Alpha Pack 02 - Savage Awakening (23 page)

“Can’t you ever be serious when you’re asked a direct question?”

“I don’t need a mother, sweetheart. Had one, fumbled the ball. Go figure.”

“What I’m feeling right now is anything but
motherly—unless you count the number of times she probably wanted to strangle you! Talk to me, damn it.”

The mask slipped away and shattered at his feet. The raw anguish she’d witnessed in the face of Jax’s accusations returned full force. “I was gonna throw myself off a cliff, but they stopped me,” he said harshly. “And I wish like hell they hadn’t. Is that direct enough for you, officer?”

The sneer at her profession, at the fact that she
cared
, irked her. But that wasn’t what really set her off. “Do you know what I did before I came here? I killed a man. Shot him right through the heart because he drew his gun on me. His choice, and he’s dead because of it, regardless of the fact that if he’d taken one more second to think, if he hadn’t been high, he’d still be alive. But I had to act, and was put on mandatory suspension until I was cleared of wrongdoing.”

“Your point?”

“Do you honestly think that man wanted to leave his wife and kids with no support? That he wanted to be worm food? He had a miserable life, but it
was
worth something. He threw it and his family away on an impulsive decision he can never undo. Don’t make the same mistake.”

He stared at her for a couple of seconds, then started clapping. The noise was rude in the empty space, the mask in place again. “Bravo. You have a tissue so I can wipe my tears?”

“You are
such
an asshole!”

She stomped off, left him standing there, his laughter floating at her back. His tactic was so transparent, yet she allowed him to get the best of her anyway. This was exactly what he wanted—to put up a wall she
couldn’t breach. His attitude was a shield he erected between him and the world, probably always had, and he wielded it like a warrior.

Well, he wasn’t going to get away with that. He’d won the battle but not the war. She needed some time to cool off and regain her infamous composure, and then the jerk was toast.

Uh-huh. Five minutes ago he was too much trouble. So why do you care so much, girlfriend?

She was sure she didn’t want to know the answer.

Aric sat listlessly on the sofa in his quarters, feet propped on the coffee table, crossed at the ankles. On TV was a rerun of some reality show, the one where young twentysomethings went on dates that were set up by their “friends” to turn out horrible on purpose. Usually, he’d be laughing his ass off and munching on popcorn.

Tonight, he couldn’t dredge up a smile.

Do you know what I did before I came here? I killed a man.

“And another when you arrived,” he whispered.

But that wasn’t fair to Rowan. She had no idea what was happening to him, and never would. He’d instruct Micah and Nick to give her some “official” story that he’d been killed by a Sluagh or something. God, how morose.

Rising, he walked to the living room window and stared into the night. He longed to run again, to just keep going forever, selfish asshole that he was. Rowan had that right. Otherwise, he would’ve made an attempt to actually listen to what she’d been trying to get into his thick skull. And he would’ve shown a lot more empathy for what she’d been forced to do.

Killing was never easy. The truth was, it sickened him to take a life. Any life, even one as dangerous and destructive as a Sluagh. Ironic, for a man who’d joined the SEALs and had been a part of a damned good team. He knew very well how Rowan must’ve felt, doing her job and wishing the outcome had been different.

He owed her an apology.

“Crap,” he muttered and stalked to the door.

Covering the short distance to her room in a matter of moments, he knocked loudly, just in case she’d gone to bed. He checked his watch. Ten? That wasn’t too late, but then again they’d had an eventful day. What with nearly being eaten and all.

He gave her about thirty seconds, which seemed like an eon, and knocked again. Nothing but silence met his summons and he frowned. Where the heck could she be?

Since it was way past dinner, the rec room was his next stop. Unfortunately, it was empty, too. Frustrated, he headed in the general direction of Nick’s office and the conference room. He briefly considered that something urgent might’ve come up and they hadn’t had time to grab him yet, then nixed that idea. If that had happened, Nick would’ve gotten on the newly repaired PA system.

At the end of the hallway, he spotted Ryon and Zan talking to Nick, and he relaxed a bit. At least the building wasn’t as deserted as it appeared.

“Please,” Ryon wheedled, sounding like a teenager. “If you come with us, it’ll make three, and that’s enough.”

Nick shook his head. “I said no groups smaller than four, and I’m not going to break my own rule. Besides,
that would leave us with only Hammer, Jax, and A.J. in the building to fight if we had any unwelcome visitors.”

Ryon kept at his boss. “Kalen put that spell on the building, remember? It’ll be fine. Come on, Nicky, we haven’t gone into town in forever, and the others are already there. We’re missing out on the fun.”

The others? “Who went to town?” Aric asked, stopping next to the group and eyeing each of them.

Ryon answered, exasperated. “Kalen, Sariel, Mackenzie, and Rowan. They went to the Cross-eyed Grizzly to blow off some steam. Hard day and all.”

“And the way to reward yourself at the end of a ‘hard day’ is to get drunk and throw up,” Nick said drily, rolling his eyes. “I think Bill Cosby did a routine about that once.”

Zan snickered. “Lighten up, boss. Nobody’s gonna get drunk. Buzzed, maybe.”

“I have an idea.” Ryon brightened. “Aric can come with us, and that’s four. Problem solved.”

Aric held up a hand. “Man, I’m beat. I was just looking for Rowan to, um, say I’m sorry for being such a dick earlier.” He really didn’t feel like going out, as appealing as it sounded to be with Rowan in a casual, fun setting.

“Yeah?” His blond-haired friend got a decidedly evil look in his eyes. “I’d say she’s already forgotten all about you
and
your dick, so no worries.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Just that she seemed pretty happy to be going out on the arm of a Fae prince who looks like a fuckin’ runway model, that’s all.” He shot Aric a grin.

The picture Ryon had painted made his wolf strain
to shred something and his blood began a slow boil. Rowan and Sariel. Getting cozy at the Grizzly and drinking the night away. Oh, fuck no. That was not going to do.

Quickly, he checked his jeans, T-shirt, and shit-kickers. Not much, but he’d probably look better than the regulars. He doubted most of them bathed. “I’m in. Nicky?”

With a sigh, the boss relented. “I’ll go for a while, but I’m not staying all night.”

“Woo-hoo!” Ryon pumped his fist.

Aric tried to recall when he’d felt that young, and decided it had been before his stepfather and Beryl had invaded his life. Not something he wanted to think about.

“Hang on. How is Sariel able to be out at a bar?” he asked.

“Kalen helped him out with a cloaking spell.” Nick smiled. “You should see them. Those two look like brothers now.”

Aric tried to call that image to mind, and failed.

Outside, they piled into one of the SUVs with Nick behind the wheel and Aric in the front passenger seat. Ryon, Christ love him, kept the conversation lighthearted, chattering like a monkey on crack the entire way, as though trying to somehow compensate for the total steaming pile of dung the day had turned out to be.

His friend didn’t take a breath until Nick parked outside the Grizzly and shut off the ignition. By then Aric’s ears were ringing. Maybe his brain would hemorrhage and he wouldn’t have to sit in a bar full of stinky wannabe outdoorsmen for hours. But as soon as he went inside, he knew he wouldn’t be that lucky.

It took him about two seconds to spot the foursome against the far wall at a long table. They were laughing, having a great time, obviously doing their part to put the day behind them. Kalen and Sariel each had longnecks. Mac was sipping what looked like a margarita, and Rowan had two shots of gold liquid and lime wedges lined up in front of her. He wasn’t surprised to find she’d skipped the margarita and gone straight for the tequila.

As his group approached, Aric’s attention was drawn to Sariel. The prince took a drink of his beer, trying to emulate his male companion, and ended up choking.
Guess they don’t serve Sam Adams in the Seelie court.
Rowan pounded him on the back, smiling, then hugged his waist, she and Mac making sympathetic noises.

Aric held back a snarl. Even with his wings hidden, his long hair disguised as jet-black, dressed in jeans and a form-fitting black button-down shirt, the male was too damned pretty. And way too sensual, leaning into Rowan’s attentions, like a cat arching for a nice petting.

The guy would have to find someone else to scratch his itch.

“Can’t hold your booze, huh, Sam?” Aric took the vacant seat next to Rowan. Nick, Zan, and Ryon took up open spots at the end.

Sariel’s smile of welcome turned puzzled. “Sam?”

He pointed to the bottle. “Nickname. I was teasing you.” Blank stare. “The beer you’re drinking is Sam Adams.”

“Oh! Yes, well…” Sariel’s nose wrinkled. “Kalen talked me into ordering this and it tastes horrible. I’m
sure
that
would be much better.” He pointed to Mac’s drink.

“Want to try one?” Rowan asked. “They’re smooth and sweet, and taste like limeade. With a kick.”

The prince gave his enthusiastic approval and Rowan waved at the server. The girl hurried over, giving the men of their group an appreciative eye before taking their order. Sariel requested his margarita, but the rest, including Aric, went for beers. Zan helped himself to the Fae’s abandoned brew as a warm-up. Or cool-down. Whatever.

Looking around first to make sure nobody was listening, Aric addressed Nick. “Are we sure it’s safe for him to be out in public?” He gestured to Sariel. “Nice work with the disguise, but his kind can sense him.”

Kalen flashed him a look of irritation. “My spell will work. Why don’t we try to have a night out and relax for a change? We could all use the break.”

Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to unwind. Nobody wanted to hang with a perpetual downer, even if his worries were valid. Deciding to try some small talk, he gestured to Kalen’s chest.

“I noticed Mac is wearing your pendant. What’s up with that?” He cocked his head. “What haven’t you told us about the attack on you and Mac?”

The couple glanced at each other and Nick, and Kalen shrugged. Aric thought his nonchalance was forced.

“It happened while you were being held captive. The pendant is protection against evil and I’m letting Mac wear it for a while, that’s all. The encounter with those things shook her up and having it on makes her feel better.”

“I think that’s a glossed-over answer.” Aric narrowed his eyes.

Mac gave a weak smile. “What’s the big deal? Like Kalen said, let’s just have a nice evening.”

Nick changed the subject with discussion about a new laser weapon being developed by Grant and his team in the government. Aric tuned them out. Sitting back, he slung an arm over the back of Rowan’s chair and whispered into her ear.

“You went out and didn’t invite me to the party? I’m crushed.” Actually, he kind of was. But he didn’t want her to know.

“Maybe because you pissed me off?” she suggested sweetly.

“Yeah, about that… Could we step outside for a minute?”

“I don’t know. I’m having a pretty good time right where I am.”

The stubborn set of her jaw, the militant flash in those big brown eyes, her shiny hair falling around her shoulders were so freaking sexy. His damned cock went rock hard in his jeans and he had to press the heel of his hand to his crotch to get it to behave. Not that it worked. “Please?”

“Let me think—no.”

“Fine, have it your way.” Pounding a fist on the table, and causing his friends to jump, he cleared his throat. Their conversation stopped, and he met their curious stares without flinching. “I owe Rowan, and everyone else, an apology. I was a complete dick this afternoon and I’m sorry.”

Silence.

And then, from Kalen, “Is that it?”

He scowled. “What else do you want? A dozen roses?”

The Sorcerer snickered. “Not me, but the lady there might feel differently.”

He turned to Rowan and found that the ice had thawed, some. But he had a bit more work cut out for him. Mustering every ounce of sincerity, he laid his hand over hers on the tabletop. “I get what you were telling me earlier. I apologize for being a jackass. I do that when things get too intense and I don’t want to deal, but that’s no excuse for shutting you down when you shared something really painful that you went through. I’m sorry, Ro.”

Her eyes softened and she offered a small smile. “Nobody calls me that but Micah.”

“Do you mind?”

“No, of course not. Apology accepted.”

Whew. “Thanks, honey. Did you get to check on Micah before you guys left?”

“I did. He was awake again, but he didn’t say a single word this time. I probably shouldn’t have left him.”

“No,” he said, heading off a fretting session. “You had to get away for a while, and he’s in good hands. Melina and the nurses are all watching out for him.”

She relaxed some. “You’re right. I just can’t help but worry.”

“Have some fun tonight, then get some sleep. You can see him in the morning.”

“All right.”

She managed to loosen up, and the conversation lightened considerably. The eight of them ended up having a good time, sharing some laughs. Rowan entertained them with some funny stories of calls she and her partner,
Danny, had answered, and the guys took turns sharing some of their humorous predicaments, too.

Aric tried not to wonder if this Danny she spoke so highly of was someone she missed a lot. And failed.

“Want to take that walk now?” she said in his ear.

Nick, who overheard, shook his head. “Groups of four.”