“Over my dead body,” he growled. “No one touches my family and lives.”
She shivered over the certainty in his voice and knew that he would protect them with everything that he was. “If they find us here we’ll have to run.”
He nodded. “If they find us, we’ll seek refuge with the Wolf Creek Pack. They won’t risk all-out war.” He shrugged. “And if they do, they’ll regret it.”
Meredith was beginning to understand the enormity of what Isaiah offered her and her small pack. He came with some powerful allies, including that very scary vampire.
“Don’t worry about Damek. He a mean, tough bastard, but he’s got a code of honor. Not one that I’ve ever figured out, but it’s there. And he considers us, not exactly friends, but certainly not enemies.”
It took her a second to realize that Isaiah had tapped into her thoughts, using the unique communication that existed between mated pairs. It had been so long since she’d experienced it, she’d forgotten how intimate it could be.
She’d built walls between her and her first husband. Ones he hadn’t even known existed. But she didn’t want to do that between her and Isaiah.
I love you.
His arms tightened around her.
I love you too.
Isaiah lowered her to the bed and rolled until he covered her. His erection pressed against her stomach.
“Again?” She rubbed her hands over his wide chest, teasing his flat nipples with her fingers.
“Again,” he growled, burying his face in the curve of her shoulder and biting down gently. Her core clenched and her breasts swelled. She wanted him. Now.
He nuzzled and licked away the slight sting as he worked his way to her ear, his voice a hot whisper that left her breathless. “Again and again and again.”
Epilogue
Life had been a whirlwind of activity the past ten days. The damage to the club had been repaired and they’d done some needed renovations to the place as well since they were closed anyway.
Isaiah had integrated himself easily into the pack, taking control without ruffling too much fur. Both her sons looked to him for direction. It had taken the other four a little longer to trust him fully. But he was endlessly patient with all of them.
Now they were in North Carolina at Wolf Creek and she was about to meet his alpha and his family. Her children stood behind them and she could sense their tension. They’d never been around so many pureblooded werewolves before. At least not ones who didn’t want to kill them.
The compound was situated in the midst of a dense forest, accessible only by truck, and that’s only if you knew where you were going. The road was well hidden for the protection of the pack. A large wooden fence surrounded the small cluster of homes. With the rough mountain terrain behind them, they were well fortified.
Isaiah had told her that most of the pack was spread out over their land. Many were artisans and craftspeople. Others grew organic produce, selling it to local restaurants. They lived simply, keeping a low profile and protecting the pack from the outside world.
A shiver went down her spine and she glanced over her shoulder, not only to check on the rest of her pack, but to make certain the gates to the compound were still wide open in case they needed to make a run for it. Not that she expected to have to, but it was better to be safe than sorry.
“Everything will be fine.”
She realized she’d almost come to a complete stop. Meredith peered up at Isaiah and smiled. “I trust you.”
A look of pure male satisfaction crossed his face and he turned to watch a tall man exit the largest home. This must be the alpha, James Riley. He was a few inches shorter than Isaiah but that in no way diminished the aura of pure power rolling off him in waves. His hair was brown, but was silvering at the sides. It was a sign of his maturity. His golden-brown eyes were piercing as he studied all of them.
Meredith straightened, throwing her shoulders back and meeting his gaze. Maybe it wasn’t the right thing to do, but it was what she had to do. He was an alpha, but so was she. His pack was larger than hers, but that didn’t mean the responsibilities weren’t the same.
James sauntered down the steps and walked toward them, his gait measured and steady. She sensed other wolves around them, but knew none of them would acknowledge them until the alpha did.
Several large males hovered off to the side. Waiting. Watching.
The tension grew as James stopped about five feet in front of them. “Welcome home, Isaiah.”
Isaiah nodded, acknowledging the greeting. “I bring greetings from the Haven pack out of Chicago.”
Meredith jerked slightly, but kept her composure. She’d never given her pack a formal name. Really hadn’t considered it. But it sounded right. And it gave them more status.
Isaiah’s arm came around her as he pulled her close to his side. “This is my mate, Meredith Striker.”
She could feel heat creeping up her cheeks. In spite of the fact that she’d willingly mated with Isaiah, it was still weird getting used to being called Striker instead of Cross. She could have kept her own name, but knew that her taking Isaiah’s name meant so much to him. In spite of his stalwart outward appearance, he had insecurities just as she did.
She held out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Riley.”
His hand engulfed hers as he shook it. “Please, call me James. Welcome to Wolf Creek.”
Meredith turned to her pack. “I’d like to introduce you to my children.”
They stepped forward as she called their names, inclining their heads slightly as James acknowledged them. She watched for any indication that he would treat Kevin, Teague, Neema or Hank differently from the rest of them, but he greeted them all the same.
When the formal introduction was done, four males stepped from the shadows and a female stepped out from the open doorway of one of the smaller homes. She recognized the male who went to greet the female. It was Joshua, Isaiah’s brother. The woman must be his mate, Alexandra. She was a tall female with short, glossy brown hair and silvery gray eyes. Her lanky build and coloring was similar to her father.
The other three men looked incredibly familiar. Isaiah was an older, more rugged version. These males had to be his brothers.
They came toward them as a group, stopping just behind James. Alexandra broke rank and hurried toward her. “You must be Meredith. I’m so glad to meet you.” The younger woman opened her arms and hugged Meredith, taking her off-guard.
She returned the hug, truly touched by the warm welcome.
“Call me Alex. I know we’re going to be good friends. After all, we have a lot in common.” She glanced over her shoulder and grinned at her mate, who smiled indulgently at her.
Alex continued to greet the rest of the pack, putting them at ease. Before long, Meredith found herself ensconced in a comfortable chair in a fairly large living room. Food and drink were abundant as the two families chatted and got to know one another.
She could put names to all his brothers now. Micah was tall with medium brown hair and chocolate colored eyes. Levi looked exactly like him, except he was the somber one of the twins. Simon was the youngest of the Striker brothers. His hair was black and he was a serious soul. He was chatting with Hank and his voice had almost a musical quality about it.
“How are you doing?” Isaiah perched on the arm of her chair and touched his hand to her head, smoothing down her hair. He hadn’t been more than five feet from her side since they arrived.