Warriors Mate

5- Accommodations

The ride is about 20 minutes, I think.  Once I was removed from my jeep my phone and belongings were confiscated.  I have never heard of a community like this.  Trespassing laws, a community jail, and a civilian force to supposedly keep the peace. 

When we arrive at their jail, I am taken from the truck and motioned toward a stone building with a thick wrought iron gate.  Two men are standing guard on either side of the opening.  The fact that these men are huge does not pass by me.  I don’t mean fat, rotund, or anything like that.  They are all muscle.  Hot muscles, but still muscle.  I start to struggle a bit, not waiting to be taken into that building, but they are not having it.  I am lifted off my feet and spun so quickly I may get sick from the abrupt motion.  As my dizziness settles, I realize I am upside down staring a someone’s back.  Not a bad view from where I am but not what I was expecting either.  Focus, Aria!

“Hey!”  I attempt to squirm out of my captor’s hold and fail terribly.  “What are you doing?  Let me go!” 

“Feisty one you got there, Max.”  The voice came from one of the guards at the gate.  “Nice clothes for a rogue.”

“Quiet.  Don’t think this one is a rogue.”  Max replied. 

“Where did you find this one?” the other guard asked.

“A mile into our property.  If she really was looking for her house, she was way off course.  Let’s get her inside.” 

I hear metal clanking and a creaking noise follows.  As Max walks forward with me still draped over his shoulder I can see lights in the distance.  That must be their community.  He takes me into the building.  I can see dirty stone walls and I feel a chill in the air. 

“I don’t know what you think I did but I’m sorry.  Please just let me go.  I won’t come back.  I promise.”  I started crying again, sobbing really.  Pleading with them, although I know they won’t let me go.  I can only hope. 

“Listen, lady.  Alpha will be back first thing in the morning.  When he gets here, we can sort this out.  Ok?”  Max tries to reassure me, but it sure doesn’t feel that way. 

My emotions are everywhere.  Moving from scared to angry as Max tosses me on a squeaky mattress.  “This place is nasty!  Do you ever clean?”  At some point, the binds on my hands were removed and I place them down on the mattress to steady myself.  I am so sorry I did.  It feels like a slick sheen of oil, sweat, and puke have been spread across the surface and if I sit here much longer, I may add to it. 

“Don’t worry, sweetheart.  We will check on you in the morning.  You should be fine.”  Max snickers as he walks away. 

“What is wrong with you people?  You can’t just lock someone up on a whim!  I am telling you the truth!  I live on Mammoth Drive.  Max!  Stop!”  I am doing whatever I can to stop him and the others from leaving me in this nasty cell.  “Would you just hear me out, please?” 

I don’t hear anything for a few seconds thinking he has left me here.  Then I hear the faint scuffing of boots coming toward me.  Relief floods me as Max comes back into view.  “You have one minute.  Make it count.”

“Thank you!  I really have had a long day.  I have been driving for hours from California and I just wanted to get to my cabin.”  I ramble on, breathless. 

“Tick, tock, princess.  I don’t have all night.”

“Ok... umm… I inherited a cabin near here.  My name is Aria.”  His head snapped up at my name.  I had Max’s full attention.  “I haven’t been here in a few years.  That’s why I got lost.  The cabin was my uncle’s.  His name is Max too.” 

“Wait!  Are you telling me you are Max Ridgemont’s niece?”  He seemed stunned by my revelation. 

“Yes.  Max Ridgemont is, I mean was, my uncle.  I spent several summers here with him, and he left his cabin to me in his will.  I saw the sign for Mammoth Drive, and I thought I found the road the cabin is on.”  I couldn’t stop talking.  I saw the look of recognition in Max’s eyes. 

Max motioned to the guard and the cell was unlocked.  “You are Aria Ridgemont?”  Max asked.

“No.  I am Aria Blake.  But Max is, I mean was, my uncle, my father’s brother.  I was never told why they have different last names.”  I really didn’t know but, that seemed to be a moot point right now.  All I knew was Max knew my uncle.  I have no idea how, but I do know it is my get-out-of-jail-free card, literally. 

“Wow,” Max let out a deep sigh.  “We kind of expected you to sell the land and we would never see you again.  This is really unexpected.” 

“We?” I questioned.  “We who?  Who else knows me here?  I really don’t remember you, sorry.”

“No.  Don’t be sorry.  I wasn’t around as much as the others.  You remember Marcus, Tyson, and Lucas?”

“Yes!  I do!  Umm… can we take this talk outside, please?  The smell in here is making me ill.” 

“Oh, yeah.  Come on.  I’ll get a room set up for you.”  Max motioned to the guard with us.  He simply gave a sharp nod and walked ahead of us.  “Can’t have our peanut spending the night in the dungeon.  Alpha would have my head if I let that happen.”

“On my gosh.  I had forgotten that.  Marcus gave me that nickname.  He said it was because I was so much smaller than the boys I would hang out with.”  We were walking back the way we came.  Grateful for the fresh air I took a deep breath once outside.  “But I am curious.  Why do you have a jail on your land?  And who is this Alpha you mentioned?”

“Well, that will be a discussion for the morning.  I really am sorry for the misunderstanding, peanut.  We didn’t know you were coming, or we would have met you.  Really.  I am sorry.”  Max was genuinely trying to smooth things over, but I didn’t see a need for it. 

“It’s ok, Max.  Not what I expected, that’s for sure.”  He opened the passenger door of the truck for me.  Once we were all inside, he started the truck and turned it toward the lights I had seen earlier.  “What about my jeep?” 

“Oh.  Yeah.  Brandon brought it into town.  Since I hadn’t recognized you, we had to follow protocol.  It will be at the packhouse.  No damage, I promise.”  He smiled at me, and I was completely taken by his charm.  Now that I have a chance to look at him, I noticed how good-looking he was.  From the interior light in the truck, I could see he had beautiful light brown eyes with gold flecks that almost glowed.  His hair was cut short, almost military style, and it was a dark brown that could pass for black.  What really caught my eye was the gorgeous, tanned skin that looked like a bronzer had been professionally applied.  It fit him well. 

Once in the town, Max drove to the largest building and pulled up in front.  As we exited the truck the large double doors of the house opened, and two women greeted us.  I could see in the dim light they were both very tall and fit.  I could only imagine the crunches they must do to keep their figures so lean. 

“Aria, this is Melva and Charlene.  They will show you to your room.  If you need anything at all they will help you.”  He turned to the women.  “Ladies, please remember, Aria is a special guest of the Alpha.  Treat her as such.” 

“Yes, Gamma,” they both replied.  I was shown to a room on the third floor of the large house.  It felt like I was walking in a hotel but less formal.  I was so tired from the evening's events I didn’t notice much about the house. 

Once in my room Melva, or maybe it was Charlene, showed me around the large room complete with a king-sized bed, vanity, walk-in closet, and an attached bathroom.  I noticed some of my luggage was in the room. 

One of the women caught my puzzled look.  “Gamma told Brandon to bring your bags in so you would have what you needed of your things.” 

“But I was with him the whole time.  He never used his phone.  And why do you call him Gamma?”  The women shared a knowing glance but didn’t answer my question. 

“Some refreshments will be sent up for you.  In the meantime, you can shower if you like.  There are several types of toiletries for your use if you need them,” one of the women said.

“Thank you.”  The women left the room quickly and I was left to myself.  Deciding a shower was a good idea, I found what I needed in my luggage and made my way to the bathroom. 

Once I was done washing off the day’s stress and dressing in nightclothes, I walked to my room to see a platter of fruit, cheese, and crackers along with a pitcher of sweet tea.  I enjoyed the light meal and decided to get some sleep. 

****

I awoke early the next morning getting myself dressed and ready for the day.  I wasn’t sure what to expect.  A slight knock on the door grabbed my attention.  I opened it to see one of the women from the night before. 

“Good morning,” I said.  “And I am so sorry to ask but, what is your name?” 

She smiled brightly at me.  “I’m Melva, but I prefer Mel.  Don’t worry.  We understand you had quite a night.” 

“Thank you.  Yes, it was quite different.” 

“I have been sent to get you.  Alpha has returned and he is excited to see you when you are ready.”

“Ok.  I don’t know who this Alpha is but, I guess I’m ready.”  I was completely apprehensive.  I had no idea who this Alpha was, and I really couldn’t place Max either.  As we descended the stairs, I caught several glances from the people we would pass between the second and first floors.  Everyone here was fit and so good-looking.  I felt sort of out of place here although I did work out and even if I don’t’ see myself as beautiful, I know I am an attractive woman. 

Once on the first floor, we turned down a long hallway, passed a few closed doors, and stopped at the double doors at the end.  Mel knocked twice and I could hear a deep voice telling us to come in.  Mel opened the door and motioned for me to enter. 

As I walked in, I was a little overwhelmed.  There were two large leather sofas facing each other in the middle of the space.  Under the large bay window in the center of the far wall was the biggest Mahogany desk I have ever seen.  Four large muscular men were waiting for me.  I saw Max rise from one sofa and two men on the opposite sofa did the same.  Standing between them in from of the desk was a slightly older version of Marcus Grey.  He smiled warmly at me. 

“Peanut.  You found your way back to us.”  Marcus opened his arms, and I quickly welcomed his hug embracing him in return.  His hugs were like an old quilt you can’t get rid of.  Comfortable and safe.

I pull back looking at his face.  A few wrinkles couldn’t take away from his handsome features.  Still a strong, kind soul.  I could see that had not changed. 

“Hey, what about us peanut?”  I turn to the other men.  It took a moment, but I realize I am looking at the grown-up version of two of my best friends. 

“Tyson!  Lucas!  Oh my gosh!”  I hugged Tyson and then Lucas marveling at how much they had changed. 

Tyson, Marcus’s son, looked so much like his father.  Strong lines of his chin and cheekbones gave a hardness to his expression yet, his eyes were kind and impartial. 

Lucas, however, had the cocky crooked smile that could make any girl swoon.  Dark, shoulder-length hair that looked so soft… I just wanted to run my fingers through it.  Light grey eyes like none I have ever seen before, had a sparkle to them.  He looked the part of the hot-headed guy I remember.

We were lost in the usual small talk of how much we had all changed over the years when the door to the office opened.  I turned along with the others to see who had joined us.  My breath was taken away at the sight before me. 

In the doorway, frozen in place was a wall of tanned muscle staring at me.  I recognized him immediately.  My teenage crush.  He crossed the room in three steps, swept his left arm around my waist, dug is right hand into my hair, and pulled me to him.  He dipped his nose to my neck, inhaled deeply, and growled lowly. 

“Quinn?” I breathed out, barely a whisper.

He pulled back slightly, looked into my eyes, and said one word.  “Mate.”

What just happened?