They came to the door in the night. Werewolves from the shifter pack on the other side of the forest. Nell could hear the raised voices from where she sat, worrying, beside her father’s bed. From what she could make out their Luna was about to give birth and the Alpha was demanding assistance from the best doctor for miles around.
Martin Field was going nowhere. He still had a temperature and was weak from lack of food.
“Someone must come. Now!”
Nell flinched on hearing the dominant tone. Hopefully, Mom would stand her ground. She usually did.
But she was in for a shock.
“My daughter will go with you.”
Surely she wasn’t about to send Olivia? The unkind thought as to her elder sister’s usefulness came and went as Nell observed the turning of the doorknob.
“There’s no change, Mom,” she whispered, as if fearful the werewolves might hear.
Rosemary Worthington Field’s thin lips formed into a sneer. “Get your coat, Nell. You’re going on a little trip,” she said.
“Me?”
She couldn’t believe it at first. Not when she was needed here to nurse her father through his unexplained fever.
“The Alpha requested you specifically.”
That was obviously a lie.
“Well, I’m not going,” she dared, reaching across and squeezing Dad’s clammy hand.
“Would you like to tell him that?”
“If I have to,” she muttered.
“He’s waiting on the doorstep.”
Her elder sister poked her head round the door, still yawning.
“What’s all the fuss about?” Olivia wanted to know.
“The Alpha requires a midwife and your sister is being stubborn.”
“As usual.”
That wasn’t new, either, the way the two of them ganged up on her as if she were some freak.
“What’s taking so long?” a voice roared.
Nell flinched. She had heard the Alpha was ruthless and didn’t care who he hurt.
Her mom seized hold of her by the elbow, hauling her to her feet, and dragged her out of the bedroom and down the stairs to the hallway. Nell resisted all the way, but she was small and nowhere near as strong as the woman callous enough to force her into this nightmare.
Alpha Liam was tall and broad with a buzz cut fade and piercing blue-green eyes.
“Please, I’m needed here!” she cried, wresting her arm from her mom’s mean grip. “Father’s sick and needs a lot of care.”
“Is he dying?”
The barked query rocked her.
“I don’t know.”
“Then there’s no question of staying. You will come with me now, woman, or I will torch this place to the ground.”
“You can’t mean that.”
Even Mom looked apprehensive for once.
Olivia took the red duffle coat from its peg and handed it to her, obviously flirting with the Alpha and the two pack members who had accompanied him. With her long dark curls and startling blue eyes, not to mention the revealing nightdress, she outshone Nell in looks and she had resigned herself to being second best.
Except that Alpha Liam was studying her curiously, his wide mouth parted slightly, as she put her arms in the sleeves. She began to panic that her ears weren’t covered by her flaxen hair but he seemed more interested in her face and body. A slow heat rose from the very heart of her and she averted her gaze as she fastened the toggles.
A sudden moan from Martin Field tugged at her heartstrings.
“Tell him I’ll see him tomorrow,” she blurted.
“That’s up to the Alpha,” Olivia said, obviously sucking up.
Nell’s chocolate brown eyes dared to meet the Alpha’s uncompromising ones. “Swear to me, or the deal’s off.”
“Did you not hear what I said?” he snarled. “And I don’t negotiate with humans. Bring her, Jack.”
Tears weren’t far away but she managed to keep them at bay. Glancing round, she saw the hand-made sign swaying in the wind, “Shifters By Appointment Only”, and cringed.
“Not your doing?” The query came from a bearded werewolf who wore his own authority far more lightly.
“I’m sorry if it seems rude.”
“Can I give you a piece of advice? Don’t ever apologise if it’s not your fault. I’m Alpha Liam’s Beta, Jack Williams.”
“Eleanor Field. Though I prefer Nell.”
“Move, woman!”
The Alpha was still furious for some reason and it dawned on her she hadn’t even asked after the Luna.
“But I don’t have any equipment,” she said, stalling for time.
“We have everything you need back at the Wide River pack,” the Beta told her.
“How far along is she? Have her waters broken yet?” Nell asked, switching to what she hoped was convincing professional mode.
“You’ll see.”
Alpha Liam was obviously still in a mood. Strange how he preferred designer stubble to hanging up his razor indefinitely.
“I am sure there is no cause for alarm,” she said. “Is it her first litter?”
“The last.”
Uncertain how to respond to that cryptic reply, Nell held her tongue.
Fall brought its share of uncertain weather and soon it began to rain. Turning round, belatedly, to say her farewells, she was nonplussed to see the door was already closed.
Nell sighed. At least the Beta was friendly, his grey eyes sympathetic rather than hostile.
“Shall we?” he said, gesturing for her to precede him.
Her answering smile was tentative and faded away entirely on hearing Alpha Liam’s impatient growl.
“We don’t have all night.”
Nell wasn't sure why his voice affected her so much.
Jack took pity on her. “Don’t take it to heart. He’s worried about Martha.”
“Is that the Luna?”
But he didn’t have chance to answer.
“Get in, woman,” Alpha Liam ordered.
And she realised he meant her to sit beside him in the passenger seat.
“It’s Nell, Alpha,” she told him, softly, climbing in and placing her hands in her lap.
He glanced at her. “I’m not one for small talk.”
“Me neither,” she said.
“Aw, give it a go, Alpha.”
A different voice, rougher, followed up with a laugh.
“Shut up, Henry. You’re not the one in charge here.”
“Lighten up, cousin. It’s not as if the pups are yours.”
Nell gasped, then covered her mouth with her hands. Should she be privy to such intimate information?
“I – I won’t tell a soul,” she blurted.
“No, you won’t,” Alpha Liam agreed, causing her heart to thump unsteadily.
She swallowed. “You’d be surprised what goes on in the village.”
“Gossip is poison,” he spat.
Nell bridled. “That’s why I never indulge,” she said. It felt good to answer back. After all, she wasn’t beholden to this man, this werewolf. In fact, she was doing him a favour. “As a trainee midwife you hear things. It’s just not possible to close your ears to everything that comes out during labour.”
“Is that so? I’ll have my legal team draw up an NDA.” She assumed he was joking, until he added, “Does your surname have an ‘s’ at the end, or not?”
The ride did not take long. Watertight was a sprawling community of cabins laid out in a rectangle within which was the packhouse. It was lit up by more than moonlight and she had time only to hear the loud beat of popular music and smell corn on the cob before she was hustled to the birthing chamber. This pack seemed to be making a celebration out of something which could not be guaranteed. She swallowed. What if something went wrong and she couldn’t save either mother or offspring? “What are you waiting for? Go inside. My aunt is with her and can send for whatever you need.” “Yes, Alpha Liam,” Nell said, wondering why he was so reluctant to look at her now. The she-wolf was muscular, as expected, but also filled with compassion in that she offered Nell a hot drink from the outset. They lingered in the small kitchen area. “You must be perished,” she said. “I’m Deborah, by the way. Have you been doing this long?” “I’ve done several assists.” “Please tell me you haven’t lost a pu
A week passed. Deborah’s daughter, Holly, was petite like her and snuck her in some clothes. The Beta turned a blind eye when he showed up, though she knew the yellow dress didn’t suit her. She made them both a pot of coffee and they sat on the couch for a chat. Because it had been on her mind a lot, she blurted out what had been eating at her resentful heart since day one. “Why did you come to our house in the first place? Deborah’s more than competent.” Jack blew on his drink to cool it before replying. “She’s like you,” he said. “Unappreciated.” “I’m glad someone thinks so.” Nell hesitated. “Why doesn’t the Alpha come and see his half-sister? Is he too busy?” “That’s only part of the reason,” the Beta said, avoiding her eyes now. Nell waited, but it seemed he wasn’t about to say any more. “Do you have pups of your own?” “Not yet, but Louisa’s still hopeful. We’ve been mated a year now.” “Then there’s plenty of time,” she assured him, hoping that was the case. Alpha Liam s
Being Alpha wasn’t something he had been raised to do and the eighteen hour days felt like a curse. Yet, ever since a rogue killed Simon, his elder brother, there was no alternative. Liam knew he was prone to blaming people for what he believed to be his inadequacies but he couldn’t help himself. The fact that he hadn't yet found his mate was another failing on his part. If she was anything like Pamela, the pack slut, who these days filled him with revulsion then he would have no alternative but to reject her. In some ways he envied his Beta. Jack was settled with Louisa, though there was no sign of her becoming pregnant yet. After a long day wading through paperwork and a tedious meeting about an impending shortage of gas, the Alpha decided to go for a much-needed run. He checked his watch. Nell would be back soon. He couldn’t help imagining the look on her face when he suggested a trip to the forest another time. One thought led to another and he found himself standing outside th
“What do you mean, I won’t be Fallon’s main carer from now on?” “Olivia’s here now. Aunt Deborah thinks she’s more than competent.” Nell was sure her anxiety must show on her face. “Please, Alpha,” she begged. “Let me check her over at least.” “No,” he said. “Would you punish your own half-sister, too?” “You flatter yourself, human. Very well. But I’ll be there the whole time,” he warned. “Thank you, Alpha. You won’t regret it.” “Hurry up. You have seventy suppers to prepare.” At first she thought she had misheard him. Had he said “seventeen”? Yes, that must be it. Fallon was sleeping when they arrived. Nell didn’t miss the knowing smirk on her sister’s face. What on earth was she wearing? Those shorts were far too tight. She must have packed her own bag. Was she staying, too? How would her mom cope, living on her own after all this time? Well, that was the least of her worries now. Stooping to plant a kiss on Fallon’s chubby cheek, Nell turned to the Alpha. “I suppose you
Nell reflected that it was just her luck that the music had changed to a slow ballad. She knew all the excuses in the world wouldn’t save her now. This was bound to upset a lot of people. Well, it couldn’t be helped. Alpha Liam was the last person she wanted to antagonise. He looked good in his charcoal grey suit and was actually clean-shaven for the occasion in contrast to the majority of his male pack members. Was that a new aftershave or a scent wafting in from the garden? It was unseasonably warm which was why the windows were open. Accepting his outstretched hand, Nell told him, “I’m flattered, but you really ought to know I have two left feet.” The Alpha leaned down a long way to whisper in her ear, “That makes two of us. The difference is, I’m paying people not to notice.” She wanted to giggle but didn’t dare. He was so hard to read most of the time. Then she was being pulled in close for an unnerving slow dance. The top of her head barely reached to his chest and he was st
Liam stood people watching from the open doorway, reluctant to re-join the crowd at his own party. Turning twenty-five without a mate was sending him down the feral route. He sometimes believed he would end up as crazy as his mother.Aunt Deborah was trying to catch his eye. She seldom used the mind link with him, even though he had encouraged it. Now would be a good time to make her see sense and he continued to ignore her, knowing only too well what she wanted.Uncle Alan sauntered over. These days he was the pack’s accountant, but for once he didn’t want to talk shop, thankfully.“What did Nell do to upset you?” he asked, offering him a drink.“That’s my business,” Liam said.Accepting the cup of punch, he scanned the crowd, wondering who was babysitting Fallon. The Beta was absent though he could see Louisa by the French windows deep in conversation with three other she-wolves.Was Nell now alone with Jack? Well, that was one pack member who wouldn’t dream of trespassing on his te
Nell really couldn’t believe his audacity. “Will this take long, Alpha?” she countered. “I’m kinda busy right now,” he told her. When he moved aside and she saw the half-naked she-wolf lounging on his couch, the blush was inevitable. Yet she couldn’t understand why she was so angry. “I thought you were partial to redheads.” “Did you now?” “You’re impossible,” she stormed, resisting the temptation to stamp her foot. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous? You are, aren’t you?” She turned on her heel and was about to march off in the wrong direction when his voice stopped her in her tracks. “Henry was right. He said you had a little crush on me. Well, as you can see, you’re not the only one. You can go now, Selina,” he added. Sulking, the beauty slunk away without even bothering to retrieve her top. If Nell didn’t know better she would have thought it had been staged for her benefit. “Is that all, Alpha? If so, I’ll bid you goodnight.” “Not so fast.” Relieved not to be within his gras
Liam didn’t get much sleep. He’d hated the whole idea of a party and taken his resentment out on the one person who deserved it least. Over-indulging had been a way of avoiding the consequences but he didn’t have the headache which would have alleviated some of his guilt. He doubted Nell had noticed his inebriation; she probably couldn’t tell the difference. Though he seemed to recall foolishly telling her about Simon.Give these females an inch and they wanted the whole fucking mile. Like the one who’d emerged from his en suite unexpectedly wearing little more than a grin. It wasn’t the first time that had happened to him and he doubted it would be the last. Nell had been shocked, bewildered and ultimately, disbelieving when she saw Selina lounging on his couch. He could see it in her face, she suspected him of setting out to trap her into something offensive to her sensibilities. A very moral woman, Nell, unlike her slut of a sister. Even he could see that much.Sometimes, in her co