Hours after the battle and back in their bedroom Aleeza packed while her mate showered. Morning had come and gone. The politics of Werewolf business had taken hours to resolve.
“Thank you for bearing witness to my challenge. I have waited many years for the time to best my uncle,” Niko talked as his men began to haul furniture and more out of the Pack House.
“We seek to rid this place of the taint of years past.”
“I see. Well, it is our pleasure to see him gone, but if I can ask what made you wait so long,” Dib answered with respect, his arms tucked around his mate.
“You see, though the numbers had been dwindling for years, he always kept his pet Witch nearby. Powerful for sure, their evil bargain made him too strong, but fearing discovery, he sent her away when you were to arrive. The fool left himself open,” Niko spoke over coffee and platters of grilled meat after taking back the Pack house.
“And where is the Witch now?”
“Dead. I killed her before arriving here tonight. She drew her power from her living blood source. The farther apart they were from each other, well, the weaker they were. I could not risk her coming back to warn him. See now, my men dismantle her altar and a local White Witch will make sure it is properly disabled. This should never have happened, my friend.”
“I understand.”
“Ah, I do not know if you do, but trust that I will be a better leader. Already I know of the Russian’s motives for alerting you and their plans for our port. The Black Sea Pack will retain what is rightfully ours,” his tone brooked no argument.
“Well, there is always room for negotiation. If you need any legal help, do not hesitate to call,” Dib offered his card.
As they settled in the seats of the private airplane, Aleeza noted Liam took to a row to himself in the back. Clearly, the young Wolf was upset about leaving.
It seemed Ana and Niko were a couple since they were children. Their affection for each other had been one of the reasons Anri had chosen her as a mate. Niko was forced to bide his time before he could rescue his beloved, but now with time all would be well.
Claire Maccon sat in a window seat. Though she’d only exchanged a few words with her, Aleeza already believed she was a wonderful woman though a little worn from living in such a hard country for the last twenty some odd years.
“I can’t wait to see them,” she said and smiled at the cell phone Dib had given her. She gazed at photos of Rafe, his mate and wife, Charley, their three children, and Cat and her mate, Tate.
“My family,” she murmured and wiped the lone tear that escaped eyes so like her children’s.
“They will be overjoyed to see you,” Aleeza smiled and squeezed her hand in return.
“Thank you so much. I am a bit nervous,” she blushed and Aleeza saw the girl she must have been once upon a time. The girl that’d been hidden by years of abuse and neglect. If only life had been kinder for the healer.
“It’s a long flight, let me know if you need anything?”
“I’ll be fine, dear, but I think your mate is looking for you,” she nodded to the aisle where Dib was currently sitting, head turned, staring at her. Aleeza turned and walked slowly towards him.
“Macushla,” he reached for her and kissed her lips while fastening her into her seat.
“Dib?”
“Yes?”
“I understand that everything that happened wasn’t exactly your choice and now that we are going home, I was wondering-”
“Wondering what?”
“Well, what’s going to happen now?”
“What do you mean, sweet?” Dib’s brows furrowed as he stared into her deep, brown eyes.
This was it. Truth time.
“Look, I’ve only been a Wolf for like a day, and I know we are mates. I can sense it. But the fact is you didn’t even like me before, and, now we’re mated! I mean how does that even work?”
“Who says I didn’t like you?” He appeared outraged, green eyes wide and mouth open as he waited for her answer.
“Dib, come on, you hardly even spoke to me. You never looked at me. And then there’s the whole Christmas gift thing,” she bit her lip, averting her gaze.
“Okay, if I didn’t speak to you it’s because you left me tongue-tied and believe me, there was a whole lot of looking. I just did it when you weren’t paying attention.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. Now, what Christmas gift thing? I don’t know what you’re talking about. Didn’t you get a bonus in your check like everyone else?”
“Yeah, but I mean the other gift.”
“What other gift?”
“The Bodies by Hans membership. I assumed you gave that to me because you know, I’m not skinny like those other women you and your brother liked to date.”
“WHAT! That asshat!” Dib’s fury turned his face an interesting shade of red that unfortunately clashed with his hair and beard. Still, she couldn’t help but think he looked adorable.
“Aleeza, I swear I am going to punch my brother right in his face for giving you a gym membership as a gift. When he asked me if we should get you something extra, I agreed, but I thought he meant a larger bonus because you worked so hard for the two of us,” he growled and she instantly placed her hand on his chest, soothing him.
“I had no idea the idiot was going to do something like that.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes! I think you look perfect. The only way I want you to work out is if you want to, not because you think I want you to.”
“Really?” She said, heart in her eyes.
“Aleeza, you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. Your body is perfect, your face amazing, but your heart is what really sends me to my knees.”
“Dib, I-”
“Wait, let me finish,” he turned in his seat until he was facing her. Both hands reached for her one brushing her hair back behind her ears and cupping her face while the other held her hand, “Since the moment you stepped over the threshold of our office, I have wanted you. You, Aleeza Marlowe, and no one else. You are my one and only, my fated mate, and I swear that I will never lie to you or do you harm in any way. I vow to protect and honor you, to care for and treasure you, and to love you with every part of my body, heart and soul until all the stars fade to nothing. Maybe longer.”
Aleeza cursed the seatbelt as she struggled to leap forward. Dib smiled knowingly and unbuckled her before lifting her onto his lap.
“Better now?”
“So much better now,” she sighed into their kiss.
It was long and deep, a coming together of minds, hearts, and souls. Aleeza savored each swipe of her mate’s tongue, amazed at the feeling of love that poured into her through their bond.
“I love you,” she murmured into his mouth. Moaning when his hold on her tightened at her admission.
“I love you, macushla,” he nipped her lip, soothing it immediately with soft strokes of his tongue.
“What does that mean? Macushla?”
“It means you are my very heartbeat. I can’t live without you. Mine,” the Wolf asserted itself and she swallowed his growl with their next kiss, ignoring the throat clearing of the other passengers on their private plane.
“I can’t wait till we get home.”
‘Oh yeah? Why is that?”
“Cause then I get to claim you, my macushla, in front of the whole Pack.”
“My dad is gonna freak.”
“He’ll be fine once he knows you have me wrapped around your finger.”
“Do I now?”
“You know you do. I can’t wait to see what he says when you take the bar and join the firm.”
“Who says I’m taking the bar exam?” She sat up on his lap, her delicate eyebrow raised.
“Well, the decision is yours of course. I just assumed you’d want to now, that you’ve finished law school.”
“I think I do want to, I guess I was just afraid I’d have to leave the office if I did.”
“Aleeza?”
“Okay, I was afraid I’d have to leave you,” she admitted.
“No need to be afraid of that any longer cause you are stuck with me. Forever,” he nipped her lip again, sucking it into his mouth and kissing her dizzy.
“Are you two going to do this for the whole flight?” Liam tossed a pillow at them, but Dib caught it before it made contact.
“Quiet, pup,” he tossed the thing back, clocking the young Wolf with his eyes closed right in his forehead.
Aleeza giggled and sank back into his embrace.
“I’m going to like being mated to you, Dib Lowell.”
“I’m going to make sure of it, macushla.”
The end.
Liked this story? Don’t stop now! You can read all of the Macconwood Pack Novel Series here, and don’t forget the Tales! Happy Reading… Awooooooooo!