Red Ridge Pack 1 Pack of Lies (11 page)

When we arrived, I parked my bike, and I took Allison’s hand. I led her over to a bench, just waiting for her to ask me what was going on. Surprisingly, she didn’t. Instead, we made it all the way there and sat down, but the look in her eyes told me that she was more than ready for an explanation.

I sat facing her and finally decided to just say it. “Allison, I’m not sure how to say this. And I’m even less sure what you are going to think.”

“Cade, just say it. Just say something. What is going on in that head of yours?”

All I wanted to do was kiss the living daylights out of her, which made it even more difficult to figure out just how to tell her what I needed to say. “Okay, I told you before that things were complicated between Kendall and me. The thing is, things work differently within our pack. And it’s no secret that I will be alpha one day in the near future. And well, Kendall… Kendall is supposed to be the alpha-female. I know it sounds completely crazy, but Kendall and I have been together for a long time, and it’s just, I don’t know… expected that she will be my mate.”

The semi-hopeful look on Allison’s face disappeared as she asked, “So, what are you telling me, Cade? I mean, if you are supposed to be with Kendall, then why are we sitting here now… together?”

I moved a bit closer, took her hand, and slid my fingers between hers. “Because I want to be with you.”

“Then be with me,” she said staring down at our intertwined hands.

“It’s not that easy. Look, I talked to Kendall today and told her that I needed to take a break. I don’t want to be with her, but I need some time. My father and the pack elders will freak out if I break up with Kendall and start going out with you. I know it sounds nuts, but I can’t do that.”

She pulled her hand away and my heart sank. She wasn’t going for it. Why did I think for one second that this could work?

“I still have no idea what you are trying to say, Cade?”

“I have to pretend to be with Kendall, just pretend. Until I figure out what to do. Kendall and I are not together. I told her today. Please, Alli, say something.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

Having no idea what else to say either, I did the only thing I could think to do. I wrapped my arms around her and did the one thing that I wanted to do since I saw her walking down that dirt path. I kissed her.

And she kissed me back.

Chapter 22

Allison

Three fabulous weeks. For three weeks, I have been sneaking out of my house, night after night, to be with Cade, and to be honest, these have been the best three weeks of my entire life. He’s so amazing, but… yes, of course, there’s a but. He does have one major flaw. He has a girlfriend. A girlfriend who doesn’t seem to be going away. Major flaw!

Yes, Kendall and Cade were still technically together, which obviously sucked, and even though Cade promised me that it was only a façade to keep the pack elders happy, I couldn’t help but ask myself every five minutes or so what the hell was I thinking.

But here I was again. It was Saturday night, and I was getting ready to sneak out. It was like I had no willpower, no self-control around him. I knew in my head that my relationship with Cade was wrong in more ways than one, but I couldn’t stop my heart from wanting it to continue. I wanted to see him. I wanted to be with him. So I kept on going back, despite the fact that everyone, including my entire family, thought that Kendall and Cade were still together.

Taking one more look in the mirror at my guilt-ridden face, I grabbed my bag, filled it with the change of clothes that Cade said to bring with me, and headed out my window. Maybe we’re going to the hot springs… again.

We went to five movies, three trips to the hot springs, and a few stops at the all-night coffee shop on the outskirts of town, all in hopes of avoiding other members of the pack. Secret dating was getting more than a little old. We were running out of places to go, but at least Cade was trying to keep things interesting.

Thank God I’m not afraid of heights. Sneaking out of a two-story house was no easy task. Climbing up and down the tree the first few times was a little tricky, but it wasn’t long before I was pretty good at it. We had our routine down pat. Cade waits for me just down the dirt road from my house by a huge oak tree that keeps him semi-covered. He always looks uber-hot leaning up against his motorcycle in his leather jacket and jeans, very James Dean. Tonight was no exception.

“Hey angel,” Cade said as he walked toward me.

“Hey yourself,” I responded coyly, knowing that my favorite part of the night was about to commence.

After an entire day of acting like there was nothing going on between us, I could hardly wait for his lips to meet mine. I hurried toward him and wrapped my arms around his neck. His soft lips melded into mine, he took his time, like he wanted to memorize every inch of my mouth, and I immediately turned to goo.

When our lips finally parted, Cade grabbed my bag and handed me my helmet.

“Where are we going? The hot springs?” I asked, trying to sound excited, but secretly hoping we would do something new.

“No, I have a surprise for you.”

A smile spread across my face as I hopped on the back of his motorcycle, wrapped my arms around him, and buried my face in his scent. Now that I had Cade back in my arms, I wouldn’t have minded if we just rode around all night on his bike. If only it wasn’t so freakin’ cold.

We didn’t drive far, and we never left the estate, so I was a little surprised when he stopped his bike and helped me off.

“It’s my dad’s old hunting lodge,” Cade said as he pointed toward the front porch.

“Will anyone catch us here?” I asked.

“He hasn’t used it in years, so unless someone followed us here, no.”

Cade unlocked and opened the front door. He took out a flashlight and led the way inside. It was almost as cold inside as it was outside. Seeing me shiver, Cade hurried over to the fireplace to get a fire going.

“So, why are we here?” I asked, thinking to myself that there was really only one reason for a guy to take a girl to an abandoned hunting lodge in the middle of the night, and Cade and I were not quite there yet. Technically, we weren’t even a couple.

As if reading my mind, he replied, “It’s not what you’re thinking, Alli. I really do have a surprise for you.”

“Okay, so out with it,” I said, immediately blushing.

“What did you want me to help you with?” he asked.

“Really? You mean it?”

I had been bugging the hell out of Cade to teach me how to manage my transformation. I wanted to learn how to turn into a wolf whenever I choose, and not just when I couldn’t help it. Since I had no idea how to control it, I needed someone to help me. Was that too much to ask? Obviously, it wasn’t on my mom’s to-do list.

“You ready to figure this thing out?” Cade asked as he motioned for me to stand in front of him.

“I’m ready! What do I do first?” I asked.

Cade put his arms around me and whispered in my ear, “Relax and concentrate on changing. Clear your mind of everything else. Imagine yourself as a wolf.”

He pulled away so that we were facing each other, and I couldn’t help but giggle.

“Seriously! Stop laughing. Maybe it will help to sit,” he suggested.

I sat down by the fire and tried to meditate, to relax my muscles, slow my breathing, and picture myself running through the woods with Cade by my side. Though I could picture the image clearly in my mind, after a few minutes I decided that this method was crap and definitely not working. Maybe I’m not the meditating kind of girl, not to mention, I felt like a complete idiot knowing that Cade was sitting there staring at me.

“It’s not working,” I complained in my poor-pitiful-me voice.

“Just give it a minute. Close your eyes. Imagine the tightness in your chest, the smell of the earth under your paws, the wind flowing through your thick, blonde fur.”

I really tried to be serious, but “the wind through my fur…” Come on! Is he for real?

Before I knew it, another giggle escaped, which quickly became all out laughter. It wasn’t long before Cade joined in and agreed that meditation wasn’t going to work.

Our laughter finally subsided and Cade said, “Okay, so let’s try this. I’m going to make you really mad.”

I gave him my most seductive smile, rubbed his arm gently, and teased, “Oh, Cade. You couldn’t make me mad. No matter how hard you tried.”

Before he could respond, I trailed little kisses along his neck to tease him.

Just as my lips made their way back up to his, he responded, “Well there is one other way to try to bring on the change.” With that, Cade pressed his lips to mine. This kiss was strong and dominating, he turned me around so that my back was up against his chest, and began kissing the back of my neck and shoulders. I felt a flood of heat spreading throughout my entire body.

“Close your eyes, Allison,” Cade whispered in my ear.

“Imagine me chasing you through the woods. Imagine me nipping at your hind legs,” Cade said as his kisses gained intensity, and chills spread over my arms.

“Imagine what would happen if I caught you, and I will catch you, Allison.”

Well that did it. Instantly, I felt the familiar feeling of my impending change, but this time, it was different. With this change, there was no pain. No doubling-over, no clinching, no aching muscles. None whatsoever. It was fluid, like it was supposed to be. It was immediate. It was perfect.

So now what? I’m on all fours and Cade is sitting there cross-legged looking all smug, like he just won the Super Bowl. I pranced up to him and gave him a little lick on the nose, and then jerked my head toward the door, wanting him to hurry the heck up and change too. I was ready to play. I wanted to run.

“I’m coming. Hold your horses and give a guy some privacy, would ya?” Cade said as he motioned for me to turn around with his finger.

I knew he was stripping his clothes off so they wouldn’t get shredded to bits, and I really tried not to look, but I couldn’t resist. I peeked over my shoulder and caught a glimpse of the backside of one very naked Cade Walker. Before I could stop myself, a tiny little growl escaped my muzzle, and I immediately turned back around as he shouted, “Hey! No peeking!”

Seconds later, a giant, dark wolf was at my side pushing open the door with his nose. Good thing he was smart enough not to close it all the way. Guess you learn a thing or two when you spend enough time in this form.

Cade stepped out of the way to let me out, and the chase was on.

Chapter 23

Cade

What the hell?
I was sure that I had left my window open when I snuck out to meet Allison. I have been sneaking out almost every night, and a locked window could only mean one thing. My dad knew. Avoiding my father for the past three weeks has been like a full-time job, but now there was no way around it. I would have to face him.

What I wanted more than anything was to stand up to my dad and tell him that Kendall and I were over for good. While we may have kept up appearances at pack functions and school, our relationship was over, as far as I was concerned.

On one hand, I felt like a complete jerk asking Kendall to play along, but on the other, I knew the true reason she was doing it, and it wasn’t because of her feelings for me. The only reason Kendall agreed to our little charade was to maintain her status in the pack, but honestly, I think in her crazy-ass mind, she truly believes that at some point I will beg her to take me back. Kendall resides in her own little my-life-is-perfect bubble, and she would freak if anyone found out that things weren’t as perfect as they appeared.

I took my time walking around to the front of the house knowing that Dad would be waiting for me. I wasn’t kidding myself. This wasn’t going to go well. It kind of felt like I was a convict headed into prison for his first day on the inside.

As soon as I walked in the door Dad grabbed me by the shoulders and threw me up against the wall. As he stormed toward me, he shouted, “I gave you an order, Cade. A direct order; and you disobeyed me.”

His hands gripped the collar of my shirt, holding me up against the wall. My toes barely grazed the ground.

“You will not see her again!” he growled as he tossed me to the floor like I weighed next to nothing.

Never had my father been violent. Never had I seen this side of him. The fury in his eyes overwhelmed me, and I felt true fear for the first time in my life.

I remained on the ground but looked up at him to admit, “I’m sorry, Dad. I can’t. I can’t stay away from her. I tried. I really did. You don’t understand.”

He backed away, suddenly appearing calm, composed as he straightened his clothing.

Then with furrowed brows, he looked me straight in the eyes and threatened, “Well, understand this, son. If you can’t stay away from her, I will make sure that she stays away from you… permanently.”

He left me sitting against the wall as he turned and walked away as if nothing had even happened.

Chapter 24

Kendall

Three miserable weeks! It’s been too long. I had given Cade his time to think, and the clock was ticking. Either he needed to decide that he was ready to re-commit, or I would be forced to go to Marcus and the elders. Something had to be done.

At least, he was no longer seeing Allison. He barely gives her the time of day at school, and not that I was checking, but there hadn’t been anymore action on the pier since I caught them the last time. If Cade is seeing her, he’s doing a really good job of covering his tracks. And if he thinks I’m going to keep pretending that we’re still together for much longer, he’s got another thing coming.

After an afternoon of shopping alone, I pulled into the driveway and noticed my mother’s car in the garage. What was she doing home on Sunday afternoon? Usually she is off with the other female pack members, playing bridge or something. Who knows what those women do all day?

Mom was the last person I wanted to see. I have avoided her like the plague since Cade decided that we needed “a break,” I spent most of my time with Shari, occasionally Becca, and I even went shopping with Cami once. If Mom knew that I haven’t been with Cade for the last three weeks… well, I could only imagine what she’d have to say about it.