Protecting the Pack

by Tabitha Conall

  “‘Bout time.” He lay down on top of her and pressed his lips to hers.

  Her stomach turned over, her throat clenching. She shoved him off of her and ran for the bathroom, barely reaching the toilet before she threw up.

  “Fuck!” Brett screamed. He came over to stand in the doorway behind her. “Are you sick or something? Or did you eat something bad?”

  Still leaning over the bowl, her eyes closed, she didn’t answer. She knew why she’d thrown up. And she suddenly knew he wouldn’t like it.

  What would he do if he knew she had mates? Or that all it took to make her hurl was for him to touch her? That’s what happened when you mated. You couldn’t stand the touch of another.

  He’d hate her. He loved sex. If she couldn’t give him sex…she couldn’t even finish the thought. She just knew she needed to keep this secret, at least long enough to figure out how to handle it.

  “Sick,” she said. “Happened earlier tonight, too.” She stood and went to the sink to wash her mouth out.

  “Is that why you left the party early? Keith said you suddenly freaked and ran out.”

  “Yeah, that was why. After I puked, I came home.” The lie came so easily. Maybe because she knew the truth would go down so hard.

  “He said you looked nice, though. Sexy. Good job.”

  She couldn’t even enjoy his praise, because her stomach rolled when she even thought about looking at him.

  “Well, if you’re sick, I guess you don’t want to fuck.”

  “Yeah. Sorry.”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He walked out of her room.

  What was she supposed to do now? She loved Brett. Didn’t she? Loved him, but couldn’t stand his touch. All the while craving two men she barely knew.

  ***

  Ben woke, aware of someone else in his bed. By the time he opened his eyes, he remembered. Chris. Alex. The amazing night he’d had, and the despair that tinged it.

  Chris lay facing him, still asleep. He looked angry, or frustrated, his brow drawn down so furrows emerged between his eyes.

  He must be dreaming about Alex—and not in a good way. If there was one thing the morning had brought to Ben, it was a calmness. He had heard Chris the night before, even if it hadn’t seemed to get through. And Chris was right. They’d get her. They just had to be patient.

  Ben put his thumb between Chris’ eyes to gently smooth out the worry. It seemed to work; Chris resettled his body, his face easing into a small smile.

  Now he must be dreaming about Alex and Ben in a good way.

  Ben crawled out of bed and hit the showers. Several minutes later, he pulled open the curtain to see Chris walking into the bathroom, buck naked.

  Chris’ eyes traveled over Ben’s body appreciatively. “I didn’t get to take a good look last night.”

  Ben felt a little weird standing on display; none of his girlfriends had ever wanted to look like this. But he couldn’t complain. He wanted to look just as bad.

  It had been obvious, even with his clothes on, that Chris had muscles like nobody’s business. Naked and in the light, Ben could see every beautiful cut. Werewolves had muscles without trying, but they didn’t look like that. His pecs, his abs, his biceps. He must spend hours in the gym.

  “Nice,” Chris said.

  “What, me? Nah…” Ben pointed up and down Chris’ body. “That’s nice.”

  “You like?” Chris got a glint in his eye. He lifted his arms into a stereotypical bodybuilder pose, showing off his guns. His fists twisted in then out.

  Ben laughed. “Yeah, I like.” He stepped out of the bathtub. “How much time does it take to get muscles like that?”

  The two men stepped up in front of the mirror. Chris grabbed Ben’s toothpaste and squeezed some onto his finger. “Not as much as you’d think.” He shoved his finger in his mouth and started vigorously brushing.

  “Can you show me?” Ben said.

  Chris smiled around his hand and nodded.

  This is what he’d wanted. The sex was great, but more than that—he’d wanted a mate who’d be his best buddy. And maybe he’d gotten just that.

  After Chris finished brushing his teeth, he said, “I have a meeting this morning. Pack business. I’d like you to be there.”

  Ben continued to shave. “I’m not pack.”

  “Yeah, I wanted to talk to you about that, too. The whole trial period is ridiculous at this point. You’re in.”

  Ben grinned. “Is that what a night of awesome sex gets me?”

  “Yep, that’s all it took.” Chris ran his hand up Ben’s back then gripped his shoulder. “And there’s nothing I’d like better than to jump back in bed with you.”

  “But?”

  “But, this meeting.” Chris then gave Ben the rundown on everything that had been going on, all the reasons he’d wanted that trial period in the first place. “I think Alex is in the middle of it. After last night, I’m positive. When she first approached me, she mentioned a guy…but she made it sound like they weren’t together anymore. She was lying. And I want to know why.”

  “We need to find her. I just don’t know how.” Ben finished shaving and wiped the excess shaving cream off his face and neck.

  “She knows Keith, one of my pack members. We might have to squeeze him, but he can tell us. After last night, I doubt she’ll come back to the bar on her own. Only problem is, I was hoping not to tip Keith off that we knew something was up.”

  Ben met Chris’ gaze in the mirror. “So manipulate him. When she doesn’t show tonight, ask him where she is. Say she’s going to screw up her trial period if she doesn’t show. He’ll either get her down there or we’ll know he knows something’s going on and then we can squeeze him.”

  Chris smiled, first one corner of his mouth then the other. “I like the way you think. Let’s do it.” He leaned in and kissed Ben, long and hard. By the time he pulled back, they were both breathing heavy. “Gotta get going.”

  Ben groaned. All he wanted to do was go back to bed with Chris. “There should be some sort of dispensation for wolves who’ve just found their mates.”

  “Usually, mates get a lot of leeway.” Chris leaned into him. “But you’re mated to the pack Alpha. No leeway there.”

  He could live with that.

  Half an hour later, clean and dressed, they arrived at the Weeping Widow. The hostess led them to a private room. Several Roanoke pack members Ben had met at the bar stood around the room, mixing with some new faces. As Chris had said, this wasn’t the whole pack, just his most trusted wolves and some allies from Stonewall pack.

  Jake, the Stonewall Alpha, came up to them as soon as they entered the room. His eyes slid over Ben, but he spoke to Chris. “You left in a hurry last night.”

  Chris rested his hand on Ben’s shoulder. “I found my mates.”

  A smile dawning on his face, Jake looked from Chris to Ben and back again. “Oh, yeah? Congratulations. Who’s your female?”

  The hand on his shoulder tightened. “That’s a problem,” Chris said.

  “It’s Alex.” Ben didn’t see any point in beating around the bush. Chris had already told him Jake knew everything.

  Jake’s smile fell away. “Shit.”

  “Yeah,” Chris said. “Well. We should probably get this started.”

  A few minutes later, Chris and Ben still stood near the doors, but everyone else had settled around the long tables in the center of the room.

  “You still want to join, right?” Chris said softly to Ben.

  “Of course.”

  “Ready to do it now?”

  Their eyes met. Ah, his pack Alpha had planned this. He could have pledged fealty at any time, but he’d waited until they were in front of all these people. He’d have to remember his mate knew how to be a political animal. “Of course.”

  Chris turned to face him. “Kneel.”

  Everyone in the room watched as Ben lowered himself to both knees. He’d seen wolves pledge themselves to his father as
he grew up, but had never done it himself. Luckily for him, as with all things wolf, the procedure was quick and straightforward.

  “I pledge fealty to you,” Ben said.

  Chris placed his hand on Ben’s head. “I accept your fealty.”

  Ben felt a calm settle over him, like he’d been waiting his whole life for this moment. He belonged again. Belonged to this big, strong man who would never let the bad guys win.

  Chris helped him up and they took their seats at the table.

  “For those of you who are wondering,” Chris said, “Ben is my mate. We found out last night. We can trust him.”

  “You’re sure he’s not in on it?” asked a wolf Ben didn’t recognize.

  “I’m sure.” Chris leaned forward on his elbows. “So, anyone hear anything last night?”

  Matt, Chris’ third, spoke up. “I heard rumblings. Only among the new wolves. It sounded to me like they were trying to stir up discontent.”

  “They say why?” Chris said.

  “Nothing outright,” Matt said. “Just a lot of little digs at you, a few at Nick and me. Little complaints and vague references to bad Alphas and needing new blood.”

  “That’s about what I heard, too.” Nick was Chris’ second. Ben had met him two nights before. “A lot of whining. All coming from the new wolves.”

  “Anyone hear any specifics? Plans?” No one replied. “What about anything proving a conspiracy?” Again, nothing. Chris sat back.

  “You could kick out all the new wolves,” Jake said. “Just don’t send them my way.”

  A low rumble of laughter spread across the table.

  “And what if I kick out a few legitimate wolves with them?”

  “It’s better than having an uprising,” Ben said. He knew that first-hand. Probably better than anyone else at the table.

  “What we need is someone on the inside of this little group of conspirators,” Nick said. “Assuming there is one. Someone who can tell us who’s in on it.”

  Chris cocked his head and looked at Ben. As their eyes met, Ben knew exactly what he was thinking. They needed Alex. And they needed her on their side.

  Easier said than done.

  They’d be lucky if they could pry her loose from the asshole she thought she loved. Ben didn’t believe for a minute she really loved him. How could she? She belonged to Chris and Ben. But even if they pried her loose, the chances that she’d turn on the fucker were next to zero.

  Ben shook his head side to side, once.

  Chris closed his eyes for a second then turned back to the group. “I’m pretty sure Keith is in on it. I’ll approach him later today.”

  “I don’t think he’ll turn…” Matt said.

  “No, but he might give up some information. I don’t want to tip him off that I know something’s up. So none of you say anything to him.”

  The wolves at the table nodded and otherwise gave their assent.

  “Anything else?” Chris said. When no one spoke up, he continued. “I’m going to take care of this, one way or another. Thank you all for backing me up.”

  The wolves rose and mingled, many of them coming forward to congratulate Chris and Ben on the mating and on Ben joining the pack. And to get a look at him, Ben was sure. He’d met many of them at the bar, but he hadn’t met Jake’s family. Most of them were at the meeting—his two mates, his female’s three sisters, and four of their mates. Jake’s female—Deirdre—had a baby on her hip. A very quiet baby. Ben hadn’t heard a peep out of her all during the meeting.

  Ben knew Fiona from the Army. She, Liam and Fiona’s mate Grady were all friends of his. Grady wasn’t there because he was in Montana with their other mate. Fiona was just visiting. And knowing her as he did, he wasn’t too surprised when she asked the question he’d been dreading.

  “So, where’s your third?”

  “She’s tied up right now,” Chris said. “Couldn’t make it.”

  “Tied up literally?” Fiona said, her eyebrow raised.

  Ben choked. He wished.

  After a short cough, Chris said, “Not quite.” His voice sounded dry.

  Fiona smiled. “Shame.”

  ***

  Alex’s skin felt hot and oversensitive. She woke slowly from an incredibly erotic dream where Chris and Ben took turns licking her pussy. The dream itself had nearly made her come, but not quite. Not enough. Instead, the insistent urge to come had woken her up.

  Her hand drifted down her body. It didn’t take more than a minute of stroking her clit to finish things off. Then she lay there, sweaty, wet between the legs, and still wanting. What the hell.

  So unfair. She’d never had dreams like this about Brett. Could she be wrong? Could she be destined for Chris and Ben?

  Alex didn’t want to think about it. Instead, she hauled herself out of bed and took a quick shower. After throwing on some clothes, she went downstairs but stopped halfway down when she heard voices. Brett’s, of course. The other one she didn’t recognize.

  Chapter 7

  If Brett were just hanging out with some of the wolves, Alex could join them. But he’d made it clear he didn’t want her butting in if he was doing business. How could she tell without listening in?

  Sitting down on the steps, she concentrated on the voices. Once she didn’t have the sound of her own footsteps and her thoughts crowding everything else out, she could just make out their words.

  “But why is he giving her a hard time? We picked her specifically for him.” That was the other voice, the one she didn’t recognize.

  “I don’t know. I told her to dress sexier. I don’t know what happened to her last night,” Brett said.

  “Sexier’s not good. Byers likes classy women, not slutty women.”

  Byers was Chris’ last name. Ah, God, they were talking about her and Chris.

  “You’ve gotta get a handle on her,” the unknown voice said. “She’s the key to this whole thing. She needs to distract him enough so he won’t see it coming.”

  “I’ll get on her,” Brett said.

  “Do more than that. You convinced her she was in love with you. That worked fine to get her away from her family, but now you need her to spread her legs for Byers. Push her away. Just enough so she’ll do anything to get you back again.”

  Alex held her breath. Surely Brett would shut this guy up. He’d tell him he loved her, too, and he wasn’t going to do the awful things this man said.

  After a pause, Brett said, “That’s good. A little psychological warfare.”

  Alex’s mouth fell open. She just barely held back her gasp. If they heard her now, it wouldn’t be good. But she couldn’t bring herself to leave. As her eyes filled with tears, she continued to listen.

  “Just do it fast. I want Chris off his game when you challenge him.”

  “And then you’ll challenge Jake.”

  “And then I’ll own Marysburg.”

  They fell silent. Now she really did need to leave, before they did something like coming out into the foyer. She carefully walked back up the steps, trying to avoid a single sound.

  Alex made it to her bedroom and crawled back into bed, ready to pretend she was still sleeping. She wanted to hide.

  Brett didn’t love her. It had all been a ruse. To—what had the other guy said? They’d chosen her. For Chris.

  At the thought, a small warm spot grew in her heart. For Chris, because she was his type.

  Because they were trying to do something to him. Challenge him. A chill swept across her skin even though she huddled under the blankets. Brett wanted to hurt Chris. She barely knew Chris but she couldn’t stand the thought of him being hurt.

  A knock sounded at her door. “Baby?”

  She had more important things to worry about. Like, how would she get out of this house without Brett finding out what she’d learned?

  The door opened. Footsteps made their way to her bedside. “Wake up, baby. We need to talk.” His voice sounded sugary sweet.

  She hoped he�
�d mistake the tears that still hadn’t fallen from her eyes for sleep. She’d have to put on a good show. Pulling the comforter the whole way over her head, she moaned.

  “Come on, baby.” He shook her.

  Maybe she could tell him she was still sick. He knew she’d thrown up the night before.

  Brett pulled at the comforter. “Wake up.”

  Alex let him pull it back then blinked at him groggily. “I feel like crap.”

  “One last fuck, and then you gotta go find Chris. Make him let you join. Today.”

  Maybe getting out of here would be easier than she’d thought. Except, no way could she handle having Brett’s hands on her. Even without the mating urge. And with it…not a chance in hell. “I’m really sick, Brett. No sex.”

  Brett slid his hand over her hip. “C’mon baby. You can’t be that sick.”

  Her stomach turned over at his touch. She fought to keep from retching. His hand moved around to reach between her legs. At that, she couldn’t hold back any longer. She leaned over the edge of the bed, her body wracked in dry heaves.

  With a sound of disgust, Brett stepped back. “Fine, fine. No sex. Get yourself together and go find Chris.”

  Alex wiped off her mouth. “What am I supposed to do then?”

  “Seduce him.”

  Putting aside that seducing Chris was already at the very top of her list, what he said made no sense. And she knew that he’d be suspicious if she didn’t put up at least a little bit of a fight. “But I’m your girlfriend. You can’t seriously want me to sleep with him.”

  “I want you to do whatever it takes to get into his pack. Today. Strip for him, if that’s what it takes. Just get him into bed, and get him to let you join.”

  She blinked her eyes to generate the tears she knew she should be crying. “How can you say that? Don’t you love me?” And with those words, as afraid as she felt, she felt a pang of sadness for what she’d thought they had. No matter what he said now, he’d never loved her.

  “Of course I love you, baby.” He crouched down by the bed so their faces were on the same level. “That’s why I need you to do this for me. I can’t provide for you the way I want to unless we get into this pack. This is so I can keep you safe and take good care of you. You believe me, don’t you?”