In The Beginning, Chapter 63

Over the next thirty minutes, nine of the thirteen invited had arrived, including one man who looked incredibly uncomfortable. Elaina, who stayed for tips to take back to Warren took over on the coffee machine, whipping up everyone’s order in half the time it would have taken me, and people had relaxed a little. We went into the living room, where people were happy to squeeze in, a couple of the women who looked closer to my age sat in lotus positions on the floor.
“Umm, hello, everyone, I asked you here today to introduce myself, hi! I’m Charlie, and like you, I don’t have a wolf, which has caused some friction with my mate and his wolf. So, I was hoping, you wouldn’t mind sharing some stories, hints, tricks, anything, you’ve done if or when you experienced the same thing. Or like Elaina, whose mate is not Lycan, take some tips home with you to help your relationship with your mate’s wolf!” I added suddenly, it only just occurred to me that some of the people here could be in the same position as me.
“Before you all came, I was telling Luna, that my husband was particularly agitated when I was pregnant with our first child. And, to calm him down in the evenings so he could sleep, he would set me up by the fire and shift, and I would stroke his wolf’s head, and he would put his head to my belly. It helped his wolf bond with the baby too. N-not that there is a rush for babies!” She added flustered by her own words, her head snapping between me and her daughter anxiously.
“Understood!” Elaina giggled, while I was bent over laughing at the horrified look on Evy's face. But it served as a social lubricant, and soon people were sharing stories. One woman sat on the back stoop, her mate was shifted in the yard, and he howled while she sang Dream a Little Dream of Me, the idea of singing to Daniel was a little uncomfortable, but it was something to think about. I could practically hear Daniel’s ears pick up at that story, I was so focused on trying to spot any unusual behaviour I wasn’t entirely aware of how clear my connection to Daniel through the bond was until that moment. The other ladies present were beginning to notice the only man, and how quiet he had been, when there was another knock at the door. Frowning, I headed towards the door.
“Be careful... I don’t like this.” Daniel whispered, like he couldn’t stop himself. I opened the door to see the bitchy receptionist from Appletree, and my first interview.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, confused, she had a wolf, I was pretty sure.
“I recently found my mate.” She announced while looking down her nose at me, which required some skill as we were near enough the same height. She grabbed the arm of a man I hadn’t seen until now, pulling him against her body in what I imagine was supposed to be seductively, but he just looked like he was being held hostage.
“Then come on in.” I smiled, while wondering if this would be an entertaining, or painful train wreck. I led them into the living room, shaking my head at Elaina with my eyes wide, praying she wouldn’t ask who it was because I would not make it through that. What was I even going to say? I didn’t know her name, she was just bitchy receptionist to me. “I’m sorry, it was such a surprise seeing you both, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Charlie.” I said to the man, who was sweating profusely.
“He's agitated, increased heart rate. I don’t like this, Charlie!” Daniel’s voice became urgent with concern.
“I'm Darryl.” He smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“And how did you meet?” I prompted, trying to send soothing thoughts to Daniel so he wouldn’t rush in.
“He's a potential client, but when he came in, I knew he was the one, and rich, successful-" I didn’t hear the rest of her little speech as Daniel was almost screaming in my head.
“His heart beat increased, she’s lying and he knows it! CHARLIE! HE COULD BE THE SPY!” I realised a second too late that all eyes were on me and it was obvious I was not paying attention, but had been trying to talk Daniel out of throttling the truth out of everyone here.
“I am so sorry; my mate is ridiculous in how overprotective he can be and linked me to check everything was fine.” I chuckled awkwardly, thankfully Elaina jumped in, leading the couple to the kitchen to make their drinks.
“You okay?” I heard Evy ask me, and a gave her a small size.
“Yeah, I love Daniel, but his protectiveness sometimes feels a little suffocating. I know he is trying to scale it back, and part of it is concern, and another part instinct, but it doesn’t make it easier to live with.” I shrugged, and I saw a few of the women giving me sympathetic looks or exchanging knowing ones with one another.
“We have all experienced that.” One of the women, Sarah, smiled.
“Even me.” Nodded the man, while staring at the floor, almost like he didn’t realise he said it out loud until we all started laughing, and the older woman next to him, Olive, gave him a little hug.
“Just wait until someone asks your husband if he’s your son.” She exclaimed and our laughter died for a moment, until Evy started giggling and waving her hands wildly.
“No, no... no!” She cried out between tears. “I pictured my husband, and goddess bless him, he would ask them if they were stupid or something, which if you knew him...” She was gone again in a howl of laughter. The rest of us couldn’t help but join in, so when Elaina, Darryl and the bitchy receptionist returned, we were all wiping tears away from our eyes and holding our aching sides from laughing.
“What did we miss?” Asked bitchy, as she once again dragged Darryl along, Elaina squeezed around them, coming to my side.
“I need to talk to you.” She whispered, and I felt a low strum of irritation from Daniel.
“He’s not her mate, but a half warlock, barely any abilities, but has knowledge of us from his father. So she didn’t break our laws by revealing herself, but they both lied to a Luna, and for that they will be punished.” He growled, and I knew I shouldn’t, but the ferocious tone sent a tingle of arousal through me. I felt my panties grow damp. “Kitten, I only have so much strength!” He almost hissed like he was in pain, and I realised he could smell it.
“Stop growling in my ear... or head then.” I snapped back, and I could almost feel the rumble in my chest of his deep chuffing laugh.
“Don’t take your eyes off them for a second.” He warned, before slinking back to continue his assessment of the people in the room.
“I know.” I told Elaina, who had been waiting for me to respond, while the room slowly quieted, I squeezed her hand and directed my gaze at the pretend couple.
“How did you find out about today?” I asked bitchy.
“A... a friend told me about it, and Darryl and I just met so I- I thought we could get some tips, and he could make some friends!” She faltered a couple of times, but she smiled throughout, pretending butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth.
“Who? Ms Michaels only invited a few people.” I smiled back.
“She’s panicking.” Daniel muttered darkly.
“I would rather not name names... you’re the Alpha’s- mate...” She acted like she had to spit out the word mate, force her lips to say something she found disgusting.
“It’s her.” I told Daniel, before anyone could react Daniel had slammed open the door to his office, leaped over the back of the couch, and had both of them pinned to the wall behind the chairs by their throats.
“Why are you here?” He snarled in her face, and I felt his aura begin to pulse, before the sweet scent that comes with it perfumed the room. I had to stop myself stepping towards him for a moment. She whimpered and mewled under his strong hands.
“I j-j-just want-t-ted t-t-to see her!” Bitchy stammered, she looked like she wanted to rub herself all over Daniel, and I felt sick.
“Oh, my God! You slept with her?” Without waiting for him to reply, I turned to her. “You slept with him? And what? He didn’t call you back?” I scoffed, turning away from both of them in frustration. I didn’t need an answer, Daniel’s flushed face spoke volumes. He let them both fall to the floor, as the front door opened, and several men who appeared to be warriors came in and cuffed the fake couple.
“But she’s not even a Lycan! And you know how much your wolf liked mine. I could give you strong pure Lycan pups, any you get from her will be half breeds at best!” Bitchy snapped, and Daniel moved like he was about to strike her, but thought better of it.
“Place her in a cell until I am even tempered enough to deal with her after that disgusting display. But for your information, you are nothing compared to her, she is perfection, you were a distraction, and a poor one at that.” He spat in her face before she was hauled away crying. I didn’t know how to feel, I didn’t like the venom with which he had delivered his words to her, but she had said some horrible things about our possible children that hurt. Would other people think the same as her? That any children Daniel and I have would be half breeds? Daniel must have felt the painful stab to my heart at the thought, he turned his back on her and pulled me into his chest. “I wish you didn’t hear that.” He whispered, brushing his knuckles along my jaw to tilt it upwards. “What she said is bullshit, I’m not 100% Lycan, I bet no one is. Our children will be perfect, just like their mother.” He breathed as his lips brushed mine. A scream from bitchy broke the spell he puts me under.
“But I rejected my mate for you!” She wailed, and the group all gasped as one, staring at her or Daniel and me. Her eyes and nose were flowing freely with liquid as she broke away from the warrior leading her out, he having recoiled in horror at her admission. “He was an omega serving Alpha Beau. You had me come to the airport to drive your car back so you wouldn’t have to leave it there, I walked you to the plane, I thought you would kiss me goodbye, but you tipped me. He saw me, scented me, and knew but you dismissed me before he could get out of the plane. A few days later he showed up at the boarder, my cousin was on patrol, he kept him away from the other guards and got me to meet them. I rejected him because you promised me you would look after me!” She screamed, while Daniel looked at her with a mixture of confusion and revulsion.
“I promised you nothing but that night, and I was very clear that I could not make any of the promises you are alluding to!” He shook his head, looking at her wide eyed, and slightly worried.
“No, no!” She insisted. “You said I was special, and you promised.... I heard you, when you were leaving!” She wailed as he looked around frantically, like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing before he froze. I felt a cold splash of dread, like an ice-cold shower, his eyes met mine and he didn’t need to say it, I knew. He had dreamed of me for the first time while in her bed.
“I wasn’t speaking about you. Natalie, it was a mistake if you believed our relationship to be anything more than two acquaintances who had a brief fling. But that is all it was or ever could be, even if I had not met Charlie.” Daniel coldly stated, and with a nod to the guards she was once again dragged towards to door, only this time she staggered like she couldn’t feel her legs, and stopped fighting them. I looked around the room embarrassed, I wanted to apologise, but I couldn’t get my mouth to work.
“Why was the Alpha hiding in his office?” Elaina asked with a smile, enjoying the matching sheepish looks on Daniel and I’s faces.
“Umm... remember when I was saying he’s crazy overprotective? Well, he insisted on being close... in case you were mean.” I laughed but it sounded false. “He is going back to his office, with his noise cancelling headphones now.” I began pushing him towards the office while Daniel grunted and grumbled unconvincingly.
“Mmhmm, yeah that sounded legit!” Elaina called after us with a chuckle.
“Hey!” Daniel drew my attention back to him from the living room when we got to the office door. “What she said, was crap, don’t listen to it.” He insisted, his arm pulling me to him, so he could run his nose up my throat, along my jaw to my ear, then down to my mark. My knees almost buckled as his hot breath fanned across the sensitive spot, then he pressed his lips against it softly. He slowly opened his mouth and sucked on it until my panties were dripping wet, and I squeezed my thighs together afraid everyone would know the effect he had on me. I saw him smile devilishly, as he placed an affectionate kiss on my temple, and closed the door on me while laughing. I made a mental note to talk to him about bitchy, I mean Natalie, and turned to face my guests.
“How about I open some wine?” I asked the room, and headed for the kitchen.