Afflicted

by Novak, Ava

  Kaden walked into the living room with three beers in his hands. Adam, a stocky blue eyed, blond haired, twenty four old with sound maturity was Kaden’s beta, while twenty seven year old Tristan stepped into the shoes of a delta, and David Hayes the young nineteen year old brother of Adam was the omega. All three had the desire to see change happen, had the packs interest at heart, and were more than happy to contribute.

  “We need to get these kids to go to the school in town. It’s too many of them running around wild. They need structure and an education. Morgan’s whack ass wasn’t enforcing any rules around here,” David stated.

  “Yeah I forced my younger siblings to go. There is a world out there outside of these woods. If you can’t do the simple things like reading, writing, and adding you are done for. It takes more than just being able to fight and shift into a beast that can take anything down,” Tristan said as he popped a pile of skittles in his mouth.

  “More importantly it’s about adapting. This isn’t the stone ages. We have to blend in. It’s the key to being able to co-exist as we do with the humans,” Adam voiced from his seat in the pale grey lazy boy.

  “I was home schooled,” Kaden said as he handed over the beer to Tristan and Adam. “Mom did a good job by the way. I’ve made it on my own though once I left.”

  “What was that like leaving the pack,” Tristan asked.

  “It was peacefully for one thing. Up there in Alaska I helped this guy who was a wanderer start a business, a very lucrative business in the oil industry. Made a lot of money but the money really isn’t what’s important. I had freedom. Started working on a few of the oil rigs we got, it keeps me busy, and it’s better than being here to me.”

  “I know you said you want to go back there and all that but why go back because you don’t seem to have much of a reason other than the money,” Adam asked.

  Kaden frowned as he thought about Adam’s question. He’d left home because of Morgan and now he was dead. His duty was to the pack now that it was his time to lead but he was transferring that title over to Adam by the end of the summer.

  I have a job waiting for me and friends.

  It’s was the only thing really Kaden back in Alaska besides the few friends and an ex-girlfriend named Nikki. She was a wanderer too who’d made Alaska her home just as Kaden had. They’d been off and on for three years. She was always pressuring Kaden to commit and make her his mate but that shit wasn’t happening. Nikki was super needy, jealous, and had a temper that Kaden quickly got tired of putting up with until he finally called it quits for good.

  “Well my life is there. As I told you before I’m here to leave a stable pack and to turn it over to someone who can ensure it stays that way. I don’t want to be the alpha.”

  “Honestly I am not going to lie I thought you were going to be another piece of shit like Morgan,” David said.

  “Hey language,” Adam said as he tossed the beer cap at his brother. David laughed as he caught the beer cap.

  “Yeah, well I wasn’t expecting people to think otherwise. People tend to expect the worse.”

  “And imagine the reaction to the changes and rules we are bringing to the table. I suspect we are going to have a ton of people not liking it one bit. They are used to the chaos and nothing structure based.”

  Everyone nodded their head agreeing with Tristan.

  “Well we will deal it accordingly. We can’t expect to make every single person happy. The goal is to do what needs to be done, should’ve been done, or else there is no point to having a pack, and a freaking leader.”

  Tristan, Adam, and David nodded their head in agreement. All four of the men spent the day coming up with ideas and how to execute some of them. Kaden didn’t know it but his beta, delta, and omega were already seeing him as a permanent leader. David was tasked with writing down everything. His job was more clerical but it was still an important position. Kaden made sure to send a text message to Rick thanking him for his input on having a team and recommending him people that wanted to actually do something.

  They were so heavily absorbed in constructing their plan and joking around that no one hard the soft knocking at the front door. Only at the sound of a harder knock did Kaden break away to answer the door. Instantly his heart started to beat frantically after he opened the door to reveal Victoria. He was truly afflicted with desire and at this point fighting it was the farthest thing from his mind. Kaden hated admitting it but Rick was right. She was his mate.

  “Oh,” she stated in a startled tone.

  “Hello,” Kaden said with a wolfish grin on his lips.

  She used her index finger to push her slipping eye glasses up her nose. After clearing her throat she spoke.

  “I- I am here to drop off my last rent payment. Here this is for Mrs. Wright.”

  Victoria held out her hand with a sealed white envelope. Kaden looked down at the hand and marveled at how soft her skin looked.

  Shit! No don’t go there Kaden. Think baseball. Cease thinking about kissing her wrist and licking it.

  “Can you give this to her?”

  Kaden blow out a shaky breath. He didn’t get this extreme need to fuck. Rick could have told him about that part. The man knew and didn’t say a damned thing but laugh.

  “Yes, I will make sure she gets this,” Kaden said as he yanked the envelope out her of hand. He mumbled an apology as he held his breath. Her scent smelled even more enticing. It seemed to get stronger with each passing day.

  “I wanted to let you know I appreciated the refund of my three hundred bucks.” Victoria blew out a frustrated sigh. “And I wanted to apologize for being rude to you when you expressed remorse for being late. Thanks for the rose as well.”

  The rose was a last minute decision he’d made while stopped at a gas station to refill his tank. He was never the type to buy such things. Something made him pick up the rose. Kaden wanted to see her happy and the desire was overwhelmingly strong. He’d stayed awake last night thinking of excuses to see her again, to woo her, and keep her by his side. He wanted to know everything there was to know about her and wanted her acceptance. So many questions swirled in his mind. Would she accept the supernatural being that he was? Could she ever love the man and the beast? Would she be willing? There were so many questions. Too many damned questions!

  Hell I was surprised the gas station was even selling those roses.

  “It was nothing,” Kaden said as he rubbed the back of his neck. Suddenly he felt nervous or maybe it was just butterflies. His stomach certainly felt funny. It was a sensation totally new to him.

  Damn it Rick was right about this. I can’t even find the strength to fight this.

  “Yes and totally nice. I’m really sorry for my reaction. You went out of your way to fix my front door that had been vandalized by some creep. How did you know who did it? I mean you said something about them not bothering me anymore.”

  “Oh um well…I overheard a conversation and the culprits were boasting about their actions. I probably didn’t have to kick their ass about it.”

  “You did what?”

  “Sorry I just overreacted.”

  “Perhaps but I’m kind of thinking they deserved it but realistically I would like them in jail for what they did.”

  “Trust me they won’t be pulling shenanigans like that again.”

  “I suppose you deserve another thank you”

  Kaden chuckled as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. He didn’t want another thank you at the moment. More than anything he wanted her love, loyalty, her body, and to mark her as his mate. His eyes slid down to her neck, finding a beating vein in the place where his teeth would sink in, and transcendentally symbol their union. It was the way for a male shifter to stake his claim on what was his. It was completely natural and Kaden was excited at the thought of making that mark.

  I have to make her mine.

  Without question Kaden wasn’t going to stop pursuing his mate and at that moment the chase began. Th
e pure idea made Kaden extremely horny.

  “You should really have dinner with me,” Kaden said, as he folded his arms, and casually leaned against the doorframe. Her eyes went wide as she looked him directly in the eyes.

  “No,” she stated firmly.

  “Why are you saying no? I don’t bite,” Kaden drawled out low.

  Damned if I don’t want to. Mark you as mine.

  “Oh stop looking at me like that.”

  “Like what,” Kaden inquired with a smile on his lips.

  She ran a hand through her hair and Kaden noticed her cheeks changing color.

  “Nothing just overlook that I said that,” she mumbled.

  “It’s just dinner. There is this place in town called The Redbird. I’ve never ate there believe it or not considering I grew up in this town but I’d like to go.”

  Victoria laughed and tossed him a frown.

  “For someone who grew up in this town you’ve seriously haven’t been there.” Victoria looked at him questioningly.

  “Nope, my father didn’t like me going into town too much and he limited my time in town or else I got punished. And since he isn’t around to throw a fit plus I’m a grown ass man I’d like to go but only if you join me.”

  “You know I really love the food at The Redbird. You have no idea what you’ve been missing.”

  “I can only imagine. So come with me? I won’t refuse your apologies if you come with me. It’s just food and maybe some wine or water.”

  “Fine, meet me there tomorrow night at eight.”

  “I will be there.”

  “Alright I’m going to go now,” she said as she quickly turned around and headed for her car.

  “See you there,” Kaden said as he straightened, his arms falling back down to his sides.

  “I have to get out of here before the next thing I know I’ll be talked out of my panties,” she mumbled.

  You without your panties…damn that sounds really good to me.

  Kaden tried not to laugh or give away that he heard what she’d just whispered. He waited until her car disappeared out of sight before he walked back into the house. It hit him that tomorrow night he was going to have dinner, alone with her, and he wanted to have more time than just tomorrow. Kaden was over the moon. He couldn’t wait. Kaden still had a smile on his face as he walked back into the house.

  David was standing by the window looking outside with a grin on his face.

  “So what’s next,” Kaden said as he dropped down in his seat.

  David turned around to face Kaden.

  “So you got the hot’s for that chick,” David asked as he wiggled his eyebrows.

  Kaden growled. He didn’t want to be asked questions like that.

  “Hey man chill Adam’s mate is human.”

  “Shut the fuck up David.” Adam stood up and charged over in his brother’s direction to smack him on the back of the head.

  “Your mate is human,” Kaden inquired.

  “Yeah and I had no plans on telling anyone,” Adam said as he glared at his brother.

  “Chill out Adam. Kaden doesn’t seem like he has a problem with that considering he likes that little sweet thing that was at the door.”

  Tristan sat in his seat laughing.

  “Seriously your mate is human,” Kaden said as he straightened his posture.

  Adam shrugged his shoulders.

  “Look she isn’t going to go babbling about us to anyone. We’re safe, but yes her name is Melody, and we’ve been together for the past two years secretly,” David confessed. “You know how some shifters are towards humans. I don’t want to keep hiding who my mate is and I hope it’s not a problem.”

  “Your mate is your mate.”

  This is good to know. Adam has a human for a mate. Its conformation I’m not alone.

  Kaden picked up his beer and guzzled the beverage.

  “That’s what Adam and I have been telling him so he can stop feeling so fucking conflicted about hiding his mate. Who gives a shit that she isn’t like the rest of us? A mate is a mate end of conversation,” Tristan said, adding his own opinion. “Screw anyone that wants to act prejudice about it.”

  “This is good to know. Rick said he knew of shifters having humans as a mate and to know that you have one is all the better because Victoria is mine.”

  “I knew it,” David said with a smug expression on his face. “Pay up Tristan.”

  “You guys placed a bet on me,” Kaden said as he frowned at the two men.

  “Hey I called it when word got around about the way you busted up those knuckleheads for what they’d been doing to her. Come on it was obvious. You could have just said your peace and walked away. Considering you are the alpha and your word is law,” David said as he walked over to collect his money from Tristan.

  “On that note here is to change,” Kaden said as he held up his beer bottle.

  Later on in the day Kaden pulled Adam to the side to learn more about his experience. How did he handle finding out his mate was human? What was his reaction? How much did she know about their world? Kaden asked a seemingly endless array of questions. More than anything he worked up the nerve to ask for advice. In taking this risk to pursue Victoria there was going to be a point in time he would have to reveal he was more than just a man.

  Chapter Eight

  Victoria unzipped the third dress she’d tried on. She tossed it into a corner as she picked up another dress to try on. She spent another ten minutes digging through her closet for something to wear before she settled on a black baby doll dress with lace long sleeves, black peep toed pumps, a diamond heart long chained gold necklace, and gold hoop earrings. Victoria placed her hair in a quick updo, spayed perfume on her wrists, neck, and grabbed a black with gold stripes clutch before finally making her way out the house.

  The Redbird was the only restaurant in town that seemed to give some type of essence of fine dining. It was a little gem in the small town and the food was delicious. Victoria walked into the restaurant that was littered with only a few patrons. The Redbird had regency type paintings on the walls, dark wooden floors that contrasted with the elegant tablecloths, and a red and gold color theme throughout the inside. She wasn’t surprised to learn Kaden was already at a table waiting for her. A male waiter directed her to the table Kaden was seated. Victoria followed the waiter to a booth in the back of the restaurant where it was dimly lit illumining the perfect ambiance of pure romance for a couple. He was standing up and waiting for her when he saw she was being led to the table.

  This is not a date. Oh it’s so not. Damn he shaved.

  Victoria noticed his hair was slicked back in a ponytail at the nape of his neck. She liked the wild look of him better but he still looked sexy.

  “Hi,” she said while hurrying to take her seat.

  “Hello.”

  “So did you run your eyes over the menu yet?”

  “No.”

  “Okay well I am ready to order. I already know what I want.”

  She examined her nails as a distraction. Kaden had that look on his face again. That made the fourth time she’d been given that look. First time was in her office, the second time was on her doorstep, and then yesterday. She liked the look on his face and was doing everything to prevent him from knowing it. Victoria wasn’t going to spend the evening with her cheeks flushed.

  “Victoria?”

  “Yes,” she said as she slowly lifted her eyes in his direction.

  “You look beautiful.”

  Victoria bit the inside of cheek to prevent from smiling and gave a hurried reply of thanks.

  I have to be honest. Kaden seems rough around the edges but sweet and I kind of like him.

  So, what’s even good?”

  Kaden had his head buried behind a menu. Victoria reached for the glass of water the waiter placed in front of her and took a sip. She hadn’t taken him seriously when he claimed he’d never been here before. The only reason she even agreed to come to dinn
er was because of her guilt. Victoria felt she could have reacted differently that night. Plus the fact that he even managed to get her a rose from God only knew where from in this town. Besides deep down she was happy he asked her to go to dinner.

  “For starters you should try the bacon stuffed mushrooms with sweet corn and go from there. Take your pick everything tastes delicious,” she said in a flat tone.

  Kaden made his choices off of the menu including Victoria’s recommendation. Time ticked away with Victoria trading her water for wine. She sipped on the glass of wine, keeping her responses to Kaden’s questions short, and simple. Not one for doing much drinking and a light weight Victoria’s tongue seemed to have a mind of its own by the end of the main course of their meal.

  “Why do you always look at me like that, like you want to devour me sexually or something,” Victoria blurted out.

  Slowly her eyes went wide at the realization at what she’d just said. She couldn’t believe it came from her lips. Kaden sat across from her with a wolfish grin on his face.

  Water Vic. Get your hands on some water.

  “I do Victoria. You have no damned clue how much.”

  “So you are looking to get in my pants,” Victoria said as she glared at him through glossy eyes.

  Kaden used the napkin to wipe his lips. Tossing the napkin down on the table Kaden moved to the middle of the booth and inched his way over to her side. Propping an arm behind her Kaden leaned in close. Victoria attempted to ignore the heat radiating from his body.