The Pack

by Donna Flynn

  “I’ll call when I get there,” he said then he was gone.

  Lucan waited until he heard the low purr of his old mustang as it left the driveway before he sat once again, so stunned by the revelation that Cade was Alpha, he barely heard Alec say goodbye.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Maybe I shouldn’t go out tonight,” Mercy said to Kirk the next afternoon as they walked to the parking lot where Alec waited for her after school. All day she had thought about Lucan who seemed upset by Cades sudden departure and she was worried about him. Lucan had always been there for her and she longed to make him feel better even if it meant sacrificing her own happiness.

  “Your brother is a big boy, he can handle one evening by himself, besides I can’t wait to spend time alone with you.” He backed her up against the stone marquee outside of the school building and kissed her cutting off her protest. Knowing Alec was watching he lengthened the kiss as long as he dared before letting her go grinning in Alec’s direction as she walked to the car.

  Alec waited impatiently clenching the wheel staring at him with pure venom. “Could you have any less consideration?” he snarled as Mercy got in a fastened her seatbelt turning to look at him with hazy eyes and kiss-swollen lips.

  “What?”

  “Nothing.” He slammed his foot down on the gas pedal and took off noting the look of triumph on Kirks face as they passed him on the way out. He had to say the guy knew how to piss him off, but Alec also knew how to aggravate people and hoped his plan for the night would do just that.

  They drove in silence the entire was home, Alec fighting desperately not to attack her for kissing another male when he was her destined mate. Never would she know how very difficult it was to control the urge to kill Kirk when he was touching her. She couldn’t understand the amount of possessiveness he felt towards her and he could not explain it or he might lose her forever.

  He pulled into the driveway, got out and opened her door and she turned to address him for the first time

  “Since you’re not going to the bonfire tonight can you check in on Lucan and keep him company?” she asked as he handed her bag to her.

  “Can’t, I decided you were right, that I should get involved at school so I got a date for the bonfire.” He could have clapped with joy at the startled look on her face.

  “Oh that’s great.” It didn’t feel great though, the jealousy she had always felt when he was with other girls roared to life inside of her. “So who are you taking?”

  “Lane,” he answered watching with satisfaction as her smile faltered.

  “Oh that’s nice she’s a really great person.” She forced herself to keep her smile firmly in place, but knew it probably looked fake, it certainly felt that way to her.

  “Yeah I thought so too, who knows maybe she will be the one who settles me down.” It would never happen, Mercy was the only girl for him, but he could not resist rubbing it in.

  “I have to go,” she murmured grabbing her bag from his hand practically running for her house anger and jealousy eating at her insides.

  Alec watched her walk thought her front door then turned to walk to his own home, whistling as he went, wondering how she was going to react when she saw him with Lane at the bonfire.

  *****

  “Luc if you want me to stay home tonight I will,” Mercy said for the third time since arriving home from school.

  She had entered the house like a tornado babbling on about men. Something about how they were all dogs, untrustworthy scoundrels who chased anything in a skirt, making Lucan laugh for the first time since his Cade left. It was clear she was looking for an excuse not to go out and he figured Alec had to be behind her sudden desire to back out of her plans with Kirk.

  “Your team needs their cheerleaders to route them on. Go and have fun. Besides, I have some things to look over for Gregory, he will keep me company.” He placed her dinner plate in front of her then sat down with his own.

  “Okay, if you’re sure.” She had been hoping he would tell her to stay home, but luck was not on her side.

  Since she had heard Alec was taking Lane to the bonfire all the excitement she had felt about the evening had dissipated and now she was left angling for away to get out of going. The jealousy she felt over Alec seeing Lane was unexplainable, especially when she had Kirk, but the thought of seeing him with another girl was torture.

  She pondered calling her coach and claim being sick, but then chastised herself for even thinking it. Kirk did not deserve to be abandoned on such a big night. No, she would suck it up and go even if it meant seeing Alec with someone else and hope she wouldn’t fly off the handle.

  Lucan watched as she picked at her food concerned about her emotional state, but afraid to interfere where adults did not often tread. She was frustrated about her feelings for Alec, but he couldn’t really offer much help her since he was not exactly very good at relationships himself.

  The one long-term relationship he had ever had disintegrated when he took guardianship of Mercy. The woman in question had not wanted children and in all fairness, he had been fine with that until Mercy came into his life. Now that he knew the love of a child though, he craved a mate who wanted a whole pack of them. It was odd how fate had changed the course of all their lives, but he would never change his time with Mercy for anyone.

  The shrill ringing of his cell phone brought him from his wanderings and he answered without checking the caller Id. A mistake he regretted instantly when he heard the voice on the other end.

  “Son, we need to talk,” Mather said.

  “How did you get this number?” he hissed. Mercy looked up at the angry tone in his voice and he placed his hand over the phone. “Business, I will take it in the office,” he explained then abruptly left the room.

  Mercy stood and began cleaning up. She was walking towards the sink her hands full of dishes when Alec walked in dressed in snug blue jeans, a white button up shirt with top three buttons undone, and a leather bomber jacket slung over one arm. She nearly dropped the dishes she carried as she stared at the picture male perfection before her. A look that should have been preppy was instead sexy, dangerous, and completely heart stopping on him.

  Alec leaned against the doorframe watching her reaction with satisfaction. He had decided to forgo his usual garb for something a little more date worthy and could see it paid off big time. The sales girl had been flustered when he asked for her advice and had spent hours plying him with enough clothing for the year. He had left the store with way more merchandise than he had wanted, but now seeing Mercy’s face, he was glad he had done it.

  “Any of that left?” he asked looking to the stove where the leftovers waited to be put away.

  Mercy licked her lips, her eyes never leaving him as he walked past her to the stove. He looked amazing and the enticing scent of musk and woods she had come to know as his overtook her. Her hands trembled enough that the forks clattered against the plates she held. With a grimace she walked to the sink and deposit the dishes before he could see how nervous she was.

  “Dad is not very good at the whole cooking thing, he served burnt canned soup for dinner.” He took a plate to the table and began eating, watching her every movement she made as she cleaned up the kitchen. She was stiff and her hands shook as she scrubbed the dishes dead give aways he had affected her and he could not have been happier.

  “Your dad’s a busy man,I guess he does not have time for cooking.” Mercy commented placing the last of the dishes in the dishwasher before turning around to face him once more.

  “You don’t have to tell me. If it was not for Lucan, I might not have ever known what real food tasted like.” He took the last bite and walked the plate to the sink brushing against her while rinsing the plate, then placing it in the dishwasher.

  Mercy took a deep breath to calm herself as he bent over the dishwasher. With him so close, all she could do was think of kissing him again. He had been right when he told her it took two for the
kind of passion thier last kiss stirred and god help her she wanted nothing more than to kiss him again right that moment. He turned and she moved towards him, pressing close, her arms winding around his neck.

  “Mercy,” Alec whispered as she brushed his lips with her own. “Do you want me to kiss you?” It was the hard not to just kiss her as he so badly wanted, but he had promised she would have to ask before he kissed her again.

  The doorbell rang and the sound of footsteps filled the foyer and she pulled away staring at him with confusion.

  “Alec, I did not hear you come in,” Lucan said as he walked into the kitchen followed by Kirk who eyed the two of them with a frown.

  “Dad cooked dinner,” he answered smiling at Kirk.

  Lucan laughed rembering how bad Gregory was in the kitchen. His lack of skill had been the reason he had learned to cook or they would have all starved.

  “Well you’re still standing so, he didn’t poison you.” He walked to the counter stepping between them to pour a cup of coffee. The tension in the room had grown and he figured it would be smart to get them all moving before blood was shed.

  “Your right I’m still here,” Alec replied his gaze meeting Kirk’s angry one. “Yup, I’m still here and I have no plans to go anywhere else.”

  “Mercy you better get a move on or you will be late,” Lucan said looking pointedly to Kirk who stood in the doorway clearly annoyed by their closeness.

  She snapped out of her trance like state and glanced to Kirk her eyes widening as if seeing him for the first time. “Oh, I just need to grab my jacket.”

  She walked to where Kirk stood, forcing herself to smile despite the churning in her stomach. He placed his hand on the small of her back possessively then walked her to the hall glaring at Alec over his shoulder.

  “I suppose you have a plan?” Lucan asked Alec who had watched with barely concealed rage when Kirk had dared to touch her.

  “I’m playing it by ear.” He grabbed his coat off the back of the chair and walked to the back door. “See you around.”

  Lucan nodded secure in the knowledge Gregory and himself would be close by at the bonfire to make sure the two predatory males did not get killed or kill one another.

  *****

  “If I eat another marshmallow I will turn into one," Lane told Alec as they sat around the fire with all of the other revelers later that evening.

  “Well you would defiantly be my favorite food,” he teased.

  Mercy watched their exchange feeling sick to her stomach. Alec was being sweet and attentive to Lane a girl she really liked and knew deserved it. Still, she could not help the jealousy she felt every time he placed his hand on hers or when he leaned close as they spoke. To top it off she felt cold inside and no matter how hard Kirk tried to make her happy she just could not seem to muster up the usual fun loving attitude she normally possessed.

  “Are you cold?” Alec asked Lane. She nodded and he took of his jacket placing it around her shoulders letting his arm lay there. Lane leaned her head against his shoulder, yawned and he smiled down on her dropping a kiss to her forehead. He had no romantic interest in her and she felt the same for him, but he genuinely liked her and wanted to be her friend.

  Mercy jumped to her feet outraged by what he was seeing, her whole body trembling with rage. Every fiber of her being demanded she march over to them and pull Lane from his arms.

  “You alright?” Kirk asked jumping up next to her looking concerned.

  “I don’t feel very good,” she managed to get out before walking away to get some fresh air before she made a fool of herself or hurt someone. She felt horrible for making Kirk so miserable. It was wrong, but she could not change how she felt, she was too far-gone. Alec had made her fall for him, despite all the reasons she knew they should never be together.

  “Mercy wait,” Kirk called out following until she stopped, swiping away the tears in her eyes. He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her laying her head against his chest. She was upset about Alec, every time he and Lane were near that night she became sullen and teary eyed. She was slipping away from him and nothing he could do would change it. If the way her and Alec acted around each other were any indication of their true feelings he wondered if he should get out now before he became any more enamored with her. “Why don’t I take you home.”

  “Would you mind?” She hated that he was so nice to her even when she was clearly upset about another guy. He was simply the kindest person she had ever met and once again, she chastised herself for not caring about him, as he deserved.

  “Nah, let’s get out of here.” He walked her to the car and helped her in kneeling at the door to talk to her about their situation, but he never got a chance to say a word.

  As Mercy looked down on Kirk, his face went ghost white and he grabbed his chest looking down in shock at the crimson stain that blossomed across his chest before collapsing against her leg. She scrambled out of the car with a scream, watching the blood flow from his chest in horror.

  Suddenly, Alec was there next to her his hand over her mouth, his arms wrapped around her mid section as he bent over her protecting her from any other bullets that might strike. “Do not scream it will bring the others do you understand?” She nodded and he removed his hand.

  He felt the presence of others from his pack moving towards them and knew they were safe, so he leaned down to look over the wound on Kirks chest.

  “Is he…” she could bring herself to say the words, but he knew what she meant.

  “No he’s alive, but we need to get this bullet out can you do it?”

  She nodded and leaned down next to Kirk placing her hands over the wound. Blood seeped through her fingers, its sticky wetness making her nauseas, but she forced herself to concentrate. She felt her energy leave her body and work its way through his, thoroughly cleaning up the mess the bullet had made. When she had done what she could she pulled out bringing the offending item along with her, coming into her own body gasping for air and promptly passing out into Alec’s arms.

  “Go! Get her home we have him.”Gregory commanded striding towards them in his human form. “Luc and I will drive Kirk’s car to the house, we will call his father once we have him settled.

  “Better call the sister too, I would bet anything there is Mandrake in his system, Mercy wouldn’t have known to look.” Lucan told him sliding into the car as Gregory lifted Kirk into his arms and laid him in the back seat.

  “We will make sure she comes with their father,” he told him sliding into the passenger’s seat beside the young Alpha who moaned in pain.

  *****

  By the time, they arrived at the house Alec had Mercy in his arms on the front porch waiting for them. Lucan joined him, opening the door as Gregory walked up the stairs carrying Kirk in his arms.

  “Get her in bed. I will clean him up and tuck him in the guest room,” Gregory ordered. “Once you get her settled, get back to the fire and take your date home then come back here.” Alec was about to protest leaving , but his father impaled him with a look that stopped him from speaking. “Son, she will be safe here and by the time she wakes you will be back, but we must not let the humans know what happened there tonight.”

  Alec carried Mercy to her room and laid her on the bed covering her with a soft pink blanket before kissing her tenderly and heading out to take care of business. He hated leaving her, but knew his father was right. Everything must appear normal so, he did as requested with a heavy heart.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Mercy got the bullet out and I purged the Mandrake from his system so he should be fine.” Nina told the men assembled in the room a few hours later.

  “Why did this happen?” Kirks father Jared demanded angrily.

  “We didn’t see anyone, the bullet came from nowhere,” Lucan told him.

  “Well I guess you are not very good at protecting anyone are you?” Jared yelled.

  Lucan already stressed by the events of the last
few weeks, came at him with alarming speed.

  Gregory stepped between them stopping him from attacking the outraged Alpha. “This is not going to help anything.” Gregory said placing his hand on Lucan’s arm to calm him before turning to Jared. “I was there too and I did not feel another’s presence. Whoever this is they are smart and know how to go about their business without detection.”

  “Father, they saved him by reacting so quickly, you should be thanking them not acting like they were responsible.” Nina said placing her small hand on his arm. “Now apologize to Lucan he did nothing wrong.”

  “Nina do not interfere with pack business,” Jared growled angrily.

  “Apologize, it is the right thing to do and you know it,” she scolded unafraid of his harsh tone.

  Lucan watched as the strong Alpha crumbled under her soft reasoning. He couldn’t blame the man, she was the prettiest thing he had ever seen and her brand of warmth would be dangerous to any man.

  She turned to him and his entire body stilled as her eyes meet his. If anyone would have told him his breathe would be taken away and his heart would stop beating when he meet his Bond Mate he would have said they were crazy, but now he finally understood what it was all about.

  “I’m sorry Lucan, I know you are honorable, I am just concerned for my family,” Jared said taking a seat next to his son, laying his head in his hands unaware of the exchange between his daughter and the man he spoke too.