“Stop, Trevor.” I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. “Let’s just deal with that tomorrow. It’s late.”
He turned and put his hands on his hips, his eyes studying my face like he was looking for something. Then he huffed a breath and shook his head. “No, I’ll get it. Don’t worry about it. Wouldn’t want you to have to go out of your way for my dogs any more than you already have.”
The way he said it, almost spitefully, had my hackles up. “Out of my way?” I indicated the room. “I think this qualifies. If the dogs hadn’t been in the house in the first place, this wouldn’t have even happened.”
“Is that how it’s going to be then?” he asked, his own irritation rising to the surface. “You don’t even want them in the house now?”
“You know, I don’t think I do. Especially when we aren’t home.”
He threw his hands up in the air and muttered to himself, and then took a step toward me. “I didn’t even want to go to the police station in the first place, Jason, remember? You wanted to rush us right out of here. The dogs picked up on that. They knew something was up. They never would have done something like this otherwise.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because they never have before! They must have felt afraid, or like I was threatened or some—”
“Threatened? You left with me! How could they think you were being threatened?” I shook my head. I really didn’t want to hear any more of this right now. I was just getting more and more worked up. It would be best if we just put it to bed for the night and dealt with it tomorrow.
But Trevor glared. “They were upset, Jason. Why can’t you understand that?”
“You know what? You want to do this right now? Fine. Let’s do this. No, I don’t want the dogs in the house if it means I can’t trust them not to destroy it when they ‘get upset.’ Hell, Trevor. I’m part of the dog family myself, as you’ve pointed out before, and you don’t see me going around destroying things when I’m upset or frightened.”
His eyes widened. He looked stricken, and I immediately regretted my words, knowing I was hurting Trevor more and more with everything I said. I strode to the front door then grabbed my keys from the hook next to it.
“Where are you going?” he asked, his voice unsteady.
“To the Lodge. It’s a full moon tonight. I’m going to head over there for a while.” So I wouldn’t say something more I’d regret. Plus, being with my pack would help me blow off some steam. Maybe I’d be able to think more clearly if I had a little space.
Trevor silently watched me go, and I felt more than a little guilty for walking out on him like that, but I told myself it was for the best. I needed to work off this aggravation so I wouldn’t take it out on Trevor.
Most of the pack was already at the Wolf Lodge by the time I got there. I’d jogged over, hoping it would help clear my head, but I felt just as on edge as I had at home. It didn’t feel right leaving Trevor there like that. And I was still really fucking frustrated.
“What’s going on, man?” Jaxon, our pack alpha asked me, coming up and clapping me on the shoulder. “Glad you could make it.” He gave me a friendly smile, but then looked at me more closely. “You okay? Seriously, what going on?”
I sighed, trying to smile, but it felt forced so I just shrugged.
Just then, his mate, Bryce, joined us, as did Gavin.
“Hey! Glad you made it,” Gavin said with grin. “Managed to get yourself away from your mate for just a bit?” he asked, teasing.
“I could say the same about you,” I replied, not so good-naturedly.
“Yeah, except my mate is here with me,” he said pointedly.
Gavin and Kyle had been over the moon when they found out Trevor and I were mates. Even more so when they’d found out we were expecting a baby. Gavin kept asking when I was going to claim my mate.
That only made the already complicated thoughts running through my head even more confusing. I wanted to. But right now I needed figure out how the hell that would work. Because I definitely couldn’t come to terms with how to move forward with the dogs in the house.
“Jason?” Jaxon nudged me. “What’s going on with you? You know we can sense something’s off. You’ve got waves of aggravation coming off you.”
I should have known I wouldn’t be able to hide my emotions from my pack. “Nothing that can’t wait. I’d hoped to just come hang out, maybe go for a run. Not have a group therapy session.”
They weren’t letting me out of this, though. So I ended up telling them all about what happened, starting with heading to the police department.
Jaxon nodded. “Yeah, I got a call earlier updating me on the situation. I’m glad they’ve got them both in custody now.”
From the set of his jaw, I knew he still wasn’t happy about the dragon shifters and the trouble they’d been causing in town.
“Is that the end of them do you think,” I asked.
He waved his hand. “We can talk about that later. That’s not why you’re so upset.”
No. It wasn’t. “It’s what happened when we got home. Or rather, while we were gone.”
I told them all about how the house had been destroyed, how Trevor blamed it on him being emotional, and how I just couldn’t trust them now, especially around Stacia. “What if this is just the beginning and they start acting out of character more and more? What if they hurt Stacia or the baby?”
“Jason,” Gavin said slowly, shaking his head. “I know you have a bad history with dogs, but I have to say, I think you’re overreacting here.”
I looked from him to Jaxon and Bryce.
“I agree,” Bryce said. “And I have to say I also agree with Trevor. If the dogs sensed he was upset about something, it could have affected them badly. Especially with you guys darting out the door like you said you did. They likely felt his panic. And when they couldn’t find Trevor in the house, they probably panicked themselves.”
Jaxon and Gavin were nodding in agreement. I rolled my eyes and threw my hands up, frustration hitting me again that no one seemed to get it. The dogs could be dangerous. Who knew better than me? To expose Stacia and the baby to that was just stupid.
“Look,” Gavin said. “It was one incident. With a valid reason. Don’t go making rash decisions, especially in the heat of the moment.”
I sighed, knowing he was right. It was why I’d come here in the first place. “How about that run then?” I asked, ready to change the subject.
Gavin grinned. “I’m down.”
He went to find Kyle, and more of the pack joined us. While it wasn’t mandatory for pack wolves to run every full moon, we liked running together.
In fact, as we headed outside to the wide lawn that stretched back to meet the tree line in the distance, I realized how much I’d missed this. I hadn’t been on a full moon run in a few months, not wanting to leave Trevor on his own. I needed this time with my pack more than I realized.
As the alpha of the Timberwood Cove wolf pack, Jaxon always led the run. We all shifted, and then we padded after him to the deep woods that edged the homestead and stretched to the mountains to the north.
Drawing in a deep breath I tried to find my inner calm. To let go of all the anger and frustration I was feeling. To let my wolf take charge for now. If I could do that, I knew I would find the answers I needed. That was one of the things I loved about giving control over to my wolf. Things were simpler. Easier. Basic and primal. Just being one with my wolf and nature had always soothed me.
As I stretched I breathed in again, this time letting my heightened senses take in the night around me. It was cold and crisp, the winter air sharp in my lungs. Pine needles and damp earth scented the air, along with the scents of the other shifters around me.
The night was cloudless and clear, the moon bright overhead lighting up everything. Then Jaxon lifted his nose to the moon and howled. The rest of us followed suit, and then we were off.
I ran with Gavin and Kyle for a bit, staying back
as we traversed the hills, leaping over rocks and branches. The feel of the air rushing through my fur was exhilarating, and before long my anger began to dissipate. But in its place was an uneasiness.
I felt unsettled. Like something wasn’t right. As I watched Gavin and Kyle running ahead of me, I realized it was because Trevor wasn’t with me. I slowed from a full on run to a slower jog as that thought took hold. What would that be like, having my mate here with me on a run? Shifting with me, running by my side as a wolf? My heart began beating faster, and my wolf whimpered. Longing for our mate.
I hadn’t really talked to Trevor about claiming him, thinking we had plenty of time. Not that the thought hadn’t crossed my mind from time to time. Especially during those moments of passion where I desperately wanted to make him mine in every way. But I’d wanted to take it slowly with him, not rush things. Fate had done enough of that for us with the baby. I’d wanted to get to know him and do this right. And I had.
But somewhere along the way, I’d not moved forward when maybe I should have by now. Should I have already claimed him?
Breaking away from Gavin and Kyle, I traveled over to a stream trickling through the woods, and then took a drink as I thought about it. If I claimed him, it was forever. We’d be tied together in a way that surpassed human understanding. Bonded, for the rest of our lives. I had to make sure Trevor understood that. I also needed to make sure I was ready for it.
I padded through the forest for a bit longer, eventually catching back up to the rest of the pack and heading back toward the Lodge. When I shifted back to my human form, I said my goodbyes quickly, ready to get back home to my mate.
And as if I didn’t already feel guilty enough for the way I’d treated him, when I walked in the door, he was sitting on the floor of the living room, Bonnie and Clyde’s heads in his lap as he cried.
“Trevor…” I went straight to him, hurting knowing I’d caused this. “I’m so sorry.”
He looked up at me, wiping his eyes. They were so red. How long had he been crying? That’s when I noticed he’d cleaned up everything while I was gone.
“Trevor, sweetheart. I told you we could do this tomorrow. You didn’t have to clean up.”
He shook his head and swallowed. “It kept me busy. I—” His voice wavered. “I was afraid. It kept my mind off the fact that I was here all alone while the pack was off running into the night.”
His words hit me straight in the gut, making me feel even worse. I hadn’t even considered that he might be scared to death alone here. And after he’d just come face to face with his attacker hours earlier.
Fuck, I was a jackass.
“Come on, sweetheart, let’s go to bed,” I said softly, helping him to his feet. I brushed away his tears and started to lead him toward the stairs, but Bonnie and Clyde followed right behind us.
I grimaced, trying not to think about what happened with them earlier, but it was next to impossible.
“Hang on,” I told Trevor. “I’ll just put them in their crates real quick.”
Trevor turned to me, his brows knitting together. Then he huffed out a breath and shook his head. “No, it’s fine. I’ve got it.”
Before I could argue the matter, he whirled and hurried away, calling the dogs after him. I sighed, knowing I’d upset him again. There was no mistaking the irritation in his voice. But what did he expect? That I would just let them roam free after what happened? It wasn’t happening again, that much was sure, even if I wasn’t sure how I’d be able to enforce it.
I’d figure it all out tomorrow. Tonight, I just wanted to go to sleep next to my mate and forget all about the shitty day we’d had.
When he came up to bed, he turned his back to me. I moved closer, wrapping my arm around him, but he didn’t turn over. Didn’t speak. I guessed I deserved that. I just hoped that tomorrow things would be better and we could move forward. I wasn’t sure what the answer was in regard to the dogs, but I knew not having Trevor in my life wasn’t it.
14
Trevor
Normally, my mornings with Jason were one of the highlights of my day. We played music and goofed off while we got ready. Often, if we had time, we’d shower together and start the day off right.
Today was the polar opposite. I was still frustrated and upset over what happened last night, unable to believe the man I loved couldn’t accept my dogs. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, he’d just left me here, right after I’d had to face one of my biggest fears at the police station.
I just couldn’t process how the sweet, kind, gentle Jason who I’d come to know and love could have this other side of him. Yes, he’d been grumpy before we got together, but that was because he hadn’t got to know me then. It was different now. Wasn’t it? Or was the side he’d shown me last night the real him? I didn’t want to believe that, but what if he continued being this harsh with me? Or worse, the baby.
I knew in my heart that wasn’t the case. I’d seen him with Stacia plenty of times. Once again I was feeling all kinds of emotional, but I couldn’t help worrying about it, especially when he broke the tension at breakfast by clearing his throat. I looked up at him, but he kept his eyes on his cereal bowl.
“I think we should take separate cars to work today. I want to pick Stacia up from Keifer and take her to school since I didn’t get to see her last night.”
I paused with my spoon halfway to my mouth, unsure what to say. That was clearly an excuse. On the mornings we had Stacia, we always took her to school together. We got up earlier and left earlier so we had time. He’d conveniently waited until now to tell me, knowing I wouldn’t make it in to the daycare in time to open up for the first clients if we rode together. I felt my neck grow hot. This obviously had nothing to do with Stacia and everything to do with how he felt about Bonnie and Clyde.
I set my spoon down before I spoke, but when I couldn’t find the words, I just nodded and stood up to take my bowl to the dishwasher.
“Bonnie, Clyde. Let’s get going.” I gathered my things then hurried toward the front door. Jason may have called out a goodbye, but if so, I didn’t hear him. I was in too big of a rush to get out of the house before I broke down right in front of him.
The minute I was in the car with the dogs, the first sob broke loose, stinging my throat. Bonnie and Clyde whined from the back seat, upset by my crying, but I couldn’t stop it. I cried the entire way to work.
How could Jason be so callous? This wasn’t the man I knew, not at all. He didn’t seem to care one bit how I was feeling. Not this morning. And definitely not last night. How could he not realize how seeing my attacker had shaken me up? Then he’d piled more shit on top of that with his freak out about the dogs. I felt like he didn’t care that I was hurting and scared, and I didn’t know what to do about it.
By the time I got to work I’d more or less pulled myself together. Well, the crying had stopped, at least. I let the dogs wander around and I headed to the bathroom to wash my face. I didn’t need to be all splotchy when the first clients started arriving.
I drew in a deep breath and looked at myself in the mirror after I dried my face. It hadn’t done much good. My eyes were red and swollen. Not my best look, that was for sure.
Just then, I heard barking coming from the playroom. I ran from the bathroom and found Bonnie and Clyde standing in front of the back door, barking like crazy. Jumping up and clawing at the door. A loud crash sounded from the back yard, and my heart leaped into my throat. I stood frozen to the spot, listening. Even over the din of the dogs barking I could make out a rustling sound.
Shaking myself out of my stupor, I reached for my phone, trying to think. I immediately called Jason.
“Come on, pick up…” I muttered, but the phone just rang and rang. No answer. Fear clutched at my chest and my stomach felt like it wanted to send the contents of my breakfast back up in reverse. Jason wouldn’t be at Petal Pushers yet. He’d still be taking Stacia to school.
I quickly ended the call and di
aled nine-one-one and relayed the information as best I could, staying on the line the entire time until the police arrived. By the time they got here, I was practically shaking. Being here all alone with only the dogs for protection had me reliving the day I’d been attacked. And right on the heels of seeing my attacker last night.
The officer addressed me as soon as he came in. “Mr. Perry? We’ve secured the perimeter. Are you okay?”
I nodded, only slightly relieved the police were here. I couldn’t shake this freaked out feeling. I told him what happened, and he asked to review the security cameras. The cameras. I’d never been more grateful for Jason’s protective ways than I was in that moment, which then made my stomach drop. I hated the way things had been between us this morning.
I led him into the back room where Jason had the security system installed. The officer clicked on one of the feeds and watched the couple minutes right before my nine-one-one call.
“Ah, there it is!” he said, stepping back with a sigh of relief.
“What is it?” I asked anxiously, leaning in to watch. Then I felt my face turn red, flaming with embarrassment. Oh my god, I’d never felt so foolish.
On the screen I saw a raccoon trying to get into the garbage can at the side of the porch. I watched as he climbed higher, knocking over a stack of dog bowls in the process. Jesus. It had been a damn racoon the whole time.
“I don’t know what to say,” I said, clapping my hand to my forehead. “I’m so embarrassed. I’m so sorry I wasted your time.”
“Don’t apologize, Mr. Perry, please. It’s completely understandable, especially after what you’ve been through. I’m glad you called us.”
He had me fill out a report, and then he was gone. I sat down behind the front desk. Was it understandable, like the officer had said? Or had I been paranoid? I mean, I was scared…
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out, hoping it was Jason. Even though things were fine and I’d overreacted, I was still a bit shaken. I wanted him here with me. Instead, Kyle’s name flashed on the screen.
Doggone Daddy Page 12
