by Lila Rose
“Alpha.” Barry, a member of the pack, ran up to the table. “The Johnson brothers are at it again.”
Motherfucker.
“Barry, you need to step in and stop them,” I ordered.
His whole body puffed up. I could scent how proud he felt being asked to do something.
“Got it.” He saluted. Barry turned, dropped a growl, and shifted right in front of us. His shredded clothes dropped to the floor, and he bounded to the other side of the bar.
“Cora, honey,” Kathy said gently.
“Brea, fuck off, now,” Alton growled. I heard her leave, but I was too busy freaking out over Cora and her reaction.
“Um…,” she started, but her lips thinned. I didn’t like how pale she was or how hard her heart was beating or the way her body slightly shook. She moved quickly out of the booth, almost stumbled back. I went to reach for her, but she said, “I’m good.” She nodded and took a step back. “I-I-I think I need some air.”
“I’ll go with you,” I said.
“No!”
Pain stabbed through me at that single harsh word.
“T-Thank you, but I need a moment.” Her smile was shaky. “Ah, thanks for the drink,” she said before swiftly moving toward the door and out it. As I watched her go, each step she took broke a piece of my soul away. I knew I wasn’t the only one watching her leave.
“Alpha,” Alton whispered.
Hand clenched, I closed my eyes and ground my teeth together.
Ten.
Nine.
“Havoc?” Kathy said softly.
Eight.
Seven.
“Not in here,” someone said.
Six.
Five.
“Out. Everyone, get the fuck out!” Alton yelled. They scattered.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
A roar erupted out of me. I couldn’t stop the shift even if I tried. My bones broke, changed, morphed, and my wolf and I mourned our mate running from us.
Fearing us.
We tore into the seat, the table. We slashed at the floor and anyone who got close. We growled, snarled, and howled.
I didn’t know how long it lasted. I didn’t know anything but agony.
Chapter Five
Cora
Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit. That was all that ran through my mind on the drive home. My body wouldn’t quit shaking, my heart wouldn’t stop thundering, and my ears were ringing. I parked the car, jumped out, and raced to the house. I flung the door open and yelled, “Mom? Mom?”
“Right here, honey, what’s wrong?” She rushed down the stairs.
“Werewolves. They’re all werewolves.” I ran by her on the stairs and into my room. “We don’t have much time. Grab what you can.” I took the suitcase from under my bed and threw it open. I moved over to my drawers, opened one, and started throwing things in the suitcase. “We need to leave. I know it sounds crazy, wild, and out of a book, but I swear on my life there are werewolves. I saw one change right before my eyes.” I spun to where she stood in my doorway. “And I’m sure Jackson and Alton are too!” Turning back, I grabbed more things to throw in. “I don’t know about Kathy. She seemed really sweet.” I paused, jerking my head back. “Can werewolves be sweet?” I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter.” I glanced over my shoulder to find Mom still standing in the doorway. “What are you doing? You need to pack.”
“Sweetheart,” Mom said calmly. How could she be calm? Then again, she hadn’t seen a man burst into a wolf in mere moments. She didn’t see the man shift and change. She didn’t hear the bones…. God, the bones. I would never get that sound out of my head. When I reached Mom, I tried to turn her and push her toward her room, but she grabbed my arms and shook me.
“Darling daughter, you need to listen to me.”
“Mom, we don’t have time.” I went to turn back around, but she held strong.
“Come sit down—”
“Mom!”
She shook her head. “For a moment, sit down and listen to me.”
Groaning, since she wouldn’t listen, I went to the bed and sat. She took a spot next to me, taking my hand in hers. “Honey, just think about this…. Think about my powers. How I can see ghosts? No one else that we know of can do this, but don’t you think out there in the world there would be others?”
Some of the tension left me, and my shoulders dropped. Mom’s insight opened up a new possibility to the world and had me rethinking. “Well… I suppose so.”
She nodded. “Good. Now, don’t you think, since I have this power, that there could be others in the world with different types of powers? Like shifters, vampires, witches, warlocks, and so forth?”
My body jolted. I wanted to deny it. Plead my case that she was wrong. But how could I when everything she said made the strangest sense?
“The world isn’t so black and white, honey. Yes, we’ve never spoken about it or thought about it because we’re used to what’s right in front of us. You accepted me with this power because you were brought up with it. These people, these… shifters in this area, are the same as how you and I are. They were brought up knowing about the other things in the world. Heck, I bet they’ve never met someone like me before either.”
With a shuddering breath, I let everything sink in. Mom was right. Just because we didn’t know about other species in the world didn’t mean they didn’t exist.
“You saw things tonight that opened your mind. It’ll take time to process, but I know you will because you’re strong and brave. Unless something happened when you were out that could harm you in some way?”
Nothing had. Brea—who seemed obsessed with Jackson, leaving a sour taste in my mouth, which I ignored since I had enough to deal with—had caused a situation for Alton and Jackson to not consider their words. But no one hurt me, no one chased me, and no one upset me. It was just the shock of it all—the shock of my mind opening to other possibilities.
It was understandable I would react the way I did, but now, after Mom’s words, I realized my fear of them was misplaced. What also helped was the way I was becoming comfortable around Jackson and how he made me feel safe and protected.
“No one hurt me. I—” Shaking my head, I told her, “It was a shock when they used words like alpha, beta, and pack. Then someone shifted right there in front of me and….” My hand went to my chest, my heart still beating fast. “I can still hear his bones. It scared me.”
“Of course it did. Heck, I probably would have peed myself if I’d seen it.”
My mind calmed, but a thought loosened and made itself known. Mom was taking all of this exceptionally well. Too well. Facing her, I asked suspiciously, “How did you know?”
She smiled softly. “The ghosts. Havoc’s father appeared to me after they left the house and you were busy up here unpacking. He was in his wolf form and then appeared as a man.” She laughed. “Your dad even got scared.” She rolled her eyes. “You did, Mike. You would have shit yourself if you could.” She snorted. “Anyway…” She faced me again. “I didn’t accept what I saw right away; I was in shock also. But I did eventually. Like I know you will.”
I shrugged, running my hands down my jean-clad thighs. “It’s a lot to take in.”
“And in such a short amount of time. There was no buildup, just a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am.”
I sighed. “Why does that sound dirty coming out of your mouth?”
“I do not have a dirty mind, Mike…. Okay, maybe a little.”
“Jackson offered me a job, but that was before I ran out of there scared of them all. But I’m not sure I could do it now anyway.”
“Jackson?”
“Havoc,” I supplied.
She smiled wide. “He asked you to call him Jackson?”
“Mom, don’t think too much into it.”
“I won’t. I’m not. However, I’m sure he’s never asked anyone else to call him by his first name. It’s sweet. Also, I
think taking a job with him would be good. You’ll get to know the shifter world quicker than any other way.”
Nerves fluttered inside me. Some of them were from fear, others were for a different reason altogether, because we were speaking of Jackson. That man… shifter, had me wanting things I thought I’d never want again. Not since I’d run from Sean.
But he did, which confused me even more. Why was I reacting this way to a shifter? Why him out of any of them?
“They called him alpha,” I told Mom softly. “Would it mean the same as it does from those paranormal books you like?”
Huh, my life had turned into an unbelievable romance…. Not that I wanted to be with him in that way. I mean, what would it be like to be with a shifter? This was all too much. All too fantastical.
“Yes, I’m sure it does. But don’t let that put you off him—”
“I’m not on him, Mom.” Then realizing what I said, I blushed. Mom cackled like an idiot.
Once she sobered, she asked, “What are we going to do? Stay and give this new and exciting world a chance, these people a chance? Or do we pack up and run?”
My body jolted when a mournful howl spread through the air outside.
“Oh dear,” Mom said. “He sounds very upset.”
“He? How do you know it’s a he?”
“Just a guess. What are we doing, Cora?” she pressed.
Just the thought of running put a foul taste in my mouth. We hadn’t been here long, but it had started to feel like home, more than any other place, and had done so practically as soon as we entered the town.
And Jackson… he felt like something special, if I allowed myself to acknowledge it.
“We’re staying,” I whispered.
Her hand rested on my arm and gave it a squeeze. “I think it’s a wise choice. Get some rest. You have work tomorrow—”
“Mom,” I groaned, scrubbing a hand over my face, suddenly feeling exhausted.
“Honey, take this jump. Let your wings fly, and I’m sure you’ll be rewarded with something amazing.”
She spoke as if she knew something more than what I did. My gaze narrowed. “What do you know?”
“Nothing, honey. I just have faith. In this town, these people.”
“I’ll think about it, okay?” I said, defeated, sleep seriously trying to kick my ass.
“That’s a good idea. Sleep well, Cora.” She pressed a kiss to my cheek, which I returned before she walked from my bedroom, closing the door behind me.
Another howl echoed through the night. My heart felt heavy. I worried it was Jackson for some reason. I didn’t like that sad howl coming from him.
Shaking my head, because I was probably overreacting, I unpacked my bag, got in my pajamas, and slipped under my covers.
Did I take the chance and go to work with Jackson after reacting the way I had?
I wasn’t sure, but I hoped I’d have an answer by morning.
“Morning, honey,” Mom called as she pulled the blinds open, the sunshine searing through my closed lids. I tugged the blanket up over my head. “Nope, none of that. It’s time to get up,” Mom said, taking the blanket off me.
Sighing, I rolled to my back. “Mom, I didn’t get much sleep.”
“That’s okay. You can catch up tonight. But Alton will be here in half an hour to pick you up for work.”
I sat up quickly, my pulse racing. “What did you do?”
“He dropped by last night after you were sleeping, and I said you’d like to give the job a go.”
I scrambled to stand. “Jesus, Mom. I didn’t even know myself if I was going to take it. You can’t just interfere when it’s my business, my life.”
“Pfft. I’m your mother.”
“You are, but this is my life. I get to pick how I want it to go.”
She stilled, faced me, and nodded. “You’re right. I promise not to interfere again, but… you’ll at least have to go today so I don’t look like a liar. We can tell Alton that it’s a trial run to see if you like it.”
Clenching my fists, I released a growl and stomped to the wardrobe to grab some clothes. Mom whistled some tune on her way out while I ran around getting ready for my first day of work alongside Jackson.
Yeah, my heart wasn’t going to slow down anytime soon.
After dressing in a white shirt and a knee-length black skirt, I slipped on some black heels and made my way downstairs while tying my hair up in a ponytail.
I made my way into the kitchen, where Mom already had a coffee waiting for me. I took a sip and grabbed some cereal to scarf down before Alton arrived.
When the knock sounded on the door, I nearly crapped myself.
“Come in,” Mom called.
I took my bowl and mug to the sink and rinsed them. God, I was full of nerves to a point my hands wouldn’t quit shaking. I was going to work for a shifter. A real-life shifter.
“Morning, Cora,” Alton called.
“Morning,” I replied, turning from the sink. I gripped the edge behind me. Alton was a shifter also, and Jackson had called him beta. From my Google searches the previous night, I knew it meant Alton was second in charge. I could see why Jackson picked him; he was the opposite of Jackson—light and sweet. Where Jackson was dark and broody.
“Are you okay?” he asked gently.
I shrugged, blew out a breath, and shrugged again.
He smiled. “Well, at least you didn’t run away. I’m sure it was a big surprise to learn about shifters.”
I nodded. “It was.”
“I promise, Cora, you’re safe with us.”
A little of the tension shifted. Glancing at Mom, I said, “I’ll see you this afternoon.”
“I’ll be here. Have a good day.” She smiled, I glared, and Alton smirked.
I went to the door and headed outside, knowing Alton would be following. At the car, he asked, “I guess you didn’t know your mom agreed to you working until this morning?”
“No, I didn’t.”
He hummed, unlocking the car, and before he could reach for my door, I opened it and got in. I saw him chuckling as he walked around the car and slipped into the driver seat. “Wouldn’t that tell you that she at least trusts us?”
Yes, it would. But why was she ready to trust them?
“I… just need time.”
“I get it. I do.” We started driving. “Do you know what type of shifters the Havoc pack are?”
I snorted. “Since one shifted right in front of me, I guessed wolf.”
He grinned. “You guessed right.” He glanced down at my legs, and I noticed my knee bouncing from nerves. I quickly stopped the movement. “It’s okay to be nervous. This is new. All I can keep telling you is that none of us would ever harm you. Kathy will be thrilled you’re sticking around.”
“She’s sweet.”
His smile was warm. “Yeah, she is.” He side-eyed me and then looked back to the road. “Do you know anything about mates?”
My belly flipped. “Are mates a partner who you bond with for life?”
He nodded. “That’s right. Kathy is mine and I’m hers.” With the way his expression softened, I could tell how much he really loved her. It was sweet and amazing to know you had someone in the world who was just for you. However, there was a downside to finding a mate because you’d be stuck with that person for the rest of your life. I read there was no leaving, no divorce, so what happened if Fate put you with someone like Sean?
Thankfully neither of us were shifters.
Alton drove down a long winding road and paused at a tall gate. He waved at the camera at the top of the wrought iron before it slowly slid open, and he continued to drive by a cottage-type house. Finally, we stopped out the front of a large two-story wooden home.
This was it. This was where Jackson was. The alpha to the Havoc pack. And I was going to work for him. Well, at least for the day. My heart transformed into a hummingbird and fluttered crazily as I climbed out of the car.
Chapter Six
Cora
As we made our way up to the front porch, I was a bit slower than normal. A sound dropped from my mouth when the front door banged open and Jackson filled the frame. His eyes were wild and wide, his chest heaving with every breath.
Jackson stood in the doorway with a bare chest, jeans, and his hands clenched at his sides, and he wouldn’t look away from me. My belly swirled in the best way, my nipples hardened, and once again, my clit throbbed—my new norm in this man’s presence.
God, he was sexy.
His muscles.
His tattoos.
His skin.
Everything about him was perfection.
He drew in a deep breath, and something flashed in his gaze.
“Alpha,” Alton called.
His eyes stayed on me when he said in a deep, almost gruff voice, “You’re here.”
I licked my dry lips and nodded.
“Cora wanted to work today to see if the job is to her liking,” Alton offered, and I was a little less frustrated about being played, since it looked like Jackson knew nothing about me coming today.
“If… if that’s okay with you?” I asked as I hid my trembling hands behind my back.
“Yes,” he replied softly.
“Alpha, how about you get ready for the day and I’ll show Cora to the offices?” Alton offered.
He nodded but didn’t move. Alton’s hand touched my back and got me moving forward, only I stopped abruptly when a growl came from the top of the steps. Alton’s hand dropped away. I glanced at him and found his neck tilted to the side.
Alton straightened, smiled down at me, and said, “I think it’s best if Havoc shows you the ropes.”
“But—”
The beta shook his head and gave me a salute. “You’ve got this. The job was made for you, I’m sure of it. Have a good day.” He turned and went back to his car, where he got in and quickly drove away.
I gulped at the thought of being alone with Jackson.
I would be alone.
I’d thought Alton would be here all day as a good buffer between us. Yes, he was a shifter, but he wasn’t the man who sent my mind and body into a spin.