Worth Fighting For (Alpine Woods Shifters)

by Bennett, Sondrae

  She wouldn’t let that happen. She wasn’t anyone’s obligation.

  She thought she had control of her emotions. Was positive she could hold it together. But when her dad picked up the phone, his deep baritone saying, “Hi princess,” with such happiness, she lost it.

  The tears rushed forth, flowing in an endless trail down her cheeks as the sobs poured from her soul. Somehow, she managed to confess everything between sobs. Her father remained silent the entire time, and didn’t speak for a long moment after the story had finished.

  Finally, after what seemed like ages but was probably only seconds, her father said, “Pack up whatever you want to keep. I’m coming to get you.”

  * * * *

  Every time Cody closed his eyes, he saw Misty’s face, filled with pain. Pain he’d caused with his careless words. And the tears she’d valiantly tried to hold back.

  An hour had passed as he stood on her back porch knocking on her door. After he’d given up, he’d called a dozen times and got her voicemail every time. Two hours later, he’d decided she’d had enough time to calm down, and had gone back, pounding on her door with no more luck than before.

  Over and over, he replayed the cruel things he’d said. Even as he’d railed at her, he’d known how cruel he was being. But as if a demon had possessed him, he couldn’t halt the words. He’d been so determined to push her away, to keep their friendship intact, he’d been ruthless, hurting the one person who meant the world to him. And probably damaging their relationship anyway. He’d never been more ashamed. Misty had never been an obligation to him.

  Snarling at the reflection in the bathroom mirror, Cody headed toward the kitchen to make coffee and plan his next course of action. No matter what, he would repair their friendship.

  The phone rang as he poured over a list of things he could do to earn her forgiveness. Distracted, Cody grabbed the receiver and said hello, still staring at the piece of paper.

  “Cody. It’s Bobby Alexander. How’s it going?” The name dragged Cody out of his musings as he focused on the conversation. He’d met Bobby a few times at various shifter functions over the years. If he remembered correctly, Bobby was Premier of a skulk operating out of New York.

  “All right. What’s going on with you?” he asked, going into Premier mode.

  “I’m looking for some information on a member of your skulk, a Misty Turner.”

  Dread settled heavy on his shoulders as every muscle in his body tensed. Why was Bobby looking for information about Misty? “Why?”

  “It’s procedure to ask the former Premier about a person before accepting them into the skulk. Normally I wouldn’t bother since her father is already here, but he’s pretty new, too. Figured I’d get some insight.”

  “I gotta go,” Cody managed to bite out before hanging up. A strange buzz surrounded him as the world changed, taking on an altered hue that let him know his eyes had shifted to his fox’s. He was close to losing control. Deep breaths helped calm the beast within. Helped him gain a measure of equilibrium.

  So, she was going to pick up and go, was she? Move away without a word? Without giving him a chance to fix this?

  Like hell.

  * * * *

  It was pathetic how easily manipulated these people were. How much they yearned for a leader. But it had paved the way for Stella to slip into the role. In a couple of weeks, she had cemented her place among the hybrids.

  Phillip, her enforcer, slapped down a map of Vulpes Creek. Post-it notes with scribbles displayed the information from various scouting trips they’d made over the past couple weeks.

  “Here’s the safest place to strike.” Phillip pointed to a section on the map. “We can easily get in, do what we need to, and get out, before anybody knows we’re there.”

  Studying the map, Stella reached the same conclusion. She’d chosen her second well. Brains and brawn. Although she’d still take on the greater strategizing. After all, her second was a pawn in this, just like everyone else. She was the one pulling the strings.

  “Good. I want it done tonight.”

  He nodded and left to round up the troops. Time for her first loyalty test. If the hybrids followed her in this, they’d follow her in anything.

  * * * *

  Misty stared around her bedroom. The boxes she’d bought sat open on the floor, the bottoms all taped together, empty inside. Her gaze snagged on things around the room she wanted to take with her, but she had no idea where to start.

  This room had been her home, her haven, her entire life. She hadn’t even moved into the master bedroom after her father had left, deciding to stay in the room she’d grown up in. It was hers right down to the light purple paint on the wall. But it wouldn’t be hers much longer. Not if she went along with her father’s plan to move her to New York.

  Misty looked back down at the box patiently waiting on the floor. She tilted her head as she studied it, trying to decide what she should do next. Looking inward, she attempted to analyze her emotions. What did she feel about moving? She should be angry, or sad, or maybe even happy. But she didn’t feel any of those things. Inside, her mind was like the surface of a lake on a windless day. Calm and quiet.

  The lack of emotion should scare her, but summoning the energy for even that emotion seemed daunting. All she felt was numb. To her core.

  How long she stood there in the doorway, her hands limp at her sides, she didn’t know. Furious knocking on her door roused her out of her stupor. What the hell?

  Walking to the front room, she stared at the portal while the pounding continued. It could be Cody coming back. But this knocking sounded angry. Before when Cody had come by and knocked, it had been constant but subdued. With a small shrug, Misty crossed the room and opened the door.

  Cody’s enraged green eyes met hers.

  And there it was. The calm surface of the lake inside her came alive, the water bursting out in an explosion of anger.

  “What?” She put one hand on her hip and the other on the door, ready to slam it in his self-important face.

  “That’s all you have to say to me? Really?” He took a step back and closed his eyes, his chest lifting and falling as he took deep breaths. His lips moved but no sound emerged.

  “What are you doing?” she snapped.

  Would he answer? His jaw tightened as if he were clenching his teeth. “Counting,” he gritted out. “It’s supposed to calm people down.”

  “Good luck with that.” She started to shut the door, but his hand slammed against it, preventing it from closing.

  “We need to talk,” he said.

  Anger built inside her. Now that it was convenient for him, he wanted to talk. This morning, he’d been too busy to deal with the nuisance of training her, but now he had some time and just expected her to let him in and make coffee.

  “I’m busy at the moment. Thanks for stopping by.” This time when she tried to close the door, he stormed past her, pacing the hallway.

  Rolling her eyes, she shut the door and stood in front of it with her arms crossed. If he wanted to talk, he could damn well start. She had nothing to say to him.

  When he looked back at her, she almost retreated from the emotion in his eyes. It took all her willpower to stand firm. This was her house, damn it, at least for the next few days. She would not be pushed around by the big dumb alpha.

  He shook his head, turned away, and continued pacing. Using his words from earlier, Misty said, “I don’t have all day.”

  Anger flashed in his eyes, almost making her smile. Misty, one, Cody, zero. Maybe it was petty, but not even the tiniest amount of shame bubbled up.

  “Damn it, Misty, I was frustrated and in a pissy mood this morning. I didn’t mean what I said. But this–” He broke off again, pacing away before returning. “Were you even going to tell me?”

  She froze. Tell him what? He couldn’t have found out about her moving, could he? Determined to keep a cool facade, Misty raised one eyebrow. “What am I supposed to have to
ld you, exactly?”

  All of a sudden, he stood in front of her, gripping her arms above the elbow. He gave her one shake, staring down into her eyes before cursing and pushing away to stand with two feet of space between them.

  “What, you were just going move half-way across the country without a word? Fuckin’ A. Pick up and leave when I’m not looking. You weren’t going to even give me a chance to apologize! You really think that’s a solution to our problem?”

  “Based on our conversation this morning, I can’t understand why you would care.” Her lip only trembled a little as she said it. Shock reflected on his face, and Misty braced herself for whatever was coming next.

  “Why I would–” He broke off with a curse.

  Before Misty knew what to think, he swooped, his hands grabbed her as his lips captured hers in a heated kiss. One moment he’d been standing two feet away, railing at her. The next, he was suddenly flush against her, his arms surrounding her. Her brain struggled to grapple with the change.

  When her lips parted in surprise, his tongue swept inside, taking control. This wasn’t a gentle kiss, but one borne of frustration. He didn’t ask for control, but seized it.

  His flavor filled her senses. Everything fell away as she lost herself in his kiss. The entire world disappeared until it all that existed was the two of them.

  Wiggling to free her arms, Misty reached up and circled his neck, rubbing the hot skin at the back before threading her fingers in his hair. The new position allowed his hands to slide down to her hips, pulling her forward until her front was plastered against his. Every inch of her pressed against him. He hardened as he pushed against her.

  She moaned into his mouth, her hands fisting in his hair. The reality of the situation hit her, causing a shiver of pure pleasure to snake down her spine. Cody stood in her front entranceway, kissing her with such passion. This couldn’t be happening. It had to be a dream. But her dreams had never compared to this.

  He broke the kiss to gently bite her lower lip.

  Her breath hitched as he trailed his lips down her throat, stopping to nibble at her collarbone. Without thought, her body jerked forward into him, thrusting her breasts up in invitation. An invitation he seemed to understand as he reached his hands around her back, keeping her arched forward. His lips continued their descent, placing gentle pecks at the edge of her shirt. Blood pounded in her ears, drowning out everything but the sensations thrumming through her, his lips on her breast, his hands firm against her back, encasing her. Supporting her.

  “The bedroom,” she managed to gasp as he slipped his hands under her shirt. Everywhere he touched fired nerve endings, leaving a trail of sensation in their wake. His hands stopped and he lifted his lips away from the top of her breasts, making her groan in frustration. When he straightened, she opened her eyes to stare warily into his as he studied her.

  She tried to put every bit of certainty into her eyes, willing him to continue what he’d started. She knew she’d won when the roguish smile curled his lips before he leaned down and ravished her mouth once again. Her head spun from the intensity as he turned them around and backed her toward the bedroom. She closed her eyes, trusting him to keep her from tripping. Trusting him to not let her fall.

  As they turned into the bedroom, Cody broke the kiss. Hearing his growl, Misty opened her eyes and followed his gaze to the boxes sitting on her floor. Guess she’d have to cancel the move now. But there was plenty of time to worry about that later. Right now, she had her man right where she wanted him.

  Taking control, Misty grabbed his hands and backed up until her legs hit the bed. She fell backward, pulling him down with her. The feel of his chest pressed against her distracted her. It must have done the same for him, since his lips captured hers with renewed ferocity.

  Her body quaked as she opened her legs and bent her knees, allowing him to slide in between and press against her through their jeans. She bucked into him, thrilled with the purely male groan the movement pulled from him.

  Something tickled her thigh a second before a piano riff ripped through the air. She groaned against his mouth, recognizing the ring.

  “I’ll ignore it.” He shook his head and deepened the kiss.

  “What if it’s something important?” she asked.

  “Nothing is more important than this.”

  Happiness bubbled inside her and she tightened her legs around him. He always knew the perfect thing to say. Well, except this morning, but she wasn’t going to think about that anymore. It didn’t deserve another moment of consideration. This was the Cody she knew. Right now, she had everything she’d ever desired.

  Seconds after the cell stopped ringing, it started again. Misty groaned, knowing he couldn’t ignore it again. Breaking the kiss, he growled in frustration and reached down.

  “Give me a minute to get rid of whoever it is,” he said before flipping open the phone and putting it to his ear with a curt, “hello.”

  Trying to give him some privacy–hard considering he still lay between her thighs–Misty turned her head to the side. He must have had his phone volume really low, because all she caught were snippets.

  “Was anybody hurt?”

  Her head snapped back to Cody’s face.

  Anger lined every angle of his body as he stood, pulling her up with him. Gone was her gentle lover. “Okay, I’ll be right over.” He threw her an apologetic look as he closed the phone. “There was a fire at the edge of town. No one hurt, but I need to go check it out.” He leaned down and placed a brief kiss against her lips. “I’m sorry. The job of a Premier…”

  “I understand,” she broke in. He didn’t need to explain his job to her. It was part of him. Part of what she loved about him was his sense of responsibility. “Why don’t you come back over when you’re done, and we can pick this up then?”

  His smile flashed, but she knew his brain was already on his duties. Even so, he leaned down to nibble on her ear and whispered, “Something to look forward to,” before backing away and leaving.

  Misty stood without moving until she heard the front door close behind him. Then she turned around, fell on the bed, and screamed in glee into her pillow. She lay there for a full minute, savoring the sensations rioting through her system.

  The box on the floor caught her eye and propelled her into action. While Cody was gone, she might as well get to work canceling her move. If she hurried, maybe she’d have time to set up something romantic before he got back. With that resolve in mind, she jumped up and got to work.

  Chapter 7

  What a mess. Cody sat in his car and stared at the burnt shell of a building in front of him. He’d come back to stare at the wreckage after his emergency meeting with the town elders. They’d all agreed on the need for a town meeting about the building that had caught fire. No, not caught fire. Set on fire. Deliberately, according to the evidence left at the scene.

  Rubbing a hand over his face, Cody let his frustration out in a scream, grateful no one was around to see how close he was to losing control. This was his town. His skulk.

  No matter how he studied the facts, for the life of him he couldn’t find any logic here. Vulpes Creek was fairly cut off from the rest of the world, but he doubted anyone from town would do this. Too much risk, not only of the fire spreading but also of getting caught. Everyone knew Cody would be forced to punish the criminal. Besides, the location of the building on the edge of town made it a prime target for outsiders. But who?

  According to the fire chief, the front door had been barricaded. If they hadn’t gotten here so quickly, it might have been too late for Widow Carlson. Even so, she’d been rushed to the emergency room for smoke inhalation. He’d gone to visit her before coming back here and was grateful to find her relatively unharmed. Sure, she was a bit of a meddler and overly chatty at times, but he couldn’t imagine her driving someone to this.

  It had to be a strike against the skulk. Which still left the question of why. A warning, maybe. But of what
? There’d been no note, no clue, just the remnants of the building.

  No point in dwelling on it any more tonight, although he doubted he’d get much sleep. The neon clock on his dashboard read one AM. Hard to believe he’d been at this for hours and was no closer to understanding it than when he’d first arrived.

  Still, his presence had been necessary. In times of crisis, his skulk looked to him for guidance and reassurance. As much as he wished he could have stayed with Misty, his work here had been important.

  Misty…

  Cody glanced at the clock again. Hopefully, she hadn’t waited up for him too long. Too late to head over now. No matter how much he might want to. A bout of hot sex would suit his restless spirit, but wouldn’t be fair to her. Tomorrow would be soon enough to pick up where they’d left off. And he could do better than a hasty screw in the bedroom. Misty deserved roses and candlelight. She would never ask for it. But she needed it, whether she knew it or not. Despite their rocky start, he was just the man to give it to her.

  * * * *

  Sunlight pierced her closed eyelids, waking her from a sound sleep. Why hadn’t she closed the curtains before going to bed?

  Using her hand to shield the worst of the light, Misty opened her eyes and peered around. That explained the curtain question. And the crick in her neck. Ouch.

  Misty sat up on the couch and tried to stretch out her muscles. Of course, this afternoon would be the day of her advanced yoga class. Stumbling to the kitchen, Misty grabbed a cup and staggered to the coffee pot. Sending up a silent thanks for automatic timers, she poured her first cup and sniffed the rich aroma before adding in her sugar and cream.

  It wasn’t until the cup was half empty that she realized she still wore the lacy black babydoll lingerie. Not surprising that it had taken her so long. She was completely useless before her first cup of coffee. God’s nectar.