The Beta's Heart (Wilde Creek Book 8)

by R. E. Butler

  “Where was her family’s home pack?” Felix asked.

  “Dorlan,” Acksel said.

  “I don’t remember seeing her at the pack battle,” Sam said. “Then again, we were a little busy trying to save Nila and Jack.”

  “Did I hear the message correctly?” Dade asked. “Did she say she was the alpha female, but didn’t mention an alpha male?”

  “That’s what I heard,” Acksel said. He looked at Ren in silence and then said, “I wonder if she’s reaching out to us because of you.”

  “What the ever-loving fuck for?” he demanded.

  Brynn covered her belly with her arm and gave him an angry look. “Language! The baby has ears!”

  Ren snarled to himself and rubbed his hand over his face. “Sorry, Brynn.”

  “It’s okay, just bring me some chocolate and I’ll forgive you. Or, oooh! Marshmallows. Are there chocolate marshmallows?”

  Acksel gave her an indulgent smile. “Sweetheart.”

  “Sorry, sorry,” she said. “Back to the issue at hand. I didn’t know that Payler had a pack.”

  “They don’t as far as I know,” Dade said.

  “I thought that packs didn’t like females as lone rulers anyway,” Brynn said. “What with your enormous male egos and everything.”

  Ren couldn’t help but smile. Brynn always spoke her mind, and she took every opportunity to point out the flaws in pack politics and hierarchy whenever she could.

  “It’s not normal,” Ren said, “but it’s not unheard of. It really depends on the pack members. But for sure, there’s no pack in Payler, or we would have heard of it.”

  “What do you think?” Acksel said, leaning back and putting his arm around Brynn’s shoulders.

  “We should meet her in neutral territory and feel her out,” Sam said. “It could be something as simple as her introducing her pack to us since we’re nearby.”

  Ren shook his head. “I don’t think she’s just being neighborly.”

  “What makes you say that?” Dade asked.

  “I don’t know. Gut feeling.”

  Once upon a time, what felt like a hundred years to him after being with Kismet, he and Stef had been together. Not in a mate sort of way. He’d never taken her out anywhere, and she’d never asked him to. As far as he could recall, she’d never even said goodbye when she moved away, she’d just been gone, and he’d found someone else to help sate his full moon urges. He could honestly say he’d never given her another thought.

  He didn’t really want to deal with this right now. Kismet was still at Rich’s waiting for him to come back, or waiting at home, all naked and ready for him. Which made the prospect of meeting a pack with a former lover at the helm about as enticing as a root canal without Novocain.

  “There’s a park about fifteen minutes from here,” Felix said, “in Worchall. It’s good and neutral, no shifters in the area.”

  “That works,” Acksel said.

  “I suppose I can’t go,” Brynn said.

  “Hell no,” Acksel said with a snarl as he began to type on his cell.

  “Language!” she said sharply.

  Acksel stifled a sigh that ended on a growl. “Sorry. You’re human and pregnant. It’s out of the question to take you into a situation like this. Until we know what Stef and her pack want, you’re staying safe and sound at home.”

  “Let’s bring Lucian along,” Sam said.

  “Yeah,” Acksel said, “and have Malachi come hang out here with Zander and Caleb.”

  “I don’t need another babysitter,” Brynn said.

  “He can bring Nila and Jack,” Dade said.

  “Don’t try to sway me with a baby,” Brynn said, smiling at her father-in-law.

  Acksel looked at Ren. “You ready for this?”

  “Yeah. See what Stef wants and then tell her to go…take a hike.”

  “That’s better,” Brynn said. “See? It’s not so hard not to curse around me. You guys are worse than sailors.”

  “I said we’d meet them in twenty,” Acksel said, kissing Brynn and rising to his feet.

  “I’ll drive,” Sam said. “Lucian said he’d meet us there.”

  Ren sent a quick text to Kismet to let her know he would be home as soon as possible.

  Is everything okay? she texted.

  Yeah, just going for a meeting with a new pack outside of town.

  Um, okay?

  He chuckled. It’s nothing serious. A pack alpha has taken residence in a town near us and wants a meet and greet. Shouldn’t take long.

  As long as you’re safe.

  Always. Are you still at Doc’s?

  Nope. Home. In bed. Maybe without clothes.

  He cursed inwardly, his wolf pushing for him to abandon his alpha and immediately head home. You’re evil, sweetheart.

  And waiting for you.

  I’ll be there as soon as I can.

  I’ll find a way to keep myself busy.

  She ended her text with a winking face, and he imagined her doing wicked, amazing things to herself while she waited. He silently urged Sam to drive faster. Whatever the hell Stef and her pack wanted, he didn’t give a damn. His whole world revolved around his sexy fairy, and nothing would ever change that.

  * * *

  Worchall was a town that Ren’s grandparents would have called a “whistle stop.” It had one traffic light on main street and a few businesses. Like Dorlan, it was a low-income area filled with large, family-owned farms and not much else. His mind drifted between the task at hand and Kismet home alone and thinking wicked things.

  Acksel turned in the passenger seat. “I know you and Kismet are planning to try out both places, but do you think you’ll stay in Wilde Creek? I’ve gotten used to having you as my beta.”

  “After meeting with her mom and brother today, I think she’s pretty much decided we can stay here, but she’ll keep her house in her realm so we have a place to stay when we go there.”

  “I’m glad to hear it,” Acksel said. “Are you going to the weddings tomorrow?”

  “Yep.”

  “Mia’s hosting the bachelorette party in the back room at Poke’s, if Kismet would like to come,” Sam said.

  “Are the guys doing anything?” Ren asked.

  “Hunting party capped off with a beef and brew at our place,” Acksel said.

  “What is a ‘beef and brew?’” Ren asked.

  “Burgers and beer,” Acksel said. “Brynn said that’s what her father calls cookouts.”

  “I’m taking Kismet out to dinner tonight, so we’ll pass, but send our regrets.”

  “You bet,” Acksel said. “How long are you going to wait to marry Kismet? Do fairies have wedding traditions?”

  “Her dad insinuated it would be a good idea if I asked him first and then asked Kismet, so I was thinking of doing that when we’re there next week.”

  “That sounds like a good plan. Always best to be on the in-laws’ good side,” Acksel said.

  Sam stopped the SUV. Ren looked out the window and saw Lucian in his truck. They all got out of the vehicles, and the moment Ren was out in the open, he scented other wolves and searched the area, finding Stef and two males with her.

  “I…don’t fucking believe it,” he said under his breath.

  “What?” Acksel asked.

  “That guy with Stef is Tanner, the one who lost his finger to Jack during the Dorlan battle.”

  “Holy shit,” Acksel said. “It’s a good thing Mal’s not here, he’d already be over there pounding his face in.”

  Lucian’s eyes glowed red and he growled low. “There are others nearby. I count four more males.”

  Acksel nodded and cracked his knuckles. “Let’s make this quick and find out what the hell she wants.”

  Ren and Sam flanked Acksel with Lucian bringing up the rear. It didn’t matter to Ren that they had less people with them than Stef, because Lucian was a fierce male and a monster in his berserker form. She could have brought fifty with her, and it
still wouldn’t have been a fair fight with Lucian on their side.

  Their group stopped a few feet from the picnic table where Stef sat. The males stood behind her, arms folded. She rose slowly and smiled at Ren.

  “Thank you for meeting us, Alpha Acksel.” She spoke to Acksel but stared right at Ren.

  Her voice was syrupy sweet and made Ren’s hackles rise. His wolf was not interested in anyone making googly eyes at him but Kismet.

  “Stef,” Acksel said. “You can call in your other wolves.”

  She blinked rapidly, her smile slipping for a moment. “What?”

  “The four that you have hanging out in the area. I’m aware of them, and I don’t appreciate the deception.”

  “I just didn’t want it to look like we were trying for a show of strength.” She made a motion and the four joined them. “Please sit.”

  Acksel sat across from her, but no one else did. “What did you want to meet about?”

  Her gaze flicked from Acksel to Ren. “I’ll cut to the chase. I’ve recently taken over Payler as my pack’s territory, and I’m looking for an alpha male to lead with me.”

  “I know you’re not here for me,” Acksel said.

  “No,” she said, looking fully at Ren. “I’m here for Ren.”

  He barely held back the snort of derision. “I’m mated, Stef. And even if I wasn’t, I’m beta in the Wilde Creek Pack and very happy where I am. I have no desire to change the circumstances of my life, so you came here for nothing.”

  “In high school, you wanted to be alpha someday.”

  “People change.”

  “No, they don’t,” she said with a derisive sniff. “In accordance with pack laws, I’m asking you to reconsider leaving your pack and joining mine. I can make you happier than your mate. I know what you like.”

  Ren’s wolf pushed at his skin, wanting to shift and defend Kismet’s honor. “You don’t know me at all, but it doesn’t matter one way or the other. There is no pack law that separates truemates. And even if there were, my answer is a hard and resounding no to everything you’re offering.”

  She opened her mouth, but Acksel growled and slammed his fist into the picnic table. The wood cracked with the blow and Stef jerked back, her eyes wide.

  Acksel rose to his feet, towering over her. “You asked and you were answered. Take heed of this warning, she-wolf. You might consider yourself an alpha because you found some wolves foolish enough to follow you, but that doesn’t make you an alpha. You’re not welcome in Wilde Creek. Do not step foot in my town or contact any of my pack members, or you will suffer my full wrath.”

  Her face flushed brightly with fury, her eyes flashing with her beast. Her jaw ticked as she ground her teeth together, and the wolves with her tensed, but no one moved.

  “Do you understand?” Acksel asked, his voice tipping to a growl at the end.

  “Yes,” she said, hissing the word. Her upper lip was curled and her fangs appeared.

  With a dismissive snarl, Acksel walked away and their pack followed, returning to the parking lot.

  Acksel stared at Stef and her wolves, who hadn’t moved from the picnic table. “Told you it was because of you.”

  “This is the fucking strangest thing that’s ever happened to me,” Ren said.

  “Females,” Sam said with a snort. “I’d bet a thousand dollars that something happened to her mate and the wolves with her won’t let her be alpha without a male at her side.”

  Lucian looked at Acksel. “If something happened to you, Brynn would have to step down, right?”

  “Yeah, the laws for our pack are very clear. A male must rule,” Acksel said.

  Ren was the last to get into the SUV. He stared at the small group gathered around Stef. He hoped it was the fucking last time he ever saw her face, but just in case, he would be very vigilant and make sure Kismet was safe.

  He got into the SUV and shut the door.

  “You handle setting up a schedule,” Acksel said to Sam.

  “For what?” Ren asked.

  “We’re going to increase patrols for a while,” Acksel said. “Just to be safe.”

  “I was thinking the same thing,” Ren said.

  “I don’t know if she’s desperate enough to try to come at you again, but if so it’s better to be prepared than blindsided,” Sam said.

  “Too many of our females have been hurt by others,” Ren said. “I don’t want anyone else to get hurt, and not just because I have a mate now myself.”

  “It’s understandable,” Acksel said. “Our perspectives change when we find our mates and start our families. I think it’s how it’s supposed to be.”

  “Man, I need to find my mate,” Sam said.

  “You will,” Ren said. “When the time is right.”

  “I wish it would hella happen soon.”

  Chapter 10

  Kismet borrowed a pregnancy test from Rich’s office. She couldn’t believe she’d never known that the mating oil promoted pregnancy. It had never occurred to her that they were anything but for ceremonial purposes. If it was true that she was pregnant, she’d only been with her mate for a week and already they were starting a family.

  She used the bathroom in one of the patient rooms and placed the cap on the test, setting it on the counter and washing her hands. She stared at herself in the mirror. Her eyes seemed a little brighter green than they had that morning, but maybe she was just looking for signs and imagining things.

  Glancing down, she looked at the test and saw the word “pregnant” in the little window. She stared at the word until it blurred, and her eyes stung with tears. Very happy tears.

  She picked up the test and walked out of the bathroom, smiling when she saw her mom and Noah standing in the patient room waiting for her.

  “I’m right, right?” her mom asked.

  “Yes! I’m pregnant!”

  Her mom enveloped her in a hug and Noah joined in, squeezing the two of them together. “I’m going to be the best uncle ever. Oh, wait. Does Ren have brothers or sisters?”

  “Nope.”

  “Awesome. Number One Uncle.” Noah pumped his fist in the air. He kissed her forehead. “Feel free to name him after me.”

  She laughed. “I have to tell Ren, first. We can’t go naming the baby yet.”

  “I’m so happy for you,” her mother said.

  “Don’t tell anyone until I tell Ren,” Kismet said.

  “Of course,” her mother said. “Your father will be happy for you, too, I’m sure.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” She hugged her mother and brother, then found Rich and thanked him for the test. She portaled to Ren’s home just as he sent a text to her.

  She didn’t know how long he’d be, but she couldn’t wait to share the news with him. Since she’d teased him by text that she might be naked when he came home, she decided to dress up the master bedroom with some pretty flowers first.

  After grabbing her thin shears from her bag, she walked out onto the back patio and toed off her shoes, walking out onto the sun-warmed grass and reaching out with her powers to see what flowers were dormant underground. As she walked the yard, she found patches of lilies, varieties of roses, and even the roots of an old lilac bush. She gently brought the ancient plants to life and used the shears to snip blooms of pinks, purples, and blues. She sent the plants back to slumber deep in the ground and carried her trimmings into the house.

  She searched through the cabinets in the kitchen and wasn’t really surprised that Ren didn’t have any vases, although she’d been hoping he might have one stashed somewhere. She improvised and used glasses to set up bouquets on the dresser and nightstands, then pulled the petals from several roses and scattered them over the bed.

  “Now that’s romantic,” she said to herself.

  She got a text from Ren that he was on the way home, and she stripped quickly and climbed onto the bed, trying out several poses before she stretched out across the bed and rested her head on her upturned palm. She fiddled
with a rose petal, wondering how to tell Ren the news. He would walk in and see her naked, and not think she had anything to say to him but get naked. As she contemplated at least putting her bra and panties back on, the front door unlocked and creaked as it swung open.

  Her heart leaped into her throat and her body heated. It was too late to put anything on, but suddenly she didn’t care. She was anxious to see her mate and see where the day took them.

  But the person who appeared in the doorway was not Ren.

  * * *

  Ren pulled into the driveway with a frown. There was an unfamiliar vehicle in the driveway, and the front door was open. His wolf snarled in worry.

  Had Stef come to his home to harm Kismet?

  His fangs elongated so fast they cut his gums as he bolted from his truck. Kismet screamed, and his vision hazed with red as his wolf clambered in his mind. Tearing into the house, he grabbed the female in the bedroom doorway and swung her away, slamming her into the wall.

  She screamed in pain and terror, and it took a moment before Ren realized it wasn’t Stef, but Wendy, one of the females who regularly cleaned his home.

  “Shit, I’m sorry, Wendy,” he said, easing away from her. “Do you want me to call Rich? Did I hurt you?”

  Wendy inhaled shakily and moved away from him. She was bleeding from a cut on her lip and her eyes were wide with fright.

  He leaned back and looked in the bedroom. Kismet hastily wrapped herself up in a blanket from the bed and flower petals flew in the air.

  “Sweetheart?”

  “She scared me. Well, I think we scared each other. I thought it was you. Who is she?”

  “She’s Wendy, one of the omegas who cleans houses for the high-ranked males. I forgot she usually comes on Fridays.” He looked at the trembling girl. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m f-fine, Ren,” she said. She touched her lip gingerly and winced. “Or not. I’m sure it’s okay. If it’s all right with you, I’ll just do my job and get on my way.”

  Kismet, wrapped up in a blanket, came to the doorway. Ren couldn’t read the look on her face, but she wasn’t happy.