Sanctuary (A Hunted Novel Book 1) (6 page)

“That’s enough,” Nate snarled, stepping in between them.

“She punched me,” Xander snapped, moving to rush her.

Nate pushed Xander back. “Stop.” He turned to her, eyebrow raised. “I need to check on Eden. I don’t have time for an argument. Come on.”

Tess pursed her lips and crossed her arms over her chest. She wasn’t about to take orders like some subordinate. The cafeteria quieted to a few muted whispers as all eyes fell on their scuffle. Undeterred by the attention, Tess glared at Nate.

Nate sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Please. Eden’s in trouble,” he explained his voice softening. “I need to go. Since you are my charge and Xander insists on coming, I would prefer you came willingly as well.”

Tess tensed at the mention of the human’s name. The creeper. Was he back? Eden had helped her. It would be nice to repay the favor.

“Fine. But he better not touch me again,” she warned. Next time she’d knock him out.

N
ate clasped the steering wheel tightly. Eden hadn’t sounded panicked on the phone, but she had requested his assistance. Once a month or so, Eden called about some drunk who was getting out of hand. A lot of people passed through town. Some of the jerks thought they could get grabby with the waitresses at Gordy’s. He didn’t mind handling it. Eden was his baby sister and he would always protect her.

“Did she say what was going on?” Xander asked anxiously drumming his fingers on the dashboard.

“No. It’s just some guy,” Nate replied.

“I wonder if it’s the same guy from last night?” Tess wondered aloud.

Nate flicked his gaze to the back seat. The werecat sat with her arms crossed over her chest, and her gaze fixated out the window.

“What guy?” Xander twisted in his seat so he could stare at Tess.

Tess shrugged. “A creep that was there last night. She told me he was passing through. I think he was harmless, but he kept flirting and making catcalls. At the end of the night he tried to approach her, but I intervened. He clearly made Eden uncomfortable. He was obnoxious, and he said he was in town for a few days.”

Nate flicked his attention back to the road. Xander growled low in his throat and turned back to his window.

“I’m just curious,” Tess started as she slid into the center of the backseat. “Why doesn’t Eden stay at Sanctuary too? It seems like it’d be safer for her. I know she’s not a shifter, but she has shifter blood, right?”

Nate exhaled loudly and ran a hand through his hair. “She’s my baby sister. I keep an eye on her and make sure that some of my friends stop into Gordy’s on occasion when I’m out of town. Half breeds aren’t allowed at Sanctuary.”

“Why?” Tess scoffed.

“Same reason mating outside of your own species is forbidden. Tainted bloodlines,” Xander whispered. “The pack wants to make sure that wolves only mate with full blooded wolves. Snakes with snakes, birds with birds, and so on.”

“Seems like someone didn’t get the memo then,” Tess replied, leaning back.

Nate nodded as he cast a glance over at his friend. “My dad had an affair. Eden was the product of it. It’s a rather sore subject for my mother. And I’d venture to say one of the underlying reasons we have such strict rules now.”

“So she’s treated as an outcast because of a mistake someone else made? That hardly seems fair,” Tess replied. “You’re not worried about the hunters finding her?”

“She’s not one of us,” Xander growled.

“No,” Tess conceded. “But I could sense something different about her. Even if she isn’t a shifter, she still has our blood. Are you sure hunters won’t pick up on that?”

Nate gritted his teeth. He’d brought that point up several times to the council members. But the council had determined Eden was safe, and didn’t belong at Sanctuary.

“Our leaders are very set in their ways,” Xander explained acidly. “They rarely make exceptions.”

“Rarely?” Nate asked. They never made exceptions.

“Makes me glad I’ll be leaving tomorrow,” Tess whispered.

“Surely the pride has rules too?” Nate questioned. He flicked his gaze to the backseat again. What kind of rules did they have?

Tess looked down at her nails and shrugged. “Nothing that strict. Our rules were designed more to keep everyone safe. As far as finding a mate, that was up to the individual.”

“You had humans in the pride?” Xander asked, whirling around to face Tess.

Tess swallowed and then cleared her throat. “Yeah. There were six of them. One of them was my brother’s mate.”

Nate wanted to say something, but he didn’t know what to say. Xander slunk back into his seat, his eyes wide with wonder as if he were considering finally going against the rules. The other wolf always followed orders. Maybe his friend was finally going to follow his heart.

Silence filled the car. Nate watched as Tess’ brow furrowed and worry clouded her features.

If only he could reassure her somehow. But how could he do that when he doubted there was a reason to have hope. There were no shifters in Ohio. He was certain of it. Maybe they could find members of her pride he thought as he pulled into
Gordy’s.

Nate found a parking spot close to the door. Before he could shut off the ignition, Xander hopped out of the vehicle and jogged to the front door.

“For being a forbidden mate he sure does seem invested in Eden,” Tess commented quietly.

“Is it that obvious?” Nate questioned as he turned off the car. He’d noticed the tension between Xander and Eden a few years ago. Xander usually tried to hide the connection when others were around. Apparently Tess was an exception.

“I noticed it when he tried to protect her from me,” Tess explained. “He overreacted in the way only a mate can.”

How did she know so much about mates? “Are you mated?” he blurted.
No. She can’t be someone else’s. Tess is mine. Crap. Why am I thinking like that? She is a werecat.

“No. But I’ve seen the way my brothers are with their mates and how my sister and her mate were... are,” she mumbled.

Good. She doesn’t belong to anyone. But you will.

“I hope I find someone from my family in Ohio,” she replied as she opened the car door.

“I’m sure we’ll find them. How many siblings do you have?” Nate asked in an attempt to take his mind off the whole mate issue.

“Three brothers: Thomas, Terrance, and Theodore and my sister Thea.”

“Wow,” Nate laughed as he joined her in front of the car. “Your parents didn’t have a problem finding T names.”

“No. They both had T names too. Thad and Theresa. You have any other siblings?”

“Just Eden.”

Nate hustled ahead of Tess and opened the door for her. She smiled, her eyes lighting up as they met his. He would do anything to keep the smile on her face.

***

T
ess stepped into the bar. It was louder than the night before. Every seat at the bar was full and only a few tables were open. Her eyes immediately found Eden. Xander was talking to her, and the waitress seemed relaxed.

“Is that the guy from last night?” Nate asked. His breath tickled her neck as he leaned into her.

Tess shivered at his proximity wanting to both move away and closer at the same time. Nate reached over her and pointed to the far right corner. His arm rested against her shoulder, causing a delicious friction. She ignored the heat building in her and followed his finger.

“Yes,” she answered as soon as her eyes fell on the greasy haired man. The creep was openly staring at Xander and Eden. His interest in them was unnatural. He was completely fixated on the pair, and gross, he was drooling.

“He definitely looks like someone we need to keep our eye on,” Nate growled.

“Yeah,” Tess agreed, turning to Nate. Her breath caught as she realized how close he actually was. His lips were mere inches from hers. Her chest grazed against his, causing her nipples to harden. He feels good.

Thankfully, Nate seemed unaware of their proximity. He watched his sister for a long moment before focusing on Tess. He swallowed thickly before averting his gaze. “Come on, let’s get a table. I think Xander has this covered for the moment.”

Nate’s hand fell to her lower back. Tess instinctually leaned into him as he guided them to a table. He paused at the first chair and pulled it out, motioning for her to sit. A smile slid across her face at the action. It was cute.

“You hungry?” Nate asked as he pulled a menu out from between the napkins and the wall. “I interrupted your dinner. It’s my treat.”

Tess licked her lips. The bacon burger she’d had last night had been delicious. “Sure.”

Nate raised his hand up and motioned for Eden to come to their table.

Eden beamed as she approached, placing a hand on Tess’ shoulder. “I’m glad to see you’re okay. How do you feel?” she asked with a gentle squeeze.

“Much better. Thank you for helping me out,” Tess responded genuinely. If Eden hadn’t of acted she could be dead, or worse in a hospital undergoing countless tests because of her
unique
genetic makeup.

“Good,” Eden grinned. “You want the same thing as last night or do you want to try something new?”

“Hmmm,” Tess thought out loud as she browsed the menu. “I think I’ll try the black and bleu burger tonight. And can I get a Coke with that?”

“Sure thing. That’s my favorite burger,” Eden admitted. “I’ll put that in and get it right out to you.”

“You’re not going to ask what I want?” Nate asked, setting his menu down.

Eden rolled her eyes and shook her head. “No. You always order the same thing.”

Nate tucked the menu back away. “I guess I’ll try something different next time.”

“Right,” Eden scoffed. “I’ll be back in a few.”

“Hey,” Nate said, clasping Eden’s wrist in his hand. “Everything okay?”

Eden nodded as her eyes darted to the bar then back to her brother. “Yeah. Xander has it taken care of.”

“All right,” Nate exhaled. “I’m right here if you need me.”

Tess watched as Eden hurried back to the counter to put in their order. Eden patted Xander’s shoulder as she slipped past him.

“Does your pack take into account love?” Tess asked.

“You think they are in love?” Nate frowned.

“Sure. Why not? Look at them. He’s over protective of her. They can’t take their eyes off each other. I imagine they think about each other constantly. And I think she alluded to something last night,” Tess explained.

“It doesn’t matter,” Nate said. He slammed his fist down on the table. The salt and pepper shakers clanked together, rattling against each other before tipping over. A sprinkle of black pepper puffed out onto the table. “Even if they were soul mates, which there hasn’t been a true soul mate pairing in my lifetime, I don’t think anyone on the council would care.”

Tess wriggled her nose as the pepper assaulted her senses. She covered her mouth, sneezing several times before the offensive smell left. She cocked her brow in question as Nate bristled in his seat. Why was he so mad? Did the rules affect him in some way too?

“Sorry,” he sighed, righting the condiments. “All pack members must choose a suitable mate by the first full moon after they turn twenty-five.”

Tess’ brows dipped down into a scowl. “That’s ridiculous.” It was absurd. What rock did these people crawl out of? It was the twenty first century for crying out loud.

“The way our enemies pick us off, it’s important that we continue the blood lines from an early age,” he explained.

“I’m guessing Xander’s birthday is soon?” she inquired.

“Two weeks.”

“Oh,” she whispered.

“Yeah.”

Tess turned back to watch the pair at the bar. Eden’s eyes lit up as she spoke to the wolf. Her hand reached out, taking Xander’s calloused fingers into hers. The movements were effortless, thoughtless, but it was obvious they both needed the touch.

A warm hand landed on top of hers. Warmth crept up her arm and heat pooled in her belly. Her fingers entwined with Nate’s before she could think better of it.

“Try not to think about it too much. I’m sure they’ll both move on.” He squeezed her hand, allowing it to linger on hers.

The gesture was nice.
Too nice. Crap. No. No. No. He is a wolf. You can’t allow anything to happen between the two of you. It would start a war. His parents would kill him, and you. Crap.

She recoiled away from him so hard that she jammed her elbow on the edge of the table. Pain charged up her arm, and she cursed under her breath.
I need to get to Ohio.

“Sorry,” Nate cleared his throat. “I forgot. You don’t like to be touched.”

If he only knew. Or did he? Surely he felt
something
too.
Don’t think about it.

“And when’s your birthday?” she blurted.
Yeah. Great way to change the subject, Tess.

“About four months,” he mumbled.

She’d be long gone in four months and they both could live their lives... apart. The last time two shifters of different breeds were suspected of falling for each other it had ended badly. Nate’s pack was weary of her because of the fall out. But their information was clearly wrong. The wolves had refused to listen to the truth. Instead, a rift had been created between the two species, both sides refusing to speak or help the other.

I need to keep my distance. I won’t put him in danger for a silly physical attraction.

“I
still think you’re both overreacting,” Eden exclaimed as she handed Nate and Xander pillows.

Nate opened his mouth to protest but Xander beat him to it. “No we’re not. That guy is stalking you, Eden.” Xander turned to Nate, his brow creasing with worry. “I think I might not go tomorrow and stay with Eden instead.”

“Now you’re just being ridiculous,” Eden waved him off.

“No ridiculous would be insisting that kitty cat sleep out here on the couch too,” Xander grumbled, pointing at Tess.

Eden grinned. “Sorry. I only have two couches and Tess seems like better company than either of you right now.” She shoved a large blanket into Xander’s hand as she huffed loudly.

Nate smiled. He wouldn’t mind sharing the couch with Tess. His body stiffened at the mere thought. The sofa was small. They would have to be close—practically on top of each other.
No.
Sharing would be nice.
No. Get your head together.