The Beast's Bride

New Home

As Deucalion led her toward the camp, the other male, Sebastian, came running up to them, her bags in his hands. Shrugging out from the arm that had become uncomfortably warm and tight, she went for the bag that had her jacket in it. Pulling it out with relief, she tugged it on, reveling in the familiar scent of mint and honey, the scent of her shampoo. Deucalion and Sebastian spoke in low tones, leaving her lost in her thoughts. For the rest of the walk, all she could think about was what was going to happen to her in a couple days. She'd never even been kissed before, let alone all Deucalion had implied was going to happen.

Off the main road was a dirt path. It was partially concealed. The wolves liked their privacy. Nobody went onto their land without being invited unless it was the police like Allison's grandfather, James, who was Chief in Lake Town.

 The dirt path had two ruts in it from vehicles going back and forth. It was slick and muddy from the earlier rain. Every time she slid in her flimsy shoes, one of the large men behind her would steady her. In the dark with no streetlights, these woods were creepy, and she could swear that she felt eyes on her, even saw them in the dark shadows before disappearing. She moved closer to Deucalion. Eventually, they made it to a large fence with a wide gate. Deucalion pulled her close to him again.

"Hey, just because I volunteered for this doesn't mean you get to manhandle me. Get off." She pushed at him but he just tightened his grip around her waist.

Growling, he pulled her tight to the side of his body and leaned down to her ear. "I am your Alpha now and this is your home now.  But that doesn't mean there won't be aggressive wolves waiting to see what sort of fresh meat I've brought back. Stay close to me and you just might make it to my room."

Eyes thrown wide, she jerked back to stare up at him. His eyes were utterly serious. "You won't protect me?"

At that, his growl grew. "Of course I will. But if you don't stay close to me, we could get separated. If that happens, I might get to you too late."

Dammit. She knew she should have found a way to attach her silver-bladed dagger to her body somewhere. Her father had given it to her as a birthday present. Silver was expensive, and made into a blade? A small fortune.

Deucalion's fingers dug into her hip. "Do you understand?"

Shaking again, she nodded. "Yeah. Roger that."

Sebastian opened the gate and in they went. Allison gripped Deucalion's shirt, making sure her body moved with his. As soon as they were through the thick trees, she gasped at the huge clearing with several cabins. Groups of wolves walked and talked, gathering around fires outside of the building, it looks like a small town in the woods. In the center of everything, a bonfire burned like a giant monster rising from the wood and brush keeping it going. At their entrance, the groups went quiet, watching them with stony expressions. She gasped as her "gift" got its groove on. With her eyes scanning the wolves, several lit up here and there, showing that eerie glow and silhouette dance of human flesh and wolf within. She gripped his shirt tighter but still met their eyes. She was scared but not weak. One of the females snarled, lips curling over her sharpening teeth. Allison was positive she'd seen her before in the store. Her name was Megan. And with her breaking the eerie silence, other wolves started to move toward them, trying to get a good look at Allison. As they moved closer and closer, Deucalion moved faster, practically dragging her along the dirt path. The big guys behind them were ordering the other wolves back and not to touch her.

Without incident, they finally made it to what was easily the largest building other than one that seemed to be a gathering hall. Deucalion unlocked and opened the door, ushering her inside before taAlpha her bags from Sebastian. Once the door was closed and locked, she breathed easier and was able to look around at her surroundings. The living room, one huge room that had the kitchen in the corner separated by a bar and a curtain, was utterly cold. Sparsely furnished. And what was there was all in cold colors. A couch and plush chair sat in front of the massive fireplace, which was cold at the moment. Wrapping her arms around herself, all she could think about was how different this was from her own home.

But wait. This was her home now.

Spinning around, she faced Deucalion, who was leaning against the door, silently watching her. "Earlier you said that I couldn't go back home. Does that mean I can't even visit my parents? I mean, I still have to get the rest of my stuff. And what about the Book Cafe? My mother can't run that by herself. She doesn't understand how I've set it up or anything."

Those dark eyes narrowed. "The pack can get your stuff. As for visiting your parents, of course, I'll allow that. But not often and not immediately. I don't want you to think you can slowly move out and spend all your time there. You belong here now. And the store? Your father can help your mother. No mate of mine will ever have to work. We have the funds for you to buy whatever you wish, no working necessary."

"But-,"

"No 'buts', woman."

Indignant, she crossed her arms over her chest. "You really think you can just start controlling my life and I'll go with that? I am not a doormat. I won't let you walk all over me."

Before she could even blink, he was on her, gripping her hips. Turning them around, he forced her against the wall. Bending down, he put his nose to the side of her neck and inhaled deeply. "I can smell your fear, woman. You may have been willing, but you know what we are, how dangerous we are. You would be wise to remind yourself of who and what I am. I am the Alpha of this territory and you are now my mate." He moved so that his lips hovered just over hers. "So, yes, I control your life. Do you understand?"

Swallowing hard, she nodded but said, "That doesn't mean I have to like it."

As fast as he was on her, he moved off her, picking up her bags. Breathing ragged, she watched as he went for the stairs across the way. "I would imagine you don't, a strong female like you. But whether you like it or not, you will do as I say because I doubt you'll like the consequences far less than obeying in the first place." He got to the middle of the staircase before turning to her. "Well, do you want to see where you'll be sleeping? I can sense your exhaustion."

Irritated, she followed him. As she followed him up the stairs, she had to admit that he did have a nice ass, even through his baggy jeans. To the right of the top of the stairs was an overhanging balcony that looked out over the living room, kitchen and dining area in the far corner. It was a huge space, but there were no cobwebs or dust that she could detect up in the darkness of the ceiling. The stairs opened up to a large hallway with doors on both sides. Just how many rooms did this building have? It was more like a hotel than a house.