Of course, thinking about Dawn made him think of her friends. He’d reacted strongly to one of them in particular, but he didn’t know why. Maybe he just saw things that weren’t there since she hadn’t seemed as affected as he did.
Maybe he was just lonely. He was one of the few of his direct family without a mate since the rest of them were finding theirs one after another. It wasn’t that he wanted to be alone and mateless like so many of his family had seemed to want before they found theirs. Walker actually wanted a mate. He just hadn’t found her.
Before he could let those thoughts go further in that direction, however, he noticed Mitchell stalking back to his house, his wolf in his eyes for the brief moment the two men saw each other. Mitchell nodded once before slamming his door behind him, and Walker let out a sigh.
His cousin and Beta looked angry, sated, and broken all at the same time. Well, hell, it seemed that Mitchell and Dawn might have finally done something about the attraction Walker had seen between the two. He didn’t know what had held his cousin back, though. And he didn’t know what was keeping him back now. Because if the two had mated fully, Walker would have felt Dawn within the Pack. That’s how matings worked.
But, again, Walker didn’t know.
He didn’t seem to know much these days.
Chapter Ten
Dawn didn’t have to work that day, so instead of staying home with her family and working on things for the den, she decided to do something for herself and meet with Gwen from the Talons. She’d almost backed out twice, but Cole had pushed her out of the house—literally.
She was surprised he hadn’t hog-tied and tossed her in the back of his truck before dropping her off at the Talon den himself. And because he’d been so adamant that she take care of her wolf and her future, she’d known it would be okay to actually do it and not put others first for once.
So, here she was, driving through the open Talon gate and wards after being waved in by the sentries on duty. The magic within the wards pushed and pulled at her like the Centrals’, but at a higher frequency. Mitchell had been correct in saying that his wards were much stronger. One day, she hoped hers would be just like these, protective and a show of pure strength and the Pack’s connection to the moon goddess.
Dawn pulled into the visitor parking lot and shut off the engine. She could have kept driving to the area where she would be meeting Gwen and some of the other maternals, but she figured it would be better to walk through the area and let them see and scent her. Being a strange wolf in a den not of her own meant she needed to be careful. She didn’t think the Talons would attack her, but she also didn’t want to ruffle their wolves. It was the maternal in her.
Of course, even as her mind went through all of this, she also thought about three nights prior with a certain wolf who had sent her over the edge multiple times and made her crave something she’d never wanted to desire.
Had sleeping with Mitchell been a mistake?
No, she couldn’t say that. She’d gone into her life and what she’d done with Mitchell knowing that she’d have to take responsibility for any emotions that might come as a result. She just didn’t know what she would do with the fact that her need for him hadn’t been fully sated and now she had these…feelings. Feelings she couldn’t figure out and wasn’t sure if she wanted to.
She had no idea what she was going to do when she saw him next, didn’t know if they would even acknowledge what had happened, but since she was in his den, there was a high probability she’d see him today. They hadn’t talked since they parted ways that night, but she hadn’t expected anything different. They’d both needed to clean up their dens after the quake, and she had to work at the coffee shop, pretending as if nothing had happened in an alley a few short feet away from her place of business. She still had no idea why that rogue had attacked her, but that was just one more thing that kept spinning in her mind while she tried to get through her day.
All of that went on the backburner, though, when she slid out of her vehicle and saw Gwen standing a few feet away. The other wolf smiled widely and waved before making her way over. She’d never met Gwen before, but Brie had given her a description, and the Alpha’s mate must have done the same for Gwen since the other woman seemed to recognize Dawn so easily. Gwen’s wolf smelled of strength and caring and seemed to be around the same dominance level as Dawn’s, though it was a little more difficult to sense that since they weren’t in the same Pack.
“Dawn? I’m glad you could make it today.” The other woman hugged her tightly, and Dawn inhaled, the scent of Pack—even if it wasn’t her own—soothing her nerves. “You ready to learn a little bit about what we do?”
Dawn nodded. “Thank you for having me, and totally. I mean, I know I’m a maternal dominant, but it’s not like I’ve ever really done anything with it.”
Gwen gestured in front of her. “Then let’s make our way to the daycare. Brie will meet us there since she likes Fallon to interact with the younger ones, and she has a fondness for children that tells me if she weren’t a submissive, she’d have been the kind of wolf we are. As for not having any experience, I have a feeling you know more than you think you do. Brie told me you work at the human daycare, which totally helps, and I bet the way you interact with your family, friends, and Pack goes down a path of caring and soothing more than others would ever know.”
Dawn smiled and shook her head. “You know, I never truly thought about it that way until I talked to Mitchell about it. Hearing him speak about how the Pack works really opened my eyes.”
Gwen’s eyes went bright with curiosity at the mention of Mitchell, and Dawn wanted to curse. She hadn’t meant to bring him up, but it wasn’t like she could help it. He was most of her interaction with the Talons at this point, and she wasn’t sure if she and Mitchell were hiding what they did. The idea of keeping it a secret made her feel like what they shared was shameful, and that wasn’t the case. Of course, she wasn’t about to tell everyone all the details either. There was a difference between actively hiding something and at least acknowledging that it happened.
“I heard Mitchell was helping out in your den.” Gwen shook her head at Dawn’s pointed look and began telling her about the area they were walking in and some of the history of the den. Dawn knew the Talons had gone through hell before Gideon became Alpha, but from the deep and aged hurt in Gwen’s tone, it must have been a horrific time within these wards.
“And here we are,” Gwen said, her arms outstretched. “The kids are playing outside today since it’s so nice out, so we can just go through the side gate here. Not everyone brings their children to the center since they aren’t all on shift at the same time or have a job outside the den, but most of them bring their pups in a few times a week anyway since interaction while young is essential.”
Dawn nodded, a smile playing on her lips at the sound of yips, barks, and laughter. “I had that with Cole.”
Gwen wrapped her arm around Dawn’s shoulders tightly. “You needed more. We all do. But I’m glad that you had him. Now, you’ll have us to help you along. You’re not done growing yet.”
Dawn snorted. “Uh, sorry to break it to you, but I’m not a teenager anymore.”
“No, but everyone’s a kid to me sometimes.” The woman winked before leading Dawn to the side of the building where all the pups were.
Dawn’s wolf preened at the sudden attention of so many children, and she almost went to her knees in relief. This wasn’t her den, wasn’t her Pack, but she was home.
She rolled around with the children in her human form and laughed when they tried to climb up her body, their little paws sliding over her skin since their claws were sheathed.
When Brie and Fallon showed up, Dawn smiled widely from the bottom of a pile of pups before laughing as the little wolves ran up to Brie, barking, and yipping. She stood up and dusted off the dirt from her clothes and then sucked in a breath when a familiar scent hit her nostrils.
“Mitchell!” Br
ie said with a grin. “I’m so glad you’re here. Gideon said he’d be on his way soon.”
“My cousin is coming to roll around with the pups, isn’t he?” Mitchell asked dryly. He didn’t say a word to Dawn, but he stood right next to her and brushed his hand along hers. He may not have done it consciously, but her wolf calmed at the touch nonetheless.
She had no idea what any of it meant, but she knew things were about to get interesting since Brie had caught the movement.
“Of course, he is,” Brie answered with a laugh. “Who can say no to pups?”
“Should I get out of the way?” Dawn asked. “I mean, I don’t want to overwhelm anyone.” One of the younger pups, who had probably just learned to shift, scrambled over to her and nipped at her shoes since he couldn’t climb up her legs without using his claws. She bent over and picked up him, nuzzling her face into his fur. He licked her chin before yawning, his mouth opening wide. Then he leaned into her and fell asleep in the next instant.
“Ah, to be a pup,” Mitchell muttered, and she looked over at him.
“Hmm?”
“I can never fall asleep that fast. Pups can do it anywhere and everywhere.”
She tucked that piece of knowledge into the back of her mind since she seemed to be taking each of the slivers she learned and hoarding them.
Gideon showed up soon after, and Dawn once again almost buckled under the strength of the man’s wolf. Mitchell was a strong wolf. Cole was a strong wolf. Gideon? There was nothing to compare…though she’d never met Blade or Kade, the Alphas of the other two Packs in the surrounding territories.
Dawn didn’t know what to do with herself, so she left Mitchell’s side—something she oddly didn’t want to do—and went to sit with Gwen and the children. She was in the middle of helping one of the little girls button up her jumper after she shifted back into human form when Gideon got a call that made the hairs on her neck stood up.
“Mitchell, with me,” the Alpha ordered. “We have a guest at the front gate. Brie, will you come with me also?”
His mate nodded and put her hand on his stomach. “Of course. Gwen, can you take Fallon for a bit?”
The other woman nodded. “Of course.”
Gideon gave Dawn an odd look before nodding. “Will you come, as well, Dawn? I know I’m not your Alpha, but I think in lieu of Cole, you should be with me. Something tells me this could be important.”
Dawn blinked, surprised. “Sure. Of course. Whatever you need me to do.” She wasn’t sure why she would be important when it came to meeting a guest at the gate, but if they needed her, she was there.”
Mitchell frowned, and she almost let the hurt get to her before he came to her and held out his hand to help her up. “Kameron texted me who it is, so stay by my side.”
Her eyes widened. “Do you think it could get dangerous?”
“I think that you are still training and you should stay by my side. Brie will be by Gideon’s.”
Dawn wasn’t sure what he meant by that since she wasn’t his mate. But since she didn’t know what was going on, she said goodbye to the pups, who seemed to know something was happening since they had quieted down, and then she nodded at Gwen before following Mitchell out of the yard.
Gideon and Brie whispered to one another as they walked ahead of them, while Dawn walked by Mitchell’s side, confused as to why anyone would want her to meet this guest of theirs, but if she could help in any way, she would. It just didn’t seem that likely.
“Can you tell me who it is?” Dawn asked softly. “Now that we aren’t in front of others?”
Mitchell placed his hand on the small of her back, and she sucked in a breath. He kept casually touching her, and she couldn’t keep her breaths steady when he did.
“It’s Audrey. She’s the Beta of the Aspens, and says she has something important to tell us.”
Dawn stopped in her tracks, her eyes wide. “What? Why would Gideon want me there? I’ve never met the Aspens before, but I know they don’t like us.”
Mitchell moved so he stood in front of her. “Blade and a few of his people have issues with everyone. As for Audrey? I don’t think she has issues with you or yours at all. I don’t know her well enough yet, but I won’t let her come near you or hurt you in any way.”
Dawn wanted to feel a little ball of hope at those words but knew they only came from his dominance, not from caring. And she had to remind herself that she didn’t want him in any way that was more than what they had—even if she didn’t know what that was exactly.
“I wonder what she wants,” Dawn said instead of responding to his words.
“I guess we’ll find out, but if Gideon has a sense that something is important like this, then it’s his wolf’s instinct driving him.”
Dawn thought of the ramifications of that statement and frowned before moving to the side so they could keep going. “Will Cole be able to do things like that?”
Mitchell put his hand back on the small of her back, and they continued their way to the front gate, their tempo a little faster since they’d stopped. She ignored the way the heat of his hand shocked her system.
“Yes,” he answered, “Though it will take time. Gideon wasn’t always the Alpha he is today. He’s grown. The same way we all have. And you and Cole will, as well.”
Before she could say anything to that, they were at the edge of the den and near the sentries. Gideon and Brie stood there along with Kameron and a tall blonde woman with light eyes and a lean, muscular body. Dawn didn’t know who she was, but by the scent of her, she wasn’t a Talon.
It must be Audrey, the Aspen Beta.
Yet…there was something off about her scent. Not that she was an Aspen, Dawn had expected that, but there was something…different.
“Alpha, thank you for meeting with me.”
“Call me Gideon, Audrey. Have you met my mate, Brie?”
“We haven’t met,” Brie said, holding out her hand. Dawn should have been surprised that the submissive wolf mated to the Alpha would be so forward with touching another wolf even in a handshake, but she wasn’t. Brie was adept and knew when to hold back and when to make the first move—something Dawn needed to learn. “Nice to finally meet you.”
Audrey looked taken aback for a moment before reaching out to shake the other woman’s hand. “You, as well.” She cleared her throat, glanced in Dawn’s direction before turning back to Gideon. Apparently, the other woman knew who she was or didn’t care since they hadn’t been introduced. “I need to tell you something that might mean my death since it goes against the rules of my Pack, but it’s something you need to know.”
Dawn blinked, startled by Audrey’s frank words.
“If it means your death and going against your Pack, then why are you so willing to tell us?” Gideon asked, his wolf near the surface but not in his tone. If it weren’t for the glow of his eyes, Dawn might not have recognized his dominance with the way he held himself back.
Audrey raised her chin and met Gideon’s gaze for a brief moment before lowering her eyes. If she could do even that, then the woman must be far more dominant that Dawn knew. There was a reason she was the Beta of a large Pack of shifters, after all.
“As I said, there are things you need to know. Things that Blade will use against you if he can.”
“We’re not at war with Blade,” Gideon growled softly.
“No, but you and I both know that Blade isn’t one to use something as trivial as peace to hold him back from getting what he wants.”
Gideon stared at the woman for a moment more, and Mitchell leaned into Dawn’s arm as if trying to soothe her wolf. Thankfully, everyone was focused on the others and not the two of them, or they would have easily seen what he did. Dawn wasn’t even sure why he was trying to soothe her, or how she felt about it, but she knew this wasn’t the time or place to deal with those things.
“Follow us to a place where we can talk in private, but know that if you even look like you’re going to attack
my mate or my people, I won’t care that you’re the Beta of the Aspens.” Gideon’s wolf was finally in his voice, and Dawn’s wolf lowered its head in submission.
Audrey nodded and followed Gideon and Brie while Dawn and Mitchell brought up the rear. Mitchell once again put his hand on the small of her back, and she forced herself not to react. Once they were finished with whatever this was, the two of them needed to talk. She truly didn’t understand his mixed signals, and they both deserved better than that.
Soon, she found herself in a small room, empty except for a lone table and a set of chairs. She wasn’t sure what this place was used for, but she figured she shouldn’t ask right then.
“What is it you need to tell us?” Gideon asked, his arms folded over his chest. Brie stood beside him though slightly behind. They moved as one, as if they knew their roles within their relationship and bonds deep down in their souls.
A small ache echoed within Dawn, and she wondered if it came from what she personally didn’t have or the fact that she hadn’t seen anything like that in most of her Pack. There were only a few mated pairs within the Centrals since many of the elders and young that left the old Pack weren’t mated at the time, and without Pack bonds, there were no new mating bonds. One day, she hoped her people would have something like this, a Pack so healthy—even with its faults—that the Alpha and his mate could meet with a potential enemy and have no issues. Perhaps her brother would find his mate one day, and she’d watch him grow into his role with a woman by his side that centered him the way Brie seemed to do with Gideon.
Mitchell’s fingers brushed along her arm, and she pulled herself out of her thoughts to focus on what was going on in front of her rather than what could be.
“It might be better if I showed you,” Audrey said after a moment before letting out a breath. “Okay, so I didn’t realize it would be this awkward, I mean, I knew it wouldn’t be easy but…”
Destiny Disgraced Page 11