Chapter 12: Chapter 12

DEC

I wipe my eyes. What the hell is wrong with me? I never cry. Not even when I cut my femoral artery during a training exercise. Luckily, Kya was right there. If I had to wait for the doctor, I don’t think I would’ve made it.

Her hands were warm on my leg. After she healed me, I started getting excited, having her hands so close to my package. I close my eyes; I need to get control of myself.

I let out a breath. I told her I love her. It just came out, but I don’t regret it. She said she loves me too. My heart beats in my throat. Goddess, I need her. She needs me now even more.

That little bastard thinks he can mess with my mate and get away with it; fuck, no! I walk back out of my office. There was no way I was letting Chase hear the things I told his sister.

“Your aunt’s family will soon be joining our pack. The runt is causing trouble for Kya and now your uncle got demoted.”

Chase slams his beer down a little too hard. It breaks on the coaster. “That son of a bitch. I’ll kick his pansy little ass.”

I totally agree. Maybe I should give the dumb ass Alpha Roberts a piece of my mind. “I told Kya I want to call the piece of shit alpha, but she said she can handle it… That’s not a no, right?”

Alana chuckles. “You boys are really something. Clean up your mess, Chase. Dec, it’s not a no, technically, just don’t cause her more trouble.” Chase goes into the kitchen and gets a broom and dustpan.

Bitch boy. Who am I kidding, I would do the same thing if Kya told me to do anything.

I go into my office and look up the idiot alpha’s number and give him a call. After three rings he finally answers. “Harold Roberts.”

I hold back my growl as I address him. “I hear your pup is trying to lay a claim on my mate. I would seriously advise against that.”

I can hear the rumble in his chest. “Your ex-mate is causing trouble for my pack. She decided to string him along until you decided to come back around.”

I growl out a warning. “Watch yourself, Roberts. That’s my mate you’re making trouble for. She’s mine. She’s been in your territory not even a month.

“Half of that time she could barely stand from being sick. The other half she spent helping her aunt that just had a pup. Use that old brain of yours, there’s no way anything happened on her end. Get your pup in check, or I will.”

It’s his turn to growl. I’m dying to hear what he has to say. “You arrogant son of a bitch. You dare threaten me and my son. You and that EX-mate of yours are real pieces of work.”

I chuckle. Of course, he offers no explanation. “I never severed my side of our bond. She’s still mine. Your pup didn’t know that either. For an alpha, you’re pretty lacking in the knowledge department.

“My mate is just there to help her aunt. No harm better come to her or her family. I would consider it a personal attack. You may be an alpha, but you’re old and weak. That pup of yours isn’t looking to be much either. Keep him away from my mate.”

I hang up and squeeze my phone, almost breaking it, but I stop myself. I need my phone to hear my beautiful mate’s voice. Goddess, I need her right now, or I may snap and rip a worthless alpha’s throat out.

Chase just finishes wiping up the beer when I come back out of my office. “Chase, I’m going with you when you drop Lan off at school tomorrow. I need to put a pup in his place.”

He tosses the washcloth into the sink. “Yeah, sure.”

I look to Alana. “Is she still up?” I ask.

She checks the time on her phone. “She should be.” She sends a quick text. In no time, my phone rings. I answer immediately.

“Hey, beautiful.”

She whispers, “Are you all right? Lan said you need me to call you right now.”

I can hear the sleepiness in her voice. I run my hand down my face. “Aw, shit. I’m sorry. You were asleep.”

She cuts me off. “No, no. I was just about to lie down. I’m in my room with my little cousin. I don’t want to wake her.”

I smile, picturing her in her pajama shorts and tank top. That’s what she always wore to sleep in. “I’ll let you go. Thanks for calling me. I just needed to calm down. Goodnight, beautiful.”

She calls out my name before I can hang up. “Dec. You don’t need to have Alana text me. You can call me. I won’t mind.”

I squeeze my eyes together at my wussy move and let out a chuckle. “I’ll keep that in mind.” She softly hums. “Goodnight, Dec.”

Chase and Alana head home. I’m left alone to think of Kya. I take a quick shower and lie in bed. She’s finally come around. Thank the Goddess.

I pull my shirt from under my pillow and inhale her vanilla sugar scent. It’s fading, but it’s still there. She would laugh if she knew I keep my shirt under my pillow. How much longer, Goddess? I’m ready for my luna.

***

I awaken early to the sound of scratching at my door. I kick off my blankets and head toward the sound. My front doorknob is being turned slowly.

I turn on my porch light then rip my door open. I see a shadow race away out of the corner of my eye. I sniff the air.

What the fuck is that crazy bitch trying to do? “~Sarah. Final warning. STAY AWAY FROM ME!~” I wait, but she doesn’t respond.

I’m up now. I quickly dress and grab some coffee. I head to my office to handle some paperwork. I finalize the purchase of the new western border. I’m extending it by ten square miles. I’m going to have to beef up the guards even more now.

Chase pulls up in front of my house and I hop into the back seat.

I spot Kya once we pull into the school. She is alone today, waiting for Alana. She sees me instantly, her face lighting up into a smile. “What are you doing here?”

I pick her up and give her a kiss. Her touch and the feel of her against me feels so right, so perfect. I place her back down. “I came for you. I think I’m going to have to make a habit out of this.”

I steal the hat from her head and put it on backward, even though it’s way too small. “Hey. My hair is going to look messy now,” she complains as she reaches up to grab it back.

“Uh-uh. I’m taking this home with me. Your hair looks just fine.” I whisper in her ear. “It’s sparkling and beautiful.” I kiss her neck.

She gasps out, “Dec. Stop. We’re in front of my school.”

The reminder makes me look around. “Where’s the little fucker that’s been giving you trouble?”

She pulls me aside then points a very determined finger at me. “No. You’re not going to say anything.”

I kiss her finger. “I’m not. I’m just going to warn him off of my mate.” I take her hand and turn it over. I move her bracelet out of the way and run my nose along her wrist. I hum as I look at her. She bites her lip.

I raise my brow in question. She nods with a smile. I slowly lick a circle on the inside of her wrist, then bite down. She hisses for a quick second. I lick over the bite mark, sealing my saliva and my scent into her skin.

I’ve claimed her; now the little bastard can’t say anything. The bell rings for the students to get to class. I give Kya a quick kiss on her wrist, then on her mouth. “Bye, beautiful.”

She gives me back a quick peck and pulls out of my arms with a bright smile plastered on her gorgeous face. “Bye, Dec.” She looks back just as she and Alana reach the door. I give her a wink. She giggles and follows Alana inside.

Chase smacks my shoulder then grips it. “The little fucker is damned lucky Kya told you not to start anything. Do you think claiming her will make a difference?”

I shake my head. “No idea. I can only hope. I want her back home. If this little prick causes her any more trouble, that’s what will happen. She will come home.”

Chase growls. “You’re playing her?”

I shake my head. “Not at all. I love that little minx. I’m playing him. Kya belongs home, we all know it. Claiming her was to help her, but in the long run, it helps me too.”

Chase smacks Kya’s hat off of my head. I forgot I was wearing it. I pick it up and adjust the band so it actually fits me. I throw it back on and we hop into his truck.

KYA

Oh my Goddess, he claimed me! I run my finger over the bumps from his teeth. It doesn’t hurt at all. My skin healed quickly; now, it only looks like silvery stars are shining on my skin.

“Why do I smell an alpha?” Melissa asks, as she and Spencer sit on either side of me.

“Because he claimed me.” I show her my wrist.

“Oh my Goddess, I have never seen a claim mark before, it’s such an old custom.”

I smile. “I know. He surprised me for sure, but I’m glad he did it. We’re not together at the moment, but this way, at least everyone will know we will be.”

Melissa is beaming at me. “Aw…you two are so cute. Alpha Redd is so romantic.”

Damon notices Dec’s scent the second I walk into math class. He takes my arm and looks at my wrist. He drops my arm and smiles at me. “That’s going to piss Owen off.”

I wink. “I hope so.”

Damon tilts his head and scrunches his brows. “What? Why?”

I thread my fingers through my hair. “He told his dad that I’m going to be his luna. Now, Alpha Roberts is pissed at me. I told Owen that I’m not interested. Literally, those words. He told me he would reject his mate so we can be together because he loves me. Then he tells me that he’ll give me some time to make the right decision.”

Damon growls in his chest. “What a jackass.”

It’s my turn to give him a look of confusion. “Huh?” He rolls his eyes.

He looks around, then leans in to whisper. “This stays between us.” I nod for him to go on. “I can’t stand Owen. He’s one of the biggest pieces of shit I’ve ever met.”

My mouth gapes open. What the hell? I look in his eyes with my mouth still hanging open. “Damon?”

He shrugs his shoulder. “What can I say, the guy is a douche. He’s stupid and arrogant. He thinks that since he’s the next alpha, all the rest of us are his underlings.”

Damon makes a puff sound. What Damon says makes sense. Just because he’s the beta, doesn’t mean he has to be besties with the alpha.

The beta is the next male pup born after an alpha. Chase is only a month younger than Dec, but they are best friends. Then again, Dec isn’t a crazy asshole.

While working on the class assignment, Damon and I continue our conversation. “Has he hurt you?”

I shake my head. “No, but he makes me really uncomfortable, and I don’t want to be anywhere near him. Unfortunately, he’s in my next class.”

He nods. “I’ll walk you there. Sit next to me at lunch. I’ll fill Bianca in. She can’t stand him either. I drag her around with me to keep me from doing something stupid to him. I’m not even supposed to be his beta, Spencer is.”

I knit my brows. “What do you mean?”

Damon leans in to explain. “My mom came from the Roberts pack. When she moved in with my dad at his pack, the alpha had his eyes on her. After a few attempts on my dad’s life, they decided it would be best to come back to her pack.

“She was seven months pregnant with me. She didn’t know that the next alpha of the Roberts pack was just born then. The whole pack, especially Spencer’s mom, was pissed. Like my mom had any control of the situation.

“But the luna liked my mom, they became friends. When Luna Roberts died, Alpha Roberts started making trouble for her again, but we can't go back to the other pack. That’s the only reason we’re still in this pack.”

Holy crap. That’s an interesting situation. I don’t know how to respond to everything. Damon has completely surprised me. “Damon, can I trust you?”

He gives me a gentle smile. “That’s up to you.”

I think about everything he’s told me. “There’s always room at my pack.”

Damon shakes his head. “It’s all good.”

I take a second to look into his eyes. Without a word, I know what he’s been planning. “What are your plans this weekend?” I ask.

He shrugs his shoulders. “I haven’t really made any.”

I nod. “Why don’t you and Bianca hang out with me at my pack? You can get to know Dec and Chase. Allies are always good to have.”

He raises an eyebrow, then subtly nods. “When?”

I bite my lip. “I’m going Friday night and I’ll come back Sunday. Any time in between.”

He slides his backpack over his shoulder as I stuff my book into my bag. “Sounds good.”

I sling my backpack over my shoulder then ask, “Damon, if you guys don’t like him, why do you all hang out together?”

He gives me a sly smile. “He’s followed me around since we were pups. Now, he pretends we're his posse. Spencer invites him because he’s more laid-back. He likes to party and have fun; the more the merrier, but even he gets annoyed with him.”

I think back to all the times we met up with everyone. “But you picked us up from the border.”

He smiles. “Duh, we all wanted to meet you.” I giggle just as we get to my English class.

“What’s so funny?” I close my eyes and grunt as Owen walks up behind us.

Damon keeps a smile on his handsome face. “Just something we were talking about during math class.” Owen scrunches his nose as I wave goodbye to Damon then take my old seat.

I can feel Owen’s eyes on me again, but I pay him no mind. I wonder if he’s the nice Owen or the asshole Owen today.

After class, Owen walks quietly beside me. I meet up with Alana and we sit next to Damon and Bianca. “Holy Goddess above, Kya.” Bianca grabs my arm. She turns it over, inspecting my silvery marks.

“Aw…that’s so romantic. My grandmother had a claim mark too. You don’t get to see them as often anymore.”

Bianca lets go of my arm. I almost put it down below the table, but I change my mind. I’m proud of my mark and my mate, why hide it? I grab my lunch and continue with this topic.

“He gave it to me this morning. He came with Chase and Alana just to see me.” Owen grabs his lunch and leaves the table. I don’t even care.

Alana continues to talk to Bianca. “Dec said he’s going to make a habit of it. It wouldn’t surprise me if he shows up every day.”

I blush at the thought of him driving an hour just to come see me. I seriously thought he was going to look for Owen after last night.

Spencer chimes in. “Alpha Redd is going to come here every morning? I’m in.”

I roll my eyes. “Party time in the parking lot. Sounds fun.” I reply dryly.