by Jenny Frame
“How pregnant was she?” Eden asked.
“Seven months,” Zaria replied.
Kenrick could hold her words no longer. “Leroux deserves nothing less than to be ripped apart by a whole pack. She’s a disgrace to the name wolf.”
Dante got up and put her hand on her shoulder, then said in a low voice, “Let the submissives take care of each other. The story will come out in its own time. Calm your wolf.”
Kenrick looked over at Eden and Vance comforting Zaria and took her point. They were making Zaria feel safe. She nodded. “You do believe her story don’t you?”
“Yes, but Flash needs a little more time. It’s his cub and he’s feeling protective. He needs to be sure.”
Zaria continued, “We got as far as a motel just outside the county. Marta had nothing left to give, and she went into labour. She made me promise to take the cub to the Wolfgang Alpha’s doorstep. At least there he would have a chance. She kissed him goodbye, and I ran.”
Eden and Vance were now in tears.
“I hid in the trees and watched you and the Alpha come out for him, Eden. I knew he would always have a good life here,” Zaria said. “When I got back, Marta was dead.” Zaria hesitated. “After that I moved around, the Lupas were always looking for me, but I kept close to Wolfgang County.”
“Why?” Flash asked pointedly, and Vance gave him a look.
“Because I promised my sister that I’d always look out for him,” Zaria explained.
“What about when Leroux kidnapped Marco and Tia, the sheriff’s daughter?”
Zaria gave him a steady stare. “I couldn’t stop them on my own, but how do you think you had a convenient scent trail leading to where they were?”
“That was you?” Dante said.
“Yeah. I followed them. I knew you’d need a Lupa scent trail. I was the Lupa wolf to give it to you.”
Flash got up and Kenrick tensed when he got closer to Zaria, but he surprised everyone when he said, “Thank you, Zaria.”
* * *
Zaria felt emotionally drained, but a large load had been taken off her shoulders. The Alpha understood why she kept it to herself, and more than importantly, Flash and Vance understood.
Kenrick was frustrated and angry, she could feel it. While Dante called Caden to tell them that they would be a little late for the party, Eden made tea, Flash and Vance were deep in quiet conversation on the other side of the room, and Kenrick sat in the armchair and stared down at the floor, her anger simmering close to the surface.
Kenrick’s reaction was both wonderful and scary. No one had cared that much about her since Marta, but with that care came mating, and Zaria didn’t think she was capable of letting anyone that close.
Vance came back over and sat beside her. “Flash and I were talking, and we think we should tell Marco the truth about his past, his mother, and about you. Maybe tomorrow you’d like to come and see him?”
“Really?” Zaria was overjoyed. She’d watched Marco grow up from afar, but to actually talk to him would be a dream.
“Yes,” Flash said. “You’ve sacrificed a normal life to keep him safe. We think he needs to know what his aunt has done for him.”
“Thank you, truly,” Zaria said.
Eden walked back in with Dante carrying the tea tray.
“What have I missed?” Eden said.
Vance squeezed Zaria’s hand and said, “We’re going to tell Marco the truth, and Zaria is coming to visit Marco in our den tomorrow.”
“That’s wonderful. Dante told Caden we’d be late, so let’s have a cup of tea and calm down after all that emotion.”
Dante sat in the seat opposite Zaria. “Leroux doesn’t know the baby survived, does she?”
“No, she must have assumed that the baby died,” Zaria said.
Vance shivered. “To think that she kidnapped Marco and Tia and never even realized who he was. If she had—”
“Don’t think about that, Van,” Flash said. “He’s safe with us and now that we know about his past, we’re going to be extra vigilant with him.”
Dante sighed with frustration. “We need to find Leroux and put a stop to her once and for all. After what she did to Eden and Lena, and our two guards, she deserves to die, but Marco and Zaria deserve to be able to live without looking over their shoulders too.”
Flash growled. “Leroux’s been hiding like a coward. We have wolves checking contacts, trying to find out information, but getting nothing.”
A new thought trickled into Zaria’s mind. It was dangerous, but she would do anything for Marco. “Alpha, I have an idea. Ovid and Leroux want me, so if I leave Wolfgang County, they will come to me. Then you’d have her.”
Kenrick, who had been silent all this time, said firmly, “No, that is not going to happen.”
“Excuse me?” Zaria said sharply.
Kenrick looked at her with a hard stare. “You heard me. That is not going to happen.”
Zaria felt utter fury rise up like a volcano inside her. She jumped and exclaimed, “You have no say in my life, so I can do what I want.”
Kenrick got up and walked over. “I’m telling you, I’m not letting you do it. No matter what you say. It’s not safe, and I don’t want Leroux or Ovid anywhere near you.”
Zaria gave a hollow laugh. “Well done. You’ve shown your true dominant colours. I can’t believe you got me to think you were different.”
Dante stood up and said, “Let’s all calm down here—”
But Zaria didn’t want to listen. She pointed her finger at Kenrick. “Let me make this clear. You are not my mate, and you do not make any decisions for me. I’ve had dominants who wanted to control me all my life. I thought you were different—apparently not.”
With that she stormed out of the house.
* * *
As soon as the front door slammed, Kenrick smacked herself on the forehead. “Why did you say that, idiot.”
“Ricky, you should have let Dante say no,” Eden said. “She’s fighting years of being controlled, but she would have taken it from Dante.”
“And I would have said no. It’s far too dangerous,” Dante said.
“I was just trying to protect her. Fear just made me say it like that. I love her—I don’t want to control her.”
“Does she know you feel like that, Ricky?” Vance asked.
“No, I haven’t told her,” Kenrick replied.
Vance shook his head. “Then go after her, wolf, and explain.”
“Okay, Eden, will you give my apologies to Caden and Lena? I really need to sort this out.”
“Sure, go get her,” Eden said.
Kenrick ran out the door but didn’t see Zaria. She must have been walking home alone. She jumped into the car and drove out of the Alpha’s gated den. When she spotted Zaria further up the road, she caught up and put the window down.
“Zaria, wait.”
Zaria just kept walking, so Kenrick slowed to a crawl beside her. “Please, Zari. I didn’t mean what I said.”
“I’m not interested. Go away, Kenrick,” Zaria said.
Kenrick was panicking. She couldn’t let Zaria think she was anything like the dominants she grew up with. “Look, I was scared, okay. I was scared to death that you’d get hurt, and I acted like an idiot.”
Zaria stopped walking and sighed.
“Please, Zari. Forgive me?” Kenrick pleaded.
Zari turned around and said, “A dominant has never told me they were scared before.”
Kenrick stopped the car. “Well, I was—I am, I mean. You are really important to me, and I—” She wanted to say love more than anything, but she was certain that would scare Zaria. “I care about you, a lot. I don’t want you to get hurt. Please get in the car and I’ll take you home,” Kenrick said.
Zaria walked around the car and jumped in the passenger seat. Kenrick breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m sorry, really.”
“I know,” Zaria said. “It was probably a bad idea, but now that I’ve
found Marco, I want to bring this to the end. I want to stop running and for Marco to be safe.”
Kenrick reached for her hand. “It will be over. Just give Dante time. She will find Leroux.”
Zaria nodded. “Will you take me home? I’d like to go back to my apartment. I’m so tired.”
“Aye, of course. Do you want me to stay on the couch or something?” Kenrick asked.
“I’d rather have some time to myself.”
Kenrick wanted to be close, protecting Zaria, but she wasn’t going to make a mistake again. “Aye, sure.”
Chapter Twelve
The next day Zaria finally got to meet Marco. Kenrick picked her up and drove her over. Once they’d said their hellos, Vance suggested she take Marco out to the backyard. It was a big grass yard with lots of sports gear and playground equipment. Marco led her over to the swings.
They swayed together in silence for a minute, and then Marco said, “When my wolf saw you out running, it felt I knew you.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you, Marco, but I didn’t want to disturb your life,” Zaria said.
“It’s okay. I get it. When I got taken with Tia by Leroux—” Marco stuttered.
“Take your time, Marco.”
“She was so nasty, like a villain in a movie. Do you think I’ll turn out like her?” Marco said.
“Never. You have too much of your mom in you,” Zaria reassured him.
“What was she like? My mom, I mean.”
Zaria took a picture out of her pocket and handed it to Marco. He scanned it quickly.
“She looks beautiful.”
Zaria felt joy in her heart that she hadn’t felt in a long, long time. “Marta was the most beautiful wolf in our pack, but she was beautiful inside too. Everyone loved her gentleness and kindness, and she taught me everything I know.”
Marco was crying. “I wish I could have known her, Aunt Zaria.”
Hearing the word aunt out of Marco’s mouth made the tears flow for her too. “She would have been so proud of you, and happy that you have such a good life with your dad and your pater.”
“They are the best,” Marco agreed, “but why did she have to die?”
“Only Leroux can answer that question, but she died protecting you and me and made sure you got a good chance in life.”
Marco got off the swing and looked a little unsure of himself. “Aunt Zaria? Thank you from bringing me here when I was a baby.”
Then he hugged her tightly. Zaria had been waiting for this moment since she left Marco on the Alpha’s doorstep.
We did it, Marta. He’s safe and happy.
* * *
Kenrick watched Zaria sleeping on the couch and felt her heart fall even more in love with her. After reconnecting with Marco, Kenrick got them takeout and brought it back to Zaria’s apartment. The day had been so emotional for Zaria that after dinner she went straight to the couch and fell asleep.
I’m in love with her, but what do I do now?
She would be heading back to Scotland soon, and she couldn’t bear the thought of Zaria not being with her.
Zaria’s eyes fluttered open and she stretched. “How long have I been asleep?”
“An hour, I think,” Kenrick said.
Zaria yawned. “I’m sorry to just check out on you. You should have gone home.”
“Nah. I’d rather be right here. What did Vance say to you before we left?” Kenrick said.
“He asked me to go on a run with them tomorrow morning.”
Kenrick sat forward. “Well, that’s great. You’re building a relationship with your new family. But you don’t look so sure.”
Zaria tied her hair back in a ponytail. “It’s complicated and awkward. I don’t want to step on Flash’s and Vance’s toes and hover over them.”
“You’re not. You’re just getting to know Marco and Flash and Vance.”
“I don’t know what comes next, that’s all,” Zaria said.
“Me neither,” Kenrick said sadly.
Zaria narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”
Kenrick didn’t want to say she loved Zaria and wanted her to come to Scotland, so she just said, “You know, becoming Alpha and stuff.”
Zaria came over to sit beside her. “Why are you worried about that?”
“Because I don’t know if I should be,” Kenrick said.
“Why? You’re really dominant, your pater is Alpha—why not?”
“I had a twin brother. I was born first, I was bigger and stronger, but I failed him.” Kenrick’s voice cracked.
Zaria put her hand on Kenrick’s knee. “How could you fail him?”
“He was attacked by a vampire,” Kenrick said emotionally. “I couldn’t find him in time.”
“I’m so sorry, Ricky. What age were you both?”
“Ten.” Kenrick cleared her throat trying to control her emotions.
“You can’t blame yourself, question your fitness to lead, over what happened when you were ten. It was for the adult wolves to take action.”
“They did find him, but he was drained of blood.” Kenrick couldn’t stop the emotions this time.
Zaria put her arms around her and hugged her. When she rubbed her back, Kenrick pressed her nose into Zaria’s neck and Zaria moaned.
Kenrick didn’t want to make any mistakes, so she pulled back and looked at Zaria. Her eyes were glowing yellow.
“Ricky?” Zaria said then pressed her lips against Kenrick’s.
Kenrick gave a soft growl and melted into her lips. It was pure bliss kissing Zaria and every cell in her body was demanding, wanting, needing, but she had to go slow for Zaria’s sake.
When her teeth erupted, Zaria ran her tongue over her canines. That was too much for Kenrick. She had to either take things further or slow down.
She pulled away and rested her forehead against Zaria’s. “Are you ready for this, lassie?”
Zaria took a few moments and calmed her breathing. “Slow, Ricky. I need to take it slow.”
Kenrick wanted to show Zaria she always had the right to control what they did together. Ovid and Leroux took what they wanted, but Kenrick wanted to be given the honour of touching her love when she said so.
“Your decision. Always.”
* * *
Zaria felt the exhilaration and excitement of new possibilities. She lay in her bed and relived the feel of Kenrick’s lips and the sensation was like coming home at last. But Kenrick had a big future ahead, she was leaving for Scotland soon, so what was the point of a week-long romance? Kenrick hadn’t mentioned those problems after they kissed.
There was no point in thinking about new possibilities when they were only dreams. Kenrick’s life was in Scotland. She was an Alpha and she needed a Mater, and Zaria was not a Mater.
Her excitement had been overcome by a feeling of depression. Why did the Great Mother make her fall for such an unattainable wolf?
Zaria nearly jumped out of her skin when the apartment phone rang. She looked at the clock. It was one o’clock in the morning. Kenrick wouldn’t call at this time, would she?
She sat up and lifted the phone. “Hello?”
“Hello dear sister.” The voice sent fear and chills through her bones. “It’s been such a long time.”
Zaria jumped out of bed, her whole body shaking. “It—it can’t be.”
“I can hear the joy in your voice, sister. Yes, it’s your Alpha, Leroux.”
The last time she spoke to Leroux, she was sixteen years old, and the voice took her back to that scared child.
“What do you want?” Zaria said.
“Isn’t it obvious? I want my family back, and Ovid wants her mate.”
The sentence made her want to throw up. “I’m no one’s mate.”
Leroux laughed. “We’ll see about that. I think you’ve gotten too comfortable with the Wolfgangs and learned some of their submissives’ bad habits. You don’t talk back to a dominant, especially your Alpha, Zaria.”
Zari
a stayed silent. She wanted to hang up and call Ricky and Dante, but she was too scared to do anything.
The silence ended when Leroux said, “As I said, I want all my family back.”
Zaria’s heart sank. No, not Marco. “I don’t know what you mean,” Zaria said in a tiny voice.
“I’m talking about my sister-in-law and my son, Marco. Your little secret is out. You and your sister have tried to keep me from my son.”
Zaria held her fist against her forehead. She was experiencing true panic. “Please, Leroux, leave Marco out of it. He’s happy, he has a new family.”
“But he’s my son,” Leroux said. “But—”
“But what?” Was there room for negotiation? “I’ll do anything if you promise to leave Marco alone and forget about him.”
Leroux’s voice turned deadly serious. “If that is the case, then you pack your things and walk to the county line. My wolves will be waiting there to bring you home to us.”
“I have your word that you’ll never go after Marco?” Zaria said.
“You have my word, if you behave and accept me as your Alpha, and Ovid as your mate.”
Zaria closed her eyes and let her heart answer. “I’ll come.”
“Good wolf, maybe Ovid will make you behave better than Marta ever could. Be at the county line in one hour.”
Leroux hung up and Zaria collapsed to her knees.
“I’m sorry, Ricky. I love you.”
* * *
Dante couldn’t sleep. Her mind was racing with ideas and plans to smoke out Leroux. She had to be found, or Marco and Zaria would never be safe.
She turned to watch Eden sleeping peacefully and stroked her fingers down her bare arm. “I will find her, I promise you, Mater.”
Dante got up and pulled on some boxers and a T-shirt. Maybe a drink of water would clear her head. She walked downstairs to find Ricky sitting at the kitchen table nursing a glass of whisky.