There are no words.
The girl had the alpha mark on her body. Richard had tasted her sister's blood and shared it. God! Willian was going to kill him, before skinning Cassie. The Council will not like the news.
-Hope so.
-What happened to her? -She managed to ask when her breathing stopped coming.
She was almost running after the tall man in the middle of the hall, oblivious to the curious eyes around them. Morgan cared little for the detail when he stopped in front of his apartment door and kicked the door open. The girl had regained consciousness only once. It was the change. Sharing his blood in some way had accelerated the process prematurely. He laid the young woman on her bed sighing. The room was cold and the windows were open. Cursing, he looked at the unlit fireplace before closing the windows and pulling the heavy curtains as Faith lit the candle holders. He turned to her, even more, frowning with the cousin.
-I don't remember you telling me about your friend, my dear. - The censorship was striking in his puzzled look.
Faith just looks at him.
-Do you want to explain to me why I never saw this girl around the castle? I never forget a face. Certainly not a face like that. I want to know where the girl's parents are.
Faith stared at him wordlessly. That was bad. Rick...
-She is ... a distant cousin. - The lie was palpable.
Morgan raised an eyebrow to show that he was not convinced to make the first embers burn in the fireplace.
-Tell another. - He teased her with mild irritation. - The girl is a wolf! But what a curse! I am the alpha of the pack. Surely the girl should have been handed over to me. I will not accept a human if there is a woman of our kind.
There was frustration in the outburst. Richard Morgan was fed up with the Council's intransigences, tired of traditions and customs. Katie had been a hard limit crossed. He would not simply tolerate more decisions by the elders in his life. He looked at a girl and his gaze softened for a moment; the anger giving in amazingly and gradually.
A wolf?
He imagined the reaction of the brothers when they discovered the novelty. He laughed. And very soon, he would be free. Again.
-I don't know what's so funny. - Faith controlled the bad mood. - She will need dry and covered clothes. Should use your room.
Rick swore his brows together in disapproval.
-Made the maids bring it here. - He decided very calmly. - I don't want my wife out of my eyes. Not when her father is so irresponsible allowing his daughter to wander the forest alone and unprotected. Do you believe a guardian could have killed the girl?
Faith's eyes widened in horror. The dress that was so beautiful was just wet and torn. She sighed.
-Cassie was in the forest?
"Cassie ?! Was that her name? "
Richard nodded, watching her cousin more closely.
-Rick! - Faith protested while caressing her sister's face. The bite mark on the neck was unquestionable. He had even left his mark on the girl's body. Legally Cassie was his mate.
"Little fool. What did you do? And the Council, Cassie?"
-You should be my friend, girl. We grew up together. -There was hurt in his husky voice when he looked at her. She ducked her head guiltily. It was clear that it should.
Only the Council was not tolerant of Cassie's presence in the castle. She was beginning to worry about the Council's reaction when they discovered the news after the failed ball. The father should tell Richard the whole truth. He was an alpha. He would have the courage and strength to make his will prevail and protect the woman.
-I'm your friend, Rick. - She defended herself. She was going to tell you everything. She was just building up courage.
Morgan looked at her without much interest and looked at the young wife again. Once again Faith admired how her cousin's ever-so-angry temper seemed to soften.
-What hell! Where is a damn healer in this castle? - He complained loudly while sitting on the bed, checking the girl's temperature
.It was still very low. Wolves naturally possessed the ability to heal in their bodies. He was beginning to blame himself terribly. That girl by the dejected state was in the period of awakening skills.
He needed to see those magnificent green eyes again. The girl seemed to awaken all of her most primitive instincts. He still did not believe in the boldness of his attitude, he had not stopped to reflect. It had been spontaneous and compulsory. Just remembering last night made him burn with desire. Never before had he experienced such an intense urgency. He only knew that the girl belonged to him. It was as if an incomprehensible bond had been forged. Couldn't wait for her to take on animal form and be part of the hunts ... beside him.
Slowly and carefully he pulled the girl against him, rubbing her wrists. She might not yet have transformed but Richard could capture the wild essence latent and ready to awaken him. He was anxious as an inexperienced and clumsy boy. How could that girl do that?
He brought his wrist to her cold-lipped mouth with a deep sigh, projecting his mind. Telepathy. Wolves from the same pack shared telepathy. They were together a strong organism.
"Petit loup, dear. It will help, just drink ... Come on, my lady..."
Faith looked at her cousin in amazement before astonished eyes fell on her sister.
Her heart was threatening to come out of her mouth, so nervous. Cassie, indifferent to her sister's agitation, did not realize the seriousness of the situation. She didn't know the danger was in. Her eyes flew open for a fleeting moment, black and black as he displayed the sharp fangs and closed.
-She ...she. - Faith stopped dead.
The words didn't come to her dry throat.
Richard Morgan breathed a sigh of relief. The wife's system responded to the body's needs at least like any wolf. Slowly he could also feel the attunement to her mind and the heat radiating back through her feet and spreading in a pleasant way giving the feeling of being well.
It shouldn't take long to wake up maybe. Morgan mentally imagined the surprise it would be when they heard orders to prepare for the ceremony. He was going to introduce the girl in front of the entire clan as his companion. Then the Coral would raise anchors.
-You shared the blood! - Faith finally found her voice. - Richard Morgan! This is not how you choose a wife. You even look like a barbarian. There are traditions. It will again confuse with the Council.
-Yes, yes. - he replied angrily. - The girl is my wife!
A very satisfied smile lit up the male face.
Naturally, he was. It was as if in the whole world there was only the girl in his arms. It was as if she were his gravity holding her to the earth. It was unbelievable indeed. Anyway, his decision was made. The White Order Coven had finally accepted new mercenaries.
-I'm not an animal, not like that! -he looked shocked as he continued. - I need you to help your cousin provide a dress. We will respect the traditions at least a little. I want a priest for tonight. This little nymph before the night is over will be making her vows to me.
Faith lost her voice again. Cassie had always been in love with that man. Nothing or no one could divert her attention after Richard had transformed and saved the child in the carnage at Glenhouse. She couldn't imagine that it would be a reciprocal feeling. He didn't even know her.
-You're not serious, Rick! - protested again.
-But of course, he isn't! - William entered the room and stopped as if struck by lightning.
Even he would not have believed in his nephew's boldness. The ancient would be irritated. The boy shared the blood with the girl.
- Did you taste her blood? - the question was categorical and demanding.
Morgan stared at the petulant uncle. It was clear that there was. The girl belonged to him. It was a necessity. They would find a war if they wanted to decide otherwise.
- Naturally, yes, Will. The girl is a wolf. It's one of us. It will surely dominate the change of form. Why wasn't I introduced to her as our goddamned traditions demand? The girl is my wife!
"The intransigence of the ancient."
The answer was not spoken aloud, but Morgan still caught the thought. Will felt the skin crawl. Morgan's blood would naturally accelerate the awakening of the girl's abilities.
-A wedding needs to be consummated for it to be ...- Will fell silent with a veiled curse before the challenging look of his nephew.
"Damn it, Rick!"
-I can guarantee that it was consummated. Traditions ?! In my hut in the forest, the girl's virginity is proof. -Richard was adamant.
-I do not believe you had a boldness ... - Will started to ignite
.-I will not subject me to decisions of that Council, Will. Katie was a mistake. Only Cassie ... The girl is a wolf. How is it possible? Where is everyone? I want food and drink in the lounge with plenty for celebrations. - Morgan spoke daydreaming. - I will not be controlled by the Council.
Will's eyes crossed the eldest daughter in silence. The situation was far worse than the Council would have guessed. The boy was not going to accept demands. He noticed his possessive way with the girl.
And when Jackie knew...
Heavens!
-Morgan! Rick, please...
-Not even. - The alpha declared the complaints indifferent.
He needed to find Adam and Michael. The brothers would never believe it. Never before had they seen a woman master the skill. The younger brother had decided to step away from the Corsican ships after rumours were circulating in the court of the Sucessorium. To everyone's amazement, the boy had become involved with a very attractive young woman. There was an excellent impediment that had caused discussions and disagreements in the whole family.
Wolves and sorcerers had always been enemies. The girl may not have mastered magic, but she belonged to the enemy. It seemed like a temptation that witches exerted on them.
-Your presence was requested by the ancient, boy. Again - Will sighed in resignation. - At least try to stay calm this time. A little diplomacy wouldn't do ...
Morgan's laugh was incredulous. Rick stood up and for a moment admired the unconscious girl. His hand stroked her face in a soft caress. He would meet the elders before the girl woke up. He intended to be beside her in case a father came out furious. With a resigned sigh, he took the travel cover and fastened it on his shoulders.
-Faith ...
-Ah, okay. - She agreed, trying to ignore her father's disapproving looks. - I'll call the maids. But where do you think I'm going to find a dress that fast ... and ...
Richard Morgan smiled as he lifted Faith around the waist and whirled elated.