Henry’s funeral was short and sad. He wouldn’t have wanted a long drawn out affair. Henry was a simple man and a lot of hoopla would’ve pissed him off. Cami didn’t know him but she cried just the same. He was laid to rest in a suit at Junior’s request and even though it didn’t sit right with Dylan, he let Junior have his way. If it was up to Dylan, Henry would be wearing navy blue work pants and a white button down shirt. Junior gave the eulogy and Betty sang a song that made everyone cry. Pete’s funeral was just as simple and over just as quickly. Junior took Shari to his truck as soon as Pete’s funeral ended. Dylan had a reception for everyone at Betty’s diner after the funeral. Cami and Betty served. It was their way of helping Dylan. Cami watched him comfort his pack members, his family. Dylan had a way about him that soothed even the most ruffled feathers. He may not have wanted this but he was good at it. The responsibility may make him uneasy deep down but he was handling all of it perfectly. Dylan was the sexiest man she’d ever met and she couldn’t wait to get her hands and her tongue on him. His head whipped around at her, his eyes alight with wolf. Cami’s breath hitched and she felt light and giddy all at once. That look, the way his muscles flexed, and the way he was moving toward her now, like she was prey had her aroused beyond belief. “Outside now.” Dylan said in her ear quietly but with such command she turned to quivering mush. “Darlin’.” Cami sighed and hurried out of the glass door and onto the sidewalk. “What’s up?” She nearly bounced with anticipation. “Come on.” He took her elbow firmly and tugged her around the corner of the restaurant out of sight of people on Main Street. You can't think things like that around me when we’re in public.” Was he scolding her? She’d hoped for a kiss and maybe to have his hands on her for a few minutes. “What things?” She bit the inside of her cheek. “That you want me like that, that powerfully. It’s a real turn on Cami and its damned difficult not to just throw you down and fuck you in the middle of the diner.” He took her hand and put it on his huge erection. Her mouth made an ‘o’. “I can’t help what I think Dylan. It just pops in there and I can’t help it if I want you. A lot.” Cami stepped toward him and he grabbed her arms holding her away from him. She pouted. “I love you sweetheart but if I touch you right now, we won’t leave this alley tonight. Can you try not to think about it? Try to think about other stuff when we’re out okay? I don’t know who else can hear your thoughts. You’re kind of broadcasting them.” He chuckled at her horrified face. “I don’t think that anyone else can hear them like I can but we don’t know for sure so try to think about engines or flowers.” She made a face. “Okay, think about the five hundred horse powered goat in my garage. Think about how the engine fits together, how the cylinders will sound when fired, how many steps there are to take it apart. Think about accepting it as your birthday present. Think about how she will feel growling under you when you finally drive her. That should keep you occupied for a while.” She nodded and he pressed his lips to hers chastely. “Good girl. I love you.” “I love you too.” She murmured and followed him back inside. He was going to give her the GTO! It was the wrong thing to put in her head at a funeral reception. It was so hard to contain the smile that kept curving her lips. The GTO! Dylan spent the rest of the afternoon calming and soothing pack members that wandered in and out of the diner. Frankie came in and hugged Cami. Dylan was instantly at her side. “Dylan.” Frankie said. “I am sorry about Henry and Pete but I think that you did a good thing. It was very kind of you to let them go out with honor.” Frankie stuck out his hand and Dylan accepted it. You can come back to the bar anytime you like. I know now that you will take good care of her.” Dylan nodded. You can expect a full bar tomorrow but you are going to have to hire a waitress. Cami is giving up her jobs.” Her jaw clenched. “I am not! I like waitressing at Frankie’s.” Cami stomped her foot and Dylan grinned. She was so adorable when she was mad. You can finish your two weeks but after that, I want you at home with me in the evenings. You are going to be very busy as female alpha Darlin’ and you won’t have time for all of your jobs. The pack needs you for other things.” Her mouth popped open again but he put his finger to her lips to shush her. “And you will get a paycheck for your efforts.” “Okay.” He would pay her well, he always did. If she was the alpha’s mate and that came with responsibilities, she would accept them, of course. Cami watched the waiter come inside the diner cautiously. She watched him over Frankie’s shoulder. He was watching her too. Cami nudged Dylan with her elbow and looked over to where the waiter sat down in a booth. What the heck was his name? Was it Mario? She thought so. Dylan crossed the diner to his table and stood over him. “Mario? How are you?” He looked around at the other wolves in the diner. “Is something wrong? You seem anxious but you are among friends here.” Mario shook his head. “I’m very sorry to hear about Henry.” Dylan patted his shoulder. “I know he was your friend as well as alpha. I know you were close.” One side of Dylan’s mouth quirked up and he nodded. “Can we speak privately? Later? At your house? I will come by.” “Sure Mario, you’ll be my first official guest. Whenever you’re ready just stop by and have something to eat before you go. There is a really good cherry pie that Betty made.” Dylan checked on other guests while Cami brought food and drink out to them. She kept an eye on Mario because she thought he was acting suspiciously, he kept watching her, and it was creeping her out. Every pack member had stopped by throughout the day and paid their respects then congratulated Dylan on his new position and mating. As the sun began to dip low in the sky, Betty cleared the diner and told Dylan to take his mate home. She would clean up and was closing the diner tomorrow to recover. Cami hugged her good bye and they headed for home. He carried her to the bedroom and helped her out of her clothes then led her to the huge bathtub. “I want you to soak and relax.” He poured bath salts and bubbles into the steamy water. “You’re exhausted.” Cami piled her hair on top of her head in a sloppy bun then sank down against the side until just her head poked out. Her eyes slid closed and she sighed. Dylan smiled and went back to his bedroom to change out of his dress clothes and into a pair of sweats and a tee shirt. Hearing the doorbell, he hurried to the front door to let Mario inside. “Right on time old friend, we just got in.” Dylan closed the door. “Beer? Water?” “Beer please, Mr. Ellis.” Mario looked around the foyer. “This is nice.” “Dylan. Thanks, and follow me.” Dylan went to the kitchen and grabbed two beers from the fridge. “So what’s up, you needed to talk.” “Where is the Principessa?” Mario glanced down the hall as he followed Dylan into the rec room. “This concerns her too.” “She’s soaking in the bath. I thought she needed to rest for awhile. You can speak with me Mario.” The small bushy haired man nodded sharply. “Word has spread about her rather quickly. She used her powers in public and the gossip is flying like wild fire. Soon word will circle the globe that the Principessa has been found.” Dylan grimaced and drew deep on his beer. “She is not safe Dylan. Word will eventually make it to the people responsible for her parents’ deaths. We will have our work cut out for us if we want to protect her.” “We?” “Yes. My family has protected the family of the Principessa for centuries, so yes, we. I have called in some family members who are on their way.”
