I nodded slowly, letting her words seep in. “What do I do if he refuses?” I asked, my voice small.
I felt stupid asking things like that, but I had to. I was sure I could have taken this to Abraham, but I was trying to impress him. Trying to show him I could do the job. If I ran to him with every little problem, I’d be doing the opposite of that.
Evey tilted her head to the side. “Well, if he won’t pay his fine, he’ll be in breach of his contract.”
“Contract?”
“Every wolf that lives on pack lands had to sign a contract before gettin’ to occupy one of the houses. A breach could result in eviction.”
I nodded again. “Okay. I think I can work with that.”
She slid a piece of paper across her desk. “Here’s the official document for Jimmy’s fine. I’m gonna add the bonus to Austin’s check right now. Was there anythin’ else you needed help with?”
I grabbed the document and shot her a smile. “Nope. I’m good. Thanks, Evey.” I stood up and turned to leave.
I’d just grabbed the doorknob when her voice floated across the room. “Be careful, Ellie.”
I looked over my shoulder at her, ready to give a sarcastic retort when I saw her face. She was actually worried about me. I turned around and gave her my most reassuring smile. “I’ll be fine, Evey. Don’t worry about me.”
She nodded, but her eyes were still filled with worry. “He’s not gonna be happy about that fine. You should be prepared for that.”
I swallowed past the lump in my throat, hoping my unease didn’t show on my face. I knew Jimmy wasn’t going to be happy about receiving a fine. I knew he was probably going to throw a fit and try to threaten his way out of it. But I also knew I wasn’t backing down. I needed to lay down the law. Show the pack that I wasn’t someone that could be messed with.
I felt like I wasn’t taken as seriously because I was bitten and not born a wolf. Like people expected me to not be as strong or as fast because I hadn’t always been like this.
That couldn’t have been further from the truth, and my sparring partner could vouch for that.
I still trained with Bea at least five times a week and I was getting better every day. I might not have been ready to face off against one of the enforcers or anything, but I was sure I could handle some beer-drinking, cigarette-smoking blowhard.
“I’ll be okay, Evey. I’ll see you later. Thanks again.”
I knew if I stayed there any longer, she’d try to find a way to talk me out of it. Or worse, call Abraham and let him know what was happening. He’d no doubt insist on accompanying me to the pack houses and I didn’t want that. If I brought Abraham, no one would take me seriously.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized Evey was probably going to tell on me, anyway. She was notoriously mothering and overprotective. She was almost as bad as Abraham when it came to my safety.
I hustled through the lodge and out the back door before anyone could stop me. With a couple looks tossed over my shoulder to make sure no one was following, I made my way down to the pack houses.
When I reached the fourteenth one, I found the yard clean and well-maintained. Austin did a good job and I’d have to remember that.
I walked past Fran’s house and over to the sixteenth which obviously belonged to Jimmy. His yard looked like it could be featured on an episode of one of those hoarder shows. There was junk lying all over the place, garbage littering every corner, and enough cigarette butts to build something with. His house was a disgusting mess, and if I was Fran, I’d have complained about having to live next to that.
I stormed up the driveway and knocked on his door, getting more irritated as time passed. When a middle-aged man with pale skin and long, greasy hair answered, I had no trouble guessing who it was.
“Jimmy?”
He frowned. “Yeah. What do you want?”
“My name’s Ellie and I’m here to address an issue with you. Could you come out and talk to me?”
He pushed his screen door open and stepped outside, his dark eyes watching me warily. He crossed his arms over his flabby chest and stared me down. “What’s the issue?”
I took a deep breath and tipped up my chin. “We’ve received a complaint about you throwing your trash on your neighbor’s lawn and had to take action.”
One of his busy brows rose. “What kind of action?”
I handed him the fine and waited while he slowly read it. When his eyes widened, I knew he’d reached the part about the money. He looked up at me with enough rage to almost knock me back a step.
“Is this a fuckin’ joke?!” he yelled, balling the piece of paper in his meaty hand.
“Afraid not. You have a week to pay that fine before it doubles.”
He took a menacing step forward. “I’m not payin’ no bullshit fine.”
“It’s not bullshit. You couldn’t contain your pigsty to your own property and that’s unacceptable.”
“I’m not payin’ shit.”
“You will if you want to remain living here.”
He took another step closer, but I held my ground. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“It means, when you moved here, you signed a contract agreeing to pay any fines you received from the alpha. If you don’t, you’re breaching the contract and can be removed.”
A vein was throbbing in his forehead and I worried about his health for a moment. “You’re gonna kick me out of my own goddamn house?!”
“Technically, this is a pack house. It doesn’t belong to you.”
He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out and he closed it. He did that another couple of times as his breathing picked up and his hands fisted. “Listen here, you little bitch–”
“In fact, I’m sure there was a clause in that contract about keeping the property in good shape while you’re occupying it. This place is a dump. You need to clean it up or you’ll be subject to more fines.”
He took the final step separating us until he was hovering over me. “I’m not paying no motherfucking fines, I’m not cleaning anything, and you can get the hell off my property!”
I straightened my spine and fisted my own hands. They were shaking with the need to shift. I understood that I was in a potentially dangerous situation and my fight instincts were ready to take over at a moment’s notice.
“That fine is from the alpha. Pay it or lose your house. I’ll be back soon to check that you’re cleaning this place up. If it’s not respectable-looking within the month, you can expect more fines.”
His nostrils flared, and his skin had turned a really unattractive shade of red. “I don’t have to do a goddamn thing you say. You’re nothing. Just some bitch that fell into the alpha’s bed. You’ll never lead this pack and you’ll never be my alpha.”
His words crept around my brain, burrowing into the darkest places and making themselves at home. He’d just voiced all my deepest fears. Announced every worry that I’d never measure up. That I’d never be taken seriously. That I’d never get them to follow me.
I shook my head to clear the thoughts. I was sure Jimmy wasn’t the only one who felt that way, but that was just too damn bad.
“You have a choice: pay the fine and clean your house, or lose it. What happens now is up to you.”
I spun around and walked away while Jimmy continued to sputter behind me. There was nothing more for me to say to him and staying would only escalate the situation.
As I walked back up the road leading to the lodge, I waved to Maddy who was climbing into her car, and Brad who was working on a pickup truck in his driveway. I realized that, despite everything, I was starting to make a difference. Changing things for the better. That was really all I could ask for.
As I walked by the fourth house, I noticed Craig on his front porch, watching me while I passed.
“Throwin’ your weight around some more? Think that’ll make ‘em take you seri
ously?”
I stopped in my tracks and turned to see Craig with a hand on his wide waist. His face was contorted with anger and all of it was directed right at me.
“Can I help you with something, Craig?”
He descended the steps off his porch. “Just wanted to know if you were messin’ with someone else’s livin’, or if I’m just special.”
I wanted to roll my eyes, but I somehow just barely held back. “I gave you a choice, Craig, and you chose wrong.”
His hands fisted at his sides as his face got redder. I sure was bringing that reaction out of a lot of men today.
“You didn’t give me a fuckin’ choice.”
That time, I did roll my eyes. “We’ve already discussed this, and I have other things to do. If you’re still having a problem with my decision, feel free to talk to Abraham about it.”
He took a step closer, his knuckles white with how hard he was squeezing his hands closed. “You bet your ass I will.”
I shrugged and left him in his driveway. He was looking for a fight and he wouldn’t find it with me. My business with Craig was over as far as I was concerned, and I knew Abraham backed my decision completely. I had nothing to worry about there, but my stomach still twisted into knots.
Was I doing the right thing? Was I throwing my weight around like Craig said?
It felt necessary. Like if I didn’t put my foot down, I’d never be respected. They’d continue to think I was just an accessory and not a leader. I knew I’d been putting off the actual mating ceremony, but I was treating the job like it was already mine. I knew things were rough, but I had to hope that, in the end, it would all help me gain their respect and not lose it.
Chapter 17
I placed a soft kiss on Abraham’s bare chest and slid out of his hold. It was difficult extracting myself from his arms, and when I’d finally gotten myself untangled, his wandering hands grabbed my hips and pulled me back down.
“Where you goin’?” he said, his voice deep with sleep.
I leaned over and kissed his lips. “I told you, I’m observing a shift at the farm today. I need to get going.”
His arm tightened around me. “Stay with me and snuggle.”
My lips twitched with a smile and my heart melted. He was so adorable, and that was such a good offer, I had to stop and consider it for a minute.
I shook my head. “I’m sorry, baby. I have to do this.”
He pulled me closer. “Then you better stop callin’ me baby or you’re not goin’ anywhere.”
I laughed and kissed him again before I slid out from between his arms. “I’ll see you for lunch.”
He cracked open an eye and watched me walk across the room. “I’m hungry already.”
I laughed again and shut the bathroom door. I needed that barrier for myself as much as I did for him. Thankfully, by the time I was done in the shower, Abraham had fallen back asleep.
I watched him for a few minutes as my long, wet hair dripped on the hardwood floor.
When I was dressed in the closest thing I owned to work clothes, I wandered down to the kitchen to see if I could scrounge up some breakfast. To my surprise, Ms. Elsie was already in there at the stove.
“Ellie, what are you doin’ up this early?”
I grabbed a warm biscuit off a sheet pan and took a bite. “I’m overseeing a shift at the farm today.”
She nodded. “I heard they’ve been havin’ some issues.”
“You have?”
She shot me a look. “There are no secrets in a pack.”
I chuckled and took another bite of my biscuit. “Yeah, I’ve heard.”
“Can I make you some eggs before you go?”
I lifted a lid off a pot on the stove. “Nah, I’ll just have some of this oatmeal and be on my way. Thanks, though.”
She smiled and patted me on the arm. “You just let me know if you change your mind, hon.”
I dished myself up some oatmeal and took a seat on a stool at the kitchen island. The lodge was still quiet this early in the morning and I wasn’t used to the lack of movement and noise.
“It’s so quiet.”
Ms. Elsie chuckled. “I know. Almost too quiet, isn’t it?”
I smiled. “Yeah, kinda. Never thought I’d miss all the commotion.”
We were silent for a while after that as I finished my breakfast and she continued to cook. When I was done, I rinsed my bowl and threw it in the dishwasher. I opened my mouth to say goodbye when she spoke.
“I hear you’ve been makin’ a few waves around here lately and I want you to promise me you’re gonna be careful.”
I frowned. “What have you heard?”
She wiped her hands on a dish towel. “Well, I know you fired Craig, and implemented quiet hours. I also know you fined Jimmy for makin’ a mess and already hired a new pack mechanic.”
I nodded slowly. “Oh, so you know everything.”
She laughed softly before she got serious. “I just wanna make sure you’re bein’ careful. Not everyone is gonna take kindly to someone new tellin’ ‘em what to do.”
“I’ve already run into my fair share of that in the past couple days.”
She nodded again. “And I’m sure there’s more where that came from. Just be careful, okay?”
I gave her my most reassuring smile. “I will, Ms. Elsie. Don’t worry about me. I’ll see you later.”
I turned to leave and thought I heard her mumble something about her worrying about me whether I liked it or not, but I let it go. She was as bad as the rest of them. I knew what I was doing and could take care of myself.
I knew the problem was that hadn’t always been the case. When I’d had to fight against Calvin, I’d been outmaneuvered and overpowered. I’d barely held on for the first few minutes of the fight before he’d gained the upper hand. After that, I was at his mercy. Hands bound behind my back, I was completely defenseless.
I’d promised myself in those dark moments that I’d never be that helpless ever again. That I’d do whatever it took to be able to hold my own. To protect myself.
That was why I still practiced with Bea. That was why I pushed myself every single session with her. I wasn’t that powerless, witless new wolf I once was. I knew I still had a long way to go, but I’d also come really far.
It would take time for everyone to realize that, but in the meantime, I was sick of being doubted.
The sun was just barely peeking over the horizon as I walked down the path that led through the pack houses. When I’d asked, Abraham said the farm was past the last house and down a short path. I followed his instructions and, almost immediately, the woods opened up to a large open space full of crops.
There was a group of people nearby and I made my way towards them.
“Ellie!”
Sophie broke away from the pack and walked over to me, perky as ever, even at that ungodly hour.
“Morning, Sophie.”
She gave me a quick hug and then led me to the group of people she’d been standing with. “This is Jake, Hannah, Marco, and Elliot.”
I greeted each person with a handshake. When I got to Elliot, I gave him a warm smile. “Nice to see you again, Elliot.”
He grinned back and pulled me closer. “Thanks for taking care of that issue for me.”
“My pleasure,” I said, beaming back at him.
It felt amazing to have someone tell me I’d actually helped. That’d I’d made a difference.
“All right, quit fucking around and get to work.”
I spun around at the hateful tone and found a tall man with dirty blond hair and a scowl on his face. There was a younger, pretty girl hanging off his arm, and I was pretty sure I was looking at Tom and Daisy.
The rest of the workers grumbled under their breath, but dispersed anyway, heading for a shed I assumed held equipment. I turned back
toward Tom and made my way over to him.
“Hi, Tom?”
He spun around and wrinkled his nose when he saw me. “Can I help you?”
“I’m Ellie, Abraham’s mate. I don’t think we’ve met,” I said, holding out a hand.
He eyed me for a long minute before reaching out for a shake. “I’ve heard of you.”
I slapped on a big smile. “Great! I’m here to observe an average day here on the farm.”
His nose crinkled again. “Why would you be doing that?”
“Oh.”
Shit.
I hadn’t really thought up a good excuse yet. I didn’t want to tell him there’d been a complaint in case it got back to Sophie. So, I fibbed a little. “Since I’m new here, I’m trying to get a feel for everything that happens on pack lands. Today, it’s the farm. Next, it’s the gardeners.” I had zero intention of shadowing the gardeners for a day, but he didn’t need to know that.
He turned his head to sneer, but I caught it anyway. “Sounds lovely,” he said before stalking off.
Daisy was left standing there looking confused. She hadn’t said a word the entire time, and I’d almost forgotten she was there. Her light eyes darted from me to Tom and back again.
Finally, I sighed. “Don’t you think you should be getting to work?”
She jumped in place like she hadn’t expected me to talk. With a nod in my direction, she scampered off after the other workers.
I followed Tom and spoke up again once I was close. “It’s only five-forty-five.”
His shoulders tensed. “Yes, and?”
“Well, I was told the shift didn’t start until six.”
He turned slowly to face me. “They know to get started early so they’re well underway by the time six rolls around.”
I nodded slowly. “And do they get paid for that fifteen minutes?”
His lips thinned briefly. “No, they do not.”
I nodded again. “Interesting.”
Without waiting for him to respond, I took off across the field to where the workers were gathered. They’d already picked up their equipment and looked like they were about to get started harvesting some eggplants. I wandered closer and watched from the sidelines.
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