Alpha's Mate (13 page)

You think it is Lenka, or one of his followers.
Grigori sent back to Dmitry with a growl echoing through his mind.  It wasn’t hard to feel the rage Grigori tried hard to hide.  He considered himself Dmitry’s protector, and was furious about the shooting.

I am not jumping to conclusions, as you should not.  Report back to me at the lodge what you find.  Vikenti and I will walk back. 
Dmitry didn’t add he wasn’t sure he possessed the strength to walk back.  It would only have infuriated Grigori more.  If it was a hunter, than sending an enraged wolf after him was a death sentence.  Dmitry could feel Sergei getting closer and hoped having the younger wolf in on the hunt would calm Grigori’s ire.  If it was Lenka, then it would be better if pack members patrolled in pairs.

Dmitry opened his eyes, not realizing he closed them.  His father was looking down at him in concern.  He tried to smile and reassure the man.  After resting a moment he could feel his strength returning.  A juicy piece of meat would help him finish the rebuilding of his blood.  It was time to go home.

Kolya ran up, a pack on his back.  “Thought you might like clothes.  Violet is worried sick about you.  It is only because she knew she would slow me down that she didn’t rush to you.  I wouldn’t put it past her to head this way.  Alena was trying to keep her at the lodge.”

Violet, I need you to heed me.  Stay at the house. 
Dmitry sent to her immediately as Kolya shook off the pack and started handing out clothes.

I am not a dog to be told to stay.  It is only because your sister would cry, that I remain behind. 
Violet sent to him, irritation coloring her thoughts.

I thank you for being so considerate of my sister’s feelings.  I could wish you would be as considerate of mine.

I considered your feelings.  But, being overprotective is not a good reason to order me around.  Never the less, I await your pleasure.

Fully dressed now, Dmitry ran his hand through his hair in frustration.  Kolya winked at him.  “I brought the item you asked for.  It is in the pocket of your pants.”

His father openly smiled at him.  Both of them knew his mate was giving him trouble.  From the looks on their faces, they might think he deserved it, or worse, it was good for him.

“Come on,” he grumbled “let’s get home.”

Walking through the woods always calmed Dmitry.  The whisper of the wind through the trees felt magical and the fragrance of pine, fir and cedar soothed him.  This was his home, the place he was happiest.  He would have said before his heart lived here.  But he knew his heart now lived with Violet.  He didn’t mean to be hard on her.  His gut twisted because of her upset.  But, he needed to protect her and couldn’t change who he was.  He felt her amusement through the mating bond. 
I know you can’t help it.  Hurry, I need to see you.

He understood her need to see him.  He needed to see her as well, to hold her close to him, to know they were both safe in each other’s arms.  Their mating was still new and this scared both of them. 
I come, lyubov moya. 
He sent her, his pace increasing.

When Dmitry walked into the back door, he saw Violet sitting at the table.  She got up and launched herself into his arms.  Grabbing her to his chest, he kissed her like a man starving.

I missed you so much, lyubov moya.  How I wish I could spend every moment in your company.

I missed you, too.  Are you sure you’re alright?
 Violet ran her hands up his chest and then down his back, as if needing to feel he was whole. 
I was so afraid for you.  I felt your pain through the mating bond.  Your family is gawking at us, we should stop.

Let them gawk.  I am sorry, I couldn’t shield you.  I am fine, really, lyubov moya. 
Dmitry pulled her closer.  He wanted to share the same skin with her.  She was his life.

I’m glad you didn’t.  I want to be with you, help you when I can.  Even, if it is only to lend you strength, when you are injured.  I love you, Dmitry.

“Now who is mauling your mate?  Really bro, get a room.”  Anton snickered.

“Enough, Anton, mind your manners” scolded Vikenti as he leaned down to kiss Yelena. “Kolya will be around shortly, Alena.  Will you move over to his house?”

“I'm not sure papa, he hasn't asked me.”  answered Alena, who promptly burst into tears and ran out of the room.

“Oh dear.” murmured Yelena

“Way to go dad.”  Anton quipped.

“What did I say?  Yelena, what did I say?”  asked Vikenti.

“Come dear, I will explain it to you.”  Yelena said as they walked out of the kitchen.

Dmitry looked up and realized he and Violet were finally alone.  He loved looking into her dazed eyes, her lips still wet and slightly swollen from his kisses.

“Have I told you how much I love you?” asked Dmitry, rubbing his thumb over Violet's bottom lip.

“A woman never tires of hearing those words, and I love you, too.”

“I think a woman never tires of getting gifts as well?”

“I guess it would depend on the gift.” answered Violet.

Dmitry reached into his pocket and pulled out a diamond ring.  It once belonged to his father’s mother.  Blue sapphires surrounded the 1 carat diamond.

“I would get down on one knee, but then I would have to put you down, and I like holding you too much to do so. 
Ti viy-desh za me-nya
,  Will you marry me, and wear my ring?”

Violet gasped with surprise.  “It would be my honor, Dmitry Volkov, to be your bride.”

Dmitry placed the ring on her left hand and then kissed it into place.  “I love you.  Thank you for being mine.”

Violet didn't think she could be any happier than at this moment.  She found her true love and a new family to care for.  The ring was exquisite and looked to be a family heirloom.

The rest of the evening went past in a blur.  Dinner was served and there were new pack members to meet, as they came to see their Alpha.  All the women wanted to admire the ring.  News of their engagement spread throughout the pack.  Dmitry managed to at least hold her hand.  Through dinner, he managed to touch her at all times.  It was not overt, but Dmitry was keeping in contact.  Violet was very touched with the display.  The shooting really upset him.

Kolya came in, and he and Alena made up.  Alena was going to go over to Kolya's house and make any changes she thought she might need to make, before moving in.  A big ceremony was going to take place at the end of the week.  Both Alena and Violet would be presented as mated females to the Alpha and the pack.

Violet offered to help Alena fix up her new house, as did her mother.  Sergei showed up with Violet's suitcase, and Yelena checked his back.  When everyone moved to the front room to talk, Dmitry pulled Violet onto his lap.

After a while Violet felt drained from the day’s events.  She snuggled into Dmitry’s side and let sleep take her.

Dmitry brushed the hair from Violet’s face, and held her gently, as his family and friends talked around him.  Sharing her strength with him, after the shooting, and learning of their lycanthropy, exhausted her.  Everyone forgot that she wasn’t a Lycan.

Grigori reported the hunter was nowhere to be found.  His trail disappeared when he neared the river.  Dmitry hated to think Lenka would try to kill him.  Did the lack of mates cause this unrest in the pack?

As night finally came to the Siberian summer, Dmitry bid everyone good night, and carried his mate upstairs to bed.  He undressed her and tucked her under the covers, smiling as he realized it was becoming a routine experience.  Then he undressed himself and settled in beside her.

He pulled her into his arms, and she snuggled against him.  Dmitry let the warmth of love and contentment wash over him.  He could hardly believe she was in his home only one day and in his life for four days.  How did he ever live without her?

Chapter Ten

The day dawned brightly.  Violet dressed and snuck outside to have time away from Dmitry’s family.  He left the lodge early, on pack business.  She was used to spending all of her time alone and liked to go out into the surrounding woods with her camera.  Feeling overwhelmed with all the people in the lodge, she needed to get away for a little while.

Later, her lessons on what it meant to be an Alpha’s mate continued with Alena and Yelena.  It was all very interesting, but Violet couldn’t wait for Illarion to come over after school.  She liked to take him outside to explore the pack territory and play.  She found the actual act of shifting shape amazing and Illarion liked to show off his skill.  The temptation to take pictures of the act was overwhelming.  But she promised Dmitry that she wouldn’t for safety reasons.  A rainbow of light would suddenly appear around the human form, and then when it dissipated, a wolf would be in its place.  Violet missed seeing Dmitry shift, but she was becoming used to the idea, and the wolves around her.

The pack was very close, and the males were protective of their mates.  There were only seven females still able to have children.  Then there was Alena, and herself, who were newly mated.  Children were needed, and somehow, as Alpha female, she needed to encourage all the women to try and get pregnant.  It was easier to understand why Dmitry could be so bossy one minute and so tender the next.

She was also learning about pack dynamics.  The Alpha was the leader.  Under him were several strong alpha males as his seconds, or Betas.  Those seconds also led a number of younger males under them, sometimes family members, and sometimes groups coming together to support each other.

Protecting their territory, and keeping their secrets, was their first goal.  To this end, patrols were kept at all hours.  If trespassers were found, they were escorted off pack lands.  Pack members were forbidden to shift in front of a human.  Several of the pack members seemed nervous when she was around.  Having a human for an Alpha female was new to all of them.

Violet visited with the school children and the elders who ran the school.  The school was one of the few buildings receiving electricity and owned a generator for back up.  She saw several pack members turn away when she came past with Illarion.  But she learned it was considered an insult to stare the Alpha female in the face.  Alena accompanied her, when she went out on pack business.  There was so much to learn, and understand at times, it seemed overwhelming.

She carried a basket of cookies and a blanket over her arm.  She was taking Illarion on a picnic, since school was done for the day.  They wandered down to the river and found a sunny spot.  She settled on the bank with her camera, while Illarion played in the water, his pants rolled up.  Suddenly they both heard a mental scream.

HELP!

Violet and Illarion froze staring at each other in shock.

Violet? 
came Dmitry’s mind touch.

It wasn't me, but it is close, Illarion and I are at the river.

Don't move, lyubov moya, I am on my way.

Violet looked around as first one large wolf and then another came running past
.

“
Violet, what's going on?” asked Illarion crawling up the bank and kneeling next to her.

“I'm not sure Illarion, but Dmitry said to stay right here, so here we stay.”  She said taking his hand.  She wasn’t sure who needed the reassurance more, her or Illarion.

Violet handed a cookie to Illarion, hoping to distract him.  Yelena ran up to them, her skirts flying around her ankles and her medicine bag in her hand.