by Christy Poff
The lady is stronger than you give her credit for.
No, you underestimate her. You didn't see her after you threw her out and called her a freak. I've never seen her as devastated as she was then.
And I guess you were right there to take my place and pick up the pieces.
Damned straight.
Sean snarled as jealous rage took over. Leaping at Holt, he took the gray wolf down. They rolled and bit at each other, both males in need of proving how strong their alpha personalities could be. Sean held the upper edge, though all his training proved useless. He'd always fought humans, never a wolf. He knew Holt had the edge in this aspect.
Holt tried to bite him but Sean dodged him and caught the back of Holt's neck, his jaw bearing down on Gabriel's.
Enough, Prince, I give up.
Sean didn't hear his plea of surrender. He heard nothing but his pounding heart. He wanted to kill this man and only because Gabriel Holt made him jealous. Holt's yelp and howl stopped him from breaking the other wolf's neck.
Once Sean eased up, Holt slipped away from him. Sean looked at the other wolf, of two minds about what had just occurred. He loved the power he wielded while he knew he had gone over the line. Confused, Sean began pacing. Sean, the alpha timber wolf, wanted to run while Sean, the man, needed to stay with this person.
Sean changed back, then cautiously approached the other wolf. Holt did the same and the two men looked at each other.
"Gabriel, I'm sorry."
"Why? It's normal. I overstepped. I shouldn't have pushed you the way I did."
"You need help."
"I'll be fine. I've done this before with the same results.” Gabe laughed.
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Get Julian. Oh, one other thing. If she dumps you, fight for her. You're a good man, McMurray."
"Gabriel, let me get you back to the house."
Sean picked the other man up, eased him over his shoulder, and headed back to the mansion. When Sean got to the rear porch where he'd left his clothes, he eased Holt onto the ledge, then stretched his injured body out.
"Hawthorne, I need help,” Sean yelled.
Moments later, Julian, followed by Elizabeth and Rhiannon, ran outside to join them.
"What's wrong?” Julian demanded.
"It was my fault, sir. I provoked the prince. I take full responsibility for this."
Julian went to Holt, Elizabeth with him, to see what he needed. He gave her a list, then called for others to come help take Gabriel inside the house.
While they looked after their patient, Sean quietly dressed. He stood off to the side and tried to accept what he'd done. He stayed outside when they moved Gabriel inside. He turned away from the others as mixed emotions took over.
He had killed others in the service during covert missions and never felt the emotions he did now over what he'd done to Gabriel. If it took anything like Gabriel's taunting to send him over the edge, would he ever be able to function as a sworn officer? Could he control himself enough to not do this to anyone else? Would he be able to trust himself around Rhiannon and their family?
"You were protecting my honor as any alpha male would if it involved the one he claimed."
Sean's instincts told him to calm down. He had to if he expected to keep Rhiannon in his life.
"Alpha males tend to become overprotective of their mates, even if they're unsure of their relationship for some reason."
"I could have broken his neck or his back. My God, I could have killed him and why? Jealous rage?"
"Gabriel has been my friend for years. He's not a strong male but he keeps trying. I know he's challenged several of the other males with the same results. I never realized until you claimed me how much he's been in love with me all these years."
"He has very strong feelings. Someone who loves you as much as he does deserves his chance with you. He feels I'm an interloper. Rightly so, I guess. Maybe it would be the best thing if I did leave."
"But I don't care about him in any way but as a friend. My God, we grew up together but he's never been any more to me than a friend."
"He claims to have a little more knowledge of you than just as a friend."
"We would frolic in the meadow as young pups do. He's gotten a little frisky as we grew older but since your claim on me, I have not allowed him to touch me."
Sean felt the jealousy try to reclaim his peace as he fought himself to remain in control.
"What are you trying to tell me?"
"No male—human or wolf—has ever entered me as you have. You are the only one to ever mark me or claim me as theirs alone. You did that and I am yours until death do us part, whether I accept this or not. I cannot be touched by another alpha until you die. Even if you go away, it won't happen. Your mark is on me and it will be a sign to stay away and respect your territory, your mate, and anything else of importance. You have blessed me and cursed me at the same time."
"Rhi, I don't know what to say. I want to stay but I feel I should leave before I hurt someone accidentally. At the very least, I should stay away until I get used to this new life of mine."
"You took a huge step when you told your partner the truth. He's a good friend. You should be proud and relieved. No one outside of here, except your partner, knows. Of course, I'm not including those monsters. I've kept this secret my entire life. I've kept to myself and take off from work during the full moon when I come into heat—all to keep myself and the others safe."
"How did our perps find out about you?"
"I don't know. I've gone over it repeatedly, and keep coming back to the meadow. I've always been careful to the point of having a tunnel from there to the cellar of my cabin. It doesn't matter anymore since I'll be staying here for the time being."
"You have the ranch, too."
"Then you're still leaving?"
"I don't know yet. It depends."
"On..."
"Several things. First, I have to be available for court so I can make sure the bastards go away for good. The trial will take a while because of the scope of it all. I have my job to deal with but I had thought of taking an indefinite leave of absence so I can figure things out. From there..."
"Oh...” she said as she turned away from him.
Sean didn't notice. He had not been able to look at her, afraid of what he would see in her eyes. He knew he'd hurt her and he didn't have a clue how to make things right with her. By the tone of one two-letter word, he guessed he had hurt her more.
"Look, I'm not good with words. If it deals with a case or the law, I'm fine because its book, chapter, verse. I didn't have to talk in the service, because everything had to remain classified. When it comes to..."
"The night you claimed me, you had no problem."
"I honestly have no idea where those words came from. I surprised myself because I've never been known to talk like that, or even be romantic. I told you about my history. I honestly did not feel good about myself until you came into my life. Now, I feel like I'm back to square one."
Rhiannon remained silent, her emotions crazy from everything going on in her life.
"Several days ago, I left the stables after a ride with Andromeda. I met you because you came to me to ask questions dealing with your case. Instead, I invited you to my home, where we forgot dinner, had glorious sex and you claimed me. It lasted a short time until I brought you here because of your headaches. You learned what you are and turned on me, our daughters, and every one trying to help you. I ran because I couldn't understand why all of a sudden you blamed me. I felt your hatred and I ran to escape it and you. If that wasn't enough to ruin my life, a madman chains me in a cage like an animal, naked and helpless. He treated me like a rogue beast. I've been shocked and beaten emotionally. I'm confused because I don't understand why my world had fallen apart in the space of a week. You are not alone when it comes to life-altering events."
"Rhiannon, please. When I learned you'd been kidnapped, sense return
ed to me and somehow, started to show me the right way to go. When you lay upstairs, I sat at your side without dozing. I refused to leave you."
"You feel guilty?"
"No, I needed to atone for sins committed. I needed to beg you to forgive me for failing you."
"Why? I'm a freak."
"Stop it, Rhiannon!” a voice boomed behind them.
"Father?"
"Rhiannon, enough. The man moved heaven and earth to rescue you from your captors. He made sure no one assisted him so your secret wouldn't be revealed. He spent every minute with you until he went out for a few minutes earlier. Did Sean tell you he instructed his partner to keep you out of the legal proceedings? He has done everything for you a dominant alpha male would do for the one he loves."
"Please, Father."
"No, my darling, you are a fool to keep this up. The man needs you more than anyone and you keep throwing his initial reaction to us back at him. He lashed out at you, me, your mother, and anyone else who came near him with fury and fear. You can't keep holding this over his head, because like it or not, we are all freaks because of our gifts. The man laid his life on the line for you, poured his heart out to you and you remain the coldest bitch I've ever seen. I swear, if you weren't carrying the future of our pack, I'd send you away."
"But, Father...” she started, tears streaming from her eyes.
"You have a cruel streak in you which did not come from us, so you must have developed it dealing with the real world. You've become just like them."
"Father, I..."
"Julian, I've brought enough problems to this place. I'll leave as soon as I check on Holt."
"He's fine. You bruised him. He's suffered worse. Maybe this time, he'll learn."
"Sir, one question."
"Rhiannon, leave us,” Julian ordered.
"What? You've never dismissed me like this."
"Maybe I should have. Now, go!"
Rhiannon ran inside as Julian and Sean watched.
"Sir, why did you do that?"
"She needed a reality check. She'll be all right. Now, your question is why does Holt keep calling you Prince?"
"How did you know?"
"Gabriel's favorite complaint about you."
"Why?"
"When you were born, your father was the prince of our pack. He would become the alpha leader of the pack and you, his direct descendant. When I step down or die, you are the next one in line."
"But the others..."
"They know. They've always known the day would come. We searched for you for years. When you were taken away by your mother, we lost track of you. I happened to learn of your existence a few months ago."
"When the nightmares began."
"Exactly. For your pain, I am sorry. I had to be cryptic with you both to keep us all safe."
"Why is Rhiannon ‘carrying the future’ as you call it?"
"She is the alpha female destined to rule next to you. Your natural attraction bears this out."
"And the claiming rite?"
"Inbred by blood. Everything you've experienced with Rhiannon is true, uninhibited love, though we knew you'd be together. Now, I'm sorry you're being forced into this. My daughter's showing a side of herself I didn't know about."
"She's a Drake. Why?"
"Safety. In fact, she's just found out we're her true parents. Lord, Elizabeth will have a fit. Can you forgive me..."
"Nothing to forgive. We had two days of perfection before hell. I thank you for it. I think though, it's time I left. My mate obviously doesn't want me."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. One thing—let me know when the girls arrive. Maybe she'll allow me to see them."
"I'll make sure you do see them."
"Good-bye, Julian."
"You are always welcome here."
"I appreciate that."
"Where will you be?"
"At the ranch until after the trial, then I'm going north. She's better off among those who know her, especially with the babies."
"You're a good man, Sean."
"Thanks."
"Are you going to say good-bye to her?"
"No. I'm the last person or wolf she wants to see right now. Would you tell Elizabeth?"
"Sure."
"Thanks."
Sean went to leave, then stopped.
"What's wrong?"
"I have no car."
"Take one of ours. We'll get it back later."
"Thanks again."
Sean took a black BMW and drove to the ranch. The peace he'd finally found had been taken from him as quickly as he'd discovered it. He'd always treasure their time together as he missed the only one he would ever love.
Good-bye, Rhi.
Chapter 14
Rhiannon sailed past Elizabeth.
"Rhi?” she, called only to be ignored.
Elizabeth started to go outside to ask Julian why when she stopped. She heard her husband's explanation of Sean's background and knew it had been her husband and not Sean who had sent Rhiannon away.
She listened to their conversation. When Sean left, she joined her husband.
"Julian?"
"He's leaving. Feels it's for the best."
"Where is he going?"
"I know you heard."
Elizabeth smiled and nodded.
"Rhiannon damned near knocked me over when she flew by."
"I can't believe how she has changed."
"It's the pregnancy."
"But if she keeps this up, she could lose them."
"We both know that, but she's still naïve. Maybe we made a mistake raising her the way we did."
"No, I think Gliickman did it to her. Being caged like Sean said he found her would do it."
"But you didn't say anything about a cage."
"He saw it when they mind-spoke."
"No wonder. She refuses to talk about it. I'll go talk to her."
"Elizabeth, don't baby her. She's got to know her actions were wrong."
"Julian..."
"I mean it, Elizabeth. I've never seen her like this and I don't ever want to see it again."
Elizabeth nodded and left him. She loved her husband dearly but this command came from the pack leader. She knew he was right but, after all, she was Rhiannon's mother.
* * * *
Rhiannon went straight to her room, furious at how she'd been treated. Julian had never been cruel to her before. What had she done to deserve this? Why was everyone turning against her?
She paced back and forth and tried to make sense of her life. She couldn't handle things and Sean drove her crazy. Did he want her to forgive him or not?
More than anything in the world, baby.
"Sean?"
She turned, only to realize she was alone in a huge room. She became frantic as her life fell apart even more. She could not figure out why it had gone the way it had but she had fallen so far out of control. Her head spun as a migraine headache pounded at her without mercy.
My God, it hurts!
Are you all right?
Leave me alone!
Yes, ma'am.
Rhiannon realized what she had done and hated herself.
Sean, I'm sorry! Please talk to me...
Nothing.
"Rhiannon."
"Mama, please help me get him back."
"Who? What?"
"I have a migraine and the pain's excruciating. I cried out and Sean asked me if I was all right."
"And you said..."
"I told him to leave me alone. He came back with an angry reply and now, he's ignoring me."
"Sweetheart, you've hurt him. He told Julian he'd be at the ranch until after the trail and then he's leaving—period. He hoped you'd let him see his daughters. Why couldn't you have told him how you felt?"
"I don't know."
"Why can't you get past what he said? My God, the man had just come through his first full change. He was angry with life—not you and not the girls or us, but with eve
rything in general. I've never known you to take things this close to your heart."
"I've never gone through any of this before either."
"Don't tell me that's your reason?"
"Why is everyone so damned concerned about Sean McMurray?"
"How can you be so damned self-centered?"
Rhiannon looked at Elizabeth in shock.
"How can you say something like that?"
"Because you are acting like a damned diva. You are not the only one with problems. We've all handled our share."
"What do you want me to do? Leave, too?"
"No, we don't want that at all. We want our Rhiannon back."
"I never left but I'll never be the same. Too much has happened."
"I realize that and we're all here to help you through this, but don't hold it over us."
"I'm not,” Rhiannon shrieked.
"You might not be doing it intentionally, but..."
"I'm not. It's so hard accepting a stranger in our midst."
"You agreed to it."
Rhiannon turned away from Elizabeth, her mind in more turmoil, the headache worse. As it pounded more, Rhiannon lashed out at her mother.
"If that's the way you all feel, then bring him back here and I'll leave, then I guarantee no one will ever see my daughters. Your future is out the window."
"Where did my sensible daughter go?"
"That's just it! She's gone—abducted and tortured after she found the perfect man who dumped her—and she's pregnant. Little Miss Innocent is gone."
Rhiannon pushed herself into a frenzy, as everything hit her at once. The headache became even worse, her stomach nauseous and she felt alone. She walked around in circles.
Elizabeth tried to calm her but she snapped at her.
"Rhiannon, I'm telling you again. In your present state, you will hurt yourself and your daughters."
"In my present state, Mother, I don't care. I want the pain to go away."
"Then relax."
"Get out,” Rhiannon snarled as she faced Elizabeth. “I hate you and I hate this place, you old witch."
Elizabeth slapped her daughter, something she never thought she would ever do. It took Rhiannon by surprise and she looked at Elizabeth in disbelief.
"Sean's smart to leave you,” she said quietly. She turned and stormed from the room. Elizabeth Hawthorne went to the master suite and wept.