Working for the Fae Ch. 15

Sorry this took so long! I hit a massive dead end and then life got in the way as it ever so regularly does!! This is not the end of Tia's story!

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The brush caused my nipple to stiffen as it was dragged over my naked skin. I tried to defy the urge to squirm, knowing that I was to stay wanting until my union with Kyle at midnight, but that damn brush was driving me crazy as it painted the golden lines over my body. I watched, awestruck, as my body was decorated by the swirling designs, an intricate knot design that covered half of my body. I felt like a tribal princess as I watched the lines glint and seemingly shift in the dim light. The Elder hummed as he pulled the brush across my flesh, eyes closed as he allowed the spirits to guide his hand. Supposedly that is. Surrounded by a group of chanting female wolves it was hard to remember I thought this was a load of shit, I did, I think. Looking at my reflection in the flat water, it was hard not to believe every word of the ritual, as the Elder drew complex lines and patterns without once opening his eyes, as the air was silent apart from the chanting, it was hard not to just accept the magic there. But there wasn't any, jeez. The only magic was Fae magic. Fact. There could be no magic welded by wolves. Well, apart from Kyle but that was due to his lineage...

I shook myself. My doubt over the plausibility of this wasn't the point today. I had to meet multiple dignitaries, appease our guests, keep the party well fed and have public sex with my Alpha before being permanently altered genetically for life. Simple. Exactly why I needed to stop fixating over the beliefs of werewolf traditions. I felt Kyle at the edge of my mind, the bond trying to reassert itself. I pulled back. Following tradition, our minds had to remain separate until I submit to him during the ceremony. I couldn't know of his thoughts or feelings until then. Considering I had wanted to lose the second voice in my head for so long, it was surprisingly lonely without it.

The brush caught as it was brushed over my clit, a strangled yelp forced from my lips as the arousal in my body shot up another level. I glowered down at the Elder before me. Damn rules. All I wanted was to slide my hand into my pussy, to pull at my nipples and thrust my fingers in and out... in and out...

Crap. Waiting till this evening is going to kill me.

...

The Gold fabric clasped behind my back, the long panels flowing from mid hip to floor. I watched as the halter was fastened with a single ribbon midday way down my back, the hem scooping just low enough to hint at my ass when I moved. My hips and legs were pretty much open to the air, the loose panels covering my front and back. I watched, fascinated as the golden knot design flashed in and out of view as I twisted in the light, moving this way and back to stare at my reflection. My nipples were hard, the arousal in my body a constant, poking at the golden silk, tenting the halter. My hair was pulled up into an intricate design that looked sexually relaxed. I knew that once a certain pin was pulled, the whole ensemble would tumble down into loose locks.

I tried to keep still as Rachel finished touching up my make-up.

"You look beautiful M'am." Rachel stepped back to admire her handy work, Chloe and Brittany standing, pulling slightly at the garment to ensure it was secure and sat perfectly.

"Thank you," I couldn't help but stare at the exotic image in the mirror before me. I had never felt so attractive, yet untouchable. The gold lines on my skin were half the mate bond in symbol, a clear sign that I was taken, and yet the dress begged for a good fucking. It was the most alluring combination I had ever seen.

"M'am?" Chloe stepped forward as I continued to inspect my reflection. "If you are satisfied, we need to head down to the hall, everyone is waiting."

"Kyle?" The desire in my voice was unmistakeable. I couldn't believe how much I missed feeling him with me, at least in mind, if not body. Chloe nodded and smiled. She, I had found out, was mated herself and probably knew how I was feeling right now.

"Yes, follow me M'am." The two blondes turned and strode towards the hall. I shook my head in amusement. I knew very well were the hall was but wolf tradition demanded an outsider to be shown to her mate on the day of initiation. In old times, no human would have been permitted to wander freely around the compound. And a fae would have been killed on site.

I followed the two Betas, Rachel falling into step just behind me. She sniggered under her breath as I broadcast to her my amusement at wolf traditions. Interestingly, I felt a sense of excitement running through her. I queried it. Her wolf, ever submissive, immediately showed me a scent that intrigued it. It was Bytlock. Rachel was looking forward to seeing Bytlock. I was shocked. Automatically I reached towards Kyle to share the news but withdrew at the last second. I would see him in a minute, let's not ruin it so close to the end.

I heard the voices long before I saw any people. The halls were completely deserted, my bare feet just about audible on the carpet flooring. The sound was almost like that of a swarming beehive, a jolly, natural sound that spoke of large amounts and volume. The nerves in my stomach spiked. In there was going to be key Alpha's to packs that we needed as allies, there were going to be all the women who had wanted to be Kyle's mate and all those who were still untrusting of my fae past. I sighed. I just wanted to see the man I loved.

We came to a standstill before the main doors into the hall. Rachel took a step closer to quickly squeeze my hand before retreating again. Chloe and Brittany nodded at one another and then pushed me forward, the spear head to the triangular formation. This was a deviance from tradition; normally an outsider would have the female Beta's protection throughout the evening, until the venom had run its course. Of course, a normal outsider wasn't a mixed breed super assassin who was stronger than most every wolf in the room. Wolves valued strength. This show would, in Kyle's opinion, help in my favour in gaining the appreciation of the fellow wolves. I swallowed a laugh. Only, after announcing this alteration, he made very clear that if I actually touch a single wolf I would likely be attacked by every single creature in the room. Chloe cleared her throat behind me.

"I know, I know." I traced the lines on my palm, centring myself. This was a ceremony. I had done many a similar thing in the Queen's court. Just breathe. Setting my shoulders, I stepped forward, pushing at the doors, the weightless hinges swinging inwards (or outwards depending on your view) with unity. I stepped forward, rolling my weight through my hips, deciding that confidence was going to be my defence tonight. The room had been lavishly decorated in the last few hours. Flowers hung from every ledge, ribbon and drapery cascading down the walls and across the windows. I struggled not to gape in wonder at the amount of work the wolves had done in such a short amount of time. I cast a quick glare at my two Betas as they sniggered at my moment of shock.

A hush had fallen over the room as my presence in the doorway was noticed. Around me were the faces of young and old, men with the jawline of the wolven and women with slight form streaked with muscle. Every face was turned to mine, those of my pack with a slight smile or a hint of wonder as they saw me dressed in a typical wolven tradition for the first time. Or it could have been due to my lack of weaponry... yea, probably more to do with that. I registered the faces of distrust, logging them and their familiars in careful detail. Of the women who appeared upset or mad I noted only one who looked as if she may act on her feelings of rejection. The leggy brunette was standing near the only face in the room I actually wanted to see, managing to slightly block him from my gaze, a move I was struggling to contain my rage over. I drew a deep breath, bringing a smile to my face, even as I tried not to yowl and claw the bitch's face of.

Following my instructions, I sauntered across the floor, a pathway opening before me as the collected wolves drew back out of my way. I smiled as I walked, unconsciously ready for an attack at any second, acutely aware of the shifting wolves. I sniffed. There was only a faint hint of anger in the room. I relaxed slightly. The only problem I faced was the leggy brunette who was in my path to Kyle. As I approached, those around her retreated as their fellow wolves had. She remained, only moving a foot to better secure her stance. I sighed. Stupid moron. I came to a stop in front of her. Just close enough to be threatening but not so much that I had to crane my neck to look up at her. I reached my hand out towards her.

"Hello, my dear, I'm Tia." I smiled up at her, keeping the carefree smile on my face. "And what might your name be?" I added a slight nursery rhyme lilt to my voice. Everyone in the room knew this woman was breaking tradition and thus challenging me. My hand still remained unshaken and held forward. The bitch growled. "Ahh you see," I withdrew my hand and stepped forward, "my mother always told me that manners get you everywhere." I grinned up at her, my fae laughing at how confident she seemed in her ability to win this encounter. My instinct was to punch her so hard all of her ribs cracked. Of course, I wasn't allowed to attack anyone unless attacked first.

I leant forward and grabbed the hand she had refused to extend to meet my own. "Let me teach you again the first thing you mother, I'm sure, taught you." I took her hand in a typical grasp, shaking it in the way she should of, before slowly starting to grip her hand, feeling the bones start to crush as I squeezed. "You see, when you meet a stranger it is polite to shake their proffered hand and tell them your name." I kept the lilt in my voice, smile on my face as I continued to crush her hand in mine. Her eyes were wide with pain and shock at the ease in which I was exerting such strength. "So let's try again. Hello, I'm Tia. What's your name?"

"Amelie" The name came out as a half gasp and half moan. I smiled with a few more teeth.

"Nice to meet you, Amelie." I gripped just a bit more. "Now, I'm afraid you're in my way, could you perhaps step aside for me?" I released her hand, smug at the squeal of pain and the odd shape of her hand as she quickly hurried to move as she should have done originally. "Thank you, my dear."

Without looking round at the wolves reactions, I continued to Kyle, my attention now focused entirely on him. He was shirtless, wearing only suit trousers, the expanse of his chest on view as tradition demanded. Half his body was glinting with his own gilded pattern. Whereas my body was covered in swirling knots, his was an intricate maze pattern, hard lines and corners that seemed so perfect yet so unusual. The site made me shiver as I approached him.

Reaching him, I bent, kneeling on the floor, my dress pooling beneath me. Chloe and Brittany knelt behind me and Rachel came to stand before us all. I tried to broadcast happy thoughts to her, her nerves causing her to shake ever so slightly.

"My Alpha, this female has spent the day with the elders. She has been blessed by all the Luna prayers, gilded in the patterns of the bond, and accepted by the two Beta females who shadow her. We offer her to you, free of any bonds, to become one with the pack and one with you." Rachel's voice, the usually quiet Omega, carried across the room. Her words were ancient in origin and held power above what I was expecting. Suddenly I was nervous. Never had I doubted Kyle's affection and bond with me, but now, as I knelt before him, unable to hear his thoughts or read his face, I was suddenly unsure. Would he truly take a woman who had killed so many wolves? Would he mate with the woman who had killed his brother's favourite girl? How could he?

My thoughts tumbled about in my head, my stomach knotting in more intricate ways than the ones gilded upon my flesh. The room was silent as they waited to hear if Kyle would accept me as his soulmate; for the rest of our existence.

"Omega, I understand your offer of this woman. I accept the blessing of sacred bondage by Luna and swear that she is mine, and I hers, until eternity collapses around us." The room burst in raucous applause and jubilation as Kyle accepted me. I rose, head still bent to the floor as I tried to dispel the tears collecting in the corners of my eyes. I felt a finger on my chin, my face being pulled up, forced to look away from the floor. I looked up into the molten eyes of my strong Alpha. His thumb traced the lower edge of my eye, brushing away the unshed tears. I nestled my face into his palm as I looked up at him.

"I hope these are tears of happiness, or else we're in a world of trouble." I, as mature as ever, stuck my tongue out at him, embarrassed that I had so doubted him and then felt so jubilation to have been proven wrong. He laughed at my blushing cheeks. "What? You don't think I worried about having to chase you down again after another freak out?" I blinked up at him in shock. The thought had never crossed my mind. He laughed again, a deep rumbling noise that made my heart miss a beat. "Exactly, I chose you as you chose me. Now come, there are some important people you must meet."

I looped my arm through his proffered one, smiling smugly at the leggy brunette as we walked past. Kyle bent slightly to whisper into my ear. "You're lucky that she wasn't her sister," I looked at him questioningly. "She never would have taken such a show of dominance by an outsider so easily." He chuckled to himself, a private joke. I elbowed him hard.

"Who is the brunette?" I growled lightly as he chuckled, his arm moving in mine as his body shuddered with subdued mirth.

"The brunette was an old... friend..." I narrowed my eyes at his awkward use of friend.

"You fucked her." He laughed, hugging me to him as we continued to weave through the crowd. "You fucked her and then invited her here? Do you have a brain?"

"Of course I have a brain." I raised an eyebrow at him. "Oi you, I do have a brain, but sadly that brain cannot manage who alphas bring from their own packs. I didn't know she was to be here." I giggled, amused by his clear hurt over being deemed stupid. I wrapped my arm tighter round his. Rachel sniggered behind me, fully aware that Kyle was easier to tease without the bond to hear my thoughts.

A hand grasped mine.

I shrieked slightly as I was tugged from Kyle, an arm wrapping around me, pressing me into a strong male chest. A hand pulled my chin up.

"Yes, quite a pretty thing." The man looking down at me was gorgeous. His nose was strong, casting a slight shadow over full, plump lips. Dark hair faintly framed his strong jaw, while long locks curled slightly over his forehead. It was a young face and was utterly wrong. His eyes were old; far older than the eyes of the Fae Queen, older than Lexter, older than Maxwell. "Smart too." His face crinkled attractively as his lips pulled into a smile, his dark skin casting shadows of perfect proportion across his face.

Realising I was still tucked into the body of this man, I pulled away, only to find his grip on my wrist too strong to break without large force. I looked up into those old eyes again. "I don't know who the fuck you are, but let me go, you prick." I growled lightly at him, my fae yowling a warning in the back of my mind. "Seriously! Who do you think you are? Let me go or I'll tear you a new assho-"

I gasped. A cold hand passed over my nipple mid-sentence, shock coursing through my body due to my state of arousal.

"Smart, pretty and sparky it would seem Parth." The male voice from behind me sounded full of laughter as his hand came to rest on my upper arm. I turned my head to look into the new towering wolf. This one was pretty, messy blonde hair that had that devil-may-care appearance. His eyes were a sharp blue with thinner lips and rounded jaw. I growled. However, a much larger growl swallowed mine and a much larger fist beat my own swing towards the blonde's face. The blonde careened backwards as Kyle slammed his fist into his jaw. I smiled smugly.

Parth, the wolf with old eyes, released his hold on my wrist, bending over with laughter as he reached over to slap Kyle on the back. "She almost had you beat, young one." He continued chuckling as he turned to me once more, Kyle smirking at the wolf in response to his jibe. The wolf looked into my eyes. "I do apologise young Tia. I'm afraid I was curious and my wolf reacted... poorly to your scent. The combination made me slightly rough in my investigation of you." Parth bent at the waist before me. "Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Parth, Alpha of the Arabic pack." He tilted his head from his bow to grin up at me.

I grinned back. "Next time, don't touch me without thinking first, because I won't have been told not to hurt you." I lowered my voice as I threatened him. His grin only widened in response.

"Merde!" The expletive came, muffled, from behind the large hand of the blonde wolf. "Kyle, you shit, did you have to hit me that hard?! Saluad!" Kyle opened his mouth to respond, but a female voice spoke out before he did.

"It's your own fault, Claude. Honestly, teasing an Alpha stronger than you on his mating day, what did you think was going to happen?" I turned to see a tall red head walking towards our little group. Honestly, did werewolf genes have to make everyone so damn perfect?! Damn leggy women with luscious long hair and muscled bodies. Ugh. I tried to swat the little green monster off my shoulder as this new wolf continued to scold the blonde male, Claude. "I know your hands like to wander, but I'll cut them off if you don't learn when they can wander more appropriately." The last was said with a warning growl that had the blonde blushing and ducking his head, like a naughty child caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Parth laughed. "You see Kyle, Claude is only a precocious shit as long as his darling mate is not in sight." Parth bowed to the red head, somehow making the move look elegant and not corny or sarcastic. "You look lovely, Mon chere Juliet."

"Merci, Parth." The red head smiled at the old werewolf. "Now, we have all the time to catch up later when these two are otherwise engaged." She winked at Kyle, the man grinning like a sadistic maniac. She turned to me. "Instead, I'd much rather introduce myself and my saluad of a husband to the new female of the ranks." She grinned at me. I couldn't help but grin back, her face so full of mischief and wit. "I am Juliet, Madam Alpha of the French pack. This idiot is Claude, Alpha to the pack, despite his inability to behave himself." The blonde male ducked his head slightly in acknowledgment of my gaze. I couldn't help but smile at his scolded look. "I've heard a lot about you, Tia. Don't think that this whole affair of pomp and frivolity is going to stop me from getting all my answers." Her grin turned slightly feral, mine doing so in return. This woman didn't look at me as if I was lesser than her, rather with an appraising grin, as if looking forward to testing my strengths. My Fae purred in excitement.

Kyle pulled my body into his side, holding my exposed skin to his side, our patterns glinting and merging slightly in the dim light. I grinned as I watched Claude take a swipe at Parth, who merely batted the hand away while continuing to talk with Juliet. It was as if I was watching an impish child trying to get his parent attention. I had to put a hand over my mouth to stifle the laughter threatening to break free. Pulling on Kyle, I followed my nose over to a familiar scent, weaving through the crowd. The room was overflowing with bodies; all so scantily clad and physically fit. Despite the floral wreaths, velvet garlands and vibrant tapestries, the people far outweighed the decorations in terms of attractive appeal to the viewer.