A low growl hit her ears, and she glanced at Taz. He looked pissed.
“Leda.” Garrett captured her attention.
“I was talking to Steve and saw movement. I really hadn’t been paying attention, so I don’t know how long he was there. I waited it out until he finally showed himself. He said he wantedinformation. When I told him that the proper way to do that was going to the alpha, he got weird.” Leda took her eyes off Taz.“He said something like he didn’t need to talk to my alpha and that talking to me would fulfill his need. I didn’t like the way he was looking at me, and that’s when Steve told me to run.”
Hunter walked over with a frown.“Steve just told me what he heard,and yeah, we need to find this bastard.” He glanced from Leda to Taz.“Time to put those tracking skills to good use.”
“You guys go ahead.” Garrett nodded.“I’ll make sure Leda gets back and then find you.”
“Leda,” Roslyn said from beside her.“What did he look like?”
Something about the way she asked made Leda frown.“He was tall with short black hair, brown eyes. He had a scar down the side of his cheek that didn’t look like it healed right. Why? Do you know who it could be?”
Roslyn glanced toward Dell, as did Leda. He was staring intently at Roslyn, but she just looked away and headed after Marcus. Dell followed.
Taz started to walk past,but stopped.“You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” Leda nodded, then watched him go. Glancing toward the water, she frowned. Without him, she wouldn’t be standing here. Once again, she owed him her life.
Chapter 7
Dell knew without a doubt the intruder, whoever he was, involved Ross in some way. Whether through her stepbrother or her past pack, which he still didn’t know anything about. It was time they had a talk.
Catching up with her, his eyes stayed on Taz who was a few yards ahead of them. His conversation with Garrett also ran through his mind. Jesus, he needed a fucking vacation.
“Who’s the man, Ross?” Dell didn’t look her way, but continued to focus on the ground for tracks, his senses alert to anything different.
“I’m not sure,” she replied. Her steps quickened, as if trying to get away from him. Yeah, that wasn’t happening.
“But you had a reason to ask what he looked like.” It wasn’t a question, but a clearly stated fact.
“Ah, it would help to track him down.” She hesitated before she spoke.
Dell reached out, grasping her arm and turning her toward him. “Stop!” His voice darkened with anger. “If you are going to be a part of this pack, you’ll have no secrets, and I know you’ve got them. I haven’t pressured you, but with this, that has changed.”
Ross just stared at him, but he saw the fear that shadowed her eyes as well as a tear. If he hadn’t been looking for a reaction, he would have missed it. She was very good at hiding her feelings.
“If you know anything that could put this pack in danger, then speak now, because if I find out later that you’ve lied to me, I will personally escort you out of town.” Dell didn’t pull any punches. He never had, and he wasn’t about to start now even though threatening her was against every instinct he possessed.
Ross frowned her voice unsure when she said, “But you aren’t alpha. How can you make a decision like that?”
“That may change,” Dell replied, then wished he hadn’t when her eyes rounded in surprise.
“Hey!” Taz called out, pulling Dell’s attention away from Ross. “Got something!”
Dell looked back at Ross with a frown. “We’re not finished with this conversation.”
Heading toward Taz, he slowed, seeing a dead doe. He then gazed up to where Taz was staring at a cliff wall. In blood, someone wrote, Cylus is waiting, bitch.
“How fresh is that kill?” Dell frowned, still staring at the crudely written message.
“Recent.” Taz frowned down at the deer. “This is our guy.”
“Who’s Cylus?” Dell looked directly at Ross, who was focused on the bloody message. This time she couldn’t hide the fear.
“Cylus Kane.” Her response was deadpan, with no emotion, even though her eyes spoke volumes. “I have to go.”
Everyone else had arrived, including Garrett and Leda. When Ross finally glanced away from the cliff, her eyes went to the ground as she started to leave.
“You aren’t going anywhere.” Dell stopped her. “Yet.”
“You know this person?” Garrett’s voice followed.
Roslyn nodded, her eyes still downcast.
Garrett made a noise in his throat. “Taz, track him as far as you can. I have a feeling he delivered his message and is long gone, but if there’s any chance of finding him, I want him.” Garrett glanced back at Ross. “I want Dell, Ross, Hunter, and Marcus back at my place. The rest of you go with Taz.”
“I can go with them,” Leda spoke up.
“No!” both Taz and Garrett said at the same time.
Garrett’s eyebrow cocked toward Taz, before looking down at Leda “You’ve had enough excitement for the day.”
As Taz and the others took off, Dell waited for everyone to pass then took up the rear. He noticed Ross glancing at the cliff wall as they passed, before her head dropped. He’d always known she was hiding something, but had been patient, just waiting for it to come out. Maybe that had been a mistake. Her stepbrother had been a total bastard, so he should have known something haunted her. Now he had a name, Cylus Kane. He had a feeling he and Cylus were going to have some major issues.
******
Unfortunately, they were already climbing the steps to Garrett’s, and Roslyn was a mess of nerves. She wanted to puke. In the next few minutes, she was going to be reliving a time in her life she wanted buried.
Everyone had been silent on their trek, but she knew the silence was going to be broken and didn’t know if she was ready for that. Deep down inside, Roslyn knew the best thing would be to leave, but she also knew that wouldn’t stop Cylus. He would tear this town apart looking for her. If she left, she would have to go back to Cylus, to her own personal hell.
She peered around at the men who’d taken her in with no questions asked, even when her stepbrother had been such a bastard. They had accepted her and trusted her to help keep their pack safe. The group made their way into the kitchen, where Janna stood with Emily and the babies. Taking in the scene, Roslyn knew she would walk back into hell to keep them safe.
Her heart pulled painfully as Garrett went directly to Janna, kissing her on the forehead before leaning down and kissing the baby in her arms. He then took the other, which she figured was Maria since she was wrapped in a little pink blanket, from Emily.
Not able to watch anymore, too close to tearing up, she looked away, only to have her eyes land on Dell who was watching her intently. Her legs felt weak and rubbery, her heart pounded, and sweat beaded at her hairline.
“Leda, what happened?” Janna’s worried voice made Roslyn jump.
“I’m fine,” Leda said sheepishly.
“Well, if jumping off a cliff into swift waters and almost drowning is fine, then yeah, she’s fine.” Hunter scoffed, then dodged Leda’s slap.
“It wasn’t that dramatic.” Leda rolled her eyes.
“Yes, it was,” all four men said at once.
“And she’s grounded for a month,” Garrett growled, handing Maria back to Emily before taking Max from Janna.
“A month?” Leda’s eyes shot open wide. “Grounded? I’m too old to be grounded.”
“Wanna bet?” Garrett cocked his eyebrow at her.
“Janna!” Leda cried out.
“Garrett,” Janna scolded, walking toward Leda. “Are you hurt?”
“No.” Leda shrugged. “I’ve learned from my mistake and won’t do it again.”
“Damn straight you won’t,” Garrett replied.
“Stop cursing in front of the babies,” Emily reprimanded, as she passed and went into Hunter’s arms.
&
nbsp; “Yeah, bro,” Hunter said, giving Emily a kiss. “Stop with the potty mouth. You’re a daddy now.”
“Hunter, don’t piss me off,” Garrett said, as he stared down at Max with a goofy grin. “What was that, Max? You want me to kick Uncle Hunter’s ass?”
Hunter snorted. “Yeah, well, I wouldn’t want to embarrass ya in front of the kid so—”
“Oh, for the love of—” Emily smacked Hunter on the chest as she went to get Max from Garrett. “Here, let me take him.”
Watching them as a family sank Roslyn’s heart. She couldn’t stay here. Her demons were catching up to her already, and it was time for her to go. Sighing as Garrett kissed Max on the forehead before handing him over, Roslyn looked away. Her decision was made. No matter what they said, after she told them what or better yet who was coming, her time here was over.
“I don’t want you leaving the house without one of us with you,” Garrett said, his eyes going to Janna.
“Yeah, you hear that, Em?” Hunter walked over putting his arm around Emily then tweaked Max’s nosed gently.
“Why?” Janna looked up at Garrett with a worried frown. “I thought things had calmed down.”
“So did I.” Garrett sighed, rubbing his hand down his face. “I’m not exactly sure yet what’s going on, but I’m about to find out.”
“You knew this guy, didn’t you?” Leda had sat down on one of the barstools.
“The description you gave sounds like someone I know,” Roslyn finally replied.
“Well, his face was one you would definitely remember, that’s for sure.” Leda shivered with a frown.
“Did he attack you?” Janna’s voice shook, her eyes narrowing.
“No, but I’m sure it would have been bad if he had caught me. That’s why I jumped off the cliff,” Leda replied, looking away from Roslyn. “I’m right, aren’t I? It would have been bad?”
Feeling every eye on her, Roslyn wanted to scream at the unfairness that was her life. She finally fit somewhere, and now, because of her stepbrother’s past actions, she had no choices… again. Looking at each of them, her eyes finally landed on Leda. “Very bad.”
Chapter 8
Dell remained silent as curses filled the air. He had watched Ross closely since they had entered the house. Her emotions were all over the place, and she wasn’t hiding anything. His instinct was to protect her at all cost, and he knew exactly what that meant, and so did his wolf.
“Why in the hell didn’t you tell me that your presence here could put this pack in danger?” Garrett’s question was asked with controlled anger.
“Because I was hoping not to be found,” Ross answered. “I have a feeling Carl told him where I was before he died.”
“Who?” Dell’s one-word question was growled.
“Cylus Kane.” Her voice shook as she said the name, and it hit a nerve with Dell that had never been hit before. He wanted to tear this man apart even though he had no idea who the fuck he was. But the fear in Ross’s voice had him raging inside. His wolf was restless, and he always had his wolf under control.
“Why is he looking for you?” Garrett asked the question Dell couldn’t form without bellowing out in rage.
Dell watched her battle for the words. He sensed her fear, knew everyone in the room felt it. He wanted nothing more to ease if not erase whatever she was frightened of. Funny thing about mates, you could ignore it as best you could, but once you’d found your mate and they were in danger, nothing in the world could stop the intense feelings. He was having those feelings now.
He’d thought he was ready for his mate, but in truth, when Ross came on the scene, he ran as far away from his feelings as he could, like a little bitch. She was beautiful, smart, and a perfect fit for him, but was he right for her?
“I, ah—” Roslyn glanced at Dell before her gaze hit the floor. “The best thing for me to do is leave and go back. He’ll leave your pack alone if I do that.”
Dell’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Over my dead body,” he hissed. Just words of her leaving sent him over the edge. “Who is he and why’s he here for you?”
“He wasn’t here.” Ross was looking at him oddly. “From Leda’s description, it was his right-hand man, Uric. He has a very distinctive scar down the right side of his cheek.”
Dell saw Leda nod from the corner of his eye.
“We don’t expect you to leave, Ross. That’s not the way it works here,” Garrett said. “But we need to know what we’re up against, so I want to know everything there is to know.”
Ross looked around at everyone, her eyes more focused on Max and Maria. Dell knew exactly what was going on in that beautiful head of hers. She was going to bolt because that was who she was. She was going to leave to keep the pack safe, especially the ones such as Maria and Max, who couldn’t fend for themselves, no matter that their father, uncles, and even mother were well equipped to take care of them.
“I can’t.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry it’s gone this far, but as soon as I’m back, he’ll forget all about you. I’m sorry.”
Dell went to stop her from leaving the kitchen, but she shrugged away from him and then disappeared. He looked at Garrett, who gave him a nod.
“Bring her back,” Garrett ordered as Dell hurried out.
He caught up to her easily enough. She was fast, he’d give her that. She was already at the edge of town.
“Ross!” he called, but she ignored him and continued at a fast clip. “Ross! Roslyn!”
She stopped when he called her Roslyn, but didn’t turn around. “I’m leaving, Dell. Nothing you can say will change that fact.”
“No, you aren’t.” He walked in front of her. “You’re part of this pack now, and we take care of our own.”
Ross gave a sad laugh. “I haven’t been here long enough to be a part of this pack, and I know that.”
Dell ignored that comment. “Is he the reason you went for the cliff?” He knew it was a blunt question, but that was how Dell was. He was blunt and to the point.
She gave him an odd look. “Why do you care?”
“That’s a stupid question.” There he went being blunt again. The angry look on her face warned him that maybe he needed to work on that.
“No, actually, it’s not,” Roslyn argued. “As far as I’m concerned, me leaving, going back will protect the pack, and that’s what you’re all about.”
Dell refused to give an inch. “Those are two totally different things.”
“No, they aren’t.”
“You jumping to your death and you leaving to keep the pack safe are most definitely different.” Dell felt himself losing patience, but controlled it.
“You can’t hold me here against my will.” Ross went to walk around him, but he stepped in her path.
“Actually, yes, I can,” Dell replied, his alpha tendencies coming to the forefront. Bending slightly, he grabbed her and hefted her up across his shoulder, turned back toward town and began to walk.
“Dammit, put me down,” Roslyn cried, her fists smacking him on the back.
As he stomped through town as if she didn’t weigh anything, he said, “No.” He passed Garrett’s and headed toward his garage. Opening the door, he slammed it behind him, careful not to catch her head. He then bent and sat her in the chair.
She started to get up, but he stopped her with a look.
“I want to know everything about the man I’m probably going to have to kill.” He leaned against the wall by the door, his arms crossed over his chest. The look on her face was priceless. Yeah, he was going to have to work on his bluntness.
******
Roslyn knew she was staring at Dell with her mouth wide open. Realizing she sat looking that way for quite a while, she closed it and shook her head. “You confuse me” was what came out of her mouth, shocking her more because she hadn’t meant to say it out loud.
“Yeah, well get in line because I confuse a lot of people,” he replied without any emotion. “I also piss peop
le off on a regular basis, which is probably what I’m about to do to you if you don’t start talking. The longer you take, the more danger you are putting your pack in.”
Her stomach clenched painfully, and she felt queasy at his words. “You’re the one putting them in danger by not letting me go.”
Dell pushed off the wall and stalked toward her. Her heart pounded when he put both hands on the chair leaning into her face. She could see the golden flecks in his gorgeous eyes he was so close. “I am a man, Roslyn. A man worth anything would not send a woman out to a fate he knows nothing about. Obviously this bastard isn’t a saint, seeing what happened with Leda.” His breath was warm against her face, and she fought hard not to close her eyes in pure bliss of his closeness. “We can stay here all night, but we will not be leaving until I know it all, and I mean all of it. I’ll know if you’re lying so stop wasting time and give me the truth.”
He was right. Cylus was no saint. “I was sold to Cylus Kane,” Roslyn blurted, her eyes never leaving his. “I’m his property.”
He didn’t move an inch, but his eyes narrowed dangerously. “You are no one’s property.” His voice was low and deadly.
“In his eyes I am,” she said after a few seconds of silence. Then she sighed. “Carl wanted his pack, tried to fight him for the pack, and lost. To save his own life, he sold me.”
Slowly Dell straightened, staring down at her. “That makes no sense,” Dell replied thoughtfully, but his voice was still angry. “Most alphas after beating the challenger have the right to all their spoils, including women.”
Not being able to handle him looming over her, she stood quickly so he couldn’t stop her, and stepped back away from him. “I wasn’t there. I was left at camp.” Roslyn started to fill in the blanks of her story. “We’d been in and out of different packs because Carl always got us kicked out for one reason or another. He wanted to find the right pack before challenging the alpha. He kept me away from the pack until the day he decided to challenge for the position of alpha.”
She saw the look on his face and knew exactly what he was thinking.
“Why didn’t I run when Carl was away from camp?” Roslyn relayed the question she saw in his eyes.
Forbidden Temptation (Lee County Wolves Series) Book #4 Page 5