What is going on? Why can I hear you in my head? Rowan asked.
That’s the power of the alpha. Sorry, I sorta screwed you by not taking you to him for your first shift. I just thought we’d have a few days. Lyric’s voice sounded apologetic.
We will talk about it when we get to Rowan’s. I didn’t allow any room for arguments.
With Xan taking the lead, I nipped Lyric, letting her know without words I wanted her to follow. Rowan, still in protective mode, would follow — of that I had no doubt. I understood more about Rowan in the moments I was inside his mind than I’d ever get talking to the man for days or weeks in a deep interrogation session. The man was definitely in lust with Lyric, and, if I wasn’t missing my mark, they were meant to be mates. Things were about to get interesting. I kept my chuckle to myself, knowing my best friend was gonna be one pissed-off big brother when he realized his baby sister was about to be mated.
At the back deck, Xan shifted quickly, holding out a blanket for Lyric as if he wanted to hide her nudity from Rowan. I wanted to laugh at the audacity of my second. We were naked more often than not, especially when we shifted. The fact that he was acting like the big brother protecting his sister’s virtue was comical. I wondered if Lyric would do the same if roles were reversed. I pictured what she’d have done if she’d seen Xan fucking the chick before we’d gotten the call about the attack at the bar. I already knew what Lyric would’ve done, and the answer was the same as Syn. Nothing. They’d walked in on more than one woman bouncing on their brothers’ dicks over the years and done nothing more than tell them to wear protection or lock the door next time.
Lyric ignored Xan’s outstretched arms and pulled on what were obviously men’s sweats and a shirt. Xan growled, but she folded her arms and glowered at him. I ignored them and focused on helping Rowan do his final shift of the night. The man may be the most stoic male I’d ever met, but he was still newly made. Using my connection, I took on some of the pain and helped Rowan focus on becoming human once again. We shifted at the same time. I was there to catch him when Rowan stumbled, his strength finally giving out.
“Fuck, I feel like I was waterboarded and left for dead.” Rowan scrubbed a hand down his face.
“Does that happen to you often? The waterboarding thing?” Xan asked.
“Shit, I…forget I said that.”
Lyric handed Rowan his jeans, as a mate should do, in my mind. “All right, let’s take this party inside.” I swiped up my own pants, put them on, and checked my cell phone. “Shit, we got trouble.” I showed Xan my phone. We had a text from Arynn that one of our females was missing. “Change of plans, kids. Lyric, I know you’ve got Pixie here somewhere?” At her nod, I looked at Rowan and knew the man was in no condition to drive. “You want to leave her here and drive him, or you want Xan to drive your guy back to the clubhouse?”
“I can drive myself. Or, better yet, I’ll just stay here,” Rowan said.
I looked down where Rowan had parked his ass on the first step. “Sure thing, and flying monkeys are coming out of my ass. What’s it gonna be, Lyric?”
“How did you find us?” she asked.
“We have a locator on all the vehicles. Before you ask something that will more than likely piss me off, no, we don’t check up on you girls. It’s for emergencies only.” I took in herindignant expression. “I never unloaded my bike from his truck, so I’ll drive us.” Lyric dug her toe into the ground.
I nodded. “You will follow me, and make no detours, little girl.” I didn’t think she’d disagree with me or challenge my authority, but, just in case, I made sure she understood it was an order.
“Do we have time to pack him a bag, Alpha?” Snark rang clear in her voice. She didn’t wait for me — I didn’t expect her to.
Rowan watched her stomp into the house, and Xan couldn’t hide his amusement either. “Someone needs to put her over their knee,” I growled.
Rowan pulled himself up off the step. “Nobody will be touching her.”
I laughed as Rowan got up in my face, his threat holding real heat. Yeah, he was going to make a great addition to the pack once he found his place. “Boy, you ain’t big enough to take me on today. Now, settle down and wait for Lyric to come back with a bag so we can scat.”
“Shit, he’s got some balls. Maybe we need to see how he does in the ring against one of us.” Xan rubbed his hands together.
I grunted.
Chapter Six
Iheard my brother talk about getting in the ring with Rowan and thought they’d all be in for a big surprise if they did. Xan was a dirty fighter, but my guy was tough as any I’d seen. He’d definitely give them all a run for their money. I wondered if Syn was aware they LoJacked our asses.
In Rowan’s room, I found a duffel in his closet, quickly grabbed a couple of pairs of soft jeans and T-shirts, and threw in a few pairs of socks and boxer briefs. The man may go commando and look great naked, but I didn’t want him to think I was a perv. A smile curved my lips.
“What’s got that smile on your face, darlin’?”
“Shit, I told you not to sneak up on me.” I dropped his bag. “Here, since you’re clearly well enough to carry your own stuff. I haven’t gotten any of your bathroom supplies.”
Rowan bent and picked up the duffel. “I’ll just grab a few things. I think I’m ready to wake up now.”
“What?” I asked.
He shook his head. “This whole thing seems surreal, and although I find you to be the embodiment of sexy itself, I really think I’m over this dream.” He turned and walked into his bathroom.
I watched him enter, my heart breaking at his words. He’d only wanted to help a woman out, and instead, his entire life was turned upside down. Now, he was wishing he’d never met me. He may not have had a choice in becoming an accidental shifter, but he didn’t have to be my mate. I would let him go,even though it would kill me to watch him pick another. Now that Kellen had accepted him and was willing to teach him everything, I would let Rowan choose his own path. Nobody wanted an accidental mate thrust upon them. I wanted a man who chose me, not one who didn’t have any other choice. With my decision made, I wiped my fingers under my eyes and strolled out of his bedroom for the last time.
