Mated to the Alpha: The Complete Collection (22 page)

"You bet your ass I can," Keith growled, his amber eyes flashing. "I've missed you so much."

"Well, here I am, my love," she said, taking a juicy strawberry and drawing it up her body, over the swell of her belly and between her breasts before popping it in her mouth. Sucking on it sensuously, she teased Keith with her moans and sighs, finally swallowing the berry and looking at him. "What are you waiting for? Your pants are still on."

Keith realized he had been mesmerized by the sight, and peeled his clothes off at something approaching the speed of sound, his tie actually making a cracking sound as it whipped off his neck. Tossing the materials aside, he ran to the bed before stopping and carefully crawling over his Mate, his long tongue extending to lick up the trail of juices from her stomach all the way to her lips before they kissed.

"Mmmmm, I like strawberries this way," he said in between pecks on the lips. "Think I can try the whipped cream now?"

"If you like," Melanie replied, handing him the bowl. She watched as Keith scooped up a large dollop of the sweet white cream on his finger and held it out to her. She sucked it into her mouth, running her tongue around and around the digit, pulling back and slowly bobbing her head up and down until it was spotless and glistening. She could see the arousal in Keith's eyes from her little pantomime, and grinned. "Well, you offered."

"I bet," Keith replied, dipping his finger again, this time drawing abstract designs on her skin before finishing with a large heart over her left breast. "Now my turn."

Starting at her right shoulder, Keith followed his designs with his tongue, swirling around and around her upper body until coming around to her left breast, licking the entire heart off before sucking her nipple into his mouth. The caress left Melanie gasping and moaning, her nipple hard and aroused in Keith's mouth.

"Keith, I need you," she said, reaching out to find his cock. She could feel the chiseled muscles of his body, missing it and reacquainting herself with every inch of him. She wrapped her fingers around the base of his cock, squeezing it lightly as he continued to suck. "Please, I need you."

Keith pulled himself from her breast to kiss her lips, reaching over for another strawberry. Placing it between his teeth, he bent over her lips, feeding her the strawberry slowly. “I’ll give you all of me," he said once she had taken the berry from him. "But I want to take our time, it's been so long."

Melanie took a deep breath, controlling herself, and nodded. "I should probably take it slow anyway. The belly's a bit in the way of how we normally make love."

"We'll adjust. The doctor said it’s fine anyway,” Keith said. "Now turn on your side for me."

Melanie smiled and nodded, rolling to her side as Keith moved behind her. Starting with her shoulders, he rolled his thumbs slowly, kneading the tense muscles of her back. "I know the extra weight must make your back ache. And you know I love the feel of your skin."

"Only if you snuggle that wonderful cock of yours against me while you do," Melanie said, pushing her hips back until she felt him nestle against her. "God I missed Mating with you."

Slowly, Keith worked his hands up and down her back while Melanie felt his cock against her ass. She started thrusting her hips, back and forth, feeling the smooth skin slide against her. Cocking a leg, she pulled forward enough to let his cock come between her legs before pushing back again, this time his cock rubbing against her pussy. They stayed that way for long minutes, letting the slow build up of their passion soak through every fiber of their being.

Finally, Melanie couldn't take it any longer. Reaching between her legs, she found Keith's cock and angled it upwards, guiding him inside her. With a single silken motion, he slid inside her all the way until she could feel him all the way inside her. "Yessss...." she hissed, keeping her leg up for him. "I love you."

"I love you too," Keith said, kissing the back of her ear. His hips moved faster, both of them feeling the heat building inside them.

Reaching around Melanie's hip, Keith found her clit with his fingers, rubbing the tender button and sending ripples of pleasure through her body. Whimpering in need, she pushed back into him again, frustrated as Keith slowed down the strokes of his cock, teasing her. "Give it to me," she begged. "Please."

"Oh, the magic word," he replied with a chuckle. His fingers dragged over her clit again, and he whispered in her ear. "You know that will work wonders for you."

"Please, please," she repeated, the single word becoming a mantra as Keith moved faster, his fingers and his cock working together to send waves through her. Turning her head to look back at Keith, they kissed for a moment before another wave washed over her, and her eyes lost focus, her mouth dropping into an open O of amazement.

For Melanie, time had no meaning as she felt Keith open himself up to her, and she to him. She felt and heard every sensation, every nerve ending inside both of them firing with each movement. She had two hearts, two minds, yet one soul that was bonded to both bodies.

A feeling of pure, clean, amazing energy built within their bodies, compressing and growing at the same time until it was glowing brightly. It broke and expanded, filling both of them with its loving build, and Melanie left her body. She almost floated over the bed, watching as her body convulsed along with Keith, her mouth open and howling her joy into the night air, their reconnection complete.

"What was that?" she asked once she could speak again, opening her eyes to see that she was still lying on her side, Keith holding her from behind, his arms wrapped protectively around her. "That... I just... what?"

"It was the next stage, from what I understand," Keith said. "When our energies and souls are so intertwined, we feel and live within each other, and sometimes we can even leave our bodies."

"Like astral projection?" she said, holding his hand against her belly. "I didn't know that was possible."

"In most couples it isn't," Keith said. "Only when Mates are in perfect harmony. There's more on it in the Library, I'm not an expert on it. The Lycan version of the Kama Sutra isn't exactly required reading so far in my life."

"Tomorrow then, we can check it out. But first, after we cuddle some more, I need your help."

"What with?" Keith mumbled, kissing the back of her neck again.

"A shower. I'm covered in whipped cream, strawberry juice, sex and sweat. Not how I want to sleep, I'm going to wake up all crusty and sticky in the morning. Total yuck," Melanie said with a giggle. "Think you're up for that?"

"Only if you don't mind if I try and seduce you again in the shower," Keith said.

"
D
id you sleep well
?" Akiko Thornblood asked as Melanie came downstairs to the dining room the next morning. She was already dressed for the day, and although she looked more relaxed than Melanie had ever seen her in black slack and a wine colored cable knit turtleneck, she still looked elegant and composed.

Melanie smiled and nodded. The way Akiko was standing, and the tone of voice were so eerily similar to the way that Kimberly had in the living room of Lockwood Towers her first time after Mating with Keith, it was uncanny. Even the fact that Melanie was wearing casual pajama pants was similar, the only difference being she was wearing a sweatshirt instead of summer wear. "Why is it that every time a Lycan woman comes into my life, the first thing she asks me the next morning is if I slept well?"

Akiko tapped her wrist where a watch would be and smiled. "You tend to sleep in by Lycan standards. Or maybe go to bed too early. A lot of us are night people who like to go to bed about the time you get up in the morning. Would you join me for breakfast? Just the two of us for now."

Melanie looked at the spread on the table, which looked enough for half a dozen people. "I would love to, but isn't this a lot?"

Akiko shrugged. "We are who we are. Growing up in postwar Japan, I didn’t have enough to eat, so nowadays I tend to overindulge. Such are the things we carry from our childhood. Thankfully my metabolism lets me get away with it. If there are leftovers, I promise to have them wrapped up for lunch later. Would that help?"

"I suppose," Melanie said, relaxing. "I think I'll start off with some of that juice though. Keith does a great job of making sure the orange juice here is top of the line fresh. So how was your evening?"

"After some video conversations with those at the Clan Hall, much better. The proper asses were kicked quite properly," Akiko said, piling her plate high with pancakes and sausage. "I know it is rare for a Lycan, but I love pancakes and syrup. I always make sure to keep good relations with at least one of the Clans in maple bearing areas, just for that fact. Don't let that secret of my politics slide, please."

Melanie laughed and added some of the pancakes to her own plate, although her stack was only perhaps a third the size of Akiko's. "Can I speak with you honestly, La...... sorry, Akiko?"

"Of course. By Lycan law, we are Sisters now, although I regrettably understand the meaning is not the same as what you share with Kimberly."

"Are you okay with all this? Me being First Mate, and all that?"

Akiko nodded and took a bite of breakfast, chewing carefully before setting down her fork. "I am. First of all, before we go further, let me be very clear. I do not love Keith. I was Mated to Nioclas for decades, and he was a good Mate, and I don’t intend to ever try and replace him. Despite coming from different cultures, we Mated for love, soon after Morrigan was born in fact. Even though I will readily admit that Keith is a very impressive Lycan, and I can as a woman say that he must be one outstanding Mate for you, I have no desire to find out for myself. Nioclas has my heart still, and always will. This joining between Keith and myself is for purely Clan reasons, and no other. If Kensuke had survived, I would have passed Alpha Male status to him."

The mention of the recent deaths lent a somber mood to the meal, and they ate slowly in silence for a few minutes. Just as Melanie was finishing her orange juice, Kimberly came padding in, wiping sleep from her eyes while wearing her pajama pants, a tank top, and nothing else. "Good morning... oh, sorry Akiko. I suppose I should be better dressed."

"Why? This is your house, after all," Akiko said. "Would you care for some breakfast?"

"Very much so. Have either of you seen Edward or Keith this morning? I can feel them over my Link, but was curious."

You mean he actually left your bed last night?
Melanie teased, causing Kimberly to turn and stick her tongue out at her, waggling it.

Let she who isn't living in a glass house cast the first stone. I'm going to have to work with you on sealing off your Link better. Although Edward didn't seem to mind when your energies came over me too.

"I see you two share the Link well," Akiko commented wryly. "Anything you wish to share?"

"Not without large amounts of embarrassment," Melanie said. "Kim's merely reminding me that I need to work on some of my mental discipline."

"I see. A third party Link as strong as what you share is unique, I have heard. I bet it has something to do with Keith and Kimberly being twins. But as for your question, I saw Keith and Edward leaving shortly after sunup. I overheard a little bit, and I believe the phrase used was male bonding. I doubt it will be as delicious as our bonding time, however. Perhaps a bit healthier though." Akiko stabbed a pork chop with her fork and pulled it over to her plate. "By the way, when you two visit Thornblood Hall for the first time, I’ll introduce you to some of the recipes we have. Be careful on the drinks though, Nioclas always favored very strong spirits. They've put down many Lycan visitors with raging hangovers the next day."

"I look forward to it, and warning noted," Kimberly said. She got her own plate and then dug in. "Also, I wanted to speak with the two of you before I approached Keith about this. It has to do with the Gathering and a proposal I want to put forth."

"What about Keith?" Melanie asked, confused. "At the other Gathering, only the Alpha Males put forth proposals."

Akiko took a sip of her juice and set her glass down. "You’re right Melanie, but Keith is in a rare position, being the head of two Clans that are not merging. He can’t sit in the Gathering as representative of either, as it would be seen as a insult to the honor of the other, and a dereliction of his duties to the Clan he does not represent. So, in cases like this Keith will instead be allowed to sit in as a neutral party, able to comment and speak but not allowed to vote. That power, as well as the power to make proposals, will fall to Kimberly and myself. It's been three generations since Alpha Females had this role, we are sure to cause some controversy just with our presence, and to be a bit blunt, Kimberly's betrothal."

"Mating," Kimberly corrected, "although I would prefer if we kept that under wraps until the Gathering at least?"

"That's your business, and Lockwood business," Akiko said. "Although thank you for confiding in me, and congratulations. I'm just saying, we're going to be stirring the pot just being in the roles we are. What sort of additional controversy are you thinking?"

"Not so much stirring the pot, but tossing a hand grenade into it," Kimberly said. "A month ago, I watched as my own mother had her brains blown out in a stairwell I can see from my very own room. Your Mate and your son were killed on these grounds. Every Clan was hurt, and the dirt is practically still fresh from the graves. And let's not even add in the fact that they kidnapped my own Sister, and from what Melanie says wanted to brainwash my nephew, turning him into a weapon against us."

"The crimes of the
kinbushi
are very grave," Akiko agreed. "Are you thinking what I think you are?"

"If she is, then I'm all for it," Melanie replied. "I don't want my son growing up in a world where those bastards can threaten his life on a regular basis."

Kimberly nodded, her amber eyes glowing. "It's going to be a tough fight. We are lower in manpower, even if we are stronger in spirit than before."

Melanie grinned and looked at Akiko, whose black eyes also glittered. "Damn right, and it sounds like just my kind of fight. I only have one request."

Kimberly tilted her head, puzzled. "What's that?"

Melanie rubbed her stomach and looked at her Sister. "We wait for this strong little boy to make his way into the world, then give me a little time to get back in shape. I'm not sending brave Lycans to fight and die without taking part."

"Spoken like a true Alpha," Akiko said. She looked over at Kimberly and smiled. "You've taught her well."

"That wasn't me, she's naturally that way," Kimberly replied, shaking her head while reaching out to squeeze her Sister's hand. "But I don't think we need to wait that long. There's going to be plenty of fighting to do before this is all said and done."

The main door to the Manor opened and closed, with two sets of heavy footsteps coming towards the dining room. Melanie and Kimberly set their forks down to look as Edward and Keith, both of them wearing jeans and boots along with field jackets, entered the dining room. Melanie got up and walked over to Keith, giving him a kiss and brushing a pine needle out of his hair. "You boys have a good walk? It looks like you two did a little cross country trekking."

"We did, and it was a good time," Keith said, giving her a hug. "I got to show Edward some of my favorite little places in the woods surrounding the grounds, and we had a chance to talk, you know, man to man. We're good."

The group watched with restrained humor as Edward walked over and set his hand on Kimberly's shoulder, before Melanie rolled her eyes and turned, shutting the door on the dining room, giving them semi-privacy. "Oh, just do it already. We all know you two are in love."

Kimberly jumped out of her seat to kiss Edward, who picked up the six foot beautiful woman and swung her around in a circle before setting her down again. "I missed you too," he said, setting her down. "Sorry, I just woke up and couldn't go back to sleep. Then when Keith knocked on your door, well, I didn't want to wake you."

"It's okay, I knew you were safe, and I could feel who you were with," Kimberly replied. "But yes, I did miss you."

"I apologize, I didn't have more food put out for the two of you," Akiko interjected, looking around and grabbing a spare empty plate. "Would you like some breakfast?"

Keith shook his head while Edward reached over Kimberly's shoulder and grabbed another pork chop. "What? A man of my size has gotta’ eat.”

"Considering you have a chest large enough to use as a table itself, I guess you do,” Keith said, causing all to laugh a bit. "So what were you three ladies talking about, or is that a secret?"

"Not at all," Akiko said. "Although I will defer to Melanie or Kimberly to tell you. Sisters?"

Melanie took a spoonful of maple syrup blended with butter that had melted off her pancakes and swallowed it luxuriously. "Oh, not too much, you know how it is. We were just thinking, Kimberly's got a proposal for the Gathering we think you boys would like."

"Oh, what's that?" Keith asked. He had switched off his active Link during his walk with Edward, and was truly in the dark.

"Not much," Kimberly said conversationally. "Just going to war with the
silberjagger
. What do you think?"

Keith looked to Melanie, who grinned ferally and nodded. He glanced at Akiko who also nodded before returning his eyes to Kimberly, who sat in her seat
faux
casually munching on a sausage link. "I think you should hand me a plate for some breakfast," he said. "And then we need to get to work. Planning a war is a hungry business."