by Leite, Lynn
“Brendan has this place wired. Between the five of us, plus you, of course, we would see them if they came into view, right.”
“Right.”
“So we can safely say they are not in range.”
“But you say they are there.”
“Ashley, you have to look beyond the obvious signs. The North side shows subtle differences. In that sector, we have seen nothing, no birds, no squirrels, not even a field mouse.”
“So?”
“So, that’s not normal for these woods. The only thing that would keep the wildlife away is if they sensed a predator.”
“A wolf.” She was starting to see now.
“I’d say there is more than one close to the boarder of the property, the North side. Here, where it’s the quietest. Their wolf stink has to be keeping the wildlife away.”
“Bro, why are you wasting that kind of talent on construction?” Bryce exclaimed while clapping his brother Matt on the back.
“Someone has to make sure Colin doesn’t accidently saw a finger off or something,”
“Hey, I resent that,” Colin whined.
“No, seriously Matt, you should consider it.”
“Yeah, when Bryce is Alpha, you could be his guard, maybe even his second.” Brendan said fiddling with some sort of gadget.
“I’ll think about it,” Matt said quietly. The answer surprised Bryce. He knew his brother had thought about becoming an enforcer at one time, but he hadn’t realized he thought about it recently.
“Why didn’t you consider it sooner?” Bryce asked. Matt was a natural.
“Mom.”
“What does Mom have to do with it?”
“Bryce, when Drew named you his heir, Mom … well, let’s just say mom kind of freaked out. Alpha is a big job. It’s also risky.”
“I am aware.”
“What you’re not aware of is she also worries that Aiden will be your second. Then, when I mentioned being an enforcer, I thought she’d have a cow.”
“She’s afraid for any of her children. That’s normal,” Ashley pointed out.
“I just didn’t want to give Mom one more thing to worry about.”
“Matt, Mom is the one that sent you and the others here with me. She’s a Beta’s wife. She knows the risk. Sure, she’ll worry, but if it’s what you want to do, then that’s what you should be doing.”
“I know. You’re right. Maybe after this is all over.”
“Do you want me to talk to her? I could say I need my little brother to have my back.” Matt knew Bryce was trying to make a joke.
“Right, throw in words like little brother, and I’m sure she’ll agree.”
“You’re a grown man, Matt. You don’t need her to agree. I’m pretty sure she didn’t agree with me taking the Alpha position at first. You being an enforcer will grow on her.”
“Maybe you’re right,” Matt beamed. “I will consider it.”
“Good, because I need my little brother to have my back,” Bryce smirked.
“Shut up,” Matt said rolling his eyes.
“Hey guys, if the love fest is over, I think we have something.” Aiden said as he squinted at the monitor.
“North side. What did I tell you?” Matt was already zooming in on the fussy image. “Brendan, can you clear this up?”
“Sure give me a second,” Brendan said tapping on his lap top. There, is it better.”
“A little better yes. Two figures… no wait, three on the Northern edge.”
“Could it be one of Cheveyo’s guards?” Ashley asked as her heart raced. She had been complaining to herself about the boredom, but now she wanted it back.
“Nope, they have trackers. If it was one of Maverick’s people, this light would flash green.”
“Hold on. There’s more. I see five now.”
“Shit,” Bryce muttered. “Call Maverick. Tell him to have his men move in but not to engage until they are closer. Brendan, can you tell me anymore?”
“Not yet, but they are headed this way. It’s still pretty dark, so they will have to be closer to see their faces.”
“Bryce, maybe it’s just hunters or something?” Ashley suggested. She was hoping it was hunters. If it wasn’t, then more than just Dan and Julian had come to the party.
“I Know, Ash. That’s why I have Maverick’s men standing down for now.”
“Oh,” she squeaked. Bryce was in Alpha mode. As much as she didn’t like the situation, seeing him in action was a beautiful thing.
“Ash, can you tell if these are Bane’s men?” Brendan said swinging the monitor with the enhanced images toward her.
Ashley studied the hazy figures. Three taller, two shorter. As the images became clearer she screamed.
“What?” Bryce said hovering over her to look.
“That’s Dan and Julian. Frank Bane is with them. The others are women.”
“You’re sure?”
“Bryce, that’s Yasmin and Brianna.”
“Your friends.”
“Yes, look. Frank seems to be pushing Brianna forward. Oh god, they are being used as bait,” Ashley sobbed. Who knows what had happened to them in the past few days? “Bane wouldn’t have sent women Bryce.”
“I know, Hon.” He crushed her into him to comfort her.”
15
They watched the group advance closer on the monitors. It did look as if the women were unwilling pawns. The five Bane weres set up camp just before dawn, about a mile out in a heavily wooded area.
“It looks like they are stopping for now. They probably want to wait for nightfall before continuing,” Matt assumed
“Do you think they know we are aware they are here?” Bryce asked. Leaning into the monitor he watched as the men set up a campfire.
“They have no idea they are being watched. I’m sure of it,” Brendan said with pride.
“So, now what?” Ashley asked. She was exhausted and the thought of her friends being out there because of her was weighing heavily on her conscious.
“We wait. You should get some sleep. They won’t do anything till nightfall. We have to be ready for anything. The fact that they brought the Alpha’s son tells me they mean business,” Matt answered.
“What about Bri and Yas?”
“My guess is they will use them to get closer somehow. If they think you’re here with only one guard, then sending them out first would be a great distraction. Bryce, Aiden, you should get some sleep as well. Colin, Brendan, and I can take first watch. No sense in the six of us staying awake all night.”
“You’re right. Call us if anything changes.” Bryce said taking Ashley’s hand. “Come on, Hon, you need to rest.”
“Ha, rest, is that what you call it?” Colin laughed.”
“You had something to say Col?” Bryce snapped in an Alpha tone.
“Nope, not me. Just keep it down okay?” Colin smirked.
Bryce let it drop, seeing his mates face turn red. They hadn’t had much privacy in a house full of his brothers.
“Just let us know if the status changes, okay?” Bryce groaned.
He wanted to tell his brothers to mind their own business. He was sure when their time came, they would understand that not being intimate with your mate was almost impossible. He also knew how hard it had to be. Four males trapped in a house with a newly mated couple.
Bryce slammed the door to their room, pulling Ashley flush against his body as he lowered his lips to claim hers.
“They can hear us. That’s what Colin meant, didn’t he?” Ashley asked not slowing as she unbuttoned Bryce’s shirt to feel the skin beneath.
“That’s what he meant. So I guess we will have to try and be quieter,” he smiled slowly stripping the shirt over her head.
“I feel a little guilty doing this now.”
“Why, because of what Colin said?”
“No, because my friends are out there. Bryce, who knows what they have done to them.”
“The guys are watching the monitors.
If the girls look like they are in danger, they won’t hesitate to help.”
“I know, I just…”
“You just what? Ash, we don’t have to do this. You do need to get some sleep though.”
“I need you.”
“Woman, you’re sending all sorts of mixed signals here.”
“I know. I feel guilty, but I don’t think I can keep my hands off of you for an entire night.”
“It’s day time, darling, and I don’t think we have to. Your friends would understand. What good is staying up worrying about them? If you rest, you will be better equipped to help them, and if you make love to your mate, then you’ll be tired enough to rest.” Bryce smiled.
“You have this all figured out, do you?” Ashley said as Bryce drew closer. She was being stalked by her mate and loving it.
“Yes.”
“Well, then I suppose the Alpha knows best.” Ashley wasn’t able to get another word out before Bryce silenced her with his mouth covering hers. The current that passed between them that first time they touched was still there, warm and welcoming, as it wrapped around them to join them more than physically.
Bryce made quick work of his clothes as well as Ashley’s. Before she knew it, he was hovering over her. His body pressed against hers which caused a delicious friction.
“You’re teasing me,” she groaned as his lips trailed down her neck.”
“I’m warming you up.”
“Any warmer and I’ll burst into flames. Bryce, please?”
Bryce didn’t hesitate to accommodate his wife’s wishes. Claiming her mouth, he felt her need in the aggressive way she pulled him to her. He broke the kiss and looked at Ashley through hooded eyes as he joined with her.
Tipping her head back as she felt her mate’s joining, Ashley growled. The sound was more of a purr to Bryce’s ears.
“Shhh, we need to keep it down.” Bryce laughed while speeding up his rhythm.
“To hell with quiet. Let them hear.” Ashley said amongst the moans of pleasure she couldn’t hold back.
“God, I love you woman.”
“I love you too.” Ashley didn’t know if her words had reached the surface. Bryce had her so close to the edge that reality and pure sensation had merged together. With one last thrust, she felt Bryce tumble over the edge with her. A lifetime with this man was never going to be enough.
“Sleep now,” Bryce whispered half asleep himself as he pulled Ashley’s body close to his.
“Hummm” was Ashley’s only response before she let sleep claim her.
Bryce, Aiden, and Ashley took over the watch around three that afternoon so that Brendan, Colin, and Matt could get some rest. The Bane men were still camped about a mile out. Bryce’s original thought that they might be waiting for nightfall seemed to be right since they hadn’t moved.
“I don’t understand what they are waiting for?” Ashley was pacing. The waiting was getting to her.
“They know they are close to the house, Ash. They want the cover of darkness so that they can sneak up on you and Bryce.” Aiden answered.
“But we know they are there.”
“Yes, but they don’t know that. I’m sure they assume the past few days being uneventful have lulled you into thinking maybe they couldn’t find you.”
“What’s your theory on the girls? Why bring my friends?”
“You’d be a better judge of that, Ashley.”
Bryce pointed out.
“If it were me, I’d bring the women because you trust them. You’re more likely to answer the door if one of them is on the other side." Aiden’s comment made perfect sense.
“Oh, and then what, the men grab me?”
“That would be my guess as well. The plan would be a good one if we didn’t know they were coming. We have the advantage, Ashley. They have no idea my brothers are here, and they have no clue we can see them.”
“Don’t forget the whole mating thing,” Aiden added.
“The whole mating thing?” Ashley looked at her brother-in-law with a raised eyebrow.
“Yeah. I saw it when Lexi was in trouble. God help anyone who threatens a were’s mate. Not to mention an Alpha were.”
Ashley just nodded. She had no doubt Bryce would defend her. That was what frightened her the most. If anything happened to any of these men, she wouldn’t be able to forgive herself.
16
“They are moving,” Matt said just after dusk had settled into night. The others had joined them as soon as the darkness settled in. Ashley looked around at the room full of males. She wasn’t bothered by their presence. Her attack was only a little over a week ago. The mating had somehow shown her that the attack was an isolated incident. All men were not like Bane men. Bryce’s brothers didn’t frighten her. She was comforted by their presence. For someone who just days ago couldn’t even be in the company of a male, she was now confident in her new family’s devotion.
“So, what now?” she asked the men hoping for an answer that would end this all.
“Now, we let them get close. Maverick’s men are closing in. They are surrounded.” Bryce said wrapping his arms around her.
“It seems too easy. Frank is too smart to just walk into a trap.”
“Don’t forget he has the women with him. “ Brendan pointed out. “Bane might hold woman with little regard, but he knows we don’t. He probably thinks he has the advantage here. Plus, he only thinks it’s Bryce guarding you.”
“I say we give him even more confidence,” Aiden said watching the screen.
“How so?” Bryce asked looking at his brother with questioning eyes.
“I was thinking. Bane and his men think it’s just you here with Ashley right?”
“That’s what we are hoping, yes.”
“Then what if you left?”
“I’m not leaving Aiden!” Bryce growled.
“Down boy. No one said you were. What I mean is, what if they think you left? They would think Ashley was alone.”
“Okay, why would I leave her alone?”
“You wouldn’t. Just hear me out. They don’t know she’s your mate. They don’t know we know they are there. So we wait until they are close and we know they are watching to see you leave.”
“I’m not leaving her.”
“No, I am.”
“I get it. You leave, and they will think it’s Bryce.”
“Exactly, Ash. There is some advantage to being twins. Bryce, you know as well as I do that most people can’t tell us apart. Hell, even Mom gets us mixed up sometimes. I leave as soon as we are sure they are close enough to see the house. They will think she’s alone.”
“Then what?” Ashley asked
“Then they will make their move, whatever that is.”
“We have to keep the girls safe,” Matt chimed in.
“We will,” the others said as one.
As soon as the group got close, Ashley’s pulse was racing. Her friends were in danger because of her. Her new family was in danger as well. Even if they managed to stop this wave, and she had no doubt they would, she still had Bane after her.
This minor attempt to capture her didn’t make sense. Even if he did want her alive, why had he sent Frank? Why had the girls been made a pawn in this? She didn’t know what Bane had to gain by pursuing her the way he was. It didn’t make much sense. Sure, she had killed his son. The man had attacked her. The more she thought about that night, she was sure that Richard had no intention of claiming her as his father had said. She was sure, since he arrived in wolf form, that he had just meant to eliminate her.
Warren Bane had been so set on having Ashley’s bloodline mix with his that his sons feelings on the mating probably didn’t matter to him. So why send Frank? He had to know he was risking another son by sending him with Dan and Julian. Even if Bryce was the only protection, Bane had to know someone would get hurt.
“You’re a million miles away,” Bryce whispered close to her ear as he slid his arms around Ashley’s waist.<
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“It doesn’t make sense. I mean why send Frank? Why force Bri and Yas to come? I feel like I’m missing something important.”
“You know the man better than we do, Ash. What do you think?”
“I don’t know. I just know something is off.”
The sound of a ringing phone made everyone in the room jump. Bryce grabbed it on the second ring “Woodland,” he said with an Alpha authority.
“Bryce, your father asked me to call. Bane and his men are just outside the compound. Your father went to help.”
“Why would he be there if he knows Ashley’s here?”
“I don’t know. He just told me to warn you.”
“Shit!”
“Bryce Woodland, I taught you better,”
“Sorry Mom. I’ll see what I can do from here. Keep us posted.”
Bryce looked at the curious faces in the room. “Bane and his men are at the compound.”
“Shit, it’s a trap. He probably knows we are all here and not at the compound. We have weakened our defenses by splitting up,” Matt said with a growl.
“Bane isn’t after me, is he? He’s after the whole pack.”
“It would seem he has bigger aspirations,” Bryce agreed. “Ashley, that doesn’t mean he’s not after you. If your uncle falls, then he thinks the pack will be his. It’s common knowledge that your uncle has no heirs. Only the pack knows about me.”
“So, he thinks he’ll just take over the pack and, then what, I’ll fall in line?”
“I still don’t know what he intends for you, but I can assure you it’s not pleasant.”
“Aiden, we go with the original plan. You leave, let them see you, and then head straight home. I’ll call Maverick. We are going to need his help on this. Matt, be ready. We are going on the offensive. I want Frank Bane alive. We need him for leverage.”
“What do you want me to do?” Ashley asked her mate.
Bryce wanted to tell her to hide, to keep low and let them handle it, but he knew her well enough to know she wouldn’t stay down for long. “I think being visible is enough. Please try and keep your head down.” Ashley nodded.
A few more moments of discussion and Ashley was dizzy. Too much was happening at once. The thought of her aunt and uncle being in danger miles away didn’t help the situation. “We did this so they would be safe. Now they are not,” she mumbled.
