Terr4tory

by Bliler, Susan A

  The four youngest raced out of the house and swarmed the vehicle. While her black Suburban would seat eight, Keryn and Cortez opted to stay at the house. Part of her was wary about allowing it, but Barron assured her they’d be fine, and for some reason she believed him.

  The drive to the nearest town, Hoyt Lakes, was long. Barron insisted on driving regardless of the fact that he didn’t know where he was going. At first, Willa had balked, but now, sitting shotgun with the windows rolled down, sun shining in, and Becca, Sarya, Arden, and Jase excitedly chattering in the back seat, Willa realized how nice it was to let someone else take the reins. Leaning her head back she closed her eyes and enjoyed the ride. It had been a long time since she’d enjoyed anything.

  “You smell nice.”

  Barron’s words pulled her from her tranquility. “Hmm?”

  “You smell happy. It’s nice. I haven’t scented it on you before. It’s almost…addictive.”

  She blushed and turned back to watch out the window as the trees thinned and flat prairie greeted them. “Almost there. Take the first off-ramp.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Barron pulled the vehicle into the parking lot of the local mall. Before he could even pull the keys from the ignition, Willa sat up and engaged the auto-locks, stalling out Becca and Arden’s attempts to open the doors.

  Willa turned to level serious eyes at the pack. “Do not leave the mall, and stay in your pairs.” She glanced at the clock on the dash. “We’ll meet at exactly two-thirty at Vaun’s for pizza.”

  All heads nodded in unison.

  “What time?” she demanded.

  A chorus of voices rang out. “Two-thirty.”

  Turning, she unlocked the doors and that fast, the kids were out. Becca and Sarya squealed in delight as they headed for the nearest entrance. Arden ushered Jase toward the doors as they devised plans for where they’d go first.

  In the car Barron asked, “Should we have given them some cash?”

  “No,” Willa smiled. “They’ve got some.”

  When Barron stared, eyebrow cocked, she explained. “They earn money doing chores around the house. It’s not much, but it’ll get them a trinket and a coke.”

  Exiting the vehicle, Barron hurried around to open Willa’s door, but she was already out. “And what are we going to do?” He caught her hand and pulled her toward the same entrance Becca and Sarya had used.

  “I figured we’d find you some clothes.” She eyed his attire curiously. “You haven’t changed since you’ve been here, but…” Her cheeks flamed.

  “You’re wondering why I don’t stink,” Barron filled in with a smile. When Willa nodded he explained. “At night I’ve been taking my clothes down to the lake and washing them by hand. I let ‘em hang dry ‘til morning.”

  Willa felt bad. “Oh God, I’m sorry. I should have offered…”

  “It’s fine, Willa.”

  She ducked under his arm when he held the door open for her. “Well, just know you can use the washer and dryer anytime you’d like. I usually do laundry on Sundays and Mondays so if you just put your stuff in the laundry room, I’ll wash it for you.”

  He followed her into the air-conditioned mall. “I don’t expect that.”

  “Well, it’s the least I can do.”

  Thirty minutes later they were standing in line at the dress-for-less clothing store. They’d found Barron several pairs of jeans, a dozen shirts, boxers, and socks. When the teller finally rang up the last item and gave them a total, Willa dug in her purse and pulled out her wallet. Before she could hand the girl her card, Barron had one whipped out and passed it to the girl.

  “Hey!” Willa frowned. “I was gonna buy you those.”

  “No,” he shook his head with a grin. “You weren’t.”

  Putting her wallet away, she snorted. “I didn’t think you’d have money. You know, having spent the last few years in the wild.”

  Barron grabbed the several bags off the counter and winked at the clerk, sending color flooding her cheeks. “I had savings from before I went off the grid.”

  “Well, good. That’ll help some.” Willa stopped dead in her tracks and turned rounded eyes on him. “I don’t mean your money!”

  He laughed.

  “I just meant,” she tucked her hair behind her ear, “that not having to spend money on you will help…” She shook her head, flustered that she couldn’t explain herself more eloquently. “What I mean is, I haven’t worked in a while, because when Garner got sick I needed to be with the pack. I had a little in savings, but we went through that quickly. Garner left the pack his savings, and it’s what we’ve been living on, but it’s been tight. I haven’t even been able to pay the kids their allowance. They’ve only got the few bucks from when I last paid them, months ago. I need to get back to work, but…”

  Barron’s expression darkened as he stood holding his bags and listening to Willa explain. “But you can’t leave the pack or your territory unprotected. What about Keryn and Cortez? Why don’t they work?”

  “They did,” Willa supplied. “But with the threat of challengers, I wanted to keep them close in case I fell in battle, or in case anyone tried to attack them to get to me.”

  ***

  Barron didn’t like the way Willa spoke so casually of falling in battle. Worse, he hadn’t even thought to ask if they were doing okay financially. He wanted to tell her that he’d take care of things while he was around, but he knew Willa would fight him on it. So he wouldn’t introduce the subject. He’d wait until they got back and simply start taking care of things that needed taking care of. In the meantime, he led her out of the mall and quickly stowed their purchased items in the vehicle before heading back in to meet the kids for pizza.

  Willa led him to a quaint little restaurant that was decorated to look like an Italian pizzeria. The floors and walls were dark wood with a red and green canopy extending out from the walls to cover a row of booths, giving the indoor restaurant an outdoor feel. Red and white tablecloths covered the tables and the scent of baking pizza filled the air.

  It had been a long time since Barron had pizza, and both he and his wolf were looking forward to it.

  As soon he settled Willa at a long table, Sarya and Becca entered, still chatting excitedly.

  “What did ya get?” Willa asked excitedly as she eyed their bags.

  The girls took turns giddily showing off their purchases and talking about the numerous stores they’d perused. He could tell Willa wasn’t listening. Her eyes kept darting to the door and then to the clock on the wall over the cash register. She was worried about Arden and Jase.

  Shoving away from the table, Barron stood, interrupting Becca’s diatribe on trendy fashion. “Excuse me, Becca.” He directed his attention to Willa. “Where should I look?”

  Willa exhaled a pent-up breath and explained in a rush. “They like the game store on the lower level, and the music store just down that way.” She pointed. “It’s on the left.”

  “I’ll be back.” He smiled at the girls and Willa in hopes of comforting the suddenly mounting tension. “Wait here.”

  The girls nodded, and then for some inexplicable reason, Barron bent and wrapped his hand around the back of Willa’s neck, bending to place a kiss on her forehead. He felt her tense, and was shocked at his own actions. He brushed his lips across her warm skin and then whispered to cover himself, “In case anyone’s watching.” Willa nodded, brushing her hair against his lips. “No one leaves.” He commanded and she nodded again.

  “Be right back.” Straightening, he winked at the girls. “Order us lots of pepperoni.”

  Stalking out of the pizzeria, Barron wondered if the boys had run into trouble. Willa’s command had been clear, and her specified time even clearer. His eyes snagged on a clock that hung in one of the shops he passed. The boys were now fifteen minutes late, and he decided they’d better have run into some trouble or they’d have some serious explaining to do. Funny though, his heart did a little stutter at the
thought of the boys in distress. He tried to dissect the foreign emotions that suddenly weighed on him and had him walking faster. Is this what it feels like to parent? Part of him was furious at the boys’ clear disregard, but a bigger part was worried that they needed him, worried they were hurt. He quickened his pace until he was practically jogging through the mall. Lifting his nose, he attempted to filter out the scents of the many shops and people to pick up on his boys. He chuffed a snort. My boys?

  Hurrying to the music store, he quickly scanned the shop but didn’t see the boys. He had just made it to the escalator that would take him down to the game shop when he saw Arden and Jase racing up the escalator to him, eyes wide in panic, and chests heaving from exertion.

  Chapter 15

  Willa tried to hide her worry as she sat with the girls, all three sets of eyes glued to the door as they waited for the boys. Drawing in a calming breath, she tensed when she scented Sarya’s tears.

  “Hey.” She spoke softly, taking the girl’s hand. “They’re fine, baby. Barron will find them.”

  “I know.” Sarya sniffed as she swiped at her tears with the back of her hand. “I just hate this. It was going to be our first good outing since…” She lowered her head. “Since Alpha Garner died. I…I didn’t want you to have to worry today.”

  Willa’s mouth fell open. Sarya, the soft heart, was distressed because she was worried about her Alphina? “Oh, sweetheart!” Willa scooted her chair back and crossed to hug Sarya’s shoulders. “Come on.” She grabbed the girl’s arm. “Let’s go win Jase a prize.”

  Sarya smiled through her tears. Jase was fond of the stuffed animals that packed the skill crane nestled in the corner. Willa led both girls to the machine and pulled out a dollar to slide it into the feeder. “Sarya’s first.”

  Soon, all three were engrossed in the game as Sarya had several near misses at a ninja turtle that she knew Jase was fond of.

  “Aww, come on.” Becca shook the machine. “My turn!”

  Willa fed another dollar into the machine and backed away to let Becca slide into place at the controls. She felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise, but it was too late. Strong hands gripped her hips and yanked her backward. She lost her footing and stumbled, only to be caught and held firmly against a lithe male body.

  “Easy, sweets!”

  The voice was unrecognizable, and Willa jerked her head around to scowl up at the offending male who still had his hands on her. Jerking hard, she shoved at the hands on her hips and scrambled to her feet. She tried to pull back, but the male wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into him.

  Willa’s nostrils flared. Shifter. Alpha!

  Behind her, Sarya whined and slipped deep into the corner while Becca crossed to stand protectively in front of the other girl.

  Willa ground out, “Take. Your. Hands. Off. Me!”

  The Alpha laughed and turned to eye his pack. Willa’s eyes followed. There were four men in all, and they all looked younger than her.

  The Alpha’s blue gaze turned back to her. He was tall and wiry with short, spikey hair and was wearing a long, dark coat.

  She scowled at his ridiculous attire. A coat in the summer?

  He and his pack reminded Willa of the vamps from that Lost Boys movie. Old enough to be men, but not yet mature enough to lay the claim.

  “Hey, sweets. I came to town for you!” The Alpha smiled wolfishly. “We were going to eat and then come out, but…” He turned to smile at his pack. “Two birds, eh boys?”

  The men behind him laughed, and one whistled. Willa didn’t like the way they were eyeing Becca and Sarya. She shoved hard at his chest and put some space between their bodies, but the Alpha merely released her waist to hold her upper arm in an iron grip.

  “Take your fucking hands off me!” Willa hissed. In her periphery she saw the few other restaurant patrons flee.

  Apparently, the Alpha had had enough. His hand on her arm tightened, and then kept going. She didn’t wince, she didn’t make a sound. Her scowl remained in place. Challenging. When the pain got to be too much she pointed to her neck. “I’m already claimed, asshole. You’re too late. Now, get gone before my mate returns and rips your fucking hand from your body.” She looked down at the hand still holding her in a bruising grip.

  When her eyes lifted back to the Alpha’s she could see and scent his anger at the mark on her, but it didn’t last. He blinked, and the expression was gone before he smiled. “Sounds like a bluff. And that,” he tried to slide his fingers over the mark, but Willa jerked back. “Looks old.” Suddenly, he yanked Willa forward and lifted her quickly so her legs were wrapped around him as he turned and carried her through the restaurant. “No, if there was a new Alpha in town, I’m certain he’d fuck you and mark you often.” He carried her to a table, and despite her struggles, was able to lay her on the hard surface. Insinuating his body between her legs, he pinned her arms over her head. “That’s not a mate mark.” He leaned closer, his breath fanning her face as he slid his nose over hers then down to her neck and, to her horror, nuzzled between her breasts, inhaling deeply before pulling back to smile at her. “And you don’t smell like you’ve been fucked. Don’t lie to me. There is no mate.”

  “Is there a problem?”

  Willa was praying for Barron to arrive, but it was the stupid cook who poked his old head out of the kitchen.

  Above her, the Alpha partially shifted and flashed elongated incisors and his wolf’s eyes at the employee before the poor frightened guy ran back into the kitchen. It was a forbidden display. Shifters went to great lengths to remain hidden, and here this punk was, showing their secret to the world.

  “W-Willa?” Becca’s voice trembled as she sought guidance.

  Willa’s head jerked to the side and she saw the other men advancing on Becca and Sarya. Enough!

  Sucking in a deep breath, Willa slammed her head forward with all her might. Her forehead connected with the Alpha’s nose and he dropped with a howl. Slowly, she rolled off the table and curled her hands into fists as she eyed the pack of men who suddenly stopped and stared at her gape-mouthed.

  Blood ran down from Willa’s forehead in a stream, sliding off the tip of her nose and dripping onto her lips. She didn’t care as she allowed her wolf to seep forth into her eyes. Donning a menacing grin, she lowered her head to glare up at the men. Her full Alphina authority radiated in her words as she growled, “Get away from my girls.”

  To his credit, one of the men actually moved away before realizing his pack wasn’t following suit and quickly reclaimed his step to avoid looking like a coward.

  “You bitch!” The Alpha was struggling to his feet with his hands cupping his gushing nose.

  In front of the girls, one of the shifters whispered, “Aw, shit David!”

  David?

  Willa eyed the group of men before returning her gaze to the bleeding David. His pack fidgeted nervously, drawing Willa’s attention, and she could see their ire increasing by the second. They were going to attack, and were simply waiting for David’s permission to do so. Cowards!

  Willa’s eyes shot to the door. Damn it! Still no Barron. When David dropped his hands and looked from her to his pack, she knew this was it. She knew he was going to issue the order to attack.

  “I challenge the Alpha,” she bit out before he could voice his command. A challenge was a piss-poor idea, but it’d hopefully stall them out long enough for Barron to arrive.

  “Challenge?” David snarled.

  “Yes.” She turned to him fully, ignoring his pack and showing them that this would be dealt with between the Alphas. “You said you came for me. I refuse to submit or acquiesce. I challenge you for the right to my territory,” she jerked her head toward the girls, “and my pack.”

  “Fine!” David snarled, jerking his coat off before wadding it up and slamming it on the floor. “But know this. When I win, I’m going to make you pay for your defiance!”

  Willa’s gut clenched as he approached.
She’d hoped there’d be more preamble, more questioning, more…something! Nope. David was ready to battle, and apparently he had no regard for the fact that they were in the damn mall!

  Willa squared her feet, preparing to throw herself at David. Her plan was to shift mid-air and pray she landed a death blow before he realized what hit him.

  The loudest, most vicious growl she’d ever heard rent the air and had her freezing in place. David stalled as well, and he and his pack slowly turned.

  “BARRON!” Sarya screamed, and it sounded so terrified that it actually had tears flooding Willa’s eyes. Eyes that left David as he turned to discover the source of the sound. Eyes that locked on Barron where he stood just at the entrance to the restaurant.

  He looked possessed, and a rolling growl rumbled once more from deep in his chest. His eyes were fully wolf, and his incisors had punched through so sharply that blood dripped from his lips and jaw as he sneered at David. Shoulders and thigh muscles bulged, and black hair rippled over his arms and face as his wolf fought the man for dominance. It was a rare display, a feral display, only occurring in the direst of situations. A shifter rarely lost control of his beast, but when he did, this is what it looked like.

  In front of her David tensed, but Barron’s eyes never left Willa’s.

  She knew she had to look horrible, her eyes still filled with tears from Sarya’s heart-wrenching scream, and blood still dripping down her face from the cut on her forehead where she had bashed David’s nose. It combined with David’s own blood. She knew she looked abused.

  Barron slowly walked toward her, his eyes never leaving her face, his rumbling growl still rolling through him. Unsure what to do, Willa eyed the shifter males nervously. The pack, minus David, lunged as one. Finally, Barron pulled his eyes from her to defend himself, and it was laughably easy. He looked like the Incredible Hulk plowing through a row of Tinker Toys. His fists connected with expert precision, and their impact was devastating. In mere seconds, he’d mowed down the pack. His chest heaved with what Willa was sure was anger rather than exertion. He turned back to her, his eyes locking on hers again as he continued his approach.