by Dover, L. P.
“Is she the one taking me shopping?”
I nodded. “Texted her this morning. She’ll be here in an hour.”
She slid out of bed and reached for the clothes on the floor. “When will I meet the rest of your pack?”
“Our pack,” I corrected. “It’s our pack now. And you’ll meet them tomorrow. Tonight we’re going to have some fun.” I made my way down the stairs and called up to her, “Have fun with Tyla.”
“I’m sure I will,” she said before I walked out.
Cedric waited for me by my truck, dressed in his ranger uniform. “Any news?” I asked.
“None. So far, the perimeter is clear. There hasn’t been anyone close to the border.”
“Good, let’s hope it stays that way.” We both got in my truck and started down the gravel driveway toward the main road.
“How’s it going? From what I can tell, she’s a real spitfire.”
“You have no fucking idea.” By the sly look on his face, I knew what he wanted to ask next. “And no, I haven’t fucked her if that’s what you wanted to know.”
Chuckling, he held up his hands. “Hey, I was just curious. We’ve heard so many stories, I had to see if any were true. How many times did you have to jack off?”
“Probably not as much as you do every day, cocksucker.”
For the twenty minutes it took to drive to the station, I told him about Bailey taking my blood and what it was like. Apparently, the rest of the pack was curious as well. I could only hope our union would bring the magic back.
The trails were still covered in snow and would be until midsummer. Being able to work in the forests was one of the perks of being a ranger. I also wasn’t scared of running into bears like most of my coworkers. That was why Cedric and I always went to the deepest parts of the trails to inspect them before tourist season started.
“Anything up that way?” Cedric shouted. He stayed behind to clear off some broken limbs that had fallen from the trees above.
Glancing up ahead, there was a medium sized tree across the trail. “Yeah, but I got it. Stay where you are.” With our wolf strength, there hadn’t been a job on the trail I couldn’t handle. It didn’t take long to break the tree down and clear the trail.
“Do we have time to go further up?” Cedric asked, appearing over the rocky slope.
I looked at my watch. “Not today. We can finish up tomorrow.”
He hopped off the rocks onto the trail. “Sounds good to me. I could use a beer or twelve. Maybe even a night with Samantha.” Samantha was one of the waitresses at the bar, and one of his many conquests. One thing about being a wolf was that we couldn’t procreate with humans. If we could, Cedric would have over a hundred kids by now.
“Have fun with that. I’m pretty sure she slept with Emmett last weekend. It’s a good thing we don’t contract diseases.”
He guffawed. “Got that right. But I don’t give a shit who she fucks. She can suck a dick like a champ.”
Thoughts of Bailey ran through my mind and then I could feel her, poking around. “Are you spying on me?” I asked her.
“No, I was curious to see if distance played a factor in our connection. You know, like a cell phone if it’s out of range, it doesn’t work. How far away are you?”
“That depends, where are you?”
“I’m at Blake’s, getting ready to ride Nightshade.”
“Ah, letting another male between your legs. I’m jealous.”
“You should be, he’s a stallion.”
“Is Tyla riding with you?”
“No, she’s staying behind. One of Blake’s friends from North Carolina is here. Tyla thinks he’s hot. It wouldn’t surprise me if she asks you if she can turn him.”
I groaned, making Cedric look at me like I’d lost my mind.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing, just talking to Bailey.” Then to her I said, “Tyla can ask all she wants, she’s not turning Blake or any of his friends. She can wait for her true mate, like everyone else.”
I could hear her laughing in my mind. “She knows. I think she does it to get a rise out of you.”
“A giant pain in my ass is what she is.” Tyla was a loyal wolf and a good friend. She was one of the only females in the pack who hadn’t tried to get me to mate them.
Bailey growled in my mind. “I heard that. Surely they know about me and have backed the fuck off, right?”
“Well, angel, until you’re ready to mate with me, I’m technically fair game.”
“Then so am I.” The connection went silent.
“I think I just pissed her off.” I chuckled, glancing at Cedric.
“I have no doubt. If I ever find my mate, she’s going to spend a great deal of time hating me; especially if she finds out how many women I’ve fucked. Does Bailey know about you?”
I knew what he was asking and I made sure to keep that part of my mind hidden away. “No, but I’m pretty sure she doesn’t want to know how many women I’ve been with. Just like I don’t care to know the details about the men she’s fucked.”
We were almost off the trail when my phone rang. I thought it was going to be Tyla, but it was Ian Randale, alpha of the Northwestern pack. “Ian, what’s going on, my man?”
“Nothing good. You have a problem heading your way.”
“Fuck me, are you serious?” I already knew what was going on.
“Dead serious. It was three wolves, asking if I’d seen a female Arctic wolf. When I asked why, they said it was pack business. Obviously, they didn’t get a scent of her so they left. I don’t know if they’re headed your way, but be prepared. They’re on the hunt.”
“Thanks for the heads up. I’ll inform my pack.” I hung up and immediately dialed Tyla’s number.
“What are you going to do?” Cedric asked.
“Something that’ll piss Bailey off if she finds out.”
“Then I suggest you not think about it.”
I waited for Tyla to answer her phone. “Easier said than done, my friend. You’ll find out one of these days.”
“Hey, what’s up,” she answered.
“Where’s Bailey?”
“Out riding, why?”
“Keep your eye on her. Ian called and said there were some wolves looking for her.”
“Okay, I won’t let her out of my sight. Are you going to tell her?”
“No. If I do, she’ll try to leave. Just act normal and we’ll do everything as planned. Tonight we’ll go out to the bar, tomorrow I’ll let her meet the pack, and then I’m taking her somewhere safe.”
“You’re leaving?”
“Only until the enemies pass us by.”
“We could always hide her so you don’t have to leave.”
“I wish we could, but it’s not going to work.” Not everyone knew why Bailey had come to us and if they did, they’d realize the greater threat.
“Why not?”
“Because . . . I know the wolves coming after Bailey.”
“How?”
“I used to be a part of their pack.”
Bailey
“Thanks for letting me ride Nightshade,” I said to Blake.
He smiled and fetched a bucket of water from the hose. He’d told me all about how he grew up a city slicker and how Ryker and Tyla turned him into a cowboy. The stories of his undercover missions were amazing. Even though he wasn’t a shifter, he was one lethal human.
“He likes beautiful women riding him.”
Nightshade bumped me with his nose and I laughed. “I’ve never ridden a horse before.”
“Really? You look like a natural out there.”
“All right, Evans, no flirting with Ryker’s woman. He’ll skin you alive,” Tyla teased. Blake’s friend, Wyatt Erickson, walked in beside her. They’d been inseparable since we showed up. He was a good looking man, dressed in a pair of jeans, a polo shirt, with his light brown hair in messy spikes.
Blake winked at her. “I’m not scared. I’m
sure his bark is worse than his bite.” We tried to hide our giggles at the comment and he looked sideways at us before continuing. “You gonna dance with me tonight?”
She smirked. “Maybe, if you buy me a drink.”
He leaned closer to me. “Why is she always so difficult?”
“Because I can be,” she replied, reaching for my hand. “And right now, I need to get this one home so she can get ready for the night.”
I scratched Nightshade’s ear and nuzzled him. “See you tomorrow, boy. That is, if it’s okay,” I said, glancing over at Blake.
“Come anytime. You’re always welcome. Wyatt and I will see you both tonight.”
Tyla and I said our goodbyes and got in her car. “What’s up with you and Wyatt?” I asked as we drove away.
She batted her eyelashes innocently. “Just some friendly flirting. He’s not exactly my type, but he sure is easy on the eyes.”
“So is Ryker. He told me you were the only one in the pack who hasn’t tried to get him to mate with you.”
“Oh hell, he told you that?”
“Is it true?”
She sighed. “Yes, but nothing ever happened. He never slept with any of them or promised them anything.”
“Will any of them try to challenge me?”
Eyes wide, she burst out in laughter. “Are you kidding me? They’d be stupid if they did that. Any wolf from a mile away could feel your power. I don’t plan on ever getting on your bad side.”
That was good to know.
She dropped me off at Ryker’s house just in time for him to pull up and see the several shopping bags in my hand. He got out of the car, followed by another wolf who was dressed in the same ranger uniform. He had dark blond hair and a smirk on his face; he was one of the six who kept watch over me.
“Bailey, this is Cedric, my second in command.”
I held out my hand. “Yes, I recognize the smirk.”
Cedric took my hand, roaring in laughter. “I guess you’re saying I look like my wolf?”
Ryker narrowed his gaze, studying Cedric’s face. “You’re right. He does.”
“Only the smile,” I added. “I remember it getting bigger when I sat out on the front porch, waiting for everyone to leave. I wanted to smack it off your face.”
“I’m sure that would’ve been quite interesting,” Cedric replied.
Ryker laughed. “If by interesting, you mean watching you run home with your tail between your legs . . . then yes.”
“Okay, if you two are done bashing me, I’m going to change clothes and meet you at the bar.”
I watched him walk past the house to another one on the other side of the field. “Does he live here too?”
Ryker’s arm brushed mine as he stood beside me. “He does. That’s his cabin out there. Some of the men in the pack are builders. They built everything you see here.” On Ryker’s land, there was the main ranch, a smaller cabin and two separate barns.
“Very nice. It looks like you have a lot of talent in your pack.”
“Our pack. And yes, we do.” He turned to face me. “Are you still mad at me?”
“I am,” I replied, crossing my arms over my chest.
He grinned. “Good. You’re sexy when you’re angry.”
“And you’re annoying.”
“Well, I’m probably about to annoy you even more. After you meet the pack tomorrow, we’re leaving.”
“Where to?”
“Somewhere safe, where no one can find you. If the Yukon pack comes, they’ll see you’re not here and move on. As soon as the threat’s gone, we can come back.”
“How am I going to travel? I don’t have anything to prove my identity.”
Taking my bags, he started for the door and I followed. “That’s why I’m going to talk to Blake tonight. He’ll help us out. Cedric will fill in as alpha if anyone were to come looking for you.”
“I can go on my own. You shouldn’t leave your pack,” I argued.
“And you need to stop being so stubborn. I thought you were adventurous. You can even pick the place you want to go. This is your chance to see more of the world. You’re not scared are you?” He was goading me.
I could hear the laughter inside his head, but I could also feel his hesitance. Something was wrong. “I’m not scared.”
“Then prove it,” he countered with a sly grin.
I stalked up to him, my body flush with his. “I will, even though I know you’re hiding something.” He looked to the side and I decided to let it go for now. “I know exactly where I want to go first.”
Bailey
Ryker fumbled around in the kitchen, and I smelled eggs and bacon coming through the bedroom door. I rolled over and stared at the far wall. I thought for sure he would sleep with me last night, but he didn’t; he only kissed me goodnight. At the bar, he’d spent most of the night talking to Blake, trying to get his help on my situation, while I talked to Cedric and the other guys in the pack.
“You’re disappointed I didn’t sleep with you last night?” Ryker asked.
“Not at all. I enjoy sleeping alone. I have more room.”
“You lie, angel. I could feel your disappointment this morning. All you have to do is tell me you want me and I’ll stay. I have to hear it.”
“You know I want you, Ryker. I’m sure you could figure that out the other night.”
My whole life, I never needed anyone to protect me, not even my parents. And when it came down to it, they didn’t do a very good job when it came to Kade. I knew I could survive on my own. Admitting I needed or even wanted someone was foreign to me. Saying the words out loud was near impossible.
“You showed me, but haven’t told me. Words can be powerful,” he replied.
Rolling my eyes, I got out of bed and threw on some clothes before going downstairs. He was in the kitchen with his back to me, shirt off, wearing only a pair of boxers. Holy fuck. “So if I take off my clothes and lay down on the table, you wouldn’t have sex with me?”
He chuckled. “Nope.”
“You sure?”
“Yep.” He continued on with cooking while I stood there, dumbfounded. I didn’t believe him for a second. His back stiffened when I took off my shirt and pants and climbed up on the table.
“I am so hungry,” I announced, waiting for him to turn around. When he did, he completely ignored me and sat down with his plate of food.
He pointed to the counter. “Your plate’s up there.”
“You’re seriously not going to look at me?”
He studied an invisible spot on the table and placed a piece of bacon in his mouth, crunching it slowly. “You’re not ready for that.”
I waited for him to sneak a peek but he didn’t. “Who’s the stubborn one now?”
He chuckled. “Still you, sweetheart. You have me beat.”
Fetching the clothes off the floor, I slid them on and grabbed my plate of food. He had more willpower than I gave him credit for. By the smirk on his face, he heard my thoughts. Cheeky bastard.
“How’s your breakfast?”
I scooped a forkful of eggs into my mouth. “It’s good. How did you learn to cook?”
“Seraphina made sure to teach me when I was a boy. She’s the one who took me in. It was either learn or catch my food in the wild.” He finished his food and lifted his gaze to mine. It was so hard to turn away from those eyes.
“Do you miss your family?”
He smiled, but it was sad. “Every day. I just wish I had answers.”
I nodded, trying hard not to let the thoughts of what happened to mine run through my mind. “I miss mine too, even though they betrayed me. I have no idea what’s going on up there, or what happened after I left. I don’t even know if they’re okay.”
He reached for my hand. “You don’t need to worry about that now. They literally threw you to the wolves. You’ll get to meet Seraphina today. I’m interested to see what she says about you.”
He had a point about my parents,
but I still loved them. If Seraphina could shed some light on what happened, I was all up for it. “What time will everyone be here?” I asked.
Taking my empty plate, he put our dishes in the sink. “A couple of hours. Blake should be here soon with your paperwork. We’re leaving tonight.”
“And are you sure it’s a good idea to leave the pack?” I got up and helped him clean the kitchen. I didn’t know much about his people, but if the Yukon pack had murdered his family, I highly doubted they’d care about others.
Taking my hands, Ryker turned me to face him. “They’ll be fine. They’re a strong lot. But it’s good to see you care about them.”
“I care about the well-being of all wolves, except for your brother. I’d never known anyone to be so cruel.”
He pulled me to him and I laid my head against him, listening to the calming sound of his heart beating in his powerful chest. “Kade wasn’t always that way. My uncle was the cruel one in the pack; he was our alpha. If my brother learned from him, it doesn’t surprise me he changed over the years.”
“Do you have any other siblings?”
He shook his head. “Just Kade.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I know it can’t be easy to be betrayed like that.” Taking his face in my hands, I kissed him gently. It started out soft, but then he deepened it, gripping my waist to bring me closer. I could feel the need inside him, tearing him apart. His wolf wanted to claim me, but he fought against it.
Pulling away from the kiss, I looked into his glowing gaze. “How long can you fight it?”
For a brief second, his wolf eyes flashed through. “For as long as I need to.”
I leaned up to kiss him again, but a knock at the door interrupted us. I recognized Blake’s scent almost immediately.
“Why don’t you take your shower and get packed up. There are plenty of suitcases in my closet to choose from.”
“What time does our flight leave?” I started for the stairs and he to the door.
“Six. We’ll leave for the airport directly after the meeting.”
“Okay. Tell Blake I said hi.” I made my way up the stairs to the bedroom and shut the door. Blake and Ryker talked downstairs and I was shocked at how easily he was able to acquire my information. I guess he was as good as they said.
