by Michelle Fox
At the back deck, Xan shifted quickly, holding out a blanket for Lyric as if he wanted to hide her nudity from Rowan. Kellen wanted to laugh at the audacity of his second. They were naked more often than not, especially when they shifted. The fact he was acting like the big brother who was protecting his sister’s virtue was comical. Kellen wondered if Lyric would do the same if roles were reversed. He pictured what she’d have done if she’d seen Xan fucking the chick before they’d gotten the call about the attack at the bar. He already knew what Lyric would’ve done, and the answer was the same as Syn. Nothing. They’d walked in on more than one woman bouncing on their brothers’ dicks and done nothing more than tell them to wear protection, or lock the door next time.
Lyric ignored Xan’s outstretched arms and pulled on what was obviously men’s sweats and shirt. Xan growled, but she folded her arms and glowered at him. Kellen ignored them and focused on helping Rowan do his final shift of the night. The man may be the most stoic male he’d ever met, but he was still newly made. Using his connection he took on some of the pain and helped Rowan focus on becoming human once again.
They shifted at the same time. Kellen was there to catch him when Rowan stumbled, his strength finally giving out.
“Fuck, I feel like I was waterboarded and left for dead.” Rowan scrubbed a hand down his face.
“That happen to you often? The waterboarding thing?” Xan asked.
“Shit, I…forget I said that.”
Lyric handed Rowan his jeans, as a mate should do, in Kellen’s mind.
“All right, let’s take this party inside.” Kellen swiped up his own pants, putting them on and checking his cell phone. “Shit, we got trouble.” He showed Xan his phone. They had a text from Arynn that one of their females was missing. “Change of plans, kids. Lyric, I know you’ve got Pixie here somewhere?” At her nod, he looked at Rowan and knew the man was in no condition to drive. “You want to leave her here and drive him, or you want Xan to drive your guy back to the clubhouse?”
“I can drive myself. Or, better yet, I’ll just stay here,” Rowan said.
Kellen looked down where Rowan had parked his ass on the first step. “Sure thing, and flying monkeys are coming out of my ass. What’s it gonna be, Lyric?”
“How did you find us?” she asked.
“We have a locator on all the vehicles. Before you ask something that will more than likely piss me off, no, we don’t check up on you girls. It’s for emergencies only.” Kellen took in her mutant expression.
“I never unloaded my bike from his truck, so I’ll drive us.” Lyric dug her toe into the ground.
He nodded. “You will follow me, and make no detours, little girl.” Kellen didn’t think she’d disagree with him or challenge his authority, but, just in case, he made sure she understood it was an order.
“Do we have time to pack him a bag, Alpha?” Snark rang clear in her voice.
She didn’t wait for him—he didn’t expect her to. Rowan watched her stomp into the house, and Xan couldn’t hide his amusement either.
“Someone needs to put her over their knee,” Kellen growled.
Rowan pulled himself up off the step. “Nobody will be touching her.”
Kellen laughed as Rowan got up in his face; his threat held real heat. Yeah, he was going to make a great addition to the pack, once he found his place. “Boy, you ain’t big enough to take me on today. Now, settle down and wait for Lyric to come back with a bag so we can scat.”
“Shit, he’s got some balls. Maybe we need to see how he does in the ring against one of us.” Xan rubbed his hands together.
Kellen grunted.
* * * *
Lyric heard her brother talk about getting in the ring with Rowan and thought they’d all be in for a big surprise if they did. Xan was a dirty fighter, but her guy was tough as any she’d seen. He’d definitely give them all a run for their money.
She wondered if Syn was aware they LoJacked their asses? In Rowan’s room, she found a duffel in his closet, quickly grabbing a couple pairs of soft jeans and T-shirts, throwing in a few pairs of socks and boxer briefs. The man may go commando, and look great naked, but she didn’t want him to think she was a perv. A smile curved her lips.
“What’s got that smile on your face, darlin’?”
“Shit, I told you not to sneak up on me.” She dropped his bag. “Here, since you’re clearly well enough to carry your own stuff. I haven’t gotten any of your bathroom supplies.”
Rowan bent and picked up the duffel. “I’ll just grab a few things. I think I’m ready to wake up now.”
“What?” Lyric asked.
He shook his head. “This whole thing seems surreal, and although I find you to be the embodiment of sexy itself. I really think I’m over this dream.” He turned and walked into his bathroom.
Lyric watched him enter, her heart breaking at his words. He’d only wanted to help a woman out, and instead, his entire life was turned upside down. Now, he was wishing he’d never met her. He may not have had a choice in becoming an accidental shifter, but he didn’t have to be her mate. She would let him go, even though it would kill her to watch him pick another. Now that Kellen had accepted him and was willing to teach him everything, Lyric would let Rowan choose his own path. Nobody wanted an accidental mate thrust upon them. She wanted a man who chose her, not one who didn’t have any other choice.
With her decision made, she wiped her fingers under her eyes and strolled out of his bedroom for the last time. By the time she got to his big truck, she had her breathing under control and her mask of indifference on.
There was no way he was going to be able to drive. She’d seen his hand shake when he’d picked up the bag. Climbing into the driver’s seat, she waited for him to make his way out. Her breath caught as he emerged in a fresh pair of jeans and another button-down. He’d also put on a pair of boots. Gah, she loved cowboy boots on men. As he engaged the alarm system by the garage opening, his back was to her, and she watched the flex of his ass in the denim. She was going to lose her sanity if she had to watch him hook up with one of her friends. Or she’d end up killing the woman, or women who made a play for him.
“I see you’re doing the driving?” He raised his right brow.
Lyric pressed the button on the door opener. “Obviously. Buckle up, buddy.” No more using cute little pet names. She was putting him in the friend zone.
Sitting idle in the circle drive were Kellen and Xan with their custom bikes rumbling. They were enough to keep her mind on the task at hand. Kellen’s skullcap and facemask covering was scary as fuck, partnered with Xan’s, and most people on the road gave them a wide berth. She laughed at Rowan’s shocked expression.
“Aren’t they worried they’ll get pulled over when someone calls in about bikers wearing skull and crossbones on their faces?” Rowan asked.
“Nope, they’ve been pulled over many times. The masks keep the dirt and dust out of their eyes, nose, and mouth. Police can’t argue with logic.” She followed the bikes.
His grunt had her thinking of other times he would make that sound. To stop her mind from going there, she turned the radio on, tuning to her favorite station that played rock. He relaxed in the seat, the stress from what he’d gone through finally catching up with him. Kellen’s bike pulled first onto the highway, while Xan hung back. They were making sure nobody was following them. Something she’d not thought to check on since seeing them. This late in the evening, there weren’t a lot of vehicles on the highway, but still enough it made it hard to discern if anyone was tailing them. She was glad her brother had her back. Rowan, for all his strength, was in no shape to take on anyone at the moment, and she couldn’t truly fight off more than a wolf or two and hope to survive.
Lyric had fucked up by taking Rowan home instead of to the Iron Wolf. Kellen wouldn’t have punished her or Rowan for what was done. Her wolf wanted him, and she’d been too stupid and selfish to think straight. Now, he was paying for her selfishness.
Had she taken him to see Kellen, he’d have been welcomed into their society with open arms. He’d have been helped through his first shift by the alpha, cutting down on the pain and agony and wouldn’t have had to go through so many shifts in one day. Instead, she’d fucked him over royally, and he didn’t get to do the top three things all shifters wanted. Hunt, kill, and fuck.
“What’s wrong, Lyric?” Rowan asked.
His words jarred her out of her thoughts. “What? I thought you were sleeping. Are you okay?”
Rowan’s hand settled on her thigh, making her tremble. “I could feel your…I’m not sure what it was, but it made me and my other aware. Does that make sense?”
Lyric jerked her eyes from the road to look at Rowan’s glowing blue gaze. “Don’t look at me like that, Rowan.”
“Like what?” He licked his lips.
She put her hand over his where it lay on her thigh. “I didn’t mean to wake you. We’re almost to the clubhouse,” she said, not answering his question.
He turned his hand over, entwining their fingers. “Tell me what to expect once we get there. Are they going to put me through my paces and make me fight for my place? You know, like only the strong survive or some shit?
His thumb rubbing along her palm almost made her forget what he was asking her. “What? God, no. Rowan, you are pack now. I know you didn’t want this, and rest assured we don’t go out and just turn people. As a matter of fact, it isn’t done. Usually there is a process and a petition before a human is ever turned. I’ve never heard of this happening with someone without their consent and knowledge. The only time someone becomes one of us is if they are mates. Had that other wolf not bitten you, I’d never have…done it. I couldn’t allow him to make you his. You saw how Kellen could go into your mind?” She waited for him to squeeze her hand. “The other wolf, if he was the alpha, could’ve done the same at any time. If he wasn’t the alpha, then whoever was his alpha could’ve done the same. They can control you to an extent. You are strong, so I don’t think you personally would’ve been susceptible, but imagine some weak human.”
“Holy shite. I never thought of that. Do you think he can still get into my head?” Rowan released her hand. The loss of his warmth made her ache.
“No. Kellen would have felt another presence inside you when he took over your shift.” She wished he’d reach back out and touch her, but he stared out the passenger window, lost in his own thoughts, or so it appeared.
“I want to find that fuck, and kill him,” he growled.
Lyric nodded, but they were pulling into the lot of the MC. Dozens of bikes and cars were still there. Lights flooded the parking lot with music blaring, letting her know there were still many of the members partying. Exactly what she needed.
Syn stood with Nene near the entrance, their worried expression easing as they saw her driving the truck and her bike in the back. Rowan sat up straighter.
“Stay by my side, Lyric. Don’t leave me, okay.”
Her heart melted at the plea in his voice. “I’ll do my best, but remember Kellen is the alpha. I have to listen to him and so do you.”
She pulled his truck into an open spot and turned the key off, gasping when he pulled her over the console in the middle to sit on his lap. “I don’t give a flying fuck what he is. You are mine. You stay with me. We clear?”
The electric-blue eyes worried her. Alpha eyes. She couldn’t let him go into the Iron Wolf showing signs of an alpha like he was ready to challenge Kellen. “Rowan, listen to me. I want you like none other.” She shifted, straddling his lap. “Inside the club, Kellen is top man. We all listen to him. He won’t make me or you do anything that puts us in danger, nor will he do anything he truly doesn’t think is best for all of us. Right now, you only think you want me. Remember what you said back at your house? Give it time. We will see what you really want. Just don’t do anything that pisses Kellen, or Xan, off. Okay?”
The heat from his body under her was stirring things inside her she wished they could act on. Her canines ached to sink into him again, only this time marking him for the world to see.
“You mean like rip your clothes off and fuck you senseless?” Rowan asked.
Damn, her pussy actually pulsed at the imagery of his words.
A growl brought both their heads around to the driver’s side. “That would definitely get you in some serious trouble,” Xan said.
Lyric stared at her brother, could see he was deadly serious. “Oh, for the love of all that’s holy, Xander. I’ve caught you too many times to count, so stop acting all…whatever you are.”
“You’re my baby sister. The last thing I want to see, hear, or think about is you getting fucked. Now, let’s get inside and I’ll have one of the guys unload your bike.”
She looked around for Kellen, figuring he might be around to talk some sense into Xan, but their fearless leader was nowhere to be seen. Choosing the safer route, she pulled the door open on the passenger side and climbed out ahead of Rowan, smirking over her shoulder at Xan.
Bodhi was at the door, looking as menacing as always. With his bleached-blond hair shaved at the sides and spiked on top, and his dark skin and tattoos, he looked exactly what he was. A total badass ready to kick ass now and take names later. He was also a total sweetheart when it came to the ladies. He flashed his pearly white smile and twin dimples. Since coming back from the desert with his smokejumper friend Slater, he’d been a little more protective of all the women in the club. Lyric couldn’t wait to meet the men she’d heard about who had the ability to read minds, create fire, and other cool shit. She figured they might need them in the future.
“Good evening, sweets. I hear you’ve been out causing trouble as always.” He pointed one thick finger at her. The rings he wore on his right hand, had, on more than one occasion, caused a lot of damage to men too stupid to watch their mouths. “Kellen and your friends are in his office. He said to bring our new member along.” He looked Rowan up and down. “You need some ink.”
“Thanks, Bodhi. Did Syn and Nene seem okay?” She put her body in front of Rowan. Bodhi had always enjoyed watching her and the other girls dance. She hoped he would focus on her instead of Rowan. The tilt of his head let her know he saw right through her actions.
“Syn, of course, was worried. Nene, too.”
The way he said Syn’s name had her taking a second look at his expression. He’d never let on that he was interested in any of them, other than he appreciated beauty. Bodhi was a ladies’ man, which was why they all steered clear of him. He never had just one woman on his arm, or in bed, it was always two or three. Lyric and her friends did not share. Ever. If he had his sights set on Syn, she’d have to warn her best friend to watch herself.
Chapter Four
Rowan could feel the stares of everyone as he and Lyric entered the bar. The Iron Wolf MC was more than just a motorcycle club. They clearly had their own bar, and from what he’d seen, they did custom bike and car work in another building. He’d have to do some investigating, if he lived long enough. The one named Bodhi was a big son of a bitch. His assessing once over didn’t seem to miss anything. He’d not smelled any interest in Lyric coming off the man. How he’d been able to decipher that particular scent, Rowan wasn’t sure, but it settled his wolf enough he was able to look the other man in his shades-covered eyes.
In the darkened atmosphere with the flashing lights and the heavy pumping music, Rowan wondered why Bodhi had the shades on in the first place. The black T-shirt with the clubs logo stretched tight across the man’s muscles. He assumed he was the bouncer, and since he had to top Rowan, and his muscles seemed to have muscles, he was probably pretty effective. The huge stainless steel rings on his hands probably hurt as much as the punch, if the man decided to throw down. Rowan filed all the info away for future reference. At the mention of Rowan getting a tattoo, he balked. In the military, they never put anything on their bodies that the enemy could use to identify them. He was no longer in covert missions
, but the training was there nonetheless.
“Come on. Let’s go see what Kellen has to say.”
Seeing Lyric hold her hand out to him, he took it and pulled her into his side. Bodhi may not have looked at her with lust in his eyes, but he saw several others staring at her like they’d like to eat her up. He liked that she was wearing his clothes, carrying his scent.
She melted into him, making both man and beast relax.
“Lead the way, darlin’.” He released her hand to hug her, his arm going around her waist to rest possessively on her hip.
He’d felt her pull away from him at his home, and he didn’t like it one little bit. He wouldn’t allow her to put space between them, figuratively or physically. If he had to chain her to his side, he would.
She sidestepped the crowded dance floor, which was as different from the other bar as night was from day. Here, the scantily clad bodies did more than just bump and grind. He was sure there might have been some actual fucking going on if he was to look closer. Possibly some threesomes. Rowan heard more than a few moans and some fuck yeah, babies. A few other words and expletives had him making a quick decision, Lyric wasn’t allowed to come here alone ever again. Not without him. She took them down a long hall and stopped outside a huge door with a wolf carved into the wooden surface. Knocking three times, she entered without being told it was okay.
Inside, Kellen sat on a black leather sofa, his arms stretched across the back, looking relaxed, one booted foot crossed over his knee. His eyes, however, held a different message. “Have a seat, both of you.” He indicated the couch across from him.
