New Alpha-New Rules (14 page)

“Fine, but I’m
speaking to Ryder about your mistreatment of me.”

“Please do, then
he will know that I have addressed your laziness as he requested. I expect you
and Kelly to prepare lunch for the pack. You should get started because they’ll
be coming in soon.” Harper held her ground as Nicole brushed past her. The boys
had fled already and Kelly trailed behind Nicole heading downstairs to the
kitchen. Harper’s breath whooshed out of her and her body deflated. “Wow.” She
mumbled and turned the TV off as she left the room. She closed the door behind
her. Cindy popped out of what Harper assumed was her room. She wrapped her arms
around Harper and squeezed then darted back inside her room. Harper turned to
go down the stairs.

“Here.” Cindy
bumped her arm with something cold as she caught up to her on the stairs. It
was a soda. “Let’s relax while lunch is prepared. We can laze on the porch.”
She giggled. Harper grinned back at her then pushed through the screen door.
Cindy let it clack closed behind her. Harper sat down on the porch step and
leaned back while the sun warmed her face. “I don’t know when the last time was
that I had a free minute during the day.” Cindy plopped down beside her.

“Me either.”
Harper opened her soda and took a long pull.

“Hey, what’s up?”
Ryder came outside a few minutes later and stood over them. They both gave him
a questioning look. “Lunch? The boys are hungry and I kind of am too.” He
rubbed his belly and grinned.

“Nicole’s making
it.” He shook his head.

“Nicole and Kelly
took the SUV to town a little while ago.” Harper closed her eyes and seethed.

“I went to her
room and spoke to her. I told her that she and her pups needed to help around
the house. She and Kelly were to make lunch and the boys were to help you guys
in the basement.” Cindy nodded beside her.

“Well they’re out
so do you need help?”

“No.” Cindy said,
“Give us twenty minutes. Why did I think I could sit down for second?” She
mumbled and slammed through the screen door.

“You told Nicole
all of that?” She nodded. “And she disregarded her Alpha female’s
instructions?”

“It appears so. I
also told her that if they didn’t help that she would have to do her own
laundry, cooking, cleaning, and hunting plus some other things. She said that
you wouldn’t allow that because you and Will are friends.” Ryder grimaced then
nodded. “She also said that I am not Alpha female.” His face changed then and
grew angry.

“Help Cindy, okay?
I need to do something.” She reached up and kissed his cheek then went inside.

Will stopped the
tractor when Ryder waved at him. He made it there in record time sprinting
across the field as the wolf. Will hopped down. “Will, we have a problem.” Will
took his hat off and rubbed his head. “Nicole was asked to prepare lunch today
and she decided to go into town instead. She took Kelly with her. Harper told
her that she and your young should out around the house. I thought you should
know.” Will huffed out a breath.

“I’ll talk to
her.” Will said quietly.

“Will, if she can’t
participate in taking care of the pack then she can’t be part of the pack.
We’ve always had a group effort. I probably let Nicole get away with more since
you and I are friends but it has to stop. She is making it hard on everyone and
it’s causing bad feelings among the females. She has to help or there are
repercussions.” Will nodded. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed.

“Where are you?”
Ryder waited with his arms crossed over his naked chest. There was no other
feeling in the world like standing in the sunshine letting it warm your skin.
Will paid no attention to his lack of clothes, he was more interested in
maintaining his place in the pack. “You were supposed to make lunch for
everyone, why did you leave?” Will nudged at a clod of dirt with his toe. “She
is your alpha female. She is mated to your Alpha, who is pissed by the way. You
get your ass home now Nicole.” Will’s tone impressed him. He’d never heard him
be that aggressive with Nicole. She’d never been submissive to him that Ryder
knew of and he liked this in his friend. It meant that Will was alpha to his
female. He surveyed the field and saw Matt coming on his tractor. He waved and
Ryder waved back. “Fine.” Will said and ended the call.

“She’s on her way.
Sorry man. I’ll have a long talk with her because the pups and I want to stay
in the pack. She acts like she doesn’t care but I think that deep down she
wouldn’t want to leave.” Ryder wrapped an arm around Will’s shoulder and gave
him a reassuring squeeze.

“Lunch is ready by
now. Head back. We’ll get it worked out.” Will nodded. Ryder hopped up on
Matt’s tractor when he slowed down and caught a ride back to the house. He
still wasn’t sure what to do about this. He loved Will, always had but Nicole
was a piece of work. Harper gave her an ultimatum and she ignored it. If Harper
didn’t come out on top of this, there could be bigger problems. He may have to
force Will’s family from the pack because his mate came first no matter what.

Ryder heard them
before he saw them. He was behind the house putting his clothes back on. Matt
was shutting the tractor down outside of the barn. His eyes came up sharply at
Ryder. He’d heard it too. Ryder raced in the direction of the growling with
Matt right behind him. When he rounded the corner of the house, Harper’s wolf
had Nicole’s down in the front yard. Her jaws were clamped around Nicole’s
throat. Nicole was whimpering and squirming to get free. Harper’s wolf
tightened her teeth and Nicole’s eyes bugged out slightly. She was no longer
breathing. Ryder smirked. Problem solved. Who was Alpha female now? He put his
hand on Harper’s furry shoulder. She released Nicole and shifted into his mate.
“How did this happen?”

“I told her since
she didn’t participate she couldn’t eat or share in our groceries. She thought
I was kidding.” Cindy was grinning down at them from the porch door but turned
and left when Ryder spotted her. Matt followed her inside.

“Nicole.” Ryder
said when she shifted back. “Whatever direction Harper gave you, you will follow
and she has my full support.” Nicole grumbled under her breath. “And that won’t
be tolerated either. No back talk and no sass. I’m tired of it. You are hurting
this pack. You’ve sat doing nothing for too long. You will help or you will go.
The decision is yours. The pack would like for you and the family to stay as
long as you remain an active member of the pack.” He pulled Harper in for a
hug. “Is lunch ready?” She nodded and he steered her toward the stairs. “Then
let’s eat. I’m starved. Come on Nicole, don’t pout. We would like for you to
join us for lunch but only if you prepare dinner. If you don’t you’ll be asked
to leave. Clear?” Ryder said without turning around.

“Fine.” Nicole
said and followed them. Harper went to the sink and washed her hands then she
noticed them all waiting. She gave Cindy a look who stood beside the counter
grinning stupidly. The she-wolf was nearly giddy and bouncing in her shoes.

“What’s up?”
Harper murmured in her ear.

“Alpha female eats
first.” Cindy giggled. Harper rolled her eyes and grabbed two plates. She put
one down on the table in front of Ryder and the other in her place. When she
sat down, she saw everyone else grabbing sandwiches.

“How would you
feel about something other than a sandwich?” Ryder said around a bite.

“I think slow
cooked beans tomorrow, with cornbread? What do you think?” Harper asked after
swallowing. Ryder nodded. She patted his thigh under the table and he growled
softly at her. His eyes were dark amber. She knew that color. It was the color that
they turned just before he entered her. “Not at the table.” She whispered and
he grinned. The rest of the pack was silent. They were watching when she turned
back to them. Everyone was staring except Cindy who was grinning down into her
plate. Nicole looked furious. What was up with that? Harper ignored her and
stuck a chip in her mouth then turned to Curtis. He was sitting next to her
today instead of Lucy who was on Ryder’s other side.

“Curtis, do you
remember my friend Sidney?” His brows lifted and he gave a little growl before
answering.

“Sure do. Fine
looking wolf.” He grinned. Jack laughed.

“What is it Jack?”
Harper asked.

“He remembers her.
He can’t shut up about her.” Curtis snarled at him then and Jack ducked his
head. “You can’t.” Jack said quietly and went back to start eating his second
sandwich. Harper grinned when he glanced up and Jack gave her a cocky smile.
She knew then that Jack was going to be fine. He didn’t need anyone to help him
fit in. He was treating them like brothers and they were doing the same for
him. He was pack, in and accepted. Good. Jack seemed like a good kid.

“So what did you
think of her?” Harper asked. “Did you like her?” She continued when he looked
at her curiously. “Sorry. I’m probably being nosy. It’s just that she liked you
and she asked me to get the details. That’s girl code for find out if he likes
me too.”

“So childish.”
Nicole said from her place at the bar. Harper couldn’t contain the growl that
rumbled up her throat. It came straight from her still angry wolf. “What I mean
is,” Nicole turned around, “you shouldn’t sit by wondering if she likes you and
if you like her. You should call her, meet up, introduce your wolves, and get
on with it.” Nicole spun back around.

“Good plan. Get on
that Curtis.” Ryder said getting up to put his plate in the trash. “A mated
pack is a stronger pack.”

“Would she want to
do that?” Curtis said so only Harper could hear. She nodded grinning. “Call her
and ask her to stop by.” Harper winked and pulled out her cell phone.

“On it.” Harper
threw her trash away and thumbed through her recent calls.

“Everyone, Nicole
and Kelly are making dinner. Six o’clock, okay?” Ryder announced. “How are our
projects coming?”

“Still putting the
freezer together,” Lee said. “We finally got the floor braced enough. We had to
build several columns to support it so you lost some room in the basement.”
Ryder shrugged. “We’re working on the electrical now. We think that all new
wiring would be a good idea especially if you want to bring the kitchen into
this century. It’s all going to run hot on these old wires. I’m not much on
fire myself.”

“Get on it. I don’t
care for fire unless it’s under food. So, I guess in this case it would be
okay.” Ryder grinned. “No, on second thought I don’t want it loose in the house.”
Lee nodded. “The paint?”

“Paint is on hold,
we’re still hooking up the bathroom. You can pee but you can’t shower yet.”
Curtis grinned and Ryder nodded.

“Good to know.
Who’s planning the chicken coop?” Jack raised his hand.

“Oh and she needs
to pick a paint color so we can go fetch.” Curtis interrupted.

“Harper, there is
a ring in the bedroom with paint colors on it, pick one and show Curtis.” She
nodded and gave him a thumbs up. Curtis grinned. Ryder wasn’t sure if that
thumb was for paint or because she had Sidney on the phone. He’d heard it
ringing.

“I don’t like the
spot she picked.” Jack said then creased his forehead with worry.

“Why?” Ryder asked
and put his arm around Harper’s shoulders.

“Well, it’s out in
the middle of the yard.” Ryder nodded. “And it’s going to be in the way of the
new barn.” Ryder nodded again. “I was thinking that it would be better to
section off part of the barn so it’s in there but not.”

“What do you
mean?” Ryder asked. Everyone else was watching. Jack didn’t normally speak up
or have much to say but today he seemed to be coming out of his shell. Ryder
was doing his best to encourage the young wolf.

“You know block
them off from the other animals but keep them in the barn. Build the coop so
it’s part of the barn but with the opening into their yard from the side of the
barn.” Jack bit his bottom lip.

“That’s a great
idea.” Harper patted his shoulder and ended her attempt at calling Sidney.
Ryder heard it go to voicemail. “They’ll be warmer that way and maybe if they
are warmer we will still get eggs in winter.” Jack nodded and smiled. “I think
we should raise rabbits, goats, and sheep too. Oh and maybe a couple of cows
for milk.”

“No goats, they’re
weird.” Eric said.

“He hates their
eyes.” Evan laughed.

“Taste weird too.”
Eric said and Harper laughed. “Their milk tastes weird and they eat everything.
No goats.”

“No goats.” Ryder
laughed. “Got anything to say about lamb?”

“I like it with
mint jelly.” Eric smiled. I was something he rarely did and his twin laughed
loudly.

“How about
rabbits?” Ryder prodded.

“Hard little
bastards to catch.” Eric crossed his arms over his chest.

“Not if they’re
penned.” Harper shook her head. “So Jack, we need a barn big enough to house all
of those, I think the rabbit hutch should be the same idea as the chickens. We
need stalls for the cows and a place to keep sheep. I think the barn should
have an upstairs for feed and stuff, maybe an office.”

“Put feed upstairs
and the goats will climb up and eat it.” Eric said quietly. Harper laughed and
Ryder shook his head.

“There will be no
goats, chill man.” Eric grunted and his twin laughed again.

“They’re just
goats, dude.” Evan giggled.

“Don’t care, I
hate them.” He scowled.

“Got it.” Ryder
chuckled. “No damn goats, I promise.”

“Why do animals
need an office?” Lucy asked tugging at Harpers shirt. Harper squatted.

“We need one to
keep records of the animals, when they get shots, have babies, and stuff like
that.” Lucy’s mouth made a small ‘o’ and Harper winked at her. “You get to feed
the bunnies and chickens, how’s that?” Harper stood with Lucy in her arms.

“Can I play with
the bunnies?” Lucy’s smile was wide. She needed a pet.

“As long as you
understand that they are food.” Lucy thought about it for a while then wiggled
to get down without answering. She was still pondering the fact that they would
eat the bunnies. Her phone rang shrilly then. Ryder stepped away from her.

“Change that
ringtone.” Ryder said then came back and kissed her cheek.

***

“I will right
after. Hey Sid!” She left the kitchen and went into the living room away from
the pack. “What are you up to today? Are you at work?”

“Girl, I just got
off and I’m headed inside to climb into a hot bubble bath.” Curtis growled
beside her then and Harper jumped a little then laughed.

“I got the details
on Curtis for you if you’re still interested.” His eyes were amber and Harper
patted his arm.

“Who just growled
Harper was that him? Is he standing there with you?”

“Yeah, he kind of
followed me.”

“Can I talk to
him? Girl that growl was…let me talk to him.” Harper handed Curtis the phone.
He took it and sat on the couch. Someone had covered it with a quilt. They
needed new furniture. This looked like it was here at the turn of the last
century.

“What’s going on
up there?” Ryder was at her side tapping her head softly.

“I was thinking we
need furniture.”

“Got some in a
trailer behind the barn. We wanted to paint first and refinish the floors.” She
nodded.

“Makes sense. Can
I do it? I can paint and keep an eye on the kitchen.” She whispered.

“Of course you
can. What color are you thinking?” Harper stood there staring up at the ceiling
tapping her finger to her lip.

“Can we paint it
green?” Lucy tugged on her shirt. “With a white ceiling?” Harper grinned.

“Of course we can.
Go find your mommy and ask her if she wants to come with us to pick out paint
and varnish.” Lucy disappeared.

“I’ll come with
you to do the heavy lifting.” He winked and pulled her into his arms. She
melted into him. He was a champion hugger. Lucy came back seconds later
dragging Cindy.

“I’m going to
paint in here. Lucy picked green and white. Would you like to join us at the
paint store while she chooses a color?”

“I sure would
since I don’t have to be stuck in the kitchen, I would love a field trip. We
should get the paint for the bathroom while we’re there.”

“Good idea.”
Curtis handed the phone back then with a very silly look on his face.

“She’s coming over
for dinner.” He grinned. “After a bubble bath.” Curtis leaned over and kissed
Harper’s cheek. “Thank you.” He whispered.