FERAL BLOOD

THE MATING RITUAL

Mica stood there in the traditional long white gossamer gown. The pretty dress was adorned with small embroidered flowers. The cuffs and collar were lined with small golden threads in an intricate design. Jenni, one of the women from Victor's pack, had prepared her by bathing her in scented water and strung baby's breath in her long loosely braided hair. She’d explained to her what would happen today. She smiled warmly at her as she pulled the loose braid from the pack's tribal mark on Mica’s neck.

Jenni had the same tribal marking as she did, which meant she was mated to one of the Feral pack. The taller woman looked as if she was ten years older than herself and had short-cropped brown hair and intense green eyes. Her hands moved deftly about Mica, finishing the last little touches of make-up and adding just a dab of perfume to her neck.

The older woman looked at her with a bit of a smile on her face, Jenni sighed. “He’s a good man and a great Alpha. You’re lucky he chose you as his mate,” She said, her words sounding sincere.

“I don't even know anything about him,” Mica stammered as her tears filled her eyes.

“That will come in time.”

“Are you ready yet? We are going to be late,” Mike's voice boomed from the other side of the door.

“But what if we don’t like each other, then what?” Mica asked. The thoughts of being mated to a man she didn’t like left a cold knot in her stomach.

“Mica it's going to be okay,” Jenni tried to reassure her.

Mica still wasn’t so sure of that as they left the room. Mike stared at her, his mouth gaping.

“Wow, you’re beautiful,” He stammered, it caused her face to heat up and she knew she’d turned a bright red.

“Mike, we need to take her to the Hall now,” Jenni said and they escorted her to the old well-used minivan.

Mica could tell this pack was one of the ones struggling to survive. Her own familial pack was wealthy and therefore larger than most in this area. The Feral pack she knew had suffered greatly over the years as most of their women gave birth to only kinfolk. They were a dying bloodline. On the long drive, she felt her inner wolf growing excited. It had chosen Victor and there was no denying that. Maybe it would all be okay, she thought to herself as she watched the tree line on the edge of the road. At least he wasn’t Jamie Timber, she consoled herself. That would have been horrible.

The trip didn’t take quite as long as she thought. As they drove through the small community, she saw the small homes, a few old cars, and rough roads. Like most of the werewolf packs, they didn’t exist in the outside world. Not having credentials or civic addresses. Most made their living under the table as the saying went. Her pack was above board, they all had records within the government and even their large community was documented as an authentic town. The outside world just didn’t know that an actual pack of werewolves lived there.

As they pulled in front of a small hall, Mica saw that the parking lot was packed. She got out of the van and felt the excitement growing in her. Her wolf was eager for this final part of her and Victor’s mating. Mica eyed the crowd over as she walked into the little meeting hall. None of these people were familiar to her other than Jenni, Mike, and the tall ruggedly handsome man in the center of the room. Victor looked up and when she entered. His eyes went wide. To her, it was as if he saw her for the first time. Mica also felt taken aback by her mate. He looked breathtaking in his all-white gossamer pants and loose flowing shirt which was embroidered with golden intricate designs around the neck and cuffs.

A hush fell over the Feral pack as all of them watched Mike escort her to the center of the room. She stood before his brother Victor. Traditionally it would have been her father to walk her to her mate. But seeing as this was a bit unorthodox, Mike was doing that part. This was the official ceremony of their Mating, their union bonded by blood before his pack. Mica stiffened as an Elder woman walked into the center with a bone knife.

She’d seen many Mating rituals done and knew what to expect. The elder woman took Victor's right hand first. She chanted out the words of union and cut his palm just enough to make it bleed a little. She then took Mica's left hand and repeated the chant. As the ancient bone knife sliced into her skin, she forced herself not to hiss out in pain. When the elder woman finished, she clasped their palms together. The mixing of her blood with his to signify the bond the two of them would forever share as Mates.

Mica peered up into Victor’s deep brooding eyes and her heart raced in her chest. What did she do? She didn't even know this man. Yet just last night she claimed him and now she was willingly performing the mating ritual with him. She figured she’d gone insane. Victor's lips descended onto hers in a public display of affection and she returned the kiss instinctively. A rush of icy delight ran down her spine at his lips tender caress on hers and her eyelids fluttered. She saw his desire already starting to show on his face.

As they kissed, a roar of howls and human cheering resounded within the hall. Victor smiled at her warmly. “Tonight we feast,” He yelled as he scooped her up into his arms. He carried her to the long, low table surrounded with floor cushions at the back where a huge feast of traditional fare was set out in a banquet style.

“I want to make a toast,” Mike stated as Victor placed her down in a pile of cushions and snuggled up beside her.

“To our new Alpha b***h. And of course my brother. May your home be filled with pups,” He said with a smile. He raised his glass of beer into the air as did everyone else.

The night flew by in a dizzy whirl of festivities, with eating, drinking, and dancing. Speeches were made as were jokes at Victor's expense and gifts were bestowed to her in a sign of acceptance. The presents were all of some small items that the gift-givers had personally owned. It was the highest honor an Alpha b***h could be bestowed. Each one of the pack came and kissed her on her chin in a sign of submission to their alpha female. As the very last one came up to her, she noticed Victor stiffen beside her.

The man was handsome, although older than Victor. With his slightly greying temples that looked rather alluring in contrast to his black hair and deeply tanned skin. He was dressed in expensive clothing and wearing a bulky gold ring on his right hand. He gave off an air of self-importance. Unlike everyone else here, this man was definitely not struggling to make ends meet. He bore a very strong resemblance to Victor and Mike, having the same facial structure, hair and eye color. But where Victor and Mike were werewolves, this man was kinfolk. Mike, who had been flirting with a pretty girl at the other end of the table had also stiffened at this man's approach.

“Collin, what the hell are you doing here,” Victor growled low and deeply. He moved in front of her, semi blocking her from the other man’s view.

Collin’s eyes narrowed. He looked from Victor then back to her. He smiled and something about him made her feel uneasy. She caught the smell of many strange things from him, including lust and it made her stiffen. He was purposely eyeing her over from head to toe and the tension in the room grew with each passing second.

“I told you never to come back here. Now get out of my territory,” Victor snarled. His fangs were displayed.

“Now is that any way to greet your big brother?” Collin stated in a near snarl.

 Victor moved and grabbed Collin by the shirt. The whole room fell silent as the brothers stared at one another. It felt as if the air could be cut with a knife, the tension was so high. Collin smiled.

“Fine, have it your way. I simply came to wish you and your…Bitch…all the best luck.”

“I don’t need your wishes or anything else. Now get the hell out of here,” Victor snapped and gave Collin a shove. The other man staggered a little, glared back at them and then straightened his suit.

“Well, it’s nice to see you too. Don’t worry I know my way out,” Collin said.

Mica watched him leave and a chill ran down her spine. Her mate was upset and so was Mike.

“Troy, Sam and Allen, I want you to make sure he leaves. Escort him to the border of the territory,” Victor ordered three of his men.

 * * * ~~~ * * *

Victor turned down the narrow dirt road that led to the dock where the boathouse was tied. Curled up beside him, with her head resting on his shoulder, Mica slept. Her breathing was soft and steady. It had been a busy two days. Tonight would be no less busy as he planned on showing her every imaginable delight he could think of.

As the lake came into view, he thought about how he wanted to make this place a home, and worry filled him. He was not rich by any means. His job paid little better than minimum wage and now he’d need a home for her. A real home, not just a boathouse. The small, two-bedroom place had been fine as a weekend bachelor pad for Mike and himself. Now it just wouldn't do.

Their parent's home back in the small community a half hours' drive from here was all right, but he’d planned on letting Mike have it. The place would be too small for the size of a family he wanted. Now that he had a she-wolf for a mate, he’d be expected to fill his home with young ones as soon as possible. Mica's bloodline would help to strengthen the dying population of werewolves in his pack. It was another reason he’d finally decided to go through with kidnapping her.

He killed the engine to the truck and glanced to his mate. Mica stirred and slowly sat up. Her hair was a little messy from her nap. She smiled up at him shyly and blushed. “Was I snoring?” She asked sheepishly.

“No,” He told her as he pushed a stray lock of hair out of her eyes.

“We're here already?” She stated as she turned her head towards the window. The high beams still cast light out over the lake.

“Yeah. Are you tired?” He asked her as he scented the air. Her scent was so tantalizing.

“Not really.”

“Good,” He replied as his lips greedily took hers and she kissed him back.

This is not how he’d expected things to go. He hadn’t counted on Mica to be this willing to be his mate. Now the guilt washed over him for having the veterinarian implant a microchip device in her. It was something they used for pets and his cousin had done it while Mica was still drugged. Victor assumed she’d run. Not that he’d actually left her alone to test that she wouldn’t. As he sat beside her in the truck he honestly hoped she wouldn’t want to run from him.

The soft touch of her hand tracing the side of his face was wonderful and he pulled her closer. His tongue broke through her lips to caress hers. With a soft moan into his mouth, Mica's hand descended to the ties on his pants and she undid them. She pulled his full length free and slowly ran her fingertips along him. The kiss intensified, his lips nearly crushed hers as her hand stroked him. The smell of her desire got stronger and it fed his need.

Her delicate small hand grasped him and pumped slowly up and down. At first, she seemed timid and careful. Her grip was barely there. But as his hips moved into her hand she gripped him a little tighter with each stroke. Mica moaned into his mouth as his hand cupped her breast. He felt her n****e puckered and hard beneath the gossamer fabric. When he pulled on the nub through the material of her gown, she groaned and pressed closer to his touch. Victor let his free hand move up under the dress until he found her hot moist lips between her legs. It surprised him how ready she was for him just from a few minutes of light petting.

He lightly rubbed her c**t with his thumb and her body jerked slightly as his fingers barely pushed into her soft opening. As he did she swept her thumb over the head of him and it sent a shot of pleasure rushing through him and he groaned. Mica seemed to enjoy making his body react to her touch and she continued to tease him every few strokes. It caused his balls to feel very heavy.

He drove his fingers deep into her and she cried out. Mica tightened her grip on him with her hand. When he slowly withdrew them from her, she whimpered and moved her hips forward. He teased her opening again for a few moments before plunging deeper into her. The tension in his own body grew. Their tongues played in each other's mouths, keeping in sync with the way their hands touched one another.

“You need to stop,” He breathed as the pressure in his balls threatened to explode. He didn't want to c*m in her hand. He wanted to fill her womb full of his seed.

She quickened her pace and he gasped as he fought for control. The need nearly overwhelmed him as she pushed her lips greedily against him. Mica's own body clenched on his fingers as her climax seemed to loom over her as well. With more resolve than he knew he had, he managed to pull her hand free from him. A deep growl rumbled in his chest at his mate’s defiance in not stopping. Her eyes flashed a hungry blue and the little vixen bit his lip.

The wolf in him responded to the act and grabbed her. He forced her to lie back on the bench seat of his old pickup. The frustration quickly built within him as he fought with the many layers of her gown to gain access to her body. Victor's claws grew as the wolf inside him became impatient for its mate. With a snarl, he rendered the garment nearly into rags. He let his eyes scan over her and was pleased.

Her body was perfect with small mouth-watering breasts that were dotted with perk erect n*****s, a slender waist that lead to nice curvy hips. The silky flesh that felt so enticingly good on his fingers looked just as delectable as her lips. His eyes traveled further down to the short curly patch of hair between her legs which lead to her moist wet core that he’d full intention of filling full of his seed.

His mate’s face flushed red as his hands reached out to knead and squeeze her breasts. With a soft cry of delight, she pushed her chest upward forcing her breasts into his hands harder. A smile crept over his lips as he pulled on her puckered n*****s and then watched her face as he twisted just enough to make it sting a little.

Mica's eyes went wide and she gasped at his harder touch, he pulled on the small buds. He stretched them a bit before rolling them in his fingers. Her face winced a little, but she groaned ever so softly as he did it. She bit her own bottom lip as her hip moved to rub herself against his knee as he wedged it between her thighs. He c****d his head slightly and grinned as he slowly brought both his hands to her legs and spread them.

He saw Mica tense as he fisted his swollen shaft and guided it to sit just at the mouth of her warm wet sheath. Victor rubbed the swollen head of his erection over her. She squirmed under him trying to push him into her. His mate was full of need and the smell of her arousal filled his senses as he breathed in deeply, loving the smell of her. He saw the tremble of her body and knew she would c*m if he continued to tease her p***y like this.

The sudden blaring of his infernal pager went off and his body tensed. He reached to the dash and checked the number. Mike—which meant it was an emergency. Tossing the pager back onto the dash he growled as he grabbed his phone and called his brother. This is not what he wanted to be doing as he looked his lover over. But it was his duty. Even on this very special night, he was still Alpha.

There was a brawl. Four of his men had gone into town and started a fight with some locals. Now the Sheriff wanted to talk to him personally about it as all four were in jail. One of the men was Jenni's mate Jake, his cousin. He’d no other choice, he needed to go.