The Wolf's Prey (31 page)

She huffs. "I
don't care! Who puts flour in someone's hair dryer?!"

I shrug, "You did
put glitter in all his shower gel."

"Yeah, he said
his dick looked like a disco ball." Alpha Thompson adds, making
Marta and I laugh.

"This isn't
over." She growls pulling open her bedroom door and slamming it
shut.

I wince and tip
tow past her door. "Later, love birds."

"Shut it, I have
more dirt on you then you do me." Marta orders. Thinking about our
past I hold up my hands, calling a truce and walk down the stairs.
I watch and listen for Lennox, finding him in his office with my
dad, Liam, Andrew, Wesley and my brother Travis who is holding his
sleeping baby girl in his arms.

"Liam, you are
very brave. However, you're very stupid. Jessica is going to kill
you."

His eyes light
up. "She used the hair dryer? Man, I've been waiting for
hours."

"Liam, she
threatened to castrate you. You may want to hide until she leaves."
I say, seriously.

He shrugs
uncaring and I walk to Lennox. I feel Lennox's disappointment and
reluctance. "Tell me." I demand immediately, knowing his moods
better now and what they mean. If he's ever disappointed or
reluctant I know he's struggling with himself over bad
news.

"I've been
challenged."

"By
who?"

"That asshole I
dragged from your house."

"Tom?"

"Yeah,
him."

"Why would he
challenge you? You've already almost killed him once."

"Obviously, he's
not very bright."

I'm not nervous,
I know Lennox will win but I don't want to see Tom hurt either.
"When did he challenge you?"

I see his
chagrined look and know he's known for a while. "He still has time
to withdraw. Go talk to him."

He groans but
stands up. Liam immediately follows after Lennox and they leave the
room. "Well, little miss timid has found her backbone. It's good to
see." Andrew jokes.

I laugh because
it's true. I've gotten more comfortable with Lennox. It's amazing
what he'll do for me when I ask, it's like he lives to make me
happy. I leave them and find my mothers are in the kitchen cooking
and preparing dishes for our mating ceremony. I'll admit it was
awkward when my mothers’ met, and downright terrifying when my
dads’ did. However, after talking my moms have learned a lot about
each other and managed to put the past behind them.

"Need any help?"
I offer.

"No, sweetie.
This is your day."

I sit at the
kitchen island waiting for Lennox to return. He's been so great
lately, I miss him as soon as he leaves a room. We've talked about
kids and agreed that we'd start a family after I take classes in
carpentry. A local man runs an apprentice program and after sending
him pictures of things I've learned to build with my grandfather
he's agreed to teach me and help me expand my knowledge. I'm sure
Lennox had something to do with his willingness, but he refuses to
acknowledge the question every time I ask.

I'd really like
to start my own custom furniture business and take orders via the
internet. It's only a dream right now, but Lennox is building me a
wood shop in our back yard. One step at a time and we'll make it
happen.

Alpha
Lennox Hall

I knock on the
door of my challenger, but not entirely sure why I'm here. It never
occurred to me to tell Jocelyn, "No." You can say I'm whipped, but
in reality she rarely asks for anything, if I can do something for
her I feel determined to do it.

The door opens
and Tom stands before me. "You have thirty minutes to withdrawal
your challenge." I say to him.

He visually
gulps. "I won't withdraw."

I nod. "That's
fine. Do you have a pack to go to after you lose?" I question,
seriously. I can tell he hasn't thought much about it. He's
ambitious and trained to fight; he'd be an asset anywhere he goes.
"I've got three alphas in town for my mating celebration, I'm sure
one of them will offer you a position. I'll speak to them." I state
and turn to walk away.

"Why are you
here? If it’s not to request from me to bow out?"

"My mate wanted
me to come."

He looks away
almost ashamed. "If I back out now, I'll look weak."

"That's a hell of
a lot smarter than looking beat and pathetic when you lose. Not to
mention being completely brainless to challenge your alpha." Liam
scoffs.

"It's expected. I
have alpha blood in me." He explains.

"Are you sure?
Because right now you're sounding pretty weak.  If it's your
family expecting you to do this, then maybe you should take a stand
with them." I reply.

Walking back to
the car I hear him race after us. "Wait!"

I look at him,
knowing what he's going to say, "I withdraw my
challenge."

I nod once, not
waiting to make it a big deal. I understand his reluctance to
appear weak. It's something any male can relate to. I get behind
the wheel and drive back home. It almost makes me smile thinking
about making Jocelyn happy.

I walk back to
the office thinking that's where Jocelyn would wait. "How'd it go?"
Travis asks.

"He withdrew." I
reply, simply. Out of all the alphas in this room I was the only
one challenged. I thought Wesley would be challenged, but he's
really done a lot for the pack in his short time as alpha. He's not
only impressed his pack but other alphas as well. Andrew would've
been challenged if I hadn't killed Dante. Travis's son is taking
over the pack tomorrow and will more than likely be challenged next
year.

I hear footsteps
behind us and before I know it Liam drops to the floor next to me.
Behind him, Jessica smirks triumphantly as Liam groans clutching
his manhood. "I guess you should have listened to
Jocelyn."

**********

Five
years later

I watch Bill Hilt
use the oscillating spindle sander finish up the rough edges on our
next order. Business has been good and working with Bill we've
grown Hall & Hilt Custom Furnishings from the ground up. I see
the baby monitor light up and I know Tiara Marta
Hall has woken up from her nap and is ready to eat. Right on
time. "I'll be back later Bill." I yell, over the sound of the
sander and point to the monitor.

He grins seeing
the lights moving and waves as I leave.  Back in the
house I walk upstairs to the nursery hearing Lennox cooing to
our 3 month old daughter. I peek into the room seeing the picture
perfect moment. Lennox holding such a small child like she's made
of the most breakable thin crystal.

Tiara came
screaming into this world four days after our fifth anniversary.
Her attitude hasn't changed much, when she's unhappy her fist fly
and her scream can make anyone cower. Noticing she's gearing up to
let out another bellow, I walk into the room. "Patience is a virtue
little one." Lennox tells her, making me laugh.

"Just not one of
hers, or yours for that matter." I point out, sitting down in the
glider chair. Lennox hands me her carefully and I pull up my shirt
to start feeding her.

"You think she'll
be like me?" He questions, smiling at the thought.

I huff. "I don't
think there's any doubt. Especially, given the name you gave her.
She thinks she's royalty."

"She's my
princess, it is fitting." He says, defensively. The truth is, it’s
the only name that we could agree on.

"Either way,
we're going to have our hands full." I reply, smoothing out the
dark hair on Tiara's head.

"Your sister
called."

"Which
one?"

"Marta, she was
crying about something."

I groan, Marta is
8 months pregnant with her mate alpha Thompson. They were
mated shortly after Lennox and I. They're on their second
child and Marta's hormones are going crazy, she calls me constantly
asking me if I’ve seen those dog shelter commercial's that play
Sarah McLachlan songs. I listen as patently as I can to her sobbing
tales about these abused animals and her plans to adopt all of
them.

"I'll call her
later."

There's a soft
knock on the door and Jessica peeks her head in. "Finally, that
baby is constantly sleeping." She complains.

"She's a baby I
remind her."

"Yeah, but I'm
bored."

I laugh, only
Jessica can complain about a baby being a baby and make it sound
like its Tiara's fault that she’s bored. "Why don't you find
that mate of yours?" I suggest.

"No, I'm mad at
him."

"Oh, God. What
did Liam do now?" I ask.

"He's bugging me
for a pup." She replies, distastefully.

"Liam wants to
start a family and you’re mad about it? Just tell him you’re not
ready."

"I did. He wants
to know when I'll be ready and I told him when Ryan Gosling
impregnates me. Now, he's off pouting."

"Why do you
consistently have to goad him?" Lennox asks, exasperated. Lennox
has to deal with his pissed off beta more frequently than not. I
don't understand Liam and Jessica's relationship but it’s all about
fighting and making up. We're all used to them now, but in the
beginning it was strange seeing mates argue so heatedly.

"It’s my job."
She shrugs. "But you know what isn't my job? Dealing with a
pregnant Marta. I'm not answering another phone call from her until
she has the baby."

I shake my head.
"It’s definitely worse this pregnancy then the first." I
agree.

Tiara finished
eating and starts to squirm. I hand her off to Lennox who only has
her for a second before Jessica takes over. "I bought you a new
outfit." she tells Tiara and then turns to me. "It’s a Halloween
costume, she's either going as a mermaid or Cinderella."

I smile.
"Great."

"I'll take
pictures." She sings leaving the room.

"Should we really
trust her with our child?" Lennox questions.

"Are you going to
tell her no?"

"I would, but it
would take days to define the word to her and I don't have the time
or the patience." He states, leaning down and capturing my mouth
with his. "I think we have a half hour to ourselves."

"Then I
suggest we make the most of it." I reply, throwing my arms around
his neck.

THE END