by Riley Cross
Ours may not even be pups.
My animals thought shocks me somewhat.
“Alpha?”
Shaking my head, I give my attention back to the Avian shifter. Letting a softer smile lift my lips. I kiss both her cheeks, goodbye.
“I will try to come for a visit before the pups suck up all your adult time.” I promise.
“We’ll hold you to that.”
Josh takes his mate from me, standing over her with his hands resting on his pups protectively. Baring his neck slightly. I accept his submission, realizing how difficult the simple act may be for him at the moment.
Josh was one of the packs more dominant wolves. And showing submission while in his constant protective mode would be a struggle for him.
Kathrine’s raven was submissive, as far as I could tell. Her animal reminded me of the birds in Snow White, flying around her almost in dance, and singing with her tone. Kat is certainly the singing while baking type. That reminder helps me remember why the raven is going to be an amazing mother and why that dream might not be the one for me. Children like cakes and cookies and I suck at baking.
Definitely not the mothering type.
I think I’m more cut out for fun, aunty. Pump the pups full of sugar before sending them home to cause chaos. Chuckling at that thought, Dominic gives me an odd look. Shaking my head to his questioning stare. I wave goodbye to the happily mated pair and buckle myself into the driver’s seat.
“That was… interesting.” Dominic comments as his hand takes up residence on my thigh, his finger lightly stroking over my jeans.
“Is that the end of that thought, or is your silence a buildup to the rest?” I comment sarcastically after a beat.
He gives my leg a punishing squeeze, which only makes me smile.
“I don’t think Josh was a fan of me.” Dominic continues. “I got the feeling he wasn’t thrilled to find out about me.”
Ah. That.
“He doesn’t have an issue with you, idiot. Just try to put yourself in his position.” I tell him, keeping my tone even and reasonable.
“An uninvited guest comes onto his territory, where his heavily pregnant mate lives. Who by the way, while pregnant cannot shift and defend herself or escape. Then he finds out that he had a warlock sitting in his living room. I’m surprised he kept it together as long as he did and didn’t ask for us to leave as soon as I dropped that little truth bomb. My wolf was on edge, waiting for him to shift right there and then in order to protect Kat. But I think my presence helped him deal. Knowing that his Alpha wouldn’t bring you to his home, if you didn’t have our faith not to do harm.” I don’t think I would have been able to show that same restraint.
Lines of deep thought marred Dominic’s face as he takes in my words. Testing them for anything he could make sense of.
“I guess you have a point there.” He agrees eventually.
“I doubt I’d of been able to keep my cool that long if you were pregnant. I’d have teleported you away before they could sit down.”
The easy going way that he speaks about me being pregnant, possibly with his baby, has my foot hitting the breaks instead of the accelerator, jarring the car into a stop.
“Kitten?”
Ignoring him, I give myself a mental slap and put the truck back into gear.
“Rachael?” Concern taints his scent, agitating my wolf. Who was thrilled by his words. Stupid bloody animal.
“Lets head to the diner. I’m starved and I’m sure your mum would like to see you.” I suggest trying to keep the conversation light and to keep it far, far away from dangerous topics like pregnant wolves.
“Good idea. While we are there maybe you could shed some light on this?” Baring his neck, I easily spot the angry-looking bite on his skin.
Shit.
Fixing my eyes on the road ahead, I try to come up with a reasonable explanation for my actions back at Joanna’s. Annoyingly, I come up blank. How can you rationally explain biting someone to warn others away?
“Your animals the jealous type, huh.” Dominic hits the mark dead on. He didn’t even make it sound like a question.
“Something like that.” I mumble, not wanting to have this conversation either. Truth was. It wasn’t just my wolf that was jealous of all the attention the other females of my pack were giving Dominic. The thought of any of them in a romantic situation with the male was enough to make me blood thirsty. Because he’s ours. My wolf reminds me for the hundredth time.
I didn’t see any point in trying to reason with the furball. There is no changing her mind when it comes to Dominic.
“Is she like it with anyone else?” Dominic questions.
I was so tempted to tell him yes. Many people. But I knew he would hear the words for what they were. Lies. So instead I give him the truth. “No. She’s only ever been territorial with you.” And it has me twisting in circles because us being together would cause trouble with the pack. Unlike Ben and Jenni’s situation, where my grandpa could step down to another dominant Alpha. I don’t have that luxury. There are no suitable dominant wolves within the Venus pack to take the Alpha mantle. And the other closest pack would mean giving Greyson more territory. I’d sooner de-claw myself then give that man a blade of grass from my pack’s land. Even if that means keeping the one person, I want more than anything at arm’s length.
“Why with me?”
Sighing, my shoulders drop with the motion. He wasn’t going to let this one go anytime soon, and I’m so tired of trying to dissuade him at every turn.
Would it really be better if he knew the truth of the situation? Would he see why we need to stop?
A sadness fills my chest when I feel the heavy pressure of his hand on my thigh. Stroking me.
This isn’t fair for either of us. I can’t lead him on like this.
I should never have let my animal mark him. I knew it would only make this harder, at the time I just wanted the other female away from my mate.
“Talk to me, Rachael. I can hear the cogs turning.”
“Dom.” I start, my voice showing my inner turmoil. “Me and you, we can’- “
“Stop right there. I know where this is going Rachael and I say to hell with it.” Dominic interrupts, sounding more frustrated than anything else.
“I don’t wanna hear that everything between us has been a mistake or meant nothin’ to ya. We finally have a chance at something here, Kitten, and I’ll be damned if I let your crazy over thinking brain try to take this opportunity away from us.” The determination in his tone spikes my own frustrations.
“You don’t get it.” I argue. He won’t understand where I’m coming from. He’s not a wolf.
“This isn’t just about us, Dom. I have to think of my people and how my decisions will affect them.” I’m trying for reasonable; he isn’t making it easy for me to stay calm.
“Then explain it to me!” He booms, shocking the shit out of me. “Who will have a problem with us being together? Was today really that bad?”
No. It wasn’t. Apart from all the single females falling over themselves to get to him, everyone seems to be open to him accompanying me on pack business.
“It would have been different if we presented ourselves as a couple. An Alpha pair.” I try, pulling the truck into the diner car park.
“Was that not how we have been presenting ourselves all fucking day to people? I wasn’t exactly being subtle about it; At Joanna’s place I was ready to strip you bare there and then. And you. You were practically humping my leg. And what about this?” Tilting his head to the side, “do you mark every man you come across on strangers’ driveways?” His face turns into a snarl that severely pisses off my animal at his suggestion.
“Fuck you.” My wolf snarls back. How dare he try turning a claiming mark temporary or not into something so cheap.
Pissed off and unwilling to spend any more time with him inside the truck cabin, I jump out. Giving the door a healthy slam behind me. While making a scene re
ally isn’t my style, it still felt good to let off some steam.
Stupid, ignorant male!
Dominic didn’t seem keen to hang out in the vehicle, giving his door a hearty slam upon exiting.
I prepare myself for whatever else he was planning to throw at me. Better to get this out of the way, away from Becca. As much of an ass as her son was, I didn’t want to stress her out by any names I might be tempted to call him.
Buzz. Buzz.
Ha! Perfect timing. Thrilled to have a much-needed interruption to get my head on straight, I answer.
“Hello?” I greet, keeping my eyes on a furious-looking Dominic.
“There’s my favorite Alpha.”
That voice. My whole body goes tense as I glance around. Any anger I felt towards Dominic sharply finds a new target.
“I hear you’ve been having a busy day, checking over your fellow pack mates. Even heard about the human pet you like to bring along with you.” His voice dripped with disgust. “What was his name again? Ah yes that’s it.” I listen as the bastard clicks his fingers over the line. “Dominic De Angelis.” My blood freezes over at the mention of Dominic. “An old childhood friend if I’m not mistaken.”
My eyes land on the man in question, I can’t stop myself from scanning him over, head to toe. The feeling that I could lose him at any minute sets my wolf into a frenzy.
“Stay the fuck away from him.” I seethe, my animal’s growl follows my words.
Realization flashes onto Dominic’s face as he realizes who’s on the other end of my call. He’s by my side in an instant, taking a protective stance in front of me and listening in to the conversation.
“Tsk tsk Alpha. I do hope you aren’t becoming too attached to it. After all, humans are more fragile than that of a wolf. And you’ve seen what I can do to them. Tell me, have you told your pet about your other playmate? What was that one? A hyena? A little beneath you, isn’t he?” Gold blazes in my eyes as my wolf lunges to the surface.
His laugh is the last thing I hear before the line goes dead.
Dominic’s arms are around me, holding me against his chest in what must look like a lover’s embrace to those around us. But in reality, he is hiding my golden secret from any onlookers.
“We will find this bastard, Rachael.” Dominic whispers calmly. His hands rub up and down my back as he tries to soothe my enraged animal.
We can’t let anything happen to our mate. My wolf snarls.
Don’t you think I know that! We’ll kill the bastard before he has a chance to lay a finger on him. I swear.
“We need to get back to the house.” I want you out of the open and somewhere safe.
“I need to check on Becca first.” He insists. Is he trying to put me in an early grave?
“If he knows about me, he can get to her and she’s human. She won’t stand a chance. I can’t glamour her because I have no idea whose eyes she needs to be shielded from. But I can put a protection ward on her.”
Godfuckingcocksuckingcookiemunchinbitches!
He’s right. I know he’s right. He would never forgive himself if anything happened to his mother because of us, and neither would I.
“You’ve got one hour then we are going back to my place.” I concede. “One hour.” He agrees, taking my hand like he has done so many times already today. He pulls me towards the diner entrance.
“Dominic! Rae!” Cally’s cheery greeting sounds like nails against chalk thanks to my darkening mood. No was not the time for more fawning females.
“Hey Cally.” Dom greets. “Is mom about?” How does he keep his voice so calm? When inside I feel like a rumbling volcano ready to go off.
“Yeah, she’s in the back office. Want me to tell her your here?” The female offers.
Shaking his head. “Na, I’ll surprise her.” Smiling his thanks, Dominic makes a point of pulling me along behind him towards the office behind the bar.
Once we are in the hallway, Dominic stops us just outside the office door. “Watch.” He instructs with an odd smile on his face. Excitement? Oddball.
Releasing my hand, he brings his palm up to his mouth and speaks in an old sounding language. But honestly, it could be French for all I know.
“Vinittar, manavis.”
What th-?
A light grey smoke forms out of thin air in the palm of Dominic’s hand. Is this what his magic looks like?
“What is it?” I ask, curiosity killed the cat. Thank fuck I’m a wolf.
“That is a protection spell.” Dominic answers, flashing me his dimples.
That is what a protection spell looks like. What was I expecting? Him to wrap his mother up in bubble wrap?
“Come on.” He instructs.
Using his other hand to open the door, he hides the spelled one behind my back as he ushers me inside.
Becca’s head is bent over a desk covered in papers. A small frown scrunching her face in concentration.
“Is everything alright out the front Cally?” She asks without lifting her eyes from the desk.
“She seems fine.” Dominic chuckles. Becca’s head peaks up at the sound of her son’s voice.
“Dominic!”
“You really need to take the day off at some point ma. You’re going to run yourself ragged.” Dominic scolds playfully.
“Oh, pish posh Dom. I’m a grown woman. I know when I need to sit and relax.” Rounding the desk, Becca throws her arms around her son into a tight hug.
Watching his movements keenly, I catch the moment he takes his hidden hand from the small of my back, placing it around his mom. The grey smoke seeps into her, while she remains oblivious.
Sneaky warlock.
“Oh, Rae! I’m sorry darling, I didn’t even see you there.” Becca apologizes, releasing her son to embrace me in one of her signature bear hugs.
“Don’t worry about it, I’ve come to realize Dominic seems to take everyone’s attention when he enters a room.” I half joke, causing Dom to shake his head.
“Oh, don’t be so silly, you are a beautiful woman Rachael Ann and any man should count himself lucky to have you on his arm.” Becca’s words shocked me. What was even more surprising was the not-so-subtle look she shot her son.
God, not her to. This day really was getting old.
“Wanna join us for some lunch?”
Smiling warmly at her son’s request, Becca whips off the apron and shoos us out the door.
“Oh! this will be so lovely! When was the last time the three of us were able to enjoy a meal together?” She muses.
Before my parents died. I can’t help but think sullenly. Back when life wasn’t so damn complicated.
As the three of us emerge from behind the bar, Cally smiles, spotting us.
“Table for three?” She says, grinning.
“Best table in the house,” Dominic chuckles. By the excitement emitting from Becca, you’d have thought we were going to a Michelin star restaurant and not the same diner she has run since we were in diapers.
Such an odd woman, but you can’t help but love the cheery female.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Fighting the inevitable
“This is a ridiculous idea.” I grumble for the millionth time.
“You’ve said that already.” Cam sighs, getting up from his seat at the kitchen table. “And I’ll repeat, why is it such a stupid idea? We want the pack safe, and to account for everyone. A party is the perfect solution. Everyone will be in one place and we will be able to keep them safe.”
But. “What if the killer comes? It would be like lambs to the slaughter.” The argument was a weak one, but I’m shooting blanks here while I try to think of a better excuse.
“Who in their right mind would attack a wolf pack on their own land?”
Okay. Point to the jackass.
“I think a pack party is a great idea.” Dominic chimes in from where he’s standing against the wall like a silent observer.
Things still felt tense between us after our
little blow out in the truck. The lunch with his mom went well. I don’t even think Becca noticed to odd mood between us. He questioned me on the drive home about what the killer had said. Apparently, he didn’t catch all the conversation. I only gave him the cliff notes version, not wanting to worry him or have the image of him laying lifeless stuck in my head again. My animal was still on edge and pacing behind my eyes. Wanting out. Wanting to protect her mate. I did my best to keep that internal struggle hidden from the people around me. The pack needed me level-headed right now and thinking straight. Not going off on a rampage.
