Bridenapped: The Alpha Chronicles (14 page)

              Frown lines creased Kristofer’s forehead, and he fixed Caitlin with an angry look.  The other men had stepped outside as soon as he arrived, leaving Kristofer and Caitlin alone in the room. “Did you think of consulting me before doing this?” Kristofer asked, arms folded across his broad chest.

              “No, because I already told you about this when I first got here, and you brushed me off and ignored it completely.” Caitlin glared up at him with her hands on her hips. He towered over her, but she would not be intimidated. She refused to apologize for doing the right thing.

              Kristofer shook his head, an expression of exasperation crossing his face. “No, I didn’t. That’s why I’ve been so busy. As soon as you told me that, I started visiting the different clans and talking to them.  It took some time and convincing to get them to open up to me, but I learned that you were right. There were people who are unhappy and even unsuited to their profession. There are people who want to marry people in other clans, but have felt that they were unable to because of our customs. What you have to understand, Caitlin, is that we can’t change centuries of tradition overnight. It takes a delicate approach.”

              Caitlin winced at that. She hadn’t taken a delicate approach. She’d trampled right over their traditions like an elephant.

              “People were unhappy. They were trapped,” she protested faintly.

              “I understand that. And I’m working to change it. Slowly. Through proper channels. Talking to the chieftain of each clan, scheduling meetings so that we can start coming up with solutions that are satisfactory to everybody…”

              “You never told me that,” she said heatedly. “If you had, I would have held off. I thought you were ignoring me completely, and I just wanted to try to help the pack members here before-” she stopped herself. She’d been about to say “before the day I have to dump you and run back home,” but she couldn’t say that. “Before it went on too much longer,” she finished, staring at the ground.

              “The Alpha doesn’t generally involve the Alpha Queen in pack politics,” he said. “It’s not…”

              “Traditional?” she finished for him.

              He nodded, then let out a long sigh. “I can see that I should have confided in you,” he said.

              “I should probably have confided in you too,” she said. “Did I get you in trouble with the Alpha Congress? Or with Taddeus?”

He shrugged. “Taddeus is rallying the clan chieftains who are the most hard line and traditional, and they’re appealing to the Alpha Congress, demanding my immediate removal.” At her alarmed look, he added, “It’s about 60-40 in my favor right now. Don’t worry about it. Whatever happens, these issues needed to be brought to light.”

“I’m sorry if I got you in trouble.”

“Don’t be. You care deeply about the pack members, and you were willing to take risks to ensure their happiness. You will make an excellent Alpha Queen.”

              Caitlin managed a weak smile, but now she felt even worse. She’d hoped that she would help Twyla and all the other pack members who were trapped in their positions, and then move on, having changed their lives for the better. Instead she’d poked a hornet’s nest, and then she was going to scurry off and leave them all to deal with this on their own.

              “Really, don’t worry about it,” Kristofer insisted, mistaking the look on her face. “It’s fine. There’s an emergency meeting of the clan chieftains that I need to attend. Frank is going to take you back to our house, and I’ll be back in a few hours.”

* * *

              Caitlin strode through the pine trees behind the Alpha House, with Frank following at a discreet distance.  She was hoping to find a measure of peace here, to wrap herself in the same calm that she encountered when she walked through the woods behind her house, but it was eluding her. Was it because these weren’t her own lands, the lands that felt so safe and familiar to her, or was it because there was no solution to her dilemma today?

              Images of her mother flashed through her mind…her mother, getting worse. Her mother, fading away. Her aunt and uncle and cousins living in a trailer park…

              No. She couldn’t let that happen. She’d sacrifice anything to save her family…even her love for Kristofer.

              Had she just dared to think that word? It didn’t matter. She wrapped up that thought in cotton wool and tucked it far away, in the furthest recesses of her mind.  She had no choice. Maybe, on some level, Kristofer would even understand.

              “Do you know what you’ve done?” an angry woman’s voice snarled at her, and she spun around. Elzbetka.  She was standing by a tall lodgepole pine, her eyes sparking with hatred. She’d dropped all pretense of being the respectful, deferential lady in waiting.

              “Aren’t you supposed to throw a ‘milady’ in there somewhere?” Caitlin was in no mood for Elzbetka’s bitchiness right now.

              “Forget it.” Elzbetka’s lips were peeled back in anger. “You don’t deserve the title. You don’t deserve Kristofer. Because of you, he’s at risk of being removed as Alpha.”

              Caitlin was painfully aware of that, but she wasn’t about to discuss it with Elzbetka.

              “You’re not even supposed to be here,” she reminded her.

Kristofer had banished Elzbetka from the main section of the village, for sneaking Melodee in to his house.

              “Yes,” Elzbetka said bitterly, “Thanks to you.”

              “No, thanks to you and your bad decisions. What did you think would happen when you let Melodee in?”

              “I thought he’d come to his senses and see that she’d be a million times better bride for him. She’s prettier, she’s more fashionable, and she would be a bride who would respect tradition.”

              “Oh, like the tradition of bullying everyone who you perceive as your social inferior. Yes, I can see your point, she’d be good at that.”

              Frank was strolling towards them at a rapid pace, scowling at Elzbetka. Caitlin glanced at him, then back at Elzbetka.

              “I know that you’re in love with Kristofer. So why do you want him to marry Melodee?”

              “Because it wouldn’t be a love match!” Elzbetka spit out. “Because she doesn’t love him, and he doesn’t love her! What’s best for him is to have a political marriage, and to let me serve as his advisor! We were soul mates. I would have won him back if you hadn’t come along.   Don’t look at me like that.  It would all be for the good of the pack.  She’s a better fit than you are.”  The light in her eyes had taken on a particularly crazed look. “I won’t let you marry him. I won’t let you destroy him and the pack.”

              “It’s not up to you, and I’m telling you for the last time, stay away from me,” Caitlin said.

              Fur rippled over Elzbetka’s face, and fangs shot out.  Just then, Frank reached them. Caitlin stood her ground, and Frank grabbed Elzbetka’s arm. She yanked angrily and cursed in Kerslavian, trying to free herself as he talked into his mobile radio, but he stood there immobile as a rock.  Soon three werewolves showed up to escort her from the area. She stalked away disdainfully, head held high.

              Disgusted, Caitlin headed back to the house.  As she walked, her phone rang. It was her family’s ring tone, so she answered quickly.

              “Did you hear what Melodee is saying about you?” Priscilla’s aggrieved voice shrilled into the phone.

              “No, but this is Melodee we’re talking here. Who cares what she says?”

              “Because, when she insults you she insults all of us.  Her cousin’s in my class, you know. Her cousin posted on her Facefriend page that Melodee said that Kristofer really wanted to marry her all along, but you tricked him by pretending that you were pregnant. And all my friends saw it.”

              Caitlin burst out laughing. “Thank you, Priscilla, you just made my day.”

              “It’s not funny!” Priscilla said indignantly.

              “It’s hilarious. A werewolf can only make a woman pregnant on a full moon. It is not possible for me to have tricked him into thinking I was pregnant. Melodee is desperate and pathetic and she’d do anything to be Alpha Queen. She broke into Kristofer’s room the other night, and tried to throw herself at him and his guards had to haul her out of there, naked. That’s the real reason that she got booted as wedding planner.”

              “Oooh!” Priscilla perked up immediately. “Can I put that in my blog?”

              “Only if you want me to literally, not figuratively, but literally, murder you. Okay, you’ve cheered me up enormously, but I’m going to have to let you go now. And stop worrying about anything that a Klinghoffer says. They lie for a living.”

“Yoo hoo, Caitlin?” Lottie called out, looking around the living room of the small log cabin. “Where are you?”

One of the security staff had escorted her to the cabin, which was on the west end of the pack’s property. She’d expected to meet Caitlin and Paige for a bridesmaid’s fitting, at a member of the seamstress clan’s home.  This cabin definitely looked more on the masculine side; there was hand-carved wood furniture, a moose head mounted on a wall, a bearskin rug in front of a flagstone fireplace…had they brought her to the wrong cabin? What an odd mistake.

              She didn’t see any dresses. Or tailors. Or anyone. There was a round tray sitting on the coffee table, holding what looked like two Margaritas

              “Caitlin? Paige? What’s happening here?” she yelled.

A door opened, and Alexander walked out.  She froze where she stood. Damn it, she hadn’t fixed her makeup, or her hair, and she was wearing a tank top and jeans, and…why was he looking at her like that, like she was a cupcake and he had a serious sweet tooth?

Her breath quickened as he came closer.

“Actually, I’m the one who asked you to come here,” Alexander said.

“You did? Why?”

Instead of answering, he leaned down, picked up one of the margaritas, and dumped it on her chest.

She leaped back, with a gasp. “What was that for?”

He grinned at her, stalking towards her. “I figured that would happen sooner or later, so I just got it out of the way.”

“I….oh.”

“And now,” he said, “You’re all sticky. You really need a shower. I happen to have a shower.”

“You do?” her voice rose in a squeak.

“Yes, I do. And if you’re wondering if that was just a transparent excuse to get your clothes off, then yes, it was. Because I really want to fuck you. I’m sorry, was that too crude?’

              “Oh, no.” Her voice was faint, and her heart hammered against her chest. “Not at all. It’s just crude enough.”

Dazed by the way he’d so unselfconsciously laid out his desires, she wordlessly allowed him to take her hand and lead her into the bathroom. She was acutely aware of her erect nipples pressing against the wet fabric of her tank top and bra, and the citrusy, alcoholic scent of the margarita. If you’d asked her before today she’d never have guessed that a guy tossing a cold drink over her could be so damn hot. She shuddered delicately as Alexander let go of her hand to turn the shower on, then turned back to face her.

His expression was intent as he allowed his gaze to roam over her face and linger on her lips before he looked down at the sodden fabric clinging to her breasts. Then he lowered his head and sucked on her peaked nipple through the cloth, making her moan softly with desire as her eyes drifted shut. Even through the double layer of fabric, his mouth was hot, the sensation of his lips moving over her breast making shivers of anticipation and lust shimmy through her.

He hooked his arm around her back to hold her closer and she could feel the hard pressure of his desire against the front of her body. When he lifted his head, his eyes were clouded with desire, and when his mouth descended on hers his, the intoxicating taste of the margarita lingered on his lips and tongue.

He kissed her with a gentle thoroughness, exploring her mouth with a sensual confidence that made heat shimmer in her belly. His arms were like steel bands around her, crushing her to him, and she felt almost drunk on the taste and scent and feel of him.

She could hardly believe she was in Alexander’s arms – Alexander, the man who she’d yearned for from the first time she laid eyes on him.

When he pulled away he was breathing hard, and she realized she wasn’t breathing at all. Her heart was pounding like a drum in her chest and her hands were shaking as she reached down to the hem of her top and stripped it over her head, bra and all.

Alexander’s low growl of approval was enough to overcome her nerves and, feeling bold and wild and out of control, she kicked off her shoes and stripped off her jeans and panties while Alexander efficiently disposed of his own clothes.

The room had filled with billows of warm steam while they’d been kissing, and when Alexander pulled her into the shower, the water was hot and invigorating as it pounded down on her shoulders. It saturated her hair and ran in rivulets down her skin. She lowered her lips to Alexander’s shoulder and lapped the beaded water from the hollow of his collarbone. His skin tasted clean and masculine, and even standing in the steaming water it felt hot under her lips. Alexander stepped closer, easing her back against the cool tiles, which provided a shocking contrast in temperature compared to the heat of the water.

He stepped back and gazed at her for a long moment. Then he grabbed the soap and quickly lathered his hands before applying the palmfuls of soapy suds to her breasts. “Let’s get you nice and clean,” he murmured in a voice that sounded anything but.

He ran his hands down over her ribs, the swell of her belly and the curve of her waist. The suds made his palms move slickly over her body and she shuddered under his skilful touch. When he parted the lips of her pussy and circled her clit with his fingers, she gasped, and when he pushed two fingers slowly, firmly inside her, the gasp turned into a moan.

She was wet and ready for him and his fingers slid inside her easily. He curled them so that as he withdrew them the pads of his fingers rode over her G-spot, and she gave a long moan, her cunt clutching his fingers as though reluctant to lose his touch.

“Alexander,” she gasped. “I want you inside me. Please…now…”

Alexander growled and lifted her, his palms under her thighs, pressing her back against the cold tiles. He entered her at once, pushing inside her smoothly, giving her every single inch. He stilled for a moment and she could feel his cock twitching and throbbing insider her. Then he began to move, swiveling his hips each time he withdrew to tease her G-spot and murmuring sweet, half-incoherent words of passion into her ear.

Lottie held on for dear life, digging her fingers into his broad, muscular shoulders as he thrust inside her, driving her closer to the pinnacle of orgasm. Her groans became higher, more desperate as his cock stroked inside her cunt, sending tingling spasms of pleasure shooting through her, building in intensity until she was crying out with helpless bliss and clenching around him, lost in the intensity of the sensation as Alexander continued to pump until the last pulses of pleasure died away.

When he set her on her feet, she almost fell. Her legs felt wobbly and weak and she was still lost in the aftermath of her mind-melting orgasm.

Alexander gave a self-satisfied grin and swept her into his arms. She could feel the rapid, rhythmic thudding of his heart as he carried her through into the bedroom, laying her in the center of the coverlet before crawling onto the bed to join her.

His dick was still rampantly, gloriously erect as he settled himself between her thighs, and she gave a shaky sigh of arousal as he worked it between the damp petals of her sex, which was still slick and swollen from his thorough attentions.

She could hardly believe it possible to have another orgasm so soon after Alexander had practically sent her into orbit, but she bit her lip and moaned as his entry into her tight channel began to stoke the flames of her excitement once again.

Alexander moved above her, staring soulfully into her eyes as he pumped into her willing body. She ran her hands down his back and over the taut, flexing globes of his ass as he worked his way in and out, each thrust coaxing her into a more intense, more unbearable moment of bliss. Their skin was still damp from the shower, and his hair tumbled over his brow in wet waves. His skin seemed to shimmer where the light hit it as his muscles bunched and flexed.  As Lottie tumbled into her orgasm, he stifled her hoarse moan of pleasure with his mouth, drinking in the sound, then pulling away to shout his own shuddering, unrestrained release.

Afterwards they lay entwined, Lottie draped across Alexander’s chest, her legs tangled with his. He toyed idly with a strand of her damp hair. The air was pleasantly cool on their skin as it dried and Lottie’s body ached sweetly from their lovemaking.

"You know, if you lived here on the pack grounds, you'd be living right near your best friend,” he murmured into her shoulder.

“On the pack grounds? Uh…any particular place that you were thinking of?”

“I happen to know a very sexy werewolf who’d let you move in to his cabin, and whose only wish would be to sexually service you every night.”

“Wow, he sounds hot! When do I get to meet him?”

In response to her teasing, Alexander nipped her shoulder with his teeth, and with a hint of fang, and she yelped, then let out a giggle.

“Only me,” he growled. “And you should know, I don’t do casual relationships. I want the whole package. I want you. I want a ring on your finger. I want cubs someday. With you, if I wasn’t clear.”

“With me?” she snuggled deeper into his arms, closed her eyes, and imagined falling asleep like this every night forever.

“When a werewolf meets the right woman, he stakes his claim.” He licked the top of her ear, and she shivered with desire. “What do you think?”

“I think that if you are trying to sway my decision with incredibly hot sex, it’s working.” She let out a low, satisfied moan as he slid on top of her again.

“Just to make sure you don’t change your mind,” he said.