It hummed with satisfied certainty between them, sealed as thoroughly as any bond could possibly be.
He shifted carefully, adjusting Dakota’s unconscious form so she was cradled against his chest rather than slumped over him, his hands gentle now where they’d been demanding moments before.
Her face was tear-stained and peaceful in unconsciousness, her body still trembling occasionally with aftershocks even though her mind had completely checked out.
Kade scanned the car’s interior, taking inventory.
Dakota’s formal dress lay crumpled on the floor, disheveled beyond repair.
His own shirt was destroyed, buttons scattered everywhere.
But in the back storage compartment, he spotted a fresh dress shirt, something he kept for unexpected business situations.
He reached for it carefully, keeping Dakota secure with one arm while stretching for the neatly folded fabric.
The shirt smelled faintly of cedar rather than sex and fresh mate bond.
With practiced efficiency, Kade maneuvered the shirt onto Dakota’s unconscious form.
He threaded her limp arms through sleeves, adjusted the fabric across her shoulders, and buttoned it with care.
The shirt was far too large, the hem falling to mid-thigh, sleeves extending well past her hands, but it covered her completely.
He spotted her black lace panties and retrieved them, carefully working them back onto her body with movements that were efficient rather than sensual.
She remained completely unconscious through it all, her body relaxed and pliant.
Once Dakota was dressed, Kade turned to his own state of undress.
He retrieved his trousers, working them back on with careful movements that avoided jostling her too much.
His chest remained bare except for the vest, his ruined shirt beyond salvaging.
The car’s interior still smelled overwhelmingly of sex and mate bond.
Windows fogged completely, privacy tinting combined with condensation creating barriers that prevented anyone outside from seeing in.
Kade shifted Dakota’s weight, settling her more comfortably before cracking the window just enough to allow fresh air in.
November cold rushed in immediately, sharp and cleansing, beginning to clear the heavy atmosphere.
Then he tapped on the window, three sharp raps that carra ied different meaning than his earlier signals.
Outside, maintaining respectful distance approximately twenty yards away, Marcus straightened from where he’d been leaning against one of the security vehicles.
The other guards were scattered in a loose perimeter, all studiously looking anywhere except at the Alpha’s car, all undoubtedly aware of what had just occurred.
Marcus had heard everything, of course.
The screams, the begging, the broken sobs, the unmistakable sounds of thorough claiming that had gone on far longer than typical matings.
His enhanced wolf hearing had picked up every detail despite his best efforts to tune it out.
He’d stood there in the cold November night, protecting his Alpha’s vulnerable moment while simultaneously trying to unhear things that would probably feature in uncomfortable memories for years.
The other guards had shot him sympathetic looks, everyone knew, being Beta meant dealing with situations like this.
At Kade’s signal, Marcus approached with careful, measured steps, his expression settling into professional neutrality.
He stopped at a respectful distance, his gaze fixed somewhere over the top of the vehicle.
“Alpha,” Marcus said quietly.
“We need to get moving,” Kade said, his voice carrying command weight.
“How long before we get to the estate from here?” “Approximately five hours at normal speed, Alpha,” Marcus replied, still carefully not looking directly inside.
“Should I inform the compound of our approach?” “Yes.
Have them prepare the Alpha’s quarters, private wing, not guest rooms.
Medical staff on stare andby but discreet.
No pack gathering, no formal reception, minimal staff presence.
I want her settled before anyone starts asking questions.” Marcus nodded sharply, pulling out his phone to send coded messages.
“The guards?” Marcus asked after a moment, gesturing subtly toward the security detail.
“They maintain silence about tonight,” Kade said, his voice carrying Alpha command that made disobedience impossible.
“What happened here is pack business of the highest sensitivity.
Anyone who speaks of it to anyone outside this security detail answers directly to me.
Understood?” “Understood, Alpha,” Marcus confirmed.
“And Marcus,” Kade added, something almost like dark humor threading through his voice, “I’m aware that the acoustics of this situation were less than ideal for maintaining professional distance.
You have my…
appreciation for handling it with discretion.” Marcus’s expression flickered, something between mortification and reluctant amusement crossing his features before professional neutrality reasserted itself.