by Aubrey Rose
She kissed him. It was a soft brush of her lips that had both man and animal rejoicing in her touch, in knowing she would be fine. His gut clenched and he inhaled her scent deep.
“I need you to be careful.” She whispered the words and pulled back, her lip trembling.
Seeing her concern in such clear display only added to his need to protect her. “I will be.” He stood to go. Only one thought filled his mind. “Let’s go hunting.”
Jordan watched the men, including the man she loved, march purposely out of her room. She turned to Ellie, who appeared to have lost all color in her face, and studied her closely. “How are you feeling? The last time I saw you four guys were kicking our asses.”
Emma snorted. “I highly doubt they left the attack unscratched.”
“I did see Jordan swinging that steel bar around at one guy.” Ellie jumped in.
“And this is why I like to keep something to defend myself within my vehicle. Do you now understand where I’m coming from? Shit happens, and we need a quick weapon, even a steel bar can help.” She pressed a button. The bed lifted her into a sitting position.
“Hey, I always carry around something to defend myself.” Emma shrugged. “I grew up in the ghetto with a paranoid family. You never walked around a bad neighborhood with no way to defend yourself. Especially if you’re a girl.”
Ellie leaned back on her seat, dropping her had on the back cushion. “I’ve never had to fight one much less three shifters at one time. With an Alpha family, it’s a given they will hurt you if you touch one of theirs. So this was unexpected and it proves that I need better training.”
“Ellie nobody could have fought three full grown big-ass shifters and lived to tell the story.” Jordan reached for a glass of water, but Emma slapped her hand away and proceeded to put ice in the cup before passing it back to her. “Besides, you were doing some serious badass kick fighting with wolf twist moves.”
“What happens now?” Emma asked the question on Jordan’s mind.
“Now the men will go searching for the attackers.” Barbara Wolfe walked into the room. She stopped beside the bed and hugged Jordan. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I got my butt kicked by a big shifter with a bad attitude.”
Barbara laughed. “This is why I like you. I never know what you’re going to say.”
“Yeah, well that is usually a bad thing.” Emma chuckled. “Gets her into trouble all the time.”
Ellie grinned and moved over to give her mother space on the sofa. “Did anyone else go with them?”
“Once your father heard, he sent some of the enforcers with them. There will be no catching my boys off guard.”
Jordan’s sides hurt, but she was too interested in what was being said.
“I may be the only person that doesn’t understand what’s going on with Caleb’s pack.” Emma said, glancing from Ellie to Barbara.
“It started some years back. Caleb was a teen. He left the pack to spend time with his sick mother. She and his father had problems and she’d moved away. His father died unexpectedly, so his uncle Rocco took over the pack.”
Emma’s brows puckered. “Doesn’t whoever want to take over have to fight any others that want to lead?”
“Caleb’s father, like Ellie’s father, comes from a long line of strong Alphas. When his brother decided he would take over, nobody fought him that right.”
“What happened with Caleb?” Jordan asked, watching a nurse inject something into her IV. The effect was instant. The pain slowly dissipated.
“Caleb returned some years later, ready to take over, but with his father dead and Rocco as Alpha, he wasn’t going to fight him for the right. Until now.”
Jordan yawned. “What happened to get things this crazy?”
“Rocco started acting erratic. Giving young girls to his enforcers even. Girls that refused to mate. Some of the women have disappeared, and Caleb refuses to let things get worse.”
Ellie stood and sat beside Jordan on the bed, patting her hand. “So does what happened mean that Caleb has traitors in his own little group?”
That was what Jordan wanted to know as well.
“Seems like it. Now he’ll need to step up and decide how to proceed. Whoever that man is that helped attack Ellie and Jordan is probably giving away all details to his plans Rocco.”
“Sounds like what he needs to do is clean house.” Emma sat at the foot Jordan’s bed, rubbing her feet over the blankets.
Barbara frowned. “Clean house?”
“Yeah. It’s what we say in my family when you need to get rid of whatever is messing you up. You need to clean house or in his case clean his pack of the rats that are only there to destroy things.”
Barbara grinned. “Caleb’s pack can certainly do with some internal cleaning.”
“Alright, I should go.” Emma stood. “I need to go grade papers and homework for tomorrow.”
Emma kissed Jordan on the forehead. “Glad to see you’re doing better. Now hurry up and get back on your feet. Your students were split between our classes and all they ask for is you. In fact,” She dug through her handbag and pulled out a big card made out of construction paper, “this is for you.”
“I’ll walk you down to your car.” Ellie followed her to the door.
Jordan was getting sleepy from the painkillers. She watched Ellie and Emma walk out before turning to the card in her hands. A giant yellow sheet of construction paper had been folded in half. The front of the card displayed a bunch of yellow posies and a bear with a get-well sign. Inside the card, all her students had written little messages about how much they missed her and how they hoped she’d be back soon.
She didn’t realize she was crying until Barbara sat beside her and handed her a tissue.
“I’m sorry,” Jordan whispered, choking on the tears. Looking at that card, she realized what a close call she’d had.
“It’s alright dear. Those children clearly love their teacher.”
She covered her face with her hands, placing the tissue directly over her eyes. Barbara hugged her, and this was one of those moments where she was once again thankful that Ellie and her parents had been in her life.
“I feel so stupid. I’m getting upset thinking of what would have happened to Aric if I...If I hadn’t woken up again.”
Barbara glanced away from her. “My son would have experienced your loss very deeply.”
Jordan frowned at the way she said the words, almost as if it were too painful to consider. “How deeply? I mean he would have been sad, but he would’ve moved on eventually, right?”
Barbara smiled sadly. “No. You’re his mate. It would be devastating for him to lose you. I don’t know how much you know about mates, but it would take him years, maybe even his entire lifetime to get over losing you. It’s why protecting our mates, our families, is so important to us. The loss of one or both can kill us.”
If that were true, that would explain his anger the night he found her in the shifter club alone. Barbara was right. Anything could happen to her, and he’d be left to deal with it alone.
Something inside her cracked. She couldn’t imagine her life without Aric, and she wasn’t a shifter. If he felt half as strongly for her as she did for him, then she knew what she had to do.
“I can’t put him through that kind of pain. I love him.”
“And he loves you. It’s why he’s out hunting. He needs to get rid of any threat against you. Our family is all that matters to our kind.”
For a person who hadn’t really known what family was first hand, Jordan began to understand that she had been lucky to be taken in by them. “Why did you and your husband help me after my parents left?”
Barbara lips tilted up slowly. “So you finally ask. I didn’t think you ever would, seeing as you’ve been like another daughter to us for so many years.”
“Tell me, please.” Jordan fought the nerves twisting knots in her stomach. She hated thinking of those years, but they’
d never hesitated to help her.
“When you were a tiny thirteen-year-old with her first crush on my son.” Barbara laughed. “I see you remember those days.”
“Well, in my defense, he was the cutest eighteen-year-old ever. And way too old for me, but still.” She had forgotten the fact the shifters scented everything. Jesus Christ. How often had she fantasized about Aric in front of his mother?
“He most certainly was. All my boys were,” Barbara said with pride.
Jordan giggled. “It’s why they’re the sexy four.”
Barbara’s eyes went wide and then she burst into laughter. “Oh, don’t let them hear you call them that or their heads won’t fit through my house door.”
“We only call them that in our man-bashing sessions.” Jordan laughed and then winced at the discomfort she felt. “Only our man-bashing sessions usually end up with us talking about how cute they all are.”
“I think I should come join in one of these sessions. They sound fun.”
“You’re definitely welcomed to. They are tons of fun, and there’s wine.” Jordan added as if she needed an incentive.
Barbara chortled. “As I was saying, you saw Aric and he saw you. That was it.”
“What do you mean that was it?” What did she miss out of the first time she met him?
“You were too busy being stressed over the stuff at home, so you didn’t see his instant need to protect you. The scent of a mate is recognized at the first time we see them. It doesn’t matter how old you are, it doesn’t matter if you’re separated for years, or that he’s your best friend’s brother. All that matters is you’ll eventually end up together, which you did.”
“You mean the first time I saw him, he...liked me?” She’d been an overweight teen with glasses, a bad attitude and some serious issues at home.
“Honey, he was never the same again. My son went from being this carefree teen who chased girls in the pack, to hanging on to every word Ellie said about her friend.”
Wow. She never would’ve guessed that her own crush was returned. Aric was older, so she never considered he’d see her as anything other than a pesky young girl. She had to stop kidding herself about him. She was in love with him. There were no longer any thoughts of being away from him. That meant she needed to start focusing on one hundred percent commitment to their happiness. Hell, she was officially in a committed relationship with the man of her dreams, but instead of nerves all she felt was joy.
Aric and his brothers didn’t warn Caleb of the person in his group. They needed to keep the man from running. Catching them unawares was the best way to get their hands on the traitor. Fury rolled around his gut, firing his need for revenge on the person who hurt his mate and sister.
Caleb’s message indicated they’d be at his bar later. Wolfe’s Den was filled with males and females from his and Caleb’s packs. His brothers took seats at multiple entryways to wait.
The group arrived shortly after them with Caleb leading the way. His short brown hair hung in disarray. He took that moment to slide his fingers through, mussing it up some more. Aric glanced at the others following Caleb, until his gaze zeroed in on one man. Eddie. The only blond in Caleb’s small group of back-up, strolling in without a care in the world. Cocky. It would cost him his life. Aric’s tenuous hold on his animal started slipping. Fur pushed under his skin. His fingers burned with the shift into claws. His face heated as he fought the bones from popping.
He glanced back at Caleb. No words were needed. His friend had seen it in his eyes. He whirled fast, grabbing Eddie by the throat. All conversation halted.
“What did you do?” The deathly growl echoed inside the bar.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Guilt was written all over Eddie’s face. The bitter scent of his lies and sharp fear shot out of his pores to tell the truth he denied. “Let me go man.”
The wolf in Eddie turned his voice rough. Caleb threw him across the room. He flew to the other side of the bar, hit his back on a wall, and landed on a table. Glass shattered under him.
A circle of shifters surrounded Eddie, Caleb, and Aric. Jake, Nathan, and Mason stood by the corners nearest the doors in case Eddie tried to escape. Eddie stood.
“I’ve done nothing.”
Caleb shoved tables out of his way. “I will ask you one more time, Eddie. What did you do?”
“Nothing!” He growled. His features turned feral. His eyes glowed with his animal. Fur sprouted on his arms and face. Fingers turned to claws.
“Liar!” Aric couldn’t take it any longer. He jumped Eddie. The other man was taken by surprise while his attention was solely on Caleb. Aric landed on Eddie. He slashed his claws over his face, leaving a trail of blood in his wake. Eddie fought Aric’s hold on him, shoving him to get him off.
Eddie got back on his feet, rushing to the center of the circle to get away.
“He hurt Ellie!” Aric bellowed, signing Eddie’s death sentence. “And he’ll tell me who hurt Jordan before he dies.”
Caleb’s roar was fierce. Like Aric, he controlled his beast without problems most times. But being faced with a person who hurt the one he loved broke his control on the beast.
“You. Hurt. Ellie.” The need for vengeance was clear in Caleb’s face.
“I didn’t know she was yours, man.” Blood dripped down Eddie’s face. “Your uncle—”
Caleb shifted. The big grey wolf didn’t wait. Eddie shifted as well. There would be no more talking. Aric let his animal free. They continued their argument through their animal links.
“Where are the others?” Aric asked the other wolf.
“Fuck you,” Eddie growled, trying to avoid Caleb’s sharp canines. The scent of his anger and fear filled the bar. Pack members continued to watch, all the while staying out of their way. This was Aric’s domain and he ruled. No one would aid Eddie.
He ran from Caleb, but ended up within Aric’s reach. He pounced, jaws open, on the brown. Another table broke in their scuffle. Eddie whimpered and snarled. Aric’s wolf growled, ready to kill off the animal that’d taken part in hurting his mate and hurting his sister.
Eddie whimpered as Aric bit down hard on his hind leg, breaking bones. Eddie clawed at Aric’s side, but Aric moved swiftly out of reach.
Eddie struggled on to his feet, still attempting to fight the two more powerful wolves off.
“Did my Rocco send you? Are the others part of his team?”
Eddie laughed through their animal connection. Blood spurted from his muzzle. “Your uncle is going to kill you.”
“Not if I kill him first.” Caleb circled closer to Eddie.
Aric watched Eddie try to limp on his working legs.
“He knows you’re coming. He’s waiting for you.” Eddie tried to move toward one of the entrances where Nathan stood guard.
There would be no getting away. Caleb dug his claws deep into Eddie’s side. Eddie snarled at the pain being inflicted. He attempted to shake Caleb off him. That didn’t work, so he clawed at Caleb’s side. The quick move was enough to get him off and allow Eddie a small reprieve.
Eddie glanced his way. “It’s only a matter of time before your mate and your sister are dead. He’s coming for your family next.”
Everything turned into a blur. One moment he stood there, watching Eddie paw away from Caleb, and the next he was biting down Eddie’s neck until he broke every bone his jaw could reach. Eddie’s struggles were nothing compared to Aric’s wolf’s fury.
Eddie had threatened his family. There would be no mercy. He continued to bite down on the other wolf until he stopped moving completely. Anger still burned his gut. He wished he could get rid of him all over again. Though he knew this was the end of Eddie, he knew a new threat would rise unless Caleb took charge of his pack.
Aric and Caleb left the body to be cleaned up by other members of his pack while they went to the back to clean themselves up. They returned moments later in clean clothes, blood-free.
Sitting
in a booth, he watched Caleb scrub his hands over his bristly face. “I’m so sorry.”
Guilt. He understood why Caleb felt that way. Lately he’d felt guilt every time he saw the bruises on Jordan’s face and neck and realized that due to her involvement with him, she’d been placed in constant danger.
“They’re both alive and Jordan will be fine in no time.” He could say that with certainty now that he’d seen her wake up.
“God damn it!” Caleb slammed his hands on the wooden table. “I should have known he’d have someone in my team reporting everything back to him.”
“You couldn’t have known Eddie would turn out to be a rat.” He’d known Eddie for years and the last thing he would have expected was for him to do this to Caleb. Always claiming loyalty to him, it had taken Aric by surprise for Jordan to say he’d hurt Ellie.
“What are you going to do about Rocco?” Mason asked joining them at the table.
“I’m taking him down.” He picked up the sweaty beer bottle and took a long gulp.
“Caleb, you know that by hurting my mate and sister, he’s signed his death sentence.” Not only would Aric not allow anyone to threaten his family and neither would his brothers or his father.
Caleb glanced at him, his eyes filled with determination. “I need you to give me time to take care of this myself.”
“We can’t allow Rocco to continue leading a pack. He’s putting my family in danger.”
“I know that. I just need some time.”
Aric wanted to argue, but knew that if Caleb was to take control of his pack again, he’d need to be the one to take down Rocco. If Aric and his family took that from him, Caleb would have a harder time getting the respect of his pack.
“How’s Ellie?”
He saw how difficult it was for Caleb to ask about her. Hell, they’d had this almost relationship going for years, neither of them willing to admit their feelings. And with Caleb’s pack problem, neither was willing to push the other to commit.
“She’s safe. We have her protected.” Aric knew that’s what Caleb really wanted to know.
He gave a grim nod, sliding his fingers through his mussed up hair. “And your mate?”