The Chase
By Alainna MacPherson
Copyright © Alainna MacPherson, 2019
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form on by an electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.
Special thanks to my village. Without you, I wouldn’t have gotten this book done before the end of the year and stay sane.
Chapter One
Maeleigh
I knew. Before my mind blinked awake, I knew he was there, beside me in my bed. Well, my borrowed bed. He was so warm, and his breath lightly tickled the small tendrils of hair on my neck as he still slept. I stayed still, relishing in the moment, his arm thrown over my hip, making me feel safe. Since the second night staying in his house, after learning what I was a week ago, he stayed with me. The nightmares that followed the revelation of not just being Druid but wolf as well, was too much to process on top of recovering from the Hunters abduction. Grayson was passing by my room, restless and after a drink of water, when he heard me cry out in my sleep. He raced in, my shirtless knight, and woke me, saving me from reliving the vampire’s torture.
We still didn’t know what he was ultimately after, but it most definitely had to do with myself and Gearden. Brianna assured me he was dead, though. Apparently, its standard practice for wolves to burn their enemies’ bodies. No evidence, no snooping cops. Still, no one said anything, but I knew they all thought it; there’s bound to be more. And, again, what the hell did they want.
“It’s too early to be thinking so hard.” His voice, even in my head, was gravelly, making the corner of my lips tug up just a little before I turned around, his arm still in place, if not a little more securely now. He gave me a soft kiss on the forehead and we both closed our eyes to have one last doze before he had to go. The beginning of dawn’s light was just starting to peek through the blinds, which meant his mother, Jolleen, would be getting up soon. Once she did, it became harder for him to return to his room unseen. We didn’t do anything but sleep when he came to my room, but it would be hard to explain that to his parents. Of course, there were some kisses, but nothing we didn’t already do in front of his family. After a few moments, he pressed his lips to my head again before sliding out from the covers and heading for the window. Pulling the blinds back, he shoved open the window and climbed out. I could barely hear when he closed the window behind him, but saw his shadow move to the side of the house, the small bit of roof was all he needed to walk around to his own room.
I took a moment to stretch before I climbed out of bed and started to get ready for school. I could hear the rest of the house stirring as I pulled my hair up into a messy ponytail. Double checking the light mascara and soft pink eyeshadow I applied earlier in the mirror I grabbed my backpack and headed out.
I didn’t see her at first as I was busy zipping up the small pouch, but when Gearden’s little sister, Rowen, grabbed onto my back pocket, giving it a small tug, I stopped and smiled down at her. “Hi, sweetie,” I said, stooping down.
She smiled and waved, saying nothing. Then slung her arms around my neck to give me a quick hug before releasing me, but not before I was able to bury my face in her hair and smell the strawberry scented curls. Beaming up at me, she announced, “I’m going to the kid’s museum today with my class!” With that, she trounced down the stairs ahead of me, entering the kitchen with a bright smile. At the counter, mixing creamer into her coffee, Jolleen turned to smile at us both, saying, “Good morning!”
“Morning,” I said, moving to pick up an orange from the fruit bowl, snagging a slice of already buttered toast she’d prepared for everyone. She didn’t cook breakfast for anyone, but Gearden’s mom made sure everyone had something to eat before they left the house. There was always fresh fruit available, toast or Eggo waffles and hot coffee ready for those who drank it.
Sitting at the table, I helped pour juice into the small cup in front of a squirming Rowen. Glancing up, I spotted Gearden enter the room saying something to his mom as he did, then bending down to peck her on the cheek. Stuffing a slice of toast between his teeth, he held it there as he poured a cup of coffee and added a splash of creamer before sitting down beside me, his thigh pressing against mine. We weren’t shy with sharing our affection in front of his parents, but we were respectful. He winked at me over the rim of his cup as he took a slow sip. Setting it down in front of me, he tucked into his toast and rustled Rowen’s hair affectionately. She laughed up at him, milk dribbling down her chin. Chuckling at her, he quickly grabbed a napkin to wipe her up.
I knew, again, right then, that I could love him. Seeing how he loved his family, cared for his sister, made my heart flutter and my breath hitch for a second before returning to normal. But it was enough for his wolf senses to catch on. His head snapped around, pinning me with his steely gaze, concerned.
And just like that, my damn heart fluttered all over again. Seeing my reaction, understanding now, he relaxed and smiled softly. To distract myself this time, I reached for his mug and took a hearty sip of the too hot liquid. Not enough to scald, but just enough for me to regret how fast I swallowed from the burning feeling it made all the way down. Setting it down, I finished peeling my orange and began to tug wedges off, handing one to him. We did this, sharing our breakfast, every morning, since I took up residence in their home. After Dad revealed he’d been keeping secrets from me. Secrets that turned my world upside down and lost my trust in him. I was staying in one of the many guest rooms at the McIntire pack alpha’s home. They had a handful of them for when they had council members from other territories visiting or pack members who needed it. What I thought of as their extended family, the estranged cousins at first, I learned where so much more than that to Gearden and his family. They were family; aunts, uncles, siblings and cousins. Ro finally made his appearance, looking more-or-less ready for the day. He pecked Jolleen on the cheek, like Gearden had, but only poured himself coffee, chugging it straight away, without a care to the heat it still packed.
Later, coffee gone, toast and fruit devoured, we headed to his Jeep. As soon as we were seated, Gearden reached over, cupped the back of my neck to draw me in and kissed me. Surprised, it took me just a split second to catch up, opening to him. His tongue didn’t hesitate, plunging deep to meet my own. My blood warmed so quickly at contact, it relished in it. As I savored the taste of him, he gripped my hip with his other hand, fingers digging into my flesh. It was borderline pain, and I loved it. Not hurting me, but needing to feel me close, to hold me. Just as I reached up to grab a handful of his shirt to pull him closer, he dragged himself back, letting go of my hip and relinquishing my lips. Looking up at him, I saw the desire in his eyes that no doubt was equal to what I’m sure he could see in mine. Squeezing my nape one last time, he slowly let it go, deliberately dragging his blunt nails on the sensitive skin there, making me shiver.
Settling back into his seat, he buckled up as he turned the engine. I did the same, though a little more shakily. Nothing like that ever happened in my room. Gazing over at him, I thought how much restraint he must have to not do anything like that when we shared the same bed at night.
Turning briefly, stopped at the end of the driveway, he said, “You have no idea.”
My eyes rounded at his words. Then, as he pulled onto the small drive towards Bri’s house, he explains, “You’re projecting.”
Ugh. Of course, I was. How the hell was I supposed to guard my thoughts when he muddled my brain all up and turned it to mush like that?
He chuckled which earned hi
m a punch to the shoulder as he pulled up to allow Bri, his best friend and beta to his alpha, to climb into the back.
“Morning!” She said, signing to me as well. She was a quick learner; I’ll give her that. She was even picking up some slang here and there. I waved and gave her a smile.
Locked in, she stilled, sniffing the air for a moment as Gearden waited for cars to pass and pull onto the street. Watching her, I frowned and shook an open hand, palm up, “WHAT?”
Looking up at me, she smoothed her features and shrugged, giving me a fake smile, saying, “Nothing.”
I let it go. It was hard to talk to her from the front seat. I’d have to ask her later what was up.
Chapter Two
Gearden
The look of disgust that Bri shot me in the rear-view mirror made me both entertained and irritated at the same time. Only Bri has been able to get such a reaction from me. She’d smelled the pheromones in the air of the car when she got in. I wasn’t sorry either, damn it. Far from it. Maeleigh was my mate, after all. I couldn’t not touch her. If Brianna didn’t like it, then she could just walk herself to school.
Hackles raised, I reached out to take Maeleigh’s hand in my own and held it between us on the center console.
Before entering the first period, Bri pulled me aside as Maeleigh went on in.
“Dude, next time roll the windows down or something,” Bri bit at me.
I didn’t say anything for a moment, which led her to think we were done and started to make her way to the door. Taking her by the arm, I got down in her face and said, dangerously quiet, “I’m hanging on by a thread some days, Bri.” It was an admission. I wanted to growl at her, tell her to remember where she stood, my beta, not my alpha. She didn’t get to tell me what to do or have an opinion on what Maeleigh and I did together. But that wasn’t me talking, not really. I knew it was the mating bond, or lack-there-of rather, that was wearing on me. Not claiming Maeleigh set my wolf on edge. If I didn’t sleep with her at nights, I probably wouldn’t be getting any sleep at all.
Surprised, Bri jerked her gaze to search my face. Glancing in the classroom, she saw the teacher was getting ready to start class, the last bell nearly upon us.
“Go,” she whispered earnestly. “Go run off some steam, be back for second period. I’ll cover for you.”
I mulled it over for a moment before nodding. She turned to rush inside just as the last bell rang, sitting beside Maeleigh.
Seeing Bri enter alone, she quickly looked up to the door, her blue eyes searching mine. Bri slid a piece of paper in front of her, glancing down she read whatever was written and snapped her gaze back to mine. She gave me a small, understanding smile. With that, I turned and walked out. I headed across the street to the small wooded park. It wasn’t much but it would have to do in a pinch. I didn’t need long, my wolf just needed to stretch a bit. Or so I hoped.
Checking around and finding it quiet, I dropped my pack in a small group of bushes and quickly stripped, bundling the clothes on top of the pack. When I shifted it was like letting opening a can of shaken pop, bursting out with little resistance and energy spewing in all directions. Warmer in my fur, I barely felt the cool morning air as I did a stretching body shake. As a wolf I bounced around, agitated, the pads on my paws flicking up blades of grass and small clumps of dirt that my claws had broken loose.
Once it calmed down from its initial release, I managed to reign it in. Trotting over to a small puddle of water left behind by the sprinklers, I lapped it up, taking in all the scents in it and the air around me.
Finished, I lifted my head to take in more of the clean air. Hearing the chatter of a squirrel nearby, I let my wolf play. Following the small sound, I finally caught its scent. My body lowered a little closer to the ground, my haunches bending, muscles preparing themselves for when I got close enough.
Turning around a large group of bushes, it shot out from the leaves like a tiny furry bullet and raced to the nearby tree. I was after it in half a heartbeat. My ears pricked at the sound of its rapid breath panting as it climbed up the tree. Looking up from the base of the trunk, I eyed it longingly. I sniffed in irritation as I turned away in search of new prey. It had been a week since I last shifted. I should have been able to go longer but my wolf had begun to claw at me from within. It wanted to mate with Maeleigh, our mate. Since I wasn’t going to put her through that so soon after all the other crap that’d been thrown her way, this was going to have to suffice. Hopefully the energy release would get me by a few days longer this go around, though.
Back in the halls of school, I saw Maeleigh speaking with Sally as she and Bri walked to second period. It was only twenty minutes, and it did my wolf good to get out, but it felt the separation from his mate. As I got closer, Sally turned her head back, spotting me, she had to have scented me approaching. She signed to Maeleigh a parting, “See you later,” and rushed off with a smile in my direction. Thankful to her, I slid up behind Maeleigh and hugged her around the waist, bringing her body into mine for a moment.
“Hey,” she said, surprised. She didn’t move though, she seemed to allow herself to relax into me, pleasing my wolf.
“You weren’t one for PA before, Gear,” Bri mumbled, but I knew she was mostly kidding this time around. I wasn’t nearly as irritated as I was earlier. She’d been right, the short run was just what I needed.
“Are you okay?” Maeleigh asked me, slowly pulling away as Bri stood by, occupying herself with her phone.
“Yeah,” I assured her. “I just needed a quick run, let off some steam.”
She looked up at me and I could see the concern on her face, but she let it go. I reached for her hand, clasping her fingers together with mine and tugged her along, Bri moving with us until she parted ways to go to her own class.
We all took our seats in the front of the class before. I nodded to Lisa, Maeleigh’s interpreter, as she said hello to Maeleigh. I pulled out my phone and quickly messaged Bri.
RUN WAS GOOD. TX.
The reply was instant.
Leave it to Bri to be short and sweet. Shaking my head, I tucked the phone back in my pocket and stretched a leg out toeing Maeleigh’s black flats she wore today. I could see the instant the she felt the contact. Though her body went rigid, her mind settled.
Chapter Three
Maeleigh
I knew he wasn’t alright, not completely. I think all of us were still on edge from the encounter with the Hunters and vampire. It wasn’t a usual occurrence for the pack, they rarely had any trouble in their territory, Bri had told me. Maybe my nightmares weren’t the only reason he stayed with me at night. Maybe he needed it just as much as I did.
Lisa sat in front of me, signing as the teacher started speaking. I zoned out for a minute as I thought about asking Gearden what had him so stressed out. There were so many things going on, I knew, but I couldn’t help him if he didn’t tell me specifically what was setting him on edge. And I did want to help, not only for him but in hopes to alleviate the sour feeling in my stomach.
When my brain dragged itself out of its reverie and finally focused in on what Lisa was signing, I started. What calm had come over me by Gearden’s minuscule touch, quickly evaporated when Ms. Taylor mentioned Derrek missing from the class. Nervously, I asked Lisa, “WHAT’S HAPPENED? I MISSED IT.”
Lisa backtracked, ROLL-CALL.
“BUT WHAT ABOUT DERREK?”
Lisa was trying to listen to what Ms. Taylor was saying now while trying to clue me in about Derrek. Briefly, she told me, “HE’S NO LONGER IN THIS CLASS.”
Jerking my eyes to Gearden, I could see he was purposefully keeping his eyes forward. So as not to screw Lisa up anymore, I let her continue.
“Did you know about this?” I asked Gearden.
He stayed stoic on the outside, but told me, “What did you expect?”
I ignored his abruptness. “I don’t know.”
“It’s been a week,” he told me. “And
you’re just now noticing that he’s been gone from class?”
I took that information in and mulled over it for a moment, then kicked the foot that was so close to mine, causing him to jerk and look at me finally. “Well, I’m noticing now and I’m asking what happened.”
By the way he narrowed his gaze at me, I could tell my inquiry rubbed him wrong. He didn’t like that I was asking about another guy, but I didn’t let it deter me from getting the answer I wanted from him. I stared him down.
He locked eyes on me and stared me down for a moment. It was brief, but I could tell the alpha in him, his wolf, didn’t take kindly to my challenge. I was just getting used to this whole wolf thing. I didn’t understand much, but I did know that now that everyone knew I was wolf— latent or not, we weren’t sure as I haven’t shifted yet— I was required to abide by pack law, including finding where I stood in the hierarchy of things.
All of which had nothing to do with him and I. Right then, we were Gearden and Maeleigh, mates. And I didn’t give a damn about pack law or stations.
Silently huffing, he relented, saying, “He was exiled.”
“They still do that?” I asked, a little shocked.
“Yes,” he groused.
I left it at that. Obviously, the classroom was not the time or place but that didn’t mean my mind had shelved it. It was still processing every little detail that had happened last week, except this time it was with calculation. There was no fear or anxiety that accompanied the events. Save for the part when the vampire had touched me. The fire that burned me from within and seemed to boil my blood, had me breaking out in sweat for a moment. Gearden, picking up on it, reached out and clasped my leg above my knee, gripping it comfortingly. It was just what I needed to move on. I didn’t bother trying to assure him with even a half-hearted explanation, he’ll just have to wait until after class if he was curious.
The Chase: Book 2 in The Hunt Series Page 1