Heart of the Pack

by Kristen Banet

  “Go for it.” James waved her on.

  “How did it happen? Really.”

  “We learned some hunters were in our area, picking off wolves and passing it off as hunting real wolves. Kidnapping them and hunting them. Chris wanted us to go after them, violently, publicly. Thomas, me, Antonio, and Lochlan were against the idea, preferring to try something quieter. Scare them off. No reason to get a bunch of blood - it would only invite trouble if we didn’t try less dangerous options first.”

  “And you were right.”

  “Yup. Outvoted, we raided their hunting lodge and…Abigail, you don’t really need to hear this.”

  “I want to,” she whispered, leaning back. “If you want to tell it.”

  “I’ll always hate Chris for it.” James groaned. “I know Antonio was uncomfortable with all of it. He’s not a violent person, really. He fought to keep his spot, but nothing more. Thomas just went into Marine-mode. He followed orders, whether he agreed with the directive or not. We picked a fight. We won the battle. We lost the war. Our place was raided, we were gassed. We were captured and shipped down to the compound. Woke up to find out we were going to be hunted, one by one.”

  “Chris being here brings this all back up, doesn’t it?”

  “Yeah,” James sighed. “It does. He…he blamed us in the compound. Said it was our fault. The rest of us, in general, for not protecting our Alpha.”

  “I’m sorry,” Abigail said, suddenly cutting in before he could continue. “I’m so sorry.”

  “The past. It’s in the past,” James mumbled. Stronger, he continued. “On to something happier. Why do you love your job?”

  “Well, my job isn’t exactly happy,” Abigail grumbled. “I love it. I get to help people who have been tested and tried by the world in the worst ways. The strong ones who were nearly cut down and fought back.”

  “Like what?” James took a bite of his food and waited.

  “Like you guys? Any time the SSTF would find someone who escaped hunters, they would bring the person in to give them more information, to try and stop whoever did it. Normally the hunters just get slaps on the wrist. It’s the balance of trying to get justice for us but also keeping our secret from the general public.”

  “That much I know,” he growled. “Until they fucked with the Kingsons, hunters could get away with murder as long as they didn’t expose our existence with videos and shit.”

  “Yeah, they used it to continue what they did. If they exposed shifters, there’s a possibility we could get real protections, and their activities would become truly illegal. We could get a protected status. None of that matters for me, though. I would just make sure the victim was healthy and sound, so they could return to their life. I talked to victims either on the scene or at the closest headquarters. My colleagues and I traveled a lot.”

  “And you loved it?” James asked, his intense stare pinning her to her chair.

  “It was the happiest I had ever been, in terms of work,” Abigail answered honestly. “I loved it.”

  “I’m glad that you might be going back to it, then. I’ll admit I’m worried that it will take you too far away, though.”

  “We’ll make it work,” she promised. “I’m not ready to give this up, but I’m also…so excited to get back into it. Back into my work.”

  “I know,” he whispered. “Next question?”

  “I’ve heard you have a ton of sisters.” Abigail giggled, remembering what she had heard about it.

  “Too many,” he growled. “I don’t talk to them much anymore. They didn’t really like that I went to South Dakota. They definitely didn’t like the trouble with the hunters, thinking it could bleed to them and their kids. One of them helped all of us out when we escaped the hunters, but she let me know not to contact her like that again.” James rolled his eyes. “I’ll get a call for a birthday. One of their boys will want me to get him a guitar. It’s happened before, it’ll happen again.”

  “You aren’t concerned?” She frowned at him. “I mean, I don’t contact my family very often either but…”

  “I’m not concerned,” James chuckled. “It was expected that I would leave Texas eventually. Too dominant just to be a normal packmate, but not in the social position to be accepted into the inner circle. I had to move on at some point. They just didn’t like South Dakota. They…I haven’t told them about Wild Junction yet. I’ll send one of them an email soon with what’s been going on with me and it will be fine.”

  “I’m glad you have the family. I know Thomas only has Chris and Antonio’s parents are gone.”

  “He’s also an only child, Antonio. He attaches to the people around him because of it. I would honestly say he’s been more of a brother to Thomas than Chris ever was. Chris and Thomas…they have always had issues, as far as I know. Antonio would know more. Feel free to ask them about it.”

  “I’ll think about it,” she promised softly. She wanted to know more of these men, these wolves that were capturing her heart. She was falling so hard for them. She wanted to know everything about them, every little detail.

  They ate quietly after that, sending each other smiles as they enjoyed the meal. It was all delicious, and Abigail made a mental note to send Andrew a thank you for the recipes.

  “Are you done?” James asked quietly, pointing at her nearly empty plate. She nodded slowly and held it up to him. She stayed seated, thinking he would come back to talk more but instead, he offered his hand when he walked back into the dining room. “You’re probably tired of this question, but would you like to dance?”

  “I’ll never be tired of you guys wanting to dance with me,” she admitted, taking his hand. “Of course I would like to.”

  He led her to the living room, where the music continued to play, and swung her around. When he pulled her back to his chest, she looked up and kissed him softly. She would never forget this sweet little date he’d done for her. The flowers, the candles, the food. The opening up and talk they had.

  He swayed them, sensual and slow, to the violin still playing. She knew he was seducing her and it was working.

  “I love this dress,” he growled in her ear.

  “Me too,” she replied airily.

  “You didn’t need to get all fancy for me, but forgive me, I’m thankful,” he teased. One of his hands was on her lower back, holding her hips to his as they danced. She could feel the bulge in his leather pants against her. “I love you in everything you wear, but this…this is something I wasn’t expecting.”

  “I don’t wear it often. Thought tonight was the perfect time.”

  “Good thing I didn’t take you out,” he groaned, kissing her neck slowly. “Would rather keep you to myself in this. Thomas and Antonio will be jealous I got to see it.”

  “I’ll wear it for them later,” she whispered.

  “Never leaving,” he growled in a commanding tone. “You’ll never leave this house in this dress.”

  It made her laugh. He was so forward - they all were when they wanted her. She was still laughing and squealed softly when his hands went to her hips and lifted her.

  “I want to see the rest of the outfit,” he growled, sounding a little strangled. She wrapped her legs around his waist, her dress riding up to nearly her waist as he carried her to his bedroom.

  He dropped her on his bed and pushed her dress up further, snarling at the lacy thigh-highs she wore. She had even matched her underwear to them, all black, lacy, and barely there. She got goosebumps as his fingers trailed over the edges of the lace.

  “I don’t think I can wait,” he growled, looking up to her from the lace. “Not with you looking like this.”

  “Don’t,” she breathed out, heat pooling between her legs.

  His gaze was heated as he undid his pants, releasing him. “This is only round one. Remember that.”

  He wasted no time after that. Abigail was still in her dress, still wore the stockings and heels. He just pushed her panties aside and sank into her.
He leaned down over her and released her hair from its braid as he thrust into her. He pushed her further onto the bed, both of them still wearing too many clothes, as he took her hard and fast. She held onto his shoulders and wrapped her legs around him as he pushed her all the way to the headboard, then grabbed on to it. She kept her eyes on his as he buried himself deep in her, over and over.

  “Jesus, Abigail,” he groaned. She just panted and moaned back at him, unable to think or function. She kept her legs tight around his waist, not allowing him to leave her too much, not allowing him to do anything more than make love to her. “Fuck.” He dragged the word out. “You close?”

  “Yes,” she whimpered. She was so close. Closer than she thought, but the edge seemed to be just out of her reach.

  “Rub your clit, little doe,” he growled. “For me.”

  She had never done something like that with a lover. She had lost all her inhibitions, though, and trailed a hand down to gently work herself as he drove into her. He leaned back and looked down to watch as he fucked her as well. She watched him enter and retreat while helping herself until her eyes rolled back and her orgasm slammed through her core. He snarled and leaned back over to continue thrusting as her core rippled in ecstasy. It wasn’t very long for him to bury his face into her neck, bite down hard, and finish as well. It left her panting hard, holding him as her legs shook, both of them sweaty.

  “Let’s get all of these clothes off,” James groaned, lifting back up. She nodded and sat up slowly. He reached around for her zipper and tugged it down, then pulled the dress off. She unsnapped her bra as he pulled his shirt off and threw it to the side, letting it land on the floor. The leather pants went next, but he stopped her from taking off her thigh-highs. “If it’s no problem…can those stay on?”

  “They can,” Abigail whispered, smiling at him. “I wouldn’t mind if you ruin them either.”

  “Oh, fuck, Abigail,” James growled, pouncing back on her. She let him roll her to her stomach and start a second round. She was sensitive, but so okay with it. He buried himself in her again, making her scream.

  The second round was faster than the first, driving her quickly over the edge and leaving them both too exhausted to move. He pulled her into his chest, kissing her as she fought sleep.

  “Thank you,” she mumbled. “I really liked tonight.”

  “Anything for you, Abigail.”

  “You don’t mean that,” she chuckled weakly, half asleep.

  She thought she was dreaming when she heard him whisper into her hair.

  “I do. Anything for the girl I love.”

  13

  Abigail

  The next week passed even faster for Abigail than the previous. The day before her flight to DC, she was fretting, pacing around her hotel room, looking at her packed bags, hoping she had everything. She mentally ran over anything they could possibly ask her. She had worked for the SSTF before, but it was still nerve-wracking to go to another interview like this, especially one that would last a few days and go through several people. They were also expecting her professional opinion. That seemed easier than the rest, though.

  “Abigail,” Thomas chuckled. “Come on. There’s nothing else to do. We’ll keep your stuff safe at the house while you’re gone. It will all be okay.”

  “I wasn’t even thinking about that,” Abigail admitted softly. “I’m nervous about this trip, the interviews. Jitters.”

  “There’s no reason to be worried,” he told her sternly, but still gently. “You will do fine, it will be amazing, and you will come back and tell us all about it.”

  “You’re so confident in me,” she noted, looking over to him from her things.

  “And?” Thomas shrugged. “While you fret, James, Antonio and I will make sure you know you have someone who believes in you.”

  “Glad to know I have someone in my corner,” Abigail said appreciatively. “Have I told you today that I think you are a wonderful boyfriend? And Alpha?”

  “Not yet today, no,” he chuckled. “But I love hearing it from you.”

  “You are a wonderful boyfriend and caring Alpha,” she repeated, kissing his cheek. “Also, if you are keeping all my things at the farmhouse…am I moving in with you?”

  “You haven’t already?” he teased as she swatted his chest for his answer. “If you want. If you don’t think it’s moving too fast.”

  “And you? How do you feel about it?” She hadn’t been serious, but his answer had made it a little serious.

  “I’m never going to tell you no,” he whispered. She saw the honesty in his eyes, the baring of a seemingly easy truth. “I would feel better knowing you’re coming home to us and not this hotel room that Brenton is paying for until the end of the month. And where would you go when the time runs out on this room?”

  “I’ll make you a deal.” She placed a hand on his chest. “I’ll live full time at your place, but I’ll get a second place in town if I need to get away. If...this doesn’t work out between us.” She didn’t really want a second place, but it felt like the safest decision. This was still young and new and could go wrong. She needed to stay somewhat safe in the matter.

  “Pragmatic. I like it. Well, I don’t like it, but I understand it. I won’t give you a hard time for having a second place just for you. You could use it for work, so if you are still seeing Finn or anyone else, they don’t need to see us wolves at the farmhouse too.” Thomas nodded at that. “I’ll look into some places while you’re gone. I won’t make any decisions though.”

  “You could,” she replied, shrugging. “You are my Alpha.”

  “I would rather advise you, not run your life,” he chuckled. “I don’t want to take it away from you. I’ll just make sure you only get the best options.”

  “Okay.” Abigail nodded as he just stared at her, his blue eyes almost looking into her. “Thank you…for respecting my autonomy.”

  “I don’t want to rule you or control you or anything like that. I just want you happy and healthy. It’s all I ever wanted, from the moment I met you.”

  “You make it so easy.” Abigail giggled. “Pack, girlfriend, now moving in, but yeah, sure you can get your place just in case.”

  “I’m an easy guy.” Thomas lifted his hands. “It’s not like I have to deal with the nuances and drama of running a large pack. And you? Abigail, I haven’t dated in a long time. I’d like it to go smoothly now.”

  “You’re doing a great job,” she confirmed.

  “Let’s go to the bar and hang out,” he ordered gently, holding out a hand. She took it. She hadn’t held hands with a guy since high school, but it was sweet. He led her out of the hotel room and down to his truck.

  “What’s your plan for tonight?” she asked him as he got it started.

  “A few drinks, a little dancing - making sure no one burns the place down since Riley is coming.” He grinned. “That fucking cheetah.”

  “You said she reminded you of your sister once?”

  “Jillian,” Thomas sighed. “She was five years older than me and three years older than Chris.”

  Was. That told Abigail more than she thought she would learn.

  “You can ask about her,” he whispered, as if he noticed her sudden wariness. “She died when she was twenty-two. She got in a car with her boyfriend behind the wheel. He’d had too much to drink.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Abigail gasped.

  “I was seventeen. I left for the Marines as fast as I could to get away from it,” he revealed softly. “Chris and I stopped getting along completely right after she died. We had been fighting for most of our teenage years, but that really broke us. We were never the same after that. And I never spoke to my father again. I didn’t even go to his funeral.”

  “And your mother?”

  Thomas shrugged. “She left my father when I was very young. If she’s still out there, I don’t know her. She didn’t want to deal with him and he wasn’t going to let her take us.” He looked over at h
er before putting the truck into reverse to pull out. “It was a long time ago, Abigail. I know that family is more than blood. I have James and Antonio still, at the very least.”

  “Thank you for telling me about her.” She didn’t know what else to say. “Your sister…and your mother.”

  “Feel free to ask,” Thomas said with an attempt at a chuckle. He got them out of the parking lot before saying any more. “I’ve lost a lot people in my life, but I’m okay.”

  “You aren’t afraid of losing more? Not just wolf ways, but…some of those things, like your sister…that’s a real tragedy.”

  “It’s been easier to move on and accept my sister’s death than it was to accept my divorce or my mother leaving,” he admitted. “My sister didn’t choose to die. My friends in the hunting compound didn’t choose to die. My mother and ex-wife chose to leave. You know, that’s another thing I can relate to Riley with. Both our mothers ran out of our lives without a care. Hers is more of an ongoing problem, though.”

  “She is the daughter of an infamous criminal,” Abigail said, knowing all about Isabella Gordon, Riley’s infamous mother.

  “Yeah, and sometimes she acts like it.” Thomas laughed. “Which is why we’re going to Rocker’s for the night and not just hanging out at the house. She’s there, and I would prefer to continue owning a real bar and not a burnt husk.”

  “Riley is not a serial arsonist.” Abigail tried to defend her friend, but she also couldn’t stop the continuous giggles. “Stop teasing her.”

  “You were her doctor,” Thomas howled, almost putting his head on the steering wheel as he laughed. “You should have been able to stop her.”

  “I had no idea she was going to act so…rashly,” Abigail explained. “You know how felines are. You just never know and then it happens and you’re looking back like ‘well damn’.”

  “Yeah, I do know felines,” Thomas said between bouts of laughter. “I don’t think anyone is ever going to stop teasing her, though.”