The Change (Fated Series: book1)

“Hide,” Joel playfully told Jonathan, who sniffed the air and shook his head.

“It took them long enough,” Jonathan continued staring at the laptop screen.

“They want to see you,” Joel started but Jon ignored him. Sometimes Jon was a royal pain in the ass. “It’s amusing to see Nessa being bullied by Teresa”. No response. Joel took a deep breath, “Jon, what’s going on?”

“Must you know?” Jonathan said defeated and huffed. “I found my mate.”

“Congratulations, man!” Joel cheerfully said and reached out to path his friend on the back. When Jon didn’t share the excitement and only brushed it off with a smile, Joel knew there was something amiss, “What happened?”

“I kissed her.”

“Which is a good thing….” Joel tried feeling the situation.

“It felt so right!” Jonathan grinned for a moment, his whole face shining, all masks and self-control vanished. He was the Jonathan that Joel had first met – the easy-going but deadly assassin, who was set to make a difference. That was the reason why they were that close through all those harsh rookie years as Pack Law Enforcers.

“And?”

“Juliet Grey,” Jonathan huffed under his breath.

“Shit,” Joel swore.

The revelation alone spelled trouble. There was no simple way to happiness for his friend now. Alpha Juliet Grey of Rover Grove had majorly screwed up by ever agreeing with the arranged Mating to Brandon Horton. If her Elder’s Council had properly done their job, they would have had no other but Jonathan Graves as their reigning Alpha. With Jonathan’s connections, they would have been a prosperous pack with strong leadership. Moreover, Vanessa would have never been hurt. Fate had an ironic sense of pride and justice where mates were concerned. “What are you going to do?”

“What is there to do? I am letting her decide,” Jonathan replied shortly.

“Should I remind you that it doesn't always work out for the best?” Joel grunted. His own mating experience hasn’t been the smooth fairy-tale everyone talked about. There were no flushed faces, eyelash flutters, long stares, or stolen kisses. There were no breathless moments.

Only distance.

Aversion.

Space.

They all left quite the bitter taste.

There was no easy happiness and whoever thought that weres had it easy with Fate Mates had it all wrong. A man had to fight for his happiness, show no mercy, and take what was his. Or he would end up bitter… and alone.

“A long engagement is nothing. Actually, it’s better than a swift rejection and you know it. Kat just needed time to grow up. She will be yours in the end,” Jonathan encouraged him. “While I am screwed. Your shit can’t even compare! Either I fucking kill a wanna-be-Alpha or get a rejection shoved up my ass!”

Both were equally distasteful.

After all, Jonathan was fifth in line for the Throne, if Monarchy was ever to be reestablished. The only significant implication of that was Jonathan could not allow himself to use brute power against his future subordinates. They were as defenseless against the raw energy Jonathan possessed, as newly shifted pups were against a seasoned Alpha.

Joel moved his hands through his short hair. Joel could only guess that was also the reason behind Jonathan’s continued sustain to any promotions leading to his command over a Battalion. Joel could not phantom how he ended up having Jonathan as his loyal and devoted second in command. No matter how much Joel encouraged Jonathan to take up his own command, Jonathan remained by his side. Hell, Joel was sure that only if Jonathan so much as showed an interest, they would put him in charge of the Whole Western Regiment. But Jonathan meticulously denied them.

“Forget about it,” was the only reply anyone could elicit from the reserved royal.

“Did you talk to her?” Joel asked and carefully watched Jonathan for any visible indication of his current state of mind. Despite being his best friend, Joel still could not read the closed book that was Jonathan Graves. The cold exterior his friend don served to intimidate anyone to stay clear. Jon was a lone wolf who commanded respect with his mere presence. Joel’s eyes trailed down the scar on Jonathan’s neck. He still couldn’t believe Jonathan risked his life for Joel, a nobody in the grand scheme of things.

“She came earlier,” Jonathan said as if he was reporting to his Superior. The same tone could be used to say, “Perimeter clear.”

Cold. Detached. But Joel knew that it was all a facade.

“And?”

“She can’t make up her mind. She’ll probably try to make me challenge Brandon for her. Oh, but that wasn’t even the best part, she thinks I’ll get greedy for her pup’s title!” Jonathan explained irony laced heavily in his words.

Joel chuckled. It was understandable for Juliet to be concerned about her firstborn’s position. After all, Jonathan had never paraded with his family ties. On second thought, Joel was almost sure he despised them up until he met Vanessa.

Joel could not let his friend suffer through his internal torment alone and decided to make him talk it out, “What did you tell her?”

“The obvious choice, I’ll claim her and the pup as mine if she chooses me,” Jonathan replied. Even though it was obvious for Jonathan, only a few other powerful weres would actually consider not only adopting but claiming someone else’s pup as their own. With that, Juliet’s pup would be Sixth in Line for the Throne, if the Monarchy was ever Resurrected.

Joel could feel the devotion Jonathan had for Juliet even if he knew her for less than a day. Even Joel’s blood bond with Kat wasn’t as strong. He would never be able to accept Kat’s pup as his own or give her the same choice. Joel shook his head. If anyone but him so much as touched Kat, they would die a very slow and painful death. Despite knowing Kat for so many years, their relationship never progressed. He reenlisted in Pack Law in order to stay away from her. As blessed as he knew he was for finding her so early, Joel would have never touched the eleven-year-old Kathryn Hill before she turned of age. God, she was a temptress even then, skillfully manipulating him to agree to give her time. Ten years to be precise! Damn his stupid heart. He should have not given her more than five!

Jonathan’s voice brought Joel back from his thoughts.

“I still can’t believe she is an Alpha. Are you sure that old Grey didn’t adopt her? She doesn’t have the fire in her.”

“Maybe Fate paired you so you can ignite her fire,” Joel laughed at his own cheesiness. Instead of calling him out on it, Jonathan joined in with a chuckle.

“Oh, but I would. Though I don’t think she would let me,” Jonathan regretfully admitted, shaking his head. “Actually, I think she wants to shag me just to get back at Brandon for sleeping with Nessa. Only I…. I couldn’t do it to the pup, even though he deserves it.”

Nessa

How Nessa managed to find herself running errands for Marcus, was beyond her. One minute she was standing there right beside him, suffering her mother’s utter humiliation and the next moment she was agreeing like a diligent little mate to go fetch Marcus a shirt. And not only that, she had actually run up the stairs to comply with his request! Nah, that had to be an Alpha Command! Why else would she agree to do something like that? Didn’t she enjoy seeing him shirtless after all? Damn those well-defined chest plates and ribbed abs were simply mouthwatering, daring her to run her finger… Nah.. better yet her tongue down their length…

Nessa shoved those thoughts into Marcus’ head where they belonged. With their mating, deciphering which thoughts belonged to her or to his subconscious was proving to be difficult at best. Hearing his groan in the pack link, she realized the thoughts must have belonged to her own high-wired mind to elicit such a frustrated response in him. She quickly raised her guard, blocking all communication.

She rolled her eyes. She might not have fully understood how he managed to charm her into doing chores for him, but she certainly could give him something to dwell upon. Her gaze fell on the pink shirt she had in her hands. She would teach her Alpha some humility. Dressing him in hot pink was only the beginning. He would not know what hit him by the time she was done with him!

But hadn’t it been a Mission Impossible or what to find a large to extra large shirt male’s shirt without raising too much suspicion?! She could not afford for a nosy pack member to inform his Highness of what she was up to. The less time he had to contemplate his way out of this, the better. She could almost taste the victory. And what a fine one would that be, once she sees his stunned face. It would be priceless! She patted her jeans to ensure that her phone was with her. Priceless moments equaled picture moments.

She devilishly giggled at her own creativeness and fanned herself. All the excitement in orchestrating this made her sweat. Her hand shot at her forehead. No, she was definitely not having a fever. Damn, whose bright mind had set the temperature so high? She was going to get to the bottom of that after she was done with her Alpha.

Nessa’s body froze mid-stride, resulting in her stumbling down.

No, it couldn’t be.

Lying on the floor, she considered the ultimate evil: was she in HEAT?

No, no, no.

She couldn’t be. It was too early.

But the signs were there, mocking her right in her face.

Sweating. Panting for him. Inappropriate thoughts.

Her want for him.

Her NEED to feel him, to touch him, to possess him.

Even her partial shift was to …

No, no, no.

Just when her life was finally arranging itself.

“You know, the floor is quite dirty,” Joel’s chuckle caught her off guard. She grabbed his extended hand and stood up, dusting herself. “You okay?”

“Do I look OK?” Nessa snapped at him before she could rein her tongue. He quickly raised his hands in mock surrender, but that did not stop her. “How do you think I am doing? You witnessed my TOTAL and utter humiliation by my own mother and I got stuck on fetching Marcus a shirt! How did that happen? No, don’t answer that. I don’t want to know how he managed to blindly make me do his bidding. On top of that, I sweat like a pig. If this is my Heat, I am going to make him PAY!!” Nessa hissed and then huffed at Joel’s amused face. “Please, tell me it’s not HEAT?!”

His cheerful chuckle infuriated her more. He quickly placed his arm around her shoulder and led her to the bay window, making her sit next to him.

“Would it be that bad if you are in HEAT?”

“I am in freaking heat,” Nessa whined and then slapped herself, Joel quickly pulled her hands down restraining her as she whispered, “I never whine.”

“Take a deep breath,” Joel started, and then as she did as he instructed, he told her. “The HEAT is nothing to be overly dramatic about. I guarantee you; it’s not going to be as bad as you remember it. He will take care of you.”

“I get that you are trying to be nice but how can you honestly look me in the eye and tell me that you guarantee it’s going to be less painful,” Nessa shot back at him. Joel was about to reply when she shot back quickly. “I can’t part with my sanity for a week! I can’t be a brainwashed zombie whose only life purpose is to screw anything with a pulse.”

Joel quickly put his hand over her lips and made her shut up.

“Sometimes I really think I should have killed that dickhead when I still had the chance,” Joel sighed and then calmly explained. “There are things that mates can do to ease off the heat, dull off the pain, and release the overload of sensations. You won’t need pharmaceutical help.”

“Yeah? And I believe in the Tooth Fairy!”

“Vanessa,” Joel warned her, “when have I lied to you?”

“Never, but….” Nessa started while he interrupted her, making her focus on his determined voice.

“I won’t start now. You should probably talk with Teresa as well. She’ll be able to guide you…”

“Not a word to her! The woman has zeroed on grandpups, like a dog on a bone,” Nessa replied terrified, which made Joel chuckle.

“Why does the thought of kids terrify you?”

“It’s not the right time.”

“You know, there will never be a right time,” Joel calmly told her.

“I just found him, Joel. I want to get to know him, enjoy him, and make sure he is committed to me before babies come into place. You know we haven’t even had a proper date! I never thought my one-night stand with him would actually progress into mating so fast,” Nessa explained.

“You should not blame him for pushing things along. It would have been excruciating for him to let you roam around unmarked and unprotected. Males are possessive, even when we are bloody aware that there’s no one to challenge us. It’s just genes… hormones…. He has always wanted his own family. What happened with Emma will only intensify his protectiveness with you, pups or no pups.”

“Is she still teasing you with celebrities?” Nessa quickly read between the words of her friend.

“No, it’s worse. She went on a date! I ended up paying a visit to the pup,” Joel started and then fisted his hand to control himself. Nessa saw the slight shift in his eyes.

“So you scared him shitless,” Nessa giggled trying to lift up the murderous desires that clung heavily in the air.

“That wasn’t the worst part. I almost lost it, Ness. I went to talk with her, but once I was inside the house. I couldn’t… Her scent was empowering. I knew if I saw her, I would not leave until I marked her at least! Why did I agree with her charade? And to think they entrusted me with a Battalion,” Joel confessed only to make Nessa laugh. “At least, now I get to hear her voice more often.”

“And what do you two lovebirds talk about?”

“We don’t talk per se.” Joel corrected her. “She yells at my voicemail. You would think I am the ultimate evil. Shit, I can’t even have a trusted guard around her and she blames me for restricting her freedom. She told me not to talk to her until I get my shit straight… So I leave her voice messages. It’s weird.”

“It seems like someone is hormonal!”

“Nessa, you’re not helping,” Joel snarled.

“I am just saying that she is what? Eighteen now? What’s stopping you from encouraging her to drop those three years she has on your engagement?” Nessa proposed.

“I vowed that she’ll have those years.”

“Well, I am not saying end the engagement with a mating, I am saying she might reconsider the no-contact-space policy when you refresh her memory. An eighteen-year-old will perceive things differently than an eleven-year-old. She has only met you when you blood bonded and then only phone calls?”

“I agreed to give her the space, Ness, and that’s what I am doing. Though I might leave her voice messages and gifts for all the occasions. I might not be there for her, but I simply cannot completely disappear from her life and expect her to welcome me with open arms ten years later, even if that’s what she wanted,” Joel admitted.

“I am only saying give her something to think about. Not that I am dissing your deep voice and woody scent, but it’s about time to up your game when Kat is concerned. Your strategy: visual aids.” Nessa pointed out.

“Nes, she knows what I look like!” Joel responded.

“Does she?” Nessa asked suggestively trailing down his face to his broad shoulders, then casually dropping her eyes even lower. He quickly lifted her chin up to look him in the eyes.

“Vanessa, your HEAT is taking over your better judgment. I am a Battalion Commander; I can’t have compromising photos out there! Go to find your Alpha, before you lose what’s left from your brain,” Joel chuckled.

“Oh, my innocent friend. You don’t need to be stark naked. Leave something-something for the imagination. Never underestimate the power of a man in a suit or uniform. Mud can also do wonders to one’s desire, so include some group training and some shirtless photos. Do you want me to write it down?” Nessa prompted at his very shocked expression and as he did not respond she continued. “You’ll thank me later”. Nessa winked suggestively at him as understanding settled in his eyes. “On this note, as I mated she-wolf, I should probably go check up on my Alpha!”

“Yes, please, do!” Joel shooed her. “Oh, and Nessa, I’ll need your wits to help me deal with Jon if things don’t go south.”

“That’s one shitty mating, too,” Nessa sighed.

“Matings are never shitty. They are just complicated,” Joel corrected her.

“Are you seriously going to stand there and tell me that they are a good match? She’ll rip his heart out when she rejects him,” Nessa snarled.

“Hold on. Did she talk to you? Is that how you know?”

“No, Nic saw them kissing. But I know Juliet. She will choose the easy way out; the one that does not involve complications for her pretty little head,” Nessa growled.

“I hope you are wrong. Because I am not sure how we’ll be able to rein Jon in if he goes berserk,” Joel regretfully admitted.

Teresa Heinsfeld

Sneaking up on Jonathan was like trying to catch water in your bare hands. No matter how you tried to corner him, he would illusively find a way to outsmart you. In dealings with his kind, one had to be precise, meticulous and above all patient. Make him come to you. Make him think that it was his own idea to seek you out.

That was why, when Jonathan Graves, the Fifth most powerful wolf that walked the planet, asked her to accompany him for an afternoon walk in the gardens, Teresa quickly departed from Frank’s side, paying that her love would refrain from carrying out the murderous thoughts currently running through his brain. It still amused her, how otherwise their very witty Vanessa would still believe whole-heartedly her own mother would be clueless of Brandon’s schemes. The only reason why she had not beat sense into his thick head was simple. Teresa did not want him as a son-in-law. A power-hungry wolf, who had actually mated her little girl, only to shatter her dreams did not deserve to live, much less to be welcomed to the family! The wolf in her could never forgive Brandon, the mother in her wanted his blood. But what good would that have done?

By the time Teresa had managed to uncover the reason behind Nessa’s depression, Brandon had already taken Juliet as his mate. She knew her little girl better than anyone else. Ness was proud even as a pup and would have rather died than forgive such a betrayal. Vanessa might have not been a pure-blue-blooded wolf, but most of the genes that skipped Alexander, her first born, had gone to Vanessa. While her baby girl was not in line for the Throne, she had more resilience and pride and deserved to be cherished.

The ruthless and feared Alpha Ned was just the protector Vanessa needed to feel like her old self again. Teresa grinned. Pushing Alpha Ned’s buttons had made her feel young again. She should definitely sit down with her youngest and recite her Heat and Pups lecture, which she had never had the chance to bring up. Or perhaps it wouldn’t be necessary. Alpha Ned’s reputation preceded him. He was one of the few Alphas who were family-oriented from the start.

Jonathan led her down to the far wall of the garden lot, away from prying ears. Jonathan had always been secretive and only sought her out after his accident. He had cut family ties soon after his first shift. Coming to peace with his origin, and accepting he was a love child was much more than a pup his age should have handled in the midst of corruption and intrigue.

Jonathan extended his arm towards the gazebo and waited for Teresa to take a seat before he sat next to her, stretching his legs in front of him and slightly crossing them at his ankles. His saber casually swung on his thigh as his right hand relaxed on its handle. His manners had always been impeccable. Teresa grinned. Whoever thought that chivalry was dead, had not met Jonathan Graves.

“Auntie, I have things to tell you. Things, which you cannot repeat in front of anyone. Not even to uncle Frank,” Jonathan started and Teresa nodded. That ought to be something. Jonathan had never been as stern and withdrawn as he was today. Teresa gave him an encouraging smile and he continued, “Alpha Brandon is a douche.”

Teresa couldn’t help it and broke into fits of laughter at his concentrated face.

“Oh, dear. I thought you had real news or gossip for me,” Teresa brushed off the tears in her eyes and continued. “That is hardly news.”

“He only invited you to stir up trouble between Alpha Ned and Nessa,” Jonathan continued.

“Let me guess, he wants her back now that she is with someone?” Teresa said and Jonathan nodded surprise clearly in his eyes. “Yeah, your old auntie has an insight and keenness to sniff out little pricks, and he sticks like a freaking cactus!”

“Auntie Terry, you could put a sailor to shame,” Jonathan playfully reprimanded her. “Nessa must have gotten her fire from you!”

“Oh, why, thank you, laddie,” Teresa playfully nudged him on the shoulder with her own. “But that’s not the reason why we are here, is it?”

“Brandon is not only toying with Vanessa’s future. Can you believe it, Juliet Grey is my mate!”

“You don’t say!” Teresa exclaimed.

“Someone up above must truly despise me,” Jonathan sighed and then continued. “To top things off, I don’t believe that she would make her choice, and I could not let her seduce me just to know what it is like to be with her True Mate. If I let things escalate any more, I am afraid I will disembowel Brandon rather publically and without provocation the moment that I lay my eyes on him.”

Jonathan's right hand curled against the sabre and Teresa gulped. Nobody deserved such a prolonged, excruciating death. Not even Brandon. She reached out and held his left hand, giving it a tight squeeze.

“I would be the first to agree the pup needs a good tussle but let’s leave disemboweling him aside. It’s admirable you have let Juliet choose, but you cannot sit and wait for your bond to get any stronger. The way I see things, you, my dear boy, will have to make your choice. Are you ready to sacrifice some of that pride and honor of yours, and challenge Brandon for her? Or do you want to gamble your future on the whims of a sheltered girl, who doesn’t even know what’s going on in her own Pack?” Jonathan growled at the sign of disrespect for his mate, but Teresa continued as if the warning did not affect her. “Don’t you growl at me now. You know it as well as I do or you wouldn’t be here. That’s the harsh truth and you brought me here because you already knew it but did not want to believe it!”

“It eats me up inside that had she been a proper Alpha, we would have never had to deal with this. Even Nessa would have been spared the heartache,” Jonathan replied.

“Fate has a plan for all of us,” Teresa started while Jonathan sarcastically interrupted.

“Yeah, to make us all suffer!”

“Don’t be so gloomy. See how things turned out for Nes.”

“Yeah, the poor sucker doesn’t know what he got himself into,” Jonathan smirked.

“Maybe if you let things play out, you’ll get your own happiness in the end,” Teresa pointed out.

Jonathan shook his head and then deadpanned.

“If Juliet takes much longer and the anxiety becomes unbearable, I will reject her,” Jonathan told her about his plan. “And if I go berserk, I want you to know I am leaving the estate to Joel, and everything else to Ness.”

“YOU WILL NOT SPEAK OF SUCH A THING,” Teresa scolded him with all the authority she could muster.

“Antie, might I remind you who you are talking to?” Jonathan warned her and then continued in a lighter tone, “I wish I have gotten to know Ness under more than joyful circumstances, but you have been the only true family that I have known in my life. Uncle Frank has too much on his plate to ask him to get my affairs in order, and Alex lacks the nerve to deal with it all. Nes is tough as nails, and Marcus will go through hell for her. It would be ironic if those morons resurrect the Monarchy, only to find themselves with a she-wolf in charge.”

Nessa

Nessa held Marcus’ eyes, willing herself not to blink. She was going to win this staring contest if it was the last thing she would do. Marcus smiled at her, patiently waiting for her, yet never letting his eyes off her. Everything about him was telling her to submit, to lower her eyes, to respect him. She raised her eyebrow at him, rebelling against it all, daring him to look away. In response, he shook his shoulders and she could imagine him flexing his arms in front of her. Nice distraction attempt, she thought but kept her concentration steady on him. He finally bent his head down and kissed her mark as he broke eye contact.

“I win,” Nessa shrieked and then moaned as his lips lapped at her mark. Her hands quickly found themselves laced in his hair as he gently lifted her up to sit on his desk.

“No, I win,” Marcus said and stared down her glazed eyes. Damn him for doing this to her scenes. He might have lowered his eyes first, but she was the one panting and looking at him like a love-struck puppy.

“I spent so much time trying to find it for you,” Nessa whined. His eyes immediately scanned her face, “It would make your eyes pop.”

“Nes, we both know that pink is not a color suitable for an Alpha. It simply sends the wrong message,” Marcus told her pointedly.

“Are you not confident in your sexual orientation?” Nessa prompted and knew she had him. He huffed and quickly pulled the shirt from her hands and started putting it on.

“You better wear a dress you don’t care about tonight,” Marcus told her sternly.

“Is that so?” Nessa cooed and looked up at his eyes that were shifted and full of desire. An image of her pregnancy invaded her mind. “We are not having pups anytime soon."

“Why?”

“I am not having pups out of wedlock,” Nessa explained.

“You want a human wedding?” Marcus asked.

“Of course I do, you, buffoon. I told you before, I want a romance. Not just bam-bam-thank you, mam’! It’s mind-blowing when we do it, but I also want to be courted! I want to go out on dates! I want to be special! You’re taking me for granted, manipulating me to tend to your desires and to fetch you clothes. Well, Mister, I draw the line at kids. I want them with you, but you have to work on convincing me of the when, which as sure as hell won’t be now, but we can bing-baga-boom,” Nessa snapped and then slapped her hands onto her lips, sheepishly looking at him.

“I wondered when your HEAT would hit and I certainly didn’t imagine that you could get any friskier than you already were. I guess I stand corrected,” entertainment flooded into Marcus’ eyes. Nessa blushed.

“I wanted to talk to you about the heat,” Nessa started and then buried her face in his shoulder, hugging him closer then whispered, “I don’t want to get pregnant.”

“Then we won’t get pregnant during this heat,” Marcus shrugged. “I bet you’ll love bossing me around.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, during your HEAT, I will be more prone than usual to agree with you to keep you happy and very satisfied. Not that you already don’t muscle your way as it is,” Marcus continued and then moved a strand of her hair behind her ear.

“What about the pain?”

“There will be no pain,” Marcus replied.

“You either get pregnant or you’re in pain,” Nessa replied. “We can’t possibly stay in bed for a week!”

“Is that a dare, love,” Marcus smirked and then continued. “We’d try it another time, with the current infestation in my house it will be extremely difficult.”

“Cold showers or baths don’t do much to stop the pain. You have some good pharmaceuticals?”

“Nes, you won’t need those. You have me,” Marcus started and as she didn’t seem to understand, he explained “You have the mind-link to me. You can pass some of your frustration to me and summon me. Even a heated makeup session will dampen the effects of the heat for hours at a time. Love bites can get you through nearly a day. Mating will always be the best solution to ease off your tension and for your climax to reset the temperature, but even if we don’t get to do it as often, you won’t experience any pain. I promise you.”

“Seriously?”

Marcus nodded.

“Bite me!”

“What?”

“Alpha-precious, I need you to bite me. You know like an insurance policy, just in case this Heat kicks up a notch. I can’t have a brainfart when we are dining with my mother!” Nessa exclaimed and offered her neck. “Bite, damn it!”

“Fine, but I am changing my shirt,” Marcus said and quickly lowered his head and kissed her mark before slightly running his canines over her collarbone and down to her breast, where he finally settled his bite.

Nessa

“If the worst comes to be, I can take him on. After all, he’s a Beta born. But I would much appreciate it if you let out a scream or two. You know, for moral support and all,” Cameron softly whispered to Nessa, as they all spotted Brandon approaching them. Nessa rolled her eyes. Moral support, she questioned. If Marcus heard her scream, it would be a bloodbath.

“But you said you could take him on,” Nicole argued.

“You have no idea about how much paperwork that would generate. But if the Alpha comes and wipes the floor with him, oh well,” Cameron shrugged. It was self-explanatory and all three she-wolves cheerfully replied in one voice:

“No paperwork.”

Cameron smiled.

“Exactly! You can’t blame a mate for being possessive of their mate. Besides, you owe me that much. I am still not recovered from the paperwork for your Asylum! Couldn’t you have consulted me beforehand? You should have filed a petition for an adjacent family.”

“She could?” Nessa asked toying with her wine glass. It’s been three long hours after Marcus had left to resolve business, before the dinner. Three hours in which she had felt normal. She was constantly aware, expecting the pain of the HEAT to hit, but just as Marcus had promised, it never came. She smiled. Yes, indeed he knew how to take care of it.

“There’s always a shortcut through that bureaucracy mess if the Alpha so chooses. Do I really have to spell it out for you?” Cameron looked at Nessa.

“You could have taken one for the team,” Nicole couldn’t resist and underlined the obvious. Nessa had connections with the man in charge, which they could have taken advantage of. Nessa huffed. It made sense for Marcus to have the final say. Though after all these years fending out for herself, Nessa could not simply shovel her problems down someone else’s lap. It just didn’t sit right with her. But on the other hand, his lap was quickly becoming a very teasing place to be right now.

“Neither of them would have minded the boogy-boogy and I was going to be homework free. But no, you had to file for Asylum. Do you know how tricky it is to grant refugee status? It’s made for a reason. It’s for rogues! Make them jump through hoops which I have to supervise so that we can properly vet them,” Cameron voiced his outrage and Nessa giggled.

Fine, Nessa had to admit suggesting Nicole file for Asylum in Blackwood hadn’t been her brightest idea. But Nicole didn’t have to agree to go through it. So it was technically not entirely her fault.

“At least that’s done, and signed. So I could take him out without risking all my hard work going in vain!” Cameron pointed out.

“Oh, how sweet! The Beta will brave the paperwork for you, Ness!” Nicole taunted.

“But I wouldn’t be able to hang around with you, ladies,” Cameron finished off his thought as if Nicole hadn’t interrupted him at all. Nessa had to agree. He won’t be hanging around with them if he gets into a brawl with Brandon. Cameron would be most likely sporting his attitude in the infirmary. Nessa had seen Brandon fight and was sure he could stand his ground. But then again… Nessa’s eyes trailed down on Cameron and started sizing him up. He did have the height and strength advantage. The fight would be fair and quite entertaining.

However, Brandon hadn’t been able to stand up against Marcus. She smirked remembering fondly the handiwork of her Green Eyed Devil. She mind linked to him “Sexilicious!” and heard him chuckle.

Nicole giggled, “A man to my taste! We’re touched!”, saluting Cameron with her drink.

Marcus did not take long to respond, “Couldn’t stay away, could you?”

“Way to go, inflating his Ego!”, Nessa scolded herself. She shot back, “I never thanked you for my present!”

“It arrived?”

“You bought me something?”

“Nessa!” His voice echoed. She grinned. He had spoiled his surprise. She chuckled as the frustration radiated in the knot in the back of her head. She had to admit it, she was constantly finding excuses to mind link him. Half the time, she was plain old excited to be able to mind link. One of her theories for his reluctance to block her off permanently, besides he obviously liked her attention, was that he figured out how much she actually craved the pack connection. Damn, she missed it. After all, werewolves were social animals. But the more compelling reasoning was connected to the second half of her mind-linking attempts. She was projecting every now and then tastefully selected inappropriate images or suggestions with the sole purpose of teasing him, provoking him, and effectively summoning him to attend to her needs. She clearly remembered instances he had actually come storming and roughly whisking her upstairs. She grinned. She was a maniac. A very satisfied maniac!

“Then what present?” He couldn’t help it now, could he? He was curious.

“Beating up Brandon for me! I now understand how much work that really involved.”

Growling, Marcus shot her back, “Does he require a repeat?”

“I remain undecided. Though, Cam is haunting him. He can refresh the lesson.”

“Aren’t you having fun! I want a visual of such a brawl. Cam can take him on. How are you feeling?” Marcus dismissively replied, excited at the suggestion. It was sweet how he was pointedly asking her about her Heat. Joel was right indeed. Ah, the things that mated wolves could do to ease off the Heat…. Nessa smirked and she could bet she looked like a snug cat in front of a fireplace.

“Thoroughly mated, boss,” Nessa shot and then giggled as his irritation hit her. She smirked. Marcus didn’t like being called boss, which is why Cameron was teasing him with it. “Cam suggests a scream or two. Something about moral support and less paperwork.”

“He thinks about PAPERWORK, when he is guarding you? I’ll give him paperwork! I’m coming,” Marcus just as easily fumed.

“So you’d be coming for him, not ME? I feel neglected,” Nessa shot back which relaxed the tensed connection.

“Minx!”

“Why thank you! But you don’t really need to come. Do whatever Alphas do all day long other than sitting on their gorgeous behinds,” Nessa shot and he chuckled.

“I wasn’t aware I needed your permission.”

“You’re quite welcome, nevertheless!”

“Vanessa,” Brandon started while Nessa chewed on the entree, waiting for him to speak. If dinner didn’t start anytime soon, there would be no appetizers left. Brandon's voice came, “Did you have time to read it?” Nessa nodded, taking her time to chew the piece, which was slowly going onto his nerves. He couldn’t resist but to prompt, “And?”

“It was quite informative,” Nessa dismissed the conversation, “Inviting my folks here was sweet though, thanks. But that doesn’t change anything. You get that, don’t you?”

“You realize that you can still reject him even after he claimed you,” Brandon said and then cleared his throat.

“Bran, I am with Marcus. I want to be with him. Hell, if I know what he sees in me, but he wants me just as bad. I am happy. I am not even entertaining the idea of rejecting him, so stop bugging me about it,” Nessa continued and then popped another appetizer bite in her mouth.

“You should. What self-respecting Lycan marks a she-wolf without her consent?” Brandon asked.

“The one that had my implied consent!” Nessa shot back.

“Oh, I like this guessing game,” Michelle jumped in “I say the answer should be B) a very steadfast one.”

“C) A very confident one,” Cameron pitched in.

“No, it’s D) A very cocky one?” Nic replied and then shot at Nessa, “You’re welcome.”

“E) All of the above?” Nessa tried to guess and they all nodded their head in agreement. Brandon glared at them with irritation.

“Only a weakling will mark without consent. He is using the marking to trap you under his influence.”

“Brandon, it’s neither your place nor business. You moved on, you have a family for Goodness sake. Go be with them and let me live my own life,” Nessa replied calmly.

“I did not choose her over you. You read the report, I had to mark her,” Brandon started while Nessa raised her hand to him.

“You rejected me and I rejected you. GAME OVER. You moved on and so did I. Deal with it,” Nessa said and dismissed him and looked towards the now empty plate, “I am hungry, when is the dinner going to start?”

“Burning through the calories so fast? He must be a daredevil. Damn, I am jealous! I need some exercise!” Nicole wiggled her eyebrows suggestively at Cameron, who was turning bright red. Michelle and Nessa shared a wary look. Nicole never implied unless interested to carry things through. Maybe they would hook up. It didn’t seem all that bad of an idea.

“You have no idea,” Nessa replied calmly, sliding off her bar stool with the intention to check out what was in the fridge. Only to be stopped by a growl from Brandon.

“You mated with him?” Brandon hissed.

“Goddess, why is everyone so obsessed with my sex life?” Nessa huffed, rolled her eyes and Nicole giggled, filling her glass with more wine.

“Maybe because unlike you, some of us haven’t gotten any in a long time,” Nicole announced which made Cameron choke and effortlessly brought Brandon to rage and then whispered as if she was sharing a secret. “And from what I hear he’s the best she ever had!” finishing her words in a sing-along voice.

“Nic!” Nessa exclaimed as Brandon began to shake.

“Sorry, Alpha. I didn’t mean to compare. But I was told to be honest from this day forward,” Nicole explained, mocking the Asylum ritual Cameron had performed on Nessa’s insistence merely a couple of minutes before. As Nessa narrowed her eyes on Nicole, Nic exclaimed in defense, “He asked!”

Nessa rolled her eyes at her friend and then said, “Two consenting adults.”

“He never asked you or your family for permission. By the Pack Laws, you can’t be a consenting party! You can file charges,” Brandon snapped.

Cameron shook his head disapprovingly, unbelievably asking anyone, “Charges for what now?”

“Assault? Battery?! Rape?” Brandon exclaimed.

“Woa… That’s a new low even for you,” Cam growled. Nessa quickly looped her hand around his muscular one and stopped him from doing something stupid.

“Cam, relax,” Nessa calmly told Cameron.

“The Alpha might have not followed tradition for your marking, but you are mates for goodness sake,” Cameron quickly snapped at Nessa, who only rolled her eyes at him. Patting his arm, just to calm him down quickly got his attention and he relaxed under her touch.

“Oh, please, with the way that she has been grabbing the Alpha, he is the victim in all this! Do you think it’s easy for him to fit her in his schedule and perform what four-five times per day now that she can use the HEAT as an excuse to jump his bones?” Nicole huffed.

“You are in HEAT?” Brandon asked.

“That’s usually what happens when you mate,” Nessa replied and stole another bite from the plate.

“Can’t you see he is using even your HEAT to manipulate you in his schemes? As soon as you pop a pup, he will discard you like yesterday's trash, or worse, you know what happened to his previous Luna. Don’t come running back to me when shit hits the fan!”

“WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE,” Nessa growled at him. “You seriously have the nerve to come on OUR territory and insult us?! I thought we could all be civil about this, but if you can’t get it in your thick head, I will spell it out for you….”

“Vanesa, think before you say something you can never take back,” Brandon hissed, interrupting her.

“I accepted your rejection, Brandon Horton, and I rejected you BACK a long freaking time ago. I would NEVER run to you, dumbass, even if you are the last person on Earth. Capish?”

Nessa's eyes darted on his hurt expression and then quickly pushed her newly established power.

“Leave immediately and do not step in Blackwood until you learn proper respect,” Nessa roared and then gulped when she shifted her eyes to see what everyone else was staring at.

Marcus.

Dear Goddess!