Raber Wolf Pack Book Two (10 page)

She shrugs. “I feel like I can trust you.” She does. Wow.

“Does Max know?” Keeping it from him seems utterly wrong and I’m not sure I can do it.

“Yes. No worries.” She smiles beautifully. “What’s on your mind? I know you have to have a ton of questions about what is going on with you.”

She is not wrong. “Did you know by Xavier’s smell that he was yours?”

Her smile is brilliant and warm, relaxing me a touch. Zara explains to me how she met her mate and what had happened to her. That the other wolves couldn’t smell it and she had a bit of trouble. Then she goes into her father and holy fucking shitballs. That man was warped. Thank goodness he’s gone. I take in every word and she’s got some fucked up shit right there. I’m surprised her ass isn’t in counseling. I mean, do they have that for wolves? They seem to feel like humans do, only like ten times stronger.

Then, I start with mine.

“I have a small apartment here in Lakeside that I love. My parents are still very much alive and very much a pain in my ass.” Oh shit. I remember what Zara just told me. “Well, nothing like your father, but they have different views on life.” I think. “Well, kind of like your father except for the caging stuff.” Zara throws her head back and laughs. The fact that she is laughing shows of her strength and determination. I’m not so sure I’d be laughing if that shit happened to me.

“It’s good. It helps to know he’s dead and can’t hurt me again.”

“I have a job as a personal assistant to the personal assistant of the Lakeside Accounting Agency.” I turn to her. “Really, I’m a gopher for the PA whenever she doesn’t want to do something that the guy above her wants done. I like it. Don’t mind it. My parents hate it. They say I should be running the company, but I don’t feel the need for that.”

“And then you were attacked.” My body shivers at Zara’s words. I hope one day I’ll be able to hear them and not have this reaction, but I’m pretty sure that’s not going to happen.

I clear my throat. “Yes.” I tell her the entire story and everything that I remember. She sits patiently, listening to every word I say, and it’s nice. Really nice. “I’m really sorry I lost your crystal.”

“Max told Xavier about that. It’s not your fault. You were running for your life. I’m just glad Max could smell you and got to you so quickly or this whole situation would have had a different outcome.” Zara bows her head and shakes it a little. Is she sad for me?

“I’m okay. All the bites have healed. I’m scared shitless about the change, but there really isn’t a whole lot I can do about it.” I pause. “Oh, and get this. I have witch blood in me. Witch blood. Really?”

Zara bursts out laughing. “You are seriously a hoot.” Yeah right.

“Thanks I guess, but do you eat owls?”

Zara’s laugh becomes harsher and tears roll down her face. I really didn’t think I was that funny. “I have had an occasional owl, but those suckers fly high. Can only get them if they land on the ground.” I stick out my tongue in mock disgust. “You just wait.”

I shake my head at her words. “I do have a question that maybe you can help me with.”

“Shoot.”

“Max says that I’m his mate and that mates only have one that completes them for eternity. So, if that is true then what happens to him if I die during this change?” That is the burning question. He’s a wonderful man and the thought of him being hurt in any way tightens my gut.

Zara frowns as she looks back out to the woods. I’m pretty sure that whatever is going to come out of her mouth is going to suck ass. “So many things can happen. Rarely the living mate can find another wolf to mate with, but they are not true mates and mostly are just together for company.” I do not like that option. Not one hairy-ass bit. “Or the living mate could separate from the pack and become a lone wolf, which isn’t good. Or…” Damn, these just keep getting better and better. “The living wolf could be so overcome by the death of his mate that he or she turns feral and ends up being killed by the alpha of the pack.” My gut twists.

“I don’t like any of those options, but I’m thinking the first is really the only one that I hope Max finds.” The thought of him with someone else does something to my insides, turning them into fiery-hot anger. I close my eyes, trying to gather myself.

“The options do suck. That is why we are all going to do our best to help you through this. I personally have never seen a human try to change, but I will be there for you in any way that I can.” Yep, she’s sweet. Really liking her.

Zara’s face turns tight and her brows quirk up, like she’s concentrating really hard.

“What’s wrong?”

“Humans. They’re here.” Just as she speaks, Xavier and Max burst through the sliding glass door, pulling it so hard I’m surprised it doesn’t break. Max comes directly to me and instantly, I feel calm despite the thick tension surrounding us. “Who is it?” Zara asks.

“A man named David Camp. We’ve had an eye on him ever since a website went up about the destruction of the wolves in our area. We haven’t approached him in any way. No clue why he’s here.” Xavier’s voice is angry and tight. And I must say a bit scary. I need to remember to always stay on that man’s good side. I’d hate to see the bad.

“You don’t think he found out about Kenly, do you?” Max asks the group as Thor, Gary, and several other wolves join us on the patio.

“I don’t see how he could have. The boys left an hour ago to scope out Kenly’s apartment, but haven’t checked in yet. Call them and make sure they’re okay.” Xavier turns to Zara. “Can you get a read?”

“Nothing. I haven’t met any of them before.” I can totally see how Zara’s gift is super freaking cool. Wow. And my guess is all the ones here know about her power. Good thing to know so I don’t screw that up.

“All right. Max, I need you with me and Thor. Zara, you come with us so you can pick up what they’re thinking. Gary, take Kenly to Max’s room and stand outside the door as a guard,” Xavier orders in that tone you know you have to obey, or else.

Max growls deep. “I should be the one protecting Kenly.” He goes toe-to-toe with Xavier and they are both terrifying. The anger rolls off of Max in waves and the tension radiates off Xavier. Bad time and all, but it’s damn hot.

“Max, I know. But this may be about her and if it is, I want you to hear everything they have to say. I want you to know everything firsthand.” Max seems to calm at Xavier’s words, but I can tell he still doesn’t like it at all.

I step up to Max and wrap my arms around his stomach, burying my head in his chest. His arms come around me and a slight bit of the tension fades. “I’ll be just fine. I’ll take a nap and wait for you to come back,” I mumble.

Max kisses the top of my head then rubs his nose and mouth against my cheek and temple, sending electric energy through my body. Holy crap. When I saw Xavier do that to Zara, I melted a little, but having Max do it to me? I’m surprised I’m still standing. Wow.

“All right, babe. I’ll be right back.” I give him one more squeeze then let him go, following Gary into the house. Something inside of me wants to rush back into his arms, but I don’t. Whatever is out there is shit and I’m not adding to it.

Max

SON OF A MOTHERFUCKING bitch. I don’t want to leave her, not when there is a threat. Not that humans are a threat, it’s just the uncertainty of why the fuck they are here. I should be with her but I know I can’t be. Xavier is right. If it is about Kenly, I need to hear that shit myself. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Walking up to the gates we recently replaced after the bombing from Zara’s father, we see a mob of people standing there. I’d guess maybe around thirty or so. A man with a megaphone stands in the center, looking at us through the slats. David Camp. I remember his picture from the website I looked up a while back.

Some of the humans flinch at the sight of us. With Xavier, Me, Thor, and some other enforcers, we are a team not to be messed with in the wolf world, and for humans that triples. Zara stands behind, no doubt looking at each one of the thirty-some-odd faces, memorizing them.

“Something we can help you with?” Xavier asks, quietly and politely too. That’s a shocker.

Camp holds up the megaphone. “We know you have Kenly Conner. We want you to release her at once.” The words pierce through my ears so damn loud it’s like knives poking inside them.

“First, put the megaphone down. We can hear you perfectly fine without it.” Camp surprisingly listens and puts it down. “Second, we hold no one here that hasn’t agreed to be here.”

“We do not believe that for one second. Kenly was spotted being chased and then bitten by a pack of wolves. Our source said that guy,” Camp points to me, “took her away. Her family wants her back immediately.”

How in the fuck did anyone see me? There was no one around during that time. I would have smelled them. And shit, I materialized her here, not wanting to take the chance of anyone seeing her, something’s not right. It’s my power. I just think of a place, close my eyes, and I’m able to materialize in that space. I used it when we fought Zara’s father. That’s how I got the jump on him when he held Zara and was about to kill her.

“I don’t know of your ‘source,’ Mr. Camp, but anyone on the property is free to come and go as they choose.” It’s not really a lie, but not really the truth either. Kenly did admit that she wanted to stay here at least until the transformation is over, and that’s the part that sears my chest. I won’t lose her.

“Is she here?” Camp asks.

“It’s a pretty big place,” Xavier responds, evading the question.

“Is she here?” Camp repeats louder.

“Like I already said, it’s a pretty big place. If that’s all you have come for then you can leave now,” Xavier says, walking backward, not taking his eyes off of Camp. We follow.

“We will not leave until you give us Kenly!” Camp announces and we all stop. Xavier is the one to walk forward, which is a fucking good thing because I’d rip the guy’s head off his body.

“This Ms. Conner that your source said was brought here, do you know this woman?” Xavier asks, his patience wearing very thin.

“I do not, but her parents asked me to come on their behalf.” What a fucking tool. I don’t believe him for a second.

“You may leave now and if I have to call the police for harassment, I will.” This time Xavier doesn’t stop walking and we follow, leaving the crowd out there. There is no way for them to get through and the gate watcher will keep tabs on all of them.

What I’d really like to do is change into wolf and run out there snapping my teeth at them all. But that would be exactly what they want. Shit, they’d probably put a video of it on the internet telling everyone what nuisances we are. It only takes one to bring on the many. We’ve lived harmoniously for a long time and I’m not about to see that stopped.

Entering the den, Xavier picks up a crystal vase on the side table and throws it into the fireplace, shattering it to dust. “Xavier,” Zara warns.

“Don’t. I need all the information on Kenly’s family. Who they are and what they’re about.” He looks to one of the enforcers who nods. “Next, everything, and I mean everything, on this Camp guy. We’ve dug, but I want it deeper. If he takes a shit in an hour, I want to know about it,” he tells another who rushes off. “Up the security.” Another wolf barrels off. “Fucking shit. I don’t need this guy up my ass. What about her apartment?” Xavier asks Thor, who the wolves reported back to.

“Clean. Guys went in, grabbed everything they thought she’d want while here and are on their way back with the van.” That’s good.

“Go check on Kenly. Find out about her family,” Xavier orders, and I don’t wait another second, darting to our room.

Kenly is curled up in a ball, the blankets wrapped around her, so fragile. I’m excited for her to change so I can really let loose with her, but fucking terrified at the same time. I don’t want to lose her. There is so much to show her and teach her. Fuck.

I kick off my boots, drop my pants, and climb into bed with her. I wrap my big form around her small one and hold tight. “How did it go?” Kenly mumbles.

“Not so good. Need to know all about your family, babe.” Her body tenses and she turns in my arms, now looking at me with the brightest eyes I’ve ever seen. Damn.

“Why?”

“Camp said he was sent here by your parents who are looking for you. Need to know everything about them.” A strand of her hair falls across her face and I brush it to the side. Her skin is so fucking soft. Blood rushes to my dick and I will him down. I need information first.

“My parents only check in on me maybe once every couple of months.” I growl. “Hang on, big guy. All right. My dad is a doctor over at Lakeside Medical and my mother is doctor also, but she’s a psychiatrist. Can you guess what profession they wanted me to choose?” Damn, I love her smart mouth. I smirk. “Doctor. That didn’t happen. So…what I know. They met at a bar when they were celebrating some grad school something or other. They hooked up and have been together ever since. They work all the damn time. I had nannies until I was old enough to stay home on my own. Our family trips always revolved around some type of work where I would get stuck in a hotel room with, you guessed it, a nanny. None of which stayed long. But I found that reason out when I was seventeen.”