by Lynn Howard
Why would she ever think either of these two cared anything about her? Brendan had been the one to deliver the news of her first mate’s death. He’d been the one to let their parents know she was no longer claimed. And he’d been the one to help deliver her to Tammen. To Rhett.
Shawnee nodded and forced a smile for Colton when he looked at her with a questioning frown. She mouthed ‘I’m fine’ and moved to the bar to get the drinks for her brothers. This was something Colton had worried about. He was watching her closely, and she had to make sure he knew she could handle it.
Could she, though? That line, we’ll be here a while, was, more or less, a threat. They wanted her to know they’d be watching her every step and reporting back to their parents. Why did they even care? She’d done like she was supposed to do. She’d gotten a mate and they’d discussed cubs in the future. But neither of them was in a hurry to divide their attention just yet. They were having way too much fun.
Did her parents know she was working there? Was that why her brothers had shown up? Or was it a complete coincidence? As she waited for Noah to load up the bucket with ice and bottles, she discreetly looked down at her outfit. It was one of her new ones. And she thought she looked good. It was just a simple pair of jeans that had been distressed with a black shirt with the shoulders cut out. The front was low enough to show a little cleavage, but not too revealing. Like Emory and Nova kept telling her, it was hard not to have cleavage with the size of her breasts. Colton liked the way she dressed now. So, both of her brothers could kiss her fat ass.
As Shawnee passed, clutching the bucket in front of her like a shield instead of hoisting it on the tray, Colton’s eyes followed her. She might’ve been standing on her own feet instead of cowering in the back, but it felt good to know Colton was there. Just in case.
****
Colton wasn’t positive, but he’d bet his fucking hat the two men glaring at Shawnee were her brothers. They looked like family. Even had the same bright red hair. What kind of brothers treated their little sister the way they were? Dickheads.
The moment he’d heard the guy she’d called Brendan say something about her clothes, Colton stood and was ready to make his way over and beat some manners into the fucker. But he’d seen her tiny hand appear around her back and wave him off. He’d respect her wishes to stay back for now. But if either of those assholes said one more word to her, he’d drag them outside and teach them some respect with his fucking fists.
‘I’m fine,’ she mouthed as she passed his table and hurried to the bar. He watched her every move, watched for any tells that she was going to cry. There were none. She held her head high and even forced a smile on her pretty face for him as she passed by him again.
Music began to play on the juke box, and a couple of men played pool on the tables near where Shawnee’s brothers were sitting. He blocked all sound out and focused on Shawnee, on the way her shoulders looked like they were trying to meet her ears as she set the beers on the table and gave them a total. The motherfuckers actually asked for change back as they handed over money.
“You know them?” Carter asked, leaning over to speak low to Colton.
“Not sure, but I think those are Shawnee’s brothers.”
“Sure look a hell of a lot alike,” Carter said.
“Want me to kick their asses?” Luke said. He might’ve been trying to make it sound like a joke, but Luke had had a hair up his ass ever since Emory had been attacked on his watch. He was itching for a fight and a way to redeem himself.
“I got it under control,” Colton said, not taking his eyes from his mate as she left the table of assholes. She winked at him, but he could see the tightness in her body and could smell her fur as she passed by. “Huh.”
“What?” Carter asked, glancing over his shoulder at the two male redheads.
“I just smelled Shawnee’s animal.”
“And?” Luke said.
“I don’t think I’ve scented fur since we mated.”
“You two haven’t Shifted together yet?” Carter asked. He leaned forward and cradled a beer in his hands, his eyes narrowed on Colton.
With a slow shake of his head, he continued to keep an eye on Shawnee while keeping her brothers in his periphery. “Just hasn’t come up.”
“Have you Shifted?”
Colton finally looked away from Shawnee and at Carter. “No. I didn’t want to run without her.”
“Your bear has to be antsy by now,” Carter said.
With a shrug, Colton went back to watching over his mate. He hadn’t lied to her when he’d told her he knew she was strong and could take care of herself. That didn’t lessen his need to look after her, to keep her safe. And that included from the two pricks who were watching Shawnee almost as closely as Colton. They would periodically look down at their phones and tap on the screen, probably reporting back to their parents and Shawnee’s family Pride. Assholes.
“Is her animal broken?” Luke asked, leaning toward Colton and damn near whispering.
Colton turned his eyes to his Clan brother. Was her animal broken? Why else wouldn’t she have wanted to Shift yet? It would make sense. If she’d been beaten down for so many years, her animal had probably become submissive. Otherwise, she would’ve burst through to protect Shawnee from her parents or her mates or anyone else who would hurt her.
His heart ached for both sides of his mate, now. And anger toward anyone who did that to Shawnee and her animal made a growl trickle through his chest and out his mouth.
“Hey.” Shawnee’s soft voice calmed his bear enough to stop the sound. But Colton knew without a doubt his eyes were probably glowing.
“You doing okay?” he asked, reaching out and pulling her close with an arm around her waist. Even standing, her head was barely over his.
“Doing great,” she said, as she clenched her teeth and grinned in the world’s worst fake smile.
“Who are those guys?” Colton asked.
Shawnee looked over her shoulder and then back down at Colton. “My brothers. The one on the left is Brendan. On the right is Jason.”
“Why the fuck are they here?” Luke asked as he steadily glared at the two men. They just glared right back.
“Don’t know. Ignore them. They’ll be gone soon,” Shawnee said. Her tone was light, but Colton could feel the anxiety rolling from her and it made him want to throttle the two fuckers. How dare they come here and mess with his mate.
“I can make them leave,” Luke said with an evil grin.
“Noah already offered,” Shawnee said, and Colton hated that Noah had been the one to protect her all day.
But as Colton looked around the room, he realized how many Shifters were packed in the building. There hadn’t been any issues or Noah would’ve let him know. And other than when she’d spotted her brothers, she’d seemed fairly calm and steady. Not now, though. Now, she was strung tight and he definitely smelled fur. He needed to get his mate in the woods to let her lioness run free before she lost control of her beast.
“What time are you off tonight?” Colton asked as he released his hold on her. He didn’t want her to think he didn’t believe in her or was caging her in.
“I—”
“Now. You can go. Did good. Be back at ten tomorrow morning,” Noah said, waving his hand as if shooing her away.
With pinched brows, Shawnee hurried to the bar. She and Noah were both talking in hushed tones, but Colton could tell by the way she threw her arms around and the deep scowl on her face she was arguing with her new boss.
After a few minutes, Noah reached forward and laid his hands on Shawnee’s shoulders and said something that made her nod a few times then drop her head with a sigh. She forced a smile, nodded again, shoved the money he handed her into her pocket, then made her way over to Colton, Carter, and Luke.
“He said I worked longer than he’d planned and that it was time for me to go home,” she said, but she sounded a little disappointed.
“How much yo
u make?” Carter asked, tipping his beer up as he waited for Shawnee to answer.
“I didn’t count it. Thought it would be rude.”
“And dangerous,” Colton said, frowning at Carter. “Don’t ever count your money in front of any of these idiots.”
“Hey, I resemble that remark,” a male said from a nearby table.
Shawnee actually chuckled at that. “You guys sticking around, or are you ready to go home?” she asked, doing her best to ignore her brothers in the corner.
“I’m ready when you are,” Colton said.
“I need to drop Callie’s car off on our way. I think I’m going to just ride in with Noah tomorrow so I don’t have to borrow her car again.”
“I’m sure she doesn’t mind,” Colton said, standing and raising his hand at Noah.
“I know how it feels to want to go somewhere and you’re trapped.”
Colton tilted his head down to look at his mate. She looked a little sad, but she could just be tired. Regardless, Colton was already forming a plan in his head to save up to get her a car of her own. Maybe tomorrow, she could take his truck and he could ride with Carter and Luke. That way, she wouldn’t have to rely on someone else to get to work or borrow someone else’s car.
“I’ll follow you into Big River,” Colton said. “You guys coming, or you gonna wait for Noah?”
“We’ll hang back,” Luke said, his eyes glued to Shawnee’s brothers.
Glancing at Shawnee to make sure she hadn’t stepped outside already, he crossed the bar and bent down to whisper in Luke’s ear. “Don’t start shit in front of everyone. Keep your ears open and let me know if they have anything to say after Shawnee leaves.”
Luke looked up and nodded.
The Blackwater Clan didn’t have an Alpha. They had respect for each other and took turns keeping the other one in check. Carter was probably the closest to an Alpha any of them had, but he didn’t take control or boss anyone around. He just tended to be the one who spoke with the other Alphas when there was an issue like the Big River Pack had with both Deathport Pack and Tammen Pride.
Nah. Colton wasn’t the Alpha, but Shawnee was his mate. Her brothers were his fight, not Luke’s. But that didn’t mean Colton would ever stop Luke from pummeling them if the need arose.
Shawnee frowned in question when he turned and headed her way. “Nothing. Just told him to behave.”
She nodded and glanced at Luke. She followed his gaze straight over to her brothers. Turning, she hesitated when Colton opened the door. With a quick look up at Colton, she turned and waved. “Goodnight, Brendan. Jason. It was good to see you guys. Thanks for stopping by.”
And then she stepped through the door into the muggy evening.
His mate might still have some cracks in her armor, but they were quickly sealing themselves.
With his hand on the small of her back, he followed her to Emory’s small two door car, and then climbed into his truck when she was buckled in and her car was running. He followed her out of the parking lot, down the highway, and straight to Big River territory.
Gray and Nova were sitting on their front porch with Rieka playing at their feet, but everyone else was missing. It was getting a little late. They were probably winding down for the night.
“Hey,” Nova said when Colton joined Shawnee at the door of her car.
“I’m just returning Callie’s car,” Shawnee said, climbing the stairs to accept an awkward hug from Nova.
The women had been bonding over the past few weeks, but Colton could tell it was hard for Shawnee. It was like she wasn’t sure whether they accepted her or were just being nice because of Colton. He could tell she was growing on the women of Big River. It would take her time to accept that kind of love.
“Hey, Callie!” Nova called.
Shawnee held up her hands, her eyes wide. “I was just going to leave it and give you her keys.”
“Don’t worry. She’s still awake. Or at least she was ten minutes ago. You should’ve heard them—”
“Noooovaaaa,” Callie whined as she hurried through her front door. “Stop.” Her face was bright pink as she jogged over to Shawnee, but there was a wide smile and a glow all over her face. “Thanks for bringing it back. You could’ve dropped it off tomorrow.”
“Colton’s going to give me a ride home. And Noah’s taking me in tomorrow. I mean, I haven’t told him that yet, but…yeah.”
“How was your first day?” Nova asked, climbing down the steps.
“Interesting. Exhausting,” Shawnee admitted.
Colton caught Gray’s attention and nodded once. He’d definitely send the Big River Alpha a text later letting him know about Shawnee’s brothers. Something wasn’t sitting right with him. How had they known she’d be at Moe’s? Was it a coincidence that they’d ended up there on her first night? No way had anyone from Blackwater or Big River mentioned her new job to anyone outside their circle. If he found out someone from Horine was following her around and reporting back to her parents, there would be hell to pay.
Nova, Callie, and Shawnee chatted for a few more minutes. Micah ambled out of his house and over to the small get together. He needed both the Alpha and the Second of Big River in on his concerns, but with the women right there, with Shawnee right there listening, he’d have to wait until his mate was asleep or in the shower.
“You workin’ tomorrow?” Micah asked.
“Yep. Second day. Wait…are you all coming up again?” Shawnee asked, her nerves taking over.
“Not us,” Nova said, snuggling into Gray’s side.
“We’re coming by for our lunch break,” Micah said, shooting Colton a look as if he already knew Colton’s concerns. Had Carter or Noah already texted them?
“If anyone gives you any crap, just let us know. I’ll let my wolf chew on him,” Nova said.
“Shoot. Just call Peyton. She’s scary when her wolf gets all possessive,” Callie said with a fake shiver.
Colton and Shawnee bid their goodnights and headed home. She was quiet on the short ride to the cabin, but he didn’t feel any fear coming from her. Only sadness.
“Were you close to your brothers?” he asked, although he pretty much knew the answer.
“Uh. No. I wasn’t close to anyone,” she said around a giant yawn. She’d worked nine hours on her first day on the job. On her first day of work ever. No wonder she was so tired.
That simple statement made Colton sad for his mate. He’d been close to his entire family and his family Clan. He’d only left in hopes of finding a mate. And then he’d met Carter, Luke, and Noah. They’d become his new family. As much as he missed his people back in Tennessee, he couldn’t imagine life without the wolves and his Clan.
“Well, you’ve got three new brothers who love you. And Big River, too.”
“I’m pretty sure Luke doesn’t love me. I’m not sure he even likes me.” She pushed from her seat when Colton pulled the truck to a stop. She didn’t even wait for him to help her down as he had since day one. She shuffled more than walked to the front porch.
“He loves you. And likes you. He’s just got some demons he’s working through right now.”
Shawnee nodded but didn’t say anything else. Just walked through the door, pulling her clothes off as she made her way to the bathroom to take off her makeup. Once she was clean faced, she dragged her sexy little ass to the bedroom, stripping down to nothing but panties, and plopped in the bed.
“This isn’t an invitation,” she said sleepily.
Colton’s smile widened as he just shook his head at his mate. As tempting as her soft body was, that was the last thing on his mind. Okay. Maybe not the last thing, but there was no way he’d expect her to make love when she’d had a hard time keeping her eyes open on the ride home.
He grabbed the back hem of his shirt and pulled it off, then pushed his jeans down his legs. When she lifted her head to peek at him through bleary eyes, he smirked and shook his head. “This isn’t an invitation,” he repeated
her words back to her.
Shawnee rolled her eyes as she let her head drop back against the pillow. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt this tired in my life. I didn’t even realize how tired I was until we were in the car.”
“When did you take your break?”
Shawnee rolled her head to look at him as he lowered beside her in the bed and turned off the lamp. She frowned in confusion.
“You didn’t take a break?”
“Noah asked if I wanted to sit down and eat but I wasn’t hungry.”
Colton pushed up onto one elbow. “No wonder you’re whooped. He was trying to tell you to take a break.”
“But I was working.” That confused frown stayed in place longer than he’d ever seen on her. She’d always been careful to keep her face neutral. Other than when she was smiling or laughing at Colton.
“You’re allowed to take a break while you’re at work. There are even laws about it,” Colton said, dropping his head back on the pillow.
“Human laws.”
“Well, yeah. But they still apply to us.” Kind of. Not like they could go complain to a union or anything. “All I’m saying is, when Noah asked if you wanted to sit down and eat, he was pretty much telling you to take a break. You can take at least one a day. Even more if you need it. Even if Noah doesn’t tell you to eat, you should still rest and get off your feet.”
Thank God he’d bought her something other than those torture devices she’d first shown up wearing. Even in the Converse, her feet were probably swollen and sore. With those pointy heels, she’d have been in agony after being on her feet nonstop for so many hours.
“How about when Big River comes in for lunch, you take your break and hang out with them,” he offered.
“I’ll be the one bringing them their food, Colton,” she said. Her voice was growing sleepier and sleepier.
It was time to drop it. He’d make sure Noah forced her to take a break at least halfway through her shift. And he needed to make sure she knew she didn’t have to work long ass days, either. Although, up until the moment she’d spotted her brothers, she’d seemed pretty happy to be working. Who was he to tell her how much or how little she could work?