Chapter 5 #2
The need to raise my head and howl a warning to all nearly overrode common sense.
On the deck, the hair on the back of my wolven body stood on end.
I darted to the front of the wraparound porch before shifting.
I didn’t know if it was a real threat or my imagination, but until we knew for sure, I was taking every precaution.
Shifting to human once I reached the front door, I punched in the code, keeping my body in place so anyone watching, even with a high-powered scope, couldn’t see.
The scent of cinnamon and syrup wafted through the air.
My stomach rumbled. I smiled as I saw a barefoot Breezy by my six-burner gas stove.
Yeah, I could get used to seeing her there.
The image of her pregnant with my son popped into my head.
Whoa, slow my damn roll. I wasn’t sure I’d make a good father.
My vocabulary alone wouldn’t be conducive to child rearing, let alone the danger hanging over our heads. I’d never allow her out of my sight.
“What’s put that look on your face?” Breezy pointed a spatula at me.
I shrugged. “Just thinking.”
Her husky chuckle floated between us. “Maybe you shouldn’t do that too often. It looks like it hurts.”
I eliminated the space between us in a few short strides. “Bella, you know what happens to bad girls who sass their mates?” I nipped her neck. “They get fucked. They get fucked hard.”
She shivered in my arms, tilting her head. “That doesn’t sound like a punishment.”
“Gods damn it, woman. I’m hungry for food and you.” My stomach made another loud rumble.
“How about if I feed one hunger, then we take care of another?” Her eyes held a promise I hated to deny.
“Kellen’s called a meeting of the entire pack. We’ll have just enough time to eat and head to the club.” I grabbed the plates and set them on the breakfast bar, pulling out forks and glasses along with the gallon of milk. She raised her eyebrows.
“Hey, I’m no male chauvinist.” As I passed behind her, I couldn’t help but kiss the bewildered look off her face. She tasted even sweeter than the scents coming from the cooking. “You sure we don’t have time for a quickie?” Her eyes softened.
“Don’t tempt me. Kellen would kick my ass.” I reached for the plate she’d heaped with the pancakes. When we finished, I helped load the dishwasher, then led her out to my garage.
I wanted to ride my Harley with her snuggled against my back, but felt we’d be too exposed, opting for the large Knight XV Urban Assault vehicle Kellen and I had both paid a mint for.
Mine was painted a platinum color, while Kellen’s was all black.
They were made of steel and aluminum and were bulletproof.
I had no clue we’d need the magnetic bomb detector on the underbody when we’d bought it over a year ago.
The biodiesel engine, we’d been assured, along with all the other modifications, could survive an apocalypse.
The hefty price of four hundred and fifty grand was a kick in the nuts, but we’d handed the cash over without batting an eye, much to the supplier’s shock.
“What the heck is that thing?” Breezy pointed at the vehicle I led her toward.
I explained about my baby. Yeah, I was a guy who liked his toys. “It’s a modern-day tank for civilians, only it has a V-10, so I can pretty much outrun anything.”
She stood outside the passenger door, trying to see inside. I shook my head and disengaged the locks, then helped her get inside. With the large tires and lift kit, she’d have a hard time getting in by herself.
“Damn, look at the inside. I think we could live in here.” She ran her hands over the leather.
That was the point, if it came to the apocalypse, or running over humans out to destroy us. My face hardened. “We could do a lot of damage from in here, too.” I put my sunglasses on before backing out of the garage, wishing I knew what we were up against.
When we reached the Iron Wolves MC, the lot was full of the entire pack’s various vehicles. I was glad to see my sister’s mate had brought them in his jacked-up truck. There were several other vehicles I didn’t recognize.
“Stay by my side. If shit goes sideways, I want you to shift and stay behind me.” Nothing would get through me to her.
Her spine straightened, but she didn’t speak for a minute. “I can fight, too.”
I lifted my arm, spanning her throat with my hand. “Nothing can happen to you.” I caressed the mark I’d made the night before. “My attention would be divided. I need to know you obeyed my orders, not because you’re weak, but because you’re strong enough to know it’s what was needed.”
I could tell she struggled with the concept, but then she nodded. “If you get hurt, I’ll hurt. Don’t fucking do that to me.” Her voice wavered.
I nodded once, then kissed her quickly. “Come on. Let’s see who’s all here. Remember what I said.”
“Yes, daddy.”
“You can call me sir, or master.” I smiled over my shoulder, seeing a glimmer of tears in her gorgeous eyes.
She slipped her hand in mine as we entered the clubhouse.
The feel of eyes on us had me gathering her closer, her heart beating hard enough I felt it through our clothes. “It’s going to be fine, Bree.”
I wanted to just get to the killing and get-r-done, but this shit was a complicated business.
The first two men I saw were Shaw and Parker Mattice.
I felt Breezy stiffen next to me, her soft face lined with worry.
I leaned down and kissed her forehead. I’d gut both her brothers if they hurt her.
They walked up to me as a unit, both men blond like Breezy with dark brown eyes.
They were about five feet eleven inches tall but had the muscular build of all wolves.
I raised my eyebrows as they stood before me, wearing identical frowns. “What’s up, boys?”
Shaw’s eyes went to the mating mark on Breezy’s neck, then mine, his stance relaxing. “Congrats, man. Dad will be pleased.” He held his hand out.
I couldn’t resist ruffling the shorter man’s hair. “Thanks, buddy.”
Parker laughed. “You really are funny. I do like you and think you’re good for my sis.”
Shaw gave them both dark looks. “Fuck off,” he said, smoothing his hair back.
Breezy fixed them all with a droll stare, speaking with a knowing tone. “Stop with the pissing contest, boys. I will not be cleaning up any of your blood. Let’s save it for our enemies.” Her words sobered us all.
Kellen sat at the long table reserved for the MC members.
I took the seat to his right, placing Breezy on my lap.
The alpha rested his fists on the scarred table while he waited for the others to take their seats.
I smelled the air of anticipation in the large room.
I looked for my sister and her mate, Rowan.
The door to the bar opened. The scent of humans followed Lyric and Rowan.
Five men I’d never met before, but who looked every bit as dangerous as any I’d seen, trailed behind the couple.
In their eyes, I saw they were prepared for anything with the squared shoulders and military-looking clothes. Rowan’s Phantom team, I assumed.
Kellen pointed to the other end of the table, where the extra chairs were. “Have a seat, and thanks for coming on such short notice. I’m Kellen, and this is Xan, my right hand.”
“These are my friends. Kayan or Kayak, Oz, Coyle, Sully, and that big bastard is Tay.” Rowan pointed to each man.
I looked each man over, stopping at the Polynesian one named Kayan, or Kayak. “Why Kayak?”
Kayan’s dark eyes swam with mirth. “Because they’re asshats?
” He turned his gaze on the red-haired one Rowan introduced as Oz.
“We call him Oz since he’s crazier than a motherfucker.
How’s that for an answer? That one,” he pointed to the African American man.
“We call him Coyle, cause he’s like a snake, always coiled and ready to strike.
This one is Sully. He gets all down in the dumps if we don’t let him kill something, which is why he’s Sully.
Last but not least is Tay. He’s just Tay, cause he’d kick all our asses if we didn’t call him what he told us.
” He crossed muscled arms over his chest. “You can call me Kayan, or Kai.”
Rowan started to laugh, but stopped as a knife flew through the air, embedding itself between the table and his hands.
I growled, but my new pack member beat me to the actual punch, launching himself over the table in a blink.
Kayan found himself pinned under two hundred and thirty pounds of pissed-off wolf shifter.
“You ever toss a weapon anywhere near my mate, I will rip your fucking head from your body before you can blink.” His voice had changed from human to beast-like.
The men who’d come in with the other Phantom team members didn’t even blink or think to intervene.
“That’s what I needed to see. You kept your beast too locked down.
If we’re going to help protect you and your new pack, we need to see what we’re working with.
” Kayan didn’t flinch or show a hint of fear.
As I inhaled, I was shocked to find that not a trace of fear wafted off the downed man. “Are you sure Oz is the crazy one in the group?” I asked pointedly.
The women in the club had all shrunk back away from the violence, except Lyric and Breezy, who both looked on with fascination.
Lyric, I understood, but I didn’t like my mate’s eyes on the other man.
I growled, drawing her attention. The little minx smiled, leaning forward and kissing my lips. “I only have eyes for you, luv.”
“Good,” I grunted.
“We done.” Kellen banged his fist on the table.
Rowan hopped off the other man, then held his hand out to help him up. “You’re such a dick.”
Kayan’s dark eyes sparked with mirth. “I’d say something, but I don’t want to draw eyes to my junk and then have you wanting to roll around on the ground with me again.”