by Donna Flynn
“The bullet contained a poison.” He didn’t bother telling what, that would open a can of worms he wasn’t sure she was ready to hear. “When you healed Alec, some got into your system. Fortunately, Kirk’s sister posses gifts like yours and she was able to get it out.”
“Was I dying?” Alec’s arm tightened around her and she peered into his haunted eyes shivering at the fear she saw there.
“You could have, but she worked a miracle, much like you did with Alec,” he explained with a reassuring smile.
“Kirk came here?” she asked noting Alec tensing beside her.
“He came to make sure you were alright since he had not heard from you in a few days, but when he found out what had happened he called his sister,” Lucan explained.
“Great,” she murmured unhappily. Now not only her family found out about her healing, but also the guy she dated. Of course, he had someone in his family with the same gift, so he would probably be more understanding.
“He will be by later to visit,” Cade said. “Lucan gave him permission to come.”
“You did?” she couldn’t help being stunned, but recovered quickly and hugged him missing the disgust on Alec’s face. “Thank you, now you will get to find out how great he is.”
“I need to go,” Alec said rising from his chair. Her excitement about seeing Kirk was, to say the least, upsetting. He might have saved her life and earned the right to visit her, but he did not have to witness her joy at the thought of seeing him again.
“Yes we need to get settled next door,” Gregory said sensing his son’s unhappiness. “We will come by later and check on you again.”
They walked out together leaving Mercy staring after them uncertain why they had left so abruptly.
“Gregory has much to do now that you and Alec are better,” Lucan said trying to cover up their speedy departure.
“Well I guess I ought to get a shower if Kirk is coming later.” She walked to the door, but remembered something that made her pause and turn around to face her brothers. “Funny I had dream a wolf was in the guest room next to me last night.” They both stared at her blankly. “I suppose when you’re that sick all sorts of crazy things come to you.” She laughed and walked out leaving both men staring after her with varying degrees of worry.
*****
Mercy opened the front door hours later to find Kirk waiting, his arms full of roses as he smiled at her.
“You’re up and around already?” he asked handing her the flowers and kissing her gently.
“Yeah, thanks to you.” She took his hand, pulling him towards the kitchen so she could place the beautiful flowers in water.
“My sister saved you, not me,” he told her taking a seat at the table as she got out a vase and filled it with water, then carefully arranged the flowers inside of the container.
“You called her, so I owe you my thanks too,” she told him as she placed the flowers in the middle.
“I’m glad you’re okay, I worried about you all night,” he said, pulling her down on his lap.
Mercy went willing enjoying the gentle, considerate kiss he gave her, but in the back of her mind, she compared it to the kiss she and Alec shared so recently. Kirks hand moved up her back, pulling her closer as if aware her thoughts had wandered, and immediately she felt guilty. With a sigh, she leaned into him giving him her full attention aggravated that even when he wasn’t there Alec could effect her.
The front door closed with a loud slam and Kirk let her go reluctatnly.
She scrambled to another chair, flushed and guilty as Cade came through the kitchen door whistling.
Cade was well aware he caught them in the midst of making out, but only offered a quick hello as he got a drink from the refrigerator, before turning to face them trying not to laugh at the guilt on their faces. “So what are you two up to?” He took a long sip of his drink and watched as his sister turned a pretty shade of pink.
“Nothing,” she managed to answer blushing furiously.
“It’s beautiful outside you should be out on the porch.” He took another long sip of his tea looking thoughtful. “Of course Lucan will be working in his office all day, so I suppose you should stay here where he can keep an ear on you.” He laid the glass in the sink and walked to the door. “Have a good time whatever you do.”
He was confident someday Alec and Mercy would end up together, but in the meantime, he thought she should enjoy dating and learn how to use her feminine wills a little. It certainly couldn’t hurt for her to know how to sway a man to her way of thinking, after all her mate was a future pack leader and Alphas were notoriously stubborn.
“Would you like to go outside?” Kirk asked. She nodded and he took her hand pulling her up from the chair, willing to do anything she wanted if it meant spending time with her.
“Hey do you think I could meet your sister sometime?” she asked as they walked outside.
“She was fascinated another healer was in the area and can’t wait to meet you. For now though let’s talk about where I am going to take you on our first real date.”
They sat on the porch swing, making plans to go to the movies after her punishment was over, then talked about school and their mutual friends. Conversation flowed easily between them and they laughed often at each other’s stories enjoying their time together. It was friendly and unstrained until he asked about her parents. She told him about their deaths with tears in her eyes, which he wiped away before pulling her onto his lap and wrapping her in his arms.
“I’m sorry. It must have been devastating for you.” He laid his head against hers as he pushed the swing offering her comfort until she was able to talk again of happier subjects.
Mercy was at ease and having a good time as they chatted throughout the afternoon. Kirk was easy going and he seemed to care about everything she said, but in the back of her mind, thoughts of Alec lingered. She cautioned herself not to go there and refocused her attentions on Kirk, but still she found herself continually drifting back to thoughts of Alec.
The hour grew late and the sun began to set as they sat together, his arms around her as her head rested against his chest. She moved to tell him she had to get ready for dinner and he kissed her again. His lips brushed hers softly and she sighed twining her arms around his neck hoping to feel the same fire and excitement she did when Alec kissed her, but found that although pleasant they did not compare. Kirks kiss was warm, gentle and pleasant, but Alec’s kiss left her breathless and so consumed with desire she forgot about everything but him.
Embarrassed by her shameful wonderings she pulled back chastising herself mentally. Kirk genuinely liked her. He was a good guy, serious in his intentions, and most assuredly the one she need to fall in love with. She couldn’t understand then why she kept comparing them.
“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to go so fast,” he said apologetically misunderstanding her hesitation.
“No I …” She bit her lip unsure how to explain without hurting him, but the sound of footsteps on the stairs saved her from answering. At least that’s what she thought, until Alec glanced their way his eyes filled with anger as he stared at her perched on Kirks lap, her arms around his neck, and her lips swollen from his kiss.
“Alec.” She jumped to her feet, fidgeting nervously, uncertain why she was so flustered about him finding them together. Kirk moved behind her placing his hand on her back stopping her movements and she blushed. “What brings you here?”
“Your brothers invited me to dinner,” he said sharply, his eyes riveted on Kirks hand, wrapped around her waist pulling her back against him.
“Oh.” She looked to Kirk embarrassed she never thought to ask him to dinner. “Would you like to stay, we always make plenty?”
“If there would be no imposition,” he answered smiling down on her, aware her invitation had upset Alec.
“No problem at all,” she responded forcing herself to smile despite how uncomfortable she was.
*****
It was defiantly a problem, she thought, a half hour later as she sat between them staring at her plate of uneaten food. They had been civil to one another, she was the one having a hard time dealing with the two of them in the same room so close to her. On one side sat Kirk a guy who adored her, on the other Alec who stirred feelings in her that were frightening.
Throughout dinner, she couldn’t seem to stop herself from comparing them even though she knew it was wrong. Kirk was sweet and made her feel cherished and when he kissed her she felt warm and cared for. Alec commanded the attention of everyone who surrounded him and threatened to sweep her away. He was dangerous and she usually avoided danger of any kind, but for some reason when he held her close, she seemed to forget all of that.
“So Kirk how’s the football team this year?” Cade asked breaking the silence of the room.
“Good, we haven’t lost a game yet,” he answered proudly.
“I hear you are quite the quarterback,” Lucan said making small talk, aware Mercy stopped eating and was staring off into space.
“I try, but football’s a team sport. Without the rest of my team I could not be effective,” he answered diplomatically before turning to Mercy who was staring at her plate, her expression unreadable. He reached out and took her hand bringing her attention back to the conversation ignoring the displeasure on Alec’s face. “Mercy here is the real story. She has taken the cheerleaders and turned them into champions in just a few months.”
The note of pride in his voice was hard to miss and Cade laid a restraining hand on Alec’s arm sensing his control slipping. “Alec if you’re done, I need help in the garage.” He fixed Alec with a hard stare that meant he wasn’t giving him an option.
Alec stood fighting back every instinct that roared through him to rip Kirks hand from her and beat the snot out of him.
“Since you have company tonight I will wash the dishes,” Lucan said rising from the table to begin gathering the empty plates placing himself between the two young men just in case Alec went for Kirks throat.
“No sir, my mother taught me better, you go and relax, I will wash the dishes if Mercy will direct me where they go once clean.” Kirk rose from his seat to begin clearing dishes leaving Lucan little choice, but to allow them to handle it.
“Go Lucan, we got this.” Mercy said as she walked to the sink and deposited the first load of dishes, Kirk close behind her. He whispered in her ear as he reached around her and sat the dishes in the sink. She laughed softly turning around to face him with a smile and he placed his arms on either side of her resting them on the counter as he spoke softly to her.
“I won’t turn that offer down,” Lucan said pushing Alec towards the door, aware he was very close to losing control. “Let’s go,” he ordered shoving him outside where Cade stood waiting.
“Shake it off man, she won’t appreciate your fighting with him, that will only make her angry with you,” Cade cautioned.
“You think I don’t know,” Alec said slamming his fist on the porch rail ignoring the snap of the wood the impact caused.
“I know this is hard,” Lucan said next to him placing his hand on his shoulder.
“I’m sorry, but no you don’t know,” he answered lifting his amber eyes to meet Lucan’s the desperation there clearly visible. “She’s mine and he has his hands all over her.” He batted the hand off his shoulder and turned to the door ready to confront Kirk, but his father appeared in front of him blocking him from going in.
“Son work it off before you do something you will regret,” he ordered.
Mercy’s soft laughter floated from the kitchen, he looked torn, but Gregory snarled and Alec turned away running for the woods.
“Cade will you go with him, please. Make sure he stays safe.”
Cade launched himself towards the wood line changing forms gracefully as he pursued Alec.
“This is not going to be easy,” the Alpha, said worry for his son stretched across his face. Never had anything pushed Alec’s control, but when a mate was involved, even the strongest of their kind could change from their normal easygoing nature to the beast that lived inside of them.
“Nothing worth having ever comes easy,” Lucan, answered listening to the mournful howls coming from deep in the forest.
*****
Mercy, completely unaware of what was happening outside, continued washing dishes with Kirk. They talked about school and their friends unaware of the passing time until they were on the last pot.
The remaining foam in the sink caught Mercy’s eye and she took a handful of the bubbles then blew them at him. One second she laughed loudly as he wiped the suds from his cheek, the next, she was in his arms pressed against the counter as he kissed her heatedly, all playfulness forgotten.
“Excuse me,” Alec snarled as he walked into the kitchen to find them wrapped in each other’s arms. It tool great control not to attack the other male, but the run through the woods had helped stave off some of his earlier anger and he now managed more control.
“Did you need something?” Mercy asked nervously, pulling out of Kirks arms.
“I came to say to good night, but I can see you’re busy, so I’ll just go.” He turned and walked out leaving her puzzled by his odd behavior. Kirk had been nothing, but respectful and kind to her and as her friend, she thought Alec would appreciate that, but instead he seemed rude and almost jealous of the new guy in her life.
“I should get going too, we do have school tomorrow.” Kirk placed a kiss on the end of her nose and hugged her close. “Will you be coming tomorrow?”
“I don’t see why not, I feel better and I hate to miss practice.” He wrapped his arm around her waist as they walked to the front porch, where he kissed her once more before getting in his car and driving off. She watched him drive off, unaware Alec stood on his porch seething with jealousy.
*****
“Did you have a good day?” Lucan asked as she poked her head in his office to say good night.
“I did, thanks for relenting and giving Kirk a chance.” She hugged him and kissed his cheek thankful she had the opportunity after almost dying.
He held her close longer than usual, grateful she was alive and well. “I would do anything to see you happy,” he told her giving her one last hug before releasing her. “Now get to sleep you need rest.”
As she readied herself for bed, Mercy could not help, but once again think about Kirk and Alec. It was good thing she knew where each of them stood, because if she thought for one minute Alec felt more than friendship for her, things would become very complicated.
She closed her eyes and settled down to sleep, but somewhere in the night, a lone wolf howled. The sound usually brought fear, but for some reason the loneliness of its howl, broke her heart and brought tears to her eyes.
Chapter Ten
Alec walked into the kitchen at seven-thirty the next morning as Mercy and her brothers were finishing their breakfast. Her eyes were riveted on him from the moment he entered and she could not stop staring. His shoulder length hair hung free and his eyes held a sexy just woken look that companies paid top dollar for their models to reproduce. Faded black jeans hung low on his hips, a black t-shirt emblazed with a large phoenix hugged his torso and black biker boots that earned their weathered look from his love of motorcycle riding completed his look. He was dangerous, sexy, and she found herself completely enraptured by him.
Alec moved through the kitchen well aware of her intense stare, pouring a cup of coffee before leaning back against the counter to face her. “You about ready Angel?” He took a sip of his coffee fighting his instinct to pull her into his arms as he so badly wanted to.
“Ready?” she asked in confusion.
“Lucan asked me to drive you to school,” he replied smoothly, enjoying the heat of her gaze as it traveled over him.
“What?” She turned to Lucan who was in the process of removing the dirty plates from the table and he nodded in agreement.
“Since he is also attending school now, it makes sense, and I trust Alec to get you there and back in one piece,” he explained as he began to load to the dishwasher.
“Might have been nice to ask me first,” she grumbled under her breathe. She might have expected such news since he was going to the same school, but she had not given the idea much thought with all that had been going on.
Alec took her bag from her with a grin, slung it over his shoulder, and grabbed her hand giving her a devastating grin. The room grew suddenly warm, and the conversation around her became mere whispers in the background of her fiercely beating heart. Staring down at their entwined fingers, she wondered why it was when he touched her everything, but him seemed to fade away to nothingness.
“Let’s go before we’re late,” Alec said snapping her out of her trance like state, pulling her behind him out of the door.
“She took that well,” Cade told Lucan as he handed him the last of the dishes.
“Better than I thought she would.” Lucan said grimly. Either way she choose Mercy was headed for heartache and nothing he could do would stop it.
*****
“So I guess you must be nervous about your first day. I mean, I know you used to be tutored at home so this will all be different for you,” Mercy said trying to make small talk to cover her nervousness as they drove to school.
“I am sure you will help me adjust,” he answered confidently unconcerned in the least about fitting in. He was Alpha, humans would follow his lead without understanding why they did. The only fly in the ointment was Kirk. Two Alphas in one place who had their sights on the same girl could be a big problem.
“Of course I will, we have been friends forever, I would never abandon you to the wilds of high school.” She forced herself to smile, but worried how his presence would affect her routine. He was always so protective of her, and now he would be around the corner everywhere she went. There was also his dislike of Kirk, which would defiantly make things more complicated.