The Alpha's Virgin Possession (14 page)

“No, I don’t deserve her. She’s better than I ever
will be. I’ve never been a good man. I thought I was a good alpha at one point,
but I wasn’t. If I was a good alpha, I wouldn’t have been outlawed. Clara makes
me a better man, and I know I’m going to spend the rest of my life showing her
how much I love her.”

Charles stayed quiet for a long time.

“The decision to outlaw you was taken out of my hands.
I didn’t disagree with what you did. The fact I sat at the same table with that
man, ate with him, shared my life with him sickens me. I saw the damage he did.
You were outlawed because one of us was determined to see you out of the way.
Riley has a lot to answer for. He was the cause for the sale of women. He
wanted you outlawed so everyone would tell your story rather than realize what
he was doing. He made us believe we were doing the right thing, and for that,
I’m totally sorry.” Charles stood. “You were one of the best alphas we’ve ever
known. Our biggest regret is outlawing you.”

“Riley did this?” Nick asked, understanding why the
other collective alpha hadn’t made an appearance.

“Yes. We found out what he was doing, and we’re
stopping him. I know words are not enough, but I am sorry for not going with my
gut and leaving you as an alpha.”

Nick was thankful for the words even though they were
unnecessary.

“If you were given the option of having a pack would
you take it?” Charles asked.

“No, I don’t want the responsibility. The only person
I want is Clara.”

“Speaking of the wonderful woman, I better go and join
the rest of the collective to interview her.”

Nick watched the other man walk toward the door. “Wait,”
he said, halting him. Charles turned. “When you’re with her take your time. She
doesn’t trust people easily, and I’d hate for you to upset her.”

“I will take every effort to calm her.”

Charles left, and Nick slumped back into his seat.
There, his life was going to be over if they decided Clara didn’t know her own
mind. Closing his eyes, he listened to his employees walking into the building.
He hated them all for their happy easy lives.

Getting on with work he kept looking at his phone
waiting for it to ring. It didn’t ring at all.

Around lunchtime he tensed as Dean entered the office.
The somber look on his face didn’t help Nick’s nerves at all.

“Do you know anything?” Nick asked.

“Sorry, mate, no. I brought you the contract we agreed
to. It’s time for you to look over it before you sign.” Dean placed the file on
the table. “You’ve not heard anything?”

“No. I’ve heard fuck all. This shouldn’t be allowed to
happen. I feel like my life is on hold until I know what is happening.”

“Clara’s a strong woman, Nick. She’ll convince them. I
know she’s in love with you. She’s not going anywhere.”

He smiled at his friend, not believing a word.

****

Clara kept beating the butter and sugar together. She
looked at the time sensing something was going to happen today. Nick had held
her tighter than ever before. Seeing him drive away clearly sad had upset her
even more. Today was going to be the day they visited her. The collective’s
visit was the only explanation as to Nick’s change in mood.

Baking a dark rich chocolate cake usually eased her
thoughts. Her cure for all tensions was no longer working. She placed the two
filled cake tins in the oven, washing up the dishes. Clara was wiping down the
counter when the doorbell sounded. Glancing around the kitchen, she tried to
find any excuse to answer the damn thing.

Be strong, Clara. You can do this.

She loved Nick, and all she needed to do was prove to
them her feelings. Tucking hair behind her ears she walked to the door.

“Hello, Clara. I’m Charles, and these are my brothers.
I’ll be the one doing the talking today. They’re here to listen, learn, and
take information in,” Charles said, going over all the introductions.

“Can I tell you to fuck off?” she asked.

“You can, but we can’t go anywhere. These are the
rules.”

Nodding, she opened the door waiting for them all to
enter. She heard them scenting the air. “I’ve been doing some baking. Would you
please sit in here while I get the tea?” Clara ushered them into the sitting
room like they were a pack a sheep rather than hungry dogs waiting to take her
away.

Once they were seated, she went into the kitchen,
tempted to call Nick. No, she wouldn’t do something to make them believe she
wasn’t here of her own free will. She took the cakes out of the oven to cool,
making up the tray with six cups and sugar.

Entering the sitting room, she placed the tray on the
coffee table remembering her and Nick’s time together. Heat entered her core.
She ignored the need, serving them all a drink and taking a seat even as her
arousal increased.

“Why are you aroused?” Charles asked.

Her cheeks must be aflame at his obvious question.
“I’m remembering a time with Nick, in this very room.” Lifting the cup to her
lips she took a sip smiling. “It’s a good memory.”

“Clara, we must get down to business. I’m sure you
know why I’m here?”

“I’ve been told you’re to make sure I don’t suffer
with some kind of syndrome and that
I’m
here of my own
free will.” She was speaking too fast, but she couldn’t stop the words from
pouring out. Sipping her tea she cursed her wayward mouth with her constantly
trying to talk.

Shut up, Clara.
Be confident. You’re not lying. You’re telling the truth.

For the next hour Charles took over the conversation
asking her questions. He asked about her childhood up to her first turning. The
look on his face as she described what happened made her feel slightly scared.
There was a reason these men were the collective. They knew how to handle
wolves and were stronger than many other wolves.

I bet Nick can take you.

He started asking questions about the night of her
being taken, becoming Nick’s property. She answered all of the questions
truthfully. There was no need for her to lie about her feelings. She had hated
Nick on sight, but she made sure all of them knew he didn’t lay a finger on
her.

When it got to the intimacy between her and Nick she
looked down at her lap thinking about their time together. Arousal filled her
core at the feel of Nick touching her.

“From the moment he bought me he could have touched
me, hurt me.” She felt tears fill her eyes. “He was the perfect gentleman. I
mean, I hated him, but he was so nice. You hear such horrid stories of being
sold for sex, yet I was lucky. Nick is not a man to be thwarted. He never
raised a hand to me in anger. Every single time we were together he was sweet,
coarse at times, but I never felt scared of him.”

She rubbed her arms, wishing he was with her now,
wrapping his arms around her to protect her. Clara said as much to them.

“Your family has been punished and is sentenced to
over fifty years of hard labor in our jail cells. They will never come near you
again or hurt you. Nick will never become an alpha of a pack. I need to know if
you wish to go back to a pack,” Charles said.

“No, I don’t want to be part of a pack. Nick is
everything I need. I know not all packs are horrible. I’ve had more than my
fair share of being part of a pack. I’d rather be outlawed with him,” she said,
pouring him another cup of tea.

Charles nodded, stared at her for several moments and
turned to the silent men in the room.

“I believe we’ve gotten everything we need.”

The other men nodded, rose to their feet and said
their goodbyes. She watched them leave, silently. Charles remained, sipping his
tea.

“What’s going on? You’re not taking me away, are you?”
Clara asked, ready to fight him.

“No, we’re not going to take you away. Regardless of
our reputation we’re not some horrid beasts separating people for fun.” Charles
was smiling as he spoke. “I see you love Nick and his love of you. I visited
him this morning before coming here today.”

“You did? Was he okay? I’m so worried about him.” She
stopped, biting her lip at her questions.

Charles chuckled. “Nick is an alpha. I know it took a
lot out of him to leave you alone to deal with us. It has been a pleasure
seeing him happy.”

“He told me what happened to make him an outlawed
male,” Clara said, heart breaking for the man she loved.

“Yes, it was nasty business but had to be done. My
biggest regret in being a collective is outlawing Nick. I’m pleased to see he
has fallen for a woman who makes him happy.”

“Do you really think I make him happy?” she asked,
looking up at the man as he started to get to his feet.

“Yes, you’re Nick’s life mate. You’re both attuned to
each other. Your emotions are the same. Together, I know you will flourish.”

Clara got to her feet to see him out.

When they were at the door she stopped him with a hand
on his arm. “What would you have done if I wanted to leave?” she asked.

“I’d have taken you away today to a new pack. Every
month I would have visited to make sure you were settled.” Charles cupped her
cheek. “I’m not going to tear you away from your mate. Have a happy life,
Clara.”

He left afterward. Looking at the clock she saw she’d
missed lunch. Nick was probably out of his mind. Rushing to the phone she
started to type in his number and stopped. Calling him wouldn’t do the trick.
She wanted to do something else. Putting the phone down, she entered the
kitchen and started setting up her basket.

Nick deserved the best, and she finished icing the
chocolate cake. She hummed as she set to work. By the time it came to end of
the day, she headed out toward Nick’s place of work. At five o’clock she was
leaning against his car holding the picnic basket in front of her. Every time
the elevator stopped, she tensed waiting to see him.

For the next half an hour Nick didn’t appear. He was
one of the last men to leave the building coming toward her with Dean in tow.
His friend slapped his arm, pointing at the car.

She smiled, waving at him. Nick frowned, approaching
her.

“Why are you here?” Nick asked.

“I thought we could go on a picnic. I’ve packed
dinner.” She turned to Dean, smiling at him, hoping he’d get the message and
leave.

Dean said his goodbyes leaving them alone.

“Did you see the collective today?”

“Yes, I saw them, and I’m here.”

“You’re not leaving?” Nick asked.

Tears filled her eyes as his spilled down his cheeks.
She’d never seen Nick cry before. The emotion coming off him made her gasp.

“No, I’m not going anywhere.” His arms wrapped around
her making the picnic basket collapse to the floor.

She giggled, holding onto him as they shared a tender
moment.

“I’m not going anywhere. I’m afraid you’ve got me for
the rest of your life,” Clara said.

“I don’t care. Fuck, marry me, Clara,” he said.

“Yes.” She didn’t even hesitate, kissing his lips as
his love surrounded her. He held her tightly, neither of them wanting to let
go.

“You’ve made me the happiest man in the world,” he
said.

Clara couldn’t speak. Who would have thought being
bought for sex could have resulted in her finding the man of her dreams? Nick
was her life mate, the man she was destined to spend the rest of her life with.

Taking his hand, she led him out to the park to
celebrate their newfound freedom.

Epilogue

Five years later

Nick stared down into his mate’s eyes. This was their
fifth anniversary of being a mated couple. Dean, godfather to their six
children, all twins, had taken them for the night so Nick could show his woman
how much he loved her.

“You’re tormenting me again,” she said, whimpering.

He turned her over, dripping some cream onto her back
and licking up the droplets. Pressing the strawberry to her lips he watched the
plumpness take the fruit.

“We don’t get much time alone anymore. We’ve got to
take as much time as we can.” It had taken him over three weeks to get Dean to
agree to take their kids. In all fairness all three sets of twins were not the
easiest children to look after. Nick adored them, but he was pleased for them
to be out of the house so he could have some quiet time with his wife.

After convincing the collective that she loved him,
Clara had accepted his marriage proposal and that very same night he gave her
his mating mark. Any wolf would see she was mated and how possessive he’d been
in the claiming of her.

“Then you better stop feeding me and fucking me. Oh,
before you do,” she said, getting up and pushing him to his back. Nick laughed
loving how wild she was when the kids were away. Clara really was an amazing
mother. Their children were always around her feet. When he went to pick the
oldest up from school he heard the mothers commenting on how wonderful she was.