by Bethany Shaw
Turning on her heel, she stomped through the dark abyss toward the house, her arms stretching out in front of her for balance. The alpha was getting demanding, and she didn’t like it.
“I don’t know what has happened to you before you came here, but-”
“You are right. You do not know me at all!”
“I know that you’re scared. That you don’t trust anyone. Whatever Juarez did has turned you against your own kind,” Gene pointed out, maneuvering himself so he stood in front of her again.
“My own kind,” Natalia whispered darkly. “My own kind has shown me exactly what I do not wish to be. I am going back,” she demanded, pushing him firmly. Her hands hit his shoulders hard, fingertips brushing across the smooth cotton top over his well-muscled chest.
Gene caught her wrists as she vainly attempted to move him. Warmth flooded her, and her eyes flicked to his. Breath catching, she stared into his chocolate irises. Emotions swirled across his face as he pulled her closer.
His words ghosted across her face as he spoke, “I am not going to hurt you, Talia.”
Their gazes locked, and she tried to read him. There was such intensity in his eyes. Heart clenching with fear and arousal, she contemplated both running away or kissing him—maybe both. Gasping at her own thoughts, she shoved him hard, causing him to take a few steps back.
The moment he released her hands, she missed his touch—this terrified her even more.
“I’m not going to tell you again—stop hitting and shoving me. That will be the last time it happens,” he growled, leaning into her slightly. Natalia’s pulse spiked as goose bumps erupted on her flesh. Heat pooled between her legs at his challenge, and she fought to keep herself from closing the shrinking gap between them. She could not fall for him.
Snapping out of her lust-induced haze, she took a step back.
What is happening to me? She wondered. It had to be the alpha genes. They were both alphas, she tried to reason.
Shaking her head, she brushed past Gene, desperate to get away from him and her thoughts.
***
Gene watched Natalia storm off as he released the breath he’d been holding. Lust pumped through his veins, and he fought to cool his overheated body. Scrubbing a hand over his face, he titled his head back, and stared up at the thick green blanket of leaves on the trees. The wind blew slightly, causing the limbs to sway. Dew filled the air, alerting him to a coming rain.
Frustrated, he tugged his shirt and jeans off, tossing them to the side in a heap. Kneeling on his hands and knees, he grunted as his transition began.
Once he’d fully turned, he picked up his discarded clothing in his mouth, and darted through the woods. The cooling air helped to clear his cluttered mind as he circled around Natalia. He kept a distance, hoping she wouldn’t notice his scent.
Even if she wouldn’t walk with him, he wanted to be sure she got back to the ranch okay.
Gene watched her intently as she maneuvered through the thick brush, quickly finding the path that led back to the house. After a long moment, she stopped. Crossing her arms over her chest, she turned, scanning the woods.
“I know you are there,” she mumbled.
Lowering his head, he approached her slowly, not wanting her to feel frightened with him in his more dominant form.
Natalia pursed her lips as he lowered to his haunches in front of her. Rolling her eyes, she marched past him and continued on her way towards the house. He fell in step beside her, escorting her the rest of the way home.
When they finally reached the house, Natalia wordlessly scurried up the wooden steps, passing by Vincent as he stepped out on to the porch.
“Usually walks between two people consist of both being in the same form,” Vincent teased as he hopped down the stairs. “At least I’ve found it makes for better conversation.”
Gene cocked his head at the younger man as he dropped his clothes to the ground. Closing his eyes, Gene shifted.
“I just wanted to make sure she got back okay,” the alpha commented as he redressed.
“She’ll come around. You have to keep in mind that she’s guarded. She doesn’t trust us. Think of her like you do Dev. He’s guarded, untrusting, but once you earn it…” Vincent trailed off.
“Thanks. You’re getting kind of deep, there, aren’t you?”
“I have no problem getting the girls,” Vincent smirked. “It’s finding them interesting after getting them that is the issue.”
Gene sighed. There’s the Vincent I’ve come to know. “Thanks, Vincent. I just want to help her.”
Vincent’s eyebrow quirked up as he chuckled. “If you say so. I think you’d like to do more than just help her.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively before darting off towards the barns.
“Honestly, Vincent,” Gene rolled his eyes.
“Just thought I’d throw in one last joke before Preston and I hit the road,” he called over his shoulder.
Gene shook his head, and looked up as the screen door banged against the house. Preston stood on the front steps, a bag tossed over his shoulder.
“We’re getting ready to take off,” Preston said as he jogged down the stairs.
Gene pulled his brother in for a hug, clapping him on the back. “Be careful, Preston.”
“You too,” Preston said as he pulled away.
“I’ll see you in a few weeks. Thank you,” Gene sighed, meeting his brother’s eyes.
Preston nodded. “Pack comes first. I know that. At least you’re sending me away with someone fun,” he said, grinning.
“That doesn’t mean you can get into trouble.” He focused on Vincent, who was joking with one of the other men by the barns. “At least not too much trouble. Take care of yourself. Be careful.”
“You too. I’ll see you, Brother,” Preston said, patting his shoulder as he walked by.
“Bye,” Gene added. He turned, watching his brother walk off. A part of him wanted to send someone else—to keep Preston at home, and safe. The other part knew his brother was trustworthy, and the most adept at completing this type of job. Preston would be home in a few weeks.
***
“I’m not sure this is a good idea,” Natalia said, sitting on the bed. It seemed like weeks ago that Lark had offered for them to go shopping, but in reality, it’d been only a week. She smoothed out her crème-colored tee, and looked down at the skinny jeans she wore. It would be nice to pick out her own clothes and not have to wear what someone else had chosen for her.
The bed dipped down as Lark sat next to her. “You’re not backing out are you?”
“No. I mean, I don’t know. Adrian-”
“Is fine. He’s been on the antibiotics for a over a day now, and has been acting fine,” Lark interrupted. She sighed, and leaned back on the bed with her head resting on the wall. “If you are going to go away with Gene in a couple days, you need to get things for both you and the baby.”
Natalia clasped her hands together, averting her eyes away from the blonde. She nervously curled her toes, running her feet over the soft carpet. She knew that she had to say what was on her mind, but didn’t want to admit it.
“I’m not sure I want to go.”
“To New York or shopping?” Lark asked, frowning.
“Either.” Natalia shrugged, wrapping her arms around herself.
“Shopping will be fun, and it will get you out of the house. When’s the last time you went out in public?” Lark asked, giving her a pointed look. “As far as New York, Gene knows the pack well. I’ve met his Uncle Isaac. Gene would never put you and Adrian in any danger.”
“How can you be so sure?” Natalia asked quietly.
“Gene’s one of the best guys I know. I grew up with him. I understand you’re nervous around him, but I think you should give him a chance. And whether you trust him or not, we still need to do something about Juarez. If we can get more men to help, then we should try.”
Natalia stood up, walking to the dresser. Running her
finger along the finish, she sighed.
“I want Juarez’s reign to end. He needs to be stopped; otherwise Adrian will never be safe.”
“Then take a chance, and trust Gene. Trust me; we all want the same thing,” Lark pleaded.
The bed creaked as Lark stood up, her feet padding softly across the carpet. “Gene’s coming shopping too.” She grinned. “Thought you might like to know that.”
***
For the first time in a year, Natalia felt normal. The mall was bustling with people, and, other than the four men waiting by the shop door, she felt comfortable.
“I think you should get this for him. Blue is definitely his color,” Emily commented, holding up a blue two-piece outfit. Emily’s eyes flicked from the clothes to Adrian’s form snug in his stroller. She handed Natalia the layette, and continued to browse through the baby clothes. “This one too.”
“Thanks,” Natalia said, taking the sleeper. She licked her lips, looking at the garments in her hand. The price tags were reminders that she had no money. In fact, she had nothing. Everything she owned had been purchased for her by Gene or someone else within the pack.
“I’m not being too pushy am I?” Emily asked, holding up another outfit, her green eyes widened as she met Natalia’s gaze. “I’m sorry. It’s just, I went through my heat cycle a few weeks ago, and I didn’t conceive. I know it’s silly to expect to get pregnant the first time you try, but…” Emily trailed off, sagging against the rack her smile faltering. “Let me know if I’m being overzealous.”
“It’s fine,” Natalia said, smiling at the other girl. “These are all nice. I just don’t have the means to buy these, is all.”
“Oh, is that all?” she questioned as if it were no big deal.
“Don’t worry about it. The guys are taking care of everything.” Emily smiled as she waved at Marcus.
“I do not like taking things,” Natalia murmured.
“Have you thought about getting a job?” Emily asked. “You’re still looking to fill that other spot, right Lark?” Emily asked, shoveling through the racks again.
“I am,” Lark said.
“At the bakery?” Even if she felt comfortable leaving Adrian, Natalia knew nothing about cooking.
“No one is saying you have to. There are many other things to do. I’m sure you could work something out with Gene to help out on the ranch too,” Sarah said. “With Preston and Vincent gone for who-knows-how long, they will be down a few workers.”
“I will be gone too,” Natalia reminded the girl.
Sarah twiddled with a strand of hair. “For a week. Preston thinks he will be gone much longer. He deferred his first semester at school.”
“Oh,” Natalia responded. “I don’t know much about horses either.”
“It’s okay,” Emily said, gently placing a hand on Natalia’s shoulder. Natalia jerked at the unexpected touch but didn’t pull completely away. Emily continued, “I know how hard it is to make your own way in our world. You’ll figure something out, I’m sure. Besides, it must be nice to be able to spend so much time with Adrian.”
“It is,” Natalia agreed.
“I would be happy to look after him for you. I’m sure my mom wouldn’t mind an extra hand in the kitchen. And I know she would definitely love to see Adrian too,” Emily commented.
“No,” Natalia hissed. “I will not work with the fake alpha’s wife. She is a monster, like her husband.”
“Oh,” Emily stuttered. Her cheeks reddened and she cast her eyes to the floor.
Natalia watched as Emily turned to the rack, fiddling with the different clothes. Silence enveloped them, and heat scorched her face as she realized she had insulted the other woman’s parents. Having viewed Emily as a fellow prisoner at the McKinley homestead, it was easy to forget that she was a member of that vile family.
“Finding everything okay?” Gene asked as the four guys approached.
“Yes,” Natalia said, averting her eyes to assess the garments in her hand.
“We were thinking lunch before you ladies drag us to anymore stores,” Devon said, placing his hand on the small of Lark’s back. She leaned into him, and placed a tender kiss to his lips.
“I’m starved,” Emily said as she hugged Marcus.
Gene held his hand out. “I’ll take those.”
Natalia flushed, her cheeks and ears burning. If she didn’t need the things, she would’ve shoved his hand away. But her son did need clothes.
“I will find a way to pay you back.”
“Fair enough. I’d be more than happy to put you to work on the ranch,” Gene said.
His fingers brushed against hers, causing her breath to hitch as he took the garments. With a smile, he turned away, walking to the register.
“You like him?” Lark asked, smiling.
“What?” Natalia asked. Turning to look at the amused blonde, she narrowed her eyes, thankful it was just the two of them now. “I do not.”
“Fine, you’re attracted to him.”
“Only because he’s an alpha,” Natalia reasoned. “It is natural for alphas to feel an attraction to each other.” She had no idea if that was the truth, but Lark didn’t need to know that.
Lark gave her a pointed look. “Then you feel the same attraction to Devon?”
Natalia scoffed, and clenched the stroller handle tighter.
“I didn’t think so,” Lark said, touching her arm lightly. “Come on, let’s get lunch.”
***
Gene finished signing the receipt, paying for lunch as everyone else gathered their belongings.
“Do you need anything else while we are out?” he asked Natalia as she finished adjusting Adrian in his stroller.
She opened her mouth to respond a weary look on her face, but he beat her to it. “I know you don’t want to feel indebted to me. I understand that. Let me know if you need anything. As I said earlier, we can work something out.”
Shoving his wallet into his pocket, Gene made his way over to Devon and Lark. A twinge of jealousy shot through him as he watched Devon throw his arm around Lark. A melodic laughter left Lark’s lips as she leaned into him. To think, only a few months ago, Devon had been single and unwilling to let anyone in. Lark had changed all of that. If she could do that for Dev, perhaps he could do something to help Natalia. At least he hoped he could.
The sharp ring of his cell phone caused his footsteps to falter. Recognizing the whistles as Preston’s ringtone, Gene dug the phone from his pocket.
“Hey,” he greeted.
“Hi, just thought I’d call to check in. We’re in Arkansas with Ernest Dullard,” Preston said.
“How are things?” Gene questioned, sighing as he watched the women head into the GAP. He leaned against the railing that overlooked the bottom section of the mall, listening carefully to his brother’s reply.
“Okay. He seems jumpy every time we mention Juarez, though. He offered for us to stay the night, but I kind of get the feeling he’ll kick us to the curb in the morning,” Preston explained.
“Don’t coerce them to help us. They have to want to on their own. We need reliable allies. I trust you to use your judgment, Preston. If you don’t like something—anything at all—then don’t feel obligated to stay and talk.” Gene scrubbed a hand over his face. “Promise me you’ll be careful. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.” He shivered as he admitted that aloud.
“Relax, Gene. I have a girl and school to look forward too. I’m coming home,” Preston said. “How are things at the ranch? Ready for your trip?”
“I think so. I’m just hoping that Natalia is up for it.” His eyes drifted to the store where she was. He caught a glimpse of her as she ran her slender fingers down a red tank top with white flower prints.
“Hmmm, I think you might have a thing for her,” Preston teased.
“Maybe.”
“You’re not even going to deny it?” Preston asked shocked.
“It’s…I don’t know
what it is.”
“Good for you, Gene. Just watch out for her right hooks,” Preston chuckled.
“I didn’t tell you about that to get teased,” Gene grumbled under his breath.
“I got to go, Vincent’s coming back. I’ll talk to you later,” Preston said.
“Alright, be careful.”
“You too.”
Chapter Six
Natalia looked around the room one last time, mentally checking off everything she had packed. They were only going to be gone a week or so, but she wanted to be sure she had everything for Adrian. Letting out a long breath, she buckled Adrian into his car seat. Sweat beaded on her hands as she adjusted the straps.
She wasn’t sure what scared her more, getting on a plane, or walking into an unknown pack. The trust she was putting in Gene disturbed her. All the wolves she had met had done nothing but hurt her and kill people. Gene seemed different, but she couldn’t be sure. One way or another, Adrian would not be safe with Fernando Juarez alive. She would not let her son become a member of his pack.
Natalia looked up when someone cleared their throat. Marcus stood in the doorway. He motioned to the bag on the floor, and Natalia nodded, watching as he strode towards the luggage. A friendly smile remained on his face as he bent down to look at Adrian.
“He’s a cutie. Me and Em hope to have one sometime,” Marcus said.
Natalia relaxed. Thankful that at least he was acting normal. Everyone except Lark seemed to be on edge around her. Afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing. It was infuriating. Their unease around her made her more uncomfortable. She just wanted to be a normal person, but she doubted she would ever be a carefree woman again.
“Thank you,” she said quietly as he struggled to gather all the bags in his hands.
“I don’t think you could bring anything else if you tried. The room’s been stripped down to the furniture. Guess you can’t travel light with a baby, though,” Marcus said. He grabbed the last suitcase, juggling it between his hands before exiting the room.
Bending down, Natalia double-checked the straps of the infant carrier one last time. Apprehension rolled through her belly, causing it to knot. She’d never been on a plane before. Footsteps thumped up the stairs, and someone tapped lightly on the open door.