Were She Belongs (24 page)

“I already have met them.”

“Who are they?”

“Jacob, Troy, and you, Sierra.” Lexi smiled as the tears rolled down her cheeks.

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Sierra was silent, as if she were trying to absorb the words and determine if she heard Lexi correctly.

“I am?” Sierra asked, pointing to herself. Her voice cracked as she began to ask how, and then she cried.

Lexi pulled her into her arms. “It’s true, Sierra. It’s amazing, really. I’ve known you for so long and had such a connection to you, but couldn’t explain why. Your blood ties are on my father’s side.

That’s what I was told.”

Sierra pulled back, smiling wide, eyes red, and her face filled with joy. “I love you. You’re not only my best friend, but my family. I can’t wait to tell Valco.”

Lexi laughed as she dried her eyes. She then explained about the danger ahead of them and the importance of the bonding.

“So that’s why the triplets didn’t wait until the ceremony to seal the bond? The elders are pissed about that, but I guess that’s why Saber was meeting with them now. To make them understand.”

“What do you mean ‘seal the bond,’ and what about waiting until the ceremony?” Lexi asked.

“The traditional way is to wait until the mating ceremony to bond and secure the union between a wolf and his mate or mates.”

“They were supposed to wait?”

“Yeah!” Sierra stated sarcastically.

“How do you know they sealed the bond?”

“Uh, honey, those bites on your neck are not wolf hickeys. By biting into your skin and drawing blood while exchanging bodily fluids, a wolf seals the bond with their mate. The female wolf does the same thing.”

“No one told me that, and I didn’t bite them.”

“But obviously the mating took. It probably has something to do with you having fey blood. Hey, they might gain power from you as you gain power from them. Which means that the Fates are preparing you and your pack for something big.”

“Why didn’t they tell me first?” Lexi asked, rising from the couch.

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“They probably just felt the need to make the bonding happen quickly. Especially if they were fearful or concerned that you would be taken again or leave them.”

“That makes sense, but they still should have told me. I mean, they demand that I don’t keep secrets from them, and look what they did.”

“They did it because they love you and they were afraid that you would leave. Just think about who bit you first and what was happening at the time. It’s not a bad thing. It’s just not following pack protocol.”

“I guess I’ll deal with them later.”

“Deal with who later?”
Saber spoke through their link.

“Not now, Saber.”

“What?”
Lexi heard in unison and knew she was in trouble.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. What I meant to say was that I love
all three of you and we will discuss this issue later.”

“What issue?”
Paul asked.

“Speak now!”
Saber growled.

“Later, please…best friend and cousin sharing a special
moment.”

“You’re talking to them now, aren’t you?” Sierra asked.

“Yes.”

“I love that part about the bonding. I love to hear Valco’s thoughts, though he does have a way of hiding thoughts from me.

You must be careful what you project through the link, or you won’t be able to keep secrets.”

“I doubt I can keep secrets from them. I hope they aren’t putting up a block. I know Feldman can.”

“Well if Feldman can, then so can you. Didn’t you say you were more fey than were?”

“That’s what they told me.”

“What exactly can you do?” Sierra asked with a wicked grin.

Lexi laughed. “I am learning as I go.”

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“Ah, so you’re keeping secrets after all.”

Lexi was silent. Someone knocked on the French doors, interrupting their conversation.

“You have visitors I believe you’ve been waiting for, Lexi,” Luke stated with a smile, holding the door open.

Jacob and Troy entered with huge smiles on their faces.

Sierra ran to them and embraced them one at a time.

Lexi waited as Jacob approached.

* * * *

“I’ve missed you, Lex. I’ve been so worried,” Jacob stated, hugging her tightly against his chest.

“I’ve missed you, too, but I am happy to see you are both well,”

she replied, gently pulling away.

He held her by her forearms and stared down into her eyes. He sensed something different about her. Could the rumors be true?

Could she have the ability to foresee the future?

“What?” she asked.

“Sorry for staring, Lexi. It’s just that you look different.”

“Different?”

“Well you’re simply glowing and look happy. I suppose it has something to do with three alphas?”

They all chuckled.

Lexi took him by the hand, and Troy as well.

“Come, sit with me. I have so much to talk to you about, and I’ve missed you both.” Lexi led them toward the sofa, but she took the seat across from them.

She stared at him a moment, and he could see tears in her eyes. He sensed they were tears of joy, but with Lexi he never could tell. All he knew was that she meant so much to him.

Lexi leaned forward and took both their hands into her own. “I am so happy that you both are all right. I was worried.”

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Both Troy and Jacob moved forward on the couch and covered her hands with their own. Jacob couldn’t believe the sensations that traveled through their touch.

“We are safe because of you. Thank you, Lexi, for saving our lives and the many lives of our pack members.”

“I did not save everyone, and I wish I could have.”

“No…that was their decision to go, and from my understanding, many of the lives lost were that of wolves we couldn’t fully trust.

They were of combined bloodlines between Stratton and Kellmore.”

“Well, I am glad that you are here now, where you and your pack will be safest.”

“We will regroup and get better organized so that we can return to New York and deal with Stratton,” Troy added.

Lexi released their hands and sat back. “There’s no need to return there on your own. You have Sinclair now as well.”

“That’s quite generous of you, Lexi, but as alpha female, you don’t make such a decision. That would be up to your mates, and we have yet to discuss their further involvement,” Troy added.

“It is my understanding that family always helps family,” Lexi retorted.

Jacob smiled at how giving Lexi was.

“I appreciate your desire to help. But you don’t quite understand how this all works. Although you may think of us as family, we are not truly related by blood where our packs can merge. It’s understandable, Lexi. You have a lot to learn.”

“Oh, you’re gonna love this,” Sierra exclaimed, smiling wide and leaning back in her chair.

Jacob had no idea what was going on, but apparently Sierra had some inside information.

“Jacob…Troy…a lot has occurred in the weeks since I left New York. I have met three wonderful, loving, and somewhat irritating wolves who claim to be my mates, and I have accepted that. I love them, and they are mine as I am theirs. Since bonding with them and,
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well, while ‘working’ on completing our mating, much has been revealed to me about my life, my past, and hope for the future.”

“That’s wonderful, Lexi. We’re thrilled for you.”

“Wait, Jacob. Let the woman finish. There’s a point to this.”

Sierra reprimanded him, and Jacob sat back feeling wary about what was to come.

“Basically, to make a long story short…” Lexi stated, then gave Sierra an annoyed expression before continuing.

Sierra raised her shoulders as if saying,
What?

Exhaling, Lexi continued. “I have learned that I have some special abilities and that I have some family members who are still alive.”

“What? That’s fantastic, Lex,” Jacob stated, feeling so happy for Lexi. She deserved happiness.

“Who are they? Where do they live?” Troy asked.

Lexi smiled. Just then the doors opened, and Feldman entered the room. Jacob acknowledged the fey knight and smiled. They shook hands then Feldman stood beside Lexi’s chair.

“Go on. I don’t want to miss this,” Feldman stated.

Jacob found himself feeling nervous.

“Feldman is my cousin,” Lexi stated.

Jacob registered the information and asked the question. “Does that mean you’re fey?”

“Fey? What? How?” Troy burst out, standing up.

“Yes. I am fey, but I also have were blood as well.”

“Wait, this gets better,” Sierra interjected again.

“Sierra is a distant cousin on my father’s side.”

Jacob looked at Sierra, then back at Lexi as it registered. “Then that means…”

“That means you and Troy are my family, too.”

Jacob jumped up and pulled Lexi into an embrace. Troy wrapped his arms around her shoulder, and Sierra joined the group hug.

The doors burst open, and Saber, Paul, and Andre entered along with three elders.

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* * * *

Lexi was so thrilled with their response, she held them all close to her, loving that she had a family. When they finally separated, even Jacob and Troy had tears in their eyes. Sierra was a bumbling mess.

Valco entered the room as if sensing his mate needed him and pulled her into an embrace.

“I guess the word is out now, huh?” Valco stated aloud.

They laughed as Lexi felt Saber’s hands on her shoulders as he stood behind her. She watched as Paul and Andre shook Jacob and Troy’s hands, welcoming them.

The three elders joined in now looking more relaxed than when Lexi first met them earlier. Pragan, Randolph, and Mercer were part of the circle of elders, although Pragan was not as high up as Randolph and Mercer. Lexi noted he watched her very closely.

She felt Saber wrap his arms around her waist and press her back against his chest.

“So Jacob, you are my family, and as I become the mate of the three alphas of Sinclair pack, we, Crimson and McFay can all unite.”

“Meaning Stratton won’t have a chance of taking over New York?

We may be able to still exist there?” Troy asked, sounding hopeful.

“Yes,” Lexi replied, and Jacob released a long breath of relief before collapsing onto the couch.

Troy placed his arm across his brother’s shoulder and joined him.

He looked up at Lexi. “Amazing…absolutely amazing.”

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“Stratton wants to know when you are planning to make a move,”

Pragan whispered to Luke.

“Don’t rush me. It’s not easy getting her alone.”

Pragan glanced toward the living room where the alphas from Sinclair, Crimson, and McFay packs gathered with more elders.

Looking at Lexi, he admired her beauty and sex appeal.

“She is quite appealing in many ways. However, we need to get her to Stratton,” Pragan added, trying to push Luke to make a move as planned.

* * * *

Luke exhaled, feeling the guilt and anxiety about being involved with this mess. He had liked Lexi from the start, and the fact that she saved his life should alter his decision to help Stratton. The promise by the pack elder Pragan, along with Stratton’s promises of making Luke an alpha to his own pack, was more appealing than doing the right thing.

“The bond is taking between her and the Sinclairs. What makes you think that even if we get her to Stratton that he can make her his?”

“It doesn’t matter if they are bonding or not at this point.

Stratton’s only hope is to birth a child with Lexi. That will be the ultimate blood bond, and he can take over all the packs, leaving the triplets nothing. Under Stratton’s rule, he will be the only alpha.”

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“What! That makes no sense. Each set of packs must have alpha males to keep order and justice.”

“There’s no need to worry your mind with such details. He will ensure a high-ranking position for you, and you’ll never have to bow down to any wolf again.”

* * * *

Pragan looked toward the group again, watching Lexi as she laughed and mingled with the pack members. They adored her already, and as soon as Stratton impregnated her, she would help ensure Stratton’s place as leader. Under his rule, there would be change and better control over such things as mating non-weres and intermingling bloodlines. Only royalty would bond with royalty, ensuring greatness and strength. No mutts and mixed breeds. Through Lexi’s fey bloodlines, the power and energy could mix with Stratton’s and make him powerful by magic besides strength and position.

Luke dismissed himself and headed outside for a breather. Pragan hoped the wolf didn’t make the mistake of crossing Stratton, or Pragan would be the one to capture Lexi and get her to Stratton.

He watched her some more, absorbing her beauty, her voluptuous figure, and appeal. Perhaps if he had the chance to bed her, he could become most powerful.

He instantly felt his cock grow and press against the crotch of his pants. It would be fun to try even if the outcome didn’t make him more powerful. She must be something else in bed for the Fates to assign her three alpha weres.

The feel of eyes upon him brought Pragan’s gaze toward Saber.

He swallowed hard. It wasn’t like Saber could hear his thoughts.

Getting rid of such an intimidating and feared wolf would make Stratton’s plans run more smoothly.

Clearing his throat, Pragan walked into the room to join the others.

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* * * *

Saber watched Pragan from across the room. He didn’t like the way he stared at Lexi as if he desired her. It was obvious by the soft glow of Pragan’s eyes that he found Lexi sexually appealing. What man or wolf wouldn’t?

Watching Lexi this evening, he noticed there was a special glow about her. She looked different, more confident and at ease. He would love to think that glow had something to do with him and his brothers, but maybe it was just the fey in her. When he first met her, she was untrusting and somewhat shy despite her tough attitude. Her life had been somber and left her alone and struggling instead of surrounded by love and all the things she deserved.