Wolf's Bane (Shifted) (3 page)

“
That might send up a red flag.”

“We
can say it’s being renovated.”

“
That might work, but how do we explain the lack of workers?”

Lars thought for a moment. “Drew
, I have five boys. Both Colin and Mathew work in the building industry. Lexi is now mated to Gage Cheveyo. He owns and runs a design company that focuses on architecture. We could have only people we trust come and go.”

“Royal was extremely helpful
, and he is aware of the situation. Perhaps asking the Cheveyo pack for assistance in keeping up appearances would work,” Drew agreed.

“I’ll
call Lexi, and the boys, and explain. I’m sure she would help.”

“
Thank you Lars, Bryce. My family is indebted to you.”

“
Your family is our family, Drew. You chose my son to be your heir. That’s family.”

“
I suppose it is. Come meet Ashley. She’s with Julie in the great room.”

“Does
she know we are coming? We don’t want to scare her.” Bryce asked.

“
She knows you’re coming.”

3

Ashley Freedman sat quietly wrapped in a quilt her aunt had given her. Even the roaring fire couldn’t diminish the chills that seemed to be a part of her now. She wasn’t in pain. She couldn’t feel the wounds that littered her body. She couldn’t feel anything inside or out. She was numb.

A knock at the door made her jump. She shook her head
, scolding herself for being such a baby. She knew that Warren would come, probably sooner rather than later. She also knew that, when he did come, he wouldn’t knock.

“
Come in,” Aunt Julie called while looking at Ashley to see if it was alright. Of course it was alright. What was she going to do, lock herself in a tower for the rest of her life? She needed to get it together, get strong, so she could leave. Being here only put more of her family at risk. As soon as she was able, she would go… go where, she didn’t know.

“
Ash, I have Bryce and Lars with me.” Uncle Drew was walking on eggshells around her. They all were. No one knew what to say.

“
Okay,” she said turning slightly to see the men entering. She was not used to being asked permission. The Bane told their women what to do and they did it. She had always known her parents were different, and seeing Aunt Julie with Uncle Drew, she knew now more than ever that the Bane way was wrong. Uncle Drew had slowed down the second his wife had told him he was driving too fast on the way there. A Bane were would have sped up and reprimanded his mate, telling her to stay in her place.

“
It’s okay dear. You’re safe,” Aunt Julie whispered, feeling her niece tense up.

Ashley watched as two huge were-men came into the room. She tried not to show how fearful she was. Keeping her head down, she peered through the hair that had fallen around her face like a shield. The two men looked similar, one older than the other, but both had dark hair with whisky colored eyes. Drew had said his Beta’s son would be taking the Alpha position when he retired. It was clear that the younger of the two was Alpha.

She noticed how good looking they both were despite her aversion to anything male at the moment. She had to keep reminding herself that one or two men’s actions didn’t make all men bad.

“
Ashley, this is Lars, my second in command, and this is his son Bryce.”

“Good
to meet you,” Bryce said taking a step forward. The girl drew her legs up, clutching them with her arms as she sank deeper into the cocoon the blanket made around her.  “Sorry,” Bryce said knowing he had scared her. She was trying to hide in plain sight. His advance had made her retreat even more. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

The
man’s words hurt. She was afraid to have him come closer and, rationally, knew she had no reason to be. Uncle Drew trusted these men and she was acting like a coward.

“It’s
alright. You didn’t scare me,” she lied. “It’s just been a rough week.”

Bryce smiled at the girl
’s comment. A rough week was an understatement. She had been through hell. He could see strength in her that lay just beneath the surface. She was damaged, but Bane hadn’t broken her.

“I know you
don’t know us, but your uncle explained what happened.” Bryce caught a hint of pain in her hidden gaze. Her dark hair hid most of her face, but you could still detect the shadows within. Her grey green eyes were dull and lifeless. Had they always been that way? “We want to help. Just let us know if you need anything.”

“Thank
you. I won’t be here that long, but it’s kind of you to offer,” Ashley said lifting her chin to look directly at the man. This stranger was offering his assistance only because she was the niece of the Alpha.

“
Ashley, we have discussed this,” her Aunt Julie said in response.

“I
know we have. I only agreed to come here because I had nowhere else to go. As soon as I’m able, I will be leaving. My being here puts you all at risk.”

“I can go take care of Bane right
now!” Bryce didn’t know where that came from. He was angry at Bane, and after seeing Ashley curled in a ball on the Alpha’s couch, he was enraged. After all she had been through, she still had to live in fear of retribution. He wanted to take care of the problem, show her there were good men in the world.

“Bryce,” Lars reprimanded.

“What Dad? Look at her. No woman should be treated that way. If this Bane character thinks she’s at fault, he needs to think again.”

Ashl
ey felt the rage coming off the were across the room. The enormous man’s anger should have terrified her, but it didn’t. It intrigued her. A man she didn’t even know was willing to defend her. Maybe, just maybe, her mother had been right. There were more men out there like her father and Uncle Drew.

“
You can’t just go kill him,” Ashley said wincing at the word kill. She had killed and would do it again. Death was too good for Richard Bane.

“
If he comes for you, I will.” Bryce knew his reaction to the situation was extreme. She wasn’t family. She was a girl he had met ten minutes ago, but even before he met her, he knew he needed to protect her. She wasn’t helpless. She had killed a full grown male.

“
Why would you do that for me?” The hair around her face fell back a bit. allowing Bryce see more of her face. She had delicate features and smooth skin. The shadow of a bruise on her cheek looked angry and purple against her pale skin. Her fingers were the only thing showing as she clutched the blanket around her neck. Was she cold? It seemed warm to Bryce. He wanted to comfort her but didn’t know how. She was afraid of him, so he dare not go closer.

“I would do it for any woman that was mistre
ated.” Ashley was surprised that she felt sudden disappointment. For a brief moment, she and hoped he was doing it for her specifically. What would it be like to have a man that was that fierce to defend your honor? A man that cared enough to vanquish all your demons. It was the stuff of fairy tales, and for a brief moment, she wished it was real.

“I don’t want an
yone getting hurt because of me.”

“How
is this your fault?” Bryce snapped angrily and stepped forward without thinking. He was angry at the situation, not her. He envisioned Gage, his sister’s mate. What would he do if this was his sister, Lexi? Gage would tear the man who threatened his mate apart. He actually had done just that. A man who had threatened his sister had been sentenced to death, and Gage had personally seen the sentence carried out.

“Bryce
, you’re scaring her,” Julie yelled as she jumped up to stop him.

Bryce looked and saw fear in
Ashley’s eyes. It was because of him. “Oh god, I’m sorry. I just …it’s not your fault. You deserve better.”

“
How do you know?” Ashley mumbled putting her head back down.

“How
do I know what?” Bryce said softly. He didn’t mean to make matters worse. Instead of assuring her she was safe here, he had frightened her.

“
How do you know I’m worth it? I killed a man.”

“I’m
sure he deserved it.”

“
Yes he did.” Bryce caught sight of a tear rolling down her cheek just before she buried her face in the blanket.

 
“Ashley, you’re safe here. We’ll make sure of it.”

“
Thank you.” Ashley’s words were muffled. She still had her face buried in the blanket that surrounded her.

“Ash
, if Julie and I are not available, I want you to go to Lars, or Bryce, for help if you need it,” Drew said quietly. “The pack house will be closed. Only Lars and his family will be coming in and out.”

“
I don’t want to be any trouble.”

Bryce
tensed. The girl thought she was trouble. She didn’t feel worthy of the help she was getting.

“
You’re not trouble. There is no dishonor in asking for help if you need it,” Bryce told her.

Ashley
couldn’t get over this man. She had expected her father and uncle to support her but no one else. Even her friends were afraid to back her until the council demanded the truth. They were probably in trouble for speaking up. Women were not allowed to speak against the Alpha. She hoped they weren’t being punished. The males that had witnessed and even participated in the attack were the polar opposite of Bryce Woodland. They had said horrible things like, that she had deserved it, and that she was a cold blooded killer. Bryce wasn’t judging her. He was trying to help. She could hear the anger in his voice but knew it was not directed toward her.

“
We will let you rest, Ash. Bryce, can you remain here in the house for the time being? I’ll be taking some time off to be with Ashley until this is settled.”

“
Of course Alpha.”

“Lars
, I know Jane thinks Bryce is too young to be a full Alpha so feel free to tell her that I am here. Other than your family and the guards, I think it’s best that the pack thinks I’m still away.”

“
Understood. Ashley, your uncle is like family to mine. He has always been a second father to all my children. I consider you family as well.”

Ashley tried to respond
, but her eyes filled with tears as emotion choked her. These strangers were kinder to her than her pack had ever been. She loved her mother, but suddenly, she was angry with her. How could she choose to live in her father’s pack after growing up in this one?

“I’ll see you
out,” Julie said standing, “I’ll be right back, Ashley.” Ashley just nodded. No words were going to come out even if she tried.

Julie followed her husband out as he led Bryce and Lars from the room.
Looking back in to make sure Ashley was alright, she slowly closed the door.

“Bryce
, could you come by tomorrow? I think it would be good for Ashley.”

“I
don’t see how. She’s scared of me.”