Debbie ran to her father, hugging him tightly. Zeke stepped up, with her attached to his side, to glare at George.
The large man glared back with equal measure.
“I don’t know who you are, and I really don’t care. You hurt my sister, and I’ll kill you,” Zeke said.
“Is this your mate?” George asked.
“Yes, Mary, this is George. George, this is Mary.” As quickly as the tensions rose they were defused. She stood with her man as he talked with George and the other Alphas. Mary was taken aback by how quickly they all accepted her as Zeke’s mate.
Debbie hugged her close, and while the men were talking, they were getting to know each other. “I’m pleased my brother finally found you,” Debbie said.
“I am, too. I didn’t know he was my mate.” Mary looked behind to see Zeke staring at her ass. Heat filled her cheeks as she looked at Debbie.
“Don’t be embarrassed. It’s the wolf way to let their woman know what’s coming to them. My brother is in love with you. Anyone who knew what love was can see it.”
Smiling, Mary tucked some hair behind her ears. “You’re mated as well?”
“Yeah, George saved me. I was in the river about fifty miles from where Roger and Dani held me. I was dying. I could smell death on me. He helped me out of the water. I was freezing to death. George and the pack nursed me back to health.”
“He didn’t keep you against your will?” Mary asked.
“No, I could have left at any time. I didn’t want to. Why leave someone you know you’re going to love for the rest of your life? He’s my soul mate,” Debbie said.
“I know exactly what you mean.”
Afterward, she took Zeke’s hand, and together they headed off into the night. Nothing else could go wrong as far as she was concerned.
****
“My pack love and adore you, Mary. This is your final time to be able to run wild. Come on out of the bathroom and stop being a big baby,” Zeke said. Over a week had passed since he’d seen his sister. He visited her regularly and was helping the pack acclimate since their capture and torture.
“I’m coming out. I’m not used to being naked, you know?”
“It’s not like you have to get dressed, baby. Get your clothes on, and come on. We’ve got to go. Jessica is already out there in wolf form.” He wasn’t going to tell her that Jessica had gotten the chance to hide behind a bush to change. The pack had adopted little Jessica as their own wolf, and she lived with him and Mary. He liked having the young girl around. Jessica had a way about her that meant Mary gave her everything she wanted. He was using the girl to adopt the skill. So far he’d not been successful, but it had only been a week.
“Whatever. I’m coming out.”
The door to the bathroom opened, and his shining star stared back at him. Her hands cupped her stomach. She wasn’t even showing yet, and she was making excuses about being fat.
“You’re beautiful, baby,” he said.
“I’m fat.”
“I will smack that ass if you say such a thing. You’re a beautiful, sexy, desirable woman. I love you, and my pack will love you. We’re your family.” He took her hands leading her outside to the cool air. “This is going to be your last chance to shift with the baby on the way.”
She pouted, and he found it the most adorable thing in the world.
“I love you,” he said, kissing her lips.
“I hate you.”
“No, you don’t. Stop trying to lie.” He led her down the hall then the stairs until they were at the front door.
Mary dug her heals in refusing to budge. “I will throw you over my shoulder and take you out there either way. It’s up to you,” he said.
“Fine. I’m coming, but you’re not being fair at all.” She tried to pull out of his arms.
He wouldn’t release her. Opening the door, he led the way out to the full moon sky. His pack was all around basking in the glow of the final full moon. Zeke was happier when her saw Jane and Max were the closest of all of his pack. Mary was closest to Jane as the two women were half breeds together.
“Can I turn now?” she asked.
“No, not yet. Stop being impatient with me.” Leading her out as far as he dared Zeke faced the men and women of his pack. “I would like to present to you all my mate, Mary. This will be her last shift as she’s carrying my baby.” Pressing a hand to her stomach, Zeke was happy when she didn’t slap his hand.
The wolves all howled together showing him their acceptance of what he’d declared.
“Take care of her. She’s your Alpha’s queen.” Another waves of howls greeted them.