Connors Pursuit (Amber Woods Shifters) (10 page)

“That makes girls happy?” he asked incredulously

“It makes me happy, now either be quiet or risk having the remote bounced off your head this time”

Luke opted for quiet and made himself comfortable. Lizzy was still churned up inside, but right now what she needed was pure escapism to forget about the sexy annoying beta and push dark thoughts about hidden powers to the back of her mind.

Connor felt as if he spent his life in this damn office, right now he should be sinking his rock hard cock into Lizzy’s warm body,
taking and claiming all night. But no, here he was again in his alphas office, staring at Marcus who for the umpteenth time had dragged his hands through his hair. If he was not feeling so pissed off right now he would find it funny that the ends stuck out at all angles.

“Brianna explained what happened from her perspective but I want to know what you think” Marcus rumbled.

“Marcus, Lizzy is not sure what happened, she describes it as a burning within her, out of control, quickly followed by anger. She believes that it has something to do with her repressed power and I agree with her. The sooner we meet with the order the better, at least they will be able to guide her in the right direction. For the first time in my life I feel helpless because of something out of my control”

Standing up he walked to the window looking out on a gentle flutter of snowflakes dusting the ground. Marcus chair scraped against the wooden floor, his boots echoing as he came to stand next to Connor. For a moment they both watched the snow fall in silence.

“I have managed to secure a private setting for the meeting on Friday night, and spoken with Samuel the leader of their order. I have also explained the situation which happened tonight. He assures me that they can help Lizzy but there may be risks”

Connor turned in his heel to stand and face his alpha.

“What kind of risks?”

Marcus frowned, then folded his arms across his chest.

“They are confident they can reverse the process and bring her wolf back but dealing with a sudden release of suppressed power could harm Lizzy. They will not know until they meet with her”

“Fuck! I cannot stand back and let anything happen to her, she is my mate. But if she does not go through with this the consequences could be worse. What a fucked up mess”

Marcus placed a reassuring hand on Connors shoulder.

“I understand you
r anger and your pain, but right now we need to keep Lizzy calm and safe. Samuel believes that any emotional strain could increase her power adding to the episodes like she had in the kitchen”

Connor cursed under his breath and paced the confines of the office.

“Shit”

“What?” Marcus asked.

“Lizzy and I had an argument, she was really pissed at me, so much so she is staying in the guest house tonight”

Connor felt the air change
as his alpha sat behind his desk again, watchful eyes piercing into him.

“Then you better fix this Beta, because if this gets worse I will have no option but to banish her from the pack”

“Understood my Alpha”

Connor nodded once then left to try a
nd undo the mess he had created, but not tonight, Lizzy needed her space and he did not want to add to her emotional state at the moment. Come morning, they would start fresh and this time he would try and not fuck up the one chance he had.

9

Stepping out in the early morning air, her breath came out in clouds of white as
she stared at the snow that covered the ground. The marathon horror fest lasted only two films before she dragged her weary limbs to bed. Luke, to her surprise was enjoying himself too much so decided to watch another two. She had not slept at all, the whole night tossing and turning, followed by lots of cursing and crying. All she wanted was for Connor to have held her all night, and maybe other things, her body was craving his so much so that she had even contemplated marching over to the Beta house demanding that he take her then and there. Shaking her head to try and clear her thoughts she stretched her limbs. The pack was quiet, all still asleep, not surprising as it was a ridiculous hour in the morning. Perfect for what she had in mind. She may not be able to shift but that did not mean she could not run on two legs. Her eyes glanced at the Beta house and for one minute she actually thought about knocking on the door. But no, this was a new day and she was damned if the arrogant beta was going to bring her down. Today was about Lizzy, in two days she would meet with the order then do what she does best, hightail it out of there, back on the road to freedom.

Deciding to take the
west path deeper into the forest she pressed play on her Ipod and took off leaving her cares behind. One hour later she looked around in confusion.

“Oh Lizzy you idiot”
she spoke out loud

So caught up in her music, she scanned the area around her, the fresh snow had covered the tracks and she had obviously taken a wrong turn. No problem, she could still scent. Inhaling deep the smell of the frozen forest assaulted her
nose, pine, soil, berries, but she was having a hard time concentrating. Tuning into her wolf who was pacing again she listened for the sounds around her. Growling in frustration her hearing was off as well. Well that confirms it, she thought. These hidden powers are definitely doing something to me. Deciding better to follow her tracks back she turned but stopped. The hairs on the back of her neck rose, an uneasy feeling settled in her stomach, unseen eyes were watching her, she was sure. Inhaling again, an unfamiliar scent drifted over her.
So screwed up Lizzy. Remember, new day, the old Lizzy is back.

“Ok, I know you are there and I’m pretty sure you can see me, so why not grow a pair and face me” she shouted.

For a few seconds, nothing. Just as she was quite literally going to put it down to her imagination a man stepped into the clearing. Clothed and silent he quietly approached her, his shoes crunching in the snow. Instinctively she took one step back, preparing to fight if necessary. Sniffing, the smell of oil and grease, and the peppery aroma of male shifter made her wolf growl, hackles risen.

“And just who the hell are you?”

“Let’s just say Maxwell, and you, I know are Lizzy”

Lizzy
scanned over his form, looking for any signs of weapons but came up blank.

“Well just say
Maxwell, you obviously know my name, what I want to know is what you plan to do with it?”

He laughed sharply, making no moves to grab her, keeping his distance.

“I am here to relay a message. Lawson Oakfield wishes to apologise for his sons behaviour and would like to meet with you as he has information about your wolf and your parents you may find interesting”

Her attention was quickly caught by those words, but she was not dumb, it was obvious a way to get her back in her old pack so that sadistic bastard Oliver could finally live his dream, taking her as his own.

“Not interested wolf, tell him I said no”

Again the shifter laughed.

“He said you would say that, so he told me to give you this”

As his hands reached inside his pockets, Lizzy crouched ready to attack. Seconds later he held out a small velvet bag, offering it to her openly.

Snatching it out of his hands, she carefully tipped the bag to empty its contents onto her palm. Two wolf rings rolled onto the palm of her skin. She knew them so well, had asked if she could have one of her own when she was a child. Each time her mother would say ‘not until you meet you mate’. Tears began to form in her eyes, but she blinked them back.

“What the fuck is this? Some sort of sick joke?”

“No joke Lizzy. Think of it as a memento”

“Stop with the riddles
shithead”

Maxwell
began to circle her, but she never lost eye contact with him. Never showed fear. He scratched at the stubble on his chin, grinning.

“
Lawson has your brother Brandon held under guard. It took some searching but they found him. That guy was mighty pissed off when we caged him, big fucker, but he serves a purpose. So the answer to your riddle is simple. Mate with Oliver and Brandon will be released, if not he will be killed”

Lizzy felt her world spin.
She never dreamed she would ever see him again, her baby brother, alive and contained by a fuckin monster. Steeling herself she snarled at him.

“Why?”

“Oh you stupid bitch, can you not figure it out? For disobeying your alpha, your parents were loyal for a time but they served their purpose. Loyalty in Oakfield means giving your life to another, they understood that. You and your brother however seemed to forget that. Lawson is willing to let him go if you return to Oakfield within one week and mate with his son”

Growling she felt the same surge of anger burn though her, unable to control it she launched at him, but he was quicker. He made quick work of pinning her to the ground, large hands circled her
throat.

“Yeah he said you would do that too.
But I am not an assassin bitch, just the messenger”

Slowly he released her neck, before pushing himself to stand.

“You have one week Lizzy”

“How do I know you are not lying?” her voice hoarse and quiet.

Reaching into his pocket he threw her a small bundle wrapped in linen. As she unwrapped it a lock of hair fell out. Blond locks felt like silk under her fingers. Bringing it to her nose she took a deep breath in. Memories of her childhood flooded her, her brother’s scent was strong, fresh.

Rubbing her throat, bringing in precious air she watched
Maxwell shift and disappear into the forest. Snow melted and soaked into her clothing, causing her to shiver.
Why does this shit always happen to me
? As she pushed her hands into the frozen ground her hands pressed into metal. Sitting up she lay the two rings beside each other. If she had her wolf back she could take on Lawson, the bastard had it coming. That was putting all her faith in Fridays meeting with the order.

“FUCK” she screamed at the air.

Scrambling to her feet, she began to retrace her steps back on the path she had not long run over. Pulling up her hooded sweater, she wanted her music to reflect her mood. Opting for something loud and aggressive she clicked on her rock playlist and raced back to the house.

As soon as the comforting sight of the guest house came into view she breathed a sigh of relief. Glancing back one more time over her shoulder she raced up the back steps and into the kitchen.
The house was still quiet which she was grateful for, making the most of the peace she brewed a fresh pot of coffee. Food was not her top priority righty now, besides she did not think she could face any form of substance judging by the way her stomach was rolling with anxiety. What the hell was she going to do? She felt as if she was damned if she did return to Oakfield and damned is she stayed here, when did her world suddenly become so complicated? A few months ago she was holding down a steady job, with a good wage, partying until the sun came up, whilst enjoying her feminine powers of persuasion. And now? Sitting in a bloody pack way so far north the ice froze on your nose, meeting with an ancient order in two days who she never knew existed until yesterday. Oh and the small problem of Lawson blackmailing her into mating with her son, all for the purpose of obtaining and using her power to his advantage. Then there was the annoying, sexy, caring shifter who was her mate that she was doing a bloody good impression of pushing him away at every turn. And why was she doing that? Was it just her pride getting in the way? Groaning she dropped her head on the table. She heard Luke enter the kitchen.

“Lizzy, I thought you went to bed early, don’t tell me you are still tired, there is a perfectly good bed just down the hall”

Lizzy placed her elbows on the counter, watching him make breakfast. Thank god she had pulled her sweater over her neck, no doubt there were bruises spreading out in a fingerprint pattern by now. As she was about to reply he froze, turning his head in her direction. His energy changed, the air was charged as his eyes changed from green to amber.

“What’s wrong with you? You like you chewed a wasp” she laughed.

But he was not laughing, in fact he came over inhaling her neck. Lizzy jumped out of her seat, giving herself distance from him.

“Connor is going to be so pissed when he sees you. Which male shifter have you been with?
”

Lizzy actually spluttered trying to answer him.

“Excuse me?”

“You smell of
male, and not Connor, be careful Lizzy”

Ok, that was it she was so pissed off at dominating shifters, she had quite literally had her fill. Planting her hands on her hips she glared up at him.

“For your information, I have not been with any other male than Connor, I would not do that to him. And if you think that low of me then you don’t know me at all”

“Lizzy that’s not what I meant, I am only telling it as it is. There is a scent on you I don’t recognise from the pack. Have you come into contact with someone I don’t know?”