She smiled when she thought of the three Nunn boys’ antics that night which had the whole pack talking. She wanted so badly to be able to loosen up and enjoy herself, but she’d been uptight for far too long. She’d worked so hard to hide her son’s birth. Now she had other secrets to hide from the pack, including the identity of Carter’s father. Their old alpha, Tidus, was the worst bastard that’d ever lived. It wasn’t until she delivered Carter that she realized how bad it was.
Shaking herself from her past she washed up, shampooing, rinsing, and repeating until the smell of her powerful perfume didn’t cling to her hair anymore. Stepping out of the shower in her fluffy towel, she panicked when she saw Carter sitting on the toilet, wearing his pajamas. “Everything okay, Carter?”
“I just love you Mama, I want you ta be happy. You don’t look happy. Should I go back to live with Gama and Papa?”
Falling heavily to her knees she clutched at the corner of her towel. “Of course not, Carter, I love you and I’m happy. We’re happy, right?”
“Okay.”
She approached her son, letting him see all the love she felt for him. Lifting him off the toilet she sat on the bath mat and held him in her arms. He felt so small. He’d been losing weight since coming to live with her, and it broke her heart. He wanted to fit in so badly and she was holding him back, but she couldn’t change things, not yet. “Maybe I’ll talk to Blake about you participating in the next moon run.”
Her son hooted and hollered jumping out of her lap and showing his excitement by doing a little victory dance. The overpowering feeling of love washed over her. He stopped his dance and crawled back into her lap.
“Mama?”
“Yes, Son.”
“I think you smell pretty right now. Will you leave that yucky stuff off tonight?”
She took a deep breath. “If that’s what you want, sure, but I have to wear it when we leave.”
He looked up at her with a slight grin easing the corner of his mouth, “I know, but I don’t like it.”
“Me either, Son, now time for bed.”
Always trying to get more than he bargained for he asked, “Can I sleep in your spot? Maybe you can read me a book.”
She chuckled at his misuse of words. “You can sleep in your bed and I’ll read you a story. Deal?”
He sighed as he responded, “Deal.”
After the story she lay in bed next to her son thinking. She loved having him around, but was becoming increasingly concerned he may not be safe. She felt like she was being followed and when she came home from work a week ago she’d smelled an unfamiliar wolf in her home. Not having any idea how they got in or what they wanted she’d let it go, until…the note.
Yesterday, while she was in the flower shop working, Carter was playing in the back and she heard the bell over the door. She never saw anyone, but on the counter was a bright white piece of paper with the words, I know, written in bold black script. Know what? Which of her secrets were they alluding to? They weren’t even bold enough to be seen, so she wasn’t sure if she should be concerned. Resigning herself to have a talk with her alpha she slipped from Carter’s bed and into her own. The sheets were cool against her skin and she was so tired she fell asleep within a few minutes of her head hitting her pillow.
*****
Two days later Dee was exhausted. Work and her son were consuming her. Carter had boundless energy and she’d been holding off taking him into the forest for a run because she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on him. She knew that’s what he needed though; a good run on four legs would tucker him out and give her a small break from his endless questions.
She exited the back of the house she’d been renting and took him to the edge of the forest. “It’s time to play, but I want you to remember the rules. Stay where I can see you and don’t play with other wolves if you see them. Got it?”
“Yep, I can’t wait, Mama. I’m so happy I get to be my wolfie.”
“Shh, keep your voice down. Remember, we don’t reveal our animals to anyone. Don’t forget, Carter, it’s very important.”
“I knows. But Mama, I’m a wolfie and Gama and Papa never lets me run.”
He held his little arms to his side and pumped them back and forth like he was running, his legs joined in the action. She was taken back to the last time she’d seen his wolf; no, she’d never think about that, it was in the past.
“Are you ready, Mama? Watch me.” He stripped his clothes, flinging them every which way until he was naked and crouched down on the ground. His body shifted in a matter of seconds. He’d always been fast, alpha fast.
He bumped his head into her leg once before he tore off through the foliage behind their house. He urinated on every tree, howling once as he got to the far end of their property. She watched him run back and forth digging, scratching and generally having a great time as his wolf. It was important to let your beast out to play every once in a while, there were people who’d gone insane from denying their beast for too long.
She let him run for a good hour until she noticed him start to slow down and do more rolling in the dirt than anything else. He came over to her appearing like he wanted to change back when there was a noise in the woods. His ears perked up and he tore down the steps and into the wooded area bordering their house. She chased after him calling his name and was shocked when he came out of the forest with a bunny gripped in his jaws.
She smiled down at him, “Great job, buddy, you’re going to be a master hunter, already slaying the bunny. Time to go in now.”
There was a gagging sound and Carter released the rabbit from his mouth and proceeded to vomit in his wolf form. She didn’t even know wolves could vomit. “Change back, Carter, it’s time to go in.”
Instead of doing what she asked, he whined and began to gag again. Carter wasn’t an ill child. In fact, wolves rarely got sick, so she began to panic. She retrieved her phone and called the only person she knew that might be able to help.
Being in Alaska felt right, even if he ended up having to heal half the population’s ailments. Justin really enjoyed the community. There wasn’t an internet café or a Starbucks on every corner. The people that lived here were more in tune with nature.
He’d been out scenting with Blake who’d warned him that he was out marking the border of his territory when he scented a wolf shifter that he wasn’t familiar with. They didn’t know if it was a rogue or an old pack member, but the scent was distinctly feminine.
Over the last couple minutes Blake, in wolf form, had appeared restless and on edge. Not to mention his scent changed to almost panicked. Blake was practically running while scenting and it was making Justin Nervous.
Blake’s phone rang for the twentieth time and Justin smiled as he jokingly answered without looking at the caller ID. “Blake here, but if it’s a woman I’m happily mated and not on the lookout for Mrs. Nunn as I’ve already found her.”
The person on the other line was breathless and he heard some sort of disgusting retching in the background through the telephone line. Justin asked, “Who is this?”
An all too familiar voice came over the line and Justin got chills as he heard her say. “He’s sick.”
Justin demanded. “Where are you, Dee? Where is he?”
There was a pause before more gagging sounds started and a breathless Dee broke his heart by pleading. “Please help him. We’re at home.”
Blake was already sprinting to the car, no longer shifted, in full alpha mode with Justin close on his heels. “We’re on our way.”
Justin disconnected the call, and was so rattled he couldn’t even open the car door. Blake came around and flung it open for him before rushing to the driver’s side and starting the car. Pulling out of the parking lot the car swerved. “What the hell, bro-” Before Justin completed his sentence, Blake pulled Justin into his mind. Through Blake’s blood bond with the pack, Justin could feel Dee’s panic. Justin was glad Blake was behind the wheel: he would
have been too overwhelmed by Dee’s distress to drive. Justin sat in the passenger seat, feeling her distress. Every minute that went by was killing him, knowing he wasn’t there for them when they needed him.
Pulling into the front of her house, Justin was out of the car before Blake put it in park. He ran to the front door and turned the handle. It was locked. Justin took a step back to break it down right before Blake’s booted foot came cracking into the door, splintering the wood and effectively opening the door. Justin was the first to enter. He inhaled deeply, noting their scents were faint, mingled with some sort of feline, and that they lead outside.
Carter was hunched over in his wolf form heaving as Dee sat next to him stroking his heaving sides. When she looked up she had tears in her eyes, while fear ruled her expression. Seeing the look of devastation on her face made Justin want to join in Carter’s puking episode.
Inhaling deeply trying to control his anger he noted a bitter scent on the wind. He followed it to a dead rabbit on the ground. He picked it up by its ears and Dee ran at him at bat it out if his hand.
Her voice was whisper thin, “I think it was poisoned or something. He was fine before he caught the rabbit.” She choked back a sob as her son continued to dry heave. “Can you heal him?”
He looked to his brother and saw the small shake of Blake’s head. Using his healing ability on poison was dangerous. He’d only done it once before and was sick for two days. At one point they didn’t think he’d survive it because his blood pressure dropped as the poison slowly sank into his system. For some reason he didn’t heal well after poison.
A cool pale hand landed on his forearm causing a bolt of awareness. The scent of poisoned rabbit was replaced with the scent of his mate. Mango. He looked down at Dee’s strained expression as she pulled her hand back like she’d been electrocuted. “Well, can you?”
Going on instinct he rubbed his nose in her hair, inhaled deeply and kissed the top of her head. If this was the last time he ever heal anyone, and it just might be that last time, he wanted to at least do it with her sweet scent infusing his senses. “Of course, I’ll help you.”
Blake sounded indignant when he said, “Just, no, you can’t. The last time-“
Justin’s glare stopped him. “I’m doing it.”
Blake’s eyes narrowed. “I forbid you. Sorry, brother, I can’t let you do it.”
Before Blake could stop him, he lunged at Carter who was now passed out in wolf form at Dee’s feet. As his hand made contact with Carter’s fur, he immediately felt like there were a thousand pins and needles going through his system. He turned away from the boy and vomited once before the change overtook his body. It wasn’t a natural change that flowed with his magic; it was painful as the poison forced his change. He wanted to scream in pain, but knew it wouldn’t do anything other than upset his already pissed brother.
It took him five full minutes to change and every second of it was excruciating. He felt cool hands on his flank and heard Dee sobbing uncontrollably as she held onto her son while keeping contact with him. He heard his brother howling into his phone while yelling at…him. It wasn’t his fault; he hadn’t poisoned the rabbit, or the boy.
His senses dulled as darkness swept over his consciousness and his last thought was; I hope I survive to claim my mate.
Chapter 2
Delilah was sitting on the couch with Dee curled in her lap as she ran her fingers through Dee’s hair. Knowing women loved the comfort of getting their hair played with. Delilah didn’t mind helping her feel better. After all, that’s what alphas were supposed to do; comfort, protect, and love.
She knew Dee had an awful week. She also knew Dee, in part, contributed to the crappy week. Justin was obviously Dee’s mate according to Blake, but Dee was being…difficult. It wasn’t her place to intervene so she decided to simply be here and provide support.
When Dee began to purr Delilah stilled her hand. “Uh…is that you?”
Dee’s response was slurry with sleep. “Yeah.”
Delilah sat there for a few moments with Dee’s head in her lap. No one moved.
“What’s wrong, Alpha?”
“You’re purring.”
“And?”
“What does that mean? You’re not, like, turned on are you? Because I’m not into that.”
Dee snorted her laughter causing Delilah to feel more uncomfortable. “So…every time Mr. Boo snuggled into your lap, he was really trying to get into your pants?”
Delilah knew her eyes were wide with surprise. “Well, no, but you’re a cat.”
“I’m a lynx, one of the top feline predators. When was the last time Mr. Boo took down a deer for food? Calling me a cat is like calling yourself a dog. Are you a dog?”
Delilah smacked her in the forehead. “Don’t get sassy. I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to offend you. Just so were clear though, I’m your friend, with no additional benefits. And try to rein in the purr next time, otherwise Blake will never let me live it down.”
“What are you talkin’ about, Del; you make me purr all the time. What’s wrong with a little purring between friends?” The sound of Blake’s voice coming through the window made Delilah jump up off the couch, causing Dee to roll off and onto the floor, hitting her head on the coffee table.
Sounding defensive, but not being able to stop herself she responded. “It’s perfectly normal, she’s a cat. She purrs.”
“I’m a lynx.”
“Shh, can’t you see I’m defending us.”
Dee sighed heavily as she sat up rubbing her head, not wanting to become involved with the alpha pair’s antics. “How are they? Awake?”
It had been a week since Justin had attempted to heal Carter. Carter had woken up briefly a few days ago and took some broth before falling back into a deep sleep. He would wake for small amounts of time to take fluids, however they couldn’t keep him awake for longer than five minutes.
Blake’s soothing voice flowed over her, “Carter’s up and wants to see you.”
She knew Blake was trying to calm her by using his powers, but she didn’t deserve it. She’d asked Justin to heal her son not knowing it would hurt him and now she had to live with the fact that they both may die. No one knew what the poison they’d ingested was, but it was obvious whoever wanted to harm her son wanted to make sure he was dead. Blake had insisted everyone be moved to alpha house and additional guardians were appointed to watch the house.
She rose up slowly and just let Blake’s words sink in. She became dizzy. “Carter’s awake, like, not going back to bed?”
“I just got off the phone with lil’ Trev, he assured me that Carter’s healing is complete.”
She looked at the ground and whispered, “And Justin?”
Blake shook his head. “He’s had no response, it’ll take time though. My brother is strong and he’ll be fine.”
Dee was a bit overwhelmed. When Blake called his parents and other brother, Paul, they’d all shown up within a day, infusing alpha house with positive energy and noisy chatter. Paul and Bailey brought their brand new twins and everyone doted on them, which took the pressure off Dee. She felt completely out of place knowing everyone was upset with her for putting Justin in this situation, but how was she supposed to know he might die? Even thinking that way made her stomach roll.
Surprisingly, Justin’s family was nice to her and Carter. They all took turns sitting with her, Carter and Justin, never making her feel out of place. Blake thought it best to keep Carter and Justin in the same room so it was easier to watch over them.
As she walked into their room she saw Mrs. Nunn sitting next to her son reading him a book. Her voice changed with each character adding drama and intrigue. Carter noticed her standing in the doorway and smiled shyly.
“You look a lot better, how do you feel?”
“I’m good, Mama.”
Smiling politely at Mrs. Nunn, Dee crossed the room, making sure to keep her distance. She didn’t want to have to explain why s
he smelled of cat. Dee sat close to the corner of the room, noticing how Justin’s mother watched her. “Hello, Mrs. Nunn.”
“Hello, I’ll leave you and Carter alone to talk. Please let me know if Justin wakes up.” She rose gracefully from the bed, striding to her son she kissed his brow gently before turning and walking out without another word.
The door was barely closed before Carter hopped out of the bed and ran into her arms. “I’m so sorry, Mama, I’ll never be a wolfie again. I don’t like it when I die.”
Stroking his hair gently she shushed him, “Don’t talk like that, Son, you need your wolf, he’s a part of you. It was an accident. Apparently, these things happen.”
Tears leaked from his eyes as he sat in her lap sniffling. “But, I don’t think I can. My wolfie is broke, he don’t know when not to eats the bunny. I told him it stinked, but he wanted to chase it anyways.”
Taking in a deep breath, she tried to explain a few things to her son. “You didn’t have the most normal upbringing so far. You’ve suppressed your wolf when you should have embraced him. I sent you to live with my parents because it was safe, but they didn’t know how to teach you wolf ways. As cats, they only know about cats. We’ll figure out how to make things right with your wolf, Son, don’t worry.”
After more heartbreaking sniffling, as he wiped his nose on her shirt. “But, Mama, look at Mister Justin. He’s hurting and I don’t like it.”
She felt the tears stinging the back of her eyes too. This was the first time they’d been left alone together. Most of the time Justin’s family was hovering. With them gone now she was able to stand up carrying Carter and sit on the bed next to Justin.
Pack Secrets Page 2
