by K. S. Martin
“It’s small but it’s clean and furnished. All that I ask is that you keep an eye on the place. I can’t afford an alarm company and if there is someone here, it will deter a break in. The place next door got robbed a few weeks ago and I am a little frightened.” Her deep brown eyes twinkled with mischief and I liked her immediately. Her name is Shirley, she’s in her fifties I would guess, and she seems genuine. She’s wearing a wedding ring but I don’t scent a male. Huh. Maybe divorced and can’t let go? Maybe she is a widow but it’s been awhile because she doesn’t seem sad. Time will tell. “What do you think?”
“How much is the rent?” I ask trying to do the math in my head that will tell me if I get to eat.
“I will tell you what, I will give you the first six months for free, but if you don’t work out in the store, you will have to go. After the first six months, we will do an evaluation and you will be up for a raise, then the rent will be two fifty a month. A girl has to eat, right?” I smile and stick my hand out. She shakes it. “No pets, except a fish if you want.” I nod. Not a problem, I don’t need another mouth to feed. “Okay then, let’s go up, and take a look. There is a stairwell here and one around the back from the outside. The same key opens both doors.” I look around the bookstore. It’s large to be an independent store. I can’t wait to dig into the shelves. I love to read. Shirley turns the closed sign around and clicks the lock then leads me up the narrow staircase. She unlocks the door at the top of the stairs then hands the key to me. After turning on the lights, she steps out of the way for me to go inside. It is small but it is so cute that I smile. The kitchen is definitely a one-butt kitchen but it has all of the essentials and a small table with two chairs. There is a red checked tablecloth covering it with a salt and peppershaker against the wall. “There are dishes, they’re mismatched, but they work.” Shirley grinned and went through to the living room. “There is one TV with basic cable.” There is a couch against the far wall covered with a quilt. A window seat overlooks the back of the building and I plan to spend some time with a book there. A recliner sits in the corner next to a bookshelf full of books. It’s quaint. Shirley is going to the bedroom. A full sized bed covered with another quilt fills most of the room but there is a dresser and a tiny closet. I don’t have many clothes with me, just what would fit in the duffle. I will find a thrift store and supplement my wardrobe. She flips a switch and I am looking into a tiny bathroom. It has a sink, toilet and shower stall, perfect. “What do you think Summer?”
“I think it’s perfect, when can I start?” Her chocolate eyes dance.
“You’ve been on the clock for twenty minutes.” She winked. “You can move your car to the lot behind the store. Your meter is running out by now.” I hurried outside and she was right, one minute left. I pulled my little red compact around the back of the store and locked it. I went inside through the back door and wove my way through the kitchenette and tall shelves from the back to the front to find Shirley. She spent the rest of the day training me on how to shelve, price the books, and work the cash register. I am already familiar with most of it since I worked in the town library in high school before going to the auto parts store for more money. I can’t help but smile every chance that I get. I’m free. I can do for myself, be myself, and take care of myself. I don’t need my father to dictate my life. This is America and I am supposed to have the right to pursue happiness. Nowhere does it say that my father has the right to use me as bait. Take that Daddy.
Chapter 3
The store closes at seven and Shirley locks the door on her way out. I am to use the back outside entrance when the store is closed. I lock my door and skip down the steps to the car. I plan to get gas while I am out, some groceries and find a thrift store in case I need anything. After filling the car, I drive to the grocery store a block over. I can walk here if I want to. It isn’t far. There is a huge thrift store next to the grocery store but it’s already closed. It is open from nine to five and I work from eleven to seven because Shirley plays bingo. Not a problem, I love to sleep in. I will come back here in the morning though before work though and look around. Taking a cart, I travel up and down the aisles with a secret smile on my face. I am really doing this. I can grocery shop for me, buy what I want and eat what I want. I pick up some turkey breast. It will make a nice meal now, and make sandwiches later. The best part of it is that dad hates turkey but he isn’t here to dictate what I buy. Ha! Once I’ve paid for my groceries I head home. Wow. Home. My home. It is my home without anyone telling me what to do!
With the groceries put away, I eat a bowl of cereal for dinner. Dad would never allow me to do that at home. A wolf needs meat. My father’s voice echoes through my brain. A wolf needs cereal loaded with sugar once in awhile too! I can’t wait to sit in that window and read in the sunshine. I study it thinking about the most comfortable position to sit and read. I clean my dishes and head for the shower.
At nine the next morning when the elderly woman opens the front doors of the thrift shop, I am there waiting. I smile and hear her growl. Shit, wolf! I didn’t scent her and that could be dangerous but not nearly as dangerous as the perfume that she is wearing. Wow.
“You don’t belong here girl.” She hisses.
“I’m new in town. I just got in yesterday. I didn’t know there was a pack in town. If you can give me your alpha’s address, I will check in with him.” She nodded.
“You go do your shopping and I will write it down dear.” That was easy enough. Now how do I convince the alpha that I come from nowhere and that nobody is looking for me? If he calls my dad and checks in, I am going to be in huge trouble. I don’t feel like shopping any more but I find a few pairs of pants and some shirts that will fit me and are in decent shape. I bring them to the counter and give her money. She gives me a card. It says Larry Miller – East View Pack and there’s a phone number. I stick it in my pocket and thank her then take the bag of clothes. I walk back to the bookstore. When am I supposed to call this alpha wolf? Perhaps I should just show up at his door. No, that’s rude. Crap. I want to be free at least for a while.
“Is something wrong Summer? You seem distracted.” Shirley was sipping some fruity smelling tea.
“I went to the thrift store this morning and the woman was kind of mean to me. I’ll get over it, I promise.” I try for an encouraging smile.
“Evelyn?” I shrug. I didn’t ask the old bitch for her name, I should have. Then I would have something to call the woman that ruined my life. “Was she as old as dirt, have blue hair, stink to high heaven, and was she as wrinkly as a paper sack?” I laugh, loudly then cover my mouth and nod. “And I suppose she growled at you?” I nod again. Where is Shirley going with this, she isn’t wolf, I would scent her. “I was married to the alpha dear. He passed nearly a year ago in a violent car crash. I know what you are so, you don’t need to hide from me.” My mouth was hanging open. “Larry Miller is in charge right now but he’s only a beta. They are looking for an alpha, you don’t know of one that is available do you? I think you may be one but a female won’t do, they’ll want a male or at least a pair.” My eyes blink hard and I can’t believe my ears. “I, um, yeah, I kind of do. He’s young, he’s never led a pack before but he’s smart and I think he could handle it with some time and patience.”
“Are you two…?” Shirley waggled her eyebrows.
“Best friends since I was two? Yes.” I smile gently. I know where she was going with that and as much as I’d like, no we two are not.
“Call him. They are desperate. It’s been a year since Mark passed. I will speak to Larry on your behalf and we will set up a meeting with your friend. What is his name? And how old is he?”
“His name is Jackson Reynolds and he was twenty-three last month.” I nibble my lip. I’ve been independent for one day and already I will have to call Jackson. I’m already looking forward to one of his bear hugs. I feel the deep hollow feeling in my chest again. It’s weird but every time that I think about Jackson I feel a
deep loss, like I’m in mourning. Shirley was dialing her cell phone and I went back to shelving the books that I didn’t finish yesterday.
“Summer? Larry would like to set up a meeting with your Jackson. Can you get him here?” My brows furrow and I sigh. I can’t help it.
“Can I be straight with you?” I ask.
“I’d hoped you already were.” That sounded like a scolding.
“Oh, I have been but this could get me into trouble.” She pulled me to one of the couches and tugged me down beside her. “I am the alpha’s daughter. Jackson is supposed to mate my sister Autumn but they don’t like each other. I love him, like a friend.” I corrected when she grinned. “Anyway, I ran off. I didn’t have permission to leave. My father wants to sell me to the highest bidder in exchange for an alliance.” Shirley looked angry. “I don’t know who I want to mate but I don’t want to be used like that. I don’t want to mate someone that I don’t know or that I probably won’t like. My other sister Kelly was and her mate made her his punching bag. My sister is the sweetest thing to grace this planet so I know that her mate is just…evil. I don’t want that for myself. Even though I am not my sister, and as alpha as I can be, I cannot overpower a male. I’m just not strong enough. When he gave Kelly away, we all figured out that Jackson and I are both alphas. Point is that if my dad finds out where I am, he is going to drag me back. I don’t know if Jackson will be able to get away without my dad knowing. I’m scared. I don’t want to go back.”
“You have the right to change packs.” She says and I scoff.
“Yeah, tell my dad that. As far as he is concerned, he has paid my way for twenty some years and he owns me.” I sigh.
“I will and no he does not.” Her brows rocketed up her forehead. I shook my head quickly.
“I didn’t mean…” Shirley laughed and squeezed my thigh.
“Call Jackson, you can use my phone.” Shirley went to the back of the store to the small kitchenette to make herself a cup of tea. I swear she drinks the stuff by the gallon.
“Hi Jackson.” I’d pushed star six seven to block the number. If this doesn’t go well, I don’t want Dad to find me.
“Where the hell are you Summer?” His voice roared at me. Uh-oh, alpha and pissed, that is a bad combo. There is a long pause and then he sighed. “Summer, don’t hang up, please tell me where you are.” His voice is softer now and he sounds different than he did at first, nicer. My guard went up.
“I’m safe. I have a job and a place to live. The place where I am needs an alpha.” I say, carefully choosing my words. I mentioned that you were available and they want to meet you. Their alpha died and they need one. Would you be interested in the job or would you rather wait around for my dad to cave and hand it over?” There now, he has an option and if he says no, I will hang up. He never needs to know where I am.
“Summer.” He takes a deep breath and I know that his eyes are closed. He is leaning against a tree because I can hear the birds and his body scratching the bark. “Where are you?”
“Yes or no Jackson?” I will not give up my new independence.
“Yes, of course yes. I miss you. Where?” He sounds so lost and my heart clenches.
“No.” I have one of those flashes of brilliance. “I will meet you and bring you here. I don’t want you to know where I am, if you don’t know, you can’t tell. I do not want to come home. I do not want him to sell me like a cow Jackson. If you can’t agree to my terms, I will tell them that you weren’t interested.”
“I won’t tell on you Summer. Jesus, I’m smarter than that, don’t you trust me? I don’t want him to do that to you either. We’ve been best friends too long for that shit. Besides, since you ran off your dad is on a rampage. It’s probably better if I don’t know. I have to get out of here before he grabs my dick and sticks it in your sister.” I gasp then giggle. “Where and when?” Shirley is lurking nearby and pointing at her watch mouthing ‘now.’
“He’s like seven hours from here. I want to meet him and bring him in blind so if it doesn’t work out he has plausible deniability.” She nods.
“Who are you talking to Summer? Who are you mixed up with?”
“My boss. Meet me at the truck stop on route nine near Bartles, how long will it take you to gather your things?”
“Twenty minutes. I will see you in five hours give or take?”
“Leave your cell at home, he’ll track it if he gets wind of you leaving, and Jackson, make sure that he doesn’t.”
“You got it babe.” The call ended. Babe? Since when does Jackson Reynolds call me babe? Weird. I am nearly giddy. I can’t wait to see him. My chest feels lighter.
I’m in Shirley’s white sedan waiting for Jackson. She thought that it would be good for me to be in a car they didn’t know if they’d followed him. I’m avoiding interested stares from truck drivers walking around. Jackson pulled in and parked in a lot off to the side. The sign said long-term parking. The truckers must use it while they are out on the road. He walks inside the store for a few minutes and I see him give the clerk money. He has a cup of coffee with him and he comes out and stands on the curb. I don’t see any other passenger vehicles around that I haven’t already identified as people that I don’t know. I roll the windows down and I see his nose twitch. He’s gaze flashes amber when he finds me. He looks around and hurries to my car then climbs in. His arms are around me in an instant and he’s crushing me against him.
“Summer.” He growls into my ear. Oh God that voice. He nips my neck. “I missed you, so much.”
“I was gone a day. Chill out. Here put this on.” I hand him the sleeping mask that Shirley gave me.
“Seriously?” I nod and he smiles. The dimples at the corners of his mouth deepen and he pulls it over his eyes. “You aren’t going to take advantage of me are you? Please?” His smile broadens. I take his coffee from him and sip it. I’m already tired and I have to drive or give up my location. I see him stiffen but I start the car and pull out of the truck stop.
“I don’t want to be found Jackson. You know if he thinks that you know he will bully it out of you.”
“I know. I will do my best to protect you, I promise. You’re dad is ape shit though. If you do go back, you are going to be beaten. He is livid. He’s asked every pack member six times about your whereabouts. He is convinced that we are all in on it. Meanwhile, Autumn let Tim claim her.” Jackson laughs, the deep hearty sexy sound fills the car and I smile while my core clenches. This has to stop. He will scent my arousal and he doesn’t want me like that. I don’t want him to know how stupid I am for wanting him. “When she stomped up to him in the middle of the playground and pulled her shirt collar aside for him to see Tim’s mark, he slapped her so hard that I think her head spun around. When her ass hit the ground, she laughed, told him that she was moving out and that she wouldn’t be his pawn either. It looked bad. I mean I’m glad that she did it but she should’ve confronted him at home, not in front of everyone.” He was solemn now. “The pack is getting restless. Your dad can’t control his own daughters so how can he control a pack. The pack is getting restless and he’s getting more out of control. Your dad needs a woman.” I made a face that he couldn’t see. Eww. “Then when Autumn told him that it was your idea, the shit hit the fan. He tore the house apart. Freddy has been sleeping in the cave in the woods because he’s scared to death. If this works out, we should bring him too.”
“At least dad hasn’t any plans to barter with Freddy’s future.” Jackson is reaching for the coffee and I hand it to him after I take another sip. I hear a growl rumble through his chest when he sips it and I wonder what it means. I’ve never heard that one before.
“How long do we have to go?” Jackson asks and I hear his cell phone chirp.
“Did you bring your phone Jackson?” I nearly wail. He digs it out of his pocket and I snatch it from him. There is a text message from his brother that dinner is ready. At least he didn’t tell anyone. I roll the window down then throw it
out. “I told you to leave it at home.”
“Sorry, I forgot.” He reaches over and squeezes my arm. “I won’t tell you that it was expensive and I need it. I screwed up, sorry, it won’t happen again. How much longer?”
“An hour. We’ll sleep at my place tonight then you’ll meet Larry first thing tomorrow. If you’re staying fine, if not I will return you to the truck stop and what you do then is up to you.”
“And if I’m staying you are taking me back to get my damn truck.” I laugh. His truck is his baby. It was his grandpa’s and willed to him. Jackson spends most of his weekends working on it or rubbing it with a diaper.
“Okay yeah, I can do that.” I adjusted my grip on the steering wheel.
“Damn right.” He crossed his arms over his chest and I shook my head at his tough act in Shirley’s pink sleep mask.
***
“So this is it.” I turned the light on and let him into the living room. The kitchen is through there, the bedroom just there and the bathroom is in the bedroom.
“So this is it then. This is tiny Summer. How do you breathe in here?” He carried his backpack into the bedroom and tossed it on the bed.
“Well I suck air in and blow it out. It’s clean, it’s free, and it was furnished. My boss owns the building and she took pity on me. All I have to do is be home most nights to deter burglars.” He nodded and went to the fridge grabbing the orange juice. I hand him a cup, which he filled and offered to me. I shook my head and he downed it in one gulp. “I’m exhausted. If you want to watch TV in the living room, it has basic cable but I’m going to bed after I shower.” He nodded.