Notes | Alpha Order | Inner Wolf | 'Talking in Mind Link'

Chapter Twenty | More Powerful

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Loveless groaned and pulled at the small wrap around her waist. "What is this, shrink-wrap?" She twisted around with a pout on her lips. "It shows my back. I don't like it."

James smiled sadly. He moved closer and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "You're lovely." His eyes bore into her eyes with the use of the mirror. "But I'll tell Vic and see what we can find, okay Pumpkin?"

Loveless nodded. "Thanks Daddy . . ." She whispered softly - for his ears only.

James squeezed her and kissed her forehead. It was a name he had come accustomed too. It had slipped past her lips when they were younger - it seemed natural. And from there on, James made it his purpose to keep her safe - like a father should have done. "No problem Pumpkin." James let his arms fall to his sides before he exited the dressing room.

"Well?"

James shook his head. "It shows her back."

"Shoot! I completely forgot. Is my baby okay? Do I need to go in there?" Vic blubbered out. His lips pursed unhappily.

James chuckled. His eyes glazed over, just like a mother. Vic had been the best edition for Loveless. He had treated her like a mother should have. Loved her, cared for her, and was there for her. "No, she said to choose something else though."

Vic nodded. "Alright, give me a few." Minutes later a 'cat got the canary' smiling Vic returned in a flurry. "I found it!"

James chuckled and jerked his head in the direction of the dressing room.

Vic knocked on the door before rushing it. "You cannot say no to these outfits."

Loveless arched an eyebrow and waited.

"It is a Bill Ruched retro one piece - like something from the 1940's." Vic smiled widely and held the swimsuit out. "It's a beautiful cobalt blue - your eyes will fucking pop - It's figure flattering with ruched sides and a sweetheart neckline and looped around the back of the neck with a one strap. Covers the butt, while the front looks like a dress coming to rest at the top of the thighs." The neck strap dangled from his index finger as he held it out. "Put it on - it's a designer suit by Norma Kamali - it will look amazing."

Loveless heaved a small sigh, but did as told. Minutes later she stared at herself in the mirror. Her lips pursed. "The top of my back."

Vic smiled. "I know. That's why I grabbed these cover-ups." His lips pursed in thought as he searched for the words. "The first one is long-sleeved cardigan it closes in the front with a thin little pin, stays opened about an inch in the front. Second, a black stretch lace tunic - long sleeves with little heart designs. Lastly, a stretch terry hooded dress. The skirt part falls to mid-thigh, with a little belt like tie at the waist . It has a zip-up front."

Loveless crossed her arms and stared at the three outfits. "I like the cardigan and hooded dress." Her lips pursed. "The cardigan." She decided with a firm nod.

Vic nodded and handed it over. "You put on the entire outfit while I go get daddy."

Loveless nodded. She smiled despite herself. Vic had taken it upon herself to be her mother and made sure James had taken the role of her father. Though James had long ago agreed to silently protect her like a father would have. She smiled at herself in the mirror. I'm alive because of them.

"Lovely?"

"Its open daddy." Loveless replied.

James opened the door and stuck his head inside the dressing room. James smiled. "I like that one the best. You finish changing and come out. Momma is looking at other clothes for you." He rolled his eyes. "You know how Vic gets when shopping for you."

Loveless giggled. Minutes later she opened the door, fully dressed with bathing suits and cover-up in hand. "Let's go."

James steered her towards the check-out where Vic was waiting.

"What else did you get Momma?" Loveless whispered, low enough for only the taller to hear.

"It's a faux-leather black dress. Really cute. A deep v-neck with back zipper. A sleeveless denim knee-length dress with a broad smocked waist, pleated at the waist then flares. A pink and grey halter print dress - lower thigh-length. It will look cute with that little silk cut off jacket." Vic smiled and tucked a couple strands of silkened dark chocolate hair behind her ear, while continuing to talk. "A cold shoulder flutter top - its deep purple with a oval-neck. A black and white corset layered top, and laced detail - on the bottom front next to the sides only - black jersey top. They are really cute." He pouted while mock glaring at James. "He stopped me before I could look more."

[all outfits taken from venus dot com ]

Loveless giggled and handed the sales woman her bathing suit and cardigan wrap. "That's because you would buy everything in the store if we didn't stop you."

Vic stuck his tongue out. "I love shopping."

James chuckled. "My wallet doesn't."

The other scoffed. "That statement only works if the other doesn't know how much your salary is after taxes." Vic crossed his arms. "You are carrying all of the bags mister."

James eyes widened. "Babe, I was playing."

Vic jerked his head in the other direction continuing with his miffed act.

Loveless giggled and linked arms. "Let's go grab a drink while Daddy finishes."

Vic stared down at the younger. His eyes warmed at the affectionate terms she had taken to calling them since they were younger. His insides melted, filling with gooey warmth. "Anything for my Princess."

James smiled, his emotional link with Vicktor connecting. "Get me something?"

Vic nodded - faux-anger forgotten.

. . .

Vicktor chuckled. "She's had a long day." He gazed affectionately at the snoozing girl.

"Pumpkin?" James called out. "Pumpkin it's time to wake."

Loveless whimpered softly and peeked her eyes open. "I'm tired daddy."

James smiled at the affectionate term. "You can go sleep inside."

Loveless nodded slowly and opened the car door. She moved slowly. Loveless stretched as she stepped out of the car. "Car rides always make me sleepy." She mumbled while walking up the steps. Loveless came to an abrupt halt as she ran into a warm chest.

Arms wrapped securely around her waist, keeping her pulled against a warm sculpted body.

Loveless shivered. She knew who was holding her. She didn't want him to let go. Period.

"Steady sweetheart." He murmured above her head. His fingers flexed on her waist.

Her hands rested on his forearms as she used them to balance herself out. On reflex her hands curled - as best the could, he was huge - around his forearms. Warm . . . So warm. Has he always been this warm? It borders scorching, but it feels so good. "You feel good." She murmured.

Paul arched an eyebrow. He pulled her closer. "Tiny," slipped past his lips softly. "So tiny."

Loveless leaned in closer as the heat that radiated off his darkly tanned skin wrapped her in a safe cocoon.

"Are you always this cold?" He whispered, fearful of breaking the spell that was being cast on them.

She nodded as her cheek came in contact with his bare chest. A sigh slipped passed her supple lips. So warm.

Paul chuckled and wrapped his arms securely around her tiny body. Damn I can literally wrap my arms around her twice, to small. His wolf growled in acknowledgement.

Vicktor chuckled as he eased up the steps. "I see you found a new heater?" He smirked.

Loveless' cheek slid against his toned peck as she nodded, to comfortable to speak. Her brows furrowed. She felt at peace, happy, calm, and whole. Her brows smoothed out as Paul ran his index finger over them soothingly. Why was she so attached to him? She barely knew him? The pull. It's like it's there, but not really - is it because I am so close to him? Why do I feel this way?

Paul purred softly.

Another sigh left her lips as his chest rumbled against her in the most soothing way possible.

"Let's go inside."

Loveless nestled closer. She was tired and he was warm.

Paul smiled. "I can carry you."

Loveless took a deep breath as she didn't bother fighting against anything. She was going to let her heart win over her mind. Her arms slithered up his chest and around his neck in acceptance. Screw it.

He wanted to carry her, far be it from her to stop him.

Paul smiled proudly - twisting her slightly as he picked her up. He cradled her to his chest, wolf purring in contentment.

Loveless sighed and buried her face in his neck. Her frozen nose instantly began to warm.

A jolt shot through him as the cold appendage touched him. "Is she always this cold?"

James nodded solemnly. "Always."

Vicktor nodded. "Which is one of the few reasons I accept you as her imprint."

Paul's head shot up.

Vicktor waved him off. "She's too out of it from shopping. That and your warm, it makes her sleepy."

Paul pulled her closer and followed the other two back up the stairs and into the house.

Emily giggled. "I'm telling you, she likes you."

Paul grinned wickedly.

"Come Paul." Vicktor called out. His pale green eyes gazing at the alpha wolf. A smirk fell on his lips as Paul followed them up to her room. 'Good puppy.'

James bit back a snort and held the door open. "Sit in the seat."

Paul's brows furrowed.

"She ain't gonna let you go. You're warm. You are going nowhere." Vicktor supplied to answer the silent question. "At least not until she is almost completely asleep."

Paul nodded and eased down into the cream chair - Loveless still cuddled against him. He released her legs and let them lean over the chair-arm.

Loveless relaxed in the new position and cuddled closer. The dream world swirled to life.

Paul purred in the back of his throat while running his hands over her arms and back.

"She's safe with us." Vicktor snapped.

"He knows that. It's the wolf's inability to protect her from here. He's just making sure - it will calm the beast." James replied soothingly.

Vicktor's nose twitched. "Fine."

"Thank you." Paul whispered. "For keeping her safe."

James nodded.

"And I suggest you do the same. Or I will end your life." Vicktor announced. Heat swirled through his veins. His body hummed as his anger grew.

'Calm down Baby.' James cooed lovingly through their link.

"Cold Ones are not the only ones afraid of being burned." Vicktor hissed darkly.

Paul growled. "I don't know what you are, or what you are capable of. But I will hurt you if you harm her because of your lack of control and anger."

Vicktor snorted. "It's your control we question around our princess." He hissed once more.

Paul stood and placed Loveless on the bed. He purred gently and kissed her forehead while covering her with the sheets. His dark mocha orbs blackened. "We can finish this conversation away from my imprint."

"Lead the way mutt." Vicktor countered.

Paul growled, his edges blurring as he moved down the stairs.

The pack stood, ready for anything. "Sam, Jacob, and Jared - the rest of you go."

The pack whimpered at the alpha order, turned tail and ran from Sam's house.

"Are you going to break my kitchen - again - Paul?" Emily questioned, eyes narrowed.

Paul growled. "Emily go see Kim."

Emily frowned. She turned to Sam and laid a kiss on his neck. "Watch my house Samuel."

Sam nodded.

A viscous snarl tore from Paul's lips as Emily's feet touched the grass. "She is mine."

Vicktor smirked. "Puppy, don't test me."

Jacob growled. "We aren't fucking puppies."

Vicktor waved him off. "I wasn't talking to a clone - I was talking to the alpha mutt."

"No need for name calling."

"Yeah!" Jacob pipped in agreeing with Jared, "Especially when we don't know what you are."

Vicktor waved him off and chuckled. "Want a hint?" His head tilted to the side.

James moved to stand beside the other.

Their hands linked. Smirks covered their handsome features.

They watched in fascination.

Vicktor breathed in deep and let the heat consume him - James doing the same. He hissed out a breath as the heat built, scorching him from the inside. He glanced up and stared directly at Paul. His pale green eyes shimmered, becoming liquid. The edges tinged orange - the whites of his eyes evaporated. He shook - absolute power tumbled off him in waves.

Everyone but Paul took a step back. What the hell!

"Y-your eyes!" Jacob exclaimed in disbelief.

Their eyes moved directly to Jacob as he spoke. Eyes that had once been vivid green and pale green were gone.

Vicktor smirked as Jacob flinched.

It was unnerving.

"You think you can protect My Princess?" Vicktor hissed. "She will always be mine." Vicktor laughed coldly - eyes flickering to Sam. "You had your chance - you failed."

James crooned in the back of his throat - keeping him in check. "That's enough."

His lips drew back as he growled. Vicktor's eyes darkened - it wasn't enough.

James growled. "E-nough."

He hissed before the orange-y color in his eyes began to recede. Vicktor shook, his shoulders sagged as the weight of the power laced phrase raked over him.

Paul frowned, brows drawn in concentration. A slow smirk covered his lips. "Cute." He felt his own rage surge through him. "But I have more power." His lips curled back revealing white teeth.

Sam placed a hand on Paul's shoulder in warning. Was taunting really necessary?

Paul stood his ground. "But it really was a cute display."

Vicktor snorted. "You hold little power."

James continued to eye the alpha mutt in front of him. 'Careful, he is correct in his assumptions. He is more powerful - no matter what we do together.'

Vicktor's nose scrunched. He didn't like that. 'Why?'

'He's not complete mutt.' James' lips pursed in thought. 'His father gave him the mutt gene. And you know our kind gets its genes from the mother.'

'In other words - he's perfect for the Princess . . . Unfortunately making him an alpha over us the longer we are near him.' Vicktor growled through their mind link.

James grimaced. 'He held power over us the minute Loveless said his name at the dinner table yesterday.' He unlinked their hands. 'He is our prince - we will protect him.'

Vicktor snorted and whirled around to growl at James. "I will not!" He screeched.

James eyes flickered, tinging orange. "We will not do this here."

Vicktor slammed his eyes close and breathed in deeply. "Fine."

Paul's brows narrowed. "You have a mind link thingy - like the leech." He pointed at James. "He has control over you."

James smirked. 'In every way, huh baby?'

'Only cause I let you - don't get cocky.' Vicktor snorted. "Do not compare us to that cock sucker." His eyes narrowed as he glared at Paul.

Jacob coughed - fighting the smile on his lips.

Vic's lips twitched as he glanced at Jacob ones more. He pulled in a deep long breath. "Forgive me for my outburst - rude and ill-mannered of me." He smoothed out his rumpled shirt.

"How do you do that?" Jacob questioned. "All growly and ready to bathe in blood one minute, the next you're ready for mid-day tea time." He shook his head. "Just like Paul."

James flickered his dark green eyes over the alpha mutt once more. "Really?"

Vicktor's nose scrunched. "I do not bath nor do I drink blood - leave that to the cock sucker."

Jacob smirked and edge closer - the seemingly once tension driven room now simmering . "Is he really?" Jacob asked, eyes full of hope. They glittered dangerously.

James laughed. "His mind is not a place I want to delve." Nose crinkled. "He smells - quiet unseemly - I might add."

"No one says unseemly. It's weird." Jacob quipped.

"And mutts should know what a bath is." Vicktor replied with a smirk.

Jacob pouted. "I bathe!"

Vicktor made a show of sniffed. "When? Last week?" His head cocked to the side.

Sam shook his head. "Children."

Jacob growled. "I'm not a damn child."

"Stop acting like one." Sam retorted. He looked over at Vicktor. "I would very much appreciate it if you would stop bringing up the past. I cannot change my actions - whether I like it or not. Bringing it up helps no one."

Vicktor shook his head. "You suffer." He smiled. "It helps me."

Sam's jaw tightened.

Jared stepped forward. "Alright. Stop." He soothed. "How do we fix this. Paul needs her. His wolf needs her."

James heaved a short sigh. "That's not something I can answer. Lovely has a very perfected wall around her heart." He grimaced. "I wish it wasn't there, but there were somethings I couldn't keep her safe from."

Vicktor stepped closer. "You tried."

"Thank you." Sam whispered. "I know it doesn't fix anything. But I am so damn sorry I didn't believe her. So damn sorry."

James nodded. "I know you are. We both do." He shrugged. "But being sorry doesn't always fix the damage that is inflicted before the 'I'm sorries'."

Sam jerked his head in recognition before lowering it.

"So . . . Are you ever going to tell us what you are?" Jacob questioned.

Somehow, somewhere along the lines - the tension had slowly settled into something more peaceful. A sort of silent contract on both their parts. They had a mutual reason to stay calm. Loveless.

Vicktor chuckled. "What? The puppy can't sniff it out?" His lips twitched upward while James laughed.

Paul rolled his eyes and eased back into the love-seat. "So what will you tell us?"

"She's one of us." James shrugged and took the seat on the cough across from Paul.

Paul's brows furrowed. "Will whatever it is hurt her?"

Vicktor shook his head. "No. Nothing will hurt our Princess." The silent again clear yet unspoken.

"We're hotter than y'all." James smirked while Vic chuckled.

Jacob snorted. "I doubt that."

"We can reach 130-135 in temp with little issue. We just have enough power to control our temperature." Vicktor replied. His lips pursed. "It unfortunately does not affect Princess though."

Jared whistled. "Damn! How is that possible."

"VICKTOR!"

Vicktor jumped up, his head tilted up toward Loveless' room.

"She's fine." James soothed. "She's been sleeping for a little over an hour. Angela probably texted her."

"That much time has passed?" Jacob asked, completely astonished.

Vicktor raced up the stairs. He paused at her door, "Princess?"

"Help me," was the only muffled answer he got in reply.

Vicktor chuckled as he leaned against the door frame. "Princess what happened?"

Loveless pouted. "I don't know. I was trying to undo the ribbon in my hair - it must have gotten tangled while I was sleeping." She pouted.

Vic's eyes sparkled. "Do you realize you fell asleep in Paul's arms?"

Her cheeks tinged red. "He was freaking warm," she muttered. She sighed as Vic wrapped her in a hug and kissed her temple. "Help me mommy?" She whispered.

Vicktor nodded and set to work untangling her hair. "There!" He exclaimed moments later. "Now have you decided on what outfit?" Vicktor's eyes glazed over as he gazed at the thin scars and burns that covered her back. His heart sank as he glanced at the two deep scars that ran down the middle of her back between her shoulder blades.

Damn her father. Damn him and his psycho wife. How dare they hurt her and then leave before he could kill them.

Loveless' nose scrunched, the Bill Ruched cobalt blue suit already in place. "I was thinking the cardigan."

Vicktor nodded. "I like that." He smiled. "You go fix your hair and apply some make-up. I'm going to change. James should be"

Knock. Knock.

Vicktor smirked. "Right on time."

James smiled and opened the door. "My trunks?"

"In the bag on the bed." Vicktor replied.

"Is it safe?" Loveless questioned as she finished her light make-up.

James chuckled. "Deh Princess."

Loveless glowed as she stepped out of the bathroom. She had dusted her eyes in an icy blue with and undertone of dark blue. Her lips glossed with a shiny clear coat.

Vicktor smiled and held out a pair of cobalt colored flip-flops. "My ttal has to match." He winked.

Loveless giggled. "Thank you."

James clapped his hands. "Let's go! Claire and Angela are already there."

Loveless nodded and wrapped the long cardigan around her slim body - hiding it.

"Oh!" Emily smiled. "Tell Claire I will be there in about 10 minutes." She spoke sweetly. "You looked beautiful."

Loveless' eyes widened. "Thank you."

Vicktor smiled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Come on. Seth said he'd lead us through the woods."