Rising Alpha

17

Right now, I can't be prouder of my mate. Even

though her wolf wants her to follow me blindly, she's keeping her smarts. She's perfect for me in every way. Even if she was my mate, if I had some compliant wolf, I'd get bored. "I'm taking y'all to my cabin, but I don't know what happened. This road has never been this bad before."

"Then there must be others." Savannah glances back in the direction of where the sounds are coming from.

The last thing I'd wish is to cause her concern, but I'm not going to lie to her. They all need to stay on high alert. "No, there shouldn't be. That's the whole reason I chose this location. No one knows about it and we should've been safe."

"Mom, I'm scared." Charlotte whimpers again and steps closer to her mother.

"Baby, it's fine." Abigail can't put her arm around her but lays her head on her daughter's. "I won't let anything happen to you."

The spice in the air increases tenfold. These women are about to lose it, and I'm not sure what the hell to do it.

"How?" Alison's voice is breathless, and her breathing is faster. "You have a broken arm. Hell, I can't do this pregnant. What are we going to do?"

A loud sob fills the air. Charlotte's tears stream down her face.

The earthy smell around me strengthens as well. Their wolves are beginning to push forward. It begins to blend with the scent of the wolves that are gaining on us. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. "Everyone get back in the car." At least we can have some metal between us and them.

The women head back to the car, but Savannah stays back for a minute. Her hazel eyes meet mine. "Don't make me regret this." She then turns and climbs into the passenger seat.

My d**k hardens, and I have to adjust myself. Damn, she's hot. I hope that temper and strength is reflected in the bedroom. A twig snaps again, clearing my head. Why the hell am I thinking about that when we need to get somewhere safe? They're getting uncomfortably close at this point.

Using my wolf's speed, I get into the car and continue the trek up a large hill. I'd turn around, but they're closing in from that way and there isn't any way to do that on this narrow road. We're stuck going to the cabin whether I like it or not.

Since the trees are thinning, the half-mile drive up the hill to the cabin is smoother. We're still jostled around, but not like before we cleared the road. At least one damn thing is going our way.

It seems like moving may have calmed the women some since their strong earthy smell is more subdued and the spice has lessened... some. But no one is saying a word.

When I get to the top of the hill, the cabin comes into view. This is where my grandfather shared his last days with my grandmother. It's a large one-story and the moon is hitting it perfectly. Right now, I'm going to count my blessings that the house's still intact. We'll have plenty of room here and with the angle, we'll be able to see every wolf as it comes to the top of the hill and will have the advantage.

Within moments, I've pulled in front and turned off the car. "Stay tight for a moment. I want to check it out."

No one says a word as I get out of the car and take a few steps toward the hill. I tug my wolf forward and listen with his supernatural hearing and see with his precise vision.

They’re still coming our way, but we've gained some distance and have a little time to get the advantage. A car door shuts and vanilla fills my nose. Footsteps come next and I wait for her.

"They're still coming." Savannah's eyes glow as she turns her head towards me.

"Yeah, we need to prepare for a fight." I don't know these wolves but their timing concerns me.

"Do you have a plan? We must protect them." She glances back at the women... her pack. Even though I'm worried about them, Savannah is my main concern. "Follow me." The backdoor of the car opens and the other three women clamber out.

What the hell is wrong with everyone? I should've known they wouldn't want to be left behind without Savannah, but damn. I'm trying to protect them for crying out loud. "Stay in the damn car."

Savannah turns and stares off down the driveway. "There isn't any sign of them."

"Maybe they won't come." Charlotte clings close to her mother but her face lights up. "They may not have been following us."

There isn't any point in saying anything else. It's as if I'm not even talking. Guess that's what I get for not alpha-ing up. But dammit, I'm trying to protect them.

"Oh, baby." Abigail lips turn downward and then she glances at her arm. "I sure hope you're

right."

I give up. It's almost as if I'm invisible. As I make way to the wooden porch, it becomes apparent that this place needs some work. Luckily, it's in overall good condition, but there are some saggy boards and some outside maintenance that needs to be tended too. I’m always drawn to come here, but every time I make it here, I want to run away. It’s a double edged sword. All the times with my grandfather still hurt a little too much for comfort. He and Grams were the only family I had left until now. s**t, we aren't even mated. I can't think of her like family.

When I reach the front door, I bend and lift a loose board where I have the key hidden. The nice thing is that it seems secure so it's not obvious that something is hidden there. I open the door and turn on the lights. There's no point in pretending we aren't here. Those wolves will be able to scent us and would know we stopped here. It's not like they aren't watching for us to turn around or anything.

Even though there aren’t any sounds, I can feel the girls behind me now. Their scent is mixing in with the dust.

"This place is big." Alison enters the house and whistles.

Dust has settled all over the large cherry table and there are cobwebs in some of the corners where the ceiling meets the walls. As I take in the large room, relief floods me since it hasn't been disturbed since my last visit. My grandmother's favorite light blue blanket drapes over the brown leather couch and the pillow she crocheted sits on the matching loveseat. "At least we're safe and have cover now."

"Is the kitchen stocked?" Savannah walks past the love seat and enters the kitchen area. She opens the top cabinet right above the gas stove.

At least that's a minor upside.