Steel Beauty

Chapter Two

Belle stared as they pulled up to Rick’s “home”. “Wait. It’s a lodge?” Rick had failed to mention that during their long conversations. Everything they spoke of had revolved around Pack, Pride, her injuries, and whatever else had popped into their heads.

You’d think the fact that the man owns a freakin’ ski lodge would have come up in conversation at some point during the last two months…

Ben was grinning with pride as Dave nodded. “Yup. We’re not as popular as some of the bigger lodges around here, but we’re one of the best.” He carefully maneuvered the tank Belle was beginning to think of as Big Bertha up the driveway. It was plowed and sanded, something Belle was grateful for. “We cater mostly to people who don’t want the experience of the larger runs, and crowds, but still want a relaxing week of skiing.”

“What are the facilities?”

Dave’s brows rose at her professional interest. “Two ski runs, one bunny, one intermediate. We have a four-star restaurant we’re hoping will someday become five. We have a spa on-site. There are rooms in the main lodge, as well as cabins that can be rented on the west side of the mountain. The east side is reserved for the Pack and their families, all of whom work for the lodge.”

She stifled a laugh as the lodge’s sign came into view. “Red Wolf Ski Lodge and Spa, hmm?”

Ben grinned. “Like it?” He chuckled when she snorted. “Most of the big ski resorts around here shift into water parks for the summer, but people mostly come here from New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia for the skiing. Recently we upgraded some of our facilities to be more wheelchair accessible.

“We have a full gym, a day spa, babysitting services offered by some of the Pack females, and even a small golf course. All of it sits on about three thousand acres, a third of which is forested. Hiking and horseback riding are popular in the spring in this area. We just warn the humans to beware of wild animals. Right now, our only guests are shifters; Rick arranged it that way because…well, you’ll see.”

She stared at the huge wood and stone building. It looked like a mountain cabin on steroids. It was long, two stories high, with a vaulted, dark grey rough barely visible under the snow. She could see the doors of the hotel rooms through the railings of the huge deck that ran all around the second story. “Where are the cabins?”

Ben took one hand off the steering wheel and started pointing. “The cabins are around the back. If you follow the road to the right, it leads to them. Follow the road to the left, and it takes you to our banquet facilities.”

She turned back to Dave. “Banquet facilities?”

“Winter weddings are pretty popular up here. Wait until you see the room. With the fairy lights lit, it looks like a winter wonderland.”

Ben flicked a glance at Dave. “Damn, Dave. You’re such a girl.”

Belle covered her mouth before Dave could see her smile.

“What?”

“Fairy lights?”

“Isn’t that what they’re called?”

“Yeah, but… I mean, real men don’t say fairy lights . Call them Christmas lights, or, I dunno, string lights.”

“Are you questioning my masculinity?”

“All I’m saying is, if I see you dancing around in a tutu, I’m not gonna be surprised.”

“Asshole.”

“Fairy.”

“I’m gonna kick your ass when we get out of the Pack meeting.”

“You can try, Tinkerbell. You can try.”

Belle leaned forward. “Dave?”

“Hmm?” He stopped glaring at Ben long enough to turn towards her.

Belle grinned and kept her voice low, but not so low Ben couldn’t hear her. “I think he likes you.”

She sat back and waited for the explosion.

“On, no. No way.” Ben’s face was beet red as he pulled up outside the lodge.

Dave leaned over, an evil look on his face. One hand fumbled the door open behind him. “Admit it, sweetie. You want my ass.” He blew Ben a kiss before hopping out of the truck, sprinting for the front of the lodge before Ben could even turn the truck off.

Ben scowled after the Beta as he exited the car. Belle smirked as he opened her door and held out his hand, his eyes still on the figure of the Pack Beta as he took his place next to Rick. The Pack Alpha stood surrounded by his people, men, women and children waiting to welcome her to her new home. A tall brunette woman stood next to Rick, too close for comfort in Belle’s opinion. The smirk on the taller woman’s face brought up her hackles. Her resemblance to Dave marked her as his sister, Gina.

“Oh, c’mon, Ben. You have to admit, he got back at you.” Belle accepted Ben’s outstretched hand as he helped her out of the SUV.

Ben’s jaw ticked as she watched him reach in and grab her cane. “Yes, he did.”

She put her hand on his arm, suddenly concerned. “It was a joke, Ben.”

He took a deep breath and bowed slightly. “I’m aware of that, Luna.” His expression was more relaxed as he handed her cane to her and threaded her free hand through his arm. “Dave doesn’t always know when to stop pushing.”

Belle frowned thoughtfully as Ben assisted her to the Lodge. What the hell is going on there? She looked back and forth between the two men. Huh. Maybe Ben really does want Dave’s ass.

Her speculation was abruptly halted as Rick stepped forward. That waist-length red hair was blowing freely in the wind. His ice blue eyes were glued to her face. The scar along his left cheek was pale against his wind-kissed skin. He was so hot she felt faint.

Right. That’s why I left Frank’s burgers behind.

No one would ever think to call Rick a handsome man. Tall, broad, intimidating, with hawk-like features, he radiated danger on a visceral level. Belle shivered under the intensity of Rick’s stare, her chin rising in unconscious defiance.

Rick smiled, feral, hot, and possessive. He stood before her, tall and proud, looking down at her with burning satisfaction. “I welcome you, Mate and Luna, to your new den. May our cubs—”

“Kits.”

His smile faltered. She raised one brow, demanding he acknowledge the change.

His expression warmed. “Children, be strong and healthy, nurtured by our Pack and Pride .” His smile turned to a grin as she regally nodded her acceptance of his phrasing of the old, traditional greeting.

The growl of the dark-haired female right behind Rick did nothing to deter her from making sure that the Poconos Pack understood that they were now a mixed-race Pack.

Rick continued, his gaze never leaving hers. “May your strength be our strength. May your courage be our beacon on moonless nights. May your wisdom guide our paws to the right trail.” Rick took her hand as the rest of the Pack knelt on the porch. All except Gina, who smirked and crossed her arms.

When Rick turned and saw Gina standing there, he snarled.

“You can’t force me to accept a crippled cat as my Luna, Rick.”

Belle took a step forward, heedless of the warning hand Rick laid on her arm. “Are you challenging me?”

Gina smirked. “Yes.”

Belle smiled sweetly. “According to Protocol, you must withhold challenge until the injury that prevents me from shifting is resolved.”

The smirk fell off Gina’s face. “What?”

“As the injury was sustained in defense of my Pridemate, it is considered a badge of honor. Therefore, you have no choice but to withhold challenge until I can shift and face you on an equal footing.”

“Just because you decided to save the fur of some worthless pussy I can’t challenge you. Is that what you’re saying?” Gina took two angry steps forward before a voice stopped her.

“The Luna has correctly cited protocol.”

Belle looked up to see a bruised, battered female step forward. Her dark brown eyes were full of loathing as she stared at Gina.

Gina growled and turned on the smaller woman. “Excuse me?” Some of the other Pack females took places by her side, five in total, all of them growling at the now cowering woman.

“Gina.” Belle closed her eyes as Rick’s deep, commanding voice flowed over her in a sensuous caress.

She opened them to find the Pack bowing before him as he stood on the bottom step. He towered over Gina, a soft mist whirling around his feet. Belle felt that soft mist touch her ankles and nearly groaned at the erotic sensation.

The Pack female was desperately clutching her head and trying to stand. Rick’s expression was cold as he stared down at her. “You demanded full protocol. Now you will abide by full protocol. Are we clear?”

Gina growled, but Rick stood unmoving. The females surrounding Gina tugged on her, and Gina bowed, acquiescing to her Alpha.

Rick backed up and slipped his arm around Belle. He addressed the Pack, his power flowing over them, an intimate caress against all of her senses. “I introduce you to my mate, Belinda Campbell, your new Luna.”

She wasn’t certain who let loose the first howl, but it was swiftly followed by another, then another, until the entire Pack, other than Gina and her band, were welcoming her with their song.

Belle grinned, lifted her face, and showed them why Pumas were called mountain screamers.

She tried to hide it, but he could tell his little mate was stunned at the look of the lobby. “We tried to go for a Northwest feel for the lodge without losing the urban touch. Do you like it?”

He watched as she turned in place, taking in the red leather club chairs, the geometric red, brown and tan rug, and the dark leather sofa. Dark walnut end tables were scattered between the chairs with tall wrought iron lamps providing reading light. Huge wrought iron chandeliers illuminated the space. Dark walnut exposed beams were a rich contrast to the creamy yellow walls and the pale fieldstone floors. The check-in desk was the same dark wood touched with rich golden accents, as were the elevator doors across the lobby.

“It’s beautiful.”

Rick couldn’t stop from beaming at her. “Thanks. I helped decorate it.” His smile dimmed as he remembered the frequent arguments he’d had with the old Pack Alpha over renovating the dying Red Wolf Lodge. The old man had refused to see what was right in front of his face. If they lost the Lodge, the Pack would be forced to move, something Rick wouldn’t tolerate. Rick had eventually been forced to challenge him, even though it grieved him to do it.

The old Alpha had put up a hell of a fight. Rick reached up and touched the scar on his cheek. To him it was a badge of honor, and a salute to the man who’d held their Pack together for nearly thirty-five years.

Now the old Wolf was sunning his days away in a house in Arizona, his mate by his side. Rick couldn’t wait to take Belle out to meet the old coot. His grandfather was going to love her.

“Where’s our cabin?”

He blinked and looked down at his mate. Her shoulder length blonde hair sparkled from the beginnings of a fresh fall of snow. He missed the longer length she’d had the last time he saw her. He hoped she was willing to grow it back out. “We don’t have a cabin. We live in the Lodge.”

Her nose wrinkled. “That won’t be very private, will it?”

“We have our own elevator up to the third floor. That entire floor belongs to us.”

Belle’s jaw dropped. “The entire floor? ”

He nodded to the front desk clerk, pleased when the woman merely nodded back rather than baring throat. She was checking in a couple who’d just arrived and, even though it was a shifter couple, he wanted everyone who worked with the customers to act as human as possible. It was a habit they’d lost long ago, as his grandfather kept the Pack, and the Lodge, as isolated as possible. “We hold private, employee-only functions up there as well.” He slid his keycard through the lock on the door behind the counter marked “Employees Only”. Once the door shut behind them, he led her down the hallway towards the elevator in the back, ignoring the doors to either side.

“Wow, this is fairly nice for an employee area.”

He grinned. “What were you expecting, a dungeon?”

“I’m not sure, but it wasn’t that you’d carry the lobby into the offices.” She poked her head into Ben’s office, waving at the Marshall. “Hi, Ben.”

He grumbled something under his breath, his cheeks turning red. Rick frowned, wondering why his Marshall wouldn’t look him in the eye. “Ben—”

“Bye, Ben.”

Rick allowed his mate to tug him away, seriously curious now as his mate’s shoulders began to shake.

“What did you do to Ben?”

She looked up at him with wide, innocent green eyes, so startling against her fair skin. “What makes you think I did anything to Ben?”

He frowned at her, not fooled for a moment. “Belle.”

She laughed as he opened the elevator, pressing the button for the third floor. “Well, it all started with fairy lights.”

“Fairy lights?”

“Uh-huh. Seems Dave really likes them.”

Rick nodded slowly. “I don’t get it.”

“Do you want to?”

He thought about Ben’s red face. “I’m not sure.”

The elevator doors opened and they stepped out. He growled at her wince as she stepped forward.

“You’re in pain.”

Her smile was extra toothy. “Yup. I’m going to be in pain for at least six more months, too. Get used to it, big guy.”

Rick picked her up and strode down the hallway to a set of double doors. He ignored her weak attempts to get free, only easing his grip when she gasped. “Sorry.”

“Put me down, Fido.”

He stopped just outside the double doors and glared at her. “You bite me and you’ll regret it, Belle.”

“Oh, I’m so afraid,” she cooed. “Watch me shiver in my boots.”

And the amazing thing was, she wasn’t afraid of him. Not one tiny little bit. If anything, she was getting seriously pissed off at him.

He loved it.

Everyone was afraid of him, from small children to grown men. But Belle was no more afraid of him than she was of a gnat. A dead one, at that.

“Don’t make me break out the rolled-up newspaper.”

If her hip hadn’t been broken he would have dumped her on the floor for that one. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ve made sure the place is just the way you’d like it. I even got your litter box all set up for you.”

He set her down as she bared her teeth and hissed. He opened the door and waved her in with a laugh.

“Welcome home, Belle.”

She shivered as that deep voice washed over her. Welcome home, Belle .

Home.

She stepped over the threshold, eager to see Rick’s idea of home .

She stopped, shocked at what she saw. She’d expected him to continue the theme he’d had in the lobby up here, since it so clearly matched his tastes.

Instead, he’d built something straight out of Casablanca. Dark, rich woods with brown, tan and green textiles in tropical patterns littered the living room. The exposed wood of the sofa and chairs had richly carved fronts and sported “pineapple” feet. The side tables and coffee table were also exquisitely carved.

The drapes were pale ivory, a contrast to the mocha latte walls and exposed, dark beams. The floor was the same wood as the furniture, with a large sisal rug underneath to define the area.

She could see the intricate dining table and chairs beyond the living area, as well as a kitchen that would make any serious chef swoon. Because the whole area was so open, instead of feeling dark and dreary the living space felt open and earthy.

He’d even painted the ceiling a soft, barely-there blue, finishing off the look nicely.

“Is there anything you’d like to change?”

She looked around, taking in the stone and wood fireplace, the massive entertainment center with the plasma screen TV, the bric-a-brac and photos that lined the wall…

Wait a moment. “Rick, when did you start hanging my pictures?”

“I did that yesterday. I wanted you to feel at home as soon as possible.”

Big dope. She didn’t know whether to sigh or to hit him. “You went through my things?”

He rolled his eyes and stepped past her into the living room, shutting the door behind them with a very final sounding click . “It’s not like I read your diary or jerked off in your underwear. I hung a few pictures, that’s all.”

She bit back a snarl as he hung up his jacket. “They are still my things. You can’t just go through someone else’s things.” What if he found my medical bills?

He stalked towards her. His hands curled around her shoulders, halting her progress when she tried to move back instinctively. “I didn’t ‘just go through someone else’s things’. I went through my mate’s things.”

“Without her permission.” Her chin went up, daring him to deny he’d done something wrong.

“This is all the permission I need.” His mouth swooped down, taking hers in a kiss that set her soul on fire.

Soul afire or not, they needed to get a few things straight. She picked up her foot and slammed the heel of her boot down, hard, on his instep.

“God damn mother-fucking son of a bitch!” Rick howled, hopping back from her, his face completely blank with shock. “What did you do that for?”

She leaned on her cane, trying her best to keep her expression serene in the face of his growing anger.

“You do not go through my things. You do not open my mail. You do not answer my cell phone unless I ask you to. You do not read my e-mail. You do not go through my checkbook.” She stopped for a moment, mentally counting up the things she didn’t want her overbearing mate to stick his big nose into.

“You can take my car to be inspected. All insects shall be slain by you. If I have a doctor’s appointment, you may drop me off, but I won’t have you there growling at the nurses or my physical therapist, so you’ll go do shopping or Pack things until I’m done. You will not forbid me to do anything, or you’ll live to regret it. ‘Nair in your shampoo’ type regrets.” Not that she’d ever go through with that threat. His hair was truly beautiful, and she’d sooner cut off her own arm than one single inch of it. “Oh, and one other thing.” She reached up and patted him on the chest. “The Halle Pride leaders are my friends, okay?

So I want you to stop picturing Simon’s balls in a pickle jar in your fridge.” She smiled up at him, all sweetness and light, not surprised by the fact that his face had gone expressionless.

“Is that all?”

“Not quite. You’re going with me to Florida in April. You’ll need to buy a suit.”

He pulled her jacket off, his jerky movements betraying his lingering anger. “Why is that?”

“Emma asked me to be a bridesmaid, and I said yes. One of the garment bags brought up here should be my dress, in fact.”

“I already own a suit.”

She sniffed, knowing how it would annoy him. “I’ll have to see what it looks like.” She tried to saunter into the living room but was hampered by her limp.

His long suffering sigh followed her as she made her way into the bedroom.

Holy moly. If the front of the home had been full of decadence, the bedroom eclipsed it entirely.

Sapphire blue silk mixed with burgundy on a four-poster bed so massive it would swallow her five-foot-six-inch frame whole. It looked like something out of a tropical bordello.

“I can’t wait to see your skin against all that silk.”

Belle turned to find Rick standing behind her, so close she was surprised she didn’t feel his breath on the back of her neck.

She did feel it when he leaned down and licked a slow, torturous path from her shoulder to her ear, stopping to nibble at the sensitive juncture where her neck and shoulder met. Without even thinking she tilted her head, giving him better access.

His hands went around her waist, holding her steady as he nibbled and sucked to his heart’s content. “I have a few ground rules, myself.”

“Hmm?” Belle opened her eyes, only then aware she’d closed them. The ruby silk had turned a deep brown, letting her know her eyes had changed. Her Puma was purring as her mate’s scent surrounded her.

“Fuck, that’s sexy.” His low growl against her neck sent a shiver down her spine.

“What ground rules?”

Is that my voice? Even at his best, Simon had never gotten her to whimper, and Rick had barely touched her!

She could feel his smile against her neck and knew he’d heard it. “My rules are simple.” His hands slowly lifted the hem of her black turtleneck. “Rule number one. When we’re in the bedroom, you have to be naked.”

She dropped her cane as he pulled her sweater up and over her head, tossing it carelessly onto a fringed, backless chaise done in the same sapphire blue as the bedding. At least she thought it was blue.

It was the same shade of brown as the blue parts of the bedding.

His hands began a slow caress of her breasts through the lace of her bra, paying special attention to her nipples. “Rule number two: when it comes to your health, I will be involved. Get over it. And I already paid your medical bills, so get over that, too.”

She would have protested, but he chose that moment to unclasp her bra and pluck at her bared nipples.

His hair cascaded over her shoulder, brushing her breasts and belly with butterfly touches. “Rule number three.” His hands began smoothing down her stomach, heading for her black slacks. “I will stop picturing Simon’s pickled balls when I know for certain you’re completely mine.”

Belle turned in his arms, not surprised by the fierce, possessive scowl on Rick’s face. She reached up and stroked his cheek. “I’m all yours, Rick.”

His hands stilled at her waist. With a muffled oath he picked her up, buried his face against her neck, and bit.

Belle screamed as the pleasure-pain ripped through her. Her claws dug into his shoulders, earning a growl from his Wolf as the orgasm rolled through her with the force of a freight train. She jerked in his arms, her good leg lifting to wrap around his waist, her pussy grinding against his rock-hard erection through her slacks and his jeans.

When his teeth pulled out of her shoulder she groaned in regret, only to scream again as he bit down in a different spot with a rough snarl. He howled against her flesh as she bit back, right through his silk shirt, claiming the man who held her so tightly she knew he’d never let her go.