Reluctantly Lycan (Dakota Wolves Book 1)(24)

~*~

The pack leader, mostly clean of blood from wading through the river,  walked up his steps and dropped his wolf form. He picked up the robe  he'd discarded and put it on before facing his pack.

"I want to thank everyone for a good job tonight. This is what it means  to be a pack, to be brothers and sisters." He gestured with his arm.  Marala had climbed the steps and sat beside him in form. Jak was on  Kaden's other side. "We will not mourn our lost brother, for in the end,  he was not one of us."

"Taylor Andin." He pointed at the only true human in the crowd. "He is  our new brother and is welcome here for as long as he wishes."

Taylor blinked. "Uh, thanks."

Elle Boone, Levi's mate, exited her house and walked toward the gathering. The wolves didn't budge to let her near their leader.

"Let her pass," Kaden ordered.

"I see Levi has not returned," she said, bowing her head respectfully.

"He betrayed us."

"He is my mate, so I bear his burden as well. I accept my punishment," she said.

Kaden studied her for a moment. "Did you know what he was doing?"

"No."

"The penalty will be exile. I would not sentence you to death for his crimes."

"I will remember your kindness." She kept her eyes cast down as she walked away, not looking at any of the wolves.

"Nashoba. As the new beta, please make sure Elle finds a place to live and help her move. Guard her closely," Kaden instructed.

The wolf left the gathering, following Elle, and guarding her front door.

"Blake and Luke are reinstated into the high pack. Martell, would you be interested in being our fifth?"

Martell nodded. His wife smiled proudly at him and hugged her son  tightly. She hadn't stopped crying since their return to town. "I  accept. We also would like to personally thank the new she-wolf." He  bowed his head toward Marala, as did Josie, and the rest of the pack.

Kaden touched the top of Marala's head. "It has been a rough night for  my female. I know she thanks you from the bottom of her heart. Everyone  get some rest."

The wolves scattered, returning to their homes. Taylor was left standing  alone, dirty, hungry, and with nowhere to go. He hesitated. "So, no  motel in this town."

"Come inside. I'll fix you something to eat while Mara rests. I'm sure  she wishes this moon would disappear already. Anyway, you can sleep on  the couch." Kaden led his family into the house, which now temporarily  included a human.

"You do owe me, big guy. This has been one shitty vacation." Taylor gave a brief laugh.

"Brynn will thank me. I can smell her attraction to you. I'm just  prolonging your life. Her brothers will kill you when they find out."

Taylor grinned. "I've been known to wrestle a few wolves."

Kaden shook his head. "It doesn't count if I've killed the wolf already.  I'll be back." He talked with Jak for a moment who assured his father  he was fine and then Kaden led Marala to their bedroom. He patted the  bed and she jumped up on it. Her eyes were heavy and he knew her legs  had to feel like rubber. It was one hell of a first shift.

She placed her legs out in front of her and rested her muzzle on them.  "Rest, wa-ya. Tomorrow you will find it easy to return to being in human  form." He kissed the top of her furry head and ruffled her ears before  heading back to the kitchen.

"Man, I still can't believe all that," Taylor said with a full mouth.  He'd already made himself a sandwich and had a soda in hand when Kaden  returned.

"Make yourself at home." Kaden laughed. "You were brave out there. I  can't imagine what it was like being a human around all the pack  shifted."

Taylor shrugged. "Mason spent a month in that damn hole. He's one of the heroes."

"True. You headed home soon?"

"I'll pay you for one of those empty cabins. I'd like to stick around.  I'm not sure I can go back to everyday life after all this."

Kaden nodded. "Done. Just stay away from my woman."

Taylor held up his hands. "Done. She's not really my type. Too hairy."

"Good. I'll see you tomorrow." Kaden headed back to his bedroom, shifted into a wolf, and curled up on the bed against his mate.





14


For the first time in her life, Mara awoke feeling complete. Some  untouchable, undefinable missing piece of the puzzle had been filled.  Perhaps more than one. She was the wolf. No longer did she have to fight  or deny it. But more importantly, she was a bonded woman.                       
       
           



       

She extended her legs and raised her arms into a languid stretch. Human  again. She wiggled her toes to make sure before rolling over and looking  at a sleeping Kaden beside her. Gently, she brushed her fingertips  along his hair that lay partially hiding his face.

"Kade," she whispered.

He opened his eyes slowly. "Good morning, she-wolf. My chosen mate. Savior of the pack." His mouth curled up into a proud smile.

She could tell he was changed as well. His restlessness and anger had  faded. He was calm. "We can thank motherly instincts for that. Besides, I  wasn't the only one out there last night. You also trusted me enough to  let me go." Marala paused, concern clouding her face. "Where is Jak?"

"Last I saw he was in the living room with Taylor. They were eating chips, and Taylor was teaching him how to play poker."

Marala rolled over onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. "Why did you let him stay?"

"We need people we can trust. I don't think it has to always be a wolf.  You don't have feelings for him, right? Could jeopardize his life."  Kaden's voice grew deep and serious.

She laughed. "No. After last night, I'm pretty sure it's impossible for  me to have feelings for another man." Kaden leaned over her, propped up  on one arm, the other touching the paw on her necklace. Marala added, "I  have never loved anyone else. My heart's been yours since the day I was  born."

"And mine yours. No matter what happens, promise me you'll never run away again. It almost killed me the first time."

"I'm not going anywhere." She fell silent for a moment before looking  into his eyes. "Did you really think I made a pretty wolf?" she asked.

Kaden leaned down and kissed her lips softly. "I wouldn't lie to you.  But, I expected no less. You're the most radiant beauty I've ever seen  as a human, too."

This time Mara returned the kiss, held her alpha close, and swore she'd never let go again.