Pride to Pack (The Mount Roxby Series)

by Aimie Jennison

  Her laugh is magic to my ears. It wipes the sadness from the room if only for a second. “Thank you,” she says just before the sadness creeps back in. “Okay, the reason I regret it is because it’s complicated things. It’s made this conversation and decision so much more painful.” Her eyes fill with tears but she doesn’t break down. She steels herself and carries on. “When I started seeing Jared, we were in high school, proper high school sweethearts. We were both totally besotted.” She chuckles and I can’t help but frown wondering what her past with Jared has to do with now.

  “His pride wouldn’t accept me. Jared wasn’t leader, but he would be. One day his father would step down and he would takeover. The pride loved him. He had a happy life. When I came along it all changed. I’m not a lion. I’m a wolf - a predator. That makes me a threat. I came here to find people like me and I really thought I had found that in you and your pack. But I’m not just a wolf like you. I’m druid as well and that makes me a threat again. Chloe, and no doubt some others of your pack will feel that way.”

  I open my mouth to speak but remember my promise to allow her to finish, so I close it without speaking.

  “We were together for six years and not a week went by without one of us being challenged. As besotted as we were, he would only end up resenting me for turning his happy life into a constant battle. You know his feelings haven’t changed; he is still as besotted as that first day we met. Having to fight day after day made us miserable, we couldn’t enjoy each other. I finished with him in the end because he deserved better, to find a mate that the pride accepts. At first I thought they would give in and accept me, but I was kidding myself. I got over him. I guess knowing now that I have a true mate made it easier. I loved him but maybe I was never really in love with him, especially not as much as he was with me. I knew he would never accept us not being together, that is why I left Quilpie. I thought once he knew it was over and that I had left with no trace for him to follow, he’d move on. But we both know I was wrong.”

  “I still love him but in a sibling capacity, like I love Benji. You met Benji didn’t you?” she asks looking at me with her sad eyes.

  I nod but, again, I don’t speak. I need her to get to her point.

  “I can’t live like that again, Theo. Challenge after challenge. I’m not going to be the cause of your pack’s destruction. I’m not destroying your life, Theo - not yours. You deserve so much more. You deserve love and if we end this before it starts now you’ll get that. There are plenty of people in this town that would jump at a date with you. One of them is upstairs in the pink room.” She stops talking as the tears stream down her face.

  I can’t hold my tongue anymore, whether she has finished or not.

  “But what about you, Rosabel? Don’t you deserve the love you want - the love that wants you?” I make my way to her, kneeling before her and holding her shoulders in each hand. “It won’t be like that with us. I am alpha, it will be different.” I give her a pleading look, hoping she can feel the hope I am sending through the bond.

  I see it in her face as she rides my hope but within a second it’s gone and the tears come thicker and faster. “Chloe has already challenged me, Theo. We’ve been together properly, what, a couple of hours? And the challenges have already started. That’s the first of many. I could feel the hatred towards me in that meeting and it wasn’t all coming from Chloe. Once news of my druid blood comes out there will be more that won’t accept me.”

  The hope I had disappears instantly. If this is what she really wants I need to accept defeat. I’m her mate and I can’t even make her happy.

  “You’re right, but they won’t all challenge you. Only a few that of the more dominant will. The submissives will accept defeat and welcome you. Don’t forget some of the most dominant already accept you, like Wes and Billy. You said Chloe has already challenged you. What did she say exactly?” Even I can hear the hope creep back into my voice.

  “She said you might have mated with me but she’ll make sure you change your mind and I’ll get thrown out. And when that happens, killing me will be right at the top of her to do list.” Threatening death is a challenge no matter when you plan on doing the deed. Chloe has challenged her. There is no getting away from that unless Chloe revokes the challenge.

  “Chloe is strong,” I say, pulling her close as my concern gets the better of me. Earlier I had thought Bel could handle Chloe without a problem, but that doesn’t mean she won’t get hurt in the process. Chloe is one of the most dominant females in our pack.

  Bel pulls away with a laugh. “You think she’ll beat me!” she says sounding astonished.

  “Like I said, she’s strong. She’s on par with Billy and she often likes to bring it up. I’m not sure who would win between the two of them. It would be close.”

  She grins from ear to ear. “If she really is as dominant as you think, we could make this work.” Having no idea what she is getting at I frown.

  “You and me, a couple,” she adds. I feel my smile mirror hers.

  “What are you planning?” I ask a little dubiously.

  “We will have to take it slow. Don’t force me on the pack like you have been. No more meetings. I know they’ve already officially accepted with the words but they need to feel it too and I can feel through the pack bonds that they don’t all feel what they said. They need to get to know me as just Bel, fellow pack member, not alpha female.”

  “But what about Chloe and her challenge?”

  “She said she will kill me. I have to take it as a challenge. But that might help us if she is as dominant as you say. If I win, others won’t be willing to challenge me. So we fight.” She shrugs nonchalantly.

  “Yes, that will work.” I cringe at the excitement I can hear in my voice. I sound like a kid on Christmas Day.

  I move my hands to cradle her face and lean in to kiss her. My mouth brushes against hers as my tongue licks at the seam of her lips. She grants me entrance by parting her lips sensually. Her hands grip the hair at the back of my neck before she pulls away, leaving us both gasping for air. Our arousal is thick in the air. I stroke her cheek with my thumb, unable to keep my thoughts away from sadness and worry.

  “What are you thinking about? You look sad and you shouldn’t - not after that kiss,” Bel queries.

  I drop my eyes to the floor. “That I am in love with you, Rosabel, I have only just found you and I don’t want to lose you to Chloe.”

  She mirrors my movements from earlier, tilting my chin so my eyes meet hers, stroking my cheek with her thumb. “I am dominant and I am strong. I have duelled and beaten stronger than Chloe. If I went up against Wesley I wouldn’t be able to bet on a winner, but Chloe I can handle.”

  I struggle to keep the shock off my face. “Really?”

  “Yes! I’ll beat Chloe, trust me,” she says confidently.

  21. TAKEN

  Rosabel

  We both pull away to look at our watches when the doorbell rings. It’s four in the morning, who would be at the door at this time? I glance up at Theo who looks just as uncertain as I feel.

  We both go to the door. Before opening it we both close our eyes, trying to sense who it is on the other side.

  “I can’t smell any scent through the door. It’s too thick. They don’t feel like Pack, familiar but not Pack.” Theo confirms my own thoughts.

  “Whoever it is they’re scared, hurt and female, young too,” I say using my empathy.

  Unlocking the door he opens it cautiously.

  A girl that looks about sixteen, give or take a year pounces at Theo shouting, “Ted” between sobs. She throws her arms around him and hangs off his neck. She was just a bit shorter than me - although Theo isn’t tall she is hanging a good ten inches off the floor. Theo is hugging her in return so I relax, assuming he must know her.

  As I take her in, I see a similarity in her. Her long ringlets down to her waist are the same colour as his and her eyes are the same shape only more sage green not emer
ald. I can see a nasty looking bruise on her right cheekbone.

  “Rubes, what’s happened? Why are you here?”

  She lifts her head and looks up at him giving him full view of the bruise.

  The anger leaves him in such a strong wave that it actually knocks my feet from under me, leaving me sprawled on the floor like an idiot.

  “That bastard!”

  She buries her face into his chest and sobs even more.

  “Theo she needs some ice on her cheek. Have you got any?” I get up and shut the door, hoping to calm him by making him realise he needs to care for her, not get angry at someone who isn’t even here.

  He pulls her into his side leading her to the kitchen.

  I can feel Wesley following behind me. “You okay, boss?” He sees the girl then, “Ruby? Hi.”

  She turns to look at him, but before she replies he sees her bruise.

  “Oh shit! Are you okay sweetie?” He strides over to them. By the feel of his anger, I’m guessing the whole pack would be willing to rip someone to shreds for Ruby.

  Ruby sits on the counter top in silence with the ice pack pressed to her cheek and the two men hovering in front of her like bodyguards.

  I walk over to Theo and touch the small of his back with my fingers. He must have been somewhere else with his thoughts because the touch catches him by surprise. He spins around on his heels and the anger in his eyes terrifies me so much I take an involuntary step back.

  Never back down too easily from a werewolf.

  They find it fun and will probably tear you apart!

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to surprise you,” I practically whisper.

  He shakes his head like trying to shake a vision from his sight.

  “I’m going to head home. You’re busy and we have sorted our problem. It’s my night off tomorrow but you know what I’m like. I’ll be at the bar anyway just on the other side of it for a change.” I stand on my tiptoes and kiss his soft lips with a gentle brush of mine. He returns my kiss and I pull away smiling. “I know you are going to be busy so I’ll understand if you can’t make it to the bar. Don’t worry.”

  He nods and turns to Wesley, “Wes, can you give Bel a lift home?”

  “I’ll go ‘teleport’ in the other room,” I remind them both with a grin before Wes can reply.

  I walk into the dining room and close the door behind me. Closing my eyes I picture my room at Misty’s and open them to find I am there. This teleportation is getting easier with each attempt.

  The room feels empty and lonely without Theo. He's my mate I should be with him. I’m missing a vital piece of myself when he isn’t around. At least I know where he is. I don’t know how Wes is managing with Alyssa missing.

  I quickly go to the bathroom but decide to skip changing into my pyjamas. I climb into bed in Theo’s shorts and t-shirt so I can fall asleep feeling safe and secure as I breathe in his scent.

  ***

  A startled cry wakes me up. I instantly dive off the bed into an attacking stance before even opening an eye.

  “I’m sorry. I got ya note. I thought ya’d be at Theo’s? I’ve just done some washing, I was going to put these clean clothes on ya bed. Ya scared the crap outta me,” Misty says, clutching at her chest with an armful of folded clothes.

  I quickly straighten up and sit back on the bed. “I forgot about the note. I only got back just after four, I should have left you a new note.”

  I look at the little alarm clock on the table next to the bed, it’s one o’clock in the afternoon. I can’t believe I slept eight hours straight, I usually get up at least once to use the bathroom through the night.

  “Thanks for the washing,” I add as she places the pile on the end of the bed.

  “I’ve just made a fresh pot of coffee, do ya want me to bring you a mug?” she asks, turning to leave the room.

  I stand up and head for the bathroom. “No thanks. I’ll be out in a second. I’ll just get changed and come to join you.” I really don’t want to change out of Theo’s clothes. They’re a comfort to my wolf, but I need to act like a normal human being and not be hung up on someone’s scent, mate or not.

  It doesn’t take me long to get washed and changed and I soon find myself walking into the kitchen.

  Misty greets me with a steaming mug of coffee and a bacon and egg sandwich.

  “Thanks Misty. Do you realise you’ll never get rid of me if you keep spoiling me like this?” I joke.

  “That’s my point. I don’t want ya to leave. I love your company. Now tell me everything.” Misty loves gossip.

  Who am I to keep of it from her? I fill her in on everything that happened after I left work last night.

  “Wow. Nothing is boring when you’re around, is it?” We both burst into laughter at how true her statement is. I’ve been here only a short time, yet so much has happened. I’m turning into quite the drama magnet.

  “Do ya think he’ll meet ya at the bar later?”

  “I’m only guessing that Ruby is his sister, but the state she was in when I left, I don’t think he’ll leave her home alone to come and see me,” I reply. If I was in his shoes I wouldn’t leave her.

  “Ya said Chloe was staying at his. She might be happy to keep Ruby company for an hour or two.”

  I laugh at that comment. “Did you hear me when I mentioned that Chloe challenged me because she wants Theo for herself? There is no way she would make my life that easy.”

  Before we know it, it’s time to get ready for work. Even though I’m not working I decide to go in with Misty and help her open up.

  As soon as the customers enter she demands that I get on their side of the bar. I’ll comply for now but if it gets too busy I’ll be jumping over to help out.

  Emmanuel comes in and sits on the stool to my left. As awkward as I feel, it’s a small town and we need to be civilised with each other.

  “Hi. How has the last twenty four hours treated you?” Emmanuel asks breaking the silence. Was it really only in twenty four hours? It feels like days.

  “Hectic. How about you?” I ask.

  “Yeah it’s been pretty busy for me too.”

  I feel a hand on my right shoulder. “How’s our Little Miss Wolfy doing?” I didn’t need to look to see who the voice belonged to. The scent and accent, along with the pack bond, told me it was Billy.

  Evidently Emmanuel did have to look and he gives Billy such a glare that I think if looks could kill a were, Billy could possibly be dead right now.

  “I’m fine thanks, Billy, but I thought I was Little Miss Unique Wolfy? Am I not unique anymore?” I pout.

  “Don’t be silly.” He chuckles. “You’ll always be unique. It was too much of a tongue twister for me.”

  “So are you here to tell me that Theo is standing me up?”

  Panic crosses his face. “No, no. He’s just running late. He’s outside talking with Dominick, trying to persuade him to send some of his men to help us out. He’s not too keen but I don’t blame him, they are the ones that keep getting attacked, we are the ones that just get kidnapped and controlled.” He rolls his eyes.

  Realising that I have just made it sound like Theo is my new boyfriend in front of Emmanuel. I turn to make sure I haven't upset him, only the stool is empty and, looking around the bar he is nowhere in sight.

  Billy looks at the stool too and shrugs before sitting on it himself. “Weird guy!”

  Misty comes to a stop in front of us. “What do you two want to drink?”

  “I’ll just have a bottle of something low strength, thanks Misty. I’m patrolling and Theo won’t be happy if I do it drunk. What do you want, Wolfy?” He looks at me with such a serious face.

  I burst out laughing. “Little Miss too much for you now?” I shake my head at his laziness, “I’ll have a Cosmopolitan, thanks.”

  “Coming right up.” Misty turns to the mixing area to make my drink.

  “How come you have a night off anyway? You only worked half a night last n
ight?” Billy asks.

  “I know, I’m such an unreliable employee. Misty has a heart of gold. She still thinks I deserve a night off.” Misty places our drinks in front of us.

  “Keep the change.” Billy says, handing Misty some notes.

  Misty gives him a flirtatious smile which he returns. I think I may have a cupid style job coming up in the future.

  Billy finishes the bottle in two swigs. “I better get off. It’s time to meet my men.” He gets up and kisses me on my cheek before turning and walking towards the door.

  I suddenly get a bad gut feeling deep within me. I don’t know what it is that unsettles me but I don’t think tonight is going to go without violence. “Billy?”

  He spins around to look as he pushes the exit door open. “Angel?”

  “Be careful.” I give him a smile, which he returns with a confident one.

  “I will… SHIT!” I watch his face change from confident to pure fear.

  “What’s wrong?” I shout. I can feel it deep inside the pack bonds. Something is seriously wrong.

  “Trouble,” he says, running out the door. He moves so fast I don’t even see him leave, not even a blur. His voice just comes from the empty air.

  I only sit there for a second wondering what to do before deciding to follow. I’m a werewolf and I have a pack now. That pack is in danger and I need to do anything I can to help.

  I don’t make it two steps before Dominick falls in the door. “Rosabel they took Theo and killed Chomp,” is all he manages to spit out before collapsing in a heap on the floor.

  A female vampire rushes in after him shouting. “Someone needs to feed him! He’ll die without the blood.” Not one person in the bar steps forward to offer their blood. They all just stare at Dominick’s lifeless body in silence.

  “Misty, ring Wesley. Tell him they’ve taken Theo and he’ll need to call a pack meeting. We have to find them!” Listen to me being all calm and rational. I’m usually the rambling mess in an emergency.