Half-Breed

by Marcia Colette

  "Enough of these foolish games,” Seth snapped, his voice deep, British accent thicker than ever. “Tell us where you are. If you're in a hospital, then you need to leave."

  I hacked a laugh. “You're the last person who needs to give me advice about hospitals,” I sniped. A tiny voice in the back of my head shouted a warning about being mindful of his rank, but I ignored it. If I had screwed myself by getting thrown out of the pack, then I didn't have anything to lose by being nasty right back. “As for your two cents’ worth, I'm not in the hospital anymore and I've covered my tracks."

  A deep sigh. “Then where are you? We'll send someone to pick you up."

  "Save your love and support for someone else. It sure as hell wasn't there when I saved your sorry ass from a sniper. Instead you returned the favor by telling me to get the hell out."

  "That's my privilege, in case you haven't noticed! Who the bloody hell do you think you are to challenge me in front of my pack? Maybe someone should have clued you in, but being an omega gives you no special privileges. If anything—"

  "Everyone respects you because you have the brains for leading the pack. You'll go to any lengths to protect them as only a father would. That's commendable and all, but most fathers I know give their kids the benefit of the doubt. God forbid you should have to stoop so low to a half-breed. And don't deny it. You said as much when you made me the fucking omega."

  "Are you finished? Because I hate to break the news to you, but you're not one of us. You think because you're half-werewolf that only half the rules apply to you? Not if you want to live in our world. You've been warned about endangering the pack. So what do you do? You bring trouble right into our backyard. We ask you to trust us. What happens? You can't even trust your own husband with your deep, dark secrets. In case you didn't know, your married life reflects the type of life you'll live with the pack. Then again, that should have been instinctual. Instincts seem to be a bit difficult for you to grasp."

  I evened off my tone, though I kept the sting. “Everything was fine when I stuck my neck out to save someone you couldn't save. One slip up and you waste no time at tossing me to the curb. No questions asked. Pack your bags and leave. I'm sorry if I'm not the perfect soldier you had hoped for, but you sure as hell aren't the general I'd look up to."

  "You're not an entity unto yourself. If you want a life among werewolves, then get off your human high horse and learn what it's like to be one of us. You can't pick and choose which rules apply to you and which ones don't. It's all or nothing."

  Dane slipped inside the room and waved a hand for me to tone it down. I nodded. My grim conversation must have traveled beyond the walls. Surprise surprise. Dane's eyes rested on mine, and he hesitated a moment. He squeezed my shoulder and offered a supportive half-smile before leaving the room.

  "Are you still there?” Seth asked.

  "I'm here.” Pausing, I gathered my thoughts and slumped onto the bed. “At this point, I'm too tired to care anymore. I have a marriage to save—again—and hopefully some friendships to salvage. Do or say whatever you want, but I won't stop loving your pack. I'd still give my life for them. I've got a foot broken in three places to prove it."

  I hung up and tossed the phone on the bed.

  Leaning back on my arms, I stared at the ceiling. I'd give anything to have it all back. Falling in love with the Georgia Pack came when I least expected it. The warmth of Stephan and Aiyana's bodies caressed my subconscious in a way I never thought possible. The pack's utopian den called to me just as it did my full-blooded husband. I'd had a taste of their world and I wanted it back. But I couldn't take Seth's autocratic rule or the pack's concern for my delicate half-human nature. I wasn't a fluffy Barbie Doll or someone's kid sister. I was a woman who had tasted more death than the majority of the people in Seth's precious pack.

  So why didn't I fit in?

  Because I couldn't even trust my own husband with my “deep, dark secrets” as Seth had put it. We were a mated pair and yet I kept him at a distance. I had dug this ditch and now I had to lie in it. That scared the hell out of me.

  Angry, I screamed at the top of my lungs, not caring who I woke up. I snatched a picture frame off the desk and hurled it at the wall. Glass and wood framing shattered into dozens of tiny pieces.

  Dane burst through the door. Crying, I turned my back, slipped off the edge of the bed, and crumpled to the floor. From behind, his arms snaked around me. I turned into his shoulder. One of these days Dane would tire of “fixing” me. I soaked his shoulder with tears.

  "Don't worry, Angel,” he whispered, petting my hair and kissing my crown. “We'll figure something out."

  Chapter 35

  Dane and Riley tucked me in with ice packs, extra pillows, a blanket, and my painkillers. The other stuff didn't matter as much as the painkillers. I wanted them for their narcotic value alone. When they finished tucking me in, they exchanged glances, a look passing between them. I expected hugs and kisses before they left, but didn't get them. Instead, the men lifted either side of the blanket and slid in next me. I'd like to think that something called out to each of us, but I didn't believe that for a second. Those snots took pity on me and knew how much I wanted the company. Nonetheless, I was glad they stayed. Even Riley. Two torrid bodies pressed into mine, giving me the pack brotherhood my aching heart desired. Who knew when I'd get my other brother and sisterhood back? At the rate this was going, it could be a long time.

  I couldn't recall when we fell asleep, but I remembered Fisk coming into the room at some point. My eyes and ears opened long enough to hear him say something about heading back to Dane's for a real bed and to check on Decker. Knowing Dane, he probably threw him in the 8x8 cell buried in the ground of his old, abandoned barn. I slipped into unconsciousness prior to getting any more information.

  When I woke up a second time, Dane had spooned behind me and Riley's body curved into my front. One of them should have fallen off the bed by now, but they hadn't. Then again, the painkillers kept me so doped that I wouldn't have noticed if a hurricane had ripped up the trailer.

  * * * *

  Cold air left the hairs on my upper arm tingling. Feeling around blindly in front of me for more blanket, I found cold sheets. One eye peeked open. Dane had disappeared. Damn. That meant that the feverish body spooning mine belonged to Riley. Had Dane been there to keep him in line, I wouldn't have worried as much. Without him, Riley reminded me of a child taking advantage during a parent's absence.

  Careful not to disturb him, I lifted his sluggish arm from around my waist. He shifted, pulling me tighter and moaning in his sleep. I froze. Holding my breath, I lifted his arm higher and moved out of his reach. His hand retracted. Great. Here goes the sarcasm. Grinding my elbows into the mattress, I sat up.

  Riley grinned before putting in a morning stretch and yawn. He would start in any minute, cracking sexist remarks or trying to take advantage of the situation. To my shock, he folded his thick arms behind his head and stared. If his grin had gotten any wider, it would have leaked off the side of his face and onto the pillow.

  "I see why Dane likes you better,” he commented. “You sure make a prettier bunkmate."

  Right on cue. I rolled my eyes. “You're a jackass, you know that?"

  "Hey, at least you don't have to worry about Dane keeping you under lock and key like your hubby. Maybe you should dump your man and take up with Dane. You two would make an awesome mated pair."

  I yanked the pillow off the bed and smacked it across his face. How could he think something like that? Dane was ... He was more like a...

  "You asshole,” I yelled. “I love my husband. Matt and I aren't going anywhere as long as there's something to salvage in our marriage."

  His grin never faltered. “Then why haven't you told him about us? In all the years you've been our bounty-hunting sniper, you never mentioned a word to him."

  "How do you know?"

  "Because Matt seems like the type who would've broken down our door
a long time ago looking for heads to roll if he'd known where you were."

  I shook my head and sat up. “Unlike your black book of lovers, my husband gives a damn about where I go and who I'm with. The last thing he's going to want is me risking my life to go after some damn rogue. And for what? Pocket change?"

  "It's more than just pocket change."

  "Whatever. The point is we've ignored some of the biggest Pack Bylaws. How long do you think it'll take before someone else finds out that we deal on the black market? Not to mention the humans that work with us. If we ever go down, the last thing I want to do is take Matt with us."

  His head slowly nodded as though some realization had come to mind. “You're still trying to keep Matt and Dane separated. Let me know how that works out, seeing as they're both so damn overprotective of you that they're bound to have it out once and for all."

  "I don't know why I talk to you,” I murmured. Even if he had a point, I didn't want to hear it. Especially from him.

  "Because you know I'm right.” He paused, eyes fixated on the ceiling. “Otherwise, you would have punched me in the stomach by now. So get used to it, babe, you've got two daddies and a husband. Be thankful your biological daddy isn't here, too."

  Sighing, I threw my legs over the side of the mattress. “I'm leaving."

  Riley rolled backwards off the edge and landed on his feet. He came around, offering me his hand so that I could stand. I had to take a second look at him. He wouldn't pull a fast one or anything, but he pissed me off so much that I wanted to push him aside. Too bad my aching foot needed the leverage. Leaning on him, I hobbled out of the room, heading towards the kitchen, where Graham danced through breakfast.

  "Nice to see you two,” he said, blocking the stove with his back to us.

  Uncle Graham brought over a stack of pancakes as Riley helped me sit. As fate would have it, he took the seat next to mine. I guess there being only four chairs limited where he could park his behind.

  Before the pancake plate could touch the table, Riley stabbed his fork through the top two-thirds, about to drag them onto his plate. I jabbed my fork into Riley's stack and knocked several off the end. The greedy jerk needed someone to remind him of his manners. A hand to the back of his head would help, but I wasn't in the mood to provoke him.

  "I'll tell you one thing,” Riley said, popping the cap up on the syrup bottle. “I'll be glad when this is over. At least Dane will finally get a good night's sleep."

  "Since when has he been lacking?” I asked.

  Squirting a lake of syrup off to the side, he sputtered a laugh. “Don't tell me you haven't noticed. Heck, Angel, he won't rest until you're happy. You should know that by now."

  Riley left the breakfast counter and strolled towards the coffee maker. He poured two cups of coffee and sat one in front of my quiet, smiling uncle and kept the other for himself. I forgot Graham was sitting there, listening in on our discussion. Riley and I—sort of—had had part of this conversation before, unbeknownst to him. Judging by his grin, Uncle probably thought a good reinforcement never hurt anyone.

  "Can we leave Dane's happiness out of this? I'm not his daughter, you know."

  "No, you aren't,” Graham said. “But you're as close as he'll ever have to one. After Dane became a werewolf, he severed ties to his family. Remember?"

  The knob rattled on the front door. Riley waved us still as he went to open the door. Dane strolled inside, carrying several shopping bags in one hand, crutches under one arm, a cardboard box under the other ... and huge grin tugging his too-tanned face. Well someone's been busy.

  "I brought a few things from my private stash that'll help,” he said. He handed the grocery bags and the crutches to Riley. “Put that stuff in the kitchen. I also picked up a few extra things from the store, seeing as you two won't be going anywhere for a while. There's more out in the car."

  Riley bumped me on the arm as he walked by. “Told you so."

  "Told you what?” Dane asked, hand smoothing through his black hair.

  "Never mind,” I said.

  "I only asked for a quart of milk,” Uncle said, eyeing the plastic bags. “He brought back a whole gallon. I guess I'm not the only one who remembers how much you like milk."

  "I said never mind!"

  When breakfast ended, the guys volunteered to clean up while Graham helped me to the couch. Dane raised the roof when he saw me hobbling along on my injured ankle. It would heal in half the time it would take for a human; didn't that nut realize that? Already some of the swelling had gone down, and my body didn't hurt anymore. Nonetheless, Dane wouldn't have it. He swept me off my feet and carried me to the couch anyway. Instead of going back to his dishes, he double-checked the brace that held my ankle together.

  This constant needling had to stop.

  I hated all the attention and wished he had showered more of it on my uncle when he was sick. Graham said everyone tried, but he threw them out of the trailer. Like uncle like niece, I guess. As I required some down time, Graham didn't mind their company because it meant he could sit back and laugh at the three of us. Dane and Riley fussed over me like two old women. Grinning, Graham relaxed in his recliner with a pipe snug between his lips, enjoying the show.

  The phone rang ... and none of us moved to get it. We knew the rules. Graham screened all his calls in case someone was trying to sell him on ultra condoms or violin lessons.

  The machine beeped and silenced our tirade.

  "Graham, it's Matt.” My eyes bulged and heart sank at the sound of his voice. “I'm looking for Lex. We had a fight, and, well ... If you hear from her, please have her call me.” His voice trailed off. “I miss her."

  The machine clicked off.

  The urge to launch myself across the room, pick up the phone, and call him back overwhelmed me. Too bad our last conversation hung at the back of my brain, keeping me in place. If Matt called, then he had called Genevieve or someone in my family and gotten the number. Even worse, he would come looking for me here sooner or later. I hoped for the latter part because I wasn't in any mood to go on the lam again.

  Chapter 36

  I spent the next couple of days in the trailer, hobbling around on crutches and catching up on work using a laptop I had borrowed from Dane. Every time I sat down, Graham chased behind me, placing a pillow under my foot. Sometimes I would go outside for a breath of fresh air or to sit down by the lake, taking in the serenity. Children played on the other side until their parents called them in for dinner. One of the older kids tied a rope swing to a tree that sat just on the edge of the lake. Each kid took turns swinging on it, seeing who could land the farthest from the shore. Boy, did that bring back some fun childhood memories.

  Every day, Dane and Riley made a trip out to the house and stayed a couple of hours, sometimes into dinner. Although the trailer was huge, I couldn't go anywhere except out to the lake or to the convenience store down the road, making our space more confining. Dane wouldn't take the chance that I might snap at my uncle, so he took me out to dinner one evening. In spite of his nagging me about those crutches that was the best time I'd had in a while.

  Until I called Matt. I didn't want him thinking that I had abandoned him for good. That wouldn't make me any better than the Boston Pack. So I made a point of calling him on a daily basis.

  "When are you coming home?” he asked, sounding bereft.

  "I don't know,” I replied, clutching the cell phone to my ear. “A few more days. Maybe. I need more time. To think and all."

  "We could go somewhere else, if you don't want to come home. Just the two of us."

  Swallowing, I forced the lump from my throat. “No. We could go away, but the same problems will still be there when we get back. I can't face anyone from the pack. I can't handle them right now."

  He sighed. “I heard about your clash with Seth. Believe it or not, he doesn't hold a grudge."

  "Yeah, right. He's probably using it as a ruse to get me back to the den so that he can finish
chewing me out."

  "Hon, he won't do that. We had a long talk. Seth won't stoop to the will of the pack, but he knows how much everyone misses you. The pack adores you. More now than ever. You're like a young pup needing some guidance is all."

  "I brought danger to the pack and that's inexcusable. I accept that. I would be back with the pack by now if I had had the sense enough to not keep secrets in the first place.” A wry laugh escaped my lips. “Good lord, Matt, you must hate me.” Leaning on the dresser, I propped my forehead against my fingertips.

  "I don't hate you. I'm angry, yes, but I don't hate you. Like you said, you're not a baby, so I'm not going to coddle you for your mistake."

  "Did I say anything about coddling me? Hell, it took you this long to get it through your thick—” I tapped down my anger before it got the best of me. “Bounty hunting is what I know. I thought I was doing the right thing by not telling you."

  "When were you going to trust me enough to say something about it?"

  Simple question, but I couldn't give him a simple answer. “I do trust you. But at the same time I wasn't sure how you'd handle it. Besides, what would telling you accomplish? We already had trust."

  "So waiting until things got worse is better? You should have told me the minute everything started going downhill. At least trust me with the facts before you decide what I'm supposed to think.” He hesitated. “How are you going to fix this, Lex?"

  "I don't know."

  A cynical laugh. “You damn well better do something. Because if I have to, I'll chuck the whole damn pack and spend the rest of my life tracking you down. That's what it means when you become someone's lifelong mate. Unlike you, I'm not at liberty to run away."

  That hurt. “I'm going now."

  "Lex—"

  "Good-bye, Matt.” I hung up.

  * * * *

  Dane invited us over for dinner at his huge plantation-style home. Uncle didn't feel like going, but I insisted he needed to get out of the house. His bronchitis had cleared up and the fresh air would do him some good.