Free Alpha's Mate by Caryn Moya Block Page B

get close to him.  Glowing light surrounded a few.  Then naked men and women stood amongst the pack, patting him on the shoulder, or stroking his arm.  Dmitry heard greetings out loud and in his mind, as he tried to touch each wolf and person in turn.  These were his people, his pack.
    “Thank you for your welcome.  It is good to be home.”  Dmitry assured them all, sending a wave of affection with his telepathy.
    One young pup jumped at his hand, barking and fussing.  Dmitry leaned down to pick him up.  The puppy wiggled and squirmed, then put its paws on his shoulders, and licked Dmitry’s face with abandon.
    “Look how you have grown, Illarion.  Where is your mother?” he chuckled as he held the pup gently.  A wolf shifted, near the back, into a beautiful woman with long blond hair.  She walked through the crowd and took the puppy from Dmitry’s arms.
    “Fanya, you are well?  How is Andrei?” asked Dmitry fondly.
    “He is well, Alpha.  He is on patrol.”
    “Illarion grows so fast, how old is he now?” asked Dmitry, still petting the puppy in her arms.
    “He is five, Alpha.”  Fanya answered blushing and turning her head.
    Dmitry could sense many in the pack had questions, but he didn't have answers for them yet.  It was enough to be home.  The answers would come.
    “I will need to speak to Sergei, and Grigori, immediately.  The rest of you, go back to your homes and duties.  We will visit on the morrow.”
    Dmitry watched as the wolves and people slowly wandered off, until only two large wolves remained.  He recognized them immediately as Sergei and Grigori, two of his strongest wolves, Alphas in their own right.
    “Come into the house, my friends, we need to talk.”   Dmitry turned and headed into the house.  He knew his friends would follow him.
    Dmitry walked into the house and pulled out drawstring pants, setting them on the couch, as two naked men walked into the door.  Nakedness was part of shifting, and didn’t mean anything in the pack.  Dmitry looked at his friends, and felt sorrow.  These two men pledged their support and love to him, long before he became their Alpha.  It would be hard for him to send them away.  But there were no mates here for them.  He might not have a choice.
    “It is good you are back, Dmitry.  We have a problem.”   Sergei said looking worried.
    Sergei was tall and well-muscled, his blond hair so light it was close to white and his eyes were a gray so bright they looked like silver.  When he shifted, he turned into a wolf with markings so light he appeared all white.  They grew up together, Dmitry, Nikolai and Sergei.  When they were young, the pack found them inseparable.
    “Several members of the pack are causing unrest.  It will need to be dealt with.” said Grigori looking stern.
    Grigori was five years older than Dmitry.  He was slightly shorter and stockier than Dmitry and Sergei.  His hair was dark brown and he, like the other males of the pack, was well muscled.  When he shifted, he turned into a large silver and grey wolf with sprinklings of mahogany in his grey markings.
    Dmitry remembered how he and his friends idolized Grigori, following him around and getting in the way.  He was always patient with them, and taught them how to hunt and how to survive in the wilderness.  He became their mentor, and Dmitry loved him like an older brother.
    “Tell me.”  Dmitry sighed.
    “It is Lenka, he and Fyodor were the ones asking for Alena.  They are spreading rumors saying Fyodor was murdered.  He leads his little brother, Pavel, and his friend, Igorek.  I think his brother is trapped into doing what he says.  Pavel is not an Alpha, he is small and timid.”
    “Since Fyodor was killed, Lenka has been talking against you.  He says you are unfairly giving your sister to Nikolai, and you are unfit to lead us.” Sergei added.
    “Does he think to challenge me?” asked Dmitry growling
    “He is not strong enough for a