Travis chuckled and nudged her side with his nose, hoping for some semblance of a smile or amusement. She didn’t move.
We aren’t that bad; I promise. I’ll take you hunting tomorrow and show you around, but we have to be careful. He was being serious, his communication link somber.
The flesh around her mouth tightened and her fangs showed as she glared at him. Careful? Look I get it, but I won’t be a prisoner.
Travis quickly backtracked, sensing the rebellion right below the surface. No, you won’t be a prisoner, but you do need to take precautions. I could do more if I knew what I was up against.
She stayed silent, gently turning her head and gazing out the window from the bed. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking, but he was patient and waited, hoping she would give him some clue. He couldn’t force her to trust him. Hell, he didn’t even know if he trusted her himself, but if he were giving her his pack’s protection, he would like to know what the hell was going on. Even after everything he knew about the warehouse, he was still in the dark on the why. Why kidnap and fight shifters? Who was behind it? Travis knew the prick was a shifter that much he could tell. But why fight his own kind? What the hell was going on? Why her? Why him?
Ignoring his words, the unhidden questions kept safe within, she flopped around on her stomach, trying to get comfortable.
So, who’s Miranda? she asked, trying to sound aloof.
Travis wanted to groan. He’d been hoping she wouldn’t ask about her, but he relented on his line of questioning and let her change the subject. Her avoidance could only last so long. He was willing to give her this time, but it wouldn’t be indefinite. He would demand answers soon.
A woman I dated a few years ago. Nothing has happened between us since then, and will not in the future. He almost shuddered at the thought. Travis truly dodged a bullet with Miranda and wasn’t willing to make that mistake again.
But she wants it to.
Yeah.
What happened?
Travis sighed. It was one part of his past that he hadn’t wanted to get into, but for some reason, he wanted her to know. Maybe if she understood a bit about him, about then, she would be more inclined to trust him.
Basically, she was more in love with my status as the future Alpha than anything about me. I never saw it until we were together.
Vanessa chuckled, enjoyment darkening her eyes for the first time since he had met her. He stilled, the sight causing him to lose his train of thought.
You’re a powerful Alpha, now. Perhaps she saw the true potential in you.
Mentally shaking his head, Travis gave her an unamused look. Don’t enjoy this. She’s like an attention-sucking leech; always making herself known no matter the circumstance.
Why don’t you ex-communicate her, then?
Because…her family is well respected in this pack. The rest of them are fine, much saner. It’s just her.
It sounds to me like you care for her well-being.
Travis glared at her wolf smirk, another first. She was showing him attitude, but he didn’t mind. He enjoyed seeing it.
Your brother would understand.
Shit.
I didn’t mean–.
It’s fine, Travis. You’re right. Alphas are required to make tough decisions.
Vanessa hopped down from the bed. I know I must be careful, but I feel in the mood to stretch my legs.
Travis heard the request in the statement, and he wanted to deny her, make her stay inside, but he knew it wasn’t right. If he kept her closed up, she might as well be back in the ring.
At least take Samantha with you.
It wasn’t a request of his own, but he wouldn’t force the issue if she pressed him about it. He would just have someone follow her to make sure she was safe.
Vanessa never answered, but he took her exhalation as resignation.
As he watched her walk out, he scolded himself. Way to make her feel welcome, Travis. Rub it in that her Alpha just removed her from her pack.
His second came in through the open door.
“Alpha, we have a situation.”
Chapter 11
What the hell were you thinking?
Travis glared at her from where he stood in the doorway of her room, his large body vibrating with anger.
Well, shit. Vanessa thought he would have calmed down by then. He hadn’t shown up at her room the night before, and by morning, she thought she was safe from the time bomb.
Where the hell was Johnson?
She glared at him from where she laid on the bed, her front paws folded in front of her. Up until then she hadn’t spoken, letting him vent, but she wouldn’t remain silent on that one regardless of the chain of command.
I don’t like having a tail. I don’t like someone following and watching everywhere I go. I’ve dealt with that for over six months!
The growl came through the link, and she saw the gold of Travis’s eyes glow.
If you were more open with what the hell is going on instead of me guessing and doing my own footwork, maybe you wouldn’t have to have a tail, but until I know what the hell they want or if they will try to get you back, you’ll deal with it. I promised your brother I would protect you. Whether you believe it or not, I’m a man of my word, Vanessa.
They glared at each other, both unwilling to back down.
Vanessa sighed. Maybe he was right. She stared at him and saw the genuine anger…the fear in his eyes. Fear for her or for his pack? Regardless, he was trying to protect her. Maybe it was time to tell him.
She gulped, the words lost in the panic of confiding in someone. Even growing close with Samantha, she still hadn’t shared her burdens with the other woman. Terror wouldn’t let her.
His name is Dominic Parker.
Travis stilled, his eyes on her. It almost seemed as if he was holding his breath.
She continued, her voice a whisper through their link.
Seven months ago, I was out running and hunting in the woods when I was ambushed and kidnapped. After I woke up, a man came into the warehouse. Dominic. He told me that I owed him for what my parents took from him.
Took? Took what?
Vanessa shook her head.
I don’t know. My father raised my brother and me. I asked him what he was talking about, but he never answered me. He shifted just as two men came into the room. They shot me with some drugs that paralyzed my body, and he raped me.
Vanessa saw the rage in his eyes but didn’t let it distract her. She turned her face away and stared out the window as she continued.
It went on for a few months before he put me in the ring. After that, he didn’t come around as often but always said that I was his.
Did he…force the bond, Vanessa? His words were hesitant, stuttering.
She nodded and felt her throat tighten with pain as the loud cursing came across.
So you’re mated to the bastard.
She didn’t bother to answer this time.
He’ll be coming after you because of something your parents took from him.
Yes.
She turned, and a tear fell from her eye to disappear in her fur.
I’m putting your pack in danger, and I–.
He shook his head, his eyes darkening.
No. You’re staying here where I can protect you.
I’m not your responsibility. I can take care of myself.
No. You’re safe here. His voice was firm and hard through the link.
I don’t belong here.
You’re not leaving, Vanessa.
Her eyes hardened, and she stiffened.
Excuse me?
He was making her stay? Who the fuck did he think he was? True, he had offered his pack as protection, but she could watch out for herself, damn it. She wasn’t weak. She was sick of being ordered around, of having decisions taken out of her hands, of being made to do what she didn’t want to.
She started to say something, but his quiet voice stopped her.
<
br /> Think of your child.
Fierce eyes held her captive. He took a step back, and she relaxed a little but watched him closely, looking beyond the mere words he uttered. She had gotten good at reading people, but he was hard to judge, and she hated that. After everything she had just told him, the lack of trust was still there. She had learned the hard way about betrayal. Learned that if she didn’t give anyone a chance to get close, they couldn’t hurt her.
You’re due soon. It’s safe here. Stay. I can guard you.
She turned her head and looked out the window at the snow-capped mountains in the distance, contemplating the uncertainty of what lay beyond if she were on her own, pregnant, and without the support of anyone.
Not that I necessarily have that here, she thought, wanting to cry. Or anywhere. Even her own brother had sent her away. That she understood the reasoning didn’t make the nights alone any easier. Sometimes she felt like she was back in the ring. Everywhere she turned something stopped her, someone was watching her, some force tried to break her.
Travis was different, hence her revealing what she had sworn never to talk about. He was probably one of the only, if not the only person to understand. Which was probably why he wasn’t cussing her out as Aiden would have. Still, Vanessa was not about to have her life decided for her, especially after the hell she had just escaped from.
She met his eyes again.
All right, she said. Vanessa didn’t want to argue. She was tired of fighting.
Rest. I’ll be back later.
With that, he left.
Another fucking order. She growled.
And that was another thing. She was sick and tired of resting. She was pregnant, not dying!
Vanessa was about to kill someone. She knew she’d agreed to be careful, but everywhere she went someone followed her, watching her, and it was driving her insane!
Growling, she paced her room—her prison—for the last two weeks. Two weeks of being careful. Which apparently, according to the Alpha, was making sure she stayed close to the house through any means of distraction. But with so many eyes on her, she just hid out in her room, and that wasn’t like her. After being held captive for so long, she relished her freedom, and she wasn’t feeling particularly liberated at the moment. She was tired of being cooped up and about to go off on a certain Alpha.
A soft knock stole her attention, and she turned towards the sound.
“Vanessa? It’s Sam.”
The door opened, and the young woman walked in, her black hair in a ponytail down her back. Since arriving, the two had been spending a lot of time together. If it hadn’t been for Samantha, Vanessa would have lost her mind a long time ago.
After shifting so they could talk, Samantha walked over to the window and looked out.
How are you doing?
Vanessa growled. I’m going insane, Sam! If I don’t get out of this house soon, I’m going to murder someone. Even when I do get out, I’m followed everywhere! I hate the eyes!
Travis is just looking out for you. He promised your brother. Maybe if you told him more about the warehouse…
I don’t want to talk about it!
Samantha sighed. And I get it, but you can trust us. You can trust Travis. We just want to help you.
Silent, Vanessa paused next to the window and swallowed hard.
She heard the other woman walk back over to the door.
Want to stretch your legs?
Vanessa’s heart jumped with excitement.
Really? What about my tail?
Without answering, Samantha nudged open the door with her nose and looked out.
I’m your tail for the afternoon, and the coast is clear, so let’s go.
Her muscles quivering with the urge to run, Vanessa followed along, sneaking down the stairs and out the back door. They looked both ways before making a run for the woods. Only Vanessa didn’t stop once they were safe from prying eyes. She ran, the wind bathing her furry face as she stretched her legs. Samantha didn’t have a problem keeping up, and they both sprinted off through the trees.
Vanessa was in her element, loving the surge of freedom that her wolf felt.
Let’s hunt!
Vanessa was in full agreement.
A few hours later, they collapsed on the hard ground, breathing vigorously and full of deer. She felt like a new woman!
Thank you, she said quietly, looking over at the brown wolf beside her. Samantha was larger than her—not hard to be—with white paws. Her brown eyes met Vanessa’s, and for the first time since they’d met, the sadness wasn’t there, only the gleam of joy.
Nothing like hunting, is there?
Samantha shook her head. No, I love it. I don’t get out nearly enough.
Vanessa started to say something when the smell hit her. Her stomach dropped, and the two wolves jumped to their feet, their eyes scanning the woods.
Shit.
Before they could take a step, the roar vibrated through the forest.
A bear. A gigantic, angry black bear stood a few feet from them, hunched down, her eyes locked on.
Fuck!
The animal roared again and stood on its back feet, its claws swiping the air in front of it. They inched back but knew they would never be able to outrun her.
The bear charged, and they jumped out of the way just as a large wolf sprung past them, followed by four others.
Samantha, get Vanessa out of here, Travis shouted, anger vibrating through the link. Now!
Without arguing, the two wolves took off, the sound of roaring and growling behind them.
In no time at all, they were in the yard of the house. A large black wolf towered over them; it was Patrick Klein, his second in command and best friend.
Travis looked at Vanessa, his dark eyes disapproving.
Get to the house, now.
He then took off, disappearing into the woods.
Shit. We are in so much trouble, Samantha groaned.
They ran inside and up the stairs, encountering her mother and sister in front of Vanessa’s door. Disapproval along with understanding showed in Emma’s eyes. She looked down at her daughter.
“Shift,” she ordered.
Without another word, Samantha obeyed and knelt down on the floor, naked, as Anna threw a blanket around her.
“Travis is pissed,” came Anna’s voice.
“Anna,” Emma reprimanded.
One word and Anna flushed. “Sorry, but he is,” she muttered, standing back up.
Emma sighed and shook her head. She looked down at Vanessa.
“I would hide for a bit until he cools down, dear. He was so worried when he realized you were gone, and then when he heard that bear...”
For once, Vanessa didn’t argue. She knew he was mad.
She went to her room and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
“Are you going to talk about her?”
Travis turned and looked at his second in command, Patrick. They were in the yard overseeing a training exercise between their pack.
“No.”
At least not yet. It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours yet, and he still didn’t know what to do. At least, now he had more to go on.
“She’s pregnant, Travis.”
“Nice of you to state the obvious,” he said sarcastically, eyeing a young man wrestling with an older man a few yards away. The kid’s arms were all over the place, and he couldn’t seem to get his feet stabilized.
Sure enough, the older man kicked his legs out from under him, and he hit the ground solidly with a grunt. He watched as the boy got to his feet only to lose his balance again and fall on his ass. Travis shook his head. He had to give the kid credit for trying, but he would be useless and dead in a fight. At least right now.
“She’s pregnant as a wolf,” Patrick rephrased, attempting to clarify.
“That was kind of hard to miss.”
Before his right-hand man could ask anything more, Travis tu
rned towards him. “Did you do what I asked?”
Patrick nodded, his lips thinned. “Yes. A full set of guards is stationed around the border of the land, which brings our numbers down considerably.”
Well, give the wolf a cookie on again declaring the obvious!
“Are you challenging my order?” Travis demanded. Patrick may have been his second in command and one of his best friends, but there was only so much he would take, and disobedience wasn’t part of it.
Startled, Patrick dipped his head. “Of course not, Alpha. That wasn’t my intention,” he murmured.
Travis relaxed.
“But to be better prepared, it would be handy if you would give us the whole story.”
Sighing, he hated it when the man was right. He had been preparing to do just that, but with what he had just found out from Vanessa, there wasn’t time to waste trying to get his head on straight. His men did need to know what had happened and what they were up against.
“Fine, but I’m not telling everyone. Collect the Enforcers.”
“But Alpha, wouldn’t a pack meeting be more efficie–“
“I said. Collect. The. Enforcers.”
Patrick swallowed. “Y-yes, Alpha.”
Travis hated the fact that he couldn’t trust most of his pack, but he wasn’t taking the chance with Vanessa and her child. Someone had him kidnapped. He was working on the “who” but coming up empty. Help was necessary, and a few more eyes were on the grounds watching.
“You three are the only ones I trust.”
Patrick nodded. He had known Travis since they were little, understood his thought process. The fact that his Alpha didn’t trust many people didn’t surprise him. The two men turned to watch the young shifters learning to fight, both flinching as the same person again bit the dust.
That night, Travis sat in his office chair, the door shut and locked with a guard stationed on the other side. He wasn’t taking any chances. He stared at his enforcers, the protectors of the pack. Besides Patrick, the only other two he trusted were Noah Martinez and Bret Axel, both men having been with him since they were all children. Their fathers had been close with his, and that bond had transferred to him.
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