Beta’s Delight: Dixon Pack Book 2

by Bryce Evans

  Arden said nothing as Bane’s anger vibrated off of him. “If I can prove that she did this, I won’t let this pass, Alpha. Simone is my mate. It took her almost dying to realize that, but she is. I will find out if Alice did this, and when I do, Alice will not be part of this pack, much less alive.”

  “I understand what you’re saying, Bane. I agree, but before we go and make accusations we need solid proof that it was her. Her scent would be around Simone if they were near each other at the party. We have to wait to see what Simone says when she wakes up. Right now, she needs rest. The healer may have mended some of her injuries, but her work isn’t finished. Let’s see if she can tell us anything when she wakes.”

  Bane barely spared his Alpha a glance; he was focused on his mate. He would stay right next to her until she woke up.

  “I’ll make sure her store is open and the sweets are done, and talk to Monica, Josh, and Finn. We should be able to handle things until she gets back on her feet.” Quinn said, putting a hand on Bane’s shoulder. She smiled when he looked up at her. “Congratulations, my friend. I think she will make a great mate for you. We love her already.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Bane paced in front of the bed; he was officially worried now. A day had passed, and the healer had already mended everything inside of her. She said she had never seen anyone stay out this long, and Simone’s unconscious state was driving him insane.

  Arden said he spoke with Alice and her little group, but none of them confessed to hurting Simone. They even said they were at the party at the time. When Arden spoke to other members of the pack, they had said that they remembered seeing Alice a lot at the party, but nobody could say if they saw her leave. He had no choice but to wait until Simone woke up. She was the key to who her attacker’s identity was, but right now she hadn’t even moved. Her color was back to normal; even the bruising on her face was gone. She looked completely healthy, except that she hadn’t woken up in over 24 hours.

  Bane laid his head down beside her arm. His body was so tired, but he couldn’t sleep until she opened her beautiful eyes. He had to know that she was okay. Before he drifted off to sleep, he felt the most wonderful feeling. Someone was playing with his hair. Slowly, he opened his eyes and saw the most miraculous sight: Simone’s green eyes staring at him.

  “Simone.” Bane jumped up and sat down beside her. “Are you okay? How are you feeling?”

  “Like I’ve been hit by a bus.” Simone croaked as she tried to sit up in bed.

  “Don’t move.” Bane adjusted the blanket, tucking it around her, and handed her a glass of water.

  Simone looked around the room. “How did I get here?”

  “When I found you on the road, I brought you here. You had me so worried, I thought you were dead. Ben’s clan has a healer and she healed you.”

  “A healer?” Simone asked.

  “I’ll explain later. Do you remember what happened? What were you doing on the road? Why did you leave the party?” Bane needed to know who did this to her.

  He watched as Simone looked around the room again. She wouldn’t look him in the eye, and that disturbed him. “Why won’t you look at me?”

  “I wanted to go home. I saw you were busy with that woman, so I thought I’d just walk home.”

  “What woman?” Bane asked. He could tell she was jealous and he secretly loved it, but right now someone wanted to hurt and that was most important.

  “Alice!” Yep, she was mad.

  “Alice was trying to get me to go into the bedroom with her, but I told her when pigs fly. Then I told her that I was there with you, and only you.”

  Simone’s eyes widened. “You did?”

  “Of course I did. You’re my mate. I couldn’t go off with another woman. I will never let another woman touch me but you.” Bane said with a smile.

  “Mate? I must have hit my head pretty hard. I thought you just said mate, and I know that’s not right.”

  “No, I was wrong. When I saw you lying in that ditch, it hit me like a ton of bricks. You are my mate, Simone. I haven’t left your side. I won’t ever leave you again.” Bane said, his tone sounding final.

  “Just because you say so? We’re not mates, Bane. You’re just scared, and now you think we are. That’s not what I saw when Ben and Monica saw each other. You’re wrong.” Simone said moving to get up. “Shit,” she looked around. “What time is it?”

  “Two thirty in the afternoon.”

  “Shit, shit, shit.” Simone started, trying to get out of bed, but Bane held her down. “I’m late, the store should have been open.”

  “The store is open.” Bane leaned back, grinning. “Monica, Josh, and Finn have it covered. And the bear is still sitting in the same spot, keeping watch. In fact, they’ve been there since yesterday. You’ve been asleep for a day and a half.” Bane let his words sink in.

  “A day and a half?”

  “Yes. Now that you know the store is being taken care of, let’s figure this out. What happened?”

  Simone’s face scrunched up. “I remember walking and hearing branches in the woods breaking. I knew someone was following me. So I started running down the road, and when I looked back, it looked like big dogs running after me. But I think it was wolves, and when I glanced back again, the fist came out of nowhere. That’s all I remember. I never saw who it was Bane. Now, please let me up so I can go check on the store.”

  Still holding on to her, he whispered in her ear, “Calm down, please. I made sure everything was okay. Really, they’re doing well. Monica has made some of your recipes, and from what the pack members are saying they are flying off the shelf. The bakery is fine.”

  “Really? That’s great! But I still need to be there.” Simone insisted.

  “Then I will go with you.” Bane said pushing the covers off of her and holding his hand out.

  “Why?”

  “You think after what happened that I’m going to leave my mates side? I think you hit your head too hard.” Bane said with a smirk.

  “I’m not your mate, Bane.”

  “Yes, you are.” Bane insisted.

  He could tell he was aggravating her, but he wanted to tell everyone that he had found his mate. Simone needed to hear it over and over, then it would sink in.

  “Whatever, I can’t even argue with you like this. I need to take a shower, can you drive me to my apartment?”

  Bane smiled. “I could, but I have some clothes here for you, to save you the trip.”

  “Okay. How did you-” Simone looked over at him confused. “I’m not even going to ask.”

  “Come on.” He said, holding out his hand.

  “Why are you being so cooperative and nice?” Simone narrowed her eyes at him as she got up.

  “No reason. As your mate, I’m just taking care of you.”

  “You’re not my mate.”

  “Come on sweetheart, it will take some time for you to get used to.” Bane opened his bathroom door and turned on the shower. He walked out for a minute, taking his clothes off. When he heard her in the shower, he walked in and opened the door.

  “What are you doing? Simone screeched as she covered herself.

  “I plan to make sure you’re okay. I don’t want you to get dizzy and fall and hurt yourself. Okay?”

  “I feel like I’m in the twilight zone. Maybe I’m still asleep.” Simone frowned. “Or maybe I’m crazy. Not sure yet.”

  “Nah, just a mate who had his head up his ass. It happens sometimes, Simone. I wouldn’t lie about something like this. You’re my mate.”

  She eased herself under the hot water and moaned. She was sore as sin, but the water felt so good. Simone didn’t remember anything else, but she planned to find out who did this to her. First things first, she needed to get to the bakery, find out what was going on, and if Bane was right. The bakery was her pride and joy, her livelihood; it couldn’t fail.

  He smiled and pulled her closer to him. “I can tell you’re sore. I’ll wash you
while you stand under the hot water. Just relax.” At the moment, she didn’t even care that she was in the shower naked with Bane. It felt too good as the hot water warmed her aching muscles. She planned to let him do just that. She closed her eyes trying not to think of him washing her naked body. She would deal with the mate thing in a few. First came the store.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “Where the hell is this man going?” Terry hit the dash as they drove outside of Atlanta. “Fucking trees are everywhere.”

  “Damn Terry, we never would have found her here.” RJ said from the driver’s seat.

  Scrunching his face up, Terry hit him in the arm as he imitated his brother. “We would have never found her down here Terry? Boo hoo. If you and the rest of these fools had done your job in the first place, we wouldn’t be down here in this hick town. I’m not leaving without that bitch. She is going to pay for what she did to me.” Terry screamed. Even the men in the backseat cringed from Terry’s wrath.

  They watched as Mr. Olsen stopped at a store in the small town. “Pull over here so he can’t see us.”

  “Damn I’m hungry,” RJ complained. “We haven’t eaten all day. Either that man doesn’t eat, or he brought snacks with him. Now he’s going into a bakery. That’s just great.” RJ dropped the binoculars in his lap.

  “Give me those fucking things.” Terry raised them up to his eyes and smiled. “There you are.”

  “Is it her?” His brother asked.

  Terry smiled as Simone got out of a truck and ran up to Mr. Olsen.

  “Oh yeah, let’s just watch and see where they go.” Terry continued to watch as Simone pointed to the sign out front of the store. The sign read The Gooey Goodness Bakery. “Bingo.” Terry said aloud. “Mossy, go inside and order us some food. It may be a long night.”

  * * *

  Simone hugged Mr. Olsen once more before stepping inside her store. “Now it’s not New York, but we just got it up and running, and I will add a little more the more successful I am.”

  “Arden has already told me how well you’re doing. I knew you would be great. You knew how to do this; all you had to do was try. I’m proud of you, Simone. I’m so proud of you.” Mr. Olsen walked around toward the back.

  Monica and Finn both ran up to her. Finn reached out and put his hand on her shoulder. “How are you feeling honey?” Bane growled, and Finn removed his hand. His eyes widened, as did Monica and Mr. Olsen.

  “Is there something you need to tell me?” Mr. Olsen asked her.

  “Well—”

  “Simone’s my mate.” Bane said with a crooked grin.

  It surprised her when the looks she was getting weren’t expressions of shock, but relief. Simone rolled her eyes. “So he says. I think he’s wrong and just got scared when I got hit.”

  “Got hit? What happened to you?” Mr. Olsen asked concerned.

  “It’s a long story.” Simone answered.

  “Good. I have time for tea and something to eat.” Mr. Olsen frowned and sat at an empty table.

  Simone frowned at Bane. “Why did you tell them that?”

  “Because it’s true. The quicker you accept that, the better.” Bane leaned over and kissed her on the lips. When he pulled away and smiled, her heart felt a jolt, an actual skip in the old blocked off heart. A place she swore nobody would ever go again.

  Did it grow a size, she asked herself? The thought was so funny she laughed.

  “What?” Bane asked. He pushed the hair that had fallen out of her ponytail behind her ear. That small simple touch made the block of ice surrounding her heart melt just a little bit more.

  “Nothing.” She said simply. He kissed her on the forehead and walked toward the back, whistling. Bane looked happy, and the relaxed pleasure she was feeling felt like it could be happiness too.

  Shaking her head, she looked around and found all eyes on her. Customers were smiling, except Mr. Olsen. He was frowning at her. Simone didn’t want to disappoint him. Mr. Olsen was the only family she had, and his opinion of her meant the world.

  “Josh, can you give me one of each on a plate?” Simone asked as she poured hot water into two teacups. She hated that look in his eyes, but she was a big girl and needed to stand up for her decisions, love life included.

  “I’m glad you’re better, and congratulations. We all knew this was going to happen.” Josh smiled. “I’m happy for you guys. Bane is a great guy, and I hope you know how we feel about you.”

  Simone was taken aback at Josh’s comments. “How do you feel about me?” She couldn’t help but ask. She loved Josh, Monica, and Finn, but truth be told, she didn’t know how they felt about her.

  “You’re our friend, don’t you know that? You’re pack.” Josh said. “You’re part of our home now.”

  “Home?” Simone whispered.

  “When I think of home, you’re part of it.”

  She smiled. “Thank you, Josh. You guys mean a lot to me. I’ve never had a family before, except Mr. Olsen, but I consider you guys part of it.”

  The smile on Josh’s face was so genuine Simone nearly wept with the force of it, genuine wholesome kindness from another human being, without any intentions or strings attached.

  But she had the rest of her chosen family to attend to.

  Simone carried the two cups of tea to the table and sat down, while Josh put the plate down in front of Mr. Olsen. “This is new,” Mr. Olsen said, picking up a brownie cup stuffed with handmade filling.

  “Monica, the girl you just saw come out of the kitchen, she made these. She’s very talented, even comes up with some great recipes all on her own. She’s part of the Dixon pack.” Simone blew on her tea, waiting for Mr. Olsen to say what he clearly needed to say.

  “I’m glad they finally told you. I didn’t know how you would take it once you found out.” Mr. Olsen said solemnly.

  Putting her cup down, she asked, “Why didn’t you tell me? I wish you would have told me first.”

  “To be honest, I just wanted to get you out of New York and somewhere safe. Some place he would never look for you.” His expression softened. “I knew it wouldn’t take him long to get out of jail, and I knew he would come looking for you.”

  Simone swallowed hard. “Did he come to the bakery?”

  “No, but he sent someone. I think it was his brother.”

  “RJ?” She felt like throwing up. RJ was looking for her. “What if he finds me?”

  Placing his hand on hers, Mr. Olsen assured her, “Simone, he doesn’t know where you’re at. He won’t find you. I feel sorry for him if he does come here; he would never make it back to New York. If what I heard the Beta say is true, that you’re his mate, then he would never let anyone touch a hair on your head.”

  “He’s not my mate. I’m not his mate. It didn’t happen like it should when we met. It should have been fireworks, like Ben and Monica had and it wasn’t like that at all.”

  Mr. Olsen smiled. “Sometimes it happens like that.” He patted her hand. “But sometimes it takes a while to realize it. I knew the moment I saw June that I was attracted to her, but it wasn’t fireworks like you say. Yet the longer we were together, the more I fell in love.

  “One night, she was out with friends and a man tried to rob them. Of course, he didn’t know he was trying to rob a pack of shifters. He thought they were just a bunch of girls, an easy mark for their purses and jewelry. Boy, was he shocked when June attacked him. She almost beat him to death, but he got a shot off with his gun, hitting her in the shoulder. Her friends took her back to the pack and the healer took care of her, but when I saw her laying on that table bleeding, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I almost passed out; it was so strong of an emotion. That’s when I knew she was my mate. It happened for her too, once she saw me run into the room. She’s been mine ever since then.”

  “What if he just really likes me, and the shock of seeing me laying in the ditch scared him? You know, like imprinting on me?” Simone asked, scared that this might be the c
ase. She wanted it to be true, to really be Bane’s mate, but she didn’t want him to be mistaken. Her heart would break, and Simone wasn’t certain she could recover from it.

  “Simone, we don’t make mistakes like this. We know, and our wolf knows their mate. It may take the human self a little longer to put it together, but our wolf knows the truth. The Beta knows, and trust me when I say this, but he’s not letting you go. There’s no sense denying it, but you can learn to accept it at your own pace. He’s not going anywhere, and you two kids have all of the time in the world to get to know each other. He will only love you. Nobody will come between you. He will never look at another woman like he does you, and he will never betray you.”

  Mr. Olsen smiled, then popped a piece of cake in his mouth. “And he’ll protect you, no matter what the cost. If I were Terry, I wouldn’t come looking for you here. This is pack land, and they protect their own—that includes you. I hope you wanted a big family, because you’re in one.

  “Now, tell me about how you came to lying in a ditch.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Bane paced in the back as he watched Mr. Olsen talk to Simone. He hoped the old man was explaining about mates and helping him out, because she would never leave his sight until he knew the danger had passed, and the only way that would happen was to find out who had hurt her and do away with Terry Dunn.

  Josh had told him about their conversation involving mates, but she didn’t understand what it meant to be a shifter. If she agreed to take the bite, to take on his life force and become a shifter herself, maybe then she’d get it. But right now, Simone had to know that people were trying to kill her. It wasn’t about self defense as a shifter, it was about protecting who they were and making sure the threat was gone. Would Simone be able to accept Bane if he killed her ex-boyfriend, should the psycho ever come looking for her? If that bastard chose to come to New Hope, then he was only here for one of two reasons: to hurt her, or to kill her. Bane believed it would be the latter.