Page 6 of Bold Mercy

Chapter Five

I was going to need to see my pack’s seer, Lennon. She could help with wards and protection, not only for me and my house, but for the man I saw as the most at risk. Zach Keller.

It was turning out to be a very busy Sunday.

When I drove into Shadowfield, it was quiet and appeared empty. Some of the wolves would still be sleeping after last night’s festivities. They’d all be resting. All except for the alpha, beta, and, I hoped, the seer.

I bypassed the community building and drove straight to Jared’s house. I’d never been inside it, but I figured it was time. For a second, after I climbed from my car and stood staring up at his house, my stomach clenched. Not because I thought he’d be pissed when I told him a vampire with a grudge was possibly going to try to hurt him and his wolves, but because I was afraid I might find a woman in his house. In his bed.

My wolf growled, and her possessive anger brought me to my senses. The alpha’s private life was none of my business, just as mine was none of his. He could sleep with whomever he wanted. I didn’t care at all. It was simply my wolf causing trouble.

Right.

His house was big, gray, and sprawling, but not flamboyant. I stood on the sidewalk staring up at it until a woman I’d never seen before came out the front door and motioned for me. “Kait,” she called. “Come in, please.”

She held out her hand until I walked to her, then took my arm and pulled me in through the open doorway. “I’m Nell,” she told me. She was probably around sixty years old and had a kind smile. There was curiosity in her eyes as she looked me over, and her grip, though firm, was gentle. “I’m glad to finally meet you, Kait. I wondered when you’d pay us a visit.”

“Are you…”

“I’m the alpha’s housekeeper. I take care of everything around here, including Jared. Someone has to make sure he eats and rests. He thinks he can run on anger and fierceness alone, but no one can do that.” She gave me a long, considering look. “Can they?”

“Nope.” I didn’t ask what the alpha was so angry about. I was pretty sure he was born angry. “Is he here?”

“No, but I told him you were visiting. He’s on his way.”

“Thanks.” I looked around the foyer and then the sitting room she led me to. It was the cleanest room I’d ever seen. No clutter, nothing out of place, not so much as an awkwardly turned cushion. The wood floors gleamed, and I couldn’t see a single scratch or smudge. “It’s a beautiful house.” And there wasn’t a hint of Jared in it.

“Thank you. Jared’s mother took great pride in this house, God rest her. Jared’s father took pride in the land.”

“And Jared?” I couldn’t help but ask.

She shot me a quick smile. “Jared takes pride in his wolves. In our pack family. And someday, he will take great pride in his mate and his children.” Her sigh was deep and full of longing. “Someday. Perhaps…”

Seemed like she was wanting me to ask, but I wasn’t touching that. I sat gingerly on the white couch and hoped I didn’t have any of Ash’s hair clinging to me. Or blood.

“Can I get you a drink?” she asked. “Coffee?”

I shuddered at the thought of risking coffee in the pristine room. “I’m fine, Nell, but thank you.”

“Jared will be here soon.” She sailed away, leaving me alone. I stood as soon as she left and began pacing, feeling a little claustrophobic and a lot nervous. Everything was so…white.

And then I felt Jared coming, and my breath whooshed out of me as I turned and caught him filling up the doorway. He was fierce. He stared at me, unsmiling, before he finally stepped into the room, making it feel about a hundred times smaller.

My mouth dried up and my wolf sat up with her tongue lolling, panting like a dog in heat. Last night had changed us both, and it had made my connection with my alpha even tighter. Larger. More intense.

I saw a subtle change in his eyes, and my face heated as I remember the way I’d behaved when he’d dropped me at my house. I cleared my throat and forced myself to look away from him so I could think.

“Something happened?” he asked. He walked closer to me and though I was torn between throwing myself at him and running out the door, I forced myself to stand my ground.

“Axton’s human servant happened. She didn’t die when I killed Axton, and now she’s pissed. Apparently she’s decided to mess with me. And by me I mean with everyone I care about.”

“Why did you come to my house?”

I hesitated, thrown by the change of subject. “I don’t know. Just seemed like the thing to do.”

He studied me for a moment, and I had a feeling he was seeing way more than I wanted him to see. Finally, he nodded. “Avis Vine. She’s dangerous. You and Susan will move to Shadowfield until I’ve handled the threat.” Then he smiled, but just barely. “You’ll stay in my house where I can better protect you. That’s why you came here.”

I didn’t know whether to laugh or punch him. “Why do you want to insult me like that?”