They had landed at JFK airport about an hour ago. Annie was in the restroom while he quickly called Gerri to let her know what happened.
“My goodness. This is horrible, but you are doing the right thing. The decision really needs to be made by the Alpha.”
“I know, but I just want to rip their throats out.”
Gerri was worried that Bill would try to take matters into his own hands, and she didn’t blame him. He had just found his life mate, but rules were rules and in the pack there was a clear pecking order. “You know you can’t do that, Bill. The pack will consider you rogue and come after you.”
Bill knew the rules of their kind, but Annie was his life mate! He loved her. “I know, but I just can’t risk her.”
“I’ve always known Darryl to be an intelligent and thoughtful man. He’s not as rash as most Alphas are. He will know what to do, and his wife, Theodora, she’s always advised him and she will keep him calm. I know this is her eldest son, and I know from conversations I have had with her that she is not happy about his relationship with whatever her name is. I’m sure they have already thought of ways to try to get rid of her. The information and the proof you are bringing to them will be what they need to do just that.”
“I hope you’re right.” He did. But yet, he still grieved for his friend. Dwayne and his sister both had lost so much. That accident had taken her life, but it had sent Dwayne spiraling.
“I know I’m right. Please, Bill, don’t worry about this. Just keep vigilant and don’t take your eyes off of Annie. Danielle must be desperate to have made this attempt on her life.”
“Desperate and insane.” And he knew now that she was. The lengths she was going through to achieve her selfish goals were crazy. “Okay, Gerri, I’ll keep you updated. I see Annie coming out now. I’ll call you when I know more.” Annie was searching for him and when she spotted him waiting for her, she smiled but then winced. She looked good, though he knew she still had some pain. In two days’ time, her bruises were nearly gone and the small cuts were itchy, but healing. It was the one above her left eye that was bothering her and the headaches she had been having. The cut was red and the small scar from the stitches that hadn’t been removed yet, could be seen.
“All set,” Annie pronounced cheerfully, as she hooked her arm around Bill’s. She knew this trip wasn’t a social one, but she was happy to be meeting his parents, though nervous, too.
“The car is right outside, babe.” I had one of the workers at Enterprise, put the luggage inside already. It’s a four and a half hour drive to Cazenovia. Are you ready for this?”
She smiled up at her man, her wolf. “As ready as any human is to meet a pack of wolves on a mountain in the middle of nowhere.” Her tone was teasing to lighten the mood. Bill smiled at her and that gorgeous dimple appeared on his cheek. This man meant everything to her and she couldn’t believe how her life had changed in such a short amount of time. Her office had given her two weeks off, and she had much more time saved up if she needed it.
She told them she was going to meet Bill’s family which was true. Of course, she left out the part about hunting down her would be assassins. Being part of Bill’s world meant keeping secrets. But in three weeks she couldn’t imagine her life without him. She wasn’t sure about being changed over. This life mate thing was crazy, but she was crazy in love with this man. He had been so tender these past two days, she couldn’t imagine ever wanting to let go of a man who always put her first. Her Omega.
She knew being here was dangerous. But in her heart of hearts, she knew her place was by his side. If she was going to be in Bill’s life, she needed to see this, all of this, with her own eyes, as scared as she might be.
They walked out into the New York sunlight. It was hot, but not as hot as Florida right now. Bill had told her to bring some sweaters as Cazenovia remained cool in the summertime.
She was nervous. The Alpha of the pack had final say in all matters. She just hoped she could accept that decision. The man would be standing in judgment of his own son. This had to be such a difficult decision for him.
* * *
“Oh, Bill, she is absolutely lovely and perfect for you.”
“Yes, son, she is.” His father was seated in his favorite recliner and beaming at his son. He was incredibly proud of him. They had waited such a long time for their only son to have found his mate.
“Thank you, Mom, Dad. Your blessing means a lot to me.” He gave his mom another embrace as she stood next to him in the small living room. “Did you talk to Darryl and arrange for a meeting?” he asked. Annie was getting freshened up. When they arrived, they had sat for hours just talking after the early luncheon his mom must have spent the previous day preparing.
“Yes, son. It’s tomorrow night. Sunset, at the lake house.” The massive house on the lake belonged to the Lupine family and had been headquarters for the pack for over 250 years, ever since their small village had been founded. It had been run by the Lupine family uninterrupted in two and half centuries. It was one of the few packs that had stayed in the same family for such a long time.
“Very good. I want to get this over with as soon as possible.”
“Don’t worry son. Darryl’s not about to forget what your father did for him all those years ago when he saved his life. And Theodora and I have spoken on several occasions. She does not like Dwayne’s current mate at all and says that Danielle has changed him.” His mother, Kathy’s face twisted at the mention of Dwayne and Danielle. She had not said as much to him, but she hadn’t liked the girl when he had been seeing her, and then Dwayne had been like her own son, would have been had his sister survived the hunting accident. This was personal for them all.
“Yes, son, I think the meeting will be fine and Darryl will make a good choice.” His father, Tony, was always the voice of calm and reason. He was Omega because of him.
“From your lips,” Bill stated. He looked towards the stairs when he heard Annie approach. She looked amazing and fresh as she began to descend the short flight of stairs. They were all going to head out for a nice dinner together at Graziano’s in the neighboring village of Canastota. Afterwards he would bring her to his small cabin nestled a few hundred yards away from his parent’s home. It sat next to a bubbling brook, one of the tributaries that came off of Lake Cazenovia. His parents wanted to spend as much of their free time as possible with them, getting to know their future daughter-in-law, and catching up with their only son. But they had thought better of showing up in one of the restaurants in Cazenovia. It wouldn’t be too wise to flaunt their presence until after the pack leader had gotten to question them and spoken.
“Are you all set, my dear?” asked Bill’s mother as she hooked her arm through the pretty blonde that her son had fallen for. Annie was a feisty woman, and reminded her a lot of her own daughter. No one would replace her, but Annie was a soothing balm to a woman who missed her only daughter sorely.
“Absolutely.” Annie patted the woman’s hand that rested on her forearm. She had immediately taken a liking to Bill’s parents. They were both down to earth, and kind people. They had made her feel right at home.
She was still nervous about the pack meeting, but with Bill’s parents behind her, and Bill beside her, she felt she could face what would come especially if Darryl and Theodora Lupine were as just as everyone said they were.
* * *
“Oh my goodness. This restaurant is freezing.” Annie’s teeth were chattering. Who would have thought she would go from sweltering heat to this cool climate and yet the owners had the air conditioner set to arctic blast. “I’m so glad you told me to bring a sweater. I can’t believe they have the air conditioner on. I’m about to crack one of these chairs on the floor to use for kindling,” she joked.
Bill’s parents laughed at Annie. She was remarkable. They both were incredibly happy that their son found a woman who was his match. She was strong, vocal, and didn’t back down from a fight. The fact that she was walking into a situation like this as a mortal made them respect her even more. She was definitely the one for him.
Bill winked at his woman. “I will ask the waitress to turn it down a notch.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, taking a sip of her whiskey sour. She went straight for the hard stuff to get a fire going in her. She was in the mood for a little bit of liquid courage. She was about to ask the bartender how much for everything. In her state of mind, a good buzz was tempting and it would take her mind off of her dilemma. But she was here with Bill’s parents, after all, so instead she sipped her drink.
Bill’s parents continued to ask her a lot of questions about her work and her life. And they told her stories about Bill as a child that had her laughing. A lot of the stories included Dwayne and their daughter. She felt bad for the man she hadn’t met. It seemed that all suspected Danielle was the mastermind behind this plot. The evening passed quickly as Annie finished a story about one of the worst homes she had ever sold. “I couldn’t believe the guy bought the place. I mean it was so filthy, the cockroaches had to ride on dune buggies just to get around.” Everyone laughed.
“You are such a breath of fresh air,” Kathy stated. “My son needs laughter in his life, and you are just the woman to give him that.” And more, Kathy hoped.
“You are,” Tony agreed. “Bring her another drink.” He motioned to the waitress walking by. It was nearly time for the restaurant to close, but the owner, a former boxer turned restaurateur, knew the Armbrusters well. Their families had been friends for a long time.
“Okay, but this is the last one,” Bill cautioned. Bill was enjoying himself immensely and seeing Annie interact with his parents so freely was encouraging. He already knew he had their stamp of approval. But he also wanted to take Annie back to his cabin and he had plans for their first night together in his former home.
“Absolutely, babe,” the very tipsy Annie purred. “But it’ll help me wash down my dinner. I can’t believe I ate so much. If I continue to eat like this, you’ll have to grease my hips and coax me with a Twinkie to get through the door.”
“I think I can coax you through the door with other things, my love.” Annie heard the suggestion in his voice. She was ready for some coaxing, though she didn’t want to seem too eager in front of his parents. The moment her whiskey sour hit the table she downed it in one shot.
Tony joined her and finished his.
“I’m ready to go,” she hiccupped, wiped the back of her mouth with her sweater and stood abruptly.
His parents exchanged a knowing look and knew it was time for them to allow their son to take Annie home for the evening. Both of them stood and helped Annie back to the car while Bill took care of the check.