After I’d devoured the sweet pastry and coffee, and my hair was brushed way past a hundred strokes, he dared to ask, “I don’t guess there’s any hot water left?” His expression was so hopeful a short burst of laughter escaped me causing me to snort. He tried and failed to look apologetic, the expression somehow not fitting the hard planes of his face. I leaned my head back against his chest, watching his face in the mirror as his body cradled mine. “Insider tip,” I replied, a smile lifting one corner of my mouth, “The motel has on demand hot water.”
A relieved chuckle escaped him and he wrapped his arms around me. “I’m sorry I laughed,” he apologized, “It wasn’t funny.” He kept his face serious, too serious, and I shook my head.
“You know I can feel your emotions through the bond, right? So points for actually being sorry I’m upset, but total fail on the not funny,” I informed him. “And good job on setting the bar so high on apologies,” I added, waving to the empty plate and cup. I reached up on my toes and pecked his cheek. “Love you, and you can tell Trent I’m never looking him in face again.”
I spun around, leaving him open mouthed in the bathroom as I hurried to closet and yanked on some clothes. I suddenly needed some girl time, lots of girl time. I found my phone by my bed and sent a text to Leah and Anna. They could learn to get along for my sake, I decided as I texted a request to meet up for lunch.
Liam, I screwed up my courage, choosing to ignore the fact that he’d heard me earlier, and hoping he was smart enough to not mention it.
Yes, ma’am, he replied instantly, his polite tone telling me everything.
I fought back the flare of embarrassment as I asked, Can you escort Leah here? I asked her to come have lunch.
Absolutely, he answered eagerly. I’m still here so I’ll go knock.
Thanks, I added faintly, breaking the connection, and not noticing the fact that I’d spoken only to Liam, and hadn’t used the Pack bond.
I made my way to the office, figuring I’d catch Dad there and as I passed Wren’s room, an impression of innocent joy came over me, and my steps slowed as I allowed the sensation to flow over me. There was no hate, or worry, or fear, only simple cheerfulness, and for a moment I basked in that easy happiness. As I moved on, some of the anxiety about seeing my Dad the morning after I abruptly moved out disappeared, and when I walked into the motel office I was smiling.
“Bunny!”
“Dad!” I cried, as happy to see him as he was to see me as his arms wrapped around me in a bear hug.
“Are you happy?” He asked, holding me away from him as he studied my expression.
“I am,” I promised him, holding up my pinky for him. “Pinky swear.” He hooked his finger around mine and shook it solemnly.
“That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you, you know that right?” His expression was unusually serious. “For you to be happy.”
“Mission accomplished,” I told him, bowing my head to him, trying to lighten his mood before I ruined it completely. “Mom is gone.”
He didn’t look surprised and one of my eyebrows went up. “She always runs away,” he sighed. “It’s kind of her thing?”
An unwilling snort of laughter escaped me. “Her thing sucks.”
He shrugged slightly, “I used to agree, but there’s a lot about your mother I didn’t know, never knew, and never suspected.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close. “I guess I can’t blame her for surviving any way she could.”
“Ugh,” I groaned, “You’ll going to make me sympathize with her and right now I just want to be pissed that she ran off before I could yell at her again.”
“She still has horrible taste in music,” Dad mentioned and I pumped my fist.
“Yes! That’s what I’m talking about. Eight hours, Dad. It was a new record in hell.”
He laughed, releasing me to ask, “What are you doing today?”
“I’m hoping to have lunch with Anna and Leah,” I answered and he glanced up in surprise. “Yeah, I’m feeling ambitious today, like I can conquer the world or at least some girl drama.”
“Good luck,” Dad offered, bemused. “And remember, Anna turns into a wolf.”
I tugged on my lower lip with my teeth, nodding. “Yeah, I might need to bring backup.”
Dad chuckled, “I’m not sure Dom would let you go anywhere without backup right now.” He shook his head. “You getting kidnapped messed with his head.”
“Well, I wasn’t too thrilled about it either,” I retorted. “Twice is twice too many in anyone’s life.”
“At least it was your mother this time. I know she’d do anything to protect you.”
“I can’t believe she just left,” I murmured, more pained by her choice than I wanted to let on. “I thought she’d stick around, see what it was like, at least for a little while.”
“It may have been more than she could handle right now, Bunny. Give her time, she might surprise you.”
I twisted around, giving Dad a tight smile. “Did she even see Monster?” Dad shook his head, his own smile disappearing. “Yeah, mother of the year, right there.”
Dad didn’t reply, but there really wasn’t anything he could say that would make me forgive her for that. The door opened behind me, a cold gust of wind accompanying it, and we both turned to see Wren standing there, looking uncomfortable.
“Wren,” I greeted her, a genuine smile creasing my cheeks at her arrival. My smile faltered slightly when Dylan came in behind her, his shoulders hunched as he gave me a bashful smile. That same sense of easy joy I’d felt earlier washed over me again and I realized it was Dylan. Somehow I could feel his emotional state and the realization allowed me to relax completely. “Dylan, I’m so happy to see you,” I added, wondering if he could feel my emotions through the Pack bond as well. It was the only thing I could think of to explain our sudden connection. He was part of Dom’s Pack and capable of broadcasting his emotions if not thoughts.
“J-jess,” he stumbled over my name, but his shoulders straightened. My attention went back to Wren as she stared at me, and I glanced at Dad wondering why she was acting so weird.
“I’m sorry,” Wren burst out, drawing my attention back to her as I tried to figure out what she was sorry about. “I shouldn’t have taken it. I shouldn’t have gone in your room without permission. I should have been honest about what I suspected. Maybe she wouldn’t have taken you.” The words spilled out in a rush and it took me a second to process them.
“The picture,” I guessed and at her shamefaced nod, I exhaled. “It’s fine, Wren. I’m not mad or upset. And don’t feel guilty. She had planned the whole kidnapping thing. I doubt anyone could have stopped her.”
“It was just such a shock….seeing her picture after so many year. We thought she was dead.”
“Everyone thought she was dead?” I questioned, wondering if it was what they’d been told after she disappeared from the Hanley Pack or if that was how she’d gotten away.
Wren nodded, “I believe so. Her brother had just become Alpha –”
“Wait, what?” I couldn’t believe what she’d just told me. My mother was Nicholas Hanley’s sister?
“Yes, Lucy was the daughter of the prior Alpha and the sister of the current Alpha."
“Lucy?”
“Vivian,” Dad explained. “Apparently, she changed her name when she left.”
“Wow, learning all kinds of things today,” I muttered, not sure how I felt about it all.
“I don’t blame her,” Wren whispered. “I don’t blame her at all for escaping.” She pressed her lips together and I could tell she was fighting back tears. “I just wish I had the chance to tell her that.”
“Well, she’s gone again,” I replied, unable to disguise my bitterness. “Ran away so she didn’t have to face me.”
Wren didn’t comment as she handed me a photo, and I took it expecting to see the one from my room. This one was older though, the colors faded, and I saw the teenage version of my m
other staring back at me, her arm wrapped protectively around a younger girl. I squinted, my gaze jerking up as I realized who the girl was, “You?” Wren nodded.
“She wasn’t like her Dad or her brother. She tried to protect us and they beat her for it. I wasn’t surprised when they said she died.” She swallowed, a tear spilling over. “I figured it was only a matter of time.” She brushed her cheek. “I’m happy she got out,” Wren declared, nodding. “She showed me what it was to be strong.”
“Then why does she keep running?” I whispered, not thinking anyone could hear me.
“Because this is where the monster lives.”
Chapter Fifteen
Dom
Emotions surged over the bond I shared with Jess, waves of happiness, anger, and a crushing sense of disappointed sadness that made me want to hit someone. Preferably her mother.
“You alright?” Trent questioned, when he caught me scowl.
“Jess is upset,” I answered shortly, still not used to how openly emotions flowed through the bond now. “It’s distracting,” I admitted, as we continued to sweep the area, searching for any traces of her mother. I suspected she’d just taken off rather than face Jess, but I didn’t want to take the chance that her brother had discovered her whereabouts either.
“Think it’ll get easier?” Trent asked, a note in his voice making me think it was more than idle curiosity.
“I hope so,” I rumbled. “She wasn’t happy about this morning, that’s for sure. She said she’s never facing you again, by the way.”
Trent gave a sharp laugh. “Yeah, I don’t blame her. I’d like to avoid me too after something like that.” He shot me a sheepish look. “I guess I could have handled it better.”
“I also shouldn’t have laughed,” Dom confessed, rubbing his neck. “But the look on her face,” he chuckled, shaking his head. “I think we’ll all have a learning curve.”
“I don’t think she was taken,” Trent said finally, his gaze gauging my response as we came to a stop, not having found any traces of her mother’s presence. Neither of us liked the idea that her mother had run, but there was nothing to indicate differently.
“I think you’re right,” I sighed, muttering a curse under my breath. “She took off and now I have to tell Jess.”
“Pretty sure she already knows,” Trent commented, his gaze sympathetic. “Maybe in some ways it’s better like this. At least she wasn’t taken by the Hanleys. That would be a fate worse than death.”
“True,” I nodded. Anxiety coiled inside of me, and this time it didn’t have anything to do with Jess. “I’m supposed to meet with Caleb in a little while,” I told Trent, needing to prepare him for what was coming. He nodded, his expression growing serious.
“I’ll be right there with you,” he replied, already acting the part of my Beta. I swallowed hard as I shook my head.
“You won’t,” I answered and a burst of shocked hurt came across the bond. “I need to tread carefully, Trent. I don’t want to come across as a threat to Caleb, and you know that is a wolf’s first instinct when presented with an unknown pack.”
Trent grumbled, pacing for a minute before pointing a sucker towards me. “My job is to protect your back,” he pointed out, trying to reason with me.
“It is, but there’s something more important I need you to protect,” I answered, my tone stern.
“Jess,” he sighed, lowering the sucker in a sharp motion. “I don’t like this. Just so you know. But I also understand why.” He gazed at me for a minute, testing my determination before finally giving in. “I’ll protect her with my life, you know that.”
“Thank you, but she’s not the only one,” I told him. “Liam and Dylan will need you if something happens to me.”
“Don’t start with that shit,” Trent grunted. “Or I will be here guarding your back. You think I want to face Jess if something happens to you?”
“Nothing will happen, but –”
“Yeah, but. Famous last words.” Trent stuck the sucker in his mouth, crunching down on the hard candy as he started to pace. “You think it’ll come to a fight?”
“No, but I can’t predict what he’ll do,” I forced myself to admit, hating the fact that I’d drifted from Caleb. I hadn’t been serving in his best interest, distracted by my mate and my Pack, a dangerous combination. “I’d like him far away from any of them when we talk.”
“Yeah, okay. I get it. You want to protect everyone but yourself.” Trent paced closer, stopping right in front of me. “But don’t forget, we all live to protect you.”
“I don’t forget. I never forget,” I swore, feeling those words down to my bones.
“Forget what?” A small voice interrupted, surprising us with his ability to sneak up undetected.
I crouched down next to Monster, cupping my hand around his head. “How much my Pack means to me.” I glanced up at Trent and he nodded, scanning the surrounding area. “Monster, would you like to be part of my Pack?” He stared at suspiciously.
“I thought you were part of Caleb’s Pack.”
“I am, but I also have my own Pack,” I answered carefully.
“That sounds like a bad idea,” Monster informed me and I heard Trent choke back a laugh.
“Yeah, it wasn’t exactly planned,” I muttered. “Jess wants you to be in my Pack,” I added, figuring that would be enough incentive for him.
“Does she know you have two Packs?” Monster accused and I heard Trent whistling behind us.
“Yes,” I answered patiently. “She does.”
Monster sighed, “Why does she want me in your Pack and why didn’t she tell me herself?” He sounded betrayed and I realized I shouldn’t have mentioned it to him without her. Monster crossed his arms, staring at me with accusing eyes.
“I’m sure she would have told you,” I backtracked. “In fact, we can talk about it together.”’
“Who’s in your Pack?” Monster questioned, ignoring me. “Besides him,” he pointed to Trent. “I know he’s your lackey.”
“Lackey?” Trent gasped. “I don’t even know what that means, but I’m insulted.”
I fought back a smile. “I have Trent, Liam, and Dylan.” I paused before adding, “And Jess. She’s a part of my Pack as well.”
“I thought only shifters could be in a Pack,” Monster mentioned, his nose crinkling.
“Yes, that’s true.”
“Jess isn’t a shifter and neither am I.”
“You will be one, Monster, and I want to make sure when you go through your first shift that you have us to help you.”
“And Jess?” He asked, persistent.
“She’s my mate which makes her a Pack member,” I declared, knowing it was true as I said it. Trent gave me a nod, respecting my decision.
Monster studied us, “I need to think about it.” I gave him a surprised glance but he didn’t change his mind. “It’s a big decision,” he said defensively and I nodded, my respect for him growing as he stood his ground. “I want to talk to Jess,” he continued, sounding more like the little boy he was and I agreed.
“You should,” I said, giving a nod of approval. “I want you as a member of my Pack, but it’s your decision, Monster. It’ll always be your decision.”
Monster nodded and then asked, “Can I have a sucker?” He held his hand out to Trent, who huffed, but dug in his pocket for one.
“I guess it’s only fair since it was Jess who gave them to me,” he grunted as Monster ran back to the motel office. “She seems to have a never-ending supply,” he added, shaking his head and I smiled.
“Same with the cookies,” I told him. “You ever get lost and she’ll probably put out a trail of suckers to lead you back home.”
Trent frowned as he connected the dots. “She’s freaking plying me with suckers,” he said, outraged.
“I wouldn’t think of it that way,” I replied, clasping his shoulder. “More like rewarding you with them.”
He growled, unsatisfied wit
h my answer, shaking his head in disbelief at Jess’ manipulations. “She’s a scary one,” he warned and I nodded, already aware after the floodgates had opened with our completed bond. Jess was crazy smart, fiercely loyal, and had a dangerously protective streak. I never wanted to find myself on her bad side. Trent distracted me from my thoughts as he said, “You know he can throw you out of the Navarre Pack.”
I nodded, feeling my chest tighten at the thought, and I could see Trent knew it. “I expect him to,” I said finally. “I can’t continue as part of the Navarre Pack and lead this Pack.” Trent glanced away, his jaw locked and I asked, “What is it?”
“If you want, you don’t have to be Alpha of this Pack,” he said. “As Alpha, you have to ability to declare a new Alpha, which would essentially sever your connection to us.”
“What are you saying? Do you want to be Alpha?” I bristled at the implied challenge and Trent hurried to deny the idea.
“No, I don’t want to be Alpha. I just wanted you to know all the facts. Most of the time this information is passed from one Alpha to the next, and you don’t have that.” Trent kept his eyes lowered, his arms wide, completely exposing his neck to let me know he meant what he said, he wasn’t a threat.
“Caleb is bound to know this. It might make telling him more difficult,” Trent continued. “He may demand you forsake our Pack.”
“He can try,” I scoffed, shaking my head.
“He is still your Alpha,” Trent reminded me and I glanced away. “Isn’t he?”
“I’ve been able to resist the Alpha’s commands for a while now,” I finally admitted. “Ever since I bonded you, in fact.”
“How did you keep it a secret?”
“It wasn’t hard. It’s not like Caleb’s dad tried to command us to do things often or Caleb either.” I shrugged. “I played along.”
“Now you need to make a stand,” Trent said, his gaze worried. “Let’s just hope Caleb takes it well.”
The Alpha (The Pack Book 3) Page 13
