I was up early the next morning, it took every ounce of control to crawl out of bed and leave Khloe’s beautiful sleeping form. I picked up my phone as I headed to the bathroom and checked to see if I had any messages. There was one time stamped for 4:55 am from Craig that said he was on his way up with the team that had helped me rescue Khloe and Talia. I shot him a quick text before I climbed into the shower telling him that I would be waiting with fresh coffee for them.
After the shower, I got dressed and heard someone move, I turned to find Khloe sitting up as she checked me out with a wicked grin. “A girl could get used to having a sexy as hell man parading around naked for her to appreciate.” I just shook my head making my way to the closet.
I came out of the closet to find that Khloe now had a frown on her face. “What?” I asked.
She snickered. “I just prefer you without anything on.”
I walked over and leaned down to give her a soft kiss. “Go back to sleep. Get your rest it’s going to be a long day. No reason for both of us to be awake at this hour.”
She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me back down for another kiss. “Mmmmmm, definitely could get used to this.” She let me go to snuggle back under the covers, she finished, “Don’t let me sleep the morning away, ok?”
“You got it, sweetheart,” I replied as I left the room.
Once downstairs, I went to the kitchen and set about to make coffee. I texted Craig and asked him to stop by Dunkin’s to pick up a few dozen donuts.
I had several carafe’s brewed when Craig showed up with the guys. I met them at the door thanking each of them for everything that they’ve done.
We set up shop in the kitchen so the guys could get coffee and some of Dunkin’s finest sweet treats for breakfast. I laid it all out to them. Explaining what Talia, Khloe, Joseph, and I intended to do. “Our priority is to rescue Khloe’s parents. If those priests get dead on the way to our goal all the better.” I looked them over before finishing. “I won’t force you, it has to be your decision. I know you guys have lives here. There is no guarantee that we will even live through this.”
Talia came busting into the kitchen. “Please by all that is holy tell me you have coffee made?” She said as she stumbled to the carafe grabbing a cup, and stopping short when she realized that the dining area was occupied by Craig, and ten other guys. “You’re not alone?” She commented soberly before she looked down to realize that all she was wearing was a small sleep shirt with even smaller sleep shorts. As she looked back up and exclaimed, “Fuck it! Not like they haven’t seen a scantily clad woman before.” With that, she poured her cup of coffee, waved at the guys as she proceeded back out of the kitchen.
“Well, that was unexpected.” Craig deadpanned after she was gone.
“Thanks, Captain Obvious for pointing out that one.” I quipped, eliciting laughter from the guys.
Raising his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright I deserved that. Let’s go over the plans for today before Patrick shows up with his caterers.”
“Agreed, who’s coming?” I asked him.
The guys made themselves comfortable grabbing donuts, refilling their coffee while Craig pulled out his tablet accessing the list of Alphas that were coming to the meeting. I grabbed a Boston Crème and sat next to him.
“Whatcha got?”
“The two morons from Canada that you told me about, Patrice and Martin, were sent by their Alpha, Steven, most aren’t sure that he will do much. He has always had an issue with your mother as well as the other female alphas.” He started.
“A real misogynist then, great. That explains why those two tried what they did with the girls.” I offered.
“Yes, it does. We have Kaelyn, from the Midwest, she’s always been close to your mother and sister. They often spent time together whenever it was possible. Next, we have Luis, from the Southwest. I know a little about him from my time in the Navy when I was stationed at Coronado. He’s very straight forward doesn’t suffer fools. He has had lots of dealing with vampires from Mexico and Central America. He would be a good ally for us.” Craig stopped to make sure I was listening.
“Shouldn’t Talia be here for this?” I asked before continuing, “No because she already knows who these people are and has had dealings with them in the past.”
He chuckled a little before going on. “Yes, she does. That leaves us, Kane, from Canada, and he’s Grizzly. Stephanie from the Pacific Northwest, and Gage from the Upper Midwest and Central Canada. Little is known about Kane as he runs a quiet and peaceful territory. If there are issues they usually disappear into the Canadian Rockies never to return. Stephanie, however, has all kinds of vampire issues they seem to love the areas around Portland and up to Seattle. Gage’s biggest issues are from hunters. Very few vampires out there in the Great White North. Of those three, I would suspect that they won’t object to what you want to do, but also don’t expect much in the way of help from them.”
“Alright, who are you leaving out. What about the Southeast?”
“Finally, that leaves us with Jessica and Philip. Probably the most controversial alphas but will probably be your biggest supporters with Khloe.” He said.
“Wait, they’re the panther and black bear mates, aren’t they?”
“Yes, while most people wouldn’t give two shits about you and Khloe. Our world can be the most bigoted when it comes to inter-species mates. There are some who would rather see you with a normal human than another type of shifter.” He offered.
“Seriously?” I asked, and he confirmed with a nod. “Ok, we have a lot to do today before everyone arrives. What about the team? How many do think will agree to come with us to Central America?”
“They will all be coming along. They all volunteered before we even got here.” Craig offered.
I shook my head in disbelief at his words. I was moved by the team’s decision to come along. I looked up at the kitchen clock and took note of the time. “Let’s get the ball rolling. Patrick will be here in about thirty minutes. It shouldn’t take us that long with his guys here to help get everything set up for tonight.” I went to the carafe and poured a cup for Khloe before I went back upstairs.
We were busy the rest of the day, with getting the barn set up for the meeting. Most of the pack who could make it showed up throughout the day, all of them pitching in with the set up. Most stopped by to introduce themselves to me since I hadn’t seen most of them in years.
Kaelyn arrived about mid-afternoon, she was way early but Craig had said to expect her before everyone else since she was such good friends with my parents. Talia and Khloe went to greet her and Kaelyn hugged the girls like they were sorority sisters. I went back to talking with some of the pack members who had questions about how Talia and I were planning on running things. It appeared that most were happy for the two of us but also hesitant about the change. I told them that for the most part, nothing would change. I explained that our main concern was for the pack’s wellbeing while Talia and I were out of the country.
Talia brought Kaelyn over for introductions so I excused myself from the pack members I had been talking to promising that we would answer all their concerns later. “Dorian, this is Kaelyn, Alpha to the Midwest Pack. Kaelyn, my twin brother and co-Alpha, Dorian.”
She didn’t move or extend a hand in greeting. My wolf came to the surface to take the measure of this Alpha as I was sure that her wolf was doing the same to me. We stood there for what felt like half an hour but was probably only a few minutes. I really hated dominance games. It was one of the reasons I left to join the Marines. I continued to stare at Kaelyn and waited for her to break contact. You would think that knowing who our father was Kaelyn wouldn’t try this with me. Talia and I could rule the entire Were/Shifter world if we had the inclination. When your father is the apex predator of apex predators, some of it did find its way to both Talia and me. In addition to being able to take the beast form, our wolves are extremely dominant. That was one of the reasons why it had been so hard for T to find a mate. Most male shifters are too arrogant or too stupid to admit that our females are just as badass as we are. While my mind wandered, Kaelyn finally dropped her eyes.
“I told you Kaelyn, he’s just as dominant as I am. Just because he’s been gone doesn’t change things. It’s not like he was a lone wolf or anything.” Talia pronounced, as she smiled at Kaelyn.
“I know you did but my wolf wouldn’t have it any other way.” She replied to Talia before she looked back at me and continued, this time reaching a hand out to me. “Nice to meet you, Dorian. Talia has told me all about you.”
I shook her hand saying. “I wish I could say the same but as you know our mom kind of dropped this on us while we were in the middle of dealing with something else.” Khloe walked around Kaelyn to my side grabbing my hand in hers. I smiled at her then looked back to Kaelyn.
“I see that you finally got him, Khloe,” Kaelyn said causing my mate to blush slightly.
“Oh, now I get it. You three all went to college together.” I looked to find T had a grin like the Cheshire Cat as she nodded her head.
Talia grabbed Kaelyn’s hand saying. “Come, I want you to meet Joseph. Also, Khloe and I can fill you in on what has been happening.”
Khloe got up on her tip toes to kiss me lightly before she followed Talia and Kaelyn. I just shook my head as I looked around for Patrick and hoped that he brought some Guinness with him.
I found that Patrick had brought some Guinness with him and asked for a pint. My phone buzzed with an incoming text from Esteban that said he was on his way. He also stated he was bringing Donovan with him. I texted him with a ’10-4’ then put my phone back in my pocket and looked around for Craig. I had a couple of questions for him.
Taking a long pull from my pint I closed my eyes savoring the flavor when I scented Craig, as he walked up next to me. I opened my eyes to find him staring at me.
“What?” I might have said a little defensively.
“Nothing, it must be a Jarhead thing.” He replied as he brought a pint to his lips.
“Oh, like a fucking squid would know.” I retorted.
That caused us both to bust out laughing getting the attention of everyone who was in the surrounding area. They probably thought we were a little crazy and they wouldn’t be that far off since Craig had been a Navy Seal, and I was a former Marine Raider.
I turned to Craig and raised my glass to his saying, “Here’s to us. and those like us, but most of those are dead, so here’s to us.”
“Here, here.” He answered before we clinked our glasses and drained our pints.
“Tell me, am I going to have to do that dominance crap with every Alpha who comes tonight or was that just some BS that Kaelyn had to do since she’s known Talia since college and wouldn’t take her word for it.?” I asked him soberly.
He looked thoughtful for a few seconds before he responded. “I honestly don’t know. Your parents never held anything like this in the seven years that I’ve been here. To be honest, I sure as hell hope not. I don’t think Luis will be a problem but I’m not sure about Kane or Gage. They’ve both been around for a long time so I wouldn’t put anything past them. Kane from what I’ve heard is quiet but tends to think that since he’s a Grizzly he’s above wolves. Gage on the other hand, just thinks he’s ‘the cock of the walk’.”
I excused myself so I could go and get cleaned up before the other alphas showed up. I informed Craig that Esteban and Donovan were on their way.
I had stopped by the living room on my way to my room to find the girls entertaining Kaelyn. “Excuse me, Talia do you have a moment? I need to ask you something.”
She nodded and excused herself and followed me to the stairs. “What’s up, D?”
“What’s the dress code for tonight?” I asked.
“Well, I’m wearing a suit. It’s what they’ll expect of me. You, on the other hand, are the wild card. While the pack knows you, the alphas don’t. I wouldn’t wear something that you might get upset over if it gets messed up or blood on it.”
Understanding her meaning I asked. “You think someone will challenge me then?”
“Yes, I do. If for any other reason, you are with Khloe. Kane and Gage are old school and don’t believe in inter-species mates.” She offered.
“Fuck me!” I said running a hand through my hair. “When are, these fucktards going to move out of the dark ages? We have a real fucking threat and you’re telling me that all they’ll care about is who I’m fucking?”
She put a hand on my shoulder. “Sorry.”
I nodded my thanks heading upstairs to find something that I wouldn’t mind getting someone else’s blood on. Fuck. My. Life.
I stood in the shower with my head resting on the tiles while the hot water ran down my body and let all the tension leave my body. I must’ve been completely zoned out because I was startled by two hands as they spun me around and pulled me to Khloe’s waiting body. I pulled her tight and inhaled her scent letting it calm me even further. Khloe reached up to pull my mouth to hers as her other hand ran down my side. My hands roamed her body as we stood there kissing each other while the steam from the shower filled the room.
Sometime later we both entered my room with towels wrapped around ourselves. “What are you going to wear?” Khloe asked as she sat down on the edge of the bed grabbing the lotion off the end table.”
“Not sure,” I said as I opened my closet. “A little worried about what the other alphas might pull or do.” I stood there in thought about the events of the evening.
“You think one of them is going to try something, don’t you?” She asked while she applied lotion to those flawless legs of hers.
“I’m not really sure, to be honest, but then again I don’t really know any of them.” I turned around and sat down next to her on the bed. “My mother is laughing at me at this moment.” I offered as I laid down and stared up at the ceiling while I absently traced my fingers on her back piece.
“We both know that your parents didn’t see any of this coming.” She turned and looked at me. “Now go find some of those nice-looking jeans and one of your performance tees.” She ordered as she pushed me towards the closest.
I smirked as I met her eyes. “You just want to look at my ass and abs.”
She shrugged and finished, “Can’t blame a girl who wants to show off her man. Besides, we both know Talia and Joseph will be dressed up. This is your time to be who you are. Not who they think you are or who they expect you to be. The best thing about you and T is that while twins, you two couldn’t be any more different.”
“Alright, you win but don’t forget your bib,” I said as I rolled away from her swat that came my way.
She got up from the bed. “Smartass! I’m going to see what T has for me to wear since most of my clothes are still down in Boston.” As she left my room she dropped her towel. “This should get you moving faster.”
My groan was audible as I ran a hand through my hair. She’s going to be the death of me. I thought turned back to the closet as I grabbed a pair of tactical pants.