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 summoned her that evening. His office was piled high with paperwork, he seemed harassed and she felt resentful enough to be glad that he was struggling with his workload. Let him suffer, too.
“Did you remember what I said?”
“What about, Alpha?”
He drummed his fingers on the desk. Long, sensitive fingers which she couldn’t help but imagine stroking her face. What was the matter with her?
The PC looked ancient, but it wasn’t her place to say so. As she watched he picked up his much more modern mobile and frowned at something on the screen. Setting it aside, he glanced across at her.
“People tell me you are doing a great job taking care of Fallon. So, I’m minded to let you go home for a visit. My Beta will drive you. But I want you back here by the end of the day to resume your duties. Say it.”
She clasped her hands together, hoping not to tempt Fate by expressing her joy too openly.
“Thank you, Alpha. I can pick up some of my things at the same time.”
“Whatever,” he said. “Do you swear to return before midnight?”
“Yes, Alpha Liam. I give you my word.”
The grin was sudden and unexpected. It transformed his whole face just for an instant before the shutters came down once more.
“That’s what I like to hear in my employees: obedience.”
“But I don’t work for you,” she couldn’t resist pointing out.
“Yes, you do, Nell. Until I say otherwise.”
“What about payment?” she dared, looking down at her borrowed dress.
The Alpha’s eyes followed hers. He opened his wallet and tossed her one of his personal credit cards. “Buy something nice.” He pointed a finger at her. “Don’t make me regret this, Nell.”
“You can rely on me, Alpha. I won’t let you down,” she told him. Then, daringly, she added, “Tell me to mind my own business, but you need to look in on Fallon occasionally. She needs to bond with her blood kin.”
He scowled. “I’ll think about it.”
Nell decided not to push it, given how his half-sister had been conceived.
The Beta drove her to Oakley. For some reason she was apprehensive the whole way. Alpha Liam’s credit card was clutched in her hand and must be overheating by now. It was warm in the SUV.
Jack cleared his throat. “Looking forward to seeing your family again?”
“Some of them,” she said, not wanting to lie to him.
“That figures,” he replied, stroking his beard.
“Will you be coming back for me later?” she asked.
“It’s unlikely,” he admitted. “But the Gamma, Henry, is free. Don’t worry, he’ll keep his paws to himself.”
“I sure hope so,” she muttered, making her companion laugh.
The house was showing signs of life given the smoke emanating not from the chimney but the kitchen at the back if she was any judge. Mom wasn’t the best cook and Olivia was too lazy to try. She couldn’t help wondering about Dad’s broth and if he had been going without.
Saying a reluctant farewell to Jack, she went up the steps and pushed open the front door without knocking. Inside, the burnt smell was even worse. Onions, if she wasn’t mistaken. Her father would never swallow something like that.
Making her way quietly up the stairs she pushed open the door to his room and just stared. His bed was made but there was no sign of its most recent occupant. Maybe he had recovered enough to go and sit in the garden in his favourite spot.
Coming back down she encountered her mom in the passage.
“Oh, it’s you. Didn’t expect to see you back for a while,” she said.
“Where’s Dad.”
“Gone.”
It was Olivia who spoke, as casually as if she were remarking on the weather or passing on the news that one of the stray cats had died.
Nell clutched the banister rail. “Was it sudden?” she asked.
“Just upped in the night and took himself off. You know what that man’s like,” her mother said.
“You mean he’s recovered? Oh, that’s fantastic. Is he out on call?”
“Your sister was never a good listener, was she?” her mom said to Olivia, raising a plucked eyebrow.
“Dad left a few days ago. We don’t know where he is.”
“Liv, that can’t be right. Mom, please tell me you’ve alerted the sheriff.”
“I was getting around to it, Eleanor. Now that you’re back, make yourself useful and sweep the yard.”
“What’s that you’re wearing? Is it a new dress? And what’s that in your hand?”
Nell was too late to prevent her sister from robbing her of the Alpha’s plastic.
“Give it back,” she cried, struggling with her much taller sibling in vain.
“Is that American Express? My, my, someone has gone up in the world.”
A cunning look came over her mom’s face. For the hundredth time, Nell wondered what her father had ever seen in Miss Worthington, who had insisted on keeping her maiden name as well as taking his surname when they wed. It wasn’t as if she was from rich stock given that her parents had owned a farm.
“I’m going to pack. The Alpha wants me back in Watertight later.”
“That’s too bad. You’re needed here.”
“But someone will be coming to fetch me later.”
“We’ll see about that.”
Running up the stairs, hoping she could persuade Olivia to see sense and relinquish the Alpha’s card, Nell started to throw some things into a backpack. The thought had occurred to her that, if need be, she could hike back through the forest.
Her mother had other ideas. She heard the key turn in the lock too late and all the hammering in the world would not make Rosemary Worthington Field change her mind.
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
It was a difficult task now to pick up Fallon to soothe her. Nell managed it by sitting on a chair close to the window. Perhaps she should have held out for surgery, make the Alpha pay. Occasionally, her eyes strained to see the forest in the distance, and not because of her employer’s inexplicable behaviour. For her, it held its own pull, which was odd because a much scarier version figured in her nightmare, the recurring one which seemed to have banished all others.A dwelling was on fire and, because of its hidden nature, no-one came to help. She could see a girl straining to give birth and couldn’t understand the significance of the filigree chain and symbol which graced her forehead. Her clothing was ragged, a mixture of sage and purple in hue, and she was all alone in her travail.Sometimes, a man’s face convulsed in grief appeared. At others, she fancied she heard the cry of a baby. The most bizarre of all was when she saw people with light hair gathered in a semi-circle chanti
“What about Fallon?” She kept her tone reasonable and even, despite being caged by his much larger body. “Theo’s mated. Did you know that?” “And you’re just a bully. Alpha, I only know his name because I glanced at the badge on my way to your office. It doesn’t harm to be civil.” He spun away and she heaved a sigh of relief. “Ignore me. I’m just – at the end of my tether.” Admitting such a thing, and to her, wasn’t a first. Yet she marvelled at the way he continued to treat her like a confidante. “Let me make us a hot drink,” she said. “It’s about time for Fallon’s feed. Please excuse me while I change her.” She went about her necessary business in the bathroom. “You’ve done a lot with this place,” he called to her, as she cooed to her charge. “Good or bad, Alpha?” “Not to my taste, but girly enough for its occupants.” “You don’t want me to re-arrange your office, then, Liam?” She was only making small talk while she worked and winced a little to think she’d been so forward