by Anya Nowlan
Or the one the pack is in, to be clearer.
He’d hoped he would finally get to properly kiss her tonight, and thinking about the missed opportunity made his skin twitch. Deciding to leave the motorcycle and burn off some steam instead, Dayton shifted and set a course for his house.
My father’s house, he corrected himself.
The air whooshing by Dayton’s head was crisp and fresh, the grass beneath his paws slick and dewy. He put his muscles to work, dashing between trees and jumping over rocks. It had been too long since he’d had the opportunity to really let loose.
Halfway home, it started to rain. The smell of damp earth filled his nose. Dayton sent his senses outwards, hearing and feeling raindrops land around him. It all came back to him like the shadows of a past he’d forgotten. The scents and sounds were all familiar, even though he didn’t consciously remember them.
He liked his life back in LA, but Wyoming definitely had its perks. Not the least of which was the sexy general store owner. The thought made Dayton growl.
I’ll see her tomorrow, he calmed himself.
Reaching the edge of the woods beyond the house, Dayton felt a shift in the air. A presence. He stayed in his wolf form while stalking a wide circle around the building. The rain was a bit of a distraction, but soon he picked up a scent.
Bear.
Dayton crept up to the back door, his paws soundlessly sinking into the soft dirt. A tall dark-haired man was leaning casually against the side of the house.
“I thought we should talk,” he said, his eyes turning black.
Nine
Rachel
It had been a slow day, made even slower by the fact that Dayton still hadn’t shown up.
What if something happened to him last night? Rachel couldn’t help but think. I’m being ridiculous, she quickly chided herself and tried to think of other things.
There were no customers around, so she grabbed a pack of cookies she had hidden under the counter. Some people liked tea to calm their nerves. Rachel opted for chocolate chip.
Of course, just as she was stuffing her face, Dayton appeared in the doorway. Rachel rushed to tuck the treats away.
“Hey, you.”
She tried for nonchalance, surreptitiously flicking crumbs off her lap.
“Hey,” he responded with a smile, his gaze lingering on her lips.
Oh god, is my mouth smeared with chocolate? Rachel thought with horror, quickly running a hand over her face.
“I don’t mean to bother you at work all the time, but I was wondering if you could leave a little early today? There’s something going on at my father’s house tonight that I want you to be a part of.”
Those eyes could make me do just about anything, she thought with an inward purr coming from nowhere.
“I can have Alice take over. Is it about the wolf yesterday?” she asked, curious.
“Kind of. I’ll explain when we get there. Do you trust me?”
Looking at him standing there with his full-sleeve tattoos, wild hair, and that knowing smirk, her rational mind screamed every variation of “no” at her. But she couldn’t resist. There was something about Dayton Clearpond that made him damn near irresistible to Rachel.
“I shouldn’t,” Rachel said, but she was already grabbing her coat. “Alice, I’m leaving,” she called out.
Alice rushed out of the supply room and immediately blushed at the sight of Dayton.
I know exactly how you feel.
“You never leave early. Does this mean I’m in charge?” Alice rambled excitedly, eyes flicking between Rachel and Dayton.
“It sure does,” Rachel said with a smile, walking around the counter and slipping her hand in Dayton’s without thinking.
The look he gave her when she took his hand so confidently made a shiver traipse down her spine. They walked out with Alice waving them off, probably already plotting some sort of changes to how the shelves were organized while Rachel was gone.
There was an extra helmet attached to Dayton’s bike, which was parked out front.
“Oh, wait a minute. You want me to get on that thing?” Rachel asked, balking.
“I’m a very safe driver.”
Dayton grinned, and dammit if that smile didn’t make her knees buckle a little.
“Somehow, I doubt that,” Rachel snorted, hand on her hip.
“Okay, you’re right, I’m reckless. But not today. I’ll be careful, I promise.”
He gave her a puppy dog look, and Rachel couldn’t help but laugh.
Damn him.
Dayton patted the backrest, urging her to jump on.
He got on first with Rachel reluctantly following. She had never ridden a motorcycle before, but she had heard plenty of horror stories about people being scraped off the pavement.
“If I die, I’m haunting your ass,” she mumbled as she put the helmet on.
“I’m sorry, you’ll do what to my ass?” Dayton teased.
Rachel was hard at work at a witty comeback when the engine roared to life and they took off. She let out a little yelp and tightened her grip on Dayton’s waist, smashing herself against his broad back.
Rachel slowly opened her eyes, not even aware she had squeezed them shut. They were already leaving the town behind, the air blowing in their clothes. She pressed herself against Dayton, his closeness a comfort even though she loosened her grip a tiny bit when the first burst of panic subsided. He rounded the curves with practiced ease and kept the speed at a reasonable level.
Little by little, fear started to fall away and made way for excitement. Riding on a bike was much more intense and immediate than being in a car. By the time they got to the house, a huge smile had spread out across Rachel’s face.
“That was a rush,” she exclaimed after taking off her helmet.
She ran a hand through her long tresses, tousling her curls. No one looked good with helmet hair. Dayton had removed his helmet and was staring at her curiously.
Except for him for some reason.
“What?” Rachel asked, suddenly self-conscious.
“You look amazing,” he uttered, all traces of humor leaving his face.
His eyes moved from her face to her body, roaming every inch like a caress. Rachel could feel a flush forming on her cheeks. She fidgeted under his gaze, the air around them suddenly filled with electricity.
“You’re pretty great yourself,” she finally said lamely, too caught off guard to come up with something better.
How about, “Every time I look at you I want to tear your clothes off?” her inner voice helpfully offered.
“So, why are we here?” she continued, clearing her voice and attempting to change the subject.
Dayton stepped in front of her, eyes ablaze.
“You might not like what I have to say, so I’d like to kiss you now while you’re still in the mood.”
He was standing unbearably close.
A slow throb started between Rachel’s legs. His scent swirling around her, the way his body heat wrapped her in an embrace made her feel drunk. When his hand snaked around her neck, pulling her face closer to his, everything else fell away.
Rachel pressed herself against him as their lips touched, softly at first. Need exploded in her gut, a writhing warmth. Dayton’s tongue snaked into her mouth, exploring it with sensual slowness. She wrapped her hands around his waist and the kiss changed, deepening and turning more demanding.
Rachel’s head began to swim as she lost herself in the exchange. She had no idea how much time had passed when she finally pulled away, out of breath. Reality returned as she thought back to the last thing Dayton had said to her.
“What am I not going to like?” she asked, her feet back on solid ground.
Dayton still had his arms wrapped around her, and as far as Rachel was concerned, that was exactly where they needed to be.
“Can’t I just keep on kissing you?” he grumbled, nuzzling the side of her face.
Rachel leaned into t
he touch, very close to giving in to temptation. But curiosity nagged at her from the back of her mind, demanding answers.
What if Ethan had a point after all?
“Talk first, kiss later,” she said, her voice breathy and not at all as commanding as she had intended.
“Are you sure?” Dayton whispered throatily as his hands roamed down her body and cupped her ass.
Rachel gasped, seriously concerned her panties were about to melt off.
“Stop distracting me,” she managed to get out, more sternly this time, pushing her hands against his chest.
“As you wish,” he said, nibbling on her collarbone before releasing her.
Rachel’s skin ached at the sudden lack of contact. She reminded herself that Dayton was still a Clearpond and this was no time to let her lady parts do the thinking. Though she vastly preferred the whole kissing side of things to the boring, sensible conversing option.
Dayton brushed a hand through his hair in evident frustration and then walked to the house. He opened the door for her, motioning her inside with an exaggerated flourish. They sat down on the living room couch, and Rachel immediately scooted closer to him. It was a charming, cozy space with hardwood floors and big windows, and colorful quilts strewn about mismatched furniture.
“It’s a lovely home,” Rachel commented, looking around.
“Thanks, I guess,” he responded with a shrug, giving the place a quick once-over. “I’ll get right into it.”
He looked like he was about to jump into a pool with no water.
“I had a visit from the Grimpaw Alpha yesterday when I got back from my meeting with the wolf from the park.”
“Ethan was here?” Rachel’s eyebrows shot up.
“Yup. He wanted to know if I planned on making a play for Alpha,” he said, shifting uneasily.
“And what did you say?” Rachel asked, heart pounding.
If he went for Alpha, it would mean he’d have to stay in Sweetwater, which Rachel had to admit excited her. But it would also mean he’d lied to her about his intentions. If he followed in the footsteps of previous Alphas, it wouldn’t take long before he went after her friends in the Grimpaw pack.
Friends she had known a lot longer than Dayton.
“I told him I was considering it,” he said evenly, eyes guarded.
It only took a second for Rachel’s elation to turn to anger.
“You were right. If you had lead with that, I would never have kissed you,” Rachel snarled, shooting up from her seat and storming towards the door.
I should have known trusting a Clearpond was a huge mistake.
Ten
Dayton
“Wait!” Dayton called out, desperate to make Rachel stay.
He needed to explain.
It can’t end like this!
“Can you just hold on a second and hear me out?”
He ran after her. When he caught up, he grabbed her gently by the arm, making Rachel spin around on her heel to face him.
“What? Can’t wait to tell me what else you lied about?” she spat, clearly hurt and angry.
He might have been wrong, but he thought he saw the makings of tears in her eyes. It hit him like a punch to the gut.
“I didn’t lie. Just come sit back down and give me a chance to fill you in on everything that’s happened,” he pleaded.
Rachel crossed her arms and considered him with a long look. Finally, she gave out a resigned sigh and stomped back to the couch. Dayton took the armchair opposite her, getting the clear vibe he was not welcome to sit next to her.
“I came here, just as I said, to handle my father’s inheritance and leave as soon as possible. Then, I met you and suddenly I wasn’t in a hurry anymore. And yesterday, a young man sought me out.”
“He told me how the pack was suffering, how he had watched good wolves die, and that affected me more deeply than I could have imagined,” he started, willing every word to penetrate the shield Rachel had put up between them.
“He said I was the only one who could challenge David and that there were people in the pack who wanted me to challenge him. I am meeting them here, tonight,” he said, gauging Rachel’s reaction.
Her eyes grew wide.
“That is why you wanted me here?” she asked.
Dayton nodded, his insides twisting at the hurt and surprise playing across her features.
“Yes. I wanted you to see firsthand what this meeting is about. It’s not about me wanting to be Alpha. The people coming here are tired of constant conflict. They just want to live in peace and to get back to what we once were. A powerful, respectable pack, unified instead of torn apart. And they have hope I can give that to them,” Dayton finished, hoping he had adequately put his feelings into words.
The more he spoke on the matter, the more he actually found himself believing in what he was saying.
Some of the tension left Rachel’s body, and Dayton found himself relaxing in turn.
“And you told Ethan all this as well?” she asked.
“In so many words. I got a feeling he was skeptical. But he said that if I did become Alpha, he was open to a dialogue.”
He had to consciously fight the urge to ramble on. It felt like if he could only keep talking, she’d be there for longer.
Stop it. Just tell her how things are and let her make up her own damn mind.
“I want to believe you,” she uttered softly after a while.
“All I’m asking is a chance to prove that not all Clearponds are the same,” he said, getting up and joining Rachel on the couch.
He kept a slight distance between them, though that was the last thing he wanted to do.
“Okay,” she said, gazing up at him. “I’ll keep an open mind.”
“Does that mean I can kiss you again?”
“Don’t push it.”
The last part was delivered with a smile, which softened the blow only a little. The animal inside him growled, happy to see the anger dissipate from her face, but obviously disappointed at the lack of physical touch.
Strange, Dayton thought. My wolf has never shown this much interest in any woman I’ve dated.
“Should I stay out of sight when your guests arrive?” she asked, mildly concerned.
“No need. They’ll be able to smell you anyway.”
“Umm, excuse me?” Rachel said, offended.
Dayton couldn’t help but laugh.
“Your scent. They’re wolves, remember?” he got out between chuckles.
“Oh, right,” she said, blushing a little.
Dayton pricked his ears, hearing rustling around the property. He let out a partially stifled sigh, not entirely happy knowing he was going to have to turn his attention from Rachel to pack matters. The wolf in him grumbled as well. Dayton was not going to enjoy having her near other shifters.
But I have to make her understand, he reminded himself.
“They’re here,” he told Rachel, sniffing the air.
There were more of them than he’d expected. He stalked to the back door just as the first knock rasped against the wood and greeted everyone who stepped through. Most of the men were about his age or younger, but there were some older guys too. There were eight of them altogether, Sam included.
Dayton waited until they were all settled in the living area before strolling to the middle of the room. Rachel was tucked away in a corner, quietly observing. She’d drawn a couple of looks and a few strained nods in greeting, followed by questioning looks at Dayton.
“Why is she here?” one of the wolves demanded, looking at her.
“She’s here because I want her to be,” Dayton said, glaring at the man, his tone indicating this particular point wasn’t up for further discussion.
The wolf held up his hands in a gesture that said he wasn’t going to argue, but the scowl on his face told Dayton that he wasn’t entirely placated.
Tough fucking luck.
“Okay, now that that’s settled, I’d like to hear from
you. Tell me what you’re objecting against, what you’d like done differently. Why you feel David shouldn’t be Alpha.”
Dayton looked around the room, meeting everyone’s gazes. Some of them looked him squarely in the eye, some avoided the exchange, but they would all talk.
One by one, the wolves shared their stories. Dayton knew about some of the events they mentioned, while others came as a surprise. Many of the men sounded angry, some of them just looked disappointed and tired. One thing was consistent – they wanted change.
Dayton glanced at Rachel, who was still standing in the same spot, looking somber.
After the last wolf spoke, Dayton took the floor. His head was thick with questions and new information, but everything he’d heard had only worked to confirm his suspicions. Though he’d never planned on becoming Alpha of the Clearponds, it was beginning to look like it was going to be on him to either save his former pack or stand aside and watch it get destroyed from the inside out.
“Thank you. Now, I know I’m little more than a stranger, my words don’t carry the weight of someone who has been through the things you have. But even to me, an outsider, it’s obvious that the old way isn’t working.”
Dayton was getting nods from around the room, spurring him on. He hadn’t even been sure of what he was going to say when he first started speaking, but now it was becoming clear.
“If this pack is to survive, we need a new direction. I am ready to commit to this and lead us on that journey. I am ready to put my brothers first and my own ambitions second. I am ready to claim my birthright, to step into the role I was always meant for. If we all work together, instead of against each other, there is no limit to what we can achieve,” he continued, his voice growing louder.
Dayton was surprised to discover how much he wanted to be Alpha, to lead these men, to destroy anyone who threatened the well-being of his pack.
His pack, the words echoed through him, feeling right.
A low growl erupted in his throat, his eyes flashing solid gold.
The men rumbled in agreement, some of them even stood to walk over and shake his hand. Sam had a huge smile on his face.