The Alpha Takes a Mate (4 page)

“I don’t want this,” she said.

He picked up her wrist. “It’s already begun. To other species of the paranormal community, this is a brand. To a point you’ll be safe.”

“What do you mean ‘to a point’?”

Raymond let out a sigh. “Brandon is a very powerful man. He’s the alpha of the Northern Forest pack. There are many who would see his downfall.”

“And I’d be the price of his downfall?” she asked, seeing his point.

“Yes. You’ve got to take extra care.” Raymond kissed her head. “I’m proud of you.”

She left him to his work. How was she going to get through the ceremony knowing his pack would hate her?

It doesn’t matter. You’ve got to do what you’ve been told.

Chapter Four

Brandon
walked out of her house needing the fresh air to clear his mind. He couldn’t focus with her close by. Her strawberry and vanilla scent masked everything else to him. Several of his pack stared at him. The men stared at him with respect while the women stared at him with lust. He ignored their lustful stares. Lewis, Darcy, and Drake stood waiting for him a few feet from the diner.

“Did it go well?” Darcy asked.

“Raymond likes me. He knows what is at stake if anything happens to her. He’ll protect her. Tonight I want to organise her protection detail. Guards will be placed around her,” he said. There was no way he’d risk his mate.

“She’s human,” Drake said. “What kind of threat is she going to pose?”

“Because of her being human, she’s vulnerable. We’ve got witches, warlocks, vampires, and bears coming to Grace Hill. I don’t want them to be tempted in bringing me down because of her.” Brandon kept walking. Layla was wiping down tables as the got inside the diner. There were no customers, and the diner usually closed early on the full moon.

“How is
Elle?” Layla asked.

He liked her for the way she took notice of his mate. Her gaze moved to Lewis before returning to his. “She’s good. Why wasn’t her birth
day celebrated here?” he asked.

“
E-Elle wanted to go back to the city. We met up with a couple of her friends. Not all of the humans get their birthday celebrated,” Layla said.

“What friends?” he asked.

“Some of the people she’d kept in contact. A couple of guys and girls.”

His hackles rose at the thought of another man touching her
, wanting her.

“You may leave. I’ve ordered her to remain home until the feast. Make sure she stays there
. If anything happens to her, I’ll come to you.”

She nodded and left without looking back. He found Daisy slamming lids down on pots. Her glare shot toward him.

“So, you’ve decided to pay this wolf a visit?” she asked.

Lewis, Darcy
, and Drake started to chuckle. He shot them a glare before moving closer to one of the oldest females in his pack. Her mate had petitioned for the humans, and he had great respect for her. If it wasn’t for her age she’d be the strongest of the females.

“I’m sorry. I was taking care of my mate.”

The lid on the far pot slammed down. Daisy turned on him with her arms folded. “You’ve taken a human for a mate?”

“The fates have deemed a human my mate,” he said.

“That pretty much means you wish she wasn’t human.”

“You’re very protective of Elle.” He stared at the woman before him. She wasn’t afraid of him, never had been.

“You can stare at me all you want, Brandon. I changed your diapers for you. That’s how old I am, and fuck yeah, I’m protective of Elle. She’s an amazing woman and a damn good worker. If you’re anything like your father you’ll have her around you all the time. I like her and want her here.”

Brandon
chuckled, and pride filled him. Daisy was a pack member, and hearing her thoughts of Elle would help the others to agree to her.

“I’m not going to stop Elle from working here.”

“Yet! Your father said the exact same thing to your mother. She ended up pregnant with you and by his side for the rest of it. Being the alpha’s mate is a full time occupation.” Daisy walked away to grab some spices off the shelf.

“I’m not like my father
, and she’s not like my mother. Being human saves her from a lot of it. I don’t want her being drawn into my fights. She’s far too fragile.”

“You’re going to leave her out of pack business but keep her as your mate?” Daisy asked.

“Yes.”

“That could risk her life and the respect of the pack.”

“I don’t give a shit. I’m not risking her for pack respect,” Brandon said.

“But you need someone to stand up for her tonight?” Daisy asked.

He nodded. Once he told the pack his mate was human there was going to be an uproar. An alpha with a human mate was unheard of. If an alpha took a human he usually stepped down from the rank. Being an alpha was who Brandon was. He wouldn’t be stepping down for his mate or for anyone.

“Lori’s not going to like this.”

“I don’t give a fuck what she thinks. This is not about her.”

“Are you sure about that? She’s made it plain she’s bedding you. I think you need to be careful of her. The power of being in your bed has gone to her head.” Daisy stared at him as her words sank in. He refused to say anything to her. “
With regards to Elle, I’ll do what I can. She’s a great girl.” She glanced behind him at the three men waiting. “You better run off and prepare for tonight. I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be awesome.”

He chuckled and left her to it.

Walking out of the diner he spotted Elle helping place the tables ready for the feast. She didn’t turn to look at him. His three men stopped behind him. He focused on her as she tucked stray hairs behind her ear.

“I once heard a human mate doesn’t feel as strongly as we do,” Drake said.

Brandon didn’t say anything. He watched his mate as she spoke with Layla. Together the two human women laughed and set the table for the feast that night. He fought the need to go to her.

After tonight no pack member would ever be mistaken, Elle Smith was his mate
, and he intended to claim her.

****

Elle lay on her bed as Layla finished running fingers through her hair. The other woman had stayed with her instead of going back to her family home. She and Layla were the same age, and tonight would be their first outing to the feast.

“Are you nervous?” Layla asked.

“Nervous about what?”

“About everything. Tonight is our first feast
, and you’ve been mated today. Brandon is the alpha. That has got to be high on the cool factor.”

She smiled at Layla’s enthusiasm.
“I’m a little scared. After tonight everything is going to change. Mom keeps giving me weird looks, and my dad looks worried. Between the two of them they’re freaking me out.” She stopped to take a breath. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m worrying about all the wrong reasons.”

“What is there to be worried about?” Layla asked, taking a seat on the bed.

“Have you seen the way the pack treat women, human women? I’ve seen the ones they’ve taken to their bed, and they blank them as if they mean nothing.”

Several humans had left because of the pack
’s treatment.

“You can’t think
Brandon will treat you that way. I know what you mean about the treatment of the pack. As much as I want Lewis, I wouldn’t put myself in that position. I refuse to.”

She reached for the other woman’s hand. Elle gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “We’re in this together.”

“I know this is going to sound strange, but are you a virgin, Elle?”

Averting her eyes, Elle nodded her head. “I’ve never found the right guy.”

“I’m a virgin as well. Grace Hill is not exactly the place to be giving your body to just anyone.”

“Have you ever thought of leaving?” Elle asked.

“What do you mean?” Layla tilted her head to the side, observing her.

“You know, getting away from here. Like my birthday, only staying away for that
time.” Elle stared down at their hands waiting for her to answer.

“
I’ve thought about getting away. It would be nice to leave for a little while and explore, but I always see myself coming back. This is my life, Elle. I love being here. Grace Hill, for all of its faults, is my home.”

Elle smiled. “
I know.”

“Are you thinking of leaving?” Layla asked.

“No, I’m not thinking about it.”

The bell sounded in the distance letting everyone know that the wolves would be on the hunt. Humans were free to roam on the night of the full moon at their own risk.
She moved to the window to stare at the empty table. When the bell rang again they’d be able to place their waiting pots onto the centre of the table. For most of the evening the humans would be ignored, or at least that was what she’d been told.

“If you’re not thinking about it why are you talking about it?”

“This crap with Brandon is what’s making me think about it. I need time away. Do you really think an alpha should mate with a human?”

Layla shrugged. “It’s not up to us what we think or feel.
I doubt he’ll let you go.”

The sounds of wolves howling invaded the night’s silence. Goosebumps erupted along her arms. Staring out of the window, Elle spotted a large black wolf on the edge of the forest. The sight of him reminded her of
Brandon. The wolf was large and commanded her attention. She found herself avoiding eye contact.

“Elle, are you okay?” Layla asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Elle turned away from the window. “Don’t mention our conversation to anyone, please. I’d hate for someone to use the information for the wrong ideas. I’m not planning on leaving.”

“I hope not.”

More howls invaded the silence, and her stomach tightened.

“I wish I knew what was going on.”

Layla lay on her stomach with her head in her hands. “I don’t. They’ll probably be thinking about killing something or actually doing it.”

Sitting on the edge of the bed Elle ran her fingers through her friend’s hair. “You’re always so supportive of me,” she said.

“I have no choice. I love you.” Layla batted her hand away. Chuckling, both froze as they heard her mother calling.

“Duty calls,” Elle said, standing.

“At least your mother can cook. Chilli is delicious, and all the pack loves it. My mother makes macaroni cheese, and it’s horrid. I’m sure she curdles the milk,” Layla said, cringing.

Chuckling, Elle followed her friend downstairs.

Vivian was grating cheese and putting a few components together. “Hey, girls. I’m getting everything ready. Another hour or so and we’ll be able to get the table ready.”

Elle took the cheese from her mom and started grating the stuff into a pile. Her thoughts
returned to Brandon as her bandaged wrist caught her eye. The wound pulsed, and the slight burning made it irritable.

She listened to the conversation between her mother and friend with half an ear. Her pussy melted as
Brandon invaded her mind once again. His big presence and alarming scent were hard to simply ignore. She’d spotted the wolf tattoo across his back, and all she wanted to do was lick the tat.

He was covered in tats
, and the power oozed out of him.

Stop thinking about him.

Another bunch of howling came through the night air. She closed the window opposite the counter. The night air sent chills up her spine.

“They’re really howling some tonight. I’ve never known them to be like this,” Vivian said.

Her parents had moved to Grace Hill when she was sixteen. She’d liked the decision then, but now that she was due to be mated to Brandon, she hated it. Her friends kept in touch with her, but she stopped them from visiting.

Grace Hill
had rules, and she’d been taught to abide by them. Letting out a sigh, she continued grating the cheese, trying to block all thoughts of the alpha from her mind.