by Ryan Michele
What? “How…what? And how did you know I was wondering why I couldn’t read you?” I stutter out. All of this is a bit overwhelming and the questions spew out of my mouth quickly.
“I could feel it. Feel you searching in my head for my thoughts.” I raise my brow because this is just nuts. “Go with it, Zara. The rest, I’ll tell you when the time is right.”
“But what do I do now, Nana O? The voices cause searing pain, and what about the pack?”
Nana O leans back in her recliner, and begins to rock back and forth. “First, we call your father. You tell him everything you know and let him handle that male. The other part we will need to work out. Obviously, you’ll need to tell your mother, but other than that I would keep this power close to your vest.”
“I figured that,” I mutter, resting my head back on the plush pillow and closing my eyes, trying to shut everything out.
“At any point were you able to block out any of the voices?”
I try to remember. “Once when I focused only on the monitor. When I did that, the others were still there, but in the background. Not as prominent.”
“You need to work on your focus. Especially when there are large crowds of people.”
“And how do I do that?” I ask on an eye roll.
Nana full-out smiles. “We’ll work on it together. Grab the phone and call your father.”
THAT ONE PHONE call to my father changed the direction my life took. It was also the last time that I have spoken with or seen Nana O.
Xavier sits stoic, no emotion, but no doubt taking in everything that I’ve said. After telling him about that fateful night, I tell him everything else. Everything from each moment I was in the cage. Each time I acted like a Stepford Wife. Everything. I leave nothing out. After a few long moments, the air in the room begins to change, causing the hair on my arms to stand at attention. I swear I’ll hear a crackle at any moment.
“Who’s Seth?” His question catches me off guard. I mean questions about my father and his pack, I expected. This I did not. Everything else weighs heavier than Seth. Doesn’t it?
“Alpha never figured it out. That is still a mystery that has yet to be solved. He believes he’s from a rogue pack since no one by that name or description is in any of the others, to his knowledge.” He rises from the chair, quick as a flash, and then stands in front of me, lifting me to my feet.
“I am your alpha. Your mate. You will not refer to that man as Alpha again. Do I make myself clear?” Fear is what I should feel, right? Nope. Turned on. Way turned on. So turned on whatever is happening down south would shoot off like a bottle rocket if I could move my thighs to the right just a little bit. “Do you understand?” he repeats and I stop movement.
“Yes,” I say softly, controlling my voice to not allow my lust to show.
“And none of that shit,” he barks.
“What shit?” I cop back, the old me rearing her ugly head, and I instantly retreat. Shit. I didn’t mean to cuss at him. I suck in my lips, my body growing tense.
“That.” He points his finger to my face. “That closed up bullshit. I’m not like him. I’d never hurt you and I’d die to keep you safe.” My heart warms, the pieces starting to click back into place. He inches forward, his lips so close to mine I can feel his breath on them. I suck in his scent. Dirt, trees, rustic, power, man. Heavens, it’s so good. And better, I can be me. The real me. Can I?
“You have a beautiful smile. Give me those lips.” He doesn’t wait for me to give them—he takes. His lips are soft yet firm and demanding, coaxing. He tastes of pure intoxicating alpha male testosterone. I reach around his neck, lacing my fingers through his hair, more to keep me grounded to earth before I float away than anything else. But his hair is so soft and I moan, deep.
He growls and nips my bottom lip before pulling slightly away. “Oh Heavens,” I whisper breathlessly. This man can kiss. I instantly think of other things his mouth would be good for. I clasp my bottom lip in my teeth, trying to control my thoughts. He presses his forehead to mine then with his nose and lips, he grazes each side of my face, shooting electricity through every cell of my body. Marking. This is what it feels like. This glorious feeling that I thought was dead to me, is mine and only mine. I suck in every pass he gives me, my wolf wagging her tail in delight.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have time for all the things I and my wolf are dying to do to you. Including, marking you with my bite so every motherfucker around knows you’re mine. Gotta get this shit sorted first.” Disappointment fills me and I instantly feel like an ass. I shouldn’t allow my libido to kick in right now.
“Tell me about this pill?” The twist in my stomach is back, the biggest reason being because I know nothing about it.
“Before I could get out, I had to take it. Only thing I know is that it was orange and yellow. After I took it and met up with Ian, the other wolves in the pack smelled that we were true mates. Neither of us smelled it at all.”
“You are not mates,” he bites out hard.
“I know that. I told you that I didn’t smell it.” I feel like I need to reassure him or make him okay with the situation.
“I just don’t like this shit. So everyone is going to smell another male on you.” He shakes his head. “No, I don’t fucking like this shit at all.”
“I’m sorry I—”
‘You just wait until I get my hands on you. And I will, Zara, mark my fucking words. Ask your brother what I do to traitors, if you can find him.’
My body tenses at the sound of my father’s voice in my head and I shoot away from Xavier, cowering in the corner of the room, as fear cuts through me like a sharp blade.
“What is it?” Xavier asks, hesitantly approaching, taking small steps. I must look like a damn scared cat given the way he’s acting, but I’m momentarily paralyzed.
“Mm-my father. He knows I’m gone. He’s pissed.” Terror fills me, my body trembles. “He can’t find me. I won’t go with him. I’ll kill myself before I let him take me again. I won’t go.” My head shakes in fear. I’ve hid it for so long, but every bit of it comes rushing to the surface at once. I sag down in the corner, but Xavier wraps his arms around me, holding me close to his chest. I breathe him in, willing my nerves to calm down, but the fear is so heightened it’s difficult.
“That piece of shit won’t get anywhere near you. He has no idea who he’s fucking with.” His anger resonates through his words as he kisses the top of my head over and over again.
“But you don’t understand. He’s ruthless and always gets what he wants.” He doesn’t get that my father has killed wolves only for existing. Taking away his prized star is an automatic death sentence.
His nose and lips brush each side of my face again and some of the fear dissipates, but I can’t stop the trembling. “My men and I will die before that motherfucker gets anywhere near you. I give you my oath.” I freeze, his words are so primal, but it only solidifies that what we have is true and pure.
I pull away, looking up into his eyes and unable to form words.
“You come with me and we’ll talk to the outside crew, tell them what to look for, then we need to address the pack. Max and Thor know about your ability, but I told them to keep their mouths shut and they will. They’re loyal to the core. I don’t like hiding shit from the rest of my pack, but we gotta get this sorted before we tackle that.”
“Okay,” I say, knowing he’s right and praying he knows what he’s doing. “My…my father said that I should ask my brother what he does to traitors.”
“Your brother Zane?”
“Yes. I haven’t seen him since I was locked in the cage and my father beat him to death then had the healer bring him back to life. I’ve tried to listen to his thoughts, but he’s blocked me.” I tried and tried, my heart breaking more and more each time I couldn’t reach him.
“Damn, babe. Sorry. We’ll take care of all this. Do you hear your father anymore?”
“No, he blocked me.” I�
�m not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing. “I can get into the minds of the others, try to find one that hasn’t blocked me, but I’m sure by now everyone has. I’m sure he ordered it.” No doubt telling my secret to everyone there.
“You try that while we do this other shit.” I breathe out deep and focus on connecting with my brother.
STANDING IN FRONT of a new pack is hard enough. Standing in front of a pack that thinks you’re a fake because they smell another male on you is in a whole different realm. Everyone in this room thinks without a doubt that I’m a phony, and I can’t discourage it. They think I’m totally full of shit, and without smell, I can’t blame them. Several think that I’m some whore trying to take their Alpha for a ride.
Xavier definitely smells our bond and I do, too. I never smelled anything but distaste with Ian. It is completely different with Xavier. Maybe after we finish the actual mating, they will be able to pick up the scent of our bond. I hope so because, with the exception of Max and Thor, the way these wolves are looking at me, they want me dead and out of their space. Like yesterday.
‘You lying bitch.’
‘How does he believe her?’
‘How come he doesn’t smell the other male on her?’
‘She is so full of shit.’
‘Mate my ass. Fuck toy is more like it and another male’s mate? What’s gotten into Alpha?’
All right, the fuck toy stung, bringing back past memories. Everyone’s thoughts bombard me at once and I try hard to block them out, but it doesn’t work. Instead, they invade me like a tidal wave, crushing me harder and harder then pulling me under.
‘I should take her out right here. Save Alpha from himself.’
‘That little slut. He’s mine.’
I try to see where that voice came from, but there are so many faces and too many sounds coming from every angle. Why can’t I turn them off? I’ve always been able to turn them off. My head gets dizzy and I begin to panic. This is what I felt the night I learned of my powers. Dammit. I fall into something hard and darkness envelops me.
“Zara, wake up.” My head is moved from side to side and I crack my eyes open to find the sexiest electric blue eyes I’ve ever seen. Everything around me is hazy, though. It’s as if his eyes are all I can see. Xavier. I shake myself and sit up, resting my head in my hands. I’m on an unfamiliar couch. How’d I get here?
It all comes rushing back. The voices became too much. I’ve got to figure out how to get them all in check here. I did so well at my old pack. I never thought this would be a problem again. Shit.
“I’m fine. Just got a little lightheaded, but I’m good now,” I tell my mate, kneeling in front of me, and then lift my head and give him a soft, reassuring smile.
“You’re going to eat.” He turns around. “Rose and Marissa make her something to eat.”
‘Now I have to be at this fake bitch’s beck and call? What the fuck!’ This comes from a very attractive blonde. She’s a bit shorter than the average wolf, but it doesn’t take away from her ample curves.
“Absolutely,” the other woman singsongs in a grandmotherly tone, and I instantly like her. She doesn’t look at me with contempt. She just seems puzzled.
“Thank you, Rose,” Xavier replies, turning his back to a huffing Marissa. I’m thinking she’s the one that thinks my mate is hers. Just a wild guess. In every pack, you have one like her. One that thinks she’s the shit and struts around like she is. I had to deal with Lisa and her comments for the past couple years, I guess now it’s Marissa’s turn.
Xavier didn’t let it go unnoticed that I needed to eat. I know I’m thin, but he must see it. He must see that I haven’t eaten well in a long time. Either that or he’s way too damn good at reading me.
“Really, I’m okay. I’m not sure what happened, but I can assure you that I am just fine.” The concerned scowl on Xavier’s face is not giving me much hope that this will go over well.
“Stella, come check her.” A striking woman with ash blonde, almost brown hair steps forward. Her steps are a bit hesitant. What does she think I’m going to do, kill her? “This is one of our healers. She’s going to take a look at you.”
“I told you that I’m fine.” Something unlocks inside me and it’s the strangest sensation. It feels like the old me wants to burst through the surface, but I tread carefully. He stated he doesn’t want the Stepford version of me, and damn, I’m tired of being it. So, I lock her back up and regain myself.
“And I told you, you’re getting checked. End of story,” he commands, and my wolf snarls. Apparently, she’s not liking this either. I glare at him, the heat rising up my neck and into my face. My nostrils flare as my breathing becomes ragged. I clench my fists. “There it is.” A sexy smirk plays on his lips and I want to reach out and bite it.
“There what is?” I snap with a bit more attitude than intended.
“That spark. Seems I’m going to have to piss you off more often.” The contentment in is voice follows his posture. Me, not so much. I’m not sure he’s going to like what he unleashes.
“You really sure you want to do that?” I challenge, finding it a bit odd to tease him. It’s been so damn long since I’ve even flirted with a male, but he has no idea who I used to be. He doesn’t know dick about me other than what I’ve told him regarding the last two years. Maybe this really can be a new beginning, a new start. There it is again, hope.
‘Shit. I hope she doesn’t hurt me.’ Stella thinks as she approaches. Am I that big of a threat? I guess since she can’t smell the right things, I am. ‘There’s something around her. What is it?’ the woman continues. What in the hell is around me that would cause a wolf to shy away from me. I look to my arms but see nothing.
Since my little pass-out stint, the voices in the room have halted, maybe I need to tune them back in to find out more.
“H-hi, I’m Stella,” she stutters out and I feel bad for her. I’m not going to hurt her. I’d never.
“Hi, Stella, I’m Zara. It’s nice to meet you and thank you for checking me out.” My Nana O always said that you could feed more flies with honey than lemon juice…or something like that. She always had these weird sayings and I’d screw them up every time I tried to repeat them, which she laughed at excessively. Damn, I miss her. I haven’t seen my grandmother since before I was put in the cage. She and my brother are the only two I miss from that place.
‘Oh, she’s nice.’ A smile graces Stella’s face and her body relaxes a bit, though she remains cautious. “Alpha, can you have everyone please leave the room for a minute?” she asks kindly.
“Leave,” he commands and everyone listens, leaving us the huge living room all to ourselves, but the clash of pots and pans in the kitchen echoes through. Apparently, Marissa is taking her aggression out on the cookware.
“Thank you, Alpha.” She doesn’t sound like she’s trying to make him happy. She sounds like she actually means it. Nice.
He doesn’t reply, only nods to me, giving his silent direction. Is he like this with everyone? We need to chat about that.
Stella’s body shakes a bit. “Zara, I’m not sure if you know this but there is some type of aura or light around you.”
“What does that mean?” Xavier cuts in, asking my question before I can. My eyes narrow at him and he smirks.
“I’m not sure. I want to say it’s a protection spell, but I’m just not sure.” A what?
“Like a witch put a spell on me?” It’s not totally unheard of, but how, when, and why me?
“A witch or a wizard would be my guess.”
“I don’t see it. What does it look like?” Xavier interrupts, again.
“It’s shimmery, like silver glitter dancing around her entire body and radiating out from her.” I check my arms and legs, not seeing anything different from what I normally do. Everything seems exactly as it should. I look to Xavier who shakes his head.
“Do the others see it?”
“I’m thinking no or there would ha
ve been more of a freak out.” She looks down sheepishly. “Sorry.”
“Do you know who could have put this on you?” Xavier’s words turn my attention back to him. Heavens he is gorgeous. The seriousness coming off of him is even more tempting and inviting. Yum. “Zara?” he questions, pulling me out of my stupor.
“The only one that could be a possibility would be Nana O, my grandmother. She’s always had more powers than just being a wolf, but has never come out and said so. But if that were true why didn’t it protect me against my father?” When Xavier addressed the group, he told them of my father and his treatment toward me, much to my dismay. But it didn’t change any of their views of me. He did not tell them of my power though. That he said would only be between me, him, Max and Thor, for now.
“I have no idea, but we’re going to have to find some answers.” Xavier answers his phone as it buzzes. “Yeah. No shit?” He looks at me. ‘Your father’s here.’
I gasp, eyes popping out of my head. Fear paralyzes me to the couch.
“I will, but only him.” ‘He wants to meet with me,’ he thinks to me.
“No!” I screech, making Stella jump.
‘Yes,’ he thinks firmly, his eyes telling me that it is not up for any discussion. I don’t think so. He’s not going out there with him. He can’t. He can’t die.
Stella’s eyes dart back and forth between us and I shut my mouth, already saying one word too much, but my eyes plead with him.
“Only him or nothing at all.” Shit. Shit. Shit.
“Be there in ten.” He swipes his phone off. “I’m going down to talk to your father. You are going to stay here with Stella and Thor.”
“You can’t.” Dread washes over me. He’ll be dead before we even get the full bonding together. He can’t do this. I stand on wobbly knees, moving closer to him. “He’ll try to kill you.” I try to listen into my father, but hear nothing.
