Rise of the Lycans: Shadows And Secrets

Chapter 8 – Dinner

Rex

“It looks like you might be losing your little admirer to the Highland Alpha,” Ranger said through the mind link.

The fucker had just returned from a two-month hiatus to nurse his wound after his own little admirer had her first shift and didn’t recognize him as her mate. Ranger told everyone he wanted to train with the family packs in Greece, but I knew the truth even when he denied it.

“I hear Sol may have found her mate in Mexi—” Ranger snarled before I could finish the thought. His steely gray eyes may look calm and cold, but I knew he was seeing red hot.

All eyes turned to us, and I let out a low chuckle. It was fortunate that Storm occupied the seat between us because Ranger looked like he wanted to kill something.

“As I was saying,” Grandma Dori continued. “Merlin was a mage, not a druid. I have it on good authority that he was, in fact, a child of Hecate.”

Everyone was engrossed in the conversation about mages, druids, faeries, and other Scottish folklore—everyone except Ranger and me. Ranger had returned to find that Sol was on vacation for a few weeks with her family, and it soured his mood. It was probably for the best. Even if Ranger wanted to take her as a chosen mate, our families wouldn’t allow it. The greatest gift the Moon Goddess gave us was a destined mate. To reject a mate and select another was an insult to the Goddess.

We were the ruling family in the shifter world, blessed by the Moon Goddess herself. It didn’t matter how badly Lukas wanted Selena or Ranger wanted Sol… there was only one person destined to be your other half.

“Where’s the Scottish girl?” Ranger asked through the mind link.

“Maeve,” I replied. “Her name is Maeve.”

“Right, Maeve,” he linked back with a grin. “I think Flaym is excited for Maeve’s shift tonight. He’s hoping she might be his mate.”

Flaym had always been sweet on her, even before her tits came in. I wondered if he was drawn to her the way Lukas had always been with Selena. Did he want to scent her to see if she was his destined mate? Anger flared inside of me thinking about it.

“She’s not his mate,” I seethed.

“You’re probably right,” Ranger replied. “I bet she’s Hamish’s mate.”

Cousin or not, I was ready to choke him out. Thankfully Uncle Zeus had another son, and might not miss this prick so much.

My focus went from Flaym to Hamish. He was a few years older than me and still unmated. Hamish had blond hair and light blue eyes. His thick beard and burly build made him look like he belonged on the cover of those Highlander romance novels women read. Not just women, but Maeve. I’d spied Maeve reading in the garden a time or two. All he needed was a damn kilt, and he’d look the part.

I had been so distracted thinking about Maeve today that I didn’t bother to ask my father why Hamish was here. Of all days… why was he here on the day of Maeve’s first shift? Annoyance nipped at me. Maeve was born in his pack, and he was probably here to see if she was his mate. Why else would he come all this way?

“I’ll be right back.” I took quick strides to the door.

If Flaym or Hamish scented her, they would likely smell me on her. What if someone else picked up my scent on her? I needed to find her first. Get our story straight.

Maeve stood in the foyer outside the family dining room as if I had just conjured her up with the thought of her. She looked like a deer caught in headlights, and I could sense her apprehension. I moved in for a closer sniff and noticed she took two steps back, retreating from me. She didn’t want me to touch her. Despite the hours that had passed, my scent still lingered on her.

“Did you bathe?” I asked, even as I picked up the scent of lavender soap. She had tried to wash me away.

“Yes, of course,” she replied, and I fought the urge to touch her.

“You still smell like me. Did anyone notice?” It was faint, but I could still scent it.

“I told Nan you hugged me to wish me a happy birthday.”

It was a clever lie, and the look on her face told me she didn’t want anyone to know. Any other she-wolf would have flaunted it, hoping to become more than a one-night stand. Maeve seem determined to hide it.

“Good, stick to that story. You’ll sit between Persephone and me at the table so no one picks up the scent.”

She looked uneasy in my presence, and annoyance pulsed through me. This was the same female who had kissed me last year without hesitation. She had no problem coming on my cock last night, begging for more, but suddenly she was cagey.

“Do you know why your father summoned me?”

“You’ll see in a moment,” I nearly growl. “Let’s go.”

“Umm, about last night…”

“It never happened,” I clip. This was not the time to discuss it, and Maeve was clearly uncomfortable around me.

“Haggis!” Flaym called her by that ridiculous name he had for her, and I quickly ushered her away from him. “There’s a seat beside Persephone.”

“Haggis?” Hamish questioned, and she finally noticed him. A look of recognition passed, and she smiled at him.

“Hello, Alpha,” she spoke sweetly, and my beast stirred. “I called Flaym a Numpty when we were pups, and he called me Haggis. It sort of stuck,” she told him.

“There’s nothing Flaym appreciates more than food,” my sister snickered, and she was right.

“I still don’t know what a Numpty is, but I sure do love haggis with a side of neeps and tatties,” Flaym said and a low growl slipped from me. Something told me that Flaym would jump at the chance to devour Maeve.

“Does she smell like you?” Ranger’s voice came through the mind link.

“It’s her birthday. I wished her a happy birthday and gave her a quick hug.”

“Just a hug?” The fucker questioned.

“She seemed nervous about being here.”

“I see,” he smirked. “Did she try kissing you again?” He teased and when I didn’t give him the response he was looking for, he cleared his throat and spoke loud enough so she could hear him.

“We should hit the city this weekend. I hear The Sanctum had a little remodeling done while I was gone.”

“It was just the basement part of the club,” I replied, and by basement, I meant the dungeon.

I could see her from my peripheral vision and noticed her staring at Hamish. Was she checking him out?

The sound of my mother’s voice interrupted my thoughts. “Maeve, I heard yesterday was a special day for you.”

Maeve shifted in her seat slightly, and I wondered if she was feeling a little sore. She didn’t have her wolf, so she wouldn’t have healed yet. The image of my teeth sinking into her plump ass rushed back to me.

“I had a lovely birthday dinner with my family and friends,” she smiled.

I wondered if my mark would remain on her ass or if it would disappear once she shifted. Scars received before a first shift often remained, depending on how deep they were. Just thinking about her ass brought back visions of it bouncing with every thrust.

They talked about a book Maeve received for her birthday, as I kept replaying scenes from last night. Maeve had been so demanding and uninhibited that it was hard to believe the little kitten beside me was the same lioness from last night.

My sister said something about the moon before Hamish mentioned how good it was to see Maeve again.

“Thank you,” she said, and I noticed the smirk on Ranger’s face. She passed a bowl to me, but I was too distracted thinking about all the ways I was going to punish Ranger on the training field tomorrow.

“Now that yer all grown, I hae somethin fer ye,” Hamish told her.

“I wonder if it’s his big Highland dick?” Ranger’s voice sounded through the mind link, and I wanted to tell him to fuck off.

Hamish retrieved a key from his pocket and held it up. “Yer father built th’ cabin, an it belongs tae ye.”

“Bet my Ducati to your Harley she’s gone by the end of the month,” Ranger said through the link.

“No way. Her only family is here.”

“Wait!” Flaym eyed Maeve. “Are you leaving us?”

“What?” She asked breathlessly, looking from Flaym to Hamish.

“Yer welcome tae return tae Oor pack, or keep th’ cabin fer holidays,” Hamish told her. “Me mam’s offer tae attend university still stands.”

“And an offer for college,” Ranger said smugly. I tried not to react because I knew he was trying to goad me.

Yia-Yia told her how she met Pappoús when she went away to school, and Hamish bragged that Scotland had some of the finest universities.

“New York also has some great colleges,” I said. If she wanted to go to college, she could do so here while remaining close to her grandparents.

Grandma started talking about frat parties, and I couldn’t help but wonder what Maeve’s creamy smooth skin would look like in a toga. Storm finished cutting the roast and passed the platter to me. I took some meat and passed it to Maeve, then listened to the whispered conversation between my cousin Persephone and her. She was seriously considering going to Scotland.

“I was thinking about riding to the Canadian border this weekend,” Storm told Ranger.

“I think Rex and I have plans to go into the city,” Ranger replied. I wasn’t aware of any plans.

“Anything interesting?” She asked.

“A double date,” he grinned mischievously.

Thankfully, Grandma Dori started chatting with Ranger about his stay in Greece. The table was buzzing with lively conversations, and all I could think about was Maeve leaving. I ate but hardly tasted anything. Before I realized what was happening, Maeve had excused herself and left the dining room.

“Excuse me, I promised her grandfather I’d bring her home,” I followed after her.

Maeve may have been short, but she moved fast. She was already down the steps of the mansion when I caught up with her.

“Maeve, wait!”

“Don’t worry, Alpha , I’ll nae breathe a word tae anyone,” she snapped without turning around to face me. “Last night never happened.”

“The mark on your ass proves otherwise.”

“HOW DARE YOU!” She screamed. Goddess, she was hot when she was angry.

I stepped closer to her. “I told your grandfather I’d give you a ride home.”

“It’s only two miles, and ma fat arse could use th’ walk,” she all but snarled at me. I loved the way her accent crept up when she got fired up.

“Your ass is perfect,” I smirked. It would be even more perfect if I spanked a beautiful shade of red on it for disparaging herself.

“Go back to your family dinner,” she hissed.

This little kitty had claws. “You dare give an Alpha an order?”

“What are ye going to do? Punish me?”

“Believe me, I can think of so many ways I want to punish you,” I clipped. The lycan side of me was a beast, and I wouldn’t let this little female dismiss me so quickly. I grabbed ahold of her upper arm and led her down the path to the side of the mansion.

“Let go of me,” she tugged, but I held tight. “This isn’t necessary. I want to walk.”

My motorcycle was still parked on the side of the mansion from my ride this afternoon. I dipped down and reached for her before she could squirm away. Lifting her up, I held her chest against mine so I could feel her familiar softness.

“Wrap your legs around me,” I ordered, and the little kitten obeyed. I sat on the bike with Maeve facing me in the straddle position.

“Is this safe?” She asked. “Shouldn’t we be wearing helmets?”

This wasn’t safe. Her dress was bunched up around her thighs, and I started salivating, remembering how good she tasted. The heat of her pussy pressed against me, and I wanted to sink myself back into her. Back into that tight little piece of heaven she hid between those succulent thighs. I held her closer and squeezed my hand over the spot I had bitten the night before.

“Hold on tight, Kitten,” I rasped as I started the engine.

I drove slowly along the tree-covered narrow lane, enjoying the ride. A few of the young pups waved hello to us, and Maeve waved back. I could feel her slowly relax with each passing minute, which calmed the beast in me. Having her in my arms felt so natural.

We reached her family home, and I wondered if she would let me take her out for another longer ride this weekend. Maybe dinner and a long ride? Before I could ask, her Grandmother, Mary, came rushing out the door and Maeve quickly scrambled to get off the bike. To get off of me.

“Maeve! Oh my goodness,” she laughed nervously. “Alpha Rex, thank you so much for bringing her home. I was worried she might not make it back before her first shift.”

“It was my pleasure. Maeve, would you like me to stay… help you through your first shift?”

“That’s very generous of you,” Mary said. “Alpha Hamish has already offered to do that, and your father agreed. He’s the Alpha of the pack Maeve was born into. Technically, she hasn’t taken an oath to this pack yet, so her wolf might respond better to him.”

Hamish had come all this way to lure her back with a house and school, and now he was going to see her naked when she shifted. He was going to be the first to see her wolf. What if he was her mate?

“Thank you, Alpha,” Maeve spoke softly.

“Good luck tonight.” I forced a smile on my face before leaving.

My mind was still reeling by the time I reached the garage. I parked my bike beside my sister’s and noticed Ranger’s Ducati. I was half tempted to kick his bike over. Maybe he was right… maybe I needed a night at The Sanctum to help forget about her.

Then again, lycans could hunt in stealth mode. I could turn and silently watch her first shift… make sure she was safe. I was an Alpha of this pack, and she’d be shifting in my territory. I had every right to be there.

Moments later, I was running through the northern forest in full shift. The sky was growing darker, and I decided to wait at the hot spring for the moon to appear. I did the only thing I could when I reached the hot spring—I paced.

I tried to figure out what this sudden obsession with the girl was. I had slept with other females before, but there was something about Maeve. She was so unlike the other she-wolves, and I wondered if that would change once she got her wolf.

I couldn’t help but notice the tree I had damaged last night had been repaired. I scanned the surrounding trees and was sure this was the one. My claws had ripped into it and sent pieces of bark flying. The chunks were still on the ground, but the tree was solid.

My father, brother, aunt Demeter and grandma Cassi had the earth element, so one of them could have repaired the tree since last night. However, Grandma Cassi was visiting our family in Canada, and my father was meeting me most of the day with my brother… so it could have been my aunt.

Something glimmered beside a rock, and I noticed a delicate gold chain. My claws retracted, and I shifted my hand to pick it up without damaging it. It was Maeve’s. I’d seen it around her neck so many times.

Howls in the distance rang out, signaling the shift of werewolves. A tiny sliver of the moon was present in the sky, and I raced through the woods to her house. Suppressing my aura, I moved in quietly and waited downwind in the darkness of the shadows. My lycan hearing and vision made me a deadly predator as I stalked in the night.

If Hamish tries anything with her tonight, I’ll turn him into haggis.