by Bethany Shaw
“Devon and Marcus will probably be there-maybe Preston-but I doubt they’ll be hovering. After the kidnappings, Devon and Gene aren’t taking any chances with anyone. They’ll probably stay far away from us while we shop, but with everything that is going on, it isn’t safe for us to just go out,” Lark rambled, chewing on her bottom lip.
“I will think about it,” Natalia said with a sigh. She hadn’t been shopping in close to a year now. It would be nice to get out. To have clothes of her own to wear again.
“Nobody here is going to hurt you, Talia,” Lark reminded her. “If you want to talk about what happened…”
“I don’t,” Natalia snapped. Shivers zipped down her spine as her mother’s dead, haunted eyes flashed in her mind.
Lark opened her mouth to respond, but quickly closed it when someone knocked loudly on the door. Natalia gripped the green bed sheets in her hand as Lark set Adrian down in the bassinet.
“Who is it?” Lark asked, making her way to the door and resting her hand on the knob.
“It’s Gene. I need to speak with Natalia,” the alpha’s voice called from the other side.
Natalia tensed as the door creaked open, gritting her teeth as the alpha glanced at her.
“Hey Lark,” Gene greeted with a warm smile before turning his intent brown eyes on Natalia. “Do you mind helping Claire out in the kitchen? I need to have a few words with Natalia.”
“Oh, um, sure,” Lark said, glancing between the two of them.
“Thanks,” Gene said, opening the door wider so Lark could exit.
Natalia swallowed as Lark gave her one last look before exiting the room. Fear gripped her as the cream-colored walls seemed to close in on her. She could only imagine what he was going to force her to do. She’d been waiting for him to make demands. It appeared today was the day.
Chapter Two
“Can I come in?” Gene asked, flicking his gaze to Natalia.
She inhaled sharply as she stood, her coffee hair falling over her shoulder and into her chestnut eyes. “I suppose you’ll do as you please, regardless of my answer,” she replied, crossing her arms over her chest.
Gene hesitated. The alpha in him wanted to sustain its dominance by entering anyway. The caring man in him, however, did not feel comfortable invading her personal space. Despite her best efforts to appear strong, the scent of fear wafted off of her, mixing with her intoxicating floral and sea salt scent. His inner beast finally won out as he stepped into the room, leaving the door ajar so she didn’t feel completely trapped. He needed answers.
“I spoke with your grandfather a little bit ago,” he started studying her.
Natalia narrowed her eyes, her body tensing. Her knuckles turned white from clenching her fists so hard. Gene was sure that her nails were leaving imprints from the grip she had on herself. “He is no family of mine; none of them are,” she hissed.
He took a step toward her, and she took two more back until she was flush against the beige bassinet holding her son. “You must understand that we are in the midst of war, Natalia. I need to know more about Juarez, and I need to be sure you’re not a spy.”
Anger flashed across her face. “I would never help that man—ever! I want no part of your war or your pack. The only thing I want is to leave.”
Gene contemplated his response as he watched her. Her eyes continuously flickered between him, the door, and her son.
“Then perhaps we can come to an agreement. I certainly have no wish to keep you here against your will. Tell me what you know about Juarez, and I’ll help you find another pack where you will feel more at home,” Gene offered. He knew it might be a mistake to let a fertile female leave the ranch. Female werewolves were rare, especially alpha females. But he wouldn’t force someone to stay here. If he did, he would be no better than Juarez or Emmett McKinley.
Natalia shook her head. “I do not want to be a part of a pack.”
“Surely you don’t mean to go out on your own?” Gene asked, surprised. She had to know how dangerous it would be for her—not to mention the emotional hardship she would suffer from being a lone wolf.
“I can take care of myself,” Natalia said, her head snapping up to meet his eyes. She balled her fists at her side as she took a step forward, challenging him.
“I can’t let you do that, I’m sorry. Think about your son,” he said, gesticulating toward the dark-haired, blue-eyed baby, who was contently sucking his fingers in the bassinet.
Natalia took a defiant step in Gene’s direction, clenching her fists tightly in a defensive motion.
“You are all the same. Monsters, brutes! I may be one of you by blood, but I do not want to be part of this pack! Believe me when I say I will not be here forever. Try as you might, you will not keep me here,” she barked. Her brown eyes flashed yellow with anger. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled at her challenge. Arousal rolled through him, his alpha wolf recognizing the strong and determined alpha female before him.
As if sensing the change in his thoughts, she shrank away from him, her eyes widening with fear. Her sure composure only wavered for a moment, however, before she regained her stance.
“Please, leave,” Natalia demanded.
“I know that you feel like you are a prisoner here, but you’re not,” Gene said, trying to change his tactics. “I want to help you and your son. I want to keep everyone at this ranch safe. You dislike Juarez—we all do. If you have information that we can use to stop him from hurting you, Adrian, Lark, Sarah, or Emily again, then I need to know it. We can help each other.”
Natalia licked her lips as she looked over at Adrian. Her gaze softened, and he could see the longing in her brown eyes. Gritting her teeth, she turned her attention back to Gene. Her fists tightened, and her feet spread apart in a defensive stance.
“You are no different than Juarez,” she whispered.
Gene ground his teeth, anger ripping through him as he balled his own fists. “I am nothing like that monster, I assure you. My only wish is to protect the people I love and my pack. He has waged a war against us because I refuse to bow to his demands. He wants me to return you to him.”
Natalia shuddered, her breath quickening as she grasped the edges of the bassinet.
“I told him it was your choice,” Gene said softly. “That if you did not wish to return to his homestead, then I would not force you.”
Natalia opened and closed her mouth, tears shining in her brown eyes as she seemed to contemplate his words.
“If I help you, I want you to promise me that you’ll let me go home when Juarez is no longer a threat.”
“Where is home?” Gene asked. He couldn’t imagine she wanted to return to New Mexico, even if the leaders of the Gulf packs were gone.
“Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. When this is over, you will let me go home,” Natalia said her voice demanding.
Respect for the other alpha warmed him, and, again he fought to suppress his arousal. Despite her resolve, Gene could still sense her apprehension of him. Whatever happened to her in the past caused her to become fearful of her own kind.
Gene pursed his lips, trying to recall all the packs he was aware of. Admittedly, he did not know much about the Mexican packs. Were there even any packs in Mexico? The more he spoke to her, the more questions he had. But now was not the time to push her.
“When it is safe, I will see to it that you are returned home.”
“I have your word?” Natalia asked, her eyes glistening and voice thick with emotion.
“I promise,” Gene said, offering her his hand.
Natalia stared at his hand for a long moment, as if waiting for him to grab her. Finally, she slid her slender hand into his. Her warmth invaded him, igniting a fire that engulfed his body. Again, he found himself drawn to her, overwhelmed with the need to protect and soothe her. Suddenly, he wasn’t so sure he wanted her to leave. While Gene Harris was a man of his word, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t try to give this fiery she-wolf a reason to stay.
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Clearing his throat, Gene pulled his hand back. “Claire and Emily made chicken and dumplings. You should come down and join us,” he paused, glancing at Adrian, “both of you.”
“I’ll think about it,” Natalia mumbled, turning away from him and scooping Adrian up into her arms. Cradling the baby to her, she walked to the window.
Gene observed her for a long moment, unsure of what else to say. At a loss for words, he left, shutting the door behind him. While the conversation had told him what he needed to know about Natalia’s loyalties, he was left with even more unanswered questions. Between Juarez and Emmett McKinley, there was no telling what terrible things she’d had to endure.
***
Natalia finished burping Adrian, and laid him down to change him. The smell of chicken filtering into the bedroom made her taste buds salivate. She glanced at the large alarm clock on the headboard. It was just after 5:30, and she was starved. Her stomach grumbled loudly, as if to remind her. Gene specifically told her that she was free to roam as she pleased, yet she still felt like a prisoner. No doubt, she would be followed or gawked at if she were to actually leave the room.
Even if these people were nice, she did not trust them. Perhaps Juarez and McKinley had given her a jaded perspective of pack life, but she could not bring herself to join Gene. Not tonight. She needed to think of a way to escape—to leave this place. Protecting Adrian was her first priority. Her son was all that mattered, and she would do anything to protect him.
Someone tapped lightly on the door. She turned as it was carefully opened, placing a hand on Adrian.
“Hey,” Lark said as she came in, carrying a plate of steaming food. “I brought you something to eat.”
“Thank you,” Natalia said, relaxing as she reached into the package of diapers, pulling one out for Adrian.
“Everything okay?”
“Yes,” Natalia mumbled. Smiling, she focused on her son, making him coo as she tickled his exposed belly.
“You know you could come down, if you wanted,” Lark said.
“There is nowhere for Adrian, and I will not leave him up here by himself.”
Natalia stood up and placed her son on a blanket on the floor. After cleaning her hands with sanitizer, she graciously took the plate from Lark.
“Actually, Claire purchased a ton of baby stuff right after you had him,” Lark said, biting her lip.
“I do not want anything from the fake alpha’s wife!” Claire had allowed her husband to hold Natalia prisoner, and treat Natalia like a possession. Claire had welcomed her grandfather into the McKinley home, and treated him as an honored guest. She wanted nothing from that vile woman.
“If it helps, I think she used Gene’s money to purchase it.”
Natalia ignored Lark’s comment and asked, “Do you mind watching Adrian again tonight for a few minutes?”
“Yeah. You going for another run?”
“I think I waited too long in between transformations after I had Adrian. It’s like I am playing catch up, or something. It also helps me to clear my head,” Natalia sighed as she sat on the end of the bed. Even though the change was hard and the transition back was worse, the urge to unleash the animal inside her was strong.
“If I’m ever not available, I’m sure someone else—”
“No,” Natalia sneered. “I do not want any of them touching my son.”
“Oh,” Lark said quietly. “Just let me know, whenever you need me. Sarah’s here too if you prefer a…human. I’ll come back up after dinner.”
Natalia nodded. She and Lark had become quick friends and, while Lark was kind, her being human had played a big factor in the beginning of their relationship. “Thank you. I’ll see you later.”
***
Natalia leapt over a log, her paws sinking into the wet earth as she landed in the clearing where she’d left her clothes. Inhaling the smell of dank leaves and rain one last time, she scanned around the area. Satisfied that she was alone, she closed her eyes and focused on her transformation.
Wincing as her bones began to snap, Natalia gritted her teeth. Her black fur was sucked inward as her pink wolf flesh was replaced with honeyed skin. Long brown hair fell in her face as her bones continued to crack, realigning themselves. After several long, painful moments, the transition was complete. Panting heavily, Natalia sat back, trying to regain control of her breathing. Shaking, she rocked back and forth, waiting for the dizziness and pain to ebb away.
Transitioning shouldn’t be this hard. She knew that. Most wolves did it within seconds—how, she had no idea. Perhaps it was because she was part human, or maybe there was a trick to it. She couldn’t be sure.
Leaves crunched as footsteps creeped across the ground. Natalia stiffened, shooting to her feet. She scurried to get her clothes. Grabbing her panties first, she slid into them as the sound of footsteps drew near. She threw on her jeans next, followed by her bra. Her trembling fingers fought to fasten the back as Gene came into view.
“Go away,” Natalia screeched, snatching her shirt up and covering herself with it.
“I’m sorry,” Gene said, quickly turning his back to her.
She continued to fumble with her bra, finally hooking it and throwing her shirt on. “What are you doing out here?” she demanded, her face and ears burning while her body still twitched from the shift. Tensing her body, she fought to remain calm and in control of the spasms. She could not appear weak to him.
Gene turned around with one eyebrow quirked up, and a smile on his face. “This is my home. I was going for a run,” he said, gesturing toward the open woods.
Natalia drew in a deep breath, her eyes inadvertently wandering to his bare, toned chest. The moon hit his tanned skin just right, illuminating the scars on his side. Claw marks. Even with the blemish, he was perfect. The grey running shorts he wore fit snugly, showing off his muscular thighs. Taking all of him in, she veered up toward Gene’s face. His chiseled jaw and brown eyes stared at her intently.
He’s watching you while you are ogling him!
“I didn’t realize anyone else ran at this time,” she said, entwining her hands together to control the shaking. Now she would have to find a new time to run. Apparently, it was too much to ask to have time to herself.
Gene shrugged and took a step toward her. “I run when I can. One of the downfalls to being alpha. I have very little time to myself.”
“Great,” Natalia mumbled as she bent over to pick up her sneakers.
Another bout of dizziness overtook her, and she stumbled forward. Just as the earth reached up to grab her, warm hands caught her under her arms.
“You okay?” Gene asked as he righted her. He drew her close, their faces mere inches apart as his hand reached up to pull a leaf from her hair. Entranced, she met his eyes as her body heated with desire.
What are you thinking?
Natalia pulled away, tripping over herself before finding her footing. Brushing a long lock of hair from her face, she replied, “I am fine.”
“You are shaking,” Gene said, grasping her hand in his.
Natalia tried to wrench her hand free of his calloused grip, but couldn’t. She placed her other hand on his chest, pushing him. Gene immediately dropped her hand.
Warmth pulsated into her hand where it still lay across his smooth skin. Goose bumps erupted on her flesh as she shivered from the contact. Confused, she quickly yanked her hand away. Emotions tumbled through her, clouding her vision. Jamming her hands into her pockets, she stepped back, willing the shaking and insane attraction to go away.
“Are you hurt?” Gene asked, reaching out for her again, but stopping himself when she recoiled.
“I am fine,” she repeated.
Gene frowned, watching her. “This is what happens when you turn?”
Natalia opened her mouth to lie, but thought better of it. His concern seemed so genuine, and the problem was getting worse with each shift. Looking down at her feet, she nodded. As much as she didn’t want anyon
e’s help, she couldn’t let anything happen to herself. She needed to be there for Adrian.
“How long has this been going on?”
Natalia didn’t answer. Shifts had always been horrible. They were much worse now, though.
“This isn’t normal, Natalia. Are you hurt or sick?”
“It is nothing new. My transitions have always been rough. I do not need you worrying over me,” Natalia said.
“No one ever showed you how to shift properly?” Gene asked, stepping in front of her as she went to move off.
“I taught myself.”
Gene frowned. “You are hurting yourself the way you’re doing it. I can help you.”
“Why?” Natalia scoffed, moving around him.
“I’m sure it’s very painful for you. Our transformation should be enjoyable. A pleasurable pain. Not a burden,” Gene said.
Natalia glared at him as he fell in step beside her. She did enjoy the freedom once she was the wolf, but the transition was excruciating. Still, could she trust him? She didn’t know what to think about that.
“And what do you want in return for helping me?” Natalia growled. There was always something with wolves.
“I only wish to help you.”
Natalia stopped, and jabbed her finger out at him. His woodsy pine and moss scent infiltrated her nostrils causing her to waiver for a moment. Swallowing, she gritted her teeth, refusing to let him distract her.
“Do not lie to me. I know you are all the same. I sensed your arousal earlier. You say you will allow me to be free, but I doubt it. You are just like the fake alpha and Juarez. Your intentions for me are not pure.” Heat scorched her face as her ears burned from the realization. Even more frightening, a small part of her—the wolf in her—was attracted to him, desired him.
Gene sighed and ran a hand through his russet hair. “I think that you are very beautiful, but that doesn’t mean I would go back on my word. Help me defeat your grandfather, and you will be free. I promise.”
“I don’t believe you are any different,” Natalia said. Her bottom lip trembled. Clenching it between her teeth, she met his eyes defiantly. She would not be a prisoner again.