A Bleacke Wind (Bleacke Shifters Book 3) (9 page)

He didn’t have to. He meant they didn’t know at that time who had murdered their parents and attacked Dewi. “We suspected a Prime,” he said. “Only another Prime would have had a chance against Dad and Mom both. So I knew I needed a Prime to protect you. If it hadn’t been for Badger, I would have sent you out of the country to a distant cousin in Scotland I knew I could trust.”

“How did she not overpower Beck when she was a kid?” Ken asked. “He’s not a Prime.”

“Badger,” the other three wolves said in unison.

Peyton continued. “Badger worked with her, kept ordering her to obey Beck when she was a kid, to respect Beck’s authority and not to use her powers against him like that. And it helped that Beck was an Alpha.”

When Ken had first met Dewi and found out that she’d been sent away as a kid to live in Florida, he’d felt outraged on her behalf. He’d felt like her family had basically abandoned her.

The more he learned about Dewi as a baby, and the circumstances surrounding her childhood, the more he realized how much her family truly loved her.

They’d taken a horrible situation and done the best they could. He couldn’t fault them for it now that he understood.

“I guess I owe you all an apology,” Ken said.

Peyton frowned. “For what?”

“I really didn’t understand the full ramifications of all of this when Dewi first told me about being sent away to Florida as a kid. I get it now. I can’t fault you for what you did or why.”

“We appreciate that,” Trent said. “It wasn’t what we wanted, but at the time we knew it was the only course of action to keep her safe.”

“And,” Peyton said, “I didn’t want her challenging me for the pack.” He arched an eyebrow at Dewi. Ken noticed how she reddened in the face. “The last thing I wanted to do was kill my little sister because she was too stubborn to take a knee to me as pack Alpha. It would have absolutely broken my heart and destroyed me.”

“Especially if I’d stepped in to help defend her,” Trent said. “Which I likely would have without thinking about it.”

“Maybe I wouldn’t have challenged you,” Dewi mumbled.

Another round of laughter from Gillian, Trent, and Peyton.

“Sweetie,” Gillian said, “it was a battle to get you to eat your veggies when you were a kid. Trying to coax a hormonal you into taking a knee had you got started down that path with Peyton? I had a better chance of suddenly turning into a rat shifter than that ever happening.”

“There are rat shifters?” Ken asked, prompting another round of laughter from the wolves.

Dewi smiled up at him. “There’s lots of kinds of shifters.”

“Never mind,” he quickly said. “Information overload.”

* * * *

After Joaquin returned from town and Gillian helped him put the groceries away, he joined them in the living room.

“I guess I should go back to Jack and Moraine’s,” he said, staring at the car keys in his hand before he returned them to Dewi. “You know, I haven’t even called my parents yet.” His head shot up, his expression horrified. “You don’t think they’re in danger, do you?”

“I doubt it,” Peyton said. “When we helped them relocate, we created new identities for them that couldn’t be traced back to their old ones. But we’ll notify Franco. That’s his territory. We’ll make sure he knows he needs to keep a close eye on them for now.”

“Should I go up there?” Joaquin asked.

“I wouldn’t,” Dewi said. “If the asshole’s tracking you, let’s keep you off the grid for a while. It’s bad enough Customs and Homeland Security will have you listed on their fly rosters.”

“We need to get you a new identity before we send you anywhere,” Trent added. “Gillian’s already started the process, but it’ll take her some time to get the paperwork pushed through. We have to be extra careful now with all the Homeland Security bullshit.”

Outside, Ken heard two vehicles pull up. Peyton glanced out the front windows. “Dammit,” he muttered. “They’re back already. Okay.” He pointed at Joaquin. “You stay in here while we get them settled. I’ll have Badger drive you back to Jack’s once the coast is clear. I hate isolating you from the rest of the pack like this. I’ll have a talk with Beck. He needs to learn to suck it up and deal with it.”

“Might be better for Joaquin to eat with us tonight,” Dewi said. “Beck has no choice but to behave himself with everyone here.”

“True,” Peyton said.

Ken found himself feeling sorry for the wolf. Despite the aggravating way Joaquin had burst into his life, now that he knew the full story of what had happened, and that the wolf was completely displaced as a result, Ken wished he could help the man out, or at least befriend him.

“I can drive him over,” Ken offered.

“No,” Dewi said. “I’d rather you stay here while we get everyone settled in.” She stood, walked over to Joaquin, and laid a hand on his shoulder. “If I thought your parents were in danger, I’d be heading up there myself right now, wedding or no.”

Peyton and Trent both cleared their throats.

She wheeled on them, fire in her eyes. Ken knew he didn’t imagine that both men took a step back from the force of her glare.

“
I’m
Head Enforcer,” she said, a growly undertone to her voice as she advanced on them. “If I felt someone in the pack was in danger, wedding be
damned
, I’d be there to help them. In good conscience, the pack Alpha cannot prevent me from protecting a member of the pack, even if it means I’d miss my own wedding.”

Peyton’s expression darkened to a scowl, but he finally nodded. “You’re right.” He pointed at her. “But they’re
not
in danger, and we have no proof that they’re in danger.”

“I know.” She stood toe-to-toe with her brother, staring up into his face. “But you made me Head Enforcer for a reason,” she said. “And head of the extended pack council. So you either you let me do my job or you shun me, and I won’t let the door hit me in the ass on the way out. But I won’t let an innocent packmate die if I can protect them.”

Gillian gasped, her hand flying up to cover her mouth as the others fell still and silent.

“What?” Ken asked.

Peyton’s gaze dropped to the floor. “I would never shun you, Dewi,” he softly said. “You know that. You’re my baby sister. I couldn’t.”

Dewi gentled her tone. “Then remember what and who I am, please. I’m only going along with all this wedding bullshit because I love you both and I know how important it is to you. But my job comes first. The
pack
comes first.”

“What do you mean by shunning?” Ken asked.

Dewi turned to him. “Exactly what it sounds like. Basically severing a wolf’s ties with the pack and kicking them out. Usually reserved for fairly heinous infractions that don’t call for taking blood.”

Peyton scrubbed at his face. “No one’s getting shunned.
Period
. Enough about that. Let’s get outside and welcome them.”

* * * *

Joaquin watched as they headed outside to greet the newcomers. Frankly, he needed a few minutes alone.

Dewi’s words had pulled Joaquin up short. Wolves did
not
mention shunning lightly. Not even in jest.

They damn sure didn’t volunteer for it, or challenge their pack Alpha to do it.

That Dewi was willing to put the risk of shunning out there just so she could do her job—and protect his parents if she thought they were in danger—meant the world to him.

I
really
need to try to mend fences with Beck.

He recognized this would be a long, busy week for Beck, between pack business and the wedding, but Joaquin knew he would have to find time to speak with the man, alone.

Give Beck the kind of apology he’d already offered to Dewi.

Yes, back then, his feelings had been hurt when he’d realized Sadie was serious about not being exclusive with him. But she’d known he wasn’t her mate, just like he’d known she wasn’t his. They’d never planned to settle down together because of that.

Still…it’d stung his pride more than a little. Yes, young wolf hubris on his part, sure. He’d wanted to be exclusive with her for a while, and she’d held her ground.

And then she’d lied to his face about sleeping with another wolf.

But I could have handled it a lot better than I did.
No, he hadn’t called Sadie a slutbag.

Not to her face, at least. And not in front of Beck, although he had to admit what he had said to Beck about the man’s little sister pretty much left the same impression.

Okay, yes, this week he
would
make amends to Beck. He owed the man that much.

Joaquin wandered back into the kitchen to grab a snack while the others got the newcomers introduced and settled in the guest houses.

He knew some wolves might get their snouts out of joint over
that
, but he didn’t. About being an Enforcer and getting pawned off on another packmate instead of being put up in one of the pack Alpha’s guest houses. He knew he had to stay clear of Beck for now.

It would have been nice to have been asked and given the chance to
 
gracefully refuse, though.

Maybe I should just walk back to Jack and Moraine’s.

It would do him good, to get some fresh air, allow him a chance to think, to clear his mind, burn off some nervous energy. Even on the plane ride to Miami he hadn’t really been able to just think. When he wasn’t napping, he’d been busy plotting the logistics of getting to Dewi’s.

And he’d been worried about the people left behind in Mexico.

Maybe I am just a little envious about Dewi and Beck finding mates.

Except if he had a mate she would be in mortal danger right now. He would have had to worry about her, about whether or not she was safe.

His appetite fled. They’d be having dinner in just a couple of hours anyway. He’d started for the back door when he heard the front door open and close.

“Lad? Where are ye?” Badger called out.

Joaquin turned. “In here.”

The man walked in, jingling a set of keys. “Yer ride is waitin’. I’ll drive ye back.”

“You know, I’m thinking I’d rather walk.” When Badger’s expression darkened, Joaquin quickly added, “I’m sorry, that came out completely wrong. I appreciate the offer to drive me, but I’m really feeling…” He stopped. “I don’t know what I’m feeling right now. I think I need to walk some of it off.”

Badger’s glower faded, concern replacing it as he stepped closer. “Ye all right?”

It wouldn’t do any good to lie to the man. He was a Prime. “Not really, no.”

Then Joaquin got a whiff of…something
really
good-smelling on Badger. He didn’t know what it was, but it perked all his senses immediately. It took every ounce of will he had not to lean in and start sniffing the man.

“Lad,” Badger gently said. “Ye did yer job. No one blames ye.”

“It’s not that.”

“That thing with Beck and his sister still botherin’ ye after all these years, then?”

“Not even that,” Joaquin said, both wanting to take Badger up on his offer for the ride just to keep sniffing…whatever that scent was, and wanting away from the man and the delectable aroma.

“Eh, Beck’ll get over it. Heck, it was years ago. Ye two will tussle a bit, but now he’s got Nami, and—
what
is
wrong
with ye, lad?”

Joaquin caught himself leaning in close to Badger and pulled back quickly. “Um, I’m just really…I’m going to walk, but thanks.”

Badger stared at him. “Peyton said to tell ye yes to dinner, by the by. Ye need a ride back for that as well? We’re eatin’ at eight.”

“Um, no. I’m sure Jack or Moraine can bring me back. Or I’ll walk.” He was already heading for the back door. “It’s not far. Thanks.”

Joaquin had to fight not to throw the door open and then slam it shut again behind him as he ran out, closing him off from whatever the
hell
that smell was hovering around Badger.

Even his cock was throbbing now.

Shit.

He heard voices but didn’t see anyone in his direct direct path from the back door, between the guest houses, and across the back of the property. As he started out at a run, he sprinted between two of the guest houses just to be pulled up short as if someone had snapped a leash to an invisible collar around his neck and yanked him back.

Mate.

Oh, fuck…

That
was the scent he’d smelled on Badger. Only now it was strong and fresh and damned if his cock wasn’t howling.

He slowly turned and, with a will of their own, his feet carried him back toward one of the guest cottages he’d just passed.

There, the scent hovered, draped in the air like a delicious veil of every kind of goodness imaginable.

Mate.

My mate.

At war within him, his need to clear out before Beck spotted him, and his visceral, primitive, instinctive
need
to
find
her.

And
claim
her.

Now.

Right
now.

Then again, he knew that Beck and the others had gone to pick up Nami’s siblings, one of whom was married.

Wouldn’t
that
be my dumb luck?

And heartbreaking, to boot.

Best to force himself to hang back, to wait and see who the owner of the scent was. Glancing through the window in the cabin’s back door, he spotted two suitcases neatly stacked in the bedroom.

He turned and pressed himself against the wall, hidden from view, to wait.

Meanwhile, in his chest his heart throbbed, pounding.

Mate.

Mate.

My mate.

My mate!

Chapter Eight

Malyah had never been to this part of the country before. As she rode in the front seat with Badger driving, she couldn’t help but stare at the landscape around them.

“It’s really beautiful out here,” she marveled.

“Aye, ’tis a beautiful piece of the country,” Badger said.

“So, like, people from your extended family all live out here?”

“Yep,” he said. “Related and not. Family’s not just about bloodlines. Sometimes it’s more than that. Sometimes, it’s all about who ye
choose
to be yer family. Not the one yer born into.”