The Imperial Wolf Series Books 1-3
Chapter 25

Erick

POV

I look up to see Kate walking along the candle-lit path toward me. Her long flowing white wedding dress looks fantastic on her. The flowers beautifully adorn her hair. She smiles nervously as she makes her walk to me. I can tell she is nervous, but I am grateful for this moment. I know she did not want this many wolves here, but sharing this with the pack is extremely special.

I look beyond Kate and see Angie taking a seat in the back. She worked so hard to get everything ready that she did not have time to dress. I will make it up to her. Angie deserves a special place among the wolves for all of her hard work.

Kate finally makes her way to me. The elder of our wolf pack is standing with Andrew, Cassie, and me as I take her hand to begin the ritual. I am glad she did not wear a veil so I can look upon her beautiful face while we say our vows. I did not warn her how long the ceremony would be or several rituals involved, but I asked the elder to keep it as short and sweet as possible.

By the end of the ritual, Kate is completely exhausted. We turn to stand in front of the pack as husband and wife. "Is it over?" Kate asks me. "Not yet. We have to stand here while everyone from the pack comes up to us and wishes a happy marriage," I say. "Are you serious?" Kate asks. "No, but the look on your face is hilarious," I say. "Not funny, Alpha," Kate says. "Nice to see you have your sense of humor back," I tell her. She smiles the biggest smile. I hope the wolves let her be for the night. I want to hold her and make love to her as my wife without having to share her with the wolves in her head.

Angie runs up to Kate and hugs her. I love seeing the way Angie cares for her. I know Kate needs her, and after everything Angie went through, she needs Kate too. "We have a cake to cut," Angie says.

"You take care of everything and everyone, Angie," I say to her. "I love being able to plan and do things, that is all," Angie says. Angie starts to run to get things ready for us. "Wait, Angie, I have something I want to ask you. I want to ask you in front of Kate," I say. They both look at me like I have two heads. "What is it?" Angie says. "I thought that maybe you could run the house if you want to. You know the house better than anyone, and you are a natural caretaker. I would love for you to be Kate's number one," I say to her. "I would love that if that is what Kate wants. No offense, Alpha to you or your authority, but I would not want to overstep with Kate, my Luna," Angie says. "I would love that, and it would help me so much. I am so overwhelmed by everything, and you seem to be a natural at this," Kate says. "Then it is settled. Angie, you are in charge of the Alpha's household. You can choose the housekeepers and whoever you want to help you. I want Kate to be your main concern when I am not around," I say to Angie.

The three of us walk to the beauty table Angie put together for Kate and me. Kate's beauty is overpowering, and her smile tonight is mesmerizing. She looks happy and content. Angie picks up a knife to hand to Kate and me to cut the colossal wedding cake she ordered when a hush comes over the pack. Everyone turns to look at the person walking toward us.

"I was not invited, but I thought I would come anyway, seeing how Lester was invited," the deep voice says, coming from the dark.

The tall, dark figure continues to make its way toward us. I look at Kate, who is visibly terrified. I pull her and Angie behind as I stand tall to face the being coming toward us. The crowd continues to part until the dark creature finally appears in front of me. "Alexander!" Andrew screams from behind me. "Yes, it is I, Alexander, and I have come to see my only daughter get married. Although I see I am a little late," Alexander says.

"Daughter? What do you mean?" Kate asks. She looks up at me, puzzled, and then looks back at the strange creature before us.

Alexander comes closer. He does not look as well kept as he was in the photograph I have of him. He walks on a cane and is malnourished. Angie grabs Kate and begins to take her away from the table toward the house. "STOP!" Alexander screams at Angie. "You are frightening the ladies," I say.

Alexander extends his hand to me. I reach out and shake his hand. "I mean no harm. I am here to help," Alexander says.

"You could have come into the wedding a little less dramatic and scary. Kate is already on edge," I say.

"Yessss, I know. Her symptoms will continue to get worse. She should have never turned into a wolf. Now, they can replace her, they can speak to her, and if they so choose, they will kill her," Alexander says.

"I do not understand," I say.

"It is quite simple, my wolf son-in-law; she is a hybrid and a mighty one at that. That is why they killed her mother, and I hid Kate away," Alexander says.

"Who is Thomas?" I ask.

"Wait, this is not what Wan told me," Kate says.

Thomas comes closer to her. I can tell he has missed her daughter and wants to see her. "Wan is a liar," Alexander says.

Kate moves closer to Alexander. She moves slowly but with interest in the man standing before her. "Are you really my father?" Kate asks. Her voice cracks, and tears begin to roll down her face.

"Yesss, and to answer Erick, Thomas was Rainwater's mate. We fell deeply in love and planned to run away together. The problem was she loved her pack and wanted their approval. So she told them about the hybrids she was carrying. She wanted to free herself from Thomas. He was a terrible man," Alexander says. "Then why did you leave me with him?" Kate asks.

"I was close by. I kept an eye on you. It was I that filled your pantry and made sure you had food when he was in the casino," Alexander says.

"I lived in poverty. I lived in a dirty house with that horrible man. Where were you when he sold me to pay his debt?" Kate asks.

"I was close by keeping an eye on you. I killed Gypsy. She was planning to kill you that night," Alexander says.

"How in the hell did my life get so damn complicated?" Kate says.

"It is not that complicated, but your brother does not possess your uniqueness, and he will kill you. Macon and the pack will kill you," Alexander says.

I push Kate behind me. "No one will touch my wife," I say to Alexander.

"She can protect herself. You have no idea the power she holds within her. That is why they are so scared of her. The only chance she has of survival is to come with me to learn how to harness her power," Alexander says.

"No, Kate stays here with me," I say to Alexander. I turn to Angie, who is frightened. "Get her in the house and have Andrew get everyone out of here," I say to her.

"You are making a mistake, Erick. They will not stop until she is dead or crazy," Alexander says.

Angie takes Kate into the house while I stay outside to continue my conversation with Alexander. I want the rest of the pack out of here. We do not need all of these ears listening. I do not want the pack to be afraid of her.

Alexander grabs my arms. "Listen to me, Erick. You have to let me help her," Alexander says. I jerk away from him, knocking the malnourished old vampire to the ground. "You cannot even take care of yourself. How will you protect her from a powerful wolf like Macon?" I ask him. "I only need to feed, then I will be ready to fight," Alexander says. Alexander flashes his fangs at me. "You will not feed here," I tell him.

I stand over Alexander, looking down on his frail little body. I should kill him right here and right now. I growl at him. Alexander flinches and covers his face with his arm. Kate runs up and covers him with her body. "Don't, Erick, please, don't hurt him," Kate says. She helps Alexander to his feet. I follow the two of them into the house as Andrew disperses the crowd.