The small group followed Ty up the few stairs into the packhouse. It was chaos. Clearly, they were moving into the space. Boxes and bags were everywhere, and the furniture needed to be setup properly in the building. Large men were busy dealing with this, while in what Rose believed would be the dining room, a group of people she knew very well grumpily harassed several other men. The men didn’t respond; they stood there as if they were on guard and didn’t answer anyone’s insistent questions. She had to be careful not to get the blanket caught on anything on the way there.
“What is going on here?” Ty didn’t waste a moment. His tone went straight to that of an alpha. It told everyone in the room, he would not accept any back talk or disrespect. The fact he wore only a blanket didn’t matter a bit. What Rose liked was that he chose not to focus that tone on an individual. He used it to take command of the room and to cut through the chaos. “Why are you all here? Can you not see that we’ve taken possession of this territory and are busy making it our own? Not everyone at once. I will hear each one of you one at a time, but make it short. I’ve a lot to get through tonight.”
“Are you really the son of Alpha Russell?” Kelly Long, a long-time resident of Mayes Grove and the town clerk. Rose knew Kelly for ages, and Kelly lived in fear of her father stomping around the town hall mixing everything up by putting his two-cents worth in where it didn’t belong. She pitied the woman because she had to clean up whatever mess her father left behind.
“If you want to know the truth, why ask me? Go ask my uncle Roger Higgins. He’ll vouch that I am who I claim to be. Next?” Ty didn’t seem to have much patience at all with these people.
The next person was someone Rose went to school with, even though her father hated her doing that. Brett Dunn, high school alpha and the guy every girl at one time or another prayed would be their fated mate. Not such luck for anyone so far. He was still looking for his mate. “So, are you here to fix this mess? I mean, are you taking back the Hollow Wood Pack and the town? If so, when and do you need any help?”
Brett, butted heads with Rose’s father on a regular basis. It appeared to Rose that she could only see one reason for it and that was her father saw Brett as a potential rival. Rose could understand why Brett would have an axe to grind with her father.
“That we can discuss after this in private. I need to know more about you and your motives before I say yay or nay. Questions?” Ty pointed Brett to the far side of the room, before he turned to the next person and looked the little old lady in the face. “Gabby, my sweet dear. I remember you. How are you and what can I do for you?”
“I’m doing well, Tyler, dear. These fools wouldn’t accept my word on your identity. They all wanted to complain about how you walked in and expected to take over. Though their hearts are in the right place. They didn’t want a stranger doing that and complicating your return.” Gabby Lynn was that little old lady who’s home was in the centre of town on the Main Street for ease of getting around in her old age. She made it her business to know everyone and everything. Gabby was one of the few people her father avoided in town, because she knew where the skeletons were buried.
“Wait. Are you saying he really has a claim on the control of the Hollow Wood Pack?” Rose couldn’t believe what she was hearing. It didn’t make sense. Nothing did. The crazy stories and now this. She couldn’t quite catch her breath, between wanting to cling to Tyler and run from him. Rose was afraid to believe the facts she knew and how they lined up with their stories. What gave her pause was his claims she knew nothing about. Now here was sweet little old Gabby verifying these claims.
“Oh yes, Rose sweetie. He’s got every claim. Your father never told you what he did? Of course, he didn’t. That would besmirch his reputation and image with his dishonourable actions. But why are you here? Tyler? She’s the enemy.” Rose gasped, she couldn’t believe Gabby saw her as an enemy.
“Gabby. She’s mine, not his. Understand?” Tyler’s voice was deeper than before and held a tone that shirked no questions or protest. “Before you ask, no, he doesn’t know, and I want it that way.”
“Oh, dear, that complicates everything, doesn’t it? Well, I guess we all win some and lose some. At least, she’s not like her father in disposition. Perhaps you can save her from the damage he’s done to her.” Rose stood there and listened to Gabby’s words horror struck by their meaning. Truthfully, nothing Gabby said, was new. She’d thought all of it at some point. If anything she’d heard in the last few hours were true… Then she was better off here.
“I can’t believe what you people are saying. My father did what was necessary to keep the peace here, and this is what he gets? Yes, I agree he’s not the easiest person to get along with, but he’s done a hard job no one else wanted to do.”
“Now we’d believe you if you knew the truth, but you don’t, and we can’t agree. Your father was to assist with keeping the peace, not run the entire show. He should never have been alpha. Beta yes, alpha no. He’s killed others for far lesser crimes than he’s committed over the years.”
“When did all this happen? Why am I finding out about it now?”
“You’re the pup of a monster. Telling stories about him to you would endanger us and you. So, no one dared to say anything before this. Now, with the rightful alpha of the Hollow Wood Pack here, we have a chance to fight back.” Brett informed Rose in a tone that exposed his anger and hatred to her. It made it clear to Rose, she was far out of her depth in this matter.
“Someone needs to explain to me what happened and when. I’ve never wanted to leave this place more than ever.”
“All in good time. Now, is everything good? Alright. Jay, it’s your turn to shine. You get to interrogate him and get his story down. I want to know everything there is.”
“Right, on it. Come on, dude. What’s your name, by the way?” Brett followed Jay from the room without a farewell of any sort.
“Now, please be careful what you pass on in town about this. I have plans I’m not ready to share. I don’t want any of this getting back to Russell before I’m ready.” There were nods all around from the visitors. “Good, then they will escort you safely from my territory. Have a good day.”
The guards escorted them from the room, and Gabby gave Rose a reassuring squeeze on the arm. None of this made sense. Comforting the person she just called her enemy? Rose needed to stop overthinking everything.
Ty’s hand felt hot against her back, startling her out of her thoughts, and charging up her hormones. Gods, just a touch on her blanket covered back had her all but panting again. “I’ll show you to our apartment and you can get dressed.” Our apartment that sounded so odd to hear?! Other than her few friends, she felt alone before this.
Rose let Tyler guide her through the packhouse. She didn’t remember this place being here before, but it didn’t smell like new construction. What pack used this as their home? Where had they gone? She was pondering this as he guided her up the stairs and into an apartment at the end of the corridor. The place was massive and looked like it was in fairly good condition. The apartment itself was fully furnished and ready to live in. “When the guys realized I was bringing you home, they insisted on having this ready for you.” “The guys? A pack of rogue male wolves thought to have a place for me to sleep ready. Now, I can safely say I’ve heard everything.” Rose raised an eyebrow and looked over her shoulder with a slight smile. She dared him to continue claiming that story as the truth. “We are far from animals, Rose. You’ll find we’re quite reasonable and civilized. Though if you keep looking at me, like I might not stay civilized.” A lazy feral smile
They were mating. Rose didn’t care about anything but how right this felt. Ty leaned over her now and her nose was buried in the base of his throat. Her senses were on overload. His chest kept her breasts wanting more, his shaft pushed her core toward new heights of pleasure. His hands held her wrists on either side of her head. Ty’s head was against her throat. She could feel his wolf so close to the surface as it drew hers out. “Not like this. We aren’t a couple of humans. We’re going to do this right.” Suddenly he pulled away and was moving her. She barely had time to register the hollow abandoned feel of him leaving her body open, exposed, and wanting. “Ty. Please! I need to end this.” “Not yet. Soon, baby. I’ll give it to you like you really need it.” No guy was ever this dominate with her before this, and she thrilled at knowing he planned more. Ty placed her on her hands and knees, her buttock up and her thighs wide. Then he was back
Ty opened the door, unhappy at being interrupted. What greeted him on the other side was the last thing he expected. Ben stood there with just as unhappy a look on his face as he had. “What’s wrong now? We’re busy. Is the packhouse on fire?” “No, but your uncle is asking for permission to enter your territory to talk to you about something. Before you ask, he won’t say, and he doesn’t look thrilled.” “Bad timing. Fine, she’s asleep, anyway. I’ll leave her a note. This better not take long. What does he want now? Stay there. I just need some pants.” Ty left Ben at the door. He took a notepad from the nightstand and wrote a note for Rose. With it on the pillow beside her in case she woke up, he left the room and followed Ben. “What did you do with Jules?” “I may have locked her in my room. Just like you, only she wasn’t asleep. I’m surprised we can’t hear her yelling at me through the door still. I guess the apartments are soundproof for each
Ben stayed back well out of the way of the two alphas as they argued on the front lawn of their new packhouse. Ty at least gave a good show of strength, even if some of what he was standing up for was iffy. But Ben could only tell him so many times before it became nagging or fear mongering. However, who would have thought that both girls would be their mates, and he dreaded going up there to him? She was not happy with him right now for locking her in his apartment. That temper of hers would be fun to turn into passion. Yup, he was smitten really good. Ty’s uncle finally left with a nod to Ben, and an angry huff for Ty. Nothing really was solved by his visit. But at least now they’d gotten a warning out to the town and local packs to prepare for this war. Ben’s mind went in several directions with thoughts of security, among other things. He’d need to speak to Jay and make sure that there were enough people on guard duty at all times. It wasn’t just the mai
Rose awoke to hear muffled yelling and a piece of paper that read, “I’ll be back.” Who writes something that vague? Tyler did. It appeared he was nowhere to be found in the apartment and the door to leave by would not open. Rose was bound and determined not to panic yet, but someone was going to have to help him if he didn’t give her some answers when he got back. What was the yelling about? When she finally located a window that faced where the yelling was coming from, she saw a Jeep leaving rapidly and Tyler returning to his pack’s house. She couldn’t tell at this distance his mood beyond he wasn’t happy by the way he stalked toward the house. Gods. He’d bitten her while they were… Her father was going to kill him for ruining any chances of benefiting from having a daughter. She wasn’t sure Ty understood stood that. This would come back to bite them on the backside if they weren’t careful. She wanted to hate him for being selfish, but how much more did
Jules couldn’t believe it. He’d mated with her. Got a phone call he picked up and then left. To add fuel to the fire, he didn’t tell her where he was going, or when he’d be back. He locked the door and walked away, leaving her stranded in his rooms, naked, alone, and mated to a stranger. She was going crazy. Yes, she was attracted to him, and she’d desperately wanted to have some adult playtime with him. But she didn’t sign up for mating with him. Gods, what was she going to tell Rose? Where was she? Was she okay? Jules was going crazy. Things made sense one minute and then not the next. Rose could be in danger. What were Ty’s intentions toward Rose? Was Rose safe? Was she safe? Jules was going crazy. She needed answers. The one time she didn’t have her phone to get those answers. Her father told her she’d sink or swim on her own because he wouldn’t come to save her. Ben better get his butt back here and explain himself. She could feel the c
Rose couldn’t believe Ty. “When did you plan on telling this to me? Do I have any say in this? Or am I just a bystander?” “You’re the one. My mate. I’m not going to let you be hurt by anyone. My plans will return the pack to me, and the guilty will be brought to justice. Rose, I’ve planned this for a long time. He won’t get away from this. I don’t want war, but we are ready to fight if we must. Your father is known as a twisted soul, but no one can prove what he did. I know where the bodies are, and it’s not enough. Rose, it’s not enough.” Rose could see the conflict in his whole being. His hate and frustration mixed and expanded his conflict into what drove him now. “I won’t let you destroy what this place was built upon.” Rose couldn’t believe how thick headed he was. Did she see how blind he was to what a war would do to this town? Most of the packs survived on shoe-string budgets. They didn’t have any money to maintaining a personal pack defence. That’s why they po
“Rose. What is going on? Ben isn’t telling me much of anything.” “I’m trying to figure out who’s blowing smoke and who’s stating fact. What’s scaring me is the fact that these guys are the people who are speaking the facts. If they are, then we either stay with them or we leave.” “Leaving might be difficult.” Jules pointed to the barely visible bandage under Rose’s top and then to hers. “I think they made sure leaving is impossible.” Rose couldn’t identify Jules’ facial expression. It was far too conflicted, as if her friends reflected her feelings. “I honestly don’t know if we’re better off here or not. Ty seems on the up-and-up, but I believed my father too. If Ty is speaking the truth, then my father lied to everyone, including me, and got away with multiple murders.” “I don’t know what to do. Rose, should we bide our time? Stay here? Ben said your father is looking for us.” “I’m not sure what to do, but how hard are they looking for us? Really think