Terr6tory

by Susan A Bliler

  Ryka waited too, curious as to the interactions Seven and Ash had had with their mates while she’d been out. To her surprise, Seven turned to look over her shoulder at the worried behemoth and laughed, still wiping the tears from her cheeks and sniffling. “It’s okay,” she beamed at him reassuringly. “I’m okay.”

  The man nodded, then slid his gaze from Seven to Ryka. “I’m Lux Prime, head enforcer, third in the pride. I am Seven’s mate.”

  Ryka gave him a timid smile and dipped her head in a nod. It was a sign of respect for him to introduce himself to her, yet she wasn’t sure if it was because he saw her as Seven’s Phena, or because he saw her as his Apex’s mate. It also wasn’t lost on Ryka that Lux had described himself as Seven’s mate. Most males would have said it the other way around, ‘Seven is my mate’, thereby taking ownership. Lux hadn’t, and it was a good sign.

  The brother she remembered as Liddick stepped forward and blew out a pent up breath, plowing a hand through his messy dark hair. “Phena, I am Liddick Prime. I am Wren’s Second and Ash is my…”

  Ash whirled on him. “She,” Ash jabbed a finger in Ryka’s direction, “is not your Phena. She is my Phena! And I am not your damn mate, so don’t you even say it!”

  Liddick threw both hands in the air and stared at Ash with such confusion and hurt that Ryka nearly felt sorry for him. Nearly. Then he ruined it all by arguing with Ash.

  “Well, if she is mated to my Apex that makes her my Phena doesn’t it?”

  Crossing her arms over her chest, Ash simply glared at Liddick as he mirrored her stance and did the same.

  “That’s Cason and Jesup.” Wren pointed at the two remaining men in the room before introducing each of the females in turn. Lux and Liddick had already laid claim to Seven and Ash, but when Wren got to his introduction of Ryka, he surprised her by not telling everyone that she was his. It was a relief, even if her wolf was a little deflated.

  “HEY!” Ash barked.

  All eyes jerked to where she stood scowling at Liddick as the massive man backed away from her with his hands clamped together in front of his chest. He looked like a child who’d just had his hand slapped for attempting to steal a cookie.

  Ash growled at him. “You don’t touch me until I say you can touch me!”

  Until? Ryka flicked a glance at Wren, wondering if he caught it. ‘Until’, was also a good sign.

  Liddick looked from his feisty little mate to Wren as if seeking assistance from his brother and Apex, but Wren simply snorted. “Don’t look at me. My plate’s full.”

  Not sure if it was the word ‘plate’ or ‘full’, but Kenna’s stomach chose that moment to growl loudly.

  The rest of the girls, who’d been used to listening to each other’s stomachs for the past few weeks, ignored it, but the men all jerked their attention to Kenna before Wren cursed under his breath. “Shit. Cason!” he barked more loudly. “That pig's gotta be ready by now.”

  Cason beamed a smile. “On it.” He slapped Jesup on the chest and both men hurried out the door.

  Lux turned and busied himself grabbing plates and utensils while Wren gently touched Ryka’s elbow and motioned toward the table. “You and your pack have a seat. It’d be our honor to host you. We’ll eat first and talk later.”

  Ryka looked at his hand on her elbow then up at him, a rush of warmth crashed over her at his nearness. She remembered--this was what safety felt like. When her eyes lifted to his face though, he was staring at Liddick as he commanded, “Take Ash and get her wound cleaned, yeah?”

  Liddick’s eyes rounded and he looked at Ash like he half expected her to refuse. It was entertaining to see the big pirate shifter so worried.

  “Well,” Ash bit out, fisted hands planting on her hips. “You taking me or not?”

  Liddick’s head jerked quickly up and down in a rapid nod as he led her from the kitchen.

  When Ryka turned to the rest of her pack, the ladies were already settling themselves at the table. It was a long rectangular shape, with benches on either side and two tall-backed chairs on each end. It could easily seat twelve, but Seven and Kenna crammed themselves at the end nearest where Ryka stood. Short minutes later, when Ash and Liddick returned, he motioned for her to sit at one of the bench seats, but she crossed to the opposite side of the table. Seven slid down so that Ash was closest to the end with her Seven on one bench seat and Kenna across from them on the other. They’d left the high-backed chair at the end of the table open for Ryka, and she claimed it, smiling reassuringly at each of the women in turn.

  Behind them in the kitchen, the men worked to lay out several dishes on the table. Ryka was surprised to see Wren helping. It was shocking, yet refreshing to see an Apex aid his pack in simple tasks rather than just barking orders. Marill and the males in her old pack always sat and relaxed while the women did all the work.

  Watching Wren and his brothers now, the women conversed quietly, mostly trying to ensure the others were in fact okay, but it was hard to do. Liddick was setting the table and kept coming back with plates, glasses, napkins, silverware. At each approach, he only had eyes for Ash, who was completely ignoring him—at least she pretended to, but Ryka could scent her interest each time Liddick drew near.

  A few short minutes later Cason and Jesup were carrying trays of mouthwatering pork into the kitchen. Space had been left on the table in the center of all the salads and side dishes, and when the feast was placed in the center, Ryka’s mouth began to water.

  Cason and Jesup washed their hands before claimed seats at the furthest end of the table on either side of the Apex’s seat. Lux snagged his plate from the end nearer his brothers and moved it so he was seated next to Seven. She looked up at him and blushed. Liddick didn’t share his luck. Watching Lux, Liddick snagged his plate and moved down, but Ash was on the end of the bench to Ryka’s right and beside her was Seven, then Lux. He lingered behind Ash and Seven, once even trying to stick his plate between them, indicating he’d like to squeeze into a non-existent place. Cason and Jesup didn’t even bother trying to hide their snorts of laughter.

  Seven looked over her shoulder at him. “Want me to move down, Liddick?”

  He nodded eagerly, but Ash’s hand on her thigh halted her. “No!” she clipped out. “He can sit,” she flicked her hands toward the other end of the table without looking, “Down there.”

  Looking like a kicked dog, Liddick’s shoulders slumped as he made his way back toward his brothers. When he took a seat, Jesup grinned. “Bro, what did you do?”

  He tried to say it quietly, but with shifter hearing, they all heard it. “She’s pissed because when they first got here I asked if they were the girls you lined up for the night.”

  Jesup threw his head back and barked a booming laugh, clapping his hands loudly while Cason shook his head with a disapproving smirk. “Classic.”

  “Grandfather,” Wren cut into the banter in a booming voice, and his pack lowered their heads. Ryka’s girls followed suit.

  “We thank you for the honor of the gifts on this table and seated at this table. We humbly pray you continue to bless us with your grace and guidance so that we may continue to walk in a manner that makes our ancestors proud. Please give us the strength to protect what is ours and the wisdom to keep it. A’hau.”

  “Amen,” Ryka muttered, and then food was being passed around. Lots and lots of food. Still steaming pig, cheesy potatoes au gratin, seasoned green beans, and fluffy corn bread with honey butter. It was more food than any of her pack had seen in weeks, and she didn’t know whether it was the fact that they were starving or the fact that someone really knew how to cook, but it was the best damn meal she’d ever eaten.

  Wren stood and came to their end of the table with a bottle of wine, but when he went to fill Ryka’s glass she covered it with her hand. “None for me, thanks.”

  The other females all refused too. Things were too tenuous right now for them to be indulging in alcohol. They needed to keep their wits.


  Instead of reclaiming his seat, Wren crossed to the fridge and returned with a pitcher of iced tea. He filled each of the women’s glasses, his body brushing against Ryka’s as he leaned next to her to fill her glass last.

  “Thank you,” she muttered, feeling compelled to add, “for everything.” And she meant it. While he had knocked her out and put her in a cage, he hadn’t killed her or hurt her friends. In fact, he’d done just about everything he could to keep her from harm, or from harming herself. More importantly though, it was the first time in a very long while that Ryka sat with her pack and wasn’t battered by the scents of their mingled fear, unease, and anxiety. God, she’d almost forgotten what their contentment smelled like.

  At her side Wren stilled, then bent low to breathe near her ear, “Don’t thank me for shit like that, woman. It’s my honor.”

  His nearness and his breath tickling her neck sent heat shooting through her. The intensity of it lasted only a moment, because Kenna giggled.

  All eyes jerked to her, but she kept her head down and giggled again. Then Ash snorted a laugh, and Seven began laughing too. The men soon followed, and even Wren began to laugh at himself. It was a pretty silly thing to say, that pouring your mate’s iced tea was an honor, but Ryka got it. It was more than that. The need to care for, to protect and defend your mate, was inherent in shifters, but where there existed no threat, then the simple things like feeding, clothing, and touching were all consuming.

  Wren reclaimed his seat and beamed across the table at her, and they ate.

  Lux was doting, constantly asking Seven what else she needed and if she was okay. He refilled her plate three times before she finally made an ‘X’ over it with both hands and grinned, “Stop! I can eat no more.”

  Lux beamed like he’d just accomplished the greatest feat known to shifterdom.

  Liddick, who’d gone against Ash’s wishes and taken a seat next to Kenna, watched Lux and tried to mimic him. Ash wasn’t having it. Once, he tried to spoon another pile of green beans onto Ash’s plate and she quickly jerked it back. The spoonful plopped onto the table and Liddick growled out a, “Woman!” before rising to clean the mess.

  “When I want more food, I’ll tell you,” Ash lifted her chin, lowering her eyelids.

  Worried, Ryka flitted a glance at Wren to see if he’d be upset at Ash’s display, or the wasted food, but he was beaming a smile and shaking his head at Liddick.

  Over the course of the meal, they slowly began to warm to each other. Wren didn’t say much, mostly watched and listened. Cason and Jesup did a lot of asking and Kenna, who seemed surprisingly relaxed, answered most of the questions. She was certain though to look to Ryka for guidance and permission on how much to divulge. With a simple nod, Ryka allowed Kenna to inform the group of some details about their old pack. Pack numbers, names, and location were provided. It was little more than she’d already told Wren, but when Cason asked why the women had left, Kenna shut down. Head bowed, she set her fork on her plate, sucked her lip ring into her mouth, and scooted down the bench closer to Ryka. Seven shot Cason a dark look.

  “Sorry,” Cason mouthed, throwing his hands in the air in a show of surrender.

  “Don’t piss off my mate, asshole,” Liddick growled, then shook his head as he used his fork to toy with the food on his plate. He mumbled, “If I can’t handle her wrath, you sure as hell can’t.”

  At the far end of the table, Wren stood. “Cason and Jesup, clear the table, yeah? I’ll show our guests to their quarters.” He stood, as did Liddick and Lux. Lux grabbed Seven’s elbow and helped her up from the table.

  “Can we stay together?” Seven asked, reaching out and grabbing Ryka’s arm nervously.

  Ash jerked her head up. “Liddick said you might allow us to stay at the hotel in town.”

  Wren shot Liddick a dark look as his brother quickly stood. “I said maybe.”

  “Not happening.” Wren shot Ash an apologetic look. “If you’re being hunted, it’s best you stay close where we can keep you safe. You’ll stay here.” He turned to Seven. “Not in the same room, though. We don’t have accommodations for that, but you’ll all be on the same floor and next door to each other. Alone! No males on your floor. Is that okay?”

  Ryka nodded in approval. Honestly, it sounded better than she’d hoped for, and because she accepted it, her girls accepted it.

  Lux laced his fingers with Seven’s and preceded the group from the kitchen. Kenna looped arms with Ryka, and Ash stood to follow. Exiting the kitchen they all heard a loud whack and Liddick’s bellowed, “HEY!” followed by Ash’s, “You don’t get to touch me until I tell you that you can touch me!”

  Kenna giggled and Ryka’s heart warmed at the sound.

  Chapter 11

  Upstairs, Ryka followed as Wren led each of her girls to a room. Of course, Seven had taken Lux’s room and Ash took Liddick’s. Cason was good enough to give up his room to Kenna, then Ryka and Wren were alone in the hall.

  Wren jerked his chin toward a door. “You take my room.”

  “Yeah?” Ryka queried. “And where will you sleep?”

  He shrugged. “Couch sounds about right.”

  She grinned. “Three of your brothers have given up their rooms. I think you’re going to have competition for the couch.”

  It was Wren’s turn to grin. “I’m the Apex. There is no competition.”

  Ryka nodded and lowered her eyes, turning to the door before stopping to ask with a peek back at him, “You’re not worried about me taking my girls and running during the night?”

  All humor fled Wren’s expression as he swallowed hard. “You said you’re running from your pack. As their Phena,” he jerked his chin down the hall, “I’m hoping you have the good sense to understand that the safest place for your pack is here with mine. I might not be the comfortable choice for you right now, Ryka, but I’d kill to protect you and your pack, and my brothers would do the same. You’re safe here. Remember that when you think about taking your females.” He turned, then stopped. Looking over his shoulder, he offered without so much as a hint of a smile, “Besides, now that I’ve found you…” He shook his head. “I’d track you to the ends of the fucking Earth to ensure you were safe from harm. Make no mistake about it. You are mine, Ryka, and I protect what’s mine. I keep what’s mine as well.”

  Then he was stalking down the hall and Ryka knew she should feel indignation, but the zing of anticipation and excitement that tore through her burned up any chance of true ire.

  Stepping into Wren’s room, she was hit so hard with the scent of him that it felt like a sledgehammer between the eyes. How could she be so addicted to a scent in such a short amount of time? Letting her nostrils flare, she drank it in. It was fall leaves and smoke, with just a hint of winter frost. He smelled like Montana. She shivered as she eyed the room. It was all dark wood flooring that matched the dressers, and a sleigh bed frame on what looked like a king sized bed. The comforter set was gun smoke gray with black accents that matched the curtains. More oil paintings adorned the walls, and she crossed to stare at one. It was a mountain lion facing off against a bear. The lion’s snout was curled up, it’s long teeth bared as it hissed at the bear. Peeking at the corner she saw the initials C.P. and wondered if Cason was the artist.

  A knock at the door had her turning and she grinned when Seven, Ash, and Kenna all shuffled in.

  Kenna rushed her and hugged her hard.

  “Hey,” Ryka soothed smoothing back the girl’s hair. “You okay?”

  Kenna nodded against her chest, but didn’t let go. “I was so scared. You ran, and Ash ran, and then Seven was frozen. I was so afraid to look at them. I thought…”

  Ryka knew. Without even having to speak it, she knew that Kenna was worried that she was mate to one of the males. Over Kenna’s head she flicked a worried glance to Seven.

  Seven shook her head. “She’s fine, Phena. Wren made sure.”

  A relieved sigh escaped her lips and she pulled back to look at
Kenna. “See? You’re okay, bubba.”

  Nodding through tears, Kenna smiled tremulously. “I know. I was worried for you guys too. Are they good guys? They seem okay, but…”

  And that was the million dollar question, and one Ryka wasn’t sure how to answer. She looked at Seven and then Ash.

  Seven grinned. “Lux seems nice. He’s been very concerned and worried about all of us, not just me. He is being patient. I appreciate that.”

  When Ryka slid her glance to Ash, she shrugged. “Liddick ain’t bad.”

  “How’s Wren?” Kenna asked, worrying her bottom lip. “He’s the one we have to worry about, right?”

  “He seems…”

  Ryka didn’t get to explain before Kenna cut her off with a dark scowl. “He knocked you out!”

  “It was that or kill her, Kenna,” Seven admonished. “He did what was right.”

  That had all three females staring at Seven.

  “Well, he did!” She lifted her chin haughtily. “What else was he supposed to do? He couldn’t kill her, and she was fighting hard. If he didn’t put her out, she’d have gotten hurt. He made the safe play.”

  Ryka supposed she was right. Still… “Well don’t get comfortable, any of you! We don’t know this pack. We don’t know these men. It could all be a ruse. They could contact Marill and sell us back or just be trying to get us to drop our guard.”

  Seven’s brows speared down. “They’re our mates, Ryka! Do you honestly think they’d give us away for money? Do you truly believe that they could hurt us?”

  “I don’t know. And that’s the problem. I don’t know anything about mating, or what it means. Do you?”

  Seven’s frown slipped. “No. But I know what I feel. I know what my wolf feels.”

  “And?” Kenna prodded.

  “I feel like I can trust Lux, and if he says his pack will keep us safe, then I believe him.”

  Ryka looked at Ash. “Do you trust Liddick?”

  Mulling it over a few moments, Ash nodded. “Yeah. Stupidly, yeah, I do.”

  “And you,” Seven asked. “Can we trust Wren?”