“And you hid in the woods?” I asked, following his gaze in time to see Caleb talking to Leah.
“I’m not hiding,” he grumbled. “I’m keeping an eye on things.” He crossed his arms over his broad chest, leaning against a convenient tree. “What have you been doing? I thought you were looking for me, but you could have used the mental link.” I flushed slightly and his finger came up, hovering over my pink cheek as if he couldn’t help himself. “Why the blush?”
“I can’t use our link all willy-nilly!”
“Willy nilly?” He echoed, barely suppressing a laugh. I huffed, not wanting to admit my own failing. “What’s going on?”
“It’s hard for me,” I burst out, crossing my arms defensively as his eyebrows lowered. “Trying to open the link.”
“Ahh,” he hummed in realization and with a quick tug pulled me in his arms. I resisted for all of a millisecond before snuggling against his rigid chest. “Sometimes that is an issue between mates.”
“I thought you didn’t have any control,” I reminded him, looping my arms around his trim waist even as I said it.
“That was before you needed comforting,” he responded, tightening his embrace as he rested his chin on the top of my head. “Totally different type of control.”
“So, I’m not the only one who has issues with the mental link?” I asked in a small voice, my feeling of inadequacy easing when he shook his head above me.
“No, Jess. You’re not the only one. It’s much easier for me because I’m used to the Pack bond. I forgot you would not have that knowledge to draw on.” He rocked us gently, his body wide enough to shield us from view.
“Whew, that makes me feel so much better,” I murmured into his chest, wiggling closer until he groaned painfully.
“Only so much control,” he ground out, pushing me away from his body forcefully. “Time out.” He leaned forward, his hands locked on his knees as he breathed in and out slowly. “Could you back up a little further, please?”
I took a big step back, watching him worriedly. “Is this helping?”
He shook his head tensely. “Not really,” he muttered, lifting his head to give me a tight smile. “Your scent is engrained in me, but at least you’re a little further away. It’ll give me a few seconds longer to regain control should I pounce.”
“Oh,” I replied, incapable of anything more intelligent at his implied threat. “And Trent earlier? When you told him to back away?”
“To keep from ripping him apart for coming to close when you were in heat and I was so close to losing control,” he answered, his eyes watchful as I processed the information. “Can you accept this? What I am?”
He straightened as the silence lengthened. “Jess…if its too much,” he trailed off, unable to complete the thought.
My lips quirked as I raised my eyebrow. “You’ll what? Throw me over your shoulder and carry me away?” I tapped my finger on my lips. “Maybe lock me in my room until I can accept the beastly side of you?” I paused, humming to myself. “Hmmmm. That one has possibilities.”
“Funny,” he said tightly as he realized I was teasing him. “Maybe I’ll tie you to the headboard of one of those motel beds,” he growled, sliding his hand around my waist and jerking me closer. “You would like that.” A sharp breath escaped me at the visual and his lips slammed down on mine, his mouth desperate as he devoured mine.
I clung to him, unable to do anything else as he caged my body against the tree, helpless under his onslaught. His mouth found the mark on my neck unerringly and when his lips sealed over it, pleasure exploded through me, eliciting a sharp cry that only seemed to enflame him.
My hand slid over his chest until I came to the mark I’d placed over his heart and rubbed my fingers against it. He growled against my neck, the sound vibrating through my body as he hoisted me higher, spreading my legs as he nestled between them.
“Dom,” I gasped as he rubbed between my legs. He ignored me, nuzzling his way to my breasts as one of his hands caressed my thigh and he rocked against my core. “Dom,” I cried again, my voice barely a whimper as sensation shot through me. I wasn’t sure if I was begging him to continue or warning him to stop, but it didn’t matter as the loud screeching of tires cut through the clearing.
Dom reacted instantly, dropping into a crouch in front of me. He inhaled sharply and spat out, “Hanley.”
My heart hammered in my chest as my body attempted to adjust to the sudden change in circumstances. I sucked in air as Dom kept me pinned between him and the tree. Rough bark poked my back as I gazed at the clearing. A couple of trucks had careened into the clearing, scattering people and overturning tables.
Caleb faced the men, head up as he stepped in front of Leah, who stared at the intruders wide-eyed. “You’re not welcome here,” Caleb shouted and I felt Dom tense. He glanced back at me and then toward Caleb, debating where he needed to be.
I poked him in the back and hissed, “Go protect your Alpha.” He nodded, his eyes lingering on me for a second before he sauntered into the clearing, stopping at Caleb’s side.
Chapter Twelve
Dom
Caleb shifted to the right, making room for me to stand next to him as we faced the Hanleys together. I fought the urge to look over my shoulder and check on Jess, not wanting to draw their attention to her.
Most of the crowd had moved until they were behind us, fear scenting the air as women gathered their children close. Those that could shift formed a line at our back, protecting the others in the Pack. The only exception was the girl Jess had invited, Leah I thought her name was. She stood frozen behind Caleb, her eyes as wide as saucers as he used his body to shield her from the Hanley pack.
I scanned the field but didn’t spot Anna or Trent, and exhaled in relief. Trent knew I wanted to keep Anna as far from the Hanley pack as possible, so all I could hope was he had her distracted elsewhere.
I recognized their unofficial leader and risked opening the mental link to Jess. Find Sam, I ordered, keeping my gaze focused on the guy standing in the back of the pickup, eyeing the women hungrily.
“Is everyone having fun?” He shouted, causing several in the crowd to flinch back. A snarl escaped me, causing him to shift back involuntarily before he caught himself. Satisfaction rolled through me at the small sign of fear and I felt a flicker of amusement come from Caleb through the Pack bond.
“We were,” Caleb answered, not bothering to raise his voice. “At least, until you mutts showed up.” The insult had several of them snapping and growling until the lead Hanley shouted at them to shut up.
“They let you play at being Alpha, boy?” He sneered, lip curling as Caleb’s hands fisted. I tensed, ready to intervene if Caleb lost control, but after a second, he relaxed his hands. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Leah lower her hand from Caleb’s back where she must have reminded him of her presence.
“I am Alpha,” Caleb said clearly, the words echoing over the silent yard. “And you are cowards who didn’t have the strength to face a true challenge. Instead, you shot my father in the back.” The wolves behind me shifted restlessly at the reminder, and the Hanley pack members tensed.
Remain calm, I commanded the Pack, infusing my will into the order. I didn’t have the same willpower as an Alpha would or even my father for that matter, but the other shifters ceased, awaiting further orders.
“What’s pathetic is seeing a child lead the once mighty Navarre pack,” Hanley spat. “But don’t worry,” he continued, spreading his arms out as he smiled beatifically. “I’m here to make sure you know what it’s like to have a true Alpha.”
I tensed, suspecting what was coming, as Caleb stood resolute next to me. I’ve got Sam, Jess whispered in my mind and a little of the tension eased from me. I trusted Jess to keep my big sister safe, even from herself. Any chance you want to tell me why I have her? Before I could answer Jess, Hanley spoke again.
“I challenge the Navarre Alpha for control of the pack.”
Gasps filled the air, but I could still pick out the low, keening cry of my sister as her husband challenged Caleb to a fight to the death.
Caleb lifted his head, eyes gleaming in the low glow of the overhead lights. “Challenge accepted,” he declared. Only I knew him well enough to spot the faint tremor in his hands as he curled them into fists.
Sunday, here, I pushed the thought to him urgently. As the challenged, he had the right to choose when and where, and I wanted both to be to our advantage. It would give us a day to strategize and if the fight was held on motel grounds, it fell within the jurisdiction of the sheriff, who now happened to be Hank Navarre.
“Sunday, four o’clock, right here,” Caleb called out, easing some of the tightness in my chest as he took my advice.
“Be there or be square,” a low female voice whispered under her breath, the words vaguely hysterical and I cut my gaze toward Leah to make sure she held it together.
The low whoop-whoop of a siren filled the air as a sheriff car pulled into the parking lot of the motel. Jess’ Dad stepped forward, his expression hard. “You’ve said what you came to say. Now get the hell out of here,” he ordered, apparently the one who’d called the sheriff. A few dirty looks were tossed his way, but Hanley thumped his hand on the hood of the pickup and it fishtailed out of the field and into the parking lot before the sheriff could even step from the car.
“Thank you,” Caleb muttered, sending me a sideways glance.
“Always,” I replied, clapping him on the shoulder.
“What the hell was that?” The girl, Leah, exclaimed, reminding us she was still standing there. Caleb glanced down at her and for a brief second his expression softened and I saw the boy he’d been before the Alpha died. He schooled his face and said sternly, “Nothing you need to worry about.” He paused. “Or mention,” he added hastily and she rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, yeah, I signed the NDA when I got here,” she retorted and I disguised my snort as a cough. “But seriously, what were those guys challenging you to? A duel? Are we in the medieval ages and no one thought to mention it?” She hitched a thumb behind her head. “Are all those women wearing chastity belts too?”
Caleb sighed, crossing his arms. “No, but muzzles aren’t unheard of,” he answered her, momentarily stopping her stream of questions. “And it’s need to know, and you don’t need to know,” he concluded, swiping his thumb over her nose as her mouth opened and closed in shock. He glanced at me, sending his next thought through our private link, speak with you later?
I nodded and he cut through the clustered guests easily, since they parted in front of him, eyes lowered in the face of his frown. I could feel the churning emotions fighting inside of him and knew he needed to go for a run before he could begin to plan for the coming fight. The Hanleys had stirred up memories of his father and the inadequacy Caleb couldn’t help but feel as some of the Pack rejected his ascension to Alpha.
“Nicky?” My head turned at the panicked shout, recognizing Sam’s voice as she combed through the crowd, Jess hot on her heels, calling for her son. “Nicky?”
“He’s here,” Jess soothed, standing in front of Sam, who knocked her out of the way.
“They took him,” she shrieked, glancing around frantically, her expression so lost I knew she wasn’t actually seeing anything. “He took him. He took my baby.”
“No, he didn’t,” Jess promised, reaching for Sam’s shoulders in spite of her jerking away. “I swear, we would have seen it if they had. He’s here. We’ll find him.” Sam struggled a few moments longer before collapsing in Jess’ arms. “We’ll never escape,” she cried brokenly as Jess stared at me helplessly over her head. I shook my head, and scanned the field as Dad came up next to me.
“Nicky’s missing?” He questioned, his own sharp eyesight and height joining mine as we searched the yard for little Nicky.
“He’s here,” I murmured, fighting back a sense of unease when we didn’t quickly spot him. “We would have noticed.” Dad didn’t bother to correct me, continuing to look, but I could almost feel the reprimand. I’d been focused on Caleb and the threat the Hanleys presented. I hadn’t considered they might have an ulterior motive.
“NICKY!” Sam’s shriek was desperate as Jess kept her from falling to the ground. Others joined the search, checking the children grouped around them and studying the edge of the forest.
“He’s here,” a voice called, drawing our attention, as a man strode from around the motel, Nicky propped on his hip. I was unsurprised to see who had him as Sam ran to them, scooping Nicky into her arms.
She stumbled back from Payne, who stood there, arms still outstretched from her grabbing Nicky. She gave a little shake of her head, not speaking as she cuddled her son, and sent him a wary glare. I inhaled sharply, wondering why he’d had Nicky, but there were too many scents in the air to pinpoint Payne’s specifically.
Sam clutched Nicky to her chest, backing away from Payne and then running to the motel and her room. Her sudden, fearful absence triggered the rest of the women who had been at the mercy of the Hanleys, as they all scurried to the motel, disappearing into the safety of their rooms.
“Go home,” I said, my voice low but it still carried over the yard as those in the Navarre Pack slipped into the woods, following the paths toward home. Leah gave a little salute as she marched past me and I reached out to snag her arm, hauling her to a stop. “Not you,” I rumbled, my eyes flicking to Jess. I jerked my head and she sighed, walking over to me.
“Words, Dom. Use your words.” She shook her head. “I feel like a dog when you do that shit.”
I kept my face neutral, not wanting to show how strong a hold she actually had on me in front of the few who lingered. I’m sorry, I offered mentally instead, and received an exasperated sigh.
Accepted, she grumbled. Why are you holding Leah prisoner?
It’s not safe for her to go home tonight, I answered and felt a whisper of fear come from Jess. We’re fine here, I reassured her. I just don’t want to risk anyone on the road. They may have seen Caleb protect her.
Why did he do that? I could sense her puzzlement at Caleb’s odd reaction to Leah. He’d very clearly put himself between Leah and the Hanleys which I would expect him to do with any member of the Pack, but Leah wasn’t Pack.
I don’t know, I murmured. Either way, I don’t want her out there tonight. It’s too dangerous.
“Leah, I thought we could have a sleepover,” Jess smiled but it came out more of a grimace. “I’m sure you have questions.”
Leah lifted her eyebrow. “Are you going to answer them?”
Jess’ breath gusted from her so hard I heard it physically and mentally. “I’ll try,” she countered and Leah nodded, accepting the compromise. The look Jess shot me said I owed her and I took a chance, leaning down to brush a kiss against her silky brown hair. Inhaling her scent was like a punch to the gut and only the fact that my father, her father, and Leah were standing there kept me from throwing her over my shoulder.
The smirk she threw me told me she knew exactly how she affected me and my narrowed eyes promised retribution. She didn’t seem the slightest bit nervous at the sight of my glare, instead her heartbeat jumped and I sensed a shiver of excitement. A growl rumbled from me as she escorted Leah away, and Dad snapped his hand around my arm in a steely grip. I glanced down, knowing I could break his hold with ease, but years of discipline allowed me to take the help he offered. I nodded but he didn’t loosen his hold until Jess had disappeared from sight.
“It may surprise you, but I was like you once,” Dad rumbled, shaking his head. “What you have with her is special, son. Treat it with care.” I gave a short nod, embarrassed he’d seen me lose control so easily. Dad chuckled at my expression. “Trust me, I understand the difficulty,” he said knowingly and I winced, since he was talking about Mom. “But I also promised her dad you would never push his daughter into something she wasn’t ready for.” My gaze shifted involuntarily to Jess’
Dad, who had started to straighten up the overturned tables. I hadn’t forgotten how he’d faced the Hanleys and knew Jess hadn’t just inherited her shifter genes from her father, she’d also inherited his courage. “Don’t make a liar out of me,” Dad advised, giving my chest a hard thump.
I nodded, and Dad went to help Jess’ Dad pick up the party mess. Trent loped out of the woods a few seconds later and I scanned the area behind him, searching for Anna. He skidded to a stop in front of me, shaking his head. “She’s at home,” he answered before I could voice the question. “I followed her, almost to the Hanley border,” he paused as a snarl ripped out of me. “I know, trust me, I know, but she wasn’t in any danger,” Trent assured me. “I wouldn’t let anything happen to her.” I nodded, knowing it was true. Trent had sworn an oath to me that he would watch over Anna and I knew nothing but death would cause him to break it. “She wasn’t alone out there,” he continued and my gaze sharpened. “Yeah, she was following someone else.”
“Wren,” I said and Trent stared at me in surprise. “I noticed her scent the other day when Monster got lost. I verified earlier that it belonged to Wren. She was meeting someone.”
“Yeah, but we don’t know who. They were gone before we got there.”
“Did she see you?” I questioned.
“Wren or Anna?” Trent asked, unwrapping a sucker. “Anna definitely knew I was there. I swear the woman has a sixth sense when it comes to my presence. Wren didn’t notice us, but I was careful to stay downwind.”
“Good. I want to know who she’s meeting and why she’d risk crossing Navarre land to meet them.” I gave Trent a pointed look. “Without her having a chance to come up with a story for why.”
“Understood,” Trent agreed. “What’d I miss? Anna looked mighty upset but she wouldn’t tell me. She shifted and I damn near lost her before I could shift and keep up. She’s a fast little thing.”
“Frank Hanley showed up,” I replied, and Trent’s mouth dropped open and the sucker he had almost fell out.
The Challenge (The Pack Book 2) Page 11
