The Alpha's Long Awaited Mate

Chapter 5: I'll Be There For You

Kade Watched Alani’s eyes roll and her drop back on her bed. He called for his brother as he made his way to her side. His brother had shifted and was clothed. Luke handed him the clothing he had the foresight to bring. Kade dressed quickly his eyes never leaving Alani’s prone figure. “I guess she knows now?” Luke said, a snicker in his voice. Kade smacked his head then ordered him to find some first aid. Their mother then walked in with a bowl of hot water, some towels, Neosporin, and a bag of ice. “Luke, leave us.” Luke quickly scurried out of the room, leaving Kade, Alani and his mother alone. Annalee looked the prone woman that was destined to be her son’s mate. “She’s beautiful Kade.” “I know. Help me get her cleaned up.” “No, you leave. I’m not sure how she’d feel having her boss unclothe her.” Kade growled at that. He didn’t want to leave her side. “I’m not leaving mom.” His tone brooked no argument. He watched as his pretty mate’s eyes fluttered. “She’s coming to.” Annalee observed. Kade moved to her side.

                Alani opened her eyes. She was in her bedroom. She was confused for a moment, then the pain kicked in. “Oooow.” She whined, curling herself into a ball clutching her ankle. “It’s OK Alani. I’ve got you.” She felt a hand on her back. She turned to see Mr. James, Kade. “M-Mr. James. I-how?” “It’s Kade, remember?” he was smiling gently. “You’re a shifter.” He nodded. She just stared at him for a moment. “You have clothes.” He laughed at than, bowing his head and trying to control his smile. He looked at her with a gentle smile on his face, mirth still in his eyes. “Yes, I have clothes now. And now, I’m going to move you, possibly to the bathtub, so we can get you cleaned up, OK?” Alani nodded weakly. Her body was throbbing, her ankle killing her. “Here’s some water and an ibuprofen, my dear.” Alani whipped her head around to the sound of Annalee’s voice. She found a short, gorgeous pin-up standing in her bedroom. The older woman had long curled blonde tresses topped with a red bandana, She had on a white short sleeved sweater and high waisted blue jeans. In all, Alani found her stylish. What astonished her were the tattoos that covered her arms and the beautiful green eyes that matched Kade’s. “Alani, meet my mother Annalee.” Alani just stared between the two of them. “Here.” Annalee said as she dropped two ibuprofens into Alani’s hands. Alani took them, and drank the water offered to her. Kade picked Alani up and took her to her bathroom suite and set her on the toilet. Grabbing the stool near her vanity he propped her injured ankle on it. Alani whimpered. “The medicine should kick in in a moment.” Kade said. He began running water in the bath while his mother placed ice on her elevated ankle. “We’ll ice for now and you'll heat it while you soak in the bath.” She gave Alani a gentle smile. Meanwhile, Kade dropped some of her bath salts and bubble bath into the running water. The room filled with her favorite scent. She heard Kade growl and watched his mother smile.

“Why don’t I help you get undressed and get those cuts cleaned up.” Annalee asked. Alani smiled and began unzipping her hoodie. She had just her sports bra on under it. Immediately she felt heat rush through her as her body erupted in arousal. She looked up to see Kade’s eyes on her, his nostrils flared and his fist clenched. “Son, why don’t you go to Alani’s room and get her something comfortable to wear while she is in the bath. Maybe call the pack physician as well.” Kade nodded, stalking out. Alani’s eyes followed him out. “Now, lets get you out of those and into the bath." Alani was a little embarrassed to have someone see her unclothed, but she was in too much pain to care much. Once down to her underwear, Annalee quickly gave her cuts and scrapes a quick clean and her skin a cursory wipe down. “No use getting your relaxing water too dirty. Did you want to take a quick shower first to get most of the dirt off before you relax in the tub? Alani nodded again, grateful for Annalee’s foresight. Annalee helped her to the shower, helping her get fully unclothed, clucking at the bruising that was beginning to show on her ribs and thighs. “You’re going to be very colorful for the next couple of weeks.” Alani giggled at that. “What an eventful first day of work for me.” Annalee laughed with her and helped her in the shower. After Alani had scrubbed her skin under the blistering water, taking great care with her wounds, she left the shower. With the help of Annalee, she settled into her tub, sighing in contentment.

Annalee left Alani to her bath and entered her bedroom to find her son pacing. She smiled at his frustration. “Don’t wear a hole in the poor girl’s carpet, Kade.” He stopped looking up at his mother. “How is she?” “Fine for now. Relaxing in her bath. She’s going to be pretty bruised for the next couple of weeks. Did you get in touch with the physician?” “Yes. She suggested we bring her in for x-rays of her ankle. It may be a sprain, but she wanted to be thorough.” “Her ribs too.” Kade growled at that. “She’s already bruising there, and I don’t like the sound of her breathing.” “I know. I heard her wheezing a bit.” Kade growled out and began pacing again. “I sent Michael and Mateo to get the car. Laurie is cleaning the little bit of mess we tracked in. Father and Luke are guarding the perimeter.” “Did you get her something comfortable to wear?” Kade motioned to the bed and Annalee found an oversized Seattle Seahawks t-shirt and white socks.” She laughed at that and walked to Alani’s dresser. She pulled out a pair of sweat pants, underwear and what looked like a front closure sports bra. “She needs more than a t-shirt and socks son.” Kade grunted, sitting on her bed, hands on his head. “She’s OK son. Your mate looks like she’s strong and resilient. She was even giggling when I left out of there.” “That’s not what’s bothering me. Who the hell did this to her? And on the day, you all find out she Is mate, no less.”

“I don’t think she was targeted per say.” Said Michael as he entered the door way. Kade got up and escorted him to the hall. “What did you find out?” Kade barked. “The scent trails in from the main road, to the falls, and is finally overwhelmed in town. I did catch faint traces of it on the other side of the main road, leaving town. It’s quite possible that she crossed paths with a crafty rogue who may have been startled, but from the trail scent, they left town.” Kade ran his hand through his hair again, relieved but unhappy with the news. He wanted whoever did this to pay. “Is she OK?” Kade nodded. “We’ll know the extent of the damage once we get her to Sheila and Pierre’s clinic. Once we’re gone, secure her perimeter. I’ll be back and will stay with her. Did you bring everything I asked?” Michael nodded. “Your computer, the files from your desks, yours and hers, a change of clothes for the week, and the security routers the keep your work protected. Anything else Alpha?” Kade nodded. “Just put it all in the guest bedroom.” Michael nodded affirmation and left.

Kade walked back into the bedroom to see a near naked Alani, with her hips wrapped in a towel, and her breast free. She was putting up her gorgeous hair up bending at the waist, letting gravity pull her locked tresses forward where she was slowly wrapping it with a hair tie. Kade watched those delicious full breast sway, pulled down by gravity. She had n****e bars with diamond encrusted ends. Her n*****s were distended from the cool air caressing them. Kade felt his mouth water and his c**k swell in arousal. Alani finished putting her hair up and saw Kade watching. She squeaked covering her breast and meeting his gaze. His chest rose up and down with his breath, a s***h of red on his cheeks. What eventually caught her eye was the tenting in his sweatpants. Alani’s eyes bulged at the size of him, clearly delineated in the gray material. Her arousal was a punch to the gut. “Alani.” He growled. She met his gaze, feeling the moisture pooling between her legs. He started to move towards her, but Annalee came out of the bathroom. “You stop right there Kade.” He paused. His eyes never leaving hers. “I’m just going to help her get dressed mom.” Annalee dropped the skin moisturizers Alani asked her to get on the bed near Alani. “I am here. There is no reason for you to be here while your employee is undressed.” That seemed to snap Kade out of it and he snapped his gaze to his mother and growled. Annalee just raised her eyebrows and pointed to the door. Kade caught Alani’s gaze again. “Are you sure you don’t need my help Alani?” He asked silkily. His rough voice sending sparks of arousal through her. “I- I’ll be fine with Annalee’s help Kade.” He growled and pivoted on his heel and stalked out.

“Forgive my son Alani. He is concerned. Sometimes it overrides his common sense.” Annalee explained. “It’s ok.” Annalee smiled at her. “He’s his packs alpha, so he is used to taking care of everything and everyone. Ever since he took over this pack when my husband, Simon, took over his father’s pack, Kade has been their anchor. He’s very thorough in his duties.” Alani smiled but didn’t pretend that she understood how pack politics worked. She did know, just from the last couple of days conversing with Kade, that he was very thorough. I wonder if he is just as thorough when he’s making love. Alani shook her head, astonished by her train of thought. Her virgin state had to be frying her brain. That had to be it. A delayed reaction that was making her nearly feral for her boss. This is what happens when you have no time for men. Your brain short-circuits the minute you find one that interests you. Alani shoved the thoughts aside and moisturized her skin. Her and Annalee made small talk as she dressed, moving slowly. Though the medicine kicked in, she was still very sore. “We’re taking you the pack physician in town. Sheila and her husband, Pierre, run a state-of-the-art clinic in town. It’s practically the town hospital.” Alani remembered seeing Palouse Clinical Care on her tour of town with her brother. Who knew she would be visiting so soon?

As soon as she was dressed, Kade re-entered the room. He picked her up, his contact sending sparks through her system. He took her down to the car, sitting with her in the back seat. Annalee and another man in the front. The man turned around and Alani gasped. He was an older version of Kade. He smiled at her. “Hi Alani. I’m Simon, Kade’s father.” Alani gave him a smile and a little wave. Soon they were on the way to the clinic. A doctor met them at the emergency entrance. Kade helped her out and carried her inside to an awaiting room. A pretty dark skin doctor with a pixie cut and a white coat over her scrubs came to her side. “Hi Alani. I’m Sheila, one of the physicians here. I heard we need to take a look at that swollen ankle there.” “And her ribs.” Kade growled out. Sheila’s eyebrows went up at Kade’s growl. She looked at Annalee who just shook her head with a smile. Simon just chuckled. “Well, let’s get you into radiology.” Kade sat her in a wheel chair and before he could take control, Sheila stepped in. “Thank you, Alph- I mean Mr. James.” Kade growled at her. “She knows.” Annalee said. “Well. Thank you Alpha, but I have it from here. You all may sit here while I take her up and get images. Kade grumbled and collapsed onto the seat. Alani giggled as Sheila rolled her away.

Once the images were taken, Sheila had a nurse roll Alani back to her room where Kade was waiting. Annalee and Simon were nowhere to be found. “They’re in the waiting room.” He dismissed the nurse and carefully picked Alani up and placed her on the hospital bed. “How are you feeling Alani?” She met his eyes and gave him a small smile. “I’m fine Mr.- I mean Kade. I’m just very sore.” “What happened?” Alani blushed, embarrassed by her clumsiness. “I went for a run to the falls and on the way back somehow stumbled and fell going downhill. I should have been paying attention.” He looked at her, eyebrows furrowed. “I’m sorry Kade. I’ll be more careful. I’ll make sure that I get as much done as I can. I should be able to get to work. I- ““You won’t be back to work Alani.” Kade watched her expression. She looked stricken. “At least not this week I don’t think. You’re pretty banged up. You were lucky that we were out for a run tonight.” Alani breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn’t getting fired. “I’ll be fine to work tomorrow Kade. It’s- ““Oh no you are not fine to work tomorrow, missy.” Said Sheila as she breezed in. She pulled her x-ray images up on the monitors. “You have a 2nd degree sprain, multiple contusions, and several hairline fractures to your ribs. You need to be resting for at least a week or two. Foot elevated and ribs wrapped.” She said sternly. “I can’t!” Alani started. “Even if I didn’t go to work, I still have to fend for myself at home. I have stairs in my house for goodness sakes!” Kade could tell she was getting hysterical. He rubbed her back, which seemed to calm her. “Well Ms. Mitchell, I suggest you call someone to take care of you for the time being.” “It’s peak holiday season at my parent’s lodge! They can’t leave now, even if its just 45 minutes away!” Alani said, her voice breaking. “I could go home.” She turned to Kade. “I’m so sorry. It’s my fault for being so stupid and clumsy! I promise I can work from home and get everything done!” Kade watched her then grabbed her hand, rubbing her back with his other. Tears were crowding in her eyes and it broke his heart. He'd do anything for this pretty mate of his. “It’s OK,  Alani. I’ll be there to take care of you for the next few weeks.” He watched in satisfaction as her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. He had his mate right where he wanted her. Perfect his wolf purred.