From Maiden to Mother (Book 2 of the Northern Territories Series)

Chapter 6

From Maiden to Mother

Chapter 6

Nikolai’s POV

“Hello, Stryder. I am Mrs. Councilman Ivy Gladstone.”, her voice is soft like wind and she slowly glides around Stryder, studying him, then stops back in front of him where I can see her clearly.

“Hi, Ivy.”, Stryder responds politely. She half smiles and looks into the lens of the camera on his shirt. It creeps me out, I feel like she is looking at me through it.

“Hello to you as well, Nikolai.”, she says. I get a cold chill as she says my name. Then her gaze returns to Stryder and she vanishes, appearing before me! She is standing directly across the table from me. She blinks and tilts her head, I am freaked out. I’ve heard that fae do freaky stuff before, but this got to me a little.

I stand slowly and her large lavender eyes never leave mine. Her voice is soft and low when she speaks, “I don’t know that you’re malevolent, Nikolai Cobran… but you should know that I am. The young Maiden is a dear friend of mine. While she tells me it was just a kiss and her lip being split was accidental, I do not believe that to be entirely true. My mate’s position within Council requires me to warn you of my presence and intent before acting.” Her eyes turn completely white as she continues, “If you ever harm my Maiden again, I will kill you.”

Then she is gone and I see her back on the field, walking alongside Clay, approaching her mate and child. Mountain stands staring at Stryder, I almost feel like he sees me to.

Clay’s POV

I’m walking Kara back to her car when Ivy links me, “I do not believe he hurt her accidentally. I’m going to teach him a lesson.”

I respond to her quickly before she can shimmer away, “You cannot harm him! You are Mrs. Councilman Gladstone. Shane is a member of Council. You are required by law to tell Alpha Cobran who you are and what you intend. A firm warning before acting against him.”

She hisses at me through the link, then replies “So be it.”

I open Kara’s door and she gets in, starting her car. “Bye for now, best friend.”, she says smiling.

I return her smile, “Not forever.”, I reply and close her door.

I return to the field and Ivy shimmers next to me, walking with me back to Shane. “He is warned", she says angrily. I smirk as I head into the Council Building with the others right behind me.

My phone vibrates as I exit the elevator on my office floor. Shane and Kieran are still with me and I know they can hear me. It is Rayne, he won’t mind.

“Clay, Shane and Kieran are present.”, I answer.

“Rayne. I’m sending you some interview recordings. I had Alpha Corban looked into on a more personal level since you covered his business dealings. Appears the Alpha is a bit of a lady’s man. We interviewed 17 women outside his territory that are known to have had a s****l relationship with Alpha. We haven’t had the opportunity to catch any from his pack, but we know of 4. Big Bad Alpha likes getting rough with women. The 17 are one time things, the majority of which he stormed out on after breaking their things and screaming at them because they told him he was hurting them and pushed him away. He is well known for being an inconsiderate and sadistic lover, he likes to hurt them, make them bleed, make them cry and scream. The women warn each other about him and his Beta, even in nearby packs and villages. Females of all species in that area know to stay away from them. There are several that, I guess, are into it. He has a self proclaimed future Luna and a few regulars.” Rayne tells me.

I try and fail to suppress the growl that rolls from me. “Leanne Holston. I had Kieran check her out. Kara came to train today and her lip was split and swollen. She said he kissed her at lunch and just got a little rough. She claimed it was no big deal, but I could tell something was off. If it were that simple, he would’ve healed it. Ivy shimmered into his hotel room and warned him. She didn’t buy Kara’s accident story either.”, I tell Rayne. I hear Jayce growling angrily. “Keep me updated.”, I finish.

“Same.” Rayne replies before disconnecting the call.

Kara’s POV

I drove back to the coven, thinking over what my Nana said. I’m not sure Nik is the one for me. I’m trying to give him a chance. What if I only feel that way because of my connection with Clay? I try to see it from his side and if I felt the way they do about mates, I would probably be upset with him having that relationship with another woman. Wolves don’t get injured easily, him splitting my lip may not have even been intentional. He may not even realize how much force he was using. My text tone sounds as I enter the gate. I pull out my phone after I park at the house.

Nikolai- Did I hurt you, gorgeous?

Kara- You were just a little rough.

Nikolai- Your friend said I busted your lip, Kara. Can I see you?

Kara- I’m fine. I just got home.

Nikolai- Can I come there?

I don’t want him here, but I don’t want to

ask Rayne or Jayce to go with me out there. Maybe here is better, patrol stays on any outsider coming in. I just won’t allow him in the house.

Kara- You may come here

Nikolai- I’m on my way, send me your address, gorgeous

I send him the address and text Tania and the twins that he is coming into the coven, but I want him to remain outside the house. The same instruction goes to the guards at the gates. Jayce responds.

Jayce- Just so you know, Council has business here. We have security matters to attend to. Clay will be arriving shortly to meet with Rayne and I. From what I understand, your mate may not be pleased.

Kara- Black Hearthstone’s business is none of his concern.

Jayce- Very well, Princess

I am reviewing the scores for the Academy Enchantress when the guards notify me that Nikolai has entered the coven.

I walk out onto the porch as he pulls up. He gets out of the truck and glances toward the patrolmen that watch from a distance.

"They follow everyone?”, he asks smirking as he approaches me.

I nod, “Wolves run security here, Nik. What do you think?”, I reply. He chuckles as he reaches me and holds my chin loosely, running his thumb over my lip and frowns.

“I am sorry, gorgeous. I didn’t realize I had hurt you. Are you okay?”, he asks.

“I’m fine.”, I reply.

He nods, “I wanted to see you after meeting with your friend…”

I cut him off, “What friend?”

He grins, “A pretty fae named Ivy.” It would be Ivy. He’s grinning, he has no idea who or what she is.

“Be cautious around Ivy, Nik. I know she looks like a sweet Barbie doll, but she is not.”, I warn him. She will not take kindly to any condescension.

He smiles, “I could tell. Some kind of warrior or hunter, no doubt.” It would take him no time at all to find out who Ivy is. She is well known, even in the shifter communities. I’m surprised he does not know her by name.

“She was a Royal Assassin for the Fae King before she mated Councilman Gladstone.”, I respond.

He chuckles, “Then don’t go telling her I mentioned seeing her.”

I laugh, “She wouldn’t care. I hope she was polite.”

He smiles, “She was, gorgeous. Can I take you to dinner?” I think that over for a second then see Clay arriving. Leaving may be better, I don’t really want these 2 near each other.

“There is a diner around the corner. We can go there.”, I offer. He agrees as Clay walks up the stairs.

“Evening, Princess… Alpha Cobran.”, he says politely.

Rayne opens the front door. “Hey, best friend.”, I reply, I don’t want Clay to feel I treat him differently with Nik here.

“Good evening, Head Clay.”, Nik replies.

Rayne holds the door, “Hey Clay, come on in. Tania is picking up Italian, you want anything?”, he asks as Clay walks past him into the house. The door closing silences Clay’s response. I start down the stairs and Nik follows, taking my hand as we cross the yard. I feel the tingles, but it feels odd for him to be touching me. I can’t explain why.

We walk into the diner and take a seat in one of the booths by the window. He sits next to me rather than across from me, I try not to tense. “Why do you get anxious when I sit next to you, Kara?”, he asks softly.

“I just don’t like being closed in?”, I reply.

He nods and stands, “Trade me seats. You can close me in, gorgeous.”, he says smiling.

I can’t help but return his smile and I stand, allowing him to slide into the booth and I sit next to him. “There, that’s better. You’re not anxious anymore.”, he replies still smiling.

“I appreciate the gesture, Nik.”, I reply.

Nikolai tells me about his parents and asked about mine. I told him my parents were killed 17 years ago helping a wolf pack, but I’d rather not discuss it. He accepted the answer and we talked about the coven and the types of schools here.

He asks, “What’s the relationship between your Uncles and Head Clay?”

I study him for a moment. “My uncles were soon to be Councilmen when they met Tania. They’ve known Clay the majority of their lives.”, I respond, not sure how much more I should say.

“So they’re all friends?”, he asks.

I nod, “Yes, of course.”

He tilts his head as he looks at me, “I noticed Clay had no patrolmen follow him, that was why I had asked.”

I nod, “Council has a Peace Treaty with Black Hearthstone. He is trusted by the Elders, his presence known to be safe.”, I answer.

“I have seen a lot of shifters here. I guess I didn’t realize covens were so accepting of outsiders.”

Nikolai’s POV

I've noticed many shifters here, I hadn't known covens were comfortable with that, so I thought I'd ask about it. Her smiles reaches her eyes when she answers, “They are not. Black Hearthstone allows the members of the coven to take mates of their own choosing. Everyone you have seen is now a member of Black Hearthstone, therefore not an outsider.”

I smile at her. She really is such a gorgeous girl. I really wish she would make this easier. I’ve already known her for 3 days, she should be halfway through her changes to become lycan. Instead, I’m sitting in a diner, begging her to give me a chance… most likely because she’s in love with f*****g Clay. I have to make her see him differently some how. “You are truly beautiful, Kara.”, I say when I realize I wandered off and she is expecting me to respond.

She furrows her brows slightly before smiling, “You confuse me, Nik.”

I tilt my head, “What do you mean?”, I ask her.

She shakes her head while searching my eyes, “Sweet things come out of your mouth, but your aura does not match them. Like… just now. Your aura changed, suggesting… annoyance or maybe frustration. But then you tell me I’m beautiful.”, I smile realizing she is picking up on my thoughts at times. That is why she reacts oddly when I feel like I’ve said all the right things.

“I feel a lot of things, Kara. Your beauty does not frustrate me. Not knowing how to reach you or have you see me does. I guess maybe I’m not saying what I feel, but what I think.”, I explain hoping she will accept it. I need to work on keeping my feelings more closed off. She nods slowly, still studying me. I speak what I really feel now, knowing she will see the truth in my words. “Kara, I just want to be near you. I know you don’t understand, but you’re all there will ever be for me now. You are my center. No other woman will ever make me happy and I will never have a family without you, that’s an eternity alone. I feel like I’m competing against someone I can never be, no matter what I do, because we aren’t the same people. I don’t know what you see when you look at me, gorgeous, but maybe it is those feelings… my own insecurities.”, I tell her.

She nods slowly, “I don’t want or expect you to be Clay, Nik. I can’t see you for who you are when you hide behind charming words. It’s hard to form an opinion on something so inconsistent.”, she says.

I nod, “I understand. I will be better about it, now that I’m aware it is something that confuses you.”

She smiles at me and this time it feels different. I feel like she is letting me in a little. The realization pleases me and I notice she sees it and it relaxes her. That’s how to get her to accept me. Make sure I’m focusing on what pleases me and she will see that in my aura. “What do you see in my aura, Kara?”, I ask trying to understand how it works.

“You are predominantly a deep brick red. It indicates that you are physical, hardworking, realistic, grounded, strong, and opinionated. On the flip side of that, it also means you may be greedy, self-involved, and easily angered. It is neither good nor bad because any of those things could be beneficial depending on how and when they’re used. I don’t know how to explain it to you, but the texture and vibrancy changes with your emotions.”, she answers softly.

I don’t think that is far off, she can understand me better than I thought. “So when you study me, you’re trying to understand what you see?”, I ask her.

She smiles and nods, “And what are you looking for when you study me, Nik?”

I smile at her, I’m thinking about mating her usually when I study her. “Usually, I’m just admiring you, gorgeous. Other times, I can sense changes in your body or your scent that tell me your nervous or frightened by me. That frustrates me, then you respond to my aura by becoming more anxious.”

She smiles and replies, “We will work on that then. I will tell you when something is bothering me, you will tell me what is causing you to be frustrated, angry, or annoyed.”

The waitress brings our food out. “Agreed, gorgeous.”, I respond happily. I feel like this is what was needed. She will definitely accept me now, I just have to keep my head straight and not let my thoughts go too far.

We eat and talk about our thoughts on different issues in other communities. Kara is a very intelligent woman. She tends to be more caring than I am, but that’s to be expected. She’s female. When we finish eating, she let’s me pay the bill this time.

We start to walk back up to her house and I take her hand. Clay’s car is still there, I try really hard to contain the annoyance. “It’s okay to feel that way, Nik. You’re upsetting yourself more by trying to hide it.”, she says softly.

I look down at her, “I don’t want you to be upset with me, gorgeous.”, I reply.

“I’m not going to be mad because you feel something, Nik. We all have feelings. How you handle them is what is important. If you’re annoyed, but cordial, we have no issues.”, she replies. I squeeze her hand lightly.

“I can do that.”, I reply. She smiles up at me and I focus on how her accepting me pleases me.

We get back up to her porch and I ask her, “Can I kiss you?”, she tenses a little.

“I promise, I’ll be gentle.”, I assure her. I lean down and gently kiss her sweet lips, she opens for me and it excites me because I didn’t have to press her to this time. I scent Clay and take this as my opportunity to show him who Kara belongs to. I slowly wrap my arms around her waist a run my hand up her back, cradling her to me. She relaxes in my arms and rests one arm on my shoulder, the other hand against my chest. The tingles from our bond spread through me and I focus on them. She pulls back a little and I let her, she looks into my eyes. I smile at her before gently sucking her bottom lip, sealing the split. Clay walks out as I release her mouth. She touches her lip and smiles at me. The jealousy I feel pouring off him and how flushed she is pleases me greatly.

She looks over and sees Clay. She smiles and steps away from me. I control my anger and focus on what tasting her is like so she doesn’t catch on to my mood shift.

“Goodnight, best friend.”, she says politely.

He nods to her before continuing down the stairs, “Goodnight, Princess.”, he replies, “Alpha…” and he gets into his SUV, backing out and heading toward the front gate.

Kara grins shyly at me, “I better get to bed, Nik. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

I get so excited; I don’t know what to do with myself. She is the one asking to see me. I’m really getting somewhere with her, I have it figured out. I just need to not blow it now, “I’d love to see you tomorrow. Maybe I can train with you in the morning and you’ll let me take you to lunch?”, I offer. She enjoys training and I’m a strong fighter.

She smiles, “It would be more a breakfast after training. Rayne and Jayce join us on the field around 5:30am. Is that too early for you?”, she asks.

“Never too early to see you, gorgeous”, I smile happily.

She blushes slightly. “I’ll see you then. Goodnight, Nik.”

I push her hair back behind her ear, “Goodnight, Kara.” She smiles and walks up to the front door.

One of the twins opens it and holds it for her before telling her goodnight and stepping out onto the porch. “Sit down and talk to me, Nikolai.”, the twin says, walking the wrap-around porch to the covered patio off the side. I follow him, sitting across from him at the table. “Look, I’m not one to say anything to anyone about anger issues. I’ve got a really bad temper myself. I can tell you something about having anger issues and keeping your mate though, if you care to hear it.”, he says, sitting back in his chair and folding his hands.

“I think I need to; I don’t want to lose her.”, I reply honestly.

He nods, “You need to see it her way first. You’re thinking that it isn’t that big of a deal, you haven’t really hurt her, and she is being too sensitive. We are lycan wolves. She sees us as incredibly fast, strong, and ruthless. To her, we are impulsive, volatile, and semi-immortal. They are witches. They are very powerful, but they can’t kill us without taking our heads. They are physically inferior and mortal. They are fragile in comparison to us, Nikolai. We are serious threats to them, they cannot afford to give us a chance. If we get a hold of them, they may seriously hurt us, but we could kill them. Every time you’ve started getting frustrated or angry, she was weighing her survival odds and with good reason. I know it isn’t what you want, but you are terrifying your mate. I did it to Tania too. I’d get mad and yell at her, she even gave me a really nasty cursed burn for grabbing her one time. You have to get a grip on your temper and build trust with your mate, the same way I had to with mine. I promise you, having your mate accept you will make it so much easier. I still get mad, I break things, I hurt people, s**t happens, but I never raise my voice at Tania and she knows I would never hurt her.”, he tells me.

I never really considered why she would be so afraid of me. I’m not one of those guys that will uproot his life for his mate and do whatever she says, things are going to be my way, but I don’t want her to pull away from me all the time. It would be easier if she would just cooperate. “I don’t know how to get her to trust me, twin.”, I say and he chuckles.

“Jayce”, he tells me. “Be you. Explain what you want and why you feel the way you do. If she understands where your head is, she knows when and how to try to calm you. Soon, she’ll know your mind better than you do. You’re jealous of Clay. It’s a tough situation to be in and it sucks, but she isn’t Clay’s mate. Clay can’t be with her regardless of whether or not either of them would want to be. She is your mate, Nikolai, yours not his. He knows it, you know it, she knows it. You’d know if she cheated on you, you’re bond is present even though she hasn’t accepted it. Has she cheated on you, Nikolai?”, he asks.

I shake my head, “No.”

He tilts his head slightly, “Has she been alone with Clay?”, he asks.

I respond, “Yes.”

He nods his head and looks down at his hands, then back up at me, “You need to get your head straight and put your mate first. You weren’t raised among lycan, so this is a tough concept for you. You need to realize you’re risking a lot more than a werewolf does by behaving this way. Mate before all else. That is how we live. It doesn’t mean we have no opinion. We are still possessive and controlling, that did not change with being mated. Tania knows how we are and she accepts us being that way because we give all we possibly can in every other facet of life. She is my Goddess and I make sure she knows it. She would do whatever she could to make us happy as well.”

I nod, my dad has told me this before. “Was it hard going from being an Enforcer to being a Consort?”, I ask Jayce, studying him as he answers.

“Not at all. My job description changed, but a Consort is also a position of power. We are an extension of Tania, her equal. She does not rule over us, nor do we rule over her. It is a partnership. The hardest part is adjusting to the cultural differences between shifters and the magical community. The coven is great, you won’t have any trouble here. You’ll butt heads with some of the magical community outside of here though. Kara will have your back. They may not like or respect you, but they do her. Her power will move through you and that is usually enough to deter them attempting anything more than snide comments. You’ll also find yourself defending her from shifters that feel she is beneath you or has bewitched you in some way.”

I nod thinking that over. “I don’t need her to protect me and if anyone disrespects her, it will only happen once.”, I reply, annoyed with the idea of someone trying to bully my mate away from me.

Jayce smiles, but says nothing. Tania opens the patio door and seductively leans against the frame grinning at him. She immediately has all his attention. “Goodnight, Alpha.”, he says making Tania giggle and run down the stairs to the trails.

Jayce smirks and takes off after her. I stand and walk back around the front, slapping my keys against my thigh while I think about what Jayce was telling me. He gave it all up to stand beside her, accepting decisions he doesn’t agree with. He is like my father with my mom, whatever makes her happy pleases him. I have desires of my own. I like being the toughest around, I can do whatever I want. A Consort may be equal to the Mother, but they still have to consult with others on their decisions. Alphas do what they want. A Consort has less authority, she can be a Luna and do exactly what she does now. She should take the lateral move, not make me step down. I think she will come to understand that. I just have to keep this going smoothly for a while longer. I jump into my truck and head back to the hotel.

Once we’re mated and I mark her, what they think won’t matter. She’ll be lycan and she’d die or hurt with me if they did anything to me. I will force mark her if she makes me.