He would always be a hero in her book. Although, right now he had dark circles under his eyes and his skin was a bit pale. His hair even looked dull, not the normal dark blond that seemed to shimmer in the right light. She sat next to him scooting close until her thigh bumped into his under the sheets. He was deathly still; the only movement was the shallow rise and fall of his chest. His mouth was slightly open and his lips cracked and chapped.
She put Carter on the ground gently and urged, “Can you go get me the lip balm from my purse? It’s right there in the corner.” She could at least ensure that he was comfortable if…no, when he woke up.
Carter struggled with her heavy purse and she felt her lips lift in a smile for the first time in a week. He ended up dragging it over to her and leaving it on the floor as he dug out everything else before handing her the lip balm.
Uncapping the balm she applied a thick layer to his parched lips and watched as it soaked in. She did make note of the fullness of his lips and remembered the kiss he’d landed on her hair before he risked his life saving her son. She looked down and saw that Carter was still rummaging through her purse so she took the time to run her shaking finger over his cheek. Where she touched she noticed his skin became pinker and brightened. She took a deep calming breath and gripped his forearm feeling a sharp pain in her abdomen she leaned over and heaved the contents of her stomach into a nearby trashcan.
Carter, who had been right next to her looked up and announced, “Eew, Mama, gross. You okay?”
She nodded her head before turning to watch Justin’s skin color change before their eyes. His breathing increased and his eyes blinked open. “Where am I?”
She opened her mouth to answer when she felt another round of nausea set in, she ran for the bathroom, trashcan in hand. She heaved again, hearing Blake enter the room, calling Justin’s name. Several other footfalls followed him into the room. She needed to get out of there before someone came along and scented her. She didn’t need everyone knowing she was a feline. Wolves didn’t like lynxes.
She cleaned up quickly, then asked Carter to get her purse and they slipped out the door as everyone was fussing over Justin, who looked surprisingly good. She ran as fast as she could out of alpha house, and back to the safety of her house.
*****
The next day Carter and Dee were at the flower shop. She was covered in her usual floral perfume and Carter was playing with her phone. Blake strode in like he owned the place, carrying a big box, and announced, “Justin should be fine. My parents took him home.”
Trying to restrain her concern she asked. “Is it safe? He was in a coma for a week, should he be traveling?”
Blake shot her a grin, “He’s fine. He didn’t want to go back, but I sent him away. If he’s going to be here he needs to obey me. Clearly, he won’t. I strictly forbid him from healing Carter because he doesn’t handle poison well. He refused and his alpha called him back when he heard what happened.”
She dropped her head and exposed her neck to her alpha. “I’m sorry, Alpha, I had no idea. If I’d known what would happen to him…I would have done the same thing. I think Justin would understand, and when you have cubs you’ll understand too.”
Blake’s grin was equal parts sinister and playful. “Speaking of Justin, he wouldn’t leave until I promised you and Carter would have extra protection. Here it is.”
He sat the box down and pulled out an adorable Husky puppy with its tongue hanging out; beautiful icy blue eyes gazed at her with surprising intelligence. Fluffy white, grey fur stood on end as his hackles rose and a slight growl sounded low in his throat.
“What the hell am I supposed to do with that?”
Blake smiled. “Him, what are you supposed to do with him? Honestly, he’s your protection.”
“I can’t have a dog. I’ve already taken your stray cat, Mr. Boo. I won’t take him.”
Blake’s face hardened. “You’ll do what I tell you, I’m your alpha. You knew the rules when you joined the pack."
“Yes, but I’m a lynx…feline. You can’t give me a dog.”
“Well…I didn’t give you the puppy, my brother did. And it’s probably because someone didn’t tell him she was a feline. I don’t see why it’s this big secret. So what, you’re a cat, big deal.”
Blake’s shit eating grin was unwelcome as she began to panic when her son noticed the dog, running at him and hugging him with open childhood affection. “Mama, look, it’s a puppy dog. Woof woof puppy. Can we keep him?”
Blake reached down and rubbed the top of Carter’s head. “Yep, he’s all yours. Justin thought you and your mom could use some extra protection so…here he is. His name’s Gunner.”
“Cool, Ma.”
Carter kept hugging the devil dog as it eyed her and let loose a low growl.
When Carter released him he came straight at her like she was prey, obviously he couldn’t scent that she was also a top notch predator. He circled her several times sniffing her before he lifted his leg and peed on her, soaking her favorite pair of ballet flats as his urine ran down her bare calf. “What the heck?”
Blake chuckled before responding, “Don’t worry, he’s marking his territory. I hear that’s what dogs do.”
Before she could retort he was out of the shop and she was left with a dog, whose tail was now wagging, and an energized kid.
“Mama, Justin buyed us a doggie. He’s a nice man.”
“He’s somethin’,” she said sadly, letting her bitterness through.
Her son easily picked up on her negative nelly vibes.
Carter’s gasp shocked her, but his next statement blew her top. “He done saved me, Mama. He’s my hero. Don’t you like, Mister Justin?”
Attempting to look at the bright side of all this was hard, but she had no choice as her son looked up at her with tears in his eyes and asked, “We can keep him, right? He’s my doggie now mama, I’ll take cares of him, evens clean up his poops. You won’t send him away will you?”
She knew what her son was really thinking: you won’t send him away like you did to me. “I’ll never send you away again, Carter. I won’t send him away either, he’s yours now. Make sure you say thank you to Justin next time you see him.”
Carter’s face fell, and the tears that were threatening began to spill down his face.
“What’s wrong, buddy? I thought you wanted to keep him.” She knelt down on her knee next to him, pulling him to her side she kissed his cheek.
“I don’t know if I’ll see Mister Justin again. I wanna be his friend, Mama, but he’s all gone.” He sniffled, wiping his tears on the dog, “His mama took him on a plane far away.”
Not knowing why, Dee broke down and cried with him. After she’d touched Justin’s arm, briefly becoming ill, something had changed within her. She’d never wanted another man after Tidus, but with Justin she found herself intrigued. He was sweet, nice, caring; all the things she once thought of Tidus before he got her pregnant, killing the alpha and going on a rampage. She just couldn’t trust her judgment.
She had to pull herself together, for her son. “We can get his phone number from Blake and give him a call. Maybe you can make him a thank you card and we’ll mail it to him.”
He shot to his feet so quickly the dog actually let out a yip. “Can I start right now, Mama? I can use the crayons and scissors, it’ll be the bestest card ever.”
“Sure, but you’ll have to be quick because we have to go to the store and buy food and a bed for the dog.”
Carter stomped his foot indignant on the dogs behalf. “His name is Gunner. You have to call him by his name, Mama. How would you like it if someone called you lynx? And I think he should sleep in my bed or he’ll get lonely.”
Touché. She smiled a little. “I’m very sorry. You’re right, Carter, but what did I tell you? No one is supposed to know I’m a lynx. And the puppy can’t sleep with you.”
He looked sheepish for a moment before asking, “Oh yeah, but why? Lynx’s are
cool too.”
“We’ll talk about it later, at home.” She smacked his bum playfully, “Now, don’t you have a card to make?”
Chapter 3
The freaking puppy was going to be the straw that broke her back. He had to go outside, to do his business like fifty times a day, and when she got him outside all he did was sniff everything. Not to mention he shed everywhere. Yes, his fur was soft, and he was cuddly and cute, but when she left the house she was covered in his hair. He refused to sleep in his doggie bed in the corner, insisting on sleeping outside her door or Carter’s, and he would drag that heavy bed to the location he wanted. She’d tripped on the bed coming out of her room twice, landing on a ball of fluffy puppy.
Her son had taken great care of the puppy so far, just like he said he would. He fed Gunner twice a day, not to mention all the scraps he slid under the table. He was proud of himself, which created a self confidence that made her less angry at Justin for getting the dang puppy. Truthfully, she wished she’d thought of it.
After receiving the puppy from Blake they’d planned on going to the store to get supplies, but when they got in the car all of the supplies that they could ever need were there with a note: Here’s everything you’ll need for Gunner. Keep him close and he’ll keep you safe. Call me if you need anything.
It was written in her alpha’s handwriting, but it was signed Justin and she was comforted that she wouldn’t have to do this alone. She’d never had a pet and was nervous as heck that she’d harm it. Carter was ecstatic: he now had Justin’s phone number.
Since then, Carter and Justin spoke every day. Every time they spoke Justin asked if she wanted to talk to him. She didn’t know what to say, so she always responded with a firm no.
Her days were full of work, dog walking and laundry, not to mention vacuuming. She took Carter to the flower shop everyday not trusting that he’d be safe without her, which meant the dog came with them. One morning, after a slow start, she decided she’d leave the puppy home. She just couldn’t cope with the destruction such a small puppy could cause in a flower shop. Not knowing what else to do, she shut him in the bathroom where he’d be safe and contained.
Coming home was usually the highlight of her day, but Carter had been on edge all day today, jumping every time someone came through the door. It made her suspect he’d done something naughty and he was waiting to get caught. He denied that he’d done anything wrong, of course, so now it was a matter of waiting to find out what he’d done. It always came out one way or another.
Walking into a quiet house was eerie. Carter took off for his room immediately and she strode toward the bathroom door where Gunner was whining to get out.
Before she got to the bathroom, the doorbell rang causing Gunner bark like the hounds of hell had just arrived. Sighing, she pivoted around to get the door. Opening the door she was shocked when she saw Justin standing on her porch in a pair of faded well-worn blue jeans with his hands in the pockets. He looked great, a button up shirt graced his upper body, the top two buttons were open and she wished he’d have left a few more open. His hair was a bit longer than she’d remembered, but it appeared nice and shiny, unlike the dull tone it’d taken when he’d been ill. His eyes peered into hers as he said, “Hi, can I come in?”
Shaking the naughty thoughts from her head she was glad she’d applied her scent blocking perfume or he’d have known exactly what she was thinking. “Uh, sure, I thought you’d gone back to your pack. Blake said you couldn’t come back here.”
He gave her a gentle grin, almost like he knew she was on edge. “We worked things out. When my alpha was informed of the situation he almost demanded Blake take me back. Blake wasn’t happy, but he understands.”
“What situation?”
Justin’s scent changed immediately to a combination of fear and embarrassment. He didn’t answer her, instead he countered, “Where’s Carter, and Gunner? You’re supposed to keep him with you at all times.”
“I have been, but he’s like a bull in a china shop. He’s marked his territory all around the store, and the house. At work he eats the flowers and knocks the vases to the floor: he’s broken six so far.” She knew she sounded defensive, but the shock of getting an unasked for puppy came back full force.
She let him into the house, and immediately went to check on the barking ball of fur.
“So, you left him here to roam the house? Those dogs are high energy, I hate to say it, but he’s probably broken a few things here too.”
“Nah, I locked him in the bathroom.” Opening the bathroom door slowly she noticed why the puppy was crying. She couldn’t hold in her gasp. It appeared that the dog had bitten through part of the door and taken chunks out of its frame.
“Oh, well…why’d you shut him in the bathroom?”
“I had to leave and I couldn’t let him roam the house. I haven’t doggie-proofed it yet. He could have gotten into something he shouldn’t have.”
“Don’t you have a four year old son?”
She looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “Duh, you know I have a four year old boy, he’s the one you bought the dang puppy dog for. Why are you here if you’re just gonna ask me stupid questions?”
“Well…I’m just saying that, maybe, if the house is child-proof it’s probably doggie-proof. As long as you don’t leave chocolate or rat poison out on the floor then he should be okay.”
She threw her arms up in the air. “How the hell am I supposed to know that? I’ve never had a flea bag before you walked into our lives and had your brother, oh-so-graciously drop off the bag of bones.”
Without giving him a chance to respond she narrowed her eyes at him making him take a step back. “You should take him with you. I’m not bitter or anything, but I hope he shits a splinter after what he did to my door.”
Justin smiled before replying smartly, “Actually that paneling isn’t solid wood. If it was it would have been too hard to chew through.”
Her brows furrowed in confusion so he continued to explain. “It’s not wood so he won’t get a splinter.”
She remained looking at him with wide eyes and a look of utter irritation. “So…no splinters as punishment?”
“No splinters. I’m sorry. I’ll fix it tomorrow if you want, after I get the tools and supplies.”
“Don’t worry about it, you’re still recovering. I’m not extremely concerned about appearances anyways. I was just annoyed and a bit surprised at all the destruction one dog can cause.”
After a brief hesitation in which the dog whined, she asked, “So, what’s his problem anyway?”
Justin’s grin lit up the room and he laughed. “I’m sorry again, but I don’t speak dog. I’m a wolf.”
Sighing dramatically, she rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips. “You know what I mean.”
Justin shrugged, “If I had to venture a guess it would be he has to go to the bathroom, or he’s teething, or he simply didn’t like being locked up.” He paused for a moment before leaning toward her and sniffing, “Or you’re perfume is too strong and he doesn’t like it. Dogs have very sensitive noses.” He tapped his nose in sympathy.
“Did you just smell me? That’s creepy, don’t do it again.”
Justin pulled back and asked, “Well, I came to pick up Carter for the moon run. It’s time. Do you want me to take the dog out before we go?”
“Carter isn’t going to the moon run. We’ve never gone and we don’t intend to start now.”
Just then Carter came bounding down the steps and stood right in front of Justin. Throwing his arms around Justin’s legs he almost toppled to the ground. “I can’t wait. This is fixin’ to be real fun, Mister Justin. Can we go now?”
Justin looked searchingly into Carter’s eyes and truly only saw the boy’s enthusiasm. “Uh, Carter, remember we talked about telling you mom about the moon run? You said she said it was okay, but by the way she’s staring daggers at me, I’m gonna assume you didn’t ask.”
His l
ittle chubby cheeks turned red and he looked down to the ground shuffling his feet. “Well…see, Mama don’t like the moon run and says it’s only for big boys and girls. But my friend Trevor, he says that its fun and the big boys and girls stay together and the little ones stay together. It’s what yer supposed ta do in a pack.” He turned pleading eyes to his mother, “Right, Mama?”
Justin watched with fascination as she smiled at her son, her teeth grinding before she ventured a response. “We’re a part of a pack, but we’ve discussed the moon run and you’re not going. It’s for adults and I can’t supervise you there-”
Justin interrupted, “Sure you can. I’ll take you both-“
She hissed, almost sounding like an annoyed cat, causing Carter to stomp his foot and yell. “It’s not fair, Mama. I never gets to do pack stuffs ‘cuz you won’t let me. I’m tellin’.”
“Now, I’m your Mama and you better show me some respect.”
Carter spun on his heel and looked at her. Sticking his nose in the air, he said. “Respect is earned and you have to give respect in order to get respect.” His eyebrows rose, “Right, Mama?”
Justin chuckled at Carter’s mimicry. He knew it was a perfect imitation, because his mother had given him that very same lecture a time or four. “Carter, maybe we can go next time. I’ll leave you both to sort things out.”
As agile as a woman he’d ever seen, Dee jumped in front of him to halt his forward progress toward the door. “Oh no you don’t, mister. You’re responsible for this mess, so I expect you to fix it.”
Lifting his shoulders in a shrug he shot back, “Okay, lil’ Buddy, let’s go.”
His little grin split his face and he ran towards Justin again jumping into his arms. “Thanks Mister Justin, I knew you was a good boy ‘cuz Trevor says so. Come on, Mama, it’s gonna be super fun.”
Shaking with rage, Dee just stood there. The pulse at the base of her neck was fluttering wildly like she was afraid. He attempted to scent her, but that disgusting perfume was permeating the air and messing with his nose.
Pack Secrets Page 3