by Jana Leigh
Jaden laughed and patted the guy on the back and said. “Get used to it. She seems like she is going to be a touchy feely Alpha Mate.” Quin laughed and went into the elevator. They descended only three floors before stopping and exiting. Quin had not wanted to put them in danger by leaving the building, so he had the Pack come to one of their conference rooms in the building. It was used for meetings with the Enforcers and security, but they would have to make due. When they walked in the room, silence took place of the noisy commotion that had only seconds before, filled the room. Their Alphas had been attacked and the Pack was pissed. One thing Cami understood from the first meeting, if there was one thing that would not be tolerated, it was an attack on the Alphas. The Pack would defend its leaders with its last breath and Cami was nervous about this. Would they all feel the same way about her? After all, she was a human, and she had barely had enough time to meet half of them.
The day at the bookstore had been the one time she had been able to talk to the women of the Pack. She had hopefully made a good impression, but since then it felt like her priorities had changed. She wanted to make sure that everyone knew she was going to wait until everyone was safe before she opened the store.
Cami nodded to the familiar faces that she saw, and grinned when a few of the children she had met ran up to her and hugged her leg. A small little boy pulled on her pants until she leaned down to him.
“Alpha Cami, I am so glad you are not dead.” He whispered and kissed her on the cheek.
Cami blushed, stood, smiled at the child"s mother, and nodded. Jaden put a hand on her back and led her to the front of the room. Like before, they stood behind Quin as he held up his hand to get everyone"s attention.
“As you have heard, there was an attack on us. We are all working on figuring out who and why, but for now we are on alert. No one will be allowed to leave this building unless they have permission. We have made sure cots are being set up in the various rooms for each of you; everyone will have a bed, although not much privacy. We will all eat in the make shift cafeteria on the floor below. Single men will be housed on the first floor. Single women will be housed in the penthouse with Cami. Families will be on the floor below the penthouse and finally Enforcers, Jaden, and I will be housed on this floor. You will each be shown the facilities that are being provided in advance, I apologize if anyone is uncomfortable. I wish this would not have gotten this far, but the security in this building has been increased and for all of us, it will be safer than being apart.” Quin stated and stepped back.
Cami had not known she would be separated from her mates and was not happy about it, but this was not the time or the place to fight that battle. She knew she would lose.
Jaden and Quin answered the questions that flew around the room. A man stepped forward and said quietly. “Before we go into lock down, may I show the Alpha Mate what we have done to the store? It will only take a few moments. All of us have worked so hard.”
Quin stopped and looked at Tey who shrugged. “I will send all the Enforcers. Those who need to, can return to their homes and grab what they need to remain here until the end of this situation. You have only a half an hour before we lock down. Then we will be going on the offensive, and no one is allowed out until this is over. The Enforcers and I have devised a plan to draw the Rogues out. So let"s get moving.” Cami stepped up, and whispered into Quin's ear, “We have things to talk about later.
Like why I am being shut out of this.”
Quin turned and said, “You need to take care of Ruby, she wanted to be with you, and we could not think of a better way. She has been having nightmares and her mother is at her wits end.”
“Fine, I will take that as an excuse, but do not even think about doing something dangerous. I will kick your ass if you get hurt.” She smiled, and then turned to Tey and nodded.
Cami stepped out into the hallway with the smaller man who had asked her to look at the store. A few others, who were following, whispered excitedly. She noticed the majority were men, and there was only one female other than herself, she was surprised when she noticed it was Ruby. When smaller teen came and grabbed her hand and arm, Cami smiled at her. Ruby wrapped herself around Cami, like she was protecting her from something.
“What?” She whispered to Ruby.
“I don"t know, something feels off, I just want to be with you.” She whispered back and Cami nodded and smiled at the girl reassuringly. She did not want the girl to think she did not want her to come with her. If there was a chance, they would be attacked, there were enough men to help them until they could get back, at least she hoped so. With more confidence than she felt, Cami stepped onto the elevator, turned, and waited for all the men to follow.
The man who had asked that she be allowed to see the book store spoke finally, “I know this is unusual, but we have been working around the clock. I think it would be good for the morale of the others, if they knew you had seen the store, in case something happens to it.”
“Of course, I would have come today anyway. I just do not want anyone to think the store is more important than my wolves. I would trade it all to make sure the Pack was safe.” She said loudly so everyone in the elevator heard her.
Cami was bound and determined to make sure that all the Pack knew she was in it for the long haul. Slowly they made it out of the building and across the street. They had to wait for the rest of the Enforcers in the lobby, and she chatted with all the men quietly and with confidence.
When they opened the door to the store, she gasped. The entire place was done. Books lined the shelves, and small gathering areas had been situated around the store. It was done in bright and lively colors just like she had wanted and written down, but had not picked out yet. How had they known? The front had a rounded checkout counter with several chairs behind it and a modern cash register. She wandered toward the back and saw the coffee bar set up and a place to have small bakery items also. Tears formed in her eyes as she realized her dream had come true.
Cami felt arms encircle her and she turned and smiled when she saw that Quin and Jaden had come across with most of the rest of the Pack.
“We wanted to make sure you knew you were important to us. All of us.” Quin whispered and turned her so she was in front of the Pack. They cheered as they saw the tears flowing down her face. When she could not speak because she was so choked up, they all came and enveloped her in the biggest group hug she had ever been in.
When she mated with Quin and Jaden, she thought the feeling of completion was the best thing she would ever feel. She had been right on one aspect. The feeling of family and belonging, the one thing she had craved when she was growing up, was a close rival to those emotions.
“Sorry we can"t stay honey, we have to get back. This was the only excursion we approved.” Jaden said and nodded to the Enforcers as they stood by the door. One by one, they exited the building and made their way back to the main building. She wanted so much to thank each and every one of the members of her Pack. As she walked, she planned a party in her head that they would all love after this was all over.
They made it back to the building without any mishaps and Cami breathed a sigh of relief when Devon directed all the Pack members to go where they were supposed to.
Cami made her way up to the penthouse with the three single women. Ruby was the youngest, the other two were quite beautiful women, only one she had seen at the first meeting, and her name was Tracy from what she remembered. The dark haired woman, who had introduced herself as Lola, wandered the apartment touching all the knick knacks and works of art that Quin had used to decorate the apartment. For the first time she realized that, she was going to have to bring some of her things out to make it feel like she lived here too.
They heard the elevator moving and soon the door opened, Grace and Tey walked into the foyer.
“I am here too.” Grace said briskly and walked into the kitchen. “I will make us something to eat.” She called and Cami chuckled.
/> Tey nodded and said, “That is it, you are all here. I will be locking the floor down. Since I am the only male, I will use the small office behind the kitchen. I can call all the floors, and the Alphas, should you need to speak to anyone.” He finished and then walked through, and shut himself in the back room.
Grace chuckled and said. “Men, he is just a little butt hurt that he has to watch us.” Ruby and the others laughed and Cami said, “A pajama party looks like it is in order. I will get the facial supplies and nail stuff. Ruby you get the pillows, Lola picks the music, and Tracy and Grace are in charge of the snacks. WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DRIVE
HIM CRAZY IN THE FIRST THREE HOURS!” The last line was yelled so Tey could hear her.
Cami went into the master bedroom and sighed. It was going to be a long night. She had never actually had girlfriends that she did this with, and if she thought about it, Cami would admit that she would rather have her mates there to snuggle up and talk.
Shaking herself a little, she reminded herself that she was the Alpha mate now; she needed to present a confident front for the single Pack women.
She was in the bathroom when she heard the door close. “Hang on; I will be out in a few.” Cami called and started looking for her nail polish.
“No need Alpha, we have a few things we need to discuss in private.” She heard Lola say from behind her.
Cami turned slowly and looked as the woman looked around her private bathroom and bedroom. Who the hell did she think she was?
“You know when I was growing up and my mother would tell me I was destined for great things, I agreed with her. Imagine my surprise, when I had it within my reach, and some no nothing human waltzes in, and takes what is rightfully mine. I had this planned for years, Quin and Jaden would not remember my father, I am sure. He was a lowly Pack member who never aspired to do much, other than play with his wood. My mother on the other hand, was a true visionary. She worked kissing Quin's parent"s ass for years, and just when he reached the age that he could take a mate, they sent him here. All that planning, down the drain. Then I picked up and moved here, waiting and watching for the perfect moment to approach Quin. The first few years he was working so hard, the only female company he had was someone he could use for a quick fuck. I refused to be used like that. Then, he seemed to settle down and for the last few years, he seemed to be looking for someone. I slowly worked my way up the ranks so he would value my opinion. I am the Enforcers go to girl. When they needed information, I find it out. I thought if they were faced with a lot of Rogues attacks, they would turn to me.
Quin sought me out. Before you came along, we were headed right where I wanted.
Soon, he would have needed me more and more and then he would realize what an awesome mate I would make, but you showed up.” Lola sneered and continued to circle Cami as she stood in the bathroom.
Cami looked around trying to find a way to escape the small room, but the woman had cut off her exit. There was only one way she was going to get out of here, and she was going to have to go through a wolf to do it. Cami had taken some self defense classes but so far, she had never actually had to use them. While the woman ranted and raved around her, she closed her eyes and thought about what her instructor had told her.
Cami knew there were no cameras in the room, because Quin had told her the Alphas needed some privacy. There was a panic button somewhere; she just had to remember where the hell they told her it was.
“Lola, I had no idea that you felt like this about Quin. I would never have encroached on anyone"s territory. You have to believe me. However, that being said, I would really urge you to think about what you are doing. Quin and Jaden have already mated me. It is my understanding that even if I die they will be mated and will never take another mate.” Cami said quietly.
“I know that. Nevertheless, if Jaden has an accident a few months from now I will be there to pick up the pieces. I am not stupid. This has been planned for years, a few variations were needed, but it will all come together. I figure that a tragic accident while locked in the penthouse would be the perfect plan. I mean, you poor dear, the stress from all of this must be a lot for you to deal with. You had a breakdown in the bathroom and when I came in, I wrestled the bottle of pills from your hands, but you had already swallowed some.” Lola said and pulled a bottle from her pocket.
“I won"t take anything.” Cami said.
“That is the good thing about this drug. It does not work on wolves the same way, I had it on my hands, and when we shook hands earlier, I transferred a lethal dose into your body through your skin. It should hit shortly. Then I will scream and yell and everyone will run and cry. It will be very sad. I will have to console the boys. Then, Jaden will be so consumed with grief he will have to do the same thing, and Quin will be all mine.” Lola laughed and sat down on the side of the tub while she watched Cami start to get dizzy.
Cami fell to the floor and Lola leaned over her and smiled. “Oh my God, HELP!” Cami watched helplessly as the woman messed up her clothes so it looked like there had been a struggle. She poured the bottle of pills around and then stepped back and yelled again.
“NO, CAMI, PLEASE!”
Cami's eyes closed and could only listen as the pounding and yelling from the hallway grew louder and more insistent. Apparently, Lola could not pass up the opportunity to kick her when she was down, and she felt the blow hit her in the back.
Lola ran to the door and she pulled it open looking desperate. “The Alpha has gone crazy. She was taking pills when I came in and she said there was no way she was going to be in a Pack of mongrels. She said that she never wanted to be a part of a Pack and she just wanted out.” She cried and sank to the floor as the other women and Grace ran into the bathroom.
“TEY!” Grace screamed and went to the hallway and yelled louder. “You have to call the Alphas and get the doctor here quick!”
Ruby was lying on the floor with Cami, crying, while Tracy grabbed the pill container and read what she thought Cami had taken. She scooped the pills up and counted them.
“It looks like she took almost half of the bottle.” Tracey whispered.
“NO, she would not have done this!” Ruby cried and tried to pull Cami into a sitting position.
The strange thing about dying was that Cami did not see a white light, nor did she see any of her loved ones. She was still where she had been, in the bathroom with Ruby and Tracy trying to get her to wake up and then Tey came in and yelled loudly.
“Cami, what the hell have you done!” Tey muttered and sank on the floor next to her.
“NOT ME!! I DID NOT DO ANYTHING ! ” Cami cried in her mind. The only thing that came out was a groan though.
She could hear the rustling of people coming into the room with her, and she really tried to open her eyes, but they would not cooperate. If she could just get them a message.
“Stand back.” A voice said and she recognized it as the doctor who had worked with Ruby a few days ago. “Let me see what we are dealing with.”
“CAMI!” She heard both Jaden and Quin cry as they came into the apartment, and ran down the hall. They were frantic, she could tell by the tone of their voices. How would she ever be able to let them know that she loved them? She would never leave them unless someone had made her. Cami listened as Lola talked and spread her lies to her men. She was not going to die with her men thinking she had done this to herself.
“If she took this much of this medication she should be dead by now. Let me see if I can give her something to counteract this.” The Doctor muttered. “Wait a minute. There is something strange. Grace come here a second.”
“What do you need doc?” Grace whispered through her tears.
“Smell.” He said gruffly.
“Oh my, could it be true?” Grace replied.
“What, what is wrong?” Quin cried.
“Give them a minute.” Jaden said more calmly than he felt.
Cami could feel the doctor listening to her stomach. C
ami was actually feeling like she was regaining feeling in her arms and legs. Could it be? The medication that Lola gave her was not working. She needed to try and speak.
“Lola.” She whispered and almost cried when her voice actually came out.
“What did she say?” Ruby said and leaned down so her ear was next to her mouth.
“Did not take anything. Lola gave it to me.” She finally got out.
Ruby gasped and sat back and relayed what she said. A loud scuffle ensued and Cami was finally able to open her eyes and see they Tey and Devon had grabbed Lola who was struggling to get away.
“What do you mean, baby?” Quin said, as Jaden and he finally were able to get close to her. Jaden lifted her so she was lying across both of their laps.
“She said she put something in my hand when I shook it and she wanted me dead so she could be the Alpha mate. She told me she had been trying to do this since she was in France. She is the leader of the Rogues.” She said tiredly.
“Take her down stairs.” Jaden ordered and then said. “We will be down later to see what she has to say.”
Cami watched, as Lola was roughly pulled out of the room. She was glad the viper was finally gone and she had been able to tell her men the truth. She did not want to leave them without them knowing the truth.
“Doc, is she going to be okay?” Quin said kissing her forehead.
“Oh, she will be just fine! I need to examine her more if you could take her into the bedroom and put her on the bed. Grace, could you stay with me and the rest wait for us in the living room?” Doc said firmly.
“What is wrong?” Quin said hurriedly. He carried her into the bedroom, and laid her gently on the bed.
“Nothing, I just need to talk to the patient and Grace will help me if I need to explain something. I am sure your mate will want to speak to you shortly.” The doctor said and pointed to the door.