by Belle Harper
“I got your note, I just…” I let out a deep breath. I had to tell her the truth. “I was warned away from you. I was told I had to give you space with your new mates. So I was in the woods watching you, but I didn’t know you saw me there. It’s all my fault, Lexi. I should have gone to you earlier, but I was under orders to stay away.”
And that was the truth. I wasn’t to be near her while she established her bonds with her mates, especially with Ranger. Alaric had sent me on a mission to find out what she was, but it was also to keep me from her. He didn’t like the connection we had, or how I felt for her. I was surprised I was still allowed to be around her yesterday. But then he needed me to compel Ada… There was always something I was doing for him, and that—compelling Ada— was something I didn’t want to do.
This was so messed up. If I hadn’t been kept away, I might have known what Ranger was going to do. That he was breaking his bond with his packmate. That Callum would have been upset over this, and Lexi wouldn’t have gone looking for me. Callum wouldn’t have been there…waiting for her. Her face fell.
“Alaric?” was all she said. I nodded, but that was going to change. I wasn’t going to do this any more. I had been here working for long enough. I was quit my job, and I would quit the pack too if that meant I could be with Lexi. I wouldn’t put her in danger anymore. I was only here because Alaric’s wife Laura had been murdered… by a vampire. I was here to protect everyone. But I failed the person who meant the most to me.
“I won’t stay away, even if he orders it. I can’t. You’re mine, Lexi Turner.”
I watched her smile grow into a huge grin.
“Always.”
Chapter Fifteen
Lexi
Galen said I was his. He literally said, “You’re mine, Lexi Turner.” It sent a warm feeling through my chest and straight to my core. I was glad, since there was no way I was giving him up after that kiss. God, why did it have to stop? I wanted to stay here all day kissing Galen, but then I also wanted to see Raff and Maverick and give them kisses. I hadn’t seen them this morning.
The other surprise I got from Galen was an iPhone, right before we left his house in his old black car. Like, who just gives a person an iPhone? Apparently, Galen did, and he also had two cars and they were both black, which I didn’t know. I thought he only had one. The only thing I really knew was they were classic cars, and one had four doors, while the other only two. This was the two door one, and it purred like a kitten. Okay that was a line I had heard from a movie. I had no idea what I was talking about.
I just couldn’t get over Galen buying me a new iPhone. He told me it was a spare one he had just lying around doing nothing. Ah yeah right. It was the latest model and came out of a box that was still wrapped in plastic. I told him no, that my cell was fine, but then he asked me where I left my cell and I couldn’t remember. On my bedside table when I check the time this morning? But he had found it and set the new one up for me while I was eating a basically a muffin at his house. I had so much food this morning I was going to pop. But it was a chocolate muffin, I couldn’t say no to one.
He told me he could track the iPhone if I needed to be found, so it was for my safety. Which I was the only reason I accepted it in the end. It felt amazing to be in his car, sitting next to him. We held hands as we drove to Port Willow, which I thought would be hard, since he was driving stick, but didn’t affect him. I felt like I was almost driving it. When I asked if I could, the look he gave me was priceless. His cars must be like his babies, because I’d never seen that look on Galen’s face. Instead, he offered to help me get my license. He’d teach me to drive, and could compel a license for me. I just laughed and shook my head. I wasn’t going to cheat my way through life. That wasn’t why I wanted to be with Galen.
As soon as we left the car, I made sure to act like we weren’t together. I didn’t want him getting recognized with me and lose his job. He was a really good teacher. Plus, I didn’t have long before I graduated. So it was only for a few months that we had to keep this a secret.
As we walked into Walmart, I saw a few people I recognized from school and some were shifters. I thought they were from Pack Rawlins, which seemed nicer than Pack Kenneally. I only remembered the tall, dark-haired one, Huxley Moore. He glanced our way when we stepped inside, but he turned back to his friend and paid us no attention. Galen stepped up beside me, and I tensed.
“It’s safe here. Port Willow is neutral ground. There’s nothing to worry about.” I kept walking, watching Huxley. He turned to watch us move farther into the store, but he didn’t say or do anything. He’d never spoken to me, sniffed me, or caused me issues at school. I thought that was why I remembered his name. If he hadn’t been pointed out to me as a shifter by Maverick, I wouldn’t have suspected he was one as he had a long scar down the side of his face, it went through the corner of his upper lip. For some reason I just thought shifters didn’t have scars, but then Raff was covered in them. His tattoo’s hiding all the evidence of what his uncles had done to him. Maverick had showed me all the shifters at school last week, said it was important for me to know them all, and there were more than I realized.
“Ranger is in a panic. Can you send him a message him on the group chat?”
Apparently, there was a group chat, and since I now had a cell that supported these things, I was a part of it. The four of them had one for a few weeks now, but they’d failed to mention that. I was also somehow added into the “Lovell bros and Raff” group chat with all the brothers. Even Nash was in it, which made me not want to be in it. My new phone kept vibrating in my pocket, and I was starting to think I would never be alone again if they were always sending messages.
“Why did you add me to these chats then? Just tell him I’m busy.” But Galen didn’t listen, or he didn’t care. He reached into my pocket in the middle of Walmart where anyone could see and handed me my phone. I groaned, and he laughed.
“Just say something. They’re super excited that you have a phone that does more than make phone calls and basic text messages. And I know you barely did any of that to start with.” I looked down at the screen and saw a bunch of messages, most of them from someone called ‘Princess.’ I opened the chat and saw Galen’s message that we were just out shopping. Princess seemed a little worried…okay, a lot worried, asking where and when I would be back.
I laughed. “I’m guessing Princess is Ranger?” I could see the smirk on Galen’s face. I laughed again and quickly typed out I would be back soon to watch the football game, then added ‘your highness.’
My phone started going off, and it was better than watching a movie.
Jett: Hey, beautiful, I knew you couldn’t resist wanting to be in my chat group.
Ranger: I was the one who added her, asshole.
Jett: But it was my group first. Scroll up, Lexi. See all the messages Ranger wrote about you before you let him near you. They’re really good for a laugh.
Mav: Stop please.
Ranger: No, don’t scroll up. Please don’t, Lex.
Jett: I’m just fucking with you, Ranger. *Lexi, totally scroll up*
Nash: Will you stop. This is for important shit.
Jett: Never! This is too funny.
Jett changed his name to The better-looking brother.
I looked over at Galen and saw he was laughing. See, this was why I didn’t want one—I didn’t want to see what Ranger had written about me. Okay, well, maybe I did a little. I was tempted to scroll up but instead, I quickly wrote back that I wouldn’t, that I was busy shopping. Then I put it in my pocket again and tried my best to ignore it.
“I want to get some things for the pool. Josh is coming to swim this week, and I wanted to get some fun things we can use.” Galen thought it was a great idea and helped me find where they kept all the pool stuff.
There was one of those blow up loungers, so I checked the price. It wasn’t too bad, only twelve dollars. So I picked a yellow one, then I got a big blow up bal
l and some really cute goggles in red that had a snorkel attached that Josh could use to look in the water.
“Can you hold this while I go to the women’s section and grab some new jeans?” I didn’t even give Galen a chance to answer as I loaded his arms up and then walked toward the section that I remembered from my first real day here, when I came shopping with Jack and left him here. It was also the first day I met Nash, and I was surprised I was living in the same house as him and hadn’t killed him yet.
I needed to replace the jeans that were damaged, but I also wanted to buy some nicer underwear. Maybe a matching lace set, something I wouldn’t normally buy myself. On my way, I went past the pet section and noticed some colorful balls. I picked one up, and when I squeezed it, it squeaked. I laughed and took it with me. That would be fun to use later.
“Pick anything you want, and stop looking at the prices. I’m paying.” I turned, my hand going to my chest.
“God, Galen. You scared me.” I’d been in the women’s section longer than I wanted to be. This wasn’t like some shop with endless sexy underwear, but I didn’t have enough for the set I really wanted. I’d have to put back the floating lounge chair, and I didn’t want to do that.
“You’re not paying. I have cash, and I intend to use it.” The same eighty dollars that I’d come to Kiba with was in my sock, now ready to spend. I wasn’t going to use his money or the money Alaric had given me. In the end, I decided to just grab a black lace thong and call it a day.
“Let’s go get burgers after,” I told Galen as I practically bounced to the check out. He just laughed, and that sexy grin came out. I liked this carefree, happy Galen. The day had only just started, but I could tell this was the start of a new life for me. Everything was feeling good, and I felt happy and whole.
I placed my things down, and the ball started to roll away. Galen picked it up, his brow quirked. I reached over and squeezed it, and his brows went up. I shrugged my shoulder.
“I just wanted to see if they play catch…” The devilish grin he made had me laughing so hard, that I had to hold onto him to keep upright.
“They aren’t dogs…but I can’t wait to see this, please throw it to Ranger first.” He said, chuckling and shaking his head as he placed the ball back down and the lady took and scanned it. He placed his hand over mine that was still on his chest, and I smiled. This was nice, just a regular day out, shopping with a boyfriend…
“That will be seventy-three dollars and fourteen cents.” She didn’t sound like she was a fan of her job when she looked over at me, then to Galen. She had a sour look on her face, then she spoke.
“Mr. Donovani, I’ve been trying to set up a parent-teacher meeting with you at school, but now I’ll have to call the school about what I have just seen here. This is very inappropriate.”
Fuck.
Chapter Sixteen
Lexi
Galen told me to go to the car and that he would take care of the check-out lady. I was worried, because if she saw us, then I guessed others did too. It wasn’t much, since I just touched his chest. It was harmless flirting, but he wasn’t as worried as I was. I knew he could compel people, but I didn’t want him to have to do that every time we went out. He acted like nothing had happened when he got back to the car, so I pretended it didn’t as well. He took my hand in his, and we went and grabbed some burgers.
I’d messaged Ada, asking if she was going to come over. The day was warming up so nice, and I didn’t think I could handle all the testosterone that was going down outside the house. There had to be like thirty guys here. I assumed they were all pack members.
“I got you a chair and a cooler full of water and a few beers. They’re for me, but you can have some if you want.” Ranger was acting extra nice when I turned up. I wasn’t too sure if he was worried that I’d read the messages, or if it was because everyone was staring at us…me.
“Thanks, I might have one when Ada gets here.” I didn’t know if I would even like beer, but I had a feeling I would relax and enjoy this game more if I had some alcohol in my system, which was something I didn’t expect myself ever saying. But they were playing with one team in no shirts. There were all these sexy guys just flexing their muscles, and I was allowed to watch them all. Even Raff and Maverick out there playing…but they had shirts on. I needed Ada here now, but she wasn’t coming for another hour. She would really appreciate this view, and she was missing out. Oh I know what would get her here faster. I took a photo and texted it too her. I watched the little dots dancing as she replied, “your killing me.”
“Can I join you?” Galen had a chair beside me and was already sitting. He smiled and winked at me before I even answered him. It had me curious.
“What are you up too?” He shook his head, still smiling.
“It’s not as strong as yesterday, but I can sense your emotions. Your blood somehow connects me to you in a way I didn’t think was possible. I know you’re looking at their bodies, getting yourself all worked up. I might be a little jealous… I don’t have a body like that.”
I could hear his thoughts again. When we arrived back, he went home and told me he was going to drink a small amount of my blood to test how much he needed since my finger didn’t make a difference at all. That was all it took, and I was back to hearing him again.
“You shouldn’t feel like that. Your body is perfect to me. Plus, I’m sure the guys would be feeling jealous too… I wasn’t looking at their bodies.” I laughed when heard a low growl and saw everyone was now looking over at me. Ranger pointed to me, then to his eyes, and back to me. His lip quirked up in a playful way. I waved to him and blew a kiss. Maverick shook his head, smiling, and Raff surprised me when he blew me a kiss too. Some of the guys were getting restless at the game being stopped for this flirty fun, and they said so very clearly.
Someone was waving at me, I waved back. Then I realized it was Noah. Holy fuck… Chris Hemsworth had nothing on Noah’s body. I knew he was huge…but shit, he was like… ripped.
“Noah wants to know when Ada will be here.” I laughed. I couldn’t hear him, but he knew Galen would and he seemed so okay with him, the other still seemed to avoid him.
“Maybe in an hour?” He was so adorable, and he was similar to Ranger. His heart was on his sleeve. But he was gentle and sweet, like Raff. Ada…just didn’t see him that way. Well, that was what she kept telling me. I felt bad for him, since he was crushing hard on her. He was only like two years younger than she was. He was turning sixteen soon—he had told me many times—but she was already eighteen and leaving high school. I didn’t know if it was the age thing she was hung up on, or if she wasn’t attracted to him in that way. But he was just too sweet to have his heart broken. Even though Ada had made it clear many times she wasn’t interested, he didn’t listen. And I could see now that still wasn’t getting through to him.
“Come on, let’s see you play some ball,” I yelled out. There were a few chuckles, then they returned to the game. I shrugged, maybe “play some ball” was a baseball thing or basketball? I had no idea, since I didn’t really watch sports at all.
About ten minutes later, there was a break in the game. The guys were all huddled together talking, although I didn’t get why they would bother with game plans or whatever they were doing, if the other side could hear everything. Then there was some clapping and they all got ready to go again.
I never thought I’d be into football, but this was good. Maybe if they all didn’t wear shirts… I watched as Noah started to run, but then slowed down and froze, looking behind me. Oh, was Ada here already? I swung my head around and saw an older woman. I was a little surprised. She was the first woman I had seen here before. She was wearing a lovely flower dress and had long blonde hair, but her face was red, her hands were wiping away tears, and I could see her body shaking. Oh god, she was sobbing.
There were two men beside her, and they were tall, like well over six feet to her smaller frame. I wondered if that’s what I loo
ked like next to the twins? They were holding her up, rubbing her back, and comforting her. They were followed by another two men who looked just as upset, and Nash was there behind them with his friend Elijah.
Oh fuck. That was Callum’s parents. He had four dads, and that had to be them. I… Fuck. Alaric’s punishment must have been bad. I looked over at Noah, shielding my eyes from the sun. He watched them as they walked towards the front gate. He looked pale, and the smile was long gone from his face.
“Noah,” I called out to him. I’d forgotten. Oh god, how could I have been so stupid and forgotten that Callum was his big brother? He jogged over to me without question, Galen stood up and squeezed my shoulder as I stood to meet Noah.
“I am so sorry. I forgot Callum is your brother.” He shrugged like it didn’t matter, but you could see it did. If it didn’t, then I would’ve been more worried about him, this was his brother. After seeing Noah and his parents, I realized this wasn’t just punishing Callum, but his whole family. I stepped closer and wrapped my arms around Noah and gave him a big bear hug. He didn’t react at first, but then his head lower to mine and I could feel him physically sag into my hug, his arms loosely around my back, but I could feel his weight against me.
“Hey, don’t get your scent on my girl.” I pulled away to see Ranger, but I could see he wasn’t being playful. He wasn’t being rude either. I could see he was just as affected by what we all just saw. This was all so fucked up.
Raff came over with Maverick, and I moved into Ranger’s arms. He looked terrible. I didn’t know how to help him. What could I say?
“I’ll go talk to Alaric, maybe I can get the punishment reduced…” Everyone looked at me like I was crazy. I glanced over to Raff, and he lowered his eyes. Even Maverick gave me a wry smile. Galen stroked my back a few times, but it was Noah who answered.