.  Now you want me to lighten up?”

“She loves you, Dimka.  I see how she looks at you.”

“Do you think so?”  Dmitry looked at his mate.  “But what if she runs in terror, when she realizes a wolf shares my soul?”

“If you two are truly soul mates, then the wolf shares her soul as well.  Have faith, my friend.”

“I feel like I am balanced on a precipice, I could fall either way.”  Dmitry admitted.

“You have already fallen, Dimka.  You are in love with her as well.” 

“I can't stop worrying.  I love her so much, I ache with it.  I cannot lose her, Kolya.”

“I don't think you will, she is strong of spirit, your mate. Don't forget how she denied the mating bond, punishing you both.  If she decides to stand with you, then nothing will shake her loose.  She has already proven herself to be an Alpha's mate.”

“You always know what to say to make me feel better, brother of my heart.”

“Don't go getting all mushy on me.  I'd rather leave you wallowing in misery.”

Dmitry looked at the disgusted expression on Kolya's face, and burst out laughing.  His friend was acting like a clown.

Violet turned at the sound of Dmitry’s laughter, and felt her heart clench.  Kolya once again broke the mood and helped his friend.  Kolya walked up to the galley and Violet touched his arm.

“Thank you.  He needs to laugh more.”

“I can only give him laughter, Violet.  You are the one who can give him love and passion.  Those are what he needs to heal his soul.”

“You are still a good friend to him.  I am glad he has you in his life.”

“But it is you who now holds his life in your hands.  Be careful with it, Violet.”

Violet looked up quickly and saw the steely look in Kolya's eyes.  All humor was gone.  She felt a myriad of emotions hit her.  Fear, Anger, Hurt and finally Realization.  “A good friend indeed.” she muttered, patting his arm.

Kolya watched, as Violet picked up two trays of food, and walked back to Dmitry.  He wasn't sure, what to think, of her response to his warning. 

“You shouldn't have done that, Nikolai.  If Dmitry finds out, he will be angry.”  Anton hissed at him.

“He is my friend and Alpha.  I will protect him, from his mate, if necessary.”

“Do you think it necessary?”

“We shall see soon enough, Anton.  If she will not accept his wolf, then I fear it will be.”

Violet walked up and handed a plate of food to Dmitry, and then sat down beside him, and began to eat.

“Thinking again,
lyubov moya
?  I felt an extreme emotional response.”   Dmitry asked quietly.

“You need to stop.  They are merely thoughts, everyone has them.”

“But if you are unhappy, I want to fix whatever is wrong, so you will be happy again.”

“You’re sweet, but you are not responsible for my happiness.”

“You are wrong.”  Dmitry moved the tray from her lap and pulled her into his arms.  “I live for your happiness.”  He captured her lips and kissed her.  Breathless they broke apart, and Violet sank back into her chair a little dazed.  Dmitry chuckled as he handed her tray back to her and returned to his seat.  “Finish eating, Violet.  It will be very late before we reach my home.”

“Where are we going?”

“We fly into Yakutsk and then drive from there.  The roads are bad, and the trip will be uncomfortable.  There will be no place to stop, once we start.”

“Why is the trip so bad?”

“We don't want to be found.  The last part of our journey will be on foot.  Wear your hiking boots.  Once we are there, you will have all the comforts of home.  The journey is the hard part.”

“Thanks for the warning.  I'll change before we land.  What about my equipment and supplies?”

“There is storage at the airport.  It will be safe there.”

“Can I take my camera bag and overnight case with us?”

“Of course.”  Dmitry reached over and took Violet's hand.  “Do not worry
lyubov moya
.  All will be well.”

“That's what they all say.” Violet mumbled to herself.  What, have I gotten myself into?

Violet watched as Dmitry, and the boys, laughed and joked.  They also did something not all men did.  They touched; a hand on the shoulder, a pat on the back, ruffling each other's hair.  They touched each other easily and without thought.

Violet wondered if this was one of the differences Dmitry mentioned, and what other differences would she learn about.  He alluded to abilities.  She knew he was a telepath, but what other differences were there.  He said they could become targets, or science experiments.  She was afraid of being targeted as well.  What if someone wanted to know how she could read minds?  It wasn't like she could explain it.

Not everyone was trustworthy, and Violet realized she never before trusted anyone with her secrets, besides her parents and friends.  Dmitry entrusted her with his secret, and the secret of his people.  No wonder Kolya was worried.  She could bring them a lot of trouble.  Violet would bet they would kill to keep their secret.

She shivered with understanding.  These people were dangerous, and she was bonded to their leader.  Dmitry reached into a bin, and pulled out a blanket.  Without a word he wrapped it around her and tucked it in.

“I will be happy to warm you further if you need it,
lyubov moya
.” he whispered.

Violet looked into her lover’s eyes.  They might be dangerous, but never before was she treated so gently, or with so much care.  They treated their mates like treasures.  Dmitry said they loved all the children.  Whoever they were, they were good and honorable.  Violet could have found someone much worse.  Her last boyfriend took a swing at her, when she found him in their bed with another woman.

She went to self-defense classes after the attack, and tried to learn from her mistakes.  Following Dmitry home might be a mistake as well, but she loved him.  He treated her like a queen.  He shared his mind with her.  She knew him.  He was worth the risk.

Dmitry wrapped the blanket around Violet, and wondered what she was thinking about.  She was very quiet.  He didn't feel any ripples of extreme emotion, but she seemed far away from him.  He knew it was being selfish, but he didn't like it.  He realized she sat quietly for hours, waiting for one good photo.  But he would feel better if she was, at least, interacting with them.

Maybe she was tired.  They stayed up late, making love, and sharing intimacies.  He knew her favorite color was purple, but pink roses were her favorite flower.  She knew he wore black, not because it was his favorite color, but for the intimidation quality and the ease to slip into shadows.  She knew he loved his mother, and the hardest thing he ever did was take the Alpha position from his father.  She didn't know exactly what being Alpha entailed, but understood taking the power of the position away, from someone he loved, was hard.  He knew she was ticklish at times, but only if she allowed herself to be.  He was glad she allowed herself to be with him.  She might be small, but she possessed a will of iron.  She believed in a higher power, good would always triumph over evil, and love was what everything was about.

Dmitry let the wave of love he felt for her, wash over him, and into her.  Violet gasped and looked at him.  Then she threw the blanket aside and crawled into his lap.  She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.  She didn't need to say anything; the emotions she was feeling flowed into his mind.  Dmitry felt himself shudder with hope.

Chapter Seven

Was following Dmitry into the wilds of Siberia, really the right thing to do?  Violet wondered, as she finished tying the laces on her brown hiking boots.  The private plane belonging to Dmitry’s people was preparing to land.  She glanced around at the leather seats and warm colors.  She wasn’t used to such luxury.  What would Dmitry’s house look like?  Did he live on a big estate?

She looked out the window.  The large city of Yakutsk lay spread out below.  There was a long river nearby, and Violet remembered it to be the Lena River.  She was really glad to be here in the summer.  Siberia in the winter could be brutal.  Summer weather averaged around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, though they recorded highs in the 90's. The days were also longer with the sun coming up around 4 in the morning and going down around 11 at night.

Dmitry said it was near 7pm. local time, so Violet changed the time on her watch.  She hoped the final hike into where ever they were going wouldn't be too far.  She didn't relish carrying her camera bag, and her suitcase, a long distance.  So she moved her toiletry bag, underwear, and a change of clothes into her camera bag.  She could leave her suitcase behind, with her equipment, and carry the camera bag in, if needed.  Violet hiked into places before, but never someone's home.  She wondered again what she was getting into?

The plane landed smoothly, with barely a bump.  Kolya opened the door and started giving orders to the ground crew.  When Anton started to walk past, Violet stopped him and asked about the suitcase.  He suggested they take it in the vehicle and then lock it in.  One of the guys could hike out in a couple of days to get it.  Anton went outside, and she was left waiting for Dmitry, who was changing in the bathroom.

Violet didn't know why she felt so nervous.  She was a nice person.  Meeting Dmitry’s family wouldn't be so bad.  She rubbed her sweaty palms on her khaki pants.  She wanted them to like her.  She wanted a future with this caring man.

Dmitry walked out of the bathroom and Violet admired the view.  He was wearing a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt that showed off his broad, muscular chest.  His hiking boots looked fairly new.  She wondered why?  Hopefully he wouldn't have problems walking in them.  His black hair was slicked back.  Violet wanted to run her fingers through it and mess it back up.  He looked like a male model.  Too bad she didn’t have time to take pictures.  She felt a moment of pride in knowing he was her mate.  But then she looked down at her old khaki pants and t-shirt.  Her wavy hair was already trying to come lose from the braid she put it in.  What did this gorgeous man see in her?