by Donna Flynn
His father walked closer and placed his hands on him forcing him to look at him. “Now you will know how very difficult it is to be Alpha, to make the decisions no one wants to make. You are young, I had never anticipated you finding your mate so soon in life, but there she is and she needs you to be strong for her now. Will she hate you when she finds out? Maybe, but I think after she adjusts she will understand and forgive. Mercy is not some airheaded, snot nosed kid, she is intelligent and brave. Given time I think she will understand and forgive us all.”
“Lucan?” Alec turned to her brother wanting his approval.
“I hate it, I never wanted to push this, but your father is right she will shift one day whether we want it or not at least now it will help her from being scarred for life.” He was saddened, but resigned. The time had come for Mercy to take her place among them whether she was ready or not.
Nina placed her hand in his offering support. “She will wake soon, it is time to do this.”
“Call to her son, she will responded and when you shift she will join you.” Gregory said moving out of the way.
“I will wait downstairs with Kirk,” Nina murmured offering them privacy.
“Thank you,” Lucan said squeezing her hand before letting her go.
Alec lay on top of the sheet next to Mercy pulling her into his arms.
“Angel,” he whispered in her ear. “I need you to follow me, let my wolf guide you.” He opened his mind to her, letting her see and feel his change, so she would not be surprised when her own body followed suit. His skin slithered over bones that reshaped themselves popping and morphing until he gave an ear-piercing growl, shifting easily into a large black wolf at her side.
His wolf moved over her, his massive paws on either side of her body covering her as he bent to nip at her exposed shoulder trying to coax her to shift. She moaned and fought to get away even in her unconscious state, but it only made his wolf that much more demanding. He nipped her once more and somewhere deep inside her wolf responded letting out a howl of discovery before rising inside of her.
He felt the moment her body began the change, watched through canine eyes as her skin flowed seamlessly over her reforming bones, howling in displeasure when she fought against it and cried out in pain. The only comfort he could offer was the warmth of his body and the wet caress of his nose as he nudged her to let her know he was there.
Most first time shifts took a long time, but she was beautiful, shifting so fast from human to wolf that he refused to blink afraid he might miss it. With one last long mournful howl and she finished the shift and in the place of her human form lay a gorgeous red furred wolf unlike any he had ever seen before. He could not have been prouder of his mate, but suddenly she opened her panic filled eyes and growled, bucking him off the bed. His large body slammed against the wall releasing a spray of plaster and he inwardly cursed himself for not anticipating her confusion and anger.
“Mercy stop,” Lucan held his hand out and she sniffed it tentatively before looking around in puzzlement. Her gaze moved to where a giant wolf paced on his four massive paws across the room growling at her brother before turning its familiar amber eyes on her. Confused and horrified she looked to Lucan and Gregory for help, whimpering loudly.
“Settle,” Gregory said his tone commanding and calm. “It is alright little one, let Alec help you through this.”
“Mercy trust us,” Lucan said. “Let Alec come to you, he can make this easier.”
She growled, but Alec growled louder and joined her on the bed rubbing against her until she calmed and nuzzled his fur, laid down and rolled over exposing her belly a show of surrender that had everyone breathing easier. With a low moan, Alec lay next to her pressing his enormous head against her smaller one, his paw over hers as she lay down and fell into an exhausted sleep.
“You can reach into her mind when in wolf form son and block her from remembering this, it will buy us time before we have to break the news,” Gregory told him.
Alec moved through her mind blocking the events of the night despising himself for messing with her memory, but knowing it was necessary. Once finished he pushed his will on her and her magnificent wolf form transformed back to her human form. With his teeth he pulled, the blanket over her then looked over the wounds that covered her neck and a good part of her chest. The scars were for the most part almost completely healed and he breathed easier knowing she would be spared the pain and ugliness they would have caused. He pounced to the floor and walked to the chair changing forms effortlessly before facing the other men in the room once more.
“You need rest,” his father said the tone of his voice brooking no argument.
“Go to the guest room, I will have Nina dress her and I will spend the night here so she won’t be alone,” Lucan promised seeing the fatigue in the younger man’s eyes.
“Call me if she wakes up.” He moved tiredly to the bed and placed a kiss on Mercy’s cheek before walking out to the hall where Nina leaned against the wall her brother next to her.
“Thank you,” Alec said as he walked past them to the guest room unable to say anything more. He settled in the bed, not bothering to undress and turned on his side pondering what he had done. Now that Mercy’s wolf had been released it would be harder than ever to keep what they were from her and that meant all too soon they were going to have to explain she was a the very thing that had killed her parents.
Chapter Sixteen
Mercy woke to the comforting sounds of birds singing outside her window as she opened her eyes. She stretched and felt a slight ache across her chest and panic set in.
“Easy, the damage might be repaired, but you had a rough night.” Alec said from the corner where he had been leaning against the wall watching over her. He had slept for a few hours, but the need to be close in case she woke kept him from resting any longer so he had watched and waited all night for her to wake.
“What happened, all I remember is that dog jumping in front of us.” She blanched and gripped the blankets her knuckles white her distress clear. “Did we kill that poor animal?”
“I was worried about you I didn’t stop to look, but my father said it was gone when he went back to check.” He reached out and stroked her cheek lovingly surprised when she made no move to pull away, but instead laid her head in his palm. It wasn’t exactly a lie, the wolf had been gone by the time the pack had caught up to the accident site and it had left behind no evidence that would help them find out where it had come from.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” he asked his voice choked with emotion.
“Me? I’m fine I think.” She looked down and lifted the covers seeing the almost faded lines across her chest then touched her neck where rough lines ran down to her her left breast. She noted she was dressed in clean pajamas and blushed with embarrassment.
“Nina took care of you,” he explained thankful she seemed to have no recollection of shifting.
“I’m sorry it’s all a blur, I don’t really remember much.” She pushed hard trying to remember, but all she got was a headache for the effort.
“Don’t force it, you’re safe and no one else was hurt, let’s just be thankful for that.” He sat next to her and took her hand in his own. “I have never been so scared in all my life…” His voice caught in his throat and he couldn’t go on. All night he had thought of how close he had come to losing her, how close his own life had come to ending.
“I’m fine.” She leaned forward, pulling her hand from his bringing it to the back of his neck and pulling him close. “I don’t know what happened yesterday, but I know before the accident I wanted you to kiss me, I remember asking you too.” She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue then whispered huskily. “I’m begging you for the last time Alec, kiss me.”
He could not resist doing as she asked and once their lips meet they were both lost in each other. Neither of them heard the door open or saw Kirk when he peeked in then closed it softly behind himself before
walking down the hall and leaving the house.
After a lengthy embrace, Alec pulled away reminding himself she was still injured and needed rest. There would be time for him to kiss and cuddle with her now that she was ready to admit her feelings and he looked forward to that time together.
Mercy lay back against the pillows as he fiddled with her fingers staring at him with a troubled expression. “I need to talk to Kirk, it’s wrong for me to kiss you when I am dating him.” She sniffled as tears flooded her eyes. “He’s going to be so hurt by all of this.”
“Probably, but it isn’t it better to hurt him now rather than later when he is more in love with you?” His fingers locked with hers and he pulled her close once more. He ached to tell her everything, so they could finally be together without lies between them. Just as he was about to brooch, the subject Lucan knocked on the door then opened it carrying a large tray of food, his sharp eyes not missing their quick disentanglement from each other. He gave Alec a warning glare as he passed setting the tray across Mercy’s lap before taking a seat at the bottom of the bed.
“So how are you feeling?” he asked as she took a sip of orange juice.
“I’m fine, a little sore, and a lot confused about what happened, but alright.” She looked down at the plate in front of her, finding herself unusually ravenous for the steak he had placed on the side of her usual scrambled eggs.
“Have you heard from your father yet today?” Lucan asked Alec as she ate.
Alec nodded. He had spoken with Gregory in the early morning hours as Mercy slept. “He is looking into things and should have some answers later today.” He could not go into detail with Mercy present, something Lucan knew, but his father had found out Mather had been in town one day before Alec had been shot. Whether his presence was a coincidence or not they were unsure, but it was highly suspicious. There was also the question why would he want to kill Alec or Kirk when neither had any significance in his life or that of his pack.
“I think it best to keep Mercy home for a few days. I already called the school and told them she had an accident, so they will be sending someone with her missed work.” Mercy was about to protest, but he waylaid her with a firm look. “It might be best if you too stayed close to home until we figure out what is going on.”
“Already planned on it, Lane is getting my work and bringing it to me after school.” He saw the flash of jealousy on Mercy’s face and felt the need to explain. “She’s a friend that’s all.”
“I’m sure,” she replied shoving the tray away, suddenly losing her appetite. She clearly recalled how he was with Lane at the bonfire. The way he put his arm around her shoulders and flirted with her the entire evening. How she could have let herself think she would be enough to keep him away from other girls was beyond her.
“I’ll take this to the kitchen. Alec why don’t you join me, Nina is going to sit in here while Mercy showers and dresses in case there is any problems.” He kissed the top of Mercy’s head and took the tray in hand.
“I’m fine, I don’t need a baby sitter to get a shower,” she whined.
“Well indulge me, I’m feeling a little over protective right now.” He walked to the door waiting for Alec to join him.
“I will see you in a little bit.” Alec brushed his lips over her forehead while she scowled. He held back the laughter he felt knowing she did not find the situation amusing then joined Lucan at the door. “Later, Angel,” he said looking over his shoulder with a smile that would normally have melted her.
“Not if Lane has anything to say about it,” she mumbled under her breath.
“Lane has a thing for Kirk in case you have not noticed, she has no more interest in me than I do her,” he confided with a wink walking out and leaving her to ponder that new piece of information.
*****
“What was that about?” Lucan asked as they descended the stairs.
“I asked Lane to the bonfire trying to make Mercy jealous, but now she thinks I’m in to her when in fact Lane likes Kirk and Mercy is the only girl I will ever love.”
“If you ask me Lane might be the perfect recipe for heartbreak. Kirk took off out of here in an awful hurry this morning and he did not look happy. Maybe if you pushed him in Lane’s direction they might make a match.”
“Whose matchmaking I want in,” Nina said from the table as they entered the kitchen.
“Apparently a girl at school has a thing for your brother, I thought maybe Alec could push them together.”
“Would this be because Mercy is going to break it off with him?”
“I just thought if there was someone there to help him over it, things would be easier for him,” he said laying his hand over hers.
“It’s nice of you to care and it might be a good idea, but if I know my brother he won’t jump to another girl easily.” Her fingers twined with his both lost in each other forgetting Alec was even there with them.
“Uh… maybe I better check in with dad,” Alec said trying to give them privacy.
“He’s already on his way over,” Lucan said then looked to Nina. “Would you go up stairs and keep an eye on Mercy, so she can shower and dress?”
“I suppose this is a private conversation, so yes I will go now.” She stood and let his hand go reluctantly.
“Thank you, I will make it up to you with a dinner out after all of this madness has been settled.” The happy smile on her face was the only answer he needed.
As she, left Gregory walked in looking extremely unhappy. He took a seat and Alec placed coffee in front of him then joined them at the table. “I have spoken with some of the other packs around the states.” He clenched his jaw looking displeased. “Three packs have lost their prospective heirs in the last six months, all shot with silver bullets laced with poison.”
“None of their healers picked up on the Mandrake?” Alec asked.
“We were lucky that Nina picked up on it, but their healers did not.”
“Someone wants the heirs of our packs dead,” Lucan said lifting his eyes to Gregory’s seeing the worry there. “Why? What would they gain?”
“Until now no one has suspected anything odd since we have such limited communication with each other. I suspect there are others we have not spoken too so I sent some of my trusted pack members to their Alphas’.” He looked to Lucan “Call Cade, let him know what is happening because like it or not both of you are heirs to your father’s pack he could be in danger.”
He did not need to be told twice. Lucan pulled his phone out of his shirt pocket and hit the send button waiting impatiently to hear his brother’s voice, but only got his voicemail. “Damn it Cade call me when you get this message it’s urgent.” He hung up the phone and slammed his fist on the wood table. “I should never have let him go.”
“I’m sure he’s fine and will call you back when he can.”
His pack leader’s voice was calm and soothed him, but he knew he would not rest easy until he heard from Cade. His brother and Mercy were the only family he had and he would move heaven and earth for either of them.
*****
“Nina I’m fine you do not have to babysit me,” Mercy said as she toweled off her hair in her bedroom after her shower. Kirks sister had been caring and attentive since entering the room, but it made Mercy uneasy that she was being so nice when she was going to hurt her brother.
“I don’t mind, it makes Lucan feel better to know someone is with you.” She answered from the window seat where she had taken up watch. “So are you going to break it off with Kirk this afternoon?”
Mercy gulped unsure how to reply, but Nina came to her side and hugged her. “It’s alright I know he is not the one for you and although it will hurt him he will survive.”
“You’re not mad?” She asked feeling odd being consoled by the sister of the person she was going to break up with.
“I’m sad for my brother, but I feel that two people meant for each other should never be parted, even by those with the b
est intentions.” She took a step back and moved towards the window once again.
“I really like Kirk, but Alec he….” She bit her lip unable to express how he made her feel.
“It’s too much to put into words isn’t it? The feeling that he is part of you, a piece that has always been missing, that he is the only one who will ever hold your heart,” Nina answered softly speaking more for herself than Mercy.
“Yes,” she replied pulling on her t-shirt before turning to Nina. “I’m ready let’s go see what the guys are up too.”
Nina rose and joined her at the door placing a hand on her shoulder briefly. “Alec is lucky to have you.”
“He does not have me yet. I am not dumping Kirk to run into his arms. I just think it is unfair to keep your brother from meeting other girls when I am so clearly conflicted about my feelings.”
“You keep telling yourself that, but I can see where your heart lies and I think you do too.” She walked out of the room leaving Mercy to gather her thoughts before joining her in the kitchen where the men were drinking coffee as they spoke in hushed tones.
The room silenced as she entered. Alec came immediately to her side, took her hand, and then escorted her to a vacant seat. “Can I get you anything?” he asked.
“Unless you’re ready to explain what you are all hiding from me then no, I’m fine.” She caught the pleading glance he gave Lucan, but when he turned back, it was gone replaced by a blank expression.
“There is nothing to explain, we were just discussing how best to find our shooter,” he said as he sat back down leaving his hand on hers.
“Alec I have known you a long time, you’re hiding something and I intend to find out what.” She had decided the direct approach was best, but the hardening of his expression had her rethinking her plan. He was frustrated and clearly angry that she pushed him for more information, not the reaction she wanted.