Forbidden Secrets (Lee County Wolves Series) Book #5

by Teresa Gabelman

  “How did he even know there was a journal?” Sloan asked as everyone else listened closely.

  Malcolm also looked toward Leda with a sad smile. “Leda’s mother taunted him at the very end of her life.” Malcolm got a faraway look in his eyes, and Taz wondered if the man had lost a little bit of his mind somewhere. “She told him about the journal and that one day what he had done would come back to haunt him. He had us all looking for the damn thing, but I knew exactly where it was because my mother told me. It’s been untouched since the day Jewel hid it, taped to her dresser mirror.

  “Where is it now?” That came from Katrina, who stood with Blaze’s arm wrapped around her.

  “Leda has it.” Taz nodded her way.

  “Where it belongs,” Katrina added before kissing Blaze on the cheek and walking toward Leda and Jamie.

  Devon jogged over just as Katrina left. “Hey, Jamie is asking if anyone saw that guy Minor.” Devon glanced around.

  “I searched but didn’t see him among the others.” Malcolm frowned.

  “He the one who came out on the porch first?” Blaze asked, his arms crossed over his chest. When Malcolm nodded, Blaze shook his head. “I don’t remember seeing him after everything went down.”

  “If he got away, I can guarantee you Allen knows what went down.” Malcolm looked around at all of them. “And it won’t be long before he responds.”

  Unsurprised, Taz had figured it wouldn’t be long anyway since Leda had pretty much left her calling card. He hadn’t liked what she’d done, only because it put a bigger target on her; then again, she did have a fifty-thousand-dollar bounty on her head. Jesus, just the thought had him sweating. It was a lot of money.

  “Did he just keep the bounty among his men?” Taz asked, hoping the answer was yes.

  “Yeah, because he could control it,” Malcolm replied, then nodded toward where Sam was, who’d just run past. “He didn’t want a chance of Sam getting hurt and knew they were together. He could order his men what to do, but anyone not loyal to him wouldn’t care if a little kid got killed in the process of a big payday.”

  “So no one in the pack knows about Sam?” Taz continued to question, not caring how long it took.

  “No,” Malcolm replied, then frowned. “In his own strange way, I think he wanted to have a father/son relationship with him. Then again, I don’t really know. Allen had no clue that I knew as much as I did. I pledged my loyalty to him only because of the promise I made to my mom. I never thought one of his bastards would take my sister and make her his whore.”

  Devon sneered as he glanced at Malcolm. “Watch how you talk about Jamie.”

  “Don’t tell me how to talk about my sister. Who the fuck are you, anyway?” Malcolm growled, taking a step toward Devon. “I’m not calling her a whore, asshole. I’m stating facts. He made my sister his fucking whore.”

  “Okay, guys!” Dell stepped between them. “We can’t afford to fight with each other.”

  “I have no loyalty to that bastard.” Malcolm glanced at Dell, then stared at Taz. “I will make up for my moment of weakness where my sister was concerned. It won’t happen again.”

  Taz’s eyes traveled to Adam, who gave him a nod. “Truth.”

  John Biel and a few other men walked up. “Excuse me,” he said, looking a little uncomfortable. “We just wanted to let you know that we’re more than willing to stand with you when the time comes. We should have done that tonight, but it’s been a while since we had anyone on our side.”

  Taz really felt for the man and was damn proud to be part of the Lee County wolves when Dell slapped the man on the back. “We all need help sometimes.” Dell glanced at the other men with respect. “We start training first thing tomorrow, and I expect every man who is able-bodied to be there, as well as any women.”

  Reaching out his hand, John shook Dell’s. “You can count on us.” The rest of the men shook Dell’s hand as well. Before John walked off, he stopped. “Did she really burn down the main house?”

  “She did,” Taz answered, wondering how this was going to be taken by the other pack members.

  John cleared his throat. “Good.” His voice was full of emotion. “That house belonged to our true alpha. I hate that she had to do it, since she grew up in that house, but it needed to be done. Except….” Fear clouded the man’s eyes.

  “Except?” Dell frowned.

  “Allen will never let that rest.” He glanced at Taz, then away quickly. “He’ll be out for blood. Her blood.”

  The men watched John walk away, no one saying a word until Sloan broke the silence. “I can keep a few of my Warriors here,” he offered Dell. “They can help you train some of the new men but also be here when shit hits, and from the sounds of it, you don’t have long before that happens.”

  “I’d appreciate that.” Dell wasn’t a stupid man, and Garrett was nodding his approval as well. Even though Dell had taken over as alpha, Garrett was still there giving counsel, ensuring there was strength and support given. It helped make their pack strong. “Unfortunately, we have no idea how many he’s going to come at us with.”

  “He’ll come with as many as he can round up,” Malcolm added, shifting nervously. “This is going to send him over the edge.”

  “Good,” Taz sneered. “I hope he hurries the fuck up.”

  “I like him,” he heard Sid say as he walked away toward Leda.

  It was time she ate something.

  Leda sat with Jamie, her mind going a mile a minute. She truly couldn’t believe that she was sitting across from one of her best friends, and her old pack was actually here in Beattyville. Excitement, fear, and anxiety swarmed her senses, making her fidgety.

  “It’s going to be okay.” Jamie was watching her closely. “I know what you’re thinking.”

  “Oh, you do?” Leda gave her a lopsided grin. “Oh, amazing Jamie, what am I thinking?”

  “That you made a mistake. You shouldn’t have upset what we had.” Jamie snorted as Leda’s grin faded. “Told ya. I can still read you. Time hasn’t changed that.”

  “I wanted to take care of this without involving anyone,” Leda replied, then waved as Sam ran by with Pepper nipping at his butt.

  “God, he’s so damn cute.” Jamie laughed, then turned serious as she looked around them. “It’s been a long time since I saw Mrs. Watkins laugh and look healthy. Will you look at Mr. Watkins staring at his wife like a horny teenager? And Mason Jenson is walking a little taller with pride, not with slumped shoulders and fear. Then there’s John Biel, who couldn’t look anyone in the eye before, yet he walked straight toward vampire warriors and one of the baddest packs around to talk to them.”

  Leda’s eyes followed Jamie’s words as she observed what her friend spoke of.

  “You did this, Leda.” Jamie reached over and grabbed her arm, giving it a squeeze. “You. Did. This.”

  “But what if—” Leda started, but Jamie wouldn’t let her finish.

  “What if you never showed up? Hmm?” Jamie let go of her arm. “Let’s talk about that, shall we, and take that bastard Allen—no, I will not call him my alpha because I never did—out of the equation. We would all be hiding in our homes with our lights out, praying no one knocked on our door. Going about our day-to-day business, afraid to make the wrong move and be reported to him by one of his assholes. We lived in fear every minute of every day since your father was murdered, until today.”

  “Why didn’t you run?” Leda turned back toward Jamie. “Others did, but you and Malcolm stayed.”

  “We couldn’t leave our mom.” Jamie smiled sadly. “The night everything happened, many of the younger ones scattered, never to be seen again, some even leaving their families with their blessing. Some stayed for different reasons, but every single one of them, both here and gone, mourned losing not only your mother and father but you and Sam.”

  “I just don’t understand any of this, why it happened.” Leda sighed, so tired her body and brain hurt.

  �
�None of us understand, but it did happen, and I’m pregnant by a bastard I hope is dead.” Jamie rubbed her bulging stomach. “None of that matters at the moment because we’re free. You did the right thing, Leda, and I, for one, thank you for giving me and this little person a fighting chance.”

  “Oh, that reminds me!” Leda stood and started searching the crowd. She turned to take off but ran into something very hard. “Ouch.”

  “Whoa.” Taz steadied her with one hand while his other held a plate of food. “Where you going? I got you a plate.”

  “I have to find Slade.” She wrinkled her nose at the food. “And I’m not hungry.”

  “Are you hurt?” He frowned at her mention of needing Slade. “And you need to eat something.”

  “No, I’m not hurt, but I want him to see Jamie. She hasn’t seen a doctor yet.” Leda saw Jill and yelled out. “Hey, Jill.”

  “Oh, is the doctor that good-looking son of a gun.” Jamie wiggled her eyebrows.

  Jill came up just in time to hear Jamie. “Yes, ma’am.” Jill grinned, then leaned down, whispering but loud enough that Taz and Leda could hear her. “He is yummy but can be a real grouch if you’re his mate, which I am. Though he treats his patients like kings and queens.”

  Jamie laughed. “I’m Jamie.” She shook Jill’s hand. “And sorry. I swear I wasn’t trying to pick up your man.”

  “Honey, all the women do.” Jill winked at her. “But I’m a confident woman who will kick his ass if he even looks twice at a female.”

  “I like you.” Jamie chuckled with a large grin.

  “She hasn’t seen a doctor yet,” Leda explained as she sat back down. “Do you think Slade could help out?”

  “How far along are you?” Jill frowned, glancing at her large stomach.

  “Seven months, or at least close to that.” Jamie sighed. “But the way I feel it seems about twelve months or longer.”

  “I’ll go get him.” Jill turned serious as she patted Jamie on the shoulder. “We’ll get you and that little one taken care of.”

  Taz set the plate in front of Leda. “Eat.” He sat next to her. “Or I’m telling Slade when he comes over here.”

  “I don’t care.” She shrugged, poking at the food with her fork. “Tell him.”

  Taz frowned, and then a large grin spread across his face. “Okay, I’ll tell Steve.”

  “Ugh.” Leda stabbed a piece of macaroni and put it in her mouth. Steve would drive her nuts until she ate. “That was a low blow, Taz.”

  “I know.” He chuckled, putting his arm around her. “At least I found some use for the dumbass.”

  “Be nice.” Leda kissed his cheek, then caught Jamie grinning at them.

  “You guys are too cute.” Jamie sighed, batting her eyelashes.

  “Shut up.” Leda tossed macaroni at her, but couldn’t stop smiling while Taz pulled her close to him. Maybe, just maybe, things were going to be okay.

  But deep inside she knew better.

  Chapter 18

  Leda lay in bed thinking of the past few hours. After Slade took Jamie up to Garrett’s with Jill, Leda helped Ross and Janna clean up. More women jumped in to help, so it took them no time. Darla McClain was there, giving her dirty looks, but Leda was so over the high school drama. She wasn’t in high school, and in the last twenty-four hours, she had grown way past Darla’s maturity level, which made ignoring her so much easier.

  She tossed and turned, her mind unable to settle. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw her house burning. She attempted to read her mother’s journal but quickly put it aside, not ready yet. Everything was still too fresh, especially her worry for Sam that had tripled after seeing him. It was all too much.

  Aggravated, she whipped the covers off and got out of bed, her mind going to Taz. She wanted to see him. Not knowing where he was, she quietly slipped out of her room and down the hall, only to have Garrett open their bedroom door.

  “You okay?” he whispered, his eyes assessing her as a father would.

  “Fine,” she whispered over her shoulder. “Can’t sleep.”

  Garrett nodded his understanding, then closed the door, allowing her to continue. After walking into the kitchen, she grabbed a glass of water.

  “You okay?” Hunter’s voice asked from behind her, making her choke on her water.

  “You scared the crap out of me.” She glanced in the living room to see Emily snuggled on the couch. “Go home and get some rest. She looks so uncomfortable.”

  “Let me worry about my woman, woman.” Hunter smirked, leaning against the doorframe. “I’m damn proud of you, Leda.”

  “For what?” She wrinkled her nose. “Possibly bringing a madman onto your land set on revenge?”

  He shrugged. “I’m always up for a fight.” He straightened as his face turned serious. “Don’t sell yourself short, kid. You were kickass today and gained the respect of many people. That’s exactly what the daughter of a well-respected alpha would do.”

  Hunter disappeared back into the living room, allowing Leda to consider his words, the asshole. A smile played at the corner of her mouth as she shook her head.

  She walked out the back door since she couldn’t go out the front with Emily sleeping in the living room. Once outside, she sat on the steps and looked toward the woods. She loved this time of night. It was so quiet, and her keen hearing could pick up all the nocturnal animals out and about, carrying on with their business.

  A noise behind her sent her head snapping that way. Taz in his wolf form stood staring at her. He was beautiful and huge.

  With a smile, she welcomed him with her arm outstretched. She had seen him in wolf form many times, and every time, he took her breath away. He stalked toward her as if she was prey, his eyes piercing into hers, asking her an unspoken question.

  “I’m fine,” she whispered as he stood towering over her. She leaned her head into his fur as her hand buried itself into the softness. “Can’t sleep.”

  “You need your rest.” His voice echoed in her mind.

  Glancing back toward the woods, her wolf grew restless. “No, what I need to do is run.” She stood, jumping off the back porch. She looked back over her shoulder with a smile at Taz.

  “Leda!” The warning in his voice didn’t faze her.

  She hadn’t shifted since before she’d left, and even though that was only a few weeks ago, it felt like a lifetime for her. She needed this. With a chuckle, she took off, shifting in midrun. Taz was much faster than her and was beside her within seconds. He nipped at her flank as he passed. She urged herself faster, doing the same to him.

  Leda let him take the lead. She didn’t care where they went, as long as it was in the woods. In all honesty, in her heart, she knew she would follow this man anywhere. As they leaped over fallen trees, the mud kicking up from their paws, their breath fogged the air as they ran. She loved this, loved her life, and decided right then and there that she was going to live it to the fullest. No matter what came her way, she had a support system that was unshakable.

  Losing track of time when in her wolf form was easy for her to do. Actually, it had gotten her in a little bit of trouble in the past. After what seemed like hours, Taz stopped on a cliff overlooking the gorge. Leda stood next to him, both of them shaking out their fur after their run. Giving him a sideways look, she was in awe at the masculinity as he stared out over the land. She felt safe, but more importantly, she felt loved.

  Pulling her eyes away from him, she glanced toward the sky. The stars were so close it felt like she could actually reach out and grab one.

  Feeling his eyes on her, Leda dropped her head, looking at him in a submissive stance. Slowly, she moved her head, rubbing it along his. Desire shot through her, and she trembled as a low whine escaped her. She wanted him. With no doubts whatsoever in her mind, she wanted him, all of him.

  Without hesitation, she shifted and stood before his wolf fully naked. They had seen each other as such many times, as it was their way. But now she d
idn’t try to hide anything from him. She stood bare for his eyes only. His wolf gaze roamed her body as a low growl rumbled in his chest. The wolf took a step toward her but stopped. Their eyes locked as Taz shifted into human form. Just as his wolf had towered over her, so did the man. He was so close she could feel his heat, and it immediately set her soul on fire.

  “Beautiful.” His voice was a rough whisper, caressing her skin. Heat unfurled inside her, and she’d never felt more beautiful than that moment under his gaze.

  Her eyes roamed over him as she stood before him. When her needy gaze stopped on his cock, her breath caught. He was hard and ready for her. She wanted to learn every single thing about this man who held her heart.

  “You know everything there is to know about me.” Her eyes rose to his. “And I have only recently learned your last name.”

  “There isn’t much to know,” Taz responded, his body still as stone. She wondered if he was having a hard time reining himself in like she was. She wanted nothing more than to pounce and to make him hers. But she held strong.

  “I don’t believe that.” Leda shook her head with a smile. “I think there’s a lot to learn about the man you are, and I want to know it all. The good, the bad, the women…,” she teased, earning a frown from him.

  “There are no women.” His eyes narrowed. “Only you.”

  She gave him a “yeah right” look, but let it go. Tilting her head, she stared up at him. “I want to know the man I’m giving myself to.” She reached out, placing her hand over his heart. His skin was warm to the touch; his heart beating against her hand made her feel more alive. “I think that’s only fair.”

  “My mother was a beautiful Irish woman who had a pure soul incomparable to anyone I have ever met.” Taz’s gaze never left hers.

  “What was her name?”

  “Aileen,” he responded with a softness she had never heard in his voice before. “I miss her to this day.”

  “I’m sorry.” Her hand moved from his chest, up his neck, cupping his jaw.