Destiny's Choice (16 page)

They both watched as Tristan touched each horse
.
T
he foals pok
ed
their smaller heads through the lower lattes to make sure they weren’t left out. It was cute, causing her, Roan, and Dane to laugh. Then, when the last head was pet
ted
, Tristan sent them away with a wave. He turned back to them, his cheeks flushed with happiness and his golden amber eyes shining.

“Sorry about that, Roan,” Tristan said as he came over to where they were standing.

“Don’t worry about it.” Roan waved his hand. “I knew it would happen.”

Tristan nodded. “I’ll need to go out to th
e pasture today or tomorrow.” His happy look turned to grim concern. “The older mares have spotted and scented some snakes near where the foals play. They’re worried for the little ones.”

“That’s fine.” Roan lifted his arm, looking at his watch. “It’s a little after one now. I hope to have all this cleared up by evening at the latest.” He then turned to
Steven
and Mikeal who were standing quietly by, each one holding onto their guests. “Go ahead and take them to the clearing. We’ll meet you there shortly.”

Both nodded, practically dragging Ian and Lillah away and behind the house. A house that Rivera now noticed was a
massive,
two story ranch house
,
complete with a wrap around front porch. It had white siding and dark green shutters on all the windows. There was even white and green wicker furniture and a dark green painted porch swing to complete the picture. 
S
he just knew there was a red barn in back. What real working ranch didn’t have a red barn? But before she could ask Roan, the front door swung open and a man who was clearly Roan’s brother stepped out with a small but very striking red-haired woman fast on his heels. When she spotted Rivera,
she came down the porch steps and walked right up to her. The woman barely came to Rivera’s chin, but Rivera knew instinctively that this was the female Alpha. Of course, the power radiating from her was certainly a good clue.

She looked Rivera up and down, her unusual coloured eyes, a vibrant green with a ring of navy blue, seemed to bore into Rivera’s
heart
. Then she spoke.

“You’re strong.” She drew in a deep breath with her nose. “What I can sense of your wolf is also strong.”

Rivera couldn’t help gasping at that. “My wolf? You can actually sense her?”

“Oh yes.” She s
miled then closed her eyes
.
Her
red head cocked to the side. “She’s…sleeping, but…restless. Very restless.” When she opened her eyes, they held a dim glow. “I’m Sasha LeGuer,
Alpha
female.” She held out her hand.

“Rivera Montgomery, Roan’s True
Mate
.” They shook hands
and
a jolt of energy shook Rivera to her core. “What was that?” She quickly let go, fighting the urge to rub her palm against her slacks.

“Roan’s tie extends to the Pack as a whole
,
whereas my tie is stronger to the females. What you felt was your bond to the Pack clicking into place
,
as well as your tie to me.”

Rivera frowned, feeling a sense that she belonged
,
where before was emptiness. It wasn’t unwelcome, just odd.
“How? I didn’t exactly give any consent for such a thing.”

“You didn’t have to.” Sasha shrugged. “Even asleep, your wolf acknowledges me as the Alpha female and knows who’s stronger. And yes, once fully awake, I’m sure your wolf will be quite formidable. But she’s nothing when compared to me and she knows it. Plus, you’re in my territory. A show of dominance had to be made
.”

“Ah.” Rivera nodded, her ire soothed. “Not to worry, I could care less about gaining a title or higher position in the Pack. I think having an Alpha as a True
Mate
will be more than enough.”

“Amen to that,”
c
ame a mumbled retort.

Sasha snorted. “Flynn, don’t make me tell mom about your bad manners. Come over here and greet your new sister properly.”

He did as bid, looking anything but contrite with his big grin and laughing light eyes.

“My humble apologies, Rivera.” He reached out and shook her
good
hand. “I’m Flynn, as you no doubt have guessed. Welcome to our home and family.
When you’re more settled, I’ll take a look at that wrist.
” He then grabbed Sasha, wrapping her in his arms. “How was that, baby?”

She stood up on her toes and kissed him. “Jackass.” She giggled.

Rivera could see the love between these two. It was more than just on their faces, it was as if it totally surrounded them in their own bubble.

“Sasha, could you explain how you knew she wasn’t bonded to the Pack,” Roan interrupted, breaking up the snuggle fest. “I didn’t feel the absence until her bond snapped into place.”

He didn’t look unhappy per se, but his deep frown did convey confusion.

“Oh, well, it’s probably because all your thinking is focused on the True
Mate
bond.” She turned, leaning her back against Flynn. “Your senses have no doubt been on overload since you found each other. And considering that bond pretty much supersedes any other bond she’s ever had, I’m not surprised you didn’t feel it.”

He let out a harsh breath. “I seem to be doing that more than a I care to.”

“Cut yourself some slack, Roan.” Rivera quickly came to his defence. “A boat load of problems and responsibilities dropped into your lap all within a twenty-four hour period. You’ve had to act and make decisions accordingly. And because of that, a few minor details get overlooked.”

“Your bond to the Pack is not a minor detail, sweetheart.” He reached out and took her good hand.

“In this instance, it is when you have more pressing matters to take care of.” She let his hand go, placing a finger over his lips to stall any further comment. “You’re not perfect, Roan. Nor would I want you to be. Perfect is boring and overrated. Besides, I’m bonded now and that’s all that really matters. Not who knew and
who
did it.” 

He grinned, shaking his head as he took her hand back. “Alright, sweetheart, it’s done. But I reserve the right to be perfect in other areas.” Warm lips grazed her knuckles, his icy gaze heating up.

Her response was immediate as arousal began to course through her blood. “Roan-“

“Ahem,” Sasha cleared her throat, effectively throwing a wet blanket on the smouldering desire between them. “Sorry to interrupt and all, but Quinn is waiting in the clearing and the moron triplets are waiting in your office.”

Giving Rivera
,
a look that promised wicked delights later, Roan turned a thunderous expression
toward Sasha. “Why are they in my office when I expressly ordered them to the clearing like everybody else?”

“You’re joking, right?” She snorted. “Boone’s ego is so big, I’m surprised he could fit it in the house. The other two just follow in his wake.”

“His reasoning
was, if
you wanted to see him, it would be more civilized to do so in your office,” Flynn explained.

“Ci
vilized. Sure he is,” she chortled
. “That jerk is so full of crap, his eyes are brown.”

Rivera couldn’t help but laugh at that. “With all I’ve learned of Boone, it sounds like his mind in nothing but a cesspit anyhow. So the description seems valid.”

“Honey, don’t even get me started.” Sasha rolled her eyes
.
T
hat southern accent seeming stronger with her annoyance.

“If it’s any consolation, Cole stayed with them,” Flynn said.

“And the St. Paul’s?” Roan asked. “Have they arrived yet?”

Flynn shook his head. “They’re about fifteen minutes away. Phillip made sure to call just before you arrived.”

He nodded then turned to Dane. “Everyone in place?”

“Just waiting for your signal, cuz.” Dane grinned.

“Roan LeGuer, what are you up to?”

From the amused expression on Sasha’s face, Rivera could see that dealing with her brother’s mysterious schemes wasn’t new.

“All in good time, little sister. All in good time.”

“Roan-“

He chuckled. “Yes, I am quite aware of your aversion to mysteries. But never fear, I won’t draw it out for long.”
He reached
into his pants pocket and brought out what looked shiny and gold. “In the meantime, I would very much like for you to wear the female version of this, if you please?”

When he held out his hand, Sasha squealed with delight and Flynn whooped with joy. In Roan’s palm was a gold torque. It was thick, about the diameter of her middle finger. It had wolf heads at each end with emerald eyes.
And it was old. Very old.
Rivera had dealt with antiquities
enough
over the decades to recognize one when she saw it.

Sasha didn’t need to be told twice. She turned tail and raced back into the house.

“Roan?”

He turned to her with a sheepish grin. “Sorry, sweetheart. With everything going on, I totally forgot to tell you about the Alpha Torque.”

The explanation was quite vivid with ancient documents hidden in a puzzle box and reincarnation of the Packs greatest female Alpha. Of the twin torques fashioned by the Alpha himself for his True
Mate
and an old seer who apparently knew too much. Rivera would have thought them all a little off if the evidence in Roan’s hand and around Sasha’s neck as she strolled back to them didn’t give credence to the tale.

“May I?” She held out her hand. “One of my thesis papers was on ancient
metallurgy.” That raised a few brows, some with clear confusion. “Sorry. I’ve spent all of my adult life learning a myriad of different things. I hold several degrees in literature, ancient history, and biology. Then there are a few PhD’s in anthropology and ancient architecture. I also speak, at last count, seventeen different languages fluently.”

“Wow! Gorgeous and smart,” Sasha quipped. “Not bad, big brother.” She gave Rivera the thumbs up. “Not bad at all.”

“My sexy librarian,” Roan
spoke softly
with heat.
His
expression show
ed
pleasure and pride.

Rivera felt her cheeks heat as she carefully took the torque from Roan. “It’s solid
,
with some definite weight.” She hefted it in her hand, giving it a thorough exam. “The gold, despite
its
apparent age, is still quite shiny but has a deep patina that
it
only
acquires after a certain time. But
,
this detailing, truly amazing. Such a
deep
,
uniform
,
herringbone pattern
on the entire body
. You don’t see this sort of detail often, not with a complete piece. And these wolf heads.” She shook her head with amazement. “Such fine craftsmanship. With their mouths open, teeth bared, they look as if they could leap out at you at any moment. Even with the emerald eyes, it doesn’t detract from the flowing fur and snarling mouths. Exquisite,” She murmured. “Truly exquisite.” She handed the piece back to Roan who put it on
.
The
wolf heads
rested
on each side of his Adam’s apple.

Taking in the complete picture, her True
Mate
resembled some old world warrior, the gold making his tanned skin glow in the sunlight.
Too bad they had something else to do. She would like nothing more than to make love to her True
Mate
wearing that torque and nothing else. He
r
pulse sped up at the thought.

“Keep looking at me like that, sweetheart, and I won’t be responsible for my actions,” he growled as he pulled her close. The humour in his voice only belied the fire burning in his icy gaze.

She gave him a sultry smile, touching his hair roughened cheek. “Later then.”

“You can count on it,” he
promised with a carnal grin of his own. “Now it’s time I taught three fools the true meaning of respect.”

Roan took her hand, leading her and the others up the steps and into the cool confines of the house. It was big with charming
western
touches that showed the house wasn’t just where the Alpha female lived, it was also a home. A very well loved home
that showed its wear on floors and walls, but clean nonetheless
. Rivera could practically feel the warmth of the place as they all trooped down a carpeted hallway on the main floor. But then, she was feeling rather warm herself.
Like
was having a hot flash. Her stomach was a little crampy, but that could be due to not eating anything before they left. Still, as they walked into the spacious office, Rivera wasn’t feeling well
at all
. She spotted an empty chair in the corner of the room and sat down.