“Hmmm. And I’m assuming you didn’t ask for more details, because the less we know the better?
“Precisely.” Cam grinned, pleased that Gareth was on the same wavelength. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m honouring an alpha’s request, nothing more. If relations between the Penwith pack and the other get worse, then I would think Tregarrak would have no choice but to involve the council. I’d rather avoid getting caught up in that, if at all possible.”
“But the council know already,” Mike cut in. “Didn’t Alpha Wallace tell you about Tregarrak in the first place?
Cam faced his other beta. “She did, and she’s aware that Rachel’s coming to stay with us. But I don’t believe Tregarrak had to disclose his reasons for it. They won’t interfere unless either requested to do so or a threat is brought to their attention. Since neither has happened, they aren’t involved further than facilitating the exchange.”
Mike seemed non-too pleased with his answer, and to an extent, Cam agreed with him, but as much as he’d like to know everything that was going on, it was better for his pack if they kept out of it. “Something major happened because Rachel was one of her father’s betas until recently. Did he tell you that?”
“He did.” Cam gave them a rundown of what he and Tregarrak had discussed.
Gareth gestured to the list of phone numbers on the fridge. “That might explain why they politely confined us to the barn and gave us a list of numbers to call if we needed anything. Maybe they’re expecting more trouble?”
“Perhaps.” Cam considered this. He’d like to think Tregarrak would have had the courtesy to mention that on the phone if there was the prospect of trouble. Alpha to alpha. Cam would never put any of his pack in danger if he could avoid it. “Hopefully they’re being overly cautious. Either way, the sooner we can get out of here tomorrow morning, the better.”
He wanted to see Felix before they left. Not that he was Cam’s responsibility per se, but while they were here, he might as well check on him. Alpha Wallace was right, after all. Cam had argued for leniency on Felix’s behalf; it was partly his doing that Felix had ended up here.
They sat around the table with a couple of beers, discussing what else Rachel had said, what time they wanted to be leaving tomorrow, and organising who would go in what car. Cam yawned, the long drive catching up with him, and he glanced at the clock. Nine thirty. Late enough if they were to be up with the sun.
He stood, chair scraping on the tiled floor, and leaned his hands on the table facing Gareth. “Did you have a chance to take a look around the place?”
Gareth nodded.
“What are the sleeping arrangements?”
“Four bedrooms. One double, two twins, and a single.”
Accommodation for seven people.
Perfect.
At least no one would be on the sofa. Cam wanted them well rested and alert tomorrow.
Mike grinned. “I guess I’ll take the single since you two say I snore.” He sent a pointed look at the two members of his unit.
Gareth laughed. “It’s true. I’m sure we’ll all still hear you down the hall.”
“Nope, all the rooms are soundproofed.” Mike shrugged when Gareth raised an eyebrow. “I had a quick check when I went to the bathroom earlier.”
Cam pointed at the two from Mike’s unit. “You two take one of the twins. Nathan and Luke take the other.” They all nodded. I’d like everyone to get an early night so we can be up at six. I’m hoping to meet with Felix when he gets back from patrol and then leave before ten if we can.”
He hoped Rachel was all packed and ready to go. With things as they stood back home, Cam was eager to return.
CHAPTER FOUR
Gareth watched Luke and Nathan head up the stairs to bed before he and Mike walked around the interior of the barn, checking the doors and windows were secure. Not that those locks would stop a shifter for long if they were intent on getting in, but there was no sense in making it easy.
Mike stopped in front of the heavy-looking wooden door. As well as a lock, there were two large bolts top and bottom. He slid them through and glanced at Gareth. “As picturesque as this place is, can’t say I’ll be all that sorry to leave it.”
“Me neither.” Despite the scent of pack filling the barn now, unfamiliar smells clung to the building, setting Gareth on edge. He longed for the safety and comfort of his building. How long had it been since he’d slept somewhere that wasn’t pack owned? Gareth couldn’t remember, but his wolf prickled with unease—not a feeling he was overly fond of.
Cam joined them, leaning against the sink in the kitchen area. “I’m aware we don’t know everything that’s going on here, but I don’t think we’re in any danger. Whatever issue they have with their neighbouring pack has been resolved, according to Tregarrak. Try and relax, I need you both to get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow’s going to be a long and tiring day, I fear.”
Gareth met Cam’s gaze and immediately locked down everything he’d feel if he let himself. “I think we’re all done here.”
“Good, then I suggest we head to bed.”
Bed.
The one he was about to share with Cam.
For the past few years—Gareth had forgotten exactly how long he’d wanted Cam—he’d successfully kept a handle on his feelings for his alpha. Cameron Harley was everything an alpha should be: fair, loyal to his pack, and always willing to listen to any member with something to say. But he was also funny, sensitive, with a mischievous side that sometimes had Gareth roaring with laughter. With his jet-black hair and green eyes, he caught Gareth’s attention in a way that he shouldn’t.
Gareth had never had to share a bed with him before, never had to be in such close proximity with so very little clothing involved. It would take all his concentration to keep his emotions under wraps, and he absolutely had to. Cam could never know; Gareth couldn’t handle the inevitable rejection and awkwardness that would follow.
Yeah, he wasn’t getting much sleep tonight.
Fuck my life.
The walk up the stairs seemed to take no time at all. Gareth focused on keeping his heart rate steady and his breathing even. Being an alpha, Cam had heightened perception, he’d know the second Gareth showed a hint of arousal or anything else. Nervousness and anxiety were easy to explain away—they were in unfamiliar territory. It was expected. So that was what Gareth concentrated on feeling. He channelled all his emotions into worrying about Cam finding out and everything that would come with that.
Maybe he overdid it slightly because, after they said goodnight to Mike, Cam stopped him with a hand on his chest. The concern in his eyes threatened to undo all of Gareth’s hard work.
“Don’t worry so much, we’re safe. I trust Alpha Tregarrak not to lie about that.”
Gareth reached for the door handle, muttering, “It’s my job to worry about you, and the others.” Which wasn’t a lie. He’d never tell Cam anything other than the truth, even if he had to be creative sometimes. Lying to his alpha was never an option.
The double bed turned out to be a super-king size, and it sat there in the middle of the room, mocking him. Gareth sighed without thinking.
“What?” Cam nudged him in the side. “Is there a problem with sharing a bed with me?”
Yes! Gareth wanted to scream it, but he kept his expression neutral. “You’re my alpha. It seems… wrong.” He cast a glance about the large room, gaze landing on a small sofa. It wouldn’t be the comfiest place he’d ever slept, but it would suffice. Gareth nodded at it. “I’ll sleep over there.”
Cam rolled his eyes, then shut the door behind them and strode over to the bed. “Gareth, before I became alpha of this pack, I did my fair share of bunking with my unit. In the pack wars, we sometimes slept all in the same room. I don’t want to be the kind of alpha who believes he deserves better treatment than the rest of his pack. Granted, sometimes interpack protocol makes it difficult to avoid, but behind closed doors, I won’t take comfort if it’s
at the expense of my pack.” With a smirk, he added, “Either we both sleep in that bed, or neither of us do.”
So fucking stubborn.
And selfless.
Gareth wanted to strangle him and kiss him in equal measures. Instead, he sent Cam a resigned look. “Fine. You have the sofa, and I’ll sleep on the floor.”
Cam stared at him for a second, mouth falling open in disbelief.
Gareth grinned.
Baring his teeth, Cam let a little alpha inflection into his tone. “I take back everything I just said. I’m not above using my alpha status for my own benefit.” He growled a little, and Gareth fought not to shiver. “Get in bed, Gareth.”
Fuck.
Those words said in that voice….
Sending a silent apology to Nathan, Gareth hastily conjured up an image of him bloody and bruised after his fight with Newell.
Crisis averted.
A little too well it seemed, because Gareth’s teeth ached with the flare of anger that accompanied that image. He nodded in the direction of the en suite. “I’m going to use the bathroom, if that’s okay.”
Cam gave him a curious look, obviously sensing his slight mood change, but smiled nevertheless. “Go ahead.”
With the door safely shut—the bathroom was also soundproofed to some degree—Gareth leant on the sink and stared at his reflection in the mirror. At thirty-seven, Gareth retained a somewhat youthful appearance. But keeping a secret as large as his took its toll, some days more than others.
A lot of the time Gareth had it so tightly tucked away that he barely noticed it, so focused on doing the best for his unit, his pack, his alpha. But then other days, the desire to tell Cam how he felt almost overwhelmed him. He wanted to give in and let his wolf fully embrace everything that came with wanting someone the way he did Cam.
Today was one of those days.
But there’d be no going back if he chose that path.
The potential was there, lurking deep inside him. He could bond with Cam if circumstances were different.
But they weren’t. Not only was Cam his alpha, but Cam had already found and lost his other half. Mia had been the love of his life—Cam’s words—and nobody would ever replace her in his eyes. Or his heart.
Gareth should respect his wishes.
He let that thought sink in, and gradually the need to tell Cam the truth subsided, leaving guilt in its wake.
Guilt he could handle.
By the time they’d both used the bathroom and were settled under the quilt, Gareth was back in control, the idea of him and Cam relegated to being an impossible fantasy, nothing more.
Even with two adult shifters in it, the bed was big enough that in the dark Gareth could almost pretend he was alone. Only Cam’s soft breathing gave him away.
And the subtle earthy tones of his scent, but Gareth had had years to get used to that. If he concentrated on the feelings of pack, safety, belonging, then he could ignore anything else Cam’s scent might otherwise invoke.
“Night, Gareth.” Cam’s voice, soft with sleep, wrapped around him like a warm blanket.
The tension in his muscles eased, and Gareth settled more deeply into the pillow. “Night.”
He stared at the door—slightly ajar at his insistence, because he wanted to be able to hear the rest of the barn—waiting for sleep to claim him.
LIKE HE’D feared, even in sleep, Gareth was aware of Cam lying next to him. He slept fitfully, waking up time and again, afraid he’d moved in his sleep and was cuddling Cam, or worse.
Of course he never was, but in the hazy plane between fully awake and sleep, rational thought was elusive. Not until the early hours did Gareth fall properly into a deep sleep.
He woke to the sound of a zipper being pulled. Instantly alert, his eyes snapped open and he inhaled sharply.
Cam crouched next to his overnight bag, rifling through it for something.
In only a towel.
He had his back to Gareth, broad shoulders—lean but well-muscled—tapered down to a narrow waist. Cam was slimmer than a lot of alphas, but no less deadly when he wanted to be.
Gareth struggled to look away, but he managed eventually. That glimpse had been more than enough to coax his morning semi into a fully-fledged hard-on clearly visibly under the quilt.
Fucking hell.
Sitting up quickly, Gareth groaned when he caught the scent of his own arousal wafting out from under the duvet. Could this get any worse? He’d worked so hard to keep his attraction secret, but he had no control of his body while asleep, and apparently not all that much first thing in the morning either.
Cam glanced round at the rustle of covers, and Gareth drew his knees up, hiding his erection.
But there was no hiding the scent from Cam. “Sorry,” Gareth offered, gesturing half-heartedly at his groin.
With a huff of laughter, Cam went back to looking in his bag. “Relax, Gareth, I woke up like that too. It happens. Though I get the feeling your dream was slightly better than mine. Sorry for waking you.”
To his horror, Gareth felt his cheeks heat. Now was not the time to start blushing in front of Cam.
“A-ha!” Cam pulled a pair of boxer briefs out of his bag and waved them in the air like a prize. He grinned triumphantly, but his smile dimmed when he glanced at Gareth. “I don’t know what’s got into you lately, Gareth, but you seem….” He frowned, as if searching for the correct word. “Wary?” He stood and walked over to sit on the edge of the bed, black underwear clutched in his hand. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes.” Gareth nodded quickly, wanting to put an immediate stop to this line of questioning. “A lot’s happened these past weeks, things have changed considerably. I guess I’m still getting used to it.” Another truth. Gareth wasn’t all that keen on change, even when he could appreciate it was for the good of both packs involved. It would take him a little while to get his head around it all.
“If you have a problem with anything or anybody, you can come to me. I’ll always find the time to listen.”
Gareth bit back a bitter laugh. Not with this problem.
But there was something. “There are rumours floating around.”
“Oh?” Cam’s eyebrows rose.
Gareth rubbed a hand over his face. “I was going to leave it until we got back but…” Fuck he should’ve kept quiet. Cam had enough on his plate already.
“Tell me.”
“You know there are some members from P-pack who weren’t all that impressed with the way things turned out—with Newell being punished and our packs joining?”
Cam sighed, his mouth curling up into the barest of smiles. “I’m aware.”
“I’m not certain how much truth there is to this, but I heard that one or more of them have been visiting Newell in prison.” He bit his lip, wondering how Cam would take this. Gareth hated being the bearer of bad news, especially when he didn’t have the comfort of familiar surroundings to fall back on.
“I know.”
Gareth’s gaze shot to Cam’s. “What?” How could he know already? Gareth only overheard by accident and that had been late last night.
“I asked the prison to email me if Newell had any visitors. I half expected something like this to happen.”
Oh. Gareth wasn’t sure how to answer that. In the end he went with a small smile and a slight nod in Cam’s direction. “I guess that’s why you’re the alpha.”
Cam laughed softly. “I guess it is. Thank you for bringing it to my attention, but don’t feel as though you have to wait to tell me something like that. I want to know these things as soon as you discover them. This needs nipping in the bud before it gains any traction.”
“Understood.”
Cam clapped him on the shoulder, his palm warm and slightly rough against Gareth’s bare skin. “Now hurry and get dressed, I want to be out of here within the hour.
AS PER alpha Tregarrak’s request, when they were all ready to leave the barn, Cam asked Gareth to call the farm
house and let them know.
Personally Gareth found the whole thing a little excessive, but he did as asked. Turning to face Cam as he hung up, he said, “They’re sending someone to escort us over to the main building.” He rolled his eyes. What could they possibly get up to between their barn and the farmhouse?
Cam smirked. “They don’t want seven strange shifters roaming around unsupervised. Can you blame them?”
“I suppose not.” It still felt like overkill and did nothing to improve Gareth’s mood.
Mike came up alongside where he leaned against the worktop. “What’s up with you this morning? Trouble sleeping?”
Cam looked over at them, and Gareth wanted to kill Mike for bringing it up. “Nope. I’d like to get back home, that’s all.”
Before the conversation could continue further, the doorbell buzzed, and Gareth moved to open the door.
Rachel stood on the other side, looking fresh-faced and radiant. She was even smiling. “Good morning.”
Gareth narrowed his eyes, her apparent cheerfulness unsettling him. He much preferred the surly adolescent vibe she’d had going on last night. “Morning.”
She addressed Cam, her smile widening. “Alpha Harley, my brother’s patrol arrived back an hour ago. My father would like to invite you and your pack to join him and Leo in the farmhouse. Felix will also be there.”
Cam smiled back at her, and Gareth barely resisted the urge to growl.
Get a fucking grip.
Spending this much time in Cam’s company was doing him no favours at all. Gareth thought he’d got this under control years ago, but the last couple of days had been a struggle. He blamed the uncertainty within his pack at the moment. His wolf couldn’t fully settle with Cam as worried as he was, and that, in turn, left Gareth anxious. He wasn’t used to feeling this way, and he certainly didn’t like it.
Rachel’s presence wasn’t helping matters.
Gesturing to the door, Cam said. “We’d be happy to join your father for breakfast. After you.”
Bitten By the Alpha Page 4
