Soul Mates Box Set 2 Page 10

  She thought of her beloved mate, how he had been found and the pain was overwhelming. It racked her body and she released a sharp cry of grief.

  Rylan was shocked at the intensity of her pain. She had not reacted like this when she told him of her mate’s death. This pain was as deep as the pain he felt. He put his arm around Evie, pulling her close, offering her comfort. She laid her head on his chest and cried. He stroked her hair, soothing her.

  “What happened, Evie? What pains you so?”

  “They…they dissected him!” Her voice broke and she wailed. She buried her face in his massive chest and sobbed. She hugged him tightly as he looked over at Ethan in shock. Ethan’s eyes watered and he nodded.

  Dissected him?

  He couldn’t imagine what kind of coldhearted bastard would dissect a man.

  They killed him because he was a wolf? Took him away from sweet Evie and her wonderful children to satisfy their curiosity?

  His body tensed in anger at the people who caused Evie such heartbreaking distress. He forced himself to focus on Evie, on soothing her pain. He held Evie until her sobs subsided. Her body shuddered when she took deep breaths. Too exhausted from crying to move, she stayed in his arms, resting her head on his chest.

  “I can protect you here. You don’t have to live in this house. But you have to stay in town,” Ethan declared quietly. His worry for his daughter and grandchildren was warranted.

  “No. I can’t leave our home. All of our memories are there. The children need to be in the forest, in our home, so they can be close to him. Lucas hated living in the city. He said a wolf should be allowed to roam free. He wouldn’’t want the kids to be caged up.”

  “He would want you safe. Evie, I can’t afford to have my Soldiers watch you. I will need them to help protect the pack and find out who is doing this to our kind.”

  Ethan observed the way Rylan held his daughter, they way he comforted her. Something occurred to him and he hoped he was right.

  “I suppose you can stay there if you mate with Remington, your Alpha.”

  Evie sat up and faced her father, shocked at his suggestion. Evie didn’t seem to notice that Rylan’s arm was still around her.

  Rylan realized he was still holding Evie and had no desire to remove his arm.

  Ethan noticed Rylan didn’t remove his arm from Evie and that she didn’t seem to mind.

  “Absolutely not! I know Serena. She’s a wonderful person. She only left him because she’s not his true mate. I would never ask Remington to be my mate when his true mate is still out there. I will not sentence him to such a life.”

  “You need an Alpha to protect you,” Ethan insisted.

  “Not Remington.”

  The two argued back and forth and Rylan frowned at the thought of Evie mated to someone she didn’t care for.

  Any male who lives with Evie in order to protect them will want to fuck her. Invariably, she would agree to it. Evie shouldn’t be forced to endure the touch of a man she didn’t want. She deserves better than that. Evie deserves to be fucked by someone who cares for her.

  “I will protect you,” Rylan said softly. Evie and Ethan stopped arguing and turned to Rylan.

  “W-What?” Evie was sure she heard incorrectly. Ethan bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling.

  “You need an Alpha to protect you. I’m an Alpha. You don’t want an unmated Alpha because you don’t want him to abandon you if he finds his mate. I won’t abandon you, Evie. I have no mate, nor will I ever have one.”

  “Rylan—”

  “I need to do this, Evie. If not for your kindness, I would still be Feral and your father would have to kill me. I need something to do, Evie. I’ve spent my whole life waiting for my mate. Now that I’ve found her, I can’t have the kind of life I planned. Protecting you and the children gives me a purpose. Let me do this for you, for the children. I will keep you safe.”

  Rylan had several valid points. It seemed that they needed each other, so Evie agreed.

  “We live on the side of a mountain and we have very cold winters, so you’ll have to get some warmer clothing. We can leave Sunday, stop by the mall in the city then drive up to our cabin.

  Chapter Five

  Since Rylan would need clothes to endure their cold winter, they drove to the mall. Tired of sitting after the long drive from Second Chances, the children exited the car excitedly. While Evie unbuckled Max from his car seat, Gabby and Finn stood on either side of Rylan. Finn enthusiastically reached for Rylan’s hand, gripping it tightly. Surprised, Rylan raised a brow then turned to Gabby. He nodded and she slipped her hand into his. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and was rewarded with a shy smile.

  Once Max was out of the SUV, he demanded, “Rylan!” and stretched toward him. Not wanting Max to wail, Rylan gently said, “Max, calm down. I’’ll take you in a minute.” He looked at the children standing beside him. He kneeled and faced Gabby.

  “Gabby, can you do me a favor and hold your mother’s hand so I can carry Max?”

  The alpha wants me to do a favor for him? Flattered, Gabby nodded and released his hand.

  “Thanks, Gabby.” He straightened and took Max from Evie.

  “Rylan, you don’t have to—”

  “I don’t mind, Evie,” Rylan replied softly. I don’t mind at all.

  Together, they walked into the mall, heading to a clothing store for men.

  ***

  As he rode the escalator to the first floor, the Omega was shocked to see Evie and her children across from him, on the escalator going up.

  Who the fuck is that? he wondered as he stared at the male carrying Evie’s youngest child. He stumbled, nearly falling as he reached the bottom and the elevator steps pushed him off.

  He ran around to the other side and quickly stepped onto the Up escalator. Walking quickly up the escalator, he followed a short distance behind them, silently fuming as he observed Evie and the stranger. He caught the stranger’s scent and stiffened.

  An alpha? She’s fucking an alpha now?

  Infuriated, he growled low. Inside a store, surrounded by other people and various sounds, Rylan missed the threatening growl.

  Omegas were the lowest ranking and physically weakest pack member. Realizing he didn’t stand a chance against an alpha, the Omega left.

  On his way to the parking lot, his phone rang. After checking the caller ID and recognizing the number, he answered it immediately.

  “I need another one,” the voice demanded. “Well?”

  “Yes, Sir. I’ll get on it right away.”

  The Omega drove away from Tarchannen territory. His visit there had been informative. He verified that the alpha’s mate had run away from him.

  A female wolf, all alone, without the protection of a pack. Perfect, he thought.

  Although the Tarchannen Alpha had a better chance of finding her than he did, the Omega still added Serena’s name to his mental list of wolves, right below ‘Evie’s alpha’.

  Several hours later, the Omega pulled over and parked on the side of a dirt road. He removed a six pack from the cooler he kept on the floor behind the driver’s seat. He headed toward the field, where a crowd of men had gathered.

  A large group of men, most dressed in jeans, some dressed in fancy suits, formed a tight circle in the field. The Omega tried unsuccessfully to push his way through. After bribing a few individuals with an icy cold bottle of beer, he finally made it to the inside of the circle.

  LED lanterns had been placed on the ground, creating a circle. Two men fought within the circle of light, punching and kicking, each determined to win the match, both desperate for the prize money.

  Marshall needed the money to buy medicine for his sick child. Rafe needed a bottle of Scotch.

  They were both about six feet tall, lean and muscular. Marshall was well groomed and in his mid thirties. Rafe had an unkempt beard and his shoulder length hair was matted and stringy. Although he appeared to be the same age as Marshall, he w
as only twenty seven. Years of hard living and abusing his body with alcohol had aged him.

  The men circled each other, hands up protectively, each looking for a chance to strike. Bored with their uneventful dance, the crowd of men booed and hissed. Rafe really needed that bottle of scotch. Wanting to claim his prize money and get wasted as soon as possible, Rafe faked a punch to the right. Marshall leaned back slightly as he raised his left forearm to block. Rafe allowed his body to turn as though punching. Instead of extending his arm, he kept it protectively in front of him as he swept his leg out, knocking Marshall off his feet. Rafe spun around as Marshall fell. The crowd cheered.

  Rafe kicked Marshall as hard as he could in the ribs, cracking two of them. Marshall curled into a fetal position, breathing heavily, trying to focus on anything but the excruciating pain in his side. An image of his wife flashed in his head. He could imagine the disappointed look on her face if he came home penniless.

  Rafe could almost taste the smooth burn of scotch as it ran down his throat. He kicked again. This time Marshall rolled and he missed. Marshall got to his feet and lurched at Rafe, knocking them to the ground. Having the advantage of being on top, he punched Rafe in the mouth, splitting his lip. Blood ran everywhere. Marshall pressed his forearm against Rafe’s throat, effectively choking him. Rafe gasped for air. The crowd cheered loudly, egging him on.

  Marshall could see himself entering his home with the medicine for his sick daughter. The love and gratitude in his wife and daughter’s eyes was overwhelming.

  Rafe grabbed Marshall’s pinky and ring finger and pulled it back as hard as he could. He heard a loud snap as Marshall’s fingers broke. Marshall screamed as he held his broken fingers to his chest. Rafe wheezed as he sucked in air. He rolled to his side, taking deep breaths. Dizzy from the influx of oxygen, Rafe struggled to stand.

  Thinking only of his sick child, Marshall attacked. With a sharp battle cry, Marshall stomped on the side of Rafe’s knee, shattering the bone.

  The pain in his knee was so intense, Rafe was unable to scream. He fell to the ground.

  The blood thirsty crowd chanted, “Finish him! Finish him!”

  The crowd was rewarded when Marshall kicked Rafe’s face, breaking his jaw and knocking him out. Rafe lay face down, unconscious, in a pool of his own blood.

  As Rafe slowly regained consciousness, he was aware that he lay on the grass in the dark, his body in pain. His face ached from the punch and kick he had received during the fight. His split lip had healed and his jaw felt fine. His knee on the other hand, was still mending. As he turned over slowly, he groaned when a sharp slice of pain shot up his leg. Judging from the throbbing, stabbing pains in his knee, it would be several days before he could use his leg.

  Unable to walk and having no place to go anyway, he continued to lie on the grass, staring at the stars above him. It was yet another reminder of how small and insignificant he was.

  The crowd had left the field after claiming their winnings.

  Had anyone even bothered to check to see if I was still alive? he wondered. Not that it would make a difference to anyone if I was dead.

  The distinctive sound of a cap twisting off a beer drew his attention. He sat up slowly, turning to look at the advancing wolf. The Omega took a swig of his beer and offered Rafe his last bottle of beer.

  Just as I suspected, no one cares about this wolf. I doubt anyone will even realize he’s gone, the Omega thought.

  “You look like you could use a beer,” the Omega said.

  Eyeing the bottle of beer, Rafe nodded gratefully.

  He opened the bottle and drank half of it in one long gulp.

  The Omega glanced around at the empty field. Only his car remained.

  “Do you need a ride somewhere?” he offered.

  “Got no place to go,” Rafe replied.

  “I’ve got a motel room nearby. It’s not much, but you can crash with me until your knee’s all better.”

  Rafe studied the Omega.

  There is no such thing as a free ride, he reminded himself. Since leaving his abusive Alpha, Murdock of the Lost Souls Pack, Rafe had done whatever he could to survive on the street, sometimes trading his body for a hotel room or a decent bottle of Scotch. Murdock wanted his wolf pack dependent on him, so he kept them ignorant. They were not taught any trade or skill that would allow them to survive outside of the pack.

  Having grown up under Murdock’s sadistic authority, Rafe was no stranger to pain. He preferred to fight for money rather than perform sexual acts with men. He’d had to swallow his pride on a handful of occasions when he had been desperate. Why did it always seem that when he needed help the most, the worst human beings seemed drawn to him?

  Submitting to those men always made him feel cheap and dirty. It made him full of self loathing and he ended up drunk on whatever liquor he could find. Always on a downward spiral, Rafe shuffled from one seedy town to another searching for something. Or perhaps he sought someone who could take his pain away and make him feel worthy.

  Self-preservation made him consider the offer. He couldn’t say out in the open with a broken leg. He would be easy prey for criminals. Unable to defend himself, he could end up in a worse situation. At least if he accepted the offer he knew what he would be agreeing to.

  Rafe finished his beer and gratefully accepted the ride. The Omega drove his car close to where Rafe sat on the field. He helped Rafe get into his car. Before driving off, he offered Rafe a bottle of pills.

  “For your knee.”

  Rafe gratefully accepted the bottle and swallowed two pills. A few minutes after getting into the car, Rafe fell fast asleep. When he woke up eight hours later in a cold cell, it was only the beginning of his nightmare.

  Chapter Six

  Rylan drove carefully up the mountain road, mindful of wild animals that might run across the road. They passed several deer crossing signs, but he never saw any deer. Before long, he pulled up in front of Evie’s cabin. The children eagerly exited the SUV, happy to be home. Evie unlocked the cabin door and let her older children in. Max had fallen asleep, so Rylan carefully picked him up and carried him inside.

  Evie’s heart clenched tight at the sight of Rylan carrying her youngest son.

  It seems so natural, as if.... She shook her head, clearing her thoughts. Rylan is here to protect us, nothing else. He is heartbroken and needs some time to recover. He isn’t interested in anything else. He couldn’t be interested in anyone else, not while he is still wounded by his mate’s abandonment.

  Rylan placed Max so his head rested on his shoulders and carried him into Evie’s cabin. He walked in and glanced around. From the outside, it looked like a simple two story cabin. On the inside, it was an inviting home. At once, he felt at ease, felt welcome.

  If I ever have a home, I would want it to be exactly like this one, he thought.

  It was an open floor plan. He was currently standing in the living room. To his left was a massive fireplace and two comfy couches. Two crocheted throws lay across the back of the couch and sofa. Soft, fluffy pillows lined the sofa. A large, plush rug covered the area between the couch and the fireplace. A couple of pillows were still on the floor. Rylan guessed the kids loved to lie on the floor in front of the fireplace. A board game was still on the coffee table.

  In front of him was the dining room, and beyond that, the kitchen. To his right, the master bedroom and a staircase that led to the second floor. He followed Evie up the staircase. The second floor contained three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Evie led him to Max and Finn’s room. He gently set Max down on his toddler bed. Evie removed Max’’s shoes and tucked him in.

  Finn and Gabby were playing in Gabby’s room, so she showed Rylan to the third bedroom.

  “This bedroom has its own bathroom, so you can some privacy,” she informed him.

  She showed him the door to his bathroom and turned around. Rylan was gazing at her intently. Though he was still, his body was tense. Evie bit her lip. They were
alone in a bedroom and her thoughts began to wander. Forcing her errant thoughts away, she swallowed and smiled brightly.

  “I’ll let you get unpacked. I’ll start dinner.” She walked passed him and Rylan fought the sudden urge to stop her. He was here to protect them, he reminded himself. Nothing more.

  ***

  “Evie?...Evie, wake up. A wolf is coming.” Rylan’s deep voice, laced with concern broke through her dream.

  “Hmmm?” she asked sleepily.

  “I was out patrolling and came across a Jeep headed this way. Get up, Evie, he’ll be here soon.”

  Evie sat up, fully awake. Rylan stood by her bedroom door, wearing only a pair of blue jeans. She heard a vehicle pull up in front of the house.

  “I’ll be right out.” Nodding curtly, Rylan pulled on a black Tee shirt and turned away. Evie used the bathroom, quickly brushed her teeth and pulled on her purple robe.

  Rylan stood by the front door, tense, ready to protect Evie from the unknown wolf.

  A sharp knock pulled her attention away from Rylan to the front door.

  Focus, Evie, she reminded herself.

  Cautiously, she opened the door.

  “Remington? What are you doing here?” Evie asked, surprised to see her Alpha standing on her doorstep.

  Remington, Alpha of the Tarchannen Pack clenched his jaw. Already embarrassed by his situation, he didn’t want to add to his humiliation by discussing it in front of another alpha.

  Evie turned to Rylan. “It’s all right, Rylan. This is Remington, my Alpha.” Rylan relaxed his stance and nodded politely to Remington.

  “An honor to meet you, Remington,” Rylan said.

  “After learning about Kane’s ordeal, Daddy was concerned about our safety. Rylan agreed to stay with us,” Evie explained.

  “I know, Evelyn. I spoke to your father last night. I’m here about Serena.”

  “Oh.” Evie paused for a moment then said, “Come in, Remington.” Remington stepped inside and she closed the door.