“Is there anything you would find … repulsive?”
Desiree’s finely plucked brows climbed toward her hair line. “Do you mean sexually?”
Great. She just had to ask. River didn’t talk about this stuff with anyone and had no idea how to do it with a relative stranger, no matter how much she was coming to like the young wolf. “Maybe.”
“I want to try everything. But with Tahl. I’m not into casual.”
TMI. “Everything?”
“Well, I have my fantasies and I hope he’ll help me explore them.”
“What about his fantasies?” River held her breath.
“I hope they’ll mirror mine, but if not, I hope we’ll figure it out. It’s not like he’ll—” Desiree’s cell rang and she grabbed for it, stabbing at the screen. “Hello? What? Hang on.”
Turning to River, she tucked the phone on the cushion. “Where’s your phone? Jett’s been calling you.”
Crap. “Upstairs. I’ll run and get it.”
She flew up the steps, cursing the interruption because she was certain Desi was about to impart a revelation. It’s not like he’ll expect me to say no? It’s not like he’ll want me to disappoint him? She wanted to talk with another female about her biggest fear and maybe find a way to live with it. Except she knew she could never… She grabbed her phone from the dresser and stared at the screen. Four missed calls from her mate. Wonderful impression, River.
The device vibrated in her hand and she jumped, then answered.
“River. It’d be good if you carried your mobile phone with you.”
“Sorry. I can hear it in my house no matter where I leave it. I didn’t realize—”
“S’okay, sweetheart. You getting along with my sister? Did you eat?”
“Yes and yes.”
He laughed. “Always a woman of few words unless you’re having an outburst.” He lowered his voice. “Are you okay?”
“Like in coping with my heat okay? Feeling okay or homesick? Feeling left in the dark about my mate out on some kind of dangerous mission okay?”
“River.” A wealth of emotion poured through the phone. “You’re worried. Sweetheart, it’ll be fine. I’ll be home soon.”
She didn’t deny her concern for him. She’d put it out there for anyone to hear. “I don’t understand how I’ve become so attached in a day,” she nearly whined, and wanted to pinch herself for her tone. Never mind feeling vulnerable.
“It goes both ways, sweetheart, if that helps. Which is why I called you. No one can fight destiny. This damn rogue incursion couldn’t have happened at a worse time. I don’t want you dealing with your heat on your own either.”
So he wanted to be with her and not only to address her heat. A tendril of warmth totally unrelated to her hormonal urges unfurled in her chest. “I’ll tell you, if, you know…” She didn’t want to talk about sex. “And you be careful.”
“I will. You listen to Max and spend time with Desi, okay? Get her to show you the safe room. You’ll get a kick out of it.”
Safe room? Lord. Maybe big ol’ Max wasn’t enough protection. She wanted to ask more questions but decided to obey him. Trust him. That felt better. “I’ll ask her.”
“Later, sweetheart.”
“Later.” She felt as though she should be saying something else but the screen darkened as he ended the call. Maybe she could come up with an endearment for him. Dear. Nope, too herbivore-ish. Baby? Too weird. Pumpkin? Ha. Lamb chop? She chuckled and it morphed into a sob.
“Hey, River. You done? Tahl said they’re off to do male things.” Desi’s happy tone sounded forced to anyone’s ear.
“I’m done,” she called, and headed back down to the living room. “Jett said to show me the safe room.”
“Really. Tahl too.”
Max appeared in the doorway. “This way, ladies.”
It appeared Max had his instructions as well, and a bunch of rocks rolled around in River’s chest. What were Jett and the others dealing with and what about the rest of the pack still in the area? She asked Max.
“They’re doing what has to be done, River. Jett will fill you in afterward. As for the rest of the pack, there’s mostly females and pups, with a few like me remaining behind to pull up the drawbridge in case.”
“In case?”
“Cornered prey can be unpredictable, particularly thinking cornered prey. So everybody’s heading into safe rooms or traveling.”
Wordless, she accompanied Desiree and Max down a short set of stairs beside the kitchen. A door with a keypad loomed at the bottom and Max punched in a code, and then pulled the metal panel open. For all of its obvious weight, it swung open noiselessly and they moved inside. It closed behind them with a quiet thud and she looked around.
“Bathroom that way.” Max pointed. “Foodstuffs and water stored there. Blankets in that cupboard.”
There was a television and some seating, a DVD player and a shelf of movies. River felt for her phone and determined she had service. A bank of monitors flickered on one wall and she recognized various screenshots of inside the house. Jett’s bedroom was on the top upper left and she blinked.
“Is there any other place in the house that displays the security camera feed?” she asked Max. Were you watching your Alpha and me earlier?
“No. Only in the safe room. Jett is practical but likes his privacy.”
“Right.” She looked away casually.
“Chic flic!” Desiree plucked a movie and flicked open the package. She slid it into the player and grabbed the remote. “Sit with me, River, and we’ll immerse ourselves while Max suffers.”
He grunted and pulled out his phone. “I’ll play a game. Over here.”
“So we just wait?” River asked.
“Uh huh.” Desiree poked at buttons.
“Do you do this often?” She was safe and sound in some basement bunker while her mate was … not.
“Nope. My first time.” River could hear the worry bubbling in Desi’s voice despite her focus on the remote.
Tugging the device from the other woman’s hand, she started the movie. “We should have made popcorn.”
Desi snuggled beside her and they watched some incredibly talented dancers from decades ago liven up a summer camp while the hero dealt with maligning rumors. If River stared hard enough, she could pretend the hours would fly by like that girl leaping from the stage into the gorgeous hero’s arms.
Chapter Six
“Fuck.” Jett swiped a hand over his face, wincing at the split in his right eyebrow. Blood coated his fingers and he wiped most of it off on his shirt. The cut—and one bitch of a headache—was the only damage he’d sustained and he considered himself lucky. Tahl had a broken arm and severe bruising along his ribs from a stray bullet, and they’d lost five males with another, so injured it was a toss-up as to whether he’d make it or not. They’d gotten him to their medic but only time would tell.
Jett knew the price of battle, but losing members of his pack took pieces of his soul. He made a major effort to focus on the next step and considered the remaining members of the teams. Most suffered some minor cuts and bruises, and the rogues were down by at least three-quarters of their number, thanks to the intel. Taking the enemy by surprise had proven to be an incredible advantage, except the alpha rogue had escaped. Rees and Davis were on his trail, having blooded him, and Jett hoped they were successful because a male like that would simply rebuild. And revenge would drive him.
“Too bad we don’t heal lightning quick like the books say,” Tahl grunted. “My fucking arm is killing me.”
“Compound fractures do that.” Jett checked the splint again to make sure the break was aligned. He didn’t want to have to break his lieutenant’s arm a second time because shifters did, in fact, heal quickly, just not miraculously.
“Your head okay? That bat caught you a good one.”
“The asshole wielding the bat caught me,” he retorted. “He came out of nowhere. Like a crazy man. I’m
good, though. If I hadn’t been in wolf form, maybe not.” He’d torn the attacker’s throat out and wished there had been another choice.
“I expect he was on some kind of synth medication. We found a lab in the basement. Guess it’s another way the rogue alpha keeps his followers tight.”
Kris wobbled into view, having lost some blood after suffering a bite to the thigh. The rogues had fought, both shifted, and in human form. The latter had used human weapons, though the firepower had been limited. Jett figured he should be grateful for small mercies.
“Any word on the Regent?” He could have bitten his tongue. He shouldn’t give that asshole any kind of title or recognition. “The leader?”
“He’s circling. Getting closer to our territory, actually.”
“Then order the teams home. If he joins up with the others we put on the road, I don’t want our people in their path without the best defense.” Even if they were in safe rooms and the like. He helped Tahl to his feet.
“The females are ready for transport, Jett.” Kris’s lip curled with rage. They were all disgusted at the way the rogues had treated the female wolves, but Kris was having a really hard time managing his anger. “A couple of them, the ones in the best shape, will kind of direct the rest.”
“Set them up where we discussed, Kris. We can’t risk any having fallen prey to Stockholm.”
“The things you have to foresee, Jett.” Kris gave him a respectful nod and headed out.
Tahl said, “You can’t believe any female would be attached to a male who would treat her the way those women have been treated?”
“If any of them were in heat, who knows? Males have the control in that instance, Tahl. And females surrender.” River’s surrender, overwhelmed by her wolf’s need, despite her strong will to the contrary flashed before his eyes, and he frowned. They really needed to talk so he could uncover the root of her antipathy, though their phone conversation had lifted his spirits. He was more than physically connected to his little mate—and she to him if he’d read her concern correctly. It was the way of fated mates.
“I suppose so. And it’s fucking wrong to manipulate nature that way. All the more reason to ensure we don’t have rogue wolves.” Tahl made his way toward the vehicle, his injured ribs making his movements stiff. When he eased into the passenger seat, he turned to face Jett. “Now might not be the best time, Jett. Or maybe it is, seeing as you’re mated now.”
Jett braced himself for what he knew was coming. He prided himself on paying attention and knowing what was going on in his pack. It didn’t mean he didn’t have a moment’s pause when he thought of his sister being in River’s position. Not that he didn’t support destiny, but Desiree was still a little girl in his head.
“She’s really interested, Tahl. And I couldn’t pick a better man for Desiree. If you want my permission to connect, you have it.”
His lieutenant tensed. “Fuck. Son of a…” His green eyes showed wolf and Jett’s animal coiled in response. Tahl took a deep breath and winced. “I am so fucked. With you and her. Did I give out some kind of message?”
“I don’t follow.”
“You said Desi’s interested. Jett, I don’t reciprocate.”
“Holy hell.” He searched his recent memory of the interaction between Tahl and Desiree and concluded the sexual interest was one sided, except all the single males got a little more bulked up when she flirted. It was a natural response. “No, you haven’t been giving mixed messages. But it’s gonna be a mess. Fuck me. Maybe I can find some business to follow up on elsewhere. Far away.”
With a pained laugh, Tahl replied, “Nothing like an upset she-wolf to make us all head for the hills. But seriously, I feel bad. I tried hard not to give her any encouragement.”
“I know how Desiree is, my friend. Once she gets an idea in her head there’s no changing that single-minded focus. I didn’t notice your response—or lack thereof—because I don’t want to think about her…”
“Getting mated?” His lieutenant chose the kinder description of what Jett and River had enjoyed.
“Right. I’ll break it to her sooner than later.”
“I probably should do it. She’ll be humiliated enough, don’t you think? I mean she’s a great kid, but that’s how I see her.”
“Maybe hearing it from you will make it clear. She might think I’m interfering and come to you anyhow. But if you didn’t want to talk to me about Desi, then what?”
Tahl visibly collected his thoughts. “I want your leave to attend another pack. As soon as the current crisis is resolved.”
“Any particular pack?”
“Ashton Leaf’s. The Dawnfall Pack. There’s a female there who’ll be coming up to her first heat and I want to be first in the running. If you and Ashton can see your way clear.”
“Do I know her?”
“She was with Ashton and his entourage a couple of years ago when they passed through. You probably recall her. The redhead?”
Jett vaguely remembered a little princess of a she-wolf flitting around and thought it was her who had stirred some trouble with her peers among his pack. Something about comparing assets. Not that Ashton and his people had stayed that long, and he’d been caught up in hammering out an alliance with the other alpha. “I remember.”
“Well, I saw her and … well, I haven’t forgotten, you know?”
He didn’t know, being that River was the first female to have an impact on him—in that way. “And if she’s suitable? How long will you be gone?”
Discomfort etched Tahl’s face and it wasn’t all from his injuries. “Ashton would expect that I stay. It’s his granddaughter. Peyton. And I want to court her, so…”
Damn it. He really didn’t want to lose his lieutenant. He could forbid Tahl, but didn’t have a good reason, and while the other man would accept his edict, resentment would only fester. “I can’t say as I want her to be suitable.”
A bark of laughter made Tahl most definitely wince and he used his good hand to compress his ribs. “I figured. But you’ll give permission?”
“Right after you break the news to Desiree.”
“I wasn’t going to take off without telling her, Jett. Especially now I understand she’s sincere about her focus on me.”
He knew the other man was better than that, but he was pissed at him too. How was he going to replace him?
“Kris could step up,” Tahl suggested, reading Jett’s mind the way he often did.
“Not Kris.”
“You might not like him personally, but he’s the best one for the position.”
“We’ll see.” Not that he had a lot of time to decide.
He started the vehicle and began the drive back to his territory, cell phone at the ready to keep in touch with the forward teams. “You’ll let me know if congratulations are in order, Tahl.”
“I will. And we’ll make a point of connecting afterward. Maybe our mates will become friends.” Jett doubted it, despite only a vague impression of Peyton. River wasn’t a flirt and she didn’t aspire to material things.
None of the teams called with news of the rogue alpha. Rees and Davis concluded someone had picked him up because the trail had gone cold. It wasn’t optimum although Rees suggested the male had been driven out of familiar territory and would have to set up a camp elsewhere, further away. His ragtag pack decimated, the likelihood of him gathering a large enough number to pose a threat to any lawful pack was far in the future.
“They aren’t really rogues,” Tahl observed.
Startled, Jett threw his lieutenant a glance. “How do you figure?”
“They have—had—a pack and followed an alpha. Kind of like the one percenters of a motorcycle gang. I mean, most packs follow pack law with some minor variations, but essentially avoid a lot of the shit we got mired in before progress paved the way. The better way.”
“That so-called Alpha demanded loyalty at the threat of death. Not to mention he encouraged violence against others and
encouraged and supplied drugs to cement those ties. And let’s not forget the harem.”
“Beyond the pale,” Tahl agreed. “Twisted and sick, but still a pack. What’s to say he won’t rebuild better and stronger and become a force we have to negotiate with?”
“That’s not going to happen. Not on my watch. And I’ll shout out to the rest of the Alphas we’re connected with already and have them do the same to others. We’ll conference if need be, but I can’t see any pack I know standing for such a travesty. And this is why I need you as my lieutenant, Tahl.” He thumped the dash in frustration.
“You’d have come to it. I expect it’s the lure of your little mate that’s derailed your thinking a tad.”
“I haven’t been on my game in quite the same way,” he admitted.
“No, that’s not right. You are, if anything, heightened, so far as your intuition goes. Probably because your protective instincts are at an all-time high. You saved my ass back there, Jett. You know it.”
“We have one another’s backs.”
“Right. Well, you have my thanks anyhow. And as for my recent epiphany, it’s what you pay me for.”
He cruised into Tahl’s driveway and pulled as close to the house as possible. “I’ll expect you tomorrow after lunch. I’ll make sure Desiree is there. Unless you want to go to Mom’s house. She should be back—”
“Uh, no. Your mother will skin me alive.”
“She’ll come to the same conclusion as me, though maybe it’s best she’s not there when you break the news.”
Climbing slowly out of the vehicle, the other male grimaced. “I’m sick about it, Jett, but it’s gotta be done. And the sooner the better. I won’t head out for Ashton’s pack though until I’m sure things are settled here.”
“Deal.” Jett made sure Tahl got inside before pulling a three point turn and heading home. He and River needed some time alone. His wolf hoped that meant time spent in a most pleasurable manner, but he knew they should cover some other areas first before he covered her.
His house came into view and he automatically scanned for anything out of the ordinary. It was no secret—to wolves anyway—where he lived, and while Max hadn’t communicated with him, since the order to hit the safe room, other than to say things were copacetic, Jett was always prepared for the unexpected. Except for River.
Bound by Destiny (Blue Star Shifters Book 1) Page 8