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“Ah yea, I draw but I’m not really an artist. I’m an architect. I design buildings and things.” He nodded his chin at Marshall, “He does construction. Together we own a business. I do the designs and he builds them.”
She was in awe, “So, you bring these drawings to life? That’s amazing! You both are very talented then. I don’t know why, but I assumed your jobs were just running the pack. I guess that was a bit naïve though.” Chuckling at herself, she looked down at the sketch again.
Marshall cleared his throat, bringing her attention back to him. He looked a bit shy now too. These men were silly, embarrassed by a compliment, it was cute. Shrugging, Marshall said, “We gotta make money somehow. Turns out we were both good at something. So, uh… You mentioned earlier that you can work from anywhere. What do you do?”
She let him turn the focus onto her, since it seemed they both needed a break from the attention, “I’m a freelance photographer. I work with magazines all over the country. I basically get to take pictures of whatever I want, and they buy them when a subject fits. They also call me for specific jobs and fly me out to fun locations sometimes. I honestly love it.”
Kenzie knew she had a cheesy smile on her face, but she loved talking about her work. Christopher came in the door just as Marshall was speaking, “That really does sound awesome. I hope I get to see your stuff one day.” Looking at his dad, Marshall told him, “She’s a photographer.”
Christopher smiled at her, “That’s awesome. I would love to see your pictures. I bet you’re amazing.”
She walked over to the desk and set the sketch down, then grabbed the magazine that was on top of the pile,Architecture through the ages. Flipping through it, she found the page she was looking for. It was a series of photos of a catholic cathedral in New York City.
Turning the magazine around so they could all look, she showed them, “I took these about two months ago while I was in New York. From the moment I saw it, I knew I needed to photograph it. The details and designs were incredible.”
“Woah!” Marshall exclaimed.
Aiden took the magazine, as if trying to get a closer look, “These are incredible, you really are amazing!”
Christopher nodded his agreement, “You definitely have an incredible eye. The way the lighting reflects off the stained glass is almost mesmerizing. Did you go to school for this?”
“Yes, I went to an arts college in North Carolina.” When she glanced back up, Christopher had a look on his face, but it was gone before she could catch it. Longing maybe? But also, pride? She wasn’t sure, but it made her want to put a smile on his face.
“So, anyways. Marshall said we could make me a pack member. He promised we would do it when you got back, if that’s okay with you?” As she hoped, a huge smile spread across his face.
He pulled her into a quick hug, “Nothing would make me happier! You were always supposed to be here.” Pulling back, he placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, “I’m so glad you are here.”
She smiled at him, “So am I.”
“Alright,” Marshall rubbed his hands together with a big smile on his face, obviously excited, “No time like the present. Aiden, can you grab two glasses please?”
She watched Aiden walk over to a shelf behind his desk and pull out two glasses, then walked back and set them on the desk next to Marshall.
Marshall motioned her over to him. “It’s pretty simple really. You basically pledge your loyalty to Silver Lake pack and to me as the Alpha. Then we exchange just a little blood to create the bond. Once that is done, you’ll be able to feel a connection to the whole pack.”
Christopher came up beside her, “It’s very easy. You have nothing to worry about.”
Kenzie looked up into his bright blue eyes, and knew she was doing the right thing. She took his hand, then reached over and took Marshalls, “I’m ready.”
She gently squeezed their hands, then let go, “So, do we just put some of our blood in the cup and then the other one drinks it?”
“Yep, I know it’s kind of gross, but we are wolves so… It’s not really that unusual. People used to just drink in from the wrist, but we’ve become a bit more civilized since then.” He chuckled, then grabbed a knife out of his pocket. He cut a small slash across his palm and squeezed a small amount into one of the glasses. Then Aiden handed him a napkin, which he used to wipe the blade clean and dabbed at his hand. Then he handed Kenzie the knife.
“Ooh jeez… I can’t do it myself. Here.” She handed the knife to Christopher, “Can you do it, please?”
Taking her hand again, he flipped it over and quickly sliced the knife across her palm then turned it and let the same small amount drip into the glass. Aiden handed him another napkin which he gently pressed over her cut, “It’ll be healed in a few minutes.”
She smiled up at him, “Thank you.”
Aiden then stepped up to the desk, a bottle of red wine in his hands, and added a small amount to each glass.
Well, that was a nice touch, it would definitely make drinking someone else’s blood less gross.
Marshall picked up both glasses and handed Kenzie the one with his blood in it, “Okay, now you say the words, then we will both drink.”
“Okay. I, Mackenzie Lord born Mackenzie Blake, pledge my loyalty to Silver Lake Pack and to you Alpha Marshall Blake from this day until the Goddess takes me.”
Marshall smiled a big smile, then clinked his glass to hers, “I, Marshall Blake, Alpha of the Silver Lake Pack, accept your pledge. Bottoms up little sister.”
