Fighting for her Mate: Shape Shifter Paranormal Romance (Sassy Mates Book 5) Read online

  “Especially when all of you are strong alphas in your own right. Each of you are highly capable of having your own pack, if you want to.” Caleb watched as the sons squirmed in their chairs, uncomfortable with the subject at hand.

  Tristan continued. “Now that all of you are mated, it is time to think about your futures. You probably won’t believe this, but soon your alpha side will start to dominate your actions, in part wanting to drive away other alphas in the pack. You lead or let yourself be led, and none of you will let anyone lead you.”

  “No way, Dad.” Aric sat forward, putting his elbows on the table. Caleb remembered him doing the same thing when they were little kids and Tristan had serious conversations with them. “I’d never make my brothers leave the family.”

  His dad sighed again. His shoulders slumped and he appeared unhappy with the words he had to say but committed to saying them anyway. “That’s how it works, Aric. Whether you want to see it or not. How do you think I became alpha for our pack?”

  “Wait a minute,” Mason said with a horrified look on his face. “What do you mean?”

  Tristan cleared his throat and pushed the empty beer bottle forward. “Our pack was originally your mother’s. Her family started it. Have you ever wondered why most of your mother’s family is here and mine isn’t?”

  The boys looked at each other, each shocked as shit. Tristan groaned and shook his head. “This is going as well as I hoped.”

  Aric sat straight as if he’d come up with a good argument. “But, Dad. The pack’s name is Wolfe, which is our last name. If it was Mom’s, wouldn’t it be her maiden name?”

  Tristan nodded, his features still somber. “Normally that is true, if a son of the existing alpha takes over. In your mother’s case, her older brother was killed in a car accident.”

  “I remember Mom telling me the story when I was young and asked about his picture. She said he was driving too fast and his car rolled down into a ravine and exploded. He had his mate with him and neither lived,” Aric said.

  Caleb stiffened, jerking in his chair. A shot of pure agony coursed through him. All eyes turned to him. “That’s basically how my father died. But Mom and he had already split, so he was by himself. It was really late and he was coming back from a meeting. We thought he probably fell asleep and missed the curve, going over the edge. The car ended up at the bottom of hill, exploding.”

  Jake put a hand on his shoulder. “Sorry, man. Never knew that.”

  Caleb met Aric’s gaze. He was his best friend and only he knew the story, but he appreciated that Aric had never talked about his personal business, not even to his brothers.

  “It was so long ago. I don’t like to talk about it. I was out of town when it happened. Rocco took care of the arrangements before I could make it back into town. He said the fire—” Caleb paused to clear his throat. “Rocco said little remained to bury. We had a memorial service after I returned.” Jake squeezed his shoulder, silently relaying his support and friendship.

  Caleb looked up. “I’m sorry, Mr. Wolfe. Please continue about your wife’s brother.”

  Instead of speaking, Tristan turned his eyes from Caleb. The man’s expression was unreadable. Almost as if he pulled on a mask. Then with a snap, it was gone.

  A waitress set a tray of fresh beers on their table and left.

  Tristan swallowed a gulp of beer and continued. “Long story short, your mother became the heir and whoever she married would rule and rename the pack. I moved here and the rest is history.” He stood abruptly and tossed money onto the table. “Let’s get back to the house. I’m hungry.”

  Caleb watched Tristan closely. For years, Caleb had looked up to Tristan as an alpha role model. His pack loved him and would die for him. That’s what Caleb wanted—not to reign by fear and hate as his uncle. He wanted his people’s lives to be full and happy. Ever since his dad’s car wreck that killed him years ago, he’d only seen his pack become frightened recluses who only came out to go to work and come home.

  The children didn’t play outside anymore; afraid they’d be kidnapped. Teens, especially the girls, were seldom seen without a group of adults around them, if they even dared to venture out. And the alpha house…the debauchery there. He moved out a long time ago when Rocco started having strange women staying overnight.

  For a guy in high school, having so many partially clad women would’ve been a dream come true. But not for Caleb. His last bit of tolerance dissolved in one night his senior year.

  It was homecoming weekend at school. The varsity football team won the game, sporting the best record in the school’s history. The school sanctioned dance after the game was wonderful. Ellie was stunning and lighting up his insides with desire and love. He knew he’d marry her not too long into the future and together they would guide the pack as an awesome alpha couple.

  Ellie wanted to wait until they were married before they fully bonded. Meaning she was too nervous to have sex. That was fine with Caleb. He’d wait forever for her. The thought instantly turned his balls blue. When it came to Ellie, he’d suffer through anything to make her happy.

  At midnight, he had Ellie home by curfew and headed back to the alpha house. He didn’t like being there most of the time. Ever since Rocco took over as alpha a while back, the house environment changed for him.

  Unfamiliar women stayed the night, making disgusting groans and moans from the alpha’s bedroom into the early morning hours. The women were nice on their own, for the most part. But when they were drinking and snorting powder with Rocco and his enforcers, the clothes came off and the fucking began.

  Most of the time, Caleb was either in his room studying or hanging out at the Wolfe’s house. Of course, Ellie was there, so that was the only place he wanted to be. This night would be no exception to his routine—get to my room asap and lock the door. He’d hurry upstairs and turn the radio on to block out screams of “more” and “yeah, baby.”

  As he pulled into the drive, he noticed unfamiliar cars parked out front. Not many, but enough to warrant questions about a party his uncle neglected to tell him about. Not that they talked that much. He parked in the garage and came in through the kitchen entrance.

  He grabbed a water bottle and winced at the loud music and girly squeals coming from the living room. Of course, he had to walk through the room to get to the stairs leading to his bedroom down the second-story hall.

  When he reached the main room, he froze where he stood. Naked skin filled the space. Bodies, arms, legs were writhing in piles of human women; at the bottom of each pile lay a male. He spotted his uncle under five women, all the enforcers, and even men he didn’t recognize.

  His uncle saw him and sat up, shoving away the females. “Hey, tiger.” Caleb rolled his eyes. The man was just disgusting, still thinking he was a male role model, a father figure. “I got something special for you. Come on over here.” His words were slightly slurred.

  Caleb raised a hand in passing, “Thanks, Rocco. It’s late. I’ll just go on up to bed.”

  As Rocco lay back with the women, he said, “I thought you’d say that.”

  Caleb didn’t like the smug sneer on his uncle’s face. He kept reminding himself he would leave for college in a few months and never come back to this house.

  He opened his bedroom door then closed it quickly, locking it. His finger punched the power button on his radio then a sickly sweet scent hit his nose.

  Behind him, women poured out of the en suite bathroom. This invasion of his privacy pissed him off, big time. But he would play the gentleman and not yell or hurt anyone in the process of getting them out.

  The gaggle of naked women pushed and grabbed at him. Hands were everywhere on his body, feeling, rubbing, squeezing. He politely knocked away reaching arms, but when one was gone, another took its place.

  The women pushed him backward until his legs hit the bed and they shoved him back onto the mattress. He’d reached the point he didn’t care if he hurt someone or not. He pu
t as much of his young alpha as he could into his voice. “Out now. Get out of my room.”

  The women ran for the door. There was a moment of chaos as they tried to unlock the knob, everyone pushing and crowding against the door.

  Finally alone, he threw a large duffle bag onto his bed and shoved in clothes, personals, a few pictures of his parents, and anything else he wanted to keep. This would be his last time he’d ever be under this roof—so he hoped at that time.

  On his way through the living room, his uncle jumped up, again throwing females off him. “Caleb, stop!”

  Caleb’s hand fisted as he turned. “I have nothing to say to you except watch your back. I’m the rightful alpha and I will come back to claim my birthright.”

  Unexpectedly, Rocco plowed into him, leaving a hole in the drywall. “If you whisper a word about what goes on in this house, your mate may find herself in danger when you’re not around to save her.”

  Caleb had the final word with a punch to his uncle’s face. He might have been younger and not near Rocco’s size, but he wasn’t going down quietly. During his four years of college, he never returned to the house.

  He stayed at a cabin his father had built for his mother as her private space on the edge of the property. Even Rocco didn’t know where it was. Throughout his time in college, Caleb had grown into his body and his animal. He wasn’t afraid and wasn’t letting Rocco continue to take advantage of his people.

  THREE

  “Who wants more wine?” Ellie held a red bottle in the air, waving it side to side. The girls and Ellie’s mom gathered in the main house for a bit of men bashing before everyone sat down to Sunday dinner. Man, she loved these women. They were the best friends anyone could ask for. She glanced at Jordan and smiled.

  A few years ago, Jordan would’ve been sitting here mindlessly daydreaming of Aric, now she was mated to him and finally living the happy life Ellie wanted for all her friends.

  Nicole raised her glass. “I will. I’m not driving. Oh, wait. I’m a wolf now. I don’t have to worry about that anymore.” She laughed at herself. “None of us do, right, Barbara?”

  Barbara glanced at Karla. “It depends. Has our mama busted out her fur, yet?”

  Karla blushed. “Not in the way you’re meaning.”

  “What other way is there?” Emma asked with a confused look on her face.

  Ellie laughed. She knew her brothers way too well. They were horny little fuckers. “Let’s just say Jake has always been more creative than Mason when it came to their imaginations.”

  “You mean—” Emma’s mouth hung open. “No stinking way. I’m am so going shopping before going home tonight. How late do those type of stores stay open on Sunday?”

  “The one in the strip center,” Ellie’s mom said, “closes at six.”

  Ellie shook her head and closed her eyes. She tried to shut off the image that popped into her head of her mother shopping at that toy store in Vegas. “Mom, I don’t even want to know how you know that.”

  “Please, Ellie,” her mom said, rolling her eyes. “Must we have this discussion again? How do you think you were born?”

  “Mom!” Ellie’s hands slapped over her ears. “TMI. I was delivered by a stork. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Perhaps it was childish, considering how much Ellie loved sex with Caleb, but what she didn’t want to think about was her parents doing it. Ever. It was easy to be open about sexuality around everyone, but her mom was…her mom. Parents having sex was so…not the image she wanted.

  Karla laughed. “That’s what Nate always says. He can be such a dunce.”

  Jordan glanced at her watch. “Barbara, when are the guys supposed to be here?”

  “Tristan texted saying they were on their way.”

  Ellie poured the last of the red wine into Nic’s glass, then turned to her mother with a curious look. “Did Dad say if Caleb was coming? Last I talked to him, he wasn’t sure.”

  Her mom gave her sympathetic smile. “He didn’t say. We’ll have to wait and see.”

  Ellie let out a long sigh and set the bottle on the coffee table in the middle of the chairs and sofa. Emma eyed her. “Are you and Caleb still having troubles? I thought since you two secretly married—thanks for the invite, there, Ellie—things would’ve gotten better.”

  “I thought so, too.” Ellie plopped into her oversized plush seat. “But until this thing with Rocco is done, I don’t think we’ll be normal.”

  Karla looked up, worried. “Nate has been with Caleb a lot again hunting for rogue wolves. He comes home every night with torn clothes and scratches on his face. I’m getting worried he may get really hurt one of these nights.”

  Ellie clenched her jaw and sighed with frustration. “Caleb says he’s waiting for the right time, but I don’t know anymore. I think he thinks by taking out the rogues, the final battle won’t injure as many people. He knows Rocco is taunting our pack, but I don’t know why Rocco would want to bother us.”

  Her mom abruptly stood and hurried out of the room. All eyes watched her walk out then flipped to Ellie.

  Jordan raised her brows and motioned with her head toward where her mom had gone. “Is everything all right with Barbara?”

  Ellie shrugged. “I don’t know. Ever since the scenting ritual, she’s been really tense. You’d think having all her sons mated and getting three grandchildren in one shot would have mellowed her, but she’s gotten quieter and quieter instead.”

  “Well, that explains that.” Jordan pursed her lips. “I couldn’t imagine living with all your brothers after all the stuff that’s happened since the scenting ritual. I thought Aric alone would drive me crazy. He’s calmed down a bit since getting back from the honeymoon.”

  Lael sat quietly, nursing her glass of wine. Since the night of the attack behind Mason’s bar, Emma had been thinking of a way to include her. On her own accord, Lael was endangering her health by using her Wiccan powers to keep an eye on the future of the pack. When Emma suggested they invite her over, everyone thought it was a great idea. Ellie liked Lael and having her as part of the ladies’ night had been a good move.

  “I don’t think it’s your brothers that’s bothering your mother, Ellie.” Lael’s eyes glazed over for a second. “There’s darkness in her past the fates were able to save her from. That darkness would have consumed everyone here. Now, it lingers over the pack.” Her cheeks warmed and she dropped her chin to her chest. “Sorry, Ellie. I didn’t mean to pry into your mother’s life. Sometimes my powers decide to do their own thing.”

  She gaped at Lael. She knew the witch was powerful, but damn, this was something she hadn’t expected. Her mother was keeping something from her. “I don’t have a problem, but she might. What darkness do you see?”

  Lael chewed on her lip. “You should ask your mom. It’s not my place. I should not have said anything.”

  Jordan gave Ellie a glance that spoke volumes and sat her wine glass on the table. “Lael, we can’t thank you enough for what you’re putting yourself through for our pack’s safety. I didn’t know what you are capable of and how it affected you until you passed out when Emma was attacked behind the bar.” The others agreed.

  “Thank you,” she replied. “It’s my honor to be chosen as the one to protect your kind’s species and the role you play in the future.” The others sneaked looks at each other.

  Jordan repositioned in her chair and smiled at Lael. Ellie knew that smile. She wanted answers. “What do you mean our kind’s species and our role in the future?”

  Lael dropped her gaze to the floor. “I’ve said too much. I apologize.” She looked at Ellie. “How’s your training with the enforcer, Mike, coming along?”

  Ellie was taken aback at the sudden change in subject. “It’s going great. Once Caleb got over smelling him on me, Caleb’s been happily pushing me to work with the guy. We’re set up on a schedule to train in the gym after the kids have left for the day. I’m definitely more prepared for an
attack from any douchebag Rocco sends our way.”

  She scanned her friends’ faces. “You all should get training, too. You never know when you’ll need to defend yourself. Especially you, Jordan, since you’re the pack’s next alpha.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right. I’m sure me getting more training would only make Aric happy,” Jordan said. “But this book on the mating ritual is taking up so much time. After I get it published, I’ll look into it. If not with Mike, then maybe a class at one of the women’s shelters.”

  All eyes turned to Jordan with excitement and expectation.

  “When do you think it will be published?” Emma asked.

  “I need to add some pictures—”

  “Oh my god,” Emma interjected, “tell me you’re not writing the wolf version of the Kama Sutra.” The group burst into laughter. If Ellie had wine in her mouth, it would’ve come out her nose.

  Ellie’s mom’s voice floated into the room. “I heard that. Wait for me before continuing that line of thought.”

  “Nope,” Ellie whispered, “we’re changing the topic right now. Not going there with my mother.”

  “I heard that, too, spawn of mine.” Everyone laughed.

  Ellie rolled her eyes. “Great.” She wracked her brain for anything else to talk about. “Oh, Emma, have Aria and Trevan hooked up yet? We’ve all seen the looks they give each other.”

  Emma shook her head. “I know, right? I feel like maybe they need some help or something. They clearly have the hots for each other, but vamps and shifters don’t mix. You know the story about Trevan’s pack being wiped out by vampires—”

  Nicole gasped. “Seriously? Holy crap. Talk about twisted fated mates.”

  “No doubt,” Emma continued. “That’s the whole issue. He’s having a hard time getting past that species thing. He’d gladly take out every vamp, if someone would let him. But I think he’s starting to see Aria is different,” Emma said. “Seeing her as different, but her still being a vamp is probably messing with his head and his emotions. I mean, he hates them, but he probably can’t help wanting her. I don’t care what either of them say, those two are meant to be together.”