The Gamma's Birthright - Book 2

Heading downstairs at the hotel for dinner, Toni smiled, before she’d met Susan she used to eat in her room while travelling, but with the persona of Emma, and the new outfits and hair, she felt she was unrecognisable.

But more than that, this hotel was one of the closest to where she had been running in no-mans-land and therefore if her mate had any sense, would be one of the first that he searched.

Tyra whined in her head, she didn’t want to leave her mate, but she’d also not wanted to stay around with so many of his pack there, not when she’d been cornered.

She’d go back to her running spot if he didn’t turn up at the hotel, or maybe she’d visit a few hotels to see if she could pick up his scent, but confident they would meet again.

She’s curious how much effort will he put in to find her. It won’t be left to chance though, she’ll take some time to hunt for him, it’s a two-way thing after all.

In truth, after a few days with the Deadfalls pack, she’d come to the neutral zone to train, it’s not all about fighting, but running up the rocky outcrops, and mountains and hunting were all excellent for toning the body, honing the speed and agility, loose rocks underfoot were a bonus and hunting prey was all about reflexes and timing, exactly like a fight.

Both, she and Tyra are calm and resigned to their fate, the only thing she hadn’t prepared for, was her mate turning up.

Taking a table where her back is to the wall, she gets out a book, reading trashy romance novels is her guilty secret since meeting Susan, letting her live a different life through the words of others, but even engrossed in the book, her eyes automatically do a check of the room, every time she turns a page, always on the alert.

Normally she didn’t eat on a day her wolf feasts, but her meal had been cut short, so she was treating herself to a bonus.

As her first course is delivered, she’s struck once again with the heady mix of smells from her mate, she can feel Tyra getting excited.

Keeping her head in the book, trying to play it cool, a pair of black leather boots come into view, walking purposefully towards her, above the boots are khaki chinos, in the recesses of her mind, Tyra is chanting mate found us and yipping, but she’s also keeping herself hidden.

“Is this seat taken”

His voice deep and melodic, sings quietly to her ears, she can feel his aura in human form, but she already knew he was a strong, ranked wolf

“It isn’t if you need the chair, please take it”

There’s a grin on her face she can’t stop, but she’s trying to make it seem like she’s more interested in her book.

He sits opposite her, leaning in he lets his fingers trace the side of her face, down to her chin, which he grips gently as he lifts it, whispering.

“Head up little one, not like we haven’t met before, but I'd like to get to see your face, not seen it as yet!”

There's amusement in his voice

She snorts at the phrase little one, her wolf isn’t small and she’s tall in her own right, five foot ten inches (180 cm), not bulky in human form, but muscular, toned and no pushover.

“Guess you’ve never read a good book, totally captures your attention”

She sasses back, closing her book and taking a good look at him, he’s fully dressed now, wearing a black polo shirt on above his chinos, giving a casual yet smart look.

“Mind if I join you?”

He’s got humour in his eyes, but she wonders what he would do if she said no.

“Think that request is a little late since you already sat down”

He grins back, her eyes taking in the wolf in front of her, six foot six inches (200 cm) of broad shoulders sandy blonde hair with green eyes, Tyra is drooling in her head at her memory of Remus.

He gets the attention of a waitress and adds his order to hers

“Well let’s meet officially, I’m Andy”,

He reaches out comfortably to offer his hand

“Emma”

She shakes his hand calloused, rough and strong and wonders what he’s thinking about hers, the feeling of sparks across their hands where skin touches is entrancing them.

He glances at her neck

“So what brings a single girl out and about?”

“I was visiting a friend, taking a few days before making my way back to my pack,” she says noncommittedly

“You?”

“Business trip seems it’s a very lucky business trip” he grins

“Has no one told you of the dangers of hunting and running in the neutral zone, especially a young lone she-wolf?”

His voice was more serious now

“I can more than handle myself, after all, I got away from a horde of wolves earlier, and just how young do you think I am?”

She raises her eyes at him the challenge clear.

“Well, the age question is a trap, I’m wise enough to know no answer I can give is going to work out well for me.

If I guess too young, I look like a pervert, too old and I will get into trouble with you!

And that action, jumping the ravine was at best, reckless, you could have died.

Goddess, isn’t living and being caught better than dying to try and get away, especially when it’s facing your mate?”

His countenance became serious

“What did you think a trapped wolf would do?”

She locks eyes with him not backing down, but she hears him sigh loudly

“Every other wolf has either tried to break the line or submitted.”

He is pushing to try and reach her wolf, who is well-hidden.

“Clearly, I’m not like 'every other wolf'” She shrugs, with the hint of a smile.

He lets out a long slow breath, calming himself, but feeling a little frustrated at her lack of concern over her actions.

“Promise me you won’t be so reckless again, you don’t know what it was like, watching my mate, hanging over a ravine, not able to help!”

“Sure, as long as you promise not to trap me….”

Andy gives her a long stare, not happy with her response.

“So how old are you?”

He’s concerned, but to have checked in alone, she has to be at least seventeen, but he’s not convinced she even looks that old.

If she is, seven years shouldn’t be a huge age difference, but being that young and reckless he may need to take things slower with her, age brings wisdom after all.

“Twenty, you?”

“Twenty-four”

He answers relieved there isn’t such a big age difference, but there’s still concern over her decision making.

“But honestly, please be careful, the rules differ here in the neutral zone."

He can see her bristle slightly at his tone, he changes tack.

"How about we arrange to have the food to go, makes for easier talking, I promise to be a total gentleman, unless you want me to be a bit of an animal” he grins.

Inwardly Toni rolled her eyes at his mini-lecture, wondering if he’d give the same one if he knew who she actually was..

“What about your friends, don’t you need to socialise with them?

Oh, hopefully, I didn’t hurt the one that got involved?”

“They all had jobs tonight, so left me alone, knowing I wanted to hunt for my runaway mate." he raises an eyebrow

"And Ryan, well you hurt his feelings on how easily you grounded his wolf, which was impressive by the way, but apart from that, he’s okay.”

“So do you fancy a more private environment to chat?”

He grins at her face

She sighs, Tyra is pretty much presenting her ass in Toni’s head, with her tail cocked to one side, a clear indication of what she wanted, but he’s a ranked wolf and a strong one at that, which means, he won’t be coming back to the pack, but hell, she and Tyra can have some fun can’t they?

“Well, I have a small single room, so it’s not feasible, it would be too cramped in there.” Toni sits back a little

“Oh Emma, I’m in a suite, you can have your own room if we talk too late”

His voice has dropped even lower if that’s possible and it’s slightly huskier, it’s clear from the way his eyes darken, he's attracted to him.

Toni nods her silent approval wondering who she is turning into, throwing all caution to the wind, this isn’t how she’d normally react.

Without waiting for any other excuses, he redirects the food to his suite and guides her out of the restaurant

“Let’s pick up some overnight stuff for you, but I promise, I have two rooms and you will be safe, you are in control.” he says quietly

“I can smell you’re unclaimed and I can respect that”

His firm warm hand on the small of her back feels very confident but not pushy, knowing she could not only refuse him at any point but probably put up a good fight, she just nods, allowing herself to be guided by him.

Was it wrong she just wanted to have some fun in her life?

Making their way to Toni’s room, he steps in briefly as she gathers a few items; she knows he’s doing a check around the room.

She would do the same, but there are a couple of colourful outfits on the single bed, makeup on the side, hairdryer out, truly living the ‘Emma’ life and there’s nothing concerning, no weapons, no uniform, nothing that would identify her, that’s all hidden.

Grabbing some pj’s and washbag, plus fresh underwear, she throws her book on the side table, turning to Andy.

“As I said, not a big room, but good enough for my budget and an overnight stay”

He nods smiling

“Time to see the other side of life little one, one you deserve” he grins

Toni snorts at his words.

“I’m hardly little and maybe I’m just slumming it for fun!”

When they get to his suite, it’s large, the size she had with Susan when she was around.

His suite has two bedrooms and a living area, with a great view of the city, the food arriving pretty much at the same time, they sit and eat just getting to know each other, talking about lots of safe topics of music, films and silly things like their favourite season of the year, until the meal is finished, when he gets up, holding out his hand to her

“Want to watch a movie?”

She smiles walking over and taking his hand

“Your eyes don’t say they wanted to watch a movie”

She reaches up around his neck, pulling his head towards her and gives him a small kiss on his lips, her first kiss, tentative and gentle, but as she goes to pull away, he brings her closer to his chest, deepening the kiss and causing her to gasp slightly before he breaks the kiss.

“I didn’t expect that” he smiles, face alight

“You still want to watch a movie?” she asks

Trailing her hand down his chest watching as his eyes go black

“Emma, do you know what you’re doing?” he gently places his hand on her chin, tilting it up to gaze into her eyes

“Honestly, no, but I know what I want.

But, one condition no marking me, we haven’t yet worked out if either of us are assholes yet”

He bursts into laughter, loud and deep, and it’s an honest and enjoyable sound that she’s not used to hearing.

“Deal, no marking each other, in case we’re assholes.” the broadest grin engulfs his face

You really don’t know about personal boundaries do you, still watching the show!

I know this is probably going to end badly, but I’d rather have the memories than the regrets.

Plus, I’m a Gamma, not a meek wolf that may not know its own mind.

So am I going to be reckless, hell yes, got to create more memories…. You know… the ones that have to last me!

I swear I am going to eke out every last bit of fun, but no, you won’t be watching that, some things I don’t share!

Waking up to find herself lying in the arms of her mate, she smiles, this is what people talk about, except there’s nothing she can think of that will make this relationship work, the Moon Goddess screwed up big time.

If she can’t leave the pack and he feels too strong to be a Delta, then she will just have to accept this is a day or maybe a few days of fun, before it has to end.

Lifting the duvet gently, she starts to sneak out of bed, but Andy’s strong arms, pull her back in, her back pressed hard against his chest, she knows she could have chosen to get away, but she loves the feeling of being in his arms, a grin is plastered across her face.

“Where do you think you’re going, my minx”

His voice whispers seductively in her ear

“Just to shower and get cleaned up”

“Why would you do that, I’d only have to make sure you were wearing my scent again”

“Isn’t that the fun part”

Her words come out more suggestively than she expected

Grinning he rolls on top of her, pinning Toni by her wrists, using his weight to hold her down

“Well, maybe the fun part would be keeping you here until you tell me everything there is to know about you.

Not allowing you to go free or have fun until you do.” He laughs kissing down her neck

“So, Emma, first question, what’s your family like?”

She moans slightly as he hits the sweet spot between her neck and shoulder, letting his teeth graze the skin before stopping and looking at her for answers

“My family, well I was an only child, so just your average small tight-knit family group”

A flash of pain hits her when talking about them, she'd accepted they were gone, however, never fully got over the loss of her parents, never having the time to grieve them properly.

She kisses him before biting his bottom lip opening a small cut, she runs her tongue over his cut lip tasting him, knowing it will seal her scent to him for a few days before smirking

He pulls back

“Oh, you like it a little wild huh”

He runs his tongue over the little bite, it’s healing already

“Dangerous decisions to make when I’m in control” his eyes are dark and lustful

“What makes you think you are the one in control.”

She laughs lightly watching as his eyes go darker

“I was, after all, the one that suggested not to watch the movie”

Allowing a small challenge to rise in her eyes

“Let’s see, I’m bigger”

He kisses her shoulder

“Stronger”

His lips move down her chest

“On top”

He looks at her under hooded eyes, filled with lust.

“and a Beta”

Her stomach sank, she was pretty sure he wasn’t a Delta, but he’d just signed the death warrant for their relationship.

“Oh, and I know your body wants me” he chuckles.

“And no offence, but you don’t give off the feeling of power a ranked wolf would, even though your wolf form is larger than normal.

So yes, I’m in control, but you and your wolf have nothing to fear from me”

As he bends to kiss her, she reaches up to kiss him back, feeling the urgency in his kiss she responds, losing herself briefly in his kiss, before an evil thought pops into her head.

Hooking her right leg around his, pulling it towards her, while throwing up her left hip, she lands him on his back, with her on top, pinning his arms.

“What makes you think you were in control again”

She laughs at the surprise in his face.

“So, my minx knows how to fight.

Your body is super toned,"

He runs his eyes down her upper body,

"Pack warrior maybe?

That would explain your wolf’s prowess”

He shakes his head trying to work her out, warrior doesn’t feel right, but may account for why she said her wolf wasn’t submissive.

“But you forget, you are messing with a Beta.”

He raises his eyebrows suggestively.

“Oh, trust me, I never forget whom I’m dealing with”

She giggles, revelling in being able to be herself.

“And you just broke the rules, ranks weren’t supposed to be discussed remember!”

She starts grinding against him, making him groan

“I’ll use anything I can to win” She winks at him