The Gift of My Mate (Siberian Volkov Pack Romance Book 9) (10 page)

Cybille nodded her head and buried her face in Margot’s chest. Mathis ran his hand over her curls, sending her reassurance telepathically. “Loud noises can be scary. If you know why they’re sounding, you know how to react.”

Margot wasn’t sure if Mathis tried to reassure her, or the toddler. “All right, everyone go upstairs for a drink of hot chocolate.” The children ran out of the room headed for the kitchen. Mathis put his arm around Margot’s waist and led her from the small space.

“Do you think they can do this by themselves?” Margot asked, thinking of their earlier failures.

“An adult will always be here with the children, even if we aren’t. So yes, I think they can do this. Each time we practice it gets ingrained in their brains.”

“I hope you’re right. I’m almost afraid to leave them tomorrow night to go to Dad’s party. I can’t believe I let him talk me into another one.”

“He’s trying to make amends. You just don’t want to go. We can’t miss our own engagement party.”

“But the children…”

“Will be fine with Susan. I also arranged for two of the Sable Guards to keep an eye on the property. No more worries, Margot.”

“No more worries,” Margot said. So why did her gut twist at the thought of going to her father’s party tomorrow night? She should want to celebrate finding her mate.

Margot put on the diamond earrings her father gave her. It seemed like just yesterday she did this same thing and been catapulted into a new life. She heard Ukiuk and Ila giggling about something in their room. Six children, and a mate whose very presence made her heart beat faster. It was a miracle. One she’d prayed for every night for the last two years.

“You’re never going to let that go, are you?”
Mathis’s voice flooded her thoughts.

“I wasn’t complaining, I was thinking.”
He always kept them linked now. She often forgot he was waiting there in her thoughts.

“Hurry and finish getting dressed. Susan and Ujarak are here. We’ll miss our reservations for dinner.”

“Almost done. I’ll be down in a second.”

Margot slipped on her pumps and walked down the hall to the twins’ room. They sat on the floor, looking at a book her mother bought them.

Ila looked up first, her eyes widening when she saw Margot. “You look like a princess, Mama.”

“Thank you, Ila.” Margot’s heart warmed at the title. She’d never guessed how wonderful being a mom could be.

“I guess that makes Daddy Mathis a prince,” Ukiuk said, laughing.

Margot laughed as well. “He can be very princely.” If you mean bossy and controlling.

“
I heard that,”
flowed into her mind through the mating bond.
“Stop stalling and get down here.”

“Yes, my prince,”
Margot smirked. “Now promise me, you girls will be good for Aunt Susan and Uncle Ujarak,” Margot said becoming serious again.

Both of the twins quickly promised. Margot leaned down, giving each girl a quick hug and kiss before heading for the stairs. Mathis stood at the bottom waiting for her.

“I think I like the idea of being royalty. You are definitely my princess.”

“You know I don’t like to be called that.”
Margot wanted to be a woman, that’s all. A woman well loved by her mate.

“I do love you,” Mathis said taking her hand when she reached the bottom and pulling her into his arms. He leaned down to kiss her.

“Be careful of the hair if you want to leave right away,” Margot warned while turning her face up to his.

Mathis took her lips in a gentle caress, then he kissed her eyes, and finally the tip of her nose. “There, not one hair out of place. The rest of the children are watching a show on the television. Do you want to tell them goodbye?”

Margot strengthened her spine and nodded. She didn’t want to leave the children, and she certainly didn’t want to say goodbye. Tonight seemed important to Mathis. She suspected it was the declaration of their engagement that he wanted. An outward symbol to stake his claim, especially to her father’s friends. She would have been happy to never again be dragged to her father’s galas. At least tonight she wouldn’t be alone. Mathis was always connected to her thoughts.

Margot walked in and circled the four children gathered on the floor. She gave them all a quick hug and peck on the cheek, murmuring to them her love. They returned her embrace, but stayed more interested in their show than on her leaving. All except, Cybille, whose bottom lip quivered.

Susan picked the little one up and took her in the kitchen to get a glass of milk. Margot and Mathis’s cue to leave. Ujarak waved from the refrigerator as he reached in for the milk. Mathis hurried her outside, only stopping long enough to swirl her velvet cape around her shoulders. She stepped onto the porch as a black limousine pulled up.

The night sky was full of stars, and when she breathed through her mouth, the air turned to vapor. The lights from the house bounced off the snow. The driver of the limousine stepped out and walked around to open the back door.

“Watch your step, honey, the ground is slippery,” Mathis said.

Margot slid across the seat, leaving room for Mathis. He quickly followed her inside the vehicle.

“Our driver is Jean Paul. He is from the small pack in Quebec City.”

Jean Paul smiled from the front seat. “Good evening, Mademoiselle Martin.” Margot looked into a pair of sparkling blue eyes. Auburn hair fell onto his forehead from underneath his hat.

“Good evening, Jean Paul,” Margot quickly responded. The man wasn’t a lycan, and he wasn’t a nanuk. His scent was similar to a human, and yet it tickled her senses, almost like little prickles of something brushed against them. Whoever he was, Mathis trusted him, and that was good enough for her.

“Let’s go, JP,” Mathis said. “I don’t want to miss our reservations.”

§

Jean Paul dropped them off in front of the building housing the trendy restaurant Mathis had chosen. He could feel Margot’s nervousness, and didn’t know if she picked up on his feelings, or her intuition warned her of danger. The engagement party announcement appeared in the paper yesterday. Mathis was sure Ouelette would be enraged with the idea of Margot giving herself to another man.

Mathis opened the door of the restaurant for Margot and got her out of the cold. She huddled in her velvet cloak, looking small and uncomfortable, while he approached the maître d’. After a few words, they headed for their table. Christmas lights sparkled around the room giving the restaurant a magical quality.

“Madame will allow me, please?” the man asked reaching for her cape.

“Of course,” Margot answered.

They were seated and menus put into their hands. In moments Mathis gave their orders, a nice piece of meat for himself and fish for Margot. Finally, they were alone. Mathis reached for Margot’s hand, his thumb caressing her silky skin. She looked exquisite tonight, her hair in a French twist. Her sapphire dress matched the color of her eyes. The twins were right, she looked like a princess. His princess.

He reached for the ring case in his suit pocket. He’d planned this night down to the tiniest detail.

“Margot, I know in the eyes of the pack, we are already married, the mating bond taking preference over any other relationship. I’m so glad that’s true, that you’re mine, and no one can come between us. I also know that the tradition of marriage is important. So, I’m asking you. Will you marry me?” Mathis opened the ring case holding the two carat diamond engagement ring.

Margot gasped. She blinked quickly. Then her face lit up and she smiled. That was all the answer he needed. Mathis took the ring from the case and slipped it on her ring finger.

“I love you, Margot. I am so glad you’re mine.”

“I love you, too, Mathis.”

Mathis kissed her, forgetting everything else, except his joy in his mate.

§

They walked into the resort and along the hall to the ballroom. Dinner had been wonderful, and after two glasses of champagne and a full stomach, Margot finally felt relaxed. Mathis held her close to him, his arm around her waist. She leaned against him enjoying his warmth.

She glanced around, taking in the Christmas decorations she designed. This year she chose a red and gold theme to contrast with the rustic wooden beams. She especially liked the garlands of greenery that graced the walls and doorways. She gasped when Mathis stopped under the ball of mistletoe in the middle of the space. He kissed her soundly. She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back. Other people, standing around, applauded their efforts.

“I’ve wanted to do that from the first day I walked in here and saw your cute little butt on the ladder hanging the mistletoe. The only thing that stopped me was knowing your father would fire me on the spot.”

Margot laughed. There was no longer a doubt in her mind that this man wanted her with his whole heart.

“I wish you had done it anyway,” Margot said.

“I might have if I wasn’t so afraid you’d fall off the damn sixteen foot ladder. Instead, I hovered underneath, hoping to catch you. By the time you came down, I was ready to paddle you. There were staff members who could have done the job. You didn’t have to do it.” Mathis moved them down the hall and closer to the ballroom entrance. “Then the night of your father’s party,” his voice changed, became more tender. “I saw you looking at the mistletoe with such longing in your eyes. I decided the next time I saw you in the hall, I would steal the kiss you craved. A kiss only I have the right to claim.”

Margot wrapped her arm around his waist and pulled him a little closer. “I am all yours, Mathis. Now and forever. You can claim a kiss anytime you want.”

“Don’t worry, I will. Kissing you is one of my all-time favorite things.”

They walked into the ballroom. Mathis grasped her hand and made his way through the crowd, pulling her behind him. Margot assumed he headed for her parents.

The band played strains of a Christmas song, reminding the crowd of the magic of a white Christmas.

“Wait.” Margot tugged at his hand. “Dance with me. I loved our last dance. Let’s do it again, without hiding behind the Christmas tree.”

Mathis turned back, his eyes lit up, his gaze caressed her face. “As the lady wishes.” He changed course, and soon they were stepping onto the dance floor. Mathis pulled her into his arms. She melted against him, safe and secure. He rubbed her back, leading her in the dance across the floor. He took something out of his pocket and slipped it in his ear.

Margot lifted her head. “What is that?”

“Security link, so I can hear any chatter.”

“You’re not working tonight,” Margot pointed out, slightly irritated.

“Where you’re safety is concerned, I’m always working,” Mathis breathed into her ear.

Margot let her irritation go. Mathis would always be the protector. That’s who he was, she might as well accept it. She lay her head against his chest and went back to enjoying the dance.

As soon as the music stopped her father’s voice came over the speakers.

“Ladies and gentleman, during this special time of year, we remember how blessed we are and wish to share those blessing with others. Our family has the gift of a new member. It is my great pleasure to announce the engagement of my only daughter, Margot, to Mr. Mathis Levesque.”

A spotlight came on finding them on the dance floor. People began to applaud. “As you can see, they can’t stay out of each other’s arms. So let’s give them another slow dance and then we can have a toast to their happiness.” Margot’s face warmed.

Mathis pulled her close again when the music started. He caressed her cheek. “I should have known your father would find a way to cut in. I guess I should be glad he gave us another dance.”

“He doesn’t do it maliciously. He needs to be the center of attention. I think he feels insecure being a human male mated to a lycan female. So he tries to control everything around him to make up for feeling inadequate.”

“I see what you’re saying. I know how much you love your parents and I’m glad they care so much.”

Margot wondered if it was because his parents gave him up that he admired hers.
“I would never want you to feel abandoned like I did. You deserve to be loved.”
Mathis’s thoughts flowed through the mating bond.

“You deserve to be loved too, Mathis. I’ll do my best to make sure you are.”

“As long as I have you, Margot. My life is happy.”

The dance ended. Mathis took her hand and they made their way to where her father and mother waited for them, a tray of champagne held by one of the staff.

Margot hugged her mom, while Mathis shook hands with her father.

“I see how happy you are,” her mother said. “That man is good for you.”

“I think he is too, Mom.” Margot turned to her father and hugged him. “Hey, Dad.”

“There’s my princess.”

After taking one for himself, he turned, and motioned for the waiter to hand out the glasses. Once they all had one in hand, Parker faced the crowd. “Ladies and gentleman, raise your glasses for the toast. To my beautiful daughter and her future husband, may they live a long and happy life together.”

Mathis put his arm around her. Margot heard some of the crowd say “Here, here.” She clinked her glass with Mathis’s. “To us,” he whispered, before bringing the glass to lips.

“To us. Merry Christmas,” she replied joining him.

§

Margot laughed. Mathis ushered her off the dance floor. She was having a wonderful time and felt very much like the princess of the ball. She normally hated parties, but having Mathis at her side made the evening a joy instead of a chore.

“If you’ll excuse me, I have to go to the ladies room,” Margot said to the people around her. Mathis squeezed her hand. She smiled up at him and then made her way toward the alcove holding the restrooms.

Pushing open the door, she saw Esme, the pack Alpha female, drying her hands. “Margot, this party is fabulous. Congratulations, I am so happy you found your mate.”

“Thank you, Esme. I know I’ve been a bit of a problem in the past. I promise you that my life is changing, first, finding Mathis and then the children.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Esme said smiling. “Having six children thrust upon you. I think what you’re doing is amazing. I’ve the deepest respect for you. Those children need a good home and you didn’t even hesitate. That, more than anything, tells me the kind of person you are. I’m glad to have you part of my pack.”