The Chase: Book 2 in The Hunt Series

by Alainna MacPherson

  He didn’t disappoint, either. As soon as we were out of the classroom and in the hall, he pulled me to stand beside a group of lockers, out of the way.

  “What’s wrong?” He asked me, searching my face.

  I pinned him with a daring gaze, “You first.”

  He sighed in my mind and rolled his eyes, but he fessed up. “I went for a run. My wolf needed it.”

  “I gathered that,” I told him, not necessarily intending the amount of sarcasm that came with it, but I couldn’t take it back. “My question is, why?”

  A debate went out in his head for a split second, then, “You.”

  Confused, I asked aloud, “Me?”

  “It wears on him that you haven’t accepted the bond. That we haven’t mated.” His words were careful, and I appreciated that. Still, this didn’t help the thoughts running around in my own head that were causing chaos on my nerves.

  “Oh,” I finally said. “It’s not like I’ve rejected you.”

  “We’re talking about the animal side of me, Maeleigh. There is no gray or in between. Only black and white, yes or no.”

  I got that. I did. I just didn’t know how to help him, or his wolf, without compromising my own feelings. I wasn’t sure yet. My wolf— dear god I actually had one— may not accept him but I just wasn’t reading the signals right.

  Seeing my thoughts get away from me, he suddenly slid a hand on my cheek and neck, anchoring me. He bent his head down to catch my gaze before saying, both in my mind and aloud. “We won’t rush it, okay? I’m in control and he’s going to have to just wait.” A small smile followed and just like that I felt a little better. Darn him, he knew just how to settle me.

  “Now, your turn,” taking my hand, he led me back into the fray of the hallway.

  “I was wondering why Derrek was just exiled. I mean, you killed the humans.” I didn’t guard my words. I knew he’d just figure out if I was hiding something anyways.

  Looking around, he nodded to Caleb as he passed us, before answering me. “It’s different when they’re pack.”

  I waited him out.

  “There are laws, outside of pack, that every Lycan must abide,” he explained. “And that includes not killing our own unless in self-defense. Only one person amongst us who has the ability to do that.”

  “Who?” I inquired.

  “The Cearer.”

  “The Seer?” I said, confused.

  “No. The Cearer.” He repeated, but that wasn’t much better. “It derives from the Irish word for ‘justice’, ceartas.”

  I nodded, taking that in. After a moment, and when we’d reached third period, I asked him one last question. “What deserves a call to this Cearer person? When does someone call him to…take care of someone?”

  The seriousness in the way he looked at me had me scared when he told me, “When someone breaks those laws.”

  I swallowed and nodded. He left me to go to his own class. He’d be late though, as the shrill ring of the bell filtered through just enough for me to catch it.

  Class went by in a blur, again, my thoughts preoccupied with more important things. I couldn’t stop thinking about the idea that Derrek was still out there. I don’t know why I assumed he was dealt with in the same manner as the Hunters. Truth be told, I didn’t even think about it. It could just show how much I felt safe with Gearden and his family after the whole ordeal, but I still mentally kicked myself for not asking before now. He was right, why the hell was I only just now asking about it? So stupid.

  Lunch was like any other, but it seemed fake to me. Now that I knew what I did, I looked at everyone around the table, and couldn’t understand how they all just went back to their lives the way they had after what had occurred. I didn’t necessarily judge the behavior. On the contrary, I looked at it as an observance. Their life—no, culture— was different from what I was brought up with. They were probably taught a deeper sense of camaraderie than I was and the repercussions they could face when they broke the familial trust. I did know that exile was like losing a limb to a wolf, to be separated from the pack.

  The small hand on my shoulder broke me from my thoughts. Glancing over my shoulder, I smiled at Bri. She was talking with Freya about Homecoming, which was in a couple weeks. As much as they tried to involve me in the conversation, I finally told them I wasn’t interested. Thank goodness they weren’t offended. I was able to focus in on what Gearden was talking about more. In line for Alpha, he spoke more business with the other wolves, Bri excluded. New happenings, pack events and news if there were any. When the conversation moved to the ever-popular rugby, I took my leave and just ate my food, checking my phone. My friends in California sent me a picture of them at the beach over the weekend. It wasn’t necessarily Fall yet here in Maine, but it was already sweater weather when the sun started to disappear in the evenings, and it made me miss California and its weather. The water near here was already too cold to swim in.

  When I smiled at Bri she lifted a brow, checking on me. I nodded and gave her a reassuring smile of my own and took a hearty bite of my sandwich, hoping to avoid having to answer any questions. It worked because she turned back to Freya.

  I tried to snap myself out of the deep thoughts I was having before heading to last period on the track. Though, once I started running, my mind decided it wanted to think even more and delve out a solution of some sort. Probably one of the last sunnier days we’d have for a while, I tried to soak in its warmth on my skin. It wasn’t hot enough to melt, but it was enough to warm my calves as I ran away from it. I spotted Gearden every now and then as he ran plays with the team. Bri was meeting with the band teacher about something to do with homecoming on the field. I never figured I would be a part of this sort of crazy world in high school. Homecoming, team captain and a whole group of friends. It was only week three in the school year and the most I could have hoped for before starting was a friend or two by the end of the year. As I stretched, I realized I had a whole new family.

  Back at home room, Gearden pushed out a chair between him and Bri for me to sit. Bri was working on something from math while Gearden was sending a text to someone on his phone. The teacher silently took roll call as the class had the option to either work on homework or watch the school broadcast on the television.

  “Our first game is an away game,” Gearden told me, jerking my attention from the scene to zero in on his words.

  “Where at?” I asked.

  “Next town over, in Charlottesville.” Still holding his phone, he toyed with it between his fingers when he said, “Come with us.”

  Pleased to be asked, there was one flaw in the plan, “Will you be riding with the team?”

  “Uh, huh.”

  “I don’t have a car.”

  He looked at Bri and said out loud, “Bri will take you.”

  Right away, she looked up, confused. He quickly reiterated, “You’ll take Maeleigh to the game next Friday, won’t you?”

  She beamed at me and winked, “Yeah! It will be fun.”

  Gearden left it at that and turned back to his phone when it vibrated.

  The broadcast finished and the final bell for the day rang, announcing the end of the school day. I stood up and filed out with the rest of the students into the hall. Gearden took my hand and laced his fingers with mine as he took the lead through the sea of bodies, parting the way. At the student parking lot, I halted before stepping off the curb.

  “Is that your dad?” Gearden asked.

  I nodded, a little lost for words. The three of us stood stock still as we watched my dad climb out round the front of the car and stand beside the passenger door, waiting, his eyes pleading with me.

  I think we all held our breath for a moment, at least I know I did. Like Derrek, my dad was a topic my brain refused to think about. Maybe I was still working through some shock?

  Something caught my eye and I turned to see Ro step up to stand on Gearden’s other side. He glanced back at me then turned to glare at Dad
.

  I could see the man I knew to be reserved, calm and always welcoming, glare back at them now, his body posture telling them he was ready for a fight.

  “PLEASE, MAELEIGH. I JUST WANT TO TALK,” he signed.

  “What does he want?” Gearden asked me.

  I studied Dad for a second before answering. “To talk.”

  “What do you want to do?”

  After a moment of mulling it over, I finally gave in. “I’ll talk to him.” I stepped forward but didn’t get far before a strong hand on my upper arm held me back. Turning, I was surprised to see it was Ro who stopped me. The surprise in his eyes was minimal compared to the anger I saw there as well.

  He said something to me but the way he clenched his teeth as he said it made it difficult to decipher. Before I had the chance to ask him what he said, he turned to Gearden.

  “What is she doing?” Ro growled at Gearden who gave a pointed look at his hand on my arm in such a way that looked like he was in pain.

  “She said she’ll talk to him,” Gearden told him.

  “Is she serious?” Ro spat.

  “Ro,” Gearden warned softly. “Let her go.”

  But he didn’t. He was his brother but the fact that he was touching his mate with anger thrumming through his body had a flicker of silver shining through Gearden’s eyes. Whoa, that was new.

  “Ro,” I said. Ro didn’t look at me though. He was too busy staring Gearden down.

  “You’re okay with this?” Ro demanded from his brother.

  He slowly shook his head, taking deep, calming breathes as he answered, “It’s her decision.”

  “Ro,” I said again and this time, he looked at me. “Let me go.” I told him as softly as I could, and something snapped in him. Jerking his gaze down to his hand on my arm it seemed like he only just realized it was there. He quickly dropped his hand and took a hasty step back and Gearden started to settle.

  Chapter Four

  Maeleigh

  “WHAT?” I signed.

  He sighed and checked me over before lifting his hands to say, “HOW HAVE YOU BEEN?”

  “YOU DON’T GET TO ASK ME THAT RIGHT NOW.” I told him, and he seemed to expect that because he just nodded disappointedly.

  “I NEED TO EXPLAIN SOME THINGS. I DIDN’T GET A CHANCE TO LAST TIME,” he said.

  I glanced over my shoulder to the others, meeting Gearden’s gaze for a brief moment, then turned back. “COME TO THE HOUSE THIS EVENING,” I instructed.

  “I MEANT PRIVATELY.”

  Obviously, that irritated him, but I didn’t care. “WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO SAY TO ME ABOUT ANY OF THIS, CAN BE DONE IN FRONT OF GEARDEN AND HIS DAD.”

  He looked around me to eye my friends and then, begrudgingly acquiesced, “FINE.”

  “SEVEN O’CLOCK,” I told him, hoping he didn’t see my hands shake.

  He did a quick, “OK,” and I turned to walk around the car, leaving the other three to follow.

  Once at the passenger side of Gearden’s car, I turned my head to look over my shoulder just enough to see dad get into his car and slam the door. Gearden was already unlocking the door and rounding the back of the car to the driver’s seat. I pulled open the door and climbed in at the same time Bri did. As we pulled out, Ro sidled up beside us on his old motorcycle. He worked on it here and there in the garage and rode it when the weather permitted. Before we moved up in the line of cars to exit the lot, he turned to meet my gaze through the window. His jaw was set but he nodded to me. I didn’t know what it meant really, but I knew the gesture was one out of respect, so I gave him a small smile and nodded back. Once we were finally on the road, Gearden reached over and took my hand, our fingers interlocking. He held it there for most of the ride home. My stomach growled and I hoped it wasn’t loud enough that anyone else could hear. Talking to Dad worn me out. My body had tensed up so much I felt like I was coming down from some sort of adrenaline high and needed substance.

  Back at the house, as we were all climbing out, Bri too, I told Gearden, “I need to talk to your dad.”

  Gearden nodded and looked at Bri over the hood of the car. “She wants a meeting with Dad.”

  Bri glanced at me and took my hand as we walked into the house. I wasn’t used to holding hands with people. The boy factor was new and expected as Gearden and I were…whatever…but from Bri, too. I realized I’d been completely immersed in pack culture now. They were always touching each other, brother, sister, friends, boy, girl, it didn’t matter. Comfort in every form was always shared amongst the wolves and druids. Something told me the druids only did it because their Lycan counterparts did, so it just became natural.

  There was time to grab an apple off the counter as we went through the kitchen. Bri and Gearden didn’t take anything for themselves, though. Feeling someone else enter, I looked back to find Ro come in from the garage. I met his gaze as we all entered the hall and knew he’d probably follow.

  Outside Liam’s closed office door, Gearden knocked and, after a moment, he opened it. Behind the desk, Liam looked up from his computer and watched as our entourage filled the room.

  He pushed away from the computer to give us his full attention. Seeing that it was I that took the lead, he looked up at me to ask, “Maeleigh, what is it?”

  “My dad wants to talk,” I told him.

  The frown that furrowed his brows were that of curiosity. “Alright.”

  “I told him to come here. Whatever he has to say to me, I’d like you to know as well,” I told him.

  Liam gave me a small smile; one a father would give their child to ease whatever it is they were going to say next. “Maeleigh, you don’t…”

  I couldn’t understand him. Looking to Gearden, I frowned, and he began to reiterate right away, “You don’t need me to run moderator. He’s your father.”

  Looking to Liam, I corrected him, “That’s not it. He knows more than what he’s told us. I know it. He’s a smart man, Mr.— “

  “Liam,” he interjected.

  “Liam. I know him. And even though he kept all of this from me, I think it’s more than what he’s already told us.”

  He thought it over and nodded. “Alright then. What time should we expect him?”

  “Seven.”

  “Let’s set up in the family room, okay?”

  I almost asked that we do it in the conference room, but I knew that wouldn’t be right. As much as I didn’t want to do this, to see Dad just yet, he was still family and family didn’t require a business welcoming.

  Liam turned to look up at Gearden and studied him. “Go for a run, Gear,” he directed his son.

  Glancing up at Gearden I saw the surprise written all over his face.

  “I’m fine, Dad,” Gearden argued. But Liam didn’t relent, instead he stared at him and waited.

  I saw Gearden’s jaw work around as he ground it in irritation. Finally, he turned and stormed out, almost like a pouting toddler. I looked at Bri who gave me a reassuring nod that said, “not to worry,” in her own way.

  Gearden missed dinner but at six-thirty, he returned, freshly showered and tired looking. Bri, Ro and I were just finishing cleanup when he walked into the kitchen. Jolleen had taken Rowen up for a bath and Liam was taking a call in his office.

  When he entered the room, it wasn’t the fact that Bri had gone still that alerted me to his presence. It was the tingling I felt creeping up the back of my neck that had me turning from the sink to see him standing in the doorway. He locked eyes with me and jerked his head in the direction of the stairs. Glancing at Bri, who nodded, I handed her the last dirty dish and walked ahead of him up the stairs.

  I could feel his heavy footsteps as he climbed up behind me. A sense of anticipation flooded me, making my heart race and breath to come faster. I forced my legs to take the steps slowly. It was hard not to feel some fight or flight reaction inside. A large part of me wanted to run. He was an animal, at least a part of him was, and I got the feeling that I was his prey.

/>   And I wasn’t wrong. Instead of going to my room, which we were used to, he caught my hand and tugged on my fingers to pull me to his on the other end of the hall. It was a large house. The distance between our rooms was significant and not easily disguised. But, somehow, we still managed to pass the bathroom Jolleen and Rowen were in and Liam’s open office door.

  At his room, he had me enter ahead of him as he shut the door. It’s not like I’d never been in his room before or since I’ve been staying with his family, but it was different this time. He was different.

  I noticed that he’d neglected to make his bed this morning and a corner of my lips ticked up. He wasn’t a slob but “tidy” didn’t exactly describe him well either.

  Lost in my musing, I was caught off guard when he suddenly gripped my hips and swung me around. Unable to do anything else, I fell into him, hands flat on his chest as I gasped, only to have his mouth steal any air I took in. He was ravenous, his lips devouring my own. In the past, the kisses, though passionate, were always caring and precise. This was primal, without any feeling other than to take whatever I had to give.

  For a second, it scared me. So much so, that I started to push him back, my hands making fists and ready to pummel, but then, he growled. He had to have. His lips were too busy to do anything else, but I could feel it all the way to my toes and back through to my breasts. And something— something dormant inside me until now— wakened. I think it growled back and had me gripping his shirt, catching some skin beneath in my nails as well. But I didn’t care. I held him to me and met his tongue in a dance as old as time.

  I didn’t see him enter but Gearden was on Ro the second he entered the room. Tearing away from me, he launched himself at Ro, shoving him up against the wall.

  Chapter Five

  Brianna

  I was downstairs when it happened, but the whole house heard it. Racing up the stairs and through the hall, I saw Jolleen slam the bathroom door closed. Liam was already there in Gearden’s room when I ran in. Gearden had Ro pinned to the wall, snarling in his face.