No Remorse (31 page)

“You call those ‘not too high?’” Amber exclaimed doubtfully glaring at the shoes while holding them in front of her. She held the offending shoes by the strap, between her forefinger and thumb. Twisting them around, she stared at them like they would bite her.

“Mel wanted to get the three inch ones, but I told her that would be a bad idea on the grass.”

Even they called each other Mel, so that was not going to be of any help in figuring out who they were.

“How about I just go barefoot?” Amber suggested; her nose wrinkled in thought, staring from one woman to the next.
She seriously didn’t want to wear the spiked shoes and fall flat on her face.

“You have to at least try them on!” Winona suggested with a laugh.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

T
he knock on the door signaled to the women that it was time for them to go. Amber looked nervously at her mother who gave her an encouraging smile as the door opened. Gabrial stood in the doorway.

A smile spread across his face when he saw Amber in the dress. “Perfect,” was all he said and he gave Amber a light hug, not wanting to mess up her hair or the dress.

Holding out his arm, Gabrial escorted Amber down the long hallway, to the marble staircase. Winona and the twins followed silently behind. The house was eerily quiet while they made their way to the front door. Everyone, except for Adam, was in the front yard waiting for them.

Adam stood at the front door and whistled softly when he saw them descending the steps. His smile widening when he saw the glow that formed around Amber, the same glow he had seen when he stared before. His vision was now confirmed.

Amber smiled brightly as she walked towards him. When she reached where he stood, she gave him a tight hug. They both heard the slight growl in their heads and laughed at Blake and his possessiveness.

Relax, buddy, she's coming to you, not me,
Adam responded and opened the door for Gabrial to usher Amber out onto the front porch.

The yard was filled with people who talked softly. The moonlight lit the pathway from the steps to the center of the yard. It looked like it was almost a spot light at the
altar?
Blake stood still, waiting patiently for Amber. Or so he appeared on the outside. Inside, he was impatient, wanting her to hurry to him. There were rows and rows of chairs on either side of the path. The outer area of the yard was lit softly with landscape lighting that looked like candles, casting a romantic glow across the yard and its occupants.

Everyone had turned expectantly when they heard the double doors opened to allow Amber and her entourage to exit out onto the porch. There were a few low whistles when Amber stepped forward on her grandfather’s arm. The women gave low gasps and whispered approvals, making Amber smile even brighter. She never liked being the center of attention, but tonight she felt was her night.

She felt radiant; taking one step at a time, the small steps that were bringing her closer to her mate. Her eyes were locked on Blake and she saw his eyes trail down the front of her dress, stopping briefly to stare at the sw
ell of her tanned breasts peaking
out of the soft white material.
 
 
 

Blake imagined how easy it would be to slip his hand inside the soft material and mold to her breasts, to caress the hard buds he would find there. He had to shake his head to clear the thoughts or risk taking her right then and there. He frowned slightly as he heard the thoughts of some of the men in the group, thoughts that stopped immediately when he growled in their minds.

His eyes moved down the front of her form where the material of the dress floated around her legs when she walked. He smiled openly, almost laughing when his eyes landed on her feet. He pulled his eyes up to meet hers and felt her happiness in his mind,
Barefoot? I would have thought they would have had shoes for you at least.

They did,
Amber responded smugly with a chuckle.

Blake shook his head and continued to smile. The woman never ceased to amaze him. He continued to watch his mate being escorted up the path to where he stood. Gabrial turned and gave Amber a kiss on the forehead and handed her to Blake, then took his place over to the side. The women had followed quietly behind and slid into their seats in the front row.

Blake had to fight to keep his mind under control as well as his wolf. The full moon was pulling at his wolf, he was sure it was pulling on the other werewolves in the crowd as well. This phase felt strong. Staring down into Amber’s eyes, her irises were rimmed in black and the gold specks were beginning to swirl in her eyes. He knew his eyes mirrored hers.

Taking her hand, he leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. The pack stood, put their heads back and howled. Amber was startled at the sound and looked around in time to notice that someone was running towards them from the driveway.

Amber shoved Blake and threw herself backwards when an arrow barely missed hitting him and thudded into the alter that stood behind them.

Blake landed on the ground in stunned silence while Amber stood to the side, crouched, her lip snarling, ready to fight the person coming at them.

Others followed the man running towards
them. The group stopped howling and whipped around when they felt the others presence. Amber knew immediately that this was part of the Council, and watched them file down the path towards her and Blake.

∞∞∞

“What is the meaning of this?” Gabrial demande
d, stepping in front of his granddaughter. “How dare you shoot at my granddaughter?” He was livid with anger.

Blake quickly jumped to his feet and pulled Amber behind him. Holding his arm backwards, blocking her from coming back around in front of him to face the men who had attacked them.

“I wasn't shooting at her, you idiot,” the elder of the Council members growled scornfully. “I knew that you would lead us to her eventually.” He gave a snarling laugh and started forward.

The pack members had taken a collective step back when the Council made their way up the aisle. The only persons brave enough to not move had been Marcello and Adam who were now standing shoulder to shoulder beside Blake, helping to him to keep Amber behind them.

Will you please quit blocking me!
Amber demanded, struggling to get around front to confront the Council members.

You will not be in front of them,
Blake growled in her head.
Isaac Whiting is over three hundred years old and he controls all packs here in the States,
He explained to her.

I don't care if he is a thousand years old!
Amber exclaimed and tried to push her way through the immoveable wall of muscle that surrounded her.

Suddenly, she stopped pushing and willed herself to disappear so she could face her attackers. She was shocked when she looked down and found that her body was still in its human form. All she could do was glare at the backs of the men who surrounded her.

Amber was shocked that she couldn’t change. She tried over and over again and it just wouldn’t work. Frustrated, she gave up and concentrated on listening to what was being said.

Her grandfather argued with Isaac “You have no right,” he growled standing face to face with the Council leader.

Reading Blake's mind, she learned the names of the men who stood at Isaac's sides. They were William Lee and Reuben Bosworth. From what she gathered, they were at the Council leader’s beck and call and always backed him on whatever he did or said.

He has never lost a fight,
Blake explained.
That is why he heads the Council. He was born on a full moon, as well.

Amber now understood. He used his special abilities to control those around him. She felt the strange nudging at her mind and held her wall in place. The nudging became a powerful force. Amber found herself on the ground, on her knees, her hands grabbing at the sides of her head as the blinding pain shot through her brain.

Blake whipped around and gathered her in his arms. He watched incredulously when Marcello and Adam stepped away from them, under Isaac’s control. Blake frowned, staring in consternation as the crowd sat down quietly in their chairs.

“What the hell is going on?” he demanded, pulling Amber to her feet, while she continued clutching her head in pain.

Isaac shoved Gabrial out of the way, stepping closer to Amber and Blake. Blake tried to shield her from the old man when his gnarled hands reached for Amber. She sank back to the ground, the pain in her head blinding her.

Isaac growled, not understanding why he couldn’t control Blake or Amber like he had the rest of the crowd. Even the humans had bowed down to his control. Blake continued standing in his way, Isaac allowed his canines to extend, and shifted into his wolf form. When he changed, he lost his mental hold over Gabrial, Marcello, and Adam.

Blake realized that William and Reuben had some powers of their own and were the ones controlling the rest of the pack. Blake quickly shifted, shredding the tailor-made suit he had been wearing. His large
black and
gray wolf standing i
n front of his mate, snarling while
the silver wolf growled and snapped at him as he circled.

Adam! Marcello!

Still in somewhat of a fog, Adam and Marcello shook their head to clear the fuzziness from their brains. But when they did, both immediately shifted forms. Reading Blake's mind, they lunged for the two Council members who were in the process of changing, as well.

Marcello and Adam knocked the
William and Reuben
to the ground and stood snarling over them.
We can't kill you,
Marcello growled into their minds,
but, there is nothing in pack laws that keep us from tearing you to shreds and you wishing you were dead!

William and Reuben immediately stopped their change. Quickly regaining their human forms they lay on the ground staring up at the large werewolves that towered over them.

We were only following orders,
William told him, holding his hand out in front of his face, like that would hold Marcello back.

Marcello had the two men under control. So Adam turned back to see if Blake needed any help. He turned in time to see the two wolves lunge at one another, snapping, trying to get the upper hand.

Blake kept his body between the old werewolf and Amber. He was concerned that she might be hurt since she had not disappeared and gotten herself to safety.

Gabrial watched Blake stand defiantly between his granddaughter and the wiry werewolf of the Council leader. He knew that one of them might die tonight and hoped for his granddaughter’s sake that it would not be Blake.

Gabrial sent the mental call to the other council members. He gave them brief details and kept the channel open so they knew exactly what was going on while it happened. He had informed them of Isaac’s intent, but without action, they could not do anything to him. Now that he had made his move, they informed him that they were on their way.

Blake's wolf raged at the old wolf that threatened his mate. He knew Isaac was stronger than he was, but he was fighting for his mate’s life, so that gave him a slight advantage.

That and his size, Blake was larger than Isaac, and quicker, but knew that if the old man got a good hold on him he would be in trouble.

Vaguely, he noticed that his pack members were moving chairs and tables out of the way, anything that may be an obstacle or trip him up. He was thankful for their quick thinking when Isaac lunged towards him. The two werewolves rolled and tumbled towards the crowd. Snarls and growls were loud while they fought, saliva flying as they spun and twisted to avoid the other’s teeth.

Amber's head was pounding as Isaac continued to bombard her brain with his mind, trying to find a way in to control her. She was amazed that the old man could concentrate on attacking her and fight with Blake at the same time.

She concentrated hard and fortified the wall that kept Isaac out of her head. The pain was still there, but had subsided somewhat. She stood and glared at the old werewolf, gasping when he tore a chuck of fur and skin from Blake's shoulder.

They both had deep wounds. Blood oozed out of the tears that were already healing themselves while they continued their fight for dominance.

Amber was stunned when she suddenly felt hatred coming from the group of people that gathered around watching the fight. She touched on each pack member’s mind until she came to the one who was sending the message loud and clear. Even though her head was killing her, Amber stalked towards the pack. They looked at her like she was crazy. Her eyes were glowing and her canines were extended.

Then they felt what she felt when she opened herself to them. They were stunned too when they felt the malevolence coming from the woman who tried to hide at the back of the pack.

They parted and there she stood. Amber couldn't believe her eyes. Stacy! Her human face still held the scar she had given her back at the safe haven.

“What are you doing here?” Amber growled at her when she realized Stacy had come with the Council.