Pack Protection

by Shannon Duane

  “And what happened to that person?”

  He shrugged, “We chased him through the woods as a pack and ate him.”

  She gasped and the car lurched to the side as she stared him down. For what it was worth he kept a straight face as she yelled at him. He couldn’t understand a word she was saying, probably because he was watching the emotions play on her face and he loved seeing her face flush, every single emotion shown so clearly from her. Lord, she was exquisite.

  “I was joking, Thumper, simmer down or you’ll crash poor Casey. He actually went his own way by choice. He was released from our pack and he’s a lone wolf, by choice.”

  Chapter 3

  After her mini freak-out Bree was sure Tinker would bolt from her car and into the hotel so it surprised her when, after she pulled up to the front door, he sat in the passenger seat and growled. His window was down and he was eyeing the hotel like it was his nemesis so she prompted. “Well…my good deed for the day is done. Time to go.”

  When he spoke it was only a rasp of sound and she could tell he was upset. “How do y’all live like this? I can’t go in there and be expected to sleep. It’s so loud and I can smell it already, disgusting. I can’t do it. Take me somewhere else, please.”

  “Where am I supposed to take you?”

  “Take me to the woods and I’ll sleep shifted. I can’t stay there or I’ll go crazy.”

  “You can stay there and you will or you’ll be forced to sleep on the streets. I’m not gonna take you anywhere else so you better hop on out and get checked in.”

  “Correct, I can sleep there, but I won’t. Where do you live? Can I stay with you?”

  Her eyes just about popped out of her head. “Absolutely not, we just met and I don’t know a thing about you.”

  “Not true. You know I’m your mate, even if you won’t allow me to prove it. I come from the American Canyon pack, I’m a wolf, I like to fix cars and I hate this city. It smells and the noise is atrocious. It actually hurts my senses to be here.”

  A car honked behind them in the drop off area and Bree waved to them to relax while Tinker growled. His eyes began to change and on instinct she drove off intending to help him find somewhere else to stay. Wasn’t this turning out to be quite the day; got fired, check, flat tire, check, possibly found her mate who just happened to be a deadly wolf, checkity check.

  “Where would you like me to go?”

  “Home.”

  Rolling her eyes as she pulled out of the hotel drop off, she added some annoyance to her voice as she replied. “Home is a pretty long drive for you, so why don’t you let me know where I can drop you off.”

  The sound of his cellphone snagged both of their attention. His clipped, “Yeah,” caused her annoyance to increase. How dare he accept a call while she was driving him aimlessly through town with no destination.

  “Well, Alpha, I didn’t check in because I stopped to help a woman having car trouble and she graciously agreed to take me to my hotel, but after getting there I can’t stay. Sorry to have fucked with your itinerary, but I won’t stay there.”

  Her jaw dropped at hearing the way he spoke to his Alpha and she had a sudden burst of fear for him.

  “Hold on, Jake.” He covered the phone with his hand, “It’s fine. I won’t be punished. Our pack is like a big family and he understands the position he put me in.”

  Lifting the phone back to his ear he sighed. “Can you please just get ahold of this Reginald guy and ask him to give me the boys so I can get out of here.”

  Not in the least surprised there was a rustling on the other end and Trevor’s voice seemed loud. “Tinker, you have to stay. If you don’t then you’ll be lonely and I don’t want you to be lonely.”

  “I’m not lonely, Trevor, I have the pack.”

  He heard a sigh on the other end and Trevor seemed annoyed. “I know you don’t like the city, but lots of things depend on you. Having a mate is special and little cottontail will be special.”

  His confusion grew exponentially. “Little Cottontail?”

  He could hear Trevor pulled the phone away from his ear and said. “Daddy, just make him. He’s stubborn, but he has to stay. Tell him Alpha says so.”

  Jake came on the line and Tinker felt a stab of embarrassment. He could simply check into the hotel and muscle through it. It wasn’t often he had to do something he didn’t want to do. He hated traveling and it had been several years since he was forced to do it. He had been privileged to simply be able to stay at home, work on cars, and simply live. Now, the pack needed him to be here and get the job done. For their sake and the sake of those kids, he would just have to man up and do this.

  “I’m sorry, Jake, you’re right. I can do it even if I don’t want to. It’s only a week. I gotta go though, I’m off schedule.”

  Disconnecting the phone he peered over at Bree. “I’m real sorry I put you out. You can drop me off right here and I can find my way back. I thank you for your help.”

  A startled look crossed her face before the scent of annoyance drifted past his noise. “So that’s it? You’re staying, and then you’re not. You want to come home with me, and then you don’t. I thought males were the more decisive gender.”

  She wasn’t sure if he was brooding, but his simple reply scared her. “Sorry to put you out.”

  Even more annoying was the fact that he wouldn’t look at her. He sat stiffly with his back to her as he gazed out the window. For some reason she really did want to take him home. He was like a lost puppy-with sharp fangs and claws.

  His phone rang again, but he didn’t answer, allowing it to go to voicemail.

  “What time is your meeting? I assume it’s with Mr. Wagner?”

  His scent changed to surprise as his head turned in her direction and his wolf eyes glared at her. “And how would you know Reggie?”

  Glowering back at him she announced. “I don’t recommend you call him that. He’s a very formal guy. His pack’s territory is in Staten Island and he tends to take offence easily if he feels he isn’t getting the proper respect. I know him from previous meetings with shifters in the area. I’ve also met him at court and in my firms office a few times. I’m not surprised the kids you mentioned are having problems if they’re members of his pack. He was never one of my clients but the few things I’ve seen and heard about him have not impressed me. He’s well respected, but not well liked as Alpha. I’m pretty sure he’d think you were disrespecting him if you called him Reggie. Heck, he may even think you’re challenging him.”

  There was a pause in conversation while she waited for him to speak but he remained silent so she continued. “He is the ruler in this area, everything goes through him. Those poor children have no family and I feel so bad that they’re stuck with him as guardian.”

  He inhaled deeply and she was fascinated that it took him only a handful of seconds to rein in his beast. Other wolf shifters were known for their aggression. “There is no way I would challenge him for this territory. I’d never stay anywhere near the city. If you haven’t guessed I enjoy peace and quiet. I also enjoy stripping, shifting and running through the forest any time the urge hits me.” He turned his fierce gaze to her and asked, “You ever get to do that, Thumper? Feel the cool breeze on your naked flesh before you shift, followed by the thrill of allowing your bunny to forage and bounce anywhere it wants without fear of being caught by humans.”

  She couldn’t believe he was turned on, but the scent saturating her vehicle was enough to make her nipples bead and a tingle form low in her belly; a completely inappropriate response to a stranger. “Unlike you I’ve never gotten to run through the woods without knowing there is someone, or something out there waiting to chase and eat me. No matter what, I’m still prey. Lowest on the food chain.”

  An irritated growl sounded a moment before she literally felt his heat next to her head. “I will never allow anything else to catch you. I’m the only one you need to worry about because right now I have a serious de
sire to mark you as mine and take you home. I’ll show you the kind of life and pack you could never turn your back on; one that’s kept me happy for a long time.”

  She knew if she spoke that her voice would be breathless with need. So, she kept her eyes on the road and her hands on the wheel.

  Soon enough Tinker came down off the edge and apologized for his behavior.

  She watched him rub his forehead. “I’m so sorry, again. I don’t know what came over me. This place makes me crazy, but I’m normally the one to keep calm. I’ve never acted like this before. Please, accept my apology.”

  “There’s nothing to apologize for. I’m glad you’re happy with your way of life. We all should be. I’ve been here in the city for most of my life so I can’t understand where you’re come from when you talk about open spaces and running free. I shift in my apartment with the curtains drawn and bounce around alone. The most fun I have shifted is when I allow myself to bounce on the couch. It’s interesting to hear how the other side of the world lives.”

  She chanced a glance in his direction to find his mouth hanging open, horror evident in his expression. “That’s no way to live, little bunny foo foo. You need space to hop through the forest. Forage and chase field mice.” His expression changed to something close to need. “If you have a vacation coming I’d love for you to come visit. I own my own home, I’ll let you stay with me and I’d even show you around.”

  “That sounds lovely, but I just got fired and I need to focus all my energy on finding a job to put food on the table.”

  “The offer stands whenever you’re able. I’m not supposed to leave New York for a week, but I don’t think I’ll last. While I’m here maybe you could help me get around. I hate taxis, a lot. I’d be willing to pay you to cart me to these various appointments I have planned.”

  She smiled to herself. “I know how you feel. The different smells nauseate me. When I got a good paying job, I had to splurge and buy a car. I really only drive to work and back and it’s not practical. If you haven’t noticed, parking is difficult and it can get expensive.”

  “I’ll pay for parking and gas while I’m here. I guess you’d have to be the navigator too.” His face showed frustration and he scented of annoyance. “I just realized how utterly useless I am.”

  She couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled out. It wasn’t graceful at all as she snorted, her cheeks quickly heated as he looked intently at her. “What? I’ve just never had any man ever admit that. I have to say, you’re kinda refreshing.”

  “Refreshing enough that you want to continue to be my driver, slash navigator, slash fantasy come to life?”

  If it was possible her cheeks heated even more. It couldn’t hurt if she took a side job and helped him out. Plus, it’d be a good deed because she would also be helping some poor shifter teens in need of some gentle guidance. “Sure, I’ll help you, but no more fantasy comments. Especially, in front of the young wolves.”

  His smile was equal parts wicked and devilish. “Noted. I might as well stay with you since you’re going to be my go to person on this trip. How upset would you be if animal control picked me up because I shifted? There are too many people in this city and if they disrespect or challenge me, it will be hard to control my wolf.”

  Thinking about it for a few minutes she was glad he allowed her the silence she needed to make an informed decision. Pondering all the angles, including the danger of a bunny living with a wolf, she’d finally come to a decision.

  “Alright, here are some ground rules. No barking, or yipping, or howling or growling; it’ll upset my neighbors. No changing into your wolf in my apartment; we aren’t allowed to have pets.” She pointed at him, “I’m serious, not one little piece of fur will be left behind. You have no idea how much vacuuming I have to do after I shift.”

  “Agreed.”

  “No making messes I have to clean. Keep your clothes on at all times and no annoying me. Oh, and you have to cook or clean for yourself.”

  “Yes, Ma’am, I’ll be a regular boy scout. I can cook for both of us, if you’ll let me. I mostly do BBQ, but I can cook whatever you have at your place.”

  “That’s fine with me as long as you promise not to poison me. I hear wolves are sneaky.”

  Winking at her, he replied, “You have no idea.”

  “Oh, and one more thing.” She narrowed her eyes at him, “What’s your real name?”

  A long sigh later Tinker finally replied. “Lorenzo, but that’s the last time I want to hear that name. I’m Tinker.”

  “Noted.”

  Chapter 4

  Not able to believe his luck, Tinker let his head fall back on the leather headrest and pondered his circumstances. He almost wished he’d never found his mate. Finding her and knowing he wouldn’t thrive in her chosen environment was torture. He turned his head toward the window and the haunting site of his worst fear, the city. The people, the noise, the aching loss of warmth and individuality that he so loved.

  Sitting at a stop light, Tinker saw a young boy being chased by a few other children. Normal playing was all fun and games, but when the boy turned Tinker noticed the look of stark fear in his eyes. This was no game of tag; the boy was clearly in trouble.

  Opening the door to the car before it’d stopped, Tinker asked, “Can you pull over? I’ll be right back.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Just don’t leave me. Stay in the car and I’ll find you. Just roll your window down.”

  “But-“

  He knew he was going to get in trouble for slamming the door in her face, but the kid was in trouble. He ran flat out until he turned a corner and observed a group of kids in a circle. There was the obvious sound of fists hitting flesh, cheering and labored breathing.

  Tinker kept his voice calm. “Break it up boys.”

  The crowd turned, but otherwise didn’t move or react. The fight continued. Repeating himself he raised his voice. “I said, break it up.”

  The circle of kids remained in place while the sounds of whimpering began. Not having any patience for fools, Tinker rushed the crowd and the kids finally realizing he wasn’t someone to mess with began to scatter like flies. In the center of the crowd were three boys. One was huddled in the fetal position while the other two were hitting and kicking him. The boys were so engrossed in the beating they didn’t notice Tinker approach.

  Tinker raised his foot and planted his boot into one of the boy’s hips and sent him reeling to the side as he pushed the other over. They both scrambled up and sprinted away. Tinker ensured they were long gone before he leaned over to check the injured boy. He scented blood and noted a cut just below his eye with the beginnings of a black eye. There were also multiple scratches on his arms and legs. He reached down to check a pulse when there was a gasp behind him.

  “What the heck do you think you’re doing?”

  His sigh was loud, “I told you to wait in the car.”

  “Don’t you take that tone with me. Did you hurt that boy?”

  Rolling his eyes, knowing she couldn’t see him, made him feel better. “No, I didn’t hurt him. I saved his life. I know we just met but…really?”

  Tinker took off his shirt, leaving him in a plain white tank top, and placed the cloth on the bleeding wound to the kids head.

  “Should I call an ambulance, or the police?”

  He leaned over further picking up the child’s scent, “I think he’s a shifter.”

  He could actually feel Bree come up behind him. She crouched down next to him and placed her hand over his, moving his shirt to the side. “Oh no, It’s Blue. His parents were part of Mr. Wagner’s pack and when they died he ended up in the system. He’s been in foster care. He probably ran away again.”

  His eyes narrowed. “How do you know him?”

  “I’m a lawyer and there were some cases I took an interest in, even when they didn’t involve my clients. I feel so bad for him, what happened?”

  “A group of kids were b
eating him up. I broke up the fight and then you came along,” he put his arms out, “Here we are.”

  She regarded Tinker with a critical eye. “I think we should bring him to my house. Let him heal.”

  Without further question Tinker picked up Blue’s unconscious form and prompted. “Where’d you park?”

  “You’re not going to fight with me about bringing a young shifter into my home?”

  He smiled. “Nah, I’ll be there to protect you both. Plus, this way I won’t be lonely when you lock yourself in your room tonight so I don’t ravage you.”

  He followed her to where she double parked the car and gently placed Blue in the passenger side, locking his seatbelt in place before slamming the door. He walked around Bree’s car to get in the back seat.

  He waited a few moments before poking his head out to regard her. When he noticed how pale she was he asked, “You okay?”

  She visibly shook and Tinker couldn’t resist jumping out of the car and pulling her into his arms. “It’ll be alright. We’ll get Blue home and cleaned up in no time. He’ll be healed by morning.”

  They were chest to chest as he rubbed her arms, waiting patiently until she calmed enough that she wasn’t shaking anymore. She inhaled deeply and placed her face against his chest. Feeling the warm breath she exhaled against his chest heated his blood, causing all sorts of mixed emotions. He wanted her, but he didn’t want to take advantage of her, especially when she was emotionally fragile.

  Her small hands braced on his chest as she pulled back asking, “Will you drive? I’m kind of a mess right now.”

  Her eyes were dry as she peered up at him. His heart literally skipped a beat as he glimpsed her pale complexion and dilated eyes. Her arms were cold and her tremors continued despite him rubbing heat into her limbs. She was going into shock.

  “I wish you would have stayed in the car. Let’s go. Can you give me directions from the back seat?”

  Her teeth were chattering when she nodded and he felt like the biggest ass in the world. Regret wouldn’t help him now so he focused on getting her and his new charge home. It looked like he was getting more than he bargained for during this trip.