Sylvia's Torment (Enforcers and Coterie Book 2) (20 page)

Thank goodness those savage days were behind them.

Turning his head towards the house, he saw several packmates watching from the kitchen and dining room windows. While they couldn’t interfere, it didn’t stop them from being nosy. He searched the small crowd until he found Sylvia. Her lips curled into a tender smile tinged with savage satisfaction. He gave her a nod and tore his gaze from her.

Closing his eyes, Derek opened himself to the Alpha link and found these three within the weave. They were bright shining nodes due to their abilities and the power sent to them through their pack. With a firm grasp on the nodes, he pulled hard and siphoned their powers back to himself. He alone had the ability to give and take them within his pack.

He gasped as he absorbed the power. His skin was oversensitive, and his mind felt like it would burst. He was a balloon inflated to capacity, and any minute now he’d explode. It always hit him hard when he received one Alpha’s powers, never mind three at once. He almost fell to his knees, but he refused to show any weakness in front of his pack and the ones he’d just thoroughly thrashed.

He addressed the fallen wolves. “You’re defeated and are now stripped of all your Alpha powers. I’ve moved you to different packs, as your packs should not suffer for your disgrace. Zmitro will give you the details. I’m done with you three.”

Once he was sure his legs would support him properly, he strode past the fallen wolves, not bothering to spare them another glance. As he opened the kitchen door, jeans dangled in front of his face.

“Told you before, man, nobody needs to see you naked,” Zmitro razzed him. In a softer voice, he said, “Good fight out there. Let me know if you need anything.”

Derek gave him one quick nod. “Thanks.”

As he headed outside, Zmitro tossed over his shoulder, “And now I’ll take care of the trash since his high and mighty is too good for that.”

Derek chuckled wearily and let Zmitro do his job. No matter how much the man complained, he was damn good at what he did, taking care of the little details and making sure the pack ran smoothly.

He pulled on his jeans, taking care to be gentle with his leg. While the external damage had healed, it was tender and would take a day or two to heal internally.

Pride nearly choked him as he glanced around.

His Deltas had gathered to watch the fight along with the rest of the pack. Thirty werewolves crowding in his kitchen shrank the large room.

He’d given twenty-four hour notice to the now-demoted Alphas. Not only had it given them enough time to arrive, but it also meant news had travelled through the Toronto members, creating witnesses.

Rolling his shoulders, he eased some of his tension. A challenge always left him amped up with adrenaline coursing through his veins. A good long run would help, but he had pack matters to take care of first.

What happened here today would filter out to the other packs, solidifying his status as a Top Alpha. He wouldn’t be at all shocked if a video or two popped up on their main website. Right now though, he didn’t care. He just wanted the comfort of his woman.

“Sylvia, come here please.” He spied her hiding in the back, lounging against the wall.

As Sylvia pushed through the small crowd, he smiled, which caused a few murmurs and raised eyebrows. A gentle smile from Derek didn’t happen. His leaned more toward cruel, savage and fierce. A precursor to his attack.

She stopped in front of him. With a smile of her own, Sylvia lowered her head and exposed her neck, as was the proper custom from a submissive.

He never wanted her to do that again.

Leaning down he whispered in her ear, too low for the others to hear, “Never bow to me again. You’re my equal.”

Her head jerked up, startled, and he took advantage. His arms wrapped around her, and he kissed her, uncaring of their audience. Everyone would know who he belonged to, who owned his heart. His hand slid down to her ass and squeezed. Damn, he loved her.

A wolf whistle broke them apart, and a pretty blush stained Sylvia’s cheeks. He kissed the tip of her nose then addressed his pack.

“As you may have heard or guessed, Sylvia and I are an item. No, she’s not stepping down as Beta, and no, I’m not giving her special treatment. Anyone who suggests otherwise doesn’t know me or Sylvia.”

Sylvia was gentle but firm as she added, “If anyone has an issue, come to me. We’re a family. One I’m proud to be a part of.  Does anyone have anything to say?”

“Way to climb that mountain,” Simone yelled, and several of the women giggled.

Derek groaned. He wasn’t going to ask. That woman wasn’t fit for public half the time.

“Okay, on that note, I’m leaving. I need to spend some time in the weave looking for Alpha replacements. No one disturb me unless it’s extremely important.”

Derek kissed Sylvia, slow and lingering, before retiring to his office alone.

Eyes flicking over the large landscape paintings, the black leather couches and the wall of bookshelves filled with knickknacks collected over his long life, Derek took a seat behind his wood desk.

He rolled his office chair in closer and clicked the mouse to wake up his computer from stand-by. Most days he avoided the computer, preferring to spend time outside in nature or with his pack. However, the world revolved around the useful machines, and he refused to get stuck in the past. Carrier pigeons used to be the craze way back when mages charged an arm and a leg for their services. Doesn’t mean anyone wanted to use them now.

He double-clicked on a protected folder and typed in his password. Files upon files appeared, each one a dossier on his pack members. While he could connect with individuals through the weave, he found it useful and less time-consuming to keep all the pertinent information on hand. Opening up the files on the three Alphas, he updated their statuses to reflect their loss of leadership and saved the documents before exiting them.

Replacement packs were already chosen for them, far away from each other and their previous packs. Reintegration would be easier for them as a lower member in a new pack. They wouldn’t have to deal with ridicule and hostility from those they’d ruled over. Disgraced Alphas became prime targets for anyone with a grudge.

Sighing, he shut his eyes and entered the weave. He focused on the three packs that were now without an Alpha. Each node represented a member. All of them glowed at varying degrees of brightness.

One or two of them had a rainbow glow to them instead of a plain white light. These were the pack healers, the Omegas. Ones who helped keep the mental peace within their pack. The brighter they glowed, the healthier the pack.

He sifted through the nodes, looking for the brightest white light, one that would indicate the strongest both mentally and physically. Usually, that person would be a viable candidate as an Alpha.

Each of the packs had a few, and he sent a message to each one to present themselves to him before the week ended. He’d need to test them, find out which one was best to lead and then give them the Alpha powers.

Normally, the changeover occurred through a challenge if the Alpha lost. These weren’t normal circumstances. If any in the pack had an issue, it was out of Derek’s hands. A challenger had the right to fight and prove their worth.

First he needed to pass off these powers. He sighed, weariness settling around him like a heavy cloak.

The week stretched out before him.

Chapter Twenty-Six

“You’ve been avoiding me,” Sylvia said. Her eyes strayed to his lips. “Wanna tell me why?”

“No, I haven’t.” Her hard stare had him relenting. “Okay, maybe a little.”

“Why?”

“Well…” Derek leaned against the kitchen island, trying to recall all his good intentions. He didn’t want to rush her into a relationship after all the trauma she’d experienced. While trying to think of an acceptable excuse to give, he ran his tongue across his lower lip. Her eyes followed the movement, and her pupils dilated. With a groan, he said, “That’s why. I want to give you space. You need time to heal, not jump into a relationship that you might regret.”

“That’s my decision to make, not yours. Why are you fighting this? You said you wanted me. Has that changed?” The light dimmed in her eyes, and she dropped onto the kitchen chair. For once the kitchen was deserted.

“No, hell no. That hasn’t changed.” He crouched in front of Sylvia and rested his hands on her knees. A knot of tension eased within him when she didn’t tense or recoil from his causal touch. Instead, she leaned forward, as if she craved the contact. “I don’t want to push you. It’s been three weeks. You need more time.”

“Doesn’t mean I want my life put on hold until I’m better.”

“Okay then. I’ll cook breakfast for us.”

Sylvia jerked away from him like he’d hit her. In a way, perhaps he had. Three weeks was long enough to notice new habits, especially when he enjoyed watching his mate. Water had to be sealed, and if it left her sight, she wouldn’t drink it again. Windows left open, no matter the weather outside. Their nightly ritual of talking with the lights on until she fell asleep.

And avoiding food that wasn’t pre-packaged. No take-out, no fresh fruit or vegetables. She couldn’t continue like this. It would hinder her duties as both a Beta and an Enforcer.

“What? No, I can cook. Let me.” Sylvia grabbed his arm, her nails digging into his skin. Desire and concern warred within him. Her action was one of panic, not foreplay.

“Sweetheart, you say you’re ready for a relationship, yet you don’t trust me not to drug you. I understand where you’re coming from. I get it. But it’ll wear us both down, and in the end, we’ll resent each other. I don’t want that.”

Sylvia closed her
eyes. The warmth of Derek’s forearm beneath her palm formed a lifeline, anchoring her to reality. He didn’t want her helpless, a victim to his whims. He wasn’t
them
. Preparing her food wasn’t an evil, insidious plan, merely a man wanting to pamper his woman.

Baby steps towards normalcy. Break free of the new prison she found herself in, one made from her fears and paranoid thoughts.

“Okay,” she whispered, forcing the words through stiff lips. Her heart jumped into her throat and bile churned in her stomach. “Make me breakfast.”

“Go upstairs, get dressed.” He stood and helped her to her feet. The gentleness ripped her apart. So much raw power within him, and he tempered it for her. Leashed his natural instincts. A soft kiss brushed her lips before he stepped away. “Go. I’ll take care of everything.”

She ran upstairs, panting by the time she reached the bedroom. Her breathlessness wasn’t from the exercise. Worry she’d disappoint Derek choked her.

Not expecting to see Derek this morning, she’d gone downstairs in her Victorian style nightgown and a robe. Ditching the robe, she strode into the bathroom and cringed at the sight. Damn it, next time brushing her hair would be a must before leaving the bedroom. Matted on one side, sticking up on the other…beauty queen material. How did Derek contain his laughter?

She grabbed a brush and attacked the rat’s nest until it resembled hair again. Shimmying out of the nightgown, she tossed it into the hamper near the door. Naked, she strode to the closet, flicking through her clothes. Derek had shoved his aside, clearing room for her items. The internal debate over long sleeves or short ended quickly, and she yanked the long sleeve shirt from its hanger.

Next she rummaged through the dresser. One half was now devoted to her underwear and pants. She tossed on her clothes, the feminine part of her thrilled at how the skinny jeans hugged her hips and ass. Several times now, she’d caught Derek staring at her ass. It seemed fair, since she loved staring at his. Damn that man had a tight butt.

With a lighter heart, she wandered back downstairs. The scent of cooking bacon put a bounce in her step. An eternity since she’d enjoyed a home cooked meal.

Derek stood at the stove, manning two frying pans. Toast popped, and he tossed them onto a nearby plate. Already half a loaf had been toasted. Several strips of bacon rested on a paper towel, absorbing the extra grease.

“Go, sit down in the dining room. Butter and crabapple jelly is already on the table. I’ll be done in a minute,” he tossed over his shoulder, not bothering to turn around. Her scent must have alerted him to her presence.

A silly, sappy smile threatened to overwhelm her. He remembered she liked crabapple jelly.

Hugging that thought tight, using it to bolster her crumbling courage, she strolled to the other room just off the kitchen. The big bay windows overlooked the backyard. Thick burgundy curtains tied in place showcased the open glass panes. A cool autumn breeze mingled with the scent of bacon.

A large, 12-person oak table dominated the space. China cabinets on the far wall held delicate plates and crystal wineglasses, most of them from Derek’s mom. She’d told him every home should be equipped with items for fine dining or unexpected guests. Except as an Alpha, Derek always had unexpected guests. Pack members dropped by all hours of the day and night. They never ate from the fancy plates, though. He saved them for special holidays or when his mom visited.

Two spots, directly across from each other, had placemats with forks and knives resting on them. A glass of orange juice for him and a bottle of water for her. The jelly and butter sat closer to her spot, a knife ready for use.

Between their placemats, a gift. Its bright purple wrapping begged her to rip it open. A fancy, pale purple bow sat on top, just below the card. Her fingers reached for the card then curled away from it. What if it wasn’t for her? Well that was a stupid thought. Who else would it be for?

She settled into her chair, staring at the present, vainly trying to see past its wrapping. How long until Derek finished? Could she sneak a peek before he caught her?

The anticipation ate at her. What was it? Something inside a box? It was maybe an inch thick and rectangular. Again her fingers inched towards the bright purple temptation. And Derek walked out of the kitchen holding two plates. He chuckled when he noticed her outstretched hand oh-so-slowly inching its way to the alluring package.

She snatched her hand back, feigning innocence.

Derek placed both plates on the table and dropped into the chair opposite of her. A basket of fruit containing apples, oranges and bananas sat in the middle of the table. Leaning over, he grabbed an apple and deftly quartered, cored and peeled it. He popped a slice in his mouth and put the rest on her plate. Her heart melted. Without making a fuss, he’d shown her the apple was safe to eat.

“Go ahead, open it. I spent weeks hunting for this. Hope you like it.” The sexy grin he gave her was almost enough to distract her from the present.

Almost.

She snagged it and removed the card from the envelope. A cute little teddy bear with a sign saying,
I missed you
greeted her. Inside had Derek’s neat handwriting and the message
I’m glad you’re home. Yours, Derek.
The simple words brought tears to her eyes. Flowery phrases or an elegant poem would’ve been impersonal and unlike her Alpha.

The wrapping ripped, no match for her eagerness to discover the treasure inside.

Nestled in a box with colour tissue paper, an 1812 first edition of Grimm’s Fairy Tales written in German.

She looked at him, confused. Not her usual fare of reading material.

“You told me the story of how your grandparents met. He a werewolf and she a human. How they fell in love, even with the lingering hostility between the races after the end of the race wars. I experienced some of it myself after puberty in the late 1830s. Anyway, I recalled you telling me that their story was the basis of ‘Grimm’s Little Red Cap’.” He appeared a little sheepish, as if rethinking his gift.

Sylvia smiled as memories crowded in. She had loved listening to her grandfather’s stories.

“My grandfather, the supposed Big Bad Wolf,” she said with a snicker. “He was the sweetest man ever. You know, her family was just pissed-off she took up with a werewolf. In fact, they called her “grandmother” to shame her. Imagine, unmarried at the ripe age of twenty-four with no children. They were horrified she’d end up a spinster. The jerks.” She tore off a piece of toast with her teeth and viciously chewed, angry over the treatment of a woman she’d never met. Her grandmother had died long before Sylvia’s birth.

“So what happened?” Derek neatly sliced into his egg and placed the piece on some toast before eating it.

“They had concealed their relationship for months, but the family was suspicious. One of Gramma’s nieces came over to visit, or more accurately, to snoop. Grampa hid in the closet. The niece found him and started screaming. The little brat. A nearby hunter burst in with an axe and tried to attack Grampa. Luckily he was human, so Grampa overpowered him. After that, Gramma and Grampa came to Canada, since they’d heard it was more tolerant to the other races. And then those damn Grimm Brothers wrote their terrible story about them.” Sylvia ran her fingers over the lettering, amazed at how well the book had fared two centuries of life.

Just like Derek,
she thought. Two hundred years old and still in his prime.

“I’m sorry, I’ll return the book. I didn’t realize the pain they went through.” He reached over the plates to take the book from her. With a bit of surprise, she noticed her plate was almost empty. She’d eaten without spiraling. No distorted reality filled with agonizing memories.

She hugged the book to her chest, denying his outstretched hand. “No, it’s perfect. My grandparents loved each other. A purity so rare that it shone through my grandfather even after her death. It reminds me that life has pain, but how we overcome it is what defines us. They didn’t give up, and neither will I.”

“Good. I’m glad.” His smile was the special one, reserved for her alone, and her insides became goo. A hungry light entered his eyes, a glint of amber. He blinked, hiding the light from her.

Tracing a finger over the pattern on the placemat, she debated on how to approach the next subject. “So, I, uh…”

Her nerve failed her. What he if he rejected her? Told her she wasn’t ready yet?

“What, sweetheart?”

She blurted out, “I want to pick up some of my Beta duties. I know it hasn’t been that long, but I’m making some progress. Nothing major yet, just little things. Like discussing pack events and…” Her throat closed up, cutting off her words.

“That’s a great idea. Ease you back into things. I’ve already said I don’t want you stepping down, not unless it’s your decision.” Derek leaned back in his chair, breakfast finished for him as well. He’d made a huge dent in the toast, bacon and eggs. “As you know, Shawn’s still out there, so the Deltas will continue patrolling the city. I found two out of three replacement Alphas, and I’m still helping the Coterie search for a replacement Werewolf Coterie leader. Ian, Dan and Sawyer are, so far, integrating with their new packs. If they cause us any more grief, the Coterie will deal with them. They have no right to challenge anyone for Alpha status anymore. And if I see them in Toronto, they’re considered hostiles in my territory, and I will kill them.”

Amber glinted in his eyes again, for different reasons this time. His wilder half would never forgive them. Werewolves were notorious for holding grudges.

“What are you doing about Shawn?”

Derek shrugged, his massive shoulders dwarfing the back of the chair. “Wait until he attacks. And he will. He’s tried for too long to get my position and won’t give up now.” He leaned forward, and a hint of boyishness lit up his face. “I know, how about you come out with me. We’ll go for a walk downtown. Browse through the shops.”

“I’d like that. Let me freshen up.” Sylvia drifted out of the dining room, her mind humming. Out in public with Derek where anyone could see them. Yes, the pack knew about their relationship, but was she prepared to handle their inquiries? As close as family, none of them knew the meaning of boundaries and too-personal questions. They would grill her and Derek, albeit more politely towards him. Wouldn’t do to tick off the Alpha.

A tiny giggle at that thought. Derek would simply glare instead of answering.

Entering the bedroom, she darted into the bathroom and added a touch of eye shadow and lip gloss. An elastic tamed her hair into a high ponytail.

With a spring in her step, she left the bathroom and ran into Derek – literally. She bounced off his chest and giggled nervously. The bed to the right of them called to her. Tumble him down onto the crisp sheets and rumple them. Spend hours learning his body, tasting every delectable inch.

Would he agree though? He thought she needed time. Perhaps instead he needed enticing?