Thank you all again for the wonderful comments. I know that some are disappointed at the pace, some with the length of the chapters, but I have to do what works best for me.
The full moon is on January 8th, but because I've not been writing as much as I should, I'm a bit behind, so their January 8th will not coincide with ours. Sorry for those who thought they only had a couple of days to wait for the conclusion.
I hope you continue to comment and vote!
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When Alistair hadn't returned to the meeting hall, they had adjourned for the evening and Rhys had gone straight to Katy and accompanied her to dinner. She didn't need to be sequestered from the males any longer since she had found her mate. She was free to walk around the compound like Karen and Sarah. He had found her waiting for him in his room. She had been pouring over a book about Were history. She wanted to learn all she could so she could assist him in his duties. She looked up and smiled as he walked in the door.
Just being in her presence calmed him. He had forgotten the simple joys of having a mate. "I hope you like to travel."
"I've never traveled before, but I'm sure I'll love it as long as I'm with you." Her green eyes sparkled as she looked up at him and her face seemed to light up. She stood up and hugged him around the waist. The top of her head didn't even reach to his shoulder. She sighed and hummed as she squeezed him tight and felt him stroking her long red hair.
He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. His hands traveled down her back and around her waist. How did he live for the last one hundred twenty years without her? He couldn't go on without her now. He would protect her with his life, even from his fellow Council members if necessary.
She looked up at him lovingly and grinned. "I can't wait until we can mate." She hugged him even tighter and felt his arms tighten around her until she could barely breath. She knew she was safe in his arms.
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"What the hell were you thinking?" Carr was pacing in his office, his face in a scowl as he looked at his brother and his new mate. Mate, now they had fully mated. He'd promised to wait. He should have had more control.
"Carr, it happened. I'm not sorry about it either. Karen's wolf acted and it was done before we could think about it. We can't take it back, and frankly, I wouldn't for a million dollars." His gaze fell on Karen, and he got a silly grin on his face. She smiled back and reached out to hold his hand. Now he knew what the mate bond felt like, and he'd never want to be without it. She was a part of him.
"It was my fault. I just couldn't help myself. I'm sorry Carr." Karen was sorry, only because she knew Carr wanted them to wait. She was happier than she'd ever been in her life.
Carr stared at the two of them for a moment. He remembered a movie he saw thirty years ago. He felt like Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof. He sighed, "OK, it's done, we can't take it back. Karen, welcome to the family. I know if Lee was here she would be ecstatic to have a new sister." He smiled and shook Cole's hand. It wasn't really going to change anything anyway. Whether or not they mated he was duty bound to protect these women, whether it was from Gary or the Council. "But please, try to keep it quiet. The longer we can keep the Council and the other Alphas from finding out the better."
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She was grateful Were's healed fast or she'd have to explain the bruises all over her body. She watched the biggest one fade from her wrist. A smile came to her face as she thought about how she'd gotten them. She had to admit, she liked how rough Niklas was with her. None of the males in the Baxter pack were like that. Of course, they weren't powerful Council members like Niklas was. Cheryl thought she had pleased him. He had taken her three times throughout the night. Maybe he would take her as his mate, he didn't have one and a Were of his stature really should have one. She watched him moving around the room getting dressed. He was about the size of the Omegas, and he didn't fill her the way Cole and the other Betas did, but that's OK.
The red head had been a nice distraction. He always hated to see the bruises fade. He wished they'd be there for all to see. He knew how to use a female the way they were meant to be used. He had fucked her hard three times during the night. He was sure she thought it was because he was attracted to her. He laughed to himself. She was the type that would want to think she could be his mate. She didn't know that it wasn't a woman that made him want to fuck, it was his anger. When he felt that way, he had to take it out on something, and a female was a good focus for his rage. He would only mate if he found his true mate. He knew several Were who took mates because they were tired of waiting. That would not be him.
"Thank you for you time, it was enjoyable my dear. I'm sure you have pleased many males here." He strode to the door and walked out.
Cheryl sat there in complete disbelief. No one walked out on her like that. She jumped up and ran to the door. "So you don't want the women dead?"
Niklas stopped in his tracks and turned to look at her. He quickly came back inside the room and shut the door. "And what do you know of what I want?" His dark eyes bored into hers. His hand shot out to grab her arm and held her tightly.
"I heard someone saying you had suggested killing the human females. I think you're right, and I would be honored to help you in any way I could. She winced in pain as he continued to squeeze her arm. She knew there would be a big bruise there within a few more seconds.
"And how could you possibly assist me? Hmm?" His eyes looked cruel as he glared at her. Niklas suddenly smiled and let go of her arm. He pulled her to him and kissed her hard. She responded and started stroking his growing cock through his pants. She was such a stupid female. He could use her to satisfy his needs while he was stuck here, and at the same time, use her to his advantage to get what he wanted. She would be dumb enough to do whatever he asked, especially if she thought she could become his mate.