Page 5

Chapter Five

Arley

“C ome out, whittle bunny. I promise we won’t bite.” Awful laughter followed the sing-song words. “Well, not much.”

“Why won’t they leave?” Closing the small gap in my living room curtains, I turned and faced Fen. “What are we going to do?”

“They can still smell your heat. It’s only been a day since it started, so they can still sense it.” Fen pulled me into his body. They must have gone back to get the cars and drove here this morning. I really was hoping they would just give up. “Don’t worry, I won’t let them get to you.”

“What are we gonna do?” I burrowed my head into his chest, loving the way I felt in his arms. “We can’t just hide here indefinitely in the cabin.”

“That is exactly what we can do.” Fen kissed the top of my head. “Not indefinitely but for the next couple of days until your heat clears. We’re just gonna sit out here and wait them out.”

“Hopefully they will give up. But what if they don’t? I never saw Marcus and the others as quitters. What if they stay out there the whole time? What if they find a way in what if—”

Fen grabbed my chin and lifted it so we were eye to eye. “I will not let anything happen to you. Baby, you are mine. No one else is going to touch you.” The vehemence in his voice assuaged my panic for the moment.

Growls from outside grew louder and more violent. Some of the shifters with Marcus transformed into their wolves and spread out, surrounding my cabin.

“We know you’re in there, whittle bunny. Come on out,” Marcus taunted. The malevolence in his tone made me want to run and hide. “And if that traitor wolf is still in there with you, we’re gonna get to him too. You hear me, Fen. I’m going to rip your throat out for touching what should have been mine.”

“Well, I guess they know I’m in here too.” Fen laughed and hugged me closer. “Oh well. I’m not letting them near my mate.”

“Isn’t there anything we can do?” I grabbed my phone and pulled up my contacts. “There has to be someone we can call. Maybe the elders? They don’t know about this and what he’s doing. I’m positive of it.”

“I don’t think they do either. I’m going to call my dad. He will know who we should call to help get them away from us.” Fen dialed his father’s number and put the phone to his ear. “Dad. Marcus is causing trouble for my mate and I—”

“Mate. When did you find your mate?” I heard Fen’s father’s excitement over the line.

“It’s a long story, and I will tell you and Mom about it all later. Right now, though, we need your help. I’m over at Arley’s cabin on the north side of the woods. He’s in heat—”

“I know Arley.” Fen’s father was one of the regulars at the bakery. “Do you need me to bring you two some food. I know heats can make it hard to leave the house and if you don’t have enough groceries, I can go grab a few things for you and leave it at the front door.”

“No. Dad.” Fen’s lips tipped up into a smile. “That’s really appreciated but right now, we actually need help in a different way. Marcus and his guys scented him and they are now surrounding the cabin trying to take him away from me and threatening me.”

“What? That’s insane. What sort of men have those boys grown up to be? I need to inform the council right away. Give me a few minutes and I will get help right out to you.”

“Thanks, Dad. Love you.” Disconnecting the call, Fen placed his phone down on the table and gathered me back into his arms. “My father said he will handle it.”

The ruckus outside continued, but luckily, no attempts to get inside the cabin were made. After several minutes, a few more vehicles surrounded the cabin, and some elders that we were familiar with stepped out, including Elders Mitchell and Edwards.

“I really hope they can get Marcus and his men to leave and stay away from us.” Fen shook his head. “The council needs to finally do something if this is how Marcus and them are behaving. Maybe this will finally be enough proof.”

“I trust the elders.” I laid my head on Fen’s shoulder as we peeked out the window at the action. His presence was soothing, even if the scene outside was stressful. “They were friends with my parents and have watched over me my whole life. I know them well and believe they are decent men who will handle the situation for us.”

“I forgot that your parents interacted with the pack so much,” Fen said. “Most of the non-wolf shifters didn’t come around as often. I remember you and your parents though.”

“You remember me?” I remembered him too. Although I never expected this, I hadn’t seen him in years. Since we can’t scent our mate until we turn eighteen, I never imagined he’d be my mate. Even if I did have a crush on him. Fate worked in mysterious ways.

“Of course I remember you.” Fen lifted my chin up so our eyes met. “Are you blushing?” His lips curved up into a small grin. His eyes crinkling at the sides, love shining through them. I could stare into his eyes and get lost.

“Shut up.” I hid my face in his chest; the heat infusing my cheeks was too much to bear. “Let’s just eavesdrop on what the elders are saying to Marcus.” I turned my head slightly, still staying nestled in the warm embrace of my mate.

“Marcus.” Elder Mitchell approached the group harassing us. “What is the meaning of this?”

“Elder Mitchell.” Marcus greeted the man with most likely a charming sneer on his face. It was one I had seen numerous times before as he tried to save face. “We were just visiting an old friend.”

“That’s not what this looks like, young man.” Elder Edwards joined his fellow elders to surround Marcus. “We have been alerted to this disturbance and are here to find out what gave you the impression you have any right to harass anyone in our town.”

“Elders, that is not what is happening here.” Marcus gestured to the house and then his friends. I could almost feel the lying venom from my safe spot in my mate’s arms. It was disturbing to think of Marcus getting away with any of this. “We just wanted to make sure the area was secure for Fen and Arley. There have been rumors that there are shifters running wild in the woods and attacking omegas in heat. We couldn’t let Arley fall victim to such a crime. When we found out our old friend Fen was with him, we decided to check out the boundaries of Arley’s property to ensure no one could interrupt the couple while they were indisposed.”

Due to our shifter hearing and our location by the window, we could overhear almost everything said. It helped that they had raised their voices. While not every word could be heard, most could. Especially the louder statements from the elders.

“We are not going to let you do this inside our pack.” Elder Edwards poked his finger in Marcus’ chest. “You may think that you guys are running the pack, but we are still in charge. You’re just a tiny little boy trying to run a pack, and you are failing.”

“I deserve to be alpha.” Marcus growled, his face transforming into the monster he really was. “This pack was run by my father until he died, I should have inherited his rule.”

“That’s not how this pack does things, and you know it.” Elder Mitchell shook his head. “You have not been elected alpha and we do not rule by bloodlines here. We do what’s best for the whole pack. And by the activites you have been participating in, you are currently not showing the qualities it takes to be an alpha.”

“That’s bullshit.” Marcus pushed Elder Mitchell. “The title should be mine. I am the strongest alpha and can lead this pack to greatness.”

With the mounting anger seeping off these alphas, I was glad to have my mate inside safely watching the action from this window.

“You sound like a child playing pretend king. Lead this pack to greatness,” Elder Edwards mocked. “We are the exact kind of pack we need to be. We don’t need to grow into some super pack or gain power. We just need to protect our members and live decent lives. As for electing an alpha—we find the strongest of the pack, we make sure he is the best for the whole pack, and we hold a vote for the pack and council to elect him as alpha.”

“But.” Elder Mitchell looked around at the other elders and then Marcus and his friends. “Whoever becomes our alpha works together with the elders to run the pack. He does not rule alone.”

Elder Edwards gestured toward Marcus. “You are not our alpha, and even if you were our alpha, you are not working with the elders, and therefore you would be terminated from your position.”

“What?” Marcus shouted. “I think you all have this wrong. We were only trying to help some friends. I am more than willing to work with the elders. Just elect me alpha and you will see I am the right choice to lead us.”

“Enough.” Elder Anderson stepped up from behind the gathering crowd. The most respected of all elders, he tended to hold more weight with his words than any other in the pack. When he spoke, everyone knew to listen. “We are all going to leave this area at once. Let Arley and Fen be.”

“Yes, Elder Anderson.” Marcus nodded and snapped his fingers so that the rest of his friends would follow his lead. “We will no longer disrupt the lovely couple. Come on, guys, let’s head into Davensport and hit the club there. I heard they are having Omega Night and the place should be full of…potential mates.”

“And, Marcus.” Elder Anderson placed a hand on the retreating shifter’s shoulder. “You and your men are to meet the elder council tomorrow night at the pack meeting house. We have things to discuss.”

“We’ll be there.” Marcus entered his car and drove off, his friends all abandoning the area as well.

“We will be leaving as well.” Elder Andrews ordered the elders still remaining. “Congratulations, Fen and Arley. Let us know if that group gives you any more trouble.”

Relief swam through me as the elders pulled away and Fen and I were alone once more. That was not how I wanted to start my mating, but I guess it was done and over with now. I leaned up and kissed my mate. The sweet pleasure released from that one touch gave me an invigorating boost. “I know this won’t be the last of them, but I am glad that it has ended for now and rather peacefully.”

“Me too.” Fen led me back to the couch and we sat down. “Come sit with me. Maybe we can watch a movie.”

“That was scary, but I feel better now.” I grabbed the television remote and flipped through the offerings. Fen waited a moment before adjusting me right next to him. “But a movie sounds like the perfect solution to relax after that.”

Fen’s phone rang and he answered it on speaker. “Hello.”

“Hello, Fen, it’s Elder Anderson. I didn’t want to disrupt you two while Arley is in heat. But I wanted to let you know that we will handle Marcus and his men. We have been building up a bit of a case and tomorrow, we will be going over all the evidence and holding a meeting. Some of the elders don’t want to give up on him completely, but I have them all willing to show him that we will not accept his current behaviors. If they bother you again, call me right away. Just know that I am aware of the sort of man Marcus has become and I will not let him destroy this pack or harm this town’s residents.”

“Thank you, Elder Anderson.” Disconnecting the call, Fen settled onto the couch. “Let’s watch something stupid and fun. Nothing too serious.”

“I know the perfect one.” I selected one of my favorite cult classics and relaxed in my mate’s arms. Another round of heat would start soon but until then, I just wanted to cuddle and forget about the drama with Marcus.

Maybe we should move to the city with Fen, my rabbit pondered. They still have places to shift in the city. And we would get away from those wolves.

Shhh… less thinking. Just enjoy our mate. We can figure out our future later, I told my rabbit. Just enjoy the moment.

Fen

“What are you doing, Marcus? I thought we told you to leave us alone.” I seethed when I found my ex-friend waiting outside of the corner store for me and Arley after our shopping trip. “He’s my mate. Stop stalking him.” What would it take to get Marcus to understand? He obviously didn’t agree or approve of mates in the same manner as the rest of the town. Why did they have to put up with him?

“He is not good enough to be anything to a wolf but a fuck.” Marcus licked his lips and grabbed his crotch, making him look like the biggest moron on the planet. “Or a snack.”

“Fuck off, Marcus.” Arley rolled his eyes yet shifted closer to me. “Just go away.”

We pushed past Marcus and got to my car, my wolf on alert. The whole while, I was aware that Marcus’ goons were watching and waiting for a cue to start up trouble. I wouldn’t let them. I had to get my mate to safety. Permanently. I’d do whatever it took to keep Arley safe. One would think growing up in a pack, they would know what an alpha would do for a mate.

“Leave them alone, Marcus.” Elder Edwards exited the store behind us, witnessing the confrontation. “For someone who is trying to prove he deserves to rule this pack, you sure aren’t acting like a leader.”

“I was just asking Fen how long he’s in town for. We need to catch up more. The other night ended way too soon.” Marcus gestured, as if he were seriously trying to be apologetic and sincere. Was he joking? I felt like I was in the twilight zone listening to him do a one-eighty. “I was going to offer to take good care of Arley here when Fen needs to head back to college.”

“Quit the bullshitting, Marcus. I know you…” Elder Edwards’ words broke off in a coughing fit.

“Are you okay?” Arley went to his side and tried to soothe him with gentle pats to the back. “Why is everyone getting sick all of a sudden?” My mate’s worried eyes glanced at me, as if asking me to make everything better. I’d try, for my mate, I’d try.

“Maybe it’s something the older generation is doing?” Marcus smirked. If I didn’t know any better, I almost would have guessed Marcus had something to do with the sickness going around. But how? “That’s why us younger men need to take over the pack.” Did he not hear himself? Yes, the younger generation needed to step up, but not how Marcus intended.

“Then maybe you should start proving you are worthy of that.” I rolled my eyes and turned to Elder Edwards who was finally done coughing. “It was nice to see you again, Elder Edwards.”

“You too, Fen. Take good care of Arley and tell your folks I said hi. I hope to see them at the next council meeting.”

“Will do.” Taking Arley’s hand, I led him back to the car. One way, I’d get my mate ensconced in the vehicle and to safety. My wolf was clawing at me to hurry up. It wasn’t like I could control idiots.

Once in the car and headed to Arley’s cabin, I reached over and grabbed his hand. “I think you need to move to the city with me. Get away from Marcus and the others. I know you have your cabin, but…”

“I can sell it,” he agreed rather quickly. Arley twisted in his seat to look at me. His face was paler than normal, but to be expected with another confrontation from Marcus. “Or keep it as a vacation home when we visit your parents. But I already decided I was going to Chicago with you.”

“You did?” Shock rolled through me. My heart leapt for joy. I thought for sure this would end up in a fight. Not that I wasn’t ecstatic, I was. I just wanted my mate to be happy. “Are you sure?”

“I thought hard about it last night but honestly, I was ready the moment I realized my mate wasn’t local.” Arley raised our conjoined palms and kissed my knuckles. My heart skipped a beat at the love shining through his eyes. I could feel it through our bond too; my wolf wanted to roll in it, soak it up. “I love my cabin, but everything here reminds me of what I lost. It’s time to live for what’s to come. You, me, and whatever our future holds. I know for you, that’s in the city. So my choice was clear.”

“You are amazing, Arley. You know that, right?” I pulled the car over on the side of the road. My desire to kiss my mate wouldn’t wait. My heart was near to bursting with love for my mate. I had hit the jackpot. “I promise to make every day even more proof you are making the right choice by being with me.” That was an easy vow I could make. One I would make and prove a hundred times over.

“I know you will.” Arley wrapped his arms around my neck and crawled over the middle console to straddle my lap, a sexy mischievous grin on his face. “The car is off. The road is empty. Why don’t we take a moment to show me just how right I am?”

“I love how your mind works.” I smiled and accepted my mate’s kiss.