It took two whole days for Nell to heal, no thanks to her she-wolf side. Rose was a shadow of what she should be and Thom was both anxious and restless. He wanted to mount her but Liam managed to calm him down after a frustrating inner dialogue.Why not?She’s too fragile.That’s the point. My mate needs stimulation.Eventually, maybe.No. Now!In the end he went for a cold shower. He was beginning to wish Pamela hadn’t left the pack for pastures new at the same time as the departure of Simon and his cronies. Whether it was just coincidence or not he supposed he would never know, unless she slunk back and resumed her sluttish ways.Not even Nell had felt sorry for her once he explained it was in her nature and she hadn’t been forced to fuck at least half the unmated warriors.Ida came to see him a short while later. Liam was in his office, drowning in paperwork which he was having to read twice.“Any good at mates’ rights?” he asked, pulling a face.“What? Oh no, hardly.”He hadn’t me
He didn’t have long, but you never knew with his kind. Perhaps loving Electra – had he ever known her real name? – had endowed him with more years. In any case Nell couldn’t forget the bond they’d shared.It was only right Sheriff Bostock released him. As a full-blooded werewolf he needed to face pack justice. Technically, that should be Far Hills, where he had been working and since he had wounded Alpha Warren’s daughter. Still, he’d been aiming for Simon and his instincts hadn’t been as far off the mark as his aim on that occasion.When he’d attempted to kill Liam at the mall, in his crazed state he’d assumed he was Simon. If Rae, her father and her mate, the Alpha King, didn’t want to press charges for the first incident, it was down to the Alpha of the Wide River pack to consider if he wanted to wreak a personal revenge on his mate’s father.Liam didn’t. He wasn’t that vindictive an Alpha. He even indicated Martin Field was welcome to see out his days with them, though not in so m
It was her midwifery skills they wanted rather than her life’s blood. Despite herself, Nell was curious.“Will you break the news to Alpha Liam?”The Beta seemed to understand, even though he was still on all fours and lolloped away in the direction of the packhouse.Poor Jack. She didn’t envy him delivering that piece of information. But if this helped to forge a new alliance, who knew were it might lead? That was all to the good. She’d seen for herself the mingling of different species in the colony.Was she being naïve? Only time would tell.It turned out that she was about to bring yet another hybrid into the world. The human female was yet to be turned and that decision was on hold depending on whether or not her offspring lived and thrived.She was part of history. Fancy that.Alpha Liam was mad, of course, telling her she could have been killed.“Not when I’m performing a service,” she countered.“And when your usefulness was at an end?”“Vampires aren’t vindictive, just needy,
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
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