Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Ibarely controlled my mirth at the Fey’s constant goading of my mate. Kellen wasn’t used to anyone teasing him. Well, I could get away with it, but only if we were naked, but then I would pay for it. Images of what he’d do to me had me squirming in the seat.
“That is one way to distract me from throttling the little thing in the back.”
I kept my eyes straight ahead, concentrating on fortifying the walls between me and all except Kellen. “I hope she can’t see what I was showing you.”
“I thought you liked being a little exhibitionist.” Kellen’s blue eyes looked my way.
A slight snore interrupted us. “The Fey are a mystery. Do you think she will share with us more about them?” I would love to know more, especially since I’d seen how the other woman healed Jared.
Humans would have been able to survive from the injury, unless they were allergic to the silver, the way a shifter was.
Jared did not know about his allergy and would have died. Stubborn male.
“Men don’t like to feel vulnerable. I’m sure Jared will be more aware now.” I pictured the little girl’s sweet face. “I hate the thought of them being all alone out there without a pack.”
My mate sent a smile that warmed my heart. “I have a feeling we will see them again.”
The gates of the club appeared. Rowan’s truck sat next to Syn’s and several others, along with a dozen motorcycles. “Well, I guess we shall see how she reacts to our motley crew.” I kept my fingers entwined with Kellen’s as he downshifted the gears.
Jennaveve sat up as if she’d not just been snoring. “Well, isn’t this a nice establishment. You sure do like that symbol.” Her head nodded at the claws on the side of the brick building.
“We are the Iron Wolves.” Kellen backed into his spot.
“Silver is your kryptonite, so it makes sense. You think whoever owns that truck will let me drive it?” She pointed at Syn’s black beast.
Kellen smirked. “You’ll have to talk to my sister.”
She made a noncommittal noise, but her large turquoise eyes stared out the window. “Your vehicles are remarkable.”
I looked at the details for each member’s car.
The club wasn’t just an MC. They owned and operated one of the most sought-after custom detail businesses in the country, turning the ordinary into extraordinary.
They were known for taking a common vehicle and customizing it with more bells and whistles than most people needed. I ran my hand over Kellen’s dashboard.
“I see,” Jennaveve said.
“Dang it. I didn’t block that, did I?” I looked over my shoulder.
The Fey shrugged. “I’ll show you how to do it without thinking. If I needed wheels like you, I’d totally hire you to fix me one. I’d want an orange one, though.”
Kellen raised his brows. “Why orange?”
She sighed. “It’s so bright. Like the sun. I’d want to have some splashes of red and yellow.” Jennaveve showed me and Kellen what she meant. The color was almost too bright.
“Yikes. I’d need sunglasses.” I rubbed my eyes.
Kellen shut off the vehicle and turned to face the back. “Alright. Let’s go into my office. I’ll call a meeting with my second and a few of my top men, along with their women. From the looks of it, they’re already here.”
Jennaveve didn’t wait for him to open her door before hopping down. “I believe she’s ready.” I pressed a quick kiss to Kellen’s lips. He grabbed the back of my head, turning the small gesture into something more.
“Alright, kiddos. Let’s not make babies with our mouths.”
Kellen pulled away, resting his forehead on mine. “Remind me I can’t throttle her.”
Laughing, I licked my lips. “I think she’s awesome.”
“You would.” He flung his door open, then came around to my side, lifting me down with ease. “Let’s roll.” His eyes scanned the area even though it was daylight.
At the club entrance, he opened the door and entered first, then held it open for Jennaveve and me.
The action was one the Fey was clearly used to.
All eyes turned to us as we entered. Kellen and I held hands, but I could tell that wasn’t what caused the hackles to rise on the wolves.
Jennaveve walked with her back straight, meeting the eyes of every man and woman in the place.
Even though they were in human form, all were wolves.
“Xan, Bodhi, Rowan. In my office. And bring your mates.” He looked at the room. “I want everyone to stick around. I’ll be calling a meeting of the pack to discuss the latest development.”
Silence met his announcement. I saw Breezy grip Xan’s hand while Lyric moved closer to Rowan. Syn moved away from the crowd and came toward Kellen.
“Brother, if I could have a word before your meeting?”
“What’s up, sis?”
“You called everyone into the meeting but me. So, am I just to stand around out here and twiddle my thumbs? I got shit to do, so I thought I’d let you know you could just open our link and you could let me know.”
I saw the hurt Kellen’s announcement had made. “Fuck, Syn, I meant for you to be part of the roll-call. Damn,” he growled. “Don’t make me grovel. Get your ass in my office.”
“Well, next time, don’t call out to everyone except me. I don’t have a fucking mate, jackhole.” Syn stomped past Kellen.
“Don’t. You know she’s hurting right now,” I pleaded with Kellen.
The brother and sister had identical temperaments. “That’s the only reason I’m allowing her to get away with this shit.”
I seethed inside. I had no plans to stick around and watch Bodhi check his phone or see him slink off to speak with whoever was on the other line.
Overhearing him growl orders at another person, as if they were important to him, made me realize I was beating my heart against a stone wall.
All the years I’d waited for him to realize we were mates were for nothing.
I realized all the time I’d thought he was waiting for me to grow up had been futile when I heard him call another woman baby in a tone so gentle, and one he’d never used with me as an adult.
It reminded me of the one he’d used on me when I’d been a kid, and I’d gotten hurt over something.
Only I could tell the person on the other end wasn’t a child.
Syn shook her head. “No more,” I whispered. I was done being the sweet little girl he thought I was. Hell, I was so far from the sweet, innocent thing they all thought I was, but I’d tried to be what he seemed to want in a mate. And it had been for nothing.
“Hello. You must be Karsyn Styles. You look like your brother, only beautiful and female. I like your truck.”
Blinking down at the petite blonde, I suppressed a growl. “Who the heck are you, woman?” Unable to scent anything, I waited.
“My name is Jennaveve, but you can call me Jenna. We are going to be good friends. I can feel it. Well, and see it, but I don’t want to freak you out. People tend to give me looks.” Jenna made air quotes around the last word.
I looked over my shoulder at Kellen and Laikyn as they entered his office. “Is she crazy?”
Kellen shook his head, then stopped. “Probably, but she’s Fey.”
As if those simple words should answer my question. “So, what is a Fey?” I directed my words at the newcomer.
“Ah, child, if I told you I’d have to kill you.” She made a slashing motion with her finger across her throat, then laughed. The sound was too sweet to have come from a crazy lady.
“Are we protecting her?” I walked around the self-proclaimed Fey.
The rest of the Iron Wolves’ top enforcers entered, settling onto the couches, with their mates on their laps.
I chose one of the large recliners facing away from Bodhi.
I crossed my legs in the short mini skirt, showing off my legs.
The feel of Bodhi’s eyes following the movement usually made me want to tease him, but I was done with him.
Jenna stood off to the side, next to Kellen. “This is Jennaveve. She’s a Fey and from the Mystic Pack.” Kellen didn’t look or sound too pleased.
“Hello, boys and girls. Or should I say pups? As your esteemed leader has announced, I am Fey, and you are all in need of some assistance. That is where I come in. Now, I know you all think you don’t need it, because you’re big bad wolfies and I’m this little sprite.
However, I can assure you, you do. Now, do you have any questions before I begin? ” She gazed at each member.
I felt power swell, and it wasn’t my brother Kellen. “Alright, since you are all ready, prepare yourselves. It’s gonna be a doozy, but it’ll be over before you know it. Kellen, I suggest you and your mate take a seat.” Jenna pointed at the chair.
Kellen nodded and took his recliner, pulling Laikyn onto his lap.
Not knowing what I’d expected, my head jerked back against the soft leather.
Information filtered in quicker than anything I’d ever received.
As my mind processed, sweat coated my brow.
Minutes or hours passed before I opened my eyes.
When the hum in my head eased, I looked around, seeing stunned expressions on everyone else’s faces.
“You’ve faced vampires before?” Kellen questioned Jenna.
Jenna nodded. “They are not all bad. The majority are good. You just need to know their strengths and weaknesses.”
The men didn’t look as shaken as the other women, and I did. It took monumental effort for me to stand. Even then, my legs threatened to buckle. Bodhi was the first to shoot to his feet, his hands on my hips, steadying me.
“Easy, sweets.”
I jerked out of his arms. “Thanks, but I’m fine.”
“You will be.” Jenna’s dark eyes assessed me, making me think she could see straight through to my soul.
“If there’s nothing else, I’m outta here.”
“Don’t forget to keep with the buddy system, sis.” Kellen got to his feet.
Envy hit me as I looked around at the three women snuggled in their mate’s arms. Having known, or thought I’d known, my mate since childhood, I was sure I’d be the first to be mated. “Got it.”