by Mary Winter
She smiled. Letting her set the pace might not be the smartest thing to do because nothing said freedom like a fling with a new man. Or, in her case, a fling with any man in a very long time. She sensed the goodness in him, the desire to help. The kettle whistled, and she stood and poured herself a mug of hot water, adding a pouch of a vanilla chamomile tea. Perhaps that would help her sleep. “I’d like to get to know you better, too,” she added, lamely she thought. She sipped her tea. “Do I need to contact Carmen or anything? I’ve, um, never used a service like this before.”
He smiled. “If you like I can let them know you arrived and are settled in. If you feel comfortable enough letting me know what you need…”
Her wolf perked up at his choice of words. I need you. She clamped down on the thought. Get a good night’s sleep, maybe run, then see how her wolf felt about things.
“…welcome to stay here as long as necessary and if you need help finding a place or even a job or setting up a new life, we have people who can help with that, too,” he finished.
“Thanks. I worked as a vet tech for a local clinic. They didn’t know I was a shifter. Hat Rock kept to itself.”
“Let me check with Jerome. He’s a pack member and a veterinarian. His clinic might have a job opening for you if you decide to stay.” The look in his eyes said he very much wanted her to stay.
“Thanks.” She stifled a yawn with the back of her hand, then winced as she inadvertently touched her face. Maybe the adrenaline from the events of the day were catching up with her.
“I should go. You’re tired.” He stood.
She joined him, setting her tea down on the table. Unable to stop herself, she crossed the space between them and flattened her palm on his chest. Taking a deep breath and steeling her nerves, she stood on her tip toe and kissed him on the lips. She meant it to be just a tender kiss, a quick peck, but the instant her lips touched his, a fire ignited inside her. The cry of MATE from her wolf deafened her and she found herself looping an arm around his neck and pressing her body to his.
Sloan cupped her hips, and for a moment, she thought he would pull her closer and take the kiss further. Instead, he held her at a distance and when the need for air parted them, stepped back.
“Good night, Kacie,” he said. “Sleep well. The door will lock automatically when I go out.”
She nodded, still breathing heavily from the kiss and watched as he turned and walked out the door.
~* * *~
Leaving was one of the hardest things he’d ever had to do. And yet, he knew it was the right thing. Though he’d wanted to stay. The first brush of her body against his set his soul aflame. His wolf leapt to attention, the pull to claim his mate in every way nearly driving him to push her back toward the bedrooms, or even just take her right there on the couch. His cock throbbed. It was not the right time.
Tomorrow they’d run. He’d see then what the next steps were and perhaps if he could further their relationship. He breathed deeply of the woods-scented air as he crossed the space between the safe house and his home. He paused and listened to the rustle of leaves and the sounds of creatures moving within the forest. His wolf chafed. Must make sure mate is safe. She is, he reassured his beast. She’s perfectly safe.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out as he approached his house and checked it. A text from the network checking in on the new arrival. He replied that she was safe and resting. She didn’t feel like talking.
I’m coming down to see her. Carmen texted back. I know she’s not Lime Kiln, but Hat Rock is part of the Northwest Region and falls under our jurisdiction. They’re one of the few packs who haven’t signed onto the treaty. It’s time they did.
The implicit threat shook him. A few packs still refused to sign onto the treaty, preferring to live in old, antiquated ways. What Carmen had done in the span of just a few months among the packs of Washington, Idaho, and Oregon was amazing. Word was she’d even reached out as far as western Montana and Wyoming. Understood.
I’ll let you know when I’m on my way. Thanks for your help with this project. I know what it means to you. Good night.
Night. He sent the reply text and opened the door to his wing of the house. He met his sister in the kitchen, popping some popcorn for her and their niece.
Jerri Dundrick had been an ER nurse until she’d taken in their sister’s daughter. Now, she stayed at home to care for her and worked as the school nurse during the year. Her long black hair was held back in a ponytail, and worry creased the lines between her eyes. “Everything all right? Do you need me to go over there?”
Sloan shook his head. “I appreciate the offer but she said she’s heading to bed. She wants to run tomorrow.”
“That’s a good sign.” Jerri didn’t ask what had happened and out of respect for Kacie’s privacy Sloan didn’t offer it. “You’re a good man, Sloan. Let me know if you need my help.”
“Watching a movie?”
“Yeah. Lego something. It’ll keep her entertained.”
“And remind her that she still has family. We’ll run while she’s at school and you’re at work tomorrow.”
“Thanks.”
He grabbed a beer from the refrigerator as his sister turned and went to her wing of the house. Then, realizing he probably ought to eat something, made himself a sandwich out of leftover turkey and added a hefty slice of tomato and lettuce on it. He carried the plate back to his end of the house and mentally prepared for tomorrow.
Chapter Three
Sitting across the table from the formidable alpha of the Lime Kiln pack and the leader of the Shifters United council took strength. Carmen had arrived at eight o’clock in the morning, bright and early before he’d had a chance to check in on Kacie. Even though she’d dressed to travel with her hair clipped back and wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers, she might have been in a business suit and a bun for as stern as she appeared.
“Have you spoken with your alpha?” Carmen asked.
He knew better than to ask her what about. “Not yet,” Sloan replied. “I don’t want to rush things. She just arrived.”
Carmen nodded. “Good. But you will speak with your alpha?”
“Of course. We’ll go this weekend if she’s still here.”
“I think she will be. Have you seen her this morning?”
“No. I was giving her time.”
Carmen chuckled. “Give her too much time and she just might run away. Why don’t we go see her? I have a few questions I need to ask and then I think a good long run is in order.”
“Thank you.” Sloan accepted the honor of having such a high-ranking alpha offer to run on his family’s property. He stood and waited for Carmen before they walked over to the safe house.
He knocked.
The door flew open. “Sloan!” Her gaze flew to Carmen. “Carmen.” She bowed her head. “Thank you for allowing me sanctuary here in one of your safe houses.”
Carmen grinned. “This was Sloan’s doing, but you’re welcome. I’m glad you’re safe.” She frowned as she saw the full extent of Kacie’s bruise. “Your alpha did that to you?”
“Yes,” she admitted.
Carmen cursed low under her breath. “That’s not acceptable,” she said after a long moment. “Let’s talk.” She guided Kacie to the living room. “If you want Sloan here, say the word. Otherwise it’s just us girls.” She winked and he sensed Kacie becoming instantly more comfortable with the alpha.
“He can stay,” she said. “I think everyone knows Dane’s reputation.”
Carmen sighed. “We do. The Council is currently working on a set of rules that member packs have to abide by including such things as arranged marriages and violence. Some alphas got to their position through skill and responsibility. Others used strength and overpowering tactics. Those are the kinds of alphas we don’t want in Shifters United, and if Hat Rock is to join the treaty, Dane will have to change.”
She nodded and he suspected Kacie already knew that.
“I know. We’d been talking. I’d gone to discuss this with him when…” She waved her hand at her face “…happened. Carter, one of the pack members, has a brother and I guess Dane thought we would be mates.”
“No!” He roared, bolting to his feet. When he caught Carmen’s knowing look, he sat back down. “That’s not right,” he said in a softer voice. “Many packs have already outlawed arranged marriages.”
Kacie stared at him quizzically, as if she were trying to sort out the meaning of his outburst. Or maybe he’d startled her. His wolf growled, demanding he do something, stake his claim before this whole absurd conversation went any further.
“I wasn’t going to marry him,” Kacie said in a stern, soft voice. “That would never have happened, even if Dane hadn’t hit me.”
An understanding passed between them, and he caught Carmen trying to hide her smile. “Now that we have that sorted out,” Carmen said. “I’m going to ask you some questions about how this happened and what sort of punishment you’d like your alpha to receive. If you would also like to be formally severed from your pack, I can make the arrangements.”
Kacie sighed. “And where would I go?”
In that question she sounded so lost, so unsure of herself that he longed to take her into his arms and reassure her that she’d always have a home here, with him, her mate.
“Lone wolves don’t do well. I don’t want to go back, though I’ll miss my job. I don’t think I could live in Hat Rock’s territory. I’ll think about it,” she added at last.
“Of course. Take all the time you need,” Carmen said. She set her cell phone on the table between them. “I’ll need to record this. May we begin?”
“Yes. Please. Let’s,” Kacie said.
Carmen turned on the recording app and began to ask questions. With each answer his anger grew. His wolf’s anger grew. The way Dane had treated her, even before the abuse was deplorable. His own alpha was a stern man, one who must be obeyed. He also never hit or acted out of anger. And he certainly took responsibility for himself and his pack. He’d ask Kacie if they could meet him this weekend, because suddenly, he wanted to show her what a real alpha was like and show her what it was like to be with her mate.
~* * *~
Kacie sensed Sloan’s growing frustration and rage at the way she described Dane’s treatment. Her wolf rejoiced that this male, her mate, wanted to fight for her. Mate. She’d thought about it all night and this morning when he didn’t show, she questioned if she had the truth of it. She did. She chafed at Carmen’s questions, though she knew the alpha needed the answers.
“And what punishment do you want for your alpha?” Carmen asked.
Kacie drew a sharp breath. “I don’t know,” she said. “I’m not sure it’d do any good.” She gave a half-chuckle. In truth, she hadn’t given much thought to punishment. She assumed, whether rightly or wrongly, that he’d go on as is, and she’d simply leave the situation. Where she’d go and what she’d do, she had no idea. “I’m sorry,” she added when she realized Carmen and Sloan still looked at her, “I honestly haven’t thought about it much. I didn’t know what the Shifters United could do.”
“It’s okay.” Carmen patted Kacie’s leg. “He will get punished. It’s up to the council what we do, and since he hadn’t signed onto the treaty, it’s not like we can enforce many rules on him. But there will be repercussions. Had this happened before the treaty there would have been, and now that the treaty is in place, even though we’re still getting packs to sign onto it, there will have to be.” She stood. “I don’t know about you two, but I would love a good run before I head back.”
Kacie brightened, thankful not to have to talk about that horrible experience again. She rose to her feet next to Carmen. “That sounds great.” She turned to Sloan. “You?”
“Sure. I’d love to.”
The trio went outside to the woods. A small three-sided shelter offered a place for them to remove their clothing if they wanted privacy, and a place to store it on the shelves inside. As the new arrival, Kacie was offered the courtesy of shifting first, and she did, transitioning in a flash into the white-silver wolf with deep blue eyes. The moment the shift happened, it was as if something had snapped free inside her. Scents became more powerful, the pull to go to her mate stronger. She trotted out of the shelter and sat, waiting for Sloan, who emerged a moment later as the dark gray wolf she’d remembered. Carmen changed, her wolf as big and beautiful as any.
Kacie trotted over to Sloan and sniffed him, then rubbed her muzzle against his shoulder. Mate. The feeling settled over her with a strength that couldn’t be dislodged. At his direction, they trotted into the woods, and she remained beside him, her tongue lolling out of her mouth. Some unspoken signal passed between them and they took off at a run.
She rejoiced in the exhilaration. The deep loamy scent of the woods filled her nostrils along with the scent of her mate. She wanted to stop and roll in it, to relish the idea that she was free without worry of any alpha bullying her or sending one of the male members of the pack to attack her. She’d avoided such things. The very idea she’d never have to deal with them again delighted her.
She shared a look with Sloan. Though her wolf remained forefront in her mind, the woman enjoyed the view of the sleek, male wolf. His thick fur and heavy muscles delighted her. With a slight yip, she raced ahead, pouring on the speed to race, even as she knew that if he wanted to, he could overtake her. She trusted him to guide her, to keep her on their property. And while she waited for Carmen to run ahead, the alpha seemed content to follow, making sure they had the open running room.
The trees thinned into a clearing that appeared big enough for an entire pack to lounge. She flopped down in the grass, still soft in spite of the lateness of the year. Digging her nose into it, she smelled other wolves, their scents close enough to Sloan’s that she thought they might be family here. Carmen circled the opening, then lay down in a patch of sun.
Sloan flopped next to her. He rolled onto his back, the submissive gesture touching. Then, he flipped over, stood, shook, and circled around her, before dropping down to his belly again.
She watched, fascinated. Lifting her chin, she offered him her throat, letting him know she accepted his authority, his leadership in this role. He licked it and heat sizzled through her.
Carmen stood, jerked her muzzle back toward the house and trotted away.
Since Sloan made no move to follow, she didn’t either. Instead, she leaned against his warm bulk, trying not to let the sense of peace lull her into some kind of false security. Too much had happened and too much seemed primed to happen for her to believe that she’d get away from her pack so easily. No doubt Carmen would soothe what she could. Her human fought her wolf for dominance. She couldn’t remain here, and so she stood, yipped, and trotted after Carmen.
Sloan followed.
She longed to stay in her wolf form forever and knew she couldn’t. Behind the shelter she shifted, hanging onto the memory of Sloan’s body tucked next to hers, his scent, his comforting presence, and put her clothes back on. By the time she stepped out, Sloan had arrived and they changed places. A moment later he emerged dressed.
Her feet carried her to his side, and with her wolf still partially in charge, she cupped his cheek, stood on tiptoe and kissed him. The instant her lips touched his a rightness shifted through her, altering her world forever. She opened her mouth and swayed against him, moaning when he wrapped his arm around her waist to pull her flush against his body. She’d never been the weak kind of woman, the one who looked to a man for comfort and protection. Now, with her breasts flattened against his broad chest, their thighs brushing each other, she longed to drown in his warmth and find safety. She twined her fingers through his hair and pressed even closer to her.
His groan of pleasure rumbled through her, the low vibration sparking heat deep in her body. A discreet cough startled her, and she pulled back.
“I hate to interrupt this guys, but we have
some trouble,” Carmen’s words threw cold water on her arousal.
Kacie sighed. Time to return to reality.
Chapter Four
Kacie caught Sloan’s worried glance. It’s okay. I can handle this. “What kind of trouble?” she asked Carmen. “Shall we go back inside?”
“I’ll cook us up some breakfast,” Sloan offered. “There should be plenty of eggs and bacon in the fridge.”
“Thanks,” Carmen said, her entire focus on Kacie. “Your alpha has reported you missing and since Sloan was there yesterday, he says that the Iron Horse Pack has stolen you. You are to be returned or he will challenge the alpha of the Iron Horse Pack.”
Sloan paused on his way to the kitchen. “What? He can try. That’s absurd.”
“It is,” Carmen admitted. “He’s also invoked Pack Right.”
Kacie gasped. She’d learned about Pack Right in the classes she’d had to take shortly after her first shift. Pack Right meant that if one alpha challenges another and wins, he gets the entire pack. There was no way Dane could be allowed to even get close to the Iron Horse Pack. “I don’t want to go back.” Her cheek still throbbed, the bruising still vibrant this morning. “Can’t you take a picture of my face and use that as a reason to deny him?”
Carmen shook her head. “I was going to ask to take a picture and we’ll make sure Terry has a copy of it too.”
“He’ll be here tonight for supper.”
Kacie held up her hand. “Wait. Your alpha is coming here for dinner. Please tell me that this isn’t some kind of meet the alpha thing is it?”
Carmen chuckled. “I think you’re moving a bit too quickly, Sloan, mate bonds or not.”
“Mate bonds?” Kacie looked to Sloan, then to Carmen. “You can tell?”
Her laughter grew, not out of mirth, but rather understanding. “Yes. I can tell the bonds are growing between you. Which is why I’m going to ask you not to run. No matter what your alpha does. No matter what happens. Don’t run.” She sighed. “I wish I could stay. I can’t. I’ll eat with you and then I need to get back home.” Carmen pulled a card out of her pocket. “This is my personal cell. Text me if you need me. And don’t worry. You’ll like Sloan’s alpha and his wife. They’re a lovely couple.”
