Lexy coughed, almost choking on her food. She looked over at Mace who seemed to be boring a hole through Damen. Lexy looked over to Damen who was smiling because he had proven his point to her. Lexy narrowed her eyes at Damen then looked around the room as everyone waited to hear her answer.
“Sure, Declan. I will go out with you Friday night.” Lexy didn’t look back up but stuck a fork filled with food into her mouth.
Mace growled then scooted his chair back, throwing his napkin on the table. “I’ve got to go back to work.” Mace walked through the door to the kitchen, growling as he went.
Lexy watched as he walked away from the table. She could hear his truck roar to life then speed down the driveway. Lexy looked over at Adrianna, who was frowning at her. She wished she had never agreed to this. She didn’t want to piss Adrianna off. So Lexy put her fork down and excused herself from the table and stayed in the kitchen washing the pots she had used, trying to waste time so the tension could clear outside. A few minutes later Adrianna walked into the kitchen, sat on a barstool, and watched Lexy wipe down the countertops.
“Lexy?”
Lexy turned around and faced Adrianna and she could see the fear in Lexy’s eyes.
“I’m not mad at you.” Adrianna could see the tension in her shoulders fall. Adrianna walked over and took her hand in hers. “I just don’t want you to get hurt. Let me just say that I love, Declan, but he is very experienced with women. So if you would rather not go out with him Friday, I know he will understand. I know he kinda put you on the spot and it had to be nerve-wracking with everyone watching you. I just don’t want you to think we will get mad at you for going or not going.”
“Thanks, Adrianna. I don’t really know what to do. I’ve never been on a date so I thought that maybe this would be fun, and I know Declan and Damen set this up so if he wants to back out then I understand, too, and I won’t be mad.”
Adrianna gasped. “You listen here, Lexy Redden. You are a beautiful woman and he would be honored to take you out. You are so pretty and you don’t even know it, do you?” Lexy blushed, looking down at her fingers as Adrianna grabbed her hands again making Lexy look up to her. “Lexy Redden, you go and have fun and meet the pack. You will like a lot of them and you are among family so don’t worry about what Mace or anybody else thinks. You don’t know how strong you really are.” Lexy smiled at Adrianna.
“Thank you, Adrianna. You don’t know what all of you mean to me. I want to be accepted here and make my way into this new life.” Her voice sounded stronger now that Adrianna reminded her that she had a pack family. “You know what? I think I will go with Declan so I can meet more people.”
Adrianna smiled at Lexy, giving her the assurance she needed to go forward with her life. She knew that Mace was fighting the mating pull and so was Lexy, but between her and Damen, they should be able to get them together.
Adrianna shook her head on her way out.
***
Mace pulled over to the side of the road trying to stop his wolf from jumping out of his skin. Mace could feel his claws scraping on the inside of his body. His wolf wanted Lexy and wanted her now. Mace’s entire body stiffened. Mace closed his eyes, breathing in and out of his mouth. He opened his eyes then put his truck in drive. He didn’t know where to go, but he needed to work on his magic and work off some of this stress. Mace’s mother, Olivia McDonald, was a werewolf and a witch. Mace received some of her magical talents. He wasn’t as good as his sister, but Selena told him that if he kept practicing then he would get better. Magic can be passed down from one generation to the next and Mace had a lot in him.
Mace drove toward town in order to find Selena. Mace rolled down the window trying to clear the thought of Lexy with Declan. The more he thought about it the angrier he became.
Pulling up to the hotel where the Supreme Alpha and Selena made their home, Mace walked up the stairs and the hackles on his neck went up. He looked behind him then scanned the area for what was out there. He continued to look around when the front door opened and Felix Ross stood smiling at Mace.
“Just the man I wanted to see.” Felix laughed as Mace smiled back at him.
“Good, then you can buy me a beer, old man,” Mace added. Felix stepped back inside as Mace walked into the living room area. As soon as Mace looked behind Felix, the hair on top of his arms started to tingle. Mace could feel the magic bristling off the stranger and he didn’t want to seem rude, but the man gave him the creeps. He had long blonde hair that was pulled back in a ponytail. He never smiled as he watched the interaction between him and Felix.
“When did you get back into town?” Mace asked Felix.
“Just today. Mace, I want to introduce you to Malcolm Holliday. He is on the Twisters Council and will be staying here for a month. We were going to come out to see you to let you know that Malcolm was renting the mansion on Ashton Street. His wife is coming in today to get the house set up, but we wanted to let you know that he would be here,” Felix said.
Mace didn’t smile as he looked over at Malcolm who was looking at him in disgust.
“That’s fine, Felix, just give Damen a call so he can do the usual background on him and his family.” Mace knew that would get a reaction out of the blonde-haired wizard. He wanted a fight and prayed this would be the one.
“That is absurd, Felix. Does he not know who I am and that I’m part of the Twisters Council. I don’t do background checks, especially for a wolf.” Malcolm threw his hands in the air at Mace, showing him that he was beneath him and his kind.
Mace laughed but Felix knew that is wasn’t a laugh in regards to something that was funny. He knew that he needed to shut Malcolm up before Mace bit a hunk out of him. Felix could feel the magic coming off Mace when he walked in the hotel.
Mace’s anger increased, his temper rising higher and higher, waiting for just the right remark to jump. “Well then, Mr. Holliday, you can pick your shit up and get out of my town then. Because whoever you think you are—doesn’t mean shit to me. You will have a background check done or get the fuck out of my town, and yes, it is a town that is run by wolves, so decide,” growled Mace.
Malcolm was taken aback at the power of Mace’s magic bristling off him as he spoke. Selena walked in the room as Mace instructed Malcolm to get out of his town or complete the background check. Felix got in the middle of Mace and Malcolm, trying to calm them both down.
“Well, Malcolm, you are only here for a couple of hours and you are already stirring up trouble. You are not in Flexington where you rule. You are in Ashland, and here the Ashland Pack and their Alpha rule it, and the Alpha is Mace. I guess you didn’t know that Mace is the Trinity’s brother. So either agree or leave.”
Malcolm couldn’t believe his ears as he was being told by this animal that he would obey his rules or leave.
“Malcolm will agree to the background check, Mace. Just like I did and everyone else who moves into this town. Won’t you, Malcolm?” Felix looked at Malcolm, narrowing his eyes waiting for him to answer. Felix hoped Malcolm would be stupid and refuse so he could watch Mace take a big bite out of his ass. Whatever Malcolm thought, he was no match for a werewolf and one with magic like Mace’s.
Mace could tell the man was up to something, but he knew he would agree or he would have to leave the town. Everyone watched as Malcolm knew he was not in a battle he could win so he did the only thing he could and that was to give in.
“Of course, Felix. I only want to get along. Do your little background check. I have nothing to hide,” said Malcolm.
Mace knew that was a lie. He nodded his head then turned his back on the wizard and walked out of the room, knowing that turning his back was a sign of disrespect and he knew it would piss the wizard off. Selena looked at Malcolm then turned to follow Mace. Felix turned around and glared at Malcolm.
“Malcolm, you sure know how to make friends.” Felix huffed out a frustrated breath. He turned and walked out the front door, leaving Malcolm standing in th
e living room.
Malcolm followed Felix out the door, shaking, because the wolf had turned his back on him, disrespecting him. Soon, Felix, they will be our slaves, Malcolm thought.
Chapter Eleven
Mace walked outside, sitting down at the picnic table, thinking about Malcolm Holliday. Looking down at the table, Mace heard Selena approach him. “What is it about that man? Something doesn’t feel right about his magic.”
Selena sat across from Mace. “Your instincts are correct, Mace. Malcolm can’t be trusted.”
Mace looked up at Selena, intrigued by her comment.
“Tell me about him,” Mace asked. Selena smiled then looked at Mace as she explained the life of Malcolm Holliday.
“Well, Malcolm is a powerful wizard. He comes from money and is on the Twisters Council. He was the youngest wizard to be on the council. But for all his wealth and accomplishments, there exists evil in him. I can’t prove it, but I know he practices black magic. I can feel it on him. It’s slimy and dark,” Selena explained.
“He reeks of it,” Mace muttered and Selena smiled at his comment.
“Yes he does, Mace, but he is also a bigot. He believes all wolves and vampires should be slaves to the magical community. He has followers, too. I believe he is up to something. He is here for a reason, and it’s not to see where the Twisters Council is going to be housed. Afton has put people to watch him,” said Selena. "Lexy, when she was here earlier, got extremely upset when she saw him."
Mace stilled. He finally got the answer why Lexy was so upset earlier. Now he would need to investigate to know the reasons. If Malcolm hurt her... Mace knew that he, too, would put wolves out there to watch him closely.
“Adrianna will need to meet him. But I know my sister and she will hate him.” Mace and Selena both shared a knowing smile regarding Adrianna, how she loved everyone, no matter if they were a wolf, vampire, or a dog. She had so much love in her that she glowed with it. But she was a pregnant woman and her motherhood instincts were high right now. If she decided to protect someone, they were both sure she would fight dirty.
“I can feel your discontent, Mace. You are edgy and you don’t know what to do or where to go. I can feel it, sweetie. Tell me what is wrong?” Mace jerked his head up, staring at Selena. He brought his hands up, placing his head in them. Selena loved Mace like her own son. She got up and sat beside him. Selena leaned her head on his arm.
“Mace! I can feel your pain, but I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what is wrong.”
Mace kept his head down as he talked to Selena. “I don’t understand these feelings that I feel. I feel out of control all the time except when I’m with...” Mace didn’t finish his sentence.
“Lexy,” said Selena. Mace looked up at her and she saw the pain written on his face.
“How did you know that?” asked Mace. Selena smiled then rubbed her check against his check. It was a sign of affection among wolves. It showed Mace that Selena cared about him.
Selena smiled as she tapped the side of her head with her finger. “Of course I know, Mace. I spoke with Adrianna and she told me about Lexy and her family. I know how I felt when I first met Afton. I thought I couldn’t stand him.” The expression on his face was of shock. Selena smiled. “But you see, Mace, I did love him the instant I met him. It felt like pure hell. I couldn’t think straight and all I wanted was him. And that pissed me off so much.” Selena giggled. “He wanted me from the get-go and it pissed him off because I acted like I didn’t want him. We would argue and argue about everything. We fought the mating pull until the bitter end.”
“You fought the mating pull?” asked Mace surprised.
Selena looked up in Mace’s eyes. “The same reason you and Lexy are fighting the pull.”
Mace jumped up from the table, shaking his head. “No, Selena. You are wrong. Lexy isn’t my mate. I don’t want her as a mate.” Mace was so wrapped up talking to Selena that he didn’t see Adrianna and Lexy standing at the end of the yard. Mace turned when he heard the gasp from Lexy. It was as if time had stopped when he saw the pain on Lexy’s face.
Lexy turned and looked at Adrianna. “Adrianna, I will go to town now and get those items. I’ll come back and get you when I’m done. If you don’t mind?” Lexy whispered. Her face had already turned to stone. No emotion showed,
Adrianna could feel her pain, but she was pulling back inside herself so nobody could see how Mace’s words had hurt her.
“Sure, Lexy.” Adrianna put her hand on Lexy’s shoulder as she spoke to her, “I can catch a ride back with someone else. Just go ahead and go home after you have finished. You have had a big day. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Lexy never even looked back at Mace and Selena. She turned around and left without another word.
Adrianna looked back at Mace, who was standing with his mouth open, knowing he had hurt Lexy with his comment. She knew Mace didn’t mean it, but he couldn’t take back the words now. Lexy wouldn’t believe him.
Mace closed his mouth then looked down at the ground. Shit!
***
Lexy walked back to the car grumbling to herself. You got that right, buster, we’re not mates. I wouldn’t be your mate for anything. You jerk. Before Lexy opened the car door, the hairs on her neck sprang forth so she stopped and looked around. She knew someone was watching her as she looked behind her and across the street. Her shoulders slumped as she looked back at the car. She climbed into the car and drove to town to mail the items for Adrianna. Lexy started the car and left.
***
He watched as Lexy turned around looking toward the woods. Her hair blew in the wind as she listened for any movement. She was more beautiful than he remembered. Her curly hair was longer now. He ached to touch her hair and whisper her name on the wind. Soon, Lexy, you will hear me and allow me to touch you. He gloated at the fact that nobody could see him. He was well hidden and with a little magic, he was invisible. He watched as Lexy rubbed the back of her neck where the hair had risen. He laughed knowing he would have her soon.
***
Adrianna turned around and faced her brother, who had bowed his head as he sat down on the swing defeated. Adrianna sighed then went and sat by him while Selena patted her on the shoulder and walked back into the house, allowing the two siblings to talk. Mace didn’t saying anything, as his sister pushed them off so the swing would move back and forth.
“Hey, big brother,” Adrianna commented as Mace continued to stare out into the woods.
“She will forgive you,” Adrianna informed Mace.
“She drives me crazy, Adrianna. I can’t think about anything but her for more than a few minutes. All I see is her. This isn’t how it’s supposed to feel, is it?”
Adrianna smiled then laid her head on her brother’s shoulder.
“You know I felt the same way as you did when I met Samson, and even when Cade came to the Resort. I didn’t want them, either of them. I fought the desire I felt for them and I sure didn’t want a mate, so I told them and you that they were not my mates. But, Mace, I couldn’t fool myself too long. The mating pull became too much to bear. It can make you do stupid things, Mace. You saw that for yourself when I almost killed everyone. Don’t wait too much longer for both of your sakes.” Adrianna and Mace sat in the swing without saying another word. "Why are you fighting the mating pull so much? I don’t think your wolf is happy right now either. You need to really think about this." Adrianna walked away, leaving Mace with his thoughts.
Mace needed to talk to Selena about the visions. He walked back into the hotel searching for her. He found her sitting in her office looking at a spell book. “Selena?”
Selena looked up, “Sit down, Mace.” Selena pointed to the chair across from her.
“Are you ready to tell me what is on your mind?” Selena asked.
“Yeah, I don’t know if it's just stress or if something is really going on and these are visions.”
“You are having visions?” Mace blew out his breath when Sel
ena asked harshly.
“Yes. It always happens when I’m with Lexy and also my new Beta Reece. I had one with Lexy and she was scared and walking toward another man with blond hair. Then I had one with Reece and he was holding Lexy up in his arms carrying her. She looked like she was passed out. I’ve only had two and no more.”
Selena listened to Mace explain his visions. “Well I told you before that your powers would happen when the time was right. I can only assume these are things that are going to happen in the future. What is weird is that they only happen when you are with Lexy and Reece. Just watch out for Lexy because it seems to be with her. Listen, Mace, I wish there was a book I could give you that would show what your powers will be, but I can’t predict that and this is a good thing. I’ve never heard of an Alpha having visions, so again, like your sister, you are special. Don’t fear this, just accept it, and use it to your advantage. It seems to be showing you something really important.”
Mace felt better after he spoke with Selena, but he didn’t have the answers he needed to why it only happens around them two.
Chapter Twelve
The days seemed to fly by as Lexy worked for Adrianna. It was Friday and she had already learned so much about the Trinity and her people. She loved working with the kids more than anything. It didn’t matter to Lexy if they were wolves, vampires, or witches. She loved them all as she spoke to some of the kids who had come to Adrianna’s house with their parents. Lexy started to feel more comfortable here, it felt more like home.
“So, Lexy, how do you like it so far?” Adrianna asked.
“I love it, Adrianna. You have been a great boss and I really love it. I can’t say enough about how kind you and the pack have been to me.”
Adrianna smiled, she could see the excitement on Lexy’s face. “Great. I’m happy for you. We like you, too, Lexy, and I couldn’t be happier with how well you have helped me and the guys at work. As I get further into this pregnancy, I will need you more and more. So I hope you are up for it.”
Bryce Evans Page 12
