Fated Legacy Complete Collection

Chapter 10

Chapter

Ten

J ean-Michel handed Rémy and Cameron heavy crystal tumblers and poured very old, very expensive, and very smooth whiskey into their glasses. Once he’d set the bottle down on his desk, he opened an ornate humidor and offered them both a good cigar. Rémy noted it was the same brand his father had given him the night before he’d left for the Naval Academy.

“So how concerned should I be that you two have been plotting?” asked Rémy.

“Not plotting, planning,” answered Cameron.

“You may have been planning,” said Rémy, amused at them both, “but I know my sire. He’s been plotting.”

“True enough, my son. I think both Cameron and I were happy to hear you acknowledge that Piper is your fated mate and that you plan to claim her. You’ve long known that Jean-Edouard will be alpha after me, and that decision still seems to make the most sense.”

“And I have always supported that decision,” Rémy agreed.

“Had you not decided to leave the Navy, Cameron and I were planning to talk to you on your next leave.”

Cameron nodded. “Your slur against my physical abilities notwithstanding, I’ve always hoped you and Piper would find your way back to each other. There are times I see her staring into the distance, and I hear her heart breaking all over again. Don’t get me wrong, I think you did the right thing. I think both of you needed to grow up, and I was grateful to you that you left her at Wolf Meadow.”

“It is as necessary to her as the air she breathes,” said Rémy softly.

“I don’t disagree, but I will tell you that if you can get her to forgive you, if and when she has to make a choice, she’ll choose you. She’s always known her own mind on this. Trust me, I trotted some enticing wolves past her, and she wouldn’t have a thing to do with any of them. I think she’d decided that if she couldn’t have you, she would remain alone.”

“So I do have your blessing to claim your daughter as my fated mate,” said Rémy, wanting to leave no room for error.

Cameron nodded.

“ Bien, ” said Jean-Michel. “Then you should know, Rémy, Cameron and I had agreed that if you were of a mind to take Piper to mate, our odds of defeating the Darkness would be better if it is you and Piper who are its primary adversary in the coming fight.”

“It won’t be expecting a second dire wolf,” explained Cameron. “If you and Piper take it on, Riley and I can add our strength as needed. I hate having to admit you were right, but your father reminded me again that you are a well-trained and highly decorated Navy SEAL who is less than half my age and that Piper is physically stronger than her mother. Be advised, by the way—she has a nasty right cross.”

“So noted,” said Rémy, laughing. “As I said, I meant no disrespect when I pointed out that I think Piper and I have a better shot at ending this thing. In case you missed it, your daughter is a strong and fearless she-wolf.”

“And you love her.” Rémy nodded. “I’m glad to see you have your father’s forthrightness about things. It will serve you well with Piper. She’s a rancher, never forget that. There is no one better at running Wolf Meadow than she. I’ve all but let her take over the day-to-day operations of the ranch, but there’s no way the pack would follow her as alpha. But they would follow you.”

Now it was Rémy’s turn to be shocked. His face must have registered surprise, and Cameron continued to explain.

“Hear me out,” he said, holding up one hand. “You are as capable as any alpha I’ve met. My pack knows you. Many already know you are Piper’s fated mate. You would not only be doing what was best for Piper, but also what’s best for my pack. And with you as Alpha of Galveston and Jean-Edouard as Alpha of New Orleans, the packs would continue to thrive, and their pledge of mutual assistance would remain intact.

One of the reasons both packs have remained so strong and independent is because it was well known by our kind that if anyone chose to challenge one of our packs, they would end up facing both. The fact that you and Jean-Edouard are brothers and that you are mate to the previous alpha’s daughter puts you in a strong position.”

“I’m flattered, Cameron, but I know nothing about ranching. I am, at best, a passable pleasure rider and the only thing I know about cattle is I like mine served rare.”

“You don’t have to know much. Piper has been ranching since before she could walk. Most of the improvements we’ve made over the last five years have been her idea and she’s overseen their inception and completion. The ranch will thrive under her leadership. But you know about shipping—how to get things from one place to another—and both your father and I think there’s money to be made there. Between you and Jean-Edouard, the two packs would be a force to be reckoned with.”

“You’re assuming I would be comfortable allowing your daughter that level of freedom and authority.”

Cameron laughed. “I’m not sure you have much choice in that. You and Travis have been best friends since you were toddlers, and like my son, you have some silly notions about what she-wolves should be able to get up to. So, yes, I’m pretty damn sure you’re smart enough to let Piper continue on in her role as chief operator for the ranch.”

“I will agree, but with one proviso,” said Rémy.

“Name it.”

“If something happens to me now or in the future, you will not try to force her into another pairing. She will be allowed to live as she wants, and Jean-Edouard will combine the packs into one.”

“Damn, you old pirate,” said Cam, looking at Jean-Michel, who had a huge grin on his face. “You just cost me a thousand bucks.” He turned to Rémy to explain. “Your father told me you’d go along with the plan as long as you could protect Piper.”

“Jean-Edouard will have to agree,” said Rémy.

“I believe he will. I asked him to stay close to the house today. Let me get him.”

Jean-Michel went in search of his eldest son.

“For what it’s worth, Cody plans to study law, but he’d also make a helluva beta,” said Cameron.

Rémy grinned. “I think you and I will get along well. I was thinking the same thing. And Cameron, I have no desire to take over until you are ready.”

Cameron extended his hand. “Knowing you and my daughter will lead the pack will make stepping down a whole lot easier.”

Rémy took the Alpha of Galveston’s hand and shook it. Jean-Michel returned with Jean-Edouard in tow.

“Do you have any idea what these two are up to?” he asked his younger brother.

“ Oui, mon frère . They are scheming, and you and I are a pivotal component of their plans. You probably already know that Piper Nichols is my fated mate.”

“Yes, I have always known that. But do you know she’s missing?”

“Not missing, Jean-Edouard, merely putting some distance between us by returning home to Wolf Meadow.”

“She may be a little difficult to claim from that distance,” said Jean-Edouard.

“ Oui . But not all of us have biddable she-wolves as our fated mates. Piper is like our mother and Riley, she’s going to need to be convinced that what she knows is true is how it will be. Papa, I’m assuming the plane is ready to go to Wolf Meadow?” His father nodded. “Then I shall go grab my duffle.”

“I thought mother unpacked your things already,” said Jean-Edouard.

“She did, but Piper and I had a small confrontation last night and I was fairly sure she’d bolt for home, so I repacked my bag. Piper thinks being on her home turf will give her an advantage, but it won’t. Gentlemen, I shall leave you to deal with your mates. Jean-Edouard, I suspect you’ll be playing host tonight. Neither Mama nor Riley were any too pleased with their mates.”

“Rémy, do you want to clue me in on what’s going on?”

“Forgive me, brother. Cameron has agreed to let me claim my wayward mate, and when he steps down, I will become Alpha of Galveston.”

Jean-Edouard’s face brightened considerably. “That’s wonderful news. We always said you should take over someone’s pack. The things we can accomplish together, just think of it!”

“There may be one hiccup. When I return with Piper, she and I will combine to form the dire wolf that fights the Darkness. If something happens to me, now or in the future, when Cameron is no longer alpha, you will take over and run both packs.”

“Rémy, don’t even say such things,” protested Jean-Edouard.

“I plan to live to be a very old wolf and to die in bed with my mate. But I need to know if something happens, that you will protect Piper and her position. You will let her do as she pleases in terms of running the ranch, and she may remain unmated… or not, that is her choice. Will you do this for me? Please, Jean-Edouard.”

“I will if you promise to do the same for me. If something happens to me, you will take over the New Orleans pack and protect my Bre.”

“Agreed.” The two brothers embraced. “Now, I need to go hunt my elusive quarry. We will be back before the full moon. But tell me, Papa, why would the Darkness wait for the full moon?”

“Because it will be at its strongest, just as we will be. It has to know, as we do, that this conflict is coming to a head. What it may not know is that we will be prepared. Branson assures me that Renata has the magick to make this thing vulnerable to our attack.”

“Where are Branson and Renata?” asked Jean-Edouard.

“They flew overnight to speak with Mawmaw Chantal in person. She seemed to think there was something she could help Renata with. They too will be back before the full moon.”

Rémy left the study and headed up to his room. He’d been glad his shirt had been untucked because from the moment Cameron consented to his claiming Piper, his cock had hardened and made a large bulge against the fly of his jeans. Cameron was no fool and knew all too well not only what went on between fated mates, but also with alphas who needed to claim a reluctant one. Rémy didn’t think his mate’s father needed to be reminded quite so viscerally.

He grabbed his duffel and left his walk-in closet only to find Cody sitting on the edge of his bed. He knew Cody and his sister Piper were close in the same way he and Skylar had always been.

“I’m surprised I was able to sneak up on you.”

“This is my home, Cody. Only those who are known and trusted are allowed above the main floor. I find no need to be on my guard.”

“You hurt her,” he accused quietly.

“I know. And I will spend the rest of my life making it up to her. We were both so young, but I realize now that Piper would have been fine if she’d been with me. I probably should share with you, I resigned my commission. I haven’t made a big announcement and not everyone knows, but I thought you should.”

Cody looked genuinely shocked. “Why would you leave the SEALs?”

“Because I need to be with Piper and your sister needs me to be here. She’s waited long enough. I was captured not too long ago. Before that, I’d already been trying to figure out the timing of my return and what I might do. But then my unit was betrayed, and everything changed. I’ll deal with whoever is responsible when I can, but I knew I needed to resign. I needed to come home and make things right with Piper and take her to mate. Nothing else matters. Only her.”

“If you’re bullshitting me, I’ll make you answer for it,” warned Cody.

“ Non . Betas often know things about their alphas that no one else will ever know. Your father has asked me to be alpha when he steps down and my hope is you will consider being my beta.”

The corner of Cody’s lips lifted, and a smile broke across his face. “Your secrets will always be safe with me, and it would be my honor to be your beta. But just know that Piper is really good at getting people to tell her what she wants to know.” He paused, deep in thought. “Piper knows more about ranching than the both of us put together,” he mused.

“Thank God, because if the pack was depending on me to run the ranch, we’d be screwed. She will run the ranch.”

“So how can I help?”

“Drive me up to the landing strip, bring the vehicle back, and call Gabe to let him know I’m coming after my fated mate with her father’s blessing.”

“Okay. I’ll go get one of the UTVs.” Cody headed to the door, stopped, and turned. “I won’t let you down. But I’m worried about my parents feeling as though they have to take a back seat to you and Piper.”

“We won’t let that happen. You and I aren’t ready for Gabe and your dad to step down. The pack will benefit from having the four of us work together. When Piper and I are a bonded pair, we will take on the Darkness and make it rue the day it chose to cross swords with us.”

“Good enough. I’ll see you downstairs in a few minutes.”