Chapter 8: Page 4

“You mean my bed.” It was her turn to offer a wolfish smile.

“That too. Though it’ll have to be my bed from now on. I’ll be moving you into my room later this afternoon.”

“Why?”

“Other than you’re my mate and I want you in my bed? Isabee needs your room.”

“Who is Isabee?” Neak narrowed her eyes. “If we’re to be mates, you just can’t be making such decisions without me, Alpha of Oak’s Holm or no.”

Dewi grinned. “You said we were mates.”

“Spill it, wolf boy.”

He laughed. He really did love her. “She arrived last night, but we didn’t want to disturb you so I had Oben put her up at the Inn.”

“But who is she?”

Dewi huffed out a breath and put his plate aside. He leaned back on his elbows, gathering his thoughts; she had a right to know. “She’s the one my stepfather wanted me to mate with.”

“What?” She dropped her fork, spilling eggs. Not caring about her manners, she picked up her fork and used her fingers to push the food back onto the tines, screw manners.

“Last time I saw her, she was only one hundred and two years old, still a pup. That was four hundred years ago. Kiren, my stepfather, sent her here with hopes of trapping me into a mating—her father is filthy rich, one of the richest Lobo’s in Verde Hills and Kiren wants the connection.”

“I thought you came here from Upper Fair View.”

“Oh I did. That’s where Aunt Enora, Oben’s mom, lives—Renna and I had moved there after Kiren tried to force her to mate with one of his lackeys.”

“Gotcha.” She pushed more food onto her fork and slowly brought it to her mouth. “What’s so special about Isabee’s father being the richest Lobo in Verde Hills?”

“The Melodyhowls are from Verde Hills, that’s where my old pack still resides.”

“But if you mated with Issie, then you would be the one with the connection to her father’s money, not Kiren.”

“Never said he was intelligent.” He picked up his juice and sipped, picked at the remains on his plate.

“That’s obvious. I mean if he were smart he would have you mate with someone who would lower your status amongst the pack, not solidify it.”

“Actually, Issie’s father is not of high standing, just filthy rich.”

“How is that possible, unless he’s not Aristo?” Neak gave up on her eggs and instead spread jam on her toast and nibbled.

“They are Aristo, but only mid-ranking. As for his money, his family is Nightsong Vineyards.”

She lowered her toast. “Nice connection.”

“Good wine, too. Folks pay bucks for their champagne.” He took her toast and stole a bite before giving it back. He spoke around the bite in his mouth. “I don’t suppose that being mated to Issie would really lower my standing in the pack. Her family is well respected. They donate time and money to various charities. They’re always willing to help the pack. So you’re right, not a very smart move on Kiren’s part. It’s just lucky I have no desire to be Alpha.”

“But you are the rightful Alpha, aren’t you?”

“I have no desire to be Alpha, Neak.”

Taking her pain medication, she hoped it worked quickly. She then laid back against the pillows, feeling tired. “You may not be Alpha of Verde Hills, but you are Alpha here in Oak’s Holm, everyone knows that.”

“I know, but I would prefer to only be the Wolf who owns the pub.”

“You’re a fine Alpha, wolf boy.” She looked over at him, smiled. She wanted to touch him, to brush his hair off his face, to soothe his pain. “You’re fair in your dealings and your decisions are respected.”

“Not by Kitty.”

“What does he know, he’s a Cat.” She laughed.

“True.”

“There are few here who would dare challenge you. Face it, you make a very fine Alpha.”

He grinned. “I’ll remind you, you said that next time you attempt to get out of bed.”

Neak picked up a small bite of egg and threw it at him, but Dewi just picked it up and ate it. She had to force herself not to stare at him chewing. “So tell me what caused all the animosity between the two of you? Is it because he’s Alpha?”

“No, he’s a cruel and power hungry bastard. My grandfather used to be Alpha of Verde Hills, that is, until he died after contracting The Fever. Kiren then connived his way into being Alpha, convincing everyone I was too young to take over at the time—not that I wanted it, but I would have taken it. The bastard has since managed to keep his position because he has the pack terrorized.”

Dewi flopped onto his back, his hands behind his head. “I’m convinced he forced my mother to mate with him—Renna and I were six at the time, our father having passed on not long after our birth. Mama was born of the Line of Queens, which helped Kiren’s take over. She was sweet, like Issie, never liking to cause problems, preferring to see the world as a good place. She ran off not long after Renna and I left the area. I wanted her to come with us—Aunt Enora would have gladly welcomed her sister—but despite my pleas, she wouldn’t leave. I’ve always wondered if she didn’t go with Renna and me so that Kiren wouldn’t follow us.”

Neak felt for him. It must have killed him to see his mother treated so badly. “Do you know where she ran off too?”

“Not a clue and I wish I did. I would ask her to come stay in Oak’s Holm. I’m strong enough to protect her now if Kiren tried to force her back.”

“You should hire a private investigator to find her.” She finally brushed her fingers over Dewi’s cheek, hating the sadness in his eyes.

“I should at least try to find her, huh? I don’t know if she’s aware of Renna’s death.”

She played with his hair, then touched his mouth before dropping her hand. She liked touching him too much and if she didn’t stop, well, she wouldn’t stop. “What happened last night? Why does Isabee need my room?”

“Kiren gave Issie pills to bring her into season. She thought they were just pills to help attract me.”

“Okaaay.”

“Issie’s…” He took a moment to gather his thoughts. “Issie’s naïve and a bit simple.”

“And you’re sure she wasn’t involved?”

“Positive. She wouldn’t ever hurt anyone deliberately. She was just doing what Kiren ordered her to do, never thinking to question it since he’s Alpha.” He held up his hand. “I know how that sounds, but that’s the way Issie is and don’t forget the terrorizing Kiren has done.”

“If you’re certain.”

“I am.”

“Very well, what happened?”

“Oben got caught in the trap instead of me and Issie now carries his pups, not mine.”

She sucked in her breath, anger for her friend churning in her stomach. That bastard. When pain shot up her arm, she realized she had been clenching it with her desire to strike this Kiren. “What’s Oben going to do?”

“Take care of his pups.” He rolled onto his side, resting on his elbow, wanting to look at his Neak. “He’ll give Isabee his protection, but he won’t mate with her.”

“Arranged matings are stupid anyway. What happens if one of the pair meets their real mate?”

“Exactly. So, since I am Alpha, I’ve offered her my protection as well.”

“And my room?”

“She needs a safe place to stay. My stepfather threatened her and she’s afraid he’ll come after her. Besides, I think she could help you and Meria out in the pub—she likes being helpful. She can also help Romie and Milmar with the babysitting.”

“Is she beautiful?”

Dewi moved the tray off the bed and then leaned over Neak. “You’re the only one I want and you’re the only one I’ll have. No one compares to you, no one has your dirty mouth.”

“You’re so romantic.” She couldn’t help herself: she kissed him.

“I’ve always thought so.” His eyes suddenly lit with mischief. “Though I will admit to having a crush on Libra as a pup.” He grabbed her hand to keep her from pinching him, but then kissed her for the sentiment. She was well and truly his.

“You’re a lucky Lobo that I’m incapacitated at the moment.”

“Hey, you dated a Djinn, I can have a crush on Libra.”

“How did you meet Libra anyway?”

“She’s the Divinity in charge of Verde Hills and the surrounding area. She was annoyed that I was playing in the Glen Belwood Groves.”

Excitement lit her face. “Glen Belwood Groves? That’s one of the most sought after Groves, even before Cherry Hill.”

“Is that all you can think about: Groves?”

“Hey, I’m a Tree Nymph, it’s in the blood.” Neak wrinkled her nose, grinning with her own mischief. “Just like it’s in yours to piss on trees.”

Dewi let out a bark of laughter. “Pain in my ass!”

“And don’t you forget it.” She kissed him again.

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