Chapter 14
Kaelen headed toward the bar where he knew Macy was working.
He has spent the day getting his shit back, which turned out to be enjoyable.
Griffin tried to act badass, but when Kaelen didn’t play his games and Mac threatened to pull the Crows out of his protection as King, he had backed down.
Yeah, that was a win for Kaelen. No bloodshed.
Kaelen didn’t like to fight. He had done way too much of it from the time he could fight, and he was over it.
After that, they met with Thorne to view the rental property, which would suit his needs well.
He then paid his first month’s rent, along with a security deposit in cash.
Kaelen wasn’t loaded by any means, but he had saved his money because he didn’t need much.
Often, he lived off the land as he moved frequently.
But a beautiful Shifter had him wanting to settle down, so that’s exactly what he planned to do.
Thorne had also had a motorcycle for sale, which Kaelen bought sight unseen.
During all of this, his mind kept going back to Macy.
He just wanted to get all of this done, buy some clothes that fit, so he could go back to her.
He had, in fact, gone to her cabin to find it empty, so he was now heading toward the bar.
Pulling in the parking lot, his eyes narrowed when his light reflected off a man who had a woman caged against the bar wall.
His Werewolf howled in fury when they both realized who the woman was.
Instantly, he felt the Shift coming on, but he controlled it.
He would handle this as a man. As Kaelen.
Revving the engine, he pulled up and parked, quickly getting off the bike.
“Get your fucking hands off her,” Kaelen growled, his voice low and lethal, promising that if Griffin didn’t obey, the night would end in blood.
“This is no business of yours, monster.” Griffin glared over his shoulder at Kaelen, but he did let her go. “She owes the Murder money, and I’m here to collect.”
“No, you are here to take out on her what I just did to you in front of the Crows,” Kaelen shot back, his eyes narrowing. “Which makes you a poor excuse of a man.”
Macy’s eyes were wide as she stared at Kaelen.
She really wanted to know what he had done to Griffin.
Her eyes went to the motorcycle, then to his leather jacket, and even though it was unhinged, she was totally turned on by him acting all alpha.
Was this the same Kaelen who had left her cabin just hours ago?
“Hey, fuck you,” Griffin spat in disgust as he shook in anger, which showed just how much Kaelen’s words were getting to him. “The only reason you got your stuff back is because you would have unleashed your monster on us.” Griffin spat in disgust.
“There was only you I was talking to,” Kaelen replied as a smirk played across his lips. “I don’t need my Werewolf to beat you, Crow.”
Macy wanted to applaud and whistle at Kaelen’s response, but remained silent, letting this play out. Kaelen hadn’t called his Werewolf a monster or beast.
“Macy owes you or the Murder nothing and never will,” Kaelen announced, his voice firm and unwavering. “The Murder offers her nothing, but takes too much. I am her protector, which means you have to go through me.”
“Damn, guess he told you,” Bruce, who walked around the corner, looked from Kaelen to Griffin. “I’d say cut your losses, bro, and move on before you get your ass kicked all over this parking lot. I’ve seen you fight and well...not impressed.”
Macy sighed, rolling her eyes. Leave it to Bruce to show up and stir the shit even more.
“Shut the fuck up!” Griffin growled, kicking out at Bruce, who moved just in time. He then turned his attention back to Kaelen. “You seriously think you can tell me what I can and cannot do?”
“I do,” Kaelen said simply. He watched as Griffin took a step toward Macy. “Take one more step toward her, and that will be the last step you ever take.”
Kaelen knew he was pushing Griffin, which was his plan, and it worked. Griffen growled as he lunged, but Kaelen met him head-on, striking him square in the chest. Griffin flew toward the side of the bar with an unstoppable force.
The sound of Griffin’s body hitting wood echoed like a thunderclap. The Crows flinched, unsure if they should intervene.
Kaelen’s voice cut through the air, low and unrelenting. “I said, stay away from her.”
Griffin tried to recover by rushing Kaelen with a shove, but Kaelen didn’t move. He now stood between Griffin and Macy.
“Fuck you, man,” Griffin’s face twisted with rage. He tried another strike, but Kaelen caught his wrist and twisted it with precision, forcing Griffin down to his knees. The air was thick with the sound of heavy breathing.
“Enough,” Kaelen said, his voice now a growl of command. “I’m going to let you walk away, Griffin. However, this is your final warning. Touch her again, and I will kill you.”
“I suggest you heed that warning, Griffin.” Mac’s voice rang out across the parking lot as he and Rafe walked up to the group.
The Crows looked at one another, unsure. Griffin gave one last glare, but the certainty in Kaelen’s stance and the power in his voice made him hesitate. Finally, with a snarl, Griffin stepped back. “This isn’t over.”
Kaelen reached out, grabbing Griffin by the shirt.
His voice was low and deadly as he leaned toward him.
“My monster, as you call it, is just begging for me to release him. He has taken a very protective position over Macy. You’ve been warned, but if you decide to dismiss my warning, I will beat you as a man as I did tonight, but then let my Werewolf out to finish you off.
” Kaelen pulled him even closer to where Griffin could see his Werewolf’s eyes coming through because Kaelen allowed it.
“Got me.” The voice wasn’t Kaelen’s, but his Werewolves' gravelly voice, full of fury.
Griffin struggled to break free, but failed until Kaelen decided to release him. He stumbled away, the rest of the Crows following him, their confidence shattered. Silence fell over the lot.
Kaelen turned, looking at Macy. “Are you hurt?” When she didn’t answer, just stared up at him, he gently grasped her chin, moving her face side to side to make sure there were no visible marks.
He then looked back into her beautiful eyes.
“Macy, if you don’t answer me, I will chase Griffin down and kill him. ”
“I’m okay,” Macy whispered, looking a little shocked, and it worried Kaelen. Had he scared her with his actions toward Griffin?
“Macy!” Billie Ann ran up to her, her face filled with concern. “Are you okay? He grabbed you so hard.”
“Did that bastard touch you?” Rafe growled, looking at Billie Ann. “No, but one of the Crows wouldn’t let me out of the bar.” Billie Ann retorted.
“Mac, I don’t want them in here anymore,” Rafe growled, pulling Billie Ann to his side. “This is the third incident at Shift Faced involving them. I will kill someone, and that’s not an empty threat.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Mac said, not looking happy at all. He then looked at Macy. “I’ve come to understand that you’ve been paying half of your earnings and food to the Murder while you are not living with them, nor are they offering protection. Is that correct?”
“Yes,” Macy nodded, not really looking anyone in the eyes. Kaelen glanced to see Billie Ann looking at Macy with concern.
“That ends, and I will see if I can’t get your money back,” Mac assured her. “I cannot do anything for those inside the Murder, but I will definitely make sure this matter gets settled as soon as Jack Crow comes back. Do you wish to be with the Murder?”
That caused Macy to meet Kaelen’s stare and the sadness in her eyes about did him in. “Does she have to answer that right now?” Kaelen answered for Macy.
“No, of course not,” Mac replied, with an understanding glance to Macy.
“Listen, I’m going to close the bar down early, Macy.” Billie Ann hugged her. “Why don’t you let Kaelen take you home. Tomorrow is going to be a busy night, and I think we all need some rest. Rafe, can you grab her bag from the office?”
Rafe did as Billie Ann asked, and Macy just stood there without saying a word.
Kaelen was ready to get her alone because something definitely was not right.
This silent Macy was not what he was used to at all, and he didn’t like it.
Seeing her shiver, he quickly removed his jacket and wrapped it around her.
“Let me see if Mac can drive you home, and I’ll follow,” Kaelen told her, knowing that she would freeze on the back of his bike.
“No,” She shook her head, wrapping his jacket around her. It swallowed her, almost going to her knees. “I want to go with you.”
Her words meant everything to him. If she were in fact afraid of him now, she would have jumped at the chance to have Mac take her home instead of him.
Once Rafe brought her bag, Kaelen took it and led her to his bike.
He placed her bag in one of the compartments, then got on and waited for her to climb on behind him.
Reaching back, he grabbed her arms, placing them around him.
“Hold on tight,” he ordered before he started the bike. As he pulled out of the parking lot, he kept an eye out for danger. He didn’t trust Griffin or any of the Crows. His heart pounded as Macy lay against his back, resting her head against him in total trust.
It was in that moment that he knew, for certain, that he loved this woman. Now was the time for him to let her know exactly how he felt.