by Aline Hunter
She didn’t look at Declan, keeping her gaze on her mother.
What must he think of her now? Was he humiliated? Upset?
She didn’t want to see pity in his eyes.
Over the years she’d stopped trying to make friends. She didn’t want anyone to know what she dealt with on a regular basis. It was bad enough that Chloe had witnessed Cindy on a binge. Unfortunately Declan knew the truth now. He’d seen it firsthand. She’d known it would cut like a knife but she hadn’t anticipated feeling so ashamed.
Her ego—fragile as it was—couldn’t take much more.
Something inside her shifted, warming the chill that had overtaken her. Her despondency didn’t vanish but it did lessen, becoming less powerful somehow.
The wolf.
Her inner beast offered comfort, giving Rachel strength and balance. For the first time she was grateful for the presence, thankful to have something to rely on without asking. The shame remained but it wasn’t as harsh, keeping her from breaking down in a useless wash of tears.
“Rachel,” the concern in her mother’s face abruptly changed to anger, “what are you thinking? Do you know what he is? Don’t you remember the things I’ve told you? This is because of Chloe, isn’t it? I told you that girl is no good now. You need to stay away from her.” Rushing over, she stopped in front of Rachel and grasped her arms. “Tell him to leave. We need to have a serious talk.”
Rachel glanced at Declan. He hadn’t moved, letting her handle the situation.
Sighing, she tried to move away from the hands clutching her arms. “I’m not in the mood to talk right now. Don’t worry, he’s leaving.” She heard Declan growl and hurried to clarify. “In fact, we’re both going to go. We have somewhere we need to be.”
Undeterred, the tipsy woman dug her fingers into Rachel’s arms. “You’re not going anywhere,” she snapped, bloodshot eyes wild. “If you think I’m going to let you leave with him you’ve got another think coming.”
“What do you need this time?” Rachel snapped, fed up after all she’d endured the last couple of days. “Money? A place to crash?”
She reached down, ready to dive into her pocket for cash. She didn’t have much but she was willing to hand over what little she did. She wanted Cindy to leave. She wanted to forget this entire ordeal. Her fingers drifted over the sweatpants Declan had given her. So much for that. She lowered her hand, shaking her head.
“It’s not going to happen. Not today. I have more important things to deal with.”
“Don’t you dare speak to me like that, you selfish little shit.” Indignant, her mother moved closer and lowered her voice, “I’ve done everything for you. Everything.”
“Get out of my face.” The order came out as a snarl. The wolf inside her rose up and that odd shade of red changed the colors in the room. “I’m not in a very good mood. You don’t want to piss me off.”
Her mother’s eyes widened and a scent drifted to Rachel’s nose—acidic and peppery—as she took a giant step back. “What has he done to you?”
“He hasn’t done anything to me.” She could have shared the truth with the woman who’d done a piss-poor job of raising her but she didn’t. Cindy didn’t deserve it. Not after everything her mother had done in the last decade.
“Don’t lie. I know what he is. I should have recognized it from the start—tanned, big, enormous muscles.” Her mother’s gaze drifted to the blood on the floor. “But I didn’t put two and two together until I saw his eyes. You didn’t either, did you? You brought him home and he changed you somehow.” Giving Declan a hateful look, she hissed, “He said he was your husband. Is that what they call it when they bite a human? Do you have any idea what he’s done?”
“They call it mating, actually.” For a moment she considered telling Cindy about Chloe and Jackson. The pair intended to marry to appease Chloe’s grandparents, even though being mated was union enough for the pack. Ultimately she decided not to, figuring her mother would hear the news when she visited a bar and got wind of the town gossip. “I was bitten, but not by him. Instead of being bitchy you might want to thank him for saving my life.”
Rachel braced herself and looked at Declan. She told herself it didn’t matter if he felt sorry for her. Most people did. To her surprise he didn’t look as though he pitied her. He looked pissed off, his gaze homed on her mother, his irises a bright shade of gold.
“We’ll go to the hospital.” Cindy stepped toward Rachel again. “They can help you. There has to be something they can do.”
“There’s nothing they can do,” Declan growled, shifting closer to them. “Human medicine won’t prevent what’s happening. The bite took hold. It’s in her blood.”
“What is happening?” her mother asked, glaring at him.
“I’m becoming one of them,” Rachel answered, trying not to let her fear at the thought show. “When the full moon comes, I’ll change.”
“No!” As her mother shouted she rushed to the phone. “I’m calling the police. They’ll make him leave and we’ll sort this out.” When Rachel started walking away she screamed, “I’ll file a missing persons report. You can leave but you won’t be able to hide.”
Declan stepped between the women, facing Rachel’s irate parent. “I want you to listen to me,” he warned, voice soft but clear. “We’re going to walk out that door. As soon as we do I’m contacting my Alpha, who’ll contact our people. Once he does the police will find out this is a pack matter. They’ll tell you what they tell every human who gets involved with our kind—there’s nothing they can do to help you.”
“You can’t keep me from her.”
“When she wants to talk to you,” he backed up one slow step at a time, “she’ll be in touch.”
Rachel didn’t know if she should hug him or bolt for the door. Uncertain, she wrapped her arm around his waist and edged closer to him. He rested his fingers over hers, the simple touch giving her the comfort she needed. Her mother was tipsy, not drunk. That meant Cindy needed money. If they didn’t go soon Rachel would have to share that she didn’t have any extra money to give. Customers had been scarce the last few months. Everything she had went to bills and necessities. Declan had seen her home so he knew she wasn’t rich. But he didn’t know just how bad things had become.
Resting her forehead against his back, she whispered, “Can we go?”
“Rach…” The way her mother said it made her cringe. She hadn’t gotten out quickly enough. Cindy Gentry might not care about her daughter but she cared about herself. “The electric bill was more than I expected this month. If I don’t take care of it by tomorrow they’ll shut it off.”
Declan shifted against her, giving her hand a reassuring pat. “Then you can stay here for a few days. We have to find a Realtor who can help get the house into shape before Rachel sells it anyway.”
“Sells it?” Cindy sounded mortified and furious.
“Yes, sells it,” he countered, brushing his fingers over Rachel’s. “She’s my mate. What’s mine is now hers. There’s nothing she needs here. There’s no reason to keep the house.”
In another time—hell, in another life—she’d have been outraged Declan had made such a huge declaration. Instead she took a look around, studying the home she’d lived in for years. The place wouldn’t last much longer. She’d been unable to maintain the roof so when it rained she had to place pans around the kitchen to keep the floor dry. No matter how often she cleaned, mold seemed to thrive near the windows. The wood around the door had dry rotted and the floor had started caving in certain places. The house was so different from Declan’s. Whereas his things were costly, well-designed and sturdy, hers were cheap, secondhand and falling apart.
Humiliation washed over her.
She didn’t want a Realtor to see the place. More than likely they’d refuse to help. Demolishing the house would probably be best. They’d get more for the land than they would the home. Shutting her eyes, she pictured her father. There were good memories i
n this place but not many. The negative outweighed the positive by far.
“I need to buy groceries,” Cindy said with a hint of desperation.
“That’s not my problem,” Rachel retorted, welcoming the anger that rose within her. The one woman who should have cared about her—her own mother—had forgotten everything that had happened to her daughter. Worse? The concern she’d shown earlier had vanished. Rachel usually blamed her mother’s condition for her behavior. Alcoholism was a disease. But enough was fucking enough. “And Declan’s wrong. You’re not welcome to stay here. Get out.”
“This is my home as much as yours. I’m the only family you have left.”
“You’re wrong.” With a small step to the side, she took Declan’s hand and faced the woman who’d made her life a living hell. Her father had left the house in trust until Rachel turned eighteen. She’d been unable to do anything about the money Cindy had blown through—funds that should have provided her a better upbringing. But she’d been able to take control of the house the minute she came of age. That much she’d made sure of. “This is my house and I’ll do whatever I want with it. And I have plenty of family. Chloe. Her grandparents.” Taking a deep breath, she finally accepted the reality of her situation. “Declan and the members of his pack.”
“You’re not thinking clearly.” Cindy pushed buttons on the phone. “You need help.”
Rachel released Declan’s hand and strode to her mother. She ripped the phone from her grasp. “You need to leave or I’m calling the police,” she said calmly, staring her mother in the eye. “It won’t be the first time they’ve hauled you off. Only this time I won’t bail you out. You’ll sit in a cell for a few days. It’d probably be the best thing for you.”
“Ungrateful little bitch.”
Her mother’s hand came up, poised to strike. She knew how the slap would feel—harsh and hot against her skin. This time Cindy’s palm didn’t make it, stopped as Rachel caught her mother’s wrist mid-swing. Her wolf snarled in her head, the fingers wrapped around delicate bones shaking. Rachel kept the beast back, trying to remain composed.
“I’m not going to be around to take care of you anymore.” She let go, trembling as adrenaline rushed through her system. “Get help, Mom. Go somewhere and get the help you need.”
Pivoting, she faced Declan.
For a long time she’d resented him, wishing he’d go away.
Now he represented the life she’d always wanted for herself.
He offered security and strength, promising to care for her in a way she’d always dreamed about. She’d seen how Jackson treated Chloe—doting on her, watching out for her, loving her beyond reason. A week ago she’d have sworn she didn’t want that for herself but it would have been a lie. The truth was she hadn’t wanted to ache for something she’d never have.
“Come on, baby.” Declan extended his hand to her, his expression one of understanding. She slid her fingers through his, shivering at the contact. Pulling her close, he pressed a tender kiss to her temple. “Let’s go home.”
As they walked to the door she called over her shoulder, “If you’re not out of here in five minutes the police will be on their way. I suggest you get in your car and go. Goodbye, Mother.”
She walked away from all she’d ever known without looking back.
A new chapter in her life had started.
It was time to leave the past behind.
Chapter Eight
Declan opened the door and let Rachel step inside before he closed it behind them. A part of him remained furious at her mother’s callous treatment of her child. His parents had never been anything but supportive. His mother had always taken the time to listen to him, offering her gentle touch after he’d changed for the first time. His father had been responsible for discipline but had never so much as lifted a violent hand to his children. Instead his parent and role-model showed Declan life wasn’t easy and he had to work for what he wanted.
His female obviously hadn’t had that level of love or support.
He wanted to know more about Rachel. Certainly he had been thrilled when she’d proclaimed he was her family now. The wolf had heard her as well. The animal had slithered under his skin, its energy humming through him.
But there was more to the situation.
If he wanted to understand things, he had to ask serious questions.
With a hand at the small of her back, he guided her to the kitchen. Once she’d taken a seat he went to the refrigerator and pulled out the steaks he’d left to marinate. Placing them on the counter, he returned to get the things he’d need to make a salad. His mate had to be hungry. Sharing a meal, generally, was a welcome distraction when a serious discussion had to take place.
“Rachel,” he said softly, breaking the silence that had fallen between them. “What was your dad like? Can you tell me about him?”
He didn’t turn around, giving her a small amount of space.
Sometimes it was easier to talk when you didn’t have to look someone in the eye.
He retrieved a skillet before he started collecting plates and bowls. During that time she didn’t speak, staying quiet as he worked around the kitchen. Still he didn’t push, hoping she’d talk to him when she felt ready.
“He was my hero,” she finally answered, speaking softly. “He always made time just for us. I loved it when he’d take me out to the river. After we swam for a while we’d fish for our dinner. Sometimes we camped out.” A hesitation, then she said, “He used to tell me the most amazing stories. I’m pretty sure he made them up as he went along. I loved listening to him talk. He had this wonderful laugh. Once he started it was impossible not to start laughing with him.”
There was so much love in her voice—so much longing. “How’d he die?”
“An accident.” The way she said it indicated she didn’t care to elaborate.
“How old were you?”
“It happened right before my ninth birthday.” She sounded annoyed when she asked, “Why the sudden interest?”
“In case you haven’t figured it out,” he answered, reminding himself to be comforting and calm, “I want to know everything about you.”
“Since you met my mother, I’m sure you know all sorts of things about me now.”
He didn’t have to look at her to feel the sadness coming from her. She lowered her head and stared at the table when he spun around. He decided to go to her, wanting to shelter her in his embrace. She was hurting. If it killed him he’d make her feel better. Kneeling, he turned her chair so that she faced him and rested his hands on her knees.
“When people hurt they do stupid things. I don’t know your mother and I don’t know what she’s been through. But I can tell you’re nothing like her. That’s why I asked about your father. I’ve never met him but the way you talk about him makes me wish I could have.”
“I don’t want to fight anymore.” She lifted her head and met his gaze. Her eyes were flooded with tears. “I don’t want to keep living the way I do.”
“Then don’t.” He tried to soothe her, cupping her jaw.
“I don’t want to hurt anyone either.” She clasped her hand over his. “What happened earlier today scared the hell out of me. I heard you talking but I couldn’t see you.”
Damn it.
“You took control, Rachel. We all have to at some point. It’s natural. You’re stronger than you think.” He wasn’t sure if he should be totally honest but decided it was best. “The wolf will respect you now. She won’t try to push for control. It’s your job to keep her in her place. I saw you do it when you needed to. You’re going to be fine.”
“I don’t want to change,” she admitted, a tear winding down her cheek. “But it doesn’t matter, does it? No matter how hard I try to stop it, it’s still going to happen.”
“Yes, it is.” Even if he wanted to prevent the shift for her, he couldn’t.
“Did you mean what you told me before?” Her gaze melted into his, her heart showi
ng through her eyes. “If we…” She blinked back tears, shaking her head. “If I let you…if you claim me…will it make things easier?”
“If you surrender completely, then yes.” Her wolf had to know she’d given him control. Otherwise he’d have to fight the woman and her beast. “My wolf will guide yours through the transformation. It doesn’t have to be scary, baby. If you let it happen, it’ll be amazing. You have no idea how wonderful it feels.”
“Will I be able to help Chloe? Once I change, I mean.”
“You will. The pack is a family. We take care of each other.”
He waited for her to speak, watching emotions wash over her face—fear, understanding and then acceptance. She swiped the tear from her face, rubbed the backs of her hands over her eyes and looked at him. The faint smell of her sorrow faded, replaced by a hint of arousal.
“Then I want you to claim me,” she whispered, bringing her face to his. “I’m so tired, Declan. I don’t want to run anymore. I’m too exhausted to hide.”
Finally. Fuck yes.
Elation and triumph rushed through him. Electricity pulsed beneath his skin, the beast at the ready to claim its mate. He pushed the wolf back, knowing this had to be done properly. Rachel had been wounded. She needed to be taken in a manner she deserved and yearned for, easing her hurt. He’d take it slow, introducing her to their mating in a way she’d accept and dream about for years to come.
Skimming his lips across hers, he murmured, “If you ran, I’d find you. And you can’t hide from me. I won’t let you.” He lifted her from the chair, rising to his full height. “I’m going to make this good for you, sweetheart. You’re not going to regret mating to me. I give you my word.”
He felt her tremble against him, heard the way her breath caught.
Blood thundered in his ears, his cock straining against his jeans. Even though he was trying to do the right thing he knew he was a selfish bastard, thinking that soon he’d finally be balls-deep in his female. Lodged so deeply inside her she wouldn’t be able to tell where he started and she ended.