Taken by Her Mate (12 page)

Chapter Twelve

Shaun listened to both packs as they tried to take over his life. He saw the pride on his father’s face but he didn’t feel any of it. They were all talking about his fight with Brendan and how amazing Shaun would be as the leader of both packs. Alfred had already given up his position in the Northern Mountains pack.
His own
father was stepping down as alpha. Edward thought it was time for him to lead the two packs. Shaun didn’t feel ready to rule one pack, let alone two. When he’d been fighting, part of him had hoped he would be able to take Addie away and run.

Leading one or two packs was not something he wanted. The tattoos that were appearing on his body were telling a different story. No matter how much he wasn’t ready in his mind, the fates were telling his body something else. Regardless of the mystical tattoos, Shaun didn’t want to lead any pack. All he ever wanted was Addie and to take her away from all the politics of the packs. Together they could leave, start a family, and leave everything else behind. The responsibilities of the pack terrified him. He didn’t know how to handle every situation that would come his way.

Still, even though he wanted to leave, the tattoos pulsed, reminding him that he had little to no choice in the matter.

“Son?”
Edward asked.

He shook the hand off his shoulder. “I don’t want this. I don’t want any of this. All I ever wanted was Addie. I fought for the right to claim her. I’m waiting for our mating, and then that’s the end of it. You shouldn’t be stepping down. Dad, you can rule both packs. You’re a great alpha.”

Murmurs erupted around the room. Jackson cleared his throat gaining all of their attention. “I’m afraid it doesn’t work like that, Shaun. The fates have decided you’re the true alpha. Merging the two packs must have been destined, and even though you’re afraid, you’re the right man to lead the two packs.”

Turning to Jackson he waited for the other man to elaborate.

“You gave the two packs proof that you’ve got what it takes to lead. You’ve already talked about me being your second.”

“I don’t think I can handle the responsibility, Jackson. I just want to move forward and start a life with Addie.” All he wanted was Addie. He didn’t want to control two packs or be responsible.

“Can I talk to Shaun alone?” Jackson asked the crowd.

All of his father’s guests left the room leaving him and Jackson alone. The other man’s shoulders were slumped, and all the fight left him.

“What’s going on?”

“The Northern Mountain pack is without a leader. Alfred quit, and Brendan left the pack. This could cause chaos for our pack, and you know what could happen to a non-ruled pack. You’ve already got what it takes to be the leader, Shaun.”

Shaun knew. Any were in the area that senses no leader could take the pack over without a fight. Once they showed their power, the pack had no choice but to follow the lead.

“Fuck!”

Running fingers through his hair, Shaun started to pace the small room. He’d sensed a change inside him from the moment he won the fight between him and Brendan. The power inside him was manifesting. His body was getting larger with every passing day. Something was different inside him.

In one swift move Jackson tore the shirt off his back. Shaun rounded on him. “What the fuck are you doing?” Before he could control what was happening, he shoved Jackson, and the other man went crashing into the far wall. Before either could stop, the house started to shake and then stop.

“We need to get out here,” Jackson said, getting up from the crumbled wall. They left the house just in time to see it crumble to the ground. The dust created covered them from the others. “You’re the true alpha, Shaun. Your strength, the sudden markings on your back, all indicate you’re the true alpha. There is no stopping this. If you walk away you risk killing all of us. Two packs under your control and your body
is
already adapting to make the change. I feel it inside myself.”

He stared at Jackson. Shaun had woken up with the markings on his back five days ago. His body was stronger, and he’d broken several doors inside his home.

His father merely smiled and then started fixing the doors after him. Now he was the one responsible for controlling two packs. What was going on?

“It’s the truth, son,” Edward said.

Shaun turned and looked at his father, who had just entered. “What is the truth?” He was getting confused by all of their words. There was nothing different about him. He was the same old Shaun with a few markings on his back. His body was also larger than he anticipated.

“You wanted to change the way the packs were. Remember? You never liked the way they dealt with pack females. This is your chance to change it all.”

He shook his head. There was no chance for this.

“Addie already knows. We told her this morning,” Jackson said.

Shaun paused as he stared at her brother, whose cell phone was going off constantly. The noise was starting to irritate him.

“This was never a choice for me. The instant I did this I was doomed,” Shaun said.

Edward shrugged. “You never asked what happened to the male during a challenge. Also, I’ve never known of two alpha sons competing for one woman. Brendan showed he didn’t deserve his woman in the way he treated her.”

Moving away from the two men, Shaun slammed his fist against the nearest tree. The tree cracked and started to fall in the opposite direction.

The cell phone went off again.

Jackson continued to ignore it.

“This is no longer a choice. I’ve got to stick this out otherwise you’ll be hurt?”

Edward nodded.

“But you’re the alpha. You should control your own pack.”

His father lifted his shirt. The markings of the alpha were fading.

The cell phone went off again.

“You’ve got a choice, but it’s not just about you and Addie. This is about all members of the pack,” Edward said.

“Do you really think the older members would follow me?” Shaun asked. If he was going to take over the pack then he was going to do it with the guarantee they would follow him.

“They were the ones to demand you take over. You impressed them with your battle and also with your mercy on Brendan. No other mate would be able to resist killing the man responsible for hurting their woman. You did both.”

Turning away from the two men Shaun paced the forest. There was nothing else he could do other than accept what the two men wanted.

“Fine.
I’ve got no choice.”

His body was different, and there was no changing it for him. Shaun was the alpha of the two packs, and he couldn’t deny it.

Shaun stared up at the sky and closed his eyes. The scent of the forest surrounded him. He opened up his mind and heart as each pack member filled his thoughts.

Jackson’s cell phone went off again.

“Take the call, Jackson,” Shaun said.

He walked back to Jackson and Edward. Jackson flipped open the phone and frowned.

“Addie called me. There’s a voicemail.”

His heart raced at the thought of hearing his woman’s voice. Hearing her voice was the only thing getting him by. He missed her dreadfully. All he could think about was her wrapped in his arms. The way her body melted against his as he took her again and again, plagued his thoughts and dreams. No amount of release from his fist could compete with the beauty of her body.

“Oh no,” Jackson said.

“What’s the matter?” Shaun asked.

Jackson dropped the phone and stared at Shaun. “Brendan has taken Addie. He’s hurting her.”

Shaun picked up the phone and listened to the commotion over the voicemail. Addie’s pain-filled screams and the fear in her voice were clear, and Brendan’s wrath could also be heard.

Rage coursed through Shaun. He let himself go to the feral rage of his beast. Brendan had hurt his mate for the last time.

“Where could he have taken her?” Jackson said. “Addie won’t survive this. I knew I shouldn’t have let her go into town alone.”

“It’s not your fault, Jackson.” Shaun turned away as his hackles rose. He couldn’t form any words as the rage of a wounded animal filled every part of him. His muscles expanded, and he felt the change start to take him.

“Son?”

“Tell Alfred his son is dead. I showed mercy once, but he’s overstepped the line today. He will be dead.”

Before any of the men stopped him, Shaun took off toward the forest. He stuck to the thick layer of trees. Half-way through his run he changed into a full beast. His wolf was angry, and together they made a deadly combination. They were angry and hurt at the pain being inflicted on their woman. Addie was theirs to protect and to claim.

He promised her she’d never know pain again.

You kept your promise. Brendan is dead.

Shaun relished the feel of Brendan dying underneath his hands.

He ran toward the Northern Mountains. By the time he made it to Alfred’s cottage, his father would have been in touch with the other man.

Several of the members stepped out of the way as he rushed forward. Alfred stood in the entrance of his front door. The shame on the other man’s face couldn’t be mistaken.

Shaun changed to human. “Where is he?”

“I’m sorry—”

“I don’t have time for apologies. Where is Brendan?”

The other man swallowed. Shaun’s patience was running out. Reaching out he gripped Alfred’s neck. “Where is he?” He yelled the words in the man’s face.

“He’s still my son.”

“He’s a poor excuse for a fucking man, let alone a wolf. I warned him, and I warned you. Where is he?”

“Tell him where Brendan is,” a woman said, coming out of the clearing. The scent of Brendan surrounded her. Shaun saw the bruises on the woman’s face. She was a blonde and one of the Northern Mountain pack. The woman was also under the age of eighteen, a mere child in Shaun’s eyes. The abuse of her person was clear to see.

“You see the animal you created. Brendan is going to die.”

Alfred didn’t say another word.

“There is an abandoned cottage several miles east of here. It’s covered and wouldn’t be seen. You should scent the mixture of several women, although it might be hard with the water in the air masking the scent. Brendan takes his women there to abuse. It’s far enough away so no one can hear,” the woman said.

“My son is no abuser. You all go there because you want him,” Alfred said. “I’ve seen the way you hang off him. He tells me this himself.”

Shaun saw the conflict in the older man’s gaze. Alfred really didn’t know about the extent of his son’s abuse.

“My son would never harm a woman.” It was clear the man was in denial, stupid, or covering for his son’s behavior. Hell, he was probably a combination of all three.

“What about Addie? What’s your excuse for her?” Shaun asked.

The older man’s shoulders slumped. “I didn’t know.” His voice sounded broken, as if he’d lost something. “I didn’t know.” Alfred appeared broken, but just as quickly he changed.

Alfred threw Shaun off with surprising strength and went for the woman. Shaun was faster, and he caught Alfred by the neck and held him still.