Lyric's Accidental Mate (Iron Wolves MC 1 ~ Bite of the Moon) (7 page)

Rowan took in the room filled with a total of four black leather sofas and a leather coffee table in the middle. He wondered how many couples had been back here and then decided he really didn’t want to know. Off to the side, a big desk with a state-of-the-art computer sat, indicating the MC Pres was up-to-date on technology at least. His jeans had been swapped out for a pair of black leather pants that laced up the front, and a matching vest with a wolf’s head on the upper right corner. The club’s logo was above it with the word President in block letters below, letting everyone know exactly who and what he was.

As soon as they entered, her friends jumped up and pulled Lyric from him. Rowan wanted to protest, but with the intent look on Kellen’s face, he relented. She gave him a quick introduction, which he filed away.

“Now what?” Rowan looked Kellen in the eye.

“Did you recognize the men who attacked you?” Kellen asked.

Rowan shook his head. “No. Never seen them before. I’d gone to the bar for a drink and had just gotten there when I spotted Lyric being strong-armed out by four men.”

Kellen rested his elbows on his spread knees. “How did you know it wasn’t a lovers’ spat?”

He heard the other women gasp, but ignored them. “There was desperation in her body language. I’m trained to recognize these things. I decided I’d let them think I was no threat and continued on into the bar and let them take her outside. I figured I could easily take on four men. Of course, I had no clue they’d be turning into wolves ready to tear my guts out.” He copied Kellen’s relaxed posture, resting his arms across the back of the sofa.

“Kellen, it wasn’t Rowan they were after. I was the one they were specifically targeting in the bar.” Lyric spoke up, telling them about the incident on the dance floor. She sat next to Rowan, close enough her thigh pressed to his.

The one named Syn raised her hand. “I got distracted because someone had drugged Magee. Luckily our systems don’t react the way humans do, but she was violently ill. I assumed you were on the dance floor still. I’m soo sorry, Lyric. Had I thought you were in danger, I’d never have left you that long.”

“Where is Magee now?” Lyric tried to get up, but Rowan held her to him with one arm around her shoulders. Kellen’s eyebrows rose at the display.

“She’s at home resting,” Kellen answered.

The door opened and in walked Xan. He kicked the door shut, unfazed by the glower on Kellen’s face. “Please respect the door, brother.” Kellen waved his hand imperiously at him.

“Screw off,” Xan said heading over to the opposite side where a small semi-circular bar sat. The chrome design fit in with the black furniture.

The door opened again, and a gorgeous blonde with purple and pink curls walked in singing the lyrics to “Sex Metal Barbie” by In The Moment, looking every bit the part.

“Really, Breezy. Don’t you know how to knock? And, for the love of all, who let you out of the house in that?”

Rowan was sure he could hear Xan’s back molars grinding together. He glanced at the new woman named Breezy, and had he not had eyes for only Lyric, he was sure he’d have been drooling over this one. Her white corset pushed her ample breasts up while showing off her tiny waist. The miniscule denim jean skirt looked like it had been cut off, but it covered her ass. It was probably the knee-high stockings that did it for Xan, with the lace tops playing peek-a-boo when she walked. Her hips swayed as she sang the words about being a harlot and a homicidal queen.

She batted her obscenely long lashes at Xan. “Why, my daddy even gave me a pat on the head and told me to be a good girl tonight. I told him I was always a
good
girl.”

“Enough you two. I don’t need your version of foreplay tonight.” Kellen pinched the bridge of his nose. “Breezy, is there a reason you came to see me?”

“Yes, Alpha.” She walked over to where Kellen sat, pulling something out of the top of her corset.

Rowan heard Xan moving before he saw the other man actually clear the space. One minute he was a good ten feet across the room from Breezy, the next, he was beside her, taking her hand in his.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Xan asked.

Rowan couldn’t see her expression, but he felt Lyric tense.

Breezy elbowed Xan in the stomach. “This note was left on my windshield. I was waiting until you got back here, Alpha, to bring it to you. You must’ve slipped in while I was...busy.”

“Busy doing what?” Xan gripped her by the arm.

“Listen, Xander Mother-Fucking Carmichael. You don’t own me. You have no right, so back the fuck off me.” Breezy twisted in Xan’s grip.

“Not on your life, bella.” His hand tightened.

Rowan was ready to come to her defense, but Kellen spoke up first. “Xan, leash your wolf. Breezy, let me see what you got. Did you notice anyone around your car?”

The blonde shrugged away from Xan. “I didn’t, Alpha. I’m sorry. I ran into the store to get some gum and came out to find that note.”

“Sit down. You’re both making my neck hurt.” Kellen sat forward and read the note. “What the fuck does this even mean?
Your blood will become my blood
?”

“Why didn’t they try to take her, like they did Lyric?” Rowan asked then watched as Breezy spun and nearly toppled over before planting herself next to Kellen, much to Xan’s displeasure.

“Oh, crap. I never thought of that. Do you think they followed me here? Or are waiting for me to leave? I mean, the store parking lot was full of people, so maybe that was why they didn’t try anything.” Breezy’s voice shook.

Kellen patted her knee. “It didn’t matter at the bar where they tried to take Lyric, but maybe a parking lot full of humans who weren’t intoxicated stopped them. Do you remember anything out of the ordinary?”

“I remember the feeling of being watched, and looking around before I spotted the note. I thought some guy was trying to hit on me.”

“Does that sort of thing happen to you a lot?” Xan sat on the sofa arm next to where she sat.

Breezy adjusted her top. “More often than I like, yes.”

“Do you think it has anything to do with the way you’re dressed?” Xan questioned, curling a strand of pink hair around his finger. Rowan watched the tightening of the blonde’s shoulders.

“I had a jacket on over the corset, zipped up, for your info. Besides, I should be able to go out wearing this and not have to fend off some asshat. You should be whipped for suggesting I brought on any bullshit by the way I dress.” She jerked her hair free.

“Bella, I like to do the whipping, and I promise you’d enjoy the fuck out of it,” Xan said.

“Back to the problem at hand. Whoever left the note was probably watching you, Breezy. More than likely, they watched you come here, but that’s okay. It’s not like we hide our club. Bodhi would’ve recognized a strange shifter walking in.” Kellen drew their attention back to him with his growled words.

Rowan agreed. The man at the front door looked as if he’d not miss a damn thing, but Rowan wanted to check over the entire premises. He wouldn’t trust Lyric’s safety until he was able to ensure it himself.
Shit.
He was already becoming possessive of the woman. He hoped she didn’t mind because he didn’t see it changing any time soon. He’d even let the man named Bodhi ink him if it meant he could lay claim to Lyric.

“Can I go home now? I’m feeling kinda ill.” Breezy got up off the couch.

“Have someone follow you, and let your dad know what’s going on. He and your mom need to be on guard. I know you work at the hospital, but be alert when you come and go. Don’t go anywhere alone. You hear me? If I have to, I’ll put Xan on as your guard.”

She nodded. “Coti said he’d take me home.”

“Fuck that. I’ll take you home.” Xan stood.

“Xan, I need you here since Taya’s missing. I need you and Bodhi, along with Arynn. He can sense her, and so can I. That means she’s still alive.” Kellen pinned Breezy with his blue eyes. “Coti is to take you straight home, no fucking off.”

“He’s my friend, nothing more.” Hurt laced her words as she pushed up from the couch.

“Then he shouldn’t have any problems getting back here quickly,” Xan said.

Breezy walked around the ottoman, ignoring Xan. “I’m glad you’re okay, Lyric. Welcome to the pack.” Her friendly smile was genuine as she looked at Rowan.

“Thank you, Breezy. I’m sorry my brother is an ass.” Lyric squeezed her hand.

“It’s okay, I have become immune to his lack of charm.” Tears sparkled in her eyes before she blinked them away.

Rowan could smell the lie and hear the hurt in her voice. At the door, Breezy looked over her shoulder. “By the way, it’s not Coti you should worry about me fucking, Xan.” With those words she walked out the door, her head held high. Rowan hoped like hell he never pissed Lyric off to the extent that Xan clearly had Breezy.

“Who the hell is she talking about?” Xan asked Lyric and Syn.

Syn lifted her shoulders in a negligent shrug. “We don’t necessarily run in the same circles, you know. Breezy and her girls are a few years older, and are a little more...adventurous than we are.”

“What the fuck does that mean?” Xan snarled.

“I don’t give a flying fuck,” Kellen roared. “Stop thinking with your goddamn dick, and either let the woman bounce on your cock, or deal with the fact she’s one hot piece of ass any man, or woman would be glad to have.”

Rowan felt Kellen’s power flood the room. No wonder nobody questioned the man’s right to rule. Rowan felt like turning his head and giving him his neck. He barely restrained himself, but noticed Syn and Lyric weren’t so brave. Xan met his gaze across the room. He lifted one blond brow.

“Looks like we have another alpha, Kellen.” Xan stared at Rowan.

Kellen smirked. “If you’d had your head outta your ass, you’d have noticed that earlier.”

Xan lifted his middle finger and then went back to the bar to pour himself another drink. He held up the bottle, and Kellen nodded.

“You want one? It’s the good stuff, Maker’s Mark,” Xan said.

“Throw it over some ice for me.” Lyric leaned forward with a smile.

Syn got up and poured another drink while she got Lyric’s. Rowan nodded and then accepted the glass.

He went over the events again from when he’d spotted Lyric and the men at the bar, to the fight and what the van looked like. At the last moment, he remembered the downed man hadn’t been killed, only two of the four.

“Was there any signs of the altercation at the bar when you left?” Xan asked.

“Only the faint scent of blood. Whoever these guys are, they called for a cleanup crew. Meaning they had this planned.” Kellen looked over at Lyric.

“They didn’t plan to take me, though. They called me a chew toy and specifically said they wanted to get word to you, Xan. Like this is a personal vendetta.”

“Fuck!” Xan slammed his fist on the counter.

“What aren’t you telling me, Xan?” Kellen asked.

Xan downed his glass of amber liquid. “Taya and I’ve been seeing each other. Not exclusively, but I did stay at her place night before last.”

“Who the hell did you piss off? It seems this is aimed at you. First they take Taya, then they attack Lyric and leave a note for Breezy. How the hell do they know who you’re connected to?” like he was ready to spit nails.

“I’ve no damn clue. Taya and I are casual. Lyric is my sister, and I’d kill for her. Breezy is...well she’s just a chick in the club. I’d protect her like I’d protect any pack member.”

Rowan wanted to snort.

“Is there any other
casual
relationships that these fucks might target?” Kellen got up and started pacing.

The glass cracked in Xan’s hand. “Don’t act like you don’t have a different woman every night, Kellen. I’m single, healthy, and can’t help it if there is a line of ladies willing to, as you so eloquently put it, bounce on my cock. You’re exactly the same, so don’t even think to condemn me, brother. Just tell me what I need to do. You want a list of every woman I’ve fucked or had suck me off? Give me a pen and paper.”

Lyric got up off the couch. “I think this is our cue to go.”

“I want you both to stay here at the clubhouse in one of the suites. Don’t worry, there are some that are freshly cleaned.” Kellen smirked.

Rowan got up to stand next to Lyric. “How safe are we here?”

“Safer than you are away from here.” Kellen answered.

A deep growl echoed around the room. “They’re not staying in the same suite.” Xan moved around the bar.

Kellen got in front of him. “You and I have some work to do and a lady to find before someone else gets hurt. Taya may not be your
mate
, but she’s someone’s. Let your sister help Rowan get settled while you use your nose and head.”

Xan inhaled, making Rowan think he was ready to explode, only his eyes flared and then rested on Lyric who flushed a rosy red.

“Motherfuckingsonofabitch,” Xan said.

“Exactly.” Kellen slapped Xan on the back.

“Well, all right then. We will go find that clean suite. Err, thanks for the hospitality,” Rowan said.

There were some undercurrents going on, but for the life of him, he had no clue how to decipher them. Lyric grabbed his hand and led him from the room, but not before her friend Syn kissed her cheek and hugged her. Rowan didn’t understand these wolves and their touchy-feely selves.

He was onboard for touching and feeling Lyric. The idea sprang into his head as they left the office and wouldn’t leave. They didn’t go back through the crowded bar. Lyric kept hold of his hand that didn’t have the duffel bag. He felt a little panicked at not having a hand free in case they came up against any threat. She clearly knew where they were going, taking a few turns through the darkened hallway, steadily going down until they hit a steel door with a keypad. He watched her enter the code, memorizing the number.

Rowan adjusted her stance. “You need to make sure you put your body in front of you when you enter the code. That way anyone around or behind you can’t see what the access number is. I now have the key to get in should I want to come back.”

“Jeezus, what are you, some sort of security expert?”