Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Iheard my brother talk about getting in the ring with Rowan and thought they’d all be in for a big surprise if they did. Xan was a dirty fighter, but my guy was tough as any I’d seen. He’d definitely give them all a run for their money. I wondered if Syn was aware they LoJacked our asses.
In Rowan’s room, I found a duffel in his closet, quickly grabbed a couple of pairs of soft jeans and T-shirts, and threw in a few pairs of socks and boxer briefs. The man may go commando and look great naked, but I didn’t want him to think I was a perv. A smile curved my lips.
“What’s got that smile on your face, darlin’?”
“Shit, I told you not to sneak up on me.” I dropped his bag. “Here, since you’re clearly well enough to carry your own stuff. I haven’t gotten any of your bathroom supplies.”
Rowan bent and picked up the duffel. “I’ll just grab a few things. I think I’m ready to wake up now.”
“What?” I asked.
He shook his head. “This whole thing seems surreal, and although I find you to be the embodiment of sexy itself, I really think I’m over this dream.” He turned and walked into his bathroom.
I watched him enter, my heart breaking at his words.
He’d only wanted to help a woman out, and instead, his entire life was turned upside down.
Now, he was wishing he’d never met me. He may not have had a choice in becoming an accidental shifter, but he didn’t have to be my mate.
I would let him go, even though it would kill me to watch him pick another.
Now that Kellen had accepted him and was willing to teach him everything, I would let Rowan choose his own path.
Nobody wanted an accidental mate thrust upon them.
I wanted a man who chose me, not one who didn’t have any other choice.
With my decision made, I wiped my fingers under my eyes and strolled out of his bedroom for the last time.
By the time I got to his big truck, I had my breathing under control and my mask of indifference on. There was no way he could drive. I’d seen the way his hand shook when he’d picked up the bag. Climbing into the driver’s seat, I waited for him to make his way out.
My breath caught as he emerged in a fresh pair of jeans and another button-down.
He’d also put on a pair of boots. Gah, I loved cowboy boots on men.
As he engaged the alarm system by the garage opening, his back was to me, and I watched the flex of his ass in the denim.
I was going to lose my sanity if I had to watch him hook up with one of my friends.
Or I’d end up killing the woman, or women, who made a play for him.
“I see you’re doing the driving?” He raised his right brow.
I pressed the door opener’s button. “Obviously. Buckle up, buddy.” No more using cute little pet names. I was putting him in the friend zone.
Sitting idle in the circle drive were Kellen and Xan with their custom bikes rumbling.
They were enough to keep my mind on the task at hand.
Kellen’s skullcap and facemask covering was scary as fuck, partnered with Xan’s, and most people on the road gave them a wide berth.
I laughed at Rowan’s shocked expression.
“Aren’t they worried they’ll get pulled over when someone calls in about bikers wearing skull and crossbones on their faces?” Rowan asked.
“Nope, they’ve been pulled over many times. The masks keep the dirt and dust out of their eyes, nose, and mouth. Police can’t argue with logic.” I followed the bikes.
His grunt made me think of other times he made that sound. To stop my mind from going there, I turned on the radio and tuned to my favorite rock station. He relaxed in the seat, the stress from what he’d gone through finally catching up with him.
Kellen’s bike pulled first onto the highway, while Xan hung back.
They were making sure nobody was following us.
Something I’d not thought to check on since seeing them.
This late in the evening, there weren’t many vehicles on the highway, but still enough to make it hard to discern if anyone was tailing us.
I was glad my brother had my back. Rowan, for all his strength, was in no shape to take on anyone at the moment, and I couldn’t truly fight off more than a wolf or two and hope to survive.
I had fucked up by taking Rowan home instead of to the Iron Wolf clubhouse.
Kellen wouldn’t have punished Rowan or me for what was done.
My wolf had wanted him, and I’d been too stupid and selfish to think straight.
Now, he was paying for my selfishness. Had I taken him to see Kellen, he’d have been welcomed into their society with open arms. He’d have been helped through his first shift by the alpha, cutting down on the pain and agony, and wouldn’t have had to go through so many shifts in one day.
Instead, I’d fucked him over royally, and he didn’t get to do the top three things all shifters wanted. Hunt, kill, and fuck.
“What’s wrong, Lyric?” Rowan asked.
His words jarred me out of my thoughts. “What? I thought you were sleeping. Are you okay?”
Rowan’s hand settled on my thigh, making me tremble. “I could feel your…I’m not sure what it was, but it made me and my other aware. Does that make sense?”
I jerked my eyes from the road to look at Rowan’s glowing blue gaze. “Don’t look at me like that, Rowan.”
“Like what?” He licked his lips.
I put my hand over his, where it lay on my thigh. “I didn’t mean to wake you. We’re almost to the clubhouse,” I said, not answering his question.
He turned his hand over, entwining our fingers. “Tell me what to expect once we get there. Are they going to put me through my paces and make me fight for my place? You know, like only the strong survive or some shit?”
His thumb rubbing along my palm almost made me forget what he was asking.
“What? God, no. Rowan, you are pack now. I know you didn’t want this, and rest assured, we don’t go out and just turn people.
As a matter of fact, it isn’t done. Usually, there is a process and a petition before a human is ever turned.
I’ve never heard of this happening with someone without their consent and knowledge.
The only time someone becomes one of us is if they are mates.
Had that other wolf not bitten you, I’d never have…
done it. I couldn’t allow him to make you his.
You saw how Kellen could go into your mind?
” I waited for him to squeeze my hand. “The other wolf, if he were the alpha, could’ve done the same at any time.
If he wasn’t the alpha, then whoever was his alpha could’ve done the same.
They can control you to an extent. You are strong, so I don’t think you personally would’ve been susceptible, but imagine some weak human. ”
“Holy shite. I never thought of that. Do you think he can still get into my head?” Rowan released my hand.
The loss of his warmth made me ache. “No. Kellen would have felt another presence inside you when he took over your shift.” I wished he’d reach back out and touch me, but he stared out the passenger window, lost in his own thoughts, or so it appeared.
“I want to find that fuck, and kill him,” he growled.
I nodded, but we were pulling into the lot of the MC.
Dozens of bikes and cars were still there.
Lights flooded the parking lot, with music blaring, letting me know there were still many members partying.
Exactly what I needed. Syn stood with Nene near the entrance, their worried expressions easing as they saw me driving the truck and my bike in the back.
Rowan sat up straighter. “Stay by my side, Lyric. Don’t leave me, okay.”
My heart melted at the plea in his voice. “I’ll do my best, but remember, Kellen is the alpha. I have to listen to him, and so do you.” I pulled his truck into an open spot and turned the key off, gasping when he pulled me over the console in the middle to sit on his lap.
“I don’t give a flying fuck what he is. You are mine. You stay with me. We clear?”
The electric-blue eyes worried me. Alpha eyes.
I couldn’t let him go into the Iron Wolf showing signs of an alpha, like he was ready to challenge Kellen.
“Rowan, listen to me. I want you like no other.” I shifted, straddling his lap.
“Inside the club, Kellen is top man. We all listen to him. He won’t make me, or you, do anything that puts us in danger, nor will he do anything he truly doesn’t think is best for all of us.
Right now, you only think you want me. Remember what you said back at your house?
Give it time. We will see what you really want.
Just don’t do anything that pisses off Kellen or Xan. Okay?”
The heat from his body under me was stirring things inside me that I wished we could act on. My canines ached to sink into him again, only this time marking him for the world to see.
“You mean like rip your clothes off and fuck you senseless?” Rowan asked.
Damn, my pussy actually pulsed at the imagery of his words. A growl brought both our heads around to the driver’s side.
“That would definitely get you in some serious trouble,” Xan said.
I stared at my brother and could see he was deadly serious. “Oh, for the love of all that’s holy, Xander. I’ve caught you too many times to count, so stop acting all…whatever you are.”
“You’re my baby sister. The last thing I want to see, hear, or think about is you getting fucked. Now, let’s get inside, and I’ll have one of the guys unload your bike.”
I looked around for Kellen, figuring he might be around to talk some sense into Xan, but our fearless leader was nowhere to be seen. Choosing the safer route, I pulled the door open on the passenger side and climbed out ahead of Rowan, smirking over my shoulder at Xan.
Bodhi was at the door, looking as menacing as always.
With his bleached-blond hair shaved at the sides and spiked on top, and his dark skin and tattoos, he looked exactly what he was.
A total badass ready to kick ass now and take names later.
He was also a total sweetheart when it came to the ladies.
He flashed his pearly white smile and twin dimples.
Since coming back from the desert with his smokejumper friend Slater, he’d been a little more protective of all the women in the club.
I couldn’t wait to meet the men I’d heard about who had the ability to read minds, create fire, and do other cool shit.
I figured we might need them in the future.
“Good evening, sweets. I hear you’ve been out causing trouble as always.
” He pointed one thick finger at me. The rings he wore on his right hand had, on more than one occasion, caused a lot of damage to men too stupid to watch their mouths.
“Kellen and your friends are in his office. He said to bring our new member along.” He looked Rowan up and down. “You need some ink.”
“Thanks, Bodhi. Did Syn and Nene seem okay?” I put my body between Rowan and the others. Bodhi had always enjoyed watching me and the other girls dance. I hoped he would focus on me instead of Rowan. The tilt of his head let me know he saw right through my actions.
“Syn, of course, was worried. Nene, too.” The way he said Syn’s name had me taking a second look at his expression.
He’d never let on that he was interested in any of us, other than that he appreciated beauty.
Bodhi was a ladies’ man, which was why we all steered clear of him.
He never had just one woman on his arm or in bed; it was always two or three.
My friends and I did not share. Ever. If he had his sights set on Syn, I’d have to warn my best friend to watch herself.