“Oh, yeah. I remember something about that. They’re half-brothers, right? Caleb and Payne?” I glanced at Sam, who had her gaze focused on the ground now. “Who names their kid Payne?”
“It’s a family name. The Alpha’s first wife.”
“You know a lot about him,” I mentioned carefully.
“That’s what happens when you grow up pack. You know everything about everyone.” Her head came up suddenly and she growled low in her throat. I jumped at the sound, but it was nothing compared to Payne’s reaction. I had no idea how he heard her, but he spun on his heel and disappeared into the tree line.
“Good riddance,” Sam muttered through clenched teeth. “He always was a coward.”
“Harsh,” I stated, keeping one eye on her as I turned to face her. “It’s almost like he did you wrong.”
Her gaze flickered to mine briefly. “Don’t go imagining fairy tales where there are none.”
“Pretty sure most people would consider my life the stuff of fairy tales,” I answered, shoving myself upright. “Now, we have work to do.”
“Work?”
“Yeah, they need to see you coming out here, but it’s going to take more than one little spin around the yard to break the fear chaining them.” I was kind enough not to include her, but the way her gaze dropped made me think she knew. “None of you will be free until you live like you’re free.”
“They could grab any of them.” Sam gazed up at me. “Do you know what they’ll do to them if that happens?” I shook my head. “They’ll make an example of them. In the most horrifying way possible.”
“Then we don’t let anyone get caught.” I crouched down so I was eye to eye with Sam. “Don’t trade one prison for another, Sam.” My eyes flickered to Nicky. “Teach him what it means to grow up safe and happy.”
“You’re really annoying sometimes,” she grumbled. “I don’t know if I pity Dom or he’s getting what he deserves.”
I squinched my nose as I considered. “I’d say he’s getting what he deserves,” I determined finally and she laughed ruefully.
“You don’t take offense.” I shook my head and she sighed. “So, what’s the plan?”
“Seriously? I have to come up with a plan too?”
She stared at me until I couldn’t hold my smile back any longer. “He definitely deserves you,” she snapped, swatting at me. “I thought you were serious.”
“Welllll,” I started, dodging away from her long arms. “I don’t actually have a plan, but I thought we’d start with a picnic.”
“A picnic?” Sam repeated doubtfully. “What kind of picnic?”
“A Pack picnic,” I declared, proud of myself for coming up with the idea.
“A Pack picnic?”
“Is there an echo?”
She ignored my comment, her hands flying as she listed the reasons my idea wouldn’t work. “You need Alpha approval. The Elders’ approval. That’s if the women would go, if the Pack would allow them on their lands.” She paused for a breath, staring at me.
“So, we need to talk to a few people,” I shrugged. “Easy peasy.”
Her eyes almost bugged out of her head. “Easy?” she broke off with a gurgle. “Do you understand why I brought them here? On the outskirts of Pack lands? A neutral ground, you could say?”
I shook my head slowly.
“Because bringing them without invitation would have been a declaration of war,” she spit out. “It would have forfeited their lives if the Alpha chose.”
“So, we ask nicely.”
She groaned and I shrugged. “Look, I admit, I don’t know Pack laws or etiquette or whatever you want to call it, but it doesn’t have to be hard. We can make new rules. It doesn’t have to be the Hatfields and McCoys anymore.”
“You make it sound so simple.”
“Because it is?”
“There’s a lot of prejudice and bad history between the packs.”
“And I’m sure with good reason, but you’re a Navarre and the Pack respects your family. If anyone can make a change, its you.”
She smiled sadly. “They respect my father and brother. I’m the slut that ran away with a Hanley.”
“And now, you’re the slut who came home. The prodigal child.”
She gritted her teeth, holding back whatever she intended to say as she glanced at Nicky. “You are determined to make this work.”
“Nobody said it’d be easy.”
“Actually, you said easy-peasy,” Sam reminded me with a fake smile.
“For me. You, not so much.” I rested my hand on her arm. “I don’t think you give them enough credit. I’ve heard the whispers.” She grunted, her mouth drawn tight, and I shook her arm. “They talk about how brave you were to save the women. How proud they are of what you did. They whisper, ‘Of course, she did, she’s a Navarre.’” She glanced at me, startled, and I smiled. “They say your name with reverence.”
She swallowed, a gleam of moisture in her eyes as they met mine. “You better not be making this shit up, because I will hurt you.”
“Just saying what I heard.” I held my hands up. “No fudging, elaboration, or falsification.”
“Now, you’re just trying yourself.”
“It happens occasionally. I can talk to Dom, to Anna, and Caleb. Figure out how to make it happen.”
“Little Anna?”
“She’s not that little. She was here earlier. She can talk to Caleb. He listens to her,” I answered, and caught her surprise. “There may be some mutual crushing going on there.”
“Caleb and Anna?” Sam repeated doubtfully. “Her parents are elders.” I nodded. “Caleb is Alpha now.”
“Yeah, is there a point here?”
“I….things have changed since I’ve been gone,” she replied, shaking her head. “You really think this will work?”
“I think we have to try.” I glanced up at the motel, catching a few curtains swaying. “They can’t stay here forever. If they’re not Hanleys then they need to find a new Pack.”
“Some might leave,” Sam murmured, her eyes scanning the forest restlessly. “Go back to their homes. Start over somewhere else.”
“And that’s fine. But they need to take the first step.” I poked her shoulder. “And they need you for that.”
“Alright, alright. I got the message,” she sighed, rubbing her shoulder. “I’ll talk to them.”
“That’s all I’m asking.” She shot me a look. “Okay, that’s not all I’m asking but it’s a start.” I glanced at the trees where I’d last seen Trent. “Why do you give Trent such a hard time?”
“I’m not interested,” she stated bluntly.
“Interested in what?” I asked baffled.
“In another wolf mate,” she spelled out.
“I don’t think that was the idea,” I told her hastily. “I mean Trent is a rogue. A lone wolf. He probably doesn’t even want a pack.”
“It might not have been your idea, but I know my brother. And it was definitely his plan.” She held out her hand. “Come on, Nicky. Bath time.” She chuckled at my astonished face. “You’ve got a lot to learn about how Pack life works. It still runs on the concept of father/provider and mother/caretaker. Dom will act as provider but only until he can find a suitable replacement.”
“Trent,” I murmured and she nodded.
“Bingo.” My expression must have concerned her because she continued. “It’s not a bad way of life, but I’ve had enough of being provided for, and so have most of the women here. You’re not wrong when you say things need to change, but it’s not just the Hanleys and the Navarres anymore. It’s the entire way of life.”
She walked back to the motel as Nicky waved at me, calling, “Bye, Bunny.” A smile lifted my lips briefly at what he’d decided to call me before quickly disappearing.
Something wrong? The thought tickled my mind and I knew Dom had picked up on my emotions.
No… I pushed the thought to him, still awed by our ability to comm
unicate telepathically. It was a side effect of our mating bond – the one we hadn’t fully completed yet because I wasn’t ready to have sex with him or commit my life to a guy I’d known only a few months.
Yeah, I’m not buying that. What’s going on?
I waffled for a moment. Trent? You’re setting your sister up with Trent?!?
A beat of silence met my mental shriek. Is there something wrong with Trent?
How about the fact that she just ran away from an abusive boyfriend? Spouse? I’m not really sure what they were but I don’t think she’s ready for another big strong man to take care of her. Especially since she put ol’ Frank at the top of her hit list.
Hit list? He asked carefully. What exactly are you and my sister planning?
Nothing, I denied, locking my phone as I glanced around.
He snorted, the sound distinctly wolf like. You need to work on your lying.
I’ll keep that in mind, I answered, projecting an image of me rolling my eyes. We are planning something though.
I’m afraid to ask.
You weren’t eavesdropping on our conversation? I asked, knowing he had a better handle on the mental bond since he was used to the Pack bond.
I don’t eavesdrop, he growled, shaking his head.
Sure you don’t. I teased as I put my back to the wall and slide down to the ground. It wasn’t easy to have a mental conversation and walk.
I try to give you your privacy. You know that, don’t you?
I do, I answered, sorry I’d teased him about it. We want to plan a picnic. Well, I do and I think I convinced your sister.
A picnic?
On Pack lands, I stated, figuring it was better to get it out of the way.
His sigh was so loud I could almost feel it against my skin. You don’t do anything by half, he grumbled.
Sam said practically the same thing. Apparently, I’m asking the impossible.
She would know better than anyone would, he said cryptically. I can talk to Caleb, but we’re going to need more than that.
Elders?
Yeah, and I think you should talk to them.
Me? I squeaked, embarrassed that even telepathically I sounded terrified. You don’t think someone else….say Anna, would be a better choice?
You have to convince Anna first, he replied, shocking me.
What am I missing? I murmured internally, forgetting for a second that my mind was wide open to him with our connection.
They’re female, he replied and I shook my head.
Duh?
You remember my reaction to your scent?
My body had an extreme reaction to his question as adrenaline from the memory flooded through me. He’d barely been able to control himself and that was after he’d rescued me from the Hanleys chasing me. I’d felt the strong urge to jump him and I’d barely known him.
That wasn’t even the first time, he reminded me. It was the second time and a thousand times stronger than I ever expected. You want to invite a bunch of breeding females onto Pack lands? You’re going to get some push back. Especially from the women.
I really hate the term breeding females, I muttered automatically as I considered what he’d revealed.
It’s not a derogatory term. Just a statement of fact. They can all have shifter babies. Their scent hits us hard.
You too?
Not me, he denied instantly. Not with you around. You don’t know how many guys I’ve had to warn away from you though.
Warn away? I laughed. You mean there were actually some brave enough to incur your wrath?
You don’t know your own appeal, he said smugly. I’m a lucky guy.
Uh huh, more like genetics has you panting at attention, I told him.
Genetics might have brought you to my attention, he allowed. But they aren’t what keeps my attention.
Smooth, I murmured and felt his smile. You’re telling me I’m fighting a losing battle?
No, I think you’re right. I just want you to be prepared. He slipped from my mind and I dropped my head back against the wall.
“You look like you’ve lost some of that sparkly determination you had,” Trent noticed, his body loose as he sat down next to me. “Sam tell you to fuck off too?”
I wiggled my fingers, “Not exactly.” I smiled internally. “I’m not exactly her favorite person at the moment though.”
“You got her out of the motel room. I consider that a win.” He squinted at the tree line, no doubt picking out things my normal eyes would never spot. “So why you out here? Not that it isn’t safe, but you being indoors would make the guard dogs happier.”
“Can you hear them?” I asked curiously.
“Nope.” He rotated his shoulders as he glanced at me. “That’s a pack thing.”
“You think about being pack?”
“All the time,” he admitted candidly. He saw my start of surprise and smiled. “Wolves are pack animals. It’s instinct. Our nature. We need the bond.”
“Why….” I stopped myself, wondering if the question was too personal.
“I was fifteen and like Caleb, supposed to be the next alpha. My father was challenged and lost. The new alpha gave me a choice. Leave or die.”
“That is horrible,” I breathed, starting to understand why Caleb’s position was so precarious. Without Dom and Hank standing with him, he might have already been outed.
“It’s the way of life for some packs.”
“You couldn’t challenge him?” Trent shook his head lightly.
“I wasn’t prepared to be alpha,” he glanced at me with knowing eyes. “Or the fight it would take to become alpha.”
“Caleb.”
“He’s in a precarious position. One I don’t envy him for. He’s lucky though.” Trent crossed his arms over his knees, back braced against the wall next to me. “He has Dom.”
I nodded, tipping my head back to see the first stars appearing as dusk settled over the motel. “And Anna.”
Trent glanced at me in surprise. “Anna and Caleb?”
I shrugged. “She’s had a crush on him forever. It seemed like they were growing closer.”
“He’s alpha,” Trent said bluntly.
“And she’s a kickass she wolf,” I retorted.
“Yeah, she is,” he replied, a note in his voice. “She’s a rarity. I’m not sure he can appreciate that.”
“You don’t even know him,” I said hotly. “Caleb is a sweetheart.”
“With a fucking ton of responsibility thrust on him,” he answered mildly. “It’ll change a man.”
“He won’t run away from it,” I shot back, irrationally angry over what he was saying. “Caleb has friends who will support him. Help him follow the path his dad set for him.”
“No doubt you’re right,” he replied, lifting his hands up slightly.
“Don’t placate me,” I said harshly, pushing myself to my feet.
“How about this then? I hope you’re right and he doesn’t change. That the Caleb you knew is still there when this is all over.” He stared up at me lazily, not concerned that I stood over him. “But you know he won’t be. You know because you’ve already been down this path and there’s no going back.”
“You don’t know me,” I answered sharply.
“No, but I recognize a kindred spirit.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You’re not trying to make a move on me are you?”
His eyes widened for a second before his shoulders started to shake, silent laughter pouring from him. “Hell no, I like my balls right where they are,” he finally gasped. “Attached to my body,” he clarified when I continued to glare. “Don’t get me wrong, you smell nice, but not that nice.”
“So you’re not in lust with me?”
He fought back the last chuckle, and stared at me seriously. “I am not. And it has nothing to do with the fact that Dom would kill me or the fact that you carry a gun at all times.” He stretched his legs out, making his body open and vulnerable. “I’m not a Ha
nley or Dom would never allow me near you. Not all wolves are controlled by their baser desires. Yes, you could give me wolf pups, but,” he hesitated and I arched a single eyebrow. “You’re not my type,” he finished carefully.
“There’s someone else,” I pounced on the idea instantly and knew I was right when his eyes flickered away. “Who? Sam?”
His gaze came back to mine and he shook his head adamantly. “I like her, but no.” He pushed himself up. “And that’s all you need to know.” He shook his finger in my face. “No matchmaking.”
I tilted my head back to maintain eye contact, but I made no promises. He grumbled a little, sighing when I refused to answer. “Dom has my sympathy.”
“I’m sure he appreciates it,” I retorted sweetly, my mind racing as I tried to figure out who had caught Trent’s attention. His story had tugged at me and I wanted to see him get a chance at happiness. However, there was a motel full of women he could be interested in, and that didn’t include the women of the Navarre pack. I’d have to keep my eyes peeled to see if there was anyone he paid special attention to.
“You ready to go inside yet?” He asked pointedly and I realized he’d been keeping watch over me.
“Seriously, do you have some telepathic link with Dom?” I growled as I headed back to the apartment I shared with my Dad. “I swear it feels like you channel him sometimes.”
“No, just years of friendship and the absolute understanding that you are more important than anything to him.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “I doubt that. He has his sister back, and Caleb, plus the Pack. I think you overestimate my place.”
“And I know you underestimate it,” he answered, leaning against the wall as I opened the door. I glanced up at him, his absolute seriousness catching me off guard. His eyes gleamed in the dim light, faintly reflective and reminding me forcefully that I wasn’t dealing with a human. “Never doubt he’d forsake his Pack and his life to keep you safe.”
With that, he disappeared into the deepening darkness, leaving me to grapple with the implications of his words. I knew I cared for Dom, loved him even, but was I ready to commit that deeply? Sacrifice that much for him?
I shut the door mindlessly, and caught sight of my dad sliding a frozen dinner into the apartment size oven. He whistled tunelessly, not seeming to notice I’d entered the apartment, and I took a moment to observe him. There were a few more streaks of silver in his dark hair and I thought the lines might be a little deeper around his eyes, but the easygoing expression he always wore hadn’t disappeared.
The Challenge (The Pack Book 2) Page 3