Chapter 7 #2
He strokes my hair, moving his mouth closer to my ear where he softly says, “He’s gutted, Sis.
He was gonna leave to keep you safe. He left as soon as he could settle after we figured out who you are to him.
He left and I asked for help with Silver Hills, and he was right there, helping us out, no questions asked.
He only came back for his RV, since Wyatt Meadows stole it.
He would’ve stayed gone if not for that.
He has no control over his wolf, blacks out.
He’s lived on his own since forever. Don’t know all the hell he’s been through but one look in that shifter’s eyes when his guard is down and you see the demons.
So many of them. So much pain. He’s a solid fuckin’ guy.
Saved my life. Works jobs helping other packs straighten their shit out, babe.
But he lives alone to protect the world from his wolf.
He’s fuckin’ gutted about this, about you.
Saw him last night. He caught your scent in his RV and we had to lock him down.
He checked into a motel after I gave it a cleaning.
He was supposed to come this morning to hook up and leave and we were gonna meet him here and have a chat, brainstorm on some ideas, but guessin’ he showed early to avoid all of us and head out.
And you were there waiting when he got there. ”
I nod, sniffling. It hurts so much to think of the pain he’s in.
Linc keeps talking. “You were drawn to figure out what was what with him based on what you heard from Stacy? Maybe by Fate, too.”
I nod again.
He continues. “I’m convinced Fate brought him around me first so I could help, so we’d know how good of a guy he is, and so he could find you and fix what’s wrong in himself.
So, we can give him a pack. I’m sure of it.
We just don’t know how yet and he won’t listen; thinks he has to leave to protect you.
I only leveled with these guys yesterday.
Been carrying this burden for the last while trying to suss it out, but we had Grey’s mating drama. ”
I sniffle.
He presses his lips to my forehead. “We all caught that scent and heard his howl. Grey went to Rye and Erica’s to get on the phone with some of her sisters, tryin’ to see what can be done.
Gonna ask Cat to reach out to Dr. Blakely, too.
Jared didn’t want that, doesn’t trust the SCC, which we can hardly blame.
But we’ll ask Cat not to reveal who she’s asking for.
Rye’s with your father now, explaining, because the village smells like you. ”
The tears come harder.
“But honey, please listen to me.” He pulls back and holds my face again, his thumbs wiping tears away, and all that Linc warmth I’ve been missing right here in his eyes.
“When he’s awake, it’s gonna make it worse that you’re here.
Please, work with us. I need to go shower to get your scent off me.
He’ll lose it. It’s a direct challenge that I’ve even touched you, especially given he knows you and I have history. ”
I shake my head. “I am not leaving until I talk to him. I need to talk to him when he wakes up. Need to, Linc.”
He grinds his molars.
I add, “If you’re worried about how he’ll take me being here with you all, then the solution is for you guys to leave instead of me.”
Linc fires back, “And if Ty’s right about the fact the irons might not hold him? He could wake up and immediately shift. He could break through those irons and maybe even through the barred door.”
Fuck.
“What happened?” Linc asks. “Need you to tell me.”
“He drove in and saw me, told me to leave, then shifted.”
“So, you met his wolf close up?”
I nod. “He got my throat in his mouth and then shifted back and claimed me immediately, no introductions or anything. And then after he… gave my neck his mark he knifed off me and swam across the river, yelling at me from over there to leave. Then you guys got here, and it made him shift back. I think he fought shifting. And lost.”
“Fuck.”
“Maybe his wolf won’t harm me. Maybe it recognizes me. Did you see how he reacted when I shifted?”
“He won’t want to take that chance.”
“Give me the stun gun,” I say. “I’ll be careful.”
He looks me over, pondering it.
Mase and Tyson join us.
“I’m not leaving,” I state inflexibly, eyes bouncing across all of them.
“He could’ve killed you, Sis,” Linc warns.
“He didn’t,” I remind him.
“Doesn’t mean he won’t,” Linc volleys.
“You just said you think all this is happening for a reason, Lincoln.”
Linc huffs out a breath.
“We’ve got a taser and a stun gun,” Mase says. “If she’s double-fisted, she could zap him through the bars, then call one of us. We’ll leave her a vehicle to get away quick if he does.”
Linc replies. “Jared has a full kit of defense weapons. Probably back in his truck. He’s got strong ones. But this could go on for days before we can even have a conversation with him, guys.”
“Then bring his truck and camper here,” I suggest. “Then I’ve got amenities while I wait.”
“We’ll have the women stock you up with supplies,” Tyson offers. “I’ve got generators at the cabin. Then you’ve got comforts.”
“It’s got a decent solar set-up, and he’s got a generator,” Joel steps out, closing the barred door over and testing to ensure it’s closed before he hangs a set of keys on a nail outside the door and says, “We’ll check and see if his tanks are empty.”
“Don’t like this,” Linc grits out.
“I’m sorry, Lincoln, but that’s too bad,” I dig in. “Nobody should get between an alpha and his mate, right?”
Linc’s gaze narrows. He doesn’t like that I’m playing this card that the alphas always play. And too bad.
Linc massages his temples with one hand.
“I’ll go get those supplies,” Joel announces.
“I’ll bring back the truck and trailer,” Tyson offers.
“Sounds good,” I say, straightening my spine, ready to move on.
Linc isn’t on board.
Tyson grabs Linc’s shoulder affectionately and says, “Fate knows what it’s doing. You already pointed it out. Now trust it.”
Linc blows out a long exhale and squeezes the back of his neck. “I care about you,” he says to me, emotion oozing in those warm eyes.
God, Linc.
“I know,” I whisper, chin wobbling.
“And I care about him,” he adds. “He saved my life. I’ve saved his.
He’s a good fuckin’ guy, Sis. Known him a couple years now and he’s been through hell.
And this? Today?” He blows out a breath and then says, “If he hurts you, he’ll be devastated.
All of us would be devastated. All of us are your alphas and we all want you safe. ”
“He’s her alpha now, Lincoln,” Tyson reminds him.
I chew my lip and hold back more emotion.
When Linc doesn’t say anything else, still looking torn by emotion, I add, “I need to be here. Near him.”
“He’ll be wrecked, babe. He won’t want you to see it. I wouldn’t either, if I was him.”
“Well, that’s just too bad.” I shrug, sniffling.
Riley pulls up, looking amped as he gets out of his car. His eyes sweep over me. “You okay, darlin’?”
Grabbing my hair on both sides of my head, I laugh.
Riley winces. “Wasn’t easy to keep Lorenzo from comin’. Maybe phone him? Tell him you’re fine?”
“Lie to him, you mean? Sure. Gimme your phone.”
Riley reaches out, about to put his arms around me, when Mase, Linc, and Joel all say in unison, “Don’t touch her!”
Riley pauses mid-reach and passes me his phone instead.
“Thanks for the thought, Rye.”
He gives me a look of understanding and turns to them. “Need a word with you guys real quick, yeah? About Jase.”
Riley’s expression is extreme and it’s obvious he doesn’t want me to hear whatever he has to say. Hopefully there haven’t been complications with Jase and Danica Young bringing the Starling wand to Romania, but I can’t give it too much headspace.
“I’ll go inside and call Dad so you guys can talk.”
“Not until we get more supplies from Jared’s,” Linc denies inflexibly, moving to block the door so I can’t go in.
“Can you wait twenty minutes to fill me in, Riley? Tyson asks.
Riley says, “I’ll fill these guys in, and they can update you.”
Tyson says, “Good. I’ll run back and drive the truck and trailer here.”
“Sounds good,” Mase agrees.
Tyson shifts and runs.
I can’t deal with a conversation with my father.
I open a text string as they move away from me.
It’s Cicely. I’m ok. I’ll be in touch when I can but don’t worry.
It’s immediately ringing with Dad’s name on the screen. Damn it.
I answer. “I’m not sure I can talk right now, Dad,” I rasp, throat clogged with more emotion.
“I know you’re smart. Know you’re strong. But want you to know I love you and I’ll help however I can.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Kath and her girls are gonna send out some food, love.”
“Can you ask Bailey to pull some clothes and my toothbrush and stuff together?”
The phone is quiet for so long I ask, “Did I lose you?”
“Bailey ain’t here, punkin. I can ask Kathy to do that.”
“Okay?” I query, waiting for whatever else there is. Because Dad doesn’t sound right.
“You got enough to worry about.”
“What’s that mean?” I ask, seeing the guys off in the distance in their huddle and picking up on a not-nice vibe from that direction.
“Bailey followed Jason,” Dad advises. “And something went sideways. Don’t know much, but the council is on it.”
“I’m staring at half the council who are on this thing here.”
“Don’t worry. All hands will be on deck. It’ll get sorted. Evander and Audrey will take turns manning the store. Leona is lookin’ after the library. Colleen is comin’ home to help out with the store. Hired Evander in the meantime.”
Shit. Evander Creed is a pain in my ass. He’s been trying to get me to hire him for months. But he’s too immature and no way would he take orders from a female.
But what the what? Bailey followed Jase? Not a shock. As usual, when drama starts in Arcana Falls, it can’t just be one thing. It’s got to be all hell breaking loose.
“We weren’t gonna tell you but knew you’d keep sniffin’, my little hound.” He’s got humor in his voice, but I don’t find anything funny.
“Worry about you right now, okay?” Dad says.
“Everyone better keep me updated,” I order.
“Don’t sweat it.”
“Please make sure a female packs my clothes and toiletries, not one of the guys.”
“Absolutely. Love you.”
“Love you, Dad.”