Derren liked the three wolves. Jesse was the most practical of the trio, very circumspect and composed. He was also so serious that he made Derren seem fun. Bracken was a joker and not what anyone would call “deep.” Emotionally, he could be as equally affected by a hurtful insult as he could be by the discovery of a stain on his clothes. Zander wasn’t the most sensitive or empathetic of people. But he was sharp-witted and so intrepid that Derren would be surprised if the guy’s heart rate ever went up, no matter the situation.
When Shaya finished telling Ally’s story, Bracken puffed out a breath. “I’ve heard of that kind of thing happening before. A guy meeting his mate while in a relationship, I mean. His ex-girlfriend couldn’t handle it and killed herself.”
Shaya’s face crumpled. “Ally is probably in similar pain.”
“You should be more worried about the safety of the Beta female than her,” said Kathy with a huff. “Trust me, you never want to upset a Seer. No. They can hold a grudge.”
Shaya’s gaze sharpened on Kathy. “Why do I have a feeling you’ve had a run-in with a Seer?”
The woman evaded the question. “Have you ever met one?”
Frowning thoughtfully, Shaya replied, “I don’t think so.”
“Then that means you haven’t. Seers aren’t people you forget.” Kathy sneered as she elaborated, “They’re all the same: kooky, whimsical, gaga, think everything’s a spiritual quest, and believe they’re attuned to nature.” Her expression said pathetic. “And they think they’re much more important than they are. In their view, the pack wouldn’t be so safe without their visions, so they’re owed obedience and reverence.”
“You talk about them like they’re separate creatures.” Shaya sighed. “They’re just shifters who happen to have visions.”
“It’s more than that. They can feel people’s emotions. And they can heal.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?” Kent frowned.
Ignoring that, Kathy went on. “The point is, it’s not natural. They’re not just shifters. Their ‘gift’ didn’t appear in wolf shifter lines until a wolf imprinted on a voodoo priestess centuries ago.”
Eli’s brow furrowed. “I thought he imprinted on a white witch.”
“I thought it was a dark witch,” said Bracken.
Caleb shrugged. “I thought a female wolf imprinted on a shaman.”
Shaya exhaled a heavy breath, impatient. “So . . . if no one really knows, it’s safe to say it could be none of those things.”
“Believe what you want.” Kathy shook her head. “But this isn’t the place for her.”
Shaya danced her disappointed gaze around the room. “You’re going to refuse to help Ally just because of a gift she has?”
“Seer thing aside, we should probably consider something else.” Jesse rubbed a hand over his military haircut. “Just because the Beta female’s jealous of Ally doesn’t mean she’s not telling the truth.”
Eli turned to Derren, his analytical brown-eyed gaze narrowed. “Are you sure Ally was falsely accused?”
Everyone’s eyes honed in on Derren. “I believe that Cain thinks she’s innocent.”
“The guy’s a cool liar,” Nick reminded him as he placed a wiggling Willow on the floor, who then crawled over to her mother.
Shaya looked as though she were seriously contemplating hitting her mate. “That doesn’t mean he was lying. And Derren said Cain told him that if he sent people to destroy the Collingwood Pack, she’d never forgive him. That says a lot about her character.”
“But so does the fact that she’s the true mate of an insane wolf.” Kathy crossed one leg over the other. “She could be just like him.”
“Mates are often opposites, they balance each other out,” Shaya pointed out. “Look at me and Nick. And Roni and Marcus.”
Zander began tapping his fingers on the arm of the sofa. “Wouldn’t the Beta male of the pack know through his mating link if his mate was lying?”
Marcus nuzzled Roni’s neck. “Not if the bond’s not fully developed.”
“If the Beta female really does have it out for Ally, she’ll keep on going,” stated Shaya, picking up Willow. “We need to help her. We need to get her away before the Beta female finally succeeds in getting her cast out or worse.”
Nick met his mate’s glare. “I don’t want a Seer in my home.”
She sighed, exasperated. “You’re being ridiculous.”
“I’m looking out for my pack, that’s what I’m doing.”
Shaya sniffed haughtily, planting a kiss on Willow’s cheek. “Fine. If you won’t do it for Ally, you could consider doing it for Derren. Cain isn’t going to like it if Derren doesn’t live up to his word.”
“Yeah,” agreed Zander. “I’ve heard plenty about Cain Holt. Apart from the fact that he joined The Movement, none of it was good.”
“That’s because he’s mentally disturbed,” spat Nick.
Shaya’s brow slowly slid up as she stared at her mate. “Then I’ll bet you and he get along quite well.”
Ignoring Eli’s chuckle, Nick slashed a hand in the air. “I’m not having a Seer in my home.”
“If Cain’s part of The Movement, he must know a lot of people,” mused Jesse. “Dangerous people who could easily deal with this for him.”
“He does,” verified Derren. “But we all know how The Movement ‘deals’ with things.” It involved blood and death. They’d simply go in there, destroy the pack, and then go out for pancakes or something. “Cain doesn’t want them involved. They’d lead the humans right to Ally.”
“How long before Cain’s out?” Zander asked.
“Four months,” replied Derren.
“I tell ya,” began Eli, “I wouldn’t like to be the Beta pair of the Collingwood Pack when Cain gets out.”
“Why?” asked Kent.
Eli arched a brow. “How, exactly, do you think a sociopath will protect and avenge his mate, whether he’s claimed her or not?”
“He’ll go after the people who hurt her,” deduced Bracken.
Shaya nodded. “And how, exactly, do you think said sociopath will react if Derren doesn’t live up to his word and keep the guy’s mate safe—especially if something happens to her in the meantime?”
Bracken looked at Derren. “He’ll go after you. Maybe even punish our entire pack because we all refused to help her.”
Shaya nodded again. “And all because some jealous heifer decided to make life hell for her mate’s ex.” Softening her expression, she sat next to Nick. “If this happened to Willow, and she needed help, wouldn’t you want someone to be there for her?”
Nick growled. “No one will ever lay a fucking finger on her.”
“Yes, we all know that if anyone even thought something offensive about your baby girl, you would disembowel them before they could blink. But what if she didn’t have any of us to protect her, if she was pretty much all alone in the world . . . wouldn’t you like to think that someone else would protect her?”
He narrowed his eyes. “Playing the Willow card is below the belt.”
“Ally would only be staying here for four months. That’s not long. And unless you want Derren and Cain having serious problems, you don’t have much of a choice anyway.”
After a long moment, Nick sighed. “You sure about this, Derren?” Translation: Are you sure you want to be around a Seer, considering how you feel about them?
“I’m sure.” Being a man of his word sucked.
Nick sighed again. “Fine. We’ll help her. But, Derren, she’s your responsibility while she’s here.”
Despite being relieved that he wouldn’t find himself at loggerheads with Cain, he couldn’t help resenting the situation. Even if he didn’t have very personal issues with Seers, he wouldn’t be looking forward to watching over a flaky, free-spirited wacko with a sense of entitlement.
After the evening meal, Derren and Eli headed for Collingwood territory. Soon enough, they were sitting in Matt Ward’s office. The guy ha
d happily welcomed them, wanting news on how Nick and the rest of the Mercury Pack were doing.
Once the chitchat was over, Matt asked, “So, what can I do for you?”
From the chair opposite the Alpha, Derren shrugged carelessly. “Well, it’s simple, really. You and I both have a problem, and I figure we can help each other.”
Matt’s brow crinkled. “Oh? And what problem is that?”
“Alyssa Marshall.”
The Alpha stiffened, but he didn’t speak, just moved his startled gaze from Derren to Eli.
“She’s a member of your pack, correct?” prodded Derren.
“Yes.” The answer was hesitant.
“I have it on good authority that she’s having a hard time here at the moment. That she and your Betas are having some . . . issues.”
Matt’s eyes narrowed. “Where did you hear that?” He was clearly affronted at the idea of outsiders knowing his pack’s personal business.
Derren waved away the question. “The good news, Matt, is that I can help you with this.”
“How so?”
“I can take her with me.”
Matt looked wary, most likely expecting Derren would want something in return. “Why would you do that?”
“Let’s just say that her safety and happiness is very important to someone you do not want to fuck with. Here in your pack, she’s neither safe nor happy. And that’s a problem for him, because it’s a problem for Ally. That makes it a problem for you.”
Panic flitted across Matt’s face. “Who is this person you’re referring to?”
“That’s not important.”
“I protect all my wolves,” insisted Matt defensively, “including Ally. Why would you want her?”
“The person who wants her protected trusts me to ensure that that’s exactly what she’ll be.” Derren held Matt’s gaze with a determined look. “Give her to me, and the current issue in your pack will be gone.”
Matt swallowed nervously. “Who wants her?”
“I told you, that’s not important.”
“I will not hand over one of my wolves without knowing where they’ll be going.”
“She’s coming with me to my pack.”
Matt was quiet for a moment. “What have you heard?” In other words, how much did Ally’s protector know?
“I’ve been told that your Beta female is giving Ally problems, that she accused Ally of trying to kill her.”
“I haven’t cast Ally out. I doubt her guilt.” Matt was likely saying that now, since he was anxious that he might have offended someone who would seek vengeance. He had every reason to be anxious.
“Of course you do. And my friend will be happy to hear that. Just as he’ll be happy to hear that you didn’t cause any fuss about this.” Derren leaned forward. “Give her to me.”
Another nervous gulp. “I’ll send for her.”
CHAPTER THREE
Eyes had been glued to Ally as she made her way to the pack house. Most held hatred and accusation, while others held pity and disappointment. With those emotions battering her, the journey felt like walking through a cold mist. As usual, no one had said a single word to her. It was perfectly clear that, although she was still in the pack, she remained a social outcast.
Ally wondered if Matt had summoned her because Rachelle had laid more accusations at her door. Or maybe her punishment was about to increase. Zeke had told her that Matt didn’t want to banish her, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t change his mind. Well, there was really only one way to find out.
Inside the pack house, she knocked on Matt’s office door, and quickly received a “Come in!”
Refusing to show any panic or anxiety, she straightened her shoulders and entered. And stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of two unfamiliar wolves. She studied the powerfully built male with the short bronze hair and indomitable look and her voice of intuition whispered, merciless. Yeah, Ally could see he was someone to be wary of. The blend of impatience, dubiousness, and distrust that seeped from him caused her scalp to prickle and itch.
Moving her attention to the dark, supremely masculine male beside him, Ally realized he wasn’t so unfamiliar after all. She’d seen him before in a juvenile detention facility long ago. His body had changed since then; he was taller, his shoulders had broadened, and his build was solid and defined. He was currently watchful, tense, and still; those brooding pools of dark velvet stared too hard, saw too much. His sensual mouth was set in a harsh line; it had a cruel edge to it that hadn’t been there years ago.
Back then, the teenage Ally had felt curious when she saw him. Now, a crushing carnal hunger licked over her skin, heated her blood, and pooled low in her stomach—it was instant, elemental, and made no sense.
Unlike his friend, he didn’t radiate emotion. He was so guarded that only brief flashes broke through that cool surface. Those flashes of suspiciousness, rancor, scorn, and confusion were enough to chill her skin. But that chill was eased by the sparks of a sensual hunger that made warmth bloom in places it had no right being.
It was a hunger she could see he resented.
He might be attracted to her, but he didn’t like it. That irritated her wolf, who—also having recognized him—had sat up, rapt by his dominance and self-assurance.
Suddenly his dark eyes slowly raked over her, lingering a little too long on her mouth. She refused to blush under his intense inspection. “He sent you,” she guessed. Cain. She doubted it was pure coincidence that a wolf who served time in juvie with Cain had come here.
A curt nod was all she received in response—the guy clearly wasn’t happy about it. Neither was she. Ally had been hoping that Cain wouldn’t hear about what had happened, given his violent way of handling things. He must have her more closely watched than she’d thought.
“I’m Derren Hudson.” His silky smooth voice slid over her, teasing her senses. “This is Eli Axton. We’re from the Mercury Pack.”
She’d heard a little about the pack—mostly that the Alpha was very powerful and very dangerous. “How much does . . . our mutual friend . . . know?”
“Everything.”
Shit. “I take it he relayed my story to you?”
Another sharp nod. “I’m here to take you with me.”
Yeah, she’d gathered that. “Where to?”
“My pack. Temporarily.”
And no doubt, Cain would deal with everything when he was released from jail.
Matt cleared his throat. “Ally, I just wanted to say that I always believed you were innocent. And I certainly don’t believe you attacked Rachelle last night.”
“Really?” she drawled, skeptical. Fear wafted from him, sending a crawling sensation down her arms.
“Yes, but I have no proof,” stressed Matt. “Rachelle’s accusation is very serious. As Beta female, she should protect her pack mates. If her accusations are false, she has violated her oath and placed you in danger. She would have to be severely punished, and I would have to replace her as Beta, which would mean Zeke would also have to step down. Without solid proof of her guilt, I cannot justify making such a decision. Just the same, I cannot execute or banish you without solid proof of your guilt. I want to be clear that I am not casting you out.” Matt’s voice was both firm and reassuring. “There is really no need for you to leave. I can guarantee your safety here.”
“No, you can’t,” Derren told him.
The wolf was right; Matt couldn’t. Ally knew that Rachelle wouldn’t stop. The pack was so certain of Ally’s guilt, and she had no supporters. She had no one who would defend her against any future allegations. No one who would ensure there were consequences if her cabin was again vandalized.
Still, leaving with two perfect strangers, neither of whom wanted to be in her company, wasn’t all that appealing either. Sometimes it was a case of “better the devil you know.”
As if Derren sensed her hesitance, he narrowed his eyes. “Matt, could you leave us alone a minute?”
She wa
s kind of surprised that he would ask an Alpha to leave his own office. She was even more surprised when said Alpha did as requested.
Derren stepped forward. “I can’t let you stay here. Cain wants you away from this place.”
And Cain would flip on Derren if he didn’t take her away—yeah, she got that. But . . . “I’ll find a way to contact Cain, explain it’s my decision to remain here.”
“Why would you want to stay? From what I’ve heard, they don’t want you here.”
“And you don’t want me to go with you.”
He inclined his head. “I won’t deny that. But here you’re around people who might physically hurt you. That wouldn’t be the case if you came with me.” When she didn’t speak, he added, “Cain wouldn’t have sent me if he wasn’t positive that you’d come to no harm with me.”
That was true. The fact that he had told Derren of their connection showed just how much he trusted him—or, at least, how much Cain trusted him to maintain his silence on the subject. And she had faith in Cain’s judgment. Still . . . “You say you won’t harm me, but there’s so much bitterness and hostility when you look at me.” It left a sour taste on her tongue. “Why?”
Derren ground his teeth. “I don’t like Seers.”
And she didn’t like being surrounded by prejudice, but, hey, life was full of disappointments. “I’m pretty sure ‘don’t like’ is an understatement.” When he didn’t deny it, she asked, “Yet I’m supposed to trust you?”
“No, you shouldn’t trust me. I’m only loyal to those who’ve earned it. But I will do what Cain’s asked of me.”
“Why?”
“I owe him a favor.”
“Very noble, but I have a feeling my phone battery will last longer than your attempt at tolerance.” She would bet it wasn’t a quality he could ever claim to have. Surprisingly, his mouth twitched in amusement. “Why in the world would Cain send you, of all people, to help me when you so obviously despise Seers?”