A man rushing toward her made her cut off her words. “You shouldn’t be here,” he snarled. “We don’t have humans on the compound.”
She vaguely recognized him from when Chance had brought her here on the first night, but she couldn’t put a name to him. “Actually, that’s kind of what I’m here about.”
The man moved closer, using his stocky body to intimidate her, making her step backward, toward the car. “Get back in your truck and leave. Now.”
She didn’t like how this man was acting, but she wasn’t about to be bullied. “Now, hang on a minute. I’m here to see Chance. There’s no rule saying I’m not allowed to see him.”
He barked a laugh into her face and she twisted away to avoid the breath he gusted over her. “Chance. That loser. No wonder he’s hooking up with humans.”
A part of her was tempted to snap at him that she wasn’t fully human, but she didn’t see why she had to justify herself to this man. “Just tell Chance I’m here.”
“I’m not your little bitch to order around.”
“Hey!”
The shout came from a distance away, and Maya’s heart lifted. It was Chance—she’d recognize his voice anywhere.
“Get the fuck away from her, Gavin!”
The man, Gavin, spun to face who was coming. “Make me.”
She heard a snarl, caught a glimpse of Chance’s features—still handsome, despite the fury etched across them—and then a moment later, he was on all fours. Panic flitted through her. He was going to change into a wolf, and she knew it was because of this man. Something was going on that had more to do with this man shouting at her. The two of them clearly had history.
The shift was different this time than previous times she’d witnessed them. Where before, the change had happened smoothly and almost effortlessly, this time, when he dropped to the ground, Chance’s whole body twisted. He let out a howl of pain, and her stomach lurched.
What was happening?
The reason for the difference suddenly occurred to her. He was shifting when it was no longer a full moon.
Around her, the other shifters gave little cries of surprise and shock. This clearly wasn’t done often, and she could see why. She looked on in horror as the face she loved so much peeled in chunks. Bloodied flaps dropped to the ground like horrific leaves, revealing white fur below. The wolf’s muzzle pushed out of Chance’s mouth, even as his lips were stretching in another scream of pain. His clothes shredded as the shape of the wolf broke through his human skin, growing larger and changing shape. Though it had taken longer than normal, within a minute, Chance was no longer human, but instead took the form of a large, white wolf, whose upper lip was curled in a snarl, all the hackles along his neck and back raised in ridges.
“What the fuck,” Gavin said, staggering away from her, apparently realizing he was the target of the wolf’s fury. She wondered why he didn’t shift as well. Was he too afraid to put himself through the pain it had clearly caused Chance?
With another snarl, Chance leaped. Gavin managed to turn to run, but the wolf slammed into him, knocking him to the ground. Wolf’s saliva dripped onto Gavin’s face, and he lifted his arms, trying to ward the animal off as it snapped sharp teeth.
“Chance, stop it!” Maya cried, terrified he was going to kill the other shifter. She didn’t know what the penalty was for such a crime, but she knew it wouldn’t be good. “Please, Chance. He’s not worth it!”
Someone else came running onto the scene—the big alpha, Holton. He pushed his way through the gathered crowd, forcing his way to the front.
“What the hell is going on here? Stop this, right now. As your alpha, I command it.”
Chance gave a final snap to Gavin’s face, but finally backed off.
Maya allowed herself to breathe again.
With another grunt of pain, Chance shifted back to human. Naked, he remained, panting hard, one hand and one knee down on the ground, his head hung as he regained his composure. Even in this position, after witnessing what she had, Maya couldn’t help but admire his body, his firm ass, his long, lean thighs, his muscular back. Her eyes also skated over the scars which littered his skin. Had this other man, Gavin, had something to do with them? He still hadn’t told her the full story, and she couldn’t help wondering if that had been the case. Chance’s reaction had been extreme if he was only angry at Gavin for having a go at her.
“Stand up, Chance,” said Holton, standing above him. “You, too, Gavin.”
Gavin scrambled to his feet, holding his bloodied arms—defensive wounds slashed across both forearms. “He hurt me!” he whined.
Holton scowled. “No worse than you’ve hurt him in the past. You’ll heal.”
He turned to Chance, who stood straight, a defiant jut to his chin. “You know I can’t allow that kind of behavior here, Chance.”
“I wasn’t going to kill him,” Chance replied, “I just wanted to frighten him. Men like him are bullies, and they’ll continue to bully until someone stands up to them.”
The alpha glowered at them both. “I understand there’s resentment between the two of you, but it’s over now. Is that understood?”
Both men scowled at each other, but nodded.
“What about her?” said Gavin, jerking his chin toward Maya.
Her heart sank. She’d kind of hoped she’d been forgotten.
The men all turned toward her.
“I came with news,” she said, addressing Holton. “I spoke to my mother, and it appears you were right. My real father was a lone wolf. So I am half shifter.” She caught Chance’s eye, and a slow smile spread across his face. This was good news for him. For them both. It meant they were fated to be together.
“But, but, we can’t have a human living here,” Gavin flustered. “Where’s it going to stop? Before we know it, every other wolf is going to be bringing his human piece of ass back here.”
Chance stepped forward. “Don’t you dare speak about Maya like that. She’s not some piece of ass. She’s my mate, and you’ll treat her as such.”
He scoffed. “If she can’t shift, then, in my mind, she’s human. Trust you to be the one who mates with a god-damned human.”
“Not fully, she isn’t! And what the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Holton moved between them and lifted both hands. “That’s enough! Both of you. Maya isn’t fully human. She’s an exception, and she’s Chance’s mate. No one can control who they mate with, and I won’t see a member of our pack pushed out because of discrimination.”
Maya looked between them all, talking about her as though she wasn’t even there. “Hang on a minute,” she said, speaking up. “I’ve never even asked to live here. I can’t live here. I have a family and a business to run, and I can’t just throw everything in and walk away. Those things are important to me.”
She caught Chance looking at her, and saw the hurt flicker across his features. “You’re important to me, too,” she said, her voice softer, “but you can’t expect me to leave everything. My mother is alone now, and we have the diner to run, and bills to pay. Your life here looks idyllic, but it isn’t my life.”
“You’re right,” said Chance, frowning. “I’m sorry I made that assumption.”
Holton turned to Chance. “You and I need to talk, Chance.” He glanced to Maya. “Alone.”
Maya backed away, toward the truck. “It’s fine. I’ve done what I came here to do, and that was to tell you my news. I know when I’m not welcome. I’ll leave now.”
“Maya, please.” Chance reached for her, but she shook her head.
“Come and see me at home when you’re done,” she said, and before she could let him change her mind, she climbed back in the truck and drove away.
Chapter Fifteen
Chance watched Maya drive away, still fuming from what had happened. Was his time with the Dark Ridge wolves at an end? If they didn’t want Maya here, he wouldn’t be staying either. He’d put up with a lot. He would be willing t
o put his feud with Gavin behind him now that he’d managed to even out the score a little, but he wouldn’t be able to do so if Maya wasn’t even allowed to visit the compound.
“This way, Chance,” said Holton, jerking his chin toward the meeting house.
Chance exhaled a steady breath through his nose, evening out his temper, and then bent to pick up his shredded clothes. He followed his alpha into the meeting house, wondering what he was going to say. Would he kick Chance out of the pack?
Holton came to a halt in the middle of the meeting house and turned to Chance.
“I know this isn’t regular practice. We don’t normally have half-breeds living with the pack, but I know you’re not a regular member of the pack either.”
Chance bristled, immediately defensive. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“That you’ve been forced to endure far more than any other member. I know the way things ended with Gregory’s reign didn’t work out so well for you. He used you, just the same as he used numerous other members of this pack.”
“The other members didn’t end up scarred,” he snapped.
Holton lifted a hand, remaining calm. “I’m aware of that, which is why I’m making this exception for you now. I don’t want to lose you as a pack member, Chance, and if that means having Maya come and live here with us, so be it.”
Chance’s mood instantly switched from riled to hopeful. “I thought you didn’t run the pack that way. I thought you’d allow the pack to decide.”
“I guess I was wrong thinking that way. Sometimes, a leader has to make a decision, even if it isn’t going to be a popular one.”
“Do you think Maya will have problems if she comes here?”
“No, we’ll see that she doesn’t. I’ll call a pack meeting and introduce her, and make sure everyone knows she is one of us now.”
Chance exhaled a sigh of relief. He’d truly believed Holton would tell him it was time for him to leave. He hadn’t known where he and Maya would go, but he’d have left the pack for her. He’d have gone anywhere, as long as he was with her, but having her here with the pack filled him with joy.
“Thank you, Holton. You have no idea what this means to me.”
His alpha gave a slow smile. “I understand how it feels to fall for the wrong girl.”
Chance remembered the gossip surrounding Holton, and his brother Joel, both wanting Ruby. In the end, Holton had won, just as the alpha should, though Joel remained alone.
“Thank you,” he repeated, “though I’m not sure if Maya will even want—or be able—to come here. She’s got her mother and a business to run. Living with the pack would be amazing for us both, but I’m not sure it will happen.”
“Just know that the option is there for you if you want it,” Holton said, “and if anyone so much as breathes a negative word in her direction, come and talk to me. I’ll see that such behavior won’t be tolerated under my leadership.”
Chance ducked his head in a nod, and turned and left. Where he’d entered the meeting house filled with bitterness and rage, he now had hope.
All he had to do was convince Maya.
Chapter Sixteen
Maya drove home feeling strangely deflated. Things hadn’t gone as she’d planned—not that she was even sure what she’d expected. She’d only wanted to give Chance the news about her being half shifter. She hadn’t given any thought to what would happen beyond that. Would they just carry on as they were—with him living at the compound, while she stayed at the diner with her mom, working every hour in the day? The idea filled her with dread. It wasn’t what she wanted, but what choice did she have? She wasn’t going to abandon her mother, but, when the diner reopened, she and Chance would never get to spend any time together. She’d be exhausted from work and would only want to sleep when she finished. The idea of hardly getting to see him twisted her up inside. Where was her future? Their future? Did they even have one?
She got back to the diner to see the lights on inside. She frowned. Someone was inside.
Maya pulled the truck up outside and climbed out.
Using the keys to the diner, which were attached to the key chain for the truck, she let herself in. At first, she couldn’t see anyone, but then she spotted her mom sitting in one of the booths. A piece of paper sat on the table in front of her.
“Mom?”
Barbara lifted her head to look at her. “I finally started on the laundry, and I found this in the front of your apron. Is there something you want to tell me?”
Maya suddenly realized what the piece of paper was in front of her and she felt like ice-water had been dumped in her stomach. “Oh.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? Tell us? This letter is dated before your father died.”
Maya pressed her lips together, tears filling her eyes. This was all too much. She wanted to climb into bed and hide away from everything, but she couldn’t. “I was trying to protect you.”
Her mother gave a small smile. “I guess I’m not the only one who’s done that then.” She was referring to the news of who Maya’s real father had been.
Maya sank into the seat opposite. “I guess not. I just knew how much you had on your plate, and I didn’t want this asshole hassling you.”
“Oh, Maya, you’re the one who has always got so much on her plate, and you keep taking on more. You’re so young, and you’ve already shouldered more than someone your age should ever have to. That’s been my fault, and I’m so sorry.”
She took her hand. “It wasn’t your fault, Mom. Dad was ill. That wasn’t anyone’s fault.”
“No, but he’s not here anymore, and things need to change.”
Maya blinked. “What are you saying?”
“I’m going to accept the offer to buy the diner.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You can’t sell this place, Mom. The diner has been your life.”
“Sweetheart, this is probably the best thing that can have happened. I’ll make sure it’s included in the contract that everyone who currently works here will still be employed by the new business, if they want to be. That way people like Steph will still have a job.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “But what about the house? Where are you going to live? This is your home.”
She nodded. “It was, for a very long time, and it’s been a happy home. But your father is gone now, and I can’t keep expecting you to give up your life to run the restaurant.”
“You can help, too, now,” she said, her voice filled with enthusiasm. “Now you’re no longer caring for Dad, you can work back in the restaurant again.” She felt guilty even saying it, as though she was happy or relieved her father was dead—which wasn’t the case at all. She’d have worked her fingers to the bone for the rest of her life if it had meant being able to keep him around.
“Maya,” she said, taking her hands. “I’m tired, my darling. I don’t want to keep working here, with all the stress and worry, and the long hours. I want to find myself a modern little apartment in town, somewhere I can walk to the shops, and the library, and the restaurants so other people can cook for me, and just take it easy. You’ve been so good to us over the last few years, while your dad was so ill, but you need to have your life, too. Go with Chance, have your adventure somewhere new. Live and love. You deserve it more than anyone.”
“But I’ll miss you.”
“I won’t be far away. Only an hour’s drive. I’ll miss you, too, but you can visit. That’s the way it should be.”
Maya slipped from her seat to slide into the booth beside her and threw herself into her mother’s arms. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, darling. That will never change, no matter where we’re living.”
A knock came at the door, and Chance, fully clothed this time, stepped through.
“I’m sorry,” he said, looking between them, “I’m interrupting.”
Maya swiped tears from her face. “No, you can never interrupt me. Mom’s going to take the offer for t
he diner. I don’t have to work here anymore.”
“So you could come to the compound, if you wanted?” he asked, cautiously.
She nodded. “Yes, if they’ll have me. I’m not sure how the others will feel about me living there.”
“Holton wants to call a pack meeting. He wants you to be there.”
“He does?”
“Yes, but only if you want to be.”
Maya nodded. “I do.”
She turned back to her mother. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”
“Go, Maya,” Barbara said with a smile. “Go and start your life.”
Chapter Seventeen
Maya drove the truck back to the compound. Her heart thrummed too fast, and her hands were sweaty and slicked on the steering wheel, despite the cool night. Everything had changed, and she wasn’t sure if she’d ever come to terms with things, but she had Chance by her side, and that was all that mattered. She didn’t know if her mother selling the diner was a good thing or not, but she knew a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She had options now, where she didn’t before. She still wasn’t completely convinced about the compound and some of the shifters, but if the alpha wanted her there, she knew in pack mentality, that was the most important thing.
“It’s going to be okay,” said Chance, covering her hand with his.
“Yeah, I hope you’re right.”
The last time she’d been up to the compound hadn’t gone so well.
They arrived to find what looked like most of the pack surrounding the meeting house. Nerves churned in her stomach.
“What is this, Chance?” she asked him.
“Go and see.”
The pack members turned to her as she climbed from the truck, but there was no aggression or questions this time. Instead, everyone smiled at her as she approached, some people reaching out to touch her arm and say hi as she passed through. The alpha, Holton, stood on stage, and he beckoned to her.
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