Page 98 of Emerald Flame
After the initial greeting had concluded and the howls dissipated, Warren addressed his pack in his rich, resonant voice. The wolves had now gathered in the large, rear entertaining patio. Several of them stood on the nearby low wall or on the massive boulders scattered throughout the vicinity. The back of the property was lined with pine trees like the nearby forest.
Dawn was some time away and a breeze eased the July heat out of the desert.
He told his people about Glissane’s demise, even providing the details of what he and Kiara had achieved together. She knew how important this was so that the pack would value her even more.
When he was done, a cheer rose up that echoed into the night sky above. Kiara glanced up at him and saw that he was smiling.
Her heart felt full as she watched him. This was what she’d brought to his life. Warren smiled now, something he’d rarely done before the past few nights with her. It seemed like such a small, yet incredibly important thing, and she squeezed his hand. Since the cheering still rang through the air, he turned to look down at her and returned the pressure of her hand.
His voice filled her mind.Thank you, Kiara, for all you’ve brought to my world. I will never be able to express how grateful I am.
She smiled but shook her head.I didn’t know how alone I was until this moment. You and the Caldion Pack? I’m overwhelmed by how complete I feel, how truly happy I am right now.
He slid his free hand to the nape of her neck, then dipped down and kissed her.
The cheering rose higher still, which seemed to encourage Warren to pull her into his arms. When he deepened the kiss and despite that they had an audience, she slid her arms around his neck and returned his kiss in full.
~ ~ ~
Warren drew back reluctantly, though he kept his arm around Kiara’s waist. He realized he could have gone on kissing her forever. But his wolves needed this time with their new alpha female to pay their respects and homage, to get to know her, and to pledge their loyalty.
He patted the air with his hands and the pack grew quiet. “Those of you who have known Kiara for the past few months are already familiar with her dedication to Five Bridges. I will confirm now that she has run and operated a wolf refuge here in Savage, though cloaked behind necessary security spells of her own devising. Though I had no knowledge of her refuge until the past few days, she conducted her shelter with Chief Robert’s permission, for well over a year. A few of you, sworn to secrecy as you were, lived at the refuge and were rehabilitated by her excellent staff and you are now free to speak of it as you wish.
“Several nights ago, she single-handedly saved my wolf-ass and several of my fellow Border Patrol Officers. By using her invisibility shield, we were able to escape Julio’s attack on the station. Then, by working together, she and I joined forces and broke the bond between Julio and Glissane. But it was when we chose to bond tonight that she and I were able to destroy Glissane and put an end forever to his assault on Savage.”
He turned to meet her gaze for a moment and squeezed her waist. His love for her as well as his respect was boundless. He smiled then shifted his attention once more to his pack as he continued, “Kiara did all this without thought to her own contentment or safety. Though she is not a wolf, she has proven to possess the values we hold dear in Caldion, of sacrifice and service to the whole. I ask you to welcome Kiara into Caldion with the greatest force you can muster.”
Warren felt the pack join together as one body. A rumbling began in the earth as feet shifted about and wolves prepared to howl.
What erupted was like nothing he’d ever heard come from his pack before. If he’d had any doubts as to whether his pack would accept a witch as his alpha-mate, none remained.
A howling rose into the night air, full of resonance and breadth, like a wind roaring through the air. Nothing else could be heard. Hundreds of wolf voices sang the song of acceptance and devotion and he knew a depth of happiness he’d never thought to experience in his lifetime.
Tears streamed down Kiara’s face. Because of their bond, he knew she understood how incredible this moment was. He would never forget this as long as he lived. He sensed Kiara felt the same way.
When at last the final howl died away, he ordered a celebration and another cheer filled the air. The wolves then stamped their feet and he turned to Kiara. “It’s a tradition, sort of like the clinking of glasses at a human wedding.”
Her answering smile as well as the sparkle in her tear-drenched eyes, led him to pull her again into his arms and kiss her. This time, he kissed her a long, long time, maybe longer than he should have since a lot of hooting soon replaced the cheers and stamping of feet.
She finally pushed at him, but came up laughing and wiping at her cheeks. She’d never looked more beautiful.
The compound’s staff was already firing up the numerous grills around the outdoor gathering area. Kegs of beer were being brought in from the kitchen’s massive stockroom. Mugs were hauled out by the case-load.
The party had begun.
He introduced Kiara one-by-one to each Caldion member. He could sense Kiara’s connection to his wolves,theirwolves now. She’d told him she’d felt very alone until they’d bonded. Now she felt as though she’d gained an enormous family.
It was the best part of pack life, the sense of belonging and camaraderie.
Yet, in some ways he’d been alone as well. Now he had a mate and his life was complete.
He remained close to her side throughout the celebration. Even when they sat down to eat, he made sure they sat close together. He needed the physical connection to her right now. She seemed to feel it as well since the whole time she ate, she kept her hand planted on his thigh. He loved it.
He told her over and over how much he loved her.
She did the same.
But as the hours wore on, his need to be with her physically grew to an almost painful point. Dawn arrived with relief which saw his pack finally dispersing and returning to either their apartments within his vast underground compound or their nearby homes.
