Abbey's Protectors [Beckett's Wolf Pack, Triad Mates 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More)

by Lynnette Bernard

  “Hi, Synthia, it’s me,” Abbey spoke, her voice happy.

  She couldn’t hide the excitement she was feeling at the thought that she would be seeing her friends soon and bringing them back with her to the Circle Three Ranch. It was finally going to be as it should be—having her friends with her so they could be as happy as she was.

  “I’m going to be heading out to come and get you and Shelly in about fifteen minutes so I should be there way before three o’clock. I guess I’m just anxious to see you guys. I can’t wait to have you both here at the Circle Three Ranch. I just know you’ll be happy here. Okay, Syn, I’m going to hang up and shut off my phone. Actually, it’s Clay’s phone. He gave it to me so I could call you. Anyway, I’m shutting off the phone while I’m driving. I’m just waiting for the two men who will be coming with me. Hunter and Clay aren’t taking any chances on anything happening to me—protective to the end, I guess.” Abbey laughed but the warmth that filled her at the thought of her men caring so deeply about her was a really nice feeling. “So, I’ll be seeing you soon. Be ready to leave as soon as I get there. I love you.”

  Abbey disconnected the call, smiling as she turned off the phone. She slipped it back into her purse then pulled out the small zippered case that contained a good amount of money and her driver’s license. She was thankful that Synthia had sent it to her. She wouldn’t have been able to drive Hunter’s truck otherwise. Tucking the small case back into her purse, she set it beside her on the bench seat and waited.

  She didn’t have long to wait. Nathaniel and Brett came out the front door of the family lodge and walked down the front porch steps to stand beside the truck. She could tell by their serious expressions that something was wrong.

  “Is everything okay?” she asked them as they stood beside her open window.

  “I’m sorry, Abbey,” Nathaniel told her gently.

  Abbey looked at his kind, hazel eyes and knew she wasn’t going to like what he was going to tell her. “Did something happen?”

  “Alpha Gil contacted Jace just a few minutes ago,” Brett answered for the both of them, his light blue eyes clouded with concern. “He said there was an attack made on their pack land.”

  “Did anyone get hurt?” Abbey asked, worrying immediately for her new friend Dara.

  “No, no one was hurt,” Brett assured her.

  “There was a lot of damage done to their perimeter fencing,” Nathaniel explained. “Two of the enforcers on duty saw the explosives when they were patrolling. Luckily, they weren’t hurt in the blast.”

  “Thank goodness,” Abbey whispered.

  “Because of the attack, Jace has tightened security around our pack land,” Brett told her. “We’re going to have to meet with the security teams. Jace has already brought in experts to set up a series of monitoring stations. They should be here within the next couple of hours so we’ll have plenty of time to work out the new schedule of patrols before they get here. We’re going to have to cancel our trip with you today so we can supervise their work.”

  Abbey’s heart fell. She understood the need for all possible enforcers to be on duty, but she needed to get Synthia and Shelly here. She just knew they were meant to be here.

  “Okay, I understand,” she said finally, truly understanding their predicament.

  Brett nodded and smiled softly. “We’re sorry, Abbey. We can plan this trip for another day.”

  She watched as the men turned and went back into the lodge, knowing there was nothing she could do about what was happening. They had to secure the ranch. Her need to get her friends was a mere blip on their radar right now, and that was as it should be. The pack needed to be safe. She would never complain about having to sacrifice her desires in order to make everyone safe.

  Abbey fought back the lump in her throat as she thought about not seeing her friends or having them with her on pack land. After hoping and planning to get them there, the letdown was tremendous. She wanted them with her, but it was more than that. She wanted them at the ranch so they could finally relax and be happy. She truly felt that both of her friends would find their futures here.

  After sitting quietly for a moment, she made a conscious effort to pull herself together. She started the truck, put it in drive, and pulled away from the lodge.

  She didn’t even realize that she made the decision that was probably going to get her into trouble with her mates, but she couldn’t help the driving need she that had to go and get her friends. Carefully blocking her thoughts from her men, she headed up the long driveway that led away from the ranch.

  As she drove away from the safety of pack land, her thoughts were a jumble as she argued with herself. She knew that what she was doing was completely reckless. She knew she should call Synthia and arrange to get them another time, but she also rationalized with herself that it would only be one hour and forty-five minutes to their apartment, a few minutes to load the truck with whatever items they wanted to take with them, and another hour and forty-five minutes back to the ranch. She would be home before Hunter and Clay even knew she was gone. What could it hurt?

  Half an hour into the ride, the guilt she was feeling was almost unbearable. She was having more and more trouble shielding her feelings and thoughts from her men, and she knew it would only be a matter of moments before they felt her unrest.

  Hunter? Clay?

  What, sweetheart?

  Abbey, you sound upset, Clay interrupted. What’s wrong?

  Well…

  Abbey, what have you done? Hunter’s voice was firm.

  The concern Abbey could feel building in both of her men made her cringe. She knew they were going to be mad at her. She also knew they would be justified in their anger.

  I’m on my way to Denver.

  We know that, honey.

  Clay’s calm voice didn’t help her sudden case of nerves.

  I didn’t exactly do what you asked me to do.

  What does that mean, Abbey? Hunter asked immediately, fear edging his words.

  Nathaniel and Brett couldn’t come with me. They had to work on pack security.

  Oh, hell, no! Hunter’s voice bellowed in her mind.

  I know, I know. I’m a bad girl. I shouldn’t have gone without them. Please don’t be mad at me. I just wanted to go and get my friends. I’ll be home by dinner. I promise.

  Abigail Tyler!

  Clay’s voice was as equally booming as Hunter’s had been.

  Okay, you don’t have to yell. I’m sorry. Now, don’t make me nervous. It’s not good for the baby.

  Both men were instantly silent in her mind, and she smiled in relief. She knew they would pull back if there was a possibility of hurting her or their child.

  Abigail, when you get home, I’m going to turn you over my knee and spank that gorgeous ass of yours, Hunter told her calmly.

  You’ll have to catch me first, Abbey teased.

  Their instant growls sent shivers through her body. She knew they were still angry with her, but maybe she could love them out of their anger.

  We’re going to leave work and come and meet you, Clay told her. Damn! We don’t even have the address.

  You don’t need to do that. I’m almost there and I’ll be heading back within the next hour.

  This is not okay, Mate.

  Clay’s words were firm and strong. There was no doubt in Abbey’s mind that he was barely controlling his anger.

  You are to tell us the moment you get there and the moment you leave. Do you understand?

  Yes, Hunter.

  No messing around, Abbey. This is very serious.

  I know, Clay. I’m sorry. I’ll see you tonight, and I promise I will never leave pack land without an escort again. Okay?

  You leave us no option but to say okay, Mate. Hunter’s voice was hard as he spoke in her mind. We’re going to have a serious discussion about this when you get home.

  Is that going to be before or after you paddle my ass? Abbey teased.

  Mate, you�
�re playing with fire, Clay warned her.

  I love you, Abbey offered gently.

  Their growls and grumbles filled her mind, making her smile. She may be in trouble with them, but she knew that they would never hurt her. The love she felt coming through their bond was loud and clear. She could only send back her own love and sincere apology. Hopefully, she would be home and soothing their worries soon.

  Gently closing their link, she concentrated on the road ahead of her. Traffic was pretty congested on the highway so she decided to take an exit that would take her to Synthia’s apartment by way of a more rural and scenic route. It would take her a little longer, but it would be worth it to drive with less tension.

  Traveling the back roads, she felt the worry leaving her as the stress of the city driving left her. Taking a right turn to take the road that would bring her to her friend’s place in under thirty minutes, she found herself facing a car that was driving on the wrong side of the road heading straight for her.

  Swerving Hunter’s truck, she barely avoided the head-on collision, but she didn’t escape the impact of the oncoming car slamming into the back end of the truck. Fighting with all her strength to control the spin of the truck, she managed to avoid any other cars but was unable to avoid the huge rock wall that edged one of the beautiful homes on the street.

  The impact was jarring, throwing her forward. If she hadn’t had her seat belt on she would have definitely been airborne and propelled through the windshield. Instead, the pain across her chest as the restraint held her back and the impact of the deployed airbag slamming into her face sent her into a haze of consciousness.

  Her focus swam, time merged, and Abbey couldn’t make sense of the noises around her. The sounds of a siren and the loud explosion of a motor confused her. She heard the groaning of metal, but she was unaware of what was happening.

  When the driver’s side door was finally opened and gentle hands reached in to touch her, she leaned against the warmth of those hands and moaned as her body flared with pain. She reached up with shaky hands and grabbed the forearm of her rescuer.

  “We’ll get you out, honey,” the male voice called to her. “Just don’t move until we get this neck brace on you.”

  “Please,” she whispered. “Don’t let anything happen to my baby.”

  She knew nothing more as darkness claimed her.

  * * * *

  The feeling of emptiness in the pit of Hunter’s stomach was instant. Reaching out with his mind, he tried to search for their mate.

  Abbey. His voice was soft despite the urgency he was feeling.

  “I can’t feel her, Hunter,” Clay said softly, reaching out to touch Hunter’s forearm.

  “I can’t either,” Hunter answered, looking at Clay briefly before turning to face forward to drive the patrol car.

  Abbey, honey. Are you all right?

  Silence met Clay’s words, making fear lodge in his throat. Having been alone for so many years, he was used to not having any inner calming or warmth. But the last few weeks with Abbey had changed that. He didn’t feel alone. He had her constant presence in his heart and in his mind. He always felt her warmth, her kindness, and her love. With those honest gifts that she gave him, he not only felt peace, he felt complete. With the addition of their cub, he now felt an aching love so deep, he never wanted to be without it—and yet he was. He couldn’t feel her presence or her love. He couldn’t feel the flutter of their child’s new life growing within their mate’s womb. He felt nothing but emptiness.

  “Something is wrong,” he told Hunter.

  Hunter nodded, clenching his jaw as tenseness filled his body. “Clay,” he finally whispered.

  “I know,” Clay stopped him. There was no need for Hunter to elaborate. He felt the same fear and desolation.

  * * * *

  Abbey fought through the haze, blinking against the harsh lights as she struggled back to consciousness. Her entire body ached, and her head was pounding so hard she had to fight back the nausea.

  “Welcome back to the world, Ms. Tyler,” a masculine voice broke the silence.

  Abbey opened her eyes slowly, moaning as the brightness of the room attacked her senses. “Where am I?” she croaked out.

  “You’re at Denver Memorial Hospital,” the voice answered.

  Abbey turned her head slowly and looked toward the man who stood by the side of the bed. He was an older gentleman, his hair a snowy white, with a nametag that identified him as Dr. Nelson. He held a chart in his hand that she assumed was hers.

  “You’ve been in a car accident,” he told her gently.

  “I have?” Abbey tried to muddle through her thoughts but came up empty. She just didn’t remember anything about any accident.

  “From what I understand, another car was traveling on the wrong side of the road, and you swerved your truck to avoid a collision. Unfortunately, you ended up crashing into a stone wall.”

  Abbey winced at the description of the accident. She didn’t remember it, but her body certainly felt like it had been slammed up against a wall of some kind.

  “The EMTs brought you in about an hour ago. The police ran your license and have notified your family that you’re here. They should be here shortly.”

  “My family?” she asked, confused. Something wasn’t right, but her brain was too scrambled to figure it out.

  “You’re in remarkably good shape considering the trauma you’ve been through,” Dr. Nelson added. “So far as we can tell, your pregnancy has not been compromised, but you should still take it easy and follow up with your gynecologist once you’re released.”

  Abbey’s body tightened. She covered her stomach protectively. Pressing lightly against it, she closed her eyes and sighed happily.

  “You’re sure my baby is okay?” she whispered.

  “As far as we can tell, your baby is unharmed,” he assured her. “You, on the other hand, Ms. Tyler, will be pretty sore for a few days. The bruises should fade over time.”

  Abbey nodded, taking even breaths to calm her racing heart. Hearing that her baby was safe and healthy eased her fears yet jolted her with happiness.

  “I would suggest that you remain overnight for observation,” the doctor continued.

  Abbey nodded, her eyes closing as fatigue pulled at her. She would think about his recommendation later. Right now, she just wanted to sleep.

  * * * *

  “Shelly, we have to call the Circle Three Ranch,” Synthia told her sister, pacing the living room and rubbing at her eyes tiredly. “Abbey has never missed a deadline in her life. If she said she would be here by three o’clock, you and I both know that she would have been here by two.”

  She pulled the cloth hair tie from her hair, allowing the heavy weight of her blonde hair the freedom to fall to her shoulders and hang in gentle waves to the bottom of her back. Her brown eyes were soft with worry as she turned to face her younger sister.

  Shelly tugged on her long brown hair, wrapping its length around her fist and pulling at it nervously. She agreed with her sister. Abigail Tyler was obsessively punctual and always kept her promises. If she hadn’t shown up when she had promised she would, something was definitely wrong.

  “I agree, Syn,” Shelly told her softly. “We have to do something. It’s nearly five o’clock.”

  “I’m calling,” Synthia declared, picking up her cell phone from the coffee table in front of her. She scrolled through her contacts and touched the screen to bring up the familiar phone number and connect the call. Her stomach fluttered nervously as she heard the ringing. It took only two rings before it was answered.

  “Synthia?” the familiar deep voice spoke to her.

  “Alpha, Hunter and Clay’s mate is our friend Abbey,” Synthia told him quickly, unable to keep the urgency from her voice. “Something’s wrong, Jace. She was supposed to be here nearly two hours ago to take me and Shelly back to pack land. She never showed up, and she hasn’t contacted us. Abbey would never do that.”

>   “Her mates have already contacted me,” Jace told her gently. “They haven’t been able to feel her through their bond.”

  “Alpha, we have to find her,” Synthia whispered, her voice choked as emotions filled her.

  “We will, Synthia,” Jace promised. “I want you and Shelly to come home now. You belong with our pack family.”

  Synthia was silent, looking at her sister with haunted eyes as Shelly stepped toward her and reached out to take her hand and squeeze it lightly. When Shelly nodded at her, she knew she had heard their alpha’s comments. They had no other choice. Even if Alpha Jace hadn’t told them to, they had made the decision to rejoin the pack. They had finally accepted that it was time to go home.

  “We’re on our way,” she told him softly.

  “Drive safely, Synthia,” Jace told her firmly. “I’ll expect you here by seven tonight.”

  “We’ll be there,” Synthia promised. She wished now that she had just told Abbey that they would drive to the Circle Three Ranch instead of just following her.

  Disconnecting the call, she looked at Shelly and smiled nervously. “What do you think?” she asked her.

  “I think we have to do this,” Shelly answered softly.

  “We should have told her, Shelly,” Synthia told her sister sadly. “If we had just told her, we would have just driven to the ranch ourselves and she wouldn’t be missing.”

  Shelly nodded, agreeing. “I hope Abbey will understand why we’ve kept this from her.”

  “I have no doubt that she will,” Synthia said with surety. “I just hope the pack family will be as understanding. I hope they can forgive me.”

  “They will, Syn,” Shelly told her gently. “You’re not the person you were when we were growing up. Since we’ve been away from Mom, you’ve been able to be the person you really are.”