Freefall-Book One

Chapter Sixteen

(A/N: And this concludes book one of Freefall.  I felt like crying because I really don't want it to end!  But on the plus side, I've already got Chapter One of Peter's story written, and even though it doesn't focus on Kristopher and Sofia's relationship, they are in it!  Thanks to all my wonderful fans and readers!  You guys are awesome!)

Chapter Sixteen

                This isn’t where I wanted to be today, standing in the middle of a clearing in front of my old pack, telling them that I am now the Alpha Female, and that my mate, Kristopher, is now the Alpha.  Not where I wanted to be at all.  Especially with Richard standing near the edge, his blue eyes cold and full of hatred.  Nope, this wasn’t going to go well, I could already tell.  Sighing, I turned towards Kristopher, watching as his eyes darted to the trees surrounding us, locking eyes with each of our pack’s guards in turn.  When he had finished, he gently put a hand on my shoulder, his eyes questioning as he put a hand at the small of my back, leading me further into the center of the clearing.

“Good evening, everyone.  Now, I know that things are a bit hectic and confusing right now, but there is no need to worry.  As a pack, I can promise that if you abide by our laws, no harm will come to you.  This is my mate, Sofia, whom I know many of you are familiar with.  It seems that your former Alpha had a vendetta against my beautiful mate due to his inability to claim her against her will.  So that everyone is aware, if they were not before, he is dead, and I am you Alpha.  Sofia and I promise the women and children of this pack that the ways of Nickolas are finally over; you are free.  If any male wishes to challenge this decision, you must make your way up the ranks until you are fit to challenge me, or you may leave, it is your choice.  There will be no more abuse of the women and female children; no more abuse of any kind.  DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?”  Kristopher shouted this last part, his voice booming throughout the clearing as he looked at each man who stood within the confines of the circled trees, his eyes glowing with power.  I watched from beside him, my chest puffed out in pride as Richard turned slowly and made his way through the women standing near the front, pushing several out of his way and into the moss.  My eyes narrowed as I watched him approach.  Like I said, not good.

“I have a problem with this, Alpha,” Richard spat, his voice filling with venom as he came to stand before Kristopher, his feet spread apart as if looking for a fight.  I should have figured that once he’d had a taste of power, he had always assumed that, should Nickolas die, he would become Alpha.

“What is your problem?”  Standing next to my mate, I could almost hear the cogs in his mind turning.  I waited, my hand clasped in his, as I watched for any signs that an attack was coming.  Behind me, I heard paws padding on the moss, and though I wanted to turn, I did not.  Turning would cause the pack to think I was weak, and weakness was not something that we could afford.

“I was Beta, and should have been Alpha when Nickolas died.  That’s my damn problem.  You come in here and all of a sudden, anyone with any power doesn’t have a chance.  You’ve got your hierarchy and we’re left to be bottom feeders,” Richard stated, his eyes glowing with his own power.  He took a step forward as if to challenge, only to be held back by the low growls coming from the woods.  Kristopher’s hand shot into the air and the growling subsided.  He turned to me, smiling, and leaned down to lay a gentle kiss on my cheek.

“Do you challenge me, wolf?  I can promise that you won’t survive,” he said simply, staring down at the former Beta.  I couldn’t help but feel a grin lift my lips.  Richard growled and slowly backed away, glaring at the circle of wolves.  An angry howl broke through his lips as he turned his back and fled, shifting midair to pound away down the trail through the forest.  I watched his retreating form until he was no longer in sight before turning to Kristopher, a smile tugging at my lips.

“He didn’t seem happy.”

“I don’t care.  Would anyone else like to leave?” he asked, looking around the clearing.  I noticed that while I had been distracted watching the interaction between Richard, many of the men had fled, following closely behind Richard, or had fled in a different direction.  My former pack was free, and I couldn’t help but feel light hearted and glad that some of the children would never know the pain I had.  That they would never have to run from this pack in fear.

“Let’s get everyone back to the rest of the pack so they can be checked out by Townsend and set up in the guest house to get a quiet night’s sleep.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Flopping backwards onto the bed, I let out a sigh as I turned to face Kristopher, who had pushed himself up onto his elbow to stare at me.  Groaning, I rubbed my neck, looking at Kristopher as I reached down to pull up the warm covers.  I could feel his eyes on my back until I rolled once again to face him.

“Can I help you?” I asked, grinning at Kristopher as he reached out an arm, wrapping it around my waist.  He smiled as he pulled me close, burying his lips and nose in my hair and inhaling deeply.

“You’re helping right now,” he whispered, pulling back to look down at me.  His eyes glowed with his lust, and I felt as if my heart was soaring.  His head swooped down, his lips crushing mine in a searing kiss.  I couldn’t control the moan that slipped from my lips as his strong hands began roaming my body, his fingers lifting the hem of the long t-shirt I had worn to bed.  I sighed as the shirt lifted from my body, giggling as it caught on my hair.  A loud rip sounded throughout the empty room and Kristopher stopped, watching me carefully.  Looking up at him, I couldn’t help but feel as if I had found everything I could ever want in this man.  He groaned, listening to my thoughts.  INTRUDER!  And then his mouth crashed down again, moving determinedly lower, pulling a nipple into his mouth with a pop.  I groaned, arching against him, my hands tangling in his hair as I pulled his head closer, wrapping my legs around his waist.  He ground into me and I moaned, pushing against the evident bulge that was forming in his boxer shorts.  Reaching my hands down, I found the elastic band of his boxers, and felt them rip under my fingers.  At this point, I felt desperate to feel him move within me.

“Kristopher, please!” I gasped, arching again, twisting against him.  He moved my legs further apart, sinking into me with a loud groan.  Moving above me; filling me to the brim.  I moaned loudly, moving underneath him as he leaned over, sucking on the mark he had given me until I felt the building pressure burst and I was screaming and soaring and breaking apart.  He grunted above me, collapsing on top of me as we both panted in time with the other.  Rolling, he pulled me into the safety of his arms, kissing the top of my head as I fell blissfully into sleep.  I could stay here forever, with this man, and not feel one bit of remorse.  I had found my final resting place; I had a pack that loved me, friends, a man who would never leave, and maybe, just maybe, a baby growing within me.  This was where I was meant to be, and I felt myself thanking fate for all the hardships I had suffered to get here.