Her Alpha Soulmate

Chapter 16: James POV

Chapter 16: James POV

My niece Clara has been living with me and my boys for a few weeks now. I wasn't sure how a girl was going to adjust to our bachelor pad home or lifestyle. I was afraid she would run for the hills. My brother and his wife always judged me for having women come and go and letting my boys do whatever they wanted. I disciplined them when I needed to but I didn't see the point of restraining them. My wife left because she didn't like being tied down to family life. Billy was only two when she disappeared and sent me divorce papers in the mail. We've been three dudes alone in this house for 12 years.

When I got the call from the lawyer I was floored. Not only was my brother and sister-in-law dead but I had just inherited a daughter. They talked about Clara like she was a possession to be handed down to the next relative, not a 17-year-old girl. "She is all yours now," the lawyer said. What else could I say but okay? This was my niece, my only brother's pride and joy.

I hated to admit it but I had barely spent time with Clara since she became a teenager. She was a very happy active child but almost as soon as she started high school she made a 180 degree turn. Suddenly she was moody, reserved, and unapproachable. My brother told me that was just how girls were but I hadn't experienced that with my sons so I just avoided trying to understand. I feel guilty now. She became a gloomy young woman who seems to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders and she won't open up to me about it.

My sons always had a good relationship with Clara for which I am grateful for more than ever. They protect her. The day of the funeral they even saved her from some delinquent who attacked her. Billy said it was Clara's boyfriend but I struggle to believe that. Clara would never let some boy abuse her. Right? I had more questions than answers. The longer she lives with us the quieter and more secretive everyone has become. Not even my boys will discuss Clara with me.

Now I'm panicking because all three of my kids are missing. I woke up at 8AM this morning to find my house empty. Clara's bed didn't look slept in. I scrambled to find my phone. I called Clara first. She didn't answer. Then Bobby. No answer. I was getting pissed now. Finally Billy answered his phone. "Hi, Dad." "Where the hell are you?" Several seconds of silence made me think the call ended. "Ummm...We are at Damon's house. His mom wants to talk to you about Clara." I knew Damon to be one of their friends from school. I'd seen him making eyes at my niece but never realized they knew each other.

Suddenly a woman came on the phone. "Hello, is this James?" Her voice was very calm and had that all too familiar accent. "Yes. Is my niece there too? Is she safe?" I asked, concerned. "Yes. She is as snug as a bug in a rug. I need to talk to you about keeping her that way." She had an undeniable Southern twang. "What do you mean? Why is she there and not in her bed in my house? Oh my God, did your boy hurt her?! I'll kill him!" I heard what I thought was a growl on the phone and then a man came on the line. "You will not threaten my son! Especially when he is the one protecting her!" I huffed, "Enough of this vague BS! Where are my kids and why are they with you?!" I heard them both sigh. I just realized they probably had me on speaker phone. "I will text you our address. Please come now. We need to speak face to face," the man said. Suddenly the call ended and my phone buzzed. A text message appeared with an address on the other side of town. What the hell is happening?!

I drove like a mad man. Not even the cops could stop me right now. I was beyond pissed. I cursed up a storm as I drove, hoping to get it all out before I looked like a redneck knowing full well I am in fact a redneck. I'd lived in the country my whole life and only knew one way of doing things: full speed and with great stubbornness.

I pulled up to a large fancy house hidden in the forest. I didn't even know this part of town existed. I was almost jealous by how beautiful it all was. But then I brought my thoughts back to what I was doing. I didn't know what I was getting myself into but for my kids I would walk into the line of fire if I had to.

I was greeted by a well-mannered teenage girl with brown hair. Then I saw a crowd of people eating breakfast in a dining room as I was led by a red-haired boy to an office. What the hell is this place? An orphanage? A boarding house? Oh God, what if these people are criminals and they kidnap teenagers?

In the office I found my boys on a couch sitting across from a scowling man with dark eyes. On one side stood a tall beautiful woman with blonde hair. On the other side of the man stood Damon and my niece. He had his arm resting around her waist. What was this?!

"Alpha, this is James Mason. I have verified his identity and background," the redhead said to the man. I looked at the kid who was about my height. He smirked, "Your credit score could use some work." I stared, confused. What the hell was happening here? Who were these people?

"Sit down," said the man with salt and pepper hair. He scowled again. The woman put her hand on his shoulder as if to calm him down. "Please sit, Mister Mason. This is very important." I felt a slight chill as I sat on the only empty chair. Instead of making eye contact with the adults I looked at my sons who both looked uncomfortable. Then I raised my eyes to look at my niece. Clara looked scared. I held myself together the best I could. I needed to stay calm the best I could if I wanted my kids to get out of here alive.

The air was tense as the woman said, "James, my name is Paula and this is my husband Samuel. If I'm correct you already know our son Damon." I nodded, beads of sweat already falling down my face.

"Damon and Clara have been dating and have grown very serious about each other. We know this is sudden but due to some unforeseen circumstances we have decided to open our home to her if you should agree. Legally we need your consent to take her in." I felt my whole body tremble. "Excuse me? Why would you need to do that? She is perfectly safe in my house."

The couple exchanged a look. Paula said, "Clara has indicated that there is an ex-boyfriend out there stalking her. This ex has found your house, broken in, and left a menacing note in her bedroom. She does not feel safe."

"What could you offer Clara that I cannot?" I asked, feeling a mix of emotions. What did they have that I didn't? Money? A million kids? Good credit?

"We can offer her round the clock protection. We can also give her a bright future. She will be head female one day," the man said. I felt my lip twitch. "Head female? Who talks like that? Who are you people?" The woman remained calm as she said, "We are werewolves and we are best equipped to keep Clara safe. She is marked by our son. It is best you don't fight this."

The anger inside me that was originally slow cooking now boiled over. "You monsters can't have my niece!" I knew about the townspeople and the interspecies mingling. I've lived here most of my life. I just never developed a good eye for telling the difference between humans and shifters.

"Outside right now boys!" I ordered to Bobby and Billy. They did as they were told. Then I looked to Clara. She was holding Damon's hand and shaking. I knew it. These monster were holding her hostage. "Clara, it's time to go home." When she didn't respond I stepped across the office to grab her arm. "It's time to go home! You have no idea what these people are!" She shook my hand away, "I know what my pack is. I just didn't realize what you were until now." A moment later she disappeared with Damon following. She left me in a state of shock. What just happened?

"Despite your prejudices, you have to admit she is much safer here. She is never alone here. We can give her a lot," the woman said confidently. "And we can give you a lot too," said the man. I stared, confused. "Excuse me?" The man pulled out an envelope. "Money for your trouble. We can take care of you and your boys for the rest of your lives, just agree to Clara's change in environment and leave." I shook with anger. They said they wanted to offer her a good home. No! They want to buy her!

"She is a child, not a good to be purchased!" I screamed, slamming my hand on the end of his desk. "Honey, we never discussed money," the woman said to her husband. He grunted, "Anything for Luna. I did the same for you didn't I? I paid to save you from a life of horror. Do you hate me for doing what I had to do?" She looked down, "No, but I hate being treated like a possession. I know Clara does. She has been through so much." I felt my body stiffen, "What has my niece gone through? Her ex beat her up once right?" They both stared at me with mutual surprise. "You don't know do you?" The woman asked. "Know what?" They exchanged a look again. "Clara's ex boyfriend not only physically abused her for the last few years he also raped her more than once." I clenched my fist. How the hell did I miss that? How did my brother? Were we all so caught up in our own s**t we couldn't see what was happening in front of us? "I don't want your money. I want my family under one roof. Please just let us leave."

"We recommend you all move in to this house then," the woman said. Both me and her husband looked at her in surprise. She ignored his protests and said, "We recently found out the ex boyfriend is a werewolf. He could easily murder you all for getting in the way of his search. He thinks Clara is his and should only belong to him. She needs to be here. This is where she is safest."

"I need to hear this from Clara," I said, sitting with my head in my hands. I was overwhelmed with anger, confusion, and sadness. I was particularly unhappy that I had to learn what was going on from strangers. It made me wonder what my sons were hiding from me.

Clara was brought to me. Damon remained at her side, holding her hand. They looked good together as if built for one another. I thought the same of my brother and his wife. I could never believe in soulmates but if I did I'd almost have to believe Damon and Clara were just that: soulmates.

"What they told you is true. I'm safer here than I am at home," she said looking right at me. It was the most confident thing I had heard Clara say in a long time. I searched her face for pleading or anger or sadness. It wasn't there. She was confident in her decision. "Only because your birthday is next month. You'd go running this way either way wouldn't ya?" I asked, holding back tears. She nodded and ran to embrace me. "Thank you, thank you!" I took her small face in my hands and said, "You're all I have left of my brother. Please don't do anything reckless. I need you to stay alive. If being here is the best option so be it but you will always be family. Got it?" She nodded, tears now in her eyes. "I'm taking the boys home. We don't belong here," I announced.

As we exited the house one Mason short I contemplated how we would get ourselves out of this mess. My brother would never forgive me for this. He hated werewolves. He hated anything that didn't fit his perfect image of normal. He was a complicated man.