“Dylan,” Liam acknowledged, a genuine smile on his face. “You’re going home with Wren today.”
“You come?” Dylan asked innocently and Liam’s smile tightened minutely.
“Not today,” he replied, shaking his head.
“Can’t he just stay at the motel like the other women?” I asked and Trent shook his head.
“No, he’d have to be accepted into the Navarre Pack for his own protection,” Anna answered. “Otherwise, Nicholas Hanley could show up at the motel and tear it apart to get to him. Probably kill him when he did.”
“She’s right,” Liam replied, nodding respectfully to Anna. “Dylan needs to be protected.” He glanced around guardedly. “He knows too much for the Alpha to ever let him live.”
“Why are you helping him?” Trent spoke up, asking the question I’d been wondering.
“We’re not all like them,” Liam sneered in disgust. “Some of us respect women. We want to be free.” His eyes met mine for a second and I gasped.
“You,” I breathed, stepping forward to get a closer look at his eyes. He stepped back warily and Trent grabbed my arm. “You saved me.”
Liam sniffed and then gave a jerky nod. “I thought I recognized that scent.” He glanced between me and Anna. “You’re not the female wolf.” I shook my head, wondering if that was the only reason he’d saved me. “Wouldn’t have mattered, that asshole got what was coming to him,” he muttered, shrugging, as he unintentionally answered my question.
He gazed at Trent and the grip he had on my arm. “He’s not your mate,” he said confidently, his eyes narrowing as his stare switched from Trent to Anna. “Interesting.” He glanced back at me. “Not all Hanleys are bad,” he informed me and I nodded as he jerked his head to Dylan and said, “Take care of him.”
He started to turn away and I shouted after him, “What about you?” After what he’d said, I was afraid the Hanley Alpha would kill him too.
His lip curled in a twisted smile. “I’ll be fine,” he promised right as he shimmered and a dirty brown wolf took his place. We watched him trot off as Trent scrubbed his hand over his face, sighing.
“This day just gets better and better.”
“You’ll help him,” Wren cried, her gaze shifting between the three of us. “You’ll protect my brother?”
I closed my eyes and Trent muttered, “Don’t say it, don’t say it, don’t –”
“We’ll protect him,” I promised her.
“And she said it,” he grumbled, glaring at me. I shrugged, what else was I supposed to do?
“I need to talk to my mom,” Anna mentioned, sliding past Trent.
“You’re not going anywhere by yourself,” he warned, grasping her arm. She twisted but he didn’t release her. “There’s a wolf out there that knows exactly what you are. You’re not leaving my sight.”
“Anna, he’s right,” I echoed, ignoring the flash of betrayal on her face. “I think the guy has good intentions but we’re too close to the Hanley border. Let’s go back to the motel together. See if Dom and Caleb will meet us. Create a plan.”
Anna nodded shortly, tugging on her arm until Trent let go. She went to take the lead when Trent stopped her, this time touching her shoulder, and she jerked away from him with a gasp. He gestured for Wren and Dylan to go ahead, with Anna and I falling in the middle as he took the rear.
Chapter Nineteen
“This is insane,” Caleb burst out. He paced the living room, keeping a wary eye on Dylan, who looked scared and uncomfortable around so many unfamiliar males. Every once in a while, I saw the reappearance of his wolf and felt Dom’s arm tighten around me as he sensed it too. Wren sat next to him, patting his arm gently as she tried to remain calm for his sake.
“Maybe Dylan should go to Wren’s room while we discuss things,” I mentioned carefully when Caleb got a little too close to Wren and Dylan growled.
“You want to play with my trucks in Jess’ room?” Monster offered, fascinated by Dylan’s presence. Dylan nodded shyly, but he jumped when Dom snarled. I stared at him in shock, my eyes saying, “What the hell,” when he didn’t speak.
I don’t want his scent in your room, Dom admitted through our mental bond and the mark on my neck burned white hot. He cracked his neck, the sound loud in the room as he turned to Dylan. “I’m sorry. I would prefer you didn’t go into Jess’ room.”
“I’ll go get the trucks,” Monster said, hurrying into my room. Dad stirred from the spot where he’d been staring at Wren, and reached into the cabinet to grab a pack of cookies.
“I’ll keep an eye on them. They can play in my office,” he said to no one in particular. Monster came running back, his arms full of toy trucks and Dylan stood up, causing Caleb to take a cautious step back. Dylan looked to Wren for permission and when she nodded, he lumbered after Monster.
“You like cookies, Dylan?” My dad asked as he opened the apartment door.
“I love cookies,” Dylan answered my dad and I heard Dad chuckle.
“You’ll fit right in.”
We watched them walk out of the apartment, no one speaking until the door shut behind them. “Do you really expect me to support allowing him into my Pack? He’s retarded.”
“Caleb,” Anna cried in shock. Dom squeezed my fingers before letting go of my hand as he stood. “Caleb,” he rumbled and Caleb threw his hands up.
“I’m only stating the truth.” Caleb wheeled around, pinning Wren with an accusing stare. “How was he even allowed to be born?”
“My mother hid the pregnancy,” Wren answered, her expression defiant as she faced Caleb. “And he’s not retarded. He’s special. Unique. Loving. And a better man than you could ever hope to be.” Tears glistened in her eyes but she refused to let them fall. “I had hope when Sam told us the Navarre pack would take us in. I had hope that maybe my brother could find acceptance instead of ignorant stupidity. I took a chance and you’ve done nothing but disappoint.”
Caleb glanced down as Wren spoke, having the grace to appear chastened by her words. “He’s dangerous though,” he said, struggling against the combined weight of our disapproval.
“He’s not dangerous,” Wren corrected. “He’s gentle. He doesn’t want to hurt people. Even after everything his father has done to him.”
“His father?” Trent stepped closer and Dom stiffened next to me. “Who is his father?”
Wren froze, her gaze darting around the room.
“There’s only one man it could be. Only one who would have the power to insure his child’s survival,” Anna stated, staring hard at Wren. “We just stole the Alpha’s son.”
Wren pressed her lips together, a tear escaping down her cheek as she shook her head, unable to deny Anna’s words.
“And I thought this day couldn’t get any worse,” Trent groaned, rubbing his tired eyes.
“Wren, can you tell us about your brother?” I asked gently, going over to her and easing her back into her seat. I indicated the others should back up a little. Four shifters could be a little overwhelming.
“The Alpha took whoever he wanted,” Wren began, her voice hollow. “He wanted as many shifters as he could have but he didn’t have very many sons. Only two, in fact.” I rubbed her arm as she faltered. “My mother was older, but still able to have babies. She got pregnant and when they realized the baby had Down syndrome, they forced her to have an abortion.” Wren reached for my hand, squeezing tightly. “That didn’t stop the Alpha from trying again. This time when my mother realized she was pregnant, she hid it. Just in case. Dylan was born early. She delivered him at home and we knew as soon as we saw him.” The room was silent as we listened. Caleb sank down next to Anna on the couch as Dom stood next to them. “She would only speak to the Alpha. She knew what they’d do. She convinced him that this son would be his most faithful follower. His most loyal solider.” Wren swallowed, tears threatening to overcome her. “He agreed not to kill Dylan but said she was useless to him since all she could produce were re
tards.”
Caleb let out a shaky breath and I bit my lip as she continued. “He snapped her neck as she held his son.” Wren let out a choked sob. “He kept his word, he never killed Dylan but it might have been kinder if he had.” She glanced up, blinded by tears. “I’ve spent my whole life protecting him the best I could. I knew he would never be accepted by a pack, but I hoped…” she stopped, to choked too speak any longer.
Caleb traded a glance with Dom and then Anna, and finally sighed. “My father would never have agreed to allow him in the Pack. He would have spoken of tradition, of protecting the Pack from a dangerous unknown,” he paused before continuing, “And he would have been wrong.” He cleared his throat. “I offer your brother, Dylan Hanley, asylum.” Caleb’s voice changed then, his words almost echoing as he said, “He has the full protection and loyalty of the Navarre Pack.”
Wren lifted her head, a fragile hope on her face as Anna and Dom lowered their heads at the Alpha’s command. Trent glanced at her as he added, “He’s got mine too if it makes a difference.” She nodded, too emotional to speak.
“Now, let’s go make this official,” Caleb grunted, pushing himself up. “We have school tomorrow, after all.”
***
“I was thinking,” Dad started, not meeting my eyes as he poured a cup of coffee.
“That you’d let Wren watch Monster today?” I finished, eyeing him. He gave me a sheepish smile.
“That obvious?”
“You are a little transparent, Dad.”
“She’s trying to get Dylan settled and he seems to have struck up a friendship with Monster,” he hedged, drumming his fingers on the countertop.
“And it’d get Monster out of your hair while you work?”
“That too,” he agreed. “What do you think?”
“That we owe Wren an apology and yes, I agree that she should watch Monster,” I answered, stuffing a notebook into my backpack while trying to cram the last bite of my bagel in my mouth.
“I will apologize when I bring Monster over,” he declared. “But she shouldn’t have put him at risk in the first place. If she’d trusted us….” He trailed off and I knew he meant if she’d trusted him.
“You were harsh, admit it, Dad. She betrayed you and it hurt like a son of a bitch.” I gave up on the notebook and the bagel as I spoke. “She was afraid for her brother’s life and I can’t blame her. I’d do the same thing if it was Monster.” I picked up the notebook, sliding it in just as I heard the rumble of the Jeep in the parking lot. “Also, you should quit pussyfooting around and ask her out.” I snatched the last bite of bagel off the plate and waved as I waltzed out the door.
Caleb jumped out of the passenger side so I could haul myself into the back of the Jeep next to Anna. “Wow, total flashback to the days when I was just an ignorant human girl,” I joked, buckling up as Anna grinned at me. “You look happy.”
Her eyes sparkled and she nodded as she said, “I’ll tell you later.”
“What are you two whispering about?” Dom grumbled, shifting the Jeep into gear as Caleb hopped back in. We exchanged a secretive grin as we said in unison, “Nothing.”
“Yeah, right,” he mumbled, but dropped the subject. I spotted Trent outside of his motel room and wiggled my fingers at him in a little wave. He lifted his hand in response and I saw Anna duck her head out of the corner of my eye. My eyes met Dom’s in the rearview mirror as I arched an eyebrow. He shook his head silently and I resigned myself to waiting till we got to school to find out Anna’s news.
“Well?” I burst out, unable to contain my curiosity by the time we reached our lockers. Caleb and Dom had gone in different directions when we’d arrived but Anna had remained stubbornly silent.
“Caleb asked me out,” she squealed and the smile I’d felt forming died. Somehow that wasn’t what I’d expected her to say. I forced my lips up as she bounced in excitement and chattered about how he’d asked after they’d gotten the Council to agree to accept Caleb’s offer of asylum to Dylan. Luckily, her happiness was so great that she didn’t notice my own smile was a little dim.
The same thought kept looping through my mind as she talked and it was how Payne had broken up with Sam because his father had forced him too. I wondered if somehow Caleb was also doing what his father would have expected by dating Anna.
“Okay, class,” Anna said, breaking off her minute by minute description of Caleb asking her out. “Finals’ week! Yay!”
“Good luck,” I called as she disappeared into her first period class. I hated the uncertainty I felt about Caleb’s intentions but couldn’t push the seed of doubt away. Why had he asked her now? After everything else that had happened it was almost as if he was trying to fit into the mold his father had created.
I pushed my thoughts away as I entered the classroom, needing my focus for the final I planned to ace.
***
My stomach grumbled as I hurried toward the lunchroom. The final in my last class had been more difficult than I’d thought and made me late for lunch as I’d spent extra time double checking my answers. The halls were empty for once since everyone was already in the cafeteria.
I slowed at the sound of voices, my head tilting at the familiar tones, as I came to a stop at the corner.
“Hey,” Leah said, “I’m surprised you’re not already in the cafeteria. Shouldn’t you be at the cool kid’s table?” She teased, her voice happier than it had been in a while I was startled to realize.
“Yeah, I’m supposed to be there,” Caleb answered, his voice lower than normal.
“You don’t sound too enthusiastic,” Leah noted and I peeked around the corner. She stood by her locker, head tilted up as Caleb propped himself against an adjoining locker.
He gave her a tight grin, more pained than happy, and I eased back around the corner, deciding not to interrupt them by walking by. “I’m not sure I belong there,” he admitted, startling me.
She glanced at him in surprise. “What do you mean? Aren’t you leader of the pack?” She zipped up her bag but when he didn’t speak, she paused. “You belong there,” she told him confidently, brushing her hand against his arm. He glanced down at where her hand rested lightly on his forearm, rotating his wrist so the palm of his hand touched her skin.
“You’re the first person to reach out to touch me since I killed him,” he admitted, staring down at their hands resting against one another. “It feels like that decision separated me from them.”
“It was the only decision you could have made,” Leah murmured, pressing the tips of her fingers into his skin. “They know that.”
“Knowing and feeling are two different things.” He glanced at her, a shaky breath escaping him. “Going in there…I don’t know what to do,” he confessed. “I’m not their friend anymore. I’m their Alpha.”
“You sit with them,” she said, her eyes pained as she studied him. “Until it feels normal again.”
Caleb’s head bumped against the locker but he kept their hands connected. “My father always sat at the head of the table.” He shook his head. “I never thought twice about it.” Leah waited patiently for him to continue as I rested my head against the wall, my heart breaking. “Now, I’m supposed to sit at the head of the table. His spot. His place. And I’m supposed to be the man he was.”
“Caleb, no one expects you to be your father,” Leah responded and he gave her a doubtful look. “They don’t,” she insisted. “They expect you to be Alpha, to lead them, to protect them, but you can choose how you do it. You don’t have to sit at the head of the table, Caleb. You can sit next to them.” She squeezed his arm, her hand slipping away and he let her, straightening up as she stepped back. “You’re one of them, you know that, right?”
He smiled bitterly as he corrected her. “I’m not one of them, Leah, I’m all of them.” A mask came over his face then as he nodded to her. “I also owe you a thank you for saving my life.” He ignored the shake of her head, his smile brittle as he said, “Tha
nk you,” before striding away. Her worried gaze followed him down the hall, and she bit her lip when he walked straight past the cafeteria doors.
The clang of her locker door shutting startled me and I watched as she shrugged her backpack over her shoulders and headed to the cafeteria. I let out a sigh, not sure who I felt worse for as I followed them down the hall.
Chapter Twenty
The intercom buzzed as I reviewed my notes during sixth period. The substitute who’d replaced Ms. Nichols wasn’t coming back next semester and she’d allowed us to treat the class as a study hall when finals started.
“Jess Carter to the office.”
A few oohs erupted and Anna gave me a worried glance. I shrugged, not sure why I was going to the office this time, but also equally positive I would fight kicking and screaming if someone tried to kidnap me again. I shoved my notebook into my backpack and lifted it to my shoulder, deciding to take it with me. Class was almost over anyway.
When I entered the office, there was no one behind the counter. I shifted awkwardly, my stance growing wary as I glanced around the empty area.
“Jess, thank you for coming,” Principal Davis said, exiting his office as he smiled at me. The smile was fake, not reaching his eyes and I knew whatever he was about to say wasn’t good news.
“Didn’t think I had a choice,” I replied, following him into his office as I cast a lingering stare back at the empty reception area. He chuckled, choosing to ignore my tone as he gestured to a chair.
“Jess, have a seat.” Principal Davis refused to meet my eyes as I entered and I took a moment to settle into my seat. “It’s come to my attention,” he began and my body froze as my mind frantically ran through every argument I could come up with to defend my relationship with Dom. “That you have enough credits to graduate.” It took a moment for my mind to catch up to his words and I know my mouth dropped open. He smiled narrowly. “Not what you thought I was going to say?”
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