Chapter 162

Ryan

I know when Valerose showed up at the ceremony you thought there would be some epic battle.Some were probably hoping for it. Part of me was. The other part of me didn’t want to see Lexi go through it. It was always going to be Lexi that took Valerose out. Oh, Luther and I were going to help but it was going to be Lexi that killed him. I didn’t want her to have to deal with that. It would destroy her. I couldn’t stand to watch her go though it. So if we have to put up with a vampire as Lexi’s third mate then so be it. Luther and I talked about this extensively last night while Lexi was alone with Valerose.

We needed to do something to keep our mind off of what was happening in the other room. No, we weren’t jealous. I honestly thought we would be at least a little. Even our wolves didn’t have a problem. Luther figured it was we knew he was her mate it didn’t bother us just like it didn’t bother us when either of us touched Lexi. No, we had to keep ourselves busy because as much as Lexi tried to block it we could feel her arousal through the bond. Which was making me hard as a rock and I wanted nothing more than to charge in there and take Lexi myself. Luther was having the same problem. So we talked to let Lexi have her time with Valerose.

We worked several things out and came up with a few ideas on how to move forward in our relationship. As well as some things we can do since we are supposed to help Lexi unite the supernaturals. Starting with the local shifters. We will discuss this with Lexi when we officially start our duties tomorrow. Right now we are following Lexi and the other Luna to check on the freed wolves. Lexi is in the middle of us. Luther is holding one of her hands, I’m holding the other and Valerose has his hand on the small of her back.

No we didn’t plan this. We have always done this but I was a little surprised when Valerose just fell into step. Lexi points out a few things to Valerose as we walk and explains how we are building a packhouse on the land right in the middle of our territories. Well it’s one territory now. We just stepped into the building where Luther’s mom, with the help of my father, set up the freed wolves. Think of it like a small apartment building. Jesse is there with his mate to greet us. Jesse does an exaggerated bow “ My queen, you honor us.” Lexi giggled and curtsied “ the honor is mine, my loyal guardian.” “ You two, such jokesters.” Luna Calissa chuckled. We all started laughing at their antics. Except Valerose. He will get used to Lexi’s antics. Lexi opened her arms and Jesse walked right into them. Lexi looks over Jesse’s head at his nervous mate “ There is room for you too.” she says. In the blink of an eye he is in her arms too.

I see Valerose take half a step then stop. I see he is having trouble with men touching Lexi but is trying to control himself. Even if they are mated, it’s a guy touching our mate. I get it. I had a hard time with it too in the beginning. It will get better in time. Lexi explains that she wanted to check on the wolves and see if they needed anything. Since Jesse is mated to one and he knows most of the wolves. We went around and talked to several wolves. Most have no packs to return to. That pissed me off and made Lexi heartbroken. She turned to glare at Valerose. “ Explain.” she demanded.

Valerose had the decency to look ashamed. “ Lexi, Love, You know I haven’t been a good man. I have done terrible things in the past. The first good thing I did after I knew I was going to accept you in my life was to free them. Do I have a lot to make up for? Yes. I know I can do it with your help. I can’t change what I did in the past. I can, however, try to make it right.” That answer calmed Lexi down. She took a couple deep breaths before saying “ You are correct. You can’t change the past. We will help you correct your previous misdeeds.” Lexi points to Luther and I as she says it.

If the man honestly wants to change, yes, I will help him. I do believe that he does. Valerose looks at Luther and me. Luther answers “ What she said.” I just nod. Lexi places her hands on Valerose’s cheeks making him look at her. “ Val, we can do this. Make things better. That’s what I’m supposed to do. I want you with me. I need you with me. However, I need my Val, my mate. Not Valerose, evil vampire. Can you do that for me? With me?” Valerose grabs Lexi at her hips and pulls her to his chest. “ My queen, my love, my heart. The moment I accepted you I knew there was nothing I wouldn’t do for you. So, yes, I will help you make it better. Just tell me what you need.” he said.

I smirk at his words. Lexi already has him wrapped around her finger.” Like you are much better.” Stone says. “ Like Arya doesn’t have you and Diesel wrapped around her paw.” I say. “ She does. I admit it.” Diesel says. “ We love every minute of it.” Stone says. “ So do we.” Luther linked. Lexi gives Valerose a quick kiss. “ Good. Let’s get this done. I want some alone time with my mates.” Lexi looks at Luther and I and links the three of us “ I have a feeling I’m going to be needy tonight.” “ Needy?’ Valerose asks. Lexi purrs just low enough for us to hear “ Mmm, very.” I catch the slightest hint of Lexi’s arousal in the air. I can tell it hit Valerose too.

The three of us let loose a growl making Lexi giggle. The little minx did it on purpose. “ Yes we did.” Arya links. We need to get this over with. We talked to everyone. Turned out none of them had packs to go to. Or at least they thought they didn’t think they did. Valerose, who apparently kept records of all the packs he destroyed, said he would double check to see if there was anything left. After confirming with me and Luther Lexi offered for anyone who wanted a place in our pack. Luna Calissa offered hers as well. Lexi also offered to reach out to other packs to see if they were willing to take anyone in. Valerose was going to release all the wolves he had and Lexi was determined that they would have a place to go. When Lexi noticed some apprehension from the wolves. She offered to take anyone wanted on a tour of each pack and explained how we were combining Luther and my packs.

I noticed most of them were unsure of what to think of us. They are very untrusting of us. Not that I blame them one bit. Lexi tried her best to calm and reassure them all but it will take time. She knows this. Just before we leave to go check on the Vampire’s turns to Jackson and his mate. “ Jackson, Nolan could I have a quick word with you. Luna Calissa, probably you too.” she asks. The three looked confused but came to Lexi. “ Lexi, is something wrong?” Luna Calissa asked. “ No problem. Just an idea. Since Jackson is part of your pack, this concerns you too.” Lexi said.

This has Luther, Valerose and I intrigued. “ What is she up to?” Valerose asks in a whisper. “ I’m not sure.” Luther answers. “ Jackson, I know you have your Gamma duties. Plus, you are newly mated. Nolan, you have just been freed and mated. You two have a lot going on at the moment. After things calm down a bit for you two to consider being my liaison for the freed wolves. Nolan, you know these people better than anyone. You can assist me. Help me get them the help they need. Getting them comfortable with me. Helping them get integrated into packs. Possibly start a support group for them. Maybe assigning someone in the pack each person goes to to be their sponsor. Someone they can feel safe to go to if they need to. Someone to help their transition go smoothly.” Lexi asked them.

I want to puff my chest out with pride at listening to her. She sees a need and is trying to address it the best she can. She knows she won’t be able to do it all. She knows she hasn’t earned the people’s trust yet. These people know Nolan. I see most of them trust him. So having him in place to help is a damn good idea. Calissa is smiling at Lexi’s suggestion. Nolan looks starstruck. Jackson looks thrilled that Lexi has asked him. “ So what do you think? Would you consider my request?” Lexi asked nervously.

“ Are you serious? I don’t need to consider it. I’m being asked to help the prophecy child. Of course I want to help.” Nolan squeals. Lexi beams at his answer. “ Jackson, your thoughts?” Lexi asked. “ Lexi, you know I love you. You may be my queen. I have been your guardian even when I didn’t need to be. Above it all you have been like a sister to me. So yeah, I’m helping.” he said. Lexi giggles and launches herself at them. Lexi wraps her arms around Jackson and Nolan the best she can. “ Thank you. Both of you.” she says be releasing them. She turns to Luna Calissa next. “ Sweet girl, your idea is wonderful. I would like to offer my help as well. If anyone wants to come to our pack I offer to be a sponsor. As well arrange more sponsors in the pack.” Luna Calissa said.

This woman is awesome. Luna Christine steps up. “ I would like to offer the same for anyone who stays within our packs. May I suggest having lower ranked members as sponsors. They can be less intimidating.” she said. Not a bad idea. “ Thank you. Tomorrow how about we get together for lunch and work out a plan. Or the beginning of one. Bring anyone that you think might want to help.” Lexi said.

I feel we will need to set up the ballroom to accommodate all the people that will be willing to help Lexi. Our last stop is with the vampires. That was interesting. We had a hostile greeting. Many didn’t want to be there just following orders. I was concerned about Lexi’s feelings. She isn’t used to people out right hating her. Valerose got pissed at the disrespect Lexi received. Lexi though handled it with grace. After calming Valerose down she convinced him to let the vampires that didn’t want to be there go.

She laid down some rules to the handful that wanted to stay. No feeding off anyone. Stay within the boundaries. No fighting. You know the basics. She told them to come to either herself, Valerose, or my dad if they needed anything. As we were heading back to the packhouse Valerose was grumbling. “ You should have let me kill him for his disrespect.” he said. Lexi stopped walking. “ Val, honey. I’m sure that is the way you are used to handling things. However, not this time. This is all new to them. They aren’t going to settle in right away. They need time. Some may never get used to it. You can’t kill someone for expressing their opinion. We will give them time. Show them I only wish the best for them. We will figure out something that works for all of us.” she said.

I watched a ridged Valerose almost melt at Lexi’s words. “ Spoken like a true queen.” Calissa said. “ I have to agree.” Valerose responds. Lexi stood in front of Valerose, placing a hand on his chest and slowly moved her hand up. Lexi’s voice changed from sweet to seductive. “ Now that things are settled for now. How about the four of us go to our room. For some private time. You know, to get to know each other better.” she suggested. Judging by her arousal I can smell, getting to know each other may involve a naked Lexi.

I watch Calissa and Christina walk off without a word. Not before noticing a smile on their faces. “ My queen, I think that is a good idea.” Valerose growled. We practically ran to the packhouse and up to the bedroom. I had to hold myself back from throwing Lexi on the bed. I needed her. Badly.