After a moment of silence, they could hear footsteps coming closer to the door. Suddenly, it was opened wide and a woman with dark brown hair and welcoming brown eyes stood there smiling at them.
“Hi,” she greeted them warmly. “May I help you?”
Synthia smiled softly, shoring up her courage. “We’d like to speak with Alpha Beckett and Beta Scott if we could, please.”
“Sure, come on in,” she said, stepping back and welcoming them inside. “I’m Laurie. Jace and Jackson are my mates.”
Synthia and Shelly exchanged surprised looks. Synthia silently chastised herself. They really shouldn’t have been so surprised, though. They had been away from Beckett’s pack for many years. Of course there would be many changes—including the mating of their alpha and beta. She was happy for them. A pang of sadness did slice through her, though, as she realized she had very little hope of ever being a part of a mated triad. No one in this pack was meant for her.
They followed Laurie through the kitchen and down the hallway that led to Jace and Jackson’s office. Shelly started to tremble as she remembered the last time she had been in that office. She had gone to ask for protection from her mother, and both Jace and Jackson had seen to her safety and had helped her leave pack land so she could join Synthia in Denver and stay with her until they both finished college. She didn’t know what she would have done without their help and protection.
You’re forbidden to mate with anyone, Shelly. Only Synthia will be allowed to mate. You are not smart enough or beautiful enough to attract a strong triad partnership. Your sister will be the one who will give our family power. You are nothing compared to her.
She could still hear the cruel words of her mother as she berated her echoing through her mind. She would never blame Synthia for their mother’s words. Synthia had been just as abused and had been forced to act in ways her nature rebelled against. But they both had to do what they had to in order to survive their mother until they were old enough and strong enough to leave. Thanks to their alpha and beta, they had been able to escape without their mother’s knowledge. It was the only way to leave without having her release her anger and craziness on them.
Synthia reached out and touched Shelly’s shoulders. She could feel her sister trembling and knew she had to be reliving every moment of cruelty and abuse they had received before they’d finally approached Jace and Jackson for help. When they’d finally drummed up the courage to speak to them, the ruling alpha and beta had protected them. They were both good men, and she hoped they would allow them to come back to the pack.
Laurie knocked lightly on the office door, opening it as soon as she heard Jace’s deep voice call out for her to enter. She stepped inside, indicating that the women should follow her.
Synthia couldn’t help but smile as Jace and Jackson immediately enveloped Laurie within their arms. It was obvious that they loved their mate deeply.
“Synthia, Shelly, it’s about time you got here,” Jace chastised them lightly, releasing Laurie and stepping toward the two women. He opened his arms and waited until they stepped into his embrace. “You’re finally home where you belong.”
The instant growls from behind them made them all turn in surprise. Simon, Warren, Max, and Eli stood there with intense expressions on their faces. Each man’s eyes were completely golden, their canines had dropped, and matching growls were erupting from them.
“Keep yourselves under control, enforcers,” Jace told them as he stepped away from the women and walked over to the men. His voice was firm as he pierced them with his gaze. Extending the power he held as alpha of their pack, he helped them to control their wolves. At the same time, he smiled gently, knowing his newest members of his pack family had just found their mates.
Simon made a conscious effort to push down his wolf, stepped forward, and stood beside Synthia. He nodded his head as he reached out to touch her, pulling his scarred hand back as soon as he realized what he was about to do. He lowered his hazel eyes flecked with brown and stepped back, scrubbing at his military cut white hair as he fought to get himself under control. The sadness in his eyes was unable to hide, though.
“I am sorry,” he told her softly.
Warren stood on Synthia’s other side and breathed in deeply, growling possessively as their mate’s scent filled him. Reaching out, he touched her cheek lightly, cringing as he saw the scars on his hands and arms, realizing immediately that he was not worthy of this beautiful woman. Running his index finger down her cheek and touching her bottom lip lightly, his eyes reverted back to his natural blue color. Pushing down his wolf, he accepted the strength of their new alpha to help in controlling himself. Scrubbing his hands over his brown hair that was liberally sprinkled with white from his years touching and dealing with silver in their previous pack, he was sadly reminded that he should never touch a woman, let alone mate with one. He stepped back and bowed slightly. His chest ached with the realization that he could never subject this adorable woman with soft, brown eyes and long, blonde hair to a life with him.
Synthia’s eyes widened in surprise before filling with fear. She felt the compulsion to lean in toward these men as their scents surrounded her. Anxiety filled her as she looked from one man to the other, sensing their sadness and seeing the pain and anger in their eyes. She had a need to help ease their hurts, but she couldn’t. They shouldn’t pin their hopes on a happy future with her. She had too many things she still had to make right.
Eli and Max stepped toward Shelly making her shrink back in fear as they attempted to take her within their embrace. Turning to Jace and Jackson, she implored them with her eyes to help her. Jace stepped between her and the men whose scent filled her with hope, and she was relieved when her alpha prevented them from touching her.
“Alpha, have you heard from Hunter and Clay?” Synthia spoke up, turning away from the men whose sad eyes made her heart hurt.
“Yes, Synthia,” Jace told her, reaching out and touching her shoulder gently, glaring at Simon and Warren when their growls filled the room. “Abbey has been in a car accident. Hunter and Clay are on their way to get her now. You and Shelly will stay with us until you decide where you would like to live on pack land.” He turned to face the four men. “You will keep yourselves under control. These women are under my protection. You may only approach them when they have given you permission, and only then after you seek my guidance first.”
The four men nodded briefly, never taking their eyes off of the two women they knew were meant to be theirs. Stepping back, they looked away and pushed down their wolves. They had a job to do and they were going to do it to the best of their abilities. This pack needed to be protected, and they were going to make sure that their skills helped in keeping every member safe—especially their newfound mates.
* * * *
Abbey walked between her men as they entered the kitchen of the pack home. She wasn’t surprised to see everyone there waiting for them. In the short time that she had been a part of this family, she realized that their love and concern for every pack member was deep. She was immediately surrounded and given gentle hugs. She leaned into each one, accepting the care and love from everyone.
“Abbey, we’re all glad you’re home,” Jace told her, his deep voice filling the room as everyone quieted, waiting for him to have his say.
“But I’m in trouble,” Abbey added for him.
“You took a great risk in leaving pack land without the necessary protection, Abbey,” Jace agreed. “That will never happen again.”
Abbey couldn’t stop the blush that raced up her neck and covered her cheeks. “I promise,” she told him sincerely.
“It’s for your safety, and the safety of your children, Abbey,” Jace told her gently.
Abbey nodded. “I know. I’m sorry.”
Jace looked at her silently, satisfied when he saw that she truly did understand the magnitude of what he was telling her. He nodded and looked at Hunter and Clay, seeing their worry. He co
uld feel their pain.
“There are two more people who were very worried by your disappearance,” he told her finally. “They are members of our pack who haven’t been home for a long time.”
Abbey’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Who?”
Jace turned his head to indicate to Jackson to bring the two women forward. Abbey followed his gaze and was shocked to see Synthia and Shelly walking toward her.
She rushed to them, grabbing them both in her arms and hugging them tightly. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she whispered against their faces. “Wait. Jace said you were members of this pack?” She pulled back and looked at them in confusion.
Synthia blushed, nodding and facing her without hesitation. “Yes, Abbey. This is the pack that Shelly and I grew up in,” she told her softly. “Our mom made it nearly impossible for us to stay here, so we left and made a new life for ourselves.”
“That’s why you never talked about your childhood?” Abbey asked, completely understanding why the women had protected the knowledge of the existence of the shifter world. No wonder the beautiful lady had told her she could trust them with what had been revealed to her about Hunter, Clay, and the wolf pack she would be a part of.
“Sorry, Abbey,” Synthia offered.
“Don’t apologize,” Abbey stopped her. “I know how important it is to protect this secret. Is your mother still here?”
Both women’s expressions hardened immediately. Abbey could feel the tension that filled them and stepped back to look at them with an objective eye, concerned when she saw how their expressions suddenly became closed off.
“Our mother has been banished from this pack,” Shelly told her finally.
Abbey looked at Jace in shock. “You banished their mother?” she asked him, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jace nodded once, reaching out and pulling Laurie into his arms. Jackson stood beside them, wrapping his arms around their mate and resting his hand protectively on her belly.
“Their mother tried to poison our mate,” Jace explained without apology. “Banishment was the punishment.”
“Vera is your mother?” Laurie asked, complete shock on her face as she looked at the two women.
Synthia and Shelly nodded, lowering their heads and baring their necks in deference to the alpha mate. They were ready to accept the fate that would be dealt to them. They had talked about it often. Their mother had been a cruel woman. She had pushed Jace and Jackson beyond what any alpha and beta could be expected to tolerate. Threatening their mate was the ultimate betrayal. Both women knew that they deserved whatever sentence their alpha and beta decided on.
“We accept whatever punishment you deem acceptable for our mother’s cruelty, Alpha,” Synthia told Laurie softly.
Growls filled the kitchen as four huge men stepped forward and pulled Synthia and Shelly behind them so that they formed a wall of protection in front of both women. Abbey gasped at the sight then smiled as she realized what was happening.
“You will not harm these women,” Simon spoke up, standing beside Warren as they pushed Synthia behind them.
“We request that you allow us to take their punishment instead,” Max insisted, standing beside Eli and pushing a struggling Shelly behind them when she tried to step away from them.
“Just a minute,” Laurie spoke up, silencing the men. “I am certainly not going to punish these women for something their mother did.” She smiled softly at the women as they tried to peek around the massive bodies of the men who were determined to protect them. “Do you both plan on staying and being productive members of our pack family?”
“Yes, Alpha,” Synthia answered without hesitation.
“Absolutely,” Shelly added, lowering her head in deference.
“There is nothing more important to me than the safety of my family. Do you hold any ill will toward this pack, me, my mates, or my children?” Laurie asked.
“None,” Synthia told her with complete sincerity.
Laurie turned to face her mates. “I believe them,” she told them softly, trusting her intuition.
Jace smiled down at her before kissing her forehead lightly. “You’re a good alpha,” he whispered.
“I agree,” Jackson told them, winking at their mate before hugging her tightly against his body.
“Neither of you is responsible for your mother’s crime,” Jace told Synthia and Shelly, nodding at the men who stood protectively in front them. “There is nothing for you to feel guilty about. You’re part of our pack family, and we pledge our protection to you.”
Both women pushed out from between the wall of men who were determined to keep them behind them, pushing at their hands and stepping toward the ruling triad. They bowed their heads, waiting. When Jace reached out and placed his hand on the back of their necks and squeezed lightly, they couldn’t help but feel as if everything was finally right in their lives.
They turned and faced Abbey, smiling. Before they could say a word, the four men who had suddenly become their guards reached out and pulled them toward them until they were successfully sandwiched between them.
Abbey smiled, squeezing Hunter’s and Clay’s hands as her best friends were placed between the large men. They looked good with the men who stood beside them with stoic expressions on their faces. It would only be a matter of time before Shelly and Synthia would be claimed and each would be part of a destined triad—and Abbey couldn’t be happier about it.
* * * *
Abbey leaned against the wall of the pool and looked at the women who were enjoying what would probably be the last swim of the year. It was nearing the end of September and the weather was getting too brisk to keep the pool open for much longer. If it wasn’t for the fact that the water was heated to a comfortable temperature, they wouldn’t be able to enjoy the afternoon of swimming and visiting.
Every one of the local ruling triads was in attendance today. Abbey was glad that the packs were combining their efforts in keeping them all safe. Randall’s pack members had been allowed entrance into the many packs and were flourishing under the fairness of their new alphas. Only a few of the members that Simon, Warren, Eli, and Maxwell had warned the alphas about were not accepted—and for good reason. Those men still posed a definite threat to the safety of all of them. Hunter and Clay suspected that it was a good possibility that those men had joined forces with Alpha Hayward—something that concerned Jace and Jackson as well as the other alphas and betas of the allied packs.
The men of those packs were at the family lodge. A monthly meeting time had been scheduled so that all packs could be informed of any problems or threats from other packs. The women had taken the time to relax poolside. Looking around the pool and seeing the joy on the women’s faces, Abbey couldn’t be happier. She couldn’t help but smile as she realized that most of the women there were in the advanced stages of their pregnancies.
Touching her belly lightly, she sent warmth and love to her mates, smiling when they responded in kind. Abbey was glad that her men had finally figured out a way for her to feel their presence while they were at work, yet they were able to shield her from the sometimes gruesome details of their job.
Eric’s squeal of laughter drew Abbey’s attention. He was pouring water over his head with the tiny, red plastic pail. Julia’s daughter Tammy was giggling uncontrollably beside him. Watching them, she couldn’t help but think about her own baby playing in this pool and enjoying the beauty of the yard and garden that her men had created for her.
Suzie, Meeka, and Julia sat beside the children, making sure they were safe. Synthia and Shelly were in the water on either side of her, looking more relaxed and contented than Abbey had ever seen them. Laurie and Martha lounged on the chairs beside the pool. Abbey smiled as she saw how they constantly watched over everyone. The two of them were loving mother figures for all of them. Abbey was comforted by their presence and knew the rest of the pack felt the same way.
Abbey, how are you feeling, sweetheart?
>
Hunter’s deep voice filled her mind as his love wrapped around her in a white ribbon of warmth. How each man knew just when she felt as if she needed to hear from them, she had no idea, but she was eternally thankful that they did.
I’m feeling good. Very relaxed.
Are you enjoying your afternoon at the pool, honey? Clay asked her gently.
Yes, Clay.
Good. We want you rested for when we come home, Hunter told her.
Why is that?
Because we’re going to keep you in bed and make love to you for the rest of the day and well into the night, Clay promised.
Abbey laughed softly, pushing love and happiness to them through their bond. She loved the responding growls of desire that they sent her.
She was just about to whisper how much she loved them when she heard the sound of something that chilled her down to her very soul. Gunfire.
Mates!
She called out to them in a panic. But she heard nothing in return.
Abbey, tell Jace there are about thirty men at the north entrance to the ranch, Hunter’s deep voice called to her quickly. It looks like Alpha Hayward’s men, but I recognize some of the enforcers from Randall’s pack, too.
“Hunter said to tell Jace that there are about thirty men at the north entrance to the ranch. Some of them are from Alpha Hayward’s pack and some are from Randall’s,” Abbey yelled out to the women who surrounded her. “Tell your mates!”
The women didn’t hesitate. Abbey’s warning was not something they would ever question. Pulling themselves out of the water, they ran toward the family lodge, each woman thankful for the mating bond so they could tell their mates instantly of the danger.
Abbey sent a quick prayer to the beautiful lady to help them warn their men in time and keep them safe.
* * * *
Clay walked into their home about an hour later and found himself with an armful of loving woman. He couldn’t help but laugh as Abbey practically climbed his body. He reached down and grabbed her sweet behind and pulled her up so that she was able to wrap her legs around his waist.
Abbey's Protectors [Beckett's Wolf Pack, Triad Mates 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) Page 40