by Bethany Shaw
“What about school? What about Sarah?” Preston asked, slamming his fist on the table, rattling the plates and cups.
At this, Adrian jumped, his arms flailing out. He sniffled a few times before his head dropped back to Natalia’s shoulder, silently going back to sleep.
“I know that you have your future planned out Preston, but this will help you gain the future you desire. I need someone who I can trust completely with this mission. I know this will separate you and Sarah—and, for that, I am sorry—but this is for her benefit too. Tell him what you told us last night,” Gene said to Natalia.
The she-wolf licked her lips as she shifted Adrian in her lap. Sighing, she met the young man’s eyes. “They could use her as a breeder too. It is possible for an alpha and a human to create a alpha child.”
“Why have we never heard of this before?” Preston argued, his gaze drifting to his brothers.
“Most alpha males take on an alpha female as a mate. Genetically speaking, though, I don’t see why it isn’t possible,” Devon explained. “The werewolf gene is dominant. The alpha gene would be too.”
“What about Mom and Emmett though?” Vincent asked. “She’s an alpha, Daniel isn’t.”
“It comes down to dominant and recessive genes. It’s possible for it to happen, that doesn’t mean that every child will be an alpha,” Devon explained. “I think—from what research I’ve done—the alpha gene is passed from father to son and father to daughter. The only way to guarantee, an alpha child is for an alpha male and alpha female to mate. However, an alpha male can still father an alpha child with any woman, werewolf or not.”
“So only a male werewolf can give the alpha gene?” Natalia asked. “A human male and werewolf female would just create a wolf?”
Devon exhaled, tapping his fingers on the table. “I’d have to do more research, but from what I understand, yes. Only the alpha male can pass down the alpha gene.”
Gene gave his brother a pointed look. “That’s why he went after Lark and Sarah a month ago. They can produce an alpha. And even if they don’t, they would still be producing werewolves—potentially female wolves. Our numbers are dangerously low compared to what they were a few centuries ago. Until more female wolves are born, this could become a trend amongst the packs. As a species, we are at the brink of extinction. When people get desperate they will do crazy things.”
“I don’t like this,” Preston murmured as he sagged back into his chair.
“I know. That is why we need to do this—to protect Sarah.” Gene placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder.
“Sarah can stay with Lark and me while Gene is away. Lark isn’t going to let anything happen to her little sister. She is the only family she has left,” Devon assured. “And you have my word that I won’t let anything happen to either of them.”
“So, you and Lark can totally make some mini alphas. Won’t that be cute?” Vincent teased. He clapped Devon on the shoulder, causing his brother to shrug away from him.
“I still don’t understand what you want from me?” Natalia growled. If he tried to make her leave her son, she would find a way to escape. Venturing on her own was better than abandoning her son.
“There is a cluster of packs up East. They live on the outskirts of New York City, and are very modern—I can’t imagine they would want anything to do with Juarez’s plans. You, Adrian, and myself will go there to speak with them. My father went to school up there with one of the alphas, and my maternal uncle is also a member of the pack. I have spent a lot of time up there over the years and am close to him,” Gene paused to look around the table. “I thought it would be more moving for them to hear a firsthand account of the atrocities Fernando Juarez is capable of. If you refuse, I will go alone, but hearing from a victim will be most powerful.”
Natalia shuddered. She didn’t want to be around even more werewolves.
“If it makes you feel better, you’ll probably be safer there than here,” Devon offered. “These wolves are very independent. Their females lead their own lives, and some even attend NYU. You would be in no danger of them taking your rights away, and you would be far away from Juarez and his men.”
“Believe me, Natalia, I wouldn’t offer to take you and Adrian there if I didn’t believe it was safe. No harm will come to either of you. In fact—if you like it there, and wish to stay—I would not stop you,” Gene said.
“I will think on it,” Natalia replied. She ran her hand up and down Adrian’s back, silently contemplating what she should do. If anything, this could be her chance to escape. She’d never been to New York, but she understood it was a huge city. Perhaps she could sneak away. She could take Adrian and board a plane—they could even go overseas. Juarez’s power stretched far and wide, but she doubted he would find her in Europe.
“Of course. I will need an answer by this evening. I will be purchasing airline tickets after I finalize the details of our trip with them,” Gene said.
***
Fernando Juarez smirked as his cell phone buzzed, vibrating against the wooden grains of his desk. Picking up the phone, he hit the green button to accept the call. “Maddie,” he answered.
“I cannot talk long,” the young girl said in a hushed whisper.
“Of course not, my dear. Is everything okay?” He asked, rolling his eyes up to the ceiling.
“You said…you said no one would get hurt,” Maddie stuttered.
“Are you referring to the men I sent? No one was hurt, child,” Fernando responded soothingly.
“Well, no, but Natalia-“
“Natalia is my granddaughter, Maddie, we’ve talked about this. She is not well, and I not only fear for her and her infant son, but also for the well-being of the entire pack. The alphas there are young are they not?” Fernando reasoned.
“Only a little older than me.”
“They don’t understand how troubled she truly is. Natalia is mentally ill. In the past she has injured some of my men in her bouts. I would hate for any harm to befall your pack mates. My family is the most important thing to me. I only wish to help her, and they are keeping her from me,” Fernando explained.
“They had a meeting this morning. Just a few of them,” Maddie murmured.
“Do you know what it was about?” he asked, leaning forward onto his desk to get a pencil.
“No.”
“That’s fine, child. Do not put yourself in danger finding out anything, and stay away from Natalia. She is sick. The sooner we can get her medicine, the better,” Fernando said, tapping his fingers on his wooden desk. “There is another matter we should discuss. One of my grandsons has expressed interest in finding a mate. He is but a year older than you are. I think the two of you would be a good fit. I would love for the two of you to get to know each other. He is destined to be an alpha as well.”
“An alpha?” Maddie said, her voice rising with excitement.
“Indeed. You, my child, will be taken care of. Family is important to me and you, Maddie, are family. You’re helping to reunite me with Natalia and my grandson,” Fernando said. Soon he would have both of them home, safe and sound.
“I’ll find out what I can,” Maddie said quickly. “I should go, someone is coming.”
“Of course, be careful, child.”
The phone clicked as the young girl hung up. Smiling, he set his cell back on the desk. The girl was gullible, but, then again, he hadn’t been lying. Family was important to him.
***
Gene glanced at the clock on his desk again. It was nearly nine. He let out a long breath in frustration. Natalia seemed bent on defying everything he asked of her. While he understood she was scared, and felt like a prisoner here, he needed her to respect the pack hierarchy.
If he let her walk all over him, he would appear weak to the other men. While he felt confident none of the men at the ranch would challenge him, it was a risk he couldn’t take if they were going to be inviting in new members. It was already troubling enough, leaving the
pack for a few days, even if Devon was going to be there. War was on the horizon, and he needed to be here to protect his pack. At the same time, their trip was important to keeping everyone safe. He just wished everyone would be cooperative. Standing up, he walked briskly to his office door.
He moved through the manor, nodding at his men as he made his way upstairs to the guest quarters. Knocking loudly on her door, he waited with bated breath for her to answer.
Tiny cries filtered out of the room as footsteps padded toward the door.
“You never came to see me,” Gene said as Natalia’s brown eyes peered up at him.
Natalia sighed, and opened the door further. “Adrian has been fussy all evening. I did not want to bother you with his cries.”
“Is he not well?” Gene asked, staring at the baby in her arms. His eyes were rimmed with red, and crocodile tears filled them as his lip puckered.
“Babies fuss. I am sure he is fine,” she said, though he could hear the emotion in her voice as she ran a hand over his dark hair, trying to soothe him.
“I could have Devon take a look at him,” Gene offered.
Natalia shifted on her feet, absently running a hand up and down the boy’s back as he started to cry again. Gene could see the indecision on her face before she tentatively nodded.
“I’ll call him. Come on, let’s head downstairs,” Gene said, motioning for her to follow him. “I’m sure he is fine. He hasn’t been out anywhere. It is still summer, and there aren’t many bugs going around.”
“Do you know much about children?” Natalia asked as he led them to the infirmary.
Gene stopped in front of the clinic, glancing at his phone as Devon texted him back. “No, but I’m sure he is fine. Devon’s on his way.”
A small smile crept across her lips as she brushed past him into the room. “Thank you.”
“It is my job to look after everyone in my pack, Talia. That includes the two of you,” Gene assured her.
“Fernando Juarez and Emmett McKinley are the only two alphas I have been around. I can see that things are different here, but I do not need you looking out for us,” Natalia said. Licking her lips, she took a moment to glance around the room.
“It must have been hard when Fernando took you prisoner, and then being sent to Emmett on top of that must have been horrible,” he prodded hoping for information, when she didn’t answer, he continued, “I will do whatever it takes to make you comfortable here. You are a member of my pack—or Dev’s if you wish it. This can be your home, if you choose.”
Gene watched as Natalia rocked on her feet, trying to soothe Adrian. Her back faced him, leaving him clueless to her expression. Hopefully, his words somehow comforted her. Something in him was drawn to her, and he didn’t want her to leave. In fact, he wanted nothing more than to protect her. He felt compelled to ease away her fears, and keep her and Adrian safe.
“As long as Adrian is well, I will help you in New York. My son will never be safe with Juarez alive,” Natalia whispered. She turned to him, opening her mouth to say more, but clamped it shut at the sound of approaching footsteps.
“Hey,” Devon greeted as he entered the room, with Lark trailing behind him.
“Is he still fussy?” Lark asked, shutting the door.
Natalia nodded as she gently laid Adrian on the table. The baby fisted his hands, legs kicking out in protest as he began to cry. Natalia wrapped her arms around herself, her chestnut eyes glued on her son as he fussed, writhing around on the table.
“I’ll just take a look real quick.” Devon pulled out his stethoscope, listening to the baby’s chest. “He sounds good.”
They remained silent as Devon examined Adrian. Lark put an arm around Natalia, waiting silently for Devon’s assessment.
“His right ear is looking red, and the left has some fluid on it. Everything else looks and sounds good, though. I’ll call the pharmacy tomorrow to get a prescription for Amoxicillin. For tonight, you can give him some infant Tylenol,” Devon said.
“I do not have the Tylenol,” Natalia mumbled, picking her son up from the table. The infant’s wails subsided as he nestled against her shoulder.
“I think Claire bought some. I saw it in the kitchen in one of the cupboards,” Lark said. “I’ll go get it.”
Gene watched as Lark exited the room, and headed down the hall toward the kitchen. “I’ll postpone the trip a few days. Dev can have another look at him before we leave. Is that okay?”
“As long as Adrian is well, and it’s safe for him to travel,” Natalia said. She placed a kiss to her son’s head, hugging him close.
“As long as his ear is cleared up, the flight shouldn’t bother him anymore than it would you or me,” Devon said as he put his tools back into the bag.
“Of course. I’ll make the arrangements. Let’s say two days from now?” Gene questioned.
“Okay,” Natalia replied.
“One more thing, Talia. I want to work with you on your transformations.”
Natalia scoffed. “I do not need your help.”
“Then everything should go quickly,” Gene commented. If they were to go away, then he needed to be sure she was in prime condition. “We’ll meet tomorrow night at nine.”
Chapter Five
There was a soft knock at the door. Natalia turned, glancing at the alarm clock. 8:55. Apparently, Gene was intent on making sure she kept their meeting at nine tonight.
Grumbling under her breath, she opened the door. Gene’s chocolate eyes met hers, and she saw tufts of blonde ponytail behind him. Of course, he’d brought Lark with him. There was no way she could back out of this meeting, she thought.
“I was hoping we could go for a walk,” Gene said.
“Hi,” Lark mumbled sheepishly as she peaked around Gene.
“Adrian is still sick,” Natalia stalled.
“Lark is going to watch after him. We will only be gone for a few minutes, I promise. Besides, I thought you would feel more comfortable going to New York with me if we were better acquainted,” Gene explained. Crossing his arms over his chest, he leaned against the doorframe.
“We can’t just talk here?” Natalia questioned as she balled her fists at her sides.
“No! We are going for a walk,” Gene commanded.
Natalia’s brows dipped down, and her bottom lip curled.
“Please,” Gene added, his voice dipping low. “We’ll be back before you know it.”
Natalia flicked her gaze to Lark. The blonde’s bottom lip was tucked between her teeth, and she shifted back and forth on her feet. Lark’s blue eyes met hers as she gave her a weak smile.
Grinding her teeth together, Natalia huffed, annoyed. The alpha may have been leaning against the wall casually, but she could tell that he had no intentions of moving until he got his way. But, despite her rebelliousness, she felt pulled toward him—something in her wanted to follow this alpha. That thought terrified her.
“Fine! You have ten minutes, and that is it!”
***
The chirping of crickets filled the night air as Natalia followed Gene along the dark dirt path.
She wasn’t sure where he was taking her, but felt every nerve in her body stand on end. Her stomach rolled with nausea at the thought of being completely alone with him. Perhaps he’d planned this on purpose.
A shiver coursed through her as she realized what he could do to her out here. Bile rising in her throat, she thought of turning and running away, only realizing there wasn’t anywhere for her to go. What if he was just as bad as Juarez? What if he’d brought her up here to force her to be his mate? Gasping, she bit her trembling lip trying to decide what she should do. Lark only ever told her good things about Gene. What if she was wrong?
“Everything okay?” Gene asked.
Natalia stumbled, tripping over a tree branch and falling into Gene. Gene grasped her arm, steadying her. His partially-shifted golden eyes glistened, staring down at her. Swallowing, she looked away, flames tearing acro
ss her face, from her cheeks to the tips of her ears.
“Do you know how to do a partial shift?” he asked quietly.
Startled by his question, she frowned, glaring at him. “No.”
It was dark outside, the trees hiding any light the moon and stars might be offering. Her vision was better than most, but in the thick brush, it was doing little for her. Yanking her arm free of his grip, she turned, shuffling her feet through the dirt in a vain attempt to get away without tripping again.
“I can show you,” Gene offered, falling into step next to her.
“Why? Why would you help me? Why are we really out here?”
“It’s hard enough to learn how to shift when you have people to talk you through it. I can’t imagine teaching myself. I want to help you. We’re going away together. I think you would feel more comfortable if you’re more at ease with yourself.”
“I am fine,” Natalia insisted.
“I get that you don’t trust me, Talia, and that’s okay. I have to earn your trust, and I understand that. But I want you to know that I want to help you. If we do go to war, you need to be prepared,” Gene spoke softly as he turned, and headed down the path again.
Natalia huffed as she stalked after him. “I will teach myself, I have done fine thus far.”
“Have you? I saw you shaking after your shift the other night. That’s not normal. I think your problem is quite simple—”
“And what would my problem be?” Natalia hissed, cutting him off. There was nothing wrong with her, and she refused to let him tell her otherwise.
“You haven’t accepted the wolf as a part of you. You fight it. You’re too human,” Gene argued.
“I would rather be too human than a heartless beast like all of you!”
Gene stopped, turning to her. His eyes searched hers for a long moment. Her heart beat rapidly in her chest as she met his gaze.
“Is that how you see us?” Gene asked, his voice dipping low. His eyebrows dropped down as a frown marred his face.
Natalia let out a long sigh. “I want to go back. I have been away from Adrian long enough. He is still fussing and irritable from his ear infection.”
