Fated To Be Family (Kindred of Arkadia Book 2)

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Other Books on Amazon

  Fated to Be

  Family

  _________________________________________________________

  Kindred of Arkadia

  _________________________________________________________

  ALANEA ALDER

  Copyright © 2019 Alanea Alder

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed "Attention: Permissions Coordinator," at the address below.

  PUBLISHER'S NOTE

  This is a work of fiction. Any names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law.

  Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author's rights is appreciated.

  www.sacredforestpublishing.com

  P.O.Box 280

  Moyock, NC, 27958

  Digital ISBN- 978-1-941315-22-4

  Print ISBN- 978-1-941315-23-1

  Sacred Forest Publishing

  Dedication

  ~Omnia Vincit Amor- Love Conquers All~

  Sometimes you don't even know what you need...

  PROLOGUE

  "Ahh so good to see you, old boy. I take it you have good news for me, otherwise you would not be in my study." The gentleman looked up from his desk and smiled. Payne had remembered to put plastic down. He would have to think of a way to reward him.

  "Y-yes, sir, we found a way into Arkadia. You should have them by the end of the week." The hyena stared at the floor, refusing to look up, as if by ignoring the dreadful thing, it would go away.

  "Excellent, now I won't have to torture and kill you after all. It's turning out to be a good day for you, isn't it?"

  "Sir... if I can ask a question, what are you gonna do with them?" The hyena looked up and was caught by the gentleman's eyes.

  "Have you never had veal?" the gentleman asked, his fangs extending fully and the hyena started to shake.

  "Payne see him out," the gentleman said, looking back down to his work.

  Payne stepped forward and hauled the hyena away.

  The gentleman looked up as the door closed. Yes, Payne had been doing well lately. Maybe a fruit basket.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Kate flopped down on their king-sized bed and sighed. Two months had passed since Rebecca had been rescued from her kidnappers. The entire town showed up to celebrate Rebecca and Aleks' wedding. Kate was unsure at first, on how the tiny human would acclimate to living in a shifter-only town, but Rebecca had proven to everyone she would do whatever it took to keep her family and her town safe. For that reason, Kate hadn't hesitated in bonding with her and making Rebecca her Alpha Mother.

  "Still on cloud nine, love?" Bran asked, smiling from the foot of the bed as he removed his tie.

  "It was so beautiful! Rian and Damian are miracle workers to have put it together on such short notice." She giggled when she remembered why. Rebecca had given an entire dissertation how she was not going to waddle down the aisle showing that she was pregnant. Rian, the lion pride's fashionista, probably hadn't slept since. She sighed softly again remembering the vows the couple had exchanged.

  Bran cleared his throat. "We, uh, we could do that, too, if you want," he said. Her eyes snapped open and when she looked at him, she couldn't help but smile.

  "We've already been together and mated for nearly a year and a half. Wouldn't it be silly to do it now?" she asked. His clumsy offer made her fall that much more in love with him.

  "I don't think there are any rules. If you want a wedding, I will give you the best wedding the Pack has ever seen," he declared.

  She snorted. "They would have only Rebecca's to compare it to. We don't have many weddings."

  "We could re-create the night we met and mated," Bran said, his voice deepening.

  She shivered. That night had been pure magic, one she would never forget.

  "I was running from my Alpha, who'd decided to make me more lady-like and less headstrong by forcing a mating. He planned to rape and beat me every day until I submitted," Kate said, sitting on the bed, frowning at the memory.

  "I'd kill that bastard all over again if I could." Bran growled. "You'd been in the woods for days. I remember the snarl in your tail that took me forever to bite out." He grinned and she blushed. "I was out for a run, caught a strange scent on the trail and followed it. You were resting under that tree. I'd never seen anything more beautiful than you in wolf form. Well, that is until you shifted to human," Bran said, removing his jacket and shirt.

  She eased off the bed and stood before him. She reached around to the back of her dress, sliding the zipper down until it fell from her body leaving her in only a white lace bustier and thong. Her legs were encased in white stockings and a delicate white garter belt completed the ensemble.

  Bran nearly choked when he inhaled sharply.

  "When did you get that?" he asked, taking a deep breath as he stepped forward. She spun with her arms out.

  "Do you like it? Rian said that I needed the proper support garments to make the dress work. Plus, I think he was shocked I didn't have any lingerie. I tried to explain that you would just destroy it." She smiled feeling herself blush for her mate.

  Since their first night together, she and Bran had made love and had hard fucks all over the house. Sometimes in front of pack members. But there was something about the way he was staring tonight that made her feel beautiful and special.

  "I must send something nice to Rian. I feel like the bridegroom tonight. You look like an angel."

  He unhooked his pants and tossed them on the chair. She shivered. He had gone commando and his heavy cock was tapping his stomach. When she began to kneel before him, he shook his head.

  "Tonight, I'm going to worship you," he said, going to his knees pulling her close.

  Where the bustier ended, he could see the faint pink line of the fading scar from the attack at the club. His hands started to shake as he traced the line.

  "I'm not going anywhere," she whispered softly, watching the expressions fly across his face, assuming he was reliving the night of her attack.

  "If you had died, I would have followed," he admitted, sliding the thong down her legs. He reached up behind her and tore the bustier in half. Kate sighed. He looked up at her with a wolfish grin.

  "I'll replace it," he said, throwing the ga
rment across the room.

  "Well, are you going to sit there all night staring?" she asked, smiling.

  He laughed and shook his head. He leaned forward, starting with the soft skin behind her knee, he ran his tongue up her leg. She sighed softly. He ran his hands up and down her calves and repeated with the other leg. He swirled his tongue over her closely trimmed mound, catching every drop of dew that clung to the tiny hairs.

  "Bran!" she cried out and threw her head back.

  He smiled to himself as he stood and scooped her up in his arms before gently laying her on the bed.

  "That night I took you for hours," he said, laving his tongue over her scar, making love to it.

  "It was the best night of my life," she said, exhaling a deep breath.

  "Tonight, I will take you for hours, but I want to see your face, that night you were on all fours which left me craving your lips," he said. Tears appeared in her eyes.

  "I love you, Bran McGregor," she said simply.

  "And I love you, Kate Edwards," he said, parting her legs.

  He leaned forward, brushing his hard cock across her stomach leaving a trail of pre-cum. She knew he liked his scent on her. He took one nipple in his mouth and sucked on it gently before giving it a quick bite. She gasped in pleasure and looked down at him in surprise.

  "I said I would worship you. That doesn't mean it will all be gentle," he said, going to the other nipple.

  "Thank God! I wasn't going to complain but..." Kate smirked.

  "I will always give you what you need, Kate." He leaned back, took a nipple in each hand, and twisted. She thrashed below him. When he released them, they were cherry-red and she was breathing hard.

  "Bran, please!" she said, tears in her eyes. "I need you so badly." She wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him as close to her as she could.

  "As you wish." He plunged deep into her tight sheath. They both cried out. He set a relentless pace.

  "Only you, Kate. Only you," he whispered into her neck.

  "Let go," she said and felt his wolf break free as he slammed into her over and over. He reached between their bodies and roughly pinched, then twisted, her clit. Her eyes went wide and she screamed as she came. He kept pushing forward and buried his canines in her neck. She felt his cock knot enter her and she screamed her pleasure again as her body clamped down on his. He roared his release before collapsing on her. She wrapped her arms and legs around him. They both knew it would be a few minutes before the knot softened and he could leave her body.

  She relaxed back on the bed, his face in her neck, trying to catch her breath. She'd thought after a year that the mating heat would cool down, but it seemed to be getting hotter. She smiled up at the ceiling.

  "You liked the lingerie." She felt his smile on her neck.

  "I fucking loved it and the heels. We need more of both," he said, nibbling on her neck. She sighed happily.

  "Ready for round two?" he asked. He looked down at her with canine-yellow eyes, which were still shifted from round one.

  "Bring it on," she said, bucking against him. He growled and he did.

  CHAPTER TWO

  The next morning Kate wanted to pound her head against the heavy mahogany dining room table. She and Bran lived in the Alpha's home, an extremely large estate that housed up to thirty pack members, including several families. Its castle-like appearance boasted high stone walls and gorgeous climbing red ivy, giving it a royal feel. It had been designed to house single warriors as well as family units. In the west wing, the warriors had their own rooms and bathrooms but shared communal spaces like the dens and dinettes. The east wing was set up so that several families could make their homes there. They had bedrooms, bathrooms, a private living room and dinette kitchen in each suite. Other members of the pack lived around the estate, in homes of their own.

  Normally this group-home scenario didn't bother Kate. However, there was a small faction in the pack that did not like her. Mostly one couple who planned on getting their daughter mated to the Alpha. Kate's presence had effectively destroyed their plans for upward mobility in the pack. Today's headache: a rehashing of why Kate should not be tied to Rebecca, thus putting Rebecca in a dominant position in the pack as Alpha Mother.

  "She isn't even a shifter, not that being a bear would be better. A human should not have such a high rank in the pack," the loud voice complained.

  She didn't even have to look up from her coffee. It was Arthur Raymond, the father of Cecelia Raymond. Cecelia was actually very sweet and quiet. Kate had a feeling she was going along with her parents to appease them, rather than having any desire to be Alpha Mate or be with Bran. Arthur and his wife, Beverly, were nothing but pains in her ass. They were constantly criticizing every small thing she did. She was tired of it.

  "Kate," Bran said, sounding amused.

  Damn. She must have been growling again without realizing it. She looked up and smiled at him before turning to Arthur.

  "The pack has always taken direction and advice from the Alpha Mother. My bond with Rebecca will only strengthen the ties between the pack and the Arkadions. This is a good thing for us," Kate explained.

  "I don't remember talking to you." Arthur sniffed and turned his head back toward Bran.

  She began to growl loudly. "Do you wish to challenge me?" she demanded. He paled and turned to Bran, who now looked equally pissed off.

  "Don't look at me! Your Alpha is addressing you," Bran said.

  "But you're my Alpha," Arthur complained.

  "So is my mate!" Bran said. "It's time for your family to realize that and give her the respect she is due. My patience on this matter is gone. You have had time to adjust. Tell your family to start acting accordingly or get the fuck out of my pack."

  "This is our home, too!" Arthur argued.

  "Then you better start acting like this is your home and respect your Alphas," Bran growled.

  "I will leave this for now. Maybe we can talk later." Arthur stood and walked out.

  Kate's mouth dropped. "Doesn't he know that's the same as saying, 'I'll talk to you when she isn't around'?"

  Bran sighed and rubbed his temples. "I have a feeling this problem will not be going away any time soon."

  "I wish I could just eat that fucker," Riley Conrad said from the corner of the room where he was standing guard.

  Kate smiled. "I bet he would taste nasty." She laughed and made faces.

  "Bran, when you and Kate head to the diner, could you check on Caleb Donovan? It would save me a trip out there. Mojo said Caleb didn't go into the bar last night and he hasn't missed a day since he started there." Riley rolled his eyes when Kate giggled at Mojo's name. She laughed every time she heard it.

  "Really? Is it still funny?" he asked her.

  "Come on! I can't be the only one who thinks it's cute. Moe Jones. Mojo. And he shifts into a spider monkey? Hello? Y'all never watched the Powerpuff Girls, did you?" she asked. Bran and Riley both shuddered.

  "Come on, Puff girl, let's get some food," Bran said, taking her hand.

  "Mojo," she said, laughing again.

  Bran rolled his eyes and headed for the door.

  * * * *

  "Sooo, Rian, do you know where I can get more of that lingerie you ordered for me for the wedding?" Kate asked, as she plowed through her second stack of pancakes.

  Damn, Connor Arkadion could cook. She looked up to see Bran talking to Liam and Connor at the counter. She always loved the fifties-style diner. It made her feel like she had stepped back in time, though, all of the chrome must be a bitch to keep clean. She looked back to her best friend, Rian Stafford, as he leered at her.

  "You got fucked to within an inch of your life last night, didn't you?" Rian asked, raising an eyebrow. He was flipping through the pages of a fashion magazine and, as usual, lamenting the lack of decent shopping in the area.

  "Yup and it so needs to happen again," she said, winking. She pulled down the collar of her shirt to reveal new bite marks.
r />   "I'll help you with that on one condition," Rian said slyly.

  Kate narrowed her eyes. "What?" she asked suspiciously.

  "You let me give you a full makeover, mani, pedi, hair, makeup and wardrobe. The works!" he said, bouncing.

  She eyed him cautiously. "You can't cut my hair and nothing but a French manicure for my hands. I hate colored nail polish for my fingers. You keep pink to a minimum, no frills or sequins. I retain the right to veto anything if I really hate it. If you can do all that, deal." She braced for impact. Sure enough, Rian gave an undignified squeal and launched himself into her arms.

  Bran growled from across the room and eyed Kate. She smiled wickedly and yelled across the diner for everyone to hear.

  "He's ordering me more of that lingerie you tore off me last night. I need your credit card."

  Bran immediately went for his wallet and walked over. He kissed her and looked at Rian, who sat back down beside Kate looking like the cat that ate the canary.

  "Don't be afraid to spice it up a little," he said. He winked before walking back to the counter.

  "Kate, you are going to hell," Rian said.

  "I know, but at least I'll look good on the way." She laughed and tucked Bran's credit card into her top pocket.

  The door swung open and Aleks Arkadion walked in, alone and looking panicked. Ut oh, this couldn't be good. Kate and Rian stood and hurried over to where Aleks was talking to his ma.

  "This can't be normal! Rebecca's thrown up twice since she woke up. She's lost weight this week too. Ma, please come back to the ranch and check on her," Aleks pleaded. "She's miserable."

  "Let me grab my purse and we can leave. Connor, you have the diner. You could have called, Aleks," she said, untying her apron.

  "I left Pa with her. It was a good idea for me to get out of the house for a while," Aleks said, looking down at his shoes. Ma's eyes widened and she hurried to the back.