Carpathian 17 - Dark Celebration

would have died and we gave her the choice. It is what she wanted. Our healers are with her now and they will assist her in her new life. She is tied to a lifemated Carpathian, Vikirnoff Von Shrieder, and to me. We will always see to her happiness and safety."
    Mrs. Sanders took a deep breath and gripped her husband's hand. "At least I do not have to worry that a jaguar male will get their hands on either of my daughters. That has been a huge worry, especially with Joie traveling so much." She attempted a small smile for her husband. "I don't mind Carpathian or human, but no jaguar blood."
    "I thought there were very few," Mikhail said.
    "Purebloods, but of course, there are many descendents and I don't want either of my daughters near a male jaguar."
    Mikhail didn't point out that Jubal was a male jaguar, or that he didn't tolerate prejudice toward any race or species. The woman feared the male jaguars and with good cause. He had impressions of a past she kept locked away. Mikhail held out his hand to her husband and introduced himself just as Traian and Joie rushed in. Mikhail had relayed the conversation to the couple, urging them to come quickly to ease Mrs. Sanders's tears.
    "Mom!" Joie said. "I'm so sorry I didn't tell you about Gabrielle. I wanted to. I didn't know how."
    Mrs. Sanders hugged her daughter tightly. "Have you seen her? Is she all right?"
    Joie bit her lip and sent a quick glance to Traian. "She is apprehensive. And it isn't as easy for her. I had Traian to guide me. And when I need to feed, he provides for me and it isn't so horrible. But Gabrielle is in love with someone who isn't Carpathian and he can't give her the things she needs."
    Mrs. Sanders's hands fluttered helplessly to her throat. "Who provides for her?"
    "The man who saved her is named Vikirnoff Von Shrieder. He and his lifemate, Natalya, have been with Gabrielle often, talking to her and working with her to accept her new life.
    She won't take blood from Traian or me, but she has from both of them. They're good with her, Mom. And she's trying."
    "I want to see her."
    "We both do," Mr. Sanders said firmly.
    Joie hesitated. "Mom, she's very emotional. Her entire life has changed. Fortunately, there is a woman visiting here with us. Her name is MaryAnn Delaney. She's a counselor for battered and abused women, and she's dealt a lot with trauma victims as well. Gary has her with him and they're talking to Gabrielle right now. I really think it best to let them work with her. You know Gabby, she's a fighter. It's just the initial shock of waking up so different."
    "I'm her mother. I should be with her."
    "She's promised to come here as soon as possible." Joie looked up at Traian and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. The trauma of her sister nearly dying had taken its toll on Joie. She adored Gabrielle, and had brought her into this life, exposing her to vampires and Carpathians, and it weighed heavily on her that Gabrielle had been converted.
    "This man, Gary, is he the one she's so crazy about? The one she stayed here in the mountains to be close to?" Mr. Sanders asked.
    Joie nodded. "She doesn't talk much about their relationship, but they're obviously drawn to one another. Gary has been beside himself over this and has gone to her rest… Gone to be close to her daily since this happened."
    Mikhail reached for the comfort of his lifemate. Tied to Gabrielle the way he was, he could feel her unrelenting sorrow. None of them had considered the larger picture. Gabrielle was now fully a Carpathian female. The other males would be desperate for her to be a lifemate to one of them.
    Gary's attentions to her would not be welcomed by any of them. It was possible for Gabrielle to be a lifemate to one of the men without being in love with him. Affection often came later, after the raw sexual need and the intimacy of being lifemates. Conceivably, Gabrielle could love Gary and still be a lifemate to a Carpathian male. The potential for explosive trouble was building inside the already complicated world of Carpathians.
    She is in love with him . Raven's voice was gentle. He deserves happiness after all he has done for us. You know he has earned his place in our world .
    Mikhail sighed heavily. I know this, but logic does not dictate to a male near the end of his time. If she is a lifemate, she must give up whatever affection she feels for Gary and embrace her new life fully .

    There was a small silence. You would force her to choose a man