by K. S. Martin
“I’m leaving.” She put her hand up and hopped off of the bed. “You lied to me. I’m rejecting you Jordan, again. It’s over and none of your bullshit will change my mind. I don’t want to see you or hear from you. I’m going back to the grocery store. Leave me alone. It’s not negotiable.” Lettie picked her duffle up off of the floor and walked out of the bedroom.
“So I don’t get any say in this?” He was following her. Her head shook. Jordan grabbed her arm. “Let me explain.” Lettie stopped and looked over her shoulder.
“It doesn’t matter what you say to me Jordan. I’ve already decided. It’s done. My mark should be fading. Find someone else.” Lettie took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “And Jordan.” His eyes flashed at her. “Treat her better than you treated me. Don’t lie to her. Try to make her feel important to you even if she’s not.” Lettie took the key ring off the hook beside the door. She was taking the new truck. She deserved it after all. Her hard work saved this whole pack from bankruptcy.
Once home she fell back onto the musty mattress and closed her eyes. Damn him. For a minute, she’d believed him again. For a minute, they were just Lettie and Jordan again. They were deeply in love and not able to see past the other, for a minute. Lettie let herself drift. She would return to work in the morning if she still had a job.
***
Jordan’s wolf loped the perimeter of the grocery store. His ears perked at every little sound. Her mark faded soon after the words of rejection left her beautiful lips. Now he was guarding the entrances. Mister Thompson should really consider a guard dog. Jordan went to check the back again. No one would get to his mate again, no one would ever hurt her again, and that included him. He’d been at this for a week now. Lettie didn’t know that he was out here and if he could help it, she wouldn’t. There were more rumors that trio of rogue wolves was terrorizing the area. His newly appointed betas were patrolling the compound at night while he patrolled the grocer. Apparently, the first group wasn’t the trio that everyone heard about earlier in the month. This trio had a bad reputation. Several times, they’d shifted in front of humans which put everyone at risk. Every wolf knew that secrecy was the best protection. There were packs that had taken vows to die if humans suspected them. His pack had taken no such oath but he could see the reasoning. Their population grew every year but all knew that just one piece of conclusive proof was all the humans needed to declare war on the species. The last time that humans found them out, the wolf population almost went extinct. Jordan’s ears perked again. His cell phone was ringing in the truck. He shifted and opened the door. It gave a loud rusty squeak. “Jordan.”
“It’s Lucas sir. Uh, Terry told me to check in and make sure that you were okay.” Lucas was a nice wolf, he was respectful, but he had such a brown nose.
“Fine. Everything quiet there?” Jordan watched the woods next to the building.
“Yes sir.” Jordan narrowed his eyes at something that moved. It was a squirrel. No threat but maybe a snack later, his inner wolf was interested.
“Good, is there anything else?” The light in Lettie’s apartment went off now. He kept watching the window hoping to see her. She may have rejected him, but he still had hope and he would still protect her.
“No sir but I um was wondering if it was okay if Aimee and me…” Jordan rolled his eyes. He wished someone would fuck her and keep her the hell away from him.
“Wear her out Lucas, please.” Jordan disconnected the call. He shifted after looking around and loped the perimeter again.
A week later, Jordan having just finished his lap he heard the cell in the truck ringing. He shifted and answered. “Jordan.”
“Sir, we think the rogues are in the compound. Terry thinks he saw some unfamiliar wolves but he couldn’t scent them downwind. You should come back sir.”
“On my way, all is quiet here.” He disconnected the call and glanced up at the dark window as he started the truck. “Sleep tight sweetheart. I’ll be right back.” Jordan raced down the gravel road taking the curves sideways. He pulled the truck over in front of his house and got out shifting immediately. Jordan raced down the roads scenting the air. He didn’t smell anything unfamiliar but there was a scent of pups on the breeze. Terry came out from behind Lettie’s bungalow. They both shifted back to men. “Well?” Jordan asked as soon as he could speak.
“I don’t know where they went sir. I’m not even sure of what I saw but I saw something, I know that I did. I just wasn’t close enough and the breeze shifted then gusted so I couldn’t catch the scent.”
“Where is Lucas?” Jordan still scented the air; he detected the Riley boys and smirked. At fourteen, fifteen and seventeen they were in their prime for mischief. There were no rogues here, only delinquents toying with the beta patrol. It would be good exercise for all involved.
“With Aimee at his house, I told him to take off. He’s useless out here anyway. He can’t keep his mouth shut.” Jordan nodded at the smaller man.
“I didn’t scent anything that I didn’t recognize. Have you seen John?” Terry shook his head. “Find John and set up patrols. If anything happens, let me know.”
“Yes sir.” Terry said and shifted back into his wolf. Jordan yawned. Two hours to daylight and then he was going to crash. He parked the truck outside of the grocer and climbed out. The front door looked different. Jordan shifted as he went toward it. The door was open. Lettie had her own entrance in the back and Mister Thompson would have the lights on by now if he’d come in early. Jordan trotted to the door and sniffed. Three distinct wolf scents filled his nose, the rogue trio. Jordan slipped through the glass doors and padded across the cold tiled floor. They’d gone in different directions. Jordan followed the strongest scent perhaps the alpha. Jordan followed him across the front and to the meat counter. The wolf was gorging himself on chuck roast. Jordan growled and the strange wolf snarled back at him. Jordan went straight for his throat taking him down easily. Jordan ripped through his flesh, tore through thick sinew, and ripped out his arteries. Warm blood flooded over his tongue. The black wolf shifted into a dead man. His mouth was still full of roast. Jordan hurried on, silently stalking to find the next one at the service deli. He’d ripped into the display of shaved lunchmeats. Everyone had their preferences he supposed. This smaller red wolf never saw him until Jordan crushed him into the floor. Jordan was a large wolf. He was two hundred pounds easily and he was strong. Jordan snarled. The red wolf submitted. He rolled to his back showing his throat and soft belly. This trio didn’t seem very vicious, they seemed hungry. Where was the third? Jordan scented the air. The last was in the direction of the apartment. Lettie. Jordan hurried. This black wolf was larger than the last two and was at the top of the stairs outside of her apartment. He shifted into a man staring down at Jordan. He was the alpha of the other two wolves.
“Mine.” He snarled. Jordan snarled back and launched himself at the man on the landing. A booted foot came down hard at Jordan’s snout but he ducked it. Jordan was a growling, snarling mass of teeth and fur when he sank his canines into the man’s thigh. Blood burst into his mouth filling it. Lettie screamed inside the apartment. Jordan could only hope there wasn’t another inside of the apartment with her. The man pounded on Jordan but Jordan would not let go of his thigh. As long as he had his teeth buried in the leg, the man couldn’t shift. Jordan tore at the meat of the thigh. It wasn’t a throat but it would bleed out just as fast. Jordan’s sharp teeth tore denim and flesh away from the bone of the man’s leg. The man collapsed and fell down the stairs. Jordan didn’t know if he was dead but he did know that he needed to get to Lettie. He raced back up the steps and shifted. He shouldered the door open. She was cowering under the bed shaking and terrified.
“It’s okay sweetheart. Come out. Are you okay?” Jordan helped her to her feet. Lettie jumped into his arms and wrapped herself tightly around him. “It’s okay, you’re okay.” Jordan sank down on the bed with her in his lap. She was shaking violently, her teeth were c
hattering and she was crying uncontrollably. He pushed the long straight light brown hair out of her face and kissed her forehead. “It’s okay.” He murmured against her temple. “I’ve got you.” Jordan sat that way for nearly an hour calming her. She eventually stopped shaking and crying.
“I thought you took care of them Jordan.” It was an accusation.
“I did. I told you the truth. The six that attacked you are dead. One maybe two of them today are dead. The third showed me his throat. He was only hungry and meant you no harm. The one outside of your door may heal but he’ll always limp if he doesn’t bleed out first.” Lettie nodded.
“Take me home Jordan. I don’t want to stay here anymore. It’s not safe.”
“Thank God you’ve come to your senses.” He chuckled. “Are your dishes packed?” She shook her head. “We’ll come back tomorrow for them then.” Jordan carried her down the steps into the grocery store. The man at the bottom was dead. No one could recover from that much blood loss. Jordan stepped over him and held her head tightly keeping her face buried in his neck. His mate did not need to see that. Jordan took long easy strides past the service deli where the red wolf was still eating. He glanced up as they passed but didn’t move. They all looked hungry. Perhaps he should have spoken to the first one. He grimaced. The one on the stairs deserved what he got, he’d threatened Jordan’s mate but the first was only eating. Jordan regretted what he’d done but it was too late to change things now. He picked his cell phone up from the seat once he buckled her into the passenger seat. He dialed Thompson and explained what happened. He also told him that Lettie would not be living there anymore. Thompson heartily agreed. He called his betas next to help with clean up.
Jordan drove to the alpha house and turned the motor off. “I’m glad that you decided to come home Lettie.” Jordan looked over at her. “I know that we can work things out.”
“I said that I wanted to go home, this isn’t my home. My home is down the street there.” She pointed.
“No.” His eyes flashed. “You will stay here. Whether it is in my bed or in a guest room, you will stay here. I’m tired Lettie. I don’t want to argue, I won’t argue. Get your ass in the house. That’s an order from your alpha.” A growl rumbled in his chest. Lettie hurried out of the truck and up the steps. She decided on a guest room. As far as she was concerned, she and Jordan were no more. Sure, he’d saved her but that was an alpha’s job, wasn’t it?” Jordan opened her bedroom door inside the house. “I see.” He took a deep breath. “If this is how you want it, then so be it. You are a guest here, as one I expect you to behave. You will do your share, you will keep your room clean, and you will help with chores. As the only guest in this house, you will have plenty to do.”
“My share?” Her brows rose. “What does that mean exactly?”
“You will tend to the book keeping, plus some cooking, cleaning and laundry.” She nodded. That was fair. She did it all when they lived together before. I expect you to be kind and generous, nothing more, and nothing less. I understand that you don’t want anything to do with me but I will keep you safe whether you like it or not.” She nodded and Jordan stepped out of the room closing the door quietly. He went to his room and she heard the lock snap. She scoffed. As if, he had to worry about her climbing into his bed at night no matter how sexy he was. She crossed her arms over her chest and sighed.
Jordan woke to the most intoxicating smells. He scented coffee, eggs, bacon, sausage, and toast. “Thank God she’s back.” If he had to eat a meal that he cooked this morning, well he was going to puke. She was the cook, he could manage, but it always tasted better when she cooked it. Jordan shimmied into his jeans and pulled a tee shirt over his head as he padded down the hall. His plate with a cup of caramel colored coffee sat on the dining table. He sat down and started to eat. He wondered briefly where she was, Lettie sitting across the table would’ve made this perfect even if she weren’t happy with him right now. She wasn’t around. He wondered if she’d eaten and decided she probably had. He rinsed the dishes and stowed them in the machine when he finished. Pacing the length of the house, she was nowhere. Jordan closed his eyes and concentrated listening to the house. The computer keys were clicking. His wide smile stretched over his face. She was doing the books. Good. Jordan found his boots and went outside to the back yard to split wood. His pile was getting low and winter would come whether he could stay warm or not.
“Holy crap Jordan.” She hissed. Lettie entered figures and tapped the calculator keys then entered her numbers on the computer. “This is BS.” Lettie was getting more and more frustrated with Jordan’s book keeping. He was right, he sucked at this. Lettie rolled her head to stretch her neck. A few hours passed since breakfast and she was getting hungry. Tuna sounded good so she set out for the kitchen. Where was he? She’d expected him to barge in and to try and take over. It amazed her that he’d left her to it. Glancing outside she saw him. Jordan was splitting wood. She watched him. He was poetry in motion. His muscles bunched and writhed under his skin as he worked. His shirt was off and slung around his strong neck, he used it to wipe the sweat from his face. He glanced up and saw her watching him. Lettie turned from the window to make lunch. She didn’t see the grin split his face.
Jordan felt her watching him. He worked harder to show off his muscles. Who was she trying to fool? They belonged together, they always would. She wanted to be a guest. Fine. Guest it was. There was one tactic that he hadn’t tried yet, playing hard to get. His plan formed easily in his mind. He knew his mate. He’d been inside her body, mind, and soul. Lettie would be his again. She wanted him. Her wolf wanted him. He could scent her arousal all over the house. She wouldn’t last especially with him putting himself on display for her.
Chapter Seven
“Summerville Pack, can I have your attention please?” Jordan said from the front of the room. They quieted and watched him. “I understand that there is an issue that requires attention. No one told me what the issue is so I will turn the floor over to Mark. Mark, what is the issue?” Jordan asked. Lettie was alone in the back of the room by herself again. One of these days, he was going to force her to sit in the front. Jordan sat down in the front row to let Mark speak.
“Well.” Mark held his baseball cap in his hands bending the bill. Mark was very nervous. “They pulled my name out of the hat, so don’t think that this was my idea. I am just the messenger.” Jordan’s brow creased and he nodded then crossed his arms over his chest. He took a calming breath. This was not sounding good. He didn’t know what the issue was before the meeting and now he was beginning to worry about it. “I speak for the pack, most of them and this has to be followed by an official vote so anything I say is not law.”
“Get on with it Mark, you have nothing to fear from me.” Jordan said.
“Um…well…Sir…The pack thinks that you are too distracted to be the alpha. You are not marked anymore but your mate is here. We know that she’s rejected you twice but she’s living in the house. It’s very confusing Sir. You spent most of the past month prowling around the grocer to protect her then slept most of the day ignoring your duties. The pack wants you to rescind your position. We will let you stay on as a beta but we think that there should be a new alpha.” Jordan nodded.
“Who is your candidate for alpha?” Jordan asked then stood. “Who challenges me?”
“No one is challenging you Sir. There will not be a fight. We have the right as a pack to ask this of a new alpha if we feel that he is not working out. We feel like your personal matters are taking precedence and we would like for Terry to take the position.” Terry growled. In the short time that he’d been Jordan’s beta, he’d grown to respect him and he nodded in acceptance. Lettie raised her hand in the back. They ignored her. She put her hand down and chewed on her lip.
“I don’t want the job.” Terry spat. “Jordan is your alpha. He won it fair and square. He’s been doing it less than a month and you’re ready to toss him out because he’s fightin
g with his mate. She’s not his mate though is she? She’s not marked so they aren’t mates. She is a pack member. He does this all while he tries the rest of us? Did it ever occur to you all that Jordan would’ve patrolled that grocer’s if it were any of your mates? You should give him more time.”
“I’m sorry Terry but we’ve decided. If you don’t want it, we will find someone who does.” Terry nodded. Lettie clambered to her feet and walked forward to the front of the room. Her knees felt like rubber and her throat was closing up. She hated speaking in front of a group. This was her worst fear and she had to confront it, for him. There were gasps and murmurs from all around her and she nearly turned and bolted.
“I’m sorry if I caused you all any trouble. I will pack my things and leave if it will make all of this go away. Jordan is a good alpha, no matter how much I didn’t want him to be. He wanted to do this for me you see. He thinks that I need all of this but I don’t and it’s been the cause of our separations. Did you all know that he’s spent most of his days in the office trying to straighten out a mess that’s been building for nearly twenty years? Probably not. You all just want your lives undisturbed and to go along without any problems or troubles. Yes, he protected me. Yes, he should’ve been here. I am the one that you should be mad at. I took up too much of the alpha’s time. I was a selfish wolf. I haven’t felt like a part of this pack for a long time so I’ll go. You have his total dedication. He gave up his mate for all of you. At one time, I thought he would be mine forever, all mine but he’s not. This pack is his mate, it’s more important than anything or anyone else. You should give him six months and see what he can do. He’s already saved twenty homes in here, and you’ll have power all winter, which you wouldn’t have had. I never thought that the members of this pack were this selfish.”
“You can’t leave.” Mark said. “You belong here.” Lettie’s tears fell over her cheeks and she shook her head. She wolves surrounded her, trying to comfort her.
