Dimitri (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 6) (33 page)

“So…about last night. I meant what I said.”

“Thank you,” he responded.

“For what?” she asked.

“Dimitri.”

“He told you?”

“About your mating? Yeah, he told me. You okay?”

“Me? I’m fine.”

“But your cat? If it were me…”

“I think I can shift… we’ll see. I just can’t feel my tiger. She’s gone,” she replied.

“Last night in the bar. When we saw you on the floor…the way you’d attacked that asshole. Dimitri’s lucky to have you for a mate,” Jake began, reaching for the bottle she’d set on the outdoor table, unable to look her in the eye. “Anyway, just wanted you to know I’m grateful. D is a tough son-of-a-bitch, but this thing with his wolf…he would have lost his family, our pack. You changed all that.”

“He’s my mate. I can’t explain it more than that.”

Gillian avoided Jake’s question, realizing she really didn’t have answers. All she had were feelings, the kind of feelings that wouldn’t be shaken no matter what happened in the future. None of it made sense, except for the fact that it felt right. After years of hiding from wolves, their mating had turned her world on its side.

Crawling onto the chair, she lay on her stomach. She took a deep breath and blew it out as her muscles began to relax. She blinked, her eyes focusing through the slit of gate surrounding the deck. In the distance, small lilts of waves rolled through the water, the tide receding. Warm strong hands settled on her back.

Jake remained quiet as he caressed the balm onto her skin. Gillian recalled how, on Dimitri’s instruction, she had thoroughly enjoyed watching Jake in the shower. Although she thought him good-looking, she’d never been with two men at once and had never dared to imagine a scenario where she’d engage her fantasy. Yet Dimitri continued to push her sexual limits all the while making her feel as if she was the only woman in the world. She supposed it was the wolves, their openness that was rubbing off on her as she began to look forward to the possibilities and what Dimitri would teach her next. Closing her eyes, she fantasized, imagining her hands touching them both. As her body began to heat up in more ways than one, she smiled.

“What are you thinking about?” Jake asked, his hands moving down the back of her thighs.

“Um, just thinking about how good the sun feels,” she lied. His hands were like sweet goodness all over. He moved to the soles of her feet and she released a loud moan.

“The sun, huh?” he laughed.

“Oh my God. Do. Not. Stop,” she groaned.

“Hey now, what’s goin’ on out there?” Dimitri called from an open window, holding his cell to his chest. “No gettin’ fresh with my mate, wolf. Lotion on her back. Nothing more.”

“You’re getting us in trouble,” Jake teased.

“Hmm…it feels good, though.” She laughed. Gillian gave a squeak as Jake smacked her butt, and lay next to her on a twin chaise.

“Better?” he asked, pushing on his sunglasses.

“Yes, thanks. Very nice. I was great before the rub, but now I feel awesome. I almost started purring,” she said.
No I didn’t. Never again will I purr.
A hint of sadness tinged her heart as she thought the words, reminded that she’d never be feline again.

The doorbell and commotion in the house caused her to lift her head. Hearing male voices, she assumed someone from Dimitri’s pack had come to see him. She took a deep breath, focusing on the sounds of birds chirping.

“Hey, baby sis,” Jax called from the kitchen.

Gillian startled at the sound of her brother’s voice. “Jax. We’re outside.”

She jumped off of her chaise to greet him. Even though they’d recently established their familial connection, her heart filled with happiness as she caught sight of her brother strolling out onto the deck. His blonde hair reflected like an angel’s in the sunlight. He was dressed casually, wearing a t-shirt and shorts, but there was no mistaking his commanding presence. Nick walked behind him, giving her a wave.

Jax opened his arms to Gillian and she fell into his comforting embrace. Her protector, she owed him her life.

“Jax, I’m so glad to see you. Is it weird to tell you that I missed you? I know we’re just getting to know each other, but you feel like family,” she admitted.

“We are family. You’re not alone anymore,” he assured her.

“Thanks.” She kissed his cheek and broke their hug.

“What about me? Hello? Chopped liver over here?” Nick gave her a wide smile, holding out his arms.

“He just wants to hold a hot chick in a bikini,” Jax commented. “Be careful with my sister.”

“Hi, Nick. Sorry.” Wrapping her hands around his neck, she gave him a quick hug. “Thank you for coming down. And thank you for not being my mate.”

“Oh my Goddess,” he exclaimed. Nick leaned in and sniffed her. “You didn’t?”

“Didn’t what?” she asked.

“Jax. Really? You’re not going to say anything?” he asked.

“He’s her mate. Always has been. Question is, what’s happened that has my beta in a tizzy?” Jax gave her a scrutinizing look.

Gillian bit her lip and looked to Jake, who gave her a smile before he headed inside. She mouthed ‘chicken’ at him as he left. She guessed he didn’t want to be around for the fallout; a serious conversation with one badass New York Alpha. She looked to the ground and wrung her hands.

“It’s done,” she said softly.

“What’s done?”

“We, um, we completed the mating last night. Now I know that you might not understand, but,” she began. Cringing slightly, she made eye contact with her brother. “He’s a good man. An even better wolf. He needed me.”

“Come here,” Jax said. Gillian slowly padded over and was surprised when Jax brought her into his arms again. “Tell me what happened. I know he’s your mate, but why so soon? It’s your gift, isn’t it?”

“Yes. He’s been ill. I don’t know if he told you or not. That witch. She did something to him. And wolves will never stop trying to get me. I just decided he was worth saving. I need him in my life.”

“Did he know about your gift?” Jax growled protectively.

“No. If he’d wanted to be Alpha, he could have done that when he had Chaz the first time. Last night, the vampire…what she said. It just made sense. The witch was never going to cure him. She wanted him,” Gillian explained. “And that was just too damn bad because there was no way I was letting her kill my wolf. He’s mine.”

Jax laughed. “Possessive already?”

“Yeah, I am. Dimitri’s wolf was dying. I told him that I thought I could heal him. But he didn’t want to so I…you know, I bit him.”

“You started the mating? Without his permission?”

“Well, technically if you put it that way, I guess that is what I did, but I prefer to look at it as me taking the initiative.”

“You are your Alpha’s sister,” Nick interjected. “Dimitri’s going to have fun with you.”

“It’s done. And it worked. But my tiger…”

“She’s gone?”

“Yes, I think so. But Jax,” she whispered. “There’s a wolf in me. I can feel her. I heard her last night, even before we mated. I want to shift. I’ve just been waiting.”

“What for, girl? Come on now. Show us what ya got!” Nick said excitedly as if he’d been given a new toy.

Jax kissed her forehead and she fought the urge to cry. She wasn’t sure how he’d react, but he was understanding, caring; everything she needed her sibling to be. He cupped her cheek in his hand and smiled down at her.

“Congratulations, sister. I’m so happy you’re a wolf. I would’ve never forced this on you. I want you to know that. And even though I have a pack, you’re blood.” He turned to Nick and nodded. “You and Nick are my family. And he’s right. Let’s see what you’ve got. I want to see you shift.”

“Really?” Gillian asked. Excitement lit through her as she realized she was going to do it. She thought to wait for Dimitri but then she decided it would be a wonderful surprise for him to see that she was all right, that she could, indeed, shift.

“Yes, let’s do it. You go first and we’ll run with you a bit.” Both Jax and Nick began to undress in preparation.

“Okay, but not too far. I want to surprise Dimitri,” she told them. Stripping out of her bathing suit without a care, she bounded onto the lawn.

She smiled at Jax and Nick, letting her magic flow from inside. As if she were transforming into a cat, the mystical power took over and within seconds, she stood as a four-footed wolf. Feeling lighter, she stumbled, rolling onto her side. She whined, unable to find her balance. Determined to get comfortable in her new form, she tried again, her paws gripping the grass. She forced herself upward, thrilled when she finally stabilized her footing. Instinctively, she went to roar, but nothing emerged. Frustrated, she cringed and cowered toward the ground.

A large black wolf approached, flanking her. He barked, as if to teach her. She sniffed, recognizing him as Jax. A smaller light grey wolf howled in response and ran around them in circles. Gillian would have been comfortable to stay nuzzled against her brother, disappointed in her diminutive stature. A firm paw on her side urged her to vocalize.

Raising her head, she began a low growl, which grew louder until it resonated throughout the yard. With a final effort, a loud bark resounded and she celebrated by running around, chasing Nick. Gillian realized the strength, speed and agility of her feline hadn’t faltered, yet she’d suspected her ability to leap was stilted. Nevertheless, it didn’t thwart her excitement that she still could shift.

She and Nick circled the Alpha in play, taunting him with a nip. After two rounds of their antics, Jax sprang after her, forcing her to roll to the ground. With his forepaw over her belly, she cried, unable to move. Gillian didn’t do submission well, she knew. The feeling of helplessness in her new form was unacceptable. Struggling to get out from underneath him, she growled and gnawed at her brother. Without hurting her, Jax held firm, attempting to teach his sister a lesson.

A loud blur from her side barreled into Jax, freeing her. She bounded to her feet as the two wolves tussled in the turf. Realizing that Dimitri had come to her, she ran to them. A sense of fear washed over her, seeing them fight, and she crouched, yipping loudly for them to stop. Both wolves slowly disengaged, turning to stare at Gillian.

Transforming back, Gillian sat naked on the lawn, her feet curled under her. Grateful that she’d been able to run as wolf, tears of joy streamed down her face. Unlike her mother, who’d lost her abilities, she retained the magic of a shifter.

Both Jax and Dimitri altered back to their human selves, giving each other a hard stare. But their interaction was short lived as Dimitri broke their gaze, setting his attention on his mate. He closed in on Gillian, falling to his knees before her. He took her face in his hands, his own emotion brimmed from his lashes. Guilt. Pride. Amazement.

“Gilly. You did it!” he cried. “Why didn’t you wait for me? I could’ve helped you.”

“I…I wanted to surprise you,” she stammered.

“You’re stubborn, you know that?” He took her into his arms, pressing her against his chest, kissing her hair. “I heard you, I knew it was you. When I saw Jax on top of you, I wanted to kill him.”

“I’m okay, baby. Really. He was just playing.”

“No, no. He wasn’t playing. He was trying to teach you, but I’m afraid those Alpha genes are goin’ to make it tough for you.”

Gillian laughed into his kisses. His lips pressed to her forehead, onto her eyelids and cheeks, until he finally reached her mouth. She reached into his hair, pulling him to her, kissing him back. But as she heard voices surround them, she smiled. With her head against his, they gazed into each other’s eyes one last second, pretending they didn’t have an audience.

“Ah, to be young and in love,” Nick mused, yanking on his shorts.

“He’ll deny it,” Jake said from the deck.

“I pity the beta. She’s not one to be tamed,” Jax noted with a grin, almost as if he enjoyed it.

“Hey, I may be wolf now, but this girl’s tiger, through and through. Don’t worry, I’ll learn to get along in a pack.”

“There’s no challenging the Alpha, Gilly,” Jax huffed. “Or your beta for that matter.”

“I wasn’t challenging anybody. I was simply trying to get out from underneath you big hunk of a wolf. “

“Good luck with her,” Jax warned.

“There’s nothing wrong with her. She’s just spirited, is all,” Dimitri praised her, helping her to her feet.

“He’s got it bad,” Nick jested.

“Oh he does,” Jake agreed.

“Ya’ll are jealous,” Dimitri shot back.

“Don’t pay those boys any mind, baby. There’s only one man I’m submitting to, and it’s not them.” She winked.

“Seriously, folks. I just got off the phone with Logan. The guy we picked up last night said Chaz brought in half his pack, thinkin’ he’s going to get his due. He wouldn’t say where they’re holed up, but we think they’re waitin’ on the full moon to make their move.” Dimitri hated changing the subject, but they were in for an attack this evening.

“Gillian’s not going,” Jax stated.

Gillian opened her mouth to protest but Dimitri interrupted before she had a chance to speak.

“Gilly, I know you want to come, but Jax might be right. I think maybe you should go with some of the younger pack members. They’re goin’ into Baton Rouge. There’s a secure gated wildlife sanctuary up that way. It’s far enough away from where we run, where they’ll be safe from Chaz. Wynter’s taking Ava out of the city…we’ve got a few of the males going, too, for extra protection just in case. The full moon’s tonight and you’re gonna want to shift. You’d be safer there.”

“Why would you want me to go there when I can help here?” she asked. Confusion washed over her face.
No fucking way
, she thought
. I’m going to help kill that asshole who tortured me and who’s trying to wreck my life.
“No, wait. Don’t tell me. It doesn’t matter. I’m going with you. You just saw it. I can shift. I’m not staying back.”

“I know you’re strong, cher. But you’re new at this. Jax and Nick, they’ll come with us. Chaz doesn’t have a chance with all of us here. You, on the other hand, are a new wolf. You could get hurt.” Dimitri tugged on his shorts, and reached to hand Gillian her bathing suit.