“I….” He shook his head. “Outside forces or no outside forces, you are never to risk yourself again in any capacity.”
Sydney couldn’t promise him that any more than she could realistically ask it of him. They both knew it.
“What did you have to tell me?”
“With your father gone, your uncle has declared himself the owner of your family home. He’s pushed himself inside and won’t go. I could obviously make him. This morning was unpleasant.”
He squeezed her close when she would have pulled away. She’d go over there and push her Uncle out the door.
“It occurred to me as I actually considered snapping his neck that something had to be done. I spoke with Thaddeus. He does not feel ready to take over for your dad. Probably should be and I suppose I could be a hard ass about standing on his feet and doing right by your family, except a week ago, I watched him hit a five-year-old across the face.”
Had it only been a week? Not a lifetime?
“I made a decision. Your family can’t stay here. Your uncle will be a problem, and your brother is a wimp. They’re going to leave. Come with us. San Francisco isn’t right for them. I wracked my brain for where to put them. Some of your younger sisters could adapt. The older brothers? Your Mom? I called Hayden. He has lots more land out by him. We’re going to put them in a home out there. If they want to, they can join his pack. San Francisco will pay for the house. Although he’s arguing about that. He will teach your brothers how to make wine; they’re already basically farmers. It’ll be an easy switch. I think he might be looking forward to having some rein to make Thaddeus a better man. My men are packing up the house. When we leave, they’ll leave. Your mom is distraught over your father and, I think, relieved she isn’t going to end up on the street with her nineteen children.”
She turned around until she straddled his legs. “Savage, you’re doing so much for my family.”
“They only need it because your father killed himself for you, my mate. You were his daughter, it was appropriate and yet, I can’t…” He lost his train of thought again. So unlike him.
“They’ll be closer to me. Thank you.”
“They’re mine. Or, actually I guess I should say they’re Hayden’s.”
Gravity weighed heavily on her shoulders but much more so on his, it would seem. “Was that it? I mean, it’s more than enough….”
“Alexei says the baby was taken because I didn’t die. I was supposed to. When I didn’t, no baby.” He shook his head. “I’m not even really certain what to say.”
“You were supposed to die?” She shrieked the words. Sydney jolted off his lap. She felt like someone had struck her, straight across the face like when she was a child and learning manners.
“Syd….” He extended his hand.
She shook her head. “No.” She didn’t know who she was talking to, Savage or the Moon or fate or whatever. “No. No. No. I got to have the baby if you were dead and not if you lived.”
“It’s a pretty big reaction, I agree. We must have really messed with something. I’ve never even heard of this before. I…I’m sorry they took the baby.”
She narrowed her gaze at him. Oh, no. He was…what? Thinking she’d have preferred him dead? “Savage.” She knelt in front of him. “I wouldn’t lose you for anything.”
“Your father. The baby. All on me.”
Sydney pressed her forehead to his in a gesture he usually performed for her. It meant something to him, a loving gesture, and she hoped it translated to him. “I love you. No failure. Not on you. And to steal a phrase from you, fuck whoever did this to us.”
“How about the rest of it? What else did I screw up by living? My pack? Was I supposed to die and Hayden take over? Better for San Francisco? What would the baby have grown up to do which will not happen?”
“Too much, Savage.” She kissed him hard. “I believe whatever was supposed to happen, happened. I cannot accept we made a mistake. The baby got taken because that is what was meant to be. You are here and that is right too.” Planting kisses all over his face, she couldn’t speak fast enough. “No more. No more, my love. If you died, I would have wanted to die.” She smoothed the hair off his face. “I had the baby taken and they knew they were going to do that when they briefly gave it to me. I didn’t even feel it, I never was connected, not really. Days. Not real yet. I’m sad, sure. But not like losing you would have made. Maybe if it had been weeks, months later. Listen, my love, what you need to do is sleep.” Only not here. Her family’s home felt oppressive, like the air was too thick. “Is there any reason we have to be here for the end? Can we go? You and me?”
Maybe he’d sleep on the road.
“Sounds like a plan.”
Except he didn’t sleep. She finally got him fed before they boarded the airplane. She’d never been on one before. Maybe if her father wasn’t dead, the idea of changed fates wasn’t making her feel crazy, and her mate hadn’t gone completely silent, she could have enjoyed the experience.
Time seemed to move both fast and slowly. She blinked, and they were in the car headed for Savage’s—correction their—home. Hard to think of a place she’d never put eyes on before as her own.
She gathered the house, from what little she could get him to say, was located in the Northwest of the city. He was downright out of it, his eyes turning wolf and then not again. Very un-Savage. His pack was scattered all over. Unlike other packs, he didn’t require his people to live or work for him. They were grown-ups; they could find jobs and homes which allowed them to disappear on pack business, or they could ask for help if they needed it. She hadn’t known even to think of those problems.
When he’d asked if she could manage by herself for a bit, she’d agreed. If he needed to go somewhere to sort himself out, then so be it. She wanted her mate in a good headspace.
She wandered through the house, trying not to gasp at everything she saw. It was modern. Square-edged with a square roof. White on the outside with black-framed windows.
And that was how she found herself in the most intimidating space she’d ever set foot in. Facing the Garto had been less terrifying than facing her new sprawling house. The entrance was huge, impressive and led toward a spiral stair case in the center of the room. Light danced everywhere, hitting the silver trim on the furniture and the black bookcases. The room seemed to sparkle.
Two living rooms with fireplaces, one of them with its brick painted entirely white. The floors were a gray wood, and, after she saw how pretty they were, she slipped her shoes off to walk on them barefooted. No way was Sydney scratching up Savage’s floor.
The kitchen was more modern than any she’d ever seen, and the counters were bare. Someone kept it clean, spotless.
She walked quickly around, not touching anything else. He obviously liked his space flawless. Sydney liked to maintain the places she lived in, but this home required a lot of constant upkeep. A knot formed in her stomach. Every once in a while she had been known to drop her things on the floor. No more.
There were two bedrooms downstairs. They matched in size and were similar in their sparse decorations, and each had a closet. A bathroom connected the two rooms.
Sydney took the spiral staircase upstairs. Two more bedrooms, much larger than the ones below. Each had a view of water and an island in the distance. She’d have to ask Savage about the island.
Between the two large bedrooms and their sprawling baths was an empty space which led to sliding glass doors. She stepped outside and a gust of cool air hit her face. She’d never lived near the ocean before. Everything was so…huge.
White wooden furniture with silver cushions lined the spacious balcony. Not a single crease marred them.
Sydney sat down on the ground, thinking this would help her to breathe. Counting to ten. Avoiding panic. The Moon had put them together; they’d work out together. They had to. Except the Moon had apparently taken her baby, and, if Alexei was to believed, there were multiple ways things could ha
ve worked out. Could she really count on the Moon to know what was best anymore?
She loved Savage. Somehow she’d learn how to love living in a space she didn’t want to dirty. Ever. He wanted her to be happy. When he stopped feeling like the world had slammed him, they’d work this out.
Sydney shivered. She didn’t feel cold, not like a human would, but the wind wasn’t comfortable, and she’d prefer to obsess inside.
She walked to the door and turned the handle. Only it didn’t budge. What? She turned it again. Nothing.
A few seconds passed before she realized what had happened. She’d managed to lock herself out on Savage’s balcony. Sydney leaned her head against the door and let tears she hadn’t shed all day fall down her face. She was strong; she could break normal handles, but she’d mated the Alpha of a wolf pack. One more tug confirmed what she’s already suspected; he’d used materials made to withstand werewolf break-ins. She hit the glass. Not even a bullet, let alone Sydney, was getting through.
By the Moon, she was stuck on the sprawling balcony until who knew when. She sank down on the ground. Nothing to do but wait.
****
“So, Dr. Robert. How are you today?”
Savage stared at the human in the cage. “Have my pack mates been making you feel…comfortable?”
“Please let me out.” The man shook the bars. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”
“You tortured my brother’s mate for a decade. Do you really think you’re getting out to do anything but die?”
He’d hated the man immediately upon meeting him. Having his own mate made his detestation even more palpable. If someone ever harmed Sydney, they’d find out how he’d earned his reputation. As it was, he’d spared Hayden the darkness by taking care of Robert himself.
It was time to take finish him. Officially.
“I gave you a choice before I left. Which option do you take?”
“I don’t know anything.”
Savage shook his head. “Lies smell so repulsive. They burn my tongue.” He walked toward the cage and opened the latch. “You want out. Come out.”
Robert shook his head wildly. “No. Please.”
“Don’t beg. It’s annoying. Come out.” He placed force in his order, and, even though Robert was human, he responded to the Alpha pull. Stepping out of the cage, the man who had subjected his sister-in-law to too many tortures to count while forcing her to use a gift she hadn’t understood pissed himself. All over the basement floor.
Savage shook his head at the sight. “Someone is going to have to clean that up.”
“I….”
He had no intention of letting the man say anything else. “I wanted to kill a really bad being yesterday and didn’t get to. You might say I’m feeling a little touchy about it. Then it dawned on me, I have another really bad being in my basement. No need to look any further. It won’t repair my ineffectuality but it will certainly take care of some of the burn. I don’t like people, or monsters, who threaten women. This is a big basement. The elevators are there.” He pointed to them. “There are four ways to get to the lift. I’m going to go all the way over there.” He pointed to the other side of the basement. “In the shadows, so far that you won’t be able to see me. If you can get to the elevator before I can get to you, you’ll live. All you have to do is touch the button. Have at it.”
Savage walked toward the shadows as Robert ran for the elevator. He wasn’t even a least bit concerned.
Sometime later when the mess in the basement had been taken care of, he made his way home. His second, Archie, who had managed the city in his absence waited for him by the exit of the club.
“My Alpha.”
“Good work while I was away.”
Archie nodded. “Thank you. You honor me.”
“I don’t honor you. I only speak the truth.” When Archie didn’t move, Savage spoke again. “Something else?”
“We’re anxious to meet her. The whole pack is ecstatic. And to hear about the Garto. The others have come with incredible stories. Sounds like it really was a time.”
“It was. I don’t want to introduce Sydney in a large gathering. She’s not from a huge pack. Small groups a couple of times a week. Why don’t you plan to come by tomorrow with your mate? I think you and Rose will be a good start. George, he’s already her guard. He’s going to be getting his pick of fellow dominants to fill her guard.”
Archie nodded once. “You honor us with your invitation.”
“Just the truth, Archie.” He’d always hated “thank you.” In whatever form it came.
The moon had risen in the sky, and he’d been away from Sydney too long. Hopefully, she’d made herself at home. He never had much food in the house; that would likely change since she seemed to really like feeding him. But certainly she must have found something to eat. She would have made herself comfortable. Maybe she waited for him in bed…
In what seemed like a really long drive home—longer than he could ever remember it taking or maybe it only felt that way—it dawned on him he needed to get Sydney a cell phone. How was he supposed to speak to her all day if she didn’t have one? He would need her to check in at least every hour so he knew she was happy. George would manage to keep her safety reports coming regularly.
He parked his car in the garage and made his way inside. The lights were all off. “Sydney?” Savage called upstairs before flipping on the lights.
When she didn’t answer he sniffed the air. The faintest trace of her met his nose. She’d been in the entrance not too long ago. Maybe she was asleep upstairs. “Love?”
He made his way up the stairs. If she’d fallen asleep, he intended to wake her in the most delicious way. Maybe with his tongue on her neck. The mark might need a little more pressure. Time to reapply his claim to the world.
Savage walked into the bedroom. Nothing. She wasn’t there. Fear invaded his head, making him suck in his breath. The guest room? Had she not realized which one was theirs? No, she wasn’t in there either.
“Sydney.” He called loudly, like he could make her appear out of thin air.
That’s when he saw the movement on the balcony. He might have missed it if the moon hadn’t been so bright. Sydney was curled up in a small ball, sitting on the ground of his balcony. She wasn’t looking at him, and she seemed to be rocking.
He tore open the door, practically taking it from its hinges. If she hadn’t known to click the button before she walked out on the side, she’d have gotten stuck out there. The wind was brutal.
Savage dropped to her side before he scooped her up. She made a kind of an “oomph” sound. He didn’t want to talk; he wanted, no needed, her inside.
He closed the door behind him with his foot and was in the bedroom in two seconds. Savage laid her down in bed, covering her the way he had in Idaho with his body. Then to cool her, this time to make her warmer.
“You okay?”
She shook her head. “No.” Her voice shook. “I’m really not.”
Chapter Thirteen
Savage pulled the blanket up around both of them. Anything to get her warm. “Of course you’re not okay. You were stuck out there. How long?”
Even Werewolves could get sick from being cold for too long, especially in their human forms.
Her voice was still shaky. “All day. But that’s not why I’m not fine.”
He kissed her cool lips. She might not think the cold had affected her, but clearly it had. He smoothed her hair off her forehead. “Tell me why you’re not okay.”
“I don’t know how I’m going to make it here. I’m sorry; it’s a terrible thing to say. I don’t want to make things harder on you. I went back and forth all day about whether or not I would even bother. I never thought past the Garto. I’m here. What am I going to do in San Francisco? How am I going to be of any use to you? How am I going to live in this house?
Her last question ended on a sob, and she rolled over beneath him until her head hit the pillow. He di
dn’t know half of what she was talking about, but he could smell her heart breaking. She’d turned away from him, rolled over, shut him out. His wolf prowled to the surface. Finally eliminating Dr. Robert from the world had helped, yet his wolf remained unsatisfied. He’d somehow failed his mate, and the wolf was not going to be okay until he fixed whatever had gone wrong.
Savage rolled off her and moved to her side instead. He wasn’t going to allow any space between them. If she wanted to cry, his chest would take her tears. As gently as he could, he rolled her against him. She hiccupped before she let out another burst of wetness from her eyes.
Her father was dead. She’d been through an ordeal. Had their baby taken from her and moved across the country in the span of twenty-four hours. One of the things he loved about her was her big heart, and he couldn’t believed he had so thoroughly fucked up.
Savage let some time pass before he spoke again. “Sydney, I need you to explain. Piece by piece so I can fix.”
She looked up at him, her eyes swollen. “You can’t fix.”
“How do you know? I mend things. The entire pack comes to me with their problems. Let’s see if I can.”
“I’ve never done anything except take care of my family’s home and raise the children. None of that is going to be at all useful here in your life. I can’t stay in this house all day and watch the walls move in on me while I don’t make a mess.”
“Um.” He wanted to tread carefully. Her fears were real, even if he knew at least the first part was nonsense and the second really fixable. “There will be lots for you to do. A tremendous amount. You didn’t grow up with pack, so you don’t know the Alpha’s mate has a tremendous slew of responsibilities.”
She swallowed, some of her agony disappearing from her eyes when she did. Her eyes cleared a bit when she looked at him. “Like what?”
“You’re basically going to be in charge of everyone. I hate to tell you this but you have exactly the right skills for the role. Organizing, caring. I would expect as early as next week they’re going to be all over you for things. Helping to arrange moon ceremonies, settling disagreements. Looking at furniture with a woman who can’t decide, holding a male’s hand while he fades, caring for the grieving widow. Birthday parties. Also, there are probably lots of ways I’ve been failing the pack, things I don’t even know about. You’ll notice them. You’ll help me to fix it.”
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