When she got back to the house, Brett had gone out. He’d left a note telling her not to wait up. So she watched a little television, still hoping he might come home then went to bed. In the middle of the night, he woke her up to make love to her before they fell asleep in each other’s arms.
* * *
Ben met Liam at a quirky restaurant called The Weeping Widow for lunch the next day. The restaurant harkened back to colonial times, both inside and out, starting with its name and ending with its wood timbers and dark interior.
Liam looked like he always did—squared away. Ben felt like a mess next to him then realized the mess was all inside his head. Outside, he looked just as fit, trim and clean-cut as Liam. Too bad it wasn’t as easy to clean up his insides.
After they'd ordered, Liam took a swig of his beer and said, “So you want to join Stonewall?”
Ben fiddled with his fork. “Maybe. I went to the bar last night after I got in, and I met a guy named Chris Byers.”
“Yeah, Chris. Good guy. He's the Alpha of Roanoke pack.”
“Yep, that's what he said.” Ben didn't want to insult Liam but he had to let him know what he was thinking. “He said there are some problems in Stonewall. The old Alpha left a mess.”
Liam leaned forward. “True enough. Jake's doing a great job. But the old Alpha ran off all the strong wolves and now most of the pack members are submissives.” He clapped Ben on the back. “That's why we need alphas like you to join.”
Ben didn't say anything at first, just flipped his fork over and over with his fingers. “I'm just not sure I can go into a pack like that.”
Liam stilled. Ben could feel his friend's gaze on him.
“Is this about the shit that went down with your father's pack?”
Not many people knew about Ben's past. Liam did. “Yeah.”
“Stonewall's not like that. Jake's the strongest Alpha I've ever seen. And he's a good leader.”
Ben laid the fork on the table. “But the pack's not strong. If a group came in to take over, Jake couldn't fight them all by himself.” That's what had happened with his parent's pack. A group had come in, overwhelmed them, killed his father. Destroyed his life. And his parent’s pack hadn’t been weak.
Liam peeled at the label on his beer bottle. “You're thinking Roanoke is stronger overall. That it'll be safer.”
“Yeah.”
“We need guys like you,” Liam said.
“It's just…I'm tired.” It sucked to have to admit that. To say straight out, I'm used up at twenty-six. I've got nothing left. And it rankled. He might be tired, but he was still an alpha. His wolf didn't want to show weakness, even to someone as close to him as Liam.
Liam finished peeling off the beer bottle label, leaving it perfectly intact. “I hear you. You might be right. Roanoke would be more restful than Stonewall.”
When Liam said that, Ben realized he'd made his decision. Hell, he'd made it the night before, talking to that behemoth of an Alpha. Just sitting next to Chris, he'd felt safe in a way he hadn't in years. He needed that. Even more than he needed to be with his friend Liam. “I'm sorry.”
“Don't be.” Liam clapped him on the back. “We'll get together often. One of the great things about Marysburg is the large neutral territory. And since Chris and Jake are friends, the packs mingle on a regular basis.”
Ben smiled to keep up Liam's pretense. They both knew seeing one another once in a while couldn't compare to the closeness of being in the same pack. But at least Liam didn't seem mad.
A calm feeling settled over Ben. He’d talk to Chris tonight. Hell, he’d pledge himself tonight if Chris let him. And then he’d be home.
* * *
That night, Alex walked into the bar a few minutes before nine. A Friday night, the place was just as crammed as the night before. Most of the people she passed smelled like pack—both Roanoke and Stonewall.
She found Chris at nearly the same spot he’d been at the night before. This time, a big dark-haired guy sat next to him. Someone from Stonewall pack.
When Chris saw her, he pulled a stool in between them and patted the seat. “Good to see you again.”
She climbed up. “Same here.”
Chris motioned toward the other man. “This is Jake, the Stonewall pack Alpha.”
Shit. He was trying to pawn her off on this other guy. Brett would be so pissed if she didn’t manage to get into Roanoke. Still, she had to play along. “Nice to meet you.” They shook hands.
“I hear you’re looking for a new pack,” Jake said.
“Yeah,” she said. “I heard good things about Marysburg.” She almost said ‘Roanoke’ but it wouldn’t do to insult the Stonewall Alpha. Especially when Chris was the one who brought him here.
“It’s a good little town,” Jake said. “We could use more wolves in Stonewall. But I hear you’re set on Roanoke.”
Crap on a stick. What was she supposed to say? She wanted to be with Keith even though she’d already admitted she thought he was an ass? She’d been prepared to talk to Chris, not Jake. “Don’t you already have a lot of females at Stonewall?” She was grasping at straws.
“No more than at Roanoke,” Chris said. “Females are always prized.”
She met Chris’ eyes. “If we’re prized then why don’t you want me?”
Something flashed across his face, an expression of naked lust followed immediately by disgust.
She really should have thought about how that sounded before she’d said it. “I don’t mean want me want me, I mean…you know. In your pack.” And what was that disgust about? She was decent looking. Maybe not petite and pedicured like Chris’ girlfriend, but not that bad.
Chris seemed to stumble over his words for a second then he spit out, “Pack politics.”
No, no, no. Brett would kill her if she couldn’t get in.
A loud crash split through the voices and music. Everyone quieted as heads turned to look. Two wolves grappled with each other in the middle of tables rapidly being abandoned.
“Shit. Not again,” Chris said. He stood and pushed through the crowd to get to the wolves. Jake followed right behind him.
Alex stayed where she was, but craned her neck to see what was happening. Mad Dog was fighting again. Why the hell couldn’t he keep himself together? What an idiot.
Chris yanked Mad Dog away from the other wolf, who stumbled into Jake. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Chris growled. He continued to hold onto Mad Dog.
“He challenged me,” Mad Dog said.
Kevin—the same wolf from the other night—shivered next to Jake, holding his arm.
Alex started to get a bad feeling. If Mad Dog got kicked out, Brett would be so mad.
“Is that true?” Jake said to Kevin.
Eyes wide, Kevin said, “No. I was just sitting with some friends and he came and grabbed me.”
“I saw the way you looked at me,” Mad Dog said.
Chris fought the urge to shake him. “A look is not a challenge.”
“Of course it is,” Mad Dog said.
Chris’ voice dropped. “What did I say last night?”
“You said no fighting unless we’re challenged. He challenged me.”
“I said no fighting with Stonewall. He’s in Stonewall.” Chris released Mad Dog, pushing him forward. “You’re out.”
Shit. Brett wouldn’t be happy at all.
Mad Dog turned on him. “What? You can’t kick me out.”
“Of course I can. Pack your things. You have to be out of our territory by dawn.”
“It’s not that easy,” Mad Dog said. “I demand a trial.”
“Have you been a Loner your whole life?” Jake said. “Because it is that easy. The Alpha says you’re out, you’re out. Done.”
And now it was even more important that she manage to get in.
Mad Dog stalked out of the bar shooting angry glances at Chris. After they’d gotten Kevin back to his table, Chris and Jake returned to sit next to Ale
x.
“Where were we?” Jake said.
Alex licked her lips as she turned toward Chris. “I was thinking. Maybe we could have a trial period or something. Or we could just wait a while longer while you get to know me. Please.”
“I still don’t understand why you want Roanoke so much more than Stonewall,” Jake said. “I’ve got a good pack.”
She had to play the Keith card. “I don’t know anyone in your pack. At least in Roanoke, I know Keith.”
“Who you don’t like,” Chris said.
“He’s a known evil,” Alex said.
Jake’s eyebrows rose. “That’s an interesting way to put it.”
She could feel her face getting hot. She didn’t know what to say. How could she convince them? And why hadn’t Brett prepared her? He’d said it would be easy. So easy, for a female to join a pack. This wasn’t easy at all.
The silence between them strung out until it was a tight wire ready to snap.
“I’ve never done a trial period,” Chris said. “I’m not even sure how to do that.”
“Forget the trial period,” Jake said. “Have her come back here every night for a few weeks, and see how she fits in. At the end, you can decide. And for that matter, she can decide. Maybe she’ll like Stonewall best by then.” His smile looked wolfish.
“That works for me,” Chris said. “What do you think?”
She thought Brett wasn’t going to like the plan one bit. But she also didn’t think she was going to get a better offer. “Yeah, that sounds good. I can do that.”
Chris stuck out his hand, and she shook it. “It’s a deal. You want to start tonight?”
“Tomorrow night,” she said. “I have some stuff to do tonight.”
“All right, then. See you tomorrow night.”
As she left them, Jake said to Chris, “So, where’s the other one?”
Alex continued walking. What other one? Must be unrelated. Brett had carefully timed everything so they wouldn’t join too close together.
Alex left the bar and headed for her car. She had almost reached the parking lot when she spotted a wolf coming toward her. It was the guy from the night before, the one who had looked at her like he was going to eat her up. The same way he was looking at her now.
He veered and stopped in front of her. “Hey. I’m Ben.”
He was hot. If she weren’t madly in love with Brett, she’d definitely have been interested. But as it was, she needed to let this guy down easy. Really easy, in case he was one of the Roanoke pack members she needed to kiss up to. Although, he didn’t smell like pack.
“Alex,” she said.
He smiled and stuck his hand out, his gaze roaming over her face. “Nice to meet you, Alex.”
She took his hand, intending to shake, but instead he held her hand firmly and stepped forward.
“You don’t smell like pack,” he said.
“You, either.”
He was still holding her hand. “I’m in the process of joining. But you—”
”Me, too. I’m joining.” She tried to tug her hand away but he wouldn’t let go.
“Oh, yeah? Stonewall or Roanoke?” He leaned even closer. “Your answer might influence my own decision.”
“You’re really too much.” The words slipped out before she could censor them. Worse, she found herself smiling. What a flirt he was.
“Too much what?” He brought his other hand up and closed her hand in both of his. “I’m trying to make a good impression. Is it working?”
She laughed again. She shouldn’t be laughing. “Yeah, it’s working.” Then, almost to remind herself, she said, “But I gotta go.”
“So soon? Why don’t we go inside and get to know each other better?” He still held onto her hand, his thumb gently rubbing her skin.
She tingled where their flesh touched, tingled in a way she never had with Brett. She jerked her hand away. “Sorry. I’ve really gotta go.” She stepped around him and headed for her car.
“Maybe tomorrow night,” he said. “Definitely someday soon.”
She could feel his gaze on her all the way into the parking lot, and she’d swear he watched her car until she turned out of sight, but when she looked in her rearview, the sidewalk was empty.
* * *
Ben stood in the shadows watching until Alex turned the corner and he couldn’t see her car anymore. What a woman. He’d lied, though. Even if she’d said she was joining Stonewall and not Roanoke, it wouldn’t change his mind.
He headed into the bar and found Chris sitting with another big wolf, both of them nursing beers. When he saw Ben, Chris smiled warmly and slapped the seat of a barstool that sat between them.
“This is Jake,” Chris said, motioning toward the other man. “Alpha of Stonewall pack.”
“Liam’s brother-in-law.” Ben stuck out his hand and Jake shook it. “Nice to meet you.”
“Liam said you might want to join Stonewall,” Jake said. “But Chris is saying different.”
Chapter 4
And again, Ben had to explain. “Yeah, I’m sorry about that,” he said. “Liam and I talked this afternoon. I just need a more stable pack right now.” As he said it, that feeling crept over him again, like as long as he sat next to Chris, everything would be all right. If anything, it felt stronger now that he recognized it.
“Is there anything I can do to change your mind?” Jake said.
“Sorry,” Ben said.
“You’ve decided,” Chris said.
“Yeah. While Liam and I were talking today, I made my decision.”
Chris sat silently for a minute or two. “I just had someone else ask to join my pack. I’m making her undergo a trial period. I should probably do the same with you.”
Ben swallowed. He’d thought all he had to do was let Chris know he wanted in. Had he done something wrong? “Is that how you usually do things?” He tried to keep his voice level, professional.
Chris’ face tightened. He looked at his hands. “Not usually. But things are a little unusual at the moment. It’s nothing to do with you.”
Hopefully he meant that. The thought of Chris doubting him made his stomach twist. Which was kind of ridiculous. He’d only just met the guy. He just needed to play it cool and everything would work out in the end. “Okay. So how does it work?”
Chris outlined everything—the two weeks, coming to the bar each night, and so on.
When Chris finished, Jake said, “At the end if you decide you want to join Stonewall instead, that’s still an option.”
A look flashed across Chris’ face, something almost feral. Ben blinked and it was gone.
“Thanks,” Ben said. But he wouldn’t be joining Stonewall. Just two more weeks then he could stop feeling adrift.
* * *
After Chris had told Ben about the trial period, Ben hung out with Chris and Jake for a while. Chris really liked Ben. He hoped he’d end up joining Roanoke. He’d wanted to let him in immediately, but Jake had convinced him it would look bad to the pack if he made a prized female go through a trial period while letting Ben in as normal.
Eventually, Ben wandered off to sit with some of the wolves he’d met the night before. Chris and Jake took their beers and claimed a booth far in the back. With the loud music and other ambient noise, if they kept their voices down, they shouldn’t be overheard.
“I agree with what you said. Ben seems all right,” Jake said. “Alex, not so much.”
“Which is why I don’t want to just start kicking wolves out of the pack. Some of them are okay. I’m just not sure which ones.” Chris fiddled with his nearly empty beer bottle. “If Alex is one of them, then Keith definitely is.”
“So you can kick him out.”
“Or question him.” Questioning him could be fun. Especially if Keith resisted. “He’s an ass. I’d have a much easier time questioning him than Alex.”
“Not surprising.” Jake smirked.
“Oh? Because you think I can’t rough up a female?�
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“No. Because I saw the way you looked at her.” Jake leaned forward. “If Dana sees you looking at Alex like that, she’ll be pissed.”
“She already is.”
Jake laughed. “Caught you, huh?”
“Caught me being an old lech. Alex is jailbait.”
“She’s nineteen. That ain’t jailbait. That’s fair game.” Jake sat back, his arm thrown over the top of the booth. “Just sayin’.”
Jake could talk. He had his mates. And neither of them was under twenty. “So, Keith,” Chris said. “Of course, if I question Keith and he really is part of this group, then it’ll clue them in that I’m onto them.”
“Maybe calling a meeting would work better.”
“A meeting for what?”
“A pack meeting. Get everyone together.”
“Yeah, but what will the meeting be about? I don’t usually call meetings to say ‘hey, how’s it going’ so if I do now, that’ll look suspicious.”
A waitress came by and both Jake and Chris ordered another beer. They didn’t speak again until she’d gone.
“Maybe not a meeting,” Chris said. “Maybe a party. We haven’t had one in a while. And we’ve got all these new members and two new babies. Lots to celebrate.”
Jake nodded in agreement. “That works. And at a party, everyone will have their guard down, unlike at a special meeting.”
“Yeah. And we can have it here, so I can include Alex and Ben. Maybe just observing Alex and Keith will show me who’s with them.”
“You can also have spies. Get some of your most trusted wolves to wander through the crowd, listening in on the new ones. They might hear something.”
“That’s good.” Chris smiled. “This could work.”
“Damn right it could.” Jake’s smile quickly turned feral. “Then you can run the bastards out of town.”
* * *
After getting home from the bar, Alex parked in the driveway of the house Brett had rented for their group. She hoped he wasn’t home. She didn’t see his car, but it could be sitting in the garage. She took her time going inside.
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