Yvette Hines - The Club

“I don’t want to go, but we have to.”

“I know.” She agreed, taking in deep breaths to keep her pulse down.

“Are you ready, Olivia?”

Biting the side of her lip, she tried to keep her anxiety from showing, to put on a brave face.

“You’ll be fine. They will all love you as much as I do.”

Her breath was trapped in her lungs and her voice was stuck in her throat. “You love me?” she croaked.

Giving her a devastating smile that was both lopsided and as sexy as hell, Trae confirmed, “Of course I love you, Olivia.”

“Because I’m your mate?” She took a hesitant step towards him.

He crossed the room, but left a small gap between them. “No. Because the moment you walked into The Club you captivated me. No matter what had happened that night, it would have been hard for me not to want you in my life.”

Her throat felt tight and her eyes were burning. She wanted so badly for him to hold her.

“You know I’d take you in my arms if I could, but my urge for you is too strong and this night too important for both of us.”

“I understand.” She gave him a watery smile.

“Then let’s get out of here.”

Nodding, Olivia walked past him and out of her apartment. Her heart felt full. Tonight was going to be the start of her living and not just going through the motions.

“You are a beautiful woman, Olivia,” Ziona Wulfene greeted her as she got out of the car. It was dark outside, and if it hadn’t been for the lanterns hung through the trees, Olivia wouldn’t have been able to see her hand before her face.

Olivia stared at the woman, the highest ranked female of the pack at the moment, Trae’s mother. She was graceful and sophisticated in her charming black-and-white print dress with a red belt. Her feet were bare, but Olivia was sure the woman had a pair of fantastic red heels to match. She couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever carry herself with such elegance and class as Ziona.

Having removed her own shoes in the car, as Trae had instructed her, Olivia moved closer to his mother. “It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs Wulfene.”

Waving her hand away, Ziona said, “Please don’t even bother with formalities—you will be my daughter after tonight. Call me Mother, or Ziona if it’s more comfortable.” The older woman pulled her into a hug.

The embrace was so fierce and strong, Olivia allowed herself a moment to relax against the pack mother and accept the affection. Something she had never had from anyone except Kelsey, and now Trae.

Pulling back, Olivia smiled at her. “I’d like to call you ‘Mother’, if you don’t mind.”

“Perfect.” Grabbing Olivia’s hand, she turned to her son. “Trae. I’m very proud of you this night.” When Trae rounded the front of the car and stood before them, his mother kissed him on the cheek.

“Then let’s not keep them waiting.” Trae took Olivia’s free hand and squeezed it.

Olivia looked down at their joined hands, and at the hand his mother still held, and was filled with happiness. She allowed them to lead her through the trees and onto a short path through the woods. The echo of a multitude of voices announced that they were nearing the others way before they broke through the trees and into a large clearing. It was well-lit, with more lanterns on tall poles spiked into the ground. It looked like a huge family reunion, with tents on the outskirts of the group billowing out the delicious aromas of various types of food.

As if sensing they had arrived, the group parted and created an opening to the centre of the circle, where two men stood. One of the men was at least six-foot-three in height, broad-shouldered and with the same colouring and stance as Trae—indomitable. The other man was shorter, with long, jet-black hair that reached his ankles, and he wore the garb of an ancient shaman.

Ziona and Trae didn’t pause or speak to anyone as they maintained a steady pace towards the two men.

“My son.” The tallest man placed a hand on Trae’s shoulder.

Trae’s mother released her hand, kissed her on the cheek, then moved to stand next to her husband.

“My Alpha, may I present my mate to you and to our pack?” Trae’s voice was strong and clear.

“You may.” Trae’s father looked from his son to Olivia.

Olivia’s heart began to beat faster. What if this man doesn’t like me? She hadn’t looked around, but she was sure among the massive crowd there would be were females who might have been a better choice.

But not my mate , Trae declared. “This is Olivia, the one the Great Spirit has chosen for me.”

“I, Romel Wulfene, welcome you to our pack, Olivia. I am sure you will lead well beside my son.” Romel didn’t smile, or hug her, but his hazel eyes were filled with pride.

“Thank you. I will do my best to put my Alpha first and care for our pack.” Olivia recited the words Trae had instructed her to say. As she stood there beside the man she loved, she could feel the stares of the people around her. Her back felt as if it was on fire, knowing everyone was observing her mark—Trae’s mark.

“We honour the selection of the Great Spirit.” The shaman appeared small and frail beside the large Alpha wolf, but his voice boomed and carried across the sea of people. “Olivia shall be received and accepted by all.”

Cheers and howls went up around her and, for the first time, she looked away from the small group in the centre of the circle and allowed her gaze to roam the faces of the Wulfene pack members, her new family.

The shaman continued to speak. “Let the induction begin!” He spoke a chant over her and Trae, speaking in a language that sounded both foreign and ancient to Olivia’s ears. Then he pulled a small phial out of his hip pouch and smeared an oily substance on Trae’s forehead. The smell reminded her of combination of ginseng and cedar wood.

When the shaman had finished, all the men began to head towards a dark tent almost hidden by trees. Trae turned to her, his gaze intense and practically glowing with excitement. “Stay with my mother and the other women—I’ll be back soon.”

“I’ll be waiting.” With one last look, Trae followed the other were males into the tent. Olivia knew that he was headed out on his hunt. The other men would go with him, a show of support and confidence in their new leader. He would kill an animal, then share it with his pack, a sign that he would provide for them through strength, cunning and wisdom.

“Well, my daughter, it is time for you to meet the women of the Wulfene pack,” Ziona said, stepping in front of her.

Inhaling, Olivia said, “I’d like that.”

Lowering her voice, Ziona said, “My only advice to you is never to lower your gaze to any of them. Always show fortitude. I am sure tonight you will not have any problems, but a day will come that a female wolf will attempt to test you. If you even think you have been challenged or disrespected, strike fast and strike hard. It will make that one think twice before testing you and the other females will get the message, too.”

Olivia had to remember that even though these people had the faces and build of humans, they were more a part of the animal kingdom. She would be of the same make-up after tonight and her first full-moon shift.

“I heard your words.” Olivia kept her eyes locked with Ziona’s, not allowing her gaze to waver.

“Well done.” She smiled and led Olivia towards the first group of women.

Trotting back to the ceremony grounds, Trae felt invigorated, confident, strong and aroused. Shifting from his wolf form to human, he entered the changing tent nude. The other men began to flow inside, each locating his garments. After his successful kill of a buck, the only thing that he wanted to do now was see Olivia. Donning his slacks and leaving everything else in the tent, he exited out of the other side into the large clearing. The women were crowded around, drinking and laughing as they waited for the men. It would take him too long to look for her. Instead, he called her.