Mated to the Alpha: The Complete Collection (34 page)

"The wound to your stomach area would have killed you otherwise," Akiko explained. "You would have bled out before we could have gotten you to medical care. Before you lost too much blood, and before I passed out, I made a decision. I knew about Kimberly's feelings towards turning, but I did what I had to do. I have asked for her forgiveness. It’s normally a very grave insult to do what I did to a member of another Clan without their Alpha's permission."

"And no apology is required," Kimberly added. "Akiko saved my Sister, at great cost to herself." She stood up, and looked towards the door. "Hold on, Edward is asking for my help in the kitchen. Keith, you think you could give me a hand? Knowing Edward, he's probably cooked up ten armloads of stuff."

"Sure," Keith said, kissing Melanie on the forehead once again. "You two have a good talk," he whispered in her ear before leaving. "We'll join back in when we bring brunch."

Once the door was closed, Melanie turned her eyes back to Akiko, who she saw was more exhausted than she let on. "Is that why you can Link with me now? And what of the battle?"

"You are my Daughter," Akiko said quietly, smiling. "I lost a son to a treacherous step-daughter, only to gain a Daughter in the end. A fair enough trade, I suppose. You are a fine woman, any Lycan would be proud to call you Daughter. I was proud enough to call you Sister. As for the battle, the enemy was eliminated. After we were wounded, Kimberly reduced that monastery to smoke and ash, while Keith and the others made sure none left alive. The UK press is calling it a reawakening of terror concerns, but nobody can figure out who is to blame. The IRA, ISIS, drug gangs, they don't know. Our casualties were light, only twenty. The
kinbushi
are crushed. Although April Bell was angry with Kimberly. She ended up throwing up all over the co-pilot's seat, and the Melior is having to fake a lot of things to cover the destruction of a very old historical building, but they are dealing with it."

Melanie thought, and realized that the sense of relief that came with the news was secondary to other more immediate concerns. "So I will change now, beyond my control?"

Akiko nodded. "And I cannot. The wounds I suffered, they were too grievous. My body, when coupled with the strain of changing you, did not fully regenerate. My kidneys and liver can’t take the strain any longer of changing back and forth. But it is a price I would gladly pay a thousand times over if I was given the same choice again."

Melanie adjusted Jay in her arms to allow her to reach over and take Akiko's hand. Squeezing, she felt the new member of her Link, and realized that Akiko was nearly as strong a presence in her mind as Keith. She also realized something else, in that even more than what she shared with Keith, she was privy to all of Akiko's memories and wisdom, like a living, breathing history of the last seventy years of Lycan life. She saw everything, and realized just how much Akiko had given up for her.

"Akiko.....
okaasan...
" Melanie stopped, and shook her head in slight disbelief. "So I guess I can speak Japanese now too. Don't have to worry about those lessons we talked about."

"We'll still practice. Your brain knows, but your tongue needs training," Akiko said with a small laugh. "We can work together at Thornblood Hall."

"What do you mean?"

Akiko smirked, a flash of sadness combined with relief on her face. "Like I said, I can never change again. I'll be hard pressed over the next few weeks just recovering my strength and maybe getting this gray out of my hair, forgive my vanity. But Clan Thornblood cannot be headed by an Alpha Female who cannot change, who cannot be a full Lycan. So, while you were recovering the past few days, Keith and I had a talk. I must step down as Alpha Female of Clan Thornblood to become like Valeria was, a Dame of the Clan. Meanwhile, Keith will move into Thornblood Hall. Therefore, you are faced with a very serious choice."

"Keith already has a First and Second Mate," Melanie said, the realization hitting her. "If Clan Thornblood is to have a proper Alpha Female, she must be either his Mate or his blood relation."

"Which leaves you or Kimberly. Kimberly has already said she doesn't want the job, she's busy enough with Clan Lockwood, a reasonable argument as the Clans are not joined," Akiko replied. "So would you take the position?"

"I'd be a first generation Lycan acting as an Alpha Female," Melanie replied. Jay squirmed and she saw that her son was already going back to sleep, nestling into his mother's lap and reaching for her breast. She freed her nipple and started feeding her son, then turned back without missing a beat of the conversation. "Would Clan Thornblood accept me?"

"If they don't, they'd have me and Keith to deal with," Akiko said with a chuckle. "I may have to take wolfsbane extract for the rest of my life to help control my change, but I'll recover and still be able to kick quite a bit of ass if needed. Besides, there's a little secret that Kimberly doesn't know."

"What's that?"

"The strength of a first generation Lycan is directly dependent on the strength of their Parent. I'm a fifteenth generation purebred Alpha, from a line that was Alpha level only for close to seven hundred years. Once your body adapts, you will find that you will be more than equal to many, many Lycans. Perhaps not as strong as Kimberly or Keith, but fine in your own right. You’ll only lack the control of your change at the full moon."

"That's in two weeks," Melanie said nervously. "After what Kimberly said happened to her first boyfriend, I'm scared."

"Kimberly made a grave mistake, one fueled by youth and lack of knowledge," Akiko said. "We spoke about it. We will have you ready, both psychologically and physically. Don’t worry there. So, Melanie Waldwyck, would you be willing to become the new Lady Thornblood?"

Melanie was going to answer when the door to the dining room opened, and Edward came in, a massive platter in each hand, while Kimberly followed with a tea cart loaded with more food as well as plates and silverware. Keith brought up the rear carrying two large insulated pitchers of what smelled like fragrant black teas.

"Sorry to interrupt," the massive Aklark said, "but brunch is served. Now Akiko, no arguments today, you're going to eat everything that I put in front of you. I already maple glazed your ham, and the pancakes have a big jar of syrup to go with them, so no arguments. And if you do eat it all, I have maple ribbon ice cream ready for tonight's dessert."

Akiko chuckled and shook her head. "Edward, you spoil me. I'm not a Dame yet."

"Yes, you are," Melanie replied. Keith froze, his hand stopping the pitcher an inch above the table before setting it down. "Hail Clan Thornblood, may we live with our Brothers and Sisters of Clan Lockwood forever."

Kimberly finished setting the table silently, saying little as brunch progressed. Melanie's attempts to ask her questions over their Link were either ignored or shut off, she couldn't tell, and after the massive meal was completed, she got up to clear the table quickly. Melanie watched her go, troubled.

Keith.

Yes, my love?

Are you okay with this?

Yes. I'm still Alpha of the Lockwoods as well, although you and I will have to move to Thornblood Hall. The Clan needs an active Alpha there all the time. Still, you and I can visit Kimberly and Edward at Lockwood Towers or the Manor often. She has agreed to leave our penthouse as ours, although she can use the space when she wishes.

Good. So which helicopter is going to be ours?

Oh, Kim's already told me I have to take the Ka-62. After all she's done, she's keeping the Wolf for herself. Already painted her name on the side where the pilot's name goes. I'll probably have to ask permission to fly it from now on.

That's our Sister. Listen, I need to talk with Kim about this. Think you can take Jay for a bit?

Of course. Also, Edward offered to look after Jay this afternoon for a little while. He's really become attached to him. If you're up to it...?

I think I might be up to that. By the way, am I taller or something now?

About an inch. You might grow another before it's all said and done. Part of your change. We'll discuss it later.

Keith came over and took the sleeping baby boy from Melanie's arms. "Come on Akiko, I'll help you to the library," Edward said, coming over to her side.

"How about the back porch today?" Akiko replied. "I could use some of the sunshine."

Melanie didn't hear the rest of the conversation as she left the dining room and found her way to the kitchen, where Kimberly was quietly washing the plates. The one staff member, who was part of the year round maintenance crew, saw the two women and ducked out, giving them privacy. "Hey, can I help?”

"Sure," Kimberly said quietly, handing her a wet plate. Melanie found a hand towel and started wiping down the dish before setting it aside to put away later. "So you took the job."

"If I could have stayed at Lockwood Towers, I would have," Melanie replied quietly. "But I couldn't. It wouldn't be fair to Keith or Akiko."

Kimberly nodded, her eyes still fixed on the soapy water in front of her. Melanie dried plates and cups as they were handed to her, neither of them talking. Finally, Melanie broke the silence. "Are you angry?"

"Angry? No. Kinda sad I guess. I wanted you here when my babies are born."

The cup in Melanie's fingers tumbled to the counter where it shattered as Kimberly's words soaked in. "Babies? As in more than one?"

Kimberly turned her eyes to Melanie, smiling. "Yeah. The doctor confirmed it while you were sleeping and healing. He did the ultrasound right there in my bedroom. Twins. A boy and a girl."

Melanie turned and pulled Kimberly into a hug, squeezing tight as tears came to her eyes. "I'll be there, I swear to blood," she said. "I love you, Kim."

Kimberly hugged her back, their tension broken. "I love you too, Melanie. Nothing will ever change that."

The two Sisters and Alpha Females held on for a moment, before a loud cry filtered in from outside as Jay woke up and wanted to complain about something. Releasing the hug, Kimberly smiled, and Melanie could feel their Link reestablish itself. "Go on. I'll sweep up the mess. And don't blame Keith. I made him promise that I'd be the one to tell you."

Melanie nodded and left the kitchen, heading through the dining room and emerging into the grand foyer of Lockwood Manor. Stopping, she looked up and spread her arms, letting the sunlight coming through the windows warm her face. She knew the future wouldn't be easy, starting with her first change in two weeks, but she also knew with her family around her, they could take on whatever the world threw at them.

After all, she was loved.

She was with her family.

She was Lycan.

Let their enemies beware.

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