To her shock, Cortez gripped her by the arm and pulled her toward tree line. Had he gone fucking mad and forgotten that she was the pack Alpha for Christ’s sake? She eyed Cortez and Keryn, sensing their excitement through the pack ties. They wanted Barron to challenge for her, they wanted him to beat Atkins. They wanted him to be their Alpha male.
She stood stock still as Atkins snarled and ripped his shirt off. This time he slammed it on the ground and bared his elongated incisors. Her attention flew to Cobalt, and she couldn’t help but wonder if the duo had designs on keeping the fight fair. She didn’t get the chance to contemplate it long.
Atkins shifted and lunged for Barron, whose own shift ripped through him. Before she could blink, the battle ensued. She’d only gotten a glimpse of Barron in his wolf form when they’d first met. Seeing him now, she couldn’t help but stare. He was magnificent. His thick fur was a satiny-black unlike any she’d ever seen, and his size… She’d always heard that the wolves of the northwest were massive, but she had no idea. Barron was the largest wolf she’d ever seen, and compared to Atkins’ pathetic southern wolf form there was no contest. She knew the fight wouldn’t last long, and she nearly smirked when she realized Barron had been right. Atkins’ wolf form did resemble a coyote rather than a wolf.
The fighting continued, and Willa could tell Barron was holding back. He was toying with Atkins, making him pay for his slights. Barron’s speed was phenomenal, and his strength was unbelievable. She was mesmerized by him. He was the most powerfully graceful wolf she’d ever witnessed.
It was obvious Atkins’ frustration was mounting with his inability to take Barron down. His anger had Atkins taking foolish chances and making costly mistakes. The slim wolf lunged for Barron with teeth bared, but Barron’s teeth seized him in mid-air and slammed the scrawny wolf to the ground. Atkins whined at the death grip of Barron’s teeth clamped to his throat. He was pinned and bleeding, with no hope of victory.
Cobalt suddenly shifted, and Willa snarled, “Don’t!”
His eyes jerked to her and he was snarling back when Barron dropped Atkins and stalked slowly toward Cobalt.
Black fur slick with blood, Barron’s lips were peeled back and vibrating with the menacing growl that rumbled forth. Cobalt backed up a step and dropped his eyes.
Atkins shifted, coughed a few times, and then slowly staggered to his feet in naked human form.
Barron shifted too, and in a final display of superiority, regenerated clothing before turning menacing eyes on Atkins. “See that fucking mark?” He jerked his head toward Willa. “It means she’s mine.”
Willa stood stock-still, ignoring the exhilaration that tore through her at Barron’s words while Atkins looked at her, his eyes narrowing on the fading mark on her throat.
“Get the fuck out of my territory,” Barron snarled.
Funny, Willa’s wolf didn’t even blink at Barron’s command. He’d just claimed ownership of her territory, and instead of getting a rise out of her wolf, it had the damn horny beast pouncing in giddy excitement.
With one last look of disdain, Atkins turned and stormed off with Cobalt lingering a moment to scowl at Barron before turning and rushing to catch up with his Alpha.
Everyone watched them go except Willa. Her eyes were trained on Barron’s back. Blood was seeping through his shirt. He’d been injured. “Barron?” She took a step toward him, but when he turned on her with a vicious snarl she jerked back.
“GET AWAY FROM ME!” Barron roared.
Willa paled. Was he angry that he’d had to fight for her? That he’d held her out to be his mate when she wasn’t? That he’d been injured over protecting her?
“Don’t look at me like that, Willa.” Barron’s harsh tone softened slightly. He turned away from her and she could read the restrain in the taut lines of his body. “I’m feral right now, and my wolf needs… We need to fuck you like we need to breathe.”
Willa’s mouth fell open and her eyes rounded.
“I need time to cool off.” His words were still strained, but were growing less rough as his wolf slowly receded. “Get back to the house. Now!”
She didn’t hesitate to turn, ushering Keryn and Cortez ahead of her as they hurried back to the farmhouse. She completely ignored her wolf’s long, low whine to remain with Barron and let him take what he needed.
Chapter 12
Back at the house, Willa busied herself by briefing the pack. Challengers were coming ahead of schedule; therefore, no one was to leave the territory for any reason. She didn’t want any Alphas getting their hands on a member of her pack. The last thing she needed was to be forced into acquiescence because some asshole had leverage.
After she had briefed the pack, they’d hurried into the living room, no doubt dying to get details of the battle from Cortez and Keryn. While she half-listened to the exaggerated retelling of the battle, she paced the kitchen, waiting for Barron to return.
She desperately wanted to check Barron’s wounds and talk to him. What was the motivation behind his claim? Was he helping? Was he challenging for her territory? Was it a fluke, something just blurted out? She stopped pacing to stare out the window, wondering if Barron had realized, post-fight, that he’d bitten off more than he could chew when he’d lied for her. Is he already gone? The thought was jarring. Barron could very easily have simply walked away. Despite the hollow feeling produced by the thought of Barron leaving them, Willa couldn’t blame him.
Worried now that he’d simply left, Willa hurried to the door. She opened it just as Barron stepped onto the porch.
“Barron!” She couldn’t help the surprise that laced her tone.
Apparently, he heard it too, because he flashed a lopsided grin. “You sound surprised to see me. Did you think I bled out in the woods?”
“No, I…” She didn’t want to admit that she’d thought he’d left them. And when the pack rushed from the living room, she didn’t have to.
“BARRON!” Sarya yelled. As she raced from the house to fling herself into Barron’s arms, Willa couldn’t help but notice that it looked like she’d been crying.
“Easy.” Barron laughed as he hugged the girl, then set her back on the porch. “Miss me?”
“We were worried!” Sarya swiped at her cheeks.
“Yeah.” Jase stepped around her and held his arms up, evoking another smile from Barron who complied with the silent demand by hoisting the boy up onto his shoulders. “Cortez said you won, but we were scared you got mad and left.”
Willa watched Barron’s expression closely. The children’s worries mirrored her own, and she was hoping to tell by Barron’s reaction whether he’d entertained the idea of simply walking away.
Dark brows furrowed and he frowned at the pack, slapping a hand to his chest in mock offense. “You wound me, kids.” He lifted Jase off his shoulders and set him on the porch before bending to look at him. “I would never leave without saying goodbye.”
As one, the pack sucked in a breath. Willa’s heart plummeted and when Barron whispered an “Aww shit!” she followed his line of sight to see Sarya, Jase, and Becca on the verge of tears.
“I’m not saying goodbye now!” he quickly amended, holding up his hands. “I’m not leaving.”
Jase smiled through his tears and leaned forward, wrapping his tiny arms around Barron’s massive shoulders. “Good, Alpha.”
Willa barely caught Jase’s whispered, “Cuz we need you.”
Great! Her own throat clogged with emotion, and she blinked rapidly to dispel the tears that flooded her eyes before she coughed. “Okay. Everyone back inside. I need to get Barron cleaned up.”
Everyone shuffled back inside except for Arden, who stalled on the porch to cross his arms and stare up at Barron. “Cortez says you protected the Phina.”
Barron nodded, his eyes narrowing on the boy.
“Thank you.” Arden thrust his hand forward and Barron’s lips twitched before he solemnly accepted the proffered hand and shook.
Arden turned and
went inside, but when Willa made to follow, Barron caught her. His hands gripping her hips, he turned her to face him. “You alright?”
Delicate brows shot up as green eyes rounded in incredulity. “Me?” She shook her head in disbelief. “You’re the one who…”
Barron’s finger over her full pink lips silenced her. Her breath caught as his gaze roamed up and down her frame.
“My wolf needs to know that you’re okay, Willa.” His eyes met hers. “Indulge him.”
“I’m…I’m fine.” She assured and lifted her arms to turn in a full circle, allowing both Barron and his wolf to scan her. When she turned to face him again, Barron had visibly relaxed and she wondered at that. Was it possible that the thought of her injured was so distressing to him? Her eyes slid down to his ripped and blood-soaked clothes. “My turn.” She turned and held the screen door open before pointing inside with her free hand. “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.”
Barron smiled, and when he crossed in front of her, he stopped and turned to stare down at her. No words, no actions. He simply stared.
Willa’s breath caught, and she couldn’t help but wonder what he was looking at. What he was looking for. She wanted to ask, but his gaze held her captive, and for long moments they stood in the doorway simply staring at each other.
Sarya’s sudden screech had Willa blinking and shaking herself from her reverie as the girl raced into the kitchen and stopped to protest, “Phina! Jase has a grasshopper in the living room!”
“Do not!” Jase bellowed from the other room.
Rolling her eyes, Willa smirked conspiratorially at Barron. “An Alpha’s job is never done.”
He returned the smile and lifted a hand to hold the door over Willa’s head before ushering her in ahead of him and speaking loudly enough to be heard in the other room. “JASE. NO BUGS IN THE HOUSE.”
Jase’s response held none of the disappointment Willa had expected as he shouted with a smile in his voice, “OKAY!”
Willa grinned, but her heart contracted painfully. Why did it feel so natural to have Barron here, interacting with her pack? They were becoming too attached, and it was frightening. It was too soon after Garner’s death for the young ones to get attached only to have to say good-bye. The thought was disturbing. Part of her wanted to demand that Barron leave immediately, but another part wanted to drop to her knees and beg him to stay.
Inside the kitchen, she settled Barron at the table and disappeared upstairs to find the first aid kit. Alone in her bathroom, she stared at her reflection. She looked…stricken. And why wouldn’t she? She’d nearly been claimed by an outsider, and had another declaring she was his. Squatting, she hurriedly rummaged under the sink and pulled out the bright yellow first aid kit before hurrying back downstairs.
Back at the table she worked quietly to remove Barron’s shirt and clean his wounds. There weren’t many, but the ones he did have were vicious, and left her feeling compelled to apologize. Like a coward, she waited until she got to his back to say the words.
“I’m sorry, Barron.”
His reply was swift. “None of this was your fault.”
She rolled her eyes. Of course it was. It was all her fault, but she wouldn’t argue it with him. She had more pressing concerns. Like… “What are your plans, Barron?”
“I’ve just battled for you, Alpha Hutchinson.” He smirked over his shoulder. “In case you missed it, I won. Now, I plan to keep you.”
Chapter 13
The adrenaline from battle still buzzed through Barron’s blood, but not as violently as it had earlier. Earlier, he’d had to literally force his hands to stay fisted at his sides to keep from taking the rights afforded him by his victory. Other Alpha’s could fool themselves, but Barron wasn’t disillusioned for a second. Willa was the true reward, not her territory. He knew her head had to be spinning after his declaration in the woods, and he still found it difficult to be around her. Something about his declaration that she was his rang true and had his wolf itching to prove it, but he could scent her anxiety as she returned with the first aid kit, her actions jerky with unease and stress.
“What are your plans, Barron?”
He smirked at the question. That’s my Willa. Straight to the point. “I’ve just battled for you, Alpha Hutchinson.” He smirked at her over his shoulder. “In case you missed it, I won. Now, I plan to keep you.”
The response was meant to be playful, to lighten the mood. It didn’t.
Willa’s mouth fell open and she paled.
Shit! He wanted her, but not like this. “Easy, gorgeous.” He got up from his seat and turned to face her. Her body instantly tensed, and he could tell she was fighting the urge to step away from him when he stepped closer to her. “I’m not taking anything without it being offered.” He dropped his hand, his eyes softening. “So. How do we make this work?” He was relieved when some of her color came back.
“What work?”
“Us. The favor.”
He watched as her delicate brows knitted. “Favor?”
“I came here to help you. Evander sent me, remember?”
He could tell when her expression cleared that she had, in fact, forgotten. He didn’t blame her. A lot had transpired in the past few days, and he’d almost forgotten himself that he was there to repay a debt. It didn’t feel like it anymore. Spending time with Willa and her pack had been easy, and that was scary. He had expected to find this errand unenjoyable, but that wasn’t the case. He liked the kids, he liked the farm, and most of all, he liked Willa. Perhaps too much. Defending her in the woods had come so naturally that it felt more than right. It felt true.
“I’m going to do what I can to help you and your pack. If that means letting others believe I’m challenging for you, then so be it.” He shrugged. “The challenge of battle is no hardship.” He rolled his shoulders. “In fact, I could use the exercise.”
“But…”
“But what?” He straightened. “It’s already done. Atkins and his Beta will spread the word. Now, we just wait to see who will come to challenge. Any new challengers will do so knowing I’m here and fighting for the claim. I don’t anticipate many will come.” He smiled proudly, knowing his reputation and name would deter many.
“You could get hurt.” She shook her head sadly, holding up the bloody cloth she’d been using to clean his back. “You’ve already gotten hurt. I can’t ask you to endure this on our behalf.”
“I’m not leaving.” His words were stern, and he was tempted to allow his Alpha authority to seep into his tone, but he didn’t. He wouldn’t do that to Willa…unless he had to.
Willa looked nervous, but he could see her mind working, her rapid blinking as she stared through him telling him she was gauging all angles. Finally, she looked at him. “We could move you into Garner’s old room. It’d look better if you were in the house.”
He smiled, liking that she was finally getting on board.
Tilting her head to study him, Willa’s eyes scrunched in uncertainty. “In exchange for something as simple as room and board, you’re willing to play this out?”
“To pay back my debt to Evander.”
She snorted. “It must be one hell of a debt.” Looking up at him with clear disbelief she asked, “And when challengers come?”
“I’ll claim that you’re mine and take down those who don’t agree,” he supplied coolly, jerking his chin toward her. “You already bear my mark.” He watched as her delicate fingers lifted to finger his fading bite. Pride surged through him at its presence, but was quickly followed by worry when he realized it was fading. He quickly tacked on, “That’ll need to be redone.”
Fear and excitement warred in her eyes, but he didn’t have it in him to back down from the demand. The mark as it was would stand, but he desperately wanted to get his hands back on her, his teeth back in her. She needed a more obvious marking.
“So, we pretend you’re my mate. You sleep in the house and take on all challengers, and when they
stop coming, you leave? No claim on my territory, my pack, or…me?”
He nodded once.
“I don’t want the children getting hurt. Any of them.”
He knew she considered them all children, even Cortez and Keryn. “They won’t.”
“I’d appreciate it if you’d keep your distance from them. I can’t have them getting attached only to be let down when you go.”
He nodded again. “Anything else?” His wolf tensed, afraid she’d throw in some stipulation about him not touching her. He waited, knowing in the back of his mind that at some point they’d have to broach the subject of her needing to carry his scent along with his mark.
They stared at each other in tense silence. He could tell she was weighing her options and giving him a chance to back out. When she added nothing else he offered six final words.
“I accept your terms, Alpha Hutchinson.”
Chapter 14
The following day was a blur of activity. Keryn, Becca, and Sarya made quick work of cleaning out Garner’s old room. Fresh linens on the bed, a thorough cleaning with Pine-Sol, and Barron was ready to move in. Not that moving in entailed anything. He’d shown up with no belongings, so it was just a matter of letting the pack know the room was his. To Willa’s surprise nobody protested. She half-expected Arden to make a play for the room, but he didn’t. It was a relief, because the only other option would be for Barron to sleep on the couch or to share her room. The thought of him in her bed sent excitement shooting through her, but she tamped it down quickly. The last thing she needed was to make the foolish mistake of thinking any part of Barron’s claiming was real.
After moving Barron into the house, she talked him into going into town, which would be a good distraction. She couldn’t stop thinking about how he’d told her he’d need to reaffirm his mark. Every time she thought of his mouth on her, her belly knotted in humiliatingly eager anticipation. She struggled all through the morning to keep from bringing it up. She wanted to just get it done, quickly, so she could stop obsessing about it. However, another part of her knew there was potential for a total loss of dignity if she didn’t keep her wits where Barron and his “marking” were concerned.
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