The Alpha Wants Everything Book 1 The King's Queen
Chapter 26: And that I love her!

Dax woke up just before dawn broke, to the feeling of someone staring at her, she knew the only other person in the bed was Kane, but this did not feel like his presence. This one felt bigger. She was on her stomach, when she glanced over to her side, and there sitting in the bed was Kane, but it wasn’t him at the same time. His form looked larger, his canines showing over his bottom lip and his eyes weren’t his, they were azure blue and they glowed. He watched her intently, memorizing her features, the curve of her back. His eyes traced and retraced the scar that started at the top of her left shoulder and ran down her back to her right hip. She went to cover it, but he put his hand on her back to stop her. His head tilted to the side as his fingers trailed the scar. The electric shocks she felt from his touch caused her body to shiver. His touch was rougher than Kane’s. Not the gentlest thing! Her subconscious said. No he was not, but he still sent waves of electricity through her and when his hand trailed the scar to her hip just under the cover she sucked in a breath. His eyes drifted to her face, he took in the shape of her mouth, nose, her cheekbone, his gaze moved over the shape of her ear from the lobe to the point. He reached up and traced the jagged scar. He looked back into her eyes, and she saw sadness.

“Ky?” She whispered, he whimpered

“Mate!” His voice was deep and low. He nodded his head, tracing the scar on her back again and her breath hitched. “Mate….mate….sca….scared of Ky!”

“Do I have a reason to be?” She asked, his eyes snapped to hers, he shook his head vigorously.

“No! No….Ky….no….hurt….mate” he fought to get his words out, but the truth she saw in his eyes made her heart burst. She pulled the covers up and wrapped them around herself. He watched her movements with interest, and when she sat in his lap facing him, he looked stunned, not the reaction he was used to getting. When Ky came out everyone ran screaming or started quivering in fear. She reached up and traced his brow, his cheekbone, his lips. She touched his canines, traced down his jaw, inching closer to him. His eyes never left her, she brushed the hair off his forehead, and leaned up and kissed it, she kissed his cheek and finally his lips. Wrapping her arms around his neck she laid her head on his chest. Unsure of what to really do, Ky stared down at her for a minute. This was not the reaction he was used to at all. Carefully he wrapped his arms around her making sure not to squeeze too tight and held her there.

“My….Mate!” he whispered into her hair, taking in her scent, she nodded her head. “S-some…..someone….hurt….my….mate” Ky looked at the scar on her back again, he didn’t like it that when he touched it she’d flinch. She just nodded, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall. “Ky….ma-make….them….p-pay” she shook her head.

“They’ll take you away” she whispered,

“No! Ky….no….le-leave….mate” he tightened his grip around her, then loosened it when he thought he was squeezing too hard.

“Ky….lo-ve….mate” he buried his nose in her hair, as a tear slid down her cheek, she held tighter to him. Listening to his heartbeat and his deep breathing, even his growl was soothing to her, she fell asleep in his arms.

Kane woke a few hours later, his back was sore, his neck was stiff and he wasn’t sure how he got to a sitting position, but when he looked down he saw the most precious thing in the world to him sleeping peacefully in his arms. She’s perfect! Ky purred in his head. He kissed the top of her head and held her close to him. Why am I sitting Ky? Ummm….! Ky? About that! What did you do? I just wanted to see her! What did you do? I just looked! WHAT DID YOU DO? He said louder. NOTHING! I wanted to see her, she woke up! What happened? Nothing, she saw me. She crawled into my lap all by herself and I didn’t squeeze too tight! Kane didn’t know how he felt about Dax meeting Ky while he was unaware. She wasn’t scared of me! What did you say to her? Nothing! KY! He bellowed at him. That I would never hurt her, and I would make the one who did pay! Kane mulled that over, not as bad as it could have been. And that I love her! FUCK! He hadn’t told her that yet. Do you love her? Ky asked. Of course I do! Then tell her! It’s not that easy! Why? She feels the same! How do you know? She wouldn’t be in your arms if she didn’t! Could it really be that simple? She was in his arms, he showed her who he was, who he truly was, she met his beast and she didn’t run, she didn’t scream, she wasn’t afraid. She was still in his arms, she still held on to him. Did she love him? After everything that happened to her was she even capable of it?

He was lost in deep thought, when she started to shift in his arms, she mumbled something about pancakes and buried her face into his chest. The mention of food brought a growl to his stomach. He was hungry, he was always hungry, but everything they did last night he was exceptionally hungry this morning. Remembering last night brought a smile to his face, they might have to repeat a few rounds he thought to himself, but breakfast first. His mate wanted pancakes, and he was more than happy to get her pancakes, but first he would have to replace all his clothes. He kissed her head again before he gently slid her off his chest and back onto the bed where she snuggled in pulling the covers around her and over her head. He found his briefs and pulled those on, he was looking for his pants, when he heard her mumble something under the covers.

“What are you mumbling over there?” He asked, chuckling, she lifted the covers off her face, before she looked at him.

“Your pants are in the kitchen, your shirt is somewhere on the warehouse floor, and I don’t know where your shoes ended up” a smile played on her lips when she saw the look on his face. They had left a trail of clothes leading from the warehouse door all the way up to her bedroom.

“Right!” He grinned.

“There are some clean shirts in the wardrobe and some manly smelling shampoo in the bathroom. I picked them up a few days ago,” she pointed at the cupboard on the far wall. She stretched and sat up, pulling the sheet around herself. When she looked at him, he was just staring at her.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” A concerned look washed over her face. He crossed the room and pulled her into his arms and crashed his lips down onto hers. She moved her lips with his, the kiss was passionate. When it broke he pressed his forehead to hers.

“What was that for?” She asked, confused.

“You have no idea how truly amazing you are. Do you?” He responded, he couldn’t remember the last time someone other than Lacey bought him something, and she only did it because he asked her to and either she bitched about it the entire time, or he had to bribe her with spending his money on stuff she didn’t need. Dax went out of her way to do it because she could, he didn’t even ask her to, it was a simple gesture, but she has no idea how much it meant to him. Goddess, he loved this woman.

“Thank you! I am going to grab a quick shower and then go get breakfast” he moved away from the bed, if he didn’t they wouldn’t be getting breakfast. He went to the cupboard to grab a clean shirt.

“I like the blue one,” she said,

“The blue one it is then” grabbing the blue shirt and one last kiss from her he went to the bathroom to shower.

Not even the tiny shower could dampen his mood. Even though he smacked his head off it four times….he fucking hated this shower! He was happy. Told you she loved us! Ky smiled in his head. Apparently she did, so what if she never said it, she showed it and actions spoke louder than words. Finishing in the shower he dried and pulled what clothes he had in the bathroom on, then went in search of his pants in the kitchen. Once he had those on he went searching for his shoes, he found one at the top of the stairs, the other one he located by the office door. He checked his phone, 27 text messages from Johnny and 3 from Lacey and 6 missed calls. Checking the call log quickly all the calls were from Johnny, figuring he was just checking in on how things were going, he’d give him a call.

“Bout time we heard from you?” Came Johnny’s voice on the other end

“Good morning to you to” Kane laughed,

“So I take it things went well” he could hear the laughter in Johnny’s voice

“Extremely!” Kane replied his thoughts being pulled to last night.

“She didn’t freak out, or try to run?”

“A small freak out and cursed enough to make a sailor blush, but didn’t try to run. She even met Ky”

“Oh! Really?” Johnny was shocked, “You didn’t hold anything back”

“Well I didn’t have much choice, Ky introduced himself this morning, told her he loved her” Kane said,

“Ummm….wow!” Johnny was trying to hold back his laughter, he was failing miserably. “I’m sorry, but that is the funniest fucking thing I have heard all morning”

“Glad I could be the highlight of your morning so far, was there something important you needed, or were just checking to make sure I didn’t eat her.” Kane said with sarcasm.

“Was just checking up on you, we got things covered here. So when are you gonna bring her to the pack house?” Johnny asked, he heard the audible sigh from the other end,

“It is a matter we have yet to discuss, not sure how to even bring it up. Haven’t even told her about being a Luna yet.” Kane’s mood was going south and fast, there was still a lot to tell her he realized.

“Maybe just bring her for a weekend, see what she thinks” mulling over Johnny’s idea, that might work. It would warm her up to the idea. No more pantless days though! Came Ky’s voice. That was true, she would have to keep pants on….unless they expanded the fifth floor into a penthouse style wing giving them privacy and her the pantless option. He didn’t want to take that away from her, Hell, he didn’t want to take that away from him. The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea.

“Kane…...Kane…...KANE!” Johnny was yelling into the phone trying to get his attention.

“Bye Johnny” Kane hung up with the smile back on his face as he headed to Glenda’s.

The bell above the diner door rang announcing his presence and the whole diner fell silent. Glenda looked up at him from behind the counter and the glimmer in her eyes shone brightly.

“To stay or to go handsome?” She asked, smiling like she already knew the answer.

“To go” he said with his own grin. Glenda moved closer to him to take his order after glaring a warning at the other patrons to mind their own. She had already scribbled things on the order pad.

“I take it she’ll have the pancakes and coffee” Kane just smiled bigger “Mmhmm, she has you all twisted, good for her!”

“Not sure I know what you’re talking about” The grin never left Kane’s face, oh he knew.

“Uh huh! Just one look at you and you can tell that girl’s hung your moon. You better treat her like a queen, she deserves to be happy.” Glenda said pointedly.

“She is my queen” Kane looked the older woman in the eye and when she saw the honesty on his face, she nodded her head in approval.

“Good, what will you have?” Guess we passed! Ky remarked. Kane placed his order and she told him to pull up a seat and it would be about 20 minutes before it was ready. She served him a cup of coffee and went off to help other customers. Kane sat drinking his coffee, when he felt a smaller presence behind him. He looked over his shoulder.

“Mrs. Morganson, nice to see you this morning!” He said politely standing offering his seat.

“Mr. McKenna, nice to see you as well.” She took his seat thanking him. “It was nice to see Dax last night at the carnival. She looked like she was having….fun. Shame she had to leave so soon, Donny could have won her one of those stuffed whatever’s” Her voice was polite if not standoffish. Kane turned his head away from her when she mentioned Donny’s name and hid a snarl.

“I believe she was on a date at the carnival though, that would have been a bit awkward if he tried to win one for her” he replied, taking a sip of coffee.

“Are you implying, my Donny couldn’t have won something?” She was offended.

“No, I would never imply something of a man I have never met. Did he win something?” Kane was getting agitated at this conversation. I don’t like her! Ky was grumbling in his head, pacing back and forth. She hurt mate! I’m gonna bite her!

“No!” she said,

“Shame, better luck next time” he replied smugly. We won her something! Ky was feeling pretty smug as well.

“Well if he was with the right girl, he would have” she sneered,

“Well if he wasn’t fucking half the town, maybe he’d have found the right girl” taking another sip of his coffee, he was done with this conversation. She gasped at him and stood up immediately walking away from the counter to the door.

“Mr. McKenna in the future please keep the PDA to a minimum” she said curtly he looked at her and started shaking his head.

“I’ll take that under advisement” she huffed one more time and left. He turned back around and looked at Glenda who’s eyes were dancing with merriment.

“I don’t think she likes me very much, wonder if it was something I said?” She laughed and walked back over to him with his order.

“This town will burn before any of us see her with that cockroach she calls a son. You are a much better suit for her. She doesn’t say much but those eyes tell a story of pure hell. I put extras in the bag, now go feed our girl” Kane paid Glenda thanking her and went on his way. He saw Mrs. Morganson staring daggers at him from across the street, so he did the polite thing and waved, she straightened her back and stalked off down the street. He laughed and headed back to Dax.

When he entered the warehouse she was standing in front of one of her work desks in her usual pantless fashion. She had freshly showered and her hair was in a simple braid that hung down her back. She was wearing a tight grey cami and red cotton panties with a lace trim. A grin spread across his face when he read the words across her bottom FUCK ME. She had ear buds in and she was swaying her hips to whatever song was on, the sheer motion was enough for him to put breakfast on hold for a bit. Placing the bags on another workstation, he crossed the warehouse and stood behind her. Sliding his hands down her hips and across her waist. He pulled her tighter to him and moved his hips in time with hers. He kissed along the back of her neck, while his hands trailed up her body. A low sensual growl rippled through his body when she pushed her backside into him harder and rubbed against him. He moaned at the movement of her hips against him, he wanted her now. Spinning her around he ripped another shirt off her body as his greed and demand for her flesh grew.

Sitting her on the desk and laying her back his lips captured hers hungrily drinking from her. She matched his demand, his need with a greed all her own. Removing his shirt and unbuttoning his pants freeing him from the confines she pulled him closer to her. Sliding her panties down she was wet and waiting for him, he thrust into her hard and deep and she arched under him. He moved faster and faster, wrapping her legs around him for deeper access. She could feel the pleasure building in her as she cried out with each deep thrust. Her back arched high under him as he felt her body tighten around him and shiver with her release, he slowed his movements allowing her to enjoy every second of it, but he quickened his speed again as he could feel his own release building. He thrust deeper and deeper, she could feel herself building again. He rocked harder into her, waves rolling through both of them, building bigger and bigger, until one final push and they both crashed over the edge. She arched and tightened around him again and he stiffened and collapsed on top of her.

“Holy Fuck!” He breathed out when he could finally talk. He trailed kisses up her neck to her lips and back down again

“I just wanted pancakes” she said, taking her ear buds out laughing causing him to laugh as well.

“When you move your hips like that wearing red panties that say FUCK ME, you’ll get more than pancakes” he kissed her passionately one more time before he withdrew from her and pulled his pants back up. He slid back on her panties, caressing her bottom in the process. He handed her back her shirt and she just held up the tattered fabric.

“Uh….you need to stop ripping my clothes, I don’t have many left” he just looked at it and smirked.

“If I had my way you’d be naked all the time” he pulled her close to him and kissed her again before he handed her his shirt.

“Careful with that, my girlfriend bought it for me” it was not what he wanted to call her, he wanted to call her his mate but he wanted to see what her reaction to this would be first, before he brought out the big gun.

“Girlfriend?” Her eyes widened,

“Yes girlfriend!” He said brushing the stray hair from her face.

“Hmmm, think she’ll buy me a new shirt? My boyfriend has no patience and keeps ripping mine off.” A wave of happiness flooded him and adoration shone in his eyes when she called him her boyfriend, he lifted her to his waist and kissed her forehead holding her close to him.

“She might, she has the most amazingly beautiful heart and she is the most precious gift that has ever been given to me and….I love her” she blinked, her eyes wide. Sure she couldn’t have heard him correctly.

“What?” He didn’t say that! But he did! No, he doesn’t mean it! But he does! He couldn’t mean it! But he could! Her subconscious argued with her.

“I love you Dax! I always will” the first tear slid down her cheek as she wrapped her arms tightly around him and buried her face in his neck. She tried to stop them, but the tears kept flowing, no one has ever cared for her the way he has. No one has ever told her they loved her, no one has ever made her feel safe before. He held her tight to him, rubbing slow circles up and down her back. It both saddened him and made him happy that those three words could evoke such emotion in her. How no one could bother to love her was beyond him, and made him not only sad but angry. However, getting to be the first one to tell her, to show her overjoyed him. He got to be all her firsts. And lasts! Ky added. Yes he would get to be all her lasts as well.

“Sorry” she finally said after the last of her tears had fallen and she pulled away from him. She wiped her face and looked down. She was ashamed of her crying, he said he loved her, and she cried like a baby.

“Don’t do that!” He lifted her face to his. “You have nothing to be ashamed of.” She looked at him confused, how did he know what she was feeling?

“That would be the mate bond baby, my direct connection to you and what you’re feeling. It’s also how you knew that I wasn’t lying when I said I loved you. It’s also how you will know that I speak the truth when I say, no one and I mean NO ONE will ever hurt you like that again.” He ran his thumb over her mark, she gasped at the sensation that shot through her. “This mark, means you are mine to have, mine to hold, mine to love, mine to protect and when the time comes, mine to kill for” her eyes went wide at the last part and she was about to say something when he shook his head telling her there was no room for an argument and he crashed his lips down on hers. It wasn’t passionate, or full of lust, it spoke of promises, love and devotion. He didn’t just want to tell her he loved her, he wanted to show her. Show her that everything he said was true. She moved her lips with his, trying to show him the same love, but she wasn’t sure if she was expressing it. The kiss broke, but he never pulled his face away from hers, he looked into her eyes, he could see it, she did love him.

“I know” he said smiling and kissed her again. His stomach took this as the opportunity to growl, and they both laughed.

“Breakfast is waiting, and I’m starving” holding her tighter to his waist he started walking towards the food.

“I can walk you know” she said holding onto his neck

“Yes I do know, but I like it when you’re pressed against me, and it makes it easier to do this” He squeezed her bottom causing a squeak to escape, followed by a giggle.

They were at one of the workbenches when Lacey and Johnny walked in. Dax was sitting on the workbench with Kane standing between her legs, he had no shirt and though he was wearing pants they were not done up. She had his shirt but was not wearing any pants, they were quite the pair to see. He was running his fingers up and down one of her bare thighs as they were talking and eating breakfast. Kane leaned forward and kissed her bottom lip and when she felt him run his tongue along it, she gave him a sly smile.

“You had a little chocolate right there, I just had to help” he said innocently, she shook her head and pressed her lips to his.

“As adorable as you two are, and as much as a happy Alpha makes for a happy Beta, you two need to knock it off” Johnny laughed, interrupting them. Kane mumbled a string of curses under his breath and glared at Johnny. Standing with his back to her he used his upper torso to block the view of her bottomless lower half. He wasn’t feeling as possessive as he was before he marked her, but still no one else needed to see. She wrapped her leg around his waist from behind, her arms around his chest and rested her chin on his shoulder, causing him to lean back into her and breath a content sigh.

“What’s a Beta?” She asked,

“A second in command. There are six ranks in a pack. Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Warriors and Omegas. Our pack doesn’t have Omegas, but we do have Lieutenants.” Kane replied. Before she could make a comment or question the term our pack Johnny interjected.

“Sorry to interrupt breakfast, but duty calls” Johnny apologized, Kane looked a little confused by what he was talking about. “Kenneth is here, so do up your pants and put a shirt on”

“WHAT?” Kane boomed. His growl shook the building, Dax gripped him tighter, but still hid behind him, he felt a shiver pass through her body as a wave of fear plunged into her. She has never felt such anger before it vibrated off of him. He turned to face her and protectively put his arms around her pulling her close to him.

“Shhh, I’m sorry baby” he whispered to her over and over again as he kissed her forehead, breathing in her scent to calm himself down. “Lacey, take Dax upstairs I’ll be up in a few minutes” he said more to her than anyone else, but when Lacey appeared at her side she looked at him and nodded her head. He kissed her again and helped her down from the work table. Lacey took Dax’s hand, gave it a yank and led her upstairs, she looked over her shoulder at him and he did his best to give her a reassuring smile, and only turned to face Johnny when they disappeared inside the loft. Doing up his jeans he proceeded to walk to the warehouse door.

“What the fuck do you mean he’s here?” Kane hissed at Johnny

“Shit took a sideways turn, and Kenneth hopped the first flight and showed up thirty minutes ago looking pissed the fuck off. I thought it best to come straight here” Johnny followed him.

“And Lacey?” He asked,

“Doesn’t know anything. She thinks something went wrong in New York and Kenneth being here has something to do with that. She wants to go shopping and I thought maybe if we needed to get Dax out of the warehouse she could go with Lacey.” Kane muffled a growl. Kenneth being here was not good. In fact it was bad, really really bad.

They stepped outside and Kenneth was leaning next to the door of a dark blue SUV. His chocolate brown hair was slicked back and he wore black aviator sunglasses, and a three piece black Italian suit with matching shoes. As soon as he saw Alpha Kane, he straightened up and bowed.

“A little high brow for this neck of the woods don’t you think?” Kane motioned to his attire. Kenneth snorted.

“A little low brow for this neck of the woods don’t you think?” Kenneth made reference to Kane not wearing a shirt or shoes. Grasping each other’s hands in a friendly hand shake they laughed.

“What are you doing here Kenneth?” Kane asked, seriousness edging into his voice “Johnny says shit went sideways”

“And then some. Carl is now under our protection, making it easier to get to him. I have people on him 24/7 so he has been placed back in the general population, downside, he is to be released this coming Sunday, so if you want to move on this, it has to be done now.” Kenneth was saying

“This could have been said over the phone, why come here?” Kane interrupted, getting frustrated.

“The package!” Kenneth said,

“WHAT?” Kane growled out,

“We traced it here. Someone here has that package. We tried tracking the address but it led to a P.O. Box and the trail stops cold there, we are trying to follow the money, all P.O. Boxes need to be paid for, we are hoping that will lead us somewhere. We did some background checking on any correspondence he may have had. Carl has a pen pal it seems. It started a month after your girl moved here, someone named….” Kenneth reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper and looked at the name “White”

“So replace them” Kane hissed.

“We can’t. No one living in this town has or has had the last name White. The one White we did replace has been dead for 10 years so unless they have been communicating from the grave I don’t think it’s them.” Kenneth released his own growl at this. Kane looked at Johnny, who also looked clearly upset by this.

“Tell Lacey to take Dax shopping,” Kane said through the mind link.

“FUCK!” Kane growled loudly and clenched his fists. Now can we kill him? Ky hissed in his head.

“How do you want us to proceed?” Kenneth asked,

“Find this White, I would like to have a conversation with them” Kane snapped,

“And Carl?” Kenneth raised his brow, he already knew the answer

“I’ll take care of him myself….it’s time to visit New York” Kane’s eyes flashed azure blue and a wicked smirk graced his face.

“It’ll take me a few days to put it together” Kenneth nodded,

Lacey was laughing when the girls came out of the building. Kane’s whole mood changed the second he laid eyes on her. Dax was holding his shoes and a black shirt for him, though she carried a smile her body seemed tense and on edge. Instead of waiting for her to come to him, he met her half way, pulling her into his arms. Her whole demeanor changed as well, she melted into his contact, snuggling into his chest. Before he could ask what happened, she spoke first.

“I apparently have to go shopping, Lacey is upset at my wardrobe, and if I don’t go she’ll burn all my clothes.” She huffed, she didn’t want to go shopping. It wasn’t a luxury she could afford.

“Well who only has two pairs of pants? I see now why she doesn’t wear any, cause she doesn’t have any” Lacey said, making a face at her.

“I have pants, I had more pants, but someone wrecked two pairs” Dax shot back looking at Kane.

“Yeah! I’m not sorry” He said laughing,

“Oh, you’re not sorry, well then I’m not sorry about this” She took one of his shoes and threw it in the direction of Johnny and Kenneth and was about to throw his other shoe in a different direction when he caught her hand and took it from her.

“Alright, alright I’m sorry I wrecked your pants...twice” he half heartedly apologized with a chuckle.

“Liar” she laughed, he pulled her closer to him.

“You’re right, I am so not sorry, both times were for a good reason” he whispered before he kissed her.

“Ok enough you two, I want to go shopping” Lacey cut in. Kane grumbled something under his breath and glared at Lacey, who only made a face at him. What’s he complaining for? I have to babysit the little imp! She thought.

Kenneth watched the scene unfolding in front of him with interest.

“Is that her?” He asked Johnny looking over the top of his sunglasses “They make them that size? She’s the smallest little thing I’ve ever seen”

“Yup, that’s her, what she lacks in size she more than makes up for in temperament” Johnny said laughing,

“Clearly, she threw his shoe” amusement hung in Kenneth’s words

“Better than a paper weight” Kenneth looked at Johnny wide eyed

“She threw a paper weight at him?” Shocked and amused by this revelation a smile played on his face.

“More than one, you should have seen their first encounter, I swear it was gonna come to blows” Johnny was laughing,

“And how long has she known who he was?” Kenneth asked,

“She found out last night” the look on Kenneth’s face made Johnny stop laughing.

“She’s human, isn’t she?” The fact that she found out last night and didn’t seem to have a problem with it, intrigued Kenneth. He knew plenty of werewolves whose mates were human and it took them a while to wrap their heads around it.

“Yup!” Johnny was starting to grow concerned by Kenneth’s questions.

“Her parents are both human?” Kenneth raised his eyebrow.

“Don’t know, she was left on a church step when she was just hours old. Why?” Johnny asked,

“Tell me Johnny, when was the last time you heard of a human mate, blindly accepting werewolves as normal in less than 24 hours?” Kenneth asked,

“I don’t think I ever have actually” Johnny had to think about that. None came to mind, they all did the same thing, scream, cry and run.

“And take his strength, when was the last time you heard of an Alpha strong enough to take out a room full of Alphas unaccompanied by his pack?” Kenneth again posed a question Johnny had to think about.

“There’s only one that I can think of, but he’s not normal. And that comes from his bloodthirsty hellhound Ky.” Johnny said,

“No, I think the power comes from him, Ky just allows him to utilize it more effectively.” Kenneth replied,

“What are you getting at?” Johnny asked.

“One born from light and power, one born from torment and darkness. What do you know of the Fated Souls?” Kenneth inquired,

“They’re a myth, a legend,” Johnny said, brushing off the legend they were all told as pups.

“Like werewolves? Don’t forget Johnny all myths stem from a shred of truth” this made Johnny look at Kane and Dax in a whole new way.

“That might explain a thing or two,” he said. “If memory serves, it never ends well for them.” Oh this was bad, this was really bad. Kenneth nodded.

“Legend says they will face three trials, if they can complete all three, then they will live their lives together for an eternity. If not then it will start all over again with the next pair. None that I have read about, have completed two of the trials.” Kenneth said sadly,

“What are the three trials?” Johnny asked,

“The first is replaceing each other, the second is acceptance and the third is to overcome a great tragedy. This match is not from the Goddess herself, this match was written in the stars, this is fate’s hand” Kenneth explained,

“Hey, two out of three down, so one more to go” Johnny was being optimistic

“It’s not that simple Johnny, they may have found each other, but has he told her he loves her?” Kenneth asked,

“Well Ky did, does that count?” Johnny asked hoping it would.

“No it has to come from the man, not the beast, and she has to reciprocate that love. And knowing what we know, can she?” Kenneth looked at him pointedly.

“Well fuck!” Johnny felt a bit deflated, how was he going to tell Kane this? Maybe he would get Kenneth to, he seemed to know all about it.

Dax looked behind Kane and saw someone she didn’t know talking to Johnny, they seemed to be having a very intense conversation, if she were to go by Johnny’s facial expressions he wasn’t happy about the outcome of it.

“Who’s that talking to Johnny?” She asked, pointing at him, Kane glanced over his shoulder in their direction.

“That is Kenneth, he has some important business to discuss with me about some transgressions in New York” Kane put on the shirt she had brought out to him, and the one shoe she didn’t throw.

“Oh!” A flash of concern crossed her face but she said nothing else.

“Don’t worry little mouse, it will be dealt with soon and will no longer be a concern” Kane reassured her, he took her by the hand and led her to where Johnny and Kenneth were standing. Lacey was talking with Johnny when they approached. Kenneth stood straighter and bowed to both her and Kane. She paid it no attention, thinking it was just for Kane, because he was the Alpha.

“Are you a werewolf as well?” She pointblank asked, looking up at Kenneth, he was tall, why are they always tall? Do they make smaller ones? It would be nice to see eye to eye with one for a change. Built of course, and tanned. Then again they all are tanned. Guess it happens when you run around butt naked in the sun all the time! Now that would be a sight! Hush you, no help! You’re right you can put your foot in your mouth all by yourself! Wow! That was mean! Truth hurts honey! Shut up! Her subconscious was laughing at her.

“That is a very direct question,” he replied with a grin.

“I replace that if you want a direct answer then ask a direct question” she said,

“Sì, I am Kenneth Rossi” he answered her offering his hand. She thought about it for a second then accepted.

“Dax! Why are you all so fucking tall? Don’t they make shorter versions? It’s hard not to feel like the shortest one, when you are clearly the shortest one” Johnny broke out laughing first.

“Even the shorter ones would still be taller than you, little mouse,” Kane replied laughing.

“You have your hands full with this one” Kenneth grinned at him.

“You have no idea!” Kane said, shaking his head.

“I’m not that bad!” She huffed at him.

“Ok I am ready to go shopping” Lacey interjected, she was getting bored now and wanted to leave and she was promised shopping. Kenneth opened the door to the SUV and told her that his Beta Marco would be more than happy to take them wherever they wanted to go. Lacey happily hopped inside after taking Johnny’s credit card with a quick goodbye over her shoulder. Kane walked Dax to the door, reaching into his wallet and pulling out a black card.

“What’s that?” She asked, looking at it.

“My credit card” he answered “You are going to use it, to buy whatever you want”

“No I’m not, it’s not mine” she looked alarmed, placing her hands behind her back. He wrapped his arms around her bringing her hands back to the front and kissed her forehead.

“You are my mate, and it’s my right to spoil you, and spoil you I will. So yes you will take it and yes you will use it, and that is final.” He placed the card in her hand. She bit her lip as she turned the card over in her hands. She was unsure about what to do, she didn’t want to fight, but this didn’t sit right with her. It wasn’t her money, she didn’t earn it, she didn’t deserve to use it. Feeling her anxiety about it he held her tighter against him, rubbing small circles on her back.

“It’s not mine!” She whispered to him, trying to put the card back in his hand.

“I wrecked two of your shirts and two pairs of pants. At least let me buy you new ones, I owe you that much. Plus, didn’t you buy me new shirts, like the one I am wearing right now, so it’s not really fair that you can do that for me, but I can’t for you.” he whispered in her ear. He had a point, she did do that.

“I didn’t do it to get anything in return,” She said looking up at him.

“I know baby, you did it because you’re a beautiful soul. This would make me happy. Let me take care of you.” He held her tighter to him.

“Ok, ok….two pairs of pants and a couple shirts, just to replace the ones you wrecked, but that’s it” she said, poking him in the chest, but she still hesitated to put the card in her wallet.

“Deal, see if you can replace more like the flowing grey one, I really like that one” he kissed her again and helped her in the SUV and shut the door.

“She ok?” Johnny asked, as they watched the SUV pull out of the parking lot.

“She’ll be fine. She didn’t want to accept my card.” Kane said. If she buys one thing on the card, be happy! Ky whimpered in his head. He wanted to give his mate everything, but he felt her struggling with accepting that she deserved to have it.

“What’s that like?” Johnny asked. “I barely had my wallet out before Lacey had my card” Kane looked at Johnny arching his eyebrow. Kenneth was covering the grin that fell across his face at Johnny’s question. He didn’t have a mate, in some aspects he was thankful for that, he has seen how some of them can get. Greedy, spoiled, selfish and self-entitled, much like Lacey is. He would never say it outloud, for fear of retaliation, but Lacey was not the most pleasant she-wolf to be around.

In the seven years he has been a Howler, he has not heard one person genuinely say they liked her, hell Marco’s mate said she would be ok if Marco’s wolf Alejandro buried her, she might even help. But she was Alpha’s sister and that carried a lot of weight. Kenneth personally tried to not have too many dealings with Lacey, he found her behaviour absolutely repulsive. His new Luna on the other hand was rather intriguing, there was something about her he couldn’t put his finger on, but he felt a pull towards her. Marco was saying he felt it as well, though he wasn’t understanding how she was so little and kept asking where the rest of her was. Kenneth had to stop him from asking if their Alpha ate her.

“Let’s take this to the Wolf Pack, we can talk privately there” Kane said.

****

Standing under the cover of the trees he watched them, there were more this time. Fancy suit and a driver showed up as well as the laughing one and the bitch from the carnival. What’s she doing there? He tried to keep his anger in check, last time he didn’t and he got into a fight with someone at the bar. The big guy on the door threw him out into the parking lot giving him a warning that if he ever did it again it would be the last time he would be allowed back in there. He watched as the laughing one and the bitch disappeared inside the warehouse. Fancy suit stood outside the vehicle waiting for their return. He would scan the area, it was like he was searching for something, or someone he wasn’t sure. He watched him smell the air, but his attention turned back to the warehouse when he caught movement. The tall one came out with no shirt or shoes. Where is his shirt? Why is he not wearing one? He could feel himself heating up, his blood becoming hotter and hotter at why the tall one was not wearing all his clothes. He conversed with the fancy suit and something he said angered the tall one. He could feel his anger from where he stood. Then he saw his angel, peace and calm washed over him. She was breathtaking, the smile she had on her beautiful face was mesmerizing. One day she would be smiling at him that way, one day it would be his arms around her, rage filled him when he saw the tall ones lips on hers. When she got into the back of the SUV with the bitch he moved further into the shadows, he didn’t need to see anymore. He just wanted to see her, their time was coming and they would be together soon.

When the others had left, he moved towards the warehouse. He loved the smell of her warehouse, it smelled like her. He would watch from the trees when she had the bay door open, though he would only catch glimpses of her, he knew she was there. He felt her presence even from a distance. She had been working on some new pieces the last time he checked on her and he wanted to see what they were. His heart hurt when he saw all the couples. Though they were amazing and encompassed what they were supposed to, they must have broken his poor angel’s heart, she had never known love like that. He would show her, he would show her what love really was. He found her sweater at one of her many stations, picking it up he held it to his nose and breathed in her scent. Let it fill him, wash over him, entice him. Images of her running through his mind. Soon my angel, soon you will get the life you deserve, soon you’ll never have to fear the monster in the dark, soon we’ll be together, he thought. He had gotten what he came for, it was time to leave. Sweater in hand he exited out the door making sure to close it behind him.