“Are you going to answer that?” Rayne lifted her brow up and Zac blinked once as the ringtone from his phone flooded his ears. He had been so focused on her he didn’t even hear it start ringing.
“Hello,” he answered without looking at his screen.
“I thought you were coming to my fucking house this morning,” Raymand growled over the line and Zac cursed himself for forgetting about the damn meeting. His stomach tightened, he hated pissing off the alpha.
“Shit, I did a perimeter sweep of my house twice before going to work this morning.” He shoved his hand through his hair, the need to keep Annmarie and Rayne safe had come first and clouded everything else.
“Why?” The anger kept his voice low.
“Well, first off I imprinted with Rayne.” His heart warmed at the thought of completing the bond with her. His beast decided this would be a great moment to push last night’s memories into his thoughts.
“You mean Rayne, as in Jacob and Rayne, the non-imprinted couple.” Raymand chuckled over the line. His wolf growled low at the thought of Jacob even being near Rayne again.
“Jacob left me, alpha!” Rayne yelled, and the laughing stopped. He met her gaze and his wolf pushed to be closer to her.
“Damn. All right but it still doesn’t explain the double sweep.” The alpha shuffled something that sounded like papers on the other end of the line.
“Last night wolves were at her house when I came over.” Zac filled his alpha in on all the details he knew about the fuckers who had tried to hurt his mate and her daughter. His mind wandered back to this morning and how they had all eaten breakfast together. Am I ready to be a dad to Jacob’s children? He glanced at Rayne’s stomach where the other little one grew.
“Well, fuck me sideways. I knew they would attack again but this is out of character. They’ve been attacking couples, not single parents,” Raymand growled.
“That was until Cora got away,” Zac added. His heart tightened. They could come back for Annmarie.
“So, you think they’re changing shit up?”
“I’m not sure alpha but they weren’t expecting me, but I don’t know if they’re going to try again like they did with Cora.” Zac’s comment made Rayne stiffen.
“They don’t even know where we are,” Rayne said but not loud enough for the alpha to hear on the phone. “I mean she’s safe at school.” Hesitation filled her soft voice like she wanted to convince herself not Zac.
“Is Annmarie with you?”
“No, she’s at school.” Zac didn’t like the uneasy feeling settling into the pit of his stomach. He may not be freaking ready to be a dad, but he didn’t want anything to happen to the sweet little girl. It still drove him crazy to think about all those other kids they hadn’t heard from.
“Well, Maple mentioned a hunter followed her home so be aware of your shit when you pick her up.”
“Got it.” Zac caught Rayne’s gaze and she nodded.
“Let me know if anything happens. I have a few wolves out patrolling the fucking shack we found Cora in a few months back. My gut tells me they won’t be back though.” Raymand spoke of when the hunters almost killed Maple in the process of taking Cora. The shack was nothing more than walls and a floor.
“For Annmarie’s sake, I hope it’s not used and they just fucking stop.” He wanted to keep Annmarie and Rayne safe but with these hunters on the loose shit might get fucking real and soon.
“You and me both,” Raymand said his goodbye leaving Zac with a new sense of dread.
Chapter Nine
Rayne
After Zac hung up the phone, she met his gaze and heat zipped down her spine. The worry about her older child was pushed down for overprotectiveness. Her wolf wanted to shove everything off the desk and have him complete the bond while everyone walked by. She bit her lower lip as her heart raced in her ears.
“Look, this whole mating thing is a bit of a mess.” He tossed his phone on his desk.
“You’re telling me.” Rayne chuckled. Everything could’ve been easier if she had met Zac as a teen instead of Jacob. Her wolf wouldn’t have let her get into bed with Jacob when she had gone into heat. Everything could be perfect if I met him in high school. She resisted the urge to sigh, wishing she could change the past was useless and futile.
“I can’t change the fact that I’m pregnant or have a child already with Jacob.” She placed a pen down next to the keyboard. Her wolf pushed an image of him over her sending heat through to her center.
“I know that. But I…” He shoved his hands through his hair. “I know I want kids, but taking care of someone else’s… I never thought it would be something I needed to consider.”
“As I said, the ball is in your court. If you can’t take it, then we’ll complete the bond and go our separate ways. If I need to change jobs, then I’ll make it work.” She didn’t want to consider trying to find a new job while pregnant.
“You’re not leaving this job,” he growled low and she lifted a brow. The memory of the last woman he brought to the hotel flitted through her mind and anger rolled around like a raging inferno.
“Well, I couldn’t just watch you bring girls here like you’ve done before.” She shook her head and tried to calm her racing heart. She picked up the pen again and bent it in half, plastic shattered under her fingers.
“What girls?” He lifted his brow and raised his arms. She took in a shaky breath and glared at him. Oh, come the fuck on! How stupid does he think I am?
“You know, the younger women you bring here.” Rayne waved toward the lobby on the other side of the door. “Like two weeks ago.” Her beast paced in her mind.
“My cousins? What the fuck? Do you think I’m a sick fuck?” He threw up his hands. Her heart leapt at the thought of him not being with others.
“How was I supposed to know they were your cousins?” She shrugged. Her wolf liked that the women she had seen weren’t conquests. Her wolf calmed down.
“They don’t live in town and when they visit, I put them in one of the rooms here.” He shook his head. Her heart stopped racing and her wolf pushed images of him and her together in her thoughts. Oh, come on, not right now.
“Why not put them up at your house?” She tossed the broken pieces of the pen into the trash. The need to really understand her new mate burned hotter than a campfire.
“They’re way too fucking girly and would make a mess out of my bathroom. No thank you. I love them, but my house is my space.” He scrunched up his nose. She could imagine him freaking out over make-up splayed over the countertops.
Rayne let out a giggle at his expression. “What about my girly stuff?” She lifted her brow and he crossed the room, invading her space. Heat lanced through in her chest.
“You, my dear, would be the exception.” His cedar scent rolled through her lungs and she let go of a short whimper. “You have no idea what that sound does to me.” He scented the air and a grin lifted his lips. Heat pulsed through her body and a deep need to feel his touch on her flesh rolled around her soul.
His arousal permeated the air and her heart raced in her chest. I should push him away…maybe not. She bit her lip. Fuck, what should I do? When his lips crashed into hers, all of her thoughts disappeared. Need coiled through her stomach and heat bloomed between her thighs. With a flick of his arm, all the stuff on her desk crashed to the floor. He lifted her up and placed her on top next to the computer.
“I can’t…” He lifted just enough to meet her gaze. She couldn’t hold back any longer. A shiver zipped down her spine. After so many years of dreaming of Zac, she wanted to know if her imagination did him justice.
“Yes.” She nodded her head and lifted her skirt up. He ripped her panties away and slid down his pants. The moment his tip touched her opening she let out a moan. She covered her mouth, trying to conceal it.
“You better keep quiet. I didn’t lock the door.” He thrust his hips, sending heat and pleasure through her body. A soft moan left her lips
and she tried to stifle it, but he felt too damn good as he pounded into her. Each stroke sending her higher than ever before. Her back bowed up as his strong hand wrapped around her right tit. She shouldn’t be completing the bond with him when she didn’t know if they would stay together in the long run. Men did things for themselves and Rayne hoped Zac was different. Yet she couldn’t manage to tell him no. Rayne needed this just as much as he needed her.
He leaned down, his lips hovering next to her ear. “Cum on me, beautiful,” he whispered as she inched closer to the edge. One more thrust sent her plummeting into ecstasy. Her breath stalled as the waves of pleasure crashed through every cell. He swelled inside her and reached his own orgasm with a low grown. The current of electricity from the imprint raced under her flesh, sending her spiraling into an aftershock of heat and pleasure.
“So much better than my wolf has been showing me for years.” He kissed her neck.
“Agreed.” She let out a shaky breath. One problem had been solved, she wouldn’t lose her wolf, but she had no idea where her heart would end up. She licked her lower lip as he pulled himself from her. He slipped her skirt down before covering himself. Seconds after he zipped up his pants, someone knocked on the door. Rayne bolted up and adjusted her clothes before sitting back down in her chair. A light breeze flowed up her skirt reminding her she had no undies. Thankfully, she had an extra set in the car. Being a wolf who shifts a lot called for extra clothes in case of emergencies.
“Who is it?” Zac growled toward the door.
“Bryn, sir,” his sheepish voice came through the door.
“Crap.” Rayne stared at all the stuff Zac had pushed off the desk before they mated. A light heat burned through her cheeks and she dove for the papers and pens scattered over the floor. Zac walked toward the door and slipped out of the room, leaving Rayne to clean up the mess. Her hand wrapped around a picture frame and her heart dropped as small shards of plastic fell to the floor. She flipped it over and saw her baby girl smiling back at her.
Will he stay and love Annmarie or will he abandon me like Jacob did? A chill raced down her spine. Should I be walking away to protect my heart and babies? I do have another coming soon. So many things she needed to do to prepare for the little life growing inside her and yet she didn’t want to feel the worry in her soul anymore. She wanted to let go and just trust Zac, but her past had told her trusting a man didn’t work in her favor.
Chapter Ten
Zac
When Zac walked back into the office, Rayne still sat on the floor staring at a picture frame. Papers and pens were splayed on her desk and some were on the floor.
“Are you okay?” He dropped to his knees next to her and she lifted her gaze. Tears shone in her eyes yet none fell. His wolf howled, he didn’t like seeing the hurt in her gaze.
“I couldn’t have stopped the bonding, but I’m not sure if it was the right thing to do.” She nibbled on her lower lip. “I want to trust that you will keep me safe with my daughter, but Jacob just up and walking away… everything is so fresh.” Rayne’s shoulders dropped. He knew completing the bond had risks but having her so close sent him over the edge. Resisting the urge had been too painful to continue. He pushed back her hair and lifted her chin.
“I don’t know what will happen tomorrow and I sure as hell don’t know what will happen next year. What I do know, is I can’t see myself without you, Rayne.”
“But what about her?” She lifted the frame and Annmarie smiled up at him. “She will always be my top priority and this baby growing in me will have the same priority over my own happiness.”
“And we both need time to adjust.” Zac didn’t want Rayne making any rash decisions. Her phone beeped a reminder, and she reached for it. His stomach turned.
“I need to go get her from school.” She stood, and Zac jumped to his feet then extended his hand. His heart ached at the idea of Rayne leaving him, which only made his wolf howl.
“What do you want from me, Rayne?” He wanted to make her happy, but he knew he still had his own hang-ups.
“I don’t know. Maybe we should take a few days apart.” She pushed her blonde hair back. “I can stay with Jennine. By then we’ll both know how we feel.” She placed the picture next to the computer screen and walked out of the room. He stood there, empty inside while his wolf howled in anger. Part of him wanted to run after her but he couldn’t consciously tell her everything would be okay between them because he didn’t know if he was truly ready to take everything on.
Zac scooped up the pens and put them in the right place. His wolf mentally kicked around his head. Once her desk seemed back to normal, Zac turned toward the door and stormed to his truck. He scanned the little patch of land between his hotel and the next one. His wolf scratched at the surface wanting to be free and run out all his pent-up anger. A run might clear his thoughts.
His phone buzzed. “Hello,” he answered without looking at the screen.
“She’s not here.” Rayne’s shrill voice rocked through the phone and into his ear. His mouth dried up instantly.
“What do you mean?”
“Cora said she was going to meet Annmarie outside and ask for a play date but Annmarie’s not here. Maple’s calling Raymand now.” Panic filled her voice. Zac did his best to stay calm.
“I’m coming.” He jumped into the truck and raced to the school. His chest ached at the possible loss of Annmarie to the hunters. His wolf howled and thrashed at the barrier. She’s mine to protect. Zac sucked in a short breath as the words rang true they hurt. After a short but grueling drive of worry, Zac managed to find a parking spot almost a block away from the school. Cars zoomed by and kids walked down the sidewalks. He tried to keep himself centered to pick up on any trails, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Yet so many different scents rolled up his nose from the kids, cars, and parents all roaming around.
“What do you mean someone else picked her up?” Rayne yelled at a female teacher. Zac bolted toward her. The idea of Annmarie gone was like pins pricking his heart. Raymand pulled up to the school and hopped out. A teacher stormed up to him but one look from the alpha and she scurried away to her post.
“What’s going on?” Zac asked Rayne, he grabbed her shoulder, so she faced him. His wolf paced inside, ready to strike out the moment Zac needed him.
“I just came from checking her classroom and the teacher said, she walked out with Hulio.” She waved to a little boy with brown hair.
“I had to go pee. I’m sorry, Annmarie’s mom.” Hulio’s shoulders fell and Maple rubbed his back.
“Did you see anything when you walked out?” Zac turned to the little pup.
“I heard a small whimper, I thought it was Annmarie. I ran out and saw a van with a funny sign on the door leaving. Moms and dads were yelling at him to slow down.” He pointed south and shifted his weight.
“The parents said it looked like a construction logo,” the teacher pitched in.
“Sherman works construction and Jacob is staying there,” Rayne hissed and turned to the alpha. “I think I know where she is.”
“Where?” Raymand growled.
“I had a fight with Jacob this morning about visitations. He could have used Sherman’s truck or roped Sherman into taking Annmarie.” She shoved her hands through her hair. Time wasn’t on their side, especially if she was wrong.
“I don’t think he took her.” Zac shook his head and glanced up at the alpha. He didn’t catch any hints from Jacob’s scent in the area.
“Well, I think he did. I’m going over there right now and giving Jacob a piece of my mind after I get her back.” Rayne rolled her shoulders and walked away. Zac resisted the urge to run after her, but a familiar cedar scent rolled into his lungs. His stomach turned. Rayne’s tires squealed as she left.
“Alpha, I know one of the scents here isn’t a student and it’s lingering with Annmarie’s.” He wanted to shift to be sure but didn’t have time to look for more clothes when he shifted back.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m ninety percent positive this is the hunters who attacked her house.” The knot tightened in his belly. A little girl fell near Zac sending chocolate milk onto the sidewalk. Her mother cursed under her breath as she helped her daughter up. The little girl’s lip trembled even after the mom reassured her they would get more later. Zac hoped to find Annmarie quickly, even her snarky attitude would be worth having around if it meant she was safe.
“You’ve got the best fucking nose here,” Raymand growled and spoke to Maple while Zac scented the air again. The acrid scent of panic still lingered in the air from Rayne, but he tried to sort that out. He needed to find Annmarie. Even if he didn’t work things out with Rayne, the thought of the little pup with the hunters made his stomach twist. Then let’s find her.
Swings creaked in the background as a handful of kids still played on the equipment. In his gut, he knew he wouldn’t find Annmarie running around but he hoped for it all the same. Seconds ticked by and his heart ached. I’m a fucking fool for thinking I couldn’t be a father to Annmarie! His wolf nodded in agreement. The need to get her back to safety burned through his body so much brighter than when the other kids went missing.
Annmarie is my child and I need to get her home. Zac shoved his hands through his hair before calling Ash. He wanted the tech guy to be following the trail with the wolfbase program. When Cora went missing Ash used the program to tap into security cameras and satellite photos to find her in the damn shack, maybe he can work his magic again. All the technical stuff went completely over Zac’s head but Ash would know what to do. The longer he waited the colder the trail grew and that didn’t sit well with Zac. His wolf paced in the background as the dial tone rang in his ears.
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