by Aline Hunter
“So you keep telling me,” she growled right back, finding her temper operating on a hair trigger. “Maybe if you repeat yourself a few more times the message will stick.”
The energy in the room shifted and she gazed up. Everyone was watching the exchange with a mixture of curiosity and humor. The mated males especially, as though they’d been waiting a long time for that very moment. Usually she didn’t like being the center of attention but since she was already the elephant in the room she figured she might as well speak her mind.
“If you declare her as your mate during the hunt no one can question it,” a big male—Clint, she remembered—said to Jackson, getting the conversation back on track. “If her protector puts his seal on the match in front of local Alphas it’s a done deal. No fuss, no muss.”
The woman next to him—his mate Elsie—grasped Clint’s arm. “But he’s human.” She shot a quick glance at Chloe. “The law…”
“Doesn’t matter,” Jackson finished after a moment. “Fletcher Bryant has earned the right to speak. No one will question that. If they do they’ll risk the fury of the pack. As a member of my mate’s family he’s entitled to our protection.”
“Gavin won’t like it,” Elsie murmured.
“Who gives a fuck what Gavin likes?” Declan snarled, his teasing nature evaporating. “He’s a pompous ass who needs to be taken down a few notches.”
“Declan,” Clint growled. “That’s my female you’re talking to.”
Declan’s lips quirked, forming into a sarcastic smirk. “My most humble apology, Elsie, for offending your gentle sensibilities.”
“Asshole,” Elsie sneered. Clint gave Declan a glare that promised payback.
Chloe glanced at the small window above the sofa, noting the sky had become dark. It was almost nighttime. The moon would rise soon. Relentless sexual energy returned, making her keenly aware of her body.
Cut it out. Now isn’t the time.
“What do we do about our guest in the basement?” One of the single males in the pack—Shane—asked, bringing her back to the present. “If you let Andy go he’ll tell his Alpha everything. If you don’t Gavin will come sniffing around for his missing snitch.”
Chloe tried not to stare like she had when they were introduced. Shane only had one tattoo—a full sleeve—but it wasn’t the ink that made her edgy. It was the lethal and potent power that surrounded him. If she didn’t know better she’d think the man was born to be a leader, not a follower.
“We could cut out his tongue,” Declan offered.
“You’re disgusting,” Elsie snapped, narrowing her eyes at her pack mate. “Are you going to cut off his fingers too? He doesn’t have to talk. He could write the information down, you know.”
Rather than being offended, Declan shrugged. “Just putting it out there. And now that you mention it, cutting off his fingers is probably a good idea.” He peered over at Jackson. “Do you think the bastard can write with his feet too? Should we cut off his toes?”
Dear God, he can’t be serious.
Jackson slid his fingers under her hair, resting his palm against her neck. The gesture was comforting, slowing the beating of her heart. “That won’t be necessary,” he said quietly. “Andy’s safely caged. We’ll keep him there until the matter is settled.”
“You’re so cruel.” Declan laughed, eyes turning gold, his earlier anger gone. “Keeping him caged on the full moon.”
“It’s a light punishment compared to what he deserves.” Jackson curled his fingers around her nape, the motion disrupting random strands of hair, making her scalp tickle.
A knock at the door had them all glancing up. It wasn’t the first time someone had come to the parlor. Although Jackson’d had everyone park in the back and had flipped the sign to closed, people continued showing up for their appointments. Declan warned Jackson that three people were scheduled for ink. Since this was the third interruption, she assumed it had to be another unlucky person who’d shown up and wouldn’t get what he or she came for.
“We need to wrap this up.” Declan sat back in his seat, annoyance etched in his face. “Before undesirables start coming around.”
“So what’s the plan?” Clint asked.
Jackson’s lowered his eyes, meeting Chloe’s gaze.
Apparently she wasn’t the only one whose head was in the gutter.
She tried not to shiver at the heat in his stare, embarrassed to feel her nipples harden and her pussy contract. Everyone had to know what was transpiring between them, aware of what their Alpha had in store for his mate. Her own sense of smell was evolving and she swore she detected something spicy and thick in the air.
Jackson’s lust.
It shouldn’t have been possible but the scent called to her, blocking out the harsh odor of the sanitizers and chemicals the shop used to keep their tools clean.
“We need to face everyone as a unified pack,” Jackson answered, tearing his eyes from hers. “I want everyone to gather at Atrum Divide. Be there at five o’clock sharp. We’ll drive to the hunt together.”
Atrum Divide? No way.
She was only becoming accustomed to all things werewolf. She wasn’t ready to visit their local haunts. Humans stupid enough to venture into the supernatural bar never came back.
Jackson massaged her neck, working on the suddenly tense muscles. He leaned in for a quick kiss, brushing his lips over hers. “We’ll be leaving soon,” he told her, voice low. “After I bust your ass for testing me in front of the pack you can tell me what’s going through that head of yours.”
Her eyes went wide, cheeks becoming hot. She didn’t know which was more mortifying—that he’d threatened to spank her in front of the pack or that she felt a flutter in her tummy just thinking about being placed over his knee.
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Wouldn’t I?”
Two words and she had her answer.
He totally would.
“What about your future grandpa-in-law?” Declan asked, tilting his head, studying their exchange. “We can’t take him inside The Divide. He’d have a heart attack.”
“I said we’d meet there, not that we’d go in, smartass,” Jackson retorted, pulling away from her. “Gather in the back lot near the rear entrance. We’ll head out as soon as everyone arrives. I’ll also need someone to miss the hunt. Once Fletcher addresses Gavin he’ll need to be escorted from the premises.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Shane responded before anyone else could. “No worries.”
For some reason Chloe got the impression Shane wanted to avoid the hunt. She wasn’t sure why. He appeared at ease with the pack but she sensed he kept everyone at a distance. She frowned as she studied the man, trying to figure him out. Perhaps the idea of sprouting fur and running all fours didn’t appeal to him either.
Yeah right.
From what she’d gathered the hunt brought wolves in the area together. They shifted, ventured into the enormous piece of property that was open only to their kind and allowed the animals inside them free rein.
Why would he want to miss something so important?
Another knock interrupted them—this one sounding much closer—forcing her to put her questions about Shane on hold. Everyone’s attention drifted to the hallway. One knock became two, then three. The back door to the building was right around the corner and someone was pounding on it.
“Jackson Donovan,” an angry, masculine voice bellowed. “Get your ass out here. I want a word with you.”
Jackson snarled, glaring at Declan. “What the fuck is he doing here?”
To his credit, Declan appeared uneasy. “With everything else going on, I forgot to tell you. Simone stopped by and informed me her father would be paying you a visit. She’s tired of waiting.”
“Who are you talking about?” Chloe asked, studying the reactions of those in the room. The mated couples had taken to whispering and the single males looked like they were preparing for a fight.
“That would be Ward Wilson. A decent guy with a bitch of a daughter,” Declan answered when no one else did. “Apparently she’s tired of being blown off.”
“Blown off?”
“Told no, turned away, given the shaft. You know—blown off.” Declan settled his intense gaze on her. “Simone Wilson has a thing for your boy toy.”
“Declan,” Jackson snapped, and Chloe could almost feel the fury coming from her lover. “You’re starting to piss me off.”
“Who’s Simone?”
“She’s from another pack,” Elsie shared before Declan could stoke the flames, giving the Beta an eat-shit-and-die glare. “She wants Jackson to agree to an arranged mating.”
The information did more than provide clarity—it also made Chloe furious.
Jackson was more than gorgeous, he was positively irresistible. Women the world over would take one look at the man and want him. But knowing a female had the audacity to try to force him into a relationship—one that would take him away from her—brought on a possessiveness that clawed at her insides.
“Did you lead her on?” A part of her wanted to wince when she heard how bitchy she sounded, like a scorned lover lashing out when she learned her man had been dipping his jimmy stick into other women. Maybe it was a werewolf thing but in the human world a father didn’t appear at a man’s doorstep unless someone had done something wrong. If she was going to put her pride on the line, she wanted to make she had a damn good reason.
“Hell no.” Despite everything that had transpired, Jackson had never let her go, resting his hand on her nape. She felt a sharp bite at her throat—his claws—as his fingers tightened around her neck. He dropped to a knee, bringing them eye to eye. “When we’re finally alone I’m going to show you why you shouldn’t have asked that question.” He waited for the words to sink in before he whispered, “You’re sexy when you’re jealous, Chloe girl.”
“Jackson!” Ward bellowed and another thunderous round of pounding resumed. “If you don’t open the door I’m breaking the fucker down.”
“At the risk of stating the obvious,” Shane offered quietly, completely serious and somber, “you should probably address the issue. The last thing you want is to face the pack with an Alpha on your back. Gavin will be bad enough.”
Jackson stood and lifted his hand, releasing her. She rubbed the back of her neck, finding that he’d been careful with his claws and hadn’t so much as scratched her skin. Craning her neck, she looked up at him. The playful glint in his eyes was gone. His shoulders were tense, his brows furrowed. When she looked at his hands she didn’t see any claws, although his fingers were curled into fists.
“Fuck it. I didn’t want to hurt Wade’s feelings by telling him his daughter gets me about as hot as the fucking Arctic, but he asked for it.”
“I’ll come with you.” Declan rose, rubbing his hands together.
“No.” Jackson strode toward the door, turning his back on all of them—including her. “Stay here. All of you.”
Before she could argue she felt that same odd energy surrounding her, cementing his will. She’d never gotten the chance to chew his ass out for pulling the stunt earlier. She was supposed to be his mate—his equal—not a plaything he bossed around.
Rotating her gaze around the room, she saw everyone else had been affected in the same way. None of them moved, remaining exactly as Jackson had left them.
As she sat fuming, she decided that she couldn’t wait to get Jackson alone. As soon as the opportunity presented itself she was going to show him why it wasn’t smart to underestimate her. He was going to regret treating her like this—whatever this was—not once, but twice.
It was time for her to teach him a few things for a change.
The moment Jackson opened the door he was greeted by Wade. The Alpha had brought along his Beta, who stood a few feet back. Jackson stepped into the night, feeling the rays of the moon wrapping around him. His mating was supposed to be the best thing that had ever happened to him, not a series of unfortunate events. Since the moment he’d met his mate in the flesh he hadn’t been able to enjoy her. It had been one thing after a fucking other.
That ended tonight.
Normally he would have heard someone out. But not this time. He went straight for the throat. “I don’t want your daughter. I told her I wasn’t interested. She wouldn’t listen. So I’m telling you.” He took another step forward, getting into Wade’s personal space, monitoring the Beta who mirrored his movement. “I don’t want Simone. I’m not interested in an arranged mating. The answer is no.”
There. It was done. Sign, sealed and delivered.
His relief was squashed when the very person he was trying to avoid slid out of the enormous SUV Wade had arrived in. As always, Simone made sure her assets were on full display. This time she was clothed in leather, showcasing all her curves. She glided over on high heels, her visage one of insult and outrage.
“How dare you,” she snarled, storming toward him. “You fucking bastard.”
“Don’t interrupt,” Wade warned Simone, rotating to face her. “You kept vital information regarding this situation to yourself. We’ll have to discuss that.”
A-fucking-men. A ray of sunshine on an otherwise shitty day.
While Wade doted on his daughter, the man was an Alpha through and through. Jackson had hoped Wade would understand his disinterest wasn’t personal. He simply wasn’t interested in Simone—period.
“He’s being difficult.” Simone changed tactics, becoming whiny. “If you talk to him he’ll change his mind. This could strengthen the pack. It’s time for you to stop being second best.”
Ouch. That had to hurt.
Jackson’s gaze darted to Wade, who’d taken one hell of an insult. The Alpha didn’t so much as flinch. Simone—in true Simone fashion—didn’t seem to realize she’d just socked it to her old man in the worst possible way, indicating he wasn’t strong enough to stand on his own. Fortunately Jackson was polite enough to look away and salvage some of the man’s pride.
“Did Mr. Donovan indicate he was interesting in an arranged mating with you, Simone?” Jackson’s admiration for Wade increased. The Alpha was handling the situation better than other fathers would have. “Did he say he’d consider your offer? Don’t try to convince me this was his idea. Not unless you want me to take your credit cards for the next few months.”
“Of course he did.” Simone didn’t back down, feigning hurt.
“I did not,” Jackson corrected with a snarl. “Before you try to argue, you should know something.” He narrowed his eyes even though he knew Simone wouldn’t heed the warning. “You interrupted me while I was introducing my mate to my pack.”
Wade’s gaze darted to Simone before he gawked at Jackson. “Your mate?”
“That’s right.”
Folding his arms across his chest, he faced the man who’d obviously been sucker-punched repeatedly. First his daughter had tricked him into visiting a man who wasn’t interested in her. Then he’d learned she’d been keeping secrets in order to get what she wanted. Now he knew she hadn’t stood a chance in hell the entire time.
“He’s lying,” Simone said in a rush. “He’s always lying.”
Wade didn’t even glace at his child. Jackson almost felt sorry for the wrath that was about to come down on Simone for making a fool of her old man. “When are you introducing her to the packs?”
“Tomorrow. At the hunt.”
Wade met Jackson’s gaze and held it. When he read the truth in his words, he snapped, “Get in the car, Simone.”
“But—”
“I said get in the car!” Wade roared, pivoting away from Jackson. “Zip your lip and do as you’re told.”
“No,” she retorted, reaching out and placing her hand on Jackson’s shoulder.
He shouldn’t have been surprised. The flirty female never listened. That was what she was known for—all body and zero brains. What he didn’t expect was to see her flying back several f
eet, knocked to the ground as someone barreled out of the building behind him and took the female to the ground.
In an instant he knew who had disobeyed his order to remain inside.
Curly blonde hair flared around Chloe as she wrapped her hands around Simone’s throat and applied pressure. His mate’s words weren’t words at all. More like snarls of a creature that was out for blood.
He rushed toward the screaming females, intent on the one who was—even without full possession of her wolf—currently beating the hell out of a werewolf with several pounds and a whole lot of inches on her.
Son of a bitch.
The woman beneath Chloe was covered in a cloud of red, making it impossible to make out the color of her eyes or hair.
Not that it mattered.
The moment she’d heard Simone speaking to Jackson, something had snapped. The members of the pack had watched in disbelief as she rose from her seat and walked toward the door. She hadn’t looked back, driven by a force that had taken over. Fury had obliterated logic. The moment she’d entered the hallway and saw the strange woman touch him, the wolf had taken control.
Moments in time were blurry. She vaguely recalled bursting from the parlor and tackling the woman to the ground. Now that she had her hands on the bitch she wanted to see Simone bleed. This would be a warning to anyone who dared to do the same, a reminder that the man she was fighting for was off limits.
Jackson was hers.
The words “I’ll kill you” didn’t come out right. Instead her vocalizations echoed as snarls in her ears. She didn’t stop, using the hands wrapped around Simone’s throat to drive the woman’s head into the concrete. The rusty scent of blood filled her nose, making her hungry for more. She wouldn’t stop until there was nothing left of the bitch’s head or face.
An arm snaked around her midsection to pull her away. She fought the intruder, knowing she wasn’t done yet, thrashing like a mad thing. Her grip loosened when the arm gave a firm tug and broke her hold on Simone. She screamed when she was lifted into the air and forced away from her prey.
