by Bethany Shaw
“Yeah, any weaknesses Juarez has, we need to know about. Thank you, Preston,” Gene said sincerely. “I know this isn’t what you wanted, but you’re my brother, and I know I can count on you.”
“We have to protect our pack, Gene. I know that. Keeping Sarah safe is important to me. If this is what I have to do to ensure her safety, then I will.”
“You sound serious for someone who isn’t in a committed relationship, by our standards.” Gene leaned against the wall. Preston hadn’t made any declarations toward Sarah. If he had claimed her as a mate, then Gene wouldn’t have sent him.
Preston sighed, and was quiet for a moment. “We’re young, Gene. I know how I feel about her, but she’s human…and I wonder if she’s really ready for our life.”
Gene nodded, gripping the phone tighter. “I understand. It’s a big commitment, and she may not understand the full mating process, but there is no reason why you can’t explain it to her.”
“I know. How are things with Natalia? Did she hit you again?” Preston asked, changing the subject.
Gene chuckled. “Things are fine. We’re meeting with Clive to discuss details, and we’re also having a meeting with all the alphas in the area tomorrow.”
“That didn’t exactly answer my question, Brother,” Preston pointed out.
“Speaking of Talia, I’m actually supposed to be meeting her so we can go talk to Clive,” Gene murmured, still avoiding the question.
“Good luck. I’ll call again when I can,” Preston said.
“Be careful out there. We’ll talk soon.”
Shoving the phone into his pocket, the alpha opened his door, and strode across the hall.
Gene knocked lightly on Natalia’s door. After their kiss last night, he’d been unable to settle in for the evening. There was a natural pull to Natalia. He couldn’t quite explain it, and had never experienced it before. He’d been around alpha females who were about his age before. Whatever this was, it was different. It was exhilarating, and a temptation like no other. The need to protect her was overwhelming. The urge to claim her—mark her as his—was alluring.
He heard footsteps shuffling across the carpet—followed by the jiggling of the doorknob—before the door finally creaked open. Forcing his mind to focus on the day ahead of them, Gene shoved his hands in his jean pockets as Natalia came into view.
“I will be ready in a moment,” Natalia whispered, her eyes fixated on his black cotton tee.
She turned, and knelt over to pick Adrian up. Her dark coffee hair fell over one shoulder, her bare honeyed flesh coming into view. The red tank top she wore fit her curves perfectly, accentuating her sculpted arms. The dark jeans she wore fit her rounded bottom and sleek, long legs snugly. He envisioned, for a moment, how it would feel to have those legs wrapped firmly around his waist. He really needed to get a grip.
“Are your accommodations acceptable?” Gene asked, breaking the silence between them.
“Yes, thank you.” Natalia answered. Twirling on her heel, she marched toward the door, and brushed past him. Her intoxicating floral-sea salt scent made him groan internally. “Where are we meeting?”
“This way,” Gene said. He fell in step beside her, glancing at her sideways as she did everything she could to avoid his gaze. The more she tried to ignore their mutual attraction, the more he wanted to pursue her until she gave in. He was certain she wouldn’t be able to deny it forever.
***
“Good morning,” Ramona greeted as she ushered Gene and Natalia into the alpha’s office.
Natalia looked around the blue room as she padded across the dark hardwood floor. Light filtered in through the curtains, making the room a little less dreary.
“Please have a seat,” Clive said. He smiled as he sank down into the leather chair that was situated behind his cherry desk.
Natalia glanced at Gene, who was settling in to the brown leather couch, before opting to join him on the opposite side. The soft couch practically sucked her in. Her right side slumped down into the arm pad as she tried to situate herself.
Clive cleared his throat, looking first at Gene, then moving his gaze to Natalia. “Before your arrival, I asked for volunteers to return with you to Texas. I am happy to say that seventeen men, including Isaac, have offered to pledge their services to you.”
“Thank you,” Gene said.
A small smile slid across Gene’s face, and some of the tension left Natalia’s shoulders as she finally got comfortable in the too-plush sofa. Seventeen men wasn’t a lot when you considered the big picture, but it was a good start. Perhaps Gene had been right, maybe everything would work out, she reasoned.
Clive nodded toward Gene before continuing. “I have arranged for six other alphas, who reside nearby, to come here the day after tomorrow. They will hear your side of the story, and then decide whether or not they will ask their men to come to Texas with you. In order to do this, we need to build a good case for the three of you.”
Ramona came to stand next to Natalia, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I know this may be rough for you, sweetie, but we want to help you. The best way to help is for you to be completely honest with us about everything.”
Clive nodded, tucking his arms behind his head as he leaned back in his chair. His blue eyes watched them for a long moment before he said, “We all know who Fernando Juarez is. However, we don’t delve much into his business because he is on the other side of the country. You will need to give these alphas a reason to send their men all the way to Texas. They will need to feel a real threat before they agree to involve their packs in this war. With our numbers continually dwindling, it is hard for anyone to commit their men to a task that may very well end their lives.”
Wetting her lips, Natalia combed her hands through Adrian’s hair. “What is it you wish to know?”
“Tell us about the father of your son. I understand that Juarez has set up breeding,” Clive started.
“What?” Natalia flustered, sitting up straight. She clutched Adrian a little tighter, drawing him in to her.
“We’re not trying to be rude,” Ramona said, squeezing her shoulder. “There are rules that we follow. If he has broken them…”
“He has wolves there, as well as human women, who are being used for breeding,” Natalia said in one breath. Her eyes burned as tears pricked her eyes, and her hands trembled as she fought to contain her composure. If she spoke about Adrian’s father, they would want to know what happened. That was a story she didn’t wish to tell.
“Human?” Clive asked.
“There are instances where a male alpha can impregnate a human woman, and she will give birth to a female or male alpha,” Natalia explained.
“You have proof of this?” Ramona asked, looking to Clive.
“My mother was one of the first humans in their experiments. I have six brothers by different mothers,” Natalia explained. She found a tiny blemish in the hardwood to focus on as she tried to control her breathing. Heat crept across her cheeks as she continued, “When Juarez abducted me from my home in Cabo San Lucas, he intended to breed me with one of his closest allies’ grandsons.”
“Then Adrian is a product of breeding?” Ramona asked gingerly.
Natalia sucked in a shaky breath. Blinking her eyes rapidly, she fought to keep the tears at bay. “When they kidnapped me, none of us realized that I was already pregnant.”
“So Adrian’s father…” Gene trailed off.
“Was a human. Antonio, was murdered along with my mother by Juarez and his men.” She sighed looking down at the floor as she absently patted Adrian’s back.
“I’m so sorry, child,” Ramona said quietly. “That must have been horrible for you.”
Natalia relaxed as the older woman rubbed soothing circles into her back. Closing her eyes, she knew she had to tell them everything in order to protect Gene and his pack.
“I never experienced the breeding process, thankfully, but it is something no woman should ever have t
o endure. I am family. Juarez kept me in the main house, but,” Natalia paused, clearing her throat. A shudder zipped down her spine as screams echoed in her head. “He kept the other women in one place. There were times I could hear them screaming from my room. I shudder to think the horrors those women go through,” Natalia said, cringing.
“Rape is a capital offense in our world. We do not tolerate it,” Clive said. He scribbled something on a notepad, the sound of his pencil skirting across the paper.
“If these women are being forced to mate, then we have our case against Juarez right there,” Ramona said quietly.
“Do you have any proof?” Clive asked looking up at them.
Gene cleared his throat before he began. “Claire McKinley is staying with us now. Emmett, her husband, told her quite a bit about the process. Their daughter, Emily, was nearly sent off for breeding. My cousin Devon’s mate, Lark, was abducted for the same purpose along with her sister Sarah. Juarez is gunning for us, and for Derek Stiles’ pack; I am sure he would make a statement as well, if needed. We’re the closest and we have four female wolves. Six fertile females, if you include Lark and Sarah. Derek has his daughter, and one other female in his pack.”
“They may wish to speak with Claire and Lark as well as you, Natalia, and Derek,” Clive said. “Claire is a respected alpha amongst us. Her word will hold a lot of merit—as will your story, Natalia. Will you tell the alphas everything you know?”
“I will speak with them, if they wish it,” Natalia agreed.
***
Natalia pushed the kitchen door open, and headed to the sink. Ramona looked up from the pasta noodles she was working, and smiled. Adrian cooed against Natalia’s shoulder as she held him with one hand.
“Do you want me to hold him while you wash his bottle?” Ramona asked, brushing her floury hands on her navy blue and flowered apron.
“Um, okay,” Natalia said as Ramona lifted Adrian from her shoulder.
Natalia watched as Ramona cradled him to her. Adrian’s arms and legs shot out from his blankets as he squirmed in her embrace. Turning to the sink, she began to wash the bottle.
“How is your room? Everything okay?” Ramona asked as she bonked Adrian’s nose with her pointer finger.
“Yes, thank you.”
“You should get out and wander around a bit. The scenery here is breathtaking. When I was your age, I would go into the woods and run for hours. There is a pool about three miles to the west of the barn. Then you should check out the town. It is small, rustic, and homey,” Ramona said, smiling.
Shutting the water off, Natalia watched as Adrian squirmed happily in Ramona’s arms. She set the bottle down, and smiled as she relaxed against the counter.
“I’d be happy to watch him for you, or you could take him with you,” Ramona offered, looking up, her eyes glistening with warmth.
“I’m not sure,” Natalia said quietly.
“I know things have been rough for you, Natalia, but you’re safe here. I assure you, none of Juarez’s men would dare set foot in New York. All the packs here are close knit, most of them family in some way. Gene could always accompany you—or myself, if you wish. I just need to finish getting the noodles set,” Ramona said as she handed Adrian back.
Natalia licked her lips as she rubbed her hand up and down Adrian’s back. Realization of her freedom settled in, and she sighed, grinning to herself.
“I think Gene might be smitten with you,” Ramona teased as she went back to work on the pasta.
Natalia frowned as she looked at the marble countertop. “Smitten?”
“He likes you.”
“Oh,” Natalia squirmed against the counter. Her heart fluttered at the thought, and her cheeks flushed.
“I must say, he would be quite a catch. Gene is a good soul,” Ramona said as she worked a noodle through her machine.
“He does seem nice,” Natalia relented. Her stomach lurched, and butterflies erupted in her belly as she admitted it aloud. Tucking a strand of coffee-colored hair behind her ear, she avoided Ramona’s gaze.
“I can understand how your previous experiences may have tainted your view of us, but I assure you, you could not have ended up in better hands had you chosen a pack yourself,” Ramona said setting the noodle down on a rack. “Beatrice and Rick were wonderful people, and they passed those traits on to Gene and Preston. I remember when he was a boy. He was so bull-headed, but let me tell you, if he gives you his word, it is as good as stone. He is very noble and kind,” Ramona beamed.
“But you do not see him often,” Natalia questioned.
“No, but I knew his parents very well. I know how they raised him. As a child and teen, he spent many a summer vacations here. He is a good man,” Ramona said proudly.
Natalia nodded.
“Enough about that, though, I want to get to know you better. Tell me about yourself.”
“Like what?” Natalia whispered, her throat going dry. Ramona reminded her so much of her mother, she could practically feel her presence in the room. It would be easy to get too relaxed around her and there were some things she wasn’t ready to discuss.
Ramona giggled, and shook her head. “Anything, dear. Your favorite book, movie, vacation. Anything, so that I may get to know you better.”
Easing against the counter, Natalia let out a long breath, thankful the elder woman’s questions weren’t overly personal. Other than Lark, she hadn’t really talked with another woman in months.
***
Gene stared at the book he was supposed to be reading, but his mind couldn’t concentrate. The words blurred—he’d been staring at the opening paragraph for at least twenty minutes. After their talk, Ramona had headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner, and Clive had busied himself with his own pack woes. Natalia had retreated to her bedroom with Adrian. His mind wandered to the beautiful, honey-skinned brunette, and he groaned, realizing he was never going to get into this book.
Closing the cover, he got up from the sofa. If he were going to convince Natalia to stay in Abilene, then he needed her to stop acting like a prisoner. Somehow, he needed to show her that she could trust him. As he climbed up the stairs, he thought about the pull to her. She felt it too—he was certain of it. He just needed her to see it too.
He paused outside the door to her room. It was shut, but he could hear the gentle sway of the wooden rocker that was in every guest room. Running a hand through his hair, he wondered if she was trying to put Adrian down. He didn’t want to disrupt.
The desire to see her winning out, he tapped lightly on the door. The whooshing of the chair stopped, and he heard feet shuffling across the floor. The lock clicked, and the door squeaked as it opened. Natalia’s chestnut eyes stared up at him as her floral, sea salt smell invaded his senses.
She stared up at him expectantly as she leaned against the door.
“I was bored, and was wondering if you wanted to get out to explore a little?” Gene said.
Her eyes widened, and she caught her bottom lip between her teeth. “I, um…”
“The three of us, just for a few hours until dinner,” Gene said, gripping the molding of the doorframe as he watched her.
“Why?”
Gene blinked, thankful it wasn’t a no. Now all he had to do was convince her. “I’m bored. I figured you would be too. You’ve never been here before. I thought you might like to look around a bit,” Gene said, watching her intently. He could sense her unease around him, and it stung, making his heart clench tightly in his chest. What do I have to do to make her comfortable around me? He wondered.
“Adrian just laid down for a nap. I would hate to wake him,” Natalia stated after a long moment.
“I would be more than happy to look after him for a few hours, so long as you tell me where everything is,” Ramona said as she climbed up the stairs, her hand gripping the handrail as she neared the top. “I was just about to see if you wanted to help out with supper, but Gene’s idea seems much better. The two of you shoul
d go, have fun.” Ramona beamed at them, winking at Gene.
Natalia shifted on her feet, eyeing the two of them. “Just the two of us?”
“It’s hard to leave them; I remember being a new mother too. You need some time to yourself too, Natalia. Gene would be an amazing tour guide, and, I assure you, after raising seven of my own, I know how to tend to a babe,” Ramona said, soothing Natalia by taking one of her hands into hers. “When was the last time you got out by yourself? Go have fun.”
Natalia hesitated, licking her lips as she stared at her bare feet. Gene could feel her apprehension, and smell the slight tinge of fear on her.
“I suppose,” she relented. “But only for a short bit.”
“Of course—dinner will be done in about an hour and a half. You two go enjoy, be young,” Ramona said, swatting them away. “In fact, have dinner out if you wish. I’m sure the others won’t mind if there is more to go around.”
Natalia opened her mouth, but Gene spoke up before she could protest.
“Thanks Ramona.”
Smiling, she opened the door to her bedroom. “The monitor is on the dresser. He just ate and—”
“He’ll be fine,” Ramona assured, running her hands up and down Natalia’s arms. “Go have fun.”
***
Natalia breathed in the aromatic scent of roses, pine and bushes. The bright, vibrant colors of the botanical gardens helped ease her apprehension about being out with Gene. Her stomach fluttered, thinking about him. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him; it was that she didn’t want to be alone with him. He made her feel things she wasn’t sure she wanted to feel. Forcing her thoughts from Gene, she took in the enchanting flowers. The tension left her body, and she wrapped her arms around herself in bliss.
Flowers of every color surrounded them, spilling down from the canopy, and wrapping around the trellis. The bushes were also decorated, trimmed to look like large birds. People murmured quietly as they walked along the red cobblestone that stretched endlessly through the gardens. Closing her eyes, she let her mind soak up the soft chirping of the birds, and the intoxicating smelling flowers.
