Haven

by Karen Lynch

  I slapped him on the back and gave him a little shove forward. “Congrats, man.”

  “Thanks,” he mumbled, then left to make his way to the front of the room. He still looked dumbfounded when he took his place beside Sheila. I didn’t know why he was so shocked. He was the Alpha’s son and a damn good fighter. If that didn’t make him fit to be a Beta, nothing would.

  Maxwell continued to call out the names. As expected, Shawn Walsh made the list. I’d expected him or Kyle to be selected, if not both.

  Pete’s eyes met mine across the room when his father hesitated before calling out the last name on the list. Maxwell had filled three of the four local positions, which meant the last Beta was someone from the Knolls.

  “Kyle Walsh.”

  Surprise swept through me. I hadn’t realized how much I wanted to be on the list until that moment, or how disappointed I’d feel if I wasn’t selected. Pete’s face showed his surprise, too. He’d said more than once he expected me to make the cut before him.

  I should be happy. Being a Beta meant more responsibility, and I already had two jobs. And Emma, if she’d have me. I didn’t want anything to take me away from her, especially now.

  The meeting came to a close, and we went to congratulate the new Betas before leaving. There were some disappointed faces, but most were in good spirits. Pete still looked a bit shocked when I stopped to tell him I’d see him later. Francis was already talking about his plans to improve patrols. Maybe not being selected as a Beta wasn’t such a bad thing.

  Even though I hadn’t made Beta, I received stares from almost everyone in the room. The news that I’d imprinted on Emma had spread like wildfire, and it was even bigger than what Trevor and Gary had done. Most pack members were curious because, like me, they hadn’t known it was possible to imprint on a human.

  I’d gotten a few sympathetic looks from people who mistakenly thought I didn’t want a human as a mate. And then there were the resentful stares from a few of the unmated females, as if I’d deliberately chosen Emma to keep them from finding a mate.

  Looks and whispers didn’t faze me, and I couldn’t care less what people thought of me as long as they treated Emma with respect. If she became my mate, she’d be a part of this pack, and I wouldn’t allow anyone to make her feel unwelcome.

  I left the building and headed for my car. Paul was working on an engine rebuild, and I’d promised to help him so we’d be free for when the Dodge Challenger arrived next week. Maybe the work would help me think about something other than Emma for a few hours. Not being able to talk to her was killing me, and I hoped she called or texted me soon.

  “Roland.”

  I stopped and looked back at Maxwell, who was walking toward me. He caught up to me and waved a hand at the house.

  “Come inside. We need to talk.”

  Whenever Maxwell called me aside for a talk, it usually meant bad news or I was in trouble for something. Since I hadn’t broken any pack rules lately, I could only assume he wanted to talk about Emma. My mother had assured me Maxwell would have no problem with my human mate, but my body tensed as I took a chair across from the desk in his office.

  He sat in his big chair and studied me with shrewd eyes. “I hear you’ve imprinted on Emma Grey.”

  “Yes.”

  “How do you feel about that?”

  My eyebrows shot up. “I think my wolf chose well.”

  He leaned back in his chair. “And she accepts you as a mate?”

  “I don’t know. I hope so.” I couldn’t think about the possibility of Emma telling me she didn’t want to be with me.

  “There’ll be some challenges for a human in a werewolf pack. She can’t shift, and she’s more fragile than we are. She’ll feel the pack link once you’re mated, but not as strongly as you do, so she won’t submit to pack laws like a wolf would. But she will be a full member of this pack with all the rights and privileges as anyone else.”

  The tension flowed out of me. “Thank you.”

  He crossed his arms and stretched out his legs. “What do you think of the new Betas?”

  I blinked at the abrupt change of topic. Was he actually asking my opinion of the people he’d chosen? I felt another test coming on.

  “I think they’ll do a good job.”

  I wanted to ask how he’d narrowed down the list to the twelve selected, but Maxwell surprised me by offering up the information.

  “There are certain traits we look for in a Beta. He or she must be a strong fighter and show enough dominance to be able to maintain order. They also have to demonstrate good leadership skills and be willing to put the pack’s welfare above their own.”

  I’d proven more than once I was strong, and I’d forced wolves older than I was to submit. He must have found my leadership lacking, or the trouble with Trevor and Gary had made him think the other wolves wouldn’t respect me. Or maybe he thought a wolf with a human mate wouldn’t be able to put the pack first. Doubts assailed me, but I was too proud to ask him why he’d passed me over.

  Maxwell nodded as if he’d read my mind. “You have all the qualities we look for in a Beta. You’re one of our best fighters, and you displayed strong leadership when you took the team to Portland, despite Trevor’s attempts to undermine you.”

  He rubbed his beard. “Tell me, why did you give Trevor and Gary the opportunity to reform themselves and stay with the pack after what they did to you? I don’t know if many wolves would have been that generous, myself included.”

  “Their families didn’t deserve to suffer for what those two did. I have no love for Trevor and Gary, but I couldn’t punish someone else for their crime.”

  “You put the pack’s needs before your own as a good leader would.”

  “I don’t understand. If I have everything it takes to be a good Beta, why wasn’t I selected? I’m not saying I’m better than the other candidates. I’d just like to know what it was.”

  Maxwell leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk. “I said that a Beta has to be dominant enough to do their job, but there are some wolves who are too dominant to be a Beta. When the old Alpha stepped down, either Brendan or I could have taken his place with the other as Beta. But we both knew I had too many Alpha traits to be a Beta, and my wolf would have eventually wanted to fight Brendan for the position. Just like yours would.”

  A laugh burst from me. “Maxwell, I’ve done some stupid things, but I’m not dumb enough to fight you.”

  His mouth curved in a rare smile. “You’re still young. In a few years, your wolf will begin to feel the strain of submitting to my authority, just as my wolf did with the old Alpha. I didn’t fight him because I already knew I was going to succeed him.”

  I stared at him for a few seconds as the meaning of his words sank in. “What are you saying? I’ll be the next Alpha?”

  “Yes.”

  Words failed me, which was just as well because Maxwell wasn’t finished.

  “Until recently, I wasn’t sure if your Alpha blood was strong enough because you got it from your mother, not your father. You have the size and strength of an Alpha, but you didn’t display any other Alpha qualities. In the last few months, Brendan and I began to see your Alpha traits emerging. You’ve forced older wolves to submit, and Brendan says you’re almost as dominant as he is.

  “You’ve matured a lot since January, and you’ve taken on the responsibility of two jobs in addition to your pack duties. You already have more battle experience than most of the pack will see in a lifetime, and you have a good relationship with humans and the Mohiri. All of these are vital to the survival of the pack. The world is changing, making it harder for our kind to remain hidden from humans, and packs need leaders who can adapt and guide them. With the right training, you can be such a leader.”

  I finally found my voice. “This is not another one of your tests, is it?”

  Maxwell actually chuckled. “You are smart to question it, but no, this is not a test. This is me letting you know
we’ll start your new training in two weeks.”

  “Two weeks?” I echoed dumbly.

  “I’m giving you some time with your new mate before you take on the extra training. This will be hard work, and I won’t go easy on you, but I know you’re up to it or we wouldn’t be talking now.”

  I frowned as a new thought struck me. “What about Pete? He has Alpha blood, too. And Francis.” I had a feeling Maxwell’s decision wasn’t going to go over well with Francis, who had always hoped to be in line for Alpha.

  “Neither of them have your dominance. Francis is aggressive and he’s devoted to the pack, but he leans toward the old ways. We need progressive leaders who look forward, not backward.”

  “Does Pete know?”

  Maxwell shook his head. “He knows he won’t be Alpha, but not that I’ve chosen you as my successor. I’m going to announce it to the pack tomorrow.”

  My head spun from his news. The last thing I’d expected when he called me in here was to find out I would be the next Alpha. Of course, I’d dreamed of being Alpha someday, and I’d played the Alpha game with Pete and the other boys. But I’d never believed it would really happen to me.

  “Roland, I have no plans of stepping down anytime soon. You’ll have years to worry about filling my shoes. Focus on training now, and the rest will come to you.”

  He stood and came around the desk. “I have to go back to the Betas. From what I hear, you have your hands full with your new mate. Work things out with her so your head is clear when training starts.”

  “I will if I can get her to talk to me.”

  We walked outside, and he turned to face me. “I’m no expert on human women, but a female wolf needs to see that you’re sorry for your wrongdoing. You have to prove you’re worthy of their forgiveness.”

  I snorted. “You mean beg.”

  “If that’s what it takes,” he said, setting off toward the meeting hall.

  * * *

  Just checking to see how you’re doing.

  We don’t have to talk. Just text me to let me know you’re ok.

  I’m here if you want to talk.

  I stared at my phone for a good five minutes before I set it aside and stripped out of my clothes. Rolling them up, I stuck them in the spot under the steps, along with my phone. Then I shifted and settled down on the hard ground. I had to be close to Emma, even if it meant sleeping under her steps like a stray dog, and it was a lot more comfortable sleeping outside in my fur.

  The sound of the back door opening woke me from my doze, and I lifted my head as footsteps came toward me. I blinked when a flashlight beam blinded me.

  “What are you doing here?” Emma whispered. “You don’t have to stand guard anymore.”

  I tilted my head in response.

  She let out a long breath. “I can’t be around you right now. I’m sorry.”

  She whirled and walked back to the door.

  * * *

  The door opened. She walked over and peered under the steps.

  “I told you last night you don’t have to be here anymore. Go home, Roland.”

  I chuffed softly.

  “I can’t do this now. I’m dealing with other things…family stuff. I wish…”

  She ran inside.

  Wish what? I wondered until sleep claimed me.

  * * *

  She let out a resigned sigh.

  “Don’t you have a comfortable bed at home? Wouldn’t you rather sleep there?”

  I shook my head sadly. I wanted to sleep with my mate.

  She crossed her arms. “If you think those sad eyes are going to work on me just because you’re all furry, you can forget it.”

  I let out a soft whine.

  “I know I said it would be a few days, but something came up and I have to take care of it first. I-I’ll talk to you soon. I promise.”

  * * *

  I watched the flashlight beam move toward me and stop. Emma stood quietly for a moment before she spoke. Her voice was hoarse, like she’d been crying.

  “I can’t talk yet, but I…I don’t want to be alone.”

  I stood and walked slowly to her until my head nudged her shoulder gently. She reached up and touched my face, and a shiver went through me.

  She walked to the door and held it open. “Just for tonight.”

  Warmth filled my chest, and I followed her inside. She didn’t say much as we ascended the stairs to the apartment. When she reached the hallway, she turned to look at me. Her face was paler than usual, and dark smudges lay under her eyes.

  “I know this is hard for you, and I’m not trying to hurt you or get back at you for what happened. I need another day or two, and then I’ll explain everything.”

  I nodded, and she gave me a small smile before she went into the bedroom and shut the door. I heard her moving about for a few minutes, and then the door opened.

  “Would you mind sleeping on my floor again?”

  I entered her bedroom and waited until she was under the covers to lie down beside the bed. It killed me to be so close to her and not be able to hold her, but this was a hell of a lot better than sleeping under the steps.

  “Thank you, Roland.”

  Anytime.

  Emma

  I gazed around the kitchen, frowning when I realized there was nothing left to clean. Turning, I headed for the living room to find it in the same state. The whole place was spotless, the result of too much free time and a six-hour cleaning spree. It was my day off, but I should have offered to go in, because anything was better than wandering around the apartment, waiting for news.

  I’d called Mark Rowan yesterday, right before he left for DC to talk to Marie. He was going to tell her he’d found me under very unusual circumstances. I had no idea how much he planned to tell her, or how she’d react to the news that I was alive after all these years. Would she believe him? Want to talk to me?

  I’d given him permission to give her my number, and I’d nearly jumped out of my skin the two times the phone had rung today. One was Chris, checking in, and the other was Shannon, who said she might drop by this afternoon. I hoped she did because I was slowly going out of my mind, wondering what was going on in DC.

  My cell phone buzzed on the kitchen counter, and I raced to answer it. It was a text from Roland. He was gone when I woke up this morning, but the warm spot on the floor by my bed had told me he’d stayed all night. That and my first restful sleep since our night in the tent.

  Pack business tonight. Will come tomorrow.

  I smiled at his persistence. Night after night he’d come here, not trying to talk to me or to get me to forgive him. He seemed content just to be near me. I knew he was playing on the soft spot I had for the wolf, using that to try to earn my forgiveness, but I couldn’t find it in my heart to be angry at him. I’d already forgiven him, and I missed him.

  Last night, I had to bite my lip to keep from asking him to shift so he could hold me. But I’d been afraid of where it would lead. I wanted Roland, but I couldn’t bind him to me without him knowing the truth about me.

  The doorbell rang, and I ran to get the door. Shannon, you have perfect timing.

  The door swung open, and I stared, confused, at the woman on the landing. She was a few inches taller than I was with shoulder-length brown hair, and familiar brown eyes that stared at me with a mixture of disbelief and hope.

  The world tilted, and I gripped the doorframe for support.

  “Marie,” I breathed.

  “Emma? Oh, God, it is you.”

  Her face crumpled, and I no longer saw the woman, but my ten-year-old sister who had caught me sneaking out of the house that fateful night. I’d begged her not to tell and promised to take her to a movie that weekend. A promise I’d never kept.

  She threw her arms around me, hugging me so tightly I could barely breathe. Sobs wracked her body, and I touched her hair soothingly as my own tears came. Through all the years of suffering, I’d held on to the memories of my family, knowing
I’d never see them again.

  After the nightmare ended, I’d had to accept that my sister and parents were out of my reach forever. Part of me believed my mind was playing tricks on me again and I’d wake up to find this was a cruel dream. I held on to her tighter, trying to stay in the dream as long as possible.

  “I knew you were alive,” she said against my hair. “They said you were dead, but I never gave up.”

  A long moment passed before she pulled back, her face streaked with tears, and held me at arm’s length. “You look exactly as I remember you.”

  “You don’t,” I said with a watery smile.

  “When Mark told me you were still a teenager, I thought he was crazy. Then he showed me some pictures of you, and I knew it was you. I had to come.”

  “I’m glad you did.”

  I’d been so afraid of facing her. Seeing her now, I knew the pain of rejection would be a small price to pay for being with her again and seeing the joy in her eyes.

  I stepped back to give her room to enter. “Would you like to come in? We have a lot to talk about.”

  We went into the living room and sat beside each other on the couch because Marie wouldn’t relinquish my hand. I couldn’t stop staring at her, still afraid to believe she was really here.

  She wiped under her eyes with her free hand. “All the way here, I thought about what to say, and I can’t remember any of it. I don’t think I really believed it was you until you opened the door.”

  I fought back another wave of tears. “I don’t think there’s any way to prepare for something like this. I was waiting for you to call me. The last thing I expected was for you to be here today.”

  “You didn’t want me to come?”

  Her eyes darkened with hurt, and I rushed to reassure her.

  “I’m happy you’re here, just a bit shocked. I didn’t think I’d ever see you again, and here you are, all grown up.”

  “And you’re still the same,” she said in wonder. “How is this possible?”

  My stomach hardened. Physically, I was the same person, but inside I was nothing like the stupid, innocent girl who had met Eli in that club.