lodge, where I know you are safe,” Anton suggested.
“Isn’t it safe out here surrounded by your pack?” Laurel asked.
“It is his wolf, Laurel,” Alena explained. “Your bond is not cemented into place. Until it is, Anton will have problems with other males around you. Come on. That large building over there is the lodge. Let us get you inside, so Anton can relax.”
Laurel looked around in amazement. The village looked like something out of a Christmas shop. All the buildings had carvings on the trim. Wolves were wandering around as well as men and women. The lodge looked like a large log building with a huge front porch. As they moved forward, a huge silver-and-gray wolf bounded up. Alena knelt down and gave the huge beast a big hug, while he licked her face. The rainbow lights coalesced around the wolf, and when the lights cleared, Kolya stood with Alena, giggling, wrapped in his arms.
Laurel noticed two couples come out of the lodge, waiting for them to arrive. The first couple must be Anton’s parents with their silver hair, while the second couple must be Anton’s brother and his wife. What do you say to the leader of a werewolf pack? Everyone smiled and patted each other on the shoulder or arm. Anton’s father picked up Alena in a bear hug, while her mother hugged Kolya. Laurel felt glad Anton kept her close to his side. She was uncomfortable with all these people around her.
Feeling her distress, Anton moved her over to the side and slightly back from all the commotion. He grinned at his family, but kept her sheltered with his body. Laurel watched Anton’s brother and sister-in-law greet Alena and Kolya and then turn to her.
Everyone stared at Laurel. She blushed and moved farther into Anton’s embrace.
“This is my mate, Laurel,” Anton said. “She is uncomfortable with all of you. Please forgive us. Can we move into the house and then continue the introductions inside?”
Oh God, Anton. I am so sorry I’ve embarrassed you in front of your family, Laurel sent, mortified by her shyness.
Nonsense. It took Violet a while to be comfortable with all of us. They will understand. Anton tried to reassure her.
“Of course, we can move inside,” Anton’s mother said. “Let us go into the kitchen. I have a cake waiting to be eaten.”
Anton picked up Laurel and walked into the house and into the kitchen. He placed her in the corner chair, then sat beside her, holding her hand.
“This is my mother Yelena and my father Vikenti.” Anton introduced them as Vikenti took a chair across the table and Yelena moved to cut a cake on the counter. Alena got plates out of the cupboard, while Kolya stood talking to Anton’s brother. Laurel wondered if they were talking about her. But then Anton’s sister-in-law walked up beside her.
“This is Violet, our Alpha female. Her better half—my brother Dmitry, Alpha of the Volkov pack—is speaking to Kolya.”
“Welcome to the family, Laurel,” Violet said. “Don’t worry about being shy. I felt the same way when I arrived here with Dmitry. Alena says you are an American. Where are you from?”
“I was born in Virginia. My grandmother still lives there,” Laurel answered quietly.
“I have friends that live in the Washington, D.C., area. What are you doing here in Siberia? Not that we aren’t glad Anton found you.”
“My stepfather brought my mother and me here around six years ago. He works at various mines. My mother passed away three years ago. After her death, I stayed the first year in Virginia with my grandmother. But my stepfather insisted I return to Siberia with him. And I have spent the last two years here with him.”
The last two years her stepfather abused her physically and starved her, Anton sent on the family telepathic link. She is very skittish and needs care.
“Well, we are very glad to have you as a member of our family,” Dmitry said, walking over and placing his hand on Violet’s shoulder. “Anton is lucky to have
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