by Cara Carnes
The woman he wanted more than the breaths he took regarded him as though he were a monster. Her body flinched from the verbal assault of Melanie’s words as she continued prattling on about Ellie missing the waffles he made every morning and how she wanted them for dinner tonight. Each word cleaved a chunk of his soul.
“I’ll be home soon. We have some visitors from the Jago Den I must attend to.” He nudged her toward the door. “Give Ellie a kiss for me.”
Melanie smiled and nodded as she padded out the door in a whispery glide that belied the thick tension of the room. The Omega probably hadn’t even sensed the devastation she’d left in her wake. He stood there saying nothing, waiting for the hurricane of Kinsey’s wrath to strike. At least then maybe the numbness drowning him would subside. He’d rather endure her anger than witness her surrender, her denial of their bond.
What had he done? He wanted to wrap her in his embrace, confide the truth in her. His intent must’ve registered because she took a deep breath, looked up at Jadrien. “Give me a few, and I’ll be ready.”
Drayce watched the most beautiful thing to ever happen to him charge up the stairs. Jadrien lunged, seizing his shirt in his fist. “I should return during the full moon with my dullest knife and skin your worthless Wolf hide. She doesn’t know, does she?”
“This isn’t your business.”
“Bullshit. Kins means everything to my pack. Do you think I’ll come out of this unscathed when I take her back to my pack broken?” He shoved Drayce away. “I expected more of a man who’d stand up and offer his protection to the Omega mate of his pack mate, but maybe you Wolves don’t know what true guts are.”
“You challenge my courage?” Drayce braced for a fight. Hell, he needed the adrenaline rush a blood match would incite. He needed to feel. Anything.
“You aren’t worth beating to a bloody pulp if you let it end like this,” Jadrien spat. “And to think, I respected your ass when you dealt with my den. Answer my fucking question, chicken shit. She doesn’t know, does she?”
“No.” Drayce allowed the truth to settle between them. “How do you know?”
“It’s my business to know things about people sent to address my Alpha.” He shook his head. “You assume to know how she’d react.”
“I shouldn’t have ever let things get this serious. I should’ve stayed away last night.”
Jadrien chuckled. “The pull real intense?”
“Worse,” he confided.
“We have a saying in my den. Don’t ever underestimate a Jamison.”
“She’ll move on, find someone better.”
“Then you don’t know her. Do you know why our pack would bleed out for her and her bloodline?” When Drayce offered no response, he continued. “They’ve protected our den for centuries. Her great-grandfather spent every cent he had buying up the lands around ours so we’d have expanded terrain to run on. They lived in a glorified shanty with no modern conveniences to give us space, expecting nothing in return because they all believed vehemently it was the right thing to do.
“We’ve thrived because of them, strengthened by their support. Through the past century, we’ve tried to repay their kindness, ensure their safety, and offer them recompense. Her grandmother refused and so has Kinsey. She was ostracized by her own family for embracing her grandmother’s beliefs and not moving on, having a life beyond the den.”
Drayce absorbed the information. He could imagine Kinsey doing this so easily his heart swelled with pride.
“Those sacrifices are only a small part of why every single one of my pack would bleed for the woman whose heart you shredded with what we both know is a lie. It may not be my business why you choose to let her think you’re a lecherous motherfucker instead of the strong, courageous warrior I know you to be, but it becomes my business when doing so crushes one of the only humans I know worthy of existing.”
“It’s complicated. Besides, you should be thrilled she’s leaving, returning to your den.”
“Yeah, ’cause it would sure make the shit you spewed go down a hell of a lot easier if we were heartless bastards willing to sacrifice her happiness for our personal gain.” Jadrien growled. “Sort this shit, or I’ll do it for you.”
“Mind your own business. Get your human and get gone. Neither of you are wanted here.” He let the statement thunder through the bar as the pounding of footsteps on the stairwell halted. Pain seared his soul and wrenched his heart. Final nail drilled into any hope he had of having Kinsey, he headed toward his duty.
Tonight he’d make waffles.
Chapter Four
The bar door’s slam thudded a part of her shut. She couldn’t process whatever had just happened. She hadn’t been given time to process. He sprinted out after the beautiful, petite brunette with the soft voice and alluring jade green eyes.
He had a kid.
In human terms, the fact he’d licked Kinsey six ways to orgasm last night—not to even mention the first mind-melting time—made him the miserable dog he was. Okay, Wolf, but whatever. She thought Wolves placed more importance on mates. What was all the bullshit about one true soul mate or whatever?
Apparently, Wolves embraced their inner slut dog and ignored the beautiful sentiment Jaguars believed in. It was one of the reasons she’d always steered clear of the men of Lauren’s den. The last thing she needed was a herd of horny male kitties following her around.
Her suitcase weighted down her hand. Her heart flailed for purchase on the cavernous ravine Drayce had created. Breaking down right now wasn’t an option, though. She had a heck of a lot of miles stuck in a vehicle with Jadrien and she remembered all too well what he thought of cars. Glorified vices meant to drive you mad.
Well, she’d be downright crazed by the time she made it back to the Appalachian Mountains. Then she could break down in the privacy of her home. Her very quiet, very dull, very lonely home. Leaving with things so screwed up left a bad taste in the back of her throat. She swallowed, forcing the lodged anger aside.
He hadn’t wanted a good-bye. Fine. Whatever. Embracing her inner bitch for a little longer, she dragged her squealing suitcase to the exit and halted when she noticed Jadrien. Unmoving.
Hell no.
“We aren’t doing this, Jad.” She shouldered her purse and glowered in his direction. “I know he’d make a good throw rug for your fireplace, but we aren’t doing this. I own this issue. I created it, I walk away. No ass kicking allowed.”
“You own this issue.”
“Yes. He never wanted anything beyond one night.” The admission stung. Powering on, she ignored his stare, too terrified she’d read the disgust or shame there. Females in his den simply didn’t behave the way she had—a wanton hussy desperate for attention. “I shouldn’t have come here and made this awkward for him.”
Heavy footsteps echoed on the wooden flooring. God, why couldn’t he let this go, drag her to his vehicle by the few strands of pride she had intact, and get her out of here? She braced for his response. Swift and violent.
She deserved it.
“Look at me, Kins.” The softness in his voice made the wetness in her eyes spill over.
“I can’t handle nice right now.” She shook off his fingers on her cheek, turning away as she battled the tears.
“Kins.” Shuddering, raspy breaths escaped her. “You aren’t coming with me.”
“W-what?” Was he that upset with her?
“As much as I’d love to cart your impulsive ass home, I wouldn’t be protecting your back if I did. You trust me?”
She nodded, unable to speak. Her gut churned its distaste for the conversation, the situation in general.
“This isn’t my fight, sweetie, but I’ve got your back, so all I’m saying is there’s more at play here. The shit I know isn’t shit I can share. You’re a smart one, a fuck load smarter than I wish to hell you were. Otherwise, I could simply drag you away and you’d move on.”
“I would?”
“Yeah, you would.” He grinned.
“But letting it go isn’t you. You’re too smart not to listen to your heart. He’s a good man, Kins.”
“H-he is?” Jadrien rarely deemed anyone good. The offered sentiment meant something, right?
“I’d back him in any fight because I know, if needed, he’d do what the Jago Den would—bleed for you.”
The resigned tone in his voice stirred the lone morsel of hope within her. He wouldn’t spew bullshit to appease her. He never had. It was what she’d always loved about him and the whole Jago Den. She’d always known where she stood. Not living on an emotional rollercoaster when it came to them gave her security, a sense of belonging.
The familial bond she’d felt for the den was also why she could never fall in love with one of them. They were safe, and she craved the wildness, the hungered craze she had with Drayce.
“I was alive with him.”
“Gird yourself, sweetie. You’re in for a bumpy ride. You want him, hang on.”
“W-what if he doesn’t want me? What if I can’t make it work? What if I fall off the ride?”
“Then you’ve got a whole den ready to catch you.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Give him hell.”
She chuckled. “I think hell froze over. I never thought I’d hear you telling me to go after a Wolf.”
“You tell Daniel and I’ll kick your ass.”
Swiping at her cheeks to wipe off the defeat he’d shattered with his encouragement, she looked up at him hopefully. “You’ll stay, right?”
“I’m thinking they’d take issue with my presence, sweetie. Enforcers don’t hang around other shifter lands, especially different breeds. The fact I wasn’t drawn and quartered immediately speaks to the strength of their Alpha and the trust the pack has in him.” He smirked. “At least you chose a good mutt.”
She punched him in the arm. “Only I get to call him that.”
“Fair enough.” Jadrien grasped her shoulders. “He’s cornered. If he’s anything like me and the Dominants in our den, he’ll come out swinging. It’ll be on you to prove you’re fighting for him. No holds barred.”
No holds barred sounded…intense. A ripple of nervousness skittered through her. She could do this. If Jadrien believed there was more to the story, then there was more to it. Few people in her life had earned absolute trust. Jadrien was the top of the list.
“When you start doubting yourself, him, or why you’re here, ask yourself what I do when I’m staring down defeat.”
“What?”
“What would Nans do?”
She leaped into him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “You’re right. She’d be pissed at me for giving up so easily. I miss her so much every day.”
“We all do, sweetie. We all do.” He squeezed her tight before setting her back. “Now, let’s see if we can sort this out.”
“Two minutes.” She charged up the stairs, dragging the suitcase along. Cleanse face, stockpile provisions. Get ready to kick Wolf butt. Riding on a new adrenaline high of epic proportions, she powered through the cool splashing of water on her face, patted on some face powder, brushed her teeth, and shoved her toothbrush along with a fresh pair of panties into her purse.
Everything else could wait. God, she’d been crazy earlier. The whole thing had smacked of setup. Whoever Melanie was, it was clear she was important to him. But his response, the way he’d studied Kinsey afterward proved he was doing what he’d been doing all along—trying to get her gone.
Well, he had a thing or two to learn about Kinsey Jamison if he thought it’d be simple. A cool breeze drifted through the bar’s entrance when she headed out and looked left, then right. Jadrien leaned against his truck. Ryker and Drew stood before him.
Their tense stances made her belly seesaw between worry for her fear and guilt. She hadn’t wanted to cause problems, yet it was clear her presence did. She hadn’t fully understood packs and dens and all the inner dynamics at play. Jadrien had come for her and, as a result, created tension that could make whatever they’d been working out more difficult.
Why did it have to be so complicated?
Both men studied her when she walked up, no doubt noting her missing suitcase. “Gentlemen.”
“You ready?”
“Yes. We have directions?”
“I didn’t think these two would give us turn-by-turn directions seeing how they want us several hundred miles away before sunset.”
“You aren’t leaving,” Drew commented.
“No, I’m not.” She squared her shoulders and regarded the Alpha. “With all due respect, this doesn’t concern you, so I’d stand aside. Ask Jadrien. I’m stubborn, so the momentary flash of weakness earlier was a first. It probably won’t happen again in at least a decade.”
“She’s not lying,” Jadrien grumbled.
“So. We’re going to go knock on every door and scour every inch of your pack lands until I find him. I’m sure it’ll upset some of your more private pack peeps, but”—she shrugged indifference she wished she felt—“I’ll do what I gotta do to find my man.”
“No, you won’t,” Jadrien stated. “I violated their borders by entering without permission to get you. This ends here, for now. You’ll figure out another way.”
“But you—”
“I never said we’d be going door-to-door. I said we’d sort it out before we head home. Outside their pack lands.”
“I’m not leaving my man.”
“Funny. He seemed to think he wasn’t your man,” Drew said.
“I’m thinking he doesn’t know a woman claiming him when he sees it. Not many people have had his back. The fact his pack let him down makes me sad, and I’m sure you and me will have words before this is over because I’m sure I’ll be upset with you for some reason. Be forewarned.”
“You don’t threaten our Alpha, little girl,” Ryker growled. Drew shook his head, and the man stilled, his gaze hardened with malicious intent.
“This isn’t the Jago Den,” Drew stated. “Keep threats to yourself. I won’t hold him back next time, and neither Drayce nor Jadrien would stop him.”
“I’m sorry. I speak my mind, something encouraged by the only other Alpha I’ve ever been around.”
“Fair enough.” Drew pulled a folded sheet from his back pocket. “My duty as Alpha is to do what’s right for my pack, even if they don’t agree. I’m thinking this is one of those times.”
He approached, looking down on her as though she were a piece of prey. She gulped but stood her ground.
“There’s bad blood between my family and his. Always has been. Time’s finally come to start making it right.” He held out the paper but leveled his gaze at Jadrien. “Your word. This goes south, she’s gone by nightfall.”
Jadrien nodded.
A million responses flittered in her mind, but she was wise enough to keep them to herself. Simplest was best. Whatever had happened just now, she didn’t want to screw up the chance he was offering. Clutching the paper, she said, “Thanks.”
She grabbed the oh-shit-this-is-tall bar, pulled herself into Jadrien’s truck without a word, and waited as he piled in and started it up. She nodded at the two men as she moved to roll up the window.
“Kinsey.” She pulled her finger off the button and looked at Drew. “We’ve always had his back. He never noticed.”
A fighter used to toughing it out alone. The thought stirred her protective instincts. She wanted to be in his corner. More importantly, she needed him to want her there.
“Never expected to see that.” Jadrien’s voice drew her attention.
“What?”
“An Alpha trusting an unknown human with one of their pack. Don’t fuck it up.”
She hoped to God she wouldn’t. Unable to contemplate what was about to go down, she mentally turned the page on her list. Learn about the pack. The culture of shifters. Knowing how things worked would make fitting in simpler. She probably should’ve investigated more before striking out after Drayce.
“How are you al
l different from them, you know, for the shifting thing?”
“Well, most Wolves rely on the moon to shift. Jaguars aren’t moon dependent, meaning we can shift when we wish, though we rarely do outside of den lands for safety reasons.”
“So, you’re stronger than Wolves.”
“No.” He shook his head. “We may shift more easily, but they are strong, hunt in a pack. They’re fierce. No one wants a Wolf pack as an enemy. It’s why we’ve always straddled the lines of peace, even when other feline factions wanted war.”
“Why would they want war?”
“Different reasons. Land limitations have become a serious issue lately. Humanity is encroaching on what has always been pack lands. The need for secrecy heightens the need for isolated lands, which are harder to come by than ever.”
Wow. She’d never considered privacy issues. The Jago Den had always had a large tract of land. They’d expanded over the past few decades. “Is this pack okay? I mean, they’re safe, right? They have enough land?”
“They’re fine. Drew’s a good Alpha. His dad was a son of a bitch, based on what I’ve heard. But with a new leader and an Enforcer as strong as Ryker, the pack is thriving again.”
“Then they’ll be okay.” Knowing settled some of the nervousness in her. She hated to imagine any shifters in trouble, being discovered. It’d only take one being found for them all to be at risk.
“I gotta admit, I’m not too keen on leaving you here in the middle of nowhere. Didn’t realize he’d be this far out.”
“We’ve only driven a couple of miles, right?”
“That’s a long way to walk to a town when they don’t want you there.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Your phone working out here?”
She shook her head. “It died way back.”
Jadrien grunted. “I’ll hang close for tonight, but outside their lands. Come morning, you get your ass outside. I’ll be here, and you let me know if you’re good.”
“Okay.”
“If he wants you gone, you don’t stay.”
Jadrien turned onto a narrow corridor carved out of thickened forest. There’d be plenty of hidey holes for him to hide out in tonight. Relief coursed through her. At least he’d be good.
