Enlightening Bloom (4 page)

Chapter 8 – Bonnie

“You’re freakin’ brilliant.” I tell the Elder as I pat him on the back, and grab for the keys hanging from his out stretched hand. His brilliant idea is to loan us his sweet RV. The thing is huge and even from the outside I can tell its top of the line. It’ll make Bloom a lot more comfortable on the ten plus hour drive to West Virginia.

Tucker beats me to the keys, shaking his head. “No way are we letting you drive us.”

Crossing my arms across my chest, and narrowing my eyes, I ask. “And why is that?”

“Because you’re hell on wheels. You know exactly how you are behind the wheel, and you know we need to get Bloom to West Virginia in one piece.” He puts his hand on the back of my neck to pull me into his side so he can whisper in my ear. “Stop giving me that look, Bonnie-bean, or you’ll force me to take you into that RV and spank that cute little ass.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” I say way to breathy as I try to pull away.

He holds me firmly in place and continues. “I would. And I’d enjoy every minute of it.”

My mouth drops open in what I wish I could say was shock, but really is awe. Being the annoying, mind reading, shifter that he is, he picks up on that thought and flashes me a grin that’s pure predator. I roll my eyes and finally succeed in pushing away from him. As I stomp up the steps of the RV I hear Tucker chuckling.

“Annoying freakin’ dogs.” I grumble to myself. His chuckle gets louder.

“Can’t I at least grumble without you spying on me?”
I ask through our bond.

“Nope.”

“I hate you!”
I spit back.

“You love me and you know it.”
He arrogantly responds.

“Hate! Not love. Get it right.”
I correct him as I throw my bag on one of the plush leather couches in the cabin. I was so right. This place is top of the line. Leather couches and chairs. Flat screen TV’s. Stainless steel appliances in the kitchen area. Mahogany cabinets and trim. And I haven’t even got a look at the back area of this beast.

“You forget I can read your thoughts.”
Tucker pulls me back into our conversation.

“So. All you’re getting is my mental perusal of this high end tin can.”

“Not what I was talking about.”

“Then, oh furry one, please tell me what it is you are referring to.”

“I meant that you can’t deny you love me. Because I can read your thoughts.”
I can hear the arrogance in his voice and it pisses me off. Time to end this. Now.

“This conversation is over!”
He once again chuckles at me, but thankfully doesn’t try to continue our talk.

****************************

Ten hours of my life passed by as annoyingly as possible. I learned that Pike, the big bad Alpha, is extremely broody. He seriously reminds me of a PMS-ing, teenage girl, who just found out her favorite candy bar has been discontinued. But I guess I can excuse that seeing as he’s worried about my bestie. But Tucker is a different story. In the last ten hours I’ve learned he knows every country love song known to man and he can freakin’ whistle them all. Worse while he’s whistling, through our connection he’s also singing along. Seriously! There is nothing worse than being stuck in a tin can for ten hours (it doesn’t matter if that tin can is luxury or not) and having to listen to an over-grown wolf whistle and sing “When You Say Nothing At All”. I put up with “I’d Just Love to Lay You Down”, “It’s Your Love”, “I Cross My Heart”, and about a hundred other songs. But at this point I’m so tired of what he’s trying to say with all these songs he keeps butchering that I explode. I grab the nearest throw pillow and hurl it at his big head. “Shut up! I don’t love you. Stop lying about loving me. Just stop!”

Tucker is in the passenger seat and as soon as the pillow connects with his head the whistling stops and he turns in his seat and glares at me. The air in the room goes electric and I feel like I can’t breathe. Looks like I found another way to piss him off. I’ll have to file that away so I remember, if I can figure out if it was throwing stuff at his head of yelling at him that did the trick. I look away from the heat in his eyes, and find Pike watching me from the rear view mirror. He shakes his head, and then turns his attention back to the road. No help there. I look to Bloom to see if I’ll find any help from her. She’s watching Tucker and me with wide eyes and looks about as lost as I am. I guess I’ll have to help myself.

Tucker stands and stalks to me. With every step he takes towards me I scoot further across the couch. “Tucker, stop.” He ignores my command so I try another. “Sit, boy.” That does nothing so I grab another pillow off the couch and throw it behind him. “Fetch.”

He gets completely in my space. Climbing onto the couch so his body is almost on top of me, his face is mere inches from mine. I scoot back the last little bit I can, trying to put some kind of distance between us, and in the process I knock off my bag scattering the contents all over the floor.

Tucker looks at the contents of my bag, shakes his head, and then gets right back in my face. Growling he says. “You can deny your feelings for me all you want. I’ll handle that, because I know you need time to come to terms with them. But, you
do not
insinuate the feelings I have for you are not real. And you sure as hell don’t accuse me of lying about those feelings. Do you get me?”

I realize now is not the time to push his buttons so I keep my mouth shut and nod my head.

“Good.” He leans down and grabs one of the items that fell out of my bag and holds it up. “Now, explain to me why the hell you have an arsenal in your bag.”

I try to grab the gun out of his hand, but he holds it above his head, out of my reach. He cocks his eyebrow, non-verbally letting me know I better talk or pay the consequences. Which by reading his mind I can tell is either going to be a breath stealing kiss or a spanking. He’s leaning more towards the spanking. Kinky freakin’ wolf.

“Fine.” I push against his chest and he moves back to sit on the opposite end of the couch, the gun still in his hand.

“Why are you holding a gun?” Pike calls from the driver’s seat. Bloom, who is still curled up on the other couch, starts laughing at the situation. It’s not her normal laugh, because the sound is laced with her pain. I’m on the verge of going over to comfort her when Tucker stops me. “Explain first.”

“It’s for protection.” I state the obvious.

“You’re in the company of wolves. We can tear a man apart with nothing more than our teeth. Why the hell do you feel the need to carry...” He looks at the floor, taking stock of everything that fell out of my bag. “Three guns and enough ammo to supply a small country.”

Bloom snorts and another round of the pain infused laughter takes her over. Tucker glances at her and asks. “What’s so funny?”

Between the laughing she responds. “I bet you my favorite pair of boots she has more than three guns in that bag.”

“Snitch!” I accuse, Bloom, affectionately. Causing her to stick her tongue out at me.

“What else did you bring?” Tucker asks, exasperated.

I bite my bottom lip, contemplating how much I should reveal.

“All of it, Bonnie.” Tucker warns as he rubs his temples, as if he can actually get a headache.

I release my lip and lay it all out. “Six hand guns, two shot guns, a hunting knife, pepper spray, a taser, and I’m not even sure how much ammo. I guess you could just say a lot.”

Bloom laughs harder at my discloser and Pike joins in. Tucker growls. “Jesus! Why?”

“Because, we’re heading in to an unknown wolf’s territory. If something were to happen to you and Pike I want to make sure Bloom and I are covered.”

“Nothing’s going to happen to Pike or myself.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Okay. Say something does happen to us. What do you think you can do with all of that? Do you even know how to use it?”

I pull my white double shoulder holster out of the bag, slipping it on over my peach top and strapping it in place. I grab one of the two .45’s laying on the floor and hold it up. I stroke my hand down the barrel, making sure the safety is on, and then slide it in place on my holster. I do the same with the second gun. I grab some extra clips and add them as well. Then I slowly lift my gaze to Tuckers. “I’ll have you know I was raised with a gun in my hand. Taught by a Grandmother who was a better shot than any man. You want to keep doubting me I’ll be more than happy to demonstrate my skills.”

“Damn that’s hot.” Tucker smirks, still meeting me eye to eye.

“We just crossed into the pack territory.” Pike informs us, breaking into my power display. “Bonnie you can’t shoot your mate, so put the damn guns away.”

“But!” I whine.

“Away!” He orders.

Bloom attempts to push herself up in a sitting position. I go to her to help. “Tennessee, I think she should keep them on.”

“Your gut?”

Bloom nods and then adds. “Also, we shouldn’t mention any “gut” instincts around these wolves. I don’t know why I just feel like we should keep it our secret.”

“Do you feel like they’re a danger to you?” Pike asks. The worry is showing in his voice.

“No, not at the moment. But I feel like we shouldn’t let our guard down.”

Pike nods in understanding. Then speaks to the whole group. “Stay close. We’re going to get in, get the info we need, and get out. I’m hoping we’ll be on our way to the Aunt before dinner time.”

Chapter 9 – Tucker

The Shaw pack Alpha, and his Beta, greet us as soon as we step off the bus. The two wolves are almost identical. The only difference I can tell is that the Beta has shaggy reddish brown hair, while the Alpha’s is cropped closer to his head. They’re both tall, not as tall as me, but not many can compete with my almost seven foot frame, and though muscular they’re on the skinny side. But I know not to let that fool me because the power rolling off the pair is strong. Just not as strong Pike and myself. The Alpha introduces himself, Naven Shaw, and his twin, Nick Shaw.

Bonnie speaks first, her mouth dropping open in awe. “Holy hot twins, Batman!”

This, of course, causes Bloom to giggle, and Pike to chuckle. I move to Bonnie’s back and put my arms around her waist, making sure she’s tight against my chest. My fangs pop free of my gums and I bare them at the strange wolves and growl. “Mine.”

“Over possessive, annoying freakin’ wolf! I am not yours!” Bonnie grumbles as she pushes to get out of my arms. When I don’t immediately release her she looks over her shoulder. I can tell exactly when she notices my fangs because her eyes get wide. “When did
that
start happening?”

I close my eyes and will my fangs to go back. When my teeth are back to normal I tell her. “Probably around the time I discovered my mate is a sassy brunette who doesn’t know how to filter what comes out of her mouth.”

“I can too.”

“You never do.” I say turning her so she’s facing me.

“I just did.” She says crossing her arms.

“How do you see saying “Holy hot twins, Batman!” as filtering?”

There’s a gleam of mischief in her eyes as she responds. “Because what I really wanted to say was…” She turns to the twins and winks. “Please let me be the middle in your hot twin threesome.”

My fangs pop free, once again, as I growl in warning. “Bonnie.”

Pike, Bloom, and Navin laugh uncontrollably. Nick, however, winks back at Bonnie with a grin on his face. I push Bonnie to stand behind me and bare my teeth at the weaker wolf. This causes him to join in with the laughter. I really am not seeing how this is funny.

Pike pats me on the chest. “Calm down, Tuck. No one’s going to take what’s yours.”

“I’m not his.” Bonnie huffs from behind me.

“Bon, I wouldn’t push the big scary wolf’s buttons right now.” Bloom warns from her post at Pike’s side. She’s still extremely weak, but she’s been refusing Pike’s help. I can see on his face how much the rejection is hurting him.

“Fine.” Bonnie pouts, but makes sure to add. “But don’t expect it to last long.”

My fangs recede, and I smile at my sassy little mate. “Wouldn’t want it to.”

"If the show is over. How about we go inside and discuss what you came here for.” Naven get down to business as he directs us in to the pack house. The house is a large, two story, plantation style home with porches on both levels that wrap around the front and sides, supported by pristine white columns that blend perfectly with the white of the house. It’s the last thing you’d expect to find in the back woods of West Virginia, but somehow it fits in the wooded setting this pack has made its home.

He guides us to an office at the back of the house. The back wall is nothing but floor to ceiling windows and the other three walls are covered in over-flowing bookcases. In front of the window is an obscenely large desk. Naven takes the seat behind it with Nick standing at the right of his back and then motions for us to sit, as well. Pike and Bloom take the leather chairs directly in front of the desk, and instead of sitting Bonnie and myself stand directly behind our Alpha pair.

“Our Elders told me you have information on the woman we’re looking for.” Gone is the broody Pike from the RV. Back straight, chin squared, eyes focused. He’s now in Alpha mode, exuding power and confidence.

“We might.” Naven says, as he steeples his hands under his chin.

“And?” Pike prompts.

“And before we disclose that information we need to know why you’re looking for her.”

“Because…” Pike starts, but a touch of Blooms hand on his arm stops him. She gives him a forced smile and a little shake of her head. He concedes and lets her take over the conversation.

“I’m sick.”

“Aren’t you wolf?” Naven scents the air, trying to pick up the wolf smell on Bloom. When he can’t immediately pick up the scent his brow scrunches in confusion.

“Half. My father was human.” Bloom explains.

“Still the shifter gene is dominant.” I can practically see the wheels turning in Naven’s head as he tries to figure out how this is possible. If this is tripping him up, when he finds out its Bloom’s mating marking causing her to be sick his mind will blow.

“I don’t shift.” Naven’s eyes get huge, but before he can respond Bloom continues. “And my mark is what’s causing me to be sick.”

Naven and Nick gasp in shock. Bloom ignores their reactions. “The lady we’re looking for is the only person who can help me.”

The Shaw pack Alpha collects himself from the bomb Bloom just dropped and goes right back to business. “I want to help you, but she’s hidden herself for a reason. And I’ve promised to keep her location secret. I need to know why I should risk revealing her to help you.”

Pike loses his patience, leans forward in his chair, his claws out piercing the leather, and he growls at the other Alpha. Bloom uses the little bit of energy she has to get up from her seat and force Pike back in his. She collapses into his lap, whispering words only he can hear to calm him. When his claws disappear she focuses back on Naven.

“I respect that you’re trying to protect her, but I swear we mean her no harm.”

“How can I trust that though?”

Bloom sighs. “Because she’s my Great-aunt. The only relative I have left from my Dad’s side.”

Naven looks over his shoulder at Nick. Nick gives a barely noticeable nod. They both bring their attention back to Bloom, but Nick is the one who speaks this time. “We’ll tell you how to find her. But I’ll warn you it’s not an easy journey. At least a day of hiking. And you need to be careful when you get close, because if you’re unwanted they won’t hesitate to attack.”

Naven pulls out paper and starts writing out directions. Nick continues to explain the set up. “There will be several others with her. All wolves. All willing to lay down their lives to protect her.”