The Heir Read online

  At the thought of touching her ass, memories came rushing back of a time when Sarah didn’t treat him like the scum of the earth. He didn’t know what went wrong but he wished he did so he could fix it.

  Closing his eyes he could still vividly remember the last time they’d been together and happy. Then suddenly she stopped coming to visit for months and when she finally began to visit again, she was no longer the same.

  She’d changed and Matt couldn’t understand why.

  He'd just taken another step when Nick's words stopped him.

  "I am Alpha here. This is my house. I decide who stays and who goes. Matt is not only my best friend but my second and as such he deserves the respect of anyone who visits, not only this house but my territory. If you don't like it, get the fuck out-and I don't mean just out of my house"

  His declaration shocked them all.

  Matt froze mid step, Nick’s words deflating his anger. Kate and Sarah both gasped and looked straight at Nick earning them a threatening growl. Immediately they looked down and concentrated on the floor.

  With one hand he indicated Matt to return to his place while he pushed himself up and off the chair with the other. In three long strides he stood in front of Sarah and Kate, and ordered his sister to apologize.

  Sarah, looking at the floor, did so meekly. "My apologies Enforcer"

  "I'm not just your brother anymore Sarah. The day I walked away from our fathers pack, I created my own. That day I promised to protect the people that chose to follow me with my life. They all suffered enough in the Pacific Pack and I will do everything in my power to keep my people from suffering now. Even if it means turning you out"

  Nick knew he was being harsh, but he spoke the truth. Every member in his pack could have stayed behind, yet they'd chosen to follow him; a nineteen year old with no destination in mind.

  Looking at the flourishing pack now, no one could believe it was the same pack from three years ago. Yet they were and each member had in one way or another proved their loyalty to him. Through thick and thin they had stuck with him and he could do no less in return, his honor wouldn't allow him to.

  "I'm sorry Nick"

  "I don’t know what made you change, you didn’t act like this before, but your pure blood makes you no better than anyone else, definitely not better than any of my people." Nick released a sigh full of pent up frustration and ran a hand through his hair. "Your nineteen now; the same age I was when I left home. I think it’s time you started acting like the grown up you’re supposed to be. If not...then don't come by anymore."

  Nick turned away from his sister and scrubbed his face. He looked tired and older than his twenty-two. For the first time Matt understood just how much Nick had been forced to grow up. In that second Matt realized just how much responsibility Nick had been carrying around on his shoulders since that faithful day three years ago.

  Yes they were the same age. Yes some could say that they'd carried the same load all along but Matt didn't agree. If Matt fucked up he could always count on Nick being there to fix everything, unfortunately the same couldn't be said for Nick.

  In their world a weak leader, was no leader.

  If he couldn't take care of his own problems, how could you expect him to take care of you and yours? No, even though they were best friends-brothers even; in some instance Nick couldn't count on anyone but himself, no matter how much Matt or Nick wished it otherwise.

  Sensing his stare, Nick looked at Matt straight in the eye.

  What Matt did next shocked Nick so much he took an involuntary step back.

  Matt went down on one knee and leaned his head back and to the side. He did so willingly, not because the Alpha or protocol demanded it but because he wanted to. In their world, that was the biggest sign of respect; and in Matt's case a show of voluntary submission. Nick never expected it from him. Truthfully Matt never expected it from himself.

  Once Nick had recovered from his shock, he went up to Matt and extended his hand down to him helping him back to his feet and they shared a look, friend to friend, that spoke volumes.

  With that settled Matt went back to leaning against the wall, 'Enforcer' mask back in place and Nick turned back to face his sister and Kate. Seeing the scowl on his face, the amusement quickly left the two females faces.

  "Why are you guys here?" He raised a hand to stop whatever they were about to say and continued. "Please save me from smelling the sour scent of your lies. Let’s not insult ourselves by treating each other like humans"

  That brought the girls up short. Nick could smell their consternation and apprehension but from Kate he could also scent the lust directed towards him. The stench had his stomach churning, and it took everything in him to ignore the foul odor like everyone else.

  It was in moments like this that he was glad he'd taught himself how to conceal his most powerful emotions. Otherwise the rancid scent coming from Kate would be overshadowed by the bitterness of his disgust.

  "Well?"

  Under his watch full gaze, Sarah fidgeted in her seat but before she could say a word, Kate spoke up. "The Alpha, my father -and I-think you should spend more time with your future mate. So here I am"

  Nick nodded "you know what? I think you’re Alpha, your father- and you -are right." Kate beamed at his easy acceptance but his next words washed the smile away. "Thank you for pointing out the error of my ways but I promise you that as soon as you leave I will do everything in my power to rectify my mistake."

  "What?"

  "As soon as you leave I will go look for my chosen mate so we can spend that quality time you are talking about." He spoke slowly as is speaking to a simpleton.

  "But you and I-"

  "Are nothing, we never were and never will be"

  "But the Alpha-your father"

  "I am Alpha here and my father has no say in my life. All that stopped the day he tried to pair me up with you"

  On the last word he looked her up and down and shuddered with disgust. Suddenly the room was bombarded with the acrid smell of burning peppers coming from her. Some would say he was being too hard, but those who knew their history would say he wasn't being hard enough.

  "Go home; your pure blood doesn't interest me."

  With those parting words he turned around and headed to his backyard; leaving Matt to deal with the aftermath. If he knew Kate-and he did she'd be giving him hell all the way to the door, hopefully the warning he'd given his little sister kept her from joining her best friend and insulting Matt.

  As much as he loved her, he hadn't lied. If she couldn't learn to respect his people then she would be banned from his territory. Suddenly he caught her scent and he snapped around to find her rushing towards him.

  "What do you need Sarah?"

  For a second she looked like she wanted to say something but then she looked over her shoulder, as if she feared something, and she shook her head. "Nothing, I just wanted to let you know that I really am sorry for being a pain."

  “Are you sure you’re ok? Whatever it is, you know you can come to me right?”

  Sarah looked over her shoulder and Nick followed her gaze to where Kate stood waiting for her.

  “Yeah I’m fine,” Sarah told him.

  Nick opened his arms and she stepped into them.

  "As long as you behave, you will always be welcomed.” He murmured against her hair. “And if you need me I’m only a call away."

  "Thanks Nick" She stood on her tip toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Love you"

  "Love you too"

  "Bye"

  "Not going to kiss me good bye too?" Matt asked from behind her, unable to keep himself from wishing for the right answer.

  Sarah walked away without looking at him. That was the wrong answer.

  Watching her walk away, all that ran through his mind were the memories of her previous visit. One day, he would get all the right answers from her and when he did, he wasn't letting her go like last time.

  "When I claim m
y mate everything will be perfect.” Nick told him, pulling him back from his thoughts.

  "What if she rejects you?"

  "I won’t allow it, willing or not she is mine." With that Nick turned and headed to the back of his house once again. "She is the means to the end and there's no way I will take no for an answer."

  “You are going to go caveman on her?" Matt asked sarcastically, following close behind.

  Nick shrugged and replied, "If I have to."

  His backyard was bordered by a large forest and that's where they headed. They crossed the backyard in silence, each man lost in their own thoughts. Once they were surrounded by trees they made their way towards their favorite spot.

  Nick pushed all of the morning’s occurrences to the back of his mind. When they reached their destination, he undressed and methodically folded his clothes before setting them down next to the nearest tree.

  Matt also began to undress but Nick stopped him and urged him to go to bed then raised his hand to stop Matt's protests "I'll be fine on my own and you need the rest."

  "Take Axel with you"

  "One hour." He compromised knowing Matt wouldn't give up. "Give me one hour and then send him"

  Matt conceded reluctantly and turned to walk back to the house. Nick watched him walk away and shook his head when he saw Matt pull out his always present to call Axel .

  For some reason-unknown to him- Matt often chose to forget that Nick could take care of himself. But he knew that Matt only worried about his safety and any insult he felt about having a babysitter had to be ignored.

  When Matt went inside, Nick turned around and made his way deeper into the woods.

  As he walked he deepened his breaths and concentrated on the world around him. When he noticed nothing amiss he turned his concentration inward-on his body.

  In his mind, he pictured his wolf and kept his eyes closed as he began to shift. He felt his bones crack and shift. Tufts of fur sprouted all over his body. His nose grew long into a snout. His teeth elongated, his feet and hands became paws.

  The transformation took only seconds.

  When Nick next opened his eyes, it was to look at the world around him from a completely different point of view. His eyesight, hearing and sense of smell-everything really, were ten times better and Nick loved it. To prove his point he let out a howl of pleasure and took off.

  Freedom

  It ran through him in rush after rush of pleasure. The deeper he got into the woods, the more he relaxed. It felt wonderful-to be able lock away his troubles for the time being.

  Slowly, he let the strings he kept tightly wrapped around his wolf and his control hang loose. With every step, his wolf took over a little more. Forcing his human half to take the back seat-not entirely, that could be dangerous but enough for him to be able to relax.

  A task easily accomplished because as a wolf he found it so much easier to enjoy the world around him.

  In his current body it was difficult to concentrate and worry about human trivialities. He only worried about catching his prey, marking his territory, and running until he could run no more and reaching the stream where he could quench his thirst and rest.

  With no destination in mind he picked up the pace until he was running as fast as he could. His legs carried him through the woods at a blinding speed. The trees he passed were nothing more than blurred shapes.

  He knew this forest like the back of his hand and he headed for his favorite spot.

  That's where Axel, also in wolf form, found him fifty-nine minutes later. Nick was resting, head on his paws, on top of his favorite boulder by the stream. Only the thump oh his tail acknowledged his bodyguards presence and Axel took that as permission to join him and went to sit beside his Alpha.

  They lay there, under the warmth of the sun, enjoying the tranquility of the forest until boredom set in. When it was time to play he got up and made a dash for the woods. As time passed they were joined by others of his pack. They'd been lured into the woods by his joy filled howls.

  For hours they ran and Nick’s joy soared. Even though he loved running on his own, the wolf wasn't a solitary animal and running with his Pack made him just as happy. They ran as one and when hunger set in, hunted as one; and once they'd filled their stomachs and quenched their thirst they headed back to the house.

  As they neared the backyard he concentrated on his human form and so did everyone else. Walking as humans once again, the pack dispersed, they bid each other farewell and he went to pick up his clothes. Feeling refreshed and relaxed, like he always did after shifting, he dressed quickly; with anticipation coursing through his veins because it was his turn to keep an eye on their quarry.

  In record time, he reached his car and was digging in his pocket for his keys when his phone rang. He pulled both out, with one hand he answered and with the other he unlocked his car.

  "She just rode out on her bike.” Christian told him without waiting for a greeting.

  "Stay with her but not too close! I'm on my way; I'll call you when I get into town" He hung up without waiting for a response and set the phone beside him.

  He rushed into the driver seat and signaled Axel to hurry into the passenger side. Within seconds they were out of the driveway and headed into town. He didn't need to tell Axel where they were headed. With keen hearing he'd heard both sides of the conversation just fine.

  Chapter 4

  Jessica slept for twenty straight hours. Healing at super speed took a lot of energy and sleep was needed to recuperate. She was finally woken up by the loud knock on her door the next afternoon.

  Still groggy, she stumbled to the door and opened to find Riley on the other side. Like an old western standoff they eyed each other across the threshold sizing each other up. Riley looked away, took a deep breath and then looked back at her.

  “Sorry about your room, it was just a prank.”

  Jessica nodded and also apologized, “Sorry about snapping, I wasn’t feeling well.”

  “Yeah we noticed, you slept like the dead. Everyone has been waiting for you to wake up so we could talk…”

  Jessica rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. Knowing that it couldn’t be avoided she agreed to meet everyone downstairs after she got dressed. When she was ready she found her way to the family room where everyone waited for her.

  James indicated for her to take a seat and Jessica sat on the chair, facing them all. James went to stand beside her and gave her a warm smile meant to reassure her.

  "Kids this is Jessica, she is our daughter."

  James turned to the other and gestured for her to go to him and Jessica took the chance to look at her. She had black hair and blue eyes like her, but that was about it, that was all the resemblance they shared.

  She watched as James and the other girl embraced and forced herself to display a sense of calm that she didn't really feel. Relaxing her facial expressions, letting the tension go from her shoulders she reclined in her seat, crossed her legs and started tapping her fingers on the arm rest.

  "Dani I hope you know how much we love you and nothing will ever change that." James told her and when she nodded he looked at Riley and then Jessica. "We love all of you."

  Danielle looked up and said reassuringly, "It’s OK dad I've always known.”

  "Good because -"

  "No dad, that's not what I meant." Danielle cut him off. "What I mean is that I've always known I'm adopted. A couple of years ago, the mail came with one of those envelopes that you sometimes get. I was really bored" she explained, "and you guys weren't home. I was just curious because you'd never open them in front us and they're all kept in that safe."

  The safe was hidden behind a bookshelf/door in the office. A lot of thought, money and trouble had gone into the concealing of that safe but it obviously hadn’t been enough.

  "I was really careful when I opened it; there were all these pictures of her." she returned to her seat, "When I was just putting the pictures away, I noticed a letter a
t the bottom of the envelope. The letter talked about your daughter. After that it took me a while to put it all together but little by little I started to notice things."

  "Like what?" James asked.

  "First of all, I look nothing like you guys, I have the black hair and blue eyes but that's it. She resembles mom and I don’t." she pointed out the obvious.

  To her ears, the explanation lacked substance but she couldn’t tell them the truth. Those were her secrets and hers alone. Nothing good would come from talking about them.

  Nothing good at all.

  "I hope you didn't lose any sleep over it. You should have come to us when you first suspected it." He admonished, oblivious of her turmoil.

  His words brought tears to Danielle’s eyes. She wished she could confide in her parents but she couldn’t for fear of disappointing them.

  Looking at her dad she shook her head and gave him a watery smile. "I know you guys love me and I didn’t come to you because I didn’t want to cause any trouble.”

  Jessica, feeling like an intruder, couldn't take it anymore. Jealousy and resentment were boiling up inside of her.

  All of her life she’d grown up feeling like a discarded piece of trash, replaced by the best model. And it left a bitter taste in her mouth to know that someone else had grown up feeling the love from the family she had been denied .

  Without a word Jessica got up and turned away before anyone could see the tears swimming in her eyes. She forced herself to walk away, ignoring the calls and dodging the hands that tried to stop her. Hastily she wiped away the stupid tear that dared to drop and ran upstairs for her backpack.

  She made her way back downstairs and with her hand finally on the front door knob, the walk there had felt like an eternity, she turned to look at the family. Bitterness, like an awakened volcano, exploded through her whole body.

  They were a family, whole, with no room for her.

  She raised her hand to stop their attempts to explain. Jessica didn’t want to hear their explanations. She was hurting and knew that she had to get out of there.

  "I'm sorry I have to get out of here. This is turning out to be harder than I thought. I need...I need to leave."