Mated To The Wrong Alpha
Chapter 55: The End

Ryne had been gone two weeks by the time Ava was totally recovered from her ordeal. The cast had come off the previous week and it had taken another week to get the muscles and joints limbered up again. Now she felt as good as new, and eager to resume a normal life, whatever that might be. She was still planning on working part time at the Grey Goose, but she was also going to help Arthur with some of the administrative work in the office. After all, she was the Alpha female and should have some understanding of the ins and outs of the pack’s business.

The correct environmental report finally had been obtained and the pack’s lawyers were sure the courts would rule in their favour. Once the land was designated as environmentally significant, Northern Oil wouldn’t have a leg to stand on. All the water and soil samples had come back clear, and now that Marla wasn’t trying to sabotage the pack, Arthur had lifted the restrictions on where they were allowed to roam. Everything appeared to be falling nicely into place.

Ava smiled as she reflected on all these things. Standing by the bedroom window, staring out at the peaceful, snow covered landscape, a feeling of contentment welled up inside her. Despite everything that had happened, the pack was united and strong, their land was safe, and

Ryne’s name had been cleared of all wrong-doing. Most importantly, in her mind at least, she and Arthur were still together. Arthur had even begun taking her exploring throughout the territory, and she revelled in finally being able to run at his side, his mate both in fact and spirit. He was proudly showing her all his favourite places and explaining his plans to ‘christen’ several of them once the weather was warmer. Yes, all in all, life was good.

It was approaching midnight, but she hadn’t put on the lights, preferring the soothing darkness after the business of the day. They’d celebrated Thanksgiving, the house filled to the rafters with members of the pack. While it had been a fun occasion, quiet was what she now craved.

The door opened behind her and she half turned. Arthur stood in the doorway, light from the hallway silhouetting his frame. Once again, she was struck by the power and beauty of her mate. He shut the door blocking the illumination and throwing the room into darkness. Leaving the lights off, he moved unerringly towards her. She waited silently until he stood beside her. As he slid his hands around her waist, she sighed happily and twisted slightly so that she was leaning back against him. He nuzzled her neck, and in response she tilted her head to give him better access. “Are you tired?” His voice rumbled in her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

“Yeah.”

“Oh.” He straightened behind her, loosening his grip, disappointment evident in his voice.

She chuckled to herself. Her mate could never get enough of her, not that she was complaining, of course! Turning in the circle of his arms, she slid her hands up his chest, “I’m not that tired.”

His whole demeanour perked up and he pulled her closer, kissing her tenderly before trailing his lips over her cheeks and brow then down to her ear. “I’m happy to hear that.” “So I noticed.” She giggled.

With a growl, Arthur walked her backwards to the bed.

Some time later, Arthur held her cuddled against his chest, gently playing with her hair by wrapping strands into ringlets then letting them cascade down onto the pillow. Eventually, he whispered into the silence. “Have I told you recently how much I love your hair? The colour is like chocolate and it’s so long and silky and…” He buried his nose in it. “It smells like flowers.”

“Thanks. It’s that new shampoo from the gift set Ryne gave me.”

Arthur stilled and drew back, staring at her. “Ryne?”

She yawned and stretched. “Uh-huh. You remember. He sent it to me as a late birthday present. It had shampoo and lotions and—”

“Oh. Right.” Arthur interrupted, sounding slightly miffed. He rolled onto his back. “I still don’t think it was an appropriate gift.” Disapproval radiated from him and she tried to keep her face expressionless. For all that he and Ryne had been joking that last day, there was still an undercurrent of jealousy between the two males, which she found rather entertaining. Ryne was a great tease and she was sure he’d never do anything to jeopardize her relationship with Arthur. At least she hoped so…

“It was very kind of him and I didn’t appreciate you trying to throw it out.” She rolled onto her side as she scolded him, softening her words by trailing her fingers gently down his chest. Arthur just rumbled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

After another moment of silence, he sighed. “He called today.”

“Really?” She raised herself up on her elbow, looking at him in surprise.

“Yeah. He’s headed for Canada. There’s this little town in Northern Ontario that apparently has no established pack.”

“Wow! That’s quite a distance away. We won’t be able to see him very often.” She settled back down on her pillow and stared thoughtfully at the ceiling.

“Uh-huh.” Arthur rolled onto his side.

“Arthur, that’s not very nice.” Even without looking, she knew he was smiling.

“What?”

“Sounding so pleased that Ryne will be living far away. He is your brother, after all.”

“I know, and I have only the warmest of brotherly feelings for him. I think that, until he gets a mate of his own, we’ll get along a lot better if there’s some distance between us.” She said nothing, but turned her head towards him, and gave him a doubtful stare. “Ava?” He looked at her with a pleading, puppy-dog expression in his eyes. “Yes?”

“I love you.”

Her heart melted and she rolled over so that she was on top of him. “I love you, too,” she said as she leaned down to k**s him. As he caressed her back with his hands, bringing her into even closer contact with his body, she couldn’t help but smile. Who would have thought the mating she had so dreaded would have turned out this way?