Careful What You Ask For (3 page)

B
riana

“
T
hey’d formed
a seven-person Pack. Both boys had bitten two of their friends. Mickey — the father — had enough control to bend them all to his will.” Dozer shook his head. “That isn’t to say his sons wouldn’t have made the same decisions on their own eventually. Reality’s gonna suck for them though, because now that they’ve raped...”

He trailed off and I asked, “Randall’s going to give them the ‘join or die’ talk?”

“He didn’t say, but Duke figured the same thing, and the two of you know him better than the rest of us.”

I looked at Evie. “Randall’s both fair and practical. If it’s a question of him killing one person to save three, he’s probably going to kill the one. However, if the situation warrants it, he’ll try his best to find a way around it.”

Evie took a breath. “I’d like to try the rabbit test after my dinner’s had a chance to digest.”

I opened my mouth to encourage her to wait a few days, but she said, “You were right. I haven’t been trying. I felt sorry for myself and I didn’t
want
to be a werewolf. It sounds stupid, but I’ve finally realized I can’t pitch a big enough pity party to make God change me back to human. I’m a stupid
werewolf
and I’m going to have to figure out how to live with it.”

I wanted to make the decision, but I looked to Dozer to be sure I could. He nodded, and I told Evie, “Not with
my
bunny, and if you fail it won’t be the end of the world. We’ll think of it as a practice test, just to see how far you’ve come, okay? I’ll be in my wolf form not too far away, while Dozer stays human and talks you through it.”

E
vie was fighting
the wolf’s instincts, but at three minutes in I wasn’t sure she was going to manage the whole thirty minutes.

Dozer called her name, I growled and snarled at her, but she had it between her paws and the chickenwire, trapped and terrified while she fought with herself over whether to bite or not.

Her mother’s voice rang across the backyard as she demanded, “Evelyn Vanessa Matherson, let that bunny go and leave it be this
instant
.”

I hadn’t thought Maggie had it in her, but with the realization her daughter would be face-to-face with the Alpha tomorrow, I guess it was the equivalent of the mom who lifts the car off their child to save them.

Evie let the rabbit go instantly, and Dozer crooned, “Good girl. You’re going to be okay. You can do this, Evie.”

When her thirty minutes were up, Evie had no problem making a snack of the bunny she’d been locked in with for half an hour, and I went inside to shower and shave while Dozer and Maggie watched over Evie until she came back to human. I may be clean when I come back to human, but I have leg hair, pit hair and pubes.
Ick
.

I was in bed reading on my Kindle when Dozer came upstairs. He undressed, settled his gun on the nightstand on his side of the bed, and stretched out beside me on top of the bedspread as if he appreciated the silence.

I went back to reading, and it was a good fifteen minutes before he spoke.

“You did good. Randall’s going to be amused you’ve decided to take the bunny home and make it a pet.”

“Randall’s going to expect me to come home to the Pack.”

“Are you?”

“No. The Pack turned their back on me when I didn’t
change
. They can’t invite me back now.”

“He can, and he probably will.”

“Doesn’t mean it’s okay.”

“You know we’ll all be a lot rougher with you now, right?”

I set my Kindle on my nightstand. “Because I’m not as breakable as a human anymore, and if you fuck up and break me, perfect health is just a
change
away.”

He rolled over and looked up at me. “This feels… odd. I usually bring a girl to bed specifically to fuck her, and then the sleeping and cuddling happens later. I can’t remember the last time I had someone already in bed when I climbed in.”

“You know I’m a sure thing. The timing might make it different, but I’m not going to turn down anything you want.”

He smiled. “And you can say that because you know I don’t want to carve your skin off like one peels an apple.”

I laughed. “Yeah. Ya’ll ask a lot of me, but you also give me lots of orgasms.” I corrected myself. “Well, most of you do. A few of you like telling me I don’t have permission, but that can be hot, too.”

“Bobcat’s been playing with you more since Bud spanked you and put you in the corner.”

I nodded but didn’t say anything. Bobcat both scares me and turns me on.

“I don’t play like them,” he said. “I’m either affectionate, or I’ll wear your ass out with a belt. I’ve never managed to find the in-between place where you can have fun with it.”

“Don’t ever change for anyone. You’re the perfect amount of rough and gentle, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of sex with you — except for the belting, but that wasn’t about sex. It was our wolves figuring out the pecking order.”

He chuckled. “Nothing to figure out on my end. My wolf and I know where we are, we just had to explain where you are.”

I rolled my eyes and he rose over me and took my mouth with a kiss so intense I had to remember to breathe several moments later.

As much as I enjoy Bud and Bobcat’s flavor of sex, I needed someone to take care of me that night, and that’s what I got from Dozer. Sure, towards the end he fucked me harder and faster than anyone ever dared while I was human, but the rest of it was the gentle giant making me his for the night in his own, sweet way.

B
riana

W
e had an uneventful night
, and Maggie and I prepared a huge breakfast for Randall and whoever he brought with him.

Unfortunately, I was so damned nervous about meeting Randall, I went wolf during the middle of cooking — though I managed to get my dress off and make it to the back porch before I
changed
.

My paws pounded the ground as I tore through the pastures, over the fences, and into the forest. The wolf was
certain
we needed to be as far away from this place as possible when the Alpha arrived. The trees flew past me in a blur as my four legs carried me over hills and into valleys until I came to some dense brush around a stream, and I curled up as small as possible as I tried to catch my breath.

I heard them coming long before they arrived. I’m not sure why I didn’t run again — perhaps because they were on two legs instead of four, or perhaps because I smelled that they’d brought me shoes and clothes.

Perhaps because I knew I’d fucked up by running in the first place.

The Alpha sat on a boulder on the edge of the creek and said, “Little Bree, come out and let me see your wolf. You’ve wanted one so long, don’t hide her from me now.”

I crept out from under the brush, terrified, but I felt his soothing energy brush against me and I breathed in relief.

“You’re beautiful, Bree. I didn’t bring your dad, but you have to know he’s going to want to see you soon. Will you
change
to human for me, so we can talk?”

I have no idea why he asked instead of ordering, but I closed my eyes and thought of myself standing on two legs, imagined wiggling my fingers, and felt the
change
begin.

When I was standing before him — nude with hairy legs and a full bush covering my pussy — he smiled and said, “You’re beautiful in all your forms. Dozer brought a dress and some shoes, since he tells me you’re a tenderfoot. Get dressed and we’ll talk as we make our way back. I’m impressed with your control and I can sense your hunger, but breakfast will have to wait until we’re at the farmhouse.”

It turned out he’d sent Dozer to track me in wolf form, with a cell phone on a collar so they could track him. They’d driven to a spot a half-mile away, and walked in from there with clothes and shoes for Dozer as well as me.

“I’m not sure why I ran,” I told Randall. “I apologize. I was nervous, and then the wolf was terrified, and… it was too much.”

“It’s okay, Bree. Dozer tells me you did great on the rabbit test yesterday, and you aren’t even two weeks in. Do you have plans for your full moon run?”

I nodded. “I’ll be running with the group of women you’ve allowed to form a non-pack group.”

He sighed. “Maggie didn’t come to the run they were invited to at my house, and wasn’t present for the dinner I arranged, either. I’ll need to speak with Angelica to make sure there aren’t others involved who’ve avoided me.”

“She’s
so
submissive, Randall.”

“Tell me about Evie.”

I told him everything I thought he needed to know, including the fact I was certain she’d be fine with someone her wolf respected giving her orders. He didn’t agree or disagree, though he pointed out my running had further freaked Evie out.

He hadn’t introduced me to the other wolf he brought, and I didn’t introduce myself to him either. I needed to show respect to Randall, and I wouldn’t do that by stopping our conversation to speak with this other man.

Though, I’ll admit the other man had my attention from the very beginning. He reminded me of… not so much James Bond as perhaps Kevin Costner’s character in The Bodyguard. He was all business, and I had a feeling he was aware of how many grasshoppers were in the forest around us at any given moment, possibly how many ants, termites, field mice, worms, and every other living being, too.

When we arrived back at the farmhouse, I went to Evie and hugged her first thing. “I’m sorry I ran. My control isn’t perfect yet either. I’ve known Randall all my life and I’ve already told you he’s fair. Walk with me so I can introduce you properly, and remember what I said about the ways you can show respect for his authority. Everything’s going to be fine, and if you mess up, he’ll remind you without getting mad the first time because he knows you’re scared and you’re trying.”

I hadn’t verified that last part with him, but I felt certain it’d be the case. Randall can be scarier than the worst horror-show villain when he wants, but he can also be kind when the situation calls for it.

Randall held his hand out and said, “Take my hand and walk with me, Evie. You haven’t done anything wrong. Born wolves
change
when they’re a young teen, and you’ve had a tough time of it but I’m going to see what I can do to help you.” Evie put her hand in Randall’s and the two of them walked across the field and into the woods.

I looked at Maggie, standing on the porch with a distraught look on her face. I was worried too, but I was also starving. “I need food. Is there any left?”

“I should’ve gone with them.”

“You weren’t invited. I’d be willing to bet money he’ll spend some one-on-one time with you later.”

Probably me, too, but I didn’t want to think about that yet. I turned to the man I hadn’t been introduced to and offered my hand. “I’m Briana.”

He shook my hand as he said, “Patrick.”

I sniffed. “You don’t smell like Pack.”

He lifted an eyebrow at my impertinence, but explained, “I’ve been a lone wolf for years because I moved so frequently, but I’ve found an employer I believe I’ll stick with for the long term so I’ve recently joined the Pack. I’ve yet to do a moon run and integrate fully.”

“Where do you work?”

“A security company. I’m not the only wolf employee — some are lone, but many are in the Pack. Randall let me run with them a few months as a lone wolf to be sure.”

“Ah, so he brought you to try to convince me to join the Pack?”

He tilted his head. “Since you hadn’t told him you’re a wolf, he has some concerns.”

“I’d have come to him once I felt more confident of my control.” I took a breath, blew it out. “It would’ve been to ask permission to live in his territory as a lone wolf, though.”

“No pressure from me. I understand there’s history I’m likely not aware of. Let’s get you something to eat, shall we?”

M
aggie had bacon in a pan
, and was stirring and turning the potatoes when we entered her kitchen. Dozer took over the bacon, Patrick cracked eggs into a bowl, and I set the table.

It wasn’t long before we were all eating, and I tried once again to assure Maggie. “She’s a kid. He’ll be gentle with her.”

“He’s going to test her.”

“Probably, but she may not even know she’s being tested.” I sighed. “Look, I’m not happy about the way things worked out, but he seems to be in a good mood. He treated my wolf and me with kid gloves — he’s going to do the same with her.”

“What happens when he’s in a bad mood?”

“He isn’t as patient, but he still isn’t a monster.”

“You may not remember me,” Dozer told Patrick, thankfully changing the subject, “but you brought Kirsten to us once, so I remember you.”

Patrick smiled. “Aaron’s quite protective of her, and either Cora or Nathan are usually with her if Aaron can’t watch her. She told me ya’ll did a good job of taking care of her, though.”

“We take care of anyone Aaron sends us, and he’s done the same for us a time or two.”

Okay, so maybe changing the subject wasn’t a good idea, because I had no idea what they were talking about. However, considering my first impressions of Patrick, and what they’d just said, I asked, “So you’re a bodyguard?”

“It’s one of my many jobs, but yes, I provide personal security.”

I looked at Dozer, who basically provides security for the club, and watched as he took a long drink of orange juice.

“You didn’t tell me everything.” I told Dozer.

He shook his head. “Told you what you need to know. I’ll go with Randall later to provide his backup, and Patrick will stay with the three of you. Everything should be resolved by tonight.”

“I figured he’d want Patrick watching his back.”

“Randall tells me the Pack and MC work hard to keep the peace,” Patrick told me, “and he says if Duke says Dozer’s the one to watch his back then he trusts him one hundred percent.”

I couldn’t help but ask, “He doesn’t trust you?”

“I’m a bodyguard. I’m capable of roughing people up, but my training is in keeping people safe. He wants to be sure the three of you stay safe, so he brought me.”

I filled in the blanks: Dozer doesn’t just keep people safe, but he also hurts people when he’s ordered to. Probably.

E
vie was laughing
and cutting up with Randall when they returned three hours later, and without asking Maggie, he took her to the kitchen, looked through the fridge, and started cooking steaks for the two of them.

Maggie stepped into the kitchen and I could hear Evie from my chair in the backyard. “Mom! Randall has three hundred acres to run on! And it’s all fenced in so they can be sure no humans will be there!”

“You
changed
and ran together?”

“Yes! And it was
so
awesome. He found some deer and we took one down, and I’ve never ate so much in my life! Oh! He made a pouch out of his pants and put all his stuff in them, and then tied it to a tree limb up high by the legs to keep critters from carrying stuff off!”

“I’m glad you enjoyed your time with him.” Her voice changed cadence as she addressed Randall. “Thank you for taking care of my daughter while she was out of my presence.”

“I hope you’ll trust me to see to her training for the next couple of months. I understand she’s being homeschooled, and I’ll see to it her education is kept up, but she’ll be moving into my house until I’m certain she has her wolf under control.”

“You can’t—”

“You’re welcome to come as well, though I understand you have responsibilities on the farm as well as another job. Evie will be sleeping on a sofa-bed in the sitting area of my bedroom until we’re certain she can make it through the night without
changing
. I don’t want her in a cell, and the only way I can help her during the night is to be close. I can assure you, I have no interest in thirteen-year-old girls, and her innocence will remain intact.”

“I’m not Pack. You have no authority over me, other than to tell me whether I can live in your territory or not.”

“Your husband requested permission. When he died, by rights you should’ve come to me as the new head of household. You were also required to let me know when Evie became a wolf and now there were two of you living in my territory. In this case, I’ll be taking Evie in because my choices are to kill her or see to her training. She isn’t trained because you didn’t train her. I understand you want to be her friend, but she needs someone dominant who gives her no choice but to follow the rules. Briana has provided it, and I believe some of the RTMC members have as well in previous days. She’s come a long way since meeting them, and you’re to be applauded for realizing you needed help and finding it. Now that help’s arrived, let us take care of her.”

Maggie was close to tears, barely holding on as she said, “But she’ll be so far away.”

“Only for a short while. You’ll be able to speak with her daily, and come see her as often as you can get away. There’s a guest bedroom just across the hall from my room, and you’re welcome to it anytime you want to stay.”

I stepped into the kitchen. “I can take care of the cows and chickens for a bit, while you go with them to get her settled in.”

Maggie shook her head. “You need me. I’m supposed to be helping you control your wolf, too.”

She was right, and I didn’t have an answer until Patrick told me, “I’ll be staying here a few days. I can help with your wolf while she’s away.”

“I thought the threat would be over tonight?”

“It will be,” said Randall. “Patrick will be staying because I need someone from the Pack to be sure you’re okay through the full moon, and a couple of days beyond.”