Un.Bridled (Claimed Series #2)

by Reese Morgan

  “You were unfortunate to see her at her lowest,” Addie continued, as if reading Hayden’s reservations. “I think you two would have gotten along well if it hadn’t been for Joseph. Nathan would have made a far better match for her. Poor Nathan.”

  Hayden gently took the knife from Addie’s hands when she sensed the other woman’s surge of anger and sadness. Cutting vegetables could be good therapy, Hayden supposed, but she didn’t want to risk Addie’s hand slipping.

  “What was Cole thinking? Letting Nathan walk away from the pack like that?”

  Cradling the knife against her chest, Hayden took a hasty step backwards at the raw emotion in Addie’s voice. She didn’t know how to deal with this. Now that Devan was gone, Hayden was the only other female in the house. Addie would feel a sense of comradeship with Hayden and subconsciously seek solace.

  To make the situation worse, Addie emitted a broken sob. One hand was thrown over her face to hide her anguish and her other arm wrapped comfortingly around her middle.

  For a moment, Hayden stood motionlessly, watching with muddled uncertainty.

  It wasn’t until she remembered the times when Cole comforted her during her moments of weakness that Hayden realized an Alpha wasn’t just about fighting and dominance. Being an Alpha was about putting aside one’s own insecurities and focusing on the other pack members’ needs.

  Violence could only solve so much. It was useless when dealing with home matters that required a softer touch, a touch Hayden was somewhat lacking in, but determined to master.

  Setting down the cutting knife, Hayden embraced Addie firmly. “I think Cole knows exactly what he’s doing for Nathan,” she whispered into the woman’s hair. “Nathan has always wanted to prove himself to Cole and this is his way of doing it. Maybe he’s destined for bigger things or maybe he just needs to experience responsibility his own way.”

  Addie leaned into Hayden and embraced her back. “You’re right,” the woman agreed. Her voice was strained and hoarse, as if one little mishap would set her off again. “I should have more confidence in Cole and Nathan.”

  Hayden was suddenly alerted to another presence in the kitchen. Startled, she spotted Cole standing unnoticed near the door. He caught her eyes and gave a firm, pleased nod before escaping just as silently as he had arrived. While his praise was valued, Hayden was more content knowing she could offer a semblance of comfort to Addie.

  “I don’t mean to cry.” Addie pulled back and wiped a few tears from her eyes, flashing a bashful smile. “Thank you, Hayden.”

  “I’m here anytime,” she insisted. “Why don’t you take a break? I can finish up here.”

  Essentially, it was Fergus’ turn to cook with Addie, but the pack omega failed to show up in time for dinner. In fact, Fergus’ presence had been sparse the past couple of days and Hayden assumed it had to do with Nathan’s absence.

  “If you’re sure…” Addie trailed off and looked at the remaining vegetables. “Then I’m going to take a shower.” She reached over and stroked Hayden’s cheek. “I appreciate your help.”

  As Addie escaped the kitchen, Hayden grimaced at the food. She wasn’t much of a cook, especially when it dealt with more than one ingredient. Nonetheless, she muffled her distaste and began chopping.

  Glancing out the window, Hayden had to look twice when she saw Blake and Cole. It was barely forty degrees, yet both men were shirtless and barefoot, standing upon a light dusting of snow. They both exuded natural grace as they sparred with one another, Cole performing leaps and bounds ahead of Blake.

  Hayden had seen them spar before, but that had been before she took an interest in learning herself.

  Setting down the knife, she raced to the door but slowed to a casual stroll as she exited outside. Nonchalantly, she leaned against the pillar and watched the two males. Outwardly, she may not have showed much, but she was watching each move carefully, memorizing the mechanism behind each hit and block.

  Her attention tried not to wander too long over Cole’s bare torso, finding it hard not to admire the way his muscles flexed and shaped his body. He was the perfect specimen of the male physique and he was able to carry its solid mass with a fluid elegance. When his feet hit the ground, they did so quietly and with articulate purpose.

  Hayden grimaced and tore her eyes away.

  “You’re sloppy,” Cole admonished as he swept Blake off his feet. “Am I inconveniencing you? Do you have somewhere else to be?”

  “No,” Blake snapped gruffly as he landed on his back. His amber eyes rounded on Hayden, spotting her on the porch. A devious smirk lit his face at the distraction. “But I do need a break.” He sat up. “Maybe you can show Hayden a move or two. She asked me to teach her how to spar the other day. She even considered going to Adolf for help. Isn’t that right, Hayden?”

  Blake didn’t know how close to the truth he was and the vague hints were more than enough to earn Cole’s sharp notice.

  The Alpha swung his head around to look at her. He ran a hand through his black locks, making them all the more wild and untamable. His green eyes were dilated and focused, his gaze entirely wolfish.

  “Is that where you disappear to everyday? To Adolf?” he inquired quietly.

  Blake howled with laughter, his expression glowing with raw hilarity. “Did you really? I didn’t think you’d actually go to him—that uptight asshole!”

  Hayden crossed her arms over her chest, vulnerable and defensive. “I’m not that desperate, Blake. Give me a break.” His reaction was exactly why she didn’t want them to know where she spent her days. They’d ridicule her and they wouldn’t take her seriously.

  Cole hardly shared Blake’s amusement. Instead, he paid special attention to her posture, more specifically, the defensive way she crossed her arms. “I don’t want you around him,” he instructed severely. “Asher is one thing. Adolf is an entirely different matter.”

  “Yeah. Compared to Asher, Adolf is one experienced player.” Blake wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, grinning ear to ear when Hayden flushed crimson.

  “You don’t like me around any of the males, Cole,” she disputed. “Considering most of the werewolf community is male, I should hide myself in my room all day.” She placed a hand on her hip. “Why does everything have to be viewed in a sexual light?”

  “No matter what front they put up,—”

  “Like innocent smiles and charming dimples,” Blake intervened quietly.

  “Mating with you will always be their endgame,” Cole finished acerbically.

  “Give me a bit more credit, Cole.” Insulted, Hayden turned her heel and retreated back to the house.

  She couldn’t tolerate his possessiveness, especially considering their circumstances. He thought he could keep her on a leash for himself while refraining from establishing any sort of relationship.

  It was borderline emotional abuse.

  “Hayden. I’m not finished. Come back here.”

  Cole channeled his Alpha influence through his demand, giving his order a hypnotic force that made others bend to his will. Hayden obliged, but she did so reluctantly and with an expression that clearly indicated she was not happy.

  Dragging her feet, she leaned back against the pillar.

  “I don’t want you around Adolf. Is that clear?” There was no apology in his tone for his harshness and his face was carved from unrelenting stone.

  “It’s clear,” Hayden repeated flippantly. She understood his order, it was clear, but that didn’t mean she would listen. “I’ll just spend more time with Asher.”

  Blake choked, trying to muffle his laugher, while Cole nodded scornfully.

  “I’m impressed with your maturity, Hayden.”

  He had no claim on her and she was making him painfully aware of that fact. It might have been juvenile on her part, but at the same time, she wanted to hurt him as he’d hurt her on countless of occasions.

  Cole raked his fingers through his hair again, clearly agitated. “You don’t need a
nyone to train you because you don’t need to know how to fight.” He nodded toward the house. “What you did in there, consoling Addie, is something that I need you to do as female Alpha. Defending the pack is my duty. I will protect you.”

  Frustrated tears welled up in her eyes, but she kept them under control. He was just like the others. “But not with your life, I hope,” Hayden whispered profoundly. “Because we both know you have the rest of the pack to protect.”

  Cole’s face darkened as he caught the underlying meaning in her words. She was referring to his opposition of mating with her because he didn’t want the risks involved. If she died, he died, consequently leaving the pack behind.

  It was both cowardly and admirable of him. She didn’t fault him, she couldn’t, but it was all the more reason to learn how to fight. She had her own reasons to learn how defend herself, the foremost so Cole wouldn’t feel obligated to protect her.

  His expression was petulant, his eyes clearly revealing his inner turmoil.

  Before he had a chance to reply, three gunshots sounded down the road, soon accompanied by the sound of diesel engines. Hayden took a startled step back when Cole appeared next to her instantaneously. With his arm out, he warned her away from the yard and back toward the house.

  Another shot sounded, this one in victory.

  Blake and Cole traded meaningful looks, a silent communication passing between them.

  “Stay here, Hayden,” Cole ordered sharply. Catching the shirt Blake tossed in his direction, the Alpha shouldered it on and leaped down the steps of the porch.

  Hayden bit the inside of her cheek and shuffled closer to the edge of the porch as they disappeared from view. Her body jerked toward the road, intent to go after Cole, but her mind was telling her she’d already upset him enough for one day.

  When several shouts came from the road, hollers both spiteful and mocking, Hayden made up her mind and bounded off the stairs, sprinting after Cole. As she rounded the corner of the tree line, she spotted three pickup trucks entering Shane Donovan’s driveway.

  Her heart sank when she grasped the situation. Devan had been right. The Hunters really would look for revenge.

  Humans rode in the truck beds, holding rifles as a warning to the gathering werewolves. And the werewolves were gathering, albeit cautiously. Many were emerging from Eric’s home and Adolf’s pack. Even a few arrived from Falco’s old pack, which Nathan now headed.

  Nathan was there, standing next to his beta, Timothy, and the other Alphas. Seeing him with another pack, as the Alpha of another pack, was extremely alien to Hayden. Surprisingly enough, he carried an air of prominence that he had never possessed with Cole.

  He looked happy. He looked comfortable.

  “I knew you’d come out here.”

  Hayden turned, smiling widely when she spotted Asher. Despite the current situation, his flamboyant grin was contagious. “You do know me best.”

  Asher came to a stop next to Hayden, playfully bumping shoulders with her. He was grinning, but it gradually darkened to a frown when the humans piled out of the trucks. “They love finding and locating the females,” he informed softly.

  To prove his assertion, a few humans gestured towards her. One of them held up a finger and pulled and imaginary trigger in her direction. On instinct, Asher pressed closer to Hayden, using the sheer size of his body to shelter her.

  “Why?” she asked numbly, watching the Hunters with growing unease.

  Hunters made it their priority to kill werewolves. She’d always wanted to know what they looked like, to see if they had any characteristics that made them unique. But they only looked like ordinary men with scruffy beards and baseball caps. And guns. Several guns. Even from afar, Hayden could smell the distinct scent of silver bullets.

  “Because male werewolves instinctively protect their females.” Asher wasn’t the one to respond to her inquiry, but Cole, who had abruptly appeared at her other side. “Seasoned Hunters will try to locate the female in order to draw out and execute the male werewolves, who are harder to hunt down.”

  A heavy hand landed on her shoulder, tugging her away from Asher. As if the blond beta was the most prominent threat, Cole’s eyes turned from the Hunters to Asher, scrutinizing the other male with dark aversion.

  “Shouldn’t you be with your father?” Cole inquired. The hand squeezed painfully on Hayden’s shoulder. “And shouldn’t you be at the house like I instructed?”

  Hayden pressed her lips together, feeling the stifling heat coming from Cole. The hand on her shoulder was restraining, heavy, and his fingers hooked possessively into her skin like a claim. Her arm brushed against the hard band of muscles around his stomach and she tried not to remember what he’d looked like without his shirt.

  Cole took a step closer, bringing her nearer, and resting his chin upon her head. He gazed challengingly at Asher, his eyes as bright as they would be in his wolf form.

  Asher offered a twisted grin in the face of Cole’s intimidation. “I figured I could take advantage of the situation and talk with Hayden. After all, the Alphas should be deliberating our new neighbors. Don’t you think that’s more important than showing me who’s in charge, Cole?”

  Cole scoffed, the soft exhalation ruffling a few hairs on Hayden’s head. “Just as long as you know who is in charge, Asher.”

  As he withdrew, his cheek nuzzled Hayden, the action smooth and natural but claiming in every sense of the word. When his claim was unmistakably noted, he turned his shoulder on Asher and retreated back to the other Alphas.

  “He’s ridiculous.” Despite his bravado, Asher’s body was tense and ruffled. “He’s the mediator between Red Donovan and the werewolves. You would think he would step up and defuse this situation instead of treating you like an object.”

  Needing to shake off the repercussions of Cole’s proximity, Hayden focused on the lingering werewolves, taking in their reactions. Those who were courageous enough to be out in the open were gazing at the Hunters with an animal-like caution, ready to bolt if necessary.

  Hayden glanced at the Hunters, who’d jumped from the trucks and now lingered at the end of Shane’s driveway. They were just as wary as the werewolves were. Only, they carried their wariness in a different way, a more sadistic way. Their postures were stiff but confident. Some had guns drawn while others had their weapons in holsters.

  She didn’t see Shane among the group and she wondered if Red Donovan was still alive. Then again, if Red hadn’t made it, Hayden doubted the Hunters would have been so reluctant to open fire.

  “You don’t agree?” Asher inquired, snagging her attention.

  Hayden raised her eyebrows, forgetting what he had said earlier.

  “Never mind.” The blond werewolf exhaled in frustration. “You should go to The Lounge. They just finished rebuilding it a few days ago.”

  The Lounge was a local bar the werewolves reserved downtown. Not long after Hayden became a part of Cole’s pack, the tavern had been burned down during a rogue attack.

  “You’d especially like the drama unfolding there…” Asher trailed off and raised his eyebrows at Hayden’s distracted and gloom expression. “I’m trying to distract you from the Hunters, but it’s not working, is it?”

  “Sorry.”

  Asher leaned closer, intentionally turning away from the Alphas in order to avoid Cole’s unwavering observance. “Fergus and Blake are fighting over a—”

  Before he could finish, another car drove into Shane’s driveway. Hayden sprang to the tips of her toes, trying to catch a glimpse of the new arrival, but grew frustrated when the humans blocked her view. Her sharp hearing could pick up a few phrases, but they were too quiet for her to piece their conversation together.

  Suddenly, the crowd parted and Hayden slumped in relief when she spotted Shane and Red Donovan. The latter man was in a wheelchair, being escorted into the house by a band of men.

  Falco hadn’t killed him. Somehow, the old man had been determined enough to hol
d on.

  She could see the evidence of Red’s struggle on Shane’s face. The boy had dark bags under his eyes and his face was haggard with exhaustion. Nevertheless, as soon as he spotted Hayden, he appeared to liven and revert back to his original self.

  He whispered to the men around him, motioning toward her. Not too long after, the group of Hunters, all congregated together for protection, began to make their way over to her.

  The reaction from the werewolves was instantaneous.

  Even if they weren’t members of her pack, they immediately guarded her, their actions extremely primitive. From the way they shielded her, Hayden would never be grazed by a single bullet unless all those around her were dead. It was flattering to know they no longer viewed her as an outsider, but she was deeply concerned with how they sacrificed their bodies without a second thought.

  Cole was an unmoving wall directly in front of her. The top of her head just reached his broad shoulder and he was twice her size. He’d be the last one standing, she knew.

  Hayden unenthusiastically realized that she needed to take Cole’s orders more seriously from now on. He knew what he was talking about when he told her to stay behind. This was exactly what he’d foreseen.

  Together, a group of male werewolves poised a serious threat against the Hunters. But if a female was thrown into the equation, the males became less of a threat as they made it their priority to protect her.

  She felt stupid.

  “A bunch of animals,” one Hunter spat, cocking his gun at the group.

  “Please,” Shane pleaded. “I just want to speak with Hayden.”

  “Until you refrain from approaching her with your army, I don’t see that happening.” The identity of the speaker sounded suspiciously like Adolf.

  Hayden tried to peek around Cole, but the Alpha moved with her, somehow knowing which direction she’d lean without looking back. She could hear Shane exhale, probably just as frustrated as she was with the situation.

  “Until my grandfather recovers, I am the new representative between the Hunters and the werewolves in this town.” Shane adopted a tone of self-assurance, efficiently expelling his earlier uncertainty. “Please lower your weapons and please step aside. I will only agree to talk with Hayden.”