Unexpected Mate

KAI

“He’s a real empathetic ass, isn’t he?” Doris asked Kai when he walked back into the morgue.

The rogue girl’s body was already gone, and Doris was cleaning up.

“He has his issues. Always has. Blames our pack for his mother’s disappearance.”

“Doesn’t he know by now that his mother is deceased?”

“I’m sure he suspects, but without proof, he’d rather believe she abandoned them than his father is the reason she’s dead.

“When my aunt showed up that night, Mother was beside herself. How Alice managed to reject Draiden and his pack then make it here in her condition is a mystery.” He shook his head sadly.

“I was a child, but even I knew she wouldn’t make it through the night.

“Aunt Alice knew Draiden wouldn’t be able to sense her death through his pain from her rejection, so she begged my parents never to tell him she’d died here.

“It hurt her for Cole’s sake, but she already knew Draiden would turn the boy against her.” Kai huffed. “He’d already done so.”

“I read Doctor Lewis’s files on her,” Doris said. “She’d been severely beaten, injected with wolfsbane, and then injected with liquid silver. No one could have survived that, Kai. It’s an extremely horrible way to die.”

Kai nodded, then sighed. “I’m sure Draiden suspects we know something, but he’s never proved it or confronted us about it. Cole neither, for that matter. But enough about that.”

He leaned against Doris’s worktable and smiled. “I’d like you to go into town and get some clothes and things for Meadow. Not that I mind her wearing my T-shirts, but I’m sure she’d rather have some other things to wear.

“Also, could you explain to her that we killed her?” He chuckled. “Well, you know what I mean.”

“Of course, Alpha. I’ll have her fridge and cupboards stocked too. I’m assuming she’ll be staying indoors for a while longer?”

“Yes.” Kai handed her his credit card. “At least until I know Cole bought the story and there are no Red Dawn wolves stalking the streets.”

She slipped the credit card in her pocket.

“You handled the burial for the rogue girl?” he asked as he walked toward the door.

“Of course. The girl provided a valuable service and should be taken care of properly. She’s being interred at the rogue cemetery as we speak.” Doris took off her lab coat and followed him out.

He patted her shoulder. “Thank you, Doris. For all that you do.”

“We’re family, Kai.”

DARREL

When Darrel pulled up in front of the Red Dawn pack house, Cole stomped off to his quarters. But Darrel sat in the car for a bit, his mind going back over that night.

The little bitch had fought Cole, so he sent her down to Darrel to be “softened up.” It was what they always did.

Tying her to the cross for her whipping was standard. How was he to know she’d get a burst of strength and kick his balls? And he’d just meant to nick her with the knife, not stab her.

Oh well, serves her right. All she had to do was take her punishment and allow the alpha to claim her. It wasn’t like they were going to name the bitch luna or anything—Cole just wanted a son.

He got out and called three ferals to him, and they made plans to scout out the Silver Nights pack that evening, to see if they could identify any girls that could bring in money.

Not too young, but not too old or attached either.

MEADOW

Meadow had been resting, but when she heard people out in the front room, she shuffled out there to see what was going on.

Doris and Jason were carrying grocery bags; other shopping bags were scattered around the apartment.

They both smiled at her.

“Hello! How are you feeling?” Doris asked.

“Tired mostly. What’s all this?”

“I went shopping for you. Bought you some groceries and feminine supplies. Oh, and some clothes that I’m sure will fit much better.”

Meadow started to panic. “I…I can’t …I can’t pay for that!”

“Oh, honey!” Doris put her bags down and took Meadow’s hands. “Alpha Kai is taking care of this—and anything else you need. All we want is for you to get stronger. This pack takes care of its own.”

“But I’m not pack,” Meadow whispered.

“Doesn’t matter. For now, you’re under Alpha Kai’s protection.” Doris retrieved some bags off the sofa and started for the bedroom as Jason started unloading the groceries.

“Now follow me. I have some nice things for you, then it’s time to check your wound and maybe even take a shower.”

Doris was already hanging clothes in the closet when Meadow came in: tops and jeans and a couple of dresses. And a soft, yellow T-shirt was lying on the bed next to a pair of brown, velvety warm-ups.

Doris patted the bed. “Okay, sit down here so I can check the stitches.”

Meadow lifted the hem of the long T-shirt she was wearing, and Doris pulled off the bandage and gently pushed on the puckered wound. “This is looking very good. You’ll carry a scar, but it will be minimal.”

“What’s one more scar when my body’s already Cole’s canvas?” Meadow said bitterly. “He’s been decorating my body for years. I’m painted in pain and rejection.”

Doris met her eyes. “I can’t even begin to understand what you’ve been through, but I do know we’ll take care of you here. Kai is a good alpha.”

Doris gave her the go-ahead to shower and change clothes, and when Meadow stepped back into the bedroom, there was a sandwich and a cup of chicken soup waiting for her on the little table.

She sat down across from Doris, who had already eaten her own sandwich.

“Okay…now for the hard part.” Doris cleared her throat. “Cole and his beta were here this morning.”

Meadow froze with the spoon halfway to her mouth, then lowered it and clasped her hands in her lap.

“He was here to identify your body.”