Page 11 of Tamed Wolf (Rejected Mates of the Shelter #4)

Lark, now

“Anyone seen Lark?”

“In her dressing room,” someone responds.

I pull myself back into the corner, burying my face in my knees.

I can’t pull myself back into my normal level of pretend-happy. Not after…whatever that was that happened in the private room.

“Where the fuck you go? Diamond had to cover your last set because you didn’t fucking show on stage.”

“Not tonight, Trevor. I’ll take my punishment.”

He ducks his head and crawls into my large kennel, my “dressing room” as they mockingly call it. No one else is allowed in here—it’s got a fake door out front and curtains so if anyone gets a peek inside, they won’t be able to tell the luxury I’m drowning in.

I can feel his eyes staring me down, but I’m too broken right now to react or start anything.

“What happened?”

It’s the softness in his voice that finally has me looking up to peek at him. I will not cry in front of him. I won’t. “Just feeling down.”

“Don’t fucking lie to me.”

“Am I supposed to be happy with my lot in life? Is that it? You think I enjoy this life I’ve been forced into?”

“Not this fucking argument again. We gave you the choice years ago. You chose to stay here and work. You made the choice, so now you get to live with it.”

“Not much of a choice when it’s the only way to see your child.”

“Your child is a grown ass adult. You banked on him wanting to stay in your life. Not my fault he realized what a disappointment you are, as well.”

I breathe deeply, then scoot my heels closer to my ass and rest the side of my cheek on the top of my knees again, peering sideways at the small strand of lights hung outside the kennel, their attempt to spruce the place up.

“You can’t feel sorry for yourself when you signed the contract with your eyes wide open. Stop fucking moping, it’s bad for business. I’ll bring dinner later— you need anything else?”

I shake my head no and grab the oversized hoodie I brought for nights like this, sinking onto my side away from him as I lay on the pillow they’ve so generously allowed me to have.

It doesn’t take long for the door to click shut behind him, and for some reason that has me feeling lower than it normally does.

I knew what would happen if I didn’t show for my final set, but after those three men looked at me the way they did, like I was a miracle or something, there was no way I could go on that stage and dance for a bunch of lewd and hungry faces glazed over by alcohol and naked women.

I try and drift off, wanting to pass the time, but it’s always a little difficult when I’m trying to sleep in a night club that goes until the early hours of the morning.

Sometime after closing something wakes me up, but I can’t go back to sleep immediately because the voice I’m hearing is like electricity. I panic when the phone I tucked in my bra starts going off, because I forgot to do something with it earlier and now, I’m going to get caught red handed.

The footsteps are Camden’s but he’s talking to one of them . Does Camden know him? They sound…friendly with each other.

He’s thanking him for helping him to get in and look for…fuck. Yep, he’s here for his phone.

I pull it out of my bra and shove it through the bars of the cage before I get into any worse trouble, then go back into my ball and try to make myself as small as possible.

“That’s weird. Let me just open this for you, man. I don’t know how it got in here, but I’ll check it out. You can wait here.”

A sliver of light slides in, and I don’t breathe.

“Hey, Mom.”

I don’t respond. I hardly ever do. Just hearing his voice and knowing he’s alive and well gets me through the day most of the time. I don’t need an interaction that’s going to end in my heart breaking again.

“You should have told somebody that Beckett left his phone here. He’s kind of frantic about it. You did good earlier; they had a good time. Right. Well, sleep well.”

He shuts the door but there’s a shuffle of some sort, and I’m mortified when he shoves his way past Camden, seeking me out.

He falls to his knees outside my cage, and I look at him through my mostly closed eyelashes, glad I drew the hoodie tight around my face. Less to try and cover from him. “What the fuck is going on here? Why is she in here?”

“Not your business, man. Come on, you got your phone.”

“I’m not walking the fuck out of here while she’s in there. I don’t know what kind of fucked up indentured servitude you’ve got going on here, but this is fucked up. Pretty sure I can make you release her if you’re not going to do it willingly. Which you really fucking should. Camden, what the fuck?”

He sighs, and I can just imagine him rubbing his forehead the same way Ivan always does. “She chose this, okay? She signed up for this. She’s fine.”

“You want me to lock you in a fucking dog cage and then tell me it’s fine ?”

“Honestly, let it go. Please.”

He reaches for his phone and unlocks it. Beckett . Good, strong name.

“Woah, what are you doing?”

“Calling my fucking dad. You know, the alpha of the pack? You want to hear what he’s got to say about this shit? Get her out. Now.”

“She missed her ride to the shelter. This is where she stays when she can’t get there. The floor is softer than it looks; it’s got a mattress cut into the floor.”

I’m so humiliated, shaking, because no one is supposed to know what my life is really like. They see me dancing for men, smiling, and see the way the men tip me, and they think I’m good at my job and banking all this extra money, living a good life…but they’d pity me if they knew what actually goes on when the owners are on private time.

“Fuck. My dads are going to be pissed if I let her out, you know that, right?”

“I don’t give a rat’s ass what the fuck your dads are going to do. And what do you mean shelter? She’s a rejected?”

I can still feel his eyes on me, can practically feel the ghost of his hands on me, soothing me, but I don’t get to experience that sort of care.

“I really wish you’d have let this just go. Yes, she’s rejected. I grew up at the shelter. This…this is my mom, Lark. Mom, you might as well come out and say hi. Tell him you don’t want to leave.”

The silence is louder than the words.

Then the meaty sound of a fist hitting flesh is louder, and then I have no choice but to get involved because he might hate me now, but he’s still my son, and I don’t want him to get hurt. “Stop! Stop! I’ll do whatever you guys want me to, just please, don’t fight. Don’t hurt him.”

Beckett drops Camden mid swing, darting to see me now that I’m no longer curled into a ball. “What are they doing to you, little wolf?”

“He’s right,” I say on an exhale. “I did sign up for this. I earned my night here, I disobeyed orders. I’m safe, I promise.”

“No. I want you out of that fucking cage. I’m taking you home.”

I laugh. “No, you aren’t. They’d fucking kill you.”

“Who? Your…oh my gods. His dads. The owners of the club. They’re your mates?”

“Not for a long time, but I don’t need help, okay? I’m sorry I took your phone; I should have given it to the front desk. I just…I don’t know what I was thinking. Please don’t be angry with me.” I drop my eyes, making sure I don’t come across as challenging him in any way. If he’s indeed the alpha’s son, he’s important. Powerful.

“I’m only asking one more time. Get. Her. Out.”

Camden barely hesitates this time.

I scoot to the back of the cage, already anticipating what kind of punishment I’ll be given if I actually leave.

“You’re alright, sweetheart. Look, I’m not going to hurt you. Please come with me?”

I shake my head and try not to look at him, but his face is magnetic. It’s been a while since I’ve wanted like this. I thought they conditioned it out of me long ago.

He sighs, but he’s not giving up. He sinks back onto his heels, squatting down and giving me a little space. “We’ve got these massive cookies our friend sent over. Surely that’s tempting.”

“Are you seriously trying to bribe me with a cookie? Do I look like a toddler to you?”

“Huh. I guess I’m really easily bribed. Also, it’s likely I don’t spend enough time talking to adults. What are they going to do to you if you leave this cage? Sweetheart, I promise we can take care of you. Whether that’s at our place or wherever you feel comfortable.”

“Don’t call me that. Please. That’s what they call me. I hate it.”

I feel a bad sort of shiver wrack me, my head shuddering in disgust.

“Okay, sweetheart is gone. Can I call you by your name, then? Lark, was it?”

I nod.

“That’s beautiful. You going to answer my question?”

I take the chance to look at my son, my grown-up baby that I always thought I’d have on my side. He looks ashamed and can’t hold my eyes very long, and it hits me that I’m never going to get another opportunity like this again. Ivan and Trevor left for the night already, and I’m not sure why Camden was still waiting around, but if I don’t try and get out now with this man I know nothing about that is offering to help me, I might be dancing until it kills me. Or until it stops making money for my mates, at which point who knows what they’ll do with me.

I look around my cage in case I don’t come back right away, grabbing my small toiletry bag. The sweater I’m in falls to my knees so my legs are covered, but I keep the hood on, covering up as much of me as possible because it’s shameful to be seen as something that needs rescuing. I’m almost 40, for fuck’s sake. I should be able to stand up for myself.

I used to have more fight in me.

Beckett extends his hand and stares Camden down as he helps me out, and I can’t help looking back at Camden as we walk out. Instead of watching us, he’s just staring into the cage I just vacated, thinking.

It’s colder outside than I expected, but Beckett’s SUV is parked right in front of the exit since the club is closed now, and it’s still mostly warm from him driving over here. He opens the door for me and lifts me into the seat, lingering in front of me.

“You’re safe with me and my brothers. Always. I don’t know anything about your situation, but as the future alpha of the pack, I vow to you I will do nothing but respect you and protect you. I don’t know how much weight you can put into a vow from a stranger, but you’re mine to care for now, okay? That doesn’t have to mean anything at all, either. I’m not trying to put any moves on you or angle in some ulterior motives. I just…I couldn’t leave you in there. Tell me you understand that.”

I curl my hands into my pocket against the sudden urge to hold his face. It’s got stubble sprouting all over his jaw, but he’s so much younger than me and I know they were all in the moment when I was dancing for them, but I’d be completely stupid to think they wanted anything romantic with me. Not now that they know I’m somebody’s mom and that I’m completely tamed.

I’ve got to make sure I keep this friendly and don’t allow myself to hope for more even though I haven’t wanted a man like this since I met my mates.

“I’m sorry for upsetting you. I knew taking your phone was going to end badly for me, but when I realized it belonged to one of you, I was desperate for something to tie me to you, even a little bit. I’m really sorry.”

“You don’t apologize to me. Ever. I’m really fucking glad you took it, because otherwise I wouldn’t have found you and I’d be returning home without you; are you comfortable going there? It’s a bit messy…but the couch pulls out so you can have my bed. Don’t know how much actual sleep you’ll get because we do have a baby, but it’s got to be better than what you had going on in there.”

My heart hurts at the thought of being near a baby again. I feel like I never got to fully enjoy mine when he was little because I was struggling so much and always looking over my shoulder. “I love babies. Can’t wait to meet him.”

“You want to get out of here, then? I won’t push you for your story until you’re ready to tell it, and you don’t even have to tell us at all if you don’t want. We’ve got a few of our own, though. I bet we could have a throwdown on the shitty ways of fated mates.”

“That’s right. You guys are widowed?”

He snorts. “Yeah, but we weren’t really with her when she was alive. Rowan is the only good thing that came from being with that woman. Let’s get you home and cozy, alright?”

His elbow rests on the armrest the whole time as we drive, fist flexing like he’s fighting to not grab my hand, but I’m sure he’s just mad about how he found me; if he’s the alpha’s heir, he’s got to have a high dedication to the pack’s wellbeing.

He sneaks a look at me every few minutes to make sure I’m still there, as if I could just disappear into thin air. It’s not long before we’re driving down a crazy dark dirt road amongst nothing but trees, and I’m a bit worried that he’s taking me to a remote cabin to do me in or something, but I shake that notion off quickly.

I kind of do want that cookie.

It’s almost like I’m on autopilot as he leads me inside, the lights all off except for one in a bathroom. In the shadows I can see baby stuff piled up everywhere, but the room’s more or less tidy. The kitchen looks lived in and colorful from my vantage point, and the whole place feels more home-like than I’ve ever experienced.

I take in the log cabin aesthetic and the soft furnishing as I stand and breathe. I stay rooted there in the middle of their living room, trying to take in what I can, daring myself to understand why I feel safe here.

“Hey, you found— woah. Uh, hi.” One of the other triplets pokes his head out of a bedroom, then walks out in nothing but gym shorts hanging low on his hips, scratching the back of his neck.

“Brooks still awake?” Beckett asks.

“Think so. I’ll grab him.”

I feel a soft touch on my elbow. “I want to put some fresh sheets on the bed for you, can I get you some water or a snack or anything?”

Why is such a simple gesture so overwhelming? “N-no. I’m fine. You don’t have to bother with the sheets, really. You’re already doing so much. Any chance you’d let me take the couch?”

“None at all. And the sheets are necessary; pretty sure there’s baby puke in at least two different spots, I just haven’t gotten around to fixing it yet. Give me one second. Please, make yourself at home.”

Beckett slips away and I try to memorize anything about him to help me tell them all apart, because it would be really embarrassing to call them by the wrong names.

I breathe in the faint scent he leaves behind, my wolf straining to pick it up since we’re weaker. It’s sort of minty, like maybe eucalyptus or something. Whatever it is, it’s fresh and soothing.

The other two come back out now, both with shirts on, approaching me like I’m a wounded animal. “Thought he was just heading out to get his phone. Didn’t realize he’d be coming back with you. Um, shit. I don’t know how to do this; have fun? He’s a good guy? We’ll take the baby tonight so you can just hang out…or whatever.”

They start backing up, eyeing me up and down like they’re still ravenous for me and it takes me too long to process what they’re saying, and then I’m mortified. “No! That’s not why I’m here. He sort of insisted on offering me a safe place to sleep for the night; but if that makes you uncomfortable, I can totally figure something else out. I’ve slept outside before; this hoodie is pretty warm. I can—"

They approach now that I’m spinning words like an idiot, looking concerned. “You needed somewhere safe to sleep? What’s going on at home?”

“Don’t think she really has one,” Beckett explains gently as he walks out and dumps an armful of linens into another room before returning to the living room.

Before I know it, he’s standing behind me with his hands on my shoulders, resting gently to give me a little support. “How much you comfortable telling them, Lark?”

I wave my hand. “If you’re opening up your home to me tonight you deserve to know anything. I’m an open book.”

“We aren’t owed anything simply because we’re doing the right thing; if you don’t feel like talking about it or want to keep things to yourself because they’re personal, that doesn’t change our offer to sleep here. If you need somewhere to stay, and you feel safe here and can promise you can treat our home respectfully and won’t harm our kid, then you’re welcome.”

Tears prick my eyes, because is this how adults are supposed to talk? How they’re supposed to feel? No manipulations? “I uh, usually live at the shelter; that’s my permanent residence, anyway. You know my son, Camden?”

The eyes of the two triplets in front of me bug out of their heads. It’d be funny if this wasn’t the literal story of my life. “You’re his— fuck . Didn’t see that coming. Okay, his reaction earlier makes more sense. Wait, you’re too pretty to be his mom.”

I laugh a little, and it’s actually genuine, to my surprise. “Thanks. His dads and I split when I was pregnant with him, but I’ve been working for them since Camden was about 8. That’s a long, tangled story, but I’ve gotten myself into a bit of a bind. Signed a contract I never should have signed, but if I wanted access to my son’s life, I had to. I didn’t feel like I had any other options at the time.”

“Wait. Back up. I already have so many questions. First and foremost, I need to know; are you working at that club because you love the job, or because you’re contractually obligated to?”

I itch my neck until I feel it getting red from the abuse, beginning to feel a little trapped. “I haven’t been given many choices in my life. I don’t think there are any easy answers when it comes to my situation.”

“Fair enough…” one of them drawls. Then he reaches over to a cup of stuff on a side table and grabs a permanent marker. He turns to his brother on the left and scrawls ‘Brooks’ on the side of his neck, then leans forward to scribble ‘Beckett’ on the triplet behind me, before handing off the marker to Brooks so he can write ‘Blake’ on his neck.

“There, we’re labeled. Might make us slightly less confusing. I trust you can tell the difference between three adult men and an infant? Kind of feel weird about scribbling on Rowan.”

Another laugh falls through my internal filters, which surprises the hell out of me again. “Yeah, think I’m all set there.”

“Good. Now. Where were we? What’s going on with you and your mates? You’re separated?”

“They rejected me after I fell pregnant; long story short, they always told me they wanted the kid. They stayed away mostly for the first little bit, visited once when he was a newborn, but I hated it and refused them after that. Messed up and played outside once, feeling free for once, and they showed up to take my kid. So, I did what I had to do and promised I’d do whatever they needed of me to stay in his life; I could handle anything I figured as long as Camden was still mine in some capacity. Working at the club was one of those stipulations; the deal changed when he turned 16. I had to hand more of myself over, but in return I’d be able to see Camden still. I knew he was technically an adult, but I just couldn’t stand the thought of being somewhere he wasn’t.”

“And he couldn’t have visited you why?”

“His fathers are very…persuasive. It only took a few years of us living with them for Camden to start treating me differently. I think that’s why I hate them the most. Out of all the shit they’ve put me through, that’s my biggest regret.

“But I figured I had made the dancing work that long, what was a little bit more? The contract…was so stupid. But I was desperate.”

When I don’t say anything else, lost to bad memories and suddenly exhausted, Beckett fills in for me. “She had my phone. Camden led me right to her and tried to keep me out of her room…but guys, they had her locked in a dog kennel. It was a big one, granted, but it was still a fucking kennel. There was even a fucking dog bowl for water. I couldn’t leave her there. You get that, right? Camden fought me on letting her leave, had to convince her a fair bit too, but I told her we could help her.”

He turns me around so I’m facing him. “I don’t know half of what’s gone down with you and those asshole wolves of yours, but know that things are going to be different now. You’ve got us as friends, and we’ll figure it out one day at a time, okay? You don’t ever have to go back there if you don’t want to. I won’t keep you from working if you actually want to dance there, but…I’m kind of hoping you stay away so they can’t control you anymore. We’re not going to tell you what to do, though. Our help isn’t conditional.”

There are those damn tears again. “Why? Why let me into your home, around your child, when you know nothing about me? Why the hell am I so special? You could have dropped me at the shelter, you know. I would have been fine there. Maybe it was just too late at night? You can take me to the bus shelter tomorrow, how about that? Then I’ll be out of your hair.”

There’s a growl behind me that has me spinning around, eyes wide. “No. You’re not going to the shelter because you’re really fucking wanted. You can’t be rejected if there’s an offer for you.” Blake sinks to his knees and bares his neck. “Be our mate. Be under our protection. Let us give you everything you deserve.”

I sidestep them all, needing air. “One marriage proposal in 24 hours is funny, two looks a bit desperate,” I try and joke. “I appreciate all this, more than you know, but respectfully, we know nothing about each other. You don’t have to offer me anything to change my life. I would never even entertain the idea of shackling you to me, because you guys… it doesn’t matter. The shelter’s not so bad. Where should I sleep? You sure I can’t take the couch?”

Blake stays on his knees, staring me down, daring me to not take him 100% seriously.

“Guess you made quite the impression on us earlier,” Brooks jokes.

“Let’s get you to bed, you’ve got to be exhausted. Can you sleep in tomorrow? Do you have to be anywhere?”

I wince. “Depends on if we’re giving into my exes’ demands or not.”

“You’ve nowhere to fucking be then,” Blake says as he stands and grabs me in one movement, hauling me down the hall to a bedroom that definitely doesn’t smell like eucalyptus.

It’s got to be his room, and it smells softer, like sage or something.

“Let’s go to bed.”

He turns out the light without dropping me and shifts me to one ridiculously buff arm so he can pull back the blankets, then he deposits me gently and scoots in behind me, resting a hand on my hip before fluffing up the pillow under my head. “Don’t ask to sleep out there, my wolf is fucking flipping out that you’re here. He thinks you’re his.”

“So that’s an excuse to be bossy and tell me what’s going to happen without asking me what I want?” Fuck. Why did I just say that? I know better than to get lippy. I curl up a bit, bracing myself. “Sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean that. You can sleep here, of course. It’s your bed. Sleep.”

I stay tense, but nothing ever happens except a big exhale that sounds shaky, and then he brushes a light kiss to my shoulder and the bed gets cold. It sounds as if he’s making a bed on the floor. “Night, angel.”