Alpha King’s Secret Baby (The Runaway Mate #1)

Chapter 3

Casey

I felt safe with Bastien. My dad had always warned me to stay away from other shifters, and after barely escaping the mountain lions with my life, I saw why. But I knew I could trust Bastien, and not just because he saved me. There was something honorable about him. My wolf didn’t normally enjoy being around strangers, but she liked him immediately. That had to mean something.

His hand on my hip was soothing despite my—and his—nakedness. I wasn’t a prude, but I was hardly used to hanging around people sans clothing. I was almost grateful for the slash in my side as it made it harder for my eyes to wander.

The part of me that wasn’t focused on survival fixated on him. Even with a bloody wound through his brow, he was attractive. Bright blue eyes stared at me with a softness that belied his muscular body. His black, chin-length hair hung around his face but didn’t shield his strong jaw or thin, cupid’s bow lips from view. They were so kissable, even smeared with blood.

Why am I thinking like this? I just had a near-death experience. I shouldn’t be fantasizing about a strange man.

But he didn’t feel like a stranger. He felt like pack. And that was an entirely new sensation—deep and primal.

As Bastien inspected my wounds, he pressed his fingers into my hip and sent a shiver of desire up my spine. My wolf urged me to curl into him and nuzzle against his chest.

It has to be adrenaline. Or some sort of psychological phenomenon where you fall in love with your rescuer.

“Is this your territory?” I asked to stop myself from going insane.

Bastien nodded, but his eyes remained glued to my side.

“And are you the Alpha?” I asked, hoping I didn’t seem completely clueless. He gave the impression of a leader; all the other wolves had obeyed him without question.

Bastien blinked in surprise. “No, I lead the pack protectors.”

“Ah.” I prayed I wasn’t blushing. “So, like a captain.”

“Sure, if you want to use human terms.” He shrugged. “Your wound will heal, but it will probably take a few days before you’re fighting fit.”

He didn’t move his hand from my hip, and I didn’t want him to. The warm weight felt good—no, right . But it wasn’t enough to soothe my frustration with myself. I’d never been the damsel in distress type of girl.

“Fighting fit, yeah,” I snorted. “Because I was doing so well until you showed up.”

“You were doing better than most she-wolves,” he said, sounding impressed. I struggled to see why but appreciated the compliment nonetheless.

A cracking branch caught our attention. Bastien whipped around, already growling.

“Whoa, it’s just me. No need to get agro,” one of Bastien’s wolves said. He had messy red hair and wasn’t quite as broad or muscular as Bastien. He was naked, though, so I quickly averted my gaze.

“I expect my team to be stealthier, Jules,” Bastien said, his voice sharp and commanding.

That shouldn’t be so sexy.

Bastien moved in front of me, shielding me from the other wolf’s view.

My chest warmed. Bastien was protecting me, even from his own pack. Despite my vulnerable position, I knew I was safe with him. My wolf wanted to nuzzle against him and curl up at his feet.

“Whatever, man,” Jules scoffed. “Here are the girl’s clothes.”

Jules threw a pile of fabric, my underwear included, at Bastien. He caught the bundle and paused for a brief moment, inhaling.

Did Bastien just sniff my clothes?

“Give Casey some privacy,” Bastien commanded.

Jules nodded and walked away. Bastien didn’t take his eyes off Jules’s back until the redhead was out of sight. Then, he turned to me.

“Do you need help getting dressed?” he asked.

“I should be fine,” I said, though I had no idea. The pain was manageable when I was still, but I dreaded moving.

“I’ll help you up,” he said in a tone that brooked no argument.

He set my clothes aside and held out his hand. With his assistance, I got my feet under me, wincing all the while.

“I know,” he said softly, acknowledging my pain.

Once I was upright, the pain subsided again. He handed me my panties. I should have felt embarrassed—even scandalized—but Bastien’s calming influence soothed me.

I was unsteady, wobbling as I lifted my foot. Apparently, I wasn’t as stable as I’d hoped.

“May I?” Bastien asked.

I gulped and nodded. He was a stranger; I shouldn’t let him dress me. But there was a familiarity to him, a safety that overrode logic.

“Put your hands on my shoulders,” he said, kneeling before me.

My heart raced as I followed his instructions. His skin was so warm, and his muscles were rock-hard.

He held my panties, allowing me to step into them. I was glad I’d worn a black cotton pair instead of something embarrassing. He slid them up my thighs, and I suppressed a shiver. His fingers brushed against my skin, and heat blossomed in my core as he settled them on my hips.

He repeated the process with my jeans. I focused on the pain in my side and ignored the arousal that threatened to overtake me. Perhaps he couldn’t smell the effect he was having on me, though that was probably wishful thinking. His face was right there.

At least when Bastien helped me put my boots on, it gave me a moment to control myself. He stood and held up my bra. I thanked the moon and stars that it matched my panties. I hadn’t planned on getting naked in front of anyone today.

“Do you think you’ll be able to get this on?” he asked, eyeing my wound. He was being a gentleman, but unfortunately, that only made him more attractive.

I twisted to look at the cut. My bra would sit right over it.

“I doubt it,” I said. “I’ll just wear my T-shirt. It’s fine.”

Bastien and the other wolves had already seen me naked, so it wasn’t a big deal if they saw my hard nipples through my top.

Bastien helped me put that on, too, even though I didn’t need assistance. Despite his strength and fierce fighting ability, he was gentle.

I was finally dressed, but he remained naked. I had to keep telling myself not to look, especially when I noticed he wasn’t exactly soft. It was nice to know I wasn’t the only one affected.

I need to get a grip. This is probably just adrenaline. When I calm down, I’ll see how crazy it all is.

“I parked my truck on the road,” I said. “If you guide me there, I can get myself home.”

“You’re not going anywhere with that wound,” he said as his blue eyes flashed. “Like I said, I’m taking you to my pack where you can recover. I’ll send someone to fetch your truck.”

My father’s warnings to stay away from other shifters rang in my ears. He’d never given me a reason why, though.

“I don’t want to be a bother,” I said, my heart thumping in my chest. Was I his prisoner?

Bastien locked eyes with me, and I didn’t see danger in their depths. My wolf urged me to trust him.

“It’s not a bother.” His hand hovered over my arm like he wanted to reassure me. “You were hurt on our land, and I won’t leave a fellow wolf defenseless. I—we—will keep you safe while you heal.”

I hated to rely on other people, let alone strangers. But for some reason, I didn’t want to argue with Bastien. If I was being honest with myself, the thought of leaving Bastien and returning home was—upsetting.

Probably because I know an empty house full of memories of Dad awaits me. That’s all.

“All right,” I agreed slowly. “Which way are we headed?”

“I’ll carry you,” he said, and before I could comment on the matter, Bastien lifted me. I had no choice but to wrap my arms around his neck as he cradled me against his chest. He was so warm, and his scent was strong—earthy, musky, and delicious. All I wanted to do was bury my face in his neck and breathe. My side hurt less in his embrace.

“Let’s head out,” Bastien called to his team. They transformed into wolves and surrounded us in a hasty military formation.

Bastien scanned the forest as he walked, keeping an eye out for threats. The wolves scented the breeze, on high alert for attackers, but the journey was uneventful. After ten minutes, Bastien showed no sign of tiring. He was big—easily a head taller than me and twice as broad—but I was still practically dead weight in his arms.

The trees thinned, and a large clearing appeared ahead. I spotted buildings, mostly log cabins. It was a small village hidden in the forest. There must have been at least twenty houses, with more substantial structures toward the center.

We stopped at a guard post, where Bastien greeted two subordinates. The wolves shifted back into their human forms and retrieved their clothes.

“Is it all right if I put you down?” Bastien asked. It was the first thing he’d said to me since picking me up.

“Yeah, I can stand,” I said, missing Bastien’s heat before he was even gone.

Bastien carefully placed me on the ground, holding my waist until he knew I was stable. I shivered as he stepped away despite the warm summer air. I tried not to stare as Bastien dressed, but it was hard when I desperately wanted to run my hands over his muscular back—and his ass.

I cleared my throat and looked away. “Is it normal for packs to live remotely like this?” I asked.

The two guards stared at me like I was crazy.

“Most do,” Bastien confirmed, not fazed by my lack of knowledge. “The bigger the pack, the harder it is to stay undetected by humans. It’s easier to live out here.”

One of the guards furrowed his brow. “It is what’s right. Wolves are supposed to be in nature, living on the land of our ancestors. It’s foolish to do otherwise.”

I swallowed, taken aback by the zealous response.

“I’m sorry, it was just a question—”

“Apologize for your rudeness,” Bastien ordered the guard, cutting off my fumbling response.

The guard looked confused. “I was just—”

“I don’t care,” Bastien bit out. “Apologize.”

He went pale, turned to me, and mumbled, “I apologize.”

“It’s all right,” I said, as much to the guard as to Bastien.

Bastien nodded and took me by the arm, his touch soft despite his anger. He guided me past the guard post and into the small village. The other wolves followed, and Jules fell into step with Bastien.

“I think that scratch over your eye is making you grumpy,” Jules said with a laugh. “You should get cleaned up.”

“I’m fine,” Bastien grunted. He turned to me. “I’m taking you to see the Alpha. He will decide if you can stay.”

“Oh,” I squeaked as if I were meeting the president or the king of some foreign country.

“You’ll be fine, but nobody can visit the commune without his permission,” Bastien explained.

He led me to a large, round building in the center of the village—one of the few made of brick. Most of the structures were small log cabins, expertly built and not arranged in discernible blocks like human towns. Instead, they branched out erratically from the center of the village. Some even had patios and small gardens with herbs, vegetables, and flowers. Bastien’s hand tightened around my arm as we walked inside, but it was comforting instead of restrictive.

Inside, two men sat in wooden chairs. A man with thick gray hair and hard brown eyes commanded attention, power radiating off him. I didn’t have to ask if he was the Alpha—I could feel it. I moved closer to Bastien.

“Alpha Kildaire,” Bastien said, lowering his head in respect.

I copied the movement, unsure what was expected of me.

“Bastien,” the Alpha nodded. “Who is this?”

“I found her while on patrol, sir,” Bastien explained. “Mountain lion shifters attacked her. I told her she could stay here while recovering from her wounds.”

There was a murmur from the man to the right of the Alpha. He reeked of sharp, off-putting herbs, and his glassy eyes darted around strangely from time to time.

“And you took care of these shifters?” the Alpha asked, his eyes flashing angrily.

“Yes, sir,” Bastien replied. I almost expected Bastien to stand at attention like a soldier.

The Alpha turned to me.

“What is your name, girl?” he demanded.

“Casey Jaimeson,” I answered. Bastien squeezed my arm. “Sir.”

“Do you have a pack?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. His eyes bore into me like he was evaluating my soul. If this was what having an Alpha was like, I was glad to be so isolated. The pressure of his regard was unnerving.

“No, I’m—all alone.” I shifted from foot to foot. The loss of my father stung worse than the wound in my side, the grief far more painful.

The Alpha raised his nose and breathed in, scenting me. His stony expression flickered, but I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

“You may stay,” he said. “Bastien, she’s your responsibility. She must lodge with you.”

Bastien inhaled sharply but nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Dismissed,” the Alpha said with a wave of his hand.

“Thank you, sir.”

Bastien retreated, sighing with relief when we were outside.

“Is he always that intense?” I asked.

He regarded me with a bemused expression, his dark eyebrows knitting together. “That’s just how it is,” he said. “Come. My house isn’t far.”

People stared as we walked.

“Why are they looking at me?” I whispered, feeling self-conscious.

“We aren’t used to strangers,” he explained.

I bit my bottom lip. Something nagged at me.

“Where are all the men?” I asked. Besides Bastien’s team, the Alpha, and his associate, everyone in the village was either a child or a woman.

“They are either working or on patrol.”

“Oh.” I frowned. “Don’t the women work or protect the pack?”

Bastien looked at me like it was a strange question.

“The women take care of the children and the home.”

I snorted before I could stop myself.

“What?” he asked.

“Women can do a lot more than that,” I said, feeling like I’d traveled back in time.

“In human society, maybe,” he said. “Here, our Alpha expects things to work differently.”

“And what about you?” I asked. There was always a catch with handsome men like Bastien; apparently, wolves were no different.

“It’s not my place to question the ways of our pack,” he said stiffly. I sensed he had opinions he wasn’t voicing.

“But—?”

“I know women are capable of more,” he admitted. “But as long as they’re happy, there’s nothing wrong with this life.”

“And if they aren’t?” I pressed.

“Nobody has ever said so.” He frowned. “Nobody questions the Alpha.”

I’d always dreamed of being part of a pack and having a sense of community and belonging. But was an archaic way of life what it consisted of? Maybe the women here were happy. I hadn’t seen any sign of mistreatment.

“Bastien!” An older woman with red hair streaked with gray smiled as she greeted him. “Who’s your new friend?”

“Monica.” Bastien grinned, looking the most relaxed I’d seen him so far. “This is Casey. I found her on patrol in the forest. She was attacked by mountain lion shifters, and she’ll be staying with me while she recovers.”

“Oh, you poor thing,” she said, turning toward me. “You rest up now, and if Bastien isn’t doing a good enough job, just let me know, and I’ll knock some sense into him.”

“He’s doing great as of now,” I said.

Monica’s eyes crinkled, and Bastien looked away, his cheeks flushing.

“Good boy,” she said.

“We should get going.” Bastien tried to steer me away, but Monica stopped him with a soft hand on his arm.

“Did Jules make it back all right?” she asked, her brow furrowing.

“Not a scratch on him,” he assured her. “Took out a few mountain lions, though.”

“That’s my boy.” She beamed. “I’ll come around later with some food for you two.”

“You really don’t have to,” he protested, but Monica waved him off like he was being ridiculous.

“I’ll see you later,” she insisted.

Bastien sighed and nodded. He led me away like a boy embarrassed by his mother’s fussing.

“Who was that?” I asked, curious about Bastien’s reaction.

“Jules’s mom. She basically raised me after my parents died.”

That explained it.

“She seems lovely,” I said. Maybe I’d misjudged the women of the pack. Monica hardly seemed oppressed.

“She’s the best,” he said, leaving it at that.

We were silent for the rest of the walk. Bastien’s place appeared to be at the edge of the village.

“We’re here,” Bastien said, stopping in front of a small log cabin. “Welcome to my home.”

Inside, a couch sat in the corner next to a bookcase, and beyond the living room was a simple kitchenette that didn’t look well-used. I could see a bedroom through one door and a bathroom through the other. It was cozy and comfortable.

The whole place smelled of Bastien, and for the first time since my father died, I felt like I was home.