The Scarred Heart (Wilde Creek Book 5) Read online

  Chapter 4

  After lunch, Kammie and Row drove to get Row’s truck. They both got out and met in front of Adam’s truck.

  “I’ll follow you to Adam’s house,” Row said.

  “Right, and then we can get my clothes and you can drive me to my car.”

  “Do you need to check in with your alphas?”

  He folded his arms across his massive chest and her gaze followed the line of his bicep down to his pec. She couldn’t really help herself. He had a fantastic chest. And abs.

  Row groaned. “Baby, I appreciate that you like my chest – no shit, my bear is preening like a damn peacock – but unless you want to get naked, eyes up here.” He pointed to his face and Kammie laughed.

  “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry,” he grabbed her and pulled her close. “Don’t ever be sorry.”

  “What were we talking about?”

  “Getting naked.”

  Rolling her eyes, she said, “The alphas. Yes, I need to check in. You’re new to town and Acksel would be pissed if I didn’t tell him you were here.”

  He tilted her face and kissed her. “I’m going to grab some clothes and then we can go.”

  She sat in Adam’s truck and waited for Row to get his duffel and climb into the cab of his own truck. It took him only a few minutes to change, and then he pulled onto the street and waited for her. She drove past him and led him to Adam’s. She hoped it was late enough in the day for Adam and Dani to be up and dressed. She didn’t think that Row would much care to see his sister and her mate together.

  When she parked on the street in front of Adam’s house, Row parked behind her. She offered to carry one of Dani’s bags, but he wouldn’t let her, and she didn’t hide how much she liked that. There were males in the pack who didn’t give a damn that she was female; they would’ve told her to handle bringing the bags in and left her alone, but not Row. Maybe because they were mates, or maybe because he was honorable – she didn’t know but she sure as hell liked it. In fact, she liked everything about him.

  “You’re gorgeous when you smile, baby,” he said as Kammie knocked on the front door.

  She peeked at him, blush heating her cheeks. Her wolf was reveling in his attention, the silly creature fighting Kammie to bare herself to him so they could get to the sexy mating part. Although she was still saying no to the idea of being naked in front of her mate, she wasn’t protesting as strongly now. Skin-to-skin contact had always freaked her out, but she could admit that after spending the morning with him she wasn’t as worried by the thought as she usually was.

  Adam, bleary-eyed and wearing only jeans, opened the door and squinted in the sunlight. Row made a face, which Kammie thought was adorable.

  “Hey,” Adam said, yawning. “Dani’s in the shower, she’ll be glad to see her bags.”

  Kammie followed Row into Adam’s house. Adam shut the door and led Row back to the master bedroom to drop off the luggage. Row came back alone, the bedroom door shutting loudly.

  He crowded against Kammie, wrapping his arms around her and dropping his face to her neck. She hugged him, inhaling his sweet, dark scent. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d voluntarily hugged a male, but ever since Row had rocked her world that morning, she’d found it easier to touch him and to let him touch her. She still wasn’t sure she could take all her clothes off, but when his hands were on her, she forgot about her scars.

  “Are you okay?” she asked quietly.

  “I don’t like being away from you.”

  She totally thought that was awesome. Before she could answer, Adam and Dani came out of the bedroom. Row straightened, but didn’t let go of Kammie.

  “Thanks for bringing my clothes, Row,” Dani said.

  Row tossed the truck keys to Adam, who placed them on the coffee table. “Have a seat. Are you guys hungry or thirsty?”

  “We can’t stay. We need to check in with your alphas and pick up Kammie’s things from the woods,” Row said.

  “Oh, okay,” Dani said as she plopped on the couch with Adam and snuggled close to him. “Adam talked to Acksel this morning, but told him we wouldn’t be leaving the house anytime soon. I guess I’ll meet him later.”

  The heat that filled Adam’s eyes was enough to make Kammie blush, and she looked up at her mate and watched him grimace. Row cleared his throat with what sounded suspiciously like a growl. “Kammie and I haven’t discussed everything yet, but I’m planning to take her home so we can mate officially.”

  Kammie looked at Row in shock. She was surprised to hear him say he was planning to take her home, but she tabled her thoughts and concentrated on the situation at hand.

  “How weird is it that we both found our mates?” Dani smiled, looking at Adam.

  Even Kammie could see the arousal simmering between Dani and Adam, and she suddenly wished she was anywhere but in Adam’s house. “Anyway,” Kammie said, “we’ll leave you guys alone.”

  Row nodded. “You need to call Mom.”

  “I will.”

  “Are you going to go meet your people?”

  Dani’s syrupy, lovey-dovey smile made Kammie uncomfortable. Why was it so easy for some people to love others? Adam didn’t seem to care about being half-naked in front of his mate. His body was scarred from a fire when he was younger and he’d always been one to cover up as much as Kammie. It unnerved her to see him so at-ease with Dani, and even Row and Kammie, when she was still struggling.

  “I don’t think so,” Dani said. It seemed to take her some effort to look away from her mate. “Adam’s my family now. I know that Fayar would probably let us use the sacred cave, but I’d rather follow the pack’s traditions for mating since we’re going to be staying here.”

  “Kammie and I will leave in a few days.”

  “Be sure to call before you come over next time,” Adam said.

  Row growled in annoyance but said nothing. Dani stood quickly and came to them, hugging Row and then Kammie, enveloping them in the same peppermint smell Kammie had noticed in the woods. She found it odd, and kind of hilarious, that reindeer shifters smelled like peppermint. “Let me know when you’re heading home. I want to say goodbye.”

  Row kissed Dani on the cheek and gathered Kammie close, ushering her out the door and into his truck. Within minutes, they were parked in front of the alphas’ home. A male stood on the front porch, and Kammie knew that there were other guards patrolling the home as well.

  Row turned off the engine and leaned forward to look past Kammie. “Why are there males around your alphas’ home?”

  “They’re protectors. They’re led by Sam, the theto of the pack. They patrol town, like a wolf police force, and also the alphas’ home.”

  “Let’s get this over with,” Row said. He was agitated, but she didn’t know why. Once more she found herself tensing when he was upset, but she reminded herself that Row wouldn’t hurt her. He wasn’t like her uncle.

  “Can I ask you about us going back to your home?”

  He grinned sheepishly. “I guess I should’ve mentioned that before I blurted it out to my sister, huh?”

  “Maybe.”

  “I’m sorry. My bear wants to claim you, and that’s done in the sacred cave in my sleuth’s territory. We don’t have to go tomorrow, but I would like to take you home so you can meet my mom, too.” He brushed her hair behind her ear and it made her shiver. “I know your home is here, Kammie, and where you are is where I want to be.”

  “The claiming is done in the cave, and it’s important to your beast. I understand. It’s okay with me as long as we can wait a few days?”

  “Of course. There’s no rush.” He kissed her cheek. Then he got out and opened her door, giving her his hand so she didn’t slip on the icy sidewalk. When they got to the porch steps, Kammie looked up at Zander and said, “Zander, this is Row. We’d like to speak to Acksel and Brynn.”

  Zander looked down at them, and Kammie could practically see the wheels turning in his mind as hi
s gaze pinged between her and the huge male next to her. Row growled softly and edged closer to Kammie, wrapping his arms around her.

  With a shrug Zander seemed to dismiss them, and turned to knock on the front door. Row seemed confused, but Kammie knew the truth of Zander’s dismissal. She wasn’t important enough in the pack for Zander to care about a strange male who had his hands on her. If she were one of the sought-after females, like Brynn’s best friend, Mia, he’d probably be tripping all over himself making sure that she was okay. Embarrassment flashed through her. It was easy for her to forget her place in the pack when it was just her and Row, but the truth was that she was very, very low-ranked and that meant that she only mattered in a roundabout way to the higher-ranked males. Unless ordered by the alphas, no one would check on her.

  Row looked at her and bared his teeth in fury, his canines elongated as a light dusting of dark fur emerged from his skin. The door swung open just as Row leapt up the steps, grabbed Zander by the collar, and threw him off the porch. He hit the ground with a loud thud, the snow fluffing up around him.

  “Don’t ever dismiss my mate,” Row bellowed. His fingers were tipped with thick, dark claws, and he wrapped his hands around the porch railing and leapt over it. Grabbing Kammie, he pulled her behind his back and glared at Acksel and Brynn, who stood shocked in the open doorway.

  Zander stumbled to his feet as the other protectors raced around the house, claws extended and growls rumbling in their chests.

  “What the ever-loving fuck is going on here?” Acksel demanded, shoving Brynn behind him.

  Brynn slapped his shoulder and cradled her large belly with her other hand. “Don’t curse around the baby!”

  Row’s chest heaved as he breathed, his rage making Kammie’s wolf anxious. She didn’t want anyone to be hurt, but she didn’t know how to defuse the situation. “Row, please.” She pressed her cheek against his back, feeling the heat of his skin through his shirt and jacket.

  “No one acts as if you don’t matter,” he snarled, his body shaking with barely controlled anger. “You’re mine. Mine!”

  Kammie peered around him at Acksel. Brynn, unlike her mate, was grinning broadly. “You found your mate? That’s so freaking awesome! Move, dang it,” she said as she pushed at Acksel.

  “Woman,” Acksel ground out. “He’s a stranger.”

  “Hell-o, he’s Kammie’s mate. And P.S., Zander is an asshole for baiting her mate anyway. I want him suspended from duty here.”

  Zander cursed under his breath, and Kammie winced. She hadn’t meant to cause trouble. “Alphas, I’m sorry.”

  Row growled, but she ignored him. “This is Row, and we came by to let you know he was here in town.”

  Acksel finally let Brynn push him aside. “This is the brother of Adam’s mate, correct?” he asked as he grabbed Brynn and stopped her from leaving the house.

  Kammie nodded.

  Acksel looked around the yard and said, “Go back to your duties. Zander, check in with Sam for reassignment. You can beg forgiveness from the alpha female in a few days. I’d recommend chocolate.”

  “Oh, and those toaster pastries with the cream cheese in them. Yummy,” Brynn said.

  Kammie watched as Zander turned stiffly and stormed away. She almost felt guilty for what had happened to him, but she decided that if Row was going to stand up for her, she could stand up for herself, too. Squaring her shoulders, she slipped to Row’s side and moved his hand over her shoulder, holding it in place.

  “I need to get my car and my things from the woods,” Kammie said. “I understand if you’re busy; we can come back another time, or you could come visit at my place.”

  “We’re not busy. Come in, please.” Brynn tugged Acksel back into the house and Acksel groaned in aggravation.

  “I thought you were tired.”

  “I’m always tired. Little Mia likes to wiggle around when I’m trying to sleep.”

  “We’re not naming the baby Mia.”

  “Says you,” Brynn said, wrinkling her nose at him as Kammie and Row walked into the house.

  Acksel shut the front door. “I hope you don’t think that I’ve forgotten you threw one of my males off the porch.”

  Row wrapped his arms around Kammie. “He insulted Kammie.”

  “How?” Brynn asked.

  “He turned his back on her as if she didn’t warrant consideration.”

  Acksel hummed and Brynn said, “See? I said he was being an asshole. If one of the protectors acted like I didn’t matter, you’d throw them off the porch, too. I freaking hate this hierarchy nonsense.”

  “It’s not nonsense, it’s our way of life and you have to get used to it,” Acksel reminded her.

  Kammie and Row sat on the couch in the living room. Brynn sat on Acksel’s lap. Row had a strange look on his face, and Kammie made a mental note to ask him about it later.

  Row explained to the alphas how he and his sister had wound up in Wilde Creek and how he and Kammie had found each other. While he spoke, Row kept his arm tightly around Kammie, holding her close to his side.

  “Will your sister still go see her people?” Brynn asked.

  Row shrugged. “She said she didn’t need to. As long as she’s safe and happy, whatever her choices are, my mother and I will be happy for her.”

  Acksel cleared his throat. “And what will you and Kammie be doing?”

  Row tensed ever so slightly. “When she’s ready, Kammie and I will be going back to my people so we can mate properly. It’s a two-day journey. After that, it’s her choice.”

  Kammie’s wolf perked up. Her choice? What was?

  Acksel said, “Our pack laws don’t allow non-wolves to join. My mate is unique because I’m alpha and I changed the specific laws regarding the alpha’s mate. However, the laws for the pack are the same as they’ve been for generations – only wolves are pack members.

  “As Kammie’s mate, you can join the pack as an honorary member and hunt with her on the full moon, but you wouldn’t be allowed to fight for rank.”

  Brynn frowned. “That’s dumb, Acksel. He’s clearly a well-trained fighter. Why wouldn’t you want him to become a protector?”

  Acksel sighed in a way that sounded like a growl. “We have laws for a reason. I changed the laws to protect you, but I can’t change every single one.”

  Brynn rolled her eyes so hard, Kammie was surprised they were still in her head and not bouncing across the floor.

  Row interjected, “I will help Kammie, if this is the life she chooses.”

  Acksel’s brows rose and his mouth opened and closed twice, before Kammie said, “Can we table this for another time? I don’t mean to be rude, but we just wanted to make sure you were aware that Row was in town.”

  “And that we’re mates,” Row said.

  Kammie blushed. “Right.”

  “Fine. You’ll need to ensure that your duties are covered while you’re gone,” Acksel said.

  Row stiffened once more and Acksel’s nostrils flared. Kammie stood swiftly and Row rose behind her. “I’ll make sure everything’s fine, Acksel. Thank you both. I need to get my things from the woods and get my mate home.”

  Brynn stood and hugged Kammie tightly. “I’m so happy for you.”

  “Thanks, Brynn.”

  Kammie was happy, too. Row followed her out of the house and she led the way to the backyard and into the woods.

  “Can I ask you something?” Kammie said.

  Row’s hand squeezed hers as he walked beside her. “You can ask me anything.”

  “You had a strange look on your face when Brynn and Acksel first sat down in the living room. Why?”

  He hummed. “I’m not used to seeing someone in power be publicly affectionate. My king has a mate, but he’d hit the roof if she talked to him the way your alpha female talked to the alpha male.”

  “That sucks. For wolves, the alpha female has to be strong-willed. Male wolves are pretty aggressive and most of them prefer their females to be a
ble to handle that aggression, to be capable on their own. It’s strange to think of affection as being viewed as a weakness.”

  “I don’t think it should be. I suppose from a bear’s point of view, if it’s widely believed that a king doesn’t care about his mate, then she couldn’t be used against him.”

  In a way, Kammie could understand that. Brynn had been kidnapped before she and Acksel were mated, in an attempt to use her against him. Because of her uncle’s behavior, she knew all about someone with bad intentions using something wonderful against another.

  “My uncle,” she said, her mouth suddenly going dry, “would watch me to see what I liked, and then he’d take it away.” It was why she tended to keep everyone at arm’s length. The thought that someone she cared for could be snatched from her had kept her from establishing more than superficial friendships.

  Row stopped walking and drew her close. One arm wrapped around her, pulling her against him, and he cupped her face with his other hand. His eyes were dark with anger, and his fangs peeked over his lips. “What did he take from you?”

  “Everything.” She blinked rapidly to stop her tears. She hadn’t cried over her uncle’s treatment of her since she was a teenager. “If he thought I liked a certain food, he’d throw it out. All the electronics were kept under lock and key, so I couldn’t listen to the radio or watch television. The worst was when he destroyed my mom’s things. I think that hurt more than his belt or his fists, in a way.”

  Row’s whole body vibrated as he growled. Fur sprouted on his cheeks and his eyes flashed dangerously. “Where is he?”

  “The former alpha punished him and kicked him out of town. If he comes back to Wilde Creek, he’ll be killed.” Which was a small consolation considering he’d been allowed to beat her within an inch of her life for far too long. It wasn’t until the second time he’d nearly killed her that the alpha finally stepped in.

  She gripped Row’s wrist, holding his hand to her cheek. “Pack members knew what he was doing, but they didn’t step in until the second time I almost died. The human authorities threatened to come in and investigate, so the former alpha made my uncle disappear. I was raised by a widowed female named Maggie after that. My mom died when I was twelve and my dad took off.”