The Change (Fated Series: book1)

Cameron

Cameron swiftly opened the door and closed it behind him, limiting the sight of the observers from the hallway. It didn’t help that Rifkin was lurking outside, waiting for an excuse to barge in and poke his nose where it certainly did not belong. Cameron still could not put together why Nessa would even consider hanging out with the authority figure of the Pack Law Commander. True, Joel Rifkin did help her in the past and was not bad on the eyes, but then again it was a werewolf trait, not a personal accomplishment. Who in their right mind would not stand up for the amazing she-wolf that had single-handedly captured the essence of every werewolf’s desires on the pages of her book? “Taken” was more than a realistic novel. It was moving, deep, personal! Hell, if it was possible, Cameron himself would have jumped in the book and comforted Violet. Help her through her suffering and pain and watch her grow all through the book. Damn, he wouldn’t even had turned down a more intimate consolation with V. Damn, the book was THAT vivid.

No time for that now.

He had to intervene and check up on the Alphas before they successfully managed to initiate a Pack Law take down in Blackwood. The roars and growls were muffled by the soundproofing of the Alpha’s office, which sadly did not help against the constant vibration, nor the frustration that was pouring through the mind link. While all others feared for Nessa’s well-being, Cameron didn’t. True, Marcus could prove to be devastating in the enclosed space of his office, but he would never raise his hand at her. But that would certainly not be the case with Cameron. If he poked his nose where it didn’t belong, he would end up in the infirmary or worse…. Paperwork aside, sometimes Cameron did indeed hate his Beta duties.

“Alpha?” Cameron politely addressed the floor of the den, lifting his eyes to see a terrified Nessa, whose hands were desperately roaming against Marcus’ flushed face. A cheerful laughter coming out of him contradicted the alarm Marcus had managed to raise or with the state of panic that Nessa was slipping in.

“I think I broke him!” Nessa told Cameron as he walked closer to the desk. She was snapping her fingers at Marcus, who continued his booming laughter. Nessa urged Cameron, “DO SOMETHING!”

Cameron raised his eyebrow at her. Marcus seemed beyond entertained by something and Cameron could bet a week of paperwork it had to do with Nessa. The tension in the mind-link had dispersed and reassurance flooded in it once again.

“He’s fine now. What did you do before to make him so angry the mind-link was crimson?” Cameron inquired, moving slowly towards the couple. Despite the chuckles coming from Marcus, Cameron still vividly remembered the bloodlust that seeped through the mind link mere minutes ago. He definitely did not plan to stick around if that recurred.

“One minute we are talking, the next he is growling. Now, he can’t stop laughing,” Nessa summarized and then reached out for Marcus, “Marcus, stop it! You’re scaring me!”

“Sorry, Love,” Marcus said, chuckling to himself. He nodded at Cameron and slid a folder across the desk. Cameron swiftly took it up and opened it just as Marcus chuckled again.

Cameron quickly opened the folder and froze. How did the Alpha get his hands on an Elder’s Council transcript from Rover Groove? All Packs had their own Elder’s councils that were the local representation of the Pack Law Government. They had a dual function. Primary, they were there to ensure the knowledge of how to run a pack was successfully passed to the next generation. Cameron could still remember the guidance Marcus and he himself needed in those early days when they were just taking over. Without the guidance of the Elder’s Council, they would have been bound to make mistakes. Mistakes that they would have paid with blood. Pack member’s blood.

Eventually the Elder’s Council was to assume a more advisory role; ultimately guiding the Alpha in-charge. Councils consisted of the eldest, wisest and powerful wolves within a Pack who vowed to uphold the peace and were Laws. If things got out of hand or the Alpha was not fit to perform his duties, they were the ones that made the decision of summoning Pack Law or handling the situation internally. Cameron always thought of them fondly – after all, in years time it would be up to him and Marcus to shape the future of Blackwood through its new leaders. That was the ultimate recognition of any wolf who retired from his position. Cameron grinned. That would only mean that he had found his mate and had lived a very productive life.

The Elder’s Council was giving the chance for elder wolves to actively participate and contribute to the good of the pack. Since they were members of their own pack, Cameron did not see a reason why certain duties could not be delighted to them. After all, the Council was often enlighten at the prospect of being included and sought out. And they never ever complained about all the research or paperwork Cameron entrusted them with. Without them, the Beta Duties were going to be dreadful at best.

As Cam’s eyes started darting from one line to another it became apparent that the Elder’s Council in Rover Groove was certainly overstepping their authority. Who in their right mind would want to deal with all the paperwork and implications of an arranged engagement, much less an arranged mating? There were packs which resorted to arranged engagements between the children of high ranking wolves. It was a treaty of sorts, giving the packs enough time to sort their conflict without spilling out innocent blood. Usually, the pups involved were barely toddlers which gave the pack a decade or so to bury the blood feud. More often than not, those engagements were disbanded the moment one of the pups shifted or found their true mates. Then it was up to the friendship between the previously engaged to bury the hatchet and to continue living in peace. Ten or so years really did give ample opportunities for even the most malicious feuds to eventually be downgraded to misunderstandings.

It was very rare when wolves decided to mate with Choice Mates, instead of True Mates. It was quite a headache at best as the preliminary rejection of their True Mates was sometimes not enough to break the connection. Fate always had a sick sense of humor crossing the paths of such mated wolves with their destined ones. It always spelled trouble. Which was why it was almost never done. Choice Mates were the only option for rejected wolves as well as an option for the few ones who survived losing a mate.

But to speak of an arranged mating when one of the wolves involved has found their True Mate – that was blasphemy by itself. His eyes scanned the document. Cameron had to admit Brandon tried to fight for Nessa. Not enough, but he still did not blindly go with the plan of his father’s. Now, that was a special kind of twisted. Cameron did not manage to even try to comprehend how a father would suggest for his son to leave his True Mate for a Choice Mate! Damn, that was one messed up family! Nessa was certainly better off alone than with their bunch.

Cameron raised his eyes to the Alpha pair, just as Marcus released Nessa from the bone crushing hug he had given her. She was still worried about him, despite his hushed reassurance he was whole, not broken.

Mated wolves!

Cameron shook his head to chaise the emptiness that was threatening to seep through into his heart. Where was his own damn mate? When he got his hands on her, she was going to pay for all the years they missed in each other’s life. Cameron smirked. He would be one very happy wolf with his mate by his side. He simply couldn’t wait.

“I didn’t realize you were talking about Alex,” Marcus explained gently to Vanessa, running his hands through her loose brown curls. Nessa cringed at him and swatted him on his shoulder.

“You thought I meant Brandon?” Nessa gasped and then hit him again this time a lot harder. “You almost broke my ribs and scared the shit out of me because of Brandon?! You’ve got to be freaking kidding me! Why on Earth would you think I would choose him over you? Go back to HIM after everything he did to ME?”

“What was I supposed to think? I’m an Alpha. Of course, I would jump to conclusion and roar even at the mere thought of someone else stating a claim on your heart. You didn’t specify who exactly it was that you “loved, despite everything!”. Therefore, it isn’t my fault I got possessive. I was provoked,” Marcus winked at her very wrathful expression, which brightened up the more he spoke. Cameron smiled as his suspicion proved itself. Nessa had blurred something Marcus had misinterpreted as a challenger for her bond.

“I am not pissed off that you got jealous. That was kind of hot,” Nessa trailed and then patted him in his shoulder.

“Ouch,” Marcus pretended to be hurt.

“I’m offended you would think I would choose him over you!” Nessa exclaimed angrily, trying to push his arms away from her body and distance herself. His hands wrapped around her protectively.

“Love, I am afraid of losing you. May it be to harm or someone else, it doesn’t matter! You are the Kryptonite to my Superman!”

“Damn Alpha’s Ego,” Nessa sighed. Marcus smirked as she relaxed in his arms.

“You can spank me later, Love,” Marcus cooed, winking at her suggestively.

“Marcus!” Nessa hissed, her eyes darting to Cameron.

This was the time for a swift escape, Cameron thought to himself. Yes, definitely not fitting his Beta duties to endure such a lover’s quarrel.

“What? My image of ruthless Alpha got shred to pieces, when he witnessed you pulling my ear off to get him out of trouble in that cozy apartment of yours!” Marcus explained, to which Nessa smacked him on the back of his neck.

“He is not mated.”

“He knows you’re MINE,” Marcus countered. Nessa smacked him on the back of his neck again before he quickly snatched both of her wrists with one of his hands. Marcus was irritated, but that didn’t make Nessa any more cautious. Cameron started considering his best strategy to depart before she managed to escalate things.

“He longs for his mate, you idiot.” Nessa hissed at Marcus and then tried to give a reassuring smile to Cameron. “I am going to help you find her.”

Marcus moved his free hand through his hair and then looked from Nessa to Cameron.

“I’ll be more professional,” Marcus said.

“Nessa, it’s not such a big deal,” Cam tried to brush it off, but they all knew it was a lie. The silence that settled was getting even more uncomfortable by the minute and Cameron decided the remedy was to change the topic. Quickly. He asked, “Where did we get this transcript from?”

“Oh, it’s priceless!” Marcus chuckled, which earned him a glare from Nessa, who was still sitting on his lap. “Brandon tried to woo her by revealing the details of the meeting to her! You know, to prove he fought for her.”

Cameron noticed the silent exchange. Nessa was warning Marcus to behave and Marcus raised his hands in surrender. If that wasn’t a proof of how whipped the Alpha was, Cameron did not know what else would.

“You are all right with all this?” Cam indicated the folder, while his eyes set on Nessa.

“Cam, I’m right where I want to be,” Nessa beamed at him. Marcus groaned and shifted her in his lap, which made her gasp and then smirked correcting her.

“Now, you are right where I want you to be!”

Cameron smirked at the sight of Nessa’s discomfort and her blushed cheeks. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what Marcus implied after he repositioned her in his lap. If Cam was not a better man, he would have laughed at Nessa’s frustration and the increasing sexual tension between the two of Alphas. Serves her right for all the jokes Cam had to endure the night before. Condoms! Ha! Marcus got her! On second thought, he was definitely not the bigger man who would let such an opportunity slide.

“Karma is a fine b*tch,” Cameron shot through the mind-link to Nessa, who narrowed her eyes at him in a glare which should have frozen him dead in his spot. That only made him chuckle as he knew his message was received.

“Right,” Cameron agreed with Marcus, which only served to irritate Nessa even more. “I’m glad that that’s settled. However, I think you should come out and reassure everyone she’s still alive. You know, Nessa is quite popular here and with all the growling and snarling, they are worried.”

“Let me guess Brandon,” Marcus smiled as Cameron nodded. “He’s proven to be quite entertaining.”

“Behave,” Nessa scolded Marcus who stopped laughing.

“He has family, I know,” Marcus repeated her argument as Nessa lowered her eyes from him to her nails, Marcus asked: “Nessa, what are you hiding?”

“Must you know everything?” Nessa tried to wiggle her way out of the interrogation. It was a matter of bad luck, Cameron thought, her mate was known to be one of the best Interrogators among shifters! No wonder Pack Law continuously tried to recruit Marcus promptly on his birthday every year.

“Love, mated wolves don’t keep secrets,” Marcus started and when Nessa challenged him with a raised eyebrow.

“Love, mated Lunas get to be told when their Alpha mate is having secret meetings!” Nessa shot back.

Cameron smirked. Maybe Pack Law should start courting Nessa for the position of Lead Interrogator. For a she-wolf her size, she could muscle her way efficiently, uncovering secrets.

“You know about my meeting with Stevens?” Marcus asked and she nodded. “How?”

“I’m the fully mated Luna and it comes with a certain power and privilege,” Nessa winked at him “Thank you for that!”

“Who told you?” Marcus asked defeated.

“It’s not important,” Nessa dismissed his question and then asked, “When were you going to tell me?”

“When I had something solid to go with,” Marcus replied. “Now what did you try to hide?”

“Oh, it’s just she-wolf gossip,” Nessa dismissively said. As Marcus’s eyes never left hers, she huffed and gave up at his raised eyebrow. “Damn, you are good at your Interrogating routine. Fine! If you must know, Juliet found her true mate and by the looks of it she’s stupid enough not to jump him!”

Cameron felt his jaw drop at her revelation, while Marcus growled at her.

“YOU BETTER BE NOT THINKING OF JUMPING HIM!” Marcus roared.

“Yiak. He’s like my brother,” Nessa rolled her eyes on him.

“How MANY UNMATED wolves are there that you call BROTHERS?” Marcus snarled.

“Two…three” Nessa replied honestly.

“WHO?” Marcus prompted.

“Jon-jon, Alex and Cam here….” Nessa softly replied and looked at Cameron with a warm smile as if she just didn’t throw Cameron under the bus! Cameron quickly closed his jaw and raised his hands in surrender, exposing his own neck to Marcus in submission. Damn, Nessa! Cameron still wanted to live another day! As Marcus continued to growl loudly, Nessa scolded him.

“Oh, stop it. Cam has been my only friend from your pack long before I met you, Grumpy.”

So much for being a Beta, Cameron thought. Alphas did not share well and her admission, despite being honest, would definitely get him in trouble. Why couldn’t she keep her mouth shut!

“Nessa!” Marcus warned her and then deciding Cameron was not a threat, he asked “WHO the fuck is Jonjon?”

Cameron relaxed and peeked at the Alpha pair.

“Language, Alpha! Language,” Nessa scolded him before shaking her head and continuing. “He’s technically a very distant cousin of sorts.”

Marcus flicked his wrist in a gesture clearly aimed to prompt her to continue speaking.

“I call him Jon-jon, but his name is Jonathan.”

“What about Rifkin?” Marcus asked.

“Joel is too…” Nessa replied and at his cold glare she continued. “But you asked how many unmated wolves. Technically, Joel has a mate and they are blood bound.”

“What?” Marcus asked, surprised.

“Your informants didn’t sniff that one, did they?” Nessa teased. “You will be spanked if you don’t stop with all the liking and growling,” Nessa huffed and then shot Cameron an apologetic smile.

Cameron shook his head. Of all of the things she could rightfully get furious about, she chose to inform him she was turned on? They were certainly made for each other, if she got turned on where others opted for a much more conventional approach – being terrified. Cameron himself was on the fence between being cautious with Marcus and being overly curious of what Nessa might reveal next. She definitely had a very eventful life and interesting group of close friends.

“What’s with Rifkin?” Marcus calmly asked her, prompting her to continue with her story.

“It’s not my story to tell, but he has a mate. Things between them are complicated to say the least as she is a lot younger than him. ” Nessa trailed off. “But then whose life is not complicated.”

“The old dog had a mate! Who would have thought?!” Marcus chuckled.

“He’s not old,” Nessa defended Rifkin right away.

“So that’s why he was so nice with you,” Marcus concluded.

“Gee, sour plum, you make it sound like I am an old prune not worthy of anyone’s attention. I will have you know that he met her, after he met me!” Nessa shot back with a smug expression on her face and waited for the expected growl from her mate, which came out more threatening than before. “Few people know about it, so if you breathe a word of it to someone and it gets around, I am going to make both of your lives very miserable!”

As they both nodded.

“Now, if you want to know the latest gossip, back to Jon. Nicole saw them kissing.”

“Jon and Rifkin?” Marcus asked.

“Jon and Juliet, pay attention!” Nessa scolded him.

“I would if you constantly don't wiggle your ass or stop dropping inappropriate comments for other wolves,” Marcus scolded her. Her cheeks flushed and she pointedly tried to move out of his lap. Marcus tightened his grip on her. “I didn’t say move. Just stop moving!”

“Damn Alphas! You can’t ever please them!” Nessa shook her head and spoke under her nose. With the enhanced hearing, both Cameron and Marcus heard her, which was her ultimate intention. Cameron still couldn’t tell how her recognition of Marcus’ title sounded more like endearment than an official, respectful address. “So as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, pay attention. Nicole says Juliet was getting it on with Jon, which is cute and kind of sad at the same time. I guess you can even say it’s ironic. If the Elder’s Council had summoned Pack Law instead of dealing with her mating internally, they would have met much sooner. After all Jon and Joel were two of the seven appointed Pack Law Enforcers for the region at that time.”

“How do you know all this?” Cameron asked, astonished and pulled a chair to sit. This was going to be an interesting story.

“Well, remember I was apprehended by Pack Law for violation of the non-disclosure Law: “We shall knowingly not reveal the existence of the supernatural to humans” and all that jazz. “Taken” sort of broke that Law. Thankfully, they finally saw it as a work of fiction and didn’t delve too much into it. I stayed in Regional Pack Head Quarters for a week with Joel until my sentencing. I got to know the guys and well… Jon and I figured out our ancestor connection.”

“Shit!” Cameron exclaimed as he heard her story. Searching for his Mate in Pack Law never crossed his mind. If Juliet’s mate was there the whole time, what would guarantee his mate wasn’t? Damn it, why hadn’t he thought about it earlier? Instead he spent years searching for her within the Packs, while she might as well been under his nose! “I have never thought to search for HER there!”

“What? Who?” Nessa asked.

“His mate,” Marcus applied softly and then continued “I guess we assumed they are all mated or mateless”. Mateless was another formal way of labeling wolves that had lost their mates. “Since I appointed Cameron my Heir, he hasn’t had the opportunity to travel as much as he used to in search of her. But that’s going to change as now that I have you, our pups will take on that responsibility.”

“YES! Ness, I love you so much I could kiss you right now!” Cameron exclaimed, eliciting laughter from Nessa and a growl from Marcus. Cameron quickly applied. “But I’m saving all my passion for my mate. Damn, I won’t get enough of her like ever!”

“I’ll see what Joel can come up with as an excuse for you to go visit there. Maybe you can whiff her out if you spend some time there,” Nessa offered and Cameron full heartedly knew that if he managed to find her in Pack Law of all places, he would name his firstborn after Nessa.

“It still amazes me how different you are compared to Alexander. He might be a Gamma, but you are definitely too much of an Alpha to be related to him,” Cameron shot, which made Nessa smile awkwardly.

“You forget that I was a Beta’s Mate by Fate and Alpha’s – by choice. Who would have thought?”

“It helps that your Alpha is so amazing,” Marcus grinned. Of course, he had to state his role in her life. Cameron smirked. Alphas were proud. “You do realize with this predicament, Brandon would no longer be reigned in by his family status and might be stupid enough to provoke either Jon or me and then it will be game over for him. I assume your cousin can hold himself in a fight since he’s still alive and in Pack Law?” Marcus asked Nessa, who cringed.

“Jon would never challenge Brandon for Juliet. You see, he is old-fashioned. He lives by the Code of Honor. His mate’s acceptance would mean the world to him. He would rather be alone than take her Choice away from her. Slaughtering Brandon would only take some of Jon’s honor away as it would never be a fair fight. So even if Brandon challenges him, Jon would never kill him. And you, my dear Alpha, better remember that I don’t want his blood on your hands… or paws or teeth!”

“You are defending him?” Marcus asked.

“Roland, his pup, needs his father. It’s bad enough Jon might as well shatter their family, I would not have my mate murder the pup’s father. It is simply cruel.”

“It’s cruel to let him live and see both his true mate and choice mate living their lives,” Marcus retorted.

“Maybe that’s his ultimate punishment for screwing with Fate. Maybe, even he will have a chance mate who would actually love him. I don’t know and frankly I don’t care. That’s his business. My business is YOU and I will not have you settling off on a rampage. I told you before; I will not do conjugal visits in some dingy Pack Law location! Understood?” Nessa explained and Marcus chuckled.

“Yes, Luna. They don’t have prisons, you know,” Marcus bowed his head at her and smirked. “A man can hope that Jon would not have my restraint and finish off the bastard.”

“You are so bad,” Nessa rolled her eyes on him.

“Maybe I need to have a word with him. What did you say his full name was?” Marcus prompted.

“Jonathan Graves,” Nessa replied.

“You call Jonathan Graves, the Second-in Command of the Third Battalion, Jon-Jon?” Cameron asked.

“Yes, you know him?” Nessa asked and Cameron looked at Marcus before replying.

“Ha, he will sweep the floor with Brandon, before the pup knows what hit him!” Cameron laughed and then winked at her. “Wow, how are you cousins once again?”

“My great nana’s uncle, that is my great-grandmother’s uncle is his nana’s father. Which is rather complicated to trace but it makes us third or fourth generation cousins.” Nessa said and at their surprised faces she told them. “Pack Headquarters is really boring but they have an archive for everything. It was a matter of typing our names in the system. They even have special divisions that constantly recalculate mating chances for their officers! It’s serious science to them but it is so inaccurate. Joel’s mate was not even included in his matches as she was underage, while Jon’s mates were all weird picks. Who would have thought about Juliet?!”

“So I can run my name, too?” Cameron asked.

“Sure, but it’s not that accurate, so rely more on your scenes to locate her than blindly following their match suggestions.” Nessa giggled.

“Who were your matches?” Cameron asked.

“It’s not an exact science, Cam, but they rank your chances for a mate. I was ranked as Beta’s mate which was true of sorts. Brandon is after all a Beta, but the system was not set properly. The rejection was never accounted for,” Nessa smiled at Marcus who looked smug.

“And you landed an Alpha,” Marcus smugly said.

“A very obnoxious Alpha at that!” Nessa agreed.

“What I hear is that you believe it is not perfect, but close to accurate. I was your match, wasn’t I?” Cameron asked with a big interest. “That’s why you joined Blackwood.”

Marcus growled at him and Nessa rubbed her finger against his mark, which calmed him down.

“Yes, and that is why Jon pulled rank and had me transferred to Blackwood,” Nessa kept her eyes on Marcus who growled at Cameron and roughly kissed Nessa.

Cameron knew his eyes were sparkling with hope. Had the system been properly calibrated with the rejection, Nessa would have been matched with Marcus for sure. He had hope in Fate, but he would pull in his own weight to speed the matching process. And now he knew how.

Marcus

When he felt the metallic taste of her blood in his mouth, Marcus scolded himself. He should have not bitten her lip. His wolf wanted to leave his mark on her all over again, just in case, she was not certain to whom she belonged. Nessa was certainly not helping him rein in his wolf, as she was gently trying to pull away from his touch. His wolf took that as rejection and deepened the kiss, while the human side of him recognized he was biting down too hard. Finally being able to push his wolf down, Marcus took charge of the kiss and lapped his tongue over the bite, helping it heal. His wolf whimpered, understanding seeping into its thick head that he had indeed harmed his mate. Nessa smiled at him, running her index finger over his eyebrow.

“I am yours and nobody else’s,” Nessa’s hushed words were all the encouragement he needed to calm down.

Marcus knew Cameron would never go against him, but it still irked him Cameron was selected by a stupid program, and he himself wasn’t. He glanced over Cameron who had a relaxed posture sitting in the chair in front of him but was far away in his own thoughts.

“You’ll find her. We’ll help you find her,” Marcus shot through the mindlink to Cameron who smiled and looked up at Marcus. Before Cameron had any chance of replying, the engraved wooden door of the Alpha’s office swung open, and a very frustrated Alexander emerged.

“Nes, get up now,” Alex instructed.

Marcus growled at Alex, who completely ignored the threat and pointedly signed for Nessa to do as instructed. At first Nessa cuddled into Marcus’ arms and then her body stilled and her nostrils flared.

“Shit,” Nessa said and she quickly jumped off Marcus, bending over to pick her shoes. Marcus would have probably pulled her back into his arms, had it not been for the delightful view of her bent over, her curvy rear outlined in those tight jeans of hers. Damn, he wanted her so badly. Even Cameron and Alexander’s presence could not hinder his need for her.

His mind started working in overdrive, supplying him images of her naked behind pressed against his hard-on, those amazing globes she called her behind bouncing off with each trust he was making. He gladly shared his thoughts with her via the mind-link.

Nessa groaned and quickly straightened up. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were shifted into the golden irises of her wolf. Marcus leered back at her only to curse under his nose when she finally pushed her response in a set of images to his head. Damn, her version of such mating was even steamier than his own! It was official, his Mate was HIS GODDESS!

Marcus was so entranced with the images of her bent over at his office desk that he did not even care about her victorious grin aimed at his ever so restricting pants. Marcus was used to a constant hard on and did not even attempt to hide the bulge of his pants from her. She knew what she was doing to him, which made her smile all more sensual.

“Later,” Marcus shot his promise at her.

Damn, Nessa! He was behaving like a hormone crazed pup. He had a reputation to uphold. Marcus decided he needed to spank her for her own good. The image that followed did not belong to his own mind. She was projecting again and he growled in frustration. The little minx was going to be his end. He used all the authority he could muster to warn her “BEHAVE” through the mindlink before he could jump her and rip those clothes off her.

“BEHAVE,” she shot him back snapping him back to reality from the images his own mind was creating.

Alexander quickly sprayed the air and Marcus’ nostrils flared. Why in hell was he doing that?

“We can smell your arousal,” Cameron supplied.

“Shit,” Nessa joined in the pack link and her cheeks flared a new type of bright red.

Alexander opened a window while Nessa quickly walked to the side of his desk and fixed her clothes. Cameron chuckled at her discomfort which earned him a glare from her. Marcus on the other hand followed the silent exchange between the siblings before Rifkin’s voice flooded from the corridor.

“I assure you, she’s fine.” Rifkin’s voice calmed down the hushed conversation before it became closer. “And yes, she’s happy.”

It seemed like Rifkin’s sole purpose was to stall whoever he was escorting, giving enough time for Alexander to warn Nessa. Before Marcus could dwell on that, an elderly couple entered surrounded by Pack Law Enforcers. Marcus' eyes landed on Rifkin whose eyes flashed at Nessa and then nodded his approval. Marcus quickly snapped his eyes at the older man, who has been trying to recruit him as Pack Law Interigator for over a decade now.

“Alpha Ned, Beta Cameron,” Frank greeted and his glaze quickly moved to Nessa, slowly taking in her appearance. Marcus growled at the lingering attention, which made the man smirk, just in the same time the woman beside him shrieked and rushed to Nessa. Marcus didn’t have much time to react as the woman launched herself to Nessa and snatched Nessa’s cleavage down, exposing his mark on her and the valley between her breasts. Nessa quickly pulled back the shirt, but not before Marcus had the time to appreciate the sight.

“I am fine. Really! I was going to call,” Nessa started.

“When?” The woman harshly asked. Her loose brown curls swung as she shook her head, eyeing Marcus and then Cameron suspiciously. “Thank Goddess Alpha Brandon called! Who?”

“Marcus. The Alpha. Don’t provoke him,” Nessa started her hand reaching out to stop the woman, who narrowed her eyes at Marcus. She was an older image of his Nessa. Aging definitely would only accentuate Nessa’s beauty. Vanessa’s mother did not waste time and shifted her nails, tearing Marcus’ button up shirt to expose Nessa’s mark on him. Nessa growled in frustration, while Marcus narrowed his eyes on the feisty woman in front of him. Had it been anybody else, Marcus would have had her by the neck by now.

“Like Mother, like daughter,” Marcus chuckled.

“We are keeping him,” the elderly woman informed Nessa and then quickly addressed him. “Alpha, I simply had to see it with my own eyes to believe it. Frank, we are going to have grand pups soon!”

“Theresa!” Frank said.

“MOM!” Nessa exclaimed to which Marcus chuckled.

“Oh, please, we are all old enough to know how pups are made, and he looks sturdy enough for a tussle or two!” Theresa winked at Nessa, who looked mortified.

“Ma’,” Alexander exclaimed from the edge of the room.

“I would be happy to welcome your mate to the fold as well, so don’t be grumpy!” Theresa exclaimed at her son. Marcus grinned. He definitely knew who was responsible for the name-calling that his Nessa engaged in so often.

“Let me introduce you to Alpha Marcus Edwards and Beta Cameron Wyland of the Blackwood Pack. Teresa and Frank Heinsfeld,” Joel Rifkin finally made the introductions with a hint of entertainment. The bastard waited for Marcus’ reaction before making them. Too bad for him that Marcus was very familiar with the First Interrogator of Pack Law.

“She even smells like him!” Theresa announced as she sniffed Marcus, winking at him.

“Terry, honey, you are embarrassing the kids,” Frank joined in.

“Oh, they’ll live and maybe give us pups so we can embarrass them instead,” Teresa smirked back. Nessa stepped closer to her mother.

“Ma..”

“Yeah, sure,” Teresa stepped away from Marcus only to shove Nessa to his side. “I’m sorry for the shirt, dear. I’ll buy you a new one!”

And with that Teresa Heinsfeld winked at Marcus, who couldn’t help but chuckle at her forwardness. Nessa rolled her eyes at her mother’s theatrics.

“I will have the Alpha’s quarters made for you,” Marcus extended his hospitality.

“Surely, we can do with just a room. We don’t want to inconvenience you,” Teresa winked at them. “After all you need your privacy to work on those grandpups of mines!”

Frank and Alexander cringed at that remark, while Nessa blushed. Marcus reached out and pulled her into his arms.

“My Pack House is currently quite full with guests, but it would be our honor if you stay with us. Nessa still has to decide on what to do with the space so we’re not using it,”, Marcus explained and then focused on Vanessa’s mother and applied, “I should have sent for you earlier, but I am afraid I got distracted.”

“Distract away. I’ll take a look at your renovation project.” The knowing smirk said it all. “We’ll stay out of your way, come dear. We need to pay respect to the other Alphas!”

And with that the swirl of brown and green that was Teresa Heinsfeld looped her hand around Rifkin’s arm and commanded. “Lead away, my dear.”

As the door closed down with a wink from Rifkin, Nessa took a deep breath.

“Wow, your mother is just like you!” Cameron exclaimed, entertainment lacing into his words.

“No, she is worse,” Alexander quickly retorted back. “For my sake, I hope you pop those pups soon!”

Marcus growled in a warning. In fact his wolf was more than happy to pounce at Nessa and work from those pups right now, but Marcus was slightly irritated at the disrespect laced in his statement. Alexander must have realized it too, as he quickly apologized.

“I meant no disrespect. I simply don’t need Mother nudging me for my mating at this point! You plan to have kids soon, right?”

“Yes, eventually,” Nessa replied and rolled her eyes on her brother.

“No stopping now. Ma’ all but blessed the union!” Alex grinned at Marcus.