Chapter FifteenWes #2
“Of course you are,” Siobhan retorted. “Because you had to be a knothead and take this from Wes being investigated to your entire pack on the verge of being charged. ” Her voice stayed low, manicured hands folded neatly on her desk, which was more unnerving than if she yelled.
“Thank you, Mother, but you can’t expect me to bring a stranger into my home and make her part of my pack. We have no idea who she is and what she wants,” Brennan argued through gritted teeth, frustration rolling off him.
Jett put a hand on his shoulder, and Evan squeezed his hand.
“Do not bring her into your pack or do anything rash without going through proper legal channels–and certainly not until the investigations are over,” she ordered.
“While Grace isn’t part of your pack, she is legally Wes’ mate.
Wes’ injured mate, who is part of a police investigation .
I’m not asking you all to court her, but you certainly need to care for her appropriately. ”
Brennan growled. “I don’t like people in my house.”
“Wes and I will take her to mine then,” Evan said.
As part of our pack agreement, Evan had his own cabin in the mountains. Grace would love it there.
“You will not hide her away–or do anything that makes you look guilty,” she snapped.
“I don’t pay off exes,” Brennan pushed, unwilling to submit.
His mom gave him a hard look. “Please don’t pay her off.”
“She wants something,” Brennan retorted, face flushing with anger. “I protect my pack.”
“Of course she wants something. Everyone wants something. But that doesn’t mean what she wants is dangerous to you.
She has a concussion and barely remembers her name.
I’m pretty sure she doesn’t have an elaborate plan to steal your money, trash your reputation, and tear apart your pack.
Poor timing? Yes. Is there a possibility that whoever’s after her is a threat to you?
Absolutely. But at this point we have no reason to believe she’s dangerous,” Siobhan lectured.
“What if she is?” Brennan continued. “What if after we’ve cared for her and let her worm her way into our home and pack we find out her intentions are disingenuous?”
“Grace isn’t like that,” I interjected, annoyed he’d even think that.
“Then we will deal with it appropriately at the right time and not act like impulsive toddlers. Bren, I know Caroline affected you, but I thought you were in therapy for that.” Her look went hard again.
“Well, if we would’ve known that Wes had a mate, then perhaps we could have planned for this.
I found a way to legally dissolve the bond.
We’ll have a new lawyer draw up the paperwork.
Grace seems agreeable. She’ll sign, Wes will sign, they’ll dissolve the bond and we’ll go back to our lives. ” Brennan looked pleased with himself.
“What if I don’t want to?” I’d just gotten her back–and there was still so much we didn’t know. Not to mention she was in the hospital, in a strange place, alone.
And dissolving our bond was permanent.
“She doesn’t understand what that all entails. Also, with how fragile she is, I don’t think she’ll survive that,” Evan said softly.
That made my belly drop. “What do you mean?”
“You’ll do no such thing, Bren. Was I not clear that rash actions will make this worse?” Siobhan snapped.
“She’s right,” Evan agreed. “What your mom is suggesting is the right way to go from a legal standpoint–and that of decent people. Grace needs our help, and originally we agreed to help her. I stand by continuing to do that. Also, I like Grace, a lot. Maybe she’ll end up fitting in with us.”
“Evan, I’m so happy that you like her, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Your pack’s goal is to help Grace get better and to get past all three investigations without causing a scandal or anyone going to jail.” She gave Evan a smile–she had a soft spot for him.
“Of course, Siobhan.” Spencer gave her a dashing look. “We’ll care for her so well that there will be no doubt that she’s adored. If she’d like to stay and be employed in my Special Projects Division, I’d like that very much. I’m sure there’s so much she could contribute.”
“That’s so kind of you, Spencer. She’s a scientist?” Siobhan adored Spencer.
“Theoretical mathematician. Personally, I think she’s out of Wes’ league.” Spencer grinned at me.
I flipped him off. “Damn right she is. What if she doesn’t want to stay with us? She had a life before this.”
“If that’s what Grace wants, we’ll help her with that. After she’s better, the investigations are closed, and I can sleep knowing none of you will go to jail,” Siobhan said.
“This is assuming she can go home.” Spencer looked at me.
Had Evan told him?
Jett nodded. “I’ve been thinking about why now? She’s been an adult for years.”
“Her mom died,” Evan blurted.
“She did? That could do it,” I breathed. I still wondered how a parent could do to their child what Grace’s mom did to her. “Also, I think she graduated recently.”
“I have things to do, boys.” Siobhan’s voice went stern.
“We’re supposed to act like she’s one of us? What do we even tell people?” Brennan frowned.
She gave him a hard look. “What’s there to tell? Wes’ mate has come to stay with you. It’s only scandalous if you let it be. Act like it’s normal, and people will accept it as such.”
Brennan sighed. “Are we done?”
“No. You will fire all your pack legal representation and hire off a list I approve. However, Katie will personally handle anything regarding Grace, which will include working with the police and her advocate,” she told us. “You will cooperate.”
“Katie? Are you serious?” Brennan grimaced.
“Do you know what sort of scandal this could be? The charity gala is coming up. Not to mention the State Street project is high-profile and right now is giving me a headache. Now, do we have an understanding? ” She met every single one of our gazes, demanding our agreement.
We all nodded. There was no other answer.
“Good.” She stood. So did we.
“Thank you, Siobhan, for assisting us,” Spencer added.
“Yes, thank you,” Jett said, squeezing Brennan’s hand as we went to leave.
“Of course. Wes, when I mentioned not needing to court her, I was talking to them, not you,” she added.
“Woo her, care for her, learn about her. As her mate, you’ll be watched closest. If you have any fond feelings for her at all, you’ll act on those–and if you don’t, you will find some, since they can spot fakes. ”
“Absolutely. Evan and I are going to get her favorite ice cream and bring it to her,” I replied. Buy her little gifts, take her to the actual places we’d been to in our dreams, care for her? Okay, I could handle that.
“Excellent.” She nodded.
“Suck up,” Brennan muttered.
“Evan, will you be engaging an advocate?” she inquired. “It is your right. No one will blame or begrudge you. But it will need to be planned for.”
Brennan and I froze. What?
“No. I’m not angry that Wes has an undisclosed mate. I don’t see her as a threat. I’m not going to challenge her. However, I will be wooing the shit out of her.” He grinned. “Oh, Siobhan, you’re going to love her.”
“Don’t make Wes look too bad.” She patted him on the shoulder.
We got in the elevator. Jett and Evan both had their arms around Brennan. We all reeked of alpha dominance.
“Fuck.” Brennan hit the elevator wall with his fist, the sour pine filling the small space. “I can’t believe she’s asking us to do this.”
“I know she can be overbearing. She’s not the head alpha of our pack–you are. But right now, she’s just trying to keep our asses out of jail,” Jett soothed.
“Yeah, but…” Brennan’s head bowed.
“We need to tread carefully, but I don’t think this is a bad thing at all,” Spencer told us.
When we got into the main lobby, I pulled Evan aside. “Did you tell Spence?”
Evan shook his head. “No, but I think he figured it out. This is Spence.”
I nodded. “True. Why do I have the feeling that if we let them talk science, they’re going to end up changing the world and making billions?”
“He might also make a move on her. Oh, you should have seen how she looked at him this morning,” he laughed. “ Daddy .”
I growled at the thought of someone besides Evan wanting my Grace.
Evan laughed more. “That’s my Wes. But would that be bad? I mean, it’s Spence. ”
Spencer was a good man and while I enjoyed talking science with her, she’d probably like someone on her intellectual level.
Assuming she stayed.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” I tipped my forehead to his. “If not–”
“Will you stop? ” Evan smashed his lips to mine, reassurance searing our bond.
“Are you coming with us?” Brennan called.
Evan went over to Brennan and Jett and gave each of them a kiss. “I love you, but I’m going to go help Wes stay out of jail. We’ll call a car. But if one of you could drop off my car and some stuff for us in the morning, I’d be grateful.”
I looked at the pictures Lexi had sent me. “Shit. Lexi brought some of her packmates over to the hospital.”
Evan came over to me, looked at the pictures, and slid an arm around my waist. “Grace making friends with the sister pack isn’t the worst. It’s not like we don’t know them.”
“What did you mean about her not surviving being un-bonded? I know it hurts, but I didn’t know it killed people,” I said quietly as we called a car.
“Losing your mate, whether it’s drugs, death, or otherwise does kill people sometimes,” Evan said softly.
“After Spencer’s mate died, I fucking worried about him to the point I took a leave of absence from the military–and they weren’t soulmates.
They don’t call people who’d lost their bonded scent matches soulbroke for nothing, Wes. ”
Spencer’s mate had died a long time ago. They’d started dating at university and I’d never met her.
“Oh shit.” I sucked in a breath. “I don’t want to un-bond her. Even if it didn’t break her soul.” That sounded awful. My phone alerted me that the car was almost here.
“Good.” Evan squeezed my arm. “Now, let’s go buy her some ice cream.”