“Why did you bite me, Angel?” Chase ground out. “Why would you do that when we both know that you don’t want or need a mate.”
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “It just happened. When I thought about you with someone else, my wolf took over and marked you, Chase. She didn’t give me a choice. I know that I screwed up, and I’m sorry. I know how hard it is for you right now, because I’m going through hell, too.”
“No you don’t know, Angel. You don’t fucking know anything! I can’t eat or sleep. I can’t concentrate at work. I’m distracted when I need to handle the everyday issues in my pack. I want to tear apart everyone and everything that gets in my way right now. And to top it off,” Chase shouted, “I walk around with a fucking hard-on twenty-four seven. So don’t tell me that you know what I am going through, because you don’t. You can’t. You try taking care of two little girls like this. Oh wait, you can’t because you fucking left them, too.”
Angel stared at Chase in shock as he unloaded on her. She had not realized the extent that he was suffering until now. She was such a selfish bitch. She should be fixing this, but instead she was hiding from him and the situation. She was scared. She had been hurt badly before, and she would not let that happen again. There was no way she admit her fears to Chase, not that it would help if she did.
Reaching out she touched his arm, and felt his muscles bunch underneath her hand. “I’m so sorry, Chase. I don’t like to see you hurting like this.”
“But you don’t want to be with me, either. You like your life the way it is and don’t want to be bothered with a mate.” Chase grabbed her by her arms and pulled her tightly against him. “Think about this, Angel. When you are home alone with no one to warm your bed. No one to share your day with. No one to love. You think about this and remember what you are missing out on.”
Grabbing a hand full of her hair and holding her head in place, he slammed his lips into hers. Angel moaned as he mapped her mouth with his tongue and pushed his way inside, devouring her mouth with his. Just as quickly as it started, it ended. Pulling back Chase growled, “You remember that, Angel. No other man will ever touch you again. You are mine, whether you want to be or not. I will kill anyone who lays a hand on you.”
Turning, Chase walked out of the room leaving Angel standing there wondering where her balls were. Why had she let that happen? And why had she let him stop. She was the leader of RARE, the most elite mercenary team out there. She was in charge. She made the rules. Growling, she went to find her team. They were all here for a reason, and it was time to start worrying about Serenity’s predicament. Her screwed up life would have to wait.
Chapter 25
The team decided to meet in the living room while Jade took the kids outside to play. Phoenix sat down in a recliner pulling Serenity onto his lap. Nico and Jenna sat on the couch in front of them while everyone else stood against the walls.
“Where’s Trace?” Phoenix asked Angel. He had not seen him at breakfast, but assumed he was coming to the meeting. It was not like him to miss something this important. Especially if it involved a member of the RARE team.
Angel moved to the center of the room. “Trace had some things to take care of. He will be gone for a couple of months. Bran is with us now, so we won’t be down a team member. And soon, after her training, Flame will be joining us.”
“The hell she will,” Bran interrupted. “My mate is not going to be on this team.”
“Yes, she is,” Angel informed him. “And if you have a problem with that, you can leave. Flame has worked hard and is earning a place with RARE. If you can’t watch her in action, then I suggest once she is on board, you go back to being Chase’s beta.”
Bran got in Angel’s face, growling loudly. “It’s not up to you. She is my mate, it’s up to me.”
“That’s where you are wrong, asshole,” Angel growled right back, hands clenched in anger at her sides. “And you better stand down before I put you down. Flame may be your mate, but she is not your possession. She is her own woman and can make her own decisions. She asked to join RARE, and I want her on my team. You can like it or not. I really don’t give a shit. End of story.”
Bran stepped towards her, but Chase let loose some of his Alpha power that had Bran backing off fast. “As soon as Flame joins your team, Bran will be back with me. He will not have a problem with it and he will not interfere.”
A muscle ticking in his jaw, Bran turned and walked over to glare out the window. Phoenix watched the show in amusement, but as soon as it was over, he got down to business. “We need to look into Serenity’s old pack, Angel. She and her parents ran from them years ago after they abused her gift. Not only that, but the Alpha’s son, Malcolm, is a psychotic bastard that thinks Serenity is his mate and has been tracking her down since they left. They were able to stay ahead of him for a few years, but then he caught up with them and killed her parents. She unloaded a clip into him and ran, but he’s still after her.”
“What pack do you come from, Serenity?” Jaxson, RARE’s technologist expert asked. “I can look into them and see what they have been up to since you left. I can also try and track down Malcolm.”
Phoenix felt Serenity stiffen in his arms. Fear rolled off her in waves. He growled softly, surprising himself and everyone else in the room at the actual wolf sound that emerged. He had growled numerous times in his life and never once had he sounded like a real wolf. This was different. He really needed to talk to Nico about what to expect now that he was mated. Shaking his head, he cupped Serenity’s chin and guided her gaze up to his. “Talk to us, Beauty,” he told her. “I promise you, I will protect you. We need the information if we are going to be able to help you.”
Shuddering, she nodded. Turning to Jaxson, she told him, “I was born into the Black Wolf Pack in a small town in Montana. The Alpha was Dexter Drummond; his son is Malcolm Drummond. We were a small pack because the Alpha did not believe in mating outside of our species. Everyone in our pack was to mate with a wolf. If anyone refused, they were killed. Not only could you not mate with humans, you could not mate with any other shifter that was not wolf either. No cats, no bears, nothing.”
“What town was it?” Jaxson asked as he moved towards a desk in the corner. Taking out his laptop, he started setting it up. “Greenwood,” Serenity told him. “The town is so small, it’s probably not even on the map. It was mostly made up of my pack.”
Nodding, Jaxson sat at the desk and began clicking away on the keyboard. “There’s more,” Serenity said nervously. “Malcolm is very powerful. He can connect with people like Angel and I can. He doesn’t slip into your mind, he slams into it and takes over quickly when you are not expecting it. And...he makes people do things they would never do otherwise. He gets a kick out of watching it. Malcolm likes having total control over another person. If you get close enough, you will not be able to stop him. He will try and make you kill one another, or even kill yourself. You need to be very careful.”
“How do you keep him out of your head, Serenity?” Angel asked. “I’ve had a lot of practice,” Serenity told her. “It was harder to keep him out when I was younger, but over the years my gift has become stronger and it is easier to block him out.”
“So he has done this to you before?” Angel asked. Serenity stiffened and Phoenix pulled her closer. “Yeah, he has used his abilities on Serenity,” he told them. “She tried to get away from the pack once by herself before she and her parents left. When she was several miles out, he connected with her and made her come back.”
Angel was watching Serenity closely. “That’s not the only time, is it Serenity,” she asked her softly. “He’s done something else, hasn’t he?” Serenity crawled out of Phoenix’s lap and moved over to stand in a corner of the room, her back against the wall. She wrapped her arms tightly around her waist, bowing her head in shame. “No, that wasn’t the only time,” she told them. Phoenix had not realized that Malcolm had taken over her mind more than just that one time
. Damn it, he should have asked.
“Talk to me, Serenity,” he said to her. “What else did he do?” Serenity looked at him with eyes filled with humiliation. He was going to kill the bastard, Phoenix thought as he watched her. Malcolm was going to suffer a slow, painful death.
Serenity swallowed hard and murmured, “He used to take over my mind and try to make me think I wanted to be with him. The first time he kissed me, I let him because I thought it was what I wanted. I mean, I knew Malcolm wasn’t my mate, I knew I wasn’t attracted to him, but when he had a hold of my mind, I thought it was reality. I thought it was what I wanted. When he broke his hold over me and I realized what he had done, I was so ashamed. Malcolm just laughed. That’s when I started working with my gift, building walls to try and keep him out. A couple of weeks after that, Malcolm connected with me again. I tried to shove him out of my mind, but he was just so strong. He had me remove my clothes and touch myself. He made me do it while thinking of him. I was so disgusted. This time I knew for sure that it wasn’t me, but I had no control over it. What made it worse was that I was aware of what was happening the whole time, but I couldn’t stop it. I ran for the first time after that happened. I ran because I was in constant pain from healing everyone in the pack, but I also ran because I was afraid of what Malcolm would try and make me do next. When he brought me back, he beat the hell out of me in front of the entire pack. After that my parents and I ran. We were on the run for years until he caught up with us and killed my parents. I shot him. I unloaded my gun into him. But somehow he lived. I know Malcolm’s still out there. He still tries to connect with me, but he can’t get in because I’m stronger now. I am never going to let that asshole mind rape me again.”
A loud crack vibrated throughout the room. Phoenix looked down. Oh shit, he thought. He had broken the arm on the recliner. Raising his eyes up to Nico, he said. “I think we need to have a talk about what happens when a shifter mates with a human.”
“I see that,” Nico responded. “I’m not sure what to tell ya, though. I’ve never known a shifter that has mated with a human before. I have no clue what happens.”
“I think you better have that talk with me,” Chase said. “I have the answers you need.”
Taking a deep breath, Phoenix nodded. “We better do it now,” he told him.
“Alright,” Angel said. “Jaxson you know what you need to look into. I want to know everything there is to know about that Black Wolf pack in Montana. I also want to know everything there is to know about Dexter and Malcolm Drummond. Rikki, I want you to head over to the shooting range. You will find Flame there. Give her some pointers, and then it’s time to start her hand-to-hand combat training.”
As Bran growled low in his throat, Angel glanced at him in disgust. “You better rethink your attitude, Bran. Flame is a strong, independent woman. She won’t appreciate you trying to hold her back. She has her mind set on becoming a part of my team. If you try and tell her she can’t, she’s going to tell you to go get bent. Try supporting her instead of controlling her. Trust me, you will get a lot further.” Bran stared silently at her, until he finally looked away in defeat.
“I would like to go with Rikki, please,” Jade requested. Angel turned around in surprise, noticing Jade there for the first time. “All my life I have been defenseless. I want to learn how to take care of myself.”
“But you’re an omega,” Angel told her. “Omega wolves are docile and peaceful. They calm the entire pack when needed. They do not fight.”
“I don’t care,” Jade told her. “I need to know how to defend and protect myself. Omega or not, this is what I want, what I need. My mate is not here to protect me right now and you can’t always be around.”
“Ok,” Angel relented. “You go with Rikki. After training, I need you to come back here to Jenna’s and help her watch over the kids. Everyone else be at my place at 5p.m. so Jaxson can tell us what he’s found and we can make plans. You are welcome there, too, Chase. The girls can stay with Jade. Rikki, make sure and bring Flame to the meeting. I want her insight.”
“If you don’t want to do this, I understand,” Serenity interrupted. “I would never expect you to put your lives in danger for me. I don’t want you to. I can find another way to get rid of Malcolm.”
“Bullshit,” Angel barked. “You are family. We take care of family. We will find Malcolm and eliminate the problem. And after that we will hunt the General. You are going to be free, Serenity. I’ve gotta go, but I will see you at my place later.” With that, Angel turned and left the room.
Phoenix sat waiting patiently as everyone said their goodbyes. Serenity was still standing a distance away from the others, her arms wrapped around herself, a desolate look on her face. “Serenity,” Phoenix called to her softly. When she did not respond, he raised his voice slightly. “Serenity.” Slowing, she raised her eyes and finally acknowledged him. “Come here, Beauty. We need to figure out what’s going to happen to me.” Holding out his hand, he patiently waited for her to cross the room and slip her fingers into his. Then he tugged her down into his lap where she belonged. Pulling her close, he gently kissed her soft lips. It’s going to be ok, sweetheart, Phoenix whispered into her mind. Everything’s going to be just fine. Serenity snuggled into him. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, Phoenix. Normally I’m a strong person, but right now I feel so weak. Why?
Nobody can be strong all of the time, baby. But I’m here. I’ll be strong for you. Nuzzling her neck, he placed soft kisses up the side to her ear. Sitting back in the chair, he pulled her closer, stroking her hair while they waited for the room to clear.
Once everyone was gone, Chase moved to the couch across from Phoenix and Serenity. Nico and Jenna sat next to him. “Congratulations, you two,” he said. “I bet you are wondering what happens now, since Phoenix was human when you mated.”
“Was?” Phoenix questioned.
“Yeah, your life’s about to change drastically,” Chase told him. “Normally your first shift takes place on the first full moon after the exchange of saliva and bodily fluids with your mate, but you will show signs of your wolf beforehand. Do you feel any different?
“Hell yeah”, Phoenix said. “I feel even more protective and predatory over Serenity. I’m growling for real and things smell different. I’m also a lot stronger.”
Standing up, Nico clapped Phoenix on the back. “Obviously,” he said laughing as he nodded towards the broken arm of the chair. Welcome to the pack, buddy.”
“Actually, that’s something you need to discuss with each other. I can offer each of you a place in my pack, if you want. Nico chose to stay with Angel’s pack. I understand his decision and ho
nor it, even though Jenna is still a part of mine. Angel can keep his wolf in check, and he trusts her. Even if you choose to be with Angel, I would like to offer you a place to stay here in the compound. Originally, I was going to offer you an apartment, but Jenna called me last night and told me that you would like to keep Hunter with you. I have a two-bedroom house a mile from here that I have used for guests. I would like to offer that to the both of you. It’s fully furnished, but you are welcome to make any changes you would like. It will be your home for as long as you want, and Serenity will always be under my protection here in the compound. When you leave for your missions, Phoenix, know that she will be safe.”
Phoenix sat in silence for a moment thinking everything through. He was about to get his fur on probably at the next full moon, he had a new mate and cub that depended on him. His mate had two different crazy men after her. He had to decide who was going to be his Alpha. And he had to choose where to live. Well, he was going to pick the easy one to answer first. “We would like the home. My condo is no place for a bear cub and Serenity will not be safe until Malcolm and the General are dealt with.”
“You got it,” Chase grinned. “And you can let me know on the Alpha thing later. But you will want either Angel or I with you on your first change. It can be painful and we
can help you through it.”
“Angel has a lot on her plate right now. We’ll call on you when it happens, Chase. Thank you.”
“Not a problem. I need to get to work, but Jenna can show you to your new home. I will see you at Angel’s this afternoon.” Pulling out his phone to make a call, Chase walked out with a wave of his hand.
“Well I do have one question for ya, Phoenix,” Nico said. “When are you going to fix my chair?” Serenity burst into laughter. The sweet sound was music to Phoenix’s ears.
Chapter 26
Flame took aim and unloaded her gun at the paper target in front of her. When the last bullet left the chamber, she set the gun down on the ledge in front of her and reeled in the target. “Good shooting, Flame,” she heard a voice say. Swinging around at the sound, she saw Rikki and another woman heading towards her.
“Not good enough,” she responded. “As much time as I spend here, you would think I could hit the target dead on every time. But I’ll get there.”
“It’s alright. That’s what I’m here for. This is Jade, Angel’s daughter. The both of you are in training today. Right now we are shooting, then it’s hand to hand combat. We are to be at Angel’s at 5 this afternoon for a meeting.”
As Rikki talked, Flame hooked up another paper target and sent it back out. Picking up her gun and removing the clip, she loaded the bullets and slammed the clip back into place. “What’s going on? Why am I in on this meeting?”
“Phoenix’s mate, Serenity, needs our help. Seems the General isn’t the only one after her. The Alpha’s son of her old pack is stalking her. Jaxson’s doing some research on it now, and we are meeting at Angel’s so he can give us the dirt. Then we are going to decide how to proceed.”
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